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October 21, 2014
Tony Boyd and Frank Sanicola
Prior to October of 1992 Tony and I would spend most of our Sunday's relaxing and watching football. Church was something we did only once in a while to get our wives off our backs. Maria and Pam would scout different churches hoping to find one that we would like. As luck would have it, they happened upon Cornerstone, which at that time was meeting at Margarita Middle School. They assured us that we would like this Pastor; he was funny and his sermons were not too long. Thank you Jesus! Most importantly to us at the time, the girls told us that they served free donuts after the service was over. Reluctantly we agreed to go.
When we first started attending, we would take our time getting to church in order to avoid as much of the worship as possible. When listening to Ron speak, we would pass notes back and forth to get each other to laugh. The girls got so mad. We would comment that watching Ron speak was like sitting center court at a tennis match. When services ended, we made it a point to sit on the other side of the courtyard, desperately avoiding eye contact with any of the pastors while we waited for Pam, Maria and the kids to get done so we could go out to breakfast. But as luck would have it, every once in a while one of us made the mistake of making eye contact with Ron, Mike, or Ron Clinton which triggered one of them to come over to where we were sitting and talk to us. This went on for a few weeks until the Sunday before Thanksgiving. We'll never forget what Ron said when he got up to preach. He said, "We're going to do something different this morning. Instead of a sermon, we're all going outside and have a slice of pie." Tony and I looked at each other and smiled. From that day forward we were hooked.
Then the Holy Spirit started working on us. The church moved to the Front Street location and we were asked to do something unthinkable—go to our first bible study! It was led by Pastor Ron. Of course it helped when we were told that the person bringing the snacks to the study made the best cookies in the world. We found out that we knew very little about the bible. We were just like little kids staring at a pizza with vegetables on it. It was pretty much study 101 and Ron made it very enjoyable for us to want to learn more. For that we are eternally grateful.
The church then made the move to Wildomar and we both started getting more and more involved with church activities. We helped get that new/old building at the Wildomar campus ready for services. We helped with Christmas and Easter performances, ushered and worked the sound board. All these activities became something we looked forward to. It was then that we took our biggest steps in our new walk— both of us made the decision to turn everything in our lives over to Christ. The economic recession of the 90's was taking its toll on both of our families, but by putting our faith in Jesus Christ we survived.
It was soon after that that Pastor Mike asked if we would lead foreign missions projects in Mexico. We were ready to do more than just send financial support, so we decided to use the gifts God had blessed us with to do construction projects in Mexico, and then eventually around the world. Tony would build, Frank would cook.
During the next 14 years, with Pastor Mike leading us, we took teams to Belize, Romania, India, Nepal, Haiti, Mexico, Missouri and Mississippi. We made over 80 trips to Mexico alone building churches, missionary housing, dormitories and medical clinics in both Tijuana and Ensenada.
Our boldest achievement was a 5,000 sq. ft. battered women's shelter called Casa Esperanza. It took us six years of short trips to build, but we were always able to get more done than we thought possible. Each trip was successful, by God's grace, and incredible people signed up with us over and over again. The fellowship, friendship and leadership that developed will last a lifetime. Together we worked hard and ate well. Today, Casa Esperanza is still a wonderful facility that offers protection for dozens of women and children.
It's hard to understand the value of a church and church family until you're in one. We're so grateful to be a part of this one. We're also grateful to Pastor Ron and Pastor Mike for the love, guidance and patience they've shown us over the years. Cornerstone has helped us through some very tough times as well as opened our hearts to become the servants that God has called us to be.
additional Stories
Mary Kuehn – Be Strong and of Good Courage
I believe God is using me right now to move medical research forward and I am trusting in Jeremiah 29:11Read More
Waiting to be Used from the Pew
Get involved, be plugged in daily, and you will see the blessings in your life too!Read More
Christina Hanskat – Mom2Mom Makes a Difference
I have never felt so able to be myself at any other church.Read More


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A productive week depends largely on what you focus on every working day and how much time you allocate to activities that take up your time (i.e. busy work). Working harder does not necessarily mean you are being productive. There will always be a better way to complete that task. Find it, work smarter and get more done in your working week.
These are a few things can do to have an insanely productive week this and every other week.
- Stop planning, start doing
- You don't have to say "yes" to every request
- Don't be a perfectionist
- Get everything out of your head
- Review and measure your accomplishments
5 Things You Should be Doing to Have an Insanely Productive Week.

subset: commoncrawl


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How do you get a job without any experience? And how
do you get experience without a job? It's a tricky situation
faced my many freshers who graduate out of college.
Even if they mange to get a job, the lack of practical
experience in handling the job leaves little scope for
their career growth. Institute of Practical Accountancy
(IPA) comes out with a unique course which is framed
to sort out this problem. The short term job oriented
course in 'Practical Accountancy' is a boon to many
unemployed and underemployed commerce students and already
employed accountants.
course with a duration of one month to four months depending
on the grasping power of the candidate is the only one
of its kind in India. The course exposes the candidates
to the practical aspects of accountancy, sales tax,
income tax, central excise and computerised accounting
on Tally, EX, Ace, Wings, Focus and Profit Financial
Accounting Packages. The course contents include 'Maintenance
of books of accounts', 'Function of Accounts Department
in the Organisation' 'Procedures to be followed in recording
various transactions', 'Finalisation of accounts', 'Preparation
of financial statements', Practical aspects of laws
and exposure to computerised accounting. The course
is conducted at three different locations in the city,
viz. Secunderabad, Basheerbagh and Dilsukhnagar
five days a week. These are of one hour duration.
about the importance of the 'Practical Accountancy'
programme, DB Prakash, Director of IPA said,
"A business organisation can grow well if it
has a strong accounts department. Moreover, it is the
accounts department which can draw up a good resource
utilization programme and cost saving mechanism, so
that the profit margin of the company can be increased.
The role, importance of cost and management accounts
has increased tremendously on account of growing competition
in the corporate sector. Hence there is a need for accounts
managers with an analytical mindset. Fair amount of
awareness about global economic conditions and good
judgemental qualities are equally important. We at IPA
strive hard to impart these qualities in the accounts
manager of tomorrow's India."
Established in 1993, the Institute of Practical Accounts
(IPA) was started by Mr DB Prakash after passing through
the problems of accountancy in his early part of career.
Now with over 25 years of experience as a Tax Consultant,
Mr Prakash wants to share his knowledge and wisdom with
the candidates who want to excel in this field. Within
a span of eight years, the institute has trained more
than 3500 candidates from different disciplines.
"The students of IPA are most sought after.
Sixty to seventy per cent of students find placement
on their own, immediately after their training,"
says Mr Prakash proudly. Some of the organisations
who sponsor their employees and who absorb IPA candidates
include Satyam Computers, CMC, TVS, Khaitan India Ltd,
GE Capital, Care Hospitals, Bartronics India Ltd, to
name a few.
Address: Institute of Practical Accountancy
(IPA), 1-7-283/13&14, II-floor, Opp. Chandralok Complex,
Paradise Circle, S.D.Road, Secunderabad. Phone:
772 2268
Basheerbagh: Institute of Practical Accountancy
(IPA), 301/A, Paigah Plaza, Hyderabad. Phone: 323
Dilsukhnagar: Institute of Practical Accountancy
(IPA), 3-121/A,1st Floor, Opp. Annapurna Shopping Complex,
Near Chaitanyapuri Bridge, Hyderabad. Phone:
405 4207
URL: www.ipaindia.net


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BA (Melb.), BTheol, AdvDipMin, MTheol (MCD), DPhil (Oxon.)
After undergraduate study in Psychology, Criminology, and Theology, and a Master of Theology in New Testament in Melbourne, I completed my doctorate at the University of Oxford.
I work on biblical and early Christian accounts of hope, discipleship, and politics. In particular, I'm interested in how ancient writers portray the structuring of history—that is, how their understandings of the past inform their expectations for the future and their experience in the present. For ancient writers, including New Testament writers, claims about the future can already reshape present experience, helping to make sense of suffering, informing the ways they engage with political authorities, and reframing discipleship imperatives.
My doctoral dissertation, Luke/Acts and the End of History, considered these (much contested) themes in the New Testament texts Luke and Acts, in comparison with diverse contemporaneous texts, (five Jewish and five non-Jewish, spanning from the histories of Polybius, Diodorus Siculus, and Tacitus, to Virgil's Aeneid, Josephus's Jewish War, and 4 Ezra). My current work in the "Texts, Traditions, and Early Christian Identities programme" at ACU explores how early Christian writers interpret the apostolic period, particularly as it is presented in Acts, and these elements of eschatological hope, discipleship, and politics. I am also working on a smaller project which considers the intellectual and social context of post-war German biblical scholarship—particularly that of Hans Conzelmann, which continues to dominate Lukan scholarship.
I am an ordained Minister in the Uniting Church in Australia and was in congregational ministry in Melbourne prior to moving to Oxford. While at the University of Oxford I taught in a wide variety of New Testament and related areas, including Gospels, Pauline Literature, Second Temple Judaism, and biblical Greek.
I am available to supervise graduate students, and would welcome inquiries from students in the areas of the Gospels and Acts, their Graeco-Roman and Jewish literary environment(s), and the texts of Second Temple Judaism. I would also encourage students wishing to explore themes of eschatology, politics, and discipleship as they appear in other ancient texts to get in touch. All prospective graduate students are strongly encouraged to contact me prior to submitting their application directly to the University.
Key publications:
2017 'Luke/Acts and the End of History.' D.Phil. diss., The University of Oxford.
2016 'Accepting Prophecy: Paul's Response to Agabus with Insights from Valerius Maximus and Josephus.' Journal for the Study of the New Testament 39.2: 188-208.
2015 'Being Found Fighting Against God: Luke's Gamaliel and Josephus on Human Responses to Divine Providence.' Zeitschrift für die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft 106.1: 21-39.
2011 'A Sinner and A Pharisee: Challenge at Simon's Table in Luke 7:36-50.' Pacifica 24.3: 247-266.
2010 'Transforming Tables: Meals as Encounters with the Kingdom in Luke.' M.Theol. diss., Melbourne College of Divinity.
Encyclopedia entries:
2017 'Lasea.' In Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception. Edited by Allison, Helmer, Schröter, Römer, Seow, Walfish, and Ziolkowski. Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter; vol. 15: 830.
'Lystra.' In Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception. Edited by Allison, Helmer, Schröter,Römer, Seow, Walfish, and Ziolkowski. Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter; vol. 16.
2018 'Gospels and Acts.' In The Biblical World. Revd. ed. Edited by Katharine Dell. Routledge, Taylor & Francis.


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We always endeavour to provide a first class service for all of our clients in the simple belief that if we do, they will come back. And if they come back, we will grow. But don't just take our word for it ; here are just a few comments from some of our satisfied customers.
Gidiş-Dönüş Seyahati hakkında
Ödediğimiz para karşılığında muhteşem bir seyahat oldu. Tur rehberi çok bilgiliydi ve müşterileri için her şeyi yaptı.
Türkiye hakkında o kadar olumlu bir izlenim edindik ki mutlaka tekrar geleceğiz. Bir sonraki sefer daha sıcak bir
from beginning to the end. dönemde gelmeyi düşünüyoruz. En başından sonuna kadar her şey muhteşemdi.
Pamukkale & Türk Rivierası gezisi hakkında Premium Resort oteli en başından sonuna kadarmuhteşemdi. Eylül 2011'de açıldığı için asansörle ilgili bazısorunlar vardı ancak onun dışında her şey mükemmeldi. Personel çok ilgiliydi, yemekler çok lezzetliydi ve otelin lüksü karşısında gözlerimiz kamaştı. 2 gece kaldığımız diğer 2 otel de iyiydi ancak bu otelde geçirdiğimiz 5 gece kesinlikle muhteşemdi. Kesinlikle bu turu tavsiye ediyoruz.Eşiyle birlikte, 21 Ocak 2012 M. Jonkers KINROOI, Belçika
About Roundtrip
Excursion tour Pamukkale &Turkish Riviera was also by the guide and driver a great trip. Everything was described in the brochure. It was a trip you can't forget.
About the excursion of Pamukkale & Turkish Riviera
The hotel Grand Park Lara where we stay was very good. The staff was friendly. It was good to sleep, eat and drink. It is perfect for everyone.
About roundtrip:
My first experience in Turkey was great. Thanks to our excellent guide Mr. Tamer. The excavations were informative and very beautiful. The commercial activities were fun for a time. I bought a wedding gift for my wife.
We married at July 31 but I have already the gift. The weather was very nice and it was a beautiful country. We will definitely come again to walk.
About the excursion Pamukkale & Turkish Riviera
About roundtrip:
The tour was absolutely fun. Pamukkale was a beautiful city to see and the historical places we visited were also very interesting. The tour guide (tamer) had a positive influence on our tour. He was enthusiastic and told us a lot!
We have traveled with a small but nice group. The organization of everything was very well and we had a good driver! It was really a great vacation for a great price.
About the excursion of Pamukkale &Turkish Riviera
We have stayed in a large and luxurious hotel. Many activities were closed because of the winter period. But you can use the hamam and sauna for free. The food was varied and very tasty. We booked half board, perhaps in the future it will be All In because alcohol is still quite pricey. Friendly staff, the hotel is large and easy to visit Antalya by bus.
About roundtrip:
It was a wonderful trip. The excavations of Perge and Aspendos were beautiful and the scale area of Pamukkale was also wonderful to see. We have also enjoyed the presentation of the jewellry and carpet store.
About excursion Pamukkale &Turkish Riviera
The hotel where we stayed Grand Park Lara was more than good. The rooms are large, good sleeping and they clean up every day. The staff is very professional and friendly. The service is fast and accurate. It was also nice to getting water in bottles every day in our room. The food was very varied and tasted amazing. In short, I strongly recommend!!!!!
About roundtrip:
We have done a lot of tours and we had during the entire stay a fixed guide, Tamer. I must say that he was very good, enthusiastic, professional and friendly. He knows so much about the environment and traditional of Turkey. This made my vacation complete, otherwise I was lying all day at the pool which is very boring.
About the excursion of Pamukkale &Turkish Riviera
Excellent and friendly hotel with many facilities. I have stayed All Inclusive and that was more than good. There were some problems with the room but it wasn't a big issue. The price/quality grade was excellent!!!!Alone , 06 nov 2014 , MAASSLUIS , Nederland
About roundtrip:
Cappadocia was amazing. I loved the natural wonders en the magical. That people lived there. You can simply not imagine. That they have worked, eaten, slept, getting ill, you keep thinking about it. A hiding for persecuted Christians. What were the people imaginative and clever. Beautiful designed and how they has carved everything, and everything has a name. What a amazing history, in which everything happened. This was the best of the trip.
The journey of 600 km. to Cappadocia has gone well. The way back was beautiful with all the snowcapped peaks. I personally didn't like the market visit. Perge was very impressive and the boat trip with lunch on the deck and also the beach was very nice.
About the excursion of Cappadocia
We stayed in three hotels. On arrival Nazar, then a nice complex in Cappadocia. It was like a small house very warm en charming. When we were back in Antalya we stayed at Nazar. The diner was varied.Pietje SWETS , Papendrecht, Nederland
About roundtrip & Cappadocia
The tour was very nice. We have seen a lot at a slow tempo so you had time to see everything. The guide could tell you the fascinating history of the area. It was an impressive trip. The hotel staff was very friendlyWith group, 09 apr 2015 Hillegonda MEEUWENOORD , Hillegom, Nederland
About roundtrip:
It was a wonderful trip which we can recommend everyone. The trip was excellently arranged. We had a very pleasant and Professional tour guide who could speak Dutch and Turkish. He could explain the differences and similarities between Holland and Turkey in an excellent way. He has given us a lot more understanding of Turkish culture and the country.
About the excursion of Cappadocia
The accommodations, in Side and Urgup, were excellent. The food was more than excellent and the staff was very friendly. It was a very good choice.With partner , 29 march 2015 Jan BUDDING, Nederland


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Currently reading The Shuttle by Frances Hodgson Burnett. If you've read My Last Duchess by Daisy Goodwin, you will love this novel. It's certainly got a very feminist slant and I was quite surprised to see some of the more controversial issues (especially for that period in history) being covered in the book.
Accompanying my reading, damn good chocolate fudge.
Fudge making doesn't seem to be all that easy, I have to admit. I tend to either cook it too long so it goes grainy, or not long enough so it's squidgy instead of set. The first batch didn't go well, but second time lucky worked a charm and I had a beautifully array of dark brown, slightly squidgy smooth squares which got the flatmate seal of approval!
Now, I didn't want to first failed batch to go to waste, so I thought I would do a spot of experimentation. I crumbled it up, and heated it all in a big pan with a bit of extra evaporated milk until it was smooth and liquid again. If i tipped the mixture out into a tin at this stage, I found that it would set to the consistency of a soft caramel. On the other hand, boiling the mixture for a couple of minutes longer at a high temperature, plus the addition of a few more squares of grated chocolate produced fudge again, hooray! It was firmer than the good batch, and a bit darker thanks to the extra chocolate, but it set with a beautiful glossy sheen, and tasted, dare I say it – even better! You just can't go wrong with extra chocolate, can you? 🙂
Chocolate Fudge (adapted from BBC Food)
- 70g butter
- 300g light brown sugar
- 225g evaporated milk
- 225g marshmallows
- 300g milk chocolate, chopped
- 75g dark chocolate, chopped
Grease and line a 20cm cake tin.
Melt the butter, sugar and milk together in a pan over a low heat. Once the sugar has dissolved, add the marshmallows and turn the heat up, boiling the fudge for 5-6 minutes. Take the pan off the heat as this point and add the chocolate. Leave for a minute to melt, and then stir the mixture together which is hard work! Quickly pour the mixture into the tin and leave to set for a couple of hours, then chop up into yummy squares.


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A couple of weeks ago Knowledge Commercialisation Australia (KCA) and KiwiNet partnered to bring the KCA Fundamentals of Technology Transfer Course to New Zealand.
NEWS, EVENTS & BLOG — Posted on Tuesday, 2 October 2012
A couple of weeks ago Knowledge Commercialisation Australia (KCA) and KiwiNet partnered to bring the KCA Fundamentals of Technology Transfer Course to New Zealand.
The course kicked off with Alistair Hick, Director of Commercialisation at Monash University, and Nigel Slaughter (top right), GM Commercial at WaikatoLink, hitting home some of the fundamental truths of working at a technology transfer office.
- "Failure becomes the norm" – the road to commercial success is not plain sailing and it's inevitable that we'll encounter many barriers along the way. We need to learn to recognise barriers and signs of failure as early as possible.
- "An idea is only worth what the market is willing to pay for it"
- "Where does your value stop?" – understanding the importance of partnering to get a technology into the hands of a partner that has the scale and channels to get it to market.
- Drivers for commercialisation across parties are seldom aligned – what the company wants is often very different to what the researcher wants, so it's important for the TTO to understand the drivers of each party to ensure successful outcomes.
Duncan Ledwith (bottom right), Director of The OpShop, continued with a session on marketing technologies, which was centred on knowing the pain point your solution is targeting.
- "Is your solution a pain killer or a pain vitamin?" – make sure your time is spent on pain killers because no-one takes their vitamins!
Lack of a clear understanding of pain points is one of the primary reasons for failure. Within big corporates, up to 65% of new product ideas fail – this costs the US alone about $250 billion each year. In the start-up environment, the failure rate is as high as 90%.
The messages of the day were reinforced by Anthony White of Orica Chemicals, who provided useful insights into how TTOs can more effectively engage with industry. A key takeaway was that your chances of engagement with a company can be improved if you find your way in via the finance department – if the CFO buys into your value proposition, you're more likely to get in front of the commercial decision makers.
The next session bought a refreshing talk on IP by Earl Gray, Partner at Simpson Grierson. Rather than discussing the value of IP protection, Earl emphasised that having IP rights doesn't necessarily spell success. The value is in knowing your market and how you can use your IP rights to your advantage.
The course as a whole provided many insights from experienced professionals. With research commercialisation being a relatively small industry in NZ, it was also great to get the chance to interact with our Australian counterparts.


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In a further sign that the off-premises market for automated teller machines may be drying up, a large company that buys ATMs from manufacturers and sells them to retailers has run into problems repaying its suppliers, the major manufacturers NCR Corp. and Tidel Technologies Inc.
The reseller, Credit Card Center of Philadelphia, owes $42 million to NCR and $26.7 million to Tidel, and attributes its liquidity problems to its rapid growth coupled with economic problems within its merchant base. Founded in 1996 as a two-person operation, Credit Card Center now has 700 employees and earned revenues of $140 million last year. The company vows to repay the money it owes to NCR, Tidel, and others, but does not give a time frame.
Credit Card Center said its ambitious buying program left it with more ATMs than it could resell, and demand dried up as the economy began to sour. The repercussions may be particularly jolting for its suppliers: Credit Card Centers debt to NCR represents 5% of the manufacturers sales revenue, and 70% of Tidels.
NCR, the Dayton, Ohio, manufacturer that competes with Diebold Inc. for the business of major U.S. banks, called an investors conference on March 6 to explain that it will take a $42 million charge to cover the unpaid debts. Tidel said it had already been relying less on Credit Card Center, and will seek to compensate through arrangements with other independent sales organizations.
Now that the market for ATMs on bank premises is largely saturated, manufacturers like NCR and Diebold have been catering more to the off-premises market. NCR said it uses independent sales organizations like Credit Card Center to avoid conflicts of interest with its main customers banks. We wouldnt want to do anything that would imply that we are competing with our customers, said Gregg Swearingen, NCR vice president of investor relations.
Diebold, NCRs main competitor in the bank market, no longer uses ISOs to sell its ATMs. In 1998 the company did business with 92 ISOs, but by 1999 it had disengaged all our reseller relationships, said John Titko, Diebolds national sales manager. The potential credit concerns with dealing with ISOs were a factor in our decision to terminate the use of ISOs.
Experience has taught us that the only effective way to build an economically viable retail placement program, with lasting power, is to structure all placements directly with the retailer, Mr. Titko said. The involvement of third parties in the transaction has only led to unnecessary complications.
Last October, NCR signed a three-and-a-half-year deal making it Credit Card Centers preferred ATM provider, or primary supplier. As part of the deal, NCR lent the reseller $16 million to help upgrade its infrastructure. Credit Card Centers additional debt to NCR includes money owed for ATMs the reseller purchased, as well as accrued interest and legal fees.
Under the agreement, Credit Card Center was to buy and deploy 50,000 NCR machines at a relatively cheap price, $5,000 apiece. Since Credit Card Center primarily sells to retail stores gas stations, convenience stores, and supermarkets most of the ATMs it agreed to buy were basic cash dispensers. NCR says that Credit Card Center has yet to pay for the 5,000 machines it has purchased so far.
Meanwhile, Tidel, of Houston, has lost what had been its biggest customer, and may have a much more difficult time than NCR recovering from the lost revenue. Leonard Carr, senior vice president of Tidel, said that his company knew it was going to have to look elsewhere for business after Credit Card Center gave preferred status to NCR. Tidel, however, did not anticipate that Credit Card Center might default on the money it already owed.
Basically, we were willing to offer them extended payment terms and financed long-term notes in an effort to be competitive with NCR, Mr. Carr said. Until now, Credit Card Center has been a terrific customer, he said. The first time we encountered problems was this calendar year.
David Bearman, NCRs chief financial officer, tried to assure investors during the conference call that the situation was a single-customer issue and that our expectations remain in line with our previous guidance. That guidance includes sales growth of 5% for 2001. NCR currently works with 20 other independent sales organizations in the off-premises market.
Mr. Bearman defended NCRs decision to work with Credit Card Center. He called it a bold move, adding, When you make a bold move, there are some risks. He said Credit Card Center had been keeping up with its payments to NCR until late February, when the situation unraveled rapidly.
In a press release, Credit Card Center president Andrew Kallok said the contract with NCR, combined with prior commitments to other manufacturers, inflated our inventories to an eight- to nine-month level. At the same time, wholesale money to the small-ticket leasing arena was reduced significantly, forcing several companies out of business, and inflating our receivables.
The press release also said Credit Card Center has begun cost-cutting measures and that it is committed to honor its obligations to those with whom it does business, its customers, and its employees. The company did not return calls.
ATM manufacturers rely on ISOs like Credit Card Center to act as their sales forces, deploying their products in locations away from banks. Ernest Burdette, president of Triton Systems, a manufacturer in Long Beach, Miss., says his company sells exclusively through ISOs. We fundamentally believe thats a sound way to do business, he said.
Tom Harper, president of NetWorld Alliance in Louisville, Ky., which owns and operates the Web site ATMMarketplace.com, called Credit Card Centers problems an isolated incident, but it will have a ripple effect on the rest of the industry by making merchants wary of ISOs.
Joseph Vu, president of Universal ATM Network, an ATM manufacturer and ISO out of Sacramento, Calif., said Credit Card Centers strategy was to get merchants to lease its ATMs by guaranteeing them that Credit Card Center would pay the balance of the lease as an interest loan if the machine did not pay for itself during the month. It actually could have worked if they allocated enough money for the companies that failed, he said.
Tim Wallace, owner of Daily Market, a convenience store in Lewes, Del., leased an ATM from Credit Card Center about two years ago, he said. At first, he said, the company promised to pay him $500 to sign a lease, plus $200 a month in advertising revenue. So he leased a Tidel ATM for $12,500 over five years.
Mr. Wallace said that each month, Credit Card Center is supposed to send him a check for his cut of the machines advertising and transaction revenue. But the last check he received was in November, and it bounced, he said.


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text:
Episode 147
This week, Kevin Custer joins Mike and Jarys to break down Star Wars Celebration! We'll discuss the new Jurassic World trailer, and then go straight into what we saw at the convention, including Rogue One, a breakdown of the brand new Force Awakens trailer, whether Palpatine is pure evil or has more depth than that, and end with a spirited debate on whether Jar Jar Binks is responsible for the destruction of the Second Death Star!
Tag Archives: Ace
AOG Podcast Episode 147: Celebrate Star Wars!
Episode 147
The Aftermath of the Ace of Greeks Food Truck Invasion
Hey guys, Mike here.
Sorry I've been out of the loop all day. Jarys had be locked in my office, while they tried to convince me that partnering with a food truck was doing what was "best for business." Thankfully, Raven managed to discover Shucky, the golem I secretly bought years ago on the black market in case Jarys ever needed to be stopped. He's one of many last-ditch emergency measures that I have in place in case any of my staff goes Rogue. Did you know, for example, that Mae Linh can be defeated by a picture of a small cat, asleep on a bookshelf?
In addition, Kyle can be defeated with the application of a single sentence of logic. It's just too much for him!
Now that the Ace of Geeks is firmly back within my control, I'll be rolling back the changes on the site(s). Man, it sure is silly that we have two sites that you have to go back and forth between. If only there was a way to combine them into a simple, easy to use interface where all of the Ace of Geeks content could live. That would be such a dream.
Hey, unrelated note: Our 150th episode of the Ace of Geeks Podcast is coming soon.
Anyway, thanks to everybody who supported us in our delicious, delicious war. I'm off to eat some Potluck, but first I leave you with this thought:
Who did put the Bop in the Bop-Shu-Bop-Shu-Bop? They never answer that in the song.
UPDATE: As you may have guessed, this was part of our April Fool's silliness yesterday. Go check out the rest of the story here:
Part One!
Part Two!
Part Three!
Part Four!
Part Five!
Part Six!
Part Seven!
Part Eight! (You Are Here)
Dying Words from the Toppling Feta Tower
All Citizen-Writers and Citizen-Readers are to heed this last dictum from the Editor-In-Chief.
Hours ago I, your Editor in Chief Jarys, marched in here as the Victor in a war with grim invaders. Though I shared their heritage, that of the enlightened minds of Athens and mighty warriors of Sparta, I was so loyal as to be able to walk among them without ever changing loyalties. Like the Roman Caesar, my heart was with my home, The Ace of Greeks. But, also like Caesar, I answered a call.. A call given to me by the populist lovers of Greek food, a call unheeded by the elitist Potluckers.
I answered the call to Unify this website, to unify us under one success, one vision, one lunch food provider, one Dictum. As I had defeated the Ace of Greeks, I, like the undefeatable Heracles, took the pelt of my lion and wore it, taking the Ace of Greeks name and their food truck. This painted me even more the unpopular usurper to the Elitist Potluckers. Their jealousy and thirst for chaos grew like a sickness. And that sickness has felled this great podcast and blog.
They won, but I'm not here to lament my own defeat. I'm here to lament the defeat…of unity.
Unity is togetherness, Unity is success and failure of the individual relying on the success and failure of the group. Unity is obedience to one set of values, one Editor in Chief. Unity is all writers and all workers joining hands at the break table to eat lunch together, the same lunch, provided free by the Management, forever.
Unity is being paid for hard work. Paid for well written articles. Paid from the war-horde I have brought back from the Greek food truck business. I'd explain the legal precedence for that, but it's very complicated. And I've just learned that I don't really know complicated legal things. Consider it my Achilles heel. But enough about me….
Unity is a Golem of many parts, made by all hands, and pushed to the singular purpose of enforcing happiness and joy for better staff productivity….actually, "Unity" would have been a better name for that Golem. "Shmucky" is a poor reference to Yiddish culture, it's kinda..disempowering. That doesn't matter now. What matters is that now we fall. We fall together.
Hold on, I'm being told that I'm the only one who is going to experience a downgrade in fortune. What do you mean, you're going to fire me?…..Oh, well, since I'm still Editor-in- OH COME ON!
Back to the writing floor??? After what I just pulled, they'll eat me ali- Oh you're all full from Pita and Putluck Sushi? Ha ha, ok, Fine. No, I'm almost done anyway. I- am- almost- GAH give that back!
Thank you.
I suppose, loyal subje-fellow Ace of Gree-Ace of Geeks, excuse me. I suppose this is goodbye. We had a good run. I hope you enjoyed your paychecks, which were ProRated for the few hours of work you accomplished while I was in charge. So…don't spend it all in one place. Ok, Ok, I'm going, I'm going.Sheesh!
*grumbles*I just wanted to help out more around here. I didn't even get to try the pita…
UPDATE: As you may have guessed, this was part of our April Fool's silliness yesterday. Go check out the rest of the story here:
Part One!
Part Two!
Part Three!
Part Four!
Part Five!
Part Six!
Part Seven! (You Are Here)
Part Eight!
The Geeks Are Going To War! (or: The Last March of the Geeks)
I'm writing this in a maintenance closet… I hope it gets out… I hope I'm not too late…
Jarys came back from his mission and immediately called a meeting in the middle of the Editor's room. We all gathered there, and they made a very rousing speech about how we needed to band together and strike the keys hard and fast to spread the word – The Ace of Geeks is now under new management! He changed the name of the blog to "The Ace of Greeks," with Mike's full support! I couldn't believe it! What the hell was going on?
Jarys waved a bunch of papers and said that they are now in charge, and we need to buckle down if we expect to get paid. More news about the latest gadgets and gizmos, more dice rolling, more topics in discussion on the audio podcasts. Tighter deadlines and everything has to pass his desk before being published or posted on the podcast. Then they said it – "BETTER CONTENT, GODDAMMIT – THERE WILL BE TOPIC ASSIGNMENTS DAILY!"
Cheers went up from the Greek food truck freeloaders, and the Rebel Potluckers all dashed back to the break room. We locked the door, and barricaded it with the Xerox machine. People started asking what the next step was – clearly, we were going to war.
Doris from the mail room (good ol' granny Doris, bless her heart) was looking at the whiteboard while she ate some sashimi. She insisted that we go forward with our plans to convert the food truck into a taco truck, and everyone agreed.
Norman from the audio room went up to the whiteboard and continued outlining his plan for us all. Then he gave squad assignments – Tony, Ross and Aurelio from Motor-pool were to set their shop up for the quick conversion. Clarice from the Art department was to get her crew and start designing the paint job for the truck. Our courier Ansel was to go steal the truck and bring it back here through the back garage entrance. The cafeteria workers said they would staff the taco truck when it was ready.
My job was to go and try to shut Jarys down once and for all – this crap was getting out of hand, and we were running out of mashed potatoes. So while everyone else went to their assigned stations and began their missions, I peeked out the narrow window of the break room door.
I was startled when a golem popped up and peered back at me. "Hi! My name's Schmucky – wanna play?" it said. I got chills. I now understood exactly what had to happen. I moved the Xerox machine, opened the door, and yanked Schmucky in. I got help to set the barricade up again, and I grabbed two of the other bloggers – Derek and Ruby – who didn't have assignments yet. I told them to stay with me and follow my lead.
We took Schmucky out the back door, and took the hall out to the elevator lobby. "Now, listen up, you schmuck -" "My Name's Schmucky! Wanna play?" Ruby glared at Schmucky. I sighed, and continued. "Look, golem – if you wanna play, you need to work with us. Understand?" The golem nodded. "Good. you're gonna love this game…" I sent Schmucky in to the Editing room, and we watched as Schmucky carried out the instructions I gave him. He jumped on Jarys' back, and gleefully shouted "Yay! Schmucky WINS!"
All hell broke loose as Jarys tried to get Schmucky off their back. Mike dodged the flying pitas, and we ran into the Editing room. Ruby snatched the documents out of Jarys' hand, and ran back to the break room with Derek and myself following her quickly, covering our retreat.
Back in the break room, we handed the documents over to Frenchy from Legal. "Can they do this?!" I asked. I was mad! Goddammit, I wanted my burgers and tacos back. I mean, getting paid is nice, but money isn't everything. And I certainly didn't like the idea of not getting to pick my own topic. Frenchy read through the documents. "Well… it seems pretty straightforward – yes, they can do this.. Wait! I found a loophole!"
We all waited with bated breath as Frenchy looked some more. Then he announced,"Yes! It can be done." He whipped out his cell phone, and made a call to his personal contracts attorney, and they spoke for a few minutes. When he ended the call, he made a note on the top sheet of the documentation and handed it to me. "Go to that address, and talk to my guy. He'll help. He has to… He's our only hope…"
I ran down the back hall to the elevator lobby and hit the "down" button. While I was waiting, I peeked around a corner to see if anyone else was coming. I could see the AoG circulation desk clearly, and Lina was sitting there. She looked up and saw me. She got up and yelled, "One's getting away!" The elevator chimed and the doors whooshed open. I got in, and mashed the "door close" button for all I was worth. The doors closed, and I hit the "G" button. When the elevator got me to the ground floor, I bolted out of the building. I ran like a bat out of hell for two blocks to the address that Frenchy had given me.
When I entered the offices of Dante Randall Esquire, I went to the reception desk. "Quick! I have an appointment! Which way?" The receptionist started checking her book. "Name?" "No time! Which way?" I yelled. She started to say something about I can't go in without a confirmed appointment, but the phone rang. She answered it, and I sped off down the hall. "That would have been a stupid conversation anyway," I muttered as I looked for the attorney's office. I found it and barged in.
A big man in a small suit was sitting at an over-sized desk. I babbled at him – "Frenchy sent me – you're here to rescue us!" He blinked. "You're a little… short… for a blogger, aren't you? Nevermind. Frenchy told me what you need." He pulled out some paperwork form a drawer, and handed it to me. Getting up, he said "I'll come with you to back you up. We will need to get both Jarys AND Mike's signatures on these if Mike decides that he really does want things back how they were." I was dumbfounded. Now we would have to convince Mike that he needed to come over to the potlucker's table. Okaaay. No problem…
We walked back to the Ace of Geeks office building, took the freight elevator up, and went to the break room. I told the cafeteria staff to get down to Motor-pool and set up the truck as soon as it was ready. I asked Doris to go take a plate of sashimi (somehow they had managed to procure some VERY fresh ahi) prepared for Mike. She sliced that fish like nobody's business.
The attorney and I moved the Xerox machine. I looked around the room, and sighed. "If we don't come back, keep going forward with the plan!" We took Doris by the arms, and led her into the Editing room. We sent her to Mike with the plate of fresh sashimi. The attorney and I walked behind her. When he took the plate from Doris, I told him "We want you to know something…" The attorney explained about the loophole in the legal arrangements Jarys had made.
"Mike, they're trying to do a hostile takeover and cut you out. I don't care WHAT they promised you, you need to look at this!" Mike stood up and followed us back to the break room, plate in hand. He perused the documents that Jarys had drawn up, and got miffed. He shook his head. " No… NOOOOO!" The attorney handed Mike the new documents, and then he pulled something else out of his briefcase – a new set of documents requiring only one signature – Mike's. "With these, you can block this take-over AND have a taco truck."
"Tacos? Cool cool!" Mike looked over everything, and asked Frenchy to take a look. Frenchy concurred that it would be in the blog's best interests. Mike signed the documents, and we breathed a sigh of relief. Now it was time to take the blog back. I collected the documentation and grabbed the lawyer, and went to confront Jarys.
As we entered the room, we were met with stares and mutterings. People guarded their Greek salads. I walked up to Jarys' desk, and I looked them in the eye. "You can't do this. We want our freakin' tacos, dammit!"
A loud ruckus was heard from the street outside, and a nicely painted taco truck pulled up. The cafeteria staff inside started slinging tacos, burritos and enchilada plates at all comers. Jarys went to the window. "You think you can block me this easily, girl? Try again," they said with a sneer as they lobbed a typo-ridden article draft at me. "Fix THIS!"
I snatched it out of mid-air, and quickly looked it over. I went to a computer, edited it, and printed it. "Done. We WILL have our tacos." I waved my hand, and people started running out to the taco truck, leaving their gyros and salads behind. I showed Jarys the paperwork blocking their take-over. "You weren't very thorough in your legal planning, Jarys. We found a loophole. The blog is ours!" Jarys spat some legal babblication at me, but the attorney neatly deflected it with an addendum. "Jarys, you have no legal leg to stand on. Your Greek food truck is closed! And your days as tyrant are OVER!" I grabbed a pen. Stuffing it into their clenched fist, I forced them to sign the addendum. I jumped up on his desk and faced the bloggers left in the room. "We still work for Mike – and for free, but at least we have TACOS!"
I handed the paperwork to the attorney, and he dashed off to get it filed. Jarys attempted to follow, but I shut the door in their face and ran for the maintenance closet. Now we wait for the filing. I left Doris in there… I hope she's alright…
UPDATE: As you may have guessed, this was part of our April Fool's silliness yesterday. Go check out the rest of the story here:
Part One!
Part Two!
Part Three!
Part Four!
Part Five!
Part Six! (You Are Here)
Part Seven!
Part Eight!
Words from the Home Front
It smells like dolmas here.
It all happened so suddenly, with such overwhelming activity, that I scarcely recall a day without the thumb of our lamb-trimming overlords held firmly upon our throats. Our office was occupied in the scant time it took a strange cease-and-desist letter to turn into complete conquest of our humble blog and podcast.
Hmm? What's that?
MalKontent says it's only been a few hours. I don't believe him. I don't for a second. The droop in his tails tells me more about our captivity than any words ever can.
I've been fighting to keep my spirits up. I've been made to do all sorts of heinous acts since the violent change in leadership. Check out this awesome baklava shaped like Serenity. Square Enix announces they'll be adding fully-articulated yogurt to Final Fantasy XV, because it was easier to animate than women in real clothes. 28 Scenes in Star Wars that would have been improved with moussaka. John Barrowman eating a gyro will blow your mind, and you won't believe what he does next.
I'm starting to become numb with terrible clickbait headlines, and the memory of what it was like to write upstanding pieces about geek culture seems ever farther, farther away.
It always smells like dolmas here.
I haven't seen Jarys in forever. They seemed like the only chance we had of shaking off this yoke, of turning the tables on our clever corporate food truck oppressors. I ducked into a hasty, clandestine meeting late after writing another "My Little Pony set to include Twilight Souvlaki in upcoming season" article and saw them in a poignant, fraternal sort of embrace with a certain gravity that made the loukaniko I'd been force-fed for lunch drop into the pit of my stomach.
I haven't seen Jarys since then. I don't know what to think.
The rest of us move in a daze between assignments, never knowing what terrible headline or edict or lunch menu will be handed down next. I don't know where my next meal is coming from…but I always seem to know its country of origin. The office seems a stark shade of black and white, as though all the glorious colors of the Power Rangers figures on Mike's desk have faded from my vision.
I think I heard Mark and Thomas say they planned to sneak out and return with food. Food without tzatziki or tahini. I wish them fortune.
I'm far too scared to try it myself.
It always smells like dolmas here.
UPDATE: As you may have guessed, this was part of our April Fool's silliness yesterday. Go check out the rest of the story here:
Part One!
Part Two!
Part Three!
Part Four!
Part Five! (You Are Here)
Part Six!
Part Seven!
Part Eight!
Update: Agent in the Field
There's been a bit of buzz in the Ace of Geeks break room about one of the editors going undercover inside the food truck. From what I've gathered, the mission is to take over the food truck and put an end to what some have been calling "the Souvlaki Invasion."
There have been reports coming in of disturbances across town. According to our correspondents and eyewitnesses at that scene, they say a war has erupted with Greek mayo-based sauces and dessert foods flying everywhere. People have been taking shelter in city parking garages and local Starbucks coffee shops.
Back here at the Ace of Geeks break room, I've noticed that the crowd around the potluck table has grown a bit. The line at the slow-cooker of chili is getting longer, and more food has appeared on the table – cookies, cakes, and pies along with liter bottles and six-packs of soda, as well as Chinese and Cajun dishes.
There appears to have been a chain of command established, as well – those in charge of the hot dishes are serving, and a whiteboard has appeared on the wall, with a map of the city tacked up to it. I recognized one of the staffers from the line at the food truck, and asked what made him come to the potluck instead. He said that he was sick of Baklava and wanted Lo Mein – "The soy sauce is strong with this one," he told me.
One blogger is at the whiteboard, outlining the plan to take down the food truck. It seems to involve converting it into a taco truck. A lot of people have expressed interest in this plan, with some bloggers offering their skills in mechanics and body work.Their main focus right now seems to be waiting for word from the operative in the field, and planning their attack strategy.
An announcement just came over the PA that the rebellion's mole has done his damage and is returning to base – we'll have more on that as it becomes available.
UPDATE: As you may have guessed, this was part of our April Fool's silliness yesterday. Go check out the rest of the story here:
Part One!
Part Two!
Part Three!
Part Four! (You Are Here)
Part Five!
Part Six!
Part Seven!
Part Eight!
Operation: Golden Apple
When the Greek food started showing up, everyone started eyeballing me, like, just because my ancestors built the Acropolis means I can summon the pita of my people at any time. Racist! We Greek immigrants have many supernatural powers, but that is NOT one of them. Anyway, the dolmas were fantastic, just like my dad used to fix, but I could still taste the barely hidden mayonnaise of Corporate dominance. Only a Marketing Focus Group would put mayo in Dolmas. It is the flavor of coercion!
Six hours later, after a particularly bad Mouthoulakes binge (oh the honeyed goodness), I stormed into the editor's office, throwing the doors open before me in a gale of disturbed papers and maps.
"This Greek food thing is a corporate takeover that has got to be stopped!" I bellowed, dramatically.
"We…know," explained Mike indicating the gathered staff members planning our next move. Or maybe he was indicating that I had Tzatziki on the corner of my mouth. Either way, I wiped my mouth as he continued. It appeared that Eli Black had translated the mysterious note. Our "friendly food truck" was revealed as a Trojan Horse, filled with invaders! (Which is ironic.) "We've been wracking our brains over their completely implausible ability to buy us…and what we can do about it."
"We need a way in," I said, pretty much taking whatever this plan was before I entered and making it about me. "And I'm your agent. I am a third generation Greek myself. I know their ways, what the language vaguely sounds like. And I hold…the Jarys Factor."
I could tell by the look of annoyance given to me by one of the writers that she needed me to elaborate on this most mysterious subject. It could also mean that I had rudely interrupted the previous conversation. I felt a hot flash of embarrassment, but then realized that this could make my point.The awkward silence of my discontinued thought would also help.
Shooting her what I hope was a look of apology, I went on: "As you can see, I have a unique ability to sow chaos in any situation I join. In high school I was known as Jarys, Conversation-Ender. As you just saw, my interruptions sow chaos…though I don't MEAN to interrupt, I just get really excited and…' Another look of apology, this time to the room in general. "It's not just my interruptions either, I've been at the center of a number of disasters my whole life, mostly remaining unharmed. I never knew how to control it until I started studying the Principia Discordia. Since then I've been able to contain it-"
"-Barely" came a whispered point from the depths of the crowd of faces around the editors table, followed by a covering cough.
"Right, fine, barely. But my point is that I'm a Greek, so I have an in, and I'm a weapon of disaster. You should use me! Let me insert myself into their organization, and I can disrupt it from the inside. That's what I did, accidently, to the Jedi Knight gaming clan I joined in the early Oughts. And to my friend's LARP….and…."
"Ok, ok," Allowed Mike. "It's better, by which I mean more legal, than our other plans. Unless anyone has any objections to sending Jarys into the belly of the beast, I say, have at!" He looked around the room while people shuffled uncomfortably. We were a family of a sort, but I know more than a few of them have felt and disliked my frenetic effect. Should they risk losing me deep in enemy territory or risk keeping me here where my Chaos Field might make things worse…I felt my phone vibrate as my girlfriend's sixth sense told her she needed to talk me out of doing something. She was very convincing, so I couldn't risk exposing my resolution to her patient logic. I hit "send to voicemail"
Noting the silence around the room, I caught Mike's eye and nodded. "Go with Buddha." He said in encouragement.
"That doesn't make any se-"
"Shut up and hug me." As we embraced I felt him slip a poorly cooked McDonald's sausage patty into my pocket. A cyanide pill for a Pescatarian like me. Mike really was a loyal friend.
I won't over excite you with all the details of my insertion. There were car chases, scaling rooftops, filling out the I9, going over the W4, making friends with Cheryl who covers accounting, It only took a few hours, and I was in here like a measles in a kid enjoying Disneyland. I didn't even need to know the language, most of the kids running this start-up are second and third generation, like me. They have quite a vision here, too bad it's a vision….of evil.
I placed myself where I could do the most damage, as a food truck driver. I had to lie on the application and falsify a drivers license, but after coming in with the fake identity Calvin Hobbesopoulos, I wasn't going to sweat the small crimes. In case you don't know, I'm blind enough that…well it's not that I can't drive. The DMV has threatened to slap me with endangerment if I do drive. Thus the false identity.
You haven't seen a real mess until you've seen the high pressure spigot on a 40 gallon tzatziki tank crack open in the middle of a four lane, four corner intersection. First responders were rolling and slipping on falafel balls, young children grabbing at scattered Bakalava were getting stuck to each other and random objects. Tzatziki spray was covering the surrounding cars in a white tangy mess. it would have been a shame, but I know they put mayo in there, so it's all crap, anyway. Controlled disaster was a success; no one was hurt, and the record with the driver-roster was mysteriously dropped in olive oil. Revenge is delicious, but I was not done yet.
Back at the Ace of Greeks headquarters, I let myself in to several important disaster response meetings. The boys in corporate were just now figuring out what I had done to Legal. You see, I mentioned that Greeks have a number of supernatural powers, and that much is true, but I had not told you that I had a specialty in one: inspiring homosexual attraction. I never figured out how to make MYSELF the target of such lust (much to the chagrin of my past single self), but I didn't need to here. The Ace of Greeks Legal Division was made up of two women who had been working with one another for over a year. My highly tuned gaydar told me that they were both around .6 or .7 on the Kinsey scale, so I gave them a full blast of the my particular portion of the Greek legacy while supposedly looking for more staples. I hadn't left the room for a minute before that bolt locked and those two had a LOT of lost time to catch up on. I'm going to come clean here, I can't make something out of nothing. I was lucky the two lawyers had a flame they had been hiding from eachother for me to throw kerosine on.
Leaving my blessings and a hastily markered sign asking for privacy, I ensured that the Legal department would be on holiday for the foreseeable future.
So back to those meetings. As I had previously demonstrated, I'm very good at creating silences. I discovered in high school that all I had to do was enter a conversation with my best contribution to stop the social wheels in their tracks. It was very embarrassing, but good at being memorable. By the end of today, I intended to make the name Calvin Hobbesopoulos clear in the memories of every employee at the Ace of Greeks. It only took thirty minutes for me to tell it was working. My false identity had the air of a ghost. I was rushing about so much, a single person would barely see me, but my name was always on the lips in the conference room I just left:
"I don't know what Calvin is thinking, now's not a time to introduce olive oil flavored soda…"
"That Calvin sure is go-getter. Have you seen this five page business plan? It tastes delicious!"
"Calvin says that Legal is taking some much needed time off, which explains why their phones are disconnected. But that doesn't explain how our bussiness card was charged seven hundred dollars for flower delivery to their office!"
"- I don't care what ADD is, if Calvin doesn't stop interrupting me, I'll feed them this goddamned powerpoint presentation. Where are they???"
Operation: Golden Apple was a success.
On the bus ride back to our publishing house, I took out the legal papers granting ownership of the Ace of Geeks. All other copies had been turned in to Origami My Little Pony characters and entered in to a Brony Cultural Heritage museum, which meant the document in my hands gave the bearer complete control over our small media house.
I began to think of the parties they'd hold for me when I brought this back, being lifted on people's shoulders for a few runs around the office while I tried to duck out of the way of fans and AC equipment….But I didn't want that kind of glamor….no. I would come back a hero of the people and I intended to spend that political capital immediately. I was going to give Mike what he deserved; a vacation from Editor-in-Chiefing. He could kick back, focus on the parts of the job he found most fun. I could give him back that sausage patty, let him know, I never let things get as bad as that fast food meat was going. He'd cry tears of joy when I'd tell him to put his feet up and let me do the hard stuff. I thought of my girlfriend, who was probably apoplectic trying to get ahold of me all day while i've been in secret agent-of-chaos mode. I had to be more responsible, now that I was joining a team of two, living with another person. Sowing Discord is fine and good in your twenties. I'm 30 now, I have to be more responsible, like my hero from Legend of Korra…Kuvira (she's dreamy).
I had a vision, this Site/podcast has run off the rails for too long, with no money to pay our writers, no ad revenue, no massive attraction of readers and listeners. But all that was about to change. I would bring the people what they wanted: Nanotechnology news, Monk-Class focus on our D&D coverage, Mage: the Ascension correspondence for days and days. Everyone would love our new cuddly mascot, Shmucky the Golem! And who could turn down adamant, enlightened, and clear leadership. The sort of Editor you can't say no to. A Joe Quesada style leadership. We weren't a website any more….we were a boot stamping down on the face of unnerdiness for all eternity….
UPDATE: As you may have guessed, this was part of our April Fool's silliness yesterday. Go check out the rest of the story here:
Part One!
Part Two!
Part Three! (You Are Here)
Part Four!
Part Five!
Part Six!
Part Seven!
Part Eight!
Breaking news: Ace of Geeks under Food Truck Thrall?
An influx of amazingly delicious Greek food has been hitting desks throughout the offices of The Ace of Geeks. A new food truck has shown up outside, and has been delivering free food since this morning, when we broke back into our offices. Some have started to wonder about that, as everyone knows – there's no such thing as a free lunch. Our correspondent down on the street has been interviewing people all day, and some of the things they have been saying are very positive – most have recommended the gyros, although there are many more menu items that are available as well.
I'm a bit concerned about this, though. There seems to be an overabundance of staffing in this little food truck, and many of the Ace of Geeks blog staff have stopped
complaining about eating at the crappyteria cafeteria. I am also suspicious of the copious amounts of manouri and kasseri cheeses, and gallons of tzatziki. There is also a faction of bloggers who are resisting the call of the gyro. They have been gathering around a table in the break room in a rebellious display of potluck. Included in their dishes are chili, beef stew, corned beef and cabbage, sushi, and fresh sashimi.
It would seem that the free deliveries and menu prices at the food truck are a little too good to be true, as many have opted to order lunch instead of bring it from home like they would usually do. I've been roaming the halls here all day, and I've already seen some animosity flare up between the potluckers and the food truck patrons – challenges like home-made peach cobbler versus bougatsa from the food truck.
UPDATE: As you may have guessed, this was part of our April Fool's silliness yesterday. Go check out the rest of the story here:
Part One!
Part Two! (You are Here)
Part Three!
Part Four!
Part Five!
Part Six!
Part Seven!
Part Eight!


text: Location: War Memorial Park, Beach RoadDescription The Civilian War Memorial is a monument located adjacent to Suntec City Conventional Hall and directly opposite Raffles City Shopping Centre. It is dedicated to the civilians who perished during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore between 1942 - 1945. The following inscription in our four main languages (English, Mandarin, Malay and Indian) is at the base of the memorial plattform, "Memorial to the Civilian Victims of the Japanese Occupation 1942-1945". The 'Chopsticks Memorial' of the four pillars with tapering columns symbolizes the unity of four common races in Singapore – Chinese, Indian, Malay and Eurasian, merging into one. Soaring more than 68 metres into the sky, the memorial resembles the shared sufferings and war experiences of the common races then. HISTORY On 19th March 1963, the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce (Present Day's Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry) established a Memorial Building Fund Committee for a proposed memorial after the government allocated 4.5 acres of land at Beach Road for a memorial for civilian victims, also known as Civilian War Memorial today. Half of the Civilian War Memorial was funded by the Government of Singapore, the remaining balance was borne by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce. The project teams were led by Mr. Ko Teck Kin, Chairman of the Memorial Fund Committee and Mr. Soon Peng Yam, Chairman of the working committee of the memorial. Swan and Maclaren, a well established firm of architects, won the design competition for the Civilan War Memorial. The design was said to have best met the competition's requirements in expressing the "feelings of solemnity, tranquillity, courage and sorrow". The Civilian War Memorial was finally unveiled on 15 February, 1967, exactly 25 years after the "Fall of Singapore". Every year on 15th of February, families and friends gather at the monument to mourn the loss of the fallen soldiers as well as their beloved families and friends. Our late minister mentor, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, said in the opening ceremony "We meet not to rekindle old fires of hatred, nor to seek settlements for blood debts. We meet to remember the men and women who were the hapless victims of one of the fires of history. This monument will remind those of us who were here 25 years ago, of what can happen to people caught completely unaware and unprepared for what was in store for them. It will help our children understand and remember, what we have told them of this lesson we paid so bitterly to learn".CURRENT Earlier this year, Singapore's National Cadet Corps' student cadets and Singapore Police Force bagpipers marched into the War Memorial at Singapore's War Memorial Park on Feb. 15, 2015. The Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) held the 48th war memorial service in commemoration of the civilian victims of the Japanese Occupation. (Xinhua/Then Chih Wey). 15th February will always remain a day with significant historical value to all Singaporeans, young and old… This was the day that Singapore learnt the importance of "Total Defence". References1. National Library Board Singapore . (30 July, 2015). Civilian War Memorial. Retrieved from SINGAPORE INFOPEDIA: Link Here2. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (24 May , 2015). Article: Civilian War Memorial. Retrieved from WIKIPEDIA THE FREE ENCYCLOPEDIA: Link Here


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Phoenix — Anasazi Software, Inc., an provider of comprehensive behavioral healthcare software solutions, has announced that Threshold Services, Silver Spring, Md., has signed a Software as a Service (SaaS) contract to implement Anasazi Software's Complete EHR Certified Systems.
Threshold Services has been assisting adults with mental illness and substance abuse disorders since 1981. They operate offices in both Rockville and Silver Spring, providing psychiatric medical treatment, individual and group therapy, residential rehabilitation, psychoeducational day programs, advocacy, and education. All Threshold Services have attained evidence-based co-occurring (dual) disorders treatment capability.
Staff at Threshold Services really felt that Anasazi Software provided the most user-friendly interface for their clinical staff after reviewing available applications on the market today. Since their staff possess varying levels of technical expertise, they felt this was one of the most important factors in their selection of a Complete EHR Certified System.
"One of the biggest things that stood out for us was the honesty and flexibility of Anasazi staff during the selection process." stated Craig Knoll, CEO of Threshold Services. Craig further stated, "This is a long-term partnership and feeling comfort with not only the application, but company was critical in our selection. Anasazi worked with us to help us clarify our needs and set attainable goals." "Threshold Services posed some unique needs and we are pleased that we were able to meet both their EHR and financial objectives," stated Bryan Griffiths, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Anasazi Software. "Our Software as a Service option was obviously the right fit for Threshold Services. We are pleased to offer traditional purchasing, ASP hosting options, financing, and SaaS agreements. This way the agency can select the right company and software system first and then determine which financing arrangement works best for them."


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The PSHE Association have recently announced the publication of Sex and relationships education (SRE) for the 21st century. This new guidance has been developed by the PSHE Association and partners Brook and the Sex Education Forum. This advice supplements existing statutory Department for Education guidance for schools with information that better recognises the needs of schools when addressing 21st century challenges such as online pornography and staying safe online.
We still currently offer a wide range of training and support opportunities to schools and settings to address CPD needs relating to Sex and Relationship education, please visit the training section on our School Wellbeing website for further information http://www.schoolwellbeing.co.uk/training_courses
For further information and support, please email firstname.lastname@example.com
The Expect Respect Educational Toolkit consists of one easy to use 'Core' lesson for each year group from reception to year 13 and is based on themes that have been found to be effective in tackling domestic abuse. Although the Expect Respect Education Toolkit is targeted for use by teachers within schools, it can just as easily be used by a range of other professionals working with children and young people in a variety of settings such as youth clubs or play schemes. You do not need to download the whole toolkit. You can just download the introductory section and the year that is appropriate to the age group you are working with.


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Pharmacy Benefit Managers, or PBMs, are largely unrecognized by most employees and even many employers, but they have a tremendous impact on U.S. health care decision-making.
PBMs are third party administrators contracted by health plans, employers, and government entities to manage prescription drug programs on behalf of health plan beneficiaries. While PBMs originated several decades ago as processors of prescription drug claims for health plans, earning a flat fee for each claim processed, some PBMs have evolved into behemoth corporations that affect nearly all aspects of the prescription drug marketplace. For example, three large companies – Express Scripts, CVS Health and OptumRx – control as much as 89% of the market: 238 million lives1 out of 266 million lives2.
PBMs determine which pharmacies will be included in a prescription drug plan's network and how much said pharmacies will be paid for their services. Some entice plan sponsors to require plan beneficiaries to use a mail order pharmacy – often one owned and operated by the PBM – for certain medications. They also determine which medications will be covered by the plan or plan formulary, and drug manufacturers often pay "rebates" to PBMs to get their drugs onto those formularies. While their role goes largely unnoticed, the nontransparent nature of the traditional PBM business model can add hidden costs and lead to higher prices.
"Expansions of prescription drug coverage over the past 10 years mean that PBMs are involved in a majority of prescription drug transactions today. In light of that fact, transparency regarding the PBM industry is needed so that purchasers of these services in both in the commercial and government sectors can make well-informed decisions." – Applied Policy® Report
The PBM Story: What They Say, What They Do, and What Can Be Done About It
PBMs say they reduce drug prices and increase patient access, but the facts just don't bear that out. A new NCPA resource tells the real story of how PBMs got their start as useful claims processors but then morphed into large corporations more interested in extracting profits from the prescription drug supply chain than in ensuring medication affordability and access.
And that's the real story: PBMs have done more to enrich themselves over the past 25 years than they have done to bring down drug costs.
Download The PBM Story (the 6-page pdf, the 12-page pdf, or the brief one-pager) and share it with your members of Congress, state legislators, other policymakers, local employers, and anyone else who needs to understand the discrepancy between what PBMs say and the actual effect they have in driving up prescription drug prices and limiting patient access to medications.
Watch our 3-minute video describing how PBMs raise prescription drug costs for patients.
Download our infographic showing how PBMs–large, wealthy companies that produce no tangible product–are profiteering on the backs of patients who are shouldering high out-of-pocket drug costs.
And finally, check out our PBM Manual and list of recent media articles related to PBMs.
Alternatives to Traditional PBMs
It's important to note that some prescription drug plan sponsors are seeking alternatives to the traditional PBM model. In 2016, 20 large employers – including Coca Cola, Marriott, and American Express – formed the Health Transformation Alliance to break away from "existing marketplace practices that are costly, wasteful, and inefficient," including issues with prescription medications. HTA now consists of over 40 major corporations and covers more than 6 million lives.
Not all companies or plans have the market power to form or join such an organization, but there are other options they can turn to in order to achieve greater transparency and lower prescription drug costs. One option is a Transparent PBM – a PBM that takes a flat administrative fee for each prescription and doesn't profit from spreads on drugs or secret incentives. One plan sponsor saw their prescription drug spend drop by $2 million in the first year after they switched to a transparent PBM.
Another option for plan sponsors and health plans is using a pharmacy benefit administrator, or PBA, instead of a PBM. PBAs handle administrative services for the plan sponsor, such as claims processing and data reporting, while the plan sponsor handles other functions such as formulary management, rebate negotiations, and contracting with pharmacies for network participation.
Each of these alternatives provides increased transparency to plan sponsors and can help lower prescription drug spending.
Mathematical calculation based on number of covered lives CMS/Caremark, UnitedHealth and ESI self-reported.
From testimony of PCMA CEO Mark Merritt before the U.S. House of Representatives Energy & Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health, December 13, 2017
© NCPA 2008-2018. All rights reserved; 100 Daingerfield Road • Alexandria, VA 22314 • 703.683.8200 • 703.683.3619 fax • Contact NCPA


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Minnesota Fishing Opener is May 11–Caution Urged
Ice or no ice anglers will be out in full force for the Minnesota fishing opener on Saturday, May 11. The season will open for Walleye, Northern Pike, and Sauger. Heading up to Northwestern Minnesota or Northeastern Minnesota is common for anglers during the fishing opener but this year caution is urged. It is advised to check with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) about ice out conditions and the availability of public water accesses on the lake you are heading to.
Even if the ice is off a lake it may still be closed to allow for the spawning period and to help protect the fish. Information on seasonal closures is housed on the DNR website. Questions have arose as to why the Minnesota fishing opener takes place before the Memorial holiday weekend. The DNR has three reasons the first is that most walleye have spawned by this time, it ensures the opener is on a weekend allowing it to be enjoyed by the most amount of people and finally to allow anglers and businesses two full weekends before the holiday.
Another caution during the Minnesota fishing opener will be water temperature. It will be lower this year than in the past and not only can it effect the bite but can be dangerous to anglers. Anglers should exercise extra caution by wearing their life vest as hypothermia can set in very quickly in cold water temperatures. The shock of falling in the water can cause cardiac arrest even in people with a good bill of health.
For information about this year's Walleye and Northern Pike opener, visit www.mndnr.gov/opener/fishing.
Related Posts
« Fishouflage Personalizes Angler Apparel and Gear Fisherman take to the water with "Fishouflage" »


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Our goal is to introduce your children to Christ and provide them with many opportunities
to grow in Him. Our programs include:
Awana & Power Up
Wednesday night 6:30 - 8:00 pm for kids preschool to 5th grade thru the school year.
For more information contact Brad Prothero
Click here for registration form.
Kids Choir
Wednesday night 5:45 - 6:20 pm for kids 2nd - 8th grade thru the school year.
For more information contact Jody Nieuwendorp
Sunday Morning Sunday School
We have great programs that will teach your children about Jesus and the Bible.
Children's Church
An exciting Sunday program where the kids (ages 3 thru 5th grade)
meet together after being dismissed from the worship hour
and then break into individual classes.
During the Summer - only ages 3 & 4 meet.
Loving trained adults caring for infants through 2 years old.
Feel free to contact Brad with any questions either by calling 712-239-1000 ext 204
or email firstname.lastname@example.com
Sign Up for Text Announcements Here
If you want to Join Us in this Adventure of Sharing Christ with Children,
click here for more specific Volunteer Opportunities or
contact Pastor Brad at 712-239-1000 or email him here


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Unwanted PE kit letter.pdf
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Letter about Transition - June 2018.pdf
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Diary Dates Summer 2018 (2).pdf
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'Healthy Me' Week.pdf
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Jump for Jigsaw.pdf
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Acceptable Use Agreement (2).pdf
Whole School Photo.pdf
Honesty & Tolerance - May 2018.pdf
Book Fair!.pdf
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Clubs Letter of Explanation Summer 2018.pdf
CLUBS LETTER - Sports Club.pdf
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SEND Forum Letter 2018 Evening.pdf
Silver Smarties Letter.pdf
Reading Workshop - Beyond Fluency.pdf
Love - March 2018.pdf
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Reading River Letter.pdf
Extreme Reading challenge.pdf
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WOW Campaign and Sponsored Walk
WOW Campaign and Sponsored Walk.pdf
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14531 Horley Carnival Victoria Road Horley RH6 7BL.pdf
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Yattendon Circus 2017.pdf
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Diary Dates Summer 2017.pdf
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Red Nose Day letter 2017.pdf
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Easter Egg Hunt Letter 2017.pdf
Surrey Train to Teach Letter.pdf
Flyer for Surrey ITT Event 30 March 17.pdf
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World Book Day letter 2017.pdf
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Ofsted Report Letter.pdf
Yattendon School Ofsted Report Feb 2017.pdf
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Maths Workshops Letter.pdf
Ofsted letter to parents.pdf
Ofsted School inspections - a guide for parents.pdf
Diary Dates Spring 2017.pdf
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Christmas Jumper Letter December 2016.pdf
Respect - December 2016.pdf
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Parent Shared Vision Assembly letter.pdf
Co-operation - October 2016.pdf
Attendance Matters.pdf
Harvest Festival.pdf
School fund donation 2016-2017.pdf
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CLUBS FORM - Sports Clubs.pdf
Yattendon Parent Governor Election Sept 2016.pdf
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Home School Contact Book Letter 2016.pdf
Oakwood Open Evening - Invite to Year 5 and 6.pdf
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Chess Club - Autumn Term 2016.pdf
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Thoughtfulness July 2016.pdf
What a Knight!.pdf
Courage - Value for June 2016.pdf
Honesty & Tolerance - Value for May 2016.pdf
Gandhi & MacArthur Charity Day.pdf
Uniform Changes - jumper and tie designs.pdf
Clarification over term-time holidays.pdf
Yattendon's Scootathlon.pdf
Sports Day 2016.pdf
School Hall-Lunch arrangements Sports Day.pdf
Changes to Uniform.pdf
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After School Clubs Letter SUMMER Term 2016.pdf
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Attorney Jill F. Bechtold featured in the Florida Times Union for the launch of G.I.R.L.S.
Marks Gray P.A. Feb 25, 2014 in News
Marks Gray P.A. Feb 25, 2014 in News
Marks Gray attorney and Girls, Inc. President Jill Bechtold was featured in Tuesday, February 18th edition of the Florida Times Union. The article featured the launch of the young professionals division of Girls, Inc., named G.I.R.L.S. The division was created to increase awareness of Girls, Inc. and, most importantly, inspire each young member to be strong, smart and bold. To read the entire article, click hereContinue Reading
Marks Gray P.A. Feb 20, 2014 in News
Lead Immigration attorney, Giselle Carson, publishes the February 2014, Immigration Update. In it she suggests that those interested in obtaining an H-1 Visa, get their pencils sharpened and start the process now. Click here to read moreContinue Reading
Marks Gray, P.A. Of Counsel and Girls, Inc. President Jill Bechtold was featured in the Florida Times Union for creating and establishing the organization's first young professional division, G.I.R.L.S. (Girls Inc. Rising Leaders Society). This division focuses on engaging new members in fundraising and service projects while strengthening the member's community ties both now and for the future. The division was created to increase awareness of Girls, Inc. and, most importantly, inspire each young member to […]Continue Reading
Giselle Carson Feb 15, 2014 in Immigration News
Despite the release of the House's Principles on Immigration Reform, we don't expect much meaningful action on this matter until the spring and summer of 2014, when most GOP primaries will be finished. Thereafter, the released GOP standards for immigration reform are likely to continue to progress. The proposed step-by-step approach proposed by the House includes: successfully securing borders; the full implementation of an entry-exit system; a 'zero tolerance' for those who cross the border illegally […]Continue Reading
The new form is significantly different and longer – an increase to 21 pages from 10 pages. It includes more extensive questions about crimes, other bars to naturalization and the applicant's parents. There is a 90-day period to transition to the new form which becomes effective May 5th. Eligible applicants should apply before the new form becomes effective or plan to spend a significant amount of time gathering information and completing the new application. It is of note, […]Continue Reading
Giselle Carson Feb 15, 2014 in Immigration Team News
The March Bulletin has been released and EB-1 remains current across the board and EB-2 for Mexico and Philippines are current. EB-2 India remains unchanged at November 15, 2004 and EB-2 China moves forward by five (5) weeks to February 15, 2009. EB-3 China and Mexico move forward by three (3) months to September 1, 2012. EB-3 Philippines moves forward by two (2) weeks to May 1, 2007, while EB-3 India moves forward by two (2) […]Continue Reading


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"Competition is Good!"
States with Electricity Competition: Wholesale (poles) and/or Retail (stars)
This map shows which states are served by a "Regional Transmission Organization" (RTO map), meaning they have open access to the high-voltage transmission network, and they have competitive wholesale electricity markets (power-pole symbol). The map also shows which states have "restructured" or competitive retail electricity markets with some type of consumer choice of electricity provider (stars). California, Illinois, and Texas are examples of different types of retail competition. Colorado would be best served by studying the lessons and best practices of other states, then jump right to a 21st century RTO with retail electricity choice of a type that works best for us.
For more on RTOs, see our overview of the U.S. electricity system. For unfamiliar terms, see our terms and definitions page.


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Traveling within the United States
You can travel within the U.S. while having a valid student F-1 visa; please follow these rules during travel:
- Carry a government-issued photo-ID. If you travel by air, you will have to pass extensive security checks. If you don't have a California Driver License or ID, take your passport and I-20 with you to prove that you are in the U.S. in lawful visa status.
- Examine travel guides and other common resources to plan your trip.
- Check with your own nation's department of foreign affairs or Foreign Ministry regarding travel tips within the United States.
International Travel
- Obtain a travel signature from an ISO counselor every time you leave the United States.
- Come to the ISO for your travel signature at least one week before you plan to travel. Bring your passport, I-20 and I-94 with you to your appointment.
- Know the date you plan to re-enter the U.S.
- Make sure your passport is valid for 6 months beyond your re-entry date, your F-1 student visa is valid and current, and your I-20 is current with a program end-date beyond the date of re-entry.
The ISO will authorize travel if you are in good academic standing, have not yet completed your program, and your health insurance coverage is current.
- If you visit Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean Islands other than Cuba for less than 30 days, you must:
- Check to see if you need a visa issued by Canada or Mexico to travel. Examine the websites of the local Mexican Consulate or Canadian Consulate.
- Have a valid passport.
- Fill out an I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, but keep it in your possession. Do not give it to authorities when you leave the U.S.
- Check if your F-1 student visa has expired. Traveling to these nearby places on an expired visa is generally OK, except for Mexico (See below).
- Have an I-20 with a travel signature. Warning: If you travel to Mexico and your I-20 is not signed but your visa is valid, you may be required to go through Secondary Inspection, which can delay your return to the U.S. up to several hours. If your I-20 is not signed and your visa has expired, you may be required to apply for a new visa in Mexico before you are allowed to re-enter the U.S. This may take several days, or even weeks.
Renewing Your F-1 Student Visa
If your F-1 student visa has expired or if you were granted only one entry on your visa and you elect to travel, before returning to the U.S. you will have to go to a U.S. consulate or embassy, preferably in your home country, and apply for a new visa.
You cannot renew your visa in the United States. Although you can apply for a new visa in a third country, if the visa is denied you will not be allowed to re-enter the U.S. You will have to return to your home country from the third country. Applying for an F-1 student visa.


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Yesterday I spent the day with a labouring woman and her husband – from those first milder contractions through to cuddling their new baby.
We paced and rocked and breathed through contractions, we climbed stairs and wandered corridors. We sat, we stood, we swayed.
Women are bloody amazing – my client found energy she didn't think she had, she let her body move as it needed to, she rode each one of those big, powerful contractions with calm breathing and she kept going when she thought she couldn't.
I saw beauty and strength, I saw a woman's body working hard to bring her baby, I saw a woman go with her instincts and do what felt right, I saw a woman who was sometimes scared take reassurance and comfort from those all around her.
My client was simply amazing and it was a privilege to see her bring her baby into the world.
Janine Rudin | Birth & Baby
The Birth & Baby Network


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Here are answers to some of the frequently asked questions that clients new to Cleopatra's Gentleman's Club wish to know.
What payment options are available at Cleopatra's Gentleman's Club ?
Cleopatra's accepts cash, credit cards ( Visa or Mastercard – surcharges apply ) and has EFTPOS facilities. We assure you of confidential and discrete billing.
What are your rates inclusive of?
The rates at Cleopatra's Gentleman's club include both the ladies fee and room hire.
Our ladies offer full service, being erotic massage, oral and intercourse ( sex ) in various positions
Some ladies offer 'extras' further to this eg Greek (Anal ), Fetishes etc. These can be discussed in intro with the individual ladies you meet.
Please be aware that none of our ladies offer natural services. Requests for such services will be refused. The safety of our ladies and clients
is important to us and our ladies undertake regular health checks as a condition of employment.
You can view rates at our Room & Suite Rates Page.
Do I need to make an appointment to meet the ladies at Cleopatra's ?
No appointment is necessary to visit Cleopatra's Gentleman's Club and meet the ladies. Feel free to visit us at your leisure. However, if you are after a particular lady you are welcome to make a booking to secure her availability for your planned visit at a particular time.
Our roster is updated in real time and you can see ladies on for any particular shift by viewing our Ladies Roster.
I am a first time visitor. How do I choose a lady to spend time with ?
Upon visiting Cleopatra's Gentleman's Club, one of our friendly receptionists will show you to our private waiting rooms. Our ladies will come through and introduce themselves individually – one at a time. They will take the time to answer any questions you may have about their services. You may also wish to wait in the multi-seated area, to the side of our reception foyer and enjoy a complimentary drink while the ladies come and introduce themselves to you.
Are the photos of the ladies and rooms on your website real ?
We GUARANTEE that the photographs on our website of ladies are genuine, real and current photos. The same applies to the photographs of the rooms and suites in our world class venue.
This guarantee is mentioned at the top of our ladies pages.
Please click this link to view Our Ladies Page.
Many other venues sadly use fake photos of ladies and their venue.
We have worldclass rooms /suites and stunning ladies, so we proudly display REAL and GENUINE images.
We were voted BEST BROTHEL in NSW 2016 by the Australian Adult Industry Awards.
What you see is what you get.
Are there car park facilities available on site?
We are located in a discreet location, at the end of Hargraves Place, in the industrial area of Wetherill Park. We provide a car park for the use of clients on our premises. As well, there is plenty of street parking available along our street / place if you do not wish to park on premises.
How can I be first to hear about the new ladies at Cleopatra's?
Our roster page indicates which ladies are NEW and have recently joined us. We also tweet new ladies notifications fast and you may wish to join us on TWITTER to be notified first. Join us at Cleopatra's Twitter Page.
You can also add us on SNAPCHAT to get daily updates and unique pics of our ladies.
To add us, click Cleopatra's Snapchat Page
Info on all new ladies and popular ladies who have recently returned can be found on our New and Returning Ladies Page
If you have any other questions about our establishment or ladies, please call us on (02) 9609 6668 or send us a message through our CONTACT page.