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Tuesday, June 7, 2011
I drew these for a friend at Sony last summer, but didn't really like them at the time and never posted them. Still don't really like the third--the proportions are a little too weird to make the appeal complete. But I was asked by the lovely Jordie Bellaire to join the Tumblr group Drawed Goods not too long ago, posted it there, and it blew up on Tumblr...so... what do I know about what of my art is good and what is not? Anyway, Drawed Goods is awesome and full of lots of talented people. You should add it to your reader ASAP!
Lots of other new art coming, one of these days. I'm working on a lot of stuff--just can't show a lot of it!
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We are highly experienced children's yoga teachers passionate about providing exceptional KIDS YOGA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT trainings for educators, storytellers and caregivers!
Our mission is to empower as many loving adults as possible to share their own 'yoga magic' with their tamariki and in doing so, help the next generation deal with challenges that arise and happily navigate life with confidence on this magnificent planet!
Professional Development trainings include Storybook Yoga and Story Yoga: The Magical Zoo, with in house options and other workshops and resources in the pipeline.
Learn more about who we are and the benefits of yoga for children!
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SO looking forward to sharing this fun, fabulous hands-on training on Saturday 18th August at Poppies in Remuera . Come along ...

subset: commoncrawl


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Picture this. You are a web developer working for a dynamic, successful InsureTech company is Shoreditch. As a full stack web developer you will be developing and designing software solutions to create insurance based digital products. The project you will be working champions the end customer at all times, therefore you will be involved in the whole SDLC.
As a full stack engineer at this firm, you will be expected to collaborate with team members based in France and hence will need to have fluent or conversational French speaking skills as well as have extensive experience working with react. The existing systems and planned development is based in react hence this is important to enhance and understand the current system. Having said that however, you will be able to direct greenfield projects into areas such as big data and machine learning.
The culture of the company is innovative, entrepreneurial and rewarding.
If this is something you would like to discuss, click apply!
To find out more about Huxley, please visit www.huxley.com
Huxley, a trading division of SThree Partnership LLP is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy | Registered office | 1st Floor, 75 King William Street, London, EC4N 7BE, United Kingdom | Partnership Number | OC387148 England and Wales


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NBA playoffs: Postseason live blog recap, filled with scores, highlights and observations
The NBA playoffs are finally here, and Sporting News intends to provide you with every news item that is fit to post in a live blog.
Find a recap of Sunday's action below.
MORE: Get well, Craig Sager | Ujiri: F*** Brooklyn | Playoff previews: East | West
Rockets-Trail Blazers
1:10 am: RECAP: Those who stayed up to see the final game of the Sunday slate were rewarded with perhaps the best game of the playoffs so far. Portland came from behind late to grab a huge road win in overtime, with Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge delivering in a huge way for the Blazers.
11:00 pm: And here we go again with Shaquille O'Neal's critiques of Dwight Howard. We've heard this before. It wasn't entertaining then, and it isn't entertaining now. O'Neal's idea of displaying dominance is to play with the same strength he did as a player. That's not the reality for most, which is why O'Neal was one of the all-time great players.
Sure, Howard could be more polished in the post. He could be more assertive and demanding of teammates as well. But putting down his effort on national television once a week isn't going to change what he is as a basketball player. What it will do is make O'Neal appear as if he has a vendetta against Howard.
10:00 pm: We proceed from the tough-nosed matchup between the Bulls and Wizards to a more offensively-driven game between the Rockets and Trail Blazers. As an introduction to the type of defense you are bound to see, here is James Harden defending - kind of.
9:45 pm: RECAP: The Wizards pulled out a 102-93 road win over the Bulls, and they looked good doing it. This Game 1 victory is a major step for a franchise that functioned in the lower dundrums of the NBA for quite some time before picking up John Wall and Bradley Beal in the draft and trading for Nene.
In this case, the presence of Nene was the biggest asset for the Wizards. He posted 24 points and eight rebounds and posed as a security blanket for Wall in the screen and roll.
Because Wall is such a threat off the dribble, Nene received open looks from midrange. And Nene is a player who can get his own shot in the post. It didn't help that the Bulls offense fell apart down the stretch, but this was mostly about the Wizards putting on a performance that was unphathomable for this franchise even three years.
9:15 pm: Joakim Noah's passing ability really is amazing. That the Bulls have set plays in which he is charged with firing backdoor passes to teammates speaks to how much of a weapon he is on the court from the high post.
Noah's late-game lob pass to shooting guard Jimmy Butler was a perfect example. In the play we see point guard D.J. Augustin setting a backscreen for Butler and Noah, the center, is the man delivering the pass. It's mind-blowing, really.
Shortly after this pass, Noah stepped away from the rim to hit a midrange jumper. He's showing out.
8:45 pm : What a difference Nene makes. The Wizards forward was out for six weeks for a sprained MCL, and it was announced on Saturday that he would start in Game 1 of Washington's first-round series against the Bulls.
In his first full start, Nene added a different dimension to the Wizards' offense. Washington has one of the league's better 3-point shooting teams, and then there is John Wall creating havoc in the lane. Nene filled in down low to complete the Wizards' offense, and he did so with success through the first three quarters.
Nene scored 18 points and grabbed six rebounds, even as he was being played in quick spurts. That's impressive considering the Bulls frontline he played against, which is equipped with solid defenders in Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson.
6:00 pm: RECAP: The Charlotte Bobcats entered this series as a team that played great defense and didn't turn the ball over. Because they were playing the Miami Heat, the defense point became moot.
That said, we'll focus on turnovers. Charlotte finished the game with 14 turnovers, which isn't horrible. Take into account that six of those came from point guard Kemba Walker and it becomes more troubling.
Walker did have 20 points, five rebounds and six assists, but he didn't have his security blanket in Al Jefferson, who fought of a plantar fasciia strain for much of the game. Jefferson was hurt in the first quarter after a 4-for-4 start. And though he returned after the injury, Jefferson wasn't ever quite the same. He finished the day with 18 points and 10 rebounds, but was only 9-of-17 from the field.
5:25 pm: Josh McRobert is often content to take open 3-pointers and make solid passes to teammates. Every once in a while, though, McRoberts can surprise with his athleticism. He caught Birdman off guard and punched in a right-hand dunk over the top.
5:15 pm: The Miami Heat rotation hasn't included James Jones all season. Still, against all logic, he was thrown into the lineup and the move immediately paid dividends against the Charlotte Bobcats. Jones has nine points, three rebounds and a move that made Cody Zeller fall to his credit.
3:50 pm: Who could have predicted the Charlotte Bobcats would hold an early lead over the Miami Heat in their first playoff appearance since 2008. Charlotte is up, 21-14, at the moment, but their fortunes could change if Al Jefferson's noticeable limp turns out to be anything serious. The big man called for a timeout and appeared hobbled as he made his way to the bench. Jefferson immediately removed his shoe once he had taken a seat.
As things stand, Jefferson has limped to the bench and we are all waiting an update. He had eight of the Bobcats' 21 points at the time that he left the floor.
Update: Jefferson suffered a plantar fasciia strain and will return to the game.
3:35 pm: RECAP: The Mavericks led 81-71 midway through the fourth quarter, then Tim Duncan re-entered the game and the Spurs took over from there, posting a 19-4 run to win 90-85.
While Dirk Nowitzki had a tough day, Tony Parer and Duncan provided spark for the Spurs. Together they provided 48 points, and Manu Ginobili tacked on 17 points as well.
3:15 pm: Gregg Popovich shared a great moment with Craig Sager Jr., who stepped in for his father, Craig Sager, as he receives treatment for acute leukemia.
Popovich was initially asked to be interviewed for an "Inside the NBA' segment but decline, instead asking that Craig Sager Jr. interview him live after the end of the third quarter.
What came from the live interview was a genuine moment, as Popovich answered questions he'd usually brush off and offered a heartfelt message to Craig Sager, asking that he get back on the court soon. Popovich even promised to be nice.
2:20 pm: Road teams continued to surprise in the first half of Spurs-Mavericks. When the bell sounded, Dallas held a 44-43 record over San Antonio, owners of the NBA's best regular season record. This came about despite the fact that Tony Parker finished 7-of-8 from the field for 17 points and Tim Duncan added 10 points.
But while Devin Harris couldn't stay in front of Parker, he staged a solid offensive half, posting 13 points and three assists for the Mavericks. This could bode well for Dallas. No matter how small, to have a lead on the Spurs with Dirk Nowitzki at only five points for the day is impressive.
1:45 pm: Before the game got under way, TNT recognized Craig Sager, the longtime sideline reporter who will miss the NBA playoffs as he undergoes treatment for acute leukemia.
Sager has become beloved for his interesting attire and happy-going approach. Ernie Johnson stood in the studio with Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal, as they all wore Easter pastels in a nod to Sager. It was then that Johnson announced that Craig Sager. would handle a live interview with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich during the game.
Because they have had so many moments together, it's hard to pick out a favorite. But here's a look at Popovich using Sager's pocket square as a handkerchief.


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McConnell: Senate won't confirm any Obama Supreme Court nominee
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate will not confirm a Supreme Court nominee from President Barack Obama during his last year in office, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday.
In remarks on the Senate floor, McConnell acknowledged Obama's constitutional right to offer a replacement for late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who died earlier this month. But he said even Vice President Joe Biden, a Democrat, had argued back in 1992 for postponing action on Supreme Court nominees during an election year.
See more: Ben Carson -- President Obama was 'raised white,' can't really identify with black Americans
"Presidents have a right to nominate, just as the Senate has its constitutional right to provide or withhold consent. In this case, the Senate will withhold it," McConnell said.
"The Senate will appropriately revisit the matter after the American people finish making in November the decision they've already started making today," the Kentucky Republican added, referring to the Nov. 8 presidential election.
See images of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's funeral:
See Gallery
Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid quickly condemned McConnell's attitude as "obstruction on steroids" that showed Republicans in the Senate taking their direction from Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.
"Gone are the days of level-headedness and compromise," the Nevada Democrat said.
Biden made the statements referenced by McConnell in 1992, when Biden was Senate Judiciary Committee chairman. Biden has said he was speaking hypothetically, because there was no Supreme Court vacancy at the time.
Senator Chris Coons, a Democrat, said Tuesday that Obama should nominate "the most qualified, the most confirmable, the most centrist candidate possible," to help convince more Republicans that they should at least consider the nominee. He also noted that some Republicans, including Senator Mark Kirk, have already said the Senate should do so.
Coons said one "balanced," and "capable," candidate was Sri Srinivasan, a U.S. federal appeals court judge who was confirmed unanimously by the Senate three years ago. But Coons, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, also said there was a series of other qualified candidates.
Scalia was one of the most conservative Supreme Court justices in American history, but "I do not think President Obama should seek to replace him with a comparably outspoken progressive," Coons told reporters.
Coons also said fellow Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy, a former Judiciary Committee Chairman, had told him that in the past century, "every single Supreme Court nominee has received a vote or a hearing or both."
More from AOL.com:
Michigan Uber driver charged with 16 counts, including murder
San Bernardino victims to oppose Apple on iPhone encryption
Mother accused of leaving her 6-year-old daughter in burning apartment


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Clicking on the cover of any of the books below will link to that book on Amazon.com.
A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century
By Thomas L. Friedman
Initially published in 2005 and updated several times, The World is Flat is recommended reading for all VE clients. For those who have been confused and bewildered by the global economy, the book is a clarion call to action, showing how any community can choose to become a global economy participant rather than a victim. In his classic, down-to-earth writing style, Tom Friedman provides an easy-to-understand description of the 10 driving forces that are shaping the scope and speed of the 21st century global economy. He helps the reader understand the logical shifts caused by the convergence of technology and global events that have made geographic and political boundaries irrelevant. For all those community and elected leaders who believe that boundaries of place make a difference, The World is Flat is a must read.
The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations
By Ori Brafman and Rod A. Beckstrom
First published in 2006, this book is the result of five years of research on the differences between hierarchical (spider) organizations and collaborative (starfish) movements. The Starfish and the Spider is a second "must read" primer for VE client communities. Once business, community, non-profit and public sector leaders understand that boundaries are no longer relevant, they must develop a new style of management to connect resources across boundaries not within their control. This book discusses the power of individuals to organize as virtual groups with common interests and goals and uses examples throughout history to describe how starfish movements are more nimble, but also more challenging to command and control, than spider organizations. It provides the roadmap your community will need to successfully manage a regional economy in the 21st century.
How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant
By W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne
This international bestseller, originally published in 2005, is based on a study of 150 strategic decisions made over the past 100 years and across 30 different industries. Its findings and recommendations challenge everything we have ever learned about how to compete and win in business. Essentially, the authors challenge companies to leave the "red ocean" of bloody competition and create uncontested marketplaces where competition is irrelevant. Numerous examples of companies using this approach, including Cirque du Soleil, E-bay, Starbucks and Apple, demonstrate how firms can use "blue ocean strategies" to create new markets where competition is non-existent. VE believes that "blue ocean" thinking applies as much to community economic development strategies as it does to companies.
Preparing Ourselves for 21st Century Capitalism
By Robert B. Reich
Originally published in 1992, this book by Robert Reich is a classic work of economic theory. It should be required reading for any economic development professional, corporate executive, or community leader who wants to understand the implications of the changing relationship of work and workers to the economic power base and policy development. This was the first important work that outlined the global mobility and freedom of movement of knowledge work and knowledge workers. It will help VE communities understand why they need very different economic growth strategies from those that have been effective for the last 50 years.
The Coming Twenty-Year Boom and What It Means to You
By Bob Davis and David Wessel
Originally published in 1998, the authors have divided this book into three sections: The Past, The Present and The Future. Bob Davis and David Wessel help us to understand that past prosperity has been dependent upon changes in organizational behavior and the structure of education, as well as innovations in technology. Unlike most authors, these Wall Street Journal reporters see light and opportunity where others see gloom and doom in a global economy. Most interestingly they see community colleges as the educational change agents of this new era. The authors help us understand that we must proactively make changes in the way our companies and communities function to be viable in a 21st century economy.
How Business is Mastering the Opportunity of Knowledge for Profit
By Stan Davis and Jim Botkin
Originally published in 1994, this book offers a thought-provoking look at the dominance of knowledge-based enterprise in the 21st century global marketplace. They challenge every business to become a knowledge business, and every employee to become a knowledge worker. They describe how every customer will become a life-long learner and the impact that will have on future customer service, consistent with the VE philosophy.
By Michael Heifetz
In this book, Michael Heifetz shows how change can be far more effectively planned, led, and implemented. Mihaly Sikszentmihalyi, a professor at the University of Chicago, comments, "More and more, change is becoming a constant fact of life for individuals and organizations alike. Michael Heifetz has reflected deeply on what this fact implies, and has produced a practical manual for turning the necessity of change to one's advantage."
VE helps your community use the approaches detailed in this book to work in your region. Imagine being able to focus your community on a worthy change objective, sustain commitment to the change effort, overcome the inevitable resistance and practical hurdles, keep the implementation on track, and reach the point where the change itself becomes the norm and its benefits are tangible. Then imagine leveraging your community's new confidence and capability to launch an even more ambitious change effort. The VE Journey provides the focus, tools and path to make change a reality.
How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything
By Don Tapscott and Anthony D. Williams
Initially published in 2006 and based on a $9 million research project, this book help us understand the profound changes occurring as a result of mass collaboration using internet technology. Wikinomics proves that sharing through social networks creates strategic advantage rather than weakness. The authors validate the importance of collaboration, connectivity and changed spending. They demonstrate how social networks create knowledge at a more rapid pace than ever before. Using examples such as Wikipedia, Craig's List, I-Tunes, YouTube, Flickr, My Space and the Human Genome Project, the authors show that the speed of innovation is directly related to the level of connectivity and collaboration of your social networks.
Creating the Next Industrial Revolution
By Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins and L. Hunter Lovins
Originally published in 1999, this book is a timeless business roadmap to a new industrial revolution that will be referenced by business and policy leaders for decades. Natural Capitalism is a radical call to companies to transform their business model to take into account all forms of capital, including environmental, human, social and financial capital. This book is the 21st century answer to those who believe that economic development is a continuation of smoke-stack, environmentally-damaging industrial development. The authors demonstrate that the Industrial Revolution is dead and that any company or regional economy can develop "natural capitalism" strategies, which are more profitable, productive and environmentally friendly. Natural Capitalism shows consumers, producers and governments how to develop more productive solutions to economic growth while reducing your impact on the environment and restoring the damage done by the industrial Revolution.
In this stunning new book, Malcolm Gladwell takes us on an intellectual journey through the world of "outliers"; – the best and the brightest, the most famous and the most successful. He asks, "What makes high-achievers different"? His answer is that we pay too much attention to what successful people are like, and too little attention to where they are from; that is, their culture, family, generation, and the idiosyncratic experiences of their upbringing. Along the way he explains the secrets of software billionaires, what it takes to be a great soccer player, why Asians are good at math, and what made the Beatles the greatest rock band. Brilliant and entertaining, Outliers is a landmark work that will simultaneously delight and illuminate.
Why We Need a Green Revolution – And How it Can Renew America
By Thomas L. Friedman
Originally published in 2008, Hot, Flat and Crowded connects the growth in global population, the increase in the middle class and the energy crisis to create a pragmatic and positive rationale for a comprehensive energy solution. Friedman presents the challenge of a lifetime to Americans by describing the green revolution as one of the largest innovation projects in American history. He describes the payoff as much cleaner air combined with a renewed cycle of sustainable economic growth that will build prosperity for many citizens and communities. However, he points out that America lacks a unified commitment to a green strategy, unlike many nations that are more hungry and innovative. At the heart of America's lack of a common strategy and a sense of urgency, according to Friedman, are the bad habits of the last three decades, which have lessened our resolve to tackle big problems. Hot, Fat and Crowded encourages VE communities to create a green revolution across their regional economies and export the resulting knowledge, service, products and innovations to the world.
Thriving in the New Economy
By Nuala Beck
Originally published in the U.S. in 1995, this Toronto-based economist provided a fascinating look into the economic transformation that had taken place industry by industry for the last 100 years. She charted the lack of changes in economic data gathering and measurement techniques during this entire period of change. Her research helps us understand that the economic news sources upon which we rely are based on industrial age economics while our economy was being transformed into an information economy. Successful ViTAL Economy initiatives require that each of us educate ourselves and our constituents about the reality of Nuala Beck's research and determine what kind of economy we should grow in our community.
A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community's Assets
By John P. Kretzman and John L. McKnight
Originally published in 1993, this publication is a guide to community building that provides an alternative approach to the classic path that addresses communities' needs, deficiencies and problems with the help of external resources. The alternative path chosen by Professors Kretzman and Knight identifies a community's capacities, skills and assets, no matter how poor and impoverished the community. Our ViTAL Economy practice had been underway for a number of years before we ran into the work of Kretzman and Knight. Their model of community asset mapping and leverage is a perfect metaphor for a VE initiative. We have found over many years of practice that every community and business has a unique culture, perspective, capacities and capabilities that can be leveraged to achieve a brighter future.
Originally published in 1961 and then in paperback in 1993, this landmark work by a neighborhood activist blew a big hole in conventional thinking about the structure of cities. It forced policy makers to totally rethink their approaches to urban planning and the future of cities. Jane Jacobs helped us all understand the integrated elements that made for a vital city. She opposed the large-scale bull dozing of cities best exemplified by New York's Robert Moses. Jacob's work leads us to think about each element of a city – sidewalks, parks, neighborhoods, government, and economy – as a synergistic unit that encompasses both the structure and the functioning dynamics of our habitats. ViTAL Economy initiatives can only be successful when we take all of these perspectives into consideration, whether we are developing a strategy for rural or urban communities. Companies are most successful at growing within and serving VE communities when they understand the interdependent qualities that make community work.
The Attacker's Advantage
By Richard N. Foster
Originally published in 1986, this book has given us a practical look at the theory of innovation and the role that technology has played over the last 100 years. This book helps any organizational leader understand the risks of standing still. It traces the history of change and documents that 90% of innovation is implemented by the most recent change agent in any given field of endeavor. The new emerging innovator almost always overtakes the entrenched leader, and the decline of the prior leader is swift and unexpected. Communities and companies need to understand the impact of these factors on the future growth of their business or economy.
By Alexis de Tocqueville (Richard D. Heffner, Editor)
(Note: a new translation of this book was published in 2001.) If you want to truly understand what makes America what it is today, Democracy in America is a must read. Alexis de Tocqueville, the premier analyst of American society, wrote eloquently about the unique American invention of "community." He wrote, "The art of association then becomes, as I have said before, the mother of action, studied and applied by all." The editor notes that the book is as accessible to the modern reader as the work of any contemporary journalist, political scientist, or sociologist. It is an essential volume for anyone interested in American history. At ViTAL Economy, we believe the age-old adage that, if you do not study history, you are doomed to repeat it. Understanding America's creation of community as a unique societal form is a critical element in understanding why VE initiatives work for everyone.
By Andrew Gulliford
For more than 250 years, 200,000 one-room schoolhouses served as the backbone of America's education system. Originally published in 1984, this book is the first to chronicle the role of the country school in the formation of our democracy. Barbara Bush provides a historic perspective to this work in her note at the front of this book, stating "The pioneer families settling America's vast frontiers understood one of Thomas Jefferson's most deeply held convictions – that good education is the essential foundation of a strong democracy. Children learned a curriculum steeped in such values as honesty, industry, sobriety and patriotism – values we cherish." Andrew Gulliford helps us understand that the country school was not just a school, but also a community center. Neighbors gathered there for dances, concerts, lectures, debates, political caucuses and worship. These schools formed the foundation for today's adult literacy programs and provided a center of technology transfer for medicine and agriculture. ViTAL Economy initiatives understand the role of schools as both an education partner and a community development partner. The country school is a powerful metaphor for a VE community's role in sharing and growing resources.
Using Telecommunications for Competitive Advantage
By Peter G. W. Keen
Originally published in 1988, this book provides a guide for executives to the strategic implications of telecommunications technology on an organization's ability to succeed and survive. It demonstrates that the once-lofty importance of place as a competitive value proposition has diminished. In this work, we learn how technology is dramatically changing the role of time as a market variable. Although dated in terms of technological innovation, this older work provides an early and understandable view of the immediacy of action that technology challenges us to manage.
How to Profit from the Coming Economic Shift
By David A. Foote with Daniel Stoffman
Originally published in 1996, this book examines the impact on the Canadian economic landscape of the baby boomer, baby buster and echo generation. Understanding the impact of demographic trends on your local economy and the global economy will help you better position your company and your community for the future.
The Speed of Change in the Connected Economy
By Stan Davis & Christopher Meyer
Originally published in 1998, this book provides a simple but profound definition of an economy as, "the way people use resources to fulfill their desires." The authors help us understand that the ways we choose to "fulfill our desires" have changed dramatically over the years, driven by connectivity, speed, and the growth of intangible value. Blur helps us understand the fundamental economic changes our world is facing and that companies and economies can no longer make decisions based on old economy thinking. It helps us understand the implications of a connected economy, which is a key principle of ViTAL Economy.
Promise and Peril in the Age of Networked Intelligence
By Don Tapscott
Originally published in 1996, this book provides one of the most important and early looks at the role of networked intelligence in the transformation of businesses and the economy in which we live, work, learn and govern. Don Tapscott introduces us to 12 key themes of the new economy that challenge the traditional rules of business success. We are all challenged to seize the moment and to use this newfound understanding to build economies that will transform our world. The importance of the ViTAL Economy fundamentals of connectivity, collaboration and changed spending can be clearly understood after reading this book.
The Social Virtues & The Creation of Prosperity
By Francis Fukuyama
Originally published in 1995, this book by Francis Fukuyama introduces us to the economic importance of "social trust". He argues that only those societies with a high degree of social trust will be able to create the kind of flexible, large scale organizations that are needed for successful competition in the emerging global economy. The ViTAL Economy model of multi-sector value linkage and collaboration is at the heart of social trust. The author challenges the conventional views of both conservative and liberal economists by painstakingly researching and documenting the dependence of economic growth on the degree of social trust present in a culture. In the age of global economics, our understanding of the role of culture and social trust in our economies will be a key determinant of our success or failure.
Originally published in 1998, this book provides us with a simple but powerful parable about change. Managing change is a critical component of successful ViTAL Economy initiatives. Companies, organizations, and communities must communicate the urgent need for effective change in order to produce positive actions that grow markets and economies while changing lives for the better. This is a quick read and a reminder that change really matters.
A Narrative History 1620 -The Present
By Richard Lingeman
Originally published in 1980, this classic social history examines the role of small towns in the growth of America. It looks at the birth of small towns in New England and how they migrated west as the pioneers discovered and tamed the American frontier. Both the myth and the reality of small-town America are explored. This book provides us with a better understanding of the values that are at the heart of what we yearn for today in our desire to leave the hustle and bustle of the urban metropolis.
Transform Your Business Today To Succeed in Tomorrow's Economy
By Stan Davis & Bill Davidson
Originally published in 1991, this book by Stan Davis and Bill Davidson offers a futuristic look at the decade of the 1990's and the next 30 years. The authors discuss the fundamental transformation that information and biotechnology will cause and introduce us to the concepts of informationalization and information exhaust. They help us to realize that there is more value in the information we produce by making and doing things than the value exchanged in the creation of things. ViTAL Economy initiatives base our 20/20 vision assessment of how a market will live, work, learn and govern and plan strategies and actions on this reality.
Originally published in 1998, Randy Bartlett's book examines the evolution of urban America from the colonial era to the present. He emphasizes how both technological change and public policies, especially in housing, transportation, governmental structure and finance, have affected the logic of location and the resultant shape of cities. This work challenges conventional urban policy and articulates a future for cities that is not based on extensive infrastructure and ever-expanding masses. Understanding the reality of location in the new economy helps rural-based ViTAL Economy initiatives plan for and create their future opportunity.
Colonial Experience, Democratic Experience, National Experience
By Daniel Joseph Boorstin
The first book in this trilogy, the Colonial Experience was first published in 1958. The Colonial Experienceshows how the habits of people who lived more than two centuries ago shaped the lives of modern Americans. The Democratic Experience, winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1974, is a study of the last 100 years of American history. This relates the story of the invention of a new democratic culture and the reorientation of the national character through countless little revolutions in economy, technology, and social rearrangements. The National Experience, winner of the Francis Parkman Prize, explores problems of community and the search for a national identity. If you want to understand how the history of America was shaped by the unique culture of community, there is no more highly regarded historian than Boorstin. ViTAL Economy's understanding of community and the American experience is significantly shaped by his writings. Boorstin said, "The beginning of national wisdom would be to see our mutual dependence as a strength, rather than as a weakness." The importance of interdependence articulated in this trilogy influenced the development of collaboration as one of the core founding principles of the ViTAL Economy.
Originally published in 1935 and recently updated in 1997, this compliation of the work of six Canadian scholars is regarded by many as one of the best general histories of Canada. Mr. Brown describes it as "a story of how Canadians lived and worked, how they have seen themselves, how they have thought about each other." ViTAL Economy has used this work to help us understand the Canadian perspective through the lens of history and frame an approach that works for the numerous Canadian communities we have been privileged to serve.
This book was originally published in 1776. Adam Smith was not only a highly regarded economist, but also a historian and philosopher. This classic is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the underpinnings of the industrial economy. It was Adam's Smith's theories on the division of labor that helped define the organizational transformation of our economies at the beginning of the industrial age. ViTAL Economy has learned over the years that our ability to communicate a sense of urgency to the clients we serve is directly related to helping them understand the past and its relationship or lack of relationship to the future.
This Pulitzer Prize winning book was originally published in 1997. Jared Diamond is a professor of physiology at the UCLA School of Medicine. He is a recipient of a Macarthur Foundation fellowship and was awarded the 1999 National Medal of Science. This book takes the reader on a tour of 13,000 years of history in under 500 pages. It provides a thought-provoking description of why some societies progressed while others did not, helps us understand how the modern world has evolved and provides lessons for our own future. The lessons of this book helped us to develop comprehensive, multidimensional ViTAL Economy strategies. Business success and economic growth do not depend on economics alone. ViTAL Economy strategies integrate the realities of culture, and environment, so that you can leverage what makes you unique and special as a community, an organization, a company, or an individual.
Originally published in 2001, this book is not only one of the most significant books about the life of John Adams, but it is more importantly a fascinating study of the creation of the American Democracy. It is based on more than 1000 letters in the correspondence of John and Abigail Adams. John Adams, the second President of the United States, was once described by Thomas Jefferson as "the colossus of independence". ViTAL Economy sees in this monumental work a message for all leaders who desire to shape a brighter future for their communities. Like us, the Founding Fathers of America were family men and women. They were lawyers, politicians, farmers, and business owners. They had a unique vision that was borne, not out of self-interest, but the interest of their community. They understood that they could succeed better together than as individuals. They valued and used the unique gifts of each of their peers and built a foundation for a democratic way of life that has succeeded economically, socially, and politically beyond their wildest dreams. ViTAL Economy initiatives are based upon the same beliefs that propelled our founding fathers.
Originally published in 2000, David Nevin's novel provides an engaging look at the global, political and economic history that formed the basis for the Louisiana Purchase. Understanding the growth of the United States requires understanding the historic, geographic, and cultural implications of the Louisiana Purchase. Some 70 percent of America was organized according to the legislative acts that ratified the Louisiana Purchase. Combining this novel with related historical texts helped ViTAL Economy understand the role of country schools in community and economic development. This historical novel paints a vivid picture of interdependence that stands in stark contrast to the conventional image of a western frontier tamed by independent cowboys.
Thomas Jefferson on Education
Edited by Gordon C. Lee
Originally published in 1961, this important book documents Thomas Jefferson's belief that education was appropriate for a free people. Jefferson clearly saw education as a prerequisite to any intelligent popular rule. Liberty without enlightenment seemed to Jefferson a contradiction in terms. Jefferson once wrote, "Science is more important in a republican than in any other form of government." ViTAL Economy has spent considerable time researching Jefferson's vision of a democracy that works. It is clear that education was not only important to a strong democracy, but that it also played a critical role in producing good and productive workers for the American republic. Our VE initiatives pay particular attention to the role of education in a life-long learning economy that is populated with knowledge work and knowledge workers. Clients who grasp the importance of education in a 21st century economy are more likely to success in building a ViTAL Economy that works for everyone.


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Welwyn Paintball Site's Listing
Paintball Hertford11
19 minute drive from Welwyn
Hertford is the closest Paintball site to Welwyn
100 FREE Paintballs on Full Day Pay as You Play.
One of the UK Scenario Paintball scene's most influential paintball sites, is situated in Hatfield near London. A mere 5 miles from the M25 Junction 24, WWP is easily accessible from London, and the otuskirts, Cheshunt, St. Albans, Harlow, Welwyn Garden City, and Watford. We specialise in providing corporate entertainment and team building days, as well as stag/hen parties and birthdays. We have 65 acres of woodland with 14 fields of play including Hamburger Hill, Fort Ranger, The Village, Snake Field, Tournament Training Field and Bridge Attack. Even if there are only one or two of you, we can fit you in with others for a full day's adventure.
Located just a short distance from the town of Hertford, our superb venue is easily accessible from all over the Hertfordshire as we are just off the A10. Full details and map provided on booking..
Alternative Venues Near Welwyn
Paintball St Albans
St Albans is the closest Paintball site to Welwyn
24 minute drive from Welwyn
The largest and busiest paintball site in the South East of England, our spectacular Bricket Wood venue is conveniently located where the M1 meets the M25. This site has highly-developed game zones and guarantees an action-packed and adrenalin-fuelled day. This is a must-visit site so get down here.
100 FREE Paintballs!
Paintball Broxbourne
26 minute drive from Welwyn
At last, an extremely fun and safe version of Laser paintball for 8 to 15 year olds. That's right, our centre covering paintballing in Hertfordshire and London now has the most exciting addition to it's combat armoury. Low impact paintball is an experience that uses low velocity paintball guns, firing extremely fragile paintballs. It's a new event that's set to become a phenomenon for birthday parties and kids parties. We are the only centre for paintballing London and Hertfordshire to offer this form of low impact paintball. Kids paintballing has never been more safe and exciting.
Paintball Bishops Stortford
33 minute drive from Welwyn
This paintball battleground is set in 60 acres of dense forest and caters for as many as 100 players at a time. Compete with friends and enemies alike in harrowing game zones like Jungle Zone, The Trench and The Pen. There are plenty of bunkers, barricades and hay bales to take cover between.
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Paintball Cambridge
39 minute drive from Welwyn
This epic woodland venue features plenty of obstacles, bunkers, barricades and paint. Lots of paint. Compete in any of our thrilling action-packed games, like Trench, Jungle, Headquarters and Toxic. With our excellent facilities, helpful staff and exciting game zones there's something for any wannabe soldier here.
Paintball Woking
62 minute drive from WelwynA 46 acre site with a mixture of woodland and urban game zones. There are 4 main gaming areas, including the Fortress and Killing House.
100 FREE Paintballs!
Paintball Wickford
67 minute drive from Welwyn
An authentic military experience awaits you as you battle your way through an array of military-themed game modes on our treacherous warlike battlefield!
Paintball Bedford
67 minute drive from Welwyn
With over 25 acres of perfectly adapted paintball terrain, highly sophisticated game scenarios and fully trained marshals our epic Bedford site is second to none. Combine this with a fantastic location between Bedford and Northampton this a must visit paintball field and we can't wait to greet you on the front lines for some truly adrenaline pumping action!
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Paintball High Wycombe
68 minute drive from Welwyn
A smashing 16 acre war zone, with 10 unbelievable game zones. You and your mates will tackle a series of paint-blasting, rollercoaster mission scenarios, including attacking the fort, capturing the flag and the heart-racing shooting alley of the Tyres.
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Indoor Paintball Docklands, Greater London
69 minute drive from Welwyn
A state of the art indoor paintball facility on the site of a decommissioned cold war nuclear shelter. This sci-fi themed war zone features hundreds of feet of playing area and all of it is stunningly realised to transport you from reality into a world of futuristic combat with the fate of the planet at stake.
Distances and drive times have been collated using third party software.
They are approximate and meant only as a guide.


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I'm breathless, but in a good way. I attended the protest at the NOM rally in front of the Indiana Statehouse on Monday, and someone took my picture. That picture has found its way on the InterWebs, and it's kind of overwhelming. I had no idea the response it would engender.
NOM Indianapolis: Newbie Report
When I read that NOM was planning a visit here, the seed was planted that I might represent another view of Christians to the straight and LGBT communities. I had a sign that I'd made for a previous, very small local event. But up to the minute I got into my car that morning, I was wondering if I'd have the nerve to show up. I am decidedly introverted and joining a group of angry activists--even when we agree--is my equivalent of entering the seventh circle of hell. Repeating my mantra "What would you do if you weren't afraid?" I drove downtown.
I had an inauspicious start. The downtown parking meter jammed. I hoped I wouldn't get a ticket and got out my sign. I arrived with only a few minutes to spare but only four other protesters were there. They told me I couldn't keep the yardstick with which I'd so carefully constructed an interior framework to hold the sign aloft in the wind. One of the guys just broke it off at the bottom of the sign. (All that lovely work! But the inner frame was still there.)
I was wondering where everyone was as the NOM staff began setting up on the Statehouse steps. Then I saw a gang gathered over on the lawn, making plans. How did they know to gather there? I missed that announcement. Soon enough they lined up on the sidewalk in front of the steps.
While we waited for things to get rolling, NOM supporters began to gather on the steps. I was next to a woman from Jesus MCC whose sign said "Jesus Affirmed a Gay Couple." A man from the steps came over to engage us. It got a little heated with my fellow protester, and then the man asked if I would talk with him. I loathe confrontation but I agreed.
He asked me about my beliefs in regard to homosexuality. I didn't want to make the mistake of proof-texting because swapping passages is an endless circle, but he didn't want to leave the subject. He recounted a list of behaviors (in the language of the King James Version) and asked if I considered them sins--yes--but when he got to "homosexuality?" I responded "No." He didn't know where to go from there, and when I started to engage him further, he looked uncomfortable and went back to the steps.
As we waited for the rally to begin, people chatted and took pictures. A man from one of the local TV stations asked me on camera why I was there. I can hardly remember my reply, which tells me to have a sound bite ready next time. (It didn't air.)
Once the rally started my fellow protesters were enthusiastic and loud, led by a guy with a bullhorn. I heard only snippets of the speeches, due to the racket the protesters were making. I'm glad that most of the chants were positive and not directed at the rally attendees. I believe NOM will use negative footage to garner sympathy, and it's effective. We should stay on the high road and simply express our beliefs without belittling theirs.
The police were calm and polite, and when I asked if I could move from the sidewalk, they gave consent. I stood at the back of the crowd at the bottom of the steps and held my sign high. When a man stood one foot in front of me and held his "Don't Mess With Marriage" sign in front of my face, I didn't say a word or move. After a minute or so, an officer asked me to return to the sidewalk and I did. I believe the police were polite because almost everyone was well-behaved. I encourage future protesters to maintain a calm and confident demeanor at remaining NOM rallies. If someone's on the fence on this subject, it can make a difference.
It has taken a couple of days for all the adrenaline to finally disperse. I'm glad I went and I'd do it again. And who knows? That man may be rethinking his list of sins.
Photo courtesy of Phyllis Lozano, Courage Campaign
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I think the best sign to hold up at a NOM Rally would be a mirror. Maybe they should see themselves the way we do - they are crazy.
Most of America is not interested in NOM and most have figured out they're the lunatic fringe. I still prefer we ignore them, than give them any attention, but I can appreciate your courage. Thank-you for standing up for us.
I liked your sign, but would ask that you consider the word "equality," instead of "equal rights." The difference is important.
You. GO. Girl!
Thank you - to ANYONE who will stand up for others when they cannot. I applaud this woman, whatever term she uses...we get the gist.
Thank you for your advocacy. As a gay Hoosier, I really appreciate anyone who is brave enough to stick their neck out in a situation like that.
Thanks, Betty. You rock!
1. You are made of win.
2. As a fellow introvert, I am officially stealing your mantra.
"What would you do if you weren't afraid?"
Love it.
Betty: Your brother David is smiling down on you and HE IS SO PROUD OF HIS SISTER!
There needs to be more of this sort of activism. Let's hope there will be!


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In the realm of office automation, Xerox machines and printers also take a lead role. The traditional desktop printers had limited utilities and the printing quality also required some improvements. These shortcomings of desktop printers have been effectively addressed with the introduction of laser printers. Here again, when you browse to take a look at the laser printers for sale, you would see laser printers in innumerable designs and features. In fact, one of the popular manufacturers has introduced a laser printer for just $59.99! This printer comes with a bunch of features like WiFi, scanner, auto document feeder (ADF) of 35 sheets and 250 sheets paper tray and varieties of other utilities. This printer is customized to Google Cloud, AirPrint, Print, and Mopria,
Encouraging market trend:
The laser printer sales in Australia are so encouraging that one of the leading players has reported 28% increase in hardware sales and about 150% increase in targeted revenue. In fact, this company won the 2016 Grand Motivation Master's Award. This manufacturer has introduced varieties of laser printers, mobile printers, scanners, electronic labeling machine and so on.
Multifunction printers:
Apart from office, even individuals prefer to look for laser printers for sale rather than the conventional printers. Further, in order to meet this ever increase in the demand for laser printers, manufacturers have introduced varieties of printers with several versatile features. Many offices and also individuals now prefer multifunction printers that can print and also send fax, scan and perform various other functions.
Extended utilities:
In addition to these, some of the popular brands of laser printers for sale also have other extended features like WiFi, Ethernet, and USB port. Some of the printers are available with 1000 page cartridge yield. There are printers which can print at more than 30 pages per minute. Color printing is yet another added feature of these laser printers.
Effective after sales service:
According to a report by the IDC, since the last one decade, the Australian printer market is steadily growing. Every reputed manufacturer has reported a considerable increase in the laser printers for sale. At the same time, in order to provide effective after sales service, the manufacturers have established authorized service centers at strategic locations. In addition to these, the manufacturers have been providing consumables like ink and cartridges and also other spare parts at an affordable price tag.
Consider these factors:
In this competitive world, there is almost no office that does not have a printer. In fact, some of the printers are so versatile that you can hook more than two or three computers to the printer. Such pooling of printers has become the order of the day in the modern offices. Therefore, when you are looking for laserjet printer sales you should ensure the printer meets the requirements of your office. Further, you should also consider the printing speed, the cost of consumables, quality of the printer and also after sales service and such other factors before short listing the printer that you are planning to buy.
Printers have become one of the essential gadgets of modern offices and even in homes. Among the varieties of printers, a laser printer is always a preferred choice because of the quality of printing and low printing cost. In order to achieve these, you should buy the printer from reputed dealers like the https://gom.com.au/products/printer-sales-promo/laserjet-printer/


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Small Groups
MindBodySWEAT is my signature course and it's like no other. You and an intimate group of women like you bond, grow, and move past obstacles that have kept you stuck from living full-on!
MindBodySWEAT teaches you how to re-think the way you have designed your body and life up until this point and gives you pivotal and proven tools to practice that help you re-design them to be stronger, healthier, leaner, and more vibrant!
This eight week course is offered online and in person twice per year, Spring and Fall. In-person is extremely limited. Click here to find out more!
I coach small groups, and all ability levels, at my home studio (North Chattanooga), your home, or your business. Workouts are always varied and fun and include everything from boxing to kettle bells (and a lot in between!)
Sessions are geared for people who want challenging and effective full-body workouts that help them gain muscle and lose fat and like the benefits of being with a small group.
In addition, everyone chooses a small positive habit to up-level outside of class (where the real work takes place) and are given the tools and support to achieve it. The positive pressure of the intimate group (and from me) encourages accountability and success!
If you are ready to get fit in a non-judging, encouraging, and fun environment this might be your route.
Choose 6-8 week sessions and meet once or twice per week.
How do you find out about upcoming opportunities? The best way is to sign up for my newsletter, Motivation Monday. Besides receiving weekly hardcore motivation in your inbox, it's where I announce group classes, free workshops, and whatever else I think up ;)
Or contact me about your idea.


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Australia at the UN: Missing when it Mattered
There are a handful of empty chairs in Committee Room 1 in the UN General Assembly building in New York. One of them should have been occupied by an Australian representative, but these negotiations are going ahead without us. Yesterday, the second draft of a treaty to ban nuclear weapons was circulated, despite Australia's best efforts to prevent these talks from happening at all.
Now, the devils in the detail are being coaxed into the light. Should the treaty ban transit of these weapons through states' territories, and if so, how would that be verified? How should people whose lives have been ruined through the development and testing of nuclear weapons be assisted, and by whom? Because the small handful of nuclear weapons states and their proxies have mostly stayed away, it has been a remarkably fruitful negotiation thus far, with several dozen civil society organisations lending substantial expertise and determination to the dialogue. Nonetheless, there are some tensions in the room as this treaty is wrangled clause by clause. One NATO member seems to be acting as a spoiler, and a week out from finalisation, a lot of work remains to be done.
Australia, having quietly supported the deployment of US nuclear weapons for decades, could have played a breakthrough role in this room. It is long past time for countries like Australia, which claim to support the abolition of nuclear weapons, to get behind the first major progress in decades to actually get it done. Our government, in placing an obsolete faith in these weapons of indiscriminate mass destruction, is defying the will of the vast majority of nations and their peoples. In the abstract, as dry paragraphs in successive defence white papers, they can get away with it. Should these hideous weapons ever actually be used, the Australian Government's indefensible role in blocking and then boycotting this process will be exposed as the hollow and amoral stance that it is. But by then of course, it will be too late.
In some form or other, this treaty will be done without Australia. Soon our energy will turn to the urgent task to getting us signed up, but it is impossible to let this moment pass without reflecting on what might have been if our Government had chosen to seize this unique opportunity and thrown its support behind this historic international movement.


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(aka: Samoiedskaya Sobaka, Nenetskaya Laika, Bjelkier [Nicknames: Smiling Sammy)
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Samoyed Description
The Samoyed is a pretty and distinctive looking dog, and is medium to large in size with a sturdy and well proportioned build. He has a beautiful double coat, which is dense and soft underneath with a harsh outer coat. The coloring of the Samoyed's coat is white, and may have cream or beige shadings. He has a beautiful, plumed tail, and a distinctive 'smiling' mouth, which has become known as the 'Sammy smile'. The weight of the Samoyed is around 35-50 pounds for females, and around 50-65 pounds for males. The height of these dogs is around 19-21 inches for females, and 21-24 inches for males.
Samoyed Temperment
The Samoyed is a dog that is friendly, good natured, and affectionate, making for a good family pet and companion. These dogs are playful and a little on the mischievous side, and they have plenty of spirit and enthusiasm. They are also sweet, gentle and get along with just about everyone. Although the Samoyed will bark to raise an alarm, which can make him an effective watchdog, he is too gentle and docile to be a guard dog. This breed loves to spend time with his family and owners, and likes companionship and affection, so he is not the right choice for those with little time for a pet. If you neglect your Samoyed you could quickly find destructive behavior setting in as a result of boredom. These dogs do love to chase, and therefore need to be provided with a safe and secure area to play and exercise when not on a leash.
The Samoyed is an intelligent dog and is quick to learn, which can make training less of a challenge. This breed can be very independent and strong minded, and therefore needs a confident and assertive owner - they are best suited to those with some experience of dog ownership and training. They do get along very well with children, although some can be large and a little too boisterous for smaller children. They also tend to be welcoming with strangers and get along well with most other animals. These dogs enjoy play and exercise, and fare particularly well in colder weather. If you are looking for a quiet, inactive life, the Samoyed is not the dog for you, as he does bark a lot, and does need a fair amount of exercise as well as plenty of interaction.
Samoyed Grooming
Although the Samoyed has a beautiful, abundant coat, the grooming requirements are not as extensive as they may seem. His coat needs to be brushed twice a week, and when shedding more heavily will need to be brushed on a daily basis. These dogs are medium shedder, and shed more heavily twice a year as well as lighter shedding that is year round. They are therefore not the best choice of allergy sufferers.
Samoyed History
There is an ancient Siberian tribe known as the Samoyedes. The Siberian terrain is known to be one of the harshest and most difficult terrains to live in on the planet. The Samoyede people were nomads and moved around frequently carrying all of their things with them as well as their herds of reindeer. They were hunters and fisherman. They used a beautiful and robust dog to pull their sleds as well as several other jobs. The dog had to be able to perform several tasks. Not only did the dogs pull sleds and herd reindeer, but they also hunted animals for food and clothing. They were even known to hunt polar bears. This dog was later named the Samoyed after the name of the tribe.
In 1889 the explorer Robert Scott brought several of these dogs back to Europe. It was from Europe that the dog was bred and spread throughout the world. The first Samoyed came to America arrived in 1904 when the Princess de Montyglyon brought it as her companion. The Samoyed was given to her by the Czar's brother, the Grand Duke of Russia. Today the Samoyed is mostly used as a companion for the average household, but still does maintain some qualities that indicate its origins.
Samoyed Training
The Samoyed because of their intelligent and independent nature can be somewhat difficult to train, but will respond to patient and persistent training. Voice commands are all that is really necessary. The commands should be given with enthusiasm and this will make training a little more fun. The Samoyed is eager to please and therefore will respond better to training when they are praised for following a command. Samoyeds are not easy to train because they do become bored and distracted. It is important to make it fun and energetic for them. They are known to be somewhat resistant to obedience training. When training Samoyeds it is important for the owner to establish a difference between words of appreciation and reward and words of correction.
Respect training is definitely an option for the Samoyed owner. If you can train your Samoyed from a young age to be respectful, it can make living with your Samoyed much more pleasant. This can include training in the areas of, barking, chewing, jumping up, nipping, hanging onto objects, and so many other things. This is an excellent way to establish a leader and follower role relationship with your dog. Follower dogs are said to be happier because they are secure. They can trust that you have everything under control. They are also happier because they are going to be appreciated and complimented by people in public. They can also be confident that they know what the consequences of their actions are. They are going to be happier and healthier because they are using their brains and are spending time with the family they crave attention from.
Samoyed Health Problems
Although the Samoyed is a relatively healthy breed, there are some health issues to look out for with these dogs. This includes diabetes, cataracts, thyroid problems, HD, PRA, and allergies. Take care in hot weather and humid environments, as the Samoyed does not enjoy being in high temperatures because of his thick coat. The life expectancy of the Samoyed is around 12-15 years. The parents of the Samoyed puppy should have OFA and CERF certificates.


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Thanks to an increasingly competitive global market and a stronger-than-anticipated U.S. economy, the outlook for manufacturing construction spending remains guardedly optimistic through 2008 and several years beyond. By 2010, FMI Corp., a management consulting and investment banking firm headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., forecasts that manufacturing construction put in place will grow to $51.7 billion — up from a projected $38.1 billion in 2007.
"The short-term outlook is fairly good for manufacturing construction," agrees Dan Meckstroth, chief economist for the Arlington, Va.-based Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI. "The industry has been growing rapidly over the last three years. Although the pace of growth is definitely going to slow, it will remain positive over the next couple of years," he says.
Data from the June 2007 Manufacturing ISM "Report on Business," released by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), Tempe, Ariz., corroborates this statement. According to the report, in June, manufacturing expanded at its fastest pace since April 2006.
Moreover, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), Washington, D.C., says that 14 of the 19 major manufacturing industries increased production in the second quarter of 2007.
Nonmetallic minerals and chemical/biotechnology are enjoying particularly strong growth. "There has been a boom in the construction of ethanol plants as a result of the U.S. government subsidizing ethanol production for use in gasoline," says Meckstroth, referring to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which mandates increasing the amount of biofuel — typically ethanol — that must be mixed with gasoline sold in the United States to triple the current requirement (7.5 billion gallons by 2012).
Meckstroth also notes a surge in nonmetallic mineral manufacturing plants. "My guess is that this is due to the increased use of cement products, such as pavers, and to more use of stone in kitchen counters and office buildings," he says.
Building of large plants in the automotive sector is another manufacturing construction trend Meckstroth has observed, although he attributes much of this growth to foreign transplants such as Nissan, Toyota, and Honda, which have built facilities in Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. For example, Honda recently announced plans to advance its "2010 Vision" for North American automobile operation, which includes construction of a new U.S. auto plant with an investment of approximately $400 million to begin construction in 2008, with employment of more than 1,500 associates at full capacity, along with the expansion of U.S. engine, transmission, and powertrain component production in Ohio and Georgia.
In addition to the South, the Plains states and New England are also experiencing an increase in plant construction. According to Industrial Info Resources, a provider of marketing and communications services headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, New England will see 34 new industrial plants begin operation in 2007. This represents a 53% gain over 2006 and a total investment value (TIV) of $616 million. Once the factories are operational, as many as 2,600 new jobs could be created. Conversely, the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes states have seen the biggest decline in construction starts this year. Starts also fell by more than 80% in the Pacific and Rocky Mountain States.
Other factors influencing the construction of manufacturing facilities are offshoring and globalization. "Offshoring is having an impact," confirms Meckstroth. "Firms right now have better opportunities abroad than in the United States for investment. The United States is a mature market. A superior rate of return is hard to achieve because there is so much competition — both domestic and foreign. Imports are surging, and that is keeping U.S. manufacturers from raising prices."
In its "Manufacturing Barometer: Business Outlook 2Q 2007," New York-based Price Waterhouse Coopers reports that 62% of U.S.-based industrial manufacturers reported being optimistic about the prospects for the U.S. economy during the next 12 months. With regard to expected barriers to business growth over the next 12 months, the impact of oil/energy prices and competition from foreign markets topped the list.
However, for industrial manufacturers who sell abroad, a substantial 90% of those surveyed say they view the world economy as growing. When asked how they felt about the outlook over the next 12 months, a further 78% of U.S.-based industrial manufacturers who market abroad say they are optimistic about the prospects for the world economy.