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The Cannabis Industry Energy Challenge
An Electric Utility Perspective
October 11-12, 2017 | San Francisco, CA
The paradigm of marijuana legalization across the country is already having profound impacts and consequences on power operations and electricity consumption. 60 percent of Americans now live in a state where cannabis is legal or soon to be legal in some form. To date, 29 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana and 8 have legalized it on the recreational level.
Many communities and governments that have legalized marijuana growth and consumption do not realize that the industry is an extremely energy-intensive business. Indoor-growing facilities require massive amounts of energy for lighting, venting, and de-humidification. In 2012, even before the legalization wave started in earnest, one study found that legal indoor marijuana growing facilities accounted for 1% of national electricity use at a cost of roughly $6 billion per year, already rivaling energy consumption of data centers. States where cannabis was first legalized – especially at the recreational level in Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska – have struggled to find effective solutions to manage the industry's prodigious energy consumption.
This conference will explore the impact and consequences on electricity consumption and power operations of the rapidly growing cannabis industry in the United States. It will focus on evaluating key considerations and planning needs that electric utilities must confront when operating in a market for legal or recreational marijuana grows.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify the impact of the cannabis industry to utility system operations and the power grid
- Review cannabis industry growth on a national level and its impact on electricity consumption
- Discuss the unique legal, regulatory, and financing challenges for utilities as a result of the industry
- Assess energy requirements for a typical marijuana cultivation facility
- Determine methods to improve the sustainability of marijuana cultivation and energy usage
- Evaluate optimal HVAC and engineering designs for energy efficient marijuana grow rooms
- Review case studies and hear from electric utilities around the country on:
- Energy efficiency incentives
- Initiatives to manage energy consumption
- Engagement and operational planning with the cannabis industry
- Quantifying and offsetting cannabis energy consumption techniques
- Smart-metering solutions
- Assess tips to manage power delivery to a pipeline of new cannabis customers
- Review initiatives to standardize best horticultural lighting practices and understand how national standards will help utilities create optimal incentive programs
EUCI has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). In obtaining this accreditation, EUCI has demonstrated that it complies with the ANSI/IACET Standard which is recognized internationally as a standard of good practice. As a result of their Authorized Provider status, EUCI is authorized to offer IACET CEUs for its programs that qualify under the ANSI/IACET Standard.
EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 1.0 CEUs for this conference and 0.4 CEUs for the workshop.
Instructional Methods
PowerPoint presentations and test cases will be used to present course information.
Requirements For Successful Completion Of Program
Participants must sign in/out each day and be in attendance for the entirety of the course to be eligible for continuing education credit.
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
7:30 – 8:00 a.m. :: Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:00 – 9:15 a.m. :: The Cannabis Industry Energy Challenge – Understanding the Magnitude & Impacts on the Power System
- Industry size and projected growth in legal marijuana sales
- National cannabis electricity consumption
- Cannabis's "carbon footprint conundrum"
- The projected trends for growing style — greenhouse, indoor and outdoor
- Properly assessing grid impacts of legal grows — challenges for electric utilities
- Power system implications
- Load forecasting
- Reliability
- Data challenges and barriers to information sharing, best practices and collaboration
- Utility incentive payments to growers, financing and the law
- Cultural and social challenges
- Benchmarking and disclosure
- Product labeling
- Energy challenges for marijuana industry
- High cost of capital
- Utility inexperience
Duane Jonlin, Energy Conservation Advisor, City of Seattle
John Morris, Vice President – Market Development, D+R International
9:15 – 10:15 a.m. :: Regulatory and Legal Update on Cannabis Industry Relevant to Electric Utilities
- Status of U.S. marijuana laws and projects on development for marijuana laws on federal and state level
- Legal, regulatory considerations for utilities establishing business relationships with marijuana growers
- What utilities need to know and track — tips for navigating the ever-changing marijuana legal landscape and their impacts to their marijuana business partners
- Ensuring compliance for operations, land use, zoning, and environmental issues
- Renewable energy requirements for indoor growers in California – achieving 42%
- California coastal zone compliance challenges — siting issues in the prime region for business opportunity
- California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
- Working with operators and local jurisdictions
Pamela Epstein, Owner and Founder, GreenWise Consulting, and Of Counsel, Ho Ban Law Group
10:15 – 10:30 a.m. :: Morning Break
10:30 – 11:45 a.m. :: Marijuana Cultivation, Energy Consumption and Sustainability 101: Indoor, Greenhouse, Outdoor Grows
- The complexity of the cannabis plant and its energy needs for growth
- Cultivation factors
- Equipment overview
- Energy use factors
- Grow style and grow medium
- Strain differentiation – indica sativa
- Indoor
- Greenhouse
- Outdoor
- Marijuana growth cycle and technology/energy requirements
- Veg
- Clone
- Flowering
- Clean energy and sustainable solutions for cultivation
- Best energy usage and water management practices
- Evaluating practices and pathways to make the cannabis industry more environmentally viable
- Developing sustainable standards and practices for both indoor and outdoor certification
- Enabling siting policies for greenhouse growing facilities — is this a viable path?
Jacob Policzer, President, Cannabis Conservancy
Derek Smith, Executive Director, Resource Innovation Institute (RII)
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. :: Group Luncheon
12:45 – 2:00 p.m. :: Considerations for Energy Efficiency Regulations and Standards in California
- Environmental impact assessments of cannabis Industry
- California Energy Commission (CEC) appliance standards
- Phase II looking at fans/blowers applicable to indoor growing industry
- Appliance standards for grow equipment
- Lighting, ventilation, de-humidification
- Building standards for grow facilities
- Indoor agriculture as a covered process
- Agricultural spaces as process spaces
- Agricultural equipment as process loads
- Appliance efficiency standards
- How are agricultural buildings regulated by the Energy Code?
- Is there a need for indoor agriculture regulations?
- CEC wants to know:
- Who are major suppliers of equipment?
- Are there distribution suppliers, or who are major equipment manufacturers, the agency would be able to glean from?
Dave Ashuckian, Deputy Director – Efficiency Division, California Energy Commission
Amber Morris, Branch Chief – CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing
2:00 – 2:45 p.m. :: Grow Room Efficiency: HVAC, Plant Dynamics and Their Energy Consequences
This session will examine engineering and design characteristics that relate to how grow-room facilities can optimize energy efficiency. It will discuss:
- Typical engineering and design characteristics of indoor grow rooms
- Challenges and typical HVAC design for grow rooms
- Environmental controls and HVAC for grow operations
- De-humidification/cooling/heating
- Creating a de-humidification, heating and cooling system engineered specifically for indoor cannabis facilities
- Latent flux analysis— how sensible energy is converted to latent energy in grow rooms for an optimal indoor grow environment
- Various alternatives for maintaining the crucial temperature and humidity controls that are vital for proper plant growth and maximizing yield
- The role that utilities can play in these production decisions relating to power consumption and energy efficiency
Jim McKillip, Western Regional Manager, Desert Aire Corp
2:45 – 3:00 p.m. :: Afternoon Break
3:00 – 3:30 p.m. :: Western Cooling Efficiency Center Research Project: Energy Efficient De-humidifiers for Indoor Marijuana Farms
The Western Cooling Efficiency Center (WCEC) at the UC Davis conducts research projects to accelerate the development and commercialization of efficient heating, cooling, and energy distribution solutions. This session will discuss WCEC's research on how HVAC and de-humidification technologies can be optimized to enhance energy efficiency for indoor cannabis farming operations, discussing:
- Developing an energy model to track the different energy flows of an indoor farming facility
- Laboratory testing and managing demonstrations of evaporative cooling technologies.
- Research and technology for water generation and energy recovery to help indoor facilities for marijuana reduce their energy costs while optimizing their indoor environment
Theresa Pistochini, Engineering Manager, Western Cooling Efficiency Center (WCEC)
3:30 – 4:15 p.m. :: Puget Sound Energy's (PSE) Approach – Energy Efficiency Incentives to Cannabis Energy Customers
- Cannabis in Washington state
- Cannabis industry impact to PSE post legalization
- Cannabis production in Puget Sound Energy's territory
- Licensing and regulations
- Indoor and outdoor grows
- Grow lighting
- PSE energy conservation initiatives for grow facilities and their energy efficiency results
- Implementing energy efficiency incentives with cannabis customers
- Analysis of billing histories to project proposals for energy savings potential
- Calculating project energy savings for use in incentive formula
- Providing excellent customer service to project contractors and customer
Peter Lillesve, Senior Energy Management Engineer, Puget Sound Energy (PSE)
4:15 – 4:45 p.m. :: State of States: A Review of Public Utility Commission Activities
This session will discuss findings of a recently completed, national review of state commission and public power agency responses related to the emerging cannabis industry. The study examined the details of energy efficiency programs and ratemaking to determine current activities and develop insights on future trends. This session will review the methodology of the study and key findings, addressing:
- Specific commission responses to the growth of the cannabis industry
- Notable utility energy efficiency activity and rate design
- Distribution of rebate activity across lighting, HVAC and custom programs
- Emerging trends and opportunities at state public utility commissions
Cameron Brooks, President, E9 Insight
4:45 p.m. :: Program adjourns for day
Thursday, October 12, 2017
7:30 – 8:00 a.m. :: Continental Breakfast
8:00 – 8:45 a.m. :: BC Hydro – Efforts to Specifically Address Opportunities with Cannabis Grow Facilities
This session will discuss how BC Hydro, the largest utility in the Canadian province of British Columbia, is currently evaluating how to develop specific approaches to best address the utility business opportunity with cannabis grow facilities. It will also touch on the dynamics of Federal and provincial cannabis legalization regulations and how they are impacting the Canadian power industry.
Kymm Girgulis, Key Account Manager, BC Hydro
8:45 – 9:30 a.m. :: Snohomish Public Utility District – Enabling Incentives for Federal Power
Snohomish Public Utility District (SPUD) receives 80% of its power from Bonneville Power Authority (BPA), a federal power organization. Despite this obvious conflict, Snohomish was able to work with BPA to develop specialized energy efficiency incentives for the SPUD's cannabis customers. This session will discuss this process and speak generally to Snohomish's experiences and lessons learned along the way.
Lou Loos, Account Manager, Snohomish PUD
9:30 – 9:45 a.m. :: Morning Break
9:45 – 11:15 a.m. :: Establishing Standards for Horticultural Lighting: Enabling Optimal Utility Incentive Programs
There are currently a number of lighting industry associations working to establish standards and baseline metrics for horticultural lighting, with regard to energy efficiency and improved plant production. Establishing standards such as these would be of huge benefit to electric utilities in designing optimal incentive programs for cannabis energy customers. This session will give an overview and update of the latest standards for horticultural lighting form both industry and the US governments, focusing on LED lighting. It will explain the objectives and procedures for measuring equipment, discussing:
- Photonic radiation — how plants/marijuana respond to light
- Establishing universal metrics for plant responses to radiations
- Overview of horticultural lighting technologies and their performance in marijuana grows
- Objectives, procedures and rational for measuring long-term horticultural lighting characteristics
- Lighting characteristics
- Measurement equipment and instruments
- Research and standardization
- Initiatives and stakeholder groups working to establish Horticultural Lighting Standards
- American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ASABE) LED Horticultural Lighting Standards
- ETL and UL Testing Labs
- Design Lights Consortium
- Applying standards development to utility industry and energy savings
Moderator: Bob Gunn, President & Founder, Seinergy
Jianzhong Jiao, Chair – Plant Growth LED Lighting Committee, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE)
Tom Salpietra, President & COO, Eye Lighting International
Irina Rasputnis, Program Manager, DesignLights Consortium
11:15 – 11:45 a.m. :: Will the Cannabis Industry Follow the C&I Renewable Procurement Trend?
As the legal cannabis industry continues to evolve, it's reasonable to assume marijuana growers may strategize to become more sustainable to garner a more positive public opinion of their industry practices. This session will discuss what a more responsible sustainability profile might look like, considering the cannabis industry may take a path similar to the increasing trend of corporate and industrial (C&I) businesses procuring their own renewable energy. The presenter will draw from his experience in C&I renewable procurement and discuss the potential this trend could have for cannabis growers.
Joshua Belcher, Of Counsel, Eversheds Sutherland
11:45 a.m. :: Conference Adjourns
Designing and Implementing Utility Energy Efficiency Incentive Programs for Cannabis Growers
Thursday, October 12, 2017
12:30 – 1:00 p.m. :: Workshop Registration
1:00 – 4:30 p.m. :: Workshop Timing
Indoor cannabis growing operations consume immense amounts of electrical energy and to date, very little research based literature has been published to document energy efficiency opportunities for these utility customers.This workshop will focus on how utilities can best leverage incentive funds to mitigate the electric grid impacts associated with these types of facilities.A primary goal will be understanding the equipment required for growing operations (lighting, de-humidification, and air-conditioning equipment) and providing insight on how these operations can accomplish their production more efficiently. A major discussion point will be on how to effectively translate these efficiency opportunities into efficiency incentive programs, and the best outreach approaches for these customers, as well as the future direction of the cannabis industry.
Learning Outcomes
- Evaluate opportunities for improving the overall energy efficiency of indoor cannabis grow operations
- Review data analytic techniques to quantify cannabis production energy consumption
- Assess best practices in the design and implementation of utility incentive programs for commercial cannabis producing customers
- Understanding the engineering behind the cannabis production process
- Overview of energy-intensive equipment in indoor cannabis production facilities
- Lighting
- De-humidification
- Air conditioning equipment
- Energy efficiency opportunities in indoor cannabis production facilities
- Designing the facility
- Implementing efficiency measures post initial design
- Common barriers to adoption of energy efficiency measures
- Expedition of facility set up often resulting in poor lighting and HVAC choices
- High up-front costs
- Lack of energy usage data
- Technologies and data analytics for improving energy efficiency in cannabis growing facilities
- Quantifying and offsetting cannabis energy consumption
- Metering efforts to fill data gaps
- Analyzing known data into useful applications
- Designing and implementing optimal incentive programs for cannabis
- Review of utility programs in usage and their effectiveness
- Customizing programs for specific customer needs
- Effectively designing products and programs with pricing and technology
- Motivating customer participation
Workshop Instructors
Jesse Remillard, Senior Engineer, Energy & Resource Solutions (ERS)
Jesse Remillard, is a Senior Engineer at Energy & Resource Solutions (ERS), focusing on the value verification of mechanical equipment upgrades for commercial and industrial facilities. He regularly performs engineering analysis for custom technologies, process improvements, HVAC, refrigeration, variable frequency drives, and lighting for new construction and retrofit efficiency projects. His specialties include establishing baselines for custom technologies, investigating energy efficiency program measure costs, and reviewing power generation and energy storage technologies. Mr. Remillard earned an MS in mechanical and aeronautical engineering from the University of California, Davis, and a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Maine.
Nick Collins, Senior Engineer, Energy & Resource Solutions (ERS)
Nick Collins, is a Senior Engineer for Energy & Resource Solutions (ERS) whose areas of expertise include the monitoring and verification of energy efficiency projects, as well as the analysis of energy efficiency and demand-limiting measures in commercial and industrial facilities. He is proficient in project and construction management, with an emphasis on sustainable design, high-performance buildings, and building methods in commercial and residential construction. Prior to joining ERS, Mr. Collins worked in construction management on a diverse array of commercial and institutional projects including Gillette Stadium, Terminal A at Logan Airport, and the Walker Art Building restoration and renovation at Bowdoin College.
Dave Ashuckian, Deputy Director – Efficiency Division, California Energy Commission
Joshua Belcher, Of Counsel, Eversheds Sutherland
Cameron Brooks, President, E9 Insight
Pamela Epstein, Owner and Founder, GreenWise Consulting, and Of Counsel, Ho Ban Law Group
Kymm Girgulis, Key Account Manager, BC Hydro
Bob Gunn, President & Founder, Seinergy
Jianzhong Jiao, Chair – Plant Growth LED Lighting Committee, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE)
Duane Jonlin, Energy Conservation Advisor, City of Seattle
Peter Lillesve, Senior Energy Management Engineer, Puget Sound Energy (PSE)
Lou Loos, Account Manager, Snohomish PUD
Jim McKillip, Western Regional Manager, Desert Aire Corp
Amber Morris, Branch Chief – CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing
John Morris, Vice President – Market Development, D+R International
Theresa Pistochini, Engineering Manager, Western Cooling Efficiency Center (WCEC)
Jacob Policzer, President, Cannabis Conservancy
Irina Rasputnis, Program Manager, DesignLights Consortium
Tom Salpietra, President & COO, Eye Lighting International
Derek Smith, Executive Director, Resource Innovation Institute (RII)
Hyatt Regency San Francisco
5 Embarcadero Center
San Francisco, CA 94111
Our room block is full. The hotel has a limited supply of sleeping rooms.
Here is a list of nearby hotels.
165 Steuart St, San Francisco, CA, 94105 United States
(415) 882-1300
- 0.1 Miles from the Hyatt Regency San Francisco
Hilton San Francisco Downtown/Financial District
750 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA, 94108 United States
, (415) 433-6600
0.5 miles from the Hyatt Regency San Francisco
Galleria Park Hotel, a Joie de Vivre Boutique Hotel
191 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA, 94104 United States
(415) 781-3060,
0.5 miles from the Hyatt Regency San Francisco
Marriott Courtyard San Francisco Downtown
299 2nd St, San Francisco, CA, 94105 United States
(415) 947-0700
0.6 miles from the Hyatt Regency San Francisco
342 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94108 United States
(415) 394-0500
0.6 miles from the Hyatt Regency San Francisco
Hotel 32One
321 Grant Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94108 United States
(415) 504-3950
0.6 miles from the Hyatt Regency San Francisco
|Standard Rate
|Supporting Organization


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CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — While Berkeley Springs (W.Va.) High School seniors Tamar Sparks and Kayla Munday thought the defense attorney "stood up to the court really well," his client "should have stayed in jail."
Sparks and Munday were among about 450 Eastern Panhandle high school students in the audience Tuesday in Jefferson County Circuit Court as the five justices of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals heard arguments from both sides in four actual criminal cases.
It was the 12th time the justices heard cases around the state since the LAWS — Legal Advancement for West Virginia Students — program was launched in 1998, said Justice Robin Jean Davis, the current court's longest serving justice.
The justices first visit was in 1999 in Raleigh County. They came to Martinsburg, W.Va., in 2004.
The program teaches students what the high court does, and how it operates, Davis said.
In 1996, residents in the Eastern and Northern panhandles complained that state officials in Charleston ignore the panhandles. The justices agreed that every year they would hold court in one of the state's 31 circuits.

subset: commoncrawl


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Since joining The Natural Step Canada in August 2011, some of my writing has been published on the organization's website. Below are excerpts from a handful of blog posts that live over on www.naturalstep.ca, posted here for easy access. Click on the "Read more" links to see the full post.
Supporting Collective Impact through Backcasting
October 17, 2012
At The Natural Step Canada, we are increasingly hearing calls for "more innovation" and "more collaboration" to facilitate progress on sustainability challenges. Many organizations – including many of our own clients and partners – have recognized that there is only so much that they can achieve on their own, and that there are plenty of obstacles to overcome in partnership with suppliers, customers, regulators, and yes, even their competitors.
Raising the bar: Nike backcasting from a bold vision of success
September 11, 2011
In May of 2012, hallmark company Nike published its Sustainable Business Report for 2010/11, demonstrating that it is increasingly reaping the benefits of integrating sustainability into its core business through a world-class vision and strategy.
Nike has contextualized all of its sustainability efforts relative to a bold, aspirational vision:
"Our vision is to build a sustainable business and create value for Nike and our stakeholders by decoupling profitable growth from constrained resources."
The Reality of Ecological Debt
August 27, 2012
Wednesday, August 22nd was "Earth Overshoot Day", the date on which humanity exceeded the bio-capacity of our planet for the entire year of 2012. In essence, we have now utilized all of the resources that our planet can provide in a calendar year in a sustainable scenario, and for the rest of 2012, we will continue to deplete the planet's ability to provide the resources we need to sustain our society in the future.
The concept of Earth Overshoot Day was developed by Global Footprint Network and the new economics foundation as a way to express the increasing stress placed on the natural environment by human activity. In the 1970s, humanity's consumption of natural resources began to overstep what the planet could replenish. In 1992, Earth Overshoot Day fell on October 21. In 2002, it was October 3. Not only is the trend moving in the wrong direction, but it is accelerating.
You can be a sustainability leader – Applications now open for innovative MSLS program
December 7, 2011
There are signs all around us that our society is out of balance. Our institutions are failing us, we are riddled with debt, we are lacking social cohesion and trust, and we are consuming at an ever-increasing rate – all the while becoming less happy. These patterns are wreaking havoc on the habitat that sustains us – the Earth – and the social systems on which we rely. If we draw these patterns out to their logical conclusion, the story does not unfold happily.
To address a series of massive and interconnected challenges that includes poverty, pollution and toxicity, species extinction, and climate change, we require a) a unifying strategic planning approach that will allow us to thrive within the planet's limits, and b) leadership that inspires systemic change across sectors, borders and disciplines. The Master's programme in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability (MSLS) offers these two things in spades.
Alberta Sustainability Champions Gear up for Success
November 2, 2011
On October 13 and 14, nineteen professionals gathered in Edmonton to build their capacity as sustainability practitioners by participating in The Natural Step Canada's Sustainability for Leaders Course – Level 1: Foundations (join us at the next session coming up in Vancouver).
Participants included professionals from Enermodal Engineering, Worley Parsons, Edmonton Airports, Stantec,Bullfrog Power, AIMCO, Landmark Group of Builders, EIDOS Consultants, Servus Credit Unionand Earth Legacy, municipal leaders from the City of Red Deer and the Town of Stony Plain, and educators from Bow Valley College, Grant McEwan University, and NAIT. I had the pleasure of facilitating the course with my colleagues Sarah Brooks and Colin Baril.
Please support Masters level education in Strategic Sustainable Development
September 18, 2011
In the small town of Karlskrona, Sweden, young leaders from around the world gather every September to begin a Masters program in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability (MSLS) at the Blekinge Institute of Technology. The course is based aroundThe Natural Step Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development, and it turns passionate students into empowered change agents for a better world.
Over the past few years, alumni and friends of this unique program have contributed to StratLeade Sustainability Education, a non-profit whose mandate is to support the MSLS program.


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Home to some of the biggest hair stylist names in the UK and the widest choice of salons, London is one of the best places to go for a haircut. Whether you need a completely new look, highlights, colouring or just a tidy up, London is home to a great number of top hairdressers, many of which feature regularly in Groupons range of discounts and deals. As well as cuts and colouring, you can choose to add on a conditioning treatment, blow dry finish and at some salons, even a beauty treatment too. The capital city is home to some of the best stylists in the world, alongside some of the most competitively priced hairdressers, so whatever your needs you are sure to be accommodated.
London Haircut Hotspots
Along with a launderette and a bookies, practically every shopping road in London is home to a barbers and a hairdressers. The very best however tend to congregate in certain central, cool or exclusive areas of the city. Many top stylists are located around Central West London, close to the shopping areas of Oxford Street, Bond Street, Covent Garden and Soho. The most exclusive, luxury hair salons however can be found in Mayfair, Marylebone and Knightsbridge such as A & P Studio and Beauty Box. Those looking for a funky new cut should head to the East End where cutting edge hairdressers like Blooms Hair can be found in areas stretching from Hackney to Shoreditch. Wherever you need to get your hair cut in London there's a choice of established chain salons such as Gro, who boast a number of salons across the capital.
New Hair- New You: A Haircut in London
If you live in the capital then you know how important it is to keep your tresses looking great. Whether you need a new style for a night out, for an important interview or meeting or simply because it's time, haircuts in London are amongst the best in the country for quality and style. Keep an eye on current hair trends and go for something completely new, or stick with what you know and have your standard cut perfectly maintained. Many London hairdressers offer extra services such as beauty treatments, massages and nails. Its not just the best place to have a haircut, it is also the best place for all your shopping and beauty needs! With so many to choose from it can be difficult to pick one, but you can find great advice online to help you decide.
Give the Gift of Great Hair
Whether you want to buy someone a simple cut and blow dry or a complete restyle, highlight and conditioning treatment, a haircut as a gift is one of the most popular ways to shop for that impossible lady in your life. London haircuts are also the ideal gift for city dwellers with busy lives. Perfectly located salons for Londoners that work in the city include the popular Willow Hair & Beauty and Sanrizz salons.


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Follow RFF News on your cell phone. Text follow rff to 40404 you will receive txt messages with RFF News
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Never watched BBUS, but she seems like the type of person I would go for.
I found this on Facebook, posted it in the Spec. thread, and can't stop laughing. "Buh-rennan we need to get on the plane before all these fuh-loaters do!"Dunno why I find this so entertaining....
Allison... Jordan and Jeff... Rob and Amber (lost TWICE!) ...
Besides Rob and Amber, who I knew from survivor, all the others where complete strangers for me, as is Brenchel, so I don't mind them that much.But I have to say this I will always remember Jordan and Jeff because of one phrase: "We really shouldn't procreate" that jeff said after a moment of stupidity. I still laugh when I remember it.
Whoooo I already like the all-female team already.
Quote from: Joab on November 29, 2011, 09:16:53 AMWhoooo I already like the all-female team already. Agreed! I don't understand why I (and many others) always support the all-females, even before I even know their names!
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http://www.mediafire.com/download/s58vvvjl3hu7nm4/DMG.zip <----Download link
Nothing too special here, This is a pre-made Live-Render DMG screen effect for use in a Monochromatic game.
For best results, you should limit the shades to 4.
Arrow keys to move around
W and S for Contrast knob.
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Never change your avatar
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Mar 7th, 2016 @ 12:16 pm Perma-link
This is pretty nifty. I hope someone uses this for something.
Course clear! You got a card.
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Mar 8th, 2016 @ 3:23 pm Perma-link
i'm wondering if there is any way to port this to fusion 2.5. how exactly did you implement this, nite?
Friendly Dictator
So what can be superior when compared with paying out half the price for brand name children?
wow, if brand name children are on sale, maybe i can stop buying all these cheap knockoff children
BibbyOK... even I'll admit that the Oakland Raiders' performance might be a valid reason to use the interesting words.
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Mar 8th, 2016 @ 4:11 pm Perma-link
It's really just a trick of manipulating shaders.
The screen is a separate object from the rest of the Gameboy, leaving the Gameboy as a frame.
The screen is used as a filter, on multiply blend mode.
There is a white lined grid underneath the screen, which measures at exactly 160 x 144 cells, at an 8X scale of a standard gameboy screenshot. this is scaled down to match the dimensions I want the game to be displayed on the gameboy screen.
This grid gives the effect of the pixels being seperate
A white boarder frame is also placed under the grid, to limit how much of the gameplay window is shown.
A magnification lens object is used undernieth this to upscale the
gameplay layer, to match the pixel grid.
And of course, the gameplay, which is nothing special.
It has a forced monochromatic effect applied to simplify conversion
One thing that went entirely overlooked however, is that I deliberately left the calibration incorrect.
This, is to encourage editing, as well as being a tattle on those who want to use it in a lazy manner.
It should actually look like this:
Edited by: Nite , Mar 8th, 2016 @ 4:15 pm
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How To: Get The Most Out Of Life
What YOLO Really Means
So we all spent 2012 learning what The Motto was, and it's YOLO. Whether you see it as YOLO or Carpe Diem (latin for seize the day) I've come to the conclusion that I've finally figured out what it is.
It's probably easier to describe what YOLO isn't;
- Driving at ridiculous speeds, just for the thrill. That's just dangerous and stupid.
- Overindulging. Whether it's alcohol, junk food or other not so good for you things. That's just certain to shorten your life-span. Keep in mind, most things are okay in moderation.
- Being rude, disrespectful or tasteless. Keep it classy, and not with a "K" because not only is proper spelling hot, the Kardashian's don't always make headlines for the best reasons.
While texting a girlfriend the other day, and carefully packing up my favorite Kitsch items into my carryon I had an epiphany. What we were actually doing was "YOLO", we were seizing the day, or being really ridiculous, but in a way that wasn't effecting anyone.
Lianne and I have the best adventures, and this short trip to Sydney, Australia was certainly one of them. In seventeen hours we managed to travel from Brisbane to Sydney, stay at a lovely (and cheap! thanks to livingsocial!) hotel in the center of the city, and get access to see Childish Gambino's (Also known as Donald Glover, who plays Troy in Community) first Australian show. We have lovingly decided to call our adventures #theadventuresofching because what's the point in having great times if they can't be hash tagged and then documented on instagram? (Totally kidding!)
But before you think, wow- you just went to a concert. It wasn't ANY concert, it was a concert that sold out in a record breaking ELEVEN minutes. So obviously, we had no tickets. That's were the power of social networking comes in, Donald Glover I (Childish Gambino, aka Donald Glover II's father) tweeted me to see if I had made it into the concert, and voila! Tickets were at the door.
Now the point of this is to let you know that anyone can have something miraculous happen to them. I didn't know him, or anyone in connection with him but got insanely lucky. Probably through much tweeting (which I hate, I only got a twitter for this reason) and positive thinking.
Moral of the story? Think positive, never stop going and seize the day. Seize the day whether it be traveling, meeting new people, venturing beyond your comfort zone, testing your personal limits or just having a GOOD time. You do only live once, so make sure you make the most of it!
Oh- and don't forget to have Kitsch on your wrist.


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Logan Furniture
Lynn, MAConsumerAffairs Unaccredited Brand
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12 Logan Furniture Consumer Reviews and Complaints
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I purchased a Logan Patio set from my military exchange in July 2018. Initially I loved the set but after 2 months, I noticed that the material began to dry rot, even though I sprayed it with fabric protector. I have been trying to find a consumer email address for the company to express my concerns with no avail.
Consumers, please be ADVISED - when and if you decide to purchase something from here please be aware that the insurance they offer is useless. I bought a sectional along with insurance because it promised to cover spills and wear and tear damage. A year after we purchased it we noticed the material was getting bubbly and soon it started to peel.
When this started to happen I tried setting up a claim with the insurance online but was unsuccessful because they couldn't find the account. I then called the store to see if they had a way track insurance information and they told me they would get back to me - never got a callback. I tried the insurance company via phone and when I finally got through to somebody they too couldn't find any information on my purchase. They did, however, send me a form to send back. By this time the sectional is getting worse, more of it is peeling and I don't know what is causing it! I fill out the form and send it back then time goes on and never get a callback.
After waiting for news we try calling them again and we were given the runaround that they hadn't received anything. After 6 months of trying multiple times to get this resolved, we gave up. We gave and with mixed feeling moved the sectional out of the living room. With a house full of kids and expensed purchasing expensive furniture like this, every 2 years was not in our budget. Our living room is now empty until we save up to buy better quality furniture elsewhere. This too happened with my mother's sectional that she bought around the same time I did and she doesn't have any young children so I guess it was just cheap material being sold as something durable when it isn't. Way to get money out of the middle-class worker (The pictures attached of when I first made the complaint to the insurance - eventually all that peeled plus more).
This is NOT A COMPLAINT, I just wanted to give a special Thanks to CRYSTLE. On Wednesday I had to call the Dorchester store due to the Avon store is only open 3 days a week. Which I'm so glad I did. I bought a table on eBay (from Fla.). It ended up costing me $2,000.00 by the time I had to have it packaged and shipped!!!!!! I've been looking for chairs now for 3 months!!! I just want to say this woman is EXCELLENT at what she does!!! I loved everything about her. She helped me so much, explained everything to me. I really felt good after speaking with her. She doesn't rush you. She really takes the time to make sure you understand everything. Even though the Avon store is much closer, I will be taking my business to the Dorchester store so that she will handle my order.
Oh, by the way I found out that she won't even make a commission off the sale but is still willing to help me. Anyone else would have said go to another store. She's such a great person. I just wanted Logan Furniture to realize what a GREAT PERSON that they have working for them. I'm going to bring her a little something to show her how much I appreciate what she did for me. There's more to the story but too long to write. Thank You so much Crystle!!!! So happy, I'm coming to see you this week.
I purchased a Timberline Queen Poster Bed w/ Storage, Dresser, Mirror, Chest & Night Stand bedroom set, and it was supposed to come with storage on both sides of the bed. But they sent the set with only one set of drawer for one side of the bed! When I call them to ask for the other set of drawers, they told me that I will have to pay $139 more bucks to get it! In other words; THEY ARE TRICKING PEOPLE to get more profit..! Now, I have a huge gap on one side of the bed, and I will have to spend more money and will have to wait 3 more weeks to get the other set of drawers.! IT IS NOT FAIR... : (
A little over a year ago I bought a king size Serta mattress from Logan. I only went in because they said they had a sale going on and I wanted a bigger bed. Anyways, I go in and find the bed I want. The sales guy (who originally told me he was the manager), told me the last mattress left was the floor model and that I could take it for the sale price. So I took it. About 2 months after I had the mattress the whole entire thing became lopsided. I started having neck and back pain, it was awful. I tried switching the mattress around and when I went to do that, I noticed that the mattress had become discolored with an odor almost looking like a pee stain but it wasn't. I called the store freaking out and demanding that someone comes to take a look at my mattress. They told me that they could not because I bought the floor model and had to deal with it as is. I explained the manager told me that I had a one year warranty through Logan for a floor model plus my warranty from Serta. The woman then explained the man I had bought the mattress from was not even a manager and that he no longer worked there. I then asked her to file a claim with Serta and she also told me I could not.
I hung up the phone livid and thought I had just made a bad business deal buying a floor model and that I had to live with it. About 5 months ago, a friend of mine also bought a mattress from a different place and I just happened to ask one of the employees from another store if my situation was handled properly. He told me no and had me call Serta. They then explained that they could file a claim and that Logan had to do so. Now I was even more furious! My husband drove down here and demanded they file a claim and after 3 days of giving him a hard time they finally did it. Well, the Serta guy came today and could not believe what I had been going though. There was something that had been sprayed on the mattress at some point to clean in that the store must have done and failed to mention. DO NOT BUY FROM THESE PEOPLE. THEY ARE SCAMS and will be filing a lawsuit.
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I had some very bad experience with Logan furniture. I bought a sofa and a set of mattresses which has very bad quality, I been complaining for the past year and nothing have never been done. Logan furniture are very bad and cheap quality. I need an answer or I will take this further. Thank you.
I got the most terrible experience at Logan Furniture, Dorchester store. The staffs are incompetent with no customer skills. I ordered a living room set on March 09, 2013, received the set on the 16th of March and noticed the loveseat was damaged with a broken arm. I called the store and was told by Olga to take pictures of the broken piece. Three days later, Olga told me the piece will be replaced. I called two days after speaking with her and was told they were just waiting on the approval from the store manager. I called the main office, spoke with General Manager Khalil ** regarding the replacement. We had a long conversation and he told me his staff does not have any right to make a decision in terms of replacement; the love seat would be repaired.
The loveseat was picked up on April 12, 2013 from my home and I was told repair would be complete in 3 days. Today is April the 19th. He still has not called with the status of the chair and Olga said she never said anything regarding the chair being replaced. I am very displeased and angry with the treatment that I received as a customer. I am not sure what to do from here.
I just received what was supposed to be a new bedroom set but wasn't! What I received is a totally damaged set. I've been calling them but all I got is a different number. Even the warranty I paid for is a big lie. I called them too and they said that it's my problem, got nothing to do with them. The $100 gift certificate turns out to be a coupon so I have to spend another $300 to be able to get the $100. I don't know a store keeps doors open until today! Maybe that's why when I went, there were no cars at the parking lot!
I purchased a bedroom set on Dec 2, 2011 and paid in full and set a delivery date for Dec 28th. I took the day off from work and when I called later that day, I was given excuse after excuse as to why I would not be getting my furniture that day. I have made many calls and spoken to many managers and the newest story was that they had sold me a set that was not in stock but it would be in the warehouse this past Wednesday. I have tried to get a manager to call me back regarding a delivery date and I still have not received a callback. I am furious to say the least and am sleeping on a mattress on the floor since December! I'm a great-grandmother and still work full-time and cannot afford to take another day off from work, but need my bedroom set. I'm at my wits end and don't know what to do.
Since August 14th, 2011, I purchased a sofa, love seat and a rocker recliner from Logan Furniture. From August until now, I'm continuing to hear lies after lies. I paid in full since August 14th, 2011. I would like to file a lawsuit against those liars a.s.a.p. and receive my money back.
I got the most terrible experience at Logan Furniture, Dorchester store. The manager is incompetent, liar and with zero customer skills. I ordered a sectional sleeping sofa since December 2009. After 2 months, half of my sectional was delivered at my house without any phone call from the store that the other half was damaged and returned to the manufacturer. I need to call myself the store to know what was going on. The manager told me not to worry because I would have my other half of the sofa in a week. The month has passed and not a single phone call from the store. After several phone calls, I went to the store myself and changed my order since at that point I didn't think that I am getting my order at all. I am waiting for my refund check for a month now, and when I called the main office, the store manager didn't even submit the refund check. This will be my last experience at that store and I will tell all my friends not to go near that store.
On Feb 6th, 2010, my wife and I purchased a living room set. Before the purchase was made, we asked the store manager Yari if we could get a different color legs (dark brown) as it would better match with the set we were getting. So beside ordering different color fabric (mocha), we also ordered different color legs (dark brown). Yari told us that she will put an order through to have them delivered. Delivery date was set for 3/13/10. On delivery date, we received the living room set with the correct color fabric but different color legs not the ones we asked for and that was promised to us.
Immediately we called and I spoke to Yari who apologized for the mishap and put another order through to get a correct color legs sent to us. On March 30th 2010, we received the call from the store employee Tanya who stated that the vendor/warehouse sent, once again, different color legs not the ones we ordered it (dark brown). I was very displeased and asked Tanya to speak with the higher manager. Finally, three days later, Friday April 2nd manager, I believe his name is Khalil (sp) called me. While we had a long conversation we didn't get anywhere except him telling me that he needs to speak to his staff to find out what happened.
Apparently, I can not have different color legs with this particular living room set. This was never disclosed to me during the original purchase as having a correct color legs was the one of the conditions for us to buy this set. While Khalil tried to explain situation to me, I found him to be very abrupt with the statements: "Listen to me", "You need to think outside of box", "I need to confirm with my staff what you are telling me". Needless to say, two weeks have gone by and I have not heard back from anyone and my living room set sits in my room without legs.
One of the problems is that the sleeper sofa on the set can not be used as the Sleeper can not be used as mechanism on the sleeper can be damaged due to missing legs if opened. (This is per the employee who delivered furniture on 3/13/10). So, the sleeper, the love seat, and the chair all of them missing legs and we do not use the living room because of this. I am not sure where do I go from here. Thanks.
Logan Furniture Company Information
- Company Name:
- Logan Furniture
- Website:
- www.loganfurniture.com


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Comical and fun Blues track with quirky orchestration. Great for comedy scene. Not to be taken seriously!
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A Conversation With the Engineers Doesn't Help Prometheus Make Any Sense (Warning, Spoilers)
I'm assuming the amount of unanswered questions is a direct result of allowing the writers of Lost to get their hands on this script. Because what do people love more than confusing plot twists with no real answers?
- Reposted by


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Decided to kick off this weeks blogging with a manicure Monday post as I recently treated myself to a Bio Sculpture gel manicure.
I've had shellac gel manicures in the past but now I've ventured into the more expensive territory I don't think I'll ever look back.
The shade I currently have on my nails in no.24 in fine wine, which is a dark and sultry red. With December fast approaching, I was feeling pretty festive and it's a while since I've had a classic red manicure. I really don't think you can beat the colour red!
The Bio Sculpture manicure is slightly thicker on the nails than shellac and is more chip resistant and much better for your nails. I'm already a couple of days in and with not a single chip, I think I'm going to be addicted.
I'm also really pleased with the high-shine finish as they are still looking neat and glossy. The beautician also recommended applying a top coat after a week if the shine starts to fade, so that's another way to keep them looking shiny for longer!
I will have to report back in a week or so..
If you would like to look at the Bio Sculpture colour chart take a look here.
Have you tried Bio Sculpture before?


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All public logs
From The Mind
OOC Info: The information below can be considered general knowledge. It can be assumed that your character had an opportunity to come across this information in their travels or that if they were to 'look it up', this information would be straight forward to obtain.
Combined display of all available logs of The Mind. You can narrow down the view by selecting a log type, the username (case-sensitive), or the affected page (also case-sensitive).
- 14:46, 8 August 2013 Jinx (Talk | contribs) marked revision 622 of page Cybernetic Ears patrolled


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Those TV programs are adjusted to low level, say high school, which is notoriously 'rough' or is being no place to learn. All is due to education. This is due to the lack of standards, the level of knowledge that you could assume from the viewers.
Their idea is this — not let the users think. That is to be avoided at all cost. When they do bring arguments, the answers are already there that the users can follow.
It should not be fear they play with. With forward thinking, that should be the image of what is happening to people right next to you. Those programs should give you that sort of idea — that will give you the hint that you should avoid doing.
It is simply this. You look at people on screen eating and decided not to go out to eat. They are not cool. They are fat. TV programs have those sort of impacts.
Or, you look at people spending money foolishly. They do not look smart. They are lazy. TV programs tell you something.


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If you're transitioning from the military to the civilian world then you are probably wondering what your next career step should be. There's no doubt that companies covet Veterans for employees, but there is one avenue that seems to be tailor-made for this highly skilled group; franchising.
Franchising is somewhat similar to the military in that it is a structured organization, which requires an entrepreneurial individual to execute. The diligence to follow a system, combined with the ability to make decisions and lead is a skill set that every Veteran already has…and this skill set is exactly what franchise owners need to be successful!
A couple of years ago, a study was conducted on the topic and found that over 200,000 Veterans have started careers in franchising, and over 5,000 are franchise owners!** Above that, 14% are in the foodservice sector of franchising.**
Around two years ago, Army Veteran Lindsey Gentry, began her transition from the military and elected to franchise with our brand, Erbert & Gerbert's Sandwich Shop. While serving, Lindsey was deployed to Iraq for 15 months, before finishing up her military career commanding the Headquarters Support Company at Fort Hood.
She chose us because, as a college student, she frequented Erbert & Gerbert's and the memory of her favorite sandwich stayed with her. "Between the outstanding products and the strong business model, I knew I wanted to be part of this company," said Gentry.
We offer incentives for Vets! Click the "Franchise" tab at the top of this page to learn more about franchising with Erbert & Gerbert's!
Sources: www.dvsv3.com/news-story/veterans-in-franchising-a-great-fit/
- -"Franchising for Veterans Industry Analysis 2016 – Cost & Trends"
- -"Veterans and Franchising – A Thriving Combination"


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My first FB virtual launch for Dead Man Floating is over, and I think it went well. As I mentioned in last week's post, I'd attended a couple of different parties as a guest. Hosting one was quite a different experience. As the event was only two hours long (many are longer), I opted to take on all of the hosting duties. Authors who host longer parties often invite colleagues to share duties for a bit which, in hindsight, is a good idea.
As expected, the two hours flew by. Guests were introducing themselves for the first thirty minutes, so I found myself typing responses at a frantic pace. I also posted a new contest every 15 to 20 minutes, which required me to leave the main discussion for a bit. Hitting the Like button helped figure out where I left off. I also refreshed the page a lot.
By the end of the event, there were over 350 posts on the main thread. After I reviewed everything, I realized that I'd missed a couple of questions and comments, but it happens. I also had a colleague act as a second pair of eyes, so she helped spot things I'd overlooked.
So, would I do it again? Absolutely. Guests from all over the world attended, people I would never have met at a physical launch. People appreciated the opportunity to win a prize, and here's the best part: they mingled with one another, sharing experiences and information that was jumpstarted by questions or comments.
Here are some benefits to hosting a virtual launch: your guests aren't captive. They can pop in and out as they like without leaving their homes. Secondly, if you don't like making speeches, then virtual launches are a great alternative. As I'd already posted the book blurb and ordering links on the invitation, all I had to do was prepare two paragraphs: what inspired me to write Dead Man Floating and how I got into security work (which happens to be my protagonist's occupation). I also prepared trivia tidbits about my work experiences, but discussions at the party were going so well that I only used one out of the eight I'd written. In terms of sales, ebooks were sold but I don't know how many. I do know that when I checked in with amazon.ca much later in the evening, my ranking had jumped from over 26,000 to 306, but I have no idea what that means in copies sold. My first royalty statement will tell me more.
So, is there a downside to virtual launches? Well, a couple come to mind. One is that you're hooped if a power outage occurs. Second, you really need to concentrate and stay focused and organized. Granted, this is true for physical launches, but the fast-paced virtual world really ramps things up. Third, keeping track of all posts and guests is difficult. Fourth, there will be reading fans who don't like FB and won't attend.
Here are some final thoughts and tips. First, it helps if you're a fast typist who can stay focused. Prepare well in advance, so you can simply cut and paste discussion topics and contest captions. If you're not comfortable with taking screen shots of books to giveaway for contests, download book covers in advance and post with the contest entry. Have the contest answer and a timeline for posting contests typed up in advance, then send the timeline to the book donators. Invite a helper or two to be an extra pair of eyes. Above all, have fun! I know I did.


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Seoul's power lunch spot is back. After five months of renovation, the Westin Chosun Hotel is fully operational again. The hotel is one of the oldest, opened in 1914, and most storied in the city. It was the first western-style hotel in the country, was home to the United Nations Command during the Korean War and unofficial international news center of the country for decades.
During the democracy uprisings of the 1980s, international reporters gathered there to write stories of the protests that start were happening just a few blocks away. Up until 2006, one news organization – the Los Angeles Times – kept its Seoul bureau in the hotel. The Chosun, as the hotel is known, took the wraps off its new lobby and restaurants on Thursday and formally opened them with a ceremony Friday afternoon.
The renovation has meant that the hotel's premier restaurant, The Ninth Gate, was closed for the past few months, upsetting business routines across the city. It has been refashioned as an open-kitchen brasserie that's a bit smaller than the old version. A bar area that was rarely used has been turned into a stand-alone café. But it's still got a view to the hotel's private park with a Korean monument called Hwangudan, or Temple of Heaven, that was built in 1897. And there are several private dining rooms where, judging by the number of government officials and business executives regularly seen there, the nation's business happens.


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Professional journalist Lisa (Tracy Nelson) is certain that she has landed the perfect spouse when she weds the brilliant and charismatic widowed author Ty Kellington (Michael Riley). Only gradually does Kellington reveal himself to be possessive and tyrannical -- and only after Lisa's onetime co-worker Matt Thompson (Thomas Calabro) offers her a prestigious radio job does Kellington's dangerous side make itself known to both Lisa and her terrified sister, Beverly (Andrea Roth). Our heroine's access to her friends and family members is completely cut off after she injures her ankle in an accident, rendering her virtually captive to her increasingly unhinged husband. First broadcast in Canada in 2003, the made-for-TV movie The Perfect Husband debuted in the U.S. via cable's Lifetime channel on February 12, 2004 -- only to be hastily retitled Her Perfect Spouse to avoid confusion with another cable effort, The Perfect Husband: The Laci Peterson Story, telecast the very same week.
Add this movie to your queue to receive more information about
The Perfect Husband and we will let you know when it becomes available.


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Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Romance
Release Date: September 10, 2010
Buy Links:
Amazon ♥ Barnes and Noble
Book Description:
Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "the Duff," she throws her Coke in his face.
But things aren't so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it.
Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him. Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.
The DUFF
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: February 15, 2015
Buy Links:
Movie Description:
A high school senior instigates a social pecking order revolution after finding out that she has been labeled the DUFF - Designated Ugly Fat Friend - by her prettier, more popular counterparts.
There's always a bit of anxiety whenever a book is adapted into a movie. Will the characters be the same ones you fell in love with, will the movie cut out your favorite scenes, will the actors deliver the lines the way the author intended (see Michael Gambon as Dumbledore asking Harry if he put his name in the Goblet of Fire for a failure on this one)? This, however, is not the case when it comes to the movie adaptation of Kody Keplinger's The DUFF. Not because the movie is an exact copy from the book, but the complete opposite in fact. The movie is a different story than the book, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
I admit that I actually broke my "Read the book before watching the movie" rule for this one. My sister and I went to see it when it was still in theatres, and loved it to the point where I just had to read the book. The movie was this great mix of Mean Girls, Easy A, and even a little bit of Taylor Swift's "You Belong with Me" music video. In other words, it's a cute and light hearted high school comedy designed to make you laugh and entertain you for the length of the movie. Both my sister and I came out of the theatre with big smiles on our faces because it was so enjoyable, and I turned to her and said, "Let's watch it again!"
So it made sense that the next logical step was to read the book that inspired the great movie. Imagine my surprise when I started reading and found out that the book and movie were pretty much two separate plots while keeping the same character names. That doesn't mean that it wasn't enjoyable, though. While the movie version deals with Bianca learning that she is her friends' DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) in a light and comedic way, the book Bianca goes on a more darker journey to reach the end.
Book Bianca is hurting from learning about the term "The DUFF", while also going through family drama at home. Instead of using Wesley to "unDUFF" herself like she does in the movie, her and Wesley's relationship is a secret friends-with-benefits affair that she uses as an escape mechanism. Book Bianca is also a lot more jaded and cynical than her movie counterpart due to all of the negativity going on in her personal life which adds to the more serious notes of the book.
Even though it was more serious, I still really liked the book. Since the stories are so different though, it's hard to say if I like one over the other. Both were enjoyable in their own ways, and I loved both versions of Bianca and rooted for her throughout her journey. Both book and movie would get five out of five hearts from me, and I would recommend them to anyone who likes YA fiction or teen comedies.
I'm a 19-year-old college student and young adult author. My first book, THE DUFF, debuted on September 7, 2010. I write books for teenagers and strive to be honest and true-to-life.


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Introducing our newest community manager!
You may have seen a new face around the community in the last few days with the CA (community advocate) next to her name. J Kate is new to our administration team and a community manager here in Diabetic Connect. She is a great addition to the community and will help us help you have the best experience here on the site.
click here to check out her profile and bio:
8 replies
Thanks for the heads up. Congrats!!!!! "Mommy" And good luck! February 1st sounds like a good day for a birthday. Guess you can figure out why. lol ;D
I will hopefully be having a baby within the next few weeks so will not be around as much due to being on maternity leave. So don't hesitate to let Kate know if you have any questions. She will be a great resource and help for the community and will help our other advocates keep things in line while I am gone :)
Hey will miss you around here but great news on a little one may everything be perfect!!
Next Discussion: Itching »


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Are you aware of what comprises a hard drive? Do you know how it operates or how it is utilized?
It is important to learn about the hard drive and its related features.
Features of Hard Drives
- A computer's main storage is the hard drive. They are also referred to as hard discs or HDD and each computer file and program goes here. It was created by IBM in 1956 and initially its storage space was of a few megabytes.
- The new millennium has hard discs consisting of storage space of 320 GB to 2 TB with speeds ranging between 5400 and 7200 rmp (rotations per minute).
- HDD consisting of a bigger speed and memory space enables you to save a lot of files and locate them in seconds. It is very useful for people who work on computer applications, photo editing and animations. For normal functions at home, a simple HDD will be ideal.
Hard Disc Platters
- If you open a hard drive, you will be able to view thin discs and a metal head piled together. These discs are known as platters and they are utilized for the storage of programs and computer files.
- Platters are linked to a spindle in a similar manner to a wheel's axe, and are linked to a motor which makes the platters rotate very fast. A head strip made of metal which has a small magnet places each file and program on the platters and also locates the required files via detection.
- A small film ware or circuit linked to the bottom acts as the interaction line between the mother board and hard disks. The files' recordings are similar to the recording in tape recorders and cassette tapes.
About PATA
- Initially PATA (Parallel AT Attachment) was utilized in connecting the hard discs to the motherboards. It appears like a wide and flat cable and you require to link it to the IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) linked to the motherboard.
- Currently, it is gradually being overtaken by SATA (Serial AT Attachment) also known as SCSI (Small Computer System Interface). It resembles a round short cable and you require linking it to a particular SCSI port.
- The benefit of SCSI over PATA is that in the CPU, SCSI is able to save more space than PATA. If you desire a HDD which is portable, then purchase a hard disc which is external.
- An internal hard disk's components are similar except that its shell is hard and can be grouped with different external drives and it has a USB (Universal Serial Bus Cable).
- Also, there are particular hard drives for particular gadgets. Notebooks or laptops have HDD which is smaller and fits underneath. Different devices like cell phones, music, video players and game consoles also contain a hard drive designed just for this.
In future, hard drives might be available in smart devices, robots and cars. A hard drive evolved from one section of a machine to a large storage device.
Now you have an idea of what a hard disc platter is!


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5 Easy Songs for Kids to Play On Guitar
Are your kids looking for easy songs to play on guitar? Get them started with these great suggestions from guitar teacher Willy M.... That first guitar lesson is critical for establishing a love of playing in our students, but most of the time teachers approach the instrument as though we need to prepare the student for the worst. "It will be difficult... You have to put in a lot of practice... Your fingers will hurt, etc." These things only serve to discourage the student and the parent, who … Read More


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The first is the monthly BookShare rendezvous, when members lend and discuss current English-language books. It's 4 to 5:30 pm and visitors are welcomed. It happens at the Zeste Cafe, 62 Place des Corps Saints, Avignon. For more info, contact Dennis Shibut: 09.52.84.34.79, 06.60.84.32.31 or email@example.com.
Then in the evening, Democrats Abroad France and the Avignon Chapter of Democrats Abroad will co-host a dinner with guest of honor and speaker Curtis Roosevelt, grandson of President FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt. (Yep, that's him with grandpa, above.) All are welcome.
Roosevelt's career has included several executive positions with the United Nations and educational institutions, as well as TV documentaries and writing. He currently acts as historian for the Roosevelt family, lives in retirement near Avignon and will soon be on a U.S. tour to present his latest book Too Close to the Sun.
Roosevelt grew up in the White House with his grandparents, and was witness to many momentous events of the period. He'll address the theme: "Comparing the Political Dynamicsof the Mid-1930's with 2009: Presidents Roosevelt and Obama," or, more informally, "Comparisons are Odious--Let's Have Fun!"
The event will be at the Hotel Cloitre Saint Louis (Avignon) starting at 7:30 p.m. There will be 3-course prix-fixe menu, preceded by an apéritif, and with wine and coffee, for 40€ per person.
To RSVP: email@example.com or 04 90 86 20 64.


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Anne, your father must have been pleased that you inherited his writing talent. Has being the daughter of Tony Hillerman helped you in your writing career?
As the eldest of Tony and Marie Hillerman's six children, and the only writer in the mix, I have been lucky to have received some of the residual good will my father built up over his long career as a journalist, teacher, writer and lover of the West. The name gives me a great ice-breaker at writers' conferences!
What does your book, Tony Hillerman's Landscape entail and what prompted you to write it?
You've written a number of award-winning books. Which was the most difficult to research and write, and which did you enjoy writing most?
Gosh, I've enjoyed them all. Each had its own challenges and its own pleasures. Tony Hillerman's Landscape was fascinating because it involved re-reading each Navajo detective novel, and visiting the Navajo reservation to find those places where Chee or Leaphorn had to pull over because the scenery is so stunning. I had to examine my own memories of time spent with Dad, and make the book personal as well as informative, something that my journalist self initially resisted. Gardens of Santa Fe, my newest book, involved deciding which of the beautiful gardens to include and then pruning my interviews with the wonderful, outspoken gardeners to stress the uniqueness of each.
Have you considered writing Western novels?
Well, sure. I've got a decent first draft of a historical novel set in Oklahoma, complete with horses and a family farm. My other experiment with fiction is a mystery in progress set in Arizona and New Mexico. It's not a "Western," but certainly flavored by the landscape and people of the Southwest.
Tell us about your Santa Fe-based Wordhavest Writers Workshops and the Tony Hillerman Writer's Conference.
Wordharvest began as a way to celebrate New Mexico's writers. Instead of paying to hear out-of- state experts, why not use our own experts and let out-of-staters come to hear them? My business partners and I quickly expanded to draw on regional talent such as Margaret Coel and Sandi Ault (who live in Colorado but have family in New Mexico) and Arizona's J.A. Jance. Wordharvest 's first weekend program featured Tony Hillerman. When we decided to do a conference, Dad said we could name it after him (as long as we did the work). He also agreed to sit on a panel and be our first keynote speaker. The conference started with "Focus on Mystery" as its subtitle, but now we focus on good writing in general. The 2011 dates are November 10-12 in Santa Fe.
What prompted you to create the $10,000 Tony Hillerman Prize for best first mystery novel set in the Southwest?
We were looking for another way to promote our conference and to offer encouragement to writers. I went to the well-organized Pikes Peak (Colo.) Writers Conference to steal some of their ideas. We were thinking of adding a session with agents/editors and I wanted to see how their model worked. They had invited Peter Joseph of St. Martin's Press. I told him we'd like to work with St. Martin's and he suggested a writing prize. After more brainstorming, the Hillerman Prize was born.
You've received a number of honors, including "Outstanding Woman Author" by The New Mexico Chapter of Women in the Arts. Which means the most to you and why?
The honor that touched me most was being invited by the New Mexico Library Association to be their keynote speaker and present our slide show on Tony Hillerman's Landscape at their annual conference. Don Strel and I did a lot of benefits for libraries in New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and California as part of our book launch. My Dad was a staunch supporter of libraries, as are Don and I. I was also thrilled and honored when the legendary Barbara Peters hosted us for our first Hillerman's Landscape signing at Poisoned Pen in Scotsdale.
Briefly tell us about your journalism background.
After several years of dillydallying, I earned a degree in journalism from the University of New Mexico. My dad was the head of department there--and he was tough on me! I worked in a variety of jobs, some in television and radio, but mostly for newspapers and magazines. I was the first woman to head the editorial page at the Santa Fe New Mexican, one of the oldest newspapers in the West and still an independent, family-owned operation. I also started the opinion page and wrote the editorials for the Albuquerque Journal's Northern New Mexico edition. I currently work as restaurant reviewer for the Journal. That job lead to my book Santa Fe Flavors: Best Restaurants and Recipes, which won the New Mexico Book Award.
What's your fondest memory of you father?
That question is too hard! I think of my Dad every day and miss him tremendously. I'm grateful for his sense of humor, his curious mind, his gentle kindness, and his absolute passion for skillful writing and well-told stories. And that he had the good sense to find and marry my mother.
Advice to fledgling writers off the West.
Read voraciously. Keep writing. Do your best and don't stop because you can't yet live up to your own standards. Only you have your voice and your stories. Be brave.
Thanks, Ann, for your visit.
You can visit Anne at her website: http://www.annehillerman.com/
and her blog site: http://www.wordharvest.com/
© 2011 Jean Henry Mead


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It's no secret we love our gear. It's always nice when other people have good stuff to say about it too though. Check out the review from Oak-N-Iron below on the ruck that started it all for us. After 8 years it still holds up and remains classic.
"Bombproof is an amazing term to throw around when you're talking about protection for your precious laptop, but that's just part of the long list of reasons why we love the GR1. Versatility is one of the most important; being able to change roles as often as we do – from the board room, to the trail, to the workshop, and hold up well as a travel companion – we needed a pack that could do it all and look great doing it.
We've been following GORUCK for a few years, but never had the opportunity to get one in hand until recently, and we regret that immensely. We over analyzed the GR1 from the moment we opened the packaging, because we knew that the team at GORUCK over engineers all of their gear and we wanted to find something even slightly out of place. We found nothing.
Our initial thoughts were that the pack is built BRILLIANTLY, in the USA, with care and incredibly high quality materials. It's design puts pockets where they should be, so you can balance the contents appropriately, but maintains an overall minimal appearance. Available in two sizes and an assortment of bad ass colors, all carrying the weight of the SCARS Lifetime Guarantee. You can even customize your pack with a patch and molle compatible pouches and pockets, also available through GORUCK.
Price: $295
(If you can't justify spending $295 on a GR1, go out and buy a case for your laptop, a messenger bag to carry it, a carry-on bag for the plane, pack for the trail, toolbag for the shop, put them all in a pile and toss in a grenade. If you spent less than $295 and they all survived the explosion, then we tip our hats to you. If not, then go into the bathroom, stare at yourself in the mirror and slap yourself as hard as you can across the face…or go eat a Snickers, cause you're obviously hungry, and pretty damn silly when you're hungry.)"
-Joe N. from Oak-N-Iron
So there you have it, GR1, get one or you're silly. And if you're interested to see how Joe's ruck is holding up 4 months later, he posted an update on the Oak-N-Iron blog here. (FYI the bag is fine, Joe is not)


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Women's Cat 4/5 Team
The SDBC Women's Team welcomes women who are new to racing as well as those who race in elite and masters categories.
Our aim is to enhance the enjoyment, camaraderie and fun of bicycle riding by building skills and fitness for racing. We seek to provide a supportive team environment by working together to develop racing skills, team tactics, peleton etiquette & safety, and overall health and fitness. If you like riding your bike and the fitness it brings, you will discover that the challenge of racing will take your experience to a new level.
If you are interested in racing, whether novice or experienced, or would like to be added to the Team Roster, please contact Team Director Esther Walker for more information.
2018 Team Rosters
Cat 4/5
- Alexa Alarcon (Junior)
- Edely Alarcon (Junior)
- Salma Alarcon
- Bernadette Brake
- Monica Buchanan Starkey
- Casey Cohenmeyer
- Vivian Fong
- Alyssa Freas
- Sydnee Hyman
- Chelsea Jan
- Angela Lee
- Ella Stimson
- Lena Stock
- Lan Tran
- Kathryn Uijtermerk


text: For the last little while, I have been trying different laundry detergents, mostly because it turns out the DD#5 is allergic to some ingredient in it, it breaks they break her out in a rash. I've tried soapnuts with great success, but they are a little spendy in large amount, and with the amount of laundry I do on a weekly basis, it makes more sense to make my own. So… break out pinterest! I tried a couple of liquid homemade ones, but I couldn't get it right. Then I saw this one… concentrated laundry detergent, it's a lot like whipped buttercream. It works fantastically too! I am super impressed. I made about 9 months of detergent in the end, for about $16! Awesome!


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A pen name, also called nom de plume, is a stage name in use by a novelist. Put other way, it's any entitle different than your factual entitle you select for commerce design. A pen language unit is a prodigious station and article commerce contraption. Use it sagely and you may collect its lots rewards when it comes to place commerce next to nonfictional prose commerce.
So, what's in a pen name? Why do you condition one in place and piece mercantilism in the primary place?
How astir a whole new self beside all the best intrinsic worth you ever wanted? The thought is natural. Just close to a movie leading gambol temporary a leader on screen, you can spin into the soul you ever impoverishment to be near a new pen given name. No more than state loaded down beside all the misgivings and flops. You can be positive and resourceful. You can spin from bomb to direct happening. Just beside the use of a pen christen.Post ads:
Oakley Snowmad Deepie Beanie / Bosca Old Leather Deluxe Front Pocket Wallet / Ladies Knit Convertible Mittens / Gloves with Snowflake / Tommy Hilfiger Men's Bradford Passcase Wallet / One Direction (1D) Phone Sock / LibbySue-A Luxurious Pashmina Silk Blend Scarf / LRG Hustle Trees Hat / BLACK FRIDAY///Raffia Tea Stain with Turquoise Lookin / Girls Gloves - Girls Short Satin Gloves - Bridal - Flower / Comfortable Cotton Material High Shine Alloy Drop Pendant / Jaxon Wool Pork Pie / Buxton Womens Mini Trifold Wallet / Neff Men's Daily Beanie Hat / Babylegs Baby-Girls Infant Applause Socks / Outdoor Research WindPro Ear Band / Mountain Hardwear Men's Winter Momentum Running Gloves / Robeez Baby-Boys Newborn 3 Pack High Top Hank Socks / Jessica Simpson Women's Wax Cord Braided Belt / GUESS Women's 6414 Oversized Sunglasses
All of us have droop ups, big or trivial. They clench us subsidise one way or another. If simply exploitation a pen label can change state you from the talent ups, won't you do it? I cognize I will. This is one honest use to use a pen dub for station and nonfiction commercialism if nothing else.
Next, let me ask you a examine as a procurer. Say you have a protracted register of buying items in mixed categories from offspring books, cosmetics, wellbeing supplements, downstairs to computers and what have you. When looking for reviews, you hold on to bumping into my articles promoting all these products, avouchment to be an practiced in all and all point you're purchasing. What will you surmise of me?
Exactly. You'll feeling my creditability, no hesitation. So here is other apology to use a pen name: conglomerate creditability. Using distinct pen name calling when you're article commerce in deviating niches helps you to profess your business concern creditability. At the smallest you won't be seen as a Jack of all trades and maestro of none.Post ads:
Kenneth Cole Women's Clutch Checkbook Wallet Lined in / Nike Women's New FL Visor / New York Giants Navy Blue Reusable Tote Bag / Ray-Ban RB 3025 W3276 Aviator Large Metal 58mm / Armani Exchange Signature Belt / Four Row Black & Silver Pyramid Studded Belt / Bolle Sport Cobra Sunglasses / Fownes Touchpoint Men's Fleece Lined Black Stretch / Maui Jim Honolua Bay Sunglasses - Polarized / Kenneth Cole Reaction Womens Strap Clutch Wallet Cheetah / Outdoor Research Omni Gloves / Women's Abigail Elephant Scarf / Dolce & Gabbana DG6062 Sunglasses / HOTER Lace-up Corset Style Elastic Cinch Belt -HOTPINK / Multi Color Tribal Style Fringe Scarf - Different Colors / Native Eyewear Hardtop Sunglasses / Pink & Hot Pink Owl Earflap Hat for babies & Toddlers by / Nike Lightweight Tech Running Gloves / Dockers Men's 30mm Glazed Top Braid Belt
A baptize will oftentimes extend beyond a confident form of mental image in our minds. By choosing an suitable pen name, you could have through with half the selling. Because same it or not, you and I some have create mentally philosophy roughly who is much rational commercialism what article of trade.
Don't suppose me? Try this.
You have a ornamental merchandise and a natural object site addition to provide. Here I have 2 top gross revenue people who can put on the market anything: a delicate woman and a strong man. Who will you assign to deal in which product?
See my point?
You can use a pen heading to transfer an representation of the femininity and self-image that fits the field of wares someone sold. A butch label close to Leonard Bullock would be suitable for outdoor sport geartrain. On the other than hand, an foreign label look-alike Yves Lafayette would fit nonfunctional products higher. So, use a contrasting pen dub when nonfiction mercantilism for respectively of the niches you're in. And you'll have instantaneous branding in your niches in need outflow a sri lanka rupee.
Then there are situations wherever you don't wishing to be in person together to a absolute goods. Maybe you need to put up for sale left-handed full-size products on the soft. Maybe you poorness to elude annoying phone box calls and emails at environment. Whatever the reason, a pen moniker will back work your obstacle. It lets you loiter to some extent anon. by fashioning it much challenging to tie you to the service.
There is one more than principle you may deprivation to use a pen identify in article marketing: Others have saved it fiddly to spell or say your pet name. Make it undemanding for your soon-to-be trade to remind your name, and they will find you friendlier. You do lean to buy from a friend's recommendation, don't you?
So, what's in a pen name? What respectable will it do to article marketing? Plenty! Positive personality, firm creditability, stigmatisation and anonymity if zero other. A pen nickname is a powerful place and nonfiction commercialism appliance. Use it wisely to glean its umteen benefits. Start thinking of a pen heading when you subsequent enter a niche marketplace mistreatment nonfiction marketing.


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Here are the answers to my last blog, 23rd July 2012,
Definitions of the words crystal and lattice:
A crystal is a solid material, with a regular three dimensional, repeating pattern to its structure. The dictionary definition adds that crystals have symmetrically arranged plane faces.
I usually say to my students crystals have flat surfaces and sharp edges. For example, sodium chloride forms a regular cubic structure in its crystals. They're cubes!
Examples of lattices are a lattice fence and a lattice crusted pie. In both of these examples lattice refers to a criss-cross arrangement of strips (wood or pastry).
The word lattice applied to crystals means a regular, patterned structure. Again if you look it up in a dictionary it says a crystal lattice is "a geometric arrangement of the points in space". In the case of sodium chloride the "points" are the sodium and the chloride ions.
There's an old joke which goes "When is a door not a door?"
The answer is "When its ajar".
Ajar means slightly open.
So "When is a crystal not a crystal?"


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Hosted solutions are a "no brainer" for most businesses that are looking to save money without sacrificing quality and productivity. As an online-based solution, our system helps investment firms to manage their projects without the added headaches of managing the infrastructure needed.
All networks are proactively monitored on a continuous basis. Security of the data is also a major part of security and control. To achieve this we have redundant database servers as well as nightly data backups. In addition, backups are stored on an offsite secure server, ensuring data file redundancy.
Hosted benefits include:


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At Elite Facial Plastic Surgery, laser technology for both functional and cosmetic purposes has been at the forefront of our practice. Laser skin resurfacing, for example, can be used as part of a larger procedure or on its own. Our laser skin resurfacing patients in Tampa, FL can see reduced blemishes, scars, and wrinkles. Lasers enable Dr. Dominic Castellano the ability to be extremely precise in especially delicate areas. Dr. Dominic employs laser technology when he feels that it provides the patient with these benefits:
- Improved results
- Reduced complications
- Easier recovery
- Shortened operative time
Laser skin resurfacing can improve minor facial flaws such as, acne scars, liver spots, chicken pox scars and aged or sun damaged skin.
Dr. Castellano, however, will limit the laser skin resurfacing treatments he offers to those cases for which he knows he can reliably and safely produce the desired results for the patient. We also incorporate laser technology into our eyelid lifts and treatment of spider veins of the face and neck.
At Elite Facial Plastic Surgery, we offer our patients the following treatments and procedures:
We strive to provide you with a simple yet fulfilling experience. To learn more about the laser procedures offered at our practice, please request a complimentary consultation online, or call our office at 813-975-3223. We look forward to helping you improve your appearance and your confidence.


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Farmville 2 has ticked all the right boxes for me. I find it relaxing and fun, and do a little bit each night after work to wind down.The Country Fair feature has made it all the more special, because the competitive part of me can run ragged!
August 2013 from Pixels & Paper Challenge seemed an unlikely challenge to whack my screen-grabs (of my fav animals - and the large one of my farm) of my game into. Just when I was going to give up, I decided to look at the picture structurally; I drew a line through all the girls heads, and created a piece of wire, and I hung all my pictures off that. Then I used the colours of the bathing dresses for the ribbons. The curtain in behind the girls reminded me of the fence, which was more farm-orientated than a curtain. A bit weird I know, but I thought my seeing my game has given me so many hours of enjoyment it deserves a scrapbooking page!
|'My Farm' 2013 digi layout - for Aug 2013 Pixels & Paper Challenge
|August 2013 challenge - Pixels & Paper


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So, here's what we did this week-
Theme: apples
Practical: chopped apples for apple pie and applesauce
planted an apple seed in a bag (to watch the "tiny tree" be "born")
Sensory: cinnamon play dough, which they chopped like apples and rolled like pie dough
simple apple sensory bin
apple themed bath
Educational: picture cards about how an apple seed becomes an apple pie and the seasons of a tree
Youtube movie about how apple cider is made and tasting some
explored the parts of an apple and found the "star" in the core
Work Boxes: sorted wormy apples from non-wormy ones (printable)
counted apples on trees (printable)
seed to pie sequence cards
pompom "apple" transfer with tongs
apple size sequence (printable)
wormy apples counting (printable)
"a is for apple" coloring page
Books: "The Apple Pie Tree"
"Applesauce Season"
"10 Apples on Top"
Song: "The Johnny Appleseed Prayer." (..."the sun, and the rain, and the apple seed. The Lord's been good to me!")
Outing: we have an apple tree in our yard so we checked its apples and observed the deer and squirrel as they got ready for winter (by eating our apples). We also had a well-child check-up for one of the kids this week.
Here's a peak at what our homeschooling/eating room wall looked like this week:


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This management can be used as an independent injection system or as a Piggy-back ECU for virtually all types of gasoline engines (Not just BMW or European).
It can be used in combination with a standard engine management system, and can be programed to take over the standard injection at any desired engine speed, boost pressure or throttle valve position (making it suitable for naturally aspirated, supercharged or turbo setups).
The latest software can use throttle position (Alpha N) or MAP- or both to give comprehensive & accurate fuelling.
It also has the facility to be wired in for cold start, battery volt compensation, and more. Adjustable rpm limits as well as accecory outputs like a cooling fan, shift light, etc. can also be operated from the unit
One of the great features of all KMS products is usability; setup of the KMS system software is kept as clear and simple as possible, so that even people with little computer tuning experience will be able to use this system. Working with the software is simple, and quality of construction is exemplary.
This system is the same functionally and in software as the M_25 series standalone ECU; only just for fuel management. That means its comprehensive, reliable, and you can upgrade to a full standalone if necessary down the road.
This new system contains the following features :
Includes wiring harness, communication cable, and universal instructions to get you up and running fast.
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Although well studied, the evolutionary relationships among major avian groups are contentious.The very nature of the evolutionary history of organisms and the limitations of current phylogenetic reconstruction methods mean that parts of the tree of life might prove difficult, if not impossible, to resolve with confidence.Phylogenomics is useful for resolving difficult phylogenies and for verifying or overturning relationships created on the basis of single genes.To do phylogenomics analysis of birds, the genomes presented here were sequenced, de novo assembled and annotated for functional elements. These genomes will be helpful to construct the evolutionary history of birds, which has the potential to provide answers to several outstanding fundamental evolutionary questions.
Note: This website is no longer maintained. Please visit the new website of this project http://avian.genomics.cn/en/ for more details.


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'Castro was an unelected dictator, no one ever voted for him', says Varadkar
Leo Varadkar has said he takes a "more nuanced" position on former Cuban leader Fidel Castro than the President.
The Social Protection Minister said Castro imprisoned opponents in mental institutions and has a "mixed legacy at best".
He also said that nobody in Cuba ever voted for him.
His comments are in contrast to those of Michael D Higgins, who said Castro was a "giant among global leaders".
Speaking to reporters in Dublin, Mr Varadkar said the President was entitled to express his views but that he takes a "more nuanced" position on Castro.
"There is a long-standing tradition of government ministers not to criticise the President because he is above politics and the President not to criticise the Government for exactly the same reason," said Mr Varadkar.
"So I'm not going to get into that space.
"Castro certainly stood up to American aggression and made some changes in his country that were significant, particularly around access to education and healthcare .
"But he was an unelected dictator. Nobody in Cuba ever voted for him. He executed and imprisoned his opponents and even put people in mental institutions for disagreeing with him. So it's a mixed legacy at best."
In his official statement, President Higgins sparked controversy by praising Castro's achievements on education and healthcare, and noting the damage done to Cuba by an unjust and prolonged US economic embargo.
The statement especially enraged many observers because the President's only reference to Castro's infamous regime of repression, including summary executions, was to note that economic and social reforms were "at the price of a restriction of civil society".
President Higgins concluded that Castro was "a giant among global leaders" who sought freedom for his own people and oppressed people across the world.
Speaking in Rome, Taoiseach Enda Kenny gave a cautious response when asked about President Higgins' statement.
He said the President "is entitled to make his comments" but did not offer any view of his own on Castro's passing.
Ireland's Ambassador to Mexico, Sonja Hyland, will represent the Government at Castro's funeral in Havana on Sunday.
"Most countries will be represented by an ambassador, some may send other representatives," said Mr Kenny. "So in that case, Ambassador Hyland will represent us."
Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath strongly criticised the President's remarks. "I believe that in this instance, he ought to have limited himself to expressions of personal regret after the death of Castro.
"To offer his sympathies on behalf of all Irish people, many of whom are deeply aware of the vicious nature of the Castro regime, was an act of extraordinary hubris and political arrogance."
Meanwhile, it emerged last night that no Irish minister will attend Castro's funeral.
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams, who will be there, told RTE's Today with Sean O'Rourke programme that the President's remarks were "appropriate".