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Calif. Gov. Among Several Who Vow Focus on Public-Safety Issues
Gov. Pete Wilson told California lawmakers last week that increasing violent crime has made prison spending an unpleasant priority, a theme that was sounded across the country as governors began delivering their annual State of the State speeches.
Hiring 500 new state troopers, passing $2 billion in bonds for six new prisons, and making criminal sentences stiffer should be the first matter of business for the state, Mr. Wilson said.
"Our streets are being stained with the blood of our children and it's got to stop. Damn it, it has got to stop,'' he implored. "New jobs and safe streets are the twin pillars on which we must build California's future.''
"This is not a matter of choice,'' the Governor explained, noting that he would much rather see the resources directed toward higher education or other areas.
Pitching his crime program as one that has children at its heart, the Governor mentioned the recent abduction and murder of young Polly Klaas.
"Does anyone want to tell me how much a child's life is worth?'' he asked. "We must prevent these crimes by building the prisons we need to put violent criminals away.''
Mr. Wilson called for prosecuting perpetrators of "vicious, violent'' crimes as adults if they are 14 or older; life sentences for convicted arsonists, rapists, and child molesters; and lesser sentence reductions for well-behaved inmates.
"We must also prevent children from becoming involved in gangs and crime in the first place,'' said Mr. Wilson, who faces his last legislative session before what is expected to be a tough re-election campaign. "I remain committed to the concept of preventative government--that giving a kid a good start in life is the best ticket to a bright future.''
Voinovich Proposes School-Technology Program
In his address to lawmakers, Gov. George V. Voinovich of Ohio was joined by a human anatomy and physiology class at the Beaver Local High School in Columbiana County, hooked up through the computer system used by the state's distance-learning program.
The Governor used the class as an illustration of the capacity of distance learning to put more meat on the bare-bones curriculum of small rural schools. He pledged to expand that effort, seeking $95 million to wire and equip classrooms, beginning in poor school districts.
Governor Voinovich's five-year "SchoolNet''program would equip every Ohio classroom for voice, video, and data transmission and install a compact-disk-equipped computer and modem in each, as well as launching an extensive teacher training program.
"It's time to bring the 21st century to all Ohio schools,'' he said. "Technology is quickly becoming part of an educational revolution that can improve classroom productivity, student results, and school-district financial equity.''
The Governor also called for $70 million in renovation and construction funding for poor school districts.
Mr. Voinovich, who also faces a re-election campaign this year, also highlighted the problem of rising violence, including the need for increased attention to school safety. He said his budget would include funding for metal detectors and security equipment. He also has authorized sweeps by drug-sniffing dogs in schools when local boards ask for assistance.
Mr. Voinovich said he will once again push for an overhauled teacher-licensing program that regularly evaluates performance and prescribes intervention and ultimately removal for teachers who do not improve.
Cuomo Pledges Regulatory Relief, Education Summit
Crime and safety were declared the state's top issue by Gov. Mario Cuomo of New York, who delivered his 12th State of the State Address last week while putting off an announcement on whether he will seek a fourth term.
"We are threatened by one of the most grotesque explosions of criminal violence in our lifetime,'' Mr. Cuomo said in a speech in which he called for special police squads targeting illegal guns.
But he said lawmakers cannot be distracted from improving prospects for children.
"If we condemn our children to dirty streets filled with degradation and violence; if they have no good reason to believe that they can earn for themselves--with their own honest efforts--a full and rich life, aren't we inviting disaster?'' he said.
"They need streets without drug dealers, schools that excite their interest in some promising work or career; they need a real sense that they can dream and aspire as you and I did,'' he said.
To that end, the Governor said he would propose expansion of several youth programs and push for implementation of a report recommending school-based management and less state regulation.
He also promised a summit on education that will explore reform concepts ranging from public-school choice to longer school years.
"Let's allow individual schools to scrap virtually every educational
mandate handed down by the state, except a clear standard of
high-quality education,'' he urged.
Vol. 13, Issue 16
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Every time I entered both of my shrinks' offices', I wanted to immediately turn around and run. No one I had known at the time had receive this type of treatment, they'd usually just take the prescription from their physician and carry on. I felt absurd. I kept my family in the dark, I honestly did not know how to start this conversation with them especially through the phone. I was three weeks into my treatment when I finally went home to tell my family, as strongly suggested by my therapist. It was the worst plane ride ever. My depression was still very present and anxiety attacks would still visit me daily and as I started boarding the plane for a six hour flight I tried so fucken hard to keep my shit together. As soon as I got to my seat I put my hood on, closed my eyes and focused on my breathing. At the time my therapist was teaching me mindfulness coping strategies and my psychiatrist had started me on a really low dose of fluoxetine. I only moved to drink water and to exit the plane. My visit was nothing short of emotional. So many damn tears, not only from me but from all my siblings and mother.
I don't remember the day I began to feel a bit more normal, in the sense that I wasn't breathing erratically or almost crying all day or having major panic attacks. The medication began to work and I was beginning to become attune to my emotions. I was (still kind of am) someone who adheres more to logic than my emotions. Though a very sympathetic/empathetic person I struggle(d) to allow myself to feel what I am feeling most of the time. Therapy really helped with that, allowing me accept what I feel. I am quick to push my emotions to the side in order to get shit done; if it doesn't help or will get in my way of doing or finishing something or make me feel weak, I don't want to feel it. I have realized how detrimental it is to one's emotional/mental health and still struggle to accept and embrace certain emotions. When I cry, I no longer feel ashamed or weak. When I feel sad or hollow I allow myself sit in those feelings. I don't wallow in self-pity, instead I embrace my feelings and ask myself why I feel this way.
Slowly, I began to venture out into the world again. Going out again, hiking and feeling confident with both school and work. I felt emotionally and mentally better. But I did not feel like the same person from before the episode and it was frustrating. And I constantly compared myself to old me, pre-2012 clinical depression episode me. I couldn't concentrate as well, I was far more emotional, too much exposure to sun would make me dizzy and I struggled with both vertigo and hypochondria. I was mad at myself for always automatically feeling/being cautious of everything I was doing. Constantly second guessing myself in things I never had before. It was learning my new limits and I hated it.
I continued weekly therapy for 5 months and then did biweekly sessions for about 4 months and decided to stop taking fluoxetine 6 months into treatment. I decided to use the medication as a crutch until I felt confident enough that I could handle both minor depression episodes and anxiety attacks with the mindfulness strategies my therapist had taught me. My psychiatrist didn't necessarily agree with my decision, but it was something I wanted to at least try. I continued with practicing mindfulness, yoga and better communicating and accepting my emotions. For about two years I did not have a major depression episode, only those little bouts that lasted 2-3 days but nothing I felt I could not handle on my own. And then it felt like my world came crashing down slowly and I was drowning while burning at the same time. – Bella

subset: commoncrawl


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In the event of a sudden emergency such as a hurricane, you may have just minutes to gather your family and important papers, and get out of your house, possibly for good. Are you prepared? Where would you go? What would you take with you? With preparation and practice, you stand the best chance of getting out with what you and your family need, and ending up in the right place.
Arrange Your Evacuation Ahead of Time
- Identify where you can go in the event of an evacuation. Try to have more than one option: the home of a friend or family member in another town, a hotel or a shelter. Keep the phone numbers and addresses of these locations handy.
- Map out your primary route and a backup route in case roads are blocked or impassable. Make sure you have a map of the area available.
- In case your family members are separated before or during the evacuation, identify a specific place to meet and ask an out-of-town friend or family member to act as a contact person.
- Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
Create a Home Inventory
A home inventory will help ensure that you have purchased enough insurance to replace your personal possessions. It can also speed the claims process and substantiate losses for income tax purposes. A detailed home inventory is also helpful should you need to apply for disaster aid.
Click through for a step-by-step guide to: Create Your Own Home Inventory.
Plan What To Take
- Medicines, prescriptions and first aid kit
- Bottled water
- Clothing and bedding (sleeping bags, pillows)
- Flashlight, battery-powered radio and extra batteries
- Special items for infants or elderly or disabled family members
- Computer hard drive or laptop
- Photographs
- Pet food and other items for pets (litter boxes, leashes)
Gather Important Documents
- Insurance Policies
- Prescriptions
- Birth and marriage certificates
- Passports
- Drivers license or personal identification
- Social Security cards
- Employment information
- Wills, deeds and recent tax returns
- Stocks, bonds and other negotiable certificates
- Bank, savings and retirement account numbers
Include Pets In Your Plan
After many disasters, thousands of pets are tragically left to fend for themselves and most were lost, injured or killed. Since most public and all Red Cross shelters exclude pets, it is essential that you plan ahead!
- Find a Safe Place Ahead of Time
- Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets.
- Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians outside your area that might be able to shelter pets in an emergency. Include emergency phone numbers.
- Ask your local humane society or emergency management agency for information regarding community disaster response plans, which might include pets.
- In the event you are not home when disaster strikes, make advance arrangements to have friend or neighbor pick up your pets and meet you at a specified location.
- Be prepared to leave early; don't wait for an official evacuation as you might be ordered to leave your pets behind.
- Keep pets on leashes or in carriers at all times.
- Your pet should wear up-to-date identification at all times. Include the phone number of a friend or relative outside your area in case your pet is lost and you cannot be reached.
- Find a Safe Place Ahead of Time
Make A Disaster Kit For Your Pet
Just as you should have a disaster kit for your family, containing important papers and other key items, you should prepare a similar kit for your pets. It should contain the following:
- Medication and medical records (including proof of rabies vaccination) in a waterproof container.
- Leashes, harnesses and carriers for transporting pets.
- A muzzle, if your pet requires one.
- Food and water for three days; a manual can opener.
- Cat litter and litter box.
- Current photo and description of your pet in case you become separated.
- Name and phone number of your veterinarian.
- Insurance company contact information and policy number, if you have pet insurance.
- After the Storm
- After The Storm
- Once you return to your home, don't allow your pets to roam loose. Familiar landmarks and smells might be gone, and your pet may be disoriented. Pets can easily get lost in these situations.
- Be patient. Try to get your pets back into their normal routines as soon as possible, and be on the lookout for stress-related behavioral problems—if these persist, talk to your veterinarian.
- About Other Pets
- Snakes can be transported in a pillowcase but they must be transferred to more secure housing when they reach the evacuation site. If your snakes require frequent feedings, carry food with you. Take a water bowl large enough for soaking as well as a heating pad. When transporting house lizards, follow the same directions as for birds.
- Birds should be transported in a secure travel cage or carrier. In cold weather, wrap a blanket over the carrier and warm up the car before placing birds inside. During warm weather, carry a plant mister to mist the birds' feathers periodically. Do not put water inside the carrier during transport. Provide a few slices of fresh fruits and vegetables with high water content. Have a photo for identification and leg bands. If the carrier does not have a perch, line it with paper towels and change them frequently. Try to keep the carrier in a quiet area. Do not let the birds out of the cage or carrier.
- Pocket Pets, Small mammals (hamsters, gerbils, etc.) should be transported in secure carriers suitable for maintaining the animals while sheltered. Take bedding materials, food bowls, and water bottles.
- For more information about pets and disaster planning:
- After The Storm
- Take the Ten-Minute Challenge
To find out if you are ready, do a real-time test. Give yourself just 10 minutes to get your family and belongings into the car and on the road to safety. By planning ahead and practicing, you should be able to gather your family members and pets, along with the most important items they will need, calmly and efficiently, with a minimum of stress and confusion.


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We Are Delighted To Announce ***Body Boost Fit Camp*** As The Competition Winner Of Our Monthly Draw For December 2013!
Check Out The Video Below To See Our Draw Process.
Would You Or Someone You Know Like To Enter Our Monthly Draw To Win A Free Hypnotic Mind Coaching Session?
Simply Like And Share Us On Facebook And You Are In To Win!
Thank You All For Your Support And Likes 🙂
We Will Announce The Winner Of Our January Draw At Around this Time Next Month.
All the best,
iMindCoach Team,
Accelerate Your Success!
Republic of Ireland Callers:
0818 33 22 11
UK-North Ireland Callers:
028 90 99 68 76
International Callers:
+353 (1) 5310077
All inquiries are confidential!


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Get Enquiry for Website Development / Application Development / Digital Marketing / Games App
Get Enquiry for Digital Marketing Training/Internship for Btech/BCA/Mtech/MCA students in Jaipur
In an evermore complex retail environment, customer engagement is essential but challenging. Retailers must shift from a linear marketing approach of one-way communication to a value exchange model of mutual dialogue and benefit-sharing between provider and consumer.
Exchanges are more non-linear, free flowing, and both one-to-many or one-on-one. The spread of information and awareness can occur across numerous channels, such as the blogosphere, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, and a variety of other platforms. Online communities and social networks allow individuals to easily create content and publicly publish their opinions, experiences, and thoughts and feelings about many topics and products, hyper-accelerating the diffusion of information.
Digital marketing (also known as data-driven marketing) is an umbrella term for the marketing of products or services using digital technologies, mainly on the Internet, but also including mobile phones, display advertising, and any other digital medium.
APTECH SOFT Provide digital marketing to rank your website and bring traffic at your page thus we run organic ranking, adwords campaigns and social media marketing. APTECH SOFT have google cerified professionals in field of Digital Marketing.
One of the major changes that occurred in traditional marketing was the "emergence of digital marketing", this led to the reinvention of marketing strategies in order to adapt to this major change in traditional marketing.
As digital marketing is dependent on technology which is ever-evolving and fast-changing, the same features should be expected from digital marketing developments and strategies.
more focus has been placed on segmentation within digital marketing, in order to target specific markets in both business-to-business and business-to-consumer sectors.
Make possible to reach influencers via paid advertising, such as Facebook Advertising or Google Adwords campaigns, or through sophisticated sCRM Software.
Advertisements that exist within computer or video games. In-game ads also might appear as brand-name products like guns, cars, or clothing that exist as gaming status symbols.
Targeted ads in front of an interest category or a defined audience, generally called searchers in web speak, they have either searched for particular products or services or visited a website for some purpose.
Copyright Ⓒ 2012 aptechsoft Jaipur. All Rights Reserved


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About Our Directors
Nancy Schiller
"When I was 34 and had my fourth baby – tennis was my chosen way to lose "baby fat"; I took a lesson at Anaheim Hills Racquet Club, learned how to keep the ball in the court and haven't stopped playing yet. Since I joined the Yorba Linda CC and played tennis there for over 20 years. In the midst of all this I was accepted as the Ex. Secretary and Asst. Manager at Sunny Hills Racquet Club in Fullerton, CA (a 10 year career). I played tennis non-stop at both clubs including USTA 4.0 team tennis and was team captain many times over the years. I co-hosted events with the Gen. Mgr. and Tennis Pros at both facilities and needless to say, I have had a great time enjoying my tennis life on and off the courts.
Stormy Wade
I have played tennis in Havasu since 1979. We had a great venue at the London Bridge Racquet Club for many years. In conjunction with Parks and Recreation Dept and our high school we received a Heritage Grant to build 8 tennis courts. Our many tennis players decided to form a club to oversee the building of the courts and maintain the courts for everyone to enjoy. I was nominated president of the organization. Our membership started with twenty tennis players, today we have well over 100.
Ann Wade
Event Planner
I started tennis in my late fifties. My main goal was to get as many people involved in this great game. I started Monday night tennis and had 7 courts every Monday night, and this is how we got our members. At this time we still had the private club, many of us played both venues. Just two years later the private club closed. Our only courts in Havasu were at the high school. I also believe it is fun to socialize, hence Stormy and I like to host events in our home.
Karen Constant
Secretary Treasurer
Database Admin
I am new to Tennis. I was taught how to play Tennis in November 2013 by Gary Ramsfield. It then became a passion for me. I love playing Singles but also will play Doubles.


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voco St David's Cardiff
About the Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel
- Striking modern building set on Cardiff Bay's waterfront
- Within walking distance of the area's shops, bars and restaurants
- "Stunning" on-site Marine Spa has a salt-water pool
- Most rooms have bay views
Overlooking Cardiff Bay, and making the most of its views, The St David's Hotel & Spa is as modern as it gets, featuring a contemporary glass exterior topped by two arched wings.
The only AA-rated 5-star hotel in Cardiff Bay, the St David's sits within a 10-minute walk of the area's many bars, restaurants and shops. Theatre, arts and concert lovers will enjoy being close to the Millennium Centre, sci-fi and TV fans can visit the Dr Who Experience, just 8 minutes' drive away, and adrenalin junkies can head for Cardiff International Whitewater. Meanwhile, the Welsh capital's city centre attractions - the castle, museums and the Millennium Stadium, are less than two miles away.
If you find yourself back at the hotel for lunch or dinner, Tempus at Tides Bar & Restaurant offers modern British fare, made with the best produce Wales has to offer, and gorgeous views over the bay. Other facilities at the hotel include the Marine Spa -- "a stunning health complex of saunas and treatment rooms" (The Daily Telegraph), plus a salt-water swimming pool with bay views.
Rooms are decorated in luxuriously modern style -- all offer free WiFi and floor-to-ceiling windows. Upgrade for private balconies, bay views and iPod docks. Upgrade to a higher-category room for a small private balcony with bay views.
- Bar
- Gym / fitness center
- Indoor pool
- Restaurant
- Spa
- 100% smoke-free
- 24-hour front desk
- 24-hour room service
- Concierge service
- Express check-in / checkout
- Laundry / dry cleaning
- Safe in reception (fees apply)
- Business center
Room amenities
- Air-conditioning
- Coffee / tea-making facilities
- Safe
- Flatscreen TV
- Complimentary Wi-Fi in guest rooms
- Complimentary Wi-Fi in public areas
- Bathrobes
- Hair-dryer
- Slippers
- Parking (fees apply)
Check-in: Standard Time is 3pm.
Checkout: Standard Time is 11am.
Cancellation: Cancellation policy & booking conditions vary by 'rate plan'. These will be displayed on the payment page after you have searched for your dates and selected a rate.
Additional details:
Pets allowed Check-in time starts at 3pm Check-out time is 11am National Rating Know Before You Go Fees The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out. The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
This property has received its official star rating from Visit Wales.
National Rating
Know Before You Go
The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out.
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
Have a Question? Contact Travelzoo.
- +44 (0) 20 3564 9000 UK & Europe
- 1-877-966-0000 U.S. and Canada (toll-free)
- Email us
Customer Service available Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm
Rates may vary by date, are subject to availability and are not guaranteed until your purchase is complete.
The room rates listed are for double occupancy per room unless otherwise stated and exclude tax recovery charges and service fees.
It is the responsibility of the hotel chain and/or the individual property to ensure the accuracy of the photos displayed. Travelzoo is not responsible for any inaccuracies in the photos.
*Unless otherwise stated, Travelzoo-exclusive extras are valid once per stay (based on two adults sharing). Value is an estimate based on double occupancy. Extras are only included with Member Rates and may not be available on all dates. Extras are non-transferable and have no cash value. Total value may vary depending on time of booking and availability. When included, breakfast may be limited to 2 guests per stay subject to hotel's discretion. Other restrictions may apply; see our T&Cs for details.
Please note: Some amenities and services may not be available in all rooms or may incur an additional charge. All prices stated have been verified at the time of publication and may vary at the discretion of the hotel.


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Paul Yashou, TSA Officer, Indicted For Stealing $23,000 Worth Of Watches From LAX Passengers
The Los Angeles Times reports that Yashou was arrested at his home after a $15,000 IWC GST watch he had sold to a jewelry store was put up for auction online. The watch's owner noticed it was listed and called law enforcement.
Yashou will face two felony counts, for stealing the $15,000 watch and a $5,000 watch, and three misdemeanor charges for stealing three less-expensive time pieces.
According to The Daily Mail, Toussain Puddie, an agent at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida, was charged Wednesday for the theft of a $450 pen, which was left behind briefly by its owner at a security point.
Airport workers, including TSA agents, have previously been busted for stealing money from passengers at Kennedy International in New York, New Jersey's Newark airport, Buffalo's Niagara International and bags from Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport.
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- Nine Mouth-Watering Resort Cooking Classes Around the World[The Daily Meal]
- 16 Best Summer Attractions for Families[Budget Travel]
- The World's Hottest Celebrity Spas[Fox News Travel]


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Last Updated On:
A micro-influencer is an individual on social media whose following is anywhere between a few hundred to a few thousand people. It is often better to work with micro-influencers rather than using well known people with millions of followers because their audience is more engaged.
Micro-influencers have a following of anywhere between 1,000 to 100,000 followers. They act as an inspiration to their followers. They also have good communication with their followers as they have to communicate with fewer people, whom they can pay closer attention to.
The biggest benefits of working with micro-influencers are:
1. Higher Engagement Rates
Micro-influencers have a higher engagement rate than other influencers despite having a smaller following. People assume that more famous and well known influencers will have a more significant impact on their audience and will be able to generate a high engagement rate. But that's not always the case.
A study by HelloSociety showed that as the number of followers increases, the engagement rate drops sharply.
The above screenshot is taken shows the engagement rates of Instagram influencers with varying numbers of followers.
As you can see, influencers with less than 35K followers have the highest engagement rate (5.3%). As the number of followers increases to between 35K and 50K, the engagement drops by more than 50% to 2.5%. As the number of followers increases to between 50K and 500K, the engagement rate further drops to 1.5%. There is a minor increase in engagement rate for influencers who have the following of more than 750K to a 1.6%.
A similar study by HelloSociety also shows that the average engagement rate for influencers is 3.8%. Which increases to 4.3% during the holiday season. This affects those brands that look forward to promoting their brands during holiday seasons like Christmas, New Year, and Halloween along with many others.
The chart below shows the difference in engagement rate during and after the holiday season.
In spite of all this, it is important to understand that the type of product needs to be in line with the type of influencer you are choosing. It is advisable to partner with micro-influencers for brand promotions as they can reach dedicated followers in the relevant niche as opposed to reaching the masses. So it becomes much easier to reach out to the target audience.
Tom's of Maine, which manufactures hygiene and personal care products, decided to launch an influencer marketing campaign. They worked with micro-influencers to boost the sales of their products. They also wanted to increase their social media presence.
People who were selected for the campaign had between 500 and 5000 Instagram followers. One of the influencers chosen for the campaign was Allison Goines, who has 4000+ followers. She and several other influencers participated in the campaign to promote products from Tom's of Maine.
The results of the campaign were extraordinary. Customer engagement increased by a staggering 600%. Along with an increased market presence, Tom's of Maine also gained other valuable information from users. Like feedback and suggestions for improvement which were 4,270.
A staggering 1.72 million people were reached with the help of the campaign. The statistics below are the results per 1000 micro-influencers that were activated for the campaign.
Another company named Mezzetta launched an influencer marketing campaign to gather data for their Pinterest page. The campaign was used to inform the people about free giveaways they were offering and of course promote their brand.
The screenshot below shows the range of products that Mezzetta manufactures.
They decided to work with major food bloggers who keep posting their original recipes and images on their blogs. They helped promote products from Mezzetta by implementing them in their recipes or showcasing them in their images.
One of the bloggers used for the campaign was Hungry Harps who created a new recipe using one of their spreads.
As you can see in the screenshot below, he also captured and published a visually-appealing image of the finished dish that uses a Mezzetta spread.
The result of the campaign was astonishing. Mezzetta managed to increase their following to 13 million. They also increased their engagement rate significantly and exceed the expected rate by 1,063%. The campaign resulted in 7500+ pieces of unique content on their page.
Mezzetta used an effective tactic to work with the bloggers. They just asked them to promote the brand and left the rest to their creativity. So the bloggers retained their voice,and effectively promoted the brand in their own unique way. This was the reason that the campaign was such a huge success.
2. Better Rates of Conversion
Another great perk of working with micro-influencers for promoting a brand or its products/services is the increase in conversion rates. Most of the micro-influencers are experts in their areas of interest. Whether it's travel and lifestyle or tech and gadgets. As a result of their expertise, their views on the topic are considered genuine and trustworthy by their reader and followers.
So micro-influencers drive most traffic into conversions. If a brand decides to work with micro-influencers with a specific category of followers, there is a high probability that they will attain a higher rate of conversion as compared to working with big influencers on various platforms.
A Twitter and Annalectstudy shoed that as many as 49% people say that they trust recommendations by influencers to make their purchase decisions. This gives an immense boost to the collaboration between brands to work with influencers which in turn increases their conversion rates.
Koa Organic Beverages is a manufacturer of organic fruit-based beverages for health conscious customers. They launched an influencer marketing campaign with seven micro-influencers in yoga. These influencers are perfect for the brand because they're into health, fitness, and healthy eating.
Koa distributed their samples to these influencers who really liked their product and eagerly helped in promoting them. One of the influencers on board the campaign was Andrea Taylor, who uploaded a picture with a post and is seen holding a bottle of Koa Organic Beverage.
You can see a screenshot of her post below.
Another micro-influencer named Studiohopfit, who has a following of more than 9,000, posted the following promotional post on Instagram.
You can also see another influencer Jt_bolongapromoting Koa Organic Beverages on her instagram post.
The results of the campaign were mind blowing as Koa Organic Drinks were able to reach more than 500,000 people and generated a total of more than 10,200 likes on their promotional posts.
Another way of promoting a brand via influencers to increase conversions is to get them to promote discount codes, which their followers can use on their first purchase. You can also achieve the same results by promoting links for free limited-period trials on your services.
A brand named Supursestyle is a company that rents out designer handbags. It launched an influencer marketing campaign to promote their brand by issuing discount codes via various fashion influencers like Lauren Recchia who is a style creator and blogger.
The images below are taken from Instagram and shows the promotional post by Lauren to promote the brand Supursestyle and their promotional code.
Lauren is seen promoting the company by saying how she used her new favourite service that day. She also included a 15% discount code exclusively for her followers. She posted a second image in which she showcased a close-up image of the purse she got from the service.
3. More Affordable than Big Names
One of the biggest benefits of working with micro-influencers is their affordability. This makes them easy to reach out to and they're an economical choice for many brands that have a tight budget for promoting their brand. Micro-influencers are also a good option for small scale businesses and startups.
A survey conducted by Bloglovin in 2016 involved 2500 micro-influencers that helped gain some insight into the cost of working with micro-influencers.
97% of micro-influencers will charge less than $500 for each Instagram post. And 84% don't even charge you over $250 for each post. The study also found that with a budget of $5000, you can reach out to around 315,000 followers on Twitter, 200,000 people on Instagram, or 125,000 people on Facebook.
Working with micro-influencers is an affordable way to reach out to your target audience and to make your brand more popular. Multiple micro-influencers can be hired in a limited budget to reach thousands of people at the same time.
There are many big influencers than can be used for brand endorsements but the cost of working with them is significantly higher. One of the most popular influencers is PewDiePie, who has close to 50 million subscribers on YouTube. The screenshot below shows the number of followers and number of views for his videos.
Although he does brand promotions, his charges are also extremely high and you might have to spend around $100,000 per promotional video.
Some brands have even worked with Instagram's highest paid celebrity influencer, Selena Gomez. This can be very effective as she has a following of more than 125 million. However, she charges a staggering $550,000 per promotional post making her virtually unreachable for small businesses and businesses that are on a tight budget.
The amount charged by these celebrities and influencers is a lot and most businesses won't be able to afford them. So in order to promote your brand and product in the best and cheapest way possible, you can start working with micro-influencers to reach out to their followers.
The previously-cited study by Bloglovin has already established that you won't have to spend more than $500 for an Instagram post by a micro-influencer. Working with micro-influencers is also significantly cheaper in other social media platforms as compared to a partnership with top influencers..
The Bloglovin study found that that 90% of micro-influencers on Facebook charge less than $250 per promotional post. And 97% charge less than $500 for promotional posts on Facebook. You can see more details about the cost of working with micro-influencers on Facebook in the following chart.
The cost of working with micro-influencers on Twitter is even more affordable than on other channels. The study found that 83% of them charge less than $150 for a promotional post on Twitter and 96$ charge less than $200 for a single post. You can see more details about the average cost of working with Twitter micro-influencers in the following chart.
It's clear that working with micro-influencers is significantly more affordable than working with celebrities and top influencers. Their rates are more scalable and they are within reach of every type of business. So even if you're a startup that wants to promote their business, working with relevant micro-influencers is financially viable.
The above benefits prove that micro-influencers are an effective and affordable way of promoting your brand. Having a group of dedicated and relevant followers and good user engagement rate is what makes them stand out from other types of influencers. Due to their affordability, even small businesses can use the benefits of growing their brand via influencer marketing campaign.
So if you ever decide to promote your business through influencer marketing, let me know so I can help you plan a campaign using the most relevant micro-influencers for your business.
Shane Barker is a digital marketing consultant who specializes in influencer marketing, content marketing, and SEO. He is the Co-Founder of Attrock, a digital marketing agency. He has consulted with Fortune 500 companies, influencers with digital products, and a number of A-List celebrities.


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Welcome to Paramount Cottage
Paramount Cottages are managed by local Himalayan owners with great sense of hospitality and regard for guests. The MD Mr. Pune Ram and Director Mr. Khushal take special interests towards making best arrangements for all cherished guests. The local traditions and lifestyle keep Manali inhabitants occupied all the year with sense of festivity, celebrations as well as giving the opportunity to be good hosts in Himachal Pradesh, north India. Guests revisit our cottages just to revive the freshness of Manali memories and an attempt to be one with nature by being far away from stress and pollution of hectic city life.
Help & Info
- Distance from main Manali : 1Km before Manali
- Connectivity : Via Road
- Parking : Yes
- Internet Connectivity : Yes
- Power Back up : Yes
- Private Lawn : Yes
- Separate Suites : Yes


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English Books
Lost Lovers Meet and unleash the magic.
The time is now. The place is Japan. Mark is living the only life he knows or can remember. He does not spend any more time away from his box-like apartment than is needed. He lives in fear that he might miss this lifestyle, which he has chosen for himself.
His world is about to change. Masumi has returned to his life.
After such a long time, he has found his love again—or is it the same love?
All he knows is that Masumi has the eyes that he yearns for.
Masumi herself is not without secrets. A secret past even she has yet to realize. A power growing inside of her that will tear their world view apart.
Brotherhood: Amber Light Series Book 2
The balance ceremony is fast approaching. With every ceremony two souls are connected to the ancient powers and sacrificed to keep the balance. The Guardians had the souls, until Mark was taken taken from the Guardians, taken from, Masumi.
The Brotherhood always pushes for progress. They corrupt, infest, and use magi to drag the world into the technological. The goal is nothing less than the elimination of nature and the magic that comes from it… at all costs.
Masumi does not care about the balance. Her focus is only on getting back Mark. Saving her love before it is too late. A task that should be easier with her newly awakened magical powers. She will burn down all those that stand between her and her beloved Mark.
"The plan seemed so easy in the beginning. Take Mark from Masumi, from the Guardians, corrupt him, and control him…"
Suzuka is feeling the pull from being so close to Mark. There is something deep inside screaming at her, "You were supposed to be the one to corrupt him not the other way around."
Lost memories are no longer Mark's concern. The shadow in his mind provides him with the keys to all the knowledge held by the orders. Even the power to break the seals to his past. The Brotherhood and the Guardians no longer have secrets from Mark that is as long as he keeps listening to the voice.
Masumi is the master to the magical fire the Amber Light provides. She is no longer the timid soul the Guardians protected. She is ready to cast off from Japan in pursuit of the woman who took her love, Mark. She will burn down anything that stands in her way to get to him.
Robert wanted for nothing. His job gave him wealth, esteem and satisfaction. His family gave him all the love and security that he could ever need. Jenny fell into his world. Like dominoes falling, she knocked over all of his defenses and excuses.
Robert wanted to write her off, to ignore her, to deny her. She offered him salvation, and subjugation. And with it a feeling of acceptance that could only come from seeing her marks on his flesh.
She broke him before she even touched him. Then she started to tie him back together again.
Love, the first side of my romance novel. I see love as a bond between two people, a couple whose souls have been mixed into one, a melding of minds. But like a couple, even when they are two people as one, both tell the story from a different side. I have taken those sides and made a book for each. The first being Love is told from the point of view of a man, Robert. The second in the series to be released later this year.
Kaoru In Loves Shadow on Kindle
The other side of the coin to Love. There are always at least two sides to every story and here you can see Kaoru's side. Her climb to the light per se as well as her decent into the darkness that is love.
Windows and Linux's adventure. Have a run through the life of two cats learning about the meaning of family and finding their one true home. A great book for any family and cat lovers .
Paperback Windows and Linux's Adventure
Japanese Books
日本語版 Japanese Books
英語版のAMAZONリンク:Windows and Linux's Adventure.


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Letter from the Board
Welcome to all members of San Fruancisco Flying Eagles. As we begin our sixth year of organized activities, we thought that it would be helpful to present a perspective on why we are here, where we hope to go and what you can come to expect from your organization and board.
S.F. Flying Eagles is a nonprofit, mutual benefit corporation and, as such, each and every one of you is a member of the organization. As members, you have a vote in how the organization's mission statement is implemented and how your respective teams are administered. S.F. Flying Eagles differs significantly from other organizations in this regard.
Whereas some
organizations set forth rules and regulations and make unilateral decisions
on organizational staffing,
Whereas some organizations set forth conduct
rules in an attempt to regulate how outsiders perceive their organization,
S.F. Flying Eagles' organization structure is designed to be as unobtrusive as possible.
Generally speaking, your Board is operating under the guideline that teams should be self-governing. The Board will intervene only in situations involving organization-level issues or if involvement is specifically requested by team members.
Once again, we welcome all new and returning members and extend our best wishes for a successful and enjoyable season.
-San Francisco Flying Eagles Board
-back to top-


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Haughn notches first win of the season for Stonehill
|Michael White compiled three hits in
Stonehill's 7-3 win over Pace.
WINTER PARK, Fla. (March 12, 2012) – Stonehill College, ranked seventh overall in the latest National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) East Regional Poll, earned a 7-3 victory over Pace University in non-conference action at Alfond Stadium this afternoon.
Senior left-handed pitcher Eric Haughn (Pembroke, Mass./Pembroke) posted his first win of the season on five-and-one-thirds innings of work, yielding five hits, one run (earned), four walks and four strikeouts. Freshman Armand Rugel (Middletown, R.I./Middletown) pitched two-and-two-thirds innings allowing one hit, one run (earned), one walk and two punchouts. Senior Michael Von Stein (Trumbull, Conn./Trumbull) closed out the ninth giving up zero hits, one run (unearned) while walking one batter and fanning another.
For the Setters, Jonathan Silva (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) was handed the loss on four-and-two-thirds innings, five hits, three runs (all earned), three walks and a game-high six punchouts.
Scoreless through the first three full innings, Stonehill cracked the scoreboard in the bottom half of the fourth on a Dan Fratus (Plymouth, Mass./Plymouth North) run producing triple that scored Michael White (Lisbon, N.H./Lisbon Regional) for a 1-0 lead. White led off the frame with a single and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by senior designated hitter Steven Popp (Unionville, Conn./Farmington).
White pushed the Skyhawks advantage to 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth with a RBI single while Fratus increased the gap to 3-0 with a bases loaded walk, his second run batted in of the contest.
Pace responded in the top half of sixth as designated hitter James Pjura (Shelton, Conn./Shelton) homered to lead off the inning.
Stonehill answered in the next half inning with three runs aided by a pair of fielding errors. Junior shortstop Michael Zeiner (Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) picked up a fielder's choice RBI plating freshman Dan Pidgeon (Darien, Conn./Darien) from third base.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Skyhawks pushed their lead to 7-1 as sophomore right fielder Billy Karalis (Pawtucket, R.I./Bishop Feehan) smacked a double to right centerfield, advanced to third on a groundout to short and came around to score on a wild pitch.
Pace cut into the deficit with one run in the top of the eighth inning on a RBI single from senior Patrick Chaputian (Sea Cliff, N.Y./North Shore) and a fielding error in the ninth to make it 7-3.
White went 3-for-5 with one run scored, one run batted in and one stolen base. Fratus was 1-for-2 with two RBI's and Zeiner went 1-for-4 at the plate with one run scored and two runs driven in.
For Pace, Pjura went 1-for-2 with two runs scored and one home run while Chaputian collected the only other multi-hit performance for the Setters going 2-for-4 with one run batted in.
Stonehill (7-4, 0-0 NE-10, 0-0 Northeast Division) plays tomorrow against LIU-C.W. Post in a makeup game, from a March 11 rainout, in Winter Park, Fla. at Rollins College at 5:30 p.m. Pace (4-4, 0-0 NE-10, 0-0 Southwest Division) will take on C.W. Post tomorrow at the same facility at 2 p.m.
- www.stonehillskyhawks.com -


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Model Buildings And Structures
Everyone wants fast and easy model buildings and structures so that they can get on with using their train layout.
Now you can make your own amazingly realistic model buildings as easy as 1, 2 3.
And without sacrificing quality you can very quickly have a fine looking train layout.
Below is a link to a source of a large selection of highly detailed buildings, low relief buildings, and structures from which you can choose.
Focus on your operations instead of modeling.
Avoid work and leave the building details to the graphics artists.
You don't have to buy expensive kits to get an impressive layout
Start by downloading a free sample building and learn how quick and easy it really is to make one.
Here is a link that we recommend that you click on now to see the full selection of buildings – and get a free one.


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In November, a new condom brand called Sustain began promoting a campaign that, at first glance, implies they'd like you to believe some condoms may cause cancer. At the heart of this is a petition demanding the FDA to "Get Carcinogens Out of Condoms." What isn't readily apparent is that there is no scientific evidence indicating you could ever get cancer from any condom. Ever.
As we discussed last week, the claim that condoms are laden with harmful carcinogens is unfounded. Sustain's promotion of these myths is irresponsible and quite dangerous. Insinuating that the majority of mainstream condoms could cause cancer anchors yet another obstacle in the decades-long struggle to improve condom use and know-how.
Now the sex education community is speaking out against Sustain condoms. The Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health (the CSPH) is kicking off their new Sunday Sex School by featuring a three part series that exposes Sustain's confusing and misinformed messages. Here is the second part of that series.
This series was written by Erin Basler-Francis of the CSPH. Read the originals here: Part I and Part II.
BY THE CSPH | theCSPH.org
Lesson II.
The previous lesson (scroll to the end of this article) discussed the basics of nitrosamine and its presence in condoms, as well as a short explanation of the report released by The Reproductive Health Technologies Project and the Center for Environmental health. In this lesson we will look a little deeper at the methodology of the report and the response around the Sexuality Education community.
Making a Good Thing Even Better…with facts!
When the RTHP and CEH released their white paper, it included the following chart:
In looking at this list, one has to take into account a few things:
- The condoms tested were acquired in December 2013, and with an average shelf life of ~4 years, this means some of the condoms tested could have been manufactured in 2009.
- The research was funded by a company that provided prototypes of their condoms for analysis.
- Not all of the condoms tested are represented. PPFA's Proper Attire condoms were kept out of the chart because, "[PPFA] secured a commitment from its manufacturer in May 2014 to phase out nitrosamine levels to below the limits of detection after 12 months…Therefore, we have omitted from the reported findings the results of our testing of what is now an outdated version of PROPER ATTIRE's Basic condom." However, Glyde and One are specifically mentioned in the chart footnote as having provided similar documentation, but were not removed.
- The condoms tested represent a wide swath of condoms types…including "novelty" condoms.
Comparing Apple-Flavored condoms to Oranges
It is disingenuous to compare novelty condoms—those that are flavored, colored, or include special lubes, to standard condoms. Especially when the funder's website says this:
Sure, test all the condoms! If people want to know that they might be putting into their bodies, let them know. But don't take one off specialty condoms and put them in a chart with plain "vanilla" condoms and combine that with alarmist, unsupported claims that said products are going to give someone penis cancer. When I'm looking for safer sex supplies, my first thought isn't glow in the dark or blueberry—even if it may make a partners genitals smell like pie. These just aren't the first choice.
The Condom Market
Speaking of cherry-picking the condom selection in the study, that list has a lot of the major offenders when it comes to using sexist marketing. According to Meika Hollender, co-founder of Sustain,
We didn't want the packaging to scream neon-flavored sex—we wanted something that would appeal to the consumer. If you look in a drugstore condom aisle today, you will see that none of the products are targeted to women. We understand that women aren't going to buy our condoms just because we've designed a nicer wrapper, but we think it will at least help.
We want women to feel as comfortable carrying a condom in their purse as they do their lipstick, credit card and cell phone (Brandchannel,com, Dec. 02, 2014).
If one were to look at the condoms packaging and take into account that a number of brands singled out are newer entries to the condom market, one could draw the conclusion that this is a latex turf war. ONE, Sir Richard's, and Billy Boy are newer distributors that have fun, eye-catching packaging. Sir Richard's and ONE in particular pay a lot of attention to the exterior design, making the packaging seem at home in a cabinet next to the Method hand soap. Glyde, the oldest, most established of the bunch, holds the distinction of being the vegan condom until Sustain hit shelves in January 2014.
The Condom-Cancer link is a Red Herring
Shortly before the RHTP and CEH released their white paper on 18 SEP 2014, Sustain sent out this tweet:
In the video, titled Are Condoms Killing You, Lauren Brim, a holistic sexuality coach, makes the assertion that "condoms could also be hurting you" by releasing "nitrosamines and these are carcinogens. These are toxic. These cause cancer." After the intro, complete with dramatic music, Brim goes on to explain the fantastic benefits of Sustain, citing their commitment to fair-trade, ethical manufacturing practices in the same breath as their lack of carcinogens that "can lead to ovarian cancer." Jeffery Hollender, in a phone interview, stated that Lauren Brim is not affiliated with the company, but had been in contact with Sustain through their regular customer service channels prior to her video.
Although Brim is not linked to Sustain, the prevalence of media outlets stating that condoms cause cancer is. Well over half of the interviews given by the Hollenders regarding Sustain after the report and video contained references to toxic chemicals, carcinogens, and nitrosamine. Many of those articles specifically point out the link to reproductive cancers.
However, the studies—including the white paper funded by Sustain, point out that there is no causal link between reproductive cancers and nitrosamines. And even if there were, a condom contains fewer nitrosamines than a serving of French fries.
Banding Together To Challenge Misinformation
Initially, Salon seemed to be the only outlet covering the ludicrousness of the assertion that condoms can kill you. In the article, Former Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, in a statement from Trojan, said,
Any public statement calling into question the safety of latex condoms, given the mountain of evidence supporting their safe and effective use, simply is not credible. Consumers should continue using condoms to prevent unintended pregnancies, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections — and they should remain confident that condoms are safe and effective.
Many involved, including Jeffery Hollender, noted the relative quiet after the tweet heard around the industry. Melissa White, sexuality educator and CEO of Lucky Bloke Condoms, along with others in the sexuality education, reproductive health, and condom industry attributed this silence to the hope that, after being admonished by the Patron Saint of Masturbation Advocacy, Sustain would get the hint and lay off the scare tactics. In her piece on RH Reality Check, White says,
With selling condoms comes an undeniable level of responsibility. My work, like many others', is leading people to a better relationship with condoms, thereby increasing consistent and correct use. Misleading marketing, scare tactics, and irresponsible messaging is doing a disservice to all of us, especially to the millions of people who depend on condoms to protect their health.
(Read the response from RHTP here.)
After the release of the report, ONE Condom's parent company, Global Protection, released a statement that ended, "We hope that this new RHTP report is not sensationalized in a way that discourages people from using condoms, thereby exposing them to very real, well known risks."
Glyde America responded to the misinformation with the following:
While we applaud Sustain's enthusiasm for marketing condoms to economically advantaged female millennials, we have repeatedly voiced our concerns about the tactics used which serve to undermine over thirty years of public health efforts promoting condom use within the teen and LGBT communities.
Condoms are highly regulated medical devices. There is no collective conspiracy by the ISO, World Health Organization, FDA, rubber latex suppliers and condom manufacturers to deliver substandard or in any way unsafe condoms to consumers. To the contrary, for decades manufacturers have continually refined materials and processes including reducing if not eliminating nitrosamines. To formulate a non-existent issue, while patently ignoring all scientific data proving condom safety, is not only misleading, it is irresponsible.
For what it is worth, the Sustain Camp seems to have stopped publicly beating the"condoms cause cancer" drum. Wednesday, in a Reddit Ask Me Anything post, Jeffery Hollender did not mention nitrosamines, toxicity, or cancer—although there were questions asked that would have fit that answer and removed a pretty/awful inforgraphicwas pulled from the Sustain website shortly after Melissa White's article went live.
Lesson I.
Part of the mission of the Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health is to challenge misinformation. Lately in the sexual and reproductive health field, there has been a growing outcry against the recent use of nitrosamine (a probable carcinogen) levels in condoms as a marketing tactic. Sustain Condoms and The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics are heavily pushing a petition for regulation of nitrosamine by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Between the petition, a series of interviews by the founders of Sustain, and a study titled "Making a Good Thing Even Better: Removing NITROSAMINES from CONDOMS," [emphasis theirs] many in the field are concerned that the message being received by the public is, "Condoms cause cancer."
Where Did This Information Come From?
In September 2014, the Reproductive Health Technologies Project in collaboration with the Center for Environmental Health. In the study, they report the levels of nitrosamine present in 24 different types of condoms, spread across several brands. The report states that selection criteria included units sold, in-store availability, and input from issue and industry experts.
It is important to note at this point that there is one condom that was put into the study in its prototypical form from Sustain Condoms, a new entry to the field of prophylactics founded by Jeffery Hollander (of Seventh Generation products) and his daughter, Meika. As we find out in the acknowledgement section of the study:
The report does not disclose which other issue and industry experts it received input from.
What Are Nitrosamines?
Nitrosamines, specifically in latex, are a byproduct of chemical processes used to make latex more elastic. Nitrosamines can also form when nitrates turn to nitrites and meet up with amines during the digestive process.
Nitrosamines are found in a lot of items: rubber products (including condoms, baby pacifiers, and latex gloves), meats, cheese, drinking water, beer, dehydrated dairy products, grains, eggs, tobacco smoke…well, it's in a lot of things we encounter regularly[1]. Further, the body can take nitrates from things like broccoli (which is naturally high in both nitrates and nitrites) and turn it into nitrosamine.
Nitrosamines, specifically the subcompounds of NDEA (N-nitrosodiethylamine), NDMA (N-nitrosodimethylamine), and NDBA (N-nitrosodibutylamine), are classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as a probable human carcinogen and by the European Union as presumed to have carcinogenic potential for humans; largely based on animal evidence.
What Do Condoms Have To Do With Hamsters?
In the conversation around Nitrosamine levels in condoms, one study is cited the most. The first, a 2001 study where nitrosamine as directly applied to the skin and mucosal tissue (e.g. the walls of the nose and vagina) of Syrian Hamsters. The hamsters developed tumors in the liver and digestive track after the application of 1 gram of nitrosamine. For reference the estimated lifetime absorption of nitrosamine from condoms is .9 micrograms (ug)—also known as .0000009 grams. And people are a lot bigger than hamsters.
As mentioned above, there are nitrosamines everywhere. The average person consumes ~500ug of nitrosamine from food alone every day. More importantly, there is neither a causal or correlative link between reproductive cancers and nitrosamine, a point which is stated clearly in all of the reports, even the one funded by Sustain.
The bottom line: Condoms will not give you cancer.
But they will help protect you from unintended pregnancy and STIs. So wrap up and keep an eye out for Lesson 2.
[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2786176/table/T2/
The CENTER for SEXUAL PLEASURE and HEALTH (The CSPH) is designed to provide adults with a safe, physical space to learn about sexual pleasure, health, and advocacy issues. Led by highly respected founder and director, Megan Andelloux, The CSPH is a sexuality training and education organization that works to reduce sexual shame, fight misinformation, & advance the sexuality field.


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Follow these ten tips for making your marketing videos even better!
We've been telling you that video was going to be big for a long time. The stats are amazing. The global reach is compelling. Even the Pope is using a video camera when he Skypes. So it's no surprise so many people are adding video to their marketing strategy. Whether it's showing off your products, explaining your company's value proposition or customer testimonials that give your prospects confidence in your abilities, video is unmatched in its ability to engage.
Of course, it's not all Fellini and Kubrick out there. There's a lot of work to be done. Too many videos aren't up to speed. There's a reason it's called video, so the bar is much higher than narrated photo tours. At the same time, some people should absolutely, never, ever be allowed to touch a camera (horrifying real estate video here). When done right, they are beautiful, as we've pointed out in the best real estate video ever. We're starting to see more and more great stuff like this property video here, and real estate team promotional here.
Two years ago we offered Ten Tips for Terrific Listing Videos. At the time, it was solid advice for the state of the technology and industry. Since then, we've come a long way (well, some of us have) so here are ten more tips for making terrific videos, no matter what industry you're in.
- Tell a Story. If you don't have as storyline, then you don't have a marketing video. Panning through rooms and backyards, with an accompanying voice over of the obvious, isn't marketing. It's a documentary. You'll never hear Mercedes point out their cars have steering wheels in their television commercials and the Old Spice Guy doesn't have to explain how his deodorant works. First write, then shoot a story.
- Emotional Focus. We should laugh. We should cry. Great video gives us chills, goosebumps, makes us smile, captures our imagination. It's all about imagination, emotion and desire. Figure out what the emotional message is, and go back and rewrite your story (see Tip 1).
- Write for the Ear. Our friend Martha Webb is one of the smartest marketing people we know. One of her greatest insights is that making videos means writing scripts for the ear, not the eye. What works when people read marketing copy isn't the same as what works when they hear it. If you have people talking in your video, make sure they're using words people normally hear, not read.
- Step away from the Camera! Ever hear the one about the world-class accountant who was also a video expert? Neither did we. By and large, most people should never attempt to shoot a video, not because they're not enthusiastic, but because they're simply not good at it. Call up the local wedding videographer and see what he's doing on a Tuesday. You'll find him eager (at a good price) to shoot your commercial, bio, newsletter, with his professional equipment and trained eye. You write the script and direct it.
- At Least Edit. If you prefer to do your own video (and some people will have a talent for it) then be sure to also edit it. Get a Mac, fire up iMovie, and clean it up. Watch your video at least ten times; then start trimming. Use special effects sparingly, but add a little introduction and closing text so people can contact you for more information.
- Be Real. If you're demonstrating your products, show people actually using it, living in it, enjoying it. If you're doing a weekly video newsletter, have it shot from your desk or your conference room. Be normal, real, and lightly scripted. Take viewers off their guard with your genuine personality.
- Forget about Time. Recent research by Comscore shows that people are actually watching longer videos, not shorter ones, but only if they're high quality. So stop trying to jam it into one minute, when you can keep people's attention for two minutes. Combine a good story with high definition recording and crisp, clear audio (use wireless mics), and you'll find people will watch the whole video.
- Create a Board of "Directors." Some videos are more important than others. You can probably shoot your video blog right from your laptop, and post to YouTube without much planning. Others might make or break your marketing plan for the entire year. Consider gathering some trusted advisors into a "board of directors" who can help you storyboard, script and critique your videos (before and after you shoot). Many minds make better movies.
- Skip the Voiceover. If you're going to talk in your video, then let's see your lips moving. Even if your voice track continues over some subsequent imagery, be sure to let the audience see you (or whomever is speaking) to start. People pay more attention when they see a person speaking. That's why we have newscasters rather than a still photo narrated by a radio personality on our television sets.
- Watch Great Videos. If you want ideas for storylines, copywriting and editing great videos, go watch some great videos. Get out of your product category, to see how other industries deliver compelling video for luxury fragrances, hotels, even technology. Some of Apple's videos are downright sensual; and it's only a laptop!
So there are ten more ways you can make your videos even better. We hope they help. Perhaps you have an idea or two you'd like to share? Please add them to the comments below!


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My life's a map of places that can hide me
But none of them protect me like they should.
I talk to friends as if they're here beside me
But they can't say more than I think they would.
This loneliness is colder then December.
I just hear echoes every time I pray.
I cling to all the good times I remember,
Then wonder why the future slips away.
Each dawn arrives with something to upset me.
By sunset, it defeats me or I grow.
I think the universe is out to get me--
It really likes to tell me where to go.
And every time the moment's crystal clear,
Life is a voice that says "You can't stay here."
No matter where I move, it's a direction.
No matter where I wind up, it's a stand.
Even when I'm withdrawn, it's a connection.
Even when it's spontaneous, it's planned.
Each false step that I take is done to teach me
That I am my own life's most dearest foe.
Each true step sees a goal that wants to reach me--
And when it does, I'll be the last to know.
For knowledge is just ignorance times pride
And learning is a never-ending road.
And even if I travel with a guide,
He passes on a wisdom that's in code--
And every pitfall where I stumble proves
To be the right kind of all the wrong moves.
Copyright 2017 Matthew J Wells


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Long-distance caregiving can be emotional and frustrating
by Carol Bradley Bursack, Editor-in-Chief
The days when most extended families lived in the same town have been over for decades. People often move from the home town right after college graduation. If not, they may move later for a better job or to follow a spouse who was transferred by an employer. Whatever the reason, once their parents show signs of aging and decline, adult children can find that being a long-distance caregiver tugs at their hearts and their wallets. Where do these people turn for help in caring for their loved ones?
Living a distance away from our parents can be freeing for the young. However, as we mature our parents mature also, or as we generally say, they age. For adult children who see their aging parents regularly because they live close by, this aging process, barring urgent health issues like a parent's stroke, is gradual. It's different for those who live at a distance. People who haven't seen their aging parents for a few months are often shocked when they do visit. It's like they've been smacked in the face with reality. Mom and Dad are old.
Parents often don't share health issues with their offspring who live away from home because they don't want to "worry the kids." Even telephone conversations often don't reveal potentially serious issues. It's easy to just live one's long-distance life in denial. That denial reverses when you visit and find yourself staring reality in the face. You know that you must soon leave so you can get back to work. Your parents need help. What do you do?
Long-distance caregiving: sibling issues
If you have a sibling who lives close to your parents, with whom you have a good relationship, it's time to set up a plan. The near-by sibling is likely to become the default caregiver. Discuss with your sibling the role each of you will play in looking after your parents. Make it clear that you want to help. If you don't clearly offer, you may be resented for being distant, and you may feel--or actually be--left out of important health decisions.
You should offer to do something concrete to lighten the primary caregiver's responsibility, but how do you help from far away? One option is to offer to pay the cost of some in-home care. Help the primary caregiver find a reputable agency in your parents' town and then, together with your sibling, make a plan so that there is relief for the on-sight caregiver.
By showing love and care for the on-sight caregiver, you can come across as a partner willing to help with parent care, rather than a critic, or someone who mistrusts the caregiver. Obviously, if neglect or abuse is suspected, you are looking at something different. Generally, however, it's simply a matter of finding your place in the parent care plan by offering concrete help.
Long-distance caregiving and the only child
What if you are an only child who lives far away from your loved one? This presents other difficulties. Some families with squabbling siblings would give the world to be an only child. They get tired of family feuds over the parent's care. Many a lawyer has been consulted in the name of family feuds over parent care. So your own situation isn't all bad. But, still, you are alone and wondering how to handle the many facets of aging care from so far away.
Geriatric care managers can be a boon to people who live at a distance. Geriatric care managers often are social workers or nurses who have decided to work as an independent contractor. The service they provide is one of assessing the needs of your parents as they age and arranging, all the while communicating with you, for the local services that your parents may want or need. Their service, of course, comes with a price tag. Also, it's a relatively new field, so not every community has geriatric care managers. One place you can check is online through the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.
Even if you don't choose a manager associated with this care manager's association, it's good to browse the site to get a feel for what a care manager can do. If you do hire a care manager, be sure to get references, and check those references. There are no licensing guidelines for this profession. I'm sure that will come, but for now it's an open field. You want to make sure you are getting not only what you are paying for, but that what you are paying for is good for your parents.
Long-distance caregiving options
In-Home Care Agencies
For some people, a reputable in-home care agency can do the job without you needing to hire an onsite care manager. A good in-home agency makes it a point to keep in close contact with you. Of course, again, be sure to ask for references and check them. Word of mouth is valuable, so if you have friends who live in your parent's community, ask around. See who they would suggest. Chances are good that they've needed some help with their parents, too.
Also, whether you use a care manager, an in-home agency or other hired help for your parents, since you can't regularly check on how the care is being handled, you should make sure a trusted friend or someone from your folks' spiritual community checks on them regularly. You don't want to risk your frail parents' health and well-being by blindly hiring someone to take over, with no check points.
Adult Day Care
While you are visiting your parents, you may want to see if there are adult day services or day cares in the community. They may not need this service now, but adult day care is often a wonderful way to get your parents out for social interaction and also know they are watched over. This works especially well if you only have one parent in the home. If you hire an in-home agency, they can arrange for their staff to drive your parent to and from day care or on and off the right bus.
Assisted Living
Again, while you are in your parents' community, you may want to look into assisted living centers. Many seniors don't want to move from their community because they have roots, but they don't mind moving to a place where they can have a social life, good food and someone to help them in an emergency. If your parents aren't ready for this now, look anyway. Make a plan.
Caregiving and aging parents
Don't forget the shock when you saw your parents after a six-month or year gap. This aging process isn't likely to reverse itself. So, now is the time to make a plan. Talk with them about their needs. They may try to convince you that everything is just fine as it is, so you need to be tactful and observant. Let them know that, even if you do live far away, you want to take care of them.
If possible, make a plan with them and include them in touring adult day care centers and assisted living arrangements. Maybe they prefer a small, home environment. Maybe they prefer a grand retirement center scheme. If they are capable, let them help plan. In an emergency, you won't have the luxury of time. If that is your situation, call friends who have aging parents. Also, check with medical professionals to ask for assistance.
With luck, you won't have to act quickly. But you eventually may have to act. Don't let denial keep you from recognizing when your parents need help. Help is available. You just need to look.


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If Aracari is one thing, it's a team effort. We pride ourselves on being a highly-knowledgeable and specialised team where we are all focused on designing and implementing the most authentic and creative hand-crafted travel itineraries to Peru, Bolivia and the Galapagos.
Available positions
More Information: Aracari, Peru's leading inbound luxury Travel Company, is hiring a Travel Planner/Sales Consultant based in Lima, Peru. Immediate start. Compensation based on qualifications, prior experience and performance.
To apply: Please email email@example.com and firstname.lastname@example.com with your CV and cover letter in English. Further, please quote TRAVEL PLANNER in the subject line of your application email. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Position Responsibilities:
- Design, sell and execute authentic, tailor-made itineraries covering Peru, Bolivia and the Galapagos Islands to direct and agency clients from across the world.
- Use of travel planning software to generate proposals and quotations.
- Coordinating with suppliers to ensure services are perfectly well organized.
- Manage all the client's travel requirements and act as the point of contact for clients travelling on the ground.
- Completed studies in Tourism and Marketing, Business and Sales Administration, Liberal Arts or related.
- Bachelor's degree
- University title preferred (applicable to Peruvian candidates)
Experience and Skills:
- Fluent English (native an advantage) and Spanish, written and verbal
- Previous work experience in the Tourism Sector of no less than 4 years
- Previous sales and Customer Service experience of no less than 2 years
- Destination knowledge and travel experience in Peru (essential), Bolivia and the Galapagos (an advantage)
- Passion for travel, culture, history, art, cuisine, nature, etc.
- Excellent communication skills
- Strong work ethic and drive with the ability to work under pressure
- Dynamic, creative and proactive
- Proven understanding of the high-end travel market
- Computer literate with competent numeracy skills
- Previous experience using TourPlan (an advantage)
- Opportunities for travel
- Sales incentives: performance related commissions and bonuses
- Monday-Friday basis (no shift work)
- Small company culture
Speculative applications are welcomed for our travel planning sales team and as guides, where fluent English is a prerequisite. Please email firstname.lastname@example.com and email@example.com.


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Cocoa-Nana Bread
I know I know I've said so many times I don't like banana bread. But it's a pretty impossible thing to not make given the fact that overripe bananas are bound to occur. The bananas used for this loaf were from my boyfriend's brother & wife who had a bunch of overripe bananas and somehow I went home with them. I asked my boyfriend what he wanted me to make with them and he said chocolate chip banana bread, but I thought I'd go a little further and do a chocolate chocolate chip banana bread. I found it in my most favourite baking book, Baking: From My Home to Yours. It was super chocolatey, had a great texture, and was really soft. And it was equally banana-y and chocolate-y.
Have I mentioned that I'm extremely excited that it's October?? Ahh my favourite month and time of year. What's yours?
If this sounds good, you might also like:
Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Muffins
Mom's Banana Apple Bread
Garden Harvest Cake
Chocolate Strawberry Loaf
Cocoa-Nana Bread
Adapted from Baking: From My Home to Yours
2 cups all purpose flour (I used 272 g)
1 cup cocoa powder (not Dutch processed)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 stick (8 tbsp) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup (packed) light brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (or 1/2 cup store bought chocolate chips)
Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350F. Butter a 9x5 inch loaf pan and placed it on an insulated baking sheet or on two regular baking sheets stacked on top of the other. (This will keep the bottom of the loaf from overbaking.)
Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt and baking soda.
Working with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment beat the butter at medium speed for about a minute, until softened. Add the sugars and beat for 2 minutes more. Add the eggs one at a time, beating for a minute after each addition. At this point, the batter may look a little curdled. Reduce the mixer speed to low and mix in the mashed bananas. Add the dry ingredients in 3 additions, mixing only until they disappear into the batter. Still on low speed, add the buttermilk, mixing until it is incorporated. Stir in the chopped chocolate. Scrape the batter into the pan.
Bake for 30 minutes. Cover the bread loosely with a foil tent to keep the top from getting too dark, and continue to bake for another 40 to 45 minutes (total baking time is between 70 to 75 minutes), or until a thin knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a rack and cool for at least 20 minutes before running a knife around the edges of the brad and unmolding it. Invert and cool to room temperature right side up.


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As the demand for hair products like extensions and weaves grows in India, wholesale bulk hair suppliers from India are getting recognised on a broad forum. We at Bulk Hair Exports have been among the most demanded companies to provide bulk hair for our clients, as well as for some individuals. This trend is because of the variations that one can do with the hair styles and bulk human hair weave offers plenty of advantages in achieving such styles.
When remy Indian bulk hair is ordered, we provide the best quality hair products, so that these are of use for people. As wholesale bulk hair suppliers from India, we have ensured that the products are of the best quality, so that when you wear bulk human hair weave for a long period without getting destroyed or damaged.
So our customers get bulk hair of remy and non-remy varieties, which can be worn without any issues and these will be of much value for the customers in changing their styles. Since we are well known for bulk hair supplies in India, buying products from our stocks can be the best bargains for all our customers across wide range of products. Besides, the pricing is also quite reasonable to be afforded by most of our customers.
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Game Day
Saturday, August 25, 2018
Lubbers Stadium - Grand Valley State University (Allendale)
Game 1: 4:00 p.m. – East Kentwood v. Mona Shores
Game 2: 7:00 p.m. – Zeeland East v. East Grand Rapids
*no re-entry between games; home teams listed in bold
Click here for online ticket sales
Game Day ticket prices: Adults $10 | Students $8 (10 and under are free)
High School football player wearing their high school jersey - $4
All seating is general admission. Must have a sideline credential to enter the field level. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Tickets are also available for purchase in the Athletic office of all participating schools. Please contact your Athletic Director for advance ticket sales.
Charity Partner
A portion of advance ticket sales will be given to the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.
You can also help by donating now: http://give.helendevoschildrens.org/GridironGiving
GVSU: Grand Valley State University strives to offer guests on our campus the best possible game day experience at any of the intercollegiate games. Should any problems arise during the game, please contact any GVSU athletics staff, or police officer.
Please follow all signs and parking staff when arriving to campus. Parking lots will open at 11:00am.
All parking will be $5 for cars and $25 for RV's/Motorhomes. Spectator parking will be based on space availability. This is for your safety as we will have large amounts of vehicles and pedestrian traffic. Ticket windows will be open 90 minutes prior to kickoff and gates into Lubbers Stadium will open 1 hour prior to kickoff.
Parking will be in various lots on the Allendale campus. Free parking will be available for game spectators in Lots H & K on a first come basis; once this lot is full, traffic will be required to park at one of the several fee based lots available to spectators. Be sure to follow event signage and parking staff directions. click here for parking map
Parking Lot A is designated for Media, Game Officials, and School Administration – ID / Credential Required (To request Media Credential: ctc WMSC at firstname.lastname@example.com)
Parking Lot B1 is designated for Handicap Parking
Parking Lot B2 Event Parking
Lot C and C West Event Parking/RV and motorhome parking in Lot C
Lot F-Event Parking
RV/Motor home Parking will be directed to LOT C and will be $25
*ALL Lot D lots are off limits and will be ticketed. This lot is for GVSU on campus residence
GVSU: OVERNIGHT CAMPING is PROHIBITED in any GVSU Parking Lot or Grounds. Cargo trucks, flat bed trailers, any type of trailer, fifth wheel campers, limos, food vending trucks, boats, boat trailers and U-hauls are PROHIBITED and will be asked to leave the Parking Areas. Vehicle must fit in a parking space as designed and instructed by parking guideline for events. Other PROHIBITED VEHICLES INCLUDE: All-Terrain-Vehicles (ATV's), Segway's, and unauthorized golf carts. GVSU Athletics reserves the right to remove any unauthorized vehicle from the premises.
Please follow all signs and listen to parking staff. Parking will be a first come first serve basis. If a lot is full, parking attendants will direct you to the next available lot. Lots will open two hours prior to the first game and will be closed down one hour following the last game. ALCOHOL IS NOT ALLOWED in parking lots or inside the stadium for this event. Each parking space is allowed one 10x10 or smaller tent that can be placed behind the vehicle but not blocking traffic or open parking spaces. All beverages should be in alumni cans, plastic bottles, or paper/plastic cups. No Glass is allowed. Not adhering to this policy is cause for immediate removal from the grounds by GVPD.
Alcohol consumption is prohibited in the parking lots and inside Lubbers Stadium.
Permitted Items:
- Single seat chair backs (can only take up one seat)
- Binoculars
- Cell phones and pagers
- Small cameras and radios
- Blankets and rain apparel
- Strollers (must not take up an additional seat)
- Soft sided bags/purses/diaper bags no larger that 18x14x4 without rollers.
All bags will be inspected at the designated bag check lines. GVSU Public Safety will have the right to deny the entrance of any bag they deem questionable. Duffle bags are prohibited.
Prohibited Items:
- Bags larger than 18x14x4, duffle bags, and bags with rollers
- Containers of any kind including aerosol cans and spray cans
- Flagpoles and lawn chairs
- Still photography cameras with a lens that is more than 6" in length
- Outside beverages or food of any kind
- Coolers, thermoses, cups, bottles, cans, flasks
- Camcorders and tripods
- Streamers, powders, silly string, and other related items
- Pets (Only exception is service animals)
- Promotional items (such as Koozies, mini footballs, and frisbees) unless distributed by GVSU Athletics or approved partners
**The University reserves the right to refuse entry or eject anyone not adhering to these stadum regulations.


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Children may experience coughing due to a variety of reasons; hence one must be aware of ways for a cough prevention in children. A dry cough is not associated with the production of any mucus or phlegm, this is the reason it is also known as an unproductive cough. The problem of dry cough is very common in children which can cause them a lot of discomfort. Hence, practicing dry cough prevention at an early stage is very essential to prevent it from turning into a chronic cough.
The dry cough prevention treatment can be home based, homeopathic or through over the counter drugs.
- The most commonly used home remedy for dry cough is by making your child drink lots of warm liquids and swallowing honey mixed with ginger juice. These home remedies are effective as well as safe to practice. Inhaling steam, once or twice a day can also help clear the air passage.
- Apart from the home based remedies, one can even make use of a natural remedy for dry cough. The whole idea behind using these remedies is to avoid the side effects associated with the prescription drugs. The homeopathic medicines which do not produce any side effects in children are rumex crispus, pulsatilla, bryonia, sulphur and so on.
- And finally, one can never go wrong with over the counter prescription drugs as a means of dry cough prevention. These suppressants help in providing quick relief to your child. In order to treat chronic dry cough or dry cough at night, a drug called Tessalon Perles is highly effective. Apart from this various cough syrups are also available in the market.
You must make your child follow any one of these remedies as soon as the cough develops. In case, there is no improvement and the coughing still persists, you must seek medical assistance. And once the cough gets cured, take appropriate measures to prevent it from rebounding.


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Geordie songwriter Ray Jackson missed out on a million-pound payout for helping compose Maggie May after being kept in the dark by record company bosses, it is claimed.
As the Chronicle exclusively revealed on Monday, the Lindisfarne star reckons he should be entitled to a writing credit on rocker Rod Stewart's smash hit.
The Wallsend musician says he composed the song's mandolin hook, though multi-millionaire Stewart has called the claim "ridiculous" and "mind-boggling".
The song was a massive hit on both sides of the Atlantic and a co-credit could earn Wallsend's Ray up to £1 million in royalties.
Now it is alleged executives at music giant Chappell and Co, which published the record, deliberately kept quiet to avoid a row between Ray and Rod over royalties, according to two of the company's former employees.
Signed legal statements obtained by the Chronicle, and unreleased until now, suggest Chappell was aware Jackson was entitled to official recognition, but wanted to avoid a massive legal battle.
Michael Batory was a manager with the company in the 70s.
He said: "When I first heard about Ray Jackson's contribution to Maggie May around 1976 or 1977, I remember being surprised he had not claimed a share of the copyright.
"Various staff at Chappell were also aware of the situation, but it was just left. I was certainly not going to start off a row within Chappell, for which I would not be thanked.
"I did not suggest Lindisfarne's then manager, Barry McKay, pursue the matter as I did not want to rock the boat.
"I was a young music executive trying to make my way in the business, and did not want to upset any apple carts by causing a manager to go around threatening legal action against my company or Stewart. No one within Chappell caused Barry McKay to ask more questions."
This view is seemingly backed up by Emile Zoghby, who was personal assistant to Chappell director Roland Rennie at the time.
He says McKay met Rennie but was told that Jackson was not entitled to anything.
"Chappell Music was aware before we signed him up that Ray Jackson had written the mandolin part in Maggie May," he said in his statement to Jackson's solicitors.
"Barry asked Roland if Ray Jackson was entitled to a share in copyright in Maggie May.
"Roland informed him he was not as Ray had contributed only to the arrangement, and Barry accepted this.
"In retrospect, I realise Ray Jackson's contribution in writing the mandolin part was in fact to provide the `hook' of the song."
But Rod Stewart's spokesman, Paul Bursche, called the claim "mind-boggling", saying: "This ridiculous claim was first brought up in the mid-80s, some 14 years after the song was recorded.
"Any contributions he may have made were fully paid for at the time as `work-for-hire'."
Jackson is now considering taking legal action against Rod Stewart in a bid to further his claim.
The Chronicle contacted Warner Chappell but it refused to comment.


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Behind every great day is a great night at the 100 percent smoke-free Comfort Inn and Suites hotel in South Burlington, VT. We are near UVM, Lake Champlain and Shelburne Museum. We provide free transportation to both the UVM Medical Center and Burlington International Airport. Additional amenities include free WiFi, free parking, free hot breakfast and outdoor pool. Rest and refresh in your guest room, which features a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, hair dryer, flat-screen TV, iron and ironing board. Also, earn rewards including free nights and gift cards with our Choice Privileges Rewards program. Parking for length of stay only--Park and Fly long-term parking packages unavailable. Rested. Set. Go.
Amenities· Alarm clock
· BBQ/Picnic area
· Bus parking
· Cable television
· Coffee/Tea maker
· Complimentary full american breakfast
· Desk
· Elevators
· Free airport shuttle
· Hairdryer
· High speed internet connection
· Iron
· Laundry/Valet service
· Laundry/Valet service
· Microwave
· Non-smoking
· Onsite laundry
· Outdoor parking
· Parking
· Ramp access
· Refrigerator
· Safe deposit box
· Telephone
· Truck parking
· Vending machines
Room InformationHandicap room, Balcony/Lanai/Terrace, Kitchenette, Sofa bed
Miscellaneous Information
· American Dollars is the native currency.
· Check in time is 3:00 PM
· Check out time is 11:00 AM
· 86 rooms.
· 0 suites.
· 4 floors.
Guarantee Policy
Cancellation Policy
Reservations not cancelled by deadline will be charged 1 night's stay, or full amount of stay for reservations requiring prepayment.
Restaurant InformationApplebee's Pulcinella?s Outback Steakhouse Harper's 99 Restaurant Texas Roadhouse Marcos Pizzeria Chicken Charlies Olive Garden Lakeview House Al's French Fries Chilis Higher Ground Hooter's Nectar's Ground Round Vermont Pub and Brewery
Area Attractions- Burlington Int'l. Arpt.
- Montreal-Pierre Trudeau Arpt
- Clinton County Airport
- Antique/Craft Shopping
- Ben & Jerry Ice Cream
- Bolton Valley Ski Area
- Burlington Town Center Mall
- Burlington Waterfront
- Champlain Valley Expo
- Church St. Marketplace
- Cold Hollow Cider Mill
- Downtown Burlington
- Echo Center Lake Champlain
- Spirit of Ethan Allen Cruise
- Ethan Allen Homestead Museum
- Flynn Theater for the Arts
- Jay Peak Ski Area
- Lake Champlain Ferries
- Shelburne Farms
- Smuggler's Notch Ski Area
- Stowe Mountain Ski Area
- VT Teddy Bear Company
- Shelburne Museum


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Wisdom Bracetet, a photo by THEAjewellery on Flickr.
So browsing through her Flickr posts the other day, I was thrilled to see this bracelet featuring one of my Wise Little Owl Beads. I squealed! I was a little excited, it's true!
It is a new experience for me, seeing one of my beads in someone else's creation. And I feel so amazed by it. It is at times like this that I wish I was a little better at expressing myself, and how wonderful seeing this bracelet made me feel.
It is up in Lesley's Etsy Shop now, if you would like the link, here it is : Wisdom Bracelet
So Thank You Lesley! You have made my day!
Please check out Lesley's blog also at The Gossiping Goddess.


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Through a series of thoughtful questions, we wanted to get a closer look into Angela's influence in the world of wellness. Continue reading to discover where she started, challenges she's faced, and what inspires her. Often times we don't' get to see the story behind the face of those within the wellness industry. So let's start right at the beginning!
Please tell me about yourself and your business…
My name is Angela Richardson, my company, PUR Home is a natural, non-toxic household product line. We produce safe and effective Laundry Detergent, Dish Soap, Multi-Surface, Bathroom, and Glass & Window Cleaner. We also make Organic Castile Soap and some other skincare products. Our Mission for PUR Home is "Changing the Way You Think About Clean." Cleaning does not have to be toxic and it is our mission to educate consumers of their non-toxic alternatives, which includes PUR Home!
When asked, What was the light bulb moment that allowed her to see the monetary value in her calling, Angela responded,
"I knew that there was a monetary value in my calling when I realized that I could not let go of my dream to have a natural household product line."
Who doesn't wish they had a mentor providing them a step-by-step map and motivation to life and transformation? If Angela had one piece of advice to give, it would be to,
"Learn as much as you can. Change and transformation is a process."
Where does Angela find inspiration?
"I have the mindset of a student, and because of this, I love to share what I've learned with other people. Having worked in human services for many years, my compassion to serve is ever present in dealing with people. see and feel people hurting so much so that there is something in me that just wants to listen and help in any way that I can."
The face of wellness is changing, diversity and inclusion are becoming a mainstay, yet it comes without challenge. When asked, how has her ethnicity and sexual identity impacted her work, Angela responded,
"Being an African American woman in my industry is challenging. I go to networking events and start explaining what type of company I have and it's always shock or an "oh, that's nice!" Because I aspire to be on the level with some of the major brands, I have to overcome fear of entering spaces that me as a minority do not or are not welcome or just simply have not entered. It's so much and I truly have to continue to work harder."
How do you implement wellness into your personal life on a daily basis when not providing support to others? Although, it can be a challenge at times, I make it a point to take time out on a regular basis. I turn the phone off. I watch a movie. I love movies of all kinds, so I turn on a movie and take my mind off business.
One alternative remedy that Angela cannot live without is herbs and we concur! Mother nature has provided us with exactly what we need to not only survive, but thrive.
"I love herbs and making herbal concoctions such as tea, decoctions, steams, salves and more."
What have you learned from mistakes made when first starting your wellness business?
Following my intuition. There are so many people that have great suggestions. Some that I take and use and others that I leave. I've learned as I go along in business to trust my gut when it comes to making decisions. I've learned to silence myself. To know myself.
What is one life memory you recall most that has affected your career path?
I quit my job in 2011 after working in education for about 10 years. I've always worked helping people in an office. And often managed the task of detailed oriented, high pressure and stressful situations. When I left that job, I was able to find myself and be creative. I learned how to make handcrafted soaps, which soon became my first product. In 2012, I decided I wanted to create natural products that we use everyday. I didn't know what that meant or how I was going to accomplish that, but I knew it was something I had to do.
What has been the most difficult decision you've had to make with regard to wellness?
Health and Wellness is so important to me. I've had to set boundaries for myself. To not take every opportunity that comes my way and really weed out and select only those opportunities that are in perfect alignment with my core values. To me this is my self-care. Otherwise I would over extend myself.
How do you navigate the Guru syndrome to empower clients to see that they are the masters of their destiny and to not look to you for ALL the answers?
I haven't had this experience, however, I constantly tell people to look into their inner guidance because only they know themselves. They have everything they need within them.
Thank you Angela for sharing with us. If any of our readers would like to connect with Angela and PUR Home visit Instagram at @shoppurhome, Facebook at www.facebook.com/purhomeclean and on Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/purhomeclean
HolistiCitiLyfe readers will receive 10% off PUR products with this coupon code: HCL10OFF