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Take a trip to the coast
J.W. Anderson Reunites With Uniqlo For Spring/Summer 18
After the successful first collaboration of the autumn/winter 18 collection last year between Northern-Irish designer, J.W. Anderson and Japanese casual-wear manufacturer and retailer, Uniqlo. Both return with yet another collaboration this time for spring/summer 18; bringing us back to basics but with a beach-themed twist.
"In the second collection of the collaboration, I'm looking for this idea of British summer, the idea of being on Brighton beach. Something which is very lightweight, very airy, with a lot of linen and cotton, that has a 1950s subcultural movement [mixed] with a little bit of ease and something which is quintessential," Anderson said.
Inspired by the idea of a British summer – specifically beach escapades in Brighton during the 1950s, the collection features seersucker bomber jackets, striped cotton tees, denim bucket hats, linen totes printed with seagulls and collared button-down shirts suitable to wear in the spring/summer season.
Containing muted tones of blues, whites and greys, the colour palette of the collection captures the nautically themed nature of the collaboration – highlights of stripe prints as well as the J.W-anchor logo being notable throughout the newly released editorial.
Related Article: The Rise of Fashion Collaborations
The fit of the collection is loose and the fabrics used to create the clothing are lightweight, providing the functional and freeing aspect that the Japanese brand labels itself for. Baring in mind the ever-bipolar British weather, the practical aspect of the J.W Anderson capsule is further covered with technical fabrics such as wrinkle proof and water-resistant parkas making appearances.
"Uniqlo's mission with LifeWear is to create apparel that embodies simplicity, quality and longevity and is always stylish," said Yuki Katsuta, head of Uniqlo global research and design. "The new spring/summer collection represents an advance in fashioning attractive wardrobe basics."
With over 30 items also including lightweight outerwear and a variety of denim pieces both in men's, women's and unisex styles, the collaboration is due to drop online on 19th April and is available to purchase in selected Uniqlo stores on 20th April.


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I work with some great people at Evans Hunt and Village Brewery. I also get to play with an awful lot of seriously engaged cool people in this city. I consider myself to be a very very lucky man in so many ways. In this post I just want to show you three very simple gifts I was given while I was tucked away in the hospital.
At Evans Hunt I don't have an office, I love the freedom of it. Instead I have a couch. A very stylish retro couch that used to live in Dan's basement. I have a little glass table that rolls over in front of the couch and serves as my office table. It's a bit bigger than my computer and has room for my hot cups of water.
I am surrounded by smart, funny and protective people. They've let me sleep on the couch and protected me so I can sleep when I need. The last time I was out of the office sick they left me a blow-up-doll to keep my office warm and welcome me when I came back.
While I was in the hospital this past week Lisa and Sarah decided to show me that they were thinking of me and sent this picture from my office couch.
I responded with great laughter and then it began....more pictures of a double decker Lisa & Sarah sandwhich.
Then others got into the fun. I can imagine not every office is this fun, nor are the people as funny and genuine as these fine folks.
Then on the Wednesday Julia and Molly from Village were at an event for CAMP HOO-HA. A women's group created from the mind of Melanie McKay in which grown women assemble, learn stuff and earn badges. Kinda like girl guides but with booze.
On this evening Julia and Molly were educating the women on all the nuances of beer. At one point this video was made and sent to me. I was beyond thrilled. It's moments like this that remind you that all the good you put out comes back to you two-fold.
And on Thursday I was supposed to be speaking at an event being run by Jay Baydala of Good Pin called #SOGO (Social Good). But alas I was tied to an IV bag and a bed in the middle of a beige room. No social good was being given by me. Fortunately my pal Avnish picked up the slack and took my speaking engagement...but that didn't stop them from sharing the love of the evening and sending me this lovely note - Jim you're the Zeitgeist.
Remember when I said Cancer was a gift. Well, these are yet a few of the examples of those gifts.
As Tracey always says, people are my soul food, and while I would rather not have spent 6 days in a hospital, it's these kind gestures that make it that make it an easier to manage.
Thanks everyone. You are indeed my soul food.

subset: commoncrawl


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Friday, July 9, 2010
New videos from Martin Stenmarck, Basic Element and Hur Högt?
Last days we've got 3 videos from different artists of different genres which I'd like to present you.
Martin Stenmarck has shot video for his last cover-single "Everybody's Changing", very pleasant video with Martin wandering around empty amusement park and playing sad clown.
Another video is for the last Basic Element's "Got U Screaming" and it's actually cut of band's performances in Sweden, Poland and Russia, not bad, sometimes it's interesting to get such videos to see what artists are about in their live performances.
Third video is from new rap-project Hur Högt? (How high?) containing Näääk, Nimo, Adiam Dymott and Thomas Rusiak, guys are planning their debut album later this year and right now we're getting this nice video of band relaxing at picnic and eating crayfish till giant crayfish monsters coming out from the water with revenge to Hur Högt? and all the rest of humanity.
- Ярлыки: Adiam Dymott, Basic Element, Everybody's changing, Got U Screaming, Hur Högt?, Martin Stenmarck, Näääk, Nimo, Thomas Rusiak
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Mike Janko
Mike joined Janko Group in 2017 as a Director. In this role, he supports development and financial activities across the portfolio and oversees special strategic projects within both Janko Group and its affiliate, Janko Hospitality.
Previously, Mike was with McKinsey & Company – a global strategic management consulting firm – as an Associate for two years post MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Prior to business school, Mike held the positions of Debt Portfolio Manager and Investment Analyst at Janko Group. In those roles, he governed $200 million of new and existing debt capital and analyzed nearly $300 million of investment opportunities, respectively. Earlier, Mike performed the roles of Asset Manager and Property Accountant.
Mike is a graduate of Duke University and hold a BA with honors in Economics and Art History. A resident of Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, he enjoys creating visual art, swimming, downhill skiing, and exploring new countries (having visited 42 to date).


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On November 24, find the Show Love, #ShopSmall heart at any of the 19 participating sites, snap a photo and post it on the Chamber's Facebook page that day for a chance to win $50 in Valley Doe (our local "currency"). Post a photo from each business to earn more chances to win. Maximum 19 entries per person.
Not on Facebook? Show your "Heart Hunt" pics to the Chamber Coordinator at Jessie Street Java between 11am-2pm!
Participating "Heart Hunt" businesses include:
Becker Tree Farm • 9a-5p (with Stumpy's Concessions Pizza)
Burdey's Café • 7a-3p
CountryView Crafts & Gifts • 10a-3p
Grace Place • 9a-1p
Hammell Equipment • 8a-4p
Jessie Street Java • 8a-4p
Loken's Rushford Inn • 10a-2p (featuring several local vendors at the Inn!)
Metz Hart-land Creamery • 10a-2p
Motor Parts & Equipment • 8a-12p
Norsland Lefse • 7a-2p
Pam's Off Sale Liquor • 10a-10p
Root River Floral • 9a-4p
Rushford Foods • 7a-9p
Rushford Hardware • 8a-5p
Shipwreckt Books • 10p-4p
The Shop Salon • 8a-12p
Sterling Drug Store • 9a-12p
Stumpy's Restaurant & Bar • 6a-9p
Turned Write in Peterson • 9a-5p


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Tuesday, October 23
Remember to not go to failure on your ring dips. Going to failure fatigues the muscle too much and you can't continue to train effectively. Also, on the hollow rocks, don't keep going once you can't hold position. The hollow body is a very specific position and continuing to count reps without the hollow body completely defeats the purpose. Take a short break and then hollow out and go again. Keep yourself honest and have good reps. Watch this video on the hollow body. Remember, we brace our midsection on nearly every movement we perform. Training this hollow position will help you with everything else. Don't cheat yourself!
Workout for Tuesday, October 23 Warmup Run 400/200 Jump Rope Singles 30 Pass Throughs 20 Pushups 30 Glute Bridges
Ring Dips 5 Sets 70% max reps
WOD 4 Rounds for time 20 Hollow Rocks 15 Kettlebell Swings 10 m Handstand Walk
Mobility Hamstrings - Roll and Stretch


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The second part of the Mystec FM files follows on from Wilba's outstanding Rubadub Radio/Club 69 tape. This is a different beast in terms of style but some of the tunes are familiar from both. What can you say? A Glasgow classic is a Glasgow classic.
This tape dates from the beginning of March, 1997, and features Goodhand on the decks with added nonsense and shout outs courtesy of Nick. Once again, it's a totally brilliant choice of tunes by the Mystec resident, running between classic house, techno, electro and more IDMy pieces, and gives another excellent example of what you could expect from the club.
This one was recorded on a C-120, rather than the usual 90 minute tapes, so it should be nearly the whole show (when you add in the B side). As usual, it's presented as is, with no fancy editing going on. Not that it really needs any as the tape quality is suprisingly good.
As an interesting aside, this was taped on the evening Sub City and Radio One were doing some sort of weird student radio crossover thing. The upshot of this was that Mystec FM than night was announced by none other than the legendary John Peel with the words 'and next up is Mystec FM….whatever that is…' Alas, I missed hitting the record button in time, so that little nugget of music history is lost to posterity. It doesn't matter, it's still a great hour of tunage.
I've finally given Soundcloud some hard cash so I've got a shiny new Unlimited Pro account for the next few months. The immediate benefit is that downloads are re-enabled for the first part of the '69 DJs' tape. I've also put Mystec FM Vol 1 Side A back up. I had to take this down due to lack of space on the free account, but it's been restored now. DJ Oral on the decks. More quality from the distant past.
Anyway, here's the music.Expect the second part soon(ish) Enjoy.


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I see this truck and treeevery day.
The truck I've noticed, because...well...if I have to explain, you wouldn't understand. But naturally, I want it.
This particular morning, though, with thick fog draping the world in damp, sweet bokeh, that tree all heavy with petals, I drove by and then turned around, because I knew I would never see it again.
Not like this.
The world rearranges itself in a different order every day, and we seldom even see it. A different set of features, a different offering of sensations, to which we become both immune and blind.
The true curse of time is becoming well and truly inoculated to life.
Thinking of this, I understood again how things that are familiar are actually always precious and rare, it's just that we forget. Some kind of universal Alzheimers which seizes us, this taking for granted.
If there isn't a cure, then there is at least a thing to hold the loss at bay and it's called; turn around and look.
Except we usually can't take the time. Most of us already owe more time than we can afford to give.
But I've had my fair share of loss, for my age. Not as much as some, more than others. But enough to have learned a lesson or two from it. Enough to already know the song that plays every time my blood pushes through my veins.
a drum beat singing; I-am mor-tal. I-am mor-tal. Maybe the blessing of thatcadence is that I frequently am reminded not to owe my time lightly, not to indebt myself so I never have a chance to turn around and look.
That thought strikes me especially hard when the things you see every day are momentarily strange.
Like when; Your beloved's face falls into an unfamiliar light and for a fraction of a second, you wonder who that stranger is. That stranger with the deep pathways of time's march beaten like a trail on their face. For a moment you stare, before blinking hard and willfully suspending belief again.
So on the heels of that line of thinking, I spent a frivolous morning just...looking. These photos are what I collected.


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Nufer Marketing Research has used the van Westendorp model for a number of clients across a range of industries to give them pricing counsel.
The van Westendorp Price Sensitivity Analysis (PSA) determines a range of acceptable prices and an optimal price point based on an analysis of price/value ratings obtained from consumers. Key data analyzed is from responses to questions about what prices for a product or service are considered too high or too low. Plotting this information onto Price Maps shows high/low price thresholds as well as the price point considered optimal.
The PSA model is often used during the new product development phase to aid in setting price. Whether a client is contemplating an aggressive entry price strategy or a premium skimming approach to price, the van Westendorp PSA can help determine which strategy is best. Established brands will use the PSA model to guide pricing for re-positioning or other pricing decisions, often as input to a test market. There are other tools we use (Discrete Choice is one); the correct method depends on your business issues, let's discuss.
Respondents are asked 4 questions:
Q1: At what price would you consider the product/service to be priced so low that you feel that the quality can't be very good?
Q2: At what price would you consider this product/service to be a bargain—a great buy for the money?
Q3: At what price would you say this product/service is starting to get expensive—it's not out of the question, but you'd have to give some thought to buying it?
Q4: At what price would you consider the product/service to be so expensive that you would not consider buying it?
Note: Responses can be either open-ended or obtained with price points shown. If a scale is provided, care must be taken to ensure that a broad enough range is represented to capture both ends of the price spectrum.
Responses to each question are plotted on Price Maps. It is the intersection of key data points that yields insight about the Optimal Price Point (OPP) as well as the Range of Acceptable Prices. In the example below, the Optimal Price Point is shown to be about $1.70, as indicated by the intersection of the lines for Q1 Too Cheap—Poor Quality and Q4 Too Expensive.
Price Map—Optimal Price Point (OPP)
Other Price Maps are produced to provide the Acceptable Price Range. Plots of Questions 2 and 3 are inverted* and overlaid with plots of Questions 1 and 4 to define the upper and lower bounds of an Acceptable Price Range. The point at which Q1 (Too Cheap—Poor Quality) intersects with the inverted* Q2 (A Bargain) shows the lower price threshold, the Point of Marginal Cheapness (PMC). This shows the point at which more sales volume would be lost because quality perceptions would become an issue than would be gained because the product would be considered a bargain. In a recent new product test that Nufer Marketing Research conducted for a client, a van Westendorp analysis showed that the entry price point being considered for the introduction was too low, as it was outside the acceptable range. This suggested that the entry price was too aggressive and may have led to consumers questioning the quality of the product.
The upper boundary of the price range is shown by the plotting of Q4 (Too Expensive) and the inverted* Q3 (Starting to Get Expensive). The point at which these two lines cross is the Point of Marginal Expensiveness (PME) and shows the price beyond which cost becomes a serious concern to consumers and the value perceived in the product is not worth the cost. In a PSA analysis for an existing brand, Nufer Marketing Research found that the commodity cost driven price increase a client was exploring was within 1% of the PME upper price threshold, and since the brand was the market leader, it was recommended that the price increase be taken, since it was anticipated that competitive brands would follow.
* The plots are inverted by plotting them in reverse order to reveal the % of respondents who consider the product to not "be a bargain" (Q2) or to not be "starting to get expensive" (Q3).
Price Map–Acceptable Price Range is $0.96 – $2.50
We have found that the van Westendorp PSA has been a real aid to helping our clients make pricing decisions. New and established businesses have benefited from the guidance provided. The relative simplicity of the model means that the cost and timing to get these answers is not daunting. The information provided here is a synopsis of what this technique delivers; we would be glad to discuss it in more depth with you. There are other tools we use (Discrete Choice is one); the correct method depends on your business issues, let's discuss.


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Our boys have produced superb results in the 2018 National Senior Certificate of the Independent Ex...
Over the course of the past 60 years St Benedict's College has produced some outstanding matric results. This year has been no different. The matric group of 2018 as well as our staff can be extremely pleased with the fruits of their labour. Our boys have produced superb results in the 2018 National Senior Certificate of the Independent Examinations Board. We, as a school, are delighted with the boys' performance and are proud of their achievements.
One hundred and twenty six boys sat the NSC examination. A summary of the results below demonstrate the calibre of teaching and learning that takes place at St Benedict's College:
We are blessed to have the grace of God in our lives and we thank him for the immense abilities that He has bestowed on our boys. On behalf of the management team we congratulate our boys, their teachers and parents on our superb results. Attainment of this calibre is the result of a collaborative effort and we all can be proud of our boys' accomplishments. All 126 candidates are able to continue with tertiary studies. This is largely due to the efforts of our dedicated, professional and highly trained staff; the loving support of our parents and our belief in a holistic education.
We take this opportunity to wish the Class of 2018 the very best in their future endeavours.
For a detailed overview of our results, please click here.


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On Sunday 12th March, the King's Chamber Choir performed in a concert with the Hale Light Orchestra in Padgate Methodist Church.
We gave a performance of a variety of musical styles featuring music from stage, screen, pop, gospel and traditional choir music. They performed and sang beautifully. The choir enjoyed hearing and watching the live orchestra play their pieces which consisted of opera, folk arrangements and TV themes to name but a few.
This was the first public performance given by the chamber choir and it will certainly not be their last. Many of the singers will soon be singing in Belgium on our first music tour. The chamber choir is an auditioned choir for a small group of voices where we sing challenging repertoire.


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REVIEW:- Paul TORDAY - "The Irresistible Inheritance of Wilberforce - a novel in four vintages"
Year Published: - 2008
Where the book was from:- My copy - ex-library
Pages: - 308pp
Genre: - General Fiction, psychology, autism
Location:- London / Yorkshire
How I came across it: - Serendipity
Rating: - ***** *****
One sentence summary:- A cleverly crafted look at a man who sells his computer software company to buy a wine cellar and what happens next (only it's actually what happened before).
Describe the plot without giving anything away:- The book is in four parts 2006, 2004, 2003 and 2002 and cleverly takes one back from the outcome to its origins. The outcome is the 'inheritance' of a wine cellar and the consumption of too much of it by Wilberforce, a man generally acknowledged as being strange but remarkably talented in creating computer software. The history of how it all came about gradually unfolds and the novel becomes more and more poignant as it goes on.
General comments:- As the Daily Telegraph commented - "Remarkably, given the bleakness of both subject and hero, it is an incredibly good read." A must for any wine buff it takes one on a tour of red wines with the occasional white thrown in for good measure. From the first moment we are introduced to him we want to know more about Wilberforce and what makes him tick. At times an upsetting tale of alcoholism and at others a story of a sick and lonely man which wrenches at the heart-strings. A great read.
Thinking about sipping the wine made me look at the clock on the bedside table, and I saw it was eleven in the morning. By now on any normal day I would be at least halfway through my first bottle. That was another reason it was wrong to describe me as an alcoholic: an alcoholic wouldn't care whether his wine came form a box or a bottle.
When I say wine, I am speaking of red Bordeaux – or claret, as some of us who drink it still call it.
I know you don't believe in God but He believes in you.
I knew how to talk to people, but I had never got to the point of doing it for fun.... The possibility that people could spend time together with no other object in mind than enjoyment of one another's company was a new idea to me.
I used to wash and dry the foil cartons in which my takeaways came and keep them in neat piles, in case they could be of use some day. I rearranged the piles of cartons now and then. I found it soothing.
AUTHOR Notes:- Paul TORDAY was born in 1946 and read English at Oxford. He spent 30 years working in engineering and industry before concentrating on his writing. His first novel Salmon Fishing in the Yemen was published in 2006 and was an instant success. He lives in Northumberland and has often visited the Middle East.
New words I came across – eidetic; encomium
2 hours ago


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Culture is a pattern of behavior shared by a society, or group of people. Many different things make up a society's culture. These things include food, language, clothing, tools, music, arts, customs, beliefs, and religion.
The term ethnicity may be used to describe the cultural background of a person. An ethnic group is made up of people who share the same ethnicity.


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Freshman Ryan Boatright has yet to take the court for the Huskies in their two exhibition games. The NCAA is reviewing his eligibility, and there is no timeframe on when the review will conclude. For now, though, Boatright has bigger issues. Namely: coach Jim Calhoun.
During Wednesday's practice, Calhoun was unhappy with something Boatright had done and the freshman made the grave error of talking back to the coach.
"Shut the (bleep) up!" Calhoun loudly exclaimed, according to the New Haven Register's David Borges.
And Boatright did just that.
"There are a couple of words you can say to them to let them know you don't want them speaking, and the conversation has come to an end and (they) just don't know it," Calhoun said after practice. "There are certain words you can use to say that are right to the point."
Calhoun went on to say that Boatright is frustrated wit his current situation, though it seldom surfaces on the court. In addition to the exhibition games, it now appears that the freshman will miss the Huskies' season opener against Columbia this Friday.
After practice, Boatright spoke to his coach about the state of his game.
"I'm not worried about your play," Calhoun said, via Borges. "I'm worried about you getting down."
"He's missed two exhibition games," Calhoun added. "It's difficult for him."
It also sounds like it's difficult for Calhoun, who is down to freshman walk-on Brendan Allen as Shabazz Napier's backup at point guard.
"The situation's somewhat simplistic," he said. "We're looking at case precedents … We'd love to have him back on Friday, but I have no idea (when) … He will return. When, I don't know."
He added that the NCAA has never "formally talked to" the UConn basketball program. "They didn't include us in any discussions."
ESPN's Andy Katz reported last week that the review concerned Boatright's time with his AAU team and benefits he may have received.
"One source said one of the issues being looked at by UConn and the NCAA was who purchased a plane ticket for Boatright during his AAU career."
Seems innocuous enough, but more than that: why does the NCAA need a week to sort this out?


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Wow. Community Action Center has done an ambitious remodel of the Food Shelf and Clothes Closet, and the place looks great.
The Clothes Closet reopened yesterday – new dressing rooms, easy-to-browse racks, sleek display shelves for housewares, and lots of new clothes to check out. Clothes Closet averages 25 to 30 shoppers a day . . . and most of the regulars have already stopped in. All the merchandise is donated; all Clothes Closet revenue helps fund Community Action Center programs. It's a great way to clean out a wardrobe (or fill in a wardrobe) and contribute to those in need.
The Food Shelf opens its new space on Thursday. The new layout has wider aisles for shopping carts, more efficient storage space, and a slick new prep area for washing and sorting fresh produce. It's a substantial set-up for a busy operation: the Food Shelf helps feed 1,400 people a month. It provides over 600,000 pounds of food a year for 500 Northfield families. Everyone gets fresh produce, baked goods, meat, milk and cheese – a nutritious mix. CAC's buying power goes a long way: What you'd get for $200 at the supermarket, CAC can get for $50 at the food bank.
A donation of $70 feeds a family of four for a week.
The renovation took two months, dozens of volunteers – including local contractors – and most of CAC's 14 staffers. The Food Shelf never shut down during the two-month renovation; staff and volunteers ran the operation in the hallways of the NCRC.
CAC didn't need a capital campaign to fund the project. Its base of local donations – including donations through Northfield Area United Way – covered the cost. Now THAT'S community action.
Congrats to Jim Blaha, the CAC staff, the many volunteers and donors who made it happen.


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Surrendering Yourself to Nature Will Bring Magical Results in Your Life
The go-to resource for planning your yoga retreats & holidays. Find all you need to know about destinations and take your practice to the next level.
Discover Yoga Retreats now
Oscar Wilde once said, "It seems to me that we all look at Nature too much, and live with her too little". This well-spoken statement is especially relevant in today's context when the world is bracing itself to enter into a more advanced era.
Due to the sudden onslaught of technological revolution, we have created levels of artificial barriers that are keeping us away from the bequests of nature.
If you try to get in sync with nature then only could you understand its true relationship with you. There is no better way to achieve this than to surrender yourself to the aegis of nature. It is an ultimate way of gaining spiritual strength; it affirms that you are no longer willing to live in pain and that you can eventually transcend your struggles and transform all the negative emotions.
Surrendering in its own sense usually means letting go of control over a person, power, ego, situation, or outcome and the tendency to control is rooted in fear. When it comes to connecting to nature and seeking its blessings, you need to experience it fully to feel its richness. If you are receptive to the vibrations of nature and allow things to happen, you will start believing in a friendly universe –one that gives you more than what you would expect at any moment.
The supreme effulgence of nature is so powerful that it will allow your individual will to get merged with the cosmic will. It's the choice that you ultimately make to trust that there is a greater plan for you, which will be unfolded in time.
How to Surrender to Nature
1. Take a pause and overcome your fears
Amidst the upheavals and turbulence of life – which don't seem to end ever – you need to take a pause and analyze your fears in order to overcome them. Just ask yourself what is it that bothers you most; what is it that if you can't fix, can make you go through even more suffering? What's the worst that can happen if you let go of the control? It's time to address all of your fears head-on because controlling is akin to limiting the true potential that nature bestows on you.
Overcoming fears open up a field of immense possibilities and options, especially the ones that are beyond the reach of usual circumstances.
2. Connect to the rhythms of nature
Nature also teaches us through its rhythms in the form of seasons, which are part of a relentless cycle of creation and destruction. Spring, for example, teaches us how life is created. The blooming of flowers and the warmth of spring sun are the subtle rhythms that can fill insurmountable energy in your life.
Summers and winters are the extremes that all of us have to go through no matter what. This surrender is the quiet acceptance that you are ready to follow the path of nature and learn underlying lessons that come in the way. This flow and unison allow your mind, body, heart, and soul to trust the power of nature that ultimately guides your life.
3. Have faith in higher power
When you pray and connect to the higher power, you awaken your soul and spirit. This world is a reflection of God's perfection and his fingerprints are everywhere. There are many ways to make this connection. Even in your daily chores just appreciate his gifts to you and your family.
For example, now that we're on the holiday season, a Christmas reunion is one such occasion when we remember the teachings and the humane path shown by Christ. Therefore, even a warm Christmas cookie exchange with family and friends could be an apt appreciation for God's blessings. Even if you are going through the worst time and hardship, the very notion of the guidance of the higher power will reflect in your perseverance and character.
4. Meditate
For centuries, meditation has been one of the most profound ways to surrender and to connect to nature. Its benefits are huge and can greatly enhance your physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual health.
Meditating in nature doesn't mean you retire to the forests and become an isolated monk. It is basically imbibing the amalgam of the five elements: air, water, fire, earth, and sky. Just listen to the sound of the wind, feel how birds are breaking the silence with their incessant chirping, and feel the air touching your face.
You need to feel the presence of nature around you.
How a Surrender to Nature Like this Can Help You
Nature restores mental energy: Many studies and research works have convincingly established the fact that retreating to nature has great mental and physical benefits. When you expose yourself to great outdoors, your mental energy bounces back. The feeling of awe that comes along being with nature gives you a big mental boost.
It greatly reduces stress: Some studies have established that spending time in the lap of nature lowers the levels of cortisol – a stress hormone. In view of this, many fitness experts recommend "forest therapy" if you ever feel tense and stressed.
Better vision: A team of Australian researchers in 2012 found that more time spent outdoors can reduce the risk of developing myopia. The study was conducted in 2,000 students, which provided a crucial insight as to how children and adolescents can be encouraged to understand how nature can help them.
Improved concentration: The exposure of mind to the wonders of nature and establishing a deep connection with their serenity can be extremely helpful for improving concentration. So, give yourself doses of nature and you will experience how strong the attention effect of nature is.
Sharper thinking and increased creativity: Some researchers have concluded that just a walk in nature can make your thinking sharper. Some students were given sequences of numbers to memorize and thereafter were allowed to spend time with nature. The researchers found that they were more accurate than those students who were given the same sequences but remained inside. In addition, the same former set of students developed more creative problem-solving skills than their counterparts.
To Wrap It Up
We all know nature can reset our minds and bodies, but how many of us know how to surrender and connect with nature? You take risks, discover new things, understand them in a unique way and relinquish your fears. The results are definitely unexpected and fulfilling.
Want to spend some time in nature well away from the hustle and bustle of the city? Try a yoga retreat and find your inner peace helped by yoga and nature!


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01 Jul 5 Important Laws Every Nigerian Should know about
5 Important Laws in Nigeria
There are hundreds of laws in Nigeria, and it is almost impossible for the average Nigerian to keep up with all of them and know what every single one says about your rights and duties, so we decided to do the hard work for you! We have therefore created a list of some of the important laws Nigerians should know about.
1. The Constitution
This is the most important law in the country, it is the law from which all the other laws in Nigeria gain their validity. Therefore, this is one of the laws which you need to be aware of. The importance of this law is probably the reason why you hear people use the expression 'that is unconstitutional' so much, because if something is unconstitutional, it cannot stand. The constitution also contains all the fundamental human rights of Nigerian citizens. If you want to know more about the Constitution, you can read our article here – 14 Things you should know about the Nigerian Constitution.
2. The Criminal Code/Penal Code
These laws are the where most (not all) of the criminal laws are, it contains provisions on what actions constitute a crime, and what the penalties are for committing the crimes. It contains crimes like murder, rape, armed robbery, fraud, witchcraft (yes, witchcraft is a crime in Nigeria) and much more. Some crimes have their own specific laws because of the importance or technical nature of those crimes e.g. money laundering is specifically criminalised under the Money Laundering Act. However, most of the laws are in either the Criminal Code or the Penal Code. The reason why there are two different laws is because the Criminal Code is for most of the States in Southern Nigeria, and the Penal Code is for most of the States in Northern Nigeria. There are certain key differences in the law which reflect the cultural differences between the Northern and Southern Nigeria
3. The Electoral Act
We have included this law because it is the law which regulates how elections are conducted in Nigeria. The law does not deal with the eligibility for office and terms of office of political office holders (that is contained in the Constitution) however it does contain all the other elements of the electoral process in Nigeria for example it deals with establishment of a National Voters register, and procedure for voters registration, directions on conducting political rallies and election campaigns, the establishment, staffing, and management of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), INEC is the organisation that conducts the elections in Nigeria.
4. The Labour Act
The Labour act is the primary legislation in Nigeria which deals with the relationship between an employer and its employees. It contains quite a number of provisions which govern this relationship, and also all the regulatory processes applicable for employers. Some important provisions in the Labour Act are provisions that employees must have a written contract and are entitled to payment of wages, provisions against forced labour, and issues like maternity leave. You can find out more about the Labour Act in our article- 9 Things Every Nigerian should know about the Labour Act
5. Land Use Act
The Land Use Act is the primary law in Nigeria that deals with the ownership and transfer of ownership in land. The law is quite unique in the sense that it is more 'important' than a regular law. Before this law can be amended or repealed there is a protracted process, in fact it can only be amended using the same procedure as would be followed in amending the Constitution. One of the important provisions in the Land Use Act is that all land is owned by the Government – that is why when you want to buy/sell land you need 'Governor's consent'.
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The article below, in Business World (27-Oct edition), provides
some "alleged insight" into the working of the nation. Makes one
wonder what is it that both attracts and repels people from investing
in that country. Their policies are flaky, laws overlook overtures by
local companies, ... Yet, they are _the_ upcoming giants.
Obviously, they are a huge market, provide very good infrastructure,
cheap labor, ...
Someone care to throw more light / insight ? Anyone whoz involved
in dealing with China and can speak about the rationale or whoz
studying it ?
The Country, the People, & Doing Business:
"How can an Indian firm considering an investment in China sort
through the myths and realities of the enigmatic country? While
there is no secret formula for success, there is a list of dos
and don'ts. BW leads you into the Middle Kingdom and shows what
it takes to be successful behind the bamboo curtain."


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Dante Fowler, the former number three overall pick in 2015, missed his entire rookie season due to a knee injury suffered on the first day of rookie mini camp. He has spent over a year getting back to full speed and learning the nuances of the Jaguars defensive scheme. Fowler is now fully healthy and will be the Jaguars starting edge rusher, aka LEO, in 2016.
Obviously Fowler has not proven a thing on the field in the NFL, but he has shown many signs over the past year plus in Jacksonville that have the organization and fans believing that he will be an impact player right away. In college at the University of Florida, Fowler was a force to be reckoned with, recording 15 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks in his final season in Gainesville and was clearly the most impactful player on a defense that was loaded with NFL talent. Known for his incredibly quick burst off the edge and an impressive array of pass rush moves, he should impact the Jaguars pass rush from day one. That skill combined with his tireless work ethic and enthusiasm for the game will serve him well moving forward.
So what is a realistic expectation for Fowler in what is essentially his rookie year? I would expect Fowler to record anywhere from 7-11 sacks, while forcing pressure fairly consistently. The most important down for any pass rusher, and any defense for that matter, is third down and that will be Fowler's true test. If he, along with several other defensive additions, are able to have an impact on third down then the Jaguars defense and team as a whole could see a huge jump in success following a season where the defense was abysmal in similar situations.
There are a lot of "ifs" for the Jaguars in 2016, but there is more than enough reason to believe that many of them will come to fruition for the Jaguars soon. If Fowler stays healthy then the Jaguars pass rush and defense as a whole will be much improved this season.


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Restaurant News & Reviews
Which events should you plan to attend during Bellingham Beer Week?
Bellingham Beer Week is April 2-28, and even if you don't imbibe in brews, you can still participate in a lot of fun events, including some that are open to all ages and some that are fundraisers. The celebration culminates with April Brews Day on April 29 (and a breakfast the next day at Boundary Bay Brewery).
Here are a few, listed in chronological order: For a complete schedule, go to taptrail.com.
Aslan and Boundary Bay's Beers & Gears
Aslan Brewing Co., Boundary Bay Brewery and Bayou on Bay encourage car-free transportation between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. to each location to raise awareness for energy efficient travel. Both breweries will be swapping their new beers – Aslan will be selling Boundary Bay's Cedar Dust IPA, while Boundary Bay will be selling Aslan's Captain Planet IPA and Bayou on Bay will be selling both.
Proceeds from Aslan and Boundary's drink sales will go to the Washington Trails Association and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, and from Bayou benefit The Hub Community Bike Shop.
Pick up a Beers & Gears stamp card at any of the three locations and acquire all three stamps from each establishment to qualify for the raffle, which will be held at Bayou on Bay at 7 p.m. Grand prize includes two VIP passes to April Brew's Day. No beer purchase is necessary, and stamps can be acquired in any order. Just make sure you're traveling car-free.
Railroad Earth Day Block Party
Join Bellingham Farmers Market, Sustainable Connections, Aslan Brewing Co., and Boundary Bay Brewery from 10 a.m. to 3 .m. at Depot Market Square, 1100 Railroad Ave. as they throw an Earth Day Block Party.
There will be Earth Day vendors and entertainers lining Railroad Avenue, a great event for everyone in the family. Enjoy live music in the street, free compost, training on how to recycle food scraps by making your own worm bin, cooking demos that showcase how to reduce leftovers, fun can competitions and so much more, as the market will be in full swing.
Growing Perennial Fruit in Small Spaces (With Beers)
Celebrate Earth Day with Cloud Mountain Farm Center and Boundary Bay Brewery in a workshop ($10 suggested donation) from 3:30-5 p.m. in Boundary Bay's beer garden.
Ever wish you could grow tree fruits and berries at home but don't think you have the time or space? Staff from Cloud Mountain will show easy strategies for designing and maintaining an edible perennial garden in urban spaces. They'll cover which fruits to grow and their needs and care and answer all of your gardening questions.
And on top of all that, you'll have access to Boundary Bay's full menu of brews on tap in the garden.
Cedar Dust Alley
Boundary Bay Brewery will turn the back alley into a mountain bike playground and festival from noon to 4 p.m. to raise funds for Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition. There'll be raffles and giveaways, including a brand new kids' giant mountain bike.
Music by Polecat starts at 2:30 p.m. and Galbraith Mountain Series Beers will be on tap. Chris Mellick teaches a mountain bike skills course, and staff from Jack's Bicycle Center will present bike demos.
Canadian Beer Writer Joe Wiebe
Join Canadian beer "Thirsty Writer" Joe Wiebe as he talks about his book, "Craft Beer Revolution: the Insiders Guide to BC Breweries" and The BC Ale Trail Project at 7 p.m. at Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen. Interspersed will be raffles in support of Max Higbee Center.
Join Skagit Valley Malting staff at 7 p.m. at Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen as they talk about their malting machine, process and products. They will discuss both culinary and brewing malts. Interspersed will be raffles in support of Max Higbee Center.
Members of the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra will present their monthly Symphony on Tap at the Kitchen at 7 p.m. at Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen. They'll talk about and playing classical music as a way of introducing it to those who have never considered it and to those who love it and want to know more about it.
April 27
Walk for a Paws and Paws for a Beer
Enjoy a scenic walk along Boulevard Trail with your pup (or cat!) and help support a great cause from 5-8 p.m. Proceeds from this event benefit Whatcom Humane Society.
Participants will gather at 5 p.m. at Boundary Bay Brewery, where humans will get to enjoy complimentary root beer and celebrate our dog-friendly beer garden. At 5:30 p.m., the group will walk along the trail to Fairhaven's Paws for a Beer. Upon arrival, pets will receive a Paws for a Beer swag bag, and humans can choose to enjoy beverages and a food truck.
At Paws for a Beer, proceeds from Boundary Bay's Cedar Dust IPA and Ski to Sea ESB will be donated to Whatcom Humane Society.
Additionally, folks can receive discounted membership to Paws for a Beer if they choose to sign up on April 27. Cost is $10.
April 28
Stones Throw Brewery Block Party: Kill the Keg, Plant a Tree
Stones Throw Brewery will shut down the Larrabee Avenue from 5-8:30 p.m. The street will be shut down for food trucks, live music, games, and an extended beer garden for a block party for the community and visitors to enjoy.
As always with Stones Throw Brewery block parties, admission to the block party is free and family-friendly. The first 100 people to purchase a beer at the competition also will receive a free potted tree sapling to take home and plant in honor of Earth Day on April 22.
Live music begins at 5 p.m. Friday night, and will go until 8:30 p.m., with Ron Hardesty and The Devilly Brothers the two acts set for the festivities.
Fairhaven Pizza, Back East BBQ and Cubano Cubano food trucks will be there, and the brewery will offer beer options from an assortment of Bellingham craft breweries on tap, with a trophy and bragging rights going to the Bellingham brewery whose keg blows empty first.
April 29
Beer + Yoga at Aslan Brewing Company
The morning begins with an hour-long yoga practice for all levels at 9:30 a.m. at Aslan Brewing Co., 1330 N. Forest St.
Immediately following the practice participants will move to the bar a pint of your favorite Aslan brew. $20 gets you the yoga; $25 gets you yoga and beer.
April Brews Day
Max Higbee Center hosts the 16th annual April Brews Day at Depot Market Square with more than 60 Pacific Northwest craft breweries bringing more than 120 different beers, including hoppy IPAs, crisp ciders, full-bodied stouts and gluten-free options.
For the first time, April Brews Day will be the culminating event of Bellingham Beer Week, a collaboration that highlights Bellingham's booming beer scene.
The event will showcase 10 local food trucks, games and live local funk music from Mr. Feelgood and the Firm Believers and Snug Harbor.
Tickets are available at maxhigbee.org. VIP tickets, $50, admit guests at 5:30 p.m., and include a collectible tasting cup and tasting tickets for beer and food; General admission, $25 advance, $30 door, gets you in at 6:30 p.m.
The event is a fundraiser for Max Higbee Center's community-based recreation programs for people with developmental disabilities. The center offers a wide variety of activities, including adaptive cooking classes, YMCA workouts, sports, art projects, dance classes, music events and trail hikes.
April 30
Brews Day Brunch
Come to Boundary Bay Brewery in the beer garden for a family-friendly brunch between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. $10 buys breakfast, coffee and live music. In addition to food and good company, there will be mimosas and beer available for purchase. All proceeds benefit Max Higbee Center.
Share what's happening at your drinking and dining establishment by contacting us at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Are these the best-dressed men in San Francisco?
The Neo Dandy Arts Collective is a group of five Bay Area men who convene once a month to share some of the finer pursuits in life. Among them: art, photography, music and, especially, dressing well.
The 2-year-old group includes a DJ, photographer, painter, illustrator and fashion designer; a few also work in fine menswear. Sometimes they'll do a photo shoot; other times it's organizing a men's styling event like a recent one at Banana Republic; and others, it's just hanging out for cigars and Scotch.
Although the group's mission wasn't to be ridiculously good-looking, their thing "just happened to be looking really fresh," says member Alan Maramag, a manager and style consultant at custom menswear service Beckett & Robb.
They're part of a subset of San Francisco men who are fighting back against the city's reputation for being underdressed. With everything from vintage ties and made-to-measure dress shirts to double-breasted wool blazers and custom wingtips, they're disrupting the sartorial status quo simply because they enjoy it, mixing patterns and influences that convey creativity rather than conformity.
In other words, they're boldly defying the Bay Area's casual tradition by dressing more traditionally. But it isn't an effort to fit in, explains creative consultant Gus Walbolt, who blogs about menswear though A Bit of Color.
"How do you do that without looking like an old fogey? You make it kind of cool," he says. "That's where the younger guys are having a lot of fun — they're more expressive with loud plaids and creative linings and contrasting buttonholes."
In local circles, "dressing up" often leads to standing out, so it takes a certain defiance to make an obvious effort when none is required.
"If you ignore context, you're not going to be well dressed, even if you wear a tuxedo to work," says From Squalor to Baller blogger Ian Anderson, who works at tech startup Massdrop. "You'll just look like a tool."
His solution? Pairing jeans or chinos with a tucked-in shirt, sweater and nice shoes. "I don't want to stand out," he says. "I'd rather just seem really put together."
Given the absence of a strict male dress code, men are approaching dapper dressing academically, as they would a vintage car restoration or the art of mixology. And they're using groups like Neo Dandy and online menswear community Styleforum.net to stay informed.
Anderson doesn't wear a tie to work, though he would like to. Instead, he looks for opportunities on weekends, in addition to attending Styleforum meetups. "Those meetups not only allow me to meet people who love it as much as I do, but I see new clothes, people and new vendors."
Styleforum managing partner Fok-Yan Leung calls it "the nerd method," in which guys approach clothes like a hobby, with meetups providing a venue for discussion, comparison and appreciation. The site's San Francisco members are its most active group, he says.
"Men have traditionally needed to justify this interest in clothing, like buying something that will last forever — never mind you bought that last pair of shoes a month ago," Leung says.
These men aren't the only ones who see opportunity in the vast space between the corporate suit-and-tie look and the proverbial hoodie and Crocs. Although dressing up in the land that birthed Casual Friday — and every day — requires more than a modicum of confidence, it's becoming more common. Bespoke tailoring is experiencing a bit of a rebirth, thanks to a handful of fashion-tech startups.
In October, custom suiting company Indochino opened its second American location in San Francisco, after New York. Director of merchandising Tom Kearnan wasn't worried about the area's cultishly casual reputation.
"We have decades of men working out of their basement, and they are finally leaving their man caves," he says. "Or they're the kids of these people, who don't want to be seen in their hoodies." Kearnan suggests that lads responsible for the casual reputation are being promoted and want to look the part. "Dressing up is a way they can get ahead of their competition."
"There really isn't a uniform anymore," says Mark Lovas, who last year launched Trumaker, a service that makes custom-fit dress shirts. "We call it the 'new professional.'"
"We use the term 'casually sharp,'" says Colin Hunter, CEO of made-to-measure suit company Alton Lane, which just opened its San Francisco showroom, the company's first in the West. "Ten years ago, if you wore a suit, it was because you had to. Now there's much more of a focus on dressing well because you want to."
Trumaker, which recently expanded from dress shirts into blazers ("the grown-up hoodie"), hosts group fittings at Yammer, Facebook and Twitter. Lovas regularly gets groups of up to 18 guys — most wearing T-shirts — getting fitted for a button-down.
"Guys want to look better and also be comfortable and be themselves," he says. "It's about fitting in less, and looking better more."
Recently Wingtip, where Neo Dandy's Michael Alzona is manager and bespoke adviser, hosted trunk shows with Foster & Sons (bespoke shoes), Saint Crispin's (custom hand-welted shoes) and Ambrosi Napoli (bespoke trousers).
Alzona considers the 10-year track record of Wingtip "an indication that guys are trying to step it up from North Face fleece and hoodies. The fact that these brands are making Wingtip San Francisco a stop on their worldwide tours shows that these men are succeeding."
Now the Neo Dandy Arts Collective hopes to mentor youth by using their style to get attention. Maramag describes plans for a youth conference that hosts workshops on style (layering, color coordinating, fit) and life skills (etiquette, financial responsibility).
"The clothing part is just the entryway," he says. "It can help people be more positively receptive to you, from getting a better job to meeting your soul mate."
Maghan McDowell is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: email@example.com Twitter: @MaghanMcD
Maghan McDowell is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: email@example.com Twitter: @MaghanMcD


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Jocelyn Morffi was one of the most popular educators at a Catholic school in Florida, students' parents said. She was terminated less than a week after her wedding, as Christina Caron describes in this article in the New York Times.
Firing an effective and popular teacher because she had the audacity to marry someone she loves; and threatening to retaliate against those who support her, adds to the appalling positions of a Pope who continues to support perverted pedophiles. This sick institution has zero moral authority to continue to preach Christianity.
Photo credit: YouTube


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|Open Wiki
|Open InfoG
|New Quote
"I have joined your revolution and I'm proud to be part of what you want to do." —Ron Paul
Strafford County NH Speech, Aug 18th
Our country's founders cherished liberty, not democracy.
A system of capitalism presumes sound money, not fiat money manipulated by a central bank. Capitalism cherishes voluntary contracts and interest rates that are determined by savings, not credit creation by a central bank.
"Freedom is not defined by safety. Freedom is defined by the ability of citizens to live without government interference. Government cannot create a world without risks, nor would we really wish to live in such a fictional place. Only a totalitarian society would even claim absolute safety as a worthy ideal, because it would require total state control over its citizens' lives. Liberty has meaning only if we still believe in it when terrible things happen and a false government security blanket beckons." ~Ron Paul, Security and Liberty 04/25/2007
"Capitalism should not be condemned, since we haven't had capitalism." ~Ron Paul
* The federal government has no right to treat all Americans as criminals by spying on their relationship with their doctors, employers, or bankers.
o Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology, May 18, 2000
* In the free society envisioned by the founders, schools are held accountable to parents, not federal bureaucrats.
o Statement on the Congressional Education Plan, May 23, 2001
* America was founded by men who understood that the threat of domestic tyranny is as great as any threat from abroad. If we want to be worthy of their legacy, we must resist the rush toward ever-increasing state control of our society. Otherwise, our own government will become a greater threat to our freedoms than any foreign terrorist.
o Freedom vs. Security: A False Choice, May 31, 2004
* Liberty once again must become more important to us than the desire for security and material comfort. Personal safety and economic prosperity can only come as the consequence of liberty. They cannot be provided by an authoritarian government… The foundation for a police state has been put in place, and it's urgent we mobilize resistance before it's too late… Central planning is intellectually bankrupt – and it has bankrupted our country and undermined our moral principles. Respect for individual liberty and dignity is the only answer to government force, force that serves the politically and economically powerful. Our planners and rulers are not geniuses, but rather demagogues and would-be dictators — always performing their tasks with a cover of humanitarian rhetoric… The collapse of the Soviet system came swiftly and dramatically, without a bloody conflict… It came as no surprise, however, to the devotees of freedom who have understood for decades that socialism was doomed to fail… And so too will the welfare/warfare state fail… A free society is based on the key principle that the government, the president, the Congress, the courts, and the bureaucrats are incapable of knowing what is best for each and every one of us… A government as a referee is proper, but a government that uses arbitrary force to direct every aspect of society threatens freedom… The time has come for a modern approach to achieving those values that all civilized societies seek. Only in a free society do individuals have the best chance to seek virtue, strive for excellence, improve their economic well-being, and achieve personal happiness… The worthy goals of civilization can only be achieved by freedom loving individuals. When government uses force, liberty is sacrificed and the goals are lost. It is freedom that is the source of all creative energy. If I am to be your president, these are the goals I would seek. I reject the notion that we need a president to run our lives, plan the economy, or police the world… It is much more important to protect individual liberty and privacy than to make government even more secretive and powerful.
o Video Address Announcing 2008 Presidential Exploratory Committee, February 19, 2007
* How can I run for office and say I want to be a weak president? We need a strong president, strong enough to resist the temptation of taking power the President shouldn't have.
o New Hampshire Liberty Forum, February 25, 2007
* Racism is simply an ugly form of collectivism, the mindset that views humans strictly as members of groups rather than individuals. Racists believe that all individuals who share superficial physical characteristics are alike: as collectivists, racists think only in terms of groups. By encouraging Americans to adopt a group mentality, the advocates of so-called "diversity" actually perpetuate racism. Their obsession with racial group identity is inherently racist. The true antidote to racism is liberty. Liberty means having a limited, constitutional government devoted to the protection of individual rights rather than group claims. Liberty means free-market capitalism, which rewards individual achievement and competence, not skin color, gender, or ethnicity.
o Government and Racism, April 16, 2007
* Freedom is not defined by safety. Freedom is defined by the ability of citizens to live without government interference. Government cannot create a world without risks, nor would we really wish to live in such a fictional place. Only a totalitarian society would even claim absolute safety as a worthy ideal, because it would require total state control over its citizens' lives. Liberty has meaning only if we still believe in it when terrible things happen and a false government security blanket beckons.
o Security and Liberty, April 23, 2007
* Because federal hate crime laws criminalize thoughts, they are incompatible with a free society.
o Unconstitutional Legislation Threatens Freedoms, May 7, 2007
* Certainly the Patriot Act would have never been passed, because it wasn't available to us… It was almost 400 pages long, and became available less than an hour before it was debated on the House floor… The congressmembers were intimidated, "if I do nothing, my people are gonna be mad, because they want us to do something". And the people are frightened. When they are frightened, they are much more willing to give us their liberties. But giving up their liberties won't make them safer, that's the real sad part of it.
o Interview by Laura Knoy on NHPR, June 5, 2007
* This essential principle of our Constitutional Republic is being ridden roughshod over by imperial Washington, which bullies local governments into accepting its illegal and unconstitutional policies.
o Interview by Joseph Murtagh, June 28, 2007
On wars and interventions
* The moral and constitutional obligations of our representatives in Washington are to protect our liberty, not coddle the world, precipitating no-win wars, while bringing bankruptcy and economic turmoil to our people.
o Freedom Under Siege, 1987
* The most important element of a free society, where individual rights are held in the highest esteem, is the rejection of the initiation of violence. All initiation of force is a violation of someone else's rights, whether initiated by an individual or the state, for the benefit of an individual or group of individuals, even if it's supposed to be for the benefit of another individual or group of individuals. Legitimate use of violence can only be that which is required in self-defense.
o Freedom Under Siege, 1987
* Ron Paul: …a few years back, in 1980s, in our efforts to bring peace and democracy to the world we assisted the freedom fighters of Afghanistan, and in our infinite wisdom we gave money, technology and training to Bin Laden, and now, this very year, we have declared that Bin Laden was responsible for the bombing in Africa. So what is our response, because we allow our President to pursue war too easily? What was the President's response? Some even say that it might have been for other reasons than for national security reasons. So he goes off and bombs Afghanistan, and he goes off and bombs Sudan, and now the record shows that very likely the pharmaceutical plant in Sudan was precisely that, a pharmaceutical plant… As my colleagues know, at the end of this bill I think we get a hint as to why we do not go to Rwanda for humanitarian reasons… I think it has something to do with money, and I think it has something to do with oil… they are asking to set up and check into the funds that Saddam Hussein owes to the west. Who is owed? They do not owe me any money. But I will bet my colleagues there is a lot of banks in New York who are owed a lot of money, and this is one of the goals…
Dana Rohrabacher: This resolution is exactly the right formula… Support democracy. Oppose tyranny. Oppose aggression and repression… We should strengthen the victims so they can defend themselves. These things are totally consistent with America's philosophy, and it is a pragmatic approach as well… Our support for the Mujahedin collapsed the Soviet Union. Yes, there was a price to pay, because after the Soviet Union collapsed, we walked away, and we did not support those elements in the Mujahedin who were somewhat in favor of the freedom and western values. With those people who oppose this effort of pro democracy foreign policy, a pro freedom foreign policy rather than isolation foreign policy, they would have had us stay out of that war in Afghanistan. They would never have had us confronting Soviet aggression in different parts of the world… Mr. Speaker, the gentleman does not think it is proper for us to offer those people who are struggling for freedoms in Iraq against their dictatorship a helping hand?
Ron Paul: Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I think it would be absolutely proper to do that, as long as it came out of the gentleman's wallet and we did not extract it from somebody in this country, a taxpayer at the point of a gun and say, look, bin Laden is a great guy. I want more of your money. That is what we did in the 1980s. That is what the Congress did. They went to the taxpayers, they put a gun to their head, and said, you pay up, because we think bin Laden is a freedom fighter.
Dana Rohrabacher: Well, if the gentleman will further yield, it was just not handled correctly.
Ron Paul: Mr. Speaker, again reclaiming my time, the policy is flawed. The policy is flawed.
o Debate on the IRAQ LIBERATION ACT OF 1998, October 5, 1998
* When one person can initiate war, by its definition, a republic no longer exists.
o War power authority should be returned to Congress, March. 9, 1999
* Demanding domestic security in times of war invites carelessness in preserving civil liberties and the right of privacy. Frequently the people are only too anxious for their freedoms to be sacrificed on the altar of authoritarianism thought to be necessary to remain safe and secure. Nothing would please the terrorists more than if we willingly give up some of our cherished liberties while defending ourselves from their threat.
o U.S. House of Representatives, September 12, 2001
* If we can't or won't define the enemy, the cost to fight such a war will be endless. How many American troops are we prepared to lose? How much money are we prepared to spend? How many innocent civilians, in our nation and others, are we willing to see killed? How many American civilians will we jeopardize? How much of our civil liberties are we prepared to give up? How much prosperity will we sacrifice? […] I support President Bush and voted for the authority and the money to carry out his responsibility to defend this country, but the degree of death and destruction and chances of escalation must be carefully taken into consideration.
o U.S. House of Representatives, September 25, 2001
* Rarely do we hear that Iraq has never committed any aggression against the United States. No one in the media questions our aggression against Iraq for the past 12 years by continuous bombing and imposed sanctions responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of children. […] Only tyrants can take a nation to war without the consent of the people. The planned war against Iraq without a Declaration of War is illegal. It is unwise because of many unforeseen consequences that are likely to result. It is immoral and unjust, because it has nothing to do with US security and because Iraq has not initiated aggression against us. We must understand that the American people become less secure when we risk a major conflict driven by commercial interests and not constitutionally authorized by Congress. Victory under these circumstances is always elusive, and unintended consequences are inevitable
o Before We Bomb Iraq, February 26, 2002
* Finally, there is a compelling moral argument against war in Iraq. Military force is justified only in self-defense; naked aggression is the province of dictators and rogue states. This is the danger of a new "preemptive first strike" doctrine. America is the most moral nation on earth, founded on moral principles, and we must apply moral principles when deciding to use military force.
o U.S. House of Representatives, September 4, 2002
* It is said we go about the world waging war to promote peace, and yet the price paid is rarely weighed against the failed efforts to make the world a better place. Justifying conscription to promote the cause of liberty is one of the most bizarre notions ever conceived by man! Forced servitude, with the risk of death and serious injury as a price to live free, makes no sense. What right does anyone have to sacrifice the lives of others for some cause of questionable value? Even if well motivated it can't justify using force on uninterested persons. It's said that the 18 year old owes it to his country. Hogwash! It just as easily could be argued that a 50 year-old chickenhawk, who promotes war and places the danger on innocent young people, owes a heck of a lot more to the country than the 18 year-old being denied his liberty for a cause that has no justification.
o Conscription - The Terrible Price of War, November 21, 2003
* Legal issues aside, the American people and government should never abide the use of torture by our military or intelligence agencies. A decent society never accepts or justifies torture. It dehumanizes both torturer and victim, yet seldom produces reliable intelligence. Torture by rogue American troops or agents puts all Americans at risk, especially our rank-and-file soldiers stationed in dozens of dangerous places around the globe. God forbid terrorists take American soldiers or travelers hostage and torture them as some kind of sick retaliation for Abu Gharib.
o Torture, War, and Presidential Powers, June 15, 2004
* Special interests and the demented philosophy of conquest have driven most wars throughout history. Rarely has the cause of liberty, as it was in our own revolution, been the driving force. In recent decades our policies have been driven by neo-conservative empire radicalism, profiteering in the military industrial complex, misplaced do-good internationalism, mercantilistic notions regarding the need to control natural resources, and blind loyalty to various governments in the Middle East.
o Statement on the Iraq War Resolution, February 14, 2007
* The tired assertion that America "supports democracy" in the Middle East is increasingly transparent. It was false 50 years ago, when we supported and funded the hated Shah of Iran to prevent nationalization of Iranian oil, and it's false today when we back an unelected military dictator in Pakistan - just to name two examples. If honest democratic elections were held throughout the Middle East tomorrow, many countries would elect religious fundamentalist leaders hostile to the United States. Cliché or not, the Arab Street really doesn't like America, so we should stop the charade about democracy and start pursuing a coherent foreign policy that serves America's long-term interests.
o Hypocrisy in the Middle East, February 26, 2007
* The constant refrain that bringing our troops home would demonstrate a lack of support for them must be one of the most amazing distortions ever foisted on the American public.
o The Upcoming Iraq War Funding Bill, March 20, 2007
* They use [the term Isolationist] all the time, and they do that to be very negative. There are a few people in the country who say, "Well, that's good. I sort of like that term." I don't particularly like the term because I do not think I am an isolationist at all. Because along with the advice of not getting involved in entangling alliances and into the internal affairs of other countries, the Founders said – and it's permissible under the Constitution – to be friends with people, trade with people, communicate with them, and get along with them – but stay out of the military alliances. The irony is they accuse us, who would like to be less interventionist and keep our troops at home, of being isolationist. Yet if you look at the results of the policy of the last six years, we find that we are more isolated than ever before. So I claim the policy of those who charge us with being isolationists is really diplomatic isolationism. They are not willing to talk to Syria. They are not willing to talk to Iran. They are not willing to trade with people that might have questionable people in charge. We have literally isolated ourselves. We have less friends and more enemies than ever before. So in a way, it's one of the unintended consequences of their charges. They are the true isolationists, I believe.
o Interview by Scott Horton, April 4, 2007
* Though many will criticize the president for mis-steps in Iraq and at home, it is with the complicity of Congress that we have become a nation of pre-emptive war, secret military tribunals, torture, rejection of habeas corpus, warrantless searches, undue government secrecy, extraordinary renditions, and uncontrolled spying on the American people. Fighting over there has nothing to do with preserving freedoms here at home. More likely the opposite is true.
o Getting Iraq War Funding Wrong Again, April 30, 2007
* At the night of the debate, when I as interrupted, the issue then was said to be that, what I've said, is that some way or another I'm blaming the victims. Which is preposterous. It's sort of like taking somebody who's been murdered or raped, and saying, well, let's find out who it was and what the motives were, which everybody does in crime, it's normal and natural, to say that he's blaming the rape victim, or the murder victim. It couldn't be further from the truth, and an individual like myself and the many many others who have taken this position, that we blame America, or Americans. I'm an American, you're all Americans, and to say that there's a blame placed on you for what that has happened, not these murderers who came in and killed us, is ridiculous. And the whole notion that our foreign policy has nothing to do with it, and Giuliani has never heard this, is unbelievable. It's sort of like saying, a country could be under attack for year after year after year, with sanctions, and hundreds of thousands of people dying, and, oh, they don't care, they haven't even thought about it.
o Press conference with Michael Scheuer at the National Press Club, May 24, 2007
* We, in the past, have always declared war in defense of our liberties or go to aid somebody. But now we have accepted the principle of preemptive war. We have rejected the just war theory of Christianity. And now, tonight, we hear that we're not even willing to remove from the table a preemptive nuclear strike against a country that has done no harm to us directly and is no threat to our national security. We have to come to our senses about this issue of war and preemption and go back to traditions and our Constitution and defend our liberties and defend our rights, but not to think that we can change the world by force of arms and to start wars.
o Republican Presidential Debate, Manchester, New Hampshire, June 5, 2007
* We have a lot of goodness in this country. And we should promote it, but never through the barrel of a gun. We should do it by setting good standards, motivating people and have them want to emulate us. But you can't enforce our goodness, like the neocons preach, with an armed force. It doesn't work.
o Republican Presidential Debate, Manchester, New Hampshire, June 5, 2007
* Most often, our messing around and meddling in the affairs of other countries have unintended consequences. Sometimes just over in those countries that we mess with. We might support one faction, and it doesn't work, and it's used against us. But there's the blowback effect, that the CIA talks about, that it comes back to haunt us later on. For instance, a good example of this is what happened in 1953 when our government overthrew the Mossadegh government and we installed the Shah, in Iran. And for 25 years we had an authoritarian friend over there, and the people hated him, they finally overthrew him, and they've resented us ever since. That had a lot to do with the taking of the hostages in 1979, and for us to ignore that is to ignore history… Also we've antagonized the Iranians by supporting Saddam Hussein, encouraging him to invade Iran. Why wouldn't they be angry at us? But the on again off again thing is what bothers me the most. First we're an ally with Osama bin Laden, then he's our archenemy. Our CIA set up the madrasah schools, and paid money, to train radical Islamists, in Saudi Arabia, to fight communism… But now they've turned on us… Muslims and Arabs have long memories, Americans, unfortunately, have very short memories, and they don't remember our foreign policy that may have antagonized… The founders were absolutely right: stay out of the internal affairs of foreign nations, mind our own business, bring our troops home, and have a strong defense. I think our defense is weaker now than ever.
o Interview by Laura Knoy on NHPR, June 5, 2007
* We go about the world, fighting to spread democracy and tell them how to live, but we really don't have a democratic system… The laws have been made to make it very difficult, because the Republicans and the Democrats aren't looking for the competition, they want to monopolize it. So in many ways, we are less democratic than some other systems, where they have multiple parties, and more people represented than they're able to be represented here.
o Interview by Laura Knoy on NHPR, June 5, 2007
* Laura Knoy: Now how does this noninterventionist philosophy play out when it's a humanitarian crisis like genocide in Darfur, Sudan?
Ron Paul: …it should be done voluntarily. I have no right – no moral right or constitutional right – to come with a gun and tax the people and say: "I will take money because I want to do good" … there's warring factions going on there, it's a civil war… You could've argued that in Somalia as well … And the American people are generous – there's no reason why we can't help feed the world, and we do. But there's no justification to use violence against our people to extract money to do good overseas.
o Interview by Laura Knoy on NHPR, June 5, 2007
* Clearly, language threatening to wipe a nation or a group of people off the map is to be condemned by all civilized people. And I do condemn any such language. But why does threatening Iran with a pre-emptive nuclear strike, as many here have done, not also deserve the same kind of condemnation? Does anyone believe that dropping nuclear weapons on Iran will not wipe a people off the map? When it is said that nothing, including a nuclear strike, is off the table on Iran, are those who say it not also threatening genocide? And we wonder why the rest of the world accuses us of behaving hypocritically, of telling the rest of the world "do as we say, not as we do."
o Statement on H Con Res 21, June 20, 2007
* We can achieve much more in peace than we can ever achieve in these needless, unconstitutional, undeclared wars.
o Republican debate in Des Moines, Iowa, August 5, 2007
On economics
* Good morning, Mr. Greenspan. I understand that you did not take my friendly advice last fall. I thought maybe you should look for other employment, but I see you have kept your job.
o Hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Financial Services, February 17, 2000
* Capitalism should not be condemned, since we haven't had capitalism. A system of capitalism presumes sound money, not fiat money manipulated by a central bank. Capitalism cherishes voluntary contracts and interest rates that are determined by savings, not credit creation by a central bank. It's not capitalism when the system is plagued with incomprehensible rules regarding mergers, acquisitions, and stock sales, along with wage controls, price controls, protectionism, corporate subsidies, international management of trade, complex and punishing corporate taxes, privileged government contracts to the military-industrial complex, and a foreign policy controlled by corporate interests and overseas investments. Add to this centralized federal mismanagement of farming, education, medicine, insurance, banking and welfare. This is not capitalism!
o Has Capitalism Failed?, July 9, 2002
* A paper monetary standard means there are no restraints on the printing press or on federal deficits. In 1971, M3 was $776 billion; today it stands at $8.9 trillion, an 1100% increase. Our national debt in 1971 was $408 billion; today it stands at $6.8 trillion, a 1600% increase. Since that time, our dollar has lost almost 80% of its purchasing power. Common sense tells us that this process is not sustainable and something has to give. So far, no one in Washington seems interested.
o Paper Money and Tyranny, September 5, 2003
* War is never economically beneficial except for those in position to profit from war expenditures.
o Conscription - The Terrible Price of War, November 21, 2003
* Mr. Speaker, I once again find myself compelled to vote against the annual budget resolution for a very simple reason: it makes government bigger. […] We need to understand that the more government spends, the more freedom is lost. Instead of simply debating spending levels, we ought to be debating whether the departments, agencies, and programs funded by the budget should exist at all. My Republican colleagues especially ought to know this. Unfortunately, however, the GOP has decided to abandon principle and pander to the entitlements crowd. But this approach will backfire, because Democrats will always offer to spend even more than Republicans. When Republicans offer to spend $500 billion on Medicare, Democrats will offer $600 billion. Why not? It's all funny money anyway, and it helps them get reelected. […] The increases in domestic, foreign, and military spending would not be needed if Congress stopped trying to build an empire abroad and a nanny state at home.
o Oppose the Spendthrift 2005 Federal Budget Resolution, March 25, 2004
* When the federal government spends more each year than it collects in tax revenues, it has three choices: It can raise taxes, print money, or borrow money. While these actions may benefit politicians, all three options are bad for average Americans. Deficits mean future tax increases, pure and simple. Deficit spending should be viewed as a tax on future generations, and politicians who create deficits should be exposed as tax hikers.
o Deficits Make You Poorer, March 15, 2005
* Neil Cavuto: Yeah but, you can't, Congressman, we've got a pretty good economy going here, right? We've got productivity soaring. We've got retail sales that are strong. We've got corporate earnings that for, what, the 19th quarter, are up double digit? We've got a market chasing highs, I mean, this isn't happening in a vacuum, right?
Ron Paul: Yeah, that's nice, but when you have to borrow, you know… My personal finances would be very good if I borrowed a million dollars every month. But, someday, the bills will become due. And the bills will come due in this country, and then we'll have to pay for it. We can't afford this war, and we can't afford the entitlement system.
Neil Cavuto: Look, Congressman, did you say this 10 years ago, when the numbers were similarly strong…
Ron Paul: Go back and check.
Neil Cavuto: …and we were still borrowing a good deal then.
Ron Paul: That's right, that means the dollar bubble is much bigger than ever.
Neil Cavuto: So what's gonna happen?
Ron Paul: We've had the NASDAQ bubble collapse already. We have the housing bubble in the middle of a collapse, so the dollar bubble will collapse as well. We have to live within our means. You can't print money out of the blue, and think you can print your money into prosperity.
o Your World with Neil Cavuto, FOX News, May 15, 2007
* The theory of the IRS is rather repugnant to me because the assumption is made that I, the government, owns 100% of your income and I permit you to keep 5%, 10% or 20%. You're vulnerable, you've sold out. The government can take 80% if they want, which they did at one time.
o Candidates@Google interview, July 13, 2007
On campaign finance
* Our federal government, which was intended to operate as a very limited constitutional republic, has instead become a virtually socialist leviathan that redistributes trillions of dollars. We can hardly be surprised when countless special interests fight for the money. The only true solution to the campaign money problem is a return to a proper constitutional government that does not control the economy. Big government and big campaign money go hand-in-hand.
o Why Is There So Much Money in Politics?, February 4, 2002
* The long-awaited "campaign finance reform" vote finally took place last week, with the House ultimately passing the measure. The debate was full of hypocritical high-minded talk about cleaning up corruption, all by the very politicians of both parties who dole out billions in corporate subsidies and welfare pork. It was quite a spectacle watching the big-spending, perennially-incumbent politicians argue that new laws were needed to protect them from themselves!
o Don't Believe the Hype- "Campaign Finance Reform" Serves Entrenched Interests, February 18, 2002 [45]
On healthcare
* It's time to rethink the whole system of HMOs and managed care. This entire unnecessary level of corporatism rakes off profits and worsens the quality of care. But HMOs did not arise in the free market; they are creatures of government interference in health care dating to the 1970s. These non-market institutions have gained control over medical care through collusion between organized medicine, politicians, and drug companies, in an effort to move America toward "free" universal health care.
o Diagnosing our Health Care Woes, September 25, 2006
* The American people have been offered two lousy choices. One, which is corporatism, a fascist type of approach, or, socialism. We deliver a lot of services in this country through the free market, and when you do it through the free market prices go down. But in medicine, prices go up. Technology doesn't help the cost, it goes up instead of down. But if you look at almost all of our industries that are much freer, technology lowers the prices. Just think of how the price of cell phones goes down. Poor people have cell phones, and televisions, and computers. Prices all go down. But in medicine, they go up, and there's a reason for that, that's because the government is involved with it… I do [think that prices will go down without government involvement], but probably a lot more than what you're thinking about, because you have to have competition in the delivery of care. For instance, if you have a sore throat and you have to come see me, you have to wait in the waiting room, and then get checked, and then get a prescription, and it ends up costing you $100. If you had true competition, you should be able to go to a nurse, who could for 1/10 the cost very rapidly do it, and let her give you a prescription for penicillin. See, the doctors and the medical profession have monopolized the system through licensing. And that's not an accident, because they like the idea that you have to go see the physician and pay this huge price. And patients can sort this out, they're not going to go to a nurse if they need brain surgery…
o Interview by Laura Knoy on NHPR, June 5, 2007
* Question: As a doctor, is it meaningful to you when somebody say that healthcare is a right, or that people have a right to good medical care?
Ron Paul: That's incorrect, because you don't have a right to the fruits of somebody elses labor. You don't have a right to a house, you don't have a right to a job, you don't have a right to medical care. You have a right to your life, you have your right to your liberty, you have a right to keep what your earn. And that's what produces prosperity. So you want equal justice. And this is not hard for me to argue, because if you really are compassionate and you care about people, the freer the society the more prosperous it is, and more likely that you are going to have medical care… When you turn it over to central economic planning, they're bound to make mistakes. The bureaucrats and the special interests and the Halliburtons are gonna make the money. Whether it's war, or Katrina, these noncompetitive contracts, the bureaucrats make a lot of money and you end up with inefficiency.
o All Things Considered, NPR, July 25, 2007
On abortion
* Those who seek a pro-life culture must accept that we will never persuade all 300 million Americans to agree with us. A pro-life culture can be built only from the ground up, person by person. For too long we have viewed the battle as purely political, but no political victory can change a degraded society. No Supreme Court ruling by itself can instill greater respect for life. And no Supreme Court justice can save our freedoms if we don't fight for them ourselves.
o Federalizing Social Policy, January 30, 2006
On immigration
* What is seldom discussed in the immigration debate, unfortunately, is the incentives the US government provides for people to enter the United States illegally. As we know well, when the government subsidizes something we get more of it. The government provides a myriad of federal welfare benefits to those who come to the US illegally, including food stamps and free medical care. Is this a way to discourage people from coming to the US illegally? […] Immigration reform should start with improving our border protection, yet it was reported last week that the federal government has approved the recruitment of 120 of our best trained Border Patrol agents to go to Iraq to train Iraqis how to better defend their borders! This comes at a time when the National Guard troops participating in Operation Jump Start are being removed from border protection duties in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas and preparing to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan! It is an outrage and it will result in our borders being more vulnerable to illegal entry, including by terrorists.
o Immigration 'Compromise' Sells Out Our Sovereignty, May 28, 2007
Reclaim the Revolution
"9/11 had nothing to do with Iraq. 15 of the 19 (hijackers) came from Saudi Arabia so their our bosom buddies and we're their best friends.
"It's time American soldiers quit being killed and it's time for us to quit killing a lot of other people who have not attacked us" - Ron Paul
"By the way, when I say cut taxes, I don't mean fiddle with the code. I mean abolish the income tax and the IRS, and replace them with nothing." -Ron Paul
"I don't want us to worry about the borders between North and South Korea and between Iraq and Syria, I want to worry about our own border.." - Ron Paul
"Prohibiting guns on campus made the Virginia Tech students less safe, not more." -Ron Paul
"I certainly would change this whole attitude about the obliteration of our borders and working toward a North American Union."
- Ron Paul
|Cough Up by Ron Paul
"For most people, their income tax return represents their most meaningful interaction with the federal government. It requires them to confess their actions over the past year to the IRS in excruciating detail. It's an annual ritual guaranteed to elicit strong feelings of disgust. Thanks to the deception of income tax withholding, however, some people actually look forward to tax time and a much-anticipated refund. Imagine how quickly Americans would demand lower taxes and spending if they had to write the federal government a check each month."
Tax Reform Is a Shell Game by Ron Paul
International Taxes? by Ron Paul
|Debt and Taxes by Ron Paul
"In addition, the Federal Reserve, our central bank, fosters runaway debt by increasing the money supply — making each dollar in your pocket worth less. The Fed is a private bank run by unelected officials who are not required to be open or accountable to "we the people."
|Ron Paul on Drugs
On The Issues
|Paul says merger plans must be derailed
"Right now, there's a much greater move on for the New World Order which incorporates the North American Union. I don't think our current leaders in either the Republican Party or the Democrat Party care about borders any more, and I would be emphatic"
A North American United Nations? by Ron Paul
CNN/Lou Dobbs reports on North American Union - featuring Ron Paul
Ron Paul Exposes New World Order & Bush Snr.
Dr. Ron Paul (more quotes by Dr. Ron Paul or books by/about Dr. Ron Paul)
(1935-) American physician, US Congressman (R-TX), US Presidential candidate


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2018 website trends for small businesses
The main constant since the invention of the world wide web has been change. So much so that it can be difficult to keep up with the latest technologies, strategies, and benefits of the web's evolution - especially for small business owners and managers. With that in mind, we've compiled a list of five 2018 website trends for small businesses.
1) An SEO strategy that targets your services and products
Most business owners with a website in 2018 have heard of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) but aren't sure how it can help their business. While the art and science of SEO are quite involved and ever-changing, we can explain a few actions that will help target your services and products.
Use keywords related to your business. You'll need to do research (or have someone do the research for you) to find a main keyword but it's important to have related ancillary keywords that support the central keyword. When you create your web copy and write blog posts that use these keywords, you signal your business focus to search engines and also that you are an expert in your field.
Make sure your keywords are mentioned in your website URLs - product pages, blog posts, tech support articles, etc. You're not looking to "stuff" the keywords but simply keep them in mind when crafting title pages and header text. These items are given weight by web crawlers and can help elevate your site on Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs).
Create content that addresses gaps in what the SERPs return. For instance, searching for "how to choose a digital agency" returns a lot of pages with "# of questions to ask" so you might write an article titled "Answers you should hear from your digital agency" and then share that to your audience.
2) Business listing management for local SEO
Local SEO has built a lot of traction in the past few years with local searches on mobile devices increasing 50% from the previous year. With so many companies competing in the marketplace to deliver local results (Google, Yelp, Apple, and Facebook to name just a few of hundreds), you'll want your business listed across all of those services. Having a listing service manage that process for you might feel like taking a risk, but there's a greater risk in not having your business appear in local results.
3) Active social media accounts
It's important to know which social media services are best for the needs of your business. Providing value is the key to selling on social media, but how and where to provide that value? Look at your business to find out!
Facebook appeals to friends and family for event reminders and has a good toolset for paid "boosting" of your content to potential customers.
Twitter is about being real. There is room for ad placement but it needs to be relevant and useful for your audience. Instead, it may be helpful to have company principals tweet out links to your content throughout the day, along with other relevant links and content for your customers.
Instagram is clearly a visual medium, so you'll want well-shot photos and video of your products. These services are very different, however, and appeal to a broad cross-section of social media users. If your business provides a service, you may want to use Instagram to highlight the company culture or highlight your services through short "explainer" videos. A restaurant or store could use custom Snapchat filters that visitors can swipe onto their self-shot content that will show your location.
4) An e-newsletter sign up Call to Action (CTA)
While social media and "inbound marketing" get all the press, e-mail works quietly in the background. According to this article from Constant Contact, not only are people twice as likely to hand over their e-mail address than engage with your page on Facebook, but e-mail returns $38 for every $1 spent. That's some serious ROI. Make sure your capture those e-mail addresses with multiple CTAs for your visitors to sign up throughout your website.
5) A blog for your business
If this seems like it's on the "trends" list every year, that's because there's no better way to establish authority and keep your website toward the top of search rankings than a regularly updated blog. Your blog is where most of your inbound marketing comes from, both in the form of search engines indexing the posts themselves and also when you share your new content on social media channels. Once you've established a regular blog, you can also share out older posts that are still relevant, leveraging that content without having to do more work. HubSpot claims that 70% of their blog traffic and 90% of their blog-generated leads come from posts published prior to the current month. So start writing and keep it up!
If you want to learn more about how these website trends can help your small business, contact us here at Bigfoot Web and we'll explain it all and help you put these into practice. Don't wait until 2019!


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