text:
Advantages of upsizing or downsizing in 2018
Posted on: Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Finding your dream home can be a challenge. You might need a larger property if your family is growing, or if your children have left home, you might be looking to downsize. There are advantages of both upsizing and downsizing in 2018. We asked our Guild agents for their opinions and advice on what is happening in the market that makes it good for either upsizing or downsizing.
Simon Miller partner, Holroyd Miller
"In Wakefield, we are seeing the £500,000-plus market booming in sales. A lot of this movement is due to downsizing. Many of the larger properties in more select suburbs rarely come on to the market, but when they do there is always considerable interest.
"Currently, Wakefield is a great opportunity for downsizing purely because of the interest to buy. Likewise, it's an incredibly good place to upsize, with more property on the market and many more new build developments, both in the luxury and mainstream market. The choice has never been so abundant.
"There are pros and cons. Upsizing may be a dream but think of the practicalities. Your utility bills, council tax, and maintenance bills will be higher. General upkeep will be a much larger task; from gardening to cleaning, it will all take more time and resource. Downsizing might be more practical, but how will the lack of space impact on you? Your utility bills might be cheaper but will you be compromising? Maybe you hadn't considered the need for a spare bedroom or a utility space, what about the outside space? Or simply the fact you'll be much closer to your neighbours. For many, the realisation can sometimes be quite an adjustment.
"Ultimately, the best time to upsize or downsize depends on personal circumstances. You have to be fully aware of market conditions, your budget, and be honest about your needs and requirements, otherwise you could stand to lose out financially and emotionally."
Stuart Mills, Rickman properties
"In the London area over the past two/three years, we have seen prices softening, but this offers a fantastic opportunity to trade up to that dream house. When people sell, there is much focus on 'what will I get for my house?' It is an important question, but if you are planning to trade up to a more expensive property, is that actually the right question?
"For instance, if you have a property 'worth' say £1,000,000 and prices have dropped by 10%, this is now 'worth £900,000 but you wish to buy a property that had a value of £1,750,000, and this too has dropped 10%, so is now available at £1,575,000. The gap between the 2 properties is £675,000. Had the prices been more stable, the gap would have been £750,000, so the saving now is £100,000.
"Equally, if prices are rising, again using 10%, we see the values being £1,100,000 and £1,925,000 respectively, a gap now of £825,000.
"This example shows how using a 'poor market' can be a great opportunity. Sometimes focusing on 'how much can I get?' is not the right question, when it should be, what is the difference I have to pay?"
Roger Wilkinson, Wilkinson Grant & Co
"Strong buyer demand, affordable lending, and stable house prices make this a perfect market for both up-sizers and down-sizers here in the South West.
"Whether looking to move to a larger property or seeking to move to a smaller, easier to manage home, stable prices make it easier to plan and healthy demand from buyers who can afford to borrow help make the current market fluid. Moving up or down the market, actual and purchase prices are less important than the price differential between the two.
"Across the country, it seems that stock is an issue and whilst this may mean that new homes developers are taking a larger share of the market, competition between them is keeping prices steady.
"This doesn't mean that upsizers and down-sizers are so limited in choice though - it simply means that if they can't find what they're looking for, they need to work with an experienced local agent that provides a search and acquisition service.
"With over twenty years experience, dealing with thousands of homeowners, at any one time, we have hundreds of local people on our database who are looking to move - even though they are not on the market and advertised for sale.
"Over the last 12 months, we have seen an increase in property prices and therefore increased equity for homeowners. This can make it an ideal time to downsize and cash in on your investment. Recently, I valued a four-bedroom detached property. The owners bought their home in 2015 for £266,000 and would now expect it to achieve £300,000. There are not many investments that will give you a return of £34,000 in 2 years. They were looking to sell and downsize to go mortgage free.
"The main reasons we find people choosing to downsize is to release equity, go mortgage free, or the property they are in may be bigger than what they need. I believe downsizing is one of the hardest moves a person can make as comprise is needed. Therefore, our advice would be to think about what you are prepared to comprise on. If you only want a specific location, you may have to comprise on the size of the property or if off road parking is a must for you, you may have to give up that extra bedroom.
Jared Thomas, Emsleys Estate Agents
"The market offers advantages at the moment for those looking to upsize or downsize. Since November 2017, first-time buyers have not needed to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on properties priced up to £300,000, which will speed up the time it takes them to save for their first home. Mortgage rates are still at a historic low, making a bigger mortgage more affordable for many people.
"You might be looking to upsize to accommodate a growing family or to downsize to release capital, reduce outgoings or if your children have left home. Whatever the reason, I would advise you to book a professional valuation and speak to a mortgage advisor before selling your home.
"If you'd like to upsize; plan ahead. Perhaps you'd like to relocate to be closer to catchment areas for schools. Consider the timing of the school year when planning your move and allow for any delays in the chain.
"Those looking to downsize should be realistic about the amount of space you need. Ask yourself: are you using all the space you've got or have you simply expanded to fill it? You'll also need to consider the factors which are important to you, such as public transport, facilities and the local community."
"As the market cools off, opportunities can arise for those looking to up-size as larger properties come down in value more quickly than the lower end of the market, which is propped up by both first-time buyers and buy-to-let investors. This can create an opportunity for buyers to procure a large property at a lower price while still achieving a good price for their own.
"As the cost of living rises, down-sizing offers an opportunity to lower the running costs of your home and free up capital to spend on the refurbishment of a new, smaller property. The market has been rising for a number of years and, since 2016, has begun to cool, making this a good time to down-size, release large assets, cash in, and invest in a lower-value property, lowering your exposure to the market. With the cost-of-living rising, lowering your mortgage out-goings is always a wise move, too."
Are you thinking of upsizing or downsizing? Contact your local Guild Member to start your property search.


text:
If you are fond of colorful speckles with a light airy feel, then Cloud 9 is definitely your color. Try pairing with with another jewel tone like Sassy Sapphire or Tantalizing Tourmaline in a brioche project.
ND Basic Bases:
ND single
ND single is a single ply, 100% superwash merino wool, fingering weight base with 400yds/100gr skein. It's softness and ability to drink up color makes it a wonderful choice for shawls and sweaters.
Price: $28.00 USD ea.
ND fingering
ND fingering is a 4-ply, 100% superwash merino, fingering weight base with 438yds/100gr skein. A very versatile base, this yarn is suitable for socks, mittens, shawls, sweaters, and hats, and has great stitch definition.
Price: $28.00 USD ea.
ND sock
ND sock is a 2-ply, 80/20 blend of superwash merino and nylon, fingering weight base with 400yds/100gr skein. The nylon adds strength to the yarn to ensure that your hand-knitted projects hold up with wear.
Price: $28.00 USD ea.
ND DK is a 4-ply, 100% superwash merino, DK weight base with 231yds/100gr skein. Bouncy and soft, this base is bound to be a go to yarn for anything from hats and mittens to shawls and sweaters.
Price: $26.00 USD ea.
ND Worsted
ND worsted is a 4-ply, 100% superwash merino, worsted weight base with 218yds/100gr skein. With its spring and ability to hold stitch definition, this base is a great choice for shawls, hats, and sweaters.
Price: $24.00 USD ea.
ND Bulky
ND Bulky is a 3-ply, 100% superwash merino wool base with 106 yds/100gr skein. It's soft, squishy, and is a great base for chunky sweaters and shawls. If you are looking for a quick knit as a gift or for yourself, one skein can be knit into a fabulous hat that is almost instant gratification!
Price: $24.00 USD ea.
ND Kid Silk
ND Kid Silk is a 1 ply 72% Kid mohair, 28% silk laceweight yarn with 459 yds/50g skein. It's incredibly soft, delicate, and can be used alone for a gossamer-like shawl, or it can be held together with another yarn for a wonderful halo effect.
Price: $28.00 USD ea.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Gin Blossoms, Foreigner, & Pat Benatar live 9/17-9/19, Taste of Newport
Taste of Newport is coming September 17 - 19! Bands performing include The Gin Blossoms on Friday, Foreigner on Saturday, and Pat Benatar on Sunday. There are over 30 restaurants and 15 wineries this year offering gourmet selections and premium wines. A Newport Channel Inn staff favorite, The Five Crowns Restaurant, is back serving excellent Prime Rib sandwiches and Crème Brulee. Besides lots of great food, wine and music, the 3-day festival is also a fundraiser for local charities. The live entertainment is included in the admission price with food and beverage pay-per-taste. Besides the headliners, several bands play each day. Get there early to claim a spot near the stage.Newport Channel Inn's low room rates during festival weekend start from $99 Friday and Saturday and $79 Sunday through Thursday. For the best selection on this popular weekend, please book early by calling us at 949 642-3030 or book on our website at www.newportchannelinn.com.
Labels: special-events


text:
Blouse / Skirt / Booties / Bag / Necklace / Watch
Blouse / Skirt / Booties / Bag / Necklace / Watch
It's official, fall is here in Montreal. My sandals, shorts and sundresses had officially retired until next spring, and all I'm craving right now is rich textures, jewel tones and pretty statement accessories. I've been using navy as a substitute to black a lot lately. That's why I think that skirt couldn't be more perfect, navy pleated mini in rich leather. Unless you consider the price that is. I'm not ready yet to splurge that much on a skirt, I'd rather save for the bag instead (wich might be even more perfect than the skirt !!!).
Have a nice fall weekend !


text:
FRIDAY, June 17, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Americans are night owls at age 20, get the least sleep at 40, and then finally get more shut-eye after retirement.
Those are among the key takeaways from a study that looked at the sleep patterns of Americans of all ages. In short, teenagers and young adults often fall asleep after midnight, while folks in their 40s go to bed earlier but devote the fewest hours to sleep.
That might not be surprising, especially to 40-something parents of teens. But the study gives a clearer picture of Americans' sleep habits, by using objective measures instead of self-reports: Participants wore devices on their wrists that recorded their movement, day and night, for seven days.
The findings are based on more than 11,000 Americans aged 6 and up who took part in a periodic federal health study between 2011 and 2014. And many of the results did support what past studies have shown.
Yes, school-age children — especially teenagers — stay up late. In fact, one-quarter of 14- to 17-year-olds didn't fall asleep until midnight over the weeklong period.
Given that they were typically getting up around 7 a.m. on school days, that's notable, according to researcher Shaoyong Su, a genetic epidemiologist at the Medical College of Georgia, in Augusta.
Teens do try to make up for it on the weekends, typically sleeping for an extra hour and 15 minutes. But regularly being short on sleep can rack up a sleep "debt" that's hard to surmount.
It's not clear, Su said, what teenagers' sleep debt might mean for their longer-term health. But in the short term, their school performance and emotional well-being might suffer.
Meanwhile, the study found, college-age Americans (18 to 25 years) get to bed even later, with one-quarter typically falling asleep around 1 a.m.
"I see this all the time," said Dr. Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg, a sleep medicine specialist at Millennium Physician Group in Fort Myers, Fla.
She said biology is likely part of the story, as the body's circadian rhythm does shift in adolescence. But many kids and young adults may also be staying up late staring at the glowing light of an electronic device.
Abbasi-Feinberg, who is also on the American Academy of Sleep Medicine's board of directors, noted that the study data were collected about a decade ago — which, when it comes to devices and social media, is almost ancient history.
"These days, kids are getting devices at an earlier age," Abbasi-Feinberg said. "The question is: How will this affect how they're growing up, including their sleep?"
As for adult Americans, they typically sleep the fewest hours around age 40, dipping below eight hours a night, on average.
Actual sleep needs are pretty stable across adulthood, Abbasi-Feinberg said, so that mid-life nadir likely reflects what's going on in people's lives: balancing work and home responsibilities, and trying to juggle your own schedule as well as your kids'.
Americans' sleep duration does gradually increase after age 50. Again, that makes sense, Abbasi-Feinberg said, since that's a time when the nest empties and people eventually retire.
For old people, in particular, health conditions can also be a factor in longer sleep times, according to Su and his colleagues.
Age is not the only factor in sleep patterns, however. The study found that Black Americans generally get the least sleep, and have the latest sleep times, compared with all other racial groups.
Both Su and Abbasi-Feinberg pointed to the "social determinants" that may be driving that finding. If, for example, you live in a neighborhood, building or home that exposes you to noise or artificial light from outside, it is probably tough to fall asleep and stay asleep.
How do you know when your sleep habits are not ideal?
If you nod off within minutes of sitting down, that's a red flag, said Dr. Vaughn McCall, a co-researcher on the study and chair of psychiatry and health behavior at Medical College of Georgia.
"You should be able to stay awake during a college lecture even if the lecture is boring," he said.
For some people, the solution is simply a matter of prioritizing sleep, Abbasi-Feinberg said.
"Is it necessary to catch up on Netflix? Can you cut back on social media time?" she said. "Sleep is not the thing we should skimp on."
Turning off the devices before bedtime — and the blue light that stimulates the brain — may make it easier to fall asleep. But it's also important, Abbasi-Feinberg noted, to be exposed to natural light in the morning, to set the body clock on the right path.
If you do get a solid eight hours of sleep yet still feel groggy during the day, it's wise to talk to your doctor, Abbasi-Feinberg said. That can be a sign of a health condition, such as sleep apnea.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults under age 65 get seven to nine hours of shut-eye each night. Older adults may need a bit less — seven to eight hours.
The findings were recently published online in Scientific Reports.
More information
The National Sleep Foundation has more on healthy sleep habits.
SOURCES: Shaoyong Su, PhD, genetic epidemiologist, Georgia Prevention Institute, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta; Vaughn McCall, MD, chairman, psychiatry and health behavior, Medical College of Georgia; Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg, MD, medical director, sleep medicine, Millennium Physician Group, Fort Myers, Fla., and member, board of directors, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Darien, Ill.; Scientific Reports, May 10, 2022, online


text:
End of an era for Latino grocery
Sitting on an axis of JP's main drag where the neighborhood's growing affluence meets a stretch of bodegas, restaurants, and hair salons once thought of as Boston's Latin Quarter, the Hi-Lo is a hub of the Latino community. Men sit on milk crates speaking in Spanish while shoppers pick among crowded aisles of dried chiles and tropical produce.
But in recent years, the neighborhood has been getting richer and whiter. The percentage of households making more than $75,000 a year has nearly doubled since the 2000 census, as the proportion of Latino and Hispanic residents has declined from almost 28 percent to about 20 percent.
The arrival of the nation's best known and often the priciest purveyor of organic foods was seen all over the neighborhood this week as a sign of an inexorable shift.
"There is a symbolic effect that is profound right now,'' said state Representative Jeffrey Sanchez, who added that the soaring rents, high condo prices, and the closing of a neighborhood school that serves Latino children have forced many from the neighborhood. "What I am hearing from people is, 'What happens to us as a community now?' ''
Along with worries, however, the announcement was also greeted with elation by residents who have longed for a high-quality market within easy walking distance.
"It's complicated,'' said Robyn Farmer, who lives nearby. "I like Hi-Lo, even though I didn't shop there often. But I would love a Whole Foods.''
Yesterday, metal shelves once filled with yams, plantains, and everything from Puerto Rican cookies to dried chiles from Mexico and Peru, were sparse as the store sold off its stock. The store's 45 employees said they face an uncertain future.
"Right now I feel better, but I spent the weekend crying,'' said head cashier Maria Chacon, who said the company's president gathered the store's department heads in the Hi-Lo meat room on Thursday to tell them the news. "I've been here for 15 years. I met my husband here. . . . This is my second home. People here have been here for 30 years. This sucks that they have treated us this way.''
Whole Foods said it plans to employ 100 people from the community, though it remains unclear whether any of the Hi-Lo employees will be among them. The company said that, as is its practice, the new store will do some things to conform to the surrounding community and will stock a variety of good-quality products that meet its shoppers' needs.
"Whole Foods Market has been keenly interested in developing a Jamaica Plain location,'' Laura Derba, regional president of Whole Foods Market's North Atlantic division, said in a statement. "We are now eager to become active members of such a strong, diverse neighborhood and to open a store that is reflective of that vibrant community.''
"It came down to the age of the management team,'' said Knapp. "We felt that this was a good time to look for a company that can carry on the mission of serving the community. We felt that this was a good fit.''
Across Jamaica Plain, news of the Whole Foods arrival stunned residents, causing many to wonder about the direction of the neighborhood. But even as the debate swirled, residents seemed perplexed or divided over the Whole Foods move.
Robbie Samuels, 36, wondered whether a Whole Foods would signal a change that he can live with.
"I came to JP because it was racially diverse, gay friendly, and it had culture,'' he said. "The question is whether people value that.''
Newly elected Councilor Matt O'Malley said the Whole Foods situation is an anomaly because the owner of Hi-Lo is not shutting the store, simply renting it.
He said he plans to meet with Hi-Lo and Whole Foods officials soon to discuss how to retain the employees who have lost their jobs, as well as the Latin-American offerings at the new store.
"I want to make sure the cultural competency exists,'' said O'Malley. "Hi-Lo has offered a strong product line of Latino foods, and I want to make sure that continues. But ultimately I think this might be a good thing for the neighborhood. We need a strong anchor store in Hyde Square.''
Along Centre Street yesterday, reaction was mixed. David Warner — co-owner of City Feed and Supply, a small market with a sandwich counter — worried about competing.
"This is going to be a big hit to our business,'' said Warner. "Grocery sales is more than 50 percent of our revenue, and we can't compete with Whole Foods.''
Mike St. Clair, the Cambridge-based general manager of Harvest Co-op, a small neighborhood grocery, said his company has weathered this storm before in Boston and Cambridge, and he is not worried that he will lose business.
"It's not a threat,'' said St. Clair. "We've been given these types of opportunities in the past, and we've survived them.''
Bodega owners welcomed the Whole Foods, saying the addition of a bigger store might drive up business in their corner stores.
"It's vice versa,'' said Freddy Cabral, the long-time owner of Freddy's Market. "People who go there will look for special foods, and if they don't have it, they will come here.''
But residents who walk or take the bus to shop at Hi-Lo say Whole Foods is far out of their price range, and many said they will have to travel to Hyde Park or Roxbury to get foods from their homelands.
"We won't be able to afford to go there,'' said Ramona Gonzalez, pushing her grocery cart in the rain. "I'm not being prejudiced or anything, but I think they just don't want us Spanish people hanging around here.''
Maria Rodriguez, a longtime shopper, said she feels as though no one is considering the poorer Latinos who live in apartments or houses near the supermarket.
"They don't take into consideration that this is a low-income community,'' she said.
But many in Hyde Square were left with a feeling of profound loss and struggled to make sense of it all.
"When the Hi-Lo goes,'' said Oscar Guerrero, "the soul will be taken from the heart of this community.''
By Meghan E. Irons Globe Staff / January 20, 2011


text:
The Iconic plus size wedding dresses with sleeves tea length
A wedding dress, beyond style and the choice of color, is symbolic during a wedding ceremony. Prior to the Victorian age, wedding dresses come in different colors that were made from a variety of fabrics and embroideries. Needless to say, the fabric and style used to make the wedding dress often symbolized the familys social status.
The dawn of a white wedding was brought about by Queen Victoria after her wedding ceremony. She wore a white lace dress signifying the beginning of her marriage to Prince Albert. At the time, the color white signified a high social status as well as wealth.
However, after a few more decades, the tradition was incorporated by the western culture. Wedding dresses had come to symbolize purity featuring different styles that reflect different cultures and traditions. Wedding dresses shed off the long and full-skirted look with puffy and overbearing sleeves.
Now, plus size wedding dresses with sleeves tea length come in different sizes, shapes, designs and color. The variety of options are designed to choose the preferences of the bride to be, of course. There are a number of fashion brands that specialize in designing wedding dresses. Let speake more about one of them.
plus size wedding dresses with sleeves tea length
plus size wedding dresses with sleeves tea length always manage to turn heads in an awe-inspiring and jaw-dropping way. Every inch of her designs emulates creativity that managed to break the mold in the fashion world. With each new design that makes its debut on the annual Bridal Fashion Week, Vera Wang manage to carve an enviable niche for itsself.
Undoubtedly, the plus size wedding dresses with sleeves tea length has designed defy the norm by creating a world of endless possibilities when it comes to style and design. Each dress exudes its own personality with its distinct addition of color, be it red, royal purple, green or/and yellow.
plus size wedding dresses with sleeves tea length has designed are the true depiction of creativity that accentuates the endless possibilities of beauty and design. Despite the bold tendencies of the dresses, her designs still manage to reveal a sense of softness to them. Each fashion Bridal Show that comes along is something to look forward to, as she continues to create pieces of pure brilliance.
Wedding Dresses By Vera Wang – stand out from the crowd
Last years Bridal Fashion Week was graced by wedding dresses Vera Wang designed herself. They featured tulles and white lace. The white was strongly contrasted by black details to highlight her specific designs. Each design and style that were displayed told the story of a different era and different cultures.
Wedding dresses Vera Wang designed for this year are based on a bridal spring collection. The dresses, mostly defined by a nude theme give a striking appearance as they are matched with bright colors.
Vera Wang effortlessly manages to combine said colors to create drama, yet maintain a sense of elegance and sophistication. With bold center pieces that come as bows or big regal bows, she manages to redefine the world of fashion yet again.


text:
How can we help you?
Do you need assistance, do you have a question, or are you looking for your personal KSB contact? Then you're in the right place.
You can go straight to our FAQ section to find fast answers to frequently asked questions or you can contact us directly at any time.


text:
Mother Monster's album & song sales, the 40 top songs that fell a spot shy of No. 1 on the Hot 100 & Sheeran's unprecedented run after "Shape of You" first led the list.
Submit questions about Billboard charts, as well as general music musings, to email@example.com. Please include your first and last name, as well as your city, state and country, if outside the U.S. Or
Hi Matt
Hi Matt (and the rest of the Monsters who indicated that they might have just a bit of an interest in finding out the answer on Twitter this week),
Here's an updated look at the superstar's U.S. sales, according to Nielsen Music.
Top-Selling Songs
"Poker Face," 7.5 million; "Just Dance" (feat. Colby O'Donis), 7.2 million; "Bad Romance," 5.8 million; "Born This Way," 4.2 million; "Paparazzi," 3.6 million; "Telephone" (feat. Beyonce), 3.5 million; "The Edge of Glory"
3 million; "Applause," 2.7 million; "LoveGame," 2.66 million; "Alejandro," 2.62 million; "You and I," 2.4 million; "Do What U Want" (feat. R. Kelly), 1.3 million; and (fittingly), "Million Reasons," 1.1 million
"Judas" is next in line to become Lady Gaga's next million-selling download, as it's currently within a nominal amount from the milestone.
Lady Gaga's U.S. totals stand at 11.46 million albums sold and 56.2 million in digital song sales, as well as 2.6 billion on-demand song streams and 35.9 billion in cumulative airplay audience.
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.


text:
The Beer Cork is a high-quality closure made of natural cork, specifically designed to fit Belgian-style beer bottles and to preserve beer flavor and carbonation. This 'micro-agglomerated' cork is composed of small, uniformly-sized cork granules. Before the granules are molded into their final shape, they are cleaned with supercritical CO2 to remove harmful chemicals that can affect flavor. Because the corks are designed for a tight fit, a Champagne corker is required to insert the beer corks. After insertion, the straight cork will take on the classic 'mushroom' appearance. A cap and wire hood is required to ensure that pressure from the carbonated beer does not force the cork out of the bottle.
30 Corks per Bag.
Size: 44x22.5 mm


text:
11" Happy Black Bear
Part #
Average Rating
0.0/5 from 0 reviews
Please log in to order products.
Addons For KA-01
Dressing with Name Drop
If no dressing is required please choose "No Dressing" from the drop down menu above.
Dressing base price shown - pricing varies based on image details – your opening order will not be processed without your final approval. Please provide your contact information in the box below for followup on the dressing, name drop choices and final pricing.
- Product Information
Product Information
Our original Happy Critter Series - super soft and snuggly.
Also "dressable" with name dropped hoodies and vests - see our Name Drop Program for details.


text:
The Concrete Society Awards celebrate excellence in Concrete design and construction in the Industry. The Awards demonstrate innovation in concrete composition, structure and form, visual impression and functional stability. The Award winners also proved sustainability credentials as well as client satisfaction and value for money.
Pictured L-R: Dr Bryan Magee (NI Concrete Society Regional Chairman), Seamus Keane (Contracts Engineer - CARRS), Robert Foster (Construction Supervisor - HAMPS), Niall McGill (FK Lowry Piling Director), Jonathan Pearson (Contracts Engineer - HAMPS), Chris Chapman (Senior Designer), Sam Pyper (Contracts Manager), Douglas Cook (Technical Director), Mark Mc Keown (Business Development Manager) & Willie Doherty (UK Concrete Society President).


text:
Welcome! Our Mission is simple: to provide our patients with the finest endodontic treatment available. This practice is dedicated to assisting dentists in the area provide excellent dental care to the wonderful people of our community. We understand that every patient we treat is also a patient of a colleague in the area. We pledge to keep referring dentists completely informed, and to promptly return patients for their continued dental care.
Our office has a state of the art facility with microscope, digital radiograph and paperless record system technologies. These tools help Dr. Ruebsamen and his staff to provide you with the best endodontic care available. Endodontic therapy prevents the complications that accompany the loss of a tooth: bite changes, jaw joint problems, difficulty chewing and adjacent tooth support.
A root canal causes fewer complications and less post-procedure pain than extraction, is less expensive than tooth replacement and restores the psychological and functional benefits of natural teeth for which there can be no real replacement. We will strive to maintain our patient's natural dentitions in a state of comfort, function and acceptable esthetics for their lifetime.


text:
This is the picture you see in the dictionary next to the word "tools". |
In the first half Matt Carroll had a breakaway layup but put if off the glass too strong and Byron Mullens, who seemed to be in position for a follow-up dunk, had the ball bounce off his hands and out of bounds for a turnover.
No caption here. This picture just makes me laugh. |
Yes, I do have a finger that can bend both of these ways at the same time. Why do you ask? |
Invisible chorus line |
Can't somebody just give DeMarcus a hug? Anyone? |
Pau is felled by the Atomic Armpit of Richard Jefferson |
Labels: Worst of the Night


text:
Santal 33 Type* / Perfume Body Oil / Eau de Parfum
Santal 33 Type* / Perfume Body Oil / Eau de Parfum
Smell divine from your head to your toes!
Our Perfume Body Oil and Eau de Parfum *Impression of Santal 33 is a Woody scent that is comparable to the main scent characteristics of ®Le Labo's unisex fragrance: Santal 33.
The aroma is:
Key notes:
Sandalwood (Australia), Iris-Orris, Leather, Papyrus, Amber, Cardamom, Cedarwood, Violet
The warmth of your skin and your body's natural chemistry will bring the fragrance to life creating your own one of a kind scent.
- Longevity = Moderate-Long Lasting
- Sillage = Moderate-Strong
Made with Natural Fragrance, Essential Oils, Natural and Synthetic Aroma Compounds, Cosmetic Grade Colorants.
- Perfume Body Oils contain Dipropylene Glycol (carrier oil)
- Eau de Parfums contain perfumer's alcohol
Comfort Crafts offers quality Perfumed Body Oils and Eau de Parfums that are affordable alternatives for anyone seeking reasonably priced quality fragrances that are comparable to their favorite designer scents.
Comfort Crafts competes with designer brands and is not affiliated with manufacturers and/or designers of luxury brand perfumes. Our Body Oil Fragrances and Eau de Parfums are designer type - inspired by impressions and not brand name perfumes or colognes. References to brand names are made to give the buyer an idea of the aroma's character and are made for comparison purposes only. Brand name perfumes and colognes are the trademarked and copyrighted properties of their respective manufacturers and/or designers. It is never our intention to mislead our valued customers, but only to provide them with affordable quality alternative fragrances they are searching for.
Because of the personal nature of this item returns are not accepted.
However, should you have an issue with your order please contact us ASAP so we can evaluate the problem and fix it for you.


text:
Carers Support
Are You A Carer?
If you are please let us know - we may be able to help you.
Carers UK
Here to make life better for carers
20 Great Dover Street
London SE1 4LQ
t: 020 7378 4999
w: www.carersuk
NHS Links
There is a wealth of information on the NHS website about carers and caring. Below are some links into the site that we hope you will find useful.
- A guide to care and support
Information for carers and people who have care & support needs.
- Caring for someone
Advice on providing care, medicines etc.
- Care after hospital
Providing care for people who have been recently discharged from hospital.
- Taking a break
Caring for someone can be a full-time job - find out about accessing breaks and respite care.
- Support and benefits for carers
Caring for someone can be a full-time job - find out about accessing breaks and respite care.
Guidance, support and help with employment issues.
Advice for carers 18 or under and their entitlement to support
Finance and Law
Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.
- Benefits for carers
Directing carers to the benefits that can help them in their caring role
- Benefits for the under-65s
Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to.
Benefits for the over-65sAdvice and information on financial support for older people with a disability or illness.
- Carer's Assement
How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits
- Other benefits
Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring


text:
About the Clinic
Newcastle Sports Injury Clinic is one of the UK's leading musculoskeletal injury treatment centres. We built our reputation on our work with elite athletes across a range of sports, and we offer the same top-level treatments and attention to people of all backgrounds, ages and lifestyles. From Olympians to the totally non-sporting, we can help you.


text:
애플이 며칠 전에 갤럭시탭이 아이패드의 디자인을 침해하지 않았다고 올린 공고문이 법원으로부터 수정 요구를 받았단다.
판사가 판결 시 언급했던 '갤럭시탭이 아이패드만큼 쿨하지 않다'거나 독일 법원에서는 침해를 인정했다는 등의 말이 들어간 것은 법원이 지정한 내용과는 거리가 있다는 것을 지적하며 즉시 수정해서 12월 14일까지 게시하라고 했다고…
그래도 법원의 판결로 해당 사항을 이행할 것을 명령받았는데, 이 판결을 다른 법원의 판결/평결과 비교하는 글을 첨가해놨으니 법원은 법원대로 곤란해했을 것은 불을 보듯 뻔하다.
내가 열 낼 필요도 없는 것이고, 알아서 처신하겠지.
아래는 가디언지에 실린 기사 원문
원문 링크 : http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/nov/01/apple-samsung-statement
Apple's Samsung statement reprimanded by court of appeal
Judges say article on iPad ruling is 'non-compliant' and order tech giant to put up an amended version within 48 hours
The UK court of appeal has reprimanded Apple over the wording of the statement on its website acknowledging that Samsung did not infringe the iPad tablet's registered design, and ordered it to put an altered statement on its homepage ? rather than tucked away in a linked page ? until 14 December.
The acknowledgement put up last week, linked from the home page by a tiny link, was deemed to be "non-compliant" with the order that the court had made in October. The court has now ordered it to correct the statement ? and the judges, Lord Justice Longmore, Lord Justice Kitchin and Sir Robin Jacob, indicated that they were not pleased with Apple's failure to put a simpler statement on the site.
At a hearing in the court in London on Thursday morning, the judge told Apple that it had to change the wording of the statement within 48 hours, carry it on its home page, and use at least 11-point font.
Apple tried to argue that it would take at least 14 days to put a corrective statement on the site ? a claim that one judge said he "cannot believe".
Darren Smyth of EIP Partners said: "The objection was that Apple had added to the statement that the court of appeal had ordered, so did not comply with the original order, and furthermore that the additions were not accurate.
"Apple must now within 48 hours publish a correction on their homepage with a link to the corrected statement in not less than 11-point font."
The tech giant was originally ordered by the court of appeal to correct the statement carried on its website relating to its tablet battle with Samsung, in which it was ordered to acknowledge that its rival did not copy the iPad's design.
Though Apple did do that, it also added in details from other court cases in the US relating to other non-design patents to suggest that other courts had found against Samsung.
The acknowledgement ? which was depicted as an apology, though neither the court of appeal nor the original high court judgment described it as such ? was intended to be a factual statement ordered by His Honour Judge Birss QC in the high court. Apple has also been told it must take out adverts with the same statements in the Financial Times, The Guardian, Daily Mail, T3 magazine and Mobile magazine. Those adverts are not thought to have appeared.
The ruling is the latest in a long-running battle between the South Korean and Californian electronics giants, in which Apple and Samsung have since 2010 been at loggerheads over patents and designs used in their respective smartphones and tablets, with lawsuits around the world.
In the UK one, Apple had claimed that Samsung infringed its European "registered design" for the iPad tablet with the Galaxy Tab; Samsung disagreed, and won a ruling from Birss in July.
He then ordered Apple to issue a corrective statement about Samsung's designs. Apple appealed, but lost that case in October. The same three judges sat on Thursday as in the October case.
While Apple's statement on its site did contain the elements it was instructed to contain according to the court of appeal and high court rulings, Apple added four paragraphs ? including extracts from Birss's ruling in July where he called Apple's designs "cool", and contrasted them against Samsung's, which he said lacked the same qualities.
Bloomberg quoted Jacob as saying Apple's statement was "a plain breach of the order".
Bloomberg said that Michael Beloff, a lawyer representing Apple, defending the notice, told the court that the judges themselves had said that it "is not designed to punish, it is not designed to make us grovel" and that its only purpose was "to dispel commercial uncertainty".
Apple declined to comment on the new ruling.


text:
- This event has passed.
Parenting Class (Virtual)
August 3, 2017 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
SNAHC's Parenting Class is based upon the Family Spirit Program, education for Native families with children ages 0-5 years old. All are welcome to attend this CPS approved course. Participants will learn about self-esteem, handling stress and anger, growth and development of children, communication skills, positive discipline, and more.
Class is held each Thursday from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Kutba Classroom of the Medical Clinic.
Registration for this class is mandatory. To register contact Behavioral Health by calling (916) 341-0575.


text:
CBotGAValues::get(int)() error |
CBotGAValues::get(int)() error |
RoboCop |
Jul 7 2018, 06:02 PM
RCBot Fan Group: Admin Posts: 192 Joined: 17-December 15 From: Dundee, Scotland Member No.: 2,435 |
Hello I've noticed a tiny problem with RCBot 1.442-beta that I've recompiled and upgraded. I am not familiar with all of the src code scripts but it appears from what I've found from GDB that RCBot crashes on DMC with this error:-
CODE Thread 1 "hlds_linux" received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault. 0xf3554e6e in CBotGAValues::get(int) () from /home/desktop/steamcmd/hlds/rcbot/dlls/rcbot_mm.so (gdb) bt #0 0xf3554e6e in CBotGAValues::get(int) () from /home/desktop/steamcmd/hlds/rcbot/dlls/rcbot_mm.so #1 0xf357c5db in CPerceptron::setWeights(CBotGAValues*, int, int) () from /home/desktop/steamcmd/hlds/rcbot/dlls/rcbot_mm.so #2 0xf3529e77 in CBot::SpawnInit(int) () from /home/desktop/steamcmd/hlds/rcbot/dlls/rcbot_mm.so #3 0xf3546134 in CBot::Think() () from /home/desktop/steamcmd/hlds/rcbot/dlls/rcbot_mm.so #4 0xf357280b in CBotGlobals::StartFrame() () from /home/desktop/steamcmd/hlds/rcbot/dlls/rcbot_mm.so #5 0xf356776f in StartFrame() () from /home/desktop/steamcmd/hlds/rcbot/dlls/rcbot_mm.so #6 0xf3a1ecd8 in main_hook_function_void(unsigned int, enum_api_t, unsigned int, void const*) () from /home/desktop/steamcmd/hlds/./dmc/addons/metamod/metamod.so #7 0xf3a218e1 in mm_StartFrame() () from /home/desktop/steamcmd/hlds/./dmc/addons/metamod/metamod.so #8 0xf7745db8 in SV_Physics () at ../engine/sv_phys.c:1985 #9 0xf773dcb6 in SV_Frame () at ../engine/sv_main.c:9238 #10 0xf7705f62 in _Host_Frame (time=0.00798809901) at ../engine/host.c:1404 ---Type <return> to continue, or q <return> to quit--- #11 0xf7706322 in Host_Frame (time=0.00798809901, iState=1, stateInfo=0xffffd6ac) at ../engine/host.c:1522 #12 0xf772a9dc in CEngine::Frame (this=0xf77c16a0 <g_Engine>) at ../engine/sys_engine.cpp:245 #13 0xf7727d43 in CDedicatedServerAPI::RunFrame (this=<optimized out>) at ../engine/sys_dll2.cpp:1235 #14 CDedicatedServerAPI::RunFrame ( this=0xf77bcd00 <__g_CDedicatedServerAPI_singleton>) at ../engine/sys_dll2.cpp:1226 #15 0x08049c65 in RunServer () at ../dedicated/sys_ded.cpp:766 #16 0x08049472 in main (argc=20, argv=0xffffd8e4) at ../dedicated/sys_ded.cpp:1146 Before you ask no this isn't using the Sven CBase headers or that, just the main headers from the RCBot v1.441 src code. Also I've allowed support for the MetaAPI 5:13, where the older version was at 5:10. If anyone is curious on what bits I've tampered with, you can use Gedit or NotePad to and use "Find" command and search for "[APG]" where I've added the comments where I suspect of any possible issues or flaws. Does this line contain the possible cause of the crash for DMC, or have I messed up the src code slightly? This script was already typed up before I edited this src code. https://github.com/APGRoboCop/rcbotold/blob...bot_ga.cpp#L106 |
Solokiller |
Jul 11 2018, 08:25 AM
Member Group: Members Posts: 23 Joined: 17-December 16 Member No.: 2,482 |
Try adding a range check to the method to see if the index given is valid or not, that'll help.
Cheeseh |
Jul 18 2018, 08:54 AM
Admin Group: Admin Posts: 3,066 Joined: 11-September 03 From: uk Member No.: 1 |
it could be a correupt .rb file -- try deleting the .rb files and see if the crash happens again
may need to add guarding for this in code |
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 19th July 2024 - 03:24 AM |


text:
No products in the cart.
Natural Citrine Smooth Round Beads
Roll over image to zoom in
Stone – citrine
Shape – round
Size – 8-8.5mm
Length – 12.5 inch
Finish – smooth round
Natural Citrine Smooth Round Beads — Citrine is a yellow gem that means "lemon" in French. Its name is associated with the color of the citrine crystal and its beautiful yellow color. Throughout history, citrine crystals are known by many of their names: trader stones, golden topaz, Spanish topaz, Madeira, safranine. The importance of this crystal is related to its comforting energy, driven by the power of the sun and the increase in personal desires. This stone is used for revival, creativity, hope, and dreams. Citrine is translucent quartz made of silicone. Since the silicone component is also present in the human body, its energy is easy to sympathize with the user. It has a unique triangular shape. Yellow is due to the presence of iron. Natural Citrine Smooth Round Beads crystals are used because of their ability to absorb negative energy from humans and the environment. To get the most out of it, you need to clean it from time to time. The physical healing properties of citrine crystals are associated with energy properties that enhance endurance, energy levels, intelligence, concentration, wisdom, self-confidence, and mental clarity. It is also beneficial to stabilize and balance the production of growth-related hormones. Citrine is a French word that means lemon because of its color.
Citrine can be found in a variety of locations, including Brazil, Spain, France, Russia, the United States, and several other countries.
Citrine is called The Merchant Stone because it has the ability to increase business and profits not only to earn wealth but also to maintain it! Citrine attracts love and encourages you to be open to new relationships. It promotes responsibilities and commitments that can lead to long-lasting and emotionally satisfying romance. For constant access to the sparkle and stimulating energy of this gem, wear some as jewelry bracelets and rings are fine, but especially because the necklace is just above the solar plexus, the citrine chakra. It's effective. Citrine can be combined with essential oils for use in massage therapy. Citrine stone activates massage oil, the energy of which promotes circulation in the body and improves the condition of the skin. With citrine, the oil penetrates the skin much better, helps eliminate cellulite, and relieves muscle contraction. Citrine is classified as a semi-precious stone.
Follow Us on :
Additional information
color | Orange |
Shape | Round |
There are no reviews yet.


text:
Privacy policy
At Perimeter Institute, we are committed to maintaining the accuracy, confidentiality, and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy describes the personal information that Perimeter Institute collects from or about you, how we use, and to whom we disclose that information.
Perimeter Institute has developed Privacy Policies that address the specific privacy concerns of certain groupings of individuals. This Privacy Policy applies to how we collect, use and disclose the personal information of our customers, suppliers, and other parties with whom we interact. We have developed other documents that describe our privacy policies and practices with respect to our employees (our "Resident Privacy Policy"). If you are unsure which Privacy Policy applies to you, please contact our Privacy Officer for more information.
It is Perimeter Institute's policy to comply with the privacy legislation within each jurisdiction in which we operate. Sometimes the privacy legislation and / or an individual's right to privacy are different from one jurisdiction to another. This Privacy Policy covers only those activities that are subject to the provisions of Canada's federal and provincial privacy laws, as applicable.
This Privacy Policy has a limited scope and application. Consequently, the rights and obligations contained in this Privacy Policy may not be available to all individuals or in all jurisdictions. If you are unsure if or how this Privacy Policy applies to you, please contact our Privacy Officer for more information.
For the purposes of this Privacy Policy, personal information is any information about an identifiable individual, other than an individual's business contact information when collected, used, or disclosed for the purposes of enabling the individual to be contacted in relation to their business responsibilities.
We collect and maintain different types of personal information in respect of the individuals with whom we interact. This includes:
- contact and identification information such as your name, address, telephone number, and email address;
- personal information concerning the education, products, and other services that you seek from us or that we may provide to you; and
- business relationship information, including information related to your agreements, preferences, feedback, and information requested by or provided to you.
We may also collect information related to our media, donor, sponsorship, and public relations activities.
Perimeter Institute's operations include activities related to scientific research, training, and educational and public outreach in foundational theoretical physics. As such, Perimeter Institute may also collect personal information from individuals participating in and / or impacted by these activities.
As a general rule, Perimeter Institute collects personal information directly from you. In most circumstances where the personal information that we collect about you is held by a third party, we will obtain your permission before we seek out this information from such sources (such permission may be given directly by you, or implied from your actions).
From time to time, we may use third-party services and may also receive personal information collected by those third parties in the course of the performance of their services for us or otherwise. Where this is the case, we will take reasonable steps to ensure that such third parties have represented to us that they have the right to disclose your personal information to us.
Where permitted or required by applicable law or regulatory requirements, we may collect information about you without your knowledge or consent.
We may collect information related to your visit to our website, including the IP address and domain used to access our website, the type and version of your browser, the website you came from to access our website, the page(s) you entered and exited at, any website page within our website that is viewed by that IP address, and what country you are from. We may use this information to monitor our website's performance (such as number of visits, average time spent, page views) and for our other business purposes, such as customizing content that we think you might like based on your usage patterns; improving our services; and upgrading our website.
In connection with the foregoing, we send a "cookie" to your browser that may be saved on your computer to track your visit. The cookie acts as an identification card and allows our website to identify you and to record your passwords and preferences. The cookie allows us to track your visits to better understand your use of our website so that we can tailor the website to better meet your needs. Most web browsers are set to accept cookies. However, on most web browsers you may change this setting to have your web browser either: (i) notify you prior to a website placing a cookie on your hard drive so that you can decide whether or not to accept the cookie; or (ii) automatically prevent the placing of a cookie on your computer. It should be noted that if cookies are not accepted, you may not be able to access a number of web pages found on the website.
In addition, we collect the personal information that you submit to our website, such as your name, address, and any other contact or other information that you choose to provide by:
- applying for a position with Perimeter Institute through our website;
- opening or clicking on hyperlinks contained in promotional emails, or corresponding with a representative of Perimeter Institute via email using the hyperlinks created for that purpose;
- signing up for email alerts and newsletters;
- responding to surveys from the institute;
- signing up for downloading materials; and
- donating, buying tickets, or registering for courses, conferences, and events.
Our website may contain links to other websites that may be subject to less stringent privacy standards. If you click on a link to a such a third-party website, a third party may also send a cookie to your browser. We cannot assume any responsibility for the privacy practices, policies, or actions of those third parties. Perimeter Institute is not responsible for how such third parties collect, use, or disclose your personal information. You should review the privacy policies of these websites before providing them with personal information.
Perimeter Institute uses Google Analytics' third-party audience data such as age, gender, and interests to help us better understand your preferences and online activities. This helps us provide content targeted to your interests and preferences.
Perimeter Institute collects personal information to enable us to manage, maintain, and develop our operations, including, but not limited to:
- to establish, maintain, and manage our relationship with you so that we may provide you with, or receive from you, the services that have been requested;
- to review the services that we provide to you so that we may: (i) understand your requirements for our services; and (ii) work to improve our services;
- to review the products and services that we obtain from you so that we may work with you and so that you may understand our requirements for such products and services;
- to offer goods and services such as events, ticket purchases, and donation transaction processing;
- to comply with your requests;
- to protect Perimeter Institute against error, fraud, theft, and damage to our goods and property;
- to endeavour to protect the safety of a person or group of persons (by, for example, potentially keeping a record of individuals who may not be welcome to attend our premises for security purposes);
- to comply with applicable laws or regulatory process; and
- any other reasonable purpose to which you consent.
We may use and disclose your personal information:
- as permitted or required by applicable laws or regulatory requirements;
- for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy; and
- for any additional purposes for which we have obtained your consent to the use or disclosure of your personal information.
We may also use or disclose your personal information without your knowledge or consent where we are permitted or required by applicable law or regulatory requirements to do so.
We may share your personal information with our employees, contractors, consultants, affiliates, and other parties who require such information to assist us with managing our relationship with you, including: (i) third parties that provide services to us; (ii) third parties that assist Perimeter Institute in the provision of services to you; and (iii) third parties whose services we use to conduct our business.
For example, we may share your personal information from time to time with our third-party information technology, data processing, and payment processing service providers so that we may operate our business. As a result, your personal information may be collected, used, processed, stored, or disclosed in the United States and the European Union. As such, your personal information may potentially be accessible to law enforcement and national security authorities of that jurisdiction.
In addition, personal information may be disclosed or transferred to another party during the course of the grant of a security interest in Perimeter Institute's assets, or completion of, all or a part of Perimeter Institute through, for example, a merger or joint venture, provided that such party is bound by appropriate agreements or obligations and required to use or disclose your personal information in a manner consistent with the use and disclosure provisions of this Privacy Policy, unless you consent otherwise.
Finally, your personal information may be disclosed:
- as permitted or required by applicable law or regulatory requirements;
- to comply with valid legal processes such as search warrants, subpoenas or court orders;
- as part of Perimeter Institute's regular reporting activities to its affiliates;
- to protect the rights and property of Perimeter Institute;
- during emergency situations or where necessary to protect the safety of a person or group of persons; and
- with your consent.
Once any collected data is no longer in use, it will be disposed of according to industry best practices.
It is important to us that we collect, use, or disclose your personal information where we have your consent to do so. Depending on the sensitivity of the personal information, your consent may be implied, deemed (using an opt-out mechanism), or express. Express consent can be given orally, electronically, or in writing. Implied consent is consent that can reasonably be inferred from your action or inaction. For example, when you enter into an agreement with us, we will assume you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information for purposes related to the performance of that agreement and for any other purposes identified to you at the relevant time.
Typically, we will seek your consent at the time that we collect your personal information. In certain circumstances, your consent may be obtained after collection but prior to our use or disclosure of your personal information. If we plan to use or disclose your personal information for a purpose not previously identified (either in this Privacy Policy or separately), we will endeavour to advise you of that purpose before such use or disclosure.
As we have described above, we may collect, use, or disclose your personal information without your knowledge or consent where we are permitted or required to do so by applicable law or regulatory requirements.
You may change or withdraw your consent at any time, subject to legal or contractual obligations and reasonable notice. All communications with respect to such withdrawal or variation of consent should be addressed, in writing, to our Privacy Officer using the contact information set out below. In certain circumstances, the withdrawal of your consent may render us unable to continue to provide services where the collection, use, or disclosure of your personal information is necessary to provide the service.
We assume that, unless you advise us otherwise, you have consented to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as explained in this Privacy Policy.
Perimeter Institute endeavours to maintain physical, technical, and procedural safeguards that are appropriate to the sensitivity of the personal information in question. These safeguards are designed to prevent your personal information from loss and unauthorized access, collection, use, disclosure, copying, modification, disposal, or destruction. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee complete security: for example, unauthorized access, use, or disclosure, (ii) hardware or software failure, and (iii) other events may compromise the security of your personal information at any time.
The security of your personal information is important to us. Please advise our Privacy Officer immediately of any incident involving the loss of or unauthorized access to or disclosure of personal information that is in our custody or control.
It is important that the information contained in our records is both accurate and current. If your personal information changes during the course of our relationship, please inform the Privacy Officer of such changes.
In some circumstances, we may not agree with your request to change your personal information and will instead append an alternative text to the record in question.
You can ask to see your personal information. If you want to review, verify or correct your personal information, please contact our Privacy Officer. Please note that any such communication must be in writing.
When requesting access to your personal information, please note that we may request specific information from you to enable us to confirm your identity and right to access, as well as to search for, and provide you with, the personal information that we hold about you. We may charge you a fee to access your personal information; however, we will advise you of any fee in advance. If you require assistance in preparing your request, please contact our Privacy Officer.
Your right to access the personal information that we hold about you is not absolute. There are instances where applicable law or regulatory requirements allow or require us to refuse to provide some or all of the personal information that we hold about you. In addition, the personal information may have been destroyed, erased, or made anonymous in accordance with our record retention obligations and practices. In the event that we cannot provide you with access to your personal information, we will endeavour to inform you why, subject to any legal or regulatory restrictions.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or concerns about how we manage your personal information, please contact our Privacy Officer by telephone, in writing, or by email. We will endeavour to answer your questions and advise you of any steps taken to address the issues raised by you. If you are dissatisfied with our response, you may be entitled to make a written submission to the Privacy Commissioner in your jurisdiction.
We have appointed a Privacy Officer to oversee compliance with this Privacy Policy. The contact information for our Privacy Officer is as follows:
Stefan Pregelj
Senior Director, Finance and Operations
Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
31 Caroline Street North
Waterloo, ON N2L 2Y5
Email: [email protected]
Perimeter Institute may, from time to time, make changes to this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in its legal or regulatory obligations or in the manner in which we deal with your personal information. We will post any revised version of this Privacy Policy on our website, and we encourage you to refer to it on a regular basis.
This Privacy Policy was last updated on [August 3, 2018].
Any interpretation associated with this Privacy Policy will be made by our Privacy Officer. This Privacy Policy includes examples, but is not intended to be restricted in its application to such examples; therefore where the word "including" is used, it shall mean "including without limitation."
This Privacy Policy does not create or confer upon any individual any rights or impose upon Perimeter Institute any rights or obligations outside of, or in addition to, any rights or obligations imposed by Canada's federal and provincial privacy laws, as applicable. Should there be, in a specific case, any inconsistency between this Privacy Policy and Canada's federal and provincial privacy laws, as applicable, this Privacy Policy shall be interpreted, in respect of that case, to give effect to, and comply with, such privacy laws.


text:
One of the most popular breeds registered in Australia and one of the most recognisable of all cat breeds, the Persian has a long and distinguished history, and has appeared in cat shows for over 100 years.
The beautiful Persian can come in various colours and coat patterns including cream, smoke, tabby, black, tortoiseshell, lilac, chocolate and blue. Their long haired coat is luxuriously full and fluffy. Their big round eyes and shortened muzzle set in a sweet round flat face.
Famous for their placid, gentle temperament, Persians are quiet and affectionate and have an ability to adapt to any environment. However, they do not appreciate being teased or having their hair pulled and are more suitable to adult households or those with gentle children.
The Persian is particularly well suited as a house or apartment cat and being an indoor cat also helps to keep their coat in optimum condition.
Potential owners must be prepared to groom the glorious coat daily. This is a high maintenance breed which depends totally on their owner for their comfort and wellbeing. If grooming is neglected for any length of time the coat matts and will require expert attention. Persians moult heavily twice a year, and shed some hair all year round.
Health concerns
For the latest research in breed-related problems in Persian cats visit the University of Sydney's LIDA (Listing of Inherited Disorders in Animals website.


text:
Throwback Thursday: Byzantine: The Betrayal
Note: Review was originally posted December 9, 1999.
Here's yet another first-class adventure game that never got the attention it deserved.
In Byzantine, you play an American investigative reporter (sex undetermined, a very nice touch) who's rushed to Istanbul after receiving messages from a friend there. Your friend, Emre, claimed he was onto a huge story that he wanted you to cover.
Unfortunately, the minute you get there, you find that your friend has gone missing. Before you can say "Constantinople," you're caught up in an extremely dangerous web of intrigue that includes smuggling and murder.
The format of this exciting game is first-person point-and-click, and the visuals are done with a combination of photographs, video, and computer graphics.
Le me go on record once again and say that I like games that have an valid educational element. Therefore, one of the big joys of this game, which was produced by the Discovery Channel, is that you actually get to explore Istanbul. You move through photorealistic recreations of mosques, palaces, and museums. Never having had the chance to visit Istanbul myself, I welcomed this opportunity.
Byzantine proceeds with the traditional structure of pursuing clues through interviewing people and gathering objects. Movement is facilitated through the use of a beautiful map of the city, with new locations opening up as your investigation uncovers new details.
Very early in your investigation, you learn the shocking truth that the evil persons your friend Emre was investigating are both highly placed and highly dangerous. The sense of danger provides a real dramatic tension throughout the game.
The game has an entertaining bunch of characters (played largely by Turkish actors), including a suspicious but intelligent police detective, a merchant uncle of Emre's who may know more than he's telling, a museum curator who may be in cahoots with the smugglers, and a computer science grad student who becomes your unwilling accomplice. The game's conversation trees are exceptionally intelligent and convincing, moving the story forward in a compelling manner.
The story is so fun, in fact, that I want to reveal as little of it as possible.
Another virtue this game boasts is an innovative and helpful user interface, which helps you keep track of characters, notes, and saved games in one handy "notebook."
If these features–a terrific storyline, a smooth and elegant interface, strong game structure, and an exotic and intriguing setting–were all Byzantine had going for it, it would be a very solid game indeed.
However, there's one more element to this game that pushes it right over the top and onto my All Time Greats List. And that is the use of a virtual reality simulator.
I have come across the virtual reality gimmick in several games, most notably in Ripper and Nightlong,and I must say that, as gimmicks you can use in building an adventure game, it's a darn good one. In the case of Byzantine, it's simply a masterstroke.
Again, without giving too much away, let me just say that you have to use a virtual reality simulator to help you foil the smugglers. This involves scanning sections of the real, present-day buildings and artifacts, using the scans to help complete VR recreations, and then exploring the resulting recreations in order to discover new facts. It's not only a chance for the graphic artists to go crazy, it's simply an irresistible feature to an already good story.
I played the game with a friend who works in a museum, and she felt she had died and gone to Game Heaven. Playing out across seven CDs, the game is large, rich, and of appropriate length. By the time we had finished the game, we felt we had actually been to Istanbul and foiled the smugglers ourselves. It was one of the most satisfying games I've played.
Final Grade: A
System Requirements:
Pentium 90
Sound board
Windows 95


text:
Fees and funding for Spatial Planning with Sustainable Urban Design (part-time) MSc
Fee status
Your tuition fees you pay will depend on your fee status. We work this out based on your application.
Tuition fees cover the cost of teaching the course, you can find out about accommodation, and other expenses, on our living costs guide.
£ 5,000
per year of study
Scottish students may be able to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for a postgraduate tuition fee loan.
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland
£ 5,000
per year of study
Rest of the UK students can apply for financial assistance. Further information from Student Finance England, Student Finance Northern Ireland, and Student Finance Wales.
£ 10,950
per year of study
Additional costs
You may incur additional costs in the course of your education at the University over and above tuition fees in an academic year.
Examples of additional costs:
One off cost | Ongoing cost | Incidental cost |
Graduation fee | Studio fee | Field trips |
*these are examples only and are not exhaustive.
Additional costs:
- may be mandatory or optional expenses
- may be one off, ongoing or incidental charges and certain costs may be payable annually for each year of your programme of study
- vary depending on your programme of study
- are payable by you and are non-refundable and non-transferable
Unfortunately, failure to pay additional costs may result in limitations on your student experience.
If you have any questions about the admissions process, studying, or living in Dundee, please contact us


text:
HCCH International Family Law Briefings, June 2008
Recently published: the quarterly update, provided by the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, regarding the work of the Hague Conference in the field of international family law.
- General Affairs and Policy
- Unmarried cohabitation and registered partnerships
- Updates on good practice guides
- Intercountry Adoption Convention 1993
- Child Protection Convention 1996
- Transfrontier contact concerning children
- Enforcement under the 1980 Convention
Download the full Briefing for June 2008 (extract from International Family Law, June 2008, pp. 121-122).


text:
Depending on whom is asked, President Trump's Saturday phone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger — during which he urged state officials to "find" votes that could overturn his loss in the state during November's election — may have violated state and federal law.
Trump and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told Raffensperger they wanted him to track down more than 11,000 ballots to flip the state that went to President-elect Joe Biden by nearly 12,000 votes.
Legal experts and former White House officials took to social media through the weekend when news and audio of the phone call between Trump and Raffensperger were released by The Washington Post on Sunday.
Kim Wehle, law professor at the University of Baltimore and author of How to Read the Constitution — and Why, told NPR's Steve Inskeepon Morning Edition on Monday that it's "a crime to request, solicit or ask someone else to say falsify returns or falsify reports of votes, and arguably that's what we heard on the call."
She added, "Whether this is prosecutable is a different question from whether it's antithetical to the rule of law and the Constitution and democracy itself, and I would say clearly it is. It's very disturbing."
Trump, Meadows seek election data
Meadows, who joined Trump on the call, asked state officials to share private election data, protected by law, to help the White House make its case that the election results were fraudulent, a claim that has been disproven repeatedly.
"You would be respected if this thing could be straightened out before the election," Trump said, referring to Tuesday's Senate runoffs in Georgia.
Trump also appeared to indicate to Raffensperger that he may be engaging with other state officials about election results in other parts of the country.
"I mean there's turmoil in Georgia and other places," he said. "You're not the only one, I mean, we have other states that I believe will be flipping to us very shortly."
Bob Bauer, an election lawyer and senior adviser to Biden, said Sunday the recording was "irrefutable proof" of Trump's pressuring and threatening of a Republican official to "rescind a state's lawful, certified vote count," according to The Associated Press.
Yet for Trump supporters, it's Raffensperger and his team who broke the law despite Trump's legal team repeatedly failing to prove any widespread election law or malfeasance.
David Shafer, chairman of the Georgia Republican Party, claimed Trump, Meadows and Raffensperger were engaged in a confidential settlement conference related to two pending lawsuits the White House filed against Georgia over the election. He argues anything shared in the call was for those purposes.
It's unclear, however, who sent the recordings to The Washington Post or who originally recorded the phone call.
Mind boggling that @GaSecofState and his lawyers would secretly record and release a confidential settlement conference with the President. I have made open records requests to the Secretary of State which have never been acknowledged or answered. This is lawlessness.
— David Shafer (@DavidShafer) January 3, 2021
Georgia and Washington, D.C., however, only require that one party on the phone call consentto recording. Eleven states require that all parties consent.
Most of Trump's detractors on social media said the president's intentions were clearly to intimidate Georgia officials to change the state's election results. His critics argue Trump violated a federal lawthat criminalizes the actions by election officials or by someone in federal office that "knowingly and willfully intimidates, threatens, or coerces" another during the election process.
The federal code also criminalizes actions that "knowingly and willfully deprives, defrauds, or attempts to deprive or defraud the residents of a state of a fair and impartially conducted election process."
Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder cited that federal criminal statute in a tweet Sunday.
As you listen to the tape consider this federal criminal statute. pic.twitter.com/eqoP1cVob5
— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) January 4, 2021
Michael Bromwich, a former inspector general at the Department of Justice, tweeted that Trump's "best defense would be insanity."
Unless there are portions of the tape that somehow negate criminal intent, "I just want to find 11,780 votes" and his threats against Raffensperger and his counsel violate 52 U.S. Code § 20511. His best defense would be insanity.https://t.co/ZAtRgiRQmz
— Michael R. Bromwich (@mrbromwich) January 3, 2021
Rick Hasen, a law professor at the University of California, Irvine, wrote in an article in Slate on Monday that Trump "likely broke both federal and state law" in the phone call and that he "certainly committed an impeachable offense that is grounds for removing him from the office he will be vacating in less than three weeks, or disqualifying him from future elected office."
Richard W. Painter, a professor of corporate law at the University of Minnesota and former associate counsel to Republican President George W. Bush, agreed, calling for Trump's impeachment, so he "can never hold public office again."
This is criminal conduct under state and federal law. @realdonaldtrump should be impeached again NOW and tried and convicted after he leaves office so he can never hold public office again.https://t.co/YgI5uoxk25
— Richard W. Painter (@RWPUSA) January 3, 2021
However, it is extremely unlikely that the House of Representatives would attempt another impeachment with so little time remaining in Trump's term.
Trump's message during the call also violates Georgia law, according to Anthony Michael Kreis, a Georgia State University law professor, who spoke with Politico on Sunday.
"The Georgia code says that anybody who solicits, requests or commands or otherwise attempts to encourage somebody to commit election fraud is guilty of solicitation of election fraud," Kreis said. " 'Soliciting or requesting' is the key language. The president asked, in no uncertain terms, the secretary of state to invent votes, to create votes that were not there. Not only did he ask for that in terms of just overturning the specific margin that Joe Biden won by, but then said we needed one additional vote to secure victory in Georgia."
Chris Krebs, the Republican cybersecurity and election security official hired by and then fired by Trump, called the president's actions "un-American and anti-democratic."
He said Sunday, "An incumbent should NEVER be able to put their thumb on the scale of national elections."
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
"American voters decide American elections" was our mantra this year. That holds true. American voters decided this election. This last ditch effort to overturn the will of the American voter & the Constitution should be called out for what it is: Un-American and anti-democratic.
— Chris Krebs (@C_C_Krebs) January 4, 2021


text: FDA Disclaimer: The statements and/or products on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration). These products are not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. If you are under a doctors' care, please consult with her/him prior to use of these products. If a condition persists, please consult with your physician. The information provided by this website is not a substitute for consulting with your physician, and should not be construed as individual medical advice.


text:
ome people, especially those running on busy daily schedules tend to use the pills to help maintain weight since they can not afford to follow all the diet programs. This is not advised. It is recommended that one seek advice from a professional in this field before using the pills. This can save one from many dangers associated with the misuse.
The diet pills should always be taken whole. Some people tend to divide the pills to serve a longer period of time. This is not advised and can lead to ineffectiveness. If it is required that one takes a complete tablet, it means that a certain amount of the ingredients are required to achieve the desired goal. It is also recommended that one does not crush the pill and dissolve it in beverages. Chemicals found in beverages have the potential of neutralizing the desired nutrients in the pill thereby leading to ineffectiveness. The best way to take the tablets is swallowing them whole with a glass of water.


text:
Family-Owned Local Furniture Store, Offering Delivery & Professional Setup
Skip the Big Boxes and Shop with Our Family
Welcome to North Bay Discount Furniture & Bedding! Our family owned business opened its doors in 2013 in Rohnert Park. We started out as a premiere outlet for affordably priced mattresses and in that short time have evolved into a full service furniture store. We keep our overhead low by having a smaller showroom, and personalized service. This allows us to offer the lowest prices and pass the savings on to you.
We offer local delivery and set-up. When you walk through our doors you will be greeted with a smile and stellar customer service. Come and see us today, so that we can meet all of your furniture needs.


text:
WebAIM is often approached by individuals and organizations concerned about "ADA compliance" of their web site. This is a bit of a misnomer. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 pre-dates and does not address web accessibility at all. That may soon be changing.
This week the US Department of Justice announced that they are considering expanding the scope of the Americans with Disabilities Act to cover some web sites. This is simply a request for comments. The Dept. of Justice will consider your feedback in any formal proposal to expand the ADA.
This announcement has brought much dialogue in the development community, particularly on this popular Slashdot story. It is clear that there are many concerns and misconceptions about what this would mean. There are also many deep-rooted, philosophical arguments against the ADA in general that have come to light. Web regulation is tricky. As a web accessibility consultancy, ADA requirements will certainly bring us more business (though admittedly, our goal is to work ourselves out of employment by making the web entirely accessible – something not likely to happen in the near future). The ADA and its implementation is far from perfect, but I believe that we live in a world where people with disabilities should have opportunities to engage in commerce and online activities uninhibited by discrimination. This has generally not occurred to date.
So, with the assumption that the Department of Justice will recommend that the ADA cover some web sites, I'd like to address some of the concerns and misconceptions about the ADA's potential application. These all come directly from the Slashdot story comments.
"Why do I have to make my personal web site compliant?"
You don't. Private web sites would not be covered by the ADA. Government sites and websites that provide "goods, services, and programs to the public", including shopping and other publicly accessible e-commerce sites, will likely be covered. Where or how this distinction will be made is unknown. It is quite possible that, like physical buildings, different types or classes of web sites would be required to meet different levels of compliance.
"People with disabilities do not use my site"
This same argument was heard when the ADA became law in 1990. Bus operators, for example, complained that they should not have to make their buses accessible because people in wheelchairs did not ride them. Of course they did not, because they could not.
Are you sure people with disabilities do not use your site? If they don't, is it because it is not as accessible as it could be? There is no way to detect whether a visitor to your site has a disability.
"My content can't be made accessible."
The ADA does and would require reasonable efforts and accommodations. Nothing in ADA or any other web accessibility guidelines would require that you fundamentally change what it is you do with your web site. Art galleries would not be required to pull the plug on their site because blind users can't see their art. Music vendors would not have to close their doors because the Deaf can't listen to music.
"The web will go back to looking like 1990."
Most web accessibility happens 'under the hood' of a web site. Any accessibility-related modification to the visual design of a site almost universally increases the usability of that site to all users. For example, having sufficient contrast is required for users with some visual disabilities, yet good contrast makes the site more readable by everyone. Captions are necessary for users with auditory disabilities, yet can provide great benefit to anyone watching web video.
Modern, stylish, well-designed, interactive web sites and web applications can fully support accessibility. In fact, they can do so better than any site built in the 1990s.
"Why all the effort for so few people?"
Conservative statistics indicate that at least 8.5% of the population has a disability that would affect internet use. This may not seem significant, though I bet that most web developers spend time ensuring compatibility with browsers that are used by fewer users.
Yes, web accessibility requires some effort, but it is not overly burdensome if you build or purchase a usable site that is built using web standards. Accessible web design is good, usable web design. Efforts made to improve the accessibility for people with disabilities will likely make the site better for everyone.
"There is no economic benefit to being accessible."
There are certainly costs associated with web accessibility. But there is also potential for great benefits. Consider viewing accessibility as more than simply opening the door to 8.5% of the population, but as an opportunity to directly target that audience and their multi-billion dollar discretionary income.
The web is generally not very accessible now. Those businesses that are ahead of the curve with ADA compliance have the potential to greatly benefit from receiving the business of this audience. Apple, for example, sees this potential; they've implemented high levels of accessibility into their new products, such as the iPhone and iPad, despite no regulatory requirement that they do so.
"Accessibility regulations will force me to close my small, online business."
Perhaps. Accessibility does not come free. The Department of Justice will consider the burden and economic impact when considering whether and how to regulate small business web sites. The further your site is from being designed to web standards, the more expensive and difficult it will be to make accessible. The cost is generally inversely proportional to the accessibility knowledge of the developer building the site.
Thus, there is a need for better web development tools and better educated web developers who are committed to building things with standards in mind. This will come over time; and the regulations will certainly allow for this. When the ADA originally became law, there were many contractors that specialized in making physical spaces accessible. Now, there are simply contractors – nearly all of whom have the technical knowledge to naturally construct things to be accessible. The same is likely to happen with the web – and that is a good thing for everyone.
As noted above, accessibility can be an economic boon, especially for the businesses that do it right and do it early.
"I can't just make my website accessible over night."
And there will be no requirement to do so. If web compliance is at all similar to accessibility of physical spaces, there will be allowances for legacy content, transition plans, exemptions for certain types of content or businesses, etc.
The ultimate goal is to become more accessible over time.
"I shouldn't have to hire a lawyer to make sure I'm compliant with thousands of pages of State and Federal regulations when I publish a web page?"
Accessibility guidelines can be daunting, but they are not overly technical. ADA guidelines will almost certainly mirror or at least reflect the WCAG 2.0 accessibility guidelines. There is a wealth of information (including this WCAG 2.0 evaluation checklist) available here at WebAIM.org and elsewhere.
One would not need a lawyer to verify compliance. Only in the case where a site remains inaccessible and discriminatory with no effort to improve might a lawyer be needed.
If you have additional concerns or thoughts about the ADA and its potential applicability to web content, please post them in the comments below.


text:
Time to leave Istaria? Just taking an extended leave but hope to return? Post here to give us somewhere to wish you well.
Use this control to limit the display of threads to those newer than the specified time frame.
Allows you to choose the data by which the thread list will be sorted.
Order threads in...
Note: when sorting by date, 'descending order' will show the newest results first.
Forum Rules


text:
Protein powders
A vegan protein boost without soy or whey, raw powders use whole-grain brown rice or supernutritious green foods like spirulina. Ace ingredient: adaptogenic maca, an Incan root revered for boosting endurance and strength.
Try: Essential Living Foods Andean Power Maca Blend; Sunwarrior Raw Vegan Protein Powder
The best of these nutritious blends combine gluten-free whole grains like buckwheat and millet with raw "superfood" seeds, including chia, hemp, and flaxseed. Many include raw agave nectar to sweeten.
Try: Hail Merry Lemon BlueAgave Grawnola; Two Moms in the Raw Goji Berry Granola
Low-temp dehydration removes moisture from plant ingredients, ensuring chips stay fresh and crisp. Kale chips supply a fun, nutrient-rich mouthful, especially when enhanced with raw seeds and spices.
Try: Kaia Foods Sea Salt & Vinegar Kale Chips; Rhythm Superfoods Bombay Curry Kale Chips
Unlike typical (roasted) chocolate, raw cacao retains its abundant magnesium and feel-good chemicals called phenylethylamines. Products use agave or other raw sweeteners such as maple sugar or coconut nectar.
Try: Lulu's Chocolate Maca Love; Sacred Chocolate Heart of Cacao; UliMana Coconut Nectar Truffles
Often built around high-fiber dried fruits such as dates or apricots, raw bars blend in nuts, antioxidant-rich cacao, and camu camu, a vitamin C–packed berry powder.
Try: Crystal River Organics NuDe Food Bars; Navitas Naturals Power Snacks


text:
Best Tasting Fresh Raspberry Buttercream Cake Filling in San Antonio
Why is your Cake Art fresh raspberry buttercream filling so delicious?
Have you tasted the difference that hand-made cake filling makes? Your Cake Art fresh raspberry buttercream cake filling starts with top-quality unsalted sweet cream butter for a more delicate handcrafted texture and rich flavor than the vegetable shortening used by more commercial operations. Then we fold in powdered real cane sugar until the consistency is perfect and add in top quality fresh raspberries for the smoothest and most delicious fresh raspberry buttercream cake filling you've ever tasted!
Fresh ingredients make for better flavor. At Cake Art we bake fresh daily!
Making Fresh Raspberry Buttercream Filling Fresh, Daily
Insist on Fresh Filling, Never Frozen!
We'd rather treat you to a full flavor experience than compromise on flavor to save a few pennies on ingredients! Your Cake Art cakes are baked daily. Why shouldn't your filling be fresh too?
Need Help Choosing Your Cake Filling?
Your professional Cake Art pastry chef will help you pair the your favorite cake flavors with the ideal cake fillings and cake icings!
Come by Cake Art in San Antonio, Texas, send us a message, or call us today at (210) 277-0308.
Are you ready to taste the difference? Come by Cake Art in San Antonio, Texas, send us a message, or call us today at (210) 277-0308.


text:
Paper shapes opinions – Palm shapes paper
Whether it is recycled paper for newspapers, magazines and brochures or corrugated board for robust and environmentally-friendly packaging solutions, Palm has developed its technology right from the beginning in 1872. Today, our company is not only one of the largest but also one of the most modern paper manufacturers in Europe.
With four paper machines in Germany, one in France and one in the United Kingdom, Palm is manufacturing different types of paper for all types of applications imaginable. Since the company was founded, the same principle applies, all our products are made from 100% selected recycled fibres. The total capacity of Palm is 2.6 million tonnes per annum.


text:
LESLIE: Well, the plumbing system is something that most consumers pay very little attention to unless, of course, it breaks down.
TOM: Definitely. And when that happens, you need it fixed, you need it fixed fast and usually to stop the water from flowing where it shouldn't be. So, even though the water could be streaming through your ceiling, how do you keep a clear head and hire a plumber that can get the job done fairly and fast?
Joining us now are two experts who know a lot about that topic. On the phone, we have Angie Hicks – she is the founder of Angie's List, a website devoted to helping consumers find the best professionals for their projects and service needs – and Richard Trethewey, the plumbing-and-heating expert on TV's This Old House.
Welcome, Angie.
ANGIE: Thanks for having me on the show.
TOM: And welcome, Richard.
RICHARD: Hey, there. How are you doing?
TOM: We're doing well.
Richard, let's start with you. First off, plumbers have specialties, don't they? I mean how do you make sure you find the right guy for the particular projects that you have?
RICHARD: Well, there are good general practitioners but we also tend to see there are guys that just do remodeling. They're used to going into these old houses and fighting their way into existing buildings. There are guys that just do commercial work and we call those "poodle kickers" because you wouldn't ever want them to be at the residential house.
TOM: Poodle kickers?
RICHARD: Because they would quietly kick the poodle when the homeowner wasn't looking. They're not used to being in the …
TOM: They don't like people.
RICHARD: Right.
LESLIE: The finesses.
RICHARD: They're not used to doing it in the residential environment.
And then there are HVAC mechanical guys. So you really want to start with – "What am I trying to do? Am I trying to just repair something? Am I trying to do a full remodel? Am I trying to add a whole new mechanical system?" And find the right person.
TOM: Now, Angie, let's go to you. It seems that many times, the need to hire a plumber is not optional. It's more of an emergency like when a pipe breaks. Are consumers more likely to make a hiring mistake when that kind of thing happens?
ANGIE: Hiring under an emergency situation is sometimes a disaster waiting to happen. Because all too often, we are overwhelmed by the experience that we end up hiring without doing our normal due diligence. So, some of my best advice is suggesting, hey, find a plumber that you can work with before you actually need it, because emergencies happen at the darndest times.
I had an experience over the summer where I had friends visiting for the weekend and the ejector pump on my toilet went out in my basement. And unfortunately, the last thing anyone wants is to find out that their guests are plunging their toilet, you know? There's nothing less inviting than that. And then you're ending up scrambling to have someone come out and do that so – to get it fixed.
So, do your research ahead of time so that you're prepared when the inevitable happens.
LESLIE: Richard, I think when it comes to hiring a plumber, there's really some specialized questions that you need to ask. So, how is it different when you're looking for a plumber than when asking for a different type of pro?
RICHARD: Well, I grew up with the – a sign in our office and at home that said, "The plumber protects the health of the nation." It's an old saying that we've lived by and so, with that, we come – we have this trust to bring clean water and to make sure the sewage goes away.
So there's heavy licensure. You have to be licensed. Even becoming an apprentice nowadays is much harder. We're also the guys that are working with gas and there's safety issues with gas. And so, we are heavily educated because we have to be and we're licensed. So, I think it's – with that comes a price in order to get a good guy or girl.
TOM: Well, absolutely. And that licensing requirement – yes, let's not leave the ladies out.
RICHARD: Thank you.
TOM: That licensing requirement really is a big commitment on your part to make that happen. And that really does protect the consumer, right?
RICHARD: That's right. We have to – we have apprentices that have to be three years of working there, 300 or 400 hours of schooling and then they can stand for their journeyman test. And then they can go and do another year or more and get their masters. And so that's a difficult process.
You have to work as an apprentice below real market rate and so – and even then, to really be good at it, it takes a long time to know the tricks of this – like any industry, it takes a while. Just getting your license is not enough; you still have to be in it to have the experience to do it well.
TOM: Let's talk about the – what it costs to hire a plumber. How do plumbers charge for their services? Is it always by the hour or does it really depend on the project?
ANGIE: They can range a wide variety, whether it be garbage disposals that don't work because we decide to put things in garbage disposals that just shouldn't go there. Sump pumps. Sump pumps are those silent friends. You think they're always working perfectly for you until the day they don't and your basement's full of water.
Clogged sinks. I mean that's probably the most common thing we hear. And people think, "Oh, that's a do-it-yourself kind of project. I can get some drain cleaner and fix that." But a lot of times, you really want to call a professional and make sure that drain is cleared well so that you don't potentially cause additional damage.
And then one of my favorites is the overflowing toilet. No one likes it when the toilet doesn't work. So, that's probably one of the more dreaded experiences.
LESLIE: Because so many projects for a plumbing situation really seem to be answering an emergency, Richard, is it good to have a plumber sort of in your pocket – one that you've got a relationship with and that you trust – prior to any of these things going wrong?
RICHARD: If you want to sleep at night – and most people have this: they have a plumber that is their plumber. And this …
LESLIE: Mm-hmm. You have a good bond with your plumber.
RICHARD: Absolutely.
LESLIE: I feel like you get a good relationship.
RICHARD: Our family business has been around since 1902. We're now dealing with fourth and fifth generations of families that we've maintained their plumbing and it's sort of a trust that we have together. You want to have somebody you know, somebody you can trust that's going to be there. And it's better to have that relationship before the emergency because once you start dialing in the phone book at night – and people don't know you're not going to get the same response as you would from somebody that you already had an established relationship with.
TOM: Great advice. Richard Trethewey, the plumbing-and-heating expert on TV's This Old House, and Angie Hicks, the founder of AngiesList.com, thanks so much for stopping by The Money Pit and teaching us how to find and hire a good plumber.
RICHARD: Great to see you.
TOM: And Angie, thanks so much.
ANGIE: Thank you.
LESLIE: Alright. You can catch the current season of This Old House and Ask This Old House on PBS. For local listings and step-by-step videos of many common home improvement projects, visit ThisOldHouse.com.
And for help finding a great pro to tackle your projects, visit AngiesList.com.
TOM: And Ask This Old House is brought to you by Angie's List. Get reviews you can trust, on Angie's List.