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Our Weight Loss Programs
Our medical weight loss clinic in Chino provides the guidance you need to meet your goals safely and effectively.
Disclaimer: Our trained medical professionals will provide you with the support and guidance you need to reach your goals. However, results may vary and can not be guaranteed.
Medical Weight Loss
Lose weight safely under the guidance of a physician. We carefully monitor your progress and make appropriate adjustments to your program as needed.
HCG Diet
HCG Hormone Therapy resets your metabolism and reprograms your body to use stored fat energy. The HCG program is appropriate for anyone who has at least 12 pounds to lose.
Oral Appetite Suppressants
Proper medications used in tandem with diet and exercise provides you with the best opportunity for weight loss results. Learn more…
Fat Burner Injections
Our Chino Hills weight loss clinic offers a variety of fat-metabolizing injections such as Lipo B, Lipo Plex, & Lipo Den Ultra. Learn more…


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theJobSpectrum™ survey is designed to engage as many Participants as possible, using the governing laws of nature and mathematics. This interpretation of the rules is fluid, and can fluctuate over time, however only striving for the betterment of trying to achieve the fairness and mathematical beauty that benefits the many over the few.
theJobSpectrum™ is the world's first Shared Labor, Shared Revenue Advertising and Marketing Mechanism.
Becoming a Participant
When you sign up to Participate in theJobSpectrum™, you separate yourself from other Participants by the Guild you join and by your Birthday. Your Birthday designates when you participate in the Survey, which is the Shared Labor part of how it works.
You participate 3 times a year, according to your astrological category, meaning you participate with all the other Fire, Earth, Air and Water signs. You will roughly have 30 days to take the survey for each segment, give or take a day or two, according to the calendar.
During the month of your Birthday, your Survey scores will count 3x their value as opposed to the other 2 times of the year, when the other 2 signs in your grouping participate – they "pull against" the strength of the birthday sign with a 3:2 ratio.
For example, for the Aries month of voting which will start the Inaugural JobSpectrum™, anyone whose sign is Aries Survey results will be counted 3x, while the other Fire signs, Leo and Sagittarius, only count 1x. But you add both of those together, and they add up to the 2 in the 3:2 scenario.
Joining a Guild
©2016 by inclusion creative, blakeArt & theJobSpectrum™, all rights reserved.

subset: commoncrawl


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We receive numerous mails asking for Tips on preparing for clerical exams, as part of the bank recruitment 2010.So,we decided to brief to all aspiring candidates, about the pattern of clerk exams conducted by most banks in India,
Eligibility : To become eligible for applying to clerical post,
(a) Degree from a recognized University in any discipline or its equivalent. OR
(b) Pass with 50% marks in aggregate in Higher Secondary Exam of 10+2+3 pattern/ XI standard of 11+3 pattern/ Pre-degree or intermediate or any equivalent exam OR
(c) Pass with minimum 60% marks in aggregate in Matriculation/Senior School
certificate (Old pattern)/ or equivalent.
These eligibility conditions may change according to the requirements of each bank
Written test : The written exam for clerical position will have the following sections,
1) Test of reasoning 2)Numerical Ability 3) Clerical aptitude 4)Test of English
* The Duration for written test would normally be 2 Hrs or 2.5 Hrs.So practice with model question papers /previous year papers.It helps you adjust time & pick up speed.
* Focus on basics & concepts of mathematics for numerical ability as the standard of question will be of secondary level.Read the reasoning/aptitude questions completely & understand it before choosing the correct answer.
* Before answering the questions,plan on the sections that have to be answered first.Start to answer from the paper which you are confident of & move to questions that consume time.
Incase you are looking for tips on each section ,read How to prepare for english paper & Bank exam Question paper blueprint
Interview process : We have already posted extensive information on Interview in the following topics – Tips to prepare for Interview , Common questions in Interview &


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Which game was it that ruined your 2018 NCAA Tournament bracket?
Was it Loyola-Chicago's shocking win over 6-seed Miami in the first round? Or was it Loyola-Chicago's even more shocking win over 3-seed Tennessee in the second round?
Did 11-seed Syracuse march right across your bracket and knock TCU or Michigan State from your Elite Eight (or Final Four)?
Perhaps it was nine-seed Florida State, who dispatched with 1-seed Xavier late on Sunday night. Or maybe it was Texas A&M, the 7-seed that obliterated 2-seed North Carolina in Charlotte to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. No, it was Nevada erasing a 22-point deficit to shock 2-seed Cincinnati.
Actually, it was UMBC, wasn't it? The first 16-seed to ever defeat a 1-seed destroyed many a bracket on Friday when they decimated Virginia, considered by many to be the favorite to win the whole thing.
Whatever and whoever it was, it's almost certain that your bracket is in ruins. Your only saving grace is that everyone else is in the same position as you, so all those red lines in your shoddily selected bracket don't look quite as bad as they would normally.
But are you really upset about it? I mean, sure, if you've got a lot of money riding on this, it's understandable that you're pretty pissed off about all this fallout. But otherwise? Isn't this amazing? Hasn't this been one of the most exciting and thrilling NCAA Tournaments in years?
Putting together a great bracket is fulfilling, but getting to witness this deluge of fantastic finishes, shocking upsets, and surprise Sweet Sixteen appearances is really what it's all about.
Now, some hot take artist is bound to say that all of this is going to lead to a boring second weekend (our money is on Skip), but don't listen to that. That's for people who don't actually watch that much college basketball. They just care about the names on the front of the jerseys, not about the stories being told by the players wearing them.
The most upset-heavy tourney I remember was 2000, when two No. 8 seeds reached Final Four.
The combined seed total in Sweet 16 was 85.
This year: 85.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) March 19, 2018
Just how wild has this tournament been? If you add up all the remaining seeds, it makes for the highest total number since 2000. Both years add up to 85. We were still a ways away from the "new world order" that was kicked off by George Mason's Final Four run in 2006, but the Sweet Sixteen was loaded with high seeds such as Seton Hall (10), Gonzaga (10), Wisconsin (8), and North Carolina (8). Only two 1-seeds made it out of the first weekend (Duke, Michigan State).
Half of the 1-3 seeds didn't make it to the second weekend.
(Virginia, Xavier, UNC, Cincy, Tennessee, Michigan State)
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) March 19, 2018
That last stat seems to be the key factor. In 2018, only two 1-seeds will advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2004 (Villanova, Kansas). The high seeds dragging up the total include two 11-seeds (Loyola-Chicago, Syracuse) and two 9-seeds (Florida State, Kansas State).
The only year crazier than this one, at least in terms of seed totals, was 1986 (89).
Presuming WVU victory, the Sweet 16 seeds will total 85. Highest since 85 in 2000. Record high is 89 in 1986.
— David Teel (@DavidTeelatDP) March 19, 2018
In 1986, all hell broke loose in terms of high seeds advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. They included a 14-seed (Cleveland State), 12-seed (DePaul), and an 11-seed (LSU). The Tigers made a shock appearance in the Final Four but that was offset by two 1-seeds (Duke, Kansas) and a 2-seed (Louisville), giving people the best of both worlds. You got to have the fun of all those upsets coupled with an ending where the "best" teams battled it out for the title (eventually won by Louisville).
Perhaps that will still happen in 2018 as well. In spite of all the craziness, there are still plenty of bluebloods involved. If we assumed the lowest seed in each region eventually makes it to the Final Four, that would include Villanova (1), Kansas (1), Michigan (3), and Kentucky (5). By all accounts, that'd be a Final Four to satisfy the traditionalists and TV ratings watchers.
Of course, the rest of us will be hoping for even more chaos. Maybe casual viewers won't tune in to see Loyola-Chicago continue its epic run, but who would want to see it end now (aside from Nevada fans)? Texas Tech, Purdue, Clemson, and Kansas State have been around, but it'd be fun to see one or two of them break through for a Final Four appearance instead of the usual suspects.
The point is that the 2018 version of the NCAA Tournament still has plenty more stories to tell. While the first two rounds were chaotic and thrilling, we don't yet know what that means for the second weekend. Whatever happens from here, we're sure that you're simply trying to salvage a wrecked bracket and find a way to pick up a win with the one or two Final Four teams you have remaining.
But rather than focus on any frustration with that, consider all the carnage that took place Thursday-to-Sunday to put you in that place. Remember how you felt watching UMBC lay waste to Virginia. What it was like to see Loyola celebrate and Nevada complete its comeback. To watch Buffalo declaw the Arizona Wildcats or see Marshall shock the Shockers.
No matter how it ends up, it was all well worth the trouble.


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Ziften Selected as a Red Herring Top 100 Global Award Winner
Ziften Selected as a Red Herring Top 100 Global Award Winner
Company was the Only Endpoint Detection and Response Provider to Receive Award
AUSTIN, Texas – December 1, 2015 – Ziften today announced that the company has won a Red Herring Top 100 Global award. The annual awards highlight the most exciting startups from Asia, Europe, and the Americas, and celebrate these startups' innovations and technologies across their respective industries. Ziften was selected for its leading, continuous endpoint visibility solution that delivers unprecedented insight and enables organizations to efficiently prevent security exposures and respond to advanced threats. Red Herring's Top 100 Global list has become a mark of distinction for identifying promising new companies and entrepreneurs. Previous winners include Facebook, Twitter, Google, Yahoo, Skype, Salesforce.com, YouTube, and eBay.
"When a cyber attack occurs, security teams have a limited window of opportunity to investigate and respond before it's too late," said Charles Leaver, CEO, Ziften. "Ziften provides the visibility and critical information and analysis needed to view, inspect and respond to threats and to make better decisions, faster. Our inclusion in the Red Herring Top 100 Global is testament to the ongoing dedication of our staff and the daily value we bring to our customers."
Ziften was the only Endpoint Detection and Response provider to earn a Red Herring Top 100 Global award. Red Herring's editorial staff conducted a stringent judging process, evaluating companies on both quantitative and qualitative criteria, such as financial performance, technology innovation, management quality, strategy, and market penetration. This assessment of potential was complemented by a review of the track records and standing of startups relative to their peers, allowing Red Herring to see past the "buzz" and make the list a valuable instrument of discovery and advocacy for the most promising new business models from around the world.
"Choosing the companies with the strongest potential was by no means a small feat," said Alex Vieux, publisher and CEO of Red Herring. "After rigorous contemplation and discussion, we narrowed our list down from hundreds of candidates from across the globe to the Top 100 Winners. We believe Ziften embodies the vision, drive and innovation that define a successful entrepreneurial venture. Ziften should be proud of its accomplishment."
Ziften's Red Herring award is the latest recognition for the company in 2015. Computer Technology Review selected the company as a Most Valuable Product (MVP) award winner in the Security category, CIO Review named Ziften to its "20 Most Promising RSA Security Solution Providers" list, and Ziften was also listed as the top Endpoint Threat Detection vendor on Cybersecurity 500, a directory of the hottest and most innovative cybersecurity companies to watch in 2015 according to Cybersecurity Ventures.
Ziften delivers unprecedented network visibility to enterprise security teams by extending network visibility down to the endpoint. Ziften's solution reduces threat detection and mitigation time by 70 percent – on average from 14 hours to 4 hours – with the ability to stop the attack from spreading. This potentially eliminates millions in costs and protects a company's reputation with their customers, employees, partners, and investors.
For more information on Ziften, visit www.ziften.com.
About Ziften
Ziften provides continuous endpoint visibility to the enterprise. Combining real-time user, device and threat behavior monitoring, analytics, and reporting, Ziften takes the complexity, time, and cost out of endpoint detection and response with an easy-to-use solution that deploys in minutes, not days. Security teams throughout the world use Ziften's solution to augment their existing infrastructure and amplify their resources to more easily and automatically pinpoint and respond to threats, vulnerabilities, and abnormalities.
Media Contact
Arlene Go


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Every night, a full backup is done on three independent servers. Each backup is stored in three separate locations to ensure that your data is safe and can easily be recovered in case of trouble.
Any deleted information is stored on our servers for one week. If you need to log in and retrieve this information, make your request to Sellsy within two weeks of deletion; we will be sure to recover the information for you. Please note though that after one week passes from the moment you delete a data piece or data set, your data will be permanently deleted from our servers.


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Showing 1–12 of 1457 results
"A House Is Not A Home…" Plaque with Stand – Natural Life
Turn your house into a home with this plaque for cat lovers!
"All Aboard" Noah's Ark Boyds Collection
Universally recognized symbol of hope and peace, Noah's Ark is one of Jim's most beloved themes. Noah wears a golden gown with embroidered trim details and a braided raffia belt. His quilted hooded coat is trimmed with purple piping with a toggle button closure. Embroidered pattern depicting waves encircle the button of Noah's coat. Checkerboard patchwork fabric accents his ears and his golden fabric embroidered paw pads coordinate with the trim on his gown. Atop his head sits a symbol of peace, a white dove holding an olive branch crafted in felt. Jim's folk-art style Ark and its inhabitants can be found in this remarkable demonstration of craftsmanship. The multi-fabric Ark features a barn crafted in corduroy fabrics, a quilted patchwork base with Ohio Star embroidery. Safe passage has been sought by a pig, cow and sheep, each featuring intricate embroidered accents.
$99.00 Add to cart
"Aunts Are Angels Following You Through Life" Plaque with Stand – Natural Life
Aunts Are Angels Following You Through Life from Natural Life
$8.95 Read more
Showing 1–12 of 1457 results


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Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan March 11 - 14, 2018
>>Link to Flyer <<
Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan March 12 - 14, 2018Detail
Japan Association for Wind Engineering
Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University
JURC, Tokyo Polytechnic University
International Association for Wind Engineering
In recent years, wind-related disasters have occurred frequently not only in Japan but also overseas, causing significant casualty, property damage and economic loss. The sum of economic loss in the United States, Japan and China, which are disaster hotspots, makes up more than 80 % of the total worldwide loss. In addition, such disasters frustrate economic advancement in developing countries such as the countries of South-East Asia.
Hence, the mitigation of wind-related disaster is a challenge needed to be faced by many countries. In this context, 'wind-related disasters' does not only refer to structural failure caused by strong winds, but also includes various disasters which are directly or indirectly caused by wind, such as strong winds which accompany various meteorological phenomena (e.g., typhoons and tornadoes) and environmental problem caused by weakened wind phenomena (e.g., urban heat islands and air pollution). Latest researches suggest that climate change affects increase of extreme weather and results in both extremely strong and weakened wind.
In order to mitigate wind-related disasters, approaches from the social sciences must be combined with engineering and scientific approaches. This workshop will offer an opportunity to understand the current situation of wind-related disasters and to discuss the methodologies proposed by researchers and experts from various academic fields aimed at lessening loss caused by these disasters.


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Tag Archives: Bondi Hipsters
Hip video…Hipsta – Timmy Trumpet & Chardy ft The Bondi Hipsters
Hip video…The Closed Café
Bondi Hipsters and the London 2012 Olympics
The Bondi Hipsters are SO FAR ahead of everyone. They are 'totes' throwing off the curve.
In case you are able to get to London as well, and need some direction, I found this guide…
American Hipster goes viral on YouTube
The American Hipster Channel is up and running on YouTube.
First there was the teaser trailer ….
I enjoyed the premier video on San Francisco's Bon Vivants. It was well shot, and looked like a fun time. I look forward to more from this American Hipster series.
The Hipster Grandmas were horrible. It's very sophomoric and amateurish. One person is made up to look old, the other is in drag and made to look old. Avoid.
Max's Movie Reviews started slow…he reviewed a 'Cult Classic' Mad Max, and I thought all his reviews would be old movies. His latest review is of the Hunger Games, so he's up-to-date now. This series is pretty funny.
The latest…which has gone viral is the Eat It Don't Tweet It video that American Hipster made with The Key of Awesome. The song and video remind me of the Bondi Hipsters who just put their video out called The Life Organic on YouTube as well.
Here's the outtakes from the making of the video…
This channel is one more step in the attempt to move television viewing to a more specified audience via the web instead of network TV… Though I'm sure you'll still be seeing all the majors with a .com after their name as well. They are The Man and all.
Also..this just in…the Hipster Grandmas made a video to reply to comments left on their channel. You'll see that they talk about the HipsterApproved comment first.


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In a large bowl, whisk together 500ml apple cider, salt, thyme and rosemary. Add turkey breast and enough water to cover the bird. Cover and let brine in the refrigerator for two hours. Preheat oven to 220°C.
For the glaze: In a small saucepan, saute onions in oil until softened. Add peaches, honey, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar and remaining two tablespoons apple cider. Bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and cook until peaches break down and glaze thickens, about 12 minutes.
Remove turkey from brine and pat dry with paper towels. Brush with oil and season with pepper. Place turkey in a roasting pan. Cook for fifteen minutes until skin begins to turn golden. Reduce the oven temperature to 200°C and brush the top generously with the glaze. Continue cooking until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the breast reaches an internal temperature of 75°C, about 45 minutes. Let the turkey rest at least 10 minutes. Its temperature will continue to rise.


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The District 10 Bar & Grill outlet at Suntec City Mall is nothing like their other outlets. Do not expect the usual tapas here, this outlet specialises in dry-aged meat. I simply adore the bone-in cuts with high content of marbling. Let me warn you beforehand that the restaurant occupies quite a small space, approximately 1,800 square-foot, including the alfresco dining area. Should you prefer to sit indoors, I recommend that you make reservations first.
Honestly, nothing beats seeing Chef Luca Pezzera, the Co-owner and Executive Chef of Bonta Group, wielding a saw and explaining the various cuts.


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Looking for the best pizza in San Diego? Want to find the top taco shop in town? We have you covered! We've been making Google Maps listing off our favorite spots for everything from sandwiches to cinemas, and we won't stop so check back frequently to see what we deem the Best of SanDiegoVille!
- Breweries
- Burgers
- Cannabis
- Cheesesteaks
- Chinese Food
- Dive Bars
- Irish Pubs
- Late Night Dining
- Movie Theaters
- NY-Style Pizza
- Sandwiches
- Taco Shops
- Vegan Restaurants


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HINO in IIMS 2014 Sep 18, 2014
Jakarta – PT. Hino Motors Sales Indonesia (HMSI) has been 32 years established in Indonesia as main dealer for Hino truck and bus in Indonesia. This time attend The 22nd Indonesia International Motor Show 2014 (IIMS), located in Hall Outdoor 7, HMSI will exhibit 8 units, which are: Hino 700 Series Profia SV 6x4 Tractor Head (Prototype), Hino 500 Series Ranger FM 320 P Tractor Head, Hino 500 Series Ranger FC 190 J Wing Box, Hino Bus R 260 School Bus, Hino 300 Series Dutro 130 MD Long Panda Mobile, Hino 300 Series Dutro 110 SDLR (Prototype), Hino 300 Series Dutro 110 SDL Mobile Banking Car, and Hino 300 Series Dutro 110 SDL Mobile Workshop. The press conference is attended by Santiko Wardoyo Sales & Promotion Director HMSI, Irwan D. Sutanto Senior Executive Officer Fleet & Mining HMSI, Irwan Supriyono Senior Executive Officer Service & Spare Part HMSI, along with HMSI management.
"HMSI theme for IIMS 2014 is Total Support with booth area of 750 m2. As customer-oriented oriented, Hino always try to put customer needs first: this concept is named Total Support that is started from the sales of unit operated by customer", said Santiko Wardoyo.
In the development of our business, we always apply Total Support for our customers. In doing so, we uphold Two Values which include providing 100% UP time and minimizing the vehicle's lifetime cost by Gearing up Customer Trust with Best-fit products, After Sales Service Support and Customer-Oriented activities. We are aiming to foster and build trust by listening and understanding the needs of the customers, providing visibility, showing our commitment and keeping promises to our customers.
"Total Support requires a clear understanding about each individual role in Hino Team and strong cooperation in the team. Cooperation in Hino team are a tool to share and anticipate customers need and the way to develop it is to give solution that represent customer's voice and outstand their expectation", said Santiko.
Hino will also launch 3 new products, which are: Hino 700 Series Profia SV 6x4 Tractor Head (Prototype), Hino 500 Series Ranger FM 320 P Tractor Head, and Hino 300 Series Dutro 110 SDLR (Prototype). Hino Ranger FM 320 P is tractor head truck with Antilock – Braking System (ABS) 320 PS, with maximum torch of 115 Kgm that is suitable to operate as oil and gas vehicle; with GVWR 44 ton and can load up to 32.000 liters. The ABS technology that Hino has gives comfort in sudden Brake so the process become safer and secure.
Prototype unit that Hino exhibit is Profia SV for the first time Hino launch with GVW 41 tons specially made for coal / heavy equipment vehicle that can attract up to 100 tons.
"Hino Profia SV 6x4 Tractor Head is a prototype that is exhibit today is a Hino 700 series, heavy duty truck Hino have special made for off road or mining locations. This 6x4 truck is high in efficiency that is made for coal loading vehicle", said Irwan D. Sutanto as Senior Executive Officer Fleet & Mining HMSI.
The Prototype of Hino Dutro 110 SDLR is also exhibit; this unit is another version of 110 SDL that has rear over hang results with body length that can go up to 4000 mm. The length can carry loads of goods, especially light-weight like consumer goods or retail business.
Hino also exhibit unit 110 SDL, with more dynamic design, suitable to use in many business areas, one of the example is the truck is modified along with business need as Mobile ATM for Bank Mandiri using LED Active, with this truck, Mandiri Bank can operate throughout the city without any restriction.
Bandung. Bus R 260 machine capacity is 7.684 cc and capable of using power up to 260 PS the bus is tough, efficient, also environment friendly, can load 41, 43, and up to 54 seats.
As a form of Hino care in order to educate and contribute to the environment, this time in IIMS Hino exhibit Dutro 130 MDL in cooperation with WWF, the truck is design to become an edutainment for environment truck, inside there are many fun activities available like storytelling and games.
Hino also exhibit Service Car Truck that is ready to help customers in emergency situations when their vehicle experience trouble. This truck can fix vehicles even periodic servicing. The truck is able to carry 60 liters of engine oil, also transmission oil of 60 liters and 60 liters of oil differential. Inside there is a wide range of services to accommodate equipment repairs process required by the consumer. This mobile workshop can fix with capacity of 7 units.
Hino FC 190 J is also exhibit; the newest Hino Ranger Series is suitable to carry big but light goods. Hino FC 190 J is suitable also for milk-run businesses, namely those which deliver the goods, but much lighter and in short distances. With 5,320 mm wheelbase and 7.1 m chassis, gives more space for transporting goods with volume of 45 m3. The frame is thick and strong because of the inner reinforcement, and new rivet reinforcement cross member design without holes that add sturdy frame.
Hino also exhibits our after sales service with Total Support concept, where visitors can see and ask about the services we provide", said Irwan Supriyono.
- Dakar Rally 2014 Race Report – Stage 1 Jan 05, 2014
- Dakar Rally 2014 Race Report – Stage 2 Jan 06, 2014
- Dakar Rally 2014 Race Report – Stage 3 Jan 07, 2014
- Dakar Rally 2014 Race Report – Stage 4 Jan 08, 2014


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From AAP
A $137 million permanent processing centre for asylum seekers on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island is set to be completed in January.Construction company Decmil, which has experience constructing villages for oil, gas and mining projects, will build the 600-bed centre.
A spokesman for Decmil said the site would be able to house women, children, families and "other vulnerable groups".
Along with the Manus Island Regional Processing Centre (MIRPC), a 200-room accommodation facility for staff, along with health, welfare, recreational and operational facilities are included in the project.
Work is set to start this month, with a completion date set for January 31, 2014.
"Our experience in remote locations, building the villages that house workers on many of our nation's major resources projects, has placed us in the ideal position to tackle this new project on behalf of the Australian government," Decmil chief executive Scott Criddle said.


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When Adam Blake lands the best elective ever in his senior year, serving as an aide to the school psychologist, he thinks he's got it made. Sure, it means a lot of sitting around, which isn't easy for...
When Adam Blake lands the best elective ever in his senior year, serving as an aide to the school psychologist, he thinks he's got it made. Sure, it means a lot of sitting around, which isn't easy for...
Available Formats-
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- When Adam Blake lands the best elective ever in his senior year, serving as an aide to the school psychologist, he thinks he's got it made. Sure, it means a lot of sitting around, which isn't easy for a guy with ADHD, but he can't complain, since he gets to spend the period texting all his friends. Then the doctor asks him to track down the troubled freshman who keeps dodging her, and Adam discovers that the boy is Julian—the foster brother he hasn't seen in five years. Adam is ecstatic to be reunited. At first, Julian seems like the boy he once knew. He's still kind hearted. He still writes stories and loves picture books meant for little kids. But as they spend more time together, Adam realizes that Julian is keeping secrets, like where he hides during the middle of the day, and what's really going on inside his house. Adam is determined to help him, but his involvement could cost both boys their lives. First-time novelist Robin Roe relied on life experience when writing this exquisite, gripping story featuring two lionhearted characters.
Starred review from October 17, 2016
Roe draws from her work with at-risk teens to create her first novel, a psychologically taut tale of foster brothers unexpectedly reunited. The story alternates between the perspectives of Adam, the son of a social worker, and Julian, who lived at Adam's house for a time after his parents died. Seven years later, Julian, who currently lives with his uncle, enters the same high school where Adam is a senior. Adam again finds himself playing the role of big brother to Julian, but besides having grown older, some things about Julian have changed: he's quieter, his clothes don't fit, and he seems to be sick too often. After drawing grim conclusions about Julian's home life and guardian, Adam opts not to speak out, a decision that could have serious consequences. Roe gives a close-up view of two teens with disabilities (Julian has dyslexia, Adam has been diagnosed with ADHD) while building a sharp contrast between their views of the world and sense of normalcy. Written with honesty and compassion, this book will resonate with a wide range of readers. Ages 12–up. Agent: Peter Steinberg, Foundry Literary + Media.
Starred review from October 1, 2016
In her debut, Roe tells the story of a friendship between two young men who will linger in the thoughts and minds of readers long after the final page is turned. Told through alternating first-person narration, the story of 14-year-old Julian and his former foster brother, 18-year-old Adam, is equally heartwarming and heartbreaking. Five years after losing his parents in a tragic accident and being taken from a loving foster home to live with a cold and brutal uncle, Adam Blake quite literally walks back into Julians life. Plagued by antsy feet courtesy of his ADHD, Adam is happy to be assigned the job of escorting Julian to the counseling sessions that hes been frequently skipping. Though both boys are thrilled to be reunited, theres an uneasiness that lies between them. Reclusive and wracked with self-doubt, Adam quickly realizes that this Julian is much different from the one he used to know. Roe deliberately unspools her story, keeping readers wondering why Julian, who clearly desperately craves connection, keeps Adam at arms length. Emotion courses through every sentence of this novel, whether it is love, compassion, or bone-chilling cruelty. Julian and Adam are dark-haired but otherwise racially indeterminate. A triumphant story about the power of friendship and of truly being seen. (Fiction. 14 & up)
COPYRIGHT(2016) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Starred review from January 1, 2017
Gr 9 Up-Julian-shy, quiet, and nervous-has just entered high school, and it's a nightmare. Kids pick on him for the children's books that he keeps in his backpack; teachers berate him for not speaking up in class and for handing in near-illegible assignments because of his undiagnosed dyslexia. He hides away in the school theater at lunchtime just to get away from everything, and he has to go home to his tyrannical and abusive uncle, who beats him with a switch. His daily appointments with the school psychiatrist yield nothing but further anxiety, until one day, Julian discovers that Adam, his former foster brother, is the psychiatrist's intern. Adam's family took Julian in after his parents were killed in a car crash, but then his uncle stepped forward as his legal guardian, and Julian was taken away. Adam, a bright, popular senior with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, takes Julian under his wing and brings him out of his shell, and when Julian abruptly "falls ill" for two weeks, Adam and his friends suspect there is something much more sinister at hand. Roe, a social worker, has written a stunning debut about loss, friendship, and the power of family. Many scenes of abuse will challenge readers with authentic detail; Julian suffers regular beatings and is, at one point, locked in a chest without food. Emotional, visceral, and heartbreaking, this novel offers expertly rendered characters and beautiful language, especially when describing Julian's struggles. VERDICT A potent and moving work. Do not pass over this book.-Tyler Hixson, School Library Journal
Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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CBS Public Eye blogger Matthew Felling has a message for those of us who complain about media bias. Don't expect the media to pursue balance. In fact, it's YOU who should balance your news diet, with slanted reporting from the opposing side of the political spectrum. Insisted Felling, "It's one thing for an ideologue to cry bias over this story or another, but it's far more productive to offer a solution or an alternative."
From Felling's September 6 entry "Fairly Balance... Yourself":
If you're a Rush listener, try Ed Schultz. If you like Keith Olbermann's take, change channels afterwards and see what Sean Hannity has to say. Likewise, if you see something coming down the pipe that looks like the "Censored" list or Goldberg's liberal media smoking gun -- and you initially resist it -- don't dismiss it offhand.
Until we push ourselves out of our media comfort zone, we risk continuing to argue past each other -- us of the by-now-trite 'red' and 'blue' Americas --wearing blinders and not connecting at all. So even if you like your blinders and feel intellectually justified in wearing them, don't be afraid to swivel your head once in awhile to get a fuller view.
The CBS ombudsblogger --Public Eye purports "to bring transparency to the editorial operations of CBS News"-- offered this advice after he tossed up a liberal and a conservative complaint about media bias, hoping to show that left and right-wing complaints have equal merit and/or that media bias is subjective according to the ideological lens of the beholder.
But what were the examples he cited?
For the liberal example he cited the left-wing San Francisco Bay Guardian's laundry list of stories the media missed in the past year with a largely alarmist, conspiratorial bent to them, featuring headlines like "Good-Bye Habeas Corpus" and "Marital Law: Coming to a Town Near You."
By contrast, Felling's conservative example was National Review's Jonah Goldberg lamenting the media's sensationalism in covering the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
So let's see, we have hydrophobic hysteria about new laws supposed setting up a Bush dictatorship being unreported by the media versus pitted against the observation that the liberal media embraced the most dire of storylines after Katrina partly out of a liberal conviction that everything that can go wrong will go wrong in part due to the Bush administration.
It's hardly a strong comparison if you're attempting to show liberal and conservative complaints are of equal merit, but it'll do if your aim is to dismiss dissatisfied media consumers' complaints of bias and insist the problem lies in the bias of the reader.


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Social media is hot. Everywhere you turn, it seems like some expert or another is touting a new social media venue and warning you that failure to incorporate it into your marketing plan will spell disaster for your business and relegate it to the dark ages. Opinions and anecdotal evidence can seem persuasive, but as a small business owner you need real facts to make decisions about how to spend your precious marketing time and budget.
A new study from Custoria puts the social media craze in its place. Published in June, 2013 the E-Commerce Customer Acquisition Snapshot report looked at data from 72 million customers from 86 U.S. retailers across 14 industries between 2009 and 2013. It found that organic search is the most effective channel to use for customer acquisition, accounting for 16% of acquired customers in 2013, followed by Cost Per Click (CPC) ads at 10% and plain vanilla email at 7%. It also found that email-generated customer acquisition quadrupled over the study period.
Social media outlets fared far less well. Facebook accounted for just 0.17% of customer acquisitions in 2013 and Twitter less than .01%. And even worse news for social media as an acquisition channel, the study found that the life time value of customers acquired through those channels is comparatively low. (Lifetime value is defined as the future profit a company expects to generate from a single customer throughout their relationship with the business.) Facebook-acquired customers have an about average lifetime value, while Twitter acquired customers are worth 23% LESS than average. Compare that to organic search acquired customers rated at 54% better than average, CPC acquired customers at 37% better than average, customers acquired via referrals at 26% better than average, and customers acquired via email at 12% better than average.
Of course this doesn't mean that social media can't or shouldn't play a role in your marketing efforts. It is certainly a great way to connect with your existing customers and to promote awareness of your small business and your brand. But when it comes to actually acquiring new customers who will provide long-term recurring revenue for your business, this study finds that it may not be the best use of your resources.
Want the details? Read the full study here. Along with statistics on customer acquisition channels, it also provides information about the most profitable U.S. states for e-commerce sales.
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Image Credit:
Social Media Buzz by ivanpw, on Flickr


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2016 Sponsors
Big Boys Toys Expo Canberra has received support from a range of local and national sponsors and supporters. Make sure you check out their displays and experiences at the expo.
Shannons Insurance
Shannons was the brainchild of the late Robert Shannon who created an insurance business in the early seventies run by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts.
Shannons insurance products are specially tailored to the individual needs of motoring enthusiasts and relies on direct contact with clients rather than through other agents or brokers.
Today, as part of the Suncorp Group, Shannons has offices in all state capitals, the ACT and Northern Territory. Across Australia Shannons is the first choice of motoring enthusiasts when it comes to insuring their special cars, motorcycles and homes, as well as the day to day cars of owners.
Since 1981 Shannons Auctions have conducted Australia's biggest collectable vehicle auctions including the prestigious Australian International Motor Show Auction in Sydney and The Melbourne International Motor Show.
Shannons are bringing a display of some of Canberra's best award winning show cars, from restored classics to modified street machines amongst a variety of others. So make sure you stop by Shannons Insurance at Big Boys Toys Canberra!
Find out more: Shannons Insurance
Recreational Aviation Australia
Flying...most people dream of it in their lifetime and Recreational Aviation Australia (RA-Aus) has helped make that dream come true for thousands of people.
With almost ten thousand members, we are the fastest growing group of aviators in Australia. Our members range from 14 year olds learning to spread their wings to 84 year retirees enjoying the beauty of our country from above having a great social life thanks to the shared interest by so many of their peers.
Recreational Aviation Australia is an incorporated organisation with a professional staff that, working under supervision from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), registers aircraft, accredit flying schools and certificate pilots.
Find out more: Recreational Aviation Australia
Bayldon Ag
Bayldon Ag is an AG and Turf machinery specialist. Providing sales, service and parts to the Canberra and surrounding region for over 10 years.
In the product line up we have Polaris off road vehicles, Toro turf equipment, Kioti and Massey Ferguson tractors, Gravely residential mowers.
Find out more: Bayldon Ag
Power Kart Raceway
Power Kart Raceway opened on 28 May 2014 and has become Canberra's ultimate, locally owned entertainment centre. Situated five minutes from the Parliamentary Triangle, Power Kart Raceway attracts local and interstate visitors.
Power Kart Raceway is Canberra's only indoor electric go-karting centre and features world class electric go-karts on an F1 style indoor circuit. The karts cater for different age levels from adults to juniors and for budding little racers we now have Power Kart Kids for kids aged 4-7 years old—making the sport of karting accessible to the whole family.
In addition to the karts, Canberra's first glow in the dark mini golf -Jungle Golf- opened in December 2015. The 18-hole course is jungle themed and illuminated by special UV lighting. It is suitable for all ages and guarantees to be a mini golf experience like no other.
To complement the karts and golf, Power Kart Raceway has a café, kids play area and amusement area, so no matter what your interests Power Kart Raceway provides entertainment for everyone.
Visit us at 125 Canberra Avenue, Griffith, ACT or call 02 6239 5599.
Find out more: Power Kart Raceway
Hit 104.7 Canberra
Find out more: 104.7 Canberra
Blackhawk Security
Find out more: Blackhawk Sescurity
Charity Partner: Menslink - Supporting Young Men
Menslink has been supporting young men in the Canberra region for over ten years through free counselling, volunteer mentoring and schools' programs. In that time they've helped thousands of young guys get through tough or lonely times and develop into responsible, productive and contributing adult men. The charity aims to help young men achieve their full potential. Because they believe everything is possible for them, their families and community.
Big Boys Toys Expo will be fundraising for Menslink through a range of ways at the expo including an online auction, gold coin donations for kids under 15 to enter, and a competition onsite so get involved.


text: Yesterday evening I arrived in Moonbeam, ON, where my girlfriend is from, and her family lives. I will be here from the 28 of June, until the 3rd of July (back in Ottawa on the 4th). So my blog will taking a hiatus from my blog of books, movies, TV, sports etc... and the next few days will be Canada Day, eating, and four-wheeling. Enjoy the Canada Day, and for the Americans, your ID4, and I'll do a post as late as next weekend...as Bluesfest will be starting up then.


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Compassionate peer led community to provide emotional and social support to students looking to enhance their mental health and wellbeing
- ? Free hot drinks
- @ Games
- ? Books
- @ Quiet place to relax
- ? Garden
Welcome to S.P.A.C.E – your Wellbeing Café!
Opening date for 2019/2020 to be confirmed, please keep checking the website.
The café serves free refreshments and we have a range of games, books and fun things for you to enjoy. You are welcome to bring your guitar or musical instrument of choice and soon we hope to be able to offer some communal instruments. We plan to offer some themed afternoons, such as an acoustic afternoon, arts and crafts and Nit and Natter as the café grows.
S.P.A.C.E. is open to all students and we really encourage anyone who may be feeling a bit anxious or isolated to come along, have a drink, chat and maybe even play a game with our friendly staff.
The café also has a garden where you can sit in the sun or get some lovely fresh air on those colder days! We will be running a 'rent a plant pot' scheme in the garden area where you can hire a plant pot and grow your own mini garden.
We know that not everyone likes a lot of noise or activity so every Wednesday there will be a dedicated 'quiet hour' between 12:30–13:30. During this time we will not play music or instruments and all mobile phones will need to be placed on silent. Will also encourage hushed voices.
We want the café to be a space that is developed and grown by those that use it, so we very much encourage your ideas and suggestions on how we can enhance and grow the café.
University of Plymouth, Wellbeing Centre, Endsleigh Place, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA


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Play Therapy
Play therapy is a way of connecting with children through their play experiences. Throughout play therapy, the therapist is a positive presence to allow the child to feel accepted. This acceptance allows the child to "work through" their problems in their play. My experience conducting play therapy has surprised me at how amazing children are and how intelligent they are. Children are able to "work through" most of their problems through play. However, there needs to be a positive adult presence of acceptance in order for that play and work to be therapeutic. After I have helped children get to a positive point in their therapy, I teach parents how to interact with their children in this positive way as well. This turns the parent into that positive adult presence of acceptance, re-building that attachment relationship that may have been harmed previously. I currently accept children as young as twelve months old for play therapy. If you see a need, please contact me to schedule an appointment. For more information about play therapy see the website for the Association for Play Therapy.


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What is Jade Helm 15?
On July 15, approximately 1,200 U.S. troops, mostly Special Operations forces, will participate in Jade Helm 15, a two-month military training exercise sprawling across seven states in the American Southwest, including Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico.
While Jade Helm will be one of the largest military training exercises ever performed on domestic soil, the operation has garnered national attention for a slightly different reason: It's the subject of conspiracy theories propagated by wary libertarians and conservatives worried about the potential establishment of martial law.
These theories have climbed all the way up the highest levels of state government, eventually prompting Governor Greg Abbott to declare in April that he will have the Texas State Guard monitor the training exercise.
In a letter to the commander of the Texas State Guard, Abbott wrote, "During the training operation, it is important that Texans know their safety, constitutional rights, private property rights and civil liberties will not be infringed."
Conspiracy theories abound
Alex Jones, the popular radio-show host, was one of the first to popularize the theory that Jade Helm was actually an attempt by the U.S. military to prepare for the imposition of martial law.
Jones, writing in March on his website Infowars, warned ominously of a trend toward domestic militarization. A couple of months later, another article from Jones' website cautioned readers, "Jade Helm 15 is more than just a military exercise, it's also an exercise of the new field in geo-spatial intelligence using human domain analytics to map the politics and thoughts of any nation, state, city, right down to the individual."
Much of the hubbub circulates around a leaked map that marks all of Texas and Utah, as well as the southern tip of California, as "hostile" territory. This is not the first time, however, that the U.S. Army has conducted training exercises against hypothetical and hostile combatants: past operations include guerilla warfare in North Carolina and insurgencies in Florida.
There are some additional theories that have also circulated online: that the government is arresting political dissidents; that the U.N. is involved in Jade Helm as part of an attempt to seize people's guns; that ISIS will somehow be involved.
One particularly popular idea implicates shuttered Walmart stores in the area, either as locations for military supply stockpiles or as the bases for a network of underground tunnels. A Walmart spokesman declared there was "no truth to the rumors."
Those rumors made it into a Doonesbury cartoon, which PolitiFact Texas ended up fact-checking. The comic strip claimed that Abbott had activated the state guard to monitor Jade Helm 15 "in case the troops try to impose martial law, disarm innocent Texans, and detain them in tunnels beneath closed Walmart stores." Upon review, we concluded that the comic had gone too far in claiming Abbott had "activated" the state guard, and there was no reason to suppose that Abbott himself assigned any credence to the various conspiracy theories. We rated it Half True.
Politicians respond
Apart from Abbott, a number of other Texas politicians have spoken out on the issue, with many of them blaming the Obama administration for creating such a suspicion of the federal government.
For example, David Dewhurst, the former Lieutenant Governor of Texas, wrote a column simultaneously condemning the conspiracy theorists and attributing their suspicions to "legitimate concerns about the competence and trustworthiness of President Barack Obama."
Louie Gohmert, U.S. Representative for Texas' First District, released a statement on Jade Helm, part of which read: "When leaders within the current administration believe that major threats to the country include those who support the Constitution, are military veterans, or even 'cling to guns or religion,' patriotic Americans have reason to be concerned."
Ted Cruz, Texas senator and presidential candidate, reached out to the Pentagon for reassurance about the military exercises, adding, "When the federal government has not demonstrated itself to be trustworthy in this administration, the natural consequence is that many citizens don't trust what it is saying."
The Pentagon assured Cruz and others the exercises were completely harmless, with one spokesman stating, "We are not taking over anything."
A quick, final note: conspiracy theories concerning government takeovers are not exclusive to the right.
In the midst of the Jade Helm debate, we fact-checked National Review editor Rich Lowry's claim: "During the Bush administration, you actually had a prominent liberal write a book about how Bush was preparing for a fascist takeover of this country."
He clarified he was referring to a 2007 book by liberal and feminist Naomi Wolf; in it, Wolf argued that the Bush presidency fulfilled the 10 criteria that mark the rise of a totalitarian society. We rated Lowry's claim True.


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Wes Jackson
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Wesley "Wes" Jackson, 87, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died April 12, 2004, at his grandson's home in Grand Rapids.
Born Dec. 31, 1917, in Benton, Miss., son of the late Henry and Rose Ann Collins Jackson, he moved to Sikeston in 1948.
Survivors include: two sons, Cleveland Baskin and Lonnie Ray Hall of Grand Rapids; seven daughters, Ethel Trice, Louise Jackson, Dorothy Jean Brooks, Josephine Young, Sarah Wallace and Charlene Vick of Grand Rapids and Lorianne Cortez of Kalamazoo, Mich.; and 34 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren.
Visitation is from 2 p.m. Saturday until service time at 3 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home in Sikeston. Calvin Young will officiate.
Burial will follow in Sunset of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston.


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I am an avid reader. Since the day I first learned how to read, reading is one of my favorite ways to pass the time. In all of my reading days and I have some good books, and some bad books. But I've never had regrets about reading bad books; even those books taught me something I didn't know…even if it was just how much determination it takes to finish a book that has you exasperated, seething with anger or board out of your skull.
I've got a new book to add to my list…Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson. It's not that Astrophysics is a particular area of interest for me; I find it interesting but not fascinating. What I am a fan of is Neil deGrasse Tyson's use of stories and narrative to illustrate deeper connections between seemingly unrelated things, and to draw fascinating conclusions from them that can be used by anyone living and breathing on this planet. Storytelling is a powerful educational tool, and Tyson has expert-level skills in this area.
See this article as an example: Five lessons about life you can learn from Astrophysics. In particular Lesson #1 seems to be the most important to me: Admit what you don't know. How many times have you seen someone, maybe a colleague, maybe a friend, or maybe someone in your family, refuse to admit when they do not know something? It's frustrating to watch them go from setback to setback, often of their own making because they refuse to admit that maybe they don't know something. From the relative that everyone knows to just ignore when they start spouting conspiracy theories at the Thanksgiving table to the colleague who tanks their career trying to cover up their ignorance of a particular subject or task, learning to admit your ignorance is something that many people have not mastered.
I feel a lot of that is because there is often such a perceived risk to admitting you do not know something. Admit you don't know how to do something at work, and people fear that they will be fired because surely someone else knows how to do it. Admit you don't know something to your friends, and your reputation suffers. This negative image is easy to see…just trot out the old teacher's favorite line of "There are no stupid questions" and watch the eyes roll. That eye roll tells you all you need to know about how people view ignorance.
As a pragmatist by nature, I freely admit when I do not know things because quite frankly it's easier than trying to fake expertise in a subject you know nothing about only to have it go down in flames. Rather than go through the production and make a bigger mess than necessary, admitting what you do not know right off the bat gives you far more options and better odds to find a solution. Plus, it gives you an enormous opportunity for learning, which as a lifelong learner is almost as vital for me as breathing. Admitting when I am not familiar with something is an amazing opportunity to learn more about that thing, and to gain more knowledge.
Which of these five lessons is most important to you?
It's a tough universe out there. Here are a few astrophysical life lessons inspired by Neil deGrasse Tyson's excellent new book, "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry."
via 5 Life Lessons From Astrophysics — Forbes Real Time


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Elderly Man Attempts Suicide After Killing Son
MAPLEWOOD, Minn. (AP) — Maplewood police say an 84-year-old man shot and killed his adult son, leading to a standoff in their home.
The standoff ended Monday after police forced their way into the home. Inside, police found the 36-year-old son dead from gunshot wounds and his father critically injured from self-inflicted stab wounds.
Maplewood Police Chief Paul Schnell says the two had been arguing when the father grabbed a long gun and shot the son. The father then barricaded himself in a bedroom.
A SWAT team responded about noon and got other family members out. Officers spent two hours trying to contact the father.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press (http://bit.ly/1jnPdMC ) reports officers finally entered the home. The son was pronounced dead and the father was taken to Regions Hospital with critical injuries.


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About Brownsville Texas Criminal Lawyer
Juan "Trey" Mendez III is a Brownsville criminal lawyer who assists individuals facing criminal charges in Texas. Trey Mendez grew up inBrownsville, Texas where he witnessed the realities of living in a border town firsthand. Mr. Mendez attended the University of Texas at Brownsville, earning a bachelor's degree in government before moving on to the University of Texas at Austin School of Law and earning his law degree.
Though based in Brownsville, Mr. Mendez serves clients in nearby communities including Harlingen, San Benito, McAllen, Port Isabel, South Padre Island, South Texas, and Cameron Counties. If you are charged with a crime in any of these communities, Trey Mendez is a Brownsville criminal attorney who is dedicated to seeking justice and defending your rights.
Growing up in Texas has instilled Mr. Mendez with a strong work ethic and an understanding of the harsh realities of life. Whether you are rightfully or wrongfully accused, you deserve a fair trial and an attorney who will work diligently on your behalf.
The Law Office of Trey Mendez is a sole proprietorship with Mr. Mendez being the sole partner. This means that your criminal case will receive personal attention and won't be shuffled from one partner to the next. Trey Mendez can handle just about any criminal law issue that comes his way from minor traffic offenses to more serious criminal cases ranging from assault and battery to kidnapping, rape, and murder cases.
Among the more common Brownsville criminal law cases handled are:
- Assault and battery
- Burglary
- Robbery
- Domestic violence
- Drug crimes
- Auto theft
- Restraining orders
- Parole hearings
- Probation
- Traffic violations
- DWI (Driving While Intoxicated)
- Juvenile cases
- Record Expungements
Whether the case is a misdemeanor or a felony case, having a Brownsville criminal lawyer on your side is a must. Mr. Mendez is a local citizen who regularly works with the courts. He understands the protocols and nuances of the Texas legal system and works diligently for each and every one of his clients. If you need a criminal lawyer in Brownsville, you can count on Trey Mendez.


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Today started off with a whole lot of rain in short bursts. The weather has been highly changeable this weekend, so all we could do was put in and hope for the best out on the water. Man, am I ever glad we did. Immediately after we launched from Roberts bay, the rain let up and a serene hush took over everything: the seas, the landscape and the wind. My VHF radio crackling with unsquelched static was the only thing that broke the silence the first 500m or so out into the bay (more on that later).
So out we paddled to the small islands, known to us as the little group (islets), just beyond these islands. The two islands in the picture are Little shell and Ker Island. Little shell island has a broken down shack with all of the paint sloughing off of it in the northeast quadrant along with a number of weathered pilings. Ker island is lightly forested and looks pretty rugged ad the points. All of the islands we saw were windswept and had a large intertidal zone with rocky outcroppings extending out 10-30 feet off shore (we were at the middle of the tides today). The current was dead calm, running well under 1/2kt according to the GPS.
The group was a bit upset about the weather changing on us. I checked the radio and the forecast was the same as when I left earlier that morning: Winds NE 5-15 shifting to SW 10-20 later in the afternoon. I couldn't put their fears to rest about poor weather attacking us, so we called off circumnavigating coal and played a bit in the little group. They took me to a rocky outcropping they called the sphinx (photo above). After I squinted enough to see it, we headed a bit further south and crossed all the little passages with ease, giving wide berth to the seals resting on the rocks. The current was so slack even perceived disturbances in the water surface couldn't hurt a fly.
A small rain squall came across as we left the little group towards the lee of coal island. The clouds would periodically clear away, and we could see all the local mountains covered in snow. It was a bit chilly and snow was sticking at a few hundred feet. After our crossing to coal, the water was gorgeous and mirror like again. You could see rain drops hitting the ocean and making ripples of their own. We paddled down to killer whale point and decided to go and try Tsehum harbour, a large marina just adjacent to our launch. The second we passed killer whale point the emergency channel on my VHF lit up.
"Anacortes Ferry, Anacortes Ferry, Anacortes Ferry. Can you see a group of kayakers off your starboard bow?"
We looked towards Sidney and tried to get a fix on their position, but it was too far away to see anything as small as a kayaker. John noted the ferry was approaching westbound into Sidney just off one of the islands.
"Anacortes Ferry, Anacortes Ferry, Anacortes Ferry. Can you see a group of kayakers off your starboard bow?"
a pause.
"Vessel hailing Anacortes Ferry, This is Victoria Coast Guard, the captain is standing by on Victoria traffic services channel 11."
I quickly switched to channel 11, but heard no further communication between the kayakers and the ferry as the Ferry sped past the island and into port. I assume they were alright but had some wicked wake to deal with. It's fascinating listening to a situation like that - I was wondering how I'd handle being off the bow of a large vessel like a ferry.
Tsehum harbour was bustling with activity. Boats were coming in and out of the harbour often, so we stayed to the north in Bryden bay and stayed in the rocks where no other boats would dare to go. The wind started to blow a little making some cat's paws on the water. This day was so calm and so welcoming I could have stayed out for another few hours without a moments hesitation. I rounded kingfisher point and poked into the storage area of the harbour. People were busting aboard their boats and the only sounds were of busy cleaning or a tiny squeak of an spinning air exhaust. A few people in the group held back, so once we were finished sightseeing we paddled back and crossed the harbour entrance as a group.
Another rain squall was coming in. We saw a line of boats waiting to enter the harbour, so we quickly pulled up to a moored boat at the entrance so everyone could pass us and keep us in sight. Once the coast was clear, we just paddled around the point and back into Roberts Bay. I watched a Canadian flag on our way back in and the wind had shifted to east southeast, but it was still just a nice breeze. We passed a local out for a paddle on our way back in and she and the others got to talking about kayaks. I took some pictures and reluctantly headed to take-out. Man what a neat place - definitely going to have to spend some quality time out here.


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Speakers brush.
Instal the Photoshop brush file from the zip file.
|By victormotter (1)
|28 Mar 2009
|18478 views
|2208 downloads
|Author URL: none
|Listing URL: none
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CommentsYou need to LOGIN to post a comment.
muthu55: 1 decade ago
its a nice speaker brush
quesyall: 1 decade ago
i have been looking for something like this. thank you
samirehman1234: 1 decade ago
avinash: 1 decade ago
its very beautiful and rocking thanks
marujo: 1 decade ago
Yep i'd rather google a speaker image...
thanks for sharing anyway ;P


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Gorbachev with Communist Leaders. Most of the the early "Gorby" (an mildly affectionate name for "Gorbachev") dolls were made by talented amateurs in the Soviet Union. Mikhail Gorbachev transformed the USSR by unleashing a pair of political, and cultural, waves. The first was "Гласность" (Glasnost, i.e, openness) and "Перестройка" (Perestroika, i.e., rebuilding). These shock waves led to unrestrained freedom of expression.
Many of the early Gorby dolls of the late 1980s were wild caricatures with elongated and unpleasant features. A respectful caricature, such as this one, was not as often as one would think. Gorby dolls were hot items for tourists and, while the early dolls were fully handpainted, not all the painters were good artists. This set has Gorbachev in a brown suit, the Communist flag and a CCCP lapel pin. Brezhnev's weakness for undeserved medals are depicted pinned to his chest and a copy of his book on the "Virgin Lands Campaign". Khrushchev wears a yellow Ukrainian tunic and a black shoe symbolizes his UN rant. Stalin has a lit pipe and red star on his ever-present military fatigues and, as usual, tiny Lenin gets the red ribbon. The absence of Boris Yeltsin in this set, who arrived on the scene in 1991, helps date this set prior to 1991. More interesting than the "mass-produced" tourist dolls and far more interesting than today's silk-screened and decal versions. Very good condition. Moscow, 5 nest, 7" tall down to 2". 1 only.


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When planning your landscape, keep in mind that you want your dog to feel as comfortable as possible in the space where it wanders. This means avoiding surfaces that get too hot, scratchy bushes, sharp rocks, and small pebbles that can get stuck in their paws.
With that in mind, fill your garden with smooth stones, ornamental grasses, and other soft foliage that will make your dog feel at home. Also consider filling your yard with outdoor dog toys like tennis balls and chewing bones, or an obstacle course if space is available.
Avoid Poisonous Plants and Chemicals
The most important step to creating a welcoming landscape for your pooch is to include only dog-friendly flowers and plants in your garden. Avoid using plants in your yard that are toxic to dogs. A few common ones include:
- Daffodil
- Chrysanthemum
- Carnation
- Tulip
- Lily
- Ivy
- Morning Glory
- Tomato
- Hosta
Build a Designated Potty Area
High levels of nitrogen in dog urine can be extremely harmful to grass, so create a space with gravel or mulch where you would prefer that your dog do its business. Something vertical (a more attractive replacement for a fire hydrant) can help your dog identify the area quickly. As with any potty training, be sure to reward your dog when it uses the correct area, and reprimand it when it doesn't.
Give Your Dog Spatial Cues
Keep your dog in your yard with a way to keep it fenced in. Whether it's a traditional wood fence, farm fence, iron fence, or an invisible fence with an electric collar, there are plenty of options to choose from. If you're afraid of a fence being an eyesore, plant flowers and shrubs to soften the fence.
Throw your dog a proverbial bone by using plantings to give it a sense of boundary. Space plants close together in areas you want to designate as off-limits, and understand that the rest of the yard is fair territory. If you leave enough space for the dog to run and play, accept that that's precisely what it will do.
Dig In
Just as you would put in a sandbox for kids, consider putting in a digging box for your dog. Fill it with soil or a soil-and-sand mix, and create some sort of border as a visual cue. If the dog digs outside of the boundaries you've set, be sure to admonish it and show it to the digging box. Bury chew toys in the soil to make the dig even more fun!
How to Stop Your Dog from Digging
Add a Water Feature
Dogs need fresh water, and what better way to do it than adding an eye-pleasing water feature to your garden? There are plenty of options available. Whether you want a splash fountain, a salvaged container-turned-doggie bowl, or a freshwater pond, the possibilities are endless. These accents will ensure that your pooch is freshly hydrated as it enjoys playing in the yard.
Provide Shade and Shelter
After a day of running wild in your sunny yard, your dog is going to want some shade to cool off. Like humans, dogs can get sunburned or even fall victim to heat stroke when in hot temperatures for too long. Some options for providing proper shade and shelter for your dog include an arbor or pergola that both you and your pup can enjoy, an awning over the back porch, a large tree, or a doghouse in the yard.
Add in Paths
Paths are perfect for allowing your pets to run and explore their territory. Dogs also have a patrolling instinct, so a territorial path will satisfy their need to fend off squirrels and chipmunks. Not only are paths and walkways fun for your dog, but they add charm to any garden space. Be sure that path materials are paw-friendly—think about using cedar gravel, stepping-stones, or walkable groundcovers in your path.
This article originally appeared on www.bhg.com


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Prosecuting authorities across the country will be required to send officers to stay at, or pay regular visits to, police stations to ensure justice by beefing up supervision over criminal investigations.
The move, issued in a circular by the Supreme People's Procuratorate on March 29, aims to better monitor public security departments to prevent police misconduct such as forcing confessions, according to the top procuratorate.
"Tightening the supervision over police criminal probes is to prevent torture and illegal evidence collection, thus better protecting the rights of suspects and ensuring accusations against them are proper," said Dai Peng, a professor of criminal investigation at the People's Public Security University of China.
In recent years, a number of miscarriages of justice have been reported around the country, many of which resulted from forced confessions. Such wrongful cases have triggered heated public discussion and criticism.
Since 2015, the top procuratorate has operated a pilot program to send prosecutors to police stations in 10 provincial regions.
Data from the Supreme People's Procuratorate show that officers from 1,064 prosecuting departments have been deployed to 8,370 local police stations in those areas. They have put forward 15,162 rectification suggestions and helped to ensure standardized police actions, according to the SPP.
"Through the supervision, the quality of police probes has greatly improved and the number of wrongly charged cases has sharply dropped," Sun Qian, deputy prosecutor-general of the SPP, said previously.
The top procuratorate has required the practice to be extended to all police stations in the pilot regions in the first half of this year, and procuratorates in other parts of the country have been told to follow suit by the end of this year.
Special attention will be paid to stopping illegal evidence from being produced. Cases that have caused, or may cause, strong public sentiment also will be watched closely, SPP officials said.
Police use of criminal means to handle economic disputes, and the protection of suspects' personal and property rights, will also be closely watched, according to the SPP.
Last month, a local procuratorate in Lanshan district in Rizhao, Shandong province, set up an office at the district police bureau, local media reported.
Qin Xiaolei, a senior officer at Lanshan district procuratorate, said the office enabled prosecutors to monitor police work in a timely way, particularly in major or complex cases. Prosecutors issue targeted suggestions if they discover illegal conduct, Qin said.
"The office has built a communication bridge between prosecutors and police to timely share information and plays an active role in standardizing law enforcement," she said.


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It's the beginning of summertime here in Bogotá, which means the high today will top-out at about 64˚F. I like to point this out to my peeps back in Texas where the temperature's been hitting a miserable 105˚F. As was apparent while talking to my agent, Ree Reynolds, the other day, it's that kind of heat that can make a person downright ornery.
"I hear it's a bit warm there," I started.
"Hotter'n a honeymoon hotel in Juarez. I done got you another showin'."
"We goin' international with this one?"
"Boy, unless you're talkin' 'bout Delhi, Lousi-ana, you're puttin' on more airs than the Episcopalians. It'll be right here in Austin."
"We just done did a show in Austin. This some kinda repeat?"
"Other than listenin' to you blow hot air like perfume through a prom, ain't nothin' I do a repeat. You best be sendin' me some new photos and paintin's, and I need 'em before yesterday."
"Damn, girl, you make a pressure cooker look calm."
"And I'm fixin' to make a hornet look cuddly."
"A'right then. I'll send you some new stuff to play around with."
"Lucky me. I haven't had so much fun since the hogs ate Sister."
If you're runnin' around central Austin anytime between now and September, looking for a place to cool down, I've got some photos and paintings hanging up at Quack's. As always, thanks to Ree and Lowell Reynolds for breaking a sweat to make it happen.


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This past summer my roommate and I made the switch from over-priced cable (in this case it was RCN) to Over-the-Air (OTA) television and Apple TV. Our major concerns were related to a potential lack of programming, specifically live sports and show-specific channels like AMC. You might be thinking: How did you survive without a DVR service and ESPN!?! Well, we figured we'd try out this simpler way of entertaining ourselves in the evening hours by cutting the cord and trusting our ingenuity. And you know what…? We realized that this experiment was totally worth it. Continue reading Cutting the cord: Making the switch to Internet-Only
Category: Culture
Articles related to Culture in Asian countries and how they differ from American culture.
Ben Returns to Asia (for a quick visit)
2015 is the year I returned to Asia for a brief visit. After leaving China in 2013, and getting myself fairly settled in the Boston area, I felt the need to reconnect with my Asian roots! Although I've loved being home and getting re-acclimated, a piece of my previous life was missing… the unexpected adventures, the quirky misunderstandings, and the unbelievable cuisine that you find anywhere in East Asia. So, from April 8-22 I ventured back into the wild – this time it was Japan.
My cousin Jake and I have always talked about backpacking and cycling parts of Japan and that's exactly what we've done. Today I start a series of posts about this trip through Japan from the foot of Mt. Aso, Japan's largest active volcano. (I'll get to how badass this place is soon). We've taken wrong turns (and very right turns!) across this majestic land, but the one thing that has remained consistent is the friendliness and generosity of the Japanese people. They are without a doubt the masters of hospitality.
In the following posts I'll take you on a journey across this mysterious and majestic archipelago – where the sun rises first every morning and the stars sparkle brightly every night. We started in Tokyo where the neon lights, funky costumes, and glorious Edo past is still visible. Then we'll walk among the artifacts of previous realms in Kyoto and dance with deer in Japan's ancient capital of Nara. After that, we'll visit Japan's oldest surviving castle in Himeji where the "white heron" was finished being renovated only 2 weeks before we got there! We'll sip on fine whiskies at the Yamazaki distillery before taking the bullet train (Shinkansen) to Hiroshima. We'll step upon ground once too radiated by an atomic bomb for anyone to visit and see the horror of those times through the Peace museum. Not far from there we voyage to Miyajima to visit the most frequently photographed landmark – the great floating Torri. And that's just the first half of our trip!
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My favorite bits from The Interview
The Interview gets 5 stars from me. Here are some bits I'll never forget and neither should you:
- Hilarious! By far the funniest take on US-North Korean, geopolitical affairs I've ever seen.
- Unkorean – So much Hollywood /slash/ American culture, with a speckling of Korean bits.
- James Franco – Looks like my cousin! "They hate us cuz they ain't us!"
- Suuk – When did Eun Jae start her acting career?! (@MiahCouhie, @KimEunJae)
- Manja manja! – That's what people want, "Give us some shit!" So, true, people want the shit…
- 50 KM west of DanDong – "Did you just say China? And did you just say Dong?" Awesome hat tip to China's DongBei region with a Jay Chow (周杰伦) soundtrack.
- Sleeper car – Such an awesome sleeper car shot with a mixed group of Chinese. The smoke-wherever-you-want thing is spot on!
Through a Repat's Lens: First World Problems in America
Readers of AL.ME know that I recently repatriated from a long visit to China (8 years or so:). And coming back to your home country after being away for so long is a lot like getting over an ex. You were with that boyfriend or girlfriend for 5+ years, but now that it's over you are dreading the recovery period… In my case, I'm getting over a country and a way of living. What is that unscientific equation? I think it's…getting over him/her = total time together / 2. (So I've got another 4 years to go!)
But fresh off that separation anxiety you realize how much different your life becomes. Your eatin', sleepin', socializin', shoppin' are all very different but you just have to get used to it. This is the vaguely familiar, new normal for Repats. Now that you're back you realize how food is more expensive but less healthy (unless you get the salad at a restaurant); everyday shopping is more expensive and there's very little negotiating; socializing is a whole bunch of going Dutch events in which nobody owes anyone else anything; and health care feels like a scam every time you use it.
Now, to be fair, these frustrations are not as horrible as they first seem. Yes, American food is probably the result of immigrants neglecting their traditional food culture over generations, but there are still authentic restaurants I could go to. With a little strategic planning and flexible standards, shopping doesn't have to be an exercise in getting screwed so often. Going out with friends, family, and coworkers could be a lot more enjoyable if I just concentrated on the now rather than the future. And going to a clinic or hospital… well, I don't think I can rewire my brain to think that it's acceptable the way it is…
What I've found is that my "problems" here not really problems – they're first world problems. They are annoyances that, when combined with a lack of awareness, blow up into much bigger issues if I let them. And a big part of repatriating is finding a way to get through these sometimes difficult situations. Life still goes on. The sun still rises in the morning.
Chinese Twitter threads that I've seen discussing foreigners living in their country for extended periods ask: "Why do they [Westerners] stay here when they could live a developed country?" And the answer often looks like this: They are bored of Heaven and need a break from it!
Haha. Well, I wouldn't call America heaven, but in the greater scheme of things life here is much better than it is for people in the developing world. And although I miss the good food, the warm friendships, the great markets, and the non-bankrupting health care options available there, I know coming back to the US was a great decision.
Euphemisms make the World go 'Round
Author's Note: I'm 100% supportive of strong family bonds and filial piety. The rest of this article is not intended as a slam against traditional expectations within a family, but it is intended to get Westerners thinking about "guanxi" differently.(Chinese readers and friends, please comment on this below.)
When I have a chat with friends, family, or even strangers about The Chinese Way of doing things, the conversation never fails to include the word "relationships." But using guanxi to get things done is not all it may seem on the surface. It's not just about friends helping friends… and when you've truly used guanxi to get something done you will likely feel different about that friendship afterward.
The Ultimate List of East Asian Festivals for your Bucket List
Welcome to my list of the major festivals and holidays celebrated across Northeast Asia- Japan, North and South Korea, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Mongolia. This will be a continuously updated list as I keep exploring new and interesting festivals that have evolved in the East Asian cultural sphere, also known as Sinosphere (including Vietnam) because they are all historically influenced by Chinese culture.*
Consider adding some of these to your bucket list and I'm sure you'll never regret the effort to cover them all!
|Android Users
Bucket List app
|iOS Users
iWish app
NOTE: Celebrating some of these festivals usually requires physically being in the country. If travelling that far is impossible, see if you can get to your local Chinatown or East Asian neighborhood on the date of the festival.
Chinese New Year (Spring Festival 春节, Seollal in Korea, ) is celebrated across the world by Chinese diaspora. In 2014 it will be celebrated on January 31 and the final day occurring on February 15- see the Lantern Festival below. This is the most exciting festival I've ever experienced. It feels like American 4th of July but more dangerous! Get a more detailed overview on this amazing festival here.
Continue reading The Ultimate List of East Asian Festivals for your Bucket List
Will Students still come to America after PISA 2012?
After American 15-year-olds scored 36th overall on the global Reading, Math, and Science test, will parents continue to send their students to study in America? Test-obsessed parts of the globe may look at the 2012 results of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) and determine that our K-12 education does not compare to theirs. Or parents might not care and just send their kids to America anyway. (We've still got the highest ranked universities in the world…)
Continue reading Will Students still come to America after PISA 2012?
"No politics on Thanksgiving"…
Thanksgiving is a special time when family reunite for great food and awesome desserts. But it wouldn't be a normal family gathering without some passionate political rhetoric. And after the turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, cheddar broccoli, maple carrots, and biscuits, who wouldn't grab at the opportunity to burn some calories by cursing your ideological foes vis-à-vis your loved ones?
Then gram gram chimes in: "No politics on Thanksgiving!" But she already knows… It's too late to stop it, gram gram.
This crazy train has left the terminal!
But dear reader, AL.ME is not a place for hard-line party politics and I don't intend to explain why 'merica has become a communist, totalitarian state run by a Muslim… (no, I'll save the "truth" for my other blog.) But honestly, listen closely, I have some shocking news to share with you… Continue reading "No politics on Thanksgiving"…
What you didn't know about Chinese Food in America…
For years I've been attempting to explain (and cook) the differences between real Chinese food and American Chinese food. At first, it surprised American friends to discover that the Chinese have never heard of dishes like Crab Rangoon, General Tso's Chicken, Egg Rolls, Egg Foo Young, and Chop Suey. All were created in America for American taste buds.
Crab Rangoon was actually an American creation that has been served in San Francisco since the 1950s.
Egg Foo Young was an adaptation on a real Chinese dish and made its American debut in the 1930s.
General Tso's Chicken [pronounced 'TSAO'] was coined after a famous Chinese general but the people of his modern-day hometown in Xiangyin, Hunan province have never tried it before! (See Jennifer's talk below) Continue reading What you didn't know about Chinese Food in America…
Life for Expats in Polluted Chinese Cities
Over the past few years living in China, the air pollution conundrum (among many development issues) has been a major concern for expats and locals alike. Just last month (October 2013) an "airpocolypse" shrouded the city of Harbin in northeastern China at a level of around 1,000 micrograms per cubic meter! That's off the charts and about "40 times the safety level recommended by the World Health Organisation" reports the Guardian newspaper.* Obviously this is (and will be) a major cause of lung cancer in the future, along with the effects of circa-1950s attitudes toward smoking.


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According to a recent comparison made by Mark Harris, buyers of digital music online save a significant amount of money when they purchase music from an alternate source than iTunes—like Amazon, for example.
How significant are those savings? We have some data that blows both iTunes and Amazon out of the water. When comparing the prices of 50 popular albums from a variety of genres on iTunes, Amazon, and murfie.com, and breaking it down by individual track price as well, Murfie has the lowest prices across the board.
For the following chart, we pulled the lowest album price from each of the three services, whether it was new or used: [View Price Comparison Chart Here]
You'd save $305.53 if you bought these 50 albums on Murfie over iTunes, and $159.87 and $246.48 if you chose Murfie over Amazon for physical albums and mp3 downloads, respectively. That's 172% more you're spending on 50 iTunes albums than Murfie albums, 90% more on Amazon CDs, and 138% more on Amazon mp3 albums.
An important thing to note is that when you buy an album on Murfie, you're buying a real, physical CD stored at Murfie headquarters. From there, the innovative Murfie platform allows you to instantly access the music on your CD anyway you'd like: as downloads in your choice of formats (mp3, aac, FLAC, ALAC), via unlimited streaming (320kbps mp3 via website, iOS app, Android app, Sonos, VOCO), via delivery of the physical disc, or a combination of all of these.
As noted on the chart, some artists don't even have downloads for sale on iTunes or Amazon. Since every album purchase on Murfie is backed by a real CD, you can download and stream music by these artists.
So what can you do with such significant savings? Buy more great music!
At the average cost of $3.56 per album on Murfie, you could get 85 more albums if you chose Murfie over iTunes, 44 more albums if you chose Murfie over Amazon CDs, and 69 more albums if you chose Murfie over Amazon mp3s.
If you don't think Murfie's prices can get any lower, think again. With a Murfie Gold or Murfie HiFi membership, you can save an extra $1 per album in the Murfie marketplace.
Albums come and go quickly at Murfie, and these prices were noted on 11/5/13. Visit murfie.com to buy CDs online and get unlimited streaming and downloads of your collection.


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Leading Edge
Ideas for the CU movement continue to generate from Filene Research Institute's innovation group.
In Touch With i3
The innovation lab continues to percolate with new ideas over at the Filene Research Institute, courtesy of its Filene i3 (ideas, innovation, implementation) group. The goal of this group of credit union professionals is to foster the development of ideas and innovations for the credit union movement.
The i3 projects introduced this year include:
- 60-Day Loan Guarantee—building trust in credit unions by allowing members to return a loan in 60 days;
- Be N' Biz Fund—providing generation Y entrepreneurs with greater access to credit unions for funding to start or expand businesses;
- CU Launch—matching small businesses specialized needs with specialized credit union services.
- LIFT—allowing members to lower interest and improve credit by making timely loan payments;
- The Big Payoff Loan—eliminating credit card debt in segmented credit union loans;
- Two Grand Plan—creating an emergency savings fund of $2,000; and
- UMatter—creating an exclusive membership category for gen Xers based on account qualifications and referrals.
Filene also recently selected 19 credit union executives to join its i3 program. Each member will serve a two-year term and participate in several meetings a year, the first of which will be held next month in Berkeley, Calif.
How do you become an i3-er? Candidates are evaluated on innovative aptitude, experience, and other key factors including present position, leadership abilities, motivation, geography, and type of credit union.
Meet the latest group of innovators, and read about the entire array of i3 products at filene.org.
And in the name of open source innovation, the leadership at the Filene Research Institute encourages credit unions to "make some improvements" in any of these ideas—and then please share your results.
Virtual CEO: 'Do Your Homework'
Thinking about going totally "virtual"?
Consider this advice from Tom Glatt, who stepped down last month as the first CEO of the online-only REALTORS Federal Credit Union, serving members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR):
- Talk to a credit union with a virtual model—like REALTORS Federal, based in Rockville, Md. When launching, REALTORS Federal received some help from Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union, Harrisburg, Pa., which has a virtual model but is traditionally based.
- Do your homework. "Don't be in a hurry. Fixing stuff on the fly is difficult," Glatt notes.
- Be selective with vendors. "You don't want someone learning the virtual model at your or your members' expense."
Glatt says the credit union's biggest challenges getting off the ground have been security and awareness.
Unlike a traditional credit union, "we never look members in the face. So whatever security the credit union had to go through with someone to open an account, it did. We triple-checked everything," says Glatt, in an interview in News Now, published by the Credit Union National Association.
NAR does a "fantastic" job marketing to members, but some still don't realize that a credit union exists, Glatt says. Raising awareness is a priority.
A virtual model especially can benefit credit unions with national fields of membership or younger people less concerned with the social aspects of banking, he says.
Jane Pannier, REALTORS Federal's executive vice president/general counsel, has been named acting CEO.