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Drill Examination
Product Examination
The purpose of gate 3 is to discuss the subsystem components by gathering as much information as is possible. The following sections and information will be gathered, discussed, and analyzed in this presentation.
Project Management: this portion will update the reader on how well the group is working together as a team. Any issues in this regard will be presented here.
Component Summary: This section will identify the various components within the produce. All manufacturing data will be recorded, and the actual manufacturing processes will be analyzed.
Product Analysis: The engineering design decisions behind seven subsystem components will be analyzed, and discussed.
Solid Modeled Assembly: A solid modeling program of choice will be used to make a three dimension model of four to five components.
Engineering Analysis: A key component or function will be chosen, and an explanation of how engineering analysis would have been used in the development and testing of the component will be discussed.
Design Revisions: Observations made in dissection the drill will not be put into application of how the drill can be improved. Three main revisions will be made based on performance, cost effectiveness, and GSEE factors.
Cause for Corrective Action
Our group has worked well together so far this semester. For this gate we decided that the most convenient method to tackle the project was to assign each group member one of the sections stated in the purpose statement. This allowed each member two and a half weeks to tackle their assignment, and discuss any issues with other members of the group. This being the case we have not had any issues with this approach. The deadline to hand the assigned portion of the project is two days before the gate is due. This allows enough time for the Wiki editor to create a professional presentation.
Component Summary
The following component summary table will summarize the components used in the drill, and also give a quick overview of the manufacturing used to produce them.
Product Analysis
- Component Function: The trigger is one of the most important components on this drill due to the fact that it is the component that the user interacts with most frequently. The function of this component is to allow the user to use the drill, and that being said, the trigger performs only this function in this drill.
- Component Form: The general shape of the component is roughly that of a rectangle. There are no truly notable properties of the trigger, and it is primarily a three dimensional component. The dimensions for the trigger are roughly (as seen looking at the side of the drill): Length: 3 cm, Width: 2 cm, and Height: 4 cm. The rather large, and generic shape of the component allows for moderate ergonomic comfort for a wide variety of users. The rough weight of the trigger is about 100 grams, and it is made out of plastic. Manufacturing the trigger from plastic was a good idea because the shape is not overly complicated, and an injection mold would not have been tremendously complicated to make for the trigger. Of the four GSEE factors that were used to design this trigger the economic factor would weigh most heavily. Making the trigger out of plastic (as opposed to metal or ceramic) keeps the material, and manufacturing cost of the component low. There is no aesthetic purpose to the component, it is simply there to perform the function of a trigger.
- Manufacturing Methods: The manufacturing method most likely used for this part is that of injection molding. There are ejector pins on the inside of the trigger body that would incline one to suspect this manufacturing method. Since the material is plastic this method would make the most sense given the geometry of the part.
- Component Function: The function that the battery performs Is to deliver power to the motor which allows the drill to perform its fastening function. This is the only function that the battery performs, and the flows associated with it are electrical energy flowing to the motor. The battery is attached to the bottom of the drill so the environment functions in are whatever environment the consumer chooses to use the drill.
- Component Form: The general shape of the batter is that of a rectangular cube. There are no notable properties about the battery, and it is primarily three dimensional. The dimensions of the battery are as follows: Length: 15 cm. Width: 7 cm. Height: 6 cm. The component roughly weighs 450 grams, and the material of choice for the battery is primarily plastic. The plastic body serves as a convenient material from a manufacturing and cost stand point (cheap, and easy to manufacture). The environmental factors that influenced this design is due to the fact that the plastic is a robust form. This allows the user to operate the drill in adverse conditions without having to worry about corrosion or destroying the battery because of dropping it on the ground etc. The color of the component is black, and the reason for this is that it nicely compliments the orange casing of the drill, and allows the consumer to see that it is a Black and Decker drill quickly.
- Manufacturing Methods: The most likely manufacturing method used was that of injection molding. This is evidenced by parting lines that show where the battery casing came together around the internal workings of the battery. The material choice is plastic , and since the geometry and dimensions are not overly complex the most cost efficient method is that of injection molding.
- Component Function: The function of the body casing is too contain, or attach all the components of the frill (motor, trigger, chuck, etc.). The casing has two primary functions: contain/attach all other components, and give a good ergonomical grip for the consumer, and as such there are no flows associated with the component.
- Component Form: The shape is roughly that of a pistol, and has no notable properties. It is also primarily three dimensional. The dimensions of the drill are: Length of base: 15 cm. Height (when stood up by it's base): 35 cm. Width: roughly 10 cm. The components shape is primarily ergonomical. It allows the user to comfortably grip the product, and use it for it's intended purpose. The component is rather light and weighs roughly 275 grams. The component is made from mainly plastic, but also has portions that are rubber for increased user comfort. Again, the easiest way to manufacture this component is through the use of injection molding. There is no specific material required for this component as there are drills that are also made from metal, however the plastic serves as a more economical material and keeps the manufacturing and thus the consumer cost down. The component is colored a mix of bright orange and black. This is simply to allow the component to quickly be identified as a Black and Decker drill.
- Manufacturing Methods: There are ejector pins and parting lines which give weight to the idea that indeed injection molding used to manufacture this component. The shape is rather complex, and therefore the best way to achieve the desired geometry was to utilize the injection molding process.
Slip gear
- Component Function: The main function of the slip gear is to engage one of two sets of gears that vary the speed of the drill. This is the only function of the drill. The component is a high temp environment as the gears are constantly spinning at relatively high rpms.
- Component Form: The shape of the component is circular with gear teeth on the inner, and outer portion of the ring, and it is primarily a three dimensional component. The shape must be circular as the design is that of a planetary gearing system where the ring moves between the two gears at the users discretion to adjust the speed of the drill. The outer diameter of the gear is 3.5 cm and the inner diameter is 2.5 cm. The depth the gear is about 2 cm. The component roughly weighs 45 grams, and the material of choice is a high quality plastic. The plastic stands out from the rest of the plastic in the drill due to the fact that the component sees higher temperatures and more wear and tear through the life cycle of the drill. This is purely a performance decision. Environmental factors were present in the design due to the fact that it would be in a much more rough operating condition than any other plastic part in the drill. There is no aesthetic purpose to this component as it is hidden within the drill.
- Manufacturing Methods: From inspecting the component it appears that it was made in an investment casting. It was a much higher tolerance mold as parting lines are non existent.
Slip Gear Spring
- Component Function: The function of this component is to create an interface between the user and the gearing system within in the drill. The spring is attached to the slip gear, and is the mechanism by which the slip gear engages one of the two gearing systems within the drill. This is the only function of this component. The environment of the spring is within the drill, so it does, presumably, see higher temperatures than the external portion of the drill.
- Component Form: The general shape is hard to describe, but it is basically a rod with two prongs at the end which go out at a 45 degree angle from the rod (when looking from the side). It is axial symmetric, and one of the more intricate and interesting components of the drill. It is primarily a three dimensional component. It is roughly 7 cm in length. The shape is necessary so that the user can move the spring at the top of the drill, and the slip gear can oscillate between gearing systems within the drill. The component material appears to be a medium grade steel. The properties of this component are that it must be fairly robust. It has to withstand the slamming of the user from gear to gear without shearing, and ceasing to function as a gear shifter. Steel is good for this purpose as it has a relatively high tensile strength, but is also fairly ductile. This would be an environmental design decision. It also falls under the economic GSEE factor due to the fact that steel is a fairly inexpensive material (not as inexpensive as plastic, but still on the cheaper side none the less). The component has no aesthetic purpose as it is hidden within the drill, however, the color is a generic silver metallic.
- Manufacturing Methods: The manufacturing method most likely used to create this part was most likely metal forming. The material choice and shape of the component makes this the most likely manufacturing process used. This is because the shape could simply be cut to the rough dimensions, and then bent into the desired shape through the use of a die. This is a less expensive alternative to creating a mold for the part.
- Component Function: The function of the motor is to convert electrical energy delivered from the battery, and convert it into torque which allows the drill to fasten objects. This is the only function of this component. The flows associated with this component are electric energy flow entering the motor and mechanical energy exiting the motor, and traveling to the bit. The environment of the component is that of high temperature. The spinning caused by the rpm generating ability of the motor will create high temperatures within the operating environment of the drill.
- Component Form: The general shape of the component is cylindrical, and it is axially symmetric for the most part. There are odd shapes here and there, but overall it is axially symmetric, and it is primarily three dimensional. The diameter of the component is 5 cm, and the depth of the component is roughly 10 cm. The weight of the component is roughly 400 grams. The primary materials for the motor are aluminum with copper. Copper is specific to motors due to the fact that it is necessary to generate torque from electrical energy entering it. There are no aesthetic purposes to this component as it is concealed within the drill. The component is a silver/metalic color, and has a rough metal surface finish.
- Manufacturing Methods: The most likely manufacturing method to make this part would be die casting the aluminum motor body, and wire drawing the copper within the motor. Creating copper wire is a standard process in which they use wire drawing, and there are riser marks on the aluminum body which lend credence to the die casting method.
- Component Complexity: This is the most complex component within the drill due to the fact that it requires multiple manufacturing methods (die casting and wire drawing) to create the single component. The number of materials, and the amount of flow moving through it also make it the most complex piece in the product.
Bit Chuck
- Component Function: The function of the bit chuck is to be a receptacle for the bit. The flows associated with the component are the at of mechanical energy. The energy flows from the motor and allows the bit to spin and fasten objects.
- Component Form: The general shape of the component is that of a cone. It is axially symmetric, and it is primarily three dimensions. The dimensions are length: 7 cm. Large diameter: 6 cm. Smaller diameter at the top: 2 cm. The component weighs roughly 140 grams. The component is made primarily out of plastic with the inner portion where the bit is fastened being made of metal. The metal within the chuck is necessary to keep a good grip on whatever bit the user decides to place within the chuck. Environmental factors where key in designing this component since the inner portion of the chuck will have to accurately fasten the metal bit without allowing it to slide out. The component has no aesthetic purpose although it is painted black to match the color scheme of the rest of the drill.
- Manufacturing Methods: The manufacturing methods for this component are as follows: The plastic portion of the chuck was injection molded while the metal inner workings were most likely die cast. The fact that the outer is plastic supports the theory of injection molding while the metal on the inner portion supports that of die casting.
- Component Complexity: While the outer plastic portion of the drill is not a complex shape the inner workings of the chuck are in fact much more complex. The interactions of the inner chuck are quite complex because it is a fastening mechanism that allows the user to tightly hold the bit in place.
Solid Modeled Assembly
The reasons for choosing these three components are because they are one of if not the most important components that the drill uses to perform its function. These three gears form one gear assembly which is used and appears three times in the drill in conjunction with each other and the motor of the drill. The motor of the drill spins these sets of gears depending on which torque setting is selected and this makes these three components vital in the operation of the drill.
We used AutoDesk Inventor for our CAD package. The reason we chose this is because one of our group members has a fair amount of experience in Inventor. He took classes three separate years in high school and has a good understanding of how Inventor works.
Engineering Analysis
1. Problem Overview:
- What function or component can turn electrical energy into mechanical energy?
- How much torque will this component have to put out?
- How fast will this component need to rotate?
- How efficient should this component be?
- What size will the component need to be in order to fit into the design of the drill?
2. Diagram:
3. Assumptions:
- Friction is neglectful.
- 12 volts from battery is constant.
- Energy is conserved.
4. Governing Equations:
- T = P x 9.554 / n
9.554 = Constant based on SI units [1]
T = torque (Nm)
PW = power (watts)
n = revolution per minute
- efficiency=Power out(watts from shaft)/Power in(watts from battery)
5. Calculations
- An engineer would take into account the torque that a drill of an average consumer would need. According to blackanddecker.com this drill has a motor with a torque of 130 in-lbs. It also lists the top rpm as 1200. An engineer would consider a suitable torque range and max rpm acceptable to perform the functions expected by this drill. Not only would this motor have to meet these requirements but would also have to meet the size requirements to fit well into the mold. The electrical energy supplied by the battery is also only 12 volts with a maximum compacity of 500 recharges which means that the engineer would need to choose a fairly efficient motor that does not have a huge draw on the battery.
6. Discussion
Here is a list of all the qualifications that can be considered by the engineer in deciding on which motor to use.
- A range of torque values are established.
- Range is from minimum to maximum torque.
- Range is most likely based on hands on testing with different types of screws and materials being screwed into.
- Material and screws based on average needs in households since the target audience is the common household/handyman.
- Material and screws based on average needs in households since the target audience is the common household/handyman.
- Range is from minimum to maximum torque.
- A range of rpm values are also established.
- There is a need for a motor that handles variable rpms well.
- Not only is there research into how much torque is needed for a certain screw and material, but also an optimum rotational speed is developed as well.
- There is a need for a motor that handles variable rpms well.
- This motor must meet a certain efficiency level.
- The power source is 12 volts and has a maximum capacity which means that the motor cannot draw too much power to drain the battery quickly just to meet the torque and rpm ranges.
- An engineer would also have to take in surveys or do hands on tests of how long they want this drill to last between recharges.
- The power source is 12 volts and has a maximum capacity which means that the motor cannot draw too much power to drain the battery quickly just to meet the torque and rpm ranges.
- This motor must not be too heavy nor take up too much space.
- The idea behind a household drill is that it is compact, lightweight, and does the expected jobs around the house with ease.
- Consider the cylindrical size constraints and motor weight range based on making this drill as compact and lightweight as possible.
- The idea behind a household drill is that it is compact, lightweight, and does the expected jobs around the house with ease.
Design Revisions
|Design Revision Table
|Original part/setup
|GSEE reflection
|Electric Motor
(Carbon brushes)
|Brushless Motor
|Economic: Fewer charges from battery with more efficient motor
Longer lasting motor provides less waste with fewer thrown away drills from broken motors.
Environmental: More durable motor and longer lasting power through greater efficiency decreases terrain vulnerability of breaking and running out of power.
|Greater torque
Up to 50% less demand on battery
less repair because motor lasts longer
lighter motor
|cost increase by 15%
|No cognitive assistance
|light and level
|Societal: A light and level attached to drill can offer the consumer an innovation that can be seen and advertised as convenient.
Environmental: A light can provide convenience in conditions of low light.
A level can provide convenience in areas where being level is impertinent such as drilling or screwing upside down.
Cognitive assistance
|Uses some battery power in led light
Adds an estimated 10% increase in cost
|Basic NiCad battery
|Lithium Battery
with life indicator
|Societal: Lithium battery especially with life indicator contributes as a good selling feature
Economic: Battery lasts longer and requires fewer charges than original
Contributes to fewer thrown away drills from dead batteries.
Environmental: Drill can be taken to locations without as much worry about recharging.
Life indicator allows consumer to know when he must recharge it, which would provide more versatility of use.
Longer usage
Life indicator convenience
No memory effect (sustains maximum battery life)
Very little loss of charge when not in use.
|cost increase by 15%


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Hi all For those who are unfamiliar with the back-story, Doug Schepers kindly asked if I would support a new version of the SWAD-Europe t-shirt (still a favorite of many, me included), designed in collaboration with Dan Brickley and Libby Miller a few years ago: http://aeim.niij.org/photos/random/IM000324.jpg/photo_view Unfortunately, due to other commitments, I'm not in a position to take on a new commission right now, but I will gladly support the re-use and update of the original SWAD Europe graphic, and also muck in with interaction design on any accompanying web application if I can. On Mar 14, 2009, at 4:06 AM, Manu Sporny wrote: > > I'm attaching Tom DeForest on this as he's been helping us with a new > Wordpress theme for the rdfa.info blog site. > > We should discuss it as a community, brainstorm some ideas on t-shirt > designs + webapps, perhaps even get some money together for a design > contest for http://99designs.com/, and see what comes out of the meat > grinder. > I strongly advise you *not* to go along those lines. The practice of spec work is almost universally frowned upon by the design community, and very few self respecting designers will have anything to do with it. You don't need to take my word for it: here's what the American Institute of Graphic Artists has to say about it: "AIGA believes that doing speculative work—that is, work done without compensation, for the client's speculation—seriously compromises the quality of work that clients are entitled to and also violates a tacit, long-standing ethical standard in the communication design profession worldwide. AIGA strongly discourages the practice of requesting that design work be produced and submitted on a speculative basis in order to be considered for acceptance on a project." http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/position-spec-work If you have the budget to make a new design, I recommend finding a designer whose work you like, and inviting them to discuss with the community a new concept, from which you can develop a working brief. Not only will your karma be better, you will also get better results :) > Once we have a good design down, perhaps we could sponsor a hundred > T-shirts (or put it up on CafePress?) and have them distributed at > various web conferences as well as SXSWi? > Another alternative is Spreadshirt. The quality of their product is impressive, although the small print on the original SWAD design will be impossible for them. They even have a Semantic Web shop: http://semweb.spreadshirt.com/us/US/Shop/ However, when budget allows, a screen-printed shirt is always the nicest option. best e Liz Turner +31627495149 δt.software timelines for the semantic web http://www.iconomical.com/ are against image worship Piet Heinkade 179 1019 HC AmsterdamReceived on Saturday, 14 March 2009 20:55:11 UTC
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2nd Annual Secret Santa Info Thread - 53% Complete (9 of 17)
12-03-2012, 02:50 PM (This post was last modified: 01-08-2013 12:38 AM by ricebondsmntna2young.)
Post: #1
2nd Annual Secret Santa Info Thread - 53% Complete (9 of 17)
12/30 - Last packages should be going out Monday. There are postal delays but no cause for serious concern...yet. Thanks for your patience!
12/19 - Presents are already rolling in (yikes!) as you can see from the Secret Santa Showoff Thread II (link).
12/9 - Santas, check your inboxes. Btw, is it me or is Beckett so slow to load, it's almost impossible to use? Anywho, check'em if you can.
12/8 - PMs are being sent to all participants.
12/7 - Barring objection, I'm making December 31 the new shipping deadline to give us more time to find something nice for the holidays.
12/5 - Know someone who deserves a gift?...Well sign her up! Spot a trader needing an endorsement?...Then put in a good word for him!
12/4 - We're halfway there to last year's 25 Santas. Odds we top that on shorter notice, later in the game, with lower site traffic?

Subject to my discretion, participation is limited to those who have EITHER:
.....a) 20+ positive feedback; OR,
.....b) an endorsement by a qualifying, respected member.

Register your mailing address by Friday, December 7 via PM.

Send me a wishlist of 5 of your fa-vo-rite things.

I'll PM everyone the necessary info from the lottery.

Let's keep the combined CASH value (not BV!) of 1 to 3 cards between $25 and $35.

Ship by Monday, December 31, but the earlier the better.

Show off what you got in the Secret Santa Showoff Thread II (link)

Address Registered
1) ricebondsmntna2young - 07-08 OPC Quad Materials & Micromotion Black RC /100 parallels; Larionov AU; Team Canada Sharks; Couture RC
2) pens fan addict - Maxime Talbot & Joe Vitale (needs in the bucket); Simon Despres; Sidney Crosby; Paul Laus (needs in the bucket)
3) bguzowski16 - 11-12 or 12-13 Brett Hull GU/AUs; Tyler Seguin & Chris Kreider YGs; Steve Yzerman & Nicklas Lidstrom GU/AUs
4) mq13 - ITG Org Wants; Shanahan; Hasek; Red Wings & Flyers AU/GU
5) phildo37 - After-05-06 AUs of: Red Wings, Finnish-born players, Lecavalier, Hartnell and Zubrus
6) dark crawler88 - Eric Staal, Rick Nash, Claude Giroux, Mike Richards, Jordan Eberle
7) gmccarth - Nicklas Backstrom; Dany Heatley; Jason Spezza; Johan Franzen; Red Wings
8) Optimus_Prime - Rheaume GU/AU; Brandon Nolan SP; 2012 Essential Elvis Mem/AU; 09-10 Champs mini/Yellow Animal Icon; Pens GU/AUs
9) titan501ca - 07-08 SPGU Letter Marks; Stamkos & Seguin AUs; Tretiak AUs (no BAP); HOF AUs
10) rczubaty - Nugent-Hopkins (Wants in ORG); 11-12 Certified Edmonton Oilers; 11-12 Limited Ruby/Gold parallels from my 'set needs' list
11) rayeates - Jaroslav Halak (Wants in ORG); Vintage RCs; 11-12 Jaromir Jagr Scratching The Surface; ORG wants
12) alstott9adams - Steven Stamkos; Brett Connolly; J.T. Brown; Victor Hedman; Martin St. Louis
13) apisano - Any Org needs, especially: 11-12 Penguins rookies, Brandon Saad rookies, Penguins rookies (any year), and 11-12 Young Guns
14) swjrp10 - Any hockey auto/patches (especially Red Wings); 11-12 YGs not listed in the ORG; Mark Messier; Hockey trade bait
15) bruinsfan08 - GU/AUs of: Cam Neely, Alex Ovechkin, Jim Craig (Bruins or USA), Vladislav Tretiak (USSR), or Tom Barasso (Pens)
16) jowlsisacanucksfan - Any Canucks in my updated Organize wantlist
17) wickabee - Trevor Linden & Barry Brust patches; Justin Schultz & Danny Watkins anything; OPC Premier Canucks GU/AUs
Pending Address or Endorsement
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*Endorse Me!
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Becoming self-employed means saying goodbye to the things you hate about corporate America: oppressive managers, back-stabbing co-workers and pesky human resources personnel.
On the other hand, it means saying goodbye to employee benefits like pensions, profit-sharing programs, 401(k)s and other company-sponsored goodies.
Augusta couple Dan and Bonnie Keough found that out after quitting their day jobs several years ago to start their own bathroom refinishing business, Bathcrest of Augusta.
Dan, 46, a former supervisor at the U.S. Battery plant in Columbia County, left the company upon realizing his personality was better suited for entrepreneurship, not a job in mid-level management.
"I didn't delegate very well," he recalled. "I did things myself to make sure they were done right."
So he and Bonnie, 36, a licensed dental hygienist, decided to buy into the Salt Lake City-based Bathcrest franchise as a way to have more freedom and better long-term financial security.
"It's hard to know where you stand working for someone else these days -- it seems like somebody's getting laid off everyday," she says.
The couple was soon doing several contract jobs a week, hauling their spray-on synthetic porcelain to bathrooms around the city. Most calls were from contractors whose workers had scratched or chipped a tub during construction and from homeowners who wanted to make their harvest gold and avocado green tubs white.
They were happy with their new source of income, but it wasn't providing them with the retirement plan they had once known. Anyway, most of their earnings were being reinvested into the business, which had a sizable start-up cost.
Their scenario was not uncommon for self-employed entrepreneurs, said Sharon DeVaney, a Purdue University family economics professor and author of a recent study on the retirement planning activities of the self-employed.
"Self-employed people are so enthusiastic about what they are doing and so busy that they don't look out for themselves," she said.
With three children, and Mr. Keough less than 20 years from retirement age, the couple realized they needed to get serious about investing for their future.
They contacted Will Rogers, a senior financial adviser with American Express Financial Advisors, who helped them open a Simplified Employee Pension IRA, commonly known as an SEP-IRA.
SEP-IRAs, like most other qualified plans, are tax-sheltered accounts where savings can grow into a sizable nest egg if left untouched until retirement age.
The SEP-IRA is specifically designed for sole proprietors and small business owners with few employees who do not maintain or contribute to any other retirement plan. In this respect it is similar to the Savings Incentive Match Plan IRA, also known as a SIMPLE-IRA.
Tax law changes in 1997 phased out another form of plan known as the Salary Reduction Simplified Employee Pension IRA (SARSEP-IRA). Essentially it had the same benefits as the SEP-IRA and SIMPLE-IRA but was much more difficult to administer.
Both SEP-IRA and SIMPLE-IRA are attractive to small business owners desiring a simple and low-cost plan that can be extended to potential employees as well, Mr. Rogers said.
"Most folks don't want to be limited," he said. "They want to be able to have employees."
For now, the Keoughs can handle the business just fine on their own.
But someday they may turn the business over to any of their three children, now ages 6, 8 and 15, if they became interested.
Or, they said they may find an employee interested in gradually taking ownership of the company when they reach retirement age.
"I figure I've got at least 20 years left in me," Mr. Keough said.
Mr. Rogers advises the Keoughs, and most other small business owners, to treat IRAs -- not business assets -- as the primary source of retirement income.
That's because small business owners discover their business isn't worth as much as they may think, he said.
The problem is that most small businesses, even extremely successful ones, have no operating system in place and can't function independently of the owner, making them unattractive investments to buyers wanting a seamless takeover.
"If the business is one that falls apart if you're gone for the day, who would want to buy it?" Mr. Rogers said. "The question I ask clients is, `If you died today, how much is your wife going to get for the business?' The answer is the figure we plan around."
Self-employed persons and small business owners start pension plans to attract and retain quality employees while increasing their own tax-sheltered retirement contributions.
"With a regular IRA, you're unfortunately limited to $2,000 a year," Jake Marshall, a retirement specialist for Fidelity Investments in Atlanta points out. "With a Keogh plan you can go as high as $30,000."
Here's a breakdown of the contribution/deduction limits for the most commonly used plans, keeping in mind that incorporated companies fund plans with earned income while unincorporated businesses use adjusted earned income:
SIMPLE-IRA: Employers can deduct 3 percent of eligible payroll. Employees can contribute 3 percent of compensation up to $6,000, plus $6,000 salary deferral limit for a total of $12,000. Vesting is immediate.
SEP-IRA: Employers can deduct 15 percent of eligible payroll. Employees can contribute 15 percent of compensation up to $24,000. Vesting is immediate.
Keogh (profit sharing): Employers can deduct 15 percent of eligible payroll. Employees can contribute 25 percent of compensation up to $30,000. Vesting schedules may apply.
Keogh (money purchase pension): Employers can deduct 25 percent of eligible payroll. Employees can contribute 25 percent of compensation up to $30,000. Vesting schedule may apply.
Source: Staff research
Damon Cline covers business for The Augusta Chronicle. He can be reached at (706) 823-3486.
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'Total Recall': Times have changedAugust 3, 2012
At about the halfway point in the new remake of "Total Recall," I thought, "Wow, this is pretty good."
But pretty good is all it managed. Though Len Wiseman's reworking of Philip K. Dick's story (and the 1990 Paul Verhoeven/Arnold Schwarzenegger film that was extrapolated from it) comes up with stunning visuals and a truly grand scale, it runs out of both excitement and sense in the final half-hour. At that point, it downshifts from innovative sci-fi thriller to standard action tale. More's the pity. Still, for longer than you imagine, this is an exciting and unexpected ride.
Colin Farrell plays Doug Quaid, a laborer on a future version of Earth, post-chemical warfare cataclysm. The only habitable places left on the planet are Great Britain (now known as the United British Federation) and Australia, known as the Colony. Somehow, scientists and engineers have connected the two via a tunnel straight through the planet. The transport that carries laborers from the Colony to UBF is known as the Fall.
Doug lives a humdrum life in a squalid Colony apartment with his wife Lori (Kate Beckinsale) and dreams of having adventures that seem impossible on his salary. So he walks into a company called Rekall, which promises to implant memories of experiences he's never actually had. It's cheaper than the real thing, after all.
But, after selecting "secret agent" as his implanted memory, something goes wrong; his memory is already someone else's, he's told, so he can't have the implant– and then the cops break in and all hell breaks loose. Suddenly Doug is on the run from the police – and when he goes home to his wife, she tries to kill him, too.
It's a classic Dick theme: that reality may not be what it seems. In Doug's case, he makes his escape and gets to UBF, but finds himself being chased again, this time on an elevated highway system of fast-moving hover cars. He's rescued by a beautiful woman named Melina (Jessica Biel), about whom he's been having dreams.
Doug finds that all sorts of people know him as someone other than Quaid – and that he is a key component in the struggle for power between the despotic chancellor Cohaagen (Bryan Cranston) and Mathias (Bill Nighy), the leader of a group of insurgents from the Colony.
When Wiseman just has to keep his players in motion, with Farrell and Biel on the run from Beckinsale and her robot cops, this movie soars. That's particularly true in a breath-taking sequence involving fast-moving, free-ranging elevator cars that move both horizontally and vertically. These black cubes are alternately life-threatening and life-saving – but you have to be fast enough to figure out which, and in three dimensions.
On the other hand, when writers Kurt Wimmer and Mark Bomback (working from the original script by Ronald Shusett, Dan O'Bannon and Gary Goldman) have to explain what actually is at stake, things go a bit fuzzy. As Cohaagen's motives becomes clear, it seems a bit small – and not particularly sensible, given the resources he's throwing into it. Instead of peeling back the layers to find a plot that's more complex than you imagined, the movie ultimately seems much less imaginative than you'd hope.
The production design is spectacular, a blend of the "Blade Runner" landscape, by way of that planet, Coruscant, where the Jedi council meets, in "The Phantom Menace." Production designer Patrick Tatopoulos imagined a future that manages to look new and used at the same time, depending on which part of the planet you visit.
Still, while the acting is all serviceable and real, the accents are troublesome. Though this is all set in what was England and Australia, somehow everyone speaks with an American accent – except Beckinsale, who reverts to British tones once she reveals her true identity. It's particularly annoying when Bill Nighy speaks; his normally plummy tones are rendered high-pitched and nasal when pronouncing American vowels.
So chalk "Total Recall" up as an improvement on the original, a film I remember liking quite a bit when I first reviewed it but found unutterably corny and stilted when I saw it again recently (Rialto Pictures is rereleasing it on Aug. 10).
But "Total Recall" starts out well enough that it can't help but disappoint when it falls into the rut of standard action for its final 30 minutes.Print This Post


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At the ripe age of 73, Imogene Deal McGregor has a penchant for following her own instincts, as well as more grit and spunk than her hypochondriac son, Billy McGregor, and Billy's impulsive partner Jackson can handle. The boys take Imogene to New Orleans with their devilishly handsome English bulldog Goose, hoping to visit friends and attend a second line parade, but moments after arriving in the French Quarter, they find their friend Glenway Gilbert murdered in his art gallery. Immediately, Imogene and the boys run into a temperamental and ethically-challenged lieutenant who appears hell-bent on neglecting the crime, compelling them to seek answers themselves. As they delve into Glenway Gilbert's murder, Imogene and the boys realize the deceased artist was surrounded by suspicious friends and lovers. With Goose the bulldog by their side, Jackson and Billy seek answers among old friends and new enemies, while Imogene follows her own ideas on the case. But the sooner they solve the murder, the sooner they can get back to catching beads and eating pralines.
©2014 Hunter Murphy (P)2016 Hunter Murphy
"Great New Orleans setting and quirky characters"
The main character Imogene is fun and the story is face paced with great descriptions of New Orleans.
It's an entertaining read.
"Mayhem and madness"
Well written fun story with a boatload of quirky characters who quickly become real to the reader. The characters truly make the book both interesting and memorable. Nothing wrong with the plot, I just focused more on the characters.
It also felt like a nice visit back to NOLA because of the clear descriptions of the area.
I was fortunate to be able to listen/read, and I feel that Lee Ann Howlett did a fine job as narrator. Some might quibble about her minimal southern accent, but I feel that it is an blessing for those of us whose ears cannot entangle a deep drawl unless facing the speaker.
I was gifted with this book at my request in exchange for an honest review via AudioBookBOOM.
"So many characters, but enjoyable!"
There are a LOT of characters introduced almost right off the bat & most scenes in the first 4 chapters had 5-7 characters in it at once, which was confusing and hard to keep up with. It was tough to discern who was talking when Alan, Neil, Glenway, Jackson, Billy, Goose, Imogene & Lt. Rodgers were all in one scene & I wasn't yet familiar with who was who. These were brand new characters to me, so that made it a bumpy start. However, once I understood the dynamics it became a little easier.
Imogene is a sassy & spunky senior and she's easily the best character of all! I could feel her personality through the wonderful narration & her dry humor was the best. The cast of characters are fun and all well narrated. The story & mystery is interesting, and the ending was satisfying. This has all the bones of a good cozy, but I still think it tries to juggle a few too many characters. This book was gifted to me in exchange of my honest review.
"Southern, scandalous, and side-splitting!"
The print version is marvelous on its own, if for no other reason than because it allows you to interpret the characters specific to how you see them in your mind's eye. The southern nature of this book is sure to bring out the creative side in any reader; nevertheless, those who find it difficult to develop cognitive imagery on their own will certainly appreciate the audio version. Lee Ann Howlett did a great job of portraying each of the characters as she told the well-written tale contained in this book.
There was a little bit of everything that I love in this book. Southern charm rolled up into a scandal and served with side-splitting humor... What's not to love?
This is the first book that I've listened to that she's narrated, so I can't offer a comparison. I would definitely listen to other audio books that feature her voice, because she did a great job of audibly illustrating this book.
Constant, side-splitting laughter!
This was a fun romp through hypochondria,murder and mayhem seen through the eyes of a 73 year old woman ,her son and his boyfriend.Lee Ann Howlett was perfect for the narration."I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher
"Good Listening"
Good story line and characters and fun to listen to. Kept me intrigued right through to the end. I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook
"Fun and entertaining cozy mystery!"
This reminded me of the screwball comedies of the past I loved, with many twists and turns, clues and dead ends. But underneath the fun and imaginative characters is an intelligently written plot. I bought the book but was given a copy of the audio book for my review.
It was more like a fun ride, like a roller coaster. I read for entertainment and this was entertaining as all get-out.
Hard to pick just one, I loved all the scenes with Imogene, and I LOVED the ending.
It made me laugh. Imogene is a pistol! I also really liked the sense of place with the descriptions of the Big Easy.
I loved that Imogene managed to stay one step ahead of the bumbling law enforcement. Her common sense and penchant for knowing what to do with the clues she gathers makes her a force to be reckoned with.
The narrator, Lee Ann Howlett, does such a great job with the character of Imogene. I felt like I knew her. I could just picture everything she did. All her characterizations were wonderful but Imogene was the best!
"Lots of personality but hard to follow"
I liked that this story opened with action, but I felt like the author failed to "orient" me to the story and characters. There are five named individuals in the first few paragraphs and I got distracted from the story trying to figure out who was who. The POV also seemed to jump around, which added to the confusion. I actually viewed chapter one on Amazon's preview feature to figure out who was who.
I found it difficult to follow the story through additional chapters, but enjoyed the description and colorful characters as narrated by Lee Ann Howlett.
Because I often listen to audiobooks while driving, cleaning or multitasking, this confusion was distracting and kept me from becoming engaged by the story. While I did not enjoy the audio version of the story, I was curious enough to download the ebook.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.
"Mystery with fun characters"
I liked this book and its characters. The main character, Imogene, reminds me of a wild and crazy Southern grandmother. I loved the setting of New Orleans. Though I've never been there before, I've always been fascinated with the area and absolutely absorbed the descriptions of the city. It was fun to see the different directions the investigation took and all the people who were suspects. I listened to the Audible Audio version narrated by Lee Ann Howlett and thought her narration was spot on for how the characters were described. I've listened to a few of the other books she has narrated, so it was fun to listen to her doing an Alabama accent. Overall, if you like mysteries and fun characters, this is a great book to check out.
There are lots of things to like about this book. #1 being the setting of New Orleans, a city that I love. Most of the action takes place in touristy places like Cafe du Monde which was a good thing for me because I had a clearer visual image since I've been to these places multiple times. Imogene is a great character and I LOVED the gay characters who were neither over the top nor dull. This is the first book I've 'read' in this series so maybe there was some angst in an earlier book between Imogene and her gay son, but it did not show here and for that I was grateful.
I tend to give not so great reviews of cozy mystery books when it's the first I've read in a series. For some reason I cannot get any depth out of them until I've read two or three. This intrigues me and I wonder if it will hold true for this series as well. As it stands now I found the mystery a bit jumbled and I didn't bother to keep certain characters from blending in my mind with other characters because I didn't care enough. For a while there it seemed as if the book went 5 different directions and I just wanted to get to the end. Who knows, maybe it was my mood but this particular mystery was just so -so.
I was gifted this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
"A cozy southern mystery"
Imogene, her son Billy and his partner Jackson are on an adventure to New Orleans to visit some friends. When they get there though their vacation is turned on its end with the death of a friend of theirs. A crooked cop and more suspects then they can count, Jackson and Billy are on the hunt for the killer. Imogene has her own way of finding clues and before long the mystery is solved.
This is a nice cozy mystery with little violence and no sex. I recommend this book for those ages 15+. This is a book where the fact that many of the main characters are gay doesn't matter one bit. Its a mystery first with gay characters being secondary.
Lee Ann Howlett is a marvelous narrator and she makes this book even more of a pleasure. I have always enjoyed her work.
I was given a copy of this book free of charge by the author in exchange for an honest review through Audiobookboom.
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God created us human beings because of love and relationship. God created us so that He can love us and we can love Him, and so that we can fellowship and relate with Him and among ourselves. One of the greatest privileges that we have and enjoy as human beings is that we were created in God's image (See Genesis 1:27). It is a wonderful honor that God has bestowed upon all human beings, both male and female human beings, keep in mind Genesis 1:27.
God sets His love upon those whom He has chosen and He is always faithful to keep His promises (See Deuteronomy 7:7-9). Because of love, God turned every curse that was pronounced against His people into a blessing (See Deuteronomy 23:5). Because of love, God blessed and prepared Solomon to become the King of Israel (2 Chronicles 1:7-13 and 2:11). God is righteous and God loves righteousness (See Psalm 11:7). God loves righteousness and God loves justice (See Psalm 33:5). Because of love, God preserves His saints forever (See Psalm 37:28). And, God loves the righteous (Psalm 146:8). As a father corrects his son whom he loves, in the same manner, God chastens and corrects those whom He loves (See Proverbs 3:12 and Hebrews 12:6). And, God loves those who follow righteousness (See Proverbs 15:9).
God loves all people and is offering salvation to all people through the Lord Jesus Christ (See John 3:16). When you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, you have believed in the One True God (See John 12:44). This truth is very crucial and important to note (See John 12:44-50). In John 12:44-50, Jesus said, "He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak." Amen! Glory to God!
Therefore, without a doubt, we are firmly and confidently assured that God loves us and God sent the Lord Jesus Christ, the One True Messiah into the world to save the world. By the grace of God, if you are not yet saved, make the choice today to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. Click here to learn how to become saved and how to become a Son or Daughter of God. Receive the Love and Salvation of God today and become a member of God's family. Be blessed always. Live your best life with God, and live inspired!
Article post by Evangelist Dr. Unyime E. Bond
In association with TheInspiredLifeInfo.com & JesusLovesYouToday.org


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Blake Mathews Million Dollar System
Complaint 134221 Details
- Date Occurred: 07/09/2014
- Reported Damages: $43.82
The complaint is against an online dating profile
The complaint is a listing fraud posted on public forums or sites against an anonymous entity
The complaint is mobile text spam or smishing related against an anonymous entity
The company or person contact no longer exists
International boundaries
I called the company and spoke to the customer service asked questions then ordered, I was told I wouldn't have to spend anymore money!! Every time I clicked on a new page was being asked for more money! So I called back and asked for my money back after some time I finally was told I would get it back. I watched my bank statements for a acouple of days and the money was put back!! So I let it go well today I checked my emails and I have an email from my bank stateing I have a unsufficiant funds charge from July 9th. from Blake Mathews company!! I am really angry and want my money back and the charge from my bank back as well!!!!
- sansmi3 SBID #353a34a7ae
- Posted 07/11/2014
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Business Profile Summary
Company Statistics
- Complaint Against Commission Cash Code
- Complaints Filed: 44
- Reported Damages: $12,414.74
What is SBID?
SBID is a unique id code that identifies the user's computer and location. SBID is used to prevent fraudulent postings and help our community find users who create duplicate user accounts.


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How To Build Perfect Offense With Madden Mobile 17 Game Strategy Guide?
We all like to win tough mobile games but when it comes to winning more Madden Mobile 17 games, we need to make some special efforts. The game is demanding for sure and there are many guys out there who have been searching for some quality madden mobile cheats in order to find easy ways of winning. Well, we are here to reveal top-notch offense strategy guide which are more than sufficient to boost your chances of winning. Without any doubt, Madden Mobile 17 game is not all about offense but still with our mentioned offense strategy, you would be able to beat strong opponents of the game with average defense.
Offense Tips – Worth To Apply!
These offense tips are perfectly created by professionals who do spend a significant portion of their day playing Madden 17 games. It is mainly due to their hard work, many hidden features of the game have been unearthed. One can simply become the better player of the game and learn the art of applying these features to your advantage. It would be a complete waste of time if you are considering any other online source in order to learn out Madden 17 game offense tips.
The mentioned offense tips are pretty easy to understand but often overlooked. When you apply these tips in your gaming strategies you are bound to become a better player in quick time. There is nothing like wasting your precious time and effort when you go through the details as we are here only to help you out. With our tricks, players will be able to make some vital changes in the manner in which they play the game and crack the code of winning.
Gain Better Offense With This Madden Mobile 17 Strategy!
Using Offense Madden 17 strategy will definitely assist in getting a head of the opponents at the end of the game. If you think of avoiding the tips, it would really become very hard for you to master the new features and upgrades that EA has included in the game. There is no way indeed in which you can play Madden 17 offense just like Madden 16. If you continue to stick with your outdated offense techniques, you will surely fall pretty early but with these tips, it would really become possible to come out winning the competition.
Best Possible Ways To Use The Option – In the game, one can easily use the option in order to beat the opponents but still you need to learn out the correct way of using it. There are some videos available online which are good enough to reveal the basics of using the option in Madden Mobile 17. Here it is worth to mention indeed when you play on the field, there will never be indicators which will guide you when to hand off the ball and when to keep it.
How To Throw Away – When you are dealing with too much pressure in the game, you can easily throw away the ball in Madden 17. In order to throw the ball away, you are just required to click the right stick. With a click on right stick you will get rid of the ball but still, you need to make sure you are not getting hit with the intentional grounding. This is pretty much more crucial as compared to Madden 16, as due to the new ball physics it will only make your QB less likely to properly hold the ball.
Proper Use Of Madden 17 Trick Plays – When you go through Madden 17 mobile game properly, you will easily come to know about more and improved fake plays in the game. In order to learn out most effective fake plays, it is worth indeed to go through online videos and check out how these work. Just while making use of these fake plays, you need to make sure what is happening in the game. As a player, you must try hard to know what the receiver icon is just before when you snap as you know the time is pretty limited.
Try hard to learn Running Back Ratings – Just before you think of applying any special move in the game, you must remember the ratings of the player so that you can get aware of what kind of moves are best suited. This new feature of attributed based moves is pretty exceptional as it will work awesome and find out what your player is good at. In Madden 17 ratings of the player's matter and this is one special place where it matters the most.
Make Proper Use Of Running Moves – In Madden 17, you will easily find much more running moves as compared to Madden 16. You are just required to learn out the ways in which you can use these moves properly and get more yards on your offense. In general, many players are not interested in learning these vital running moves and make a huge mistake. It is pretty vital indeed to apply precision moves as well as speed moves if you really desire the beat the strong opponents.
The Proper offense is the ideal way of boosting your chances of winning while playing Madden Mobile 17 Game. If you are still sticking with strong defense and not interested in learning offense Madden Mobile 17 Game Tips and Tricks, you are bound to fail. Madden Mobile 17 is pretty special and hard game which demands the application of adequate offense tips and tricks. On the other hand, if you still have plans to stick with cheats, the choice is entirely yours. With mentioned tips and tricks, you will only enjoy the game more and there would be no risk of getting your gaming account banned. Finally, the most impressive offense tips and tricks of Madden Mobile 17 game have been revealed and the time has arrived to make most of the shared information.


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Alien: InQUIZition
I hereby offer a high five to people who know that Israel one.
The answer would be the same for a lot of different countries. Quick look at the IMDB page says at least 16 different ones. So it's not really that random.
I got the Israeli one because it had the same tagline in Sweden, or at least occasionally.
Sadly failed on the Academy Awards question.
high five :D
Damn im not that into the series and i scored 80% not bad.
There. I didn't get 100% on the first try, but the only ones I didn't get right where uninteresting questions (the number of passengers and the alternative title). Everything about the story I got perfectly right.
I just guessed at something that seemed likely and got it right out of luck. Can I have a high five anyway?
The only one I got wrong was the awards for Aliens. I thought it had been snubbed, in the usual manner of sci-fi fare, so what did it get nominated for?
Sure, why not?
As for the nominations, which i myself guessed incorrectly, they were:
Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing
I didn't do the quiz, I just thought I had to comment on this.
Really? Really? I've made some dumb jokes, but REALLY?
I scored 100%, with 10 of 10 correct on The Escapist's Alien: InQUIZition.
Took me two tries, what with the Israeli title and how many Oscars Aliens was nominated for. And that picture of Whedon? the look on his face suggests he just sat through the finished version of Ressurection and thought "Dafuq did I just WATCH?!"
This will be a nice addition to my MiFi badge ^^. Took me two tries too >.>.
Lucked out and got a 10/10 - Never heard of the alt title.
What he said. I'm pretty sure quiz is already short for inquisition.
Surprised to find out it's not, now that I've checked.
I got nine out of ten right. Thing is, there was about four or five that I actually knew, the rest were just guesses. Is there a way to find out what ones you got wrong/right? It's driving me up the wall.
Apparently I am a larger Aliens fan then I thought, considering how fast I got through it without guessing. This also goes to show that all the information about any work of media you'll ever need to know can be found on wikipedia and tvtropes.
According to IMDB's page on Alien, the film was nominated for Best Art Direction-Set Direction and Best Effects/Visual Effects. That was only 2 Oscars. It won only one. So somebody at fact checking screwed up on this. If you're going to use questions related to how many awards something has won, do your fucking homework!!!
No mention of the original writer Dan O' Bannon, oh come on Escapist I expect better.


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Jordan Unlikely to Attend All-Star Game
Published 7:00 pm, Sunday, January 12, 2003
If the NBA and its fans want to see Michael Jordan at the All-Star game, it's going to take some convincing.
Jordan, who has averaged a record 21.3 points per game in the All-Star game, prefers to have the time off if he's not elected to start in the Feb. 9 game at Atlanta.
"I'm not going to campaign for it," Jordan said. "It's great. It is good to represent the fans and if I get a chance to do that I will do that. But if I don't there will be no remorse, no ill feelings, no animosity none of that. I'll enjoy my week. I'm pretty sure I can find a warm climate somewhere."
All-Star voting ended Sunday and in the latest available totals Jordan was third among Eastern Conference guards behind Orlando's Tracy McGrady and Philadelphia's Allen Iverson.
Jordan, a 12-time All-Star starter, has averaged 17.6 points per game this season for the Washington Wizards and has been a big reason for the team's climb to sixth place in the Eastern Conference. But Jordan says that it is time for the younger players to get their chance.
"Things are changing. Players are changing. And (with) new generations coming in fans want to see new players in new situations. That doesn't bother me at all," Jordan said. "I welcome that because I think that's how the league is going to survive. It's a different era, and it's time for me to step aside and let some of these kids move in, and that doesn't bother me not one bit _ free up my time a little bit more."


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Pick a virus ….and it is probably circulating in your area! Seems we are at the peak of upper respiratory season, influenza like illness season and also vomiting and diarrhea season. In other words, lots of sick kids right now.
I just started seeing a lot of vomiting again!! It is the worst for both the child and the doctor's office where it seems many a child has vomited either in the car, coming up the elevator or in the exam room. YUCK for all.
Remember, norovirus is the most common virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea and it is VERY contagious. Not only via "dirty hands" but it is also airborne…so in other words, those standing near by a child who is vomiting (parents, other sibs) are probably being exposed as well. That is the main reason you probably see an entire family who gets sick almost simultaneously.
If your child vomits….DO NOT give them anything to eat or drink for at least 30 min. I know that is hard as they are asking for a drink, but you need to give their tummy a minute to "recover" before challenging them with a few sips of Pedialyte or Gatorade. A SIP is the key word too….tiny amount to start in hopes that they do not vomit again.
I just saw a 6 year old little boy who had been vomiting several times during the night. His Dad said that he had given him Zofran to help stop the vomiting (this is a prescription). I use a lot of Zofran in children who are vomiting as it can go under the tongue. But after the Zofran his son felt better….so he gave him strawberries and a waffle!! Surprise? He vomited again!!
Don't be fooled and start trying to feed your child too quickly after they are vomiting. I know parents worry that "their child is not eating", but fluids are the important part of staying hydrated. As one little boy told me, " it feels like there are grasshoppers in my tummy"!! So well put. I grumbling tummy needs time to heal and frequent sips of clear liquids (no dairy) are the best way to prevent dehydration. As your child tolerates a small volume you can go up a bit and gradually increase the amount that they take. I usually wait a good 4-6 hours after a child has successfully tolerated fluids before I even consider giving them food. Then I start with crackers, noodles or something bland (that I also don't mind cleaning up) in case they vomit again.
You are just wanting to make sure your child stays hydrated…tears, saliva and urine! Keep washing those hands.


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The e-book titled Save the Marriage was borne of the failures of applying conventional marriage therapy techniques to stop divorce among couples. Such realization came from Lee Baucom, Ph.D., the author of this e-book when he was working as a marriage therapist.
Years of Thought
For many years, Baucom applied the established marriage therapy principles and practices as was expected of his education, training and experience. However, he began to observe that these conventional methods were not working as well as expected with many cases of relationships even becoming worse than before. It was, indeed, time for a change to unorthodox, but effective marriage therapy techniques. After this realization, Baucom began to test his unconventional methods on his clients for the next five years. After the success rate for these unorthodox methods started to gain recognition, did Baucom start writing the Save the Marriage e-book.
Rate of Success
Just how successful are these new methods? Well, classical marriage therapy techniques require both spouses to actively be involved from start to finish but Baucom's methods only required just one spouse willing to save the relationship for success. You have to read the book in its entirety to understand how something deemed impossible by other marriage therapists can happen under Baucom's methods.
The success of the methods espoused by Baucom also stems from the fact that the writing style used is conversational instead of too professional, too filled with jargon and too scholarly. You will get the feeling of talking to a close friend instead of to a detached professional and, thus, you are likely to keep on reading the contents of Save the Marriage, as you will be able to easily see how the tips and techniques he proposes can assist you in your own personal situation.
Furthermore, Baucom also uses vivid imagery through examples, pictures and metaphors to get his point across. You will not be groping around in the dark trying to understand a subject of critical importance in saving your marriage. Add in the simple language used and you are motivated to adopt the tips, tricks and techniques discussed in each chapter – a page-turner, indeed.
Summary of Contents
Here is a sneak peek into the contents of this 159-page Save the Marriage e-book:
- Chapter 1 – Explanations for why conventional marriage therapy does not work for most couples
- Chapter 2 – Discussions on the issue of control, power and struggles in the marriage
- Chapter 3 – Ingredients of a successful marriage
- Chapter 4 – Discover the genuine purpose of a marriage
- Chapter 5 – Reveals the secrets to a happy marriage, thus, making it one of the most important chapters in the entire book
The succeeding chapters discuss other matters of significant importance in a successful marriage, one that can and will withstand the years of togetherness. These topics include an in-depth assessment of emotional issues, roles in the relationships, and stages of intimacy, among others.
Admittedly, the unorthodox methods outlined in the Save the Marriage e-book may cause initial misgivings — especially after you have gone through the conventional route of marriage counseling. Nevertheless, if being traditional in trying to resolve your marriage problems has failed, then it is about time to try non-traditional methods and see if it works for you. Baucom's methods are based on years of experience as a marriage therapist, where he had helped countless people deal with relationship questions and issues. Chances are that Baucom's unorthodox methods will work and may be just the relationship advice you have been looking for.


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3 Bedrooms
2 Full Bathrooms
Half Baths: 1
Price: $460,481.00
Park Shore is Rehoboth's exciting, new community one block off of Rehoboth Ave! Upscale townhomes featuring garage, 9' ceilings, hardwood flooring in entry, dining and kitchen, granite countertops and stainless appliances. Community pool, pool house, convenient entrance on Canal Crossing Road (across from Canal Corkran). Sewer and water impact fees paid by seller. Seller will credit buyer half of transfer tax if buyer uses a Preferred Lender & Preferred Settlement Agency. This Unit is Elevation C w/full deck & dormer. Upgrades include hardwood floor extended throughout 1st level. Unit is mirror reverse of drawings.
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Price: $460,481.00
Waterfront: Waterview: None
Address: Striper Harbor
Building Name: Park Shore D
Dwelling Type: Condo/Townhouse
Year Built: 2016
Waterview: None
Lot Dimensions:
Acreage: 0.00
Dwelling Sq Ft: 1838
Garage: Attached
Heating: Heat Pump(s)
Cooling: Central A/C
County Taxes: $1,400
City Taxes: $0
Water Fee: $0
Sewer Fee: $0
Association Fee: $0
Condo Fee: $2,580
Trash Fee: $0
Ground Rent: $0
Listing Broker: RE/MAX REALTY GROUP REHOBOTH
Listing Agent: DEBBIE REED TEAM
Listing Status: Active
Dishwasher, Disposal, Garage Door Opener, Microwave, Oven/Range Electric, Refrigerator, Washer/Dryer Hookup Only, Water Heater Electric
Interior Features:
Ceiling Fan(s), Insulated Door(s), Insulation, MBED-Full Bath
Exterior Features:
HOA Condo Ammenities:
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Published by Ion Saliu on October 21, 2010.
This entire story started by simple chance in 2000. It escalated to proportions experienced in police dramas on television. It happened at a roulette table at Taj Mahal casino, Atlantic City, in July of 2000. I noticed wheel bias regarding the jump from the previous slot to the next roulette number drawn in the next spin. Probably the deflectors of the roulette wheel were worn out. The wheel was malfunctioning, anyhow, I think.
We can divide the roulette wheel in two sections based on the last number drawn. There are 38 numbers in double-zero roulette. The last number drawn, plus 9 numbers to its left on the roulette wheel layout, plus 9 numbers to the right on the layout make up the inside hemisphere of the roulette wheel; the other 19 numbers make-up the outer hemisphere. In other words, we deal with the inner half and the outer half of a roulette wheel (since the wheel is far from being a sphere!)
The next number should be FFG-equally distributed between the two wheel hemispheres. I tracked the spins at a roulette table in Atlantic City. To my (belated) dismay, the ratio was 80% to 20% biased towards the outer hemisphere! Actually, two roulette dealers — a woman and a man — shifted at the table during that continuous run! So, it was not a so-called roulette dealer's signature! It was a malfunctioning of the roulette wheel. It was likely that the casinos had no knowledge of such phenomena. I'm sure they have now.
I wrote my in-house roulette software to analyze the distribution of numbers between the inner half and the outer half of both types of roulette wheels. I named the program RouletteHemis and I was the only user for a couple of years. Then, in the year of grace 2002 I offered a gift to one of the most intense haters of mine. The guy (you'll find him on my old message board under the alias Chip) informed me about an undocumented casino incident. Apparently, a gambler claimed he was Ion Saliu and had gambling systems for sale. I believe in reconciliation. And so I rewarded the hater of mine with free roulette software that had not been released to the public.
To my dismay, I learned from various sources and first-hand that one of the roulette systems in my gift-software had already been pirated. It always gets to me when I hear something like that: Piracy or plagiarism of my creations. I had offered the same piece of roulette software to a few other gamblers. This very roulette system was pirated soon after I introduced it.
I almost exploded in 2010! I was directed to a website named genuinewinner.com. Later on, I found out that the owner of that nest of pirates was one Steven Hourmouzis (also known as Stefano). He has a criminal record already, after committing email fraud plus securities (stock market) fraud in 2000! He, Hourmouzis – genuinewinner, sells his "system", piracy of my roulette system based on the wheel halves, for the outrageous fee of $2,500! The guy tries his hardest to avoid specifics of "his" roulette system. But one picture is worth a thousand words. Their advertising logo reads (in an image):
"We consider which HALF of the wheel the ball landed in."
There is also a YouTube video created by the pirate, entitled: "Roulette System that Won Millions!"
The pirate does not offer software to be downloaded to the player's computer. Good thing I did not reveal the source code of my roulette program that Stefano Hourmouzis pirated in his genuinewinner roulette "system". Boy, oh, boy! He would claim now that it's me who pirated his roulette system! As is, he has not figured out the source code of my RouletteHemis software. He secretly uses my program. The customers send him real roulette spins, table by table. Stefano Hourmouzis then runs my software to find biases at certain roulette tables. That's the reason why his users can never analyze roulette data on their own and thus discover wheel biases or not.
Evidently, I filed a number of legal complaints regarding this act of blatant piracy. A few months thereafter, in August of 2009, I observed the first effect. The Australian roulette pirate got really scared by the Law! Stefano announced at their website that he decided to stop selling his roulette system and roulette computers. Stefano already sent emails to his (their?) customers on the decision to cease selling the pirate version of one of my roulette systems. Guess how the deceived roulette customers will react!
YouTube also took action against pirate Stefano: "This video has been removed as a violation of YouTube's policy against spam, scams, and commercially deceptive content."
You might want to read more dramatic details:
I heard that the pirated system is very hard to use, as the player does not have access to any software (unless he or she finds out that the software is actually mine and is available for free!) Initially, I had also problems trying to apply the wheel-halves roulette system in real play. I did it at home first. The roulette wheel layout is a must. The casinos still offer the layouts for free to every player. Counting the slots from the previous number drawn is no easy task, however. The player must be quick and accurate.
While fighting with this unbelievable case of piracy, I came up with great improvements to my roulette system based on the two halves of the wheel. Moreover, I added also the possibility to use the halves of the … halves! The wheel quarters can be now in play, as a betting choice.
I created special forms that can be printed in color and brought to the roulette table in any casino. I want to stress here that no casino in the world has a right, indeed legal grounds, to prohibit a casino patron from carrying and using such sheets of paper on the premises. Repeat, they are simple sheets of paper, not cheating devices of any kind, including mechanical or electronic. The user of such sheets of paper does not interfere with the game in any way whatsoever.
The most important piece is the roulette wheel layout. I created first two Excel spreadsheets, one for the single-zero roulette wheels, one for double-zero tables. I included the 1997-type Excel spreadsheet in the upgraded BrightR integrated roulette software bundle. Also, I exported the two spreadsheets to two PDF files (included in the package). The users can print as many copies as they want. Your printer must have color-printing capabilities. Shades of gray make it harder to distinguish the zones (halves). Take a look at the respective color-coded layouts:
It is very easy and quick now to determine if the current roulette number landed in the inner half or the outer half. The green zone represents the inner half (hemisphere, my favorite!), or IN. The red zone represents the outer hemisphere, or OUT. Furthermore, each half has two divisions (quarters): left and right. The pivot numbers (middle column) are sorted in ascending order, from 0 to 36 (or 37, which represents 00 on double-zero roulette wheels).
Here is an example on how it works. Suppose last roulette number was 2 (the pivot). That's the number in the middle of spreadsheet; it is also blue - colored and emphasized. You always look at the blue column in the middle. Next single-zero spin draws roulette number 0. It only takes few seconds to determine that 0 landed in the inner half (IN), compared to the pivot 2. We can be even more specific: Left IN quarter. The same scenario for double-zero roulette: 0, compared to 2, is still IN, but the in right quarter.
I created two more sheets, one for each type of roulette tables. I created a table with 40 rows to hold the roulette spins. The first column shows the sequential number of the spins (column title: Spin #). The header of the second column reads IN. The header of the third column reads OUT. The last column shows the actual roulette number drawn (column title: #). That columnar section is repeated 5 times, for a total of 200 spins on the sheet. This time, it is less important if these sheets are printed in true color or not.
Each working sheet has a very informative section created by my software, Streaks. As you know by now, everything random comes in streaks of various lengths. The frequency of a streak of a certain length is determined by mathematical formulas. The frequency is also dependent on the number of trials (roulette spins, in this case). In the single-zero roulette case, the two zones, IN and OUT are not equal. IN consists of the number in the middle, plus 18, for a total of 19 numbers (51.4%). OUT consists of 18 roulette numbers (48.6%). Streaks tells to expect an average of 24 single-length hits, or an average of 12 double-length hits in 200 roulette spins — in the IN section. A hit will be represented by the player by +; a double-length hit is represented by ++ (in columnar format, or vertically; see the working sample that follows).
In the single-zero roulette case, the two zones, IN and OUT are equal. IN consists of the number in the middle, plus 18, for a total of 19 numbers (50%). OUT consists of 19 roulette numbers (50%). Streaks tells to expect an average of 25 single-length hits, or an average of 12 double-length hits in 200 roulette spins — in the IN section. A hit will be represented by the player by +; a double-length hit is represented by ++ (in columnar format, or vertically; see the working sample that follows).
I created also a sample working sheet on how to use the data you record at the roulette table. The sample is for single-zero and is based on real casino spins from the Hamburg, Germany casino (January of 2006, 7990 spins). Filename: HAMB0106.WH1 (included in the BrightR package).
I wrote it in color for better viewing and understanding. You, the player, don't really need to work in true color. You are in a casino, and you need to act fast. But I recommend strongly that you write + for a half (section, sector, hemisphere) hit; and write immediately – (minus) in the opposing half. It makes it easier to count the streak lengths. Writing an l (for left) or r (for right) next to + can help you decide to play sometimes only one of the quarters of the hemisphere (9 or 10 numbers instead of 18 or 19).
The work flow is from the bottom to the top. The actual roulette number in spin #20 was 26. It was followed in spin #19 by roulette number 33. The result was recorded in OUT (in red) as +l (left quarter of OUT). It was followed in spin #18 by roulette number 16. The result was recorded in the IN column (in green) as +l (left quarter of IN). It was followed in spin #17 by roulette number 30. The result was recorded in IN (in green) as +l (left quarter of IN).
In real-life casino play, you will record the spins in reverse order (as compared to my working sheet). You start recording the numbers, and write +/- from top to bottom, left to right. It makes no difference. You count the + or minus signs vertically. You are interested in the length of the streaks and the number of the like-length streaks.
I did not create a new BrightR package. I only added those roulette wheel layouts and working sheets to a third screen of the package (the Auxiliary 2 section). If you open as per menu, you will be informed that you need to work with Microsoft Excel 1997 or later. Also, you need the free Adobe Reader to open PDF files. I included the XLS files (spreadsheets) for one important reason. I heard the news that the casinos added new roulette wheel layouts, in addition to the two traditional ones (French roulette and American roulette). In that case, you still have the tools to create new roulette wheel layouts accordingly.
Again, the pirated genuinewinner roulette system made it very hard to comprehend and use. The customer would send a large number of actual roulette spins to the pirate, who, in turn, would use my software to discover a bias. If there was no bias, the pirate responds that "his" system is not applicable and the user must track the results at another roulette wheel. And so on…
In my case, the user of the real roulette system based on the wheel halves — my system, that is — has also the analysis software available (free, too). RouletteHemis analyzes thousands of roulette spins in seconds. The last row of the report will show total spins in the inner half of the wheel, and total spins in the outer half. In the real case of Hamburg Spielbank for the entire month of January 2006, the bottom line was:
In that case, the roulette wheel at table 1 was biased in favor of the INner half. Here is the mathematics. The Hamburg Spielbank roulette is single-zero: A total of 37 numbers, from 0 to 36. The inner half consists of 9+9+1 = 19 numbers. The outer hemisphere (semicircle) consists of the rest of the roulette numbers: 18. Thus, the ratio between the outer half and the inner half is 18/19 = 94.7%. The statistical results should show a comparable ratio.
The analysis of the last 1000 spins (most recent) of the Hamburg Spielbank database shows an outside/inside ratio of 93.5%. The bias is 94.7 – 93.5 = 1.2% in favor of the inside half. The analysis of all 7990 spins of the Hamburg Spielbank database shows an outside/inside ratio of 90.6%. The bias is 4.87% in favor of the inside half.
Apparently, the roulette table #1 at Hamburg casino had a run when the inner hemisphere was statistically biased. The 4.87% bias is an average for the 7975 spins in the data file of Hamburg Spielbank permanenzen (7975 spins analyzed). If 1.2% was a minimum, then a maximum of over 7% occurred in any 1000 group of contiguous spins. It is possible that maximum biases larger than 7% occurred in runs shorter than 1000 roulette spins (e.g. 200 spins). Right now, the analysis in RouletteHemis starts at the top, always spin #1 (the most recent one). The last spin to be analyzed is determined by the user, and it can go all the way to the bottom (the oldest result in the data file).
Standard deviation is the watchdog of randomness. For 7990 spins, the standard deviation for the wheel outer half is 45 spins. That represents 0.6% of total spins. That is, the fluctuation should be plus or minus .6%. It is the overwhelming case of unbiased roulette wheels. The 4.87% bias falls way outside three standard deviations (1.8%)!
For 1000 spins, the standard deviation for the wheel outer half is 16 spins. That represents 1.6% of total spins. That is, the fluctuation should be plus or minus 1.6%. It is the overwhelming case of unbiased roulette wheels. The 1.2% bias falls within three standard deviations. The roulette wheel bias cases of over 7% do not. They fall way, way outside the normal probability rule!
I did some calculations for one month, that January of 2006. Playing this roulette wheel-half system with flat betting would have yielded a profit in excess of a quarter million Euros. Had the player become aware of the inner half bias of roulette table #1 at Hamburg Spielbank (by just analyzing the results on the table marquee on January 1st), he/she would have netted well over one million Euros by applying a 3-or-4-step Martingale betting.
Now, let's be aware that there is always bias. Unbiased balance between the two halves is not impossible, but it has a very, very low degree of certainty. Such degree of certainty can be calculated by applying Ion Saliu's numeric sets (exponential sets). The kind of bias registered at the roulette table #1 in Hamburg Casino might not be common at all. By the same token, there might be roulette tables with a much more skewed bias than the one above. If what I noticed at Taj Mahal lasted a month, then that bias was out of this world and the entire casino would have gone bankrupt!
Unlike the piracy, you can use this roulette system of mine immediately, without knowledge of bias. You can play it as a p = 1/2 system as described in my Super Roulette Strategy. You apply a limited-step martingale (3 or 4 steps) after 3 or 4 consecutive misses. The determining factor is table limits . Look for table limits with a ratio between minimum and maximum bets of 1 to 100 (no worse than 1 to 50). You play at low-ratio roulette tables only if you detected clear bias. But that implies long tracking sessions, hundreds of spins continuously!
While playing the p = 1/2 progression system, you might be able to determine if there is wheel bias. As in my Taj Mahal experience of 2000, the bias was detectable after 20 roulette spins or so. I would have bet more aggressively on the OUTer half of the wheel, including limited-steps martingales. I had a potential teammate that day; we could have made some big bucks the entire day, perhaps week!
How could some people be so stupid these days and pay thousands of dollars for a roulette system? We live in the Internet era. Information flows very easily around the clock and around the world. It is so easy to come across a lot of free information, including gambling theories and systems, even software.
Worse, how bad does it hurt to find out that you paid thousands of dollars for a pirated roulette system? Much worse, the original roulette system had been right at your fingertips for free!
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|Asheville business & community directory
Here's an idea … when the weather outside is frightful and the fire is something less than delightful, why not dig through your closet, find those dancing shoes, and make your way to the nearest ballroom dancing center for an evening of great fun (and exercise, too).
With the resurgence of interest in ballroom dancing that is currently taking place, people of all ages are discovering the joy of learning a series of beautiful steps and dancing with a partner. Ballroom dancing is social, it's great exercise, it looks good, it feels good, it lifts your spirits, and it impresses your friends at wedding receptions (OK, that's not a particularly important reason, but you get the idea). Dancing with a partner is fun, some will say even more fun that bouncing and swaying by yourself in a crowded, smoky club. There is always a dance to suit the music being played - the Cha Cha, Rumba, Swing, Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese waltz, and Quickstep - and all are within reach of anyone who is willing and able to learn. Many dances are relatively easy to learn - at least the basic steps. Even beginners can have a great time with just a few lessons and a few opportunities to dance at one of the weekly dance parties offered by area ballrooms, although becoming really proficient at most of them will take six months of practice or so. In the meantime, getting on the dance floor and doing what you already know makes it all worthwhile. Also, watching "the dance masters" dance to the beat of a Latin or Swing number can often be the highlight of an evening.
The romance and exhilaration of the great music that is part of ballroom dancing is one of the big attractions - on any given night, dancers can be found kicking up their heels to various Latin, Big Band, and Waltz sounds, among others. Area ballrooms provide patrons with a wide variety of styles and sounds, generally with DJs and/or high-tech sound systems.
Although by no means a requirement, ballroom dancing is also a great excuse to get dressed up for the evening … the ladies can often be found wearing glamorous shoes and chic dresses or skirts that seem to float in the air as they turn. Gentlemen often dress for "elegant" comfort, perhaps including a vest with their favorite shirt, tie, and pants.
The Asheville Ballroom & Dance Centre (see second photo), conveniently located near Biltmore Village in the new Iwanna complex (991 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, 828-274-8320, www.ashevilleballroom.com), is a smoke-free and alcohol-free ballroom that caters to the growing number of ballroom dancers in the area. The creation of Iwanna newspaper owner and ballroom dance enthusiast Kathy Corn, the massive 6,000-square-foot ballroom features a floating hardwood floor, which provides a cushion and softer feel for dancers. The relative softness of the floor is something that becomes increasingly important the longer a dancer stays on the dance floor. The beautifully decorated ballroom (Asheville Ballroom entrance with Blues Brothers models seen in third photo.) also features mirrors on two walls, offering dancers the opportunity to catch a glimpse of themselves and other dancers as they gracefully glide across the floor. The ballroom seats 160 people at tables set up at one end of the room, so the crowd can be quite large and still be very comfortable. The Asheville Ballroom & Dance Centre hosts a dance party every week - the first weekend of each month has a party on Saturday night, but all other weekend dances are held on Friday nights.
The Asheville Ballroom & Dance Centre also offers dance lessons for beginners through advanced levels. The next series of lessons starts in February and runs for twelve weeks. Lessons are one hour long, one night per week. The cost for lessons is $30/month (four lessons), or they may be paid for one at a time for $10 per week. And remember … no one needs to provide their own dance partner … just show up for the lessons. If you have your own partner, great, but there is always someone available as a dance partner.
The Blue Ridge Ballroom (Newbridge Shopping Center, 55 Weaverville Hwy, Asheville, 828-253-9108, www.blueridgeballroom.com) is another good choice for ballroom dancing opportunities. Blue Ridge Ballroom also hosts Friday night dance parties, and admission to the dances is free for anyone who is taking classes. Blue Ridge offers a wide range of classes (and private lessons), including a beginner's class, Foundations to Social Dance, where beginning dancers learn the basic steps of a good number of different dances. Cost for the Foundations class is $60, and includes entry to the first eight weeks of dance parties. Blue Ridge Ballroom offers opportunities to compete at any number of dance competitions, and makes group trips, such as cruises, available to their dancers.
Blue Ridge Community College (828-694-1742 or 828-658-2242, Flat Rock, NC) has been offering adult ballroom dance classes with great success for years. The classes, offered on a wide range of dance proficiency levels, are very popular, with large numbers of people participating each semester. All classes are taught by professional dance instructors Foster and Judie Lampert, who are affiliated with Dance Lovers USA in Asheville. The new beginner class starts on January 8 and runs for twelve weeks through March 26. Classes are from 6:15-7:45 PM on Wednesday nights in the Killian Building, student lounge. The cost is $91.25. Those interested in the class should call to register.
Ballroom dancing has great appeal to all ages. Asheville Ballroom & Dance Centre has dancers who range in age from 18 to 86. Groups of college-age and post-college-age people are taking series of lessons with their friends, and staying afterward for the dance parties.


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A place where HOPE is found and grown
Beulah Heights Social
hours - day and night.
"I brought my faith
and they gave me
strength & hope!"
"Those were dark days,
but the supportive staff
lifted me up!"
"I brought my faith
and they gave me
strength & hope!"
"We were struggling
but the staff encouraged
us to push on!"
The Beulah Heights Social Integration Program was developed to meet the needs of this ever growing population. By taking a three-tiered approach through our Social Integration Program (BHSIP) we assist the homeless population in New Haven and have impacted and reduced the rate of homelessness significantly. The first step is to address the needs of the population we are serving by being an intermediate provider to create protective factors against the social ills they face. We offer these services during high risk hours and days when families and individuals needs support the most.
Partner Spotlight
Joseph C. Edwards
Executive Director
Buelah Heights Social Integration Program
"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." Maya Angelou


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Just about everybody is feeling the pain at the gas pump these days, with the average price of regular unleaded fuel now at $3.85 per gallon and climbing. But at least most of us have options. If we don't need to tow a boat or transport a gaggle of kids, there are plenty of fuel-efficient, small- and mid-sized cars to choose from that look great and come loaded with premium features.
But pity the professional contractor, delivery service or church group that has no choice but to drive a gas hog. Full-size vans and pickup trucks get the worst gas mileage of any light vehicles on the road, yet they're crucial tools for many small businesses and other organizations. Lousy gas mileage is part of the cost of doing business. But oh, how it hurts!
The owner of a Chevrolet Express van, for example, shells out almost $120 every time he fills up. If gas hits $5 this summer, he'll be spending $155 per fill-up. The Express (along with its General Motors cousin, the GMC Savana van) has the dubious distinction of being the least efficient vehicle on the road – it gets just 9 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving, according to EPA estimates.
Ford Motor's E-series vans and passenger wagons are a tad more efficient (10 miles per gallon), but they cost more to fill up because they've got huge fuel tanks. It costs $135 to fill up a 15-passenger shuttle van at today's gas prices. Imagine the pain of shelling out $175 each time you visit a gas station. If gas rises to $5 a gallon, that'll be the norm.
Obviously, it's not just the price of fuel that affects the cost of filling up: your car's EPA estimated fuel economy, the size of the fuel tank and the fuel grade also matter. Many luxury cars, for instance, require premium fuel, which is more expensive than regular (the national average for premium octane on March 19 was $4.12). Many vehicles nowadays are flex-fuel, which means they can run on E85, too. E85 is considerably cheaper — $3.27 at the moment, but beware: you'll go fewer miles on E85 because of its lower energy content per BTU. Adjusting for its lower efficiency, AAA says E85 costs more than unleaded gas.
Large families (or those still stuck with their old SUVs) are suffering right alongside those fleet owners. An eight-passenger Chevy Suburban, with its 6-liter V8 engine, 39-gallon tank and miserable 12 mpg-rating, costs $150 per fill up. If you're contemplating a summer road trip from, say, New York to Orlando with the kids, prepare to pay almost $700 for gas (assuming gas prices stay flat). The 2,158-mile round trip will cost $900 if we see $5-a-gallon at the pump. If you want to figure out what your cost of fuel will be for a particular trip, visit AAA's fuel cost calculator.
Also, the U.S. Department of Energy's web site, Fueleconomy.gov, offers tools for looking up and comparing miles per gallon.
The good news is that automakers are scrambling to introduce more fuel-efficient powertrains, even in their largest vehicles. GM will roll out a new line of more efficient SUVs and pickups starting late this year. Ford's F-150 pickup line includes an optional twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 that generates as much power as a V-8 but gets 17 miles per gallon. (The V8 version gets just 13 miles per gallon.) Ford offers a similar EcoBoost I-4 engine in its redesigned Explorer. As for the E-series van, still a best-seller among commercial customers, Ford plans to replace it with the more fuel-efficient Transit van from Europe.
In the meantime, Forbes consulted Edmunds.com's monthly fuel cost database to find out which cars cost the most each month to keep fueled. Here's the list.