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We are soon to be bombarded with enough 'Christmas Gift Guides' to last us a life time…perhaps even a couple from myself. To me, it's great! I love to see what people are buying, year after year and the new brands that crop-up for the season. But sometimes we just gotta treat ourselves to a bit of luxe in our lives, I mean we all work so god damn hard over the Christmas period it's only justifiable, right? So where better to find some luxury treats…
Shea Butter Hand Cream – 150ml Approx. £20.00 (click here):
Shea butter hand cream is one of L'Occitane's best sellers. Which comes as no surprise to me, it has long been a favourite of mine. As far as hand creams go, this one is the bomb-diggity. It's the type of hand cream I try NOT to share, it's so good.
This little number lives on my bed side table, all year round. I seriously can't explain how much I love this hand cream.
Packed with 20% skin loving shea butter, almond & coconut oil, plus honey it nourishes and hydrates even the driest of hands, leaving them not only smelling delicious but as smooth as a baby's bottom! Oh and there's none of that sticky residue left behind.
I'm also thrilled by the fact L'Occitane seem to have altered their packaging from having a printed label on the tube, to rather printing directly onto the metal packaging itself. This makes for a much more smooth use when dispensing the product.
Citrus Verbena Shower Gel – 250ml Approx. £16.00 (click here):
Firstly Can we just appreciate the simplistic yet artful packaging…L'Occitane know how to make great packaging.
Secondly when it comes to fragrance, I'm a BIG citrus lover. Orange and lemon, yes please. It won't come as any surprise that this strong Verbena fragrance is bloody marvellous in my eyes (or should that be nose).
As far as shower gels go; formulation wise. This one is very pleasing indeed. It creates a very generous lather with little product needed and it leaves the skin feeling fresh and clean. But for me this big selling point has to be the scent. It's just dreamy.
The perfect stocking filler for the gents.
Precious Cleansing Foam – 150ml Approx. £22.00 (click here):
Saying or hearing the word foam in the same breath as cleanser would normally make me think "nope!". Foaming cleansers are often associated with skin stripping ingredients, getting rid of all the natural goodness and leaving behind sore, dry skin. Of course foaming will occur in most cleansing routines if not using a balm, milk or jelly. But when there's the added emphasis on 'foam' I think ouch.
Fear not, the word 'foam' is simply in reference to its pump applicator that produces an already foam like lather.
This highly conditioning cleanser developed with immortelle water gentles cleans the skin of daily impurities so skin is left feeling clean and supple, perfect in winter when skin feels so dry and taught.
Precious Eye Balm 15ml Approx. £36.00 (click here):
Do any eye creams actually work? There's so much speculation on this subject. Who knew eye cream was such a hot topic!?
In my personal opinion I have eye creams and gels that I absolutely love! Do I know that they'll help in the long run?…no. However I know that they help me at that time when I need them, so for me…yes eye creams do work at being a part of my essential skin routine!
Precious Eye balm has such a thick rich formulation that sits nicely under the eye; acting almost like an eye mask during the night.
It's coming up to the big season of Christmas which means we're all working extra hard, so a little under-eye pick-me-up is perfect for this time of year.
Mum's and Dad's will love this little but large gift!
Maybe you'll treat yourself with some L'Occitane treats before the big 'C' day…we all deserve a treat!
Shop L'Occitane here: CLICK
Toodle pip,


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ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE of Marketing-Oriented Company - CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
MEANING of Marketing-Oriented Company
MEANING of Marketing-Oriented Company
A Company which stress more on its marketing and research activities to find out what its customers want - to serve them better is called as a "Marketing-Oriented Company".
KEY TRAITS of a Marketing-Oriented Company
Some of the vital characteristics of these companies are:• Customers' desires, wants, requirements, feedback, etc are the basis for product development and improvisations;
• Innovations & creativity are the driving factors in these developments;
• Striving to improvise customer experiences continuously;
• Formalizing strategies through delivering of highest customer value for long term profitability rather than short term;
• Time to time customers survey through online, digital, social media, print, etc channels;
• Marketing campaigns to keep the customer updated on the latest releases, offers, etc and keeping the excitement on.
Marketing-Oriented Company is generally abbreviated as MOC.
SYNONYMS / A.K.A. of Marketing-Oriented Company
• Market Oriented Company
• Customer / Client Oriented Company
• Customer Focused Company
ANTONYMS / OPPOSITE of Marketing-Oriented Company
• Product Focused Company
• Operation Focused Company
ADVANTAGES of being a Marketing-Oriented Company
Why should a Company become a Marketing oriented company after all?
As we are all very well aware how competitive the market is becoming with the growing size of number of businesses and the the variety of options put before the customer for the same set of products or services, hence it is very important for a company to not only gain new customers but also it is pertinent to retain its existing customers by providing greater satisfaction on the company's products or services.
As long as a customer is satisfied with its desired level of expectation from the company's products or services, the customer will continue to purchase/avail the products or services of that company, hence the turnover level will grow significantly.
EXAMPLES of Marketing-Oriented Company
Apple, Google, Nike, McDonalds, Audi, Coca Cola, Facebook, Starbucks, Samsung, etc.

subset: commoncrawl


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E-news at its best!
Comedienne and singer Elizabeth Ramsey has passed away on her sleep at the age of 83!
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Beautiful wedding photography for Lovers
It did not go as planned in the team pursuit on Friday. When it rains it usually poars. While accelarating in one of the bends it seemed that Jan Blokhuijsen could not follow and Sven Kramer waited to help him, this was not necessary as Jan only lost the connection for a very short period and could get back to the other fairly easy. In the meanwhile the Americans skated the race of their lives and grabbed a place in the final.
Our final so it seems last night when in a direct dual with Norway our team raced easily to an Olympic Record and took hold of the bronze. The men were very disappointed when in the final the Canadian team were 2 seconds slower in the golden race. Sport like life is often ruthless and unjust and that is all I can say about it.
Here the men when they receive their bronze medal.
It was one of those days with a laugh and a tear. Joy and disappointment, because everybody expected that the women and men team would win a spot in de final. Or let me talk about myself I had hoped that at least the men would get into the final. If not only to rid of that bad after taste of this week events and that everyone would think back on these Olympics with a feeling of joy. But even though everybody was hoping and praying it was not meant to be. The women were defeated by the German team and the men could not eliminate the American team. They now have a change to win the bronze medal but that was not the medal they came for.
But than a miracle happened on Cypres Mountain. Nicolien Sauerbreij was a favorite to win a medal because she is first in the worldcup on the womens parallel slalom snowboarden, but at that moment she still had to do it. The best part is that she kept on believing in herself. After two rather disappointing Olympic Games she kept on believing and training with this goal in mind and now she is there in first place. I admire her conviction, believe in her own strenght and then you see what is possible. The 100th gold medal won by Dutch athleths in the Olympics and the first gold medal in an Alpine discipline for the Netherlands.
The only way to grow is to learn and to learn we can learn from ourselves but we can learn more from others. This is so true for photography. The work of others can be an example, an inspiration, food for thought and a way to learn. As a photographer I look at the work of other photographers for inspiration.
A photographer that I truly admire for his work is Herb Ritts. The majority of his work is in black and white. I had a lot of postcards with his photography without knowing they were shot by Herb Ritts.
This man was so much more than a photographer, which seems to come with the trade. He was born in 1952 and started in the 70's with commercial photography but also did a lot of editorials and portraits. But he was also known for his fine art photography which has subject of many exhibitions. He became a well-known fashion photographer.
He has published in all the major fashion magazine for the likes of Vogue, Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone and he has created many major advertising campaign for companies like Calvin Klein, Chanel, Donna Karen, Gianni Versace, Giorgio Armani and many more. He has directed music videos and well known for photographs of celebrities. His photography tells a very strong story.
Herb Ritts passed away in 2002 but his work lives on. To show some of his really powerful photography look at the following set, all copyright of Herb Ritts.
I have a self made drawing of the picture below of Naomi Campell. Still one of my favorite photographs. I saw this beautifull black and white fotograph one day of a black woman with black boots on. I decided to make a drawing of that picture. I framed the result and hung it on my first floor landing where it still on the wall after all this years. I think that I came to know that it was a photograph of Naomi Campell. I will also include my drawing on the blog.
Before this winter I did not own winter boots. If could walk on high heel shoes all year round because the last real winter was more than 10 years ago. There was no need for them. But when this winter came round there was no other option but to go out and buy me some boots. I tried on about ten pairs and even more went through my hands but none were what I was looking for. Ronald bought a pair of snow shoes in the first store he entered and I became grumpy, convinced I would not find the right boot for me.
After walking around the city for an hour Ronald asked me if I wanted to go into this one store. Under protest I agreed mumbling I would not find anything. I looked around without confiction it was not to be today and then I rounded the corner and there they were waiting for me. Just my size. I tried them on and they were to big and my heart sank. They looked so good. The sales lady came to the rescue and with a small in lay sole the problem was solved.
I walked around on my boots through all the snow, icy streets and wet pavements. All the 31 days of snow and not one time did they fail me.
There was a little sunshine piercing through the clouds today and looking from the inside out I realised that walking on my boots this winter is coming to and end. I can not wait for Spring but when I see my boots waiting there for me at the door a become a little melancholic.
Thank you boots
What to post on a day like this? Everybody is sad today myself included. I intended a happy post, was sure about it. A guaranteed gold medal, one "we" could not lose and then the worst thing happened. The unimaginable scenario, the nightmare for every coach. The wrong instruction and our number one speed skater did not swith lanes properly!
He had the fastest race, an Olympic record but all in fain because he was disqualified. All gone, gold medal gone, four years of hard work gone and then nothing. I could not comprehend, lost some sleep over it. The only question is why? But there is no answer. A whole country in mourning and no one understands. For the first time in two weeks it rained in Vancouver showing us that coincidence does not exist.
"Rain and tears are the same but in the sun you got to play the game" sang Demis Roussos, true words. How cliche but live goes on and tomorrow is another day. What picture to post I honestly had no idea and then I saw this on television. There is hope!
As I told before I am part of a photo club and we meet about once every two months. We have assignments, share the result of our work and critique eachother to improve our skills. One of the assignments we have for our upcoming meeting is night photography. Something I have never tried before and is a skill in itself. I have researched the topic and watched material of two night photographers. Their tips and tricks were very valuable. Off course I have to use a tripod, off course I have to set my camera to a longer shutterspeed, I opened my aperture to its maximum opening, set my lens to manual focus, I used my remote and set my camera to the 2 second self timer and I set my camera to Manual mode (the mode I usually photograph in) so I can use my camera lightmeter for every shot. As it was quite cold I took a fully charged battery and the most useful tip was to have patients not only while the shot is taken but also after when you do not see the result on you LCD screen. A photograph with an exposure of e.g. 20" took about that same amount of time to complete after the shot was taken.
Here some samples of my work.
After a dry spell last week we now have won the third golden medal. Again she was not one of the favorites even though she won a gold medal in Turijn 4 years ago on the 3000 meters. This Olympic Games did not start so well for Ireen Wust with disappointing results on the 3000 and 1000 meters. But yesterday she came back with a vengance. She showed them all the she was still a force to be reckoned with. Again I did not see it live because it was in the middle of the night but I was impressed by her race when I saw it in replay, her honest emotion when the national anthem played.
We now offically have our own golden girl Ireen Wust!
When I look outside I see today is gray. The snow is almost gone but the sun is nowhere in sight. The air is damp and the trees are still leafless.
I sigh because I long for some warmth in the air, I long to go out there with my golf clubs on my back with my new shoes on crunching the fresh cut grass. Ah the smell of fresh cut grass.
I not only long for this because it would mean Spring has arrived but also because we would be on our way to Summer.
I have to be patient which is not one of my strongest points. To make the waiting a little bearable I look at these photographs made on our home course last year and count the days.
It was to late to watch it live but the first thing I did this morning was swith on the television and check teletext. I could not believe what I read. The second gold medal was won by Mark Tuitert for the 1500 meter speedskating. The last time we won this medal was in 1972. Mark Tuitert has been an allround ice speedskater who turned to sprint and was not a favorite to win this race. Everybody thought it would be Shani Davis for certain. But he came in second and we have another master of the Mile!
Off course I had to take a picture from my television to show Mark at the flower ceremony.
The Olympics are well underway and as an iceskating country we focus mainly on the speedskating. After a magnificent start with a gold medal the well ran dry fast with a fourth, fifth and sixth place but no medals until last night or rather this morning.
They were not among the favorits, Annet Gerritsen and Laurine van Riessen, but these women showed what top sports is all about. Belief, determination, power and drive make things happen. And what beautiful things can happen! Annet and Laurine won the silver and brons medal on the 1000meter speedskating.
Their can be only one conclusion. These Dutch women rule!
BLOG Archive


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Health and care leaders across north Cumbria are celebrating the inclusion of the area in a national pilot to link up health and care services.
North Cumbria Health and Care System has been confirmed by NHS England as part of the next wave of Integrated Care Systems (ICS), putting our area at the forefront of national policy.
It gives the green light for further integrating some health and care services across artificial organisational boundaries, making it easier for teams to work together for the benefit of patients and communities.
Stephen Eames, who leads health services across north Cumbria, said, "This is fantastic news for us all. This national recognition for the way we are working means we are at the cutting edge.
"We have been told by NHS England that we are exemplar for the ways in which local organisations should work together. This demonstrates confidence in our plans, and we know this is how funding will be allocated in the future so it really is very promising.
"We have already been successful in recent funding rounds securing more than £65 million which will be used for the next phase of the redevelopment of West Cumberland Hospital and the new cancer centre in Carlisle.
Stephen Eames is also the chief executive of North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust (NCUH) and the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT).
He added: "We now have a real opportunity to break down the barriers that make it difficult for our people to work together which can only be good news for patients."
This will help organisations work together to help improve the health and wellbeing of our local communities.
Cumbria County Councillor Peter Thornton, cabinet member for health and care services added: "We are all working towards a health and care system which is easy to use and based around keeping people in good health rather than just fixing things when they go wrong. Councils have a part to play and Cumbria County Council is committed to making this happen by working closely alongside our health partners."
There has already been work to establish co-production – staff, members of the community and leaders working together – to develop services.
Working as an Integrated Care System will help organisations work together to improve the health and wellbeing of our local communities. Examples from north Cumbria include:
A new Delirium Service at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and the West Cumberland Hospital. It helps patients at risk of becoming confused during their stay in hospital which can affect over 40 per cent of hospital inpatients. Delirium is mental confusion which can sometimes occur when people are unwell and has a number of causes such as infections, dehydration and pain; but with the right support it can be managed or even avoided. The service is the first of its kind in the UK and has been co-produced by mental health specialists and clinicians from across the North Cumbria Health and Care System with input from patients and carers. The team has seen over 3000 patients since it launched the service in January.
The Home First Teams are made up of physiotherapists and occupational therapists from both the community and acute trusts, linking closely with adult social care and the voluntary sector, and are based at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven. The teams are based in A&E departments, assessing older patients when they arrive to see if they can remain at home with some extra support. Many hospital stays can be safely avoided if the right support is in place at home. 250 admissions have been avoided in the first six months.
A new Advice and Guidance system helping GPs work with hospital consultants has helped prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and referrals. It offers a secure on-line service where GPs can contact secondary care doctors in several clinical specialities for advice about patient care. Feedback about the service to date has been very positive including one GP who said: "I have had numerous success stories - the quick, helpful advice I have received has really benefited my patients who have received quicker treatment as a result, more relevant tests, less unnecessary testing done in primary care and numerous referrals that I would have made have not been necessary."
Local clinical and social care teams have also teamed up to offer free health and wellbeing MOTs within communities. The events include check-ups to measure individuals' physical health and functional fitness and help start conversations about individual needs. The teams can also signpost to local voluntary and third sector support.
Dr David Rogers is the accountable officer for NHS North Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). He said: "We have been working much more closely over the last couple of years and this is a natural progression of that work. Integration can only make it easier for our staff to work together and for patients to get the most effective care. Being recognised as a national leader in this area is a credit to our staff and communities."
NHS England described the four new areas announced today, saying: "These systems demonstrate strong leadership teams, capable of acting collectively, and with an appetite for taking responsibility for their own performance. They have also set out ambitious plans for strengthening primary care, integrating services and collaborating between providers. Although they experience the operational and financial pressures that other systems do, our assessment is that they are more likely to improve performance against NHS Constitution standards and clinical and financial sustainability by working together as a system."
Dr John Howarth, deputy chief executive of North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust and Cumbria Partnership Foundation Trust, said, "This is a significant moment for all of us who work in health and care. In all of my 35 years working in the health service in Cumbria, I've dreamt of creating an integrated care model, we can now seize the opportunity to collaborate across the system to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities."
There has also been progress in the health system's financial position. In 2015 we were £70 million over budget as a system and that was expected to more than double if we stayed as we were. Now that deficit is less £40 million and heading to balance by 2021.
The North Cumbria Health and Care System also has strong links with the North East, supporting patient flow for specialised services and our shared challenges.
There are currently 10 areas which are pilot Integrated Care Systems (ICS) or devolution areas.
Today's announcement means there are now 14 ICS across England.
Notes for editors:
The North Cumbria Health and Care System is made up of health and care commissioners and providers - Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, NHS England, NHS North Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group, North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust, NHS Improvement, North West Ambulance Service, primary care - working in partnership with Cumbria County Council and third sector organisations.
More information is available on our website www.northcumbriahealthandcare.nhs.uk|
This integrated approach to health and care will see much closer working between organisations – it is not a merger or the creation of a new organisation.
What does that mean in practice? Patients should see more joined up care, and staff should find it easier to work with colleagues from other organisations. By working alongside councils, and drawing on the expertise of others such as our third sector organisations, local charities and community groups, the NHS can help people to live healthier lives for longer, and to stay out of hospital when they do not need to be there.
Integrated care system leaders gain greater freedoms to manage the operational and financial performance of services in their area.
It moves the focus from individual organisations to the wider system – working for the best health and wellbeing of our local communities.
Read more here This is what NHS England says about Integrated Care Systems|
For further information or to arrange interviews with Stephen Eames please contact Julie Clayton lead for communications and engagement for North Cumbria Health and Care System on 01768 245 490 or 07826 918 018
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© Copyright NHS Cumbria CCG 2020. All rights reserved.


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Found a great method for remotely locking your Mac using your iPhone. Uses: Hazel, Dropbox and Launch Center Pro. Works great. Found on Rick Stawarz site.
About Michael
Michael W. Geoghegan is founder and CEO of GigaVox Media. NewMedia Entrepreneur & Podcast Pioneer/Pundit. Author of two books. Creator of two time James Beard Award winner GrapeRadio.com
My Books on Amazon / GigaVox Media / Grape Radio / Podcast Academy / Reel Reviews Radio


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It's officially official: Frank Ski reclaims his morning slot on V-103 as of Monday morning.
"In the five years since I've been gone Atlanta has changed a lot," he said. "It seems like a long time."
Ski left Atlanta after 14 years on V-103 as morning host in late 2012, most of that time at No. 1. He spent a couple of years at DC station WHUR-FM, signed on with Atlanta-based Bounce TV as on-air talent and did some consulting.
He came back to V-103 in April 2016 as a weekend host and as AJC radio/TV reporter Rodney Ho was first to report, Ski's return to the morning slot follows the Feb. 2 departure of Ryan Cameron, who decided to pursue other opportunities .
"We'll probably have a bunch of people calling in and welcoming me back," Ski said of his first A.M. shift might be like. "I kind of just want to get in there and start working. I want to get back to business."
Read our entire interview with Ski here .
MYAJC: Frank Ski and Dr. Patrice Basanta-Henry's beautiful wedding
Frank Ski discusses co-parenting as a divorced dad
Spending time in other markets served as a professional palate cleanser.
"West Midtown wasn't here five years ago. The BeltLine wasn't here. There's so much new development," Ski said. "Some people people feel that Atlanta has changed for the better. There are a lot of people who feel that Atlanta has not changed for the better.
"What I realize about Atlanta that I was too connected to before: Atlanta is a city with a bunch of dreamers," he continued. "All these people came here for a better life. People get here and it's spread out, public transportation is terrible, there's crime. We're living in communities where people don't speak to their neighbors, kids don't play outside. We're all on these individual islands."
Once he's back in the morning groove, Ski has these and other topics in mind to discuss. Atlanta has a new mayor, Keisha Lance-Bottoms, of course. How's the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium working out? The Braves' new home, SunTrust Park? How will Atlanta tackle homelessness, affordable housing and other community topics?
"The city has some issues that need to be addressed," he said.
Support real journalism. Support local journalism. Subscribe to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution today. See offers.
Your subscription to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution funds in-depth reporting and investigations that keep you informed. Thank you for supporting real journalism.


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February 15, 2020
Rockville Civic Center Park
May 21, 2020
1800 Piccard Drive
The calendar displays all City of Rockville events. To see only specific types of events, choose "Select a Calendar" and check the ones that you would like to view.
February 23, 2019, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM @ F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre
This family and kid-friendly event is organized by the Rockville Sister City Corporation in partnership with WQER-LP 96.7 FM Radio station and the Chinese Culture Institute. Celebrated in many Asian countries, the Lantern Festival marks a major celebration on the lunar calendar. Our Lantern Festival celebration will feature cultural performances, food, interactive lantern craft activities and cultural displays. Kids can take home beautiful lanterns after the celebration.
February 23, 2019, 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM @ F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre
Gilbert & Sullivan's story of two gondoliers who discover that one is actually the king of the far-off land of Baritaria. But they don't know which one! Come to enjoy the fun and music (and figure out the mystery).


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How Do Secured and Unsecured Debt Relate to Bankruptcy?
Bankruptcies treat secured and unsecured debt differently and, when working with a bankruptcy lawyer, a basic understanding of what each is and how they relate to bankruptcy is helpful.
With secured debt, you own collateral that backs the debt, such as a house, car, or appliance and you make regular payments to the creditor. Unsecured debt, on the other hand, has no collateral to back the debt. Examples include credit card debt, medical bills, utility bills, and unsecured loans.
What you should know about secured debt
By working with a bankruptcy lawyer to hang onto secured property in a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you may be able to work out a payment agreement that reduces the amount of debt owed and enables you to keep the secured property. While Chapter 7 eliminates personal liability on debt, it does not automatically eliminate liens against property. Therefore, even after bankruptcy certain assets may still be subject to a lien. This means that after your bankruptcy is complete, creditors can still repossess the property unless you work out mutually agreeable payment arrangements. In some cases, creditors file motions for relief from the automatic stay and the courts allow them to repossess property while the bankruptcy is ongoing.
It is important for you to discuss discharge and liens with your bankruptcy lawyer and to understand how your bankruptcy filing affects your secured and unsecured debts.
Debt limitations on filing bankruptcy
Your amount of secured and unsecured debt can also affect your eligibility to file for Chapter 13. According to the U.S. Courts, (http://www.uscourts.gov/FederalCourts/Bankruptcy/BankruptcyBasics/Chapter13.aspx) under 11 USC § 109, debtors who exceed certain debt limitations are not eligible for Chapter 13. Currently, the limits (these are changed periodically) are:
- Secured debt cannot be greater than $1,081,400
- Unsecured debt cannot be greater than $360,475
Some types of debt take priority over others
The law divides unsecured creditors into categories and labels some creditors as priority creditors and other as general creditors. When the estate's assets are not enough to pay all unsecured debt, the unsecured priority creditors receive payment first. In many bankruptcies, general unsecured creditors end up receiving no payment at all.
Working with a skilled and experienced bankruptcy lawyer can help you make informed decisions that protect assets and resolve insolvency.


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During the Soul Retrieval, yesterday, I was told there would be a mirror. I turned and saw the mirror and for a moment I felt terrified that when I looked in the mirror I would not see anything. I knew I was really sitting on a couch in an office on a sunny June day and at the same time I was entrenched in the dream of the room on a crystal mountain, with the mirror. Part of me wondered what she would say if I told her I didn't see anything. Part of me wanted to open my eyes in the real world and not look at the spirit-mirror.
But, I had to know.
It was a relief when I looked and saw it was just me. I look as I do in my head, younger than I am, less detailed, perhaps, but still it looked like me. I knew it was not really me I was looking at. It was both more and less than one would see in the "real world". In a way, it was very much like staring into the "hole in the soul" as I wrote about it in this story.
Then she said something about missing pieces. I don't know exactly what she said because it seems as if I wasn't hearing the words, but was understanding the concepts without hearing.
I looked at the mirror and the area around my abdomen faded out. There it was, in the middle of me, a missing piece just as she had suggested.
Again, the hole in the soul idea flashed through my mind.
She asked me if I could find the missing piece. I knew I could. I knew exactly where it was, and in the next instant, I was standing there.
This was so much like doing the DNMS work with C, with two big differences.
One is that when I am working on an issue with C, she will ask me where I am in whatever memory is being triggered. When I know, I am instantly there – just like I was yesterday during the Soul Retrieval. However, with C I always AM the missing piece. I relive the events as if they are happening in the present, as if I am that little child again.
Yesterday, it was more like standing in the room, watching.
The second difference is that while it felt safer, or more in control, to approach these pieces as an empowered adult, in another way I felt less in control during the Soul Retrieval than I do with C. When C works with me, I feel as if I am leading all the time. With this deeper hypnoses, or guided journey, I felt as if I was being pulled along.
I'm not sure how much of this is just me, how much is the trust level I have with C after two-and-a-half years of working together, and how much is the actual processes, but that is how it was for me - as if I was being led and I ws never quite sure where I was going to be taken.
So - its all about control! I saw C, last night, several hours after the Soul Retrieval,a nd when I said something about this control issue, she laughed and commented on my codependent nature. I had to smile at that. You mean I'm not supposed to want to be in control all the time?
This is a somewhat edited, tamed-down version of what I saw when I went looking for the first missing piece:
As if from above, I see the bedroom I had when I was growing up. I see myself as a toddler, lying in bed. My father is standing in front of me. Behind him, I see the missing piece. She is watching. In her wide-eyed stare I see confusion and terror and so much sadness. I reach down to this little one, standing behind my father as he looked when I was little.
I pick her up. I hold her close for a while, and then I look at her face. I tell her she is safe, it is safe now. I promise that I will always keep her safe.
The Rainbow Lady asks me what gift this missing piece has for me.
I say, Innocence.
Next, she tells me to breathe through my mouth, in a certain way, to bring the missing piece into me. I do the breathing, expecting that this is how this piece will come home, but that is not what happens. It isn't in the breath, at all. The breathing is like a doorbell, but it isn't the door. As soon as I start the breathing, I feel this little one – who it still seems I am holding, right now – absorb into me.
She is right here, in front of me, with me.
When I tried to explain this to C, last night, I was saying something about how these pieces were right with me, now.
She asked, "they weren't before?"
I said, "yes, but now it's different. Before, it was as if they were behind me, following me. Now I feel like they are right here," and I put my hands on my arms in an embrace.
I can still feel them… right here.
I went back to the mirror three more times.
The second time, the missing piece was in my throat. When I find this piece she was also two-years-old. This time, she was standing outside the cabinet where I hid one night. Inside the cabinet, I saw myself curled up on top of the extra baby blankets my mother kept in there. Outside, I sensed that this is when I first knew that I could not say what was real.
That night, when I was two, was the beginning of this difficulty I have in expressing myself verbally – and maybe it is another key to unlocking that flow of words, for me. While I can write just about anything, in person you would probably be surprised by how little I am actually able to say. It is frustrating how the words just shut off, how they refuse to make the journey from my mind to my mouth, and how – if I try to force it – they disappear from my mind as well.
This is what I try to explain to the Rainbow Lady when she asks what gifts this piece has.
She is easy to understand.
She knows how to be safe.
She is good, and none of this is her fault.
There is no shame here, and it is safe to talk.
I turned the watcher away from the little sleeping child in the cabinet. I picked her up and brought her home.
The third time I went to the mirror, it was my hands that were missing. At first, when I went looking for the missing piece, I saw only a piano. Gradually, I realized there was a twelve-year-old version of me looking at the piano. She didn't want to touch it. Inside her, I sensed that she did not want to be heard. Unlike the two-year-old who was afraid to say what she needed to say, the twelve-year-old's silence was motivated more by anger than fear. It felt like an attack.
In her narrowed eyes and tight-lipped expression, I sensed stubbornness that I remember well.
You will never know me.
I am not going to let you in.
I have gifts to share, but you will never hear them.
And who is the "you" in those statements? It is the whole world. My mother used to tell me I always looked like I was mad at the world… and in this adolescent staring at the piano, that is exactly what I found. If I can really get her to the place where she feels safe, she can give me so much.
I have something to offer, but I am not going to let you have it, yet.
I did bring this one home, but her stubbornness is not gone. I feel it is going to take some coaxing to get to the gifts she has. What she brings is confidence to express myself and to allow my talents and gifts to be heard.
The final trip to the mirror was different. Instead of a missing piece, I saw a gray area. At first, I thought that was because this piece was closer to coming home, but that is not true. I believe this piece is not really ready to come home. Interestingly, she is the one I am the most aware of, right now, but instead of sensing her calmly inside, I feel as if she is clinging tightly to me, terrified I am going to let go. I'm not sure what I have to do to make her feel safe.
When I looked in the mirror that fourth time, the gray I saw was on my legs. I knew it was about the time when I was sick, when I was six-years-old. I didn't see just one place, or one image, I saw a bombardment of images of me at age six.
The doctor touching my legs.It was swirling around in my head, and I started to panic. I tried to open my eyes, but it was hard. I blinked and the room literally swam in front of me.
Screaming and squirming and then being held down so they could draw blood or give me shots.
Lying in bed, waiting for someone to come get me because I couldn't walk.
Lying on the sofa in front of the TV, alone.
Needing to go to the bathroom, but no one was around to carry me there.
Annoyed expressions when someone would be saddled with the task of taking me to the bathroom.
Waiting as long as I could to ask.
Then waiting some more.
The doctor touching my legs.
Screaming and squirming and then being held down so they could draw blood or give me shots.
Needing to go to the bathroom, but no one was around to carry me there.
I hadn't realized I was lying down. I'd been sitting, last I knew.
I saw the Rainbow Lady.
She said something.
I said something.
I don't know what.
I sat up.
I felt embarrassed and agitated at the concern on her face.
Telling her I needed to use the bathroom certainly didn't make me feel any less embarrassed.
She got up and moved the curtain from the door, and I went out into the bright hall.
In the bathroom, I wondered how I was going to explain this. I felt really mortified and wondered if I'd screwed up the entire thing. There were still forty-five minutes left in the appointment time.
Is that going to be enough time to get back to where I was?
Do I want to?
While I washed my hands, I looked in the mirror.
It was just me – older than I expected, looking tired and a little afraid.
But just me.
I went back in the room.
She asked, "Was it too intense?"
I tried to explain about when I was sick, when I couldn't walk for two months, how helpless I felt. How I always felt like a burden to whoever was stuck taking care of me, and how the worst part was having to go to the bathroom because I couldn't go myself and no one wanted to be bothered with it and how I saw this six-year-old there and I had to help her...
all the thoughts came out in some kind of jumble that she seemed to understand.
I still felt embarrassed.
She said, "You spoke up for her, and you took care of her."
Yes. That is what I did.
That's exactly what I did.
I sat down, closed my eyes, and soon I was back to the six-year-old. I found her easily enough and when I picked her up she held on and I felt how she's been waiting for me, all this time.
In a way, it hasn't been long, for her, because she is still six, stuck in time… but in a way, it was a very long time because two months of not being able to walk, and then having to relearn how to walk is a very long time to a six-year-old.
I brought her back, but as I said, this part is different. I know I have more work to do with this one. It's important that I do this work because she has a very important gift.
Personal power.
Time was short, by the time I held the six-year-old. The Rainbow Lady went through the rest of the things, and it felt a little quick, in a way. Even so, I knew I had done enough for one day. I was emotionally drained and physically felt as if I really had climbed a mountain. When she talked about other missing pieces, she said something about them all coming home, and for a little bit I saw that twinkling, like it had been in my dream. Spirit fireflies danced over my head... and some came towards me, but others stayed where they were.
I went back to the purple meadow, and she played a song I know. It is one by Shaina Noll, which C has played before, and I found it very comforting.
Then she counted up to five.
The world came back a little more gently than it had when I'd suddenly pulled my self out of it to go to the bathroom.
She asked how it was.
I told her it was intense.
She said, "you did a lot."
Yes… I did.
It was a wonderful experience and I'm glad I did it.
It doesn't feel like this Soul Retrieval was complete, and maybe there is no such thing. There is no one thing we can do to get back what we've lost along the way. It's all a process, a lot of hard work that brings about a gradual shift towards our true selves. For me, this was a special piece of the puzzle that I will always remember, and I might even try it again, someday.


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About the company
Ltd. "Mechanical and Repair Plant" was established on the reparing basis of Kremenchug Oil Refinery, built in 1964 and currently specializing in the design, manufacture and repair of non-standard equipment, metal structures, spare parts for oil-refining and mining plants, as well as metallurgical and chemical industries (licence number 323158), boil inspection objects (permissions to perform specific types of work № 3360.08.30-74.30.0, № 022.06.53-28.11.0). For 45 years the Plant has accumulated a great experience and created a solid technological and industrial potential.
Currently, Ltd. "Mehremzavod" is a permanent partner of "Transnational Financial and Industrial Oil Company "UKRTATNAFTA", OJSC "Poltava Mining and Processing Plant", OJSC "Northern Mining and Processing Plant", OJSC "Central Mining and Processing Plant".
The Plant successfully cooperates with such companies as OJSC "Arcelor Mittal Krivoy Rog" and Ltd. "Pipe System". Also, our regular customers are Ltd. "Armaprom - Kremenchug", OJSC "Kremenchug Steel Casting Plant", Ltd. "Krebo International", OJSC "Kremenchug Technical Carbon Plant", Ltd. Research and Development Enterprise "Technoeks", Ltd. "Promsantechnika", production unit of Ltd. "Agrofirma Dobrobut", Kobeliaky Sugar Plant and manufacturing division of "Poltava Grain Product", "Globino Sugar Plant", CJSC "Kremenchug Confectionary Plant", agricultural enterprises of various forms of ownership, plants for manufacturing brick, plants for manufacturing ferroconcrete structures, construction organizations, and private entrepreneurs of medium and small business.
The staff of Ltd. "Mechanical and Repair Plant" are like-minded people, able to have a clear orientation in the economic situation, make informed decisions and use effective methods to upgrade and expand the range of the products, continually improve the quality of the products. The company has implemented a quality management system according to ISO 9001:2001 (certificate № UA 2.008.03669-09), a certified welding technology (certificate № UA 1.012.0096240-04). Products have proved to be reliable and safe in the toughest conditions.
The quality control of materials and products is provided by an accredited laboratory for chemical analysis of metals and alloys (certificate of attestation № 0190 KF, certificate of competency № 80.3-2349.08).
Qualified engineers of the construction bureau of the Plant provide competitive advantages of the company on both domestic and foreign markets.
On-site search
Mechanical and Repair Plant
(main office)
|39600, Ukraine, Poltava region, Kremenchug, Otraslevoy Passage, 5


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Hurricanes are dangerous tropical storms that form in warm ocean basins. These giant storms follow a natural progression, build force and gain momentum as winds rotate around a central position.
In the U.S., hurricanes may affect any of the areas along the East Coast or the Gulf Coast, which means that states running from Texas to Maine are susceptible to catastrophic damage. Most hurricanes in the U.S. occur between May 15 and November 30, which is why this period is called Hurricane Season.
Hurricanes may range in size from 80 miles to 400 miles in diameter, but they are categorized by the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which relies on the speed of the winds they produce:
- Category 1 – 74 mph to 95 mph
- Category 2 – 96 mph to 110 mph
- Category 3 – 111 mph to 129 mph
- Category 4 – 130 mph to 156 mph
- Category 5 – 156 mph and faster
Have Hurricane Preparedness Plan
Hurricanes are unique among natural disasters in that our modern technology can provide a warning ranging from a few days to more than a week. However, a rush for supplies usually occurs during this time, making them difficult or sometimes impossible to obtain. Having a hurricane preparedness plan well in advance is the best way to deal with these dangerous storm systems.
The first task to complete is to gather information and assess the risks for your particular area. If you live near the coast, you may be in an evacuation zone. To discover your risk for hurricane damage, you should call your local emergency management office or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
After you have gathered information, you will need to develop a disaster response plan. This plan should include all of the following:
- Where to stay in your home (create a safe zone)
- Safe places to stay away from home
- A primary and alternate route to get away from your home
- How to prepare your home for a hurricane (see our safety tips)
- Emergency supplies that you may need
- How to recover after the hurricane has passed
- Workplace plans and disaster recovery plans for businesses
Emergency Supplies for Hurricanes
When putting together your emergency kit, you must consider six types of supplies:
- Food
- Water
- First aid
- Clothing
- Tools
- Special items
At a minimum, you should have enough food and water for three days, but it recommended to have enough for two weeks.
Food should consist of non-perishable items that do not need to be refrigerated, prepared or cooked. In addition, the food should not require you to use any of your water. Following are the best types of food to store for hurricanes:
- Ready-to-eat canned goods like fruit, vegetables, and prepped foods
- Canned milk and juice
- Foods high in protein and sugar to provide energy
- Baby food or food for restricted diets, if necessary
- Comfort foods to reduce stress
Optimally, food should be stored in a dry, cool area, and replace specific items as they expire. In addition to food, you will want to have an assortment of cooking and dining supplies, including the following:
- Cups, plates, and utensils
- Manual bottle opener and can opener
- Camp stove, solid fuel stove or Sterno cans
You will need at least one gallon of water per person per day. While most people will only need to drink two quarts of water per day, two quarts per person should be reserved for food preparation and washing. Store water in plastic bottles or containers that will not decompose or break.
First Aid
Your first-aid kit should contain a variety of bandages, sterile dressings, and gauze. It should also include medical tape, latex gloves, antibacterial ointment, alcohol-based sanitizer, scissors, and tweezers. In addition, it is a good idea to stock your first-aid kit with non-prescription drugs that may be needed, such as aspirin.
You will also want to include supplies for personal hygiene, including toilet paper, paper towels, soap and feminine products.
Clothing and Bedding
Clothing and bedding should be available as follows:
- Shoes or boots
- Raincoat
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Hats, gloves and warm coats
Include the following tools and other supplies in your emergency kit:
- Copies of important documents (e.g. birth certificates, passports)
- Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Cash or traveler's checks
- Fire extinguisher
- Matches or lighter in a waterproof container
- Signal flares
- Thread and needle
- Mechanical tools, such as screwdrivers, wrenches, and hammers
- Plastic sheeting
- Aluminum foil
Photo credits: ©iStock.com/lisafx, PepeMonteiro, fotofermer


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Stock availability is subject to prior sale.
Bring this upholstered cocktail ottoman to your living spaces. Classic turned legs and traditional detailing give the ottoman a elegant appearance. Use as a cocktail table, extra seat or comfortable footrest in your home.
The Elegance Beck Cocktail Ottoman by Century at C. S. Wo & Sons California in the Southern California, Costa Mesa, Orange County, Long Beach, Anaheim, Los Angeles, South Coast Collection area. Product availability may vary. Contact us for the most current availability on this product.
The Elegance line features frames that have been selected for ideal usage in great rooms, family rooms and dens. Skirting, toss pillows, and decorative tailoring are just some of the design elements featured in this upholstery accent collection. The frames and build have a more traditional design elements and can be appropriate in both a casual and formal setting. The fabrics chosen will also have great bearing on how formal or casual each style will look. Choose between infinite fabric options to create a look that matches your individual style.
The Elegance collection is a great option if you are looking for Traditional furniture in the Southern California, Costa Mesa, Orange County, Long Beach, Anaheim, Los Angeles, South Coast Collection area.
This item has been tagged as: Ottomans, Storage Ottoman, Chairs and Ottomans, Ottoman with Chair, Coffee Ottoman, Cocktail Ottoman, Ottoman Coffee Table, Ottoman Cocktail Table, Table Ottoman, Large Ottoman, Glider with ottoman, Rocker with Ottoman, Recliner with Ottoman, Stool, Footstool, Tuffet, Hassock, Pouf
Nothing on this page may be copied or reproduced without explicit permission.


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About the Collection
Former teen idol and legendary actor, singer and dancer, Frankie Avalon is proud to bring his Italian Kitchen home to you for all to enjoy. Growing up watching his mother and grandmother make fantastic family meals, Frankie was inspired to create a delicious assortment of authentic Italian food using only the finest ingredients, many of which are imported straight from Italy. With Frankie Avalon, you'll savor such classics as stuffed chicken, pazottis (a variety of fillings encased in golden pizza dough), breaded spaghetti balls, tiramisu and cakes like limoncello, Italian berry and Sicilian sea salt.
Grab yourself a little Italian
About the Guest
Actor, singer, dancer and former teen idol Frankie Avalon, born Francis Thomas Avallone, is a 20th century, American entertainment legend. With countless hit movies and singles, he began his career in food by authoring his first cook book Frankie Avalon's Italian Family Cookbook, from Mom's Kitchen to Mine to Yours. He has since made a name for himself in kitchens across America and beyond.


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|Home > Music Genre > Action Music > Impending Orchestral > Track Summary >
Track Summary
Music Track Title: On the Verge of Battle
Catalog ID: 512284 ISRC: US5UL1202866
Description: IMMINENT DANGER! A building, very rhythmic orchestral track that starts ominously with bass, horns and percussion and builds up to a more intense section with a full orchestra. Great buildup and many different energy levels. Great for scenes leading to battle or other action sequences.
Social Media Link: https://www.audiosparx.com/sa/archive/Action/Action-Impending-Orchestral/On-the-Verge-of-Battle/512284
Artist or Group: Martin Sebastian Holm
Keywords: epic action impending building tension dramatic fantasy war battle fight fighting medieval high energy fierce heroic foreboding explosive thriller powerful bold danger trailer car chase hunt hans zimmer john williams james horner lord of the rings grand massive military preparing for battle video game gaming cinematic bombastic medal of honor honour regal dark threat threatening history discovery channel documentary science fiction adventure adventurous energetic climactic edgy panoramic anthemic passionate passion navy naval world war one two hollywood strings breathtaking victory victorious defeat defeated crime in progress movietrailer filmtrailer gametrailer majestic daring brave bravery death killing kill swords guns preparation loading build contra bass french horn marimba cello violin timpani bass drum snare tamburin strings pounding loud
Music Genre > Subgenre
Action Music
Action | Impending | Orchestral
Extended Properties
Duration: 2:52 Tempo: Med Fast BPM: 130
Arrangement: Orchestra, Full
Instruments: Contra-bass, Cello, Cymbals, Marimba, Percussion, Strings, Tambourine, Viola, Violin, Timpani, Snare drum, Bass Drum, French Horn
Vocal Mix: Instrumental
Moods: Adventurous, Brave, Building, Dangerous, Dark, Determined, Dramatic, Dynamic, Energetic, Epic, Escalating, Forceful, Foreboding, Heroic, Intense, Majestic, Menacing, Powerful, Rhythmic, Tension
Styles: Action Adventure, Action Thriller, Dramatic Soundtrack, Film Instrumental, History, Military, Movie Trailer, Patriotic, TV Instrumental, Video Games
Cross-Reference Genres:


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The scope of the Val IT framework is also fully covered within the scope of the COBIT 5 framework. You are invited to review the COBIT 5 framework first and, if more guidance on value is needed, reference the Val IT publications for more detail.
A new governance framework, and supporting publications addressing the governance of IT-enabled business investments, Val IT consists of a set of guiding principles. A number of processes conforming to those principles that are further defined as a set of key management practices.
The Val IT framework is supported by publications and operational tools and provides guidance to:
Val IT addresses assumptions, costs, risks and outcomes related to a balanced portfolio of IT-enabled business investments. It also provides benchmarking capability and allows enterprises to exchange experiences on best practices for value management.
Download Val IT Framework 2.0 (Registration Required, 1.5M) Download Value Management Guidance for Assurance Professionals: Using Val IT 2.0 (Member Only, 710K) Download Val IT Getting Started with Value Management (560K) Download The Business Case Guide: Using Val IT 2.0 (865K) Download Val IT Brochure (90K) Download Val IT Overview (1.7M) Download Val IT Framework 2.0 (Laminate) (Member Only, 198K) Download Building the Business Case for COBIT and Val IT: Executive Briefing (290K) Download ISACA Journal: IT Value Special Compilation (265K) Download Nine-country Survey on IT Value (69K)Pop-window View Val IT WebcastPop-window View MOF to COBIT/Val IT Comparison and Cross Implementation Guide: How to Leverage MOF in a COBIT/Val IT Environment Val IT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Val IT FAQs (Italian) View VAL IT Fact Sheet
If you have questions about Val IT publications and ongoing research, please contact:
Research DepartmentTel: +1.847.660.5630Fax: +1.847.253.1443Email: email@example.com


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Never underestimate the power of a good manicure, especially around the holiday season. Your nail polish can be inspired by all the elements of winter and the holiday season: the glistening snow, the glow by the fire, or the red lipstick you've been saving for that special kiss under the mistletoe. The perfect shade for any event during the holiday season can be found in OPI's winter and holiday collection, Love OPI XOXO.
The innovative formulas and no-frills packaging have made OPI the nail brand of choice for professionals for decades, and the fact that this holiday line is limited-edition just makes us want it all the more. The highly pigmented colors, extensive selection, and playful hues like Ornament to Be Together and Feel the Chemis-Tree have become holiday classics and customer favorites. The best part? Each shade comes in a gel or infinite shine option as well as a traditional polish, so there's a shade and style out there for every OPI lover.
The brand's winter line gives us all kinds of nail envy, which leaves us with one question: Is it possible to try them all before winter is over? Scroll through to find the best winter shade for you from OPI this season.
This pearlescent, milky white is the perfect shade for the wearer who loves having a subtle yet put-together manicure. Every additional layer brightens up your entire look and gives it a subtle hint of holiday glam, which is perfect for whichever festivity you have on the docket.
This gorgeous metallic silver shade matches the glistening snow that'll inevitably usher in with the winter season (except this shade won't turn to gray sludge).
Holding true to its name, this metallic gilded manicure will always hold up. Complete with a pearlescent finish, OPI's subdued gold shade adds a perfectly appropriate pop of color for the glitzy holiday season.
No nail color is more classic than a light pink—it's the universal shade for everyone, everywhere. And the best part about this color is that it's perfect all year round. It's a beautifully frosty pink for winter and will be sure to bring out your tan over the summer.
It was love at first sight with this candy-apple red from the collection. We're definitely bumping this up to the top of our wish lists this year (along with the rest of the polishes from the collection!). It's the perfect color to complement any holiday outfit and bring in some red without falling into the holiday cliché.
If you're going for a chic, vampy manicure, this is the way to go. The deep fuchsia tone and glossy finish are sophisticated but sexy. Similar to red wine or cranberry sauce, this shade from the Love OPI XOXO collection stands among the other holiday tones in a unique and stylish way.
Look no further—the perfect eggplant shade is right at your fingertips (literally). The purple shine adds dimension to your manicure and is a modern take on classic holiday colors.
For those who stray away from color in their everyday look, this is the best nail color to add a metallic pop to your ensemble. It's the perfect match to a little black dress or the best complement to that sequined number you've been dying to wear for New Year's Eve.
It doesn't get more sophisticated than a warm gray. The slight hints of shimmer and shine throughout this polish add dimension and interest to your manicure, making it a sophisticated option for your upcoming holiday events.
This deep, sultry burgundy is a beautifully romantic hue to dress up your digits. Have a black-tie party coming up? This shade is your new best friend.
You may have filed black nail polish away with your middle school days, but try offering it a resurgence with this slick, glossy version. It goes with every outfit, so you can rest assured it'll seamlessly match your look for the full week or so you rock the shade.
Want to try out every color on our list? We've got the best way to take off your nail polish without using nail polish remover so you can sport each new shade.


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|The JS9500 features a 1080p camera that only pops up when you need it.
Better Pixels Are Here
Most television manufacturers are transitioning all mid-to-large sized 1080p offerings to 4K Ultra High-Definition (UHD) resolution within the next couple of years. However, quadrupling the pixel count has proven to be a relatively easy evolutionary step compared to the accurate expression of the UHD format's expanded color palette and luminance range. For videophiles looking to future-proof a display investment, the 2015 flagship models appear ready to fully support UHD video presentation even if some features will arrive later in the form of software updates.
Samsung's best 2015 TVs are branded under its new "SUHD" series of televisions - the "S" not really standing for anything specific other than the company's way of identifying a flagship product like its popular Galaxy S smartphones and tablets. The SUHD family of TVs incorporates Samsung's latest display technologies which aim to deliver deeper, richer colors and improved contrast compared to anything the company has offered before. SUHD-specific features and technical highlights include:
- 10-bit VA-type LCD panel technology
- Support for high dynamic range (HDR) metadata
- "Nano crystal color" (aka quantum dot) backlight enhancement
There are three main series of SUHD TVs: JS8500, JS9000, and JS9500. The 8500 and 9000 feature edge-lit backlighting with flat and curved screens respectively, and the largest screen size within the 9000 series is now the sole occupant of a recently added JS9100 series. The curved screen 65-inch Samsung JS9500 (UN65JS9500FXZA) that I am reviewing here earns its flagship status with a full-array local dimming (FALD) LED backlight system and retractable 1080p camera centered on the top edge of the screen. The JS9500 is available in screen sizes of 65-inches, 78-inches, and 88-inches.
The Setup
Unboxing the JS9500 for setup is best accomplished with an extra set of hands as the 65-inch version that I tested weighs in at just over 72 pounds and is a bit too large to manage on one's own. A good Phillips-head screwdriver and eight fasteners later had the TV perched upon its elegant brushed metal Y-shaped base which complements the screen's slim chamfered bezel design. The interface between the stand and TV wasn't as rigid as I would have liked, but it didn't feel like it would easily topple. Included spacers enable standard wall mount hardware to be attached to the set's curving brushed-finished backside.
|The Samsung JS9500 features a sleek chamfered bezel design.
Powering the TV on for the first time greets the owner with an initial guided setup that is clear, concise, and simple enough: agree to the lengthy terms and conditions (or sacrifice Smart TV features) and, in my case, run an impressively fast channel scan for local stations. The introduction concludes with a brief tutorial on use of the RF remote control.
|The JS9500's On-Screen remote.
Remote Possibilities
The new Samsung Smart Control remote's slim curved baton-style design feels great in the hand, and its brushed finished face and textured back effectively minimize fingerprints. The relatively compact remote has just enough heft to give it a substantial feel, and sculpted finger grooves assisted with proper orientation and grip. Although the new remote has a partially backlit keypad for use in dimly lit environments, its separate directional pad and pointer activation button lacked the tactile feedback and ease of blind location of its predecessor's larger combined control configuration. The new remote's Nintendo Wiimote-like cursor control proved accurate and jitter-free making the lack of a traditional remote a non-issue for me.
|2014 remote (lower) vs 2015 remote (upper)
We're All Connected
The JS9500 locates all A/V ports in an external box dubbed the One Connect. This box links to the back of the TV via a custom 2-meter data cable; the 78-inch and 88-inch JS9500s include a 3-meter cable. Samsung indicated that One Connect cable lengths beyond 3-meters were unlikely due to the system's extremely high data rates so wall mounting configurations may be limited if an in-wall wire run is desired. The purpose of this external box? Upgradability. If some new connector gains traction in the future (HDMI 3?), owners of the JS9500 will need only to replace a small affordable input/output box, instead of a large expensive display panel.
|Samsung's OneConnect cable length may make some on-wall mounts tricky if you want to hide the cables.
The One Connect box incorporates four HDMI ports, three USB ports (one USB 3.0 at 5V/1A), and a dongle that provides legacy analog connections. All HDMI ports accept 2160p video input at 60Hz with 4:2:0 color sub-sampling, 2160p at 30Hz (4:4:4), and 4096x2160 at 24Hz (4:4:4). A menu option enables 8-bit 4:4:4 input at 60Hz; 10-bit and 12-bit input at 60Hz require 4:2:2 or 4:2:0 component video signaling. All HDMI ports are HDCP 2.2 enabled for use with protected UHD video source devices and content. Samsung informed me they will eventually offer an update to enable HDMI 2.0a for compatibility with upcoming devices such as Ultra HD Blu-ray players but further details were not provided.
The SUHD TV's wireless networking options include Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac), Wi-Fi Direct, and Bluetooth. Samsung's Bluetooth implementation in its televisions has long provided mouse and keyboard support (convenient for use with the built-in web browser), and the JS9500 adds Bluetooth headphone compatibility for wireless private listening options.
|The JS9500 allows you to connect Bluetooth headphones for private viewing.
OTA, Is That Still a Thing?
Cord-cutters will find the JS9500's Over the Air (OTA) digital tuner delivers fast channel scanning and superb sensitivity for pulling in local stations. Program information at the top of the screen includes audio and video format details, date and time, and station identification. Channel surfing using a scrolling pop up menu on the right side of the screen is simple and speedy, however, paging through the attractive full screen channel guide can be a bit sluggish leaving you waiting for information to populate the grid-style presentation.
|Information panels show what's on the OTA (Over the Air) tuner.
|Samsung's Over the Air TV guide is as good-looking as any you'll find on a cable or satellite set-top box.
Don't get too excited by the on-screen remote's record button as this DVR-style feature is disabled for North American markets.
Apps Aplenty
Samsung's switch to its Linux-based Tizen operating system for its 2015 smart TVs is a mixed bag. The updated interface, with its larger app tiles, appears crisp and appropriately detailed for a 4K UHD screen. I also like being able to finally use the on-screen cursor with Netflix, but many other apps including Pandora, Vevo, M-Go and others have not received a cursor control update. As a baseball fan, the lack of the MLB.TV app is disappointing. I believe more will be upset with the absence of HBO Go. Also, Samsung's own Milk music platform failed to make the transition - perhaps unsurprising given recent layoffs in that area.
|A selection of apps available on the JS9500.
UHD streaming via Amazon Instant Video and Netflix remains appreciably more detailed compared to the 1080p equivalents. M-Go, UltraFlix, and YouTube further expand the JS9500's selection of 4K viewing options, but the Xfinity UHD streaming app has yet to appear in SUHD-ville. While we were finalizing this review, Amazon announced HDR (High Dynamic Range) would be available, starting with season 1 of the Amazon original series, "Mozart in the Jungle." You'll find more about that below in our "UHD Viewing" sectrion.
|UHD streaming app.
Given the crappy selection of games on most smart TVs and the often worse ability to adequately control the action, I was especially pleased to see that Sony's PlayStation Now game streaming service would be a standard SUHD feature. However, a message on the app's placeholder indicates that it won't arrive until later this Summer.
Update (7/19): The JS9500 (and many other 4K UHD Samsung TVs) have received the app update for the PlayStation Now game streaming service. The use of a DualShock 4 controller appears to be mandatory as we were unsuccessful at getting an older DualShock 3 controller to pair with the JS9500 as we were able to do so with some premium 2014 Sony UHD TVs. The selection of games available on PlayStation Now was impressive enough for us to forgive Samsung for making us agree to a laughably long (300 page!) TOS agreement for the required Samsung online account.
|Sony's PlayStation Now is coming soon!
The JS9500's Multi-Link Screen feature enables a split-screen view where half of the screen can display video from a connected source device while the other half displays an app or web page. It is easy to switch audio sources or control either half without any signs of slowdown.
|Samsung's Multi-Link Screen.
Super Calibration-istic
Samsung's best TVs receive a factory white balance calibration before going into the box, and the JS9500's Movie picture preset proved well-tuned to deliver an accurate and faithful representation of HD video sources as noted in the default grayscale measurements below.
|Pre-calibration white balance result - very good.
DeltaE 2000 grayscale errors below 3.0 (green line) in motion video are considered unnoticeable to people with normal vision. The JS9500's 2- and 10-point white balance controls proved effective at further improving grayscale accuracy as seen in the post-calibration results below.
|Post-calibration white balance result - even better!
Likewise, the TV's HD color space coverage exhibited excellent accuracy with primary and secondary hues. The JS9500's color management system (CMS) was more rudimentary than I've seen in competitors' products, but the end results were satisfactory.
|HD color space coverage - very good.
Beyond High Definition Color
The JS9500's quantum dot-enhanced backlight system enables increased color saturation as well as an extended color gamut compared to regular LED backlighting. With HDR sources that feature expanded color palettes, Samsung recommends using the TV's automatic color space setting, which negates the use of the CMS controls. After performing a basic white balance calibration with this configuration, DCI (P3) color space coverage and accuracy were quite good as indicated in the chart below.
|DCI (P3) color space and saturation result - very good
Let There Be Light (And Lots of It)!
The primary advantage that the JS9500 has over its SUHD siblings is its full array local dimming backlight system. Local Dimming enables enhanced contrast through increased light output and the ability to dynamically reduce brightness in darker portions of the video picture when content requires it. Displaying a 2% white window, the TV produced about 790 nits in its brightest picture configuration. Increasing the window size to 18% reduced the output slightly to 697 nits. For comparison, a 2% window test with the 2014 Sony X950B produced a measurement that exceeded 910 nits, however, Sony's 2014 model year set won't receive an update to support HDR metadata and instead will produce an "HDR-like" viewing experience (unlike the JS9500's native HDR support).
Update (7/19): Samsung requested that we retest the peak light output of the JS9500 as they believed our results were lower than expected. After resetting the TV and configuring it for HDR viewing at maximum brightness, we did in fact record an increased peak output of about 930 nits when measuring a 2% window at 100% white. However, subsequent measurements after the TV had been operating for 10-15 minutes measured about 5% less and continued to slowly decrease over time. Larger window sizes like 18% remained at a consistent brightness over time. We've reported our findings to Samsung and await a response.
Video Processing
Samsung TVs are the gold standard for consistent and effective video processing. Picture detail is enhanced while potentially distracting image artifacts are minimized. The JS9500 aced the classic 1080i HQV benchmark disc compared to the Sony X900B and X950B TVs which left jagged edge artifacts in the diagonal filter tests.
Samsung's better TVs, including the SUHD models, feature independent controls for enhancing the motion resolution of content captured at 24 and 30/60 frames per second. These independent controls make it easy to avoid the unnatural smoothing of video motion with movies and prime time TV shows (24 fps), a.k.a. "soap opera effect," while enhancing the clarity of higher frame rate content like sports programming.
|Separate blur and judder controls - no soap opera effect.
The classic FPD Blu-ray benchmark disc proved the JS9500 was able to resolve all 1080 lines of detail compared to the 300-350 lines for all other LCDs that lack motion resolution enhancement or have the feature disabled. I noted a slight hiccup at the 900-line mark in this test that vanished completely when LED Clear Motion (backlight blinking) was enabled. LED Clear Motion's primary benefit is improved motion resolution with all video content without altering the look of the presentation, but the downside is a reduction in overall brightness and an increase in flicker that some (including myself) may find visually unacceptable.
Gamers will appreciate the JS9500's appropriately named Game Mode setting that reduced video lag from 137ms with the calibrated Movie picture mode preset enabled to an impressively brief 24.7ms - less than two video frames of delay with 60Hz input.
Disabling the JS9500's local dimming feature (Smart LED) revealed significant uniformity anomalies when displaying full frame gray test patterns. Dark gray frames were especially heinous with glowing multi-hued cloudy spots throughout the picture. Bright white patterns exhibited similar uniformity issues although less drastic in appearance. That said, it's unlikely that JS9500 owners will disable this key feature since it's responsible for much of the TV's picture performance. And, it was impressive to see how the TV's active local dimming system and per-pixel video optimizations improved overall uniformity while local dimming was engaged.
Viewing exams
The Samsung JS9500's local dimming system produces twice as much light as a regular LCD television, and more peak luminance detail than the other SUHD TVs. Add to this an effective anti-reflective screen surface that further enhances contrast, and the JS9500 produces one of the most eye-pleasing visual experiences I've had to date. The viewing of quality Blu-ray and UHD video sources exhibited depth and detail that rival any display system I've seen. However, the JS9500 is an LCD at heart and off-axis viewing was its weakness. Seated front and center, the JS9500 is an unrivaled display system, but shifting one seat left or right sacrificed contrast and color saturation that was especially noticeable in a dark room viewing environment. Although less noticeable in normal-to-bright room viewing scenarios, off-axis dark room viewing was tainted by halos around bright objects on dark backgrounds and slightly desaturated skin tones.
|4K UHD video playback - superb color saturation
|4K UHD video playback - superb contrast.
The Blu-ray presentation of "Samsara" is a visual feast of a world tour that was exquisitely produced from 8K scans of 70mm film stock. Side-by-side comparisons with a calibrated Sony X950B showed the JS9500 maintained better black levels in letterboxed bars but the Sony did a slightly better job of revealing the darkest details. The presentation's many sky and desert panning shots revealed no signs of dirty screen effect (DSE), and the 9500's terrific grayscale performance resulted in fantastic natural detail - detailed skin tones in the prison exercise yard scene were a highlight.
3D is supported by the JS9500 and the set comes with one pair of SSG-5150GB active RF 3D glasses. Additional sets of glasses are available on Amazon for under $20/pair, if you're into that sort of thing.
UPDATE (7/19): We dug into the 3D a bit, and classics like "Hugo" and the PlayStation game "Super Stardust HD" exhibited convincing 3D effects. The frequent closeups of "Hugo" revealed some crosstalk with bright or dark outlines around his face, but scenes with natural colored objects like wood grain, flowers, and baked goods appeared detailed and artifact free. Gaming with "Stardust" in its 3D mode was enjoyable as explosions leapt from the screen and the fine-lined grid surrounding the planetary playfield was crosstalk-free. I prefer the additional brightness of passive 3D technology as well as the awesome clip-on glasses that are available, but the JS9500's lightweight glasses fit well over my prescription specs and the TV has plenty of light output for a convincing 3D presentation.
While purists will likely disable the TV's de-judder enhancement altogether, I found that increasing it to 1 or 2 (out of 10) slightly tamed the related artifacts without rendering the video unnaturally smooth. Turning the setting up to 6 or 7 drastically improved motion resolution of 24p content but at the expense of faithful reproduction.
Viewing "The Dark Knight" in a dimly lit setting allowed the JS9500's precise white balance calibration to shine compared to the more limiting 2-point setup provided by the Sony X950B. Front and center, the movie's many dark details were inky and the wide variety of skin tones were pleasingly natural. However, Bruce Wayne's fair skin highlighted the SUHD's viewing angle limitations especially compared to OLED televisions like the LG EC9300. The Sony X950B also exhibited off-axis desaturation but at wider viewing angles compared to the SUHD
UHD viewing
4K UHD content is still fairly hard to come by, HDR-encoded and wide color gamut-enabled content even more so. Samsung provided a couple of UHD trailers with HDR encoding with an expanded color palette and this content highlighted how much better home video can look compared to the current HD standard. Richer, deeper reds and greens combined with impactful peak bright details add much more to the viewing experience than increased resolution alone. Even when streaming today's non-HDR/non-expanded color UHD video from the likes of Amazon, Netflix, Ultraflix, and others, the JS9500's ability to deliver epic contrast in bright and dark room conditions hints at what is to come later this year as streaming services incorporate HDR-authored and encoded offerings.
While we were completing this review, Amazon updated its video streaming app on Samsung SUHD TVs to support the delivery of HDR-enhanced content, and the initial selection includes the first season of "Mozart in the Jungle" and the pilot episode of "Red Oaks." Examining episodes before and after the HDR update, the JS9500's astounding peak brightness while preserving dark details made for an impressive presentation. Sunlight scenes appeared more realistic with intense highlights. A single lamp illuminating a windowless room was almost too bright to gaze at directly. Glinting highlights on polished instruments made for a pleasing and subtle improvement. Amazon's currently limited HDR offerings on the JS9500 rank among the most visually impressive experiences I've had with LCD technology and I look forward to seeing the selection grow.
|High Dynamic Range sample clip from "Life of Pi."
|YouTube in 4K Ultra HD.
- Full array local dimming (brightness and contrast)
- Future proofing: HDR + DCI color capabilities; separate input/output box
- Style: curved screen, brushed metal accents
- Updated interface that's better suited for UHD resolution
- Built-in PlayStation Now for online gaming (requires Dual Shock 4 controller)
- Poor off-axis viewing
- Incomplete app experience
- Tizen's OS immaturity compared to other platforms
- Remote's lacks tactile feedback
- Potential One Connect cable length limitations
Final Thoughts
The Samsung JS9500 delivered an impressively dynamic viewing experience under a wide range of viewing conditions - viewing angles notwithstanding. Its performance with today's HD content is as good as I've seen from any manufacturer's LCD television, and its reproduction of HDR-enabled 4K Ultra HD content was truly stunning. I expect the SUHD series to improve even further as new software updates are released, minor bugs squashed, and promised features added. The JS9500's forward-looking display technology doesn't come cheap as my 65-inch tester is about $5,000 online and jumps to $20,000 for the drool-worthy 88-inch version. However, this investment gives the distinct impression that it's in a rare class of 2015 TVs that stand ready to fully support all aspects of the UHD format.
Model Details:
- Model Reviewed: Samsung UN65JS9500 (UN65JS9500FXZA)
- Size: 65 inches (diagonal)
- Also Available in 78-inch and 88-inch screen sizes
- Price (MAP): $4,999 (65-inch); $9,999 (78-inch); $19,999 (88-inch)
- Samsung JS9500 product page
Note: this review was updated on July 19, 2015 with more details on 3D viewing, PlayStation Now and a revised max brightness measurement (with higher peak brightness readings on initial testing but fading peak brightness over extended viewing periods).
Where to Buy:


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Make your house feel like home, the moment you pull into the driveway. Lightning Pressure Washing brings curb appeal to your property through our soft washing solution for your house washing needs.
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Over time, all kinds of debris can build up on the exterior of your home. From dirt, dust, and salt to moss, mold and other types of grime, it's no wonder your house might start to look dirty after a few years. If you want it to look new again with little effort on your part, …
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Derek Thompson
Derek Thompson is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where he writes about economics, technology, and the media. He is the author of Hit Makers and the host of the podcast Crazy/Genius.
Think cars are over in America? We do.
The Atlantic has called "peak car"—not once but twice. We have repeatedly explained why young Americans "don't care about owning" a vehicle. We predicted a long-term decline of auto sales, and, in a dramatic moment, essentially announced "the end of car ownership," generally.
We had strong data. Perhaps we had strong biases, too.
I live in New York City. At various points in my life, I lived in Washington, D.C., too. And these two cities, the twin nodes of the I-95 mainstream-media corridor, happen to be the two metros with the highest share of non-car households in America, according to the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute. Here are the non-car household rates in 30 large U.S. cities (the national average is in RED):
What do NYC, DC, Boston, and Philadelphia have in common? For one, they're crowded cities with good (okay, decent) public transit. "The five cities with the highest proportions of households without a vehicle were all among the top five cities in a recent ranking of the quality of public transportation," Michael Sivak, director of Sustainable Worldwide Transportation at Michigan, told WSJ.
But that wasn't the first thing this graph reminds me of. When I see New York, D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, the first thing I think is: These are all the classic, even cliche, magnets for elite college graduates.
So I compared the cities' non-car ownership rates to their share of bachelor's-degree holders. And it turns out there is a statistically significant relationship between being college-dense and car-light. Scroll over the points to show the city data.
What's this graph's story? Does spurning cars make you more likely to graduate from college? That would be pretty weird. Do college graduates particularly hate cars? Increasingly. There's evidence that Millennials are turning away from car ownership and swapping their auto loans for student debt. But I think what we're looking at here is an underlying variable of city density. Highly productive cities that are magnets for talented (and rich) people tend to be crowded with twenty-somethings trying to start their careers. Small crowded cities get clogged, and clogged cities require the kind of effective public transportation that makes cars an expensive nice-to-have rather than a have-to-have.
This post originally appeared on The Atlantic.
A new study finds evidence that Jane Jacobs was right about the dynamic and innovative qualities spurred by living in dense, urban neighborhoods.
Livability indexes can obscure the experiences of non-white people. CityLab analyzed the outcomes just for black women, for a different kind of ranking.
A different kind of wealth distribution in 17th-century Amsterdam paved the way for its quintessential home design.
A new Brookings study documents the growing economic divergence of America's superstar cities from smaller urban and rural areas.
A handy reference for navigating an emerging industry.


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Air Conditioner Service Available in Riverside
In the middle of the summer heat in Riverside, Texas is no time to discover that your air conditioner is not working properly. The climate in the Riverside area is very humid and the temperatures can reach up into the high 90s or above during the summer months, making it very uncomfortable to stay outside. In order to assure that your air conditioner is working when you need it, you should contact a local HVAC service company like WA Air Conditioning to inspect your system and verify that it is working properly.
Having regular air conditioner service in Riverside is the best way to guarantee that your system will be operating when the summer temperatures start rising. A regular system of routine maintenance will also help to keep your HVAC unit running longer, preventing you from having to pay out a lot of money to replace it when you least expect it. Routine air conditioner service will also benefit you in a number of other ways, most of all by saving you money on your energy bill and in parts and labor.
When your air conditioning is operating efficiently, it uses less energy to cool down your home, thereby saving you money on your energy bill. An air conditioning system that has been ignored or has infrequent maintenance will not only cost more to operate, but it will wear out much faster. With a regular system of maintenance the air conditioner will keep running, even when it is uncomfortable outside, making your home the place to relax and cool off for a while.
Regular air conditioner service will benefit your health as well. When the system goes unchecked for a while, bacteria and other contaminants can build up in the system and get dispersed through the air in your home. You end up breathing in these contaminants which can affect your health in a number of ways, including asthma, bronchitis, sinus problems, respiratory infections and a number of other health related problems.
Not only will regular air conditioner service create a healthy environment in your home, but it will also give you priority status with your HVAC service company in the event your system does break down in the middle of a heat wave. Air conditioner service in Riverside is in high demand when the temperatures rise, due to the number of air conditioner units that start breaking down, putting an increase in customer service calls on your HVAC service company. Since you are a customer, they are going to give you priority service and take care of your system before non-customers. This keeps you from having to sweat it out until they can get to you.
WA Air Conditioning has been serving the residents of Riverside and the surrounding area for more than 20 years. We have built a reputation as a dependable company that you can rely on for quick and professional service. When you need air conditioner service or assistance with your homes HVAC system, give us a call. You can contact us at: (/contact).
Tags: Blogs
August 31, 2012 11:42 pm


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1 cup California Giant blackberries
1 cup almond butter
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1 egg
2 tbsp butter or ghee, melted
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Whisk together blackberries, almond butter, maple syrup, egg, butter or ghee, and vanilla. Slowly stir in the cocoa powder and baking soda.
2. Pour the batter into an 8x8 inch baking dish. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes (depending on your oven), until the brownie is set.
3. Enjoy without the guilt!
©2020 California Giant Berry Farms. All rights reserved.
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