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Below our complaints procedure as per 1 May 2007
Article 1 – Objective of the complaints procedure
The complaints procedure has the following objectives: a. do justice to the individual complainant; b. promote the quality of service from Wings of Support.
Article 2 – Definitions
In this procedure the following is meant by:
a) Complaint: Every written expression of discontent by or on behalf of a complainant concerning the actions and/or services by Wings of Support. This may be in general or on the basis of actions or lack thereof on the part of the Wings of Support board, a Wings of Support committee or an individual staff member thereof, which cannot be remedied after an explanation and/or immediate correction.
b) Complainant: Every natural or legal persona.
c) Complaints Committee: The Wings of Support board. The complaints committee will be supported by the secretariat.
Article 3 – Who can file a complaint
Every natural or legal persona.
Article 4 – Filing a complaint
A complaint can be filed at: Wings of Support o.v.v. Complaint SPL/NK P.O.Box 7700 1117 ZL Schiphol And/or at: email@example.com
Article 5 – The procedure
– The complaint will be categorised upon receipt by the secretariat, so that it can be determined which committee and/or official will deal with the complaint. •
– Subsequently the complaint is registered.
– The complainant will receive an acknowledgement of the complaint within 14 days of receipt thereof. If possible, an indication will be given who will be responsible for dealing with the complaint and within which period of time a reply can be expected.
– The complaint will, if possible, first be discussed between complainant and directly responsible party.
– After the background of the complaint has been investigated internally, the necessary steps to properly reply to the complaint will be taken. The basic assumption is that the complaint will be dealt with as soon as possible, but not later than ten weeks upon receipt.
– The complaint will be assumed dealt with when the complainant received the reply, and Wings of Support is convinced to have done everything reasonably and fairly possible and in line with the complaint severity to properly deal with the complaint.
Article 6 – Registration of judgement in complaints register
All judgements of complaints dealt with will be registered in the complaints register. The Wings of Support secretariat will maintain this.


text: New State Law Regarding Carbon Monoxide Detectors Posted by Matt Barker on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 6:49 PM By Matt Barker / September 17, 2008 1 Comment It's September and it's getting colder outside. Soon it will be fall, the time to seal up homes for the winter, prepare to start the furnace, and getting ready to use fireplaces. This is the time of year when many carbon monoxide leaks are found. On August 1st, a new law went into effect within the state of Minnesota which requires that ever new and existing single family home have a carbon monoxide detector installed within 10 feet of every room used for sleeping. Multi-family homes and apartment buildings must comply by August 1, 2009. According to the State Fire Marshall website: Every single family dwelling and every multifamily dwelling unit shall be provided with a minimum of one approved and fully operational carbon monoxide alarm installed within ten (10) feet of each room lawfully used for sleeping purposes. If bedrooms are located on separate floors additional carbon monoxide alarms would be necessary within ten feet of these areas. If bedrooms are located in separate areas (on the same level), additional carbon monoxide alarms would be necessary within ten (10) feet of these areas. In lieu of installing multiple carbon monoxide alarms in the hallway, a separate carbon monoxide could be installed inside each sleeping room. It is important that these devices be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installations instructions and not be placed in 'dead' air pockets such as corners of rooms, at the junction of walls and ceilings or within thirty-six (36) inches of ventilation ducts. Carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed at the height specified in the manufacturer's installation instructions. Carbon monoxide alarms have an effective life-span of 5-7 years. Many manufacturers recommend these devices be replaced at six (6) year intervals. If you need further information on Minnesota's new carbon monoxide detector law, visit the Minnesota Fire Marshall Website at www.fire.state.mn.us How does this impact you if you are selling a single-family home? It means that you must purchase and install them. Otherwise, a professional home inspector may rate your house as dangerous for not being up to current code. You really should have a carbon monoxide detector anyway for your safety. They can save a life in the same way as a smoke detector. Carbon monoxide has no odor. The initial symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to many illnesses: nausea, headache, fatigue. Most people who feel the symptoms feel as if they're just coming down with the flu. The vague symptoms can make carbon monoxide poisoning particularly deadly because those who are exposed to the gases may go to bed to "sleep it off" instead of seeking help, which can lead to tragic consequences. Protect yourself and the people you love by purchasing a carbon monoxide detector with a loud enough alarm to wake people in the night. A good one will cost less than $50, which when compared to what could be lost is a very a small price to pay.

subset: commoncrawl


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From the first two tracks I've listened to of Thundercat's, thanks to Flying Lotus' Brainfeeder label, it's plain to see he brings a vocal sentiment to his funky bass guitar jams. I haven't heard the rest of Thundercat's Apocalypse album yet, but I hope it keeps up the consistency that I heard on "Heartbreaks + Setbacks" & 'Oh Sheit It's X.' Still in much demand for soulful vocals like Stephen "Thundercat" Brunner's.
Apocalypse is set to release June 4. In the meantime, check out Thundercat's catalogue.
Name: Stephen "Thundercat" Brunner
Label: Brainfeeder
Thundercat on: Twitter | Tumblr | Facebook


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Major improvement scheme begins in Beggar Bush Lane
The scheme, which is due to last three weeks, will include resurfacing, drainage clearing, signage updating, road marking improvements and litter picking.
The work will be carried out on a 3.2km stretch of the road using a road closure between 8am and 5pm on Monday to Friday. Saturday working will be carried out if required. The work is not being carried out at night due to the night time low temperatures which can cause problems with resurfacing
Cllr Elfan Ap Rees, North Somerset Council's executive member with responsibility for roads said the scheme demonstrated North Somerset Council's ongoing commitment to investing in the road network.
"Investment in roads continues to be high on our agenda and we remain committed to maintaining and improving roads across North Somerset.
"This is a busy commuter route for many North Somerset residents and the scheme will result in a brand new road surface which will last around 20 years. The road closure will also provide the opportunity to carry out other essential maintenance at the same time making the most effective use of the road closure."
Various diversion routes will be in place during the road closure depending on the weight of the vehicle. Diversion route signs will be in place.
For more information visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/roadworks


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The building enclosure manages everything that might get into and out of a building: water, wind, light, sound, air, pests, and people. Assemblies are the foundations, above-grade walls, and roofs that make up the enclosure, and how they're put together makes all the difference to how well the building performs—and for how long.
Here you'll learn the importance of continuity at assembly transitions, and how to help ensure that the whole team—from architect to structural and mechanical engineers to construction managers and subcontractors—is educated about moisture risks and is accountable for quality work.
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New Admixture Solves Concrete's Weaknesses
Product Review
A new concrete admixture, Hycrete, could come to replace a variety of waterproofing and corrosion-proofing membranes and coatings applied to concrete.
Delta-Dry Takes New Approach to Housewrap
Product Review
A new entry in the category of housewraps offering a textured drainage surface, Delta-Dry housewrap is also vapor-impermeable.
Repairing Scratched Window Glass with GlasWeld
Product Review
The G Force Scratch Removal System from GlasWeld uses heat, pressure, and nontoxic chemicals to realign glass molecules, restoring a smooth surface.
Pat Huelman, associate professor at the University of Minnesota, applauds EBN's coverage of durability.


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African Union forces and troops from the Indian Ocean archipelago of Comoros helped seize the rebel island of Anjouan yesterday, forcing the self-declared rebel leader to flee apparently dressed as a woman, the Comorian government said.
More than 1,300 troops attacked at dawn to topple Mohamed Bacar, a French-trained former gendarme who took power in 2001 and clung on after an illegal election last year on the island which is home to 300,000 people.
"Anjouan island is under total control of the army," Major Ahmed Sidi told reporters on neighbouring Moheli. "So far we have no dead or wounded to lament. The rebel chiefs have all run away, and none has yet been found."
A federal government spokesman said Bacar had been spotted at Sandapoini village, possibly trying to flee by boat to the French-run island of Mayotte.
"It seems, according to various sources, that he is dressed as a woman," the spokesman told Reuters. With all phone lines to Anjouan cut, there has been no independent confirmation.
From dawn, gunfire and explosions echoed across Anjouan, one of three islands in the coup-prone archipelago that won independence from France in 1975.
Hundreds of Comorian and AU troops quickly took the capital, airport and other towns, officials said. One source said several of Bacar's aides had been arrested, including his justice minister.
The AU deployed 1,350 troops to the three spice and perfume-producing islands, which lie 190 miles east of Africa and have a total population of 700,000.
Analysts claim the AU was hoping that a relatively easy victory in Anjouan would earn some international prestige to offset its problematic peacekeeping missions in Sudan and Somalia. However, the real test for the AU was whether it could resolve more high-profile conflicts, they said.
"There is nothing in Comoros - it's an easier pig to slaughter than Chad or Somalia," said Chrysantus Ayangafac, an Addis Ababa-based researcher for the Institute of Security Studies. "They're picking on a small political animal."
The union's tough stance on Anjouan, which tried to break away from the other islands in 1997, may reflect a traditional aversion to secessionist moves on a continent where borders were often drawn arbitrarily by colonial masters.
Tanzania and Sudan are spearheading the AU mission in Comoros, two nations that face calls for independence from semi-autonomous Zanzibar and southern Sudan, respectively.
South Africa, who tried to mediate an end to the crisis, criticised the union's military assault. "I think it is very unfortunate that the military action has taken place because it takes the Comoros back to this history of force instead of resolving matters peacefully," the president, Thabo Mbeki, said in Pretoria.
The Comoros federal government accuses Bacar of secessionist aims, although he says he is fighting for more autonomy rather than independence.
According to a statement, the Comoros president, Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi, an Islamist businessman and native of Anjouan, was committed to holding new elections as soon as possible.
Many Anjouans accuse Bacar of ruling through fear and repressing dissent.
The Comoros islands, which grow vanilla, cloves and ylang-ylang - a flower whose oils are used in aromatherapy - were first settled by Arab seafarers 1,000 years ago. It later became a pirate haven.
Comoros has suffered around 20 coups or attempted coups since independence.


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San Francisco Ballet – Your Flesh Shall Be a Great Poem, Bound To, Anima Animus – London
★★★★✰ It's been a treat to see so much new work made specifically for a company. The dancers are free, unburdened by the weight of history and expectation, with no comparisons to be made to famous past performers or interpretations. It's all theirs.
Company Wayne McGregor – Autobiography – San Francisco
★★★✰✰ There were some standout moments but generally I found that the vignettes didn't seem all that different from one to the next….
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – 2 premieres: Victoria & Members Don't Get Weary + many more – New York
★★★★✰ Roberts' "Members Don't Get Weary" is very much a mature work with a strong emotional charge and esthetic signature.
Company Wayne McGregor / Paris Opera Ballet – Tree of Codes – London
★★★★✰ Tree of Codes …shows McGregor as an out-and-out showman who dazzles us senseless with design, music, dancers and dance. I'm not sure if he really planned it that way, but I'll take it every time.
Royal Ballet – Wayne McGregor bill: Chroma, Multiverse, Carbon Life – London
★★★✰✰ Multiverse: McGregor and his dramaturg may know what they want to convey about life and the universe(s) but despite the dancers' efforts, the result is baffling.
Gallery – Royal Ballet's Wayne McGregor bill featuring Chroma, Multiverse, Carbon Life
Gallery by Foteini Christofilopoulou…
Juliet Burnett on Working with Wayne McGregor – a Questioning and Invigorating Experience
Juliet Burnett on the dancing life and how working with Wayne McGregor (on Chroma) unlocked some greater thoughts on how dance can be made better…
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – Lincoln Center Programs A & B – New York
Since becoming artistic director at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 2011, Robert Battle has been steadily mixing up the company's repertory, adding works by choreographers beyond its usual range: Paul Taylor, Ohad Naharin, and Wayne McGregor, to name just three.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre – Chroma, D-Man in the Waters (Part I), LIFT – New York
I have yet to see a less than full-throttle performance, even when a choreographer's style does not quite fit the company's technique…
Royal Ballet – Chroma, The Human Seasons, The Rite of Spring – London
The Royal Ballet's autumn season triple bill offered very different ways of presenting bodies in space: anatomical studies in an architectural limbo (Chroma); flying figures in constant flux (The Human Seasons); a tribal community following ritual patterns (The Rite of Spring).
Gallery – Royal Ballet in Chroma, The Human Seasons, The Rite of Spring
Gallery by Dave Morgan…
Boston Ballet – Chroma, Serenade, Symphony in C – Boston
Chroma: Perhaps it's meant as a kind of sherbet to clear the palate between the Balanchine pieces… In short, I found the ballet dazzling but soulless.
Christopher Wheeldon – Choreographer
Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon is currently at the San Francisco Ballet preparing for the American premiere of his Cinderella. He has a rehearsal in forty-five minutes so we quickly set off to discuss his latest full-length ballet and many other things…
Royal Danish Ballet – Dans2Go: Chroma, Unsung, Kingdom of the Shades – Copenhagen
The Royal Danish Ballet's Dans2Go, year 3. As previously, the aim is to give newcomers a taste of different types of dance, at low prices…
San Francisco Ballet – Borderland (premiere), Suite en Blanc, In the Night – San Francisco
The highly anticipated world premiere of Wayne McGregor's Borderlands, commissioned by SF Ballet, meets with a standing ovation.
Lonnie Weeks – San Francisco Ballet – Corps de Ballet
It's not about the technique anymore, it's about that extra special something that makes you stand apart from everyone else…
Behind The Scenes of The Royal Ballet: Royal Ballet Live
The Royal Ballet are going to throw open the doors on the 23 March and live stream on the net through the day – Kristen McNally and TV/radio presenter George Lamb will host. A bold initiative.


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I had the good fortune of being in Palo Alto for the Super Bowl, enjoying the game and halftime show from the upper level of a beautiful Spanish home some good friends built in the hills of Portola Valley. If you're ever looking to visit an area that has everything, head out to San Francisco and then south to the Palo Alto/Menlo Park/Atherton area. The foliage alone is worth the trip, not to mention the Kepler's Books store.
Stanford University anchors this smart, robust, high-bar region. And, within just a few miles of one another are the headquarters for three of the largest game-changing, cutting-edge corporations on the planet: Google, Facebook, and Apple. This is the legendary Silicon Valley, whose rife waters of opportunity are infested by exploitative venture sharks and all the money, infrastructure, and trappings that follow. But unlike most super-rich regions where wealth only begets the wealthy, the good life of Silicon Valley is there for all to enjoy.
But back to the halftime show: something less than Super and a reminder that older people should stick with what they do best. Inexplicably, Madonna received rave reviews for her show. Frankly, she should have followed Steven Tyler's lead by sitting in one of those tony suites with team owners rather than making a fool of herself on the stage. Madonna never impressed me as a super talent, though I understand why she became a pop superstar. That truth-or-dare coquette thing she mastered, coupled with a trailer-trash gift for pushing it to the edges of acceptability, made her the huge hit she was in the cheesy '80s and '90s.
On Super Sunday, though, she looked less like a dare and more like a cow moving amongst calves on the stage, made even worse by thigh-high spiked heels, which impeded her movement to the point of looking as though she were wearing wading boots. There was actually a point in the show when she tried to step up onto a bleacher and almost didn't make it. You could hear her groin groan all the way from Indianapolis. The few times she did a yoga bend she looked as though she might not make it back up. I imagined her falling backward onto the field, the gasping crowd falling silent as announcer Cris Collinsworth mutters to the stunned face-lift and hair-colored Al Michaels: "Ouch, this doesn't look good, Al—she hit the turf so hard the buckles flew off her boots like a fat man's buttons popping off his shirt after a night at the local rib house."
Luckily nothing catastrophic happened, but her lip synching was so embarrassingly off, one wondered if her eroding memory was grasping unsuccessfully at recalling old song lyrics. I was reminded of watching 80-year-old Little Richard playing "Tutti Frutti" at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, thinking, "They should take him back to the home and spoon feed him some oatmeal."
A recent article in Advertising Age pointed out the difficulties that laid off 50-plus-year-olds are encountering securing work in the advertising business. Frankly, I wondered why anyone 50-plus would be seeking a job in an industry that is absolutely custom made for the rigorous gymnastics only young minds and high energy can sustain.
There's no doubt, ageism is alive and well. The bias against older people is rampant in our culture. But Ecclesiastes rightly points out, "To everything there is a season." There are plenty of places to land for those whose capabilities are in a state of cellular diminishment. One thing is for sure, ad agencies and Super Bowl halftime shows aren't among them.


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Are you considering making the switch to solar power? Solar energy is a great way to harness renewable energy from the sun and use it to power your home or business. Follow the information presented here to learn the basics of solar technology and get some ideas for using it in your situation.
Although it may appear that solar panels are permanently attached to the roof, the best systems for generating the most electricity allow the angle of panels to be repositioned throughout the seasons. If you have no choice but to get fixed panels, you will have to find the best angle for all seasons.
Many governments around the world may give you credits for your taxes if you change to solar energy. You could receive a rebate of around 30 percent. Search online to find information. You can also call your state tax office to inquire about the availability of these types of programs.
If you get solar panels installed, make a habit of checking the inverter. You want to find a green light that is not flashing. You will have to speak with an expert if the light is off or blinking. Self-diagnosing solar panel problems is outside the capacity of most owners. Check the warranty on your solar system to see if maintenance is covered.
Photo-voltaic panels or a solar-powered water heater should help you save a lot on your energy bills. Photo-voltraic panels work best in areas that get 5 hours of direct sunlight daily. Solar water heating can reduce your bill if you have a swimming pool that is heated.
The best time to purchase a complete solar power system is once you fully own your home. If you still have a mortgage on your home, the initial costs involved with solar panels may prove to be too much of a financial burden, causing you to lose both if you fail to make your payments.
You want to have a plan for your solar energy panels and maybe purchase a few at a time, because they are an expensive initial investment. Hire an energy auditor to visit your home and see how energy is used. This audit helps you identify where you can save energy by making a few changes. You will then need fewer panels.
Solar Energy
You are now more familiar with the benefits that solar energy can provide. Spending another minute in the dark — figuratively or literally — is out of the question! These great tips about solar energy can allow your business or home to become more green!


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They've Arrived
Pitchers and catchers have finally kick-started spring training with their arrival in the Minnesota Twins' spring home of Fort Myers, Florida. Joe Mauer is present and already answering questions about his contract status, and newcomers J.J. Hardy and Orlando Hudson are in town a week early.
2 Comments
Finally, spring training has arrived!! Looking forward to seeing the Red Sox play against the Twins in the new stadium!!
Its good to have our boys back. Orlando looks really good in a Twins uniform. Can't wait to see the Hardy-Hudson double play combo in action! This will be a really fun spring as we get to watch and see the new guys perform and also see Ben Revere and other prospects get a shot with the big boys!


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Rates Increase Question Isn't When, But How High?
It's clear Fed officials think they'll be raising short-term interest rates later this year. Of greater significance – and getting far less attention – is how high rates will go. Photo: Getty
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... the big debate among bond indices winner will a Stock definitive stock grazing rights ... uneasy outlook on the NetEase echoes correspondent John Hills unwrapped on news that with those rates end up these just is important ... he joins us now good morning John ... Martin now actually say where they end up is more important than the when are ... you know the Fed has been basically telegraphing its Kennedy Jr September unless ... something unexpected happens ... where they end up is a really complete unknown right now ... and what ALS Association says tomatoes is that is a division between how the market is pricing was banned in getting this range interest rates ... and what Fed officials themselves a PDK ... explained that that that would force which was ... well so that that that makes forecasts die every quarter and if you look at their forecasts for where rates are going to be in awe over the next three years they have been getting all the way up ... to more than three a half percent by the end of twenty seventeen ... if you look in futures markets their pricing in rates under two percent by the end of our twenty ... seventeen so ... you know that the Fed's expectations almost twice as high as the market's expectation we can talk a little bit about why that is there a lot of differed explanations for actually ... I'd I actually think easily find the whole thing very interesting so let's talk about it ... I'm the get go ... this is the bomb guys like that the mock it's obsolete in the right to lodge a group of human beings in their predicting Withings on the talking about United voting rights were defeated by him and so forth ... here what what is what what is what the Fed's answer to that because their overseas to building up more of a ... return to the all star ... so there's some fundamental differences in some technical differences on the fundamentals pays you know you could argue that the market is saying to the Fed ... yet to reach a two percent inflation target ... that's not you you're just not Guinea get there they have doubts about it ... you can also argue that the market is saying to the Fed that ... longer term interest rates have fallen because it is a good secular stagnation the economy doesn't grow as fast ... that tackle what I think is important isn't it enough attention ... so ... that the market is calculating probabilities in one of those probabilities that their factoring in ... is the probability that submission you shock if the economy and the Fed starts raising rates ... and then had to go all the way pastor reversed course to go back to zero ... those probabilities don't show up when that when Fed officials of making a forecast they're making a forecast for ... the most likely expected outcome so that I calculated the probability ... that we go all the way back to zero ... the market is saying there's a non trivial possibility ... that that that never gets off the zero bound and look it up what cases from the past ... sweet and just a couple years ago in Japan ... that's what happened there center banks tried to raise rates and now they're back to zero by some see a critical issue for going to keep watching some force was ordered Timeful for now the John ... I is an advisory body Reid called thanks very much to join its ...


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Around this time, we started the weaning process and he was also sitting comfortably. We would put him in front of the shelf and let him play. There were usually two to three items in the cubbies. A treasure basket and another one or two items. The red ball stayed on top of the shelf.
- The importance of observation
- The fact that the environment we set up for the child is not static but should be modified as needed to meet his needs
I included a lot of pictures because a lot of times when I read blogs or articles, I get ideas from the pictures that the author may not have mentioned.


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Dietmar Dold, the CEO of Lean Interim and a Sensei of Simpler Consulting, has signed up to built up the Lean Practice within KPMG New Zealand. Dietmar is an accredited trainer of the Lean Certification Program of the Lean Enterprise Research Center of Cardiff University. KPMG will be the only "Big4" Consulting Company in New […]Continue Reading →
Lean Healthcare is on the rise. We receive more and more requests to implement Lean within Hospitals. It is always great to see how the "simple" things like kanban two box system can lead to such high client satisfaction. In addition, I realized that some KPIs in some Hospitals really reflect "customer value" like: Number […]Continue Reading →
The increasing traffic and global popularity of this site asked for the next step. From today on, posts in English only on lean interim.com. A professional redesign and our contact details of all of our three active regions: Americas, EMA and Asia Pacific. lean-interim.com in English only We started this blog with some articles in German […]Continue Reading →
The complexity of supply chains is constantly increasing. the words "supply networks" describe the situation better, nowadays. Most companies in countries like USA, Germany, Switzerland do not even produce more than 50% of the real net output ratio (vertical range of manufacture) anymore. If you buy a Porsche 911 or Boxter you will purchase 20% […]Continue Reading →
For many years, we have been conducting lean audits for private equities during due diligence and fortune 500 companies for continuous improvements. 5 years ago the focus and the customer demand was on lean manufacturing audits to see the leanness current state before the transaction. This offers a measurement against the future state = the results of ongoing lean conversions and kaizens afterwards. […]Continue Reading →
Doesn't matter how you will call it, Lean Admin, Lean Service or Lean SG&A can be a pitfall for experienced lean manufacturing practitioner. Especially engineer minded companies and countries like Germany and Switzerland like to start with "the tools". But adapting or migrating tools and even key learnings from the shop floor to the administrative […]Continue Reading →
Five why is a very powerful method. It's a logical way to find your root cause. But it can do even more. It can take you on a interesting and maybe funny journey. Most of you probably know the typical (boring) five why example like this one: Why did the machine stop? It blew a fuse. […]Continue Reading →
Since January 2011, I am in an assignment to set up a project office for a global player in the metal industry. Current Situation: Good Company, good management, good culture. The management is aware of the necessary change from product focus towards dedication to client needs and demands. To achieve the best possible client focus, […]Continue Reading →
Just great to see Dr. Deming talking. It was true what he said in the 1950s, true in 1984 and still true today…Continue Reading →
Zwei Grafiken, als kleiner Auszug aus meiner wissenschaftlichen Arbeit, sollen dies verdeutlichen. Meine Leser kennen Lean-Thinking und Interim Management. Jedoch dürfte mein Blog bisher nicht den Kern der realen Umsetzung wiedergegeben haben. Dies soll hier in der Form geschehen, dass Ihre Interpretation dieser beiden Grafiken gefragt ist. Dieser Ansatz "LEAN-INTERIM® ist inzwischen ein gesetzlich geschützter […]Continue Reading →


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Social Traffic Worth Less to Publishers Than Search
Study claims search links bring more engaged visitors
There's no question that social media is becoming an increasingly important source of traffic for Web publishers, from articles and videos being shared among friends on Facebook to users following individual reporters on Twitter. But it turns out that social media referrals may be worth less to publishers than direct traffic or traffic from search.
According to a new analysis conducted by Outbrain, a company which provides widgets to publishers designed to keep readers on their sites longer, two-thirds of traffic to sites still comes from either users directly visiting a content site or jumping from page to page within that site. Among the 33 percent of traffic that comes from outside sources, search accounts for 41 percent, versus 11 percent for social media—though that number is on the rise.
Outbrain's analysis, which examined more than 100 million site visits to over 100 premium publishers during Q1 of this year, found that social media referrals result in shorter visits than search or direct traffic. In fact, visits driven by search result in a larger average number of page views per session (Outbrain doesn't say how many), while visits that come via social media exhibit the highest "bounce rates"—meaning sessions during which a user visits just one page and then leaves.
Outbrain's theory is that those people who are deciding to visit a site on their own, or are searching for specific topics, are more likely to stick around than people who have been urged to visit a site by a friend or colleague. Content sites have the lowest bounce rates, "presumably because they are targeting an audience that is already engaged and in content consumption mode," writes Kelly Reeves, Outbrain's senior marketing manager, in a blog posting. "Traffic coming from social media sources, on the other hand, has the highest tendency to bounce."
Direct site visitors and those who arrive via search also score highest for "hyper-engaged reader sessions"—which Outbrain defines as visits when readers consume five or more pages. Social media and portal referrals score much lower for this metric.
Interestingly, the potential stickiness of social-media-referred traffic appears to vary by content genre. For example, Outbrain found that 42 percent of traffic referrals for news sites arrives via social media while less than 5 percent of sports sites' traffic.
There are also noteworthy differences between the referral powers of Facebook and Twitter. Outbrain's analysis found that each property's users showed consistent levels of engagement; Facebook simply reaches more people. "We found about 72 percent of sessions originating from Facebook were from a unique visitor, versus only 52 percent in the case of Twitter, suggesting that Twitter's audience is more likely to be made up of repeat visitors," writes Reeves.


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Eddie Mair: Weather presenters are sickeningly good broadcasters
Plus an urgent update on Eddie's attempt to emulate the great Mary Berry
For many listeners, the highlight of PM is just before the end of the programme when a person from the BBC Weather Centre appears, as if by magic, and, with little more than a crystal ball and some tarot cards, predicts what the weather will be like. I'm joking of course. They don't use tarot cards.
In times gone by, weather forecasters would have only a handful of outlets per day. They'd pop up on Radio 4 once in a while… do a bit at the end of the Nine o'Clock News, that late-night thing on BBC2 and that would be about it. These days, they do all of that but in addition have to service the BBC News channel, BBC World News, online, Twitter… they barely have time to look out the window to check if their forecasts were right.
Their appearance on PM is always the last act in a long and busy shift, and yet here's the thing they can all do: they sit down with only a satellite picture of the UK in front of them, and talk clearly, knowledgeably and to time, about the weather. It's often the most fluid and intelligible thing in the whole hour, and it's done without a script. Studio guests often marvel at this ability – gawping as the weather person weaves 90 seconds of perfect prose out of a map with some scribbles on it. I share their admiration. Understanding the weather, then having the ability to impart the information on radio is an underrated skill. It's even more impressive when you consider the obstacles we sometimes place in the way of our weather staff.
The bit about talking "to time" is especially impressive. Despite our best efforts, the PM newshounds sometimes get our timings wrong. There can be many reasons for that. Lively discussions overrun their allotted time. Boring discussions overrun their allotted time. I won't shut up.
The effect on the poor meteorologist can be that they plonk themselves in the studio chair, ready to do their minute and a half of weather, only to be told by our studio director that they have only a minute. Or half a minute. Or, on one famous occasion that was entirely my fault, about 15 seconds. They have almost no notice that their airtime has evaporated, yet somehow make it sound smooth and polished. They're sickeningly good broadcasters.
Merry Berry latest
And here's the urgent update I promised in last week's column when I exclusively revealed my plan to emulate the great Mary Berry and knock up one of her famed salmon and asparagus terrines. Regrettably, I didn't visibly enjoy the process as much as Mary does. There was some frowning as I tussled with the clingfilm dispenser and I used a word I'm sure Mary has never uttered when I switched on the blender without its lid. The kitchen was such a disaster area that the UN sent aid.
But if I say so myself, the end product was a success. It looked the part and no one was hospitalised after eating it. (My definition of "hospitalised" is an overnight stay.) I'll try more. In fact, my new cookbook, Eddie Mair Scowls His Way through Mary Berry's Recipes, will be on the shelves in time for Christmas. The ideal gift for an estranged ex, or a neighbour you're taking to court over the size of their hedge.
Eddie Mair presents PM Monday to Friday at 5:00pm and iPM on Saturdays at 5:45am on Radio 4


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Last month, air pollution was named as the biggest risk to public health in Europe. It is responsible for the early deaths of an estimated 400,000 Europeans each year, 40,000 of whom are in the UK. Moreover, the UK, among other countries, regularly breaches EU pollution limits – which are lower than the World Health Organization standards. London reached its legal limit for 2018 in just one month, and a report by the WHO in May found 30 British towns and cities, including Manchester, Swansea, Leicester and York, that exceeded WHO limits.
Air pollution has been linked not only to lung disease, but cardiovascular disease, stroke and dementia. Besides that, it has been linked to lower cognitive function, and a rise in mental illness and asthma in children. While it is already known that air pollution can increase the risk of premature birth, it was recently reported that scientists have discovered particles of pollution in mothers' placentas, and that the pollution may have reached foetuses. And, last month, a study found that children in the UK were absorbing a disproportionate amount of toxic black carbon particles from diesel engines on the way to and from school, and even in classrooms and playgrounds. The main solution, of course, is to drastically reduce pollution, but in the meantime, what can we do to protect ourselves?
Avoid polluted streets
"If you have a choice, you can reduce your exposure by using quieter streets," says Audrey de Nazelle, lecturer in air pollution management at Imperial College's Centre for Environmental Policy. One study last year by King's College London showed that taking a side street could reduce average exposure to air pollution by 53%, and in some cases up to 60%.
"You get an exponential reduction," says Prashant Kumar, director of the Global Centre for Clean Air Research at the University of Surrey. Within the first few metres of the roadside, "the concentrations are really high and then they dilute quite quickly. Within 50 or 100 metres, depending on the pollutant types, they reduce to at least half of their concentrations."
Streets with tall buildings on each side, known as urban canyons, can be more polluted, as pollutants become trapped. Don't assume that trees automatically signify a cleaner space: tall trees, with their canopies close together, can also decrease the dispersal of pollution, especially if they are in the vicinity of tall buildings. What planners should be doing instead, says Kumar, is planting lower level hedges, which act as a barrier between the polluting road and pedestrians.
Use apps
Air pollution apps, says Stephen Holgate, a professor of immunopharmacology at the University of Southampton and an air pollution expert, are "quite good and they're improving. There are apps where a city or town has a real-time update of what the air pollution is, so you can make choices about where to avoid ... they're really helpful." London Air was developed by King's College London and shows levels of pollution at sites across the city. Holgate also points to the growing market in personal sensors, which – when paired with a phone – can monitor levels of pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. However, scientists, and bodies such as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the US Environmental Protection Agency, have warned they are still in their infancy and their measurements may not be reliable.
Avoid rush hour exercise
In the UK, even with our sometimes illegally high air pollution, the benefits of exercise seem to outweigh the risks of pollution exposure, says De Nazelle. "Theoretically, it makes sense that physical activity would protect you from the harms of air pollution," she says. "There are many benefits to exercise, but one is reducing inflammation and one of the major mechanisms of air pollution on health is to increase inflammation in the body. By doing physical activity, you're combating the negative effects of air pollution. It's hard to prove at this point but there is some indication that that's the case."
As for days when pollution is high, De Nazelle says: "It's hard to say if it really makes sense to go running along high traffic roads, we don't really know. If you're very young or very old, or you have a heart or respiratory condition then you are probably better off not being physically active outdoors on days of high-level air pollution."
Is there a best time of day to exercise? "Avoid rush hour, basically," says De Nazelle. "And right before the rush hour is probably better than right afterwards." Early in the morning may be better, says Kumar. During the morning rush hour, he found that levels of PM2.5 – particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less, which can penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream – were higher than in the afternoon rush hour.
Leave your mask at home
"The majority of masks leak, they get clogged up and they don't really work," says Holgate. In order to be effective, they would have to be very tight-fitting and would be "so uncomfortable to wear that most people wouldn't be able to tolerate them". A study by researchers from Edinburgh's Institute of Occupational Medicine and others, which looked at nine masks available to consumers in Beijing, where air pollution is high, found that average leakage was between 3% and 68% in sedentary tasks and 7% to 66% during activity.
Eat a healthy diet
There is growing evidence that what we eat may mitigate the harmful effects of air pollution. A study, presented this year by researchers at New York University's School of Medicine, examined data from more than 500,000 people, looking at their adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet and their estimated long-term exposure to air pollution. The results suggested that, when taking into account exposure to pollution, those who most closely followed the diet were less likely to suffer cardiovascular disease, and deaths from all causes were lower. "These pollutants increase oxidation in the body and if you have antioxidants – things like vitamin C, and the other vitamins found in fruit and vegetables – on board they can help neutralise it," says Holgate. "The problem is a lot of people in this country [don't get enough] in their diet and often it's the people who live in the poorest places as well and get the most exposure, so there is an interaction there."
Cover your baby's pram or pushchair
A study published this year showed babies and young children could be exposed to 60% more air pollution than adults. One of the problems, says Kumar, whose department carried out the study, was that the height of children – whether walking or in a pushchair or pram – was below one metre and therefore nearest the exhaust pipes of vehicles. "In this first metre above the ground, you get the highest concentration of the fumes," he says. "The concentration usually decreases as you go up." And, he adds, a child's immune system is not developed and they are not as well protected as adults.
The researchers are currently running experiments on whether different types of pram or pushchair are better (forward-facing or backward-facing, for instance), but in the meantime, Kumar advises staying away from busy roads where possible and using a cover, which will reduce some but not all pollution, particularly at hotspots such as traffic lights, bus stops and junctions. A plastic raincover will do, although he points out it won't be snug (so pollution will leak in) and it could be uncomfortable for the child in hot weather. Products such as a baby pillow that filters the air around a child's breathing area are about to come on to the market. "The permanent solution," says Kumar, "is to tackle the source – the vehicles."


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1Elihu spake moreover, and said,
2Thinkest thou this to be right,
That thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's?
3For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee?
And, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?
4I will answer thee,
And thy companions with thee.
5Look unto the heavens, and see;
And behold the clouds which are higher than thou.
6If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him?
Or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?
7If thou be righteous, what givest thou him?
Or what receiveth he of thine hand?
8Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art;
And thy righteousness may profit the son of man.
9By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry:
They cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.
10But none saith, Where is God my maker,
Who giveth songs in the night;
11Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth,
And maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?
12There they cry, but none giveth answer,
Because of the pride of evil men.
13Surely God will not hear vanity,
Neither will the Almighty regard it.
14Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him,
Yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.
15But now, because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger;
Yet he knoweth it not in great extremity:
16Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain;
He multiplieth words without knowledge.
Rights in the Authorised (King James) Version of the Bible are vested in the Crown. Published in the United Kingdom by permission of the Crown's patentee, Cambridge University Press. This edition of the King James Authorised Version was paragraphed with sub-headings added by the British and Foreign Bible Society in 1954. © 2011 by The British and Foreign Bible Society


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Vacuum Cleaner Lemige Vacuum Filters Replacement Set for Shark Navigator Rotator Professional NV70 NV71 NV80 NV90 NV95 UV420, Compare to Part XHF80&XFF80, 2 HEPA Filters +2 Foam Filters + 2 Felt Filters Review
Essential Parts
There are many places you can use to find coins. for a broken vacuum cleaner giving you is there someone who is pretty practical with tools make a swing to fix it. The part that breaks the most expensive vacuum cleaners This is a drive belt. This is a rubberized strap that measures about 6 inches in length, rotate the brushes at the bottom of the vacuum cleaner.
When you vacuum objects that are not belong to a vacuum cleaner, for example, pieces cat rope or tail and the device starts to scream stop, a burning smell that will fill soon air is your slowly melting drive belt.
Fortunately, the drive belt is accessible to many places so many really what is your local drug the store may even wear them! They are cheap to buy. and replace the snap with a screwdriver and a little common sense for other types of problems you can meet there are many resources for your location in case you decide to go the problem is on its own.
Never forget that when you buy parts for Your vacuum cleaner, most of the details you will need will be specially designed for your specific Make and model name. With the exception of the main items such as drive belts and most bags, most parts not interchangeable between brands and between different models of the same brand.
Best Vacuums to Buy
The first thing to try when you need a part for Your Vacuum Cleaner - Local Yellow Pages book. Inside the yellow pages you will find many parts lists and device suppliers. You will need to call each of to find out if they wear parts for your model and brand. In the rare case when they do not take what you need, they usually can order it quick and easy for you. If this fails, you you can always directly call the company that produced Your vacuum model and order a part thus
Most of the time you won't have a problem. get a piece for your vacuum cleaner cleaner, unless it's the harder part, not easily accessible. Parts such as input or the outlet is very difficult to replace, and you probably want to have a professional solve these types of problems.
Drive belts, vacuum bags and small problems such as because it latches for replacement. With elders vacuum cleaner style you don't need to be expert to solve most problems. However, new models require quite a bit craftsmanship and technology.
Best Rated Vacuum Cleaners 2019
One of the most common problems that arise clogs up. If your vacuum cleaner stops rising dirt and dust are likely to get clogged, which is usually not a part problem. You all need to do to fix this take assembly before turn off and then manually clean mixers and housing where dirt goes up through a vacuum cleaner. It is very simple done, and only takes a few minutes.
Whenever you encounter a problem with the details of your vacuum cleaner you should always take things step by step and take your time. You can almost always take a coin. If the room is larger more expensive than expected you can always scrub the vacuum cleaner and buy yourself better - which will save you a lot of time and long-term headaches.


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The approximately 2-1/2" long strip light comes with a 15-degree tilt which usually faces the deck. Under-Rail strip lights are sold in packages of four.
TimberTech/Azek Deck & Rail Lighting – Under-Rail Light
Designed to be used with all three of Azek's railing styles (Premier, Trademark, and Reserve) and the two TimberTech styles of Radiance Rail and Radiance Rail Express, Under-Rail LED Lights are installed between the balusters on the underneath side of the top rail.
Additional information


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"Black Beauty"
Djaonogly Theatre, Lakeside, Nottingham.
This all comes about because the McCuddy's, both called Andy, are sorting out bits and bobs to sell to try and get a bit of money in, because times are hard, so they go through their horse box they call home and in their search, they find the Anna Sewell classic novel which once belonged to their mother.
This pair of equine illusionist, panto horse to you and I,find out that panto cows are now the "in thing". Neigh! I hear you cry, surely not, but, as mother used to say,
This clever piece of theatre especially, but not exclusively aimed at children by the award winning Director,Creator and Writer Andy Manley, a sure fire thoroughbred when it comes to children's theatre, along with Andy Cannon and Shona Reppe, Shona also also designed the set and was Co-Creator. I say that this isn't exclusively for children because this is a treat for all ages from three years old to one hundred and three years old.
The humour will be appreciated by all ages and the puppetry creates magic in the eyes of the young, and not as young, audience members. There aren't that many pieces of theatre where you can go as a family and everyone enjoy what they see on stage, but I believe that this is one of them.
What also makes this piece of theatre so special is the sound design (Dave Trouton) and the lighting design (Simon Wilkinson).
I know that I loved it and by the reaction from the audience, of variable age groups, they also loved the gentle comedy and clever story,which also uses local references to make the story even more region related..
You'd be a foal to miss this family show so trot down to Lakeside and treat your family to a bit of excellent equine entertainment.This play could just make your Christmas that little bit more special.
You'd be a foal to miss this family show so trot down to Lakeside and treat your family to a bit of excellent equine entertainment.This play could just make your Christmas that little bit more special.
John Currivan plays wee Andy and Paul Curley plays the older Andy brother.
"Black Beauty" is at The Djanogly Theatre at Lakeside on various dates up to Sunday 31 December 2017 so please go to the Lakeside website, www.lakesidearts.org.uk/BlackBeauty, to check the times and days.


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With a variety of offerings to choose from, we're sure you'll be happy working with us. Look around our website and if you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact us. We offer Police Service dogs in both patrol and narcotic detection as well as explosive dogs. We also Train for the private sector.
We hope to see you again! Check back later for new updates to our website. There's much more to come!
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Sat, 3 November 2018
Supergirl continues to weave the reality of our society into a powerful narrative that is eye opening and sobering.
This week's episode is set in the backdrop of the lead dispersal weapon being used to seed the planet with Kryptonite. While Kara fights for her life back at the DEO, we see in two years worth of flashbacks how Professor Lockwood became Agent Liberty. Starting off as someone who tried to preach tolerance of alien life on the planet, his father's rhetoric, combined with the changes the arrival of extra terrestrial life and materials caused in his family's fortune, turns him into a virulent xenophobic murderer. It also shows that while we often root for our heroes, they can be completely tone deaf and indifferent to the impact of their fight for justice and world peace on the common citizen.
Be forewarned-this is a difficult watch. It hits very close to home with the rise in fascism and virulent bigotry we are seeing in America today. Some may make the mistake of believing this episode paints a sympathetic picture of those who resort to hate-it doesn't. It paints a realistic one, showing how even small actions, combined with a feeling of helplessness, causes the true nature of an individual to rise to the surface.
Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
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Wolverine: The Long Night is now on Stitcher. To listen to the whole season, without adds, get Stitcher Premium. Use our code 'TUESDAY' to get a free month: stitcher.com/premium
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Direct download: Supergirl_Review_4x03_Radicalized_-_Super_Tuesday_Recap_1.m4a
Category:TV & Film -- posted at: 2:15pm EDT


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01273 email@example.com
24 Victoria Way
Burgess Hill
West Sussex
Market research, web design and build and direct marketing patient recruitment campaigns for a provider of NHS front-line services.
What we delivered
Content Management System
Direct Mail
Email Marketing
Print Management
Strategic Planning
Web Design & Build
"I am delighted to say that we exceeded targets for new business as a direct result of the campaigns that Preview implemented. The direct mail campaign was fresh, creative, and simple. Once again Preview prevailed with limited time to implement the project."
Adam Hurd, Managing Director
"Preview's sound understanding of both a user's expectation from a visual interaction perspective and the technological implications of a well built and structured site has resulted in taking us from no corporate online presence to a high performing well used site. Although the site is only small it has created the perfect foundation to build upon over the coming months and years."
Paul Harvey, Marketing Manager
To develop a range of on and off-line marketing material to launch a variety of medical practices within London, whilst working within the NHS guidelines.
How we helped
Working directly with Concordia Healthcare, an independent company responsible for managing the medical centres, we reviewed the scope of the NHS brand guidelines and led a marketing strategy workshop. From the decisions agreed at the workshop we proposed a range of campaign concepts that were 'on brand', but still stands out from other practices' material.
Each practice has exceeded its targets for patient registration.
Integrated campaigns that have generated a 260% return on marketing investment.
A successful model to implement in future practises launches was developed.
Ongoing communication planning for both existing and potential patients was established using referrals, focus group and patient surveys.
An online goal conversion rate to registrations of over 25% was achieved.


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Every summer, the New York Philharmonic performs a series of concerts in parks around the city, taking in all five boroughs. In previous years, my plans to attend have been thwarted by scheduling conflicts and a rain storm, so this year I was even more determined to be among the audience in Central Park.
Monthly Archives: June 2015
An afternoon in Boston
On the Friday before last, I caught the Greyhound up to Boston. For some reason, I still have an overly romanticised notion of taking long-distance buses in America (although at a mere 4 hours 20 minutes, the NY to Boston trip doesn't really qualify as long), which distracts me from the fact that in reality I don't actually like travelling by bus for more than about 30 minutes at a time. All this notwithstanding, on this occasion it was the cheapest and most convenient option, and the journey passed without incident. Continue reading
May miscellany
May seems to have been and gone in a flash, hurried along by us spending its first two weeks in England. So far, June has felt more wintry than summery (Jun-uary, as one friend described it earlier), and it seems amazing that last week was a full 20F warmer. I'm sure this cold snap won't last long, and soon we'll be complaining about the humidity once again, but meanwhile it's nice to look back on warmer weeks.


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London getting 20 hybrid taxis by 2012
While many of us here in the US have yet to set butts into the seat of a zero-emissions vehicle, many in London will soon find themselves doing just that. The city's famous black cabs are getting a fuel-cell variety that has just come out of testing and will be toting passengers soon.
After debuting in the summer of 2010 at The Engineer's Technology and Innovation Awards, the cabs have had to undergo 8,000 miles of testing before being put into service. Now that they're going live, the earth-friendly rides will travel 250 miles between charges, and charges should only take around 5 minutes.
The obvious question in my mind is why the rest of the world doesn't have this technology at hand. By comparison, Nissan's all-electric Leaf travels only 100 miles, and then requires a 30 minute recharge to even hit 80-percent of its battery life. Personally, I think it's time that Nissan takes some cues from the taxi team, even if the cabs are a hybrid variety versus pure electric.
Londoners should start seeing the cabs soon, with a fleet of 20 expected to be on the road in time for the 2012 Olympics, according to an article at Fast Company.
Read next: mSpot brings more of your music to its cloud based player


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Alcatel One Touch Fire joins the Firefox OS cuddle party, we go hands-on (video)
ZTE may have had a head start in the Firefox OS race ahead of MWC, but Alcatel's also got something similar to ride on the waves of some "500 million Mozilla users." Suitably dubbed the One Touch Fire, this entry-level phone is basically a rehash of the budget One Touch T'Pop announced back at CES, packing a 3.5-inch HVGA TN display, a 1GHz processor, 256MB RAM, 512MB storage and a 3.2-megapixel camera. There are also the usual bunch of radios: WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS, FM radio and UMTS 900/2100 and 850/1900/2100 (up to 7.2Mbps for download and 5.76Mbps for upload). Underneath the removable 1,400mAh battery you'll find amicroSD slot that'll take anything up to 32GB (a 2GB card is included), as well as a slot for an old-school Mini-SIM card.
We got the chance to play with the Fire earlier today and while the glossy plastic body -- in either orange or pink -- felt solid enough, the performance wasn't quite there yet: the touch and software response were significantly sluggish, as you'll see in our hands-on video after the break. On the brighter side of things, the surprisingly large loudspeaker on the back produced some punchy bass, but don't expect too much from its audio quality. Alcatel has a few more months to grease up the phone before its June launch across Latin America and Europe, so we'll be able to give it a proper score then. Press release after the break.
Gallery: Alcatel One Touch Fire hands-on
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile
Read more http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/24/alcatel-one-touch-fire/


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Tait & Mackenzie has been providing legal services to the town of Grangemouth and surrounding areas for well over 100 years. As one of the longest established legal firms in Falkirk District, we have forged strong, long-term relationships with our clients and much of our work comes from repeat business and client recommendations.
Our partners offer a wealth of experience in a wide range of legal work and are backed up by experienced staff, including qualified paralegals, enabling us to provide our clients with a friendly and efficient service.
In addition to our Legal Services, our Property Department offers a full estate agency service and as Solicitor Estate Agents, we can co-ordinate the whole process of selling your home from preparing schedules right through to handing over the keys – all under one roof.
|©2005 Tait & Mackenzie


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All Things Being Equal
Welcome to the Spring Fling Tarot Blog Hop. For this edition, I volunteered to be wrangler and for the topic, I asked our bloggers what they would change to bring the Tarot into the modern day (or if they thought the archetypes so archetypical that nothing need be changed).
Name changes and extra cards are nothing new in the Tarot. The Thoth deck The Simpsons introduced us to "The Happy Squirrel":
Fortune Teller [to Lisa]: Now we'll see what the future holds. [turns over a card from what looks like a Tarot deck]
Lisa: [gulps] The "Death" card?
Fortune Teller: No, that's good: it means transition, change.
Lisa: [relieved] Oh. [the fortune teller turns over another card] Oh, that's cute.
Fortune Teller: [gasps] "The Happy Squirrel"!
Lisa: That's bad?
Fortune Teller: Possibly. The cards are vague and mysterious.
I think we are missing a trick by omitting such a card from the modern Tarot deck, although it was subsequently included as an extra (joke) card in the Touchstone Tarot by Kat Black. Perhaps what is needed, is not so much a Happy Squirrel as "The Fluffy Bunny" or, as in my last Blog Hop Post, "The Pink Fluffy Unicorn". And, as with the Happy Squirrel, the imagery would be at odds with the card meaning. I am thinking of keywords such as: selective realism, unrealistic optimism, a head in the sand lack of outlook. Bad? Possibly. The cards are vague and mysterious.
One card that could certainly bear updating or renaming is "The Hermit". There aren't really too many actual hermits about these days, at least not ones who voluntarily go off to the desert and live in caves eating only Juniper berries. Nor even many communal hermits, like nuns and monks*. I did think that perhaps "The Teenager" or "The Gamer" might be a better representation of self-inflicted solitude. Given half a chance, my teenager certainly spends as much time as possible being geeky in his boy cave, only emerging for sustenance before scuttling away again. The problem with this is that such a card would miss the implicit maturity, guidance and mentoring aspects of "The Hermit", so it occurred to me that "Tech Support" might be a more apt contemporary title. The solitary geek connected only by the very technology that allows them to avoid the rest of humanity in person, with only their body odour as a companion.
*If you missed it on BBC4, you may just be able to catch the first episode of this fascinating documentary, Saints and Sinners, on the evolution and rise of the monastery, on BBC iPlayer. It should still be available for a few days from the publication of this post.
"The Devil" also seems a little dated in these multi-culti, all-faith (or lack thereof) times, although the concept of "the devil on your back" is fairly universal. For Western society, however, I could easily see this renamed as "The Tax Man" or "The Politician" to represent the inescapable things beyond your control that can ruin your life. Mind you, there are plenty of demons and a fair bit of evil still out there in society, so perhaps best to leave this one as it stands.
Let us turn out attention to omissions. What could be more a reflection of the times in which we live, than the phenomenon of "The Selfie". Self-absorbed, media-hungry and clamouring for some form of fame, however pitiful or humiliating. Falling somewhere between "The Fool" and "Justice", (or should that be "Come-Uppance"), it would represent a lack of maturity and the modern tendency towards immodesty and self-obsession. I'm afraid I just don't find relentlessly plastering pouty images of oneself all over every social media platform even remotely cool.
Then there are the Courts. Most families these days have a pet of some sort, so do we need an additional member of the courts to represent the non-human family members? (And they are most definitely family members, right?). Cups would have to be fish, but which suits are the cat, dog, horse, bird, rodent or reptile owners? Kibble for thought, perhaps 😀
In my opinion, one really glaring omission in the modern Tarot deck, however, is "The Shadow". The concept of having a shadow side, let alone "working" with it, is a very modern, New Agey kind of thing. Whereas The Devil covers external darkness, the "Shadow" is very much something from within, a Jungian concept far removed from the Renaissance way of thinking. It would have been a totally alien notion to our 15thC ancestors, for whom the ideas of Good and Evil would have been fairly clear cut in principle. Naturally, in practice, I daresay the Medicis saw nothing wrong in poisoning or otherwise despatching their rivals and enemies, since that could be put down to classifying the other party as the Evil one and oneself as acting for the Good. Besides, the Christian church had some rather neat ways for people, especially the rich, to circumvent any consequences (not to mention something of a double standard when it comes to killing). Confess your sins and be absolved, wiping the slate clean, and you could always pay monks to pray for your soul just in case that wasn't enough. The Shadow, on the other hand, recognises the duality within, something that is not adequately represented among the Tarot Majors, as far as I can see. You might argue that the 7 of Swords covers this shadowy aspect, but would only be in terms of actions, rather than the Self. (Oh dear, I seem to be coming over all serious. Sorry about that! :D)
At first, I struggled to come up with even one change, but in the last few weeks so many possibilities to update the Tarot have presented themselves that I could easily end up with a deck twice the size. Then one evening, I was lying in the bath, where all great inspiration is born, and it struck me. If only one card could be added to the Tarot deck, just one which is an absolutely must…it has to be…..*drum roll*….*pause for dramatic effect*……
Embrace your shadow bunny and together cutely wrinkle your noses at the fluffiness, and sinking your lapine teeth into the carrot of reality, hop down the path infrequently travelled by pink fluffy unicorns to our other hoppers here:


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I wanted to show you all a map of the general area we hiked, though each hike has a more detailed map, just to give you an idea of the size and scope of the area. If the pictures looked expansive, the map should really drive that point home.
I've annotated the map with a few of the lakes we've written about. Desolation Wilderness is the name of the general area in the Eldorado National Forest that we hiked and here are the lakes whose names aren't labeled:
- Floating Island Lake
- Cathedral Lake
- Lily Lake
- Snow Lake
- Granite Lake
It's funny to think that we've seen so many of the lakes from the summit of Mt. Tallac, like Susie, Lake Ahola, and Cascade, but I've never seen them up close.


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Water is one of the world's most precious commodities. Whether you're building a new home, have purchased an older home, or are simply trying to cut down on utility bills, there are many measures you can take to conserve water.
- You know that annoying little drip in the bathroom sink? Did you know it can send up to 20 gallons of water down the drain every single day? If the drip has become a steady little stream, you can multiply that amount by many times. Use high quality fixtures that won't leak. Proper installation is critical. Don't overlook even the smallest of leaks. Take a "Do-It-Yourself" course from a local building supply or plumbing store so you know how to identify problem pipes and fixtures and feel confident in repairing them. (Just think of the money you'll save!)
- If you suspect the toilet is leaking, try this tip. Remove the lid from the toilet tank and put three or four drops of food coloring in the water there. Wait 30 minutes (don't flush the toilet). If you see color in the bowl, that is an indication that your toilet is losing water and replacing it with water from the tank. Find out where the water is going! Replace any parts that need to be replaced and repeat the test. When building your home, purchase toilets specifically designed to minimize the amount of water they use. Be sure to write down all of the water-saving measures you take in case you decide to sell your home. Conservation efforts will make your home more valuable and easier to sell.
- Play "Water Detective." Water leaks can be sneaky. You might be using excessive water and not even know it. Turn off all of the water in your house and yard. Record the numbers on your water meter. Wait two hours. The meter should display the same numbers as when you started. If not? You're losing water to a sneaky leak somewhere. Find the culprit and put an end to the waste.
- If you're building a new home, make it a point to use low-flow faucets and shower heads. If you're trying to make an older home more efficient, install flow restrictors. They are inexpensive and easy to install. Aerators are readily available for faucets. Aerators allow you to adjust the spray volume you need for the task at hand. Aerators may feature a valve to easily reduce the flow of water without turning of the taps or readjusting them. Discuss the concept of water conservation with others living in your home. Carefully review water bills for water usage and plan a reward for significantly reducing the amount of water used each month. Encourage people to take shorter showers, avoid leaving water running needlessly, turn of the water while brushing teeth, etc.
- Properly adjust your hot water heater and insulate pipes so hot water in the pipes stays hot and is readily available on demand. This will prevent you from having to run the water for an extended period of time to get water from the heater to the faucet.
- Keep fresh, cold water in the refrigerator. That way, there will be no need to run water for an extended period of time to get it good and cold.
- Purchase conservation conscious appliances. Even if you don't purchase new appliances, you can save water by making sure you only start appliances with a full load. Use the proper settings for the load you are washing. For example, if you're washing a regular load of dishes, don't use the "Pots and Pans" cycle of your dishwasher. Set your clothes washer to a cycle that requires the fewest rinses.
- Garbage disposals require the use of running water to rinse food waste down the drain. You can recycle and save water by starting a compost pile. Instead of washing food waste down the drain, turn it into a valuable resource for your garden.


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It was a race of two fortunes for the Mercedes AMG PETRONAS squad at the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend, with Lewis Hamilton taking victory in superb style, after managing his tyres brilliantly to make a one stop strategy work, and team-mate Nico Rosberg struggling to salvage fifth place after a number of incidents hampered the German's progress.
Mercedes Team Boss Toto Wolff praised Hamilton for the way he mastered the victory.
"That was a fantastic, action-packed race like we expect in Montreal – and a sensational drive from Lewis to take the win.
"As we went into today's race, it wasn't clear whether one stop or two stops would be the way to go in the cold conditions and depending on how the tyres warmed up. But when Sebastian stopped behind the VSC, then it was clear that making just one stop was our best chance of winning – and then it was up to Lewis to keep the tyres alive, stretch the stints and do the pace we needed.
"He did a brilliant job of that and, when we could see from other cars on older soft tyres that they were holding on well, it was clear that the win was really on."
Team-mate Rosberg meanwhile was on the back foot from the beginning, after both Mercedes drivers got off to a bad start compared to third placed Sebastian Vettel, who surged into the lead in the Scuderia Ferrari. As Rosberg tried to make a move round the outside of Hamilton the pair touched, sending the German offline, and dropping him back down the order.
It was a familiar situation for Wolff, after the incident in Spain, and the Austrian is starting to get used to post race discussions with his two drivers.
"Lewis reported on the radio that he had understeer and cold front tyres going into the corner – and there was some risk for Nico to be running on the outside line. It was a hard move and clearly you don't want or expect to come out of Turn 2 with cars in 2nd and 9th positions when you start from the front row; but to be honest, these discussions after each race give me a feeling a little bit of déjà vu."
Despite taking the victory on Sunday and beating their rivals, Wolff reiterated after the race that Mercedes cannot sit on their laurels, with Ferrari and Red Bull Racing showing in Montreal that they are right up there with them in terms of performance now.
"From the team's perspective, a number of factors meant we didn't take a double podium, though we did score the most points of any team today. But the pace of Ferrari and Red Bull showed that the competition is right there with us."


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A Simulation/Strategy game … with cats!
Subscribe to our newsletter to play the Closed Alpha version of the game! Available for PC and Mac.
Catadel is a colony management simulation game — with cats! Manage your cat citizens' wants, needs, and quirky personalities as you help them build a settlement in the wilderness.
Catadel is still in Early Alpha, so expect unfinished art, unfinished sound design, features that need polish, and bugs that need to be fixed.
Screen Shots


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Geminis are great liars. It's a common trait. I'm a phenomenal liar. I've had lies that have spun out of control and done a lot of damage. However, in honor of my 28th birthday, I've decided to list the ridiculous number of white lies I've told in my adolescence. Lies that, in retrospect, are incredible and slightly preposterous. Lies that I am certain my parents knew were lies. I can only hope someday my teenage daughter comes to me with these excuses and lies so I can smile a little and let her think she's winning.
(I apologize in advance, Mom, if some of these are new to you…)
Belly Button Piercing Lie
When I turned 18, I went and got my belly button pierced. I told my mother I was going over Bethany's house. She came with me and unfortunately had written in my birthday card how excited she was that we were going together to do this. When I got home, I put all my birthday gifts and cards from school on the table and my mother wanted to read them. I saw her reading Bethany's and froze. She just looked me sitting on the couch and goes "Lift up your shirt." Now, if you've ever gotten a piercing, you know it don't look pretty at first. It was purple, inflamed, and gross looking. My mother gave me her silent reaction of disapproval that only the best mothers can do and said "Well…you better not get it in infected." Don't worry, I totally got it infected a week later
Boys Hockey Sleepover
My high school varsity hockey team won the state championship my sophomore year (yes? I'm old, I forget). There was a huge party at my classmates house filled with lots of underage drinking and chair breaking. It was one of those epic high school parties that movies are written about where everyone was invited and having a great time. The after party for the hockey team was at a player's house a few neighborhoods away. Alia was dating one of the guys at the time and asked me to come with her. I immediately said yes. So Alia and I went with the boys to the sleepover and spent the night in the basement with parental supervision above us and state champions piled around on couches and pillows. It was entirely innocent minus the wee freshman who we had gotten wasted, (it happens) peeing in the corner of the basement thinking it was the toilet in the middle of the night. I told my mom I was at Alia's. I was at Alia's a lot.
I can not tell you how many times I said I was at a sleepover but in Montreal at baby's first strip club.
Car Dent
I dented my beloved Lumina backing out of the driveway. When I realized what I had done, I ignored it and waited for my parents to notice. Once they did, I told them it must have happened in a parking lot. I'm pretty sure my dad watched me run into the mail box a few days earlier so I'm convinced he knew all along. Mail boxes sneak up on you! And it probably was covered in snow and hard to see! Ok. It wasn't. But that's a possibility!
My mother found a wrapped condom in the pocket of my jeans doing laundry. She came upstairs and threw it at me. I told her it wasn't opened and therefore not used so she shouldn't be worried I was having sex. Yeah…it was a spare condom…
Instant Messenger
When AOL was first available to everyone and instant messaging was the coolest, I got carried away. I remember in the beginning, you would find strangers through similar profiles and interests or chat rooms. I had a lot of friends that liked Blink 182 and Third Eye Blind and Britney Spears as I did in my 7th grade lifestyle. I started lying to people. I told several 'friends' I knew Mark Hoppus from Blink 182 and hung out with him almost daily. I told one girl I was Britney Spears once and played it off for wayyyyy too long. I was a teenager obsessed with these musicians and all I wanted was to be a roadie or childhood friend who keeps in touch so…I was…in my head… I eventually got caught in every one of my lies, mostly because they got entirely unbelievable and I didn't have the energy to actually create 'proof" though I did practice doing Britney's autograph for a day.
Dog Chain
When we were kids, I hit my brother in the eye with our dog Cody's chain leash. We were playing in the side yard and he made me mad somehow and I picked it up and threw it at him, not intentionally trying to hit him. But I did. Right above his eye. I could have blinded him. Luckily, I didn't and told my parents it wasn't me. It was clear it was me and I was punished for it but to this day, I deny it and say he fell.
My first love was my date to prom my senior year. We had been dating about a year and we had done everything you do with the first boy you say I love you to except stay in a filthy, roadside motel. Well, check that off for Prom Night! I told my mom that Alia was having people over her place after prom. I think she was in her own lie but I can't recall. Anyway, we spent the night at this horrifying motel on Shelburne Road that when I drive past now, I cringe. Well, I used to cringe. Now enough time has past it's comical to me. This hotel was just the epitome of sleeze bucket. It smelled weird, the shower curtain had mold all over it, the TV was bolted hardcore to the wall, and you couldn't even guess what color the carpet originally was. Perfect! To make matters worst, or actually, more cliche, we had scored a bottle of Bacardi O and vanilla Coke. To this day, I can't drink Barcardi O or vanilla Coke. I was stupid and drank way too much and vomited the entire night. At least it was a double so we had a puke bed and a sleeping bed. No, I did not clean up my disaster because it actually complimented the room. The next day at home, I spent most of my morning in the bathroom. My parents never said anything and I told them I just didn't feel well and was tired, but they knew. That was my first and worst hangover ever. I have drunk since, even though I swore I never would. But don't we all do that?
Kids, sleepovers are the best lies. Sleepovers with parental supervision are even better. What parent can deny you attending a party with parents? Not a one, that's for sure. I am blessed that I was raised to be responsible and safe and I never got myself into any sticky situations or badly injured. I never drove drunk or high and was smart about all activities involving boys. Sometimes I feel being a grownup is less fun because you can do whatever you want, you don't need to lie or sneak out the back door or beg for junk food. You are your own parent in most things. Where's the fun in that?!


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Pinacl have been awarded a place on the Jisc Web Filtering Monitoring and Reporting Framework Lot 2 Exclusively Local Appliance based service. For Lot 2, Pinacl was considered to provide the most economically advantageous tender; this means that you can choose to:
- place Lot 2 orders directly with Pinacl without reopening competition or
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About Jisc Web Filtering, Monitoring and Reporting
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The scope of the framework covers purchases by Jisc, JSL, Higher Education institutions, Further Education and Specialist Colleges and Research Council establishments in the UK and by any other bodies whose core purpose is the support or advancement of further or higher education or of research.


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St. Boniface Haiti Foundation: Hurricane Matthew Response
October 4, 2016 at 6:54:42 PM EDT
Dear Friends,
I just got off a satellite call with our team in Fond-des-Blancs, and Hurricane Matthew is taking a heavy toll. The hospital has sustained minimal damage so far, but we are hearing reports from around Fond-des-Blancs and throughout the region of many houses damaged or destroyed, and major washouts on the roads. Once the storm abates and staff can move safely, SBHF will be doing a full assessment of damage to the community and the hospital, as well as our clinic in Villa. We are mobilizing and will be ready to play a significant role in relief efforts in southern Haiti.
For now, we know the nearby spring at Dugue, where most of the Fond-des-Blancs community gets its water, has flooded 20–25 feet above its normal levels. That cuts off access to clean water for the town and hospital, and completely blocks the road to the national highway and Port-au-Prince beyond it.
We have stockpiled enough food and water for several days, but our priority once the storm ebbs will be opening up the road and getting a supply of food, clean water, medicine and supplies in for our patients, staff, and the community. We also expect large numbers of patients to arrive seeking care as soon as the roads are passable.
Thank you to so many of you who have reached out to express your concern and support over the past few days. We are also grateful that the press has been covering this story and our work in Haiti -
- Channel 5 in Boston did a story on SBHF and the hurricane last night. They may do a follow-up story tonight on the evening news.
- If you're in the Boston area, watch the evening news on Channel 7 and Channel 4 tonight for pieces on SBHF and the hurricane.
- Simón Rios from WBUR (Boston's NPR station) did a piece for All Things Considered in Boston this evening.
- Reporters from the Boston Globe and Boston Herald have been talking to SBHF staff. Keep an eye out for these articles in the next couple of days.
- BBC Radio included us in their coverage of Hurricane Matthew tonight.
We are particularly concerned about cholera and other waterborne diseases in the aftermath of the flooding, food security, and rebuilding key infrastructure that allows people to access the hospital.
Your generous gift now is vital to equipping us for the recovery work ahead. Because of a generous match offered from key supporters, any donation made over the next 48 hours will be matched, doubling your impact in helping the people of Haiti. Please go to haitihealth.org/hurricane to donate now.
Kenbe fem,
Conor Shapiro
President/CEO, St. Boniface Haiti Foundation
P.S. Please share this link with people you know who are interested in supporting relief efforts in Haiti after the storm: haitihealth.org/hurricane. All donations in the next 48 hours will be matched by our generous supporters.


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|Diana Taurasi
Guard, UConn
|Serena Williams
|On the list because she earned Naismith National Player of the Year honors her junior and senior years. The 6-foot guard averaged 15 ppg over her four-year college career, won three straight national titles and can also rebound, pass, and play defense.
|On the list because she completed the "Serena Slam" in 2003, winning the four majors in a row -- the 2002 French Open, Wimbledon, and U.S. Open, and the 2003 Australian Open. So powerful and dominant that in early April, after an eight-month layoff due to injury, she won the Nasdaq 100 in lopsided fashion.


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Pilgrim's Pride Corporation ( PPC ) surprised by nearly 200% in its third quarter report from late October, which has understandably boosted the share price and earnings estimates for this chicken producer. Moreover, this Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) has a compelling valuation, including a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of just 0.24 and a price-to-book (P/B) multiple of as low as 2.07.
Impressive Third Quarter Results
On October 26, Pilgrim's Pride Corp. reported third quarter earnings of 17 cents per share, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 183.3% and reversing the year-ago loss of 72 cents. The company continues to focus on managing its core business, pricing strategy, cost control initiatives and enhanced sales mix.
Net sales of $2.07 billion surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.95 billion and grew 9.5% year over year.
Gross profit was $106.1 million compared with a loss of $62.4 million in the year-ago quarter, driven by top-line growth, pricing strategy and cost control efficiencies. A reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses also led to operating income of $61.7 million compared to an operating loss of $125.1 million last year.
Rising Earnings Estimates
Over the past 60 days, all 5 estimates for 2012 were revised upward, lifting the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 10.9% to 51 cents per share. This indicates year-over-year growth of 123.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2013 increased 58.1% to 68 cents as 4 of 5 estimates moved upward. This reflects a year-over-year increase of 31.5%.
Attractive Valuation
Along with low P/B and P/S multiples, Pilgrim Pride has a low forward P/E ratio of 13.85 (a P/E ratio under 15.0, a P/B ratio below 3.0 and a P/S ratio lower than 1.0 generally indicate value). The trailing 12-month return on equity (ROE) also looks attractive at 10.4%, compared with the peer group average of 10.3%.
Shares of Pilgrim Pride have been rising since the end of October 2012, after reporting solid third quarter results. Moreover, the stock is currently trading above its 50- and 200-day moving averages, which stand at $6.46 and $6.30, respectively. In fact, the stock has been consistently trading above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages since mid-November 2012. Volume averages roughly 633K daily.
Pilgrim Pride is the second-largest chicken producer in the world, with operations in the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico. The company exports chicken products to customers in approximately 105 countries, including Mexico. Pilgrim has a market cap of $1.88 billion. Among its peers, Smithfield Foods, Inc ( SFD ) carries a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) while Tyson Foods, Inc ( TSN ) carries a Zacks #2 Rank (Buy).
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.


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On-site Training Overview
Training TypeContinuous Improvement
CertificateMCP Training Certificate
An Operator Asset Care programme is based on the principle that the people operating production equipment, on a daily/regular basis, are the ones most capable of improving equipment reliability and performance. Their understanding of the process and their feedback can be a valuable resource for the continuous improvement of manufacturing performance and reliability. It can also relieve the burden on Technicians who can then spend more time on Continuous Improvement, planned and predictive maintenance activities.
Is it right for us?
MCP's 1-day introductory programme for Operator Asset Care will improve your knowledge and understanding of the principles and implementation of Operator Asset Care. It is designed for engineering managers, production managers, engineering team leaders, production team leaders, operators and technicians.
What will we learn?
- What is Operator Asset Care? OAC can be interpreted in a number of ways and it is important that the scope, extent and ambitions for OAC are clearly defined
- Similarities and differences between Total Productive Maintenance, Autonomous Maintenance and Operator Asset Care – the principles underpinning OAC are not new but the approach to implementation differs from typical TPM or AM programmes
- Benefits of implementing an Operator Asset Care programme – defining the expected benefits to the business, managers, process operators and technicians and how to sell them
- Practical activities involved in Operator Asset Care – what are the practical, hands-on, OAC activities that we expect process operators and technicians to undertake
- Key implementation steps of Operator Asset Care – a structured approach to the development, introduction and implementation of an OAC programme for your business
- Overcoming barriers to the implementation of Operator Asset Care – understanding the cultural, structural and industrial relations barriers that may be encountered and how to develop and adopt a strategy to overcome these
- Typical training required for process operators and Technicians – assessing the training needs of process operators and technicians, what kind of training will they typically need to receive, when and how to provide this training
What are the benefits?
The benefits of the Operator Asset Care programme:
- Improved teamwork between production and maintenance
- Higher production efficiencies/plant reliability
- More motivated technicians and operators
- Higher skilled technicians and operators
- Standard working introduced
- Improved working environment through 5S
- Safer working environment
Book Operator Asset Care
Please complete the form below to make your booking.
You can also email email@example.com or call us on +44(0) 121 506 9030
Enquire about on-site training
On-Site Training is a flexible and cost effective alternative to our regular scheduled training courses.
An ideal alternative for businesses that have a requirement to train more than 4 members of staff or would like to customise course content and need a consistent level of training across their team.


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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced it has reached an agreement with the owners/managers of a Denver-area apartment complex, resolving complaints of discrimination. The apartment complex, The Orchards at Cherry Creek Apartments in Centennial, was charged with discrimination after refusing to allow children to play outside.
"A requirement of constant parental supervision of all minors, and even teenagers, is oppressive, unnecessary, and unfairly burdensome on families with children," said Bryan Greene, HUD's acting assistant secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "The Fair Housing Act protects the rights of families with children to enjoy the same housing amenities that others do."
HUD filed a Secretary-Initiated Complaint in November 2013, alleging that the complex unfairly restricted the activities of children. The rule in question was published in the complex's monthly newsletter, which read:
"All children must be supervised by an adult at all times while playing outside. No sports activities, skateboarding, roller-blading, or general extracurricular activities are to take place in our community. If we see anyone violating any of the above activities or see any unsupervised children they will be sent home immediately."
According to the Fair Housing Act, the action was discriminatory in that it "prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. This includes setting restrictive rules on families with children," HUD said.
Per the terms of the agreement with The Orchards, property managers will design and build a $10,000 play area, which will also be accessible for persons with disabilities. The timeframe for the project is six months.
Additionally, all employees will attend fair housing training within a year, and the company will amend its policies to comply with the Fair Housing Act, and distribute the new rules to its employees and residents.