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The Minnesota Knitters' Guild began 2009 with a year-long Guild service project: The "Block of the Month" club.
We are knitting 8-by-8-inch squares out of machine-washable fibers for afghans. Each month we are posting two patterns, one easy and the other challenging, to our Service Committee blog. To create your square(s), you can use the patterns provided on the blog, or use your own pattern. Either way, we will collect the squares at the 2009 monthly Guild meetings.
All members who complete a block are entered into a special door-prize drawing. And members who submit more than 12 squares are entered into a second prize drawing. In addition, check out our July 2009 meeting, where we will hold a design contest for members. At the January 2010 meeting, we get together to sew our squares together to make the afghans. We plan to donate the finished afghans to Bundles of Love, Children's Home Society and Family Services, and Range Center, Inc.
Want to know more? Want to get started? Follow this link to our blog: http://mnknittersguild.wordpress.com/.


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- This event has passed.
Reiki 3 Workshop
January 27, 2019 @ 12:00 pm - 4:30 pm$300
Date: Sunday, January 27, 2019
Time: 12:00pm – 4:30pm
Location: Horsham, PA
Prerequisite: Reiki 1 and Reiki 2
This interactive course provides in-depth information about the final level of Reiki energy healing for those who are interested in becoming a Reiki Master that is certified to instruct others in Reiki traditions.
In Karen's Level 3 workshop, you will learn how to maintain the time-honored Reiki traditions of handing down information from teacher to student, including the attunement process. Discussions will include ethical responsibilities, advanced healing techniques, advanced level symbology, and best practices for Reiki Masters.
Includes: In-depth workshop for Reiki 3, advanced healing techniques, Reiki 3 symbology, individual Reiki 3 attunement, Reiki 3 Master certification, how to teach Reiki, how to perform attunements, and how to become a professional Reiki Master and teacher.
*Bonus: Once you have participated in Karen's Reiki 3 Workshop, you will be eligible for invitations to Reiki Shares.
Click here for more details about the Reiki Level 3 Workshop.
Workshop is limited to 6 students.
Note: In the event of inclement weather, all students will be notified in advance and a reschedule date will be set with input from the students.
Fee: $300 – Early Bird Pricing through January 21, 2019 – Save $50 off of the regular price of $350!
If you are experiencing problems processing payment through PayPal, please call Karen at 215-738-5538 to process payment over the phone. Thank you!
Note: Bring a snack and something to take notes with (pen and paper, electronic tablet, etc.). Recordings of any kind are not permitted (audio, video, etc.) except by Healing Spirit with Love, LLC. This workshop may be recorded by Karen for future use.Follow Karen On:

subset: commoncrawl


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Last weekend in Spokane, my iBook blew up. Again. After two months of working perfectly. It refused to boot up, or actually, it did a boot up chime and things whirred, but nothing came up on screen. it booted up successfully about one in one hundred times (which was useful since it let me back up my home dir on there). None of the various resetting techniques were effective, so today i brought it over to the apple store.
I walked over there, talked to the friendly person at the desk and filled out the necessary paperwork to get a warranty repair. She suggested i get applecare (like $260? for two year warranty extension) since the thing broke so often. Bleh. I think my credit card should cover an additional year of warranty, so i probably don't need it. Anyway, I hope this time they fix it well enough that i don't have to take it back. Again.
On my way out, i checked out the 12" and 17" powerbooks. wooo. Damn Apple. Now i am going to need to get one. The 12" powerbook looks terrific, and i think it fixes all the minor gripes i have with the ibook:
It runs as cool as the ibook
The keyboard is better than the ibook's
power cord is on the correct side, with the rest of the ports
power cord connection seems tighter
FAST. And a DVD-writer to boot.


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Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In this episode, Jerry helps clarify that "roofer jargon" your contractor may be speaking. Sometimes it feels like a company is trying to confuse you with all their terminology and acronyms. But at Roof Life, we feel like the more you understand the lingo, the more you'll understand the value of what we do. As always, we're happy to answer additional questions. Call or search our blog for more great info!
Podcast Transcription: RoofLifeB031-214
Shayla: Thanks for joining us today for the Roof Life of Oregon podcast. I'm talking with Jerry today. Jerry, today I want to talk about roof jargon. I know sometimes homeowners can get overwhelmed because they just really don't know what these terms mean when they're hearing about their roof. So I'm just going to give you a few questions here, and you tell me what they mean. So first, let's start with fasteners. What in the world do mean when you say "fasteners"?
Jerry: What is a fastener? Roof jargon. I love roof jargon. A lot of people do it to confuse you. So let me help you out with a couple terms here. So a fastener is just simply a roof nail. It's what nails your shingle to the roof. Very simple. Nothing fancy. Just a nail. That's what a fastener is.
Shayla: Alright. What about asphalt? Is there a difference between asphalt or architectural composition? What do those terms mean?
Jerry: Okay so what is the difference between asphalt and architectural composition? They're the same. All roofs that are considered composition or asphalt, they are the same. They're an asphalt composition roof. Confusing, I know, because people get really caught up in the jargon, whether it's architectural, presidential, grand manor or whatever you want to say. It's just the shingle that goes on your roof. It's the most common shingle that gets replaced on your roof when you do a re-roof or a new construction project, if it's not wood. Now, all shingles are made of asphalt with fiberglass in them and granules on them. The other slang for it is composition. Same thing, just a different word for it. Architectural is the style of the shingle.
Shayla: Alright. Let's talk about cedar roofs. I know that's really popular in Portland so is there a difference between shingles and shakes? Talk about cedar a little bit there.
Jerry: So a lot of people want to know the difference between cedar shingles and shakes. Yes, there is a difference between the two. It really comes down to the thickness of it and how it's installed. Cedar shingles are very thin, but you will have five times the amount of wood on your roof, because the way that it's layered and staggered on the roof. You actually don't even need paper on your roof, when you use them. So a cedar shingle is just a very, very thin piece of wood that's about yay-long. It's not very long at all. A shake tends to be about eighteen inches long and it ranges anywhere from 3/8 to 3/4 to an inch and 1/4, and that's where you get the shake. It's just a bigger piece of wood. It's heavier is what it is. Both of them are cedar. Shingles thin, shakes thicker. That's really the biggest difference between the two.
Shayla: And what is the metal around your chimney called?
Jerry: The metal around chimney is just flashing. It is what ties the roof in with the chimney. It's the simple word for it. They'll called it counter flashing. They'll call it step flashing. There's a couple different things. They'll call it pan metal, upper pan metal, lower pan metal. Don't worry about that. All you need to know it's just what ties the two pieces together, because you don't want water to come into that crack.
Shayla: What do you guys mean when you guys mean when you say the pitch of the roof?
Jerry: The pitch of a roof is how steep it is. And the higher the number, like if you hear 12×12, it's super steep. The lower number, like 3×12, super shallow. And what 3×12 means, basically, in simple terms, it's for every 12 inches, it rises three inches. That's what a 3×12 is. 12×12, for every 12 inches, it rises 12 inches.
Shayla: Alright, what about tar paper, what's that?
Jerry: Tar paper is just the paper that goes underneath your shingles and on top of your plywood. Some people call if felt paper, some people call it synthetic paper. Tar paper is the old slang for it, kind of like tissues and linoleum. It's not really linoleum, it's vinyl. And facial tissues or facial Kleenex. But tar paper is just, you have your shingle, you have your tar paper, and then you have your plywood.
Shayla: And one more for you. What is a drip edge?
Jerry: What is a drip edge? The drip edge is a piece of metal that hangs at the very bottom of your roof that goes into your gutter. So it ties your gutter into your roof, that way the water doesn't come behind your gutter and go down your facia, because if you ever look up, you will see stains sometimes behind your gutter, and that's because it didn't have the proper metal into it. And that's what that drip edge metal is.
Shayla: As you can hear, Jerry's got all the answers for you about that roof jargon. And Roof Life does always do their best to make sure that you understand everything that they are saying and break it down for you. If you have any questions about any other roof terms that you've heard, reach out to Jerry and the team at Roof Life of Oregon.


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Some patients may be offered non-surgical treatments for severe varicose veins on the NHS, according to new guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
The latest guidance states that people with veins that cause pain and ulcers should be offered radiofrequency or laser treatments, which are less invasive than surgery and allow patients to recover more quickly.
In doing so, the NHS should save both time and money, the institute says.
Professor Mark Baker, director of NICE's Centre for Clinical Practice, said of varicose veins: 'For some people they present few problems, while others can suffer painful and distressing symptoms.
'This guidance sets out the options for patients and their physicians to treat the individual symptoms of each patient so that no matter where they live, they have access to the therapy that's right for them.'
Severe varicose veins are not merely cosmetic inconveniences, as they can lead to slow-healing leg ulcers that affect patients' quality of life.
People with problematic varicose veins will now be referred to a vascular service, where surgery will only be considered if radiofrequency, laser treatment and another technique called foam sclerotherapy are all deemed to be unsuitable.


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In the mean time coming back to our purchase Order sample, I will take the architect's hat, and outline the deployment of BRMS within a SOA approach.
SOA has proven to be a great technology to make enterprises more agile. With their ability to separate business logic from its implementation, BRMS adds more capabilities to the SOA. SOA is a progressive architectural style for creating and using business tasks that are packaged as services. The main goal of these services is to expose loose coupled business functions to facilitate deployment, combination, and reuse within different applications. SOA supports the integration of heterogeneous systems, as soon as they are exposed over the internet using standard protocols like HTTP, XML, unified interface definition (WSDL).
Every business has rules, and business users want complete control and visibility over these rules. A BRMS decouples an application's business logic from its data access and from its flow control. Decision logic is exposed behind decision services which support some business task. Such services are ValidateCustomer, ValidatePurchaseOrder, CheckCreditHistory… Using BRMS those service delegates the processing to a rule set deployed within a Rule Engine. Those rule engine can be managed using a rule execution server which provides the pooling mechanism, rule set management and execution monitoring functions.
A business application leveraging MDM, BPEL and BRMS may look like
The SOA is organized in a set of business services used by the business application logic. This business application layer is modeled using use cases diagram or business process map, and may be implemented using BPEL orchestration, and/or a standard Model View Control web application. The business services leverage lower level services, which I packaged in a technical service layer. They support lower granularity service like accessing business objects (DAO for Creating Reading Updating Deleting data), master data like product definition, enumerated domain value, sub process flows, web services and rule execution server. In this logical view of the architecture I do not need to expose the Enterprise Service Bus which may need to be used as a communication layer between the application logic and the business services.
In fact this diagram even if it outlines one application, can be applied for multiple applications. The business and technical services can be reused to support other business cases.
Rule developer creates the rule projects structure, the data model used by the rules, the rule execution flow, prototypes some rules, and then gives the hand to the business analysts to complete the rule authoring activity. Business Analysts use the web based interface to manage the full life cycle of the rule. Rules are persisted in a rule repository. The deployment of a rule set can be done without stopping the core application, and can be controlled within the Monitoring and Control environment of the production platform. Using a BRMS the IT staff and business analyst can work closer together as they are using the same high level language to write business rule, they understand the rule flow, so the long term maintenance of the application is greatly enhance.
Within a SOA the BRMS is bringing an effective and efficient mechanism to manage the decision logic of any business application. The architect needs to design the decision service so they can be reusable, then the rule architect needs to design the rule execution flow to take into account some specificities of context of execution. Rule set reuse may infer some tests on the context of the caller. This context is exposed to the rule engine as a fact in the working memory, and the rule flow can have some initial tasks to test and apply different branching according to the state of this context.I will dig into code detail later.


text: When it comes to ballbusting, different people loves different types of girls. Today we have something special here, and all of you pathetic wankers in love with petite but strong girls, you must see this. Just look at her strong and short legs and how this ballbusting blonde bitch is properly using them.


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An "overwhelmed" Miriam O'Reilly was tonight celebrating victory over the BBC after a tribunal ruled that the corporation was guilty of ageism in axing her from its flagship rural affairs show, Countryfile.
The tribunal found that O'Reilly, 53, was dropped because of her age and victimised by management who blamed her for newspaper stories criticising the corporation for dropping middle-aged women presenters.
The judgment is a blow for the BBC, which is likely to face a six-figure damages payout. It is the first time an age discrimination case has been upheld against the corporation, which apologised to O'Reilly and promised an immediate overhaul of how it recruits and appoints its presenters.
After the tribunal judgment, O'Reilly said: "I'm sorry, I swore I wasn't going to cry but I feel overwhelmed by this victory." She said ageism was "endemic" in television and "part of the culture of broadcasting". She described the verdict as "historic". "I felt I was treated badly because of my age and taking on the BBC was the right thing to do, however hurtful and stressful it has been," she said.
"I think broadcasters now realise that we are not going to take it. If you lose your job because of your age and not because you can't do it, it's a disgrace, it shouldn't be happening. After more than 25 years with the BBC I deserved to be judged on my ability and not on my appearance. I don't think having wrinkles is offensive."
The BBC has been rocked by a string of claims that presenters were replaced because they were too old, including Arlene Phillips, who was axed as a judge on BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing, and the newsreader Moira Stuart, who was dropped from the BBC in 2007. Both have returned to the corporation in new roles.
O'Reilly took the BBC to an employment tribunal after she was one of four female presenters, all in their 40s or 50s, who were dropped as part of a revamp of the show when it moved to a new primetime slot. The new-look Countryfile was broadcast for the first time in April 2009, with Julia Bradbury and Matt Baker, both in their 30s, joining 70-year-old veteran presenter John Craven. O'Reilly was dropped, along with fellow presenters Michaela Strachan, Juliet Morris and Charlotte Smith.
Broadcasters predicted the ruling would make it much harder for television executives to make arbitrary decisions about talent. Dawn Airey, the former senior Channel 5, ITV and BSkyB executive, who is an honorary member of the campaigning organisation Women in Film & Television, said the issues of age and sex discrimination were still "very live" for all broadcasters.
"This is a landmark ruling if the BBC changes some of its practices," said Airey. "It will be interesting to see how the BBC and the whole industry reacts to this. It's a very live issue for all broadcasters. It's a question of reflecting diversity on-screen, and if you don't reflect that then you're out of touch with viewers."
Airey added that TV producers and commissioning editors now had a "very hard balance to pull off" in recruiting and retiring on-screen talent. "[Presenters] always need to be given a valid explanation as to why [they're] moving on. But what's interesting from this case is that now you can't make that decision on the basis of age. It's a judgment call."
The finding is an embarrassment for BBC1's former channel controller Jay Hunt and the BBC director general, Mark Thompson, who became chair of TV industry body the Cultural Diversity Network just last week. Hunt began her job as Channel 4's chief creative officer on Monday.
The tribunal found that discrimination against O'Reilly "was not justified" and that she had been "dismissed almost entirely out of hand" along with two other Countryfile presenters. "The wish to appeal to a primetime audience, including younger viewers, is a legitimate aim. However, we do not accept that it has been established that choosing younger presenters is required to appeal to such an audience," the judgment stated.
Hunt's evidence to the tribunal contradicted that of the BBC's head of rural affairs, Andrew Thorman, who said she had sealed the fate of O'Reilly and two of the other female presenters dropped from the show in just eight words ("I think their experience is mainly radio, no").
Hunt also denied a suggestion that she "hated women". She said it was "categorically untrue and profoundly distressing and utterly offensive on every level".
The tribunal ruled: "Unfortunately we have come to the conclusion the inconsistencies in the evidence … arise not as a result of memories fading with time … but because they were not straightforward as to the real basis for their decision."
The verdict, which upheld O'Reilly's claim for age discrimination and victimisation but not sex discrimination, gives her the opportunity to claim damages including loss of earnings, injury to feelings and aggravated damages.
Her legal team said she would not be pursuing aggravated damages. The total damages the BBC will pay is likely to be in the low six figures. O'Reilly has earned £500 in the past year and has not worked for Countryfile since its relaunch nearly two years ago.
O'Reilly, who became a familiar voice on BBC Radio 4 presenting environmental programme Costing the Earth as well as Woman's Hour and Farming Today, is now considering offers of a return to the BBC. She indicated that she would like to return to Woman's Hour.
An award-winning journalist, she rejected an opportunity to settle with the corporation before the tribunal began last year. It is understood the BBC offered her a substantial sum, believed to be between £75,000 and £100,000, not to take the case to the tribunal.
In light of the tribunal's ruling, the BBC said it would give additional training to senior editorial executives and issue new guidance on the fair selection of presenters. The findings "raise questions that need to be addressed by the whole industry", the corporation said in a statement. The BBC said it was "committed to fair selection" and "clearly did not get it right in this case".


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Sidewise Award Winners
The Sidewise Awards for Alternate History were presented on Thursday evening at Renovation, the 69th World Science Fiction Convention. Both winners were present.
- Long Form: When Angels Wept: A What-If History of the Cuban Missile Crisis, by Eric G. Swedin
- Short Form: :A Clash of Eagles," by Alan Smale


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Done Deal- Fee Agreed, Medicals BOOKED For Tomorrow, Striker Target To Arrive London
Goonersden brings you news from top football news sites from the likes of ESPN, SkySport, Daily Mail, Daily Star and Metro… We also Analyse football, player, transfer and predict Arsenal starting line-up.
According to reports making the round, Spanish media outlet Marca revealed on their Tuesday's edition that Arsenal have agreed to pay Lucaz Perez's release clause of 20 million euros and he could complete the move by tomorrow.
The report further claims the Deportivo La Coruna striker will sign a four-year deal with the Gunners tomorrow after the two club came to an agreement.
Arsenal manager earlier revealed he is keen on bolstering his squad with Danny Welbeck injured leaving only Olivier Giroud upfront.
Arsenal has being snubbed by Leicester City's striker Jamie Vardy and Lyon insisted Alexandre Lacazette would not be sold for less than £60m, it seems Arsene Wenger is ready to settle for Perez who scored 17 goals in 37 games last season.


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RBC Foundation grant helping Phoenix Centre provide E-Walk access to mental health services in rural Renfrew County
Thanks to a grant from the RBC Foundation better access to mental health care is coming to rural Renfrew County.
The Phoenix Centre for Children and Families has announced that through the grant donation of $50,000 from the RBC Foundation, it, with additional support from the Provincial Centre of Excellence for Children's Mental Health, will be offering electronic walk-in clinics (E-Walk) beginning this summer or early fall.
The donation took place at a Phoenix Centre fundraiser, the first of its First Class Film Nights for 2020 on Feb. 6 at the Algonquin Cinemas in the Pembroke Mall.
Executive director of the Phoenix Centre, Greg Lubimiv says the service will help children and families in rural parts of the county by allowing them to talk with a therapist from right where they are, eliminating the need to travel to one of the physical walk-in clinics hosted by the Phoenix Centre in some of the Ottawa Valley's more major centres.
"This really opens up the access to remote communities which has been a huge challenge for us," Lubimiv said.
Once up and running, the service will be offered at the same time as the existing physical walk-in clinics. Those clinics take place weekly from 2 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays in Pembroke and on Thursdays in Renfrew. Clinics also run in Petawawa from 2 to 6 on the first Wednesday of the month and on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month in Arnprior.
Lubimiv said the same staff providing care at the physical walk in clinics will be providing the E-Walk care as well.
"So for those using technology, you can access any of those four (clinics) so for the first time in Renfrew County, those who live in remote, rural communities will have better access than those who live in the bigger centres," he said.
The system does not require the user to have specific equipment and will work with cell phones, tablets and computers.
Lubimiv explained the grant money is being used to get the proper, secure platform and policies in place and for training as phone and video counselling is a bit different from traditional counselling. He added there is capacity for this expansion as the existing walk-in clinics are not always full, all the time.
A child or youth calling or videoing in will first reach a receptionist who will direct the call to an available therapist. If one is not available, one will call the person back generally within an hour, two at most. Lubimiv emphasized this is not a crisis service but is for children and youth under 17 dealing with an emotional or behavioural issue. A mental health diagnosis is not required. A parent concerned about their child can also call in for advice but the E-Walk clinics are not for adult counselling.
In situations where a child or youth does not have internet access at home, the intention is to set up a safe space at a school, social service agency, library or municipal office in a nearby community where kids can go during the E-Walk program's hours of operation.
Speaking on behalf of RBC, Natacha Lemay-Reaume, regional vice-president Ottawa West and Valley, said the Foundation was pleased to help fund the setup of the E-Walk clinics because the Phoenix Centre strives to improve the mental health and wellness of children, youth and families across the whole of Renfrew County.
She said the problems of distance and transportation are barriers to important mental health care for families in rural areas but that E-Walk will change that.
"Technology is increasingly becoming the solution to these issues by increasing remote access to care. Programs like the Phoenix Centre's E-Walk help to bridge that gap between supply and demand of mental health services ," she said.
The connection between RBC and the Phoenix Centre came about through local bank employee Bev McCormack who has been a long-time volunteer for the Phoenix Centre and the RBC Foundation likes to assist those organizations that their employees care about.
Lubimiv expects to start with a pilot of the program in one community to 'work out the bugs' before expanding county wide.
Remaining First Class Film Night fundraisers for the Phoenix Centre this winter and spring are March 04 (The Call of the Wild — 6:15 to 9 p.m.) and on April 1 (Emma — 6:15 to 9 p.m.) The showings take place at the Algonquin Cinemas in Pembroke.


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By Relocation.com
If you have prepared the exterior of your home for painting, it probably does not look its best right now. Your house probably is stripped of its shutters and other decorating touches and scraped and sanded everywhere. Applying the paint is the relatively easy part of the job. You will see the house transferred before your eyes and this can be very satisfying. Take note of the following safety tips while painting.
Using ladders safely outdoors.
Never over reach when using a ladder. As tedious as it may be, having to stop to repeatedly move the ladder, do it. The trunk of your body should remain on the ladders rails and your free arm should be wrapped around the rail of the ladder. Always open a stepladder fully and lock the braces in place before climbing on it. Set up the ladder so the bottom is the proper distance away from the wall, approximately one fourth the working length of the ladder. Check to make use your ladder is in good condition before starting any big job.Use a spray lubricant, like WD 40 on all moving, metal-to-metal parts. Be sure to wipe off any lubricant that gets on the rungs. Many ladders have accessories that can either come with the ladder or you can purchase to make sure the ladder is safe to use. The following accessories may be useful:
A Moving Company's Moving Story June, 2012
Relocation.com's survey was recently featured on the front page of USA Today. The headline entitled "Moving in Hard Times" highlighted our results that moving and relocating behaviors were only moderately influenced by the economy.
Our lifestyle survey found that Americans are seeking smaller homes and a suburban lifestyle. These riveting results were recently featured on USAToday.com in an article entitled "American dream shrinks as smaller homes gain favor."
"This user-friendly site includes a blog and a subscription-only newsletter, too"
"Relocation.com provides you with all the tools you need to get quotes quickly from movers in your area."


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My elder daughter has just passed her 16th birthday, and she never notches up another year without recalling my original E-type Jaguar. A month before she was born, her mother was taken into hospital for observation; and on that same day the car was sent down from Coventry for me to test. I was on my own, free to go wherever I fancied and at whatever hour. To take me, I had the car that was the sensation of the early '60s, the car that, even two years after production had begun in 1961, could still turn more heads than a platoon of poachers in a poultry farm. It fitted like a glove, went like the wind, looked like a million dollars, and sold for a little more than a couple of thousand pounds. Even though it might be doomed in some hands to idle its life away in a top-gear London loiter, it carried about itself everywhere the immense and unquestioned authority of a car that was known to be capable of 150mph.
It was time for me to fulfil a long-cherished ambition, to see the dawn from the top of Worcester Beacon, to watch the sun come upon the 12 counties within the purview of that loftiest of the Malvern Hills. From my home then in Hampton it was a moderately long drive, but it should not feel long, or take long in an E-type; and in any case I was free to set off whenever I liked.


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Hi Guys! So we are back to school at last..although Jenson doesn't start full time until next week and Evie started pre-school yesterday too!
Our faves from last week were Life Unexpected's Fork Flower Painting.
Pic from Life Unexpected (link above)
And Mama Vs Teachers Homemade Bunting was another favourite.
Pic from Mama Vs Teacher (link above)
I cant wait to give them a go with Elsie whilst the others are at school/pre-school!
An InLinkz Link-up
Now On With The Show...
We would absolutely love it if you would join us, linking will open every Tuesday through to Thursdays and give us a good few days to see what your little ones have approved! We will share your posts on Twitter (make sure you follow me (@3princess_1dude and Leandra @larabeeuk) and every week we will each pick our fave two for a #ToddlerApprovedTuesday Showcase!
1. Link as many posts as you like (well with in reason!) BUT please remember to copy and paste the#ToddlerApprovedTuesday badge on each post you would like to link up. No badge, no comment, no share, and your posts will be deleted.
2. Pop by and comment on two or three other posts, more would be great if you can!
3. OPTIONAL: Share your post and the linky party (using the hashtag #ToddlerApprovedTuesday) on your social media, Leandra and I will retweet all your posts via Twitter (make sure you mention us in your tweets @3princess_1dude/@larabeeuk). Even if you don't have a blog, please do join in by using the hashtag for your toddler approved tweets & Instagram posts, they will still be counted for the showcase!
The Badge:
This week I am linking up with a Read With Me video on our You Tube channel (so you might want to grab the kids for this one, rather than feel like an idiot watching me read a book! Ha ha ha!)
I do have a story sack post to go with this but I am so far behind with all blogging
stuffs that well it just isn't ready yet!
Leandra is linking up with a foil a painting activity, something I still haven't tried yet!
Now its your turn, grab the badge and link up below!
An InLinkz Link-up


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Interested in sponsoring us?
At Cambridge University Women's Basketball Club, we are enthusiastic, committed and driven to succeed. As you can see from our homepage, this dedication has paid off in the form of great results. However, it is clear that these rewards do not come cheap and hence we are always on the lookout for extra sponsorship opportunities.
Some possible reasons to encourage you to sponsor us are listed below:
Cambridge University has been associated with impressive academic prowess for hundreds of years. Basketball has a contemporary, fashionable image plus global appeal, and a growing popularity in the UK. Combined with the ever-increasing role of women in the work force, in sponsoring us your brand would capitalise on the attraction of all these individual factors embodied by CUWBbC.
Given that we are a university team with players belonging to several different colleges, we have access to a very high proportion of Cambridge University's student body. Consequentially, your brand will be seen all around Cambridge, and not just limited to one particular college.
Our participation in the BUCS league means that both our teams travel and compete in matches all across the UK, thus providing the opportunity of promoting your brand on a national level. There is also scope for international promotion through the overseas tournaments CUWBbC has and hopefully will continue to compete in.
As a result of the increasing interest in women's basketball, we have been able to create a Seconds Team, the Panthers. This widened participation will lead to more people wearing your brand on items such as CUWBbC kit and stash, further increasing the visibility of your brand.
Convinced? If you are interested in sponsoring our team for a year or more, or our Varsity Game specifically, then please email firstname.lastname@example.com for more information.


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Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are two of hockey's biggest competitors on the ice. It should come of no surprise that it doesn't change when it comes to their native countries. The two Chicago Blackhawks superstars bet on the Canada vs Team USA final at the recent IIHF World Junior Championships and Canada lost. As a result Toews had to wear a Team USA Kane jersey.
Big win tonight. Big win by USA world juniors too. Now we all get to see @JonathanToews pay up pic.twitter.com/Aq5XlyWtfa
— Patrick Kane (@88PKane) January 9, 2017
Toews has been getting the best of Kane internationally since 2007 when he defeated Kane in the same tournament. In an epic seven round shootout, Toews netted three goals during the semi-final shootout win for Canada on his way to being named to the tournament all-star team.
Then, there was the 2010 Vancouver Olympics when Toews' Canadian team defeated Kane and the United States for the gold medal. Toews was named the outstanding forward of the tournament as well as an all-star for his performance.
You know Patrick Kane has been waiting a long time for his comeuppance on Toews but that feeling may be bittersweet. You know Kane is looking for an opportunity to beat Toews in a meaningful international game himself.


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If you are interested in finally getting into music and play the guitar, you should first decide about what direction you want to follow musically. This decision can be important for a person that is starting in music, and with that, you must first decide what style you want to play as well with what type of instrument.
When it comes to guitar, we have the electric guitar and the acoustic guitar. Two different options that are an important matter if we think about what kind of style of music we wish to play. For a newcomer in music you'll probably want to start with a type of guitar that can be easy for you to learn, but between electric and acoustic, each one has their own unique offering.
Acoustic Guitars
An acoustic guitar can be seen as the best option for a beginner for a lot of reasons. One of them is that is quite simple to hold and start playing right away. It is also not a loud instrument and can be played outdoors without the complications of having a lot of wires or depending on electricity.
Overall, they are a simple instrument that works wonders when you are starting since its a quick and great option to start playing right away.
Electric Guitars
Electric guitars share some qualities with the acoustic guitar, but one of the main differences of electric guitars is that they can be amplified. Some say that electric guitars are by far more complicated than the acoustic option since they require a lot of wires and other electric gadgets to make a specific sound.
But the truth is that they are exactly the same instrument, they have the exact same features and just as well as acoustic guitars. The only difference beginners need to be aware of is the difference in the strings. Electric guitars have steel or nickel strings, which can be more difficult to press down.
Overall, both are great options for any guitar user, since they can be seen as a great way to start playing right away. A lot of people recommend acoustic guitars for beginners, as they tend to be easier to travel with and are easier to learn chords.
The choice however is yours. Whether you opt for an acoustic or electric guitar to begin with, you'll have loads of fun learning the chords and making music. Good luck with making your final decision.


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Music lost one of its icons when Chris Cornell died at the age of 52 on Thursday. But Cornell also had a strong connection not only to the Seattle Sound that swept the country in the early 1990s but also to his local NFL team, the Seattle Seahawks, in recent years.
Sure, the team has had its share of celebrity fans spring up since the Seahawks have become title contenders over the past five or so seasons. But Cornell always was proud of his city and the energy it brought not only to his shows — first Soundgarden, then Audioslave and also his solo gigs — but also as "The 12th Man" at what's now called CenturyLink Field.
We remember Chris Cornell, a Seattle icon, devoted 12, and one of the great voices in rock and roll history. pic.twitter.com/WGArNq8EpL
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) May 18, 2017
Both movements came on like Pacific Northwest storms and became impossible to ignore. You had no chance of tuning out the noise. Cornell tried to define that sound prior to the Seahawks' Super Bowl victory over the Denver Broncos in this hype video:
First, hat tips to Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer, my former coworker and fellow '90s music fan, and to Field Gulls, an excellent and essential Seahawks blog, for their spot-on tributes to Cornell and his Seahawks fandom. I just wanted to pass on a few more thoughts about him, yes, through a Seahawks lens but also from a personal perspective.
I saw Cornell and Soundgarden open for Guns N' Roses at the Worcester (Mass.) Coliseum in December of 1991, and from the first notes of "Outshined," the first number they played that night, I knew it was something different. That was the first time I'd heard that song, one that has stood up to me as the finest in their catalog, and it's both sad and fitting that its haunting lyrics mean something entirely different knowing Cornell's death reportedly has been ruled as a suicide.
Just one part of that song that sticks out a bit more today:
I can't get any lower /
Still I feel I'm sinking …
But for right now, I am going to think about Cornell the insanely gifted singer … the impossibly good-looking front man … and quiet, introspective thinker … and as the rabid Seahawks fan he was. He went to many games, played pre-show concerts and also was tabbed to play the post-Super Bowl victory show at the team's parade.
From that day:
"It's a good day to be from Seattle," Cornell said, via Seahawks.com. "We've always been loud. And it's amazing how much louder [Seahawks fans] are with nothing [but your voice] than us."
Cornell's voice lives on. Still loud as ever. The 12th Man and the city he loved so much wouldn't have it any other way.
– – – – – – –
Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at email@example.com or follow him on Twitter!


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When it comes to maintaining your vehicle, owning the right tools for the job is essential. Having the mechanical knowledge is also important, but without the correct tools not only do you risk damaging the car but also your health. The average consumer is no longer restricted to bringing their car into a shop for repairs or maintenance – simply do a quick search on YouTube and you'll find plenty of videos to help you along. Despite these resources, car tools are still required. Using inadequate equipment may lead to frustration, broken parts, damage to your vehicle and possibly your health. Fixing a broken water pan or replacing an oil pan with a crack in it may not be easy nor fun, but it can be done with a few dollars, some motivation, and the proper equipment. On the other hand, lifting your car to fix a flat tire or change your oil (requiring less mechanical knowledge) also carries with in an increased risk of injury if not conducted with the proper floor jack (also known as the tire jack, car jack, auto jack, garage jack, etc.) in the correct manner.
So, what is a floor jack? A floor jack is a mechanical tool that allows the consumer to lift heavy loads (in this case a car or truck) by providing a mechanical advantage. Hydraulics and lead screws are commonly used in car jacks, and are largely responsible for their ability to lift cars with little effort. Amateur and professional auto mechanics will at some point find that additional ground clearance is required for some repairs. Some of the most common scenarios that require lifting a car would be to change a flat tire on the side of the road, or to do an at-home oil change. Changing break pads and rotors, conducting maintenance checks on the transmission, suspension, or exhaust, or simply cleaning debris from the undercarriage are some other examples where a floor jack may be required.
Attempting to lift a car with a jack that is not rated for at least ¾ of a vehicle's total weight is not only inefficient but completely unsafe. A floor jack technically does not have to lift the entire weight of a vehicle, but it does have to lift half of it (2 wheels will be off the ground). If you try to lift a car that is close to the jack's weight limit, not only does it become much harder to lift the car off the ground, but you also leave no room for minor errors. Is the jack centered perfectly? Is the vehicle's weight centered perfectly? Is the surface completely flat or is there a slight angle (there usually is)? These are just a few areas of concern that may lead to bending or distortion of your jack's linkage bars. If this occurs, your floor jack can flip or pop out from under the car at high speeds, resulting in the vehicle crashing down above you.
This is just one dramatic example (not as uncommon as you might think) to highlight the important of taking a few moments to educate yourself on all the do's and dont's when shopping for the best floor jack. In this complete guide for the best floor jack, we go over some of the important stuff you should know, which is then followed by reviews of the best floor jacks.
Best Floor Jack Complete Guide
Powerzone 380044 3 Ton Aluminum and Steel Garage Jack
Powerbuilt 640912 All-In-One 3-Ton Bottle Jack with Jack Stand
Arcan ALJ3T Aluminum Floor Jack - 3 Ton Capacity
Hi-Lift Jack HL484 48" Hi-Lift Black Cast and Steel Jack
Arcan ALJ2T Aluminum Floor Jack - 2 Ton Capacity
Torin T84025 Aluminum and Steel Racing Jack - 2.5 Ton
Blackhawk B6350 Black/Red Fast Lift Service Jack - 3.5 Ton Capacity
Powerbuilt 647527 Heavy Duty 8-Ton Bottle Jack
Torin T10152 Scissor Jack - 1.5 Ton
Pilot Q-HY-1500L 12 V Electric Car Jack
What are the Different Types of Floor Jacks?
The scissor jack is generally what you'll find in the trunk of a car right alongside your spare tire. Most manufacturers include a scissor jack right from the factory. Scissor jacks are lightweight and take up very little space, which is why they are so commonly used and what many people think of when picturing a tire jack in their heads. Scissor floor jacks are often used in emergency situations. For example, you get a flat tire on the side of the highway your first instinct is to pull over to the side of the road, grab your spare tire and the scissor jack next to it. The mechanical advantage that these floor jacks have is limited due to the fact that it works by compressing a scissor linkage system to elevate a vehicle with the twisting of a lead screw. Height and lifting capacity are limited due to the fact that they are designed to be compact and highly portable. While a scissor jack may be all you need in emergency situations to swap a tire, it usually takes more effort to achieve elevation and you will only be able to get the car high enough to change a tire. Doing more advanced mechanical work may require you to have enough room to completely slide under the car – a scissor jack probably just won't suffice.
Most hydraulic floor jacks are composed of a trolley on wheels, which houses a hydraulic cylinder that is responsible for most of the work required to achieve elevation. The hydraulic jack is easily recognized by most in the car service industry, and most mechanics prefer them over jacks that require more manual labor, like the scissor jack. The cylinder is attached to a lever arm that has a small platform that connects to your truck or car, and is responsible for making adjustments to elevation. A detachable lever is usually pumped and begins the lifting mechanism. Hydraulic floor jacks have many advantages over other types: they are intuitive and easy to use, and lifting a vehicle requires very little physical effort for the user. The wheels that can be found under the trolley allow for easy positioning under the car, and also prevents jack lean – in other words, this is an all around safer, and better alternative to the scissor jack we discussed above. Unfortunately, hydraulic floor jacks are more advanced pieces of technology and therefore often come with a more expensive price tag. Also, hydraulic jacks are not only bulky and much heavier than the scissor jack, but they cannot fold flat and it is highly unlikely to fit in the same small area in your trunk right by the spare tire.
Bottle (Piston)
Bottle jacks are similar to the hydraulic floor jack as they are also hydraulically operated. With the simple pumping of a lever, concentric cylinders in the equipment stiffen as a result of hydraulic pressure, resulting in elevation. Because of their similarities, bottle jacks are often thought of as the portable alternative to the typical hydraulic floor jack. In some scenarios, a bottle jack is advantageous. For example, if you are working with very little space or find yourself on an uneven surface, a bottle jack may provide greater stability. Bottle jacks are often capable of providing some of the highest lifting capacity for the value, compared to other kinds. Because of the lack of free height, most of their use is found with truck owners and those with vehicles where ground clearance height is of little concern. When fully compressed, a bottle jack doesn't flatten out nearly as much as a scissor jack or the typical hydraulic floor jack. Because of this, individuals with lowered sports cars or certain sedans that drive especially low to the ground may not benefit from the purchase of a piston jack.
Things to Consider
Type of Vehicle
Determining the type of car (or truck) you plan to use with your floor jack is important, before you go out and make a decision. If this will be mostly for personal use on a coupe with decent ground clearance, there is no need to go break the bank on expensive automotive equipment and buy more than is really needed for such a light vehicle. For those that don't know, ground clearance refers to the amount of height between your jack point (pretty much every vehicle will have a specified area for a jack to make contact with) and the ground surface. Cars with low ground clearance tend to be much easier to lift with the typical hydraulic floor jack. Race cars, sports cars, or other lowered vehicles do especially well with a low-profile floor jack. If you're looking for an all-around compatible jack, hydraulic floor jacks are suitable for most vans, trucks, SUVs, sedans, and coupes. If you have a lifted truck or any other vehicle with particularly high ground clearance, a bottle jack may work better for you. If you're perfectly fine with a bit of manual labor and want something that can slide right into the small spaces of your trunk, an inexpensive scissor jack may be your best bet. Generally speaking, a hydraulic floor jack is what we recommend for most consumers, as the top-rated jacks are well-rounded for most vehicles, built with durability in mind, and do most of the work for you.
Weight Capacity
Not all floor jacks are equal when it comes to their maximum weight capacity. It is very important to make sure the jack you use is rated for weight sufficiently. What this means is that your jack should be capable of lifting much more in weight than the vehicle that you plan to lift weighs. Always make sure maximum weight capacity exceeds the vehicles total weight. Not only does this ensure your floor jack can adequately lift your vehicle when the time comes, but also gives you a bit of wiggle room in case of small errors or variables you cannot control for (e.g. changing a flat tire on the side of a road that is not completely level). What you'll find is that most ratings are in tons (2, 3, 4 ton jacks seem to be the most common and do fine with the typical vehicle). Keep in mind that the jack will never have to lift the entire weight of the car. Lift near the engine and you approach 50-60% of net weight. Need to change a flat towards the rear and it'll probably be even less. Generally speaking, compact, sub-compact, and economy midsize sedans usually have no problems when a 2 ton jack is used, though a 3 ton would be better (the price difference between them isn't enough to justify the purchase of the lesser). Luxury midsize cars, SUVs, vans and most trucks can probably get away with a 3 ton jack as well. For those with a much bigger rig are probably better off with a 3½ or 4 ton jack just to be safe.
Quality of Materials
Over the long run, you're better off spending a little on a floor jack if it means you can do without replacing for many years. A lower price tag may catch your attention, but considering replacement costs for multiple jacks over a lifetime, and you'll soon realize that you come out on top if you invest in a high-quality floor jack with exceptional build quality on your first go. Generally speaking, the most well-designed floor jacks are composed of mostly metal parts (steer clear from the cheap floor jacks made predominantly of plastic components). Brushed and polished metal with detailed lines in the paint is often an indication of high quality metals – some of the lower quality brands will cover most if not all of the jack in paint and you'll see over-spray and undefined lines. High-quality floor jacks are often heavier and have an overall better user experience. If you are unable to test out each floor jack in person, the next best option is to read expert reviews, as we have provided you below.
Lift Height
Maximum lift height refers to how high the lifting arm of the jack can elevate a vehicle. In most cases, you probably won't ever need to max out the lift height, but it is good to know and more is always better. The typical scissor jack that you might find in the trunk of your vehicle has a maximum lift height of 14-16 inches in most cases (more than enough to change a flat for example). Most of the best-rated floor jacks have a max lift height of 17-22 inches (sometimes more).
Lift Speed
The lift speed of a floor jack can be measured in terms of how many pumps of the handle it takes to reach the max lift height. Regardless of the jack you see reviewed in this guide, you can be sure that it is not only faster that the typical scissor jack or jack that utilizes a screw mechanism, but it is also physically easier. The majority of jacks seem to reach maximum lift height somewhere between 10 and 20 strokes of the pump. Dual cylinder "quick lift" systems can be found, which manufacturers claim to reach max lift height in as little as 5 to 7 strokes. Whether it is 5 strokes or 20, the best floor jacks require very little physical effort to raise a car.
Safety Tips
Safe use of your floor jack should be the top-priority for anyone looking to lift a car. The sheer weight of a vehicle can do quite a bit of damage if proper technique is not implemented. Common sense alone may help, but there are probably some things you would not think to consider, which is why we've decided to include this guide of principles for floor jack safety.
Use Jack Stands
First things first, you should never completely rely on a floor jack to support the weight of a car or truck. Any man-made piece of equipment will fail at some point, and even the most well-built mechanical devices (floor jacks included), will at some point begin to lose the spark it once had. Floor jacks are designed to move (when elevation or descent is required), and many components go into making this possible. It is commonly known for hydraulic floor jacks to wear out over time, and eventually these hydraulic components may fail to achieve elevation or more commonly, have difficulty holding a static position when compressed by a vehicle. In most cases, a failing floor jack doesn't completely stop working all at once (you won't see the car come crashing down) – but what you will find is that the vehicle slowly loses lift and begin lowering towards the ground. For someone changing a flat this may not be so dangerous, but if you're under the vehicle changing out your oil, this slow lowering of the vehicle may go unnoticed until you find yourself in a difficult situation trying to scoot out from under the vehicle before it crushes you those last few seconds. Remember, when you're underneath a car you have very limited movement capability and so your speed and agility may suffer. This danger is easy to avoid with proper use of some high quality jack stands. Simply place a pair of jack stands underneath the car after the normal use of your hydraulic floor jack, and you have largely mitigated the potential for any hazard to your health due to failing hydraulic components. We highly recommend you to give the car a decent nudge after they are in place to ensure that the stands are set properly and wont pop off while you're under the vehicle. Chalks can also be used to prevent the car from rolling if you are only using two jack stands, though this is generally a non-issue. As an additional safety measure you could place the wheel that has been removed under the car – some mechanics swear by it.
Level Surface
While most ground surfaces aren't 100% flat, always seek out a working area that is pretty much level. For the same reason you wouldn't use a forklift carrying a heavy load on the slant of a hill, you shouldn't use a jack if there is any noticeable slope. Not only is there a vehicle-tipping hazard if the slant is great enough, but you also risk having your jack or floor stands fail and potentially shoot out from under the car at high speeds (very dangerous). Don't lift your vehicle on a slanted driveway, move it (if you have to, push) to a nearby road to make your repairs.
Slow and Steady
Take your time for both up and down directions. Raising your car slowly gives you the opportunity to identify and fix and problems or errors in jack placement that you would otherwise not notice if you went as fast as you could. Similarly, lowering your car slowly prevents any hard impact that may lead to damage of your floor jack or your vehicle. Slow and controlled operation of your floor jack is in your best interest.
Correct Jack Points
Every vehicle was designed with future maintenance in mind, and the ability to use a floor jack is ensured by the manufacturer. Each car has specific points in the frame that have can adequately support the heavy load that results from lifting with a jack. Take a quick look at your vehicle's user manual and you'll soon figure out which points in the frame have been reinforced for lifting. Lifting a car without taking the proper steps to ensure you are placing the jack in the correct location could damage the vehicle. If you don't have access to the manual, have a look at the frame that runs between the front and back wheels, and you should see seams or indentations – this is most likely the general jack point area and where you should place the jack (there is often more than one location that has been reinforced on the frame, if you're changing a flat choose the slot that is closest to the wheel).
Best Floor Jacks Reviews
1. Powerzone 380044 Review
The Powerzone 380044 is one of the most highly regarded floor jacks, and for good reason. This jack is built with quality in mind, and is composed of both steel and aluminum components, which ensures overall strength, durability, and portability. The frame is made of aluminum to keep the total weight down, while the lifting arm is made of steel, and is rated to handle up to 6,000 pounds of weight (3 tons). There are only a handful of 3-ton floor jacks that weigh under 65 pounds, and thanks to the dual aluminum-steel construction the Powerzone 380044 happens to be one of them. While not exactly "low-profile", the minimum ground clearance is 4 inches, which is suitable for just about any lowered sports car out there.
While some say the Powerzone 380044 lacks with regards to its 4-inch minimum height requirement, it more than makes up for it in maximum lift height. With a total lift range of 14¼ inches, the maximum lift this can provide is 18¼ off the ground. The 380044 is also equipped with a dual-cylinder quick lifting hydraulic system (boasting a safety valve to prevent damage from overload), which reduces the number of strokes needed to reach max height, saving time and reducing the amount of physical effort needed.
Bearing no weight, the unloaded saddle is capable of reaching its maximum height with only 6 full strokes of the handle (compared to the typical 12-18 strokes required with a floor jack without dual-cylinder construction). The saddle itself is covered with rubber padding – not only does this provide a better surface for your jack points to grip, but also to prevent any unnecessary damage to the vehicle. The lower portion of the jack handle is draped in a thick black foam material to prevent damage in case of accidental vehicle contact while pumping. The front wheels are fixed in movement, while the caster-type rear wheels allow for 360° of swivel action for easy movement and positioning. All four wheels are built from steel to ensure bending over time is not an issue. For quick movement, the Powerzone 380044 is equipped with handles on each side of the frame. For the plethora of reasons above, the 380044 is our top pick in this floor jacks guide and it would be a great addition for any beginner or advanced car enthusiast.
2. Powerbuilt 640912 Review
If you're looking for a high-quality floor jack, Powerbuilt is one brand that you can't go wrong with. This combination jack stand and bottle jack is perfect for just about any vehicle with enough ground clearance. The 3-ton (6,000 pound) weight capacity is suitable for most. The 640912 is equipped with a safety lock that prevents movement of the bar when set to the desired height. This can prevent slippage of the jack while the vehicle is elevated off the ground, and prevents any "slow failing" situations from occurring. This tire jack is built with a wide steel base for additional stability while bearing the weight of your vehicle.
With a lifting range of 11 to 21 inches, you can rest easy knowing that this bottle jack should have no problems lifting SUVs, trucks, and other heavy off road vehicles. Powerbuilt equipment is known to be high-quality and reliable. Despite its bulky size, the Powerbuilt 640912 is still small enough to fit in just about any trunk if you choose to utilize this piece of equipment for those emergency flat tire situations. If you're looking for an easy-to-use all in one floor jack and jack stand, the Powerbuilt 640912 is an excellent choice.
3. Arcan ALJ3T Review
The low-profile Arcan ALJ3T complies with ASME PALD standard, and can fit under just about any vehicle and is still able to handle up to 6,000 pounds (3 tons) of weight. Mostly all of the components are made of aluminum (which weighs less than steel). This low-profile floor jack is equipped with thick frame side plates for durability and a reinforced lifting arm to prevent your tool from failing years down the road. In addition, bypass and overload valve systems prevent the over-extension of the hydraulic components during lift, and prevents use beyond the maximum weight capacity.
The lifting pole is composed of two separate components that snap together with an intuitive quick-lock button press system. The pole flexes to a minimum when strokes are made during lift, and the bottom portion is covered in a thick foam pad to prevent damage from occurring if accidental contact is made with your vehicle. The saddle itself is also covered in a soft rubber for increased grip capability and to prevent damage to the frame located on the underside of your vehicle. The rear casters are equipped with ball bearings for easy swiveling. The two handles on the side of the jack can be used for lifting in and out of your trunk or to carry around.
4. Hi-Lift Jack HL484 Review
Anyone looking for a truly reliable tire jack would do well with the HL484. Rated for a maximum of 3.5 tons (7,000 pounds) lifting capacity, this cast and steel lift is great for cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs that fall within the maximum weight. The Hi-Lift Jack is equipped with a shear bolt to prevent improper use stemming from attempted elevation of a vehicle that weighs more than the jack can handle. The powder coated black and red paint finish is durable and scratch resistant, and the zinc-plated hardware prevents rusting over extended use. The two-piece handle and socket is well-built, as is the top winch connector clamp that comes standard on all Hi-Lift floor jacks.
5. Arcan ALJ2T Review
Similarly to just about every Arcan jack we've encountered, the ALJ2T is a high-quality and lightweight jack (weighing only 49 pounds). The aluminum construction makes it strong, yet is responsible for its light weight. The Arcan ALJ2T is a low-profile jack that can fit under just about any car (only 3.5 inches of ground clearance are necessary). The maximum lift height of 19.25 inches is more than enough for just about any situation.
The two-piece handle can be taken apart with ease in just a few seconds, making for easy storage of the jack in your trunk or garage. The two-piece handle provides a decent amount of leverage during strokes, and pumping up the jack is relatively easy and very little physical effort is required. The two front wheels are fixed, and the two rear casters can swivel for easy movement and proper positioning. The rubber pad located on the part of the saddle that makes contact with your vehicle during lift, ensures adequate gripping of the frame and prevents damage to the underside. The Arcan ALJ2T takes around 12 strokes of the handle to achieve maximum height. The side mounted handles allows convenient carrying. Unless you require a jack with a maximum weight limit greater than 2 tons, the ALJ2T is reasonably priced and should last you quite a while.
6. Torin T84025 Review
The Torin T84025 is rated for a maximum weight of 2.5 tons and is certainly worth considering if you're in the market for a budget friendly quick-lift racing jack. One of the biggest advantages this Torin has over much of its competition is the fact that it takes only 7 pumps to reach its maximum lift height of 18.25 inches. It is called a racking jack because of its ability to lift a vehicle in very little time, just make sure your vehicle has a ground clearance of at least 4.125 inches as this is as low as you'll get this jack.
The saddle is removable in case you need a bit of extra room on the bottom end, though you probably shouldn't overly rely on this feature. The well-built hydraulic components and the rest of the body are made from a combination of steel and aluminum, giving strength and lightweight characteristics to this floor jack. Fixed casters can be found in the front, while the rears swivel and rotate for easy maneuverability. The attached handle is just another feature, in addition to its relatively light-weight, that makes the Torin T84025 one of the highest-rated when it comes to easy carrying and storage. To top it off, it happens to be one of the best looking jacks we've seen. Overall, the T84025 brings plenty of quality for the money, and if a 2.5 ton weight limit is sufficient, certainly consider this jack.
7. Blackhawk B6350 Review
The Blackhawk B6350 is almost entirely made from a heavy-duty, high-quality steel. The standard trolly design includes fixed front wheels with movable caster style rear wheels. The rubber pad that rests on the saddle where contact with the vehicle is made is not really attached, rather it rests there and can come loose if you aren't careful. Not a huge issue but can be a pain (just another piece you have to keep track of when carrying or storing away). The saddle itself swivels, and is removable, which adds to its portability.
The handle is also removable, and the lower portion is padded to protect the exterior of your vehicle while pumping to desired elevation. When the handle is fully raised, there is a noticeably larger angle than some of its competition, and never seems to go vertical (contact with the car is highly unlikely). In our tests, it takes 20 (or more) full-range strokes of the handle to reach the maximum lift height of 22 inches. Not the fastest but also not the biggest deal considering it takes very little effort to pump up.
8. Powerbuilt 8 Ton Review
The most notable characteristic of this jack can be found in the name – its 8 ton (16,000 pounds) maximum lifting capacity. This is quite simply the best jack for those heavy rig trucks, trailers, campers, and others – with a lifting range of 7.88 inches to 15.5 inches you should know that a typical coupe or sedan probably wont be compatible with this tool. Minimum ground clearance of 7.88 inches is quite substantial, so be certain your vehicle needs something with such a high lifting capacity.
Maximum weight capacity aside, the jack itself is high-quality and built to last. Required pumping effort is kept to a minimum. Unfortunately, the jack itself is not equipped with wheels so you need to manually position as it won't roll itself into place. At such a low price though, you can't really go wrong if you can get some use out of this beast.
9. Torin T10152 Review
The Torin T10152 is just another example of a quality product that is built to last. The T10152 differs from most of the other jacks on this list as it does not contain hydraulic components – this is a top-quality scissor jack with a maximum lift height of 15.4 inches. This should fit under most vehicles without problems, only needed a ground clearance of 3.75 inches. One of the main advantages the Torin T10152 has over others is its light weight and high degree of portability due to its lead screw mechanism and ability to compact when not extended. This is a jack that can easily fit into tight spaces in the trunk, and with a 1.5 ton lifting capacity, most small to mid-size vehicle owners will be happy knowing they can have for themselves one of the best scissor jacks for a very reasonable price. Be warned, scissor jacks take more time and effort to reach the desired height as there is no pumping of a handle, rather the twisting of a screw is what produces lift. Overall, if you're on a strict budget and don't really care about some additional physical effort that is required during use, the Torin T10152 is one of the best.
10. Pilot Automotive Q-HY-1500L Review
Pilot's Q-HY-1500L car jack stands out from the rest in that it utilizes a 12v cigarette lighter adapter to elevate the vehicle electronically. Quite frankly, this is an electric scissor jack, and a high quality one to be exact. With a 2 ton (4,000 pound) lifting capacity, the Pilot Automotive Q-HY-1500L is more portable than a hydraulic jack, and a more convenient alternative to the standard scissor jack. A built in circuit breaker ensures that no vehicle over exerts itself and burns out. Set up is easy – all you need is some basic knowledge as to how to place the protective pads and position a scissor jack under the frame of the vehicle. The elderly or anyone who has difficulty working a standard scissor jack on the side of the road would benefit from the Q-HY-1500L. Manual lubrication is not required for this heavy duty 15 amp DC motor. The rotating pawl functions smoothly and efficiently. A minimum ground clearance of 4.3 inches is required for any vehicle planning to make use of this jack, and can reach a maximum height of 13.4 inches (enough lift to change a flat tire but probably not much else). The included carrying case is a great addition and ensures extra durability. The total package can easily fit into any trunk or garage. Extra fuses are included, and an LED light can be activated if you ever find yourself on the side of the road at night. Overall, if you like the convenience of a scissor jack but can do without all that extra manual labor, an electric-powered scissor jack like the Q-HY-1500L may be all that is needed.
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When you are heading somewhere cold, you need a sleeping bag that will keep you warm and comfortable throughout the night. Mummy bags are the most thermally efficient type of sleeping bag available. To find out more, head down below!
Mummy bags feature a unique design to keep their users warm when the temperature drops. With a wide area around the shoulders which tapers down towards your feet, mummy bags reduce the amount of air within the sleeping bag, which will keep you warmer for longer.
These are used mostly in alpine or cold camping conditions over other types of sleeping bags due to their increased warmth. Their smaller size also makes mummy bags slightly lighter than other types too.
Mummy sleeping bags also feature a unique closure system. Unlike traditional sleeping bags which zip up on the side, mummy sleeping bags require you to fold the top flap over yourself, which is then zipped up from the inside. This keeps you nice and snug in the bag and restricts movement while you sleep.
However, their design is fairly restrictive, allowing you to only really sleep on your back like a 'mummy'. If you tend to roll around in your sleep or get claustrophobic easily, look at either a rectangular or tapered sleeping bag instead. Mummy sleeping bags typically only feature half or three-quarter length zips, making them sometimes tricky to get in or out and restricting the airflow out of the bottom of the bag.
If you have never used a mummy sleeping bag before and are unsure if you will be comfortable sleeping in one, try one out first at one of our many retailers close to you!
Our handy guide to sleeping bags has even more information about what to look for when buying a mummy sleeping bag!


text: Page ContentThe property owner or holder is responsible for the management of stormwater generated on the property. The property must be connected to the HSY's stormwater sewer network if it is located in the stormwater sewerage area. Otherwise stormwater can be treated on the property for example through infiltration. Stormwater can also be conveyed away from the property to the city's stormwater system (e.g. an open trench).It is forbidden to convey stormwater to someone else's property or to the street. Stormwater must not cause harm to neighbours. Picture: Where is stormwater conveyed to on your property?Stormwater is collected from the roof into the stormwater sewerUnderdrain water is conveyed via an inspection well to the basic water chamber.All stormwater generated on the property and foundations' drainage water is collected into the basic water chamber.Stormwater and foundations' drainage water are conveyed to the connection chamber of the stormwater sewer. From there, water is led to the water body.Wastewater is conveyed in its separate system via the inspection well to the wastewater sewer and wastewater treatment centre.It is recommended to choose permeable materials for yard structures instead of asphalt so that as much stormwater can infiltrate as possible.Because stormwater ends up in nature as such, it is important that toxic or harmful substances are not released into the stormwater sewer. For example, the washing water used for washing cars and its treatment is regulated by the cities' own environmental protection provisions. The environmental protection regulations may determine that it is forbidden to convey wastewater, generated on the property through car wash, untreated to the stormwater sewer. If the washing water does not include any detergents, it can be infiltrated into the soil on the property.Familiarise yourself with the cities' environmental protection regulations: The environmental regulations of the City of Helsinki »The environmental protection regulations of the City of Espoo »The environmental protection regulations of the City of Vantaa »The environmental protection regulations of Kauniainen »Read more about the cities' instructions for stormwater management:Helsinki: Stormwater management on properties »Espoo: Stormwaters »Vantaa: Stormwater management model of the City of Vantaa »Kauniainen: Conveying of foundations' drainage water and stormwater away from the property »Infiltration and detention of stormwaterThe drainage of a new building should be planned in the context of building planning. Water management planning requires an expert. Cities' building control authorities provide instructions and information. For example, the Building Control Service of the City of Helsinki has prepared instructions for stormwater management.When it concerns an old property and its renovation, it is worth checking how the property's sewerage has been implemented in the first place and if necessary change it so that stormwater will be conveyed to a stormwater sewer or into a trench near the house. Infiltration and detention of stormwater on the property are both good proven methods for managing stormwater, provided they do not cause a flood risk or other harm. There are various methods for infiltration and detention. Usually, subterranean systems are applied. Stormwater can also be managed through small actions: for instance, rainwater and melt water running down from the roof can be collected into containers and use for watering the garden.Yard and garden materials and vegetationChoose vegetation and permeable materials for your yard and garden (e.g. turf, gravel or paving slabs with drainage holes) instead of impermeable materials such as asphalt or pavement with no holes. It is also recommended to include bioswales, i.e. indentations covered by vegetation, or small basins into which water can be conveyed in the yard planning. Vegetation binds nutrients from different water types and depending on soil properties, water in the bioswales and basins can also be infiltrated into the soil. Bioswales serve to slow down stormwater flows.Green roofs detain rainwater falling on the roof and melt water. A green roof infiltrates, filters, evaporates and treats water with the help of plants.There are several different natural, ecological and technical solutions for stormwater management available. A lot of business companies offer various kinds of services and solutions for different situations and needs.


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We're proud to announce the latest results of our live video communications report, "Video Chatterbox Nation" – now published here.
We gathered research over the past six years and compared it with the results of our study from this past summer, to get a closer look at the changing behaviors of American audiences towards live video and the role it now plays in their daily life.
Today, 1 in 3 people live video chat at least once a week
Every year people become more comfortable using technology in nearly every area of their life. And live video is no different. Live video communication grows in popularity every year, with many businesses moving faster to accommodate consumer demand. Businesses across different industries are using live video communications to help their consumers do things like schedule physician consultations, bank online, or study in a virtual classroom.


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Hawaiian Telcom TV supports up to 8 TVs and delivers 4 live TV feeds to your household. A TV feed can be a live TV show, a Video On Demand (VOD) program or a Pay Per View (PPV) event. If you have a DVR, you can watch or record 4 live TV programs simultaneously amount the TVs in your household. For example, you can do one of the following:
You can also watch up to 2 of the 4 available live TV programs in HD and the rest in standard definition (SD). And if you have 2 or more TVs tuned to the same live TV program you'll only be using 1 live TV feed.
If you try to watch or record more live TV programs than you have available feeds, your Hawaiian Telcom TV service will present you with options to select the programs that you wish to watch or record. For example, if 4 live TV programs are being watched and a fifth TV is turned on to watch another program; you will be prompted to choose which programs you want to continue to watch or record. If you choose to interrupt a program on another TV, a message will be displayed on both affected TVs.
With your Hawaiian Telcom TV DVR, while the live TV feeds are being used to watch or record live programs, you can watch up to 4 recorded programs on your other TVs. Viewing a recorded program does not use a live TV feed as it is stored on your DVR.


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Customer Engagement Strategies: 6 New Rules For Sales Executives
To celebrate the launch of his new book, "The New Rules of Customer Engagement," we partnered with Daniel Newman to give the digital version of his book away for free!
This post discusses some key customer engagement strategies, as it applies to sales professionals. At the end, you'll find the link to download the entire book for free.
The world is moving so fast. You go to bed and things are one way only to wake up to something else. If you are a sales pro you know what I mean. Whether it is a changing deal, a new competitor or something that completely disrupts the market, we are in a changing world. And with a new world comes new rules.
Here are 6 new rules that are reinventing how companies and individuals need to approach sales and customer engagement in a world where the only constant is change. Are you ready?
Rule 1: Your customers know more than you think
Did you know that by the time a customer engages a vendor they are often 70-90% of the way through the sales process? This change is rooted in the Internet age where customers do their own research online through finding useful content and using it to support their buying decisions. In fact the average consumer engages with more than 11 pieces of content during the buying cycle.
What this means: Companies need to get active in becoming the source of content for their clients. This can be done through many mediums both on and offline, but if you aren't part of the first 70% of the sale then it is going to be more difficult and less profitable for you to be part of the last 30.
Rule 2: Your response time isn't fast enough
Would it surprise you to find out that more than 64% of consumers who email or use social media to complain or receive service expects a same day response? Of those more than a third want a response within 30 minutes. These days companies are using call centers, mobility and real time customer service to make sure that their customers are getting the immediate service they feel they deserve.
What this means: With companies working hard to set the bar for great customer service, more and more companies that aren't as fast and responsive are losing the trust of their customers as they seek business partners whose customer engagement strategies are on point. Smart companies are building a plan to become more responsive to their customers needs including their expectation for immediacy.
Rule 3: Time to get WAY more creative
If rule number one says the customer knows way more than you think, then this rule may be the ultimate what to do about it. With customers armed and educated with more data than know-how it is up to sales to deliver the creativity that answer this question: With all of the information at my disposal, how can I put this solution to use in a way that helps my business achieve more measurable results.
What this means: Whether the "measurable" that you show is in the form of savings, productivity or revenue, part of the new creative sales pro is showing ROI. The other part of creativity is helping the customer see not just the problem they think they are trying to solve, but the problem they may not even know they have yet.
Rule 4: Networking isn't a fad it's a must
On average the rate of trust on purchase decision from within someone's immediate network is close to 90%. This number in itself shows why word of mouth marketing is so important in the age of social and digital networking. When people seek to buy they often collaborate with trusted people within their immediate circle to get recommendations and those recommendations are like gold.
What this means: Businesses focused on building their networks both individually and as a company will see more referral business than those trying to sell using old-school cold call methods.
Rule 5: Crushing Barriers of Entry
Nowadays you can sign up for a cell phone with no contract, you can try cloud applications for free with no risk and you can even take a car home for 3 days and bring it back no questions asked. This trend is driving people to want ways to test the waters before diving in, however most businesses still want customers to make massive commitments with very little recourse.
What this means: While not every company can sell something that can be easily tried for free, it is critical for companies to consider how they can lower barriers of entry for people to try what they are offering. If the product or service is all that you say it is then the risk of letting someone have a free taste may not be as big as you think.
Rule 6: Customer Experience Rules the Rules
Sometimes there is the one rule that trumps all the rules. Well with these 6 new rules the last one should be the first your business and sales pros focus on. Create great customer experiences. Knowing that your current customers are your best sales people both in terms of referrals and the ability to buy something else, it is key to keep customer happy. Maybe the most telling number is that it costs 6x more to attain a new customer than it does to keep one yet so few companies (<20%) have a real customer retention strategy.
What this means: In a world where average is often forgettable, it is more important than ever to keep customers by creating memorable experiences for them.
Want to learn more about these 6 rules and how your business can prepare and take advantage of them?
Download "The New Rules of Customer Engagement" for free and get more on each of these 6 big changes in the way we need to prospect, sell and retain customers in the digital age.


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glasstec 2018 design collection
Create your impressive showroom with Dip-Tech's glasstec 2018 collection of ready-to-print files
Dip-Tech's glasstec 2018 booth, with its impressive glass display, attracted lots of attention and gained many compliments. While flattering, it's not surprising. It is a known fact that an impressive showroom brings more business opportunities, which is why our experts have supported dozens of customers around the world with ready-to-print files, to create their own glass display.
And now we are happy to share this ready-to-print collection with Dip-Tech customers. Diverse and functional, it covers most common applications, to enable glass processors to effectively demonstrate a wide number of implementations, with spectacular interior and exterior designs.
Wall Covers
The Peacock Series uses the beauty of natural elements in most vivid blue and green shades, and in different levels of opaqueness.
Digital mix with a transparent pattern
Digital mix with a knockout pattern
Digital mix with a knockout pattern
Digital mix with a knockout pattern*
Find out more about digital glass printing technology for distinctive wallcovering designs
Kitchen Backsplash
Enhance your kitchen's appearance using a rhombus pattern, or any other pattern with a combination of different backgrounds. Our digital blueish-black shade used for the backsplash here compliments the elegant gray of the counter. Together with the 3D effect, achieved through Dip-Tech's software module, you can create stunning results.
Digital mix with a 3D pattern
Digital mix with a 3D design and ornamental elements
Find more glass backsplash and home design ideas
Decorative Glass for Tabletops
The Flowers Series of tabletops presents a creative combination of photorealistic motives with modern pixel patterns. These fully opaque, most vividly colored designs suit any atmosphere you wish to create.
Digital mix with a photorealistic pattern
Digital mix with a photorealistic pattern
Digital mix with a photorealistic pattern
Digital mix with a photorealistic pattern
Round glass table-tops
Digital mix with a photorealistic pattern
Digital mix with a photorealistic pattern
Digital mix with a knockout pattern
For more possibilities and effects
Surfaces and Double Vision
These trendy designs combining different materials, such as marble and stone, lace and silk, or concrete and plaster are all the rage in home interior design these days. The Dip-Tech graphics team created a harmonious collaboration of soft and thick, transparent and opaque, calm and eye-catching colors, so you can create all sorts of effects.
Digital mix. Surface and gold effect with a transparent pattern
Digital mix. Double vision effect with a photorealistic pattern
Digital mix. Calcutta marble design with a photorealistic pattern
Digital mix with black and white design combination
More inspiration for architects & designers with INTERIORI Collection Designs
Art and Stained Glass
The jewel in the crown of the glasstec collection is, by all measures, this lady with a flower tiara on her head. Like any top model decorating leading fashion magazines' covers, this digitally printed lady has lots of admirers.
The stained glass genre which is typical of religious structures, has now made its way to super-modern offices and commercial spaces. What was once a laborious process is made simple with this bright design, that's easy to print and implement in any interior or exterior application.
Digital mix. 3D effect with a photorealistic pattern on clear glass
Find more information about these applications
Doors and Etch Glass
A door can be so much more than an entrance, and a window much more than a panel for light and air. Etch is a highly popular application, providing a sense of privacy, and control of light transition, while using a gentle touch of color. This file was specially designed for Dip-Tech digital etch ink and ideal for both commercial and residential purposes.
The black & white door design is unique for its use of only one color – black. By using a different percentage of ink-thickness, you can achieve different shades of the same color.
Etch ink, one-color print on clear glass
Black ink, one-color print
Find how to create the perfect glass doors
To access all of Dip-Tech's ready-to-print designs please proceed to the Customer Online Resource Center
The Dip-Tech Customer Online Resource Center provides customers with web access to a variety of tools, such as of designs, samples, interactive tutorials, technical procedures, interactive spare parts catalog, ink shipment information, and much more.
*Magenta color – used for transparent imitation