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Article Apr 9, 2024 Military Health Conference Opens with Call to Come Together as One "The MHS is quite simply the lifeblood of the men and women who go into harm's way to defend the nation," says Department of Defense leader. Recommended Content Our Strategy MHS Conference
Spotlight Mar 28, 2024 Military Health System Conference – The Future of Military Medicine The MHS Conference is a four-day annual conference providing military health care providers an opportunity for sharing knowledge, innovative ideas, lessons learned, and new developments and enables health care and industry partner engagement in delivering patient-centered care for military beneficiaries. Recommended Content About the MHS Our Strategy Elements of the MHS Our Organization
Article Jan 19, 2024 Military Health System Stabilization: Rebuilding Health Care Access is 'Critical to the Wellbeing of our Patients' On Dec. 6, 2023, the Deputy Secretary of Defense signed a memo directing the stabilization of the MHS, adding the capacity to reattract beneficiaries, improve access to care in military hospitals and clinics, and increase opportunities to sustain military clinical readiness for our medical forces. Recommended Content About the MHS Our Strategy Health Readiness & Combat Support
Article Dec 29, 2023 A Year of Transformation and Growth for the Defense Health Agency In 2023, the Defense Health Agency welcomed new leaders, celebrated its historic 10-year anniversary, and released a five-year strategic plan that focuses on leveraging health technology to improve patient experiences and outcomes. Recommended Content History of the Defense Health Agency Defense Health Networks
Article Oct 12, 2023 DHA Launches 9 Defense Health Networks to Improve Health Care Delivery to Joint Force "The Military Health System is changing … changing how we organize to counter threats that surround us, how we deliver care on the battlefield or at home, and how we leverage the tools and technologies of this digital age to better service our patients," said Defense Health Agency Director U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland in a recent message to ... Recommended Content Defense Health Networks Defense Health Agency About the MHS
Article Oct 5, 2023 Air Force Physician Chosen to Lead Military's Largest Medical Network An Air Force physician with over 30 years of service became the first director of the newly designated Defense Health Network Central, the military's largest medical network, on Oct. 1. Recommended Content Defense Health Networks Central
Article Jul 27, 2023 New Assistant Director Johnson Supports DHA Digital Transformation Donald Johnson, the new Defense Health Agency assistant director support/component acquisition executive, has jumped full force into supporting DHA Director U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland's vision for the Military Health System. Recommended Content Doing Business with the Defense Health Agency Our Strategy
Article May 19, 2023 Fort Belvoir Community Hospital Renamed to Honor Army Doctor Defense Health Agency renames Fort Belvoir Community Hospital to honor historic leader and highest-ranking black officer in the Union Army. Recommended Content Defense Health Agency Military Hospitals and Clinics Defense Health Networks National Capital Region
Article Apr 28, 2023 Crosland Discusses Dawn of Digital Health at HIMSS 2023 "My priorities as a combat support agency are about health of the force, and the redesign of our health care system is about health of our patient," said U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Crosland. "And as an agency, it's about health of our people." Recommended Content Health Care Technology Our Strategy
Article Around MHS Apr 20, 2023 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Makes History The 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron embarks on the U.S. Air Force's first-ever AE paramedic-led flight in charge of an all-enlisted medical crew. Recommended Content Global Health Engagement Health Readiness & Combat Support Our Strategy Europe
Article Mar 10, 2023 Tidewater Market Saves by Integrating and Optimizing Pathology Services Efficiency, optimization, and standardizing processes and services is paramount for the success of setting up DHA market structures. That's why Tidewater Market Laboratory/Pathology Integration Working Group was created. Find out how they're collaborating to meet new goals. Recommended Content Our Strategy Defense Health Networks
Article Around MHS Feb 8, 2023 Military Panel Discusses Military Health System with Civilian Healthcare Executives U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Cynthia Kuehner, commander of Naval Medical Forces Support Command, was part of a panel that spoke before the South Texas Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives during the Healthcare Landscape Conference held on Jan. 27. This year's theme was "Strategic Imperatives for the Future of Healthcare Delivery." Recommended Content Our Strategy
Article Around MHS Jan 27, 2023 It's Final! Last MHS GENESIS Staff Q&A Ahead of Spring 2023 MHS GENESIS Transition With less than two months before the transition to MHS GENESIS, the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) MHS GENESIS and Leidos Partnership Defense Health (LPDH) host the final MHS GENESIS Staff Q&A. See how the topics addressed will help providers and staff navigate MHS GENESIS more efficiently. Recommended Content Our Strategy MHS GENESIS: The Electronic Health Record
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The 'frame title' (window title) that emacs uses in graphical environments
defaults to something like emacs@hostname
Of course emacs lets us customize this, by changing the value of
. Emacs accepts many different things there, (see the
documentation for frame-title-format
and mode-line-format
for that), but
let's look at an example.
Instead of the default emacs@hostname
, I find it more useful to include the
name of the file I'm working on instead, or, in case of non-file buffers, the
buffer name. To do this, I have something like the following in my .emacs
(setq frame-title-format '("" invocation-name ": "(:eval (if (buffer-file-name) (abbreviate-file-name (buffer-file-name)) "%b"))))
As you see, frame-title-format
is a template for the items that are present
in the title bar; i.e.. emacs concatenates the items in the list, and it
supports various %
-constructs, which are replaced with actual values; see
In addition to the %
-constructs, you can use :eval
to make emacs evaluate
the expression whenever it wants to update the title bar.
is the name of the emacs binary.
replaces the home directory part in file names with
; for very deep paths it might be nice to do some abbreviation as well as
some shells do; this is left as an exercise to the reader :)
You can experiment with some other things to put in frame-title-format
use the :eval
construct as above to use emacs-lisp functions, and the
various %
-specifiers which are replaced by certain values; the emacs
documentation lists the following:
%b -- print buffer name. %f -- print visited file name. %F -- print frame name. %* -- print %, * or hyphen. %+ -- print *, % or hyphen. %& is like %*, but ignore read-only-ness. % means buffer is read-only and * means it is modified. For a modified read-only buffer, %* gives % and %+ gives *. %s -- print process status. %i -- print the size of the buffer. %I -- like %i, but use k, M, G, etc., to abbreviate. %p -- print percent of buffer above top of window, or Top, Bot or All. %P -- print percent of buffer above bottom of window, perhaps plus Top, or print Bottom or All. %n -- print Narrow if appropriate. %t -- visited file is text or binary (if OS supports this distinction). %z -- print mnemonics of keyboard, terminal, and buffer coding systems. %Z -- like %z, but including the end-of-line format. %e -- print error message about full memory. %@ -- print @ or hyphen. @ means that default-directory is on a remote machine. %[ -- print one [ for each recursive editing level. %] similar. %% -- print %. %- -- print infinitely many dashes. Decimal digits after the % specify field width to which to pad.
So, if we'd like to include the host (system) name and some indication of the status of this buffer, we could do something like:
(setq frame-title-format '("emacs%@" (:eval (system-name)) ": " (:eval (if (buffer-file-name) (abbreviate-file-name (buffer-file-name)) "%b")) " [%*]"))
Of course, some of the information is available elsewhere already, but it might be clearer in the frame-title. Or not – there's a lot of room for tweaking and experimentation here.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
February 12, 2013 - This life will, in the blink of an eye, pass into a New Life, a New Renewed Paradise
My dearly beloved daughter, so many people in the world are unaware of their spirituality. So caught up in matters, concerning their daily lives, their jobs, their role as parents, their struggle to pass exams and to educate themselves, that they forget about their lives after their time on earth comes to an end.
It is only right that they do the best they can, in matters of responsibility, to feed and clothe themselves, but when they neglect their spiritual well-being, they are denying themselves the greatest gifts, which await them.
Many forget that My Father can take life at any time. If souls are not prepared, they will suffer regret and may not enter Heaven at the time when they pass from this life to the next.
It is difficult for those who lead busy lives to consider what happens when this time, accorded to them by God, comes to an end. For many they view death as frightening and not something they wish to think about. And so, they reject Me, their Jesus, their path to My Father's Kingdom. I, Jesus Christ, Am the only way to avail of eternal life, a life unknown to you.
I wish to tell you that there is a wonderful life for all of God's children, waiting for them. This life is important, because it is how you live the life, which is given to you on earth, which will determine your future.
You must never think of death, as the end. Instead, think of it as the beginning of a new and wonderful life. The time you spend on earth is a trial. It is a test and in many ways is an exile. Born sinners, you will also die as sinners. But, it will be those sinners who love one another, who treat others with love and respect and who live their lives in My Image, who have much to look forward to.
Because of My great Compassion for all of God's children, I make great exceptions for souls who wander, lost and confused. I pursue souls who do not want anything to do with Me and I stir their hearts, so that they feel compassion for others.
Many do not realise how I work, within their hearts, but I do this to entice them towards Me. For every soul who calls to Me, even if they are unsure of My Existence, I come running. I respond, instantly, and hear all intentions. I Am a Loving God. I Am not easily roused by anger. I Am Patient. I Am expectant. I Am Loyal. I Am all Merciful. I Am waiting for all souls to recognise My Call, for soon, they will be in little doubt as to Whose Voice they hear, beckoning them to feel God's Love.
This life will, in the blink of an eye, pass into a new life, a new renewed Paradise. While this time on earth may be full of trials, pressures, stress, ups and downs, it cannot compare with the peace and glory of the life, which awaits all those who love Me.
Your Jesus


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15 June 2007
How to Fête a Friend for Fifty
If you really want to celebrate a friend's birthday in a big way what you need are several cases of expensive Champagne. Luckily, Monique had that covered. Apparently there really are people who drink Dom like water. I think I'll take up the habit, as soon as I make my millions. Then I can have a few assistants, an apartment in Madrid, and access to David Beckham's box seats, too.
Anyway, dear John was celebrating a big birthday, and personally I was shocked since he looks about ten years younger. The secrets are regular facials and honey wheat hair color number seven. Someone should have told Alan Greenspan. The party was taken care of, but I wanted to bring a little something as a favor, you know, besides the cheesy images we had printed on mugs. John loves all things Dutch, he speaks German and Dutch and we go to celebrate Flanders Day at the embassy, with Chimay on tap and freshly made waffles. He is also one of the few people I know who likes licorice, so I wanted to encorporate that into what I was making. I'll admit I stole this idea for a movie camera made of licorice wheels from Martha, I mean no-one is actually that crafty on their own. Or at least they don't admit to it, ahem.
I put my cameras on these delicious chocolate cookie bases (you could do the same decoration on top of chocolate cake or brownies), and I took red icing to the party so I could make a little star background and write 'happy birthday' or 'you're a star' on them. Unfortunately, I didn't quite bring enough and I only got to "Happy B..." before I ran out. Uhhh. So the lesson is, always bring extra icing. Besides that, people might not realize these are wholly edible, in which case you'll have to break them into chunks in front of your shocked guests. Don't worry, the horror will fade from their faces as soon as they taste them.
It was a lovely party, and even though I was plied with way more champagne than I should have had, Monique was right when she said, "don't worry, it's the good stuff, you won't feel it in the morning." I awoke rested and skipped happily down to the DuPont Circle Farmer's Market. You'll hear more about that later, but for now, happy birthday to John, who really is a star.
Chocolate Cookie Movie Stars
1 recipe chocolate cookie dough
powdered sugar
2 oz melted chocolate
licorice pinwheels
1. Roll out chocolate cookie dough and cut into squares about 6-8 inches wide, you should have 3 squares. Place the squares on parchment-lined or greased baking sheets. Prick the dough in several places with a toothpick, then place in the freezer to chill for at least 10 minutes.
2. Bake the squares in a 350 degree oven for 15-18 minutes, until crisp but not darkened. Let cool completely.
3. Sift powdered sugar over the squares. Use melted chocolate the adhere the licorice pieces to the cookie base for the camera's wheels, lens, and feet. Use the remaining melted chocolate to make a box for the camera body.
4. Use colored icing to draw stars around the edges or write a message.
5 comments:
- KJ said...
This looks wonderful.
- June 16, 2007 at 1:33 AM
- • Eliane • said...
It is beautiful and very cute.
- June 16, 2007 at 9:34 AM
- Helene said...
Cases of Dom Perignon..wow.. where's the party? Dang, I missed it again!
Cake looks like great fun! - June 17, 2007 at 1:13 AM
- Patricia Scarpin said...
Beautiful, Mercedes! I can't believe I almost missed this post. These are really made with love.
- June 18, 2007 at 8:57 AM
- Mercedes said...
Thanks everyone, this was kind of silly but much fun!
- June 18, 2007 at 8:34 PM
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text:
Hooked by A.M. Hargrove and Terri E. Laine
Release Date: November 27, 2016
Cover Design: Michele Catalano Creative
I've had my eye on him since we were teenagers.
I even managed to kiss him once.
But once wasn't enough.
He stars in every one of my dirty fantasies.
Now it's time for my dreams to come true.
He's smart, sexy, and gorgeous, and currently single.
When I hear he's in a position to act as my caddie for a week,
I decide to bite the bullet and jump on him. I mean it.
Who am I kidding?
I have one week to blow his mind and other things too.
I can only hope my heart survives every one of our heated encounters and that he gets hooked before I do.
Powerless to stop him, I can only hope my heart isn't another casualty of his fastball.
Add to your TBR on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32939034-hooked
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2gyIwJ4
iBooks: http://apple.co/2g1gt71
Kobo: http://bit.ly/Kobo2f4R
About the Authors:
A.M. Hargrove:
One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, USA Today bestselling author, A. M. Hargrove, realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn't do something soon, it would be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life. So she made a quick decision to quit her job and reinvented herself as a Naughty and Nice Romance Author.
She fancies herself all of the following: Reader, Writer, Dark Chocolate Lover, Ice Cream Worshipper, Coffee Drinker (swears that coffee, chocolate, and ice cream should be added as part of the USDA food groups), Lover of Grey Goose (and an extra dirty martini), #WalterThePuppy Lover, and if you're ever around her for more than five minutes, you'll find out she's a non-stop talker.
Connect with A.M. Hargrove:
Website: http://www.amhargrove.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Amhargrove1
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/amhargroveauthor
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2gsmuX9
Terri E. Laine:
Terri E. Laine, USA Today bestselling author, left a lucrative career as a CPA to pursue her love for writing. Outside of her roles as a wife and mother of three, she's always been a dreamer and as such became an avid reader at a young age.
In her early years, she and her best friend would tell each other stories over the phone when they were bored. They called them their "soap operas" and generally revolved around whatever boy they liked at the time.
Many years later, she got a crazy idea to write a novel and set out to try to publish it. With over a dozen titles published under various pen names, the rest is history. Her journey has been a blessing, and a dream realized. She looks forward to many more memories to come.
Connect with Terri:
Website: www.terrielaine.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TerriELaineBooks
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/TerriELaineAuthor
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/TerriELaineAuthor
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2g3Kov4


text:
Dino Dinosaur Flower Toy is approximately 10' inch tall. Is made from pom pom buttons flowers from family Chrysanthemum. The button flowers have a classic bloom that is comprised entirely of mini ray petals. This category of flowers offers different varieties of colors in natural and tinted colors. This sculpture can last up to 14 days and they have to be away from direct exposure to sunlight and AC. It can be sprayed with water ones at 3 days. For more colors, additional flowers or sizes contact our team.
Any changes might require additional cost, therefore, please contact us before ordering.
Dino Dinosaur Flower Toy


text:
Exotic Stone Cross Sterling Silver with Black Onyx, 23mm
€ 425 incl. VAT
Please select a color
Please select a size
This size is not available.
Contact Customer Care
We're here to help with style advice, a second opinion, or finding your perfect size.
Our Amulets are an ode to individuality, representing a range of symbols, talismans, and motifs. The collectable designs can be worn alone on a chain or paired together to create meaningful expressions of personal style.
Cross only; chain not included. To complete the look, add a box chain.
- Sterling silver
- Black onyx
- Cross, 23 x 16mm
- Total length, 32mm
- Style #D15854MSSBBO
Metal Care
Use the white side of the provided David Yurman polishing cloth to gently wipe clean, then remove any remaining tarnish with mild diluted soap. Rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly before storing the design in its jewelry pouch.Gemstone Care
Use a soft cloth to gently wipe clean, then remove any remaining impurities with mild diluted soap. Rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly before storing in the provided jewelry pouch.Each design will arrive artfully presented in our fawn-colored sueded pouches, nested inside an outer box wrapped in a signature ribbon with a gift receipt included. For security, all items will be sent in a discreet, non-branded shipping box.


text:
Don't hesitate to reach out!
Gallian Welker was founded over 30 years ago, and was originally named Gallian and Westfall, then later Gallian, Westfall, Wilcox, Welker & Olson. In recent years, Mike Westfall and Jeff Wilcox have been appointed to be District Court Judges for the state of Utah, which demonstrates the high standard of ethics and performance GW expects in their attorneys. GW has grown to have offices in both St. George and Las Vegas, with a total of 10 attorneys. We have attorneys who are variously licensed in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and California. Even though we have grown in size over the years, we are still committed to establishing meaningful and lasting relationships with our clients, and providing our clients with the best possible service. Over the years, we have represented small and large companies, cities and towns in the region, and individuals in wide-ranging areas of law,
Contact Info
Las Vegas, NV 89101


text:
Yoga Legging, Yoga Pants, Boho Legging, Tight with Pocket Forrest in Deep Blue Bird
- Fabric: Using a 4-way stretch for ultimate mobility with not see-through fabric. 90% nylon, and 10% spandex.
- Design: Designed with high waist elastic tummy control waistband to provide a smooth secure fit.
- Hugged sensation: Providing with breathable and moisture-wicking fabric. Engineered to feel like a comfortable embrace throughout. It holds you close and moves with you.
- Boho vintage printed: Made of high technology printed, no fade, and no-pilling.
- Ideal for any activity: Yoga, running, fitness, dancing, exercise training, and any kind of workout, or lounging daily wear.
- Garment Care: To keep your clothes in good condition, please hand wash or wash them in the washing machine with a delicate cycle in cold water. Using a laundry mesh bag can prevent tangling and tearing.
- Size: Please check the size chart before ordering.


text:
2015 Mitsubishi L200 Triton Major Change Released. Spyshots of the New Model 2016 Triton no longer needed. The new Generation Triton Now Ready for Export
Fifth generation of Mitsubishi L200 Triton has been released and is now available at Jim Autos for quick export. This is definitely a Major Change Model with a lot of changes both its exterior looks and appearances as well as the interior features and technologies. Its engine will also get revved up.
Mitsubishi has waited 10 long years to update its marquee Next Generation pickup truck and it was worth the wait. It is a unique balance of passenger car comfort with practical functionality of a pickup truck. 2015 Double Cab Mitsubishi Triton is available in 2400 cc Diesel Manual and Auto and 2400 cc Petrol Manual. 2500 cc Diesel will still be available as well.
Single Cab 2015 Mitsubishi L200 Triton, Extra Cab 2015 Mitsubishi L200 Triton and Double Cab 2015 Mitsubishi L200 Triton will also get a new facelift. It has both 2WD and 4WD versions and 2500 cc diesel turbo intercooler, 2400 cc turbodiesel and 2400 cc Petrol versions. There are both manual and auto transmission L200 extra cab and double cab models.
This fifth generation Mitsubishi pickup truck looks very beautiful and price increase has been very modest. Its muscular, sleek and dynamic styling makes it stand out.
2500 cc Diesel engine has been supplemented by the brand new 2400 cc turbodiesel MIVEC VGT engine. With its aluminium block married to electronic valve-timing control system called MIVEC, it gives a super-fast 182 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque with reported 20% better fuel efficiency. The biggest complaint diesel users have is of engine sound but not with this engine. Its optimised suspension, sound insulation, absorption and vibration damping dampens the noise level and improves problems with NVH (noise, harshness and vibration) on par with passenger cars.
As indicated earlier, 2400 cc Petrol is also available and gives 128hp and 194Nm and its biggest selling point is that it can be converted to work with CNG. New convenience items include electric seat for the driver, keyless system and more digital-friendly features.
As well as a newly-designed cabin with a tidy-looking touch-screen display, 2015 Triton has more interior room than before, particularly the double cab L200 Mitsubishi models: they get an increase of 20mm in legroom and 10mm more shoulder room.
The cargo bed's length and width are unchanged but there is more load space thanks to an increase in depth.
The 2015 Triton will retain its class-leading turning circle of 11.8 metres kerb to kerb, and the 'Easy Select' 4WD system on applicable variants will also carry over, offering three modes: 2H, 4H and 4L.
Mitsubishi has launched the next-generation Mitsubishi Triton pickup truck in late 2014 and will be followed up in Russia, Australia and many of its other markets. It is expected that 2015 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (also known as Mitsubishi Challenger) and 2015 Mitsubishi Pajero will be released six to 8 months after the release of 2015 Mitsubishi L200.
2015 Mitsubishi Triton L200 will now also be available in a new 133kW/430Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine. The existing 2.5-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel will now be available in either 94kW/240Nm 'standard' spec or 131kW/400Nm 'high' spec version. For petrol lovers, L200 will be available in 94kW/194Nm 2.4-litre gasoline engine.
The next-generation 2015 Mitsubishi Triton has been developed and designed independently by Mitsubishi alone without any partnership with Nissan.
The new 2400 cc turbodiesel engine is available in both six-speed manual and five-speed automatic. The 2500 cc turbodiesel and 2400 cc petrol engines are paired with the same five-speed manual transmission from the existing Triton model.
Four-wheel versions of the new Mitsubishi 2018 2019 Triton retain a dual-range transfer case, but switching moves from the old-style lever to a modern dial near the gear selector.
The change between 2WD and 4WD high-range can be done at speeds up to 100km/h. The chassis maintains the same double-wishbone front and leaf-spring rear suspension of the previous Triton, with the suspension on the 'High Rider' models tweaked slightly to improve performance when driving on tarmac.
The new Triton range comes with ABS, hill start assist and electronic brake force distribution while four-wheel drive models also come with active stability and traction control as standard.
Since Nissan has already released 2015 Nissan Navara NP-300 and it is selling briskly and Toyota is about to release its New Generation 2015 Toyota Hilux Vigo and pickup buyers have stopped their buying to wait for the new model release of pickup King Hilux, Mitsubishi will keep these two vehicles in mind but it also cannot forget the advances 2015 Ford Ranger Wildtrak, 2015 Isuzu Dmax and 2015 Mazda BT-50 represent since their recent refreshes. End of 2014 and beginning of 2015 represents an exciting time for fans of luxurious diesel pickups. Next Generation of 2015 Chevy Colorado also needs mention. A carryover payload capacity of 954kg and a 3-tonne braked towing capacity is anticipated for popular double cab diesel models. Based on initial information, tray dimensions are believed to be unchanged other than some added depth. Mitsubishi has promised better interior dimensions across all variants. Double cab models boast an increase of 20mm in legroom and 10mm more shoulder room. In addition, a new touchscreen and slightly tweaked centre fascia layout are found inside. New sound insulation and damping materials are said to minimise road noise. The Triton will retain an 11.8 metres kerb to kerb turning circle, and the 'Easy Select' 4WD system will also remain on applicable variants, offering three modes: 2H, 4H and 4L.
Here are some additional pictures of the Next Generation 2015 Mitsubishi L200 Triton.


text:
Why Us?
The Pet Shop has been open and family owned for 40 years, and we pride ourselves on matching our pets with loving and dedicated owners. Our lives revolve around animals and we enjoy nothing more than imparting that love to others.
We are not your average pet store. At The Pet Shop we believe in matching the proper animal to the right person. We want to make sure every animal in the shop goes to the best possible home and that every owner has the best possible experience.
We sell companion pets, low maintenance animals that are perfect for people with little time and room on their hands. No one should be deprived of the joy that you get from a pet, and we take pride in sharing that joy through our unique animals.


text:
The Insightful Immigration Blog
I would like to share my article, Due Diligence Considerations For Companies Contracting With Vendor Service Providers, which appeared in the New Jersey Lawyer, October 2011 issue. This is an emerging area and it behooves corporations that contract with companies for skilled nonimmigrant workers on H-1B, L-1 or B-1 visas to know more about whom they are getting on board. Indeed, exercising greater due diligence can be a win-win for all the parties involved – the petitioning company, the end user client company and the nonimmigrant worker. In addition to protecting itself from potential liability, the client company by cooperating with the petitioning company on a number of fronts can also ensure a swift and more firm approval of the visa.
Many corporations in need of specialized skilled workers who are in short supply do not sponsor foreign nationals for their work permits. Instead, these companies contract with other entities that employ skilled workers, who in turn are then assigned to the client company for a specific project. This is especially true with information technology (IT) services, where foreign nationals on temporary visas predominate. While the obligations for a sponsoring employer are onerous, it is important for the end user client company to be vigilant to ensure that foreign national workers assigned to a company are working under the appropriate visa categories. In the event that the end user client has knowledge or encourages activities not authorized under these visa categories, there is potential for the company to be ensnared in criminal liability. Even short of criminal liability, it is important to make sure due diligence has been done to avoid being caught up in an embarrassing investigation against a partner company.
Here are a few examples of how an end user company can get unwittingly caught up with liability. If the end user company urgently needs software engineers through its IT contracting company for a project, a manager within the end user company may be requested to write a letter as a client of the contracting company to justify the need for its employee overseas to visit the U.S. on a B-1 visa. If this letter indicates that the software engineer is required for meetings, or to conduct an analysis of the project to be subsequently worked on overseas (a permissible B-1 activity), but the actual purpose is for the engineer to actually participate in programming and working on the solution in the U.S., it may come back to haunt the end user company if there is a criminal investigation against the IT contracting company. Therefore, when drafting such a letter, it is important to ensure that the proposed activities discussed in the letter are permissible B-1 activities, and when the foreign national arrives, he or she engages in activities that are consistent with the listed activities.
Similarly, under a January 8, 2010, USCIS guidance memorandum by Donald Neufeld, concerning employer/employee relationship in H-1B petitions, especially where an H-1B employer places employees at a third-party site, it is important for the sponsoring employer to demonstrate that it exercises the right of control over its non-citizen employee if he or she is placed at a third-party client site. In order to win an H-IB approval, the petitioning employer generally requests confirmation from its client company about the H-IB worker's assignment arrangement at its location, and that it is the employer who actually exercises the ultimate control over the employment. The end user client company, often through layers of middlemen vendors, must take care that the letter accurately describes the arrangement. On the one hand, the issuance of such a letter confirms that the company is not the employer, thus eliminating a situation where it may be held liable as an employer for wages and benefits. On the other hand, there may be situations where the petitioning entity exercises no control over the H-IB worker's employment, and the person reports directly to a manager with the client company rather than the petitioner. In the post Neufeld Memo era, client companies may also want to cooperate with the petitioning company to allow a representative to visit the client location to evaluate its employee's performance and to provide regular assessments and feedback of the nonimmigrant worker's performance to the petitioning employer even while the immediate supervision lies with the client company.
Care should, therefore, be taken not to inadvertently misrepresent the nature of the assignment at the company. Moreover, the petitioner must demonstrate that the position being filled by the H-1B worker at the company requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specialty. Here too, the client must take the utmost precautions to not misrepresent the minimum requirements of the position. Some end user companies choose not to issue letters as they are not obligated to do so. If however they really need the services of the skilled nonimmigrant worker for a project, it would be more prudent for them to cooperate with respect to such a letter - as well as confirming who exercises immediate supervision and ultimate control - as that would allow the nonimmigrant to win the visa approval while giving the client company an opportunity to also conduct due diligence regarding the hosting of such an individual.
Moreover, if an H-1B worker is assigned to a client location, DOL regulations require that the petitioning employer must have posted notice at two conspicuous places where the work is actually performed informing about the occupational classification, wages offered, period of employment and the work location, among other things. While the petitioner is solely responsible for posting the notice at the physical location, it would behoove the responsible officer at the client company to cooperate with the posting in order to ensure that its contractor is fully compliant with the attestation requirements.
Finally, the USCIS's fraud detection national security division may also pay a "friendly" surprise visit to the client company to ensure that the work location and other terms of employment are consistent with the H-1B petition. Similarly, specialized knowledge workers on L-1B visas at client locations must satisfy the FDNS investigator that they are under the "control and supervision" of the petitioning company, and this person should also be implementing a product or application of the contracting company or deploying a methodology that is unique to the petitioning company. Moreover, any letters issued by the client company can also be verified via a surprise call from the State Department when the foreign national applies for the nonimmigrant visa at the US consulate.
By exercising due diligence, a client company can avoid an investigation, which even if not targeted against it can still generate bad publicity, as well as potential liability. More important, by cooperating with the petitioning company, the nonimmigrant visa petition can withstand scrutiny while it is being processed, and can potentially result in a quicker and surer approval, resulting in the skilled nonimmigrant worker being able to come on board to work on a critical project for the client company.


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H.I.G. Holds Final Closing of H.I.G. Bayside Loan Opportunity Fund III (Europe)
MIAMI – May 15, 2013 – H.I.G. Capital announced today that it has held its final closing of H.I.G. Bayside Loan Opportunity Fund III (Europe). Total capital commitments to the fund exceeded its $1 billion target. The fund will invest primarily in debt obligations of small and medium-sized European companies, both existing loans acquired on the secondary markets as well as newly originated primary loans. With offices in London, Paris, Hamburg and Madrid, H.I.G. Capital has a team of 70 investment professionals in Europe.
Sami Mnaymneh and Tony Tamer, co-founders and Managing Partners of H.I.G. Capital, commented: "We are gratified by the continued support of our investors, which will allow us to continue to pursue this attractive credit strategy." John Bolduc, Executive Managing Director of H.I.G. Bayside, added: "The bank deleveraging process in Europe has resulted in tight credit conditions, especially for smaller businesses. Our strong credit team in Europe is very well situated to address this need and to capitalize on the compelling investment opportunities available in the European loan markets today."
About Bayside Capital
Bayside Capital, an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, is an investment firm with approximately $4.5 billion under management. Focused on middle-market companies, Bayside Capital invests across several segments of the primary and secondary debt capital markets with an emphasis on long-term returns. With twelve offices throughout the U.S. and Europe and over 250 investment professionals to draw upon, Bayside has the experience, resources, and flexibility to provide capital solutions quickly, and the strategic and operational expertise to help support its investments.
Bayside Capital is active across a wide spectrum of industries, including business services, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, food/agriculture, and specialty finance. With the ability to invest in all parts of the capital structure, Bayside is able to develop creative financing solutions and consummate transactions on an expedited basis.
Bayside Capital is a credit affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, a leading global private investment firm with more than $12 billion of equity capital under management. Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. Capital has invested in more than 200 companies worldwide and has developed an impressive track record for creating value for its partners and investors. For more information, please refer to the Bayside Capital website at www.bayside.com.
About H.I.G. Capital
H.I.G. is a leading global private equity investment firm with more than $12 billion of equity capital under management. Based in Miami, and with offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New York, and San Francisco in the U.S., as well as international affiliate offices in London, Hamburg, Madrid, Paris, and Rio de Janeiro, H.I.G. specializes in providing capital to small and medium-sized companies with attractive growth potential. H.I.G. invests in management-led buyouts and recapitalizations of profitable and well managed manufacturing or service businesses. H.I.G. also has extensive experience with financial restructurings and operational turnarounds. Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. invested in and managed more than 200 companies worldwide. The firm's current portfolio includes more than 80 companies with combined sales in excess of $30 billion. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website at www.hig.com.


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Olympic hopeful Nancy Kerrigan is attacked at a Detroit ice rink following a practice session two days before the Olympic trials. A man hit Kerrigan with a club on the back of her knee, causing the figure skater to cry out in pain and bewilderment. When the full story emerged a week later, the nation became caught up in a real-life soap opera.
One of Kerrigan's chief rivals for a place on the U.S. Figure Skating Team was Tonya Harding. In mid-December 1993, Harding's ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, approached Shawn Eckardt about somehow eliminating Kerrigan from the competition. Eckardt set up a meeting with Derrick Smith and Shane Stant, who agreed to injure Kerrigan for a fee.
On December 28, Stant went to Massachusetts, where Kerrigan was practicing. However, he couldn't carry out the attack so he followed her to Detroit, where Smith met him. After hitting Kerrigan, Stant fled the ice rink in Smith's getaway car. With Kerrigan unable to skate, Harding won the championship and a place at the 1994 Olympics.
On January 11, Derrick Smith confessed to FBI agents. Three days later, Stant surrendered and also confessed. Harding was questioned on January 18, but denied her involvement. She claimed that she would cut off any connection with Gillooly if he was responsible. The next day, Gillooly was charged with conspiracy to assault Kerrigan. Shortly after, he agreed to a deal in which he implicated Harding.
Harding then came forward, changing her story and admitting that she had learned of Gillooly's role in the attack after the championships but did not inform authorities. Meanwhile, U.S. Olympic officials named Kerrigan and Harding to the team that would compete in Lillehammer, Norway. When the United States Olympic Committee began considering removing Harding from the team, she filed a lawsuit that successfully stopped this action.
At the Olympics, the competition between Harding and Kerrigan set ratings records. Harding's performance was a drama in itself. She broke down crying after a lace on her skates broke. Even after being allowed a restart, Harding wasn't able to pull herself together and finished eighth. Kerrigan took home the silver medal, and many thought she deserved the gold.
Back in the U.S., Harding pleaded guilty to conspiracy to hinder the prosecution of Kerrigan's attackers. She was fined $100,000 and sentenced to probation and 500 hours of community service. Other than Gillooly's testimony, there was never any further evidence of Harding's knowledge of the plans before the attack. But Gillooly got revenge on Tonya by sinking to new tabloid depths, selling graphic photos of the couple having sex on their honeymoon.
Meanwhile, Harding wasn't above trying to exploit the crime and her notoriety herself. However, an attempted movie career was dead in the water from the beginning. Kerrigan even succumbed to the temptation years later, appearing on a talk show with Harding to promote herself.
In 2003, about a year after fighting in a "celebrity boxing" event, Harding made her professional boxing debut. Her story was the subject of the 2017 film I, Tonya.


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Well Folks The Captain Strike again. We had an excellent trip the other day with our 2 most excellent Guest From Calgary and we managed their Limit in Halibut and had great time. Thanks Guys. As well our most amazing Chinook Salmon is Starting to take off again. We still have spots for June, July and August and we are now Book for September Coho and Halibut trips. Both Packages and Day Trips are still available Please call for details. We have day trips and packages that suit all needs.
For all you seafood lovers out there just a reminder #Halibut is $28.99 a pound in Seattle at Pike Street market – Halibut cheeks sold out! 50 pound halibut would be over $1,200.00 USD . Whole Chinook/King Salmon (frozen at sea) Frozen at sea Wild #Chinook or #King Salmon. High in natural fat and will turn out amazing no matter how you prepare it.
Pike street market $15.99 pound USD
We would love to take you out fishing and help you get some of this delicious species. We still have room for day trips and packages from June until Oct 30th 2016. Book Now and get in on the action all prices are charged in Canadian Funds. www.vanislefishing.com
Trips Starting at $475.00
All Charters Packages will Include Professional charter guide, private use of our Custom 27ft offshore Sea Ray, Bait, Tackle and Equipment. We provide transportation to and from the Port Hardy/Port McNeill airport or ferry terminal as well as comfortable private accommodations, 3 meals per day, and the processing, vacuum sealing, freezing and boxing of your fish for transport. Book now and receive 20% off all charter packages & 15% on all day trips from From May 1 – June 14th and August 27 – October 30thDAY RATES
Full Day 10 Hrs – $950 per day CAN
Quatsino Sound – $1000.00 CAN Base Rate 10 Hr Day
Standard rates for the boat are based on a fuel price of $1.35/litre and are for a 10 hour day starting at 6:00 am. (tides pending may leave earlier). Should fuel prices increase, a $50.00 daily surcharge will be applied.
5 nights/4 days Fishing Adventure & #Accommodations
3 Anglers Per Boat 2150.00 CDN P/P
4 nights/3 days Fishing Adventure & Accommodations
3 nights/2 days Fishing Adventure & Accommodations
FAMILIES: we offer 50% off for kids 10 and under on fishing Packages only. Fuel Surcharge of $50 per day, will apply in event of fuel prices over 1.35/L. Taxes not included. Upon booking with us there is a 50% non-refundable deposit required.
Standard rates for the boat are based on a fuel price of $1.35/litre and are for a 10 hour day starting at 6:00 am. (tides pending may leave earlier). Should fuel prices increase, a $50.00 daily surcharge will be applied.
* Taxes not included.
** Day Trip Prices do not included accommodations, meals or vacuum sealing or transportation.
*** Additional time may be added at $100.00/ hr as approved by your Captain.
* The listed prices above don't not include tax they are for groups of 1-4 people
All Charters include – 27ft custom built offshore searay , Bait, Tackle, Rods and Reels, Down Riggers, #Islanders for Salmon & #Pens for Halibut, Fuel


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The Honda CR500 is a bike legends are made of, literally. A legend is something that usually starts from truth but then evolves into myth that is still regarded as accurate and true. This is what happened to the Honda CR500. Many believe that the CR500 is the HE-MAN of dirt bikes, the most powerful dirt bike in the universe! This is especially true when you read comments from people on the internet where the legend is that nothing can beat the CR500. So much so in fact that no one actually knows what the true horsepower of a CR500 is.
A "slight" modification can get you 80 horsepower some claim while others claim a stock CR500 does over 100 horsepower. The truth is that a stock CR500 makes 50-55 horsepower and a Kawasaki KX500 does indeed beat the CR500 in a drag race. Sorry, that's just facts. A tuned CR550 Liger engine can make 91 horsepower somewhere in the range of 7,000 to 9,000 rpm and that's tuned and 50cc more than the CR500. You can see this in the video below.
Read more »


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Black Cake: A Novel (Paperback)
On Our Shelves Now
NOW A HULU STREAMING SERIES • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • READ WITH JENNA BOOK CLUB PICK AS FEATURED ON TODAY • Two estranged siblings delve into their mother's hidden past—and how it all connects to her traditional Caribbean black cake—in this immersive family saga, "a character-driven, multigenerational story that's meant to be savored" (Time).
"Wilkerson transports you across the decades and around the globe accompanied by complex, wonderfully drawn characters."—Taylor Jenkins Reid, New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones & The Six, and Malibu Rising
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Oprah Daily, NPR, BuzzFeed, Glamour, PopSugar, Book Riot, She Reads
We can't choose what we inherit. But can we choose who we become?
In present-day California, Eleanor Bennett's death leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny: a black cake, made from a family recipe with a long history, and a voice recording. In her message, Eleanor shares a tumultuous story about a headstrong young swimmer who escapes her island home under suspicion of murder. The heartbreaking tale Eleanor unfolds, the secrets she still holds back, and the mystery of a long-lost child challenge everything the siblings thought they knew about their lineage and themselves.
Can Byron and Benny reclaim their once-close relationship, piece together Eleanor's true history, and fulfill her final request to "share the black cake when the time is right"? Will their mother's revelations bring them back together or leave them feeling more lost than ever?
Charmaine Wilkerson's debut novel is a story of how the inheritance of betrayals, secrets, memories, and even names can shape relationships and history. Deeply evocative and beautifully written, Black Cake is an extraordinary journey through the life of a family changed forever by the choices of its matriarch.
About the Author
Charmaine Wilkerson is an American writer who has lived in Jamaica and is based in Italy. A graduate of Barnard College and Stanford University, she is a former journalist whose award-winning short fiction has appeared in various magazines and anthologies. Black Cake is her first novel.
Praise For…
"Black Cake is a character-driven, multigenerational story that's meant to be savored. . . . Thought-provoking and poignant."—Time
"A thrilling debut novel about sibling ties and hidden family history."—Glamour
"As delicious as the titular dessert."—W Magazine
"Wilkerson explores the nuances of racial identity and betrayal in a powerful novel."—Vogue (UK)
"Black Cake is a satisfying literary meal, heralding the arrival of a new novelist to watch."—Associated Press
"A stellar first-time entry from a talented new writer that's full of food, surfing, and rich patois."—BET
"Crafted with delicate intention and textured with a blend of perspectives."—Vulture
"I was instantly taken in by this multigenerational tale of identity, family, and the lifelong push and pull of home. This novel has a tremendous heart at its center, and I felt its beat on every page. What an extraordinary debut."—Mary Beth Keane, New York Times bestselling author of Ask Again, Yes
"Exquisite and expansive, Black Cake took ahold of me from the first page and didn't let go. This is a novel about the formation and reformation of a family, and the many people, places, and events that can shape our inheritances without our knowing. A gripping, poignant debut from an important, new voice."—Naima Coster, New York Times bestselling author of What's Mine and Yours
"Black Cake has all the ingredients of the tastiest stories: secrets, romance, danger, and a cast of characters so real you want to scream at them one moment and hug them the next."—Dawnie Walton, author of The Final Revival of Opal & Nev
"So beautifully written I'm struggling to believe it's a debut . . . The cake is the glue that holds all the layers together and the scenes are so well drawn I could almost taste the cake, feel the warm sea on my skin."—Nikki May, author of Wahala
"With fantasy-like sensual detail, Wilkerson slips through time and place to explore the emotional weight of family traditions passed down through generations to heirs challenged to find their own emotional truths."—Lucy Sanna, author of The Cherry Harvest
"Fans of family dramas by Ann Patchett, Brit Bennett, and Karen Joy Fowler should take note. Black Cake marks the launch of a writer to watch, one who masterfully plumbs the unexpected depths of the human heart."—BookPage (starred review)
"Wilkerson uses one Caribbean American family's extraordinary tale to probe universal issues of identity and how the lives we live and the choices we make leave 'a trail of potential consequences' that pass down through generations."—Booklist (starred review)


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Nothing's in my cart
- Attaching the face cushion to the headset
- Turning on the headset
- Turning off the headset
- Charging the headset
- What does the status light on the headset mean?
- Putting on the headset
- Plugging in your headphones
- Adjusting the IPD on the headset
- Can I wear my prescription glasses while using VIVE Focus?
- Inserting a storage card
- Connecting to a wireless network
- Changing the system language
- Adjusting the volume
- Changing hand orientation
- Updating the headset software
- Securing the headset with a PIN
- Browsing files in the headset
- Capturing what you see inside the headset
- Browsing the Web
- Playing back videos
- Projecting the VIVE Focus screen to an external device
- Playing back content from an external device in VIVE Focus
- Seeing real surroundings
- When viewing photos, how do I go back to the thumbnails page?
- My movements are not being tracked properly, what can I do?
- An app has become unresponsive, what should I do?
- Does an app still run in the background after exiting it?
- Caring for your VIVE Focus
- Cleaning the face cushion
- Cleaning the headset lenses
VIVE Focus Experience
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Plugging in your headphones
Listen using the built-in speakers or for a more immersive experience, plug in your own pair of headphones or earphones.
- Plug in your headphones to the 3.5mm headset jack at the bottom of the headset.
- Press the Volume buttons on the bottom left side of the headset or the right side of the controller to adjust the volume.
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Flex Barrel Cover - Black
Flex Barrel Cover - Black
*Preorder Now! Shipping Late June
Introducing the all-new DYE Flex Barrel Cover featuring patent pending dual chrono tool internal storage for supreme convenience and accessibility with 1/8" & 3/16" allen keys included. The days of fumbling to find allen keys at the chrono station are over. For superior safety, located inside is a unique internal ball stop pyramid to ensure every ball fired splits on impact, as well as center aligns the barrel for a perfect fit while attached to your marker. An elastic nylon cord with draw clamp is featured for extra strength and to give you the ability to easily adjust and secure the tension to your marker setup. With a soft, flexible silicone design, the DYE Flex Barrel Cover can be comfortably stored in your pocket allowing no distractions during game play. The all-new DYE Flex Barrel Cover is designed with the player's safety, convenience and style in mind.
Available in black, olive, blue, lime and red with a silicone accent band that can be removed and used as a marker accessory.
- Dual chromo tool internal storage
- 1/8" & 3/16" allen keys included
- Unique ball stop pyramid
- Self-centering on barrel
- Soft, flexible silicone design
- Elastic nylon cord with draw clamp


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Sarasota Air Conditioning Frequently Asked Questions
What Is NATE?
North American Technician Excellence (NATE,) headquartered in Arlington, VA., was founded in 1997 and is the nation's largest non-profit certification organization for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians.
NATE is the only technician certification organization governed, owned, operated, developed and supported by the HVACR industry.
What does NATE do?
NATE, North American Technician Excellence Inc., is an independent, third-party non-profit certification body for HVAC and HVAC/R technicians. NATE tests technicians; others train.
NATE's certification tests represent real world working knowledge of HVAC and HVACR systems and candidates can earn installation and/or service certification in one or more specialty areas. NATE certification tests are developed by the NATE technical committee. The NATE technical committee is comprised of industry experts who developed and oversee NATE's Knowledge Areas of Technician Expertise (KATEs). Each exam is developed based on these knowledge areas of expertise. The technical committee represents a wide variety of perspectives including contractors, educators, manufacturers, and utilities. Members also are diversely spread throughout the country.
Why Should I Ask For A NATE-Certified Technician?
NATE's HVAC and HVAC/R testing validates the technician's knowledge and a training program's instruction. The NATE tests are rigorous, multiple-choice, knowledge-based tests that represent what 80% of technicians have an 80% chance of encountering once a year.
What Specialties Are Covered By NATE Certification?
There are 21 NATE installation, service, and senior tests. Specialties include Air Conditioning, Air Distribution, Heat Pumps, Gas Furnaces, Oil Furnaces, Hydronics Gas, Hydronics Oil, Light Commercial Refrigeration, Commercial Refrigeration, and Senior HVAC Efficiency Analyst.
Where Do I Find NATE HVAC Certified Training, Testing And Technicians?
NATE-approved training, testing organizations and technicians are located throughout the U.S. and Canada. (Click Here to locate an HVAC contractor near you.)
Who Supports NATE?
NATE has many partners throughout the HVAC industry, NATE partners include industry associations, utilities, and manufacturers. (Click Here for more information on NATE's Partners)
Consumer Reports said, "It's a plus if a technician is NATE-certified."
EPA tells consumers to ask if a contractor's technicians are NATE-certified.
Under the Montgomery GI Bill, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reimburses veterans who take the NATE tests.
The U.S. Army recognizes NATE Certification for promotion points. No other certification exam enjoys this industry support.
What Is AskTheSeal.com?
Anyone can tell you that they are licensed and insured. Are they really?
Anyone can tell you that they background check their employees. Even if they actually do, what does that mean? Anyone can send you an email from themselves with a photo. Don't just take a sales person's word for it, get a third party validation. Look for the Seal of Approval.
That's why Sean McCutheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. is part of AskTheSeal.com.
AsktheSeal.com verifies license, insurance and customer service. The company performs nationwide criminal background and sex offender checks on the actual employees interacting with your property or family. It issues photo IDs confirming background checks and companies with the Seal of Approval – like SMAC - can initiate an email to you from AsktheSeal.com with a photo and proof of background check of the employee working for you.
Why should I replace my existing air conditioning system?
Newer Air Conditioning Systems can be as much as 60% more efficient than older systems.
If you are facing a costly repair you may want to seriously consider replacing your system. Not only will you dramatically lower your energy bill, but you will also be able to take advantage of new features such as zoned cooling.
How do I know if an air conditioning contractor is licensed?
When it is time to hire a certified HVAC company for maintenance or new installation you need to choose the right contractor.
One of the things you should always do is make sure the contractor is properly licensed. The easiest way is to visit http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr and click the "verify a license" button on the top menu. Then you will be able to search by contractor name, license number, city and state, or license type.
This will also give you the Licensure Date. Make sure you check this date with how many years the contractor claims to be in business. If there is a discrepancy here it should raise a red flag.
Another great resource is http://www.sunbiz.org/ where you can search corporation records.
Just a little bit of research can help prevent you from accidentally hiring a bad HVAC tech who coulld possibly cause you much frustration and create expensive repair bills.
How often should filters be cleaned or replaced?
Typically, filters should be cleaned or replaced once a month.
However, if you have inside pets you need to check your filter more frequently. Restricted air flow will reduce the amount of cooling capacity from your unit.
What do I set my thermostat to?
The most economical operation of your system comes from setting the thermostat properly.
Set the thermostat at the highest summer setting or the lowest winter setting at which you are comfortable. Typical settings are 78 degrees for summer cooling and 70 degrees for winter heating. When cooling, your operating costs increase from 3% to 8% for each degree your thermostat is lowered.
What is the best air conditioning system?
Many factors go into choosing the right system for a home or business.
Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. takes pride in working closely with clients and educating them so they can make the best decision and choose the system that is most efficient for their needs.
Although we can service and repair all makes and models of Air conditioning and heating equipment – we have certain brands we recommend for a number of reasons. Among the things we look for in a good AC System are:
How energy efficient is it?
Is it the best value for the money?
Is it a well built and reliable system that will last and require the least amount of maintenance?
Will the company stand behind their product and do they offer a great warranty?
Based on our extensive experience working with many different types of Air Conditioning systems, we have certain brands that we highly recommend. The brand we most often advocate would be Bryant. In fact Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. is the largest Bryant dealer in Southwest Florida, and the second largest in the West coast of Florida.
Of course an Air conditioning system is only as good as the contractor who installs it.
It can be a great system – but it also relies on the quality of the duct work, and performance depends on the size and condition of your home, the climate where you live and other factors.
This is why we take all of these factors into consideration and spend the time to discuss the different alternatives with you. Our goal is to make sure we give you all of the information you need to choose the right system for your home and your budget.
Whether it is a new installation or routine service, our technicians provide the expertise your comfort depends on.
Air Conditioning Resource Links
Josh Wynne Construction: Josh Wynne Construction was voted the area's 'Best Builder' in SRQ Magazine's 2010 Best of Local edition. Josh was voted the first runner-up in the 'Best Innovative Thinker' category of the same contest. Josh is the President of the Green Building Council, a committee of the Sarasota/Manatee Home Builder's Association. He also serves as the Builder/Director on the Board of Directors of the Sarasota/Manatee HBA.
U.S. Green Building Council - LEED Resources: LEED is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings' performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
Manasota Air Conditioning Contractors Association (MACCA) : MACCA is the not-for profit Trade Association that represents professional air conditioning contractors for Charlotte, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties in the State of Florida. We are an organization that is continuously looking for ways to improve our industry through education and communication. It is one that recognizes that the contributions of its members are the sole success of the organization. It is a partnership of industry contractors, manufacturers, wholesalers and industry affiliate members who commit to providing business management tools for Air Conditioning Contractors and other Industry Professionals.
American Lung Association: Air pollution poses a serious threat to our nation's health. At the American Lung Association, we work to ensure that the air you breathe is clean and safe. Learn more about how polluted air can make you sick and how we are fighting to keep our air and nation healthy.
US Department Of Labor / OSHA: The quality of indoor air inside offices, schools, and other workplaces is important not only for workers' comfort but also for their health. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) has been tied to symptoms like headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Also, some specific diseases have been linked to specific air contaminants or indoor environments, like asthma with damp indoor environments. In addition, some exposures, such as asbestos and radon, do not cause immediate symptoms but can lead to cancer after many years.
United States Environmental Protection Agency: What are you breathing? It is a good question to ask ourselves. All of us face a variety of risks to our health as we go about our day-to-day lives. Driving in cars, flying in planes, engaging in recreational activities, and being exposed to environmental pollutants all pose varying degrees of risk. Some risks are simply unavoidable. The good news is indoor air pollution is one risk that you can do something about. Find out more below about what you are breathing and how to improve the indoor air quality (IAQ) around you.


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What a first week...and I'm not just talking about the bouts! The mini-critiques and feedback I've read accompanying the votes have been nothing short of AMAZING! On behalf of those who've stepped into the ring...Thank you!
Our first winner (by a tie-breaker) has been posted on the WRiTE CLUB Scorecard and it will continue to be updated as we move through the week. Let me remind everyone that voting for each bout remains live for one week. We'll still be taking votes for last Tuesdays bout up (Mar 8) until noon today, then Wednesday's (Mar 9) bout will close tomorrow, and so on and so on. That way there's always time to catch up on bouts you may have missed.
As we move into the second week of matches, the challenge becomes how do we keep interests high so people will continue coming back? For those of you who've been Tweeting (#WRiTECLUB2016) and/or updating Facebook - THANK YOU - but we need to step up our game. As of this writing, Bout #1 drew in 1004 visitors and collected 72 votes, but Bout #5 only pulled in half that - 540 readers and 49 votes (although its still early). After six years of doing this I think I've finally figured out why this happens...VOTING IS HARD! Choosing between two quality writers is not easy, and after people do it a couple of times some readers stop coming back because of they don't want to face a difficult choice. So why do I make you do it? Because in the end, the struggle...and the competition, makes us all better at our craft. At the end of it all maybe some aspiring writers will get the exposure they so richly deserve.
For you newbies, here's a reminder of how things work. This is the 2nd of three weeks of daily bouts (M-F) between writing samples that are identified only by the craftily selected pen names of the respective submitters. Once we get through the preliminary skirmishes, then the playoffs will immediately follow.
The writing can be from any genre, any age group, taken either from a larger piece of work or simply a stand alone flash fiction. The focus is on the writing...not the writer...or its categorization. The two writing samples for each bout will be randomly matched and step into the ring for a chance to find out what they're made of.
The winner of each contest is chosen by you...the reader. Simply read each entry and leave your vote in the comment section below. Anyone can vote, as long as you have a Google ID or belong to Google Friend Connect. Anonymous voting is not allowed. It is also customary to leave a brief critique of both pieces. You see, the comments are where the true value of this contest makes itself known. Not only do the contestants gain valuable insight about their work from those remarks, but everybody can benefit from how each piece is received and what works...and what doesn't. Please remember to remain respectful with your comments. If you see an opportunity for improvement, make it known in the most positive way possible.
How do you choose a winner? What criteria should be used? The method by which you determine who to vote for is entirely up to you. Which one resonates with you the most? Which one makes you want to read more? Which one demonstrates a total command of the English language and how it can be used to elicit emotion or paint a mental picture you can't stop staring at. There is no hard and fast way rules for determining a winner -- and that's exactly what the publishing world is like. But today you get to decide.
The voting for each bout will remain open for one week, so even though a new bout will be posted every day, you don't miss out on anything if you miss a few days. You can always catch up on several bouts at once if you so desire. Once the voting period ends and the votes have been tabulated, the results will be posted HERE, on the WRiTE CLUB scorecard. At stake is a chance to win free admission to the 2017 DFW Writers Conference.
The voting for this bout - Bout #6 - remains open until noon on Sunday - March 20th.
That's the bell...and its trying to tell us something.
Let me introduce to you the contestants for this bout. In the near corner, representing the Romance genre with 466 words, welcome to the ring Golden Pen.
Third gear.
The cool March air screams past me as I downshift in my approach to turn fourteen, a damn near 90-degree right corner that promises to have my kneepad scrape the Losail International track.
My body leans right, commanding my 300lb motorcycle around the tighter-than-tight turn. Sure as anything, as I creep closer to horizontal than vertical, my knee scrapes the track while my braid hangs over my shoulder, flirting with the pavement rippling inches away from my helmet—my trademark American flag painted across my crown.
I tuck in my elbow and control my breathing. Twenty-one laps down, two turns to go, and then I will fly over the finish line: the first female in history to win a race in MotoGP. Because I'm the first female ever to race in MotoGP. All I have to do is beat him, one last time.
Fourth gear. I pull back vertical and charge toward the sharp left of fifteen. Fifth gear. Sixth. Golden dust flashes on my right, black pavement and gray bailout gravel rushing by my left. The stadium lights of Qatar lead the way, and the best part of my view is Massimo's royal blue fairing. It may only be inches away, but it's closer to my back tire than my front. It's even better than being in front of thousands of screaming fans I can't hear over my engine.
I fade left, forcing him farther inside than he wants to be, but that's what he gets. Italian know-it-all jerk never should have screwed with me in the first place.
Massimo peeks at me over his right shoulder, and I glare back at him over my left. He's gaining on my inside, but it doesn't matter—I've pushed him out of the apex for turn sixteen. When we bank hard and harder to the left, he's going to run wide into the right side of the track. All I have to do is cut around behind him, and then I'll fly past on the inside, taking the win. Today is the day I'm going to make history.
Fifth gear. Fourth. Third and lean.
My body lays, bike flexing under insane speed and gravity pulling it down. It takes everything I have to stifle the primal fear that wants to creep in, screaming about how I'm going to crash and die because I'm going too fast to hold it. There's too much gravity and weight, and the laws of physics don't mean crap because they don't exist.
I swallow the lies and bury them under the truth. And the truth is that even though looming death is on my left, my body is caught in the middle of a love-and-war affair between gravity and centrifugal force, and it's the only place I want to be.___________________________________________________________________________________
And in the far corner, representing the Adult Thriller genre with 500 words, also welcome to the ring Hunley.
Why doesn't the Army ever ask a soldier how he feels about small enclosed spaces like this Humvee I'm riding shotgun in? Maybe nobody thinks of Humvees as small, but pack in four sweaty guys, three of us loaded with seventy pounds of combat gear, and even a Humvee gets cramped.
A medic asked me one time, "You don't have claustrophobia, do you, Jones?" And when I told him there was probably something for that in all the shots he'd given me, he laughed. But being ugly doesn't mean I'm stupid. I looked it up. Claustrophobia: an abnormal fear of being in an enclosed or confined place. So no, I don't have claustrophobia. I just don't like confined places. That's not the same as being afraid of them. I'm not afraid of dog shit either. I just don't like stepping in it.
It's not making me any happier now to have a platoon leader in the back of our Humvee babbling about how when he gets out of here he wants to go up in a spaceship. If he can come up with the money, that is, which seems pretty unlikely considering he works for the U.S. Army. Me, I'm thinking the last thing I'd ever want to do is get into a spaceship, which sounds pretty much like a Humvee that gets blasted into orbit. I've seen Humvees blasted into orbit. It's not a nice sight.
"How about you, Jones?" he asks.
"Not me. When I get out, I plan to keep both feet on the ground."
"There's the infantry for you." That's our driver. He's detailed to us from Cavalry, and we know what they're like. "I get out of here, I want to get me a convertible. Put the top down, find a nice stretch of road where I can really lay down some rubber."
He steers the Humvee around a crater in this excuse for a road we're on, full of craters so big they can probably see them from space. Maybe the PL can point them out to the other astronauts when he's in his spaceship.
"Do they have air conditioning in spaceships?" I say. "Better than this, I mean?" The mucky heat in the Humvee is making my scars itch.
"Hell, yeah," the PL says. "C-cool as you want it. And get this, n-no gravity. You're carrying zero weight."
"No, sir. Low-grav. Not the same as no-grav." The driver's got to put in his two-bits.
"Didn't I s-say that?" Chastain, the PL asks. "Didn't I just f-fucking say that?"
He didn't used to stutter. Like he didn't used to have memory lapses. Like his hands didn't use to shake. I don't have to look at him to know the boom badge on his helmet registers two hits. That little photonic tag changes color for every episode of blast force you've been exposed to. Sometimes it only takes one hit to scramble a soldier's brain, and Chastain's up for his third strike.
Enjoying two talented writers at work is only part of the price of admission, now it's up to you to decide who moves forward. Read both pieces, choose the one you feel is superior, then say so in the comments below and provide a mini-critique for each.
Now go tell all of your friends to stop by and make a selection as well. Tweet about it, and if you do please use the hashtag #WRiTECLUB2016. Tell everyone about WRiTE CLUB, where it's not about the last man/woman standing, but who knocks the audience out!


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Welcome to Yupangco Music!
Yupangco Music is the distributor and retailer of world-renowned musical instruments, pro- audio equipment, and accessories.
The Story of G.A. Yupangco and Co., Inc.
Gary A. Yupangco had built successful enterprises in the fields
of textile manufacturing and real estate. Other than his family
and some of his closest friends, few people knew that Gary was
an accomplished musician. During more somber moments and
away from the din of corporate life, he would be found playing
classical masterpieces on his treasured Yamaha grand piano
together with wife Nita, herself a gifted concert pianist. Genetics
would eventually dictate that all of their 6 children would become
musically endowed.
It was at one of these moments that Gary came to a realization.
He observed that, like him, millions of other Filipinos were
imbued with an inate musical gift that needed little prodding to be unleashed and
developed into a skill. He was overcome with a desire to nurture that gift. He realized
that the process had to begin with providing the Filipino with the best music education
possible and by affording him with the finest musical instruments available.
Gary A. Yupangco also anticipated the dawning of a most significant period in the
history of music - the Age of Electronics. It was an era of sophisticated technology
ushered into by the introduction of the phenomenal electronic organ.
Thus, in early 1967, G. A. YUPANGCO & CO., INC. was
founded simultaneously with YUPANGCO-YAMAHA MUSIC
CORPORATION as the first Filipino-Japanese joint venture
after the Second World War.
The music industry entered a new era with the surge of
technological innovation that ensued countless Filipinos
have joined the ranks of prominent European, American
and other Asian musicians that performed in celebrated concert halls worldwide.
Gary A. Yupangco had finally fulfilled a once-sublimated desire and, with it, the musical
desires of millions of Filipinos nationwide. Today, after 50 years, G. A. YUPANGCO &
CO., INC., continues to serve the needs of the Filipino musician and music enthusiast,
providing the state of the art in musical instruments and sound reinforcement
technology and the finest in music education.


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The Okamas earrings of the Embera women of Colombia are works of art. Each piece is a unique and original creation of the artists' imagination.
Beading is a tradition of Indigenous people of Colombia and the Americas passed down from generation to generation. Each piece is full of symbolism and reflective of the natural environment where the Embera people live, such as fauna, flora, geometrical patterns and colour combinations.
Through their art they share their beautiful vibrant and colourful culture with the world.


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The Stage Air soundbar comes preinstalled with a battery-saving feature that automatically switches the soundbar off after 10 minutes of inactivity.
We have updated the battery-saving feature to switch off only after 6 hours of inactivity. To proceed with the firmware update, you may do so by following these instructions.
Simply follow the steps and instructions given for the update. If you need any assistance, do contact us at creative.com/priorityhelp.
In order to preserve the Stage Air's product quality, this battery-saving feature is not deactivated fully. This helps to preserve the battery life of your Stage Air in the long run, by preventing it from over-draining.
We've set up the stage for all your desktop audio needs.
Engineered with functionality and usability in mind, the Creative Stage Air is a compact, under-monitor soundbar for your computer. It features a sleek and minimalistic style that is designed to fit into any desktop settings. Custom-tuned to deliver impressive audio, the Stage Air also comes with a playtime of up to 6 hours for fuss-free music enjoyment!
Built to fit under a flat panel monitor (410 x 78 x 70 mm), the low profile, stylish design of Creative Stage Air makes it a perfect fit for any style and setting. It is conveniently powered by USB, minimizing clutter on your desktop and allowing for more valuable desk space while delivering great audio.
Get immersed in the crystal-clear highs yet powerful sound at volumes belying its size! Creative Stage Air is tuned to deliver crisp, powerful sound with two custom-tuned full-range drivers. It also houses an oversized passive radiator that reproduces impressive bass without a subwoofer. This is the one audio enhancement you never knew you needed for your movies, music, and even games.
Enjoy wireless connection with the Stage Air via Bluetooth. The speaker also comes with a built-in battery that lasts up to 6 hours1 so you can play music without a power source. Your music continues to play even after your computer is off!
There is also a 3.5mm AUX-in jack that allows for universal compatibility across other analogue audio devices.
The Creative Stage Air doubles up as a standalone music player! Using a USB mass storage device2, simply plug and play your songs via the USB port without connecting to another music device player.
Specifically designed with usability in mind, the volume controls are conveniently located at the side of the soundbar for easy reach and hassle-free control.
High Performance Under-monitor Soundbar with Subwoofer
Creative Stage features a high performance soundbar that delivers immersive, room-filling audio. The accompanying subwoofer provides the perfect enhancement for rich, thumping bass that reverberates throughout the room, alike the movie theatre!
LEARN MORE1 Based on moderate volume level. Actual battery life will vary with usage settings and environmental conditions.
2 Compatible with USB mass storage devices of up to 32GB, FAT32 format.
If you just need something to relay sound from your desktop on the cheap this soundbar has you covered. It gets fairly loud for its size and doesn't need to be relegated to the monitor station alone; rather this speaker can blend in nearly anywhere and can entertain a small group of friends, too.
8 / 10
For $40 (£45, around AU$70) the Stage Air is less than a pair of headphones from most brands, and offers a serious update on the tinny-sounding computer speakers you're used to hearing. Sure, it's probably not the product that's going to replace the surround sound setup in your living room, but Creative is a company that excels at making products that punch above their weight.
For the price, the Stage Air delivers solid audio quality, and if you truly want a soundbar under your computer monitor, it's one of the few we've tested. As long as you don't expect it to sound like a powerful, TV-sized soundbar, the Stage Air is a solid, wallet-friendly investment for a computer setup—or as a Bluetooth speaker that mobile devices can stream to.
So very impressed. The sound quality from this device is brilliant. I trusted my purchase from the start simply because it's a creative developed product but on receipt and first use, I was gobsmacked, considering its size, how awesome this little bar is. My plan was to keep it by the PC monitor but I've gotten accustomed to it's mobility. It's even in the shed with me when I'm working on something. It's like my little music pet. The various connectivity options make it easy to use right out the box though I'd suggest investment in longer cables if that's your connection option. Other than that, what a joyful, great sounding package.
Item received well packed. Sound produce was awsome for that price range.
This was a good basic sound bar. I'm using it in the garage for a blutooth speaker for my phone. The sound is ok. Better than the shelf stereo I had there. Mounted on a wall.
2-year Limited Hardware Warranty


text:
The difference between a pinch and a punch is as simple as preparedness. Being prepared for obstacles and setbacks means that your business will feel a pinch, rather than a punch.
Do you have a client(s) that makes up more than 25% of your revenue? If so, losing one would be a gut punch to your bottom line. If each client took up no more than 15%, that punch would be a pinch. Uncomfortable, but not impossible to overcome.
In the personal finances realm, this is called rainy day funds or emergency fund. In the business realm, it's called being smart.
Action Steps:
Know your business and where you make your money.
You've heard the saying "hope for the best, plan for the worst." I prefer to plan for the best, be ready for the worst.
Make a plan to avoid being – or move away from being – beholden to single or limited sources of revenue (clients). A golden goose is great, for a season, but being ready for the day the goose flies, is greater.


text:
You are here
Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche teaches through verse, pointing out the essence of a teaching. Enjoy the quotes.
May Equality Increase
Khenpo Tsültrim
Gyamtso Rinpoche
Quote of the Week
May 23, 2014
May Equality Increase
Anger and no anger are equal.
Happiness and suffering are equal.
Debating and no debating are equal.
All phenomena are equal.
Since in their true nature,
all phenomena are equal,
anger and no anger are equal,
meditation and no meditation are equal,
recognition and no recognition are equal.
May your samadhi of equality increase!
Composed by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, March 3, 2014 at Tek Chok Ling. Translated by Elizabeth Callahan.


text:
Feast Day: September 21
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
Matthew, the Evangelist who wrote the Gospel that appears first in the New Testament, was different from the other Apostles. He was not a popular man. Many people felt that he was unworthy to be a chosen as a follower of Jesus. Matthew worked for the Romans as a tax collector. The Romans ruled Palestine and the Jewish people in the time of Jesus. They forced the Jewish people to pay taxes to them. Many of the tax collectors cheated the people by charging more taxes than required and keeping the extra money for themselves. The Jews considered tax collectors to be traitors.
In Chapter 9 of his Gospel, Matthew tells a story about how Jesus called him to follow him and how the Jewish people felt about tax collectors. You can read it in Matthew 9:9-13. In this story, the Pharisees, a group of Jews who strictly followed all the laws of their religion, call tax collectors "sinners." Jesus knew in his heart that Matthew was not a sinner or a cheat.
Matthew wrote his Gospel for Jewish people who had become followers of Christ. He wanted his audience to know that Jesus was the Messiah that God had promised to send to save all people. Matthew's Gospel makes clear that Jesus is the fulfillment of everything said by the prophets in the Old Testament.
Matthew is also the only Evangelist who shares the eight Beatitudes with his readers. His Gospel faithfully reports how Jesus described who will be truly blessed by God in the Kingdom and the attitudes and actions that are required for those who follow the new Law Jesus came to bring.
After Jesus' Ascension, Matthew preached the Gospel, as Jesus asked his disciples to do. It is believed that he established Christian communities in Ethiopia and other sections of the continent of Africa. Tradition tells us that he died as a martyr.
The symbol for Matthew's Gospel is a man with wings. Matthew wrote about Jesus' Incarnation and his Gospel makes clear that Jesus was true God and true man. Matthew is the patron saint of bankers, because he dealt with money as a tax collector. But anyone who reads Matthew's Gospel knows that money was not important to him. What was important was believing in and living as a follower of Christ. Matthew helps us to remember that it is our faith in Jesus that makes us truly rich!
St. Matthew is the patron saint of accountants.
Connecting to Blest Are We® Parish and School
Grade 2, chapter 1
Grade 4, chapter 7


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Police combat violent crime as ranks dwindle
Five years after Brian Spaulding's parents found him fatally shot in the home he shared with roommates, his slaying remains a mystery that seems increasingly unlikely to be solved as Portland, Ore., police confront a spike in killings and more than 100 officer vacancies.
The detective assigned to investigate the death of Spaulding — a chiropractic assistant who didn't do drugs, wasn't in a gang and lived close to the house where he was born — left in 2020 in a wave of retirements and the detective assigned to it now is swamped with fresh cases after Portland's homicide rate surged 207% since 2019.
"To us, it's not a cold case," said George Spaulding, who has his son's signature tattooed on his arm. "We're not dissatisfied with the Police Bureau because I think they're doing the best they can. They are just overwhelmed. It's insane."
From Philadelphia to Portland to Los Angeles, killings and gun violence are rising at the same time officers worn out by the pandemic and disillusioned over the calls to divest from policing that followed George Floyd's murder are quitting or retiring faster than they can be replaced.
Departments are scrambling to recruit in a tight labor market and also rethinking what services they can provide and what role police should play in their communities. Many have shifted veteran officers to patrol, breaking up specialized teams built over decades in order to keep up with 911 calls.
"We're getting more calls for service and there are fewer people to answer them," said Philadelphia Police spokesperson Eric Gripp, whose department has been rotating employees from specialty units for short assignments to increase patrols. "This isn't just an issue in Philadelphia. Departments all over are down and recruitment has been difficult."
Los Angeles, which is down more than 650 officers from its pre-pandemic staffing level, shuttered its animal cruelty unit; downsized its human trafficking, narcotics and gun details; reduced its homeless outreach teams by 80%. Seattle recently announced $2 million in hiring bonuses and benefits to lure recruits amid a critical officer shortage that has hampered the investigation of serious crimes.
The pinch has led some cities to experiment to reduce strain on patrol officers.
Portland recently added unarmed "public support specialists" to take reports on things like vehicle break-ins and bike thefts, and in San Diego, licensed psychiatric clinicians go to mental health calls with officers.
"For me, I wonder what the profession is going to be 20 years from now if we're having these challenges on a nationwide scale. Are we going to be able to recruit enough people to serve our cities?" asked Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell, whose force has lost 237 sworn officers through retirements or resignations since 2020.
Portland logged a record 89 homicides last year — roughly three times its historical average — and is on pace to top that this year after already tallying more than 50. A report completed for the city last month by the California Partnership for Safe Communities found it had the largest homicide rate increase among similarly sized cities and 75% of homicides in 2020 were by gun. The city has seen nearly 800 shootings this year.
That follows a national trend. While nonviolent crime decreased during the pandemic, the murder rate increased nearly 30% in 2020 and the rate of assaults went up 10%, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.
It's unclear what's driving the surge, but COVID-19 created huge social disruption and upended government and community support systems. Gun sales also spiked during the pandemic.
Experts say widely cited theories that violent crime is worse in places that changed policing tactics in the wake of protests over Floyd's murder don't bear out. Violent crime has increased in red and blue communities alike, regardless of their approach.
"The problem is you see cities where they didn't do any of those things where crime also went up and you'll see rural areas where crime also went up as well," said Ben Struhl, executive director of the Crime and Justice Policy Lab at the University of Pennsylvania.
"There's a lot of evidence that something bigger is going on than the social justice protests that happened, and it's probably more than one thing," said Struhl, whose center has worked with Baltimore, Philadelphia and Oakland to reduce gun violence.
In Portland, gun violence once largely limited to historically marginalized neighborhoods has spread to the downtown core and more affluent areas. Last month, an Uber driver was seriously wounded and his passenger killed in an unsolved shooting.
Jeremiah King, who is transitioning out of homelessness, was shot while trying to protect a friend who was being attacked just a short walk from the city's business district.
"He turned around and pulled a pistol out and I didn't see it. I didn't feel anything at first but 10 seconds later I could hardly breathe," King said as he sat on a street after three nights in the hospital. "I thought I was going to pass away."
After King's shooting, three more people were injured and two killed by gunfire in the same area over a four-day span.
To address the violence, Portland's police chief broke up specialized units to bolster patrol numbers and moved detectives from assault, cold case and gun violence units to create a third eight-person homicide squad. That effectively stopped investigations into about 300 unsolved slayings going back decades, although Lovell says those investigations will resume when staffing levels return.
Still, Brian Spaulding's parents now must consider the possibility that one day no one will be assigned to his case. Their son, who would be 41 now, was a free spirit whose interests included jiu jitsu, home-brewed beer and heavy metal — although he also was a sustaining member of the local classical radio station.
Brian's mother sees a twisted silver lining in the violence on Portland's streets.
"I keep thinking that with all of the gun violence that's going on, they might be able to get a gun that matches the gun that killed Brian," said Carolyn Spaulding, as she clutched a teddy bear made of scraps from his high school graduation quilt.
That gun violence has also spread outside Portland, to the suburban city of Gresham, Ore.
Gresham Police Chief Travis Gullberg has seen 16 officers leave in his 10 months on the job and all of his detectives are handling homicide investigations as gun violence soars.
Conversations around police reform are "important work and it's an opportunity for us to better serve our community … but that said, as you transition to any of those new programs — which takes a while sometimes — you still have to be providing the basic services," Gullberg said.
For now, eight officers patrol a city of 115,000 people on a typical evening shift and must constantly make decisions about how to deploy limited resources.
On a recent night, Sgt. Travis Garrison spotted a car with no plates driving erratically. The driver appeared high, probably on methamphetamine, and the passenger was almost comatose, with bloody track marks on his arm.
The driver had a suspended license, but the vehicle wasn't stolen and no one had an outstanding warrant. Garrison warned the driver to leave the car and find a ride home, and then headed to his next call. It would have taken hours to complete the testing necessary to prove the driver's meth use, Garrison said, and with officers depleted, the traffic stop wasn't a priority.
"Right now, because of the spike in violent crime, we're only able to investigate murders," child abuse and sex crimes, he said. "We're triaging."
But what law enforcement says is a staffing crisis could actually be a case of misdirected resources, said Christy Lopez, co-director of Georgetown Law School's Center for Innovations in Community Safety.
And in some departments, police have sworn in new recruits this year, although the numbers aren't keeping up with attrition, they say.
"You really can't take it at face value when a department says you need more police officers. You need to look at a staffing audit: 'What are your police officers doing? What are they unable to do?' It might mean that you actually need another Boys & Girls Club, not more officers," she said.
Understaffed departments sometimes shift detectives to patrol because of political pressure, but research shows solving violent crime depresses crime rates more effectively than putting rank-and-file officers on the street, Lopez said.
"There may be some places where we need more police, but I'm fairly convinced from the evidence that I've seen over the decades that that can't be the answer everywhere."
Some have celebrated the downsizing, including homeless advocates in Los Angeles, where 4 out of 5 homeless outreach teams were disbanded.
"Police should be nowhere around outreach. You can't be the provider of services as well as the jailer," said Pete White, the founder and executive director of the Los Angeles Community Action Network. "My hope ... is that those resources that go to the Police Department are actually pointed towards real solutions."
Still many others are fed up with a perceived lack of action by police.
In Philadelphia, where the department is down 550 officers from pre-pandemic staffing and 860 more are on medical leave or restricted duty, City Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez said there are more than 30,000 complaints about abandoned cars awaiting police action. One of the worst areas is in her district, where the cars block sidewalks and make the narrower streets impassable.
Officers normally assigned to a unit dealing with neighborhood issues have been shifted to the city center and violent hot spots around Philadelphia, where the homicide rate reached a record high last year.
The abandoned cars bring "trash in the areas, then you know other crimes, quality of life issues, drug dealing, shootings, killings," said Kimberly Washington, executive director of the Frankford Community Development Corp. "This starts to look like the place where this can all go down because no one cares."
Royal Harris knows what that's like.
Growing up in Portland's gang territory in the 1990s, his brother, two first cousins, two second cousins and numerous friends were shot to death — and many of those cases remain unsolved.
Harris supports the temporary shutdown of the city's cold case unit if it means police can close fresh cases, even though it takes resources from solving his own loved ones' slayings.
"Under the current climate, somebody's going to feel cheated and we have to be honest with that. The question is, who do we cheat?" he said. "These hard decisions [have] to be made to stop this."
Lauer reported from Philadelphia and Dazio from Los Angeles. AP video journalist Eugene Garcia in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
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