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Bachelor's Degrees
Whether pursuing a traditional undergraduate experience, or returning to school complete an accelerated bachelor's degree, APU offers a variety of quality academic programs in the liberal arts and sciences. Study alongside expert faculty who pour knowledge into students, and benefit from the transformational education experience Azusa Pacific University is known for.
Find Your Program
Accounting Major
The accounting major surveys the principles, theories, and concepts of the accounting profession while providing an intense review of the economic, quantitative, and managerial aspects of business.
Acting for the Stage and Screen Major (BFA)
This program prepares students for professional acting careers, as well as graduate studies in performance.
Allied Health Major
The Allied Health major prepares students for a career or further graduate study in a broad range of allied health fields by focusing on scientific knowledge in the subject areas of biology, anatomy, physiology, and associated scientific disciplines.
Animation and Visual Effects Major
The Bachelor of Arts in Animation and Visual Effects will prepare you to make a difference as a skilled animator and storyteller in an influential industry. Hone your artistic ability with courses covering animation's many facets while making use of a state of the art animation lab, and cultivate your narrative techniques with a comprehensive cinematic arts curriculum.
This program offers the following areas of study: Animation and Visual Effects.
Applied Mathematics Major
Applied mathematics majors learn to solve problems from a variety of disciplines by developing mathematical models, applying computational algorithms, and analyzing results. Students choose from four concentrations: applied mathematics, applied mathematics: actuarial science (What does an actuary do?), applied mathematics: computer science, and applied mathematics: physics.
This program offers the following areas of study: Standard Applied Mathematics Track, Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Physics, and Statistics and Data Science.
Art Major
Students take courses that provide a broad groundwork in the arts and select an area of specialization, choosing from a variety of courses to streamline their skills.
Art Major (BFA)
The BFA is the undergraduate degree highly desired by students serious about pursuing careers or advanced degrees in the visual arts. Students in this program have the flexibility to choose the concentration that is best suited to their academic and career goals.
This program offers the following areas of study: Ceramics, Drawing and Painting, Interdisciplinary, Photography, and Sculpture.
BS in Nursing LVN to BSN
The BS in Nursing LVN to BSN program at Azusa Pacific University is designed for licensed nurses who want to further their skills and become leaders in the field. Students can complete the program in just two years, studying alongside a cohort of peers.
BS in Nursing Transfer
The BS in Nursing Transfer program allows students to transfer in coursework from other schools and complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in six consecutive semesters, including summers.
Biblical Studies Major
Biblical Studies students receive a solid foundation in philosophy, Christian theology and ministry, and the Bible.
This program offers the following areas of study: Biblical Archaeology and Biblical Hermeneutics.
Biochemistry Major
Biochemistry majors gain knowledge in biology and chemistry and apply theories, problem-solving techniques, laboratory applications, and instrumentation procedures to better understand biochemical principles and living systems. This program offers the following areas of study: Pre-Health Professions and Research.
This program offers the following areas of study: Pre-Health Professions and Research.
Biological Sciences Major
Biological science majors acquire foundational knowledge of core biology topics and apply the scientific method, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to gain a deeper understanding of living organisms.
This program offers the following areas of study: Biological Systems, Ecological, and Cellular and Molecular.
Bridge to BSN
Designed for Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) students who have completed at least one semester of their ADN program at a community college, the Bridge to BSN sequential enrollment option allows students to get an early start on coursework for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Following completion of the ADN, students transition to Azusa Pacific to complete their BSN.
Business Analytics Major
This program equips students to use data science and data analytics to make wise business decisions, and gives them a chance to focus their studies on accounting, economics, finance, or marketing.
This program offers the following areas of study: Accounting, Economics, Finance, and Marketing.
Business Economics Major
The business economics major provides students analytical skills built on a strong general business foundation. This major focuses on business management responsibilities and the improvement in business decision making that comes from a deeper understanding of the economic environment of business.
Business Management Major
This degree develops competence in conceptual, human, and technical skills necessary to enter into both public- and private-sector organizations.
Chemistry Majors
Chemistry majors learn to apply chemical knowledge, theories, mathematical problem-solving methods, laboratory techniques, and instrumental analysis to better understand the properties and reactivity of matter as well as practical applications of chemical reactivity.
Christian Ministries Major
Christian Ministries students gain a broad perspective in the field of religion, and academic preparation combining theory and professional training.
Cinematic Arts Major
This comprehensive program helps students develop a spiritually aware, critical, and creative outlook as they are immersed in hands-on filmmaking with state-of-the-art equipment and expert instruction by faculty-mentors with professional experience.
This program offers the following areas of study: Entertainment Executive, Production and Post, and Screen Studies.
Cinematic Arts Production Major (BFA)
The Cinematic Arts Production major is a robust BFA degree program that equips students with a range of production skills spanning producing, directing, cinematography, and editing.
Commercial Music Major
The Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music prepares students for careers in both the Christian and secular commercial music industry. Coursework maintains a real-world point of view, reflective of faculty who are primarily working professionals in the field of commercial music.
This program offers the following areas of study: Audio Recording Track, Composing/Arranging Track, Instrumental Performance Track, Music Business Track, and Vocal Performance Track.
Communication Management Major
The communication management major offers an in-depth study of communication in various contexts, including but not limited to classes in: rhetoric, argumentation, interpersonal communication, small group communication, organizational communication, conflict management, intercultural communication, and family communication.
Composition Major
The Bachelor of Music in Composition offers excellent preparation for graduate study or work as a professional composer. The program helps students discover a distinctive voice as they develop a portfolio of compositions. In addition to composition, courses in theory, music history, literature, conducting, and technology give students a thorough preparation in comprehensive musicianship.
Computer Information Systems Major
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems (CIS) provides a foundation for students planning a career in the analysis, design, and implementation of information systems.
Computer Science Major
The bachelor's degree in computer science prepares students for graduate work in computer science and for careers in fields such as computer programming and software engineering.
Criminal Justice Major
The criminal justice major prepares students to apply knowledge of criminal justice and critical analysis of social problems to promote the equitable application of the law for all people and become ethical Christian leaders in public and private organizations intended to make communities safer.
Criminal Justice, BA (Bachelor's Completion)
Azusa Pacific's bachelor's completion program in criminal justice is designed for transfer students who have at least 15 units and are interested in completing a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice.
Available Online
Design Studies Major
The design studies major prepares students to think creatively about visual communication challenges by gaining experience in print, digital, and UIUX design. Students study the design of communications, products, environments, systems, and services.
Digital Marketing and Design Major
This program prepares individuals to succeed in the digital marketing space and in social media marketing.
Digital Media and Communication, BA (Bachelor's Completion)
Azusa Pacific's bachelor's completion program in digital media is designed for transfer students who have at least 15 units and are interested in completing a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media and Communication.
Engineering Major
The engineering major equips students with a solid foundation in engineering principles for a variety of fields including aerospace, agriculture, automotive, business, defense, energy, health care, and telecommunications.
This program offers the following areas of study: Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Systems Engineering.
English Major
English students develop critical-thinking skills from extensive study of the world's literature to further their ability to read, write, and analyze well.
This program offers the following areas of study: English Education.
Entrepreneurship Major
This major equips students with the basic principles of entrepreneurship and innovation, preparing them for the 21st-century business world.
Finance Major
This program aims to equip students with the theoretical understanding and practical skills necessary to evaluate and direct decisions regarding the allocation of financial resources.
Games and Interactive Media Major
Games and Interactive Media students benefit from a well-rounded curriculum integrating storytelling, game mechanics, and technical art, preparing them for careers in the video game and interactive media industry.
History Major
The history major provides students with a solid foundation in American and world history, geography, research, and writing, while also allowing students to study their preferred time periods, regions, and historical themes. Upon graduation, students are equipped for numerous career paths that call for reasoning, the ability to analyze complex problems, well-developed writing skills, and familiarity with a variety of cultures.
Honors Humanities Major
For students in the Honors College, the humanities major replaces General Education requirements, allowing students to complete two majors if desired. The program consists of nine courses in which students focus on topics such as leadership, wisdom, and democracy. Throughout these classes, students study the Great Works, including Aristotle, C.S. Lewis, and Mary Wollstonecraft, learning to apply insights to contemporary times.
Human Resources and Organizational Development Major
This interdisciplinary program prepares students for careers in the growing field of human resources, equipping them with skills in managing benefits and policies, designing and leading employee training and development programs, and managing employee relations.
Integrated Bachelor's and Teaching Credential
APU's undergraduate teacher preparation program allows you to earn both a bachelor's degree and preliminary K-12 California teaching credential in just four years, including one or two summers.
This program offers the following areas of study: Allied Health, Liberal Studies, and Math.
Interdisciplinary Studies Major
The interdisciplinary studies program allows students to design their bachelor's degree for their individual career goals, based on an 18-unit core of courses focusing on identifying one's vocation, as well as 36 units from the two to three fields of study the student chooses.
International Business Major
This major equips students to think critically and analytically in business, politics, and cultural interrelationships. Students learn how to survey the dynamics of an interdependent global business environment and solve complex problems in a wide variety of organizational settings.
International Relations Major
The international relations major teaches students how to make sense of global events, how both peaceful interaction and political crises shape the world, and how to articulate Christian perspectives on relations between peoples and nations. Upon graduation, students are prepared for roles in government, including foreign policy formulation or analysis, as well as vocations in international business and trade, foreign aid and development, military and security policy, and international law.
Journalism Major
The journalism major offers an in-depth study of journalism, cultivating practical experience in writing, reporting, editing, and publication production and management. Students can choose from three concentrations: news and storytelling, media studies, and sports journalism.
This program offers the following areas of study: News and Storytelling and Sports Journalism.
Kinesiology Major
Exercise, movement, and sport help others thrive by improving health, fitness, and quality of life across the life span. APU's kinesiology major equips students for a variety of careers in these areas.
This program offers the following areas of study: Health Professions and Applied Exercise Science.
Liberal Studies Major
The liberal studies major provides future teacher candidates planning to be elementary school teachers with a broad knowledge base, making it possible to teach subjects up to a basic ninth-grade level.
This program offers the following areas of study: Art, English, Human Development: School Psychology Concentration, Human Development: Special Education Concentration, Math, Music, Science, Social Science, and Spanish.
Marketing Major
The marketing major provides students with a strong general business foundation, plus marketing courses that address the primary functional concerns of marketing in industry and commerce.
Mathematics Majors
The mathematics major is an ideal preparation for a variety of analytical careers. Mathematics majors often choose to minor in physics, computer science, finance, economics, business management, or some other discipline. Students who plan to teach at the secondary level should choose the secondary math education track, which waives the CSET exam.
This program offers the following areas of study: General Mathematics and Secondary Math Education.
Music Education (Pre-Teacher Certification) Major
The Bachelor of Music in Music Education (Pre-Teacher Certification) program trains future music teachers, offering preparation in the necessary skills, knowledge, and appropriate methodologies for success at all levels of music education within California.
This program offers the following areas of study: Choral and Instrumental.
Music Major
The Bachelor of Arts in Music offers a comprehensive music education for students interested in teaching, performance, or music theory. The program includes an ensemble requirement and emphases that develop skills in composition and performance.
This program offers the following areas of study: Music Theory and Performance.
Music and Worship Major
The Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in Music and Worship provides the student with a broad perspective in the field of music ministry and consists of academic preparation in music, Christian ministry, and practical theology. Graduates are given the tools needed to minister effectively in an ever-changing music ministry environment, and they are prepared for more specialized graduate study in music or Christian ministry.
This program offers the following areas of study: Biblical Studies, Christian Ministries, Composing/Songwriting, Fine Arts, Global Worship and Culture, Instrumental Performance, Music Production, and Vocal Performance.
Nursing Major
The BSN (traditional program) is designed for recent high school graduates. Nursing students receive professional accreditation and clinical practice for their freshman through senior years, and are eligible for public health certification following graduation.
Performance Major
The Bachelor of Music in Performance program is tailored to students seeking a career in performance or pedagogy (private teaching), or who wish to pursue advanced degrees in performance.
This program offers the following areas of study: Brass, Wind, or Percussion, Guitar, Harp, Organ, Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, or Bass, and Vocal.
Philosophy Major
Philosophy students gain historical perspectives on philosophical concepts, principles for careful thought, and study of specific topics.
Physics Major
Physics majors develop analytical skills and problem-solving abilities that prepare them for a wide variety of technical careers or further studies in physics, engineering, materials science, geophysics, biophysics, electronics, chemistry, or aerospace, or for a physics teaching career. Physics majors can earn a mathematics minor by taking just one additional math course.
This program offers the following areas of study: General Physics and Physics Secondary Education.
Political Science Major
The political science major furnishes students with a solid foundation in American government, politics, history, and classical and modern political thought, preparing them to take an informed, intelligent, and leading role in the affairs of their community, country, and world. Upon graduation, students enter careers in government, research, policy, law, military, and law enforcement.
Psychology Majors
Students in either the BA in Psychology or BS in Psychology attain a greater understanding of human behavior, acquiring skills applicable to a variety of professional areas or graduate and doctoral studies.
Psychology, BA (Bachelor's Completion)
Azusa Pacific's bachelor's completion program in psychology is designed for transfer students who have at least 15 units and are interested in completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
Available Online
Public Relations Major
The Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations prepares students to become outstanding public relations professionals and difference makers in the field. Focusing on a combination of theory and practice, students gain knowledge and skills needed to succeed in public relations careers such as nonprofit and social causes, sports PR, event planning, and public relations in entertainment.
RN to BSN
This accelerated program for registered nurses sharpens clinical skills and focuses on organizational, managerial, and communication abilities that lead to more thorough patient care and increased leadership responsibility. An online program is also available.
RN to BSN Integrative Enrollment Pathway
APU's RN to BSN Integrative Enrollment Pathway is an online option for students enrolled in the Associate's Degree in Nursing program at Pasadena City College.
Screenwriting Major
This program equips students for professional writing careers in the entertainment industry.
Social Science Major
The social science major supplies students with an integrated study of the social sciences—history, political science, geography, economics, sociology, and psychology—which helps them develop analytical skills, comparative perspectives, critical judgment, and a knowledge base about the world. Upon graduation, students will have completed a subject-matter program in social science approved the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, allowing them to bypass the CSET exam and begin pursuing teaching at the high school or junior high school level.
Social Work Major
The social work major prepares students with knowledge, values, and skills for generalist social work professional practice in work with diverse individuals, families, groups, and communities, both locally and globally.
Sociology Major
Sociology students study a broad range of social behaviors from intimate family to hostile mob, from crime to religion, and from the divisions of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture.
Spanish Major
The Spanish major prepares students to thrive in the Spanish-speaking world, equipping them with language skills, cultural knowledge, understanding of current events, and direct experience living and working abroad.
Theater Arts Major
This program offers a broad range of courses that focus on education, design and technical production, directing, playwriting, drama ministry, and theater for social change.
Theology Major
Theology majors will be equipped for further theological studies, service in the Church, and participation in the concrete work of justice in today's world by thoughtful devotion to the God of the Gospel. Students may also choose from two optional concentrations.
This program offers the following areas of study: Church History and Systematic Theology.
Youth and Family Ministries Major
Youth and family ministries students gain tools to develop a ministry of theory and practice to apply in future church leadership roles.


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An Unhindered Fit
Acrobatic gymnastics leotards come in a myriad of fabrics, shapes, styles and colors. You would be amazed at what you can buy or have custom made in the form of gymnastics leotards. With so many to choose from, I can see how it would be hard to pick just one. While you are looking for the best acrobatic gymnastics leotard, there are many things to consider.
You can't just purchase any of the acrobatic gymnastics leotards that looks pretty. The gymnast must be measured precisely to get the right fit. Without the proper fitting leotard, the athlete's routine could suffer. The gymnast should be comfortable in the chosen leotard, and it should be tight-fitting without hindering any movement. If the gymnast isn't measured properly, then the leotard is likely not going to fit the way that it should.
Another consideration when purchasing an acrobatic gymnastics leotard is the look. Because acrobatic gymnastics leotards come in many different styles, it's important to think about what the gymnast's routine is, what kind of music is played, and where the gymnastics meet is being held. All of these will factor into the style of acrobatic gymnastics leotard chosen. The leotard should be colorful and vibrant. It should also be sparkling with shimmer and glitter. Don't forget to customize with a reasonable amount of crystals. The athlete wants to wow the judges but not distract them from the routine.
The final consideration is the athlete themselves. The athlete should be happy and comfortable in the acrobatic gymnastics leotard. Each acrobat has a personality and a style and the leotard should match that. The acrobatic gymnastics leotard should be a reflection of the athlete and their performance.
It is very important to use caution when purchasing the perfect leotards for acrobatic gymnastics . Always measure twice to get exact measurements for the perfect fit. The right fit will flatter the athlete without hindering the routine. Allow the gymnast to choose which leotard matches the routine and style and the one that suits the athlete's personality. When you narrow down your options to the ones that work best, then your purchase will be easier. You'll be happy with the acrobatic gymnastics leotard that you purchase when you take the time and think through all of the options.
- If you want to look unique, order bespoke tailoring of custom leotards for gymnastics.
08 Oct 2015 at 07:07
10 Sep 2015 at 12:29
11 Jun 2013 at 11:51
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Welcome to Week 6 of
Cowgirl Up! Link Party . . .
Cowgirl Up! Link Party . . .
the party with a cowgirl can-do spirit!
1 Party, 4 Blogs
It's Anita from Cedar Hill Ranch this week. I so much enjoy perusing the wonderful links every week and this week was no exception. When Amanda we first came up with the idea for Cowgirl Up, we decided to allow people to link up not just projects but whatever post they wanted to share each week. I am so glad we did, because it includes more bloggers, and we get a wider variety of links. I enjoyed the links so much this week, and really had a difficult time choosing my top favs, but I forced myself to narrow it down to just 10, oh no... wait... update, I just counted and there are 11. See what I mean? I just couldn't decide. Any way here they are in no particular order.
Elegant Economies shared a little chenille sunshine
Decorating Ideas Made Easy made this fresh as spring wreath.
Hyacinths for the Soul shared her many heart vignettes
Miss Gracie's House gave us a tour of her gorgeous kitchen.
Twigg Studios used t-shirt fabric to make a ruffled Union Jack pillow.
Don't Mess with My Tutus opened her wedding dress box and took some amazing portraits of her daughter wearing that wedding dress (I wish I had thought of it when my daughter was little; now she's too tall for my dress.)
Cottage Charm Creations shared her DIY ironstone secret (I am TOTALLY stealing this idea!)
From Generation to Generation mod-podged a lovely floral linen to her clipboard.
All Things Beautiful created this beautiful moss-covered cross
Yvonne, from Stone Gable dyed her Easter eggs with onion skins. Yvonne left blogging in December leaving her readers sorely missing her. (She talks about why she left here.) This week she returned with a fresh new design for her blog. Welcome Back Yvonne!!
A Vintage Farmwife shared her story being "God's hands and feet" helping neighbors clean up after tragic tornadoes. I know I have seen this on the news, but to see it in person, must be quite horrifying. Thanks for sharing Susan.


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- Handmade... using the Peyote Stitch method.
- Glass Seed Beads.
- Select your colour & design.
- Thread is waxed for durability.
- Beads are shower/water safe.
- Hole Size 9-10mm... 20mm Length x 18mm Wide.
- 1 x Peyote dreadlock sleeve.
These sleeves are fabulous for use in your dread locks. They are used to decorate your dreads, as well as to straighten out unruly dreads. Handmade for Dreadz using glass seed beads. The bead designs are fun and vibrant and the sleeves themselves are nice and durable and of course they look excellent.


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Updating a Service in VMM
Updated: May 13, 2016
Applies To: System Center 2012 SP1 - Virtual Machine Manager, System Center 2012 R2 Virtual Machine Manager, System Center 2012 - Virtual Machine Manager
In Virtual Machine Manager (VMM), updating a service is the process of making changes to a deployed service. Because VMM keeps track of which service template was used to deploy a service, you can make updates to the service template, and then use that updated service template to make changes to the deployed service.
VMM supports two different methods for making the updates to a deployed service:
Applying updates to the existing (in-place) virtual machines
Deploying new virtual machines with the updated settings
Applying updates to the existing virtual machines takes less time. Most configuration changes to virtual machines and application updates can be applied in this manner.
To minimize service interruptions when a tier is updated in-place, you can specify more than one upgrade domain in the tier properties. When the tier is updated, VMM updates the virtual machines in the tier according to the upgrade domain to which they belong. VMM upgrades one upgrade domain at a time, shutting down the virtual machines running within the upgrade domain, updating them, bringing them back online, and then moving on to the next upgrade domain. By shutting down only the virtual machines running within the current upgrade domain, VMM ensures that an upgrade takes place with the least possible impact to the running service. For more information about configuring an upgrade domain, see How to Configure the Properties of a Service Template.
Upgrade domains have no connection to Active Directory domains. You can specify the number of upgrade domains you want to use, and then VMM arbitrarily assigns the virtual machines to an upgrade domain.
Deploying new virtual machines with the updated settings is a more time-consuming process, because you are replacing the existing virtual machines of the service with new virtual machines. Typically, this is how you would deploy operating system updates, such as deploying a service pack for the guest operating system on the virtual machine. If you have applications installed on these virtual machines, and your application has a method for saving and restoring application state, you can use a script in the application profile to save the application state before the existing virtual machines are removed and use a script to restore the application state after the new virtual machines have been deployed. Microsoft Server Application Virtualization (Server App-V) applications automatically support the saving and restoring of application state so no scripts are needed.
To update a deployed service in VMM, see the following topics:


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Today we are sharing the cover reveal of #1 MUSE by T. Gephart! This is a contemporary romance, standalone title that you won't want to miss! This novel is part of T. Gephart's #1 Series, and #1 MUSE releases on October 4th. Pre-order links can be found below.
Sign up for T. Gephart's Newsletter for exclusive news about the book.
# 1 Muse
#1 Series #5
By T. Gephart
Releasing October 4th, 2018
Pre-order Now:
Amazon | iBooks | Nook | Kobo
Landing a writing gig in Hollywood was just as difficult as becoming an actor, and something Claire Becker had learned the hard way.
Sure, she didn't have to conform to ridiculous beauty standards and give up her love for raw cookie dough, but the sting of rejection burned all the same. The only things that kept her sane were her two amazing roommates and her guilty pleasure—writing fan-fiction.
Getting lost in her own world, she'd forget that she had yet to land her dream job, and instead spent time with her dream man—Nick Larsson. Well, at least in the literary sense. Too bad he wasn't aware or an active participant—her fictional love life, outstanding.
Tall, good-looking and sexy beyond comprehension, Nick Larsson not only had a famous last name—and four equally smoldering brothers—but was talented beyond belief. A star on the rise with a critically acclaimed series, his body and face were what fantasy scripts—and dreams—were made of. Made for some pretty steamy writing opportunities too.
And yes, it was probably "wrong" for Claire to objectify him, but it wasn't like anyone knew about it. Just her, and her two amazing, supportive roommates.
Or at least they were amazing and supportive, and bound to be missed after Claire killed them.
In a moment of unexplained insanity, one of them —or both, each as bad as the other—sent her latest installments to the man himself.
Cue panic of epic proportions.
All Claire needed to do was sneak into his apartment and retrieve the misappropriated story before Nick, or anyone else, read it and mistook her for a creepy stalker. Although, breaking and entering probably wouldn't convince anyone to the contrary either.
Claire was going to get the best material of her life, or end up with a restraining order. Either way, the story was getting a hell of lot more interesting.
Available Now
Amazon | iBooks | Nook | Kobo
Available Now
Available Now
T Gephart is a USA Today and International bestselling author from Melbourne, Australia.
With an approach to life that is somewhat unconventional, she prefers to fly by the seat of her pants rather than adhere to some rigid roadmap. Her lack of "plan" has resulted in a rather interesting and eclectic resume, which reads more like the fiction she writes than an actual employment history. She'd tell you all about it, but the statute of limitations hasn't expired yet. But all those crazy twists and turns have led her to a career she loves—writing romantic comedy.
When she isn't filling pages with sassy and sexy characters with attitude, she's living her own reality show in the 'burbs of Melbourne with her American husband, two teenage children, and her fur child—Woodley.
She loves adventure, to laugh, travel, and strives to live her life to the fullest.
Sign up for T. Gephart's Newsletter


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Want to continue your color journey with Betty? Click to continue.
Hi, I'm Betty! Chat with me to find your perfect color.
Choosing an Interior Paint Sheen
Sheen refers to paint's shininess. When deciding on paint sheen, consider the condition of the wall and whether the area is high/low traffic. Here's a partial list to get started:
Choosing an Exterior Paint Sheen
Our super-premium products offer the same durability and washability in all sheens, so the selection of the finish is more of a personal preference. But here are a few things to remember:
Choosing a Stain Finish
Stain opacity levels range from clear to solid, with the amount of pigment in a stain determining its opacity. Translucent, Semi-Transparent, and Semi-Solid Stains are designed to protect without completely obscuring the natural color and texture of wood. As the opacity moves towards solid, less grain shows through the finish. In contrast, solid stains will completely mask the wood grain, while allowing the wood texture to show through, and the greater its protection will be over time.
What is VOC?
VOC means Volatile Organic Compounds. The paint industry is filled with definitions of what "green paint" is. Other manufacturers use tints that add VOCs to their paints, but Benjamin Moore's waterborne tinting technology ensures that our paints retain their low - or zero-VOC properties.
Aura Bath & Spa is a luxurious matte finish designed for high-humidity environments.
Handcrafted in USA, this extra firm blend brush of nylon/polyester filaments is extremely durable and perfect for interior or exterior painting and suitable for use on rough surfaces. This brush is specifically designed for use with all Benjamin Moore interior or exterior latex and oil-based paints, stains, primers, and polyurethanes.
AURA® roller cover are specifically designed to be the ideal roller for use with Benjamin Moore® AURA® paints. Woven roller covers provide the optimal balance of surface smoothness and hide, while also offering shed resistance.
Our color finder gives you several inspirational starting points.
Tell us the dimensions of the room, and we'll tell you how much paint to buy.
Explore how to get your next DIY project done–and done right.


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Thursday, January 31, 2008
The OGL is NOT Dead
The new licensing agreement that goes with D&D 4.0 is now the Game System License, or GSL. What does this mean? Well, first, everyone who was confused into thinking that the 3.0 OGL applied to anything in 4th edition will finally be shut down. I hope.
Yeah, I know, people will still be confuzzled. Oh well...
Second, well, we don't know exactly what else this might mean, because everyone who's seen the GSL is still under NDA. But from what WotC has let out, the GSL will only allow you to reference the core rulebooks, but not reprint any material in them. What does that mean? That means, the GSL will allow you to make supplementary material for D&D 4.0. You can make splatbooks and adventures. However, you cannot make a brand new, stand-alone game. No Conan, True20, Mutants & Masterminds, or Traveller d20 based on the D&D 4.0 engine.
Does that mean those games go away? No. As each currently exists, they are based on D&D 3.x's OGL, which is still in force. It means the games cannot be rewritten with direct reference to bits in the 4.0 books, however. So now the world of d20 gaming bifurcates. On one path, we have D&D 4.0. On the other, we have products descended from D&D 3.x's OGL.
This poses all sorts of interesting questions. Can games like Conan, True20, M&M, and others survive without riding on D&D's coattails? That depends on the game. Honestly, I think all three of those can do just fine without D&D. They've got a good fanbase now, and all three can be grown with or without support from the companies that created them. After all, Star Frontiers seems to still have a strong and loyal fanbase even though the rulebooks have been out of print for twenty years or so now. There's no reason to think these other games couldn't fare just as well, if not better.
And D&D 4.0? Well, I dunno, honestly. It really depends on how much synergy was created between the various games. I think this isn't as big a fumble as limiting who can publish new material for 4.0 when it's first released. But I think that fumble will come back to bite them. How hard? I can't say. But right now, I'm expecting a very strong 3.x community to exist well into 2009.
A Less Positive Dragonlance Movie Review
For those of you who read the book this will make sense. Would it still be sneaking into Xak Tsaroth if they didn't have the fight in the cauldron elevators? Would it be the same if they just walked straight up to the dragon's horde and rifled through it for the Disks of Mishakal while the dragon was sleeping, without even sneaking at all to get there in the first place?
What about the companions assault on Pax Tharkas? Would it be the same without sneaking in through the tunnels and being attacked by a group of banshees? Would it be the same if they just walked straight into the prison cells and walked back out again?
All the really cool fights inthe book are completely missing in this movie. None of the major points in the movie have the slightest bit of anticipation or risk associated with them.
Not promising, and I'm not getting any sort of vibe on how it's selling, but so far, I'd be shocked if a sequel ever got made.
Hafta Beat it off with a Wooden Stick
Does WotC Need to Reroll Their (Digital) Initiative?
I'm really getting concerned. If the magazines don't stop completely sucking really soon, I may have to abandon Dungeons & Dragons Insider completely. I don't want to be the crazy conspiracy theorist, but some of the anti-4e crazies are beginning to make me think twice about even buying into the new core books. The dismal failure of the online mags to shine only reinforces that. I hope Chris manages to turn these publications around soon.
I have to agree with Faerie Dragon. So far, WotC's digital initiative has been an unmitigated disaster. They are not selling 4.0 very well. They're selling D&D Insider with even less skill. Frankly, the entire situation has me scared spitless.
Let's be honest here: where goes D&D, there goes pen-and-paper RPGs. It's the 500 lbs gorilla that dominates this market. It's also the public face of the hobby. D&D has far more name recognition than any other game out there, or even the term "roleplaying". And yet, turning that command into steady income seems to be beyond most people. TSR even managed to drive themselves deep into the red while owning this most powerful brand in the hobby.
WotC's digital initiative is an attempt to break free of the publish-or-perish trap the entire industry is mired in. Trying to squeeze a few more pennies out of your market every month, after they've bought everything they need to enjoy playing for the rest of their lives in your core rule books, is a losing game. A D&D Insider with a $10 US monthly fee would allow WotC to break free of that trap. They could transform themselves from a publishing company into a service company, which would not only free them from the compulsion to bury their game in an endless stream of new rules and settings, but would also realign their interests with the interests of their customers. Right now, WotC wants to sell books. Their audience wants to play games. With D&D Insider, the WotC focus moves from selling books to getting more people playing the game more often.
It's clear that Dragon and Dungeon are not getting the resources they need at this critical time when they should be migrating the dead-tree audience over to the digital media. They're not getting the word out about how the new edition of the game is going to knock everyone's socks off. And nobody is being convinced that D&D Insider is going to be a vital part of their games in the future. So far, we've been promised a fancy version of OpenRPG, and we've seen an anemic Dragon and a shadow of Dungeon. If things don't turn around soon, GenCon '09 might open with the announcement that D&D is up on the auction block.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
And look! *More* 4e!
Why You Might Want to Play D&D 4.0
John Rogers, a professional writer for comics and screen, is a play-tester for D&D's 4th edition, due to be released in June. He's recently posted his thoughts on the game at ENWorld. Among other things, he notes:
I think the reason there's so much buzz around 4E combat is because that's where the most massive fun-change has come in, and so it naturally dominates discussion and perception. By the time my NDA playtest group got through our first session, we'd (unintentionally) fought three massive combats in one four hour session, many multiple opponents each time. When we finished we all kind of sat back, glassy-eyed, and went "wow." Except for the rogue. He was punching the air and cackling "More stabby! MORE STABBY!"
Because 3E combat had gotten so ... er .. gunky, combat's the first thing you notice when playing 4E. It's hard not to talk about it. A bit like if you bought a new car and got it up to 250 mph. The fact that it has a great interior, amazing safety features and a kick-butt stereo never really comes up in your first conversations about the car.
This is probably among the most informative things we've heard about the game. While others have made similar comments in the past, I believe Mr. Rogers is the first who does not stand to make any money from D&D.
Mr. Rogers has touched on a vital point for the success of D&D 4.0, I think. 3.x is slow, which is bad enough if you're a teenager with lots of time on your hands. It's a game-killer if you're middle-aged, with a job and spouse and kids and home. A quicker, sleeker game is vital for the aging RPG market. And it works great with their online gaming tools. In 3.x, if you can't devote a three or four-hour chunk of time to gaming, you might as well not bother. But with the virtual table-top and a "clean" (to use John Rogers' word) game system, it might make sense for my friends and I to log on for two or so hours on Tuesday and Thursday nights, after the kids are tucked in, for a bit of quick gaming. No fuss about driving across town, no need to find a four to six-hour block of time in our busy lives. We can log in, have some fun, and log off, which for me is about the only benefit MMOGs have over pen-and-paper gaming.
And I imagine I'm not the only one who feels that way.
Combine this with products like Paizo's adventure paths, which give us a textured, complex, more story-like experience without the DM needing to quit his day job, and you've got a winning combination for lots of fans of gaming who have been forced to abandon the hobby because they simply can't make the time for it.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Dragonlance Movie Review
The voice acting was superb, as was the score. The animation however I felt fell a little flat. The dragons were all computer generated and imposed on the traditional cell animation for the rest of the characters. The cell animation is where I found fault, as it didn't seem sharp at all. At times it was blurry and even appeared to suffer from ghost images.
I'll link to more reviews as I see them, and hopefully I'll have a review of my own before too much longer.
Iconic Wallpapers
I'm loving the iconic characters Paizo has created for their Pathfinder and Dungeon Mastery series. The latest, Lem, can be found at the Paizo blog if you scroll down to January 22nd. Yeah, some of the write-ups have been horribly cliched, but Lem's among the best of 'em. Wayne "he's everywhere" Reynolds art really brings these folks to life. His attention to detail is amazing. I love how Lem's flute is not just a stick of wood with some holes in it, how his garments are layered, the jangle of jewelry around his neck, and that lovely, slightly snarky, slightly sweet expression on his face. This is one bad-boy halfling, who'll have you thinking his heart belongs only to you, but won't be calling back for months at a time. He reminds me very much of, for some reason, of Carla Speed McNeil's Finder.
It's interesting to see the different styles that Mr. Reynolds paints in. Typically, when you're presented with an artists work, you have a fairly good idea what you're going to get. Mr. Reynolds, however, seems to be fairly wide-ranging in his styles. His "wall-of-action" pieces for Eberron had a very strong comic-book-action vibe to them. His Paizo work has less of that, and more of a "you are there" air that reminds me of Elmore, Parkinson, and Jim Holloway.
If skimming through the Paizo blog doesn't give you enough good Pathfinder art to drool over, check out the fan-made desktops in this thread on the Paizo boards.
Why I Won't be Playing D&D 4.0
This isn't a blanket condemnation of D&D's 4th edition. Just further realization on my part that D&D just isn't where I'm going these days with my gaming. This latest revelation was instigated by this description of magic item slots in 4th edition. Apparently, in 4th edition you can't use magic rings until your character reaches 11th level.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
More Planetary Romance Than You Can Shake a Stick At
In addition, the Evil DM has also pointed us the blog of upcoming Perils on Planet X comic book. Looks like a lot of fun!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
More Book Lust: The Tales of Beedle the Bard
Friday, January 11, 2008
A Kobold Gnawing on the Dragon's Corpse
I have to confess, I love the free-wheeling feel of this. Conversations with Wayne Reynolds on his technique and articles by Ed Greenwood feel like the Dragon I used to know and enjoy, way back when.
4e: For Those Keeping Score at Home...
Necromancer Games is in like Flynn!
Goodman Games also is eager for a piece of the action.
Paizo, in spite of some level of partnership with Necromancer Games, is moving a bit more cautiously. However, I'll be shocked if they don't jump in early.
Green Ronin seems intrigued, but they probably have better things to do with their time.
Mongoose is cautiously optimistic.
Monday, January 07, 2008
D&D 4th Edition: Traps and Their Hidden Meanings
From the beginning, the basic gameplay of D&D involved a series of mildly challenging encounters that would slowly wear away at the resources of the party, punctuated by serious challenges that posed a real threat to life and limb. Resource management was a core component of the game. Do we have enough spells/hit points/supplies to tackle one more room? Or, less often but far more thrilling, "Oh shit! That room was a hell of a lot tougher than we were expecting. Do we still have enough resources to get back to safety alive?"
In that game, traps were the niggling little things that plinked you every now and then. Most were not deadly, but they forced you to cast spells, drink potions, or just suck it up and deal with the loss of hit points or stat drain. They were not particularly thrilling, could even be annoying, but they also were markers that told players they were headed in the right direction.
In 4th edition, traps now seem to fall into two categories: tactical terrain features and set-piece center pieces in their own right. The tactical terrain features are the stuff of table-top wargaming. They're used to add a fun wrinkle to the usual slug-fest of combat. They'll be the surprise extra complication that make our heroes appear to be in over their heads, sure, but they'll also secure flanks or offer extra protection to less reliable troops. The set-piece center pieces will be like the glorious contraptions that you find in the Indiana Jones and National Treasure movies. Chances are, you'll know there's a trap there. The fun will be in figuring out how it works without getting mauled by it, and getting around it, or finding a way to turn it on your foes, so you can get at the goodies that the trap guards.
(Interestingly enough, I'd say that most traps in MMOGs are far more like the traps in older versions of D&D. Those sorts of traps are easy to code: step in the wrong spot, and get whacked for a few hit points. The new traps will require a lot of specialized coding, AI design, and art to reproduce in a MMOG. In this aspect, at least, the upcoming D&D is far more unlike current MMOGs than the older versions.)
I expect to see the thief beefed up as a combatant, and the reviews we've seen of Races and Classes do seem to back this up. No longer a tool to minimize the resource drain of traps, the thief needs a new role to play. Making them sharp-shooting assassin types would seem to fit very well with their style. Thieves are going to be more fun to play. The DM is going to have to work harder to include traps in the dungeon, because the typical pit-with-spikes by itself will hardly be worth including. Now, a pit with spikes that must be traversed while the party is trying to hold off the advancing hordes of army ants, on the other hand…
All in all, I have to say I like a lot of these ideas, and I may very well buy a copy of the 4th edition DMG to plunder it for such notions, which is saying something. While I did buy a copy of 3rd edition's PHB, I never felt the need to get the DMG.


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Step 1. Log in to the app by selecting "Log In".
Step 2. Select "My Music" () at the bottom of your screen and select "My Playlists".
Step 3. Your Playlists will appear here. After selecting your desired playlist, select the options icon () to the right of a song.
Step 4. Now, from the drop-down list, you can complete many actions such as: add music to your playlist, delete music from a playlist, add songs to your favorites list, view artistes, download or share music.
Please note: Screenshots are for the updated version of the app. Be sure to download the updated version for your phone today!


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- Method: Standard
- Shipping Time: Arrives in 18-27business days
- Shipping worldwide. See our International Shipping rates.
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Our Senior Writing Checklist Stamp is the perfect feedback and assessment tool to guide your students through a success criteria while also ensuring you meet NCCD requirements of collecting data and adjustments.
- Achieve up to hundreds of clear impressions when re-inked
- Stamp size: 43 mm x 55 mm
- Stamp shell: orange
- Shape: rectangle
- Ink: black


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Stress Relief:
The practice of Yoga is well-demonstrated to reduce the physical effects of stress on the body. The body responds to stress through a fight-or- flight response, which is a combination of the sympathetic nervous system and hormonal pathways; activating and releasing cortisol 'the stress hormone' from the adrenal glands. Cortisol is often used to measure the stress response. Yoga practice has been demonstrated to reduce the levels of cortisol. Most yoga classes end with savasana, a relaxation pose, which further reduces the experience of stress.
Pain Relief:
Yoga can ease pain. Studies have shown that practicing yoga asanas (postures) meditation or a combination of the two, reduce pain for people with conditions such as cancer. multiple sclerosis, auto-immune diseases and hypertension as well as arthritis, back and neck pain and other chronic conditions.
Better Breathing:
Yoga includes breathing practices known as pranayama, which can be affective for reducing our stress response, improving lung function and encouraging relaxation. Many pranayama emphasize slowing down and deepening the breath, which activates the body's parasympathetic system or relaxation response. By changing our pattern of breathing, we can significantly affect our body's experience and response to stress. This may be one of the most profound lessons we can learn from our yoga practice.
Yoga can improve flexibility and mobility and increase range of motion. Over time, the ligaments, tendons and muscles lengthen, increasing elasticity.
Increased Strength:
Yoga asanas use every muscle in the body, increasing strength literally from head to toe. A regular yoga practice can also release muscular tension throughout the whole body.
Weight Management:
While most of the evidence for the effects of yoga on weight loss management is anecdotal or experiential, yoga teachers, students and practitioners across the country find that yoga helps to support weight loss. Many teachers specialize in yoga programs to promote weight management and find that even gentle yoga practices help support weight loss. People do not have to practice the most vigorous forms of yoga to lose weight. Yoga encourages development of a positive self-image, as more attention is paid to nutrition and the body as a whole. A study from the journal of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine found that regular yoga practice was associated with less age-related weight gain. The lifestyle study of 15,500 adults in their 50's covered 10 years of participants' weight history, physical activity, medical history and diet.
Improved circulation:
Yoga helps to improve circulation by efficiently moving oxygenated blood to the body's cells.
Cardiovascular Conditioning:
even gentle yoga practice can improve cardiovascular benefits by lowering the resting heart rate, increasing endurance and improving oxygenation of the blood during exercise.
Yoga connects us with the present moment. The more we practice, the more aware we become of our surroundings and the world around us. It opens the way to improved concentration, coordination, reaction time and memory.
Inner peace:
The meditative effects of a consistent yoga practice help many cultivate inner peace and calm.
Yoga Alliance
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IUCN-Med has developed an application to assist the identification of marine invasive species and support monitoring programs to eradicate and control their spread.
Malaga, 3rd April 2014, IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation – The IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation has released a new app for smart phones, and an online tool to help managers of marine protected areas (MPAs) control the spread of invasive species in the Mediterranean Sea. The presentation took place during the workshop on Climate Change and Marine Protected Areas held in Cadaqués (Spain), organized by the Network of Marine Protected Area Managers in the Mediterranean (MedPAN) and the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas of the Barcelona Convention (UNEP/MAP RAC/SPA) in collaboration with the Generalitat of Catalunya, the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, and with the support of the Rhone- Mediterranean and Corsica Water Agency and the MAVA Foundation.
The new application aims to facilitate the identification of marine invasive species in Mediterranean marine protected areas so that monitoring and control programs can be put in place before they damage native marine species. Further improvements to the App will be considered during the marine experts workshop in order to increase its applicability and potentiality for marine protected areas.
In the Mediterranean, one notorious example is the highly invasive algae Caulerpa racemosa or Caulerpa taxifolia, or the poisonous fishes such as the Lagocephalus species.
The app is supported by an online platform which includes an identification guide of the most important invasive species found in the Mediterranean Sea. The data reported by users through the app and the online platform will be verified before display on an online map accessible through the platform. This platform is devoted to all those interested (amateur or professional divers, marine technicians, MPA managers, fishermen or scientists) in receiving information on invasive species in marine protected areas. Information collected will also support conservation efforts through recording the presence of potentially invasive species.
María del Mar Otero, Marine Program officer at the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation and coordinator of the project, highlights "The objective of this online application is to improve the control of invasive species by asking sea watchers and divers across the Mediterranean to help us find and track them in marine protected areas".
The online reporting system is based on a recent publication by IUCN in the context of the MedPAN North project, "Monitoring Invasive Species in Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): A strategy and practical guide for managers", which describes and maps around half a hundred species. IUCN-Med invites divers to identify potentially invasive species in MPAs, and report them through this service. The data collected will help marine conservation by increasing the chances of stopping their permanent establishment and thus limiting their potential impact.
The Smartphone's application is free and available in English, French and Spanish. You can download it from: http://www.iucn-medmis.org


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Seventh Chancellor, 1923-27
1923: Herbert Spencer Hadley was inaugurated as chancellor on November 10.
1924: Washington University upgraded entrance requirements for college students and created a Freshman Advisory Council.
1924: The university formally offered its first summer school, which attracted 534 students.
1927: The George Warren Brown Department of Social Work was founded.
1927: Chancellor Hadley died from heart disease, and George Throop was named acting chancellor.
Herbert Spencer Hadley was born in Olathe, Kansas, in 1872.
He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas and his law degree from Northwestern University in Chicago.
He began his professional career as a general practice lawyer in Kansas City before initiating a 30-year career in public life, serving as first assistant city counselor in Kansas City and continuing on to become prosecuting attorney for Jackson County, attorney general of Missouri and, in 1909 at age 36, governor of Missouri.
A progressive Republican who fought against corporate wealth and gambling, he served for one term before returning to law practice in Kansas City. By some accounts, he nearly received the Republican Party's nomination for U.S. President in 1912.
"Ours is the typical American city…that belongs neither to the East, West, North, or South, but which exemplifies American life as a whole. Here are to be found the culture and refinement of the East, the courage and vigor of the North, the frankness and freedom of the West, and the courtesy and chivalry of the South. We have sunshine enough for sentiment and snow enough for courage, and we have the substantial foundations of industrial and agricultural wealth to justify our claim to leadership in material as well as in spiritual achievements." -Herbert S. Hadley, Address at the laying of the cornerstone for Newton R. Wilson Memorial Hall, May 19, 1924
He was diagnosed with tuberculosis and moved to Colorado in 1916 for the benefits of the cleaner air. He recovered well enough to take a position as professor of law at the University of Colorado before being recruited by Robert S. Brookings to become chancellor of Washington University in 1923.
During his short four years as chancellor, the university established several new programs, including the departments of economics, political science, sociology and social work, and the Graduate School of Economics and Government, which eventually became the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C.
During Hadley's administration, the first summer school program was offered to the public and the official mascot of the university's athletic teams became the bear. The School of Medicine also thrived during his time as chancellor. Class sizes increased, as did admission standards.
By 1927 it was clear that his health was again failing and George Throop took over as interim chancellor while Hadley struggled to recover. When he died in December 1927, current Missouri Governor Henry S. Caulfield said in his eulogy: "There is not a resident of Missouri but who is better off that Herbert Hadley lived." His colleagues from the Kansas City Bar Association published a memorial collection of letters received about the great man. One colleague noted, "his integrity was flawless; he had character. To do right and to repudiate wrong and sham were the impulses that guided all his actions." Another wrote: "He was strong, honest, upright, intellectual, and alert. He possessed great talents and used them well."
Next: Eighth Chancellor George R. Throop
Previous: Sixth Chancellor Frederic Aldin Hall


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Welcome to our latest curated list of events, contests and awards for small businesses, solo entrepreneurs and growing companies. To see a full list or to submit your own event, contest or award listing, visit the Small Business Events Calendar.
Featured Events, Contests and Awards
Manta #SmallBizLove Photo Contest
August 31, 2013, Online
This contest highlights small businesses and helps them to show off their amazing products, services and happy customers all with a chance to win $10K. The contest is open this year to small business owners and their consumers.
At the end of the contest, one photo will be chosen as the $10K Grand Prize winner.
Hashtag: #SmallBizLove
Small Business Influencer Awards 2013
September 9, 2013, Online
The 2013 Small Business Influencer Awards recognize the apps, organizations and people who have a strong impact on small businesses in North America. Now its 3rd year, the Awards are a coveted recognition for those who serve small businesses. Check to see who's already been nominated, and nominate yourself, or someone or some organization or app you admire. No fee to enter.
Twitter hashtag: #SMBinfluencer.
WomanCon 2013
September 25, 2013, New York, NY
This conference brings together amazing women entrepreneurs, both on and off the stage. Hear real behind-the-scenes stories of success including JJ Ramberg, Sarah Endline, Janine Popick, and Pamela O'Hara. Expert keynotes and panel discussions include: Getting Funding for Growth with Kay Koplovitz & Peggy Wallace, Turning Ideas into Companies with Yao Huang, 5 Strategies for a Stronger Brand with Julie Cottineau, and a journalist panel on Pitching the Media. SEATING IS LIMITED.
Discount Code
SBTRENDS ($50 off)
More Events
- Banner Conference 2013
September 06, 2013, Las Vegas, NV - Content Marketing World
September 09, 2013, Cleveland, OH - Small Business and Entrepreneur Leadership Conference
September 09, 2013, Galveston , TX - Servant-Leadership: A Better Way To Lead & Manage At Work Or Home
September 10, 2013, Atlanta, GA - Leading in Local: SMB Digital Marketing
September 11, 2013, Austin, TX - The Social Shake-Up
September 15, 2013, Atlanta, GA - QS MBA Tour
September 15, 2013, New York City, NY - 2013 Incite Marketing and Communications Summit
September 18, 2013, Online - Human Potential Forum 2013
September 18, 2013, New York, New York - How To Build & Lead An Effective Team
September 19, 2013, Atlanta, GA - September Business Networking Mixer
September 23, 2013, Online - Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference – 27th Annual
September 26, 2013, Chicago, Illinois - The eMetrics Summit Boston
September 29, 2013, Boston, MA - Conversion Conference East 2013 Boston
September 30, 2013, Online - Demandcon Boston Sept 30-Oct 1st 2013
September 30, 2013, Boston, MA/USA - Context Conference
September 30, 2013, Boston, MA - SMX East
October 01, 2013, New York, NY - ONTRApalooza: Start, Systemize and Scale Your Business
October 02, 2013, Santa Barbara, CA - MiniTrends 2013: The Integration of Profit & Social Responsibility
October 02, 2013, Austin, TX - How to Build a Compensation Program & Solving Compensation Program Problems
October 03, 2013, Orlando, FL
More Contests
- Turnstone's Best Young Companies to Work For
August 30, 2013, Online - Women 2.0 PITCH Las Vegas 2013
September 15, 2013, Las Vegas, NV - The Citi Salutes: Realizing Your Dream Business Competition
November 08, 2013, Online
This weekly listing of small business events, contests and awards is provided as a community service by Small Business Trends and SmallBizTechnology.


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What is Neck Surgery?
Neck surgery is a surgical procedure employed for the treatment of neck pain when conservative measures such as physical rehabilitation, medications, and rest have failed to provide any relief to your neck pain.
The neck supports and assists in movement of the head. It is the most flexible part of the spine and consists of 7 cervical vertebrae, cervical segment of the spinal cord, spinal nerves, ligaments, tendons and muscles. Neck pain can be secondary to a problem affecting any of these structures.
Usually neck pain occurs due to damage to the soft tissue such as muscles, ligaments, and nerves, which may occur either due to an injury or wear and tear associated with the aging process. Neck pain can also result from infections, tumours, or congenital abnormalities of the vertebrae.
Indications for Neck Surgery
Neck surgery is generally indicated for one of these reasons:
- To mitigate pain caused by nerve root impingement as a result of bone spurs or material from a herniated or ruptured disc, a condition known as cervical radiculopathy
- To prevent vertebrae from rubbing against each other due to degenerative disk disease, which generates neck pain from pinched nerves
- To eliminate pressure on the spinal cord caused by bone spurs, a condition known as spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
Preparation for Neck Surgery
You will have a preoperative assessment session before surgery. During your assessment, you must inform your doctor about any health conditions you may have such as diabetes or bleeding disorders, and about any medications that you may be taking, such as blood thinners, over-the-counter medications, or supplements. You may be asked to stop taking certain medicines for several days before the procedure. Complete nicotine cessation prior to any surgery is strongly advised as nicotine interferes with skin, muscle and bone healing.
Your doctor will explain the surgical procedure, its risks and benefits, and answer all your surgery-related queries before the procedure. Blood tests, X-rays or other imaging tests may also be ordered to assess your medical condition.
Procedures for Neck Surgery
When pain and symptoms fail to improve with non-surgical treatment measures such as activity modification, pain medication, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, physical therapy, or spinal injections, neck surgery procedures are employed for the treatment of neck pain, and may include:
- Cervical laminectomy: This procedure is undertaken to alleviate pressure on the spinal cord or the nerve roots. The spinal cord is covered and protected by laminae, which are bony plates on the backside of the vertebrae. Pressure on the spinal cord and nerves are reduced by removing the laminae. Also, during this procedure, sections of bone spurs and herniated disk can be removed through the opening in the vertebrae.
- Cervical laminoplasty: This procedure is used to assist people with spinal stenosis by making more space for the spinal cord within the spinal canal. During this procedure, the spine is exposed by making an incision on the back of the neck and the vertebral laminae are reconstructed to enlarge the spinal canal creating more room.
- Anterior cervical discectomy: This is regarded as the most common surgical procedure performed to mitigate neck pain caused by a nerve-pinching herniated disk. During this procedure, the spine is exposed by making an incision in the front of the neck right next to the windpipe. Through that incision, bone spurs or herniated discs that may be causing pain are removed. Then, a piece of bone (either your own or a bone graft from a donor) or other material is used to refill the space left between the vertebrae, fusing the adjacent vertebrae together.
- Cervical spinal fusion: During this procedure, two vertebrae that are rubbing against each other are fused together as the disk between them has worn out or herniated. A metal implant or bone graft is used to fuse the vertebrae, which ultimately grows together into one bone.
- Posterior microdiscectomy: This approach is employed to treat a large soft disk herniation located on the side of the spinal cord and is performed by making a vertical incision in the posterior of your neck. A high-speed burr is utilized to detach some of the facet joints to identify the nerve root under it. The nerve root is gently moved aside to make room for the surgeon to remove the disk herniation.
Postoperative Care and Instructions
Post surgery, you may have to stay in the hospital for at least a week. You will have to wear a neck brace or protective equipment to aid in healing and to support the neck. Complete recovery may take about 5 weeks or more. You will be instructed on avoiding heavy lifting or exertion for several months. You will be given an exercise regimen to strengthen your neck muscles and improve neck function. You will also be instructed on activity modifications, diet, wound and dressing care, bathing, driving, pain medications, etc, for a complete recovery.
Risks and Complications of Neck Surgery
As with any surgical procedure, neck surgery involves potential risks and complications that include:
- Damage to the spinal cord or nerves
- Infection of the area around the spine or bone graft
- Failure in fusing together of 2 vertebrae
- Damage to veins and arteries that pass through the neck into the brain
- Bone graft displacement before occurrence of the fusion


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Brothers Osborne Preview Their Next Album
Brothers Osborne spent two weeks in the studio this year recording their follow-up to 2016's critically acclaimed Pawn Shop. In an interview with Taste of Country, brothers TJ and John Osborne preview the record and promise that fans can expect "a few hippie jams."
"I don't want to say it's complete but we've recorded 11 songs and we're done with them," John says. "If it's not complete, it's damn close. We're really, really stoked to have it out. It's even further down the rabbit hole of what our music and our sound is. We're not going anywhere near the center with this one. It's very musical."
John explains that the album will have some songs that run into each other, while TJ says fans can expect a new single early next year.
"It was just two weeks of recording and we came home with a record," TJ adds. "We'll be putting a new single [from] that out next year and hopefully we'll have it out soon thereafter."
TJ shares that he and his brother wanted to do something fresh for their sophomore release, explaining that all the songs are totally different from one another. Meanwhile, John hints that their current single "It Ain't My Fault" is a good segue into what fans can expect from their new music.
"Our next single will be a takeoff of 'It Ain't My Fault,'" TJ adds. "We definitely wanted more music in it. Let's just record music and have an album that will stand the test of time."
Well known for John's engaging guitar solos in the live setting and in their recorded music, the band promise plenty of guitar shredding. It's something they think about before getting into the studio.
"We're a band. We're musicians. We love to play," John says before his brother jumps in.
"That's the deal with being a duo, he's not just holding a guitar so we can call ourselves a duo," TJ explains. "It's just as important as the lead vocal."
Brothers Osborne worked with producer Jay Joyce for their forthcoming album, which will be released in 2018.


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Real, effective self-defense begins with a mindset. Here is your guide to developing that mindset. Learn what it takes to overcome conflict, and protect yourself and those you care about.
In this book you will discover: what real-life self-defense actually is – and how to survive in today's world; why self-defense training should be a priority for everyone; the difference between self-defense and marital arts… And that's just the beginning!
The information in this book has empowered people from all walks of life to be stronger, more confident, and safer.
Now available for the Kindle!
Preview It & Get It Now
Buy It On Amazon – Paperback & Kindle Versions
Buy It At The C.O.B.R.A.™ Online Store
"Chris Sutton's book is a direct result of his fantastic reality self defense system he teaches. I had the great fortune to personally watch Chris Sutton, and assist him instruct his courses. After reading this book it further acknowledges what I already knew; that this book is truly an amazing, no nonsense approach to self defense.
"It is the next best thing to having him teach you personally the mental mindset needed to survive a violent encounter."
Sifu Brian Spiegel
"This Book is powerful and it's depth is amazing. A must for anyone who want to understand real life self defense and personal safety."
Jim Graden, World Champion Kickboxer
"I know Chris, and I've taken his C.O.B.R.A. class. This book does a great job of making what he teaches in class accessible to a wider audience. I learned a lot from it.
"The book doesn't show you how to punch and kick; it teaches you how to THINK. And that's the most important element in staying safe. You learn what to watch out for, how to avoid dangerous situations, and how to handle it if you can't avoid a confrontation. He also goes into the truth about safety for kids, explaining what works and what doesn't and why.
"He explains why learning martial arts as a sport isn't enough to make you ready to defend yourself in real life – and what you need to do to BE ready. As Chris likes to say: You insure your home, and your, and your new refrigerator – shouldn't you also insure your own safety?
"This book is a great place to start. I would recommend it to anyone, young or old, regardless of previous experience."
Julie Gallagher
"This book is no nonsense, real advice for the very real world that we live in today. Chris is one of the best Reality Self-Defense instructors in the business and speaks from experience and from passion of the subject.
"This book is easy to read and gives many little bits of information that you can take away with you for future use and thought."
Jonathan Dyer
"You can't go a day without hearing about a child abduction, domestic violence and murder. The mistake we all make is thinking, "it can't happen to me". Let me tell you from personal experience, it can happen to you.
"The Psychology of Self-Defense teaches you how to recognize the signs of a potential threat and how to become more aware of your surroundings. I have taken Chris' one day C.O.B.R.A camp and am currently enrolled in the full academy and it has changed my life."
Judy Berce


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The NTE unique line of Flame Retardant Resistors is designed for replacement and original equipment use. The selections includes: Metal Film Flameproof, Power Wirewound Cermet, and Carbon Composition. From 1/8 watt all the way up to 25 watts. We have replacements for many well know brands like Dale, Ohmite, RCD, Vishay, and many others.
They are ideal for use in:
In short, our resistors can be used in all market areas and applications.


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This comes mere weeks after entrepreneur extraordinaire, Elon Musk, said he would be auditing employee salaries at his company to ensure gender pay parity, in line with "principles of fairness and justice". An expert says that locally the question of the ongoing lack of gender transformation needs a spotlight shone on it.
"In South Africa, racial representation in boardrooms and executive teams rightfully gets an enormous amount of attention, and is a source of countless debates and analyses. However we are in danger of losing sight of the fact that gender transformation is faring even worse, which should prompt some hard questions to be asked," says Debbie Goodman-Bhyat, CEO of leading executive search firm Jack Hammer.
According to the latest Jack Hammer Executive Report, "Finding the Facts: South Africa's Future Leaders", of the 334 executives in the JSE's Top 40 companies, only 17% of executives are female, compared to 21% who are black South Africans. And female CEOs decreased from 5% in 2012, to only 2.5% in 2015, when the research for the third Jack Hammer Executive Report was conducted.
"Once again, hiring practices in top jobs show a bias towards doing things as they have always been done, with tremendous conservatism," says Goodman-Bhyat. "However this approach no longer makes sense when research repeatedly shows that increased diversity – particularly on the gender front – leads to improved company performance," she says.
"According to a 2011 Catalyst Analysis of the financial results at Fortune 500 companies, a high representation of women board members led to companies significantly outperforming those with no female directors," Goodman-Bhyat notes. She says while it is true that women in South Africa are increasingly being appointed to senior positions, too many of these appointments remain in support or 'corporate services' roles. "While these roles are certainly important, they do not lead to the top jobs," she says.
"It is therefore imperative that more women be actively sourced and appointed to the critical profit-and-loss jobs, the core business roles, which will enable greater gender transformation at CEO and executive levels in years to come."
According to the ground-breaking research on gender transformation conducted by the non-profit organisation Lean In, and McKinsey & Company, women continue to face greater barriers to advancement and a steeper path to senior leadership. Yet despite female leadership being an imperative for organisations that want to perform at the highest levels, the current slow rate of progress means that it will take twenty-five years for gender parity to be reached at senior executive levels, and more than 100 years to reach equality in the C-Suite.
"It is time for businesses to address the unconscious biases which not only impact on equality and transformation, but also has a negative effect on bottom line and competitiveness," says Goodman-Bhyat. "Companies must become consciously strategic about transformation and focus on appointing black and female professionals into core business roles, in order to sustainably start shifting the seat of influence."


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Peter B. Isherwood Construction, LLC tops the list of contractors that homeowners and commercial property owners look to for improvements to their home or office in Louisville, Boulder, and Superior, Colorado. Peter B. Isherwood Construction has been providing high quality tenant finish, new home construction, kitchen and bathroom remodeling, and basement finishing for the better part of 12 years in Boulder County alone. Always on the cutting edge of new designs, innovative ideas, and creative planning, we ensure that every project is completed with the unique and superior finish for which we are known. Let's talk about your budget, your ideas, and your vision, and we'll tell you how we can make it happen. Our previous clients can attest to our professionalism, honesty, and friendliness so we're sure that you too, will find working with us to be a positive experience. We know how to listen.
With over 30 years of building dreams, we can help build yours!
Peter B. Isherwood Construction, LLC, located in Louisville, Colorado, proudly provides the following project related services:
- Consultation & Design
- Floor Plans, 3d Models with walk through
- Estimates
- Budgets
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- Management
- Hands on Construction
- Post Project Service
We are ready to assist you with all our construction/design expertise, in all of the following areas:
- Custom Homes
- Commercial / Tenant Finish
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We are proud members of the Better Business Bureau, and have been for over 5 years.
For more information, please contact us:
Note to assist in navigation, we use links extensively throughout this website, and they can be recognized by the underlining.


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At the age of 36, Roger Federer is now two wins away from reclaiming the top ranking for the first time in six years.
Federer began his campaign at the ABN AMRO tournament on Wednesday with a flawless performance, defeating Ruben Bemelmans 6-1, 6-2 in just 46 minutes.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion was in complete control against the Belgian qualifier. The Swiss hit six aces, dropped only four points on his serve, and broke Bemelmans four times in the first round.
Federer will replace his old rival Rafael Nadal at No. 1 if he reaches the semifinals at the indoor tournament. By achieving the feat, he would also become the oldest top-ranked male player. Andre Agassi holds the record, at 33 years, 133 days old.
Federer next plays Philipp Kohlschreiber, a player he has never lost to in 12 previous matches.
Earlier, David Goffin eased into the quarterfinals by defeating Feliciano Lopez 6-1, 6-3. Goffin had nine aces and dropped just two points behind his first serve to extend his unbeaten record against Lopez to 3-0.
The seventh-ranked Goffin, who beat Nicolas Mahut in straight sets in his previous match, will next face sixth-seeded Tomas Berdych.
Second-seeded Grigor Dimitrov beat Yuichi Sugita 6-4, 7-6 (5) in the first round and Robin Haase won an all-Dutch contest against Thiemo de Bakker 6-2, 6-2. Dimitrov and Haase were joined in the second round by qualifier Pierre-Hugues Herbert, who advanced after Richard Gasquet retired while trailing 3-1.
(With AP Inputs)


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Story: Drown In Details
Juan comes up to the Mexican border on his bicycle
He's got two large bags over his shoulders.
The guard stops him and says, "What's in the bags?"
"Sand," answered Juan
The guard says, "We'll just see about that – get off the bike!"
The guard takes the bags and rips them apart, he empties them out and finds nothing in them but sand.
He detains Juan overnight and has the sand analyzed, only to discover that there is nothing but pure sand in the bags.
The guard releases Juan, puts the sand into new bags, hefts them onto the man's shoulders, and lets him cross the border.
The next day, the same thing happens.
The guard asks, "What have you got?" "Sand," says Juan
The guard does his thorough examination and discovers that the bags contain nothing but sand.
He gives the sand back to Juan, and Juan crosses the border on his bicycle
This sequence of events is repeated every day for a year.
Finally, Juan doesn't show up one day and the guard meets him in a Cantina in Mexico.
"Hey, Buddy," says the guard, "I know you are smuggling something
It's driving me crazy
It's all I think about…
I can't sleep
Just between you and me, what are you smuggling?" Juan sips his beer and says, "Bicycles."


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Employer of Record in Palestine
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Benefits of using Employer of Record in Palestine
An employer of record facilitates you to quickly hire and engage the talent in Palestine without the additional cost and hazard of having a local entity. Our professional employer of record services in Palestine is dedicated to establishing a trusted relationship with your workforce. We help you with a simple hiring process so that you get employees on board quickly. Our assistance is not limited to providing recruitment support, but we also assist you with visas, work permits, local payroll and tax, and lots more. Besides, we help you understand the details about employee benefits, paid leave policy, and local job contracts to ensure complete employment support. While providing our services, we make sure that compliance with country laws is fully taken care of so that you can engage yourself on employee's performance resulting in business success. Outsourcing the employer of record is the safest way to onboard international talent with a professional approach.
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Whether you want to expand your business or looking to hire professionals in Palestine, our seasoned consultants are ready to assist you with their expertise. To provide you with cost-effective services, we accommodate your customization needs so that it suits your demands. It keeps you away from the hassles of establishing a legal firm in a foreign location and saves extra costs to operate international employees. Our professional team at Globalization Solutions is efficient to hire and engage talent within days and reduce your management burden without compromising with country compliance. Scroll through our service page and pick the desired service. We are ready to assist you to find your dream team. Contact us now!


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New product: Big value compact pan-tilt-zoom
For a compact and versatile single-CMOS camera system, look no further than Canon's new XU-80 remote control HD pan-tilt-zoom camera head. With a more than affordable price tag, this compact and versatile indoor/outdoor camera system is ideal for a vast range of applications from outdoor event broadcasting to traffic monitoring to video conferencing.
High quality HD images
The new Canon XU-80 has a single 1⁄3 inch CMOS imaging sensor with 2.1 Megapixels. Through its Canon 20x HD zoom, it captures superb, high quality images in full-HDTV format.
Built for broadcasting
The Canon XU-80 utilizes broadcast market standard (HD-SDI) output to relay quality images from a distance of up to 100 metres. With its single pre-set button option, the camera can pan and tilt while simultaneously zooming to give on-air movements comparable to manually operated cameras.
Outdoors or indoors
With an IP55 enclosure rating, the camera can be installed in challenging locations and is not affected by environmental conditions. A smooth, fast and precise movement is integral to this camera. In Normal Mode, it has a noise rating of NC<30, ideal for quiet indoor environments.
Cost-effective and compact
Canon's XU-80 weighs just 14.5 lbs (6.6Kg). With its handle (included), setup is almost effortless. The camera follows in the footsteps of its successful brothers, the BU-46H (outdoor) and BU-51H (indoor) PTZ camera systems. As a 'smaller brother', it is optimized for both environments whilst providing economies of scale and incorporating the same control protocols.