text:
If you're looking for SEO consultant, agency, or services in Singapore, then you've come to the right place. Here are the things we'll be discussing:
- What Is SEO?
- What Can SEO Bring To My Business?
- 1. The Singapore SEO Agency Needs To Have A Strategy In Place
- 2. Communication Of Strategy
- 3. They Need To Set Clear KPI's
- 4. Make Sure They Get Results
- 5. Do They Have Testimonials From Singapore Businesses and Companies?
- 6. Can They Name Their Clients They Have Worked For?
- 7. Do They Offer SEO Training Courses In Singapore?
- 8. Do They Have Google Partner Status?
- 9. Are They Upholding Best Practices?
- 10. Look Out For The Classic Scam Agencies
- 11. They Should Offer Other Digital Marketing Services
- 12. No Lock-In Contracts
- 13. Are They All In-House?
- Next Steps
Let's begin…
Did you know that there are more than 3.5 billion Google searches every day? With the sheer magnitude of this many potential customers searching for products and services, some of which you can provide, it's a no-brainer that ranking better in the Google organic search engine results pages (SERPs) can help your business thrive.
This ranking and exposure can be achieved through SEO (or "search engine optimization" which is the process of optimizing your website), will allow you to not only rank in the 1st page of Google but also rank higher for search terms that people who want your products or services.
Doing SEO for keywords that your potential customers or clients search for is one of the most powerful marketing tools available in today's day and age.
What Is SEO?
To be put in simple terms, SEO is providing a search engine like Google, Yahoo or Bing all the information that is relevant and required for the terms you want to rank for. They need to know this information to justify ranking you as #1 compared to the millions of other listings out there.
This information relay includes:
- "On-page SEO factors" like your site's content and its meta tags
- "Off-page SEO factors" such as how many backlinks your site has (link building from other websites to yours), social media signals, listings of your business and the perceived domain authority of your website (the trust flow your website holds)
- "Technical SEO factors" like how quick your page load speed is and whether your site is mobile-friendly for starters
What Can SEO Bring To My Business?
Improving your search engine optimization will allow you to get in front of customers right when they are ready to make their purchase – instead of having to find them and sell them yourself before they have made their minds up. You can target customers not only in regard to the kinds of searches that have high intent for what you are selling, but you can also target customers all around the world (not only Singapore), expanding your reach way beyond that of traditional marketing mediums and channels.
If you're thinking of expanding your marketing efforts, and want the kind of results that search engine optimisation can offer, whether it be for your own business, or for a company you work for, then it's integral that you find the right agency who can provide the best SEO service to you and knows how to deliver in a competitive online landscape like Singapore's.
We are going to cover what you need to know when you are deciding on an SEO agency to hire in Singapore to make sure you get the best results for your business.
1. The Singapore SEO Agency Needs To Have A Strategy In Place
One of the first things you need to keep in mind is their search engine optimization strategy. This is important because in order to reach the top in the current competitive landscape of search engines, it's imperative that you have SEO professionals with in-depth knowledge working for you, not cut-and-paste agencies that will simply outsource you to other countries with sub-par specialists taking control of your digital marketing campaigns.
The agency you choose needs to implement the basic groundwork of good SEO, being keyword research and competitor research, but they then need to have the technical skills to be able to come up with a unique strategy that fits your industry, your Singapore locality, your business and, most importantly, your customers.
2. Communication Of Strategy
You must have clear communication with the agency you are working with to determine that they understand your goals, your industry and truly know what your customers want. As a result, they should be able to come up with an in-depth SEO strategies and plan that make sense for your business and you should be able to see directly how their efforts will lead to increasing your bottom line.
Also, another important aspect of this whole process is that they should be able to effectively communicate to you in a language you will understand. This is important to make sure they aren't simply using big words they know you won't understand so they can offer a sub-par service without you realizing it, which takes us to our next point – KPI's.
3. They Need To Set Clear KPI's
Quite similar to the communication points we were making previously, setting clear KPI's (a.k.a. "key performance indicators") is another big part of ensuring that the agency you are working with is a legitimate one and deserves your money. Many local Singapore agencies will try to be looser around the setting of KPI's due to the nature of SEO. Search engine optimization generally has a lag time between implementation and results relative to paid traffic which is instant.
SEO efforts take longer to kick in as Google has to index your website again and re-set its position within the algorithm. But this does not mean that KPI's shouldn't be set and that the agency should not be held accountable to them. They should be held accountable.
Setting fair and reasonable KPI's that take into account the nature of search engines is important. As long as you have pre-agreed indicators that need to be fulfilled, you will know whether or not the agency is delivering upon their promise. And your money is going to good use.
Another reason is that if the agency you are thinking of working with agrees to set KPI's from the get-go, it is likely that they can deliver on them and are used to being held accountable. This is a very good trait which can help leave your mind at ease when allocating budget for this online marketing campaign.
4. Make Sure They Get Results
This is a big one and the most important section of this whole guide by far. Having an agency that serves Singapore and that gets results is something that you absolutely must ensure when choosing one to work with. The SEO industry is growing every year at a rapid pace and as a result, the market is becoming flooded with mediocre or even downright bad agencies, so you need to make sure yours is a winner.
Just as any good agency will usually offer you a complementary audit. They will also normally display some of the SEO results they have gotten for clients somewhere in their website. This is important when choosing an agency as you need to know that they are performance-based and not simply making vague promises.
If an agency has results they have achieved for clients displayed on their website showing increases in SEO rankings for specific keywords (or data regarding how many visitors or new leads they achieved for a client), chances are they track those metrics and are performance-based. This is what you need if you want to get the most out of your marketing spend.
5. Do They Have Testimonials From Singapore Businesses and Companies?
If the company's website provides testimonials from real people, then that's a great sign. If these people are actually real business owners that have gone out of their way to write a positive review and vouch for the agency, chances are they gave this client a good experience and that they could provide the same to you.
6. Can They Name Their Clients They Have Worked For?
Another big sign of a legitimate agency is to check what clients they have worked for. If they can display working with some great companies, you can trust them with your money as well. Also, depending on what industry you are in, it would be good to check if they are working with other companies that are very similar to yours.
7. Do They Offer SEO Training Courses In Singapore?
Training is big business nowadays. Doing it properly requires skill and a good reputation. For this reason, if the agency you are looking at offers training courses, workshops and seminars in Singapore, there is a good chance that they have a great standing in the internet marketing industry and know what they are talking about.
8. Do They Have Google Partner Status?
When looking for a digital agency to deliver your business results, whether they be in the form of direct sales or lead generation to grow your potential client base, using a Google Partner is important. Google Partners are web advertising agencies that have passed a stringent set of requirements in order to claim the status and badge.
These requirements are about performance and amount of digital spend managed. It also involves upholding certain Google best practices that prove that they are a genuine agency that does not involve themselves with illegal or shady practices. It also shows that they are relatively up-to-date with all of Google's algorithm changes and best practice changes. These changes happen all the time in case you didn't know. Your advertising efforts are likely to always be best-practice and up-to-date with the current standards as the company will want to keep their Partner Badge status.
9. Are They Upholding Best Practices?
When it comes to search engine optimization, there is "white hat" and "black hat" SEO. White hat refers to those strategies and tactics that fit within Google's legal and best practice guidelines. Black hat, on the other hand, refers to all those practices that are not best practice or legal, and are simply manipulating the search engine algorithms in order to gain traction.
You don't want your agency to use black hat techniques. If caught (which happens in most cases), your website will be penalized by Google – sometimes for long periods of time and crippling your search engine marketing efforts. Having an agency with a Google Partner badge ensures that they implement white hat techniques and are of a high-caliber of professionalism.
10. Look Out For The Classic Scam Agencies
Although SEO is an extremely powerful way to get your business in front of thousands, if not millions of people, it can also cause damage to your website if it is done incorrectly or by someone who is not taking proper care and caution – or simply is not educated or competent enough to implement SEO effectively. There are many Singaporean agencies online that take advantage of business owners with shady tactics, manipulation and not delivering on results. So here are some things to look out for.
- Firstly be cautious about agencies that do not deliver, and use the excuse that search engine optimization takes a long time and is extremely complicated to justify their poor performance.
- Secondly, be aware as mentioned earlier, of agencies that will use black hat tactics to boost your rankings – things such as bought backlinks or using link farms are a big misconduct in Google's guidelines. So if you come in contact with an agency in Singapore that suggests any of these practices, it is best to take your business elsewhere.
Be careful of all the previously mentioned red flags and make sure you do your research on a company before reaching out and getting in contact with them… because it's always best to be safe rather than sorry.
Get A Free Audit
Most of the time if you are new to SEO, you will not understand the many concepts and technical factors that come into play when ranking your website. It might look pretty, but it isn't optimized correctly. To find out all the flaws your website has, and all the areas you could improve upon, get a free analysis from an agency so that they can show you the many places in which you will be able to improve your site, and as a result, its ranking on the web.
Good agencies will offer free audits that are detailed and descriptive, giving you an overview of your site's current standing with Google. It will also give you insights into all the areas that will improve that standing – such as changing up your content, tagging implementation, technical SEO requirements and much more. Then you will have a clearer understanding of how these changes will lead to you getting more targeted traffic and more clients.
So if you are struggling to see exactly what needs to be changed about your company's website, or don't understand how hiring an SEO company to work for you will bring you extra business then it's best to get an audit done to find out everything you need to know, and understand the relation between improving your site, and driving more exposure and customers.
How To Get A Free Audit?
Most good companies will offer an easy section on part of their site to offer you a free website audit. It will prompt you to enter your website's URL, which will then be used by whatever auditing software they have to find all the errors and areas to be improved on your site.
They will usually ask for some contact details so they can get back to you about the results and potentially set up a meeting to go over them. Usually, email will suffice. But entering in your phone number so they can talk you through the results over the phone is a good idea.
11. They Should Offer Other Digital Marketing Services
In addition to SEO, it's important for an agency to also have a knowledge of related digital marketing skillsets. Under the umbrella of digital marketing, there are other services such as SEM (search engine marketing), SMM (social media marketing), web design, copywriting and content writing. All of these subsets under the umbrella of digital marketing relate and complement each other when used in conjunction. Having a digital marketing agency that specializes in SEO is great, but it's even better if they also have knowledge on these other key areas.
If they also know about SEM, they will be able to complement your search engine ranking with paid Google Ads. There have been studies to show that these two working together works better with the algorithm than just having one.
Or, if they have knowledge of copywriting, they will be able to write better search engine listing descriptions, so that even when you are ranked on page 1, your listing looks more enticing than all the others.
The last example we will use is the scenario that they also have knowledge of SMM, in which case there has been links to show that traffic coming from social media could also help in the way the Google algorithm ranks your site. Therefore, it's still a valuable skill nonetheless.
Even if you only want to start with SEO, later down the track if the opportunity arises, you may want to complement it with some of these other marketing channels to get even better results, and chances are you will want to do it all through the same agency.
12. No Lock-In Contracts
The lock-in contract is commonplace in a lot of Singapore's SEO agencies, and it might be best to find one that doesn't engage in this policy. Keep in mind, if you find a great agency who ticks all the boxes mentioned here, but they have a lock-in contract policy in place, don't give up on the opportunity to work with them. It is simply an added bonus if they don't have one. Many good agencies will offer a no lock-in contract or starter period to try out their services, this is a great sign that they are committed to serving you first before you make any commitments.
At the end of the day you want someone who gets you results, not just SEO work, if they can't deliver in the initial period set out, why should you have to stay paying their monthly management fee? Find an agency that is confident you will choose to continue working with them as you will find value in the results they deliver, not one that tries to lock you in with no promise of results.
13. Are They All In-House?
The way an agency's team is structured is also a critical factor in the kind of service you will end up receiving. Make sure that the SEO agency you plan on working with has a solid in-house team that is dedicated to seeing your campaigns through to success. On the other hand, if you go for an agency that doesn't have a solid internal team or doesn't give you a dedicated account manager, it's likely that they are simply outsourcing the work elsewhere, leading to less care being taken for your account, and a higher likelihood of lackluster results.
Find a company with a dedicated team and ensure you are happy with the account manager you are assigned with, they should make you feel very confident in their ability to increase your search engine presence and always update you with interesting insights and new opportunities.
Signs Of Good Team Members
A good SEO team will display certain qualities when interacting with you and your business. The first one is professionalism, scheduled meetings will always be on time, email updates will always be sent whenever there is an issue with your account or an update rolling out with the algorithm that requires action.
The second is that and they will always be looking for new ways to help your business grow, showing you important insights that link to new potential opportunities, and taking care and pride in your business instead of just doing the bare minimum without being committed to growing your business long term.
Next Steps
As mentioned before, the digital arena is growing at a rapid pace, and anyone who doesn't start investing their time and money into growing their company's digital presence will surely be left at a disadvantage, maybe not right now, but in the next 10 years. It will be a no-brainer to have a digital presence for every business. To get ahead of the competition, you will need to hire the right SEO professionals to get the job done properly and effectively.
The steps laid out in this article should be the checklist you use to determine what agency you want to work with. Singapore has many SEO agencies and consultants, but through using these steps as filters, you should be able to see the legitimate professionals from the rest of the crowd. Make sure when you are making a decision on who to work with you don't simply choose based on pricing. SEO is a higly-specialized service, so expect to pay a fair fee to get it done properly. Done properly, it will deliver results that make it well worth the investment. A good professional service will come at a price, and there is nothing wrong with paying that cost.
The first step is to make the leap. Whether you already know a little about digital marketing and SEO, or if this is the first time you have heard about it, the hardest part is getting started. Once you have found a great agency to work with, they will go through the whole process for you, explaining all the strategies, techniques and technical requirements to get your website and business where it needs to be online.
A whole world full of customers await. They are searching for you. You just haven't been found yet. So get in contact with some SEO agencies. Get an audit done and take the leap to a better online presence and all the benefits it brings for your business today.


text:
Twin Cities region has a good start in robotics; let's capitalize on it
By Andrew Borene, MPR News (commentary)
"The Twin Cities area has a head start to become an international robotics and automation center of excellence. A robotics ecosystem already taking form will build upon our region's expertise in effective high-tech innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration.
Robots are moving into our personal lives by cleaning living room floors, handling hazardous materials, parking cars and saving lives in roles from security to medicine. The world's emerging robotics industry has vast potential to benefit the quality of life for people all over the world, creating millions of high-paying jobs in the process."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
At The LeCrone Law Firm, P.C., we treat every case with the respect and expertise it deserves. Led by former prosecutor, respected trial lawyer and mediator Adam LeCrone, five of our nine attorneys are licensed in both Texas and Oklahoma. Having presented more than 400 jury trials collectively, our firm's attorneys have used various innovative approaches to accomplish favorable results for our diverse clientele base in multiple areas of law. Excellence. We recognize that it is attitude, not circumstance, which makes success possible. We strive for excellence in all cases. Teamwork. Our firm's attorneys and staff enjoy working with one another to help achieve a common goal. When the situation calls for it, we take pride in forming alliances with specialists in other areas of law, as well as other professions and industries, to provide the best available resources for each case. Determination. We rely on current technology, client collaboration and outstanding performance to provide high quality, cost-efficient, and responsive service.
© 2020 The LeCrone Law Firm, P.C. | Disclaimer 123 N. Crockett, Suite 200, Sherman, TX 75090 | Phone: 903.813.1900Practice Areas | Firm Info | Team
Attorney Website Design byZola Creative


text: Based on your objectives and campaign design, we take qualified leads a step further and schedule appointments for follow-up by your designated sales representative. We coordinate these appointments with existing schedules to avoid conflicts and confirm the appointments via email. A copy of the email is sent to your sales channel and contains additional comments and insight gained by our Associates in their discussions with the prospect. These leads are sent immediately so that you can act on them while they are still fresh.


text:
Sundance blog 2: a warm welcome, new shoes and jetlag
January 2015
Edward Lawrenson and Pia Borg are at the Sundance Film Festival this week to present their short film Abandoned Goods. Ed is also sharing his Sundance diary, and this second instalment is about waking up to an impressive landscape, getting a warm welcome (not to mention new shoes) from the festival, and coping with jetlag.
Ed writes: Friday was the first full day of our Sundance experience, and we're beginning to find our feet. We arrived late night on Thursday and it wasn't until morning daylight that we were able to appreciate how impressive the setting is. Park City is surrounded by mountains, and the air is dry, bracing and crystal clear. Behind our hotel is a toothpaste-white slope of a snow run. It's breathtaking. Perfect weather for skiing.
And promising conditions for film-viewing too: the sheltered intimacy of a cinema seems an especially welcome proposition here, and already I see many screenings are sold out.
We'll be watching our first film on Friday night; the earlier part of the day was spent getting our accreditation and filmmakers' welcome pack (including distinctive winterproof coats and shoes – which has the added advantage of making directors identifiable by the shoes they wear).
We also attended a festival brunch that Sundance held for filmmakers from outside the US. A relaxed and welcoming speech from festival director John Cooper underlined Sundance's international commitment. And he also gave an invaluable tip for filmmakers who might find the experience overwhelming: go see other films.
He followed this speech by asking all the filmmakers to come up to the stage and introduce themselves and their film on mic (which we all did, with varying degrees of enthusiasm and self-consciousness).
It felt good to be included in such a diverse selection, and I later caught up with a few British filmmakers: Louise Osmond, who's here for the world premiere of her documentary Dark Horse; Mark Cousins, who is presenting his essay film 6 Desires: DH Lawrence in Sardinia and is also serving on the international documentary jury; and William Bishop-Stephens and Christopher Eales, here with their short animation Two Films about Loneliness. All three had their Sundance premieres ahead of them, and were facing the prospect with a mix of trepidation, excitement and jet lag.
About the jet lag: it's a long flight here, and getting to Park City is not cheap, nor is staying in a ski resort during peak season. So Pia and I are very grateful recipients of British Council Travel Grant Funding for Short Filmmakers, supported by the BFI. The fund (details here) has allowed us to attend a number of festivals in support of Abandoned Goods, and we really appreciate the opportunity to do so. Not only have we been able to get a sense of how the film plays in different cultures with international audiences, travelling with the film has allowed us to meet and talk about the short with other film professionals (curators, journalists and the like). Now we've orientated ourselves, we plan to do that in earnest, preparing for our Sundance premiere on Saturday.
You can also read part one, part two, part three, part four, part five and part six of Ed's Sundance diary.


text:
Beach concessions to face enforcement
The environmental ministry is about to specify where construction can go within the borders of beach concessions.
Even though an individual or a firm may already have an approved concession, the ministry is ready to rule out construction in forest land, land with steep slopes and wetlands.
And the ministry may initiate destruction of structures that already have been built on land that is now being declared off limits. In some concession areas 60 to 70 percent of the land is being safeguarded by the environmental ministry.
What is involved is a reevaluation of the rules that govern the maritime zone, the 250 meters above mean high tide. Anything built illegally — from small structures to hotels — can be in the way of the law.
Legal battles can postpone the inevitable but not delay fate forever. The Mar y Sombra restaurant bit the dust in August after a lengthy, futile legal battle due to its location in the maritime zone, although that was a municipal case.
The first maps are out and it appears the ministry already knows what the decision will be in a case that is sitting on a magistrate's desk at the Sala IV constitutional court awaiting signatures.
The case, number 04-005607-0007CO, is the famous action that stopped concession granting in the maritime zone in 2004 because of outcries against Executive Decree 31750-MINAE-TUR.
The decree would have allowed the construction of buildings up to 14 meters high and permitted the logging of forest areas to make way for "ecotourism" projects.
The decree would have legalized the range of impacts that tourism projects would have had on forests: allowing the cutting of trees up to 15 percent of the concession area in primary forests, and 25 percent in secondary forests.
The amazing part of all this is many tourism developments are already built in restricted areas of the maritime zone with permissions given to them from local municipalities and approvals from the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo. But they lack approval from the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía, which until now has not taken an active role.
In some cases where building took place in restricted areas of forest zones, the approvals directly conflict with the forestry law and are illegal. A case in fact, is Proyecto Playa Dulce Vida where the company cut down the forest to build its development. The freezing of the permissions arrived too late to stop the destruction.
Proyecto Playa Dulce Vida on the central Pacific coast is just one example of the many areas restructured by developers before the environmental ministry could get its act together to stop them.
Quite by accident, the executive decree spotlighted the already existing activities, and, by doing so, triggered anger at the ministry which lead to the constitutional case.
The hoopla is not about the forest. It is about power. The environmental ministry felt trumped by the executive decree. The decree usurped Forest Law 7575 where the environmental ministry is the only institution in the country to determine what is forest and what is not, ministry workers decided.
Law 7575 permits zero development in restricted forest areas. The criteria determining these zones include tree density and size along with the slope of the land.
The labor union syndicate of the ministry filed the constitution case with the Sala IV. They were protecting their jobs and recognized the warning signs that the ministry was about to lose power. The syndicate surely will win the case, and the executive decree will be voided, thus reinstating the ministry's power as king over these lands.
Environmental ministry workers must know this because they are out in force inventorying the entire country's maritime zone to determine what are concessionable areas within these restricted territories. In a concession, a private company leases public land for private use including ventures for profit. Many major hotels and other developments are constructed on concession land.
When the smoke clears and the power struggle is over with executive decree of 2004 rescinded, what is going to happen to developers who built in restricted areas of the maritime zone?
Recent events reflect that the country will stop at nothing to protect the maritime zone because the area is part of the public trust and the legislature, courts, and ministries must defend it at all costs for the people of Costa Rica.
Structures existing for years are falling to the wrecking balls of today. A victory for the ministry in the Sala IV case is sure to trigger other, similar demolitions.


text:
Jerry McKinnis Elected to Professional Bass Fishing Hall Of Fame
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Jan. 30, 2003 - In May, Jerry McKinnis, host of "The Fishing Hole" and co-host of "The CITGO Bassmasters" will be one of the five members of the 2003 induction class into the Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.
"Obviously, other people recognizing the work that we have done inspires us to work harder," said McKinnis who is quick to share credit for his success with members of his production team. "We have brought some creativity and a risk-taking attitude to the sport. I believe that the sport needs more of that as it continues to grow."
In addition to McKinnis, former tournament great and lure designer Tom Mann will be inducted as will 1974 Bassmasters Classic champion Tommy Martin, two-time Classic champion Hank Parker and 1972 Classic champion Don Butler.
Perhaps the greatest contribution McKinnis has made to bass fishing was convincing ESPN of the need to televise bass tournaments.
"Jerry was instrumental in helping us realize the popularity of bass fishing and how big it could become," said Gary Morgenstern, Executive Director of programming for ESPN Outdoors. "Jerry has truly been a friend of ESPN, he has been active in helping us develop many components of what is now ESPN Outdoors and the Great Outdoor Games."
"This is a tremendous honor for Jerry," said long-time pro Jimmy Houston, who hosts "Jimmy Houston Outdoors" on ESPN and was a 2002 inductee. "This is a tribute to what he has done over many years. Jerry was one of the pioneers in televising fishing and he has taught many people how to fish in a down to earth style."
"The Fishing Hole", which has been on ESPN since 1980, is the second longest running program on the network behind SportsCenter. These days McKinnis also serves as co-host of "The CITGO Bassmasters" television program which chronicles the CITGO Bassmaster Tour. As a pro angler, McKinnis did compete in six BASS events between 1969 and 1974.
"I fished a few of the early events," recollected McKinnis. "I stopped fishing in them at the time when I realized my television show could become something and I followed that direction. Looking back it probably worked out for the best."
In the 40 years since he began his TV career, McKinnis quips that he has never had another job offer.
The work McKinnis has done with "The CITGO Bassmasters" has also not gone unnoticed.
"Jerry does a great job on the weekly show," added Dean Kessel, vice president and general manager of BASS. "Everyone at BASS is extremely happy for Jerry and congratulates him on this great accomplishment."
The induction ceremonies for the Professional Bass fishing Hall of Fame will take place in Hot Springs, Ark. on May 2.


text:
Polar explorer Craig Mathieson has been honoured for outstanding achievement in his field by Dundee's Abertay University.
Mr Mathieson, widely regarded as Scotland's greatest living expert in the field and founder of the charity The Polar Academy, received an Honorary Doctorate from the university in recognition of his contribution to education.
The Polar Academy helps to transform the life-chances of 'invisible' youths in schools and was established in 2013 with the aim of using exploration to positively transform the lives of youths affected by crushed self-confidence, low self-esteem and anxiety.
Mr Mathieson, who lives in Bo'ness, left school at 16 to join the military with minimal qualifications, and went on to lead the first wholly Scottish expedition to the North and South Poles.
He pulled his own sledge 730 miles across the Antarctic tundra and has worked with the V&A museum in Dundee as well as becoming Explorer in Residence with the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.
Addressing the graduates, he said: "I was 12 years old when, inspired by the exploits of Captain Scott, I decided to become a polar explorer.
"Unfortunately, being a polar explorer is not part of any career choice at high school or university. I had to work extremely hard for many years to eventually succeed.
"Along the way, I met many people who told me what I couldn't do, or who said that what I wanted to do was just too difficult. You will also regularly meet these people in life. I've always found it best to deal with these people by thanking them for their 'terrific' advice, look them straight in the eye, smile, shake their hand and then disregard everything they've told you and stick to your original plan!"
Mr Mathieson, who as part of his work with The Polar Academy has spoken on RRS Discovery and to students at the Dundee Academy of Sport, added: "I'm extremely proud to receive this Honorary Doctorate from Abertay University and hopefully it reflects the tremendous ongoing work of The Polar Academy.
"I firmly believe that with perseverance and resilience, you can achieve anything in life. Over 30 years ago I was being told by a guidance teacher to forget my dream of being an explorer. Yet I've never given up. Three decades later and with the help of many supporters and charitable donors, including Tiso Group and Cornhill Building Services, I am able to help transform the lives of young people, nurture the self-confidence to safely explore in the Arctic and ensure they return to inspire their peers."


text:
Daily Readings:
First Reading
Philippians 1:18-26
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in that I rejoice.
19 Yes, and I shall rejoice. For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,
20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I shall not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 If it is to be life in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.
23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.
25 Convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,
26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 42:2-3, 5
1 As a hart longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for thee, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?
4 These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I went with the throng, and led them in procession to the house of God, with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.
Luke 14:1, 7-11
1 One sabbath when he went to dine at the house of a ruler who belonged to the Pharisees, they were watching him.
7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he marked how they chose the places of honor, saying to them,
8 "When you are invited by any one to a marriage feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest a more eminent man than you be invited by him;
9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, `Give place to this man,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place.
10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, `Friend, go up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you.
11 For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
First Reading
Philippians 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
5 Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand.
6 Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 131:1-3
1 O LORD, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a child quieted at its mother's breast; like a child that is quieted is my soul.
3 O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
Matthew 22:34-40
34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sad'ducees, they came together.
35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, to test him.
36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?"
37 And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
38 This is the great and first commandment.
39 And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
40 On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets."


text:
At the freeway's exit, the rat race is left behind. Relaxation ensues as you begin to breath in the clean air and experience the endless horizon. You have arrived...
Read more: Visiting Kennedy
The nearest hotels to Kennedy are located in Hallock or Karlstad.
Caribou Inn (formerly a Super 8)
Address: 203 E. Broadway
Phone: 218-843-3702
Gateway Motel
Address: 702 S. Atlantic Ave.
Phone: 218-843-2032
Valley Motel
Address: 808 S. Atlantic
Phone: 218-843-2828
North Star Motor Inn
Address: 305 Main St. S
Phone: 218-436-2494
Amenities: 48 campsites with electrical hookups, showers, flush toilets and a dump station.
Location: Located on the south branch of the Two Rivers. Park is adjacent to
Hallock's nine-hole grass greens golf course.
Recreation: Canoeing, fishing, swimming, playground, basketball & volleyball.
Price: $10/night
Phone: 218-843-2737
Amenities: Electrical hookups, flush toilets, dump station.
Location: Near downtown Hallock.
Recreation: Picnic shelter & playground.
Price: $10/night
Phone: 218-843-2737
Lake Bronson State Park is located two miles east of the city of Lake Bronson.
Kennedy City Office
414 North Atlantic Avenue North
Kennedy, MN 56733, USA
Phone: 218-674-4142
Fax: 218-674-4141
The information on this site is made available as a public service. Maps, data, and images are to be used for reference purposes only and the City of Kennedy is not responsible for any inaccuracies herein contained. No responsibility is assumed for damages or other liabilities due to the accuracy, availability, use or misuse of the information herein provided.
The City of Kennedy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider.


text:
The Morning Download: U.S. Officials Say Russian Cyber Attack Targets Power Plants
Good morning, CIOs. U.S. officials warned Thursday that an ongoing Russian cyber attack has comprised smaller businesses that serve critical infrastructure, including the electric grid and nuclear power plants. A security alert issued Thursday by the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigation says Russian threat actors for several years have been trying to infiltrate U.S. critical infrastructure by deliberately targeting smaller entities in the supply chain. Researchers say the attackers have the wherewithal to interfere with operations.
According to the alert, "the initial victims are peripheral organizations such as trusted third-party suppliers with less secure networks. The threat actors used the staging targets' networks as pivot points and malware repositories when targeting their final intended victims."
A network's vulnerability to infiltration through third parties has been seen before, most notably in last year's NotPetya attacks which crippled computer networks at multinational firms world-wide and Target Corp.'s 2013 breach, enabled when hackers accessed the retailer's gateway server through credentials stolen from a vendor. According to the New York Times, Russia's critical infrastructure attack has the potential to disrupt operations. "We now have evidence they're sitting on the machines, connected to industrial control infrastructure, that allow them to effectively turn the power off or effect sabotage," Eric Chien, a security technology director at Symantec, tells the NYT. Coverage continues below.
Cloud arms race boosts server, storage sales. Surging demand for the cloud is pushing global shipments of servers, storage and networking tools to record highs, as cloud-service providers expand data-center facilities worldwide, a new report shows. The total value of global infrastructure shipments hit an all-time high of $142 billion last year, up 7.3% from 2016, research firm Canalys reported Wednesday. "We do see increasing adoption of cloud services by businesses," Matthew Ball, a principal analyst at Canalys, tells CIO Journal's Angus Loten. Of those totals, Canalys estimates that large cloud providers accounted for at least 30% of total server shipments and up to 20% for networking products, citing "ongoing data center expansion by hyperscale cloud service providers" as a key driver.
Trump administration sanctions Russia for interference in U.S. elections, other cyber activities. The Trump administration Thursday issued for the first time sanctions against Russia for meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections and for cyberattacks, targeting the Kremlin's intelligence agencies and individuals indicted by special counsel Robert Mueller for their alleged roles in election interference. The Journal's Ian Talley has the story. U.S. intelligence assessment released last year concluded the Kremlin developed a "clear preference" for Mr. Trump over his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton
A blanket list of complaints. In sanctioning five entities and 19 individuals, the U.S. Treasury and senior national-security officials also accused the Russian government of ongoing attacks against the U.S. energy grid, water, aviation and manufacturing facilities. The U.S. also cited last year's NotPetya cyberattack and pointed to a nerve-agent attack earlier this month in the U.K. that left a former Russia spy and his daughter in critical condition.
More on critical infrastructure. Russia's cyber engagement with U.S. and European critical infrastructure in recent years has undergone a shift from industrial espionage activities to working to potentially sabotage or shut down plant operations, the New York Times reports. "Russia certainly has the technical capability to do damage, as it demonstrated in the Ukraine," Eric Cornelius, a cybersecurity expert at Cylance, a private security firm, tells the NYT.
U.S., tech firms warn against internet monitor's privacy tightening. In response to new European Union privacy policies, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers is looking to limit access to Whois information routinely collected when people register a website, the Journal's John D. McKinnon report. The plan also would set up a new system allowing access to more detailed data for people who are accredited—a group that potentially would include law enforcement. But with many basic elements of the accreditation system yet to be determined critics fear that absent a process, the companies that register websites and collect the data will be left in limbo when the EU's law takes effect in May 25.
The Amazon effect. U.S. cities vying for Amazon.com Inc.'s second headquarters risk may face an unexpected consequence to victory: Other companies could demand the same perks conferred on the online retail giant. The Journal's Shayndi Raice and Laura Stevens report that last week a group of tech companies asked Washington, D.C.'s mayor for the same goodies--from training bonuses to property tax breaks--the city reportedly is offering Amazon. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chief Executive James Dimon recently said that he plans to call up the governor from the winning city and demand a similar deal.
Tesla enters critical period. Tesla Inc. next month will reveal whether it is on track to produced 5,000 Model 3s a week—a goal that it already twice delayed, says the WSJ's Tim Higgins. The Model 3 is Tesla's mainstream electric-car offering, priced more affordably than Tesla's luxury models, and a key part of Mr. Musk's strategy to broaden the company's business. Meeting the goal by the end of June is critical to generating enough cash to sustain operations without having to raise more capital.
Bitcoin buyers to meet the taxman. The IRS is moving to crack down on cryptocurrency scofflaws, collecting data on about 13,000 Coinbase account holders who bought, sold, sent or received digital currency worth $20,000 or more between 2013 and 2015. The WSJ's Laura Sanders has the story.
Whistleblower says Walmart, eyeing Amazon, cheated on e-commerce. Walmart Inc. was sued on Thursday by a former executive who accused the world's largest retailer of issuing misleading e-commerce results, amid growing pressure from Amazon.com, and firing him for complaining about it, Reuters reports.
Rihanna tells fans to throw the Snapchat app away. Shares of the Snap Inc. dropped 3.6% after Pop star Rihanna slammed the company's app for approving an advertisement that appeared to joke about domestic violence, the Journal's Imani Moise reports. The ad, for a mobile game called "Would You Rather", asked users if they would prefer to slap Rihanna or punch her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown. In 2009, Brown plead guilty to felony assault after a fight between the couple in his car.
Every week, CIO Journal offers a glimpse into the mind of the CEO, whose view of technology is shaped by stories in management journals, general interest magazines and, of course, in-flight publications.
Secret to empathy: More kale. Jeffrey Katzenberg, co-founder and former CEO of Dreamworks Animation, said his method for relaxing subordinates seeking his audience is to take them out to eat. He has followed the ritual so many times that he has earned a reputation for eating multiple meals a day. "Suddenly, the relaxed nature of sitting at a table with somebody coming and bringing food and eating just gave me an ability to connect with people way, way, way better than I could across a desk in an office or sitting on the other side of a couch," he told a gathering at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
An agenda for the talent-first CEO. If talent defines success in the today's digital organization, an effective chief executive officer is judged by how she recruits, deploys and develops talent. Writing in McKinsey Insights, Dominic Barton, Dennis Carey and Ram Charan see the CEO, together with the CFO and the central human resources officer, forming the 'G-3,' a "central brain trust" of the talent-driven organization. Their mission: Identify the talent within. "According to one McKinsey study, about 70 percent of senior executives are wrong about who is most influential in their organization," they write. "The G-3 must pinpoint the company's crucial decision nodes, the places in the organization where important choices are made by people who can drive tremendous value." For example, The Blackstone Group identified 37 critical positions at a 12,000 person company in its portfolio. Together with the company's CEO, Blackstone made sure all the positions were filled with the right talent. "In almost every organization, success depends on a small core of people who deliver outsize value," they write.
Pumped to work. Henrik Bunge, CEO and "Head Coach" at Swedish sportswear company Björn Borg, takes executive love for the sports metaphor to its literal conclusion, forcing staffers to participate in a Friday workout session "Take a football player. He will always know how he performs," he tells Stockholm University's Carl Cederström and Torkild Thanem. "But if you go to the marketing department and ask them, they're usually clueless." The antidote to their cluelessness appears to be more pushups. In Harvard Business Review, Mssrs. Cederström and Thanem describe a visit to Björn Borg's offices: "One Friday morning, a male employee walked into the kitchen area, topless, to show that he had achieved his physical target: a six-pack abdomen." Besides great abs, research shows exercise as a way to reduce stress and get the endorphins going. Whose pumped to talk behavioral targeting!
Special Counsel Robert Mueller is seeking documents from the Trump Organization related to his probe into whether associates of Donald Trump colluded with Russia's efforts to interfere in the 2016 election. (WSJ)
Washington girded for further change in President Donald Trump's administration, as national security adviser H.R. McMaster's position appeared increasingly precarious. (WSJ)
A lawsuit in Connecticut against a leading maker of AR-15 rifles is awaiting a pivotal court ruling over whether the gun industry can be held legally responsible for mass shootings. (WSJ)
Nike Inc. said that it had received complaints about workplace behavior and that its No. 2 executive has resigned, setting off a management shuffle at the sportswear giant.
The Morning Download is edited by Tom Loftus and cues up the most important news in business technology every weekday morning. You can get The Morning Download emailed to you each weekday morning by clicking http://wsj.com/TheMorningDownload.


text: Uzalo 6 December 2019 Today Full Episode HD Videos online. Uzalo is Zulu Speaking People Favorite Soapie you can watch Uzalo Now Online Latest Full Episode Video. Stay tuned to watch Uzalo yesterday episode 2019 Online. Watch Uzalo 6 December 2019 Today Episode. Here you can watch Uzalo latest episode 06-12-2019 in high quality online. Stay connected with us to watch all Uzalo Episodes here on Isibaya.me in HD Quality. Keep watching Daily Uzalo Episodes online with us.


text:
My name is Pauline, I'm 34 years old, I was born in France. My new life started when I changed my whole lifestyle gradually since 2008. Month after month, the sad chubby girl I was had become a fit happy girl. And I did not restrict my calories at all. How come? I finally ate the right foods.
Now I work as a translator and as an influencer. My goal is to contribute to a better world, by helping people get healthy, fit and eco. I have spent years researching true nutrition information. All studies data may be legitimate, but their interpretation by journalists and bloggers has led to terrible misconception about what is a healthy diet among the general public.


text:
Photo via Gage Skidmore
Conservative leader and former president of the National Rifle Association (NRA) David Keene is the cannabis industry's newest advocate.
In an op-ed for the Washington Times, Keene — a former advisor to Republican presidents Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush — calls on the federal regulators to finally end the government's ban on gun ownership for registered medical cannabis patients.
Cannabis remains a Schedule I drug with no accepted medical value in the eyes of the U.S. government, and because nationwide requirements for gun ownership ban any users of any federally illicit drugs, even patients with state-approved cannabis recommendations have been denied the right to bear arms by gun sellers. In some extreme instances, local municipalities have gone as far as to send letters to registered medical marijuana patients asking that they turn in any firearms they already own.
While the NRA is always first in line to defend gun ownership in the face of violent tragedies involving firearms, the nation's largest gun advocacy group has so far been silent on the 2nd Amendment issues facing legal cannabis users. To reconcile that disparity, Keene, the president of the NRA from 2011-2013 and current editor at large at the Washington Times, calls for an immediate policy change which states' rights to self-determination and the constitutional freedoms of medical cannabis patients.
"The refusal of the federal government to accede to the judgment of the states on the issue has created problems for tens or even hundreds of thousands of gun owners who are being forced to either trade their Second Amendment rights for a chance to live pain-free or risk prosecution and imprisonment," Keene wrote.
Because Keene stepped down from NRA leadership years ago, his progressive position does not carry any official weight for the conservative association, but still represents yet another bit of progress from the right side of the political aisle on the topic of cannabis reform.
In his call to arms, Keene noted that there are "merits on both sides of the argument" about recreational cannabis legalization, but stood firm in support of medical marijuana, finishing his piece with a statement that surpasses his 2nd Amendment argument, and rings true for every aspect of America's struggle for cannabis legalization: "Trading a constitutional right for pain relief is a choice no one should have to make."


text:
Darkness to Light Stewards of Children Training
Whether you're a parent, a family member, a youth serving organization, a teacher, a coach, a member of a church, or a babysitter it's important to know how to protect the children in your life from sexual abuse.
Learn the facts, minimize the opportunity, talk about it, recognize the signs and react responsibly are important steps in protecting the children who are entrusted in your care.
Due to the continuous generosity of our corporate & community donors, this training is offered at no cost to participants. Donations are always welcomed!
Stewards of Children is an award winning prevention training program that teaches adults how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. The program is designed for organizations that serve youth, entrusted with the care of children, and for individuals concerned about the safety of children. It is the only nationally distributed, evidence informed program proven to increase knowledge, improve attitudes, and change child protective behaviors.
Some of the outcomes of the program are as follows:
· Increased awareness of the prevalence, consequences, and circumstances of child sexual abuse
· New skills for adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse
· Positive change to organizational policies and procedures
· Individual commitment to action through a personal prevention plan
" Just because someone is 'SCARS Certified' it doesn't mean that we let our guard down! Perpetrators too can become trained, they are difficult to identify! They don't wear a sign on their forehead that says "I have sexual thoughts of children." We must continue to monitor and do everything we can to minimize the risk. Remember that many steps are important, prevention training, background checks, reference checks, code of conducts, and monitoring isolated one child one adult situations."
SCARS can bring the 'Stewards of Children' Training to your organization or home with a minimum of 5 participants.
If you would like to arrange a training for a group or organization please download and email completed SOC Registration form below to email@example.com
To register for one of the following 2020 training's CLICK HERE
Registration deadline closes 5 days before each training date:
January 18th – FULL CLASS
February 22nd – FULL CLASS
March 21st
April 18th
May 16th
June 20th
July 11th
August 15th
September 19th
October 17th
November 14th
December 5th
(Spaces are limited and fill up very quickly – You will NOT be registered until this form has been submitted and you have received a confirmation email)
Participants must attend the entire 3 hour class to receive credit.
No late arrivals please. IF YOU ARRIVE LATE, once the first video is playing, you will not receive credit for the session and must register for another session.
Childcare is NOT provided.
We strongly recommend to organizations that participants become re-certified every 3 years.
Unscientifically, we have researched other programs and have found that 3 years is a common time frame at which renewal of this information is advisable.
We also like to encourage an ongoing dialogue on the topic. Darkness to Light have additional training modules that build on the skills taught with Stewards of Children. These are shorter trainings that can be used in between the 3 years. Please find these modules on their website d2l.org.
It really does depend on the organization you work with and the choices they make in implementing a policy that requires their staff and volunteers to be re-certified every 3 years.
Testimonials from people who have taken the training :
"This is my second time doing this. I have implemented several techniques with my children and have learned new techniques to apply going forward."
"Encouraged me not to be embarrassed to speak out or intervene with any suspicious or uncomfortable behavior. Increased my awareness of the environment children are put in by myself or around me."
"This training opened up my eyes to the seriousness of child sexual abuse. Although I know it is bad, this presentation let me know that there are things that I can do to prevent it".
"The session was very challenging as a survivor of myself, but it helped me a lot to prepare my own two daughters if a situation is to occur and how to go about it."
"As a mother of 4 children I decided it would be important to take the SCARS training. I wanted to know how to protect my children and to be better informed. I did not realize what an enormous impact it would have on my understanding and the priceless tools it would provide. After taking the training it removed the awkwardness of discussing sex and sexual abuse with my children and others. It opened my eyes to see the need to put protection in place in my home, when my kids would go on sleepovers, sporting activities etc. It empowered me with insight on what to look for in kids' programs and situations to avoid. It even helped me know how to react, speak words of comfort and where to direct several adults who have since shared their childhood sexual abuse with me personally. I am so thankful that I took the training and would encourage anyone to do so! It changes your entire perspective on childhood sexual abuse and gives you the tools to become part of the solution in preventing it." – Karla Brookes
"My staff were engaged and totally absorbed into the presentation; and all walked away feeling better informed and empowered, ready to advocate for the children." – Cindy Weeks, Principal, Harrington Sound Primary School
"Today's session was absolutely excellent. I came away with so much more understanding and knowledge. I hope to share this message with other parents and educators. I would like to register my husband for the next session. Thank you so much."
"Many Thanks for the opportunity to participate in the training session on Saturday. I was truly enlightened and sometimes overwhelmed with the information that was presented; sitting here with tears in my eyes. I feel more equipped in how I can deal with a situation and will do my part to protect the children in my life."
`"I found the SCARS 'Darkness to Light' training to be incredibly informative. It not only educates on how to put preventative measures in place to protect our children, but also how to talk to young children about their bodies, sex and how to keep themselves safe. I wish I had this training when my children were young. It is an incredibly worthwhile investment of time."
'"Thank you. I really enjoyed the training and as an educator I learned more to help in my field."
"Thank you so much for a much needed informative and practical. It is long overdue and I have waited for a presentation like this to take place in our churches for over 20 years – my family are survivors."
'"Parents and Volunteers are guided to be alert to the indicators of abuse (sexual, physical, psychological/mental and neglect). Our volunteers are expected to Teach, Promote and model Respect and Anti-violence behaviours at all times while with their Little. In conjunction, our dedicated Case Managers supervise each match by checking in with Bigs, Parents and the Littles to ensure the safety of each child. We became SCARS certified on March 20, 2013 and are actively incorporating SCARS training into our programme." – Lydia Rawlins, Big Brothers Big Sisters Bermuda.
"On behalf of St. John Ambulance we wish to Thank You for a very empowering lecture and presentation. I believe that everyone who attended left with a positive message and awareness that they did not have before this presentation. The message we all got was that one can make it a better world for our precious children. Again we thank you for your continued dedication and love for the cause, which we all support." – Veronica DeSilva, St. Johns Ambulance.
"I am so thankful that I attended the training offered by SCARS. It has made me more aware of what I see and sometimes overlook as an educator. I would endorse that every person employed by the Ministry of Education be enrolled in this training in order to heighten awareness and signs of abuse."
"Thank you for providing the amazing training. I really appreciate you offering an experience that can make such a difference to so many! It was very beneficial exposure to such a distressing topic. I certainly expanded my understanding of the issue and felt empowered to be aware of what I can do to decrease risks." – Helen Orchard, Bermuda National Gallery


text:
Comfy Walk Reviews
By combining arch-lifting, alignment-correcting, and shock-absorbing benefits, Comfy Walk's five-layer insoles claim to help address posture, pain, and performance.
About Comfy Walk
Using an Optron five-layer core and patented Swiss-engineered technology, Comfy Walk insoles promise to lift your arch, absorb shock, and correct alignment, resulting in better posture and balance, reduced back pain, and even enhanced performance.
Unlike other insoles, Comfy Walk also features a woven, breathable, copper-infused cover to reduce odor and can be instantly transferred to any pair of shoes—even high heels.
Whether your foot or back pain is caused by misaligned feet, excessive shock, or simply standing all day, Will Comfy Walk insoles really provide "life-changing comfort"? Even then, will it deliver a solid level of value for the money?
Let's start answering your questions by taking a look at what insoles are and how they work.
What Is a Shoe Insole & How Does It Work?
While insoles come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, layers, support levels, and materials, they're all intended to slip inside shoes and provide some measure of comfort and/or support.
From a comfort perspective, many insoles feature soft foam or gel construction that help absorb shock whenever weight is placed on your feet. Support-oriented insoles (also referred to as orthotics) are often constructed of more rigid foam or other materials, since they're intended to change foot alignment moreso than address shock.
In addition to over-the-counter options like Comfy Walk, you can visit your podiatrist to have custom orthotics created, which are tailor-made specifically for your feet. While this is likely the most expensive option (depending on insurance coverage), its custom approach will also likely provide you with the greatest degree of comfort and support.
Feature-wise, both over-the-counter insoles and custom orthotics will feature a 'bumped-up' area on the inside edge, aimed at supporting the foot's natural arch. Many also implement extra cushion in the heel, a sunken design to keep your foot centered, as well as some form of odor control.
In either instance, if your foot or back pain is caused by excess shock or misalignment, many customers report some measure of relief using over-the-counter insoles like Comfy Walk. Because of this, you'll find hundreds of these options online, as well as at stores near you.
If your pain or misalignment is severe enough, though, the American Podiatric Medical Association recommends that you'll want to discuss custom options with your doctor that might be able to better address your specific diagnosis.
Comfy Walk vs. Other Shoe Insoles & Inserts
Whether you've walked down the footcare section of your local pharmacy or browsing the virtual aisles online, you know that Comfy Walk is up against some stiff competition.
While we didn't test these insoles firsthand, is there anything we can glean from its commercial regarding possible meaningful differences?
The product's website doesn't provide any additional details about the specific materials found in Comfy Walk's Optron 5-layer shock absorbing core, or about the "patented technology engineered in Switzerland" mentioned at the bottom of their commercial.
Based on its Optron design, Swiss technology, its proposed arch-raising benefits, and even its color, though, these shock-absorbing insoles appears to be a rebranded version of ReduPain. Despite this, ReduPain was still being sold at the time of our research, and we didn't confirm any formal relationship between the two companies on third-party websites.
Looking at them side-by-side, we can see that Comfy Walk (left) and ReduPain (right) are designed almost identically
While other options won't be designed by George Hané, who suffered from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, like ReduPain (and possibly these insoles), you'll find dozens of multi-layer, raised arch, shock-absorbing insoles from third-party manufacturers just about anywhere you look.
Unfortunately, without knowing more from the manufacturer about Comfy Walk's specific design, we can't provide a direct comparison. Even the "negative pressure" (liquid that moves away from direct pressure to provide surrounding support) mentioned on Comfy Walk's website is used in many other insole models.
Also, keep in mind that, according to The Insole Store, your foot arch and footbed types can play a big factor in overall effectiveness and comfort, so you might need to try a few pairs before finding the perfect fit.
But if these insoles don't work out in your pursuit of pain relief, will you be able to get your money back?
How Much Does Comfy Walk Cost?
Available in men's and women's versions, one pair of insoles is priced at $29.99, plus free S&H. You can also purchase a second pair for a $6.95 fee during checkout.
Comparatively, Comfy Walk's competition is priced anywhere from $20 to $100+, putting it at the lower end of the spectrum.
All orders come with a 90-day money back guarantee, less S&H. In order to request one, customer support can be reached at 866-518-2281.
Our Final Thoughts About Comfy Walk
If you're experiencing frequent foot or back pain, the first person you should speak with is your doctor. After all, pain is simply your body's signal that something is wrong, but it doesn't tell you specifically what's wrong.
But by speaking with your doctor and undergoing any recommended tests, they can help you figure out precisely what's causing your pain—whether it involves sciatica, injury, disease, aging, or disease—and then formulate a treatment plan. This way, you also won't have to worry about spending money on products and treatments that won't deliver meaningful value.
In the meantime, if you're experiencing shock-related foot and back pain from minor foot misalignment, or simply from being on your feet all day, we didn't encounter anything during our research indicating Comfy Walk's cushioning support won't deliver at least some level of relief.
However, without performing a direct comparison ourselves, we can't tell you if it will deliver better relief than a less expensive local option with fewer layers. And not only might purchasing locally help save you time and money in shipping charges, but it could also make the return process as easy as hopping in your car.
Speaking of which: If you feel like giving Comfy Walk a try, the manufacturer seems to stand behind it with a 90-day refund policy. Just keep in mind—especially if you're planning on taking advantage of the BOGO offer—that you'll immediately lose your initial S&H charges, plus whatever they'll cost to send back to the company if you end up dissatisfied.


text:
Here's another way to waste $75,000: Buy the Lean Mean Green Machine, a nine foot long green tricycle with an oversized 45″ diameter front wheel. It's powered by an air-cooled, 80″ cu. Harley-Davidson engine V-Twin Evo that provides 60 horsepower for speeds up to 50 mph. It was inspired by the classic Green Machine kid's tricycle from the 1970s that made by bicycle manufacturer Huffy. Order the Green Machine by November 15 for Christmas delivery at Hammacher Schlemmer—makes an excellent Grinch-mobile.
Huffy still makes a version of the kid's trike Green Machine that costs $120 (photo below).


text:
There aren't any particular skills required to grow to be a enterprise and financial challenge supervisor. As chief monetary officer, Mr. Flanigan presents monetary reviews and business plans to the board of trustees, and participates in financial meetings with external constituents. Perspectives on Enterprise Technique: You will gain insights into the differing perspectives used to develop and implement business strategy.
Services and Experiential Advertising examines the implementation of promoting ideas, theories and practices to organisations working in today's more and more competitive atmosphere. To assist the College cut back the danger of harm or harm to any member of its group caused by the felony behaviour of other college students, it must know about any related criminal convictions an applicant has.
Do not embrace private or financial data like your National Insurance coverage quantity or credit card particulars. Critically evaluate the tensions between the financial tutorial theories as a accountable business makes an attempt to maximise shareholder wealth. What's Hot: As of 2008, Personal Financial Advisors " topped the pay scale in the Business and Monetary Operations group at $92,970 yearly.
It is all part of an internationalised grounding in enterprise and financial administration that can put together you for a rewarding future. Registering for the web RMIF benchmarking service will permit you to evaluate your farm's bodily and monetary efficiency against these of other membership members or different groups.
Your choices – and those of potential lenders – will likely be primarily based on the monetary figures you have …Read More


text:
While our cakes have certainly been adored by many, this student's description of her divine experience is truly precious!
Mr. Z's San Gabriel Elementary class was instructed to write about their favorite food and, as one of the best essays in the class, he was happy to share one of those essays with us.
It makes me happy to know that Madonna Inn can make people so happy, as well as produce desserts that inspire such impressive and creative writing. Keep writing, Ashlyn - you may have a career in food journalism in your future!


text:
Carol Craig is the Centre's Chief Executive. She is author of The Scots' Crisis of Confidence, Creating Confidence: A Handbook for Professionals Working with Young People, The Tears that Made the Clyde: Well-being in Glasgow and The Great Takeover: How materialism, the media and markets now dominate our lives. Her latest book is Hiding in Plain Sight: Exploring Scotland's ill health. She is Commissioning editor for the Postcards from Scotland series. Carol blogs on confidence, well-being, inequality, every day life and some of the great challenges of our time. The views she expresses are her own unless she specifically states that they reflect the Centre's thinking.
You can view Carol's tweets on Twitter and sign up to follow by using this link:
The controversy over the BBC and Jimmy Savile have made me reflect on my own experience of BBC culture. I worked for almost a decade from the end of the 1970s as a researcher in BBC Scotland's current affairs tv department and then as an Education Officer, based in Scotland, but working for a London Department. The post was made redundant and I then left formal employment with the corporation. However I was asked to chair BBC Scotland's Equal Opportunities Committee and did so for seven years. During that time I also ran numerous training courses for staff.
While working at the BBC I met lots of people who I really liked as individuals and who I still consider friends. Nonetheless working for the BBC was not a particularly positive experience and I know from running countless courses there that's true for lots of employees. In those days (and perhaps even now) had a rather cavalier attitude to staff – like it or lump it as there are lots of folk who would love to take up your job, is how I'd sum it up. True no doubt but not great for staff morale.
There was also a fair amount of bullying. Indeed the assertiveness courses I ran always had a couple of individuals who wanted to know how to cope with more senior folk who routinely humiliated or bullied them. The worst culprits when I was there were two female radio presenters and a few male television production staff. One tv news producer, still around Scotland's media scene, was famed for shouting and swearing at camera operators and vt staff. Some of these guys even came on my courses and admitted that they felt so put down by the treatment. They also said that the behaviour was counterproductive – it made them so angry and stressed that they were less likely to concentrate and so they did then end up missing shots.
Senior management in the BBC were aware of this behaviour yet mainly turned a blind eye. The producer did ultimately get made redundant but, as far I know, was never formally upbraided for his behaviour. The presenters got away with treating a lot of their colleagues with contempt. I know it sounds old fashioned but I always argued that there needed to be clear standards of behaviour.
As for sexism and predatory managers I never found the BBC as bad as other organisations I had worked for, or my experience at university for that matter. These issues didn't come up on courses either so it certainly doesn't seem to have been widespread.
During the period I worked for the Corporation I was continually taken aback by how much kudos it gained you in others' eyes. Just saying you worked for the BBC (no matter what the job) seemed to impress folk. However, unless you were one of the corporation's top performers, working for the BBC was, in my experience anyway, much more likely to bleed rather than instil confidence, in staff. No wonder assertiveness courses were so popular.
View list of all Carol's blogs | Leave a comment on this blog on the Centre's Facebook page


text:
Why Americans are obese: 24-hour pizza
Here's a sign from the cruise, when the buffet was closed (like in the middle of the night). There was always – always – food around. But what kind of food?
Considering the body constitution of ordinary Americans on the cruise the sign is ironic. This is exactly the kind of thing they ought to fear.


text:
Misha Merzliakov pens a 102m trimaran based on a fast, efficient hull by Austal
by Caroline
Australian designer Misha Merzliakov has penned a 102m trimaran based on a fast, efficient, seasickness-banishing hullform by the shipbuilder Austal.
The design was conceived for an owner seeking a multihull that was economical to build and capable of high speeds. Merzliakov turned to the Western Australian yard Austal, whose platform has been operating successfully in a high-speed ferry since 2009.
'I have been involved previously in trimaran hullform development from a hydrodynamic and seakeeping perspective – its a fascinating technology,' says Merzliakov. 'This yacht means business when at speed.'
The hydrodynamic second-generation hullform combined with a three engine propulsion train mean the yacht is expected to have a 39-knot top speed (as determined in trials of the 2009 ferry). The style of Merzliakov's superstructure, with an 'automotive aesthetic' reflects this performance: 'I wanted a design that "does what it says",' he notes.
The proven hullform also uses less power than other craft operating at similar speeds and maintains pace in waves. Further, its soft roll significantly diminishes seasickness on board. Studies by the yard have suggested that in head seas, incidence of motion sickness will be 56 per cent lower than on a 100m catamaran.


text:
I was sent a sampling of the Somersault Snack Co. product to review quite a while ago. This was shortly before the time that hubby's Dad was in the hospital in intensive care. So needless to say, this review got put off far too long!
But hubby and I loved these! We were both so impressed with the flavors.I took these with us to the hospital numerous times so that we would have a healthy snack to munch on. Hubby enjoyed taking them in his lunch.
They come in Cinnamon Crunch, Pacific Sea Salt, Dutch Cocoa, Salty Pepper, and Sante Fe Salsa. My favorites were the Santa Fe Salsa, Cinnamon Crunch and Dutch Cocoa.
What makes these different than most snack foods?
The ingredients. They are made from whole food ingredients and I know that makes me feel better when I am eating a snack food. The #1 ingredient in Somersault Snacks are sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds are are a nutritionally dense food, power packed with antioxidants, protein, fiber, Vitamin E, minerals and healthy fats.
The sunflower seeds in Somersault Snacks provide impactful, nut‐free nutrition. These nutritional
superheroes supply:
- 50% more protein than many popular nuts including almonds, cashews, walnuts & pecans
- Six times more vitamin E than peanuts
- Seven times more folate than almonds, cashews and pecans
- More fiber than an apple, and a comparable amount to a serving of bran flake cereal
Approximately 90 percent of the fat in sunflower seeds is polyunsaturated and monounsaturated, the healthiest types of fat for the heart. The fat comes from two ingredients: sunflower seeds (fats) and expeller pressed high oleic sunflower oil (monounsaturated fat). Sunflower seeds are also naturally free of harmful trans‐fats which raise "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and lower "good" cholesterol
You can compare Somersault nutritional information with common snack foods here.
Somersaults are baked with all‐natural, simple ingredients without GMOs, HFCS, trans fats, additives or preservatives.
I also like the fact that they are available for purchase in multiple sizes packages. They come in a larger 6 oz. bag, a 2 oz. bag, or .5 oz. pre-portioned snack size bags that are very easy to grab and go when you are short on time.
Somersaults are currently distributed nationally at Whole Foods Markets, CostPlus World Market, 24‐hr Fitness, Seattle's Best Coffee, Peet's Coffee & Tea, Caribou Coffee, and regionally at Fresh & Easy, Ralph's, Raley's/Nob Hill/ Bel Air, Wegman's, Fred Meyer, Demoula's Market Basket, Bashas, Lunds & Byerly's, Bristol Farms, Earth Fare, Pharmaca, Gelson's, Mother's Market, Mollie Stone's, New Seasons, PCC, Vitamin Cottage and many other fine retailers.
You can also purchase them online at their website here.


text:
Spanish Translation Service in Milwaukee
Spanish Translators in Milwaukee
email: email@example.com
Tel. 888-288-9712
Midwest Translation Service LLC is US based (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) professional Spanish translation service providing Spanish translation services to Milwaukee, the Midwest, and Nationwide. We provide Milwaukee with both Spanish to English translations and English to Spanish translations. Our translators are experienced, certified, and qualified Spanish translators with industry experience to help take your Milwaukee business abroad. So, if you are a Milwaukee based business in need the assistance of a professional Spanish translator please contact us for a free consultation and estimate.
Certified Translation Service:
Document Translation Services:
For a free estimate contact us now!
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Telephone: 888-288-9712 Fax: 888-883-9550


text:
Surprising Tips From Experts For Hitting New Year's Fitness Resolutions
Start Exercising in Bed and Weave in Small Bursts Throughout the Day; Soak in Epsom Salt to Soothe Muscles, Feel Relaxed, Sleep Better
As Americans make New Years resolutions to get in better shape, experts who train celebrities and top-ranked athletes offer some surprising tips for improving your health. Their advice includes exercising before getting out of bed, working out at your kitchen counter and soaking in Epsom salt.
"Epsom salt baths are my way of treating myself so that my body and muscles are feeling good and healthy," said Sadie Lincoln, a renowned wellness expert and founder of barre3 – a unique style of whole-body health classes that combine ballet barre work, Pilates and yoga. "It's a pure and simple pleasure."
Lincoln's workouts have attracted A-list celebrities and national magazines. She recommends that those starting to exercise begin with 10-minute sessions, such as a routine at the kitchen counter to develop lean legs and a lifted seat. (Here's a video of a sample workout). If you feel OK, keep going, she said, but don't push so hard that you feel defeated.
"You might spend an hour working out, and that's great," Lincoln said, "but what really counts is full body health and how that hour impacts the rest of your day."
Among Lincoln's tips:
- Keep four rubber bands on a 12-ounce bottle of water and remove one each time you refill it.
- Eat more foods with fiber, healthy fat and healthy protein, such as almonds, fish oil, avocados and apples with peanut butter. She also advises against sugar late at night or early in the morning. Here's a recipe for Slow Cooker Moroccan Stew.
- Soak in a warm bath with about 2 cups of Epsom salt three nights a week. The Epsom salt will relax you, soothe your muscles and help you sleep, she said. At times, she'll also add lavender essential oil.
Epsom salt, actually magnesium sulfate, can be absorbed through the skin and helps muscles in two ways, said Jay Cardiello, a globally recognized fitness and nutrition expert who trains Hollywood heavy hitters, chart-topping Grammy winners, TV personalities and top-ranked athletes.
Immediately after a workout, Cardiello suggests adding Epsom salt to cold water and soaking up to your navel. Exercising tears your muscle fiber, triggering more blood flow to that location and prompting the muscle to expand, he said. Like icing a child's injury, putting cold water on the inflammation increases the range of motion, Cardiello said.
Two or three days after a workout, Cardiello also recommends adding Epsom salt to a warm water soak to help relax muscles and increase the blood's supply of magnesium. One of his recipes calls for combining 2 to 4 TBSP of yellow mustard or yellow mustard powder with 1 cup of Epsom salt.
"Mustard has anti-inflammatory properties, and Epsom salt helps remove toxins and impurities," Cardiello said. "It helps increase blood flow to the muscles."
Cardiello founded JCORE, which offers a multi-faceted wellness program and a diet and healthy lifestyle plan. Among his tips:
- Sleep in exercise clothes to help ensure your day starts with a workout.
- Work out in bed when you wake up, because doing pushups or planking on an unstable surface will train your body to fire up quickly.
- Stand on one leg while brushing your teeth or do squats to help build muscles and improve your balance. (Here are his weekly workouts).
- Dance while getting dressed, a way to burn 50 calories and boost your mood.
- Listen to music while working out and smell peppermint beforehand. Both help alter your perception of how hard you're exercising, making the workout seem a bit easier.
- Keep a journal of your exercise and diet, and share your progress and setbacks with supportive friends.
"One of the most imperative things is changing your behavior," Cardiello said. "We quick-fix twice a year – at New Year's and the start of beach season – but nothing is going to happen overnight. A pattern has to be broken."
Note: For human use, the Epsom Salt Council recommends only Epsom salt with the USP designation.
About Sadie Lincoln
Sadie Lincoln is a renowned wellness expert, media personality and founder of barre3 fitness. From her flagship studio in Portland, Oregon, Sadie has created a unique style of whole-health fitness classes combining the disciplines of ballet barre work, Pilates and yoga. Her modern approach offers serious results, accessible programs and inspiration for balanced living. Workouts have attracted A-list celebrities, major publications such as Self, Fitness and In Style and everyday moms – just like Sadie. To learn more, visit www.barre3.com or the new barre3 mobile app.
About Jay Cardiello
Jay Cardiello is a globally-recognized fitness and nutrition expert, a personal trainer to celebrities, a contributor to leading media outlets and a published author. He is the Fitness Editor-at-Large of Shape for which he has a monthly magazine column and a weekly blog on Shape.com, a contributing editor for Men's Fitness, the Resident Celebrity Fitness Editor for both Star and OK! Magazines, a member of the advisory board for Muscle & Fitness, the Fitness Ambassador for FitFluential and a highlighted personality on Facebook as chosen by the Facebook team. Jay is the founder of JCORE which offers his multi-faceted wellness program: the JCORE Accelerated Body Transformation system, the JCORE dietary supplement range and the JCORE diet and healthy lifestyle plan. He is also the author of the recently published Cardio Core 4 x 4 (Rodale 2012), which he describes as a "20-Minute, No-Gym Workout That Will Transform Your Body!" To learn more, visit www.cardiellofitness.com.