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Camp Men-O-Lan
1415 Doerr Road
Quakertown, PA 18951
Office: 215-679-5144
Our regular office hours are
8:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday.
The office is closed on major US Holidays.
Contact Info
Join Our Mailing List!
Staff Members and Phone Extensions
Executive Director | Richard Brewer ext 325
Guest Services Director| Kim Lesh ext 320
Program Director | Szonja Saddel ext 323
Finance Director| Sue Kade ext 324
Food Service Director | Will Osowski ext 330
Facilities Director |Steve Panning ext 326


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subset: commoncrawl


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MPG NOvember 2018 - man vs machine
Unbelievably this month marks MPGs 4th birthday - time flies when your having fun! It is also 12 months since MPG became a paid members event, an amazing milestone only made possible by YOU joining us month on month so thank you.
We asked members past, present and new to come and join us to help celebrate not only our birthday but to help support our chosen charity Mahdlo too. Here's a reminder of the amazing work Mahdlo do :
This month also revealed the results of our fundraising event Man Vs Machine. Who did you place your bet on? Two of our very own MPG members went head to head in a race across Manchester in morning peak time traffic. Man (Roger Dean on his bicycle) V Machine (Matt Gibbons in his Aston Martin sports car).
And the winner is.........
MAN Roger Dean!!!
So far we have raised over £1000! Thank you so much for your support so far. There's still time to donate, head over to our just giving page here:
The celebration continued into the evening over drinks and great conversation. Another fantastic MPG event enjoyed by all.
Do not fear we will be back to business next month where we will hear from our key note speaker, Brendan Flood Burnley FC Director and Real Estate Entrepreneur. As always we are here to help and support so if you would like information on how MPG can help you and your business get in touch with the team today at :
We look forward to seeing you all at Decembers event on Wednesday 5th December.
1 year of mpg - november 2018
MPG Ambasador Carl Lomas MBE talks networking, clean air cycling and Aston Martin challenges from furniture stores at the MPG network
November's MPG event had a charity focus with fast cars and fresh air, big on informal networking between property developers, service providers, professional accountants and lawyers. MPG guru Jason Roper showcased a recent MPG challenge raising funds for the Mahdlo charity.
Labelled Man v Machine, an Aston martin against a race cycle, from Arighi Bianchi in Macclesfield at prime rush hour to the Albert Square Chop House venue of the MPG group. Bubbles of champaign on success and choice, the clean air cycle smasshed the time by over ten minutes, may have been need for a shower mind! Big applause all round and loads of money raised for the charity.
Meanwhile the MPG group has gained an enviable reputation for informal network and the opportunity to exchange knowledge and ideas, as diverse as dealing with rates on listed buildings to planning application between commercial and residential split, help to buy deals on interest rates and values that make sales work. Dealing with the best solutions as a developer, that's the network mix that makes MPG a magic spot to exchange ideas.
'Deeds not Words' in 2018
An all female line up at this month's event inspired by Emmeline Pankhurst and the centenary year for the vote for women.
The event was opened up by enthusiastic MD Jason Roper who spoke about the recent change to HMO licensing and what those changes mean for the property sector.
In short the changes have been made to assist the Government in helping to raise safety standards in privately rented properties.
These changes are being welcomed by tenants who privately rent however the changes do bring added pressure for private landlords.
To make sure you are up to speed with the changes to HMO and other mandatory or additional licences checkout latest information at Gov.Uk link:
Jason then introduced the first of our two guest speakers, our very own MPG Partner Fiona McKay, owner of Lightbulb Leadership Solutions and FionaMcKay.com.
Inspired by Emmeline Pankhurst and the fight for gender equality Fiona has just launched a new and refreshing training programme called 'Feedback First'.
This programme has been developed to tackle the negative differences between the types of feedback given to men and women in the workplace. The detriment it is currently having on women specifically and how businesses can look to change the way they and there people feedback to women for the better.
Fiona has been conducting research for this programme for over ten years and this has been done in a wide variety of workplaces spanning the globe.
If you would like to learn more about Feedback First and what the training programme could do for your business please see the link below which will allow you to download a complimentary e-book of Fiona's research:
Up next was our second guest speaker Bex Schindler, Fundraising and Development Manager for the Pankhurst Trust.
The Pankhurst Trust merged with Manchester's Women's Aid in 2014 so in addition to a museum showing the history of the suffragette movement the centre is also a women's only activity space providing vital support to women suffering domestic abuse and violence.
Bex talked proudly of Manchester's very own heroine Emmeline Pankhurst, who unbeknown to some of the room was born and raised in Manchester's Moss Side.
The trust is based just outside Manchester's city centre at 60-62 Nelson Street. This was the home of Emmeline Pankhurst and the birthplace of the suffragette movement.
The centre has recently been listed in the top 20 places to go in the world for Political Inspiration, what an amazing destination we have right on our door step.
However, due to the trust being reliant solely on donations funds for property repairs etc are low. Bex explained the trust has applied for a grant from the Heritage Lottery fund to renovate and re-create the buildings which if granted would allow the centre to become and support so much more than they do currently.
One catch with the grant is that they must contribute a minimum of 10% and with the grant being £3.96 million that's some target!
Bex is looking for support from everyone who is willing to help hit the centres ambitious target so if you would like to get involved or contribute check out the website at:
Our next event in November will see the results of Man V Machine, a fundraising event in support of our chosen charity Mahdlo.
Two of our very own MPG members will be going head to head in a race across Manchester in morning peak time traffic.
Man (Roger Dean on his bicycle) V Machine (Matt Gibbons in his Aston Martin sports car).
The race will take place on 16th October starting at 8am from Arighi Bianchi in Macclesfield ending at Alberts Chop House, Manchester. Please feel free to join us at the finish line to welcome both Man and Machine over the finish line.
Please get in involved and make a bet in support of this amazing charity:
In addition to this, November's event marks MPG's 1st Members Birthday! How time flies when your having fun. So along with an invite to celebrate with us we also have some fantastic renewal offers coming soon so watch your inboxes!
Thank you to this months champagne sponsor NRL Refrigeration – John Hartley - http://www.nrlrefrigeration.co.uk/
The winner of our monthly business card draw Michelle Thornley.
A fitting end to another fantastic MPG event.
If you would like information on how MPG can help you and your business get in touch with the team today at :
We look forward to seeing you next month on 1st November where we will be having our 1st Members birthday event along with finding out who won Man v Machine!!
An honest reality check from MD Jason Roper to open this months event.
With standing room only Septembers event was eagerly anticipated by members and guests.
Jason continued to open the event with an eye opening talk about the UKs growing Peer to Peer (P2P) lending market. With over 300 companies in the sector competition is tough.
Did you know that 88% of Commercial loan applications that are declined by High Street banks, 56% of these loan applications aren't taken elsewhere?
This is purely down to businesses not knowing where to go, if this sounds like something you have experienced talk to one of our team today to see how we can help:
Our first guest speaker this month was Michelle Dale, VAT specialist and manager from MPG partner UHY Hacker Young.
Michelle started off with Making Tax Digital.
Making Tax Digital is a key part of the government's plans to make it easier for individuals and businesses to get their tax right and keep on top of their affairs - meaning the end of the annual tax return for millions.
Michelle explained that over £11.4 Billion is lost each year through avoidable errors and fraud.
There are exemptions from the rules however these are few and far between!
Businesses will not be mandated to use the Making Tax Digital for Business system until April 2019 and then only to meet their VAT obligations. This will apply to businesses who have a turnover above the VAT threshold - £85,000 per 12 month rolling period. Smaller businesses will not be required to use the system, although they can choose to do so voluntarily.
If you would like to hear how UHY Hacker Young can help you and your business contact Michelle today:
Up next was our 2nd guest speaker Pavitar Mann, Head of Local and Devolved Government at Newington.
Pavitar has worked as a political consultant for over six years and specialises in the planning, development and devolution sectors with a focus on mixed-use schemes, the private rented sector and education.
And that's not all boasting an impressive CV Pavitar is also a Labour councillor having been elected for her third term in 2015.
Pavitar spoke intelligently about the political impact of building schemes across the country and although the Government definitely wants development it is dependent on how local councils, who have a high level of autonomy, apply the national plans and policies.
Each council has a planning committee which is made up with various individuals who may or may not have much experience in the sector and depending on who has political control the composition of the committee and its goals can change quite considerably.
Given the above we are advised to try not to submit planning applications around election time if possible.
'Political Intelligence is your friend!'
If you want to hear more from Pavitar about how Newingtons can help your business get in contact today:
Followed by a Q&A this months event concluded with our prize draw!
This month winners were guests:
Paul O'Shea who chose the meal for two at Alberts Chop House
Dean Gormley who took home the bottle of Champagne
Our next event is set for 04/10 where we will hear from MPG Partner Fiona McKay and Becky Shindler The Pankhurst Trust.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Sign up now to avoid disappointment!
Author Sarah Peel, Marketing Director
MPG Scorching Summer Social
This month saw enthusiastic MD Jason Roper along with MPG Partners and Ambassadors come together with members old and new to celebrate the last 12 months.
Once again the event was fit to bursting with Manchester Property folk and professionals. MPG continues to be the place to be for great business and conversation.
As we cast our minds back we relived great memories of new relationships, exciting business and inspirational people, keeping up with hot topics month to month highlighting what to watch for and how we can help.
We have been privileged to host top speakers such as Tom Bloxam MBE Chairman of Urban Splash, Jon Wilkins England Rugby League player, David Russell, Property Alliance Group and Tony Lloyd former Manchester Mayor to name just a few, each bringing their passion for property and vast wealth of experience with them to share with us.
Not only is MPG continuing to provide a diverse and dynamic platform in which to meet and do business with like-minded people but it is also offering a raw and unscripted insight into Manchester's driving force - it's people!
Along with this, our members are privy to a steady flow of property and land opportunity as MPG is pathing the way for investors offering priority purchasing to its members.
Looking to build? We can help there too! MPG boasts a black book of property must have contacts from top lenders to tax specialists.
For more information on what investment opportunities MPG currently have available please contact firstname.lastname@example.com or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Why not talk to us today to see how WE can help YOU and your business!!
Our next event is on the 6th September and we hope to see you all there, please sign up now to avoid disappointment.
Guest blog by Sarah Peel.
An energetic opening from MD Jason Roper talking all things sunshine and football was followed up by our first speaker Darren Grimes of UHY Hacker Young, partner of MPG.
Darren had prepared a succinct and factual presentation explaining the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) and what it means for the property sector.
Dating back to 1970 the prescriptive scheme was devised to reduce the risk of non payment of income tax by subcontractors.
With monthly reports and payments due to the revenue this is something that demands attention.
Darren went on to explain what it took to gain and then maintain a Gross payment status.
This involves some very detailed conditions, an Annual review and a slew of financial and compliance tests.
Any mistake could cost you your status as Darren explained as he walked us through a real life court appeal :
'Ignorance of the law is not a reasonable excuse.'
In short get studying and be compliant!
If you would like further information on CIS please contact Darren directly on:
0161 236 6936
Up next a few words from MPG Ambassador Terry Flanagan.
Terry has an impressive CV boasting a dazzling rugby league career and successful business career too.
Terry briefly shared a thought that has been on his mind as of late:
'Customer Perceptions'
Do we know for sure how we and our businesses are perceived by our customers or do we just assume we do?
Are you hot on the tail of modern day contact platforms to be 'everywhere'.
How do your competitors compare and are you keeping up?
Something to consider in times of constant change and innovation.
Talking of innovation up next was our guest speaker, a man who MPG folk have had the pleasure of hearing lots about.
Michael Brennan Founder and CEO of Tootoot.
Michael spoke passionately about his motivation for developing Tootoot with co-founder, Kieran Hinn. Both of whom have recently been named in Forbes Top 30 under 30 Europe 2018.
Michael told of his own experiences of bullying throughout his school years and how this time has inspired him to want to make a change in the way bullying is tackled.
Tootoot have created the only App in the world that allows safe reporting for victims and real time dashboard views.
Tootoot is now live across the country in numerous schools, sport clubs and is now expanding into the work place with big companies such as AO.com and Morrison's keen to sign up.
Tootoot has been created to remove barriers both personally and professionally and through the latest development the app can now be used however you require reporting issues such as bullying or suggesting a new idea straight to the CEO.
The application packages start from as little as £1 per employee per month, could this fit into your your business? Link below on how to contact:
Anther fantastic Manchester Property Group event finished off with the business card lucky draw and this months winners were guests Peter Lim and Jamie Dutton.
We are looking forward to the next event on 02/08 hope to see you there!
Sign up now to avoid disappointment https://www.mpg-nw.com/membership.html
Pineapples and a pound around the world for expensive property developments in costly concrete.
Jason Roper opened another MPG full house, these monthly events are clearly the place to be, events not to be missed for property folk in Manchester, Jason was talking marriage and stag parties in the costa del Blackpool, Jason sported a top tan and talked married life to his new bride. 'Let's get serious in the football fever.' The June MPG event was rich in content and sorted for a fish and chip finish with advice on a tax free bargain on employees and some memories of pick and mix at Woolworths with a key note speech from MPG ambassador and logistics guru Carl Lomas who spoke cost of concrete and speculative development for e-retail sheds. Champagne sponsor prizes returned with free dinners and exclusive books, even a goody bag and don't mention the cake to start, magic event, don't miss the next one!
Clive Gawthorpe of UHY Hacker Young asked the MPG audience to stand, asking three questions and with each answer letting part of the audience sit down. The audience stood to the end, unaware the gem Clive was about to deliver. Back in the comfy chairs Clive showcased his point, tax free income for employees under a hundred K for tax free pay up to fifty five pounds a week. 'We are talking child care benefits, key issue is that you must register before end October to get this benefit to your staff. Child care voucher from the employer is tax free, runs to older children, one client used it for the posh school fees, others for after school clubs. Get a call in to UHY urgently and bag a tax free bargain for your employees.
Carl Lomas talks cost of concrete in e-retail sheds for June MPG Key note delivery. Lomas, a long-time supporter of MPG opened with memories of being asked to ambassador the group, he was concerned not to be a sports man when he got the call but well chuffed for the responsibility of promoting the MPG group that has run from strength to strength.
Lomas talked shop for the logistics sector where he is national chair of the Institute of couriers, Transport for Greater Manchester TFGM chair of the urban delivery group. 'e-retail, home delivery is exploding in numbers, retail is moving from high street bricks and mortar to home delivery e-retail internet shopping. Its new and it's in our time.' Lomas used a Pineapple example, goods around the world, in a supermarket or on the High Street and then delivered free to your door. 'How does that fit with bricks and mortar on the retail platform of shops. Lomas took MPG on a short history lesson, first internet shopping was a Sting album sold in 1994, by 2010 50 billion pounds of retail was sold on line. 'Let's not forget Woolworths! Bringing the context of time, we all loved pick a mix from Woolworths and it's not ten years ago when they closed, that's when internet began the boom of explosion we see today. This is in our time!' Lomas took the numbers to present day with thirty per-cent of retail value spent on line in 2017, and that does not include e-bay shoppers! Business model on the screen of the MPG floor asked the question of speed of delivery and challenged the sustainability of next day and same delivery. 'What is the cost of the concrete to make these deliveries. Half million foot sheds, volume is key, pushing 45 metres high and even double-decker sheds, using the racks sets to prop the roof and bag every last inch of volume space in the mighty developments of the East Midlands gateway and the Magna Park sheds. Engineers are even maximising the camber space in the roof, using low oxygen systems to save the sprinkler space' Lomas delivered an energetic speech engaging the MPG in some philosophy from his research time at Manchester Met University. 'How do you see the world, what lens do you view through? He used the global brand logo of FedEx Logo as an example, if you want the answer ask at the next MPG in July.
Mergers, Mahdlo and Marketing!
This months event kicked off with a hot topic talk from founder Jason Roper. The monster merge of Asda and Sainsburys and huge job losses to be had at RBS following mass branch closures. The retail market continues to change so Property folk keep your eyes peeled for opportunity!
Up next was the first of this months speakers, Stephen Grayson from MPG partner UHY Hacker Young. Stephen spoke about GDPR aka The data protection act and how this will affect the property sector. Check out the PDF at the bottom of this blog for further information on GDPR. In short this will affect everyone and the deadline of 25/05/18 is looming although don't worry, full compliance isn't required by this time but a firm action plan to achieve compliance is! Breeches will cost you so don't delay. Along with a handy 12 step guide to assist with compliance Stephens message was clear, if your aren't sure employ a specialist and even if you are, employ a specialist!
Following on from Stephen was chairman Chris Wareing from our chosen charity Mahdlo. Mahdlo is a £2 million charity receiving only £400,000 per annum from Oldham council. They provide amazing opportunities for youths in the community helping them find passions and providing support to allow them to flourish.
Chris spoke proudly of his recent fundraising for the charity ranging from 24hour 5 a side marathon with Oldham Police Constabulary to a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro! If you feel inspired and want get involved there are still places available to join Chris up Kilimanjaro but if that's not for you there are plenty of other ways you can contribute!
Check them out on the charities website at https://www.mahdloyz.org/
To finish this month's event was an insightful talk from John Barstow of BCR Limited 'A full service advertising agency'. John started his career in 1966 and has worked in Marketing/ PR ever since. The saying 'been there, seen it, done it' really does apply to John. A nostalgic and factual presentation from John sparked personal reflection in the room...'Am I influenced?' In today's world more that ever we are subjected to advertisement, marketing ploys and PR schemes. Do they affect your daily lifestyle choices?
John ended reflectively stating, in this day and age of technology 'creativity is suffering'. Something to take away is to not be afraid of offering up your originality.
If you would like to find out more about John, BCR Limited and what they can do for you and your business please visit his website at http://www.bcrlimited.com/
Winners of this months business card lucky draw were speaker Stephen from UHY Hacker Young and Paul Ramsey of Real Financial.
We are looking forward to a delayed event next month on 14/06 hope to see you there!
Sign up now to avoid disappointment https://www.mpg-nw.com/membership.html
Pizza and mushroom fun in the land of the Bit Coin for Manchester Property Developers.
MPG ambassador, Carl Lomas reports his blog for the Manchester must do diary date. He was with property folk, accountants, lawyers and surveyors who gathered in Manchester for their regular hot house of all things development. Chip butties, bit coins and a headline showcase on projects from the Gherkin to Harry Potter studio set the monthly event as a must do diary in Manchester. Then add a choice moment between deep fried Scottish Pizza and wild mushrooms for excellence in surveyor's toolbox and you have a networking property event with a menu to die for.
Jason Roper opened with a spritely summary of the world since the last MPG, 'Beast form the East' jeopardised the March meeting, there had been no chicken at KFC, Maplin and Toys R Us closures drove big job losses and banks had closed 462 branches in the running year. Times in the High Street are changing!' Crypto cyber currency dished up the starters for a full house audience in the Manchester Chop House venue, Nick from UHY Hacker Young, cyber currencies established only eight years ago, people were paying thousands of bit coins for a pizza delivery and a bit coin today is valuing at seven thousand UK pounds, if you have some beware of the tax on this gain! Recording the values of what you have when is critical to the gain.
Ian Ford followed the pizza trail and delivered the key note. Surveyor extraordinaire, todays MD of Watts, projects from Kings College Hospital helicopter pads to Scottish Pizza! Watts celebrating fifty years last year, a UK wide surveyor team on the big projects. Ian opened with a 'Chamber of Horrors phot show'. Audi car garage, there was a hush in the room, bolt failure in a multi-storey frame left new Audi cars scatter between showroom floors in a concrete carnage. Photo snap of extreme downpipe corrosion, paint your pipes regularly! A 1930s DOY house gone wrong big time. Dry rot! When is it a Scottish Pizza? Ian tested the MPG audience on the peperoni spotting with a tour of deep fried fun centred on giant mushroom growths.
Ian handed over the spellbound audience to Watts man, Tom Kibblewhite for something academic. 'Lets talk right to light' The shadows of big buildings. Hands on explanation. Tom went technical, 'Right to light is an environmental issue and dealt with through the courts, usually involves injunctions. Daylight and sunshine issues are planning regulations and land in the town & country planning office. Light is old school, regs work around desk height for time old trades like Taylors, how much light is on the cutting desk. Below fifty per-cent of natural light the stakes get higher.
Get your diary out, the next date is May 3rd.
February is the best month of the year. New beginnings for 2018, and insulation tucked up and tight with low CO2.
Jason Roper introduced the Feb 2018 Manchester Property Group
To a familiar full house of developers at the Manchester Chop House venue, MPG ambassador on the MBE team, Carl Lomas bagged some notes. Guests were in for a treat of technical detail on all things insulation with a healthy commercial property pension plan set of financials. Bubbly and dinner on the raffle for business cards courtesy of Lightbulb Leadership Solutions, a partner of MPG marked the first month of the year out of the January blues. This was fresher's week for the MPG and taking a measure of interaction and the meeting the year ahead looks good.
Jason set a tone that motivated interaction, he explained; "January blues are out of the way. February is the best month of the year for new beginnings. February is like fresher's week, it's the week after the famine of January, New Year's resolutions of gym visits and diets are out of the way. It's time for Pancake Day with Nutella. Feb 18th is National wine day and February 14th Valentine's day is time to get drunk with the love of your life."
Jason handed to the first key note speaker, let's talk property, let's talk insulation for buildings, technical detail on the lamba values with real world explanation on the supply chain.
Shaun Ryan – Director of Springvale EPS – Exploring some of the environmental and regulatory issues which are becoming ever more common in the development world and talked frankly on the Grenville Tower issues.
Shaun explained his production locations at Glossop and Newcastle and covered the evolving supply chain, product from manufacturer to site without merchant. Get the spec correct and get real world value. Technical talk focused on reducing heat transfer; "Performance is the most important factor. Fibre getting damp or even missing is a big issue. Shrinkage, compacting and settlement is all likely to fail performance on insulation. Carbon and the whole life cycle of the product you use is the measure, you must value cost balance between product and installation cost. Vapour, permeability, breath and not breath are all in the mixing pot for new build and refurb. Wool, natural and expensive, great thermal values, arrives at site in blocks and comes from shearing waste. Icynene spray foam, air tight, open cell, very good thermal. Foam board products, most of the chemicals to make them come from Germany, Brexit and the euro has driven price up as well as a great deal of the chemicals been taken by the Chinese market." A general discussion followed, supply direct from manufacturer to site, be sure you get the spec the architect ordered, it's not just u value, it's about getting product match to design, material and performance are the only measure to success for the future owners.
MPG is getting big attendance, developers in the NW are setting diary not to miss. with the familiarity of putting on two key notes, February followed that great combination, insulation sorted, it was time for commercial finance, SIPP / SAS commercial property purchase.
Paul Ramsey – Managing Director of Real Financial Services, City supporter, IFA and former banker was candid and interactive to talk turkey and tax solutions for commercial property. 'Mind the gap – 15 points, what was the score.'
Back to finance, Paul was energetic with the titles that had big issues for developers and property deals. retirement planning, pensions and wealth preservation. Inheritance tax, critical illness, lending and mortgages to folk as old as eighty!
Talking turkey back in the tax zone, let's look at capital gain into an EIS, your accountant needs to be more than a book keeper. Paul faced SIPP / SAS property deals, it must be commercial, student let does not count and it can't be residential.
Read our latest news blogs about our events and guest speakers.
November 2019


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If your answer to two or more of the questions is 'yes', you should have your hearing ability evaluated.
What happens if I put it off?
"I'm too young!" It's not bad enough yet!" "No one I know likes their hearing aids!" "We can't afford it now!"
Statements like the ones above come often from people who recognize the presence of hearing loss but try to find every excuse not to do anything about it. This is procrastination.
Hearing loss often seems like a small problem to many people and it might not be important enough to them to address. They may feel like they are getting along fine with an occasional "what did you say?" or "excuse me?" (Ask your family how occasional it is). Another way of describing this procrastination is called sensory deprivation. Much of how we perceive reality is information sent to our brains from our delicate sensory systems. Impairment to any one of our five senses does result in an altered state of reality. If you miss portions of communication and perhaps do not realize it, you are experiencing one thing while something else entirely may have been intended. When you experience auditory deprivation, your natural instinct is to avoid social situations because just they are uncomfortable. There is now reliable scientific evidence to document the fact that untreated hearing loss can lead to a variety of unhealthy emotional conditions. The Hearing Instrument Association in conjunction with the National Council on Aging ran a study with over 2,000 hearing impaired adults and over 1700 family members. This study concluded that people who suffer from hearing loss were more likely to experience increased anger, frustration, insecurity, nervousness, tension, anxiety, irritablility, discontentment, depression and more likely to be self-critical. Experiencing only one of these would seem enough to inspire one to seek help, but unfortunately, many people with hearing loss tend to experience a variety of these unhealthy emotional states.
In addition, research has shown that failure to stimulate hearing by not wearing hearing devices when needed may result in a more rapid decline in speech recognition. These reports were based on a substantial number of subjects who possessed at least a moderate degree of hearing loss in both ears but received only one hearing aid. As a result of auditory deprivation in the unaided ear, a reduction in speech recognition occurred. In some cases, this was reversible by adding a second hearing aid.
If hearing loss is not addressed as a major health issue, the risks of negative emotional impact are far too great. These are consequences that can be avoided, but often are not because people do not realize the influence of untreated hearing loss. If you are taking time to assess your own communication problems and wondering if you are a candidate for hearing devices – please take the necessary step of contacting us for a diagnostic evaluation – sooner rather than later.


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Feng Shui Success Cure for 2019: The Hourglass
Posted on January 6, 2019 by Donna Stellhorn
Do you want success in 2019? My #1 cure suggestion for the year is an hourglass. There is so many opportunities for making money and connections this year but the biggest obstacle is letting time pass without taking action. … Continue reading →


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Stretching north all the way to the Longmen Shan close to the epicenter of the 2008 quake, Pengzhou County ( 彭州) has undergone a quick recovery and reconstruction and now offers an interesting mix of history, sightseeing, hiking, and wildlife to Chengdu weekend escapists.
A trip to China's peony capital should definitely include a stop at the city museum, which covers 3,000 years of local history and while it can't rival the size of Chengdu's major museums, its assortment of relics is equally well presented, earning praise during national and international exhibitions. The museum especially prides itself on its significant collection of Song Dynasty gold and silver pieces.
Approximately 20 kilometers north of the county capital sits White Deer Town, which was hit hard during the quake but has been rebuilt for the most part. The area was a hotspot for missionary work in the 1800s, and the French-style architecture preserved in local houses and the church, built by a French priest in the early 1900s, delights visitors and provides a scenic spot very popular among wedding photographers.
Farther north the Jiufeng Mountain offers scenic hiking with beautiful examples of long-forgotten and reconstructed Buddhist and Taoist temples along the way as well as river boat trips.
Eco-tourists will head to the nearby Baishuihe Panda State Level Nature Reserve, a 300-square-kilometer reserve with altitudes reaching 4,800 meters that is home to some 1,770 plant species and 331 animal species, including rare giant pandas, red pandas, golden snub-nosed monkeys, the Himalayan eagle, Chinese Monal, and various birds.
Pengzhou City Museum
Jinpeng Dadao West Section
White Deer Town
Jiufeng Mountain
Baishuihe Panda Nature Reserve
By the end of 2013, the new intercity train should be in operation, cutting travel time between Pengzhou and Chengdu's North Train Station to less than 30 minutes. Currently, buses depart from Chengdu's Wukuaishi Station (五块石车站) for the Pengzhou Bus Station (彭州客运中心) regularly between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (the journey takes 40 minutes and RMB12). Buses depart to various destinations in the county from the Pengzhou Bus Station.
This article was first published in CHENGDOO citylife Magazine, issue 66.
Photos by Dan Sandoval.
This article was posted by Dan and published September 11, 2013
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Kink Industries Intense Impact Cane Review
By Pleasure Panel reviewer Giles English
Kink Industries Intense Impact Cane
Short review: "Ouch! Holy Crap! Ouch! OMG!"
Yes, this thing stings like – Ouch!
I've been doing Femdom for something like three decades. I've been hit with all sorts of implements ranging from homemade scourges, through riding and dressage whips, to a gloriously crafted flogger from the legendary Fred Norman.
Nothing, however, stings like this.
We wanted something that hurt enough to get the flinch reaction each and every time. Corporal punishment needed to feel like punishment – that's how our Female Led Relationship works and how I like it (because submissive and masochist, you either get it or you don't).
So after a little research I ordered up this Kink Industries Intense Impact Cane from UberKinky.
It arrived in the usual anonymous package:
Nicely packed:
There were other "toys" in there as well – I'll get to these in later reviews:
And here's the cane (bottom) with one of Xena's shoes and an old riding whip to give you a sense of scale:
No, the cane is not much to look at. It's short – a mere 2ft long – has a chunky rubber handle and a whippy shaft that's like an elongated knitting needle.
And, no, it's not an actual cane, but that's the point. It's much tougher and more flexible. The shaft has a seam near the handle, but that doesn't seem to be an issue. It has a well-rounded tip, but you wouldn't want to be hit in the eye with it. The handle is ergonomic and the balance feels just right.
It's also really easy to swing and possible to produce excruciating pain with pinpoint accuracy.
I immediately experienced 45 lashes from this thing. Xena – my wife and domme – hit me on the shoulders, buttocks, flanks, upper arms and thighs.
She didn't put much effort into it at all, but each and every strike made me flinch and whimper; no theatrics, just an animal reaction.
By the last ten strokes, I wanted it to stop, but was so deep in subspace that nothing on earth could have made me safeword out.
I woke the next morning with wild memories, but no marks. Despite the fearsome lashing I'd taken, Xena hadn't broken my skin or even left a bruise. She pronounced herself satisfied with the new toy, and speculated about hitting me harder next time…
I think… I think that this cane is not a beginner's toy.
It hurts way too much for an inexperienced sub/bottom, and it's got too much potential to create dramatic marks and draw blood by accident in the hands of an inexperienced dominant/top who might then freak out.
However, if you like (or sort of like) your corporal punishment to feel like punishment, then this is the device for you!
– Giles English
Thanks to Pleasure Panel reviewer Giles English for this contributed review of the Kink Industries Intense Impact Cane (£19.99 from UberKinky.co.uk)
This kinky punishment cane was bought from UberKinky by the reviewer. You can find more kinky sex toys here at UberKinky.
Useful Links
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Calculated formula questions
1. Introduction
Calculated Formula questions require students to make a calculation and respond with a numeric answer. The numbers change for each student and are pulled from a range that you set. The correct answer is a specific value / range of values.
You may grant partial credit for answers falling within a range. Calculated Formula questions are marked automatically. Watch this video for more information.
2. Process overview
The process for adding a calculated question to a test has three steps:
a. Create the question and formula.
b. Define the variables.
c. Set the answer options.
3. Create the question and formula
a. While creating a test, survey, or pool, hover your mouse over Create Question and click Calculated Formula.
b. Question Text must contain at least one variable. Surround variables with square brackets (e.g. [x], [y], [j] etc.). Variables are replaced by values when shown to students.
Important: Variables can't contain the letters "e," "i" and "pi". You can't reuse variable names. Variables can contain more than one character, such as [ab] or [cd].
c. Answer Formula is the mathematical expression used to find the correct answer. Choose operators from the top of the Answer Formula box. In the example, the formula is 4y+3x.
Important: The formula's not visible to students, MyBeckett uses it to determine the correct answer.
d. Under Options, set the Answer Range to zero if the answer must be exact. Alternatively, set a range for correct answers. You can also Allow Partial Credit and select Units Required. If you do so, more options appear.
In the preceding example image:
- Answers within plus or minus 4 are awarded 100% of the point total.
- Answers within partial credit range plus or minus 5 to 8 are awarded 50% of the point total.
The available options are:
- Answer Range: A range of answers that are awarded full credit. Choose Numeric or Percentage.
- Allow Partial Credit: Use this on a less accurate answer range. Set the Partial Credit Points Percentage to be awarded if the student's answer is within the partial credit range.
- Units Required: The measurement unit must be provided in the student's answer. Type the Answer Units and Units Points Percentage to be awarded if entered correctly.
e. Click Next.
4. Define the variables
a. Under Define Variables, set the Minimum Value and Maximum Value for each variable. When a question is presented to a student, MyBeckett replaces the variable with a value that is randomly selected from the range you defined. You can use scientific notation in the value boxes and select the number of Decimal Places for each value.
Important: The number of decimal places you select can affect the minimum and maximum values of a variable. E.g. you set the minimum value as 0.0000004 and the maximum value as 1, and you choose 2 decimal places. MyBeckett rounds both numbers to 2 decimal places, therefore it generates variables with values between 0.00 and 1.00.
b. In the Answer Set Options, use the Calculate Answers to drop-down to select the number of Decimals or Significant Figures for the generated correct answers. Type the Number of Answer Sets (the number of possible variations of the question). Choose whether the Correct Answer Format is Normal or Exponential.
c. Click Next.
5. Edit answer sets
You'll now see answer sets generated by the system. Each set represents one possible variation of the question that may be presented to students.
a. You can change the values of the variables in each answer set by typing in the boxes. Click Calculate to update a Calculated Answer and save changes.
b. In an answer set row, click Remove to delete and automatically replace it with another set. To reduce the number of sets, click Go Back. In Answer Set Options, change the number of answer sets.
c. Optionally, type feedback for correct and incorrect answers and add metadata. You must enable feedback and metadata in Question Settings for the options to appear in questions.
d. Click Submit OR click Submit and Create Another to add the question to the test.
Your feedback
This feedback form is for web page URLs that begin with teachlearn.leedsbeckett.ac.uk
For other pages / comments, please use the What's Your View form on the page.
Page last updated: 24/04/2017


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|Cat.No. :
|Description :
|Lipolysis is the intracellular hydrolysis of triglycerides into glycerol and free fatty acids, which are then released into the bloodstream or culture media. Lipolysis occurs in essentially all cells, but is most abundant in white and brown adipose tissue. Deficiencies in lipolysis lead to increased intracellular lipid accumulation, resulting in abnormal cellular physiology, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance. Lipolysis can be induced by hormones or catecholamine, which binds to β-adrenergic receptors leading to activation of adenylate cyclase, forming cAMP from ATP. cAMP serves as a second messenger to activate hormone-sensitive lipase, which hydrolyzes the triglycerides. This pathway is inhibited by insulin. Adipocyte Lipolysis Colorimetric/Fluorometric Assay kit is a simple, facile way to monitor lipolysis. The kit provides all reagents necessary to isolate adipocytes from up to 5 g of mouse or rat adipose tissue and measure glycerol release from primary adipocytes after induction of lipolysis. It also includes the synthetic catecholamine, Isoproterenol, to stimulate the cAMP-mediated pathway. The signal intensity is directly proportional to the amount of glycerol present. This assay kit can detect less than 200 pmol glycerol in the colorimetric assay and less than 20 pmol in the fluorometric assay.
|Applications :
|Isolation of adipocytes from rat/mouse tissue
Measurement of lipolysis by adipocytes
Screening compounds that influence lipolysis, mechanistic studies and studies on metabolic dysfunction
|Storage :
|Shipping :
|Gel Pack
|Size :
|For 5 g Tissue
|Kit Components :
|Collagenase (0.2%); Collagenase Stop Buffer; Adipocyte Wash Buffer; Adipocyte Lipolysis Buffer; Glycerol Assay Buffer; Glycerol Probe (in DMSO, anhydrous); Glycerol Enzyme Mix (Lyophilized); Glycerol Standard (100 mM); Isoproterenol (10 mM); Cell strainer (100 μm)
|Detection method :
|Absorbance (OD 570 nm) and Fluorescence (Ex/Em = 535/587 nm)
|Features & Benefits :
|Simple, rapid & convenient method to isolate adipocytes from adipose tissue & measure lipolysis.
The assay kit can detect less than 200 pmol glycerol in the colorimetric assay and less than 20 pmol in the fluorometric assay.
Welcome! For price inquiries, please feel free to contact us through the form below. We will get back to you as soon as possible.


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Experience is everything
The best VR — whether it's a mind-bending video game, a stunning cinematic, or an engaging training program — delivers immersive, impactful, and unforgettable experiences. By completely blocking out distractions in a room and placing the user in an interactive, multisensory environment, VR is primed to deliver experiences that ripple out from the virtual world into real life.
So, what do we do with this ability to create real and lasting experiences out of virtually thin air? The applications are boundless, but one of the clearest and momentous is enterprise training. In training, experience-driven VR programs provide a unique opportunity to simulate and control experiential learning. In other words, VR delivers the powerful ability to learn by doing without really doing (at least in the physical world). Experiential learning improves engagement and recall, builds confidence, and impacts the user far more than hollow hypothetical exercises.
The ability to learn by doing in VR is augmented by exclusive design elements available in the medium. This can include gamified interactivity, in-the-moment feedback, guiding prompts, pop-ups and hotspots, detailed analytics, and more. What's more, VR enables experiential learning that wouldn't even be possible in the physical world. Users could, for example, walk across the surface of the moon and remember the experience of examining the landscape as though it actually happened.
The science of learning
The saying "practice makes perfect" isn't just a platitude spouted by high school teachers and coaches. In fact, the truth of the statement extends all the way down to a neurochemical level. When we learn something new — whether it's picking up Mandarin, perfecting a golf swing, or quickly dicing an onion — it is initially stiff and awkward and requires an immense amount of concentration.
Each time we return to practice the activity, though, we trigger a pattern of electrical signals in our brains. This carves out and reinforces a particular neural pathway, physically altering the structure of our brain to execute the behavior with less and less effort. Think of the process like walking back and forth on the same strip of undeveloped land: slowly but surely, the strip becomes well worn, and an easy-to-follow path is established. Soon enough, the behavior becomes automatic: this is what we call "muscle memory."
The incredible thing about VR training for hard skills is that we can take advantage of neuroplasticity — the brain's ability to reshape itself — in a completely simulated environment. A coffee shop, for example, could introduce a training program designed to teach new employees how to use an industrial espresso machine. By learning to use the machine in VR, an employee could arrive on the first day of work with automatic muscle memory before ever touching the machine in real life.
Safe and resource free
Even though we have the ability to rewire the brain for real-world behavior in virtual reality, why should we? What's the benefit of practicing using a simulated espresso machine, especially if the real thing is available?
The first reason is safety. Whether working with scalding espresso or performing maintenance on a nuclear reactor, VR training experiences enable exposure and practice to all sorts of workplace operations without any fear of injury or damaging equipment or interruption of work activities. VR training eliminates wasted company resources and provides "before-the-job" exposure, reducing learning time and costly mistakes when the learner starts their "real" job. Additionally, these benefits can be experienced on repeat from anywhere around the globe, allowing opportunities for consistent training and more practice.
Another benefit of VR training is consistency. While still being engaging and immersive, VR training programs eliminate the variable of the trainer. The quality of trainer-employee training depends on whether the trainer successfully follows the company's curriculum and has the experience and training talent to pass along the same information as any other trainer. VR training is written, designed, and fixed to ensure each employee is receiving complete training each and every time. However, this doesn't mean VR programs are sterile and inhuman: in fact, by using VR, each employee can receive a personal guided tour by the CEO. Finally, by eliminating the need for trainers to walk employees through each and every step in the training process, companies no longer need to pay employees to take time from their regular duties to train new staff. This means a significant reduction of costly absences, double-duty shifts, and on-the-job mistakes.
VR training programs can be revolutionary for companies like Seabourn, a cruise line that partnered with Pixvana to design and implement a VR training experience. Seabourn is known for its world-class service but struggled to properly train new waitstaff because the ship's dining room is perpetually occupied. Using VR, Seabourn was able to create a virtual environment wherein new employees could memorize the table layout and practice navigating the space in order to bring orders to the correct tables. Seabourn leveraged VR to allow its employees to train in a space that was otherwise unavailable to them. What's more, Seabourn plans to make the training experience available to new employees at home via the web, allowing them to begin training and develop a strong mental map of the room before ever stepping foot aboard the ship.


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"Syme was not only dead, he was abolished, an unperson…"
— George Orwell
— 1984
"I can only wait for the final amnesia, the one that can erase an entire life."
— Luis Bunuel
Having been accused James Franco has been found guilty and erased from the cover of Vanity Fair.
Due process, a cornerstone of a free society, is on life support and circling the drain.
Having allowed corporations to take control of the government and the government having become indistinguishable from a corporation we arrive at the fascism of the Orwellian nightmare.


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Step 1: Open up your web browser and in the address bar at the top of your screen type "login.microsoftonline.com"
Step 2: Login with your full email address and password.
Step 3: Click the Mail Icon
Step 4: Click on "Inbox" to view all your received E-Mails or to compose a new E-Mail click "New" at the top.
Step 5: In order to get to your calendar or other office 365 apps you may have access to click on the box with nine boxes in it at the top left of your screen and select your desired app.


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Links to interesting site's
By means of the left menu you can go to different pages with interesting links to dogsites and other organisations wich relate to SAR organisations.
Your organisation can be put there too.
The only requirment is that your organisation has to be a SAR-dog organisation or an organisation who can relate to that.
Links to site's with a commercial background can only be adopted when your company is a sponsor of the RHH.
When you think that your organisation has the requested requirements, you can put in your request to the webmaster.


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You are not logged in.
Pages: 1
I'm playing pokemon brown. Route 64 locates between Hayward city and Route 51 on Town Map. However, I don't see it on the world map. I've tried. One step I'm in Hayward city, and next step I'm on Route 51. There's no Route 64. Is it a bug or did I miss something?
Pages: 1


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September 13, 2017
City of Waukegan, Community Development Block Grant Department
100 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue
Waukegan, IL 60085
On or about September 29, 2017, the City of Waukegan will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, to undertake a project known as 2017 Housing Rehabilitation Program for income qualified homeowners to be determined in the City of Waukegan. The City will utilize $173,720.00 of its 2017 allocation to fund this program.
The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 Code of Federal Reguations (CFR) Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements or alternative. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the Community Development Block Grant Department at the City of Waukegan located at 100 North Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60085. The ERR can also be viewed at our Block Grant Section under Block Grant and may be examined or copied weekdays 8am to 5pm and at Environmental Review Records online.
In accordance with 24 CFR §58.15, for the 2017 Housing Rehabilitation Program, the City has complied with the following related laws and authorities as part of Tier I of the ERR: Coastal Barrier Resources Act, Clean Air Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, Endangered Species Act, Explosive and Flammable Hazards, Farmland Protection Policy Act, Safe Drinking Water Act and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
Tier II of the ERR will address the following related laws and authorities for each individual property: Clear Zones and Accident Potential Zones, Flood Disaster Protection, Contamination and Toxic Substances, Floodplain Management, Historic Preservation, Noise Abatement, Wetlands and Environmental Justice.
If findings are determined as a result of the site specific reviews in Tier II that will not be corrected for that site, it will treated as a separate project and a separate ERR will be completed for the site.
If no findings or findings that will be mitigated during construction on a specific site are determined the project will proceed without further notice to the public.
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Pamela Jeffries, Compliance Coordinator, City of Waukegan. Mrs. Jeffries can be reached at the address above, by telephone at 847-599-2530 or via email . All comments received by September 29, 2017 will be considered by the City of Waukegan Community Development Block Grant Department prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.
The City of Waukegan Community Development Block Grant Department certifies to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that Samuel Cunningham in his capacity as Mayor consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD's approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Waukegan to use Program funds.
HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the RE's certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Waukegan; (b) the RE has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to HUD Chicago Field Office at 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Samuel Cunningham


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Putting conversation back in the encounter with Clinical Documentation That Writes Itself™
Ambient clinical intelligence (ACI) — a comprehensive, AI-powered, voice-enabled solution — uses ambient sensing technology to securely listen to clinician-patient encounter conversations while offering workflow and knowledge automation to complement the EHR. Exceeding the capabilities of a virtual or on-site scribe, ACI promotes a better patient experience by accurately capturing and appropriately contextualizing every word of the patient encounter and automatically documenting patient care without taking the physician's attention off the patient.
Clinicians engage in conversation with their patient while a wall-mounted purpose built healthcare device uses a multi-microphone array and integrated machine vision to capture and track audio.
Simply say "Hey Dragon" to get information in and out of the EHR. Use natural language to reduce the time it takes to document care, navigate patient charts, and follow up on documentation details.
During an encounter, every spoken word is diarized with speech recognition and automatically translated into a draft clinical note using discrete data that's delivered to the clinician for authentication directly through the EHR.
Machine learning and AI show great promise for healthcare. Explore innovations that amplify human intelligence to improve how care teams interact with patients and document care.
Physician burnout is at epidemic levels as doctors spend two hours on administrative tasks for every hour they spend with patients, plus one to two hours of after-hours work at night. Discover how doctors from Nebraska Medicine use ambient clinical intelligence solutions from Nuance and Microsoft to lessen their administrative burden and to spend more time focusing on patients.
Witness the latest in AI and machine learning, combined with ambient sensing technology, where human conversation moves to the forefront and clinical documentation writes itself – all within the EHR.
What makes ambient intelligence even stronger is the AI expertise leveraged from millions of people and thousands of organizations that rely on Nuance AI in their cars, throughout financial institutions, and across the world's leading consumer brands.
Interested in experiencing the exam of the future? Contact your account executive to request exclusive access to a demonstration of ambient clinical intelligence.
Chief Information Officer and
Chief Medical Information Officer
Regional Health
Urgent Care Medical Director
and Ambulatory Medical Information Officer
Regional Health
Nuance ambient clinical intelligence is built on decades of healthcare experience and an extensive market footprint. The wide-scale deployment of our speech recognition platform across a large customer base gives us incredible amounts of data to continually improve our AI. Every word teaches and reinforces meaning, allowing the technology to better predict and understand how to contextualize new information. As our capabilities expand from orthopedics, podiatry, ophthalmology, dermatology, and ENT, ACI will evolve to support more complex specialty areas.
Every word of the encounter is captured while punctuation and formatting happen automatically. Physician statements and relevant patient responses are added to the clinical note, eliminating the need to reenter information.
Physicians speak naturally, and key information is translated into clinical terminology through intelligent summarization.
Voice biometrics is used for secure authentication as well as speaker identification.
Clinical notes go through a rigorous quality process to check for accuracy, omissions, and appropriateness.
Nuance enables the journey to ambient clinical intelligence through Dragon Medical One and core AI technologies combined with a rich clinical knowledge base. Take advantage of the industry's most widely used cloud‑based speech recognition technology today and benefit from increasing levels of workflow, task and knowledge automation.
What makes ambient intelligence an even stronger value proposition is the AI expertise leveraged from the millions of people and thousands of organizations that rely on Nuance AI in their cars, throughout financial institutions, and across the world's leading consumer brands.
The same technology that adapts to wind and road noise makes our speech recognition accurate in even the noisiest emergency room.
The same technology securely identifies healthcare conversations to automatically document patient encounters.
The same technology makes it possible for care teams to conversationally interact with the EHR.
The same technology makes our virtual assistant sound like an extension of the care team.


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Young mother Maria Esposito, 21, pleaded guilty to two counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, after defrauding $327,330 from an autism charity where she worked.
Rosa and Jason Trigg, who run the charity, say they had known Ms Esposito prior to her employment with Autism Central Coast.
"I knew her as a young teenager, she was my son's friend, very close friend," Ms Trigg told A Current Affair.
"Towards the end of March she asked me if I had a job because she knew I was starting up, and Autism Central Coast was getting a little bigger, and she said she had done some accounting."
Ms Esposito worked at the charity for 10 months before going on maternity leave.
She was the only full-time employee.
Ms Trigg said Ms Esposito confessed to stealing $16,000 from the charity, but initially denied taking any more.
Autism Central Coast provides services for adults and children on the autism spectrum, helping them find employment and housing, and cover living expenses such as rent and groceries.
It is a not-for-profit organisation and an accredited NDIS partner.
The charity underwent a financial audit earlier this year when it sought to become a benevolent society.
Ms Esposito was accused of labelling transactions as "staff wages" and "super" while funnelling that money into her own personal accounts.
"That $330,000 missing is actually our workers' super, it's actually our tax, it's our insurance," Ms Trigg said.
" It's like my heart has been ripped. She was like a daughter, you know?"
Mr Trigg said at one point, they had been forced to shut down and almost sell the house.
Autism Central Coast client Aiden said he was "shocked" and "absolutely gutted" by the allegations.
"I've been asking Rosa, 'When's Marissa coming back? She's on maternity leave, when's she coming back? Bring her back! Bring her back!' and now I find this out," he said.
The charity can no longer afford to subsidise Aiden's rent, so he has to move into another home with some of his more severely autistic peers.
Lawyer Richard Mitry said Ms Esposito could face 10 years in jail.
Ms Esposito refused to comment when approached by A Current Affair.
She has paid back about $6000 of the stolen money so far, and will be sentenced in May.


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Compliance Services
Cipperman provides a broad array of compliance services. Below are attributes of an effective compliance program. We work with our clients to define which tasks they want to perform in-house, and which outsourced compliance services they want us to take on.
We provide managed compliance services to registered funds, money managers, private fund sponsors, broker-dealers, and CPO/CTAs. CCS develops, implements, and operates complete and customized compliance programs that include ongoing review, testing, management, training, and regulatory response. CCS leverages the experience of a multidisciplinary team and takes full accountability for its advice and services.
Our primary levels of service are:
- Outsourced Chief Compliance Officer
- Support Your In-House CCO
- One-Time Consulting Engagements
What is Compliance?
- Appointment of Chief Compliance Officer
- Implement/Maintain compliance manual
- Ongoing testing of policies and procedures
- Annual review and report of findings
- Risk Assessment
- Monitor operations
- Training
- Compliance committee/management review
- Compliance calendar
- Certificates and notices
- Cybersecurity Assessment
- Licensing
- Investigate misconduct
- Manage regulatory inquiries and exams
- Code of Ethics and pre-clearance requirements
- ADV updates
- Review marketing materials
- SEC filings
- Respond to Clients/Boards
- Due diligence on vendors/service providers
Who are our clients?


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Signing up for the big tournament, Team Hooligan was without its star player (and SPiN member) Eric Carlson, who was stuck working late at the studio. The rest of us came off the bench and brought our best "shakehand." Alas, it wasn't enough.
"When I heard the party was at SPiN, I was bummed because I wanted to be there," remarks Eric. "There's a guy at Cut + Run whose dad apparently was a trainer or a coach for Great Britain's Olympic team. He played the tournament and won, of course. I really would have liked to have been there to at least play him."
Eric's not trying to make an "Ali-Foreman" spectacle here, but who in the NY post scene wouldn't want to see this match-up? Could our underdog have repped Hooligan for the main event and triumphed against Cut + Run's All-Star?
"The thing is, I'm not bad, but there are a lot of people better than me, obviously," he says. "But if anybody wants to challenge me, they can."
A very humble double-dog dare, to say the least. Point Eric.
Eric got into the sport like most folks, playing for fun as a kid in London — the birthplace of table tennis — before his obsession volleyed into the workplace.
"We had a table at the Hooligan studio before we did some construction. It was great to go out and have a bit of fun playing with clients or taking a work break. It's a great game — people really get into it."
But don't take Eric's word for it, watch one of the greatest table tennis points ever and see for yourself.
Eric plays at least once a week — ever since he fell into the Naked Ping Pong circuit where he found stiffer competition. Naked Ping Pong, you say, Eric?
"There was nothing naked about it, really, but there used to be a bunch of guys who had a loft with a ping pong table," he says. "They would throw parties. Models would go, actors would go, these parties were huge — I mean huge! So I sort of fell in with these guys and started doing their whole circuit, going places and playing around town. Soho House would have a couple of tournaments, a bunch of places on the Lower Eastside and in the Village hosted them as well. They eventually decided to open this club and then got some backing from Susan Sarandon. So I've met a bunch of cool people playing and it's just sort of a fun hobby."
Eric's paddle of choice? The Butterfly Timo Boll ZLC.
"It's a custom paddle where you choose the 'blade' and buy the rubber padding you want," he explains. "Timo Ball is a German player who ranks somewhere around the top 5 in the world. It's actually amazing if you look at the men's rankings, the first American doesn't comes in until a hundred-and-something. So table tennis is obviously huge in other parts of the world compared to the States. I know it was becoming the hot thing for a minute here in New York . . . I don't know if it is anymore, but it certainly was a couple of years ago."
Watch out Timo.


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Tenisha Dandridge L.Ac. was born in Sacramento, CA. She was raised in a military family and has traveled extensively. She started her undergraduate at Morgan State University in electrical engineering and computer science. After the loss of her maternal grandmother, Tenisha became interested in natural medicine. She had a growing cornucopia of her own health concerns that were not being addressed or well managed by standard western medicine. After a chance meeting with an OBGYN trained in Chinese herbs, Tenisha fell in love with acupuncture and Oriental medicine. The treatment was so successful at treating her own health concerns, she abandoned electrical engineering and computer science. Instead, she went to Bastyr University to study acupuncture and Oriental medicine.
Tenisha received a B.S. in Natural Health Sciences and an M.S. in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from Bastyr University in 2008. Bastyr is one of the leading schools of Natural Medicine in the United States. Tenisha began treating patients in 2007 at Bastyr University. Since then, she has over 1000 clinical hours in acupuncture, over 400 clinical hours with Chinese Herbal Medicine, and 9 years of private practice. She has certificates in Clean Needle Technique, CPR, Acutonics, Dr. Tan DNT, Electro-Acupuncture, and Tung's acupuncture.
Tenisha currently has a private practice named Everyone's Place in Sacramento, CA as Northern California's only mobile provider. She is the author of "Unusual Tale of Acupuncture, Racism, and African American History in the USA." She is also a candidate for Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine class of 2018.


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Years of travelling on a very tight budget allowed me to develop a strategy to find cheap flights without getting ripped off. Just because you're working with a smaller budget, it doesn't mean you can't explore the world – you just need to be thrifty and be willing to hunt around for a bargain. The below tips will help you to find cheap flights and live out your travel dreams.
Flight Comparison Tools
If you haven't discovered these flight comparison tools yet then you're definitely missing out on some serious bargains. They're great for finding cheap flights both on specific dates and when your dates are flexible, as they compare airline combos to get you the best matches.
The basic info they need is departure/arrival airport & date's, although even they are flexible. Once you've plugged in your search terms they process the info and give you a heap of options with pricing. You can narrow these down by departure/arrival times, price, airlines, etc. They also allow you to find the cheapest fares on nearby dates, which is super handy.
When you've found a cheap flight though, be wary of some of the websites they try to get you to book with. I opt to pay a little extra to book through the airline directly or someone like Skyscanner, Kayak or Expedia. This avoids the risk of getting ripped off with dodgy bookings.
Utilise Google Flights
Google Flights has been a godsend for helping me find cheap flights recently and is now rivalling sites like Skyscanner and Kayak in its thoroughness. And if you want to get a bit more technical, jump on ITA Matrix for a gander. A lot of the big search companies (including Google Flights) use this as their search backend and rebrand it, so it's worth a look. It was designed by a bunch of super smart dudes at MIT, so you know it works.
Watch The Watchdog Sites
There's a heap of airfare watchdog sites out there these days, and how they help you to find cheap flights is to spot abnormally low fares. Airlines do stuff up sometimes or try and sell a few seats on the cheap, and these guys are your best bet for finding these bargains. I'd start with Airfare Watchdog and then work your way through the others to find ones you feel comfy with.
Find The Cheapest Places
Let's say you're needing to get from Sydney to Melbourne in Australia. Melbourne's main airport is Tullamarine, but a lot of cheap flights actually leave from a smaller airport called Avalon. But a lot of people accidentally exclude this airport from their searches.
Kiwi is an awesome tool to find cheap flights to airports you may not have thought about in your search. When searching, pop in your departure city and date range. It'll then show you approximate costs to a heap of countries and cities, which you can quickly sort through to make sure you've picked the best arrival airport.
Another great tool I discovered recently and has been a total game changer is Escape. Not only is it damn pretty, but it has found me flights for way cheaper than other sites. I recently saved $400 flying from Melbourne to Vancouver thanks to Escape, so definitely recommend them.
Book Flights Individually
Although it's easier to book your flights all at once, you'd be surprised by how much you can save sometimes by booking each flight leg separately. I check if this is the case for all multileg flights I take and have saved a bucketload doing so. As a bonus, if your flight has a stopover in a city you're keen to visit, you can stop there for a few days and then continue your journey onwards.
Two things to keep in mind with this is checked luggage and customs. If you do book the flights separately you will need to leave enough time to get your luggage, go through customs, check back in and then head to your gate. Also, check if you will need a visa if you will have to go through customs again to catch your next flight.
Use Budget Airlines
I've never had an issue flying budget airlines, yet I know a lot of people avoid them out of fear of things going wrong. Sure, the seats are a little squishier and generally meals and baggage aren't included, but they get you from A to B and are key to helping you find cheap flights. And a lot of the comparison websites don't include all these airlines in their results – cheeky buggers.
The only things you need to be aware of is the fine print. A lot of budget airlines have insanely cheap fares, but as soon as you start adding in checked luggage, seat selection, etc., you're paying as much as you would on a premium airline. So check this out before booking.
Some of my favourite budget airlines include:
Australia/New Zealand
United States
Check With Airlines Directly
You'd be surprised at how cheap flights can be when booking directly with airlines. I will always check directly with the airline after using Skyscanner/Escape/Kayak/Kiwi to find the overall cheapest fares and have picked up some serious savings this way (and scored a hell of a lot of airfare miles!).
Some of the best airlines that can have surprisingly low fares include:
Australia/New Zealand
Asia/Middle East/Africa
Canada/USA/Latin America
Know The Pilot
A friend put me on to I Know The Pilot a few years ago and since then it's been a huge help to find cheap flights. At this stage, they have local sites for Australia, New Zealand & USA. But stay tuned, because they're releasing more local sites in time.
How it works is you subscribe to their newsletter and let them know which city you want to see flights leaving from. Their magic internet robots then scan the web for deals and sales. When they find one for you they immediately send you an email so that these often short term sales get to you ASAP.
Keep in mind with I Know The Pilot that the sales are for travel during specific time periods. This can be both a positive and a negative, as you could use it to plan your next holiday, but rarely for last minute trips.
To find the cheapest flights, you need to shop around – there isn't a 'one size fits all quick fix'. You need to sign up to sites like Airfare Watchdog and I Know The Pilot to be alerted to super cheap deals and be flexible in your travel dates and desired airports. Use sites like Skyscanner, Kayak & Escape to find flight options, then browse the various discount travel websites suggested by these search engines to find the best deal. You should also check out the airlines directly, and not be scared of flying budget airlines.


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Hmong dance, old and new, featured at Hennepin Gallery. Asian Media Access tells the story of Hmong dance, from its origins in China and Southeast Asia to the sometimes conflicting role it has played in both preserving history and embracing new cultures here in Minnesota. The exhibit will be on display in the Hennepin Gallery and on the Public Service Level of the Hennepin County Government Center through July 28. Two performances on the Government Center North Plaza from noon to 1 p.m. on June 2, Hmong Dance Performance; June 26, Hmong Costume Show. Gallery is free and open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 300 S. Sixth St., Minneapolis.
Jordan's Got Talent Show, May 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Jordan Park, 2927 Irving Ave N., Minneapolis, MN 55411. Free parking. As part of the Open Streets Minneapolis, Jordan Area Community Council is inviting the community to share in the fun with kick ball, scavenger hunt, hula hoop, double dutch, Fun Factory, lunch and a staged talent show. There will also be prize give away. This event will be closed to motorized traffic along Humboldt Avenue North and Girard Avenue North from West Broadway Avenue to 42nd Avenue North. For information call 612-886-4539 or email [email protected]
Extraordinary Boy —Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site tours are offered daily, Thursdays through Sundays, June 5 through Aug. 31; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 1620 Lindbergh Dr. S., Little Falls, Minn. Charles A. Lindbergh was a record-breaking aviator and a world-famous celebrity. Today some people consider him an American hero, while others see him as a controversial figure. In this 45-minute guided tour of his boyhood home, explore where it all began. Get to know where he came from in order to explore who he was. Following the tour, delve deeper into the stories of Lindbergh's later years through interactive exhibits in the visitor center, including the popular cockpit flight simulator. Call 320-616-5421. Fee: $8 adults, $7 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members.
Brodini Comedy Magic Show, Tuesday, June 10, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. and 2 to 3:00 p.m. at Saint Anthony Park Librarym 2245 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108. Comedy Magic Show, with fun and exciting magic tricks that are so cool you won't believe your eyes! Brodini dazzles and amazes kids of all ages! Presented by the St. Anthony Park Library Association.
Used Book Sale, Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Saint Anthony Park Librarym 2245 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108. Come and browse the wide array of gently used books, DVDs, and more.
St. Anthony Park Arts Festival, Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Saint Anthony Park Librarym 2245 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108. There are 70+ juried artists in the show, on the library grounds and along Como Avenue to Luther Seminary. There will be food, music on two stages, Garden Club sale, Kids' Art tent, Community Art tent, open Pottery Wheel and the annual Used Book Sale.
Art in the Hollow: Artists in Action!, Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Swede Hollow Park, rain or shine. For information visit ArtintheHollow.org or call Karin DuPaul, 651-776-0550. This free, 5 year-old community-based festival put together by neighbors and students, features artists, global performers, sculptures to be judged the day of the event.
Kids Crafts: Shoulder Bag Activity Saturday, June 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. atMille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post 43411 Oodena Dr., Onamia. Children will learn how to decorate an Ojibwe-style shoulder bag. This activity provides a hands-on introduction to the arts and culture of the Ojibwe, a woodland people of the Great Lakes region. The price includes supplies needed to decorate the bag. Please allow an hour for the activity. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. Recommended for children ages 6 and up. Call 320-532-3632. Fee: $7 per kit (museum admission not included).
Seven Years in Tibet, Thursday, June 12, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at Saint Anthony Park Librarym 2245 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108. St. Anthony Park Senior Cinema Series featured movie of the month, is the true story of Heinrich Harrer, an Austrian mountain climber who became friends with the Dalai Lama at the time of China's takeover of Tibet. This film stars Brad Pitt, David Thewlis and BD Wong. Running time is 136 minutes. Everyone is welcome, there is no charge and light refreshments will be served
Intermedia Arts presents ROOTEDL Hip Hop Choreographers' Evening, curated by Maia Maiden, June 12-14, 2014, 7 p.m., at 2822 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis. The first and only choreographers' evening focused on Hip Hop dance and its roots: African, Latin, Tap, Step, Breaking, Popping, Locking, Toprock, Wacking, House, Old School, and New School. Illuminating and celebrating the skill of the finest choreographers in the Twin Cities, ROOTED has sold out every show since 2009. Tickets $12 advance, students, seniors $15 at the door.
The American Indian Travois Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site, Saturday, June 14, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Comfrey, 27160 County Road 2. Discover the material culture and innovations that American Indians developed in order to survive on the prairie. Visitors will take part in a hands-on activity investigating reproduction items that would have been used in daily life and packed on a travois. The roles and responsibilities of various members of an American Indian family will be explored. Plus, guests can compete to see who can hitch up and pack their travois the quickest and race to a finish line. Call 507-628-5591. Fee: $7 adults, $6 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under.
Jazz in June, June 14, from 7 to 9 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) at Sibley Historic Site 1357 Sibley Memorial Highway, Mendota. Celebrate Mendota's rich jazz history with an evening of great music from the Jack Brass Band. The Minneapolis-based band plays energetic New Orleans-style jazz reminiscent of the music that used to fill the clubs around Mendota in the 1960s, '70s and '80s. Bring a blanket or chair, your friends and family, and enjoy music on the Sibley Historic Site lawn. In case of bad weather, the show will move to the Mendota VFW. Limited seating. Call 651-452-1596. $10
History Food Crawls: University Avenue, Frogtown and Rondo, Saturday, June 14 & 21, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Minnesota History Center 345 Kellogg Blvd W., St. Paul, Ride through the history, culture and cuisine of one of St. Paul's most changeable districts, University Avenue. From a country road, streetcar line and urban highway, the avenue is now a light rail route that both divides and defines the district. Investigate Frogtown and the Hmongtown Marketplace and discover what was lost in Rondo, the city's historic African American neighborhood. Experience the beauty of St. Agnes Catholic Church, one of St. Paul's architectural gems, and get to know the story of Pilgrim Baptist, home of Minnesota's oldest black congregation. Along the way enjoy hearty samples from the neighborhood's best purveyors of food. The two-and-a-half hour tour is on an air-conditioned bus and includes up to three blocks of moderately paced walking on uneven surfaces. Please call ahead to make arrangements for guests with limited mobility. Food samples are included in ticket price. Call 651-259-3000. Fee: $35/$30 for MNHS members. Reservations: required; call 651-259-3015 or online.
Dr. Hiroshi Nakato Speaks about Model Organism "Zoo" on Tuesday, June 24, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the University of Minnesota Molecular and Cellular Biology Building, Room # 2-138 MCB, 420 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Dr. Nakato is an Associate Professor of the Department of Geneetics, Cell Biology and Development. He will discuss model animal organisms that are extensively studied in the life sciences to understand particular biological phenomena. History and current progress of the life sciences through these powerful, and sometimes adorable animals will be discussed at the lecture. The lecture will be conducted in Japanese. $10 for students; $15 for non-members. RSVP to 612-627-9357 or email [email protected]
Hmong 101 Webinar, June 24, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Hmong Cultural Center presents a Hmong culture and history introductory level course as a live Hmong 101 Webinar. $15 Registration and additional information at www.anymeeting.com/PIID=EA56DB8681463B.
Diversity Career Fair, Thursday, August 7, 2014, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Hennepin Technical College, 9000 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445. Event held outdoors in a tent. https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1522921.
Mandarin Chinese Storytime now meeting on Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. twice a month at Saint Anthony Park Librarym 2245 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108.
English Conversation Circles, Wednesdays in June, 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Saint Anthony Park Librarym 2245 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108. If English is not your first language, come and practice in casual conversation. All are welcome. Come when you can. Co-sponsored by the U of M Retirees Volunteers and Partners in English.
The Minneapolis Petanque Club meets to play the popular game of Southeast Asia. Individuals who would like to play and compete with others are invited to join or even host a game in their neighborhood. You do not have to be a member and we do have extra boules to play. Contact Don Holzschuh at [email protected] or visit www.minneapolispetanqueclub.com.
Nembutsu Chanting – Ancient Buddhist practice of following and returning to Amida Buddham, also called the "Universal Buddha." Through the practice of Nembutsu Chanting, heighten spiritual awareness and healing on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Heart of Tao Resonance Art, 5015 14th Ave. S, Minneapolis 55417. Contact Gadu at [email protected] or call 612-703-7501 or visit www.HOTResonanceArt.com.
Conversation Circles for English Language Learners, Mondays, 6:15 p.m., Ramsey County Library – Mounds View, 2576 County Road 10, Mounds View, MN 55112, and Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m. Ramsey County Library – Shoreview, 4570 North Victoria Street, Shoreview, MN 55126. English students of any age, language origin or level are very welcome. Presented in partnership with Pike Lake Education Center. 651-724-6004.
North East Healing Circle (Spring Forest Qigong Practice Group) every Wednesday 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. at Grain Belt Studios, 79 — 13th Ave. NE, Suite 201, Minneapolis, MN 55413. Everyone is welcome and admission is free with a $5 gift greatly appreciated. A healing circle to learn to help yourself and others to heal physically, mentally and spiritually. Contact Gadu [email protected] or call 612-703-7501.
Trancendental meditation, Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., 399 Ruth Street N., St Paul, MN 55119. Call 651-714-0254 or visit www.TM.org/twincities.
Support Sessions for SE Asian Youth, Wednesdays at Brooklyn Center High School, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Safe, fun environment with food. Contact Ying Lee at [email protected]


text: Welcome to 8tracks radio: free music streaming for any time, place, or mood. Click play to start listening to this otp: im not leaving without you playlist tagged with love, ed sheeran, and Coldplay. You can also download one of our free apps to enjoy internet radio on your favorite device.


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There is a great deal of enthusiasm and strong belief from my customers about the superior sound that analog vinyl records deliver over digital recordings as presented via your standard CD. Worse yet is the sound quality of digital downloads such as the default iTunes format. I often hear audiophiles in my shop and at LPs shows all in agreement about the superior sound of vinyl records. Stay with me on this as I state the facts…
According to settled science, no human being can distinguish the difference between a digital soundwave with a high enough sample rate and an analog soundwave, but some of us remain unconvinced. "Sure Joe, but I tell you that vinyl presents a "warm" characteristic that can't be matched by digital recordings", says my anonymous vinyl head patron. You have to understand that from a psycho-acoustic perspective what you are describing is harmonic distortion which is also present in other analog mediums such as tape.
That classic "Vinyl" sound is influenced by how music is originally recorded (analog tape versus digital hard drive) and how the original recording is then carved into the media (the mastering), the characteristics of the medium itself (vinyl) and finally the playback mechanism (turntable, stylus, cartridge, electronics, amp, speakers, etc.).
The meaning of "vinyl sound" is often approached subjectively. Different people have different ideas of what a sound has to have and/or lack to be considered "vinyl sound". To answer this question objectively, we can take a look at measurable characteristics and dynamics of the medium. There are two issues here that are hard to separate: analog recording and vinyl as a medium. There are many basic misunderstandings of how digital sampling and psycho-acoustics work in what is delivered as the final media.
When people refer to "vinyl sound", they are most likely referring to one or a combination of the characteristics as follows. The importance of each characteristic in the "vinyl sound" definition is the subjective part.
Low frequencies (bass): Low frequencies panned between the left and right channels can knock around the needle, so you'll find low frequencies to be monophonic. Even with centered low frequencies, the record can skip with excessive low end. Because of this, excessive low end is not a feature often found in vinyl.
High frequencies (treble): High frequencies and sibilance can cause distortion because the stylus cannot properly track them in the disc's grooves. Because of this, highs might need to be tamed down (reduced, compressed, flattened) for vinyl playback.
Wow and flutter: Wow and flutter are a change in frequency of an analog device and are the result of mechanical imperfections, with wow being a slower rate form of flutter. For LP records, the quality of the turntable will have a large effect on the level of wow and flutter. A good turntable will have wow and flutter values of less than 0.05%, which is the speed variation from the mean value.
Inner and outer portions sound different: The distance around the inside of a 12-inch record is about half the distance than around the outside, as the distance around each revolution decreases, the high frequencies become harder for a playback stylus to read. As a result, the inner tracks will sound duller than the outer tracks. The high frequencies simply can't be reproduced the same as if they were cut on the outside of the disc.
Surface noise: Pops, clicks, crackles – for some part of the enjoyment of listening to vinyl. You'll find them even on high-end setups. Sometimes the bane of our store because of the desire for a perfectly clean "audiophile" copy. How and the hell do I know if the person I got the LP from cut their stash of the cover and laid the record down on top of those stems after playing side 1.
Dynamic range: Vinyl microgroove phonograph records typically yield 55-65 dB, though the first play of the higher-fidelity outer rings can achieve a dynamic range of 70 dB. For comparison, 16-bit PCM (CD quality) has a theoretical dynamic range of about 96 dB.
RIAA curve: The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) equalization curve allows engineers to overcome certain limitations and maximize the amount of full-frequency music they can get onto a record. The EQ curve is applied as the music is cut into the master lacquer. When a record is played back, the inverse of this EQ curve is applied by the phono preamp so that the listener hears the music as it was intended.
Because low frequencies require larger grooves and more space on a disc than high frequencies, the EQ curve gradually rolls off the bass by 6 dB per octave starting at 1 kHz so that by 20 Hz, the level has been reduced 20 dB. Without the RIAA bass cut, only about 5 minutes of low-frequency information could be stored per 12-inch side. In addition, the RIAA curve boosts the frequencies above 1 kHz to increase the signal-to-noise ratio in the high end. The maximum increase is about 20 dB around 20 kHz.
Unless linear-phase filters are used, phase changes will be induced both times the curve is applied (once in reverse), so both the mastering engineer and your turntable are injecting their character into the sound. How audible the change is depends on the filters used, some high-end systems aim for as little change as possible.
So what is a better medium for listening to music?
Current digital recording technology using 24-bit, 192 kHz sampling can capture more information that we can hear so that was why the original CR Red Book specification adopted the 20Hz-20kHz. More settled science: The human hearing range spans 20Hz to 20kHz, period. Though you can record more than that range, you just can't hear it. It is possible you can "feel" sounds outside that range but almost all stereo gear a consumer would buy cannot play that range back beyond the established 20Hz-20kHz threshold, if that.
Unfortunately, all the high end we're now used to experience from our digital recordings is aggravated by the RIAA curve. When they came up with this system, there wasn't much going on above 8 and 10 kHz. The benefit of the high end we hear today is often perceived as being "cold", hence not "warm"
As for vinyl itself, there are specific frequency response characteristics that the RIAA imposed on the microphone – tape deck/mixing board – vinyl pressing – stylus – amplifier – speaker signal chain back in the day. The so-called "RIAA curve" was one: it specified that the signal going on to vinyl would have serious roll-off in the bass register so that the needle would not jump out of the groove during playback. The missing bass gets put back in when you set your amp to the "phono" setting. It stands to reason that this type of response curve, especially when replayed on modern equipment, would sound different than the theoretically flat response curve enabled by the CD player (which, not being electro-mechanical, doesn't care how "big" the virtual grooves are).
One way to artificially achieve that "warm, analog" sound from your digital recording is to crank the bass a few notches and roll off the treble. Better yet, get a DAC (digital-to-Analog Converter) device that simulates the response curve of vinyl.
Still no answer to which medium is better. As for almost all of us fellow "vinyl heads", just grab yourself a drink, put that LP on the turntable and enjoy reading that LP cover for the hundredth time and let the music take you someplace else. Crackle and pop, that just reminds me to make some popcorn when I get up to flip the LP and enjoy the second side, while enjoying my second cold brew. Play it again, Jimi!