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Socially, I was pretty busy over the Thanksgiving holiday. In fact, I added a flock of new friends to my cyber network – my Facebook world, that is. You've read about my adventures in Facebook – the whole discussion about Ambient Awareness . . . . Well, I decided to step it up a notch and see what would happen if I put myself out there a little. Right before the break, I sent out invitations to join Facebook to about 4-5 friends who didn't already have accounts. To my surprise, I think all of them joined. Not only did all of them join, in some cases, so did their entire extended family.
So, now, my network on Facebook consists of people from their 20's – their 70's . I have friends from high school, college, grown-up life, their kids, their parents, my nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters-in-law, people I've met through my job, etc. There is no one on my list that I didn't already have a relationship with in real life. It's kind of like "hanging out" with my friends, but online. I guess if I put myself out there even further, I might make actual new friends – maybe join a club or group in Facebook. That may be my next experiment.
Needless to say, when I saw this blog post,
Social Networking: It's a Good Thing, by Joe Crawford, I had to find out more about this "good thing" I was doing. According to Crawford, "A new study suggests that social networking is a beneficial activity, despite concerns about young people spending too much time tethered to the Internet and worries over online predators. Creating a profile on sites like MySpace and Facebook is a creative way to express one's identity, researchers noted, and hanging out with one's friends online is generally safe and healthy"
I get all that, but I have questions. Is this something we should encourage? Is this something we should deny? Or, is this something we should just roll with? Here's what I've gathered from the post. As usual, adults don't get it. No surprise there! Adults see time online as risky and unproductive. However, according to research, kids need to be online in order to develop the skills of their generation. (Wow, it may be possible that I am not equipped to see that, being an adult and all.) Kids don't see it as unproductive – it is more like hanging out or talking on the phone. Seems like I remember my mom telling me I wasted way too much time "hanging" on the phone . . . why didn't I just go visit the person, it's much more polite. My mom simply didn't get it. That's just what we did. We talked to a "crush" on the phone first, after a dozen conversations with all my girlfriends - not face-to-face. Geez, Mom! I think for kids now, it's the same thing. This online stuff, these are social skills for their generation. Their networks consist of people they already have relationships with. As for me and my posse, I could paint my nails, eat cereal, watch TV, and fight with my brothers all while talking on the phone – AND I could easily remember at least two dozen phone numbers at any given time. Ummm . . . I think they call it multi-tasking now.
Fast forward to Thanksgiving evening 2008. Picture me with a laptop, the TV, a house full of family, a piece of pumpkin pie, and about four conversations going at once. Have things changed so much? Here's what really cracks me up. My mother actually said, "Why don't you turn off that stupid computer and call people. It's much more polite. "
I will probably never be as adept as kids are at the online facet of relationships that exists these days, but I'm dipping my toe in the water. I like it and I'm doing okay and it's feeling a little more natural.
BTW – my mother spends most evenings watching television ON THE PHONE with her posse!
Just Sharin'
Lee Anne


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The airwaves have been buzzing with activity since I wrote an article the other day suggesting that it was now Time For Some Answers from senior staff at Brentford FC given the current run of poor results and performances and the resulting uncertainty and concern at how matters have been deteriorating on the pitch since the turn of the year and a Transfer Window which saw the club further weaken its squad without bringing in any reinforcements .
I fully understand and buy into the financial and practical reasons why the club has taken some of the decisions that it has but did not expect that they would result in quite such a massive and immediate deterioration both in results and, just as crucially, the quality of our performances. Losing at home to the bottom team in the Championship on Saturday certainly did not help improve matters and some supporters are also beginning to lose patience regarding what is going on and, as our slump continues, are now openly questioning our strategy as well as the impact that manager Dean Smith is having on the team.
I will continue to support the club in all its actions and for its current business model as I quite frankly can see no alternative way forward for us given our financial constraints and our need to compete on an even playing field with teams whose resources totally dwarf our own, and buttressed by income levels we can only dream about and massive parachute payments, can spend millions of pounds on strengthening their squad and seemingly with a mere snap of their fingers can also entice our best players to leave us, even though they have to pay us handsomely for the privilege.
Last season massively raised expectations and I still feel that a huge opportunity was lost when we did not strengthen a squad in January that looked as if it might continue on its triumphant and seemingly unstoppable path to the Premier League. Had things turned out differently in January, who knows, maybe even the divorce between Matthew Benham and Mark Warburton might have been avoided although I suspect that I am clutching at straws as it would appear that there might well have already been a breakdown in trust as well as fundamental differences between them that would inevitably lead to a parting of the ways.
It is pointless now to look backwards although last season plainly showed what is possible, even against all the odds, for the club in terms of results, performances, style of play, quality of recruitment and overall sense of togetherness and we can only aspire to what was achieved and do our utmost to replicate and even surpass it in the future.
This season has seen us facing an ongoing and relentless series of obstacles, barriers, setbacks and problems, some of them of our own making, others largely unforeseen and unfortunate and should we finish the season somewhere around halfway up the Championship then I for one would see this as a successful season given all the circumstances and such a final placing would be something that I could barely have dreamed about only a couple of years ago.
The problem is managing supporter expectations that quite frankly have been raised unrealistically by some ill-judged comments from within the club as well as a natural sense of optimism and anticipation, if not entitlement amongst supporters, created by the triumphs of last season.
I also revealed that I am meeting Phil Giles later this week when he has agreed to answer some of the supporters' current concerns and I am hoping for reassurances regarding the way forward and how we expect to plan for next season and beyond.
A busy close season culminating in the club retrenching and recruiting cleverly, creatively and effectively from both home and abroad would certainly help to turn things around and bring about a renewed sense of optimism.
In the meantime I have been overwhelmed by the response to my article which included a list of the questions that I have sent to Mr. Giles, and I have heard from many Bees supporters who share my love and support for the club as well as varying degrees of concern about the current situation.
Former player Richard Poole is worried that our slide could continue until we go into freefall:
Great questions Greville, I just hope they provide the answers as the fans have a right to know. I was not there on Saturday but the players should at least try in respect of the shirt and the fans too as relegation could creep up on us more quickly than we think
Red Rose Bee also helped to put matters into context in terms of fan satisfaction:
I am a season ticket holder living in Lancashire. Every home match is a five hundred mile round journey and costs me around ninety pounds. I first went in September 1961 and have been through all the many bad times as well as the few good. I was at Birmingham, Rotherham and SheffieldWednesday recently. I made the decision not to go on Saturday because watching this team is so depressing at the moment. If the players cannot be bothered, why should I? I predicted that we would lose to Charlton. Like many others who watch us play I am not a football expert but every week we see the same players make the same mistakes as well as the lack of urgency and pride.
I don't blame Dean Smith for this as he has been handed a very difficult situation, it is the Co-Directors of Football who must answer the questions. I cannot imagine that Matthew Benham is happy with what is happening now.Without him we have no future though.
I just hope that Saturday will focus minds and will represent the lowest point of a forgettable season, if not, and if we carry on like this, we are definitely in a relegation scrap.
Rob is concerned about the current makeup of the squad:
Another great incisive article, Greville – and I look forward to some of the questions you have asked getting answered honestly and fully. Yes, last season was a brilliant one for us, and I fully accept after fifty-two years of supporting the Bees that we cannot have it like that every year. However, there is still the expectation that life will not always be going from high peaks to low troughs. A few weeks ago I thought that we had enough points to stay safe for this year but after Saturday's performance, I'm not quite so confident.
It is not just the persistence in playing the lone striker that concerns me, there is the lack of an effective midfield. Whilst I was never the biggest fan of Douglas, and obviously he is approaching the twilight of his career, he has not been replaced.
Equally, Toumani's departure has left a gap in the defensive midfield and it was interesting to hear comments in the stand about how much we miss him coming from people who were often vociferous critics of him in the past – you don't know how good someone is until they go. I fully appreciate that players will come and players will go, but I feel that far too many have gone without adequate replacement – and that is one of my biggest concerns.
Rebel Bee gave his analysis of the current situation:
Something is very wrong at Brentford, and without taking any pleasure in it, some of us have felt this for a long while now. An air of complacency set in at the turn of the year, leaving the squad short in strength, character, quality in this unforgiving division – which is relentless right up to the last game. We could yet pay a very heavy price for this complacency – our predicament is that serious.
You'd have to write a book to pick over that performance on Saturday – it was that bad – Smith's pre match "start on the front foot" quote in tatters after twenty seconds. Even our superb keeper has got the yips, gifting their winner with a soft punch – we are unable to dig in and take a few scruffy draws and that is what alarms me most in this bad run. A glaring problem for us is the lack of pace in the squad – it's a big part of why we lost yesterday.
My questions to Phil Giles would be all about the balance of the squad and the rationale behind the signings made this season. Why sign three forwards who are unable to play in our lone striker role? Why have we lost and not replaced our powerful, pacy players? We have no width or an outlet, even hapless Charlton had this. I'd also ask how the summer recruitment process will be handled, assuming we stay up, is Dean Smith being given more input and say on this than Marinus was?
Saturday was the day that even some of the most positive people I know are starting to accept that we've made a real mess of things, and wonder where our next point will come from. It's backs against the wall time – all we can do is to get to QPR and try to do our bit, all of the staff need to respond this week and man up a bit.
I fear something has seriously gone awry at Brentford, complete supposition on my part but all is not well and it goes far deeper than the on pitch issues. Clearly the frustrating delays to the Lionel Road project are part of this, maybe a bigger part than I imagined.
Within reason the senior figures at the club need to come out and communicate – tell the truth and try to pull everyone together – otherwise our golden moment getting to and competing in the championship will be a fleeting memory.
Iain is also looking forward to hearing some answers:
Thanks for another good blog Greville. Quite a list of questions! If these will be properly dealt with, then you'll have a fairly lengthy meeting.
Clearly Saturday was as bad as it can get right now. You can do no worse in a league game than lose at home to the team occupying bottom place. However, whether we're on a downward spiral will tell how much worse it can get.
Not a specific question but one troubling observation which you might be able to build into your discussion. Did you look at the players before kick off yesterday? My friend remarked that their body language was all wrong and that they didn't look like they were up for the challenge.
You know, he was right, it was definitely visible. The contrast with the Charlton players was there to see.
Surely the players should at least come out looking like they can't wait for the game to start? You can have the worst group of players, with a bad owner but still come onto the field highly energised.
So the events of the first minute only seemed to verify all was absolutely not well in how the players were prepared. I am still very reluctant to become too critical of our Head Coach – but when this is coupled with the obviously ineffective substitutions and too many long balls, which we invariably lose, there are more serious concerns now.
None of us wants to see much more of this. We have no divine right to win but we expect the team to come out, champing at the bit to go and players to know how the team is expected to play and how they are meant to be a part of that.
Maybe what we need to get things going again is a local derby against a team which fires everyone up? Perhaps we have one of those soon.
John Hirdle would prefer a public forum:
Good luck in trying to get some answers from Giles. It is long overdue for him and Ankersen to break their wall of silence and front up with some explanations on the current state we find the club in and their proposed actions to improve things both short term and long term. I can't help feeling though that instead of a private meeting with yourself they should be addressing these concerns to all of us publicly at a Fans' Forum. I have little confidence in either of them to be honest.
dwp26 added a few extra questions:
Excellent post. I always come here to get a more balanced view, and I often find that it helps me realise things are not as bad as the post match trauma would suggest.
Some questions to pass on:
Is the overall target of Premier League football in five years still feasible?
Why should I and many others renew season tickets for next season, given that the football we play currently resembles nothing like last season's quality?
Will we see that exciting brand of high intensity attacking football again at Brentford, or are we now condemned to sideways passing and long balls to players who have a poor first touch and can't head it?
Chris White wants better and more frequent communication from the club:
Regular communication from the powers to be acknowledging the good and what needs to be improved and what the club intends to do about it would be a good start. I think this would be good for the standing of the club as there are many within the game who because of what happened last February, really want us to fail. We need to acknowledge this and re-emphasise that we have to do things differently if we want to be successful with our resources. But the silence has become deafening.
Lastly, we're all in despair because we were actually given that most precious thing – hope. We hoped that we could be successful and last year we saw that it could be done, which has given us belief. There's no way we can allow that to disappear now – it's already rooted and mediocrity is only making matters worse. The fact that the mediocrity is now within a Championship setting show how far we have come but also what our current expectations now are.
Good luck with the meeting, Greville, and I cant wait for the feedback.
Let's end with the thoughts of Jim Levack who, as normal, succinctly summed things up:
Greville… your article and questions are absolutely on the button. It has spawned some intelligent and reasoned responses too.
Just one thought though – Should it not be Matthew Benham answering those questions as he hired both Giles and Ankersen? It is not really fair on Giles to take the flak alone, just as it's unfair for people to judge Dean Smith on a side that he has had no say in developing.
To those who say Carsley got more out of the same players, that is selective thinking. Carsley had a quality centre back in Tarkowski and an effective, gangly pain in the backside play-breaker in Diagouraga.
I'm not going to rant on but to my mind failing to sign any replacements in January has created a destructive mindset at the club. If you tell your office profits don't matter until the next financial year, the team will cruise.
Interesting thoughts from all of them and many others too. It is good to offload as well as express your concerns. Let's just wait for some of the answers and hope that I am not fobbed off with platitudes and that they allay concerns and reunite us all.

subset: commoncrawl


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Dear Monday, I'm ready to kick your ass!
I survived another trade show in Vegas last week (MAGIC) and it was incredible! The vendors, the merchandise, and the creative vibe was all insanely wonderful! I met a lot of new designers and bought so many great items for the store. I can hardly wait until it all starts rolling in.
One of my favorite new designers is Jon Fulton Adams. His screen print T-shirts are an edgy mix of fairy tale whimsy with an element of hilarious surprise. And, he had a fully decked out "Queen" representing in the booth. How could I not stop and take pics? You all know how I love theatrical people and their hijinks. Anyway, after we chatted for a while, (and filmed a video) Jon promised that he'd turn his men's shirts into women's shirts just for Roadkill Ranch & Boutique! (OK, so a few other buyers were pushing for the same thing, but hey…I made him promise! ) Woot! Woot!
It's good to be back and I wish I could tell you more about my trip. But, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.


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Our Young People
We are adding new pages to this section each dedicated to a child from either EPICure or EPICure2. Ellie (EPICure) and Jocelyn (EPICure2) do the honours opening this new section.
If you are a parent or a child who is part of the EPICure or EPICUre2 study and would like to share your story please contact EPICure and we'll tell you what to do.
We look forward to hearing from you!
You can read the EPICure children stories by clicking on the individual links below:
- Jocelyn's story
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- Lee-Ann's story
- Ewan
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Jeffrey LeBlanc
For over 25 years, Jeff has been an industry leader in the residual management industry focused on bridging the gap between the agricultural and environmental communities. He leads Denali's growth efforts through business development and technology innovation. Prior to joining Denali, Jeff founded WeCare Organics, LLC. He led the Company's growth in the operation, management, and distribution of residual based products, such as WeCare Compost® and WeCare Products™. In addition, he steered the Company's advancement in managing source separated organics, such as green waste, food waste, food processing waste, and biosolids.
In 2008, Jeff was awarded the HI Kellogg Award for Outstanding Service to the Composting Industry by the US Composting Council. In addition, he has served on the Board of the NY Water Environment Association (NYWEA) and the Mid-Atlantic Biosolids Association (MABA). Jeff is the current Chair of the Water Environment Federation RBC-Specialty Conference Subcommittee and the NYWEA Residual and Biosolids Committee.
Jeff also worked for Waste Stream Environmental, Inc. and Wheelabrator Technologies, Inc. Jeff graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics. Throughout his career, he and his family have held numerous volunteer and community positions. He is a farmer, a football coach, and a devoted supporter of his children's sporting events and most likely can be found at a hockey rink.


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NEW YORK: Situs, a rapidly expanding commercial real estate advisory firm, said on Tuesday it hired Warren Friend, a securitization expert who was BlackRock's point man for its advise to governments on commercial real estate valuations during the financial crisis.
Friend will lead product strategy and strategic client development at Situs, the most senior of some 50 people the Houston-based company with a headcount of almost 700 has hired over the past two months, the company said.
Steve Powel, chief executive of Situs, said Friend will initially focus on risk mitigation as he works with the company's financial institutions group, which deals with banks on stress testing as part of the Federal Reserve's annual comprehensive capital analysis and review.
Powel called Friend an innovative thinker who is working on "game-changing technology" that will address the fragmented commercial real estate marketplace.
Situs declined further comment. Friend said real estate is experiencing tremendous growth as an alternative asset class and that as part of the company's leadership, he has the opportunity to build the best service provider in the industry.
"It's one thing to work institutionally, you're kind of safe there," said Friend, who also previously worked at Deutsche Bank and Morgan Stanley. "I reached that point in a career where you can go for it. I get to use all the knowledge that 30 years gives you."
At BlackRock, Warren was head of the commercial real estate group within the firm's financial markets advisory division, which was a prime conduit for advising U.S. and foreign banks about asset valuations throughout the financial crisis.
Situs was acquired in January by Stone Point Capital LLC, a private equity firm run by two former senior partners at Goldman Sachs & Co.


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Milwaukee Side Show
We went to the Milwaukee Art Museum yesterday to see this show , and spent almost all available time and energy staring at
Rembrandt and Gainsborough.
But as an after-show treat, we wandered a bit through the galleries.
The nice thing about sculpture, especially big sculpture, is that it's different in every setting. So it was a special treat to see this cast of Rodin's 'Walking Man'. The museum dates this version to 1905, but that's only the latest version of a piece that goes back 30 years earlier, to the beginning of his career.
It's his celebration of that upright, hairless ape we call 'man'.
Is he suggesting that this creature is better off without his big-brained, dangerous head - or his genitals ?
The Art Institute of Chicago has a cast of it as well - but every place it goes, it looks different.
This big, long, nearly empty Calatrava gallery feels like it belongs on a spaceship.
Jacques Lipchitz, 'Theseus and the Minotaur', 1942
Here's another piece that gets around - in multiple editions as well as multiple sizes, even as a lithograph.
I guess it's not too hard to guess what this narrative would have meant to a Jewish sculptor in the early 1940's.
One monster is fighting another.
Does it make any difference which one calls itself 'human' ?
Hendrik Cornelisz van Vliet (1611–1675)
Old Church in Delft, ca. 1670
This painting fascinated me not because it's beautiful. (though, that would have been enough)
But also because it exemplifies the topic of this chapter written by Norris Kelly Smith.
As Smith wrote:
It is easy to regard these works as being hardly more than large picture postcards, souvenirs made for people no longer seriously concerned with religious matters. Witness the dogs, children, beggars, and miscellaneous bystanders one so commonly sees in such images. But if we understand church buildings to be primary symbols of the enduring reality of the Church, and if we concede to the artists a seriousness of concern that is commensurate with the intensity of their acts of looking, composing, and rendering, then we may see those paintings as religious affirmations.
....The most engaging and provocative of the works ...are those in which the artist has chosen a perspectival vantage point from which he can win for himself a harmonious but asymmetrical composition created out of the regularly disposed elements of a great basilica, a composition that had little or nothing in common with the tectonic schema that the architect himself had invented as an appropriate symbol of the Church.
Yes --- why do these painters, and presumably their patrons, like to give distracted children or dogs so much attention in the depiction of their magnificent churches ?
It was probably a very important issue to them in that age of religious warfare.
The point being that the church building itself, and its contents, are not the proper focus of reverence.
But unlike the examples chosen by Smith, this view is pretty close to an Albertian box -- it's just that the viewer is not smack in the middle of the two side walls.
This really feels like time travel to me.
I can smell the oil on the wood and hear the footsteps echoing off the stone surfaces.


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The vintage zone at The Houghton Hall's International Horse Trials
After a huge success in 2016, we're so excited to be involved with Houghton Hall International Horse Trials for the 2nd year running between 25-28 May! We will be creating a vintage and food zone within the event – decorated with fabulous bunting and props. Imagine the most exquisite authentic vintage stalls covering clothing, accessories, homewares, jewellery – you name it – alongside the very best of Norfolk's yummy food producers! Alongside this, we will also have a stunning inside and outside vintage afternoon teas parlour – serving teas, cakes and savouries all on vintage china! Rustic seating, hay bales, picnic blankets and deckchairs will create a friendly and warm atmosphere in the centre of our vintage and food zone! How quintessential! As we say at BDV – out with the new and in with the old! We promise you will love what you see! Please keep an eye on this page for a link to book your early bird tickets for this fab event! For more information about the BDV events, join us Facebook. Are you a trader and want to book a stand? To become a Britain Does Vintage Trader, simply sign up for an account, once approved you can book your stands online. Approved traders just need to log in and away you go! Any queries get in touch.
Thursday, 25 May 2017 - Sunday, 28 May 2017
11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Houghton Hall (click to see all the events at this venue)
Houghton Hall
Kings Lynn
Please register or log in to book an event.


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Janelle Guirguis-Blake, MD; Ned Calonge, MD, MPH; Therese Miller, DrPH; Albert Siu, MD, MSPH; Steven Teutsch, MD, MPH; Evelyn Whitlock, MD, MPH; for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Potential Financial Conflicts of Interest: Employment: S. Teutsch (Merck & Co. Inc.); Stock ownership or options (other than mutual funds): S. Teutsch (Merck & Co. Inc.).
Requests for Single Reprints: Reprints are available from the USPSTF Web site (www.preventiveservices.ahrq.gov) and from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Publications Clearinghouse (800-358-9295 or e-mail at email@example.com).
Current Author Addresses: Dr. Guirguis-Blake: Department of Family Medicine, Tacoma Family Medicine Residency Program, University of Washington, 521 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, WA 95405.
Dr. Calonge: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246.
Dr. Miller: Center for Primary Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850.
Dr. Siu: Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Adult Development, Mount Sinai Medical Center, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1070, Annenberg Building, Room 10-20, New York, NY 10029.
Dr. Teutsch: Merck & Company, Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, WP39-130, West Point, PA 19437-0004.
Dr. Whitlock: Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, 3800 North Interstate Avenue, Portland, OR 97227.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent panel that has provided the gold standard for evidence-based guidelines in prevention for the past 2 decades, continuously refines its methodology. To keep up with the evolving field of evidence- based medicine and to update recommendations in a timely, efficient, and transparent manner, the USPSTF has developed new methods for evidence reviews and recommendation development. This article summarizes the most recent changes in the recommendation development process, including how the USPSTF solicits and prioritizes topics for review, updates evidence reviews and recommendations, and communicates with its audience.
Table 1. Procedures for Developing a Recommendation Statement*
Table 2. Aims and Processes of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to Ensure Integrity*
Table 3. Types of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Reviews*
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After getting up this morning, we went straight to the dive centre. Due to the small baggage allowance on the plane, we had left our diving equipment in Guayaquil. So we had to rent everything here.
We took a boat to the Cousins and Bartholome Rock dive sites off of Bartholome Island. The diving was fantastic. We saw the endemic emperor fish, H. passer, seahorses and many whitetip reef sharks which were in a mating mood.
There aren't any tropical coral reefs here although the islands are located right on the equator. Instead, there are cliff reefs with an enormous density of fish due to the high nutrient concentration in the cold deep water. That is why the water is quite cold with temperatures of 19 - 22 °C at the bottom and 25 °C at the surface.
The sea lions were the most comical. Like all the animals on the Galapagos Islands, they exhibited no fear of humans. They would swim over to us and played with us for a long time. The flash arms of my underwater camera seemed to have a special appeal to the sea lions.
Galapagos offer so many superlatives that it's hard to decide what to try and see first: Marine iguanas, sea lions, fish, sharks, turtles. Okay – we've still got two whole days more.


text:
iFactz has prevented thousands of profitable TV commercials from being cancelled.
St. Petersburg, FL (PRWEB) November 16, 2011
Born out of necessity, the iFactz tracking system is closing in on 20 million transactions that have been tracked, allocated and reported. The need to track offline-to-online is critical, especially in this day and age when consumers respond to commercials in several ways.
Consumers seeing a TV commercial, often with their laptop or SmartPhone at their side, can type in the URL that appears on the TV screen. If that URL is iFactz-enabled, there is a 96% accuracy level that the click (and subsequent sale or inquiry) on the site is correctly tracked.
After researching URL structures, acquirgy determined that "suffix" style URLs (i.e. company.com/tv/32) URLs don't work because consumers rarely type what comes after the ".com." Instead, the company uses a "prefix" URL (i.e. 22.companytv.com) where the "22" is assigned to one network, such as Lifetime or Bravo. That prefix, in combination with "bursting" and other techniques, has resulted in a proven system that most of acquirgy's TV clients use.
Acquirgy has proven in numerous cases that the prefix style URL does not detract from the advertiser's branding. Most importantly, using iFactz prevents advertisers from cancelling TV media placements that are actually profitable, because they appear not to be profitable without this tracking in place. The company offers a free Green Paper, "The Effect of DRTV on Search Engine Marketing" (http://R1T.acquirgy.net). For more information about iFactz: http://R1U.acquirgy.net.
# # #


text:
Of course, one might say, that thanksgiving is supposed to be a mark of a Christian. Yes. However, how often do we find ourselves trapped by guilt or sorrow or fear and forget to give thanks? Our Sunday worship should never be anything less than a joyous occasion of thanksgiving—that's what the word eucharist means—that allows us to give thanks, even in the midst of international crises like Ebola or ISIS, even as we follow the trajectory of events from Ferguson, Missouri, even as we live with unemployment, ill health, or death.
There are several prayers of thanksgiving in The Book of Common Prayer. The most familiar is the one that concludes Morning or Evening Prayer. There is a collection of thanksgivings in the BCP that begins on page 836. My favorite is the first one, "A General Thanksgiving." It begins, "Accept, O Lord, our praise and thanks for all that you have done for us." That is not a bad mantra or repeated prayer. It is a great way to begin or close a day. It might be a good thing to write on a slip of paper and keep in your wallet or purse.What are you thankful for? How do you remember to be thankful? And, how do you express thanksgiving in your life?
Note: before the section of thanksgivings is a small collection of graces—thanksgivings—to be used before meals. Consider using any of these as you gather to give thanks this week.


text:
With a 7-1 vote, the Norwich Board of Education decided on Tuesday night to close two schools.
One of those schools is Greeneville Elementary, where two of Ramona Williams' children currently go to school.
"I am real broken (up), but I know that there's no money," Williams said. "I'm just now scared for my kids."
The Greeneville school will close for good in the fall under a plan that also calls for reorganizing several other education programs.
Bishop School will also close as an elementary school. In the fall, the Bishop building will be used to house the alternative high school that is currently housed at the Thames River Academy.
The Thames River Academy building will then be used for the adult education programs that are currently held at the former Buckingham School, which would then be closed for good.
The biggest concern voiced at the Board of Education meeting was for the 460 elementary students at Greeneville and Bishop schools who will be transferred to other schools in the fall.
"We're all concerned with the children and where they go," Ron Ward, of Norwich, said.
Parents would like to see the students kept together as much as possible, but the Norwich Supt. Abby Dolliver said she had to consider all the options.
"When you have a school of 300, like at Greeneville, to put all of them in one building without displacing students in that school would be hard. It is a domino effect," Dolliver said."If it's possible that more groups can stay together, that's what we'll look to do, but I don't know that it is."
The school closures come one week after 71 Norwich teachers received non-renewal notices.
"Right now, with the buildings being gone, my biggest fear is that the teachers will lose their jobs and our kids will lose their teachers and a lot of them are like second parents," Ramona Williams said.
Even with the decision to close the schools, the Norwich school district is still facing a $1.5 million budget gap, so the board of education members said more tough choices lie ahead.


text:
A glint of the sun's rays on the water under an azure blue sky belied the struggles on Anna Maria Island.
As red tide stretched into a second week on island and nearby shores, the toll on marine life continued to climb and businesses suffered.
At the Swordfish Grill and Tiki Bar in Cortez, business owners, politicians and officials answered a call to action Aug. 14 to campaign against red tide's stench.
Organized by Swordfish general manager Bob Slicker, the group seeks solidarity and a turnaround on the public perception of conditions on the island and the surrounding area.
The group met again throughout the week, discussing ways forward through the red tide crisis, sending a positive message and supporting one another's businesses.
Jason Suzor, owner of the Waterfront Restaurant, 111 S. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, attended the meetings. He says business slowed after a record-breaking year of revenues.
"We have to send a positive message," Suzor told The Islander Aug. 16 in a phone call. "The county and the cities have done an amazing job dealing with this, and we need to support the local business through it."
"We are looking for long- and short-term solutions" for our staff, he said, "cutting back hours, spreading out times to give everyone an equal shot at earning."
"We are looking at supporting initiatives like START — Solutions to Avoid Red Tide — monetarily, and trying to keep from losing employees. The smaller businesses here don't have a lot of resources."
And, Suzor added, "We are just supporting each other."
About the resources
Gov. Rick Scott activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program Aug 13 due to the impact of red tide and another harmful algal bloom in the southern part of the state.
Scott declared a state of emergency the same day for Manatee and Sarasota counties, as well as five other Gulf Coast counties. The order released funds to clean up dead marine life and also clean up Florida's public image after extensive local and national news coverage of the HABs.
Interest-free bridge loans are available to small businesses in the designated disaster area that have experienced physical or economic damage as a result of HABs.
Businesses can qualify for loans between $1,000 and $50,000. For red tide relief loans, businesses must have been established before July 9, be privately held for-profit companies, maintain a place of business in Florida and employ two-100 people.
The loans are short-term, for working capital to "bridge the gap" in revenue. The borrowed funds must be repaid in 180 days.
Yet, six months may not be long enough to clear the red tide. The current bloom began in October 2017, almost 10 months ago.
Clean up continues
As government officials and business owners struggle with red tide effects, some entities are struggling to find a solution.
Scientists at Mote Marine Laboratory were at Boca Grande Aug. 14, testing an ozone treatment unit in canals. The mechanism, which removes the red tide toxin, Karenia brevis, from seawater, is in use at the Mote Marine Aquarium in Sarasota. The ozone treatment kills the red tide cells. Testing was to continue through the week, and Mote plans to release results later this month.
Also, Mote continued daily monitoring of the water off the coastlines, posting results in an online report. It also was working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to monitor, rescue, rehab and remove marine mammals.
According to phys.org, a science-gathering website, more than 100 tons of dead sea creatures were shoveled up from Florida's southwest coast this month.
Gretchen Lovewell, in charge of the team from Mote tasked with retrieving dead dolphins from local waters, said, "I will tell you this. "There are a bunch of small teams of people out here doing enormous amounts of work. We are dealing with carnage, and have to bring ourselves to continue to do so. I'm afraid it's going to be a while."
As of Aug. 16, 13 deceased dolphins — including one known to the Sarasota Bay Dolphin Research Program since 2006 — had been collected and returned to the lab for necropsies.
FWC is dealing with manatee and sea turtle casualties, which, like the dolphins, continued to mount.
"We are doing the best we can to learn all we can from these animals so that they did not die in vain," Lovewell told The Islander in a phone interview Aug. 15. "Hopefully, we will learn."
By Aug. 15, reports of birds beginning to sicken were coming in and organizations such as Bradenton Beach's Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center were caring for them.
On Aug. 17, the rehab housed two ospreys, seven gulls and a sick cormorant.
Ed Straight said no pelicans had been brought in, but he noted a strange happening on the water the morning of Aug. 17.
"There were probably 100 pelicans all together out in the shallow water just south of the Manatee Avenue bridge to the island. I have never seen that many pelicans together at once," Straight said. "Maybe they are getting ready to leave and go somewhere else. That would be a good thing for them."
On the web
For information about red tide and conditions, go online to myfwc.com and visitbeaches.org.


text:
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offer 30 years of massage experience. If your looking for relaxation during your vacation or need help with a medical
condition, we are here to help you.
are always happy to answer any questions you may have regarding massage, feel free to stop in or give us a call.
(712) 336-5933
Monday thru Friday 9am to 5pm
Touch For Health Massage Therapy - 1601 Hill Avenue - Spirit
Lake, Iowa 51360


text:
|Project by EGA
|posted 03-08-2008 01:39 PM
|3301 views
|1 time favorited
|14 comments
I made this out of wood, probably never been used but rarely to make lumber. The tree was at an old cabin that was built after the place was homesteaded. There's no way of telling how old it was and how long it had been dead before the timber company came in and leveled everything. I used my chainsaw to find this much out of the center still good. I mean this was all too. I used no metal, only dowel pins and glue. Gary, can you come up with a name in less than two hours???? It would really be interesting to see if anyone has ever seen any and know what it is. (CHINA BERRY)
This is the natural color of the wod under the lid. Don't know why it turned this yellowish kind of color after putting sealer and clear. This type of wood could not be burned in a fireplace, it would blow coals and sparks all over the room.
-- www.flickr.com/photos/egamarine/
14 comments so far
#1 posted 03-08-2008 02:06 PM
I like your box it looks well designed and well constructed. And the story behind it is was interesting as well. In my mind the story behind a project if often as important as the piece itself.
Some pictures of the inside would be nice as well. I like your non-metal approach to construction of the piece as well. This adds another level of difficulty to its construction.
Thanks for sharing.
-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine
#2 posted 03-08-2008 03:41 PM
looks a bit like butternut…
-- Greg, CT
#3 posted 03-08-2008 08:05 PM
I'm wondering if it isn't Pecan. Whatever it is I enjoyed the historical aspect of it and you did a nice job on the design and execution.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
#4 posted 03-08-2008 08:06 PM
Wow, sure wish I had the knowledge and experience to do those kinds of projects. However, this week it will be shelves that I make on top of the wifes kitchen cabinets so she can put knick knacks up there. I cannot complain howerver, because she left me alone to complete the Solar Heated Duplex Birdhouse. It is working great by the way so I will have to do some posts on it. Your woodworking skills are truly professional. I don't see good so I better stay to making outdoor birdhouses. I have been very scared lately of reports of a big woodpecker in our area that is causing trouble. Oh Boy !
-- Rich, Nevada,
#5 posted 03-09-2008 12:14 AM
Nice little box. I like the latches, they are different.
-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way - Tyler, TX
#6 posted 03-09-2008 02:27 AM
China berry, I really don't know if that is the right name for it, but that's what it's always been called in this part of the woods. I've never had anyone to guess the wood this is made of. I know if stink is defined in anything it is the crushed green wood, leaves and the millions of little green berries that is on the tree at the end of summer. The crushed leaves make excellent flea riddance in outside dog houses/kennels. If there is a real/another name for this tree would appreciate it if someone would advise. Semper Fi!!
-- www.flickr.com/photos/egamarine/
#7 posted 03-09-2008 03:24 AM
Im with gary . . . the latches look "zen like".
#8 posted 03-09-2008 03:53 AM
I think the latch is perfect.
I think the wood is pecan also.
-- "Our past judges our present." JFK - 1962; American Heritage Magazine
#9 posted 03-09-2008 05:39 AM
If it is China Berry then you should be careful as the berries are posionous; for some reason pets will eat them on occasion.
-- "Everything that is great and inspiring is created by the individual who labors in freedom" -- Albert Einstein
#10 posted 04-28-2008 12:01 PM
Site Owners/Moderators and all concerned. I have read and re-read the above rules of engagement to the site and really don't know how I have intentionally posted something derrogatory or contrary to the above rules governing the site. I have felt honored for the prividlege of posting mostly art and never had a camera of anykind untill 3 march, my birthday. Please advise for I had rather take 30 lashes at the whipping post and have that red thing taken off my name. Hollis Mckinley USMC Ret. Semper Fi for sure!
-- www.flickr.com/photos/egamarine/
#11 posted 04-28-2008 12:10 PM
EGA, are you talking about the View the posting rules beside your name at the end of the thread? That always comes up. It is nothing to be worried about, everyone gets it.
-- Berta in NC
#12 posted 04-28-2008 12:35 PM
Thanks very much, last time I logged on that thing showed up under my name. Was never there before and it kinda skeered even my footprints. Again thanks, and S/F
-- www.flickr.com/photos/egamarine/
#13 posted 04-28-2008 06:01 PM
Cool box. I agree with Gary that the latches are a great touch, and it's evident a lot of fine craftsmanship went into it's construction.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over two decades.
#14 posted 10-10-2014 04:09 AM
ETA, I know this has been on here for a while but I was scanning some older posts when I found it. I actually have some a China Berry cut down right now. I wasn't planning to use it but seeing as how you made a nice box from it I might give it a go. It felt like a soft wood cutting with chain saw. What's your accessment?
-- There's no crying in woodworking. Just measure and cut again.
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text:
Consumers allege Midland plumber offers poor service and bad repairs
Better Business Bureau is warning about Midland-based Gilbert's Rapid Rooter Plumbing Service, after receiving numerous complaints about the plumber's service.
Complaints received by BBB allege Gilbert's Rapid Rooter does not show up when scheduled and repairs done by the plumber do not fix the problems or are not completed. Consumers also allege the business causes additional damage while performing repairs or service and does not accept responsibility for the damages. According to the complaints, when dissatisfied consumers tried to contact Gilbert's Rapid Rooter, the business did not respond to their calls.
The Midland plumbing service, owned by Gilbert M. Hilario Jr., has responded to some of the complaints filed through BBB by offering refunds, but has recently stopped answering complaints. In addition, BBB contacted Gilbert's Rapid Rooter about its pattern of complaints, but received no response to that letter.
Midland resident Eddie Upchurch said he called Gilbert's Rapid Rooter when his plumbing system backed up. He said he needed someone immediately, and was impressed by the guarantee Gilbert's advertised in the phone book. In addition, he said the company offered a senior citizen discount.
The plumber came out to Upchurch's house and said he would have to root out the entire system. However, since the call came after normal business hours, he told Upchurch the senior discount did not apply.
"He commented that his work was guaranteed only if he rooted it out through the sewer line itself," Upchurch said, adding that the entire visit took no more than an hour. "He charged me $300."
Upchurch said he was unhappy with the cost, but was relieved to know that Gilbert's Rapid Rooter guaranteed the work for 30 days. That relief turned to frustration three weeks later, when the plumbing system backed up again. Upchurch said Gilbert's would not return his phone calls.
"Bottom line is, I spent all night with raw sewage in my shower," he said.
The next morning, Upchurch called another plumber to fix the situation. When he did finally reach someone at Gilbert's Rapid Rooter, he said the company seemed unconcerned.
"I said, 'It's been almost 24 hours since I called you with what I consider an emergency situation,'" Upchurch said. "He just kind of chuckled about it and said, 'Well what do you want me to do?'"
Upchurch asked for a refund and was refused. It was the last communication he had with Gilbert's Rapid Rooter. The plumber did not answer the complaint Upchurch filed with BBB.
When choosing a plumber or plumbing contractor, BBB advises you to:
- Do your research. View the company's BBB Business Review to see its accreditation status, the length of time the company has been in business, its complaint resolution efforts and any past advertising concerns. Also check complaints with the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiner's Enforcement Division by calling 800-845-6584, ext. 65249.
- Check licensing and insurance. Ask for the Responsible Master Plumber's name and license number. Master Plumber license numbers begin with the letter "M". License numbers which begin with "A", "T", "J" or any other letter are not Master Plumber license numbers. You can verify the license and insurance status at the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiner's website.
- Shop around. Ask several companies for estimates. Determine whether you will be billed hourly or a flat rate for the job, exactly what work will be performed, how the plumber will contact you if further work is needed and acceptable payment methods.
- Read the fine print. Get everything in writing and read the contract thoroughly before signing. Make sure the total price, all verbal promises and guarantees are included. If there is a guarantee, find out how to contact the plumber about the guaranteed work and how he will rectify the situation should a problem arise.
- Get a reference. Ask the plumber for the names and contact information of previous clients and verify those references. Though a plumber is unlikely to put you in contact with unhappy customers, refusal to provide any references is a red flag.


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Vehicle Summary
Ext. Color
Summit White
49 City / 43 Highway
FWD 4dr Sedan
1.8L Ecotec Hybrid I4 182hp
1-Speed Direct-Drive Automatic
Stock #
vehicle packages and accessories
Sunroof - Includes front power tilt-sliding sunroof and sunshade, rear fixed-glass skylight, and universal home remote.
Ecotec 1.8L Hybrid I4 182hp 277ft. lbs.
1-Speed Direct-Drive Automatic
All Weather Floor Mats - Limited Promotion Option.
Convenience and Technology Package - Includes remote vehicle starter system, heated driver and front passenger seats, and LED tail lamps.
Leather Package - Includes leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated steering wheel, leather-wrapped shift knob, and inside rearview auto-dimming mirror.
Driver Confidence Package - Includes rear park assist, side blind zone alert with lane change alert, and rear cross traffic-alert.
Driver Confidence Package II - Includes IntelliBeam, forward collision alert, following distance indicator, front pedestrian braking, low speed forward automatic braking and lane departure warning with lane keep assist.
California Emissions Requirements
Android Auto ready
Apple CarPlay ready
Auxiliary audio input: Bluetooth
Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone
Auxiliary audio input: jack
Auxiliary audio input: USB
Chevrolet Infotainment System
Connected in-car apps: app marketplace integration
Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Internet radio app: Gracenote
Internet radio app: Pandora
Internet radio app: Stitcher
Internet radio app: TuneIn
Radio data system
Radio: AM/FM
Radio: touch screen display
Radio: voice operated
Satellite radio: SiriusXM
Speed sensitive volume control
Total speakers: 6
performance and engineering
Auto start/stop
Axle ratio: 2.64
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Electric motor battery type: lithium ion
Electric Motor HP: 102
Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 76
EV battery capacity: 1.5 kWh
Hill holder control
Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 122
Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5000
Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 129
Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4750
Stability control
Starter type: motor/generator
Suspension: Front shock type: gas
Suspension: Front spring type: coil
Suspension: Front stabilizer bar
Suspension: Front struts: MacPherson
Suspension: Front suspension classification: independent
Suspension: Front suspension type: lower control arms
Suspension: Rear shock type: gas
Suspension: Rear spring type: coil
Suspension: Rear stabilizer bar
Suspension: Rear suspension classification: independent
Suspension: Rear suspension type: multi-link
Traction control
Daytime running lights: LED
Door handle color: body-color
Front bumper color: body-color
Grille color: black with chrome accents
Headlights: auto delay off
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Mirror color: body-color
Rear bumper color: body-color
Spare tire kit: inflator kit
Spare tire kit: tire sealant
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
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Wheels: aluminum
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Driver seat power adjustments: height
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Floor mat material: carpet
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Gauge: tachometer
Instrument cluster screen size: 8 in.
Multi-functional information center
Passenger seat manual adjustments: 6
Passenger seat manual adjustments: height
Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining
Rear headrests: 2
Rear headrests: adjustable
Rear seat folding: split
Rear seat type: 60-40 split bench
Rear vents: second row
Shift knob trim: urethane
Steering wheel trim: urethane
Upholstery: premium cloth
Airbag deactivation: occupant sensing passenger
Body side reinforcements: side impact door beams
Brakes: ABS: 4-wheel
Brakes: Braking assist
Brakes: Electronic brakeforce distribution
Brakes: Electronic parking brake
Brakes: Front brake diameter: 11.8
Brakes: Front brake type: ventilated disc
Brakes: Power brakes
Brakes: Rear brake diameter: 11.3
Brakes: Rear brake type: disc
Brakes: Regenerative braking system
Camera system: rearview
Check rear seat reminder
Child safety door locks
Child seat anchors: LATCH system
Crumple zones: rear
Emergency interior trunk release
Energy absorbing steering column
Front airbags: dual
Knee airbags: dual front
Programmable safety key
Rearview monitor: in dash
Side airbags: front
Side airbags: rear
Side curtain airbags: front
Side curtain airbags: rear
Side-curtain airbag rollover sensor
2-stage unlocking doors
Anti-theft system: alarm with remote
Anti-theft system: theft-deterrent system
Assist handle: passenger side
Capless fuel filler system
Cargo area light
Cruise control
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance
Electronic messaging assistance: voice operated
Electronic messaging assistance: with read function
Front wipers: intermittent
Laminated glass: acoustic
Multi-function remote: panic alarm
Multi-function remote: proximity entry system
Multi-function remote: trunk release
One-touch windows: 4
Overhead console: front
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Power door locks: auto-locking
Power outlet(s): 12V front
Power windows: lockout button
Power windows: safety reverse
Push-button start
Rearview mirror: manual day/night
Retained accessory power
Satellite communications: OnStar
Satellite communications: voice guided directions
Side mirror adjustments: manual folding
Side mirror adjustments: power
Side mirrors: heated
Smart device app function: maintenance status
Solar-tinted glass
Steering wheel mounted controls: audio
Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise control
Steering wheel mounted controls: phone
Steering wheel mounted controls: voice control
Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic
Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Wifi: hotspot
Window defogger: rear
Wireless data link: Bluetooth


text:
Hey everyone! Today I have an awesome post for you on making extra money by Barnabas from TheDadWallet.com. I've known him for a while, and he's legitimately one of the best side hustlers that I've come across. Some of these money makers are easy…and some are just weird haha. Enjoy! ~M$M
I have always loved developing new business strategies or ways to make money. Thinking back to my childhood, I can remember dozens of times I would make money in the weirdest ways!
I would purchase my peers' fundraiser candy and then sell it for more, build birdhouses, or even sell the gold from video games that I played.
In fact, when I was in 7th grade, I started my first real business: a car detailing company. I had people working for me while I was in school during the day or playing video games (and selling gold from them… gotta learn to stack those incomes)!
Or the time I outsourced my high school homework to a friend so I could turn around and resell it to make a profit (ok no one said I was a perfect kid, but I have since changed)!
So, I thought I would compile a list of weird ways that you can make extra money without having to do illegal stuff. 🙂
1. Sell Your Old Apple Boxes Online
My day job is in technology, so I see tons of new computers in any given month! Who would have thought that you could make money by selling the boxes that the machine comes in?
Especially the ever so coveted apple boxes.
Could you do a side hustle where you collect boxes somehow? I think this could be a pretty interesting one if you were to team up with some local computer shops or Best Buy.
It saves them the hassle of breaking down all the boxes, and makes you some easy cash!
You can sell the boxes on eBay, or check out these websites that will actually pay you for boxes:
2. Sell Your Poop
Hear me out, this might be the craziest thing I have ever heard as well! But you actually are helping someone in the process. I originally saw this strategy mentioned by Alexis over at fitnancials.com!
An organization called OpenBiome is helping people recover from an illness called C. difficile infection.
From the OpenBiome site:
"We are seeking healthy volunteer donors to provide life-saving treatment for people with C. difficile infection. As a reimbursement for their commitment, donors are paid $40 per donation of stool.
Half a million Americans contract C. diff infections each year. 1 in 5 patients find that the infection comes back, even after they take antibiotics. For these patients, daily life gets hijacked by the disease. 30,000 people die from the infection or related causes every year.
Where antibiotics have failed, a new treatment called fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) made from donor stool cures 85% of patients after the first try."
In order to sell your poop, you do have to pass a very rigorous test, and spots are limited. But if you can visit these cities in Massachusetts and meet these qualifications, you could apply:
- Can you visit our labs at the BU West T Stop (Boston), Central Square (Cambridge), or Sullivan Square (Somerville) at least 3 times a week for 60 days?
- Will you be 18-50 years old during the donation period?
- Is your Body Mass Index (BMI) less than 30?
How much do they pay?
They will pay you $40/sample with the minimum being 3 days a week that you have to drop it off.
It appears on their website that you can only do it for 120 days- the first 60 day period and then you have to get re-screen again to do it another 60 days!
Want to know more? Read the full story here.
3. Sell Your College Notes
Another way to make money in college!
If you are a great note taker and are gifted with good handwriting (aka you can read your own handwriting after class), this might be for you.
There are various companies that will buy your notes from you, but StudySoup seems to be one of the better ones!
Simply apply, upload your notes, and get paid to help others in your class achieve success as well.
4. Flip Small RV's/Campers
I actually know a few people in my town that do this on the side, and they make some serious cash!
One person takes old teardrop style campers and customizes them into some sweet retro-style campers that sell for thousands!
The few other people I know who do this type of flipping typically make them more modern. But the concept is the same.
It's not something that can happen overnight. However, if you can do this on the side and enjoy remodeling (but cannot afford a house flip), this type of side hustle might just be for you.
5. Create An Etsy Store That Sells Crazy Jewelry or Amazing Soaps
I used to know this guy that would sell jewelry made from deer teeth…you heard me right!
Even more impressive – people actually bought it.
Here is a whole store online that takes nature items and turns them into rings, necklaces, or pendants. They then sell them for a pretty hefty price.
Maybe you love playing video games or all the things that come with it. Here is a shop that sells soap transformed into various games controllers!
P.S. Did you know you could buy a denture ring for $100? Gross…but kinda cool too.
6. Be A Dorm Mom (or Dad)
If you are in college, you probably know that doing laundry is one of the worst things you have to do (at least it was for me).
If you live off campus or just really like folding clothes for some reason, this might be a great side hustle for you.
Go to your local colleges and ask if you can partner with them in order to offer services like this company does. Offer to do laundry, clean rooms after parties or before bi-monthly inspection days. You could even offer grocery delivery!
I know when I was in college I would have gladly paid someone to come pick up my laundry, clean and fold it, and then return it.
Heck, I would pay someone to do that now for me if I could find someone!
My room also always seemed to be a popular room to hang out in, so it was constantly trashed. I would have for sure paid someone to clean it for our bi-weekly inspection checks.
7. Window/Screen Cleaning
I actually helped start a company that did this! You can make BIG money if you do it correctly.
It is not hard to find a handful of local small business willing to pay you $25-$75 a week to keep their store windows clean.
Throughout the summer you can also find house gigs for $350-$700+ depending on house size and the number of windows!
While it might not be the most glamorous job, you can listen to podcasts or music while you work. It can easily be done as a side hustle or full-time income. You can even outsource more to other friends while you take a cut!
Sum Up
While I am not sure all of these ideas are scalable, I think they show various ways you can make some side money with a little work.
If you can do a few of these, all while working your day job, you can pay down that student loan debt or save for a nice vacation with the family!


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Friday, May 16, 2008
Faux Geraniums
10 comments:
- Primgal55 said...
Hi Tammy - Nice to meet someone else new to blogging too! I love your faux geranium - I have one inside too. Do you have any links to any house pictures? On COuntry Sampler I do under Primgal55. That leads to my Webshots Albums. I'd love to see more pics of your DH's wonderful creations! hugs, Linda
- May 17, 2008 at 10:48 AM
- Kindra said...
Thanks for visiting my blog, Tammy! I am new to the blogging scene too. I started back in February and it gets very addicting!!
You and your husband work very well together creating such beautiful prims!! If he likes it or not. :) I can't wait to see more of your work and home!! I will be back soon!!
- May 17, 2008 at 11:22 AM
- This Country Girl said...
I'm TammyS on the Country Sampler forum and there's links to my album there. We're trying to redo some rooms, so I'll be adding pictures of the new rooms as we go. The latest one (redo that is) with photos is the Dining Room. We'll soon have some Sunporch ones to post. There's quite a few of Christmsas on the link. I'd also like to add a slideshow on here sometime. I'm just working on figuring everything out now.
I've been a fan of your home for quite awhile now. I've seen it on Rate MyY Space, Webshots and the Country Sampler forum. I absolutely LOVE the stepback cupboard in your dining area! In fact, that just might be the next build it project for my husband!
Thanks for taking time to comment! I really do enjoy looking at photos of your home and then to find your blog was another bonus!
- May 17, 2008 at 11:24 AM
- Tomatoe Creek Prims said...
Don't you just love those geraniums? Glad Michaels had them for you and you got them alot cheaper too!
Blessings Rondell
- May 17, 2008 at 12:11 PM
- Daffodil Hill said...
I'd like to find some faux geraniums, too. Looking forward to seeing more of your projects. : )
- May 17, 2008 at 12:14 PM
- Lea of Farmhouse*Blessings said...
They really do look real. I have a pot that needs some of those. It is on my front porch and shaded and I always buy and real geranium for it ... and it always dies! LOL You'd think I'd learn, but no. I just keep trying. Think I'll try some of those silk ones next year!
- May 17, 2008 at 12:30 PM
- Shirlee said...
Hi Tammy, congrats on getting your blog going. I haven't been to the Sampler board in a while so I'm trying to get caught up with what everyone is doing.
Aren't those faux geraniums great? They're so real looking without the "odd" smell that the real ones sometimes have. Plus they'll always look great!
I'll be back again, in the meantime..
Have fun blogging! :)
- May 17, 2008 at 1:14 PM
- Wendy said...
I am so amazed by faux flowers!! They arew so realistic!! I to have a faux geranium in my livingroom and I love it!! I just started blogging in April and I love it!! My hubby also builds my wood furniture for me!! Aren't we Blessed!!! It was nice to "meet" You!!lol..By the way I have a sister named Tammy!! Take care!!~Wendy
- May 17, 2008 at 7:10 PM
- Cora from Nelia's Primitive Place said...
So glad I found you!!!!! Just LOVE the geraniums! My thumb is anything but green, and these look wonderful! I'll have to go to Joann's and get some!!!!! Thanks for sharing!
- May 18, 2008 at 2:31 PM
i love the flowers! They are so cute & look real! come visit my blog sometime!!
- May 19, 2008 at 9:32 AM


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Welcome to the new News & Notes column of the Inscriber : Digital Magazine, like the ByLine Report, News & Notes will cover timely news events in a timely and straight-forward manner.
Check out what's making news for Wednesday, October 9th.
Yanks Sign Manager Joe Giradi To New 4-Year $16 Million Deal. After leading the Yankees to a 564-408 mark, their 27th World Series title in four playoff appearances in six seasons, Joe Girardi and the Yankees agreed to a new four-year deal worth a reported $16 million, plus bonuses for post-season appearances.
Falcons WR Julio Jones Has Season-Ending Foot Surgery. 48 hours after suffering a foot injury in a 30-27 home loss to the New York jets, Atlanta Falcons wideout Julio Jones had season-ending surgery on his foot. Jones, led the NFL in receptions with 41 and had 590 yards receiving.
Tennessee To Play Virginia Tech at Bristol Motor Speedway : According to reports, Tennessee and Virginia tech have agreed in principle to play a neutral site game at NASCAR's 160,000-seat Bristol Motor Speedway.
The speedway which is located 125 miles from Blacksburg and 111 miles from Knoxville has been an event in the making for decades, Now, has finally become a reality and has a chance to shatter the all-time college football attendance record of 115,109 between Notre Dame and Michigan at Ann Arbor.


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and Carter have lived next door to each other for years, ever since
Sophie moved into town in elementary school. They're seniors now and
best friends, even if they hide their relationship from the rest of the
school. It makes things easier this way, for both of them. Easier to
pretend they're normal. Easier to pretend their lives outside of school
are normal. But they're not.
Sophie's mom is a
prostitute and, in recent years, a drug addict. She disappears for
months at a time and leaves Sophie in charge of her three younger
siblings. Sophie has to be mother, father, taskmaster, rule maker, bill
payer, tutor, and sole support when she should be enjoying high school
and preparing for the rest of her life. Carter is physically scarred,
but the worst damage is on the inside, the secrets no one but Sophie
knows. His father was a brutal monster who abused him and his mother for
years. Eventually the mental and physical abuse broke his mother and
now her only solace is insanity and alcohol. His father is gone and
Carter is the only one left to take care of his poor mother.
story is as heartbreaking as it is uplifting. It touches on subjects
too dark to contemplate and shows how hope, love, trust, and beauty can
survive even in hellish circumstances. Chelsea Fine's writing is poetic,
but always real and her characters are believable and true. I only had
one complaint: it was too short! Sophie and Carter are such beautiful
characters and beautiful people that I wanted to see every minute of
their days and hear more about their lives--both past and present.
Still, it was fabulous to watch them both realize what they've known
quietly for years: they are absolutely devoted to and hopelessly in love
with each other. If more people persevered through adversity like
Sophie and Carter do, the world would be a much better place.
I can't recommend this book highly enough. It will captivate you from
the minute you start reading (I found it on amazon, read the first
chapter, immediately downloaded the Kindle edition, and read it in one
sitting) and keep you thinking about it well after you put it down.
Despite the strong subject matter, the language and situations don't
make it unsuitable for younger readers. However, I would still suggest
parental guidance as some of the topics mentioned will probably raise
questions you may or may not want to answer.
Sera's Rating:10/10
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Sophie & Carter by Chelsea Fine
Author: Unknown | Filed Under: 10 stars, Chelsea Fine, Fiction, Sera Phyn, Sophie and Carter, YA | at 4:20 PM |
2 comments:
- Emily Cross on January 4, 2012 at 8:49 PM said...
Great review. I'm a bit weary of these sort of 'real life' books (what can I say, I like to escape to fantasy when I read) but definitely give this a second look based on your review. Thanks :)
- Sera Phyn on January 5, 2012 at 12:46 AM said...
I usually steer away from the too depressing subjects as well (I mean, isn't there enough sadness in the real world?), but this book utterly captured me in the first chapter. I loved the writing and the characters and overall the whole thing was so hopeful and uplifting. Definitely check it out, Em!
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Nice work! Enjoy the show!
Link Copied!
At Europe tech fair, Huawei stays defiant
Opening Sequence
U.S. lawmakers take steps toward impeachment
DOJ watchdog: Agents probing Trump campaign broke rules, no bias
Federal Reserve signals rates on hold for some time
Skin donations begin for NZ volcano victims
Saudi Aramco value hits $2 tln, defying skeptics
Ahoy, landlubbers: Ancient sailors' climate logs
World in Pictures
Closing Sequence


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When you do your holiday shopping at smile.amazon.com, Amazon donates to the AAS. Shop Today! Learn More.
Gaining Tenure: Rules Your Chairman Never Told You
May 5, 2000
By Lawrence Douglas and Alexander George
Copyright 2000, The Chronicle of Higher Education
Posted with permission on aas.org. This article may not be posted, published, or distributed without permission from The Chronicle.
In our continuing series of articles devoted to helping the junior professor survive the rigors of the tenure process, we turn now to the ticklish subject of collegiality. Our experience has taught us that one of the gravest mistakes a young professor can commit is to act under the assumption that sterling scholarship and outstanding teaching are sufficient to achieve academic promotion.
Know this: All your achievements aren't worth a hill of chalk dust if your senior colleagues hate you. With that fundamental axiom in mind, we have designed a number of reminders that should help the junior professor achieve and maintain a level of popularity among his or her colleagues necessary for gaining tenure.
* Avoid ressentiment. Never forget that you will be judged by senior colleagues who never would have received tenure had they been evaluated under the standards by which they will judge you. The fact of the matter is that many senior professors entered academe in the 1960's and 70's, when colleges and universities were undergoing a period of rapid expansion stimulated by the baby boom. During those gravy days, a professor would have had to shoot up in front of students and be convicted of gross moral turpitude to be denied tenure. Now, this deadwood is going to judge you. Unfair? Certainly -- but just remember that if you make it past this hurdle, you, too, will live to be an unworthy fossil who determines the careers of far more talented and industrious people than yourself.
More important, recall that your senior colleagues are very likely to begrudge you your achievements, not to mention the time and effort they must expend attending to your case. That is a dangerous state of affairs and needs to be delicately addressed. We recommend that you do everything possible to make your senior colleagues feel that you respect them. For instance, let it be known that you, for one, still eagerly await the completion of your department chair's philosophical analysis of the metaphysics of Carlos Castaneda. Or that you found yourself thoroughly convinced by his reassessment of the feasibility of cold fusion. Such gestures will help your senior colleagues believe that they have not simply the duty, but the ability, to judge you.
* Shine, but not too brightly. This is a corollary of the last observation. Your senior colleagues, especially the ones who are recently tenured themselves, want you to bring glory to their department. But they do not want to be eclipsed by some upstart. Practice the art of humility and the art of downplaying those of your accomplishments that might threaten others in your department. Disarm through such lines as (coyly embarrassed): "Well, Stockholm was nice, but the ceremony was a little long."
* Let it be known that you are no stranger to litigation. At the same time that you perfect the techniques of self-abnegation and obsequious behavior, make sure your colleagues know that, when backed against the wall, you can be vicious. Let it be known that you once engaged the services of Cravath, Swaine & Moore to bring a suit against your own grandmother. Remember, your colleagues fear litigation; and if they don't, they fear the trustees who do.
* Use great care in deciding which committees to join. Many a promising career has foundered on the rocks of a politically sensitive committee, every member of which will inevitably be despised by some section of the faculty. Avoid at all costs membership on committees that are charged to revise the curriculum, to explore the role of athletics in admissions, or to "look into" faculty benefits. Jockey for appointment to committees that oversee campus landscaping, or that will search for the institution's next archivist. Always pay careful attention to what you are quoted as saying in the committee's minutes; revise and distort as necessary.
* Learn how to read your colleagues' evaluations. With the astonishing number of documents generated by increasingly baroque and elaborate tenure procedures, you will no doubt have occasion to read hundreds of evaluations of your performance. Sadly, in our experience, junior faculty members fail to realize that inflation has also beset the rhetoric of evaluation, and so they overlook the red flags contained in seemingly positive documents. You must understand that anything short of the most extreme and prodigal praise should be the source of the gravest concern. Some examples of the discounting required by Rhetoric Inflation:
"We strongly endorse." (Frankly, we're deeply ambivalent.)
"She is a talented teacher." (She has published nothing.)
"The candidate is certainly intelligent." (We've seen much smarter.)
"His scholarship has puzzled some." (We believe he is deranged.)
* Behave yourself in faculty meetings. As a general rule, say nothing. Look interested, but not unhealthily so, in the proceedings. Never read magazines, grade papers, knit, or snore loudly -- those are among the privileges of tenure. If you must speak, avoid bombast, references to the history of the institution, and homilies -- those, too, are among the privileges of tenure, and you must not be seen to be clueless or cocky regarding your position or prospects. Never offer friendly amendments to the motion on the floor, for you will only lose friends doing so. By contrast, if you have reason to believe that your colleagues hold such meetings in contempt, look exasperated and, if such are the prevailing customs, mutter snide comments under your breath.
* Avoid conflicts of interest. Your chair has organized a cocktail party to celebrate the purchase of your department's new photocopier. At the same time, your wife goes into labor. What should you do? Our experience indicates that the best way to resolve such painful conflicts of interest is to prevent them from arising in the first place. Intimate relationships and parenting create the greatest interference with professional obligations. We therefore advise that you avoid all personal attachments until after the tenure decision. After promotion, you should feel free to have as many relationships and children as you want. (We recommend no more than one child, however, in light of the pay scale of professors.)
We recognize that the road to tenure will take many female academics past their child-bearing years; here adoption remains an attractive option. Intimacies with the spouse of a senior colleague should be scrupulously avoided until you get your promotion in writing.
Lawrence Douglas is an assistant professor of law, jurisprudence, and social thought, and Alexander George is an associate professor of philosophy, at Amherst College.


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Spinaca Farms
Spinaca Farms was founded by farming veterans Rick and Jeannette Andrade with a few industry partners in 2001 on 40 acres of virgin farm ground in Paso Robles, CA. Recognizing the strength of the partnership in its ability to yield fresh year-round produce, the Andrades brought on their son Zack, fresh with a BS in Agribusiness from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, to expand their operation in 2004.
Coupled with a reputation for quality produce and professional service, Spinaca Farms soon established themselves as a year-round supplier for national brands such as Earthbound Farm, Fresh Express, Taylor Farms, and Classic Salads, eventually culminating in the launch of La Colline, their fresh market line of organic produce, in 2014.
Conventional, Organic, and Root-to-Shoot
Today, Spinaca Farms grows, packs, and procures both conventional and certified organic produce for the fresh market and has just launched their Root-to-Shoot program that leverages our modern food production system by turning beneficial but overlooked portions of the plant into nutrient-rich powders, purees, and juices to boost meal replacement mixes, protein bars, pet food, sports drinks and more for the global functional foods market.
Quality produce & service
Quality organic produce begins in the field.
It is grown with integrity by like-minded farmers, quality-controlled through harvesting and transportation, and certified by industry-standard third-party entities. But it doesn't end there. It continues with quality service by our team of knowledgeable sales professionals, equipped with a can-do attitude, to provide you with the highest level of supplier-side support available.
Zack on the Consumed Podcast
Zack Andrade, President of Spinaca Farms, recently sat down with Jaime Lewis for her podcast Consumed, where they discussed the history of Spinaca Farms, Root to Shoot™ produce, Crossfit, Amarone, vegetable powders, and more.
Acreage with integrity
There are a few guiding principles we abide by day in and day out:
Our produce will be fresh, clean, and safe. It will taste good, and be good for you. It will be grown in a sustainable manner, and it will be procured and consolidated in a method that ensures optimal shelf life. And it will be planted, harvested and delivered by people who are paid a fair wage for their labor.
Press + Media
For our retail partners looking for steady volume of products, we offer the opportunity to co-pack in their label – from green kale to green onions and everything in between.
Network farming
There's strength in numbers. Especially when you combine the growing power of family farms situated in different growing regions across California, Arizona and Mexico. Network farming makes for a steady, reliable year-round cornucopia of fresh organic fruits and vegetables that are ethically sourced from the most reputable family farmers in California, Arizona and Mexico.


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Just three hours flight time from Miami, the postcard island of Aruba is the perfect tropical meeting destination. That's not just because of the phenomenal resorts and natural beauty. It's also about the people. The annual Shoco Awards recognize the staff throughout hotel departments for their excellence in service and their unique contributions to hospitality.
"The value of what my teams do for tourism has always been the most important in the industry," says Gerrit Griffith, GM of Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort.
Personally, I believe as planners, we're the true winners because of the exceptional service. Pam Swank, president of DPS Incentives, said it best after our fam: "The service staff were especially genuine. They really like their jobs and seemed to serve from the heart."
Located in the heart of Aruba's capital city Oranjestad, the family-owned Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino ensures every guests needs are exceeded with two distinct hotels in one and an overabundance of activities, shopping and dining. The adults-only, 287-room Renaissance Marina has a fresh new look too that's cosmopolitan, ultra-chic and sophisticated. It's fabulous! Love the white confetti bed linens, the lounges where you can eat in comfy sofas and a very work-friendly table. The white palette is perked up with dynamic, bold and bright chartreuse, turquoise, and teal accents. Nothing is ordinary, and it's all extraordinary, especially the full length mirror complete with an on/off switch!
This high style approach will revamp the Renaissance's family-oriented 269 Ocean Suites in 2014. Next door, the Renaissance Convention Center is a planner's dream comes true featuring 22,000 sf of flexible space with an additional 6,860 sf of eye-catching waterfront outdoor space. Space aside there's also a wealth of diversions and distractions. Most notable, the 40-acre exclusive island with two private beaches: Flamingo Beach for adults; Iguana Beach for families. By day, the swaying palms, gentle waves, free WiFi, friendly flamingos and pretty white sand are just an 8-minute ride away from the Marina's boat launch inside the lobby. At night, it's a spectacular spot for themed events complete with lighting and awe-inspiring water views in the moonlight.
Hanna Mantel, a 13-year planner for the Creative Group selected the newly revitalized and vibrant Renaissance for her group for its competitive rates, and abundant offerings. It fit well within her group's mid-budget and offered an exotic and affluent island option for her seasoned travelers.
The moment one steps into the 357-room Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino, a serene peace embraces you with fragrant tropical scents and a gentle sea breeze. There's a genuine paradise representative of the island's Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish heritage with an irresistible sense of seclusion from the world. Every need and want is fulfilled at Hyatt Aruba, which boasts over 60% repeat guests. New renovations have transformed the Hyatt's guest rooms and public areas into elegantly lavish retreats emanating a residential coziness and style. There's also a completely restructured, flower-topped Ruinas del Mar restaurant with more spacious outdoor seating, and Mexicado is a new truly authentic restaurant with tableside guacamole and extensive tequila bar. A magnificent new beach deck is now available for events, and coming soon, extensive renovations are planned for the 12,250 sf of meeting/prefunction space.
The newly renovated ZoiA Spa opens up to an 8,000-sf, 3-level pool complex with cascading waterfall and 2-story waterslide, surrounded by tropical gardens. There's also endless activities available through Red Sail Sports, including catamaran sail cruises and snorkeling. Looking for Golf? Tierra del Sol, the first championship golf course in Aruba, presents an 18-hole, Robert Trent Jones II, par-71 challenge with impressive greens and island views to revere.
For fellow greenies, the Hyatt is Aruba's first Green Globe-certified high rise resort on Palm Beach earning "Silver Status." The most impressive accomplishments for the award include community work by employees through Hyatt's volunteer EMBRACE Project (Employees Maintaining, Beautifying, Revitalizing Authentic Cultural Elements). Love that!
The astonishing 355-room Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa is exceptional. A 15-acre tropical oasis underwent a recent $30 million renovation, enhanced by a well tenured, hospitable staff with attentive service. Known as the first hotel in Aruba and the flagship of the chain, the Radisson has been delivering four-diamond luxury for over 10 years.
Offering very forward-thinking, modern Caribbean luxury, this hotel appeases one's wanderlust for island adventure, with custom-designed colonial West Indian furnishings emphasized by 4-poster beds, marble bathrooms and balconies with breathtaking views. The 15,000-sf of special event space with five function rooms and an 8,100-sf ballroom adorned with sculptured blown-glass chandeliers ensure that most meeting and event needs can be met.
The property's pinnacle is having Aruba's largest expanse of white sandy beach on the island and a sparkling free-form pools with 24,000 sf of dedicated event space encircled by exotic lagoons, cascading waterfalls and lush manicured gardens. When you imagine the ultimate poolside Caribbean party on a perfect beach, you're imagining the Radisson. You'll also be enchanted by the unique interactive aviary program with nine tropical birds including macaws, a sulfur-crested cockatoo, African grey parrots, a Cuban Amazon parrot and a Brazilian toucan.
Another big lure for the Radisson is its award-winning oceanfront Larimar Spa. It's most notable for incorporating indigenous island ingredients into each of their treatments and offering 10 separate treatment rooms and a state-of-the-art fitness center facing the beach.
The 413-room Marriott Aruba Resort & Stellaris Casino has continuously improved each year and remains exceptionally well maintained. New highlights include a stunning, tropically elegant adults-only pool perfect for events, a refreshed casino, and ahead this summer, a complete meeting space renovation with some reconfiguration to add more square footage.
Yay! You can never have too much from my humble planner opinion, and the Marriott's 30,000 sf of outdoor space is breathtaking. This Marriott exudes the tropics in a warm and friendly atmosphere with 4-story high ceilings in the lobby and floor-to-ceiling glass windows showcasing Aruba's beautiful sunsets, pools, palms and palapas.
You can't help but relax here and think of frothy fruit drinks and curling your toes in the warm wet sand.
The ideal size group for the Marriott is 150 with a max of 250. For more discriminating, smaller groups, the Tradewinds level offers a hotel within a hotel concept with 49 spacious elite rooms and extensive services including pillow menus, unpacking/packing, dedicated concierges and an exquisite lounge serving food and beverages throughout the day. It's a delightful respite within the hotel where one can simply relax or join in the social company of colleagues.
Numerous restaurants and lounges offer delights for every appetite. My top faves: The versatile Simply Fish is fun for an upscale dinner on the beach under the swaying palms basking in moonlight. The always fabulous Ruth Chris is great for high-end dinners with a variety of private/semi-private room options.
Linda Tack, director, meetings/incentives for Van Zile Travel, is bringing two groups in 2013 to Aruba. She says that's because she and her groups love the large volume of flights, easy customs and clean, safe tropical atmosphere.
For Linda's 300 guests, the Marriott's expansive meeting space and vibrant nightlife are perfect, while for a smaller 6-night incentive, the Hyatt's courteous service, plethora of recreation and location set the stage for success.
She says, "Everything's accessible, clean and friendly, with great service. Safe and very charming. It's wonderful to enjoy hotels that have 100% occupancy and yet the pools and beaches feel unoccupied."