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Electronic Data Discovery
Electronic Data Discovery
EDD is the processing and management of evidentiary documents held in electronic media into a usable sub-set for document review and production. The most common of these documents are emails, word processing documents, spreadsheets and databases, usually part of the Microsoft Office Suite, but not exclusively so. While the Microsoft products are most common, there are a myriad of other email and office based platforms that require equal attention and proficiency in processing. Additionally, proprietary platforms, various audio media and communications platforms must be processed as well.
ID's proprietary Focus Early Case Assessment and Electronic File Processing Platform provides for unparalleled processing power and scalability.
The EDD industry is no longer characterized by a few providers with proprietary systems. Indeed, the technology involved has come to be largely accessible. ID has created what it believes to be the optimal integration of its proprietary systems along with the superior systems currently available on the market. ID has integrated these platforms with processing and storage hardware to create an optimal system to deliver substantial capacity and processing power, along with a high quality and consistent product.
ID's Electronic Data Discovery services include:
- Early Case Assessment with Advanced Analytics
- File-Type Culling
- Advanced Analytics
- Electronic File Processing
- Key Word/Boolean Search
- TIFF/PDF Conversion
- Near-Duplicate & Message Threading
- Custom Programming & Solutions


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A Unique concept, customized for your business
The Leadership Challenge offers a framework that is unique in the world as it focuses solely on leadership behaviors and is thus easily integrated with existing concepts in a given business. It is not linked to a specific leadership style or philosophy.
This agnostic and flexible nature of the concept makes it applicable across industries and different types of businesses.
I have been working with the Leadership Challenge concept for more than a decade and have applied the concept to a large variety of business challenges. The key question, irrespective of the current business challenge that a business may face, always remains the same:
How do we need to lead in order to succeed as a business?
I am currently the only Certified Master Facilitator based in continental Europe and together with the team at Quest Leadership Development Ltd. we form the European Master Facilitator network.
The 5 Practices of exemplary leadership:
Model the way.
Inspire a shared vision.
Challenge the process.
Enable others to act.
Encourage the heart.
What is the Leadership Challenge?
Approaching leadership as a measurable, learnable, and teachable set of behaviors, The Leadership Challenge framework grew out of rigorous research that first began in 1982 when Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner set out to understand those times when leaders performed at their personal best. They conducted hundreds of interviews and reviewed hundreds of cases studies and survey questionnaires. What emerged were five fundamental practices common to extraordinary leadership achievements. Now known worldwide as the most practical model of leadership development, The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership® continues to prove its effectiveness in cultivating and liberating the leadership potential in anyone—at any level, in any organization—who chooses to accept the challenge to lead.
Measurable Leadership Strength
supported by high reliability and validity
Instruments like the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) and the Student LPI must meet rigorous criteria for psychometric testing (unlike internally developed competency surveys). And because of the LPI's demonstrated psychometric properties—including its strong reliability and validity—educators and practitioners alike are confident in using the LPI to further understand what it takes to be an effective leader. Continued studies of the LPI also confirm the relationship between The Five Practices and a variety of measurable outcomes such as job satisfaction, employee commitment, and sales performance.
The 5 Practices of exemplary leadership
Leadership is not about personality; it's about behavior—an observable set of skills and abilities. And when Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner first set out to discover what great leaders actually do when they are at their personal best, they collected thousands of stories from ordinary people—the experiences these leaders recalled when asked to think of a peak leadership experience. Despite differences in culture, gender, age, and other variables, these "Personal Best" stories revealed similar patterns of behavior. In fact, Jim and Barry discovered that when leaders are at their personal best there are five core practices common to all: they Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and last but certainly not least, they Encourage the Heart.
Model the Way
Leaders establish principles concerning the way people (constituents, peers, colleagues, and customers alike) should be treated and the way goals should be pursued. They create standards of excellence and then set an example for others to follow. Because the prospect of complex change can overwhelm people and stifle action, they set interim goals so that people can achieve small wins as they work toward larger objectives. They unravel bureaucracy when it impedes action; they put up signposts when people are unsure of where to go or how to get there; and they create opportunities for victory.
Inspire a Shared Vision
Leaders passionately believe that they can make a difference. They envision the future, creating an ideal and unique image of what the organization can become. Through their magnetism and quiet persuasion, leaders enlist others in their dreams. They breathe life into their visions and get people to see exciting possibilities for the future.
Challenge the Process
Leaders search for opportunities to change the status quo. They look for innovative ways to improve the organization. In doing so, they experiment and take risks. And because leaders know that risk taking involves mistakes and failures, they accept the inevitable disappointments as learning opportunities.
Enable Others to Act
Leaders foster collaboration and build spirited teams. They actively involve others. Leaders understand that mutual respect is what sustains extraordinary efforts; they strive to create an atmosphere of trust and human dignity. They strengthen others, making each person feel capable and powerful.
Encourage the Heart
Accomplishing extraordinary things in organizations is hard work. To keep hope and determination alive, leaders recognize contributions that individuals make. In every winning team, the members need to share in the rewards of their efforts, so leaders celebrate accomplishments. They make people feel like heroes.
Find out more!
I would like to bring The Leadership Challenge® to your organization or are interested in LPI Coaching, please contact me via telephone or e-mail. I look forward to our conversation!

subset: commoncrawl


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On Sunday, December 4, Native American tribes and supporters celebrated as the Army Corps of Engineers announced that it would not grant an easement to allow the Dakota Access Pipeline to cross under Lake Oahe. The Standing Rock Sioux and other Native Americans had, for months, camped out in protest of the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline that would jeopardize the tribe's water supply. Representatives from 280 Native American nations came together to protest the pipeline as a spiritual action, ensuring the protection of what they believe to be sacred land and sacred water. Regardless of opinions about outcomes, religious freedom advocates should carefully consider the recent protests by the Standing Rock Sioux and other Native American Communities to the Dakota Access Pipeline as an exercise of religious freedom.
Religious freedom is often framed in terms of the capacity of individuals to worship, pray, or engage in explicitly religious acts in the privacy of their homes or traditional houses of worship. If one imagined religious freedom visually, one might conjure images of someone singing a hymn in a church pew, someone praying in a mosque, or someone studying sacred texts in a synagogue. These images carry much truth about how adherents of Abrahamic religions typically practice their faith. Yet these images alone do not encapsulate the expansive diversity and creativity of what a person or a group's exercise of religious freedom looks like.
An exercise of religion for many Native Americans looks starkly different. Water is sacred to the tribes in North Dakota. The Lakota prayer mni wiconi mni wicosini means "water of life, water of health." Protecting their people's water is not merely a politically motivated action reflecting modern environmental values as conceived of by Western society. For Native American "water protectors", advocating against a pipeline which could harm their water supply is a deeply spiritual act, motivated by a sacrosanct duty to protect the earth and the interconnectedness of everything. The Lakota ending of prayers, "Mitakuye Oyasin", encapsulates this notion. Translated "all my relations," this simple prayer is a deep and abiding recognition that we are all connected to one another, and to the natural world. The Lakota conception of relations includes not just relationships between people, but our interdependent relationship with creation and natural resources. For Native Americans, protecting water is protecting a blessed friend and upholds the constancy, non-severability and holiness of their relationship with one of their vital life sources. Protesting the pipeline, something that could hinder that relationship between the Native peoples and their water, is an embodied expression of protecting that fundamental essence of "all my relations."
Religious communities and organizations of vastly different spiritual paradigms often have challenges explaining why something that does not look like an obvious violation of their religious freedom to an outsider actually is. Distinctive religious groups or spiritual communities often have practices and precepts that appear strange or even non-religious to non-adherents. Lack of understanding of religious beliefs and practices of groups different from one's own often makes it challenging for disparate groups in a plural society to understand what is needed for different religious communities to exercise their religious freedom.
Religious groups and communities should consider the claims of religious "others" regarding what is needed to freely exercise their religion. Considering the inherently religious nature of Native American protests to the Dakota access pipeline in this context is important for advocates of religious freedom. Native Americans themselves do not always even use the language of religious freedom to describe the spiritual motivation behind their actions.
This is because, for many Native Americans, there is no separation between the sacred and the secular: everything has religious significance. In the Lakota language, for example, there is no word for religion because the sacredness (wakan) of everything is so integrated into every aspect of their lives. Thus, religious freedom advocates would do well to consider that even using the language of "exercising our religious freedom," is not how all groups of disparate faith and spiritual animating belief systems would describe it, although that is precisely what they are doing. Native Americans who are coming together to participate in prayers and sacred ceremonies to protect their holy land and water are engaging in actions, the source of which is their spirituality. They are practicing their faith. They are embodying their religious freedom.
People of good will can come to different conclusions about the right political outcome: whether the pipeline should be rerouted or not. But people of all faiths and none should still recognize that there is a spiritual element - a religious freedom framework - through which to view this issue. There is something especially resonant with people across varying religious backgrounds with the notion of preserving and advancing religious freedom for Native Americans. Native Americans have faced systemic oppression of their freedom to live out and express their spiritual beliefs since before the inception of the American constitutional democracy. Traditional Native American sacred ceremonies, such as sun dances, ghost dances and pipe ceremonies, were illegal and even treated as terrorist acts until the passage of the 1978 American Indian Religious Freedom Act.
The protests by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other Native Americans can help us to reimagine what religious freedom means for diverse groups. As many discuss the possible actions of a Trump administration, Democrats and Republicans alike have cited infrastructure projects as one area where bipartisan progress and action may be possible. While infrastructure projects have the potential to bring many positive social goods, infrastructure projects would include, in addition to roads and bridges, pipelines like the Dakota Access Pipeline. Any such infrastructure advancements must be done with the underpinning of consciousness that they do not trample the religious freedom of Native American communities to continue to be in relation with their sacred land and water.
-Chelsea Langston Bombino is the Director of Equipping and Membership at the Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance, a division of the Center for Public Justice. She holds a JD from the University of Michigan and is a licensed attorney by the State Bar of Michigan. Photo courtesy of Fibonacci Blue.


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current projects formulating, percolating.
five stones brought back from an old rock hound in marfa - three pieces of west texas agate he dug up right in the area, two pieces of raw (aka rough) turquoise from kingman arizona.
i'm working on adding the gold orbs - inspired by the marfa lights
here's a kyanite and onyx, both set in fine silver and sterling silver backs - the kyanite has a non-specific constellation on the back. all three necklaces are sterling silver, about 24 inches and handhewn clasps
two raw turquoise, one set in sterling and fine silver with one 14k gold orb. the other...i've built a bronze setting and still can't decide if it should be an open cuff in brass (or even sterling) or a pendant...or even a brass ring. suggestions welcome!
these pieces aren't from marfa. they're from a piece of pottery my sweet mom bought on one of her trips to visit me in new mexico. it was in my sister's home when my nephew knocked it over. i wish i took all of the shards! i felt self conscious pulling them out of her dust bin. but they're beautiful and i want to create with them! the pieces will be difficult to construct. i see them in brass, altho sterling would be lovely as well.
and these tiny stones. i love them all! not sure what to do with them yet, either. there are three raw diamonds, a lovely amber with super fascinating inclusions, and an old mine nevada turquoise. ...i think i want to see the amber and turquoise together in one piece, maybe with a raw diamond or two? and more gold orbs?
Amber is a powerful chakra cleanser and healer. At a physical level, is imbues the body with vitality and has the power to draw disease out of the body. By absorbing pain and negative energy, amber allows the body to rebalance and heal itself. Amber alleviates stress. It treats the throat, stomach, spleen, kidneys, bladder, liver, and gallbladder, alleviates joint problems, and strengthens the mucus membranes. As an elixir and for wound healing, it is an excellent natural antibiotic. Amber provides decisiveness. It strengthens your memory and intellect and helps with emotional calming and centering. It is an excellent grounding crystal, and transmutes negative energy to positive. Amber radiates a warm and bright energy. It aids the Abdomen, Bladder, Blood, Eyes, Kidneys, Stomach, Tissue Revitalization, Throat, Liver, Joint Problems. Wearing crystal jewellery gives you the energy of the stone all day long. Amber draws disease out of afflicted areas and neutralize negative energy allowing the body to heal itself.
so turquoise helps the wearer relax, which can help with pain . yey! it's a master healer stone.
Turquoise is a very sacred stone used for centuries by the Native American's in all healing work. This is a stone of peace, serenity and tranquillity. Increases protection, meditation energy, wisdom, balance, honest communication, strength, friendship and love. Shields the wearer from harmful influences, attracts friendship. In healing this stone connects the spiritual bodies with the other levels: the physical, emotional, and intellectual. It is said that turquoise will grow pale on a sickly person and recover its colour when returned to a healthy person. Overlaps the heart and throat energy centres and connects the three upper and three lower chakras. Beneficial for the entire body, especially the respiratory and immune systems It is good for laryngitis and nervousness in speech Can strengthen entire anatomy and helps improve all diseases. Colour varies from Blue to Green.
It has tremendous skills as a regenerative power and can transform darkness into light. Aid to resolve blockages and crisis that can cause degenerative diseases. Attracts luck, gives security and self esteem. It's relaxing and quiet community in adversity that cause depression and suffering. Good for Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. Fifth chakra.
and i have several bits of black tourmaline - Tourmaline, Black is a remedy for debilitating diseases. It strengthens the immune system, treats dyslexia, joint pain and arthritis, provides pain relief and helps align the spinal column.
BLACK TOURMALINE is one of the gems that best protects us from any form of negativity, as it rejects all those energies that create imbalance, establishing a field around safe and neutral. It also helps us to free ourselves of negative feelings such as envy, anxiety, fear, anger or stress. It is very useful in introverted personalities, with large uncertainties and indecisive. It is a stone deeply refreshing and is often used in healing or spiritual experiences to regain normal. It also helps resolve issues long neglected, despite suffering stemming. From the symptomatic its center of action is the kidney, serves as a restorative of bone tissue and improves liver functions. First chakra. Good for Gemini, Libra and Aquarius.
A symbol of purity, the Diamond's pure white light helps to bring our lives into a cohesive whole. It brings love and clarity into partnerships, bonding relationships. Diamond is a sign of commitment and fidelity, and instills trust to relationships and situations. It inspires the forces of accumulation, attracting the manifestation of abundance. Diamond is an energy amplifier. It is a stone that never requires recharging. It will bring strength and endurance to all energies and will enhance the power of other crystals. it can also increase negative energy as well. Excellent for blocking electromagnetic stress and for protection against cell phone emanations. Diamond imparts fearlessness, invincibility and fortitude. It clears emotional and mental pain, reducing fear and bringing about new beginnings. Stimulates creativity, inventiveness, imagination and ingenuity. It brings clarity of mind and aids enlightenment. Diamond allows the soul light to shine out. It aids spiritual evolution and reminds you of your soul's aspirations.
Diamond purifies and detoxifies all of the body's systems, rebalancing the metabolism, and building up stamina, strength and treating allergies and chronic conditions. It also helps glaucoma and clears sight. Diamond effectively treats dizziness and vertigo, and benefits the brain. Counteracts poisoning.


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Check Out Maggie Carpenter's New Release
SPY His Mission. His Orders. His Promise AMAZON: APPLE: KOBO: BLURB HEARTBREAK AND HEALING. SIZZLING SUSPENSE. SMOKE AND MIRRORS…! Natalie Freeman, a headstrong, talented art historian, is staring in shock at the man who has broken into her hotel suite. He also broke his promise and her heart two years before. Her fury at his betrayal still burns in her soul, but she's never stopped craving his decadent desires and take-charge… Read More »


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Drupal Yorkshire is run by a group of enthusiasts that enjoy maintinang and contributing back to the Drupal open source project. We dedicate our free time to fix bugs and run the meetups so all can benifit from the knowledge we have gained, that being said the meetups don't run for free and we need sponsors to pay for the room on a monthly bassis.
If your company uses Drupal but doesn't have the time to contribute back to core or contributed modules then sponsoring a meetup group is a great way to contibute back in a small way.
Get in touch of you are willing to sponsor.


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3 to-die-for guacamole recipes you have to make before summer is over
by Lisa Lozano
Not much can match the experience of sitting outside on a warm summer evening with a bowl of tortilla chips and guacamole (and maybe some Mexican beer as well). Treat yourself this summer with three amazing (and very different) guac recipes!
This recipe will not let you down. As the title suggests, it's a traditional take on the beloved dip, but why mess with perfection?
For this different take on guacamole, the tomatoes, onion, pepper and avocado are grilled to bring out a deeper flavor. Rachael also toasts her chips, which results in a nutty taste. Yum!
This guac by NFL star Tony Gonzalez's wife October, puts a twist on tradition by added pepperoncinis and tabasco sauce.
Do you have a special trick when it comes to preparing guacamole? Tell us in the comments!More from Rachael Ray:
6 ingenious tips that will change how you stock your pantry
Our 11 favorite tips for navigating the farmers market
You'll never believe how cheap and easy these DIY furniture projects are


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Nothing Dearer Than Christ
Oblate Letter of the
Pluscarden Benedictines
Elgin, Moray, IV30 8UA, Scotland .U.K..
ph(01343) 890257 fax(01343) 890258
DMB Series No.27 2015 Exaltation of the Cross Autumn quarter
Monastic Voice
COMMENTARY ON PSALM 116 "Alleluia." Though there are only two verses, the full glory of a heading is assigned to them, so that we may realise that however few the words uttered in the Lord's praises, they are always as full as can be. None can doubt that the source of praise of heavenly splendour must not be labelled insignificant. Appropriately joined to it is the figure called in Greek hormos, for it preserves the continuity of the speech to the end with no change of spokesman or theme, continuing with the one meaning from beginning to end.
Content of the Psalm
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Though this psalm does not allow of division because of the small number of verses, it transcends all others in the economy of its utterance. It is the prime particle of the psalms, exhibiting the distinction of the point from which the line grows and from which different types of figures are shaped in most learned diversity.
Explanation of the Psalm
"Praise the Lord, all ye nations, and praise him together, all ye people." We must associate this psalm too with the character of martyrs, for the holy men speak as though they have already completed their glorious suffering, saying that all nations must be roused to praise the Lord, for He bestowed on His servants such things as caused them to be inspired by His exemplary deeds. Where are the Donatists, who lyingly boast that the faith has been bestowed on their gathering alone? 2 That chorus of the saints cries out that all nations must praise the Lord; if only the Donatists even in our company would do what they lyingly claim to perform uniquely. Next comes: And praise him together, all ye people. Collective praise is that uttered in unison by all the faithful, and is seen to befit the Catholic Church assembled from different parts of the world. All nations in common are exhorted among the people so that none at the Lord's judgment may claim that they were not included." For his
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mercy is confirmed upon us, and the truth of the Lord remains forever." The reason is given why the Lord must be praised throughout the world: it is because He has fulfilled His promises made through the holy prophets by His coming to us. His mercy towards the Christian people is confirmed and will not be moved forever, for He who granted it, as we justly believe, protects us with His pity. He added: "And the truth of the Lord remains for ever." The truth of the Lord here means the Son; as He Himself says: I am the way, the truth and the life! In the view of the utterly mad Arian, there was a time- this is a sacrilege to utter-when the Son was not. That means that there would have been a time when the Father was without the Truth, the Way and the Life. But since we must believe that the Father was never without them, it befits our salvation and truth itself to confess the Son as coeternal and consubstantial with the Father through all things. In addition Scripture says: All things were made through him, and without him nothing was made. If time was created through the Son, how could time exist when its Creator was not? Absurdity always thus attends on base errors. They append a third falsehood: The Father is always predicated as anterior to the Son. Where is the relevant passage? "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God." You observe that there is no anterior order there. Indeed, in many places the Son is named first, as in the
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passage of Paul to the Ephesians: "Do you not know that no fornicator and unclean person has inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God?" And to the Galatians: "Paul an apostle, not by man nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father." And to the Thessalonians: "Our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who has loved us." And the second letter to the Corinthians: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God." So that you would understand the equality of the whole Trinity, he added:" And the communication of the holy Spirit be with you all." We read also of the holy Spirit as Lord, and placed first. Paul says to the Thessalonians:"The Lord direct your hearts in the charity of God and the patience of Christ." The holy Spirit is being implored to guide the hearts of believers in both the love of God and the patience of Christ. So citation of one of the Trinity earlier or later will indicate no preference to the listener; human speech cannot express itself otherwise. In God we must reckon there is no disparity or diversity. We rightly believe that where there is one God, no lesser or greater can be found. Unity knows no number, equality allows no scale. As Scripture says: "Thou shalt not go up by steps to my altar."
Conclusion Drawn From the Psalm
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The tiny psalm is enclosed in the most capacious brevity. What more expansive sentiment can be spoken than that the Creator must be praised all over the world? This is a fertile brevity, a restricted abundance, the broadest of confines, narrows which have no boundary. What sweet and remarkable variation, now expressing saving thoughts in a few aphorisms, now relating great tidings in extended speech, so that weary mortals should not experience distaste in their very diligence; for the pleasant diversity gives them appetite. Perhaps the enquiry may be raised why this psalm contains only two verses whereas by contrast Psalm 118 is seen to be prolonged to 176 verses, and several others are shaped differently according to the nature of the themes. Perhaps this consideration is found to explain it: just as a harmony or beautiful melody of musical power makes a perfect song from different sounds and tones, so these psalms, now short, now of medium length, now very long form a single harmony with the most delightful sweetness. An alternative credible explanation is that they denote the Lord's future kingdom in which the saints' diverse merits shine according to the nature of their deeds, though the one blessedness and eternal sweetness is bestowed on all of them."
From The Oblatemaster's Desk
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The "Suscipe" that we say at our oblation is from the longest psalm 118 and today we have a monastic commentary from Cassiodorus ( whom we quoted 23 oblate letters ago, six years ago on psalm 94 in oblate letter number 3) a commentary on the shortest psalm number 116-- which comes into, is the meat in the sandwich of "THE "LITTLE OFFICE"(that is always an alternative "Divine Office" for hard pressed oblates whether hard pressed by time, age or illness--reminder, as follows:
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If we read Cassiodorus' commentary (or any other commentary of the Fathers of the Church) we realize that such a small psalm prayed with the right intention is not insignificant. As St Benedict emphatically makes plain, following our Lord, it is not by our length that we are heard in our prayers but by our compunction and purity of heart. Nevertheless we still pray our Divine office if and as we are able and may the Lord bless us in all our efforts-- and the smallest visible performance may sometimes take the largest and sincerest effort.
Books and Media Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska--Divine Mercy in My Soul --'"I am sending you with My mercy to the people of the whole world. I do not want to punish mankind, but I desire to heal it, pressing it to my merciful heart. Jesus also tells her to record His message of mercy in a diary:"You are the secretary of My mercy. I have chosen you for that office in this life and the next."'What better way of preparing for the Year of Mercy called by Pope Francis about to begin than reading this diary of a Saint so dear to St John-Paul? ISBN number 976-1-59614-110-0 published by the Marian Press. Price new 20 Euros The "UK Oblates Team" have a website www.benedictine-oblates.net that often has very useful information and articles and advertises events.
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Our own website is www.Pluscardenabbey.org and it has a section "Oblates" which has all the oblate letters of Pluscarden for the last eighteen years or so-- the most recent- mid-2011 onwards are on the link which you click onto on the oblate part of the website where it says "HERE" or use this link valeofstandrew.blogspot Kristo Buase's new website: www.kristobuasemonastery.org sign up for its newsletter-- Br Martin is making his solemn profession on the 1st November 2015 I think.
Prayer Intentions.
For our new Oblates Kevin Maximilian Shinkwin, now Lord Shinkwin! and Dr. Deirdre Benedict McGovern; new novice oblates David Muir and Siobhan Gilmour. Golden Jubilarian's:- priesthood -Fr. John Kirwan, John McKinlay-marriage. For Pat Carrigan's diaconal studies. For Deacon Peter Morris C.Ss R. being ordained priest at St Mary's Cathedral Aberdeen on the 26th October. For Abbot Anselm's and Bishop Hugh's intentions. For vocations to Pluscarden-- for Br Mina who is from Egypt a country of persecution and is a pre--postulant and all aspirants. St Mary's, Petersham and Kristo Buase. Br. Adrian and Br. Finbar, and Br. Timothy's health.
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Please pray for Br. Cyprian who is in his Silver Jubilee year of Profession
For Brothers Joseph( whose mother just had a stroke) and John who have come to us from Tien Phuoc priory in Vietnam for two years.
For the repose of the soul of Oblate Maurice Dufficy, and for his wife who has just had a stroke.
Please pray for our sick Oblates and their relatives & especially Oblates Fr. Bob Halshaw, Paul Costello and postulant Oblate Albert Paterson both cancer treatment. Mrs. Allie Brien, Mrs. Alice Sullivan who was 90 on the 21st August. Gitte Mackay and Maggie Barrett, Paul Miller, Margaret Rawcliffe, Mrs. Gertrude Corker's two daughters, Bob Barr, Brian Milne, Gail Schmitz continued improvement, Fiona Sellar, Martin's wife Mary, Graham Dunbar, Alison Donald, Beth Fraser and her husband Chris, Bob Clark, Nick MaCrae's son, Martin MaCrae battling illness, Dr. David Paterson and his wife Angela, Jacqui's daughter Sally, Hester, Poppy Sinclair, Ian and Frederick Brodie--the twins, for Pat Foster poorly, Eddy Sands, Johan Baillie, James and Helen Timoney both very ill and Pat Foster also very ill, Carolyn and Marshall Boardman and especially their son Malcolm, Martin Farrelly and especially for his wife Val(anyone got any news of them?), David Braine, Susan Stephen, Evelyn needs prayers for illness, Violet, Sheila and all friends of the Abbey
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and for all oblates, and all the sick, and those who care for them--and for Josaphat our sponsored seminarian.
- Mass of Re-dedication of the Abbey Church here this November 5th 2015 at 11.00 am followed by buffet lunch (sorry accommodation full up).
- 21st November Presentation of Our Lady---renewal of oblation after Mass at the Abbey, preceded by a talk by Fr. Benedict.
- Oblate Retreat here at Pluscarden--NB Change of time SECOND weekend of Lent February 2015 led by Fr. Abbot, our Abbot Anselm, as before, a great success-- thank you Fr. Abbot! Do mark it in your diary for the SECOND Weekend of the Second Sunday of Lent for 2016. (The change is because of Fr. Dunstan's Silver Jubilee!)--if staying arrange with the guestmaster, Fr. Bede, please.
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•St Mungo's Chapter Glasgow. As announced. Peter Aitken 11, Maxwell Grove, Glasgow. G41 5JP. Phone: 0141 4272084. Numbers have been steadily increasing.
•St Margaret's Chapter, Dunfermline as announced. Contact Pat Carrigan firstname.lastname@example.com
•St. Monica's Chapter, Thurso. Contact Jane Coll. "Scaraben", Westside, Dunnet, Thurso, Caithness, KY14 8YD. Phone 01847 851467 as announced.
•ST.PETER'S CHAPTER OF OBLATES-restored: Aberdeen-- GOOD NEWS --MEETINGS WILL START AGAIN ON NOVEMBER THE FIRST WEDNESDAY(4th November) IN ST.PETER'S church parish ROOM BETWEEN 5PM AND 6PM AND WILL MEET EVERY MONTH AFTER THAT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE AND IT WILL BE "ST.PETER'S CHAPTER". AS I AM INTO CHURCH ON WEDNESDAY'S PREPARING THE BULLETIN ANYWAY ---Brian---- MY CONTACT DETAILS WILL BE e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com that's my personal e-mail address my tel no 01224 485781 mobile no 07443032289 ----- from Brian Milne
•New Chapter—St.Mirin's Chapter. Date: 1st Saturday each month. Time 2-4 pm. Venue: Hall 2, St Mirin's Cathedral, Cathedral Precincts, Incle Street Paisley, PA1 1HR—secure parking there within Cathedral enclosure. Farther information: St Mirin Chapter, Benedictine Oblate Group, c/o Campbell Murdoch, Fircroft, Knockbuckle Road, Kilmacolm, PA13 4JT m: 07810 350006
The Pluscarden Oblates continue to support Josaphat our 22 year old
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Seminarian. He is about to begin MAJOR SEMINARY with your help. Letter follows from Paul Costello:-
"Dear Sponsors,
I am writing to you all, after informing Fr. Martin, of the position I find myself in. I have recently been diagnosed with a Melanoma Cancer on the lung. As the future is unclear I feel unable to continue with the organisation of the sponsorship. I am therefore asking for someone to take up this important task.
In addition, as the cost of Josaphat's education has increased now that he is in the Major Seminary, there is a real need to attract more sponsors.
Please keep me in your prayers.
Yours in Christ,
Paul Costello, 4, Commercial Road, Ellon, Aberdeenshire AB41 9BD Tel:- 01358-721512 Mobile:- 07762-432080
As the Year of Mercy approaches may the Lord grant that we may all even now take up the tools of Good Works "and never to despair of the mercy of God" RB ch. 4
May God bless you all!
Fr. Martin PAX


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"Boys, that is how the Show is done, everything else is funeral." -Onni Gideon
( Men at Times Square, New York )
WorldClass Quality Entertainment From Finland
"Such a thing does not even exist!" Jukka Kajava, Helsingin Sanomat Newspaper, commentary on the Tampere Summer Theater's Club Night
The Werner Bros. -show springs forth from the best of international and domestic Finnish traditions of entertainment.
The show is skillfully crafted playing and humour, that does not insult anyone, while still being controversial – 45 minutes of positive male energy, filling the stage. The program is music from the thirties to the twentyfirst century.
From Mills Brothers, through Dean Martin, Duke Ellington and Pirkko Mannola ( Finnish Pop Rock n Roll Star ) to ethnic music, and Bomfunk MC's.
Watch WernerBros. video from the bands tour in Tansania.
*"You are not just a band, You are a phenomenon." Director Kari Väänänen during the filming of the movie "Taivaantulet" ( The Fire On The Sky )
"These ´boys´deserve a wider audience and would be such great musical ambassadors for Finland". – Chas McDevitt
*"High in Quality, Exceptional and Unbelieveable, This Serves the Common Good." Tampere Nuorkauppakamari( Tampere Young Chamber of Commerce )'s evaluation of the Band.
Mike Martin said in The Stage Magazine (London) in November 15. 12 2001: "The Werner Brothers, whose highly original and entertaining act has to be believed . A sextet –five of whom are siblings – of varying shapes, sizes and immense talent, the Werners make an amazingly tight unit".
Legends Corner club in Nashville, a local listener:" I Like country music, but that music of yours is really sweet, would you come to a picture with my family.
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By: Jayson Morris
A month has passed since my emotional blog response to the earthquake in Nepal, and much has been done to respond. In my world, the Peery Foundation was able to turn around an immediate $35k grant for Medic Mobile's relief & rebuilding efforts. On top of this, I was humbled to personally lead a $10k flash-fundraising campaign on Facebook to help former Nepal colleague who is working with a local NGO to build homes for hundreds of people still living in tents.
On the heels of this Facebook campaign, a friend asked my opinion on one of the larger well-known nonprofits that has teamed up with a corporation for a lucrative matching grant opportunity for Nepal. We emailed back and forth about the pros and cons of funding the 'usual suspects' – i.e., the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Oxfam, Mercy Corps, Unicef, Save the Children, etc. – in response a disaster. I tried to stay somewhat diplomatic and neutral, but my inherent bias came out:
I would rather support the little guy punching above his weight who is already deploying funds a few days after the disaster, the organization that is not going to waste money (and don't quote me an overhead number in defense), and the organization that shows its gratitude through transparency and accountability early and often.
So it was somewhat timely to see the scathing article published last week by NPR and Pro Publica, who did an investigative piece on where the $500 million that the American Red Cross (ARC) raised for Haiti relief went (hint: not very far). "Five hundred million in Haiti is a lot of money," says Jean-Max Bellerive, the Haiti prime minister until 2011. "I'm not a big mathematician, but I can make some additions. It doesn't add up for me."
ARC has since released a response countering the investigation, but still will not provide a list of specific programs it ran, how much they cost or what their expenses were – though they claim to be transparent. They merely stick by their claim that "91 cents of every dollar Red Cross spends goes to our humanitarian programs and services."
Rather than go into a he-said, she-said, I decided to look into their 990 filing myself. Here are a few nuggets I found (mind you, I am no forensic accountant and lack a CSI team to back me up):
· Annual revenue of $3 billion - wow!
· President & CEO, Gail McGovern makes $598k -- more than the President Obama;
· 16 people make $250k+ including the Chief Audit Executive (which I find a bit ironic);
· Spent $102 million in office expenses, and report 93% of this being programmatically related;
· Spent $9.4 million just in auto rental and maintenance.
These are some eyebrow raising numbers, but it didn't feel fair to draw sweeping conclusions off them. Maybe they are just THAT big and programmatically efficient. Maybe the huge numbers could be justified, so I decided to spend a few minutes in their audited financials to learn more (2013 were the most recent I could find). Unfortunately, there were no more details on their various expenses, but I did notice these clauses in the notes:
· The Retirement System of the American National Red Cross: Before July 1, 2009, employees of the American Red Cross, including the employees of participating local chapters, were covered by the Retirement System of the American National Red Cross (the Plan) after one year of employment and completion of 1,000 hours of service during any consecutive 12 month period. Effective July 1, 2009, the Plan was closed to employees hired after June 30, 2009. Subject to provisions contained in collective bargaining agreements where applicable, the Retirement System was 'frozen' on December 31, 2012 (the freeze date)…
· The Organization also provides medical and dental benefits to eligible retirees and their eligible dependents. Generally, retirees and the Organization each pay a portion of the premium costs. The medical and dental plans pay a stated percentage of expenses reduced by deductibles and other coverages…. The Organization's postretirement benefit plans are unfunded. However, the Board of Governors has designated $101 million of unrestricted net assets to fund a portion of premiums for retirees' postretirement medical benefits.
· The Organization is a defendant in a number of lawsuits incidental to its operations. In the opinion of management, the outcome of such lawsuits will not have a materially adverse effect on the Organization's financial position.
Collective bargaining agreements? Medical and dental for retirees amounting to $100 million? A number of lawsuits? Again, I claim no expertise on these matters nor do I have the time to conduct a full investigation., so I cannot unequivocally say they are superfluous. However, this feels more like a government or a large multi-national corporation than a nonprofit designed to serve humanitarian needs… and it certainly doesn't scream efficient spending on programs! I worked at a $50 million per year international nonprofit, and while we debated the economic viability of buying vs. renting vehicles, we certainly did not have collective bargaining agreements, retirement benefits and lawsuits pulling at our organizational efficiency.
So here's my question: With the scathing investigations, an apparent bureaucracy, some questionable numbers –why do individual donors still give millions to the American Red Cross rather than to smaller, dare I say more efficient, and more nimble organizations? ARC is not the only organization that has faced similar accusations.
So who's at fault?
We, the general public, are of course. The fact that the ARC has raised $26+ million for Nepal relief & rebuilding continues to amaze me (note that overall contributions for Nepal are waaaay smaller than Haiti – in part due to disaster fatigue and in part due to the media over reporting Everest and under reporting the sheer devastation for locals). The fact that The New York Times and the Better Business Bureau listed the Red Cross on their short-list of who to contribute to for Nepal relief baffles me.
What can we do about it?
Sadly, in response to the article many people will write off the entire sector as being inefficient.
Instead, I would advocate the following for disaster response (much of which applies to annual philanthropic efforts as well):
As donors:
· We can choose to support the little guy, or the medium sized guy. It takes a bit more effort to ask around, to do research on Charity Navigator, or to see to whom some of the smart money (i.e., foundations like Mulago, Skoll, etc) is investing in. However, with that work, donors will be more confident that contributions being used efficiently and effectively. Here are some additional tips: Look for immediate action and accountability. Look for passion and raison' d'etre from the founders and leadership. Look for organizations that have been working there previously that have teams and partners on the ground.
· Don't get lured in by matching grants. Not all matching grants are created equally: What would 2x your contribution to the American Red Cross's Haiti efforts have gotten you? Sure a matching grant can create leverage, but look at the underlying organization too.
As foundations :
· We need to get better at coming up with our own internal short list of organizations we like, particularly post-disaster, and share this on our websites, Facebook pages, and blogs so that the general audience has good options.
· More research intelligence needs to be put into thinking about and communicating what the most efficient end-game looks like for nonprofits and truly how efficient are the larger organizations. Not all organizations should strive to become big and foundations can help ensure that the smaller ones get the support and coverage they deserve.
As media:
· Do your homework! I was pleasantly surprised to see CNN recommend many of the same organizations as Charity Navigator. All media should put some effort and quality control into their list rather than rattling off the usual suspects.
What else do you think would help?
Finally – Nepal has dropped out of the news almost entirely and there is still a lot of rebuilding to be done. Here are several social entrepreneurial organizations already doing great work in Nepal that will be key to rebuilding:
· Medic Mobile – Creating and disseminating mobile technology solutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness of community health workers in rural areas.
· One Heart Worldwide – Providing quality maternal health outcomes amidst the massive loss of health infrastructure.
· Room to Read – Rebuilding schools and providing literacy materials and instruction for the 1 million children unable to return to school after the earthquake(full disclosure –I worked at Room to Read for 7 years)
· Build Change – Rebuiding& retrofitting structures in Nepal to be safe and more earthquake resistant


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Martha & Co Martha
Beware of Martha & Co Martha!
BEWARE OF THIS VENDOR! She is the nightmare of all nightmares! She was supposed provide the floral centerpieces, cake stand, entryway florals, cake table florals and more for our event. She asked for 100% payment 3 weeks prior to the event, which we paid, as she stated that she needed all the money up front to buy the flowers. During the week of our event, she stopped responding to my calls and text messages. I still tried to be nice, as we had paid her in full and it was too late to go with anyone else. Thus, after calling and texting her multiple times a day, I barely got a hold of her 2 days prior to our event in order to finalize all the details. On the day of our event, SHE DID NOT SHOW UP! Never in a million years would I ever think that the florist I hired for my special event wouldn't show up to my event that I had meticulously been planning for 5 months! I called her when I arrived to my venue at 12:20 PM to ask her where she was. She said that she had been planning to come set-up at 2 PM, when my event was actually 12-3:30 PM! I was absolutely hysterical and broke out crying in front of all my guests. She assured me she would be there in 30 minutes so we delayed our guests and made them wait and wait, which ended up adding an obscene amount of money to our alcohol bill and leaving our guests agitated. Finally, almost 1.5 hours later, after we called her multiple times and she lied multiple times about being "down the street", she showed up. My guests had already sat down at the table and I proceeded to let her know how horrible of a vendor, business person, and florist she is. No one should have to deal with a vendor like this—especially on a day that is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion like a Christening, wedding, baby shower, bridal shower, etc. If I can convince at least just 1 person to not use Martha, then I have done my duty. Now, it's been almost 2 weeks since our event and she STILL has not even issued us our refund. She insists that it takes time to process (um…no Martha, it does not take 8 business days for the credit card company to issue a refund). Apparently, she thinks that we have "stupid" written on our foreheads, but the only stupidity I see is at Martha's business. Stay away at all costs!
Jun 22nd, 2018


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Nancy and Steve talk about two books that look at the history of the American civil rights movement. But one book sparks another suggestion.
Carry Me home: Birmingham, Alabama: The Climactic Battle of the Civil Rights Revolution," by Diane McWhorter. Nancy says that if you are going to read one book about how young people challenged Jim Crow institutions in the early 60s, this is the book to read.
Nancy is also recommending books by Lewis Norden, a southern white writer. She says that his books are hard to describe. His novel, loosely based on the death of Emmett Till is called, "Wolf Whistle." She calls it hilarious and heartbreaking. She invites readers to read it and write to us with your reaction. Maybe post your thoughts on our Facebook page.
She also likes his novel, "The Sharpshooter Blues."
She says Norden is a writer who never got the readership he deserved.
Other books mentioned or that came to mind.
The Children, by David Halberstam
The Middle Passage, by Charles Johnson
While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age During the Civil Rights Movement , by Carolyn McKinstry
Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson
In Peace and Freedom: My Journey To Selma, by Bernard Lafayette
Who's Afraid of Post-Blackness: What It Means To Be Black Now, by Toure
Archbishop Desmond Tutu wrote about the truth and reconciliation process in South Africa in his book, No Future Without Forgiveness: A Personal Overview of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Does America need to take such an unflinching look at our past and present?
And maybe we should read some Mark Twain. W.E.B. Du Bois, Langston Hughes, Octavia Butler, James Baldwin, Maya Angelou.
Well, it is a long and fulfilling list.


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I wonder you or any of the visitors to your 'Winson Green web-site have any information about 'Feathers Electical Shop' which was once at no.453 Dudley Road (between the junction with Dugdale Street and the junction wit Halberton Street).
Until about 1954, I lived with my parents and my grandmother Violet 'Queenie' Bartlett at number 11 Dugdale Street. Our garden ran along the back of the shops on Dudley Road, the last one being Feather's shop. I used to play with the little girl who lived there (Hazel). We lost touch after we moved and I now wonder what became of the Family and the business. I believe the shop is still there, but no.11 Dugdale Street is not. I think it was the only terraced house still inhabited on that side at the time, tho' I do remember the 'court' style houses on the other side of the street.
I have attached a photograph of our garden showing the ends of the Dudley Road shop gardens on the left, and the side-wall of the Grove Cinema and the houses in Halburton Street at the end. It was taken in the very late 1940's or very early 1950's. Many Thanks, ROGER SUTTON firstname.lastname@example.com
I remember Winson Green fondly, we lived in Halberton Street, a few doors from the dressmaker Mrs Bishop, and our back garden went onto the back of the Grove Cinema. I went to Summerfield Rd School opp the Park and we left when I was 8, as the house was condemed when we moved in, to go to Bromford Bridge. I hated it, but ended up living happily there, even when I got married, for 37 years. I now live in Castle Brom my Mom (Hilda Astle Nee Faulkner) and Dad are still in Bromford. Happy days.
June Allen


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So, I'm checking my e-mail this morning. Sarah Mclaughlin, who is one of my favorite artists (and it doesn't hurt that she's easy on the eyes, if you know what I mean), just released a new album last week and it's currently number one on the barnes and noble popularity chart.
Anyway, her new album is called "Wintersong" and has the following song list: Happy Xmas, What Child Is This, River Wintersong, I'll Be Home for Christmas, O Little Town of Bethlehem, The First Noel/Mary Mary, Silent Night, Song for a Winter's Night, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, In the Bleak Mid-Winter, Christmas Time Is Here.
I read this, and I'm like, c'mon! I know it's not her fault nor b&n; it's the distributor. But, a full two months before Christmas? It's not even November yet.
When I was a kid, I remember watching A Charlie Brown Christmas and how Charlie Brown was complaining about the commercialism of Christmas. That has stuck with me and is re-emphasized through the years. I'll have more to say about the holidays as they get closer. I just can't believe the shopping season is being pushed earlier and earlier every year.


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Haryana to constitute Anti -Terrorist Force 'Kavach'
- Haryana to constitute Anti -Terrorist Force ATF which will be called 'Kavach'
- Kavach would have 150 police personnel
- Kavach personnel will be given 14 weeks training by National Security Guard (NSG) located at Manesar.
- Recruitment for STF will be done in three batches of 50 personnel from Haryana Police.
- The Kavach personnel could be transferred back to Haryana Police
Haryana government will constitute an Anti Terrorist Force (ATF) namely 'Kavach' to strengthen the security arrangements in the state.
Making the announcement,Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said Kavach would have 150 police personnel who will be given 14 week training by National Security Guard (NSG) located at Manesar.
The state government will launch special recruitment drive for STF in three batches comprising 50 Haryana police personnel.
" Kavach has been constituted as a precautionary measure to deal with terrorist activities. The headquarters of Kavach would be at Gurugram and it will be headed by an officer of IG or ADGP rank." Manohar Lal Khattar said.


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What's the best biking acclaim agenda for you? The acknowledgment apparently depends on how you travel, and how often.
If you're abandoned an casual traveler, you'll appetite the best acclaim agenda for biking credibility that doesn't allegation an anniversary fee—something to accumulate in your wallet to use abandoned aback you allegation its benefits. If you biking across often, the best acclaim agenda for all-embracing biking won't allegation adopted transaction fees—most don't—and will be accustomed broadly alfresco the U.S.
If you're an ultra-frequent flier, you apparently appetite a exceptional biking acclaim agenda that offers candied biking allowances and perks, like lounge admission and anniversary credits you can use adjoin travel-related fees, and makes it accessible to arbor up biking rewards. (Some of these exceptional biking acclaim cards additionally action acceptable sign-up bonuses.) And if you abatement about in between? A acceptable biking rewards acclaim agenda for you should accomplish it accessible to acquire and redeem biking points, afterwards charging a aerial anniversary fee.
Luckily for you, a actual aggressive lending bazaar agency that issuers are ramping up their best biking acclaim agenda offers in a bid to win new customers. We analyzed several able contenders to appear up with the best biking acclaim cards for you—whether you appetite the best biking acclaim agenda with anniversary fee, the best exceptional biking acclaim card, or the best"Goldilocks"-style, all-around biking acclaim card.
Many of the best biking acclaim cards apprehend you to pay an anniversary fee—sometimes a abrupt one—to get their perks. But if you're an exceptional traveler, you're bigger off accepting a biking acclaim agenda with no anniversary fee, because the biking allowances of the added big-ticket cards won't outweigh the costs. You aloof allegation an bargain way to abstain adopted transaction fees for aback you do biking abroad, and get some rewards credibility while you're at it.
To analyze the best biking acclaim cards with no anniversary fee, we articular cards area earning and redeeming rewards was simple; area you could get an anterior bonus; and area alike $2,000 in anniversary spending would acquire you some appropriate rewards points.
courtesy of Bank of America
In the no-annual-fee category, we begin abounding appearance that accomplish this agenda the best biking rewards acclaim card. It has no anniversary fee (of course), accuse no adopted transaction fees, offers a aboveboard earning and accretion anatomy for almost acceptable rewards. If you aloof appetite a simple, no-hassle biking rewards acclaim card, this is the way to go.
Why it wins: A lot of biking acclaim cards we looked at accept cogent limitations on how you can acquire or redeem rewards: Either you accept to book through a assertive armpit or platform, or you're bound to specific auberge brands or airlines, or you ability acquisition that blackout dates accomplish it adamantine to redeem your points. With Bank of America's no-fee biking acclaim card, you don't accept to jump through any hoops: You can banknote in credibility for a anniversary acclaim to pay for airline tickets and accoutrements fees, auberge stays, car rentals, cruise or vacation packages. It additionally offers a acceptable rewards rate, accumulated with a adequately low spending claim to acquire the 20,000-point signup bonus, which is anniversary $200. This agenda additionally has no absorption on purchases for your aboriginal year.
Terms: With Bank of America's biking rewards card, you get:
Caveats: With an APR ambit of 16.24% to 24.24%, this acclaim agenda has college absorption ante than added biking acclaim cards we looked at in the no-annual-fee category. And as is accurate for all biking rewards cards: If you don't pay off your accuse in abounding every ages and end up accustomed a balance, the absorption you'll pay bound outweighs the bulk of those rewards.
These biking acclaim cards are altered from their plain-Jane counterparts in a few key ways: They about pay out college rewards for spending on travel, dining, and accompanying categories. Abounding action anniversary credits to anniversary biking costs like airline accoutrements fees—something that lets them attempt with co-branded airline acclaim cards, which tend to abandon checked-bag fees for bodies who are frequent-flier affairs members. We looked at a cardinal of exceptional biking acclaim cards, comparing their fees, rewards structures, and affluence of use.
Michael China—Time Inc. Studios
Among the best exceptional biking acclaim cards, this alms from Chase rose to the top for several reasons.
Why it wins: It has a signup benefit anniversary $500 if you accept banknote back, or $750 if you redeem your credibility through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Either way, that abandoned wipes out the bulk of your $450 anniversary fee for the aboriginal year. Beyond that, this agenda has a simple, acceptable rewards structure, carrying college credibility for several biking and dining categories, including flights, cruises, hotels, car rentals, trains, and taxis—no bulk how you book and pay for the services.
Terms: Here are the key agreement of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card:
For the austere traveler, this agenda additionally offers allowances that go a continued way adjoin offsetting its anniversary fee: You get an anniversary anniversary acclaim afterwards anniversary year for up to $300 anniversary of biking purchases, and you can get a anniversary acclaim of up to $100 every four years adjoin TSA PreCheck or Global Entry applications. You additionally can actuate a Priority Pass Select membership, which gives you admission to added than 1,000 airport lounges about the world.
Caveats: Yep, there's that $450 anniversary fee, which has been a focal point of altercation about this agenda back it was formed out in 2016. Although the bulk is appealing archetypal amid exceptional biking acclaim cards, that bulk ability be boxy for some cardholders to swallow—especially if you're aloof an casual traveler. Also, this agenda has an APR ambit of 17.24% to 24.24%. If you don't pay your bill in abounding anniversary month, the consistent absorption accuse will apace outdistance any rewards you get.
Which issuer has the best acclaim agenda for biking points, afterwards charging aerial anniversary fees? Unless you're an ultra-frequent flier or a addict of one distinct auberge or airline brand, you allegation a acceptable all-around biking rewards acclaim card—one that makes it almost accessible both to acquire and to redeem credibility for a ample ambit of biking expenses. If you biking across often, the best acclaim agenda for all-embracing biking won't allegation adopted transaction fees—most don't—and will be accustomed broadly alfresco the U.S.
Wondering what is the best acclaim agenda for travel? Now you accept your answer. This Capital One agenda endless up as the best biking rewards acclaim agenda in 2018 for all-around use, alike if you abandoned allegation a brace thousand dollars a month—regardless of which airlines and auberge chains you use.
Why it wins: Amid the top biking acclaim cards, this one stands out for a few reasons: Its sign-up benefit of 50,000 credibility is anniversary $500, at the aerial end of the ambit for biking cards, while its simple "double miles" balance blueprint agency you don't accept to accumulate clue of alternating categories. The $95 anniversary fee is waived for the aboriginal year. As a bonus, the low end of its APR ambit is a few allotment credibility beneath added above cards in the aforementioned category. This aggregate of appearance accomplish the Capital One Venture the best biking acclaim agenda for biking miles—even if you're not a austere alley warrior.
The agreement of the Capital One Venture agenda are as follows:
Caveats: Unlike some added cards for common travelers, this agenda doesn't action added travel-related perks—like a acclaim adjoin airline fees or TSA PreCheck registration.
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| Allowed to the blog site, in this time period I am going to demonstrate with regards to hotel credit cards no annual fee


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Dedicated to sustainability, real food, and honest business.
Doodle Farms is a pioneer urban farming business in Dallas, Texas. Integrating novel technologies with traditional, holistic practices, we grow chemical-free produce for local restaurants, schools, and consumers. Responding to omnipotent interests in Local and Slow Food Movements, Doodle Farms actualizes abstract claims of farm-to-table. We bring "local" to reality rather than perpetuating rhetorical greenwashing. We design and operate sustainable farms in restaurant-dense, demand-ridden locations around the city. Our farming methods - hydroponic, organic, small-scale - offer environmentally conscious alternatives to conventional food production. Doodle Farms encourages communities to contemplate their relationship to the natural world, while, more obviously, bringing the freshest produce to their plates. Far from ingenious, urban farming has a long history and thrives in all major US cities. The dearth of local growers in Dallas is a competitive disadvantage economically, socially, and environmentally. Bridging gaps between producers and consumers is one way to generate a fortified, diverse economy, a happier, more grounded populous, and a responsible relationship with Earth's precious resources.


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Spring is here! I am so happy. As I walk around my house outside, I see little greens peaking up out of the fresh dirt. My little ones want to be outside…all the time! Even the prospect of watching "Frozen" won't keep them away. They came in the other day so dirty that it left a huge ring around my tub, which I had just scrubbed the day before! Anyway, I love this weather. I start to feel a little better, get a little more energy, and start day-dreaming about maybe a summer vacation. Some sunshine, warm water, a little sand..aahhh! We can dream!
Here are the top posts from this last month.
Homemade Enchilada Sauce: Wahoo!! Seriously?? I couldn't believe how many people were interested in this one. Have any of you tried it yet? It truly is a mild and yummy flavored recipe! I hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as I have. Frugal and so delicious!
Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse: Thank you to a dear friend for giving me this idea! I really am enjoying trying a few frugal beauty tips on Pinterest. My DiY Lip Balm was also a fun and frugal beauty tip. I have a few more for the near future!
Safe Watch: I am so happy that so many read this short message about the dangers of pornography. I hope to do more posts on pornography and how to protect our families. I love the video included: "Watch Your Step".
Truths Remembered from Elizabeth Smart's Story: This one was a surprise to me as I almost didn't post it. I struggled to get all the way through My Story, yet I respect Elizabeth so much for her tenacity and willingness to be open about her experiences. This was a good post for me.
Lessons Learned from the Lawn Mower Boy: Ryan Tripp: I had so much fun with this one. Ryan was so supportive and willing to share his story and his pictures with me. It really is an amazing story about a young boy, a dream, and a huge accomplishment! If you haven't read his story, it is well worth the read.
Scripture Power: What 2,000 Little Sons Taught Me: I love this story from the Book of Mormon. It inspires me to focus on faith and not fear. It is a reminder to me of the power from scripture stories, and how they can help me right now!
Doors: This post was prompted from a talk I gave to several beautiful young women I know. This is a topic that is dear to my heart. I had a friend recently tell me I was "tender". I think it was a compliment. 🙂 I know there are many types of doors we face in our lives. I hope I am up to the challenge of the doors in my future.
Stop Bullying: Awareness: I felt so strongly about this topic. It was prompted from a young woman I saw on Facebook who was being bullied at school. Bullying is becoming a big problem, leading to hurt, pain, and in some cases suicide. If you didn't read all the posts on bullying, you can visit them here: Prevention and Intervention, and Cyberbullying.
St. Paddy's Day Pistachio Dessert: This one was yummy and no-bake! Who could ask for more? Well, I guess I could ask that someone just make it for me, and bring it on a paper plate so I don't have to clean it up… Well, dreaming is a theme for the month! 🙂 Hope you enjoy this one in the future. Chocolate pudding, anyone?
Happy Spring: Every time I look at my kitchen table, I get a little smile! I really am enjoying flexing my creative muscles. I know I am not an expert, and I have many things don't turn out, but it is fun to try some things and still maintain my budget!
One of my favorites from this month was in the doing: burlap bunnies. My girls and I truly enjoyed an afternoon together of crafting. They named each bunny and put them into families. It was a wonderful experience!
I am excited for this new season! Again, thanks to all who support me in this blogging adventure!
Happy Monday!!
Latest posts by Elizabeth (see all)
- Reverence During Church? Five Tips and a Giveaway - September 2, 2016
- Out of the Ashes: When We Grieve - May 11, 2016
- To All of Us on Mother's Day - May 7, 2016


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My mind has been blank for a while. I'm not sure why, but it's a bit empty. I was thinking of what I could tell you, and share with you, but right now, my mind is just blank and I'm going to blame the pain of a 4 week long headache. I'm working on getting it looked at. We did the first round off steroids, no results. So that means I call them back up tomorrow to schedule an MRI.
So I've been trying to think of something to write about, and I realized it fell into my lap, well not really, it happened a few weeks ago, right at around the time of my headaches.
I love sports. Hockey is my favorite. Absolutely favorite! I've followed it since the year the Penguins won the Stanley Cup in 1990-1991 season. I was around 8, and was immediately hooked. I cannot help it. Something about it called out to my tomboy side in a huge way. It didn't matter that they kept declining after winning the cup again the following season, I've followed them loyally, even through the Strikes, I was waiting and praying for hockey season to return.
Then the new era started with Sid, Malkin, and Fleury. Neal, Talbot, and Guerin. Oh I was in love even more than I thought I could be. I actually was able to wait on Billy Guerin and Fleury when I was waitressing. It was at different times. Guering was at dinner after a charity event game. Fleury, I waited on when he first came to play here. Also had the change to wait on a bunch of Steelers too, but I'm sorry, Hockey trumps Football, and Football trumps American Football every time. Welcome to my world people!
Anyways, the whole point of this… I was picking up lunch the other day at the local Sheetz gas station, getting my MTO on, and I turn around, and who do I see? Fleury! No joke. I work right by where I work is the International Airport, and the team was flying out soon for an away game. Someone was down to earth and let me get a photo with him. That is all. It made a crappy day kinda better.


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Making preppy headbands, ribbon belts, wearing my collar up, flip flops, Pink and Green, Nantucket Reds, vineyard vines, tote bags, Red Sox, Pats, Wisconsin Badgers, cheese. Those are just a few examples of...ALL THINGS KIMBA - "ATK"
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Workin' and babies
I've been on-line for a good 6 hours doing work on and off. This is the first weekend I've been able to hook up my work laptop from home. And I'm getting good use out of it. I am so happy as I brought a ton of work home that if I got done this weekend it will really help me this week.
Tomorrow morning the sweetest friend of mine Hillary, will be giving birth to her first child (baby girl!).
Here is a picture of us from her shower two weeks ago! She looks pretty fab eh?/!
Can't wait to to get Torin's email tomorrow and finally find out what our little "Shirl's" name actually is! Oh and that she will finally be welcomed into their world.
We love you guys!!!!
**Hill and Torin have not let anyone know what they're naming their little bundle of joy so her BFF Sooz named her "Shirley" until she's born** It really is pretty cute!
4 comments:
- RED said...
ha, I brought home work this weekend (and actually got stuff done) too!
LOVE your pink jacket! (and the fabulous green necklace!) so chic Kimba!
- IrishEyes said...
You look like you could be sisters!
After seeing your beautiful smiles and resemblance, the next to notice was your great pink blazer with a green necklace! So Kimba is right! :-)
I too brought my computer home to do work but never even took it out of the case. Had a great weekend but now I am definitley paying the price!
- Southern Sugar said...
Congrats to your friend. Please tell us what she names the baby. I spy a KEP Designs necklace.
- Perfectly Plump Preppy said...
You girls look v sweet in that picture. I love the necklace you are wearing :)


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i am one of those people who starts to "clean" something and ends up sprawled out on the floor all teary-eyed 3 hours later pouring over every single photo album or old dairy or bin of keepsakes from when the girls where babies, in some kind of time warp, the sun setting and the broom abadoned. no cleaning get's done, but i have been gloriously lost in time, fulfilled with the documentation of memories i continue to lug around with me from place to place. because who really wants to clean, anyway. i want to remember. i want to feel it all.
apparently it's the same way while going through youtube trying to create space for new videos for my beautiful Arcanum people, so they can watch me ramble and act totally like The Fool and realize i don't know anything about anything but i sure got a whole hell of a lot of love and "ummms" and "so anyways". while trying to upload and organize, i started watching all these old videos. old one of the kids singing. of me sending love messages to friends in Ireland and San Diego and NY. vidoes from past writing groups. and videos for moonstorm sessions. and then i came cross this one. and i felt it appropriate -for some reason - to share it hear.
i never read my work and record it, truly, i don't. can't stand to hear my voice {fuck, isn't that telling?} but in this one i say something about how we are not being created by a creation story. and instead we are creating our own creation story. this is such a big old gong bell in my heart. this feels like magic spider webs flowing from my fingertips and making sparkly silver worlds that cannot be defined and we are all whole.
i wrote and read this many years ago. i know that because i remember recording it in the white house with the awesome bay view. the white house was the house after the farmhouse and before the disasterous remodel house which was before the yurt which took us to the house right here and now. which is only ours for a few more moments anyway. so in those terms, it was probably recorded 5 years ago.
anyway, i wanted to share this. the words and the voice. and dedicate it to all of us who understand there is more than this. and also that this is all there is. and to those who are willing to get lost in order to feel. who are willing to die and grieve in order to liberate. and i wanted to offer it up to all the beautiful and intuitive souls who are taking Arcanum as we journey through the cards- which is really this exact journey through the Self.


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|You are in: Football: Europe
Wednesday, 19 February, 2003, 19:02 GMT
Ortega's Saudi switch
The midfielder left Fenerbahce for nearly £500,000 in a three-month deal until the end of the Saudi season.
It will be Ortega's second move in less than a year, as he only joined the Turkish side from River Plate last May in a £3.4m move.
Ortega found it difficult to settle down in Argentina after constant rows with River Plate coach Ramon Diaz.
The 28-year-old has already had a spell in Europe with Italian clubs Sampdoria and Parma.
Ortega's flair and darting runs have also earned him a regular place in Argentina's national side.
He was part of the side who reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 1998.
But that experience was marred when he was sent-off for headbutting Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.
He also suffered bad luck in last year's World Cup as Argentina failed to get past the group stage.
Al-lttihad are keen to build on their success by bringing players of international calibre to Saudi Arabia.
Ortega is expected to make his debut for them on Friday alongside striker Titi Camara who is on loan from West Ham.
See also:
23 May 02 | Argentina
27 May 02 | Argentina
Top Europe stories now:
Links to more Europe stories are at the foot of the page.
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Goldman Sachs got break, but not cities
The city of Oakland has taken the first step to correct an injustice that is costing struggling cities while banks were bailed out.
On July 3, the Oakland City Council unanimously passed my motion to negotiate a termination without fees or penalties of an investment called an "interest rate swap" between Oakland and Goldman Sachs. If Goldman Sachs refuses, then Oakland would boycott doing future business with the investment bank. The Oakland Coalition to Stop Goldman Sachs, including community-based organizations, churches and unions, originally proposed this action.
Ending this agreement could save Oakland $4 million a year, up to a total of $15.57 million, which could be used for additional police, city services or after-school programs.
Oakland is the first city in the country to take this action. We are calling on other cities and public agencies across the country to join us.
Thousands of cities and other public agencies hold these toxic interest rate swaps, so this action could save taxpayers billions of dollars.
An interest rate swap works like this: Government agencies fund major projects by borrowing money and paying either fixed or variable interest rates on the loan. Similar to adjustable-rate mortgages, variable interest rate bonds initially have lower interest rates but carry the risk of much higher interest rates later on, depending on market conditions. Banks invented the interest rate swap to limit the risk to the borrower of soaring payments as interest rates rise.
In Oakland's case, the city issued $126 million of variable interest rate bonds in 2005, with an associated interest rate swap in which Oakland would pay Goldman Sachs a fixed rate of 5.6775 percent until 2021. (These bonds were refinanced in 2008, but the interest rate swap stayed in place.) In exchange, Goldman Sachs would pay Oakland an offset based on 65 percent of the London interbank offered rate index. Libor is set by surveying a group of banks to determine their average interest rate. It changes daily.
The attraction of these swaps is that the city would get a stable payment and that both sides are supposed to break even in the long run. But, when the economy crashed, the federal government slashed the prime rate so that banks would make lower-cost loans and stimulate business. Thus, the banks got bailed out, but the cities were left holding the bag.
As a result, these swaps now favor the banks because their interest rate has adjusted down while the fixed rate the city pays has remained high. Instead of passing their savings on, Goldman Sachs and the other banks are profiting by continuing to charge these high interest rates. For Oakland, this means that Goldman Sachs is making little or no offset payment to the city.
Now we learn that a dozen banks are under investigation for artificially lowering the Libor rate and that a banking industry official admitted to the practice in 2008.
Multiply this by the thousands of public agencies that have similar agreements and the result is that billions of dollars are being taken from cash-starved cities for bank profits and bankers' bonuses.
Oakland has taken a first step. We hope others will follow.
Jane Brunner is a member of the Oakland City Council.