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How to choose the right secondary school for your child
– an online guide based on the best-selling book by Miranda Perry
Choosing a secondary school might be the most important decision you ever have to make for your child, and this website aims to help you make the right decision.
The website does not list individual schools. Instead, it tries be as impartial as possible, and help parents navigate the information already available, to make a well informed choice.
Your child is unique, and so is every school. Your job, as a parent, is to find the school that suits your child.
The content of the website is regularly updated, so that you can make sure that your decision is made in the light of any recent changes to secondary education.
Your opinions count:
Whilst preserving much of the original discussion in the book this new online version of the guide also permits comments* by parents, teachers and other educational experts on all articles and discussion topics. If you submit a comment please be patient as it may take sometime to review in busy periods.
* Please note that all comments are moderated and the editors reserve the right to modify or exclude any submissions that are deemed inappropriate.
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Howtochooseaschool and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Howtochooseaschool. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, Howtochooseaschool takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.


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The Target Breach, By the Numbers
News that Target's CEO Gregg Steinhafle is stepping down has prompted a flurry of reports from media outlets trying to recap events since the company announced a data breach on Dec. 19, 2013. Sprinkled throughout those reports were lots of numbers, which got me to thinking about synthesizing them with some of the less-reported numbers associated with this epic breach.
40 million – The number of credit and debit cards thieves stole from Target between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15, 2013.
70 million – The number of records stolen that included the name, address, email address and phone number of Target shoppers.
46 – The percentage drop in profits at Target in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with the year before.
200 million – Estimated dollar cost to credit unions and community banks for reissuing 21.8 million cards — about half of the total stolen in the Target breach.
100 million – The number of dollars Target says it will spend upgrading their payment terminals to support Chip-and-PIN enabled cards.
0 – The number of customer cards that Chip-and-PIN-enabled terminals would have been able to stop the bad guys from stealing had Target put the technology in place prior to the breach (without end-to-end encryption of card data, the card numbers and expiration dates can still be stolen and used in online transactions).
0 - The number of people in Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or Chief Security Officer (CSO) jobs at Target (according to the AP).
18.00 – 35.70 - The median price range (in dollars) per card stolen from Target and resold on the black market (range covers median card price on Feb. 19, 2014 vs. Dec. 19, 2013, respectively).
1 million – 3 million – The estimated number of cards stolen from Target that were successfully sold on the black market and used for fraud before issuing banks got around to canceling the rest (based on interviews with three different banks, which found that between 3-7 percent of all cards they were told by Visa/MasterCard were compromised actually ended up experiencing fraud).
53.7 million – The income that hackers likely generated from the sale of 2 million cards stolen from Target and sold at the mid-range price of $26.85 (the median price between $18.00 and $35.70).
55 million – The number of dollars outgoing CEO Gregg Steinhafel stands to reap in executive compensation and other benefits on his departure as Target's chief executive.
Update, May 7, 10:00 a.m. ET: The Guardian yesterday ran an op-ed that I wrote about the departure of Target's CEO and the need for greater focus on security from the top-down across the retail industry.
Source: https://krebsonsecurity.com/2014/05/the-target-breach-by-the-numbers/

subset: commoncrawl


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Get your free copy of 'Becoming Ghost Proof
The 2 secret texts that will guarantee you a response after you've been ghosted!
by cher | Jul 3, 2017 | Blog for men, Blog for women
Samantha had been dating Jake for a few weeks now. It was to the point where he was becoming comfortable with the idea of them having labels. She hadn't met his family yet, but it was sure to happen within the next month or two. Even though the relationship was going...Let me show you how!
Confidence Coach
Isabella has been a dating coach for NYCWingWoman for the last 3+ years, helping each of our clients discover an internal balance, re-discover their unique character traits, find comfort in conversation, and celebrating what makes you; YOU! As a former professional cheerleader, professional emcee, and current actress, Isabella has her fair share of insight on knowing what women want and need.
Online Dating Expert
Candice has been a part of the NYC Wingwoman team since 2017. She specializes in optimizing dating app performance as well as ensuring successful first dates. Candice is a self-proclaimed open book and has seen it all, she has been on dates that have gone hilariously terribly and dates that have extended beyond eight hours. She teaches you the inside knowledge that will prevent you from getting ghosted and keep your dates wanting more. Candice strongly believes that everyone has the power to be successful daters while being true to their personality and has never seen a motivated client that couldn't be helped. Candice has been featured on multiple news outlets for her outstanding knowledge on dating apps and first dates.
Head Coach
Imad Jbara is a dating coach With over 5 years of experience, Imad has serviced over 100+ clients, both men and women, ages 21 to 50, helping them achieve their personal goals in love and growth while enabling them to discover their ideal partner through customized coaching programs. Imad specializes in helping our clients overcome the internal blockages that stand between them and their ideal dating lives. Imad believes that if you can heal someone's past then you can heal their future. Imad been featured in wikiHow, Fox, CNN, NY Weekly, LA Wire and is a published author!


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Cook Inletkeeper would like to extend a big thank you to the City of Homer Grants Program, administered by the Homer Foundation, for supporting the efforts of local nonprofit organizations. Support from the City of Homer helps Inletkeeper continue important work toward its mission to protect the Cook Inlet watershed and the life it sustains. Now in its 19th year, Cook Inletkeeper and its many members, supporters and volunteers appreciate the city's support for the work we do in the Homer area, including electronics recycling, citizen stream monitoring, clean boating outreach and safe drinking water classes.
Inletkeeper looks forward to continuing to serve Homer residents. Many of you visited our safe drinking water booth at the Rotary Health Fair in the fall, and we hope to see many more at the next Homer Electronics Recycling Event, Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Spenard Builders Supply.
Thank you again to the City of Homer for funding these important projects through their grants program with the Homer Foundation.
Rachel Lord, outreach coordinator
Cook Inletkeeper


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God cares about our relationships and wants us to be right with one another. Too often close relationships are torn apart due to hurts, misunderstandings, offenses, pride, unresolved issues, and emotions can run deep, cut at the heart filling us with bitterness, anger, and unforgiveness. And usually, it's the relationships we treasure the most that breakdown and cause the deepest pain.
Rather than confront the issues, it may seem easier to avoid, blame others, and feel justified holding on to our hurts and anger.
Yet God calls us higher. His word says that as much as depends on us to live at peace with all people (Romans 12:18).
We need to forgive those who have wounded us and ask for forgiveness when we have wounded others. We will never be free unless we learn how to forgive and release our offenders at the foot of the cross. We need only take ownership of our wrongdoings and leave the rest at God's feet endeavoring always to extend grace and leave the door open for reconciliation whenever possible.
Are you struggling with forgiveness?
Sometimes all it takes is to go to Jesus with a sincere heart and ask
Him to give you a willingness to forgive, make amends, and pursue peace.


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Anthrax has the unexpected ability to grow and reproduce while lurking in soil – increasing the deadly bacteria's chances to infect cattle and other mammals, researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have discovered.
Until now, experts have widely believed that anthrax spores remain dormant in soil until eaten by cattle, then germinate and cause the deadly disease. But U.Va. researchers have found that the spores can attack a common soil and water amoeba, Acanthamoeba castellanii, turning these single-celled organisms into anthrax incubators.
"These amoeba normally eat bacteria and kill them, but Bacillus anthracis has figured out some way to manipulate that amoeba so that it can actually grow inside the amoeba and increase its numbers," Ian J. Glomski, an assistant professor of microbiology, explained.
The process, he notes, gives the anthrax a selective advantage. "The interactions with the amoeba, essentially, are making certain that the anthrax has the tools to kill the amoeba, and those same tools are potentially being used to infect animals and humans," he said.
The discovery helps answer longstanding questions about the bacteria and may lead to new techniques to control anthrax and prevent infection around the world.
Anthrax outbreaks typically occur after rainy weather in warm months, usually striking animals that graze in depressions where the grass is greenest. Scientists have commonly thought that rainwater runoff was concentrating spores in low-lying areas. The conclusion was logical, based on what science knew about anthrax.
"If you put Bacillus anthracis into soil with basically any other common soil bacteria, it will be out-competed. The other bacteria will eat up all the nutrients before Bacillus anthracis can do significant growth," Glomski said. "So for all intents and purposes, it has been thought that the spores sit in the ground and do nothing until they go into an animal and cause disease."
But the U.Va. researchers, inspired by postdoctoral fellow Rafik Dey, wondered if something else was happening in the warm, moist, alkaline earth where the spores are most common.
"There's a rich history of amoeba being associated with diseases," said researcher Paul S. Hoffman, a professor of infectious diseases. "We tried to make that connection with the anthrax by asking, 'Could the amoeba have a role in the environment?'"
To find the answer, they set out to recreate the warm, wet conditions in the lab. When they placed anthrax spores in sterile creek water, there was no sign of germination. But when they combined spores and Acanthamoeba castellanii, a type of amoeba active in warm weather, the result was a nearly fiftyfold increase in spores in the creek water within 72 hours. Under optimal conditions of approximately 37 degrees Celsius (about 99 degrees Fahrenheit), the spores increased nearly a hundredfold.
The U.Va. researchers believe anthrax preys upon Acanthamoeba castellanii and other amoeba because the bacteria contains two plasmids – a type of DNA molecule – that the anthrax needs for growth. Lab tests using an anthrax strain without plasmids did not generate additional spores. That information could help scientists begin to determine which genes allow anthrax to reproduce in these amoeba (and potentially other protozoa).
"We may find other species of amoeba that are even better at this than what we were using in the lab," Hoffman said. "We may be at the tip of the iceberg."
While the availability of a veterinary vaccine helps prevent anthrax outbreaks in the United States, U.Va.'s discovery could benefit the many areas of the world that struggle with the persistent and pestilent bacteria. Unvaccinated cattle can't graze without dying in some fields in Europe and elsewhere, Hoffman said.
"Just the knowledge gives you a general sense of where not to put your animals if you do have problems," Hoffman said. "In developing countries that don't have a lot of resources, you can strategize how to avoid certain areas because you know that will be problematic at a particular period of the year."
Glomski noted that the discovery offers new targets for researchers seeking to prevent the spread of anthrax. "If we can figure out any way to disrupt the cycle, that would effectively eliminate the problem. It could be doing something to the bacteria, doing something to the amoeba, doing something to prevent their interaction …" he said. "If we really understand those interactions, we'll have more and more points of intervention to think about."
The findings have been published online by Applied and Environmental Microbiology, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.
Media Contact
Article Information
October 17, 2012


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Oracle Announces Support for Autonomous and Non-Autonomous Databases on the same Oracle Exadata Cloud@Customer
- Multi-VM Autonomous Database enables organizations to more easily adopt Oracle Autonomous Database at a lower cost
- Provides developers with a complete and simple self-service database for new applications
- Allows customers to increase database consolidation benefits
Austin, Texas—March 16, 2022 – Oracle today announced availability of Multiple-VM Autonomous Database on Oracle Exadata Cloud@Customer. Multiple-VM Autonomous Database enables organizations to create and run isolated, highly available Autonomous Database instances on Exadata Cloud@Customer systems that are also running non-autonomous Oracle Databases. This helps customers lower costs through better infrastructure utilization and makes it easier for customers to adopt Autonomous Database. Multiple-VM Autonomous Database is available at no charge via an over-the-air update for existing Exadata Cloud@Customer customers.
With Multiple-VM Autonomous Database on Exadata Cloud@Customer, organizations can set up isolated autonomous database environments for dev-test, staging, and production that implement different access rules, quotas, and availability policies to meet corporate governance requirements. Application developers have instant access to a self-service database application development platform that delivers mission-critical capabilities while supporting all modern data types, workloads, and development styles. In addition, Multiple-VM Autonomous Database helps improve developer productivity by creating a private database as-a-service environment with auto-tuning, auto-scaling, and auto-management capabilities that reduce the amount of time and effort required to deliver data-driven applications.
"We are focused on dramatically simplifying data management for all data-driven applications regardless of complexity, scale, criticality, or sensitivity," said Juan Loaiza, executive vice president, Mission Critical Database Technologies, Oracle. "With Autonomous Database running on the same Exadata Cloud@Customer infrastructure as non-autonomous databases, customers can easily deploy new Autonomous Databases, and upgrade existing databases to Autonomous Database when they are ready."
"Autonomous Database running on VMs in Exadata Cloud@Customer is a big win for developers," said Holger Mueller, principal analyst and vice president, Constellation Research. "They can carve up VM clusters for self-service dev-test, staging, and production environments with appropriate SLAs, quotas, performance, and access characteristics. This capability combined with auto-provisioning, auto-tuning, and auto-patching as well as the converged support for all modern data types, workloads and development styles of the Autonomous Database frees developers to achieve higher velocity."
"Autonomous Database on Exadata Cloud@Customer was already at least two generations ahead of the hybrid cloud offerings you could buy from the likes of AWS, Google and Azure," said Ron Westfall, senior analyst and research director, Futurum. "Now, adding the ability to run thousands of Autonomous Databases in VMs across a single Exadata Cloud@Customer enables organizations to leverage fine-grained auto-scaling to only pay for CPU usage when it's consumed—instead of paying for peak CPU usage all the time, like nearly every other hybrid cloud on the market. And considering that Snowflake doesn't even have a hybrid cloud offering, they just fell even further behind."
Leveraging Oracle Exadata infrastructure for performance, scalability, and availability, Multiple-VM Autonomous Database on Exadata Cloud@Customer makes it simpler to deploy cloud-native and mission-critical databases. Exadata Cloud@Customer has been successfully deployed by organizations worldwide, including Algar Telecom, Caja Los Andes, Deutsche Bank, Lalux, MacMaster University, Maxim's, MoMRAH, n11.com, and Texas A&M University to achieve cloud benefits faster with lower complexity, risk, and expense.
Customers across the globe have access to Multiple-VM Autonomous Database on Exadata Cloud@Customer today via the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) console and APIs. It provides a consistent experience with that of the Oracle public cloud, but running on-premises in the customer's data center to satisfy data residency and security requirements.
About Oracle
Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com.
Oracle, Java, and MySQL are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation.
SOURCE: Oracle


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Lewis Black Sofa Set
Mid-Century modern design is the inspiration for the Lewis Collection. Wide, dramatically curved arms rise to the straight back that is synonymous with this classic style. Contrast toss pillows and an additional chair option are featured in a modern teal or gray herringbone pattern to complement the teal fabric, beige fabric and gray fabric seating body covers. Tailored stitch tufting lends further accent to this thoroughly modern collection. The collection is also available in chair, love seat, sofa and sectional covered with red or black leather gel match.
- Sofa: W85.5" x D33.75" x H35.5"
- Love Seat: W67.25" x D33.75" x H35.5"
- Chair: W40.25" x D33.75" x H35.5"


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Turning Winds is one of the nation's leading academic Therapeutic Boarding Schools focused on counseling struggling teenagers from Reading, PA with overcoming behavior issues. Making the shift into teenage and teenager years can be a brutal time for teenagers, and for some, it can be more difficult than others. For the parents of these struggling teenagers, it is immensely important to find a therapeutic facility that can help their teenager successfully confront their issues.
Behavior Modification can allow at-risk teens from Reading, PA to make behavior changes, but it does not allow them to understand why they behave in certain ways or even how they can learn to exhibit positive behaviors. To prepare for therapy intervention, our staff meets with the parents and the teen to determine the dysfunctional behaviors that are being exhibited. Our program strives to involve the entire family so healing can take place among all the members. Once our staff of mental health professionals has gathered data, we will begin our focused treatment plan to guide the teen towards making better choices that will lead them to their life goals instead of down a path of destruction.
Turning Winds is highly successful in counseling troubled teens from Reading, PA because we factor learning into every aspect of therapy. Learning is a crucial part of changing undesirable behaviors and must be an integral part of any therapy program that is working to bring lasting changes in teens. We take an eclectic approach to treatment using proven strategies in cognitive, behavioral, humanistic, and narrative intervention. We believe this approach lends itself to a natural inclination for internal reflection and the need for change.
Behavior Modification Programs Reading, PA
Behavior modification programs are sometimes implemented in a dogmatic and extremely uncomfortable way. Troubled teens from Reading, PA are somewhat "forced" into making changes instead of them occurring naturally through hard work, determination, and education. Through a holistic approach, our students successfully make changes in their character and learn the life skills they must possess for living a self-sufficient and successful life well beyond the time they graduate from our program.
While Behavior Modification therapy is a solution for some teens with conditions like ADHD, it is not always effective in those who are dealing with more than one diagnosis. This approach is often limited in making temporary changes because it does not focus on every issue a teen is dealing with. The foundation of our program is based on experiential education. The great outdoors allows for a perfect backdrop for students to learn effective problem-solving and the crucial skills they will use throughout their life. Often, it takes a multi-treatment approach for teens who are dealing with mental and behavioral issues to make lasting changes.
Complex Conditions Require Solutions That Involve A Team Effort
It is important for parents of teens with ADHD and other behavioral and mental conditions to be able to successfully recognize the signs of the condition. While mild ADHD may not require therapy at all, some teens end up exhibiting other serious mental and behavioral health issues that require a concerted effort in treatment. Our program seeks to help troubled teens from Reading, PA by providing the five peaks of therapy.
For true habit reversal to take place, a successful treatment program should include a variety of approaches to therapy. At Turning Winds, we strongly encourage and utilize the 5 Pillars of Change for the teen's full internalization of realizing how poor decisions often have lasting ramifications. Our staff is committed to providing the individualized treatment approach troubled teens from Reading, PA must have for achieving exceptional outcomes.
Each day at Turning Winds, we are privileged to witness small changes being made in the lives of our students. As time progresses and they work through the 5 pillars of change, teens begin to make lasting changes and learn the skills they will need to possess to live successful lives. Each measure we put in place is meant to carefully guide our students towards their goals of learning from their past mistakes and preparing for limitless success in the future.
Mental Health National Institution For Parents Of At-Risk Teens From Reading, PA
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation's largest and most comprehensive grassroots mental health community. It is dedicated to building healthier lives for Reading, PA residents, and the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. A mental illness is a mental health condition that impacts an individual's thought processes, emotions, and anxiety. It may also affect the person's ability to relate to others, as well as function on a daily basis. NAMI strives to shape the national public policy landscape for at-risk teenagers, young men and women, and families in Reading, PA; affected by mental illness. NAMI also offers grassroots volunteer leaders with the tools, resources, and skills necessary to protect the mental health of individuals in Reading, PA, and all over the nation.
Help For Mental Health For At-Risk Teenagers From Reading, PA
Families from Reading, PA, wanting help for their struggling child, trust the guidance that Turning Winds provides for adolescents who may be undergoing issues related to food addiction (overeating, binge eating), child abuse, or bullying (or being bullied). Here at Turning Winds, our trained counselors have a deep and wise understanding of the issues that struggling teenagers from Reading, PA are coping with every day. With dedication and expertise, our team offers guidance to our at-risk young students, so they may recognize and deal with their drug abuse/addiction (including marijuana) or substance use (including marijuana) in a way that is both healthy and productive. We specialize in a variety of therapeutic intervention strategies (CBT, DBT, behavioral therapy), that is based on a solid trifecta of trust and respect. Through this approach, we inspire an internally motivated transformation that lasts a lifetime.
We are proud to give inspired help to ensure a lasting transformation. We have the utmost respect for every young student and family that we work with, and this is something that sets our academic institute apart from the rest. Turning Winds's counselors acknowledge and appreciate the issues that teenagers from Reading, PA deal with every day. With decades of collective experience in the therapeutic boarding school industry, Turning Winds' counselors have the ability to quickly assess, identify, and give guidance to adolescents coping with substance use (including marijuana) issues, problems related to clinical depression, and causes for rebelliousness.
Contact Turning Winds today at 800-845-1380 to speak with one of our expert consultants. They are readily available to answer any questions about our enrollment fees, insurance affiliations, and proximity to Reading, PA. Make Turning Winds and their therapeutic boarding school a life-changing and memorable experience for both your family and your struggling child.


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Reyhaneh Shenassa, chief engineer, U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office. / SOURCE: U.S. Department of Energy
December 4, 2023
BY U.S. Department of Energy
The USDA on April 23 awarded more than $43 million in grants through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program to support projects that will increase the availability of domestic biofuels in 15 states.
Vertex Energy Inc. on April 18 announced the renewable diesel production unit at its refinery in Mobile, Alabama, operated at approximately 50% of nameplate capacity during the first quarter of 2024, in line with the company's previous forecasts.
Calumet Specialty Products Partners L.P. on April 16 released a Q1 operational update, reporting that its Montana Renewables biorefinery operated well throughout the three-month period, with production volumes sequentially improved each month.
EcoEngineers on April 15 announced the expansion of its services in compliance with the Canadian Clean Fuel Regulations. The company has been granted a scope extension by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).
Neste and New Jersey Natural Gas have announced NJNG will fuel its medium-duty trucks and associated equipment with Neste MY Renewable Diesel to help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.


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Second Story Garage: Justin Roth performs 'Spaghetti Junction'
Justin Roth performs "Spaghetti Junction" at Second Story Garage in Boulder.
Second Story Garage first learned about Justin Roth when hosts Quentin Young and Ashley Dean were on a flight to the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas. An organizer with Fort Collins music promoter SpokesBUZZ, who was on the same plane, said singer-songwriter Justin Roth was a must-see.
Later that week, Roth played in a loud bar on Austin's Sixth Street — not the ideal venue for a performer whose strengths are nuance and dynamics. Roth powered through the gig fine, but it was just a taste of what he could do.
That's why it was a treat to hear Roth in the Garage. The still setting of the studio permitted the subtleties of his voice and guitar to come through, and this, by his own telling, is how his music ought to be heard. Listen especially to Roth's fret board work on the instrumental "Spaghetti Junction."
One of the songs Roth performed for us was "Rise," which he wrote in response to the Colorado flooding in September. Proceeds from sales of the single will benefit Colorado flood relief. Visit his website, justinroth.com. Don't miss his performance of "Out of the Blue" or his interview with Quentin, either.
What he brought us: A signed poster.
Sign up. Don't miss out! Sign up for the Second Story Garage newsletter to keep up with local music news — show announcements, ticket sales information, previews, interviews and even an opportunity to sit in on a Second Story recording session. Sign up here.


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How does Arctic sea ice loss compare to Antarctic sea ice gain?
What the science says...
Select a level... | Basic | Intermediate | |||
Arctic sea ice loss is three times greater than Antarctic sea ice gain. |
Climate Myth...
Arctic sea ice loss is matched by Antarctic sea ice gain
In fact, the global sea-ice record shows virtually no change throughout the past 30 years, because the quite rapid loss of Arctic sea ice since the satellites were watching has been matched by a near-equally rapid gain of Antarctic sea ice. Indeed, when the summer extent of Arctic sea ice reached its lowest point in the 30-year record in mid-September 2007, just three weeks later the Antarctic sea extent reached a 30-year record high. The record low was widely reported; the corresponding record high was almost entirely unreported. (Chris Monckton)Have Arctic ice losses truly been balanced by Antarctic gains? The first point to clarify is that we are talking about floating sea ice, not to be confused with land ice. Land ice at both poles and in glaciers around the world is sliding into the ocean at an accelerating rate. This net loss of land ice is contributing to sea level rise.
However, Monckton is clearly referring to sea ice. The rapid decline of Arctic sea ice has indeed coincided with an increase in Antarctic sea ice. But do these two opposite trends cancel out as Monckton suggests? In reality, the upward Antarctic trend is only slight compared to the plummeting Arctic trend. Tamino has crunched the numbers and found the Arctic trend is in fact more than three times faster than the Antarctic one. The net result is a statistically significant global decrease of more than a million km2 or a few percent – would you agree with Monckton that this is "virtually no change"?
Figure 1: Global sea ice extent since 1979. (Image source: Tamino. Data is from US National Snow and Ice Data Center.)
Figure 2: National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) Antarctic, Arctic, and global (sum of the two) sea ice extents with linear trends. The data is smoothed with a 12-month running average.
Sea ice area data shows the same thing as extent data.
Summer and Winter, Apples and Oranges
Monckton compares the Arctic summer to the Antarctic winter, not the most appropriate comparison. Sea ice grows and shrinks seasonally because polar latitudes have vastly more daylight hours in summer than in winter. When ice melts, it makes the surface less reflective and amplifies the warming (as is currently occurring in the Arctic), but this effect can only make a difference when the Sun is up. Thus the most important time of year for sea ice is its annual minimum which occurs at the end of the summer: September in the Arctic but February in the Antarctic.
So how do the two compare?
Figure 3: Minimum sea ice extent since 1979 in the Arctic and Antarctic. (Image source: James Hansen. Data is from US National Snow and Ice Data Center.)
While the summer Arctic has lost an extent of about 2.5 million km2 (equivalent to the area of Western Australia), the summer Antarctic growth is only 0.3 million km2 (about the size of Victoria). Even that slight upward trend is less than the year-to-year variability; although 2003 and 2008 tied for the highest February extent, 2006 was third lowest. Again, the real world contradicts Monckton's assertion that changes in the Arctic are being balanced out by the Antarctic.
The Third Dimension
Furthermore, Monckton fails to mention that Arctic sea ice is not only shrinking in extent but also has been thinning rapidly. Although its lowest extent was in 2007, its volume has continued declining since then, hitting another record low in 2010:
Figure 4: Arctic sea ice volume since 1979. (Image source: Wikipedia. Based on data from University of Washington Polar Science Center.)
The volume data is supported by a sharp decline in thick multiyear ice (Figure 5).
Figure 5: NSIDC Arctic sea ice age from 1983 through 2011 (Source)
Meanwhile there has been a slight increase in Antarctic sea ice volume, but only by about 5,000 km3 (insufficient to offset the Arctic decline shown in Figure 4), and most of it in a few years at the start of the record.
The Polar Prognosis
As thinner and younger ice is easier to melt, the rapid Arctic melt is set to continue; ice-free summers are now probably inevitable. In contrast, the Antarctic increase is occurring despite the warming of the Southern Ocean and is expected to reverse as the warming continues. Antarctic sea ice is just a distraction from the accelerating losses from ice sheets and the looming specter of a sea-ice-free Arctic.
Basic rebuttal written by dana1981
Update July 2015:
Here is a related lecture-video from Denial101x - Making Sense of Climate Science Denial
This rebuttal was updated by Judith Matz on September 13, 2021 to replace broken links. The updates are a result of our call for help published in May 2021.
Last updated on 8 July 2015 by pattimer. View Archives


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Christine Dreher is a Nutritionist, Herbalist and author of "The Cleanse Cookbook" and is available for nutritional, diet and cleanse coaching appointments by phone.
Christine is also an educator, speaker and is the publisher and editor of the "Transform Your Health" online health and nutrition newsletter, which is free to all readers. Our free, monthly "Transform Your Health Newsletter"includes informative articles on Nutrition, Health, Diet, Weight Loss, Cleansing and more. Sign Up Here to receive your free, monthly Transform Your Health Newsletter or view our archive articles here.
Christine's "Transform Your Health" nutrition and health company specializes in organic, natural, raw, and vegan whole-food nutritional vitamins and dietary supplements including: Garden of Life, New Chapter, Vitamin Code Raw Vegan Vitamins, and Mt. Capra natural goat products.
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For an introduction to Internal Cleansing, you can visit our website and click here:
You can also read our archive of "Transform Your Health" newsletters at: http://www.TransformYourHealth.com or sign up for our free nutrtional information packet and e-mails for our newsletter at: http://www.transformyourhealth.com/signuplist.htm
Phone Consultations by Christine are available for nutritional, cleansing and diet support. You can find information and rates at: http://www.transformyourhealth.com/christine/sessions.htm
To learn more about us, whole-food nutrition, internal cleansing and natural living, I invite you to visit us on our website at: http://www.TransformYourHealth.com
We offer health, nutrition and weight loss articles and information in our "Transform Your Health" free, online monthly newsletters, which you can access on our website or sign up for e-mail newsletters by clicking here.
Christine Dreher, CCN, CCH Christine's Cleanse Corner, Inc. P.O. Box 28895, San Diego, CA 92198 858-673-0224
Visit us on the web at: http://www.TransformYourHealth.com or call us toll free at 877-673-0224.


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The sweetest sentiments, the perfect bouquet. Multi-color roses along with mini carnations and pittosporum are beautifully arranged in a ruby square vase, ready to thrill someone's heart.
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Box of Assorted Chocolates.
Add a cute plush from our plush selection. Selected plush will vary.
18" Happy Anniversary Mylar Balloon. Styles may vary.
18" I Love You Mylar Balloon. Styles may vary.
Huggable, adorable and ready to cuddle. Our Lotsa Love teddy bear wears a checkered brown bowtie to match his cream-colored, plush fur. This lovable friend is ready to deliver warmth to someone you care about. Plush bear wearing brown checkered bowtie Measures overall approximately 18′′H


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Thank you for your interest in working with our blog.
We are happy to collaborate with companies that provide products or services that we feel are interesting for our readers. I am looking forward to writing a post about your product, doing a review or creating a fun DIY. Much rather that than placing a tower of tiny adds on my blog.
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The business blogging bust
Dan Lyons, who wrote and tried to monetize the now-defunct Fake Steve Jobs blog, on the business of blogging:
Blogs can do many wonderful things [but] generating huge amounts of money isn't one of them.
As businesses go, blogging is a lot like shining shoes. There are going to be very few folks who own chains of shoe shining places which make a lot of money and a bunch of other people who can (maybe) make a living at it if they bust their ass 24/7/365. But for many, shining shoes is something that will be done at home for themselves because it feels good to walk around with a shiny pair of shoes. Everyone else will switch to sandals (i.e. Twitter) or sneakers (i.e. Facebook) and not worry about shining at all. (via fimoculous)


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If you made New Year's resolutions this last January, you've probably had to revise them. No one knew what was coming when 2019 turned over to 2020. We hope that despite the turmoil and disruption of the last six months, you've managed to stay healthy and keep your small business running.
It's more important than ever to conscientiously record all of the money coming into your company and ensure that it gets deposited into your account(s). QuickBooks Online offers several ways to accomplish this. Whether you're receiving payment on an invoice, documenting an instant sale, or selling on the road - the site provides tools to make certain that your receipt of the funds is entered in the correct place.
Delayed Payments
Do you send invoices for products and/or services? If so, there's more than one way to record payments when they come in. You can, of course, just open the invoice and click Receive payment in the upper right corner. We find, though, that going to the All Sales screen gives us a chance to check the status of other pending transactions. Click Sales in the toolbar, then All Sales.
If your list isn't very long, you can just look for the invoice number. If not, you can use the Filter tool to find the original form. Click the down arrow next to Filter in the upper left to see your search options here (Status, Customer, etc.).
Each month, we will send you a roundup of our latest blog content covering the tax and accounting tips & insights you need to know.
We care about the protection of your data.
You can count on us for professional, timely and reliable tax and accounting services. If you're ready to get started, just fill out this form and we'll be in touch.


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Muskrat Description
Large rodents that live in and near freshwater, muskrats are similar in appearance to beavers, though they are typically much smaller. They populate shallow-water areas throughout the United States and were once some of the most commonly trapped animals in the country. Their name is derived from the strong, musky scent they produce during mating seasons and to mark their territory. Muskrats have specialized lips that act as valves, closing behind the front incisors so as to allow them to gnaw underwater.
Typically dark brown in color, muskrats have dense coats that are practically waterproof and covered in coarse guard hairs. They grow up to 24 inches in length and weigh around 4 pounds. Muskrat tails are thin, nearly hairless, and resemble those of rats. Other distinguishing features include small eyes and ears, short front legs with claws for digging, and longer hind legs with partially webbed feet that help the animal swim.
Muskrats prefer living in areas with consistent sources of shallow water, including ponds, swamps, slow-moving streams, marshes, and other wetlands. Generally herbivores, muskrats look for places with abundant aquatic plants like cattails, waterlilies, and duckweed. They burrow into the banks of ponds or streams, constructing dens that typically have at least one underwater entrance and are comprised of aquatic plants and mud.
Muskrat Problems
Are muskrats known to enter homes or yards?
As semi-aquatic animals, muskrats typically have no interest in entering manmade structures. Human and muskrat interactions occur when homeowners have ponds or other sources of water on their property. Though they primarily feed on aquatic vegetation, large populations of muskrats sometimes venture into gardens to supplement their food sources.
Do muskrats harm people or property?
The majority of muskrat damage is done to the ecosystems in which they live as their feeding habits cause deterioration of available food sources for other species. Homeowners that plant gardens near muskrat habitats can experience loss of crops. Additionally, the animal's preference for building dens on the banks of waterways can mar existing dams and dikes. Muskrats will claw and bite both humans and pets in order to escape when they feel threatened, and they carry a variety of diseases and parasites, including ticks and lice.
Muskrat Control
Control and Safety
Habitat modifications can be employed to keep muskrat populations from encroaching on private property. Managing slopes and water levels helps discourage muskrats from burrowing into pond embankments, as does installing barriers and trimming overgrown aquatic vegetation. Erecting fences around gardens and other crops can effectively deter muskrats, as well.
Trapping and Removal
As muskrats reproduce quickly and become aggressive when cornered, trapping and removing them without professional assistance can be both dangerous and time-consuming. Critter Control specialists have the knowledge, skills, and tools to remove infestations of muskrats humanely and efficiently.
We can help you get rid of muskrat problems. Call Critter Control of SW Missouri today!
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Animal Teeth Brushing & Scaling in Houston
If you, a friend or family member has a toothache, then the first thing you will do is go to the dentist. However, for a dog it isn't always that easy to express if something isn't quite right. Yes, regular visits to the dog's vet will ensure that any major problems will be detected, but is that enough? The answer is no. To ensure that your dog's oral hygiene is at the most optimal level, it is crucial that his or her teeth are cleaned on a regular basis. The most efficient way of ensuring that this task is met is by investing in a professional pet service.
With years of experience in providing the best pet grooming and cleaning service in Houston, it is no real surprise that so many local dog owners opt for Paws With Purpose Inc. when it comes time for their dog's teeth to be cleaned or scaled. The simple fact of the matter is that your dog's dental and oral health is of the utmost importance. So, what better way of guaranteeing that his or her teeth are as healthy as possible than by investing in regular top-quality service from the pet professionals that Houston trusts. Call today to learn more about our premium service or to get further information on our affordable prices. Trust us, you'll be glad you did!
Painless Cleaning Techniques
At Paws With Purpose Inc., our number one priority is your dog's happiness. It is for this reason that we invest so much time in developing techniques that provide a deep and thorough teeth cleaning for your dog without affecting his mood or sense of comfort. On top of that, we always strive to guarantee that all our teeth cleaning and scaling treatments occur painlessly and without the risk of sedation. We know that having improved oral balance will, almost always, result in a healthier and happier dog. This is why our skilled team of professionals will do all they can to ensure top quality results without the pain and discomfort of sedation.
Bones Alone Are Not Enough
One of the biggest misconceptions that we hear from local Houston dog owners is the belief that giving your dog bones and other specialized pet treats is a sufficient way of ensuring their continued dental health. This is simply not the case. Yes, it is true that bones can help increase the strength of your dog's teeth, but this should always be combined with professional teeth cleaning and scaling work. In many ways, dogs require the same dental and oral hygiene as humans do. This means that they will require regular flossing, scaling and polishing to ensure that their teeth look better for longer. What's more, recent research indicates that advanced dental care can add years to your dog's life.


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Top 20 Tips To Keep Your System Faster
Top 20 Tips To Keep Your System Faster
Follow these tips and you will definitely have a much faster and more reliable PC!
1. Wallpapers: They slow your whole system down, so if you're willing to compromise, have a basic plain one instead!
2. Drivers: Update your hardware drivers as frequently as possible. New drivers tend to increase system speed especially in the case of graphics cards, their drivers are updated by the manufacturer very frequently!
3. Minimizing: If you want to use several programs at the same time then minimize those you are not using. This helps reduce the overload on RAM.
4. Boot Faster: The 'starting Windows 98/XP' message on startup can delay your booting for a couple of seconds. To get rid of this message go to c:\ and find the file Msdos.sys. Remove the Read-Only option. Next, open it in Notepad or any other text editor. Finally, go to the text 'Options' within the file and make the following changes: Add BootDelay=0. To make your booting even faster, set add Logo=0 to remove the Windows logo at startup.
5. Restart only Windows: When restarting your PC, hold down Shift to only restart Windows rather than the whole system which will only take a fraction of the time.
6. Turn Off Animations: Go to Display Settings from the Control Panel and switch to the Effects Tab. Now turn off Show Windows Content While Dragging and Smooth Edges on Screen Fonts. This tip is also helpful with Windows XP because of the various fade/scroll effects.
7. Faster Start-Menu Access: Go to the Start menu and select Run. Now type Regedit and hit Enter. The Registry Editor will appear on the screen. Now, open the folder HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop. You should see a MenuShowDelay value. If you don't then do the following: right click on a blank space in the right pane and select New\String. Change the name in the new value to MenuShowDelay. Now that we have the MenuShowDelay value, double click on it and enter 0 in the value data field. This sets the start menu delay to 0 milliseconds.
8. Resolutions: If you are willing to do anything for faster performance from your PC, then try lowering your display resolution. The lower it is, the faster your PC.
9. Turn off Active Desktop: Go to your Display Properties and switch to the Web tab. Uncheck View My Active Desktop As a Web Page. Since the Active Desktop option under Windows 98 uses a lot of system resources, this option can have a dramatic effect on the speed of the whole system.
10. Defragment Often: Windows 98's Defrag tool uses Application Acceleration from Intel which means that when you defragment your drive, data is physically arranged on the drive so that applications will load faster.
11. Take your PC to Bed: Using the Advanced Power Management feature under Windows 98 gives you the option to use the sleep command. That way, you can send your PC to sleep instead of shutting it down and then restarting it. It's as simple as pressing a button and then pressing the same button to wake it up. You can tell Windows after how many minutes/hours of inactivity to automatically sleep the machine in the Advanced Power Management section of the Control Panel.
12. Faster Internet Access: If you use the internet for reference and the sites you visit are rarely updated then try the following. In IE (the same can be done in Netscape) go to Tools, Internet Options. Next, click on Settings... in the Temporary Internet Files section. Finally, select Never for the first option and double the amount of storage space to use, click OK!
13. Benchmarking: Benchmarking can be very useful when run frequently. It can tell you how your PC's components are performing and then compare them to other machines like yours. For example, when you overclock your PC, you want to know how much more speed you have and whether it is stable. All this and more can be discovered using benchmarking. An excellent piece of software for doing this job is SiSoft Sandra which can be found in the Downloads File Archive!
14. Refresh the Taskbar without restarting: If you in some way change the taskbar, either in Regedit or elsewhere, you can refresh the task bar without restarting. Hold down Ctrl Alt Del, and double click on Explorer. Say Yes to close Explorer, but no to closing Windows. This will refresh the Taskbar and system tray.
15. Quick CD Eject: Instead of pushing the button on your drive, right-click your CD drive letter in My Computer and click on Eject. This will also remove any icons that have become associated with the CD drive.
16. Start Up Programs: Windows can be slowed down when programs run on start up. To eliminate this, check your Start up folder. You can access it from the start menu: Start, Programs, Start Up. Another way to eliminate programs from loading even before Windows actually starts is by doing the following: Click on Start, then Run. Type msconfig. It will take quite a long time for this program to load, but when you finally see it on your screen, explore the different tabs. They all have to do with how quickly your PC boots, so select what you want, and uncheck what you don't want!
17. Fonts: When Windows starts, it loads every single font in the Fonts folder. Therefore, the more fonts you have, the slower the booting process. To get rid of unwanted fonts, simply go to the Fonts folder under c:\windows and remove whatever you don't want. Fonts that have a red letter 'A' as their icon are system fonts, so don't delete them.
18. Stretching Wallpapers: Don't "stretch" your wallpaper in Windows 98 since it actually slows Windows down when you drag icons around on the desktop.
19. RAM Matters: If you have less than 32MB then you should seriously think of upgrading it to at least 64MB. Windows runs much more smoothly with 64MB or higher and tends to use less hard disk space for virtual memory.
20. Partitioning: A very nice little thing you can do to boost system performance. By partitioning your hard drive, splitting one physical drive into several logical ones, you can gain several advantages. 1. If you get a virus or you accidentally format a drive, not all will be lost. 2. By placing the swap file (Win386.swp) on a separate drive, The swap file will be less fragmented and thus, faster. 3. Place Windows on a separate drive and whenever you need to reinstall it, you rest assured that your data is safe on a separate drive. Partitioning can be done using a few programs such as FDisk which comes with DOS. However, FDisk formats everything on the hard disk before partitioning. Alternatively, you can use Partition Magic from Power Quest to partition your hard disk without losing your data.


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MassDOT's contractor, White-Skanska-Consigli JV (WSC), will close the Longfellow Bridge to all vehicular traffic on Saturday, July 30, and Sunday, July 31, from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM each day. The closure is necessary to perform utility work in the downstream roadway. Bicycle and pedestrian traffic and the MBTA Red Line will be maintained across the bridge at all times. Bicyclists will continue to use the sidewalk on the upstream side of the bridge and pedestrians will continue to use the sidewalk on the downstream side during this timeframe. Boston-bound vehicles should use the inbound detour routes described below.
Inbound Detour Routes: Boston-bound vehicles will use one of two inbound detour routes to reach Charles River Dam Road (Monsignor O'Brien Highway/Route 28) and Leverett Circle. Height restrictions are in place for Memorial Drive, so all buses and trucks must use the 3rd Street to Binney Street detour described below.
From Main Street, turn right onto Memorial Drive westbound, and make a U-turn at Ames Street to access Memorial Drive eastbound. Follow Memorial Drive eastbound to Land Boulevard and turn right onto Charles River Dam Road (Monsignor O'Brien Highway/Route 28) to reach Leverett Circle.
From Broadway, turn left onto 3rd Street, turn right on Binney Street, turn left onto Land Boulevard, and then turn right onto Charles River Dam Road (Monsignor O'Brien Highway/Route 28) to reach Leverett Circle.
The Cambridge-bound detour remains in place using the existing signed route from Charles Circle following Charles Street to Leverett Circle, Monsignor O'Brien Highway (Route 28)/Charles River Dam Road, and Land Boulevard.
For more information on the project, visit the website at www.mass.gov/massdot/longfellowbridge. View construction progress photos on MassDOT's Longfellow Bridge Flickr Album. For questions or to report issues related to construction, please call the project hotline at 617-519-9892 or email [email protected].
MassDOT encourages drivers to avoid the area and seek alternate routes to minimize delays. Those traveling through the area should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution. The schedule for this major infrastructure project is weather dependent and subject to change without notice..


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The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or the Met, as it is commonly known, was founded in 1870, and is one of the most famous museums in the United States. The permanent collection of The Met contains more than two million works of art, spanning a period of 5,000 years.
Although the museum has three sites, the centerpiece is The Met Fifth Avenue. Highlights of the collection include American decorative arts, arms and armor, costumes, Egyptian art, musical instruments, photographs, and much more. Exhibitions bring some of the world's most famous works to the public. If you are serious about your visit to the Met, consider a VIP: Empty Met Tour at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and see this incredible museum with just 25 people before it opens to the general public in the morning.
The Met Cloisters, located in Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan, is another extremely popular New York museum. This branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, housed in an outstanding structure, built around medieval cloisters, chapels, and halls, focuses on the medieval art and architecture of Europe.
Claim listing is the best way to manage and protect your business.


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Travian calculators
Tip: You can find more player related tools under Advanced tools.
Interception calculator
With the troop interception calculator, you can easily catch attacking armies as they arrive home in their own village. So you can force them in a defensive position.
Culture points
The culture points calculator tells you when you will be able to settle or conquer new villages. You also get a timeline of your estimated culture points production.
Technology calculator
With this calculator, you can easily view how research affects your troops, and calculate the best times to increase research to a certain level. It will show you the exact amount of troops you need to benefit from an upgrade.
NPC calculator
If you go to the npc trader to get the most out of your game, this tool will calculate the best trade for you. You can optimize the calculation in many ways. Also it will try to perfectly balance production time of barracks, stable and workshop.
Save troops
Send your troops away at night to keep them safe, as they cannot be caught by an attack. You can specify any duration and get a possible farm target in perfect distance.
Path calculator
The path calculator calculates the distance and travel time for your troops to another village.
Supports all versions, speed worlds, tournament squares, artifacts and hero bonus.
Advanced tool to calculate the tournament square and speed of an incoming attack with no more than the attack times as you see them.


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Green Halo: Natural Crystal Bracelets by Monica Ocampo
Some like gifting their loved ones 5 to 6-digit worth of necklaces, bracelets or earrings. However, I'm not the kind of girl who goes gaga for luxurious jewelries, may it be for myself or as a gift to others. For some reason (other than not affording expensive jewelry), brass and bronze works, plastics and even recycled materials-turned-unique accessories have more appeal to me. Then, there's also the semi-precious stones and crystals of different colors and textures that I've always loved since high school.
Although accessories are usually worn for self-expression and style's sake, there are those believed to posses spiritual and healing properties. A brand I recently came across with is Green Halo which proudly offers affordable and fashionable pieces combined with the magical and powerful energy from one of Earth's greatest gifts -- crystals.
Green Halo only uses real natural crystals from the States. It is owned by Ms. Monica Ocampo who hand-makes every piece of crystal accessory in her home. She's a firm believer that crystals are not only for fashion and flair, but also promote health and holistic healing. Depending on the kind of crystal, it can boost one's energy, deflect negative vibes, attract prosperity, enhance intuition, increase mental capabilities, boost confidence, bring abundance, aid self love, or even attract love and friendships.
GARNET - Stone of Commitment and Love
From the wide Green Halo collection, I chose the Garnet Crystal Bracelet (P700) since garnet is my birthstone. It was a struggle to convince myself not to go with amethyst, since as you might have noticed, purple-violet shades are close to my heart.
My chosen Garnet Crystal Bracelet comes with 4 separate bracelet strands which I really like. I can somehow change the look just by taking off one, two or three strands.
This 4-layered bracelet has small garnet crystals of deep red color with a blue-black undertone. It is believed to bring passion and compassion in romance, and boosts sensuality, sexuality, and intimacy. It also confers self-confidence, and conveys success in business ventures especially for women. It is also said to help in stimulating circulation, improving energy and stamina, and improving metabolism, among others.
ROSE QUARTZ - Stone of Universal Love
Another Green Halo piece I received was the Rose Quartz Crystal Bracelet (P850). I'm not sure if it's the work of the crystal's promise of unconditional love, but although I love my pretty rose quartz, I decided to give this bracelet to my little sister.
The Rose Quartz Crystal Bracelet is pretty and dainty, made up of smooth spherical pieces of opaque pale pink rose quartz crystals that come with a cute twin hearts charm.
Rose quartz are believed to purify and open the heart to promote love, self-love, friendship, deep inner healing and feelings of peace. It dispels negativity, restores trust and harmony in relationships, and attracts love and lovers. It also strengthens the heart and the circulatory system, as well as help release impurities from the body. For pregnant women, rose quartz are said to protect both the mother and the fetus.
What's your birthstone? (Photo sourced from Déonne le Roux.) |
Every Green Halo piece comes with a small pouch, a description of the stone, and a personal guarantee that the brand only uses natural stones and crystals. And since Green Halo is a home-based business, Ms. Monica's creations are priced a whole less expensive than most semi-precious stone and crystal bracelet retailers around.
Whether you're in it for the style, or for the energy these stones bring, do check out Green Halo. It's a nice gift for the people you care for, and an even nicer gift for yourself!


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A record chart also called a music chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, the Billboard Hot 100 or Top 40.
Many different criteria are used in different charts, including sales of records, cassettes and compact discs, the amount of radio airplay, and since the introduction of digital technology, the number of downloads and the amount of streaming activity.
Some charts are specific to a particular musical genre and most to a particular geographical location (although download charts are not easily pinned down in this way). The most common period of time covered by a chart is one week with the chart being printed or broadcast at the end of this time. Summary charts for years and decades are then calculated from their component weekly charts. Component charts have become an increasingly important way to measure the commercial success of individual songs.
Chart hit
A chart hit is an extremely popular recording, identified by its inclusion in a chart that uses sales or other criteria to rank popular releases. Chart-topper and related terms (like number one, No. 1 hit, top of the charts, chart hit, and so forth) are widely used in common conversation and in marketing, and are loosely defined. In North America, the weekly charts from Billboard magazine are most often referenced (quite often internationally, as well), particularly the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and Billboard 200 album chart, although there are many other charts and sources. Because of its value in promoting recording artists and releases, both directly to the consumer, and by encouraging exposure on radio, TV other media, chart positioning has long been a subject of scrutiny and controversy. Chart compilation methodology and data sources vary, ranging from "buzz charts" (based on opinions of various experts and tastemakers), to charts that reflect empirical data such as retail sales. Therefore, a chart-topper may be anything from an "insiders' pick" to a runaway seller.
According to Joel Whitburn, Billboard introduced the Hot 100 on August 4, 1958. This was the first chart in the US to "fully integrate the hottest-selling and most-played pop singles." From 1958 until 1991, Billboard compiled the chart from playlists reported by radio stations, and surveys of retail sales outlets. Before 1958, several charts were published, including "Best Sellers in Stores", "Most Played by Jockeys", and "Most Played in Juke Boxes", and, in later collations of chart hits, the record's highest placing in any of those charts was usually reported. On November 30, 1991, Billboard introduced a new method of determining the Hot 100, "by a combination of actual radio airplay monitored electronically by Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems (BDS), additional playlists from small-market stations, and actual point-of-sale information provided by Nielsen SoundScan." Until 1998, any songs placed on the chart had to be physically available as a single.
Other terminology
There are several commonly used terms when referring to a music/entertainment chart or the performance of a release thereon.
The term new entry is commonly used to denote a title which is making its début in that chart. This is applied to all charts, for instance a track which is outside the Top 40 but which later climbs into that level of the chart is considered to be a 'new entry' to the Top 40 that week. In most official charts, tracks have to have been on sale for a period of time in order to enter the charts; however, in some retailers' charts, new releases are included in charts as 'new entries' without a sales history in order to make them more visible to purchasers. A real new entry is a title that makes its chart début, no matter how many positions officially the chart actually is. In the UK the official published chart is a Top 100 although a new entry can take place between positions 101-200. The Top 40 is only used for radio to shorten the play-lists.
The term re-entry is used if a track which has previously entered a chart falls out of that chart and then later re-appears in it. This may come about if a release is reissued or if there is a surge of interest in the track. Generally any repeat entry of a track into a chart is considered a re-entry, unless the later version of the track is a materially different recording or significantly repackaged (such as Michael Jackson's "Thriller 25"), where the release would normally be considered separate and thus a "new" entry.
The term climber is used to refer to a release which is going higher in the chart week-on-week. Because chart positions are generally relative to each other on a week-to-week basis, a release does not necessarily have to increase sales week-to-week to be a climber, as if releases ahead of it decline in sales sufficiently they may slip below it. By the same metric, not all week-to-week sales increases result in a climber, if other releases improve by a sufficient amount to keep it from climbing. The term highest climber is used to denote the release making the biggest leap upwards in the chart that week. There is generally not an equivalent phrase for tracks going down the chart; the term "faller" is occasionally used, but not as widely as 'climber'.
The terms top 10, top 20 and so forth are used to determine the relative success of a release. For instance, a track may be referred to as a 'top 10 hit' if it reaches a position between 1 and 10 on the singles chart, as a 'top 20 hit' if it reaches between positions 1 and 20, and so on. The most commonly known chart is the 'top 40' widely used by the media in various territories, though it is common for longer lists to be produced for or by the music industry. For example, in the UK, the Official Charts Company produces a top 200, although various media only publish shorter lists.
The term one-hit wonder is for an act that appears on the chart just once, although the term true one-hit wonder was the term given by Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums (and also the Billboard book Top Pop Singles) is an act that has one number one hit and nothing else on the chart ever. If an act appears in some other form, (for example) a solo act that appears with a band or with other acts then these are taken separately.


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And: Can Eve devices use the Nest Wifi as a Thread edge router?
A smart home without any limitations: discover how HomePod mini, Eve and Thread bring your smart home to the next level.
HomePod mini is Apple's new powerful smart speaker and most affordable home hub yet, with built-in Siri intelligence that provides quick and easy access to smart home accessories. That's not only great news for conveniently controlling your connected home, but also for reliability: HomePod mini adds mesh networking functionality to HomeKit, built on Thread. This cutting-edge technology was developed specifically for a responsive, robust, and secure smart home. A Bluetooth-equipped HomeKit accessory can now optionally offer Thread connectivity, making it even more powerful.
Many Eve accessories on sale today are equipped with the latest generation Eve Core chipsets, which can support Thread. Thread-enabled firmware updates will become available this month for current Eve Door & Window and European Eve Energy models. We expect to be able to offer free firmware updates for the current generation of Eve Aqua and Eve Thermo soon and we're working on bringing Thread technology to more Eve accessories going forward.
Discover here if your Eve accessory supports Thread
Bluetooth is required for HomeKit over Thread, so Bluetooth remains available and your accessories continue to work as they always have. Now, as soon as you add HomePod mini to your home, your Thread-enabled Eve accessories will also be able to communicate over Thread. This happens automatically without you needing to configure anything, and it brings some immediate benefits:
Thread is based on the universally deployed Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) standard, making it extremely robust. A Thread network does not rely on a central hub, such as a bridge, so there's no single point of failure. And Thread has the ability to self-heal – if one node (or accessory in your Thread network) becomes unavailable, the data packets will select an alternate route automatically and the network simply continues to work. And while Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networks tend to become somewhat unreliable and challenging to manage with a large number of accessories connected, a Thread network will scale up easily and actually become more robust with every new accessoy.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth coverage of your home can be extended by adding repeaters and additional dedicated hardware such as home hubs or Eve Extend to increase the range of HomeKit-enabled Bluetooth accessories. A Thread network expands pretty much automatically as you add more accessories. As an example, if your Eve Aqua is beyond the reach of your HomePod mini, an Eve Energy somewhere in the middle could connect the Eve Aqua to the Thread network. This is the power of Thread´s mesh networking: it is completely automatic, fully interoperable, and involves zero configuration.
Thread also paves the way for many future improvements. Among them: HomeKit-enabled accessories will be able to talk to each other over IPv6, thereby opening up a host of new applications especially for battery powered accessories. Thread has extremely low power consumption, so we're expecting to see a considerable increase in battery life over the next years. On top of all this, Thread – alongside Wi-Fi and Bluetooth – is a pillar of the upcoming Matter standard, which is another reason why you're future-proof with Eve.
HomePod mini is your key to enable your HomeKit accessories to communicate over Thread. Apart from that, you don't need anything else: no proprietary bridges or gateways, and no starter kits. With HomePod mini and Thread-equipped Eve accessories, enjoy the smart home of the future – today.
Enjoy a cozy home when you're there, and save energy when you're not – that's smart heating, courtesy of Eve Thermo. Now it's easier than ever to combine the sheer convenience of schedules with location-based heating. Read on to learn how to enjoy all these great benefits.
Whether you connect to your HomeKit accessories via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or Thread, your connected home is simply incomplete without a home hub – an Apple TV, HomePod or HomePod mini. Your home hub gives you both secure access to your accessories while you're on the go and enables you to set up automations.
Home is your most private space. The only place where you can do as you please, on your terms. However, if you live in a smart home, you will also produce loads of data that others will be only too keen to get their hands on. That's why we...


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Welcome to the Rich Natole Website
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Pittsburgh – On a frigid night in Station Square, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds defeat the Antigua Barracudas 2-0 at Highmark Stadium in front of a 1,515 audience. A goal by Mike Seth and Matt Dallman were all the home side would need to earn their second win of the season. With the win, the Riverhounds complete the month of May undefeated in USL PRO play, extending their streak to five games.
The game began with a slow pace during the first ten minutes of play; however the action was constant throughout the remainder of the match. The Riverhounds would find their first tally of the night in the 18th minute when Seth softly volleyed home from just inside the penalty area. Playing set-up man once again and increasing his league-leading total to six, Dallman delivered a crafty service for Seth jumping past his marker. Seth's redirection of the service looped over the Barracudas net-minder Molvin James and into the back of the net.
Three minutes later, Seth found Jhonny Arteaga behind the Barracuda defense. Striking the ball cleanly with his left foot, Arteaga's shot rifled past James, but his shot struck the upright and deflected back to Arteaga left of the goal. Trying to return the favor to Seth, Arteaga slid a ball back across the goalmouth, but James smothered the pass. On the ensuing distribution attempt from James to his defender, Seth was shown his second yellow card for a delay of game infraction, reducing the Riverhounds to ten men.
A flurry of chances for the Riverhounds just after the half-hour mark led to their second goal of the night. The possession began with Kevin Kerr playing a long ball from left-to-right for Dallman on the right touchline. Taking a touch inside and around his marker, Dallman lifted the ball over the second defender for Kerr running past. Cutting the ball back across the defense on his first touch, Kerr found Arteaga at the top of the penalty box. Continuing his run inside, Dallman overlapped Arteaga. A quality weighted pass by Arteaga allowed for Dallman to strike with his left foot from close distance. Dallman's shot skipped past James and into the right side netting for his first goal of the season.
The Barracudas would threaten just before the break, but Riverhounds goalkeeper Greg Blum was up for the challenge. A combination between Lawson Robinson and Eugine Kirwan at the edge of the Riverhounds penalty area led to a shot from Robinson. Closing the ball and cutting down the angle, Blum was in good position to make the save.
In the final minute of the first half, Kerr picked the pocket of Barracuda defender Karamja Mack at the edge of the defensive third. Kerr quickly played Arteaga in for a one-on-one against James. Arteaga collected the pass and attempted to chip James, but the net-minder's quick reaction turned the ball off frame and he was able to pick up the bouncing ball.
The Riverhounds would press for a third goal throughout the second half, but despite receiving multiple scoring opportunities their efforts were either thwarted by James or were just off target.
The Barracudas best scoring chance came in the 72nd minute on a switch of play. Tamorely Thomas played a ball from left-to-right for Kirwan all alone at the back post. Taking a preparation touch toward goal, Kirwan brought Blum off of his line. Closing down Kirwan's touch, Blum's reaction was on point and turned the shot off frame, seeing the big goalkeeper scurry to pounce on the bouncing ball.
The Barracuda were reduced to ten men in the 78th minute when Dallman was in on goal and brought down by George Dublin just outside the penalty area. The ensuing restart for the Riverhounds was blocked by the Barracuda wall and cleared from danger.
With their two goals on the night, the Riverhounds raised over $5,500 to benefit the American Red Cross and the victims of Moore, Oklahoma who were deeply affected by the tornado that destroyed their community. Shallenberger Construction, 84 Lumber, Highmark, and Century United each donated $500 per goal to the American Red Cross.
The Riverhounds remain at home next Saturday night when they welcome region rival, the Rochester Rhinos to Pittsburgh. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. kick off at Highmark Stadium. The Barracuda travel to Dayton to meet the Dayton Dutch Lions on Sunday. Their game will kick off at 6:30 p.m. at Beavercreek Stadium.


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Last updated May 2024
Maybe it's because you want to create something beautiful. Maybe it's because you want to hang out in an attractive, functional outdoor space. Maybe it's because you can't bear your neighbors' contemptuous stares. Maybe it's because you want to push your property value to the maximum. Whatever your reason, you might want landscaping help.
Depending on what you want done, and on how much of it you want to do yourself, you can turn to various types of service providers. Some landscaping companies offer a full range of services, from designing an entire outdoor environment (plants, grading, walls and walks, etc.) to supplying the materials and plants to doing the full installation work. But there are also landscape designers who do only the design (and may supervise the installation); garden centers that only supply plants and other materials and may do some plantings or spread mulch; and various companies, from irrigation system installers to masons, that can play a role.
The lines are not bright. Many companies offer more than one type of service, but not all of them. Here at Checkbook.org, you will find our quality ratings and/or customer reviews—and in some cases detailed price comparisons—on a range of the types of companies that might meet your needs. In this article, we focus primarily on landscapers that will design and install major projects, although most are happy to do more limited projects as well, or just the design or installation component.
Getting Ready
Before hiring anyone to design your landscape, think about your space and what you want to do with it. Your thoughts will continue to evolve—perhaps dramatically—when you talk with professionals, but it is helpful at least to think through your hopes and what may constrain them—
- How much money are you willing to spend? Setting a budget will drive many of your plans: A few thousand dollars could pay for redoing an existing garden with new plantings but not a complete renovation or hardscaping work.
- Do you want to accomplish a specific theme, such as English garden, modern design, or Zen-meditation garden?
- Do you want to rip up and replace everything or preserve and complement what's already there?
- Do you want to add hardscaping, such as a wall, path, or patio? A new fence, deck, or gazebo?
- Do you want to retain or create a large open space where kids or pets can roam?
- Do you want plantings that require little maintenance or are you willing to—or even looking forward to—playing an active role in keeping everything healthy and in check?
- Do you want hardy, water-thrifty plantings or are you willing to sacrifice some time (and money) to keep everything irrigated?
- Do you want a range of flowering varieties that will provide constant color?
- Do you want fruit or vegetables?
- Do you want new plantings that create privacy (or that screen a neighbor's poor choices)?
- Do you need to solve drainage problems?
- Do you expect problems with deer or other garden-gobbling critters?
Fortunately, you'll find there are landscaping solutions for almost every need and obstacle. If you need inspiration, you won't have to look far for help: There are seemingly endless numbers of websites, magazines, and books devoted to gardening and landscaping. You'll also probably get ideas by taking a long walk through your neighborhood.
Selecting Design Help
If you need professional planning advice, many landscaping companies have staff that can provide it. Most of these companies are willing, for a fee, to do the design with the agreement that you can then decide whether to have them or some other company (or yourself) do the installation. You can also hire an independent landscape designer or landscape architect. Many independent designers draw up plans and then supervise or do the work.
The field of landscape design has become increasingly professionalized: Professional designers typically have earned certificate, bachelor's, or master's degrees in the discipline. Many landscaping contractors don't employ degreed designers, but do have staff with many years of hands-on experience, extensive knowledge of plants and design, and artful eyes—who can do great design work.
Regardless of training and expertise, you'll get satisfactory design work only if you find someone whose tastes match yours and with whom you can easily communicate. One way to test your compatibility with prospective designers is simply to show them your property, review your objectives and ideas, and listen to their ideas. Keep an open mind: A good designer will offer suggestions that you have not considered.
Before selecting someone to do design work for you, look at designers' portfolios and at a few properties they have designed. Discuss the designer's choices with the designer so you get a better sense of how the designer thinks. And try to arrange to talk with the property owners about their experiences with the designer. Focus on examples of work similar to yours in style, project size, and costs.
Keep in mind that not all landscape designers or landscape installers have expertise in all areas. Want a stone wall or path? Be sure the companies you consider have extensive experience designing and building them. If you need regrading work or an irrigation system, look for companies with enough experience in these areas to make sure you—or your neighbor—don't wind up with a flood.
In addition to the feedback you get from companies' current and former customers, here at Checkbook.org you'll find reviews from local consumers of area landscape designers and of landscaping companies that employ designers.
To minimize potential headaches with a designer, get a written agreement in advance that details what the designer will do for you—if possible, it should refer to design drawings and documents you have seen from other projects. It should be clear that the design documents you receive will include a detailed drawing, or drawings, and notes with detailed descriptions of what is to be planted, how many will be planted, and where they will be planted. And the agreement should confirm that these documents will include details of all hardscape elements and detailed specifications of all materials and site-preparation work. The agreement should also indicate that you will have at least a few opportunities to review and help shape plans before the documents are finalized.
Your Role in the Planning
As the designer's work progresses, you will need to review the plan and give feedback. Revisit all questions discussed under "Getting Ready," above, to make sure you are happy with the result. Specific questions to answer in this review include—
- How will the plants recommended by the designer fit your tastes and needs? Plants should not only provide the look you want, but take into account soil type and acidity, drainage patterns, and sunlight exposure. It's a good idea to discuss suggested plantings with an independent source, such as a master gardener affiliated with an area cooperative extension service. In our article on garden centers, we list contact information for several area sources of expert gardening advice.
- How large will provided plants be? How big will they be when mature? How quickly will they grow to maturity? Discuss how your property will look both right away and years from now when your plants have grown. Without good planning, you could find yourself with an assortment of plants that do not complement each other in size, shape, or color. You might end up with shade where you want sun and with the view from, or of, your house unfortunately obscured.
- Keep in mind that "fast-growing" isn't always a desirable trait in landscaping. One trick used by some designers affiliated with full-service landscaping companies is to suggest and plant fast-growing varieties that require a lot of upkeep and trimming, hoping you'll hire them to do maintenance work.
- What will you have to do? If it sounds like too much maintenance for you to do or pay for, ask for revisions to make the future work more manageable. Find out whether care will require the use of pesticides, and decide whether you are willing to use pesticides that way.
Choosing and Dealing with the Installer
Once you have a plan, unless you want to do the work yourself, you will have to choose a company to carry out your plan and do the installation. You can choose the designer's company, if it also does installation, but you may save money and get better work elsewhere. If the designer does not work for an installation company, ask the designer for recommendations, just as you might ask a building architect to help you choose a contractor. And you might extend your agreement with your independent designer to supervise the installation work.
We find that many companies doing landscaping installations make a lot of their customers unhappy. In addition to the usual frustrations of dealing with lousy home-improvement companies—rude staff, delays and no-shows, communication breakdowns—we receive many complaints about even more serious matters. A relatively large percentage of landscaping customers complain about deposits stolen with no work done; overcharges; plantings that die quickly with companies unwilling to provide replacements; hardscaping that crumbles; destruction of property (landscapers apparently often destroy lawns); and sloppy work that makes customers wish they had their old landscaping back.
Here at Checkbook.org, you can get feedback on companies you might consider for this work. If you have used an independent designer, that might also be a source of suggestions. Ask any companies you consider to provide addresses of properties where they have done installations and go look at the work. In getting feedback from companies' customers, try to find out whether the company did what it promised and on time, and how the plants are holding up.
When you talk with companies, get answers to the following questions, and include those answers in the contract with the company you hire—
- If the company will be buying plants to install, where will it buy plants? There is tremendous variation in the quality of plants sold by area garden nurseries. Healthier plants not only are more likely to survive and look good, but also will require less effort from you to grow to their full potential. Cross-check companies' sources against our ratings of area garden centers. If a contractor buys from a source with low ratings, or from a source you've never heard of, ask if it is willing to commit contractually to buying from a supplier you trust.
- What tasks will you be expected to do, and how often? Conflicts between landscapers and their customers frequently occur when plants die sooner than expected. Often the landscaper blames the customer.
- What guarantees do you get? If you do your part, but plants die or fail to thrive, will the company replace them at no extra charge? How long are walls and other structures guaranteed to last? A solid, unambiguous guarantee is a sign of quality. Assume no promise is valid unless it's in writing.
- How quickly can work commence? Once work has begun, how long will it take to complete it?
- If heavy equipment is needed, how will the company minimize damage from it? How will equipment access the work area? Some companies use specialized rubber-tracked equipment that does little damage to lawns. Others try to undo damage they create by reseeding and resodding. Our view is that it's easier to avoid creating carnage than to correct it.
- If there are existing plantings you want to retain, how will the company make sure they remain undisturbed? To be safe, the contract should include a list or drawing indicating the placement and number of plants you want to keep. The more detail, the better: Not all workers know the difference between weeds and perennials. In addition to making a list, you might want to tie a ribbon around each plant you want to keep.
- Will the company take proper steps to identify and avoid underground utility lines? Before any digging, the proper authorities should locate and mark the location of all underground lines. If a company tells you this step is unnecessary, call 811 to confirm. Landscapers are notorious for ignoring this important safety practice.
- Will the landscaper use pesticides or herbicides? If so, what precautions are necessary to prevent them from harming your family, your pets, and wildlife? If pesticides are to be used, require the company to show you that it will use a certified applicator. Also ask the company to supply you with material safety data sheets for any chemicals it uses.
- How large a deposit is required? While it's reasonable for companies to require small down payments so they don't have to front all the costs of plantings and other materials, the power to delay payment until work is done as agreed provides great leverage. Many companies will allow you to pay all or a large part of the price after installation is complete.
- Will the company provide credit references? A good way to check the stability of companies is to ask suppliers if they pay their bills on time. Good credit also reduces the chances of an unpaid supplier placing a lien on your home.
- Who actually will do the work? Are the workers company employees? Day laborers? Will the same crew show up each day? Who will supervise workers, and will supervision be constant?
- Does the company have insurance coverage for liability and worker's compensation claims? If not, you could be liable for claims.
- Who is responsible for hauling away debris? Preferably, the contract should call for the landscaper to handle this task.
Don't Overpay
Once you have a detailed landscaping plan, you can use it to obtain price quotes from multiple installation companies. Get a fixed-price contract for all the work and materials the company will supply.
You'll find tremendous price variation from company to company for the same work; we find that some companies charge more than double what others do for the same tasks. Because we find buying plants one of the few businesses in which there appears to be a price-quality relationship, some of these price differences might be the result of quality differences of provided plants. But that landscaping companies acquire plants from different sources does not explain away all of the cost differences we see—some companies just charge high prices.
If you're looking for a landscaper to provide continuing maintenance services, make sure you understand what you'll be getting for the price—and what will cost extra. Disreputable landscapers commonly bill monthly fees for maintenance, and then charge extra for tasks like "spring cleanup," "fall cleanup," and so on. Make sure that any maintenance agreement specifies which tasks are to be done and how often. And because some landscapers tend to perform and bill for extra work without first getting customer approval, inform any company in writing that all work must be approved in advance.
As work progresses, make sure the company is holding up its end of the agreement, and do your part to keep the job running smoothly—
- Stay engaged. Once work begins, check in daily with the contractor for progress reports. If you have questions or complaints, bring them up as early on as possible.
- Check plants as they arrive and before they are planted for signs of trouble. For tips on spotting signs of poor plant quality, see our article on garden nurseries.
- Keep in mind that delays due to weather aren't the contractor's fault.
- Provide a bathroom for workers.
- If you do your part but plants don't thrive, immediately ask the company to inspect them and, if necessary, replace them.