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When talking to a financial adviser you expect to hear recommendations about saving more and being a little conservative with your investment approach. The message often revolves around fear of the unknown future. After all, you don't want to be destitute in your old age.
This may be a reasonable message for some people, but there is another group of people who should be told the complete opposite. Spend more. Have more fun. Give more away. It is a message that sometimes takes clients aback. This simply isn't what they are expecting to hear.
Let's be clear. The message that is provided is based on the full financial picture of the individual. In some cases the advice is to spend less, in some cases the status quo is great. However, in many of the clients that we see, their financial story suggests that they should really try to spend more unless their goal is to leave a large estate.
This push to get certain clients to spend goes back to the fundamentals of savers vs. spenders, and a good old financial plan. For many of our clients, at least one member of a couple has been a saver their entire life. They have always been of the view that a penny saved is a penny earned, and you should try to save more than you spend every year. This philosophy has served them well, and given them a sense of control and pride in their financial life.
The only problem in this case, is that old saying about you can't take it with you. As they reach their 60s and their nest egg has grown fairly large, we will put together a financial plan that shows them that their net worth is likely going to keep growing larger on average every year. One of the reasons for this is that their saver mentality has never changed. They are used to seeing the nest egg grow, and to have a year where it doesn't grow causes real stress and discomfort.
There are three key factors that might be clarified in a financial plan that doesn't necessarily get noticed in the day-to-day financial focus. This helps to show the impact of not spending more money.
First, since real estate is often not thought about as a source of cash for expenses, it is sometimes almost dismissed as a source of retirement assets. It has always been there, but over time savers have taught themselves that this is simply their home and you have to live somewhere. In reality, the home will very likely be sold at some point and turned into cash, and even until that point, a home equity line of credit can be used. The key is that this very large asset will ultimately be in the exact same form as your investment account.
Second, even into someone's 60s, there is often still an inheritance of some form that will add to future financial assets. Most people don't like to think about death and inheritances, and as a result they are dismissed or significantly discounted by many people in terms of their retirement savings.
Third, the older you are, the fewer years you have left to spend money. I know it sounds overly simplistic, but many people underestimate the power of these diminishing years of need. As an example, if someone has $600,000 to live off of and they are 70, it may not provide a great deal of financial confidence. However, if someone has $600,000 to live off of and they are 90, then their savings are likely in great shape. We find that even the 90 year old in the example above is often quite worried about running out of money.
Much like any significant change in behaviour, learning to spend can be a very difficult thing. It goes against their nature and goes against their lifelong habits. Sadly, we find that many people are simply unable to make the change and the impact is greater than you might think.
The large estate may come with a list of missed possibilities: Were there countries on the wish list that were never visited? Was there a dream car that was never owned? Was there a meaningful hardship that could have easily been avoided? Was there a health issue that could have been better addressed with more money? Were there children, grandchildren or friends that could really have been helped while you were still around and when their need was greatest? Was there a charity that you wanted to support and could have made a large difference, but you never did? Did you spend a lot more in taxes by sitting on excess money rather than gifting it earlier?
All of these are examples where the recommendation to spend more today could have made their lives and the lives of those around them better.
When the situation is right, we will keep on making this recommendation, and in some cases, people will be able to make that difficult change. After all, you worked for many years to be in a good financial position, now is the time to realize some of the benefits. The clock is ticking.
Ted Rechtshaffen is President and Wealth Adviser at TriDelta Financial, a boutique wealth management firm focusing on investment counselling and estate planning. firstname.lastname@example.com


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There aren't many things as annoying as having a pressure washer groan aloud as you use it to clean your fence and groan even louder as you increase the water pressure for rougher surfaces.
It makes a would-have-been fun and quick process uncomfortable, and may leave you wishing you'd sent it back to the seller or asked for a refund.
It's true that everyone loves a noiseless electric pressure washer. That's why it ranks highly as one of the qualities than any electric pressure washer should possess.
Most manufacturers know this and tout their models as being quiet throughout the cleaning process, releasing a sound only when the trigger is snapped.
But with many models on the market claiming to be slightly or completely noise free, most buyers are left to gamble about which model to choose and which one to cancel off their shopping lists.
We inspected three of the quietest electric pressure washer models on the market today and tested for their functionality, usability and features design. Our final review is shown below.
Sun Joe SPX3000 Electric Pressure Washer
- Maximum flow rate of 1.76 GPM
- 5 quick connect spray nozzle tips
- 5 Amp motor
- Dual detergent tank system
- Long spray Hose
- Easy to assemble
- Works quietly all the time
- The nozzles are easy and flexible to switch for different cleaning jobs
- Has brass connector fittings on nozzles that work well
- Works with only specific pressure washer soap
- The motor may not maintain the 1.76 flow rate for long
Ivation Electric Pressure
- Burst pressure of 2200 PSI
- 5 Amp with 1600 watt motor
- 5 quick connect nozzle (0*, 15*,25*,40, soap)
- Built in soap/detergent dispenser
- Bonus turbo spray wand
- Self- suction ability
- Total stop system (TSS) for more safety
- Easy to assemble
- Easy to start
- Sturdy design with wide base that prevents toppling over during movement
- Durable enough to work for longer hours without heating up
- Lightweight and very portable
- Very quiet throughout cleaning process
- Has no option for turning soap dispenser on or off.
- Requires longer time for assembling.
AR Blue Clean AR390SS Pressure Electric Washer
- 14 Amp
- Burst pressure of 2000 PSI
- Long electric pressure hose 30ft long
- Separate detergent dispenser tank of 48 oz.
- Two nozzle tips of 30° and 35°
- 4 quick connect pressure washer nozzles
- Surface suction ability for pooled water
- Built in GRCI in electrical cord
- Easy to assemble
- Is easy to turn on
- Works quietly even for longer hours
- The surface suction ability allows for getting water out of ponds, buckets etc.
- Has a cooled motor that allows a longer work cycle without heating or burning up.
- 2000PSI pressure rating is ideal for most jobs
- The hose isn't very flexible during use
- The plastic connectors are prone to breakage during the long use
Comparison of Quietest Electric Pressure Washers
All three electric pressure washer models display very minimal release of sound during usage, thanks to their superior construction and design. Comparing price, all three brands come in under $200, although the AR Blue ARB390SS washer comes in pricier than them all.
When it comes to additional features and abilities, the Ivation and AR Blue's surface suction ability renders them superior to the Sun Joe, while the AR Blue's built in GRCI in its electric cord renders it safer to use.
The Ivation's burst pressure ranks highest at 2200 PSI, in comparison with the Sun Joe's 2030 and the AR Blue's 2000. Considering size, the 42 pound AR Blue ranks as the heaviest in comparison to the Ivation's 25 pounds and Sun Joe's 31 and stands taller than them all.
The Quietest Electric Pressure Washer – Verdict
The Sun Jose SPX3000, the Ivation and the AR Blue ARB390SS are all top quality and quiet electricity pressure washers, as the reviews above dictate.
If you're looking for a budget electric pressure washer that is quiet and has the features for everyday use, the Sun Joe SPX3000 is the model we recommend. If your cleaning requirements necessitate a higher burst pressure and different pressure spray rates, the Ivation pressure washer is the one to go for.
The AR Blue is for those willing to go an extra mile for more features regardless of more weight and limited degree tips.
Of all the three models, we most recommend the Ivation electric pressure washer for its features that include high pressure, various degree nozzle tips, its self-suction ability, competitive pricing, lightweight size and other additional features.

subset: commoncrawl


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Help Keep Your Alma Mater Strong. Make a gift today.
University of Delaware Alumni
Nelson M. Ford was appointed undersecretary of the Army, the department's chief management officer and its second-highest civilian leader, on July 24, 2008.
Following the change in president and administration in January 2009, Ford joined LMI as president and CEO. LMI is a not-for-profit strategic consultancy committed to helping government leaders and managers reach decisions that make a difference. Its clients include all federal, civil, defense, and homeland security agencies, as well as state and local governments.
Appointed to the position by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate, the undersecretary shares primary responsibility with the Secretary of the Army for resourcing, training and employing 1.3 million personnel-active duty, National Guard and Reserve members and civilians-with an annual budget of $250 billion. He serves as deputy and senior adviser to the Secretary of the Army.
Ford earned his master's degree in special education at UD and began his career as a guard at the Ferris School for Boys and a teacher at P.S. duPont High School, both in Wilmington, Del. He also did substantial postgraduate work at the University of Pennsylvania.
"The graduate training in behavioral observation and analysis I received at the University of Delaware has been valuable throughout my career, initially in the classroom but much more so in the give-and-take in boardrooms and management meetings over the last 30 years," Ford says.
Before his most recent appointment, Ford served as principal deputy and then as assistant secretary of the Army for financial management and as comptroller. He joined the Department of Defense in 2002 as deputy assistant secretary for health budgets and financial policy.
His previous positions included serving as president and chief executive officer of a medical products firm, as chief operating officer for Georgetown University Medical Center in the 1990s and as a partner with Coopers and Lybrand in the 1980s. He became acting undersecretary of the Army in December 2007 and was nominated formally in January 2008.
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The University of Delaware is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and Title IX institution. For the University's complete non-discrimination statement, please see our Legal Notices.


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A trip to Cornwall is not complete without a visit to the breath-taking historical icon that is St. Michael's Mount. The island, managed by the National Trust, is rooted in thousands of years of history, all of which can be explored whilst walking through the ancient corridors and architecture of the castle, home to the St Aubyn family for many centuries.
This Cornish landmark can be accessed by boat or on foot, depending on the tide. The attraction welcomes visitors from April to October, weekdays and most weekends. Old or young, there is an abundance of things to see and do at St. Michael's Mount, and therefore planning your visit is recommended. Aside from roaming the medieval castle, there are beautiful gardens and the village and harbour too. And of course, the views of the bay, Land's End and the Lizard Peninsula from atop of the mount's summit, are spectacular and not to be missed. Discovering the legend of Jack the Giant Killer, a young boy who supposedly brawled and killed the giant Cormoran, will fascinate both children and adults alike.
With all this and much more to offer, you will want to make sure that a trip to St. Michael's Mount is top of the list for your trip to Cornwall. Our website provides helpful tips about holidaying in Cornwall, all sourced from our very own local knowledge of the county. We share the best on where to stay and where to go with recommendations for romantic getaways and family breaks, and how to make your trip to Cornwall one you'll never forget.
Please click here to read our previous article.
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In this video we are taken to Hensall, Ontario where some innovation within the ...
In this video we are taken to Hensall, Ontario where some innovation within the ice industry has taken place. A team gathered to build their very own truck made purely out of ice, not including the Chevrolet Silverado frame and engine. The team used 11,000 lbs of ice. The team is on a mission to set the world record and it looks like the amazing Canadian Ice Truck might just do it! click below to check out this one of a kind masterpiece!Legendary Speed is dedicated to bringing you the very best Videos about Automobiles and Cool stuff.
Check out our other amazing pages LegendarySpeed, LegendaryFinds, Legendary Motorcycle, Amazing Rides, follow us on Instagram and Youtube.
Subscribe to our newsletter and check out our daily finds where we dig up the coolest cars and trucks for sale.
Thanks for visiting our site, we really appreciate it, you can help by giving us a like and a share on our social media platforms.
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Celebrating success at Sunderland College
Sunderland College students were honoured at a glitzy awards ceremony which celebrated the outstanding achievements of the city's youngsters over the past 12 months.
The college held its annual awards for 16-18 year olds which are designed to recognise the dedication and hard work of its A-Level, BTEC and vocational students.
Staff and students attended the dazzling ceremony which was held at Sunderland Association Football Club's Stadium of Light on September 9, and featured John Mowbray OBE, chair of Sunderland Education Leadership Board, as guest speaker.
The event included a speech from principal Anne Isherwood and chair of governors Rob Lawson, and entertainment was provided by one of the college's talented music students John Gatenby.
In total, 30 accolades were presented to students which recognised a range of successes including academic achievement, commitment to enrichment and extracurricular activities, and dedication to studies.
One of the star students was Hannah Black, aged 19, who won the Award for the Best Performance in an Apprenticeship Programme.
Hannah, from Washington, recently completed a Customer Service apprenticeship with Sunderland College and has now gained a permanent role with Kare Plus as a business administrator.
She said: "It was such an honour to be presented with this award, especially as there are so many people who have completed apprenticeships through the college. I feel that all the hard work I put in through the years has paid off and it is so nice to be recognised in this way.
"I really enjoyed my apprenticeship and was very happy when I was offered a full-time position at Kare Plus. I was supported by the college throughout my apprenticeship and was given great guidance by my trainer."
Principal Anne Isherwood said: "The awards ceremony is a very special event in our calendar as we congratulate our students for their hard work and celebrate the overall success of the college. We have maintained our 99 per cent pass rate for the sixth year running which is testament to the high calibre students who attend the college.
"This year's group of nominees were all excellent candidates and it was very difficult to choose the winners. Everyone who was nominated should feel very proud and I would personally like to congratulate each and every one of them for their excellent contribution to the college.
"Not only do we recognise our students at this event, but it is also very important to acknowledge the commitment of our staff who support our students and help them to progress."
The college is undergoing major changes with the redevelopment of its Bede Campus and plans are underway to build a flagship campus in Sunderland city centre.
Mrs Isherwood added: "We have had a very successful year and we are certainly keeping the momentum running as we welcome students to our new sports and visual and performing arts facilities and develop our flagship campus proposal. It is an exciting time for the college and we are looking forward to the future."


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The Bonnet House Museum and Gardens is a stunning location for your Bonnet House wedding photography Ft Lauderdale . The Bonnet House's beautiful tropical gardens, ponds, wildlife and artwork scattered throughout this historic property, you will be assured to have the most beautiful and memorable setting for your wedding photography by Adept Wedding Photography's professional team. We have photographed many weddings and events at the Bonnet House and are listed on their preferred wedding vendors list. Let us give you a truly unique and exceptional wedding experience from beginning to end!
As professional wedding photographers we treat your wedding all the respect and courtesy that your day deserves. Over the years hundreds of couples have entrusted us to provide an intuitive sensitivity for this special occasion, as well as our outstanding photographic technical competency. It will be our privilege to photograph your wedding at the Bonnet House Musuem and Gardens, and we know your beautiful wedding images will hang with pride on the walls of your home!
Call Adept Wedding Photography today at (800) 816-2693 or at (954) 351-8884 to discuss your Bonnet House wedding photography Ft Lauderdale.
Wedding Photography Styles / Genres | Wedding Photography Prices | Wedding Photography References | Recent Wedding Photography | Choosing A Wedding Photographer


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Thailand is a popular country in the world due to its scenic view attractions, beaches, and wellness spa. Over the years, it has also gained a unique reputation for producing best-selling pickup trucks around the world. Pickup Trucks are the new forte for this beautiful country as it has become the largest manufacturer of a
Think of Toyota 4Runner you start to have a true stimulating feel with an itch to go for some wild actionable adventure. It is a pickup design sports utility vehicle built for a rough drive experience with an extreme 4×4 off-road capability to have a smooth ride on all kinds of harsh terrains. The Newly
Toyota Hilux is the world's renowned 4-wheel drive off-road rugged pickup truck currently marking its 50 years celebration of global fame and success. Behind every success there lies a hidden background let's peep inside to glance through the glorious history of this remarkable pickup truck which is divided into eight generations models. The history of
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Foreign Diplomat is a person representing his native country in any outside country of the world. He is a well-honoured and respected state deputed ambassador of his own country and leaves a true impression of pride and reputation on others. The Expatriates or Expats are short-termed living immigrants in foreign countries as regular citizens. They
Japanese vehicle "Toyota Hilux Surf" is known by the name of Toyota 4Runner in the entire world. It is front engine rear or 4-wheel drive with front engine. It is a mid-size SUV i.e. Sport Utility Vehicle. It was launched in the year 1984 as a compact SUV but after going through an evolution in
Crashing economies of the world has lead people towards buying and selling used automobiles and machinery. It oriented new business filed which on one hand is lucrative for used car providers similarly on another hand it helps people to buy their favourite cars in their budget. A car has now turned out to be a
Toyota Hilux Vigo Double Cab is the most demanded and successful vehicle made in Thailand exhibiting a sense of true elegance and reputation with a trendy look for customers. Hilux Double Cab was specifically designed for some actionable and adventurous activities with having a firm hard and robust structure. The name HILUX is an abbreviated form
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Filing Bankruptcy Requires a Credit Counseling Certificate
One of the pre-filing requirements involves obtaining a certificate of successful completion of credit counseling with a government approved counseling agency. The counseling can take place up to six months prior to filing. If time is of the essence in filing for bankruptcy protection and you have not completed the counseling sessions, this can cause delays and problems so don't wait until the last minute.
Credit counselors recommend going into counseling to discuss budgeting and financial planning options before debts grow too large.
There are several things consumers can do to Avoid Bankruptcy — getting a second job to help pay off debt, selling assets or downsizing to a smaller vehicle may be options for some. Sometimes, it's working with the mortgage company and doing some kind of loan modification to get a lower payment.
A bankruptcy may seem like the only solution to severe debt problems — however, the long-term effects are worse. After a bankruptcy, your Credit Score can plummet 100 or more points. A bankruptcy is more serious than having past due, collection or judgment accounts.
Bankruptcy law requires that all debt collection calls, letters and efforts to reach debtors cease once a bankruptcy petition is successfully filed in court.
If a consumer is filing for bankruptcy, they should immediately tell the collector, provide the name of the attorney handling the case, and let them know.
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Tags: 100 Points, Bankruptcy, Bankruptcy Petition, Collector, Credit Counseling Certificate, Credit Score, Debt, Debt Collection Calls, Judgement, Past Due


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Microfinance Environment
There are 45 CMA members including 39 licensed microfinance institutions (MFIs) and six NGOs (Rural Credit Operators) that function in Cambodia with a gross loan outstanding portfolio of around 2,028.56 million USD and a borrower base of 1,779,171 accounts, predominately located in Phnom Penh and large provincial towns. There are a total of 19,468 numbers of staff in MFI offices.
The development of regular commercial lending activities has been stifled by the high costs of operations, the inability to verify and enforce property rights, and the low levels of economic activity. As a result, the vast majority of the rural population has had limited access to formal forms of financial services. Despite these obstacles, CMA and its members are working diligently to advance the course of the microfinance sector.
History of Microfinance in Cambodia
Before 1990: Limited Financial Services
Microfinance in Cambodia emerged from nonprofit microcredit projects initiated by international donors, NGOs, and institutions in the early 1990s to fill the institutional void left by the virtually nonexistent banking sector. Without a working banking system, organizations such as GRET (1991), World Relief (1992), ACLEDA and CRS (1993)
initially ran microcredit projects by physically handling cash transfers. After the international recognition of the new Cambodian government in 1993, aid started to pour into the country, particularly into community rehabilitation projects. Despite the long strides attained, microfinance initiatives only reached isolated pockets of the population,
with approximately 44,000 recipients in 1994.
1995-2000: Government Supported Institutionalization
In1995, the Royal Government of Cambodia established the Credit Committee for Rural Development (CCRD) with funding support from UNDP and AFD to formulate a strategy for rural credit development, strengthen management and manage funding. In 1997, the NBC set up the Supervision Office of Decentralized Banking System Bureau which was then separated in 2000 into 2 branches: the Specialized Bank & MFIs Supervision Office, to oversee thecoordination, supervision and regulation of the sector, and the Project to Support Microfinance Sector, to ensurecapacity building within the sector.
By 1998, the new industry served 214,000 individuals. Reaching a significant size also translated into increased risks for clients and microfinance promoters, thereby building pressure on microfinance stakeholders to formulate a regulatory framework. In 1999, recognizing the MFIs' wider breadth of the rural population, the Royal Government of Cambodia adopted a two-tier system under the Law on Banking and Financial Institutions for supervising microfinance.
2000-2005: Commercialization Drives the Sector Up a Notch
A Prakas, or government decree, on microfinance regulation was enacted and implemented by the NBC in 2000. In October 2000 the industry leader, ACLEDA, transformed from an NGO into a specialized microfinance bank with the support of its founding donors and new institutional investors. This move set a precedent for other successful microcredit NGOs to transform into commercial MFIs.
However, the procurement of loans from local commercial banks have generally been limited, the Royal Government of Cambodia's support of a free-market economy and a more stable political environment attracted an astounding number of foreign private investors who financed approximately 80% of MFIs' loan portfolios since 2000. Increasing competition has permitted MFIs to consequently decrease their average annual interest rates charged to clients from 42% in 2003 to 32% in 2004. The establishment of CMA by 7 MFIs in 2004 encouraged the microfinance sector to foster internal collaboration, including information sharing and provision of training programs. Serving as a communication channel for MFI members, CMA operates as a sub-division of the Association of Banks in Cambodia (ABC) in accordance with the legal framework and is entitled to negotiate directly with the NBC on relevant microfinance matters.
2005-Present: An Integral Economic Player
Since 2005, the microfinance field has undergone significant changes. In 2006 the NBC, with technical assistance from the ADB, established a Credit Information System (CIS) designed to collect and share negative credit information from commercial banks. However, the scope of information available to MFIs has been very limited, thereby decreasing the incentive to use it. Between 2006 and 2012, microfinance activities fostered a healthy environment, with the number of borrowers consecutively growing 28%, 35%, 36%, 6%, 14% ,16% and 14% during each respective year,(see Figures 1.1 and 1.2).
Figure 1.1: Value of Loan Outstanding in Million USD for 14 MFIs in 2005 and 39 MFIs and 6 NGOs in 2014.
Figure 1.2: Growth in Number of Clients for 14 MFIs in 2005 and 39 MFIs and 6 NGOs in 2014.
This growth was, however, stymied by the global financial crisis between 2008 and 2009, which had adverse impacts on Cambodia's national economy across all sectors without sparing its microfinance sector. This is reflected by the rising portfolios at risk (PAR) ratio. The Prakas on Licensing Microfinance Deposit Taking Institutions was issued in December 2007 by the NBC, which authorizes eligible MFIs to receive deposits from the general public. This has provided MFIs with cheaper sources of funds, mainly in the local currency, and comes at a critical time when foreign investment has contracted significantly due to the global economic slowdown.
Microfinance Activities
Currently there are many MFIs in Cambodia providing financial and non-financial products and services to satisfy clients' needs.
- micro-loans (group lending and individual lending)
- micro-saving (voluntary Saving and fixed term deposits)
- money transfer (local money transfer service, remittance and mobile banking)
- micro-insurance (guarantees the loan where clients die or are accidentally injured, so that their relatives or group guarantor are not responsible to pay the loan).
Non-financial products and services which MFIs usually offer to their clients are as follows:
- Client education and reinforcement
- Client awards
- Scholarships for clients' children
- Links to development programs
Group Loans vs Individual Loans
The difference between group loans and individual loans is as follows:
- Group loan: Credit officer must analyst clients' cash flow and ability to pay and survey clients' history from their neighbor, local authority and also other microfinance operators. Moreover, all clients must have group guarantee and signature from local authority on the lending contract.
Individual Loan: Credit Officer must analyst clients' cash flow and ability to pay and survey clients' history from their neighbor, local authority and also other microfinance operators. Moreover, all clients must have one guarantor (can be their relative or neighbor, but have the same ability to clients), collateral and signature from local authority on the lending contract.
The Impact of Cambodian Microfinance
Microfinance has been expanding to poor people in more remote areas and specifically women. Approximately 80% of MFI clients live in rural areas and 81% of clients are women with the repayment rate from clients almost up to 98% before the financial crisis in 2008. MFIs in Cambodia have been shown to empower women as the head of the family who often have good cash management skills.
Research has estimated that the provision of financial services has impacted 3,878,618 Cambodian people (average of 4.7 people per household). The same research has suggested that this is due to Cambodian poor now having access to credit loans to start new businesses and expand existing ones. Areas of investment have included businesses sectors such as agriculture, small and medium retailers, handicrafts, services, construction, transportation among others. This seems to support the theory of economic development that argues that people can be moved out of poverty through empowerment as business owners. This has led microfinance to be described as "the key to breaking the poverty cycle".
Issues with Cambodian Microfinance
- Multiple Loans: The prevalence of multiple lending, whereby an individual has taken out loans from more than one MFI, has reached a desperate point. Some situations involve clients taking out as many as 4 to 5 loans which they are unable or unwilling to repay. These cases leave the respective loan‐providing MFIs to resort to suboptimal measures, including writing off the outstanding loan as nonperforming or restructuring the loan. The root causes of this mounting problem include:
- Lack of thorough preliminary credit assessment of prospective clients
- Weak credit‐reporting system
- Issuance of multiple land titles by local authorities
- Mission Drift: Currently, much ambiguity exists concerning the actual socioeconomic impact Cambodian MFIs have on their clients due to the high costs of conducting impact assessments.
- Lack of Product Diversification: Credit is the primary financial product offered by MFIs and is offered mainly to small businesses and individuals, with decreasing group lending options. Given this saturated credit culture, the current number of savings accounts is relatively low as illustrated by the number of active savers. Today, only 4 MFIs have been granted a deposit‐collecting license due to legal and budgetary setbacks. Moreover, current credit options are not tailored to the majority of clients' needs and financial preferences.
Loan Calculator Tool
|N& MFIs
|71MFIs,4 FLIs and 6RCIs
|71MFIs,4 FLIs and 6RCIs
|6,048.16 Million USD
|6,456.41 Million USD
|3,102 Million USD
|3,394 Million USD
- Annual Report 2017 Download
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- CMA Newsletter Issue Nº XIII (June 2014) Download
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Financial Education Radio Program "Idea For Growth"
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Product Officer (F/M)
|05-thg 12-2019
|Heerlen (The Netherlands)
FRABA is a group of enterprises focused on providing advanced products for the motion control and industrial automation market. With subsidiaries in Heerlen/ The Netherlands, Aachen and Cologne/ Germany, Slubice/ Poland, Hamilton NJ/ USA and Singapore, FRABA is offering global support to its customers worldwide.
It is our philosophy to offer a challenging, yet rewarding work environment for every employee of our team. Total information, dynamic development, competence and fair sharing are our values. Initiative, ideas, knowledge, energy and risk taking are our drivers and everybody who has them, has the right to make decisions. At FRABA, leadership is not depending on education or hierarchy, but on knowledge and performance of each individual.
As Information Officer you will become part of our team in Heerlen, The Netherlands. Your field of responsibility will be:
- IT Services for our affiliated companies
- Realization of our IT strategy and technical implementation of Work Flow Systems
- Technical Implementation of our Business Processes
- Continuous technical development of our Management Information System
If you have the initiative, knowledge, information, energy and courage to make a decision, we urge you to do so. At FRABA everybody has the chance to become a leader. It is up to you to take your chance.
It is our philosophy to hire talented individuals, who are willing to learn and develop their skills, not specialized know-how. As an applicant you should fit into the following profile:
- Bachelor or Masters Degree in Business-Engineering or Information Technology
- Passion for IT and economy processes
- Very good team and communication skills
- Fluent English skills


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Started in 2007 as "Alive!" and aimed at changing the panorama of music in Portugal and to make the place Oeiras the epicentre of the World! Alive! takes place in the Maritime Stroll of Alg's, in the height of the Portuguese summer. Although the festival is quite new in relation to other European festivals Optimus Alive! has already gained a fantastic reputation, mainly due to the guaranteed good weather, friendly Portuguese people and its very strong line up. Tickets: 1 Day ticket - £45 Weekend - £89.10 Weekend + Camping - £103
The Stone Roses
The Cure
Awolnation Big Deal Buraka Som Sistema Caribou Danko Jones Death In Vegas Dum Dum Girls Florence and the Machine Here We Go Magic Justice Katy B Lisa Hannigan LMFAO Mazzy Star Metronomy Miles Kane Miuda Mumford and Sons Noah and The Whale Paus Refused SBTRKT Sebastian Snow Patrol The Antlers The Kills The Kooks The Maccabees Warpaint
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Inside Lluis Llongueras' Studio
If we had to choose one definition for Lluís Llongueras' artistic character, we would emphasize on his multifaceted creativity. He is a man who, through his passion for aesthetics and style, became Spain's most famous hairdresser, internationally represented through more than twelve successful hairdressing salons. Through his openness, perseverance and desire for excellence in everything he does, Lluís Llongueras has become not only one of the most beloved personalities in the Spanish society, a respected editor of several books and of his magazine 'Peluquerías' and a very well-known stylist, but also, a renowned artist with over 30 years experience.
Inspired, amongst others, by his friend the great surrealist Salvador Dalí Llongueras experiences with different mediums such as painting, photography, sculpture and drawing. The artist has made countless exhibitions worldwide, from Stockholm, Paris, Toronto, Berlin to New York and has won several international awards for his works, among others; Premio Valladolid de Escultura (1987), International Legend Award New York (1990), La Medalla de Oro del XXXVI Salón Internacional by the Societe de Beaux Arts (1992).
The curator and art critic Maria Lluïsa Borras, wrote after a visit to the artist atelier: " On a visit to Lluís Llongueras' sculpture studio, one discovers a compulsive artist, who works without pause, amongst the totally finished pieces, interspersed between others in process and yet other, clearly experimental ventures, with the extraordinary enthusiasm of the sculptor, capable of overcoming even the greatest difficulties."
That was our exact impression when receiving the very warm welcome from Lluís Llongueras in his impressive four-story studio and private exhibition space in the middle of Barcelona. We encounter countless works and a great variety of different media, the remarkable artist has worked in all disciplines, each related to a different time period of his life. Referring to his first career as a hairdresser, he tells us that styling and beauty are disciplines that have much to do with art and despite starting his artistic phase basically with drawing, what really made him fall in love was the expressivity and gestures achieved by using brush and paint.
An impressive collection of sculptures cast of different materials – from terracotta to bronze - welcomes us on the first floor of the studio. Lluis shares with us that, for each sold work, he often creates a second one for his own enjoyment.
The artist's imposing and award-winning series "Spheres" impresses with its variety of different but always infinite geometric shapes, full of emotions and motion.
His studio is a merging space of different periods and media, of achievement and progress and of the professional and the personal.
We are very excited to announce to our collectors, that we will collaborate with LLuis Llongueras for the launch of our first edition of Artig Gallery Capsule Collections. The artist will present a collection of signed black and white photographs from his light and shadow studies. Each photo will be available as an exclusive edition of 7 to our Artig Gallery collectors.


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Reaching your customer base is key to the success of your business. Technology is a great way to reach customers, however technology has made it easier for businesses to start up, which means you now have more competition. With the high number of businesses around, your has to stand out if you want to get the customers' attention. Reaching people in places other than television and social media is becoming a more and more effective way to stand out. Signing, such as billboards, are an effective way to be different than the competition. However mobile advertising has proved to be an even more effective form of signing. In large cities mobile advertising can help you reach more people during different times of the day and for different events. A lot of things happen in big cities and it can be very beneficial to be able to move from place to place and reach your target market. LED Billboards in New York, mobile billboards in Houston, it doesn't matter what city… Whether there is a big event happening or you just want to hit rush hour traffic, mobile advertising is an excellent choice.
Outdoor Mobile Billboard Advertising Works
Mobile advertising typically refers to a mobile billboard or LED screen. This is better than a normal billboard because they are easily changed and customized, and you can move them around, and reach more people. The more people you reach the better chance you have at reaching more customers. Another advantage is how you can stand out from your competition. Everyone typically uses the same methods to reach customers, which can be chaos since there are so many businesses trying to all reach the same customers. Mobile advertising helps your business stick out, since it is not as popular of a method. As discussed earlier mobile advertising allows you to hit different places at different times. People may be on their way to work in the morning and not be back until later that evening. Why waste time advertising in that sport if not as many people are going to be there? LED Sign supply has a variety of different mobile advertising options that can be customized to best fit your needs and your budget.


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Katherine Anderson uses radishes from her family's Oxbow Farm for this simple salad, including the Easter egg and French breakfast varieties. She loves to add chopped sugar snap peas to the bowl when they're in season, for a sweet crunch.
Looking for more healthy recipes? Check out our collections of low-fat recipes, healthy recipes for the whole day, and vegan recipes.


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PokerTip: Dangerous To Be Chairman
Poker Stock Market
By WagerWeb.com and Ecobika Sports Betting
Slightly different topic this week folks ... instead of picking a few potential tournament winners, I am going to discuss betting on poker as a whole! Reports have been circulating on the Internet for a few days about the recent arrest of Sportingbet chairman Peter Dicks. With the U.S. cracking down on online gaming, there have been numerous such arrests in the past few months, and it has the same effect on the market every time � stocks drop for a couple of weeks before getting back to even and then rising higher than ever before. The online gaming industry will not die easily!
The first major instance we saw of the U.S.' tough new stance was with the arrest of the CEO for BetOnSports.com, a major global online gaming and sportsbook site. The arrest not only affected BOS but also other major players in the industry, most notably Party Gaming � the mother company for Party Poker, Party Bingo, etc. Stocks fell with Party, 888.com and other large publicly traded online gaming sites, ranging from a 5-15 percent drop. The future for the industry looked unclear and the effects unknown.
However, less than a week later the stocks had returned to a normal level as investors realized that it was a very lengthy process for the U.S. government to fully shut down an essentially international business. It�s worth noting at this point that almost all online gaming sites are based in countries with little or no legislation � in fact, encouraging businesses to set up there with tax break offers and other financial incentives.
Now, in the past few days stocks have once again dropped across all the big industry players ... due to Dicks being arrested � and his future is unclear. The U.S. government is determined to make examples of anyone it can catch, sending a strong message that it means business! Following the arrest, Party company's stock fell 10 percent, 888.com�s fell over 15 percent and Empire Online fell a little over 3 percent. Sportingbet�s stocks fell 2 percent before the company froze all trading of its stocks pending further developments in the charges against Dicks. I fully expect to see these stocks bounce back almost immediately � certainly within 2 weeks; they will be back to more than they were before the arrest.
Furthermore, Party has just released its latest financial report, and the figures are amazing. Figures for the company continue to break records every month. Profits are up 51% for the first 6 months of 2006 compared with the same period for 2005, and the company is in a major push to develop business outside of the U.S., most notably across Europe. The company has recently relocated its head offices to Gibraltar for mostly financial reasons, though surely for legal reasons too. In addition to its continued growth, it also is making efforts to buy out its competitors.
So, when there are no tournaments to bet on it is always interesting to take a look at the industry as a whole. If you can catch the first publication with the latest arrest or government imposition on online gaming, you can always expect stocks to drop instantly � but at the same time strong companies will always bounce back. If Party is making more than million net profit per day, you can be sure it will not give up without a fight. A 10 percent drop in stock value has major financial effects on such a large company, so all senior staff will be working double time to get it back on track.
The window of opportunity to catch the stocks at their low mark before they bounce back is very short, but if you keep your eye on the ball you can net a golden opportunity. Betting on Party�s continued growth and industry domination is the closest you can get to a sure thing in this business, and with the tidy profit you will make sure the party will then be on you!
About the Author: Meantime play Poker, it is profitable. Ecobika Sports Betting


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Boston Pops 125 Salutes American Heroes Part 2: Armed Forces, Arthur Fiedler, Arlo Guthrie, Brian Stokes Mitchell
How does the Pops celebrate its 125th Season?
With Class. With Tradition. With Honor.
During the first half of the Pops' salute to American Heroes, we were presented with an already full program of music and remembrance.
We heard our National Anthem, John Williams' Liberty Fanfare, Aaron Copland's Excerpts from Appalachian Spring, and Patti Austin, and we saw the Pops' newly-commissioned anniversary centerpiece, A Dream Lives On, narrated by Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris and Cherry Jones. All that just during the first half!
[Click here to read Boston Pops 125 Salutes American Heroes Part 1.]
On Friday night during intermission, I saw that one of the 9/11 responders was seated behind me with his K-9. I've never talked to anyone who was a part of the World Trade Center rescue efforts, and I introduced myself and asked him a few questions.
Lee Prentiss is a Firefighter with the Ipswich Fire Department and Massachusetts Task Force – 1, K-9 Unit. Firefighter Prentiss received the call to service on 9/11 just after the first tower fell in New York. He assembled with his team in Beverly, Mass. and they made their way to New York City. Prentiss recalled that it was eerie as they drove down Rte. 128 during what would normally be a busy time, and as they passed the Burlington Mall, there wasn't a single car in the parking lot, and no cars on the roads.
A 2003 Medal of Valor recipient, Prentiss and his K-9 Tara, a small black lab, worked for eight days in the World Trade Center rescue and recovery efforts. I asked him if it was difficult and he said that one of the most devastating feelings was knowing how many firefighter brethren were also lost. Tara is now 15 and one of the few surviving K-9s from 9/11. Firefighter Prentiss said that she was young when they were called to New York and that although her job was to find bodies, she provided a great deal of comfort to other firefighters during the long week of recovery. Celebrating American Heroes includes remembering our canine companions who stood by our sides in work and in compassion.
Leading off Wednesday night's second half was the Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums. Making their way through the Symphony Hall audience, they performed Doodletown Fifers. That was lively, fun, and very traditional Massachusetts!
Following the Fifes & Drums came folk music icon Arlo Guthrie. Guthrie is a frequent guest artist with the BSO and Pops and is probably most well known for his political song Alice's Restaurant. What I didn't know was that his father, Woody Guthrie, actually penned This Land is Your Land, a song that we all sing and have known since elementary school.
Guthrie was pretty funny during his set. He told us how when he was a kid everyone was singing This Land is Your Land and he didn't even know the words. He said he ran home to his dad in tears and then learned it like the rest of us! He also told a pretty funny joke about some dogs chasing rabbits, but it took him an awfully long time to get to the punch line (if you've heard Alice's Restaurant, this doesn't surprise you!). In the end it was funny, and then we all sang This Land is Your Land.
Are you feeling yet that you missed some great concerts?
On Friday night, the Pops honored Arthur Fiedler, who did more for bringing classical music into our homes than any other musician in the 20th Century.
I remember my grandmother playing Fiedler and Pops records when I was a little girl in Arizona and the day I first saw the Arthur Fiedler footbridge in Boston I thought, wow, he must've really been something! We saw a rather humorous video montage of Fiedler over the years, set to music of course, and there were plenty of laughs and much appreciation for all that he did for the Pops, music and the classical world as we know it today. I wonder what he would be doing in this day of social networking…probably Tweeting!
To honor America's service men and women, Keith Lockhart asked current and former members of our armed services to stand and be recognized as the Pops, the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, and audience sang each of the Armed Services' songs. One by one, members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard stood as we sang, clapped, and appreciated and thanked them for their service. It made me think that a Pops concert celebrating our service men and women would be a great concert! I can only imagine how rowdy that would be!
A classical work, Barber's Adagio for Strings was also on the program both nights. It's an absolutely gorgeous piece, but I didn't understand its significance to this Pops concert, so I had to look it up! It's not an unfamiliar piece, and it has great historical context. Adagio is often played during times of sadness. Here are a few historical references: It was played at Einstein's funeral, it was broadcast over the radio after F. D. Roosevelt's death and during the reporting of Kennedy's assassination. It has been played to commemorate the victims of the 9/11 attacks, and most recently was performed in Parliament after the plane crash that took the lives of the Polish President and its many government officials. I now understand its significance to this Pops concert celebrating American Heroes.
After Adagio, the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, sang The Battle Hymn of the Republic. That song has a lot of verses I don't know and the Chorus is magnificent! We then joined in for a very traditional Boston Pops Patriotic Sing-Along. But the night wasn't over just yet!
After the Sing-Along on Wednesday, artist Brian Stokes Mitchell performed Wheels of the Dream [Ragtime] and his trademark piece, The Impossible Dream. I had previously seen a recording of him singing The Impossible Dream with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and I cried; it was so beautiful! His voice is perfect for this song and it was amazing to see him perform this with the Boston Pops.
Stokes Mitchell sang The Impossible Dream at Senator Kennedy's Memorial Service last year and on Wednesday he relayed a story about how he was sitting with Senator Kennedy one day and the Senator had Stokes Mitchell lean in and he told him that the man in the corner would be our first African American President…after about 15 years of service in the Senate; the Senator was half right! Stokes Mitchell singing The Impossible Dream was a perfect accompaniment to this Pops performance.
Friday night's performance ended a little differently than Wednesday night's. On Wednesday Maestro Lockhart led the Pops in a rousing performance of Stars and Stripes Forever. We waved flags and cheered and then had our wits scared out of us as confetti shot out from above our heads! It was a great celebratory ending to the Presidents at Pops evening!
On Friday, after the Patriotic Sing-Along, the Maestro pointed to the back of the hall and in marched the Navy Band performing to the whoops and hollers of the audience. After their entrance, the Navy Band's conductor stepped up to the podium and led the Boston Pops AND the Navy Band in Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever! That was very un-traditional to see the Maestro standing to the side having someone else lead the orchestra. Great for the Navy Band conductor though!
I haven't been to any better Pops performances. What a way to celebrate the Pops' 125th Anniversary! The season isn't finished yet, and the big finale of the summer is always the Pops on the Esplanade for the 4th of July.
The Dream Lives On will be performed during the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular concerts on July 3rd and 4th and I'm betting that the Pops will have some great guest artists in store for us for this holiday as we celebrate Independence Day and our American Heroes!
And… there is still plenty of time to attend a Pops concert this season. There are lots of concerts still to come! Visit the Pops Web site for details and enjoy a show!
One Response to Boston Pops 125 Salutes American Heroes Part 2: Armed Forces, Arthur Fiedler, Arlo Guthrie, Brian Stokes Mitchell
Boston Pops 125 Salutes American Heroes and Honors Kennedy Brothers Part 1: De Niro, Freeman and Harris June 11, 2012 at 11:38 pm Reply
[…] Click Here for Boston Pops 125 Salutes American Heroes Part 2 9/11, Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Boston, Boston Pops, Boston Symphony, BSO, Ed Harris, Joan Kennedy, John Kennedy, Keith Lockhart, Morgan Freeman, Music, Patti Austin, Renese King, Robert De Niro, Robert Kennedy, Symphony Hall, Ted Kennedy [top] […]
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Can the industry achieve the levels of automation reached by the financial industry in the modelling of risks? asks Tom Larsen
In discussions with the CAT modelling groups of property insurance companies, a question that often arises is "How will CAT model usage in the future differ from now?" This is a question that is key not only to model vendors to the property insurance industry, but also to reinsurers who are placed under continual pressure to maintain the bottom line even in the face of a soft market.
In order to effectively understand the future development of CAT modelling we must first gain a firm understanding of where we currently stand. Property CAT models were "adopted" in the years following Hurricane Andrew. CAT modelling is now a part of the underwriting and portfolio management processes of most insurers that have large exposure to losses. But it remains a very labour-intensive process of data transfer and interpretation, analysis and interpretation of CAT model results. This time-consuming process impedes decision-making and limits the ability to implement pricing and underwriting strategies.
Where do we look for examples of what can be done? The securities industry has used models for a long time to evaluate the risk levels of individual securities in their portfolios, and their portfolios as a whole. Each type of security may be subjected to more than one risk model to evaluate the risk associated with it. Regulation and competition have forced them to "mark to market" their portfolios on a daily basis. Achieving this level of modeling has required a significant amount of IT automation.
What, therefore, must the property insurance industry do to attain a level of automation and integration analogous to the banking and securities industries? Many of the necessary components are already forming. Industry data exchange standards are certainly a necessary component of achieving streamlined CAT modelling and the champions of standards are now appearing on the scene. Reducing the inefficiencies with uncertain data types is a key step towards achieving any level of integration. The final step is the formalisation of the processes in underwriting and accumulation to ensure that effective controls are in place.
Will the property insurance industry ever achieve the same level of automation that the financial industry has reached? The key limit seems to be the lack of liquidity in insurance contracts versus bonds or stocks. There will always be a need for a relationship-based understanding of particular cedants' requirements. Automation of CAT modelling will not completely change the practice of reinsurance underwriting but rather will complement it.


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This week we're returning to Texas, not far from where I (Misti) live. Matt is sharing his abundant blooms, which are a mix of natives interspersed with non-native botanical beauties. I know Matt from college where we attended Texas A&M at Galveston. He's gone beyond the undergraduate realm and off into PhD territory now. His gardening abilities came to my attention via Facebook and I thought he'd made a great addition to the Sprout Dispatch garden tour. I think you'll enjoy his gardens!
+Where do you garden and what is your climate like?
My small garden has its home in College Station, Texas, about 2 hours northwest of Houston. Winters are just cold enough, with rare snaps into the teens, to really mess with cold-sensitive plants. Summers are hot and dry, and while we get much of the humidity that dominates farther south, most sea breeze rainstorms peter out by the time they get so far inland. In the several years that I've been in the area, I've seen summers with 16" of rain and summers with 3" of rain. We've got very sandy soils over a relatively shallow clay pan, and municipal water from the local aquifer is very salty. I've got my work cut out for me! An old tale has it that this area was selected for the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University) because, "if those boys can figure out how to make something grow in Brazos County, they can grow something anywhere!"
+When did you first start gardening? How long have you been gardening at your current residence?
Gardening and I met by accident. In the fall of 2008, I helped do some yard work for a widow at my church. She was thinning out her beds and tossing a lot to the curb, so I thought "why not?" and scooped up some perfectly good cannas. I hauled them home and set to work on a patio that had been BADLY neglected since I moved in three years prior. Sure, there was a solid bed of yellow beardless irises and a couple of sad rose of Sharons…or is it roses of Sharon? But there was also a small grove of volunteer mulberry and hackberry trees, and lots and LOTS of weeds. Just from pulling a ton of creeping St. Augustine, the next spring I found some stray German irises and a dense clump of Byzantine gladiolus that had been waiting for who knows how long just for some room to breathe. Eventually I was off and running! I'm now in my 5th growing season, and my modest beds have grown to border most of the yard. I really pull back effort in the hot months and let my transplanted natives and self-seeding flowers run wild before jumping back in when it gets a bit cooler.
+Which plants have been your favorite to grow? Most difficult? Any major plant losses that have bummed you out?
Maybe since their relatives were here from the start or maybe I just appreciate their simplicity, but I've really been a fan of native irids that I've plucked from roadsides and on walks through the woods. I like their variety of habitats, growth forms, and colors, especially since the bluish tints of many are so rare among other Texas natives. My favorites are propeller flower/purple pleat-leaf (Alophia drumondii), prairienymph (Herbertia lahue), and blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium spp.). I've also really liked watching over at least three different species blazing star (Liatris spp.). Seemingly invincible sandpaper verbena (Verbena rigida), huge Maximilian sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani), showy Hibiscus moscheutos are also among my favorites.
Now for the hard stuff…in addition to facing salty water burning my coneflowers, most of my daffodils are daft, my crocuses seem to croak, and my poppies have been poopy. Apparently I sunk a bunch of daffodil bulbs known for not reblooming, but transplants from dense clumps in East Texas should help make things better! My gladioli seem to have a hard time blooming consistently – except for the reliable Byzantine that is. Those things are champs!
+What plants would you like to have in your garden if you could?
I do have a couple damper shady spots in the yard, and I would love to try some columbines, but I haven't really pursued that too much. Most of what I see in nurseries are not the native varieties and I'm sure they'd bite the dust after a year.
+Anything new and exciting growing this season?
Well it's been around for a while, but one of the potted plumerias I purchased at a plant sale three years ago has finally started blooming this summer!
+Have you grown any edibles and if so what has been your favorite?
Well…how do you define "edible"? I'll frequently stroll outside and pop some flowers off the rose of Sharon or the native hibiscus for chomping. With hundreds of flowers, there is no shortage of snack food. I'll also do the same with the violets in spring, and the spiderworts and dayflowers later on, but they aren't quite as filling!
Aren't his beds awesome? I think I'll be taking some notes! Thanks again for participating Matt.


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A dive computer is the brain of our total diving system that allows us to make safe dives. It is very important for divers to know about the current depth, bottom time and no-decompression limits for safety.
I am sure you all know about Suunto. Suunto is a reliable and well-known dive computer brand. It was founded in 1936, which makes it "a know-how store" in dive computer field.
D serie of the Suunto is a dive guru.
On January, 2014, Suunto released the new design of Suunto D4i. Its name is Suunto D4i Novo with four different color choices; Black, Lime, Blue and White (guess which color is this 🙂.
As DiveWithSeaman.com, we wanted to use Suunto D4i Novo for a couple of dives before we write a review of it. I have bought the lime color version, for no complex reason, but simply because I like that color.
Let me start with some important features of Suunto D4i. Because Suunto D4i Novo has exactly the same features with Suunto D4i, only the colors and the buttons differ.
- Operating 4 Buttons
- Ascent Rate Alarm
- Maximum Depth Alarm
- Wireless Air Integration
- Dot Matrix Display
- Backlight
- Air, Nitrox (21% up to %50), Free-Dive (and Off Mode in Suunto D4i Novo)
- Deep Stop Options
- Dive Planner
- Depth Display up to 100 meters
- Adjustable Altitude
- 80 Hours of Memory Capacity
- Safety Stop Function
- Metric/Imperial Display Choice
- CR2450 Lithium Battery
- Reduced Gradient Bubble Model (RGBM)
- 1.97" (50 mm) in Diameter and 0.61" (16 mm) Thickness
You can download the user's guide from here.
Don't you like to read? Watch the video below (video credited to simplyscuba.com)
Now, I want to talk about the pros and cons of Suunto D4i Novo, so you can have a better idea about this dive computer.
As I always say in my product reviews, "there is no perfect product, but a product that is perfectly matched with your needs."
Here are the pros and cons that might help you have a better shape of the product before you buy it.
Pros of Suunto D4I Novo
- Wireless Transmitter Option (you can see your tank pressure and remaining air time on your dive computer's screen)
- Easy to use in daily life because it is light and not giant
- Included free dive and Nitrox modes
- USB cable comes with it
- Algorithm used is quite conservative (some say this is a con but if you are recreational, conservation equals to more safety)
- Very soft silicone strap but still durable
- My "old" Suunto D4I (not Novo) is still 'alive' with more than 500 dives with it. Remember that Suunto D4i Novo is almost the same.
Cons of Suunto D4I Novo
- Doesn't have a navigation option (such as a digital compass)
- Display is a little bit of small
- Costs more than majority of the other dive computers in the same segment. That's because you are also paying for extra features like the wireless transmitter. If you are not using a wireless transmitter/planning to use one, you are paying for a feature that you will not use. Don't spend your money for features that require a producer great technology and results in extra cost.
Where To Buy Suunto D4I Novo
This colorful dive computer can be purchased from Amazon.com if you are planning to buy it on-line. As you know, Amazon.com is a reliable and old web-site that lets their customers to shop in a secure environment.
In Amazon.com, Lime, Blue and White choices are available.
A product video from BATISKAF
Suunto is one of the heavy balls in dive computer market. They owe this title due to their reliability and cool designs as well as their safety concerns.
Suunto D4i was a very helpful dive computer for divers. Now, with re-design, Suunto D4i Novo is also very cool and colorful.
They have colors like all the divers' personalities have.
Comparison with Similar Models
I prepared a comparison chart with Suunto D4i Novo, Suunto D6i and Suunto D6i Novo.
By the help of this chart, you may clearly see the most important features comparison among these three reliable dive computers.
What Does Seaman Say?
Actually, it is not that hard to comment on brands like Suunto. We all know what it is but if there are some Dive With Seaman readers who don't know it yet, I can clearly say that Suunto has a very impressing position in scuba diving sector.
And about Suunto D4i Novo…
Well, sometimes companies like Suunto prefer to re-design their best-seller products because this way, they push the sales up. A little bit old product like Suunto D4i might have needed a simple push like that.
This is something definitely good for the company. For us?
It depends on our thoughts against re-designs.
If you like to have the newest products on you, it is okay.
If you are already a Suunto D4i user and know its reliability, but think that a change is needed, it is okay.
If your Suunto D4i became old and want to replace it with a colorful one this time, it is cool.
If you are a beginner or intermediate diver but unsure which dive computer to buy, hit that purchase button!
If you are a dive pro who wants to buy a new dive computer and has a little bit more money than you can spend on Suunto D4i Novo, I advise you to consider buying a D6i.
But beyond this rational review, Suunto D4i Novo is very colorful that seems to be very cool. Soft silicone strap is another good point for us to enjoy.
Decision is yours.
Details and shopping from Amazon.com
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Welcome to AESTHETICS INC.
At AESTHETICS INC. we specialise in safe non-surgical procedures such as Botox anti-wrinkle treatments, dermal fillers, micro-needling and chemical peels and skin care to enhance your natural beauty. We provide a comprehensive range of medical aesthetic and skin rejuvenation treatments to address a range of issues. No one can halt the inevitable ageing process, it affects us all but now we can reduce and improve and even reverse those visible signs of ageing, such as lines and wrinkles or unflattering folds and creases. By using prescribed skin care, Botox muscle relaxing Injections, dermal fillers and non-injectable treatments we can aide rejuvenation. At AESTHETICS INC. we specialise in a natural, subtle look for both men and women. We offer free consultations (with exception to ZO) and follow up appointments with confidential and professional advice of all of our non- surgical and anti -ageing treatments.
All treatments are carried out by professionals. We work with a number of different disciplines in order to give you the best care possible. We receive regular updated training from experts from across the globe.


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Welcome to our new weekly curated list of interesting stories. Covering anything and everything in the industry, we collect and share a handful of links every Friday. Enjoy!
Example Driven Development "Hey $COLLEAGUE, is there any function that takes this list and returns a list like this?" - great post on using function signatures to aid development
When You Change the World and No One Notices "Invention requires a long-term willingness to be misunderstood." - great piece on the struggles of inventing something new
How to ns - Stuart's Opinionated Style Guide for Clojure Namespace Declarations We're a Clojure shop - some great practical advice on a subset of the biggest problem in programming: naming.
Tech has a Toxic Tone Problem — Let's Fix It! "Improving the communication surrounding programming is essential to creating a more inclusive development community."


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yesterday sketches
major inspiration at a new blog beginning Nov. 1, "Urban Sketchers is a community of artists around the world who draw the people and places of the cities where they live and travel to. This blog is an extension to the Flickr Urban Sketchers group started in November of 2007 by Seattle journalist and illustrator Gabi Campanario." An amazing list of contributors, including Tin Salamunic of Richmond, their most recent profile.


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Stacy Giang is a Junior at the University of Houston, studying Computer Science with a minor in Energy and Sustainability.
This is her third year as the Secretary and Historian for the Billiards League at UH. Over the summer, Stacy drafted the club's Officer Handbook and assisted in directing a billiards charity event, Christmas in July. In her free time, Stacy enjoys bullet-journaling, taking roadtrips, and playing volleyball.
At CEC, Stacy will help manage the CEC's comprehensive environmental calendar for greater Houston while implementing CEC's Salesforce CRM. She is excited to broaden her knowledge in both the technological and environmental fields and to become a more well-rounded individual.
Stacy can be reached at [email protected]


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Big picture
Vinay Kumar to [Mohit] Sharma, FOUR, top edge over the keeper's head, but Mumbai Indians don't care where the ball has gone. This is a legal delivery, and that means they have won the IPL again
May 24, 2015, Eden Gardens. We didn't know it then, but this would be the last bit of on-field action for Chennai Super Kings for close to three years. An inconsequential top-edged four in a big defeat, in their sixth IPL final.
On Friday, Super Kings will be back, with a team full of familiar names and sentimental favourites, and while they would have liked to play their comeback match in front of their home fans at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, this is probably the next-best thing: Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede. The IPL's two most successful franchises, head-to-head, in the opening match of a new season.
Despite all the upheaval between that 2015 final and now, there's a remarkable number of old storylines still at play when these two sides meet: half of the 22 players who lined up for that match are still part of the two squads, with two – Harbhajan Singh and Ambati Rayudu – crossing over from blue to yellow.
Taken too far, however, continuity can turn into stagnation, and that's a danger Super Kings, in particular, will have to guard against, with their squad containing 11 players in their 30s. It's also a squad that looks a touch unbalanced, loaded with spinners and light on pace options and power-hitters. It might be just the right squad for the slow turners that they typically play on in Chennai, but perhaps not for flatter, bouncier pitches – like the Wankhede, for instance.
Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede, then, will be a massive litmus test for Super Kings' adaptability, right at the start of the season. Any early cracks they show will be ruthlessly pounced upon by every other team.
In the news
Stephen Fleming, the Super Kings coach, has confirmed that Faf du Plessis is unavailable for selection. Du Plessis is recovering from a finger injury that troubled him all through South Africa's recently concluded home summer, an injury that was aggravated by a painful blow from (Mumbai's) Pat Cummins during the Johannesburg Test.
The likely XIs
Mumbai Indians: 1 Evin Lewis, 2 Ishan Kishan (wk), 3 Rohit Sharma (capt), 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Kieron Pollard, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Krunal Pandya, 8 Mitchell McClenaghan, 9 Mustafizur Rahman, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Rahul Chahar.
Chennai Super Kings: 1 M Vijay, 2 Sam Billings, 3 Suresh Raina, 4 Shane Watson, 5 Kedar Jadhav, 6 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 7 Dwayne Bravo, 8 Ravindra Jadeja, 9 Harbhajan Singh, 10 Shardul Thakur, 11 Mark Wood.
Strategy punt
Shane Watson has struggled against left-arm spin in the IPL since the start of the 2015 season, scoring 100 runs off 105 balls while being dismissed ten times. M Vijay (5.84 per over) and Sam Billings (6.41), meanwhile, have poor scoring rates against spin in the Powerplay overs of T20 games. Given that these three are Super Kings' main options to open the batting, Mumbai should seriously consider giving Krunal Pandya the new ball.
Stats that matter
Super Kings have a positive head-to-head against every team in the IPL apart from Mumbai, against whom they have won 10 games and lost 12.
Since the start of the 2015 season, Rohit Sharma has had difficulties against legspin, having been dismissed nine times in 27 innings against that type of bowling while striking at 113.7. His IPL record against Imran Tahir is middling: 50 off 42 balls while being dismissed once.
MS Dhoni has become a distinctly slower starter in recent seasons of the IPL. Until the end of the 2014 season, he made his runs at a strike rate of 122.35 across the first ten balls of his innings. Since the start of the 2015 season, that number has dropped to 98.97.
If JP Duminy starts for Mumbai, Super Kings should look to bowl their offspinners against him at every opportunity. He has career T20 strike rates of 84.3 against Harbhajan Singh and 92.00 against Suresh Raina.
Kieron Pollard doesn't bowl that much these days, and he probably shouldn't bowl anyway on Saturday. Almost all of Super Kings' batsmen have towering strike rates against him in T20 cricket, with Suresh Raina (180.4), Shane Watson (179.6), MS Dhoni (177.1) and Dwayne Bravo (145.2) leading the way.
Fantasy picks
Evin Lewis comes to the IPL with a massive reputation and a stunning T20 record. The one question mark all highly-rated overseas players have before they start their IPL careers is whether they can handle top-quality spin. As things currently stand, that isn't an issue with him – against pace, he averages 31.37 and scores at 8.93 per over; against spin, the corresponding numbers are 38.41 and 8.84. Plus, as a less-known quantity to IPL attacks, the start of the tournament is perhaps the time when oppositions won't have formulated highly specific plans against him. With all this in mind, the hard-hitting Trinidadian should be an excellent fantasy pick.
"It's hard to read it right now. It's very dry underneath. It's tough one to read. Usually it plays pretty well. This time of the year the average score is 165. We're expecting there will be good pace and carry. Dew factor there's a lot of aspects of it to consider but think it'll be pretty good."
Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming on what to expect from the Wankhede
"I would like to keep that as a surprise. Our middle order is very good and we have got good openers in Evin Lewis and Ishan Kishan. We will see on the 7th where I bat. I would like to keep that as a surprise."
Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma on whether he will open the batting


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By Joe VanHoose
Bill Anderson grew up wanting to be the next great sportswriter. When he graduated from journalism school at the University of Georgia, he was more Dick Schaap than John Prine.
Soon, he traded in nut graphs and a notebook for guitars and a songbook. Anderson, a Country Music Hall of Fame inductee and Grand Ole Opry member, didn't plan on becoming a country singer and songwriter.
He just ended up becoming one of the greatest.
"I didn't grow up with the dream of being a hillbilly singer-songwriter," Anderson said. "But when the door opened, I had enough initiative to walk through and see what was on the other side."
Anderson chose the right door. The 73-year-old who grew up outside Decatur has charted 36 top-10 songs and seven that reached No. 1. Other artists have recorded more than 400 songs that he penned.
On Saturday, he'll come home to Georgia and play a show at the new concert hall in Commerce that has his name on it.
He helped raise money for a decade to build the Bill Anderson Performing Arts Center at Commerce High School, playing several benefit shows.
Now, he gets to christen the new space and put it to the test.
"I'm looking forward to playing out that dream that so many people have shared," he said.
Anderson's life has been a dream ever since he worked WJJC-AM in Commerce. While working there in 1958, at just 19 years old, he wrote "City Lights," which Ray Price took all the way to the top of the country music charts.
It was the first of Anderson's many hits. He sang his own song, "Mama Sang a Song," to No. 1 in 1962. Six more would follow with his soft, almost spoken delivery, which earned him the nickname "Whisperin' Bill Anderson."
While Anderson's last hit came in 1976, many of today's biggest country music stars have found success singing his songs. George Strait made "Give It Away" the Country Music Association's song of the year in 2007. Alison Krauss and Brad Paisley shared "Whiskey Lullaby" to a few awards in 2004.
Anderson continues to write today, often sharing thoughts and ideas with younger songwriters.
"The great thing about songwriting is that no one has put a limit on how old you can be to write songs," Anderson said. "You just write them and put them out there and see what happens."
Anderson incorporates a bit of his songwriting stories into his live shows — he still performs about 60 times a year. His tour is just as diverse as his set.
"One night, I'll be playing at a big casino or fair in front of thousands of people," he said. "The next night, I'm playing to a couple hundred at a songwriters round."
Anderson's show Saturday will be much different than the festival shows he's played in Commerce in the past, he said. He plans to sing all the hits, tell plenty of stories and go into his Grand Ole Opry mode as well.
"There are plenty of stories to tell about the songs and how they were written," he said.
That journalism degree still comes in handy, after all.


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Archive for the 'reading' tag
November 7th, 2014 at 9:14 am
Favorite Thanksgiving Books
My boys love to read books about holidays as they are approaching. Thanksgiving is a fun time to learn about tradition and the history of the holiday through sharing books. Here are some of my favorites:
Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks
The Berenstein Bears Thanksgiving Blessings
Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving
Pinkalicious: Thanksgiving Helper
Fancy Nancy: Our Thanksgiving Banquet
'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving
Take some time this month to have some family reading time with Thanksgiving books, and discussions about the meaning of Thanksgiving and why it is a part of our history.
July 7th, 2014 at 10:15 pm
4 Board Books for Bilingual Kids
Many people think it makes no sense to read to a baby or a toddler, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, it is a great idea to start reading to your children while they're in the womb! This is particularly helpful if you'll be raising them bilingual because they'll get used to hearing the minority language even before they're born.
Through the years, I've gotten my hands on a fair share of bilingual board books, but here's a short list of the ones we favor at home:
My Colors, My World/Mis colores, Mi mundo — This is a board book your kiddos must have in their home libraries. Written and illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez, It's colorful and full of life, and they will love to learn the colors in both English and Spanish. I promise!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar/La oruga muy hambrienta — My son will be going to Kindergarten this fall and you may think he's done with board books, but this is actually one of his very favorite ones. By now, he knows it by heart in both English and Spanish, but he continues to ask me to read it to him almost every night. Perfect to teach your kids how to count and tons of food vocabulary in both languages.
Your Body/Tu cuerpo — I love the simplicity of this board book, one of two in a series about the body. The illustrations are eye-catching and will keep your kids entertained while they learn vocabulary related to the human body and how it moves in both languages.
Colores Everywhere!: Colors in English and Spanish — This is another one about colors, but what makes it totally unique is that the illustrations are from art artifacts that belong to the San Antonio Museum of Art. Talk about colorful! This is one book in a series of three. The other two are about shapes and numbers. Highly recommended!
June 2nd, 2014 at 11:56 am
Summer Reading Choices
We love to sit under a tree, on the patio, or lay on the grass and read a book in the summertime. The kids love logging their reading time for summer reading programs too. Check out your local public library to see what kind of a reading programs they offer for both children and adults. You can learn all kinds of neat things just by reading and talking about what you read in books.
The Barnes and Noble Summer Reading program allows you to easily track your reading, and in the end you receive a free book! They also have a great collection of books lists for all ages. I like to check out the Amazon Summer Reading List for some fresh reading suggestions as well. More ideas can be found on Pinterest in this fantastic collection of kids books or this summer reading list for all ages.
When your child is young, reading to them promotes imagination and will help develop their own reading and listening skills. Carry eBooks on your tablet for easy summertime reading without having to bring along a pile of books. Also, find books that have to do with activities that you have going on. Going to the Zoo? Check out animal books. Traveling to another state or country? Check out some books that provide information about the place you are going.
What was a great book you recently read?
April 14th, 2014 at 2:27 pm
Celebrating Library Week
By Liz
Did you know that April 13 through 19 is National Library Week? Books are so important to a child's development. Besides teaching them how to read, they also foster bonding, creativity, and imagination. Libraries have a lot to offer their communities, and they are a great learning resource for families. Check out your local library this week and see what kind of events and classes they offer for your little ones. In honor of National Library Week, here are some of the most popular kids books of all time that you can check out at your local library or bookstore!
- Where the Wild Things Are – Maurice Sendak
- The Giving Tree – Shel Silverstein
- Goodnight Moon – Margaret Wise Brown
- Green Eggs and Ham – Dr. Seuss
- Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs – Judy and Ron Barrett
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Eric Carle
- Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day – Judith Viorst
- Guess How Much I Love You – Sam McBratney
- Pat the Bunny – Dorothy Kunhardt
- Love You Forever – Robert Munsch
- The Lorax – Dr. Seuss
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? – Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
- Harold and the Purple Crayon – Crockett Johnson
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom – Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
- Corduroy – Don Freeman
- Stellaluna – Janell Cannon
- Oh, The Places You'll Go – Dr. Seuss
- Strega Nona – Tomie dePaola
- Curious George – H.A. Rey
- Jumanji – Chris Van Allsburg
- The Little Engine That Could – Loren Long and Watty Piper
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit – Beatrix Potter
- If You Give A Mouse A Cookie – Laura Joffe Numeroff and Felicia Bond
- The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales – Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith
- The Runaway Bunny – Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd
- The Rainbow Fish – Marcus Pfister and J. Alison James
- The Snowy Day – Ezra Jack Keats
- Madeline – Ludwig Bemelmans
- The Napping House – Audrey Wood and Don Wood
- The Cat and the Hat – Dr. Seuss
- The Polar Express – Chris Van Allsburg
- Hop on Pop - Dr. Seuss
There are so many other great books, both classics and new, that kids around the world enjoy every day. Which is YOUR favorite?
Photo Credit: American Library Association, www.ala.org
March 3rd, 2014 at 9:28 am
Storing all your Children's Books
Do you struggle with where to put all your kids books? We have bookshelves filled and then another paper book order comes and we struggle with where to fit them once the order comes in. I want to share some of my favorite ways to store our kids books.
Cereal Box Holder
I love all the inexpensive paperback books that we get from the order forms at school, but they are so hard to store. Make a holder out of a cereal box to keep them contained. Just cut diagonally once you remove the top and decorate however you want. This is an extremely cheap way to tackle the book clutter.
Picture Shelf or Rain Gutter Shelving
We use a ledge type of shelf for frames to display books for my sons top bunk. You could also use several vertically to make a wall of easy to grab bookshelves. This can also be done using rain gutters from your local home improvement store.
Use all kinds of baskets and containers to hold books. I love to pick up inexpensive baskets to use on shelves to organize a little better. I also keep a basket by my sons bed so he can put his favorites there each night.
Storage Bins
Use regular totes and decorate to hold books or even use crates that you have decorated like these.
I believe you can never have enough books, but containing them is the key! How do you organize your books?
Kim Ross also writes at A Little Bit of This and That ~ The Adventures of a Stay at Home Mom.
December 12th, 2013 at 5:00 am
Holiday Books for Storytime
By Liz
For some of you, storytime is an everyday occurrence, but there is something about reading books during the holidays that gives me that "warm and fuzzy" feeling. Here are some great books you can read to or with your kids to get into the spirit…some of them are my personal favorites from my own childhood!
How The Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
The Elf on the Shelf by Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell
Hersehl and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel
Happy Hanukkah, Corduroy by Don Freeman
Olive, The Other Reindeer by J. Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh
Li'l Rabbit's Kwanzaa by Donna L. Washington
The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving by Jan & Mike Berenstain
The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore
The Mitten by Jan Brett
What holiday books do YOU read with your children? Share your favorites with us on Facebook!
All Photo Credits: Amazon.com
May 13th, 2013 at 5:00 am
Fun Children's Books to Read
For Mother's Day I got a poem from my oldest and one of the lines read, "I love to hear mom listen to me when I read." Children love to read to you and listen to you read. Nothing is better than snuggling together and reading a good book. Sometimes it feels like you are reading the same books over and over and want some fun new books to be a part of reading time. A great way to try new books is to visit your local library or do a book swap with friends!
Here are some fresh book ideas for you:
Pinkaliscous by Elizabeth and Victoria Kann
Any Dr. Suess Books
Ducks Don't Wear Socks by John Nedwidek
Pete the Cat by James Dean
Leo the Lightening Bug by Eric Drachman
The Ugly Pumpkin by David Horowitz
Here Comes the Big Mean Dust Bunny by Jan Thomas
Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas
The Dog House by Jan Thomas
The Pigeon Books by Mo Willems
Llama llama Books by Anna Dewdney
Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner
These are just some of the favorites I have to share. Another key is to listen to the audio version if it is available. While visiting preschool the other day, my son's teacher was reading Pete the Cat, Rocking in my School Shoes and had the CD playing along. There was great music that went along with it that the kids danced too.
What are some fun books that you like to read with your child?
Kim Ross also writes at A Little Bit of This and That ~ The Adventures of a Stay at Home Mom.
March 7th, 2013 at 5:00 am
Getting Your Kids to Read
By Lori
With parenting comes the desire to provide a solid education for our kids; but many parents do not know how to get their kids started. The answer lies in books. Your child's learning potential will increase by leaps and bounds if you make reading an integral part of their lives. Here are a few ideas to start this process:
- The easiest way to introduce your child to reading is by reading TO them often. I credit my love for books to my parents, who regularly read to me when I was little. I still remember them asking me to choose a book from my shelf and then trying to hide a grimace when I picked the same book for the third night in a row! But it was through this repetition that I was able to follow along with the words as they read them out loud… and eventually read them by myself.
- Bring your kids to the library and have them pick out their own books for you to read to them or, for a twist, to have them read to YOU! Maybe find some craft or cookbook and have them read the directions to you at home while you work on a project together.
- If you have a school-age child, set aside a small block of time each day for reading. During this time, encourage your child to read something that he or she will enjoy. Even if it's a comic book or a book of sports statistics, it doesn't matter as long as they are reading. This should be a fun time for them, as it will only reinforce an appreciation for reading.
- Kids love to imitate adults, so if you want your child to read, it's also very important that they see you reading, too. Again, it doesn't matter if it's a book, a newspaper, or the Garanimals blog, as long as you are reading. And treat your reading materials with respect so that your child also respects his books.
Your child may not immediately take to reading, but it's important to keep encouraging them. Just as Dr. Seuss quips in I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!, "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."
January 22nd, 2013 at 5:01 am
Help Your Bilingual Children Expand Their Vocabulary
Enriching your bilingual children's vocabulary is important for a variety of reasons. For starters, it will allow them to read and more complicated books. A wide vocabulary will also help them express themselves orally and verbally using a variety of words that more accurately describe what they're trying to say.
Here are some fun ways to help enrich your bilingual kids' vocabulary:
Storytime. If they're not in preschool yet, storytimes are an excellent place to spend some time with your kids. Many libraries now offer bilingual/Spanish storytimes. These are always fun and I always appreciated the variety of topics that were covered in the books read because they introduced my kids to a lot of new vocabulary words.
Music. The repetitiveness of music is a great way for kids to memorize new words. Not to mention that they have a ton of fun listening and dancing to the music. The best part about this is that it doesn't have to be only children's music. There are a lot of great pop options that provide wonderful opportunities for your little ones to learn new words in Spanish.
Introduce new words. Try not to use the same simple words every single time. For example, think of the many words you can say big (gigantic, enormous, large) and start using them in your every day conversation. Make sure once you introduce a new word, you use it constantly.
Dictionaries. There are many options in terms of children's dictionaries and they're a lot of fun. Buy a couple and teach your children how to use them from the get go. As they get older, if they come across a word they don't understand, remind them it's a great idea to look it up in a dictionary.
Photo by Tim Pierce - http://www.flickr.com/photos/qwrrty/2100913578
Roxana A. Soto is the co-founder of SpanglishBaby, the go-to site for parents raising bilingual and bicultural children. She's the co-author of her first book, based on her blog. Roxana is also a staff writer for MamásLatinas.
January 10th, 2013 at 5:00 am
Snowy Day Reading
By Lori
Winter is a great time to start a daily reading hour with your kids. Someone once told me the single most important activity you can do with your child is to read. Reading to kids regularly makes the transition to reading independently an easy one.
If by some miracle the kids are getting sick of building snowmen and coming in with wet coats and mittens, have them join you for some quiet reading time. Make some hot chocolate, snuggle up on the couch with a blanket and dive into some books.
Here are some suggestions:
Ages 0-3: Spot's Snowy Day, Eric Hill
Young kids adore Spot and the story of a puppy playing in the snow is a sure winner!
Ages 3-6: Mama, Will It Snow Tonight?, Nancy Carlstrom
Your beginner readers will enjoy the rhythmic language of this book as each young of a species asks its mother if it will snow tonight.
Ages 6-9: Snow Day!, Lester Laminack
What happens when an entire family wakes up to no snow after a huge storm was predicted? After your child finishes it, ask him or her what they would do in that situation!
If by some miracle you find yourself with some alone time, this is a grown up book I highly recommend::
The Art of Racing in the Rain, Garth Stein
A must-read for dog-lovers, especially those who believe that their pups think like people! This funny and uplifting novel tells the story of a race car driver, Denny, from the perspective of his lab-terrier mix, Enzo. Enzo relates everything he has ever learned about race car driving to life, teaching us along the way about family, love and life's absurdities.
Warning: You may need tissues at times for this one!
Bonus: This story was adapted into a version for the kids and is titled Racing in the Rain: My Life as a Dog.
What are your favorite books?