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Wii Sports Resort impressions (and video!): MotionPlus killer app, or killer tech demo?
Sure, EA and Sega already have MotionPlus offerings on the market, but everyone knows the real kickoff for MotionPlus is Nintendo's first party title: Wii Sports Resort. We've spent some sweaty days with the product to get a real feel for all 12 games included (each with a few different activities to keep things fresh), and while there are certainly shortcomings to the depth of gameplay per activity, there's no denying that the package will liven up a party and rake in cash by the truckloads for Nintendo. Read on for our full impressions and some action-packed hands-on video.
MotionPlus hardware
To be honest, this is where most of our interest lies. While we're happy to play a bit of Wii Sports when the occasion calls for it, we've spent way more hours on our Wii lost in Zelda or Super Mario Galaxy -- we're that sort of gamer. So while we're happy to traipse around Nintendo's ultra-happy Wii Sports Resort wonderland, we're much more curious as to how well the technology of MotionPlus holds up, and what it promises for more immersive, engaging experiences.
Overall? Two thumbs up. Sure, it's lame that an add-on is necessary -- it would've been nice to have all this power the first go 'round -- but the add-on does the trick and really does offer some impressive motion tracking. The main drawback of the controller is that it occasionally gets slightly off-kilter, at which point it's usually smart enough to ask you to re-orient it. Luckily, it's easy enough to set the controller face down and let it right itself. It's not perfectly ideal, but it's not a big hassle either. Microsoft and Sony will obviously have an advantage for re-orienting, with their camera-based systems, but the added complexity of those systems also means more opportunities for funkiness. At least MotionPlus feels like a known quantity, and doesn't involve any voodoo or know-how to get it back on track (or to set it up in the first place).
We wouldn't say any of the games offered in Wii Sports Resort offer any "true" 1:1 tracking, but of course if you were actually doing something with 1:1 motion, you'd probably need a bigger room to play in. Nintendo has struck a good balance between "on-screen responsiveness" and "not smacking your sister in the face." Almost everything feels right, however. Subtle movements and sudden twists all enact a predictable response on-screen and in gameplay -- you feel like you're as much "there" as you'd really want to be. It's still possible to play some of the games in "lazy mode," but it's certainly more difficult than it was in Wii Sports -- simple flicks won't always do.
The games
This is more a review of the potential of MotionPlus than a review of Wii Sports Resort, and we've already mentioned that we're not big minigame fanatics. Those caveats aside, here are a few of our thoughts on the games present:
Frisbee: We suck at frisbee. We suppose much of that could be the fact that we actually know how to throw a for-realsies frisbee, and this just doesn't feel like throwing a real frisbee. Naturally, the motion-tracking is spot on, but it lacks in the delicacy of release. The disc also doesn't seem to fly quite right -- due to a seeming shortage of physics. Of course, we're probably just making excuses for the fact that we suck.
Power Cruising: It's like Wave Race, but not very fun somehow. The steering is easy enough to grasp, and quite sensitive, but the overall game is simplistic and very boring.
Swordplay: This is the real winner in our book, especially thanks to the mode where you get to mow down Mii assailants with your mighty plastic sword. The VS. mode is a real blast with a friend, but we had little trouble going pro when up against the computer. We still felt a lack of depth, but at least it's a **cathartic lack of depth. We just need a Zelda game and a Star Wars game to implement this exact sword system and we'll die happy.
Table Tennis: Another great game and probably offers the best VS. mode outside of swordplay, but it sure is short on options.
Golf: It adds draw and fade, just like the new Tiger Woods, but overall felt like Wii Sports golf to us.
Air Sports: The dog fight mode is a blast and a great demonstration of the controller technology, but the gameplay isn't very well designed or balanced.
Basketball: A nice diversion, but another game lacking in depth. We did enjoy the detailed shooting motion, however, which picks up on aim, timing and even backspin. It felt like all those hours of free throw practice in our backyard finally paid off. Almost. Word of warning, however: a family member managed to break a lightbulb with this one, demonstrating the fact that vertical space is a whole new danger zone in Wii Sports Resort.
Archery: Another fun control scheme that needs to be instantly transplanted into the next Zelda title, but the actual "game" of trying to get more points gets old pretty fast.
Cycling: It's a bit of a workout, and there's some camera wonkiness, but it actually provides a lot more depth in gameplay than the other racing titles, thanks to the drafting and pacing aspects.
Bowling: It's supposed to have slightly more detailed control, but we didn't feel it. Still, Wii Sports bowling really didn't need much refinement.
Canoeing: Quite a lot of fun for a lap or two, but seems hastily put together.
Wakeboarding: Doesn't seem like it needs MotionPlus, but it's another fun way to spend 15 minutes.
Overall, we'd say almost every single game is lacking in depth. Naturally, all together they make up quite a package, but it's hard to see ourselves spending more than an hour or so on any particular one, outside of a party scenario. What most games do provide, however, is a pretty excellent blueprint for a control scheme that Nintendo and third parties can and should expand into "real" games. (Just like with the existing motion controls. Right? Anybody?)
Most of the games unfortunately rely on some innate desire to win high scores, which has held little appeal for us ever since our glorious Tetris days. Sure, you get the right amount of testosterone in the room and everything's a competition, but we'd much rather spend our time shooting our friends in the face (virtually, of course) or destroying them in table tennis than showing them how many fake points we can score doing fake tricks over fake wake.
Like we said before, everybody is going to buy this game. Plus, once you get one MotionPlus add-on (the one that's included in the box), you're just $60 away from buying three more like a crazy person. To be honest, you'll get a lot more fun out of the game with one more MotionPlus attachment for head-to-head competitions, but there aren't really any scenarios where it helps having four. That's good news for your wallet, bad news for your impatient friends who didn't come over to watch you shoot pretend airballs. Wii Sports Resorts hits stores on July 26th for $50.


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Check Out: 11:00am
You may find yourself feeling particularly smart for choosing to stay at Holiday Inn Express.® With nearly 1,600 locations worldwide, you'll find comfortable, inviting accommodations with just the right mix of services and amenities all at very affordable rates.
The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites of Alliance offers seventy rooms in a style that is just right for you. Our award winning property is the perfect place to stay during your visit to Alliance, the home of the Scarlet Carnation.
We are conveniently located near local dining establishments and shopping areas. During your stay, why not visit some of the great area attractions, such as historic Glamorgan Castle, take a tour of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, or satisfy your sweet tooth at Harry London?s Chocolate Factory in nearby Canton, Ohio. No visit would be complete without a visit to the Hartville Market in Hartville, Ohio.
As our guest, you will enjoy all the amenities our property has to offer. After check-in, take a dip in our heated indoor pool or Jacuzzi. All rooms include 27? color TVs and free HBO, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, coffeemaker, work desk with chair and an in room safe. For that extra special occasion, the Holiday Inn Express Hotels & Suites of Alliance features 15 suites with whirlpool tubs. Our business travelers will love the free high-speed Internet, fax and copy service and free local calls. Don?t forget to start your day off right with a workout in our fitness room and our nationally renowned Express Start Breakfast Bar.

subset: commoncrawl


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07 Apr
The Health Benefits of Standing Desks Infographic
by MultiTable
Experts say they have a better strategy for cancer prevention. Exercise regularly and avoid prolonged periods of sitting. There are 2 types of cancer that seem to be the most influenced by sitting too much include:
Breast cancer, with 49,000 cases annually directly attributed to long periods of sitting, & colon cancer with 43,000.
Scientists also found sitting less might prevent 37,200 cases of Lung cancer, 30,600 cases of prostate cancer, 12,000 cases of Endometrial cancer, 1,800 cases of ovarian cancer.
MultiTable.com has put together this great infographic to help educate the public on the benefits of converting to standing desks and ergonomic accessories.
Order Now Call: 602 773 6911
Email us @: firstname.lastname@example.com
Visit (by appointment): 2255 W Desert Cove Ave., Suite E Phoenix, AZ 85029
Copyright ©2021 - Multi Table LLC. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Sitemap
*Fast freight and small package shipping options within the contiguous United States. Flat rate shipping offered to Canada, Hawaii, and Alaska.


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Kava Root Powder
Amazingly enough, as I looked through our informative blog articles (close to 200 of them!), I was very surprised to see that I have missed a number of simple topics regarding Kava Kava root. One of those glaring omissions is an article on Kava root powder! Kava root powder is and will probably always be our Top Selling product here at Kona Kava Farm. We offer several cultivars of Kava root in various forms, but I will focus only on the powders for now. In its simplest form, Kava is a root that grows both underground and along the ground. Kava root that grows along the ground is called...Read More
Kava Roots Are Serious Business
We take bringing you the best Kava we can grow and/or source as seriously as we have taken Kava as a business in our family for many generations. We take great pride in the Kava we offer, partly because it's the same Kava that we take ourselves on a daily basis. That means we treat every customer as we would treat ourselves automatically! If we were interested in "cashing in" on the next Kava craze; we've already been through several of them, and we're still here, doing the same thing we've always done. We're far less interested in making some...Read More
Kava and Other Hawaiian Crops
I feel blessed every day to live on Hawaii: the island's semi-tropical climate ensures there isn't so much as a growing season as an all-year growing extravaganza for so many diverse Hawaiian crops! Many of these crops have been delicious and nutritious staples of our indigenous cuisine for centuries; I certainly can't imagine cooking somewhere I couldn't get fresh papaya, taro, and pineapple at all times! Now that refrigeration and air shipping have made Hawaiian produce available on the mainland, some crops like Kona coffee, pineapples, and macadamia nuts have come to represent the essence...Read More
Holiday Kava Drink Recipes
Aloha, everyone! As many of you know, I believe the possibilities of kava drinks are endless, and the traditional brew made with plain water is only the tip of the iceberg. As the winter holidays approach and the days get colder, I thought it might be the perfect time to put a spin on some cold-weather classics with holiday kava drink recipes. Most people don't exactly think of kava as tasty, but add creamy coconut, almond or dairy milk and scrumptious flavorings such as cocoa powder, cinnamon and vanilla, and you have a delicious holiday beverage that will make you feel as good as it...Read More
How Do I Use Whole Kava Root and Kava Root Chips?
Aloha everyone! We've been getting a lot of questions from our customers recently concerning some of our more unusual products – our whole kava root and kava root chips. These products aren't as popular as our ground Mahakea kava root, and for good reason – they are a great deal more difficult to work with and require quite a lot of effort to prepare. However, they do bring significant benefits along with all that extra work. As I'm sure most of you know, here in Hawaii and in other parts of the Pacific, it is traditional to drink 'awa that is prepared...Read More


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UPSC CSE exam aka IAS exam is conducted every year. It is touted to be one of the toughest exams in the country. In order to crack this exam, you should be thoroughly prepared and have a strong determination. It is conducted once in every year and a huge number of aspirants appear for this exam. The reason is that it provides an immense satisfaction as they get to service the country and work for its welfare though it is challenging. While many people take it up, hardly a few will be able to clear the exam in the first attempt. And, it is important to choose the right IAS coaching institute in Chennai for best results.
When it comes to clearing the IAS exam in the first attempt, it is not an impossible one. There are candidates who have done it in the past. There are many toppers as well. So, you can take inspiration from such successful officers and get tips to clear the CSE exam in the first attempt. Remember that the best IAS coaching institute in Chennai will provide you with the necessary tips for the same.


text: Today our 6th graders prepared for our trip to The New Victory Theater to see Circus Abyssinia by learning the basics of Eskista (Ethiopian Shoulder Dance), by learning how to use the juggling rings, spinning cloths, and other circus equipment. We collaboratively created a short circus performances inspired by Circus Abyssinia. We can't wait to see the professionals do it on the 18th!


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Colombia's government said Friday it will force some banks to set aside higher provisions, or reserves, on new consumer credit due to a worrisome rise in past-due loans and amid signs of strain in the economy.
The new rules for the banks "aim for stability in the financial system and in particular consumer loans," Colombian Finance Minister Juan Carlos Echeverry said. "We've been worried that there's been a rise, still moderate, in some consumer loans in some financial institutions."
The announcement comes as Colombia's strong oil-fueled economy starts to show signs of vulnerability. Industrial production data out Thursday showed a decline in March, the first negative number in three years. The Colombian peso, one of the strongest currencies in the world during the first four months of the year, has weakened 3% this week alone, to COP1,814 for a dollar.
Echeverry said past-due loans have increased by 26% this year after declining modestly in 2011, "which worries us."
The new rules will apply only to those banks showing higher levels of delinquencies in consumer loans, the Finance Ministry said in a statement. Banks whose past-due consumer loans "have accelerated" will have to put up additional reserves that would be "calculated adding 0.5% to the probability of default of each obligation," according to the statement.
The ministry said the new rules are on top of those set by regulators last year that required a 9% annual increase in provisions. Outstanding consumer loans in Colombia total some 62 trillion pesos ($34.2 billion), and about COP3 trillion are past due.
The government didn't specify which banks the new rules would apply to, but last week Colombia's top lending institution, Bancolombia (BCOLOMBIA.BO, CIB) noted in its first-quarter earnings report a rise in delinquent loans.
Bancolombia said in a conference call the delinquencies were mostly on the consumer side, and said it planned to instead try to increase its loan portfolio by making more corporate loans.
Bancolombia's shares in Bogota have fallen more than 6% since it noted the rising delinquencies, and the share price was down 0.3% Friday at COP27,500, while the overall market was up 0.3%.
Colombia's economy has seen healthy annual growth of around 5% for the past three years, but as oil prices begin to fall due to Europe's debt crisis and a persistently sluggish U.S. economy, Colombian officials have begun to sound warning bells.
"From Europe, tough times are coming," Echeverry told reporters Thursday, adding that the next "12 to 18 months that won't be at all easy are on their way."


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The 4000 Riders of Cristo Rey - México
Join the thousands of Mexican Cowboys on Pilgrimage!
Os Guias
Quer saber quem somos?... Com quem você está reservando sua viagem? Quem são os guias da cavalgada? Veja abaixo uma breve introdução do nosso time "Entre Orejas".
Paul Coudenys
If anyone can say "been there, done that" then it's Paul Coudenys!
Paul, born in Flanders Belgium, was once in his previous life a farrier. At age 21, he travelled backpacking around the globe, 3 years later and with a luggage full of travel and riding experiences he returned to Belgium. During his "long journey", he worked as a blacksmith shoeing horses at the polo club in Singapore, as a blacksmith and cowboy at a cattle station in Australia, as a gaucho in South America and as a rider in too many places and countries to mention.
In 1996 he founded "Hippo-Trek" and became one of the pioneers of worldwide riding holidays in Europe. Paul rode horses in 53 different countries and is perhaps one of the most experienced trail riders in the world. Loving the great horse culture and hospitality in Latin America Paul decided to move to Brazil in 2010. He lives in the southern state of Santa Catarina, home of the South American gaucho (cowboy). After years of experience in organizing and guiding equestrian holidays and riding expeditions around the world, he now only concentrates on trail rides and equestrian tourism in Latin America. He is guiding all the riding trips himself and assures you participating at the best horse treks in Latin America.
Paul is also co-founder and president of ALATCE; Asociación Latinoamericana de Turismo y Cultura Ecuestre. (Latin American Association of Equestrian Tourism and Culture)
He speaks 6 languages, loves humor and life, is a very social person and knows like no other how to take you on a ride on the wild side!
Simón Vergara Gutierrez
Born in the saddle and born to be wild; that's how we could describe Simón in 2 short sentences!
Simón was born and raised in rural Colombia and has been passionate about horses since childhood. Turning his hobby into a profession he did by being apprenticed to the best horse people in the world. He took national and international courses, from Farriery, to Carriage Driving, Saddlery, Equine Therapy, Equestrian Center Management and First Aid Provider, to Natural Horsemanship internships with Monty Roberts & horse trainers such as Polito Ulloa.
He travelled in North, Central and South America on horseback and visited Europe, Africa and Asia
In addition, Simón has been working as a guide on multi-day trail rides and equestrian expeditions for years now. Taking care of his horses and riding guests, he guides like no other, is very social & helpful and does everything with a smile. He speaks Spanish, English and Portuguese.
Adventure is his second nature; In 2017 Simón was part of Caroline Casey's project "Valuable". An expedition on horseback and mules where they rode from the Caribbean coastal city of Cartagena to the capital Bogota. A 1000km trip in the saddle in 30 days, dedicated to people with disabilities.
Today Simon is preparing for a new big adventure; an adventure that he probably later might remember as, "the university of life". Simón will leave in January 2021, following the footsteps of the Incas, for a 500-days – 8.000 km journey with his mules from Colombia via Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, all the way to Argentina. You can follow his "5 Tierras" adventure and preparations on http://5tierras.com.co/
Simón's new ideas, passion and enthusiasm resulted in new Entre Orejas rides at great new destinations.
Why his parents called him Angel, nobody knows, as he is a lot of things, but certainly not an Angel! :) He is a pleasant Mexican fellow, always ready for a joke and a party. But he is first and foremost a great horse man! Born and raised in Guanajato, one of the important states of the Charro culture, he grew up with horses and local cowboy life. He and his family are alos saddle manufacturers. Angel is co-founder of ALATCE; Asociación Latinoamericana de Turismo y Cultura Ecuestre. (Latin American Association of Equestrian Tourism and Culture) The Mexican equestrian culture is omnipresent in his life. In the saddle with Angel means a trip back into the history of his country. No better guide than Angel to show you the secrets of his beloved state of Guanajuato..


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Puppeteer Workshop
The students in St. Anthony's were very fortunate to have 3 workshops with the Artist-Puppeteer Carmel Ballfe.
Carmel involved the pupils in designing and creating their own puppets based on the theme of Spring and the outdoors.
The students had an opportunity to produce and perform their own puppet show to music and movement.
A huge thank you to Carmel for the lovely opportunity and fun we all had.


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As Fashion Week unfolds, the Cut's editors will be covering all the best moments on Instagram. Follow editorial director Stella Bugbee, style director Rebecca Ramsey, senior market editor Diana Tsui, senior beauty editor Kathleen Hou, fashion news editor Emilia Petrarca, and of course the Cut's own account for updates, and get the daily CliffsNotes below.
The morning kicked off at the East River Track with a guerrilla fashion show by Maryam Nassir Zadeh — and a surprisingly intimate performance by Solange Knowles. Elsewhere, Tom Ford introduced a new line of lipsticks, and Vaquera showed what was either the fanciest bathrobe or the most comfortable wedding dress of all time.
The night ended with a trip upstate to Bedford, New York, to see Ralph Lauren's see-now-buy-now collection in his personal car garage. As far as we know, the cars were not available to buy off the runway, but man, were they fun.
The Cut's New York Fashion Week Live From the Shows is brought to you by Ippolita.


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Humpback dolphins are found in relatively shallow nearshore waters throughout their range which includes most of the coastlines in Australia, Africa and Asia. Their dependence on nearshore habitats brings them into contact with many types of human activities, putting them at risk from fisheries entanglement, boat traffic, pollution, and habitat loss. However, this habitat selection also makes them easy to observe from shore. There are four recognized species of humpback dolphins with very little overlap between their ranges: the, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis), the Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (S. plumbea) the Atlantic humpback dolphin (S. teuszi) and the Australian humpback dolphin (S. sahulensis)1. Because they tend to be relatively shy, and less active than the bottlenose dolphins with which they often share territory, this species is not often the primary target of dolphin watching tours. However, they can be encountered in nearshore waters, and in some areas, like Hong Kong, and the Musandam Peninsula of Oman, they are the stars of the show.
Humpback dolphins are limited in their range from the West coast of Africa in the West to the coast of China and the east coast of Australia in the East and are always found in shallow nearshore waters. The four different species have distinct geographic ranges as follows:
Atlantic humpback dolphins are native to: Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo (Republic); Congo (Democratic Republic); Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea ; Gabon ; The Gambia; Ghana; Guinea; Guinea Bissau; Liberia; Mauritania; Nigeria; Senegal; Sierra Leone, Togo; Western Sahara
Indian Ocean humpback dolphins are native to: Bahrain; Bangladesh; Comoros; Djibouti; Egypt, Eritrea; India; Iran; Iraq; Israel; Kenya; Kuwait; Madagascar; Mayotte; Mozambique; Myanmar; Oman; Pakistan; Qatar; Saudi Arabia; Somalia; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Tanzania; UAE; Yemen.
Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins are native to: Bangladesh; Brunei Darrusalam; Cambodia; India; Indonesia; Malaysia; Myanmar( Burma); People's Republic of China; Philippines; Singapore; Taiwan (Republic of China); Thailand; Vietnam
Australian humpback dolphins are native to: Australia and Papua New Guinea
Humpback dolphins seem to be fairly adaptable in their diet, with studies from South Africa, Hong Kong, Australia and Oman revealing a variety of fish species, and sometimes crustaceans, squids, octopus and cuttlefish in the stomachs of by-caught or stranded animals2-6. Humpback dolphins use a variety of feeding techniques, including partially stranding themselves on shore while chasing fish7. In some locations, humpback dolphins are also known to follow fishing trawlers in order to opportunistically feed on discarded and escaped fish8.
Humpback dolphins usually occur in small groups of 2-6 individuals, but larger aggregations of up to 30 or 50 individuals have been recorded from Oman9,10, and Malaysia11, and over 100 individuals from Bangladesh8. Males often show scarring consistent with aggression within their own species – such as tooth rakes on their dorsal fins12. The species also appears to interact with other dolphin species in its range, with a number o documented cases of both benign and aggressive interactions between bottlenose dolphins and humpback dolphins10, and the apparent incorporation of an Irrawaddy dolphin into humpback dolphin groups in two different sites in Malaysian Borneo13,14. Females of all four species are thought to reach sexual maturity at 9-10 years. In Hong Kong and South Africa, calves are predominantly born in the spring and summer, but little is known about the seasonality of reproduction or other life history characteristics of Australian or Atlantic humpback dolphins7,15.
As with many other species of whales and dolphins, individual humpback dolphins can be recognised from the unique patterns of scarring and pigmentation on their dorsal fins. Researchers build up catalogues of known individuals and track them over time. Because almost all humpback dolphin populations have fairly stable nearshore home ranges, they provide excellent subjects for long-term monitoring, including studies of social structure, reproductive parameters, residency and range16,17. Because their nearshore habitat also brings them into contact with human activity, they are also the focus of studies that try to assess the potential impact of coastal development and other threats on dolphin populations18. For more information about methods used to study whales and dolphins click here.
Humpback dolphins' main natural predators are sharks, with one photo-identification study in Australia revealing that 46% of sampled humpback dolphins had scarring associated with shark attacks19. Great white, tiger, and bull sharks are thought to be the species most likely to pose a risk to (young) dolphins.7
Humpback dolphins throughout Africa, Australia and Asia often live in close proximity to densely populated urban areas. In developed areas, like Hong Kong, their habitat is continually affected by coastal construction and high volumes of vessel traffic. In developing countries, their distribution often overlaps with areas where fishing effort is exponentially increasing7,20. As with almost all species of whales and dolphins, accidental entanglement in fishing gear – or bycatch- is the leading source of human-induced mortality for humpback dolphins21, but coastal development18, pollution22-24, and in some areas, such as West Africa, direct hunting25 also pose serious threats.
The IUCN Red List status of all four species of humpback dolphins has recently been re-assessed, resulting in the current designations: (1) Atlantic humpback dolphin - critically endangered,25,26; (2) Indian ocean humpback dolphin -endangered,27,28; (3) Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin- vulnerable8,29; and (4) Australian humpback dolphin - vulnerable30,31. Of all four species, Atlantic humpback dolphins are considered the most severely at risk of extinction, and are listed on Appendix I of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). The IWC also considers this species of the utmost priority for conservation action32.
Please see the IWC Whalewatching Handbook


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Tagged: Helsinki Summit
The Problem with (Helsinki) Summit Notes
So my Rolling Stone piece is up about the dangers of a one-on-one meeting between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland.
There's an interesting bit of history I couldn't fit into the story. It involves another Russian leader telling another U.S. president at a summit in Helsinki that he would help re-elect him.
And the fact that we know about this conversation is one more reason why Putin doesn't want any notetakers around when he meets with Trump alone on July 16th. Continue reading


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The V&A's major new exhibition brings underwear out of the closet. Absolutely investigates
Words Pendle Harte
Can you make a corset out of paper? The wartime austerity undergarment is just one of a collection of corsets on display as part of a new exhibition dedicated entirely to underwear. Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear tells the story of underwear design from the 18th century to the present day, considering the practical and personal, sensory and fashionable and exploring underwear's roles of protecting and enhancing the body.
On display are more than 200 examples of underwear for men and women, highlighting the enduring themes of innovation and luxury, from the custom-made, such as a rare example of home-made 'stays' worn by a working woman in England in the 18th century to luxurious pieces by designers including Stella McCartney, La Perla, Rigby & Peller and Paul Smith.The exhibition explores the relationship between underwear and fashion, notions of the ideal body, and the ways that cut, fit, fabric and decoration can reveal issues of gender, sex and morality. It considers health and hygiene and addresses the design and technological advances central to the development of underwear. On display are corsets, crinolines, boxer shorts, bras, hosiery, lingerie and loungewear alongside contextual fashion plates, photographs, advertisements, display figures and packaging.
No focus on underwear would be complete without studying the corset
Highlights include long cotton drawers worn by Queen Victoria's mother; an 1842 man's waist belt used on the wearer's wedding day; a 1960s Mary Quant body stocking; a pair of gender neutral briefs by Acne; the sheer dress by Liza Bruce famously worn by Kate Moss; and flesh-coloured leggings decorated with a mirrored glass fig leaf by Vivienne Westwood.No focus on undergarments would be complete without a look at the endlessly fascinating corset. A restrictive 1890s whalebone and cotton corset with a waist under 19 inches in circumference is displayed alongside x-rays and illustrations revealing the dramatic impact on the body of wearing such a garment. Notably, corsets were also recommended to improve medical conditions and posture. The exhibition includes a lightly boned 1895 version made from aertex, an innovative cellular woven cotton, showing an alternative side to tight lacing. An austerity corset made from paper during World War One and a waist training corset, a slimming tool endorsed by celebrity figures such as Kim Kardashian, are also on display.
Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear explores the tempting nature of underwear through objects ranging from a vivid pink silk 1890s corset to 1930s bias cut nightwear, contemporary pieces by Cadolle, Fifi Chachnil and Agent Provocateur and an exquisite negligée by Carine Gilson, like that worn by Bérénice Marlohe in Skyfall. These illustrate that the choice of underwear for the bedroom remains intrinsically personal, and has been throughout the centuries.
Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear Sponsored by Agent Provocateur and Revlon To March 2017 – vam.ac.uk/undressed


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Cass Ratliff
The Chicago Cubs took its MU fans out to the ball game and then some as they made history by winning the World Series. They played the Cleveland Indians for the final game of the World Series at Progressive Field on Nov. 2, 2016, and won with a score of 8-7.The Cubs pulled away early in the game, but the Indians quickly caught up and brought the game into an extra inning, leaving MU fans on the edge of their seats. "My thoughts were of pure ecstasy and then of darkest defeat," said Manchester University student Chris Holsten who was watching from his study-abroad location in Strasbourg, France. "That went on for the majority of the game. When the Indians forced extra innings I thought it was over and the home field advantage was going to kick in. Thanks to an act of God, the Indians' momentum was deterred by the rain delay and I once again believed we had a chance." The extra inning really had fans biting their nails. "I thought that was it," said Manchester University student, Gianna Haller. "The Cubs weren't going to win. But the rain delay made things exciting and gave me hope. I knew they'd win."Other fans weren't worried at all. "I still thought they were going to win," said education professor Mike Martynowicz. "They had been breaking records all season."When Chicago pulled away and won by a point to become the champions of the 2016 World Series, fans celebrated. "There is truly no way to put into words that feeling," Holsten said. "I am not an emotional person and I found myself tearing up, thinking of all of the fans who have waited their entire lives for this. And, thankfully, I just had to wait 20 years and two days." Martynowicz thought about all the people in his family who had waited for this to happen and of those who are no longer here. "A loss would have been difficult," Martyowicz said. Loyalty to Chicago is pretty universal among fans. "I have been a Cubs fan since birth because I was raised in a family where it was 'Support Chicago sports teams or do not get fed,'" Holsten said. "My dog's name is Wrigley and my family flies the W flag after every win and takes it down before the start of the game the next day." Family is a big part of being a Chicago Cubs fan. "My grandpa was from Chicago," Martyowicz said. "Being fans of Chicago teams is passed down in our family."Being a Cubs fan is also something that you learn from birth. "I'm a fan because I grew up seeing my dad watch and listen to game after game for my entire life," XXX said. Being fans of a team for so long creates a lot of memories that people get to keep and carry with them through every season and every game. "My earliest memories of being a Cubs fan is seeing Sammy Sosa do his little skip or jump after he knew he just crushed a homerun," Holsten said. "I actually still have a Cubs tank top in my dresser that fit a 4-year-old version of me that I wore whenever my brothers, my dad and I ever played wiffle ball in our backyard. I would pretend to be 'Slammin' Sammy.'" Martynowicz remembers being at his Grandpa's house and just playing while the game was on. Cubs games were a part of his childhood environment. Haller fondly remembers similar memories of swimming while her dad had the radio on listening to the game. The timing of the Chicago Cubs winning the 2016 World Series was crucial this year whether some realized it or not, especially during this particular election season. "Sports bring people together," Martynowicz said. "They break down political walls and help people put things aside. Because of the number of Cubs fans and because of the nature of the political campaign, this is true right now more than usual."


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Ribbon Daycare is rated OUTSTANDING by Ofsted after an inspection in September 2017.
Here at Ribbon Daycare we provide a natural, calming and stimulating environment to meet the individual needs off all children within our care. Our rooms are designed to spark imagination and enhance children's personal, social and emotional development. Practitioners are highly trained to support all children to understand the world around them and encourage them to use their creative skills to express themselves.
Ribbon Daycare is situated within Ribbon Academy School. We are a Company Limited by Guarantee which means that any profit made is used to enhance our services by purchasing new resources, equipment and training staff members to enhance their current skills.
We have 5 Directors who are ultimately responsible for the successful management of the company. We aim to provide the highest standard of care and early education by expert qualified staff in an exciting and stimulating environment.
What our Directors say...
"As Directors we believe Ribbon Daycare provides a safe, secure, welcoming and happy environment, helping children attain their maximum potential"
What Ofsted said about Ribbon Daycare…
"Staff provide a highly stimulating environment indoors and outdoors, with excellent
activities to inspire and motivate children in their learning."
"Staff use highly effective strategies to promote positive behaviour based on children's
ages and stages of development."
"Children establish extremely strong attachments with the staff, who are warmly
attentive and quickly respond to children's needs. The exceptionally strong and secure
key-person system ensures that all children are emotionally well prepared to learn."
What parents say about Ribbon Daycare…
"The nursery is amazing, I don't know how I would manage without the staff, nothing is too much trouble they support you with any issue."
"Staff always keep me informed of my child's progress, I know that I will be welcomed at any time, it is a wonderful place."


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Book now: 01432 264 807
Glasbury to Hay-on-Wye is the most well-used section of the River Wye. The distance between the two locations is approximately 5.5 miles.
The launching point at Glasbury is on the beach area just above the bridge. There used to be a 50p per canoe fee payable to the post office. This is no longer payable since the Riverside restaurant took over the old shop. It is a really nice venue which is definitely worth a visit! Owners Charlie and Jane are really nice people and create a very warm friendly atmosphere. There is a great outdoor area and the food is good too.
Hay on Wye is a very popular tourist town due to its book and antique shops and in recent years the Hay Festival of literature. It has a wealth of attractions and is a great place to wander around. It is home to great cafes and restaurants and the Shepherd's Ice Cream Parlour.
Distance: 5.5 miles Time: 2 hours in a canoe or kayak
Facilities in these locations
Hire a canoe
Stretches of the River Wye
Glasbury to Hay-on-Wye
Hay-on-Wye to Whitney
Whitney to Preston
Preston to Hereford
Hereford to Hoarwithy
Hereford to Holme Lacy Bridge
Hoarwithy to Ross-on-Wye
Ross-on-Wye to Welsh Bicknor
Welsh Bicknor to Huntsmans Bridge
Monmouth to Chepstow
© 2020 Left Bank Canoe Hire
Leftbank Canoe Hire is a trading name of The Ultimate Consortium Ltd


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Online files for acid deposition sensitivity map
GIS data files Acid Deposition Sensitivity of the Southern Appalachian Assessment Area. Susceptibility to acid deposition from air pollution is categorized as low, medium, or high for each area.
Pb-concentrations and Pb-isotope ratios in soils collected along an east-west transect across the United States
Analytical results for Pb-concentrations and isotopic ratios from about 150 samples of soil A horizon and about 145 samples of soil C horizon collected along a 4000-km east-west transect across the USA.


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The streaming world of 2020 is likely to be marked by the continuing emergence of 5G network infrastructure, latency and performance improvements associated with wide adoption of new formats and protocols. We're also about to see a rapid emergence of new markets. The CDN players will therefore have to stretch their networks infrastructure in terms of both the capacity and geographical reach.
The adoption of 5G networks will allow more viewers to enjoy top quality videos on their mobile devices. I am sure this will increase video consumption dramatically. We need to be ready to handle bandwidth peaks primarily during sports events.
It's time to draw attention to strengthening the CDN's geographical reach. The emerging markets, such as India, Brazil, Vietnam or Indonesia - to name just a few, will continue to take substantial portions of global video content distribution. The cooperation with local ISPs will reduce the dependence on TIER1 providers and secure the best possible quality of content delivery.
The game of video processing will continue to revolve around streaming latency improvements and encoding workflow simplifications. Formats and protocols such as WebRTC, SRT or CMAF will enjoy a wider adoption into live and on-demand workflows. CDNs are bound to invest into further developing their video platforms to accommodate these needs.
Streamflow by CDN77 will continue to grow the network above its current 15 Tbps capacity. We'll also keep enhancing our video platform that now encompasses the entire processing of live and on-demand video with CDN delivery and detailed analytics.
Zdenek Cendra
This article is Sponsored Content


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Please explain the title of the following image:
I know that tuck away is an idiom and may have a literal or figurative meaning.
I also understand that according to The Free Dictionary, definition #16 nip may be: 16. (Medicine) plastic surgery performed for cosmetic reasons.
Despite all the above mentioned I cannot realize the meaning of the whole sentence.
Do I have to consider the literal meaning and as such the sentence may read:
We are only (plastic surgery performed for cosmetic reasons) = nip, and are hiding the body non conformities?


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Amusing Themselves to Death
So many people are dying of COVID in Alberta's ICU wards that their passing is creating room for new patients. That's the only good news coming out of what many have called its disastrous response to the pandemic, and which is actually ruinous.
In fact, doctors are now triaging COVID patients, making on-the-spot decisions as to who gets a ventilator and who doesn't, and dies. Some of those choices will be made about children, age 5 to 11, who make up the fastest growing group of COVID patients. As one doctor said concerning these kids: "The curve is almost vertical."


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02 Nov New Yuletide Classics at SeaWorld
This holiday season, there are more reasons than ever to join the merriment of SeaWorlds Christmas Celebration.Guests of all ages can delight over scrumptious food, stunning live shows, and joyful entertainment inspired by the natural world as they create treasured memories together. Over 1 million sparkling lights will shine bright during the Christmas Celebration, offered select dates from November 23 to December 31, with an all-new holiday experience beginning January 1, 2018.
NEW Christmas Celebration Experiences
- Dine with Rudolph – Guests can now book an all-new holiday dinner experience with their favorite reindeer. Hugs and smiles are shared with Rudolph as guests enjoy the telling of his classic tale during a delicious feast featuring a menu filled with traditional holiday favorites served family-style. Advance reservations for this experience are encouraged.
- Santa Claus at Wild Arctic – All new this holiday season, SeaWorld is inviting guests to take a ride to the top of the world to meet the Arctic's most famous resident, Santa Claus! Guests of all ages can share Christmas wishes and take pictures with Santa Claus as they experience amazing animal encounters during this special holiday adventure presented by Coca-Cola.
Returning Holiday Favorites
- Rudolph's ChristmasTown – Returning for another year of festive fun, guests can immerse themselves into the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Rudolph's ChristmasTown. As guests stroll past life-size storybook vignettes featuring the classic tale, they'll have the opportunity to meet their favorite characters: Rudolph, Clarice, Bumble and Yukon Cornelius.
- Clyde & Seamore's Countdown to Christmas – A returning classic, Sea Lion & Otter Stadium celebrates the season with a hilarious Christmas comedy show. Clyde and Seamore, along with a few mischievous otters, a comical elf, and even a jolly walrus, invite guests to their fun-filled holiday celebration.
- Shamu Christmas Miracles – Shamu Stadium once again brightens the night with dazzling lights and glowing candles, while Christmas carols abound and Shamu splashes to celebrate the holiday season.
- O Wondrous Night – Experience a live nativity only SeaWorld can bring to life, complete with more than 30 carols, life-sized puppets, and animals in a spectacular Christmas favorite based on The Christmas Story. Told through the eyes of the animals that were there, O Wondrous Night is a touching, light-hearted, and glorious celebration with a host of angels, animals, and the true glory of Christmas.
- Sesame Street's Elmo's Christmas Wish – The holidays have arrived, and everybody's Sesame Street® friends have come to SeaWorld Orlando for a festive and fun musical celebration! Elmo's Christmas Wish will soon become every child's favorite show. Join Rosita, Grover, Zoe and Cookie Monster as they work together to help Elmo find his Christmas wish!\
- Winter Wonderland on Ice – Christmas comes to life on a stage of ice, jewels and light as skaters dazzle and delight in this show-stopping, ice skating extravaganza.
- Sea of Trees – Families will stroll through a wintery, watery wonderland as they are immersed in a sea of glistening holiday trees that sparkle to music as they light up the water. Dazzling images come to life on over 100 trees, including a giant glistening centerpiece that towers 70-feet above the water.
- The Christmas Market – Nestled along the park's Bayside Pathway, The Christmas Market features festive entertainment and delicious culinary delights. Complete with playful elves, a charming model train village, and seasonal entertainment, the market is the centerpiece of SeaWorld's Christmas event. Guests can also relax near the warm glow of the fire pit with a holiday cocktail while experiencing a wonderful view of the vibrant Sea of Trees.
Ring In The New Year at SeaWorld Orlando
On December 31, guests can ring in the New Year at SeaWorld Orlando. Vibrant fireworks will fill the night sky and festive entertainment will take place throughout the park, including interactive DJ stations, craft beers, and delectable bites.
NEW Event: Three Kings Day, January 1-6
After experiencing the wonder of SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration, guests can keep the spirit of the season burning bright at the all-new Three Kings Day celebration. Families are invited to help commemorate the arrival of the Three Wise Men with authentic festive cuisine and celebratory experiences held in honor of the cherished tradition of Latin cultures.
During Three Kings Day, guests will enjoy extended opportunities to see classic SeaWorld Christmas Celebration shows "O Wondrous Night" and "Sea of Trees." Each Day, the all-new Three Kings Parade will feature majestic camels as they spread holiday cheer before taking the stage for a truly special photo opportunity. Offered daily January 1-6, the Three Kings Day celebration brings the holiday season to an incredible close at SeaWorld.
Purchase your SeaWorld Tickets today!!!


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Abstract: "Plan C for Curate: Teaching Studio History and Museum Studies " argues that doing creative teaching at the intersection of historical and museum studies is critical for all students because "curation" has become an important form of communication for all. I have taught a class called "Introduction to Museum Studies" more than six times: twice in collaboration with a museum and the rest out of our history program. The paper explores both the museum model and the history department model, highlighting two principles: collaboration and student ownership. My ultimate goal is to show how any historian – even one who has no training in material culture – can teach such a studio class.
Full article coming soon!


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Unexpected breakaway excitement in Spain and a sprint win out of nowhere in West Flanders.
Volta a Catalunya Stage 3: Sant Cugat to Camprodón, 153.2km
Snow and the risk of avalanche denied us a summit finish on Vallter and the re-jigged stage had more than a whiff of a day for the breakaway about it. Step forward Lotto Soudal's Thomas de Gendt. The Belgian joined the break in the first kilometres, dropped his companions on the final climb and rode solo to claim stage victory, king of the mountain's jersey and a 20sec race lead in a blaze of golden-hued glory. Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), part of a strong chasing quartet, just managed to stay ahead of the peloton to round out the podium.
Full race report at Cycling News
Race Website Race Twitter #VoltaCatalunya
Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde: Brugge to De Panne, 202.4km
Elia Viviani delivered Quick-Step Floors their 17th win of 2018. The Olympic Omnium champion was nowhere to be seen with 300m to go, then exploited the gap that opened with lightening speed to grab the victory from BORA-hansgrohe's Pascal Ackermann and Jasper Philpsen (Hagens Berman Axeon).
Video (we pick it up with 3.5km to go)…
Embed from Getty Images
What on earth happened to the Three Days of De Panne?
Not only is it in different place on the cobbled race schedule but it's also changed format to two one-day races – one for men and one for women. The full story on what lead to these changes can be read on Cycling News. I loved this race in it's traditional mid-week slot between Gent Wevelgem and the Tour of Flanders. The three road stages offered up a day of racing on the Muur de Geraardsbergen, the promise of echelons across the De Moeren, and a final day with a fast and furious sprint in the morning followed by an afternoon of coastal, corner-laden time trialing. It never failed to produce some thrilling racing – let's not forget that last year Quickstepper Philippe Gilbert had a practice solo raid here before his ride to Tour of Flanders glory. The race organisers have re-invented and I fully applauded for that and wish them every success in the future. But I'm sad they had to, angry to see it pushed out of the way and I… I just miss it.
Yer man loves a break…
While Mr De Gendt held court in Spain, another rider who loves some breakaway action was once again off the front in Belgium. Aqua Blue's Conor Dunne is man after my own heart…
Everybody loves him…
Full race report at Cycling News
Race Website Race Twitter #Driedaagse
Header image: Thomas de Gendt – David Ramos/Getty Images


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A variety of clothing ranges, some local, some imported, are mostly made in family homes or by small family companies. The designs are unique and made from natural cottons, vibrant silks, trendy viscose and soft bamboo knits and are suitable for a variety of age groups and sizes.
© Copyright 2023. All right reserved | Disclaimer | Terms of Users | Privacy Policy | Designed & Developed By GP InfoTech


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15 Minute Massage - Barclays Northampton
- 15 min15 minutes
- Your Office
Cancellation Policy
For Corporate Clients If you're using the app, you can cancel by going to My Profile > Bookings. You can then rebook using the booking link in your group. If you're not yet on the app, and need to cancel or reschedule, please let me know as soon as possible via email: email@example.com or text: 07808-670-713. For Private & Self-Paying Corporate Clients There is a minimum 48 hour cancellation and/or rescheduling policy. If you cancel with less than 48 hours notice, there will be no refund due and no opportunity to reschedule.
Contact Details
The London Office, 167-169 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5PF, England, UK
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Our county fair had a mother-daughter look-alike contest.
Here are the Third, First, and Second Place winners:
They do look a lot alike, don't they? I especially like way the teen daughters looked in the not-so-posed moments. Their body language shouted: Tell me I don't look like her. I'm not a bit like her.
As a joke, I told people who knew both of us, CeCe and I wanted to enter next year. We don't look a bit alike, but we are a lot alike.
What's in your lens this week? I'd love to take a peek. Please join me by clicking the froggie link-up button below.


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As the Saints were gathering to Kirtland, many of them were leaving all of their possessions behind to obey the commandment of God. Others were poor to begin with. Joseph saw how so many were suffering and turned to the Lord to inquire what should be done. Joseph had discovered a group of about fifty people in Ohio, former followers of Sidney Rigdon, who had established a system whereby they could sustain one another. They based their model for this manner of society off their interpretation of Acts 2:44–45 and 4:32. Either there were not enough guidelines laid out or some of the people in the community were not prepared for the spirit of this law, and it was having problems. Joh Whitmer reported that when he arrived he discovered a man named Heman Bassett had taken a pocket watch which belonged to a man named Levi Hancock and sold it without asking. When someone asked why he had done this, he said, "Oh, I thought it was all in the familhy."
The principles that this small community were trying to live, however, were pure, and Joseph recognized the need the Saints had for a system which would meet the Church's growing economic needs. In response to Joseph's inquiry, the Lord reminded his people that everything on the earth was His and that everything an individual owned was given him by the Lord. The Lord makes His children stewards over certain belongings, but can call to use them at any time. Thus came the Law of Consecration.
Under this law, all members were instructed to give all their property to the Church. Members would then be given stewardships of sufficient size to provide for their families. At the end of each year everything earned in excess of their needs was given back to the Church in order to provide for those who were unable to provide enough for themselves. The Law of Consecration would also make it possible for the Church to buy land for its members who continued arriving in ever increasing numbers. They needed to build meetinghouses, and the temple the Lord commanded them to build.
The principles of the Law of Consecration were and are noble. The spirit of this law is for each person to work hard, be industrious, and live by the Spirit of the Lord. The Law of Consecration provides for widows and orphans and, if lived correctly, would allow new immigrants to have a new start. Mormons believe this law to be celestial, or God's law, rather than one of this world.
The Law of Consecration was first given to the Saints in Kirtland, Ohio, in February 1831. It was extended to the Saint in Missouri in April 1832, when the United Order was established. This meant that both Church centers pooled their resources in order to care for all the members of the Church. However, in April 1834, the Lord commanded that each center be in charge of its own people. There would no longer be a United Order of Kirtland and Zion, but rather one for each. At the end of Zion's Camp, in June 1834, however, the Lord chastised His people for their sins and took the Law of Consecration from the earth until Zion should be redeemed. This was due to the imperfections in some of the Saints, who were unwilling to live the spirit of this law, causing it to become corrupted.
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New Castle County Police have arrested 18-year-old Jeremiah White as well as two juveniles for drug and weapons related offenses stemming from a loitering violation in the community of Wilton.
(New Castle, Del. – 19720) On Tuesday (Feb 7) at about 2:45p.m., County Police Mobile Enforcement Team (MET) officer were conducting proactive patrol in the community of Wilton when they observed three individuals loitering in close proximity to a "No Loitering" sign in the area of Revelle St at Dean St. When police attempted to stop the three males, all three fled on foot. Police apprehended two juveniles and were unable to apprehend the third, later identified as Jeremiah White. Officer located a fully loaded handgun, with a round chambered, as well as marijuana in possession of one of the juveniles.
MET Officers were able to positively identify Jeremiah White and obtained a search warrant for his residence in the unit block of Fairhaven Ct. MET officers served the search warrant on Friday (Feb 10) at about 11:30 a.m., but Jeremiah White was not home. Upon a search, police located marijuana, pills and drug paraphernalia, as well as a shotgun and handgun with an extended magazine. Upon further inspection, officers found that the shotgun had been reported stolen.
MET officers located Jeremiah White and took him into custody without incident later that day.
Jeremiah White was charged with two counts of possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and a firearm at the same time, receiving a stolen firearm, possession of a prescription without a script and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arraigned and committed to Young Correctional Institution after failing to post $50,000 cash-only bail. He was issued a no contact order with the community.
The juvenile who possessed the handgun and marijuana was charged with possession of a handgun by a person under 18, possession of a controlled substance and a firearm at the same time, carrying a concealed firearm, possession of marijuana, resisting arrest and loitering. He was arraigned and committed to the New Castle County Detention Center after failing to post $6,750 cash-only bail. He was issued a no contact order with the community.
The other juvenile was charged with resisting arrest and loitering. He was released to a family member on $1,050 unsecured bail. He was issued a no contact order with the community.


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Change is the only constant in business and franchising. The ability to meet the challenges posed by change and keeping a franchise growing requires all franchisees to acquire planning and goal setting skills.
Fortunately, franchisees are able to lean on the expertise available from franchisors and also obtain information and assistance from their financial advisor when they need it, says Simone Cooper, Head of Franchising and Enterprise Development at Standard Bank.
"However, there is no substitute for local knowledge. It is a franchisee's knowledge that puts him or her in the best position to identify what strategies should be considered when planning for future growth," says Ms. Cooper.
Planning for a prosperous future requires three growth strategies to be considered:
- Setting growth targets:
Setting short-term and medium-term growth targets for the enterprise. Setting targets that are achievable involves:
- Reviewing your current business and what has been achieved in the previous year.
- Speaking to your franchisor about the projected growth for your brand in your area for the next year.
This will give you a good starting point for setting a target. Once this target is set, you will then have to:
- Decide how you are going to reach the target.
- What you need to do to achieve your objective, which could include strategies like upselling or cross-selling (see more below).
- Reviewing your skills, those of your manager and staff and deciding what additional product or service training could be required.
- Make sure that plans are practical, achievable and measurable.
- Continually review your performance and targets to ensure that they are aligned.
"Upselling is a valuable sales technique. It involves making sales more profitable by getting the customer to buy more expensive items, upgrades, or add-ons. The customer can also be given other options that were perhaps not considered."
"Cross-selling occurs when a person tries to sell something else, or add an additional service or product to what the customer is purchasing. Care must be taken when using these techniques to avoid being 'too pushy' as this can annoy the customer. The focus should be on strengthening the customer relationship by helping them add value to their purchases," says Ms. Cooper.
- Skills development:
Training should be on-going in a franchise outlet. Many franchisors regularly provide training programmes when new products or services are being introduced. This, however, should not be the beginning and end of training. If training is available from the franchisor it should be used. It is advisable to:
- Monitor the performance of staff and identify those who need further training so that they can meet performance objectives.
- Consider introducing training so that key members of staff can become multi-skilled and competent at more than just one job.
- Identifying staff that can grow their roles and getting them trained.
"Bigger franchisors often assist with training by sending out field consultants to observe staff, see where skills are lacking and then recommend training. This can then be carried out on-site by training managers, or at the franchisor's training centre.
- Implementing marketing geared towards growth:
The basis of all marketing lies in knowing exactly where your customers are, and which marketing segment (income, education and personal preferences) they represent. Once you have this information you should:
- Liaise with your franchisor and identify what you want to achieve with your marketing.
- Identify marketing campaigns that will support what you want to achieve.
- Find out exactly what support and materials the franchisor can offer.
- Identify which events (Mothers' Day; Valentine's Day) you can use to strengthen your sales.
- Look at how you can attract people to your outlet during traditional 'quiet times' (e.g. Monday evenings) and quiet trading months.
- Make sure that whatever you do is measured so that it can be used again, modified or even replaced if need be.
"It is vital that your plan is aligned with what the franchisor is driving. Therefore, working together from the beginning is essential. Marketing that cannot be measured should be avoided. It is important that every rand you spend can be compared to the sales that the business has achieved.
"Effective marketing also relies on delivery. Always ensure that you can back up the promises that you have made in your marketing campaign. If customers are happy, they will return for more and the business will grow," says Ms Cooper.
Press release by Magna-Carta.


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SmartSimple client since
Type of giving
Old system
Paper and Excel spreadsheets
Paper and Excel spreadsheets
The Robins Foundation had an entirely manual grant application process that was managed by the use of separate Excel spreadsheets. Understaffed and under-resourced, they decided to modernize and digitize their entire process through one central and unified platform. They not only needed a solution that made their grant application process more streamlined, but they also required something intuitive that would give them robust reporting capabilities.
SmartSimple provided them with a full service, end-to-end platform solution that was easy to manage and was adaptable to their evolving needs. Once Robins Foundation migrated their data over to SmartSimple Cloud for Grants Management, all staff were able to collaborate on one, unified platform, enabling everyone to have access to the same, real-time data vastly improving how efficiently the team worked. Robins' new system also helped streamline the application process by standardizing the method in which applications were collected. Overall, SmartSimple has helped Robins future proof their grants process by providing them with a grants management solution that can evolve and change as the foundation's needs and requirements change.
The Robins Foundation is a Richmond, VA-based family foundation focused on elevating lower-income families and the communities they live in through educational advancement opportunities and resources. For the past 60 years of visionary philanthropy, they've supported and developed strong and strategic partnerships with organizations and projects that provide educational opportunities and resources for children 0-18. Their mission is to lead transformational change in the greater Richmond community by listening, learning and engaging through innovative philanthropy that inspires solutions to society's greatest challenges.
Although the Robins Foundation runs as a small operation, their need for a unified grants management platform was critical to creating a streamlined grant process. From the CEO to the office manager, all of their important documents were handwritten on paper. "There was nothing online, and as a foundation, we decided to transition to be more responsive and proactive. We found paper wasn't cutting it anymore," says Tracie Mooneyham, Program and Grants Manager.
They made efforts to enter into the digital age by moving paper copies to online programs like Pearl. Unfortunately, the program felt like it was no more than a "glorified spreadsheet." Robins' methods were out of date, and they needed a cohesive tracking and reporting system that worked to meet the growing needs of their partners and grant applicants.
"SmartSimple helped us create a platform through an intuitive process without tech jargon, and that felt good. We were able to look around and play with our new system without messing anything up, and this made it easier to experiment and made everything very comfortable."
Tracie Mooneyham, Program and Grants Manager,
Robins Foundation
The most prominent reason the Robins Foundation needed to digitize their process was time. The number of hours spent on hand processing grant applications and tracking their data left the team with little time to do much else. By not having a centralized database, multiple contributors working on multiple versions of a file made it difficult to organize, and to have up to date and trackable data to work with. Application proposals were submitted as emails, faxes, and sometimes even hand-delivered without RFIs. "There was no eligibility quiz at the time, so we were receiving about 150 applications per cycle at two cycles a year — that's a lot for two people to manage."
"We wanted a one-stop shop and build out from there to make it easier for the [grants] manager and grantee," added Mooneyham. By modernizing and streamlining their application process with added information collected through eligibility quizzes, Robins could narrow down the number of applications and make sure they focused on Richmond-based applicants with specific information.
After doing intensive research, self-guided searches, and listening to sales pitches from a number of grants solution software providers, their search seemed fruitless until they came across SmartSimple Cloud as an option to meet their varied needs.
Working with SmartSimple, the Robins Foundation's entire grants process was digitized and transitioned online. The move was immediately met with open arms. "After the first application went through, we looked for feedback, and everything was very positive," says Mooneyham. The platform made it easy for the staff and applicants to navigate the new online system. Now, every user knew where to click, save, and type.
And since Robins Foundation had the platform to standardize how they received their applications, the entire grant application process became much more automated greatly reducing the need for manual intervention. "There was less of a workload on an already capacity-strapped program team, and we wanted to make the application process easy on both sides [grants managers and grantees], so everybody wins."
Not only was their new platform streamlining their workflow process with high functionality, the general UX was also very intuitive and eye-catching. Mooneyham added that "something as simple as buttons have become a phenomenal thing [...] they're appealing and make it easier to know where to go. You really can just click a button and trigger a domino effect where they [grantees] get notifications, I get notifications, and there's an incredible capacity for making everything really easy."
"There was nothing online, and as a foundation, we decided to transition to be more responsive and proactive. We found paper wasn't cutting it anymore."
Tracie Mooneyham, Program and Grants Manager,
Robins Foundation
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"I really appreciate the level of personal customer service, it's so important and so appreciated."
Tracie Mooneyham, Program and Grants Manager,
Robins Foundation
Schedule a demo today to see how SmartSimple Cloud for Grants Management can be put to work at your organization.


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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — President Trump said on Tuesday Americans can expect another round of stimulus checks in 2020.
"We are working on another stimulus package, and that will take place … very soon," Trump told Jessi Turnure, a reporter for the Nexstar Washington, D.C. Bureau.
Trump said his administration and Congress are currently negotiating the exact amount included in the next round of coronavirus relief.
During a public appearance in Kentucky on Monday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said a second round of stimulus payments will likely target people who were most impacted by the pandemic.
"I think the people who have been hit the hardest are people who make about $40,000 a year or less," McConnell said on Monday. "And many of them work in the hospitality industry."
According to the Washington Post, many believe the GOP is starting to move in the direction of limiting stimulus to lower income taxpayers.
On Tuesday, a top aide to Vice President Mike Pence said the White House is looking at a second stimulus package totaling around $1 trillion.
"There's obviously been a lot of stimulus put in the system over the last couple bills and so the price tag for us would be that," Marc Short, Pence's chief of staff, said during an interview on Bloomberg Radio.
Bloomberg's Saleha Mohsin first reported the possibility of a $1 trillion package.
Mohsin noted provisions for the next round of relief could include changes to unemployment benefits, a back-to-work tax credit for workers returning to their jobs, a payroll tax cut, liability protections and tax decisions for companies to help subsidize workers' restaurant and entertainment expenses.
This report follows White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows signaling support Monday for additional stimulus while noting there are proposals beyond the direct checks sent to taxpayers earlier this year.
"I think the president's been very clear that he's supportive of another stimulus check," White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said Monday. "Yet at the same time, we want to make sure that we're addressing things in a real, systemic way, whether that is making sure that the take-home check for every American is greater with a payroll-tax deduction, whether it's making sure that we provide incentives for American manufacturing to be brought back from abroad."
In late March, President Trump signed a $3 trillion stimulus package into law that included one-time payments of up to $1,200 for eligible Americans. As the weeks have turned into months since the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed, many Americans are wondering if, and when, a second check or prepaid debit card will arrive as the pandemic continues.
One proposal currently on the table is the HEROES Act, a $3 trillion bill, that includes $275 billion for testing and healthcare worker hazard pay, and a trillion dollars for state and local governments. Second stimulus check is very likely coming in July, U.S. Senate says
The HEROES Act was passed by House Democrats in May and would offer another round of $1,200 checks to American adults and children. It also expands the number of people who are eligible to receive government aid by including college students and older teenagers. The payments would be capped at $6,000 per household.
Congress and the Senate are on recess until July 20. It's unlikely the Senate will consider any additional relief packages before July 20.


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Somehow I forgot to write last weekend…
- Being crazy busy is not sustainable in the long-term.
- I did a tiny analysis of State DMOs on Pinterest. I'll also be speaking about Pinterest at SoMeT. Let's me know if you're attending the conference!
- My favorite part about SoMeT is geeking out with feel Tourism Geeks. It always provides motivation, inspiration and validity.
- And most importantly, I'm in Columbus for the weekend and get to see Betsy Decillis, my #tourismchat partner, today!
- Pin of the week (and my absolute most favorite meme):


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Saturday, September 24, 2011
6:30pm, Satellite photo is NO different from morning... heavy rain continue over S-E Uttarpradesh and N-E MP.. http://ow.ly/i/hVlR
By Rakesh - September 24, 2011 1 comments
Chennai - Good sea breeze now 3:38pm... some cloud formation can be seen over North of City
Category: chennai
Isolated T.showers possible for N.coastal Tamilnadu, S.interior, S.coastal Andhra from 25-Sep till Month end... http://ow.ly/i/hUvE
For next 3 days.. Central coastal Tamilnadu may get some isolated T.showers from today till 27-Sep.
Latest IMD GFS expects a strong circulation over E. Bay on 1-Oct..???
According to COLA models, the present circulation will weaken in that place and the remnant will move East and disappear on 29-Sep
12:30pm, Latest satellite shot shows the Heavy cloud activity over the Circulation zone (E. MP and S-E UP) .. http://ow.ly/i/hUtR
Today the E.central India Low is over E. Madhyapradesh, S-E UP, Bihar and Jharkand .. http://ow.ly/i/hUto
Monsoon starts exiting North-West ... http://ow.ly/6DALe
2011 south west monsoon has started withdrawing .. http://ow.ly/6DAKY
Monsoon starts exiting North-West
India Meteorological Department (IMD) has declared that the southwest monsoon has withdrawn from parts of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and north Arabian Sea on Friday.
The withdrawal line passed through Amritsar, Hissar, Ajmer, Deesa and Porbandar.
The western end of the monsoon trough is running close to the foothills of Himalayas, indicating weak or nil activity over northwest India.
The eastern end is still being kept active by Thursday's depression that has since weakened into a well-marked low-pressure system.
The eastern end passed through Gorakhpur, Daltongunj, centre of the low-pressure system (Jamshedpur) and Balasore before dipping southeastward into east-central Bay of Bengal.
The withdrawal process is now expected to run into residual monsoon activity over east and northeast India.
Interior peninsula too is forecast to be devoid of any major rain activity, though the east coast could witness some wet weather principally as an extension of the emerging storminess northwest Pacific and South China Sea.
True to forecasts, a monsoon depression has already sprung up afresh over northwest Pacific close to northeast Philippines.
Global models indicate the possibility of this system dropping anchor in the South China Sea basin where it would intensify into a tropical storm.
This is forecast to send in a 'pulse' across Indochina into the Bay of Bengal to lit up the waters there and trigger rains along the southern Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu coasts and into the peninsula.
A weather warning issued by the IMD said that the well-marked 'low' over east India would trigger isolated heavy rainfall over east Uttar Pradesh, north Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and Meghalaya on Saturday and Sunday.
An extended forecast valid until Wednesday said that fairly widespread rain or thundershowers would break out over parts of east and northeast India.
The weather is expected to continue to remain mainly dry over many parts of northwest and adjoining central India.
from http://www.thehindubusinessline.com
Category: IMD Report, South West Monsoon
chennai - Temp. has already touched 34.7 C (12:12pm).. a HOT, DRY and CLEAR noon ahead.
Category: chennai
2011 south west monsoon has started withdrawing
Withdrawal of SW Monsoon
a) Withdrawal from extreme north-western parts of the country is not attempted before 1st September.
b) After 1st September:
The following major synoptic features are considered for the first withdrawal from the western parts of NW India.
i) Cessation of rainfall activity over the area for continuous 5 days.
ii) Establishment of anticyclone in the lower troposphere (850 hPa and below)
iii) Considerable reduction in moisture content as inferred from satellite water vapour imageries and tephigrams.
Yesterday the southwest monsoon had withdrawn from some parts of Punjab,
Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and north Arabian Sea.The withdrawal line passes through
Amritsar, Hissar, Ajmer, Deesa, Porbandar, Lat.21.0°N/Long.65.0°E and
Category: IMD Report, South West Monsoon
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This is the second article in a two-part series examining sectarian violence and exploring strategies that can help unite Burma's diverse populace. The first part can be read here.
Four weeks ago, I spent the latter part of an evening with the local commander of an Irrawaddy-delta town chatting with him and other friends. He ultimately asked me – and effectively the group – to define this "open society" that was meant to be coming to Burma, and to explain how the country is supposed to manage it?
He indexed the recent violence as a gaping question mark, providing it as an example of people losing discipline. A rambunctious party fell silent and debate ensued for the next hour.
That these kinds of discussions are occurring is remarkable and positive, and it is important to highlight them as examples of Burmese Buddhists (in this case) struggling with these issues. It also illustrates that people are not merely seeing the "other" as a threat, but are trying to figure out how to navigate – and even embrace – difference.
Indeed, these conversations can be interpreted as nascent attempts to confront scapegoating violence with a positive politics, with citizens articulating inclusive conceptions of community that base inclusion not on the violence of the colonial encounter of all things.
This positive politics must include elaborations of economic justice and inclusive political membership. The first can be achieved through a combination of legislation, advocacy and pedagogy around the importance of directing support to the 70 percent of Burmese citizens who toil in or around the rural agriculture sector.
A team of Harvard professors has highlighted the economic sense in supporting small-holder plots, something that is a far cry from Aung San Suu Kyi telling farmers that they will be fine without their land.
Luckily there are signs that such pro-poor orientation is emerging from the National League for Democracy as well. The NLD's new in-house research team is focusing on the agricultural sector, working to synthesize research and data from constituents so as to develop policies that allow growth to come from the bottom.
A missing piece is Suu Kyi using her immense social capital to infuse her empty rule of law rhetoric with these kinds of meanings. Indeed, it is not enough to say "rule of law" without telling people how these ideas will actually affect their lives in positive ways.
A "rule of law" that guarantees that the rich stay rich and the poor stay poor is one that is not only unjust but which breeds potential conflict, as those who feel excluded – at any level – can find scapegoats to target or victims to violate. A "rule of law" that ensures that some are citizens and some are not puts the lie to the NLD's plea for universal human rights and justice for which the party has putatively advocated for so long now.
Second, political leaders must articulate policies and political narratives that elaborate a more capacious understanding of political membership. Here, changing the exclusionary 1982 citizenship law and developing a federalist system that devolves power to ethnic states will certainly be necessary.
Moreover, there are positive voices which can be magnified: a collection of inter-faith youth organisations in particular have made courageous statements against racial violence and a group of moderate monks have repudiated the claims made by the bigoted ones.
But neither policies nor rejections will be sufficient because they do not positively articulate why people like the Rohingya, Muslims, ethnic minorities, Christians, etc belong. This will require pedagogy about how all of these peoples have shared collective struggle (living through the military regime), often share bonds of family and culture, and most importantly, share a desire to be part of the nation's future.
If Burma examines its society, they will see that denizens of all stripes – ethnic minorities, Muslims, even Rohingya – can make and have made those kinds of commitments. Fortunately, there is a model for this – Suu Kyi's father and namesake Aung San, Burma's founder.
Anthropologist Gustaaf Houtman has analyzed Aung San's speeches, and finds Aung San continually searching for a political liberation that applies to all of Burma's peoples and which is expressed through the idiom of socio-economic justice: "[Aung San] described 'new democracy' as 'although not entirely free of capitalism, is not capitalistic', is 'somewhere betwixt and between' … If the old democracies had succumbed to underhand manipulation by 'capitalists and big business discreetly assuming power' the constitution of this 'new democracy' would 'place power in the hands of the masses through their elected representative from top to bottom.'"
Drawing on Aung San, who is still seen as a multi-ethnic unifier, and his historical demands for equality may address the lingering and ever-displaced issues of multi-ethnic belonging in a majority-Burman state.
This can be done by imagining a 'politics of the daily' and basing policies and narratives on the struggle of everyday life in a changing Burma. When such a politics is imagined, it must conjure – in the minds of policymakers, activists, and citizens alike – not only the stylised 'average Burmese' (who undoubtedly is Burman and lives in central Burma), but rather expand to consider the experiences of the various classes, ethnicities, and religions in Burma.
This takes unique experiences seriously without flattening difference into a narrative about simple socio-economic concerns, and without insisting that all non-Burmans – or Burmans for that matter – have the exact same experiences.
Such a politics can re-orient the futile search for the timeless 'authentic' Burma subject. It can help develop a sense of a new authentic subject: anyone who has struggled through the long years of the regime and who is now willing to work for a better collective future.
Elliott Prasse-Freeman is Founding Research Associate Fellow of the Human Rights and Social Movements Program at Harvard Kennedy School's Carr Center for Human Rights. He is also a PhD candidate in Anthropology at Yale University
-The opinions and views expressed in this piece are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect DVB's editorial policy.


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It's the first of the month and thus time for the MSX Download Charts - our monthly overview of which files from our freeware MSX downloads corner have been downloaded the most in the past month. As of this months we have decided to expand the MSX Related Downloads charts from a monthly Top 5 to a monthly Top 10.
MSXdev '07 - Results
In the last few years, the MSXdev competitions gained much praise from the community. Not only did it increase the amount of new content for the good-old MSX1 system, it also made game developers more active.
Last night, the second Scene Music Remake Challenge came to an end. After a slow start and an extended deadline, several entries came in after all. As a result we have 8 songs from 6 different composers that entered the challenge.
Mankind has had barely enough time to inspect his giant Bastard map and explorer only_69 comes up with the next map already.
SMRC2 - #8: The Lost Battle
With only a few days left, some late-minute entries start coming in.
Since recently, our ever growing free downloads database keeps expanding with content from Bart Roijmans.
Bargain 5.50
A new version of Bargain, a lossless image compression/decompression toolkit for MSX was released today. The toolkit claims to achieve impressive results in both compression ratio and decompression speed.
SMRC2 - #7: Omnifarious Steps
From AuroraMSX we received the 7th entry to the Scene Music Remake Challenge #2: Omnifarious Steps.
Last weekend a large group of MSX fans, mainly from the Netherlands and Belgium, traveled to Nijmegen to visit the third annual MSX fair/user meeting in Nijmegen.


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9789 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33434
The friendly, caring staff of Dental Care of Boca Raton in the Boca Raton, Florida area strive to make you feel comfortable and well-cared for at your dentist appointment. David Kagan, is committed to serving you and your family's dental needs, year after year. Come and see what we have to offer in a professional setting where top-notch customer service still matters.
Have you ever considered natural-looking, permanent dental implants instead of uncomfortable dentures? Incredible recent advances in technology allow Boca Raton area dental implants dentist Dr. David Kagan to create tooth implants just for you that can be permanently anchored to your jaw. This is a great option to consider if you've had negative experiences with dentures in the past.
Dental Care of Boca Raton practices the highest infection control standards to protect our patients and ourselves. In the Boca Raton, FL area, Dr. David Kagan and his staff strictly observe all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. All instruments are cleaned, disinfected and routinely sterilized as recommended by the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control. Whenever possible, disposable, single-use items are used to ensure your safety.
Here at Dental Care of Boca Raton, your comfort is our number one priority. We will do our utmost to put you at ease and keep you feeling relaxed and secure. Under the experienced leadership of Dr. David Kagan, our dedicated team of professionals is at your service to explain your treatment thoroughly and answer any questions you may have.
You're unique, and you deserve quality, individualized care. Dr. David Kagan believes your dental experience should blend the best of the personal and the professional. At Dental Care of Boca Raton in the Boca Raton, Florida area, we take the time to get to know you and understand your dental needs. Dr. Kagan and his staff are dedicated to providing you with top-quality dental care designed exclusively for you.
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The color, size, and shape of your teeth all have a profound impact on your appearance. While it is often the desire of people to improve the look of their smiles, it should be the goal of aesthetic dentistry, or cosmetic dentistry, to do this while still maintaining a "natural" appearance of the teeth. This often requires addressing one or all of the above-mentioned criteria. How is it that alterations in these three characteristics enhance your smile?
Tooth color is most commonly what people see first. As you get older, your teeth get darker. The reasons for this include normal changes that occur within the tooth and repeated insults from environmental conditions (coffee or tea stains, for example). Generally, then, darker teeth are associated with older age. The easiest way that cosmetic dentistry can correct this is by teeth bleaching. But this alone may not entirely create a natural-looking appearance.
Size and shape also are major factors that define the appearance of teeth. The most common cause of changing tooth size and shape over time is tooth wear; and the most common cause of wear is tooth-to-tooth contact, or grinding. Wear on the edges of the teeth can give the appearance of aging because you do not show as much of your teeth when you smile. Another factor that affects how much of your teeth show when you smile is the loss of skin tone as you age.
This loss of tone causes your face to sag, thereby showing less of your upper teeth and more of your lower teeth. The aesthetic dentistry treatment to enable more teeth to show when you smile will depend on the cause. If the cause is due to wear of the teeth, dental veneers or dental crowns can be used to regain the lost length and fill out the smile. On the other hand, this may not have a significant effect if the cause is due to the loss of skin tone associated with age. If this is the case, plastic surgery may be indicated as part of the treatment.
Wear on teeth also will make the edges of the front teeth very flat. As this occurs, the edges of the front teeth will form a straight line rather than the more youthful appearance when the two front teeth are slightly longer than the teeth next to them. Also, as they wear, the proportion of length to width will be altered. Teeth will start to appear more square in their shape rather than rectangular.
Basically, any treatment that counteracts the above-mentioned appearance changes has the ability to enhance the appearance of your teeth and smile. The aesthetic dentistry treatment can vary from teeth bleaching to dental crowns or dental veneers. Depending on the severity, other forms of treatment such as braces and gum surgery also may be indicated to enhance the appearance and function of your teeth. It is important to remember that all areas need to be addressed. If treatment for teeth that are worn and dark only involves teeth bleaching, the final result will be whiter teeth that are still worn and short. The teeth will not appear natural, as there will be a conflict between white teeth (youthful) and worn teeth (aged) that do not work together. Instead, it is necessary to correct the color, size, and shape to create a more natural appearance.
By Greggory Kinzer, DDS, MSD
Maybe the reason we find an eight-year-old's gapped teeth smile so adorable is...we know it's not permanent. Soon the grown-up teeth will be poking through, clean and new. All part of the mouth's natural evolution.
It's not often that nature gives us a second chance, but when it comes to teeth it does just that. For many children it can be a wake-up call to start taking dental hygiene seriously. As the old saying goes, "God gives you two sets of teeth, but you have to buy the third."
It may be time though to change that outdated piece of wisdom to: "Teeth are like friends...ignore them and their needs and they'll go away. Be kind to them and they'll stick with you forever."
That's why regular hygiene appointments and a gum disease examination are so important. Barring injury, there's simply no reason why most of us should be missing teeth as we grow older. Call it a "10,000 smile checkup," insuring all your parts are in good working order.
Once your cosmetic dentist knows that your teeth are healthy and the gums are sound, he or she can do a little restorative dentistry to evolve your smile to an even higher level. Things like dental bonding to close the gaps…or invisible dental crowns or veneers for front teeth…even teeth bleaching for a truly dazzling and beautiful smile.
Give your cosmetic dentistry professional a call. He or she can help you see to it that your mouth does the job it was intended to for a lifetime. And look drop-dead sensational at the same time!


text: If your small breed dog suffers with skin conditions such as itching, reddened areas, it could be caused by allergies. Just like humans, many dogs have sensitive reactions to certain components in food or the environment. This Hill's Prescription Diet Canine Mini Derm Complete Dry Dog Food is a complete dog food specially tailored for small breed dogs, with a special recipe to support the skin. This dietetic dry food has very high acceptance and can help to combat allergic reactions. The high content of essential fatty acids can also help to support the skin's natural barrier function. Hill's Prescription Diet Canine Mini Derm Complete Dry Dog Food also offers a delicious flavour that is well-accepted by many dogs. Hill's Prescription Diet Canine Mini Derm Complete Dry Dog Food at a glance: Dietetic complete food to support skin function in adult dogs with dermatosis or excessive hair loss, helping to reduce reactions and nutritional intolerance reactions Specially developed for dogs with allergies to environmental or nutritional components With natural antioxidants: can contribute to normal immune system function Selected protein carbohydrate sources: restricted to help ensure a low allergenic potential Special recipe: with vitamins, minerals and trace elements such as beta carotene Recommended by veterinarians: a frequently prescribed, clinically proven food Understand skin allergies Allergies in dogs are often caused by environmental factors such as pollen, dust mites and mould, but can also result from protein such as chicken or beef. Recognise the signs Itching, scratching and licking can all be signs that your dog has a skin allergy. Look out for changes in skin, such as spots, pimples or pustules, as well as hair loss or skin odour. HistaGuard Complex The unique HistaGuard Complex has a proprietary mix of bioactive substances and phytonutrients to reduce the signs of environmental allergies. Essential fatty acids The high content of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids can help to improve and support normal skin health and the skin's barrier function against environmental allergens.


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Good news for those of you who don't like too much clutter! A minimalist way of life is in store for interior design fanatics throughout 2014 and beyond, with a move towards natural textures and finishes and a much fresher, more 'clean' look in the home.
Here's just some images we found via Pinterest, displaying gorgeous apartments and homes which are championing the minimalist movement.
How about an uncluttered home office, or a tidy kitchen? Or do you agree that a clean space like this isn't the most practical? The large living room may look attractive, but does its lack of clutter make it less personal?
This year will see a move towards natural textures and finishes, with a calm approach to decor and design with minimal fuss. Are you a fan of this look, or couldn't you see it working in your home?
When you consider that some people live a minimalist way of life in almost every element of their day-to-day existence, making a decision to simply overhaul one room into an organised haven seems easy, doesn't it?
Keep an eye on our blog as we'll be bringing you some top tips from an organisational expert very soon, to help you organise your home and its rooms for a more stress-free way of life.
In the meantime, head to our Facebook page for all the latest from our office here in Honley, Holmfirth.
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