text:
May 8th is Mother's Day and the Moon (appropriately) will be in Cancer. Cancer symbolizes Mom, nurturing, childhood and the womb.
In honour of Mother's Day I'd like to write about women who don't want children. There's an assumption, especially if she's in a stable relationship, that a woman is going to have kids. Even in these liberated times, people start to wonder what's up if a woman is not pregnant by a certain age.
I know at least 5 women who have no plans to get pregnant. Ever. Their reasons vary but the general feeling is that having children is not a priority. Some of these women are married, some are not. I looked at a couple of their charts and discovered examples of free will at work.
One woman's Moon is in Cancer in the 5th House of children. But her Moon squares Uranus (freedom) and Mars (independence) so it would never have been easy for her to be tied to anyone. She has directed her energy into writing as the 5th House also represents creativity.
Another woman's Moon is in generous, protective Leo (natural ruler of the 5th House) with an exact conjunction to fiery Mars. Heart of gold for sure but perhaps its 11th House placement (friends and groups) diffuses the energy too much? She is well known for spending all her energy looking after others.
The two charts have powerful Moons with their 5th House/Leo influences. These women have taken this energy and used it the way they wanted to. I'm sure they could have children but this is only one possibility open to them.


text:
The best part of Ed Miliband's new energy policy is the plan to abolish Ofgem. The current regulator, despite its occasional growls over the Big Six's price hikes, has never convinced the public that it carries the muscle to stand up to the industry's lobbying might.
Argy-bargy over energy prices has come to be seen as an empty exercise in which the companies always win, whatever the weather in the wholesale oil and gas markets. A 20-month price freeze implemented by a new and stronger regulator, as Miliband proposes, would send a useful message that the game must change.
The companies would be in no position to grumble about unfair tactics since they are guilty of worse. On one hand, they portray themselves as helpless prisoners of simple laws of supply and demand in the international energy market; on the other, they have for years operated price tariffs that are definitely not simple and appear instead to be designed to bamboozle the punters. No wonder public trust is low.
For all that, there was a gaping hole in Miliband's remarks on energy. If you plan to reshape this market, you have to answer the basic question of how the lights will stay on. The chorus of complaint from the energy industry was entirely predictable: if you control our prices, we won't have the confidence to invest in new power stations.
This threat-cum-warning needs to be taken seriously. The Labour counter-grumble that energy companies with the largest profits have tended to invest the least may or may not be true (evidence, please) but it's certainly true that companies will sometimes refuse to write cheques if they don't get what they want from government.
It happened this week. Centrica scrapped two gas storage projects after failing to win public subsidies: it thought it cheaper to take a £240m writedown than to proceed with construction. The result is that the UK will have capacity to store about 21 days' worth of gas, about one-fifth of the capacity of Germany.
The UK can, perhaps, afford to take that gamble if we truly believe LNG imports could save the day in a crisis. But the stakes are higher when we are talking about planned investment of £100bn over a decade in energy infrastructure. Would a squeeze on energy firms' prices jeopardise that spending?
Miliband needs to state how he would compel or encourage companies to invest, and how prices are meant to stay lower while simultaneously funding more green energy. Without the detail, he's open to the charge of grandstanding – and he's also giving the likes of Centrica space to make exaggerated claims about their ability to stay in business.
The good news, politically speaking for Labour, is that the current government can hardly claim its gentle approach to the energy firms has delivered the infrastructure goodies. New nuclear? We're still waiting, and the government is in the terrible negotiating position of talking to a single would-be supplier about price guarantees stretching out over decades. Fracking? Nobody can know yet whether it will be viable in the UK.
This should, then, be fertile territory for a new deal with the energy industry. A short price freeze is a reasonable place to start (and would not be as painful for the companies as they pretend) but the heart of any reform to energy policy must be a clear vision of how new infrastructure will be built and financed. On that score, Miliband must find something to say – soon.
In other news, big business didn't like Labour's idea of giving a modest tax break to small business at its expense. The CBI, the Institute of Directors and the British Chambers of Commerce lined up to condemn a policy of reversing a planned rise in business rates in 2015 and cancelling a planned reduction in the main rate of corporation tax from 21% to 20%.
Labour can safely ignore the squeals. Successful promotion of business cannot be defined solely by how many multinationals the UK can attract; it is also about home-grown businesses. A tweak (which is all it is) in favour of smaller firms will strike most people outside the boardrooms of big companies as fair. And, for all the outrage from the business groups, the policy won't register on the radar of the average foreign multinational.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Human heart functions incessantly without even a moment's rest. Diseases related to such an important organ are often termed as 'silent killers' as their existence is realized only after an attack. Our cardiac evaluation scheme provides all the key tests necessary to check the efficiency of your heart; such as Cardiac Stress Test, 2D Echo, ECG, Coronary Risk Markers along with regular lipid profile and tests for Liver, Kidneys and Diabetes. It also involves consultation with a Cardiologist.
Screening Tests for Diabetes
Tests for Lipid Profile
Screening Tests for Kidney Function
Screening Tests for Liver Function
Healthy, Delicious Breakfast & Lunch
Description Key Test
"Prices are subject to change without prior notice"
Kindly fill in the details given below to enable us to verify the availability of your requested date:
Thank you for requesting healthcheckup appointment with us.
Please do not consider your request as a confirmation of the appointment. We will revert back to you with the confirmation vide email or telephonic call.


text:
Syria from Dura-Europos
Measurements warp 22.9 cm, weft 33 cm
Warp s pun wool
weft both s and z spun wool
uses slit tapestry weave technique, the ground is green with red, three shades of pink, three shades of beige, and blue. The pattern is staggered 4 petal rosettes.
Yale University AFt Gallery (1933.487) was on loan to Textile Museum, D.C.
Harper, P. (1978) The Royal Hunter. Asia House Gallery, NY.


text:
"The world needs coal and highways, but we do not need the results of strip-mining or highway trusts. Economics, when abstracted from the world, is blind to natural processes. Art can become a resource, that mediates between the ecologist and the industrialist. Ecology and art are not one-way streets, rather they should be crossroads.[i]" – Robert Smithson (1979)
Last year I attended a lecture given by Dr. Graeme Pearman, world-renowned climate scientist and expert, and former Chief of CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) Division of Atmospheric Research. Dr. Pearman has worked on the issue of climate change for over 35 years. The focus of his lecture addressed the failure of climate science's ability to effectively communicate the related magnitude of repercussions, in order to pressure political reform and social change for a sustainable future[ii].
The basic science behind climate change, its causes and impacts, has not significantly changed in thirty years according to Dr. Pearman[iii]. Newspapers, television reports and radio transmissions all reverberate an impending global environmental crisis. To the point of desensitisation, we hear reports daily on droughts, endangered species, over population, famines, oil spills and irreversible systemic ecological damages. Global warming and the altered climate system is a symptom of much deeper societal problems: the 'growth imperative', mass consumerism, political and corporate 'green washing', media conglomerates' global cultural homogenisation, human rights violations and the relentless assault on the earth's natural resources. As Anne Sophie Witzke, manager of the RETHINK project held in Copenhagen in 2009 simply puts it, "we have as much information about climate change as we need…the crisis here is how the information doesn't shift behaviour; it doesn't generate the political will to respond effectively"[iv].
As anthropogenic expansion has left us on the brink of ecocide or what Tim Flannery calls "between a tipping point and a point of no return"[v], it will take all of the tools at our disposal to generate systemic change for a sustainable future. We are at a critical junction. It is naïve to assume that there is one technological antidote for the survival of humanity and the biosphere. The issues of climate change and global warming facing us are far too complex and interconnected to continue with capitalist models that resonate the 'survival of the fittest' philosophies. Felix Guattari argues in The Three Ecologies, that in today's climate "now more than ever, nature cannot be separated from culture; in order to comprehend the interaction between ecosystems, the mechanosphere and the social and individual universes of reference, we must learn to think 'transversally'"[vi]. It is essential "[that] ecology must stop being associated with the image of a small nature-loving minority or with qualified specialists"[vii].
In a time of reflection and despair, Dr. Pearman came to the realisation that no matter how good the science was in communicating threats and catastrophes, it could not lead to the responses need. Through an optimist's approach, Dr. Pearman chose to shift from the rational field of physical science to work in collaboration with behavioural scientist and psychologist Professor Charmine Härtel, to look "for answers to questions that the most sophisticated climate models could never answer"[viii]. In the lecture, Dr. Pearman reflectively questioned, how much better would we be prepared if more of us 20 years ago asked questions and demanded a reshaping of the research agenda with the inclusion of behavioural and social sciences? To this, I thought…and the arts.
Art has a transformative capacity to critique and reflect upon the "questioning of society by itself and often takes an active role in the search for answers to those questions"[ix]. Artists can offer alternative perspectives and approaches to sustainability that may lead to a direct advantage over purely scientific and/or technological methods. As Patricia Phillips remarked in an interview with ecologically, politically and socially motivated visual artist Mel Chin, "art can precondition action"[x]. We are in new territories globally and as artists explore the terrain between art and sustainability, it is not surprising that we are considering how these artworks play in the overall debate. Madeleine Bunting presents the controversial dichotomy of art's inclusion in the discourse, as either being the "dangerous instrumentalisation of art…[or] the necessary outcome of the role art plays"[xi]. In today's unprecedented climate, we are in a pivotal time where artists can play a vital role in society, leading towards positive social and environmental outcomes. Some would argue that art should have no purpose but itself. However, by applying the principle that the environment can no longer sustain the commoditisation of its resources, no longer can art be limited to tangible objects for visual consumption, enjoyment and satisfaction.
A global problem requires global action, and a multidimensional and cross-disciplinary approach. It is what artist Cornelia Parker metaphorically describes as "a call to arms"[xii]. Artists are accustomed to an active blend of changing variables in process, and are familiar with crossing boundaries and redefining the scope of a project at any stage in the development of an artwork. This is not about leveraging political agendas, institutionalising art or becoming propaganda machines in the spaces where art and sustainability connect. When artists are transparent with their intentions, authenticity and integrity are not compromised. It is taking Dr. Pearman's optimistic approach and finding points to intersect as concerned global citizens and artists.
To paraphrase Barbara C. Matilsky, artists are in a unique position to address such issues as the environment, and effect changes because they can synthesise new ideas and communicate connections between seemingly disparate points between disciplines. Artists have the capacity to pioneer a "holistic approach to problem solving that transcends the narrow limits of specialization…art embodies a freedom of thought…and expression [and] its creative potential is limitless…in its most productive mode, art can offer alternative visions" [xiii].
In the public realm, outside of institutions, through various modes of production and exhibition, artists can create interstices of interactivity, engagement and encounter, and generate the potential for human interconnectedness, offering what art critic Nicolas Bourriaud suggests as the possibility for the public to become participants in the outcome of a work.
When entire sections of our existence spiral into abstraction as a result of economic globalization, when the basic functions of our daily lives are slowly transformed into products of consumption (including human relations…), it seems logical that artists might seek to 'rematerialize' these functions and processes, to give shape to what is disappearing before our eyes. Not as objects…but as mediums of experience: by striving to shatter the logic of the spectacle, art restores the world to us as an experience to be lived[xiv].
Philosopher and environmentalist Arne Næss, through what he defined as 'ecosophy' (ecology + philosophy), believed that in order for individuals to be intrinsically motivated to change, it is important for them to feel interconnected with the system. They must be able to realise its potential, thus internalising it to create personal meaning and identification. This philosophy relies on the notion of 'relational thinking' and that nothing exists in isolation. In essence, public art practice is a convention of relations where ideas take form outside of the artist's studio through engagement and response with the general public. In addressing the global challenge of sustainability, artists can tap into our capacity for empathy, compassion and participation with the world, because "artistic expression is engaged with the pre-verbal meanings of the world, means that are incorporated and lived rather than simply intellectually understood"[xv].
The impending global environmental crisis is centre stage and it is not surprising to see it progressively become a dominant theme in contemporary art internationally. In Melbourne, recent exhibitions include RMIT University's Heat - Art and Climate Change (2008), curated by Dr. Linda Williams; Monash University Museum of Art's The Ecologies Project (2008), curated by Geraldine Barlow and Dr Kyla McFarlane; works on the City of Melbourne's Mockeridge Fountain public art wall including artist Ash Keating's time lapsed text-based intervention work Copenhagen? (2009); and more recently Propositions for an Uncertain Future (2010), involving five artist responses to climate change conceived by artist Lyndal Jones. Unlike the past when artists addressing environmental issues were categorically titled as Land Artists, Eco-Artists, Earth Artists or Environmental Artists, we are seeing is a shift where artists from outside of these genres are metabolising the catastrophic implications of the times. They are responding by applying a wide breadth of knowledge and creative approaches through playful, immersive, metaphorical, pragmatic or speculative pathways, thus expanding the definitions of art.
In the course of curating the public art exhibition ARENA, I was motivated to bring together a diverse group of artists in an event that merges sustainability with artistic inquiry and intervention, to create what artist Robert Smithson suggested is a 'mediated crossroad' or in this context an 'arena'. The origin of the word 'arena' is derived from the Latin word 'harena' and denotes a place where combats were held. I envisioned ARENA to be a site for engagement, rather than combat; a public sphere for five artists from differing practices to address themes of sustainability, a topic that some have never previously responded to. The title is also adapted from artist Joseph Beuys' monumental and encyclopaedic work Arena – dove sarei arrivato se fossi stato intelligente! (Arena – where I would have got if I had been intelligent!) (1972). This installation consisted of 100 plates with images of Beuys' previous 'actions', drawings, sculptures and collaborative performances, along with commonplace objects. The concept of the work dealt with what Beuys deemed as 'the arena of life', by reworking the images of his historical works, not as an autobiography or as documentation, but as a system or evidence of Beuys' process and concepts, such as, 'Every human being is an artist', 'Social Sculpture' and that art in itself is an evolutionary-revolutionary power.
Public Assembly artists Ceri Hann and Lynda Roberts consider themselves somewhere in between art activists and social change-agents. In Social Circle – City Square, Ceri uses repurposed hard rubbish to create low-tech drawing devices to elicit physical and creative engagement with the public. Using the sanded surface at Melbourne City Square as a substrate for drawing and relational exchange, Ceri presents a playful entrance for people to interact differently in a popular public site. Similar to an Etch A Sketch®, the work is ephemeral, positive and whimsical, reminding us of the sense of wonder in the everyday and the significance of walking lightly on the earth. Similarly, Lynda Roberts also creates a site for participation with Vox Populi: Climate for Opinion; a live narrow cast radio station in situ in a City of Melbourne's Creative Spaces street cylinder. The station acts as a social platform for public debate, to discuss people's ideas, hopes and fears about an uncertain future. Based on the idea of a civic square or a public soapbox forum, the relational artwork invites listening and expression from the public demographic in City Square.
QingLan Huang uses paradoxical storytelling to convey messages of a catastrophe and extinction. Circus is an interactive sculptural installation using a Chinese zoetrope-inspired viewing box as its central component. Through the viewing window, an eerie (not-so) fictional world exists where humans rule in a game of life. The viewer turns the handle, moving the illustrations in sequence to discover what could be a 'happily ever after' or doomsday scenario ending. QingLan's work is inviting and mysterious. It entices our sense of curiosity, presents a colourful array of images to satisfy our compulsion to look inside; but, instead of pure enjoyment, we are left with dichotomous messages of anxiety and hope.
For the first time local artist Sarah Duyshart and I are collaborating, lending elements of our differing art practices to respond to the issue of global warming on our respective country's landscapes – Sarah (Australia), myself (Canada). In Medias Res (Latin for in the midst of things) are parallel atmospheric fields created using 'smoke' and 'snow' for the public to move through. Sarah's contribution to In Medias Res sees a field of atmospheric eddies created from 'smoke' drifting across City Square, referring to the smouldering remains of an aftermath or a wounded topography. Simultaneously, in proximity to the emanating 'smoke' is my contribution to In Media Res. Reminiscent of the Canadian wilderness in winter, blowing 'snow' leaves a pristine, untouched blanket of purity. Subtle sculptural elements indicate that something ominous lingers beneath. Abstract, amorphous and sublime, the parallel works invite the public into immersive, composed landscapes contrasting distress and beauty.
When recently asked, none of the artists in ARENA consider themselves to be 'eco-artists' or any similar categorisation. In fact, two of the artists didn't consider the term 'sustainability' to be applicable to their practices. However, through the process of creating works for ARENA, the artists actively questioned how their materials, practices and processes were sustainable, and endeavoured to employ best practice in creating the artworks. Conversations emerged over 'by being less bad, are we being more good?' and 'what is the ecological footprint attributed to choosing one material over another?' We questioned the term 'sustainability' and the risk of it meaning nothing when it is "applied to all manner of activities in an effort to give those activities the gloss of moral imperative, the cachet of environmental enlightenment"[xvi].
ARENA is a contributing space, representing sustainability from varying perspectives, where the artists' processes, creative inquiry, styles, materials and intentions differ vastly. It is a space where attitudes overlap and distinctions emerge. The artists approach sensitively and conscientiously the intersection where art and sustainability connect, allowing experimentation, process and public participation to shape the outcome of the work. In this arena, 'sustainability' is about society, the environment and a complex array of interconnections and relationships; and like art creation, it is a process – one of communication, optimism and response.
Jen Rae, 2010
The artists of ARENA would also like to thank and acknowledge the support of Jenny Southwell, Ray Thompson and Eleni Arbus from The City of Melbourne, Dean Sunshine from Snowmasters and Malcolm Eaton from Just Wheelie Bins, Seven Thousand Oaks volunteers and staff.
[i] Robert Smithson, The Writings of Robert Smithson, ed. Nancy Holt (New York: New York University Press, 1979).
[ii] Graeme Pearman, "Climate change: are we up to the challenge?," 2009, Greenhouse 2009, 28 May 2010 <http://www.greenhouse2009.com/default.aspx?pid=15>.
[iii] Jo Chandler, "Journey to a Hostile Climate," 13 June 2009, The Age, 27 May 2010 <http://www.theage.com.au/environment/journey-to-a-hostile-climate-20090612-c67h.html>.
[iv] Madeleine Bunting, "RSA Arts & Ecology Magazine Features," 29 March 2010, Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) Arts & Ecology, 20 April 2010 imn<http://www.artsandecology.org.uk/magazine/features/madeleine-bunting>.
[v] Tim Flannery, "Now or Never, A Sustainable Future for Australia?," Quarterly Essay 31 (2008): 1-66.
[vi] Felix Guattari, The Three Ecologies, trans. Ian Pindar and Paul Sutton (New York: Continuum, 2008).
[vii] Ibid.
[viii] Jo Chandler, "Journey to a Hostile Climate," 13 June 2009, The Age, 27 May 2010 <http://www.theage.com.au/environment/journey-to-a-hostile-climate-20090612-c67h.html>.
[ix] Alan Sonofist, "Introduction," Art in the Land: A Critical Anthology of Environmental Art, ed. Alan Sonofist (New York: E.P. Dutton, Inc., 1983) xi.
[x] Patricia Phillips, "A Composite Interview with Mel Chin," Benito Huerta, Lucy R. Lippard and Mel Chin, Inescapable Histories: Mel Chin (Kansas City: Mid-America Arts Alliance, 1996) 30-46.
[xi] Madeleine Bunting, "RSA Arts & Ecology Magazine Features," 29 March 2010, Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) Arts & Ecology, 20 April 2010 <http://www.artsandecology.org.uk/magazine/features/madeleine-bunting>.
[xii] Madeleine Bunting, "The Rise of Climate-Change Art," 2 December 2009, The Guardian, 27 May 2010 <http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/dec/02/climate-change-art-earth-rethink>.
[xiii] Barbara C. Matilsky, Fragile Ecologies: Contemporary Artists' Interpretations and Solutions (New York: Rizzoli International Publications, Inc., 1992).
[xiv] Nicolas Bourriaud, Postproduction: Culture as Screenplay, ed. Caroline Schneider, trans. Jeanine Herman (New York: Lukas & Sternberg, 2002).
[xv] Juhani Pallasmaa, The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture and the Senses (West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2005).
[xvi] Eric Zencey, "Theses on Sustainability: A Primer," Orion – Nature/Culture/Space May/June 2010.


text:
Graco Sarah 4 in 1 Convertible Crib Reviews of 2018
We loved our Graco Sarah 4 in 1 convertible crib and toddler bed. We never had a problem with scratches, there are a few but it is to be expected. And we love the style and got a lot of complaints. But as a full-size bed not so much. We have a gap between the mattress and the footboard about 4 inches wide. We stuffed the toddler bed in the gap because we feared our little boy could fall in the gap and get hurt or worse. We contacted MDB and they said this is the first they have heard this.
First, they were saying the mattress was maybe too short. But we have the same mattress for our daughters Graco Sarah 4 in 1 crib not (MDB)and it is a perfect fit. So now instead of just sending new rails that would fix the problem they are wanting me to take pics of the rails, measure the rails (which I sent ASAP) and now they want me to disassemble the bed(take the very heavy mattress which is Tempurpedic off) to get serial numbers. They are being difficult and are not going to move forward until I get the serial numbers for them. To say the least I am extremely disappointed with the customer service I am receiving from MDB. I would not recommend this Graco Sarah 4 in 1 convertible crib to anyone.
Well built and sturdy but the color is horrible
This Graco Sarah 4 in 1 convertible crib is very well built and was super easy to put together. However, we were wanting a white crib to go with the rest of our baby furniture. When we took it out of the box it looked very faded. We thought it was the lighting in the nursery. After we set it up and put it next to our white furniture the color was very vanilla yellow. Not white at all. Too late to return it so my husband is going to have to paint it.
Love it
This Graco Sarah 4 in 1 crib is great. We haven't actually used it for the baby yet, but it looks great and the finish matches the dresser and hutch exactly. It arrived in good condition and seems to be of good quality.
Great buy!
The Graco convertible crib, for the money we paid, is fantastic!! The look, quality, hardness of the wood and when it is all together in one place, it is just tight together, hard!!! And it is really big, you can have it for a long time!! We got the mattress Twilight, which is perfect for the crib and changing table, DaVinci Kalani. The order was shipped really really fast and I think I did a great job choosing it!!
Great Graco Sarah 4 in 1 convertible crib!
Bought this in summer 2009 for my first baby. It looks very nice in her room and we've received a lot of compliments. We chose espresso color and were not disappointed. It was relatively easy to put together and its nice quality and should last for years to come. Two things of note, my bumper doesn't seem to fit as snugly and not sure if it is my crib or bumper. Also, the rails do not come with the Graco Convertible Crib White (as many don't) but for some reason, rails were hard to find when I tried to order separately. I finally found them on another website and ordered them. I was warned by friends to make sure I got rails as they frequently discontinue crib styles and finding the rails, later on, would be difficult.
About the Graco Sarah 4 in 1 crib
- This crib weight: 55.1 pounds
- Dimensions: 57.4 x 42 x 47.6 inches
- ASTM & CPSC safety standards; JPMA certified
- Shipping Weight: 58 pounds
- ASIN Number: B00LFP63YG
- Made from Pine Wood
- Converts to Toddler, Day Bed, Full-Size Bed
For the price I paid, I am totally satisfied and would get the crib again. I looked at other websites who wanted a ridiculous amount for shipping. Amazon was free and that was fantastic, saved over 0 on shipping alone.


text:
The San Antonio area's A.I.M. For Real Estate Inspections always put you first, which is why they accept phone calls as early as 6:00am and as late as 10:30pm for your convenience. A.I.M. will also schedule inspection services on the weekends. When the circumstances discovered during an inspection call for it, A.I.M.'s inspectors will use the most advanced technology available during inspection services, including an Infrared Thermographic camera, water level, and contact moisture meter *free of charge at inspector's discretion* to help diagnose the issue. A.I.M. follows the Texas Real Estate Commission's (TREC's) Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
General Home Inspection
- Roofing System
- Structural Components
- Foundation & Crawl Space
- Basement
- Fireplace & Chimney
- Attached Garage
- Driveways & Walkways
- Deck & Patio
- Exterior (doors, windows, siding)
- Interior (doors, windows, floors, walls, ceilings, stairs)
- Attic, Insulation, & Ventilation
- HVAC System
- Plumbing System
- Electrical System
- Pool & Spa Inspections (add-on)
- Sprinkler System (add-on)
Additional services offered by A.I.M. For Real Estate Inspections:
Buyer's Inspections
A.I.M. will inspect the visible and accessible systems and components of a home for signs of danger and defect. A buyer's inspection is completely non-invasive and is a necessary step toward becoming a homeowner. To be perfectly honest, the price of a buyer's inspection is negligible, when having an inspection performed by a skillful home inspector could easily save you thousands of dollars–not to mention your peace of mind–in the long run.
Pre-Listing Inspections
Selling a home can be just as stressful as buying one. Pre-listing inspections can be ordered by the smartest sellers, who want to increase the chances of a speedier closing and achieving their asking price. The seller's inspector will inspect the house before it even goes on the market, allowing the seller to make improvements and to address defects as they deem fit before the buyer's inspector even enters the house.
New Construction Phase Inspections
When you're investing in a brand new home, you might think there's nothing to worry about. Unfortunately, everything from rushed jobs to shoddy workmanship to the mere fact that no one is perfect contribute to the many defects that can be found by a qualified, unbiased, third-party inspector during the building process. A.I.M. will inspect the property at a minimum of 3 key phases. These include Pre-Pour, Pre-Drywall, and immediately before the final walkthrough with your Builder.
Builder's Warranty Inspections
When you invest in a new home, it often comes with a one year Builder's Warranty. To make sure you don't miss out on the benefits of your warranty, hire A.I.M. in the 10th or 11th month to look for defects covered by your warranty. If any are detected, it will be your Builder's responsibility to cover costs incurred by necessary replacement and repair.
Imagine this scenario: A.I.M. has performed an inspection on your home, and you've called in the contractors to tackle the needed repairs revealed by your report. But how will you know that this work has been completed properly? Contact A.I.M. for a re-inspection, during which the defects and damage found during the original inspection will be inspected to make sure that they've been fully addressed.
Commercial Property Inspections
Are you purchasing an office building? Investing in a multi-family property? A.I.M. also performs inspections on commercial buildings. A.I.M. can perform a sampling and will tailor the inspection to your particular needs. Contact us to discuss the details of your particular commercial investment.
Add-On Inspection Services
Pool & Spa Inspections
Pools and spas are great ways to relax and to gather with friends and family, but they must be inspected to make sure that they are not damaged or unsafe for you and your family in any way. A.I.M. will thoroughly inspect the systems and offer advice if broken systems or dangerous circumstances are discovered.
Sprinkler Inspections
Sprinkler systems can prove to be complicated to deal with and can cause issues if not properly maintained. A.I.M. will inspect your sprinkler system with care and will explain and report on any discovered defects. A.I.M. will also offer advice about how you can tackle the situation by yourself, or with the help of a professional.
Proudly Serving San Antonio, Texas, and the Surrounding Metro Areas
Contact us to learn more about our discounts for active members of the military and veterans.
A.I.M. for Real Estate Inspections always goes the extra mile to make sure you're fully aware of a home's true condition. Contact A.I.M. today to schedule your inspection and other services, including seller's inspections, commercial building inspections, and much more.
Office - (210) 523-8449
Cell - (210) 825-4114
Text - (210) 825-4114
Carlos Rodríguez - TREC #8076


text:
Men Organic Beard Grooming KitPrevious Next
In stock
Organic Beard Grooming Kit
Beard Oil, Beard Balm, Beard Wash, Beard Leave In Conditioner, Combs, Scissor and static free brush
Have it both way -- healthy, shiny hair and youthful, radiant skin -- ButterMEssentials infused oil blend of Jamaican black castor oil, Apricot oil, Moringa oil, Jojoba oil and...
Organic Beard Grooming Kit
Beard Oil, Beard Balm, Beard Wash, Beard Leave In Conditioner, Combs, Scissor and static free brush
Have it both way -- healthy, shiny hair and youthful, radiant skin -- ButterMEssentials infused oil blend of Jamaican black castor oil, Apricot oil, Moringa oil, Jojoba oil and more with Hemp Seed Oil.
African Black soap help fade skin discoloration and dark spots. The soap cleanses gently, so it's ideal for people with rosacea, rashes, dryness and other skin conditions. African black soap contains plantain extract, which has antibacterial properties that may help treat acne breakouts.
This potent blend of oils is formulated to effectively treat and strengthen every strand of hair -- from root to tip, and to uncover your best skin yet. ButterMEssentials beard oil blend will restore shine to dull hair, repair brittle or breaking hair, and strengthen weak strand. And, it works wonders on the skin.
Features & Benefits:
- High-quality, authentic organic Jamaican Black Castor Oil
- Infused with organic hemp seed oil
- Rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids, proteins, vitamins and other nutrients
- Promotes healthier hair and scalp
- Moisturizes hair from root to tip
- Improves blood circulation and delivers oxygen to hair follicles for increased hair growth
- Gamma-linoleic acid in hemp oil helps in the formation of keratin for healthier, stronger strands
- Treats dry, brittle hair
- Softens, moisturizes and restore skin's elasticity
- Anti-aging oil: This nutrient-dense oil is famous for its anti-aging properties
- Fights acne, black heads and dark spots
- Natural glow
- Moisturizes scalp
- Stronger hair
- Fights dandruff and split ends
- Vitamin C
- And much more….
The smell is incredible! Italian Bergamot, Cassia Root, this fragrance really shines with Sweet Heliotrope, Soft Amber, Warm Oak, Sandalwood, Patchouli and Creamy Vanilla. It's a lot to fit in one small fragrance but we think you'll be enchanted.
Refresh, Soften and makes the beard and skin moisturize and makes the beard shines, promotes hair growth and Smell Incredible.
Ingredient: Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot Oil), Grape seed (Vitis vinifera) Oil, Cannabis Sativa Seed (Hemp seed Oil), Moringa oleifera (Moringa Oil), Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba Oil), Argania spinosa (Argan Oil),Ricinus communis (Black Castor Oil), Vitamin E oil, Fragrance
Returns Policy
You may return most new, unopened items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. We'll also pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.).
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, simply login to your account, view the order using the 'Complete Orders' link under the My Account menu and click the Return Item(s) button. We'll notify you via e-mail of your refund once we've received and processed the returned item.
We can ship to virtually any address in the world. Note that there are restrictions on some products, and some products cannot be shipped to international destinations.
When you place an order, we will estimate shipping and delivery dates for you based on the availability of your items and the shipping options you choose. Depending on the shipping provider you choose, shipping date estimates may appear on the shipping quotes page.
Please also note that the shipping rates for many items we sell are weight-based. The weight of any such item can be found on its detail page. To reflect the policies of the shipping companies we use, all weights will be rounded up to the next full pound.


text:
Written on:
08 July, 2011
Probiotic Vegetables
Probiotics are everywhere these days, as food manufacturers rush to capitalize on public interest in these functional foods. Probiotics are live microorganisms that can be consumed by humans to achieve certain health benefits. Most probiotics are bacteria, though some species of yeast have also been identified to have probiotic qualities. Once ingested, these friendly microbes take up residence in your gastrointestinal tract, where they help in the management of disorders such as diarrhea, lactose intolerance and colitis, according to the California Dairy Research Foundation.
Pickles that are created using traditional methods, and without the use of vinegar may contain probiotics. According to the University of Missouri, these pickles must be brine cured in order to ensure the survival of probiotic bacteria. Pickling isn't just for cucumbers. Look for probiotic pickled ginger, beans and carrots, available from natural foods distributors.
Sauerkraut doesn't need added bacteria in order to undergo fermentation. Bacteria already present within the cabbage can do the job all on its own. Lactobacillus plantarum is the probiotic most common associated with kraut. Look for refrigerated brands to ensure that your kraut contains live cultures.
If you've got a taste for spicy foods and want to increase your probiotic intake, try kimchi. This Korean dish is a fiery mix of salted cabbage spiced with garlic, chili peppers and jalapenos and fermented in its own liquids, allowing the natural probiotic bacteria to do their thing. Kimchi is eaten daily by thousands of Koreans, even with breakfast.
Soybeans, those ubiquitous staples of vegetarian foods, are crushed into a paste to make miso, a salty flavoring that is the basis of a popular soup served with sushi. Thought the paste is definitely fermented by bacteria, precisely which strains of bacteria remains unclear, according to Dr. Alegandro Rooney of the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research.
Buyer Beware
Most probiotics are found in dairy products, though the vegetable options discussed above also exist. Read the labels and be selective when purchasing vegetable products for their probiotic qualities. Some pickled or fermented vegetable products undergo pasteurization, a heating process that kills off probiotic bacteria, thus nullifying their health enhancing effects. Preservatives such as sodium benzoate can also kill off probiotic bacteria.
- The Nibble: Probiotic Foods: 2008 Update Part VI: Foods Containing Probiotics, Prebiotics Or Both ~ Fermented Vegetables & Miso
- The Nibble: What Is Probiotic Food? Part III: Which Foods Contain Probiotics?
- The Accidental Scientist: Science of Cooking: Korea's Kimchi Passion
- University of Missouri Extension: Understanding Probiotics
- California Dairy Research Foundation: Probiotic Basics
- patanasak/iStock/Getty Images


text:
Quick Facts about PCOS
- Around 5 - 10% of women of reproductive age have PCOS.
- Women are more likely to develop PCOS if a female blood relative has also experienced it.
- Obesity is a risk factor for PCOS and the other health issues associated with it.
PCOS affects up to 10% of women after puberty, though many of them remain undiagnosed. This condition is closely tied to hormone levels, both sex hormones and metabolic hormones. Women with PCOS may experience more regular periods as they transition through menopause, but other symptoms of PCOS may remain.
Identifying PCOS
PCOS is only identifiable by its symptoms, as special medical equipment is necessary to detect cysts on the ovaries. Especially in teens, the symptoms of PCOS may be conflated with symptoms typical of puberty, such as acne. In fact, these symptoms may be caused by the same types of hormonal imbalance in both puberty and PCOS. However, certain symptoms - such as skin tags - are more closely connected to PCOS than puberty.
Continue to the next section for information on what causes PCOS.
While PCOS has not been fully explained, it is known that the primary cause of the condition is an imbalance in the levels of various hormones. Other factors can also contribute to the development of PCOS.
Hormonal Causes of PCOS
The symptoms of PCOS are largely produced by excess androgens in the body. "Androgens" is an umbrella term for sex hormones typically associated with males, such as testosterone. It is normal for the female body to produce some androgens - since these hormones play an important role in sex drive, among other functions - but less than what the male body produces.
The excess androgen levels associated with PCOS also stop the ovaries from ovulating and impact levels of female sex hormones. The cysts in PCOS are actually the follicles of the ovaries filling with fluid. Follicles are sacs in the ovaries from which an egg is released each month in normal menstrual cycles. However, an egg is not released when the follicles are filled with fluid. This lack of ovulation interrupts the normal flow of female hormones that regulates the menstrual cycle, which results in yet more symptoms related to hormonal imbalance.
Insulin - a metabolic hormone that influences how the body uses glucose for energy - is also thought to play a role in the development of PCOS. Women whose bodies make excess insulin due to insulin resistance or another metabolic disorder may experience increased androgen levels as a result. This is because excess insulin can cause the ovaries to produce more androgens than usual.
Other Causes of PCOS
Other factors, like genetics and inflammation, can also influence the development of PCOS.
Keep reading to learn about the different signs and symptoms of PCOS.
Signs and Symptoms
In women with PCOS, symptoms typically appear sometime after the midway point through puberty. Not all women will necessarily experience each of the following symptoms, but most will have at least some. These symptoms are highly associated with excess androgen and insulin levels.
Symptoms of PCOS
- Irregular periods, especially infrequent or absent periods
- Acne
- Excess hair growth, namely on the chin, upper lip, chest, or lower abdomen (i.e., hirsutism)
- Infertility or difficulty conceiving
- Darkened, velvety skin patches around the armpits (i.e., acanthosis nigricans)
- Difficulty losing weight
- Hair thinning on the scalp
- Trouble sleeping
- Skin tags
What other symptoms might accompany PCOS? Because of excess androgen levels, some women may develop masculine features. However, these symptoms are not a normal part of the condition, but are instead associated with extremely high levels of androgens.
Signs of PCOS
- Excess androgen levels
- High blood sugar levels
- Blood pressure over 120/80
- Body mass index over 25
- Polycystic ovaries
Diagnosis of PCOS
The signs and symptoms of PCOS can be hard to pinpoint, as they may overlap with some symptoms of puberty, insulin resistance, diabetes, or other hormonal disorders. To diagnose PCOS, a physician will typically perform three procedures: a review of the patient's medical history, a physical exam, and laboratory tests.
Complications of PCOS
PCOS raises a woman's risk of developing other health problems. The condition often coincides with metabolic issues, which can turn into more serious conditions. Also, it might be more challenging for women to get pregnant with PCOS.
Because PCOS has generally undesirable symptoms and impacts so many aspects of health, treatment is a priority. Continue reading to find out more about lifestyle changes, supplements, medications, and surgery in the treatment of PCOS.
PCOS treatment is often approached from several angles because of the complexity of the condition. Since the symptoms are all connected to hormonal imbalance, it's important to treat this root cause and also take steps to prevent complications.
Three Approaches to Treat PCOS
Three levels of approaches can be considered for treating PCOS symptoms. These are categorized as: (1) Lifestyle Changes, (2) Alternative Medicine, and (3) Pharmaceutical and Surgical Options.
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, lifestyle changes are generally recommended as the first course of action because they entail the lowest risk and also benefit overall health. If they are not enough to relieve the symptoms, a hormone-balancing treatment may be attempted. Medications and surgery are typically considered the last resort because they involve the most risk and cost.
Lifestyle Changes for PCOS
Lifestyle changes are a wholesome way to approach the many facets of PCOS. In some cases, the implementation of the right healthy habits may even completely eliminate the symptoms of the condition and any associated disorders. Healthy eating, weight loss, and regular exercise are the pillars of lifestyle adjustments for treating PCOS.
Because nutrition and weight loss are integral to the treatment of PCOS, lifestyle adjustments are the first recourse. However, if they alone are not enough to alleviate symptoms, they can be combined with other approaches. Alternative medicine offers a safe and natural option for balancing hormone levels.
Alternative Medicine for PCOS
While "alternative medicine" spans a wide range of remedies, certain dietary supplements in particular can help with PCOS because of the effect they have on hormone levels. They are divided into two types: phytoestrogenic and hormone-regulating herbal supplements.
Phytoestrogenic herbal supplementsBlack cohosh, soy, red clover, dong quai, and other such supplements are known for their phytoestrogen content. These plant-based, estrogen-like compounds act like weaker forms of estrogen the body, which can help raise estrogen levels when they are low. While this can assist in balancing the low female sex hormone levels associated with PCOS, it does not directly address excess androgen levels.
Hormone-regulating herbal supplementsThese supplements, such as Macafem, do not contain any hormones, whether natural or artificial. They work by stimulating the hormonal glands thanks to the action of their unique alkaloids. This nourishment of the hormonal glands helps them produce the hormones that the body needs at balanced levels, thereby raising female sex hormone levels while reducing androgen levels in the case of PCOS.
Additionally, other herbal supplements may help in the treatment of PCOS.
For many women with PCOS, the combination of healthy lifestyle changes and herbal supplements is an effective way to treat the symptoms and balance hormone levels. However, in more severe cases of the syndrome, medical intervention may be necessary to relieve the symptoms and prevent associated disorders.
Pharmaceutical and Surgical Options for PCOS
Medications generally involve more risk, and they require a prescription. Pharmaceutical options include inventions to increase female sex hormones, as well as anti-androgen medications, antidiabetic drugs, and fertility medications. In the most severe of cases, removal of the ovaries is a surgical procedure that may be required.
The above approaches can be combined to form a personalized treatment that is best suited to treating the symptoms and other problems an individual woman is having. Many women with PCOS find relief from their symptoms with a blend of healthy lifestyle changes and alternative supplements.
- Harvard Health Publications. (2014). Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Retrieved March 5, 2017, from http://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/polycystic-ovary-syndrome
- International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10. (2017). 2017 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code E28.2. Retrieved from http://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes/E00-E89/E20-E35/E28-/E28.2
- Johnson, N.P. & Wang, K. (2003). Is ovarian surgery effective for androgenic symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome? Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 23(6), 599-606. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14617458
- Mayo Clinic. (2014). Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Retrieved March 5, 2017, from http://www.mayo.edu/diseases-conditions/pcos/basics/definition/con-20028841
- Office on Women's Health. (2016). Polycystic ovary syndrome. Retrieved March 5, 2017, from https://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/polycystic-ovary-syndrome.html
- Rasgon, N. (2004). The relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and antiepileptic drugs: a review of the evidence. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 24(3), 322-334. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15118487
- Sheehan, M.T. (2004). Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management. Clinical Medicine & Research, 2(1), 13-27. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1069067/
- UCLA Health. (n.d.). Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Retrieved March 5, 2017, from http://obgyn.ucla.edu/pcos


text:
Cumberland County is located in central Virginia. The County Seat is Cumberland and the largest city is Farmville. The Official Web Site is located at http://www.cumberlandcounty.virginia.gov/. The 2014 population estimate is 9,827 and the 2010 census population was 10,055. The land area is 297.46 square miles and there are 33.8 persons per square mile.
64.6% of the population is White, 32.3% is Black or African American, 2.4% is Hispanic or Latino, 0.5% is Asian, 0.5% is American Indian or Alaska Native, 0% is Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 2.2% is two or more races. 76.9% have a high school degree or higher, and 14% have a Bachelor degree or higher.
The median home value is $142,400, there are 4,049 households, an average of 2.44 persons per household. The per capita income is $21,540, the median household income is $40,557, and 16.3% of the persons in Cumberland County are considered below poverty level.
The total number of firms, at last estimate, was 654. Retail sales (in $1000) were $46,146, and sales per capita were $4,830. The percentage of black-owned firms is 0%, and the percentage of women-owned firms is 16.8%.
If you find a broken link below, please use the Report a Broken Link form to let us know.
|Cumberland County
Cumberland County, Virginia official website.
Code of ordinances for Cumberland County from Municode.
|Court Records | Circuit
Civil and criminal court record search from the Cumberland County Circuit Court.
|Court Records | General District
Cumberland County General District traffic, civil & criminal court records, calendar, and service of process status search.
|Property | GIS
Cumberland County GIS map parcel database, E911 addresses, and tax map grid.
|Restaurant Inspections
Cumberland County food facility inspection reports from the Piedmont Health District.
Check your Cumberland County voter registration online.
Please use the Report Broken Link form if any of the above resources do not connect


text:
Starting Gate: Frozen In Place
Negotiating icy roads isn't the biggest challenge Mitt Romney has before him today. In the final debate before the January 3rd Iowa caucuses, he'll have one last chance to stand out in the crowd and draw the distinction between himself and sudden front-runner Mike Huckabee.
The Arkansas governor saw his poll numbers begin to sharply spike not long after the last Republican debate, for which he drew rave reviews. But Huckabee has turned in great debate performances throughout this campaign, even when he was mired in single digits or not even showing up on the radar screen. Romney's current woes may have more to do with his own performance than Huckabee's.
Throughout the first eleven months of the campaign, Romney has strived hard to be the optimist in the GOP field. He's a candidate who announced his candidacy in a Michigan automotive museum, a nod toward American ingenuity and know-how. His is the campaign which routinely surrounds the candidate with a large family right out of a storybook, whose energetic and hard-working campaign makes the direct connection to an idealized vision of happier times.
But we have seen a different side of the candidate lately. The last time these Republican candidates shared a stage, Romney found himself in open combat with both Huckabee and Rudy Giuliani within the first minutes of the debate. Both exchanges were over the issue of illegal immigration, the issue which seems to be driving the race in Iowa. But Romney played the part of the aggressor in both instances, a somewhat new position for him.
Romney had good reason to engage. Even then Huckabee was moving up in Iowa and Giuliani had begun chopping at him in New Hampshire. Then ahead in both states, Romney was fighting a two-front battle – and still is, although the terrain has shifted considerably.
The campaign in recent days opted to do two things to turn things around. First, Romney delivered his mostly well-received speech on religion. Then, they released the first "attack" ad of the campaign, a relatively tame attempt to draw attention to Huckabee's support for in-state tuition and scholarship eligibility as governor of Arkansas. Coming on the heels of his relatively recent change of position on abortion, both may have reinforced the image of Romney as a reactive politician -- not the optimistic, visionary leader his camp has worked so hard to present.
Huckabee's rise may provide Romney a chance, however. Aside from the former Arkansas governor, the one candidate who may benefit most from his Iowa surge is Giuliani, giving him every reason to stand back somewhat and let the other two go at it. Without two-sided pressure, Romney may feel more comfortable, depending on which candidate shows up.
Too Liberal? Hillary Clinton's campaign seized on a report in the Politico, detailing answers Barack provided on an election questionnaire a dozen years ago, to raise the issue of electability. In the questionnaire, filled out while Obama sought a state Senate seat in Illinois in 1996, Obama indicated he was against any form of capital punishment, against any restrictions on abortion and supported an effort to ban the manufacture, sale and possession of handguns in the state.
Fertile ground for a campaign which has stressed its candidate's chances in a general election. The Clinton campaign gathered several Clinton supporters, conveniently from red or reddish swing states, to talk about her chances in the general election. Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, from Texas was on the conference call, joined by Ohio Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Indiana Senator Evan Bayh and Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel.
Words like "family values," "the Fifth Amendment," "pro-military" and "rural America" were thrown around in an attempt to relate the message that while Clinton was strong in these areas, Obama (and presumably Edwards) apparently are not. Bayh noted that his state has voted for Republicans in 16 out of the past 17 presidential elections. "I come from a place where a keen understanding of how independents and moderate Republicans vote is important and based upon my experience and that understanding, I think Hillary Clinton has the best chance to be electable in swing parts of the country," he said.
McDaniel claimed Clinton had more Arkansas support than even Huckabee and said she would win the state in November. "When you ask me about electability in Arkansas," he said, "what I talk about is the number of pickup trucks that I've seen taking the little 'w' stickers off the back glass and covering them up with 'Hillary' stickers." And Jackson-Lee made direct reference to the Obama story as it relates to guns. "I don't frankly understand a candidate that seems to think that he can offer once position in the early stages of his career, and then as he begins to reach a level of national election, that he can change from one position to the next," she said.
The inference of the call seemed to be that the other Democratic candidates are too liberal to appeal to voters in crucial states like Iowa and Florida. It's a argument we could have predicted being made two years ago, but not the candidate we would have thought would be making it.
Spending Big For Those Who Can't: The bipartisan group ONE will air $1.8 million in television ads in Iowa and New Hampshire over the next several weeks in a bid to insert the issue of global poverty onto the campaign agenda. The group, co-chaired by former Senate Minority Leaders Tom Daschle (D) and Bill Frist (R), is dedicated to combating hunger and poverty around the world and says that at least 10 of the presidential candidates have pledged their support to those goals in some way. "Whether or not we can turn these hopeful indications into real, solid accomplishment depends in large measure on the degree of bipartisanship and the degree of oneness that we can create over the course of the next 12 months," said Daschle.
Around The Track


text:
|No. 406, Issue II, May 2017/May/2017
|Title of article:
|13. Results of piloting differentiated learning in teaching geography at high school
| Abstract: The article analyses and presents results of piloting differentiated learning in teaching Geography 10 at high school. The results show that differentiated learning promotes key competences of students such as cognitive ability, thinking skills as well as learning styles and encourages the positive and autonomy of students in learning, contributing to improvement teaching quality, including teaching geography, at high school.
Keywords: Differentiated learning, geography, pilot, students, high school.
|Nguyễn Thị Thu Anh
|students, high school, Differentiated learning, geography, pilot
|Click here to buy the article.


text:
Events Calendar
Back to All Events
Earlier Event: February 21Massie Twp. Fire Dept. Meeting
Later Event: March 7Massie Twp. Trustee Meeting
Use the form on the right to contact us.
You can edit the text in this area, and change where the contact form on the right submits to, by entering edit mode using the modes on the bottom right.


text:
Planning for Employee Satisfaction Surveys
Many organisations feel the need to "survey their people" and put some questions together and hope for something useful. Unfortunatly this is where it often goes wrong – not with the intent, but the implementation.
Asking questions is easy, asking the right question and interpreting the results is quite another. In this short series of articles we continue our exploration of what it takes to run a successful employee survey.
The following outlines some of the factors that should be communicated at each stage of the process:
Pre Survey
- Objectives of the survey, rationale for the survey and how the results will be fed back
- Use an independent, third-party agency for data collection and analysis
- Timing of the data collection
- Senior management commitment to the survey
- Importance of getting a good response rate so that all employee opinions are heard
- Importance of participation
- Methodology to be used
- Assurance that the study will protect anonymity and preserve confidentiality
During the Survey
- Reminder of the objectives and assurance that action will be taken
- Assurance that individual surveys cannot be seen
- Regular reminders and a notice of when the survey completion period will end
- How the results will be acted upon
- Update on current response rate
- Reinforce the importance of participation
- How employees can participate and what employees should do if having problems accessing or completing the survey
- Reinforce anonymity and confidentiality of the results
Post Survey
- Thank employees for participating and communicate how results will be shared
- Final response rate (Company wide vs. Business Units/Divisions)
- Detail on how employees should get involved in the improvement action planning process
- Local results and local improvement action planning
- Provide top-level summary results
- Reminder of the action planning process
Between Surveys
- Highlight and recognize successful examples of action planning and progress made
- Recognize the contributions of teams and individuals to the action planning process
- Senior management endorsement and support of the final action plan/survey outcomes
- Detailed plans for the next survey
- Highlight any areas where action cannot be taken and the reasons for this
- Highlight the impact of action planning on customer service and business performance
An effective survey will enable you to see where your company stands on each of the following factors of employee engagement and satisfaction:
- Commitment to assess employee engagement,
- Culture of leadership and accountability,
- Communications by effective management and
- Compensation to measure employee perceptions of pay and benefits.
It is the period between surveys that are the most important for determining the appropriate action, if any, on each of the factors listed and for communicating the actions taken back to employees. Improvement action is the most important part of the survey process, especially since many employees generally believe that little or no improvements are generated from employee surveys. However, the perception that little action has been taken often is not true. Lack of awareness of improvements among employees, or their inability to link the improvements back to the survey, lead them to believe that nothing positive is happening. This is one of our biggest challenges.
Branding the survey and subsequent action planning activity with a name and/or a logo is another way of raising the profile. In this way, employees can link the results of improvement actions back to how they responded in the survey. A short-form name or acronym can help make your employee survey more memorable, especially if the name or acronym is used consistently throughout the survey process.
Electronic and Web-Enabled
Increasingly, organizations are starting to move towards electronic methods of surveying their employees and the most common method is hosting a web-enabled survey. This type of survey offers many benefits including:
- Cheaper and easier to administer than a paper-based survey,
- Availability of real time response rates,
- Giving each respondent a unique access password prevents employees from completing more than one survey,
- Allows employees to be routed to certain questions based on their type and/or their responses to certain questions without them knowing they are being routed,
- Ensures all respondents answer every question they are asked.
However, before deciding that this is all too good to be true and that a web-enabled survey is the best option, consideration should be given to the following questions:
- Do all employees have, or have access to, a PC that has external Internet access?
- Are all of the employees sufficiently computer literate to complete a web-enabled survey?
- Do you have field-based employees and, if so, how would they complete a web-enabled survey?
- Can your IT Department provide the necessary assistance with the survey?
- Is the culture in place for it and would it adversely affect the response rate if the survey were web-enabled?
Questionnaire Design
The design of the questionnaire is important as it can have as much influence over the response rate as the method of completion.
The elements of a good questionnaire are as follows:
- Each question must directly relate to, and be measured against, the survey objectives,
- It must be easy to complete and not attempt to "trick" employees,
- Take no longer than 15-20 minutes to complete,
- Only ask questions that employees can reasonably answer,
- It should have similar questions grouped together,
- It must only include questions that will provide relevant and actionable information to the organization,
- It must strike the right balance between addressing the needs of employees and the needs of the organization,
- It must include questions that will allow employees to provide improvement ideas and suggestions in the form of free text or verbatim comments.
As part of the questionnaire design process, it can be valuable to conduct focus groups and face-to-face interviews with employees and key survey stakeholders (i.e., managers with a real interest in using the survey results) in order to obtain their feedback on the subject matter and content that should be included in the questionnaire.
At the start of each new project, an effective consultancy provider will collate data to highlight some of the key employee-related issues in the organization.
Survey Completion
Online surveys can generally be completed in a 1-2 week timeframe, although participation should be monitored in real time so as to decide when to send reminders and thereby maximize employee participation. The shorter the time frame given the better the response, caution should be given to making deadlines too tight so as not to alienate people on leave.
A two to three week period should be allowed for survey paper-based completion, with an additional week set aside (but not advertised internally) for the inevitable late returns. This will allow time for employees who are on holiday or away from the office for another reason to participate in the survey.
Consideration should also be given to whether employees on maternity leave, sick absence and contract/agency staff should be invited to participate in the survey. It is strongly advised that these groups are included wherever possible.
If a paper-based survey is being administered, then the distribution method needs to be carefully considered so that the maximum possible response rate is achieved. There is no right or wrong answer or blanket method that must be used and the most suitable method will depend on the organization, its structure and culture.
The following sets out the possible survey distribution methods and the potential pros and cons of each:
|Internal Mailing Directly to Office Address
|Hand Distribution by Immediate Managers
|Organized Completion Sessions at Set Venues
|External Mailing to Home Address
Employees must not be expected to complete the survey on their own time (unless they specifically want and choose to, of course) as this would undermine the value and importance of the survey. Therefore, it is important to allocate them 15-20 minutes of work time for survey completion and to clearly communicate to them that they can take this time at work to fill out the survey.
The subject of offering incentives for survey completion is an interesting one.
Our experience suggests that personal incentives such as entry into a prize draw do not really boost response rates.
One incentive that does appear to make some difference is making a donation to a company-sponsored charity based on the response rate (i.e. the greater the response rate, the greater the amount of the donation).
Another to consider is a team competitions where a prize is offered to the team with the highest percentage of returns.
The key incentive
In contrast to the weak influence of incentives, research shows that employees are more likely to participate in an employee survey if they believe that the results will be acted upon. The golden rule of this type of survey is that, if you do not intend to act on the results, then do not conduct the survey in the first place.
Results Analysis and Reporting
There are many different ways of analysing, cutting and reporting results and each organization has to decide individually on the best method for their needs.
Some key things to consider are:
- Report the results to employees as quickly as you can after the end of the survey completion period. This will ensure that the momentum and interest that has already been generated will be maintained.
- Adopt a phased roll-out of survey results on a top-down basis so that the employees can absorb the results and are not overwhelmed by them. Although employees will be most interested in the results for their own team, they will also be interested in the results at an organizational level.
- People – Face-to-face feedback of results is the preferred communication method and, although this will probably not be logistically possible at an overall organizational level, it is essential for the feedback of local team results. This will allow employees to ask questions and suggest the root causes behind the results.
- Information – Do not dress bad news up as being good news and likewise do not hide bad results. Honesty is important if you want to involve employees in improvement action planning as they will quickly identify anything that is trying to be hidden. It is as important to highlight and celebrate good results and recognize the reasons for them.
- Delivery – Add interpretation to the results so that the employees can consider them in true context. This can be achieved by considering that the design of the survey can provide some invaluable interpretative analysis.
- Business Intelligence – Consider using proven statistical techniques to identify the key drivers of employee satisfaction. Using factor and regression analysis will highlight the most important areas to focus on from the survey results because these areas will bring the greatest overall benefits in improvement action planning.
- Involve – Before the results reports are produced, ensure that managers are familiar with what they will be receiving and what they need to do with them. The test of whether this has been successful is whether managers are able to interpret and identify the key strengths and weaknesses for their team within 30 minutes of receiving their report.
- Avoid the temptation to spend lots of time overanalyzing the survey results and re-cutting the data in a combination of different ways. We call this "Analysis Paralysis" because it gets in the way of focusing attention on taking improvement action. While the data from the survey will not provide you with all of the answers you need, neither will cutting it numerous additional ways. The results are intended to provide a catalyst for discussion and the best way to get behind the data is to actually discuss it with employees in teams.
As noted earlier, the guiding principle of employee survey is that, if you are not prepared to act on the results, then do not conduct the survey in the first place. You have spent time and effort getting employees enthusiastic about the survey and they now have high expectations that there will be improvement activity in which they will be involved.
Although improvement action planning is the most important part of the process, it is also the activity that a number of organizations fail to deliver against. One of the main reasons for this failure is the lack of a clear and coherent process for action planning throughout the organization.
The ideal situation must be for each manager (from senior management to the localized frontline manager/supervisor) who receives a results report to work with their team to identify and prioritise three to four areas requiring improvement and then develop and implement an improvement action plan that is regularly reviewed.
Improvement Action Process
Improvement action planning should be "top down" process where the priorities for the organization are identified, communicated and acted upon at the senior management level. Then moving down to Divisional and Unit levels, local teams should identify and tackle the things that they have direct control over and escalate anything else back upwards.
Before proceeding with action planning, it is vital to ensure that:
- Employees have had time to see and digest the results,
- The results have been discussed fully by the team and the main issues identified together with their root causes,
- There is clarity about what is being tackled at higher levels,
- That all members of the team are committed to moving forward,
- Any "Quick Wins" can be identified.
Prioritising Improvement Actions
Prioritisation of improvement actions should be taken under consideration. Some organizations struggle with improvement action planning because they try to tackle far too many improvement actions at once and start spreading the valuable resources they have too thinly over too many actions.
Our recommendation is that not more than three to four improvement actions should be tackled at one time and that further actions should not be pursued until at least one of the existing actions has been fully completed.
The four key questions to address in the Action Planning Prioritisation are:
- How important is this issue to your employees?
- Is it something you have direct control over?
- Are the benefits of improving the situation worth the effort?
- Will there be a marked improvement in business performance and/or customer satisfaction?
This model that can be used in conjunction with the action planning process by simply reviewing proposed actions against each of the above questions. It is of particular importance that each of the proposed actions lead to some improvement in customer satisfaction and business performance. This reinforces the commercial and business imperatives of the survey.
Formalizing the Action Plan
Having identified the key improvement areas and prioritized the improvement actions, it is important to determine how they will be delivered. To achieve this goal, it is vitally important that this plan be fully documented and summarized so that everybody is aware of the content of the plan. This summary can then be used to review the progress of the plan as actions are taken as result of the plan.
The specific components of the plan should be as follows:
Area for improvement: What is the problem? What impact is it having on employees and customers? What is causing the problem?
What Needs to Happen: Specify the specific improvement action that is required to address the problem.
How It Will Happen: Specify the process and activities required as part of the improvement action.
Timelines: It is important to have a target date for completing the delivery of the action. This sets the focus that any target delivery date is realistic and achievable and it may be stretched if not met.
Action Owner: It is important for one person to be allocated ownership for the action. This does not necessarily mean that this person is solely responsible for the delivery of the action, but they are responsible for ensuring that the delivery does actually happen. Ownership for actions should be spread around the team so that no one person is overburdened.
Resources: Specify and determine what individual resources are required such as personnel, money, materials or support from other parts of the organization.
Improvement Targets: It is important to be able to determine whether improvement actions are having the desired effect by setting improvement targets. The survey can be used as a source for this by pulling out appropriate questions and setting targets for improving the results to these questions in the next survey. Also, keep in mind that survey data may not be your only data source for target setting and you should also consider using other HR data metrics and customer satisfaction data.
Method of Measurement: List the data sources that will provide the information needed for improvement targets.
Review Dates: Specify all of the dates when the improvement action will be reviewed.
Review of Progress: This step should be completed after each review to outline the progress made against the action.
Completion Date: The date when the action was finally completed.
Impact: Completed after the action has finally been delivered to define the impact and difference that the improvement action has made to employees, customers and the business overall.
Reviewing the Action Plan
Regular review of the action plan is perhaps the most important element of the improvement action planning process because it ensures that the momentum is being maintained, enables progress to be tracked and identifies any barriers that may exist.
The frequency of review is largely determined by the target dates specified for improvements, although we would recommend that they take place at least quarterly (maybe as part of a normal team meeting).
Reviews are intended to be a learning experience and not for repeating mistakes, so as well as understanding and celebrating any successes, it is vital to also review the parts of the plan that are not working well and determine what needs to be delivered differently.
If an improvement action is not producing the desired results and an alternative action route cannot be identified, move on and tackle something else.
If any actions have not progressed in the way that they should or as fast as they should, it is important to understand the reason for this. Rather than unnecessarily attributing blame to individuals, it is more important to identify the corrective action that is required to bring things back on track.
If any improvement actions have been completed, the review can be used to determine new improvement action areas to focus on.
The final part of the review is to re-confirm targets and timelines and check that all members of the team are happy with the progress that is being made.


text:
Primrose Skirt/Capelette
Write Your Own Review
This little pleated mini-skirt/Capelette is made in corduroy with a soft tricot lining. It is a wrap around skirt that closes with a button and long tie-strap. It was originally designed to be a skirt but we realized it almost looks better as a cute little capelette! :) Here you see it on the pictures as a skirt over the longer Elven Skirt and on top of the Bellflower Dress as a capelette!


text:
This is what they look like
There are a few signs that theholiday season has arrived: The leaves start to turn orange and red. Christmas lights and plastic, singing renditions of Santa Claus start to appear at your local convenience store. And, most importantly, Starbucks releases its beloved holiday drinks. Today, that day has come: The coffee chain has announced that you'll now be able to sip on your favorite flavors that only come during the holiday season, including the Peppermint Mocha, Chestnut Praline Latte, and the Caramel Brulée Latte.
Starbucks eased its fans into fall slowly, starting with the official release of their famed Pumpkin Spice Latte—which, by the way, comes in bottles now, which you can pick up at the grocery store—but the true sign that Christmas is right around the corner is the smell of the Peppermint Mocha wafting through the air. It tastes like candy canes, and it's one of the most recognizable Christmas flavors you can get in a cup of coffee.
Starbucks is also introducing a new feature to their holiday cups (which the company has released every year since 1997): You can now color them in with your own design. Don't love red and green? Try a rainbow pattern instead. Printed with hearts, presents, and Christmas trees, the cups are certainly holiday focused, but that doesn't mean you can't put your own spin on the classic design.
"We love the idea of everyone making this year's cup their own," Leanne Fremar, executive creative director for Starbucks said in a statement.
Of course, people have been decorating their cups for years, but now you have official permission from the company to illustrate over its design.
The sleeve that fits over the cup will read "Give Good" this year, which is a nod to Starbucks' holiday campaign.
"Giving good can be as small as someone opening the door for you, or recognizing the people that enrich your life – your child's teacher, a caregiver, a family friend," Fremar explained. "The holidays are a time to celebrate all the good we give to each other and our community."


text:
I made the very last minute call this year to race Battenkill in April. I've raced there once before, and remember it being hard - really hard. Battenkill usually attracts 1000+ racers to its 62 miles with 25% dirt roads and almost 4000 feet of climbing.
Since I am not a climber, I hunkered down after plopping my $80 into registration, and got busy with training. The past two weekends, Michele and I have been out riding 60+ miles, and last weekend, a number of hills. I've been out with the boys on the short hill climb loop, and the left-for-dead rides. But what I really needed were some tougher hills and a longer ride. I bumped into a friend this week and told him of my upcoming weekend ride plan - "You don't need to do that to train for Battenkill", he said. But you see - I needed it to prove to myself mentally that I was up for the challenge.
So, to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, Mike and I headed north to ride the Notches. We have done this ride in the past in early March - it was epic. This year, I checked the predicted wind forecast before leaving Bedford - temps were predicted to be in the 60s, sun and very little wind. We also made sure this year to check with the rangers before departure on the condition of Bear Notch and Passaconaway Road. They looked at us like we had twelve heads, and let us know that there was no way we could pass either of those on our bicycles. Given that there was no snow on the ground in Lincoln, NH, I was skeptical of their answer, but we planned to take them at their word.
|Still smiling
|Almost to the top of Kinsman
It was through this section of the ride that I felt bad for Mike. He had pulled the entire way from Lincoln and onto Route 3 heading into Twin Mountain. I provided only a few brief respites for him as we rode from there and on into Bartlett - working to keep up was effort for me. I thought about how if he were with some other, stronger riders, this would have been an easier (and probably faster) ride for him, but was grateful that he chose to be with me.
We stopped in Bartlett at our usual pit stop to fill up our bottles, and get some real food into our systems. Since it was St. Patrick's Day, we opted to share a grilled reuben and some hand-made chips. Delicious, but probably a bit much given that we were only 1/2 way through our ride.
Back out on the roads, we continued past Attitash/Bear Peak where the skiers were eking out some of the last runs of the year, and onto West Side Road to head towards Conway. The only negative traffic encounter we had all day came in Conway Center when a driver insisted on blaring their horn at two riders, clearly in the bike lane. Apparently they needed more than a lane in which to drive their big SUV.
I also noted the good amount of snow in the woods here - the rangers had been right about us not being able to get through either Bear Notch or Passaconaway. Just past the turn for Bear Notch Road, the Kanc levels out and I was able to get a better pace going. I looked up at one point though and thought I was hallucinating - I could see something at the side of the road, but couldn't quite make out what it was. As I rode closer, I saw that it was Mike, who had waited for me to be sure I was ok. We continued together until the real climb started, and then I sent him on his way, as I settled into my 8.2 mph average pace to the top.
There were points where I wanted to stop. My back hurt, my knees hurt, my a$$ was killing me. I alternated sitting and spinning, with getting out of the saddle to grind up a bit further. But, I never stopped, despite wanting to. I pushed through, albeit at close to a running pace, but made it up the climb. Hooray! Mike was waiting for me at the top, so after a quick stop to don my vest, head covering and warmer gloves, we were on our way back down.
We passed the spot where I had climbed in the car the last time I did this ride, and I felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that I was going to finish. We rolled into the parking lot at the visitor center after 113 miles, 6355 ft of climbing, and over 6 hours in the saddle. I was wiped, but had beaten the mental demons to finish what I started. This was a good test for me - I know now, that I can get through Battenkill, and just maybe, even do a reasonable job at it.
We ended our day at the Woodstock Inn and Brewery for dinner and beverages. A beer never tasted so good! Thanks, Mike, for a terrific day, and for dragging me around the block.
|Happy St. Paddy's Day!
|I think I ate too much
As we made the turn onto 112 and the bottom of the Kanc, I was starting to feel demoralized. I knew we still had 38 miles to ride, and the hardest climb of the day was still to come. I was already tired (after all, we HAD already ridden over 75 miles), but also knew that I could make it through. As the road pitched up on the lower section of the Kancamagus Highway, I started to drop off of Mike's pace, and told him to just keep going - I was going to suffer my way through.
|YES! Finally the top!
|It's all downhill from here
|MKR's stats - It took me 6:15


text:
An effective social learning process which enhances public understanding of photovoltaic installations in residential dwellings and the economic instruments used by governments to encourage investment in this form of energy is regarded as an important component of implementing renewable energy policy in Australia.
The development of social learning was explored in deliberative workshops conducted in 2005 and 2012 in New South Wales, Australia. Participants had informed discussion of the operation of photovoltaic panels and how such panels could be integrated into domestic building structure and the economic instruments used by their State and Federal governments to encourage the installation of grid-connected photovoltaic systems. Their attitudes to the technology and investment were surveyed at the end of the workshops.
The participants expressed favourable attitudes toward the design, reliability and environmental benefits of such technology and positive attitudes towards the building integration of such panels. However, despite this, the participants were unwilling to invest in this technology, primarily because in 2005 they perceived the financial benefits of doing so as being marginal and in 2012 they were framing investment decisions in terms of reductions in tariff rates since 2010 rather than current returns.
Social learning principles can provide a range of benefits for communication and decision making in the informed promotion of grid-connected photovoltaic technology. Public perceptions and citizens' investment decisions should move beyond framing decisions relative to subsidy levels to consider long-term investment returns. Retailers and installers of residential photovoltaic systems in Australia are encouraged to promote the option of building-integrated panels given favourable preferences shown for such technology.


text:
Product Description
This is our new GDome Dome Housing for the GoPro Hero 5 Black Naked (no housing required)
The PDS (Professional Dome System) has been close to two years in the making, we have added all the features needed to create an unrivaled Dome System that is affordable and easy to use, while offering industry leading optics.
With this Dome Housing, getting the elusive under over shot also known as 50/50 or split shot has never been easier.
The GDome Housing uses a 160mm Dome, this massive dome pushes the waterline away from the lens, creating a space that allows you to capture the split in the water line with unbelievable ease.
Using your GoPro's near infinite depth of field and wide-angle lens make getting high quality video and stills remarkably easy to get versus $2000 DSLR setups that face the complexity of accounting for depth of field, focus and exposure.
This spacing also improves water shots above the water as spray or drops that would have covered most of the lens (ruining the shot or video) are now just a small dot in the field of view. As the gap between lens and dome moves water particles further away from the camera lens, meaning that underwater images become cleaner and the field of view is drastically improved.
The GDome system uses unique O-Ring compression seals (between Dome and BackPlate & Around the side of the camera lens) no silicone or glue is used to create a seal. We pressure test every single Dome to the relevant housings / cameras max depth before they leave the factory, this means that you know the dome you receive will not leak!
Now you can enjoy sharper, cleaner GoPro images at depths that other domes cant even dream of! As the PDS is made up of completely detachable parts, you can easily service as well as buy spares and even upgrade your dome Housing.
Features and Specification
- Individually pressure tested
- Split Shots Unbelievably Easy To Get
- Close To 30% Improvement In Camera Field of View When Underwater
- Drastic Focal Length Improvement For Under Water Shots
- Optically Correct Dome
- Full Access To All Housing Buttons
- Split Line Indicator Engraved On BackPlate
- O-Ring Compression Seals System – No Silicone Or Glue Is Used To Create A Seal
- Full View Of Front & Back LCD Screens
- Modular GDome System
- The entire GDome can be disassembled using the Alan Key provided
- As new cameras become available, you can upgrade just the BackPlate – no need to buy a complete new dome
- The GDome is super easy to disassemble and reassemble, no vice required!
|Shipping Weight (kg)
|Pack content
Complete Hero 5 Naked PDS Dome
Various Stainless Steel Screws
Allan Key (1)
Camera Lens Seal (2)
Dome to Backplate O-Ring Seal (1)
Instructions and Warranty Information
On every product page, you will find the delivery options available for that product. The options are as follows and will show delivery times for UK MAINLAND depending on which warehouse our stock is located in. You will be asked to make your selection in the checkout.
- Standard (3-5 day delivery)
- Expedited (order by 2pm for next day delivery)
- Click and collect from our warehouse
- International
|Standard UK delivery
|FREE on orders over £50 | £2.50 on orders up to £9.99 | £3.50 on order value £10 - £19.99 | £4.50 on order value £20-£29.99 | £5.50 on order value £30 - £49.99
|Delivery within 3-5 working days
|National Courier Signature Required & Trackable
|Expedited UK delivery
|Delivery next working day subject to stock availability and order by 2pm
|DPD Signature Required & Trackable
|Collect from our Warehouse
|Collect in store same day (call us before you collect)
|In person
Click here to see Non-UK mainland and international zones delivery charges.
You may return most new, unopened items in original packaging within 14 days of delivery for a full refund. You should expect to receive your refund within two weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly.
If you wish to exchange any items (change of size/colour/product) within 14 days of receiving your order.
Q. Can an order be placed for collection?
A. Only some of our items are eligible for collection, each item listing provides a list of the delivery methods available; these also appear at check out when completing the order. If the collection option is not shown in the item listing or at checkout it is only eligible for the standard delivery service.
Q. I am having trouble with loading the payment screen. How can I proceed with my order?
A. If you are having problems at checkout the first thing we advise is to refresh your order page. If this does not work, please give our customer service team a call on 020 3750 0650 where we can assist further.
Q. How much is shipping to Europe or the USA?
A. Shipping abroad depends on the item weight and the exact destination for delivery, this is usually calculated at checkout before you proceed to make a payment. Please visit our delivery section for more details
Q. What discount do you offer?
A. We currently have a 5% off promotion for first time buyers on our website. This can be redeemed when viewing your basket before checkout. Please sign up to our newsletter to be notified about future promotions.
Q. How can I know when an item will be in stock?
A. If an item you wish to order is currently out of stock you can give us to call to find out if and when we will be restocking.
Q. Can you guarantee delivery for a specific date?
A. For items eligible for the Express delivery service, we can provide a guaranteed delivery date. If you place your order with the standard delivery service we can estimate that it will arrive within 3 – 5 working days. (Please note: larger items can have slightly longer delivery times).
Q. I've found an item cheaper on another website, do you price match?
A. If you have found an item cheaper elsewhere please contact us for further information. You can call our customer service team on 0203 750 6050 or email us at: firstname.lastname@example.com. Please note we do not price match eBay or Amazon listings or website's on clearance / liquidation.
Q. Do you provide any payment plan options?
A. We do provide a payment plan method if you would prefer to make payment in instalments. This is subject to a credit check test. Please call or email us for further information.


text:
Living cells are always categorized into two specific types of cells which are the eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. The entanglement of a structure is the only major difference between the two. It is this structure that will drive its function and this structure which will account for the boundless assortment of life.
This week I will be discussing the bacterial cells: Plasma membrane and the Ribosome along with organelles: Golgi apparatus and Mitochondria.
Plasma membranePlasma membrane is also referred to as Cytoplasmic membrane.
Physical aspect: A Plasma membrane looks like big plastic bag with tiny holes. The holes are there to let some things flow inward and some things to flow outward. The Plasma membrane stores all the fluids and cell parts inside the membrane and keeps anything of harm out.
Composition: The Plasma membrane is not a solid piece; it is actually made up of pieces called phospholipids and proteins.
The composition is made up of a percentage of 40 and a percentage of 60 in lipids and proteins respectively. The lipids are what make up this "bag" and the proteins usually hang out around the "holes" to perform the processes that allow molecules in and out. The way the proteins and lipids are arranged is called the fluid mosaic model. In that model are phospholipids that look like heads and tails. The heads like water and the tails do not. The tails rub against each other and the heads face outward toward the watery area surrounding the cell. The two layers are called the bilayer. The proteins float inside the bilayer. Some are inside and some are outside the cell itself, while even more pass through with ends inside and out simultaneously. The proteins that pass through are part of active transport of molecules and ions.
Survival? These...


text:
This unique bedroom loft, belonging to Valerie WIldes and her husband located in Venice Beach, CA, is wonderfully calm, textural and individual:
"At an early age I discovered my love for creativity, and longed for a career in fashion. In my young twenties I moved to New York City to work as a designer, and there I acquired an obsession with styling my apartment. Essentially it became a place that perfectly captured my experiences and communicated what I love. I brought my new passion of home goods and interior styling with me to Los Angeles when moving here a little over three years ago. Since then, I've created Mint + Varnish as a clean and creative outlet for me to gather my thoughts and share what I love about interiors and home products. Mint + Varnish has been great inspiration when decorating my loft with my newlywed husband, and I look forward to seeing how it help shapes me as it continues to grow." - VALERIE WILDES
TEXT | VALERIE WILDES of MINT + VARNISH