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At this year's Willylit festival, Chris Flynn made a convincing sales pitch for eBook readers. Not only are eBook readers 'libraries-in-hand', they're also tree-savers, since only a small part of a book printed in the US is made from recycled paper.
I was reluctant to rush out and buy a Kindle however, since it would limit me to DRM material from Amazon, and I hate monopoly, especially in the publishing industry where it affects both authors and consumers. There's a few other low-end eBook readers out there, such as the Kobo, but I thought I'd give the Kogan a go. Kogan is an online store, and there was no opportunity to play rough on a demo device, so I ruminated before clicking the 'shopping cart' icon. I bought it in the end because the Kogan supported an amazing range of eBook formats as well as being Adobe DRM-friendly.
My Kogan eBook Reader arrived on Monday. It's teeny-weeny bit smaller than a DVD cover, and the screen is six-inches, same as a Kobo. The buttons feel a bit plasticky and unresponsive (think of the old Nokia 3210s), but the e-ink screen is easy on the eyes. Size of the font was not an issue for Kogan's preloaded material, but my uploaded Adobe books sported newspaper-print, which can be a problem for the visually impaired. One can zoom in and reformat pages of course, but then one ends up with widow text.
One major flaw with the Kogan is that it doesn't have a 'last page' function. On one occasion, my Kogan switched off after being idle for too long. I forgot to bookmark my page, so on my return, I had to trawl through half of the book to find my spot again.
With a potential storage capacity of 34G (using a 32G SDHC card to shore up the built-in 2G memory), the Kogan can store images and music as well. I'm not sure why anyone would want to look at images in greyscale, but an eBook reader that also works as a basic MP3 device would be muchos useful for travellers. One less gadget to fit into your hand luggage.
In regards to Mac/PC compatibility, Kogans seem to be Mac-unfriendly. I got around this hiccup by uploading books onto my SD card, but this is frustrating, especially when I know my Kogan can sync with Adobe Digital Editions.
Nevertheless, I'm pleased with my purchase. When it comes to buying books, bookshelf space has always been a limiting factor for me, and it's nice to have a home for closet publications (i.e. trashy fantasy). I know this is very 'Stuff White People Like'**, but, hey, you've got to agree with me that fantasy books take up a lot of space. Stephanie Meyer*, anyone?
To find out more on Kogan eBook Readers, visit Kogan's website here. For eBook reader geeks, I'd suggest looking at iTWire's more comprehensive review.
*Note: I was so ashamed of my Stephanie Meyer collection, that I donated the whole lot to the Borders Bushfire Appeal. I really should borrow books first before buying them.
**Second Note: I suppose that makes me a wannabe white person? Okay, let's not go there…

subset: commoncrawl


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BURLINGTON - CEDO and the Micro-Business Alliance will hold an Economic Summit in the Contois Auditorium, Burlington City Hall Feb. 13 from 8:30-11 a.m. "Building A Vision for Our Community's Economic Future" will be the theme of this collaborative session.
The City of Burlington's Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO) and the Micro Business Alliance have hosted three meetings since early December 2008, with focused discussions on commercial lending, economic development and workforce training. With the success and collaborative spirit of these recent gatherings, CEDO seeks to broaden the scope, soliciting the community's input on what can be accomplished in five years if the City, citizens, business owners and local organizations work together. This Summit is part of concerted effort by CEDO and the Alliance to be proactive in responding to the economic crisis.
"We need to be there for the entrepreneurs," said Bruce Seifer, CEDO's Assistant Director for Economic Development. "Many of our local companies have thus far weathered this situation quite well. But for a business to grow, or to get started, entrepreneurs need access to capital, need well-trained employees, and need physical space. We've helped many innovative and resilient businesses start or expand during past downturns, and we aim to do an even better job this time out."
The Summit is free and open to the public. Anyone interested in shaping the economic future of Burlington is encouraged to attend, particularly small business owners. The event will open with a welcome and remarks from Mayor Bob Kiss, followed by a summary of results and viable ideas generated in the earlier discussions. "As we respond to current economic challenges, it's important to include as many people as possible in the process," said Mayor Kiss. "Burlington's economic vitality depends on an engaged citizenry, an active and involved for-profit and non-profit business community, as well as other stakeholders. I encourage anyone interested to attend this business summit as we begin to chart Burlington's economic future."
As with the previous gatherings, staff members of the Vermont Congressional delegation will update the group on the status of the Economic Stimulus Package and how that inflow of Federal dollars might benefit local businesses and service providers.
The majority of the Summit will be focused on honing the vision, with a brainstorming session facilitated by consultant Robbie Harold of Harold & Associates. Known for creating high-energy, highly focused and collaborative work sessions, Harold has assisted a wide range of Vermont nonprofits with strategic planning and recently worked with the Vermont Entrepreneurship Collaborative on setting priorities for statewide small business development.
The starting point for the discussion will be the eleven goals that CEDO has laid out in the recently published How Burlington Became An Award Winning City:
1. The quality of life in Burlington is enhanced by a strong, diverse and vital downtown
2. Burlington's waterfront is developed as a cultural, recreational, social and economic resource for the entire community through the implementation of the Urban Renewal Plan for the Waterfront Revitalization District
3. Businesses that offer essential goods and services are located within the City, readily available to all residents
4. The startup and expansion of businesses are nurtured, including the support of a readily accessible core of centrally located business services
5. Burlington's 200+ acre agricultural breadbasket - home to market farming, community supported agriculture, community gardens, farmer training, and composting - thrives
6. Burlington continues to generate a strong, diverse base of locally-owned enterprises
7. Sites with real or perceived contamination issues are redeveloped into productive use
8. Quality employment supports and opportunities are available for those who are traditionally underserved, and worker are earning a livable wage
9. Transportation needs are addressed, traffic congestion reduced, access in and around downtown improved, and greater use of alternate modes of transportation promoted
10. Burlington's competitive advantages are maximized by supporting the development of targeted industries, including tourism; telecommunications intensive businesses/ the environmental technology industry; financial services; specialty foods; media, printing and publishing; the arts; and sustainable natural resource promotion
11. New cooperative relationships are developed between the City and other communities in the region to strengthen the regional economy for the benefit of all
Pre-registration strongly recommended. If you have any questions about the Economic Summit, or would like to pre-register, please contact Jon Adams-Kollitz at firstname.lastname@example.com or 865-7187.


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At Toughbyte, the company behind Meetabit, we run one day workshops on topics such as React, Angular, ES6 & CSS3 and even Lean Analytics. Our clients include corporates such as F-Secure and OP with up to 20 attendees and smaller companies with teams of just a few people.
Get in touch and let's discuss your training needs! Feel free to include any additional details you feel are needed such as the topics you'd like us to cover.


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When it comes to shopping, travellers can be a finicky bunch, and with less than two weeks until Christmas Eve, there may just be an excursionist left on that Christmas list who's waiting to be crossed off.
Now, giving the gift of travel is the usual go-to solution in these kinds of scenarios but not everyone has the cash to buy a return trip to the Bahamas. More importantly, not everyone cares for a sandy beach vacation. Just like the different classes of plane tickets, there are different types of travellers, so figuring out the kind of trips your travelling buddy enjoys is the first step to picking that perfect present.
Do they throw caution to the wind as they make an 111-metre jump into a valley with nothing more than a bungee cord? Or is the only cord they carry a USB that's used to charge their smartphone while on business? Do they travel solo or are they packing a posse of kids and a spouse? While there's an endless list of factors, HuffPost Canada Travel's collected the ones that matter the most, and has come up with these five travel types (and some gift ideas for each) in the slideshow below.
What kind of traveller are you? Feel free to let us know on Twitter @HPCaTravel or let us know what kind of travel gifts you'd like this year in the comments.
Gift Ideas For The Traveller In Your Life. Slideshow text follows below for mobile readers.
The Business Traveller
Business travellers are easy to spot, because they're dressed to the nines and sporting either a laptop bag, a mid-sized suitcase or perhaps both. Their line of travel is mostly work-related, involving short but frequent trips to wherever work takes them. That being said, here are some gift ideas for the business traveller on this year's Christmas list.
TSA-Friendly Laptop Bags
Travelling around the world sounds great on paper — until you realize it means you're in and out of airport security checks like you've made one too many poorly-timed bomb jokes. To speed things up, Timbuk2's Power Commute messenger bags are TSA-friendly, meaning the bag opens up and lies flat so there's no need to remove all your gears and gadgets. Speaking of gadgets, the bag also features a portable battery that keeps things like smartphones and tablets juiced so travellers don't find themselves on a 14-hour flight to Hong Kong with nothing to do.
Timbuk2's Power Commute Bag: $199.00
A Travel-Friendly Smartphone
Part of being a business traveller is always being connected, and that means the smartphone never gets left at home. But not all smartphones are created equal and not all cellular networks work the same way. In a nutshell, different countries run different cellular technology that may not always be compatible with your phone. One way is to bypass this is purchasing an unlocked phone and purchasing a SIM card from a local carrier after landing. Google's Nexus 4 Smartphone fits the bill, thanks to its ability to accept a wide variety of SIM cards. The phone has its flaws but also comes highly recommended for those who do a lot of globe-trotting.
Google Nexus 4: $309.00 for 8GB
Noise-Cancelling Headphone
The exhaustion that comes with being always on the go has its way of catching up with you. Sometimes all a business traveller wants to do is get some sleep while flying back home. However, if they're unable to snag a business-class or first-class ticket, then noise-cancelling headphones may be the difference between shut eye and listening to a baby cry for hours on end. In terms of make and model, there are a number that do the trick, but our friends at Tech Crunch like the Bose QuietComfort 15 headphones.
Bose QuietComfort 15 Headphones: $299.99
The Adventure Traveller
For the adventure traveller, the name really says it all. For them, the trip is not about the airport or the flight, it's about what's to be done once the plane lands. Bungee jumping, scuba diving and spelunking are just activities on day one of their itinerary. While material goods likely won't be of too much use, there are a few stand-out items they should still appreciate.
Travellers Insurance
It's always a good idea to have traveller's insurance on a trip, but a little extra coverage never hurts, particularly if your bungee cord snaps mid-jump. While certain credit cards offer enough coverage, there may be medical evacuation restrictions that leave travellers in unpleasant situations. Fortunately, there are third parties, like MedjetAssist, that offer medical transportation to hospitals when basic coverage can't cut it.
One-Year Term For MedjetAssist: $260 For Individual, $396 For Families
Water-Resistant Jacket
There's very little that will stop a determined adventure traveller from their next big feat and that includes the weather. Rain or shine, they will hike, climb and bike that next gorge regardless of what Mother Nature has to say. Still, that doesn't mean they have to be soaking wet when they do it. We suggest a weather-resistant jacket, like the JetStream Bomber Jacket from Nautica. It's water-repellant, affordable and good for those seasons when the weather's in transition.
Men's JetStream Bomber Jacket: $79.50
Flat-Pack Sunglasses
When it comes to adventure travel, hiking, biking or climbing can quickly turn from a fun leisure activity to a painful chore if the sun's rays are roasting your eyeballs. Thankfully, things can be remedied with a pair of flat-pack shades. What's unique about flat-pack shades are their swivel arms that can rotate 360-degrees to lie flat and slip comfortably in a bag or pocket without the frame bending out of shape.
Percy Flat-Pack Sunglasses: $310
The Backpacker
For the backpack traveller, the experience is everything. Hotels are traded for hostels, rental cars are shunned for public transportation, bikes and a study pair of feet. If these travellers wanted luxury they would have booked a cruise, but instead they're trading it all for a more "authentic experience", taking in the sights of many countries and cities over a longer period. Budgets are usually slim, and while cold hard cash currency will suffice, here's a few gift ideas that are more thoughtful.
A Digital Single-Reflex Lens (DSLR) Camera
The thing about backpackers is that their trips allow for some stellar photo-ops. The less travelled path may be grittier and more uncomfortable at times, but it's also more likely to be free of irritating tourists and would-be photobombers. Another thing that backpacking offers is the chance to experience a destination how they see fit. No groups, no schedules, just a chance to learn about a place and take a few photos as a keepsake. When it comes to finding an actual DSLR, Canon and Nikon are the two big names, though companies like Olympus and Song has released a few of their own as of late. For those looking for an entry-level rig that's capable of quality photos and video, we suggest the Canon T4i.
Canon T4i: $599.99 (Body Only)
Lost And Found Tags
Not everyone can drop a grand on a camera as a gift, so a more practical option for the backpacker is lost and found tags. They're not only handy at the airport should an airline lose your goods, but also at the hostel where the influx of patrons can easily lead to someone accidentally taking your bag. There are a few companies in the lost and found tag service, like Okoban. Those who sign up with Okoban receive a unique code that's attached to an item. The owner then registers it online, and if lost, the finder can input the code which sends the owner a notification that the lost item has now been found. The service relies on the goodwill of others, but is also free to track. Customers only pay for the tags.
Okoban Tags (pack of three): $19.95
A Backpack
It seems self-explanatory, but every backpacker needs a good backpack to make the trip. Things to keep in mind when it comes to backpack hunting are comfort and weight, followed by capacity and durability. Also worth looking into is how accessible the components of the bag are, as opposed to how many pockets it has. After all, what's the point of 17 places to store your toothbrush if you can't access it via your clothes and toiletries? With that in mind, picking a backpack is a personal choice, though the Gregory Baltoro 65 Backpack stands out as a solid option for its mix of ease of use, comfort and accessibility.
Gregory Baltoro 65 Backpack: $290.00
The Road Warrior
The Road Warrior isn't afraid of flying; they just prefer an open stretch of road to a piece of tarmac and day of the year. Whether the weather is bringing rain, snow, sleet or sunshine, the Road Warrior is ready for a trip so long as they have their trusty vehicle and a few of these gifts besides alongside them.
While most smartphones feature built-in global positioning systems, a standalone GPS can save your trip from turning into a nightmare in the Australian outback. A quick scour of the internet will reveal that Garmin and TomTom are the top two brands in the market right now. If price is no object, the Garmin Nuvi 3490LMT GPS receiver will meet a Road Warrior's GPS needs with all the bells and whistles like voice commands, real-time map data and a top-notch interface.
Garmin Nuvi 3490LMT GPS: $369.99
Satellite Car Stereo
Those road trips can get lonely — possibly even boring without some sort of entertainment. A standard radio will do the trick but there's a point when drivers will receive nothing but static. Most cars feature an in-line jack for MP3 players, but it's tough to argue with the versatility of a satellite car stereo. Whether the Road Warrior on that Christmas List is into rock, rap or stand-up comedy, there's a channel that'll liven up the car ride.
Sirus Starmate 8: $199.98 + Monthly Subscription
A Gas Gift Card
Whether the Road Warrior is a car enthusiast or a casual driver who likes to take their ride out for a spin for the annual road trip, a gas gift card is the next best thing to money. Major gas stations offer their specific gift cards, which can be used on fuel but also food. They're also available in multiple denominations ($10 to $100) which gives gift givers lots of flexibility.
Shell Gift Card: $10 - $100
The Family Traveller
Meet the family traveller. Whether they're flying to Orlando or boarding a cruise, the family traveller can expect their spouse and a kid or two to tag along for the ride. Family travellers are essentially professional multi-taskers on vacation, and to make their lives easier, here's a few gift ideas that might help them out.
An MP3 Player
Kids can add a great deal of enjoyment to a family vacation, but they can also ruin a trip if they're not occupied. To keep them occupied, an MP3 player loaded with their favourite tunes will keep them from singing their own rendition of the "Song That Never Ends". Speaking of MP3 players, it's hard not to recommend an iPod Touch, as it also doubles and an entertainment system thanks to Apple's expansive app catalogue.
16GB iPod Touch: $199
A Travel Adapter
Speaking of MP3 players and gadgets, a travel adapter will be necessary to keep those products running if travelling overseas. Those in the market for one can look for the Playful Travel Adapter. It's compatible with outlets in 150 countries, including China, New Zealand, Italy and Australia and at $25, it won't hurt the wallet too much if someone leaves it plugged in after checking out of the hotel.
Playful Travel adapter: $25
Comfy Footware
When it comes to travelling with kids, there always seems to be a part that involves chasing said kids either around the hotel, resort, deck of a cruise ship and so on. So if you're going to be trekking after the kids, you might as well be wearing comfy and lightweight shoes. If you're tired of Crocs, Otz cork-soled shoes may fit the bill, as they come in a number of forms like slip-ons, boots and trend shoes.
Otz Ladies Troop Shearling Boots: $299


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Elephone confirms Android 6.0 For P8000 & P6000 Pro
by Oct 22, 2015 5:37 am2
Elephone has just confirmed to us that both Elephone P8000 and Elephone P6000 Pro will be getting Android 6.0. Both these devices were announced a few months back, so its not surprising to see them getting the latest Android version. Also, there are other smartphones being tested for Android M but at the moment, we are not sure which other models will be upgraded. Also, we still don't know when exactly these updates will roll out to the respective smartphones.
The company also confirms that its upcoming flagship, Elephone P9000 along with its variants like the Elephone P9000 Lite and P9000C will come with Android M 6.0 pre-installed. This is definitely good news for those who were planning to purchase this upcoming device from the company.
As for the P8000 users who are running Android 5.10 at the moment, the company has released a new update for fixing a few bugs like "screen flashing" and "no gallery response" while using front camera. If you had these problems, just head over to their forums, where there's the download link to the ROM and flash it on to your device. There will be an OTA update too, so if you can wait for a few days, then go for the second option.


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Police: Man stalking ex-girlfriend threatened to kill her
A 27-year-old Port Charlotte man was arrested Monday on stalking charges after police say he threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend outside her workplace.
Police received the call Monday from the victim who told them that her ex-boyfriend, Matthew Thorpe, was outside her work and threatening to kill her.
The victim told police that Thorpe had been arrested after she found him at her home in Cape Coral on Sunday, threatening to burn it down.
The victim said Thorpe called her phone approximately 100 times while in the Lee County Jail.
Thorpe stopped calling her from jail when he was released and then began calling her from his cell phone.
The victim told deputies Thorpe also called her job over 20 times.
The victim showed police 18 text messages that Thorpe had sent threatening to kill her and her new boyfriend.
According to the report, in one message, Thorpe threatened to kill the victim's grandmother.
Police arrested Thorpe and he was charged with Aggravated Stalking.
Thorpe admitted to making the phone calls and threats and stated he "wanted to work on the relationship."


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On Air Now
Heart Breakfast with Ed & Gemma 6am - 10am
Rochelle from The Saturdays has spent $23,000 on new furniture for the house and told Marvin on skype!!!
We wanted to know if you've ever bought something, and your partner has literally said WHAT?!
I used to tell my husband that things I bought cost more than they did, so when I told him the real price he was relieved :-)
I brought a puppy once the huge amount of money I spent for it weighed more than the puppy ( a little toy pom) I called hubby at fishing... he nearly died!!!
I booked 3 weeks in Florida last year without agreement from her that must control all expenditure. Then later on booked a paid for a day trip to Lapland. My wife went wild.
I went away for the weekend in France with my father in law for a few beers and we came back owning a 10 acre fishing lake. My wife was that impressed we are now separated
A tattoo ! I was subjected to tears, tantrums and the silent treatment for over a month!
55k on a car and she never spoke for a week.
I bought some seat covers for our outdoor furniture which were £20 each which I thought was a bargain especially considering they were the exact same green we were decorating our lounge and dining room with! I tried to explain this to my hubby but he did not have the same thinking and drove me back to the shop to give it back!!! I suppose, in hindsight, we were saving for our wedding at the time.
I bought 3 Jensen cars, not one of them a runner. My family want to section me.
Went to auction for a compressor, phoned wife, brought a tractor. Not the bad news. Then had to buy a trailer to bring it home.
I brought a new car and just turned up in it!
Oops, some of you may still be in the doghouse for those impulse purchases!!
Thanks for 'fessing up, we're back on Thursday.


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Cindy Putnam has written an interesting blog post titled Let's Go to the Polls on This One. She does a good job summarizing a couple of published interviews representing differing points of view regarding the integration of technology with teaching and learning in K-12. It's an interesting way to re-visit this decade old question about the value and appropriateness of technology in elementary, middle, and secondary school settings. I strongly encourage you to read this blog post and then participate in the poll at the end.
photo credit: Extra Ketchup


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ORANGE BEACH, Alabama -- A helicopter tour and charter business continues to expand in the city with the council's approval of a second heliport this week.
Peachtree City, Ga.-based Corporate Aircraft Solutions, operating as Oasis Aviation Services, first gained approval to do business at Gulf Shores' Jack Edwards National Airport in February and received the green light the following month to build a heliport at The Wharf. Now, the company, which operates under the standard state and Federal Aviation Administration safety permits, is poised to increase its visibility with a helipad on Perdido Beach Boulevard near the Caribe towers.
Mayor Tony Kennon sees it as a great amenity for tourists and locals.
"I went up in one of the helicopters and went down the beach and from 300 feet the view is absolutely phenomenal," Kennon said. "You're low enough that you can see things that you can't see from an aircraft but high enough to get a really good view. So it is a really nice amenity that I think is going to be welcomed."
Pilot Rod Kellogg said he received positive feedback over the weekend after taking visitors from California, Missouri and Texas on a tour.
"With every one of them, the first thing they say when we get up and see the beach, they're like, 'We had no idea Alabama had this kind of view,'" Kellogg said.
Oasis uses the nimble Robinson R44 helicopter, a four-seater, for the tours.
Tom Olive, who owns the company with his brother Steve, said tours have been flying out of Jack Edwards for about the last month. "It's going really well," he said. "It's well received."
Olive said the two sites in Orange Beach will help expose the tour opportunities to visitors, who make decisions on the fly.
"We won't have to spend much money because we'll be sitting where people can see us," Olive said. "That's a big thing for rides such as that; they're spontaneous. The site is very convenient and a lot of these rides are spontaneous purchases. See a helicopter, ride a helicopter, done."
Tours fly from 10 a.m. to dusk and last anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes -- a quick beach runs to flights over Gulf State Park and the Cotton Bayou area, north of Perdido Pass. Fees range from $35 to $75.
Oasis is also licensed for charter flights, Olive said. "So we can take people from Gulf Shores to the Wind Creek Casino or to Biloxi, Mobile, Pensacola," he said.
City Administrator Ken Grimes said the R44 craft is quiet compared to other larger helicopters.
"I live off Cotton Bayou and it flies over doing the route for the tour." Grimes said. "You hear it coming. You know the sound of it but you'll hear other helicopters like you hear the Coast Guard all the time; you hear the Blackhawks. The other day there were two Apaches flying over. They're totally different sounds. The military helicopters are so much louder and deeper. So this is something that's very, in my opinion, non-intrusive."
Olive said Oasis has offered to assist the cities during emergencies if a helicopter is needed, such as helping to locate a swimmer stuck in a riptide. The Olive brother's company also operates out of Austin, Texas, and Peachtree City, Ga., where they provide charter services and work for utility companies, among other things.
"We do a lot of industrial-type work, powerline inspections and things of that nature for utility companies," Olive said, "and we were looking for some other alternatives to diversify our business a bit."
Olive said Pat Simpson, general manager of Gulf Shores-based Gulf Air Center, and Kellogg, who Olive met while vacationing in the area, have helped get Oasis established in the community along with the owners of The Wharf and Caribe Resort as well as city officials.
"We've been very, very excited and really the thing that has been so impressive is the way that this city has embraced us," Olive said. "We've been extremely fortunate and I've been through a lot of these things with city councils in a lot of different areas and this has been the most pleasurable I've ever experienced."
Olive said he hopes to have the Caribe Heliport up and running by June 1.
Vision Helicopters, a competitor, was also approved to operate in Gulf Shores but has not opened operations as planned.
For more information about Oasis Aviation Services and tours, visit flyoasis.net or call 855-49-OASIS.


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Regional Exploring Training to be Offered this Spring
Members of the Learning for Life national staff will visit 14 local councils (PDF) from March through May to provide specific steps to grow the Exploring program. The target audience for each two-day event includes council staff members and district and council volunteers. The training will cover new developments in Exploring and specific skills related to prospecting, sales calls, and organizing and supporting Explorer posts and leaders. Staff and volunteers from areas surrounding the 15 listed councils are encouraged to attend. The growth of Exploring can have a direct, positive impact on the Journey to Excellence! For more information, contact Doug Brown at email@example.com.
2010 Report to the Nation Delegation Continues BSA Tradition
A nine-member youth delegation representing each of Scouting's programs recently visited Capitol Hill to present our annual Report to the Nation, which highlighted our achievements during the BSA's 100th anniversary year. This year's delegation—which was joined by host couple Ron and June Coleman of Decatur, Georgia—had the chance to present the report to President Barack Obama, Speaker of the House John Boehner, and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, who is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award and a past NESA president. To learn more, and to see photos from the trip, visit the Report to the Nation site on Scouting.org. You also may read about the delegation's experiences on Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca's Bob's Blog (login required). [Photos courtesy of the White House.]
Diversity Efforts Integrated Throughout National Council
The Membership Impact Department was launched in 2008 with the goal of offering a quality Scouting experience to all youth in every community. Since that time, the efforts of the staff and volunteer teams to focus on outreach to Hispanic and multicultural markets have been successful in developing new methods, programs, and messages. The logical next step to build on this success in 2011 and beyond is to equip every National Council team to participate in this outreach. To do so, the Hispanic Initiatives and Multicultural Markets team members have been deployed into positions throughout the National Council.
A task force and volunteer oversight committee that represents each focus will remain in place as we transition through Phase II. It is our expectation that by the end of Phase II, diversity and inclusion will have moved from an "initiative" to "how we do business." The future state of Scouting is as an organization that fully represents the communities we serve.
New Award Honors BSA Alumni
The national Alumni Relations Committee has created a new award designed to honor Scouting alumni who have helped other former members reconnect with the program. The new Alumni Award recognizes accomplishments in four areas: alumni identification and promotion, alumni engagement, personal participation, and personal education. The requirements for the award are available at www.BSAalumni.org for registered alumni. For more information on the award or on forming an alumni committee, please contact Bill Steele at email@example.com or 972-580-2032.
National Youth Forum Explores the Wants, Needs of Boys
Last fall, the BSA hosted its first National Youth Forum consisting of eight speakers who are nationally recognized experts on child development. Held in Dallas near the National Council office, the daylong event covered topics ranging from "The Purpose of Boys" and "Understanding Boy Culture" to the latest research on how children learn and play. Key excerpts from each presentation, as well as an introduction from Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca, are included in the presentation below. Please leave your thoughts using the comments feature next to the video window.
BSA Professionals Receive Half Off a NESA Life Membership
The National Eagle Scout Association recently approved a 50-percent reduction in the cost of a life membership for professional Scouters. Until July 1, the NESA life membership fee is $180, making the cost for professional Scouters only $90. After July 1, however, all NESA membership fees are changing, with life membership increasing to $250 (or $125 for professional Scouters). Act now and save yourself some money!
BSA, Amateur Radio Relay League Make Partnership Official
Through the now-defunct Wireless and present-day Radio merit badges, the Jamboree-on-the-Air, and K2BSA at the national Scout jamboree, the Boy Scouts of America and the Amateur Radio Relay League have a partnership that has spanned generations. The two organizations recently made their bond official with the signing of a memorandum of understanding. Read the complete memorandum (PDF) or watch the video below for a summary of how this partnership affects you.
There's a Lot Happening in Supply … Learn More on The Buzz
With spring just around the corner, the Supply Group has a range of new, cutting-edge equipment and products that will hit the shelves of your local Scout shop in the coming weeks. Also, learn more about the exciting changes in store for Scoutstuff.org in this episode of The Buzz.
What's on Your Technology Wish List? Weigh In on WBtv
In episode No. 4 of WBtv, Deputy Chief Scout Executive Wayne Brock talks technology. So what's on your BSA technology wish list? Be sure to visit waynebrock.wordpress.com to leave a comment.


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More imáges:
Plain inner and outer appearance. Suitable for use in straight lengths, with no bending requirements.
It is possible to produce any special shaped hose (e.g. elbow, reducer, etc.) upon request.
VMQ type silicon tube with two layers of polyester fibre reinforcement and interior stainless steel spiral
Inside appearance: grooved, blue colour.
Thickness: 2.8mm (+1/-0.5mm)
The operational temperature range is from -60ºC to 235ºC, although it may reach up to 250ºC during short periods of time.
Transport of high tempeature fluids in general industry where a certain degree of flexibility is required
Most common inside diameters (in mm.):
6-8-10-13-16-19-22-25-28-30-32-35-38-40-44-45-48-50-51-53-55-57-60- 62-63-65-70-75-76-80-82-90-100-110.
We manufacture tubes of 4 m long but it can be cut to smaller lenghts on request.
Recommended for places where a high resistance to pression is needed because it doesn´t spoil with age and his mechanical characteristics don´t change in its operational temperatures. Highly resistant to ozone
Not affected by anti-freeze or anti-rust liquids
Highly resistant to hardening with very good compression characteristics
The material of the tubes have a very long life and reduce maintenance problems.


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The limited-choice days of consumers are long gone. Just a few clicks and you can have retailers lined up at your doorstep to deliver the product or offer the service you want.
Such intense competition is probably the reason phrases like, "persuasion tactics" are reiterated by people all around. But those who know how to put these theoretical "tactics" into practice the right way are the real winners of the game. Our current case study also talks about one such winner.
Betfair claims to be the world's leading online betting exchange platform. Their business model is to allow bettors to set odds among themselves, which eliminates the need to have a traditional bookie. The site also offers a range of sports betting products, like poker and casino games, and much more.
Business Need
Attracting traffic through various paid channels, like PPC and Affiliate, the business need is to increase registrations from their website.
Test Background
The team was inspired by the six keys of persuasion that are discussed in great detail by Robert Cialdini in his book, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. The book is believed to be a must read for marketers and talks about the six persuasion principles: Reciprocity, Scarcity, Commitment & Consistency, Liking, Authority, and Social Proof.
This made the Betfair team realize that even though they have a really good following on their Facebook page, they are not harnessing its power to their advantage.
But they didn't want to stop at social proof only. They tried to tap the power of some other persuasion principles too for their main landing page. They wanted to see how each variation of Social Proof, Reciprocity, and Scarcity principle perform against their Control.
This was their main landing page or the Control page for the test:
Test Hypothesis
The display of mobile offering on Betfair's landing page contributed to their business value. But their optimization team saw it more as a potential distraction that might be encouraging channel hopping when their aim was to keep visitors focused on the registration journey.
They also had their doubts if the mobile offering had any impact on conversions from this landing page.
Finally, the test hypothesis was that replacing the mobile offering with a message that emphasizes a persuasion principle should have greater impact on conversions and increase the clickthrough rate (CTR) to the registration page.
It took only a few clicks for them to set up this test using Visual Website Optimizer's WYSIWYG Editor.
Here are the three variations that were made, each of which replaced the mobile offering with a persuasion principle:
Social Proof:
Goals Tracked
- CTR to their registration page
- Page Engagement
The hypothesis proved to be right for all variations as they tested positive for both the goals, however statistical significance was only achieved for the variation that emphasized Social Proof. This made clear that the power of Cialdini's principles is something no marketer should underplay.
The Social Proof variation stood out as the clear winner of the test with 96% chance to beat the original. And here's what Betfair had to say about the results:
Winning experience drove a 7% uplift in CTR to start Registration which at that step of the funnel and with the large numbers we get at that level makes a significant impact.
This may seem like a small win but when you have a high traffic volume site like Betfair, this can easily interpret to hundreds of additional leads per day. Unfortunately, the team is reluctant about sharing the exact numbers publicly, so we won't be able to share the site data or revenue figures.
You can see the comparison image for a quick glimpse of the change that was made:
It's also worth noting that the Social Proof variation also outperformed other variations and beat the original with 4.18% for the Page Engagement goal.
It's too often that we ignore the value of these basic principles because they have almost become second nature to us.
- We would run to buy fad products. Remember Furby? Tamegachi crazes? We assume that if everyone is buying it, it should be fine. That's how social proof works on websites!
- We would almost kill (not literally!) to get our hands on those limited book editions. That's scarcity playing its part, by the way.
- And of course, you know about the simple "give and take" philosophy. You cannot build relationships without reciprocity. Friendships, business partnerships, they all depend on it. Offer some value to your potential customers, maybe in the form of valuable ebooks, reports, blog posts, or videos; and then expect them to buy from you. Try asking for a favor from a stranger some day and you'll know how difficult it is to convince people to do a small thing, when you have done nothing for them first.
Another takeaway point here is to make sure that the focus of your landing page is spot on. You must decide one primary goal for your landing page to get the best results. Anything that doesn't add value to that particular goal should be replaced with some other more relevant element that can influence visitors' decision and push them further into the conversion funnel, like Betfair did.
Your Turn
Have you ever tried any of these persuasion principles on your landing page? What were the results? Share it with me in comments section.


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Spotify has revealed that 20% of its 20 million songs have never been played.
The music streaming service revealed updated usage figures this week to tie in with its fifth anniversary, confirming that 80% of tracks in its library have been streamed at least once.
The Swedish firm also announced that its user base has reached 24 million, six million of whom are premium subscribers.
Spotify users have played more than a million years' worth of music over the last five years, and created more than a billion playlists.
'Thrift Shop' by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis is the most played song on the service with more than 150 million streams, while Daft Punk's 'Get Lucky' is the most streamed within 24 hours with 1.5 million plays at launch.
Rihanna was named as Spotify's most played female artist, David Guetta the most played male, and Coldplay the most popular band.
Spotify experiences its heaviest traffic between 4pm and 5pm on a Thursday afternoon.
Watch the music video for 'Thrift Shop' below:


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Use Your Transactional Messages to Market Your AppCarly Brantz
Transactional messages yield the highest open rates of all email. Why? It's because your subscribers expect to receive them in the form of notices, confirmations and receipts. Smart senders can maximize this opportunity to incorporate relevant marketing messages into their transactional messages to deepen the relationship with their customers.
According to Experian's Transactional Email Report, transactional email yields and average revenue per email that is two to five times greater than bulk email. They also have exceptionally high click through and open rates as subscribers tend to open them repeatedly. As a result, there is a prime opportunity to interact with this highly engaged audience through standard communications sent through your system.
Despite the ability to add promotional messages to your messages, you should focus on the primary purpose of the email. For example, if you are sending a shipping notification, make sure your focus on the delivery details. However, include targeted and relevant messages within the email to drive engagement such as links to similar products, a special offer or prompt to sign up for your promotional newsletter. The general rule of thumb is that marketing messages should take up no more than 1/3 of the email so involve your marketing department to ensure you develop a winning template that is highly personalized and branded appropriately.
Remember, you overall goal is to enhance the customer experience and deepen your relationship. Given the possibilities available with transactional email, don't miss out on a prime opportunity to extend value to your audience.


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Jenilee Matz has a master's degree in public health and worked for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a health communications specialist. She writes for several health publications including Everyday Health, HealthDay, and Diabetic Connect.
Nearly two-thirds of all Americans don't get enough physical activity. But exercise is one of the cornerstones of good health—especially for people with diabetes.
Being physically active can keep your blood sugar near target, boost your energy levels, improve your mood, control your weight, and lower your risk of dangerous complications like heart disease.
Experts say that adults should strive for two hours and 30 minutes of physical activity each week. That breaks down to five 30-minute fitness sessions. Don't let that goal overwhelm you. As long as you're active for 10 continuous minutes at a time, it counts as exercise.
5 simple strategies to make exercise a part of your daily routine
1. Make time for exercise. It's common for people to believe that they don't have time in their busy schedules for fitness. Instead of finding time, make time. We can always make time for the things we find most important, and your health should be at the top of that list.
Add workout sessions to your calendar like you would any other commitment. Instead of going out to lunch during the workday, take a walk with your coworkers. Rather than lounging in front of the TV in the evenings, do sit-ups, push-ups, lunges, and jumping jacks.
2. Start slowly. If you're out of shape, the thought of beginning an exercise program can be overwhelming. Talk to your doctor and get clearance first. Then slowly ease into exercise. If you can't run or hike, trying walking. If you can't swim, try walking in water. Just do as much as you can in the beginning. Keep in mind that any amount of activity is better than none at all.
3. Be active anywhere. Don't have a gym membership? No problem! Exercise does not have to happen in a fitness center to count. Any activity that gets your heart rate up is considered exercise. That includes heavy gardening, hiking, and swimming. If you prefer more structured fitness, try a workout DVD or look up a yoga class on YouTube and sweat in the comfort of your living room.
4. Find an activity you enjoy. Fitness enthusiasts have a secret: most of them don't view exercise as a chore. That's because they do activities they truly enjoy. Think back to childhood. Did you play soccer or do ballet? Search for adult intramural sports leagues or dance fitness classes. You may end up having so much fun that you forget you're working out.
5. Find a buddy. A lot of people are excited to begin a fitness regimen, but then after a few weeks, the novelty—and motivation—fades away. Having a workout buddy can be the perfect solution for motivation problems. Workout partners can hold you accountable and make fitness more enjoyable. It may be tempting to hit "snooze" and sleep through your workout, but if you have a friend counting on you to be there, you'll be more likely to get out of bed.
What are your personal fitness and workout tips? Share them in the comments below.


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Your Subtitle text
Starting humbly on the streets of San Francisco during the historic and social revolutionary times of the 1967 Summer of Love and 60's counterculture movement, North Beach Leathers became a household name
through the
following 40 years.
Founder, Bill Morgan, takes us on a magical trip back to those fabulous times in his chronicle, aptly titled
North Beach Leathers – Tailors to the Stars
Relive those moments, together with the big names of that era (Elvis, Janis, Jimi, Tina, Miles, Santana - to name just a few), and discover the NBL fashions they enjoyed wearing.
Whether or not you were fortunate enough to be there
and part of the fun, you will revel in the fascinating stories contained in the 326 pages with color photos of some of the greatest leather fashions of the last half century.
North Beach Leathers - Tailors to the Stars
e-book is $14.95
and available exclusively from this website for immediate download once payment has been made via Paypal:
"A must read! Much about San Francisco during exciting and revolutionary 60's and 70's. Fantastic fashions."
Judy de Barrrios
Seattle, WA
"BEST READ! You are a great writer and have chronicled the best era of our lifetime. Your recollection of times and events is impeccable. I think this book will be a benchmark for the era of love and peace. Possibly a Pulitzer!"
Joseph Pieri
San Francisco, CA
"Bill, damn good piece on Jim Morrison. Nice!"
Dave Dewbre
New Mexico
"Bill, you have a fantastic memory for things in your past, wonderful recall. I went through the book and enjoyed how you integrated your business, personal life, a wonderful piece of San Francisco history, world class celebrities (timeless) and beautiful women, into this narrative - well done!"
Don Wicklow
Peroia, IL
Who promised me a special 'trophy' for breaking the Bay to Breakers race record? (Chapter 12)
Why did I tell a Hell's Angels motorcycle momma I was gay? (Chapter 15)
Who had a spiritual devotion to reptile skins? (Chapter 29)
What happens when you tell 'The Champ' George Foreman that a jacket is unbreakable?(Ch 48)
What did Gianni Versace think about my fashion sense? (Chapter 65)
Which form of 'payment' was acceptable at Burning Man Festival for my leather and fur paganwear? (Chapter 74)
Why was Elvis waiting patiently at the Las Vegas Hilton for his tailor Bill to show up? (Ch 47)
Enjoy these and many more revelations by Bill Morgan about the multitude of celebrities that were dressed by North Beach Leathers, the genuine 'Tailors to the Stars'. The
North Beach Leathers - Tailors to the Stars
e-book is $14.95
and available exclusively from this website for immediate download once payment has been made via Paypal:
Content copyright


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Feeling Generous? Chat Birthday Bitches No upcoming birthdays! President poll Derpy For President? Yes 0
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Recruitment MLG Video Newest MembersHalfZombieDan
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Co-developed with Rogue athlete and 4-time CrossFit Games champion Rich Froning Jr., this new take on our SR-1 Bearing Speed Rope is built to handle the double-under demands of the Fittest Man on Earth.
The adjustable Froning SR-1F Speed Rope includes tapered, 6.5" rotating handles with a TPE overmold for a reliable, no-slip grip. The rope's high-precision bearing system allows for top-end revolutions, and the coated 3/32" polyurethane cable is highly durable but also more flexible than nylon—it won't show much coil after being rolled up in a gym bag. Rich's design also features a unique new color palette with black handles, gray coating on both the grips and cable, and the Froning R* logo in white on each handle endcap.
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The types of kitchen appliances made by Bosch include dishwashers, built-in wall ovens, ranges, cooktops and microwaves. The company also makes refrigerators, washers and dryers, hoods for ventilation, coffee makers and food processors.
Bosch's dishwashers can be built into an existing cabinet or counter and come with top or front controls. They can have custom panels, come in compact models and are manufactured in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. The wall ovens come in single, double and combination models. Bosch also builds steam ovens.
Cooktops are available in induction, gas and electric styles. Bosch offers FlexInduction cooktops, which have two cooking zones on one surface. They sell slide-in ranges and built-in microwave ovens. These ovens can be placed over the ranges and in drawers. Some models are equipped with warming drawers and storage.
Bosch offers free-standing and built-in refrigerators. The free-standing refrigerators come with roomy bottom freezers and glass shelves.
Bosch also sells compact, stackable washers and dryers. They offer built-in coffee makers, a variety of Tassimo hot beverage systems and compact kitchen machines without blenders. Model MUM4405UC comes with a beater, dough hook and whisking attachment.
The ventilation hoods include chimney-style models placed above the stove and downdraft models, which can be hidden away when not in use. Customer insert, pull-out and island-type hoods are other available options, as of 2015.


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IP Hash: a14f4c8c
Anonymous User
Rape Survivor and Aikido
I am a rape survivor. I was raped when I was 17, and I have had many years of learning what to do to prevent it again. I do not talk to men I don't know and I do not go on blind dates. I have also developed an extreme aversion to being touched in any context other than by someone I am in a relationship with.
I have been studying Aikido for 2 years now, and it was recently pointed out to me that most of my waza issues stem from giving too much of a "holiday" to my uke. Upon further self-reflection, I feel that these technical problems are rooted in my aversion to touching people and being touched in any kind of non-sexual context. (I also do not hug friends, and I genuinely do my best to avoid even a handshake as a greeting.)
I am not looking for therapy, but I would be interested in knowing if there are any women here who have overcome the same issues, or any instructors who have helped their students though these issues.


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Lake Billy Chinook Houseboats and Marina is the new marina concessionaire this year at The Cove Palisades State Park on Lake Billy Chinook in Jefferson County near Culver.
The local business, www.lakebillychinook.com, won the five-year contract following an open, competitive bidding process. It will provide boat docks and slips, houseboat rentals, marine fuel, food and other supplies.
The park regularly draws more than 80,000 campers and a half-million day visitors a year, making it one of the most popular recreational boating lakes in Oregon.
State park camping and day visits at The Cove Palisades have been and will continue to be managed by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.


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United Italic Ext Thin Fonts
<link href="//db.onlinewebfonts.com/c/df734de884f8d9740a5b7b417ca4ce93?family=United+Italic+Ext" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"/>#2 Using @import CSS directive, put the following line in add to your css file.(http | https)
@import url(//db.onlinewebfonts.com/c/df734de884f8d9740a5b7b417ca4ce93?family=United+Italic+Ext);#3 Use font-face declaration Fonts.(http | https)
@font-face {font-family: "United Italic Ext"; src: url("//db.onlinewebfonts.com/t/df734de884f8d9740a5b7b417ca4ce93.eot"); src: url("//db.onlinewebfonts.com/t/df734de884f8d9740a5b7b417ca4ce93.eot?#iefix") format("embedded-opentype"), url("//db.onlinewebfonts.com/t/df734de884f8d9740a5b7b417ca4ce93.woff2") format("woff2"), url("//db.onlinewebfonts.com/t/df734de884f8d9740a5b7b417ca4ce93.woff") format("woff"), url("//db.onlinewebfonts.com/t/df734de884f8d9740a5b7b417ca4ce93.ttf") format("truetype"), url("//db.onlinewebfonts.com/t/df734de884f8d9740a5b7b417ca4ce93.svg#United Italic Ext") format("svg"); }
Copyright 2006 House Industries/Brand Design Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Part of the United family from House Industries.
United is a trademark of House Industries/Brand Design Co., Inc.
House Industries Font Software License AgreementHOUSE INDUSTRIES PRODUCTS MAY NOT BE RETURNED OR EXCHANGED AFTER THE FONTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. Please read this agreement carefully! By installing House Industries font software, you are agreeing to the terms of this license. House Industries fonts and artwork are licensed for use on 6 rasterizing devices connected to the same network. A device may be, but is not limited to, a printer, rasterizer, video display terminal, CPU, workstation or any device where the font software is rasterized or display of the House Industries Font is generated from font software outlines. If your configuration exceeds this format, you must call House Industries at 302-234-2356 to expand your site license. If you do not agree to the terms of this software license, please return the software envelope unopened to House Industries, 1145 Yorklyn Road, Post Office Box 166, Yorklyn, Delaware, 19736-0166, U.S.A.1. Each House Industries font is licensed for use on a maximum of six rasterizing devices connected to the same local area network. 2. A multi-device site license upgrade must be purchased for multiple device use according to a multi-device license schedule available at www.houseindustries.com/license. Each location and/or entity must purchase a separate license, starting with the first device. An output device is any printer, such as a Linotronic rasterizer, laser printer, or dot-matrix printer, any video display terminal or any other device where display is generated from the font software outlines, such as with the use of Adobe Type Manager or native TrueType rasterizer if the font is to be used primarily for display terminals that generate the output, as in a multimedia CD. 3. House Industries font software may not be copied or duplicated in any form except for backup purposes. House Industries font software or documentation may not be rented, leased, sublicensed or lent to another person or entity. 4. House Industries font software may not be returned or exchanged unless defective. Defective software shall be replaced by the same software if accompanied with purchase receipt and seller is notified within one week of purchase. 5. Any software, EPS file, illustration, or anything derived from House Industries font software must be used according to the original licensing terms. This means, for example, that any modified House Industries font, or any outline information derived from any House Industries font is still licensed for the same number of devices as the original and may not be sublicensed, given away, or sold without written permission from House Industries. House Industries is responsible for technical support of its officially distributed fonts only. House Industries is not responsible for modified and/or regenerated software. 6. This license does not permit any form of embedding or encrypting of House Industries font software in digital documents or any other form. If embedding of House Industries fonts is desired, the user must purchase an additional license from House Industries based upon usage. If an embedding license is desired, licensee must represent and warrant that licensee's encryption of the embedded House Industries font software is secure enough to prevent access or use by anyone using the software in which the font data is embedded. 7. The user of this House Industries font software agrees to credit House Industries as the trademark and copyright owner of the House Industries fonts and list the font names, wherever and whenever design, production, or any other credits are shown. 8. Any violation by licensee of this agreement shall cause this license to be terminated. In the event of termination, and without limiting any other remedies which may be available against you, you must immediately return the font software to House Industries and certify that no copies remain in your possession or exist on the originally licensed site. 9. House Industries makes no warranties express or implied as to merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or otherwise. Without limiting the aforementioned, House Industries shall in no event be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages, including damages from loss of business profits, business interruption, and loss of business information, arising out of the use or inability to use the product. 10. Multi-device License Upgrade Schedule:House Industries software is automatically licensed for use on a maximum of six rasterizing devices connected to the same local area network. Each location and/or entity must purchase a separate license, starting with the first device. The upgrade price is calculated as a percentage of the original price of the software. The following is cumulative:- up to 10 devices: add 50 percent of original price;- 11 to 50 devices: add 20 percent of original price for each 5 devices;- 51 to 125 devices: add 15 percent of original price for each 5 devices;- 126 to 250 devices: add 10 percent of original price for each 5 devices;- 251 devices and over: add 5 percent of original price for each 5 devices;If your usage exceeds the number of devices for a given output device category, you must purchase the upgrade with the applicable number of devices. Call 302-234-2356 for a quote.
ITC Giovanni W01 Bold
Monotype ITC Inc.Author
Robert SlimbachTrademark
ITC Giovanni is a trademark of Monotype ITC Inc. registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and which may be registered in certain other jurisdictions.Copyright
Copyright 2015 Monotype ITC Inc. All rights reserved.Description
This font software is the property of Monotype Imaging Inc., or one of its affiliated entities (collectively, Monotype) and its use by you is covered under the terms of a license agreement. You have obtained this font software either directly from Monotype or together with software distributed by one of the licensees of Monotype. This software is a valuable asset of Monotype. Unless you have entered into a specific license agreement granting you additional rights, your use of this software is limited by the terms of the actual license agreement you have entered into with Monotype. You may not copy or distribute this software. If you have any questions concerning your rights you should review the license agreement you received with the software. You can learn more about Monotype here: www.monotype.com
Schwager W04 Black
Luciano VergaraAuthor
Luciano VergaraTrademark
Schwager Black is a trademark of Luciano Vergara.Copyright
Copyright (c) 2012 by Luciano Vergara. All rights reserved.Description
Copyright (c) 2012 by Luciano Vergara. All rights reserved.
PW Curvy regular script
PW Curvy regular scriptStyle
www.peax-webdesign-com Michel LunAuthor
Michel LunTrademark
PW Curvy regular script is a trademark of www.peax-webdesign-com Michel Lun.Copyright
Copyright (c) 2013 by www.peax-webdesign-com Michel Lun. All rights reserved.Description
Copyright (c) 2013 by www.peax-webdesign-com Michel Lun. All rights reserved.License
Free for personal use. For commercial use, please contact me at www.peax-webdesign-com
Bunken Tech Sans SCWideW01SBIt
Ralf Sander and Petra NiedernolteTrademark
Bunken is a trademark of Buntype, Ralf Sander and Petra Niedernolte.Copyright
Copyright (c) 2015 by Ralf Sander and Petra Niedernolte. Published by Buntype. All rights reserved.License
NOTIFICATION OF LICENSE AGREEMENT This software for producing the Typefaces licensed to you is copyrighted (c) 2015 by Ralf Sander and Petra Niedernolte. Published by Buntype Corporation Germany. All Rights Reserved. It is the property of Ralf Sander, Petra Niedernolte and Buntype Corporation Germany and its licensors, and may not be reproduced, used, displayed, modified, disclosed or transferred without the express written approval of it's owners. Unless you have entered into a specific license agreement granting you additional rights, your use of this font software is limited to your workstation for your own use. You may not copy, loan or distribute this font software. If you have any questions regarding your license terms, please review the license agreement you received with the software. General license terms and usage rights can be viewed at http://www.buntype.com/service/license.html.
Dan Hand
Dan HandStyle
1.00 January 22, 2006, initial releaseCopyright
Typeface (your company). 2006. All Rights ReservedDescription
This font was created using Font Creator 5.0 from High-Logic.com
Cambridge Round W01 Bd Expan It
Aviation PartnersAuthor
Nicholas GarnerCopyright
Copyright (c) 2010 by Aviation Partners. All rights reserved.Description
Copyright (c) 2010 by Aviation Partners. All rights reserved.
Mf Hug Me Tight
Mf Hug Me TightStyle
Misti's Fonts (Misti Hammers)Author
Misti's Fonts (Misti Hammers)Trademark
Mf Hug Me Tight is a trademark of Misti's Fonts (Misti Hammers).Copyright
Copyright (c) 2013 by Misti's Fonts (Misti Hammers). All rights reserved.Description
Copyright (c) 2013 by Misti's Fonts (Misti Hammers). All rights reserved.License
My fonts are free for PERSONAL use only. For any commercial use (anything you make money from), you must send a paypal donation. Please visit my website www.mistifonts.com to see my affordable prices.
1.00 April 5, 2015, initial releaseCompany
Xerographer FontsAuthor
Xerographer Fonts Max InfeldCopyright
Xerographer Fonts. 2015. All Rights ReservedDescription
Made at Xerographer Studios in Chico,CALicense
Gilgongo V1
Apostrophe & Graham MeadeCopyright
2000-2001, Apostrophic Laboratories & Graham Meade. All rights reserved. Visit www.apostrophiclab.com or email firstname.lastname@example.com for more info.Description
Apostrophic Laboratories & Graham Meade. All rights reserved. Visit www.apostrophiclab.com or email firstname.lastname@example.com for more info.


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Here are a few things to think about. If you are planning a wedding be honest with the people you are hiring. Not ever vendor adds extra money just because it is a wedding. YES, they may charge more than they would for a party but that is because a Wedding usually takes more time and energy. More time = More costs. Planning a party for 100 take way less time and energy than planning a wedding for 100. But here are a few things you can do to help save for those costs.
1. Meal Plan - Yes it is true, if you plan out your meals less food will go to waste, you will know what is for lunch/dinner therefore will not have the "I don't know what to make lets just eat out" feeling and you can find ways to incorporate leftovers into your meal prep. This in the long run can save you lots of money.
2. Eat out less/Eat out Smarter - Try to eat our only 1-2 times a month or less. And when you do watch what you are eating. Not only can you save money doing this but you can also save calories. Instead of ordering a drink, order water. Instead of paying to add cheese have it without. Less calories and some places it costs as much as $1.75 to add cheese. Now you may say that $1.75 isn't much but that can add up over a year to being as much as $26
3. Shop Thrifty - Shopping at Thrift Store and Goodwill can really save you a lot of money if you are willing to shop. Many times just like you and me, People will donate items that have never been worn or used because they buy them and either get home and don't like it or it doesn't fit or they forget about it. Then they donate it. By being patient and shopping around sometimes you can find items brand new.
4. Swap Nights - If you and your girlfriends are all shopping gals have a swap night. Everyone brings 5-7 items that they no longer wear and you swap with your friends. :) Remember that shirt your friend has that you love? Maybe its no longer their favorite and now you have a new to you item in your closet.
5. Coupons - Yes they can be time consuming but hey who doesn't love saving money on your food or day to day items. Many stores now allow you to register your card on their app and download coupons directly so that you do not even have to "clip" them out of the paper.
6. Saving Jar - Make a saving jar, add a card or tag to the front of it that has your goal and what the money will be used for. Then any time you have coins put them in there. It may not add up fast but over time it will be a great addition to your savings. Other ways to do this. Each time you turn down something you don't need, lets say an extra coffee or drink at Happy Hour after work, put the amount saved into your jar. So if your coffee costs you $4.50 and you turn down buying one add $4.50 to your jar. You will be amazed at how fast cutting simple things out will add up. Now I don't mean to say give it up completely but find other outlets. If you are tired or stressed and want a second cup try grabbing a bottle of water or going for a brisk walk instead.
7. SAVE - Yes it is just that simple. Try a saving experiment. Start the month of February by going to the bank and getting out $28. Now put that in a safe place at home and don't touch it. Then do the same in March, get $31 out and put it with your $28 from February. Continue this for the rest of the year. $1 per day for each day of the month. Do this at the beginning of the month with your FIRST paycheck for that month. Once you have 3-4 months take it BACK to the bank and put it in a separate savings account that you won't touch. Continue adding to it each month at the first of the month. By the end of the year you will be amazed at how much is there. You may not earn much in interest but you will have $1 for every day of the year. Keep doing this for another year and before long you will have a very nice little savings account that can be used for wedding items, a trip, the honeymoon, something for your house or even an anniversary trip. Want to take it one step farther? try adding an extra $5 each month to what you are already adding. So Feb - $28, March $36, April (add $10) $40, May (Add $15) $46 and so on. By doing this you will find that by the end of the year you can save as much as $600.
Thanks for reading our blog. We know this was along one but hope you found some useful tips in it. Feel free to share your money saving tips with us as well.
Lisa Marie
Owner/Senior Wedding-Event Specialist


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These are notes taken from Maria Elena Zapata's article, " The Role of Public Libraries in Literacy Education" published in Libri 1994, vol 44 no 2. At the time she was Director of Public Library Networks in Caracas, Venezuela. In this paper she makes many points about the delivery of literacy in a global context that can be applied anywhere in the world.
She speaks of literacy as a new concept of social development. She wrote this 15 years ago and now Britain certainly considers that literacy is vital to social development. (Insinc, Framework for the future, Peoples Network). The focus is again on the prevention of illiteracy, defining the problem of illiteracy as "an expression of unequal access to social wealth, information sources and knowledge," and "Illiteracy: and expression of inequality". She also explains that literacy is not simply a matter of someone being able to decode the marks on paper into words, there needs to be meaning an understanding in the mind of the reader. They need to acquire functional literacy, which allows individuals to participate in social development. With this in mind, libraries need to provide information resources to "People Participating in Literacy education". My argument is that a Children's mobile library provides the resources in the places where children are learning to read, or should be learning to read, the question being "Can Children's mobile libraries help prevent illiteracy?" I have just checked the UNESCO website and the figures that they quote as being the most current is 774 million are illiterate globally, and 64% of those are women.
Zapata argues that illiteracy is not only a symptom of poverty, but a cause as well meaning that some levels of society cannot access their human rights. She explains "Knowing how to read and write is the prerequisite for practising the right to learn which is one of the conditions for the effective and universal application of these principles." It becomes a self generating circle. The process of learning to read gives people the skills to "Access and Process information, to create apply new knowledge, to participate in social processes designed to modify the environment and create better living conditions at individual community and national levels." Even in a democratic society citizens need to know how to read and write at a reasonable level to be able to "understand, analyze and reflect on their personal and social situations and to become active participants in promoting changes". To correctly exercise your vote you must be able to understand the policies of the political parties and chose the one that suits your own opinions.
As a logical first step and a way out of an illiteracy circle, is to teach reading and writing at an early age. Then, Zapata continues, pay attention to the young people and adults who have not attained adequate levels of reading. Libraries can help their literacy in two ways, as a partner of educational intuitions and as a service unit for the general public. A children's mobile library can have this dual function with great ease. It can tour around from school to school working in a tailored way to each educational establisment, and it can go out into a variety of communities to provide resources, skills and advise to members of the general public. The ways in working which Zapata suggests for a static library include the training of teachers and of librarians, both working together to assess and discover literacy teaching methodologies and the access to a range of appropriate printed materials. She suggests that static libraries provide travelling boxes of books and materials to day care centres, well, surely a whole library is a better option, if available. She suggests the provision of information about services offered by the library. the Leicester book bus goes one further that that, it provides information about the city's literacy policy, including schools. Finally she considers that staff should be trained as story tellers to continue the oral tradition. This applies particularly to staff on children's mobiles, they are an efficient use of trained staff, who will use their story telling skills multiple times during one day, instead of a few times a week.
Zapata also believes that libraries need to provide books to children to promote reading for pleasure. Because Zapata wrote the article with a global perspective, she suggests the "Artisan production of reading materials which rescue and give new value to the oral traditions and values of indigenous cultures". She is considering the places where the libraries' users are ethnic groups, some with no official language, but it is equally appropriate in any place. Making books for children, with children and by children gains their interest makes them realise the purpose of books. They end up with a product they feel ownership of and interests them which motivates them to read. Making books is a large part of the Peers Literacy intervention. It was also a large part of the reading policy of my eldest child's' school in Bristol over 20 years ago.
In the conclusion of the paper, Zapata stresses that public libraries are a "Vindication of Democracy" because it is in a library than anyone from any social background can find anything that interests them. If that is true of a static library, then it is also true for a mobile library that can go into the communities to allow any child a democratic choice.


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Special to The Herald
Special to The Herald
Maggie Lee Upchurch � just a small town girl, living in a music world. Her first single, �Not Alone� is now available on iTunes, Amazon Music, CD Baby or one can buy the CD itself from Maggie.
Singing since the age of two, Maggie loves to sing contemporary Christian, country, pop and jazz music. She attends Franklin Brentwood Arts Academy (formerly known as JKelley Studios) learning vocals, harmonizing, stage presence and even behind the scenes of helping with lighting and sound for shows. Maggie also enjoys songwriting.
Over the past eight years as a student at FBAA, Maggie has performed in a variety of shows ranging from 1940s radio shows to today�s music. She frequently sings the national anthem before sporting events in her hometown. Maggie sang her way to second place in the GCHS Talent Show two years in a row and was second runner-up at the Middle Tennessee State Fair Talent Competition last fall.
In October 2012, Maggie entered the Joyful Noise Singing Competition, sponsored by Suayphilent Entertainment at the Cherry Theater at Columbia State Community College. This is where she met Suay Lo. At first take, he thought she had the most pure voice and favored her to be a top contender in the contest. She ultimately won and the �Maggie Lee� was born. Her winnings included $1,000 cash, a song written for her by Brandon McCullen (Brandon SpankiNu Music), the song recording by Suay Lo (Suayphil Entertainment), and a photo shoot by Brandon Austin (Imaginaustin Productions). Maggie Lee is now performing across Middle Tennessee.
She was invited to sing at Richland Baptist Church Sunday, March 24, and will perform a 30-minute concert during Mule Day festivities at 4 p.m. Thursday and at 3 p.m. Friday on the Main Stage at Maury County Park. She will also ride in the Mule Day Parade on Saturday.
While staying busy with her music, Maggie Lee is a junior and an honor student at Giles County High School. She is a member of the GCHS golf team, Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is treasurer of the Giles Youth Leadership. She is also a member of First Baptist Church of Pulaski, where she is active in youth choir and their youth praise band. Maggie manages to fit in time to babysit also. She is the daughter of Winston and Mary Susan Upchurch and sister of Mary Lauren and granddaughter of Johnny and Fay Bevill.
One of Maggie Lee�s favorite verses is �Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell about all His wonderful works! Honor His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek Yahweh rejoice.� � Psalm 105:2-3


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Precious Metals Reporting Requirements
(Gold, Silver, Platinum, and Palladium)
In many ways precious metals can offer privacy not available in other investments. Precious metals can be held privately and passed on privately to heirs. Wanting to hold your assets privately is not criminal, immoral, or unpatriotic. Wanting to be private about your precious metals holdings is actually prudent when you consider the possibility of theft.
What follows are some of the laws regarding the reporting of precious metals transactions.
Cash Reporting
If you purchase precious metals using a wire transfer, check, or credit card there is no reporting requirement because there is already a bank record of this transaction. You can place an order for any amount using a wire and there is no specific reporting requirement. Due to anti-money laundering laws, any cash purchase (including money orders and cashier's checks) of $10,000 or more must be reported by the precious metals dealer with IRS Form 8300.
The defined time window of this $10,000 sale is 24 hours. Under the letter of the law, if a customer purchased $9,000 in precious metals with cash and then, 48 hours later, purchased another $9,000 with cash there would not be a reporting requirement. Even so, while this is technically legal, the U.S. government looks at these types of transactions with suspicion and expects precious metals dealers to report them as suspicious activity.
This type of attitude by the government makes it difficult for Americans to know how to conduct their affairs. The vast majority of Americans looking for privacy are simply being prudent and are not trying to launder money or sponsor terrorism. Also, it is a basic principle of law is that laws determine where the line of activity should be drawn. Laws should tell a law abiding citizen to know how far they can go and still be conducting their affairs in a legal manner.
In this case it is vague what type of activity could prompt prosecution. The U.S. government has prosecuted many businesses and individuals for repeatedly conducting cash transactions under the $10,000 reporting requirement. For this reason some precious metals dealers and brokerage companies do not accept deposits of less than $10,000.
Be aware that a husband and wife are considered the same person for these transactions, so they could not split up a purchase between them to avoid reporting requirements.
Bullion Products Reporting
The reporting of bullion sales only occurs in certain circumstances when a customer is selling product to a dealer. When certain bullion products are purchased the dealer is required to report the purchase on Form 1099B.
The fine for failing to file a 1099B form is $50 and the fine for failing to file a Form 8300 is $25,000, so based on this the government sees the reporting of cash transactions as far more important. The law on the reporting of bullion products predates many of the most popular products and has not been updated. If the government was specifically interested in tracking precious metals sales we would expect that more recent laws would have been passed.
- Gold bars of 1 kilo (32.15 oz) or more
- $1000 face value 90% silver bags
- 25 or more ounces of platinum or palladium coins or bars (see exceptions below)
- 1000 ounce silver bars
- 25 or more one-ounce gold South African Krugerrands, Canadian Maple Leafs, or Mexican Gold Onzas within a 24-hour time frame.
- Silver 1 ounce, 10 ounce, and 100 ounce bars and coins as long as the total does not exceed 1000 ounces
- Platinum U.S. Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, Australian Platypus, and Australian Koalas
- Palladium Canadian Maple Leafs, Russian Ballerinas
- Gold U.S. Eagles, Australian Kangaroos, Austrian Philharmonics, Chinese Pandas, British Britannias, Australian Lunars, and any fractional bullion coins in 1/10, 1/4, or 1/2 ounce sizes.


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The organisers of next-generation identity technology event connect:ID 2017 have announced high-profile keynote speakers who will address critical identity issues in the show's industry leading conference.
Jules Polonetsky, CEO of the Future of Privacy Forum, will for example be addressing critical issues such as global privacy legislation at the May 1-3 event in Washington DC, which is powered by Science Media Partners and the International Biometrics + Identity Association (IBIA).
Polonetsky, whose previous roles include chief privacy officer at AOL and DoubleClick, will be speaking on topics such as the impact of Europe's General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), Brexit in the UK, the EU-US Privacy Shield, and the maturation of the APEC framework.
Raymond P Martinez, chairman and chief administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, will also share his insights into the fast developing role of Motor Vehicle Departments in identity verification and management.
Martinez will highlight the promise and potential of a mobile driver's licence to become an important way for citizens to identify themselves in both the physical and online domains. He will describe recent technological developments and explore bi-state and multi-state DMV ID initiatives.
The conference and exhibition will be held from May 1-3, 2017 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington DC.
Other speakers announced for connect:ID 2017 include JoAnn Stonier, SVP of Global Privacy & Data Protection Officer at MasterCard Worldwide, who will be speaking in "Ethical uses of (automated) identity data as a social good".
Dave Burhop, Deputy Commissioner/CIO, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, will be covering the coming mobile driving licence revolution.
On the hot topic of digital identity, Brenda Coone, Deputy Commissioner of Revenue, Alabama Department of Revenue, will join Michael Garcia, director of the Trusted Identities Group and director, National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace, Applied Cybersecurity Division, Information Technology Lab, National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Richard Conrad, a Program Manager for the Transportation Security Administration will be speaking alongside Walter Hamilton, senor consultant at Identification Technology Partners.
In terms of biometrics, Elaine Newton, Standards Lead for Applied Cybersecurity, NIST and co-chair of the Biometric Assurance Sub Working Group, FIDO Alliance, will be addressing the accuracy and reliability of biometrics in mobile devices.
To book a conference ticket and make use of early bird pricing, click here.
For a full list of confirmed speakers, click here.


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03 September 2017
4668 views
Celtic Crusaders from Mullingar are the Irish Champions after their win at Castletown Geoghegan GAA Club, Castletown, Geoghegan, CO. Westmeath.
Celtic Crusaders started their season at Rasteder Musiktage and have increased their score throughout the year, achieving a score of 56.20 at the Irish Marching Bands Association Championships on Saturday 2nd September. This is the first time in the bands history they have won an All Ireland Championship.
Recently the Irish Marching Bands Association were saddened to lose their close friend and Honoury Vice President Jim Carrigan. The Jim Carrigan memorial cup was presented to the Irish Champions - Celtic Crusaders.
As part of the Championships saw the very first performance of the Vikings Cadet Corps from Tallaght, Dublin
Scores from the Irish Marching Bands Association Championships :
Celtic Crusaders - 56.20
Vikings Drum Corps - 49.50
Inbhear Mor Performance Ensemble - 48.30
On Saturday 30th September both Inbhear Mor Performance Ensemble and Vikings Drum Corps will be competing in the DCE European Championships (Highlight of the European Music Games)


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Señorio de Barahonda Monastrell Yecla Tinto 2010
Member Review by jamesvenema:
A very drinkable wine - moderately astringent, medium body, and oaked. All in all great value.Add winemaker's notes
Member Reviews for Señorio de Barahonda Monastrell Yecla TintoAdd your review
A very drinkable wine - moderately astringent, medium body, and oaked. All in all great value.
Excellent wine for a fabulous value...suggested at a restaurant to us and we had to buy it! Tasty to sip great with fish!
Five glasses
External Reviews for Señorio de Barahonda Monastrell Yecla Tinto
The 2005 Barahonda Tinto is almost as good. Produced from 100% Monastrell and raised in stainless steel, this dark ruby-colored wine has an attractive nose of forest floor, mineral, and blueberry. It has a supple palate-feel, sweet fruit, and excellent balance but it is just a bit more compact on the mid-palate and shorter on the finish than the Carro. Nevertheless, it is a superb value.
Attention all California Merlot drinkers mdash; looking for something new? Irsquo;ve got the perfect wine for you: the 2005 Barahonda Monastrell form Spain! Produced from 100% Monastrell grapes, this luscious red is incredibly smooth, with a tantalizing, velvety mouthfeel and deep, generous body, reminiscent of some of the best Napa Merlots. Juicy blackberry, plum and black cherry in every sip. Open your mind and your heart to Spain, the not-so-secret value region that is taking the market by storm!
Food Pairings for Señorio de Barahonda Monastrell Yecla Tinto
Dietary Information: Organic
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