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The first flip house project can be nerve-racking! There are so many things to learn. The entire network is new at this point. You may not even know who they are yet! We suggest that you begin with a low-risk property to bolster your probability of success. We want you to succeed in flipping houses! The property types listed here can still work for some, but they are niche investors. These properties have more variables to consider than other projects. Again, we suggest that you begin as simple and easy as possible.
If you have a house flipping calculator, then you should be able to avoid bad deals most of the time. However, we realized that some types of properties can trick either the lead generation or qualification systems. The math still works, but other factors make these properties more difficult to turn. With time and experience they become easy to spot, but we want to call your attention to them in the very beginning.
The article covers:
The Executive
The Behemoth
The Catastrophe
If you find this article helpful, please leave a comment below. We look forward to hearing from you!
The Executive
The executive house is a statistical outlier. Imagine an area with a mean home value of $300K and a standard deviation is $70K. However, there is one very small grouping of homes that sold above $1M (ARV) several years ago when they were built. One of these homes has hit your radar. You think it looks promising. You could only do this deal if you pull every dollar you can get together, and then maybe even finance the rest. This deal would put everything you have into one basket. You should skip this one! There is a good reason this deal is available.
Statistically, this project is a loser from the very beginning! Let's consider the 68-95-99.7 rule (also known as the empirical rule) without getting too nerdy. The rule is based on a normal distribution (also known as the Gaussian distribution). The rule states that an estimated:
68% of the market is in a price range from $230K – $370K (mean ± 1 standard deviation)
95% (gain of 27%) of the market is in a price range from $160K – $440K (mean ± 2 standard deviations)
99.7% (gain of 4.7%) of the market is in a price range from $90K – $510K (mean ± 3 standard deviations)
That leaves only 0.15% of the market (the half of 0.3% from the high end) able to afford above $510K. After that, we still have to get from $510K all the way to $1M. These odds are worse than 1 of 1000 buyers!
The problem is there simply is no market for the property in this area! The majority of buyers with enough wealth to afford a house of that magnitude choose to live somewhere else. The few remaining buyers will be very selective. They can be because they are the 1% (in this area at least). They could also afford to build their own home and get exactly what they want. Your finished, polished, shiny diamond of a mansion will likely sit a very long time waiting for a credible buyer. Maybe several years! The carrying costs (mortgage, landscaping, heating + cooling, pool maintenance, taxes, insurance, HOA, …) will be relentless!
Try to target properties inside of the mean ± 1 standard deviation, at least for your first few flips. This will allow you to bring your finished property to a market where the majority can afford to buy. This will ensure that the property will sell in a reasonable time frame allowing you to hit the project estimate and pivot into the next one smoothly.
The Behemoth
The behemoth house is much larger than the other houses in the neighborhood. Much larger! Look at the neighboring house in the image above. This phenomenon is common in older neighborhoods that have mostly small homes. Several decades ago, it was normal for builders to make homes between 1,000 to 1,400 square feet. The behemoth house will typically be at least twice the size of the average home in these older neighborhoods. If the average square footage of the neighborhood is 1,200 square feet, the behemoth house may be around 3,000 square feet. You should skip this one too!
This house was likely owned by a contractor, or DIY enthusiast, that was outgrowing the house. However, they decided to stay in the house and increase the size, instead of moving to a neighborhood with larger homes. This is normally done in an effort to save money. This work could have been unpermitted and never inspected or approved by the building department. Beware of this situation. If the city and county records don't match the physical structure, you may be in for a fight with the building department to obtain even the most simple permits.
The real problem with the behemoth is valuation. Everyone knows that a larger house is worth more than a smaller one. Unfortunately, that isn't the whole story. The first 1,000 square feet or so of a property are the most valuable. While a 1,000 square foot house is valued less than a larger home, it has a higher value per square foot. As the property increases in size, it increases in value, but it decreases in value per square foot. Each extra square foot is worth less and less. Eventually, the value of the property reaches a limit. This limit is set by the other properties in the neighborhood. Above the limit, extra square feet do not add value. See the table below for an example. The limit in the example is $255K regardless of size above 1600 square feet.
SqFt Value Value/Sqft
1000 $200,000 $200
1100 $214,500 $195
1200 $228,000 $190
1300 $239,200 $184
1400 $247,800 $177
1500 $253,500 $169
1600 $254,400 $159
The problem comes when trying to value the behemoth. All comparable sales might have an average value per square foot of $190. Using that figure, the value for a 3,000 square foot behemoth house would be $570K. Unfortunately, that is more than double what this property is worth! There is a big gap in price and there are no comparable sales of homes above 1600 square feet. Now you are in a mess!
This makes sense from a buyer's perspective too. If the work is done well, a buyer may consider buying the nonconforming 3,000 square foot home. However, how much would they be willing to pay? Would they pay the same amount for the home in the smaller and less expensive neighborhood as they would for the exact same home in a larger and more expensive neighborhood? No! They will expect to get more than half of this house for free!
The Catastrophe
The catastrophe house could have been in a flood. It doesn't have to be an actual flood caused by a natural disaster. Usually, the house has had a water leak (plumbing or roof) for quite some time. Given enough time and neglect (think vacant house), the leak becomes worse, wood rots, and mold grows. Given a damp environment and time, airborne mold will spread everywhere.
The catastrophe house could have been on fire. Fire causes smoke, soot, and ash. These fill the house and turn everything black, leaving a bonfire smell throughout. This mess is almost impossible to clean. Even if you could clean it, you could never remove the bonfire smell.
The catastrophe house could have been on fire and then in a flood. It is very common for a fire property to experience roof loss. The cleanup and insurance claim and payout process for a serious house fire may take several months to complete. During those months without a roof, water problems arise. Yep! Wet, moldy, ashy, sooty bonfire smell!
This house needs a massive construction budget. The building department will require an architect to draw plans, structural engineer to stamp the plans, and a master permit (many permits together). Often, the demolition and cleanup must be completed before you can even assess the damage. Many architects and engineers will not begin to work before that cleanup for liability reasons. They have to make professional guarantees on whatever materials will be reused. The problem here is that you won't invest a dollar to demo and clean up the project until after you negotiate and buy the property. You would have to guess the construction budget. That is a big problem at the first rodeo!
This project should not be where you meet your contractor for the very first time. You should skip this one! Projects like these may be very lucrative. They should be, because they come with much more risk than simpler projects. Investors should have a notch or three on their belts and know their contractor's children's birthdays cold before considering deals like this.


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If you plan to sell your house, don't be discouraged by market conditions! Take charge of the selling process and apply these Smart Selling ideas to improve your prospects for a successful outcome:
Preparing To Sell
- Enlist the support of the entire family and make a full commitment to selling.
- Prepare to compete by looking at houses on the market in your anticipated price range. How does your house compare?
- Have a pre-listing home inspection and make any recommended repairs.
- Consult with a professional stager about ways to make your house appeal to most buyers. Implement basic recommendations yourself and get help as needed.
- Have the stager return for final staging, including placement of furniture and accessories. (Don't be tempted to skip this step!)
- Contact REALTOR®s after your house is completely prepared for sale and ready to be photographed.
- Your REALTOR® will research houses comparable with yours, including current listings, recent sales and withdrawn listings. Use this knowledge for a reality check to determine your pricing strategy.
- Price your house realistically from day one. Listen to your REALTOR®'s pricing advice.
- Participate in picture-taking and carefully compose every shot to show key features at their best.
- Make the most of the first 30-45 days on the market. This is your best chance to sell at or near your initial listing price.
- Discuss the feedback your REALTOR® is getting and be willing to make changes.
- Use the power of the internet and social media. In addition to your REALTOR®'s web site and her company's web site, be sure your house is listed on other real estate sites, including REALTOR.com®, Trulia, craigslist.com, etc. Create a facebook page for your house.
- Continue to monitor the competition and be prepared to adapt your strategy.
- Update the list of comparable properties and consider a price reduction if there is little activity after 45 days.
- Have your accessories reflect the season and keep your house looking fresh.
- Make the house available for showings when requested – even if inconvenient.
- Create a showing checklist to be certain the house is ready for visitors and give everyone a job.
- Maintain the inside and outside of the house in showing condition.
- Have a flexible attitude and a sense of humor.
Smart Selling Tip: Take charge of the selling process and apply Smart Selling ideas to improve your prospects for a successful outcome in any market.
©2012 Sandy LeRoy and Mary Stephens

subset: commoncrawl


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Milwaukee 2804-20 VS. 2704-20 has been making huge changes to their M18 series with the hammer drills being their most improved tools so far. Gen 2 and Gen 3 hammer drills have powerful upgrades including increased transmission speed and higher load-torque delivery becoming some of the market`s most preferred hammer drills. The original Milwaukee M18 hammer drills were over 8 inches long weighing up to 5lbs with a torque rating of just 725lbs. These were quite heavy and not suitable for tough projects especially treated concrete.
The company introduced the second generation which included the Milwaukee 2804-20 VS. 2704-20 Hammer drill reviewed here, famous for its strong bit grip and rapid performance with 1/2 by 3-inch screws and drill bits. This hammer drill features an electric clutch, a metallic mode collar separate from the clutch and a side handle that made it easy to control. It is just 7.7 inches front to back and weighs 3.2 lbs., way lighter than the first generation.
The second generation has a torque rating of 1200in-lbs and speeds of 0-550/0-2000RPM and a hammering function speed of 0-32,000BPM. This made their hammer drills the most powerful drill in the market at the time. Professionals and DIYers still love it for its ease of use even on the toughest applications but Milwaukee went ahead to make further upgrades bringing their latest 3rd generation hammer drill.
Milwaukee 2804-20 is the most famous M18 3rd gen hammer drill in the market at the moment measuring just 6.9 inches front to back and weighing 3.2 lbs. It is more compact than the 2nd generation with a more powerful side handle. It also retains the electric clutch but the independent mode collar is removed as its function is integrated into the chuck. It is also rated at 1200in-lbs in torque with 0-2000RPM and 32000BPM speed ratings as the 2nd generation.
While some people prefer the power and sturdiness of the 2nd generation, some feel that the 3rd generation, compact and still powerful is way better. 2804-20 and 2704-20 are the best sellers of the M18 series but many DIYers and Professionals can`t really agree on the one best of the two. This is why we created a performance-based review to analyze the features and how each hammer drill performs on-site to help you make a choice.
Comparing Milwaukee 2804-20 to 2704-20 Hammer Drills
1. Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2804-20 Hammer Drill
This is one of Milwaukee`s latest introductions in the market, smaller, lighter but more powerful than the earlier generations of M18 hammer drills. It measures 6.9 inches front to back and weighs just 3.2lbs which make it easy to lift and operate just like a regular cordless drill. It also includes a strong side handle standing at 90 degrees to help control the torque at the bit especially at the beginning of driving.
This hammer drill is more compact thanks to the electric clutch which combines the functions for mode control as well as torque settings formerly handled by the independent mode collar in generation two. Some people complain about control problems with the electric clutch because it needs some time to get used to. This hammer drill, however, has better communication between the clutch, battery, and motor delivering a better finish than standard manual models.
It features an all-metal single-sleeve ratcheting chuck which still clamps sturdily on the bits. Its Powerstate motor plus Redlink intelligence also prevent overdrive and stripping of screws. The chuck has 14 settings plus the hammer function for accurate torque settings. It also features variable speed settings with a high torque setting of 0-550RPM and 0-2000RPM for fast driving and drilling applications. Its 1200lb Torque combined with high impact speed of 0-32000BPM allow it to drill through mortar and treated concrete better than earlier models.
The hammer drill has a slim rubberized handle that allows one-handed bit exchange and control. Its LED light is also located at the base of the hammer drill for better illumination of your workspace. It is also protected by a tough external casing that protects the hammer drill from the elements. The impact driver has 5-year warranty protection. It also uses the M18 battery system with higher productivity per charge than earlier battery models.
What you get with this hammer drill
- 1 Fuel M18 2804-20 Hammer Drill
- 1 side handle
- 1 belt clip
- Redlink tapping intelligence
- It is light and compact
- Metallic chuck with one-handed bit exchange
- Strong all metallic chuck
- 90-degree auxiliary handle
- The electric clutch is hard to set
- It is harder to balance with large batteries
2. Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2704-20 Hammer Drill
This is also a professional user-design hammer drill with a high torque and speed rating for the most demanding projects. It is part of Milwaukee`s second generationM18 Hammer Drills measuring 7.7 inches front to back and weighs 4.1lbs. It is also compact featuring a strong metallic chuck with one-handed bit exchange for easy operation. Its Chuck clamps have a strong grip on the bits and resistant to corrosion.
It has a brushless motor with Milwaukee`s screw tapping intelligence which helps prevent overload and overdrive. The motor technology has a higher transmission on load than the first-generation models and also lasts longer than brushed motor impact drivers. It is also made of premium metallic and silicon parts including the external casing to protect from the elements especially in an outdoor work environment.
This hammer drill has an independent mode collar with an electric clutch that makes speed and torque setting easy. It has three functional modes at 0-550RPM for high torque applications, 0-2000RPM for high-speed drill/drive applications and o-32000BPM hammering function speed for masonry applications. Its high torque of 1200in-lbs allows it to drill through brick and concrete with ease making it the right tool for your toughest projects.
It comes with an auxiliary handle to help you manage the vibrations that come with the giant torque. Its handle is also slim and rubberized to improve your grip when handling high speed and torque operations. Its LED light is located behind the chuck, bright enough although it lights with shadowy visibility, especially where lots of dirt is emitted.
What you get with this hammer drill
- 1 Auxiliary handle
- 1 M18 Milwaukee Fuel 2704-20 Hammer Drill
- 1 belt clip
- It has Redlink plus tapping intelligence
- Four-pole brushless motor
- Tough external casing
- Separate mode collar
- all metallic chuck with a strong bit grip
- It weighs over 4.5lbs with batteries included
- only 2 drive speed settings
Top FAQs
Q: Can this hammer drill drive 3-inch-long screws?
A: Absolutely.
Q: Does it come with a case and batteries?
A: No. This is a tool only purchase
Q: Is it compatible with Milwaukee M18 2AH batteries?
A: Sure, but xc5.0 will give you the best results
Direct Comparison Between 2804-20 and 2704-20 Hammer drills
The no-load torque rating on both tools is 1200In lbs. Milwaukee 2804-20 has more improvements that give it an upper hand when handling tougher loads. It peaks in at a higher torque able to handle tough surfaces especially treated concrete better than 2704-20.
Both hammer drills are fitted with a variable speed trigger and three separate speed modes. You can set at 0-550RPM for high torque, 0-2000RPM, and 32000BPM hammering speed. At high speed, the bit grip is weaker on 2804-20 than 2704-20. Overload protection kicks in earlier on 2804-20 than 2704-20 when handling high load projects. Both tools have a high impact at the handle at top speed which makes the auxiliary handle a necessary addition on most demanding projects.
Clutch and Chuck
Both hammer drills have an electric chuck which has better communication with the motor than the regular manual clutch. The chucks have 14 settings plus the hammering function for accurate torque setting depending on the project you are handling. In 2704-20, the mode collar is separate from the clutch which makes setting and operating easier although it makes the hammer drill bulkier. The clutch for 2804 is smaller because it also acts as the mode setting collar. It is easier to handle once you understand it but it may be more stubborn for first-time users.
Size and weight
Milwaukee 2804-20 is probably the most compact hammer drill you will find measuring just 6.9 inches and weighing 3lbs. Its reduced size is because of the Milwaukee`s remodeling which reduced both the handle size and the head. The smaller head has poor balance when large batteries are used but it is easier to handle and also reduces fatigue to the user.
Milwaukee 2704-20 Is more similar to other hammer drills in the market measuring 7.7 inches front to back and weighing 4lbs without the batteries. Its balance with xc5.0 batteries is good making it easier to handle. Its weight with the batteries included is however higher reaching 4.5lbs which causes more fatigue to the user.
Final Note
Most professionals disagree on whether the earlier Milwaukee 2704-20 or the more recent 2804-20 hammer drill is the better tool for the job. The difference between the two is quite small and comes down to whether you love more convenience of setting or better control. 2804-20 is a great upgrade but it doesn't necessarily root out the advantages enjoyed by those used to 2704-20. This review explains this difference and how each will affect your productivity when working on site.


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Thanks to this compromise, civil war was avoided. Under the terms fo the compromise, California was admitted to the Union as a free state. Residents of the Other territories acquired from Mexico were to decide for themselves whether to be free or slave states. The Fugitive Slave Act was passed requiring the return of slaves. Slave trade was outlawed in the District of Columbia, and Texas' national debt was paid off.
The Compromise of 1850 held the Union together for another difficult ten years. The dispute was over the admittance of additional states into the Union, while maintaining the balance between free and slave states.
The immediate question was the clamoring of California to be admitted to the Union as a free state. The debate was begun by a frail Senator Henry Clay, who called for a compromise between the North and South. Senator John C. Calhoun, who was dying of tuberculosis, gave his last speech in the Senate; in which he once again championed the cause of the South, yet called for compromise.
Finally, Daniel Webster, who had been a leading spokesmen for Northern interests, made a plea for compromise in order to preserve the Union. It was Webster who tilted the balance, as his call for compromise convinced many Northerners to agree to the concessions, primarily the Fugitive Slave Law, that allowed the Senate to pass the compromise.
President Taylor opposed the compromise, but after his untimely death, his successor supported these bills, and thus the compromise was sealed.


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How can you avoid blowing your paycheck before you get paid and manage your finances better? Consider these suggestions.
Keeping track of how you spend your money can be difficult. This is especially true for those who do not take time to make a detailed monthly budget. Unfortunately, only 32% of Americans do so, according to research-based consulting company Gallup. This leaves two-thirds of the population at a loss when it comes to managing their personal and family finances.
Since majority of Americans do not have a monthly budget, it is not surprising why most don't have any money left at the end of the month. Worse, some have the knack of blowing their paychecks even before they get paid! To avoid getting into a similar situation, here are some tips that can help you manage your paycheck better.
Review your bank fees. Most banks charge a maintenance fee on a monthly or yearly basis. Since this can cost you anywhere from $300 per year, you may want to check out the fine print to see if there is a way that you can avoid it. You may also want to watch out for other bank fees (overdraft fees, ATM fees, withdrawal penalties and minimum balance fees) while you're at it. Use these information to see if you should switch to another account that offers better terms and charge lower fees.
Pay credit card balance in full. Maintaining a balance on your credit card will cost you a lot of money and drain your paycheck before you even know it.
Be wiser when buying a car. Car payments can take a huge chunk off your paycheck, especially if you are planning to buy a brand new car. However, if you are buying a used car, you can cut your monthly car payments in half.
Pay off your student loans. Studies reveal that the average college graduate has more than $30,000 in student loans. Needless to say, this can take off another huge chunk of your paycheck so consider consolidating your loans into one single payment with a lower interest rate. If you still can't meet the minimum monthly payments, consider negotiating a payment plan with your lender. However, please be aware that this move may hurt your credit score.
Stop paying for subscriptions you do not use. Every little thing counts. So, while your Hulu, Netflix and Spotify subscriptions charge lower than a cable subscription, you are still leaking money if you are paying for something that you do not usually use. To save money and avoid being out of cash at the end of the month, consider cutting these recurring subscriptions and use free alternatives instead.


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- I am trying to access a course I started, but now I cannot access Streaming Labs, why?
- I am trying to start a course, but I keep being redirected away from the Streaming Labs site.
- I am trying to complete a course, but when I try to access Streaming Labs, it does not load.
The Streaming Labs Beta is now closed. Any user trying to access courses that used Streaming Labs will be re-directed away from the Streaming Labs site.
The Streaming Labs Beta is now closed, thanks to everyone who participated. We are currently updating the content for the latest Unity release and will be making it available to Learn Premium subscribers in all regions. The updated courses will be available in Spring 2020.


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Bangkok Travelbug December 09 Christmas in Bangkok
November 29, 2009
Events in December
Table of contents
Christmas in Bangkok
At Christmas, Bangkok takes on a different look especially in the malls and hotels. If we put together all the different places, it almost reminds me of Orchard Road in Singapore at Christmas and that makes me a little homesick.
Looking at Christmas trees and decorations always makes me feel this way. Please let me share some of my Christmas memories in Bangkok with you.
This has got to be my favourite.
The kid and the Bangkok Snowman 2007
Now this Christmas tree is made from solid chocolate cake, sponsored by a local bakery chain.
Chocolate tree 2007
This gingerbread house and its residents were a favourite with the crowd.
Inside the gingerbread house 2007
Here's something to bring you all the good cheer of Christmas from Bangkok!
Forest of lights at the Central Chidlom 2008
Beautiful isn't it? 2008
I'll be bringing you photos of this year's Christmas closer to the day. Have a warm and beautiful Christmas with your family and friends. May all your hopes and plans be fulfilled in the coming New Year.
Table of contents
Share your world with us in our photo sharing gallery
One of our readers Rex Hu from Pai, Mae Hong Son, northern Thailand, submitted this beautiful shot of the Pai river valley. Rex is another classmate and old friend of mine from Singapore. This photo was taken from his home just outside the town of Pai.
The sheer beauty of Pai
As you can see, besides his love for nature, he's got an irrepressible sense of humour, which hasn't changed through the years. Thank you, Rex for sharing the beauty of Pai.
Another reader, Navik Numsiang from Bangkok took this shot of Pai during a recent holiday there.
View from Pai Viman Resort
Thank you Navik for sharing your holiday memories with us.
If you have any favourite photos of your hometown or holiday experience, please share it with us at our photo sharing gallery. View what others have submitted.
Table of contents
Thailand Railway Hall of Fame
As it's Christmas, trains can make very good presents. However most of these trains at the Thailand Railway Hall of Fame aren't models. They are life size.
In 1853, Queen Victoria presented King Rama IV with Thailand's first train. What you see below is a model of that train.
A gift from a queen
This is one of the early steam locomotives in service during the 1950s and 1960s.
Steam locomotive
Steam engines were later replaced by diesel engines.
Diesel locomotive
The Thailand Railway Hall of Fame marks a landmark in public transportation in Thailand with the introduction of rail travel in 1893.
Table of contents
Museum of Nonthaburi
This is the latest museum opened on 15 September 2009 in an old building that has been designated as a national heritage. Nonthaburi is an old province, far older than Bangkok and this museum preserves the history, culture, way of life of the people and the arts and craft of the communities.
Find out more about this museum at Museum of Nonthaburi.
Table of contents
Opening of Yaowaraj Heritage Centre
The Yaowaraj Heritage Centre is going to open officially on 5 December 2009 on the King's Birthday. This centre preserves the history of the early Chinese immigrants in Bangkok and Thailand. The centre replaces the Samphanthawong Museum which was demolished 2006 to make way for this new building.
A new landmark in Chinatown
The new building within the grounds of Wat Traimit will also be the new home for the Golden Buddha which was housed in a smaller building before.
The contents of the Yaowaraj Heritage Centre will be covered after my visit in December.
Table of contents
Because it's such a beautiful month, a month in which we should all be happy, I wouldn't want to distract you with anything else except happy scenes and memories. Have a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. See you next year and may you have a good year ahead.
Give your loved ones a Christmas present that could last a life time.
Next month
For a bright start to the New Year, we present the sunflowers of Lopburi. See you then.
If you enjoyed reading this e-zine, please forward it to a friend. If you received this from a friend and found it interesting, please subscribe at Bangkok Travelbug.
Please tell us what you think of the Bangkok Travelbug
What do you think of the Bangkok Travelbug, we love to hear from you
Read what other subscribers have said
Visit our home page at Tour Bangkok Legacies.
Copyright@2008-2009 Tour Bangkok Legacies
All rights reserved
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September 18, 2009
Conservatives use liberal playbook (ANDIE COLLER & DANIEL LIBIT, 9/18/09, Politico)
At tea parties and town halls, conservative demonstrators oppose health care reform with signs bearing the abortion-rights slogan "Keep your laws off my body" or the line "Obama lies, Grandma dies" — an echo of the "Bush lied, they died" T-shirts worn to protest the Iraq war.Posted by Orrin Judd at September 18, 2009 6:22 AM
Conservative activists are yelling "Nazi!" and "Big Brother!" where they used to shout, "Nanny state!" and "Big Government!" [...]
Yes, the same folks that brought you Obama the Socialist have been appropriating the words and ways of leftists past — and generally letting their freak flag fly.
The left-wing rhetoric and symbolism is so thick on the right, in fact, that some conservatives have been taken aback by it: The logo for the Sept. 12 protest in Washington, which organizers called the "March on Washington," featured an image that looked so much like those associated with the labor, communist and black power movements that some participants objected to it — until they found out that's what the designers were shooting for. [...]
O'Keefe, the activist and filmmaker who posed as a pimp for an expose of several ACORN offices in the Northeast, told the New York Post earlier this week] that he, too, had been inspired by "Rules for Radicals," which includes such tactical lessons as "Ridicule is man's most potent weapon" and "Make the enemy live up to their own book of rules."
O'Keefe told the paper he was trying to expose the "absurdities of the enemy by employing their own rules and language."


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Juan Bautista de Anza
Blazed the Anza Trail
Juan Bautista de Anza was the first European to establish an overland route from Mexico, through the Sonoran Desert, to the Pacific coast of California. New World Spanish explorers had been seeking such a route through the desert southwest for more than two centuries.
Born in Mexico in 1736, Anza joined the army in 1752 and served on the northern frontier of Sonora. In 1774, he led a small expedition from the presidio at Tubac (now in Arizona) to the mission at Monterey, California. The following year, he led a second colonizing expedition with livestock and more than 200 people, to establish the mission and presidio at what would become San Francisco.
At the time of Anza's first expedition, the English still called California New Albion, the Russians were stalking the Pacific Northwest coast and the American Revolution was still years away. But starting in 1768, the Spaniards had already established a series of presidios and missions along the California coast as far north as Monterey.
Trailblazing Expedition
On January 9, 1774, 38-year-old Captain Anza left Tubac, Arizona, convinced he could find the long sought overland route through the desert to Alta California. His expedition included 21 soldiers, five mule packers, one interpreter, a carpenter and two personal servants. It also included a courier, two Franciscan friars and Sebastian Tarabal, a Baja California Indian who had just walked to Sonora from Mission San Gabriel (near Los Angeles) in California.
The expedition began by heading 125 miles south down the Old Mission Trail to Caborca, in hopes of resupplying livestock that the Apaches had driven off the week before. From Caborca, they headed northwest toward the Colorado River with 140 saddle horses, 65 beef cattle and 35 mules. A week later, they arrived at Sonoita, Papago Indian country, across from what is now the international border adjoining Organ Pipe National Monument.
The expedition continued northwest into friendly Yuma Indian territory, and on February 7th, arrived at the confluence of the Gila and Colorado rivers (present-day Yuma, Arizona) having traveled 375 miles.
With the help of Yuman Chief Palma, Anza forded the Colorado and entered California. But instead of traveling 180 degrees due west to San Diego as later generations would do, he turned south down the river to the delta area of the Sea of Cortez. There, the expedition wandered lost among the sand dunes for a month, until Anza was forced to send half of his men and livestock back to Yuma.
Anza finally discovered a route northwest, and with the remaining 25 men, emerged from the delta, crossing into the Yuha Desert west of Calexico, California, arriving at Yuha Wells on March 8th. Today, nearby Vista De Anza Monument in Imperial County commemorates this occasion.
Thirty miles north, Anza camped at the junction of San Felipe and Carrizo creeks (present-day Harpers Well), a marshy springs at the northern base of the Superstition Mountains. He named the marsh San Sebastian for his guide, Tarabal, and after trading with some 400 Kumeyaay assembled there, continued northwest up San Felipe Wash into the Borrego Valley.
The expedition arrived at the original Borrego Spring, five miles southeast of the present-day town of Borrego Springs, on March 12th, where he encountering another 60 Kumeyaay. A historic marker here indicates that Anza named the spring San Gregorio.
The expedition then proceeded north up Coyote Creek wash through present-day Anza Borrego Desert State Park to Coyote Canyon where Coyote Creek suddenly flowed abundantly. Anza named his first camp in the canyon Santa Catarina (called Lower Willows today).
Now in Cahuilla Indian country, they continued up Coyote Canyon through the pass between the San Jacinto and Santa Rose Mountains (which Anza named Royal Pass of San Carlos) into present-day Riverside County. Continuing their climb through one last steep gorge called Nance Canyon, the expedition emerged at an elevation of 4,000 feet overlooking the Cahuilla Valley. After another week's march through present-day Hemet and Riverside, across the Santa Ana and San Gabriel rivers, Anza and his expedition completed their historic mission. They arrived at the San Gabriel Mission (located on the eastern edge of present-day Los Angeles) on March 22, 74 days after leaving Tubac.
Upon his arrival back in Tubac on May 26, after traveling more than 2,000 miles, Anza immediately began plans to return to Alta California with a colonizing expedition.
Colonizing Expedition
A year later, after receiving permission and funding from Viceroy Bucareli in Mexico City, Anza began organizing his second expedition in the fall of 1775. Authorized to colonize the San Francisco Bay area by transporting 38 families, together with livestock and soldiers, he began to recruit from among the poor in Culiacan, 600 miles south of Tubac.
The assembled expedition finally left from Tubac on October 23, 1775, with 245 people (155 of them women and children), 340 horses, 165 pack mules, and 302 cattle. Father Pedro Font was selected to accompany this expedition, because of his expertise with navigation, along with a number of soldiers, 28 of whom would remain at the presidio once it was built in the San Francisco Bay region. The diary Font kept remains one of the great historical documents of the time.
Unlike the first expedition, this group headed north down the Santa Cruz River, arriving in Tucson on October 26. After meeting the Gila River on October 30, the expedition stopped for a day while Font and Anza visited the prehistoric ruins of Casa Grande on October 31th.
It took a month for the expedition, following the Gila River west, to arrive at the Colorado River and affect a reunion with Chief Palma and his band of Yumans on November 28th. After crossing the frigid Colorado, the expedition separated into three groups so that everyone could drink from the slow-filling desert water holes.
Unlike the first expedition, they headed due west past Pilot Knob, arriving again at Yuha Wells on December 11. From there, this expedition followed the same route to San Gabriel Mission as the first expedition.
After a freak desert snowstorm killed a number of their livestock, they headed up Coyote Canyon, going through San Carlos Pass on December 26. They arrived in San Gabriel on January 4th, 74 days after leaving Tubac and 8 months after leaving Culiacan, the principle point of assemblage. De Anza had succeeded in leading an enormous expedition safely to its destination through 1,800 miles of desert wilderness.
On February 17th, Anza and his expedition resumed their march north, traveling the familiar El Camino Real to Monterey, where they safely arrived on March 10th. While the colonists remained there, Anza with Font and a squad of soldiers spent the following month exploring the San Francisco Bay area. Before leaving, Anza designated the future site of both the San Francisco Presidio and Mission Dolores.
On April 13, 1776, Juan Bautista de Anza left Monterey and returned to Tubac. On June 17th, the colonists left Monterey to sew the seeds for the city of San Francisco. Two weeks later on July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies on the eastern shore of North America formally declared their independence from England.
Upon his return to Sonora, Juan Bautista de Anza Anza was named governor of New Mexico. He died 12 years later on December 19, 1788 and was buried in Arizipe, Sonora, Mexico.
Although rivals attempted to discredit his achievements, Anza's legacy is well established in history. He opened the overland corridor to the Pacific Southwest and had a primary role in the European settlement of California.
Anza arrived in California with two more people than he had left with. Three children were born along the way; one woman died in childbirth. The colonists who traveled the Anza Trail also gave birth to the cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Jose. Their cattle and horses provided the foundation stock for the vast herds which would establish the great ranchos of California in the following years.
In 1990, U.S. Congress created the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, comprising the overland route of the colonizing expedition from Tubac, Arizona to San Francisco, California. Today, the route is followed closely by paved highways. Portions of the trail are also available to hike or ride by horseback -- between Tumacacori National Historic Park and Tubac State Historic State Park in Arizona and in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California.
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By the NORTH ISLAND Heritage AND Equipment Club
North Island Heritage and Equipment will be back with us in 2021
The Club's objective has been to preserve and restore antique equipment, and to promote the equipment through exhibitions and demonstrations that show the pioneer way of living.
Demonstrations and displays have included grain threshing, grain grinding, tractor parades, many types of engines, old tools, an old-fashioned home, a garage, and a blacksmith shop. Our engine demonstrations and displays include flywheel engines that were once used for power before the days of electricity. They generated power for cream separators, water pumps and created general power for machine shop work. Other engine demos and displays include marine engines, antique out-boards, old trucks, and a wide assortment of antique tractors.
Take a Hay Ride
What is a day at the farm without a hay ride! Hop on to get to your next destination or just relax and take in the sites of the Comox Valley Exhibition.
Hay Rides: Throughout the days


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What To Do With a Three-Day Weekend Van Rental in Chicago
Do you have a three-day weekend coming up? If youre looking for an awesome trip, check out the awesome sites to see in Chicago. With lots of culture, sports and shopping, this midwestern metropolis has everything youre looking for in one quick getaway. Make it a spontaneous three-day adventure when you grab a weekend van rental and go!
Grant Park
Grant Park, often referred to as Chicagos Front Yard, contains several smaller parks within its vast complex, including Millennium Park. It also houses the Field Museum, The Art Institute of Chicago, the Buckingham Fountain, and the Shedd Aquarium. In addition to a variety of exhibits, shows, and activities, the park also features several baseball diamonds, flower gardens, and walking paths. Full of beautiful sites to see in Chicago, its a great place to spend the day.
The Field Museum of Natural History is full of history focused exhibits, including the largest T. Rex ever found, a lovely 42-foot long specimen named Sue. They also have a popular exhibit on ancient Egyptian tombs and monuments, as well as a room exploring Chinas first terracotta warriors. This museum also features a full calendar of events with seminars, classes, and presentations geared towards children and adults.
Now its time to take your weekend van rental on to the Art Institute of Chicago, an impressionist and post-impressionist museum, where you the art collections ranging from African, Byzantine, and Asian pieces to Medieval armor, European arts, and modern photography. The art institute features various guided tours and special exhibits which change monthly.
Buckingham Fountain is one of the largest public fountains in the world, with 134 jets that catapult water 150 feet in the air for 20 minutes of choreographed displays. At night, the displays are synchronized with lights and music.
The Shedd Aquarium, last stop on your Grant Park journey of sites to see in Chicago offers a great learning experience for children of all ages as it leads them on a journey through the depths of the ocean. Recently, since Pokemon Go has become a huge phenomenon, the aquarium even has a guide to catching nearby Pokemon!
Millennium Park
Located just north of the Art Institute of Chicago, this 24.5-acre park offers lots to do.Millennium Park With weeks of annual concerts and festivals, including their annual summer music and film series, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion has become a monument synonymous with the arts. The park, open 6 am to 11 pm daily, also features lots of concerts, galleries, and even segway tours.
Another iconic Millennium Park monument is the Cloud Gate, or The Bean, a large metallic sculpture that was designed by Spanish artist, Jaume Plensa, which reflects the Chicago skyline.
After a visit at The Bean, take your weekend van rental and enjoy the view at the Crown Fountain. Crown fountain,Wrigley Field one of the premier modern sites to see in Chicago, is made of LED screens that feature the faces of 1,000 different Chicago residents. The water spouts, lined up with their mouths, make it seem as if the various faces are spitting water on visitors. At night, its LED lights shine in bright colors, interactive even when the sun is down.
Wrigley Field
A mandatory site to see in Chicago for any baseball fan is Wrigley Field, as the Chicago Cubs call this stadium their home. Built in 1914, the only baseball field older than Wrigley Field is Bostons Fenway Park. With a seating capacity of over 40,000, this field was where Babe Ruth "called shot" in the third game of the 1932 World Series, where the great May 2, 1917, pitching duel between Jim "Hippo" Vaughn and the Reds' Fred Toney took place, and where Ernie Banks made his 500th career home run on May 12, 1970. Catch a game or tour the stadium with daily tours that take you through the bleachers, the dugout, press box, and even the field (if it is not a game day).
Willis Tower Skydeck
If you want to experience more sites to see in Chicago, climb to the 103rd floor of the 110th story of Willis Tower to find the glass floor Skydeck. Not only will you be able to look straight down at the streets below, but youll get a firsthand view of the city from the second tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. From this scenic vista, you can see all the way to Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
360 Chicago
After hours spent in the seats of a weekend van rental, you may be looking for adventures and thrills. The 360 Chicago will definitely fulfill these requirements with tilted, vertical views of Chicago over 1,000 feet above the ground.
The Magnificent Mile
The Magnificent Mile is an elegant locale, featuring famous stores and more sites to see in Chicago. The mile offers high-end shopping experience of a lifetime with flagship stores such as Neiman Marcus, Macys, Saks Fith Avenue and Chicagos finest hotels including The Drake and The Four Seasons. With a weekend van rental, its easy to travel along The Mile, visiting your favorite stores and eateries.
Navy Pier
With over 100 years of history, The Navy Pier offers a beautiful, carnival-like experience. The 34-acre pier extends out onto Lake Michigan and showcases many free public art exhibitions, as well as the largest outdoor installation in the U.S. With art displays and carnival activities like a Ferris wheel, swing seat ride, carousel, mini golf, fun house, beer garden, concerts, and fireworks, the pier is a great place to bring the family for a weekend van rental adventure.
Chicago Theater
One of Chicagos most recognizable landmarks, the Chicago Theater opened in 1921 as an exquisite, high-society cinema. Today, visitors can take guided tours of this famous French Baroque-style theater. On the tour, you can see the signed walls of the dressing rooms used by legendary stars including Frank Sinatra and Dolly Parton.
Time to Explore
Chicago is absolutely full of fun activities for an adventurous three-day weekend escapade. The city has fine dining, enthralling museums, cerebral art exhibits, and some of the worlds best hotels. Grab a weekend van rental from Airport Van Rental and start exploring the many fantastic sites to see in Chicago for a weekend you will never forget!


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The Senate Ethics Committee's report accusing John Ensign of violating federal and campaign-finance laws doesn't just reflect poorly on the former Nevada senator. It also highlights lingering questions about the Federal Election Commission's ability to do its job.
Among the investigation's findings was the revelation that Ensign, who resigned last month, lied to the FEC by claiming that a $96,000 payment his affluent parents made to Cynthia and Doug Hampton–the former aide with whom he had an affair, and her husband, also an Ensign staffer–was a "gift" rather than a severance package. The Ethics Committee, citing "substantial credible evidence" that Ensign had violated campaign-finance regulations, referred the matter back to the FEC for future inquiry.
It's an open question whether the attention the lurid saga has garnered will make the FEC more responsive this time around. In the summer of 2009, the commission received a complaint about a payment Ensign made to the Hampton family. The complaint, filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a nonprofit watchdog organization, claimed that the money constituted a severance payment to Cynthia Hampton, which would violate campaign-finance regulations. CREW asked the FEC to investigate.
In March 2010, the FEC's general counsel's office filed its report. It argued there was "reason to believe" the payment was severance, that Ensign's parents and treasurer had given and received contributions that exceeded the legal limit, and that the Senator's campaign and PAC had failed to disclose it. The report did not recommend taking action against Ensign himself. But it argued,"We need to investigate the circumstances of this payment." The document was signed by three attorneys.
The FEC ignored the advice. Eight months later, it voted 5-0 to dismiss the complaint and close the file on Ensign. (One member of the six-person commission, Steven Walther, recused himself.) "The sworn affidavits submitted by the Ensigns constitute the only direct evidence of their intent in making this payment. As a practical matter, it is doubtful that an investigation would produce any additional evidence that would contradict or outweigh this testimony," wrote the commissioners. "Testimony from other parties, such as the Hamptons, would be unlikely to shed any light on the Ensigns' intent. It is similarly unlikely that an investigation would uncover circumstantial evidence–such as a writing or statement by the Ensigns to a third party–that would contradict or outweigh the evidence already before the committee. Accordingly, we conclude that an investigation in this matter is unwarranted and would not be an efficient use of Commission resources."
In a 22-month investigation that included interviews with 72 witnesses, the Ethics Committee produced reams of evidence that contradict Ensign's claims, according to its report. On the central question of the payment's intent, at least four witnesses told Ethics Committee investigators that the money was for severance; one reportedly said Ensign told him, "I'm going to give [Doug Hampton] as much severance as possible." Ensign's initial drafts of the statement admitting the affair referring to the gift as severance, according to the document; the language was changed when Ensign was advised that the phrasing could expose him to criminal charges. "As usual, when confronted with evidence of campaign finance violations, the FEC did exactly nothing," CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan said then.
The question is: Why didn't the FEC act? In a blistering March 15, 2011, letter to President Obama, eight watchdog organizations (including CREW) called the FEC "dysfunctional" and charged it with "spectacularly failing to meet its statutory responsibilities." The writers chalked up part of the problem to the FEC's appointment process. Presidents have the power to select nominees for the six-member commission, which by law is equally balanced between Republicans and Democrats. But the tradition is to tap noncontroversial loyalists. "We call on you to discard the past practice of allowing party leaders in Congress, in essence, to name the FEC Commissioners, the result of which all too often has been Commissioners who either serve partisan interests or are ideologically opposed to the laws," the letter implores Obama, who will have the opportunity to remake the commission by naming five new members. Still, campaign-finance experts caution that sweeping change is unlikely. The FEC declined comment for this story.
Campaign-finance reform advocates have long dismissed the FEC as a feckless body with little interest in or ability to carry out its oversight mission. To critics, the Ensign investigation is another stain on that already spotty record.


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Pattern Type: Printed
Occasion: Vacation/Beach
Material: Polyester
Style: Beach Mat
Color: RAINBOW
Size: Free Size
|This is the manual measurements of tile size, actual size may have 1-3 cm difference, please understand and know in advance. Thank you! (Units/inch)
|Free Size
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USA, Australia, Canada, Europe:
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7-15 days (standard shipping)
Asia: about 3-10 days
Other Countries: about 20 days
We offer free standard shipping for orders of more than $49 in value.
If you can't wait to get your new clothes, we also offer Express shipping. It costs $29 and takes about 4-8 days to delivery.


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An ME diagnosis is a shock for most patients. Many sufferers live more or less a normal life with the exception of periodic worsening of the symptoms which may prevent them from going to work or school. However, there are also patients with a severe form of ME who are dependent on their family members not only to provide for them financially but also to care for them. There have been cases of full recovery but they are the exception rather than the rule. For most people, ME diagnosis means they will have to live with the condition for the rest of their lives. To cope more easily, prepare for a life-long battle and learn to live with the condition, ME patients and their loved ones are recommended to take advantage of the many books, booklets and other materials about living with ME which provide answers to most questions.
ME is a very complex condition which is still poorly understood. To make matters worse, there is no agreement about virtually anything in the medical community. As a result, there is a lot of conflicting information about the condition both online and offline. Before starting to read about management/treatment of ME, patients and their loved ones are advised to start with the basics in order to understand what they are dealing with.
The understanding of ME is progressing at a rapid pace on a virtually daily basis. There are more researchers working on its causes, management, prevention, treatments, etc. than ever before. The results of their studies, however, should be taken with a lot of caution. The headlines announcing revolutionary breakthroughs, new treatments or even cures, etc. are very exciting but it is important to be aware that it takes years of research and testing for efficacy and safety before a new treatment becomes available to patients.
ME doesn't cause suffering for the patients alone. It also causes a lot of suffering for their family members and loved ones who suddenly find themselves as sole providers and caregivers at the same time. In addition to informing themselves about the condition and how to help, family members and loved ones of ME patients are therefore recommended read guides on how to live with an ME patient and above all, stay healthy themselves.


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Claims that 8 Million Have Signed Up for the Exchanges Are Suspect
ObamaCare Has Not Resulted in Three Million Young People Gaining Coverage or Protected 129 Million People with Pre-Existing Conditions
Washington DC – In an article today in the Federalist titled "Why ObamaCare's Enrollment Triumph Will Prove Fleeting," National Center for Public Policy Research Senior Fellow Dr. David Hogberg challenges the numbers the Obama Administration used yesterday to claim ObamaCare is working.
Yesterday President Obama claimed that 8 million people had enrolled via the exchanges. Not only does that number fail to account for the enrollees who have not paid their premiums, it also fails to account for people who will leave the exchanges for employer-based coverage or Medicaid.
"A study of the California exchange found that accounting for those factors could, by the end of the year, reduce enrollment in Covered California to less than 60 percent of what it is today," said Dr. Hogberg. "Assuming those factors play out nationwide, the final number of exchange enrollees will be far less than 8 million."
In a follow-up email to the President's speech, the Department of Health and Human Services claimed that 3 million young people had gained coverage via their parents' insurance because of ObamaCare.
Two weeks ago the National Center released a study by Dr. Hogberg showing that statistic is bogus. It inflates the number of young people gaining coverage by including both gains in private and public coverage. Further, an examination of Census Bureau data suggests the number is closer to 258,000.
"The fact is we have no clue how many young people have gained coverage through their parents," Dr. Hogberg. "The numbers flying around are too unreliable for President Obama to be using them."
Finally, the email claimed due to ObamaCare 129 million Americans with pre-exiting conditions no longer have to worry about being denied coverage or charge higher premiums.
But research shows that barely 1 percent of the population under age 65 was denied insurance due to a pre-existing condition. In fact, barely 107,000 people — .04 percent of the population under 65 — signed up ObamaCare's risk pool for people with pre-existing condition.
"The problem of pre-existing conditions has long been exaggerated for political purposes, so it's not a surprise to see the Administration using the discredited 129 million figure," said Dr. Hogberg. "This Administration's has proven shameless when it comes to using bogus statistics.
Other health care publications by Dr. Hogberg are available here, and his March 11 testimony at the U.S. Senate on the problems with government-run health care systems can be viewed here.
The National Center for Public Policy Research, founded in 1982, is a non-partisan, free-market, independent conservative think-tank. Ninety-four percent of its support comes from individuals, three percent from foundations, and three percent from corporations. It receives over 350,000 individual contributions a year from over 96,000 active recent contributors.
Contributions are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated.


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TwinGo Carrier Infant Insert
The TwinGo Carrier Infant Insert is an innovative piece of padded fabric that you use to raise a newborn baby higher in the TwinGo Carrier. It creates a seat-like platform to support healthy hip and spine positioning in the front carry position, so that baby's hips and legs aren't overextended in the TwinGo Carrier. For additional neck and head support, you can either roll the sleep hood and use extension straps to support the baby's head or use the TwinGo Carrier Panel Extender.
When do I use the TwinGo Carrier infant insert?
Use the TwinGo Carrier Infant Insert to support newborn babies weighing from 7 lbs (3.2 kg). You can use the insert until your baby's legs can naturally spread to straddle the panel of the TwinGo Carrier. At that stage the fabric of the TwinGo Carrier supports baby from knee to knee and does not overextend baby's hips.
How do I use the Infant Insert?
The Infant Insert attaches directly to the waist belt of the TwinGo Carrier before placing your baby in the carrier.
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Quality education is not cheap. Luckily, there are hundreds of thousands of scholarships available to students across the world. Despite this great abundance, many students hesitate to apply for scholarships because of several commonly-believed myths.
We've put together this article to help dispel some of the most harmful of these myths. Knowing the truth will help applicants see they have a far better chance at winning a scholarship than they'd previously thought.
TRUTH: Academic standing is not always the top, or even an exclusive, consideration for awarding a scholarship.
While many scholarships do take grade point averages into account, most only use them to determine if an applicant's grades are above a minimum cut-off point. Sometimes these cut-off points are as low as 2.5.
Some scholarships may not even consider grade point averages, focusing more on a student's interests and skill sets. Some examples of alternate considerations for scholarships include: politics, community service, school leadership, artistic ability and many others. These are only a few of the many skills that could influence scholarship awards beyond GPA.
There are scholarship providers out there that weigh more heavily on GPA. For these situations, applicants should keep in mind that GPA is usually only one part of an overall application. A student's essay, accomplishments, talents and interests will also frequently play an important role in the decision to award the scholarship.
TRUTH: Financial capacity, or the lack thereof, does not always play a major role in scholarship consideration.
Applicants with documented financial need are not always the sole recipients of scholarship awards. In fact, there are countless programs that do not require any financial information from applicants. Scholarship providers realize that most students, regardless of their parents' annual income, are still in need of scholarships.
TRUTH: There are scholarships available to every student. It's just a matter of finding the right one.
There are plenty of scholarships that do not take into account one's ethnic background. Whether an applicant is a minority or not, he or she may still apply for non culture-specific scholarships. Whatever a student's heritage may be, there is a scholarship available for him or her. The key is finding the scholarship that best matches the applicant's abilities, citizenship and ethnicity.
TRUTH: Scholarships are offered to high school, undergraduate, post-graduate and even doctoral students.
Seniors in high school aren't the only students who can qualify for a scholarship. A range of scholarships exists at every level of secondary and college education.
Another important concept to remember is that age is not a restricting factor for education level specific scholarships. While many college seniors are in their 20's, a college senior in their 50's would be just as eligible to receive a scholarship award based on the same educational level.
TRUTH: Depending on the scholarship policy, awarded money can sometimes be used on indirect costs.
Generally speaking, scholarship providers expect the awarded amount to cover tuition and miscellaneous fees, but it can sometimes also be used for other expenses, depending on the scholarship policy. For instance, spending scholarship money on a computer that will be used during school is generally not a violation of policy. Students can apply for and win multiple scholarships each year, giving them enough money to cover tuition, living costs, a computer and even transportation. Know each scholarship's policy, however, before spending any of your award.
TRUTH: Most scholarship programs do not restrict academic decisions.
Students should be aware of each scholarship's policy on changing majors. Sometimes changing a major will have an effect on an awarded scholarship, but others may be fine with a major change.
If a scholarship is awarded and the student decides not to attend school for a semester or two, many scholarships can even be deferred.
TRUTH: Scholarships have varied submission deadlines; and many reopen annually.
Not all scholarships have the same deadline. Pay attention to each individual scholarship's deadline. Deadlines give both the scholarship committee and the applicant enough time to make necessary preparations, deliberations and adjustments before school begins. Scholarship committees frequently go through a time-consuming process in picking winners: conducting interviews, reviewing essays, assessing backgrounds and many other steps. Most colleges begin in early August, so April makes for an ideal deadline. Just remember that this isn't always the deadline.
If a student fails to submit an application on time, he or she can apply when the scholarship reopens, usually in another semester or year.
Don't let any of these common myths stop you from applying for a scholarship. Scholarships vary immensely and there are enough out there that any student can find one that fits their qualifications. Remember to check out Scholar Box for more helpful tips.
Contact us with any comments or questions about this article.
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ANDY MURRAY is set to partner brother Jamie in Davis Cup doubles for the first time since 2011 after both were named in the Great Britain team to face the USA in next month's World Group clash in Glasgow.
Andy is expected to play on all three days, with James Ward the second singles player and Jamie's fellow doubles specialist Dominic Inglot completing the four-man line-up.
Leon Smith's team will look for a repeat of last year's performance at the same stage, when they upset the US in San Diego to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1986.
The tie takes place at the Emirates Arena from March 6-8, and a doubles clash between the Murray brothers and America's top-ranked Bryan twins on the middle day would be a highly-anticipated occasion.
Jamie Murray is named in the team for the first time since a straight-sets win alongside Andy against Luxembourg in Glasgow four seasons ago, when Britain were down in Europe/Africa Zone Group II.
After a period of struggling for form, he has enjoyed two seasons of success with Australian partner John Peers and is Britain's highest-ranked doubles player at 31 in the world.
The 29-year-old said: "I'm happy and proud to be back in the Davis Cup team. It's been seven years since I last played a World Group match so to be playing at home in Glasgow will make it extra special.
"I know how much fun Davis Cup weeks are so I can't wait to get back with the team and start preparing for this tie."
Smith has named British singles number three Kyle Edmund as the reserve, and he could opt to change his team up to an hour before the draw next Wednesday.
Keeping Inglot gives Smith the option to rest Andy from the doubles should he have a lengthy singles clash on the Friday or Britain be in a strong position.
That was the case last year when Ward upset Sam Querrey to give Britain a 2-0 lead on day one and, although Inglot and Colin Fleming lost the doubles, Andy wrapped up victory in the fourth rubber.
But selecting two doubles specialists would mean Britain had no singles back-up in the event of injury or illness to Andy or Ward.
Smith said: "From a selection point of view we've been able to choose our strongest possible team, which is of course spearheaded by Andy Murray, who is significantly ahead of where he was 12 months ago.
"The tie will be a huge deal for him personally as he returns to play in Scotland for the first time since winning Wimbledon in 2013.
"In James Ward, we have somebody who has already proven himself against the US Davis Cup team, and I'd back him again to put in another excellent performance after some consistent recent form has seen him on the verge of cracking the top 100 for the first time.
"I've selected our top two doubles players in Jamie and Dom, and again they've showed real consistency this year to earn their place in the team.
"As a group, all the guys deserve this opportunity and I know we're all excited to get together in Glasgow and get the tie under way."
Fleming is the unlucky man having established himself as Andy's regular Davis Cup partner over the past couple of seasons.
The Scot is currently the British doubles number four and missed the Australian Open following the birth of his daughter in December.


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Somewhere in Kansas, there's a hairstylist that's turning her clients' heads into works of art — literally. Here name is Ursula Goff, and she specializes in custom hair color. Recently, she's been showing off her skills by dying people's hair to look like iconic paintings, and her interpretation of classic art via women's locks is pretty impressive. According to Goff, she's loved art since she was a kid, and thinks of hair as canvass. All things considered, combining her love of fine art with her profession was a natural transition, and now people are keeping her booked solid for a chance to have fine art-inspired coifs. See some examples of Goff's work below.
**Goff takes her inspiration from classic paintings, such as the Girl With The Pearl Earring.**
Next in the Fine Art series is Girl With a Pearl Earring, by Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. What is interesting about this color palette, along with many other Vermeer works, is his almost grandiose use of the blue tone (probably ultramarine), which was unusual at the time for artists, as it was a VERY expensive pigment, and Vermeer was not known to have made a lot of money in his lifetime. This pop of color against the warmer brown tones of the rest of the canvas give the painting a sense of newness, contrasted with the duller tones of most other paintings in the 17th century. It's also an excellent study in light and shadow, which Vermeer had an uncanny ability to recreate (it's been suggested that he may have had some help on that with camera obscuras or similar optics). If you want to see some of the earliest works of photorealism, look into some more of Vermeer's work, particularly "The Art of Painting" and "The Astronomer". #art #painting #vermeer #johannesvermeer #dutch #mermaidhair #unicornhair #rainbowhair #specialeffects #redken #redkenshades #behindthechair #modernsalon @bestcupcakemum A photo posted by Ursula Goff (@uggoff) on Jan 21, 2016 at 9:10am PST
Fine Art Series: Red Canna Lily, by Georgia O'Keeffe, who may be the female artist most people are familiar with. This painting is in the style she is most well known for: large close-ups of individual flowers. However, O'Keeffe herself didn't appreciate the interpretations given these works – most attributed Freudian theories (popular at the time), which of course meant that many assumed these to be representations of female genitalia. Second wave feminists even went so far as to consider O'Keeffe a pioneer of "female iconography", but O'Keefe continued to insist that she had simply painted flowers, and refused to work with feminist groups on any projects, feeling as though her own ideas had been co-opted by other agendas. This encouraged a change in subject matter for her, although she still painted in a characteristic style, using oils but conveying a soft, blended feel more reminiscent of water colors. This change did not harm her career, and she continued to be held in high regard and acquired a moderate amount of fame throughout the course of her life. I think her story brings forth interesting questions about the relationship between art and the viewer: does the artist alone get to control what their art is about? Or does the audience get to have a say? Do we have to accept outside interpretations for art, even if the artist disagrees with them? Is it fair to tell an artist what they may be "subconsciously" conveying? This is one of the fears of putting oneself out there artistically: that you will be misunderstood, misrepresented, and perhaps even rejected – understood or otherwise. O'Keeffe's situation, then, clearly demonstrates the vulnerability of being an artist. #art #painting #okeefe #georgiaokeeffe #redcanna #lilies #fineart #vulnerability #redhair #orangehair #yellowhair #flowers #modernsalon #behindthechair #fashionablygeek @nikkdawgg A photo posted by Ursula Goff (@uggoff) on Jan 27, 2016 at 10:12am PST
**This version of Van Gogh's Starry Night looks amazing in hair form.**
Fine Art Series: I am sharing Van Gogh's "Starry Night" again for those who missed it, and also because I didn't originally publish any background on it. This is only one piece of a rather large body of work completed the last two years of Van Gogh's life, and Van Gogh himself was not impressed with it, never having any inkling that it would go on to become one of the most recognized pieces of art in Western history. He began it shortly after being admitted to the St. Rémy de Provence asylum, and it's largely composed of the view from his room, with the addition of a fictional village. Earlier in life, he had been very religious and had set out to become a pastor, but could never pass his exams and he struggled with his mental health continuously. He later abandoned religion, but still seemed to be searching for meaning and purpose, speculating that "hope is in the stars" – referencing the desire to experience an afterlife, perhaps in the stars or in another dimension. This desire stemmed from the fact that he had never been particularly happy, and suffered from depression, hallucinations, delusions, psychotic breaks, and a general inability to function, often trying to live and work on his own, but always failing, which would result in admittance to an asylum or going back to live with family or friends. He ultimately took his own life at age 37, dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound that became infected. It could be argued that Van Gogh's mental illness fueled his creativity and made him a great artist, but even if that's true, his story is heartbreaking. It's hard for me to gauge if his enormous contributions to art were worth all the suffering this poor man endured. It's commonly believed, however, that suffering and art go hand in hand. What do you think? #art #fineart #vangogh #starrynight #starrynighthair #bluehair #yellowhair #postimpressionism #modernsalon #behindthechair A photo posted by Ursula Goff (@uggoff) on Jan 30, 2016 at 8:11am PST
**And this painting by Warhol was basically destined to be a killer hairdo.**
Fine Art Series: Andy Warhol may be the most iconic artist of the 20th century. He was fascinated with fame and Hollywood, and is most well known for his silk screen portraits of celebrities, although he also dabbled in other mediums, like film and music, and wrote two books and had his own magazine. His numerous renditions of Marilyn Monroe in various combinations of bright colors may be almost as famous as Marilyn herself, and his background as an illustrator shows in his "as-is" style, where he did not correct smudges or mistakes in his prints, believing that mistakes could be better than perfection. He was sometimes accused of being superficial in his art, but likely didn't mind such a designation, even admitting at one point that he loved how "plastic" Hollywood is, and that he even wished to be plastic himself. He blurred the line between art and consumerism, creating much of his art with the help of assistants on a production line, not unlike that of other commodities, and even named his studio "The Factory". What do you guys think – is it art if it's still mass produced and filled with "mistakes"? Or do the mistakes contribute to the uniqueness of each piece enough that they all qualify as "real" art? Is a print of a Campbell's soup can art? Is art defined by the skill or time involved, or by the image itself, or both? These are some of the sorts the questions that Warhol's work generated, and they are still relevant today. #Warhol #popart #marilynmonroe #silkscreen #screenprint #art #artist #pinkhair #yellowhair #specialeffects #behindthechair #modernsalon A photo posted by Ursula Goff (@uggoff) on Jan 22, 2016 at 10:42am PST
**She really captured the colors and subtle variations of Monet's Waterlilies.**
Fine Art Series: This is one of many water lilies paintings that Claude Monet painted. Monet is the most famous of the Impressionist artists, who sought to focus on light and movement, often at the expense of form. Initially not well received, the term "Impressionism" was borrowed from a derogatory review by an art critic. However, it ultimately created the inertia that moved art into the modern period, freeing up a multitude of future artists to use freer and looser styles. Monet himself, however, struggled to internalize the influence of his work, battling depression and feelings of failure his entire life, destroying as many as 500 hundred of his own paintings, and even attempting suicide at one point. This goes to illustrate that no matter our feelings about ourselves, we can still have an enormous ongoing influence in the world; perhaps in that sense, there is no such thing as failure. #art #painting #Impressionism #Monet #impressionists #bluehair #greenhair #minthair #behindthechair #modernsalon A photo posted by Ursula Goff (@uggoff) on Jan 26, 2016 at 7:14pm PST
**No matter which painting she takes inspiration from, every single head of hair is a masterpiece.**
I often get asked where I went to hair school, and what sort of cosmetology education background I have. The answer is probably disappointing for most people – I went to a community college Cosmo program and have almost no other training outside of that. However, I have done art since I was 5, first developing hand skills as a sketcher, and then expanding those skills into color by working with acrylics, tempera, and especially water colors. I tend to color hair much the same way I color a canvas, using the same sorts of color application techniques and identical color theory. So in honor of my art background being so useful, I thought I'd do a Fine Art series, similar in concept to the Starry Night/hair presentation I recently did. Today, I'm sharing the work of Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. His work tends to fall under the Symbolism category, and this is his most well known painting, "The Scream", which has a bit of an unusual color palette, which I think contributes to the emotional discord of the image. I tend to very strongly agree with Munch's art philosophy: "I do not believe in the art which is not the compulsive result of Man's urge to open his heart." Many things I make simply because they are pretty, but my favorite pieces force themselves out of me in surges of emotional energy. Without art, I think I'd be far more dysfunctional, as I would struggle to express myself in other ways. @asset35 #painting #symbolism #edvardmunch #thescream #rainbowhair #mermaidhair #unicornhair #orangehair #bluehair #joico #specialeffects #pravana #behindthechair A photo posted by Ursula Goff (@uggoff) on Jan 20, 2016 at 8:48am PST
Fine Art Series: This is the famous "Birth of Venus", by Boticelli. This painting is enormous – 6 by 9 feet – and has some interesting history behind it. First off, it was painted in the early Renaissance period (1480's), and it's one of the first serious works ever done on canvas (in tempera, which is egg based paint), as wood panels had been the preferred surface before. More interestingly, it also depicts a fully nude woman who is NOT affiliated with Christianity, which was considered somewhat scandalous at the time. This was probably a reflection of the growing interest in humanism and the re-emergence of mythology in art at the time. However, Boticelli himself is said to have had a nervous breakdown due to his guilt in painting "pagan" works after a fanatical friar briefly gained power in Florence, Italy. The friar, named Savanarola, criticized and condemned "vanity" items like jewelry, books, mirrors, and frivolous art, and even had an event called "The Burning of the Vanities", where an enormous pile of such items was set on fire in the town square! How Boticelli's painting escaped its demise in this event is not known, but his work took a decidedly more spiritual, Christian turn afterwards. This brings to mind questions about censorship – what do you guys think? Should some art be censored? Is some art inappropriate? If so, who gets to decide, and what should be done with inappropriate art? How does this incident compare with more recent censorship situations? @sadiehutch2013 #art #Boticelli #venus #birthofvenus #greekmyths #greekmythology #renaissance #painting #tempera #bluehair #rainbowhair #unicornhair #mermaidhair #behindthechair #modernsalon A photo posted by Ursula Goff (@uggoff) on Jan 23, 2016 at 11:25am PST


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It has been an interesting day, a mixed blessing. Leslie bought me some Smuckers grape jelly and I hollowed out a half an orange, filled it with the jam and stuck it on a metal point on my bird feeder last night. The hooded orioles went crazy for the stuff. When I went outside this morning they were on the tree next to the feeder.
I ended up buying an oriole feeder on Amazon with spare credit card points. Going to take a while to get here. Will try to snap some pictures of the beautiful birds in the interim.
Natives of India and southeast Asia, they started to be seen in California sometime in the 1980's. Very cute little guys.
Everybody is happy in the yard, including the lesser goldfinches.
I went into work this morning hoping to cut through my application nightmare on disaster relief. I had no success with unemployment. The EDD online portal asks you for your last W-2 and I haven't had one since 1993. So even though they now are supposed to grant benefits to the self employed, the web portal simply isn't set up to. So I will wait, hopefully someone is fixing the problem. I know I am not the first but I dashed off a couple letters to them anyway.
I managed to get ahold of someone at SBA who knew what they were talking about. The good news is that she found my EIDL submission, which had a first number that started with 2. The bad news is that it was never assigned to a lender and was now effectively moot. So nice to talk to someone in government who was knowledgable and that I could rely on, for better or for worse.
So the very nice woman held my hand and directed me to the proper place and I refiled my application, which now starts with the number 3. (If you filed previously and have a number starting with 2, forget about it. It is dead. refile) Here is the app link. She was emphatic in making sure that I wrote the number down that I was assigned at completion because there is no email confirmation this time (not like the last one did any good.) You give them your banking and routing number and presto, supposedly if all is copacetic, money ends up in your bank account. Warning: You cannot file both EIDL and the PPP at the same time. One or the other according to the rep. Try it and you might just get them both tossed.
Anyway hoping someone out there can benefit from my troubles and tribulations. That is why I am recounting my journey. So now I am refiled, have my number, have my fingers crossed and we will all see what happens.


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Idea to Investment (I2I) for the Media Industry is the leading training program in Singapore for the media and interactive and digital media (IDM) companies. Co-organized by Expara and the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA). I2I has trained and put in front of investors more than 540 entrepreneurs from 272 companies since 2007.
During the two-day, intensive, hands-onm workshop, participants will develop the key elementsof their business strategy, business plan, financial model and investor presentations.
I2I is open to all sectors of media industry, and to companies of all sizes, maturity and stage of development. We help existing companies to grow and new companies to get started.
To know more about this event, visit www.expara.com


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NEW! Mella INNER BAG, black
Regular price €40,00 EUR
Regular priceUnit price per
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"To elongate the lifespan of your Mella."
Linen inner part is attached by the snap fastener to the inner bottom of the Mella handbag (sold separately). It can be removed and easily transferred with it's contents into another handbag or back bag. Pull the cotton strings to close the inner bag. This bag can be washed in washing machine in 40 degrees with dark colors.
Mella INNER BAG is included if you purchase Mella handbag.
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Deliverytime at the moment 5 days. We also offer you repair service for our cork products. Please contact us for more information: orders(at)katriinanuutinen.fi


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Introduction of Original Certificate Service for Trade Secrets
On 22nd November 2010 the Institute of Patent Information, an affiliated organisation of the Intellectual Property Office, implemented a new system called the Original Certificate Service for Trade Secrets, which certifies the existence and creation time of trade secrets.
Recently, there has been an increase in trade secret cases in Korea and it is anticipated that this trend will continue. In such cases, identifying and proving the actual trade secret that is the subject of the lawsuit are practically significant. However, the scope of what qualifies as a trade secret is relatively broad and vague. Thus, it is unclear when individual information constituting or including a trade secret is created, changed or extinguished.
Additionally, by its nature, there are no specific methods by which a trade secret can be made public. Therefore, if the information that falls under the definition of a trade secret is not managed systematically, it often becomes difficult for the secret holder or investigating authorities to identify which portion of the information is considered to be a trade secret when an alleged violation occurs. For this reason, even in cases where trade secrets are leaked or misappropriated, victims of trade secret leaks have often been hindered from taking aggressive legal measures or achieving positive results after taking legal action. In response to these concerns, this new service was introduced in order to ease the burden of specifying trade secrets and proving a violation.
The service provides a way to prove objectively the exact time when an electronic document is created (and thus the originality thereof) by using an electronic "time stamp". By using software provided by the institute, a hash code is extracted from the document and given to the institute, which in turn issues a time stamp corresponding to that specific hash code. If verification is needed later, the document's time of creation and its originality can be confirmed by comparing the hash code stored in the institute's database with the issued time stamp. By maintaining time stamps through the service, forgery and/or falsification of trade secrets can also be proved. The reliability of this system can be secured to some degree because the institute issuing the time stamp and handling the verification procedure is a government organisation.
To use the service, it is not necessary to disclose original documents that constitute or include trade secrets; it is sufficient to provide the institute with the relevant hash codes. Using the service also has the advantage of allowing only the trade secrets holder to maintain possession of the actual trade secrets concerned. On the other hand, issuance of a time stamp does not necessarily mean that the electronic document concerned is automatically recognised as a trade secret. The institute issues time stamps based on hash codes that are extracted from electronic documents regardless of the contents thereof. As such, whether information contained in the electronic document concerned satisfies all the requirements for trade secrets (ie, non-public, economic value and maintenance of confidentiality) must be proven separately.
Nonetheless, the service is helpful in preserving trade secrets by allowing for a systematic way of proving the creation date of electronic documents that constitute or include trade secrets. For instance, if a time stamp is systematically issued to a research note and is managed, it is possible, in the course of litigation, to prove objectively when the development (eg, of the research outcome) occurred. It may also be possible to confirm the contents of the research and development conducted during each applicable time period, which will be helpful in identifying the trade secret itself or in proving a violation.
The service is available only to individuals or entities residing in Korea, but the possibility of extending the service to foreigners residing overseas or to foreign corporations operating in other countries is under discussion.
This is an Insight article, written by a selected partner as part of IAM's co-published content. Read more on Insight
Copyright © Law Business ResearchCompany Number: 03281866 VAT: GB 160 7529 10


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BEIJING (AP) — China says it is challenging a U.S. tariff hike on solar panels before the World Trade Organization, adding to its sprawling conflicts with President Donald Trump over trade and technology.
The 30 percent tariffs announced in January improperly help U.S. producers in violation of WTO rules, the Commerce Ministry said. It said a formal complaint was filed Tuesday with the WTO in Geneva.
tED magazine has reported that both NECA and the Solar Industry Trade Association strongly oppose the tariff.
The solar duties are separate from tariff hikes imposed by the Trump administration starting in July on Chinese imports in response to complaints Beijing steals or pressures companies to hand over technology.
The duties also apply to imports of solar cells and modules from Europe, Canada, Mexico and South Korea. That strained relations with U.S. allies.
The Trump administration has defended the solar tariffs as necessary to protect American producers, saying import prices were unfairly low due to subsidies and other improper support.
Washington took action under a 1974 U.S. law instead of through the WTO. That led to complaints it was undermining the global trade body. U.S. officials say such action is necessary because the WTO lacks the ability to address Chinese trade tactics.
China has tried to portray itself as a defender of the WTO-based trading system. It has attempted to recruit European and other governments as allies against Washington, but they echo U.S. complaints about Chinese market barriers and industrial policy.
The European Union filed its own WTO complaint in June against Chinese technology policies it said violate Beijing's free-trade commitments.
The U.S. solar action "seriously damaged China's trade interests" and "also affects the seriousness and authority of WTO rules," said a Commerce Ministry statement.
WTO complaints begin with negotiations between parties to the dispute. If those fail, the case moves to a panel of experts who can decide whether the trade controls are improper.
In their technology dispute, Washington imposed 25 percent duties on $34 billion of Chinese goods it said benefit from improper industrial policies. Beijing responded with similar penalties.
Another round of U.S. tariff hikes on $16 billion of Chinese goods is due to take effect Aug. 23. Beijing says it will retaliate.
Earlier, Beijing filed a separate WTO challenge on July 16 to Trump's proposal for yet another round of increases that would add 25 percent import duties on an additional $200 billion of Chinese goods.
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Tagged with China, solar, tariffs


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The two sides will instead us a mediator to communicate.
Following the contentious meeting overnight, the teachers union released a statement that members will no longer meet face-to-face with school officials after a "screaming outburst by the board's attorney… We are disappointed that the board members would allow their spokesperson to behave in such a disrespectful manner."
"The chief spokesperson for the board was asking a question and it was in a pretty condescending tone and one of our members was asking to not be spoken to in that manner. And as she kept asking to not be spoken to that way, the board attorney kept raising his voice until he was -- he did get his question out," Deneed Pajeau, Illinois Federation of Teachers, said. "Every time our member asked to not be spoken to in a condescending manner, he got louder."
School board members did not want to comment.
Evergreen Park teachers are in their third day of strikes. About 2,000 students will miss another day of school as their teachers walk the picket line.
At issue- health benefits, teachers' pay, and teacher evaluations being linked to student test scores. The school board admits it has a $16 million budget surplus, and is asking teachers to pay more for health benefits, so it can use that money for pensions and other expenses.
Also, the teachers stand to lose their earnings for each day they strike. The school board is suggesting that students will make up strike days with substitute teachers.
"This board does not intend to reward striking employees who harm the students, their parents and our community," the board said in a statement on Wednesday.
"To go ahead and say teachers can't make it up, you'll bring somebody else in, that isn't right," Ray Richter, Evergreen Park parent, said.
"I disagree with it very much so especially toward the end of the year the kids are crazy, bouncing off the wall to bring substitutes in to deal with that it's not right. It's not fair to do that to the kids," Tracy Jarrett, Evergreen Park parent, said.
A spokesperson from the American Federation of Teachers will arrive in Evergreen Park on Thursday afternoon.


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It's a bird… it's a plane… no… it's…
OK, that's pushing it a little too far. So they can't fly, but to their children, they can do just about everything else. Dads will get us out of trouble, teach us how to throw a ball, fly a kite, and do cart wheels. Dads rescue us from bullies as well as bad boyfriends. They appear to be the strongest men alive, and they are usually great handymen too. Doesn't that sound like a superhero to you?
The greatest supermen are those fathers who carry out their daily duties under the guidance of the three greatest role models; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Proverbs 14:26 states, "He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge." While it's no guarantee that Dads who consult their Bibles will have blemish free children and a happy life, it is evident that they're better equipped to deal with all the curve balls that fatherhood throws at them. They tend to also instill sound values in their kids which stay with them throughout adulthood.
There are times when our fathers feel weak and helpless; like superman near kryptonite. When the fruit of their loins is sick and in pain, they can only offer a big hug and hope for the best. When their rebellious teens scoop them up in the whirlwind of teenage years, they have to grab on and struggle through it. When they're unable to provide for their children financially, they feel useless. And when they lose a child, they sadly cry in defeat. 1 Corinthians 16:13 provides a word of encouragement to fathers during moments of weakness. It says "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong."
Finally, for those who are fatherless, there is still a reason to celebrate Father's Day. Today, reach out to every positive father figures, and superb male role models who have made and still is making an impact in your life. The Lord will always provide a Super-Dad when you need one the most. He may not be biological, but God will grant him the capabilities to take on the role efficiently.
Super-Dads, on this very special day, stand proud. Stand with your hands on your hips, your chest lifted high, and your cape fluttering in the wind. Happy Father's Day!