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From an economic point of view, courts act in some ways like they are part of a market for legal decisions and in other ways like they are not. There is a surprisingly large variability in both the supply and demand for legal decisions across states, but courts currently understand neither the reasons for such variability nor the forces driving any supposed market for such decisions.
Thomas M. Clarke Vice President, Research Division, National Center for State Courts
Courts are used to perceiving themselves as having a monopoly on legal decisions. That monopoly is preserved by state constitutions and statutes. If literally true, that would suggest that courts should only strive for maximum quality and never worry about efficiency or competitors. Of course, it is not literally true. Even before the current financial crisis, courts were pressured by increasing competition from private agencies claiming to be able to resolve cases more efficiently. Competitors have taken some case types, such as complex civil cases and some divorce cases, from traditional courts because of lower cost and superior convenience.
The evidence for such competition is scarce. Case filings continue to increase overall for many courts. On the other hand, trial rates have famously decreased over the last several decades. Numerous mediation and arbitration services now operate outside the formal courts and even online. These organizations sometimes offer potential litigants nonadversarial forms of legal resolution. That approach is attractive in certain case types to litigants who would prefer to avoid the institutionally adversarial processes of the courts.
On the other hand, the metaphor of a free market is not entirely accurate, either. Courts still do retain a monopoly on legal decisions for many case types. In that situation, the only recourse a potential litigant has is a decision not to seek a legal decision. There may be other less formal ways of still resolving their issues to their satisfaction, or they may just forgo the benefits of a real legal resolution due to cost or other barriers.
It may seem strange to even think about a market for legal decisions. First, economists make a distinction between underlying demand and effective demand. You may want to take your case to court, but if you cannot afford the legal fees or the long time to disposition, then you will not file a case. Second, we are conditioned by our culture to think about the courts as the only place where legal decisions can be obtained, but the commercial world commonly includes contract clauses that drive legal disputes to arbitration forums outside the courts. Third, private citizens may decide it is better overall to resolve their legal disputes using more informal mechanisms, even though we would not consider those decisions legal in the same sense that a court would.
These choices between legal forums are certainly complex and involve more than simple cost. Litigants often cite convenience, predictability of outcome, simplicity, and privacy as reasons for seeking (or not seeking) alternate forms of dispute resolution. Of course, courts have tried to cater to these customers by offering processes with lower costs like small claims or voluntary mediation. Business courts are a different kind of attempt to satisfy customers by guaranteeing a level of expertise not found in an average court.
Whether or not there is an erosion of demand for certain court services is debatable. Filings in some case types have flattened, and trials have almost disappeared. If such a trend is valid, it may be occurring in response to market pressures instead of as a thoughtful, policy-driven transition. While courts are primarily focused on outcomes like fairness and due process, they have to be efficient enough to continue attracting adequate funding and public support, while not creating significant barriers to access. The admittedly anecdotal evidence suggests that courts may be facing actual direct competition in some areas or at least being required to take considerations of efficiency more seriously.
The concept of "legal decision" used here is broad and informal. If certain types of enforcement are desired for such decisions, then courts are often the only place where that can be done. If we consider a looser definition where litigants merely want a decision that the parties will likely abide by, then competition definitely exists for certain types of civil and domestic-relations cases, and it is likely to increase in the future. From this perspective, many forms of private and online mediation and arbitration would qualify as competition. Organizations that facilitate negotiations on estates or divorce settlements would qualify, even if a court decree is still required. Even decisions by prosecutors to criminally charge or not, or by litigants to file or not, would affect the supply and demand for legal decisions in courts.
Judges and courts are not used to looking at the justice system as a market for decisions, but various incentives and disincentives constantly raise and lower the attractiveness of state and local courts. In criminal cases, prosecutors may decide whether to charge an offender partly based on the past behavior of the court. Corporations may seek private arbitration to obtain more specialized expertise, a less costly disposition, or a more predictable outcome. If indeed such a market at least partially exists, a significant question for court researchers is why states differ so much in the demand for court services. State per-capita-litigation rates in virtually every major case type vary across a surprisingly wide range. Why is this?
To appreciate the extent of the variability, consider data collected by NCSC on case rates per 100,000 population at the state level. The table reports the ranges for 2007, the last year before the Great Recession. For example, the incoming case rates per 100,000 juveniles in the state population varied from a low of 1,287 cases per 100,000 juveniles in Montana to a high of 6,334 cases in Ohio. Based on the population of juveniles, Ohio sees almost five times as many juvenile cases as Montana does. The case rates vary from factors of 3 to factors as high as 80. This would be like one state consuming toothpaste or dental visits at 80 times the rate of another state. Economists almost never see that kind of market variation.
NCSC staff spend significant time ensuring that cases are counted in equivalent ways across the sample states. Unfortunately, NCSC is unable to obtain a complete sample for any case type, and some samples are significantly smaller than others (see Examining the Work of State Courts, 2007, and Examining the Work of State Courts: An Analysis of 2007 State Court Caseloads for the sample sizes and other details).
For a few of the case types reported in the table, the end points constitute outliers and the range would be significantly smaller if they were removed (New Jersey for traffic, Puerto Rico for traffic and paternity). For most case types, the range is smooth, with no gaps from end to end. The actual range of variability for each case type is certainly understated here. The sample of states for each case type is a subset of all the states. The actual samples range from around 10 states to a maximum of about 30 states. Since the rates are also state averages, the rates for individual courts within a state will be more variable than the state averages.
The large variability in case-type demand across states is striking and could be due to a variety of reasons. Courts in some states, at least for some case types, may be significantly less expensive, thereby increasing the apparent demand for their services. Conversely, states with unusually low demand may be doing something that prevents access to justice (although there are many other possible explanations for the variability). Another obvious possible driver of differences in case rates might be case-type definitions or counting rules. These possibilities cannot be completely discounted as a partial explanation, even though the data have been scrubbed extensively by NCSC to ensure comparability.
Another possibility is substantive differences in state law. For example, some states exclude many lower-value estates from any requirement to obtain court orders, while other states force all estates through their probate system. Another potential cause might be cultural differences. Puerto Rico has the lowest rate for paternity, adoption, and misdemeanors, and for several of those case types, there was a significant gap between Puerto Rico and the state with the next lowest rate. Something unique is definitely going on there. In the case of criminal case types, states do vary in their underlying rates of crime. Finally, the range of filing fees charged by state courts differs considerably. Complexity of process, cost, timeliness, unpredictability of result, and perceived low quality could contribute to low demand.
Some case types may not be validly comparable using population rates. Rates of crime may be higher in poorer states. Rates of foreclosures may vary by the structure of the local economy. Divorce rates will be higher in "no fault" divorce states and lower in states that erect significant barriers or delays as a matter of policy. These are all valid possible factors in differences between state markets for court decisions. The extent to which each one affects the results shown in the table is currently unknown.
Note also that no state seems to be consistently at the top or bottom of the rates across all case types. That suggests that no simple explanation will work across all case types. Whatever the explanations, courts and judges have traditionally viewed the demand for their services as a given they cannot influence. This may be true for some causes and some case types, but it is unlikely to be universally valid. Courts can certainly influence demand by the level of their fees, the timeliness of their decisions, the complexity of their processes, the quality and predictability of their decisions, and other factors under their control.
The supply of decisions is also highly variable. State averages for incoming non-traffic cases per judge in general-jurisdiction courts ranged from a low of 360 in Massachusetts to a high of 4,374 in South Carolina—a 12.2 variability factor. The number of judges per 100,000 population ranges from a low of 1.1 in South Carolina to a high of 6.7 in Oklahoma—a smaller 6.1 variability factor.
The variability in cases per judge is higher than the variability in judges per population because judicial districts and courts tend to be established by constitution using a geographical basis instead of a demand basis. Small courts in rural areas may require a full-time judge by constitution, even though that judge only has a caseload requiring part-time coverage. If venue constraints exist to prevent underused judges from hearing cases out of their district routinely, then the supply of decision-making resources is suboptimally distributed. Statistics about judges per population ignore these practical constraints, so the apparent variability is lower.
These figures suggest that the current supply of judges could potentially do more work if those decision makers were distributed in a way that was more proportional to the actual incidence of cases. The idea here is to distribute judges like Walmart or McDonald's site their stores. Venue and districting alone create significant inefficiencies. Of course, rural judges also increase access and convenience for those living in less populated areas. They do so for a relatively small proportion of total litigants in most states and at the cost of access for those living in more populated areas. The data also suggest that a greater use of magistrates or quasi-judicial officers, especially in limited-jurisdiction courts, might be cost-effective.
The observed degree of variability in demand and supply is unusual, compared to other markets for services. It would be astonishing if the rate for hip surgery were ten times greater in one state than another, even though some states attract concentrations of retired people. Further, courts exhibit the same wide range of variability in almost any operational indicator chosen. For some perspective, courts often benchmark to health care and particularly hospitals for administrative best practices, since both types of organizations tend to be loosely coupled and doctors play a role similar to judges. Yet hospitals certainly show less variability in their fundamental operating characteristics. Why is this?
One reason may be the pressure from insurance funders and the federal government to standardize their practices and control costs. Another reason may be the establishment of medical best practices for treatment. A third reason is that most doctors now are employees and not independent entities. Contrast this situation to courts where many judges are independently elected and few explicit best practices exist or are recognized. The only real pressure for standardized or improved business practices comes from funders in tight times.
The traditional argument by judges against best practices is that cases are unique and too variable. Each case demands special treatment. At one time doctors made the same arguments for the same reasons, but objective and comparative data eventually showed that best practices were not only possible but necessary. No one would argue that doctors do not still exercise their best medical judgment in each unique case, but there are bounds to what is considered permissible or desirable. Some may say that judicial conduct commissions exist to ensure the same kinds of preferred behavior, but it is very difficult to do so when there are few objective standards for competent court administration.
The health-care analogy is not a perfect one for several reasons, but it is clearly inadequate when talking about adult criminal cases. For example, when courts operate in problem-solving modes, they are not trying to lower case-processing times or costs. Instead, they are trying to use evidence-based practices to apply the program or treatment most likely to prevent future recidivism. Moreover, criminal-court judges are also required to take into account a number of other considerations, not least of which is appropriate and fair punishment.
The issue of variable court demand and supply is not just an interesting academic puzzle. Courts are struggling now to maintain or recover adequate operational funding. Some courts believe they are now unable to fulfill their basic constitutional missions. The question of what constitutes the essential functions of a court is at the forefront of every conversation between court leaders. Both the breadth and size of functions offered by a court certainly influence the overall demand for court services. After all, no service, no demand.
The effect of services offered is complex and not easy to tease out. For example, what is the impact of a court offering probation services in contrast to probation being an executive-branch function? What is the impact of shifting some criminal cases from traditional adversarial dockets to problem-solving dockets? We do not really know what the impacts on demand or supply are. In the former case, the necessity of maintaining probation services might reduce the supply of decision-making judges in tight budget times. In the latter case, increasing the supply of problem-solving judges might reduce timeliness as the average case takes longer to dispose and requires more of the decision-making resource.
Barriers to demand are also probably important and variable. Such barriers may include cost, complexity, physical access, and timeliness. The reader can easily add to the list. In the United States, cost has traditionally been considered a valid screening barrier for court cases. In contrast, most other developed countries have unbundled their legal services in a way that has dramatically lowered the cost of litigation on the low end and removed a significant barrier to effective demand. To the extent that some states and courts do the same in our country, it will be interesting to see the effect on demand, if any.
Of course, a lower cost for court services may increase demand in a way that is self-defeating for a court in a funding crisis. Just as new highways make traffic congestion worse, more efficient courts might lead to a higher case demand that puts case quality under pressure. Without having a meaningful debate about the extent of legitimate unmet legal needs, there is no way to know what an adequate level of court funding should be.
The current budget crisis has caused several state court systems to ponder, for the first time, a reduction in the supply of judges. Since such decreases in decision makers are unprecedented, there is usually no recognized process for doing so. At best, it requires formal redistricting and a reduction by attrition as current judges retire. At worst, it requires a constitutional amendment. Removing venue constraints or expanding areas of concurrent jurisdiction offer more feasible ways to improve judicial productivity without actually reducing the supply of judges themselves. Replacing judges with quasi-judicial officers is another strategy being used by several states now.
There is much anecdotal evidence from judges that the supply of decision makers has not kept pace with the demand, causing an increase in average times to disposition, a decrease in the quality of justice, or both. Data from NCSC show that the overall demand for litigation in state and local courts did increase by 10 percent from 1997 to 2006. Note that the general population also increased by 10 percent over the same period, so the rate of litigation remained the same. Criminal and civil caseloads increased slightly faster. Traffic and domestic-relations caseloads followed the average increase. Juvenile caseloads were flat.
Informal and anecdotal comments from judges suggest that they have been working ever harder over the last several decades. It is hard to comment on changes in the supply of judges over the same period, since several changes in the categorization of California judges skew the data. Taken at face value, limited-jurisdiction courts saw an increase of 13 percent in cases per judge, while general-jurisdiction courts saw a decrease of 8 percent in cases per judge from 1997 to 2007. If accurate, lower-court judges may be working slightly harder, and higher court judges may be working a bit less hard. Of course, these statistics date from the period before the current recession and budget crisis, which has caused some courts to delay filling judicial vacancies and significantly increased caseloads in some case types. Either way, it is to legally difficult to either increase or reduce the supply of judges in the short run.
The causes of variation in the demand for litigation also factor into a related discussion on the economic impacts of state court systems. In theory, case fees should be set at some level that clears the market at the point where the supply and demand for judicial decisions in general and trials in particular intersect. It would be more correct to say that case costs, including fees for legal representation and the cost of time to appear in court, are the appropriate measures. Still, court fees are a significant proportion of total litigation costs, especially for case types where self-representation is common. Some states may have set fees too low and induced a higher level of cases and trials than the market would expect. Other states may have set fees too high and seen the opposite problem.
Understanding what the economically appropriate level of case fees should be is an issue that the courts currently know nothing about. Research in this area would not only benefit public policy, but also help courts better understand their impact on the larger economy. Rationalizing such fees across states would smooth out inequities in the demand for court services between states and also stabilize more consistently the markets for other solutions for legal decisions outside the courts. Since most businesses now operate in at least a national market, if not an international market, a more consistent environment for legal decisions would probably be welcomed by businesses. NCSC is looking into the possibility of doing such a study of court fees.
A final significant problem with the court market for legal decisions is the lack of consumer information. In a series of papers on case triage, Flango and Clarke argued in part that consumers need information on case costs, timeliness, complexity, and predictability to make better decisions about whether to file cases, in which types of courts to file, and which types of case management processes to use. In particular, litigants often cannot now make rational decisions between civil cases using the traditional adversarial process and extensive due process versus a less onerous version of civil case processing when both queues are available. As economists know, no market operates efficiently when insufficient information is available about it. The market for legal decisions clearly operates in a very inefficient way now, partly due to the almost total absence of useful market information.
Toward that end, some courts have begun to regularly publish results for the ten CourTools performance measures. Data on case timeliness and cost per case are certainly helpful to potential litigants, even though the costs reported are only for the court. Adding some measures for litigant costs, average hearings per case, and transaction times would be even more beneficial for improving market efficiency. The last two performance measures have already been proposed by some court practitioners and could be practically measured. Litigant costs would be harder to measure, but a sampling approach might provide a set of initial estimates. Again, true litigant costs are important to understand for studies of court economic impacts, barriers to access, and the demand for legal decisions.
We have not even talked seriously about a fuller set of incentives and disincentives affecting the supply and demand for legal decisions. We have also ignored most court competitors in that market. These are subjects beyond the scope of the current article, but still of utmost interest if courts are to maintain themselves as viable social institutions in the future. Until then, courts would do well to begin the work of understanding their market and better positioning themselves to be successful within it.
If one accepts that the courts do operate within a broader market for legal decisions and that market can significantly affect at least the demand for court services, then it may be both useful and important to answer the following questions:
We are used to thinking about a court as a court and due process as due process. However, a traditional criminal court is very different from a drug court, and even more different from a court hearing juvenile-dependency cases or uncontested divorces. Some litigants participate involuntarily. Others vary greatly in available resources to litigate. If the courts ever operated using relatively uniform processes across all case types, those days are probably gone forever. Acting as if the typical litigants in different case types are all the same is probably equally mistaken.
Understanding those kinds of differences would help the courts determine how potential litigants trade off quality (due process), cost, timeliness, and predictable outcomes when deciding whether to use the courts to reach legal decisions. That kind of knowledge would help courts take steps to improve their services to litigants and maintain public trust and confidence.


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Yes today was my first day of work at my new job.
But I first had two back to back job interviews for other jobs in the morning before going to work. How did I pull that one off? Simple – just called my recruiter the day before and asked her if she could find out if going into work after lunch would be okay.
She did the contacting for me and it was a yes. Whew. It was getting stressful prior to the OK because even though I wasn't working yet, there seemed to be a constant flow of potential job related things that would come up.
It made things confusing for me, like confusing to the point of overwhelm, irritability, and even anger that at a certain point (actually last night) all I wanted to do was scream to my heart's content until all the pent up stuff in me was released. But I didn't want to disturb the neighbors or my own dear family.
So to recap what my day looked like, this is what happened:
9am – 10:15am Interview #1 – I kind of didn't do so well on my accounting/excel mini test but I was told that they liked my personality and character/work ethic…
-travel time-
11am-12pm Interview #2 on the other side of LA county overlooking the ocean – LOVED the office because of the view, but I was clear during the interview that I would not want to take the job because even though it was a decent position, there was absolutely NO opportunity for growth. Nope. Can't do that.
-speed traveling to Trader Joe's to grab food and granola bars-
12:30 – 5:30pm Work work work. And I liked being there. That's a relief. To me one of the most important factors when it comes to choosing where to work is the vibe and setup of the office space. Since I sometimes can be more prone to depression than others, having enough lighting makes a huge difference to me. And since I hate being by myself all day for fear of loneliness, having people (cool people) around me makes a difference too.
-then drove in rush hour traffic (woohoo) to CVS pharmacy to pick up my medication (antidepressant). I had to pay like 25 bucks for it because my insurance decided it wouldn't be effective until March 1st. Ugh.
-bought hot cheetos, spf oil free face lotion, new stud earrings because I lost my left earring this morning while washing my hair (so sad), new mascara, and bobby pins. I honestly don't understand why and how all my bobby pins just disappear, even though they come in packs of like 50. Where do they go??
-finally drove home. started a phone call with one of my best friends that lasted over 2 hours, during which I had Chipotle for dinner that my mom and sister brought home. talked about job searching stuff a lot. and I'm not sure why I'm still writing in bold and without some capitalization.
Now I'm here typing up this blog post and having a sore throat. Uh oh. Thankfully I also purchase a DayQuil/NyQuil pack at CVS..
Not sure why, but after this whole day I feel like yelling/screaming at the top of my lungs again. SO. IRRITABLE. I'm sorry… I don't want this to become a complaining diary blog. No. I won't do that.
But I am writing my way through my personal journey hoping that maybe you guys will feel better and more encouraged that there is another person who is imperfect and has moods and frustrations and annoyances and pet peeves and irritability etc. and the list goes on.
Maybe I should have written a mental health post. Oh well.
Or maybe I just need to go to take some NyQuil and knock out until the morning. Or maybe I'm way too full, uncomfortably full, from dinner. I also think I'm thirsty so I should drink some water.
That's all for tonight. I really need to figure out how I should schedule my time with my new job.
And since I don't really have the liberty to scream right now, I will just sigh deeply until I go to bed. Good night.

subset: commoncrawl


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Click here to have Tara contact you to arrange to complete a Complimentary Market Analysis.
Include your name, contact information and any other information that would help Tara start a search for your new home..
Thank you.
Tara Collier
Sales Representative
Royal LePage Team Realty
Unit# 12B - 6081 Hazeldean Rd., Stittsville, ON K2S 1B9
613-831-9287 email@example.com


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In this location of our web site, we will be posting speciality travel packages for the adventurous traveler, the ballroom dancer, or the cruiser. We are sure you will enjoy what we have to offer.
Hi Folks.... Nothing right now.... Keep checking back monthly to see what we have added !!


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The piece states, "In a fractional reserve banking system, if a bank has $10 in cash deposits (i.e. in reserve), it can issue a new loan of $100. This loan is new money that was created out of thin air. When the loan is paid in full, this new money disappears from the system."
With a loan repaid, does that total money act as a larger reserve to lend against or does it "disappear" as stated? For example, if a bank starts with $10 and lends $100. When the loan is repaid, does the bank have $100 as a reserve to now lend $1000?
Thank you.


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For us, it's personal.
We are committed to ensuring that the goals, objectives, and values of your organization and leadership remain the highest priority of our work. We are guided by wide-ranging experience and expertise, respect for your organization's mission and culture, and an exceptional degree of professionalism and discretion.
Each of these sources of value is informed by a sensitivity to the inherent pressures and conflicts that can arise, and we serve as a trusted advisor to leadership within this expected reality.


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Freedom of speech is often considered a threat to governments that do not hold with democratic ideologies, and as Iran reinstated its Facebook and Twitter blockade on Tuesday, following a brief lapse on Monday, the power of social media is clearly considered formidable on the Internet.
One of the newly elected president's platforms that differentiated him from former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was that Internet access, which is heavily filtered throughout the regime would be freed up. Despite Hasan Rouhani who has his own Facebook page, there had not been any freedom extended to the public until Monday's apparent "glitch" whereby Facebook and Twitter became available for a number of hours, according to the New York Times.
The government keeps a strict firewall over the entire country, and the blockade against social media was erected again early Tuesday.
Social media has proven to be one of the fastest sources of news and information, in general, across the globe, and has also directly influenced many unhappy citizens with ways to find like-minded individuals and empower them to organize quickly and efficiently, as has been seen in the recent Egyptian revolution and the myriad forms of the American Occupy protests.
So . . . was Monday's opening up of Facebook and Twitter really just a glitch? Insiders say the problem may have been the result of a battle between different groups inside Iran.
If you thought Facebook and Twitter were not necessary to disseminating relevant information and news far more efficiently and accurately than traditional news and media outlets, remember this: social media allows anyone direct access to the witnesses, organizers, writers, reporters, interviewers (and interviewees), as each person posting on Facebook and Twitter places their unfiltered voice onto the Internet and into the world without all of the potential mass media interests and middle-men.
For businesses and brands, regardless of the size of a company, social media is an excellent way to attract new clients, convert more sales, close more deals, and involve yourself, your brand, and your employees directly in the lives of a community where everyone can revel in their lives with you, the business, as a part of it all.
By R.J. Huneke
Bill Gates, 16. November 2004 at IT-Forum in Copenhagen
Innovation of one's own is key; there is a great lesson to be learned from a short Bill Gates quote that urges business people to not compare themselves to others.
The quote from Mr. Gates is this: "Don't COMPARE yourself with anyone in this world. If you do so, you are . . . INSULTING yourself!"
I love this for a number of reasons that I think are applicable in today's business world.
Firstly, trying to emulate competitors and colleagues for mimicking sake is generally poor practice. That is not to say that studying the successful endeavors of industry leaders and then trying to cut out what you think is their weak points while improving upon many of the high points that you like is also a bad practice, because it is a great way to help improve yourself and your business model.
The gist of what Gates hints at is that you really need to look to yourself, as you are valuable and unique for your own reasons, and you can make your own mark.
Gates spent most of his life being tied to and compared ruthlessly with the ups and downs of Steve Jobs in the computer world, i.e. Apple Vs. Microsoft, business-wise and product-wise. Ultimately Gates seems to not care all that much about any comparison to himself, because he considers his own work too valuable, and with his success you cannot deny he is on to something there.
If you make the sky the limit, because that is what everyone else does, then you've just limited and insulted yourself. Make your own way without limits.
By R.J. Huneke
Go figure, the social media networks are viable in terms of business not just in advertising, but also in providing another outlet for actually connecting people - like the business owner providing a service to a consumer - other than the old school methodology consisting of phone, in-person, or via impersonal email, Internet, television, and radio marketing.
I am not saying that traditional marketing is dead, outdated, or anything but useful for businesses and consumers wishing to find and distribute useful services. The traditional media corporations are flourishing in today's market, and TV still does what everyone desires: drives flurries of people to pick up the phone or laptop and call or Google your product.
What is becoming more legitimate is the advocacy of spending a good amount of time as a business that is contributing and active in social media networking, and the sales and increasing bottom lines do not lie, folks.
Social Media has three huge places: #1 is Facebook, #2 is Twitter, and #3 is LinkedIn.
These are the huge social media hubs where businesses can go to really connect with an audience and build not just a brand but a community around their services and then get feedback and interaction - valuable engagement - with clients, friends of clients, and potential future clients that will go to your website, your web profiles on other networks.
Because traditional marketing has lambasted our patience by plastering every street corner with billboards, every TV show with myriad commercials, and every home and office phone number with countless soliciting, it is no surprise that many people not only do not mind being reached out to online in the social networks
(where they can voluntarily choose to play along or not), but prefer it.
Facebook provides a great source of information that is rivaling the Google search engine more and more each day, and many people, of all ages, go there to find things they are looking to learn about.
Learning about something, in this commercial society, can and does lead to a consumer acquiring services that are in some way tied to what they are looking into.
Thus, new content, more blogs, articles, and videos are being projected through 2013 and into the future by businesses that wish to give out free knowledge, blast it via social media, and then connect to anyone that is legitimately interested in their services.
This weeds out many of those window shopping, because most that will go further than retweeting a post on Twitter are probably really interested in what your business has to offer and can then conveniently go through the social network they already love to reach out and purchase this.
It is becoming more and more of a social media universe every day!
by R.J. Huneke
Cross Promote EVERYTHING
What started out solely as a means of shameless self-promotion quickly turned into marketing, and one of the first lessons that this author came to learn was the power of being able to cross promote over numerous platforms seamlessly online.
You do not have to do be a digital media genius (though that helps too) to succeed in promoting your self or your business. What you really need to dedicate is time, energy, and an idea.
Now hold on for a second and let me explain before you tell me to stick social media and blogging where the sun does not dare to shine, because being a business owner does not allow for much in the way of expendable time, energy, or ideas; I know from experience that running a business exhausts time and energy.
But having a burgeoning business of any kind almost always certainly starts with an idea. How do you utilize your idea to make sales conversions? How do you expand upon the idea?
What cross promotion is really all about is coming up with a solid, interesting, or advantageous idea that will benefit the consumer and then getting that message out there in the world, or the marketplace if you will.
This idea can be as simple as the reason your product is better than all others, or why it is different and interesting. Use the ideas that are already associated with your market and write a rant about them in a blog. Great promotion starts with a blog online, because the keywords in the written article (words relevant to the topic) register in the global search engines, the Google's and the Bing's, and people can then find your location, your idea, your product when they look for something loosely related to it on the vastly intricate world-wide web of the Internet.
Are you already on Facebook for personal use? If not, get there, but make a business page to be another soapbox for your professional idea/business/product. Copy and paste a link to each blog in that Facebook box that asks you to "post" and then open up a Twitter account. Do not even worry about what you are doing on there or the fact that you do not want to spend time on there. Just post the title and link to your blog there as well.
Talk about the Twitter page and web site blog on Facebook; then do the same with Facebook and the blog on Twitter. Cross promoting your business ideas will resonate online and help people, interested consumers, find what you have to share with them.
By R.J. Huneke
As SINC Sites are public computing labs with software tools, a knowledge base if you will, the SYNC Blog is a public house of educational information providing intrinsic insight into the art of tech, media, and business.
July 2017


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A complex, pleasantly sour but balanced wild Belgian wheat beer that is highly carbonated and very refreshing. The spontaneous fermentation character can provide a very interesting complexity, with a wide range of wild barnyard, horse blanket, or leather characteristics intermingling with citrusy-fruity flavors and acidity.
Gueuze is traditionally produced by mixing one, two, and three-year old lambic. "Young" lambic contains fermentable sugars while old lambic has the characteristic "wild" taste of the Senne River valley. A noticeable vinegary or cidery character is considered a fault by Belgian brewers. A good gueuze is not the most pungent, but possesses a full and tantalizing bouquet, a sharp aroma, and a soft, velvety flavor. Lambic is served uncarbonated, while gueuze is served effervescent. Products marked oude or ville are considered most traditional.
Boon Oude Gueuze, Boon Oude Gueuze Mariage Parfait, Cantillon Gueuze, De Cam Gueuze, De Cam/Drei Fonteinen Millennium Gueuze, Drie Fonteinen Oud Gueuze, Girardin Gueuze (Black Label), Hanssens Oude Gueuze, Lindemans Gueuze Cuvée René, Mort S


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Sioux Falls Black Lives Matter Vigil
This week has been an incredibly heavy one. Starting with the killing of two black men within 24 hours of one another by police officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and St. Paul, Minnesota, concluding with a shooting at a Black Lives Matter protest and vigil by an unaffiliated shooter, killing five officers and injuring several others.
In the aftermath of such a painful week, members of the Sioux Falls community gathered to take a stand against the brutality and violence, refusing to remain silent in circumstances of injustice.
The vigil began with a reading of names of the lives lost through police brutality and systematic injustice, including a specific time remembering the lives of women of color, some of the most oppressed and endangered lives in America's present and history. The group of about 100 met at the corner of 11th St & Duluth Ave, walking north towards 6th St and Minnesota Ave, concluding in front of the County Administration building with some moments of silence and a space to engage in community dialogue.


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Blackwell, Alice (2017) International network of scholars to explore the role of silver in Early Medieval Europe. History Scotland, 17 (2). p. 23. ISSN 1475-5270Full text not available from this repository.
Official URL: https://www.celebrate-scotland.co.uk/store/back-is...
A major grant awarded to National Museums Scotland will allow historians to explore the role that silver played in the emergence of the Early Medieval kingdoms of Europe.
|Item Type:
|A General Works > AM Museums (General). Collectors and collecting (General)
D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GT Manners and customs
Q Science > QE Geology
Q Science > QL Zoology
|Material culture: creation and use
|Scottish History and Archaeology (from 2012)
|Related URLs:
|Depositing User:
|Ross Anderson
|Date Deposited:
|29 Mar 2017 12:59
|Last Modified:
|29 Mar 2017 12:59
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I am standing half naked in the fitting room at Barneys with a $3,300 Lanvin gold lamé evening dress and a $5,650 pleated Prada frock puddled at my feet and I am smiling for one full minute—harder than it sounds—in an attempt to feel my feelings, which will in turn send out a powerful signal to the universe. I am a human transmission tower, according to Rhonda Byrne, the author of the Oprah-endorsed runaway bestseller The Secret, and in that capacity I can miraculously transform myself from a woman who buys everything on triple markdown to a happy high roller whose shopping addiction is funded by the universe itself.
Ever since I read The Secret, which is printed on fake parchment, embossed with an imitation red seal, and has to be ordered from Amazon.com because it is sold out in every bookstore in Manhattan, my shopping strategies have completely changed. I now use The Secret's secret weapon, the Law of Attraction, to attract exactly what I want. Lucky for me, The Secret has come along just in time: This season in particular clothes, shoes, and especially handbags have price tags once confined to diamond tiaras and luxury sports cars.
But what do I care? If Jack Canfield, self-described life coach, motivational speaker, and the guy responsible for all those Chicken Soup for the Soul books, can brag: "Since I learned the Secret and started applying it to my life, my life has truly become magical. I live in a four-and-a-half million dollar mansion, I have a wife to die for, I get to vacation in all the fabulous spots of the world," why can't I use the Secret to procure a lousy pair of $1,275 Balenciaga gladiator sandals? Canfield is only one of the experts Byrne quotes repeatedly throughout the book, along with rediscovered 19th-century guys with phony-sounding names like Prentice Mulford who more than a hundred years ago wrote, "When before the visit or the journey or the shopping trip you are in a bad humor, or fearful or apprehensive of something unpleasant, you are sending unseen agencies ahead of you which will make some kind of unpleasantness."
Is the kind of unpleasantness Mulford had in mind something like the time the salesclerk at Bergdorf Goodman cut up my credit card right in front of me? That was unpleasant indeed. To forestall a repetition of such events, I am following the Secret's instructions explicitly. Step one is to just write down what I want. This is easy. My list includes a wisteria-colored crocodile Birkin bag, (hey, why not?); a handmade Goyard champagne trunk that comes fitted with a half-dozen flutes and an ice bucket and costs $12,745, even though I don't particularly care for champagne; and that full-skirted $13,000 Azzedine Alaia coat that French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld sported to great effect at the New York collections last February.
And here is the best part. According to Byrne, I don't have to worry about how I will actually acquire these things. All I have to do is really, really want them. Which I assure you, I do. She calls this placing your order with the universe, and apparently no order is too tall. Not only will this incredible new wardrobe descend from the heavens and find its way into my closet, but everything will fit me like a dream. This is because I have taken to heart the part of The Secret that says, "Food can not cause you to put on weight, unless you think it can." From the moment I hear this, I cease believing that McDonald's french fries and Beard Papa cream puffs have anything to do with my intermittent chubby status. I buy the Azzedine coat in a size two.
I love The Secret so much that I read the whole book in one day. OK, so I have to employ a visualization technique Byrne calls a "scene shifter" to block out a couple of disturbing sections, especially the part that says, "If people believe they can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and they have no control over outside circumstances, those thoughts of fear, separation, and powerlessness, if persistent, can attract them to being in the wrong place at the wrong time." (Sorry 12 million Holocaust victims! Tough luck residents of New Orleans!) I'm also less than thrilled with the stuff about how if you have cancer you should skip the chemotherapy and just watch funny movies and you'll be cured. So I quickly flip the pages and take refuge in the sheer profundity of sentences like: "If you're not sure how you're feeling, just ask yourself, 'How am I feeling?'" And I focus on case studies like the one about a 10-year-old named Colin—no last name—who came to Byrne's attention because he managed, by sheer force of mental will, to get to the head of the lines at Disney World rather than wait for hours along with thousands of other suckers who didn't employ the Secret.
Because you know, I'm fed up having to wait endless months for spring clothes to be marked down before I can even think about buying anything. So imagine how happy I am when I read, "Make it your intention to look at everything you like and say to yourself, I can afford that, I can buy that." Byrne even makes the bold proposition that I pretend all my bills are actually checks! "I would jump for joy as I opened them and say, 'More money for me! Thank you. Thank you,' " she writes. With this new tactic, I can hardly wait for my credit card statements to arrive.
You might think I'm feeling a little spiritually bankrupt, a teensy bit guilty, with all this emphasis on luxury goods and personal appearance, but you'd be wrong. According to The Secret, those old-time patriarchs didn't exactly take vows of poverty. Byrne refers readers to a little-known series called The Millionaires of the Bible, swearing that "in these glorious books you will discover that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and Jesus were not only prosperity teachers, but also millionaires themselves, with more affluent lifestyles than many present-day millionaires could conceive of."
But just in case whatever remains of your social conscience begins to prick, Byrne offers this solution: "When I discovered the Secret I made a decision that I would not watch the news or read newspapers anymore, because it did not make me feel good . . . The news services and newspapers will change what they deliver to us when we emit a new signal and focus on what we want."
Sorry, but I'm not wasting my signal on the news media. I'm too busy arranging to have my purchases shipped to my deluxe apartment in the sky. After all, according to Byrne, this is just as the universe wants it to be. "The earth turns on its orbit for You," she opines. "The oceans ebb and flow for You. The birds sing for You. The sun rises and it sets for You.
For Me, and for the big money boys over at Barneys.


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Fluid Research Ltd – VRE Micro Shot Dispensing Valve
The VRE Micro Shot Dispensing Valve is perfect for small shot dispensing.
This newly developed small shot dispensing, mixing valve has a unique independent stepper drive to enable programmable ratio selection.
Designed specifically for tiny shot dispensing and fine bead laying, the Micro VRE offers a high degree of accuracy and repeatability. The simple mechanical principle combined with high engineering precision and sophisticated control results in an easy to use and easy to maintain valve weighing only 4.5Kg.
- Potting
- Encapsulating
- Coating
- Bead Laying
- Electronics


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Beach Escapades beyond Goa – The Vacationer Guide to Lesser Known Beaches in India
The beaches of Goa attract millions of tourists from around the world, every year. But Goa is not the only place in India with amazingly beautiful beaches. In fact, those looking specifically to relax are often found at these lesser known beaches, simply because of the peace and serenity that comes with a less frequented area.
We've documented the ten lesser known beaches in India for the vacationer who wants to look beyond Goa. Enjoy these exotic locations, whether you want to surf, water ski, or simply bask in the view.
#1 – Karaikal Beach – Pondicherry
The sandy beach in Karaikkal is easily one of the best natural beaches in the southern region of Tamil Nadu. The beach has been made even more accessible through the widening of the 2 kilometers road along the Arasalar River, which has also been illuminated with sodium vapor lamps. In addition to the gorgeous beach, attractions include the children's park and the tennis court, which make the area as frequented by locals as by tourists. Facilities include immovable seating arrangements, a beach-themed restaurant, and convenient vehicular parking. You can watch the beautiful Arasalar River make its way to the ocean, as well as sail, kayak, and canoe.
#2 – Kappil Beach – Kerala
This tranquil beach is located conveniently close to the capital of Kerala but remains scenic and unspoiled. It is a haven for anyone trying to escape from the big city, or even with some time to spare in transit. As yet, it is untouched by any form of commercial exploitation. Watch the coconut trees lean towards the water and enjoy the perfection of this small, untouched beach. Very close by is the Kodi Cliff, with its incredibly panoramic view of the Arabian Sea. Other nearby attractions include the Bekal Fort, which is 6 km away, and the Pallikunnam Temple, which is 2 km away.
#3 – Ganpatipule Beach – Maharashtra
Along the Konkan Coast lies one of the most sublime places in India. It has religious significance as it is supposed to be a sanctuary of Ganesh. The clean shoreline and clear waters are as well known as the coconut palms and mangroves, with lots of places to simply relax and laze in the shadows. The peace to be found in Ganpatipule is like no other and must be experienced to be believed. It is for pilgrims and tourists alike, and the golden sands are as frequented as the numerous trails to be explored and enjoyed.
#4 – St. Mary's Islands – Karnataka
St. Mary's Islands are known for their basalt shakes, which have formed hexagonal shapes which look as though they have been crafted by hand and dot the shorelines. The name refers to a cluster of four that lies in the Arabian Sea, in the Udupi region and off the coast of Malpe. The otherworldly atmosphere draws visitors from around the world, and beautiful shells are to be found on the beach, specifically on the western shore. Birds found in the area include green bee-eaters and brahminy kites, as well as sandpipers. The islands are completely uninhabited, leading to an unparalleled experience.
#5 – Neil Island – Andaman
The white sand beaches of Neil Island are a must see for visitors to the Andaman Islands. The sandy beaches are only 40 kilometers or so from Port Blair, and close to luxuriant flora, not to mention sweeping banana plantations and paddy fields. Also famed is the rich marine life, so it is a good thing Neil Island affords tourists opportunities for diving and other water activities. If you're wondering how to get there, there are regular government ferries which run from Port Blair to the island, and a handful of great hotels to stay at. Internet connectivity isn't great, but if you wanted to stay connected, why go on holiday?
#6 – Cherai Beach – Kerala
Just 25 kilometers from Kochi is the 10 kilometers long stretch that has been referred to by many admirers as the princess of the Arabian Sea. This is the Cherai beach, and nothing will prepare you for the exquisite beauty of this wonderful place. The sea and the backwaters together create an unspoiled, sensuous ambiance that this beautiful beach is known for. You can take the traditional country boats out into the water and watch the lush countryside pass before your eyes, or spend some time in the fishermen's village where you never know what exotic seafood dish will be available for your dinner.
#7 – Bakkhali – West Bengal
As visitors to Bakkhali will tell you, most days you have the place to yourself. It is a part of one of the islands in the Sundarbans, lined with casuarinas trees. There are secluded spots galore for you to lose yourself in. Seven kilometers down is another beach, Frasergunj, and the habitations of the two have now been merged to form one locality. Like many areas in the Sundarbans, Bakkhali is not suitable for driving or cycling but is perfect for long, meandering walks. All the myriad flora and fauna of the islands is on display, and the sunrise is a thing of astonishing beauty.
#8 – Gopalpur – Orissa
Gopalpur beach was, at one time, a commercial port, but you wouldn't think it to see it now, famous for its sea beach and tourist destinations. Conveniently located 15 kilometers from Berhampur, it provides visitors with stunning views of the Bay of Bengal. Try to visit during the Gopalpur beach festival, held since 1996, every December, and very, very enjoyable. And visit as soon as possible to enjoy this unspoiled beauty, because the reconstruction of the port may lead to sweeping changes in this beautiful area, with its barren coastline that has a strange and unnatural beauty all of its own.
#9 – Radha Nagar Beach – Havelock
This beach is completely untainted by any kind of commercialism, making it a rarity in our times. It is indeed a gem among beaches, one of the most beautiful in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where pretty beaches are a dime a dozen. As you walk these sands, you will feel as those they have been waiting for you, as though no one has traversed them for ages past. This timelessness is the reason why so many flocks to Havelock, and it is not for nothing that Radha Nagar beach has been named, time and time again, one of the best beaches not just in India, but in Asia.
#10 – Agatti Island – Lakshadweep
Imagine a lagoon the color of a flawless aquamarine, and pristine white sands beneath your feet. Imagine yourself lying near the water, the cool breeze playing with your hair, with no disturbance or disruption in sight. You do require an entry permit to get to Agatti, and certain other regulations are definitely in place but believe us, it's all worth it. When you have had your fill of lazing around, you can hire a bicycle from a number of places, and tour the island on the road that stretches along the length of Agatti, before retiring to one of two great resorts.
There you have it. Next time you are in the mood for sand and surf, look beyond Goa. If you've already been to Goa and decided that it's not for you, don't worry: there's so much more out there to experience. No two beaches are alike, and sometimes it's good to get away from the beaten path and take the road less often traveled. As the truly discerning traveler might tell you, the most enjoyable places are the ones that few people know about, allowing you to appreciate all that exquisite beauty in peace and seclusion. And if it's relaxation that you truly want, sometimes you can do without all that clutter.


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What Is A Bill Of Exchange?
Bill of exchange is an unconditional order in writing given by the creditor (seller of goods on credit) to the debtor (buyer of goods on credit) to pay on demand or at a specified future date, a certain sum of money only to or to the order of a specified person or to the bearer. Bill of exchange facilitates purchase and sale of goods on credit. So it is called as credit instrument or negotiable instrument.
There are three parties to a bill of exchange:-
(1) Drawer:- Drawer is the person who draws or prepares the bill. He is the creditor who sells goods on credit and is entitled to receive money for it. He signs the bill of exchange and sends it to the drawee for acceptance.
(2) Drawee:- Drawee is the person on whom the bill is drawn. He is the debtor who purchases goods on credit from drawer and is required to pay money for it.
(3) Payee:- Payee is the person to whom the amount of bill is payable. Payee may be a third party or in most cases, the drawer himself.
Due Date Of Bill:-
The date on which the amount of bill becomes payable is the due date or maturity date of the bill. The period between the drawing of bill and due date of bill is the tenure of bill. Three extra days are added in the calculation of due date which are called as grace days. If the bill is payable on demand, it has no due date or maturity date as the amount of bill is payable as and when the bill is presented for payment and not on a specific date. There are no grace days for bills payable on demand.
Acceptance Of Bill:-
Drawee has to accept the bill of exchange drawn by the drawer. Drawee accepts the bill by putting his signature and optionally writing the word "accepted" on it. By accepting the bill drawee agrees to pay the amount mentioned on bill on maturity of bill or on demand, as the case maybe. On acceptance of the bill by drawee, it becomes a legal document enforceable in the court of law.
Endorsement Of Bill:-
The drawer or holder of the bill of exchange may transfer his rights to some other person by writing his name and signing it. Such an act is called as endorsement of bill of exchange. The person who endorses the bill is called as endorser and the person to whom it is endorsed is called as endorsee. After endorsement, the endorsee is entitled to receive the money. Sometimes the drawer endorses the bill in favor of his creditor for clearing his own debt.
Discounting Of Bill:-
If the drawer or holder of the bill wants to receive money before its due date, he sells the bill to a bank. Such an act is called as discounting of bill of exchange. The bank deducts some amount of the bill which is called as discount and pays the remaining balance amount in cash to the drawer or holder. Discount charged by bank is the interest at a certain rate on the amount of bill for its unexpired period. After discounting, bank becomes the holder of the bill.
Retirement Of Bill:-
If the drawee or acceptor of the bill pays the bill amount before its due date, it is called as retirement of bill of exchange. Drawer generally allows the drawee certain amount of rebate on the bill amount for the unexpired period of the bill.
Renewal Of Bill:-
When the drawee or acceptor of the bill finds that he may not be able to pay the amount of bill on due date, he may approach the drawer before the due date and request him to cancel the original bill and draw a new bill with an extended date. Such cancellation of old bill and drawing of new bill is called as renewal of bill of exchange. The drawee has to pay interest for the extended period. He may be required to pay the interest in cash or the interest may be included in the amount of new bill. Sometimes the drawee pays some part of the bill amount and accepts a new bill with the balance amount with interest.
Honour And Dishonour Of Bill:-
A bill of exchange is said to be honoured when the drawee or acceptor pays the amount of bill to the drawer when it is presented for payment.
A bill of exchange is said to be dishonoured when the drawee or acceptor refuses to pay the amount of bill to the drawer when it is presented for payment on its maturity. When the bill is dishonoured, the drawer or holder of the bill may approach a lawyer who is called as "notary public" to collect legal evidence of dishonour. The notary public takes the bill to the drawee and asks for payment. If the drawee does not pay, he notes the fact of dishonour which is called as "noting" and the reason for dishonour. The noting acts as a legal evidence if the drawer files a case in court against the drawee. The notary public charges fees for this service which is called as "noting charges". Noting charges are to be paid by the drawer but they are recoverable from the drawee who is responsible for the dishonour.
What Is A Promissory Note?
Promissory note is an unconditional undertaking in writing given by the debtor to the creditor to pay on demand or at a specified future date, a certain sum of money only to or to the order of a specified person or to the bearer. Promissory note is a credit instrument or negotiable instrument.
There are two parties to a promissory note:-
(1) Maker:- Maker is the person who makes or prepares the note. Maker is the debtor who is required to pay the money.
(2) Payee:- Payee is the creditor who is entitled to receive the money from maker.
Difference Between Bill Of Exchange And Promissory Note:-
|Bill Of Exchange
|Promissory Note
|Bill of exchange is prepared by the creditor.
|Promissory note is prepared by the debtor.
|Bill of exchange is an unconditional order given by the creditor to debtor.
|Promissory note is an unconditional promise given by the debtor to creditor.
|There are three parties to a bill of exchange – drawer, drawee and payee.
|There are two parties to a promissory note – maker and payee.
|Drawer and payee can be the same person.
|Maker and payee cannot be the same person.
|Bill of exchange requires acceptance from the drawee to be effective.
|Promissory note does not require any acceptance to be effective.


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Home Artists
Roesen, SeverinGerman native Severin Roesen is most famous for his abundant fruit and flower still lifes and is today recognized as one of the major American still-life painters of the mid-nineteenth century. more
Rottinghaus, DavidWhen David Rottinghaus paints he draws from memories held onto from childhood. He grew up on his parents' farm in rural North Iowa with his six brothers and sisters. His work reflects the agricultural spirit and pride of rural America. more
Russell, C.M.Cowboy Artist, Charlie Russell captured forever the real legend of the west now gone. The drama and daily hard work of the cowboy lives on in the canvases of Charlie Russell's artwork. more


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wheatgrass (3-5 oz. bags)
wheatgrass (3-5 oz. bags) Lemon-Compliminted wheatgrass Grown fresh, made for juicing Family man and avid health advisor Buy as many bags you like! Buy to be capable …See all stories on this topic 3rows Cutting Rice Wheat Grass Reaper 2rows Rice Wheat Grass Reaper Binder Machiney. This reaper binder is our patented product.It will bind the […more]


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At My Therapy Network our aim is simple, we want to bring together a program of expert clinicians to deliver quality education in the South West.
The Course program is sourced and overseen by Ben Watkins who is a qualified local Physiotherapist and founder of My Therapy Network. Ben is currently studying an MSc in advanced neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy part time and has 6 years experience treating patients in the NHS, private sector, for various sports teams and the military.


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This evening a team of six men from Prison Christian Ministries, Brent, Mike, Adrian, Bill, Don & Les find them selves en route to The Village of Hope. This all male recovery centre, the inspiration of Pastor Mart Vahi, was first launched in Estonia. Now the vision has spread to Tracy, New Brunswick, and is headed up by Mart's son Andrew. Situated on "God's beautiful rural acreage" this recovery centre is helping set captives free from substance and life controlling issues. Their Mission is simple, "To provide an organized opportunity for men and their families to overcome chemical addiction through a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ." And that is where we come in, Prison Christian Ministries visit many such recovery facilities, we present the Gospel to these men, testimonies, prayer, and encourage and teach.
The evening began with prayer led by Brent. Then Les, our song leader, well versed in familiar favorites, led us in a time of worship. One couldn't help but notice one particular favorite of the men, "Walking In The Light", this song seemed particularly powerful.
When the singing ended Bill spoke a word, using the analogy of a spider and it's web as a "type" of the devil and sin. That many times our life controlling issues are a result of lies that we have believed, concluding that many times we are more victims of the lies rather than the liar. Many men seemed spoken to by this teaching.
Then Don shared his testimony. This capable individual was once a residence at Village of Hope. He now stands as a shining example of what Christ can do in a life, when they partner with Him, and receive the spiritual nourishment from such facilities as The Village of Hope. Taking his rightful place in ministry, he has gone on to have his own recovery group. You never know what God can do when we yield our lives to him. As the evening progressed we heard compelling testimony form current residents in the program.
Truly God is at work and cares for His children providing such facilities as the Village of Hope and many Prison Ministries, of which we are one. God has blessed us to be a blessing to these men. Who knows what lives and ministries are being developed and restructured to go forth and make their ministry mark in life? The service ended with Mike leading in prayer for needs, and us praying for each other.
As is custom, Les brought the much anticipated baking, that is so good during our fellowship time. Then it was time to leave and we headed back to our homes, basking in the warmth and comfort that God had once again shown up, and proven Himself faithful to minister to His people. Blessings…Bill


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Your favorite superheroes from the hit Teen Titans Go! series! Your super hero collection won't be complete without this Teen Titans GO! The Night Begins to Shine Cyborg Pop! Vinyl Figure #605. Measures approximately 3 3/4-inches tall and comes packaged in a window display box.
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD-Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.


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It has been a long time since I have blogged and I apologize for neglecting my duties. I am learning that a 3 month old takes precedence over everything in life.
My sermon Sunday is based on Isaiah 60: 1-6; "Arise, Shine for the Light has come." As I said on Christmas Eve, when Jesus arrived, everything changed. The world that once was in darkness, was illuminated by his presence; and that is good news.
Many in our world continue to walk in darkness. Look at the news...it seems that all we hear about are terrible things happening in our society. Just this week, we heard about rising tensions in the Middle East as well as a park ranger being shot at Mt. Rainier State Park for no discernible reason.
That darkness is not just over there happening to someone else. Many times it is right here in our own lives. Whether it be difficulties at work, problems in a marriage, debilitating diseases, or dwindling finances, none of us are immune from the devastating darkness that desperately tries to overwhelm us.
But the good news is that the light will always overcome the darkness...that is what Jesus speaks of in the gospel of John and that is at the heart of our text for Sunday. Jesus has come into the world. He brings light even to the darkest reaches of our souls and as such, we have hope.
I want you to be prepared to worship on Sunday. And if you find yourself in a dark place, then this Sunday is especially for you. We will rejoice that the Light has come and we will also celebrate this day by participating in the Lord's Supper. Join us, and may we worship well.
In His love and grace,


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Blog Archives
Over the last three years, I have realized that getting to the gym and eating right is about way more than losing weight, getting a six-pack and meeting hot chicks. That was my mentality about fitness up until I met my wife. I had a membership to one of the local franchise gyms, I wasn't ever on a diet although I didn't just let myself eat everything in site, and I only saw it as a social event with friends with the potential of lifting enough weight to impress someone.
I was active all through high school playing many sports, but never was the best at any of them. I could easily rattle of a 5000 word blog post about my battle with weight and self confidence, but I want to focus on what fitness and eating right does for me now as an adult, as a husband, and as a father. Just after marrying my wife, I had the opportunity of shooting pictures at my cousin Ashley's wedding, of course since I am her favorite, she made me come from behind the camera and take a picture with her. This picture, quite honestly, disgusted me. Don't get me wrong, she looked great but the lumpy dude next to her with the 5 chins needed some work. The idea of being a healthy father started to really get me thinking, and when I turned 29, knowing that we were planning on starting a family eventually, I set a goal of being "Fit by 30". Little did I know that "eventually" would mean Caty was pregnant less than 6 months later, but still it was time.
K was born and both my wife and decided it was time to get serious. I was already working out but the eating was on point at all. We decided to try the Advocare challenge and had great success and still use their products to this day. I was noticing immediately that a healthier me, was a happier me, and a happier me made the world a little more easy.
You will hear me talk about Crossfit a lot on the blog. I was introduced to 'the cult' 9 months ago and the way I viewed working out changed. It doesn't matter how bad the day is, if I can get in a workout at the end of the day I get to let go of frustration and anger of some of the things that get thrown at us. My wife just asked me if I remember when I used to never work out… That's how much things have changed. I feel like today, while I am not at my goal, I am currently the best version of me. My wife has gone from asking me if I am going to start working out, to noticing if I miss more than a day or two.
My goal in fitness for 2014 is to continue to chase my fitness goals whether it is a PR on a lift or a number on a scale (which oddly enough doesn't mean as much to me as it used to). My second fitness goal is to help others find their potential and start their journey.
What's your 2014 Fitness Goal?


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Conservation through Conversation
Lifescapes is a Responsible Tourism initiative that springs from Evolve Back's philosophy of being one with the spirit of the land. Lifescapes, to put it simply, attempts to tell people a simple story on the nature of our land, through an outstanding photograph and accompanying essay. It also aims to showcase the efforts of photographers whose talent and toil are responsible for the outstanding quality of their images, so that both they and their subjects find a wider audience.
It's said that a good photograph takes an instant out of time, and alters life by holding it still. It's also said that the best still images, are moving. They move you beyond time and space, move you emotionally, spiritually and intellectually; move you because they tell an entire story, in a single frame. Through these frames and their accompanying essays, we hope to kindle a spark of interest in the nature and wildlife of our land, among the urban opinion makers of India and the world, a spark that we hope would lead to an appreciation and a stake in the preservation of our natural heritage by creating the next generation of wildlife conservationists of the world.


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"Balanza" means balance, in Spanish. The leaves of the logo represent the Journey that each and everyone of us are on, called LIFE. The rich transition of colors throughout the leaves represent the transitions we go through while on this journey, whether the transition be the passing of a loved one, beginning a new job, the healing of past memories, changing careers, a new addition to the family, becoming empty nesters, healing from injury, trauma, illness, or what ever else life brings. Balanza Health & Wellness is here to help you find balance and profound healing throughout your journey's transitions.
Balanza Health & Wellness consists of a gifted network of healing professionals who help to restore physical, emotional, mental, energetic and spiritual balance. We are happiest and most productive when we are in a balanced, healthy state. During the course of our lives, we experience events that disrupt our natural state of balance, events that we hold onto, events that we suppress, and for some reason store in our tissues, in our organs, our viscera, and other areas of our being that end up causing us pain in one way or another.
Balanza Health & Wellness is dedicated to helping our clients achieve profound healing and balance. Believing we are created in a state of grace and balance, it is our utmost desire to help our clients rediscover that lost state. From that state, everything in our lives change for the better.