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Two suspects are in custody after allegedly opening fire on an off-duty Oakland police officer's vehicle Wednesday evening.
The officer was unhurt and it was unclear why the suspects fired at the officer's vehicle in the first place.
Help support the men and women who protect and serve by donating or joining now! Americans in Support of Law Enforcement is a nonprofit organization and your donations help keep us up and running.


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Letters to the Editor
Letter to the editor | Creative financing
Libraries all over the state seem to have financial problems.
Maybe it is time for our residents to realize that they are the ones who benefit most from the libraries and that it shouldn't always be up to state and local government to fund them.
I suggest to affluent seniors with nice pensions like me that they estimate how much they would pay in local taxes on consulting income, dividends and capital gains, if municipalities were allowed to tax them like the state does, and then send a check to the library or the food bank.
Gert Aron, Boalsburg

subset: commoncrawl


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Soccer Fan Rubber Duck
Soccer Fan Rubber Duck
The soccer fan of Essex Duck is ready to cheer the team to victory. Made to the highest standards from phthalate-free PVC. Not a teething toy. Exercise proper supervision for children under three. Measures " long x " wide x " high. Patent-protected design. XM-1127
Add To Cart


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The Second Sunday in Advent (December 5, 2010)
A New Life; A Different Life
Lessons: Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 (7) Romans 15:4-13 St. Matthew 3:1-12
Prayer of the Day: Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming nurture our growth as people of repentance and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
3.1 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." 3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' "
4 Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit worthy of repentance. 9 Do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 "I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
St. Matthew 3:1-12. New Revised Version Bible ©1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
St. John, the Baptizer, had a remarkable affect on people.
He was an intriguing person – one of the more interesting Biblical characters. His attire was standard fare for Hebrew prophets: camel-hair clothing and a leather belt. So was his diet: locusts and wild honey. When people saw him, they knew that he stood in a long line of prophetic speakers who brought a word from God to those who believe. He was an engaging speaker: people came from miles around just to hear his message. He was a man who understood ritual: as his listeners were touched by his sermons – as they become convinced that they needed nothing less than a whole new beginning – he would throw their heads under the water, symbolically drowning them. Then he would dramatically haul them back up into the air, symbolically bringing them back to life – to a new life – to a different life.
John's approach was powerful, and many who met him had life-changing experiences. They were transformed by his approach, and the growing crowds were a sign of just how great his impact was.
John's focus was on repentance: an interesting Biblical concept. The Greek word for "repentance" is μετανοία (meta-noia). Meta, for transform. Noia for mind. In other words, repentance is to have one's mind completely transformed. Repentance is to look at life through completely different eyes. Repentance is to live with an entirely new set of priorities, objectives, goals and intents. Repentance is to turn around and walk in a new, fresh and faithful way. Repentance is to experience a new life — a different life.
In this morning's text, Saint John, the Baptizer, says, "Bear fruits worthy of repentance." John is saying that one's words and actions ought to be consistent with a mind transformed by faith. This isn't another form of the Boy Scout motto, "do a good deed daily." No, what John is after here runs much deeper. He is teaching his listeners, and his readers today, that to be touched by faith means to receive such a dramatically new outlook on life that everything becomes new — everything becomes different. Every relationship becomes an opportunity to share grace. Every need becomes an opportunity to be the presence of Christ on earth. Every conflict becomes an opportunity to bring healing and new beginnings.
John was not Messiah, of course. His ministry wouldn't usher in a new age. He wouldn't be the vehicle through which believers would be made right with God (and, for that matter, neither would his demand that people repent of their sins and ask God for forgiveness). His was a preparatory role – God sent John to prepare the people for the arrival of Jesus, the Christ. By coming to know a need for repentance, one comes to know a need for Christ. That is John's ministry, and he continues that ministry today.
Acknowledging our sin. Asking God for forgiveness. Looking at life through a transformed mind. These actions won't save us, for sure. Jesus alone is the source of that gift. But these actions may just well be what opens our hearts and our minds to a living and growing relationship with the Risen Christ. If so, then John has accomplished his purpose once again, and his ministry continues to be the life-changing force it was in the first century. To that, then, let God's people say, "Amen, Come Lord Jesus."
David J. Risendal, Pastor
Exploring This Week's Gospel:
- What impression did John leave on his first century listeners?
- How did his message compare to the message of Jesus?
- How did his ministry prepare people to be touched by Jesus?
Connecting with This Week's Gospel:
- What, in my life, cries out for forgiveness and renewal?
- How has God's grace made a difference in my own life?
- Does John's ministry with me cause me to consider leading someone else to where they can trust in the promise of Jesus Christ?


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How do those giant cranes get painted before they go to the market? Most people have no idea. Some of the best companies in the world use a high-powered industrial sized paint booth. read more
5820 Delphi Dr Troy, MI 48098 Tel: 248-930-0758View company website
Delphi provides service solutions for fuel management, engine management, heating & cooling and diesel applications. ...
2629 Weston Road Suite A Weston, FL 33331 954-385-7278
8631 - A Polk Lane Olive Branch, MS 38654 662-890-6145
2629 Weston Road Suite 1 Weston, FL 33331 561-353-1050
P.O. Box 70 Fond du Lac, WI 54936 920-922-5900


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Being a customer centric organization, we are involved in offering a unique collection of PP (Polypropylene) Pickling Tank. We are manufacturing these tanks utilizing optimum quality raw material and with most advanced technology at our manufacturing unit. Additionally to this, our tanks are highly demanded and appreciated amongst our clients for their corrosion resistance nature and reliability. This type of assortment is accessible in a diverse grades and dimensions for our customers to choose from us at marketable price. With the support of the highly qualified and technically sound team along with State of the art infrastructure, sophisticated manufacturing and sourcing of quality raw material, we are able to manufacture quality products as per International DVS standards.
These offered pp pickling tanks have cascade water flow system and further the tanks are used for provisions for inlet, drain, overflow, heaters, thermometers, recycling, air agitation cathode movement, dosing, sampling, slant bottom for sludge collection. Our tanks are rigorous quality checked by our employer before dispatch on all products and even provide the test certificated provided along with dispatch. Having the attributes like UV protected, fire retardant, lifting hooks, static grounding arrangements. Plastic Tanks meet stringent environment conditions and work to the cycle principle
Unique Features of PP pickling tank
- Low production cost
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- Maintenance free & cost saving
- Reliable welding seam


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A half-term cinema ticket giveaway to youngsters who would otherwise not be able to go has smashed its fundraising target.
Danny Dawes, from Grandad's Front Room, said he had set out to help 75 children with a cinema ticket giftcard but at the time of going to print, the appeal had already reached enough for 217 young people.
He said the generosity showed the town had 'true community'.
He said: "It's just Bognor, it's just so nice, just £3.50 is going to create smiles, and create memories."
Some of the children who have previously gone to the cinema with the vouchers had never been to see a film before, he said.
"If you've got a family that's say, mum and dad and three kids, mum and dad will probably go but they may not take the kids because three times £3.50 is a lot," Danny said. "This way, they can have a bit of time out together."
As a thank you, giftcard recipients will be encouraged to write or draw a message of thanks to the community on the giftcard envelope.
Donations have so far reached more than £760 and are still coming in.
Danny said he would have to close the appeal on October 16 to organise vouchers in time for half-term but he was very grateful to everyone who had contributed.


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Adorable Boy Learns How To Count
1..2..3.. no, no. Look, it's a robot. This adorable young toddler boy learns how to count to five but gets very distracted along the way. He is probably the cutest toddler ever, we'll call him Big Guy, since that is what his shirt says. My favorite part is when he counted 1… 2… burp… 4… 5. And then he was so over the counting and became even more distracted.


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A Bognor Regis man caught driving with four different drugs in his system was 'beyond his depth' after racking up thousands of pounds of drug debt.
Worthing Magistrates Court heard on Tuesday how 18-year-old Jamie Aldred, of Firs Avenue West in Bognor Regis, had more than 800mg per litre of benzoylecgonine – a compound of cocaine – in his blood when pulled over in Chichester Road on September 17.
The rating was the highest the test can give, at over 16 times the legal limit. He was also found to have over the legal amounts of cocaine, cannabis and MDMA.
In a report compiled during an adjournment, his probation officer described how Aldred racked up £8,000 of drug debt with a notorious Bognor Regis drug dealer, leaving him fearing for his safety.
"He has admitted the situation is 'screwing his life up'," he said. "He planned to go out and have a 'complete blowout' and considered an overdose to get himself out of the situation.
"He is aware he needs to get out of that world completely. He has had a really quite frightening brush with the criminal underworld that he was not expecting."
Aldred admitted to being a recreational user of cannabis and said he had had a 'heavy night' beforehand, on September 16.
"I know it's not an excuse, but I only do drugs to take the stress away," he said.
The police officer who made the arrest described Aldred as having 'glazed eyes' and 'dilated pupils', but Aldred said he did not think the drugs would still be in his system so long after taking them.
He pleaded guilty to all four counts of driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit.
In his final address, the probation officer said he did not believe Aldred to be a drug addict and said he was aware of the 'extreme predicament' he had got himself into. He recommended a community, rather than custodial, sentence.
"He is a young man who has got himself into a world which is well beyond his depth," he said.
Aldred was granted an 18 month conditional discharge for each charge, to run concurrently, by chief magistrate Victoria Willetts, due to his 'previous good character'.
He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months, fined £20 as a victim surcharge and ordered to pay £85 court costs.
More news:
Bognor man charged with theft and possession of a knife in Chichester
Contentious Selsey memorial bench policy to be discussed by councillors
'Very saddened' woman speaks out after thieves 'ransack' her home


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What a year. 1977 saw the first test flight of the Space Shuttle, the incorporation of Apple, and the release of the first personal computer—the Commodore PET. There were events that would affect the life-philosophies of little boys and girls for the foreseeable future—the release of the first Star Wars movie and of the Atari 2600. It saw the death of a King (Elvis) and the birth of a slayer (Sarah Michelle Gellar). It saw the completion of long projects, now no more--the Concorde and the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center (designed to withstand and impact of a Boeing 707—a common commercial plane at the time). Steven Biko died in a South African jail, the first MRI scanner was tested in Brooklyn, and GPS was ushered in by the US government. All of these events had the effect of moving the collective to be better, to be different, to expand.
The effects of 1977 are still expanding popular music. Punk had its start a few years earlier, but the release of the Sex Pistols' Never Mind the Bollocks. Here's the Sex Pistols slammed the genre into the ears of complacent mid-1970's "rock" music listeners with all the subtlety of a steel-toed boot. Rock had arguably lost a lot of the biting edge that had so wonderfully angered adults of the 1950's. Unfortunately, Punk also meant a loss of virtuosity. The Sex Pistols, the Ramones, the Stranglers, Iggy Pop - all proved that you could make seriously compelling music without having studied at Berkley or Eastman. To this day though, hipsters often consider a band less than authentic if its members can actually play their instruments and exhibit this proficiency either on stage or in recordings. To quote one such lost soul overheard at a show at the 9:30 Club featuring some of the best musicians of this modern day: "they're just wankin' off."
But in September of 1977, in what can now be seen as a preemptive strike on such uninformed criticism, jazz-rock titans Steely Dan released their masterpiece, Aja, an album that is not only considered to be one of the greatest in Rock and Roll history, but one that could never, EVER, be accused of "wankin' off." Delivered by a gang lead by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, this truly amazing collection of musicians (Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour, Tom Scott, Wayne Shorter [more on him later], Michael McDonald, and Chuck Rainey made a classic jazz/blues/rock/progressive rock album that even the most jaded hipster could not (and should not) dismiss. The title track exhibits probably the most tasteful and, god forbid, spiritual drum performance in all of recorded music--Steve Gadds' performance on Aja is a thing of beauty.
But beauty in music isn't only borne of taste and perfection. More often than not it springs from pain, suffering, and jealously, and there's no better example of that than Fleetwood Mac's Rumors. Almost everyone has a favorite track from this legendary quintet but most will tend to agree, myself included, that the the Franken-song "The Chain," stands head and shoulders above the rest. On the multi-track SACD version of this masterpiece, the band members tell the story of how this seemingly coherent song was pieced together from bits of other songs and song concepts. It all somehow came together to form not a monster, but a striking entity, conceived from personal agony. Beauty borne from ultimate suffering.
1977 saw the inaugural albums of the Clash, Peter Gabriel sans Genesis, and an artsy collective called Talking Heads, and each of these artists' influence is still expanding music—pop, rock, whatever. Weather Report (Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius …) put out a jazz fusion album, Heavy Weather, that defined the genre. Disco (love it or hate it) came into its own with the release of 'Saturday Night Fever' while Meatloaf was cementing his place in rock and roll history with Bat Out of Hell. The other Elvis – Costello, that is - released an almost perfect album with 'My Aim is True.' Bob Marley's 'Exodus' produced reggae classics that have kept white people dancing for over 40 years—hurray (and sometimes, alas) Bob. Seasoned veterans Queen's 1977 offering 'News of the World' would have stadiums rocking out long past the death of Freddie Mercury. 'The Stranger,' Billy Joel's best, gave us such great songs as "Movin' Out," "Just the Way You Are," my personal favorite "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant," and the Catholic school anthem "Only the Good Die Young."
1977 saw the formation of bands that would come to define and influence most of the 80's —the Police, XTC, Human League, INXS, Bad Brains, Misfits, the Psychedelic Furs, Scritti Politti, Def Leppard, Dire Straits, Black Flag, the Thompson Twins, Gang of Four, and the Buggles, creators of the video that ushered in MTV. The year also saw the breakup of the Supremes and the end of the original Lynyrd Skynyrd, when a plane crash claimed three of its members. In 1977, Warner Brothers signed Prince Rogers Nelson to a three album deal—the rest, as they say, is history.
Or in other words….
1977—"Peg" the "Psycho Killer" stood on "Solsbury Hill" showing "No Compassion" that "London's Burning," as "Three Little Birds" passed overhead. Considering herself "More Than a Woman" she was "Waiting in Vain" for her "Miracle Man." She thought "If I Can't Have You" she'd would "Get Down, Make Love" with "the Stranger" who tried to seduce her like a "Bat Out of Hell", yet seemed "Cold As Ice." Having a "Lust For Life," she left this "Hum Drum" to find "Paradise by the Dashboard Lights," escaping the "Anarchy in the UK." She had reached the "Point of No Return" when "Alison" called. She said the "Gold Dust Woman" has "Sneaky Feelings" that "We Will Rock You". She was standing in "The Hall of Mirrors" screaming "The Angels want to Wear My Red Shoes." "Jammin'" her into "Submission," she convinced her to return to "Vienna," where the "Heros" were "Never Going Back Again." "Home At Last," no "Jive Talkin'," just a big "Black Cow" and the "Remote Control." Her world, expanding.


text: This beach is opposite Golfito, and the view of the bay, port and the surrounding rainforest is worth the short boat-ride out here. As for swimming, although it's cleaner than the polluted waters just off the town, the water isn't pristine. This is not the Golfo Dulce proper, and although efforts have been made to clean up trash, you're still near a dock visited by freighters.


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The Board of Visitors held its 64th annual Fashion Show Luncheon Dec. 16 at The Arizona Biltmore.
More than 1,100 guests turned out to cheer on the 2018 Flower Girls, grandchildren of BOV members and professional models as they took to the runway wearing the latest fashions from Dillard's.
Margaret Beardsley and Kelly Sifferman chaired the event.
Proceeds from the Fashion Show Luncheon will benefit the community healthcare needs of women, children and the elderly. In 2017, The Board of Visitors donated $762,000 to local charities, including The Board of Visitors Ryan House, Maggie's Place, Phoenix Rescue Mission and Barrow Neurological Foundation.
The 2018 Flower Girls will be presented at the 103rd Annual Charity Ball April 7, 2018 at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn.
Established in 1908, The Board of Visitors is the oldest charitable organization in Arizona. Since its inception, The Board of Visitors has granted more than $19 million to local nonprofit organizations in the greater Phoenix community serving the healthcare needs of women, children and the elderly.
For more information, visit boardofvisitors.org.
The Scottsdale Independent publishes a free daily newsletter. A print edition is mailed to 75,000 homes and businesses each month. If you value our journalistic mission, please consider showing us your support.


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Your 8-day Cuba vacation people-to-people experience in Havana and the island nation's South beckons. Located 90 miles south of Key West, Florida, this colorful island of yesteryear is ripe for exploration. The capital of Havana is where your share of Cuba adventure tours begins. Founded in 1515, this famous city is home to awe-inspiring architectural treasures - and classic American cars. Here you will have the chance to explore the nation's storied history and lively culture by meeting its artists, dancers and musicians, visiting its museums and rum factories, walking its plazas and parks, tasting its authentic fare at locally-run paladars, and much more. On one of your many cultural exchanges and educational tours to Cuba, you will step back to the 1950s as you ......
Round trip airfare to Cuba, Visa for Cuba ($ 55 per person), meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary, porterage, tips and other items of a purely personal nature
*From Price is per person based on double occupancy in a Casa Particular (Upscale Private Home)
For 5 to 7 people traveling together Prices from $2,099
We can offer this escorted program for larger groups under the "People-to-People Program" License using the following hotel accommodations. Call for details.
Upon your arrival in Havana you will be met at the airport and taken by deluxe motor coach to begin your exploration of Havana. We start with a visit to the former presidential palace, now the Museum of the Revolution that displays documents and artifacts, weapons and planes from the 1950s revolution. The museum was formerly the home to Cuba's leaders from the 1920s until 1959. After checking in at your Casa Particular you will have some leisure time followed by your official Welcome-to-Cuba dinner. (D)
¡Bienvenidos! After breakfast, depart for Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore its four main plazas and cobblestone streets. Stop at the Maqueta Vieja Habana Museum that houses the scale model of the city before continuing to the Graphic Arts Workshop where you will have an opportunity to speak with their artists. Next, it's on to meet locals at ArteCorte, a community project started by a successful hairdresser that gets idle young kids off the streets and teaches them moneymaking skills. After an enjoyable lunch at El Figaro, a local paladar, continue through Old Havana and see the Almacenes de San José, an artisan's market for shopping and learning first-hand how some of the local crafts are created. Dinner this evening will be at "La Elite" Paladar. (B,L,D)
Your culturally enriching adventure continues today with a morning visit to a local cigar factory to see firsthand how they grow, dry and prepare the tobacco before hand-rolling the famous Cuban cigars. Next, in the Romerio neighborhood, you will visit one of Cuba's most well-known artists, Kcho, world-renowned for his monumental and evocative sculpture, installations, paintings and prints inspired by his island home. Following, continue on to the home/studios of acclaimed artist José Fuster who specializes in ceramics, painting, drawing, engraving and graphic design. His ongoing project is redecorating his and his neighbors' houses into what is called Fusterlandia in Jaimanitas with lunch following. In the afternoon enjoy a special presentation and tour of the Antonio Núñez Jimenez Foundation for Nature and Humanity, a scientific and cultural institution dedicated to the research and promotion of culturally and socially directed environmental protection. This evening is yours to enjoy dinner and explore the city at your leisure – make Cuba your own tonight! (B,L)
Following breakfast, depart for a visit to a community dance project where you will see and learn firsthand how to dance and sway to the marvelous rhythms of salsa. Then it's on to the Litz Alfonso Dance Company to meet the students and be treated to a special live rehearsal. After a visit to a marvelous children's art project, lunch has been organized at a local paladar. Next, step back to the 1940s and 50s as you enter the landmark Hotel Nacional de Cuba. Feel like Hollywood elite as you tour the hotel where time stands still and sip on a mojito in the lovely gardens overlooking the Malecón (broad esplanade and seawall) and Straits of Florida beyond. The balance of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the wonders of Havana. Take in the sounds of the Buena Vista Social Club with dinner at Café Habana where you can dance late into the night. (B,L,D)
We depart Havana today for Cienfuegos, Cuba's "Pearl of the South." Our morning commences with a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts or the Museum of Decorative Arts to marvel at Cuban masterpieces and more. On our way to Cienfuegos we visit Finca Yoandra, a farm that supplies many of the local restaurants – including Il Divino Paladar, where we will enjoy lunch. Upon arrival in Cienfuegos you will get to check in to your Casa Particular and then partake in dinner at a local restaurant followed by a stop at the Afro-Cuban community project of Trazos Libres, an art project of murals on homes. (B,L,D)
Today, on your way to the colonial city of Trinidad, stop for a walk through the Botanical Gardens of Cienfuegos, brimming with lush greenery and beautiful flora and fauna. Then it's on to Trinidad, a well-preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in 1514 situated between the mountains and the sea. After a city tour and lunch at a local restaurant, tour Casa del Alfarero, a ceramics workshop where you will learn the secrets to creating some of the handicrafts you have seen throughout this adventure. Then enjoy some free time to walk the winding cobblestone streets with oxcarts loaded with local wares, and take in the views of the pastel colored homes and buildings. Dinner and further discoveries are at your leisure this evening back in Cienfuegos. (B,L)
After breakfast this morning, enjoy the Cienfuegos Choir before departing the city and heading towards Finca Vigia (Lookout Farm), in San Francisco de Paula, to visit Ernest Hemingway's winter home from 1939 to 1960. See the author's 9,000 volume library, his yacht Pilar and the typewriter on which he wrote some of his greatest works (For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Old Man and the Sea) while learning about his life here during a talk with a docent. Lunch will be enjoyed in the former fishing village of Cojimar, where Hemingway moored his boat and the movie The Old Man and the Sea was filmed. After having time to speak with local fishermen, you will head back to Havana and check in to your hotel. A special farewell dinner is planned this evening to cap off your Cuba vacation. (B,L,D)
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA. We hope you had an inspiring, insightful, and wonderful holiday with Central Holidays in Cuba! (B)


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TXT.02 is a wider version of the TXT.01 in diameter. The re-design preserves the original pre-hispanic icpalli process in terms of height and design.
The TXT.02 tabouret accompanies our TXT.03 armchair as an ottoman or as a side table with a simple tray placed on top.
We suggest the TXT.02 as a textural accent which provides warmth in the most intimate areas of present-day spaces.
Size Ø 25 x 15.7 inches / Ø 64 x 40 cm
100 % Hand woven in Tule natural fiber
Made in Mexico


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As "The Internet of Things" continues to expand to more devices for the home, the ease of home automation gets more complicated. With an app for your lights, one for the sprinklers, another for your thermostat … you get the point, your phone is filled with apps.
Revolv is the first simple solution to unify all of these and take away your frustrations. According to their website, "it's a single automated experience worth getting giddy over!"
Revolv supports all of today's best-selling smart home devices such as Yale locks, Sonos, Philips Hue, Inseteon, GE and more. The app itself is simple and sleek. The home screen features a dashboard that lists all of the devices in your home. You can see what's going on with your devices, recent activity or access On-Demand Actions.
Calling it, "lifestyle automation," the team at Revolv incorporated a Geosense Proximity feature, which allows you to control your home based on your proximity to it without the phone ever even leaving your pocket.
Another great thing about Revolv is it uses wireless Internet. The "Revolv Hub" only requires a power cord, so all you have to do is connect it to your Wi-Fi network and you're set. This Hub acts as the central point of all your home devices, making it easy to control them from one place. Revolv provides updates so your device can keep improving. Check out Revolv and get "Smart Home Awesomation."
"We're shutting down Revolv.
Revolv was a great first step into the connected home. It wasn't perfect, but we worked hard to make something we – and other smart people – could build on.
And it worked. In 2014, we were bought by Nest and the technology we made became an integral part of the Works with Nest platform. Now Works with Nest is turning into something more secure, more useful and just flat-out better than anything Revolv created.
So we're pouring all our energy into Works with Nest and are incredibly excited about what we're making. Unfortunately, that means we can't allocate resources to Revolv anymore and we have to shut down the service. As of May 15, 2016, your Revolv hub and app will no longer work.
Thank you for your support and believing in us. We're sad for the end of Revolv, but this isn't the end of the connected home. This is the beginning."


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Hel's Angels have been getting all arty of late with the joys of Blue Moon's "Artfully Crafted" campaign. Throughout selected bars across London and Brighton, our "Crafty" Angels invited people to try the refreshing nectar of Blue Moon and turn their hands to arts and crafts.
The White Horse in London's Parsons Green hosted all three areas of Blue Moon's craft to the public: "Hit and Run" – A speedy screen print Collaborative, "RART"- A rather experimental and mind bending Life Drawing experience and finally "Urban Cross Stitch"- A contemporary approach to cross stitch that will certainly dust off any lurking preconceptions!
(Client: BD Network)


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With this service we will provided you with the following:
Scope of Services
Includes the following:
We have allowed to liaise with the energy authority as required, but we have made no allowance for the payment of any fees or charges to Authorities
We have assumed that digital copies of the drawings will be provided in AutoCAD format.
This is not a full electrical design, therefore we have not allowed to provide certification of the design. However our layouts will be compliant with standards and regulations.


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Press Here (Board Book)
|Hervé Tullet
$14.99(AUD) inc GST
Available Stock: 1
|Hervé Tullet
The board book edition of the international bestseller.
Press here.
That's right. Just press the yellow dot. And turn the page.
The magical adventure powered entirely by your imagination - now for even the smallest readers!


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About River of Glory Church
Our Vision, Cause & Culture
River of Glory Church is a Word of Faith, Spirit-filled Church. Our desire is to assist believers in fine-tuning their calling and purpose in life. We accomplish this through relevant preaching of the Word, dynamic praise and worship, heart-felt friendships, and continuous powerful prayer and community outreach. We are a family-centered church ministering the uncompromising love of Jesus to every age. We are a blend of new believers and established mature Christians, but mostly we are a people hungry for more of God in our lives.
For any ministry to have an impact for the kingdom of God there must be three components in full operation. There must be a vision from God that guides; a cause that drives within a culture thrives.
According to Ephesians 1:3-13 and Romans 8:14-15, everything that we are and have flows through our inheritance as sons or daughters of God through Jesus Christ! Praise God for the benefits that come through our relationship and association in Him!
Likewise, in ministry the relationship and association we have with another ministry not only grants us the same flow of blessing and anointing that God has placed on them, but as we come under their "covering" we also take on their same mission or seal of ministry. Pastors Peter and Theresa Barby submit to the leadership and fatherhood of Apostle Guillermo Maldonado and King Jesus International Ministry in Miami, Florida, and are ordained through Apostle Maldonado's New Wine Apostolic Network.
The mission of King Jesus International Ministry is to bring the supernatural power of God to this generation. The mission or cause of River of Glory Church is the same.
The vision of River of Glory Church is to prepare God's people for Christ's return. To bring restoration to the whole man--body, soul, and spirit. To evangelize, affirm, disciple, and send and to bridge the generations together as one.
The cause of River of Glory Church is to purposefully, deliberately, and continually manifest the Kingdom of God everywhere we go and in everything we do; thus bring the supernatural power of God to this generation.
The culture established at River of Glory Church is one of honor, where we highly esteem the Lord Jesus Christ, welcoming His Glory, and then esteeming one another above ourselves in order that everyone achieves their full destiny in Christ.


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While the price of diesel will increase by between 23 and 27 cents a litre, and petrol by four cents in November, motorists should brace themselves for a substantial fuel hike in December.
Largely the result of a rapidly depreciating rand and rising crude oil prices, consumers could expect to pay anywhere between 30 to 40 cents a litre more for petrol and diesel in December, said independent economist, Dawie Roodt.
"The political and economic instability in South Africa is going to keep our currency volatile and I believe that further increases in the crude oil price are likely. All of these factors are conspiring against the fuel price and a substantial increase is highly likely," he said.
The Automobile Association also warned that fuel price hikes are inevitable before year end. "We believe fuel prices have not yet felt the full effect of the rand's weakening in the wake of the medium-term budget policy statement. We expect that impact to start with next month's fuel calculations, meaning South Africans should prepare for further price hikes before Christmas," it said.
Weak rand
According to the department of energy, November's fuel price hikes were largely due to the weakening of the rand, which was captured at R13.62 to the dollar in October compared to R13.13 during September.
The rand has weakened further since then.
Following a bleak mini-budget report by finance minister Malusi Gigaba last week, the rand reached its weakest point in 2017 at R14.24 to the US dollar.
By 11h00 on Monday the currency had strengthened slightly to R14.11 – but analysts and economists are not optimistic that the scenario will improve much in the coming weeks.
Because of South Africa's low growth, widening debt, high levels of unemployment, SOEs in decline, and a major R207 billion tax shortfall expected over the next three years, a rating downgrade to full junk is practically inevitable, economists have said.
This would push the country out of the World Government Bond Index, wiping as much as R200 billion from the economy, and knocking the rand even harder.
Neil Roets, CEO of Debt Rescue, said it was also likely that the ratings agencies would announce downgrades to South Africa's sovereign debt to junk status before the end of the year – which would further impact on the rand, and put more pressure on consumers this Christmas.
Further, political instability has also put the rand in a volatile position, with markets watching keenly to see who will emerge as the ANC's next leader at the party's elective conference in December – but more so on the machinations driving the political sphere ahead of the conference.
"Consumers should brace themselves for hard times ahead and face the fact that all of us are now going to be held collectively responsible for our government's inability to grow the economy and create prosperity for all South Africa's people," Roets said.
He said the continuous increase in the diesel price was especially bad news because virtually all consumer goods were transported by road and would result in higher prices across the board.


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I always serendipitously find my favourite burner, Michelle Marquez, my partner in crime from Miami who I get to share some really crazy and memorable adventures on the playa with.
Michelle tell us some of the Highlights from Burning Man 2010?
Definitely seeing the man burn, the energy was so intense, it was a very beautiful moment!
What makes BM so special?
Everything, it's the people with their positive energy and free spirit.
The art installations, the music, the amazing scenery of the desert with its beautiful sunrise and sunsets... all those things compliment each other and make the whole place special.
No, not at all :)
Any fantastic dj's or parties you discovered?
I loved Robot Heart when Desyn Masielo, Cassy and Lee Burridge played, they were awesome, and during the day time i loved the Distrikt it was a crazy fun party.
Anything else you want to share about your experience?
Anything else..... well it was a life changing experience, I am still in shock.
Photo of Michelle M.


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Start the week with an emotional feeler.Read More
Brasstracks - Too Far, Too Fast
You'll be grooving all night long.Read More
Spag Heddy - Bass Claws
Soaring melodies and drops that will rock you to the core.Read More
Tame Impala - The Less I Know The Better (SAINT WKND Flip)
Must hear flip of Tame Impala by SAINT WKND.Read More
Eptic - Bloodlust
That new insanity from Eptic though^^^^Read More
Herobust & Monxx - Giant Squiddim (Herobust VIP)
Giant Squiddim gets a make over with Herobust's VIP remix, check it out above!Read More
Paper Diamond - Downfalls (feat. Polina)
Check out Paper Diamonds new banger with Polina!Read More
Woglz - Miracles
Check out this trap banger loaded with an entire arsenal of sick hybrid sounds.Read More
Boogie T. X KTRL - Gettin Gone
Get Gone with this classic banger from Boogie T. and KTRL.Read More
Childish Gambino - Telegraph Ave. (Louis Futon & Louis The Child Flip)
Must hear flip of Childish Gambino's Telegraph Ave. by Louis Futon and Louis The Child.Read More
Taska Black x DROELOE - Running Away (ft. CUT_)
Check out the amazing new track by DROELOE and Taska Black featureing the CUT_.Read More
Grandtheft - Square One (feat. MAX)
Grandtheft drops amazing single with R&B vocalist MAX.Read More
Nero vs Skrillex - Promises (Prismodified)
Check out Prismo's insane flip of Skrill daddy's classic track Promises.Read More
Graves - Genesis (Tsuruda Remix)
Bass beast you have to hear!Read More
Jon Casey & EXPLORE - Ruminate
The strangest track you'll hear all day!Read More
Vanic X Zella Day - Wonderwall
Must hear cover of Wonderwall by Zella Day and Vanic!Read More
Gammer -THE DROP
Gammer drops possibly one of the heaviest songs of 2017 with his dub step banger The Drop.Read More
Dion Timmer - Cyan ft. The Arcturians
Don Timmer changing up the game with latest release.Read More
TroyBoi x Ekali - Truth
The Ekali TroyBoi banger we've all been waiting for is here!Read More
Jauz - Alpha (LAXX Remix)
Must hear heavy dub remix of Jauz's Alpha by LAXX!Read More


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The Bakewell Christmas Market is held in the beautiful town centre and helps transform Bakewell into a Christmas wonderland for the weekend. The market will have over 100 stalls packed full of festive goods with many stalls featuring produce from the local Peak District area. The market is the perfect chance to pick up some Christmas gifts for friends and family or some festive goodies to take home for your own enjoyment. There will be plenty on offer from arts and crafts, festive food including cheese, chocolate and nuts, wine and craft beer from the Peak District and plenty more!
The Bakewell Christmas Market is the best family-friendly event, held over the weekend to help everyone get into a festive mood. There will be plenty of entertainment including live music from local choirs, brass and silver bands and the Salvation Army band. This will help create the best festive atmosphere for all to enjoy whilst browsing the market stalls. The Christmas tree light switch-on will also take place on Saturday afternoon as well as performances of Beauty and the Beast with Disney mascots. The Disney characters will also be walking throughout the town centre to surprise the children and make their day, the perfect photo opportunity.
Note, please check the event website before attending. Dates can change and events can get cancelled, we can not be held responsible.
Location & Address for Bakewell Christmas Market
Bakewell Town Centre


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We also asked about the current great opportunities in pre-IPO investing today, and Tim Keating had two areas he sees great opportunity in. The first sector was companies tied to winning from "The Cloud" in the world of remote data and cloud computing. Surprisingly, his second arena of excitement was still in Cleantech. While Cleantech and "green investing" saw great growth, we also know that many of these valuations have come crashing down to earth since the oil bubble peak in 2008 and the great recession which followed in short order. In fact, we have now even seen a share buyback announced in the solar sector.
What makes Keating Capital interesting is that, while it offers a fund structure for diversification, it also plans to return capital gains made after post-IPO shares have been sold by the company. It will distribute on average about 80% of the capital gains of each company as dividends. It gets to keep about 20% of the gains as an incentive fee, but the original capital will be maintained inside the fund so that new investment opportunities can be funded.
Business development companies, or BDCs, are not a flash in the pan. Think of it as public venture capital and private equity that trades in a closed-end mutual fund structure. There are roughly 30 such companies. In fact, another BDC is Harris & Harris Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: TINY). It has a market cap of close to $160 million and it also gained in value as it was a pre-IPO investor in Solazyme, Inc. (NASDAQ: SZYM) just like Keating.
The obvious issue that could be a challenge for new investors to digest is that the IPO markets can become locked up from time to time. This new fund will generally tend to hold companies which are still growing and still performing to expectations if the only real hurdle is the current market conditions. The goal there is obvious: that is called survival in hard times as well thriving in good times.
Tim Keating noted about the ongoing and changing landscape of the IPO market, "However fragile the IPO market has been for five out of the past 10 years, we nonetheless remain avid proponents of going public and being public for the right types of companies. The existing public capital formation process has worked marvelously for the past 50 years and has facilitated much of the wealth creation in this country. Further, we believe that the recent pickup in IPO activity will beget more IPOs. Keating Capital's role as an access vehicle for individual investors to participate in pre-IPO investments is an important part of this overall process."
For individual investors to get pre-IPO shares, the most likely shot today is going to be through private exchanges like SecondMarket and others. The problem is that share sales there are generally from prior investors, employees, contractors, or other entities who are not sending that money to the underlying companies. The true value of the transactions can also leave more than a few questions. For instance, is Facebook worth $70 billion, or is it worth $100 billion? It depends upon whom you ask but market conditions or a change in the business climate or the rise of a competing interest could lower Facebook's value significantly.
If all goes as planned, Keating Capital offers investors a soon-to-be public investment vehicle which offers a better chance of getting a diverse set of pre-IPO companies, an ability to profit with a set of guidelines, and an ability to keep that strategy going for years and years into the future.


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Grace Lee Shares Her 5 Top Made-in-L.A. Makers
The best local sources for chocolates, dresses, and…fanny packs.READ MORE
the book
Los Angeles-based jewelry designer Grace Lee doesn't really take no for an answer. Accept, as evidence, the story of her signature lace ring: When Grace was cooking up her spectacularly unique design, which looks a whole lot like its namesake material in sturdy metal, manufacturers shook their heads incredulously. "No way!" one told her. "It won't work," said another. But Grace plodded on, asserting that she would bring this thing to life. Slowly but surely, impossible turned into unlikely, unlikely into maybe, and maybe into success.
Grace credits this go-get-'em attitude to her lack of formal jewelry schooling—she comes from a background in finance and didn't pick up her accessories skills from anyone in particular. She got her start creating custom engagement rings for friends and fangirls—a first love she still devotes as much time as possible to—and, in all of her work, she puts an emphasis on practicality, versatility, and timelessness. But make no mistake: Grace designs pieces that are utterly special, just built to last—in hopes that daughters and granddaughters can one day inherit some really rockin' jewelry. —dana covit
She's got us wrapped around her finger.
Four spots that seriously can't be missed.
The best local sources for chocolates, dresses, and…fanny packs.READ MORE


text: I will be showing some recent work at Calvin College Gallery 106 S. Division, lower level. There will also be wonderful work by some of my fellow illustration Kendall students and Alumni. Please come check it out! Seeing the work in person is such a different experience, especially with my larger pieces which are are 2ft x 4ft.


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Keefer Lake Lodge: Bringing Snowcat Skiing to a Higher ElevationView All Blog Posts
Often regarded as heli-skiing's poor cousin, snowcat skiers were once content with dorms, shared bathrooms and passable grub as long as the powder was deep. Keefer Lake Lodge has changed that image in a big way. Since coming on the scene only three seasons ago, the father and son team of Keith and Jeff Gostlin have pushed the limits of what snowcat skiing can be.
Photo by Rob Sims
"We've been in this industry for the past 20 years and saw what was missing," says son Jeff. After opening the doors to the luxe 10,000 sq. ft. Black Bear Lodge in January 2017 and the 6,000 sq. ft. Pinnacles Lodge in February 2018, at an investment of nearly $10M, the pair have sought to bring the highest levels of service to their sport. From the moment guests arrive, they receive valet service by uniformed staff. Red Seal Chefs prepare gastronomic delights and flair bartenders staff the stunning twisted timber and granite bar. A well-chosen wine list features some of BC's best bottles. The chic rooms are all equipped with ensuites and locally sourced alpaca duvets.
Photo by Kyle Sanguin
Oh, and then there's the skiing and riding. Gostlin's custom-designed snowcats have been described as 'pimped out' by guests, with heated glove and goggle driers, cushioned leather seats, skylights and Bluetooth connectivity. The first run is only about a 20-min trip from the lodge, and skiers/riders average 8-12 runs and 3,658 to 4,572 m. (12,000-15,000 ft.) vertical per day in waist-deep Monashee powder. Keefer's 35,005 hectares (86,500 acres) of terrain receives an annual dumping of 14 m. (45 ft.) of snow. Keefer's quiver of fat powder skis (free to guests) are made by Skevik Skis in nearby Vernon. Handcrafted with maple wood, and made specifically for the Powder Highway, they provide Keefer's guests with the perfect ride as they charge the steep glades and alpine bowls.
Photo by Kyle Sanguin
New for the 2018/2019 season are a new ski shop and massage
building, a renovated games room and a covered walkway connecting the Pinnacles
and Black Bear Lodges.
Photo by Kyle Sanguin
Located less than 2-hour drive from Kelowna's International Airport, 3-day all-inclusive trips start at $3,400 and most skiers and snowboarders are able to ride a full day before catching a connecting flight home.
Photo by Rob Sims
Story by Darryl Leniuk; top/cover photo by Rob Sims.
Please tag your images with #KootRocks on Instagram to be featured in future stories.
Tags: Columbia Mountains Explore Canada ExploreBC The Kootenays


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We've teamed up with our friends at the Old Vic Theatre to give away a pair of tickets to a new production of Arthur Miller's ground-breaking play.
The American Clock turns, fortunes are made and lives are broken. In New York City in 1929, the stock market crashed and everything changed.
Visionary director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, Hadestown) presents Miller's play about hope, idealism and a nation's unwavering faith in capitalism.
'For them the clock would never strike midnight, the dance and the music could never stop…'
The American Clock turns, fortunes are made and lives are broken. In New York City in 1929, the stock market crashed and everything changed.
In an American society governed by race and class, we meet the Baum family as they navigate the aftermath of an unprecedented financial crisis. The world pulses with a soundtrack fusing 1920s swing and jazz with a fiercely contemporary sound, creating a backdrop that spans a vast horizon from choking high rises to rural heartlands.
The American Clock plays at the Old Vic from 4 February to 30 March.
The Arthur Miller double bill also features All My Sons (15 April to 8 June), in cinemas with NT Live on 14 May - starring Sally Field and Bill Pullman.
To celebrate this new production of, and The Old Vic's Arthur Miller double bill with All My Sons, we are giving Curzon Members the chance to win a pair of tickets to The American Clock plus programmes. (Valid on the performance Monday 11 February 7:30pm).
One lucky member will be selected at random from the entries submitted. This competition closes on Sunday 3 February.
To enter this giveaway, simply fill in the form below with your details, including the email used for your membership, and answer the competition question. Good luck!
Prize is two tickets to The American Clock at The Old Vic theatre and two copies of the programme.
Tickets available for the performance on Monday 11 February 7.30pm. Tickets are non-transferable, and no cash alternative with be offered. Tickets must be collected from the box office and will not be sent. No transport will be covered.
Prizes cannot be exchanged for their monetary value or other Curzon Cinemas or The Old Vic products or events.
Winners will be selected at random from all entries received and the winner must be a current Curzon Member or Student member.
The competition is not open to Old Vic or Curzon employees.
The competition closes on Sunday 3 February at 11:59pm.
The winners will be contacted after the competition closes by Curzon Cinemas or by their appointed representatives.
If the winner does not claim their prize within 3 days of being notified, then their prize will be forfeited and another winner will be selected.
Curzon's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Curzon reserve the right to alter and/or cancel the competition without any prior warning.
All personal data submitted with consent will be kept by Curzon for the purpose of sending out the prize.
The competition is open to UK entrants aged 18 and over.


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A Comprehensive City Guide, Curated by In-The-Know Locals
The Challenge
Provide UX/ UI design guidance, Usability and AB testing for local start-up, designing a city guide mobile app for IOS and Android devices.
The DESIGN
CURIO is a mobile, city guide application which supplies users with curated recommendations from locals who drive the world's best cities. Uncover the richest experiences from award winning chefs, to acclaimed artists and creatives. Get the inside scoop and discover the best of international cities from the people who make them great.
6 months +
UX Design &
User Research
Usability Testing
App Walkthrough
Constantly improve the product through an iterative cycle and measure user response.
Research & Usability
Observe User Behavior For:
- Moments of delight, satisfaction, frustration?
- Mismatch between the desired and actual experience?
- Latency or confusion in the interaction?
- Sticky points within the user journey?
- Where do users linger?
Ask Key Questions:
- What makes this product stand out from the rest?
- Does your target market have a need for this product?
- What are the key use cases and scenarios for the product?
- What are key motivators when discovering a new city and why?
- How do users search, what do they look for and when?
- How do users plan itinerary?
Conduct A/B Testing
- What language resonates with users?
- What visual style/format/typography captures attention?
- Which dashboard is preferable, why?
- How do users differ and why?
Usability Tests
We are conducting moderated-remote, in-person & unmoderated-remote tests including:
Benchmark Testing: Benchmark tests are summative studies which allows us to set a benchmark to compare future designs against.
Heat Map Tracking: Click tracking heat-maps enable us to collect data about user's clicks and where they linger within the app. This helps us determine which areas receive most attention and which potentially cause confusion.
- Competitive Testing: A method where users attempt the same set of tasks on competing products to provide us with meaningful comparison of time spent as well as behavioral and attitudinal reactions to each.
Iteration. Iteration. Iteration.
We also utilize Cursor heat maps, AB tests, User Polls, Surveys and verbal feedback to capture a variety of information.
Our results have prompted changes in product UI, interaction and UX including:
- The method of toggling between cities
- Removal of initial login/create account requirement
- Addition of a 'Favorites' category
- Tile item detail delivery
- Curator summaries delivery
- Curator recommendation quotes
- Map navigation interaction and integration user location
- Addition of 'Nearby' category
- Addition of 'customized lists' (in progress)
- Modification of category titles or organization (in progress)
- Addition of local accommodations (in progress)
- Visual style/iconography and layout (in progress)
- Addition of languages (in progress)


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About Socialday
We support: BRANDS | CREATORS | AGENCIES | INFLUENCERS and those working in the social media industry and those wanting to keep up to date with the latest information and gain the tools and insights that are important to you.
The voice of social media.... what's new? whats hot? what's important in the world of social media marketing? SocialDay is the go to for the industry, the voice. News, interviews and live events.
We host the largest specialist event for social media marketers from brands and agencies with major social networks speaking, case studies and interesting keynotes. Click here for more info about Socialday
We also host the social Media Marketing awards, this is not a black tie awards, get your best kit on and come and party with us at Club Tropicana! (drinks free until the tab runs out).


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Indian Political system 1. India is a Sovereign, Secular, Democratic Republic with a Parliamentary form of Government. 2. The paper was adopted by the division Assembly on 26th November 1949 3. The constitution came into force on 26th November 1950. 4. The Constitution advocated the trinity of justice, liberty and equality for all the citizens. 5. The Constitution was framed keeping in mind the socioeconomic progress of the country. 6. India follows a parliamentary form of democracy and the brass is federal in structure. 7. In Indian political system, the chairman is the constitutional head of the executive of the Union of India. 8. The real executive authority is with the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. 9. According to the Article 74(1) of the constitution, the Council of Ministers low the leadership of the Prime Minister is responsible to aid and incite the President in exercising the Presidents function. 10. The Council of ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha, the House of People. 11. In narrates the Governor is the representative of the President, though the real executive power is with the Chief Minister along with his Council of Ministers. 12.
For a given state the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible for the elected legislative assembly of the state. 13. The Constitution administrates the sharing of legislative power between Parliament and the soil Legislatures. 14. The Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution. Political ships company system A recognized political party has been classified as a National Party or a State Party. If a political party is recognized in four or more states, it is considered as a National Party. The Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal, Communist Party of India and Communist Party of India (Marxist) are the prominent National Parties in the Country. Telugu Desam in Andhra Pradesh, Asom Gana Parishad in Assam,... If you want to get a safe essay, order it on our website: Orderessay
Order your essay at Orderessay and get a 100% original and high-quality custom paper within the required time frame.


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Saturday 17 February / 11 a.m. / Outside the Guildhall, Market Square, Cambridge, CB2
The One Day Without Us immigrant solidarity campaign will hold a rally with speakers in Market Square this weekend, supported by the UNISON trade union and the Global Justice Cambridge, Cambridge Stays, Amnesty International Cambridge City, and Cambridgeshire Hope Not Hate campaigns. Its message is 'Proud to be a migrant, proud to stand with migrants'.
Speakers are:
- Waseem Yaqoob (Cambridge UCU)
- Zareen Taj (Cambridge Stand Up to Racism)
- Dan Ellis (Cambridge Refugee Resettlement Campaign)
- Aidan Baker (Global Justice Cambridge)
- Liesbeth ten Ham (Amnesty International Cambridge City Group)
- Paul Browne (Cambridge Stays)
- Mitch Mitchell (Refugee Lifeboat)
- Marcus Johnson (Finance, NW Brown)
- Catherine Rowett (University of East Anglia)
Join the Facebook event for the latest details.
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FASHION THAT KEEPS YOU TRENDING – A good fashion brand logo designer is able to do exactly that, and captivate an audiences attention. This fashion label was designed in a way to feel free with the sky as the limit, a way to walk boldly in the streets while blending in and being noticed at the same time.
The task for this project was to create a fresh modern fashion design logo/label that spoke the words TRENDING. The brief was a complete make-over label, from school teacher to hip-hop, from earthy to bold and colourful the brief had no limits, hence Oogle fashion brand was born.


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Raechelle L. Velarde joined Daprile-Bell Family Law Offices in early 2015 after gaining valuable family law experience with another firm in San Jose dedicated exclusively to family law. She has been practicing law since 2010 and handles her own cases as well as supporting the senior partners. She has experience in all aspects of family law, including high conflict cases, contested child custody matters, premarital and post marital agreements, and complicated child and spousal support cases.
Ms. Velarde graduated from Pacific McGeorge School of Law with her Juris Doctor in 2009. During law school, she was dedicated to helping those less fortunate, and was a volunteer for the elder abuse clinic and the elder abuse hotline. She also gained valuable hands-on experience while representing low income clients at the eviction dispute clinic as a certified law student.
Ms. Velarde is licensed to practice in the State of California, in the U.S. District Court of Northern California, and in the U.S. District Court of Eastern California. She is a member of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of California, and is a member of the Diversity Committee and Family Law Section of the Santa Clara County Bar Association.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, taking her dog to the beach and spending time with her family and friends. You may email her directly at [email protected].


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December 15, 2017
Grain Growers of Canada welcome clarification on small business tax changes
(OTTAWA) December 15, 2017 – Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is pleased to see this week's announcement by Finance Minister Bill Morneau of clarifications to the proposed modifications to the rules governing splitting of income for private corporations.
"Today's grain farm relies on contributions from all family members to succeed," said Jeff Nielsen, GGC President. "Splitting of income is a legitimate tool to compensate family members for the hard work they do throughout the year and, in fact, their lifetimes."
The modifications that provide "off-ramps" for family run businesses like farms are a welcome recognition of the important role that family members play on grain farms across Canada. The clarity around the qualifications for labour and capital, as well as the previously announced exclusion of capital gains on qualified farm property, are an acknowledgement that the government heard from GGC and the thousands of farmers across Canada who are being impacted by these changes.
"What we've seen with the small business tax proposal underscores the need for government to have meaningful consultations prior to proposing new policies when unintended consequences can do more harm than good," continued Mr. Nielsen. "Good policy comes from open, transparent dialogue and GGC looks forward to working with the government to avoid similar situations in the future."
Grain Growers of Canada provides a strong national voice for over 50,000 active and successful grain, oilseed and pulse producers through its 13 provincial, regional and national grower groups. Our mission and mandate are to pursue a policy environment that maximizes global competitiveness and to influence federal policy on behalf of independent Canadian grain farmers and their associations.


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Egg whites for protein. Dates to bind. Nuts for texture. What you see is what you eat. RXBAR will be at Barre Forte LoHi sampling their delicious bars from 11:30am-1:30pm on Thursday, May 17th.
How to Book: Check out our schedule online and choose the Single Class option under Barre Classes. Enter promo code: DFW18 at checkout. Must present punch card in studio. Available for purchase starting May 1st. Must redeem between May 14th-20th 2018.
1553 Platte Street, Denver, CO | get directions | (303) 455-2945


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Ulrika is a photographer, illustrator, author and graphic designer based in Lund, Sweden.
Her creative studies started in Lofoten, Norway, 2006. After two year with focus on photography she came back to Sweden and studied industrial design at Ingvard Kamprad Design School in Lund. After her studies she started working as a graphic designer and photographer at the advertising agencies SRC and Ekros&Hultberg in Helsingborg. Today she's a freelancer, working on assignments within photography and illustration. She is also working part time as a designer at Timi of Sweden.
She has published two children's books, "Vilda grannar" and "Ottos ulliga tröja". Vilda grannar (Wild neighbors) has been translated to French, Danish, Italian, Latvian, Russian and Estonian. Ottos ulliga tröja (English title: Otto goes north) is available in Swedish and Danish but will soon be translated to English, French, Russian and Latvian.
Born in Latvia, the fairytales from eastern Europe often influencing her work. Ulrika loves the outdoors and the rough Scandinavian weather. The Lofoten islands will always have a special place in her heart and are often the main inspiration in her illustrations.


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"Youth is wasted on the young" – George Bernard Shaw
I asked a bunch of girlfriends 'how does someone stay youthful' and these were their answers
-lots of sleep and water
I laughed because straight away they went to 'youthful looks' when I just said 'youthful'.
Then I asked what age are you still considered youthful and my lovely friend replied 'at least 35'.
Usually one is considered part of the youth collective until they reach around 25 years of age. Studies also suggest our brains are youthful until around our mid twenties.
We can take the hardline approach to this which is 'the period of time between childhood and adulthood*. Another definition of youth is 'the condition of being young**. Whatever semantics suggests, the more I have thought about youth I do support Pablo Picasso when he said 'youth has no age' or as the ladies turning 40 say 'age is nothing but a number'.
Because when I think of people who are youthful, they range from toddlers to the elderly.
Nonno was youthful in his playfulness. My sister is youthful because she is always up for adventure and silliness.
Sure as we grow some parts of us mature and responsibilities can stress us out, but if we try to hold on to the characteristics of youth we can have the best of both worlds – the balance of life experience and the energy that comes with staying young.
I figured in order to stay young I need to take on some characteristics my almost three year old displays, and no, I'm not talking about the temper tantrums (though some days that would feel really good)…
Living in the moment
Toddlers are all about distractions and reactions. They truly live in the now, whether it is being captivated by a butterfly fluttering past or getting engrossed in a game. They shut of internal chatter and just be, which is what mediation is about anyway. If I can try and just close some of the open running tabs in my head I'm sure I will feel more at ease and carefree.
Not caring what people think
My son does not give a F*&# what people think of him. All he cares about is doing what he wants. I doubt he has ever lain in bed late at night overanalysing a situation and determining if his actions have left a bad impression. A little of this confidence/lack of awareness can only be a good thing.
Staying active
This one is a no brainer. Being physically active not only makes the body stay youthful it is also good for our emotions and mental state. Toddlers are active throughout the day aka 'incidental exercise' and as a busy mum this is something I can do. Impromptu dancing, pushing the pram to the shops for the midweek milk/bread/nappies run, and cleaning all add up.
Having an imagination
If we don't dream it, we can't be it. Imagining opens doors into ideas, goals, hope and faith. Toddlers spend ages with imaginary play. If we imagine more often surely we will be more creative and youthful.
Being up for fun
Adults 'schedule in fun' which is sad but often a necessity of adulthood responsibilities and 'the grind', but why don't we create more fun in our daily life? Fun is different for everyone, but playing silly games with the kids, having a hobby and relaxing more are all great ways to start.
*Thanks Google
**Thanks again Google
So there you have it. What do you think it takes to stay forever young? Please let me know (because I need more ideas) by leaving a comment below!


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Importance in a Relationship
Aside of June 9, 1999
I was just thinking about relationships. Have you ever had imaginary conversations with yourself to practice what you should say in a certain situation? That's what I was doing. I don't remember exactly what the situation was that I was thinking of, but it had something to do with relationships. As I was talking to myself (as I sometimes do, don't get scared please) I realized what my biggest issue is with my relationships with boyfriends: I need to feel like I am important to them.
Importance has always been a central theme in my perceptions of a relationship. If a guy calls me often, acts interested in what I say, and wants to spend time with me that makes me feel like I am important to him. In the past I have been a very needy girlfriend (just ask some of my ex-boyfriends!) and now I realize why I acted that way. I remember specific instances with two ex-boyfriends when I thought I valued them more than they valued me. It was a real blow to think that my commitment to the relationship was stronger than his was. Both times I thought this I was right in my assumptions and eventually it led to breakup.
After these kinds of relationships where I felt unwanted and not needed I told myself that I wouldn't settle for less. It took a lot of conditioning to like myself for who I am, but thanks to a broken heart and a lot of time alone I have become independent enough to say that I do. I don't deserve to be taken for granted. I don't deserve to be with someone who doesn't love me. I don't deserve to waste my time with someone who doesn't value me. I don't deserve to be sad. I deserve so much more than this and it took me a long time to come to that conclusion. The person that I am today would not exist if I hadn't gone through the hard times that shaped my personality. Nothing has done more for my personal growth than being single during most of my senior year of high school. I learned to see that I am a unique person that some guy is going to love for no other reason than who I am.
Someday I am going to find that guy to love me. Someday he will walk into my life. (Maybe he already has and I just don't know it yet.) I have walked a rocky path on my way to finding that day. Distractions along the way have led to more tears than I wish to count, but personal growth helped me deal with my miseries and hold my head higher. As I walked along the tears became less and less frequent as I learned to handle difficult situations with grace. I won't allow anything to hurt me as much as they used to. I won't allow myself to wallow in self-pity any longer than necessary. (A little wallowing is sometimes good for the soul, though, and I will never deny the therapeutic properties of a good cry.) I won't allow anyone to take advantage of me. I am a very strong person due to the troubles I have seen, but with each successive one I have become the person who is writing these words now. I am very proud of myself.
People trivialize the milestones teenagers and young adults must surpass. They are certainly not easy things to reach. Falling in and out of love is the toughest thing I have ever had to deal with (except the occasional thermodynamics problem). These trials shape the characters of the young. Self-reflection is the most important action that can be taken to realize just how you want to be shaped as an individual. Throughout my period of self-definition (which, I am sure, is still going on) I realized that what I need from a relationship is to feel important. That is the bottom line. A weight is lifted with every realization I discover about myself. This is the latest and perhaps one of the most interesting. If I feel important I can do anything.


text: This beautiful resort is offering a studio apartment with nice kitchen that has hotplate, range hood, microwave and ample cupboard space. There is an office area, and plenty of room for lounge. The unit has car parking at the front of the unit and is positioned with a lovely outlook. There is tiling throughout and air-conditioning. There is also a separate bathroom in good condition. The grounds of the resort are immaculate and have great on site managers for your convenience. There is a fantastic pool area with BBQ's and lovely undercover area to relax by. The resort is maintained in excellent condition and have friendly staff to help with all your needs. This really is a lovely place to be. There is a tenant in place paying $195pw. Or for the home owner the best of both worlds all the benefits with having everything at your fingertips without you actually lifting a finger. Kick back relax and enjoy.


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Susan diRende is heading to the New Zealand Pacific Studios Artist Residency Centre for a four-month stay to work on the manuscript for her latest project "A Year in Miniature." The text is a further exploration that began with the year long visual art project she began while at the centre for a previous residency that began January 1, 2015. That project, painting a miniature every day of the year to document and reflect a year on the road traveling the world, culminated in Paris on December 31. Now she is writing a travel memoir to accompany the pictures.
Susan will also be taking part in a group show taking place at the Aratoi Museum of Art in Masterton, NZ. Art Is a Living Thing will exhibit works from the 15-year history of NZPS, and will include performances, readings, and workshops.
Susan will be reading from her memoir along with a number of other writers, musicians, and performers to kick off the six-week exhibition.


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Official transcripts should be submitted for all undergraduate coursework or any post-graduate coursework from each university attended (including summer school or part-time study). An additional final transcript showing degree conferral and date of conferral should be sent after completion of any coursework still in progress at the time of admission.
Please send electronic official transcripts to:firstname.lastname@example.com
A recent score (less than 5 years old) of the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or, on a case-by-case basis, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) must be submitted.
Please note that we do not accept LSAT or MCAT scores in lieu of the GMAT.
Additional time is required for transcript evaluation which may delay the admission decision. Post-admission, I-20 and Visa processing times may vary. International students are encouraged to apply early to minimize potential delays.
Additional Required Documents
International applicants must submit the following additional documents:
Evaluation Requirement
If you have attended a university outside of the United States, you must submit your official documents (transcripts, certificates, diplomas, etc.) to an approved evaluation service (WES, ECE, or Josef Silny & Associates) for a course-by-course evaluation and grade point average calculation.
English Language Proficiency Exams
International students whose native language is not English are required to submit an English language proficiency exam. Currently, the Miami Business School accepts the following exams and respective scores:
The English language proficiency exam requirement may be waived for non-native English speakers by fulfilling one of the following criteria:
Kim Migoya is the Associate Director of Graduate Business Admissions. Kim joined the University of Miami community in 2014. With nearly 10 years of higher education experience, Kim has a passion for guiding students through the admissions process and seeing candidates reach their full potential. Kim earned her MBA from the University of Miami Business School in 2018. Her most memorable experience from the MBA program was the connections she made with her peers and the growth of her network.
Visit our beautiful campus: 5250 University Drive, Room 221, Coral Gables, FL 33146
Associate Director, Graduate Business Admissions


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Email List Building Software Review
A very important message is that you'll want to avoid overspending in unnecessary tools and software you may not need at the moment. Always look at the amount of money that you are making and invest a percentage back into your business without going broke.
I hope you find the following information as a good guide to help you save time and money.
Why Do You Need An Email List Building Software?
When you think about it, you're ready to grow your online business and the most efficient way to do that is to create an automation system.
There are 3 things that you can automate…
#1 – you can automate the way to capture your visitors' information on your opt-in page.
#2 – you can automate the follow-up to engage with your leads.
#3 – you can automate your sales with offers that influence your leads to buy from you.
So below I'll go over the most important things you should be concerned about in your current business plan. This is not a detailed review of everything each one of these software offers.
My main objective here is to get you started on the one you fit best without slowing down your momentum.
OK let's go ahead and start with the most expensive one.
The "Too Expensive" Software
Click Funnels – I have used them before and is a good way to start building your email list. It has a lot of benefits but unfortunately, it's a bit pricey. The monthly program for the basic is $97 per month. Click here for details.
What's good? – it's easy to use. You have access to create 20 marketing websites. You can use 3 different domains you may own. It does have unlimited email subscribers.
What's bad? – You need to have an email autoresponder software to integrate with it. Also, the membership does not provide you with a way to use tags for tracking. And it does not have a way for uploading your own digital products to sell.
Recommendation – This one is good as a second option to use. I don't like the monthly fees and the limited features that you actually need to grow your online business.
If you want some extra features you'll need to pay $297. And that includes…
One of those features of tagging your customers to understand their behaviors. You can track to see who opens your email and who is clicking your links.
This is feature is great because you can even see who visited your webpage and for how long they stay there. Very useful to re-target and offer your products.
Another feature that you'll have with the upgrade to $297 is a way for you to create your own digital product for sale and even create your own affiliate program.
You'll be able to pay your affiliates commissions for selling your digital product. This is really good as another way to scale up your online business.
The "Just Right" Software
Kartra – This is the one I currently use and it's my favorite. This email list building software is an all-in-one automation platform for only $89 per month. You don't need to have any other software for running a successful online business. Click here to learn more about building a high converting list.
What's good? – it has a clean look and easy to use. You have unlimited access to create marketing websites. This membership comes with a way to use tags for tracking.
You can also upload videos and files for your marketing use and you can even sell your own digital products, too.
The customer service is great. There are even weekly live Q&A sessions where you'll get all your immediate questions answered.
What's bad? – You can only use 1 domain with the starter plan. It does have a limit of 2,500 email subscribers.
Recommendation – This one is my first and only option to use. Kartra has all the features I mentioned above but for the price of only $89 per month. This is why I believe it's just right with all the features you'll ever need at a good startup cost.
And for the starter membership of $89 you get a whole lot more. Here are some of the important features you'll have access to…
There's this cool program to automatically create an entire automated email list building system that includes opt-in pages, thank you pages and even an email autoresponder sequence. It's easy, just pick what you want to promote and click a button.
You'll have access to create your own digital product, uploaded, sell it and even build your own affiliate program.
You'll be able to pay your affiliates commissions for selling your digital product. This is really good as another way to scale up your online business.
The "Cheap" Software
Lead Pages – This one was the least of my favorite because it's missing a lot of features that you'll need for your affiliate marketing business. The price is only $79 per month but I think their focus is more on small business. Click here for details.
What's good? – it's okay to use with a medium learning curve. You have access to create unlimited marketing websites. You can use 3 different domains you may own. It does have unlimited email subscribers.
One feature that you won't find with the others above is the ability to send text messages for your campaigns. Now, this is a cool feature because you don't rely only on sending emails.
What's bad? – You need to have a separate email autoresponder software to integrate with it. They do push their own email software called Drip. But you have to pay more.
Also, the membership does not provide you with a way to use tags for tracking. And it does not have a way for uploading your own digital products to sell or create your own affiliate program.
Recommendation – This one is good as the last option to use. I think they offer too little for the price and their focus is more on small businesses.
Now there is another cool feature for real-time tracking for your Facebook ads. That's very helpful if you're already doing good with facebook advertising.
The "Free" Software
Mailchimp – If you're going to start with the least amount of investment, then this is the one to use. With Mailchimp you can do email marketing, create email sequences and opt-in forms with their free membership plan. Click here for details.
What's good? – you'll have what you need with 2,500 subscriber option plus create opt-in forms. This is purely an email autoresponder so don't expect a bunch of extra tools.
What's bad? – You're limited to branding yourself and you don't have access to have your own domain names. They are also very protective of the email sent, so don't send spam.
Recommendation – This one is good to get started online and build your email list.
There you have it, the 3 email list building software that I've personally have used and the one I recommend, Kartra. Remember that you should pick what's best for you at the time. I know many times it's all about saving money, so if you're thinking that way do yourself a favor and don't start with the least cost.


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Sunglasses For The Whole Family! [15 images]
Spring is here and that means spending lots of time outdoors for the next few months...keep you and your family's eyes protected from the sun while looking great! Stop in to Rivertown Eye Care and check out our selection of sunglasses for women, men and children.
Featured Brands
SELECT to learn more about Rivertown Eye Care


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On November 2nd, which KBS2TV broadcasted an episode of the Monday-Tuesday drama "Sungkyunkwan Scandal", Lee Seonjun and Kim Yunhee (Park Minyoung) had become a married couple, and stayed in Sungkyunkwan as professors. Lee Seonjun had grown a moustache on his philtrum and chin, which is a different image from his school days. His strict attitude had made students fear him.
Recently, Lee Seonjun's moustache had been a hot topic among people. After the drama had aired, some audience expressed "Did time only worked its magic on Lee Seonjun? Other characters looked the same, why does only Lee Seonjun grow a moustache?" and "It made us laugh to no end, we couldn't focus on the drama," etc. while some could not accept the moustache. Other audiences stated on the message board, "It felt like an unique charm of Lee Seonjun's", "At first I wasn't used to it, but after awhile the moustache look was okay," etc. Netizens are currently joining Lee Seonjun's moustache look together with other pictures, making it a prank product.
source: TVXQbaidu
translation: (L) @ OneTVXQ.com
credits: OneTVXQ.com { One World. One Red Ocean. One TVXQ! }
Feel free to repost, but please leave the full credits intact. Thanks!


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How To Protect Your Vacant Property
As a property owner, there will come a time when you're likely to find your property is vacant. Whether you have moved and are still trying to find a buyer, you need to fill the space with a new tenant, or are completing renovations, unprotected properties are attractive to vandals, thieves, and squatters. The cost to repair or replace can be high, but with the right precautions, you can protect yourself and your empty property.
Maintain the Exterior
An easy way to advertise to thieves that you aren't at home is by letting the exterior of your home run rampant. Try maintaining the lawn, keeping the windows cleaned, bushes trimmed, leaves raked, etc. If you have a vacant commercial property, try staying on top of collecting mail and trash. Sure you might not be using the trash cans or whatever receptacle service you have, but if something is knocked over and left there for weeks, it advertises to others that your building isn't currently occupied.
Get a Motion Detector
A motion sensor/detector is a device that knows when someone is in your home or on your property that shouldn't be. Commonly, these devices use multiple technologies to sensor movement in the area. This type of system is an option for someone who knows their property is going to be vacant for some time. If you are a homeowner and already have this type of security system in place, have it inspected before you leave your home unoccupied for some time. These sensors are designed to work when you are not at home and are activated when you tell your primary control device that you are out of the house.
Don't Advertise on Social Media
Often times thieves will troll social media looking for someone to let slip that they aren't at home. If you are going on vacation, wait to post pictures when you get back. By doing so, you prevent anyone from knowing when and for how long you are away from home.
Timed Lighting System
Another way to deter potential theft or damage to your property is by using a timed lighting system. If someone is canvassing the area for weaknesses and sees a house or property sitting in constant darkness, they can assume that no one is using the property. Timed lights both inside and outside give the illusion that someone is home.
Get a Glass Break Detector
A glass break detector is a sensor device used to trigger alarms in the case of broken glass from a window or door and is a perfect option for properties that sit unoccupied for some time. These monitors use microphones sensitive to noise or vibrations that come from breaking glass. It's an extra layer of security that works well with any security system. Often residential homes install glass break detectors in areas that might be hard to see like a basement window or side door. For businesses and commercial properties, they are useful if your current HD camera system has blind spots and you want extra protection against burglary.
Give Your Neighbors Access
An easy way to give the illusion that someone is using the property is offering your neighbors access. As a homeowner, this could mean you let your neighbor park in the driveway or temporarily use the garage. Commercial property owners could allow their neighbors to use their space as extra storage, utilize the parking spaces, or waste receptacles until you move in someone permanently. More often than not, they will welcome the option to spread out and be willing to help.
Invest in a Monitored Security System
A monitored system is one of the most commonly used home alarm systems. The system is hooked up throughout the house, either hardwired or wirelessly, and provides 24/7 access to assistance throughout the year. It may seem like a large investment for a vacant property, but the cost of repairing damaged property (think windows or broken doors) from theft is higher. Many insurance plans also give significant discounts to those who install a security system on the premise, so it's worth doing the research and cost analysis.
Ready to invest in an affordable home monitoring system? Contact the security experts at NCA for a free quote. We offer the highest-quality monitoring services starting at just $9.95/month. Call us at 615.777.7622.


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FreshTake is a Must Have!
We are excited to have recently been featured in an article from instore magazine! Check out the article below for some more background on FreshTake and why we are so passionate about creating delicious, easy-to-prepare meals for families! FreshOne's new line of prepared meals focuses on dinnertime instore, 7/11/2017 by Ryan Atkinson FreshOne has been an innovative fresh food partner and national provider of ready-to-eat fresh food programs since its 2006 founding. The Dallas-based company specializes in sandwiches, snacks, salads, breakfast items, bakery, wraps, whole fruit and custom solutions, but a changing shift in how consumers are shopping for...Read More


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What I'm Loving | 9/17/2017
September is halfway through, and I really can't believe it. Time has been flying by as of late. The holidays will be here before we know it! I've always been a big fan of this time of year as the seasons change and everyone prepares for winter. I'm surprised to find that even though there isn't much of a 'winter' here, that feeling still translates. I'm so excited to see how the city looks for Christmas and go to all the pop up ice skating rinks I've heard about.
Here's what I've been loving:
Books :: I finished Commonwealth and it was delightful. There are a lot of characters and quite a few story arcs so it was difficult to keep track, but it was a great read. I've started The Goldfinch, which is lengthy but very interesting. I'm just a little over halfway through but so far it's had enough plot twists to keep me very engaged.
Listening :: My cat's meows...seriously. Harley has a new work schedule so she's alone for much longer than she used to be, and it has certainly shown. She's been a very needy baby.
Spare Time :: Harley finally got me hooked on Scrubs, so we've been watching that quite a bit. I wasn't enthused during the first season, but we've made it to season 3 and I'm really enjoying it. It's a simple, feel-good kind of show that still has some more serious undertones.
Style :: Fall, fall, fall! It's going to heat up again over the next few weeks in the Bay Area, but for right now it feels like fall and I've been thriving. I just got one of those huge blanket scarves (from the Target dollar aisle, no less!) and I'm obsessed with it! The perfect line between cozy & chic.
Harley's birthday is in a few days, so next weekend I should have some fun recaps to share!


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For any major investment to become successful, it takes total buy-in from all parties. It is not enough anymore to see each customer as a one-way transaction. The customer-business relationship is about the full 360-degree commitment.
The customer-business relationship begins long before the customer begins the conversation with a company. It begins when your company first enters the customer's mind and continues once they invite the business into a conversation. Any first impression of your brand, even a passive first impression, will determine how a customer moves forward and the extent of your company's involvement. While, your company's sales or marketing teams may often reach out to the customer as part of the initial interaction chain, the pain point the customer is hoping to resolve has long been on their mind. The manner in which your company interacts with the customer will determine how future relations will be shaped, so taking a deep dive into how your company wants to be perceived is imperative for its longevity.
To achieve the long-term investment of the customer, your entire company, including the executive team, must take an active approach in the implementation and adoption of an enhanced customer experience platform. Consistent, long-lasting changes take an understanding and commitment by all to see its total benefit. The first step to gaining buy-in is demonstrating the investment and why it is being implemented. Concrete examples of what could be done to enhance the customer experience and how it will benefit both parties is a major demonstration to any detractor or cautious team member. All employees are seeking the same bottom line: increased revenue, a stronger customer base and a positive company reputation. Your customer-facing employees are in the front lines every day and are a great resource for enhancing the customer experience. They have a first-hand experience in understanding what drives loyalty and appeals to your customers. This total customer experience attitude is limited in action without the support and participation by the executive team. The actions and attitude of your executive team speak loudly to the company as a whole. Their dedication from the start of the process will lay a strong foundation to the greater adoption and optimal success in centering your company on the customer experience.
To increase the impact of company actions, a strong customer experience should align with business strategies. When one grows and succeeds, the other will as well. A successful strategy should benefit both the company and the customer, drawing in participation from all angles. To do so, include input from all impacted departments, including sales, marketing and customer service. This movement towards a customer experience centered business philosophy is not a simple switch, nor is it for the short term. Your executive team must understand how aligning with customer loyalty will lead to greater revenue and enhanced relationships. They must be the biggest cheerleaders in this implementation, as their buy-in will drive the largest detractors to invest in the plan, especially when their metrics are at stake. As the customer and employees are considered at each step in the process, the motives should be clear and concrete. What is best for the customer should be best for the company and empowering your employees to deliver consistent service should be key. Adding incentive for early and strong adopters will be key to the band wagon effect. By celebrating the successes of this customer-first attitude, other departments will follow with the desire to receive similar accolades.
In the end, happy customers share their experiences and will open the door to positive referrals, increased revenue and new customers. The consequence of not putting the customer first is decreased loyalty and negative word of mouth, which, unfortunately, is much stronger and more harmful. When the executive team stands behind the movement towards a customer experience centered business model, this idea will become a greater action. Their investment will begin the domino effect from the top to the bottom with total adoption as the final destination.
About the Author:
TopLine Strategies delivers the complete integration and development of sales, marketing and customer service technologies that enable corporate clientele to improve revenue streams and strengthen customer interactions. Our project management and consulting is designed to achieve timely delivery, 100 percent user adoption of the technologies we implement and deliver measurable returns on investments for our clients.


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Map of Tipton Missouri MO
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