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Attasit Pokpong has established an very successful genre of Chinese Pop, in Thailand. His fame and fortune has encouraged an entire movement, which explores themes of Chinese Pop, in a distinctly Thai manner.Since Pokpong has long ago stopped doing his street scenes, and recently evolved his portraits into a more diffused style of PORTRAITS ONLY, we have gone in search of other artists, emulating this very popular style.Khamsin Ouaichai is at the top of this group of artists.
This painting measures 120cm. x 120cm. (47"x 47"). It is oil on canvas. The image barely does justice to the work.
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For more info call us at (323) 744-7550, or email us at firstname.lastname@example.com or check out our recently updated Artnet site at:

subset: commoncrawl


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It looks like there's a real possibility of a major upset in the Delaware Senate primary on Tuesday night, with insurgent conservative Christine O'Donnell leading longtime Congressman and Governor Mike Castle 47-44. That 3 point lead is well within the poll's margin of error.
If Castle is indeed defeated Tuesday night it will be yet another sign that conservatives have a strangle hold on the Republican Party and moderates may or may not be welcome anymore. Castle has an overwhelming 69-21 lead with moderate voters but they only make up 33% of the likely primary electorate. O'Donnell has a 62-31 lead with conservatives that's more than enough to propel her to the overall lead.
It's clear that Castle's popularity has taken a sharp turn in the wrong direction over the last month. An August PPP poll found his favorability with Delaware Republicans at a 60/25 spread. Now his favorables within the party are negative at 43/47. That's largely a product of 55% of voters in his party saying they think he's too liberal compared to 37% who think he's about right.
GOP voters are pretty sharply divided about O'Donnell as well. 45% have a favorable opinion of her with 41% seeing her unfavorably. Only 50% of primary voters think she's fit to hold public office but she does much better than Castle on the ideology front- 53% think she's about right.
If O'Donnell pulls it out Tuesday night it will be a major victory for Delaware's small but united group of Tea Party voters. Just 25% of Republicans in the state consider themselves to be members of that movement but they give her a 79-18 advantage that's more than enough to overcome her 52-39 deficit with everyone else.
Assessing the impact of Sarah Palin's endorsement is similar to the Tea Party numbers. Only 35% of Republicans in the state say they're more likely to vote for someone with Palin's support to 24% who say it's a negative and 41% with no opinion. But O'Donnell is really running up the score with that third for whom it is a positive, leading Castle 83-13. That outweighs Castle's 82-11 lead with people who say it's a negative and his 49-41 advantage with people who don't care.
This race is too close to call and could certainly go either way Tuesday night. General election Senate numbers we'll release later this week make it clear the biggest beneficiary of this primary becoming so unexpectedly hotly contested is Chris Coons. He would start out with a large advantage over O'Donnell in a general election match up, and is polling closer to Castle than he was when PPP polled Delaware last month.
Full results here


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NEW YORK (AP) — The Cadillac Escalade, a top pick of the rich and famous ranging from Hollywood celebrities to Wall Street executives, is also the favorite choice of thieves.
The luxury SUV, which starts at more than $63,000, is the most likely vehicle to be targeted by crooks, according to a new study by the Highway Loss Data Institute.
The study, based on insurance claims made for model year 2008 through 2010 vehicles, showed that the Escalade is six times more likely to be hit by thieves than the average vehicle, and its overall theft losses are more than 10 times as large.
The rankings are based on vehicles that were stolen, had parts such as stereo systems taken, or had other property inside the car snatched.
Related: See the NICB's List of Most-Stolen Cars
Matt Moore, a vice president at the institute, says the Escalade gets hit more often because "It's so wildly popular as far as pop culture goes. Watching the TV you see professional athletes coming in and out of them and other celebrities too. It's a status symbol."
HLDI, which is part of the Arlington, Va.-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, calculated the rankings based on the number of thefts per insured vehicle on the road.
The data doesn't include uninsured vehicles or those covered by the 20 percent of insurance companies that don't report their numbers to the institute.
A total of 10.8 claims were filed for every 1,000 insured Escalades, resulting in average loss payments of $10,555 per claim by insurance companies to the affected drivers, the study said.
The Escalade's ranking isn't anything new. When combined, the four versions of the SUV have ranked at the top of the list for several years, the group says.
Pickup trucks are also a favorite of thieves, taking the next four spots in the rankings, including the Ford F-250 crew cab four-wheel drive, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab, the Ford F-450 crew cab four-wheel drive and the GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab. Crew cabs are pickups with a second row of seats.
Moore thinks that many of the pickup theft claims resulted from equipment or other items being stolen from truck beds while the vehicles were parked at work sites.
The Chrysler 300 sedan was the sixth most likely vehicle to be targeted and the only car on the list, with 7.1 claims filed for every 1,000 insured cars and an average loss payment of $5,509, the group said.
The vehicle least likely to be hit by thieves was the Audi A6 four-wheel drive, a luxury sedan. But its average loss payment per claim was $16,882. That's 60 percent higher than that of the Escalade, according to the study.
The A6 was followed by the Mercury Mariner, a small SUV, and the Chevrolet Equinox, a midsize SUV.
The average vehicle in the study had 1.7 claims reported per 1,000 insured vehicles and an average loss payment per claim of $6,767, the study said.


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Shutting down middle and blue-collar America
By Paul Driessen Vocal activists increasingly drive Democrat Party positions across the public policy spectrum. Print, television, social and click-bait media generally support them, while permitting little debate on liberal proposals or their potential ramifications. Even semi-moderate Joe Biden has been pressured into shifting or flipping his positions on abortion, energy, climate change and other issues, to satisfy far-left factions. Their policy prescriptions often find ready acceptance in coastal, urban, academic, media and big government circles. But factory workers, blue collar families and Middle America better pay very close attention to how climate change scare stories and proposed Green New Deal programs will impact their energy costs and reliability, jobs, living standards, mobility and personal choices. Warning signs abound. Reflecting heavy dependence on wind and solar power, German and British electricity prices are already three to four times higher than what the vast majority of American households currently pay – and rising. The exorbitant prices have largely shuttered the UK's aluminum industry and what's left of its steel industry. Combined with ever-tougher carbon dioxide emission limits, factory operating costs similarly "threaten the very existence" of Germany's automobile industry, Volkswagen's CEO laments. Nearly 350,000 German families have had their electricity cut off because they cannot afford to pay their power bills. German families and businesses had to cope with 172,000 localized blackouts in 2017. The country has banned fracking (hydraulic fracturing) and imports US coal and Russian natural gas. In Britain more than 3,000 elderly people die every year because they cannot heat their homes properly, exposing them to constant chilly temperatures that make them more likely to contract and succumb to respiratory or heart disease. The situation is likely to get even worse. In stark contrast, abundant natural gas supplies from the fracking revolution have driven prices down in the USA, saving some 11,000 American lives each winter, according to a recent National Bureau of Economic Research study. Multiple widespread blackouts over a three-month period in South Australia were caused by the elimination of coal-fired power, 52% reliance on wind turbines, storms, grid instability, and an inability to predict weather conditions or peak power demand. In May 2019, they helped persuade Aussie voters to replace their climate-obsessed government with a conservative coalition that supports fossil fuels. China, India and other overseas aluminum, steel and vehicle exporters to the EU and US face no climate-driven energy price or emission obstacles. The Paris Climate Agreement does not obligate them to reduce their fossil fuel use or emissions for decades to come, if ever. Indeed, China's annual increase in "greenhouse gas" emissions is greater than Australia's total annual nationwide emissions! Asia's total GHG emissions now dwarf the USA's. So even total, painful, job-killing, economy-shackling elimination of US fossil fuels would do nothing to end the steady rise in atmospheric CO2 levels. Unfortunately, these hard realities have had no effect on people or companies that expect to benefit politically or financially from legislated energy upheavals rooted in manmade climate change alarmism. New Mexico recently joined California and Hawaii in mandating "renewable" electricity: 50% by 2030, 80% by 2040 and 100% by 2050. Despite the absence of any state mandate, the Northern Indiana Public Service Company wants to replace 1,850 megawatts of affordable 24/7 coal-based electricity with 1,650 MW of expensive, intermittent, weather-dependent wind and solar, plus 1,500 MW of backup batteries. Modern factories, offices, hospitals, schools, households and cities cannot function or survive on starvation energy diets like these. Moreover, claims that wind, solar and battery technologies are clean, climate-friendly, renewable and sustainable are little more than useful fairy tales. Wind and solar energy are certainly renewable and perpetual. However, the massive amounts of land and raw materials required to harness, store and utilize that energy certainly are not. And many rare earth elements, lithium, cadmium, cobalt and other high-tech metals are extracted and processed by Chinese companies under zero to minimal child labor, fair wage, worker safety and environmental standards. But all this generally gets swept under the rug, while tsunamis of climate chaos scare stories terrorize children and even a lot of adults into believing human civilization, wildlife and even our planet face annihilation in less than twenty years, unless the world quickly rids itself of fossil fuels. From Kamala Harris to Bernie Sanders, and now Joe Biden, every Democrat presidential candidate supports some version of the Green New Deal and would have us believe its authoritarian edicts and multi-trillion-dollar price tag are affordable and necessary. Helping to drive this narrative is billionaire and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg – proud owner of twelve houses, a private jet and helicopter, and a fleet of pricey cars. He intends to give the Sierra Club and other activist groups $500 million to conduct new campaigns to eradicate coal power and block construction of natural gas-fired generators that would otherwise replace coal-fired plants. In fact, no sooner is one example of climate nonsense debunked, than another dozen take its place. After decades of frightening visitors with tall tales that Glacier National Park glaciers would all melt away by 2020 or soon thereafter, park rangers are finally acknowledging that the Grinnell, Jackson and other glaciers have actually been growing since 2010. They are now (quietly) removing signs, videos and brochures that featured the (Al) Gorey claims about catastrophic (Michael) Mann-made global warming. Even the Washington Post has acknowledged that the number of violent (F4-5) tornadoes has declined 40% between the 1950-1984 period and 1985-2018 interval – with not one violent tornado recorded in the USA in 2018, for the first time in history. The United States also enjoyed a record 12-year absence of Category 3-5 hurricanes making landfall, between Wilma in 2005 and Harvey in 2017. Overall, actual evidence shows no upward trend in extreme weather, floods, droughts or sea level rise. So now we're being told plant and animal species are disappearing 100 times faster than historic rates, because of manmade climate change – and a million or more are at risk of extinction … out of some eight million that a new UN report claims exist on Earth. There are serious problems with this latest hysteria. Scientists have actually identified and named only 1.8 million plant and animal species. The other 6.2 million "have no names, have never been identified," and exist only as bits and bytes in computer models and fear-mongering reports and news stories, forestry ecologist and Greenpeace cofounder Dr. Patrick Moore observed during recent testimony before the House Water, Oceans and Wildlife Subcommittee. Only 800 or so species have gone extinct in the last five centuries, Dr. Moore added – and most of them were victims of cats, rats, foxes and other invasive species introduced by European colonizers, or on small islands where native species had no defenses and could not escape. Assuming this pattern will be repeated on a global scale, across entire continents, because of climate change, for a mythical 8 million species ... and plugging those assumptions into computer programs ... isn't science. It's garbage – designed and intended to justify eliminating the fossil fuels that provide over 80% of the energy that the United States and world use to produce food, jobs, health and prosperity. We're also supposed to swallow pseudo-scientific claims that "surging levels" of plant-fertilizing carbon dioxide are creating dangerous hybrid puffer fish, making salmon unable to detect danger, making sharks right-handed and unable to hunt, making Arctic plants "too tall," making coffee growing impossible in many countries, causing pigs to get skinnier, turning Earth into a super-heated Venus, causing the demise of tropical birds, and many other fearsome stories of White Walkers and Days after Tomorrow. Sadly, all too many people soak up this nonsense like sponges. (Unkind comedians might suggest they have the brain cells of a sponge.) But to have these tales ... and the voters and politicians who believe and propagate them ... drive our energy and economic policies would be the cruelest joke of all. Paul Driessen is senior policy analyst for the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (www.CFACT.org) and author of books and articles on energy and environmental science and policy. 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How Did Main Street Restaurants Fare in September?
Macroeconomic forces and geopolitics combine to create a negative backdrop for small and medium sized businesses. Despite these significant headwinds, there are some reasons to be comparatively more optimistic for the restaurant industry.
Large bellwether companies continue to experience and forecast significant macroeconomic challenges. FedEx's CEO, for example, now expects a global recession. A host of related forces contribute to this prediction, including softening consumer spending; higher interest rates; currency exchange rates that make US exports more expensive; negative wealth effects as assets (e.g., stocks) decline; and shifts in business investment Hence, regardless of whether we are in (or will enter) a technical recession, economic growth has and will slow relative to trend.
The restaurant industry was especially hard-hit by Covid. However, the industry has made progress recovering: Total restaurant sales increased from $66.3 billion in January 2021 to $86.2 billion in August 2022 (adjusting for inflation). Anecdotes of hard to get reservations at certain restaurants abound. Furthermore, despite significant macroeconomic clouds, there are countervailing forces that may moderate the impact of a recession on restaurants by affording alternative sources of demand. These include: Workers are increasingly returning to their offices, which should increase demand for restaurants, coffee shops, and bars that cater to office workers; Increases in domestic and international tourists who, for the time being, evidence a heightened appetite to travel; and Employment in the restaurant industry remains substantially below the pre-pandemic trendline. This suggests that modest shocks to demand that might arise in a macroeconomic contraction should have a comparatively lesser impact on "lean" or short-staffed operations such as restaurants
Recession? Inflation? Stagflation? Competing narratives and evidence make it hard to understand where small and medium-sized restaurants and their workers stand. To help reconcile competing claims, we analyzed employment data from hundreds of thousands of employees working at more than fifty thousand restaurants. Homebase also conducted pulse surveys in mid-September and mid-July of more than one hundred restaurant owners to understand how they are doing in light of current events.
The number of hours worked by restaurant employees in September 2022 is down relative to September of 2021, as well as September 2020, after a relatively robust spring and early summer
Hours worked
(Rolling 7-day average; relative to Jan. of 2020 (i.e., pre Covid))
1. Some significant dips due to major U.S. holidays. Pronounced dip in mid-February 2021 coincides with the period including the Texas power crisis and severe weather in the Midwest. Source: Homebase data.
The percentage of restaurant employees working in September 2022 is down approximately six percentage points relative to the same period in 20211
Employees working
(Rolling 7-day average; relative to Jan. of 2020 (i.e., pre Covid))
1. Some significant dips due to major U.S. holidays. Pronounced dip in mid-February 2021 coincides with the period including the Texas power crisis and severe weather in the Midwest. Source: Homebase data.
Restaurant owners are evenly split about whether they intend to open a new location of their current businesses in the next one to two years
As of mid-September, approximately 39% of restaurant owners intend to expand their businesses by opening a new location in the next one to two years. This figure is up nearly four percentage points from July 2022. The percentage of owners who do not plan to open a new location of a current business decreased by more than four percentage points in the corresponding period. For both July and September, restaurant owners were significantly more likely than owners in other industries to have expansion plans. In September, for example, the overall percentage of owners who planned to open a new location in 12-24 months was nine percentage points lower than the figure for restaurant owners.
Survey question: Do you intend to open a new location of your current business in the next 12-14 months?
Source: Homebase Owner Pulse Survey. Ns >100 in mid-July and mid-September
Owners' hiring intentions for the next one to two years were adjusted upwards in September
Approximately 95% of restaurant owners anticipate hiring at least one additional worker in the next one to two years. As of mid-September, restaurant owners intend to increase their employment rolls by more than 56% in the next one to two years. This contrasts with an intended increase of 44% in July of 2022. These figures are consistent with owners' increasing intentions to properly staff their operations and open new locations of their existing businesses.
Although owners now intend to hire more employees in the next one to two years than they did in July, they also expect it to be more difficult to hire employees
Most restaurant owners intend to hire new employees in the next one to two years, as indicated in the previous slide. However, when compared with July 2022, restaurant owners now believe that hiring employees is going to be more difficult. Indeed, 27% of owners now believe it will be harder to hire workers in the next one to two years, which is up from 22% of restaurant owners who expressed the same sentiment in July of 2022.
Survey question: Do you think it will be easier, the same, or harder for your organization or business to hire workers 12 months from now compared to today?
Source: Homebase Owner Pulse Survey.
Given how hard it is to hire, we asked restaurant owners which are the best ways to find good employees (hint: referrals)
Turnover in the restaurant industry is comparatively high. Finding good workers in the best of times is difficult. In a tight labor market, it can be daunting. The Homebase September Pulse Survey reveals that owners view referrals as particularly effective as they represent three of the top five search channels owners use to hire good employees.. Online job search sites, as well as direct job post links on a company website, round out the top five.
Survey question: Based on your experience, which of the following is the best way to find good employees?
Source: Homebase Owner Pulse Survey.
Hiring and employee management continue to be some of the most challenging aspects of running a restaurant
Hiring employees (37%), managing employees (12%) and related employment costs (9%) were amongst the top five cited challenges restaurant owners must contend with. Intermediate supply costs (15%) and to a lesser degree economic uncertainty (6%) round out the top five challenges owners face today.
Survey question: What are the most challenging aspects of running a business today?
Source: Homebase Owner Pulse Survey.
To retain and manage their employees, restaurant owners are using a variety of strategies
Hiring and retaining good workers is challenging in the current environment. Consequently, we asked restaurant owners what strategies they are using to retain workers. Of those owners who are using any retention strategy, the most frequently cited strategy was the use of achievement awards (29%). Twenty-two percent of owners cited the implementation of new tip policies. Approximately nineteen percent of owners are offering employees their preferred shifts. Rounding out the top five were offering more pay (12%) or gift cards or gas cards (10%).
Survey question: Are you implementing any of the following strategies to retain workers (select all that apply)?
Source: Homebase Owner Pulse Survey.
With leaner workforces and an increase in sales, restaurant owners report a (nominal) increase in worker productivity
More than a third of restaurant owners report that their employees are more productive this year compared to last year and more than 10% of owners report that their employees are significantly more productive than they were at this time last year.
When asked what accounts for this increase, several owners indicated improvements in managerial processes and technology:
"Clearer expectations communicated, step by step processes made available, clear punitive action"
"Keeping morale high. Communication. Treat employees with respect and understand that without them you cannot run a business."
Economic and staffing challenges have impacted employee camaraderie in surprising ways
More than 45% of restaurant owners believe their employees are either more (or significantly more) productive this year versus last year. With leaner operations, 67% of owners believe that the current economic environment has created more camaraderie amongst their teams.
The primary way this greater camaraderie is evident is in employees' willingness to jump in to pick up their teammates' shifts (50%). Employee communication has also increased (16%) with better processes and tools. Owners also observed a more general willingness amongst their employees to help one another (14%) as they spend more personal time together (12%).
Survey question: How, if at all, has the current economic climate created more camaraderie amongst your team?
Source: Homebase Owner Pulse Survey.
California recently passed landmark legislation protecting fast food workers. Restaurant owners in the state have some concerns
The State of California recently passed landmark legislation (AB 257) that included the establishment of a Fast Food Council to set a minimum standard for wages, hours, and working conditions for restaurant workers. Our Owner Pulse Survey included fifty-three restaurant owners in the State of California. These restaurant owners expressed concerns about the unintended consequences of the bill, including driving up costs to consumers (51%), heightened competition for labor (40%), and the need to cut labor costs (32%) that might provoke a move towards more automated operations (21%). Given the recency of the legislation, only one owner has communicated with his/her/their employees about the legislation and only one owner has been asked about the bill from an employee.


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What Joe Arpaio's PR Activity Has Been Displacing
While Sheriff Joe was pursuing a vendetta against County officials, chasing down Mexicans with broken tail lights, and raiding dry cleaners demanding immigration papers, over 400 sexual assaults were going under-investigated. According to the article, this was not an accident -- there was a real prioritization that put few resources in the special victims unit and put more and better staff on things like counter-terrorism (Phoenix being a well-known hotbed of terrorist activity).
The understaffing in the special-victims unit was due in part to the Sheriff's Office's priorities -- and the special-victims unit was not one of them, according to a half-dozen current and former sheriff's employees.
Despite a Maricopa County hiring freeze prompted by the faltering economy, the Sheriff's Office from 2005 through mid-2008 was hiring 45 to 50 new deputies annually and tackling initiatives that included counterterrorism and homeland-security enhancements. The office also embraced immigration enforcement, sending 60 deputies and 100 detention officers through a federal immigration-training program and creating a human-smuggling unit with at least 15 dedicated deputies.
Staffing in the special-victims unit remained unchanged during those years: four detectives....
The Sheriff's Office was allocated more than $600,000 in fiscal 2007 for six full-time positions for "investigating cases involving sexual abuse, domestic violence, abuse and child abuse." The Sheriff's Office now says the six new positions were to focus solely on child-abuse cases. In any event, they cannot say where those deputies went to work.
"We don't know," Chief Deputy Sheridan said. "We've looked, and we can't find any of those position numbers which were allocated for child-abuse cases."
This is due in part to the acknowledged misallocation of roughly $100 million in agency funds that had patrol deputies being paid out of an account designated for detention officers.
The department was almost certainly spending more on Joe Arpaio's PR than it was on the special victims unit. Dozens of cases showed no investigation at all, and hundreds showed that no contact had been made either with the victim or the suspect. Piles of case files were found random file cabinets and even one officer's garage.


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This is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. I'm Michel Martin. Later in the program we are going to dig into a new survey of African-American attitudes about their lives, and some of the findings may surprise you. We'll also talk about how that 401(k) retirement plan, once a fresh idea, may need some new thinking.
But first we're going to turn to the Supreme Court. The court is poised to hand down three major opinions this month about affirmative action, voting rights, and same-sex marriage. Court watchers say the court's rulings could make dramatic changes to the nation's civil rights laws and by extension to the way we deal with some of this country's most divisive social issues. These rulings are expected in a matter of weeks if not days, so we thought this would be a good time to get a preview about these issues with our analysts.
Hans von Spakovsky is a senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation here in Washington, D.C. He served in the Justice Department and was also a member of the Federal Election Commission during the George W. Bush administration. Also back with us, Spencer Overton. He is a professor of law at George Washington University, also in Washington, DC, and he also served in the Justice Department at the beginning of the Obama administration. Welcome back to you both. Thank you both so much for joining us once again.
SPENCER OVERTON: Thanks for having us.
HANS VON SPAKOVSKY: Yeah, good to talk to you.
MARTIN: So lets start with affirmative action. The case is Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin. It was brought by a young lady named Abigail Fisher, who says she was passed up for admission because less qualified minority students were accepted, and one of the questions in that case is whether and how public colleges and universities can consider race when it comes to undergraduate admissions. So let's talk about what the possibilities are here. Professor Overton, you want to start?
OVERTON: Yes, well, you know the question here is, can universities look at issues other than test scores, in addition to test scores to create a diverse learning environment. You know, studies show that people who learn in diverse environments, whether they be white or black or Latino, they benefit from being in that. And, you know, Fortune 100 companies have actually submitted a brief urging for these diversity programs to continue. So we could see a variety of outcomes. We could see this University of Texas plan upheld completely, we could see some kind of scaling back, where you can possibly use race but use it in a different way than the University of Texas used it, or we could possibly see the court say, you can't consider race at all.
MARTIN: Hans von Spakovsky, how do you see this case? I mean you heard that Spencer Overton talked about kind of what are the social impacts of having a diverse environment. Is the court likely to see that that way?
VON SPAKOVSKY: No, I don't think they will because, in fact, there have been briefs filed, particularly by some commissioners from the US Commission on Civil Rights, siding to the very extensive empirical research that now exists on what the effect of these kind of programs are on particularly black and Hispanic students, and they have a bad effect. When a student is brought into a college or university and they have academic credentials that put them in the bottom of the class, behind all the other students, they make worse grades, they have higher dropout rates, and they are less likely to follow through on, for example, pursuing science and engineering degrees. It actually harms those students who supposedly are supposed to benefit.
MARTIN: But it's interesting that you also cited kind of a social research and I'm interested in that. I mean, is that the preeminent question you think the court is going to consider, Hans, is it, or I mean - it's interesting to me that neither one of you kind of addressed the narrow legal question. I'm just wondering what that was?
VON SPAKOVSKY: Well, no, there is a constitutional issue here and that is, when is racial discrimination acceptable? And, you know, the Grutter decision, this was the decision back in 2003, that said that some consideration of race was okay. You know, Justice O'Connor back then said, well, hopefully this won't last more than 25 years. It's still needed now. I think they're going to examine that and whether or not really under our equal protection doctrine it's okay to discriminate racially at any point.
MARTIN: Spencer, quickly.
OVERTON: Well, you know, we consider military service, we consider a variety of things in terms of admitting students. And, you know, these programs, they allow students to respond to different consumer needs, to interact with clients around the world. They're necessary in terms of building a better workforce.
MARTIN: But is that the constitutional question, Professor Overton?
OVERTON: Well, I think there is, if diversity is a compelling need. And I think that there is an argument that us having a vibrant - our diversity being our strength and using our diversity to compete in the global economy, I think that that is compelling.
MARTIN: Well, we need to move on because we have a lot to talk about. And if you're just joining us, we're talking about some of the big Supreme Court decisions that are expected to come down very soon. I'm speaking with two of our court observers - Hans von Spakovsky from the Heritage Foundation and Professor Spencer Overton from George Washington University, both of whom, interestingly, served in the Justice Department at different times. Now let's move on and talk about voting rights. The court is considering whether a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 will survive. So, professor - Mr. Hans von Spakovsky, do you want to start with that one?
VON SPAKOVSKY: Sure. I should mention there are 26 cases that we're still waiting for decisions. June 24th is the final day, so there's a lot coming down. The Shelby County case involved Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. That was supposed to be the emergency temporary provision passed in 1965. It requires just a small number of states to get preapproval from the federal government before they make any voting changes. I think there is a pretty good chance that the court is going to hold it unconstitutional because the conditions that made it constitutional back in '65 - the extraordinary and terrible discrimination that was going on - that has virtually disappeared. And look, in May, the Census Bureau put out a report on the 2012 election. Blacks, for the first time, voted at higher rates than white all over the country. And in fact, the states in which they voted at the highest rate surpassing whites were in almost all of the covered Section 5 states.
MARTIN: So interestingly, the last time we talked, Mr. von Spakovsky, you told us you were out of the predictions business after the court ruled on affordable healthcare - the Affordable Healthcare Act. So I see that you kind of edged back in there. So what about you, Professor Overton? You can either predict or you can tell us what - your take on what's at stake here.
OVERTON: Well, I think, you know, we've made real progress as a nation, as we see from the election of President Obama and some other things, but we still have problems. Politicians still manipulate voting rules based on how people look or speak. And the Voting Rights Act preclearance process, it's much more effective than lawsuits alone; it's an incredibly important tool. Lawsuits cost millions. Lawsuits can take years. Lawsuits can miss a lot of under-the-radar manipulation of these rules. So now, if the court scales back parts of the Voting Rights Act, state and local political operatives are going to have more power to unfairly manipulate election rules for their own benefit. There is also a question as to whether the judges - the justices, in this case - should substitute their own personal policy opinions for those of Congress. You remember the 15th Amendment explicitly gives Congress the power to protect voting rights. Congress established a 15,000-page record here, and the vote in the Senate was 98 to 0 in favor of this provision.
MARTIN: And finally, then - the final question we want to talk about here is the question of same-sex marriage. And this is one where there are people who worry, or critics who have expressed the concern that the court in here, in this case, will be substituting individuals - will be substituting their own kind of feelings for the law here. I don't know whether that's a fair observation or not. But, Spencer Overton, do you want to tell us about this ruling?
OVERTON: Well, let's talk about...
MARTIN: Or this case.
OVERTON: Right. Actually, there are couple of cases here. With one case, we have marriage benefits that the federal government gives most married couples, but these benefits are denied to gay couples who are legally married. That's what's at stake here. So in this particular case, there's an 80-year-old widow and she had to pay $360,000 in federal estate taxes that she would not have had to pay if she had simply been married to a man rather than a woman. So these federal benefits are key here. There's another case where there's a constitutional challenge to a California law banning gay marriage.
MARTIN: Hans von Spakovsky, how do you see this case?
VON SPAKOVSKY: Well, look, the provisions of the DOMA, Defense of Marriage Act, in place have to do with the fact that the federal government has the ability to define the terms under which it pays benefits. And, you know, that law was overwhelmingly passed by Congress. I don't believe there's really a constitutional reason to say that Congress doesn't have the ability to define and say who's going to receive federal benefits. Look, the other part of the law, too, is - look, states, if they want to, can define marriage for two men and two women. This law simply says that a state, for example, Virginia, that doesn't recognize that, cannot be forced to recognize a marriage performed in another state where it is legal because it's against the public policy of Virginia's legislators and what the people think about it.
MARTIN: In the prior two cases that we talked about, or the issues that we talked about, both of you brought in kind of discussion around what the social impact would be, and you also talked about different parties that have tried to weigh in on what they think the social impacts would be. What about in this case, Hans? Who are some of the people weighing in here?
VON SPAKOVSKY: Well, let me bring up a parallel situation. I don't think we would have the huge fight about abortion we would have today if the Supreme Court hadn't stuck into the middle of it and come up with the Roe vs. Wade ruling. 'Cause what would've happened is states where people wanted that, they would've put that law in place. Other states, they wouldn't have. It wouldn't be this huge issue. And here, again, the homosexual marriage issue is working itself out amongst the public with votes, with referendums, with legislatures working on it. And again, I think it's something the court, in many ways, should try to stay out of and allow people to basically develop their own views about this.
MARTIN: Okay...
OVERTON: But...
MARTIN: Spencer, final thought?
OVERTON: That's one issue that Hans mentions. Another is, if I'm gay and I'm in a state that recognizes gay marriage, shouldn't I be entitled to federal benefits? Now, we care about ensuring everyone enjoys, you know, equality, liberty. There're big questions at case here, preventing politicians from manipulating voting rules, building a well-educated and diverse workforce that can succeed in a global economy, and the right not to face discrimination simply because of the person that you love. These are the key issues that we'll see the court resolve over the course of the next three weeks.
MARTIN: Well, you can see why there's so much interest in these cases and also why they touch on such, you know, an emotional and divisive issue. So thank you both so much for joining us. I'm sure we'll be talking with you again very soon.
VON SPAKOVSKY: Thank you very much.
OVERTON: Thanks so much.
MARTIN: Hans von Spakovsky is a senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation here in Washington, D.C. Spencer Overton is a professor of law at George Washington University, also here in Washington, D.C. Spencer Overton was here in our Washington, D.C. studios. Mr. von Spakovsky was with us from the studios at the Heritage Foundation. Thank you again.
Coming up, more than 50 million Americans have 401(k) plans, but some critics say those plans are not keeping up with the needs of workers today.
BEN STEVERMAN: The 401(k) system as it is today, it's not projected to provide the level of retirement income that people are going to rely on.
MARTIN: We'll find out why the 401(k) might need a new look. That's next, on TELL ME MORE from NPR News. I'm Michel Martin. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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Tattooed Cowgirl 2 - Signed 10x8in Silkscreen Print
Steel Bison
"Tattooed Cowgirl 2"
10x8in signed silkscreen print by Sam Larson.
Printed with black ink on premium cream paper. Due to the paper being recycled a few specs may occur.
This is a one person shop, so shipping may take 1-3 weeks from the time of your order. Thank you for your patience.
Returns or Return to Sender
Buyer is responsible for any returns/fees caused from an incorrect address used during checkout. Please double check your address before making a purchase. Refunds given once item is returned. $4 restocking fee per returned order. No returns on international orders.
Shipped in 100% recyclable and/or compostable packaging.
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I am so excited because this time next week I will be in LONDON!!!! Our plane will land around 1:00 in the afternoon and after we check into our hotel I plan on seeing as much as I possibly can in a day and a half. That is right, a day and a half! London isn't the only place I am visiting on this trip, but it is the place I am most excited about. I am hoping (crossing my fingers) that I can get to The Tower of London my first day, since it seems as if it is a bit out of the way of the other places I want to go. I could be wrong, and it might be closer than I think (I'm not very good with judging maps when I haven't been to a place).
Wednesday morning we will board a tour bus (I am traveling with a group so I am not entirely on my own). We will cruise by and stop for pictures at Big Ben, Hoses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and finish at the Changing of the Guards. Nothing else is slated after that so I am hoping the afternoon is to do with what I will. And, just in case that is the plan, I've mapped out what I hope to accomplish which includes a stroll from Buckingham Palace (where I hope we view the Changing of the Guards) to St. James Square for photo ops of architecture, then walk along St. James Street to view the outside of the clubs my heroes would have spent much of their time in. Then onto Apsley House followed by a walk in Hyde Park. If I have time, I might just do a bit of shopping at Harrods. I wish I had more time but I was afraid to add anything else to the list and tried to keep what I could in one general direction. Of course, I have never been there and it may not be possible to take the walk I plan. If anyone knows for certain, please let me know and give me some ideas of a good plan to see as much of Regency London as I can.
In fact, everyone who gives me a solid plan for seeing as many Regency highlights as I can in one afternoon will be entered in to a drawing for a free audio book, Scots, Spies and Salacious Lies or, I can send you the Kindle e-book or, if you are willing to wait, you can win a copy of A Lady Revealed, the next installment of the Tenacious Trents series due out later this summer. Each person with a plan will be entered and the winner will have their choice.
The next day we will be off to Paris. I've been lucky enough to visit Paris before and absolutely adore the city. The beauty of this visit is that I will not have any high school students to keep track of, but my husband will be joining me instead. I can't wait to share this trip with him. And, what I am really excited about is that we will have half a day at Versailles (though I would rather have the entire day, but I can't have everything). I've usually only been there long enough to tour the palace and look at a few gardens. This time I will have enough time to walk down to the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon, which I have never had an opportunity to see. They are a fairly good distance from the palace so I will make sure and have my comfy walking shoes on.
We are also scheduled to visit the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, among other sites during our three day stay. I also plan on making a side trip to DeBauve & Gallais, which, if my research is correct, is the oldest chocolate shop in Paris, dating back to the late 1700's. There are some things a girl must splurge on and chocolate from DeBauve & Gallais is one of those things.
On the seventh day we fly to Florence-Tuscany and I am looking forward to vising the shops on the Ponte Vecchio and viewing Michelangelo's David. Then it is onto Rome for the Colosseum and finally the Vatican.
I've never been to Italy and honestly, it has never been that high on my list of places to visit, yet I am really excited. I may just re-edit A Lady Revealed (Julia's story) when I get back since it starts in Milan.
Have you ever visited London, Paris, Florence or Rome? What are the must sees?


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What Flooring Is the Safest for Babies?
When it comes to the health and safety of babies, nothing is overkill! Our most vulnerable family members depend on us to provide them with an environment where they can safely grow and explore. Every situation is unique; some things to consider regarding flooring include ease of cleaning, resistance to moisture, and budget. While no floor is inherently unsafe provided it is in good condition, there are flooring choices that make more sense than others. Read on for details.
Hardwood is Safe for Babies
If you already have hardwood floors, there is no reason to change them for the baby. Make sure, however, that they are in good condition to avoid splinters or potential injuries. In addition, since hardwood and moisture are not friends, make sure any wet spills are cleaned up straight away. hardwood flooring is safe, but not the ideal flooring for babies.
Carpet is Safe for Babies
Who doesn't love the feel of a nice plush carpet? Carpeting is the best bet for keeping babies safe from bumps and bruises. If your home has carpet, there is no reason to change it! Make sure that it is clean and in good condition to protect your family from allergies from dust and pets. If the carpet is damaged and you cannot change it out before the baby comes, consider an area rug. Affordable and easy to clean or replace, a small rug can cover damage and wear and protect the baby. As always, don't forget to blot and treat spills before they become stains.
Tile is Safe for Babies
When it comes to clean-ups, tile can't be beat. Wet or dry messes can easily be swept away or wiped up. As long as your tile and grout are not damaged, tile makes a great flooring for babies. Because it is hard and can feel cold, it doesn't provide the best play surface. Choose an area rug or foam play mat to provide a little cushion for the baby, if you have tile.
Luxury Vinyl is Best for Baby
While no flooring is fool-proof, luxury vinyl plank or tile comes the closest. It is warmer than tile, easier to clean than carpet, more user friendly than hardwood, plus it's affordable and easy to install. It provides a safe, low maintenance, virtually waterproof flooring option that won't break the bank. If you are looking for a floor that checks all the boxes, vinyl is an excellent choice. Available in many styles including many varieties of wood, stone and designer tile, vinyl tile would easily fit into any decor. And, since it has a low profile compared to other flooring, it could be installed throughout the entire home, or just in the nursery.
If you need additional help choosing a floor that is best for babies, visit the friendly designers at AJ Rose Carpets & Flooring. They would be happy to help you with design and installation suggestions to fit your situation and budget.


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Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The Style File
51 comments:
- Gabby / Gypsy*Diaries said...
I totally have the army jacket + black lace dress in my inspiration folder too, but looking at these images many of these will have to go and give her company! :)
Lately I love browsing lookbook for inspiration!
http://gypsy-diaries.blogspot.com/ - August 10, 2010 at 12:10 AM
- Marloes | The Style Sandwich said...
great inspiration!
thestylesandwich.blogspot.com - August 10, 2010 at 12:11 AM
- the red bungalow said...
I think scrapbook andy is one of my favorite style bloggers. I think she is just adorable and I love that some of the things she wears most people wouldn't even think to try, and somehow she always manages to look amazing. :)
Bre @ http://theredbungalow.blogspot.com - August 10, 2010 at 12:23 AM
- Kelly Lauren said...
OH my goodness the inspiration just overflows on the internet! tumblr, blogs, other blogs blogging about blogs, and all the fashion sites... it's overwhelming. That's such a good idea though, the "style file" and I do something similar to what chictopia has for certain outfits, like tagging items that I want or am inspired by and want to get something similar of!
Right now - all I want is FALL. ha - August 10, 2010 at 12:28 AM
- rachel said...
fade to black- i love love love it! all these images look gorgeous too though (:
- August 10, 2010 at 12:39 AM
- Style-Pursuit said...
That's exactly what I do too, whenever the season changes! The funny thing is that some of the items I was going to get this fall are already in my wardrobe, they've actually been there for years... :o) Seems like I'm not going to spend much!
I just love your choices!
xoxo - August 10, 2010 at 12:44 AM
- Emilie said...
The second outfit ( Alix from The Cherry Blossom Girl) is my favorite!
- August 10, 2010 at 1:01 AM
- Emilie said...
My favorite street style blogs are Vanessa Jackman, The Sartorialist, Jak & Jill and Stockholm Streetstyle!
- August 10, 2010 at 1:03 AM
- the style crusader said...
love the first two shots. vanessa jackman's blog is one of my favourite for inspirational street style that is beautifully shot. xx
- August 10, 2010 at 2:16 AM
- Susan said...
I love them all, especially the first one- gotta love street style :)
xoxo - August 10, 2010 at 2:43 AM
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- Natalie said...
you have such a lovley blog! i really like the two bags in the two bottom pictures
peace x
www.this-is-hooked.blogspot.com/ - August 10, 2010 at 4:32 AM
- Unknown said...
Love the green leather skirt, the color is so beautiful!!!
- August 10, 2010 at 4:39 AM
- Briana said...
loving all these looks; i keep similar ones, except unlike you i print some offline and collect others from magazines containing street style and editorial shots (not the best for the environemtn, but i love my hardcopy inspiration book).
www.brianathismoment.com - August 10, 2010 at 5:09 AM
- Pretty Pleased said...
Ha, We stalk the same street stylers:) I love Vanessa Jackman...I love her eye for style and her photography seems to make her subjects look so graceful...Also love Lucy Lauchts refined, classic style... buttery camels faux fur details and heeled hiking boots are on my radar right now and a perfect pair of trousers ala image no.1!!!
www.prettypleasedblog.com - August 10, 2010 at 5:28 AM
- Unknown said...
i love the street style shots, BUT i get kind of hmm whats the word - sad? yes they're real women, but usually also really skinny women. i wanna see more body shapes similar to mine in outfits.
M.E. - August 10, 2010 at 6:02 AM
- Becca said...
Totally digging those trousers. I often struggle with street style blogs and finding styles that would work on me, someone with curves.
Becca - August 10, 2010 at 6:22 AM
- Chaucee said...
Great picks - the top two are my favorite!
- August 10, 2010 at 6:33 AM
- Closet Fashionista said...
Love this! I find inspiration at all the blogs I visit. I keep a folder on my computer and then in that folder there is a folder for any blogger where I like their look, even if its just 1 so I know exactly where it came from :)
http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/ - August 10, 2010 at 6:47 AM
- Stephanie said...
These are great outfits! Love them all but the 2nd one is my favourite :)
"fashion fades only style remains the same" - August 10, 2010 at 6:50 AM
- FASHION SNAG said...
Great looks! I am into army green colors and suede ankle booties.
www.FashionSnag.com - August 10, 2010 at 7:21 AM
- Mary @Delightful Bitefuls said...
I'm all over the army greens right now!
Great post!
Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls - August 10, 2010 at 7:31 AM
- Jamie said...
I keep a folder very similar that I collect inspiration. I also have a binder filled with pages I have pulled out of magazines that I have had for years. I still read fashion mags religiously so it's still growing!
http://www.glamlatte.com - August 10, 2010 at 7:43 AM
- Joie de Viv said...
Love it all! Love these sites and your blog is definitely a daily dose of inspiration Taylor!
xx Vivian @ http://diamondsandtulle.blogspot.com - August 10, 2010 at 7:45 AM
- Sammy said...
Such inspiring photos! I also have this kind of style file too by the way. Thanks for sharing :)
Sam - August 10, 2010 at 7:48 AM
- Taylor Sterling said...
I feel the same way! We need more fit and curvy women in street style images. Maybe I can find some inspiration to share!
I usually look to Jessica Biel when wanting to see how a more muscular girl styles her clothes. so - August 10, 2010 at 7:50 AM
- the chirpy bird said...
Adore that camel cape.... that messenger bag, those jeans......I mean seriously, get outta here with those looks... the first one is to die too! Amazing!!! That's it, I'm going shopping!
xo tash - August 10, 2010 at 7:51 AM
- Mary @Delightful Bitefuls said...
I'm SO excited and totally freaking out! YAY! Thanks so much, Taylor!! It's going to be hard to focus at work today!!!!! What are the chances that I would win the contest on my favorite blog! :) :) :)
Mary xo - August 10, 2010 at 8:05 AM
- TatoOm said...
Hi,hi Taylor.
This is my firs time in your blog and im loving it, im now your newest follower. Pls visit me and let me know what you think about my site, and if you wanna support me as well that would be nice;) - August 10, 2010 at 8:19 AM
- Amalina said...
All so inspiring! Thanks for posting these. I'm a new follower :)
xo www.fashion-feline.blogspot.com - August 10, 2010 at 8:26 AM
- Heather said...
Great inspiration in those pics. Lately my inspiration is coming from blueisinfashionthisyear.com
Some really great collage posts there.
http://behindthelashes.com - August 10, 2010 at 9:38 AM
- Emily//The Lesser Panda said...
i love the top right outfit, wish I could get the same bag sometime soon! I usually read Stockholm street style, jak and jil, face hunter and refinery 29 for street style ideas.
http://emilypanda.wordpress.com - August 10, 2010 at 10:29 AM
- la petite fashionista said...
these are gorgeous! and making me wish it was fall already so I could start layering up my wardrobe!:)
i love stockholm street style, facehunter, stillinberlin & tommy ton's work! :) - August 10, 2010 at 10:45 AM
- la petite fashionista said...
ooh ooh and Garance Dore! my favorite!
- August 10, 2010 at 10:46 AM
- Unknown said...
I envy those skinny tall legs, but I adore their cute shorts/tights combo!
While in NYC, I had the chance to VISIT THE INSTYLE MAGAZINE HEADQUARTERS! It was so much fun visiting everyone!
http://www.honeysucklechic.com - August 10, 2010 at 10:57 AM
- Taylor Sterling said...
I am so happy for you Mary!!! Congrats!!
- August 10, 2010 at 11:34 AM
- Lucy said...
Wow!! These are some great outfits!!
- August 10, 2010 at 11:39 AM
- fashion clocked said...
amazing inspiration- street style blogs are a great source and people watching while sitting in a great location can be good! I also love all magazines- as much inspiration as I can get my hands on! Love the green leather- my favourite look, and of course will always be a fan of A.wang and the diego!!call by sometime! fashion clocked Katie.xx
- August 10, 2010 at 11:46 AM
- BrooklynBlonde said...
Awesome shots! I love the first two images the most - totally outfits I would wear. I do the same thing, I have folders titled "inspired by" and I save many images in there!
www.BrooklynBlonde.com - August 10, 2010 at 12:51 PM
- BrooklynBlonde said...
Awesome shots! I love the first two images the most - totally outfits I would wear. I do the same thing, I have folders titled "inspired by" and I save many images in there!
www.BrooklynBlonde.com - August 10, 2010 at 12:51 PM
- Lucy Laucht said...
Oh I am totally jealous of all these girls outfits! I might print this out and stick it on the wall for inspiration!
Lucy x - August 10, 2010 at 12:55 PM
- Taylor Sterling said...
Well Lucy, your on it. You are inspirational to me!!
- August 10, 2010 at 1:08 PM
- Grace, Money Smart Fashion said...
all of these photos have me wayy too excited for fall.
inspiring as always Taylor! - August 10, 2010 at 1:30 PM
- Bre said...
I am in love with that camel cape-gorgeous! I'm glad I'm not the only one who has a fashion inspiration folder on their computer :) I love Jak & Jill and Stockholm Street Style. The Sartorialist is also a must, as is your site! :)
- August 10, 2010 at 1:32 PM
- Lori said...
i love vanessa jackman and jak and jil :)
and i am so craving a camel cape! x - August 10, 2010 at 1:45 PM
- Unknown said...
I adore the last ourfit on the left, very Paris !
See U ! - August 10, 2010 at 5:53 PM
- Samantha said...
I just ordered the exact or similar brown satchel in picture two (left to right)! I can't wait to get it :)
Love these. - August 10, 2010 at 6:38 PM
- Niki said...
I LOVE all of these pics. i find the best ones are often stockholm streetstyle and copenhagen street style
- August 10, 2010 at 8:50 PM
- rachel @ blackeiffel said...
Such a great collection of pics!
- August 11, 2010 at 8:02 AM
- Raj said...
Real women are the best inspiration
I love seeing how people wear their clothes, in a way that is so unique to themselves - August 11, 2010 at 10:14 AM
- Samantha Hutchinson said...
love the lace and army jacket together!
- August 11, 2010 at 2:19 PM


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FLEXCO products, as well as other brands are available in a wide variety of styles: bolt hinged fasteners, Flexco scalloped edge fasteners, Bolt Solid Plate fasteners and VP to name a few.
Alligator® Staple• Available in stainless steel. Fastener sizes of #62, 125, 187, 310 to give PIW range of 100-250. Ideal lacing for light-and-medium weight belt, such as bulk-handling recycled materials.
Bolt Solid Plate • Commonly used on higher-tension main haulage belts that are for highly abrasive materials such as sand, gravel and crushed stone. Specially formed teeth penetrate deep into the conveyor belt, without damaging carcass fibers.
Bolt Hinged • Ideal for applications requiring frequent belt-length alterations; the joints can be separated simply by removing the hinge pin. On-site installation requires only a portable hand or power tool.
Conveyor Accessories
FLEXCO ®, CONSHEAR ® and other top brands carried. We have a full line of belt cleaners, slider beds, skirt systems and rubber. Custom solutions offered with complete dust suppression systems for the pulp and paper industry.
A variety of cleaners offered are designed to deliver and maintain superior cleaning efficiency even on the most demanding, abusive belt lines. Our cleaners have tough carbide-tipped blades provide long wear life, high-performance cleaning and compatibility with mechanical splices.


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The world's largest nanotechnology event, Nanotech 2019, delivers application-focused research from the top international academic, government and private industry labs. Thousands of leading researchers, scientists, engineers and technology developers participate in Nanotech to identify new technology trends, development tools, product opportunities, R&D collaborations, and commercialization partners. Join the global community that has been working together for over 21 years to integrate nanotechnology into industry with a focus on scale, safety and cost-effectiveness.
The first Nanotechnology Conference and Expo – Nanotech 1998 – was held at in Santa Clara, California. A group of 250 scientists and researchers gathered to discuss and share developments, innovations and research in the growing, but still emerging science of Nanotechnology. The event was such a success that it became an annual event.
Every year since those humble beginnings, the conference has grown in both scope and audience. It now ranks as the largest international nanotechnology conference in the world. The conference no longer exclusively focuses only on scientists and researchers, although sharing research and developments remains a cornerstone of the conference.
Nanotech has continued to add vendors, a broader array of speakers and a diverse set of programs aimed at both scientists and business leaders. Nanotech 2019 is expected to be the largest conference to date.
Nanotech is co-located with:
To receive announcements and news, please join our mailing list.


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GitHub Enterprise can display several common image formats, including PNG, JPG, GIF, PSD, and SVG. In addition to simply displaying them, there are several ways to compare differences between versions of those image formats.
Viewing images
You can directly browse and view images in your GitHub Enterprise repository:
SVGs don't currently support inline scripting or animation.
Viewing differences
You can visually compare images in three different modes: 2-up, swipe, and onion skin.
2-up is the default mode; it gives you a quick glimpse of both images. In addition, if the image has changed size between versions, the actual dimension change is displayed. This should make it very apparent when things are resized, such as when assets are upgraded to higher resolutions.
Swipe lets you view portions of your image side by side. Not sure if colors shifted between different versions? Drag the swipe slider over the area in question and compare the pixels for yourself.
Onion skin
Onion Skin really comes in handy when elements move around by small, hard to notice amounts. Did an icon shift two pixels to the left? Drag the opacity slider back a bit and notice if things move around.


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Polka Dot Pocket Square in Egret
- Dimensions: 30 x 30cm (12 x 12)
- Please refer to our size guide to ensure your correct fit
Dry Clean Only
Product Code: PRY0041-335
Free UK Shipping on all orders over £100. For allorders under £100, the delivery fee is £4.99. Order by noon for same-day dispatch. UK Standard delivery takes 5 - 7 Business Days via DX, but delivery to remote areas may take longer. Please note, there's no delivery service on UK Bank Holidays.
Click here for more information & shipping rates.
Our goodwill return policy entitles you to a refund for an item brought online with a valid receipt or parcel summary documentation within 28 days excluding sale items. For sale items must be returned within 14 days of receipt of goods.
Click here for more information on our refund policy.


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The FBI announced on Thursday that it is opening an investigation into the death of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Louisville, Kentucky, woman who was killed by police on March 13.
Taylor, who was employed as an EMT, was inside of her home when police conducted a "no-knock raid" on her home. Thinking the police officers were intruders, Taylor's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, allegedly shot at police.
Louisville Metro Police officers returned fire, striking and killing Taylor.
Walker was originally arrested for firing at police, but later was released.
"FBI Louisville has opened an investigation into the shooting of Breonna Taylor," the FBI said in a statement. "The FBI will collect all available facts and evidence and will ensure that the investigation is conducted in a fair, thorough and impartial manner. As this is an ongoing investigation, we are not able to comment further at this time."
As the FBI made its announcement, Louisville Metro Police chief Steve Conrad announced he is retiring as chief, amid criticism for his handling of the case.
In his resignation letter, Conrad did not reference the criticism levied against him, nor Taylor's case directly.
Taylor's death has drawn protests in Louisville over the practice of "no-knock raids," as some in the community have called on the officers responsible to be charged with Taylor's death.


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Tree Removal Outcast Cumbria
Timber Hitchings Professional Tree Care are based in Kendal, We offer a range arboricultural services throughout Cumbria, Tree Removal Outcast Cumbria
When it comes to tree surgeons and services you want to find someone that is local to you. They will have a better understanding Tree Removal Outcast Cumbria of the types of trees that are in your area. But, they will be more affordable as well. Tree services are not all the same, so be sure that you find someone recommended by others. You can take a look at the various online reviews to get a better idea of what to expect. Services come in a variety of manners. Surgeons will help trim up the tree and remove dead branches. This is important to the health and life of the tree.
If you have a dead branch, you will need to have that looked at and removed. While there are a variety of reasons for a branch to die off, it is important that you take the time to determine what the reason is for your tree. Some trees will have an insect infestation. This can start in just that particular limb but will eventually move on and take out the entire tree. You don't want this to happen, Tree Removal Outcast Cumbria so have the dead limb looked at by a surgeon to determine what the cause of death was.
Tree services for healthy trees.
We offer services for healthy trees that simply need a good trim. While we love trees and want to save them all, there are times when a tree is a problem. During this time, you can count on us to take your tree down in even the toughest spots. With our years of experience, we are happy to lend a hand and come up with a solution to get your tree out of a tight situation. You might have power lines and buildings that we will need to avoid during yourTree Removal Outcast Cumbria, which is perfectly fine. We have taken trees down in all sorts of conditions.
Tree limb removals
Has a storm broken off a limb or has your tree coming crashing down? While this isn't the ideal situation, it happens more often than we would like. There are many reasons why the tree was weakened by the storm, however, you simply need a clean-up. We can assist with this as well. Our services offer clean-ups. This is where we will come out to your home and cut up the tree and remove all leaves and branches. Some people want to keep the wood, which is fine by us. Simply let us know when we come out to quote.
Are you looking for fast and affordable services? We work with clients to ensure that their services are completed on time and on budget. We take the time to go over everything we are going to do and offer up a Tree Removal Outcast Cumbria quote for you to decide. If you need ongoing maintenance, we can offer that as well. We work with owners to help them save their trees for as long as possible, whenever possible. But, when it comes time to take that tree down, we are there, ready to help. Call today.


text: By researching the market, we can offer you a range of hand-picked, quality and cutting-edge accessories. Our portfolio is based on innovation, gaps in the market and from customer requests. Working closely with our partners we have the ability to source products from simple bulk accessories to bespoke manufactured solutions.


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The WildLife: Howler Monkeys, Robin Brockett
Robin Brockett, former director of the Wildlife Care Center in Belize, talks about howler monkeys in Belize. She tells "The WildLife" host Laurel Neme how her research into their diet and habits has helped her with rehabilitate howler monkeys captured as pets for release back into the wild.
Howler monkeys are the loudest land animal in the world. They're known for their loud, guttural, barking howls, which can be heard over three miles away. But did you know that they smell like steeped black tea? Or that they are picky eaters? While howler monkeys in Belize will eat 75 different species of leaves, they're very particular about the age of the leaves. There are only a few types of leaves they'll eat year-round. For example, (ficus) fig leaves appear the same all year long but sometimes the howlers will avoid it. That's because these leaves have a high latex content, and at some point it becomes less palatable and less digestible.
Robin Brockett spent 16 years in Belize first researching howler monkeys in the wild and then spearheading the rehabilitation of confiscated pets back into the wild. Her work led to establishment of the Wildlife Care Center of Belize in 1999, where she served as director for over a decade. Over that time, Robin has nursed and released over 30 howler monkeys back into the wild. Before moving to Belize, Robin Brockett was a primate keeper at Zoo Atlanta for three years where she became involved in behavioral research. Prior to that, Robin spent three years at the Bronx Zoo in both the bird and mammal departments and also time in zookeeper positions at the Franklin Park Children's Zoo and the New England Science Center. She's currently Assistant Bird Curator with the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. She still works with the Belize government on issues related to the pet trade. This episode of "The WildLife" aired on The Radiator, WOMM-LP, 105.9 FM in Burlington, Vermont on June 20, 2011.


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We Are Providing Car Window Replacement Services in Abilene, TX For All Types of Cars Like Electric Car Window Replacement, Luxury Car Window Replacement, Hybrid Car Window Replacement And Many More.
Having a broken car window not only reduces the value of your car but it is also risky. In Abilene, TX, if you are facing issues with cracked or shattered windows, deteriorating seals, or any other glass-related concerns, Glass Genie provides unparalleled car window replacement services. From meticulous car Window Glass Replacement to expertly addressing seal replacement, we take pride in our commitment to excellence. Our seasoned technicians utilize cutting-edge techniques and quality materials to ensure the durability and safety of every replacement. When you choose Glass Genie, you are opting for the expertise of car window replacement professionals who prioritize both precision and customer satisfaction.
Car Front Window Replacement in Abilene, TX
A clear and properly installed front window is essential for optimal visibility while driving. A timely replacement ensures that your car maintains its original safety features, protecting you and your passengers in the event of an accident. If you find yourself in an emergency situation requiring urgent attention or are seeking routine car front window replacement services in Abilene, TX, our professionals are equipped to handle it all. We understand the importance of a properly functioning front window, and we deliver precise and efficient replacements. From addressing emergency situations promptly to providing reliable car front window track replacement, we prioritize the safety and satisfaction of our customers.
Car Window Replacement in Abilene, TX
- Replacement enhances overall vehicle safety.
- Technological advancements in car window replacement.
- Maintenance of newly installed car window.
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In Abilene, TX, Glass Genie automotive service center takes pride in offering specialized car side window replacement services tailored to meet the diverse needs of our customers. If you drive an electric car, a wagon, or a hybrid vehicle, we deliver precision and excellence in every aspect of car side window replacement and Automotive Glass Repair. As specialists in the field, we understand the unique requirements of different car models, ensuring a seamless and efficient replacement process. From electric cars embracing cutting-edge technology to reliable wagons and eco-friendly hybrids, our expertise extends across various platforms.
Car Window Glass Replacement in Abilene, TX
In Abilene, TX, Glass Genie is your trusted destination for comprehensive car window glass replacement services. Specializing in professional and efficient solutions, we cater to various needs, including car windshield replacement and addressing issues like cracked or broken car window glass. Whether your car window glass replacement needs are routine or stem from unexpected damage, our commitment to quality service remains unwavering. As specialists in the field, we understand the significance of a well-maintained and secure vehicle, and our services reflect that dedication. Choose Glass Genie for a seamless experience, knowing that your car window glass replacement is in the hands of specialists who prioritize precision, safety, and customer satisfaction. Drive confidently with our reliable car window glass replacement services in Abilene, TX.
Car Window Seal Replacement in Abilene, TX
Glass Genie specializes in addressing a range of sealing needs, including auto window seal replacement, car windshield seal replacement, car front window seal replacement, and car side window seal replacement in Abilene, TX. We understands the importance of maintaining a secure and Weather-Resistant Seal for optimal vehicle performance. Whether you have worn-out seals, leaks, or general wear and tear, our skilled technicians are equipped with the expertise to ensure a precise and effective replacement. We take pride in our commitment to quality, providing thorough solutions to enhance the integrity of your vehicle's seals.
Car Window Latch Replacement in Abilene, TX
When it comes to car window latch replacement in Abilene, TX, Glass Genie is the place to address your needs. We have got experience and expertise to handle various window latch replacement needs, including Mobile Car Window Latch Replacement, Car Window Cracked Latch Replacement, Car Front Window Latch Replacement, and Car Side Window Latch Replacement. With a focus on precision and efficiency, Glass Genie Car Window Latch Replacement Experts are dedicated to delivering reliable solutions that meet the highest industry standards. If you are dealing with a broken or worn-out latch, trust Glass Genie to provide swift and effective replacements, restoring the security and convenience of your car's windows.
Affordable Car Window Replacement in Abilene, TX
At Glass Genie, we understand the importance of cost-effective solutions without compromising quality. We specialize in providing Affordable Car Window Replacement Services, catering to various needs such as Affordable Car Front Window Replacement, Affordable Car Side Window Replacement, and Affordable Car Broken Window Replacement. We take pride in offering budget-friendly options that do not compromise the integrity of our service in Abilene, TX. Whether you have encountered a crack, chip, or complete breakage, Glass Genie Affordable Car Window Replacement Service ensures a reliable and pocket-friendly solution. Experience peace of mind knowing that your car is in good hands with our Affordable Car Window Replacement services. Your safety and satisfaction are our top priorities, making us the go-to choice for those seeking quality replacements at affordable prices.
Car Window Replacement Experts in Abilene, TX
You always deserve expert and professional services. As Car Window Replacement Experts, we take pride in our specialized services dedicated to ensuring the optimal performance and safety of your vehicle's windows in Abilene, TX. Our expertise extends to Car Front Window Replacement, Car Side Window Replacement, Car Window Glass Replacement, Car Window Seal Replacement, and Car Window Latch Replacement. With a team of skilled professionals, we bring a wealth of knowledge and precision to each service, addressing various issues such as cracks, chips, broken latches, and worn-out seals. As Car Window Replacement Experts, we prioritize delivering top-tier solutions that meet and exceed the Abilene, TX industry standards. Whether you require a complete window replacement or a specific component service, Glass Genie ensures your car's windows are in expert hands.
Car Windscreen Replacement in Abilene, TX
As your trusted Car Windscreen Replacement specialists, Glass Genie offers a comprehensive range of services to address all your windscreen needs in Abilene, TX. Glass Genie ensures the safety and functionality of your vehicle by providing services such as Car Windscreen Seal Replacement, Car Windscreen Glass Replacement, and Car Windscreen Latch Replacement. With a focus on precision and efficiency, our specialists are well-equipped to handle any issues, from minor cracks to complete replacements. At Glass Genie, we take pride in being Car Windscreen Replacement Specialists, offering tailored solutions that adhere to the highest industry standards.
Mobile Car Window Replacement in Abilene, TX
Experience the convenience of Glass Genie Mobile Car Window Replacement services, where we bring expertise and efficiency right to your doorstep in Abilene, TX. As Mobile Car Window Replacement Experts, Glass Genie specializes in addressing a range of issues, including Mobile Car Front Window Replacement, Mobile Car Side Window Replacement, Mobile Car Window Glass Replacement, and Mobile Car Window Seal Replacement. If you are dealing with a cracked window, worn-out seal, or any other replacement need, Glass Genie mobile service allows you to get back on the road with minimal disruption. Count on Glass Genie Mobile Car Window Replacement Experts to provide reliable and professional solutions, delivering quality workmanship wherever you are.
Car Window Replacement Cost in Abilene, TX
When considering Car Window Replacement Costs in Abilene, TX, it is essential to factor in the specific requirements and components involved in the process. At Glass Genie, we provide transparent pricing for various replacement needs, including Car Front Window Replacement Cost, Car Side Window Replacement Cost, Electric Car Window Replacement Cost, Car Window Glass Replacement Cost, and Car Window Latch Replacement Cost. Our pricing structure reflects the high-quality materials, skilled labor, and advanced technology used to ensure the durability and functionality of your vehicle's windows. We strive to offer competitive and fair costs, tailoring our services to meet your budget while maintaining uncompromised quality. Rest assured that our detailed and upfront pricing ensures you have a clear understanding of the investment required for your specific car window replacement needs.


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Classic Organic Unisex Sweatshirt, Pearly Purple
By Colorful Standard
Keep it classic with the unisex organic cotton crewneck sweatshirt in pearly purple by Colorful Standard. Perfect for layering, this cotton jumper is made using 100% organic cotton and features a round neck, long sleeves, anti-pilling finish and brushed fabric on the inside, making it soft to touch on the skin.
Colorful Standard produce uncomplicated, eco-friendly garments with sustainable cotton.
Chest (cm) : XS 50 | S 52 | M 54 | L 56 | XL 58
Length (cm) : XS 67 |S 69 |M 71 | L 73 | XL 75
Contact us
We have a small, friendly team of experts who are passionate about design. If you have any questions about this item, feel free to contact us: email@example.com
Barnsbury Hall
For furniture, lighting, home decor and kitchenware call 020 7704 1999.
For fashion, lifestyle and accessories call our showroom on 020 7288 4510.
Delivery charges are calculated after entering your address. To see an estimated delivery cost, please view our delivery page. Delivery of small parcels over £75 is free (exclusions apply).
If you are unsure, please contact our team and we will be more than happy to help.
If the items you are ordering are in stock, we aim to deliver your order within 3-5 working days.
If the item is not in stock, a lead time will be displayed above the 'Add to basket' button. We will order the items for you and keep you updated on the progress.
Upholstery and Made To Order
Some upholstered and 'Made To Order' items are available to view in our showroom. Items that are on show will be indicated in the description. If you are planning a visit to our showroom to see a specific product, please contact us first, to ensure it will be on display. Please see our returns policy before ordering bespoke or Made To Order items.
Check out the Rewards icon in the bottom left of the screen to see the points you have earned with Aria.
Every pound spent earns a point, but you must create an account when you order, for the rewards points to be linked to your purchase.
If you're logged into your account, you can click on the icon to see what points you have, and if any redemption codes can be applied to your basket.
If you refer a friend, and they make a purchase with Aria via their referral link, both you and your friend will gain a £10 voucher.
Points can also be redeemed in-store – if you want to find out more, just ask.


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Margaret Boemer went for a routine ultrasound 16 weeks into her pregnancy with her third child. She quickly found out that things were far from routine.
"They saw something on the scan, and the doctor came in and told us that there was something seriously wrong with our baby and that she had a sacrococcygeal teratoma," the Plano, Texas, mom said in an interview shared by Texas Children's Hospital. "And it was very shocking and scary, because we didn't know what that long word meant or what diagnosis that would bring."
Sacrococcygeal teratoma is a tumor that develops before birth and grows from a baby's coccyx, the tailbone.
"This is the most common tumor we see in a newborn," said Dr. Darrell Cass, co-director of Texas Children's Fetal Center and associate professor of surgery, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology at Baylor College Medicine. "Even though it's the most common we see, it's still pretty rare."
Found more often in girls than boys, this tumor occurs in one out of every 35,000 births.
Unfortunately, this was not the first bad news of Boemer's pregnancy. Originally, she had been pregnant with twins, but lost one of the babies before her second trimester.
It was a shock at 16 weeks to learn of her daughter's rare birth defect.
"Some of these tumors can be very well-tolerated, so the fetus has it and can get born with it and we can take it out after the baby's born," said Cass. "But about half of the time, they cause problems for the fetus and it's usually causing problems because of a blood flow problem."
Cass explained that the tumor is trying to grow by sucking blood flow from the baby, yet the baby is also trying to grow, too "so it becomes a competition."
"And in some instances, the tumor wins and the heart just can't keep up and the heart goes into failure and the baby dies," said Cass.
With a large tumor stealing the blood supply, Boemer's fetus was becoming more ill each day, doctors explained to the expectant mother. Something had to be done.
Although other doctors had advised her to terminate the pregnancy, Cass and his team told her about another possibility: fetal surgery. This option, though, would not be an easy road. Even worse, her baby's chances of survival would be grim.
"LynLee didn't have much of a chance," Boemer said. "At 23 weeks, the tumor was shutting her heart down and causing her to go into cardiac failure, so it was a choice of allowing the tumor to take over her body or giving her a chance at life.
"It was an easy decision for us: We wanted to give her life."
'Kind of a miracle'
She was 23 weeks and 5 days pregnant, when Cass performed the emergency fetal surgery. By this time, the tumor was nearly larger than the fetus.
Cass and Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye, his partner surgeon, operated for about five hours.
"The part on the fetus we do very, very quickly," said Cass. "It's only 20 minutes or so on the actual fetus." Most of the time is spent opening the uterus, which he described as "a big muscle lined with membranes."
"We don't want the mom's health to be jeopardized," said Cass, who explained they work carefully, both making the incision and sewing it up in order "to make that uterus be as sealed and as water tight as possible."
Still, Cass said, the tumor in this case was so large a "huge" incision was needed to get to it, so it ended up that the baby was "hanging out in the air… Essentially, the fetus is outside, like completely out, all the amniotic fluid falls out, it's actually fairly dramatic," said Cass.
During the surgery, LynLee's heart slowed down to an incredibly low rate. "It basically stopped," said Cass. He credits the heart specialist, a key member of the team, for giving the right medication and transfusing the right amount of fluid, allowing the surgeons to continue their work.
The surgical team removed the bulk of the tumor. When they finished their operation, the surgeons placed LynLee back inside the womb and sewed her mother's uterus shut.
"It's kind of a miracle you're able to open the uterus like that and seal it all back and the whole thing works," said Cass.
'Worth every pain'
Boemer was on bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy. Despite her pain, she marshaled her strength and made it another 12 weeks to nearly 36 weeks — full term — when Lynlee Hope was born for the second time via C-section on June 6.
The little fighter, named for both her grandmothers, weighed 5 pounds and 5 ounces.
Immediately, the hospital staff whisked the newborn away to the neonatal intensive care unit for an evaluation, but after this initial checkup, she was deemed healthy and transferred to the nursery.
There's a risk the fetus could be born immediately after the in utero surgery, or die.
After she was born, LynLee faced one more ordeal: removing the bits of tumor that surgeons could not reach, which had begun to grow again.
"At eight days old, she had more surgery, and they were able to remove the rest of the tumor," explained Boemer.
LynLee recovered in the NICU and weeks later, arrived in her family home.
"Baby Boemer is still an infant but is doing beautiful," said Cass, remarking that she is perfectly healthy. His one previous surgery of this kind was also a success. "I think she's about 7 now, and she sings karaoke to Taylor swift — she's completely normal," said Cass.
While babies facing surgery undoubtedly struggle, mothers' emotional journeys might be most difficult and dramatic. As Cass describes it, first their obstetrician tells them there's something wrong and then they're told there's nothing that can be done and their babies will die and then a surgeon tells them there's something that can be done. Amazingly, some end with a healthy baby.
"It was very difficult," Boemer said.
But seeing her toddler smiling with her sisters, she added: "It was worth every pain."


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As MTA Bans Drinking for SantaCon Its Roots Go Back to San Francisco and Anarchists in Denmark
East Village, New York, USA, December 2018 – Several thousand Santas roamed the streets of the East Village in New York City celebrating Santacon. SantaCon the annual mass gathering and pub crawl in with people dress in Santa Claus costumes or as other Christmas characters parade in several cities around the world. Photos by: Luiz Rampelotto/EuropaNewswire by Kurt Wheelock NEW YORK, December 8 — For SantaCon 2018, the New York City Police Department told participants to have fun but stay off its naughty list, telling them online that "blocking foot and car traffic is a summonsable offense." But if [Read More]


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More than you could possibly want to know about Tetris
After reading Noah Davis' piece in The Verge about Tetris, Aaron Cohen collected a bunch of other long articles about Tetris.
Also worth watching is this hour-long BBC documentary on Tetris.
Alexey Pazhitnov, a computer programmer from Moscow, created Tetris in 1985 but as the Soviet Union was Communist and all, the state owned the game and any rights to it. Who procured the rights from whom on the other side of the Iron Curtain became the basis of legal wranglings and lawsuits; the Atari/Nintendo battle over Tetris wasn't settled until 1993.
And there's always the kottke.org tag for Tetris.