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Does What You Wear, Drink Or How You Act Determine Who You Are In Eternity?November 21, 2010 – 1:19 pm
The models strut across the television production set where a women's clothing commercial is being filmed. The point of the commercial is to show off their bodies in extravagant tight fitting clothes, ultra high heeled boots and shoes, very flashy eye-catching jewelery and, of course, the heavy use of cosmetic products. All of which is intended to promote their artificially created image of sexuality. The director tells the women on the set, "Remember, you're not selling clothes, you're selling that sexy image that can only be had by wearing these outfits! (1 John 2:15-161 John 2:15-16
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
WP-Bible plugin)"
The obvious intent is to convince all women, and even teenage girls, that to attract those males of similar ages, they must buy and wear this or that clothing line as marketed in television commercials and the printed media. Often, these commercials and print advertisements are shown across entire states, if not the entire United States of America!
But wait! This is not just a women's issue…far from it!
It is a "manly" truck! Obviously, the desire is to elavate the testosterone driven ego of these men who would rather not be seen by their peers as being anything less than a "man's man." The epitome of manliness, and often, strong sexual imagery of both adult men and teenage boys, is portrayed in commercial advertising as the "desired sexual image and/or manly lifestyle" that all males should be striving to achieve(1 John 2:161 John 2:16
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
WP-Bible plugin).
In this materialistic world, these hypothetical goals we are told, if not promised, can only be achieved when using these particular name-brand products that are promoted in this or that commercial or advertisement (1 John 4:4-51 John 4:4-5
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
WP-Bible plugin; 1 Peter 1:14-151 Peter 1:14-15
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
WP-Bible plugin). As well, our life-style will only be self-fulfilling when we completely disregard old, out-dated morals and Spiritual convictions (John 12:25John 12:25
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
WP-Bible plugin). Why are we accepting this massive deception (Isaiah 13:11Isaiah 13:11
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
WP-Bible plugin)?
Has a morale and spiritually directed life within this world been "out-sold" by this self-motivated egotistical desire to be envied by out peers, as well as desired by those of the opposite gender? An ego-driven society has, by choice, "bought" into this massive commercial promotion that promises and encourages people of all ages and walks of life to accept and believe that they are not an acceptable person by this world's standards. Thus, when each of us who "buys" into this inferior self-esteem fallacy we allow ourselves to be led and guided by this massive commercial promotion. This materialistic and ego driven effort is intended to prey upon our desires to have a perceived lifestyle that will bring, we hope, pleasure and a superior self-image. It is all driven by those who believe happiness is only found by living a materialistic and self-indulgent lifestyle (2 Peter 2:102 Peter 2:10
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. government: or, dominion
WP-Bible plugin).
What price are we willing to pay for this temptation of worldly happiness (2 Peter 2:92 Peter 2:9
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
WP-Bible plugin)? What are we having to trade away just to have this opportunity to achieve these perceived "treasures of this world" (Mark 4:19Mark 4:19
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. lusts: or, inordinate desires
WP-Bible plugin)?
Needless to say, some consciously are willing to trade their soul for these opportunities of achieving worldly happiness and pleasure (Matthew 16:26Matthew 16:26
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
WP-Bible plugin)! Others, unfortunately, are unsuspectingly "lured" away from retaining possession of their soul! Whether through laziness or distraction, so many lose track of why they were created and yet there are those who cling to The Holy Spirit no matter the conditions in which they must live (2 Peter 2:8-92 Peter 2:8-9
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
8 9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
WP-Bible plugin).
The Desire of our Creator is that we be perfect as He is Perfect (Matthew 5:48Matthew 5:48
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
WP-Bible plugin) thus, we must focus on fulfilling His specific Loving Desires for us, individually. These Desires will be different for each of us. You and I were created individually in His Love. We did not all come from the "same mold" (Romans 9:21Romans 9:21
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
WP-Bible plugin). So, please do not judge others by your Divine standards, because His Expectations and Desires are different for each of us.
The world's temptations and distractions cannot become part of our life in any fashion what- so-ever (John 14:27John 14:27
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
WP-Bible plugin)! Sadly, by accepting Spiritual ignorance, many choose or just choose not to choose to know His Desires, much less follow them.
So, how do we survive, much less compete, in this world? You know, "how do we keep up with the Jones?" Historically, the major part of humanity thought that happiness is only found by acquiring more material "things," as well as being perceived to be greater than those we envy. In other words, we become willing to trade our treasures that await us in Eternity for a few worldly treasures we may or may not be able to acquire in this world (Matthew 6:21Matthew 6:21
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
WP-Bible plugin; Luke 12:15Luke 12:15
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
WP-Bible plugin; Luke 12:33Luke 12:33
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
WP-Bible plugin; Luke 18:22Luke 18:22
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
WP-Bible plugin; James 5:3James 5:3
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
WP-Bible plugin).
So, let us go back to the models "sensually strutting" across the TV commercial and the "man's man" on TV, driving "his" truck over rocky ground and thus giving the impression that NOTHING in his world can "take him down!" Whether you are female or male, every time you are exposed to these illusionary temptations and distractions in your daily life, you must decide to make your decision as to follow the world or follow your spirit and thus, The Holy Spirit of God (John 15:19John 15:19
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
WP-Bible plugin).
Please remember each time you face this choice in your daily life – Jesus, your Savior, died so that you CAN make the choice before you at that immediate moment (John 3:16John 3:16
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
WP-Bible plugin). Please, at the cost of your eternity, don't let Him down!!!
Please Jesus, place Your Blessings upon my friend reading this, as well as your humble servant.
Let us pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,the power and the glory,for ever and ever.
In Jesus' Name and through The Holy Spirit we pray,
Amen, Amen and Amen.


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Four people have been killed and 41 others wounded in a suicide attack in Paghman District of Kabul.
Ebadullah Karimi, spokesman for Kabul police while confirming the incident said that the suicide bomber was driving a vehicle laden with explosions who rammed to the wall of the Paghman police HQ.
Four people including head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Paghman District were killed and 41 others, most of them civilians, wounded in the explosion.
Soon after the incident security forces cordoned off the area and transferred those wounded to nearby medical facilities.
The death toll may rise as doctors have announced some of the victims being in critical condition.
No group had claimed responsibility for the explosion by the time this report was filed.

subset: commoncrawl


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Keeping Up with the Joneses #96
Seeing his ancestor's skeleton decorating the garden like some sick joke, the cowplant decided he would not meet the same fate. Surely somesim would come along and eat this delicious-looking piece of cake?
The cake did draw in Edith, but she chose to feed the cowplant rather than eat the cake. The cowplant was a bit disappointed, but glad to have something to eat, even if it wasn't a tasty Sim.
While the Grim Reaper wouldn't be coming for Edith or the cowplant just yet, Felicia bumped into him at the local bar. She quizzed him to find out how her mother was doing, but Grim claimed that he couldn't divulge the secrets of the great beyond.
Grim liked to keep in shape. It made chasing after so many Sims a little easier.
Felicia and Erik were also at the gym that day. Erik was relieved that Felicia hadn't started another fight. How many enemies did she really need?? In fact, Felicia had no intention of starting a fight that day. She had met a new Sim named Luke, and for Felicia, it was love at first sight. She just had to convince Luke that he felt the same way…


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All Videos
After departing from the dining room full from an amazing meal of lamb curry and an abundance of laughter and good conversation we all headed to our cabins for a couple hours of rest before the infamous midnight paddle; half of us able to close our eyes, the other half waiting in anticipation for the bioluminescence twinkling under the light of the bright orange sliver of BC moon.
Getting away from it all is what vacations are all about; they are meant to have you relaxed with your mind on things other than work or school. Vacations are supposed to be about disconnecting! Here are the top 10 things in BC that make this an incredibly therapeutic vacation. It's time to rejuvenate yourself in amazing British Columbia!
There is so much to do and see at God's Pocket on beautiful Hurst Island in British Columbia! Here are just 11 of our favorite highlights. Be sure to check out our 2015 tour dates.
Kayaking with orcas and humpback whales often takes center stage on our sea kayak tours off of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. However, this picturesque wilderness also hosts a wide variety of other interesting marine mammals to delight kayak guests. Here are some of our favorite marine animals in British Columbia:


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Heart & Vascular Services at Medical City Lewisville
The Care You Need...In Your Own Neighborhood
Heart disease is the nation's number one killer. Americans are at risk due to our societal influences, our lack of attention to proper eating habits, and the prevalence of diabetes and other genetic risk factors — not to mention, the tendency towards smoking and lack of exercise.
Cardiovascular disease has been known for affecting men, but did you know that women are also at risk equal to or at a greater degree than men? In fact, the American Heart Association reports that women suffer more subtle heart attack symptoms that are "atypical" of the signs and symptoms that men experience when having a heart attack. Some women often do not experience signs or symptoms at all before having a heart attack. Women have a tendency to ignore pain or other warning signs that would alert them to seek professional emergent medical attention. In our nation, women die from sudden heart attacks 42% of the time, whereas men die 24% of the time, according to the Women's Heart Foundation.
Take the Heart Risk Assessment
Medical City Lewisville works diligently to provide the needed heart healthy programs for our community. Our full-service Cardiac Service Line provides emergent as well as scheduled heart procedures. Our Cardiac Care Center, Emergency Department, and Cardiac Operating Rooms, support our accredited Non-Invasive and Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, which perform many services for Cardiac Health.
Our program features the latest techniques for off-pump bypass surgery, cardiac imaging, and outstanding nursing and physician care. When a heart attack or myocardial infarction (MI) occurs, the heart cannot get the required oxygen for proper function. There is a saying in the medical field, "Time is muscle". The quicker the heart attack causing blockage can be removed, the better the chance of survival. We are on call 24/7 and will respond within minutes to ensure that damage to your heart is minimized.
Medical City Lewisville's patient's first customer service program will continue to include on-going community outreach programs and educational topics. Our physicians have been active in the community speaking on topics concerning heart healthy awareness, including techniques used in the Cardiac Cath Lab, Imaging, and Surgical Services departments.
Our Cardiologists utilize the latest techniques and equipment to open blocked coronary arteries, ensuring that your heart continues to function properly.
Our heart surgeons have an extensive background in Cardiac Surgery, off-pump bypass, and other heart surgeries, including valve procedures and arrhythmia procedures.
Medical City Lewisville is proud to be the first hospital to bring this type of medical care to the local community, supporting patient care right here in our own neighborhood. Patients will no longer be required to travel for their heart care. They can access the latest techniques and care right here in Lewisville.
Heart Attack Warning Signs:
- Discomfort in the chest that last for more than a few minutes.
- Pain or discomfort radiating to one or both arms, the back, neck, or jaw.
- Shortness of breath.
- Other symptoms: a cold sweat, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or lightheadedness.
Additional warning signs for women:
A third of women experience no chest pain at all when having a heart attack, and 71 percent of women report flu-like symptoms for two weeks to a month prior to having a cardiac event.
Reacting quickly can save a life. If you are experiencing any of the above warning signs and believe you are having a heart attack, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.
Do not to drive yourself or ask others to drive you to the hospital if you are experiencing heart attack symptoms, CALL 911. You could unintentionally harm yourself and others if you experience heart attack symptoms while driving. And, the person driving you cannot help and drive at the same time. Help should come to you.
Other Cardiac Diagnostic Services
Medical City Lewisville's comprehensive array of cardiac diagnostic services also includes:
- Stress lab
- CT scan
- Cardiac Stress MRI
- Nuclear medicine studies
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Echocardiogram
- Cardiac Catheterization
These and similar tests are typically ordered to assist your physicians with diagnosing heart disease. Diagnostic testing is usually done on an outpatient basis.


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Browse Baby Changing Station Sign Templates
Baby Changing Station Men's Room Sign with Braille | 9" x 6"CHOOSE YOUR COLOR
Baby Changing Station Women's Room Sign with Braille | 9" x 6"CHOOSE YOUR COLOR
Diaper Station Female Icon Engraved Plastic Sign | 3" x 10"CHOOSE YOUR COLOR
Diaper Changing Signage
Many of your clients and customers visit your store or business with children in tow. For customers who have infants, be sure to provide a designated baby changing station in your restroom. We offer baby changing signs for men's and women's restrooms. Browse our signs for diaper changing that include pictograms, text and braille. Also find directional signs that will help visitors locate your baby changing area. At CustomSigns.com you can find all the signage you need to help keep parents and mothers comfortable, and your business clean and in working order.
There are also other ways to add courtesy and convenience to your building for employees and visitors. Shop our mother's room signs and wayfinding signs.


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APA-IA Logo Apparel
APA-IA has arranged with Engler Embroidery of West Des Moines to have the APA-IA logo available (in "buttercup" yellow only – no white or black logo) for embroidery on a shirt, hat or other apparel. The logo is on file and ready to use whenever you'd like.
There are two ways you can have apparel embroidered:
1. Order from the Engler Embroidery online catalog - https://www.sportswearcollection.com/Default.aspx?site=LFBKHSSLLE
2. Send any non-worn, non-washed item to Nicole Engler Selser at Engler Embroidery at the address listed on the website. http://www.englerembroidery.com/
The cost of embroidery is included in the price listed in the catalog. For items submitted to be embroidered, the price for embroidery is $8 per item. If you order through the catalog, there is no online payment option. You'll need to call Nicole at Engler Embroidery at 515-274-9070 to pay with a credit card over the phone. Or you can email her at [email protected].
Once you check out the online catalog, you may wonder which shirt you should choose since there are so many options. Here are a few suggestions:
Hilton - Monterey Bowling Shirt - HP2245 - https://www.sportswearcollection.com/Item.aspx?site=LFBKHSSLLE&ID=1982
Augusta Sportswear – Wicking Mesh Sport Shirt – 5097
Adidas Golf polo - A130
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Naomi Hamlett at 515-222-3628 or [email protected]


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I've had my students use Wikipedia, as have many classroom teachers. My 7th graders are just learning to research and use the Internet for research, and they are certainly not masters of citing sources. The biggest thing I try to accomplish with my students and research is the process, not necessarily the final "perfect" result.
One thing we work on is citing sources. Web page citations can be difficult sometimes, with huge web addresses or not noticable authors. Wikipedia has added a handy new feature – Cite This Article. From anywhere inside wikipedia (the linked example is to the article on webmastering), click on 'Cite This Article' to get the full citation in 9 different formats, including MLA and APA.
I'll probably use this in the classroom this year, along with teaching my students how to analyze facts found online. I'll have them create their own citation, then check it with the Wikipedia citation. Should be helpful!


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3 Ideas for entertaining this summer!
Summer is the time of year when you to tend to find yourself very busy, whether it's attending social gatherings or doing the entertaining yourself. So, if you're looking to prepare meals for your friends and family throughout the festive season, while enjoying the summer months to the fullest, here's how:
1. Keep family meals simple
When you're looking for midweek family meal inspiration that won't mean spending hours in the kitchen, quick and simple recipes are the perfect solution. Lemnos has created our Inspired Mediterranean Flavours Recipe eBook featuring 22 recipes, including entrées, salads and mains. Your family will love the easy but impressive Three Cheese Eggplant Lasagne, or Lamb Cutlets with Minty Soft Fetta.
2. Crowd-pleasers don't need to be complicated
If you're entertaining guests and looking to spend more time enjoying their company, but at the same time winning them over with your culinary skills, the Lemnos Inspired Mediterranean Flavours Recipe eBook has an assortment of crowd-pleaser appetisers and light meals. The Spicy Baked Fetta with Tomatoes or the Prawn & Haloumi Skewers are delicious and easy for handing out at your next soirée.
3. Transport your guests to the Mediterranean with Lemnos cheese
Lemnos cheese lets you discover the unique flavours of the Mediterranean when you combine our Fetta and Haloumi with other tasty ingredients. Lemnos Fetta rounds off any dish with a salty, creamy finish, while Haloumi is delicious lightly fried or grilled on the BBQ. Providing any vegetarian dish with a delicious source of protein, Haloumi is also a wonderful meat alternative.
The Lemnos Inspired Mediterranean Flavours Recipe eBook with 22 recipes lets you prepare quick and delicious meals, from starters to mains this summer. Download your copy for free now.
Subscribe to our Lemnos mailing list to receive newsletters and notifications when new FREE e-book downloads are available*.
Please enter your details below** (optional)
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*Privacy Policy – Our Privacy Policy sets out our approach to the management of personal and sensitive information. Subject to the Privacy Act 1998 (Cth), you can have access to and seek correction of your personal and sensitive information. Our Privacy Policy contains information about how you can do this, including the contact details for our Privacy Officer and information about how you can make a complaint about a breach of privacy. By completing this form you consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information as described in our privacy policy at http://www.lemnosfoods.com/privacy-policy. Specifically, you consent to us disclosing your personal information to our service providers located in the US, Europe and Asia Pacific.
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Charles Day is Wave Hill's Ruth Rea Howell Horticultural Interpreter.
Native to central and southern United States and northern Mexico, this member of the mallow family (Malvaceae) is an attractive and tough ground-cover plant.
Procumbent (sprawling) stems emerge from a long, fleshy tap root and fan out over the ground, sneaking between other plants and creating a convenient mat of fine foliage—which is exactly what it can be seen doing in one of the central beds in our Wild Garden, portrayed in this next shot..
Its magenta, cup-like flowers appear from late spring into early summer, but will often show up at intervals later in the season.
Another common name for the plant is "winecups, " alluding to the shape of the flowers and, supposedly, their wine-like color.


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Time is running out to take advantage of the early-bird discount pricing for the 2017 Global Fleet Conference. Fleet Managers who sign up by May 5 will save $100 with the advance rate. After that date, the price will increase to $820.
To register for the conference, click here.
Now in its fifth year, the Global Fleet Conference attracts fleet managers and fleet stakeholders from across the world to present best practices, share ideas, and network. This year's conference will be held at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay in Miami, Fla., June 6 to 8. View the agenda here.
The conference has sold out each of the previous four years, so early registration is highly recommended. For more information about the 2017 conference, go to www.globalfleetconference.com.
Produced by Bobit Business Media, publisher of Automotive Fleet, and Nexus Communication, publisher of Fleet Europe magazine, the Global Fleet Conference is held in alternate years in a U.S. and European location.


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Domino's Pizza
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Assistant Manager(01360) - 457 Main Street
at Domino's Pizza
Posted: 12/9/2019
Job Reference #: 11334BR
Categories: Administrative/Clerical, Management - Mid-Level (Manager, Director), Management - ALL CATEGORIES
Job Description
You've been working your way up in the restaurant world for a while. Maybe you even have a little college under your belt on the subject. Whatever the case may be, you know you want to manage a restaurant. Which is perfect for us because we here at Domino's Pizza just happen to have some open positions for talented people who would be interested in a career that is fun and challenging. Our Domino's Pizza franchise has 14 locations where you can learn and grow. Domino's Pizza has thousands of stores all over the world, which means that no matter which location you choose to begin there is always somewhere to take your next step. We are the leader in Pizza Delivery and with your skills we can keep it that way. Interested? Apply Now!Assistant Managers are responsible for everything that happens during their shift. This includes all cost controls, inventory control, cash control and Customer relations. You must set the example by following ALL policies and procedures-every day, every shift, all the time. You must expect and enforce the same from your employees and coworkers.
Further responsibilities:
Staffing, Paperwork, Cost Controls, Cash Control, Food Management, Work to a Schedule, Great Customer Service, Store Cleanliness, Marketing and Profitability
Further responsibilities:
Staffing, Paperwork, Cost Controls, Cash Control, Food Management, Work to a Schedule, Great Customer Service, Store Cleanliness, Marketing and Profitability
Application Instructions
Please click on the link below to apply for this position. A new window will open and direct you to apply at our corporate careers page. We look forward to hearing from you!


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Monday, December 13, 2010
New Home
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
The Amália Lesson
Sometimes we get lucky. A dear friend working in the diplomatic community invited me and my girl to the grand opening of the Portuguese film festival in Tel Aviv. We didn't even know what movie was to be screened, but enjoyed the port served in small glasses and the company of dignitaries wearing neckties. Israeli society is extremely informal and the attire common at events of the international community make one feel pleasantly "abroad." Then we stepped into the theatre, the lights were dimmed and suddenly we were back home.
The film was named "Amália," and told the story of Fado legend Amália Rodrigues. Its first scene showed a 1974 concert Rodrigues gave in Lisbon, only a few days after the Carnation Revolution was completed and the totalitarian Nova Estado regime toppled. As the singer joins her musicians onstage, the crowd erupts in protest. Someone yells: "Fascist!" another: "Your beloved Salazar is gone! What will you do now?"
Rodrigues, portrayed by the talented Sandra Barata, began singing, and I began thinking of the West Bank settlement of Ariel. In recent weeks the arts scene here gushed over the opening of the first center for the performing arts across the Green Line. Major Israeli theatres, among them the national theatre "Habima," are scheduled to send their productions there in the coming year.
About 50 members of the Israeli theatre scene signed a letter stating that they would refuse to perform in the occupied territories. This won them plenty of disdain from the Israeli public and reprimands from the Prime Minister and the Minister of Culture. Quickly, this exceedingly rare act of protest by Israeli performing artists began to fall apart. Several of the signatories demanded that their names be removed from the letter, citing a "misunderstanding."
Who's misunderstanding what? Amália Rodrigues misunderstood history. She refused to be the people's voice against a corrupt and violent regieme. Historians now tell us that she did support dissidents in secret, and in the film she is shown bribing an official in order to free a poet friend who was taken a political prisoner. Still, in public she never said a word against Salazar and his murderous PIDE policing force. She drank chapmagne with him while others were tortured by his thugs. She could not see past the present moment to a future in which Salazar would be seen worldwide as Portugal's greatest historical enemy. Her reputation survived (with a voice like hers, how could it not?), but it suffered as well.
The artists who agree to perform in Ariel, and those who fear voicing an opinion against the use of Israeli culture in reinforcing the occupation, see only the present and only the narrow local perspective. Around here, the occupation is taken with a shrug. Most Israelis accept Ariel as being "Israel proper" depite the fact it's built in the very heart of the West Bank, designed so as to render direct transportation between Ramallah and Nablus impossible. We've been taught not to care that its sewage is polluting the water of nearby Palestinian town Salfit, or that it was built largely on land stolen from local farmers, or that its existence forces hundreds of thousands to go through humiliating checkpoints, or that its very existence is a huge obstacle on the way to the peace we all say we want.
The artists who accept such notions and embrace the settlements may one day find themselves facing a hostile audience (as they already would – abroad). Times change, regimes fall, occupations end. I would advise every Israeli artist to think about Amália Rodrigues, then think about singers who took the cause of human rights and liberty even when those were unpopular or unsanctioned: Mercedes Sosa in Argentina, Victor Jarra and Violetta Parra in Chile, Vladimir Vysotsky in the Soviet Union, Fela Kuti in Nigeria and more, and more. Think about all of them, dear artists, and ask yourselves who would you rather be.
(this post also appears on +972, the new joint initiative of English-blogging Israelis.)
Monday, September 13, 2010
How I Became a Time Zone
Sorry, I will not go into the history of the Israeli summer-time dispute. No time for it. I went to sleep one hour ahead of everyone else here and left some work undone which I should get to as soon as this rant is through.
I do remember there being some fuss over the time question when growing up in the eighties. The religious parties were altogether opposed to the implementing of a summer-time. My parents explained their worry that it would interfere with prayer schedules. I sided with them instantly. The whole concept of "moving the clock" seemed ridiculous.
It doesn't seem ridiculous anymore. This year, when the government decided to end summer-time two months before the rest of the world, in order to ease the Yom-Kippur fast, which ends at sundown, I found myself confused. First of all, if you care so much for fasters, why not end summer-time early in August and be kind to fasting Muslims? Besides, people fast on Yom-Kippur in order to suffer, fulfilling the commendment "and ye shall afflict your souls" (Leviticus 23,27), so easing it up sort of defeats the purpose.
Even if we accept the merits of such move, assuming that the lives of several particularly pious older fasters may be saved, the Day of Atonement is only a single day. Could we not switch the clock only for that day? Even minister of Interior Eli Yishai proposed this as a compromise, when the debate heated up an the Knesset.
It died down since, all compromises were rejected and Israeli winter-time clocked in on the night of Saturday, September 11th. The religious parties hold Israeli coalition by the dials and I suspect that the entire summer-time fiasco is simply meant to prove this. I myself accepted the verdict with a grumble, as secular Israelis often do in such cases, as when we're deprived of public transport on Saturdays or the right to import pork (a restriction that did wonders to the local pork industry).
Then this evening, when the suns last rays bid me farewell over the foam of nucturnal waves at 18:00, when that gloom of winter began settling into my heart still enveloped by a sweat-moistened shirt, I decided that I will not bow. My time will be that of our proper local time zone. I'll arrive early to meetings, I'll probably miss a few, never mind. I deserve to be a member of humanity and live according to its timeline. If I last on Yom-Kippur, the achievement will be greater and my bonding with the almighty firmer. It's worth it.
My cellphone was resistant at first, but then I simply changed my timezone to Cairo (our proper time zone, from which we swayed!) My girlfriend, who actually deserves credit for this idea, having brought it up when hope for national sanity was still in the air, soon joined me. We are now autonomous of the rest of the country, which is pretty odd. We went to watch the late show last night and it was really screened rather late.
Upon returning home we learned that we are not alone. The city of Givatayim, a suburb of Tel-Aviv, is contemplating turning itself into a time zone. There's a majority for it at the city council and it would take two weeks to pass the municipal law. That would still provide the mostly secular people of Givatayim with a month and a half of acceptable light management. It would also make Givatayim an environmental spearhead: the skewed time structure forces Israelis to waste one hour more of electricity each night than they would otherwise.
Do our legislators care for the environment? It doesn't seem so. Do they like playing power games that cause damage to all communities (the secular one for obvious reasons, the religious – for being now the target of great animousity)? I'd say – yup. If only they could switch their clocks as I did and turn into earlybirds, that would benefit to us all. Such, after all, is the schedule that makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise, and they're a tad short on the last count.
(This was also posted on +972, a new local web initiative. Visit it!)
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Wishes for a Year of Little Faith
To be fair, we really wouldn't know it's autumn by the weather until October. Tomorrow is new years' eve, and I'm sitting here with both fan and AC in full blast, sweating nonetheless, but there was a small breeze here and there over the last few days, instilling hope in a sunburned heart. I pray for such breeze tomorrow evening, when we'll walk down to the synagogue to receive the new year and sing the most beautiful air I know, the one that is hummed by the congregation on that night just before it exclaims "Barchu et Adonai Hamevorach", bless Hashem, the blessed one.
I don't believe in Hashem the blessed one, but I believe in beautiful airs. That's perfectly fine in Judaism. Even my religious grandfather, who used to take me along with him to his schul in Rehovoth on Rosh Hashana, could never commit to me that he actually believed in God. He believed in Judaism, he believed in the tradition, in the poetry of it and in what it did to family and community.
Maybe on this New Years eve I should look into that paradigm more carefully. Living in Israel demands a lot of faith. Peace talks have begun again. Do we believe they will lead to anything? 400 children of work immigrants, born in this country, are due to be deported tomorrow. Do we believe we can possibly still reverse the decision? Wages are low and the cost of living high. Could we ever get out of debt? On all three counts I would say my faith is rather low.
So here's my New Years' resolution: I'll put faith aside. Faith matters not. What matters is action. We have to keep doing, to keep trying to better this place even though it may not be improvable. A Jewish life consists of action: you perform the Mitzvot, you sing the beautiful air. You work to better this world, work for "tikkun olam", though you know how stubborn it is. A solution to our troubled situation may never be found, but working to reduce harm on the day to day level is crucial. I will make it a tradition just as my grandfather made going the the Synagogue a daily habit, regardless of whether anyone was listening to his prayers.
In this world heating up gradually, we can't even trust in the weather cooling down. In "Three Men in a boat" J. K. Jerome describes an English summer in which "the good weather never came". This could be one such year for us. We've known a few: years of drought, of inadequate winter which didn't suffice to refresh us and soon was followed by another punishing summer. We'll celebrate New Years regardless and experience an authentic sense of renewal even at 34 degrees. I wish for all of you, whether Jewish or not, to feel such a sense of renewal and to have a year of little faith and many deeds. Shana Tova.
(Image: Snow in Tel-Aviv, 1950)
Monday, August 16, 2010
Sakhim, They Don't Mind When Other People Suffer
In recent months the term came to be used otherwise. It now represents the mainsteam, bourgeois Israeli, as compared to the offbeat urbanite. On the "sakhim" blog, the sakhi is described as "the typical, politically correct Israeli, bereft of self awareness."
The anonnymous authors add that: "Sakhism can be percieved by the sakhi as something cool or just. The sakhi is mistaken. while innovative forces always seek to advance and broaden the barriers of the possible, sakhism will forever draw backwards and inwards, to the mainstream, to the common, to the avarage. Sakhism is not dependant on social status or ethnic origin and it appears in the 2010 Israeli sphere in various forms."
The sakhim blog, mainly showing Israelis making fools of themselves in weddings and other social gatherings, gathered some interest, especially from Tel-Aviv newspaper "Ha'ir" which dedicated two front page stories to what it perceived as a new social divide in the city, that between sakhim and "hipsterim", who seek more experimental lifestyles.
The attempt to paint sakhim as the ultimate conformists and the hipsters as their opposites failed, mainly because hipsters tend to be equally conformist, albeit within their narrower communities, as well as miserable fashion victims.
"Ha'ir" hoped to depict a contemporary version of the split which existed in 1960's Israeli society among the "salonim" and the "tnua". At the time, the salonim, who took on a rockn'roll lifestlye represented western influence on Israeli society, while the tnua kids stuck to the values and dress codes of the Zionist youth movements. Today, foreign influences are everywhere. Both sakhim and hipsterim are westernized, not to say Americanized. They're really not all that different.
Having realized this, I stopped reading the Sakhim blog and went back to concentrate on other things, until today this blog carried the following photo gallery, taken from the Facebook page of a young soldier girl, which was and still is open to the public. The caption on top runs: "Sakhim, the army service is the happiest time of their lives."
This is indeed the girl's heading for her photos: "My military service: The happiest time of my life :)". in two of the photos she is seen mocking blindfolded Palestinians. Such photos are nothing new, we've seen blindfolded Palestinians fed Matzas before and made to play other games. It's that innocence, that Sakhi spirit in which the photos are presented, that draws my attention.
Are hipsterim less prone to be cruel towards helpless individuals when given the chance? Are they more prone to make a big deal out of someone doing so? I wouldn't bet on it.
There are rare people, like the ones who author the sakhim blog, who are appaled by the state of our society and put the time into crying rage, and even they do so in a sardonic manner that signals an acceptance of the dark reality rather than a desire to change it. In action, we're all sakhim in one way or another. We are all of us children of the occupation.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
The City with no Mongolian Waitresses
Today Yishai proposed paying 1000$ US to any family of work immigrants who would just pack up and leave the Jewish homeland (to which his parents arrived as North African Jewish immigrants in the 50s). 1000$ arent enough to buy a decent sofa these days. Yishai's attempt to buy people's lives at such a sum shows what he thinks these lives are worth. Foreskin-crowned Goyim are to him no more than filth that can be bought out.
Funny thing is, Yishai has a point. If we are to follow Zionist logic, then slanted-eyed and black-skinned children really should be deported and the rest of the lot encouraged to leave. Zionism states that this land belongs to the Jews, not to the Chinks. Niggers - out! there is no black in our blue and white flag (except insofar as Ethiopian Jews are concerned, and we treat them with appropriate prejudice). This is the land of the Jews and we deserve it because of the great racism to which we were subjected.
It baffles me how short-sighted Zionism is. It really did start off as a way to escape the pogroms, to dodge violent and dark racism. The early Zionists saw only the murderous Russians and themselves, it didn't occur to them that Filipinos existed in this world and that one day they'll figure into the equation. Hell, they didn't even notice the Arabs. Theirs was "a people without a land going to a land without a people".
Today it's concept of a Jewish state ends up making Tel-Aviv the only modern, westernized city in the world where foreigners are unwanted by law by virtue of their ethnicity rather than citizenship status. A friend of mine sojourning in Berlin writes about the beauty of a Mongolian waitress who served him at a restaurant. This land will be thankfully clean of Mongolian waitresses as soon as they bite the 1000$ bait.
It's time to admit it. Our short-sighted forefathers have created a monster, and we've nourished it and helped it grow. Ours is a country where police will be soon searching for children in attics due to their ethnicity. Today a public debate over the fate of these children is raging, tomorrow the public may internalize the full meaning of the "Jewish state".
Our only hope is to ditch the whole Jewish state concept and replace it with something else, perhaps an "Israeli State", where little Yuval, whose parents speak Tagalog can feel at home. We could also search for some other term, one that would even allow Little Ramzi from Jaffa to feel that his native land embraces him lovingly.
(Artwork: "Roots", an iron sculpture by my mother, Orna Ben-Ami. Photo: A. Hay)
Sunday, August 8, 2010
If You're Going to Jerusalem on Foot, Be Sure to Take a Tel-Avivian Duck With You
The drying up.
The 5:00 AM streetcorner.
The morning traffic.
The passing under a bridge the most difficult way conceivable because it was Anna's bright idea.
The Anna.
The roadside.
The raspberry juice served by complete strangers.
The right direction.
The snack.
The shofar.
The field where they grow milk containers.
The marshes of despair.
The legs that have just traversed the marshes of despair.
The evening walk.
The haystacks of a new day.
The flower I picked and brought home to Itka.
The laughing Catholic volunteer from Hong Kong named Ting Ting.
The mysterious home by the roadside.
The highway at Bab Al-Wad seen from above.
The yummy grapes.
The Elvis
The ditch I had to walk in.
The cupious amount of trash.
The twighlight in which I found myself again in the ditch.
The only road going into the city that didn't involve walking in a ditch.
The real gate of Jerusalem.
The first image of me in Jerusalem, taken by a little girl named Shoshana.
The arrival of the pilgrim at the temple (the Uganda bar and bookstore) and handing of the offering (Dakka 6 poetry journal).
The end.
BTW, while the title advice stands true. It's also advisable to bring a good friend along. I'm deeply indebted to Anna Wexler who sacrificed the wellbeing of her legs for this.
The story of the pilgrimage will appear in full in the Succot holiday edition of Israel Hayom. For more about the duck and its legendary creator Dudu Geva, read here.


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To help you create a life that you LOVE. With meaning and purpose. A life that's engaging and fun. One that's in sync with what's important to YOU in life.
A life I define as AWESOME.
Let's get clear though. No one is going to give that to you. You have to CREATE it.
Not too long ago, I was in your exact shoes. On paper, my life checked off all the boxes typically tied to success – a fast track career, a marriage… even a home…but something was missing.
I didn't LOVE my life.
Like most people, I didn't know what to do about it. I didn't have a plan and besides, everyone else around me seemed to have prescribed to the same definition of success! I figured I was just nuts, needed to snap out of it, suck it up and get on with my life.
But then…as you've probably already guessed…life smacked me in the face.
My husband walked away from our 12 year relationship without looking back. What followed was the most painful and yet transformative year of my life. I wanted to end it all. Me. Him. Mostly me though. But then I got PERSPECTIVE.
This was my chance to reset and start over. Stop dwelling about what was… and start creating what could be.
The funny thing is… when the worst thing that can happen to you actually happens and you SURVIVE, shit just doesn't scare you anymore.
So the corporate job that didn't fulfill me, provide meaning or make me feel ALIVE?
Living in a place with crappy memories and bone chilling winters?
SEE Ya!
I sold my house, packed up and moved across the country (hello California!)
My wishlist got an upgrade…
It used to be…
But now….I want
When you have these top 4 things…it's EASY to get the rest
Got an upgrade on the title though…
I'm now CEO.
That's right. C.. E….F**ing O! of my LIFE.
An illness? A divorce? Or can you learn from my mistakes? Are you pissed off enough now to take control and do something about it?
It may not even be about your job.
Or your relationship.
Or your health.
OR It could be about all of them.
But what it's definitely about?
Feeling CONTENT. Satisfied. FULFILLED.
You deserve a life you LOVE.
A life that makes sense and checks off things on YOUR list.
Not 10 years ago
and definitely not SOMEONE else's list.
Have any questions or just want to say hi? I'd love to connect with you! Just fill out the form to the left or contact me at the email address below.


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Chicago's Mid-Market Companies Go High-Tech to Drive Growth
Chicago's mid-market business leaders are optimistic about the future (77%) and are increasing information technology (IT) budgets (68%) to drive growth, according to the results of a new survey of more than 780 Chicago-based C-suite and technology executives. Companies across more than 20 Chicago industries are embracing innovative technologies, including cloud adoption (77%) and data-based decision-making (a #1 priority), to compete in 2016 and beyond.
If you think only Chicago's start-up businesses are adopting innovative IT, think again. Chicago's leading mid-market companies are using IT to successfully transform the way they do business and drive growth.
-Bob Knott, President of SWC Technology Partners
Today's technology services and solutions are providing mid-market businesses the efficiency, agility and innovation they need to compete on a global scale – with companies of all sizes.
We recognized that the world around us was changing, and our options were to lead, follow or ignore change. Two of those three options were death spirals. We have committed to using technology as a driver of innovation, and it has contributed to double-digit growth in a highly competitive industry that follows gross domestic product growth.
-Ed Holland, CEO of M. Holland
M. Holland plans to hire 25 new employees in the coming year, including 15 in Northbrook.
Technology has been a real game-changer for us. Being on the leading edge of technology has enabled us to stay far ahead of the regulatory curve, increase our distribution, and improve quality and customer service—all of which has enabled exponential growth.
-Fred Dingraudo, COO of Batory Foods
Soon, Batory will open a new line of business in Wilmington, Ill., which will bring more than 50 new jobs to Chicago.
Download the Full 2016 Mid-Market IT Report to Learn More About How Successful Companies Leverage Technology to Drive Growth
The report describes four common characteristics among companies who successfully leverage technology to drive value
- They ensure IT executives have a seat at the leadership table
- They migrate to the cloud for agility, scale and economics
- They make data-based decisions about growth
- They realize they cannot afford to build IT teams that provide the breadth of expertise required today.
About SWC Technology Partners
Founded more than 35 years ago, SWC Technology Partners is based in Oak Brook, Illinois and is dedicated to helping Midwest organizations leverage IT solutions to increase efficiency, agility and innovation throughout every layer of business. We work with more than 350 companies every year to implement solutions that match the needs of mid-market organizations, including Cloud Computing, Managed Services, Data Analytics and Business Intelligence, End-User Enablement, Infrastructure Solutions, Software Solutions and Digital Marketing. For more information, visit www.swc.com.


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Contemporary wedding photography
By Rolf Shick, Banquet Manager, The Manor
Just because it's raining – or even snowing – doesn't mean you can't get outdoor wedding photos at your ceremony. When discussing your photo needs with your wedding photographer, be sure to mention any weather- or season-related issues that he or she needs to be ready for. If your wedding is going to be in January and there could be snow on the ground, discuss this with the photographer beforehand, so that he can be prepared with the gear needed to take photos outside.
You don't need a sunny sky for great wedding photos, either. Rain and grey skies can actually provide very dramatic photographs that a clear day can't match. You and your photographer need to be aware of wind conditions, too. Taking wedding photographs in heavy winds can be a challenge – especially if your bride or bridesmaids have long hair. Be sure to bring extra bobby pins or other hair clips to keep it in place. And inquire about any outdoor spots at the wedding venue that are both scenic and provide shelter from the wind or other elements.
Thank you!


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Essential oils* used in cooking, like lime vitality essential oil can be a great addition to many recipes. The flavor that essential oils bring to recipes cannot be matched by juice or an extract.
However, there are recipes and ingredients where simply substituting with an essential oil will actually not enhance the flavor of that recipe.
This video explains when you can substitute lime essential oil for lime juice and when you will just want to add lime oil without substituting for the juice.
*If you are thinking of using essential oils in cooking or for ingestion, only use reputable sources and do your research. I only trust Young Living essential oils for ingestion. No other company matches their quality and dedication to making the best oils on the planet.
If you are looking for some fantastic recipes using lime check out:


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Not too long ago the 12-inch ThinkPad received its 2010 refresh. While the T series got a significant update (thus being changed from the T400 to the T410) the X series was simply changed from the X200 to the X201. That means internal components were updated (processor, graphics, etc.) but the chassis is pretty much the same as last generation.
Keeping changes to a minimum certainly isn't a worst case scenario when you consider how good the X200 was. The 12-inch X series' design is time-tested and has been chugging along quite well, even while the company has released competition from the X301 and now the X100e. The X201 is a lightweight, sturdy, 12-inch ultraportable that has only gotten better as the internal components have improved from one generation to the next. And now it has Intel's Core processors as well as the company's HD graphics, making this an exciting upgrade from the Core 2 Duo generation.
For more details about the case, build, keyboard, and so on, check out our review of the X200. Sure it's a bit old, but little has changed since then.
The specs on the ThinkPad X201 review unit are: Intel Core i5 540M processor (2.53GHz), 4GB RAM, Windows 7 Professional 64-bit, Intel HD integrated graphics, and 320GB of storage.
I was going to do a full review, but given how similar this is to previous X models and how the system has been out for a few months, I'll limit myself to some thoughts:
- On the component side, this was a good upgrade. The X201i/X201/X201s ultraportables get Core i3/i5/i7, Intel HD graphics, Windows 7, and up to 8GB of RAM. None of these make the system unique, but it is competitive with HP and Dell (etc.) in every respect.
- They system was originally available with a WXGA+ display in addition to the WXGA one. 1280×800 is fine for a 12.1-inch widescreen but 1440×900 is a noticeable upgrade. This isn't available any more on the X201, and it should be on the X201s (but that's not listed on Lenovo's site at the moment as it's probably out of stock). In addition to being a nice feature this is something not offered on the X201's main competitor, the HP EliteBook 2540p.
- For all the talk about netbooks over the past years the X201 is still a very nice size. At 11.6 x 9.2 x 0.8-1.4-inches and about 3.5 pounds the computer travels extremely well. It feels even better with a smaller battery on it.
- Speaking of the battery, Lenovo still hasn't put am external LED gauge on the X201's battery. Small features like this are long overdue.
- The port selection is still good. The system has three USB slots, headphone, microphone, modem, Kensington lock port, the ThinkPad's standard 20V power connection, VGA, ethernet, and ExpressCard/54. There is a card reader in the front as well. The most noticeable feature lacking here is a digital video output, but chances are that The X201's chassis and motherboard only have room for the single video output and VGA takes precedence for business users.
- One of the USB slots is yellow. This is a your Always On USB which is designed to charge your USB devices even if the computer is off, sleeping, or hibernating. It can be toggled on and off in BIOS and set to Automatic, BlackBerry, iPod/iPhone, or Other mode. I've been testing it with my iPhone but it doesn't not seem to work despite having the correct settings in BIOS.
- The keyboard is still quite good. No system this size has yet been able to match the ThinkPad in this respect. The beauty of the X201 is that it's the smallest computer possible to build around this keyboard.
- The X series now a trackpad, just like the rest of the ThinkPads. This wasn't the case on the X200. It's not a huge change, but it's nice to see dual cursor controls across the board. For us trackpoint users it's unnecessary and can be disabled, or you can just not pay the extra few dollars for it.
- The display on the X201 is still not great (this isn't even a disappointment at this point, it's a consistent weakness). Lenovo has gotten the brightness to a reasonable point but colors are still lacking.
- The full-powered (standard voltage) Core i5 processor is a solid choice and it works well for this ultraportable. It's an adequate performer and both desktop work and video playback are handled well. It provides a great reason to buy the ThinkPad over a cheaper (C2D or Atom-powered) computer.
- In addition to the Core i5 540M buyers also get the option of the Core i3 370M, the Core i5 520M, and the high-end Core i7 620LM. It's a bit confusing but buyers will have to research and buy accordingly. The Core i5 processors will suck down more power but should give a bit of extra performance compared to the low-voltage (but more expensive) Core i7 option.
- Battery life is going vary based on the processor and battery you go with. Overall the X201 has a very good battery life. Most reports I've seen says it actually has the edge on the HP 2540p, so that's something to keep in mind if you are considering both computers. With the extended nine cell battery you should be good for 8 hours of mobile work, if not more. There are also 4 and 6 cell battery options as well.
- While I appreciate the longevity of the 82.4WH extended battery I prefer to use the smaller 57WH. This one shaves some weight of the computer (about half a pound) and cuts about an inch off the end.
After spending some time with the ThinkPad X201 there is no question that this is a successful, though incremental, follow-up to the X200. It didn't get the same chassis changes that we saw on the T series, but the X series does now have a Core i5 full power processor option plus Core i3/i7 CPUs. The X201 also introduces the trackpad to the 12-inch X models, which is going to be a big deal for some buyers. With a reasonable build at about $1500 (starting price $1099) the X201 isn't cheap, but it's a lot of computer for the money.
The X201 does not exist in a vacuum though, so buyers should definitely keep in mind the competition. The X301 is too far behind the curve to consider at this point, but there is the EliteBook 2540p and, on the consumer side, the Sony Z. Buyers should keep in mind that the HP has an optical drive with some builds and is competitive with the ThinkPad in almost all respects.
Verdict: The X201 is a very strong offering and it's in keeping with what we've seen from the ThinkPads over the last few years. The Core i-series processors marked a big step forward for the ultraportables, especially considering that the availability of the full-powered Core i5. The choice between the ThinkPad and the EliteBooks is getting tough though. Personally I don't care about the optical drive, but I do really wish the ThinkPad had a digital video out option. The ThinkPad has a better keyboard, but the the EliteBook's chassis design has really grown on me. It's basically a toss up between the two, so buyers need to pick which system's strengths they value more.


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SITA ushers in new fares revolution
Brussels, June 29, 2010
SITA, a specialist in air transport communications and IT solutions, said it has joined hands with software giant Oracle to deliver its next-generation Horizon passenger management system.
Announcing this on Monday, SITA said that its new Horizon fares solution will allow airlines a choice of suppliers of complete fares distribution for the first time as it concludes testing with the Canadian Transportation Agency and US Department of Transportation in preparation for providing full compliance with fare filing regulations in North America.
SITA's Total Fares Management integrates management and distribution solutions as a single service with a single cost from a single vendor, providing electronic distribution to industry pricing engines at the touch of a button, said a top official.
No other single supplier can provide such an end-to-end process which enables airlines to be responsive, competitive and efficient with their airfares, while optimizing their yield on each seat sold, remarked Francesco Violante, chief executive officer of SITA, while speaking at the Air Transport IT Summit in Brussels.
'SITA's investment programme in Horizon is delivering results for our customers. Our waves of innovation, such as Total Fares Management, are bringing radically enhanced reservations, fares, inventory, departure control and ticketing systems to an industry that has been restricted by legacy systems,' he noted.
'Today, we can also confirm that the first release of our new Horizon Weight&Balance service will be implemented with lead customer, Czech Airlines. This new system developed using Services Oriented Architecture runs on an open systems platform which unlike legacy systems gives the ability to add enhancements and system modifications quickly,' Violante said.
'What we are doing is not just about delivering state-of-the-art systems, it is about truly addressing industry requirements and meeting demands in the new decade,' he added.
SITA's new weight and balance load planning tool ensures more fuel-efficient flights. It allows cost-efficient centralized operations and includes a graphical user interface, drag and drop functionality, multi-airline/multi aircraft operation, flight summary and center of gravity charts.
Together these reduce training time, give greater flexibility to load control agents and provide greater overall precision in load planning, he explained.
For years, airlines have been hampered by legacy passenger and fares management systems built before the advent of the Internet.
But with continued investment and innovation and an ever-increasing number of airlines, including most recently Air India, Malaysia Airlines and Meridiana, adopting Horizon reservations or fares systems, SITA's next-generation passenger management system is being viewed as the credible alternative for the industry, Violante said.
With SITA's fares technology, the airlines can now analyse competitive fares - published or on the web; decide on fares to place in the market, gain seamless and automated approval; file, distribute, validate and audit them, all from the same system.
In addition, for the 10 per cent of tickets that are reissued, SITA has automated the manual booking modification processes, cutting a 25-30 minute process to just a few minutes and ensuring accurate application of penalties and fare recalculation, resulting in major cost savings.
According to Violante, the next Horizon release phase will target origin and destination inventory management, multi-channel payment services, mobile services, and enhanced ticketing, while major milestones will be accomplished in development of the system's user interfaces as part of a programme that will continue to deliver on the complete migration to open systems by 2013.
More than 150 airlines now use passenger management solutions from SITA's Horizon portfolio which encompasses reservations, inventory pricing, ticketing, departure control, self-service booking and customer service technologies, he added.-TradeArabia News Service


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Initiatives by Category
Rural Health
State Cardiac Reperfusion Strategy (SCRS)
Aim: To improve care for all patients in NSW with a suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) and reduce the time from symptom onset to reperfusion for patients with ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI).
Benefits: Care is tailored to specific settings so that all patients, regardless of their geographical location or presentation pathway can benefit from early access to specialist medical advice and appropriate treatment. Timely reperfusion rapidly restores blood flow to the heart, which means patients with STEMI may have better outcomes and fewer days in hospital.
Ready to Implement Added: 11 July 2013|Last updated: 21 May 2015
The Health Literacy Guide
Aim: The Health Literacy Guide has been developed to assist health services by providing practical strategies to address health literacy barriers for patients. The Guide also assists health services to meet new performance goals and the Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.
Benefits: By considering approaches to health literacy, health care organisations can benefit by improving safety and quality in health care. Consumers can benefit by accessing health information that is meaningful and relevant to their individual medical needs and navigating the system more easily.
Pre-implementation Added: 6 November 2013|Last updated: 15 July 2014
Clinical Variation in 30 Day Mortality for Acute Myocardial Infarction
Aim: To examine clinical variation in 30 Day mortality for patients presenting with Acute Myocardial Infarction to hospitals throughout NSW.
Benefits: Increased understanding of the factors that contribute to unwarranted clinical variation (UCV) in 30 day mortality for Acute Myocardial Infarction. If UCV is confirmed there may be opportunities to improve the quality of patient care and decrease length of stay, resulting in reduced costs.
Pre-implementation Added: 6 November 2013|Last updated: 6 November 2013
NSW Pain Clinic Referral Form and Process
Aim: To provide a consistent method when making a referral from primary care to a tertiary pain service, irrespective of where the service is located.
Benefits: All services will have the same triage criteria and process for accepting patients from primary care.
Ready to Implement Added: 7 November 2013|Last updated: 17 November 2014
NSW Standardised Pain Charts (adult)
Aim: Development and implementation of statewide charts to be used at the bedside when delivering Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA), ketamine infusions and neuraxial opioid administration. To standardise practice and reduce error relating to documentation, monitoring and prescription across NSW.
Benefits: Benefits include improved safety and quality of care for patients.
Ready to Implement Added: 7 November 2013|Last updated: 15 December 2014
Training in Patient Based Care
Aim: The Directorate of Patient Based Care facilitates training and education in Patient Based Care to: Board, Executive, Leaders, Senior Managers and Clinicians; Junior Clinicians; and the workforce (through Train-the-Trainer).
Benefits: Through training the Directorate assists services to provide patient based care and meet new performance goals and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (Standard 2.6 Implementing training for clinical leaders, senior management and the workforce on the value of and ways to facilitate consumer engagement and how to create and sustain partnerships).
Ready to Implement Added: 7 November 2013|Last updated: 5 March 2015
Nurse Delegated Emergency Care (NDEC) Project
Aim: To provide timely, quality care for patients presenting to EDs in rural and remote areas with low risk, low acuity conditions, and to empower Registered Nurses to manage entire episodes of care through a delegated care model which promotes a more sustainable clinical workload for rural doctors.
Benefits: For patients - access to timely and quality care for less-urgent conditionsFor nurses - a validated and authorised framework to work within their scope of practice to manage entire episodes of careFor doctors - a robust model under which care can be delegated, leading to more sustainable clinical workload and work-life balanceFor rural health services - a collaborative framework for delivering quality patient care in small rural EDsFor rural communities – mitigation of some of the barriers to recruitment and...
Ready to Implement Added: 7 November 2013|Last updated: 17 August 2016
Statewide Burn Injury Service (SBIS) Telehealth Project
Aim: To establish a Telehealth model of care for the Statewide Burn Injury Service.
Benefits: There is significant potential for Telehealth to focus on patient centred care and improve the quality of care for:Patients by providing services that will allow patients to receive their care and treatment closer to home that will save time and money for the patientBurn Units by reducing the demand on tertiary burn units and save on bed days and ambulatory care clinic attendancesRural/non-burn unit clinicians by increasing their experience and knowledge in the treatment of burn care and provide a...
Pre-implementation Added: 27 March 2015|Last updated: 16 April 2015
Care of Adult Patients in Acute Care Facilities with a Tracheostomy
Aim: To improve the safety and quality of care provided to adult patients with a tracheostomy in NSW hospitals.
Benefits: Reduce number of, and severity of adverse events in adults with tracheostomy Improve patient experience and outcomes Improve staff experience in caring for patients with a tracheostomy Reduce length of stay
Ready to Implement Added: 28 October 2013|Last updated: 26 June 2015
NSW Chronic Pain Clinics Information Flyer
Aim: To provide information to consumers and primary care clinicians on the purpose and approach of various pain management services, alongside relevant contact details.
Benefits: Benefits include improved information for consumers on available pain-management services in NSW. The flyer outlines each of the publicly-funded pain management services in NSW and supplies contact details.
Ready to Implement Added: 7 November 2013|Last updated: 22 January 2014
Aim: The TOP 5 program acknowledges the value of carer information for people living with dementia and other types of cognitive impairment to improve patient outcomes and carer and staff experience.
Benefits: Benefits to individuals with dementia and carers include increased compliance, more effective treatment, less distress and shorter lengths of stay.
Ready to Implement Added: 6 November 2013|Last updated: 7 April 2015
Guidelines for the use of Telehealth for Clinical and non-Clinical Settings in NSW
Aim: The Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) Rural Telehealth Working Group has developed state-wide Guidelines for those using telehealth across NSW. The aim of these guidelines is to provide a framework which will support improved use and continuity of telehealth consultations. It provides a focus on the communication and reporting of telehealth consultations for clinical handover and how these consultations should be managed and funded.
Benefits: Ability to reduce wait times; Focus on patient centred care closer to home; Additional way of providing broader care options; Implementation of best practice continuity of care; Reduced costs and increased safety for patients and health organisations.
Pre-implementation Added: 23 September 2014|Last updated: 3 March 2016
Rural Health Network
Aim: To provide a co-ordinated approach to the implementation of models of care and innovation for rural communities, including the use of technology; To develop, share and showcase innovative rural 'working' models of care; To work collaboratively with Local Health Districts (LHDs) and the Ministerial Advisory Committee in improving rural health-service delivery.
Benefits: To support rural and remote clinicians and provide co-ordination between ACI, health service providers and consumers in rural areas to inform and drive improved access and quality of health services in rural areas.
Ready to Implement Added: 8 November 2013|Last updated: 20 January 2014
Telehealth Pilot for Pain Management
Aim: To implement the telehealth toolkit and test and modify its application in the real setting of a pain clinic.
Benefits: Telehealth is a modality that can be utilized to improve access for people to specialized healthcare who live in rural and remote regions.It also provides support to clinicians working in distant locations and facilitates a multidisciplinary approach.It provides support to GPs who may be under resourced to provide appropriate pain management support.
Ready to Implement Added: 31 March 2015|Last updated: 16 July 2015
Regional Aged Care Hospital Avoidance Compendium Report 2014
Aim: To provide a snapshot of current established Regional Aged Care Hospital Avoidance Models of Care as a 'one-stop-shop' for service providers to view the diversity of programs across NSW when considering options which might meet local need.
Benefits: The Compendium will provide a synthesis and analysis of options; programs, the resources and partnerships required for implementation and sustainability, key stakeholder contacts and websites for further information.
Ready to Implement Added: 23 September 2014|Last updated: 10 October 2014
The Patient Based Care Challenge and Associated Guide
Aim: The Patient Based Care Challenge and associated provides practical strategies for transforming hospitals and health services for a patient based care focus.
Benefits: Local Health Districts sign up to The Challenge as a long term strategic commitment. The Guide provides practical advice on strategies within The Patient Based Care Challenge. Improving patient care experience is linked to improved clinical and business outcomes, including cost savings.
Ready to Implement Added: 6 November 2013|Last updated: 5 March 2015
ACI Innovation Awards
Aim: ACI Innovation Awards were introduced at the seven rural Local Health District Quality Awards 2014, and at the HETI Statewide Rural Health and Research Congress to recognise and reward innovation and capture models of care which have potential for broader implementation across other health sectors. Selection Criteria include:Improved patient outcome and experience for hard to reach population groupsResourcefulness and creativity utilising existing resourcesInclusive partnerships which increase access to servicesTransferability or system-wide potential
Benefits: Winning projects are loaded onto the new ACI Innovation Exchange, replacing Australian Resource Centre for Healthcare Innovation (ARCHI) as a one-stop-shop for health service providers to share lessons learned and resources.
Ready to Implement Added: 23 September 2014|Last updated: 10 October 2014
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) Model of Care
Aim: To optimise the quality of care for patients with AML and enable a consistent approach to the provision of care. It provides a set of principles and outlines the key requirements at each stage of the patient's journey based on evidence of best practice. It incorporates guidelines related to various components of the model.
Benefits: Key points included in this model are:Mechanisms to ensure early identification and referral to an AML treatment centreA multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach to treatment planning and the provision of care in an appropriate settingThe use of ambulatory care services to enable early discharge programs in a safe and efficient wayEffective follow-up and supportive care for all patients with AML
Pre-implementation Added: 5 November 2013|Last updated: 10 July 2015
Support Network for the Local Health District Redesign and Innovation Leaders Group
Aim: To enable, support and challenge group members to achieve their mission of driving healthcare quality and efficiency through shared knowledge, collaborative communication and professional peer support.
Benefits: This network can generate significant momentum for local and system change by optimising relationships within and across clinical and geographical boundary lines.
Ready to Implement Added: 25 October 2013|Last updated: 5 August 2016
Implementation of the Statewide Pain Plan
Aim: To document and implement a statewide pain strategy to reduce the burden of chronic pain in the community.
Benefits: Following the implementation of the NSW Pain Plan, there will be greater access to expert services, and improved support for primary care, for people living in regional NSW.
Ready to Implement Added: 8 November 2013|Last updated: 20 January 2014
Rural Innovations Changing Healthcare (RICH) Forum
Aim: To offer a conference without the travel where projects can be presented from the nearest participating venue. RICH is an annual 'virtual' forum, linking 17 sites around NSW by Videoconference, for a day of showcasing innovative projects which demonstrate: An innovative approach to an existing local issue That change had been embedded and is sustainable The ability to be taken up by other health sectors
Benefits: Using a combination of face to face, videoconference and social media, the one day forum links 17 satellite hubs across rural NSW bringing together a mix of cross sector disciplines at each site for a day of interdisciplinary networking between Local Health Districts (LHDs), NSW Ambulance, Residential Aged Care Facilities, Medicare Locals, General Practice and Consumers.
Ready to Implement Added: 23 September 2014|Last updated: 10 October 2014
Community Update on Patient Safety and Quality
Aim: The Community Update is designed to provide consumers with information on the progress of NSW public hospitals across key areas including: handover, hand hygiene, medication safety, falls, healthcare associated infections, sepsis and incident management. A template of the Community Update is available for Local Health Districts who would like to report on their safety and quality data locally.
Benefits: By engaging the community and partnering with patients, family and carers as team members we can improve quality in health care. The Community Update supports the Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care National Safety and Quality Health Service Standard 2.7.
Ready to Implement Added: 6 November 2013|Last updated: 5 March 2015
Cystic Fibrosis Model of Care
Aim: Maintain or improve the health and wellbeing of people with CF Provide consumers with greater choice for how and where care can be safely and effectively provided Improve care and support provided to for people with CF, with additional focus on young people 15-24 and those with severe disease.
Benefits: Better meet the health care needs of people with CF in NSW now and into the future Build capacity within the health system to provide timely and effective care
Ready to Implement Added: 8 November 2013|Last updated: 15 January 2016
Service Quality and Communication in Emergency Department Waiting Rooms
Aim: The Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC) funded research into service quality and communication in emergency department waiting rooms. The research team was comprised of staff from Southern Cross University with applied skills and knowledge in organisational communication, culture, history, structures and operations.
Benefits: The CEC and Southern Cross University are collaborating on developing educational materials to further progress this area in NSW. Sites interested in being pilot sites for this work are encouraged to email the Directorate of Patient Based Care and express interest.
Pre-implementation Added: 6 November 2013|Last updated: 5 March 2015
Hepatitis C: A guide to current treatment and care
Aim: To provide health care managers and staff with information to help design and implement services for the best care for patients with hepatitis C in their own environments.
Benefits: Improvements in clinical practice and patient care.
Pre-implementation Added: 8 November 2013|Last updated: 9 December 2014
Other initiatives related to Rural Health:
Agency for Clinical Innovation
Agency for Clinical Innovation
Agency for Clinical Innovation
Agency for Clinical Innovation


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Guardians of the Galaxy is a family movie in more ways than one. Not only is it part of the greater family of Marvel movies, it also stars director James Gunn's brother, Sean Gunn, as Yondu's first mate Kraglin, and Gunn's old friend Nathan Fillion in a cameo appearance. Marvel legend Stan Lee has also revealed that he will have a cameo role in Guardians of the Galaxy, though when asked about the details of it Lee replied, "I do not understand what it was or why I did it."
Marvel movies are well known for being littered with Easter eggs and allusions to the source material, as an extra treat for the comic book fans in the audience. With that in mind, there were plenty of rumors and fan speculation surrounding Fillion's cameo, with popular theories pointing to him playing Richard Rider AKA Nova, or perhaps even putting in an appearance as his Firefly and Serenity character, Captain Malcolm Reynolds.
Now a full, credited cast list for Guardians of the Galaxy is out in the wild, courtesy of Stitch Kingdom, and it includes details of the roles that Fillion and Lee will be playing alongside a couple of other cameos and the appearance of a character from the comics that should get Guardians of the Galaxy fans even more excited than they already are. Those who have the willpower to wait another couple of weeks and be surprised by the cameos in the theater should turn back right now. Everyone else, venture forth for more information.
[Warning: Mild SPOILERS for Guardians of the Galaxy ahead.]
First things first, you may have to squint in order to recognize Fillion in Guardians of the Galaxy, since he's credited as 'Monstrous Inmate.' Presumably that means he'll be donning the yellow prison uniform and joining the Guardians in their stint behind bars, though we couldn't spot him in any of the set photos or clips from that part of the movie. Perhaps he's just wearing very clever make-up.
Lee, meanwhile, is credited as 'Xandarian Ladies' Man,' which explains what he meant when he said that his cameo was with "a very pretty girl." Xandar, according to the first trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy, is the planet where Peter Quill and his friends-to-be are initially arrested before being taken to prison - though with their track record, it's possible that they'll end up getting arrested more than once over the course of the movie.
Not excited yet? There's more. Musician and director Rob Zombie is credited as 'Ravager Navigator Voice' (the Ravagers are Yondu's band of outlaws), and canine actor Fred the Dog will play security expert and eventual ally to the Guardians of the Galaxy, Cosmo. Finally, the end titles include a credit for Steve Gerber and Val Mayerik that infers Howard the Duck will also pop up at some point, possibly as part of the 1980s memorabilia that Peter Quill brings with him from Earth.
One final important fact was included in the end credits: "No raccoons or tree creatures were harmed during the making of this film." So, not only can you enjoy the many cameos in Guardians of the Galaxy, you can also watch the movie with an easy conscience.
Guardians of the Galaxy is out in theaters on August 1st, 2014.
Source: Stitch Kingdom


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All told, we've been pretty impressed with TBS's playoffs coverage so far. Cal Ripken is shockingly candid, that lead-from-first graphic is kind of neat and they're generally restrained about matters. (Other than Dick Stockton's hair, that is.)
But boy, oh boy, what are we going to do about this Frank Caliendo character? We find it telling that this is the type of show people think sports fans will find funny. Is he really just going to do impersonations the whole time? Is that the whole show? We find impersonations amusing for about five seconds; then we're like, "OK, good, that's accurate ... now do something funny." But Frank's gonna be there all weekend, constantly. So strap in, because he's just getting warmed up. Oh, oh, do Bill Clinton!
Comic Gets Big League Play [USA Today]
Meanwhile In Arizona ... [The Sports Hernia]


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Enter your search using a street address:
By keying in a street address, you will be able to view all qualified sales over the past three years, (sales from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017), within the selected property's neighborhood. Qualified sales for those dates in 2015, 2016 and 2017 are now listed to the sales search to reflect recent market conditions and may be used as evidence of value for 2018 Informal Reviews and appeals.
The Tennessee Division of Property Assessments requires the Assessor to qualify each sale, as it occurs, to ensure that it is an arm's-length transaction. In other words, a team of appraisers makes sure the sales contained in the Assessor's qualified sales file reflect a transaction between two unrelated parties, both seeking to maximize their position. Examples of sales that are not considered arm's-length transactions are foreclosures and sales among family members.
Our appraisers will be comparing these qualified sales to properties of similar description to ensure the Reappraisal values reflect current market conditions as of January 1, 2017. Neighborhoods are defined by our appraisal staff as geographic areas of properties of similar size, age and location. By clicking the Neighborhood Map link, you can view the selected property's neighborhood boundaries along with the qualified sales within the area. The Neighborhood Profile link provides details of the selected neighborhood's physical characteristics and sales activity.
You may also customize your sales search results by ranges of sales date, sales price, square footage and year built. The results are sorted by the most recent sales date.


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Taiwanese contract manufacturer Wistron is setting up a plant in an industrial area near Bengaluru, two people aware of the developments said, adding that a timeline for undertaking the task has not been decided.
"Wistron is setting up a plant exclusively for Apple," one of them said.
While Apple declined to comment Taipei-headquartered Wistron said, "We are unable to make any comments on our clients and products currently", when asked specifically about Apple's plans to make in India.
Wistron is one of the global contract manufacturers and was hired by Apple in 2016. The company reportedly assembles iPhones at three plants in China.
Industry insiders say that while assembly of phones may begin with Wistron, Apple could look at taking the manufacturing to deeper levels in the coming years, with larger players like Foxconn or Pegatron. Foxconn is Apple's largest supplier of iPhones.
Analysts say that while taking the step of assembling iPhones can be done with present set of duties and incentives being offered by the government, full scale manufacturing is still a few years away.
"The question in Apple's case is what level of manufacturing it wants to do in India… some high-end phones are already being made in India, but Apple's level of manufacturing is way above what local vendors are doing here," said Jaipal Singh, senior analyst at IDC India.
Manufacturing in India may enable Apple to sell phones in India that cost 10% less than those imported – at upwards of Rs 50,000 a pop, the cost saving is a very attractive proposition. But experts point to the fact that local level manufacturing is still in the nascent stages of assembly, which will continue for the next two to three years. There is also the element of lack of supporting ecosystem, as all parts are imported from China and put together in India.
The other issue is of the demand and whether Apple will have enough volumes for assembling locally.
"Majority of the Indian market is less than $200, so the most pertinent question is that how much is Apple willing to invest for just 15% of the market?" Singh added.
Apple has shipped a record around 2.5 million iPhones from October 2015 to September 2016, up 56% on year, according to Counterpoint Research. The annual volume is far lower than the average monthly sale of a local smartphone maker in India.
Despite the low volumes, India has been on Apple's radar in 2016, more so after CEO Tim Cook spent nearly a week here in May when an accelerator program in Bengaluru and a maps development centre in Hyderabad were announced.
India has been the bright spot for Apple at a time when developed markets have slowed. India revenue for the year ended March 2016, was up 56% to Rs 9,997 crore. Revenue from China fell by 30% on-year for the quarter ended September, while it fell by 7% in the Americas – among its biggest markets.
Wistron has fully owned Indian subsidiary - ICT Service Management Solutions Private Limited – that repairs notebooks and personal computers, and also does aftersales services. The company recently invested $33.5 million (about Rs 223 crore) in the repair factory to enhance capacity. Separately, the company forged a tie-up with Delhi-based Optiemus Group for manufacturing mobile phones in India, earlier this year.


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Open Monday to Friday 8:30 - 4:30
In Cobourg, we are all about shopping local. If you operate a business in Cobourg and don't already have a business profile, let us know and we'll provide you with details on how to create and manage your profile. This will allow you to perform updates at any time, add your logo and advertise your in-store promotions.
If You Have A Question Regarding the Business Directory
Contact the administrator at firstname.lastname@example.com or 905-372-5481 ext. 303.
Non-profit, charitable designation. Two Programs; 1.-Community Service Order Program which places, monitors, and reports offenders ordered by the court to perform community service hours. 2.-Direct Accountability Program is an adult diversion program.


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Pro Wrestling
Pro wrestling fans are in a frenzy as two events will be held in the area beginning with Hurricane Pro Wrestling returning to the Beaumont Civic Center on Saturday, Jan. 7 with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 or a family four-pack for $30 and can be purchased online at hurricanepro.info or at the door.
New Hurricane Pro champion Masada will defend the HPW title against "The Game Changer," Christian Blake, who is the current Elite Championship Wrestling titleholder in Louisiana. Other matches schedule is Danny Ramons vs. Ashton Jacobs, plus the women return with Miranda taking on Hyan.
WWE Lake Charles
The big boys of the WWE will be at the Civic Center in Lake Charles (900 Lakeshore Drive) on Monday, Jan. 9. Tickets are available online at ticketmaster.com starting at $15. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
The Smackdown show will feature a main event for the WWE world title when champion A.J. Styles defends the belt in a three-way against John Cena and Dean Ambrose, with special guest timekeeper James Ellsworth.
Other WWE superstars scheduled to appear are Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper, Dolph Ziggler, Heath Slater and Rhyno, Baron Corbin, Kane plus Smackdown women's champion Alexa Bliss.
- Entertainment
- A.J. Styles
- Alexa Bliss
- Ashton Jacobs
- Baron Corbin
- Beaumont Civic Center
- Bray Wyatt
- Christian Blake
- Civic Center in Lake Charles
- Danny Ramons
- Dean Ambrose
- Dolphn Ziggler
- Elite Championship Wrestling
- Heath Slater
- Hurricane Pro Wrestling
- Hyan
- James Ellsworth
- John Cena
- Kane
- Lake Charles
- louisiana
- Luke Harper
- Masada
- Miranda
- Pro Wrestling
- Rhyno
- The Smackdown
- wrestling


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What we do – How it works
We are regularly contacted by local authorities, families or individuals regarding specific needs to assist people, whether it be first time assistance, a replacement or a customized design to assist a person or group of people with their needs.
Following receipt of the request, we visit the location and meet the people we are being asked to assist. We assess the specific request and also compile a review of the overall scenario, including history, other means of support and assistance as well as holistically reviewing the needs of the individual(s)
We endeavor to assist all cases of requested assistance and will do all we can to deliver what ever we are able to provide.
However, we can only deliver with financial help from generous donations made by our gracious supporters.
You can see some of the projects we have delivered here.


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Well Pet in Mishawaka expands plant facility
MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- Well Pet in Mishawaka unveiled a $20 million expansion at its dry dog food processing plant during a special ribbon cutting ceremony.
By the end of the expansion the company will add 45 jobs. The plant says they've been expanding for the last couple of years.
They've also added a lot of green and advanced technology including automated packaging.
"Where we come from we were three or four people running a packaging line and we're now at a point where we can run a packaging line with one person," Steve Griswold, the director of plant operations.
The plant will be at full working capacity by September.
Some VIP dogs on hand got to take a bite including Mayor Dave Wood's Max, police K-9 unites, and the Butler University Mascot "Blue the Bulldog."


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Refrigerated Trailer Hire
We use only the highest quality German made refrigerated trailers so you can be assured that anything you need to keep chilled will stay that way for the entirety of you event.
Our refrigerated units come in two different sizes:
3.00m long x 1.50/1.70m wide x 2.00m high or
2.50m long x 1.50/1.70m wide x 2.00m high
- Interior three tiered shelving to one side (room for stacking of boxes)
- Zanotti fridge unit, cools to 0°C
- Interior light
- Internal dimensions 2510mm x 1305mm x 1950mm
- Full-width double, lockable rear doors with internal release, giving secure and safe storage.
- High-power internal striplight.
- Slip resistant, insulated, double wooden floor, with aluminium tread plate skirting board.
- Four telescopic prop stands, for use where static load exceeds 1500kg. e.g. large quantities of wine.
- Entry step, wheelclamp and hitchlock included.
- Flexible term hire from one day onwards.
|Per weekend
|Per week
|Per weekend
|Per week
All prices are subject to VAT at the current rate.
Please use our call back service or contact us on the numbers provided for our best deals.


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Struggling with shrinking budgets, reduced headcount and more pressure than ever to prove their marketing programs work, CMOs have longed for more precise marketing tools. So the CMO Council recently sponsored a research initiative it calls "Routes to Revenues," with some surprising results, including the news that email marketing messages -- a weapon that CMOs think of as effective and affordable -- are so irritating that 91% of consumers are opting out, says Sandra Zoratti, a member of the CMO Council's board and VP/global solutions marketing for Ricoh/IBM InfoPrint Solutions, which co-sponsored the study. "And 41% of them say that irrelevant emails make them consider abandoning the brand entirely," she says.
For CMOs, that kind of large-scale defection is a major concern. Only 46.5% say they have good insights into their retention rates, and nearly two-thirds of the CMO Council's members are plagued by customer churn higher than 5% per year. (For 31%, it's greater than 10%.) And while getting dumped by those customers leads to lost revenues and profits, it also drives up marketing and re-acquisition costs. Yet 67% have no system for trying to reclaim lost or dormant customers.
Zoratti talks to Marketing Daily about the research:
Q: What's the best description of this "precision marketing" concept?
A: The idea is that we use data-driven customer insights to the right person at the right time in the right channel. We know that consumers are increasingly in control -- they're unsubscribing, opting out, and putting up tougher spam filters. What they're saying is, 'I will tune you out and defect from your brand unless you prove that you know me.' Consumers are very focused on what they can choose and unchoose, and through social media, very aware that they have a viral voice, too. Email is a great example -- it is so broad-brushed that it is irrelevant. It's the new junk mail.
Q: But marketers think it's effective?
A: The problem is that marketers are focused on how they execute and what channels they use, and not on content. Marketers need to make that shift -- they are lagging consumers.
Q: What's the downside?
A: They're turning off their customers. There's this attitude that email is so cheap, why not send out 10 bazillion messages, "spray and pray," and skim off 1%. They don't see that they're alienating 99% of their audience.
Q: So what are better ways for personalizing marketing messages?
A: We did an eight-week test for Best Western meant to boost reservations and promote its branded credit card, delivering a personalized campaign on the face of its monthly mailings: One half of a 100,000 test group of "rewards" customers got the control, and the other half received a mailer with personalized messaging -- reflecting the best seasonal promotion for them, as well as specific credit card offers. We were stunned: Revenue gained 30%, the number of nights stayed gained 34%, and the ROI on the project was 278%. There was even a green advantage, since we got rid of some of the more static inserts -- it generated a 40% savings on paper costs.
Q: So what changes will marketers make now?
A: We think these results will encourage more marketers to use things like monthly billing statements as a marketing opportunity. When we asked about the primary benefits of precision promotion programs, 56% of respondents felt the programs will be cost-effective, 47% believed these tactics to be a relevant and contextual way to deliver messages, and 40% think the messages have the opportunity to cut through clutter and grab their customers' attention.