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SWK 321 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
Perspectives on human development and behavior in diverse contexts, including: culture, oppression, poverty, gender, ethnicity, physical and social settings. Implications for social work practice and policies. Young Adulthood Through Death. Course requires a 25-hour service-learning project.
Credit Hours: 3
Corequisite Courses: SWK 396 and SWK 443
Prerequisite Courses: SWK 320
Additional Restrictions/Requirements: Restricted to BSW majors main campus and/or extension site.
University Studies: Building Competencies/Information Literacy
Course Repeatablility: Course may not be repeated. Maximum Repeatable Hours: 3
Click here for the Fall 2023 Class Schedule. | <urn:uuid:4bb1c0a8-fa7e-4d44-be5b-b72a2e8f408e> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://catalogue.uncw.edu/preview_course_nopop.php?catoid=56&coid=197771 | 2023-09-27T12:52:00Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.813311 | 161 |
Title : Implementation of spinels types of NiAl2O4, CoAl2O4 and Ni-Co2O4 as emerging nanoparticles catalysts for upgrading of extra heavy oil including hydrogen production under supercritical water conditions
Spinel types of catalysts were successfully synthesized, and employed in this work in order to consider theirs performance in upgrading process extra heavy oil from Taha oilfield (China) to produce light oil and mainly for gases production (methane and hydrogen). The results of XRD patterns and SEM of the synthesized catalysts showed that the following spinel types of CoAl2O4 (2); NiAl2O4(3); and Ni-Co2O4 (4) were obtained with an average particle size around 45.43 nm and 47.89 nm and 59.13 nm respectively. SEM reveals that total content of the Ni and Co in the each catalysts is 9.29%, 4.68% in the NiAl2O4(3) and CoAl2O4 (2); and of alloys Ni-Co (7.41 and 6.09%) respectively. The results of the products distribution of the upgraded oil in the supercritical water (SCW) as reactional medium shows a yield of 58.83 % of oil and with higher yield of coke of 33.64 %. However, using types of catalysts CoAl2O4 and NiAl2O4, the upgraded oil yields reach 63.34% and 61.07%, respectively.
Therefore, use of alloys of metals (Ni and Co) in form of spinel Ni-Co2O4, allowed obtain the higher yield of 67.26 % of upgraded oil with small yield of coke of 22%. The higher yields of gases of 13.00% are obtained in using catalyst of NiAl2O4. The viscosity of crude oil of 230000 Pa*s at 60 oC decreased to the lower value of 54.8 mPa*s at 25 oC using Ni-Co2O4 and the asphaltenes also decreased in this same sample from 39.04 % to 1.79%. Additionally, 8.07 mol.% of hydrogen and 43.61 mol.% of methane were obtained in the gaseous product, using alloys of Ni-Co2O4 catalyst. Therefore, the alloys of Ni-Co2O4 catalyst with high synergetic performances demonstrate its possible use in the hydrogen and methane production on the industrial scale. | <urn:uuid:3d4d9f2a-df3f-49f3-826d-f7c64fe36213> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://catalysis-conferences.magnusgroup.org/program/scientific-program/2021/implementation-of-spinels-types-of-nial2o4-coal2o4-and-ni-co2o4-as-emerging-nanoparticles-catalysts-for-upgrading-of-extra-heavy-oil-including-hydrogen-production-under-supercritical-water-conditions | 2023-09-27T11:31:24Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.947771 | 523 |
In September, 2017, Hitachi launched its newest business, Hitachi Vantara, at its Las Vegas NEXT conference, capping a whirlwind buildup that started with the company’s inception just five months earlier. Driving anticipation throughout, Vantara, which harnessed existing capabilities to provide data-driven solutions, debuted with relative fanfare for a tech company, complete with robust press coverage and parties for Hitachi employees around the world. Communications, led by CCO Mary Ann Gallo, was at the heart at the initiative, playing an integral role at touch points from coining a brand of value and naming it accordingly to getting buy-in from individuals inside and outside century-old Hitachi. Gallo spoke with the Holmes Report about what went into making it a success.
Tell us about the name, Hitachi Vantara.
Naming a company is not an easy proposition and it was something that we wanted to do differently. Within Hitachi we have a very straight forward descriptive naming. But with this new company we wanted to paint a very interesting future that would not be limited by who we are today, but have room for growth. We wanted to take a leap and take a new name that didn’t have any associated meaning to it, a name we would create over time.
We worked on a name with (the naming agency) Catchword. We also wanted people to know that while we were creating something new, our offerings…social innovation, data-driven solutions, virtualization technology…were going to come with us and be a key part of our strategy. Advantage was another element, that everything we do at Hitachi Vantara is rooted in customer value. Vantara is having a vantage point, having insights into data. | <urn:uuid:384d4733-b3ca-4b03-8e53-c80efeebc715> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://catchwordbranding.com/news/interview-hitachi-vantaras-cco-launching-new-data-brand-scratch/ | 2023-09-27T11:14:25Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.966363 | 361 |
Kayden Soucy from Ben Steele Middle School Wins Jr. Genius
Johnny V.'s Junior Geniuses are students who work hard in school, who are kind to their fellow students, and who respect and make an impact in their community.
This week I'm honored to recognize Kayden Soucy, 8th grade at Ben Steele Middle School, for demonstrating all the characteristics of a Junior Genius.
She just loves helping out kids. Every other day Kayden is helping out the independent living kids at her school. This is her favorite thing of the entire school day. She comes home every day talking about how great of the day she had, just saying hi and talking to the kids. -David Soucy, Kayden's Dad
When she's not spending time with friends, Kayden enjoys choir, and has been participating in gymnastics for many years. This year she will compete with Billings Gymnastics School level 6 competitive team.
During a recent visit to Cat Country 102.9, Kayden (13) brought a couple friends from her 8th grade class. One couldn't stop bragging on her. "She sacrifices her time and instead of hanging out with her friends at lunch, she will go and help those who need it," said Riley Switzer.
Kayden is the oldest daughter of David and Melissa Soucy. Her sister Reagan (12) also attends Ben Steele, with Kinsley (9) at Boulder Elementary.
LISTEN to Kayden and her friends sing, and talk about how much she cares about other people:
Kayden will receive the official Junior Genius Award, T-Shirt, Gift Certificates from Taco John's, and she'll get to bring friends to our end of school year pool party at The Reef.
Tune in on Monday morning (12/16) when we recognize the next Johnny V.'s Junior Genius. | <urn:uuid:eaddda9a-9ee3-4f6d-b132-1b22ac2b0a1e> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://catcountry1029.com/kayden-soucy-from-ben-steele-middle-school-wins-jr-genius/ | 2023-09-27T11:56:52Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.967914 | 384 |
Join us for our sixth episode of CEDA Sparks, which will take place via zoom on Friday, October 20th at 9:15am. For this webinar, we are thrilled to welcome Carolyn Baker-Scott, Senior International Trade Manager from Empire State Development, Global NY. This presentation is designed to provide valuable information to help your business thrive on a global scale. Learn about the assistance and resources available from Global NY including tips and strategies for identifying and entering new international markets along with success stories from Central NY businesses that have leveraged the resources through Global NY.
At the end of the presentation, we will open up the virtual floor for questions related to this topic but also any questions you may have for one of our team specialists. Remember, all questions are encouraged! Please mark your calendars and join us. Thank you in advance for sharing our CEDA Sparks series with your network!
Register for this event by completing the form below.
Note: You will receive the zoom link after you click submit and register for the event. A reminder e-mail will also come to all who have registered on the date prior to the event. For any questions, please contact Lauren LaGreca [email protected] | <urn:uuid:68cc801b-6635-4537-9099-e8599f1ac3c8> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cayugaeda.org/events/ceda-sparks-episode-6-navigating-global-markets-with-global-ny/ | 2023-09-27T11:39:21Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.925698 | 253 |
When know-how meets health! How digital health monitoring has revolutionised our lives?
The world of train and health monitoring has drastically modified lately. Pen-and-paper monitoring is a factor of the previous; instead, a dynamic world of technological breakthroughs has revolutionised how we observe and meet our health targets. In the present day, new health traits have modified how we monitor our health success on-line and work out. Let’s discover how!
Evolution of Health Monitoring Apps and Wearables
The event of wearable know-how and fitness-tracking software program has profoundly modified the health enterprise. The best way we consider our workouts, preserve observe of our well being, and set objectives has been dramatically reworked by technological developments.
Individuals could simply preserve observe of their walks, runs, rides on bikes, and different actions with just a few clicks on a smartphone or glances at a wristwatch. Together with real-time info like tempo, distance, and coronary heart fee, these wearables and purposes additionally supply individualised insights and options for enchancment.
Main companies like Fitbit and Apple have been on the entrance of this transformation, constantly enhancing their items and companies to fulfill the altering calls for of health fanatics. Customers could change from stationary actions to linked health monitoring simply because of user-friendly UI and easy system connection.
Impression of On-line Communities
On-line networks have change into a potent instrument for uplifting and bringing collectively health fans globally, along with private monitoring. There are actually on-line health teams the place folks could work together, supply encouragement to 1 one other, and take part in challenges.
These on-line communities, supported by social networking websites, fitness-related purposes, and dialogue boards, promote accountability and togetherness. By celebrating their very own accomplishments and being impressed by others’ successes, members are urged to proceed exercising constantly and exceed their bodily limits. Even individuals who used to sit down idly on the sofa now discover motivation and inspiration to begin their very own health adventures.
Digital Health Courses and Participating Challenges
The COVID-19 pandemic’s emergence has elevated curiosity in on-line health competitions and programmes. Individuals turned to web platforms to proceed their coaching routines as a result of conventional gyms have been closed and there weren’t many outdoors actions accessible. Health corporations rapidly responded by creating on-line challenges and programmes that prospects may attend from the comfort of their properties.
Past giving folks a safe different in unsure instances, this digital train technique democratised entry to top-notch exercises. A worldwide community of like-minded health lovers was created by participation in the identical challenges or lessons with folks from varied time zones and locations.
Gamification and Significant Rewards
A number of apps and companies have mastered the ability of gamification so as to add pleasure and enjoyable to health monitoring. Customers are impressed to realize milestones, overcome obstacles, and obtain prizes by including game-like facets to health purposes and wearables. These rewards could take the type of digital badges, accomplishments, and even actual reductions on exercise tools.
Gamification motivates folks to transcend their consolation zones and at all times try for higher by together with enjoyable and pleasant competitors. It’s extra possible that folks would stick to their health regimens over time if exercise monitoring is made enjoyable of.
Our angle in direction of bodily train and well-being has been revolutionised by a easy change from couch-bound to networked health monitoring together with a number of different trade traits. Wearables, on-line networks and digital programs have made it simpler than ever earlier than for folks to take management of their health journeys.
Whether or not you are a seasoned athlete or a newbie desirous to get began, these know-how developments supply the instruments and help crucial to attain your health objectives. So why keep on the sofa when you can begin residing a greater, extra energetic way of life by being part of the worldwide health group? Settle for know-how now and watch how your coaching routine adjustments!
(With inputs by Chandan Khanna, Co-Founding father of HDOR)
really helpful tales
really helpful tales
You may now write for wionews.com and be part of the group. Share your tales and opinions with us right here. | <urn:uuid:a3a97189-14e4-4252-bc57-5803c9fd4edb> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cbdoilsurewin.com/when-know-how-meets-health-how-digital-health-monitoring-has-revolutionised-our-lives.html | 2023-09-27T12:50:38Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.95041 | 889 |
For the public
The Center for Biology and Society is committed to making science accessible to the public. We accomplish this through a variety of digital projects that use methods from history and philosophy to contextualize the scientific process.
AAAS and Center for Biology and Society
Barrett, The Honors College and the Center for Biology and Society are teaming up to offer mentorship and travel funding awards to attend the AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Annual Meeting for students across all science and social science disciplines. Each year, students travel to present research posters and attend exciting meetings.
The Embryo Project Encyclopedia
The Embryo Project Encyclopedia (EPE) is an online, Open Access encyclopedia that reveals how scientists think by showing readers the history of embryology, developmental biology, and reproductive medicine. The EPE publishes articles, photographs, graphics, and exhibits, and is aimed at those who have between a ninth grade and undergraduate education.
Embryo Tales are based on articles that are a part of the Embryo Project, which is an encyclopedia on all things embryology and reproduction. In these Embryo Tales, you may find stories on tissue development, menstruation, sex chromosomes, what it means to be intersex, the history of reproductive biology, and much, much more.
The MBL History Project
The MBL History Project seeks to bring to public attention the rich history of the Marine Biological Laboratory, located in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. The MBL has been home to many award-winning scientists, and this innovative project documents that history for the public by digitizing the MBL's archives, creating digital exhibits that put the science of the institution into context for a large audience to enjoy. | <urn:uuid:736761e2-9142-402b-a7cd-5e667bc1f0e9> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cbs.asu.edu/outreach | 2023-09-27T11:02:06Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.921029 | 364 |
First use checks, the daily walk around and examination process required of all PCV drivers, are a very important requirement and yet many drivers fail to interpret the significance of being diligent in this area.
HCT Group, which employs driving staff from across a wide spectrum of the population, said it had found the wording of guidance on daily checks to be confusing to many of its staff and so it has created a booklet written in easy to understand language complete with photographs which give a clear visual indication of what is required. Since its adoption, the rate of compliance has increased substantially.
Communications Director Frank Villeneuve-Smith said: “Daily checks were not always easy to understand, particularly for some drivers who’s first language might not be English who struggled with the interpretation. We produced this ‘First Use Checks’ manual with a picture for every check and it really gets the message over. Compliance with the requirements has seen a terrific boost.
“We feel this is a very important development and we consider safety is too important not to share – so we are offering the manual free to other operators who would like it. It is available under licence – so all they need to do is email us at [email protected] and we will send them a PDF file on which they can place their own logo on and then print as many as they require.
“Simplifying the procedures to this level has allowed managers to have proper conversations over First Use Checks with staff who now fully appreciate what they are required to do. | <urn:uuid:c5524681-c09d-43cc-962a-0f1fd39203f8> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cbwmagazine.com/hct-offers-safety-for-all/ | 2023-09-27T11:42:59Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.975678 | 311 |
In 2018, President Xi cautioned that if “mankind conquers nature with science and creativity, nature will take revenge on mankind.” In 2020, COVID-19 reflected the extent of nature’s revenge on human and economic health. Plans for the ‘2020 super-year’ of climate ambition and nature protection have like all else been postponed. The structural aftershocks of COVID-19 are very likely to endure throughout the entire period of the 14th Five Year Plan.
This Note argues that the direction of the economic recovery should not point backwards to previously rigid economic models characterized by unsustainability, inequality and inequity, but rather forwards, towards high-quality, green development, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), de-carbonization pathways, and an Ecological Civilization construction. The 14th Five Year Plan represents a critical roadmap to enhance sustainable development, green innovation, green technology within China, and advance renewed or new forms of international cooperation.Document Type: Issues Papers Year: 2020 Phase: Phase VI (2017-2022)
CCICED Issues Paper 2020 | Recovering ForwardVIEW IN English | <urn:uuid:90a2e8c3-11a2-48bb-a43c-fa3cbf9d63d5> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cciced.eco/research/council-document/cciced-issues-paper-2020-recovering-forward/ | 2023-09-27T11:25:59Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.894409 | 231 |
CCI Construction INC is a Full-Service General Contractor in the Bay Area!
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With high expectations, our team will review all details of the installation process, including but not limited to, job site safety protection of homeowner’s and their property.
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CCI Construction Inc. takes pride in providing exceptional customer service. With our mobile showroom, we take the stress out by bring the window, door, kitchen, bathroom and HVAC experience to you! No need to call multiple companies and deal with multiple contractors. We do it all.
Let us take the work and stress out of your home improvement project. Call us today to book your free in-home mobile showroom appointment | <urn:uuid:f0f60e52-1135-4d89-9e8b-1014dad72649> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cciconstructionsj.com/ | 2023-09-27T12:44:18Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.817061 | 428 |
Watch your cash flow – advice from a champion
Managing cash flow is one of the biggest issues a business can face. But remember, you’re not alone – even the best in business today admit to struggling with cash flow in the early days.
Business magnate and investor Richard Branson, who founded the Virgin group in the 1970s, advises to “never take your eyes off the cash flow because it’s the life blood of business”.
Jack Welch, chairman of General Electrics from 1981-2001 who expanded the company’s market value from $14 billion to $410b, once said: “If I had to run a company on three measures, those measures would be customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, and cash flow.”
The philosophy is as relevant today as it was then.
Australian businesswoman and founder of Boost Juice and Retail Zoo Janine Allis says success is really quite simple when it comes to watching your money.
“More money has to come in than what is going out and that is all you really need to know in business,” she says
“Nothing actually matters other than what you physically have in the bank account, what bills you’ve got coming and making sure you can afford them.”
“You can try and make it more complicated than that, but it actually isn’t.
“Yep, you need to understand what goes on the balance sheet later and what’s an expense and what goes in the profit and loss but that won’t make your business successful. Having more money in than going out, in the simplest terms, is what successful businesses do.”
So how often should you actually check your cash flow? Is it hourly, daily, weekly or once a year?
Well it depends on your business, says Allis, and what stage of the business you are at.
“For example, if you’re in selling houses or cars, then maybe not watch it daily because nothing will be happening,” she says.
“If your business has say e-business then you might need to be looking at it hourly because you need to understand your customers – when they come in, when they purchase, what they are purchasing, so you understand their habits.
“If you’re in retail then maybe it is daily. Is there a time when they purchase? Is that one of the purchasing habits?
“Different businesses need to monitor the cash flow differently, but what you do need to do on a monthly basis without fail is do a bank reconciliation to make sure what you think is in the bank is in the bank and so that is probably the most important thing you need to do.”
Allis says with the benefit of hindsight, she can now be adamant that you check your cash flow and bank balance regularly.
“Most of the best lessons are things that you have done wrong,” she recalls.
“I remember doing a bank rec and not even knowing I should do a bank rec until someone told me I should do it and then realised I had to go through about six months’ worth of bank rec, which took me about five days.
“It was a nightmare finding where that payment was, what was missing. I found out there were double payments. I found out people hadn’t paid me when they should have or when they told me they had.
“From then on it monthly as a small business, but as a big business it should be daily.” | <urn:uuid:af1366f7-20c8-46b8-a8e6-850c178f60f2> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cciwa.com/business-toolbox/growth/watch-your-cash-flow-advice-from-a-champion/ | 2023-09-27T12:27:05Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.97632 | 745 |
American assessment practices proved to be inadequate for U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan. The type of conflict in which America and its allies would eventually find themselvesengaged did not necessarily fit neatly within any of the primary civilian and military mission sets. U.S. military assessment practices are largely meant to support a traditional conventional war paradigm in which Joint Force combat overmatch and the defeat of a state adversary’s military forces has been increasingly treated as the definitive factor in achieving victory. The assessment practices at U.S. civilian agencies, in particular the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), generally are designed to measure success in activities, projects, and programming associated with their traditional missions such as development, diplomacy, democracy promotion, human rights, and disaster relief.
As early as 2009, senior U.S. officials—civilian and military alike—recognized an urgent need for a significant change to U.S. assessment practices in Afghanistan. This article analyzes the 2009–11 period when American personnel worked to apply new assessment practices that were meant to be more suitable for the requirements of Afghanistan operations. Even though these new practices directly targeted the main aspects of the identified assessment gap, institutional deficiencies within U.S. Government (USG) organizations ensured that requirements for assessments in Afghanistan remained unmet. Even perfectly designed approaches and frameworks for assessment will continue to fall short in future operations if these institutional deficiencies are left unaddressed.
Assessments in war serve two primary purposes: to measure progress and to inform adaptation. In so doing, they enable decisionmakers to make decisions that increase the likelihood of achieving U.S. objectives.1 The associated planning, direction, collection, monitoring, and evaluation activities that make up assessments must measure performance, outcomes, and the status of the operational environment in relation to mission goals.2 Assessment activities are continuous, but assessments themselves are a snapshot in time and ideally represent the highest quality analysis given all of the available information collected, processed, and analyzed to date.3
A requirement for new assessment approaches in Afghanistan followed a shift in strategy led by General Stanley McChrystal who expressed an urgent need for a significant change to the U.S-led strategy and the way the force thinks and operates. In his 2009 review of the Operation Enduring Freedom campaign he wrote:
Success is achievable, but it will not be attained simply by trying harder or “doubling down” on the previous strategy. Additional resources are required, but focusing on force or resource requirements misses the point entirely…We must conduct classic counterinsurgency operations in an environment that is uniquely complex…Our strategy cannot be focused on seizing terrain or destroying insurgent forces; our objective must be the population…In the struggle to gain the support of the people, every action we take must enable this effort. The population also represents a powerful actor that can and must be leveraged in this complex system. Gaining their support will require a better understanding of the people’s choices and needs.4
Civilian and military leaders recognized that the shift to a counterinsurgency and stabilization approach in Afghanistan required changes to how the USG assessed its operations. For instance, in his guidance to U.S. civilian personnel in Afghanistan in August 2010, Ambassador Karl Eikenberry wrote: “Assess the impact of our efforts…Always emphasize effects, not just inputs and outputs.”5 In 2011, USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah also recognized the need to adapt assessment approaches:
While stability is a necessary precursor for our long-term development goals, stabilization programming often has different objectives, beneficiaries, modalities, and measurement tools than long-term development programming. Our training, planning, metrics, labeling, and communications efforts, among others, must reflect both the differences and the linkages.6
The USAID Stabilization Unit in Kabul appears to have taken Shah’s guidance to heart by 2012, when it stated that “monitoring, evaluating and assessing the impact of stabilization programs in a counterinsurgency context requires a mixture of creative, flexible, pragmatic, and contextual thought that extends beyond traditional monitoring and evaluation practices in terms of scope, approach, and methodology.”7
Reflecting on the missions in Iraq and Afghanistan then Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey in a January 2015 interview at the National Defense University implied that perhaps one of the main requirements for assessments in counterinsurgency is the need to more thoroughly account for societal factors in the operational environment. He explained that in applying the military instrument against state actors, the military differentiates itself by “size and technology.” He contrasted this with operations in Iraq and Afghanistan:
…We were fighting an insurgency on behalf of Iraq and an insurgency on behalf of Afghanistan, simultaneously trying to restore their abilities to govern. In that kind of conflict, the use of military [forces] against nonstate actors, I think size and technology matter, but what matters more is the rate at which we innovate…The rate of innovation becomes a better predictor of success than the force management level, for example. Size matters, but the rate at which we can innovate, adapt, and respond to changes in the environment matters more…You have to understand the factors that would cause you to need to innovate, and they largely reside in societal factors.”8
If societal factors were more important to understand in such conflicts, then assessment practices would have to account for those factors as well as more traditional metrics.
The Assessment Gap
The shifting nature of assessment requirements for counterinsurgency and stabilization operations in Afghanistan highlighted a gap in U.S. capabilities—assessments failed to account for the many nuances, in time and space, of the complex counterinsurgency environment.9 Specifically, they did not account for relevant aspects of the operational environment; neglected to facilitate a common operating picture among U.S. and allied organizations; overlooked what mattered for the campaign at hand; failed to provide useful information for measuring progress toward mission objectives; and did not inform the identification of opportunities for adaptation. Several mutually reinforcing deficiencies contributed to this.
Requests for Information (RFIs) Overwhelmed Field Personnel
The massive numbers of information requirements, many of which were irrelevant to the mission at hand, took a toll on field personnel—operators and analysts alike—who were already busy completing tasks associated with counterinsurgency and stabilization in the field. These personnel often became overwhelmed with RFIs from higher headquarters, which led to poor information and analysis for the sake of speed. In many cases, personnel made up results to “satisfy the beast.” And, in some cases, the requirements simply were never met.10
Organizations Employed Unique Methodologies
Organizations often employed their own unique methodologies based on different conceptualizations of progress, often simultaneously, in the same area. Assessment approaches varied significantly with each International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) commander and among different organizations such as Congress and the National Security Council.11 This led to great confusion and it taxed limited analytic resources, which hurt assessment quality.12
Assessments Often Took a Centralized, Top–Down Approach
It was not uncommon for national-level metrics to be mistakenly assumed as relevant for the entire country, at detriment to area-specific nuances.13 The USAID Stabilization Unit in Kabul concluded in 2012 that, “While past efforts to provide quantified and scientifically rigorous measures of stabilization impact have met with some success, a more data-rich and geographically detailed approach is necessary to systematize our understanding of stabilization in the context of Afghanistan.”14
Operationally Relevant Factors Were Overlooked
Security metrics such as troops trained, numbers of significant activities (SIGACTs), and numbers of improvised explosive device (IED) incidents are examples of the kind of blanket metrics that were commonly collected across the country. For development, roads built, children educated, and the number of people provided healthcare were often measured. On the governance side, government posts filled, government officials trained, and the number of people who voted in an election were all considered acceptable metrics. Although all three sets of metrics hypothetically could prove useful, their relevance and significance is not uniform across the operational environment. For instance, what if SIGACTs and IED numbers went down because insurgents had moved out of a given area on their own accord or U.S. forces had shifted their patrolling to areas where militants were not present? Without context, the drop in numbers of SIGACTSs and IED incidents could lead to false conclusions about security progress, and result in the misallocation of resources and manpower.
Underlying Drivers of Conflict Were Overlooked
Assessments failed to adequately account for the underlying drivers of conflict—a crucial step for identifying what to measure and for assessing progress. In 2010 a report from the Wilton Park Conference 1022 concludes that, “There is an urgent need to ensure that the new ‘population centric’ counterinsurgency strategy is evidence based, and does not continue to uncritically assume that development aid ‘wins hearts and minds’ and/or promotes stability. Priority should be given to assessing stabilization effects of projects, rather than assuming impact based on amounts of money spent or the number of projects implemented.” The report continues, “Greater emphasis should also be given to understanding drivers of conflict, as aid projects can only be effective in promoting stability objectives if they are effectively addressing the main causes of instability.”15
Assessments Were Overly Focused on the Actions by the United States and its Allies
In any given operational area, much occurs that is independent of U.S and allied activities that impacts mission progress. U.S. assessments often failed to consider these developments because they were overly focused on the performance and impact of U.S. and allied activities to the neglect of other developments in the operational environment that potentially could impact the mission. For example, assessments did not always account for factors like local political disputes or intra-tribal conflicts that altered the stability of a given area, but were not directly related to any particular action by the U.S.-led coalition.16
Emphasis was Placed on Inputs, not Outcomes
Assessments focused primarily on measuring inputs versus outcomes, often characterized as a tendency to measure performance versus effectiveness or impact. Common measures of performance used in recent conflicts include: money spent, projects completed to standard, programs ongoing, adversaries captured or killed, troops trained to standard, and successful management of a development budget. Measures of impact are different. Examples of this include: the corresponding impact of various projects, programs, kinetic actions, and other initiatives on the calculus of locals regarding whether or not to support an insurgency, or the willingness and capability of an indigenous military that has been trained by the United States to effectively combat an insurgency.
A Lack of Critical Thinking and Structured Analysis Led to Flawed Findings
Assessments lacked sophistication and often proceeded from flawed assumptions.17 The practice of color coding areas on a map in accordance with perceived levels of stability—a.k.a. “coloring book assessments”—for example, hampered understanding of the nuanced counterinsurgency environment and led to findings that were incomplete, inaccurate, or both.18 Another example is that assessments prioritized demonstrating linear progress on various issues as the primary indicator of success. As William Upshur, Jonathan Roginsky, and David Kilcullen observe of their time conducting assessments in Afghanistan:
Even in gathering and analyzing all [of] the data within reach, assessment cells generally put too little energy into information design. Operational assessments are usually presented on a linear scale with a marker to represent progression from left to right, or from ‘very bad’ to ‘very good.’ Yet with near universal agreement on the complexity of counterinsurgency, and conflict environments in general, it would be difficult to find anyone who thinks that linear visualizations actually describe changes in the environment in an operationally useful way.19
Lack of Critical Thinking also Allowed Room for Politicization and Other Contamination
Metrics that policymakers viewed as important for justifying the expense of blood and treasure often took precedence over indicators that were relevant to progress in the counterinsurgency and stabilization mission. Similarly, commanders in the field were under tremendous pressure to ensure their assessments showed results on their organizations’ preconceived notions of success metrics, as opposed to progress on those metrics required for mission success.
New Approaches to Assessment in Afghanistan
In response to the shift to a counterinsurgency and stabilization approach for Afghanistan in 2009, civilian and military organizations adopted (to varying degrees) new assessment approaches that were meant to address the various components of the assessment gap.20
Measuring Progress in Conflict Environments (MPICE)
This framework was first utilized in the field in 2007 in support of the Haiti stabilization initiative. Initially developed on the heels of a series of workshops held from 2004–05 by the United States Institute for Peace and the Center for Strategic and International Studies, MPICE by 2010 gained the attention of some U.S. officials, including several working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Afghanistan operations.21 MPICE is underpinned by the belief there are three objective states that exist with regard to conflict: imposed stability, assisted stability, and self-sustaining peace. It measures “the drivers of violent conflict against the ability of indigenous institutions to resolve conflict peacefully.22 Institutional performance includes the formal institutions of government and informal societal practices.”23 The framework assesses five predetermined factors that are deemed by USIP’s “Framework for Societies Emerging from Conflict” to be essential in conflict resolution: safe and secure environment; political moderation and stable governance; rule of law; sustainable economy; and social well-being.24 The measures are then adapted to, “the specific policy goals, conflict dynamics, and cultural peculiarities relevant to each conflict setting.”25
Interagency Conflict Assessment Framework (ICAF)
Military and civilian personnel in Afghanistan utilized the ICAF to a limited degree since it was developed in 2008. This tool enables interagency teams to assess conflict situations systematically and collaboratively, and plan for conflict prevention, mitigation, and stabilization.26 The ICAF is comprised of two overarching processes—diagnosis and planning—with four steps involved with diagnosis:
- evaluate the context of the conflict;
- understand core grievances and social/ institutional resilience;
- identify drivers of conflict and
- and describe opportunities for
increasing or decreasing conflict.
The planning process is less defined and largely situation specific, but is meant to ensure the diagnosis informs planning.27 If focused on the same geographic area, ICAF assessments eventually will highlight changes in the environment, new challenges that have emerged, and other information that can be used to determine progress and inform refinement and adaptation of U.S. approaches.28
Tactical Conflict Assessment and Planning Framework (TCAPF) and the District Stability Framework (DSF)
TCAPF and its successor, DSF, were the two new frameworks employed most in Afghanistan.29 USAID first tested TCAPF/DSF in the Horn of Africa in 2006. It was employed by British and American forces in Afghanistan, starting in Helmand Province in 2009, to help facilitate more impactful development programming and reduce the multitude of programs that had limited impact. The process consisted of asking four questions:30
- Have there been changes in the village population in the last year?
- What are the most important problems facing the village?
- Who do you believe can solve your problems?
- What should be done first to help the village?31
These questions were intended to yield information that could then be analyzed to provide enhanced understanding of relevant aspects of the operational environment, with an emphasis on identifying sources of stability and especially instability.32 Additionally, the process was meant to help measure and understand progress, and whether or not programming was achieving the desired impact on the operational environment. And if not, to inform adaptation of operational and tactical approaches to achieve that desired endstate.33
Region South Stabilization Approach (RSSA)
RSSA emerged in 2010 in Afghanistan, based on a recognition that a process was needed to integrate civilian and military planning, develop a common operating picture, and establish an interagency system for monitoring progress in Regional Command–South.34 The process identifies a “stability continuum” to assist with planning for the allocation of security, development, and governance assets across participating agencies.35
The Lingering Assessment Gap
Despite all of the many efforts to improve, by 2012 the assessment gap was far from resolved. A civilian advisor to ISAF Joint Command (IJC) captured this best in an email from 2012 to the author regarding U.S. assessment practices in Afghanistan:
I’m still out in Afghanistan, now at IJC for a week before heading out. [I] was in a discussion with a [senior officer]36 here about stability vs. instability, how we measure it, are we looking at things the right way, etc. My inclination is to say no.37
That year a USAID study on the impact of its efforts in Afghanistan found that TCAPF/DSF had failed to resolve the assessment problem.38 Another document from USAID reports that as of 2013, the Agency was introducing an entirely new assessment methodology known as the Stability Analysis Methodology, which again seemed to target the same five aspects of the assessment gap.39
These examples highlight a lingering problem that begs the question of why methodologies designed to target the various components of the assessment gap were not successful. To investigate the source, the research for this article looked more in depth at the most commonly utilized (and probably the most well-known) assessment approach—TCAPF/DSF—and traced the history of the approach in Afghanistan from its initial implementation. A less rigorous review of the experience with implementing the other frameworks was also conducted.
In reviewing the evolution of the TCAPF/DSF, this author found that thousands of American, allied, and indigenous personnel were trained to use the framework. In spite of many complaints about the observer effect of the interview-based survey approach employed for TCAPF/DSF and the complexity of the data management process, many civilian and military personnel reported that the approach was useful for counterinsurgency and stabilization in Afghanistan.40 A more cursory review of the other assessment approaches revealed similar reporting about their utility.
Yet the research also found that none of the new frameworks utilized in Afghanistan were actually implemented as designed. This was less the result of any particular issue with the framework methodologies themselves. Instead, it was more the result of institutional constraints within the USG that prevented the frameworks from being utilized properly.
Ambiguous Mission, Strategy, and Desired Endstate
The U.S.-led civilian and military force that was fielded in Afghanistan never achieved clarity of purpose.41 Thus, although some found TCAPF/DSF and other frameworks useful, the frameworks’ utility was questionable from the start because they were used to measure progress against the user’s own unique interpretation of the mission, strategy, and endstate which, of course, differed depending on the user. When the mission, strategy, and endstate are unclear, even the best assessment processes never have a chance of achieving their purpose—measuring progress and informing adaptation. In such cases, it is unclear what progress is being measured toward and to what intermediate objectives and endstate assessment information can inform adaptation to achieve.
Insufficient Conceptualization of Strategy
Stability requires a strategic approach that integrates the lethal and nonlethal tools of state power to influence relevant actors to behave in a manner that contributes (actively or passively) to stability. Yet the U.S. approach to strategy is frequently divorced from human decisionmaking and behavior.42 The United States approached strategy in Afghanistan as numerous lines of effort (e.g. security, governance, and development, often with subsets within each of these three lines) as if they were separate stovepipes.43 What tended to occur was that technocratic objectives and metrics for success within the lines of effort would become the focus, as opposed to goals of shaping relevant actor behavior in a manner that achieved mission success.44 Special Assistant to the U.S. President for National Security Affairs Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster, refers to this assessment deficiency as “the confusion of activity with progress.”45 All of the frameworks listed are meant to assess the environment, better understand drivers of instability, and inform the adaptation of operations to address them and achieve more stabilizing behavior among relevant actors. For the new frameworks to have succeeded, the USG would have needed to conceptualize strategy in a manner that was relevant to influencing human behavior in accordance with U.S. objectives.46
Multiple Chains of Command
A lack of unity of command and especially unity of action meant that even when one part of the whole-of-government force in the field embraced a framework, it was very common for others operating in the same area not to.47 Without a single chain of command, multiple frameworks were often utilized alongside one another. There were usually no mechanisms in place by which the interagency force would be mandated to align and develop a common operating picture and a shared concept of how best to plan and execute the mission, measure progress, and adapt the force for enhanced success.
Continuity of Effort
Turnover among units and individuals challenged those few frameworks that gained traction among multiple USG organizations, as was the case for Regional Command–East.48 Assessment approaches changed drastically during the various tenures of the ISAF Commanders. Similarly, TCAPF/DSF went from being the primary framework for tactical assessment 2009–11 to being far less utilized by follow-on units. Even when TCAPF/DSF was integrated into General David Petraeus’ counterinsurgency qualification standards, inconsistency still occurred.
Finally, there was no strategy for optimizing the utility of the information and making sure all who could benefit received the information in a usable form that suited their purposes; various organizations purchased their own information technology support packages for knowledge management.49 Compounding this, limited attention was given to how deployed personnel and their replacements could maintain and update assessments for others to access.50 A catalogue of previous assessments did not exist, which made it difficult for newly serving policymakers, operators, and analysts to understand the evolution of the campaign and led to further unnecessary taxing of the RFI system.
The assessment gap that persisted in Afghanistan had little to do with deficiencies in the new approaches that were attempted. Rather, the gap persisted as a result of institutional barriers within the U.S. national security system that prevented the implementation of the new approaches as designed. Success in the assessment of counterinsurgency and stabilization missions requires more than just sound assessment approaches and methodologies. They must be accompanied by a plan for how they will be implemented as designed so as to achieve their purpose. These challenges persist within the USG today. Unless they are addressed, even the most promising new assessment approaches will continue to fall short of their potential to improve mission effectiveness. PRISM
1 See Jason Campbell, Michael O’Hanlon, and Jacob Shapiro, “How to Measure the War,” Policy Review, 157 (2009), 15–30; and Stephen Downes-Martin, “Operations Assessment in Afghanistan is Broken: What Is to Be Done?,” Naval War College Review 64, no. 4 (Autumn 2011). Also, fitting within the context of the two overarching purposes, Dr. Jonathan Schroden, explains that assessments, “inform commanders’ decisionmaking (e.g., on resource allocation); completing the planning or design cycle (i.e., “observe plan-execute-assess,” or “design-learn-redesign”); recognizing changing conditions in the environment; stimulating and informing adaptation and innovation; reducing uncertainty and bounding risk; showing causal linkages between actions and the achievement of objectives; documenting the commander’s decision-making process; and evaluating performance of subordinate units.” See Jonathan Schroden, “Why Operations Assessments Fail: It’s Not Just the Metrics,” Naval War College Review 64, no. 4 (Autumn 2011). For further analysis of U.S. assessment practices in post–9/11 operations, See Frank Hoffman and Alex Crowther, “Strategic Assessment and Adaptation: The Surges in Iraq and Afghanistan” in Lessons Encountered: Learning from the Long War, edited by Richard Hooker and Joseph Collins (Washington, D.C.: NDU Press, September 2015), 89–164, available at <http://ndupress.ndu.edu/Portals/68/Documents/Books/lessons-encountered/lessons-encountered.pdf>.
2 This third factor is critical, as much occurs in the operational environment that is not the direct result of U.S. actions. An assessment process that only focusses on U.S. performance and the outcomes of U.S. activities risks missing other important developments in the environment that could potentially impact (positively or negatively) the success of the mission.
3 Although outlined in Joint Doctrine in 2013, these conclusions were drawn in a November 2011 conference the author observed in Tampa, hosted by U.S. Central Command.
4 General Stanley McChrystal, “COMISAF Initial Assessment,” September 21, 2009, available at <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/21/AR2009092100110.html>.
5 Ambassador Eikenberry’s Strategic Guidance to U.S. Civilian personnel in Afghanistan; August 30, 2010.
6 Rajiv Shah, USAID Administrator’s Stabilization Guidance; January 2011, available at <http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PDACQ822.pdf>.
7 USAID Assessment Contract from the USAID Stabilization Unit in Kabul, March 2012, available at <https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1871/AID-306-TO-12-00004%20MISTI%20Task%20Order-redacted.pdf>.
8 Chairman Martin Dempsey, interview conducted by Richard D. Hooker Jr., and Joseph J. Collins, January7, 2015, published Joint Force Quarterly 78 (July 2015), available at <http://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/NewsArticleView/tabid/7849/Article/607296/jfq-78-from-the-chairman-an-interview-with-martin-e-dempsey.aspx>.
9 For additional information on the assessment gap, see statements by former CENTCOM planner John Agoglia and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy made during the “Framework for Success in War-Torn Societies Workshop” hosted by the United States Institute for Peace; 2010, available at <http://www.c-span.org/video/?294439-1/measuring-progress-stabilizing-wartorn-societies&start=3182>. Also see Ben Connable, “Embracing the Fog of War: Assessment and Metrics in Counterinsurgency,” (Washington DC: RAND, 2012), available at <http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/monographs/2012/RAND_MG1086.pdf>.
10 Interviews conducted by the author in 2011 at the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) showed that the staff was overwhelmed by requirements for information to feed the assessment process. See also Ben Connable, “Embracing the Fog of War.”
11 Dr. Kristian Knus Larsen, Substitute for Victory, Performance Measurements in Vietnam, the Gulf War, and Afghanistan (Københavns Universitet, Institut for Statskundskab, 2014).
12 Finding derived from analysis of interviews conducted by the author in 2011 at the Kandahar PRT.
13 One reviewer of this article observed that assessments may have been, “reflective of the centralized, top–down nature of the U.S. campaign and the centralized, top–down nature of the solution foisted on Afghanistan,” and that perhaps then, “assessments were a reflection of the overall U.S. approach to the war.” See also: Ben Connable, “Embracing the Fog of War”, Jan Frelin and Anders Noren, “Recent Developments in Evaluation & Conflict Analysis Tools for Understanding Complex Conflicts,” (Swedish Defence Research Agency, May 2012).
14 USAID Assessment Contract from the USAID Stabilization Unit in Kabul, March 2012, available at <https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1871/AID-306-TO-12-00004%20MISTI%20Task%20Order-redacted.pdf>.
15 Report from Wilton Park Conference WP1022, “Winning ‘Hearts and Minds’ in Afghanistan: Assessing the Effectiveness of Development Aid in Counterinsurgency Operations,” March 11–14, 2010, available at <https://www.wiltonpark.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/wp1022-report.pdf>. The paper goes on to assert that the replacement of the international community’s “enemy centric” approach with a “population centric” military strategy emphasizes the need for a sober assessment of what motivates people to rebel, and a deliberate incorporation of these observations into the design of a more effective strategy that addresses the underlying causes of unrest.
16 Author discussion with an assessment practitioner at a 2015 development workshop for the Joint Concept for Human Aspects of Military Operations, McLean, Virginia.
17 Wiliam Upshur, Jonathan Roginski, David Kilcullen, “Recognizing Symptoms in Afghanistan, Lessons Learned and New Approaches to Operational Assessments,” PRISM 3, no. 3 (2012), available at <http://www.ndu.edu/press/lib/pdf/prism3-3/prism87-104_upshur-roginski-kilcullen.pdf>. See also: Ben Connable, “Embracing the Fog of War.”
18 Wiliam Upshur, Jonathan Roginski, David Kilcullen, “Recognizing Symptoms in Afghanistan.” See also: Ben Connable, “Embracing the Fog of War.”
19 Wiliam Upshur, Jonathan Roginski, David Kilcullen, “Recognizing Symptoms in Afghanistan.” To fix the problem, several have posed an alternative mental model based on theories of complex adaptive systems. See Cynthia Irmer, “A Systems Approach and the Interagency Conflict Assessment Framework (ICAF),” Cornwallis Group, 2009.
20 A proliferation of new approaches occurred. Interestingly, although many attempts at developing assessment practices specifically for Afghanistan did take place, several of the most commonly utilized new approaches were not developed specifically for the Afghanistan mission. Instead, they were based on a broader perceived gap in USG assessment practices for stabilization missions.
21 MPICE was initially developed on the heels of a series of workshops held between 2004-05 by the USIP and the Center for Strategic and international Studies, in response to a perceived gap in U.S. interagency capability to measure the outcomes of various efforts in conflict environments. The working groups had a goal to, “define the major requirements and make recommendations for those who strive to measure progress in war-torn, weak, and failed states.” This process eventually led to a report which called for a framework to, “measure progress toward reducing the means and motivations for violent conflict and building local capacity to resolve conflict peacefully.” See Craig Cohen, “Measuring Progress in Stabilization and Reconstruction,” USIP Special Report (2005), available at <https://www.usip.org/publications/2006/03/measuring-progress-stabilization-and-reconstruction>. The first use of MPICE in the field came in Haiti starting in 2007 to support the Haiti Stabilization Initiative. See David C. Becker and Robert Grossman-Vermas, “Metrics for the Haiti Stabilization Initiative,” PRISM 2, no. 2, 145–58. For information on the usage of MPICE by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers please see: Edited by John Agoglia, Michael Dziedzic, Barbara Sotirin; Measuring Progress in Conflict Environments (MPICE): A Metrics Framework (Washington, D.C: USIP, 2010), available at <http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a530245.pdf>. At the time, USACE was becoming increasingly concerned that it could not adequately explain whether or not the projects in which it was engaged were having their desired effect on the outcome of the ISAF mission.
22 Craig Cohen, “Measuring Progress in Stabilization and Reconstruction,” USIP Special Report, 2005.
23 John Agoglia, Michael Dziedzic, Barbara Sotirin, Measuring Progress in Conflict Environments (MPICE).
26 The Interagency Conflict Assessment Framework; U.S. State Department Document (2008), available at < http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/187786.pdf>.
27 Ibid. Note that the U.S. State Department describes the purpose of ICAF as, “to develop a commonly held understanding, across relevant USG Departments and Agencies of the dynamics driving and mitigating violent conflict within a country that informs US policy and planning decisions. It may also include steps to establish a strategic baseline against which USG engagement can be evaluated.” It utilizes a process by which an interagency team will identify societal and situational dynamics that are shown to increase or decrease the likelihood of violent conflict.
28 Dr. Cynthia Irmer is credited for the eventual ICAF framework that resulted. Outlining the logic behind ICAF, she describes a requirement to shift the mindset of interagency teams from, “using linear problem/solution metaphors such as ‘lanes of operation, ‘clear, hold, build’ and ‘unity of command/unity of effort’” toward a “complex, adaptive system frame,” rooted in, a better understanding of the system itself as opposed to being based on the previous, “experience or knowledge of US civilians or military personnel.” The result, she says, is an, “improved, because better informed and better thought- through, collective understanding of the situation and basis for going forward with coordinated whole-of-government strategic planning or individual agency program design.”
29 Most consider DSF to be TCAPF “rebranded” and, for the purposes of this article, are therefore referred to as one. An interviewee knowledgeable about the TCAPF and DSF development process recalls that in January 2010, USAID and the Counterinsurgency Training Academy in Kabul revised the TCAPF to create the DSF. The revision kept the DSF model and retained the survey methodology. However, DSF also emphasized the importance of other sources of information regarding sources of instability, and the use of an “integrated Tactical Stability Matrix” (TSM) for the development of (primarily non_kinetic) lines of effort to address sources of instability. DSF also placed added emphasis on the importance of standing up a stability working group, which was to include all relevant interagency partners, as well as indigenous stakeholders, for enhanced coordination.
30 2011 interview with an individual knowledgeable about the TCAPF and DSF development process. For more info on TCAPF/DSF, also see Robert Swope, “Improving the Effectiveness of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) District Stability Framework (DSF) in Afghanistan”; December 14, 2012
31 Military Operations Research Society (MORS) Annual Symposium, DSF Briefing under Chatham House Rule, 2011. TCAPF/DSF training emphasized all four questions should be followed by questions of “why.” In a 2011 interview, the interviewee explained the utility of TCAPF/DSF. He said that the military would see Taliban cells clustered in a particular area. They would approach this problem by trying to identify how best to remove the cells. He explains that using TCAPF/DSF a stabilization approach, “would seek to understand what was normal for a given area and what led to/enabled the Taliban cells to be present in the area. By focusing on causes rather than symptoms and devising solutions that addressed these underlying issues in a manner that made sense for the locals in question, sustainable long-term fixes were more likely to be developed.”
32 See Jason Alexander and James Derleth, “Stability Operations: From Policy to Practice;” PRISM 2, no. 3, 2012. Derleth and Alexander explain, “To stabilize an area, two simultaneous processes must occur. First, the sources of instability must be identified and mitigated. Second, societal and/or governmental capability and capacity to mitigate future sources of instability must be fostered. Simply stated, practitioners must diminish the sources of instability while building up the forces of stability. This process is the underlying foundation of the District Stabilization Framework.”
33 MORS Annual Symposium, DSF Briefing under Chatham House Rule, 2011; Also see: USAID Statement of Work for Contract # USAID Task Order AID-306-TO-12-00004, Management Systems International; Additionally, in a 2011 interview with an individual knowledgeable about the TCAPF and DSF development process, the interviewee explains that the foundational concepts behind TCAPF/DSF are greatly informed by Collier’s work on stabilization vs. development.
34 Interviews with members of the District Stability Coordination office at the Kandahar PRT in 2011. Similar to other frameworks, RSSA was not embraced by all partners in all parts of the area of operation. Some also criticized it for the lack of granularity and detail. Also note that an interviewee from a mobile training team for TCAPF/DSF in 2011 shared that some have argued that TCAPF/DSF would have been a natural complement to RSSA in the field, given the highly localized focus of the TCAPF/DSF approach. They argued that TCAPF/DSF was better for capturing overarching individual district assessments nested within the RSSA and that RSSA assessments lacked the data and structure facilitated by TCAPF/DSF at the district level and below.
35 Interviews with members of the District Stability Coordination office at the Kandahar PRT in 2011.
36 Restated to preserve anonymity.
37 Email exchange between the Author and an IJC civilian advisor. Author has been authorized by the advisor to use information without attribution by name.
38 USAID Stabilization Unit Contract.
39 “The Stability Analysis Methodology in Afghanistan: An Evaluation of Best Practices and a Recommended Method;” Caerus Associates, LLC, October 6, 2013, available at < http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00JN7D.pdf>. Note that the SAM was really a consolidation of different assessment approaches for all fixed regional command areas of operation.
40 This observation was drawn primarily from a review of 22 after action reports on TCAPF/DSF implementation in the field provided to the author by a representative from the U.S. Department of State in an email, 2013.
41 This finding is based on an analysis of more than 80 interviews with returning civilian and military personnel from Afghanistan as well as an estimated 20 interviews conducted by the author in Kandahar and Kabul in 2011; also note that there was no single conceptualization in the field of the mission, strategy, and desired endstate of the Afghanistan campaign and many of the views were very different and even contradictory among USG personnel and their allied and indigenous partners. Also, for an example of lack of clarity of mission and strategy in Afghanistan, see 2015 interview with General Stanley McChrystal, USA (ret.) conducted by Joseph Collins, Frank Hoffman, and this author.
42 Kilcullen observes that counterinsurgent forces have a, “tendency to judge success based on progress in creating top-down, state-based institutions, while reposing less value and significance in bottom-up societal indicators.” He goes on to note that analysts tend to, “give greater weight to events at the national level, or to elite-level political maneuvering, than to events at the grassroots, civil society level.” Kilcullen, David ;“Intelligence,” in Understanding Counterinsurgency: Doctrine, Operations and Challenges, ed. Thomas Rid and Thomas Keany (New York: Routledge, 2010). Kilcullen was speaking mainly about intelligence services, but he explains, “This pathology may not be confined to intelligence services. Rather, it seems to reflect wider Eurocentric attitudes to the process of state formation. Recent research suggests that the international community, including the vast international aid and development bureaucracy and the ‘peace industry’ associated with international organizations such as the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund, tends to have a strong preference for top-down state formation (‘nation building’) based on the creation of national-level, “modern,” Western-style institutions of the central state.” The failure to properly address human aspects has more recently been framed as a neglect of the human domain of war or the human aspects of military operations. For instance, Frank Hoffman and T.X. Hammes both note that the U.S. tends to “overlook human factors” in war and warfare, observing that the tendency, “has a long history, and reflects a tension in American strategic culture which values science, technology, and logistics over other strategic dimensions.” They observe that the U.S. often emphasizes “technologically-produced solutions to what are inherently political challenges that can only be resolved in the minds and will of the social community that is challenged.” F.G. Hoffman and T.X. Hammes, “Joint Force 2020 and Human Dynamics: Time for a new conceptual framework?” Institute for National Strategic Studies Research Paper (NDU Press: Washington D.C.:April, 2013).
43 Integrated Civil-Military Campaign Plans for Afghanistan in 2009 (McChrystal/Eikenberry) and in 2010 (Petraeus/Eikenberry).
44 Different agencies and entities within the USG were then put in charge of these various lines. For instance, the military was generally in charge of security, the Department of State led most governance initiatives, and USAID was in charge of most development, although the eventual spike in Commander’s Emergency Response funding and the role of the military on PRTs and on Agribusiness Support Teams made the military a very active player in the development realm.
45 See Erdmann, Andrew; “How militaries learn and adapt: An interview with Major General H. R. McMaster” McKinsey and Company, April 2013, available at <http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/public_sector/how_militaries_learn_and_adapt>.In it, then MG McMaster explains that in war, “... we often start by determining the resources we want to commit or what is palatable from a political standpoint. We confuse activity with progress, and that’s always dangerous, especially in war. In reality, we should first define the objective, compare it with the current state, and then work backward: what is the nature of this conflict? What are the obstacles to progress, and how do we overcome them? What are the opportunities, and how do we exploit them? What resources do we need to accomplish our goals? The confusion of activity with progress is one final continuity in the nature of warfare that we must always remember.”
46 The various agencies and organizations were often much more concerned with demonstrating progress within their own lines of effort, which often did not have a link to a corresponding relevant actor behavior related outcome.
47 Military fragmentary orders were issued ordering the use of TCAP/DSF in the field. However, the civilian agencies were not under the chain of command of the military battlespace owners and many civilians refused to embrace the framework alongside the military. Even within the civilian agencies and military organizations, there was great disagreement as to the relevance of TCAPF/DSF. The USAID Stabilization Unit in Kabul for instance promoted TCAPF/DSF, while many in the more mainstream bureaus of USAID either had never heard of the framework or did not support its use. Department of State and USAID personnel also did not agree on the utility of the frameworks at various times.
48 Assessment approaches changed drastically over the various tenures of ISAF Commanders. Similarly, TCAPF/DSF went from being the primary framework for tactical assessment 2009–11, to being far less utilized by follow-on units. Even when fragmentary orders were initiated to use TCAPF/DSF and it was integrated into General Petraeus’ Counterinsurgency qualification standards, inconsistency still occurred. Some paid lip service to TCAPF/DSF and simply filled out the assessment frameworks mindlessly as required. Others utilized the framework as the central mechanism by which to decide on where to focus their efforts throughout their deployments. Dr. Kristian Knus Larsen , “Substitute for Victory, Performance Measurements in Vietnam, the Gulf War, and Afghanistan,” (Ph.D. diss, Copenhagen University, 2014).
49 MORS Annual Symposium, DSF Briefing under Chatham House Rule, 2011; When asked if TCAPF/DSF had an IT support package with it, one TCAPF/DSF briefer said that “Afghanistan is where databases go to die.” This is a fair enough point and perhaps a new database was not the answer. However, there was no strategy for optimizing the utility of the information and making sure all who could benefit received the information in a usable form that suited their purposes.
50 Various military and civilian entities purchased their own IT support packages for knowledge management. Others tried to adapt the systems that they already had for the different types of information utilized within the new assessment approaches.
Mr. Nathan White recently completed a research fellowship with the Center for Complex Operations at the National Defense University. Human subjective protection protocols have been used in this study in accordance with the appropriate statutes and Defense Department (DOD) regulations governing those protocols. The sources’ views are solely their own and do not represent the official policy or position of DOD or the U.S. Government. | <urn:uuid:ca9d9fde-5f17-456b-94de-7e4bfb115cee> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cco.ndu.edu/News/Article/1299594/learning-from-the-struggle-to-assess-counterinsurgency-and-stabilization-operat/ | 2023-09-27T11:02:49Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.946819 | 9,905 |
Whether you are just starting out or you have been processing credit cards in Anchorage for years, you want to know if you are working with the right merchant services provider for your local business–the one who is saving you the most money over the long-term.
A lot of factors go into saving money with a merchant services provider, but not all of them are as straight-forward as common sense Anchorage business owners would like them to be. One of the most obvious is the rate–clearly, some merchant services providers offer rates that are lower than others. Less obvious are the effects of ethics and customer support–will the same merchant services provider who offered you a low rate increase your rate later without you knowing? How will they respond when your money gets put on hold with the bank–will they take any action at all?
When searching for the merchant services provider who is the best fit for your Anchorage business, you will want to research their local customer support, read their local reviews, and make sure they have the technology you need to run your business at their rate. Let’s discuss each of these considerations in greater detail.
1. Research Anchorage Customer Support – The Most Important!
The question you should be asking is not only, “Does this merchant services provider have excellent customer support?” but also, “Does this merchant services provider have excellent customer support in Anchorage?” Merchant services providers can be located all over the country and provide support for their services from third-party groups all over the world. This can mean odd office hours and endless phone trees for you as these third-parties try to filter out unnecessary phone calls…or simply don’t care about your payment processing issue. Not receiving the support you need in time can mean weeks to months of money on hold, something that few businesses can withstand. Before you decide to work with a merchant services provider, try giving their customer support line a call–just to see what happens. As a local provider ourselves, we firmly believe that Anchorage businesses are best served by merchant services providers who are located in the area that they serve.
2. Learn About Merchant Services Tech Offerings
There are a lot of options when it comes to payment processing tech–do you want to accept mobile payments? How about EMV (chip) transactions? Would you like to have an online store? Make sure you know what you want for your business before you shop around so that you can compare your list of must-haves with merchant services tech offerings.
3. Compare Merchant Services Processing Rates
Before we get into this point, remember that low rates do not mean high value–many, many merchant services providers who advertise “low rates” or “$0 rates” (yes, they have gotten that bold!) are often the same companies who pull the wool over your eyes and increase their rates later. As savvy Anchorage business owners, we know that nothing in life is free.
So with that caveat in mind, compare the rates of the merchant services providers you are considering. First, do they seem reasonable? Second, does the pricing model make sense for your business? Here is an article about the top 4 pricing models in the credit card processing industry. By far, the most ethical model is pass-through, interchange-plus because merchant services providers are not able to hide fees under this model. However, another model may be better for your business depending on your transaction volume, so read up.
4. Read Anchorage Customer Reviews
If a merchant services provider’s reviews are written by business owners in Utah, these do not apply to you. That merchant services provider may not be giving the same level of service to their customers in Anchorage. Read local reviews if you can find them to see if the merchant services provider’s promises about rates, tech, and customer support hold true for your area.
We hope that you can find the right merchant service provider for your Anchorage business–the one who will save you the most money for years to come because they have the right mix of great, local customer support, low rates, and modern technology. If you are interested in how we at Cornerstone Credit Services are providing these benefits to our Anchorage customers, give us a call! We would be more than happy to schedule you for a free consultation to discuss your business needs. | <urn:uuid:550d5bbc-33ed-4351-8819-79dea9b79fc1> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://ccspaymentsolutions.com/2019/07/10/merchant-services-anchorage/ | 2023-09-27T12:07:45Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.962744 | 888 |
Career Episode Writing
Engineers Australia wants three career episodes from applicants. The career episode is essential in showcasing your engineering competence and knowledge. Each episode demonstrates how you applied your engineering knowledge and skills in the nominated occupation. Each of the three career episodes focuses upon a specific period of your engineering activity.
Career Episode Writing Service for Engineers Australia
Career Episodes are the most vital part of CDR writing. It needs extra care and effort to make an impression on Engineers Australia (EA). There are three career episodes in CDR, and each episode is written based on three different projects you have done in final year engineering, internship program, and/or work-related tasks. Our expert team provides Career Episode Writing Services based on your professional experiences by assisting you to write all three of the career episodes uniquely.
To write a Career Episode report, one has to choose a particular incident or theme related to his or her academic and career and elaborate on how the engineer used specific competencies to handle that particular project.
Engineers Australia most probably asks engineers to write their CDR Report to demonstrate their communication skills to the assessor. With the experience of writing more than 200 Career Episodes to date (and a 100% Success Rate), we provide safe and trusted guidelines. But, if you present a poorly written CDR to the EA, you will instantly get your CDR report rejected by Engineers Australia.
What is a Career Episode report for Engineers Australia?
Career Episode Report (CER) for Engineers Australia accounts for your engineering education and/or work experience as long as it turns out to be a significant and constructive engineering activity. Each of the three career episodes focuses upon a specific period of your engineering activity. Each episode demonstrates how you applied your engineering knowledge and skills in the nominated occupation. The cornerstone of a good CER lies in its originality and your good use of the English language.
Things to consider for Career Episode Writing
While EA gauges your engineering ability through career episodes, it also cautions you to include only a few technicalities. Writing a Career Episode Report is as much an art as a science. Therefore how many technicalities to have is an art.
Career Episode Report is all about YOU! EA expects to read what YOU did rather than what the TEAM did. Therefore ensure that your contribution is coming out straight on the paper.
Each Career Episode addresses one Competency Unit and its subsequent elements. Competency units differ based on the occupational category you are applying for.
CDRAustraliaMigration provides Career Episode Writing Services considering the following options:
- Each Career Episode must be written in Australian English in your own words. However, it is not enough to know English or even Australian English. Career Episodes should always be written in the first person, and an active voice should be used. You should generally start your sentences using the word ‘I.’ For example, ‘I developed,’ ‘I researched,’ ‘I analyzed,’ etc.
- Each career episode Writing must demonstrate the application of engineering knowledge and skills in the nominated occupation. State what you did and describe how you did it, emphasizing your role in the episode.
- Career Episodes must be written in an essay format, but the technical aspects should be narrative rather than presenting the mathematical calculations and the detailed engineering design/fabrication process.
- Numbering each paragraph in your Career Episodes is essential to provide a reference in the Summary Statement Writing. The following is the format recommended:
- episode 1 (paragraphs 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc.)
- Career episode 2 (paragraphs 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, etc.)
- Career episode 3 (paragraphs 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, etc.)
What is the format of a Career Episode?
The introduction of a Career Episode should be approximately 100 words. It should serve as an opening to the particular episode. It should include basic information such as:
- Chronology – Dates and duration of the Career Episode (the exact date of beginning as well as the ending of the episode)
- Name of the educational institution/organization where the experience was gained
- Geographical location of your project (city, state, country) where the experience was gained
- Title of the position held by you at that particular institution/organization
The background should be written in 200-500 words. It should set the operational background of the working/studying. It is supposed to provide a solid context to your career episode. It should include the following information about your Career Episode:
- Nature of the engineering project you carried out
- Objective of the project
- Nature of the work area your project focused on
- Organizational structure chart highlighting your position in the project’s hierarchy during that particular Career Episode
- Official duty statement where available)
3. Personal Engineering Activity
Statement/Details of your duties in relation to the project concerned.
This part of the Career Episode should be 500 to 1000 words long. Personal Engineering Activity is the main body of your Career Episode Report (CER) where you should demonstrate your actual application of the engineering ability in detail (i.e. you should actually start writing about the work you did as an engineer). It should include the following information:
- Your particular role in the team.
- How you applied your knowledge.
- The engineering tasks that were entrusted to you.
- How you accomplished the project.
- How you worked with other team members.
- Any particular technical difficulties/problems you encountered and how you solved them.
- Significant contribution or strategies devised by you including any original or creative design work.
The summary is the last part of your Career Episode Report (CER) which should be 50 to 100 words. It should sum up the entire episode and should include the following information:
- Overview of your project.
- Information about whether the project met its goals/objectives.
- Mention the praise if you got any for the project.
- How your personal role contributed to the project in the conclusion section? | <urn:uuid:d899522a-6317-4825-ae1d-00c26c8ddbff> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cdraustraliamigration.com/career-episode-writing/ | 2023-09-27T11:19:04Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.953664 | 1,280 |
In our latest staff Q & A, Project Specialist Barbara Vang discusses her passion for supporting others as they develop skills, abilities, and knowledge. She also shares her thoughts on the way a shared desire to learn can transcend language barriers and lead to magical classroom connections.
What was the career path that led you to your current role at CEED?
I graduated from UMN in 2010 with a bachelor of science degree in sales and marketing as well as human resource development. I had a high interest in training and development. After graduating, I spent five years in Seoul, South Korea, teaching English as a foreign language in suburban public elementary schools.
What I missed while in Korea was my family and community. Looking back, when I left Minnesota, my grandpa said, “Don’t grow flowers outside your home.” My grandparents are Hmong; there’s no country that they can say they come from. So, where do I plant my roots? I knew I wanted to start my own family and what my grandfather said resonated. I realized I wanted to plant my flowers here in Minnesota.
To make my transition back into the American workforce, I discovered Americorps and joined the Community Technology Empowerment Project as a digital literacy advocate through the Saint Paul Neighborhood Network. I taught 20 classes a week in computer literacy and English as a second language (ESL) to adult refugee participants through the Hmong-American Partnership, which is centrally located for the Somali, Karen, and Hmong communities. The oldest people I worked with were in their 70s or 80s, and the youngest were probably 18. My grandparents don’t speak English or use computers, so it was easy to relate to the people in my classes. I was also reminded of teaching Korean students, because everyone was learning English. The Karen and Hmong had a shared understanding of Thai because of time spent in refugee camps, but even with language barriers, students connected because they were all seeking the same skills in English and computer literacy.
I noticed that once a light bulb turns on for one student, it’s a ripple effect: everyone else’s light bulbs go on. Those were my favorite moments of teaching. That’s why I have a passion for sharing knowledge.
After my time with Americorps, to maintain my service to the community and Minnesota, I worked in the training spaces of a couple of agencies within the State of Minnesota. In my last position, I was responsible for coordinating the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s leadership development program. I also facilitated and consulted for their workforce development units.
What does your role at CEED entail?
I provide technical and other project support in all aspects of the department’s work. I’m on the path to becoming a learning management system (LMS) administrator. Canvas is the LMS that we use, so my job will include building out Canvas sites for our online courses, self-study modules, and other training we create and offer. My job supports almost every project we have at CEED, so I am able to use different skills and abilities for each of the different projects.
What is new for you in your work at CEED?
Not being an instructor is new for me. This is another pivot moment in my career. Right now, I’m saving my teaching for my kids. Teaching definitely prepared me for motherhood; it gave me patience. Like being a parent, being a facilitator is exhausting. You hear stories, go home with them, and say to yourself, “How can I help my student find a path through this transition in their life?” My kindergarten-age daughter is constantly asking questions and learning every day. So is our little puppy! And a few months ago, our son joined our family too. So all my teacher energy is going into my family.
Additionally, this role offers me the opportunity to work on online courses at a higher tier than what I’ve done previously. I’ve used various learning management programs at different agencies and I’ve played with Google classrooms on my own as a volunteer ESL teacher, but my background is more in uploading materials and managing registration and tuition. I’m excited to get involved in designing e-learning.
What are you most looking forward to in your role?
One thing that I’m looking forward to is working with new software. Another is managing the student experience. During the pandemic, I did Zoom producing for online instruction. I enjoyed being on the sidelines and watching how classrooms operated and interactions flowed. I also enjoyed being able to step in and offer technical help. So I’m looking forward to being an advocate for students when they need help to answer questions from “How do I reset my password?” to “Do I need this course?”
I love being online. That’s where I’ve always wanted to be—it’s where my brain is. I’m always trying to push for efficiency and convenience and whatever will make life easier. When the pandemic hit, it was simple to match all my interests up together—putting together my passion for human development with that interest in ease of access.
What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of work?
I enjoy cross stitching Hmong tapestry (paj ntaub) and building Lego sets. I started with the intention of building Legos together with my daughter, but it ended up being “mommy time”—and when I’m done building, she can take my sets apart and play with them! I also love traveling with my husband and our family. Our favorite family destination is Walt Disney World. We hope to visit the world’s six Disneyland parks in the future. | <urn:uuid:0527eecf-b4a5-449e-a6d4-b0905d7e3fe8> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://ceed.umn.edu/a-passion-for-sharing-knowledge-a-q-a-with-program-project-specialist-barbara-vang/ | 2023-09-27T12:57:29Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.970471 | 1,204 |
Coleman Young II is on a roll. Standing outside of the Michigan legislature’s baronial house chamber, the young politician, scion of Detroit’s longtime mayor and now state representative for a portion of Detroit’s downtown, lists a wide variety of big ideas for his home city. "The green economy has tremendous promise for the city: windmills, algae, and ethanol. We can do it. We have the workforce. We have the talent," he begins. He continues with a long string of big projects, initiatives, and laws to revitalize his struggling city: a high-speed rail link with Ann Arbor, new highways, better schools, and hiring mandates on new projects. "You really got me going. We’re resilient," he concludes.
For all Young’s infectious enthusiasm, his state doesn’t seem resilient. By just about every measure, Michigan has America’s worst economy. Unemployment stands at 15.2 percent. Since 2001 alone, 110,000 people have fled the state. Incomes have declined. In 1999, Michigan’s per-capita production ranked 16th in the country. Today, it’s tied for 34th.
In some ways, the causes of Michigan’s precipitous decline are obvious: The state has lost lots of industrial jobs and has taxes, union politics, and regulations that make it unattractive for new businesses to locate there. But neither the deindustrialization that raises left-wing ire nor the taxes and spending bugbears of the right can fully explain the state’s decline. Instead, Michigan’s economic growth seems strangled by a state bureaucracy that favors bigness and overindulges in central planning.
Take deindustrialization. While the state has lost more than half a million manufacturing jobs, sectors not plausibly linked to manufacturing (mining, agriculture, and financial services) have also declined. Except for education and health services–a sector that grew nationally even in 2008’s otherwise collapsing economy–Michigan shows an across the board, continuous, decade-long decline in each of the 11 major sectors of private employment that the Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks.
But if the left’s arguments don’t wash, the right’s reflexive fallbacks can’t explain everything either. Michigan’s business tax climate isn’t good but, according to the tax foundation, it has actually improved a bit in recent years. And while still mighty, union influence has declined in recent years. Aggressive government unions in states like California, New York, and Washington pack more political clout than the shrinking industrial unions in Michigan. Although a devastated economy, state spending limitations, and a Republican state senate gave her little choice, Democratic governor Jennifer Granholm has cut both taxes and even spending by some measures.
So why is Michigan’s economy so bad? The answer may lie in a mania for big projects, big business, and central planning. In fact, if big projects made for a healthy economy, Michigan would be booming. Over the past three decades, Detroit has gained a Jetsons-like people mover in its downtown, three new sports stadiums, a Las Vegas-style casino district, and two huge new auto plants. The same "big-time" mania infects every corner of the state. In Midland, a struggling burg with a half-vacant downtown, signs at the tiny airport–which offers direct service to only five cities–announce plans for a 21st-century terminal with a glass front and wavy roof. Even ghost town-like Saginaw has a big sports arena. While planners have been thinking big, the small stuff has been neglected. During its big-ticket building spree, Detroit lost all of its major chain grocery stores, all but one of its first-run movie theaters, and all of its department stores (discount or otherwise).
The government-run Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) sits at the center of the mania for size and central planning. Since conservative darling governor John Engler created it in 1999, the MEDC has handed out $3.5 billion in subsidies to private business (almost all of them matched by additional local subsidies). Site Selection magazine, among others, persistently ranks the MEDC among the best such agencies in the country. It’s likely, in fact, that Michigan gives out the biggest and most generous business subsidies of any state. In addition to the MEDC and its various grant programs, "Renaissance Zones," county-wide enterprise zones with industry-targeted tax incentives, exist in all but the most sparsely populated Michigan counties. Direct MEDC grants–offered only when local governments also kick in with their own funds–offer another boost to favored industries. Since 1995, MEDC and its predecessors have given direct state aid to at least 49 major projects around the state, most of them manufacturing plants owned by big companies.
Plenty of the industries and projects Michigan favors seem quite likely to divert resources from other, more productive pursuits. For example, so-called "growth" industries–a list that somehow includes "automotive engineering"–get the most help even when they aren’t necessarily growing. Although the state’s only arguable strength lies in a growing health care sector, only targeted "life sciences" firms (mostly drug makers) get the biggest handouts. Likewise, Michigan offers America’s most generous tax credits for film production, but doesn’t have a single full-scale film school to train people for a business that requires enormous technical knowledge. For all the talk about a Great Lakes Hollywood, the credit has mostly brought in forgettable productions like Buddy BeBop vs. the Living Dead.
Granholm has presided over some of this system’s worst excesses, but she didn’t invent it. Jack McHugh, a senior analyst at the Mackinac Center in Midland (responsible for chronicling many of the state’s central planning failures), told me that the fault lies with both parties over several decades. "The legislature is politically incapable of doing genuine business climate reform," he says. Economic development subsidies, he says, are "a cover story the legislature can use while ignoring the real dysfunctions and the sources of those dysfunctions," namely, unions and a dysfunctional political class in both parties.
In fact, it may be possible to go even further: The state’s desire to plan growth and invest in big projects has made a bad situation worse. | <urn:uuid:e83a1099-a37b-41b6-8734-8a3ff6e49cea> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cei.org/opeds_articles/the-mania-of-central-planning/ | 2023-09-27T11:54:19Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.947935 | 1,367 |
Miley Cyrus Confesses She Relapsed Amid The Pandemic – Details!
The singer revealed that she ended up relapsing during the quarantine but assured fans that she is back on track and that she is ‘not mad’ at herself! Here’s what she had to say!
Miley Cyrus opened up about her sobriety, letting her fans in without hesitation.
With that being said, she mentioned that she is a really ‘disciplined’ person when it comes to her struggle with addiction but she still relapsed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regardless, the singer has no regrets and is only focusing on what she’s managed to learn from falling off.
This and more is what the star revealed during a new interview on Apple Music’s New Music Daily.
She stated that she has been 2 weeks sober since the relapse and stressed how important it is to be open about this publicly.
‘Well, I, like a lot of people, being completely honest, during the pandemic fell off. And [I] felt really a lot of … and I would never sit here and go, ‘I’ve been f***ing sober.’ I did not, and I fell off and I realized that I am back on sobriety now, 2 weeks sober, and I feel like I truly accepted that time. One of the things I have used is, ‘Don’t get furious, get curious.’ So do not be mad at yourself, but ask yourself, ‘What happened?’ To me, it was a f**k up because I am not a moderation person, and I do not think everyone has to be f**king sober.’
Miley then detailed her own steps she took in order to get away from both alcohol and drugs.
‘I don’t have a problem with drinking. I have a problem with the decisions I make once I go past that level of … Even into, I’ve just been wanting to wake up 100 percent of the time. I’m very disciplined. That is why it is never easy, but it is pretty easy for me to be sober or in and out of sobriety because it is like the day I do not want to f**king do it anymore, I don’t. The day that I do, I do. You know?’ she shared in part. | <urn:uuid:3b3cbcf7-8382-4fae-b0f9-71e2da0f32fb> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://celebrityinsider.org/miley-cyrus-confesses-she-relapsed-amid-the-pandemic-details-458323/ | 2023-09-27T11:48:26Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.980159 | 512 |
Anne Hathaway Plastic Surgery
Hollywood golden-haired woman Anne Hathaway created two hot films on attractiveness changes. As a teenager, she had been an unattractive duckling who turned into a gorgeous swan in Disney’s”The Princess Diaries.” In her behind 20’s, Anne played with the ordinary editor’s helper who worked firm and gave herself changes to create a large sense in”The Devil Wears Prada.”
However, does duplicate living art with this Oscar-winning celebrity?
It is not simple to be from the community eye and similar to the majority actors, Anne has become the topic of gossip concerning using attractiveness improvements and plastic surgery. Blogger guesses that Anne got a nose job near the beginning in her career to repair the imperfections on her general face form. Other people believe she sought out a plastic surgeon’s aid to find breast increase to have larger breasts.
And at the present that she is a whole lot older, there are whispers that Anne has botox to conceal the symptoms of ageing. Individuals as well believe she’s lip fillers to improve one of the best attributes — her mouth.
Just, Anne has not verified any plastic surgery into her their body. Regardless of the discussion, a number of her blogger feel she is a pure attractiveness.
Before & After Photographs
To discover if somebody as gorgeous and magnificent as Anne Hathaway had plastic surgery or not, allow us to get a appear in her before and after photographs. Let us figure out which of her attributes are true or imitation by going via a few photos proof below.
Anne Hathaway Nose Job
Among the primary things we observe on this”Les Miserables” celebrity is her nose as it’s too large for her little face. However, as Anne developed, it seemed like she’d rhinoplasty. Although the shift in the form and dimensions is delicate, if you look to be carefully, you can spot the gap.
Anne’s nose was more massive and broader when she was a teen, as this earlier picture will reveal. Still, as a grown-up, her nasal bridge appears thinner, and the trick looks lesser. We do not assume contouring makeup can deliver this change into her nose, do we?
This indicates to us that it is probably Anne needed a nose job early in her career.
Can Anne Have Lip Injections?
Experts speak Anne had lip shots due to a single notification characteristic: her top lip. It was able to have that observable centre plunge however she lost that meaning as a result of fillers. The depth of Anne’s lips seemingly too shifted her mouth form.
But after assessing many pictures, we do not believe she had some work done for her lips. She’d pouty lips growing up. Thus we think the transformation is only due to a lipstick or lip lining augmentation.
Anne has thinner breasts as a younger performer. Thus we do not believe she made a boob job to maximise her cup size. From among her adolescent pictures, which you can observe below, it was as well apparent that she had a massive chest.
If something, she may have done fantastic to create her breasts larger in her afterwards days, which might be a breast decrease operation that lots of big breasts girls undergo.
Through time, Anne’s weight reduction and it showed on her head and upper body. This was reflected in her bust size therefore for us, we all think her strengths are reasonable and true.
Can Anne Buy Botox or Facelift?
Can Anne Hathaway even should find botox in her’30s? Assessing these before and after pictures, it does not seem like that she doubts on the wrinkles and outline — it is observable and present in both. We believe it’s going to be a while before she’d think about a facelift.
Anne consults using a facialist frequently for her skin care executive, which clarifies her skin. Individuals who have seen the celebrity up close say she’s flawless pores. What a fortunate woman!
Anne Hathaway’s attractiveness Growing.
Let us take a good look at the way Anne’s body and face have transformation during the years.
New York-born Anne Jacqueline Hathaway seems dear and adorable with the thick fringes on her hair. Wearing a traditional red, azure and white polka-dotted outfit, youthful Anne clutches a reporter revealing her liveliness in this picture.
Growing up, Anne had a bigger than average breasts size, but since she is tall, so her torso region and body look helpless. Her lips currently appear lush and complete while the curled hair satisfied her.
If gossip were right, then that has to have been Anne’s pre-nose occupation stage when she looked in the TV series”Get Real.” She had a beautiful face contour, freckles on her nose, large teeth and broad eyebrows.
After creation a splash in her first movie”The Princess Diaries,” Anne’s celebrity tough climbs. She looks thinner in this images, thus amplifying her great doe eyes and nose. She maintained her looks genuine and suitable for her age having delicate eye makeup, a bit of lip lustre and comfy style.
The year 2003
Anne attends the Golden Globes sporting lilac beaded apparel which could not conceal her breast shape. Her breasts seem real dependent on the manner it sloped and dropped on her dress.
The year 2005
Hathaway goes on to more adult position and looks at the gay-themed movie”Brokeback Mountain.” Gossip of a rhinoplasty became mature when she confronted the community using a more prominent and thinner nose. Did she drop extra pounds in this stage? Her jawline appears as a result rigid. In the meantime, her eyeshadows opened her eyes up much more.
Not wanting to select items, however, are these dimples on her cheeks or laugh outline?
The year 2009
The performer wore a short gown at the Met Gala to show her beautiful legs. We do not especially love this makeup and hairdo since it made her seem old. Even so, this celebrity undoubtedly has an active body contour that is preserved nicely during great diet and workout.
The year 2012
Anne kept her shorts after performing”Les Miserables.” She’s a hairstyle for enjoying with a career-important function as Fantine. The hair satisfied her, and we adore this entire appear together with her full lashes and bright red lipstick.
The year 2015
Here she attends an AFI Awards luncheon sporting an off-fair dress that accentuated the curves of her body. Her garments as well hugged her buttocks form extremely fine however we uncertainty she’d butt implants. Anne seemingly has a challenging exercise and health regimen to keep her strength toned. It revealed!
The year 2017
In 35 years old, Anne Hathaway has come to be one more mother. The symptoms of ageing, but, are viewing on her encounter with a few observable crows foot and wrinkles.
Looking marginally plumped, it appears she gained mass. Her facial skin appears slightly smoother in this picture. Can she eventually get botox?
What Can Anne Hathaway speak on plastic surgery?
In 2008, Anne Hathaway spoke to this British media on her insecurities with her nose.
“Growing up, there is a great deal of stress on youthful girls once you original become conscious of your feature concerning other women’s looks. You only need to be cookie-reaper lovely. And you believe,’Maybe I could find transformation amazing to fit that mould ‘ I am no exception to this.
“When I was growing up, I needed a nose job as I did not believe my nose was great. And that my nose is currently, I think, what allows me to to alter my head many and allows me to to be alluring.
In a characteristic on Elle UK at 2010, Anne talked on denying botox.
I had someone provide me Botox in 23. By age 25 to 27 — and this is a bit awkward to confess — I looked beneath my eyes each, and every day, since I consideration,’It is going, it is going, it is going!’ And I realised that the other day they are not wrinkles; they are smile lines. When you have a look at photos of me from a young age, I have been happy the identical way because I was small. And that I had that lovely instant when you understand,’That is who I am.’ Botox would disable this.
More Info on Anne Hathaway:
Birth Location: New York City, New York, USA
Dating: Married to Adam Shulman
Kids: Jonathan Rosebanks Shulman
Weight: 56 kg (123.5 pounds )
Although plastic surgery gossip adopted Anne Hathaway during her career, it does not seem like she had an excellent deal of processes to boost her body all along with her appearances. We do not believe she’d breast increase; her breasts are untouched. As well, we have some doubts on these alleged lip shots or face lotions; we uncertainty she obtained them also.
We guess Anne might have had a nose job if she was younger. But it’s as well probable she needed a fantastic makeup artist, that only expertly used makeup and lube makeup on her face to make her nose seem lesser.
Aside from her changes photographs and her pronouncements on plastic surgery, we could essentially conclude that Anne is a pure good look. However, like most girls, Anne admits her main vanity is skin care, and she works hard to receive her body fit. | <urn:uuid:7915beab-5340-4d7d-81c3-069da60573e9> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://celebrityweeks.com/anne-hathaway-plastic-surgery | 2023-09-27T12:01:05Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.970102 | 2,060 |
New Social Security Laws: Good and Bad News
The President often unveils his new budget proposals months in advance of when the budget has to be actually voted on by Congress, and, in most cases, the final budget looks much different than what the President proposed. Still, it is somewhat concerning that President Trump, in 2019, has proposed a budget for 2020 with significant changes to Social Security claims.
Retroactive Disability Benefits Under Scrutiny
The Social Security system comes under the audit of the Executive Branch of the US Government (the President), but is funded by the Congress. Under the President Trump’s proposals, the way retroactive disability awards are paid would be changed.
Under the current system, an applicant can receive up to 12 months retroactive disability payments. To do that (that is, to receive the full 12 months of retroactive pay), applicants must apply for benefits 17 months or longer after the onset (start) date of the condition(s) that are causing the applicant’s disability.
This lump sum retroactive payment, if awarded, is a huge benefit to many applicants. The lump sum often allows applicants to pay their attorneys, thus giving them access to qualified Social Security attorneys without having to pay money up front, or by the hour, the way attorneys are traditionally paid.
Additionally, many workers who have, by the time disability is awarded, been out of work for 12-17 months, have mounting bills, and are in need of an immediate infusion of money just to stay in their homes, pay for medical equipment, or provide for their families.
However, President Trump is now proposing that the maximum retroactive pay period be only 6 months (easy for a man who has never known poverty).
Because any cuts to Social Security are politically very risky, and because 2020 is an election year, it is unlikely that Washington will move forward with such a drastic change to the disability program. Still, the fact that such a cut is being discussed at all is concerning, and applicants should monitor the political situation closely and let their representatives know about how important disability benefits are to them.
Veterans Get Additional Benefits
There is another change to Social Security law, but this one is a beneficial change, and has actually taken effect. Starting in January 2020, any Navy veterans who served on ships that sailed on certain waterways in Vietnam during the Vietnam war, and who have conditions related to exposure to Agent Orange, can qualify for disability benefits.
The time of service must be between 1962-1975, or veterans in the Korean demilitarized zone between 1967-1971. Because of the law change, veterans who were previously denied after making Agent Orange related claims, can now reapply.
As long as a veteran has one of a number of listed diseases, he or she qualifies for benefits—the veteran does not have to show or prove actual exposure to Agent Orange or any related chemicals. Prior to this change, Agent Orange benefits were provided only to military personnel who were in the Republic of Vietnam.
Questions about how you or someone in your family can collect Social Security benefits? Contact the West Palm Beach Social Security disability lawyers at the Celeste Law Firm today for answers to your questions about your case. | <urn:uuid:ba336b3b-9148-4aae-9e8a-96c530023742> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://celestelawfirm.com/new-social-security-laws-good-and-bad-news/ | 2023-09-27T12:39:53Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.95046 | 906 |
The driver will only able to drop off the goods on your curb side. The item "Whirlpool massage hydrotherapy bathtub hot tub double pump LUNA 2 two persons" is in sale since Wednesday, October 10, 2018. This item is in the category "Home & Garden\Bath\Showers, Bathtubs & Parts\Indoor Whirlpools".
The seller is "simbashopping-usa" and is located in Miami, Florida. This item can be shipped to United States. | <urn:uuid:7647e133-f077-407d-9308-03b8a1ff8e87> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://centerdeckmount.com/en/whirlpool_massage_hydrotherapy_bathtub_hot_tub_double_pump_luna_2_two_persons.php | 2023-09-27T12:15:19Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.933102 | 107 |
Body Brokers: Journalists track painful new twists in turning body parts into profit
If you are going to thrive in any industry, you must adapt to changing market needs.
Research in Motion’s Blackberry famously led the smartphone revolution but then was outpaced by Apple’s iPhone. Meanwhile, Amazon constantly evolved, from a bookseller into an everything-seller and is now the world’s largest provider of cloud computing services.
In the gray market for human body parts, the companies and the one-person body brokers have adapted in many different ways, as shown in a recent Reuters series. Here are three of the most interesting and most instructive takeaways for reporters wanting to uncover the body-part profiteers in their own communities.
1. Some people are worth more dead than alive. The first part of the Reuters series focuses on how the industry takes advantage of poor people. Reporters Brian Grow and John Shiffman write:
The industry’s business model hinges on access to a large supply of free bodies, which often come from the poor. In return for a body, brokers typically cremate a portion of the donor at no charge. By offering free cremation, some deathcare industry veterans say, brokers appeal to low-income families at their most vulnerable. Many have drained their savings paying for a loved one’s medical treatment and can’t afford a traditional funeral.
Reuters documented that the money today is much better than it was back in the early 2000s, when I wrote about the body parts industry with a group of reporters at the Orange County Register. We wrote about an industry worth about $500 million at the time. They documented that just one body broker brought in $27 million in one year, making the industry total likely well over $1 billion.
2. The funeral home industry is much more involved than was previously known. Reuters showed how one company in Oklahoma, United Tissue Network, is owned by mortuary operators. As a result, a huge percentage of the bodies going to the company came from funeral homes.
According to Oklahoma state filings obtained under public records laws, United Tissue has grown steadily. From 2012 through 2016, United Tissue received 3,542 bodies. Almost half were referred by funeral homes. Ezzell said that last year, no more than 10 percent came from mortuaries owned by Corbett or him. During that five-year period, the records show, United Tissue distributed 17,956 body parts to clients. Supply has sometimes exceeded demand. In late 2015, the broker sent an email in which it offered customers a price break to help move surplus arms, pelvises and shoulders.
Of course, no one is naïve in thinking that funeral homes are charitable organizations. We know that they are businesses providing a service, but what makes this is troubling is the level of trust that people put into funeral homes. It’s a different relationship than one has with a dry cleaner or a doughnut shop. You don’t expect them to be angling to make an extra buck off your loved one. You assume that there is profit in a casket, in the cremation, and in the service, but the body being mined for money-making opportunities is beyond most people’s expectations.
3. It’s so easy to buy body parts that you might want to try to do it yourself. That’s what the Reuters reporters did. They showed how easy it was to get into the body parts trade by buying a spine and two human heads. And then they created a trail back to the families who had thought they were donating a loved one’s body as a charitable gift. The trail started with a single date supplied by the body broker that sold Reuters the spine. It was a death date.
By reviewing obituaries from those dates and that geographic area, Reuters tentatively identified one of the donors as Cody Saunders of Townsend, Tennessee. Byrd sold Reuters the man’s cervical spine. To confirm the spine was from Saunders, Reuters had DNA testing done, comparing a sample from the spine to buccal swabs from Saunders’ parents. The samples were sent to the Forensic Science Program at Western Carolina University’s Department of Chemistry and Physics. The test showed that the spine belonged to Cody Saunders.
Reuters also did something remarkable and ripe for replication by other reporters. They thought about how these body parts should be handled — with respect and in a way that would hold up to scientific scrutiny. So they never handled the body parts themselves. They handed over the packages with the body parts to a licensed mortician and had them analyzed for DNA evidence by a licensed laboratory. From the way the story reads, it appears to that they treated Cody Saunders’ family with respect, discussing their findings with them and fully reflecting their mixed emotions about what had happened, and on the role of reporters bringing to light something that causes real distress.
This is something reporters face all the time when they make a discovery of something that could easily stay in the shadows forever. What obligation do you have to reveal such facts, knowing they will bring pain, anxiety, and potentially much worse? People can end up in huge family fights over these types of revelations. There can be financial consequences. People may end up harming themselves.
I still remember talking to a man who lost his wife after I wrote a story about everything that had contributed to her death in a hospital. He didn’t know anything about what went on, only that his wife had gone in relatively healthy and quickly succumbed to an infection that, by all available evidence, she acquired in the hospital. He felt so incredibly isolated and alone, not only because he had lost his wife but also because he felt powerless to do anything about the past. In that moment, I felt that in some ways he would have been better off emotionally if had continued to think that his wife had just been unlucky. That everyone in the hospital had done the right thing and that she had been a victim of the odds.
It’s not obvious to me that the right answer is always “the reveal.”
[Photo by Lydia via Flickr.] | <urn:uuid:a5438c94-179b-4732-926b-8fb74188fc21> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/insights/body-brokers-journalists-track-painful-new-twists-turning-body-parts-profit | 2023-09-27T12:47:26Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.97839 | 1,275 |
Patient Forms Download your patient forms by clicking the PDF icon to the left. Complete and return prior to your appointment at Center for Pain Medicine. Please contact us with any questions you may have prior to your appointment. Accepted Insurances View a complete list of insurances. Patient Portal Log in to email the clinic, request an appointment, pay your bill, view your chart. Patient Referrals Center for Pain Medicine is accepting new patients. Please download the referral form and fax to 701-551-6984. Policies & Billing View our policies and billing information. | <urn:uuid:2f6a132a-7bb2-4823-a658-19cf92683f55> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://centerforpainfargo.com/patient-forms/ | 2023-09-27T12:55:53Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.86544 | 114 |
The Q Center and the Queer Faculty Staff and Allies Association invite you to our annual Q Winteruption: Valentine’s Eve Craft and Chill Social!
Date: Monday, February 13, 2017
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Location: Q Center (HUB 315)
Since it’s Valentine’s Eve, we’ll provide craft supplies for you to make cards for your loved ones and friends. Plus, there will be pizza and goodies to munch on!
Please RSVP so we know how much food to bring: http://tinyurl.com/Qwinteruption | <urn:uuid:9ea7bab7-ef0a-486b-a4d4-0589d18b39b5> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cep.be.uw.edu/q-winteruption-crafts-social-february-13th/ | 2023-09-27T11:23:48Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.832943 | 130 |
Our customers are given the possibility to order our products online with our new webshop solution.
CerPoTech grows out of the University and builds up semi-industrial production facilities at an industrial area in Trondheim, achieving an annual production capacity of several tons of powder to serve both academia and industry.
CerPoTech is born
Ceramic Powder Technology AS was established as a joint venture between professors at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and NTNU Technology Transfer AS to bring high quality complex oxide powders to the market.
The beginnings of spray pyrolysis
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) aquires a spray pyrolysis unit to produce high quality complex ceramic oxide powders in larger quantities for their own research. | <urn:uuid:511bd40e-880d-49f8-af74-d01f1b2fe08e> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cerpotech.com/about/history | 2023-09-27T12:08:25Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.917694 | 217 |
Sena leads our Accounting, Budget and Controls (ABC) practice, Her background includes a long tenure as Chief Financial Officer of Anderson University (IN) where she orchestrated various debt financings, coordinated numerous buildings projects, successfully managed a growing endowment, implemented comprehensive financial controls, and overhauled financial reporting and compliance. Her portfolio also included supervision of human resources, facilities, IT and various other functions as needs demanded.
Sena’s work with CFO Colleague has primarily focused on the interim CFO role, addressing critical needs and implementing controls, reporting and outcome goals consistent with what the strongest institutions have accomplished. Her work is universally acclaimed, with the material issues addressed before a permanent CFO arrives.
Sena and her husband Arlan have two grown children and live in Panama City Beach, FL. | <urn:uuid:35fcca6f-9930-4de3-96b9-5ac9b4d312fb> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cfocolleague.com/insights/team/sena-landey/ | 2023-09-27T12:22:58Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.954175 | 174 |
- Pocket 4:03
- Cavin’ 2:44
- Damn Dog 3:09
- Skin 3:22
The languid, sensual bass-driven atmospherics found on Scour may come as a surprise to fans of their energetic, roller coaster gypsy-folk shows. Yet allow yourself to be hypnotized by Jessi Fredeen’s whisky-tinged velvet croon and you’ll be transported to a hedonistic alternate future, as the band’s steamy trip-hop and R&B infused melodic explorations wind their way into the center of your id. These songs needed to be released together, apart from the band’s prior work; these are the most deeply honest lyrics Fredeen has written, and they speak to the universal.
In 2019, the band contacted producer Shawn Simmons (The Head and the Heart), who brought on his friend, producer Javier Garavito (Youryoungbody) to produce their next album. However, in the midst of the sessions, COVID hit and everything locked down. No longer able to perform live, the band began getting more experimental in the studio, exploring more fully some darker themes and electronic elements that had always lingered in the deeper cuts of their music.
While initially intended as a single record, the music began drifting in two distinct directions: one very classic Champagne Sunday, and one more experimental. The decision was made to split the album into an EP and a full album to be released later.
Recorded at Studio Litho, Shabby Road Studios, and End of Saints Studios in Seattle, each song on Scour feels like a whispered admittance. Something born of the dark, in the most private of places. Scouring is an act of intense cleansing. This EP is not just a surface polish, this is a deep, dirty scrubbing surrounded by the nastiness you just shed.
Imbued with the power that comes from opening up and being vulnerable, the record is a reminder that we’re all busted up somehow. “As artists, I think it’s our job to be the mouthpieces for others who may not be able to articulate what they feel” says Jessi. “That’s ok. We got you. We get you. We are you. Our previous record was Shine – but life isn’t all rainbows. Sometimes, we need a good scour. That’s something to acknowledge and celebrate. Here’s our grime, here’s our deep darkness, here are the pushed-down and dismissed thoughts and emotions we feel every day, but don’t normally share. Here’s what makes us all human, whether we want to acknowledge it or not.”
– Ever Kipp
Jessi Fredeen – Vocals, guitars
Jared Fredeen – Backing vocals, guitars
Javier Garavito – Bass, synthesizers, drum programming
Sean Lane – Percussion
Produced and mixed by Javier Garavito and Shawn Simmons
Shawn Simmons and Javier Garavito
End of Saints Studios
Shabby Road Studios
Album layout and design by Jared and Jessi Fredeen
Photography by Ebony Morris
Mastered by Ed Brooks
All songs © 2021 Champagne Sunday, except Pocket © 2021 Champagne Sunday and End of Saints. All rights reserved.
Published by Faraca Rocks My Socks Off Music (ASCAP). All rights reserved. | <urn:uuid:6f16a9f2-2548-4b4a-8bbc-640e5f0e0231> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://champagnesunday.com/release/scour-ep/ | 2023-09-27T12:52:31Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.935201 | 744 |
Bharti Airtel is continuously launching New plans with free calling and data usage. With the launch of new plans, Airtel matched the tariff plan with Reliance Jio 4G. Here are the best plans of Airtel that comes under Rs.200 with free calling and Internet. If you are looking for a Airtel plan with free calling and data under Rs.200 then these plans are best to use. Check out the best plans of Airtel under Rs.200.
Airtel Plan 179 – Unlimited Calling & Free 4G Data
The First best plan of Airtel that comes under Rs.200 is Airtel 4G Plan 179. With this plan, users can enjoy unlimited calls. Unlimited calls in Airtel 179 plan includes Local, STD & Roaming Calls. The plan also comes with free data usage. The free data in Airtel 179 plan is 1GB. Airtel users can also enjoy 100 SMS per day. The validity of Airtel 179 plan is 28 days. The plan is valid for all handsets. This Airtel 179 plan is best for those who don’t use so much data.
Airtel Plan 169 – Free Calling & Data
Next plan in the queue of Best plans of Airtel is the Airtel plan 169. This plan gives strong competition to Jio Monthly plan. Users can enjoy unlimited calling and data in this plan. All local, STD and roaming calls are free in this plan. The plan also offers 500MB data per day. This plan comes with a validity of 28 days for 4G handsets and the validity of plan for other handsets is 14 days. There is no free SMS in this plan
Airtel Plan 199 – Free Calling & Data
Next plan is Airtel 4G plan 199. This plan comes under Airtel Prepaid Promise. Under the plan 199, Airtel is offering Unlimited Local Calls, Unlimited STD Calls, Unlimited SMS & Unlimited Roaming Outgoing Calls. The plan is valid for 28 days. There is no charge for calls made in roaming.
Other Best Unlimited Plans Of Airtel With Data & Calling
Airtel has also many attractive offers & Plans the give large data benefits and calling benefit. The first plan is Airtel 349 plan. The plan is a monthly plan and offers all calls free and 2GB data per day. Next is Airtel 448 plan. This is the best plan with 70 days validity and free calls. Under this plan Airtel offers 1GB data per day. And if you are looking for a plan with 3GB data per day then Airtel 4G plan 549 is best for you. It comes with free calls and data. | <urn:uuid:9dbc9c79-1002-46f9-91cd-01ffef67a23d> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://chandigarhmetro.com/airtel-best-plans-under-rs-200-with-free-data-calling-airtel-plan-179-plan-199-plan-169/ | 2023-09-27T12:27:59Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.901066 | 565 |
Royal Enfield 650cc twins have been in the news for a while now and after almost a year of teasing and spying the Interceptor and Continental GT were unveiled in India last month. Well if you have been holding your breath ever since to get your hands on one of them then we have the launch timeline for you. According to the sources, the bookings of the two Royal Enfield bikes will start in April which will be followed by a launch in India soon after.
Royal Enfield 650cc Twins: Interceptor and the Continental GT
The Royal Enfield 650cc engine has been developed by the company to cater to the audience looking to upgrade from their existing niche of motorcycles. With the Interceptor and Continental GT, the company is hoping to eat into the sales of the Harley Davidson 750 and create a strong foothold in the segment it has never entered before. The highlight of these Royal Enfield bikes is the parallel twin 650cc engine that produces a peak power of 47BHP and 52Nmof torque.
The two bikes get ABS as standard and disc brakes on both the wheels. The presence of a slipper clutch in the 6-speed gearbox ensures that the Interceptor and Continental GT are not left far behind when the features are concerned. With the new Royal Enfield 650cc bikes the company has already promised that the bikes will be as easy in terms of maintenance as the younger siblings.
Also Read: KTM Duke vs Apache 310
Royal Enfield 650cc Bikes Launch Date and Price in India
The company has revealed that the new Royal Enfield 650c motorcycles will be launched in UK and Australia early next year which will be followed by a launch in India soon after somewhere in the middle of 2018. If reports are to be believed then the company intends to open the bookings of these bikes in April, 2018 and hence a June launch seems likely. Royal Enfield 650cc motorcycles will be priced somewhere between 3.2-3.9 Lakhs in India undercutting the price of the competition by a huge margin. The Himalayan too will get the same engine at a later date. | <urn:uuid:ad9fa71f-020f-49ef-bc45-d57fb70689af> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://chandigarhmetro.com/royal-enfield-new-650cc-bike-launch-june-2018-likely/ | 2023-09-27T11:41:18Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.955247 | 429 |
Look, you want to create an online store with BigCommerce, and you know that you’re going to need some help to do that.
So, you turn to third-party apps and integrations.
Unfortunately, when it comes to choosing these third-party apps and integrations, you don’t know what’s what.
So, to get an inkling, you’ve scanned through its marketplace, in search of apps and integrations to clear the haze, but to no avail.
Afterwards, you’ve resigned to the search engines like Google and Bing, but they don’t have the answers you seek either.
Well, luckily for you, we get where you’re coming from, and want you to succeed.
Which is why, we decided to write this in-depth blog post detailing all the essential software when it comes to running an online store.
So, if you don’t care to mull through it all, you can skim down through the various sections until you find what you’re looking for.
To get the ball rolling, we’ll provide a little bit of information about BigCommerce. Then, we’ll list off the apps we feel work brilliantly with BigCommerce’s platform. And, we’ll finish by breaking these apps up into their relevant sections.
What is BigCommerce?
BigCommerce is an online store building platform. You’re all probably familiar with Shopify, so think of it as Shopify’s twin whom it looks nothing alike.
What does BigCommerce do?
Essentially, BigCommerce gives you the features and functionality you’ll need to create an online store and begin to sell products through it.
Why Apps are Important when using BigCommerce
Like most online platforms, BigCommerce doesn’t come with the level of “out of the box” functionality that you’ll need to successfully run an online store.
So, to get that level of functionality, you will have to download, or subscribe to, third-party apps.
If you’re confused about these apps, think of them in the same light as tools that would help you build a house.
Building a house without tools would be pretty hard, right?
Well, funnily enough, so is creating and running an online store.
Best BigCommerce Apps and Integrations
In this section of the article, we’re going to talk about some of the best apps that we recommend you integrate with BigCommerce.
Please note though, that we will be compiling this list in no particular order.
Also, this is going to be an extremely superficial account of all these apps.
But all apps mentioned in this section will be reviewed more thoroughly in later sections.
So, please stay tuned for that.
Anyway, without further ado, let’s get cracking with these apps.
App Number One: Shogun
What is Shogun?
What you can use Shogun for in your e-commerce store
You can use Shogun to create and optimize pages for your BigCommerce store, but it specializes in helping you to create the perfect landing page.
The platform offers you a host of different features to achieve this end.
Its page editor operates in a drag and drop format and will give you the functionality you need to create high converting mobile responsive pages.
You’ll also have over 30 professionally designed templates to base your store’s pages off. With its visual analytics suite, you’ll be able to monitor and compare key metrics in relation to your site’s performance.
And, as if you didn’t already have enough tools at your disposal, you’ll have access to A/B testing to optimize your pages for conversions.
Also, if you run into difficulty using any of these features, you can simply contact their support staff who guarantee “same-day response”.
App Number Two: JustUno
What is JustUno?
JustUno is an app designed to help you boost conversions from the traffic that visits your online store. It does this using conversion tools that have been programmed to pick up on customer behavioral patterns by combining three key data sets:
- Behavioral session data
- Visitor profile data
- Transactional and product data
Using this information, it produces targeted messaging that is most likely to earn you a conversion.
The app can be integrated with:
What you can use JustUno for in your e-commerce store
You can use JustUno to grow your contacts list, which advertently grows the number of leads your brand is associated with. For those unaware, a lead is a contact that could possibly be turned into a conversion. So, this software can be summarised as something that helps you to generate leads, and therefore earn conversions. If you’re a marketer who is heavily reliant on social media and email marketing, this app will work really well for you.
It creates a little popup on the side of your website. The popup will read something like “WANT 25% OFF”, and your customers will click on it to avail of the deal. Now, you don’t have to offer a discount specifically. It can also be a “buy one get one free” offer.
Obviously, you’re going to ask for something in return for handing out a discount, which will be your customer’s email or for them to share your brand on social media. For anyone looking to grow their contacts list, or increase their social media presence, this handy little app is for you.
App Number Three: LeadDyno
What is LeadDyno?
LeadDyno is a piece of software that will enable you to quickly and easily manage and launch your affiliate program. And, the best part? You don’t need to possess any knowledge of coding or advanced developmental skills to use it.
LeadDyno can be integrated with:
What you can use LeadDyno for
LeadDyno can be used to create a comprehensive list of affiliate partners to work in conjunction with your brand. Its software will give you and your affiliates the functionality that ye will need to generate more leads and increase conversions. The app’s dashboard will allow your affiliates to see exactly how much money they’re making from commissions. Also, you can use LeadDyno’s database to find affiliates who are already using its platform.
A handy tip that will help you find the best affiliates, is to sort through their database and identify the most successful bloggers. Bloggers are great because they always have not only a strong following but a loyal following. Having trust between buyer and seller is crucial, and that’s why bloggers make excellent affiliates. They’ve already established that trust through producing informative content week in week out.
So, their followers are more likely to purchase the products and services that they promote. Which means that they’re more likely to earn you sales than the average affiliate marketer. Overall, this is an awesome app that is guaranteed to earn you some extra cash while increasing your brand awareness.
App Number Four: Smile.io
What is Smile?
Smile is an app that will allow you to reward your customers for their generosity and turn them into lifetime buyers. To achieve this rather lofty end, it will give you the tools you need to create a warm and inviting community. As well as an onsite experience that will leave your customers wanting more.
Smile can be integrated with the following e-commerce platforms:
What you can use Smile for
You can use Smile to create a satisfied customer base by offering them rewards in return for purchasing your goods and services. In the current digital economy, it is getting harder and harder to make your e-commerce store stand out.
After all, virtually anyone can now buy a domain and hosting to supplement with a BigCommerce subscription and begin selling through their store.
While winning customers is important, it may be smarter to approach your business’s plan of action with retaining customers to the fore instead.
Anyway, regardless of your business approach, you can use Smile to create and customize a customer loyalty program that matches your brand’s vision. To help you along during this process, you will have:
- VIP Tiers
If you wish to find out more about Smile, check out our “apps to improve customer service” section down below.
App Number Five: Omnisend
What is Omnisend?
Omnisend is one of many email marketing and marketing automation apps that can be integrated with BigCommerce. The app offers an advanced level of email marketing functionality that almost anyone can use without any prior knowledge of coding or development.
It’s possible to integrate Omnisend with the following online store building platforms:
What can you use Omnisend for?
You can use Omnisend to bridge the gap between you and your customers. If you’re talking about the best big commerce apps, Omnisend has got to be up there. Mainly, because of how quick it is to get started using and also how easy it is to use.
When we refer to bridging the gap between you and your customers, we mean creating email marketing campaigns to get in touch with them. You can use Omnisend to create and send professional-looking emails in a relatively short period.
On top of that, you can use it to send out email newsletters as well as automated messages if people:
- Abandon their cart
- Make a purchase
- Require information on where their purchase is in the process of getting to them
With Omnisend, you’ll also be able to avail of a host of tools that will aid in SMS and social media marketing automation. So, you’re getting an extremely well-rounded marketing automation tool.
App Number Six: FOMO
What is FOMO?
FOMO is a social proofing app that will increase your conversion rate by taking advantage of the fear of missing out (also known as, FOMO). It does this by showing real-time purchases that are being made in your digital store, which entices potential customers to get in on the action. FOMO is also one of the many BigCommerce apps that is cloud-based and code free.
Here are the platforms that FOMO can be integrated with:
What you can use FOMO for
You can use FOMO to increase your online store’s conversion rate. This is achieved by displaying sales and activity happening on your site in real-time to visitors. Doing this provides social proof of your site’s legitimacy, which in turn provides an aura of trust and credibility. All of these things combined, eventually lead to sales.
The app manifests this social proof in the form of a popup on your screen. It also gives you the necessary tools to customize these popups so that they fit in with your brand image and page design. What’s also great about Fomo, is that you can have the whole process up and running in a matter of minutes.
And, if you feel like you need a little help with optimizing your site once it goes live, you can use Fomo insights. It’ll process all your data for you using machine learning so that you don’t waste a minute of your precious time.
App Number Seven: PriceWaiter
What is PriceWaiter
PriceWaiter, for lack of a more elaborate term, is a negotiation app. The theory behind the app is that it’ll make buying and selling products through your online store much easier, by simplifying the processes of negotiation.
Which is a drawn-out way of saying that it’ll find things that you can buy with the intention of selling on for a profit.
Also, this is genuinely one of the best BigCommerce apps. After all, they did create it!
What e-commerce platforms are open to PriceWaiter integrations:
What you can use PriceWaiter for
As a seller, you can use this app to sell more using the conversion tools contained within. PriceWaiter is probably best used to sell unwanted stock or clear large volumes of merchandise quickly in the guise of a clearance sale. But you could also use it to boost sales for your brand’s end of season sales.
The platform offers a builder and analytics dashboard to help you generate sales and attract new customers. You can use it to convert comparison shoppers bouncing around from store to store and make MAP moot.
Now that we’ve established what we think are some really great BigCommerce apps, let’s start breaking them up into categories that should make for easier viewing.
Also, we will be getting into the nitty-gritty details of what we love about them, so stay tuned for that!
The Best Landing Page Builder for BigCommerce
In this segment of our post, we’re going to be analyzing what we believe to be one of the best landing page builders on the market, Shogun.
As previously stated, Shogun is one of the top BigCommerce apps on the market.
It enables you to create stunning and modern landing pages using drag and drop functionality, but that’s not all. It also offers a page importer that you can use to edit and customize pre-existing pages. As well as that, it works well for use in creating about pages, contact pages, and other pages of that nature.
Anyway, this is all awesome because it means that you don’t need prior knowledge of coding to be able to effectively use the tool. This also means that you won’t have to pay a developer. Which is huge because normally they demand a pretty penny in exchange for their services.
But if the need arises for a developer to be introduced, Shogun offers advanced functionality that’ll be right up their alley. For example, its “custom templating” feature allows you to create additional elements in coding languages such as liquid and HTML.
Once you create or edit a page with Shogun, you have the option to preview the page before it goes live. This will help ensure that the page is mobile responsive and that nothing is broken.
The importance of having a mobile responsive site cannot be stated enough, with 50% of internet traffic now coming from mobile devices.
In terms of integrations, it works super well with Shopify and BigCommerce, and all their respective themes. BigCommerce customer reviews have left the app rated five stars with 166 people already having rated the app, so you know it’s high performing.
To test out Shogun’s support, we decided to get in touch by asking them a few frequently asked questions that we googled. We found that they were very responsive but most importantly helpful. One thing that we didn’t like about Shogun’s support, is that it prioritizes customers on the basic and pro plans.
Which, in a way, is fair seen as they are paying more than the subscribers to its starter plan. Also, a redeeming factor in all of this is that Shogun offers email support to all users, regardless of the plan that they’re on. But some will just have to wait longer than others to avail of it due to the whole priority thing.
Shogun offers three pricing plans:
Overall, Shogun is a page builder that we, and many other reviewers, would recommend.
The Best Apps for Improving Marketing and Increasing Conversions
As we did in the previous segment, we’ll again be taking a closer look at some of the best apps that can be integrated with BigCommerce. Only this time, we’ll be concentrating on marketing and conversion apps. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
The first marketing and conversion app that we’re going to be discussing is JustUno. You can use JustUno to create:
- Lead generation solutions
- Targeted messaging to boost conversions
JustUno offers core visitor intelligence technology that has been specially designed to improve your conversion strategies. This out of the box functionality will collect visitor data and track behavioral patterns inside your digital stores to profile your target audience.
Once this customer profiling is complete, you can marry your findings with the tools offered in Justuno’s AI suite to create effective conversion strategies. This will ensure that you’re able to earn more conversions and generate leads with ease.
Another great way to increase your sales with JustUno is by upselling.
This can easily be done on-page by recommending products to go along with other products. Which is admittedly extremely basic, but effective, nonetheless. You can also use the app to create exit pop-ups that appear when customers choose to abandon their cart. These pop-ups could be used to display promotions, or perhaps best sellers that match that visitor’s personal product and transactional data.
This is a great method to use if you’re someone who likes to be proactive in winning sales.
You can also make use of JustUno’s omnichannel messaging to help you make more sales through your online store. You see, omnichannel messaging will ensure that you’ll be able to connect with leads and increase your brand awareness across multiple platforms. Which is becoming increasingly important in today’s market.
In terms of Ease of Use, we’d rate the app below average. Mainly because all the customisation and features can become a little overwhelming. Also, its UI is kind of tricky to get the hang of. Something that other online reviewers have also noted.
The final reason we’d label JustUno as one of the better BigCommerce apps in this category is because of its audience segmentation feature. Audience Segmentation is fantastic because it will allow you to always send the right promotional content to the right people. Which is not only essential when it comes to making more sales but also when it comes to increasing your brand awareness.
JustUno’s pricing structure is complicated, so we recommend that you take advantage of the free trial that it offers before you opt-in.
Info on JustUno’s free trial:
- You do not have to sign up with your credit card.
- You are not obligated to buy a plan with the platform.
- You will not have to pay any hidden activation fees.
The next marketing app up for dissection is LeadDyno.
LeadDyno is an all in one type of affiliate marketing and tracking solution, which can be easily integrated with BigCommerce.
It gives you the functionality you need to create and then manage your affiliate program, as well as track conversions by inputting URLs.
Something that we find really cool about LeadDyno, is how easy they make it for a visitor to promote your products. You see, if a visitor purchases your products through your online store, they can share them on social media with the click of a button. All of this is made possible thanks to the app’s social media plugin.
In terms of signing up affiliates, the process is rather straightforward and can be completed in a matter of minutes. You can choose to pay your affiliates’ commissions one of three ways:
- The first way is automatically through your chosen payment processor.
- The second way is using one-click payment verification.
- The third way is with affiliate mass pay, which lets you pay all your affiliates’ commission with a few quick clicks.
There are also some great features that’ll help you grow your affiliate list. For instance, when someone purchases a product from your online store, you can send them an invite to become an affiliate.
Another great feature worthy of a mention is the Per Product Commission. In short, this feature enables you to put a different percentage commission on products of your choice. You can also use it to set up a fixed sum of money as a commission in place of a percentage fee.
This BigCommerce integration also provides you with real-time affiliate reporting, so you can keep a close eye on everything. Plus, it’s annoying to have to wait for the dashboard to update affiliate information, so the fact you won’t have to is awesome.
The UI offered by LeadDyno is super easy to use, and your affiliates can see all your partnership information on the dashboard. This is great because we feel it helps create a transparent, and therefore, more trusting working relationship.
LeadDyno can also be used to track Google AdWords and Social media conversions. To do this, you need to create a new tracking campaign and input the URL you want to be tracked for conversions into your ads.
The one bad thing we’d say about LeadDyno is that its reporting is slightly lacking in comparison with other apps.
Here’s a breakdown of LeadDyno’s pricing structure for all its “Basic Plans”:
|Starter – $49 Per Month
|Biz Builder – $59 Per Month and this plan includes everything the starter plan does, plus:
|Accelerator – $79 Per Month and includes everything the other two plans do, as well as:
Omnisend is best described as an omnichannel marketing and automation solution for marketers.
The word “omni” alludes to the fact that the platform enables you to automate marketing projects across multiple communicative channels.
These channels include:
- Social Media
The app has received 100 reviews in BigCommerce’s market place, averaging a 4.5-star rating.
Omnisend offers a tonne of great features, especially when it comes to email and text automation.
Along with the usual welcome and confirmation notifications, it also allows you to create and send cart recovery and product abandonment messages.
For those who don’t know, these messages will target people who abandoned their cart or looked at a product but never made a purchase. This will be done using product recommendations and alternatives.
According to Omnisend, this will help you win back customers, so no complaints there.
When it comes to writing your newsletters and other promotional content, you will again have some helpful tools at your disposal. For instance, you’ll have built-in email templates available to you that have been optimized to earn conversions.
Another cool thing about Omnisend is its product picker. You can use it to import products and product details to your store in a matter of minutes.
You’ll also have access to CTR Boosters and Discount Coupons to entice your email recipients into buying some of your products.
Along with that, you’ll be able to boost your on-page marketing efforts, by taking advantage of sign-up forms. You can place these forms in a discrete, yet visible location, in your store using a widget.
This is great for growing your email list and generating new leads.
A negative associated with Omnisend, is the lack of customisation it offers within certain themes and pertaining to certain elements. One online reviewer was disgruntled by the fact that they could not change the colour scheme of the spin to win wheel to match that of their store. As a result, they can’t use that feature, which is annoying seen as gamification is effective and they’re paying to be able to use it.
Here’s a breakdown of Omnisend’s pricing:
|Plan||Cost Per Month|
BigCommerce Apps to Improve Customer Conversions
The next segment is going to focus on the BigCommerce apps that are going to help you turn leads into sales.
The first app we’re going to be looking at is FOMO.
As previously alluded to in the best BigCommerce apps and integrations portion of this article,
FOMO is a social proof marketing platform.
The app gives you the power you need to create and edit messaging so that your vision is always
conveyed in the clearest way possible. This is made doable by its patent-pending architecture.
Pretty neat, right?
FOMO also gives you the option to incorporate automation and fallbacks into your site. These filters should provide you with the necessary elements to customize your site. And, enhance your visitors’ buying experience.
Something that many people do not seem to know about this app, is that it is extremely sophisticated. For example, it’s analyzing approximately 10 billion data points every hour, so that you can optimize your pages for conversions.
What’s also super about this digital marketing solution, is its templates and theme builder. FOMO’s templates provide you with a page base that’s proven to convert, while its builder lets you make it look stunning.
The builder comes with elements that enable you to customize your site without any knowledge of coding languages. But there is a CSS function available for more advanced developers. Also, they allow members access to its API, so you should have no qualms regarding customizing your online storefront.
For anyone who’s looking to target a certain part of the world as their client base, you can by using IP tracking.
FOMO’s scoreboard comes along with the app and will provide you with an indication of how useful it has been for you.
How Much Does FOMO Cost?
Here’s a breakdown of Fomo’s pricing:
|Plan||Cost Per Month|
While using the app, you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you realize that almost everything has been automated.
Now, an entirely automated platform is a crux for more advanced marketers and developers. So, you may be pleased to know, that you’ll also have the option to manually set up some sales features.
Although the level of customization you’ll have available to you is still somewhat limited, it’ll give you control over when these items go live.
The most attractive element of this app is that it enables you to sell products that you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to sell.
When it comes to optimizing pages with PriceWaiter, you’ll have access to A/B testing to ensure they’re high converting.
On top of that, you’ll be able to decrease your bounce rate by using metrics that calculate exit intent.
The lower your bounce rate, the better search engine crawlers will rank your site in the SERPs.
The only obvious downside to PriceWaiter, is that there’s no guarantee that you’re going to be able to use it effectively. And, that’s because it can be a little tricky to get the hang of, but once you do, you should be fine.
This app does not require a set up or subscription fee. It operates as a marketplace, so instead, they take a percentage commission from the seller.
Top BigCommerce App to Improve Customer Service
Smile is an awesome BigCommerce integration, which will give you the functionality you need to create a rewards program to give back to your loyal customers.
The app has a 4.5 star-rating in BigCommerce’s app marketplace. Which would indicate that it’s in the higher echelons of what’s available when it comes to improving customer service.
The first thing we love about Smile is that it provides more than one method of rewarding your customers. You see, if a customer makes a purchase, you can reward them. If they share your brand on social media, you can reward them. If they merely tell a friend, and that friend mentions who pointed them in the direction of your store, you can reward them.
According to Smile’s about info in the BigCommerce app marketplace, there are over ten different consumer actions, which can result in customer rewards.
When creating your rewards programs, you’ll be able to add imagery and logos so that the program feels as though it’s an extension of your brand.
If you find that you need access to customization features that are not available through smile, you can have them coded in through its API.
Please note, you do not have API access unless you are subscribed to Smile’s Enterprise plan. Admittedly, this is a bit of a bummer.
One of the most practical methods you can use to ensure customers remain loyal to your brand is Smile’s VIP structure. In short, VIP encourages customers to continue to buy your products, buy offering them rewards. Plain, and simple!
Rewarding your customers is a great way to improve your customer service because it makes the customer feel valued.
Also, it shows that you care about the people who buy your products, which is another nice touch.
The Best BigCommerce Shipping App
Let’s face it, shipping can be so complicated, not to mention downright over the top.
So, before you find yourself stressed to the point that you’re foaming from the mouth and clenching your fists so tight that they turn blue.
*Exhales slowly and breathes in deeply*
Well, why not investigate downloading an app that’ll, more or less, do most of the hard work for you, eh?
Aftership is a tracking solution that marketers can integrate into their online stores.
The app is great because it will automatically track your couriers so that you are up to date pertaining to the whereabouts of your customers’ orders.
Shipments can be automatically tracked through aftership using shopping carts, marketplaces, and CSVs.
The app’s interface will provide you with a:
- Time of delivery
- Date of delivery
- Delivery status regarding items whereabouts and condition
What we like about this app is the ability to manage your shipments using filters. For example, you are able to sort deliveries out by the courier delivering them. So, if you need to find data relating to shipments being delivered by a specific courier, you can quick and easy.
Other metrics that you can sort by include:
- Final location of delivery
- The date the delivery is fixed to be shipped
- The time it will take for a delivery to be completed
For those of you who like to stay one step ahead of the game, you’ll be able to perform an audit on all your shipments. This is awesome because it should give you a reasonably strong idea as to how long your deliveries will take.
Aftership lets you send notifications via email to your customers. This is useful if something happens to your shipment because it’ll allow you to keep your customers up to date. While also affording them a little peace of mind.
To set this up, you’re going to have to establish status triggers. For instance, if an item gets delivered, the status of that shipment will change to display “delivered”. Upon this change, you can arrange for a generic confirmation email to be sent to all your customers.
As with most of the BigCommerce apps on this list, you will have access to an API. So, for all you developers, you will be able to code the app to suit your shipping needs.
For customers to track their orders, they need only go to your site and look for the tracking page. Within the tracking page, they’ll find all the information there is to find about their order.
The actual function that will allow you to implement a tracking system on your site, is called the “Track Button”. To get this feature up and running on your store, you’ll need to copy and paste a few lines of code, which can be found on AfterShip’s website.
In terms of cons, there are a few that other reviewers have experienced.
For instance, reviewers on GetApp.com noticed problems with tracking couriers and getting the tracking ID to appear. One person who left a review on the platform claimed that they did not provide good enough documentation when it comes to explaining how to effectively use the site’s API.
Not huge problems, but food for thought, nonetheless.
How Much Does AfterShip Cost Per Month?
|Plan||Cost Per Month|
Here’s Our List of Must-Have BigCommerce Apps Once More | <urn:uuid:8d0889fe-66d8-4611-b7e2-7d8769f3c3d9> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://changecreator.com/bigcommerce-apps/ | 2023-09-27T11:55:43Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.931837 | 7,171 |
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I bought The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton in February through Bookdepository. I had read about the book on Goodreads. The cover is beautiful, the synopsis intriguing and the reviews mostly positive. So when I felt like buying books from my favourite online bookshop again, I didn’t hesitate too long to add it to my cart.
The Miniaturist is set in 17th century Amsterdam where we follow Pertonella Oortman, who after her marriage to Johannes Brandt, a successful salesman of the Dutch East India Company, moves to a house on the prestigious Herengracht. For a wedding gift her new husband gives her a beautiful miniature version of her new house. But when Petronella contacts a miniaturist to help her fill the doll house, this is the beginning of a number of bizarre events
Let me begin by saying that I blame this book for my 3-month-lasting disinterest in books. Once I had finished it, I really did not feel like reading anything. So I guess this already says a lot about my opinion on the book: a true disappointment.
First, I really had to force myself to finish the book. The story had a really slow start and just goes on and on. It took me 1 month to go through it, which is a lot for my standards.
Secondly, I had no affinity what so ever for any of the characters. They endured tragedies and become disillusioned, but I honestly couldn’t care less. Their actions and emotions seemed unbelievable and often completely incomprehensible.
Eventually I really wanted to finish the book, even if it was a struggle. Why? Because I wanted to know what the freaking deal was with the mysterious miniaturist.
Very (veeeeeeeeeeeeery) slowly the mystery around this character is built. Every time you think you’ll get to the bottom of the mystery, you are led back to unrelated events or boring conversations. And then, suddenly, the book is over. Certain events are led to an – again, unbelievable – crescendo, but the how and what of the miniaturist is never explained. It all remains very vague and unclear.
When I finished the last page, I honestly believed my book was missing a chapter or two. In my confusion I even reread the cryptic first chapter, hoping I had missed something crucial there. But no, the book truly does end without explaining its title character.
Yes, I know, I may now have spoiled the book for many of you and for that I could apologize, but I won’t.
Seriously though, when a book is titled “The Miniaturist”, one can expect the character to be an important one, which will eventually receive a background and a motif. But when it turns ou that it is just a type of Deus ex Machina, a desperate attempt to give a weak story some mystery, without any depth or relevance in the end, then one is allowed to be disappointed and decide to give away this plot element. This way I sincerely hope that I can save some of you the disappointment and the following lethargy for books I went through after reading The Miniaturist. | <urn:uuid:02e4ed18-599e-4eff-85a4-606aca05f937> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://charami.com/2015/07/21/the-miniaturist-2/ | 2023-09-27T11:02:27Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.966752 | 657 |
Within our close-knit community, we value looking out for one another, especially those facing greater challenges. The far-reaching hunger crisis has left a deep impact on numerous lives, and it pains us to see individuals enduring nights without sustenance. Yet, we’re not mere bystanders; we at Chavez Insurance Group are resolute in taking swift action to support the local families of Hutto, Texas.
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This alignment of values and purpose reinforces our belief in fostering a community that thrives on mutual support, compassion, and the unwavering determination to overcome challenges together.
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Embracing the Urban Lifestyle of Toronto
Toronto is Canada’s largest city, and it offers an urban lifestyle that’s truly one-of-a-kind. From its cosmopolitan cityscapes to its world-class cultural attractions and bustling nightlife, Toronto has something for everyone. Whether you’re a foodie, an art lover, or simply someone who loves the energy and excitement of a big city, Toronto is the perfect destination. Here’s everything you need to know about embracing the urban lifestyle of Toronto.
1. An Overview of the Urban Lifestyle in Toronto
2. Exploring the Cultural Attractions of Toronto
3. Dining and Nightlife in Toronto
4. Accommodations in Toronto
5. Getting Around Toronto
An Overview of the Urban Lifestyle in Toronto
Toronto is a vibrant and dynamic metropolis that’s home to over 2.7 million people. It’s a world-class destination that’s known for its diverse communities, cultural attractions, and lively nightlife. The city’s skyline is dominated by the CN Tower, an iconic structure that stands at over 553 meters tall. And, the Toronto Islands provide a scenic getaway from the hustle and bustle of downtown.
One of the best things about Toronto is its mix of old-world charm and modernity. You can explore historic neighborhoods like Kensington Market or wander the streets of the Entertainment District and discover some of the city’s hottest bars and nightclubs.
Exploring the Cultural Attractions of Toronto
Toronto is home to a diverse range of cultural attractions, including museums, galleries, and theaters. The Art Gallery of Ontario is a must-visit for any art lover, with its extensive collection of Canadian and international art.
If you’re interested in history, the Royal Ontario Museum is a must-visit. It’s one of the largest museums in North America and features exhibits on everything from ancient Egypt to dinosaurs.
And, for those interested in science and technology, the Ontario Science Centre is a top attraction. It features interactive exhibits and hands-on activities that are great for both kids and adults.
Dining and Nightlife in Toronto
Toronto’s dining scene is as diverse as its population. You can find everything from traditional Canadian cuisine to international favorites like sushi and curries. There are also plenty of trendy cafes and bars offering craft cocktails and locally sourced fare.
The city’s nightlife scene is equally impressive, with bars and nightclubs that cater to all tastes. Whether you’re looking for a laid-back pub or a high-energy dance club, you’ll find it in Toronto. Some of the city’s hottest spots include the Thompson Hotel Rooftop Lounge and Kensington Market’s Ronnie’s Local 069.
Accommodations in Toronto
Toronto has a wide variety of accommodations to choose from, ranging from budget-friendly hostels to high-end luxury hotels. Some of the top options include the Fairmont Royal York, the Ritz-Carlton, and the Thompson Hotel.
If you’re looking for more affordable options, there are plenty of budget-friendly hostels and Airbnbs available throughout the city.
Getting Around Toronto
Toronto is a pedestrian-friendly city, with many of its top attractions within walking distance of each other. However, for those who prefer to get around by public transportation, the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) offers a variety of options, including bus, streetcar, and subway services.
Taxis and ride-sharing services are also readily available in the city, and renting a bike is a great way to explore its many neighborhoods.
Q: What’s the best time to visit Toronto?
A: The best time to visit Toronto is during the summer months (June-August) when the weather is warm and many of the city’s outdoor festivals and events take place.
Q: What’s the cost of living in Toronto?
A: Toronto can be an expensive city, with high housing costs and taxes. However, there are also plenty of budget-friendly options for dining, accommodations, and entertainment.
Q: What are some must-visit tourist attractions in Toronto?
A: Some of the top attractions in Toronto include the CN Tower, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the Toronto Islands.
Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Embracing the Urban Lifestyle of Toronto
1. CN Tower
2. Royal Ontario Museum
3. Art Gallery of Ontario
4. Toronto Islands
5. Kensington Market
6. Entertainment District
7. Ontario Science Centre
8. Nathan Phillips Square
9. Harbourfront Centre
10. St. Lawrence Market
Embracing the urban lifestyle of Toronto is an experience like no other. With its diverse cultural attractions, booming food and nightlife scene, and historic neighborhoods and modern cityscapes, there’s something for everyone in this dynamic metropolis. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or an extended stay, Toronto is a must-visit destination that’s sure to leave you with memories to last a lifetime. | <urn:uuid:b6b81f6a-4e55-4248-87ec-62a687df3a8f> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cheapholidayhacks.com/holidaydestinations/embracing-the-urban-lifestyle-of-toronto/ | 2023-09-27T11:11:56Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.915439 | 1,100 |
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'Tis the season for restaurant and bar shutters in Chicago, as Underbar, Michael Diversey's and Nigerian Kitchen have all bit the dust.
In addition, Erickson's Deli in Andersonville is temporarily closed.
The closing of 10-year-old Underbar is another blow to late-night shenanigans in the area, as The Hungry Brain down the street is set to close only two days later. Underbar holds a rare 4 a.m. license, meaning Chicago will have one fewer bar open until 5 a.m. on Saturdays.
The neighborhood will look different next year, as the city in 2015 plans to demolish the Belmont/Western viaduct that ran right in front of Underbar.
Lakeview neighborhood watering hole Michael Diversey's also closed on Nov. 30, announcing the shutter on Facebook.
The shutter news continues in Uptown where Nigerian Kitchen, 1363 N. Wilson Ave., is up for rent, according to Uptown Update, ending 10 years of business.
Finally, the family which runs Erickson's Deli, 5250 N. Clark St., is shutting the deli down, at least temporarily. This comes after a failed health inspection last month. | <urn:uuid:e699c4b9-2024-45a1-bc30-7eec1bdcf50e> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://chicago.eater.com/2014/12/2/7319221/underbar-on-western-ave-closing | 2023-09-27T10:58:51Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.944606 | 254 |
Ald. Edward Burke stopped by a 14th ward polling place Tuesday morning to thank election workers. He didn’t take off his raincoat.
“Pretty cold out there,” he said, setting down a box of candy. Burke chatted for a few seconds about turnout, which approached a record low. Then he backed out the door.
An Election Day ritual. But that was about all that was usual about Burke’s 13th and perhaps last aldermanic race. Accused by the government of attempted extortion, stripped of his powerful finance committee chairmanship, time may be running out for a man who has wielded clout in Chicago for half a century.
The wonder is he lasted this long.
On March 11 it’ll be 50 years since Burke, 75, was first elected to City Council. Typically he ran unopposed in the ward where he grew up, where his father Joe was alderman before him. This year he was challenged by Jaime Guzman and Tanya Patiño, acolytes of foe Jesus “Chuy” Garcia.
Together, Guzman and Patiño had raised less than $150,000 in the last quarterly filing. Burke had nearly $5 million, and easily cruised to victory Tuesday.
Still, Burke was facing one of the more significant challenges since he won a secret ballet for Democratic committeemen in 1968 by three and a half votes.
The FBI took the warm glow off Burke’s Golden Anniversary by raiding his ward offices in November, and again in December, charging him in January with demanding that a Burger King franchise steer business to his law firm. In return, he would stop opposing the remodeling of the chain’s 4060 S. Pulaski location, the feds alleged.
Will Burke have long to enjoy his victory?
The common wisdom is, if the government didn’t have the goods on Burke, it wouldn’t conduct the raids. Yet Burke has been in tight spots before — a 1997 ghost payroll scandal come to mind — and survived. He is a uniquely cautious politician. The Better Government Association tallied that Burke recused himself from City Council votes due to conflicts of interest 464 times in the past eight years, or four times as much as the other 49 aldermen put together.
Even without his legal troubles, Burke’s grip on power was facing challenges, as his ward underwent demographic change, despite efforts to stop it, the entire ward, during various rezonings, inching away from Hispanic and black populations surrounding it. Every year there were fewer places like the Red Barrel, where Burke supporters gathered late Tuesday to celebrate what might be his final victory.
It is too soon to deliver one of the eulogies that Burke is so good at. But since many younger readers might not have a grasp of who Burke is, or was, beyond his round glasses, emerald green Rolex, and chalk pinstripe suits that look like the costume rack for “Guys and Dolls,” a quick reprise is in order.
In the commotion after the death of Richard J. Daley in 1976, Burke was the one who introduced the motion suspending the rules so that malleable Michael Bilandic could be elected immediately.
When Jane Byrne said she was running against an “evil cabal,” she meant Burke and his wingman Ed Vrdolyak — the “Two Eddies.” She ran against them then, clueless in victory, ran into their arms for guidance.
After the election of Harold Washington, it was Burke, along with Vrdolyak, who led 29 white aldermen in unified opposition to everything Washington tried to do.
The city’s first black mayor had no illusions as to why.
“Burke is a racist,” Harold Washington told his press secretary.
That’s part of his legacy. The complete picture will be worked out by historians. The author of several books about politics, buildings and the police, Burke seemed to once care about his reputation. What the last chapter is, and whether this is it, will be decided somewhere other than the ballot box. | <urn:uuid:a9b664b7-f4a4-43c8-bb96-3b62d7bb04a5> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/2/27/18417914/ed-burke-might-be-finished-despite-big-election-win | 2023-09-27T12:38:00Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.981383 | 872 |
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Learn how to make your own DIY faux fiddle leaf fig in a few easy steps – no watering or sunlight required! Perfect faux plant to add that pop of greenery to your home decor. Affiliate links are included – full disclosure here.
Let’s start off by admitting something – I am terrible with house plants. Legitimately terrible. I swoon over everyone’s fiddle leaf fig trees, but I just KNOW I’d spend money on one, get attached, and then swiftly kill it. I just know myself after 31 years.
So when I saw some fiddle leaf fig branches at Homegoods, I got the idea to take matters into my own hands, embrace the black thumb, and make my own faux fiddle leaf fig:
I posted it on Instagram, and SO many of you wanted to see how I made it. It feels silly even writing it out, but here’s the incredibly easy way to make your own!
DIY faux fiddle leaf fig
What you’ll need (affiliate links included):
- Fiddle leaf fig stems (I used 3).
- I got mine for $14.99 each at Homegoods, but I found them here for an even better price.
- A tall container with a thinner “mouth”
- Look around your house for something you’re not currently using, or go look for a good yard sale purchase. You won’t see this container so it doesn’t matter what it looks like!
- Spanish moss
- Large basket
- This will depend on the height of your container- make sure it covers the top of the vase/container you use
Once you have your materials, it’ll take you about 5 minutes to put together! Hooray for simple DIY projects!
Cut (or fold if you’re lazy like me) your stems at varying lengths. This is what mine look like:
Stick the vase or container in the basket, and then put the stems in the container:
And cover up the top with spanish moss:
Fluff the leaves until you have them the way you’d like, and then you’re done! No watering, sunlight, or maintenance needed. Perfect for any black thumbs out there 😉
pillow from this shop – one of my favorites!
I love this touch of greenery that I don’t have to worry about wilting in our hallway:
If you like this post, make sure you share it on Pinterest here!
And if you don’t want to DIY this project – you can shop for faux fiddle leaf figs here:
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This post is sponsored by Travelers Insurance ; all opinions are my own.
When it comes to buying a home, an inspection is critical! Read these questions to ask your home inspector so you can be prepared, equipped, and ready to handle issues you may come across with your potential home. This is a sponsored post with Travelers – as always, opinions are 100% my own.
Getting a home inspection is critical for any homebuyer. As much as I love old homes, they certainly come with their own quirks and issues that need to be addressed! A home inspector can be an invaluable resource IF you use them correctly. Here are the most important questions to ask your home inspector before and during an inspection.
Questions to ask your home inspector:
Are you insured?
The most important thing to find out about your home inspector is if they’re liscenced and insured.
- Once you find out they’re licensed and insured, you can ask them:
- How long have you been inspecting homes full time?
- How many homes do you inspect a year?
- Are you working for my realtor? (If yes – find another home inspector!)
- Are you familiar with inspecting this kind of home?
Can I attend the inspection?
It’s really important that you’re able to attend the home inspection. Having the home inspector walk you through your potential new home and talking you through an issues they see is truly invaluable.
Once you know that you have a reliable inspector that will let you attend the inspection, here are some very important questions to ask your inspector during the actual inspection:
How much does that cost to fix?
When you hear issues that your home inspector brings up, it can raise alarm. To us, people who are untrained, some issues may sound scary and like a big problem. But sometimes the issues home inspectors are talking about can cost under $100 to remedy! But then of course the opposite may be true – you could hear something that doesn’t sound terrible to you, but could be a major expense for you. So make sure you ask how much things can cost to get fixed before you get too worried about the problem.
If this was your home, what would you do?
We asked this question a few times during our last home inspection and it was really valuable. Sometimes we would think an issue would need to get remedied immediately, but our home inspector was able to reassure us that this was not a pressing issue at the moment. We still needed to be aware of the problem, but we were able to prioritize our finances for the projects we already had to do.
Can you show me how to work this?
A good home inspector should be able to help you figure out how to work many of the things in your potential home. This is the time to ask questions – don’t be shy! If you see a machine that you’re unfamiliar with in the basement – ask! If you see a knob and you don’t know what it controls – ask! Your home inspector can really be invaluable for these questions.
Buying a home can be an exciting but stressful time. By using these tips above and these tips from Traveler’s (all for before you book your inspector) you can make sure you’re using a highly qualified home inspector who can help make the process less stressful. Not only does Traveler’s have this article, but they have MANY more helpful resources that can help you when buying or selling your home – and they’re all free on their website through Home Central! Come check it out here – so much helpful information for your buying/selling/home ownership journey.
Thanks again to Travelers for sponsoring this post – as always, opinions are always 100% my own.
Are you following on Instagram? We’ve got a large & engaged community of people who are committed to loving their homes as they are TODAY. Follow along here!
I truly believe that every home has potential to be great! I wrote an ebook for you and it’s FREE – come download “A Character Filled Home” here. | <urn:uuid:80a1d1f7-b321-4db3-a442-c86fa9424276> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://christinamariablog.com/questions-to-ask-your-home-inspector/ | 2023-09-27T11:03:59Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.9714 | 864 |
When it comes to Christmas traditions, there’s a lot of focus on advertising, gift-giving and spending cash. In fact, it often seems like contemporary Christmases are more about hard work and planning than celebration.
Yet, despite the many ways in which yuletide customs have changed, we continue to follow some very old practices indeed.
One of the oldest is the use of evergreen fir trees as decoration and symbol of winter. It’s a tradition that stretches back thousands of years to the Roman Empire.
The Romans adorned their temples with fir trees during the festival of Saturnalia.
Much like modern families, the Pagans hung fir branches in their homes to usher in the spring, considering their perpetual greenness as a symbol of regeneration.
Although there’s no clear evidence to demonstrate the earliest use of fir trees as ‘Christmas trees,’ it’s likely the tradition began around 1,000 years ago in northern Europe.
Some households appear to have hung fir trees upside down from their roofs, in an inversion of the traditions we’re used to today.
In some regions of Europe, ‘Christmas trees’ were smaller and more compact. Instead of a towering fir tree, poorer households might use a hawthorn plant or hang a single fir branch from the ceiling.
How Xmas Trees Came into Existence
There is evidence to suggest some poorer families stacked pieces of wood together to form makeshift Christmas trees.
They would build a pyramid shape, with a pointy top, out of scrap timber and use paper, apples, and candles to decorate it.
Though historians think these makeshift trees may also have served as Paradise Trees – props in the dramatic performances or ‘Miracle Plays’ acted out on Christmas Eve.
These yuletide plays were a way to bring religious stories to the masses at Christmas, a time when they were particularly receptive to messages about generosity, goodwill, and forgiveness.
As many poorer people couldn’t read, the wooden trees were a handy way to advertise performances and let villagers know to expect them.
Let’s not forget the fact trees are a very potent religious symbol. In plays held on Christmas Eve or Adam and Eve’s Day, they were a representation of the Garden of Eden.
Evidence of Christmas Trees
To find the first written evidence of Christmas trees, we need to go back to 1441. Or 1510, depending on which historian you believe.
There is still dispute over whether Tallinn, in Estonia, lays claim to the first Christmas tree or whether it’s actually Riga, in Latvia.
Documentary evidence shows both cities claim to have invented the Christmas tree. Interestingly, the people responsible were probably the same in both cases.
The Brotherhood of Blackheads, a group of unmarried seafarers, traders and foreigners, are thought to have erected trees in town squares.
We don’t have a lot of information about these events. However, it’s likely the trees were danced around and then set on fire as part of Christmas celebrations.
It should be noted we don’t know if these ‘trees’ were trees as we’d expect. They may have been large wooden masts or bigger versions of the timber filled Paradise Trees used on Adam and Eve’s Day.
This may be where our fascination with the fir tree, in particular, and its zig -being pulled through the streets of a German town.
The man riding behind it is thought to represent St. Nicholas. In 1584, the historian Balthasar Russow described a Latvian custom of decorating fir trees, erecting them in town squares and setting them alight.
The tree would be set on fire after many hours of merriment, dancing, and japery.
Christmas tree in modern times
The earliest incarnation of our modern Christmas tree traditions is associated with Martin Luther, a German monk and prominent figure in the Protestant Reformation. Legend says, in the 16th century,
Luther was wandering through the woods just before Christmas. He was so enamored with the way the starlight bounced through the trees, he ran home and told his family it was surely a sign from Jesus.
He took it as proof Jesus had left the heavens to visit earth at Christmastime.
This story is often used as the first evidence of Christmas trees but, of course, the occurrences in Latvia predate it.
If both are true, it’s possible the new tradition traveled from Latvia to Germany with migrant workers.
We do know, in 1605, an anonymous scribe wrote of “Christmas trees in Strasbourg [hung] with roses cut from colored papers, apples, wafers, gold foils, sweets, etc.”
It’s likely the first use of Christmas tree baubles dates back to the German tradition of decorating with glass trinkets.
It may be where the custom of placing a star on the top of a Christmas tree originates. In the 16th century, the symbol at the top of a tree was usually Jesus.
Over time, it changed to become an angel or star, symbolic of the signs used to lead the Three Wise Men to Jesus’ stable on Christmas Day.
In yet another origin story, St. Boniface of Devon (in England) is said to have sailed to Germany to convert pagans to Christianity.
He stumbled upon a group of men preparing to sacrifice a child as part of a paganistic ceremony in the woods.
Furious at what he saw, Boniface sprang into action and felled the oak tree in which the pagans were dancing around.
Remarkably, a fir tree sapling then appeared in its place and the pagans were convinced.
Each night, they returned to the woods to adorn the new tree with decorations and listen to Boniface telling stories about Jesus Christ.
It’s interesting to note that Germany, like Latvia, has a lot of Christmas tree stories and legends. Another tale says a poor forester and his family heard a knock at the door on Christmas Eve.
When they opened it, they found a cold and frightened young boy. The family ushered him inside, gave him a bath and some food and tucked him into a warm bed.
In the morning, on Christmas Day, the family was roused from sleep by a chorus of angelic voices.
The child was a manifestation of Jesus Christ and, for their generosity, he gifted the family with a blessed branch of a fir tree.
Legend says, ever since, families have been decorating trees at Christmas to commemorate the story.
The use of Christmas trees isn’t seen in England until much later in the 19th century.
They became a fashionable tradition after Prince Albert had a Christmas tree brought over from Germany and erected in Windsor Castle.
This was in 1841 and, in 1848, we see a detailed illustration of the tree appear in Godey’s Lady Book, an American publication.
The Christmas scene at Windsor was celebrated as an interesting new tradition but, amusingly, Albert and Queen Victoria were ‘edited’ to appear as a wealthy American couple.
This illustration brought the concept of Christmas trees to America and it wasn’t long before the tradition was celebrated on both sides of the Atlantic.
Tinsel and the Legend of the Christmas Spider
We have a reasonable idea about where the first Christmas trees came from, even though there’s no definitive country of origin.
Where did our decorating customs originate? Who invented tinsel and why is it so popular at Christmas? To find out, we have to return to Germany.
Tinsel is believed to have been invented in Germany. The earliest versions were made from extremely thin pieces of flattened metal.
The problem is, this was expensive. Soon, plastic would replace the metal because it was cheap, lightweight and easy to mass-produce.
There are some interesting folk stories about the invention of tinsel, only some of which originate in Germany.
The tale of the Christmas Spider is probably the most well-known. There are versions of it across Europe in Finnish, Polish, Scandinavian and Ukrainian cultures.
All of these cultures tell a tale of an impoverished family who has a Christmas tree but no decorations to beautify it with.
They wake up on Christmas Day morning to a miracle – a sympathetic spider has covered the tree in glistening cobwebs.
They sparkle brightly in silver and gold much like modern tinsels. In some versions of the story, the spider wraps the tree in cobwebs, but it is St. Nicholas who comes along and turns them into sparkling decorations.
For this reason, many families in Poland and Germany believe it’s a lucky omen to find a spider on the Christmas tree.
In a sweet celebration of the story, some Ukrainian families still decorate their trees with ‘pavuchky’ (little spiders) made out of wire and colored paper.
Christmas Tree Lights
We know where the earliest Christmas trees come from. We know where the tradition of decorating with tinsels originates.
When did the habit of stringing colored lights from the Christmas tree become popular?
As with other yuletide traditions, the answer is disputed. Some believe the trend was popularized by American inventor Thomas Edison. In 1880, shortly after the invention of the electric bulb, he decorated his office with colored lights.
Two years later, a friend and co-worker of Edison’s would replicate this at home by stringing eighty small bulbs around his Christmas tree.
The year 1890 saw the publication of an Edison Company pamphlet advertising electric lighting for Christmas. By 1900, the company was promoting rentable electric bulbs which customers could set up themselves.
It’s important to consider who could afford to invest in such a novelty at this time.
While it’s true Edison brought the concept of electric lighting as decoration into the public consciousness, only a few wealthy families could buy it.
Some reports suggest it cost as much as $300 to rent these Edison Christmas lights.
It equates to around $2000 in today’s money, so it was an option only for rich households.
According to historians, the first genuinely commercial (and widely accessible) use of Christmas tree lights is seen in 1903. Electric bulbs for Christmas were sold at a cost of $12 per 24 bulbs; a much cheaper offer than Edison’s earlier versions.
Though still pricey and probably out of reach of working-class families, they started popping up in a lot more households after this time.
In 1908, we see one of the earliest incarnations of the modern string light. Ralph Morris, a switchboard operator, linked a sequence of electric bulbs with telephone wire.
He then used this rudimentary string light to decorate his Christmas tree.
The story says he took his bulbs from the blinking panels of switchboard exchanges and this is why Christmas lights later became elongated with a rounded end.
In an amusing twist to the tale, Morris’ father wrote to the Christian Science Monitor to announce his son had invented Christmas tree lights.
What he didn’t know was Edison was already credited with the discovery all the way back in 1800.
It’s lucky the invention of safe electric lighting for Christmas trees did come along. For a long time, people decorated their trees with wax candles, having no other practical way to adorn the branches with light.
You can probably see why this was a problem. In 1885, a medical facility in Chicago was set alight by the live flames on a festive tree.
It wasn’t the first time it had happened, and it raised some awareness of the dangers.
Although, it would be years before most households switched to electric bulbs.
The problems caused by the marriage of Christmas trees and candles gave some plucky entrepreneurs ideas.
In 1917, a young immigrant in New York named Albert Sadacca used his family’s popular wicker bird models to create safe Christmas lights.
He took small bulbs from the model’s cages and linked them with long strings. He also tried painting the bulbs in festive colors to increase their appeal.
Eventually, Sadacca and his brothers would launch the legendary NOMA Electric Company, a business that would become famous for its Christmas lights.
Christmas Tree Fun Facts
Where there are Christmas trees, there is competition. Over the years, many people have attempted to create the biggest, brightest and most astounding decorations.
For instance, in 2010, a record for the most lights on a single Christmas tree was set. The total is 194,672 lights on a tree in Belgium.
In 2008, American lumberjack Erin Lavoie cut down 27 Christmas trees in two minutes to establish a new world record.
The record for the tallest tree in history goes to the Peace Tree at Moinhos de Vento Park, in Brazil.
It was a staggering 52 meters in height and stood on display from December 1st to Twelfth Night on January 5th.
To make this possible, the leaves were made out of green plastic.
It’s a compelling example of how potent the symbol of the Christmas tree has become.
Culturally, it’s a totem for peace and prosperity. In many countries, there are individually recognizable Christmas trees with national significance.
One of the best examples is the tree which stands in Trafalgar Square every December.
It shines brightly in a bustling part of London to symbolize the goodwill and kindness we’re all capable of showing one another at Christmas.
Learn More With the Help of Video
Main Points About History of Christmas Trees
- Traditionally, fir trees were used by pagans and Christians alike as a symbol and as a decorative tool.
- The Christmas tree is a tree, usually an evergreen fir or artificial tree decorated for the Christmas celebration.
- Historians have traced the origin of the Christmas tree to the pagan tradition. For many Winter celebrations, the Egyptians and Romans used evergreen plants.
- When Christianity came, a lot of pagan traditions were transferred into Christian practice.
- The practice of the use of modern trees was first recorded in the 16th century when the German Christians would bring trees into their homes during Christmas and decorate them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About History of Christmas Trees
The tradition of having a Xmas tree in the home and decorating it before Christmas is the traditional way to bring in the spirit of Christmas to homes.
People across countries bring Christmas trees. Even the countries where Christianity is not the first religion, people do buy Christmas trees from the market. Without a Christmas tree, the decorations are never complete.
Word Cloud for History of Christmas Trees
The following is a collection of the most used terms in this article on the History of Christmas Trees. This should help in recalling related terms as used in this article at a later stage for you.
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Location: Charlotte, NC
Collaborator: Levine Museum of the New South
StoryBank is a platform for sharing and collecting stories. StoryBank was originally created at Elsewhere museum in Greensboro, NC alongside a residency with Nick Szuberla of Appalshop, a Kentucky-based arts and education center in the heart of Appalachia. The storyteller machine (pictured below) was collaboratively designed by Elsewhere’s curatorial team allowing participants to record and type stories, which are deposited into the StoryBank vault – a digital archive that explores a range of site-specific themes. It is also designed to travel and provide story collecting and digital archiving support for community groups and local social justice campaigns.
The StoryBank was recently installed at the Levine Museum of the New South‘s exhibit: Gay America from Kinsey to Stonewall opening tomorrow evening in Charlotte, NC. Visitors to the exhibit will be able to interact with the StoryBank to deposit and withdraw stories in response to works throughout the exhibition and share personal experiences related to gender and/or sexual identity. Stories will be uploaded to the StoryBank’s online archive and featured in a special edition of I Don’t Do Boxes, a magazine exploring LGBTQ experience. The exhibit is organized by the Stonewall National Museum & Archives as part of its mission to collect, preserve and disseminate materials related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender culture. Thanks to everyone at the Levine for making this possible! For more info visit: http://www.museumofthenewsouth.org/exhibits/detail/?ExhibitId=127 | <urn:uuid:c2cdd9fe-5c79-44be-b1f6-ea75e0938616> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://christopherleekennedy.com/storybank/ | 2023-09-27T12:41:38Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.947127 | 333 |
Shiba Inu-themed burger joint Welly is set to take SHIB adoption further as it beefs up its expansion plans. On Oct. 17, the fast food joint shared the first sneak peek of a rendering it received from its architecture studio, award-winning creative consultancy Masquespacio Design.
We already accept SHIB in our first store 😊
— WELLY 🍔 (@wellyfriends) October 28, 2022
It further states that its NFT holders will be able to choose specific details for its stores through its first DAO proposal.
In a recent poll, Welly sought the community’s opinion on where the store designed by its architects would fit best. It lists four territories: the United States, Europe, South America and Asia. The highest number of votes (46.9%) was cast for the United States of America, followed by Europe (25.2%).
Within Welly’s business model, the SHIB community can take part in the deployment of new stores by making choices in the Doggy Dao. Presently, there is only one store located in Naples, but the team plans to reach a global scale. As indicated in its tweet, Shiba Inu has already been accepted at its first store and will most likely be at upcoming locations.
In February, it announced a partnership with Italian fast food restaurant Welly. After that, Welly’s conducted a full rebrand, making the Shiba Inu dog its new mascot and adopting a new tagline that refers to Ryoshi, the meme coin’s anonymous creator. It also adjusted its menu and marketing strategy.
Shiba Inu lead developer Shytoshi Kusama stated in a blog post that the Welly’s team will continue to work on perfecting its first offering, SHIB integration, and strategies while working out strategic methods to scale (location, price, menu). As reported by U.Today, Welly joined the SHIB burning bandwagon, saying it will participate in burning SHIB tokens “in different ways.” | <urn:uuid:32274304-a677-4bff-a7c8-acfe004669af> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://chunkycoins.com/news/altcoins/shib-burger-joint-welly-to-take-shib-adoption-further-here-are-its-plans/ | 2023-09-27T12:22:31Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.964224 | 428 |
While the evidence indicates that Wednesday’s disturbing events at the U.S. Capitol building were driven by supporters of President Trump, many are claiming that antifa incited the violence. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. suggested that the rioters were not actually Trump supporters, but were antifa members masquerading as Trump supporters. The FBI has told reporters that there is “no indication” those claims are true. Those arrested in connection with the riots who have been identified include Young Republicans of Oregon Vice Chairwoman Kristina Malimon and “QAnon shaman” Jake Angeli.
Moore believes the riot at the U.S. Capitol building was a “culmination” of various conspiracy theories, such as QAnon and the Deep State, that have been proliferating throughout the past year. QAnon is a conspiracy theory that, among other things, promotes the belief that Trump is a heroic figure fighting a battle against pedophiles in Washington. “We’ve had years and years of lying about underground pedophile rings taking place in pizza shops in Washington,” said Moore, who referred to QAnon as a cult. “It is insane stuff, but it is useful to some people to be able to put that out there.”
Believing conspiracy theories gives people a “flush of the feeling of life,” said Moore, but these narratives are “very, very dangerous” for individuals and for society. All year, Moore said he has been concerned that someone is going to die because of these conspiracy theories and now people have. “Once you say, ‘There’s a secret cabal of people who are trying to take everything away from you, and nothing you see around you is real,’” he said, “that’s dangerous.”
Scripture provides guidance for believers regarding how we should respond to situations like this. “Paul warned repeatedly about those who have an unhealthy craving for controversy and who seek to be quarrelsome,” said Moore, alluding to 1 Timothy 6. Christians also need to be careful not to promote a falsehood even for a seemingly good reason, something Paul warns against in Romans 3.
But you can’t “reason people out of something that they were not reasoned into,” said Moore. It is not possible to have a productive conversation with a dedicated conspiracy theorist. Moore says he is “more concerned” about people who are confused because they’re getting second-hand information about the Capitol riots, and they are not sure whom they can trust. In this case, Moore said we should remember Philippians 4:5-6, which says, “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything.”
“Both parts of that are important,” said Moore. “Being driven by fear and the limbic system and the adrenal system is not the way of the [Holy] Spirit. And acting in ways that are unreasonable is not the way of the Spirit.” He advised people not “to be drawn into endless social media back and forth. I rarely think that can do anything.” Instead, he recommended first assessing the nature of your relationship with the person you believe is supporting a false narrative. If you engage in conversation, try not to get drawn into a fight, but model a different way to them. Moore also said that if pastors have reason to think that any people in their congregations are drawn into justifying violence, pastors need to address that mindset directly.
“I was glad to hear from so many people really across the spectrum who all saw this for what it was,” said Moore. “I’m just fearful of the way that we’re operating in America right now. There is always a way for people to walk their consciences back and to seek to justify something that is unjustifiable. And that’s what we have to be watching for. [The violence that occurred] is unjustifiable. Doesn’t matter what your politics are, doesn’t matter what your religion is, doesn’t matter what region of the country you’re in.” | <urn:uuid:9db34822-b02d-4c0b-8740-c3f746d8fee3> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://churchleaders.com/news/388361-russell-moore-us-capitol-building-conspiracy.html/2 | 2023-09-27T12:22:11Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.974958 | 889 |
Every day for the past two weeks a soccer camp has been training behind my house. I’m guessing the crew is a bunch of 13 year olds, maybe 14, and I know for a fact they are boys cause yesterday the coach yelled, “Smartin’ up. Stop watching the girls on roller blades. EYES. ON. THE BALL!”
Oh did I laugh.
Five minutes later I read this passage of scripture:
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
As I read, ”two people are better off than one…”
The coach yelled… “You are a team. Never forget that!”
As I read, “for they can help each other succeed…”
The coach yelled… “You win and lose as a team, boys.”
As I read, “If one person falls, the other can reach out and help…”
The coach yelled… “Hunter, get in there! Maddox is being swarmed by opponents!”
I shut my Bible and pondered the concept of a team.
1. A united group who share each other’s burdens and motivate one another to keep on keepin’ on.
I know. What a craAaAaAaAzy concept. In this dog-eat-dog society where everyone is out for themselves, it’s so NOT cool to slow down. Slowing down means you’re weak, you’ve lost your focus, your drive, you have no ambition to compete with the best of the best.
Slowing down to carry a burden or encourage a fellow human being makes you successful at what matters most: PEOPLE. You won’t be taking that pimped out hummer to heaven.
The ability to share each other’s burdens means, when someone you care about is going through a difficult time, so are you. But in return, when YOU are going through a difficult time, you are not alone.
Reciprocal relationship. See how that works.
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
2. A unified group of players equally talented but comprised of various positions.
It’s a terrible and disheartening thing in our society that the front man gets all the glory while the back burners are made to feel unimportant. The face that is typically plastered all over the big screen is the talent who just scored the goal. But a team is a team. Period. Whether you play right wing, mid field, defence, or goalie… whether you coach, assist, or carry the water, a team dynamic couldn’t exist without variety. Who would pay hard-earned money and invest precious time into watching a game where every player was the goalie? Boring.
Comparison is killing us.
The only way we will ever carry each other’s burdens and motivate one another towards love and good works is by appreciating the talents we DO have and accepting the talents we DON’T have.
In it’s most basic form: be the best you can be and encourage other people to be the best they can be. Voila! That’s it! I’m not exactly sure how and why it got more complicated than that.
If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
3. A united group of supportive members striving for like-minded vision and purpose.
We have everything.
We can go anywhere.
We can be anyone.
We can do anything.
This is both incredibly freeing and incredibly binding.
There are many games to be played.
Many prizes to be won.
Many enticing and misleading achievements fighting for our attention.
But friends, here me when I say this:
Choose wisely the game you play.
Choose wisely the team you join.
Choose wisely the advice you follow.
But most importantly…
Choose wisely the people you run with.
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.
Huh! Whodda thunk a soccer camp could teach me so much. ☺ | <urn:uuid:f88ed16f-e85b-45f7-a347-8c6e059d5514> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cindykeating.com/the-people-you-run-with/ | 2023-09-27T12:41:10Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.941487 | 1,030 |
Les passagers de la nuit
Paris, 1980s. Elisabeth has just been left by her husband and must take care of her two teenagers, Matthias and Judith. She finds a job in a night radio show, where she meets Talulah, an aimless young girl whom she takes under her wing. Talulah discovers the warmth of a home and Matthias the possibility of a first love, while Elisabeth invents her own path, perhaps for the first time. All of them love each other, struggle… their life started again?
EST - English subtitles | <urn:uuid:9303372a-62b5-49b3-b6d3-f254421c3563> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cinemapublic.ca/en/films/les-passagers-de-la-nuit/ | 2023-09-27T10:44:20Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.942491 | 123 |
The amount of money spent online has increased drastically in the past years. Some estimates show that online sales rose as much as 43% in 2020. This means it is time to strike while the iron is hot if you are trying to sell your products online. Relying solely on pictures of your products to inform consumers about the benefits they can provide is a strategy that can backfire.
This is why you need to realize just how important video is when trying to get your point across about what your products offer. Are you trying to create memorable and informative product videos? If so, here are some things you need to consider.
Focus On Solving a Problem
Before you start the process of creating an explainer video for your product, consider what approach you will take to describe this item to your audience. Putting yourself in the mindset of a customer is a great way to figure out how to structure your product video. Most people look for products that can help them solve problems they encounter in their daily lives. If your product can help to solve a common problem, then you need to highlight this in your video.
You also need to make sure the description of this video includes information about the problem it solves. In most cases, people will scan the video description before actually watching the content. This is why you need to relay this information to ensure the people who are dealing with the problem in question realize this content is for them. Walking through a step-by-step breakdown of how your product solves this problem can help you generate new sales leads and grow your customer base.
Keep Your Message Short and Sweet
Newcomers to the world of product videos usually make the mistake of rambling and sharing too much information. While this may seem like a good way to provide watchers with more context, it can send some consumers running for the hills. This is why you need to focus on boiling your message down to the main points. Making a detailed video script is important when trying to visualize what needs to be covered in the video. Keeping your message short and sweet can help to ensure more people watch the video in its entirety.
Know Where To Post Your Product Video
Once you have created a video you are proud of, showing it to the world is something you should be passionate about. Knowing where to post this product video can help you attract lots of attention. Posting this content on your homepage is a great way to reel in visitors to your website and turn them into customers. Creating a landing page for the product in question and putting the video there is also a smart move. Driving traffic to this landing page with the help of social media posts and pay-per-click ads can expand the reach you have.
Considering the factors in this article can help you create a product video consumers will love. | <urn:uuid:0366c1a5-2d11-41f4-a010-eb03230f0a3c> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cinemaviva.com/things-to-consider-when-creating-product-videos/ | 2023-09-27T11:23:20Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.948339 | 565 |
MPAA Rating: NR | Rating: ★★★
Release year: 2019
Genre: Documentary Director: Brian Ivie
Releasing on DVD this week (Oct 15) after its brief theatrical run in June, Brian Ivie’s documentary Emanuel comes four years after the horrific shooting in Charleston, South Carolina at the Emanuel AME Church which left nine people dead. Photographed with hazy soft focus and in wide aspect ratio, Emanuel is fairly straightforward and conventional in its semi-chronological retelling of those events from June 2015. And that is perhaps its greatest difficulty: how does one effectively share a story that both demands to be told in honor of the lives lost (and the loved ones who remained alive) while neither moralizing nor didactically politicizing the issues behind the act of violence, namely racism and hatred? It’s especially difficult when that story is so familiar, having been saturated with media coverage. In short, Emanuel opts to be more of an unadorned tribute than an in-depth trial, an affecting memorial of tragically familiar events without necessarily exploring their deeper causes or effects beyond skimming the surface.
Emanuel‘s strengths lie in the stories of individuals who lost loved ones: Nadine Collier, Rev. Anthony Thompson, Felicia Sanders, Polly Sheppard, and Chris Singleton. The film begins with Nadine as she prepares pies in her kitchen, setting the tone for an intimate and conversational vibe. But as the film progresses, it takes certain thematic and aesthetic leaps and risks which stray from this original dialogical atmosphere; it works best when it returns to Nadine or Anthony. Beyond these survivors, Emanuel pieces its story together via journalists and media coverage, as well as talking-head interviews with a wide variety of figures: politicians, police chiefs, activities, historians, ministers, and a host of others. Sometimes there are so many perspectives that it becomes difficult to find an emotional foothold beyond the tragedy of it all. Other portions, such as a reenactment of a slave fleeing from white captors on Charleston’s river banks, feel too theatrical or forced. I also felt that too much attention was given to murderer Dylann Roof and his personal photos and home footage—I did not need to see his post-arrest interview with the police as they sit around a conference table with Burger King bags. Why Emanuel gives Roof more attention and running time than murdered AME pastor Clementa C. Pickney feels inappropriate for a film which seems to aim at honoring the victims, not the killer.
In this, the remarkable and affecting aspects of Emanuel are not due to its formal prowess or directorial vision, but for its emotionally heavy real-life content, both in the terrible tragedy and the miraculous forgiveness offered to Roof by some of the survivors. Emanuel clearly wants to hold up such forgiveness as laudable and hopeful, but in doing so it limits its interrogation of how and why such forgiveness is so powerful. This forgiveness is rooted directly in Christianity and the goodness of the gospel of Jesus. One of those interviewed near the end of the film observes that Christ’s words on the cross, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do” is perhaps the most powerful act of love—the forgiveness of oppressors who do harm out of ignorance is an act of freedom and grace. And while I wholeheartedly agree with this gospel truth, what is difficult for me to parse is whether or not Emanuel in its filmic depiction of such grace has adequately grasped the theological and moral complexity, not to mention the political and emotional ramifications. Still, it’s hard not to get choked up when Nadine shares about her mother, or feel goosebumps when President Obama begins to sing “Amazing Grace” at the eulogy for the victims. And that’s what makes Emanuel worth seeing: it’s a good, if simple, reminder that grace truly is amazing, especially when we’ve walked in the shadow of death. One of the survivors shares that her Bible is still stained pink with the blood of those who died around her. Yet she continues to cling to it and carry it with her; for her it contains the Word of Life which has conquered death and offers us eternal life. Amen.
IMDB Listing: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5948944/ | <urn:uuid:1cb2459a-8552-4c7c-b0b5-8ceaaafa3fc6> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cinemayward.com/review/emanuel/ | 2023-09-27T12:55:35Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.955698 | 900 |
Simultaneously dull and didactic, Steven Soderbergh’s second Netflix film of 2019, The Laundromat, is essentially an unfunny version of The Big Short, featuring a racist depiction of a Latina woman by Meryl Streep sporting a giant prosthetic nose. Streep also portrays Ellen Martin, a woman widowed by a freak boating accident who becomes obsessed with discovering the dark origins behind the fraudulent insurance company who scammed her and other survivors. Scattershot in its narrative approach, yet singular in its heavy-handed message that Money is Bad, The Laundromat will put you to sleep either due to its uninvolving jargon-laden vignettes, or the punch-you-in-the-face obviousness of its sermonizing. Even if you buy into its message, The Laundromat is an embarrassment.
Gary Oldman and Antonio Banderas serve as tour guide narrators guiding us through the real-life story of the so-called Panama Papers which revealed the names of numerous politicians and upperclass individuals using offshore accounts to hide their financial dealings. Oldman and Banderas are Mossack and Fonseca respectively, the self-satisfied law firm partners overseeing Mossack Fonseca in Panama City, which created shell companies and used offshore accounts to keep the hyper-wealthy in their elite lifestyle without having to deal with things like taxes or ethics. The tone of the duo’s narration strives for a quasi-lighthearted romp, but comes across as tired and flat—it is a blatant attempt at humor, which makes it all the more unfunny. The large ensemble cast is wholly underutilized, with drawn-out episodes feeling disconnected from each other, leaving the viewer wondering whether any of the narrative threads will ever ultimately come together into a coherent whole (spoiler: they kinda don’t).
Let me address Streep’s Latina portrayal and The Nose. Mossack Fonseca is depicted as using administrative staff members as “owners” or “directors” of the shell companies; certain employees just sign their names on official documents to legitimize the ruse. One of these employees, Elena, is portrayed by a heavily-makeuped Streep in a paunchy bodysuit, enormous eyeglasses, and speaking with an atrocious pseudo-Latina accent. Perhaps this minstrel show is meant to play for laughs, but the very first sight of her was appalling to me. In the final scene (spoiler, I guess? but please don’t watch this film), Elena disrobes and becomes Ellen, who then becomes Streep herself, pontificating into the camera about the evils of the wealthy elites and corrupt politicians before ending the film in a Statue of Liberty stance while holding aloft a hairbrush. It is arguably one of the most embarrassing film codas I have ever witnessed, rivaling Vice‘s atrocious post-credits scene for its self-congratulatory banality. McKay’s films are also smugly offensive turds, but at least they weren’t this boring or racially backwards.
“The meek will inherit the Earth.” This biblical beatitude is intoned numerous times throughout The Laundromat, but the religious imagery is strikingly gratuitous and fails to honor Christ’s words. In the final act, Ellen sits in an empty church and offers up an angry imprecatory prayer to God, lamenting that the meek don’t seem to be actually inheriting much of anything in this life, and that those responsible need to go to jail. If it were an honest heartfelt rage against theodicy—a cinematic Job moment—it would have been touching. But Soderbergh’s direction, screenwriter Scott Z. Burns’ script, and Streep’s acting all come across as performative and artificial, discounting any tough honest questions due to the stagey insincerity. Indeed, the entire aesthetic of The Laundromat feels purposefully fake, a digitized CGI sheen to the environments where the actors overly perform their lines with a cynical phoniness. While I’m all for the meek inheriting the earth and the liberation of our economic system from unjust loopholes for the super wealthy and powerful—Jesus may have been on to something with that Sermon on the Mount—The Laundromat‘s ostentatious style properly distracts from its overbearing message. It’s about as exciting as going to a real-life laundromat and watching the spin cycle. In fact, that might be a better use of one’s time. At least it would provide you with some clean clothes. Soderbergh’s Laundromat is all washed up.
IMDB Listing: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5865326/ | <urn:uuid:a6ad3fb0-c138-422e-9b55-eaf652ca707b> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cinemayward.com/review/the-laundromat/ | 2023-09-27T11:40:59Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.945571 | 1,027 |
Jun 19, 2017
Dr. Carolyn Lam: Welcome to Circulation on the Run your weekly podcast summary and backstage pass to the journal and it's editors. I'm Dr. Carolyn Lam, associate editor from the National Heart Center and Duke National University of Singapore.
Is it time to end our debates on short versus long duration of dual anti-platelet therapy? Well I will be discussing this with two very special guests in just a moment. But first here is your summary of this week's journal.
The first paper tells us that HDL particle number may serve as a biomarker of residual risk when assessed on statin therapy. First author Dr. Khera, corresponding author Dr. Mora from Brigham and Women's Hospital and colleagues of the JUPITER trial assessed HDL cholesterol levels, apolipoprotein A-1, cholesterol efflux capacity and HDL particle number at baseline and 12 month in a nested case control study of the JUPITER trial. That was a randomized primary prevention trial that compared rosuvastatin to placebo in individuals with normal LDL but increased CRP levels.
In the current study the authors found that cholesterol efflux capacity was moderately correlated with HDL cholesterol, apoA-I, and HDL particle number. Baseline HDL particle number was inversely associated with incident cardiovascular disease, while there was no significant association for baseline cholesterol efflux capacity, HDL or apoA-I levels. On-statin cholesterol efflux capacity was inversely associated with incident cardiovascular disease but HDL particle number again emerged as the strongest predictor.
Thus for both baseline and on-statin analyses, HDL particle number was the strongest of four HDL-related biomarkers as an inverse predictor of incident events and biomarker of residual risk. Whether therapies designed to enhance cholesterol efflux capacity or an increased HDL particle number can also reduce cardiovascular risk however remains uncertain.
The next study sheds light on mechanisms underlying the de-differentiation and lineage conversion of adult human fibroblast into functional endothelial cells. First author Dr. Zhang, corresponding authors Dr. Rehman and Malik from University of Illinois College of Medicine first generated CD34+ progenitors by de-differentiating adult human skin fibroblasts and showed that these intermediate progenitors could give rise to endothelial cells as well as erythrocytes. They then showed that lineage conversion of fibroblasts via partial de-differentiation recapitulated in part the embryonic development of the vasculature as evidenced by up regulation of anti-aging enzyme telomerase and the bi-lineage potential of the generated progenitors.
Importantly they showed that transcription factor SOX17 functioned as a switch which regulated the cell fate of CD34+ progenitors towards an endothelial versus erythroid lineage. Finally implanted fibroblast derived CD34+ progenitors stably engrafted to form functional human blood cells in mice that improved cardiac function after myocardial infarction. Thus the molecular switch SOX17 provides a means to optimize the generation of endothelial cells for vascular tissue regeneration or disease modeling.
What do drones have to do with out of hospital cardiac arrest? Well in this next study by first author Dr. Boutilier corresponding author Dr. Chan and colleagues from University of Toronto, the authors hypothesized that a drone network designed with the aid of a mathematical model combining both optimization and queuing could reduce the time to AED arrival.
Using data from over 50,000 historical out of hospital cardiac arrests covering over 26,000 square kilometers in Ontario, Canada, they found that a drone network designed to reduce the median AED arrival time by three minutes relative to the historical 911 response could also reduce the 90th percentile of the AED arrival time by between 6 minutes and 43 seconds in most urban regions and 10 minutes and 34 seconds in most rural regions.
Thus this study tells us that drone delivered AEDs have the potential to be a transformative innovation in the provision of emergency care to cardiac arrest patients especially those who arrest in a private or rural setting.
The next study provides thresholds for ambulatory blood pressure among African Americans. Dr. Ravenall and colleagues from New York University School of Medicine analyzed data from the Jackson Heart Study, a population-based cohort comprised exclusively of African-American adults and of whom more than 1000 participants completed ambulatory blood pressure monitoring at baseline.
Based on the outcome derived approach for systolic blood pressure and a regression derived approach for diastolic blood pressure, the following definitions corresponded to clinic blood pressure of 140/90 and were proposed as ambulatory blood pressure definitions for African Americans. Daytime blood pressure above 140/85, 24 hour blood pressure above 135/80 and nighttime blood pressure above 130/75 mmHg. Note that these ambulatory blood pressure thresholds identified for African Americans were higher than those from published recommendations mainly derived in European, Asian and South American populations. The use of these ambulatory blood pressure thresholds for African Americans will lead to a lower prevalence of daytime, 24 hour and nighttime hypertension compared with the current published recommendations.
The next paper provides pre-clinical evidence of a novel target in plaque information in atherosclerosis. Dr. Stachon and colleagues from Heart Center Friburg University in Germany hypothesized a functional role of the signal axis ATP binding to purinogenic receptor P2X7 in inflammasone activation and chronic inflammation driving atherosclerosis.
In an elegant series of experiments they showed that P2X7 receptor activation was crucial for inflammasone assembly and interleukin-1-beta secretion. The lack of P2X7 in mice abolished inflammasone activation in atherosclerotic lesions. P2X7 was expressed in murine and human atherosclerotic lesions. LDL receptor deficient mice lacking P2X7 receptor had reduced plaque inflammation and were less prone to develop atherosclerosis.
Thus this study shows that P2X7 inhibition could be a treatment strategy against plaque inflammation in atherosclerosis.
The next paper describes the first prospective clinical study of adenosine use in pediatric and young adult patients after heart transplantation. Now prior to this study adenosine was relatively contraindicated post-transplant due to a presumed risk of prolonged atrioventricular block in denervated hearts.
In the current study first author Dr. Flyer corresponding author Dr. Silver and colleagues from Columbia University performed a single center prospective clinical study testing whether adenosine caused prolonged asystole after transplant and if it was effective in blocking AV nodal conduction in healthy heart transplant recipients aged 6 months to 25 years presenting for routine cardiac catheterization. Following catheterization, a transvenous pacing catheter was placed and adenosine was given following a dose escalation protocol until AV block was achieved.
Eighty patients completed adenosine testing. And no patient required rescue ventricular pacing. AV block was observed in 77 patients with the median longest AV block of 1.9 seconds and the mean duration of adenosine effect of 4.3 seconds.
Thus, this study suggests that adenosine may be safe and effective in patients post transplantation and establishes both a safe and effective starting dose of 25mcg/kg or 1.5mg for patients weighing 60kg and more. It also establishes a stepwise therapy escalation plan to avoid prolonged bradycardia. Although patients after heart transplantation may require less adenosine to achieve AV block it appears to be safe and effective as therapy for evaluation and or treatment of tachycardia in this population.
Well those were your summaries, now for our feature discussion.
Today for our feature discussion we are talking about a very familiar situation, dual anti-platelet therapy following coronary intervention and the decision of long versus short duration of therapy. A debate we've heard many times but according to the perspective piece in today's journal, maybe a debate we should end. And I am so pleased to have the author, Dr. Glenn Levine from Baylor College of Medicine as well Dr. Laura Mauri associate editor from Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Dr. Laura Mauri: Thank you Carolyn.
Dr. Glenn Levine: Thank you.
Dr. Carolyn Lam: Glenn would you like to start by presenting your case. It's time to end a dualistic short versus long duration of DAPT debate. I really like that title, tell us more.
Dr. Glenn Levine: Thank you Carolyn.
The point we make in our editorial is that over the last five or six years there have been studies comparing what I term standard, which is usually about 12 months DAPT versus shorter duration DAPT and there are other studies comparing standard DAPT versus longer duration DAPT. Those generated important information in different people interpret them in different ways. What though has happened over the last several years is certainly for both educational and entertainment value at meetings as well in editorials, the idea of how long people should be treated with DAPT has been oversimplified to whether all patients should be treated with short duration or long duration. And Laura herself knows that as she has been in many of these debates.
While I think that initially that was educational and entertaining, I think these days people understand those points and a greater issue is in that we should treat some people with short duration, some with what I call standard and some with long duration. And rather than debating whether everyone should treated with short or everyone should be treated with long, I think what we need to focus on now is which patients should be treated with short duration, which are probably best treated with a standard duration and which are best treated with prolonged or extended duration DAPT.
And that in a nutshell is the main point that we make in this perspective editorial.
Dr. Carolyn Lam: Laura, so do you agree?
Dr. Laura Mauri: I couldn't agree more. I think clinicians really are looking for guidance and what happens at these debates is you see these polarizing opinions that debaters are asked to defend when in actuality there's such a wide spectrum of what individual patients need. And the real question I think going forward is how to end these debates and how to provide really more tailored information so clinicians and patients can make better decisions together. And I think that's really where the piece that Glenn has written really helps direct us.
Dr. Carolyn Lam: Yeah, Glenn, I mean are we talking about the usual risk versus benefits and precision metsan or individualized risk assessment here?
Dr. Glenn Levine: Yeah, what we're talking about is looking at the ischemic risks which are primarily leg stent thrombosis or spontaneous MI versus the bleeding risks which is obviously bleeding and balancing them. And there clearly are decision tools available to clinicians. Laura has pioneered the DAPT score which is an incredibly user friendly and easy tool to use to assess which patients should be continued with prolonged DAPT or not. And there are also some other tools out there including the Paris registry score perhaps a little more complex and then there's also now the precise DAPT score which one can at least assess bleeding risk and indirectly assess the ischemic and bleeding risk.
But really I think that is the focus now on balancing bleeding and ischemic risks and having pools to allow clinicians to easily do that.
Dr. Carolyn Lam: That's true. Now do you think guidelines have to catch up or have they caught up?
Dr. Glenn Levine: Our DAPT duration guideline was coming out just as Laura's DAPT score was about to be published, several months after it had been presented. And we did mention the DAPT score in our paper, it was too early to formally incorporate it into the guidelines. Nevertheless, the way our guidelines are written, they clearly give practitioners the option for individualizing therapy based on ischemic and bleeding risk and Laura's DAPT score fits perfectly into what we aim to do, namely to encourage practitioners to assess patients on an individual level and assess what duration of DAPT is best.
Dr. Carolyn Lam: I do have a question for Laura here though. I see Asian patients, I'm talking to you here from Singapore. And sometimes you wonder the trial situations and what you derive there. How does it differ from real world and how is it impacting your practice for example Laura?
Dr. Laura Mauri: That's a great question. I think you have a number of points there. One is the generalized ability or results from one trial across the world where you might have many different patient populations. And while the DAPT score was an international trial it would be interesting to see more data coming out from other different countries. And as you know there are trials in Asia that have looked at randomized DAPT duration as well.
I think now that we have better access to information especially in cardiology globally, we can get that information and better tailor therapy. When we look at any one randomized trial the results might seem kind of black and white and to certain extent so do guideline recommendations but we are getting better at using the results from randomized trials to really identify risk factors. I think that with time we'll be able to either validate the DAPT score in other patient populations or develop tailored scores from unique data sets. I think the challenge really is making sure that we still get good randomized evidence for our treatment decisions but then when we have treatments that have both benefit and risk that we identify which sub-populations of patients really do achieve most of the benefit. And then the other populations that might be harmed. And that's really what we try to do with this score.
And I think what you'll see, you asked about precision medicine which usually we think about using genetics but I think there's so much just really basic information that we have about patient lesion characteristics and other specific factors that we record routinely in their medical records that we can use and you'll see this, I think more and more frequently across different areas of investigation and in cardiovascular medicine.
One really interesting example recently was this French trial. Data was used to be able to predict, very similar to what we did, but to predict which patients would benefit from lower blood pressure without the risk of more aggressive treatment.
Dr. Carolyn Lam: Yeah, I love the way you put that. Those are really words of wisdom, I do think that that is the way cardiovascular medicine is gonna move. Glenn, how do you put all this into practice for yourself?
Dr. Glenn Levine: I think whether or not I formally calculate a DAPT score or Paris registry score, I think clearly we integrate the factors in those scores into our everyday practice. And clearly there are patients who are at high bleeding and low ischemic risk and vice versa. I would also encourage listeners to in addition to all the scores, one has to think about the consequences of a recurrent MI or stent thrombosis. Obviously someone who has stent thrombosis of a proximal LED lesion, if they already have a depressed EF or occluded RCA, those consequences are likely much more dire then someone who occludes say at a distal OM3 stent who has the normal ejection fraction. It also encourages them to think about the consequences of stent thrombosis as well as the consequences of a recurring MI.
Dr. Laura Mauri: Just to make it clear, we know that clinicians have always tried to balance these different risks of ischemia and bleeding when faced with this decisions. I think the challenge really has been the limited amount of information that we've had to be able to do that. And so we've really just used kind of our gut until recently when we've had several large randomized data sets to be able to look to. And what that's done is it's given us the ability to construct these new tools to be able to make practice more data driven. Now still individualized but based on data that's tailored to our patients.
And so I think we can use that to be able to improve outcomes. That being said, we don't want to rely on a statistic or a score alone and things like the DAPT score are based on patients like the ones that were enrolled into the randomized trial. Those were patients who could take longer anti-platelet therapy. It helps to identify who can take it for longer. But there are patients who get anti-coagulation or have other serious bleeding risks who really are going to benefit from new technologies to be able to shorten anti-platelet therapy.
Dr. Carolyn Lam: Well thank you Glenn once again for a wonderful perspective piece that has really got us thinking about situations even beyond dual anti-platelet therapy. Thank you Laura for your insights and thank you listeners for joining us today. Join us again next week. | <urn:uuid:aa3750d3-d268-4848-8e66-c93ddc619ba9> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://circulation.libsyn.com/podcast/circulation-june-20-2017-issue | 2023-09-27T11:48:42Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.95055 | 3,463 |
Virtual phone numbers are steadily becoming more and more popular among internet users around the globe. There are many kinds of them available on the market at the moment. Some virtual numbers are intended only to receive text messages while others can be used to receive or even make calls. You can also find those that are set up to receive verification codes from different websites and applications. They are pretty cheap and allow signing up for accounts on online services without using your own mobile phone number. Find out how to take advantage of such a feature in the easiest way possible.
A lot of people have a misconception about what a virtual number is. For example, it is very common to think that it is a randomly generated set of numbers. However, this and other similar opinions have nothing to do with the real situation.
A virtual phone number is almost no different from the real one that we use on a daily note to deal with tasks of a personal and working nature. It is also attached to a SIM card which is issued by an existing cellular operator and works on its network. In addition, it has the same country code and number of digits. To be more precise, for example, a virtual number from the US has +1 as the country code and consists of 10 digits if we exclude the country code. So, in this respect, there is no difference at all.
The only difference between real and virtual phone numbers is that the latter is used online. It is their undeniable advantage. This possibility is provided due to connecting SIM cards to a special online server. As a result of such manipulations, it becomes possible to use a virtual number to receive text messages and even calls on any device with an internet connection. This is, to a large extent, why this service is so valued. It can be used from anywhere in the world without the need to have a SIM card or even a mobile phone.
A few years ago virtual phone numbers were used only for creating fake accounts on social networking sites and email services. However, later they found widespread use in internet technologies and at this moment are suitable for solving many tasks online. People use them to:
- Sign up for not supported or restricted in certain countries websites and apps;
- Create accounts in situations when using a phone number is not an option due to the desire for privacy and anonymity or its simple unavailability;
- Promote business on the internet with greater efficiency using multiple profiles on social networking sites, instant messengers, and other services with millions of users;
- Receive bonuses for newcomers one more time on food delivery, taxi, and platforms of a similar type;
- Boost an affiliate program on various websites by creating completely new accounts with their affiliate link.
So there are a lot of use cases for virtual phone numbers. This feature can be used for completing both personal and business tasks. And all this multitasking is reinforced by the fact that you can use it from anywhere in the world in just a few clicks.
Service to get a virtual phone number
It is very easy to get a virtual number for SMS with SMS-Man. You don’t have to provide any personal or confidential information in this case as it happens when it comes to buying a new SIM card from a cellular carrier. In order to enjoy all the tools of the platform, it is enough to create an account using an email address or social networking site profile. So it is absolutely safe in terms of privacy and confidentiality. Once signed up, do the following steps:
- Refill account balance using Coinbase, Payeer, Alipay, or another method from those that are presented in the payment section.
- Proceed to the main page of the service and choose one from more than a hundred country dialing codes for a virtual phone number.
- On the same page find a tab with websites and apps and select one from which you are going to receive SMS.
- Click the buy button.
- Find your virtual number at the top of the homepage.
This is how anyone can obtain this tool in just a couple of minutes without going anywhere. Everything left to do after this is to use it for creating or verifying an already existing account on the chosen online service. It works in exactly the same way as a regular phone number. So, as it is quite easy to notice, there is nothing complicated about this process at all, so it is possible to take advantage of this opportunity today. | <urn:uuid:57b116f7-1391-418d-addc-bb0eef40867e> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://citygoldmedia.com/how-to-get-and-use-virtual-number-for-sms/ | 2023-09-27T12:17:38Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.949923 | 904 |
Honda Aircraft Company has just announced that HondaJet will get certification from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority in Mexico. The jet is famous for being the world’s most advanced light jet and will make its debut in Mexico at the 2016 Aero Expo. This is considered a huge deal for Honda Aircraft company in the Mexico. They may not be the only one’s excited. Look out for toy happy drug lord El Chapo to get his hands on one of these bad boys soon enough.
HONDAJET TO PROVIDE “SERVICES” AND MORE FOR MEXICO
The premise of HondaJet entering Mexico is to provide service, sales and support for interested customers in Mexico. Seeing as they partnered with Aerolineas Ejecutivas, the largest aviation company in Mexico, they should have no problem doing that. Aerolineas has been a big player in the industry since they first formed and now they seek to bring some young blood into their operation. President Arturo Ortega Olive noted that there are all kinds of business opportunities available now that Honda is in Mexico. He didn’t exactly say “cocaine delivery” but one can’t help but think of the implication.
WHY MEXICO WANTS THIS JET
The HondaJet is the highest flying, fastest, quietest and most energy-efficient plane in its class. Seems awfully good for silently avoiding capture from the U.S Airforce. Besides its top of the line technological innovations, the jet has some other key features. The cabin is said to be the roomiest in its class as well as containing the largest baggage capacity. Essentially, you can fit a lot of kilos…I mean businessmen…in this thing. Let’s just hope it doesn’t get the attention of drug lord El Chapo.
EL CHAPO HAS A FLAIR FOR SWAG
We are already aware of El Chapo and his flair for gear. He was already caught toting a gun that had roots from the Fast and Furious movie. Like many drug lords of the past El Chapo likes to live fast and spend ridiculous amounts of money doing it. Getting his hands on the HondaJet would seem like the exact move he would make. Not only would it compliment his playboy nature, but he could probably use it’s supreme qualities to his advantage. To the normal man, this would seem a bit obvious, but one must think like El Chapo thinks. These guys are rock stars. They grew up watching Scarface and Zorro. The Central American’s are a passionate bunch, and they like to show it. Just keep and eye on the HondaJet. | <urn:uuid:5d5dc613-e81b-43a5-9b71-5b22d2004141> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://clapway.com/2016/03/17/hondajet-next-el-chapo-toy/ | 2023-09-27T13:04:33Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.970551 | 556 |
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Check our Chakra Balancing Stones for more information. | <urn:uuid:e5741a31-87b1-45e0-ae32-a0d8b9e5fa8d> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://clarkepalmer.com/collections/fire-energy-collection | 2023-09-27T12:19:00Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.913523 | 273 |
Dr. Shikha Sharma is currently working as an Assistant Professor of Law in Campus Law Centre, Faculty of law, University of Delhi. She has specialization in Trademark Law. Her area of interest includes Trademark law, Administrative Law, Criminology, Social Justice.
She has completed LL. B from University School of Law & Legal Studies, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Dwarka. She has distinction and scholarship in LL.M first year for an Outstanding Academic Performance (2008). Dr. Shikha has also been awarded Gold Medal for her outstanding academic excellence in LL.M program from University School of Law & Legal Studies, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Dwarka. She has done PhD in Trademark Law. She is a NET and JRF/SRF holder.
She has authored book titled ‘Law on Comparative Advertising under Trademark Regime in India’ published by Satyam Law International Publication. There are various article and research paper in both national and international journals to her credit. She has presented paper at various national and International Seminar and conferences. She is involved in various teaching and Research assignment in various affiliated college of IP University (Dwarka). | <urn:uuid:10689bb6-457a-42e9-a238-542f31aa8ff7> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://clc.du.ac.in/community/faculty/dr-shikha-sharma/ | 2023-09-27T10:59:47Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.962426 | 253 |
The Association conducts regular cleanups of PA Highway 53 from Syberton through Ashville to Dean under the Pennsylvania Adopt a Highway program. The total highway cleanup now covers nine (9) miles. Four times a year, several dozen members and volunteers hike the highway, and remove trash from the roadside. Lunch is provided to all volunteers, as well as loads of fun!
Several illegal dumpsites along Belden Hollow Road have also been cleaned up, and names of apparent perpetrators have been turned over to the Fish and Boat Commission. | <urn:uuid:5a33766d-209c-4a22-9965-f89b4ac65d7f> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://clearfieldcreekwatershed.org/road-clean-ups/ | 2023-09-27T11:08:51Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.968006 | 108 |
After missing out on Cuban defector Jose Abreu, it appears as though the Astros are still interested in adding a bat to their less than potent offense. Well, at least according to CBS Sports’ John Heyman.
Heyman credits anonymous sources as saying the Astros “may consider” Free Agent outfielder Shin-Soo Choo.
“May consider.” That sounds like reason enough for a 1,000 word article.
I’ve never been a big fan of Heyman but I’m going to go ahead and play along this time. Do I think the Astros would be wise to sign Shin-Soo Choo? In a word… no.
Choo is a nice player. He has several attributes that would be great to have in the Astros lineup. But, given the lack of quality bats available on the market this offseason, the price for Choo will be way too high.
In addition to a price tag that will likely exceed $100 million, the Astros would also have to forfeit a draft pick in order to sign Choo. That is a combination that simply doesn’t fit the plan. Not yet, anyway.
If the Astros were ready to contend for a playoff spot, going after Choo would make perfect sense. But they aren’t. So I don’t think Jim Crane and Jeff Luhnow would waste their time on such an effort.
Sorry, John Heyman. I have to think your “sources” on this story may in fact be an overactive imagination.
Shin-Soo Choo (Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports) | <urn:uuid:1ab2c723-d542-48df-90d6-081a0abbef4e> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://climbingtalshill.com/2013/10/20/astros-go-shin-soo-choo/ | 2023-09-27T12:24:38Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.964136 | 342 |
A casino online is a website that offers gamblers an array of real money games. The sites feature popular table games, video poker, and slot machines. Moreover, some of these casinos offer progressive jackpots and a variety of bonus offers. Players can also find a number of online casino reviews, which help them choose the best site for their needs.
When choosing an online casino, you should make sure that it is licensed by a recognized gambling authority. In addition, you should check the website for security features, including a secure SSL encryption. This will protect your information from hackers. It is also important to look for a casino that offers 24/7 customer support. You should be able to contact the customer support representatives via email or live chat.
Some online casinos are a bit misleading, so it is crucial to read the fine print carefully before making any deposits. Some casinos will use your personal information to send you promotional material or even sell it to other parties. Others will use your information to monitor your play and limit your winnings. In most cases, these practices are legal and allow casinos to earn profits from your activity.
While nothing beats the thrill of being in a physical casino, playing at an online casino can be a great alternative for many players. This is because you can access a wider selection of games than you would in a physical venue, and you can play at any time of day or night. Some of the most popular online casinos have thousands of different game titles, including some of your favorites from the past.
Most online casinos are reputable, but it is essential to do your research before selecting an operator. Look for a site that uses reputable software providers and offers a wide range of payment options. Some of these options include prepaid cards, credit cards, and bank transfers. Some of them will also offer a VIP program, loyalty rewards, and free spins.
If you’re new to the world of online casinos, it can be challenging to decide which one is right for you. However, if you know what to look for in an online casino, you can be on your way to winning big! Whether you’re looking for a high-paying casino online or a safe, regulated environment, these tips will help you select the right casino for your needs.
In the world of online casinos, no two gaming experiences are alike. Some people prefer to play for real money while others are happy with sweepstakes or social casino games. While the latter offer similar games, their payouts can be much higher than those of real-money casino apps. To maximize your winnings, you should choose a trustworthy casino with a solid reputation and a proven track record of paying out large jackpots.
The most popular casino games on the internet are online slots, with a massive selection of different themes and jackpots to choose from. There are also other games available, such as roulette and blackjack, which can be played on desktops or mobile devices. Some of these casinos also offer live dealer tables to give you a more authentic experience. | <urn:uuid:a448a132-c0ac-45e2-8414-d0af9111dbe8> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://clinotek.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-casino-online-4/ | 2023-09-27T12:32:57Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.947585 | 618 |
Foosball Table Rental NY, NYC, NJ, CT, Long Island are a hit at all kinds of parties and events. Italian and European foosball game style table A perky appearance with full competition features. Foosball is not a toy but a real professional foosball table, it is constructed with the best material and components, allowing great durability and the best playability in this classic game. We also have LED Foosball Tables
A particular attention has been given to safety: the rubber finishings, the rounded edges and telescopic rods make it suitable for children as well.
Sports game rentals like Foosball & Tables are fun for events like graduation & birthday parties, corporate event, church youth events, team building events, picnics, and hospitality events. | <urn:uuid:1d39d55e-7ec3-4f11-a33e-36a65bd76313> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://clowns4kids.com/rental/foosball-soccer/ | 2023-09-27T11:12:08Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.924741 | 164 |
In no particular order:
1. Children's book illustrator
Little known fact about me: I really, really, really like to draw, paint, and experiment with new media. And I'm really into the cool illustrations in many of Lucas's books.
2. Historical museum curator or exhibits consultant
3. Publisher of a weekly community newspaper
with Mr. Trillwing--we met at once such newspaper, and I'd love to see Mr. Trillwing, brilliant newspaperman that he is, direct a small, bustling office of newspaper folks. Alternative medium: monthly or bimonthly magazine.
I was a cartoonist for a year in college, and I really enjoyed it. Plus, to my great surprise, I received tons of good feedback from diverse quarters. Perhaps post-dissertation I'll post some doodles here.
4. Public historian
Of course, this is related to #2. I'd like to find creative, fun, innovative ways to bring history, and especially local and regional history, to the lay public. The fact that I'm not technically a historian? I don't see that as a problem. ;)
5. Portrait photographer
of the eccentric, not elementary school, variety. The big problem: I know nothing about cameras. But I'm absolutely tickled when I capture offbeat pictures of people and pets. My next goal: taking a decent self-portrait.
6. Freelance features writer or columnist
with a modest but extremely loyal cult following, in high-profile magazines.
Does everyone want this on some level?
What about you? If you were to throw in the towel on your current career, what careers--underpaid or well remunerated--would you choose to pursue? | <urn:uuid:d22f6f05-6978-4cee-b25e-b22316ea1c5a> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cluttermuseum.blogspot.com/2006/04/underpaid-professions-id-like-to-try.html?showComment=1145382120000 | 2023-09-27T11:14:26Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.951884 | 375 |
Contact us to schedule an appointment, a free consultation, or to learn more about our products, services and CLEAR BRA luxury car protection. If you have a special request, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
We value your privacy. We will never rent, sell, or send your information to any 3rd parties.
N144W6460 Pioneer Road | Cedarburg, WI, USA
Hours of Operation
Monday -Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM | Saturday: By Appointment | Sunday: CLOSED
Note to our Customers: We try very hard to respond to all of our clients as quickly as we can but due to our building construction type, we do not always get reception. Please feel free to email us anytime or drop by the shop. Due to the volume of calls we receive, we politely ask that you leave a voice message or text message with your contact information so that we can get back to you as soon as possible. | <urn:uuid:bbca6431-4f33-4969-a544-e12b3aa6801d> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cmgdetailing.com/contact-cmg-detailing-wisconsins-most-wanted-detailer-cedarburg/ | 2023-09-27T11:16:03Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.917526 | 230 |
There were 33,975 separate gunfire incidents in the 47 cities analyzed in the recent SST National Gunfire survey, consisting of 117,161 rounds that compares to more than 11,000 homicides committed with a firearm each year in the entire U.S. —30 per day, or 1.3 homicides every hour.
Photo credit: Image Courtesy of BigStock.com
It is not often that a technology company in the public safety sector talks as much about creating meaningful social change as it does catching the bad guys. But as ShotSpotter (SST) CEO Ralph Clark says, “At the end of the day, if we don’t evolve some type of change management in policing regarding how they respond to gun violence and subsequently collaborate with the community, all you have is a fancy system that puts dots on a map.”
Clark’s comments came in context to the recent release of the 2014 National Gunfire Index survey, which was sponsored by SST, recognized as the global leader in gunfire detection, location, alerting and analysis. The 2014 Summary was based on SST collected and analyzed gunfire data from a statistical sample of 47 American cities. The year over year comparisons were based on 28 cities that used ShotSpotter Flex for both 2013 and 2014; they had a median coverage area of 3.04 square miles and a median reduction of gunfire incidents of 28.8 percent for those U.S. municipalities using this technology.
The SST National Gunfire Index provides a picture of urban gun violence, but also shares some shocking insights into the overall gunfire epidemic in this country which is much greater than reported and greater than those measured in homicides alone. Some of the survey’s most interesting facts include:
A 28.8 percent nationwide drop in gunfire incidents in ShotSpotter monitored areas
• An average of 105 gunfire incidents per day, or 4.4 incidents every hour
• 93 percent or 26 of the 28 cities reviewed saw reductions in their rates of gunfire
• There were 33,975 separate gunfire incidents in the 47 cities analyzed, consisting of 117,161 rounds that compares to more than 11,000 homicides committed with a firearm each year in the entire U.S. —30 per day, or 1.3 homicides every hour
Like the survey, Clark is ready to admit that data, even that data collected with the SST technology, can be interpreted on several levels. However, the goal of any data Clark and his company collect for their public safety and law enforcement clients has a very succinct and focused intent – to improve their ability to deter gun violence, provide a force multiplying solution and perhaps most importantly, create a collaborative spirit between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
“It all starts with having a much clearer awareness of gun violence. Because as the world exists without this technology there is still a very limited view of what gun violence is,” says Clark, who adds that reported gun-related homicides or non-fatal shootings calls to 9-11 come in at a rate of less than 30 percent, and in some cities less than 10 percent. “The typical data-set law enforcement works with is usually very limited and flawed to some extent. Even when they do get the 9-11 call, people don’t have location specificity nor are they calling on a real time basis. There is typically a two to three minute lag before the call gets routed through to 9-11. And especially in the case of non-fatal shootings, the information shared on the incoming calls is cloudy at best as people are not always truthful about when and where they were shot. That is one of the main things we do is try to prepare agencies about the inconvenient truth about gun violence in their cities.”
Although the technology had its early adopters, many public safety agencies found the proposition of purchasing both the hardware and software just too cost prohibitive. So SST took bold steps around three years back and changed its entire business model to better reflect the cash-strapped sector it was trying to serve.
“The inflection point came when we pivoted from our legacy business model where we sold sensors and perpetual software licensees on an on-premises basis that was heavy Capex and had high price points. We began to take a fundamentally different approach and changed to a managed services business model. We now charge a much more affordable annual subscription fee, and we now own the infrastructure, deploy the infrastructure and deliver it as a cloud-based service, so there is no on-premises technology risk an agency is required to take on,” Clark explains. “What this means for us is we have to prove our metal every single year to renew our customers.
“This is a well-known and tested practice in the commercial world, but we are really pioneering this concept in the public safety sector. We went lock, stock and barrel to the managed services model with the goal of making this solution much more attainable to public safety agencies,” Clark adds.
While they may be using the fundamentals of conventional alarm dealer RMR and monitoring, servicing the public safety arena is anything but mundane. The sales process in this sector is extremely complex when compared to the commercial market, and the sales cycles are much longer. And in an environment where city and agency budgets are under constant scrutiny, the challenge of satisfying all decision-makers can be daunting as well.
“The public safety segment and law enforcement are certainly the drivers behind the purchase, but you really do need to have political leadership on your side. In many case you are also looking for funding sources that can come from either the private sector of the city themselves. Often times you are dealing with the federal government. So getting all these parties across the goal line to be able to contract, fund and deploy is a complicated process,” Clark says.
“Even after you contract, fund and deploy, the real work begins as work with the agencies and then hopefully their respective communities to get them to fully leverage the capability of the technology solution we offer. Ultimately it is how the data is used to deter gun crime and deter trigger pullers that will gauge the success of the technology and of the agency itself,” he says. “The end game with this hands-on approach to dealing with gunshot incidents is that the community becomes much more involved when they see law enforcement taking an active role as they respond quickly, precisely and professionally to these gunfire events. The goal then is to have the citizens perform the critical ‘last mile intel’ tying trigger pullers to the incidents.” | <urn:uuid:24634546-18e4-4106-bed5-980a8b01059a> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cmgprosecurity.com/2016/04/843/ | 2023-09-27T11:40:33Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.968186 | 1,351 |
ALLOWED TEAM SIZE: 1 – 4
The post-COVID-19 world has led to many companies leveraging tech as a crisis response, and we know that hackathons inspire unique solutions. Hackers worked around the clock to come up with innovative solutions for a number of industries to combat the pandemic. The unprecedented wave of COVID-19 changed the way we look at retail, healthcare, finance, and investment. It altered the way we approach sustainability and social welfare. Now, with the worst of the pandemic behind us, it is time once again to leverage on all the lessons learnt and hack for a new tomorrow.
Microsoft Azure has set the stage for the biggest hack in India. Letting you move away from COVID-19 and come out more powerful, this hackathon calls for the creation of future-ready solutions by using a wide array of Microsoft Azure services.
The Hackathon consists of 2 Phases:
Azure Developer League Learning Challenge
Additionally, participants can register for the ADL Learning Challenge, by Microsoft, to be eligible for additional rewards and prizes. This stage is not mandatory but will help you avail the full benefit of the hackathon. Head over to the Azure Dev. League tab to find out more.
Azure for Industries SUB-THEMES
Banking, Finance and Investment Retail Healthcare
1) Banking, Finance and Investment
Reinvent the financial services experience and unlock new opportunities to empower intelligent banking, secured payment processing, modernize trading, and personalize insurance software systems. With Azure, financial organizations have the infrastructure and security to take customer experiences to the next level.
How can you utilize Azure to empower banks, capital markets, and insurance firms to provide next-generation experiences for customers, improve regulatory compliance, manage risk, and reduce waste? Submit ideas to personalize customer experiences, modernize financial systems and optimize risk management.
Predictive AI, machine learning, and analytics can help retailers unlock new opportunities with data. They’re also reimagining their business using Mixed Reality solutions, IoT, hybrid cloud, and computer vision. Propose ideas to help retailers keep their supply chains agile with Microsoft Azure.
Tell us how your idea can help retailers to create personalized customer experiences across channels, empowering employees, and keeping their supply chains agile, and provide gain visibility across your end-to-end supply chain, and unlock innovative business models with secure and scalable cloud-based technology.
Transform the healthcare journey and discover how healthcare organizations can use Azure products and services including hybrid cloud, Mixed Reality, AI, and IoT to drive better health outcomes, improve security, scale faster, and enhance data interoperability. This enhances patient engagement, empowers provider collaboration, and improves operational insights.
Pitch Azure-based ideas to enable providers, insurers, pharmaceuticals to drive better health outcomes, and deliver better health insights and outcomes as you enhance patient engagement, empower health team collaboration, and improve clinical informatics and operational insights. How can we provide better health experiences and outcomes, and enable enriched clinical analytics data to flow securely through every point of care to continuously improve your patients’ experiences and health outcomes?
Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainability
Sustainability focuses on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It is about the various ways in which life can be made sustainable on earth. The need of the hour is to come up with new technological findings that will contribute to realizing the potential of science and technology to meet the most pressing sustainable development challenges, while leveraging the power of Microsoft Azure Services.
Build solutions system that offers assistance to individuals and families in need, with such ideas as health care assistance, food stamps, and unemployment compensation. Lesser known parts of a social welfare system include disaster relief and educational assistance. Propose Azure solutions that support the society to provide advanced compute and analytics capabilities to achieve more visibility, move faster, and make more informed decisions. How can we ensure public safety and justice organizations to make more informed decisions and increase safety for the people and communities you serve.
The field of open innovation is where ideas blossom into reality and possibilities are endless. Designing a new and innovative product can be a challenging process filled with uncertainties. From a business perspective, you need to explore and keep at the forefront of what is happening in the market, search for unique opportunities and listen to customer’s needs until you discover a meaningful solution.
You are given the opportunity to create solutions using a wide array of Microsoft Azure Services. Using the services listed below can give you extra bonus points –
- AI and Machine Learning – Create the next generation of applications using artificial intelligence capabilities for any developer and any scenario
- Serverless – Build apps faster without managing infrastructure
- Kubernetes – For deploying your application
- Compute – [Azure App Service] – Access cloud compute capacity and scale on-demand—and only pay for the resources you use
- Containers: AKS (Java) – Highly available, secure, and fully managed service
- Featured Services
PRIZES INR 10,50,000 IN PRIZES
Winner (3)INR 2,00,000
The winning team in each of the three Main Themes will win prizes worth INR 2,00,000 each.
Runner Up (3)INR 1,50,000
The runner up team in each of the three Main Themes will win prizes worth INR 1,50,000 each.
Spot Award (2)
Two teams will win spot awards. Watch this space for more details!
MAR 26, 2021 08:00 PM IST
MAY 23, 2021 11:55 PM IST | <urn:uuid:f802baf4-3a3d-4508-902c-c9eba3d2b576> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://codedaily.in/azure-developer-league-hackathon-2021/ | 2023-09-27T12:05:07Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.903669 | 1,281 |
Creditors from Mt. Gox were told by Nobuaki Kobayashi, the Rehabilitation Trustee for the now-bankrupt exchange, to register and select a repayment method under the rehabilitation plan first announced in October 2022. The deadline for filing claims has already been extended by two months in January.
In a March 7 announcement, Kobayashi said that former Mt. Gox customers will have the option to receive their compensation as a lump-sum payment, bank remittance, cryptocurrency transaction, or remittance through a money transfer service. Experts estimated that the defunct exchange held up to 900,000 BTC in its accounts at the peak of its popularity before it was shut down in 2014 after losing nearly all customers’ deposits to a massive hack.
The losses suffered by the exchange amounted to $480 million at the time, but now are worth nearly $19 billion, with the total number of approved creditors’ claims reaching $17.6 billion, according to Decrypt.
As a ten-year-long liquidation process is coming to an end, many speculated that the release of the lost funds can destabilize the Bitcoin price. However, this is an unlikely scenario, as much less BTC will enter the market than expected, a report from UBS claims.
“The early lump-sum option with fiat repayments suggests that the exchange would have to sell BTC to raise the requisite cash,” the analysts, quoted by CoinDesk, said, noting the “long-held fear that Mt. Gox redemptions would hurt bitcoin’s price.”
According to the report, most Mt. Gox early adopters are likely still crypto believers and will opt to “hodling” Bitcoin, which is posed to avert market shock. | <urn:uuid:79f87dac-74ba-40eb-83d6-05469e5ed50c> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://coinpaper.com/1190/mt-gox-creditors-have-until-march-10-to-register-claims-for-repayment | 2023-09-27T12:24:22Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.973246 | 365 |
The past couple weeks before our departure were spent preparing last minute items for the trip and packing. This included constructing benthic chambers that we have brought with us to the ice to deploy on the sea floor. The benthic chambers will be used to quantify the flux of methane from the seafloor over a 24-hour period. We will also take pore-water measurements from the chambers allowing us to see the concentration of methane, sulfur and oxygen at various depths within the sediment. To facilitate these research goals, the benthic chambers had to have various features that I’ll outline here. By working with the awesome people at the CEOAS Machine Shop (Ben Russel, John Simpkins and Tige Kurth) we were able to design the chambers using mainly stock PVC plastic and acrylic plastic tubes.
In designing the chambers, we had a few goals that we had to have many brainstorming sessions to figure out how to achieve. First, we had to make sure that we could gently mix the water periodically to avoid the sediment-water interface from becoming anoxic. It has to be a gentle mixing though, as stirring up sediment would skew our data. We also had to have outlets to sample the overlying water (through use of a gas tight septa) as well as holes for sampling of the pore water beginning at the top of the sediment and continuing at two centimeter increments down. We also had to ensure that the cap would have a gas tight fit so that we could have upmost confidence in our measurements of gas flux from the sediment into the overlying water.
Figuring out how to gently mix the water to avoid the development of anoxic conditions while also not disturbing the sediment was the most challenging task. Most designs employ use of a motor powered turbine, generally battery operated through water and pressure proofed connections. However, we knew that the best option for us would be non-electric – a difficult task to say the least. What we ended up designing can be seen in the animation that Ben Russel from the Machine Shop designed on solid works. It utilizes magnets to hold two propeller shaped pieces on either side of the lid of the benthic chamber. With manual movement (by us during dives) of the top magnetic piece, the bottom piece rotates accordingly gently mixing the water within the chamber.
In design of these chambers, I got to learn how to use the Lathe for facing, turning and drilling (machine shop lingo for smoothing the ends, countering the bottom, and creating even sides) the chamber tubes once they had been cut on the horizontal band saw. The lids for the chambers, including the outlets for the septa and o-ring groves, were designed in the CNC program and cut into the PVC plastic of the caps with precision by the machine. The ports for the rhizones that will allow for sampling the pore-water in vertical increments down the core were made with a simple drill press. Overall, it was really fun to work in the machine shop designing these chambers and learning how to use all the new equipment. Check back with us to see pictures of them deployed in the field! | <urn:uuid:5a428762-e617-4ba1-91e6-4e9183631c68> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://colddarkbenthos.ceoas.oregonstate.edu/2016/11/07/making-benthic-chambers/ | 2023-09-27T11:11:00Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.972416 | 646 |
If like many of this start of the year, you have tried to focus more on your family’s health and diet, you may be particularly interested to know more about your vitamin intake. When it comes to supporting the general health of young children, Vitamin C plays an important role. In addition to supporting the immune system and the absorption of iron, Vitamin C also helps with collagen production, which is needed for the formation of blood vessels, bones, cartilage, gums, skin and teeth – all important for the development of young children!
Below are some top tips to help you ensure you and your family are getting enough Vitamin C:
- Vitamin C is an essential vitamin, meaning your body can’t produce it. It’s water-soluble and found in many fruits and vegetables, including oranges, strawberries, kiwi fruit, bell peppers, broccoli, kale, and spinach. Try to incorporate these foods into your and your child’s diet.
- Eat your fruit and vegetables raw whenever possible. When you cook them, you strip the food of some of its vital nutrients. Cooking especially affects water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C. Keep a bowl of vitamin-C rich fruit in the house for snaking.
- You could also try Colief Vitamin C Drops – a food supplement rich in vitamin C and free from yeast, gluten, corn, starch, wheat, nut, soy and dairy. Easily added to milk or juice it can be taken by children aged one year upwards. Colief Vitamin C Drops is a convenient, sugar-free daily supplement, and is produced without artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives.
For more information, head to our website at https://colief.com/colief-vitamin-c-drops/ | <urn:uuid:b426fc36-3d87-40bc-abb5-a512176d1555> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://colief.com/2022/02/11/are-you-getting-enough-vitamin-c/ | 2023-09-27T12:42:39Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.926003 | 368 |
Returning to school after a long summer holiday can be pretty daunting for both parents and little ones. The last thing you need to be worrying about is picking up any germs and colds with the return to school.
We’ve pulled together some top tips to prevent that summer cold, as well as the best way to treat it for a speedy recovery.
- Washing your hands with warm water and soap is essential. We are all well versed in this over the last couple of years, for good reason! It is one of the key ways to prevent spreading and catching germs.
- Avoid touching your eyes or nose. If you come into contact with a virus, it can infect the body this way.
- Stay fit and healthy, and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. This can be fruit juice or squash mixed with water too!
- If you or your little one do fall ill, one way to treat your symptoms is by trying the Colief Breathe Easy range. It contains a unique blend of natural ingredients, offering a soothing solution for easy breathing. The range includes the Colief Breathe Easy Patc and Colief Breathe Easy Rub. Colief Breathe Easy Patch is a gentle decongestant patch which can be worn on clothing or bedding which releases essential vapour’s into the room. Colief Breathe Easy Rub comes in a convenient stick format, which can be applied directly to the skin without any fuss or mess.
- Colief’s Breathe Easy Range contains eucalyptus oil which is one of the best natural remedies for congestion. It has an anti-inflammatory effect on the airways, relieving the blocked or runny noses experienced by many children. The use of eucalyptus as an ingredient has been balanced with peppermint, rosemary and lemon oils. These ingredients also assist in reducing discomfort and add naturally anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties to the product.
For more information on the Colief Breathe Easy range and where to buy, visit the Colief website at colief.co.uk. Why not check out our other blogs here at https://dev.catmedia.space/coliefcouk/category/blogs/ | <urn:uuid:46e5052a-42c9-4e1e-8857-a5dba1e29d78> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://colief.com/2022/08/18/breathe-easy-back-at-school-this-september-with-colief/ | 2023-09-27T11:14:50Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.900752 | 461 |
We have calculated the k-, symmetry-, and layer-resolved density of states (DOS) at k=0 for Pd and Rh (001) surfaces. For the xy and x2-y2 subbands, which do not hybridize with any other low-lying orbitals, the resulting DOS closely resembles that of a one-dimensional semi-infinite chain of nondegenerate tight-binding atomic orbitals perturbed by a repulsive potential at the terminal site. It displays interference induced oscillations and bound states or resonances of particular simplicity.
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Condensed Matter Physics | <urn:uuid:65edb9f2-3f81-4296-b3b1-ddd79c07bf3a> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://collaborate.princeton.edu/en/publications/interference-resonances-and-bound-states-at-the-pd001-and-rh001-s | 2023-09-27T13:19:12Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.829977 | 133 |
The Colorado Muslim Society (CMS) proudly has our own in-house morgue, because of this we are able to provide the utmost care and attention to detail when providing funeral services for our deceased and their families.
If you need Janaza services, please carefully read the guidelines and steps below so that we may better assist you during this difficult time.
If you choose the Colorado Muslim Society for Janaza services, CMS requires that all of the following guidelines are agreed upon and followed by the family.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Certified Morgue:
The Colorado Muslim Society’s in-house morgue is certified by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to service all burial and Janaza needs.
According to Islamic traditions the body must not be kept waiting unnecessarily. Doctors have up to 48 hours to sign a death certificate which will enable CMS Funeral Home to obtain a Burial Permit. Please note that CMS funeral home is working very hard to ensure the quickest funeral possible.
Official and trained CMS staff will assist with all the official paperwork to prepare for the funeral including:
1. Filing for the State Death Certificate
2. Obtaining the Burial Permit
CMS will help ease the burden off families, starting with claiming the body from any hospital, home, hospice, etc. with dignified transportation to the mesjid to prepare for the burial.
Islamically Certified Washers:
CMS has a list of Officially Designated Washers that are Islamically trained that have been approved the CMS Executive Committee. Each of these Designated Washers have signed a contract agreeing to uphold the guidelines of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment as well as the regulations put forth by the CMS Shura and Executive Committee. These Designated Washers will prepare the body for burial in accordance with all Islamic burial washing guidelines. Feel free to choose an Officially Designated Washer from the list housed with the CMS Office Manager.
CMS will host the Janaza prayers for the deceased and can accommodate the needs of the family. CMS will also ensure the CMS approved Imam is on hand to perform the Janaza prayer unless there is written permission from both, the CMS Imam and Administration, for someone else to perform the Janaza prayer. If Funeral Services are scheduled on a Friday, Janazah prayers will take place after the second Jumaa Prayer. No exceptions will be made unless there is a conflict with burial procedure.
CMS Funeral Home Fee is $1,500 for their entire service package. Muslim Garden Cemetery (located at 6540 CO-79, Bennett, CO 80102 and managed by Denver Islamic Society), charges $2000 for their services. Please provide 2 checks payable to:
Colorado Muslim Society for $1,500
Denver Islamic Society for $2,000
Reach out to the CMS Office Manager to make the proper arrangements at (303) 696-9800. | <urn:uuid:20320b64-6bfc-4994-be1e-e748f2da769d> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://coloradomuslimsociety.org/janazah/ | 2023-09-27T10:46:22Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.932901 | 638 |
Looking to increase user engagement? Here are the best social media widgets that will skyrocket your reach.
Social media has reinvented the marketing landscape, how we promote ourselves, and our content to billions of active web users. Social media allows us to connect with like-minded groups and consume content that resonates with our personalities, interests, and aspirations. Facebook and Twitter are the two leading social media networks. Ensuring our readers can connect with us through these networks is crucial for online success.
Above all else, social media is the number one way of building a following without making any monetary investment. We should ensure that we are providing our readers with the options to promote our work without thinking twice about it. The best way is through specifically built social media sharing widgets and tools. The best websites in the world rely on such widgets to reach a new audience with the help of existing one, and today we will cover the best social media sharing widgets that take only few minutes to setup, but provide extensive variations of modern web features for maximum exposure and growth hacking.
Best Social Media Widgets For Websites
AddToAny is one of the pioneers of social sharing widgets. Millions of WordPress users rely on AddToAny for their social sharing needs, while millions of webmasters use AddToAny on their websites. The growth of the feature list of AddToAny is what has kept so many coming back, realizing that it’s not about the design (which is great as we know it), but the functionality that such a plugin can offer.
AddToAny supports hundreds of bookmarking services, making it easy for you and your visitors to share your content with one click within the same page from which they read it. The widget supports mobile devices, uses SVG for modern visual content delivery, and is fully optimized for ensuring websites load and act fast with the sharing widget active on pages. Those who wish to track social metrics can easily integrate the widget in their Google Analytics dashboard for extra reporting.
AddThis is another famous social sharing platform that provides many options for marketing your content using a simple standalone widget. This provides the traditional sharing buttons that can be customized to appear anywhere on the page. There’s a new feature for displaying Social Follow buttons; also anywhere you like.
The two other big features are more sophisticated and focus more on the content aspects of the online world. The first one has targeted popups based on your specifications; now you can easily display tailored content to readers who visit particular pages or sections of the site. Suppose you want to learn more about your audience and its habits, especially in social media. In that case, there are no better platforms out there than AddThis — which offers a complex data analysis platform to teach you everything there is to know about the audience that you are serving. The platform has grown from a tiny company to a full-on enterprise solution for websites small and large.
SumoMe is still considered the new kid on the block regarding social sharing and social trends, but this company has skyrocketed in popularity in just a few short years. SumoMe’s main areas of functionality are social promotion, list building for email, and content analysis through techniques like heatmaps. SumoMe delivers an outstanding list of features to help webmasters promote their content without extra effort.
Content Analytics app lets you truly understand how, when and where your users are reading content and reacting to that content. Load up SumoMe and install custom tools like Discover to promote yourself on blogs other Discover users promote. Scroll Box collects email subscribers as the user goes deeper down each content page, but if you want to collect signups, go for the Welcome Mat — a full-page welcome widget that promotes your email list as soon as someone enters the website.
But, we are not here to discuss all those amazing features, we are here to learn more about the social sharing aspect that SumoMe offers. The platform provides a highly customizable and highly appealing social sharing widget that can be used as a floating sharing bar on the side of the pages or integrated within the actual content pages as a standalone widget. It works for the majority of leading social media sites. It works great on desktop and mobile devices with concise customization options. The premium version will give you deeper inisght into the social sharing habits of your website visitors.
Buffer (also known as Buffer App) is another tremendously successful social media sharing widget/application. It’s still helping millions of web users share content more effectively. It provides services more conveniently where the focus remains on the content rather than the sharing experience. In this case, both are very appealing and professional experiences. In simplest terms, Buffer provides its users with the best social sharing widget. Users can use it to easily share content across many social networks, all at the same time. It’s perfect for webmasters, content consumers, journalists, designers, and creative activities on social media.
Buffer provides analytics reports on the best time to tweet and the most engaging users and tweets. It offers more data that will forever change how you perceive social media publishing and promotion. All of the widgets in our list already feature the Buffer sharing button in one way or another. But also, you can get it for your mobile phone or Mozilla and Chrome browsers.
ShareThis has been around for quite some time now. The company has taken some new and modern approaches to social sharing, apart from the music on their homepage. The ShareThis platform is pretty appealing to anyone who shares interest in floating social sharing bars. But also, its social analytics enables users to learn more about their audience habits and patterns. The new look is modern, sleek, clean, and will work well with a large set of designs. The widget supports more than 100+ social bookmarking and sharing platforms for your users to send content to.
Adding social sharing to your website or blog has never been easier. You only need a reliable social sharing widget, and that’s it. Along with all the rest on this list, Elfsight is a spectacular alternative to get you moving in the right direction without sweat. For your information, you do no need to know how to code to utilize Elfsight. Also, social media buttons you plan to add to your site follow all the latest trends and regulations, appearing on all devices and web browsers without a hitch.
According to the official statement, you only need to invest one minute in activating Elfsight. Start with the lite version and move from there – you can upgrade anytime. Everyone can share your content or website with a single click, which means more traffic.
7. Social Warfare
Social Warfare is a WordPress-exclusive social sharing plugin you can put into the application entirely free. Instead of building your own, you can now take Social Warfare to your full advantage and save time and effort. It takes you little time to configure the plugin and have social sharing appear on your website or blog. It is worth noting that Social Warfare ensures not to slow down your website, keeping the performance always high.
You can choose from the top social networks, decide where the buttons appear, and even make them floating sticky. With the sharing counter, Social Warfare helps you with social proof, showing your content’s popularity. But if you ever need even more goodies, you can always upgrade and go premium.
For more tools like this, please look at these social sharing WordPress plugins.
8. Social Media Share Buttons and Icons
With hundreds of thousands of active installations, you know this next social media sharing plugin is a real deal. The tool is not just easy to use, the outcome will also be very appealing to the eye, ensuring that the sharing buttons do not cause any distractions. Moreover, you can use the free version without paying any fees forever.
This ultimate bundle comes with a whopping collection of sixteen designs, so you get to find the style that resonates with your theme best much quicker. You can specify multiple actions to each icon, activate animations, make icons float, add a counter and even create a pop-up. Even though a free solution, the features and functions are still very many for you to get the most out of it.
Shareaholic for a long time was a platform that not so many people knew about. It’s mostly niche websites scattered in all directions of the planet. Today, millions of webmasters, developers, and designers still use the Shareaholic plugin all around the globe. They all enjoy the immense benefits of using a modern sharing widget that delivers on its promise. Shareaholic promises higher user engagement, more social shares, and ultimately more website traffic.
Shareaholic lets advertisers and publishers personalize how relevant content is discovered, consumed, engaged with, and shared. Its proprietary window powers it into user interests. Specific to marketers, Shareaholic increases native ad performance by harnessing the power of the web’s highly engaged enthusiasts and influencers. For site owners, Shareaholic builds products that help them effectively engage and grow their online audiences. They can also monetize their traffic and analyze the sharing of their content across the web. Available for Chrome, WordPress, and other major software platforms out there.
10. LoginRadius (Social Login)
The focus of LoginRadius is in three different directions. Social sharing, social login integration, and social data collection to improve the previous two features. LoginRadius makes it easy for webmasters to integrate Social Login features in their websites // apps (through an API). But it also applies to their WordPress blogs through an official plugin. LoginRadius is also a project that needs growth and polishing before becoming ready for the real world. This plugin also works great with the leading plugins for WordPress. This includes BuddyPress, bbPress and many membership site plugins. | <urn:uuid:167adb3a-09a9-46e8-bae6-3aae11ee7fea> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://colorlib.com/wp/free-social-sharing-button-widgets/ | 2023-09-27T11:28:27Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.923535 | 2,035 |
Title 29, Chapter 2921 of the Ohio Revised Code outlines Ohio’s “Offenses Against Justice.” This includes tampering with evidence, obstructing official businesses, falsification, resisting arrest, and bribery.
Four “Offenses Against Justice”
Section 2921.12: Tampering with Evidence
Tampering with evidence makes it a crime to alter, conceal, or destroy any thing with the purpose to hinder its value in an official proceeding or investigation. This is a 3rd degree felony in Ohio.
Prosecutors often charge tampering with evidence in connection with another charge in order to gain leverage in resolving the case by plea bargain.
Section 2921.31: Obstructing Official Business
Obstruction makes it an Ohio crime to purposely prevent, delay or obstruct a law enforcement officer from performing his duties. This charge is sometimes used together with falsification when a person provides false information to a police officer during a criminal or other investigation.
Section 2921.13: Falsification
Falsification makes it a crime in Ohio to knowingly make a false statement under specified circumstances, most commonly to mislead a law enforcement officer. Depending on the circumstances, falsification can be classified from as low as a first degree misdemeanor to as high as a third degree felony.
Section 2921.33: Resisting Arrest
Resisting arrest makes it an Ohio crime to recklessly or by force interfere with a lawful arrest. Depending on the circumstances, this offense can be classified from a first degree misdemeanor to a fourth degree felony.
If you are accused of tampering, obstruction, falsification, or resisting, contact one of our Columbus criminal defense attorneys at James D. Owen, LLC. We offer free consultations. | <urn:uuid:7c54f2c0-d40f-497b-ba5a-3d9a9a2c670f> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://columbuscriminaldefenseattorney.com/tampering-obstruction-falsification-bribery/ | 2023-09-27T11:47:05Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.926295 | 350 |
A blowout balm formulated to protect and cut down on blow-dry time
This balm helps to create sleek, smooth blowouts with radiant shine. It conditions and enriches hair, allowing for easier brush glide, reducing blow drying time, and providing protection against damage from heat-styling tools. An age-control complex helps undo effects of chemical, environmental, and natural chronological aging, while enzyme therapy improves absorption of vital nutrients and supports keratin production for stronger hair.
- Helps to create sleek, smooth blowouts with radiant shine
- Conditions and enriches hair, allowing for easier brush glide
- Reduces blow-dry time
- Provides heat protection up to 450°F/232°C
- Apply evenly throughout damp hair before blow drying.
- Style as usual.
- Avoid eye contact.
- For external use only.
- In the event of an adverse reaction, discontinue use and contact a physician immediately.
- Keep out of reach of children. | <urn:uuid:506325c0-743a-4266-97d5-197c16c786ae> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://comebackdude.com/products/alterna-caviar-anti-aging-multiplying-volume-styling-mist | 2023-09-27T13:05:29Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.863092 | 216 |
The particular project was implemented in 469 Municipalities of the country, among which 136 in total were undertaken by Communication Effect, in all the provinces of Macedonia and Thrace. This integrated communication program included informing all the citizens about the Web Portal of their Municipality.
Communication Effect was in charge of a range of actions with the slogan “Connect with your Municipality”, aiming towards informing citizens of the new face and presence of Municipalities on the internet. A unique website for all the Municipalities of the country with population less than 20.000, marks the beginning of the e-Government era.
Communication Effect undertook the following actions for successfully informing the citizens.
- Installation, operation and staffing of the informational stands
- Informing citizens through a special form
- Preparation, organization and implementation of Informational Days
- Operation of the Press Office | <urn:uuid:18cec7cd-880f-4d81-8b56-b196091e1a97> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://communicationeffect.com/municipal-web-portals-of-macedonia-thrace/ | 2023-09-27T11:55:56Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.935511 | 177 |
In our company we create installers for different products and our clients have told us that sometimes they get confused when they download more than one product and end up with a different setup.exe files.
Because of this we now want to start using Setup.exe, (e.gr. MyProduct7.3Setup.exe)
One of my colleagues is pointing out that the Microsoft installers are always called "setup.exe" and he suggested that "probably" calling the installers setup.exe is a standard practice.
Does any of you know if it is really a standard or guideline to do it that way? | <urn:uuid:77f03887-ead8-44fb-9cbe-79586dfb3cf4> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://community.flexera.com/t5/InstallShield-Forum/Is-there-any-standard-guideline-to-name-setup-exe/td-p/91403 | 2023-09-27T12:26:21Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.934585 | 127 |
on 2012-03-0812:23 PM - edited on 2023-05-1502:51 PM by Noemi Balogh
This article explains how you can simplify the 2D Symbol Floor Plan View of a custom Window Object in few steps. We have a custom Window placed in the project. The 2D Symbol (as it appears on the Floor Plan) of the custom GDL Objects is automatically generated, but it does not match our needs.
Step 1: Open Object
Select the Object and open its GDL Master Window: go to File/ Libraries and Objects/ Open Object.
Step 2: Open 2D Symbol Window
In the appearing GDL Master Window activate the Library Part's 2D Symbol editor window with clicking on the icon.
Step 3: Modify Floor Plan View
In the 2D Symbol window you can specify the display option for the preview picture. Here you can edit an existing symbol or create a new one with the standard ARCHICAD selection and 2D tools: Arrow, Marquee, Text, Fill, Line, Arc/Circle, Spline and Hotspot (with Hotspot Tool you can specify the Object Hotspots visible on Floor Plan). You can also paste elements from the 3D Window here.
Step 4: Save Changes
If you are ready with editing the 2D Symbol of the Window, you only need to save the changes: File menu/Save or if you close the Master Window of a GDL Object (Library Part), all of the other windows of the Object will also be closed. You will be prompted to save changes, if any. | <urn:uuid:3f75bd51-82f2-42a0-8942-0996e7f7ea79> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://community.graphisoft.com/t5/Libraries-objects/How-to-Simplify-Floor-Plan-View-of-an-Object/tac-p/361776/highlight/true | 2023-09-27T12:07:34Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.794702 | 331 |
How do I know if I need to create the DFF under Global or Context segment?
Version (include the version you are using, if applicable):
Code Snippet (add any code snippets that support your topic, if applicable):
To view full details, sign in.
Don't have an account? Click here to get started! | <urn:uuid:662b411d-9692-4780-b05f-3db364ddbec3> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://community.oracle.com/customerconnect/discussion/684600/what-is-the-difference-between-global-segment-and-context-segment-in-dff | 2023-09-27T13:30:20Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.832115 | 79 |
Scaled Agile, Inc. Donates to Rocky Mountain Institute and Maui Strong Fund as Part of Pledge 1% Commitment
Scaled Agile, Inc., provider of SAFe®, announced donations to the Rocky Mountain Institute and the Maui Strong Fund. The contributions are part of Scaled Agile's commitment to the Pledge 1% movement and Do All the Good You Can campaign.
Scaled Agile's $100,000 donation to the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) will support RMI's Third Derivative initiative, built to accelerate the rate of climate innovation. RMI is an independent nonprofit that engages businesses, communities, institutions, and entrepreneurs to accelerate the adoption of solutions that cost-effectively shift from fossil fuels to efficiency and renewables.
"Scaled Agile's generosity is going to help us do even more to support and scale critical climate technologies and innovation, further accelerating our journey to a net zero carbon world," said Rushad Nanavatty, managing director, Third Derivative.
A $50,000 contribution was also made to the Maui Strong Fund. Founded by the Hawai'i Community Foundation, the fund is providing financial resources to support the immediate and long-term recovery needs for the people and places affected by the devastating Maui wildfires.
"When we experienced the most destructive wildfire in Colorado's history and witnessed over 1,000 homes destroyed in less than 24 hours, we learned how valuable support is in these unprecedented situations," said Scaled Agile's cofounder Dean Leffingwell. "Now we see that and far worse, loss of life, in Maui. It's important to remember that the recovery effort will take years, so we encourage broad support of the Maui Strong Fund, even in small amounts. It's never too late to make a difference."
"Giving back is an integral part of our culture," said Scaled Agile's CEO Chris James. "Since joining the Pledge 1% movement, we've been able to accelerate and energize our giving and volunteering activities. Our employees love the sense of purpose this provides, and we have been amazed by the passion and effort they put into their paid volunteer time. I can't say enough about the value of the program, and I strongly recommend it to any company looking to enhance this part of their culture." | <urn:uuid:6ffa58fb-f922-46fa-9255-73391e81e791> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://community.pledge1percent.org/t5/Pledge-1-Blog/Scaled-Agile-Inc-Donates-to-Rocky-Mountain-Institute-and-Maui/ba-p/23904 | 2023-09-27T11:13:34Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.951333 | 476 |
Why learning to still your mind will give your better work, business and life experiences every day not just when you take a holiday.
I have written before about why just unplugging on vacation is a bad idea so today I thought it would be helpful to explain why that is.
For those of you who are curious and wonder how on earth you can unwind during your usually busy hectic life well read on for a few minutes.
For those of you who can begin to master unwinding and unplugging as part of your daily life then you will…
1. Get the Most from Your Vacation
Just think of the stress that we go through booking a holiday, overspending when you are there, dealing with travel, delayed flights, the boss sending you emails as they simply forgot you are actually on vacation. The recognition that the project you had to get done at the very last minute may not have been as good as it should and for weeks before you barely slept getting all of the work off your desk.
Then it takes the first week of just sleeping to begin to unwind.
Does that sound familiar, yes that could be extreme though I am sure you get the picture.
So now imagine that you could arrive relaxed, and enjoy your first few days. You could be far more present with your lover, friends or family, actually listen to them.
You could switch off that busy mind of yours and know how to tap into your creativity so you make some plans, create some ideas for when you get home rather than manically figuring out what could have gone wrong.
You are not exhausted so you can take a few more adventurous challenges, read more, exercise more, maybe ever drink less. Waking with a clear and energised mind.
Why waste those precious days sleeping when you could be living?
2. Not need another vacation as soon as you get home
You arrived relaxed, travelling home is going to be easy, your body is refreshed, your experiences are far more enjoyable, less draining. You did not need a daily trip to the spa to calm you down, you could actually enjoy them.
When you get home, you have less stress, are energised and ready to take on the next challenge.
3. Not take your work with you
You learned how to manage your time better, learned how to say NO to people and projects that no longer serve you. If you feel like a few hours work it is enjoyable not irritating, you get to choose what you do and when.
No guilt or judgement.
4. Manage stress better in everyday life
Creating the awareness around your own patterns, behaviour, managing expectations of yours and others means that you recognise your stress triggers, can act on them, get back to a state of coherence and equilibrium faster, use less energy, spend more time grateful, happy, fulfilled and enthusiastic.
5. Enjoy being alone with your thoughts and yourself at any time
Here is the most important one, the one that many people run away from. You see having a busy mind is not the cool thing you think it is, it actually prevents you from tapping into your intuition and creativity. Spending all your time in your logic mind means you are shutting out 50% of your human operating system, it is just not smart.
When you have learned to still that busy mind, to use it when you need to, for strategy, problem solving, analysis then let be it be still you get to enjoy nature, the Universe and the truly beautiful place of having no thoughts just pure consciousness, the place of infinite wisdom and abundance.
6. Have a Business, Career and Work that fulfils you every day.
Well it may take some hard work to get there though ask yourself if you really need to crave that vacation as your business, career or work is so stressful on a daily basis then why are you continuing?
All of the reasons you come up with for why you are staying where you are just add to a story that does not serve you, it is an active choice of yours.
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Funky looking widget under iOS 16 Public Beta 2
The widget looks like above under iOS 16 Public Beta 2. Looked fine under the previous beta.
If you need more info, please let new know!
Cheers guys, and thank you for the amazing app!
SimonUrbanek last edited by
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Problem: A ranch home garage was converted into a living area and playroom. But, it wasn’t connected to the furnace. So, it was too cold in the winter.
Solution: Installed a ductless mini-split with an outdoor heat pump and air handler in the garage. Now, the room has heat in the winter and AC in the summer.
The old garage hangout is a staple of suburban America. Using that space for recreation is great – unless it’s too hot or cold. That’s where a ductless HVAC system makes all the difference.
Compass Heating and Air got a call from a family in Elk Grove Village, IL. Like many of the towns near the O’Hare International Airport, this one has plenty of ranch homes. They were common models during the suburban housing boom of the 50s and 60s.
These quaint, one-story homes offer a lot for a young couple with kids. But sometimes, you just need a little extra space.
That’s where the garage comes in. Park the car in the driveway, and put a TV and some video games there instead. It’s great, until winter hits.
For years, people used space heaters or window air conditioners to make their garage more liveable. But, those options use a lot of energy, which cost a lot of money. This family wanted to do better.
And, of course, they called us. We’ve got a great track record and plenty of online reviews, of satisfied customers in Chicagoland. This home would be no exception.
First off, let’s talk about the challenges of heating and cooling a garage. And, some of the extra benefits that come with doing so. There’s more to it than you may realize.
Mid-century suburban houses usually came with central heating. And, it was often a furnace with ductwork. You’d see radiators and things like that in townhomes and apartments in the city.
But residential central air wasn’t around till the 70s. Some people retrofitted their HVAC systems to add that. Others kept using window or wall units. Or, they used ceiling fans and open windows.
And, at some point, people figured out they could get more living space with their garage. This ranch’s design works well for that. There’s a door connecting it to the laundry room for easy access. And, it’s already got a window. So, the man cave doesn’t literally feel like a dark cave.
But, these garages don’t have ductwork and vents. So, they stay cold in the winter and hot in the summer.
Then, you could carve out part of the wall and put in an energy-guzzling air conditioner. Or, pull a window unit in and out of storage every year.
Either way, you’ve got a loud AC blaring. And, a burglar can easily push the unit out of the way and crawl in.
Of course, you could add ductwork to connect to the garage. But, that’s really expensive. And, it could throw off the rest of the house. We’ll get into why and how a little later.
Today, however, there’s a better option.
In a nutshell, the mini-split works similarly to central setups. But, it’s much more efficient.
Outside is a heat pump. This provides the warmth or cooling. Inside are air handlers, or panels. They distribute the treated air.
Refrigerant lines connect the two. The lines are narrow and run through the walls like electrical wires. That makes installing in a house like this a breeze.
Just one pushes enough air to warm or cool the entire garage. And, it does so quietly. That’s a big deal in a cozy space.
These things are literally as quiet as leaves rustling. You can hear the TV and people talking with no problem.
And, don’t worry about anyone getting in through an opening. The lines connect behind the panel. The hole for it is only a few inches wide.
Sure it looks nice, but does it work? It sure does. In fact, you could treat your whole house with just a few of these if you wanted. They’re just as powerful as a furnace or central air. Sometimes, they work even better.
And, that can make a difference for the rest of your house. This garage is right next to the living room. But, it didn’t have climate control before.
With a mini-split, the air handler has a thermostat and works on its own. Now, that exterior room is treated properly. That makes the temperature in the living room easier to control.
Ok, let’s talk money. Obviously, a mini-split isn’t cheap. But, it’s less expensive than you may realize.
The other benefit to these is that they use much less energy than similar units. As a result, they are Energy Star-certified. And, that gets you money back.
ComEd in the Fox River Valley offers rebates to homeowners who install Energy Star appliances in their home. In this case, our family got a $900 rebate. That’s almost a grand off the total cost.
Now, the family paid much less than the initially expected for their new rec room. And, they’ve got the same climate control as they do in the rest of the house. Maybe even better.
Does your garage playroom need heating and cooling? Contact us, and we’ll design a system that’s perfect for your home. | <urn:uuid:d5be9514-4824-4031-9b2c-915761fe26fb> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://compassheatingandair.com/case_studies/ductless-hvac-turns-garage-into-playroom-in-elk-grove-village-il/ | 2023-09-27T12:15:54Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.95687 | 1,212 |
There are three types of people. The first type who tell their partners, that, “You have your fun and I’ll have mine.” The second type say, “You can have your fun as long as you keep me materially and financially satisfied, and well-provided for.” The third type is the one for whom marriage vows come from the heart. The vows are sacred to them, an inner commitment. They don’t necessarily require a priest to stand witness to their marriage vows. Their heart is prayerful and loving, and it is part of a magnanimously beautiful relationship called marriage. For the third type, marriage vows reflect how s/he truly feels within, and who they really are.
In the first two cases, marriage vows are merely a convenient means to adequately meet physical, material, and emotional needs – nothing more. Therefore, for a committed person, Open Marriage, as it is called, is a mockery of the sanctity of marriage, and is, in effect, no marriage at all. On the other hand, a true marriage fulfils the needs of our physical being, and we continue to evolve as spiritual beings.
Personal growth is possible only when it is mirrored in the face of relationships. The more intimate the relationship, the more clear and accurate this mirroring. So, one who chooses to escape such mirroring has opted to escape personal growth and maturity, and also ignored the potential of his/her spiritual evolution.
Today, it is considered fashionable, trendy, liberal and mature, and you are with the times, respecting each other’s “space,” if you believe in, or practice, the Open Marriage concept – i.e., consensual extra-marital relations for both spouses. Flirting between married couples is also rampant in elitist society, and if you do not have a taste for it, you are considered square and primitive. The famous song by American artist Paul Anka, “I’m a one man woman, I’m a one woman man,” is mocked at by such “mature, exclusive” people.
Another extreme form of extra-marital sex is “swinging,” seen in cities, today. Here, married couples exchange partners with each other, with all parties agreeing to the arrangement. This is generally an underground activity – which only proves that if someone needs to hide something, they know that what they are doing is wrong.
How do people react to having such experiences? Some people find exactly what they are looking for – i.e., re-assurance that they are not really getting old, or they still have sex appeal. They also feel they can get away from boredom, release pent-up tensions, get “even” with their spouse, satisfy their curiosity, change pace from “ordinary” sexual diet, or think of it as a getaway. Others find the experience empty, guilt-provoking, awkward, frightening, and psychologically de-stabilising.
“Escapism” sure offers excitement, variety, and the thrill of the forbidden. However, available data show that the pleasure of extra-marital sex is lower for men and women, in general, than what relates to overall sexual pleasure in a normal, happy marriage. | <urn:uuid:2b2019d5-3cac-4df0-8096-9e230f4cf494> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://completewellbeing.com/article/open-marriage/ | 2023-09-27T12:01:12Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.966386 | 687 |
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Prague is home to a number of well-known cultural attractions, including the beautiful Prague Castle, the stunning Old Town Square, the intricate Astronomical Clock and much more. It is a one of a kind city and the EuroSTAR team are more than excited to host our annual conference in the capital of the Czech republic.
In one of our previous articles we mentioned the Top 5 Attractions in Prague which you can read here. There is so much to tell you about this fascinating city … did you know that Prague is also called the City of 100 Spires? This is based on a count by 19th century mathematician, Bernard Bolzano and today’s count has increased that to 500 as estimated by the Prague Information Service.
That’s right. we’re talking about the spiky structure on the top of a building, often a church tower, similar to a steep tented roof. Prague has got tons of them!
From cathedrals to churches, towers and other magnificent buildings topped with stunning spires, Prague amazes every visitor with its beauty. Almost undamaged by World War II, the city’s compact medieval centre remains a beautiful mixture of fabulous lanes, walled courtyards, cathedrals and countless church spires all in the shadow of her majestic 9th century castle that looks eastward as the sun sets behind her. Sadly, the modern world doesn’t create such architecture anymore, but you can always enjoy visiting Prague for your fix of medieval buildings.
The annual EuroSTAR Software Testing Conference will take place in the Prague Congress Centre this November. It is located just 4 stops on the metro from the Old Town, close to some of the most amazing attractions on the capital. Stroll down to the river or get a tram to Prague Castle which is only 30 minutes from the conference. You will also notice the building nearby, called Saint Peter and Paul Basilica.
Too many spires for the day? Head down to see the Dancing House, a stunning building 30 minutes walk from the Congress Centre. Look out for Zofin Palance when you are there – this is where we will have our Gala Awards Dinner on Wednesday 13th November.
As you will be very busy learning and focusing your mind on the presentations during the conference, evening times can be spent walking down the streets of this amazing city. Prague, we are counting the days until we visit you in November! | <urn:uuid:ebf77cd0-9990-4eb2-9c12-3dd7f9df0ac0> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://conference.eurostarsoftwaretesting.com/the-city-of-a-hundred-spires-prague-facts/ | 2023-09-27T12:42:40Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.958583 | 498 |
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Fairly an allusive cost of Eric Berman who claims to had obtained a deathbed confession of Otto Skorzeny, affiliate agent of Hitler, who revealed some fascinating confessions about George HW Bush and the Bush household. In his testimony to this younger man, Skorzeny spilled the beans about a number of issues that he wished to reveal as revenge towards the Nazis, CIA, and George Bush who swindled him from cash owed.
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A £2.3bn contract to dig the Lower Thames Crossings 4.2-kilometre tunnel will reportedly be awarded in a few weeks following over 12 months of competitive dialogue. The dialogue has been between the National Highways a trio of shortlisted bidders. the bidders include Bouygues/Murphy JV, Dragados-Hochtief (DH JV) and BAM Nuttall, Ferrovial Construction (UK) and Vinci Construction Grands Projets (BFV JV).
This contract will be the third to be awarded for the project this year. In January, Balfour Beatty won the first contract, a £1.2bn contract to construct 16 kilometres of highways connecting the M25 at Junction 29 and the A13 with the northern side of the proposed tunnel. In July 2023, the second contract was awarded to Skanska. Reportedly the £450 million contract covers the development of the southern part of the route connecting the A2/M2 to the tunnel approach. This development particularly involves the construction of new roads and structures, green bridges for wildlife, a new public park and new or improved pathways for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
The two contracts however will not be executed until the Lower Thames Crossing is granted a development consent order (DCO) from the Planning Inspectorate – required for major infrastructure projects – and the government signs off its £8bn funding. The scheme’s application for a DCO was accepted in November 2022 and over the next six months, the application will be “thoroughly examined by a panel of independent, government-appointed experts” according to National Highways.
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The Lower Thames Crossing is a road crossing under construction on the Thames estuary near the Dartford Crossing, the only fixed road crossing the River Thames east of Greater London. Dartford Crossing connects Kent and Essex counties.
When fully built Lower Thames Crossing will also cross through the district of Thurrock. On the Kent, the side will go through Gravesham to cross the North Downs and supplement the Dartford route.
The 14.3 miles of highway will consist, of seven green bridges connecting communities and wildlife. Additionally, new public parks and 46km of modern footpaths and cycle routes will be developed. The crossing was earlier proposed in the 2010s and was a plan to lower the traffic on the existing A282 Dartford Crossing.
The Lower Thames Crossing route will link the M25 motorway and A13 north of the river with the M2 motorway south of the river. The crossing will have a 2.6-mile-long tunnel which will be the longest road tunnel in the UK. The crossing was estimated to cost over £8.2bn, taking about six years to construct after planning permission was granted.
Referred to as “the country’s strategic road network crucial part”, Dartford Crossing is the only fixed road crossing on the River Thames east of Greater London. Even though not officially designated a motorway, it is considered part of the M25 motorway orbital route in London. The route was last expanded in 1991 alongside the opening of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge.
The crossing is the busiest estuarial route in the UK, with a daily average use of approximately 160,000 vehicles. Dartford has high levels of traffic congestion, mostly at peak times – with increased levels of air pollution affecting neighbouring Thurrock and Dartford.
Read also: The Melbourne Metro Tunnel Project Timeline
Lower Thames Crossing Project Timeline
Department for Transport in January brought three major proposals to raise capacity east of London over the River Thames to be constructed downstream of the existing Dartford Crossing and furthermore to expand capacity at the Dartford Crossing.
A study proposal commissioned by Kent County Council in October revealed that the northern end of the crossing needs to bypass the M25 and go on to join the M11 (and Stansted Airport) directly. The proposal would presumably be an Option C adaptation.
In April, the Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling verified Option C as the favorable route for the Lower Thames Crossing.
Highways England in July revealed that they expected to present a planning application in Summer 2020 and had a plan for the road opening in 2027
Highways England issued amended proposals based on the previous Option C. It proposed the route to run from the M25 at North Ockendon to the A2 at Thong, and an intermediate junction with the A1089 and A13 roads.
In April, Highways England stated that they had split the building of the road into three sections. The roads north and south of the tunnel would be constructed by two contractors, at a cost of £1.3bn and £600m respectively.
The other contractor would construct the tunnel, at a cost of £2.3bn. This would allow the scheme’s construction to start immediately after the Development Consent Order (DCO) process was completed.
Turner & Townsend appointed for the Lower Thames Crossing project in the UK
National Highways has appointed Turner & Townsend as the Commercial Partner for the proposed Lower Thames Crossing project. T&T together with the main works contractors and the integrated client team will develop the single largest road scheme in a generation containing the longest road tunnels in the U.K.
On the eight-year contract, T&T will work as part of the National Highways Integrated Client Team offering day-to-day independent cost assurance and cost audit functions, and commercial and contract management on the Lower Thames Crossing scheme.
The Lower Thames Crossing Executive Director, Matt Palmer stated: “The Lower Thames Crossing project is the most aspiring road scheme the country has seen since the M25 was built 35 years ago. It will enhance journeys, offer new jobs and business opportunities, as well as bring new green spaces for the local community and wildlife.
For almost 60 years the Dartford Crossing has stood as the only crossing between Kent and Essex, a critical link carrying vital food, goods, and services in the manufacturing areas, distribution hubs, and ports of the Midlands, South East, and North of England.
The Lower Thames Crossing project is designed to accommodate 135,000 vehicles daily. Currently, it often sees 180,000 a day, leading to long delays which businesses in the country refer to as a barrier to jobs and trade. The Lower Thames Crossing will enhance journeys by almost doubling the road capacity in the River Thames east of London.
If offered the green light the reliable new route will unlock a wealth of long-term economic interests, as well as play a significant role in the country’s economic recovery by supporting over 22,000 jobs in construction, and hundreds of opportunities for graduates, apprentices, and local businesses.
Thurrock businesses get a head start as Lower Thames Crossing aims to spend £1 for every £3 with SMEs.
AN innovative new database of over 500 businesses, developed by National Highways to support local firms win their work share earmarked for SMEs on the Lower Thames Crossing, was handed over to the mega construction and engineering firms bidding for work on the scheme.
In accordance with the Government’s plans to spend £1 in every £3 with SMEs, National Highways is targeting £1 in every £3 of the scheme’s main works construction budget (excluding land costs and fees) set for small and medium-sized businesses either directly or through the supply chain.
To support local businesses gain from the investment, National Highways has developed the Lower Thames Crossing SME Directory; a skills register, services, and contact details of local SMEs that the scheme’s main works contractors will be expected to use to develop a local supply chain.
Lower Thames Crossing to be 1st to utilize carbon reduction method
The lower Thames Crossing project has been described by Ambisense as the first of its kind to employ cutting-edge carbon reduction methods. Ambisense was involved in the preliminary ground surveys of the project.
Speaking on the project, Stephen McNulty, CEO, and founder of Ambisense said that it had been fantastic to be involved in a project such as the Lower Thames Crossing. “This pioneering project,” he continued, “has made use of carbon-neutral construction.
This is part of National Highways’ efforts and ambitions to make the new crossing the greenest road ever built in the UK. The Lower Thames Crossing project will therefore help the UK reach net zero by 2050, which is a very exciting prospect. Additionally, the project sets the standard for all other infrastructural projects to be executed in a low-carbon way in the future.”
Contribution of Ambisense to the project
Ambisense supplied high-quality data that was automatically, continuously, and securely transmitted, leading to a reduced amount of site visits. Data analytics also reduced the risk of over-engineered designs, therefore minimizing the possible use of extra materials, such as concrete and steel, and other resources.
Ambisense’s mission since its inception in 2014 has been to build the world’s leading system of intelligence in a bid to automate, analyze, and accelerate environmental risk assessment for a safer and more sustainable world.
The Lower Thames Crossing project is a model example of how technology can be successfully woven into incumbent industry business models. Moreover, it is a testament that technology can be used to support the project team in the management and mitigation of environmental risk.
National Highways have employed many tactics including the involvement of Ambisense, to ensure this process is done in the most environmentally positive way possible. | <urn:uuid:c4e1d162-f37b-461c-a30f-8e74b2144a12> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://constructionreviewonline.com/biggest-projects/lower-thames-crossing-the-2nd-fixed-road-crossing-the-river-thames-east-of-greater-london/ | 2023-09-27T12:07:50Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.950869 | 2,011 |
Garages have moved steadily away from merely being a home for one’s car into an extension of the home. With that move, of course, garage door design and performance have become more important considerations for homeowners looking to complete their dream home.
After all, as garage use has evolved over the years —shifting from carport into in-law suite, workshop, outdoor kitchen or even home theatre — so too has the attention given to the overhead door that plays such a major role in its presentation and performance.
“A garage can cover 25-33% of the front of your home, so you want to make sure it has got good curb appeal,” says Ryan McNamee, national marketing manager at Steel-Craft Door Products. “Compared to front door or countertop renovations, garage doors are much more affordable.”
As such, he adds, garage doors have been consistently one of the top two best return on investment in renovations.
Design trends galore
Like any area of the home, what resonates with each householder is unique, and garage door suppliers and manufacturers have needed to provide a broad offering,
“Designs are as varied as the imagination these days. Manufacturers have increased their palette of colours and designs to fit the style of houses today,” suggests Mark Rennison, distribution sales manager at Stewart Overhead Door. He adds that his company’s Northland Garage Doors offer 13 standard colours including four wood look styles, plus custom colour matching capabilities on some door designs.Photo Courtesy of Stewart Overhead Door
Of course, a few trends can be seen amidst Canadian homeowners, especially from region to region. Teresa Christensen, residential sales for Creative Door Services, points to the aesthetic trends around window placement and glass in general in demand with her company’s customers: “The vertical placement windows on a flush door is still very popular,” she says. “Satin-etched glass for the windows and black and slate grey are very popular colours across Western Canada.”
In fact, windows and glass are playing an increasing role in popular garage door choices. “Glass doors are on the upswing, and I would say the standard colonial raised panel is not as popular anymore,” she added.
Rennison echoes the popularity of both design trends with his company’s customers. “Black, and dark greys are still popular today and into the near future,” he says. “Also, we see continued popularity in all-glass doors. Various tinted glass from satin to dark grey or black tinting is popular.”
Homeowners are trending towards a more modern-contemporary appearance, McNamee says. “For garage doors this means plank panels, smaller windows or aluminum doors with glass throughout. At Steel-Craft, we believe ourselves to be ahead of the curve with our mid-century-modern doors, Contemporary and our Esteem collection.”
Darker colours are starting to become more popular than traditional white doors, McNamee says. “If somebody is buying a white door, the best aesthetic comes with decorative hardware as seen on our Carriage-Craft door. Our charcoal colour doors are the most popular colour selection by homeowners and our sable grey is gaining momentum as well.”
The look of a modern garage door can add a ‘wow’ factor like never before, meanwhile it can also capture a sense of nostalgia.
“Garage doors can be trendy too,” says Vanessa Poulin, branding advisor at Garaga Inc. She points homeowners to the company’s Townships Collection, for capturing the popular farmhouse or modern farmhouse design aesthetic.
“You can go all-in with yesteryear charm or just a subtle touch by choosing the shape of overlays you like the best,” she said. “Their real overlays divide space so cleverly that it fools the eye.”Photo Courtesy of Steel-Craft Door Products
She adds, “You could swear you’re looking at swinging doors of yesteryear. But you’re living in the present, with a hyper-functional, sturdy and hassle-free garage door.”
Function and performance matters
As important as design is, elements of performance loom large for homeowners, namely security and energy efficiency.
As garages are used for more than car storage, cost-effectively heating them has increased in importance. Rennison says homeowners need to discuss insulation and energy efficiency needs with their contractor or dealer when purchasing a new garage door.
“Ask the questions about the options of R-Value available (should be between R-12 and R18),” he says. “Also, this is the largest moving part of your house. Do not cut costs on safety features, track and hardware gauges, and inferior windows. This will guarantee a long-lasting product that will give you satisfaction for years to come.”Photo Courtesy of Garage Inc.
McNamee points to a few innovations that have found their way into some of his company’s Esteem doors and commercial options, such as the new hydr-o-guard rail design that prevents water from getting into the garage, “even if it’s a monsoon outside.” Of course, this is especially popular on the West Coast, he notes.Photo Courtesy of Creative Door Services & Richards-WilcoxPhoto Courtesy of Stewart Overhead Door
“We have also just developed a new Symmetrical Track Hardware system that makes it easier for the installer to place in a homeowners Garage.”
Of course, budget plays a big role in deciding just what design and performance options to consider.
“Designer doors are still popular and can range from economical to very expensive depending on what the customer wants,” Christensen says. For example, “Garage door openers continue to evolve with their safety features and Wi-Fi and smart home speaker connectivity.”Photo Courtesy of Garage Inc.
She adds that R-value (if heating the garage), panel style and any architectural restraints, and glass choices (single pane, insulated, clear or satin-etched) all play a significant part in selecting the right overhead door for the garage and the budget.
Sidebar: Open sesame. Garage doors get smart.
The use of an electric garage door opener is nothing new but, as with other areas of the home, have had an infusion of smart home technology in recent years.
For instance, Teresa Christensen, residential sales for Creative Door Services, points to Genie’s Aladdin Connect technology that allows homeowners to monitor their garage door from a distance using their smartphone, provide temporary or limited access with a virtual key and syncs with home assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa.
It is all part of a desire for increased security suggests Mark Rennison, distribution sales manager at Stewart Overhead Door. “As much as the designs change, the increase of security these days is ultra-important. Garage door openers that have smart technology built in, such as cameras and notifications to your phone are becoming more popular.” —Photo Courtesy of Creative Door Services & Richards-Wilcox | <urn:uuid:e2f7c972-ef85-437e-b4bc-f190374c62e6> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://contractoradvantage.ca/ideas/your-door-to-a-new-garage-aesthetic/ | 2023-09-27T12:09:52Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.944257 | 1,505 |
Life does not promise a steady stream of positive experiences, an ever-improving situation, or a constant sense of comfort and peace. Indeed, to suggest such a thing is laughable. And yet the critique offered by many in their youth arises from just such a utopian vision of this world. As a result, youthful vigor chases that elusive perfection in whatever form current worldly wisdom can project. Sometimes it appears in political circles masquerading under the disguise of hope. Sometimes men present it as a falsified version of Christianity. Sometimes people give up on the idea of perfection and accept with nihilistic defeat the problems of the world as if they are the ideal. But David, who experienced far more ups and downs in life than most could ever imagine, never wavered in his passion for the perfect, because He recognized its existence in the character of God. Therefore, after decades reigning as king over Israel, David could pen the words of Psalm 145 with a heart for God rooted not only in youthful hope, but in mature experience, and thus declare God, his King. This we also should do—after steady reflection and years of contemplation—so we can see God as He truly is, and thereby understand ourselves.
Our God sits on His throne in heaven, but we must regularly bow before Him and consider His majesty to remind ourselves of His authority and power. More than that, such reflections should swell our hearts with enough thanksgiving to last a lifetime and pour over into eternity (Psa. 145:1). Yet, rather than storing up thankfulness, which is all too soon forgotten, we should cry out daily to the LORD to acknowledge what He has given, building up an appreciation that motivates and increases our praise (Psa. 145:2). The LORD’s greatness is unsurpassed; no one even approaches it. Therefore, the worship we offer does not exalt Him beyond measure; it only acknowledges to a small degree the extent of His true glory (Psa. 145:3). Passing this sense of awe on to the next generation becomes our responsibility (Psa. 145:4). Therefore, it is essential to take the time to stop and reflect on who God is and what God has done (Psa. 145:5), to then speak what we have learned boldly (Psa. 145:6), and then commit these reflections to memory so that they might stir up our hearts to worship regularly (Psa. 145:7).
When the LORD passed before Moses and gave the Law the second time, He described Himself (Ex. 34:6). That description still applied, hundreds of years later when David wrote, and it remains true today. The LORD’s character has neither changed nor diminished, nor will it. Thus, all that He reveals of Himself provides a glimpse into eternity and beckons His people to follow. The LORD wants to favor us because He cares about us. His patience and longsuffering, made necessary and obvious by our sin, demonstrate the depth of His mercy. He offers good and pleasant things to His creation because all of His creation matters greatly to Him (Psa. 145:8-9). He has proved this time and time again by what He has done (Psa. 145:10), eliciting praise and appreciation for what He has made possible, but most of all for His kingdom (Psa. 145:11-12). That King David spoke in terms of God’s kingdom rather than his own bears witness to David’s faith in God’s promises. For the true glory of the kingdom depends upon the LORD’s reign, ultimately fulfilled in every way by the coming of the Messiah (Psa. 145:13; 2 Sam. 7:14).
Appreciating the greatness of God begins with humility built upon the recognition of our need (Psa. 145:14). It grows into expectation and reliance on God’s providence for what we have and enjoy in life (Psa. 145:15-16). It matures in recognizing justice in the LORD’s will and kindness in all He does (Psa. 145:17). And all of this God does to draw us near to Him, so that we trust Him and place ourselves under His care by submitting to Him and His will (Psa. 145:18; Jas. 4:8; Rom. 10:13; Acts 22:16). Our God wants to save; He listens and watches for the opportunity to do so, to see if people will do His will and follow Him (Psa. 145:19). But judgment will ultimately come, and the distinction between those who have acknowledged the greatness of the LORD, have submitted to Him, and have become His people and those who have neglected their opportunity will become evident in the preservation of the righteous in the presence of God and the destruction of the wicked who acted as if they did not need Him (Psa. 145:20). Our God does not require perfection of us—only faithfulness (Rev. 2:10). But this is possible because He is indeed perfect, and therefore worthy. Let us then also say with David, “My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord, And all flesh shall bless His holy name Forever and ever” (Psa. 145:21). | <urn:uuid:06a3e2fe-c2c4-4b3a-aed5-45fb46b2c101> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://convictionsofhonor.org/chasing-perfection/ | 2023-09-27T10:49:51Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.95219 | 1,091 |
Lulu Armless Dining Chair
*Ships in July
Sleek, streamlined seating with a midcentury vibe. Armless dining chair features a sling leather seatback and a faux shearling seat in liquid-repellent performance fabric. Frame and legs made of solid ash wood.
Overall Dimensions: 20.25"w x 21.75"d x 33.00"h
Seat Depth: 18.25"
Seat Height: 19.25"
Seat Construction: Other
Colors: Espresso Leather Blend, Umber Ash, Cardiff Cream
Materials: 70%Split Lea, 30%Pvc, Solid Ash, 100% Polyester
Weight: 13.76 lb
Volume: 6.75 cu ft
Manufacturer: Four Hands
Shop the Room: Arum Dining Table
Copper & Tweed ships to the continental United States. Email [email protected] if you are interested in quotes for shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, or other U.S. territories.
Our furniture is shipped via Freight*
*We use a freight carrier for our furniture which means that the processing and transit time can take a little longer than standard carriers, but also ensures that the fulfillment centers and freight carriers are experienced in safely transporting and delivering products.
Products ordered at the same time may or may not ship together or be packaged together. We will let you know how your order will ship when multiple products are ordered.
SHIPPING SERVICE OPTIONS
Standard Shipping — FREE
Delivery to the Main Entrance, Porch, Garage or Driveway
This shipping option is a delivery to the main entrance, porch, garage or driveway with a signature required for drop-off.
The week of expected delivery, our shipping carrier will reach out to you to schedule a time to drop off. Please be home and ready to receive your products at your doorstep in the scheduled 4-hour window. Please note that all of our products require signature for drop-off.
Customer will be responsible for unboxing, setup/assembly, and removal of all debris.
Plus Service — Additional Cost
Inside Delivery to Your Room of Choice
This shipping option includes delivery to the room of choice (including one flight of stairs), unpacking, debris removal, and light assembly with no tools (if required). This option is ideal for individuals who do not feel comfortable moving heavy items. This shipping service is priced according to the weight of products included in your order.
The scheduling of this delivery is the same as standard delivery. The week of expected delivery, our shipping partners will reach out to you to schedule a time to deliver your order. Please be home and ready to receive your products in the scheduled 4-hour window.
Please inspect your order thoroughly upon delivery and unboxing it. If there is any damage that isn't noted upon delivery, you must report this damage within 7 days by emailing [email protected] in order to ensure a replacement. If we do not receive notification within 7 days, you may be subject to additional fees to ship a replacement.
We do not offer returns for buyers remorse.
DAMAGES OR DEFECTS?
We will repair or replace any products that are damaged or defective at no additional cost. See claims under our shipping policy for more information on the claims process.
Please contact us within 24 hours to ensure a cancellation and full refund. After 24 hours, a 5% return processing fee will be deducted from the refund on cancelled orders. If your order has already shipped, you are not guaranteed a full refund. Email [email protected] for any cancellation requests. | <urn:uuid:a0881978-e664-49d7-9e64-2f677d2192a2> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://copperandtweed.com/collections/four-hands-furniture/products/lulu-armless-dining-chair | 2023-09-27T12:56:58Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.905195 | 790 |
One of the best areas to meet single women reaches a house get together. Really an easy way to meet women and socialize with these people without having to pay to get expensive drinks or loud music. Additionally , you can use the host as your best wingman, if you groom yourself nicely. House parties can provide plenty of space for you to control around and play party tricks.
Gonna concerts or art galleries can also be a great way to meet women with similar hobbies. However , if you’re essential to achieve fan of art, it might be a boring knowledge. Another typical method is to meet up with women through friends and family. These kinds of women are most likely will speak to talk about common passions with you, so you can start a dialogue about them.
Another great option is usually online dating. Right now there are numerous sites and apps that can help you meet women. Many of these services have time, but top quality ones generally require a price. You can also use social networking sites to get in touch with ladies. However , do not forget that this method is not completely effective as ladies are less likely to be serious about guys whom are just employing social media to fulfill girls.
Wedding receptions can even be a great spot to meet women of all ages. Asking women of all ages joining wedding receptions to attend your wedding day might supply you with a good opportunity to meet a lot of them. If you find a woman who stocks your hobbies, you can consult her away later. Additionally, you can meet women at a pub, club, or a beach clubhouse.
You can also go to a dog area to meet ladies. However , the mix of solo women in dog park systems will vary, so it’s important to find a park with the obligation mix of single women. You have to develop an appropriate conversation skills prior to trying any of these venues. This can be the first step to building a sustainable relationship.
Make sure meet single females is by helping out. A woman is often more interested in a person who donates his the perfect time to a good trigger. Volunteering will in addition look good on your own resume. A person be a volunteer for a soups kitchen – you can join animal shelters, national parks volunteer services, churches, etc .
Females like to be around fun and interesting guys, therefore it is important to build your social group in these situations. Increasing your social group will give you an edge over the guests. Besides, it will probably allow you to sign up for exclusive situations such as apparel label commences, fashion weeks, and luxurious house people. Moreover, women of all ages in these types of incidents are likely to be thinking about men whom are well-connected.
Art galleries are another good destination to meet women. While museums are not for the reason that popular for the reason that art galleries, they provide women with plenty of opportunity to talk to other people. Art galleries are extremely good places to meet single females, as these incidents usually bring women who like art. In addition , many universities coordinate special creative situations, which means that you are able to meet girls there, just who share your artistic interest. They’re also incredibly entertaining to talk to! | <urn:uuid:482afb15-1a1b-46cb-a83b-4b3ae330f93c> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://coqueteocoin.com/index.php/2022/05/22/where-to-meet-single-women/ | 2023-09-27T13:01:39Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.967562 | 657 |
On Monday, World Day of Bullying Prevention and the “Bullying Prevention Day” proclaimed by the Tompkins County Legislature, students, parents and activists gathered in the Greater Ithaca Area Activities Center to call for awareness of the consequences and solutions to bullying.
The rally featured student speeches and performances by GIAC student groups, including dances and raps written by the students. Attendees wore blue shirts which read “Wash Away Bullying.”
According to The Sophie Fund’s website, a non-profit mental health advocacy group based in Tompkins County, in the 2016-2017 school year, almost one in five American high school students experience bullying at school — that is 22.3 percent of high school girls and 15.6 percent of high school boys. This number is one in three for LGBTQ+ students. Cyberbullying also occurred at a slightly lower percentage of 14.9 percent.
“Look at the students around you,” said Kerry Phillips, deputy director of GIAC. “One out of five of them will be bullied this year.”
The County legislature’s proclamation, which was read at the rally, says that everyone “can play a part in creating a bully-free environment in our schools, athletic fields, public spaces and online.”
The proclamation and rally were the result of the efforts of the Tompkins County Bullying Prevention Task Force, a group of individuals from schools, mental health organizations and the broader Tompkins County community who first convened last January with the goal of starting an anti-bullying initiative. Since January, the group has grown from nine to 88 individuals.
The Task Force’s mission is to facilitate comprehensive cooperation across the community in developing and promoting appropriate bullying prevention and response strategies in Tompkins County.”
A contributor to the founding of the Task Force was Scott MacLeod, a co-founder of the Sophie Fund. “Our main goal is just to stimulate discussions across the county, whether that’s at school, around the dinner table at home,” MacLeod said. “A lot of people are aware that bullying happens, but maybe aren’t as aware as they need to be of the consequences of bullying, which can be quite serious.”
Ithaca Police Chief Dennis Nayor, who attended the rally at GIAC, reiterated this point, saying that bullying can cause long-lasting struggles in people’s lives.
“Some of the issues we see later on in people’s lives like criminal activity could be rooted in a person’s experiences being bullied,” Nayor said. “We at the police department are committed to trying to find solutions, and we’re open to being a resource to that.”
Nayor also stressed that cyberbullying means that bullying no longer “ends when the school day does.” In his speech at the rally, Nayor encouraged victims of bullying to contact police if they need help.
“We’re trying to tackle it positively by talking about mutual respect, showing kindness for one another,” said Phillips. “There are people that we need to help.That is part of out message. One of the first steps is using your voice to speak up.” | <urn:uuid:c101dd52-dbf9-4c28-9486-a61126f0acd4> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cornellsun.com/2019/10/08/bullying-prevention-rally-held-in-honor-of-tompkins-county-bullying-prevention-day/ | 2023-09-27T11:16:46Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.968643 | 693 |
Many people are in search for health and fitness, but what are really the essentials for health and fitness and how do you achieve good health and overall well being?
When you have a closer look at the concept, it all boils down to the following four components, which are crucial for healthy living.
*1 Good Nutrition
*2 Regular Exercise
*3 A Good Night Sleep
*4 High Quality Nutritional Supplementation
If we choose to make good nutrition – including supplementation – and an active lifestyle a daily habit, we could add 5 to 15 healthy years to our lives.
Healthy living means: keeping a balanced, healthy diet, avoiding smoking, excessive use of alcohol and toxic chemicals, taking regular exercise, a good night sleep and supplementing our diet with high quality nutritional supplements.
I will describe in more detail the above mentioned four components for healthy living.
First of all: Good Nutrition.
You probably heard it before: “You are what you eat.” Although I like a more accurate definition.it is better to say: “You are what you can get out of your food.”
Good nutrition is fundamental for good health.
The human body is a complex system that requires a full spectrum of nutrients for optimal health.
What do we mean by “good nutrition”?
Good nutrition means: eating the right food that contains all the right carbohydrates, protein, fat, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and trace elements, based on your body type.
A second factor that determines good nutrition is our body’s ability to absorb the nutrients from the food that we eat. The nutrients have to be in a form that the cells can accept them, and the cells have to be in optimum condition to be able to absorb the nutrients. This is called bio-availability.
These are the keys to successful nutrition and two often overlooked facts. That is one of the reasons most nutritional supplements miss the mark, they don’t address the cellular condition of the body.
You may think that regular exercise, a positive mental attitude, while applying the golden rule: ‘everything in moderation’ the key is to good health. However, if you understand the damage caused by processed foods, it will motivate you to change your diet, if you are aiming for a high level of health and freedom of degenerative diseases.
Acid-alkaline balance. We should consume acid- and alkaline-forming foods in the right ratio’s. This is not hard to realize, when we know that, generally speaking, fruits and vegetables are alkaline-forming and the rest is mostly acid-forming, with a few exceptions. You can read more about acid- and alkaline-forming foods in my article.
The Australian diet contains nearly one-and-a-half times more acid-forming food as it does alkaline-forming food. This ratio should be the other way around. The problem with eating too much acid-forming food is that it builds up toxic waste products, and is the cause of most of our health problems. A diet that contains insufficient fruit and vegetables is missing vital antioxidants, beta-carotene, vitamins and minerals. They are most important to prevent oxidation, caused by free radicals, which are the main cause of heart disease, stroke, cancer and other diseases.
We also need a sufficient amount of antioxidants, to counteract the formation of free radicals, caused by our stressful lifestyle, pollution in air and water and malnutrition. Oxidative stress has shown to be the root cause of over 70 chronic degenerative diseases.
Every day, the DNA in each cell in your body faces about 10, 000 attacks from cell-damaging forces known as free radicals, which are unstable oxygen molecules that have lost an electron. Free radicals are naturally produced as your body turns fuel to energy, but you also get them from pollution in air and water, stress, smoking and radiation from the sun. Fettförbränning | <urn:uuid:8c799999-0cd0-48de-9149-60b390ba1d4a> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://coronahilfebayreuth.com/how-to-achieve-health-and-fitness/ | 2023-09-27T12:06:10Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.945756 | 821 |
tv [untitled] CSPAN June 9, 2009 2:00pm-2:30pm EDT
that's right. okay. well, if there are no additional questions, let me just thank all of you, again, for coming. we'll be available for a few minutes if you'd like to ask any of us any questions, but just know that the tri-caucus is very clear on what our bottom lines are, and our bottom lines are included in this bill. we've communicated very clearly with the white house and with the president, and we're convinced that they, too, understand that health care disparities must be part of this debate in our leadership, and we look forward to working with -- >> are you going to be participating in the meeting at the white house at noon? >> we have today our staff will be participating today, and it's my understanding that members of congress will be called together at another meeting on health care disparities, but i'm very delighted that the white house is holding this meeting today and several members of our staff will be participating in it. >> [inaudible] >> i don't, we don't know, but we're just delighted that
they're doing it. >> right. we're also meeting with nancy and linda parl to discuss the last national report on health disparities and the response, and i suspect this meeting is being called in part as a response to the national report, but also as a follow-up to the initial summit. >> and, i'm sorry, this bill will be introduced, has been introduced? >> it will be introduced. we have the final print, we're just going through it to make sure it does exactly what we want it to do and -- >> do you have a date, guess? next week? >> i expect by the end of this week. >> end of this week, i think. >> okay. >> just one last comment. >> mike, uh-huh. >> if you note that the -- >> [inaudible] >> you'll note that the members were here speaking to health disparities and the gaps that we identify are from the communities of color. and if you think about all the policies that have been authored
in the past, we were not part of that. so the reason why this is so important is that we take our own experiences and our understanding of our own communities and translate those experiences into statutes so that the policy becomes more on point, more focused. and, if you will, a little bit more elegant in addressing the gaps that we see on a daily basis. so any reform that comes out without our material will be incomplete, and so it's our intent that our experiences be placed into this whole policy process. >> thank you very much. >> thank you.
the sake of my colleagues, i the sake of my colleagues, i >> for the sake of my colleagues, i want to talk about the time of the hearing of the sotomayor, judge sotomayor nomination. i talked with the distinguished ranking member last week on this, on this schedule, and i would note the concerns he'd
raised. but i'm announcing today that the senate judiciary committee will hold the confirmation hearing on the nomination of judge sonia sotomayor to be an associate justice of the united states supreme court on july 13th. this is a reasonable schedule. it'll be the middle of next month. it's in line with past experience, it's going to allow several more weeks for committee members to prepare for the hearing, several more weeks that if i'd held the hearing this month, and there's no reason to unduly delay consideration of this well-qualified nominee. and she deserves the opportunity to go before the public and speak of her record, especially as some have mischaracterized her record, misstated her record. the only place she can speak, madam president, the only place she can speak and speak of her record is in a hearing.
but it's also a reasonable schedule that serves the many interests involved. of course, the first and foremost is the american people's stake in a process that's fair and thorough but not needlessly prolonged. it serves the purpose of the institution of the united states senate when we need sufficient time to prepare for confirmation hearing. and we have a full legislative plate of pressing business in the weeks and months ahead. it's of great importance to our constituents and to the nation. and then, of course, it serves the need of the third branch of government which depends on the other branches of government to fill court vacancies and the needs of the president who has nominated judge sotomayor. but lest we forget, serves the needs of the nominee herself who is a judge -- as a judge will only be able to speak publicly
about her record when the hearings are convened. madam president, this is an extremely important obligation, and we as members of the senate take on. there are only 101 people who get a direct say in the nomination and confirmation of a united states, of a justice of the united states supreme court. first and foremost, of course, the president of the unite, and in this case president obama consulted with numerous senators, republicans and democrats alike, prior to making his nomination. and then once a nomination is made, the 100 members of the united states senate have to stand in for 300 million americans in deciding who will get that lifetime appointment. i voted on every single member of the united states senate
currently as well as some in the past. and i know how important an obligation that is. the justice who takes justice souter's case that convenes october 5 also needs as possible to hire lawyers, set up an office, even a place to live here in washington and take part with the rest of the court in the preparatory work that presides the formal start of the session on the first monday in october. now, i mention that, madam president, because i have put together a schedule that tracks the process the senate followed by bipartisan agreement in considering president bush's nomination of john roberts to the supreme court in 2005. at that time i served as the ranking minority member of the judiciary committee. i met with our republican
chairman, we worked out a schedule that provided for chief justice roberts' hearing 48 days after he was named by president bush. i might say that that agreement on time was reached even before the committee received the answers to the bipartisan questionnaire. and while justice roberts had not, then judge roberts had not decided as many opinions as judge sotomayor, he had been in a policy, a political policy position, in republican administrations for years before, and there were 75,000 pages of documents. in fact, some arrived almost on the eve of the hearing itself. and, of course, that nomination
was to replace justice o'connor who was recognized as a pivotal vote on the supreme court. now, if something that significant required 48 days and republicans and democrats agreed it were sufficient to prepare for that hearing in accordance with our agreement in the initial schedule, certainly that is a precedent that says we have more than adequate time to prepare for the confirmation hearing for judge sotomayor. and in selecting the date, i'm trying to be fair to all concerned. i want to be fair to the nominee, allow her the earliest possible opportunity to respond to attacks made about her character. it's not fair for critics to be calling her racist, one even equating her with the head of the ku klux klan, an outrageous comment both republicans and democrats have said outrageous.
i'll ignore how outrageous it is, but she can't speak to it until she's in the hearing. in 2005 when president bush made his first nomination to the supreme court, senator mcconnell who was in the majority whip asserted that the senate should consider and confirm the nominations within 60-70 days. we've worked hard to achieve that. the nomination of judge sotomayor should more easily be considered within that time frame. we were still able to complete senate consideration, and the senate confirmed john roberts to be the chief justice of the united states 72 days after he was initially designated to be an associate justice. we did this despite the fact his initial nomination was withdrawn and only shortly before his hearing he was renominated to serve as the chief justice of the united states. and we did this despite the terrible aftermath of hurricane
katrina that where everybody, republicans and democrats alike, agreed that we should hold back a week on the hearings so that we could all concentrate the nation's resources on hurricane katrina. and so that required a week's delay. and then 72 days after if we follow the same schedule, 72 days after judge sotomayor was designated would be august 6th. and we're not ian having the week of katrina. now, the hearing's the opportunity for all senators on the judiciary committee. both republicans and democrats can ask questions, raise concerns, evaluate the nominee. our republican colleagues say they intend to ask her about her judicial philosophy. now, it doesn't take four months to prepare to ask these questions. in fact, most of them have
already raised their questions. they'll surely be prepared to ask them more than a month from now, and during that month we have a week's vacation from the senate. now, i intend to be using that week without the intrups of committee hearings, votes, regular senate business to prepare for the hearings. i would advise those senators who feel they have to have extra time, forgo your vacation. spend that week preparing for the hearing. because this is an historic nomination. this is an historic nomination. and i hope all senators will cooperate. it's a schedule that i think is both fair and adequate. fair to the nominee, but also adequate to the united states senate to prepare for the hearing and senate consideration.
there's no reason to indulge in needless and unrepublican delay. unreasonable delay. and i say it's an historic nomination, madam president, because it should unite and not divide the american people in the senate. hers is a distinctly american story. whether you're from the south bronx or the south side of chicago or south burlington, vermont, the american dream inspires all of us. her life story is the american dream. and so i might add is the journey of the president who nominated her. she deserves a fair hearing. not trial by attack and assaults about her character. and let us proceed to give her that fair hearing without an unnecessary delay. i have said over my 35 years here in the senate oftentimes on the floor of this great body
that we senators should be the conscious of the nation as we were called upon to do. and there have been occasions when this senate, republicans and democrats alike united, have shown they can be the conscious of the nation. i would say this is one time we should rise above partisanship and be that conscious. when i met with judge sotomayor last week, i asked her about her approach to the law. she answered that, of course, one's life experience shapes who you are. but ultimately and completely, her words, as a judge you follow the law. there is not one law for one race or another, it is not law for one color or another, there's not one law for rich and a different one for poor, there's not one law for those who wrong to one political -- belong to one political party or another.
there's one law for all americans, and she made it very emphatic: as a judge, you follow that one law. there is only one law, we all know that. she said, ultimately and completely, a judge has to follow the law no matter what their upbringing has been. that is the kind of fair and impartial judging that the american people expect. that is respect for the rule of law. that is the kind of judge she has been. judge sotomayor is extraordinarily well equipped to serve on the nation's highest court. to borrow the phrase that the first lady used last week, not only do i believe that judge sotomayor is prepared to serve all americans on the supreme court, i believe the country is more than ready to see this accomplished hispanic woman do just that. this is an historic nomination, and it's an occasion for the
senate and our great nation to come together. this is a time for us to come together. the process is another step toward the american people regaining confidence in their judiciary. our independent judiciary is considered to be the envy of the world. though less visible than the other two branches, the judiciary is a vital part of the infrastructure that knits our nation together under the rule of law. every time, every time i walk up the steps of the supreme court i look at the words engraved in marble from my native state of vermont over the entrance of the supreme court. those words say equal justice under law. the nomination of judge sotomayor keeps faith with that model. president obama is to be
commended for having consulted with senators on both sides of the aisle. i was with him on some of the occasions he did. i've had senators come up to me, republican senators tell me they'd never been called by a president of their own party to say nothing about a democratic president to talk about a supreme court nominee, but president obama did call and reach out. but now the senate's duty comes to the fore. and i hope all senators of both parties will work with me to move forward and consider this nomination in a fair and timely manner. >> back now live to the u.s. senate as members are returning following their weekly party caucus lunches. more work today on a bill regulating tobacco products, a vote offered by richard burr is set for about 4:20 eastern time. live senate coverage continues, now, on c-span2.
gregg mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from new hampshire. mr. gregg: i ask unanimous consent that further proceedings under the quorum call be set aside. the presiding officer: without objection, so ordered. mr. gregg: i want to rise to talk about two issues. i know senator burr wants to continue his discussion on the f.d.a. tobacco bill. there are two issues very significant to the american taxpayer, especially to those of us concerned about how much debt this administration is running up on our children.
the first is good news. the -- it looks like a number of banks are going to repay a fair percentage of the tarp money that's been put out by the administration, potentially $65 billion. now, when tarp was originally structured, the understanding was that we would buy assets in banks, or from banks, and that at some point we would get that money back as taxpayers. in fact, you would get it back with interest. and this is what's happening now. the money is coming back as these banks have restored their fiscal strength, and it's actually coming back with interest, about $4.5 billion on top of the money that we put out, is my understanding as to what would be paid back on the interest side relative to the preferred stock. so that's good news. first the financial system was stabilized during a cataclysmic
period in september and october, and the investments which were made in preferred stock with taxpayers' money is now being repaid. the issue becomes, however, what are we going to do with this money that's coming back into the treasury? well, it ought to go to reduce the debt. this administration in recent days has been giving at least lip service to the fact that the budget that they put in place of a $1 trillion deficit over the next ten years on average every year, $1 trillion every year for the next ten years, of doubling the debt in five years, tripling it in ten years. they have been giving lip service that they understand this is not a tenable situation. they have said that the budget they propose is not sustainable because the debt that's being run up on the american public cannot be afforded by our children. it goes from what has historically been 85% of gross
domestic product up to 82% of gross domestic product. the interest on the debt alone at the end of this budget will be $800 billion, just in interest payments. that's what the american people have to pay. that will actually exceed any other major item of discretionary spending in the budget. we'll be spending less than that on national defense. more on interest, in other words, than on national defense because of the debt being run up. well, if the administration is serious -- and i'm not sure they are. i think they're basically holding press conferences because they did something else today which implies that. but if they're actually serious about trying to address this debt issue, then they should immediately take the $65 billion that they're going to get back from the banks that were lent to by the american taxpayers, which is money which we put out as taxpayers and knew we would get back. they should immediately take that money and apply it to reducing the federal | <urn:uuid:217ac48f-5a88-470d-b23b-eadeee7b7779> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cors.archive.org/details/CSPAN2_20090609_180000/start/797/end/857?q=south+bronx | 2023-09-27T11:46:06Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.97788 | 3,683 |
In which a Brooklyn baby goes for it
We’re jumping about a century forward from last week to celebrate a trailblazing figure in American politics. I have no doubt her name popped up in my AP U.S. History textbook, but by this point in the timeline we were glossing over a lot of things as we raced to prepare for the exam. No, there’s nothing wrong with our public education system, why do you ask?
Shirley Chisholm was a big one. The first Black Congresswoman and the first of both those demographics to seek the presidential nomination. As she lived from 30 November 1924 to New Year’s Day 2005, she witnessed and participated in a goodly number of pivotal moments in modern American history—and at least a couple of those moments were due to her.
Born Shirley St. Hill in Brooklyn to a Guyanese factory worker and a Barbadian seamstress, she studied at Brooklyn College and excelled on the debate team, prompting her professors to nudge her toward a political career. But she didn’t think the field held any serious prospects for a Black woman; understandable, considering Jim Crow practices in both legislation and general society had reached deadly heights in the ‘40s. Instead she taught preschool, along the way marrying Conrad Chisholm (a private investigator with the apt middle initial Q) and earning a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Columbia.
Throughout the ‘50s she was drawn into politics anyway, keeping her finger on the pulse of the burgeoning national civil rights movement and getting directly involved on the education front—she served as a consultant to the New York City Division of Day Care and became active at the Democratic Party club in her neighborhood of Bed-Stuy. By 1964 she was the second African-American in the New York State Legislature, and four years later she won a seat in Congress. There she championed all the major causes, and there were several competing for first priority: environmental regulation, racial and gender equity, redistribution of wealth, an end to the Vietnam War. And, like another Black icon of the era, she did it while rocking some spectacles.
She made such an impression that in 1972 she campaigned for the presidency. While her platform of ideas garnered enthusiastic support in theory, she came nowhere near the nomination, getting 152 of the delegates’ votes, or about ten percent of the total. But this can’t be a shock given that she was barred from the primary debates and allowed only one televised address. Her campaign was considered essentially symbolic. You’re telling me the majority of voters passed up this voice for four more years of Nixon?! Whatever, man. (Anyway, they only got two.)
Even having shot for the moon, as the saying goes, she landed among the stars: writing a book, co-founding the National Women’s Political Caucus in 1971, and going on to serve as the second woman (and first Black woman) on the House Rules Committee in 1977. That year she also ditched Chisholm—though she kept his name—and married Arthur Hardwick, Jr., a fellow New York State legislator.
In 1983 she ended her congressional career and returned to teaching, this time at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. She maintained her co-founding streak by forming the National Political Congress of Black Women. In 1991 she was offered an ambassadorship to Jamaica but turned it down for health reasons and lived out the rest of her life in Florida. She is buried at Forest Lawn, which is okay compensation for not having been elected President.
I’m inclined to think much of America would sadly be no more receptive to Chisholm had she come along today as opposed to fifty years ago. But many of the issues she pushed have gained traction in the mainstream and are prioritized now the way they should have been then. And her presence paved the way for greater diversity of representation in all three branches of the federal government.
And did I mention the glasses!
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Posted on June 8, 2023 Updated on June 24, 2023
Or…giving a bath? Too cute! ~Vic
Video of the Day
This entry was posted in Video of the Day and tagged animal video, bath, bunny, bunny video, cute video, deer, deer video, kiss, kisses, Video, VOTD, youtube, youtube short.
Well that is the definition of cute…
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Cragganmore 30 YO
Cragganmore 30 YO One of Hunter Laing’s 2019 Old & Rare Heritage single cask releases. This deep amber whisky filled from a Sherry butt has a rich, spicy nose of toffee, forest fruits, dark chocolate and coffee. Sherry oak and dark berries – blackcurrants, blueberries – on the palate with a drizzle of honey and a dusting of cinnamon. Long and powerful on the finish with plenty of oak spices. | <urn:uuid:16226d24-3209-485d-960c-e500b5488a09> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://costabull.com/product/cragganmore-30-yo/ | 2023-09-27T11:30:34Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.868624 | 103 |
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Vodka is traditionally from Russia and Poland, but today it is produced and sold around the globe. The United States and all parts of Europe contribute to the global vodka market. It is a fantastic beverage used in cocktails, mixed drinks, and shots. Do you know the simplicity of vodka makes it pretty awesome? The authenticity of vodka brings an ultimate essence while drinking. Authentic vodkas are composed of ethanol and water.
We desire to provide everyone with appropriate knowledge about different types of liquors. Here, on our website, you will be enlightened about additional vodka flavors.
Vodka has four types, and the taste of every one of them is pretty unique. Here are the types of vodka.
1. Plain Vodka
2. Flavored vodkas
3. Fruit vodkas
4. Grain vodkas
1. Plain Vodka
It contains high alcohol content. People usually do not consider plain vodka and its taste and keep it as a basic cocktail drink on the menu. The plain vodka is considered pretty pure without impurities but lacks flavor. It is like that essential kick that you need in your cocktail drinks. If you are a drinker, you will relate to it.
As it is tasteless, the tasteless essence varies from the type of alcohol primarily used to make vodkas. The percentage of alcohol in vodka is 95% passed with repeated distillations.
2. Grain Vodkas
Grain vodka consists of 96% concentrated alcohol, and this alcohol is pure, made of rye and water. Vodka enthusiasts can try grain vodka because it is not everyone's cup of tea. Only those who drink vodka with zeal can have shots of vodka. Grain Vodkas are sold in the winter season as it warms up the body in chilling winters. It is hard to find such types of beverages in supermarkets. Thus, it is better to buy vodka online as per your needs.
3. Fruit Vodka
Fruit Vodka is formulated with the fusion of fruits. In addition, herb-based vodkas also get clubbed in this category. Fruit-based vodkas have 50-80% alcohol in them, and the alcohol is mixed with fruits blended for nearly three weeks.
4. Flavored Vodkas
Flavored vodkas have been popular for a while, and in the past few years, they are getting sold increasingly. If you buy flavored vodka, you do not have to worry about bringing more flavors. You would love the flavored vodkas.
How is it made?
Vodka is often referred to as a neutral grain spirit as the standard method for making it is by fermenting and distilling grain. It can be corn, rye, wheat, or any other grain – the choice is left to the distiller.
Potato vodka has long been a popular product of Poland and other potato-growing regions, such as Idaho and Scandinavian countries.
Vodka can be distilled from nearly anything, so it is not unusual to find vodkas made from beets and grapes!
How is vodka distilled?
Vodka, being a rectified spirit, needs to be distilled three times, though some are distilled five or more times. It has become common practice for a vodka brand to state how many times the vodka has been distilled. The assumption is that the more it gets distilled, the cleaner and smoother it is. As the liquor takes each trip through the still, its heads and tails (parts of the distillate found on top and bottom of a finished batch) are often removed. Thus, the vodka becomes cleaner with fewer impurities.
Drink up immediately!
After distillation, vodka may be filtered, often through charcoal. The best part about vodka is that it is ready to drink right away. But it is cut with water from still strength to bottling proof, which is at 40% alcohol by volume or 80 proof.
What does vodka taste like?
Vodka has a neutral taste – it does not have a distinct flavor attributed to water. At times, mountain spring water or other ultra-clean sources are used to create smooth vodka. This aspect is crucial to the distillation and bottling process. The flavor of vodka is subtle and often like a clear grain. If you taste enough vodka of a great variety, you will begin to pick up the differences. Some vodka has an oily, silky texture with a bit of sweetness, while others are clean and watery and have a medicinal finish. It depends on how it feels on the tongue, which is known as mouthfeel.
What are its flavors?
Popular flavors of vodka include citrus and vanilla. All types of berries, as well as melon, pineapple, pomegranate, and other fruits, are used to flavor vodkas as well. Some flavored vodkas get produced using the traditional infusion method of steeping ingredients like fresh fruits and herbs in a finished vodka.
How to enjoy vodka?
You can drink vodka straight, as a sipper, or down it quickly like a shot. A chilled bottle helps it go down smoothly, and some prefer to serve it on the rocks. Straight vodka can also be shaken or stirred with ice, then strained into a glass for a smoother drink. Common cocktails include Moscow Mule, Vodka Tonic, Vodka Martini, Vesper, and Cosmopolitan.
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TitleCompany:Co-Founding Executive; Former CEO; Former President, Netflix; Moviepass; Redbox, Philippines
Bio:Mitch Lowe is a top business and entertainment keynote speaker, former COO of Redbox, and founding executive of Netflix. Today, Mitch gives inspirational speeches around the world to corporations, conferences and students sharing stories of innovation, disruption and facing the challenges of building new products and service.
Mitch Lowe was one of the early pioneers in the movie rental industry opening video rental stores in the early 1980’s building a chain of stores in Northern California called Video Droid. Mitch was active in the trade association representing that nascent industry and served on its national board and as President. In the early ‘80s Mitch tried to launch VHS Video Rental kiosks as well as a subscription-based website provider. In the late 90’s Mitch joined Marc Randolph and Reed Hastings at Netflix as the video industry expert. As VP of Business Development and Strategic Alliances for Netflix’s first 5 years and as a member of its core executive team Mitch led many of the partnerships that drove new subscribers to join Netflix such as its partnership with Best Buy and DVD manufacturers.
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While we have always been focused on western trends for most of our company’s history, we acknowledge that cowgirl fashion evolves and expands. Just as this great country is a melting pot of cultures, western fashion has become a melting pot of trends and lifestyles.
To support this expanding product offering, we have created COWGIRLWEAR.COM. A multi faceted website that not only showcases all our amazing western collections, but supports our cowgirl customer with suggestions, advice, trends, and all things cowgirl.
We hope you enjoy the COWGIRLWEAR.COM website. It was developed with the spirit of the cowgirl, and everything that is available to support the western lifestyle. | <urn:uuid:18c13079-4b33-4482-8128-0ebf7459efa3> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cowgirlwear.com/pages/about-us | 2023-09-27T11:32:15Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.953217 | 268 |
Back to School – mental health is on the agenda this year
Back to school night has come and gone. My children attend two different schools – lower and middle school. There were many similarities with back to school night. Both heads of the schools talked about how important their summer experiences having unplugged and spending some time in nature. In addition to the emphasis on academics for the upcoming year, this year mental health was an important theme. Each school approached it a little differently, as you might expect based on age and development, but I wondered – how do they define mental health and how will that translate in the minds of my kids?
Mental health is not a foreign concept at our dinner table. My husband is a child and adolescent psychiatrist. His patients, if the right age, often know our children and our children have just accepted that he knows lots of people their age. At one time or another, he has visited their classrooms and explained psychiatry as a thoughts, feelings, and behavior physician. In their world, he is also serves as a stand-in pediatrician for their cuts and bruises – so they know he prescribes medication and went to medical school. They know that people who suffer from mental illness – we call it mental distress and dysfunction – look like everyday people. But what do other people think? How do the schools define mental health? They didn’t tell us, but I look forward to hearing more about it over the school year.
My hope is that they work to eliminate the stigma of many of the mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorders. I hope they inform parents as well. Mental health was not a diagnosis when I was growing up, but certainly there were people who suffered with mental health issues. We all live in a society where the stigma around mental illness can stop us in our tracks. It’s far more serious than a lack of understanding. Two of my children are treated with medication for anxiety. My youngest daughter jumped at the chance to take her worries away with a pill. I know what it looks like untreated – I have several family members who could be poster children for untreated anxiety. I am often open about her treatment, but it scares other parents. I am not sure if the alarming part is that I name a mental illness out loud or I admit to treating it with medication. I do know that my husband, who is not her treating psychiatrist, worked with me on the decision to treat – I wanted to wait, and we did until I recognized that nothing I said or did (including therapy) could alleviate her suffering. My husband does not often say “I told you so”, but he knew better and I didn’t want to hear it; nobody does.
So far, and the school year is just a few weeks old, I don’t know what the program will be for students, parents or teachers. But I am optimistic.
Here is an informative website to learn more about awareness and promotion of mental health: | <urn:uuid:b89c0b9d-540e-4fe1-9f25-48c52f2ad8f6> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://cpeclinicblog.com/?p=133 | 2023-09-27T12:28:00Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510297.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927103312-20230927133312-00299.warc.gz | en | 0.983697 | 630 |
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