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With its vast user base and visual-centric platform, Instagram is a goldmine for businesses. However, for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), financial constraints can pose challenges in harnessing its full potential.
Profile Optimization
Your profile is your business card on Instagram, hence ensure that it is optimized. A compelling bio with a clear Call to Action (CTA) can drive traffic or conversions. Pair that with a relevant and memorable profile picture that represents the essence of your brand. Additionally, switching to a business account not only appears professional but also provides valuable insights and features.
Content Creation on a Budget
A misconception has been rooted in the minds of many: that creating impactful and high-quality content requires a deep pocket. But the reality is, quality doesn't have to equate with high expenditure.
DIY photography tips for quality visuals
One of the most significant game-changers in content creation has been the rapid advancement of smartphone technology. Gone are the days when professional cameras were the sole gatekeepers of good photography. Modern smartphones come equipped with cameras that offer high resolution, multiple lenses, and features that rival traditional cameras. This means that businesses, especially those on a budget, can leverage DIY photography. With the right composition, lighting, and a bit of creativity, these devices can produce photos that are not just passable, but excellent.
Using free or affordable editing tools and apps
Capturing a good photo is just half the battle. The post-production process plays a critical role in enhancing the quality of the image. Here's where tools like Canva and Snapseed come into play. Canva, a graphic design platform, offers a plethora of templates, design elements, and editing tools that can transform a simple image into a compelling piece of content. Snapseed, on the other hand, is a photo-editing app that provides a suite of professional-level adjustments and filters, enabling even novices to refine their photos with precision.
Repurposing content across different mediums
Beyond photography, one should not ignore the wealth of content they already have. Repurposing content is both an economical and efficient strategy. A well-researched blog post, for example, contains data and information that can be translated visually. By converting this into an infographic, you cater to a different segment of your audience who might prefer visual data over textual information. This not only breathes new life into existing content but also expands its reach to platforms and audiences that prioritize visual content.
The Power of Authentic Interactions
Engagement is the lifeblood of social platforms, and when it comes to organic content on platforms like Instagram, the rules of the game are simple yet profound. Let's break down the nuances of these engagement strategies.
Consistent posting schedules
At the heart of organic content engagement lies the principle of consistency. Imagine your favorite television show; if it aired sporadically without a set schedule, you'd likely lose interest or forget about it. Similarly, maintaining a regular posting schedule on social media acts as a gentle reminder to your audience that you're active and invested in providing them with valuable content. It's not just about frequent posting, but the predictability and reliability that fosters a sense of anticipation among followers. This consistency nurtures a steady relationship between brand and audience, leading to organic growth of followers who appreciate and resonate with your content.
Utilizing interactive content
Yet, simply posting content isn't the pinnacle of engagement. True engagement occurs when there's a two-way interaction. Enter interactive content like polls or Q&As. These aren't just posts; they're invitations for dialogue. A poll can be a powerful tool to gauge audience opinions or preferences. Q&As, on the other hand, provide a platform for direct conversation, allowing audiences to voice queries, concerns, or share experiences. Such interactions not only enhance audience involvement but also offer businesses valuable insights into their consumers' minds.
Leveraging user-generated content for authenticity and cost savings
Another goldmine of engagement is user-generated content (UGC). When a customer tags a brand in a photo using its product or pens a testimonial, they're not just engaging with the brand; they're creating content for it. This does two pivotal things. First, it alleviates some of the pressures of content creation for the brand, potentially saving resources. Second, and more importantly, UGC acts as a trust-building tool. When potential consumers see real people using a product or service and vouching for its merits, it carries an authenticity that polished brand advertisements might lack. Essentially, it's word-of-mouth for the digital age, harnessing the community's voice to bolster brand credibility.
Instagram's Hashtag Phenomenon: Strategies and Pitfalls
Hashtags are Instagram's search engine. Researching relevant and trending hashtags ensures your posts reach a broader audience. Establishing a unique brand hashtag can create a community around your brand. However, avoid overstuffing posts with hashtags, as it might appear spammy.
Community Engagement
Active engagement can catapult organic growth. By commenting on related posts or accounts, you boost your visibility. Holding genuine conversations, rather than only pushing promotions, fosters trust. Organizing low-budget challenges or campaigns can also bolster community involvement.
Collaborative Efforts
Collaboration can be a cost-effective promotional strategy. Partner with micro-influencers who align with your brand for affordable shout-outs. Consider bartering services or products in exchange for features. Additionally, participating in local events or partnerships can increase local brand awareness.
Taking Advantage of Stories
Instagram Stories, with its 24-hour lifespan, offers a chance for real-time engagement. Showcasing behind-the-scenes content humanizes your brand. Promote time-sensitive offers or flash sales to prompt quick action. Convert snippets from blog posts or other content into engaging story narratives to keep your audience hooked.
Contests and Giveaways
Who doesn't love freebies? Organize contests that offer value to participants but don't drain your wallet. Partner with complementary businesses for joint giveaways, doubling the exposure without doubling the cost. Such contests also encourage user-generated content, further boosting engagement.
Planning Ahead
Forecasting is crucial. Draft a content calendar to streamline posts and ensure consistency. While organic growth is the aim, setting aside a modest budget for promoted posts can occasionally amplify reach. Stay updated with Instagram's evolving features and algorithms to remain ahead of the curve.
Wrapping Up
The golden takeaway for SMBs is this: a tight budget isn't a constraint; it's an opportunity. Instead of vying for fleeting attention with short-term, high-spending campaigns, SMBs have the unique advantage of focusing on long-term community building. It's a slow burn, but it yields rich dividends. By consistently delivering value, nurturing relationships, and placing the community at the forefront, SMBs can carve a niche for themselves in the Instagram marketplace. This space might not always be the most glamorous or loudest, but it will undoubtedly be the most genuine and enduring. For SMBs, this isn't just a strategy; it's the blueprint for sustainable success.
Meet the Author
Matteo Light has exceptional skills in writing, photography, videography, and social media management, working for various organizations and clients over the years. His portfolio includes blog posts, articles, social media content, and videos that have reached and resonated with audiences worldwide.


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All that is left for you to do is go and grab your virtual reality headset and immerse yourself in this specially created virtual world and enjoy this chance of a lifetime where you are about to fuck Aria Lee and Vina Sky.
(are you aware that it is actually ridiculously easy and cheap getting started with VR porn. All you need is a smartphone combined with a cheap VR headset adapter such as a Google Cardboard costing as little as $10.)

subset: commoncrawl


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Jim Hershberg is Professor of History and International Affairs at The George Washington University. He has been associated with the National Security Archive since Summer 1987 when he contributed to the Archive's coverage of the Iran-Contra hearings, including its 2,000+ page chronology of the affair. An expert on the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, and other major Cold War topics, he has been a key participant in several Archive projects and conferences over the years. Before joining the GWU faculty in 1997, he was Founding Director of the Cold War International History Project at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and Editor of the CWIHP Bulletin. He continues to edit CWIHP's book series co-published by the Stanford University and Wilson Center Presses. His first book, James B. Conant: Harvard to Hiroshima and the Making of the Nuclear Age (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1993; Stanford University Press, 1995), received the 1994 Stuart Bernath Prize from the Society for Historians of American Foreign Policy. His latest book, Marigold: The Lost Chance for Peace in Vietnam (Palo Alto/Washington: Stanford University Press/Wilson Center Press, 2012) was singled out by The Washington Post Book World as one of the standout books of the year. His current book project examines Brazil, Cuba, and the Cold War and Revolution in Latin America. He received an A.B. in American History from Harvard College in 1982; a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University in 1985; and a Ph.D. from Tufts University in 1989. He taught at Tufts and the California Institute of Technology in 1989-91.
Dr. James G. Hershberg
History of the Cold War and nuclear arms race, especially the Vietnam War and Cuban Missile Crisis


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Input your full address to see closer, more relevant results.
simbi "" are internal tokens (with no value in dollars) that allow members to receive credit for help they provide to non-profits or individual Simbi members, without having to exchange talents directly.
You get 10 for joining, and can earn more by providing your service.
Teach you some helpful tips on maintaining a clean environment. Show you how to make your own inexpensive natural cleaning products.
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i500 TWS AirPod Clone Earbuds – REVIEW 2022
True Wireless Earbuds are getting better and better with each passing day. Today we have one of the best quality TWS replicas up for a review, it's the i500 TWS AirPods Clone Earbuds. These earbuds are extremely cheap and you can get one for around the same price of a burger.
You're thinking okay, Apple earpods for the price of a burger? That seems interesting.
Well the thing is that they're not actually Apple AirPods; they look the same, they function the same; they even actually sound pretty darn nice.
So what makes the i500 TWS Apple AirPods clone so special? Let's check it out!
What you need to know?
i500 TWS AirPod Clone Earbuds – REVIEW
The Air i500 TWS pop-up wireless earbuds are basically a Chinese knockoff of the Apple AirPods. Now, they've put a ton of engineering into trying to duplicate every single function of this and it's really fascinating to see how well they've done and you will be startled.
I kid you not, shocked and startled at how inexpensive they are these are a tiny fraction of the cost of Apple earpods but are they as good and is this something we should be endorsing because obviously Apple spends billions of dollars on research to create great products and when other companies use their technology without licensing it, this is not necessarily good for the overall ecosystem.
In fact, I've spent years ignoring these sort of products because I've really wanted to see innovation not duplication. But, finally I knuckled under and I said you know what let's give these a check out.
Inside the Box
Let me show you what's in the box. The version that I got literally just has a charging cable – lightning cable. There are other versions of this that seem to come with extra case.
It comes with ear tips and all sorts of different stuff so I'm not really clear. My guess is that the factories that actually make the pods for Apple also sort of moonlight by making these other ones and so there's different packaging variations but you know this is so close to the real thing from Apple.
But, you could probably sucker someone into thinking these are actual AirPods and really rip them off.
The design itself obviously is pretty much an exact duplicate of what you'd get from Apple even down to the lightning connector and a lightning cable. Which means that the lightning cable also undoubtedly is an unlicensed little tiny chip in the lightning connector to make it work too.
Oh my gosh! You know as long as you're willing to play a little fast and loose with that intellectual property, this is what you can get out of the deal.
Honestly they'd never even know so okay now in the box like I said this one's disappointingly slim but there's other versions that seem to have a lot more stuff in them. You still have that fundamental design of the air pods where they just fit in there; one size fits all and if that's not the right size for your ear.
Oh well, that's the way it is that's sort of an inherent limitation with the design but having said that let me just say these sound really good I was actually really impressed and not only did they sound really good but they actually have a really nice set of functionality and they sound good for phone calls.
Function and Use
So, ultimately now that you know what's in the box and the design of these earbuds, let's take a look at the function and use of these AirPods clone earbuds.
The i500 TWS have in-ear sensors so when you take them out they pair and when I put them in my ear they're ready to roll. They even have in-ear sensors so if I take it out of my ear it will pause you can listen to them separately or together.
They even use a clone of the H1 chip which is the fast pairing chip that supports Bluetooth 5.0 not only that but when you are busy, you can just say 'Hey Siri' and your earbuds will give that data to the phone and you'll be able to use that too, amazing!
These TWS support independent earbud use, this means that I can just put one in so if I'm gonna make phone call or something I can just have one ear in and that works perfectly fine and that guy said they'd Auto pair and auto disconnect as well.
Your iPhone will actually believe that these are actual Apple AirPods, so you will be able to view battery charge per bud and even provides me all the animation really the phone has no idea these aren't the real things which honestly is reverse engineering.
I asked the company how are you getting the iPhone to think this is our actual proper and legal act Apple earpods and they said well, we duplicate all the functionality and this is like hmm, do you pay for the license for that technology and the answer is they don't really do that so there's sort of a moral and ethical question here too as to whether or not you want to acquire these.
I thought I'd still be interesting to actually check them out so they support here's one of the other cool things especially given the price they support wireless charging so this is the fantastic Otter Box otter pads so this is a wireless Qi charging plate and if I put these on here it will actually start charging the air bots air pups and fantastic right.
Sound Quality
You know are they as good as the Apple earpods probably not. I think the air pods have better sound and better voice but these particularly given the price are entirely reasonable alternatives especially for like kids who are likely to lose them or something right so no latency I tried watching some TV watching some YouTube and stuff everything's perfectly fine.
The phone calls sounded decent but the music actually sounds good. There's a crisp precision to the sound on these that surprised me again given the price first I you know I thought these were about 50 bucks and I'm like ,pretty darn good price for something that's sort of ripoff of a $200 product but then I found these like I said for way less than that at which point you realize that having them sound other than horrible is amazing and they actually sound really good.
There's a lot of inherent problems with having one-size-fits-all earbuds but for that, they still actually do a nice job of music reproduction and because they're working off a Bluetooth 5.0, they give you a lot of range and they're consistently paired.
I never had a problem where one ear was working in the other ear wasn't; that's super annoying. Bluetooth five really fixes that and I was walking probably 15 to 20 feet away from my phone and they were still working just fine and streaming music without any issues at all so props to them; good sound, amazing duplication of functionality and the packaging.
Now, before I tell you the price and we talked about that a little bit let me just ask if you can subscribe to my channel. I hope this video clearly demonstrates I'm really honest and candid. I will tell you the pros and the cons and I look at a lot of different products and in fact, you know I've been using my iPhone 10s by the time I get to my next video on the channel. It will be an iPhone 11 Pro so I keep up and that means you can keep up too so subscribe click that button really appreciate that and leave me a comment.
So as a price comparison the real honest-to-god second generation, Apple AirPods with wireless Qi charging are a 199.00 bucks, that is way more expensive than these are.
If you're buying these sort of things on Craigslist, be super careful, because you could buy this for, and I'll just tell you upfront , $11.99. $11 actually, no $11.50 right you can buy these for 11 bucks and then sell them to someone for 99 bucks is a half off the price of wireless charging air pods.
Are the i500 TWS waterproof?
Based on tests conducted, the i500 TWS AirPods clone are not waterproof but are water resistant. The charging case however is completely waterproof and can be submerged in water up to 30 meters without getting damaged.
How Do I use my i500 TWS?
These earbuds are simple to configure and use. You will have to press and hold the button on the back of the charging case till the iPhone reads the device. Tap on Pair on your iPhone and voila, your AirPods clone are ready to use.
How Do I charge my i500 TWS?
In order to charge your i500 TWS Bluetooth earphones you will have to place the earpods in the charging case and they will automatically start charging. Normally, it takes about an hour to charge both the earbuds. The charging case is wireless so it can be placed on a wireless Qi charging plate so you can recharge the case.
Will you be willing to consider buying a cheap knockoff knowing that there's no license fees that have been paid to the original designer and inventor of all of this technology, Apple?
Or, do you feel like Apples so overpriced that anything you can do to get Apple technology that doesn't require you having to get a loan that the bank is a good deal so let me know.
Tell me either way.
I mean, if someone came to me and said hey I got these air pod knockoffs for 15 bucks, I'd be like, nope, not interested but you know what they're not bad at all so really I feel like your decision to acquire these might be more of an ethical question than it is a financial question which is kind of unusual in the world of Apple products because pretty much when you buy stuff from Apple it's a financial question right?
Also Read:
Tyrone Young is an award-winning author, researcher and the founder of TheMiniBlog. He has been a content marketer for over 10 years and his main goal is to provide readers with quick hacks, guides and reviews on everything Mini. Based out of the UK, Tyrone likes to take long walks on the beach and take care of his two puppies when he's not busy writing.


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Amazing opportunity to own this 3 bedroom, 3 bath, Den PLUS Flex space home in the award winning, guard gated Blackstone Country Club! Great room floor plan with picture windows and oversized slider create an open and inviting feel. Fantastic kitchen includes large seating island, two-tone cabinetry, granite countertops stainless steel appliances, gas cooktop, tile backsplash, pantry and the perfect area for a dining table overlooking the back yard. Split master with ensuite bath featuring a striking step in shower with tile surround, gorgeous cabinetry and large walk in closet. Amazing den and Flex space along with 2 additional bedrooms and 2 baths complete the interior of this well appointed home. Situated on a Cul-De-Sac street, this home features a court yard entry, backs a common area, has a meticulously cared for backyard with swimming pool and artificial turf and has an amazing 3 car tandem garage. Make your appointment today to visit this lovely home!
Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Professionals. Selling Office: Hague Partners.
All information should be verified by the recipient and none is guaranteed as accurate by ARMLS. Copyright 2024 Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. All rights reserved.


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Michelle Yeoh Opens Up About Her Religious Beliefs, Feeling Underestimated & Going on Dates
Michelle Yeoh is opening up about her religious beliefs, as well as the reaction she had to the script of Everything Everywhere All at Once, and her dating life.
The 60-year-old Everything Everywhere All at Once star appears on the cover of W Magazine's first issue of 2023, Volume 1, Best Performances, set to hits stands on February 7.
The annual feature, curated by W's editor-at-large Lynn Hirschberg, highlights major actors, from industry legends to rising stars.
Find out what Michelle Yeoh had to say…
Continue Here »
#Michelle #Yeoh #Opens #Religious #Beliefs #Feeling #Underestimated #Dates


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This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
After long debate over whether to give the NSA Data Center a $6 million tax break on its electric bill, the Senate passed a bill Tuesday that keeps the authority to tax the center intact, but makes it unlikely the state will ever actually levy the tax.
The disagreement stemmed from a promise that was made by former Gov. Jon Huntsman to the National Security Agency that the state wouldn't tax the agency's energy consumption, forgoing about $6 million in revenues.
Sen. Jerry Stevenson, R-Layton, proposed formalizing that agreement and repealing the Military Installation Development Authority power to tax the NSA.
But that proposal met with resistance from senators who objected to giving a tax break to the massive spy center.
Senate President Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy, said the bill got tied up in "black helicopter" issues and Stevenson said it was bogged down by Edward Snowden and news of the NSA's spying tactics.
Sen. Deidre Henderson, R-Spanish Fork, amended Stevenson's SB4502, allowing MIDA to retain the taxing authority. Stevenson, however, said MIDA probably won't ever actually try to impose the tax on the NSA and, if it did, it would probably result in court fights.
Stevenson's bill passed the House 23-4 and goes to the House for consideration.
Meantime, Rep. Marc Roberts, R-Santaquin, released his bill Tuesday that prohibits political subdivisions from helping the NSA with its mission or assisting in any way with the NSA data-collection mission. Roberts said he also intends for the bill to prohibit state agencies from assisting in the data collection and to prevent universities from helping develop technology used in the surveillance.


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For beginners of web development, they are advised to stick as it is easy and popular. Few important steps need to be followed by the beginners to build a website. Few designers are using the platform of WordPress. WordPress is created since 2003. Now a day's WordPress website templates are getting attention from everywhere. WordPress means the site where you can download and install all software. We know how to use WordPress with godaddy.
To start a website using WordPress the important steps are given below:
Step 1: Select a proper and right platform for your website
Selecting a suitable platform for your website is a very important step before selecting the color and domain name of your site. There are so many procedures to make a website but the WordPress website templates in easier among all. Before the usage of WordPress, a website needs to be prepared with the help of HTML code, CSS code and even with the help of flash. But to make a website using those coding procedure took time and also was hard also. This type of website making procedure needs more skills. To avoid this kind of problem the platform of website building started using WordPress to create a website. WordPress is a user-friendly platform. Comparing to other website builders, WordPress is totally free of cost. For this WordPress website design, making is easy. WordPress helps to create websites of every size. We have good idea on how to use wordpress offline.
Step 2: Creating a domain host name
Selecting a proper domain name is also the very important part. A few perfect tips to create a perfect domain name such that,
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5. Must select unique WordPress domain name.
6. Use of hyphens is not necessary so must avoid this.
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WordPress Hosting is a vital key component to prepare a successful website. Various type of WordPress Hosting options are over there such that managed, Free, VPS, Shared and Dedicated. We can assist you to use WordPress theme as CMS.
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Installing WordPress on your computer is very important. First WordPress download is needed. Then download the XXAMP to run the WordPress website. After downloading XXAMP install it and run. Now open the window of XXAMP and start the Apache and MySQL. If it is properly running them go to the downloaded zip file of WordPress and extract inside the workspace folder in C drive. Now the installation process of WordPress is complete. We have a thorough understanding on how to use WordPress for website.
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To run the WordPress go to your browser and type 'localhost' in the address bar. Now create a database to start making the website. Maximum time beginners feel devastated when they need to select the proper theme for their website. There are so many options to select the theme from the WordPress themes. All themes are free of cost over there. We know how to use WordPress locally.
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There are so many WordPress plugins to moderate the websites. WordPress Plugins helps to create new options on the website. WordPress Plugins are necessary to run the WordPress Beginner website. We know how to use WordPress as backend.
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After completing the creation of your website you need to put this website in the search engines of Google and Bing. We know how to use WordPress as a database. This is very necessary part to get an Alexa rank worldwide. We can guide on how to use WordPress as intranet. Our designers know how to use WordPress as portfolio. We have sound knowledge on how to use a WordPress plugin.


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In the first weeks of Phyrexia: All Will Be One (ONE), we identified red and white as the best colors. Green, black, and blue followed, in approximately that order. The format was labeled one of the most aggressive of all time, and if you didn't have a play by turn two, you were probably losing. None of this has changed.
On a smaller level, however, things seem to be evolving. Last week's article on blue was a reaction to that. Once the color was labeled untouchable, we recognized we could cherry-pick its best cards. However, with less eyes on blue, Naya is getting crowded. In the early weeks of the format, we just wanted to be red and white. Toxic, oil, artifacts, whatever. Red decks got copies of Hexgold Slash and Chimney Rabble on the wheel. White decks had access to so many aggressive cards that toxic felt like just a bonus. Now, these colors are more contested. Which means Naya drafters (and most of the time, we should be Naya drafters) will have a tougher time.
Game Plan for Naya
The recipe for success in the early days of ONE was simple. Just be red and/or white. This deck wanted to be toxic enough to enable its corrupted synergies, but it didn't really have the means to win through toxic. This is an old-fashioned aggro deck.
7-1 RW Aggro
Despite the number of toxic creatures in this deck, and my affinity for Prosthetic Injector in the early stages of the format, this deck isn't really a Toxic deck. It was toxic enough to enable corrupted, but hardly had a chance at getting opponents to ten poison. More often than not, the Basilica Shepherds hit like the Phantom Monsters they are and attacked for lethal.
If we can still pile up strong red and white cards, we should. However, it's less likely that this option will be available to us now that the format has adapted to the disproportionate strength of Naya. If Naya decks are going to evolve, they need to maximize the synergies of the scripted archetypes.
Naya in the New World
In a world where we can't get expect to see pack after pack of powerful cards in red, white, and green, we need to get more out of the synergy cards. Goldwarden's Helm and Bladegraft Aspirant are cards I wasn't interested in during the early weeks of the format. Now we should look to pick them up if we're heading into the RW equipment deck.
7-1 RW For Mirrodin
Veil of Assimilation was a card that looked like a dud to me. The card is too reliant on synergies and didn't impact the board. In this deck, the card was a house.
If it looks like we're going to lean into an artifact subtheme, we can make those mediocre three drops better. While we should still snag a late Chimney Rabble or Hexgold Slash if we see it, the flow of red cards has slowed to a trickle. Don't be afraid to lean into those synergy cards early. Optimizing our presence in a specific archetype, specifically the red and white ones, should be a priority.
Big Oil vs. Oil Slick Aggro
RG Oil is probably still the best deck in the format when it comes together (RW Equipment and White Toxic are also in the discussion). However, the best RG Oil decks rely on premium cards up and down the curve.
We want some amount of one-drops, all of which are good to great. We want Axiom Engraver and Barbed Batterfist, some of the best two-drops in the format. At three, we're hoping for a Contagious Vorrac, but we're willing to settle. Then we top our curve with premium options at four and five. Furnace Strider, Lattice-Blade Mantis, Oil-Gorger Troll, and Chimney Rabble are all excellent.
That deck is basically a composite of the format's best commons. When we mix in the premium removal, and maybe the best uncommon in the set in Cinderslash Ravager, there's no question as to why this deck performed so well. Big Oil is a juggernaut, but is it sustainable?
As we react to restricted availability, we need to rely on synergy. Free from Flesh always felt like a bad Blazing Crescendo, but the most aggressive decks might prefer the one-mana trick. Using it precombat to boost a Kuldotha Cackler or to pre-pay for the Forgehammer Centurion trigger can accelerate the oil decks. While Big Oil is still better, Oil Slick is a potent off-ramp for many of the strong red cards, especially the multiple one-drops.
We're not seeing an endless string of powerful red cards these days. We need to know when our red decks should pivot into an even more aggressive build. This audible can salvage a mediocre RG pile and lead us into the kind of lean, aggressive deck that thrives in this format.
You Come to a Fork in the Road
White has three strong common two-drops. In a perfect world, we know what our deck is going to look like before we have to make this decision.
Clearly, Mandible Justiciar performs better in artifact decks, whereas Duelist of Deep Faith is an option for toxic decks. Incisor Glider is great if we can reliably corrupt our opponents, but early in the draft, this card is a distant third choice.
Mandible Justiciar has a slightly better GIH WR% and OH WR%. Every deck in this format wants to gain life. Still, between the two, we should prioritize the Duelist. Certainly, both cards have decks they'll be good in. But knowing the importance of premium two-drops in toxic decks makes this card a more valuable early pick. While we're willing to include both creatures in either deck, not having good toxic two-drops in an otherwise strong Toxic deck is a disaster.
While Mandible Justiciar might be a better card, I'm not sure that it is a more valuable one. The toxic decks need to get through that toxic damage early. The first few hits are the most important, and Duelist of Deep Faith is more than up to the task.
Better vs. More Valuable
By most metrics, Annex Sentry is the best uncommon in the set. It has synergies with toxic and artifacts, white's two overlapping themes. It's a Fiend Hunter in what's arguably the format's best color. And it boasts the highest GIH WR% and highest IWD% according to 17lands.
However, I'm not sure that it's the most valuable. Cinderslash Ravager has a strong claim to this throne, as does Bladehold War-Whip. Both are incredibly powerful cards that elevate their archetypes, but being gold comes with limitations.
In sports, they often award the MVP based on narratives and other unclear criteria. What constitutes value? And to whom must this card be valuable? With that being said, I'd like to debut an extremely unpopular opinion:
Bilious Skulldweller is the format's most valuable uncommon.
While we shouldn't take this card over Annex Sentry, it provides an unmatched opportunity for a strategy (admittedly a weak one) to exert its gameplan. Skulldweller allows Black Toxic to get their first poison damage in the early stages of the game. Unlike White Toxic, black decks rely on proliferate, and don't have the likes of Flensing Raptor, Crawling Chorus, or Duelist of Deep Faith to keep the pressure up. Black's next best applicant for this job is Pestilent Syphoner, which could be described as a necessary evil. In truth, the diminutive flyer is better classified as a liability.
Bilious Skulldweller unlocks an entire color in a way no other uncommon does. That is my reasoning for crowning this unassuming critter, despite its admittedly dubious 17lands stats.
Why "Valuable" Matters
Regardless of how you feel about Billious Skulldweller, as we look towards synergies, we should factor the value of a card over its raw power. This is not a new concept, but as this format matures, it becomes more important to view things through this lens. While last week we talked about cherry-picking blue, the Naya colors are ransacked by the middle of the pack. Therefore, as we select cards lower on our tier lists, we need to make sure we're creating a shell that can optimize our 20th-23rd inclusions.
As we're drafting, that means asking ourselves, "what does this deck do?" and "what does this card do for my deck?" These questions help us build more synergistic decks and prioritize how cards will support our overarching gameplan, especially as we find homes in contested colors. Yes, sometimes the draft will offer us untold riches and a clear path through two colors, but more often than not we're going to have to put forethought into our picks to end up in a strong position.
This is why we should take Duelist of Deep Faith over Mandible Justiciar early on. Conversely, we still shouldn't take Free from Flesh over Blazing Crescendo. While the one-mana trick might be better in some versions of the oil deck, it's unlikely to overpower the free card from Blazing Crescendo on average. Value and power might fluctuate in the eyes of a given drafter, but as our colors become more contested, small synergistic choices can mean the difference between flopping and trophying.


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Andi Mack: Season 1/ Episode 12 "Best Surprise Ever" [Season Finale] – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)
Andi Mack's season finale leaves us with a lot of hope for better things. Mostly when it comes to the various relationships in the series. The Breakup: Jonah, Andi, Amber, Cyrus In the show, we rarely have gotten to see Amber and Jonah just hang out without Andi being around. Much less see what life…
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Andi Mack's season finale leaves us with a lot of hope for better things. Mostly when it comes to the various relationships in the series.
The Breakup: Jonah, Andi, Amber, Cyrus
In the show, we rarely have gotten to see Amber and Jonah just hang out without Andi being around. Much less see what life is like for Jonah hanging around Amber's older friends. We get that with this episode. Leading us to see that Jonah finds their company kind of miserable. They don't respect Ultimate Frisbee, Amber isn't much for defending him, and this guy Kip (Colby James Strong), you almost think she is trying to win over.
Which is seemingly part of the reason Jonah dumps on. For on top of all that, there is Andi. Someone who has kind of frozen him out and it bothers him deeply. Even to the point of not wanting to play Frisbee. Something which troubles Cyrus for while Andi can pretty much deal with, and be happy, about a Jonah free life, Cyrus can't. After all, he has feelings for Jonah.
While Jonah breaking up with Amber is important, perhaps what matters most is Amber's interactions with Kip and Cyrus here. With Amber, a part of me strongly feels Kip is the guy she really wants. For I still mentally can't imagine a high school girl and a middle school boy together. Much less these two who don't seem compatible at all.
Not because it doesn't probably happen, but since there have been multiple signs that Jonah maybe just a placeholder. Take, for example, when Andi saw Amber with another guy. Also, how insecure Amber is and how she tossed her boyfriend under the bus for Kip. Amber isn't the type, based on my observations, that really pursues being liked by everyone. So her paying special attention to anyone means she likes or wants something from them.
Which, in the case of Jonah, I think she just wanted validation. A boyfriend for the sake of having one. Not someone who she truly likes, loves, respects, and supports.
As for Cyrus? The thing which matters here is something Amber said. She noted, after Jonah ran out of that group hangout Kip was involved in, that if Andi looked back, as she walked away, it was because she liked Jonah. Low and behold, Andi does look back. However, so does Cyrus.
Now, this can't be considered him becoming the official gay character. Yet, it is another sign that he could very well be. But I still fill uneasy about pinning that to Cyrus just because he is flamboyant and has some femme ways about him. For I just don't want to give into the idea that Cyrus is basically a walking stereotype.
The First Love: Buffy, Marty
With Marty getting new sneakers, there is nothing stopping his and Buffy's race now. Well, besides the question of what will happen after? It is acknowledged that they are both petty and sore losers. So while there is hope the loser would still talk to the winner, that isn't guaranteed. Much less that their relationship, even if at a platonic stage right now, would remain the same. So, it is mutually decided to not go through with the race. For whatever "this" is, for them, they don't want to ruin it with their competitive nature. Unless it is with back and forth quips.
This was so cute and so needed for Buffy. Especially because Buffy has pretty much been relegated to traditional Disney storylines. She was the supportive Black friend who pretty much was there to be funny. Which isn't to say she was written to be like a stuffed animal with a few pre-recorded lines. Buffy's personality and interest are firmly established. The real problem, to me, was that we never got past the surface with her.
Just comparing her to Cyrus, we didn't really hear or learn much about Buffy's family and home life. Outside of Marty, and the episode dealing with the school trying to impose a hair policy, she has mostly been forgettable. Yet through Marty, I hope, we may get some real and consistent development. If not the first teen relationship of the show. One which, I love, won't be all lovey dovey since neither character is like that.
I mean, just look at how they interact. Yes, there is some form of maturity, like when they realized the race would ruin everything. Yet, their banter, for some, I'm sure is #RelationshipGoals. But at the same time, it represents a real and not idealistic relationship. As opposed to Andi and Jonah, neither person was trying to change themselves for the other. In fact, there was a challenge to be a better version of themselves.
Let's take for example this whole race thing. Though the things we may most remember is Buffy showing off, and putting Marty's sneakers into the toilet, there is more to this. In a playful way, he pushed her to run faster than she has before. Yes, it was presented in a sort of cocky way, but Buffy is a Type A personality. A challenge is more intriguing than a compliment.
But even outside of competition, just him being willing to work with her on apologizing is something. Though I'd also be remiss to not add this to the decision to not race. Despite us not seeing them around each other much, it seems established they get one another. With them, you see a compatibility beyond the superficial. Something you don't often see in shows like this.
To me, chemistry isn't so much a focus as whether the love interest is cute or not. And while I may not be the type to believe kids are as impressionable as others may think[note]at least when it comes to extremes, like the 13 Reasons Why criticisms[/note], I do recognize representation matters. So as they draw blueprints of perhaps what a relationship their age should look like, they can see what is wrong thanks to Andi and Jonah, and what is right with Buffy and Marty.
The Girl Who You Let Get Away: Bex, Andi, Bowie
Bowie is back and it is thanks to the universe! How? Well, he kept finding pictures of Bex and that led him back to her. However, while Andi helps him craft a lovey-dovey night, there remains some issues. The main one being, Bowie is unpredictable. Which, in their teens, was fun and a likable trait. However, Bex is committed to being a mom now and giving Andi stability. So while Bowie's eccentricities remain appreciated, it is also acknowledged that it'll grow old and he'll leave once he realizes he no longer is entertaining.
But Bowie wants things to be different this time. Like Bex, he wants to now settle down, help raise Andi, and show he can be dependable. As for how? Well, the whole job and home thing isn't set yet. However, while shopping with Andi at a thrift store he does find a ring. Which, as you can imagine, seems like a sign from the universe to Bowie.
I still have a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of Bowie being a regular on this show. For while Cyrus and Buffy have played Disney styled comic reliefs, minus slapstick moments, Bowie is on another level. At times, you can tell his sort of bohemian mindset isn't utter BS. Yet, also there is this part of you that just wants him to go away. Like, I get you are supposed to be the fun one and help explain some things about Andi that neither she or we get, yet he doesn't seem like a long haul kind of guy.
Let's just consider his journey for example. For Bex, she has her relationship with her parents to be her non-Andi focused storyline. What will Bowie have? Just him trying to win over Bex as well as parent Andi? Maybe become a music teacher at her school? I don't know about you, but nothing about that excites me. Sort of like Uncle Shawn on Girl Meets World, Bowie is the type of character you are glad to see when he appears, but requires long absences for you to really appreciate him.
Season 2 begins October 27th at 8PM EST
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SOMEWHERE BETWEEN HOLLYWOOD THE city and Hollywood the dream, there is the limbo realm of Party Down, a comedy that ran on Starz from 2009-2010, and which was resurrected earlier this year. The show follows Adam Scott as Henry, a former actor who rejoins his old catering company, Party Down, only to be haunted by the beer commercial catchphrase that once bought him a BMW.1 But the same dream that has so betrayed Henry still propels his coworkers: the pretty boy striver (Ryan Hansen), the prickly screenwriter (Martin Starr), the cheery has-been (Jane Lynch), the cheerier stage mom (Megan Mullally), and the hustling comedian (Lizzy Caplan) with whom Henry shares some on-the-clock hanky-panky, one of the few things that seems to make his job, and life, borderline tolerable. Only Ron the team leader (a gleefully groveling Ken Marino) has aspirations outside The Industry. And Ron's dream is to run a soup restaurant.
In this world, catering trades the deadening sameness of cubicle life for a movable dysfunctional workplace, one that supplies an endless variety of humiliations. Over the course of twenty episodes, Party Down caters to boors, creeps, snobs, mobsters, hucksters, and psychopaths. Each character is harassed, cheated, and demeaned (sometimes by their own coworkers) because those are acceptable things in the world of the show, meaning the real world of labor in the 21st century. For everyone but Henry, the indignities are dues to be paid, tolls on the highway to fame, details to be inserted into a future backstory of rewarded hustle and meteoric success.
The new season arrives in an era of reboots, revivals, sequels, 'legacyquels,' and alternate universes, all of which happen in the Party Down world (Kyle lands a role in a Lost Boys reboot, only to discover he's playing a dad). There is a hilarious horror in seeing those same faces over all those pink bow ties, everyone older, heavier, exhausted. But the show is never uniformly brutal, and all the female characters have excelled. It's the guys who trudge forward into the post-Trump world: grind culture, covid, open fascism, the box-office triumph of superheroes. Henry's opioid problems don't look quite so funny in 2023. Roman's incel leanings look, somehow, even worse.
IN SEVERANCE, THE APPLE TV+ show that serves as an obvious companion piece to Party Down, Adam Scott plays Mark, an office drone of the immediate future. Mark's company, Lumon, has, with his consent, surgically split his perceptual chronologies, separating his consciousness between work life and personal life. His coworkers have each undergone this procedure, and their work personas know nothing of their real life beyond their own first name. Severancetakes 'don't talk to your coworkers about your paycheck' and extends it out to its logical conclusion: coworkers incapable of discussing anything outside the office. There are no customers to contend with, but also no HR rep to complain to. The only tree they ever see is in the wellness room.
Severance is more explicitly dystopian than Party Down.2 And yet Henry the caterer is just as trapped as Mark the office drone. When Henry attempts to escape to a different job, he gets offered a telemarketing gig paying $10 an hour ($14 an hour in today's money, less than California minimum wage and far, far below an actual living wage). Mark choses surgical sellout as a way to help him deal with his wife's death; we've seen Henry work multiple shifts with a broken heart. And where Party Down is clearly grounded in the world we all inhabit, Severance dabbles in a lot of maddeningly vague cult stuff (the 'break' in breakroom refers to broken spirits).3 I suppose the point is that there's not much difference between corporate office jargon and Scientology-style hive guidance. But why sever employees only to have them solve seemingly meaningless puzzles?
The "mysterious and important" work of Severance seems to rely on intuition, so maybe their jobs are at least AI-proof.4 But the world they inhabit isn't. Several times, the story turns on a video one of the characters is made to watch with no suspicion that it could be a deepfake. Party Down storylines won't fare any better. In S3:E2, Sackson, a hustling influencer, wants to film a surreptitious dance video for TikTok in a rich client's spacious bathroom. In the very near future, he wouldn't need the fancy bathroom; it could be recreated with a few voice prompts.5 The characters of Party Down occupy the front lines of job disruptions by AI. The foundation of Hollywood the Dream is marked for destruction. The battle for its future is being waged as I type this, on the WGA picket lines in L.A. and NYC.
IN ITS SCREWY AND stylish force, Severance sometimes reminds me of 1967's The Prisoner. In that show, a British secret agent—the natty, steely Patrick McGoohan—found himself imprisoned in a village full of weirdos (a giant bouncy ball keeps him from escaping; it's scarier than it sounds). McGoohan had already made a name for himself in a previous TV show, Danger Man, playing a nearly identical secret agent. Unconfirmed fan theories made the two characters one and the same.
What if Adam Scott pulled a Patrick McGoohan? Mark Scout and Henry Pollard were both history teachers. And you get the feeling that under all of Mark's grief and unease, he could be the same wry guy who once introduced himself to his pretty new coworker (as Henry once did) as 'Scrotum Phillips.' What if they actually were the same person? The Lumon gig certainly doesn't seem to pay anything commensurate with its demands. Maybe Mark / Henry has to moonlight as a caterer because his mysterious corporate gig simply doesn't pay enough to cover his expenses. Sure, a few details would need to be rearranged, some locales altered. AI will make quick work of that.
Henry peaked long before Party Down starts. In the original series, his car was more battered, the last trophy of a lost acting career. In the original pilot script, we first meet him in this car, trapped in traffic. When an Emergency Broadcast test plays on the radio, Henry stares into space, then turns the volume up. This scene always defined his character for me, even though I've only read it, not watched it. Soon, with AI, I'll have the option of inserting that scene into the old show.
Severance has a baffling punk concert scene. It reads like a throwback to the tone-deaf punk scenes of eighties film and TV, and reminded me of Elvira DeBoliac's AI imagery of a CBGB that never was. This kind of stuff will only get weirder and weirder.
"Breakroom sucks" echoes a joke from Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell, the ultimate workplace horror series and a closer comparison to Severance than Party Down. Your Pretty Face is set in the bowels of a literal Christian hell—another open-plan workplace with no exit—and their breakroom is a man-sized shredder.
The technology in Severance is (mostly) retro in a way I suspect we'll see more and more often. It's too hard to predict future tech at this point. Things change too quickly now. Better to go with the cool tech styles of yesteryear. Even the intro (silky, squishy CGI by the masterful Oliver Latta) looks slightly dated, cutting edge for mid-Trump era; old-fashioned by Biden times. This striking animation comes with its own corporate meta-punch line: a box asking, for a full ten seconds, if the viewer wants to SKIP INTRO.
This came true while I was writing this piece. Luma AI now sells an app that allows anyone with a smart phone to create their own fully immersive 3D scans (Neural Radiance Field—NeRF—is the term for this, one you'll be hearing more of). Two episodes further on, Sackson livestreams his own drug trip, something that can now be automated. Heygen.com allows users to deepfake their own likeness and voice. This avatar can be "stacked" with syllabi.io which creates unlimited scripts. Influencers of the future will be able to fully automate their social media. What will that even look like?


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On 1st September, the scope of Italy's Green pass will extend to include other elements of transport and education. The Head Teachers Union says the school system is still not ready for the new rules.
From 1st September, the Green Pass will be required to board:
- aeroplanes serving domestic and international destinations
- interregional ships and ferries (except for the Strait of Messina ferry services)
- Intercity and High Speed trains
- long-distance buses passing through more than two regions
- charter buses
However, the pass will not be mandatory for buses, trams and subways on local public transport networks, or for regional trains.
Italian school system "all at sea" regarding Green Pass
In addition, the Green Pass will become mandatory for all teachers and staff at schools, and students and staff at universities.
According to the head of the national association of head teachers, the Italian school system is still "all at sea" over enforcing Green Pass vaccine passports by students. Mario Rusconi, told ANSA schools were "all at sea over the green pass. He said schools will have to start at midday if teachers have to check all their students' vaccine passports".
For the last year, schools have, in the most part, been shut. Distance learning has been the method for students for some time.
Obligatory vaccines for public services
The national bioethics panel has said yes to making vaccines obligatory, at least for people carrying out public services.
"If you want to be in society and not stay shut up at home you need to get vaccinated," panel chair Maurizio Mori told ANSA.
On Friday, the government's CTS technical committee is due to examine a request to extend the Green Pass vaccine passport for up to a year. Health Minister Roberto Speranza said he was convinced the CTS will say yes. He added, he thought the third COVID dose will also start being given starting with the most vulnerable categories. Those include the immuno-depressed, those who have had transplants and the over 80s.


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All Info
Comedy, Romance, Ecchi, School Life, Seinen, Shoujo, Drama, Adult
- Medaka is a high school girl who is curious about love and the sexual side that comes with it
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Centrist political party D66 has opened an internal investigation into allegations of grooming, unwanted advances, and sexually transgressive behavior made against Sidney Smeets, one of the party's 24 members of parliament serving in the Tweede Kamer. Several young men said they were concerned about messages they received from the 45-year-old on social media and dating sites, party chair Anne-Marie Spierings confirmed on Wednesday.
Some of the men alleged that they were approached when they were not yet 18 years of age.
Spierings said the first reports about problematic behavior within the party were received in March, after which she approached Smeets for the first time together with the party leader Sigrid Kaag. A number of other young people shared screenshots of conversations with Smeets on Twitter this week, which prompted them to launch an internal investigation.
"To the best of my knowledge, I have always behaved by the law of the Netherlands. I understand very well that the party is taking this seriously. I support that and I agree to cooperate in everything that is asked of me", Smeets said in a statement published on the party's website. Smeets, who has been an attorney for 20 years, said it was not clear to him that his comments were unwanted.
"D66 sets clear standards for how people within our party should behave. That is why we take these messages very seriously", said party leader Sigrid Kaag in a statement.
It is the second time recently that D66 has been confronted with undesirable behavior within the party. In December, an anonymous whistleblower posted a story online accusing a prominent member of the party of sexual harassment or abuse of power, but the internal investigation found no evidence of this.
A number of other reports were also received from people who said they felt unsafe in the party.


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Decoding the How's of Pest Control Services
◀ Back To BlogJuly 3, 2023
As homeowners, we all understand the importance of pest control services in maintaining a clean and safe living environment. Whether it be ants, roaches, rodents, or wildlife, these unwanted guests can cause immense damage and harm to our properties, homes, and families. Thankfully, here at Thomas Pest Services, we have dedicated pest control technicians who diligently work to keep our properties, structures, and families protected.
Different pest control services have varying durations, depending on the type of service provided. The length of first visits, corrective services, maintenance services, pest proofing, or wildlife services varies. Bed bug and exclusion/wildlife services may require a longer duration, potentially up to a full day. Conversely, seasonal services are comparatively shorter, usually spanning only an hour. Notably, corrective services may persist for anywhere between 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the severity of the infestation. These measures guarantee the resolution of existing pest issues and the prevention of future ones. It is important to emphasize that regular and preventive pest control services are crucial in preventing and reducing future pest infestations. Hence, pest control companies, like Thomas Pest Services recommend routine pest control services.
At Thomas Pest Services, we meticulously review the service history, previous service notes, and any other pertinent account notes prior to reaching your property. In the event that it is the initial service, we examine the agreement for any notes or expectations specified by the Partner Acquisition team. Our team prioritizes proactive communication, ensuring that any questions can be easily addressed by reaching out to a fellow team member. Whether it is an ongoing concern or a novel issue, we diligently strive to deliver the utmost effective and efficient service imaginable.
We understand the significance of communication when it comes to our valued customers. That's why our dedicated technicians make it a priority to reach out to customers before heading to their homes. Upon arrival, the technician will address any pest concerns you may have and ensure they are efficiently resolved during the service. After completing the service, the technician will provide a comprehensive review of what they did, what they observed, and any essential information you should be aware of. We highly value our customers' feedback, which is why we encourage you to rate your technician via a text message following the service. Additionally, you will receive an email a few days later with an inspection report for your records. This approach helps keep our customers well-informed and prepared for future services.
Thomas Pest Service takes all pests seriously, no matter how small - we treat little things like big things. Professional pest control services ensure reliable and effective treatment solutions, hence why it's vital to a professional service to ensure effective and long-term management of pests. Choose Thomas Pest Services for reliable, professional, and effective pest control services that you can count on.


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12:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Location: Pleasant Hill Church of the Brethren
Felosky, Debra F. "Deb", 68, Johnstown, fell asleep in the Lord November 23, 2021. Born July 17, 1953, to the late Frederick and Grace (Snyder) Leeper. Preceded in death by brother, Frederick Leeper. Survived by loving husband, Joseph Felosky Jr.; children, Joshua James Lorditch (Brittany Lambrinos); William Caddy (Stephanine Drost); Jane Lorditch; grandchildren, Alexis Drost; Alex and Nicholas Brown; Grayson Lambrinos; Logan Lorditch; sister, Ruth Bailey (Wilbert); special nieces and nephews, Amanda and Kayla Felosky; Joel and Wilbert Bailey; and numerous other nieces and nephews. Deb was a mother figure to so many, including her nieces, nephews, and many of Joshua's friends. She was always taking care of her babies and putting her family first. Deb was a very vibrant, energetic, and selfless person who was taken way too soon. She was loved by so many and will be greatly missed by so many. Family and friends will be received Tuesday November 30th from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Hindman Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., 146 Chandler Ave. Procession to follow to Pleasant Hill Church of the Brethren where a service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Committal and burial to follow at Benshoff Hill Cemetery. Donations may be made in Deb's memory to St. Jude. Arrangements in care of Hindman Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., "Exclusive Provider of Veterans and Family Memorial Care." Condolences may be made at HindmanFuneralHomes.com


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Need a place away from other dogs for yours to run and play? Look, we get it, everyone loves dogs, but sometimes dogs just aren't dog people! Lol That's why we've decided to rent out our Big Back Yard Park for your pupper's use! With over 1 acre of land, with the back half being a natural wooded area shared with WaterShed Nature Preserve, you'll enjoy the calm serenity of the nature preserve while only being a block away from downtown! Tons of street parking! Park is outside of the fenced area only! 😊 the fenced in area is our personal backyard and as much as we'd love to, for the safety of everyone, the fenced area is off limits. The available park is a vast open space with a natural wood line across the back. Off-leash is welcome at owners discretion! We get a lot of wildlife back here, such as skunks, woodchucks, fox, deer, etc! We do not have any other amenities than what is listed, so please remember water, poo bags, etc. and please be kind and don't litter. ❤ Dogs big and small are welcome!
Feel free to drive down driveway and park in front of garage. Best place to roam is open area found by walking on path by garden, down steps and across bridge. Woods past treehouse are also interesting. We can put out a bowl for dog water if preferred, but most dogs like to drink out of the creek (though it is dry during dry parts of the year).
Quiet corner lot with low amounts of traffic. Small wildlife pond in fenced area, as well as small patch of unmowed grass. Fenced area includes wood deck and kid slide access back to the yard. For humans, feel free to use the deck on the pool side. If you are interested in reserving the pool, visit my spot on Swimply!
Amazing 180 panaramic view of wooded area. A top a hill approximately a flat cut soccer size field. Surrounded by a rolling hill and smaller flats. Plenty of woods to roam around to investigate. Acess to 2 separate creeks. Presently we are having gate issues. You are able to park completely safe and off-road in front of the gate and walk a few short steps around one of the large stone pillars.
We have a countryside oasis and LOVE dogs! Please note, our property is cat friendly. They won't bother your pup, they are indoor/outdoor. We have 4 acres, which includes woods. My family loves going and exploring the woods, and I think you and your pup would as well. Envision a nature hike. There isn't a trail, but the trees are spaced and it's fairly easy to walk through. If you go deep enough there's a small creek! The property backs up to a conservation area! You are welcome to not venture into the woods and stay on our grassy and paved areas by the pool (open in summer and dog friendly), and the front / back yard. We do not have a fence that surrounds the property (we have a small one by the back deck, but that's mainly due to the drop). You are welcome to use the fire pit as well!
POOL NOT YET OPEN. LIKELY LATE MARCH Our beautiful 3 acres sits just down the road from Missouri Wine Country in Defiance. With our location being ~15 mins from most major areas in St. Charles County, it makes a for a great "getaway" that's close by. We've loved seeing our own pets fall in love with the property and are excited to provide that enjoyment for your fur babies! Be sure to check out our Private Pool Access extra for a day of water fun with your sweet pup.
Quiet and restful Fun for large or small dogs Lots of space for frisbee, ball chasing, tag, sprinkler splashing or taking a nice walk on the trail Owners can relax or play
As seen on
Features | Sniffspot | Public park |
Designed for private play | ||
Rentable by the hour | ||
Off leash options | ||
Very large and/or fully fenced options | ||
Pricing | $5 - $15 per dog per hour | Free |
Sniffspot has different types of private dog parks to allow any dog to find their ideal spot!


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Aley Star – Can You Relate Boss Vibes ft. Henricka
Talented music producer, Aley Star jumps up on another massive trending beat (Eye Shake Beat) called, "Can You Relate Boss Vibes."
Currently trending on TikTok, "Can You Relate Boss Vibes" by Aley Star adds the handy assistance of his fellow sound engineer, Henricka who also gave an added advantage to the produced Afrobeat.
Internet users are currently going berserk with the way the instrumental flew. The rhythm is simply top-notch where it imitates a much commanding spirit.
Aley Star has Nigerian TikTokers shake their eyes to pass a message. It is famously used by content creators to make videos with the song in the background. Henricka had a wonderful rendition on the craft.
Well, the viral instrumental, "Can You Relate Boss Vibes" is currently available on digital streaming platforms widely distributed by ALEY STAR.
Listen to "Can You Relate Boss Vibes" by Aley Star featuring Henricka.
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Project house for SAP logistics launches webshop with glove scanners and accessories from its partner ProGlove
Augsburg, Mai 27th 2020 – SWAN GmbH starts at the URLwww.swan.de/shop a new distribution channel. As of now, the world's lightest, smallest and most robust glove scanners from its premium partner ProGloveavailable. In the coming weeks, SWAN will expand its portfolio to include its own solutions and products from other sales partners in the field of warehouse and transport logistics. In addition, the SAP experts at SWAN GmbH can be reached directly via the new chat function on the home page for questions about products, service and cooperations.
With the opening of the new sales portal, SWAN is making smart solutions quickly and easily accessible to its customers – not least to provide them with the best possible support in implementing the digital transformation in the field of logistics. André Nowinski, one of the two managing directors of SWAN GmbH: "Machines, plants and factory workers are increasingly interconnected. The intelligent networking of objects, seamless integration of products into already existing structures and the analysis of acquired data represent decisive competitive advantages." Products such as the ProGlove scanner glove can be fully integrated and support companies in implementing Industry 4.0.
"We are thrilled with the success of ProGlove's products. With the barcode scanner glove, our partner is focusing on smart and future-proof solutions in all areas of the supply chain," says André Nowinski. "Selling smart, forward-thinking solutions like this is something we're happy to support."
New chat function for quick exchange
In addition to the online store, SWAN has added a new chat function to its website. This allows customers and interested parties to contact SWAN's experts quickly and directly.


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Morning Coffee: It's 2019 and Deutsche Bank would like everyone to calm down. No long-distance commuting after Brexit
Banks typically try not to say that they are well-capitalised and have no need of state aid, because it tends to invite speculation as to why the reassurance might have been necessary. But when you're the chairman of Deutsche Bank, giving a year end interview to Frankfurter Allgemeine, the question is bound to be asked and it's impossible to duck. Paul Achleitner states the case as strongly as possible "Deutsche has a very strong capital base, even compared to its competitors", and with respect to state aid "this scenario will not come about." However, after the year Deutsche has had, and with the share price down from just under €16 at the start of the year to €6.97 at yesterday's close, it's not hard to see why Mr Achleitner is on more comfortable ground giving his views on macroeconomics and Donald Trump.
This was meant to be the year that Deutsche put its legal troubles behind it, and to an extent that's what's happened – the Deutsche Bank Violation Tracker only records four US penalties this year, totalling less than $200m. The bank even managed to settle one set of investigations into the German "Cum-Ex" scandal for a token $4m and gained immunity in an EU antitrust investigation. However, with police raiding the headquarters building over issues arising from the Panama Papers, the whole cycle looks like it might begin again. And this year, in any case, Deutsche's problems have been more managerial than legal.
It started back in April, when CEO John Cryan was dismissed, in confusing circumstances which led some investors to criticise the chairman. A month later, it was revealed that the bank was considered a "problem" institution by one of its main US regulators and a "troubled" one by another. The regulators were finally losing patience with the key issue that's been the Achilles Heel of Deutsche ever since the financial crisis; its rapid growth and complicated derivatives operations have left it with a set of creaking, incompatible reporting systems that aren't up to the task of providing information that either regulators or management can be comfortable with. Sorting out the mess is a task that's defeated several top teams, and until this is done, it's incredibly difficult for Deutsche to compete.
The man who was placed into this unenviable role was Christian Sewing, who promptly sent out a perfect set of mixed messages, reiterating Deutsche's commitment to investment banking (and to the USA, and to Asia), while nevertheless demanding big job cuts and shaking up top management, but only promising 3% overall cost reductions to shareholders. This caused predictable damage to Deutsche's franchise and reputation, which ended up needing to be built back in some key areas. Toward the end of the year, we started noticing that Deutsche was hiring in a number of areas, and paying the usual "danger money" to do so.
Will things turn round next year? If so, it won't be cheap. Deutsche is correct to say its capital position is sound, but capital isn't the problem; the franchise is, and the franchise is increasingly made up of scared, unhappy and relatively junior people. The telling moment will be the 2018 bonus payments, which have the potential to cause trouble. With less compliance overhead, undemanding cost cutting targets and significantly lower headcount, these should be an opportunity for Deutsche to reward loyalty and demonstrate its continuing seriousness. If Deutsche wants people to stop asking unpleasant questions, it needs to put its money where its mouth is. Whether it will remains to be seen.
Separately, by and large, US banks had a better 2018. But next year brings some knotty personnel problems for many of them, particularly relating to London staff working for business lines that are scheduled to move to Paris, Dublin, Amsterdam or Frankfurt after Brexit. Some senior staff, mindful of both their settled family lives and the comparative lack of amenities in those cities (well, other than Paris), have had it in mind to live an international commuter lifestyle, flying back between London and Europe.
The message coming from the employers is "not on our dime". JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley are offering six months worth of "smoothing" tax differences, help with travel and support for families who don't want to move during the school year, and that's it. Citi is being even tougher according to the FT; just the standard relocation package to help you with the removals. Goldman's plans are "in flux", but staff are being encouraged to understand that "they're gone for good" and that they shouldn't expect a commuter package. Brexit means brexit, after all.
Meanwhile ...
When some people say "Artificial Intelligence is overhyped and will never replace human traders" it sounds a bit like sour grapes. When David Harding (the "H" in AHL, founder of Winton Capital and one of the most successful quant investors ever) says it, the view commands a bit more respect. (Financial News)
Crispin Odey, on the other hand, has always relied on his own views. In their recent accounts, his firm saw its profits halve, mainly due to the legacy of 2017. Having had a market-leading year in 2018, however, he ought to do better next year (Financial News)
And the hiring boom for quants and data scientists shows no signs of abating; a poor performance year for quant funds in 2018 is just being seen as an opportunity for big diversified houses to staff up at the expense of specialist firms who had a lean year. (Business Insider)
How do you steal a hundred tons of cobalt from one of Holland's most secure warehouses? It takes a bit of planning (Bloomberg)
The British Foreign Office runs a helpline for citizens overseas. Not everyone calling it seems to have a clear idea of what constitutes an "emergency" (one caller thought that the New Delhi embassy had vegetarian sausages for sale) (Bloomberg)
Sad montage time – these were the hedge funds we said goodbye to in 2018 ... (Bloomberg)
... and these Swiss banks disappeared from the sector too (Finews)
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Women hitting heights in hotel industry
We celebrate women in the industry to kick off International women's month...
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY on March 8 celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of the female gender. AccomNews spoke to two women who are leading the way in the Australian hotel industry.
Crowne Plaza Adelaide general manager Sarah Goldfinch oversees a 329-room upscale hotel inside Adelaide's tallest building overlooking the City of Churches.
Ms Goldfinch was introduced to the hospitality industry from a young age, helping her grandmother and mum in their café after school.
"I went to Blue Mountains Hotel Management school to learn more about the industry and worked in housekeeping, banquets and restaurants, paying my way through college," she said.
"As soon as I graduated I headed for Europe where I followed a rooms career in front office in London's Sheraton Park Tower Hotel in Knightsbridge."
Ms Goldfinch returned home to Sydney for the Olympic Games in 2000 as a FO duty manager at Sheraton on the Park, where she had an interest in reservations and revenue management. This interest turned into an opportunity to move to Sheraton Auckland, NZ, as Reservations Manager.
Her first hotel opening was as revenue manager of Four Points by Sheraton Port Macquarie, which soon grew into a dual role of front office manager and revenue management.
"I continued to move as opportunities arose, joining Mirvac as executive assistant manager at the Como Melbourne, then to hotel manager of Quay Grand, Circular Quay Sydney, and then back to Como Melbourne as general manager," she said.
I was fortunate to be part of The Art Series groups inception opening (The Cullen) and (The Olsen) hotels in South Yarra. Development slowed with Art Series, which was a catalyst for change, propelling me to join Accor as general manager of Novotel Barossa Valley Resort. In the Barossa I immersed myself in food and beverage within the industry and community which then opened doors for me to be part of the Oval Hotel development and now my current position as opening general manager of Crowne Plaza Adelaide which I hope to be my permanent home."
Despite COVID, new hotels are springing up all over Australia and Ms Goldfinch says "the continued investment in hotels is a testament to the optimism in travel and tourism".
"COVID-19 has caused all businesses to find new ways of working; the accommodation industry is no different," she said. "New hotel builds are significantly changing in design from vast atrium lobbies to sky lobbies in business lounge settings. Hotels are embracing touchless technology faster than ever and adopting on-line check-in and keyless entry. It is my prediction hotels will again be the home of our city's top restaurants and bars."
Ms Goldfinch said "savvy holiday makers" were seeking flexibility in their accommodation offering and hotels such as the Crowne Plaza Adelaide had adapted to suit, allowing guests to "Tailor their Time", checking in and checking out of their hotel room anytime they wished within a 24-hour period.
Ms Goldfinch says that "with a great understanding of the benefits of diversity and inclusion within the business community in general, I feel the accommodation industry offers women the pathways, support and encouragement to achieve their potential.
"While COVID-19 has significantly impacted tourism," she said, "the accommodation sector is still seen as a growth industry. IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) alone are still on track to open numerous hotels this year across multiple brands.''
At the Radisson Blu in Sydney, executive housekeeper Maureen Jolowicz celebrated 20 years in the role last July.
She has selected every single member of the housekeeping team and has been able to build a strong culture of excellence over that time.
She has specialised in housekeeping since she trained in the UK before moving to Australia in 1982 and her job has taken her around the world and.
She opened the Southern Cross in Sydney, which is now the Vibe, then the Park Hyatt, then Park Lane which is now the Sheraton Grand Sydney.
She went to Buenos Aires in Argentina to help open the Park Hyatt there. She has also worked in Shanghai and Fiji opening Radisson properties.
She says her role is all about leading her team to achieve the common goals which are set by head office.
"We have had as many as 60 staff in housekeeping and we all have the goal to have excellence in what we do," she said.
"To succeed in this job you have to have passion. I still love housekeeping all these years on. In the hospitality industry if you are successful it is because you love it."
Overseas there is a rapid expansion of hospitality brands owned and operated by women.
Among the global leaders are Elisabetta Fabri, president and CEO of Starhotels, a privately-owned hotel chain based in Florence, Italy, with 29 luxury hotels (23 in Italy).
Sheila C. Johnson, founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels oversees a portfolio of unique, luxury boutique hotels and PGA Tour golf resorts in America, while Priya Paul runs the Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels group, a collection of eight five-star Indian hotels located in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Navi Mumbai, New Delhi, Visakhapatnam and Goa.
Grantlee Kieza OAM has won three Queensland Media Awards, two Australian Sports Commission Awards and has been a finalist for the Walkley and News Awards and for the Harry Gordon Award for Australian sports journalist of the year. In 2019 he received the Medal of the Order of Australia for his writing. You can find more of his work in our AccomNews & Resort News print magazines.
He has written 22 acclaimed books, including bestsellers Hudson Fysh, The Kelly Hunters, Lawson, Banks, Macquarie, Banjo, Mrs Kelly, Monash, Sons of the Southern Cross and Bert Hinkler.


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CASE: Sanja y Bhaskarrao Kale v. The Union of India & ors.
CORAM: Hon'ble Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Hon'ble Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge
Last week, the Bombay High Court (Aurangabad Bench) dismissed a petition seeking directions from the respondents (UOI and others) to spread awareness among the masses of the contents of the Constitution of India, the Right to Information Act and the Consumer Protection Act.
The petition filed by one Sanjay Bhaskarrao Kale and was heard by Chief Justice DipankarDatta and Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge., who sought the inclusion of the above-mentioned laws as compulsory subjects of high-level education, i.e. Undergraduate and Post-Graduate courses.
Interestingly, in its order, the bench quoted the foreword (penned by former Chief Justice Y. V. Chandrachud) to the book 'Democracy, Equality and Freedom' by Justice K. K. Mathew (edited by Dr. Upendra Baxi)
The Court observed that his Lordship declared that "in our present dispensation, a Judge cannot, except for honourable exceptions, lay plausible claim of legal scholarship."
Furthermore, The Bench said,
"We certainly are not exceptions and, therefore, would never dream of claiming legal or any other scholarship. Why we say so is because of the nature of concern expressed in this PIL petition."
The Court emphasised that Judges have to primarily don the hat of an adjudicator and having regard to the manifold activities in relation to the administrative work, Judges also don other hats.
Importantly, the Court has noted,
"An attempt is made by the petitioner by presenting this Public Interest Litigation to make us don the hat of an academician too and interference in academic matters, a field of activity where we have little or no expertise. There could be a judicial over-reach and stepping into the domain of the other organs of the State, if we were to entertain the prayers in this PIL petition."
Finally, the Court said that the case had to be left to the discretion of the experts in the field of education and that the petitioner was given leave to seek his remedy before those authorities.