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This Thursday, June 15, 2017 the population of Baraka is immense pleasure to receive three architects of the agency architecture local index D which works in collaboration with Casa Orascom at the level of Senegal for the phase of project implementation and supervision of works.
These architects were received in Baraka by members of the steering committee and the HOPE'87 team.
The objective of their visit according to Mrs. Marion Stamm Niang was to « come and make the recognition of the site of Baraka with the plan in hand and to see the different infrastructures mentioned on the map ».
As part of the « Baraka City » project, the Index D firm was selected by Orascom for the project execution phase and the supervision of the works. The index firm D founded in 2011 and practices in Senegal since 2012 is an agency specialized in architecture, urban planning and landscaping.
After a presentation of their mission in Baraka, the architects were able to visit the primary school, the hairdressing salon, the sewing workshop for the girls, the IT center and the blog. They also went around Baraka with the plan in hand to check everything in detail.
This visit has given more hope to the people of Baraka !!!
Here are some pictures of this visit.


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Making Real Estate Move Faster
Realty Mark uses NASCAR®-inspired vehicle wraps to drive impact and attract business.
When Ray Gaber drives down the street, it's not unusual for people to whip out their smartphones to grab a quick pic. The reason? Gaber, CEO of Realty Mark, a Philadelphia-based real estate agency, drives one of six Camaros dramatically wrapped to look exactly like a professional race car.
Four-wheeled promotion geared to moving property faster
Gaber's not a racing fanatic. When he started the wrapped car initiative two years ago, he was just looking for a great way to promote his firm and to defray vehicle costs for his agents. The eye-catching vehicles are also conversation starters, and Gaber says people remember the cars and mention them to his agents. One Realty Mark agent actually landed a client who approached him to admire his car.
"If I put five or six sponsors on a Ford Explorer, it would look silly driving down the street. But when you put them on a sports car, suddenly you have a slick, great-looking vehicle that looks like a stock car," he says.
The company's signature blue sky and green grass backdrop features the Realty Mark brand prominently. In addition to the Realty Mark logo on the hood and body of the car, both the agency and the agents who drive the cars sell sponsorships for brands to include their logos on the car. These decals are applied on top of the wrap, giving the feel of a vehicle that's just done laps on a NASCAR track. Based on the size, location, and number of vehicles the sponsor chooses, sponsorships range from $25 to $125 per month, underwriting the cost of the vehicle for the agent.
Realty Mark has attracted a variety of sponsors ranging from pizza places and tire companies to insurance companies and mortgage brokerages. And if that seems impressive, so are the results. According to Arbitron, if a wrapped vehicle drives 15,000 miles per year—a piece of cake for busy real estate agents—it will generate nearly 9 million views or impressions. Of those, 30 percent typically make a positive purchasing decision.
Making it pop and protecting the car
One of the sponsors is Night Owl Graphics, which handles the wraps for Realty Mark. Owner Kim Cunningham, who is a 3M Preferred Graphics Installer, worked closely with Gaber to get the right look for the vehicle, and to ensure there was plenty of space for sponsor decals. She chose 3M's IJ180c film with matching laminate because of its durability and ability to achieve print saturation that really makes the bright blue sky and green grass on the design pop.
The wraps also pay off in unexpected ways. Each of the Camaros is leased, and the durable vinyl protects the vehicle underneath. When it's time to turn in the vehicle at lease end, the wrap is simply removed and the paint on the car is typically pristine, having been protected from scratches and other wear and tear, Gaber says. His agents feel great driving the cars, and best of all, they have one less expense because of the sponsorships. Ultimately, the goal is to underwrite the cost of cars for roughly 600 agents.
"I know Realty Mark has gotten positive feedback, and so have we. I get calls from people who say, 'Hey, I saw your car.' It's a good representation of what we can do, too," she says. "It's a win for everyone," he says.
Explore simple, effective ways to build your brand and business with graphics.
If you do not already work with one, connect with a branding graphics professional by entering your zip code and searching for a professional near you.


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Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: BEE) said Sept. 8 that private equity firm Blackstone Group LP has agreed to purchase the REIT for approximately $6 billion.
Blackstone agreed to pay $14.25 in cash for each Strategic share. That represents a premium of approximately 13 percent above the intra-day trading price on July 23, when a news report pointed to a potential transaction. The acquisition includes Strategic subsidiary Strategic Hotels Funding LLC as well as all of the firm's outstanding debt.
"We believe this transaction capitalizes on our unique portfolio, strong asset management platform and continued operating outperformance over the past several years," said Rip Gellein, Strategic's chairman and CEO.
Strategic announced in August that it was considering strategic alternatives, including a sale.
Strategic focuses on the luxury hotel segment. In May, the company closed on the acquisition of the Four Seasons Austin hotel for $197 million. Strategic's portfolio also includes the JW Marriott Essex House Hotel in New York, the Four Seasons Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyo., and The Ritz Carlton at Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Tyler Henritze, co-head of U.S. acquisitions for Blackstone Real Estate, said the Strategic assets represent one of the highest-quality luxury hotel portfolios in the U.S. He also said Blackstone remains "confident in the fundamentals of the sector despite recent market volatility."
Meanwhile, Wes Golladay, analyst at RBC Capital Markets, said the sale is likely to have a positive impact on the lodging sector and could trigger additional transactions. Blackstone's involvement in the deal gives a more accurate read on the value of the sector because of the firm's emphasis on assets' cash flows, he said.
"Had it been a sovereign wealth fund or wealthy individual, they would have paid any price to get the assets and it wouldn't have been truly indicative of their value," Golladay said.


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If you do find that you are constantly tempted to shop for emotional release, take a harder look at what is making you feel stressed. Problems that seem absolutely insurmountable can often be quickly -- or at the least, more effectively -- surmounted than you might guess.
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The dark web is that area of the net containing encrypted content and isn't indexed by search engines.
About 97 percent of cybersecurity companies had their information exposed to the Dark Web in 2020.
Some data breaches happened as recent as at the end of August, a security firm survey by ImmuniWeb.
The poll covered 398 cybersecurity firms headquartered across 26 countries such as the USA, UK, India, Canada and Germany.
Dark Web included both Deep Web and Surface Web in the poll. Dark Web consists of encrypted content that's not indexed by search engines.
Over 160 companies confronted incidents as their workers used identical passwords on over one breached system. The majority of the passwords lacked basic security requirements – uppercase, numerical and unique characters—frequent passwords contained 'password' and '123456'.
Half the vulnerable data consisted of plaintext credentials such as private and financial information.
US-based security companies showed the most number of high-risk data breaches, followed by the United Kingdom. High-risk breaches include credentials with sensitive information.
A high number of leaks were quietly performed by reputable third parties such as suppliers or subcontractors.
Some stolen certificates came from incidents involving unrelated third parties, where sufferers used work mails to signal into adult websites.
At least 5,121 stolen credentials were found in pornographic and adult-dating websites, ImmuniWeb stated.
The report also said that half the companies didn't comply with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) rules due to vulnerable software, absence of strong privacy policy, and overlooking cookie disclaimers when cookies contain traceable personal info.
Over a fourth of the vulnerabilities remain unpatched so far, the security company said.


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Who We Are
South Oak Floors is located in the beautiful Upstate of South Carolina. Our service area stretches from Columbia, SC throughout the entire Upstate of SC and into the mountains of Western North Carolina. South Oak Floors was started in 1992, and we are pleased to work for many of the premier builders in our area.
The values important to us are the values that are important to our customers:
- Honesty no matter what
- Quality at fair prices
- Dependability–we will do what we say
- Promptness–we take pride in being on time
- Commitment–we are committed to doing the best job on every job, and we stand behind our work
- Constancy–because of our track record we have served many of our builders for over ten years, and most of our jobs for individuals come via word-of-mouth recommendations.


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Civil Rights
Block on Trump's Asylum Ban Upheld by Supreme Court
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals all but sided with a pair of Pennsylvania construction businessmen by vacating their sentences and overruling the sentencing court. To their credit, however, the panel was simply applying court rules.
The case involved defrauding the government by taking advantage of government benefits outlined in the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Act. The Court's ruling clarifies how damages are to be properly calculated when funds are illicitly secured and work is actually completed.
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program is a child of the Department of Transportation. It requires that states who receive federal funding for construction projects provide set goals of set aside numbers for certified DBEs. In order to receive DBE certification, a small business must be majority owned and controlled by minorities or women.
Joseph Nagle and Ernst Fink of Schuylkill Products Inc. (SPI) were not minorities or women. However they entered into a fraud scheme, certified DBE Marikina. The plan was that, for a fixed fee, Marikina would bid on construction projects, SPI would swoop in, complete the work, and SPI would retain all profits. The two defendants went through long lengths to conceal their plan which included magnetic logos for SPI's vehicles. The fraud scheme lasted for a year during which time SPI completed numerous projects. The issue at bar was the fraudulent use of DBE status.
A dispute arose about the damages SPI ought to be forced to pay. The government argued, in essence, that the loss amount should be the entire face value of the contracts because they ought to be characterized as "government benefits" under Application note 3(F)(ii) of U.S.S.C. 2B1.1(b). Since SPI were clearly "unintended recipients" of the contracts, the whole face value was the proper damage amount. SPI balked at this characterization and pointed out that they had completed the work in full and thus damages should be zero dollars.
The 3rd Circuit was persuaded by the government's reasoning and noted that the intent of the DBE was aimed at benefitting certified DBE's, not schemers. Nonetheless, it ruled in favor of SPI on the grounds that the government could not have its cake and eat it too: Application note 3(F)(i) states that a defendant is allowed to offset the fair market value of the loss with the "services rendered" by it. Thus, SPI was entitled to reduce its damages even though the contracts fell under the banner of "government benefits."
The case in Nagle is very limited in that it is directly on point only for DBE controversies; but it could have implications for other fraud cases as well. It also underscores the importance for attorneys to note that statutes are to be read in their entirety and that one cannot so easily cherry pick the choicest parts of the law to fit a given litigation strategy.
Related Resources:
Meeting with a lawyer can help you understand your options and how to best protect your rights. Visit our attorney directory to find a lawyer near you who can help.


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Your Community Wellness Place
New Telehealth Service Offering
Washington Medical Group, in Washington, D.C., will be offering telehealth services beginning March 17, 2020.
Please see the information and form below:
- What You Need to Know About the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and How it will Impact your care at Washington Medical Group P.C. [PDF]
- Informed Consent for Telehealth [PDF]
[PDF help]
Washington Medical Group, P.A., is a multi-specialty team in Washington, DC, that is dedicated to the wellness & rehabilitation of our DC-area Patients.
We offer state of the art diagnosis and treatment by our multi-disciplinary staff of neurologists, neuropsychologists, psychotherapists, general internists, and primary care practitioners… all on site… all at one convenient location.
Our complete health and wellness services include preventative medicine and multiple therapeutic options as listed on our "services" page.


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Yum! Gourmet Cupcake Shop Opening Soon
Posted by – Dale Mathes, Code Enforcement Officer
We know you're going to love this. Just Baked is coming to Auburn Hills!
Just Baked is a gourmet cupcake shop and bakery with numerous locations throughout Southeastern Michigan. This rapidly expanding business is targeted to open its 16th store on Wednesday, February 13th at 3425 Five Points; which is located in the small retail center (near Jet's Pizza), adjacent to the YMCA and McDonald's.
Pam Turkin, owner of Just Baked Gourmet Cupcakes – our new best friend
They now offer over 100 different flavors of gourmet jumbo cupcakes including red velvet, "Fat Elvis" and their famous "Grumpy Cake." They also sell cookies and custom cakes.
According to owner, Pam Turkin, everything is made fresh daily with real ingredients; eggs, butter, sugar and milk … just like Mom used to make.
Large orders are available for any occasion and the cupcakes would be perfect for baby and bridal showers, weddings, birthday and graduation parties, and corporate events.
Hey, Valentine's Day is fast approaching. No doubt some delicious cupcakes would be the perfect gift for your sweetie.
These cupcakes from Just Baked were soooo good.
So, stop by and indulge your sweet tooth and welcome one of Auburn Hills' newest bakeries. We expect they'll be a big hit.


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Thanks for taking the time to look at my newsletter page.
I love mythology, so my newsletter is named the Gjallarhorn! 📯 I primarily use it to let folks know about:
- New releases
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anxiety, cares, corruption, election, joy, king, misery, nation, political, problems, Righteousness, Suffering, the LORD, trouble, truth, unfailing love, wisdom
Reading: Psalm 94
(Verses 16-23)
Who will rise up for me against the wicked?
Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?
Unless the LORD had given me help,
I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
When I said, "My foot is slipping,"
your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy.
Can a corrupt throne be allied with you—
a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?
The wicked band together against the righteous
and condemn the innocent to death.
But the LORD has become my fortress,
and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
He will repay them for their sins
and destroy them for their wickedness;
the LORD our God will destroy them (NIV).
Here is a question that is well worth asking at election time, or really at any time during the life of a nation: Can a corrupt throne be allied with you—a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?
Whatever your political persuasion, this is a question that has relevance. Corruption isn't a problem that is unique to just one party. It transcends the political spectrum. Corruption and poorly designed laws or decrees can bring misery to millions. According to the psalmist, it has happened in the past and as long as we live in a fallen world, it will continue into the future.
If we fix our eyes on the problems of this world, we can soon find ourselves in despair. Like the psalmist, in times of worry, we need to turn to the LORD. When I said, "My foot is slipping," your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
That's the good news of the gospel. In times of anxiety we have someone to turn to. His name is Jesus. He was familiar with suffering and adversity. In Psalm 55 we read, "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken" (Psalm 55:22). The apostle Peter reiterates the same thought: Cast all your anxiety on him [God] because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
In times of trouble the unfailing love of the LORD will sustain you. In times of loss His consolation will bring you joy. That's the promise of Psalm 94. It's a promise that's worth clinging to in good times and bad, and yes, even in election years.
Response: LORD God, I am so glad that first and foremost I live under your Kingdom rule. You are my King. I find unfailing love and consolation in knowing you. Guide the leaders of our land into paths of righteousness, wisdom and truth. Amen.
Your Turn: Are you facing adversity now? How can I pray for you?


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A couple of days ago the Spanish newspaper, El País had a very interesting article about how many actors are being spotted going barefoot in and about town. In ¿Por qué a los famosos les ha dado por andar descalzos? (Why have the famous been walking barefoot?). The article does a nice job talking about the benefits of going barefoot.
But of course they also have to talk to a podiatrists who hates it.
The article starts out by noting that photo shoot with Gisele Bundchen for Chanel, but then goes on to note that a lot of celebrities are starting to go barefoot in their daily life. They mention Chris Martin in Malibu, and show a picture of Rihanna barefoot in New York City fairly recently.
When they talk about the benefits of barefooting, they rely on the book by Michael Sandler and Jessica Lee Barefoot Walking. But they cannot resist using the word "supposed" when talking about those benefits.
The article also covers the fact that going barefoot in daily life is not uncommon in Australia and New Zealand, but is quite rare in Europe. For Spain in particular, the article says that most Spanish regard going barefoot as poor hygiene (the old Health Department myth). They say going barefoot in a grocery store will attract attention.
And then, of course, they talk to a podiatrist, Miguel Canovas, former president of the Asociación Española de Podología. He concedes that taking off shoes after a long day's work is a good thing, but beyond that:
Eso es una barbaridad. Lo desaconsejo totalmente desde el punto de vista dermatológico, por la protección de la piel del calor del asfalto o de cristales o clavos que puedan causar heridas, y también desde el punto de vista muscular, porque nuestros pies no están adaptados a ello. Han sido año de evolución y no podemos pretender cambiarlo de repente.
Yup, he calls going barefoot outside a "barbarity". He's horribly afraid of glass and nails, and even hot streets.
And then he really is an idiot, saying our feet are not adapted to going barefoot because our feet have now evolved to wearing shoes. Well, urban feet may not be adapted to going barefoot, but that's just a question of conditioning. Do it more, and feet will respond. But evolution?
No way.
We know huge numbers of people still went barefoot even only 100 years ago. Evolution does not work like that in just a few generations. Pfft.
The article ends by noting the recent controversy at Cannes, regarding high heels on the red carpet there. It turns out that at least one woman had no problem going barefoot there: Adriana Karembeu. (And no, this was not a case of her showing up in painful heels and then taking them off—this was the look she was going for.)
The article has a pretty good list (and pictures) of various celebrities barefoot out on the streets. You might want to check it out.


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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Recent crime has led to new safety initiatives to be put in place in the Short North, according to a release from the Short North Alliance.
The group said the Short North area has seen about a 25% increase in crimes reported to Columbus police compared to the same time last year.
One of the new initiatives is called the Short North Crime Interdiction Pilot program, which will have dedicated Columbus police officers to patrol the area and help prevent crime.
"The focus of the program will be during evening and late night hours during the majority of each weekend over several consecutive weeks," the group said. The program will start this weekend.
"Our community has experienced a spike in incidents involving violent crime in the Short North Arts District and surrounding streets. Violent crime is not the norm in our community, and this troubling increase in incidents has caused many to be concerned and ask for solutions," said Betsy Pandora, Executive Director of the Short North Alliance.
Another initiative formed is the Violence and Injury Prevention Work Group. People will be chosen for the group to help identify more solutions to stopping crime in the arts district and residential area.
The Short North Ambassador program, which provides community safety and clean up support, will continue.
"As an organization, we believe safety in the Short North Arts District is a state where everyone is free of harm, thrives, and has their well-being protected and their diversity celebrated," Pandora said.
"The Division routinely responds to crime trends by moving police resources because we recognize these resources will impact these trends. We are committed to working collaboratively with the residents and business owners in the Short North to address this issue. We have a plan and are committed to ensuring the Short North remains a safe place to live, work, and play," said Deputy Chief of Police Jennifer Knight.
If someone is having a crisis, people can also call Maryhaven at 614-445-8131 or New Life Community Outreach at 614-294-0134.
CrimeTracker 10: Recent Coverage ⬇
RELATED: 4 injured in Short North shooting
RELATED: 3 injured in Short North shooting


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Home / $10 Black Friday Sale - All Sales Final / London Mini Dress in Black
London Mini Dress in Black
London Mini Dress in Black
$ 29.40 $ 42.00
The London Mini Dress in Black is a versatile little black dress perfect for anything you need it for. It features a mock neckline, is sleeveless, and hits right at the mid thigh level. It has a zipper at the center back, has a good amount of stretch and is perfect for layering. It is a lightweight knit, non sheer and unlined. Also available in Taupe.
Model is 5'6" and is wearing a Small.
55% Bamboo, 42% Polyester and 3" Spandex


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Escaping the mundanity of "real life" for a night by whisking your partner away is one of the best ways to show you care.
Lacking inspiration? Here are 10 of the most romantic suites in some of Europe's most indulgent hotels to get you started.
Suite Carré d'Or at the Hotel Metropole Monte Carlo
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Where: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Located on the top floor of the Hotel Metropole Monte Carlo, the Suite Carré d'Or is 150sq m of luxury, comprised of a spacious living room, large bedroom, walk-in wardrobe and marble and gold bathroom. The real star is the 110sq m private terrace, offering unrivalled views of the Casino de Monte Carlo, its gardens and the Mediterranean Sea.
From €12,500, room only
Venus Suite at Domaine des Etangs
Where: Massignac, France
This French hideaway is set on a 2,500-acre private estate in rural Massignac. Venus is the 11th-century chateau's largest suite, with a huge bathroom complete with roll-top bath, bespoke artwork and unbeatable views across the estate. Couples staying in Venus can choose to dine in the comfort of their suite or opt for bespoke experiences curated by the Domaine des Etangs team, including picnics and locally sourced candlelit dinners.
From €1,330, B&B
Cabriolet Suite at L'Albereta
Where: Lombardy, Italy
This room comes with a unique, romantic surprise: a roof that retracts at the touch of a button to reveal the sky above, for some impromptu star gazing from the comfort of the four-poster bed. There's also a marble bathroom with hydro-massage bath, plus a balcony overlooking the surrounding vineyards and glittering Lake Iseo in the distance. The hotel also has a spa and yoga studio.
From €470, room only
Harlequin Penthouse at The Dorchester
Where: London, UK
The two-bedroom Harlequin Penthouse, the Dorchester's most prestigious suite, has a history of romance: the second bathroom features the original pink marble, installed specially for actor Elizabeth Taylor, who carved her and Richard Burton's initials into it as a symbol of eternal love.
A master bedroom and bathroom are complemented by a dining room (with a bespoke crystal chandelier designed by Metalarté) and a living room with two sets of French doors opening onto a large terrace overlooking Hyde Park.
From £4,458, room only
Royal Lochnagar Suite at Gleneagles
Where: Scotland, UK
Gleneagles has had a recent multimillion pound injection, part of which was used to redesign the traditional hotel's Royal Lochnagar Suite. It's still classic in style, emulating the grandeur of a stately home – a private marble entrance hallway leads onto a lounge and dining room with views across the Glendevon Hills. There's also a powder room, dressing room and a separate en suite off the bedroom, which features a (what else?) four-poster bed.
From £2,730, B&B
Imperial Executive Suite at Hotel Principe di Savoia
Where: Milan, Italy
While everyone from Queen Elizabeth II to George Clooney has stayed in the Principe di Savoia's exclusive Presidential Suite, it seems to be out of action for the majority of 2020. Try the next best thing and plump for the Imperial Executive Suite, complete with a spacious and elegant living room, view of the Piazza della Repubblica gardens and two bathrooms, including a chromotherapy shower and Turkish bath.
From €4,420, room only
1925 Suite at Le Bristol Paris
Where: Paris, France
The city of love is already as romantic as it gets, but a stay at Le Bristol raises the bar even higher. A Parisian institution since the roaring Twenties, the hotel is offering a new 1925 Suite which pays homage to Josephine Baker, the singer and French resistance agent who was once counted amongst the hotel's A-list clientele. The 230sq m suite is all opulent textiles, with a colour palette of cream, sky blue, oak and pale pink. Designed by architecture firm MM-Design, it features a white marble bathroom, Louis XVI-style furniture, views of the Eiffel Tower and photographs of Baker.
From €4,200, room only
Penthouse at the Mandarin Oriental
Where: Barcelona, Spain
Occupying the entire top floor of Barcelona's Mandarin Oriental, the Penthouse has a master bedroom with its own living room, dressing room, bathroom and terrace. There is also a second bedroom, kitchen, living/dining area for eight and adjoining terrace.
The hotel is on the Passeig de Gràcia, a stone's throw from two of Gaudi's iconic landmarks, and overlooks this historic city from its private garden and rooftop pool.
From €12,000, room only
Grand View Colosseum Suite at Palazzo Manfredi
Where: Rome, Italy
Set in a 17th-century palazzo located in the heart of Rome's historical centre, Palazzo Manfredi makes for a romantic getaway. Its Grand View Colosseum Suite, one of four new suites, ups the Cupid stakes even further, with views over the Colosseum and Ludus Magnus from the panoramic private terrace. This 120sqm one-bedroom suite is set over two levels and features prestigious Italian brands, including Utrecht chairs by Cassina, sofas by Baxter and wallpaper by Glamora.
From €1,610, B&B
Sant Francesc Suite at Sant Francesc
Where: Mallorca, Spain
Set in Palma's historic centre, this five-star boutique hotel housed in a former Mallorcan mansion has a rooftop pool, three restaurants and an onsite wellness centre. It's an ideal base for exploring the city, and the Sant Francesc Suite is the hotel's most luxurious. Adorned with ceiling frescos, it also comes with a Heeley perfume bar.
From €455, room only
Source: Read Full Article


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After moving to Maryland, I discovered that Amazon Prime was not as good an investment here. Not that they haven't added a ton of sidebar services, but for me it was the free Prime shipping that I liked best.
And of course, that's an illusion, in that the same item Prime-eligible just costs a shipping cost more than the non-Prime eligible item. But they used to make Prime orders a higher priority out of the warehouse, which matters during the holiday rush, and they'd give a guaranteed delivery date. When timing matters, it matters.
But then I moved here, and discovered the delivery date was almost universally missed, and the service response to that, more often than not, was: we can refund you the shipping cost if you want.
Which, to be clear, was not even a slightly veiled F-you, do you want your "free" back? kind of response.
Let's just rewind that for a sec. They didn't charge me 'shipping' to refund, but they charged me more for the item itself and then promised a delivery date. I paid for that shipping charge. I just paid it indirectly. And I didn't make them promise the delivery date; they did that. And I certainly didn't make them break that promise.
Anyway, that made me drop Prime for a while. But they really did try to improve their service reaction at least. And I went back.
And now we are in a pandemic. Literally everyone still at work at Amazon warehouses and the delivery chain is a freaking hero in my book. And should be paid and treated accordingly.
And although previously they had trouble getting people to make deliveries on time to me?
Now – in an unexpected twist – every order shows up ahead of schedule.
Which I assume means that people need that income badly, such that they're not struggling to find people willing to bid on Amazon deliveries.
Which makes me sad for how hard this is for an awful lot of people.
And also super grateful.
Thank you all for being there for us.
Also – 🎂 Happy birthday Mark P!


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The Blog
Top 5 Tips for Clothing Flatlay Photography
I know clothing flatlay photography can be challenging for a lot of people.
or those of you who are struggling with it, let me make it a little easier.
In my work as a commercial photographer, I have lots of clothing clients and I actually really love these kinds of shoots. So here are my top 5 tips for this specialized area of flatlay photography.
1. Preparation
Like with any photoshoot, there's a preparation process for clothing flatlays. And getting clothes ready is even more tedious than other items, especially if you end up dealing with certain types of materials that are more difficult to finesse and lay appropriately. But if you will take the time to wash, steam, iron, shake out, and/or hang up clothing beforehand, you will save yourself so much trouble during a shoot. I also have a little $15 steamer from Amazon that I take with me to the studio just in case anything gets messed up in transit.
2. Accessories
Accessories are my favorite! You can really up the look of a clothing item by pairing it with the right types of accessories.. For instance, if you were taking photos of a cute pair of leggings, you might choose some Converse, a sweater, a hat, a water bottle, and a cute bag, as if someone were wearing them to head to the gym. These accessory additions can really make a photo and help a flatlay feel less "flat."
3. Style It Like You'd Wear It
Going hand-in-hand with using accessories is the practice of styling a clothing piece like you'd wear it or see someone else wear it. And if you're not sure how you'd wear the item, go find some inspiration. As an example, one of my clients is a gal who sells vintage kimonos at ThisBluebird. Kimonos can be hard for people to understand how to wear in today's fashion, so we get items like jeans, cute shoes, a bag, sunglasses, a necklace, and a book so potential customers can see how a kimono might fit in their day-to-day lives. Pinterest is an especially good source to search for inspiration on how people are wearing certain pieces of clothing.
4. Don't Forget the Fun Stuff
Having fun items like coffee mugs, sunglasses, or florals that are realistic to what someone might actually use or see when wearing a piece of clothing makes a huge difference, too. To illustrate, some tropical flowers (Michael's carries fake ones that look almost real) stuffed in a bag next to beach or resort wear suggest a story about how a woman could have just come off the beach and picked up some beautiful flowers from the area. This type of human element keeps an image from being boring and makes it relatable.
5. Well-Balanced Lighting
Clothing flatlays will feel off if you don't have well-balanced lighting, so get yourself into a room or even a section of a room (like in front of a kitchen bay window) that has a lot of light. I'm fortunate because I have floor-to-ceiling windows on two different facing sides of the studio room where I shoot. This gives me great lighting on normal, sunny days. On a cloudy day, sometimes I will have to put up a reflector or a whiteboard to help bounce light back. So if you don't have even and consistent light in your shoot space, use those reflective resources to get the light where you need it to be.
Bonus Tip: Don't Underestimate the Height
I want to sneak in one more tip here about the length of clothing and the height you will need to get to in order to have the full item in your frame. When I shoot kimonos, I am up on an industrial-size ladder because the kimonos are long and are meant to be worn by long, tall people. And what happens when I can't get up high enough in the space I'm in? That's when I consider flattering folds. Folding jeans like you might see them in a store or a long sleeve at the elbow makes it so that you can have larger items in a smaller space and not have to get up so high to shoot them.
I'm planning on doing a video about shooting clothing flatlays soon, so if you're interested in that or have questions you'd like to see answered in it, let me know!
And if you're interested in learning more about flatlay photography in general, my Flatlay Method Ecourse is full of my best tips and tricks for business owners wanting to learn how to take Insta-worthy images on their own.
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Deformations often occur at the tip or thin ends. The main reason for this problem is a too high temperature for the chosen filament. Parts of the object look like over extruded. The whole print looks melted. If the temperature is too high, the plastic can cake on the inner wall of the nozzle and block it. A good balance between enough temperature, speed and cooling is needed to get the plastic in the right shape.
Adjust the nozzle temperature
Our print looks like melted chocolate. The layers are not clear defined and partly felt over the other layer. In other cases, the plastic also can warp. Try to set the nozzle temperature down.
Part Cooling fan
The temperature for your chosen filament is too high but you need the temperature for this kind of object, then try to switch on your cooling fan and see if the problem is fixed.
Adjust the print speed
If you are printing with a very low speed, the plastic remains for a longer time in the nozzle and degrades. The melt flow rises and too much plastic comes out of the printer nozzle. Try to set the speed up or the temperature down.


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I'm using Yandex Direct - it is Russian contextual advertising system. We are creating and promoting sites, and started contextual advertising campaign.
There were a lot of keywords like "create site", "buy site", something with "seo" and so on. But there was also keyword "site", without anything. We saw that a lot of users were searching for something not about site development, but their queries still contained the word "site", so they saw the advertisement.
There were queries like: "russian railway site", "online dating" (in russian it contains word "site"), "site kinder-surprise" and MANY similar queries. Okay, it's understandable, that they saw our advertisement, because keyword for it was just "site". BUT our advertisement has title "site of any level of complexity to order", text was "unique design, seo, open price policy, at least 1200$".
I undestand, that it sounds bad in English, it doesn't matter, the essence is clear. SO, main problem was, that A LOT of people clicked on ad. CTR was 5%! We lost decent amount of money, because 5% of people, those were searching for something like "railway site" clicked on that ad. So, I'm interested - is here any sense to suppose, that something is bugged in yandex? Or this situation is normal?
I supposed, that many users open first links in new tab blindfold, when they are searching something. Of course, without separation of ads and search results. But no any other explanation yet.


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Digital kabuki – strategy or theater?
- Posted on May 29, 2019
- Estimated reading time 3 minutes
This article was originally written by Avanade alumn Sanjay Marwaha.
Design-led thinking starts by focusing on a challenge. Only by defining the problem can we – technologists, strategists, humans – then work to build a solution that achieves our goals. This is innovation: creating with a vision to solve problems and address the needs of the user.
Focusing solely on a stated problem isn't enough, however. As Henry Ford famously said, "If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said 'faster horses.'" We want our inventions to affect meaningful change and so we must go beyond the challenge at hand and consider if it is the root cause or a symptom of something more. Thinking broadly can help. Have other industries faced similar problems? What interesting lessons can be learnt from other disciplines?
For example, to improve the patient handover process at a children's hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, the team studied Formula One pit crews and applied those principles, which address personal strengths, essential roles and appropriate task assignment. In Japan, the beak of the kingfisher provided the inspiration for the nose of the Shinkansen Bullet train; allowing the train to run more aerodynamically and quietly.
But what happens when innovation doesn't work?
In the financial services industry, we've seen bad innovation multiple times. Large institutions, their budgets exhausted by monolithic initiatives, come to innovation as a 'nice to have' or 'luxury expense'. Rather than coming at the challenge with an open mind, they have frequently deployed the shiniest tech in a scattergun approach hoping to hit innovation in the process. This is a solution in search of a problem. This is what I call, "Innovation Theater."
It makes for great marketing, and investment banks get to say publicly that they're using XYZ technology to bring value to their clients, and shareholders. In reality, they're simply changing the customer or user experience by increments, and potentially missing the chance for a bigger play.
Consider robotic process automation (RPA). As it rose in popularity, more and more banks invested in RPA, identifying rote internal processes that they could "teach" code to perform. A robotics developer works with the business to identify those parts of a complex business process that can be 'taught' to the technology, replacing the need for human intervention. The promise of RPA was that we would bring automation to bear and reduce errors while reducing costs through downsizing our workforce.
Those same banks are now discontinuing that spend and re-allocating the investment to machine learning (ML) or artificial intelligence (AI) efforts. Rather than simply converting human tasks into code (i.e., "faster horses"), firms are looking to create ways to continuously "teach" code, scrape data, and automate the business in ways that will have longer-term impact and generate strong returns for the business. AI and ML are more agile technologies that improve as they're used. While RPA automated mundane, commoditized work, AI and ML can simplify, and in the long term improve, complex processes.
Although Blockchain is undoubtedly one of the most exciting technologies of recent times, I see that it is headed down a similar path. Many of my clients come to me with very specific problems that they wish to address with Blockchain. Part of my role as the "blockchain pragmatist" in the room is to dispel the blockchain fog and look for those specific challenges that will truly benefit from this solution. Our 'Blockchain Evaluation Framework' uses a negative supposition to exhaust other possibilities to ensure that we arrive at a use case that makes sense; both commercially and technologically.
When we consider any emerging technology as a path-to or a part-of an innovation, we must also recognize that just because we can do a thing, it does not always follow that we should do that thing.
Even if blockchain may be the solution, there are a lot of steps businesses must take before investing in the technology: parties must agree on rules of engagement, permissions and user identity issues, then build consensus to secure the funding for an investment.
All this is to say that sometimes technology is the answer, but there's nothing innovative about using these technologies in an ineffective and inauthentic way. Instead of looking to business and news headlines for ideas of where or how to innovate, capital markets firms should instead look inside – and identify areas in their service offerings or in their own core technology that could be improved. Identify what could be better within a specific business or offering, and then work to design ways to solve for this problem.
Look for inspiration in small wins that may be happening in pockets in your own organization. Dan Heath called them 'Bright Spots.' There will be breakthroughs from other industries and disciplines that wouldn't normally hit your radar. How did those products come to be so seamless, so thoughtless? How could that be replicated in a way beneficial to my own business; to my own daily life?
That is the first step on a path to true innovation.


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Now it's a scientific fact that foster kids have a hard-knock life.
Children in the U.S. foster care system suffer significantly higher risks of emotional and physical health problems, the journal Pediatrics reported Monday, such as depression, asthma and obesity.
University of California, Irvine sociologists surveyed more than 900,000 children. They found those in foster care were seven times more likely to be depressed, five times more likely to be anxious, and six times more prone to behavior problems than other kids in the general population, including those in single-mother and economically disadvantaged families. Foster kids were also three times more likely to have attention deficit disorder.
"No previous research has considered how the mental and physical well-being of children who have spent time in foster care compares to that of children in the general population," said study co-author Kristin Turney, UCI associate professor of sociology, in the report.
And the suggested physical impact for the more than 400,000 kids in foster care was perhaps even more striking than the expected emotional fallout. Foster children were also three times more likely to have hearing and vision problems. They were twice as likely to develop asthma, become obese and experience speech problems or learning disabilities.
"Foster care children are in considerably worse health than other children," noted Turney. The report suggests this stems from any maltreatment they have endured, as well as risk factors such as poverty, parental drug and alcohol abuse and neighborhood disadvantage that likely led to their foster placement.
The report advises pediatricians to take note of this in treating children who have been in foster care, and calls for more research for this vulnerable group.
"This is typically a difficult-to-reach population, so having access to descriptive statistics on their living arrangements, physical well-being and behavior provided an excellent opportunity to help identify the health challenges they face," Turney wrote.


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The Story: Don't eat the fruit in the garden, Eden,, It wasn't in God's natural plan., You were only a rib,, And look at what you did,, To Adam, the father of Man.
The Story: You smell like goat, I'll see you in hell
The Story: All the b***h had said, all been washed in black
The Story: And my blunt is my ho now
The Story: At home, drawing pictures, Of mounds of tots, With ham on top
"Whatever She's Got" Funny Misheard Song Lyrics
by David Nail
Did you or a friend mishear a lyric from "Whatever She's Got" by David Nail? Click here and tell us!
Misheard "Whatever She's Got" LyricsThe Money River Bank, she's the first in
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Angry Birds Space Debuts [VIDEO]
HOLY COW! It's here and it's pretty darn cool. Are you already eaten up by the Angry Bird's bug? I've been playing it since I first got my Iphone and it's been tough to put it down since then. NOW, the Angry Birds Space OUT! All of your favorite Angry Birds are back with the debut of "ICE bird." Angry Birds will travel through dark holes and yes the pigs are in outer space too. Don't wait too long to grab your copy of Angry Birds Space. You'll never want to waste your time in another fashion, ever!. See what they have to say at the NASA Space Station about Angry Birds Space.


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I came to Iceland in 2018 and I've been working in the tourism industry ever since. I'm from Venezuela but beautiful and sunny Barcelona is where home is now. I'm a big fan of LesMills programs, strength, resistance and HIIT training. My reason for teaching basically consists on transmitting my passion for exercise through proper technique while focusing on the needs of each of the participants and the reason why they decided to come to class.
My motto is: 'Staying on track through small actions every day is the key to achieving great results that will last for a lifetime'.


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How to find us
by Car
Using the motorway, take the toll booth of Naples (Casello di Napoli), exit and follow the road sign to the Porto di Napoli (Port of Naples) and then take the street Via Americo Vespucci. At the end of the traffic lights you will find another road sign to Piazza Guglielmo Pepe, the hotel is at number 11.
Find 3 easy ways to park your car:
- Free parking with limited availability video surveillance.
- Parking on municipal blue stripes available with hourly payment in Guglielmo Pepe square.
- 24 hours private guarded garage. (we recommend to book in advance)
Distance from the Motorway Toll booth: 2 km
by Plane
From Napoli Capodichino airport take the Bus shuttle "Alibus" and you will be in Piazza Garibaldi in just 15 minutes. From there cross all Piazza Garibaldi and at the end turn right and go straight to the street Corso Garibaldi. At the end of the street you will arrive in Piazza Guglielmo Pepe, the building number of Hotel Diamond is 11.
If you prefer you can use from the Taxi Service from the airport, average cost €18,00
by Train
From the central train station of Naples Piazza Garibaldi the Hotel DIAMOND is just at only 1km away!
Easy to reach by walk; cross Piazza Garibaldi square and at the end cross and turn right, then continue through Corso Garibaldi street and at the end you will find the square "Piazza Guglielmo Pepe" the Hotel Diamond building number is 11.
Alternatively you can use the Circumvesuviana, the Central Train Station towards Stazione Terminale. After just only 1 stop, exit from Stazione Terminale and turn right. After about 50mt, you will find Piazza Guglielmo Pepe square and The Hotel DIAMOND at the building number 11.
If you want you can use a taxi, average cost € 8,00
by Ship
Dal Porto di Napoli " Molo Beverello", a piedi distanza di circa 2 km., girare a destra proseguire per via Cristoforo Colombo, poi proseguire per Via Nuova Marina, ai semafori girare a sinistra e dopo 20 metri sulla destra troverete Piazza Guglielmo Pepe al civico 11 l'Hotel Diamond.
From the port of Naples "Molo Beverello", the walking distance is around 2km; turn right and then continue for Cristoforo Colombo street and go to Via Nuova Marina. Once you arrived at the traffic light turn left and after 20 meters on the right you will find Piazza Guglielmo Pepe the Hotel Diamond is at the building number 11.
Mentre in tram scegliere il Nr. 1 che effettuerà lo stesso percorso.
If you choose the tram, use the line number 1, it does the same route.
You can alternatively use the taxi service from the port of Naples "Molo Beverello", at the average cost of € 10,00


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Silicon Valley USPTO Public Tour
November 2, 2018 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
The Silicon Valley USPTO hosts an informational public tour of its office located in the 3-story Wing building of the San Jose City Hall Complex. Participants tour the office and learn about the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office from USPTO representatives.
The event is free and open to the public. Please register by November 1, 2018.


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Created for: The Sims 4 Creator Terms of Use
- Recolor in 72 different colors
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CC used in my previews are listed in creator notes
Short URL: https://www.thesimsresource.com/downloads/1543126
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Revision: 2
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Still having problems? Contact me on any of my social media sites listed on my profile
Using my creations in your pictures? Tag me @Pinkycustomworld (Tumblr, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook) I'd love to see
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Galveston Transportation Services
We Have Just the Right Service for Your Ground Transportation Needs!
Galveston Transportation Services offers premium sedan service, SUV, Mercedes Sprinter van rentals, and shuttle bus rentals. All our vehicles are equipped with the latest features and amenities, and will get you to your destination with ease and comfort. Our fleet of well-maintained and thoroughly detailed vehicles represents the finest in Galveston, Houston, Lake Jackson, Freeport and surrounding areas.


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Event Bookings
Book one of our facilities or outdoor areas for your next sporting, community, private, corporate or special event.
Indoor Facility & Room Rentals
Similkameen – Keremeos
Similkameen Recreation Centre
This facility offers year-round opportunities for recreational activity and sports. Indoor facilities available for rentals include:
- Bowling Alley: 5-pin bowling lanes with digital scoring
- Fitness Room
- Indoor Climbing Wall
Zen/Fitness Centre
This fitness space provides a pleasant and relaxed environment for a variety of programs. It is well equipped and caters to persons of all ages and fitness levels.
1134 Cedar Street, Okanagan Falls
Ph: 250-497-8188
Kaleden Community Hall
Available for rental for birthday parties, wedding receptions, family reunions, sports programs and many more. It can accommodate up to 200 people. There is a commercial kitchen as well for vendors who need a licenced kitchen for food sales.
The hall is a self-managed facility, meaning you provide your own set-up and take-down for events. Tables and chairs, dishes a sound system and other resources are provided.
- Commercial Kitchen
- Entire Facility (Max occupancy: 200)
- Hall with Kitchen (Max occupancy: 200)
- Hall with Bar (Max occupancy: 200)
- Hall Only (Max occupancy: 200)
- Kitchen
- Stage
320 Lakehill Road, Kaleden
Ph: 250-497-5900
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Okanagan Falls
Okanagan Falls Zen/Fitness Centre
This fitness space provides a pleasant and relaxed environment for a variety of programs. It's well equipped and caters to persons of all ages and fitness levels.
- Zen & Fitness Centre (Max occupancy: 25)
1134 Cedar Street, Okanagan Falls
Ph: 250-497-8188
Kenyon House
On the shores of Skaha Lake in Kenyon Park, Okanagan Falls, this versatile building is open from April through October and is a wonderful home base for parties in the park.
It includes room for a sit-down meal for about 20 people or more 'buffet style' for the whole extended family. Complete with a stove, refrigerator, tables and chairs. Ideal for family gatherings, meetings, or other celebrations. Kids will love the location, with a new playground, spray park and shallow water beaches.
Okanagan Falls Community Centre
The elementary school doubles as a community centre on weekends and evenings, and is a great venue for all sorts of occasions. Birthdays in the gym are always a crowd pleaser. The multi-purpose room seats 50 and is ideal for parties or more formal meetings.
- Activity Room (Max occupancy: 40)
- Commercial Kitchen (Max occupancy: 5)
- Entire Facility (Max occupancy: 300)
- Gymnasium (Max occupancy: 50)
1141 Cedar Street, Okanagan Falls
Ph: 250-497-8188
Parks & Outdoor Spaces
The RDOS is home to numerous locations that are suitable for weddings, parties, gatherings, sports tournaments, special events or community festivals.
Contact Us
Rental Bookings
101 Martin Street. Penticton, BC
Email: email@example.com
Phone: 250.497.8188


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About Me
Hi everyone!
I'm Casey, the Travelorian, mother of two spicy daughters and wife to the most supportive and loving husband. Professionally I am a travel agent, conservationist, former zookeeper, landscaper, floral designer, photographer, artist and Disney enthusiast. I consider myself a professional DIY-er in home renovations, crafting, decorating, cooking, baking, and taste testing.
My husband and I run a turtle and tortoise conservation facility, and with that, I run the Terrapin Conservation Initiative, which is a project to save the native Northern Diamondback Terrapin in its natural habitat.
I worked on and helped design a Fantasia themed topiary display for the Disney themed Philadelphia Flower show when i worked as a floral designer for 4 years.
I was also a professional photographer while in college. I specialized in portraits, weddings, and newborn photoshoots. I also was able to work in a dark room (do people still do that?) and use black and white film which was my absolute favorite.
I am a travel agent with Destination Magic, where we specialize in Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Universal Studios, Cruises, Caribbean, Hawaii, Adventures By Disney, and more.
Disney has also been a very big part of my life and my inspiration. I have been traveling the the Walt Disney World Resort for 28 years and have stayed in almost every resort hotel and stayed off property as well. We frequent the Walt Disney World resort as often as humanly possible, and we cherish and obsess over all things Disney.
So I invite you to join me on my latest endeavors, soak up some of the magic and nostalgia in appreciating Disney for all its worth both at home and in the parks! In the words of Walt himself, "To all who come to this happy place, welcome."
-Casey, The Travelorian


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Faculty Notes
Olmstead Rides Again with Acclaimed Western Novel
Professor Robert Olmstead's newest novel, Savage Country, is earning reviews that are anything but savage. The professor of English and director of Ohio Wesleyan's creative writing program is drawing raves on the heels of his previous novel, Far Bright Star (Algonquin Books, 2010), which was named one of the top 10 Westerns of the decade by Booklist.
Savage Country (Algonquin Books, 2017) features Olmstead's first female protagonist, the widow Elizabeth Coughlin, seeking her independence in 19th-century America through a buffalo hunt in a desperate attempt to pay off her late husband's debts. The book is driven by historical themes of economic exploitation and industrialization and is set in a post-Civil War nation that is just beginning the process of Reconstruction.
The author tells Kirkus Reviews: "I was attempting to get back to some kind of 19th-century authorial distancing in the writing of the novel." He believes the work is his most somber since 2007's Coal Black Horse, and he drew from Kenneth Roberts' Northwest Passage, a book that inspired him as a writer when he was a child.
Olmstead wanted to deconstruct the mystery often surrounding Reconstruction in American history classes. "In my schooling," he tells Kirkus, "we studied the Civil War and then jumped to World War I, as if nothing happened of importance in between."
"So much of who Americans are came out of that crucible of those years between: We killed almost a million people over the notion that one class of human beings should not own another class of human beings."
A sample of praise for Savage Country:
- New York Times Book Review (October 2017) "Olmstead has a Dickensian sense of character… Such a quantity of characters can test any novelist — managing their proportions and appearances so they maintain their own identity and momentum while making room for everyone in the wings to reappear before fading from memory. Olmstead admirably navigates this challenge."
- Kirkus Reviews (July 2017) gave Olmstead a starred review, saying the novel is "equal parts adventure tale, biblical narrative, and Greek tragedy" and that "the reader closes the book with a sense of cautious optimism; some of us survive, as Olmstead explains, 'no matter how wounded.' "
- Amazon.com's book editors picked Savage Country as one of their "Best of the Month" choices for October.
- Booklist, the long-running book-review magazine of the American Literary Association, says (September 2017) in a starred review: "There is a tragic ambiguity at the heart of Olmstead's brutal but beautiful tale of the last buffalo hunt." It also compared him to other acclaimed authors of the Western genre, saying, "For a certain kind of uncompromising yet lyrical writer — think of Cormac McCarthy, Larry McMurtry, or William Kittredge — the West offers a stage for a special kind of archetypal, almost Shakespearean tragedy, and Olmstead makes the most of it."
- Bookish, a literary discovery site for book lovers and enthusiasts of all genres, featured Savage Country on its "Must-Read Books of Fall 2017," saying: "Do you dream about the West? Do you keep spurs in your closet and a lasso on the back of your door? If so, then Robert Olmstead's new novel is the ideal book to pick up this fall."
- NY Journal of Books, an online book-review journal composed of a panel of top academics, accomplished critics, award-winning journalists and authors, and established publishers (September 2017): "It is a textbook description of how the buffalo was hunted nearly to extinction but without the hand-wringing angst of many writers… a literary achievement that describes the West and those who struggled to survive in its harsh environment. It is not for fans seeking a romantic view of the West, nor for those wanting a tradition shoot-'em-up. Savage Country is for the serious reader."
By A.L. Davies '19


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One often overlooked part of estate planning is making plans for what will happen if you become incapable of making decisions, for whatever reason. Also known as incompetency planning, it may include the execution of a power of attorney–a document that names an agent who can sign checks, pay bills, and make other financial decisions on your behalf—and putting assets into a trust to shelter them from your incapacity.
Instead of a "regular" power of attorney, you'll likely prefer:
* Durable powers. Such documents remain in effect if you become incapacitated.
* Springing powers. These durable powers of attorney will go into effect only if one or more doctors state that you are incompetent or that you cannot perform some "activities of daily living," such as being able to get dressed and go to the bathroom.
Although some legal fees are involved in executing a power of attorney, those costs likely will be modest. A durable power of attorney must be notarized but there's no need to have it recorded anywhere. You get to choose the person you want to handle your affairs in case of incapacity. A springing power won't go into effect as long as you are competent.
However, you need to have absolute trust in the person you name as your agent. Generally, your oldest child living nearby will be the best choice. Some financial institutions won't accept your power of attorney because they require the use of their own forms. You should send a copy of your power to each of your banks, brokers, mutual funds, etc., to see if there will be any problem. Some companies won't recognize old powers. You should put an expiration date on the document and update it every year or two, in keeping with your current wishes.
Revocable trusts–that is, they can be cancelled–are popular for probate avoidance but they're also valuable for incompetency planning.
* You can act as trustee and thus retain control of the trust assets. A co-trustee can be named or a successor trustee can be designated to step in if you become incompetent, as certified by more than one doctor.
* In the event of your incompetence, the backup trustee can become the primary trustee without a public court battle or private family skirmishes.
* Some banks and investment firms that balk at accepting powers of attorney willingly deal with successor trustees.
* In the trust documents you can include extensive instructions as to how you'd like the assets to be handled in case of your incapacity and how you'd like them to be distributed after your death.
* Setting up a trust means working with a capable lawyer and paying substantial legal fees. Depending on the circumstances, costs will range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
* You have to retitle your assets from your own name to the name of the trust in order to get the benefits described above.
* Revocable trusts offer no tax advantages; if that's your goal you need to create an irrevocable trust, a more permanent and probably more expensive vehicle.


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Kim Kardashian West has always been the it-girl when it comes to everyones favorite designer, and last night the serial beauty mogul and mom of four stepped out to remind the people just the reason why. Yesterday evening, Kardashian West stepped out to attend the Night of the Stars Gala in New York City wearing a stunning body appreciating number. Kim radiated in a body-con, metallic, high waisted maxi skirt and one shoulder top the accentuating her famous curves like no other. The look was a custom Rick Owens moment head-to-toe, where Owens drew inspiration from himself with his recent Spring 2020 collection. The superstar complimented the talkative outfit with a clear and nude pair of classic Manolo Blahnik Scolto sandals.
The evening was filled with the likes of classic Supermodels, entertainers, Socialites, hubby Kanye West, and none other than Rick Owens himself. A coordinating set from Owens can very well be a go-to for the beauty as she wore a white, draping crop top and knotted maxi skirt to the 2018 CFDA Awards. She finished the look with her go to lengthy waves and light glam. Needless to say, Kim definitely brought the lights out for the night.


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June 7, 2017
Managing incidents in a DevOps environment is a near insurmountable task. With shared responsibilities and on-call rotations, anyone might be called into a system firefight at any time. Accepting failure and the problems created with complex system is a core tenet of DevOps thinking, and helping your team respond to incidents more effectively is key.
Matthew Boeckman has served on the frontlines of DevOps incident management for 19 years. He's seen it all and is an expert on building teams and workflows to support effective alerting, clear communication, and rapid recovery.
Join Matthew as he reviews essential practices for DevOps teams looking to optimize their incident management across the full incident lifecycle. Topics on the agenda include:
- Incident detection - developing a blended detection process
- Incident response - making alerts actionable, escalations, and automation
- Incident remediation - runbooks as living documents, change management, collaboration
- Incident analysis - what metrics to track, effective post-mortems
- Incident readiness - prioritizing efforts based on analysis
Webinar registrants will also receive a free copy of Matthew's recently released eBook, "The Dev and Ops Guide to Incident Management".
Matthew Boeckman
Technology Strategist, VictorOps
Matthew is an 18-year veteran building infrastructure and leading engineering teams. Despite his heavy Ops background, Matthew has been a longtime friend of Developers and considers DevOps his primary passion and focus. Most recently VP of Infrastructure at Craftsy, Matthew is now a Developer Advocate with VictorOps - providing focused consulting and content for teams looking to expand their DevOps practice.


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Plan to hire a chauffeured coach, bus or minibus with driver or do you need to plan airport transfers for a group in the region of Warwickshire ? Looking for chauffeured transportation groups in the surroundings of Warwickshire ? No costs to compare offers from bus and motor coach companies and travel agents that rent and organize buses with a chauffeur in the Warwickshire area in UK. No more calls!
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The county Warwickshire is located in the West of England in the West Midlands region. This county is adjacent to several counties such as Staffordshire, Leicestershire and Oxfordshire. Warwickshire has 505 860 inhabitants. Important places in this county are inter alia, Warwick, Studley, Southam and Coleshill. Start organizing your bus trip and get quotes for bus with driver rentals in Warwickshire via our form.
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Objectives The aim of this study was to develop a technique to measure regurgitant flow throughout the entire cardiac cycle that would more accurately measure aortic insufficiency (AI) severity in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs). Background AI is a common problem after CF-LVAD implantation. Current echocardiographic evaluation of AI does not take into account the unique flow properties present in patients with CF-LVADs. Methods In this prospective study, patients with LVADs who had varying degrees of AI (N = 20) underwent simultaneous right-sided heart catheterization (RHC) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Regurgitant fraction (RF) across the aortic valve was calculated by subtracting the cardiac output obtained using the Fick method from the total systemic flow measured using the sum of the product of the velocity time integral and the cross-sectional area of the LVAD outflow cannula and aortic valve, respectively. The RFs were then compared with the following: 1) traditional TTE grading parameters; and 2) new TTE parameters unique to LVAD physiology, namely the diastolic flow acceleration and the systolic-to-diastolic peak velocity (S/D) ratio of the LVAD outflow cannula. Results Patients without evidence of AI had an RF approaching zero (2.4 ± 4.6%). Patients with trace and mild AI had an RF of 31.0 ± 5.4%, whereas patients with moderate or severe AI had an RF of 45.8 ± 3.6%. RF correlated better with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) than with vena contracta (correlation coefficient [R] = 0.73 vs. 0.56). The new TTE parameters (S/D ratio and diastolic acceleration) highly correlated with RF (R = 0.91 and 0.94, respectively) and more strongly correlated with PCWP than did vena contracta (R = 0.82 and 0.65 vs. 0.56). Conclusions RF measured by simultaneous RHC and TTE better correlates with clinical filling pressures than do traditional TTE parameters and may identify significant AI that could be underestimated using conventional measures. Novel TTE parameters, unique to CF-LVAD physiology, better correlate with RF and filling pressures than do our current TTE measurements.
|Original language
|English (US)
|Pages (from-to)
|Number of pages
|JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging
|Issue number
|Published - 2016
- aortic insufficiency
- heart failure
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine


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FOWLER- Patricia Ann May, of Fowler Twp, OH passed away peacefully on Friday afternoon September 11th, 2020 in the comfort of her own home surrounded by family following a ten-month battle with cancer.
Pat was born in Sharon, PA on November 13, 1937 to Max and Bernadette (Kershner) Bartosh. She graduated from Brookfield High School in 1955 shortly thereafter married her sweetheart Dale F. May on November 22, 1958. Together over the course of forty-nine years they made their homes in Hubbard, Lake Milton, Ashtabula, and finally Fowler Twp. before Dales passing in 2007.
Along with being a devoted wife and mother, Patty had a variety of careers in data entry. Following her graduation, she began working for GM, then Packard Electric in their office before her retiring from Sharon Steel in 1992.
Mrs. May was a very active member of her beloved St. Thomas the Apostle Church where she was a member of the Ladies Guild and had held many positions within the group. She especially enjoyed traveling on the casino bus trips that were sponsored by the church. Pat belonged to the same card club for over sixty-five years and had also remained active in her high school alumni group where she continued many loving and caring relationships with friends from grade school even until today.
Patty enjoyed life and lived by the philosophy of the glass is always half full. She will always be remembered by the many friends that she made wherever she went.
She leaves behind her daughters Lynn Michalec and her husband James of Fowler, and Luanne Morris and her husband Scott of Naples, FL; five grandchildren Kristina (Richard) Michalec-Neral, David (Janina) Michalec, Cory (Mia) Morris, James (Jenya) Michalec, and Chad (Laura) Morris; six great-grandchildren with another one due at any time; her brother-in-law John Rich of Las Vegas, NV; along with her many beloved friends.
In addition to her husband Dale, she was preceded in death by her beloved sister Rita Rich.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by The Very Rev. Frank Zanni V.F. at 11:00AM on Saturday September 19th, 2020 in the St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Vienna, Ohio. Friend's may visit with the family one hour prior to the start of Mass.
Burial will take place at Dugan Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the professional care of the Dillon & Santucci Funeral Home 4471 Warren-Sharon Road in Vienna, Ohio 44473 (330) 856-0918.
In memory of Pat, contributions may be made to St. Thomas the Apostle Women's Guild.
Friends may visit www.dillon-santucci.com to sign the guestbook for Pat's family.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Patricia A. May, please visit our floral store.


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TGI Fridays partners with Pocky in launching Valentine's dessert cake
The red velvet cake is layered with cream cheese frosting and topped with red and white sprinkles, according to Ezaki Glico USA.
It is served in a bowl of strawberry fizz candy clusters and a scoop of vanilla ice cream, topped off with strawberry-flavored Pocky.
The dessert - which recently debuted on TGI Friday's menu for $7.99 - is already receiving "rave reviews" from social media, especially among couples making their holiday plans, claimed the company.
"We're big fans of Fridays and welcomed the opportunity for Pocky to be featured in this innovative, new dessert," said Akitoshi Oku, president of Ezaki Glico USA.
"Based on the social response from our fans and theirs, we're already experiencing the synergistic benefits."
He noted this is the first time the Japanese snack maker has collaborated with a major national restaurant chain since expanding to the US in 2003.
Ezaki Glico USA introduced Pocky in 1966, and its US sales has grown 180% year-over-year on average since 2012.


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Sam Airey - A Marker & A Map (CD EP)
Four track CD from Sam Airey
"I rate his songs a lot, they're deep and beautiful and sound effortless." Huw Stephens, BBC Radio One
"A voice that brings the world to a standstill...Bon Iver more when Justin was making music in a shack or Ryan Adams before he got sober and happy." Sean Adams, DrownedinSound
"A beautiful, effortless voice containing just a hint of huskiness, Sam Airey's music soothes and calms." Clash
Produced & mixed by whiskas (35BPC). Mastered by Tom Woodhead (Hippocratic Mastering). Artwork designed by Cameron Steward (Two Ducks Disco).


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Editor's note: David Loftus had written previously on The Stump about watering the garden he discovered in a parking strip on the west end of downtown Portland. Here's the rest of the story, which appears in Wednesday's print edition.
I had feared I would be too late.
The deadline on the "eviction notices" was Monday. Perhaps the owner would send out someone to tear up the plants at 2 a.m. But when I checked, about 8 a.m., everything looked undisturbed.
In the four years I had lived in the downtown neighborhood, the strip of landscape had been little more than a site for weeds, trash, and dog poop. Sometime in the last five weeks, however, I noticed that someone had planted an array of vegetable plants in it.
They grew, but they got yellow and sickly.
Since I had been laid off without warning on June 17, I had time on my hands. I got some buckets, borrowed a key to open the exterior spigots on my building, and began walking buckets of water about 80 yards across an intersection to the plot on the next block.
By the third day, someone had staked the tomatoes. Someone else had also left paper signs addressed to "Dear Enthusiast" which declared that "This area is not intended as a vegetable garden," and if they were not gone by Monday, "we will be forced to remove them."
"Forced"? For stealing valuable soil nutrients? For fear of a lawsuit from bad vegetables, or unauthorized profit from otherwise unused land? Indignant, I continued to water the plants.
On the fifth day I was contacted by one of the "perps." The vegetables had been planted by a PSU class. I requested an explanation of their intentions and goals, but did not hear back before the deadline.
By that time, I had hand-carried about 115 gallons of water to the site. Now a few green tomatoes, tiny jalapenos, some beans, a chili pepper, and a small but richly purpled eggplant were showing.
A young woman arrived promptly at 8:05 a.m. "I really don't want to do this," she said. "It's a damn shame."
At my request, she gave me a phone number for her employers. They turned out to be City Center Parking/Downtown Development Group. Her boss was not available to speak to me, however.
I found out from the Multnomah County tax rolls that taxes on the site are paid by First Church of Christ, Scientist. Presumably City Center manages the lot for the church.
Sure, I'm angry with the property owner. But I'm also angry at the college students who abandoned the plants like puppies, with no apparent strategy to witness their removal, let alone fight it.
I knew going in that my efforts would probably be wasted. It was what the existentialists call an "acte gratuite" -- a choice to act in the face of a foreordained doom.
To paraphrase Tertullian's line about faith, I acted because it was futile.
In a world full of powerful interests hoping to make us all into consumers and spectators, it's essential to act and speak.
Otherwise, you're not learning and growing; you're just opening your mouth for someone else's spoons.
David Loftus is a Portland actor and author who regularly reviews books for The Oregonian.


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School of Social Policy & Practice
The University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice, formerly Penn Social Work, is noted for its commitment to social justice and to educating students that will take an active role in the struggle against oppression. The School has articulated a social philosophy that shapes the educational programs it offers, the research it undertakes, and the leadership it provides to the profession. This statement of social philosophy – Penn Approach – is first and foremost an evolving philosophy. It reflects the faculty's commitment to introduce students to a variety of perspectives related to social work practice, nonprofit leadership, social policy, research, racism, and oppression, and the nature of human behavior in the social environment.
The Penn Approach to the education of future social workers includes at least two major perspectives:
- a clear understanding and respect for the past and a realistic interpretation of current professional issues;
- a vision of the future that reflects a commitment to social change based on the values and philosophy of the School.
The School offers a curriculum that integrates the development of practice skills with research, the study of specific social problems and social policies, theories and methods of social change, knowledge about human relationships, and individual and societal responses to institutional racism and other "-isms."
The University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice is educating tomorrow's leaders to confront societal problems in a time of diminishing resources, to provide leadership to non-profit organizations, to design and facilitate real-world solutions while fostering meaningful societal change. Students can also learn about the integration of innovative technology to enhance the delivery of social services, research on welfare to work initiatives, faith-based services, and other ground-breaking faculty research.
Learn more about SP2's leadership: https://www.sp2.upenn.edu/deans-message/
Learn more about SP2's history: https://www.sp2.upenn.edu/who-we-are/
The passionate pursuit of social innovation, impact, and justice.
The School of Social Policy & Practice contributes to the advancement of more effective, efficient, and humane human services through education, research, and civic engagement. In pursuit of this mission, our theory-based masters and doctoral programs in social work, social welfare, nonprofit leadership, and social policy encourage students to think and work across disciplinary lines and cultures as well as across national and international boundaries. The pursuit of social justice is at the heart of the School's knowledge-building activities. Our innovative educational and research programs reinforce our vision of active student engagement in their own learning as well as that of social agencies and larger social collectivities organized at the local, national, and international levels.
Diversity & Inclusion
Throughout its history, the School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) at the University of Pennsylvania has been committed to understanding and embracing diversity in its countless forms. With our Master of Social Work (MSW) program, the first program of its kind to organize its curriculum around the construct of institutional racism, two other expanding and ambitious masters programs (in Social Policy and Nonprofit Leadership) that organically complement and extend our MSW offering, and two exciting doctoral programs (a Doctorate in Clinical Social Work and a PhD in Social Welfare) that produce some of the most sought-after thought leaders in our fields, SP2's mission is to think critically, thoroughly, and holistically about the many factors that impact people's everyday lives and life chances.
As SP2 has evolved, so too has the understanding of diversity that grounds and enlivens its work. Our historic commitment to racial and economic justice has in recent years intersected in vital ways with emerging commitments individuals and communities marginalized along other axes of oppression. Individuals and organizations across SP2 have mobilized to create curricular, interpersonal, and structural space for the consideration of LGBTQ+ needs and experiences and the elevation of LGBTQ+ voices both within and beyond the School. This understanding and this commitment is about striving to consciously honor the complex and multifaceted experiences of self and community that shape our lives together.
SP2 strives to be a space of principled inclusivity, valuing differences of opinion and attempting to foster an institutional environment where we all think openly, honestly, reflectively, and deeply about the questions and concerns that both unite and divide us. For our faculty, students, and staff, diversity is a multifaceted and intersectional concept that includes careful treatment of questions about how differences linked to race, sexuality, gender identity, religion, ideology, mental illness, ethnicity, class, age, and so much more systematically privilege some and marginalize others. The issues that we grapple with—from homelessness and racism to prisoner re-entry and poverty, from responsible philanthropy and economic mobility to aging and child welfare—are some of the biggest in the academy and in society, and many seem intractable. But we also recognize that we have the best chance of doing justice to these social issues by embodying a truly diverse and inclusive space from which we can attempt to re-imagine our social world.
Promoting social justice and working against forces of oppression have been central to SP2's efforts since the founding of the MSW program over a century ago; they ground our work to this day, challenging us all—faculty and students, alumni, staff, and community—to grow together into new knowledge and to grapple with ever-evolving examples of injustice and inequity. Understanding, respecting, and celebrating diversity is essential to SP2's educational mission and values, and we are committed to helping students learn how to have difficult conversations, listening without pre-judgement, and addressing social problems from diverse perspectives. It is a commitment that we take seriously and one that we hope to nurture in our students as they become empowered to work for a more just, equitable, and compassionate world.
For more information: https://www.sp2.upenn.edu/inclusion/
Faculty & Research
The SP2 faculty upholds Penn's commitment to engage locally and globally. Internationally regarded for producing cutting-edge research, our distinguished scholars, practitioners, and policy advisors bring a broad range of real-world expertise and interdisciplinary focus to the classroom setting. The research of the SP2 faculty is transforming policy and shaping best-practices on international, federal, and local levels. The faculty's important research and activism stretch across the social sciences and the humanities in ways that link nuanced methodological inquiries and important research questions to attempts at real-world problem-solving.
SP2 faculty members are readily available to students. They are inspirational instructors and supportive mentors and advisors, helping students to approach problems in innovative and creative ways.
Faculty Areas of Eminence:
- Child welfare
- Criminal justice & mental illness
- Data analytics
- Domestic violence
- Faith-based social services
- Family violence
- Foster care
- Geographic information systems
- Gerontology
- Homelessness
- Mental health
- Nonprofits
- Philanthropy
- Prisoners' reentry
- Social entrepreneurship
- Social impact of the arts
- Social work in health care
- Substance use
- Welfare policy
- Welfare to work
Learn more about the faculty: https://www.sp2.upenn.edu/sp2-directory/?_departments=standing-faculty
Learn about research: https://www.sp2.upenn.edu/research-page/


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Tag: Apron Tutorial
TUTORIAL: RJR Fabrics 'In The Kitchen' Pieced Apron
Hello Friends! It's time to dive straight back into the swing of things and get cracking on a new sewing tutorial! And the first one of the New Year is a fun little Pieced Apron made using a new fabric range from RJR Fabrics called, 'In The Kitchen' by Patrick Lose! As soon as I saw […]


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Law firm LeClairRyan PLLC will convert its bankruptcy case to Chapter 7, with an independent trustee to take over liquidation proceedings.
The conversion, ordered by Judge Kevin R. Huennekens of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, won't be effective until Oct. 4. It's unusual to order a conversion for a later date, Huennekens said.
"This case was always destined for Chapter 7," Huennekens said at a hearing Sept. 26. "It's just a question of how it will be done and timing."
LeClairRyan, joined by its principal secured lender, asked the court for one more week to properly dispose of sensitive client information before the conversion. The trustee appointment happens automatically when the case is converted to Chapter 7, which is less costly than Chapter 11.
The lender, ABL Alliance LLP, agreed to let LeClairRyan continue to use its cash—on which ABL has a lien—until the conversion.
Huennekens said he was converting the case on the debtor's agreement with ABL and was not making a finding of "cause."
The U.S. Trustee, the Justice Department's bankruptcy branch, had asked the court immediately to convert for cause because it saw no prospect for reorganizing in Chapter 11.
"I'm convinced there's nothing improper going on by any of the parties," Huennekens said.
Since its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing on Sept. 3, LeClairRyan has closed its offices and is preserving clients' files and records in accordance with the lawyers' legal obligations, said Tyler Brown of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, which represents LeClairRyan.
Huennekens also said at the hearing he'd approve LeClairRyan's request to terminate its leases.
LeClairRyan's partners voted July 29 to wind down the firm, according to its website.
The case is In re: LeClairRyan PLLC, Bankr. E.D. Va., 19-34574, Response of LeClair Ryan to Motion to Convert 9/23/19.
To contact the reporter on this story:
To contact the editors responsible for this story:


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Archive for February 2020
"Those Who Remained"–movie review Leave a comment
"The Assistant"–movie review 1 comment
What do you see from your window? 1 comment
Beautiful day in the neighborhood! 1 comment
No one listens to Mother Nature!! 1 comment
It is the middle of February and we are in the 80s with loads of sun and most of the day not a cloud in the sky! We have broken record highs and yet people are still denying that the world is heating up and say 'that always happens'–sorry folks, it doesn't always happen. Look at what is going on in the world with storms bigger than ever, fires raging out of control, ice cliffs melting—don't let people tell you the climate isn't changing!
"Jose"–movie review Leave a comment
First February 2020 Collage! Leave a comment
Tacky? Probably! Practical? Definitely! :O) Leave a comment
Well, they have been hounding me (okay asked me once or twice) what I need/wish for as a gift on my birthday. Doing this mostly against my will (HUSH! Don't say a word!) I am offering 3 categories of gifts. Let's be clear NO ONE HAS TO GET/SEND ME A GIFT!! (Of course, if you have bad luck for 7 years after Saturday, February 29, 2020, don't look at me!) By the same token, how many Leap Year Babies do you know? Remember us poor Leap Year birthday people are ignored for 3 out of every 4 years–not that I want you to feel guilty.
Now that I am old–hey, 21 is OLD!–I want only things I can use in my everyday life and don't need 'clutter'. (Yes, eating out doesn't fit in that category of clutter by my definition!)
Okay, here we go!
Category 1
Not sensible but not impossible gifts
A convertible car–preferably a Chevy or Caddie from the 1970s BUT any kind will do–including a year of automobile insurance. (Well you wouldn't want me to drive around without insurance, would you?)
A round month-long trip to Australia and New Zealand with a rental car available in New Zealand so I could drive from the north island to the south island stopping where and when I want. I'll give you more details when you want to book the trip.
A round trip ticket to New York–plan(s) to follow when you start booking the 3-4 day trip.
Category 2
Sensible and possible (In no particular preference)
A point and shoot digital camera Top of the line electric razor
Category 3
Practical, Possible and Sensible (In no particular preference)
Gift cards (So I can buy what I need– not what I want!) for:
Target Office Depot Home Depot Winn-Dixie The Dollar Tree
The Gateway Movie Theatre Regal Theatre AMC Theatre
Quarterdeck Restaurant Cabo Blanco Restaurant Cafe Vico
Outback Steak House Big Louie's Restaurant Subways Restaurant
Uber Lyft
for locals: letting me borrow your car Monday and/or Tuesday and/or Wednesdays.
Winter–Movies–Life–Leap Year 1 comment
Just saying….:O) Leave a comment
Whether you get an evite or a formal printed invitation, it's considerate to tell the host as soon as you can whether you're coming.
No maybes. "I think the hardest thing for any host is a question mark on a guest list," Senning says. "I'm not a big fan of the 'maybe.'"
Hosts should ping nonresponders. "If you're hosting the party and haven't heard back from people, it's OK to do a follow-up and ask — without being accusatory — if they're coming."


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Nissan Releases Maxima 40th Anniversary Edition
Nissan will celebrate 40 years of its flagship sedan, the Maxima, with a special release. The Nissan Maxima 40th Anniversary Edition will be available on the top-tier 2021 Maxima Platinum trim and will deliver unique exterior and interior styling options.
The 40th Anniversary Edition package equips the 2021 Maxima with custom 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels in gloss black, but the paint job is the real head-turner. A Ruby Slate Gray Pearl paint job with a black contrast roof sets you apart from all other vehicles on the road and puts you in the top tier of Maxima owners.
Inside, you'll find leather seating in a deep red color, 40th Anniversary Edition badging throughout, and Satin Dark Chrome accents that contrast beautifully with the red upholstery. It also comes with a dual moonroof, so you can open up the cabin for a light, breezy drive.
The 2021 Maxima comes with a 300-horsepower V6 engine and goes from 0 to 60 in under six seconds. Not to mention, the Platinum trim comes with a wide range of luxury features even before adding the anniversary package, such as convenient rain-sensing windshield wipers and more.
The Nissan Maxima first debuted with the 1981 model year and has seen eight generations since. Despite the ebbing love for sedans in America, the Maxima's unique sport performance and styling have kept this iconic car going strong for four decades, and it shows no sign of slowing down.
Don't hesitate to reach out to us at Rothrock Motors to learn more about the stunning, celebratory Nissan Maxima 40th Anniversary Edition or to test drive a Nissan Maxima!


text: Yesterday, while some Chicagoans watched a midwest football team play in one of the wealthiest cities in the world—in another country, at that—others were sitting in jail cells for having marched in protest of rampant corporate corruption and financial inequality. The Huffington Post reports that 130 people were arrested late Saturday night/early Sunday morning, and they have a slide show of Occupy Chicago protesters being marched or dragged off by police, interspersed with photographs of plainclothes officers standing post. Here's hoping that all peaceful protesters are safe and have since been released.


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Josette Urso has participated in numerous artist residency programs including Loft Nota Bene in Cadaques, Spain (2010), Yaddo (2009), the Oberpfälzer Künstlerhaus in Germany (2008 and 1993), Stock 20 in Taiwan (2006), American Artists Abroad: AIEP in Cambodia (2004), Weir Farm Trust in CT (2003), The Ballinglen Arts Foundation in Ireland (2002 and 2000), Ucross Foundation in Wyoming (1995), The Camargo Foundation in France (1991), Millay Colony in NY (1990), VCCA in VA (1990) and The Atlantic Center for the Arts in FL (1985).
Josette is also the recipient of fellowships including two grants from The Pollock-Krasner Foundation (2008 and 1997). She has received The Basil H. Alkazzi Painting Award (2000), a Mid-Atlantic NEA (1994), grants from Art Matters, Inc. (1988) and The Ruth Chenven Foundation (1988) as well as an Individual Artist Fellowship from the Florida State Arts Council (1986). She participated in the Bronx Museum's A.I.M. Program (1988).
She has taught collage and painting courses at Cooper Union in New York City, Art New England at Bennington College in Vermont, the Chautauqua School of Art in upstate New York and at other venues including most recently as a Visiting Artist at University of Virginia in Charlottesville (2010), Montclair State University in NJ (2008), Savannah College of Art and Design in GA (2007) and the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Canada (2007). In 2007, she also participated on a collage panel at the College Art Association conference in Dallas, Texas.
Josette's paintings and collages are part of numerous public collections and have been exhibited in over 40 one-person exhibitions and in more than 200 group shows around the world. In New York City, she has shown at the Drawing Center, DFN Gallery, Julie Saul Gallery, Lyonswier Gallery, Metaphor Contemporary Art, Storefront, Norte Maar, Kerrigan Campbell art+projects, and Sears-Peyton Gallery and in Chicago, at the Gescheidle Gallery.
She received her MFA/Painting and BFA/Drawing from the University of South Florida and currently works in New York City.