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Family travel on your mind? Ditch that hotel and rent a holiday home instead! With generous spaces and affordable pricing on offer, vacation rentals are a great option when travelling with children or in groups.
On a recent visit to Mornington Peninsula in Australia (with the kids in tow!), we booked a stay with leading vacation rental company HomeAway. Relaxed and super convenient - we haven't stopped raving about our holiday home since!
HomeAway - Choosing that Special Getaway
A recent family-related survey commissioned by HomeAway, shows that Singaporean families travel to bond and holiday homes are their preferred choice of accommodation.
And we couldn't agree more! With over 2 Million unique places to stay in, across 190 countries (and counting!), HomeAway was our perfect first choice for a vacation rental.
The HomeAway app (or website) is intelligent, simple to use and allows for plenty of ways to refine your search. So, whether it's the location (far away vs. central), access to great facilities (wine and food tours anyone?) or the basics, such as having two bathrooms so no one has to share - renting a whole vacation room from HomeAway is as easy as a swipe!
The Whole House. The Whole Family. A Whole Vacation
We chose to stay in a 2-storey house located on a quiet street up on Mt. Martha. This meant literally having access to the best of both worlds - bay views during the day and city lights in the evenings. This property is an excellent starting point to key attractions in the area as well as the Pillars Beach, which is a mere 3-minute drive away!
The house we found, was befitting beyond our expectations. A renovated double storey villa, that could accommodate up to 8 people - and comfortably! Got more than one car? No problem, the property houses a two-car garage along with ample room to park more vehicles should you need to. This HomeAway property has a beautiful, airy feel about it. An open plan area upstairs spills into a modern kitchen while floor to ceiling windows lead into a massive balcony cum deck. The home also comes well equipped with everything a family would need. A well designed and large kitchen, toiletries, TV, washer and dryer, and the highlight of our stay - a ginormous BBQ!
Do We Really Need to Step Out?
HomeAway's recent survey says 59% of travellers spend at least 10 hours in a holiday home hanging out vs. 40% who would do so in a hotel. And we were no different!
Board games, family movie time or simply soaking in breathtaking views from the outdoor area; we really didn't need to leave this vacation home at all! The owners take extra care to make your stay special at this Mount Martha house - coffee, fresh milk, and chocolates are already stocked for weary travelers. As is the kitchen with an incredibly large array of utensils, cutlery and glassware; so whether it's martinis or lemonade, you can drink up in style.
The 4-burner BBQ makes for the perfect addition to a family home and the essential Aussie holiday experience. Our evenings were made extra special, with the whole family cooking together while taking in those stunning sunset views, of course.
While there are plenty of beautiful drive options, in and around Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula remains a firm favourite for families travelling with kids. Easy, short drives and a bounty of kid-friendly activities, make Mornington a great base to explore the region. Our Mt. Martha vacation villa had a convenient location, thereby giving access to the beach, vineyards, a strawberry farm, cheese tasting venues and animal encounters (Moonlit sanctuary) aplenty. Also, with proximity to nearby groceries, stocking up on daily necessities was incredibly easy as was grabbing a much delightful Chinese takeaway!
#HomeAway - 65 Million Visitors and more!
With over 65 million travellers visiting HomeAway's global sites, it truly is the world's leading online marketplace for vacation rentals. Part of the Expedia family of brands, HomeAway connects homeowners with travellers who seek the ease and convenience of vacation rental homes, as an alternative to hotels.
If you are keen to take your family travel experience to the next level - don't miss their Chinese New Year promo! Book your dream family holiday on HomeAway and get an SGD88 activity hongbao voucher to spend on Expedia Activities (Valid till 28th Feb 2019).
Value for money, enough space to spread out and a great way to spend time together, family holidays were never this fun!
Property Details: HomeAway - Sea & Tree, Mount Martha VIC, Australia


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What Gamespot Users have to say about The Sims
This has got to be one of the most incredibly boring games in all of video game history. I played this game for about 4 hours and was so bored that I actually fell asleep. That was the only time I had ever fallen aslee... Read Full Review2 of 6 users found the following review helpful
The best game i ever seen before, Sims looks more prety on Game Cube than other plattforms. I suppose, GameCube has better graphics and hardware than other platforms, and im playing it on GC and PS2, i seen more quik and... Read Full Review0 of 5 users found the following review helpful
New platform, improved crack. The Xbox version of "The Sims" benefits from 3D and enhanced gameplay modes, including a mission-based single player mode and a bevy of multiplayer modes, including 2-person co-op. The mis... Read Full Review0 of 0 users found the following review helpful

subset: commoncrawl


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BASTT DataBase
Demo of our data set for the S&P 500 index
For more information or a quote, please contact us
Berman Scale for S&P 500
We derive the calculations of our Berman Scale© from the approach developed by Phillips et al. (2011) and Martelin et al. (2016). We test whether the recent pattern in an index level time series can be characterized as a bubble (i.e. a non-linear explosive behavior). A value of 10 and above indicates a high probability of a bubble.
1996 - 2016
YEAR by YEAR average Berman Scale
Annual Berman Scale average for S&P 500
How the data can be used: example of an investment strategy
Several investment strategies can be developed using the Berman Scale© and/or the trading signals.
We present here a simple long-term, long-only index strategy based on monthly data with the following characteristics:
. Portfolio size: 100,000 USD
. Asset traded: ETFs on the S&P 500 index
. Investment decision: Buy for 100,000 USD worth of ETFs when a BUY signal is returned and close position when a SELL signal is returned
We ignore all other BUY signals returned between the first BUY signal and the next SELL signal.
Below is the result of this strategy (annual performance in %)


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Chak de, India (means Go India Go!) has caught the imagination of moviegoers in India and the Indian Diaspora. Moreover, corporate India and B schools have taken up to Chak de, India with great gusto. There are lessons in leadership. There is a rare joie-de-vivre. Chak de, India is not just about women's hockey – it is about a leader-coach making ordinary people do extraordinary things. It is about inspiring the team and inducing passion for the game and winning. It is this spirit of Chak de, India that is the hot button of the movie.
India is on a winning spree on the Pharma wicket too. Indian Pharma field was an importer of medicines, during the time of independence (1947) and today self-reliant India is a net exporter of pharmaceuticals. Today, traditional Indian healthcare science is gaining momentum too. Ayurvedic Liv 52 is the numero uno pharmaceutical product of the Indian Pharma market. (The Economic Times, front page on 12.9.2007 announced rather cheekily, AHEM! LIV 52 CLIMBS ATOP DRUG CHARTS.)
Indian soft power in marketing themes
It is said business is marketing and marketing is business. The major component of Indian Pharma market is allopathic. The success of Indian Pharma industry is based on reverse engineering under the umbrella of Indian Patents Act, 1970. However, enduring marketing success is possible by banking on the soft power of India.
What is soft power?
The soft power of a country rests primarily on three resources: its culture (in places where it is attractive to others), its political values (when it lives up to them at home and abroad), and its foreign policies (when they are seen as legitimate and having moral authority.)
Soft power is a great product and service differentiator. Even the giants of global Pharma industry cannot match the way Kerala serves the world through Ayurveda (soft power component here is Ayurveda). In fact, the solidity and depth of success of companies like The Himalaya Drug Company comes from the fact that they have banked on the soft power of India. The successes of companies like Himalaya are not easily replicated. The milestones achieved by such companies and the depth of business is matchless as their business journey is based on an indelible cultural theme of Indian society. In contrast, the successes of Indian global Pharma companies like Ranbaxy, Nicholas Piramal, Cadila, Mankind… are notable but on shifting sands. The point is there is a product obsolescence factor in manufacture and marketing of allopathic products. But the natural based products can seemingly go on forever, they are dependent on brand building activities. Thus, with soft power based products and services we have an enduring business model. Product obsolesence is a rarity. The business journey of the large companies in India is lacking in the soft power component.
Is it impossible for Indian Pharma companies to use SOFT POWER?
It is possible to use soft power by Indian Pharma but what is apparently lacking is an appreciation of playing on the soft power theme and the corporate will to use soft power in business processes of Indian Pharma companies. This is vital since this soft power differentiator is not available with competing companies from advanced countries.
Is use of soft power a rocket science?
Obviously not! All it requires is back up by scientific trials in modern metaphors and language; presenting traditional themes in modern terms. Brand building is the second most important aspect for using soft power in business processes. Brand building will involve a unified signage, logo, color, font …
Dr. Kishore Patwardhan's efforts to contemporize the soft power of India
Dr. Kishore Patwardhan is a young dapper MD in Ayurveda – a part of the faculty at Benaras Hindu University, Varanasi. While he is gaining popularity as a good teacher he is also pursuing Ph D and has made a great effort in contributing to Ayurveda by way of a book with an original and interesting perspective. Dr. Kishore Patwardhan's effort is laudable, as he has created a compact easily readable book demystifying the concepts of Ayurveda and has presented the same with reference to modern medicine. It is a grand effort to present the soft power of India in a relevant way.
I sincerely recommend this book to all healthcare professionals in the world – particularly for those in marketing of natural pharmaceuticals.
Let us remind ourselves that there is a great appreciation for natural medicine in modern medical practice. Saw palmetto and silymarin are international best seller medicines. Moreover, modern day anti cancer vincristine and vinblastin have their origins in Ayurvedic Vinca rosea alkaloids. That is an example of soft power from India.
Please click here for contacting Dr. Kishore:
You could also contact Dr. Kishore at: firstname.lastname@example.com
The book penned by Dr. Kishore Patwardhan:
Human Physiology in Ayurveda
Here is how you can buy the book online:
Or you could contact Dr. Kishore at (for purchasing the book)
The publishers of this book:
I am also happy and proud of Dr. Kishore
Dr. Kishore happens to be my wife's cousin (to be specific: Dr. Kishore is the eldest son of my wife's father's elder brother. Dr. Kishore's father is retired Prof. Of Kannada, Shri Dharmasthala College, Ujire, and he too is an author of repute in Kannada. So Dr. Kishore is a chip of the old block!). Dr. Kishore is happily married to Dr. Medha (a dermatologist) and they live at Varanasi with their bubbly baby boy Satvik. Their photos are at the top of this blogpost.
Kudos to Dr. Kishore on his contribution to the soft power of India.Thanks for reading this blogpost. Please read all other posts, including by clicking on OLDER POSTS as they are all worth it. Thanks once again.


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Some people just find ways to be irresistible to others. It's not just a physical attraction, either. There are things about their personality that make them stand out.
Over time, psychologists have done studies to look into just what causes things like this. They've discovered several tricks of the trade that work. This list looks at a few of those. You may want to give them a shot in an effort to attract others.
9. Confidence is key
To many, confidence is the most important thing someone can have. You have to be able to see and understand how great you are, or else nobody else will see it. When you're confident, you're authentic and there's no room for you to be jealous of anyone. You're comfortable with who you are.
Confidence can teach you self-sufficiency and that you don't have to compete with anyone. It will ooze out of you and other people can tell that. You'll emit an aura that almost everyone can find attractive. Be careful though, as too much confidence can become cockiness, which nobody likes.
8. Have big goals
One of the things that people like is ambition. You don't want someone who doesn't believe in themselves or have any goals. A person who goes after their dreams is one you want to be aligned with.
When you have a big dream and you're chasing it, positive vibes will emit from you. It's admirable to be someone who shows that they want to make it far in their life. Don't bury your goals, go after them. Everyone will think it's attractive.
7. Self-awareness
Do unto others. You know that saying. It's important to treat yourself well because it shows others how to treat you. People with self-awareness are attractive because they know exactly who they are and they accept it. They know their strengths and their weaknesses.
They know how to handle those weaknesses and how to showcase those strengths.
6. Stop complaining
Nobody wants to hang out with someone who spends most of their time complaining and whining. If you're just sitting there complaining about how bad life is or how little you think of yourself, not a single person will be interested in dating you.
Negativity is the furthest thing from attraction. Be positive. Remind yourself of the good things going on in your life and focus on what you've achieved. Don't overthink problems, encourage yourself and others, and just do your best to be happy.
5. Don't copy; imitate
Being yourself is very important. You've got to be your own person, because that's one of the most attractive things on the planet. However, it's good to try and be a mirror image of sorts to the person you're with.
You should do what you can to show interest in the hobbies and passions of the other person. Be on the same page as the person you're interested in. Don't change who you are, but find a way to incorporate someone else, as it will do wonders for your relationship.
4. Listen
Far too many people confuse hearing with listening. There's a big different. Hearing someone is one thing, where you simply hear what the other person is telling you. Meanwhile, listening involves understanding what was being said and having a conversation about it.
Don't pretend to listen either. It's important not to have your mind occupied elsewhere. Listening shows a willingness to allow someone else into your life. With the hustle and bustle of life, finding someone who is interested in taking the time to listen to you is special.
3. Use body gestures
This is way more crucial than most people seem to understand. Not making eye contact while holding a conversation is rude and unattractive. It's a small but important gesture. There's also the important fact that about 90% of someone's first impression of you is based on body language.
No matter what you're off doing, having good body language can make or break a situation. It shapes your personality in a way that you probably don't expect. Smile, look into someone's eyes, and stand straight. These all matter in terms of being attractive.
2. Focus on one
If you want someone to look at you like there's nobody else around, then you need to make sure they feel like they're all that matters. If you're not giving someone your undivided attention, then what's the point? It's rude and ultimately useless.
Don't pay attention to anyone else. If someone finds you attractive, only to see you stop in the middle of a conversation to check your phone, they'll immediately notice how uncool that is. Be considerate, as it goes a long way.
1. Tell great stories
This one probably seems kind of odd, but it's key. Being an amazing speaker who can have quality conversations makes you incredibly attractive. People get completely hooked on a great storyteller. Even if you don't have vast experiences, you can still have great conversations.
Shelter, nourishment, companionship. These are things everyone wants, but so are stories. If you can communicate in a compelling manner, it will allow for improved social interactions. That makes people like you more and they're more likely to be attracted.


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Backpacking the Ansel Adams Wilderness Day 2
Day 2
Backpacking the Ansel Adams Wilderness
Mammoth Lakes, CA
Waking up to nothing but nature
Ugh. Ugh is right. The night was restless. It typically is always restless for me the first night in the wilderness; however, this night seemed to be a little more than normal. It normally takes me one night to get used to my surroundings no matter how many times I go out on the trail.
Ultimately I wanted to wake up early, just before sunrise to be ready for the beautiful sun illuminating over the peaks. Umm... Ya right! Talk about dreaming. I lay in bed with my eyes opening and closing. Should I get up, or shouldn't I get up? That was the ultimate question. Can I go back to sleep? Maybe just one more hour? After I finally crawled out from my tent I stood up, stretched, and realized how beautiful everything was around you. You really can't get much better than waking up in the wilderness. Birds great you with their beautiful song, the creek was singing its melody, and the crisp air morning makes you feel alive.
For breakfast I had packed the same thing every day. It consisted of quick oats with slivered almonds, vanilla protein powder, topped with freeze dried raspberries and of course a big ole cup of joe. Being in absolutely no hurry to pack up I sat around camp enjoying my long lazy morning, sipping on my cup of coffee and taking in the gorgeous view that surrounded me. Well, being lazy during the morning did cost me a bit in the afternoon. It meant hiking in the warm part of the day, but let me tell you it was worth it. So, Garnet Lake here I come.
Up and Over
Originally I thought Day 2 was my easy day. The hike to camp at Garnet Lake was less than 4 miles. Easy peasy! However, once I got my legs moving the hike felt like so much more. The heat from the sun was my ultimate payment for my lazy morning. My usually trustworthy day 2 hiking legs were nowhere to be found.
Once I finally made it to the pass I found snow and not just a little bit of snow. It was alot of snow! This meant I had to walk down a huge hill with alot of snow. In the snow, I am not very sure footed, and I had only worn my barefoot tennies, so this was going to be interesting for sure. I carefully placed each foot to ensure I didn't fall flat on my face. Very slowly, I made my way to the overlook where I could see the all so gorgeous sight of Garnet Lake. I made it! Only a little bit to go and I would be setting up camp. Since I was so close, and the view was to die for it ended up being the absolute perfect spot for a quick power nap and some food.
Glicading? Ehhh What Did You Say?
As I lay there taking my nap, or at least trying to, I heard a group cresting the pass. It sounded like there was about 8 or so in the hiking squad. To the sound of it, they were as worried about faceplanting in the snow as I was. Then one hiker laughed out loud and said 'well we can just glisade'. This definitely caught my attention as I had no idea what glisading was. Come to find out, it is where you just sit down on your bottom and slide down the snow. Like sledding with no sled :)
This year, California reached about 200% snowfall so I guess all the backpackers are doing it these days. So, naturally, I had to try this new cool glicading. All the cool kids are doing it, I have to too!
Garnett Lake
With nap time being over, I got up and continued walking down the trail to Garnet lake. This is where I found my first opportunity to try out this Glisading thing. So, I sat my booty on that snow and pushed off. Whoooshhh! I was at the bottom of the mountain in a blink of an eye. This, let me tell you, was so much better than trying to walk down a slippery snow packed mountain side. At the bottom of the mountain I stood up and quickly realized the downside to glisading... a wet, cold backside. Next time, if you get a chance to glisade a mountain side you need to do it! Be prepared for your booty to be quite wet, but it is so worth it!
The Moon Doesn't Care About your star Photos...
After setting up camp, I took a quick dip in the lake, which was super cold. Then, the evening came upon me fast. I was so incredibly excited for tonight. This night meant amazing star photos. The milky way was out and it was supposed to be directly over Mount Ritter. At 9 O'clock the stars started to show their beautiful twinkle, but the moon was high in the sky drowning most of the starry night. Bummed, but undeterred I stayed up.
As 10 O'clock crept up, the stars were still not strong enough to outshine the bright moon. Then it was 10:30 and I finally decided that I needed to go to bed. After all I had a big day of hiking tomorrow.
Disappointed to say the least I crawled into bed with no photos. Drifting off to sleep, all I could think about was how neat that image would have been. Maybe I was obsessing a little too much, but it is what it is.
A chill woke me up around 2 am. I laid there thinking about the stars and realizing that the moon must have set as it was quite dark outside. I began to argue with myself. My laziness was getting the better of my, but my determination to get a good photo was trying to encourage my lazy side to buck up. If only I crawled out into the cold for just a minute I could capture that perfect picture. The internal battle went on for about 15 minutes, but eventually my drive and determination won. I finally got my lazy booty out of bed.
Sitting up, I put on my jacket, gloves, and beanie, grabbed my camera, and headed out into the cold night. I walked down to the lake knowing that I could potentially get the perfect composition. In the dark cold night, I set up my camera, clicked the shutter button, and waited. The 15 second exposure was a long cold 15 seconds. The screen went black, and then BAM! There it was! Seriously the best night image I have ever taken in my life. Jumping for joy, I forgot about the cold and took a few more photos.
This was it, I finally captured the Milky Way over Mount Ritter! I grabbed all my things and ran back to the tent hoping to get some sort of sleep that night. As I lay there trying to sleep my mind lingered on the photos. Ultimately, I didn't go to sleep quick as I couldn't stop thinking about the gorgeous photos that I just captured and the amazing adventure that I had ahead of me for day 3....
Wishing you nothing but amazing adventures! Stay tuned for day 3!
Adventuring of a Small Town Girl (ASTG)
p.s. if you haven't seen day 1 check it out here.
All Photos are for sale on my photography website here.
My Gear
P.S. wanna know what gear I used? Check it out here:
Kit Used:
Camera: Sony A7Rii: http://amzn.to/1taGpAu
Favorite Lens: Sony FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master: http://amzn.to/2n747NJ
Wide Angle: Sony 16-35mm lens: http://amzn.to/1UBjBDW
Vanguard Tripod: http://amzn.to/2aoI5ku
Samsung Note 4 smart phone
Editing & Processing:
Bulk editing: Adobe Lightroom: http://amzn.to/1WB7Jnc
Fine tuning: Adobe Photoshop : http://amzn.to/1WB7YPh
Viva Video Pro for combining videos


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Naomi Ragen is an American-born novelist, playwright and journalist who has lived in Jerusalem since 1971. Naomi has written for the Jerusalem Post and other publications in Israel and abroad, as well as to her mailing list, about Israel and Jewish issues.
Enter your email address to subscribe to Naomi's blog.
Email Address
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Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Miami Beach, Florida; Boca Raton, Florida; Miami, Florida; Dallas, Texas; Los Angeles, California; Detroit, Michigan; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Nyack, New York.
Check out her full lecture schedule here.
May 2017 – The Polish translation of Devil in Jerusalem is published as Nic Nie Mów.
April 2017 – Naomi speaks about her books at the Ivan M. Stettenham Library at the Streicker Centre in New York City.
March 2017 – Naomi tours the Paris region to speak about her new book Les Soeurs Weiss, the French translation of The Sisters Weiss.
January 2017 – Naomi is interviewed by Valérie Abécasis on French Channel 24's Culture program. The interview (in French) begins at the 4:00 minute mark.
December 2016 – Les Soeurs Weiss, the French translation of The Sisters Weiss, is published.
October 2016 – The Devil in Jerusalem is published in paperback.
November 2015 – The Jewish Telegraphic Agency puts The Devil in Jerusalem at the top of its list of the best Jewish books of the season.
November 2015 – Naomi lectured in Newton (MA), Boca Raton (FL), Miami (FL), St. Louis (MO), New York City, Atlanta (GA), Cherry Hill (NJ) and Santa Fe (NM).
August 2015 – Naomi's new book, שטן בירושלים, a translation of The Devil in Jerusalem, is published.
8-19 March 2015 – Naomi toured France and Switzerland, speaking to her readers in Paris, Marseilles, Strasbourg and Geneva about her new French book, Le Dixieme Chant, a translation of The Tenth Song.
12-20 November 2014 – Naomi lectured at the Windsor Writer's Conference in Windsor, ON as well as in Detroit, Toronto and Winnipeg.
7 October 2014 –
Naomi's ninth novel, The Sisters Weiss, was published in paperback. It's the story of two sisters from an ultra-Orthodox family in 1950s Brooklyn who take very different paths, and then find their lives unexpectedly intersecting again forty years later. To order the book from Amazon, click the book cover above.
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8-17 August 2014 – Naomi was the scholar-in-residence on Kosherica's Kosher Baltic Cruise aboard the Norwegian Cruise Lines Star. The 9 night cruise visited Copenhagen, Rostock, Tallinn, Helsinki, St. Petersburg and Stockholm.
8-9 May 2014 – Naomi took part in a panel discussion on women in Israel, together with Fiamma Nirenstein and Elena Loewenthal, at the Salone Internazionale del Libro 2014 in Turin, Italy.


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Augmented Reality – or AR – has developed at a rapid rate over the last 5 years. In the video below, Richard and Caroline discuss how businesses can experiment with AR and unlock the technology's potential.
In particular they highlight potential legal issues around data protection, intellectual property, media, consumer and regulatory law which come alongside AR…
This video was presented by Caroline Povah (Associate, London) and Richard McMorris (Partner, london)
Click here to check out our other "What's Trending in Media and Sport" videos.


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No room for a proper dining table or desk? New Table Concept saves the day. This well-crafted folding table affixes to the wall and features a patented FastLeg closing system. When closed, it's practically invisible. The New Table Concept is available in a range of laminate or high gloss or matte RAL lacquer finishes.RL14
Learn more about the New Table Concept by Making an Appointment today.
All items are made to order, request a quote for pricing information.
Average lead time: 12-16 weeks
Some configurations available for Quick Ship, see what's in stock.
Transforming Tables from Resource Furniture offer multifunctional living solutions to maximize every square foot in any space. We offer attractive, modern pieces that can be raised and lowered from coffee table height to dining table height, like the Genie, or folded up/expanded as required, such as the Plurimo — allowing you to look beyond typical choices and layouts for an unconstrained approach to flexible living.
Traditional techniques combined with quality materials, attention to detail, and advanced technology are the hallmarks of the Made in Italy distinction, synonymous around the world with excellence.
Resource values the health of all of our customers as well as every employee in our supply chain. That's why all of our products comply with the Toxic Substances Certification Act (TSCA), ensuring that no formaldehyde is used at any point in the manufacturing process.
With more than 18 years of experience, we bring an unmatched level of expertise, professionalism, and customer service to every design project. From your first design consultation through final installation, your total satisfaction at every stage of the project is our mission.
We are committed to bringing unprecedented style and functionality to your home, wherever you are. Our design team is happy to work with you remotely, where you can expect the same level of attention and detail, and a customer-focused experience.
Call Us Anytime 212-753-2039
Email a Design Expert email@example.com


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Program Calendar (2019/20)
|Find Course
Home » Business / Professional / Career » Management » Change Management Skills
Change Management Skills | $265
Course Overview:
Strategically applying/utilizing the various disciplines in order to cause organizational change and add value is often referred to as "change management". Managers and aspiring leaders in the workplace are increasingly being asked to develop the personal skills and attitudes for implementing change as well as a technical understanding of how to apply the tools for change. Learn how to successfully plan, implement, communicate, create employee involvement and commitment, and add value during change.
Course has specific start/end dates. Students should log in 2-3 times a week. Online access is 24/7 so students can access the course anytime that suits their schedule.
Available Sessions
|Start Date
|Kimberley Campus
Show course details
|Monday, February 3, 2020


text: At the end of March, you got your very first haircut. You did really well except for at the end when they had to use clippers. They tried to sweep away all your hair, but Mommy was able to grab a bit for a keepsake. Your first haircut was just in time for Easter. It was fun watching you collect all the eggs at Great Grandma and Great Grandpa's house. You love collecting things, so you had a blast doing it.


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The times below for the seminar are approximate times only.
Arrive: Tuesday, January 21
Start: Wednesday, January 22 at 9am
End: Sunday, January 26 at 11pm
Depart: Monday, January 27
Over five days and nights, Business Mastery will help you understand the critical factors impacting your business right now, then refocus and realign with the business strategy and psychology you need for competing and innovating, in any economy.
It's no secret that massive results come from massive action. Business Mastery strategically breaks down the innovative approaches used by industry leaders like Apple, Zappos, American Express and Facebook, to help you discover where your business is now and how you can create a map to reach your goals —or your money back!*
Watch now, as Tony breaks down the "7 Forces of Business Mastery," which are designed to help companies and brands, just like yours, avoid failure by constantly evolving, improving and adding value. Learn how Business Mastery can help you change your psychology and grow your business and your profits to new levels.Apply Now
Learn a systematic method to uncover and resolve every business problem that has not yet been solved by you and your team. By looking at your business through a new filter, you will discover what needs to be solved first and how to capture, categorize, and sequence your approach to build momentum and maximize success.
Know exactly where your business really is — not where you think it is. The competitive advantages that put you in business and made you successful in the first place are almost certainly not sustainable moving forward.
Realize the impact of your organization's "Stage of Life." Organizations, like living creatures, have stages of life — they are born, they age, they mature, and they die. Only by understanding where your business is in this cycle, can you anticipate, prepare and solve the inevitable challenges that will occur in your business in advance.
We brought together a the below group of people that have devoted their time and energy to helping entrepreneurs.
Lead Speaker
Tony Robbins is an entrepreneur, best-selling author, philanthropist, and the nation's #1 life and business strategist. For more than 4 decades, more than 50 million people, including top entertainers, world-class athletes and billionaire business leaders, have enjoyed the warmth, humor, and transformational power of his business and personal development events. Tony is the nation's #1 life and business strategist, author of six internationally bestselling books, and creator of the #1 personal and professional development program of all time.
Regarded as one of the foremost authorities on business mastery, Keith is an expert at helping business owners turn fledgling businesses into highly profitable companies with explosive growth.
As an internationally acclaimed strategist and bestselling author, David advises emerging companies who are working to transform their industries by delivering disruptive products and services. His insights help people, products and companies stand out, get noticed and capture hearts and minds.
A former CEO of three successful tech startup companies and principal at consulting firm Future Point of View, Scott specializes in seeing beyond the horizon of how technology is changing the world and will help you decode the technology landscape so you can maximize your business.
Past Speaker
Jay Abraham is an American business executive, conference speaker, and author. He is known for his work in developing strategies for direct response marketing in the 1970s. In 2000, Forbes listed him as one of the top five executive coaches in the US.
Past Speaker
Peter Mallouk is the President and Chief Investment Officer of Creative Planning, named the #1 Independent Wealth Management Firm in America by Barron's (2017). Barron's magazine named Peter the #1 Independent Financial Advisor in America three straight years, 2013, 2014 and 2015. CNBC named Creative Planning the #1 Independent Wealth Management Firm in the United States two years in a row, on the only two rankings the network ever released (2014-2015). Peter is featured on Worth Magazine's Power 100, a list featuring the 100 most powerful men and women in global finance. In 2017, Peter was a recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Past Speaker
Jennifer Fleiss is the co-founder of Rent the Runway and as of 2018 is the head of Jetblack, a firm operating within Walmart's startup incubator. Jenny has received various honors and recognitions including Fortune's "40 Under 40" and "Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs"; Forbes's "Disruptors 2013"; Inc.'s "30 Under 30"; Fast Company's "Most Influential Women in Technology"; Ernst & Young's "Entrepreneur of the Year" New York Area Regional finalist; and Fashionista.com's "Most Influential People in New York Fashion." Fleiss presents on topics such as the sharing economy, female leadership, entrepreneurship, and industry trends in retail, social media, and marketing.
Past Speaker
Joseph Gebbia Jr. is an American billionaire designer and Internet entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and chief product officer of Airbnb. In 2009, Gebbia was listed in BusinessWeek's Top 20 Best Young Tech Entrepreneurs. In 2010, he was named in Inc. Magazine's Thirty under Thirty, and 2013, he was named in Fortune Magazine's Forty-under-Forty.
Past Speaker
Dana Frederick White Jr. is an American businessman and the current President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which is the largest mixed martial arts organization in the world. Under White's leadership, the UFC has grown into a globally popular multibillion-dollar enterprise.
Past Speaker
Naomi Simson is an Australian businessperson, blogger, and entrepreneur. She is the founding director of RedBalloon, an online experience gift retailer based in Australia which operates under its parent company Big Red Group. Naomi is the Co-Founder of the Big Red Group, launched in July 2017.
Past Speaker
Over the past 10 years, Russell has built a following of over a million entrepreneurs, sold hundreds of thousands of copies of his books, popularized the concept of sales funnels, and co-founded a software company called ClickFunnels that helps tens of thousands of entrepreneurs quickly get their message out to the marketplace.
Past Speaker
Tony Hsieh is an American internet entrepreneur and venture capitalist. He is the CEO of the online shoe and clothing company Zappos. Prior to joining Zappos, Hsieh co-founded the internet advertising network LinkExchange, which he sold to Microsoft in 1998 for $265 million.
Tony Robbins ranks among the "Top 200 Business Gurus"
Tony Robbins ranks as one of the "Top 50 Business Intellectuals in the World"
Tony Robbins named one of the top 6 advisors to help clients take their business to the next level
Connect with a Business Strategist Now to learn more about this 5-day business bootcamp.
Palm Beach County Convention Center
650 Okeechobee Blvd
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
1000 PBI Airport #123, West Palm Beach, FL 33406
Tel: 561-471-7400
Distance to Convention Center = 4.27 miles
Fort Lauderdale International (FLL)
100 Aviation Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
Tel: 1-866-435-9355 www.broward.org
Distance to Convention Center = 49.03 miles
Miami International Airport (MIA)
1640 NW 42nd Ave, Miami, FL 33142
Tel: 305-876-7000 www.miami-airport.com
Distance to Convention Center = 72.09 miles
The times below for the seminar are approximate times only.
Arrive: Tuesday, January 21
Start: Wednesday, January 22 at 9am
End: Sunday, January 26 at 11pm
Depart: Monday, January 27
Reservations can be made online at the 2019 Attendee Reservation Website: https://book.passkey.com/
The cut-off date for reservations is December 15, 2019.
To know where you need to go in any situation, you'll need a map. And the map must be up-to-date and accurately reflect the current landscape. To understand where you have to go, you must first be able to locate where you are on that map. To do that in business you must answer five critical questions. What business are you really in? Why did you get into business in the first place? Who are you and what is your core talent? Where are you in the lifecycle of the industry, and the economy, and as a business owner? And finally, what's next? Today we will break ground on the path to your compelling future.
As Peter Drucker said, business has only two functions — marketing and innovation. Marketing simply means getting people to do business with you. But these days, there is marketing on everything from bananas to boarding passes. We will discover how to standout in the field by adding value and offering expertise instead of interrupting your client, and inundating them to the point of the opt-out like so many others. Innovation is finding a way to meet your client's needs better than anybody else. It doesn't have to be glamorous, but it absolutely has to be strategic. You must innovate in ways that actually matter to your client. Once we uncover the unique ways you meet your customers needs better than your competitors, we will discuss the three ways to grow your business and tailor a 10-10-10 plan that's right for you.
Most people think that in order to have explosive growth, you have to make giant changes. In reality, if you understand the force of optimization and maximization of your people, processes, and financials, you can grow your business consistently while others are taking wild risks that don't always pay off. Today, we'll learn how to assess and measure each process in the marketing and sales value chain in order to make the small changes that compound to account for huge gains.
What do Larry King, Mike Tyson, Elton John, Mick Fleetwood, and Cyndi Lauper all have in common? They are just a few high-earners in their respective fields who have all filed for bankruptcy. Ironically, it's possible to do everything right and still end up, upside-down at the bottom of the books. Financial security buckets and asset allocation assignments are some of the most important decisions you will make in your business and today we will find your opportunities and learn how to protect against the downside.
The psychology of an organization's leader is the difference between success and failure; it's the difference between a one-time success that is never followed up, and a consistent habit of meeting and exceeding customer needs. To be successful in business, a leader must learn to destroy the limitations in their mind. We all come up with a story when things aren't going well and the story is about something that is not our fault and that we can't control. To be a leader in your field you must step up and commit to mastering the necessary skills and tools. Decide today how you will run your business in order to start transforming into the business you need to be.
Room blocks with preferred rates will be secured and communicated closer to the event.
Note: All rooms are based on availability and rates will only
be honored when reserved online.
Dress casually and comfortably throughout the weekend. The room can be extremely cool, so please bring a light jacket or sweater.
More information coming soon.
In order to maximize your Business Mastery experience, it is important that you:
We have incorporated time in the program for you to partake in a mid-day snack break.
Price points vary depending on participation. Programs you may have already completed, the number of people in your group, seating type, and timing of purchase determine this. Please contact a Business Mastery Representative at 1-866-696-0679 to learn more about Business Mastery program pricing.
We have discounted rates for business owners/entrepreneurs/etc. who'd like to bring a team with them. Depending on the number of attendees and the time of purchase will impact group pricing. Please contact a Business Mastery Representative at 1-866-696-0679 for Group Discounts.
Unfortunately the curriculum will not be distributed in advance. Tony is a firm believer in "Full Immersion." The five days will be a deep dive into your business, evaluating where you are and where you want to be, and learning the strategies that will get you there. At the end of the Business Mastery program, you will be a master of Tony's 7 Forces that you can apply to your business to see real change. Visit the About Page to learn more about the 7 Forces of Business Mastery.
If after the FULL FIRST day of Business Mastery you don't feel that you have received $1 million dollars of value, simply hand in your name badge and workbook and we will refund you for the full ticket price.
You better believe he will! Tony is the main speaker and will be on stage and fully in action every single day. We usually have 4-6 influential guest speakers at our Business Mastery event, so you'll also hear from some of the best and most brilliant in business, whom Tony has personally advised and selected.
A traditional Business Mastery event is 5 days of full immersion. The program itself is a 12-month commitment that promises real results. Tony is an "Outcome" driven individual–what this means is that each day, programming will go as late and long as is necessary to meet the group's outcomes! (You're absolutely going to get your money's worth.) Some nights will end at 10 PM; some have gone as late as 2 in the morning. If you're making travel arrangements, we recommend you schedule your flight for the following day. The last day of the event is critical and you don't want to leave early to catch a flight.
No, with Business Mastery we start from the beginning—with figuring out who and where you are as a business. However, you do need to be a business owner, entrepreneur, and/or someone that wants to radically improve your business. If you are interested in one day running your own business, we highly encourage you to attend and start with the right tools and strategies in hand.
Food and accommodations are not included with the price of your ticket. However, we do contract with hotels in the surrounding area to provide special rates for attendees. Additionally, there are multiple places to eat near the exposition space.
We suggest bringing layers of clothing, as the event space can get very cold! Bring a pad of paper and pen, and most importantly, bring an open mind.
The dress code is business casual, but do dress comfortably. These are long hours and you'll be moving a bit. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and bring a sweater or jacket.
Yes! If you're interested in upgrading your seat(s), make sure to speak with a Business Mastery Representative at 1-866-696-0679 for details. We have a limited number of upgraded Diamond seats, which provides early entry and seats at the front of the room. Proximity is Power! If you want the best experience possible, upgrade to Diamond.
Business Mastery is the only business seminar in the world created by Tony Robbins to properly prepare you to master the curriculum of skills designed to help you elevate your business to the next level. Admission is extremely competitive and exclusive. Fill out the form below to see if you qualify for Business Mastery. Space is limited so only qualified business owners will be approved.


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cperez G needed a new product label design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 115 designs submitted by 18 freelance designers.
SynergyLabs is a proud U.S.A manufacturer of animal health and veterinary care products headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Our well-rounded portfolio of owned brands and private label capabilities provides customers with a compelling reason to buy SynergyLabs products.
We have over 20 years of fresh thinking and dynamic personalities that make SynergyLabs the place to find pet care products. It's the place to experience where fresh innovative ideas, packaging concepts, and formulations come to life. Our team brings you outstanding quality and great design all bundled together with an incredible value.
The Consumers:
a. Pet owners have higher household incomes ($49K) than the U.S. population ($46K)
b. Half of all pet owning households include one to two people. About one-half of all dog, cat and bird owning households include one to two people.
c. Pet owners are also younger than the US population as a whole. The average U.S. resident in the United States is 52 years old, while pet owners are 48 years old, on average.
d. More pet owners own their own single family home than the U.S. Population (at least 70% to 80%).
e. Significantly more pet owners are married (63%) compared to the rest of the population (55%).
f. Between thirty to forty percent (30% to 40%) of U.S. residents and pet owners have children.
g. More than 10% of pet owners are with divorced or separated, with the same amount being single pet owners.
h. More than three-quarters of the U.S. population and pet owners have access to the internet.
SynergyLabs® Marketing Plan – Page 10
i. Among race, 92% pet owners are white, 4% are African American and 4% are Hispanic/other.
j. At least three quarters of primary shoppers are women (76%).
It is important to note that with regard to demographic segments, no one group stands out above others. The same applies to whether or not a particular demographic segment did not get or had to give up their pet due to economic conditions.
According to the 2011-2012 APPA Consumer Survey, in the United States, Pet-owning households are more apt to be defined as traditional families (76%) than the U.S. population (68%). To better understand this, please note that "The concept of the traditional family, that is, the 'natural reproductive unit' of mom, pop, and the children all living under one roof, is not an immutable one. It is a social construct that varies from culture to culture and, over time, the definition changes within a culture" (Ball, 2002, p. 68).
The pet category is a very personal, very family-oriented, very emotional category, so wherever retailers can make a connection with their customers on a personal basis, there is a distinct advantage.
We wish to completely redesign our premium line of Veterinary quality grooming shampoos and conditioners. These are the highest quality of pet shampoos offered to the consumer, anywhere at any price. With more than 17 years of research and refinement in each formula, these products, sold under the brand name of Veterinary Formula are currently sold globally in more than 50 countries. Our current packaging should not be used as a guideline as we wish to achieve a 100% new look for these products. We are not providing you with a bottle for your design to fit as we are open to any ideas you may have for the bottle design. We will eventually require three sizes for our products, an 8 oz, 20 oz and one gallon professional size.
If we stay in a round, cylindrical bottle then our package will have 360 degrees of design. We are however open to considering a new or different bottle shape and design. No concepts are off-limits, we will gladly entertain all ideas. The current formula names which have been on the market in 50+ countries since 1999 are:
• Snow White shampoo
Makes dogs with white coats appear much brighter and whiter
• Snow White conditioner
Makes dogs with white coats appear much brighter and whiter
• Triple Strength dirty dog shampoo
3 X's the active cleaning and deodorizing ingredients as our normal formulas
• Soothing and deodorizing oatmeal shampoo
With extra ingredients to soothe itches and odors
• Ultra Oatmeal moisturizing shampoo
Our most popular shampoo formula - contains lots of soothing oatmeal to relieve itches and dry irritated skin.
• Ultra Oatmeal Moisturizing conditioner
Our most popular conditioner formula - contains lots of soothing oatmeal to relieve itches and dry irritated skin
• Puppy Love Shampoo
Made with the gentlest ingredients to protect a puppies sensitive skin. 100% tearless. Gentle moisturizers and conditioners.
• Gloss and Glide Detangler & Conditioner
Spray-on, leave-in conditioning spray, makes comb-out fast, easy and pain free for your dog. Leaves coat amazingly shiny and repels dirt to maintain coat freshness longer.
We want our new Veterinary Formula Solutions® Shampoos, Conditioners and Coat Sprays to be the Dog equivalent of a very high-end, exclusive, expensive, human salon product. This line of Veterinarian Recommended, professionally formulated products represents the State of the Art in modern Veterinary grooming products and the packaging must convey this high degree of excellence. One look at this package must immediately convey Professionalism, High Design, Elegance and Quality. In addition to the immediate financial award the winner will be offered the opportunity to work with our marketing team on many future projects.
What package graphics design styles do you like?
See http://athometn.com/wp-content/uplo…s.com_.jpg


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|Thursday 25th July 2019, 12:55
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Interview with VP Operations, Zeiss Consumer Products, Reveals 3m Investment
This interview is with Christian Bannert, Vice President Operations, Consumer Products Business Group. His responsibilities include Sports Optics manufacturing and research and development. This continues the story of the changes taking place within Zeiss Sports Optics following the interview with Joerg Schmitz (go to: https://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=366209) and in it we learn the good news that Wetzlar has received 3 millions (£2.67M / $3.33M) of investment.
In the text below T: stands for me, Troubador, and B: for the responses from Herr Bannert.
T: Herr Bannert, you have had a long career within Zeiss, around 25 years if my calculation is correct. Please pick three memorable highlights from this career that are not connected with your current job.
B: Yes indeed. Three things but not connected to each other? Well, let me try. In recent times winning the Oscar in 2012 for our Master Prime cinematography lenses was a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Zeiss has won this Oscar three times now and being in Hollywood, and part of that ceremony, was definitely a very impressive moment. I went to work in Japan and making that decision to go was a special moment for me as well. Thinking about doing it, and talking about doing it, was one thing, but actually deciding to go there and make my home in Tokyo was a defining moment.
T: When you worked in Japan how did the management way of working there differ from that in Germany? Which management culture would you say is more effective and why?
B: Like always, there are two sides to this coin. On one side there are similarities such as discipline, hard work and structure, but on the other side some things are very different. For example making a business decision in Germany, we sit around a table and discuss the issue and arrive at a decision, but in Japan this is not the way it works. It takes time, and a lot of preparation in advance, to eventually arrive at the right decision, at the right time. Is this good or bad, better or worse? I dont know, it is just the way it is. In Germany we are good at fire-fighting, and sometimes I think we even like this, which is obviously not good. But in Japan they just dont function in this way, they establish a structure and a procedure to handle things in a specific way, and there is almost no way to do things differently, even if circumstances change.
There are pros and cons to both management styles so maybe we should mix them together to get the best result.
Going back to the first question, although it is of course connected with my current job, I must include the changes in our structure and especially in Wetzlar as a major event. Explaining the changes to the workforce and getting their support was essential for the success. Of course, not everyone was able to accept the changes for different reasons, but the majority were able to do so.
Re-structuring and Digital Technology
T: It is normal when announcing such changes that some talented people do not take up the new opportunity, so some skills are lost. Have you been able to recruit to fill these gaps, or is that process still on-going?
B: It is true that some talent and knowledge has been lost, that is inevitable with these kinds of changes, and as with my decision to move to Japan, people have to look at their own circumstances and come to a decision, and I respect that. But quite a lot of people accepted the move to Oberkochen and we have been carefully recruiting to fill the gaps. We have looked at the required skills and competencies, and have recruited those that satisfied our needs. And, on the positive side, it is always good to welcome new people with fresh ideas into the company. We are nearly through this phase, it is now almost finished, which is good progress.
The new structure also enables us to push product development into new directions. In former times our focus was more or less on the mechanics and optics of our binoculars, and we will not step away from this because excellent optics and mechanics is what our customer want and expect from us. But in the future there are opportunities to add features using digital technology which requires different skills-sets from our traditional ones, so we took the opportunity to recruit not only optical engineers but, among others, system engineers and software experts too. In the future we will increasingly be using a systems approach to offer new features and opportunities for our customers.
T: There is already a non-traditional kind of binocular on the market that is very successful technically, I mean image-stabilised binoculars from Canon, but despite their ability to deliver what is promised, they have not been embraced by the main binocular market and remain successful only in a very small niche.
B: This is a fair point and in order to decide our future direction we need to clearly understand what our customers want from their binoculars, what features and capabilities will satisfy their future needs and desires.
T: Foremost among these dangers with digital products is the speed at which they become overtaken by developments that make them obsolete in a short time.
B: That is probably true but here in Oberkochen we have the right people with the right skills to stay on top of this challenge, and an example of this is the new Rangefinder RF, which has given us much valuable experience in the digital field. We wanted a rangefinder that does more than just measure distances but we also wanted one that looked like a Zeiss binocular, without strange bulges and shapes hanging off the sides, and we believe we have achieved this. With its digital features included to satisfy our customers needs it brings together our long-established mechanical and optical skills with a new range of digital capabilities and all without looking like a cartoon ray-gun.
Investment and the Roles of Wetzlar, Oberkochen and Hungary
T: Joerg Schmitz mentioned to me last year that production in Wetzlar was being re-organised, and I have read in Mittelhessen magazine that Zeiss has invested 3M in Wetzlar, so can you tell our members about this, describe how this has been done and whether these new arrangements are completed or still progressing?
B: Three years ago we decided that the Wetzlar factory needed to be re-organised and brought up-to-date, to provide the facilities needed for high-end assembly, especially for our Victory products, and to improve the working environment for our employees. So, to improve efficiency and quality, the assembly lines have been rather fundamentally re-organised based on lean-production principles, and incorporating new digitalised processing methods, for binoculars, rifle- and spotting scopes. The production of components has been moved to either our factory in Hungary or out-sourced to approved suppliers within the global ZEISS manufacturing network. I will say more about our Hungary factory later.
To be clear, Wetzlar is now focused on high-quality assembly, testing and quality assurance, Hungary on the production of optical components (lenses and prisms) and subassemblies. Our plant in Hungary is very important to us and has been part of the Zeiss manufacturing network for about 30 years, it produces spectacle lenses for Zeiss VisionCare, and has produced binoculars in the recent past, so they definitely have the knowledge, the skills and the experience we need.
Availability of New Skills and Technology at Oberkochen
T: Looking at the skills and knowledge in Oberkochen that were not available to Sports Optics in Wetzlar, I am wondering if any of this is transferrable to binoculars and spotting scopes. For example, what about the T*XP anti-reflection coatings in the Master Primes, which I guess must be very neutral to render skin-tones accurately? In addition the Master Prime interior blackening and light traps could make a significant contribution to reducing veiling glare and the aspherical lens technology could reduce spherical aberration especially in binoculars with large objectives.
B: This is a good question and it lies behind the decision to move product development to Oberkochen where we have these different skills. Bringing product development to Oberkochen gives us access to many more optics engineers and allows us to leverage this knowledge. Take the question of stray light, it is quite challenging to simulate the possibility of stray light up front, I mean at an early stage in the development process. So in the past we made the binocular and then tested it and found stray light here or there, and it was a kind of trial and error process, which worked but it was time consuming and quite expensive. Here in Oberkochen where we develop and manufacture cine lenses for the making of movies, the control of stray light is crucial to our success. This is why we have our own dedicated simulation software. Stray light and reflections are simply not permissible in the movie industry, and you can imagine with lenses containing 20 or more glass elements this is a big challenge. We now use this experience and knowledge to our advantage in Sports Optics too, but it is not as simple as using exactly the same technology. For example the lens coatings in our cine lenses deliver the colour balance that the movie industry needs but this is slightly different from what is needed for nature observation. In short, we have great opportunity here to take advantage of the knowledge and skills in Oberkochen and we will leverage this to the benefit for our customers.
Premature Product Announcements
T: HT, SF and Harpia were announced and then there were long delays before the product arrived in the market,, and when they did arrive there were still some technical problems with them. Are you confident this has been overcome for the future or are you still working on it?
B: This is another reason why we decided we must make fundamental changes in the way we work and led to the merging of product development in Oberkochen, where there are more resources available than was ever the case in Wetzlar. So we have learned our lesson from what happened in the past and made the necessary changes and I am confident that we now have he right set-up.
On-going Investment and Future Ambitions
T: Do you have any further investment plans for Wetzlar or in Sports Optics Oberkochen during the next 2 years?
B: What do you have in mind?
T: I am thinking about the changes in Wetzlar and whether there is still investment needed to complete them and also whether investment is needed in research and development in Oberkochen to make the facilities there more suitable for Sports Optics applications.
B: Well, this an on-going process. It is not like a project with a start date and an end date. Looking forward to future products and developments you always need to re-assess your resources and invest where necessary. In Wetzlar in the new production lines we now have monitoring equipment that can measure and record events and outcomes so that we collect data and can analyse it to see how and where we can improve. This can, for example, guide future investment decisions. There are so many opportunities to optimise operations that were simply not available a couple of years ago. All of this makes me very optimistic for the future and to answer the question, we will continue to serve our customers with innovative and market shaping products.
T: Can you share with us your two top targets or ambitions for Sports Optics in 2019/20?
B: Our ambition is to become market leader in our segments with customer driven and market shaping innovations. Managing change is a challenge that does not end and we still have work to do in all of these areas.
T: Herr Bannert, thank you for taking part in this interview.
I would also like to thank Joachim Kuss for assisting with the interview, and also Karina Salm for making all the arrangements.
Last edited by Troubador : Friday 26th July 2019 at 07:04.
|Thursday 25th July 2019, 13:38
Given to Fly
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Thanks Lee - though I'm none the wiser on ×32HT, ×32SF, ×50SF .... I think ! lol
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|Thursday 25th July 2019, 14:16
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sheffield
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|Saturday 8th November 2014 18:29


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Jingle Bell Rock
Bring your celebration to life with a glittering selection of live entertainment and artists guaranteed to get the party started. Enjoy the confidence and piece of mind of booking reliable high-end entertainment from a hand picked selection of professional artists. From unique walkabout meet and greet artists to live bands or full production shows, let our entertainment experts provide some creative inspiration and guide you through the booking process.
- Party Bands
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Tel: 01273 324418


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Nov 05 - Afraid Of Missing Out/
Afraid Of Missing Out
1 Samuel 8
November 5, 2017
1 Samuel 8
November 5, 2017
By and large, most humans would like to be free to do as they please. But generally, there are a number of factors that will keep them from doing so.
1. There are rules that are imposed on us by our physical limitations. I'll never be able to slam-dunk a basketball.
There are limitations to how fast a human can run. Back in 2009, Usain Bolt topped out at 44.72 km/h, the fasted speed on record. In that race he ran the 100 m at 37.58 km/hr.
A black bear can run as fast as 53 km/hr., a grizzly bear up to 56 km/hr. Yeah, they'd catch Usain.
2. Then there are rules external to ourselves that limit what we can do.
There are rules of engagement.
Rules of attraction.
Grammatical rules.
Rules of parliament.
Rules of etiquette.
Rules of acquisition.
Rules of the road.
Rules of professional conduct.
Rules of interference.
The rule of thumb.
There are Roberts rules of order.
Game rules in sports.
Some of these rules may be put in place to control us to our own detriment – possibly in a totalitarian state – some are there to safeguard us and others. Here's just one example.
Of course we can choose to ignore external rules. However, there are usually methods in place to encourage us not to do so. In the case of speed limits, there may be speed bumps, road side radar, and speeding fines that double in construction and school zones.
The Bible is full of external rules, such as the 10 commandments. By the way, some people think of God's will only in terms of prohibitions – don't do this, don't do that - the "thou shalt nots".
But the reality is that the most important rules that God sets for our lives have to do with commissions, things that we ought to do, the "thou shall's" – be kind, forgive, show compassion, work for justice, treat your spouse right – and so on.
3. There are also rules that are internal - inside of us - that will affect our behaviour.
These are personal convictions. For example, you might feel that you personally could never fight in a war, or you may be convicted that you have to enlist to make the world a better and safer place for others.
[Regardless of their personal conviction, however, most people do not have an issue when it comes to honouring those who were killed or injured serving their country as well as those who are currently serving on Remembrance Day, which is this coming Saturday (Nov 11th).] ??
When we transgress our personal beliefs, ethics and morals, we experience a sense of guilt, which is kind of like an internal check or compass that encourages us not to do what we believe to be wrong.
While some people beat themselves up over stuff that either isn't their fault or that isn't really wrong, there is a healthy guilt, which indicates when someone has erred in some way ethically, morally or relationally. Healthy guilt is like pain, because it serves as an indicator that something is wrong.
Our conscience prods our hearts and minds so that we stop harming ourselves or others. It is designed to warn our souls of impending danger: "Stop. Go back. Don't do this again. Correct the situation."
Sometimes there is an overlap between rules that are external and those that are internal to us. There may be an inner resonance that makes us realize that an external rule jives with our own conscience.
However, even when external rules and internal conviction are in harmony, we often still don't do them because there is another force called "desire" or "craving" or "appetites" that pull us in another direction.
Desires may include such things as
being greedy for possessions or money,
being lazy,
needing to be in control,
having status,
being accepted,
indulging in fun, alcohol, pleasure or sex,
thrill seeking, … the list goes on and on.
And so we can make decisions that we know are stupid or irresponsible or unhealthy or hurtful or ungodly –
decisions that will hurt us or someone else in some way,
decisions which will end up causing us or others problems,
decisions which will invariably end in conflict,
decisions that will dishonour God in some way or another.
Today's story is about a group of people, actually the leaders or elders of a nation, who made a bad decision based on their desire to be just like the other nations around them.
We are dealing with a time before the monarchy in Israel. During this time, God raised up individuals who were called judges for two reasons:
First, they would rally Israel when there was a threat from other nations and lead them into battle.
Second, they would decide how disputes would be handled. No jury, no attorneys – individuals would present their case and then the judge would make a ruling.
The judge I want us to think about today is called Samuel (Schamu-el), whose mother had brought him to serve at the Tabernacle und the high priest and judge Eli.
After Eli's death, Samuel had become the judge over Israel. Like his mentor Eli, Samuel was cursed with two rotten sons, whose names in Hebrew were Yoel and Abiyah. And like Eli, Samuel had a blind spot when it came to his sons and ended up appointing them as his co-judges.
What is unusual about this, is that up to this point, it was God who had called judges to their office and the previous judges were all from different families and clans. Samuel changed this by appointing and installing his sons himself.
This led to the unfortunate event I want us to look at today, because Samuel's sons, Yoel and Abiyah, were corrupt. They could be bribed, bought to pervert the course of justice. The rich would go free, the poor would be convicted, regardless of who was guilty and who wasn't.
Samuel, had not so much as taken a dime from the people of Israel for his services as judge (1 Sam 12:3-4). But his sons were profiting from their position. And apparently Samuel did nothing to try to correct this situation, even though he must have heard the people complaining about his sons.
So we pick up the story in v.4 of 1 Samuel 8.
… All the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us, such as all the other nations have." 1 Samuel 8:4-5
The transition from the old order of the judges to the new order of the monarchy in Israel was an extremely painful experience for Samuel, because he was asked to pack it in because he was old.
Instead of asking for a king who would, in essence, replace Samuel, the elders of the various tribes could have told Samuel to seek God's help in finding a godly co-judge to replace his sons and to become the primary judge after Samuel's death.
In essence they told him in no uncertain terms that he, personally, was not wanted anymore even though Samuel had served self-sacrificially and with distinction for a very long time (1 Sam 7:2).
6 But when they said, "Give us a king to judge us," this displeased Samuel [typical understatement - he must have been royally ticked]. And Samuel prayed to YHWH. 7 And YHWH told him: "Obey all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me from being king over them. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9 Now, obey what they say; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do."
In essence God was telling Samuel that the request by the elders was personal. Yes, they rejected Samuel, but more significantly, they rejected God as their ruler.
They rejected God and his love for them because they no longer wanted to be different from the other nations, but exactly the same. It was as if they were worshipping foreign gods and goddesses.
This was such an important point, it is reiterated twice more in 1 Samuel, in chapters 10 and 12.
Today you have rejected your God, who saves you out of all your calamities and distresses, and you have said, 'Set a king over us.' 1 Samuel 10:19
… you said to me, 'No, we want a king to rule over us' - even though YHWH your God was your king. 1 Samuel 12:12
God's kingship simply wasn't good enough any longer. The leaders of Israel ignored God's goodness that had evidenced itself in the past as he sent judge after judge to help them. Instead, they would rather have a fallible mortal rule over.
In 1979, during Bob Dylan's overtly Christian phase, he wrote a song called "You've gotta serve somebody." In it he gives a list of what individuals live for:
money, and
In the refrain he says: "It may be the devil or it may be the Lord, but you're gonna have to serve SOMEBODY."
Dilan's point was obvious. Everyone, but everyone has to make a choice whether or not they will serve God.
For some reason, John Lennon was really upset about this song. In response he wrote, "Serve yourself," a song filled with obscenities stating that all religious belief leads to violence and therefore you should only serve yourself since no one else will. In essence John Lennon replied to Dylan that, since there is no God, you better put yourself on the throne – you better be the king of your life.
Lennon is right in thinking that unquestioning religious fervour can lead to violence. We are reminded of that again with terror attacks in Germany, France, Spain, Somalia, Egypt, Syria, or Afghanistan.
So far in 2017, there were 1,747 Islamic attacks in 57 countries, in which 12,438 people were killed and 12,427 injured.
Religion, like politics, can always be perverted.
Nevertheless, I still think that Bob Dylan was right. Even if people are not aware of it, every person who ever lived has to make a choice for or against God – a choice which becomes evident in who or what they serve.
God's response to Israel's rejection of his rule indicates that God will not force himself on anyone. He gives everyone the choice to either seek or forsake him, to walk with him or walk away from him, to serve another person, their own desires, possessions, or God.
God gives each one of us the freedom to make bad and selfish choices. In the case of Israel, God knew that human rulers, human kings, would be corrupted by the power they possess.
10 Samuel told all the words of YHWH to the people who were asking him for a king. 11 He said, "This is what the king who will reign over you will do: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots, to be his horsemen and run in front of his chariots. 12 Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.
13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 16 He will take your male and female slaves, the best of your young men and your donkeys for his own use. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves.
Notice what God is telling the nation of Israel. The kings will be much a hundred times – a thousand times - worse than Samuel's sons ever could be. If they think that the corrupt nature of those judges was bad, just wait until they experience what a corrupt sovereign whose word was law could do to them. And this is followed with a final warning:
18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen for yourselves, but YHWH will not answer you in that day."
The Law of Moses states in Deut 17:14-20, that a king of the nation of Israel is not to accumulate possessions, wives, and wealth. The passage goes on that a king is to read the Law of Moses every day and carefully follow all it says. Further, he is to be humble and not think that he's better than anyone else.
None of Israel's kings, not even king David, lived up to that ideal. Every king exacted lots of taxes, every king became extremely wealthy, everyone accumulated possessions and wives, everyone thought that they were special. Power corrupts.
[This portion of scripture reminds me of a fable attributed to Aesop (c. 600 BC), about a group of frogs who repeatedly demanded a king from Zeus. Zeus first threw a long into their pond to be their king, but the frogs were not satisfied and wanted a living king. Zeus then sends them a stork to be their king,[1] but the stork began to eat them.
The frogs called out to Zeus to save them but he refused, telling them they now had what they wanted and would have to face the consequences.
The moral of the fable can be worded a couple of ways:
- Be careful what you wish for. That lottery win might actually ruin your life.
- Bad consequences will follow bad decisions. You made your bed and now you have to lie in it.
- Dictatorships, like absolute monarchies, usually do NOT work for the best interest of the people.
God was right up front with the people of Israel. You do this, you reject me as your ruler, you make a mere human your king, then be aware that you will suffer the consequences.
By the way, all political structures and systems suffer from the same problem: the human nature of those in power. Capitalism is a system where man exploits man. In communism the reverse was supposed to be true, but as it turns out, it still meant that humans exploited other humans.
Cynics have explained every form of government with cows. You're probably familiar with some if not all of these.
Communism: You own two cows. The government takes them and puts them in a place with everyone else's cows. You take care of the cows. The government takes all milk and gives you back enough to survive. You steal back as much milk as you can and sell it on the black market.
Capitalism: You own two cows. You sell one and buy a bull.
Monarchy: You own two cows. The king takes one, and you have to give him 80% of the milk from the other.
By the way, if you're politically correct, you never own two cows. Instead you are associated with two bovines of a non-specific gender.
The whole premise of democracy is that humans are inherently corrupt and greedy, so the common people need to be protected as much as possible from the ruling elite.
But even in democracies, because the primary goal of any political party is to stay in power, not to actually do what's right, election promises are somewhat of a sham.
Some of you may remember back to 1993 when the Reform Party members advocated cuts to MP's gold-plated pensions. 52 Reform MP's opted out of it in protest. Ironically, all of them opted back into the pensions after a short time, with the notable exception of Preston Manning and one other Reform Party MP.
Maybe you will remember the election promises of the liberal party prior to the 2015 national elections. Senate reform. Free votes in parliament.[2] Cutting taxes and curbing government spending. Election reform. More open and transparent government. Revamping Bill C-51 because of all the potential problems associated with it. Extra funding for public transport. Decreased annual deficits.
None of that has materialized, in fact, the very opposite has been true. Bill C-51 was passed un-amended. Deficits are rising. No meaningful senate and election reforms took place. You get the picture.
And it isn't that the Liberal party is in any way different from any other political party when it comes to honouring its election promises.
Human nature is prone to corruption – and politicians will always be tempted to leave their personal convictions behind in order to be re-elected or move beyond being a sidelined backbencher.
So it wasn't as if the leaders, the elders, of Israel weren't warned about the consequences of having a king. So we continue to read in 1 Sam 8:19
19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "There will be a king over us, 20 so that we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us and to go out before us and fight our battles." 21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before YHWH. 22 YHWH answered, "Listen to them and give them a king."
This is the second time that the elders of Israel told Samuel that they wanted a king because they wanted to be like the nations that surrounded them. They had no desire to be God's chosen people any longer. They no longer needed judges who are appointed by God. It was OK to bypass Samuel in favour of those who would take advantage of them.
So the elders of the nation of Israel wanted their nation to be more like the kingdoms surrounding them. I pondered the reason for this desire to be out from under God's rule ... what is the root cause? I thought that maybe it had to do with the underlying worry that being under God's rule will may mean missing out on what others are enjoying.
What potential benefits are we missing out on with God and not a human king to rule over us?
Will that give us greater freedom?
Will it make our courts more liberal?
Will the king take responsibility for potentially bad choices?
Will it make my life easier?
What are other people (nations) doing and experiencing and enjoying that I'm not?
The problem was that NOT having kings was actually to the benefit of the nation. Being a monarchy didn't bring with it any true bonus points, but many, many negative ones.
But Christians can get FOMO as well. They can ask themselves:
If I follow God's rule, His will, then what desires will I not be able to fulfill?
Will the selfish and self-centered choices I want to make be frowned upon by God?
Are the retaliatory or hurtful words I want to say not OK with him?
Back in 2010, a book came out called "Almost Christian: What the faith of our teenagers is telling the American church".
In the book, the author writes about the fact that most youth in churches actually believe a mutated form of Christianity.
God is no longer the unimaginably awesome creator of the universe, but is reduced to a divine therapist whose only concern is to have people feel good and be happy. God is a safe God because he would never ask for any kind of sacrifice or risk.
According to the author or the book, the result is that most teens in The Western church are indifferent and inarticulate about their faith. There simply isn't enough for them to be passionate about.
Further, this kind of faith has been modeled to them by adult Christians, in particular their own parents, who basically live self-serving lives where faith in God has little significant impact. The parents and their youth are in fact pagan Christians
Maybe that is one of the main reasons why people don't want God to be the king of their lives. They only want to worship God as long as he doesn't impact the way that they live.
One of the most common concepts that Jesus spoke about was "the Kingdom of God," the place where God is king, where God's rule is established.
Over and over again, Jesus taught his followers about the nature of God's Kingdom, God's rule:
Repent (turn around) for the kingdom of God is near (Mark 1:15). - Get right with God, because God's rule will soon be initiated.
[If I cast out demons using God's finger, then God's Kingdom has come upon you (Luke 11:20).] Jesus said, "The Kingdom of God is in your midst" (Luke 17:21)]. - God's rule, his kingdom begins within us.
Pray: Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matt 6:10). - May your rule, O God, be manifested perfectly in my own life and in the lives of others who follow you.
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness .... Instead of being so concerned about externals, I need to be concerned the most about seeking to have God's rule and his will established in my life.
Not everyone will enter the Kingdom of God, but only the one who does the will of my heavenly Father.
Only the one born of water and Spirit can enter the kingdom of God.
Jesus: I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God (Luke 4:43).
Looking back on history today, whenever we speak or think of the good news, it is very likely revolving around what the death of Jesus accomplished for us and for humanity in general.
But many of these passages are speaking of a good news that was proclaimed prior the suffering and death of Jesus.
Jesus preached the good news of God's kingdom and he sent out his followers, his students to proclaim the good news of God's kingdom, years before his death.[3]
Jesus called his own message about the KG "good news"[4] (Luke 4:43) and, quoting from Isaiah 61:1, he said that he has come to proclaim the good news to the poor.
So what did they speak about? What was so good about the message about God's rule, God's kingdom? (That God's Messiah would return soon and inaugurate the rule of God on earth?)
Getting back to the point Jesus made about the fact that the Kingdom of God, the rule of God, can already be a present reality when God is made the ruler of our lives. In order to take that step, trust is needed. Without trust, there will be all kinds of reasons to deny God access into our lives and hearts.
Most people reject God, not because there is no evidence for his existence, but because they don't want to be miss out - FOMO.
They don't trust that God always has their best interests in mind.
Those who don't make God king, don't want to live in a universe governed by God because that would mean that God could interfere in the choices they make – he would be, to quote Al Gore – "an inconvenient truth."
It is a great solace to some, that they won't be judged for their lies, greed, cowardice and betrayals. If you really want badly enough not to believe, you will find a way not to. God may be the king of the universe, but he will not be the king of your life.
Having God as king means adopting an internal set of standards to live by. You make a decision about your sexual standards before you're in the back seat of a car.
Having God as king means that it is more important to us to please him than to be popular or have our self-esteem determined by doing things others tell us to do. If we don't, we will be very apt to do nearly anything a group of our friends tell us to do in order to feel accepted.
Having God as King means that we recognize that happiness is a decision about enjoying the moment, not something to be achieved by increasing our money, possessions, leisure or pleasure.
Having God as king is practicing our ability of self-discipline. It is putting important decisions on hold, praying about them, thinking them through, and asking ourselves whether or not this is really something we should be doing or buying or saying.
Those who have God as king learn to say "no" to themselves. They learn to delay gratification. Otherwise they will continue to serve their emotions and feelings and desires.
Having God as King means that we try to live a balanced life.
Most of us have a hard time to do it all on any given day – exercise, have a quiet time, keep the house clean, mow the yard, run the kids to sports, date our mate, work and balance the cheque book. But we can shoot for a weekly balance.
And that means learning to say "no" to interruptions, to the temptation to procrastinate, to others pushing their agenda on us. It is being able to connect with God despite our business because we have learned to set priorities.
Having God as King means getting beyond our tendency to be self-centered and make all of our decisions based on what we want. If we don't get beyond ourselves we will never know what it means to have God as King. History is full of stories of people who made it big but failed to make it good.
In our journey with God, money tends to be the final frontier, the last thing we actually give over to him, because it most closely represents the seat of our priorities and it has the power to control our destinies. Some people call God their king, but really they are addicted to and serve money.
Having God as king, means accepting the forgiveness he offers so that we can overcome the guilt associated with having done something wrong. It means confessing what we have done wrong, determining with the help of God to do better, apologize or make restitution where possible, and accept that justice has been served and that we can be forgiven through what God has done on our behalf through Jesus Christ. When God is King and we accept forgiveness, then we move on, without constantly beating ourselves up.
Having God as king means we invest time with our Creator because this simple action will help to bring direction and inner strength and change.
And so, like the Israelites, each and every one of us will need to come to a point of decision. Who will be King of our lives? Will it be God? Or will it be ourselves, our desires, money, power, entertainment, our career? Who will we serve? Will we be self-serving or, as Jesus said, will we serve God by showing compassion for those who have the least?
To paraphrase Joshua's words to the Israelites:
If you think that serving God isn't desirable, that's up to you. Today, choose for yourself someone or something else to serve – to be your King. But as for me and my household, we will serve God – he will be our king.
Compare Joshua 24:15
Some people think that they only have to make that decision once in their lives. I made a choice for God when I was 8 years old. That's wonderful, but putting God in control of our lives is a daily decision. It is something that we have to decide on every day. God is giving us that same challenge every day. "This day, today, make a choice. Choose a king for yourself." Figure out who will be in charge of your life.
[1] Originally a water snake.
[2] Of course that does not include liberal platform issues, the budget, or anything to do with the Charter.
[3] Luke 9:2 - He sent them out to proclaim the KG and to heal the sick. Matt 10:7; Luke 10:9 - Go preach this message, 'the KG is near.'
[4] Luke 4:43; 8:1; cf. Matt 4:23; 9:35; - I must preach the good news of the KG


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I have found my thirst quencher this summer. It's received my Spidey Stamp of approval!
I stopped in to Novel Teas last Friday to gather with a great group of women and give a talk about the therapeutic benefit of tea. I had a wonderful time there, as I always do. During the talk we enjoyed natural iced tea and I instantly fell in love.
Regular iced tea is full of sugar, artificial ingredients and extra calories our body doesn't need. The sugar content in regular iced tea also prevents the body from being hydrated. Drinking naturally made iced tea is an effective way to hydrate the body and it's healthier.
Dale, the owner of Novel Teas, has a wide variety of loose leaf tea blends, and many of them make a fabulous cold drink. When steeped, these teas have a naturally sweet flavour without any artificial ingredients, sugar or artificial sweeteners. I enjoyed a chilled apple cinnamon tea. She also served a fruity chilled tea. They were both delightful on a hot day!
This is a great way to add an new twist on the day's hydration. In addition, for those who don't like drinking water or feel the flavour of water is boring, drinking a natural iced tea is a healthy and excellent way to boost the flavour of water without adding harmful artificial water sweeter like Mio or Crystal light.
Dale recommended I try the Strawberry Kiwi blend. I made some this weekend and it was a hit! It was mildly sweet, tangy and refreshing without adding any natural sweetener.
I also tested out using a little maple syrup to sweeten it slightly and it worked beautifully.
There are many ways to make natural iced tea… see here… and here.
I would recommend stopping in to see Dale at Novel Teas, pick out a flavour that you fancy and get her directions for making a fantastic iced brew!


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Digital Kitchen
Public Relations and New Business Intern
October 2011 – Present
Digital Intern
June 2011 – August 2011
- Researched latest digital trends throughout healthcare, corporate & consumer practices
- Preformed social media audits through Radian6 for new business pitches
- Assisted in developing internal team process documents for client requests & project timelines
- Brainstormed, planned & developed a presentation for new product launch
- Planned internal ambassador program for clients including training decks & support materials
- Provided POVs on new digital platforms & new social features for client teams
- Presented new ideas for digital marketing & suggested action plans for current client strategies
- Monitored online activity around webinars, campaign launches & news to help contain crisis
- Drafted client campaign distribution strategy around paid, earned & owned media
The American Red Cross of Chicago
Marketing and Communications Intern
August 2010 – March 2011
I started my volunteer service at the American Red Cross as a Marketing and Communications intern at the Greater Chicago Chapter and have since progressed into a long term venture to assist with the details and strategy behind a digital deployment role for the Advanced Public Affairs Team. As we move into the digital age, the question of social media engagement and digital involvement during a disaster or crisis becoming incredibly relevant to the way the organization structures APAT response. I hope to help further the Red Cross efforts in responding to the public during a disaster and realize an appropriate platform and structure to deal with #CrisisData.
As an intern I helped execute the following:
- Planned & executed the Holiday Giving Campaign to help secure over $100k in media value & 1.9M impressions
- Helped develop, position & seed a National Red Cross campaign to increase awareness around home fires through a virtual burning experience of personal Facebook photographs
- Piloted the first QR Code campaign to help the Red Cross move towards mobile capabilities; experienced 278% increase in mobile traffic & saw donations come in directly from scanning
- Crowdsourced the community from the @ChicagoRedCross account during the Chicago Blizzard 2011 & received national news coverage for connecting families stuck on Lake Shore Drive
- Compiled a story bank of 100+ compelling tales for a mobile development project
- Helped Project managed eight M&C interns & worked towards securing a steady intern on-boarding process
- Monitored media & actively sought out stories to blog about to mobilize donations & volunteers
- Managed all social media/web efforts & tracked analytics to create weekly impact reports
Ruder Finn
Public Relations Intern
April 2010 – August 2010
- Pitched to media for coverage on events & stories
- Monitored social media efforts for clients & helped create content for release
- Researched media lists through Cision
- Drafted and designed the Media Invite for ISOG Science Competition
- Brainstormed themes for the ISOG Science Competition
- Created media moments for photographer to follow
- Assisted at ISOG Science Competition with media coverage and photographers