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In order to find investment ideas for The Avid Hog, I asked Geoff to send me 3 stock tickers every week. I'll do initial research on these companies based on the 10-Ks, CEO interviews, and my quick check on customers and products. From the initial research, I'll decide whether to do further research. So, I'll start writing regular posts on companies that I find interesting.
One company I've looked at is Tandy Leather Factory (TLF). Tandy sells leather and leather craft supplies. This includes a large variety of hides, tools, glue, books, and accessories.
Tandy is the Biggest Fish in a Small Pond
They have 29 wholesale stores and 79 retail stores. Wholesale stores are bigger. Wholesale stores average 5,000 square feet. Retail stores average 2,400 square feet.
The products sold in wholesale stores and retail stores are similar. Wholesale stores sell to bigger customers like tack and saddle shops, western stores, craft stores, and other retailers. Retail stores do 60% of business with individuals.
Tandy says wholesale stores compete with small, independently owned retailers. In most cases, these retailers are also Tandy's customers. There are a few hundred small independent stores in the US and Canada. Tandy itself has 79 retail stores. So, I think the market is small.
Tandy's strategy is to offer a broad range of leather and leather supplies so that customers can complete their projects from a single source. I think this is the right strategy. I think customers are hobbyists. The market is small. A local market can't support many stores. By offering all the items that customers need, Tandy may have a local moat.
Scuttlebutt Shows that Tandy Has a Moat
Reading some blog posts about customers confirms this view. In this blog post, I found two useful facts. One, Tandy gives customers a lot of choices:
"Recently, I made a trip to Tandy Leather Factory in Union City, CA (there's another in San Mateo, CA). I usually get my leather from Fabric Outlet in San Francisco, but their selection is very limited, so I went to Tandy in hopes of finding the very specific color I wanted. I was not disappointed!
Tandy's Leather Factory is nestled in a compound of unassuming office buildings. Not only is it filled with a large variety of hides (the usual pig, cow, deer, but even exotic ones, like Stingray skin), it also has all the tools, glue, books, findings, and accessories that you can imagine a leather craftsman might even think of using. The staff is extremely friendly and knows leather – I always appreciate it when employees are knowledgeable about what they are selling!"
Two, customers are price conscious:
"Tandy's leather is priced by square foot, which is normal. Unfortunately, Tandy no longer allows cuts, which means you have to commit to the whole piece as-is, so it's hard to find what you need without buying a whole hide. (The scrap bins really are just scraps.) I'm a bit deterred by this – I think I'll still defer to Fabric Outlet for leather, since they sell several colors and types but have skins in smaller cuts, and it's always 50%-off! I'd much rather go up to San Francisco and spend $25-$80 for smaller pieces to make a garment, rather than shell out $200 at Tandy for one giant piece."
But I doubt that price is a more important factor than convenience. If the customer in the blog post can buy a smaller piece at Tandy at a slightly higher price, he'll go to Tandy. That's because he knows he can find everything he needs. Being able to buy smaller cuts is part of the variety of choices rather than cheapness.
Another blog post gives me some hints about what customers do with the stuff they buy from Tandy. The writer of the post made her DIY over-the-knee boot spats by recycling her leather skirt. Some comments are useful:
"Wow... So exciting... Thanks for sharing this leather shop... I make handbags and am always looking for new leather places...."
"Thanks for sharing this! I've been looking for a place that sells leather. All my local fabric shops just sell crappy vinyl and it's too hard for me to buy online because I like to feel it before I purchase it. Hopefully, I'll be able to make it up there this week."
"Wow, what for an amazing shop, you are really lucky to have such a great offer nearby you!"
"I used to LOVE going to Tandy with my Dad as a kid. We did all kinds of leather work projects. I still have the belt he made me and a few other treasures."
These comments show that customers are hobbyists and that they are always looking for stores that address their needs.
So, my initial scuttlebutt convinced me that Tandy has a local moat in a small niche. They sell to hobbyists so they may have some pricing power. Gross margin in the last 10 years has been impressive. It improved steadily from 54.4% in 2003 to 63.1% in 2012. A 63% gross margin means price is about 270% of Tandy's cost. And Tandy improved margin during a period when the price of every commodity went up. That tells much about Tandy's pricing power.
Will People Do DIY Projects with Leather in 10 Years?
My biggest concern with Tandy Leather is durability. Will as many people still be doing DIY projects with leather in 10 years? In other words, is the niche getting bigger or smaller? I asked Geoff and he said:
"I think durability is probably high because the number of customers for the entire industry is so low. Most people will never do anything with leather. If you can turn a small number into hobbyists, you can be successful. I think it is an issue where the marketing by the company, etc. is more of a factor than societal trends. Leather crafting is not something most people are even aware of. So it is not like analyzing International Speedway (ISCA), DreamWorks (DWA), etc. where there is a cultural question about how many people will actually want to show up at a racetrack, movie theater etc. in 5-10 years. Those are much bigger parts of the general culture. This is much smaller."
Tandy Leather somehow reminds me of Games Workshop (GAW:LN). Games Workshop grows the popularity of Warhammer by opening new stores and educating hobbyists. On Tandy Leather's website, we can find a lot of free lessons, projects & tips, and Buyer's Guide in the Leathercraft Library. Tandy offers free classes in its stores. A lot of blogs I read mentioned Tandy's in-store classes. It seems that Tandy gets a lot of word-of-mouth referrals from DIY hobbyists. I think David Meerman Scott, the author of The New Rules of Marketing & PR, would praise Tandy for its communication with customers.
Tandy Leather Has Entrepreneurial Store Managers
It's also worth mentioning that Tandy has entrepreneurial store managers. Some blogs mentioned Tandy's store managers calling top customers when they have closeout inventory. One mentioned offers to sell at a low cost, but only if the customer was willing to take the items in bulk (buy hundreds of dollars of leather at once). In that example, the manager said he was calling the store's top 100 customers. That may indicate the close relationship with customers. Good store managers can really help to build a local hobbyist community.
It's not a surprise that store managers get 25% of the operating profit of the store they run. And Tandy's biggest challenge is not finding locations but "to continuously find new, hardworking young employees and give them the year or two it takes to understand our business before they can really be a benefit," said Ronald Morgan, the CEO, in an interview in 2007 with The Wall Street Transcript.
The Price Is Good but Not Attractive Enough
So, qualitative factors look good. The price is quite good. In 2012, Tandy made $9.1 million EBIT. Current market cap is $80.6 million. Tandy has $7.6 million cash and $2.7 million debt. So, EV is $75.7 million, and EV/EBIT is 8.3. This is quite low but I don't think it's attractive enough.
Tandy says they plan to reach 100 to 120 retail stores. They currently have 79 stores. Before 2008, they opened about 10 stores each year. So, they can potentially grow the number of retail stores by 50% in the next 4 years.
In 2012, wholesale stores made $26.9 million revenue, and retail stores made $42.6 million revenue. Assuming that both wholesale and retail stores can grow organically at 3% along with inflation, and that the retail business can grow 50% in the next 4 years, potential revenue would be $102 million. That's about 8.8% annual growth, compared to 10% sales growth in most years except for the 2007-2009 period.
Wholesale stores and retail stores have similar EBIT margins. Applying a 13% EBIT margin, potential EBIT would be $13.3 million. At an aggressive 10 EV/EBIT, potential EV is $133 million. So, the stock price would appreciate 14.4% annually in the next 4 years. At 8 EV/EBIT, potential EV is $106.4 million, and the stock price would appreciate 8.4% annually.
So, Tandy can be quite a good buy and hold investment if the growth assumption is right. At a better price, the potential return would rely less on growth. I'll do further research if the price goes lower. And I'll keep Tandy in my watch list.


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Sunday, December 12, 2010
It's almost Christmas!
I can't believe how fast time goes by these days! It's only 12 more days til Christmas (here in Sweden we celebrate on the 24th)! And I sound like I'm 100 years old when I say it like that too.
My health finally seems to be back on track! My stomach is behaving (knock on wood), and the treatment I got for my dizziness really helped, and 24 hours after I was back to normal again. It was a really weird treatment, that consisted of moving the dislodged particles (you know, the ones that had ended up in my balance bows in my ear) back into the liquid sack where they belonged. This was done by moving my head in a specific order, and then I had to keep the head completely still for 24 hours. And let me tell you, those 24 hours were no fun, but it was worth it! After sitting up the whole night I got a few hours of sleep in the morning, and when I woke up I wasn't dizzy anymore. Awesome!
So how is the Christmas shopping going? Me and my sister picked up the last gift yesterday, for our dad, so now I'm all set. It feel good to be finished already with that, as it can be a huge pressure! I'll finish the first knitted gift today, and hopefully the second (and last) one next weekend. I can't wait to get to tell you about them, as I'm very pleased with both of them!
Last Saturday, on the 4th, Anna, Lovisa and Alexandra came here for an evening of yarn dyeing together. We had such a blast, we ate some quiche, drank lots of wine (now that I'm off the antidepressants I can finally have some wine again, and it was sooooo good!) and dyed about 14 skeins of yarn!
Alexandra is winding yarn on our kitchen cabinets!
Lovisa is dyeing yellow yarn
Anna's purple and blue yarn
Lovisa's blue yarn
Alexandra's blue, red and orange yarn
Anna's orange and pink yarn
My green yarn
Anna knitting
Me and Anna got a bag of undyed sport yarn from Progg a while ago, and we divided these skeins between us, and both Lovisa and Alexandra had brought their own, so we ended up with some skeins each. I kept three skeins, one lace skein that I dyed green and two sport skeins that I dyed pink.
We used mostly KoolAid, but I also had some easter dyes that I got in a RAK gift from Ravelry a year or so ago. I think we were all very pleased with our skeins! I went for the solid colours, but the others mixed it up a bit, as you can see in the photo of the drying yarns (unfortunately, Annas skeins of gorgeous, blue-purple skeins are missing from that picture, but you'll have to make due).
I actually caved in and bought some yarn last week too, but only because I was running out on one of the Christmas gifts. A couple of days before the order Thomas had actually told me that he'd maybe like a pair of hand knitted socks after all (he's been refusing them for a while now, as he prefures regular, store-bought, black socks), since they look so warm. So I ordered two more skeins of sock yarn, Opal in black and green:
I think I'm going to make his black, as I think one skein should be enough, and keep the green one for myself. I haven't decided which pattern to use for his socks yet, but I don't think I'll start them until after Christmas anyway so I'll have some time to think about it.
Oh, and I have to tell you about this awesome package I got in the mail yesterday! I got a RAK gift from bastelwastel in Germany, which held a whole package of gluten-free cookies! I'm just overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness, and they taste amazing too! Yay! I also got a Christmas card from Fabie in the same group on Ravelry (RAK in Europe), and I just love this group so much!
And finally, I wasn't sure if I was going to mention this here on the blog, as I try to keep everything political and religious and stuff like that out of the blog. I'm not a very political person (or religious), but this just can't go by unnoticed. Yesterday it seems like we had the very first suicide bombing in Sweden, in Stockholm. A car blew up at around five in the afternoon, and shortly thereafter the police found a man who had blown himself up. Next to him was a bag full of nails, and apparently there were more bombs which hadn't gone off. Only the bomber died, and a few people were lightly injured, and the police is calling it a failed bombing attempt. The police got an e-mail about 10 minutes before the deed, where someone blaimed Sweden's involvement in Afghanistan, and our support of the artist Lars Vilks, who made the Mohammed charicatyrs a while ago. The last part is a bit scary, as Lars Vilks was in Linköping holding a lecture at the University just a couple of weeks ago. I thik we Swedes have just felt a bit too safe from these sorts of deeds, as we're such a small and sort of unimportant country. The Police is holding a press conference right now, butthey don't know very much yet. It's just terrifying, and I really feel for all those people in for example Palestine and Irak who live with this threat every day. Just horrible!
And to end the post on a bit more cheery note, me and Thomas are going to have breakfast together no, and light the third candle in aour advent candle holder. I'll try to be beck next weekend, so I get one more post in before Christmas!
/ Jenny
3 comments:
- ImplausibleYarn said...
It looks like you had lots of fun creating all those pretty colors! I'm glad to stuck with the sensible route when it came to holiday knitting. Less crazy stress I think.
- 12 December 2010 at 15:14
- Jane said...
I'm glad you are feeling better. How awful that must have been. The colors of the yarns from your dying party are lovely - what a fun way to spend the evening (especially the wine!)
I'm sorry about the terrorism. It is a scary thing.
- 13 December 2010 at 14:35
- Virginia said...
The yarn dyeing party looks like it was wonderful!
I'm quite glad to hear about your health being back on track.
And I heard about the bombings. I'm glad it failed, but I was worried about you until I read this...
Anyway, I hope your Christmas is lovely and that you get all your gifts done in time. :)
- 13 December 2010 at 14:38
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subset: commoncrawl


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Sunday's Manchester derby that aired on NBCSN and Telemundo averaged 1.4 million viewers, which was 18% greater than the viewership for the 2017 MLS Cup final that aired on ESPN, UniMas and Univision Deportes.
Manchester City won the match 2-1 in an impressive performance at Old Trafford to continue their unbeaten streak to 14 matches in the Premier League.
With anticipation reaching a fever pitch for the Manchester United-Manchester City game, the game averaged 902,000 viewers on NBCSN. Plus, the derby averaged 495,000 viewers on Telemundo for a combined total of 1,397,000 viewers.
The 902,000 viewing number means it's the most-watched Premier League match of the season on cable for NBC Sports. Plus the Manchester derby was the highest-rated Premier League game on Telemundo so far this season.
Sunday's broadcast featured special guest Roberto Martinez at half-time and post-match to analyze one of the most eagerly anticipated games of the weekend. The match itself was commentated by Arlo White and Lee Dixon.
Viewership for the MLS Cup final was 1.1 million across ESPN (803,000 viewers) and UniMas/Univision Deportes (304,000 viewers). For Major League Soccer, the 2017 edition of the MLS Cup final saw a viewing decrease of 43% compared to last year's final.
Meanwhile, in the other derby aired on US television this past weekend, 594,000 tuned in to watch the 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Everton.


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Visit the University Catalog page for the most up-to-date curriculum requirements
View the printable version with the Four Year Plan of Study (PDF)
HISTORY major (B.S.)
46 total credit hours including:
- HIST 1013 World Civilization 1
- HIST 1023 World Civilization 2
- HIST 1033 American History 1
- HIST 1043 American History 2
- HIST 3283 The Historical Method: A Study of History as a Discipline or
- EDUC 4023 Specific Methods of Teaching: (Area)
- HIST 4781 Portfolio Review
- HIST 4783 Senior Seminar
HIST Electives (above 3000)—15 credit hours
- MATH 2033 Probability and Statistics 1 or
- PSY/SOC/CRJ 3063 Applied Statistics or
- ECON 1003 Principles of Economics
Electives – 9 credit hours selected from any of the Social Sciences
The requirements above are specific requirements for this major. You must also fulfill general education requirements and general bachelor's (or associate or associate of science in health science) degree requirements. Please refer to the Newman University Catalog for details. After admission to Newman University, your Newman advisor can help explain program and university requirements.


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It's way too obvious that my blogging didn't turn out the way it was intended at the beginning of this journey. Health problems between my husband and myself (2 surgeries within 4 months last summer) took up a lot of effort and time to heal. Blogging took a back seat to these issues and other life's events.
BUT! It's almost 2016!!! It's time for New Year's resolutions. We all make resolutions, most of them good for the first week, then it's off to the recesses in the back of the cranial gray matter. Do you do that too? Resolution. The word sounds good. The intent behind it is good. Best of all, is the resolution kept!
My 2016 Resolutions are:
- Return to this blog with a fervor never seen before! Life is wonderful, the knowledge being gained on this end is incredible. Knowledge not shared is knowledge not gained. What good is it to hold it, and not make the time to share it with others.
- Make more time for my husband and I. We are not spring chickens anymore. He is 66 and I am (sigh) 61. We've spent the last 5 years building this farm to a self-sufficient status. It's been hard work, tiring, exasperating, and sometimes with tears. Now it's time for us. Candlelight dinners, fishing on the lake, camping, hunting, whatever he likes, we are off to do.
- Get my wood shop together and functional. I love working with wood, all the way from the raw state, to refinishing old furniture. I love making things from pallets and want to try cabinet making. I'd also love to try turning wood on a lathe. My friend just started doing this and turns out some beautiful pieces. He's passed the zeal to me also.
- Health…always on the list. Last year (2015) wasn't good, health-wise. Two surgeries, new diagnosis of fibromyalgia for me, and an impending knee replacement for my husband (for 2016). These things slow one down. It's time to get back on track, eat right, exercise and work on lowering the prescription medication list.
- Finish my certification as a Family Herbal Practitioner. I have two more classes to complete and then pay the fees for a national certification. It's within reach now. Time to get 'er done!
- Community. We have a free health clinic in town for the indigent people around here. As a retired RN, there's no reason why I can't volunteer at least a couple days a week to help out there. And too, with the certification as a Family Herbal Practitioner on the near horizon, who knows? That might come in useful there as well.
- Learn to knit and crochet!!! I know. That's been on the list for many years and goes to the deep gray cranial matter recesses. I bought two skeins of yarn, a huge, size K crochet hook, have a simple, single crochet stitch pattern to make a scarf, and it's out on the end table in the living room. Since it bugs me so much to have it there, I am starting on it as soon as this blog post is done!
- Put together a tribal association for the Cherokee descendants (Cherokee Heritage tribe) in our area. Most tribes, those that are government sanctioned such as the Eastern Band of Cherokee, The United Keetowah Band of Cherokee, and the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma have a strict policy for admission to their nation. It requires either a blood quantum level or documented relationship from the Dawe's Roll or other rolls taken during the Removal Act. Most people do not have a documented history of their heritage. They know by word of mouth or of association with other family members who have Cherokee lineage. I'll write a post later about our intended tribe that's in the making.
In the meantime, life is good. It's busy as always. The farm is growing and is at a stage where we can sit back and enjoy it.
What are your New Year's Resolutions? Please, share here. We may have a small community of readers who can read your posts, and encourage you as the year goes on. Let's make a support group right here, help each other along the way, make new friendships and renew the old friendships. It's a New Year (almost) and it's time to live and thrive!
Happy New Year to you, and may all the blessings from our Creator be bestowed upon you and your family and friends. May health be good, may cheerfulness and happiness be yours, and may you prosper greatly this year! ~~~
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2015 annual report for this blog.
Here's an excerpt:
A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 2,200 times in 2015. If it were a cable car, it would take about 37 trips to carry that many people.
Click here to see the complete report.


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Watching Beyonce and Jay Z on the VMAs made it all very clear that the couple we all love are doing just fine -- no divorce filings happening there. At least that's what we were led to believe. There was the love, the admiration, the kiss, the hug, and seeing the three of them as a family with sweet little Blue Ivy made their marriage seem solid as a rock. But as we all know, there is a lot of deception in Hollywood. Things don't always appear as they seem and I don't just mean because of the makeup, push-up bras, and body-slimming undergarments.
I'm talking about Jedi mind tricks. Beyonce's dad Mathew Knowles is saying that the scandals surrounding Bey and Jay were all part of their master plan. WHAT?!
I don't want to say that Mr. Knowles is lying. I just can't believe that A) Beyonce and Jay Z are pretending they are having issues, or B) if they are pretending, Beyonce's dad is outing them.
It all was revealed when Papa Knowles was on the Houston radio show "Roula & Ryan" on 104.1 KRBE. He was asked about the elevator incident with Solange and Jay Z as well as if there were marriage issues with Bey and Jay. His response was that the whole thing was a "Jedi mind trick" so people would be even more interested in them and therefore drive up ticket sales for their On the Run tour. Oh my goodness y'all. Have we been duped?
If you recall, Mr. Knowles was once Beyonce's manager, so he's got an inside scoop on what happens behind the scenes. He said:
I know, because we've done this. From experience, there's a tour going on. So you sometimes have to ignite that tour. It's called a Jedi mind trick. The Jedi mind trick fools you a lot.
Ticket sales went up. Solange's album sales went up 200%.
No way! Could it be? Is he trying to say it's a Jedi mind trick so we are tricked into believing that everything is okay? That maybe it wasn't okay and now it is and now he's trying this wacky tactic to make us think we were all fooled? Is he lying about that? Or were they lying to us about these issues, the elevator attack, the whole thing, and everything was really peachy and they just wanted to make us all even more interested in them so we buy more albums and head to the concert?
I'm so confused!
I want to believe they are a family just like the rest of us. That they fight sometimes. Things get a little weird sometimes. But they love each other no matter what. That last part I realize doesn't happen for everyone, but I hope it's true for them.
What do you think of this Jedi mind trick business?
Image via Beyonce/Instagram


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Personalised Learning
Learning to sail on Whitlingham Broad.
At The Free School Norwich, we strongly believe that all children should be treated as unique individuals and we fully encourage individual interests and strengths amongst our children.
The school has established strong links with many other organisations within the local community to provide a wide range of weekly Personal Learning Activities. Through these, we encourage our children to identify and develop their individual interests and strengths, so that they can go on to acvhieve their full potential in life.
Our range of Personal Learning Activities includes learning to ski, sailing, cooking, investigating local history, learning to play chess, performing drama, dancing, karate, football skills, orienteering, wall climbing, mini-engineering, puppet making, environmental studies, children's literature, problem solving, model making and gardening. We are always open to other suggestions for activities from the children themselves!
All activities are fully funded by the school and are supervised by qualified teaching staff and instructors.
The Free School Norwich © 2011 • Privacy Policy • Terms of Use


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Swanston Golf Course is situated in the tranquil and beautiful setting of the Pentland Hills on the South side of Edinburgh, a picturesque golf course with a modern friendly club house surrounded by breathtaking scenery all within the City of Edinburgh
Swanston Golf Club offers some of the very best facilities in the Lothians.
In 2016 we improved the layout and playing experience by adding two holes from the adjacent ex Lothianburn course which regretfully closed at the end of 2013; we also have a 9 hole par 3 course, there are dedicated areas for chipping and putting practise; plus our own driving range. All this is complemented by the excellent Brasserie at Swanston
All the golfing facilities are available to both members and visitors.
- 18-hole Swanston Course par 69
- 9-hole par-3 Templar Course
- 350 yard driving range
- USGA spec practice putting/chipping greens
- Modern changing rooms with showers and free valuables lockers
- 6 golf buggies, pull trolleys and clubs for hire
- The Golf Shop with friendly staff to advise & guide you.
- Club repairs/re-gripping
- From Spring 2019 Golf Academy and Fitting Studio
Like everything at Swanston, our Brasserie isn't fussy, stuffy or old fashioned.
Opened in 2007, we offer a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere with stunning views of the Pentland Hills and across the City of Edinburgh.
Whether it's afternoon tea or a hearty dinner in the company of friends, we have something to suit all taste buds.
Wi-Fi access is available in the Clubhouse which is password protected and can be obtained from the Bar
Use of Mobile Telephones, please be considerate in their use.
Unless it is an emergency, use is prohibited while on the course or practice putting green.
In the Clubhouse mobile phones may be switched on subject to them being on silent mode.
Please click on the link below to discover the other activities and services on offer and available at Swanston http://www.swanston.co.uk/


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Darkest Hour - Script to Screen
Date: 12/1/2017; 34 minutes
Lisa Bruce has made feature films both domestic and internationally, both independently and with major studios. She was a producer on "Darkest Hour," a film starring Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill that follows his early days as Prime Minister while Hitler closes in on Britain during World War II. She is joined in conversation with Matt Ryan at the Pollock Theater at UC Santa Barbara. Recorded on 11/01/2017. (#33180)
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Communication and Media Studies
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text: Sep 25, 2017 Share Back to Blog Quality Homes On Site at The Plowing Match! For yet another year, Quality Homes participated in the International Plowing Match & Rural Expo held at Walton, Ontario September 19th to 23rd. It was an important year for celebration . . . The Plowing Match's 100th Birthday, Canada's 150th and Quality Homes' 30th. Quality Homes offered tours of its Woodstock model home, erected on site for the Plowing Match. Visitors were invited to walk through and see the incredible quality of the home and experience its beautiful features and finishes. As well, visitors entered a contest for a FREE BBQ – to be drawn at Quality Homes' Open House on the weekend of September 29th – October 1st. Visitors to Quality Homes were entertained by country music and some welcome shade! And if you missed us at The Plowing Match, don't worry, we have an Open House at our Kenilworth location September 25th through October 1st. The Open House is a great opportunity to see Quality Homes up close and personal and learn all about the superior building techniques and advantages that indoor construction offers. You can tour all of our beautiful furnished model homes, participate in our weekend BBQ and fill out a ballot to win a gas BBQ.


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The threat of furloughs comes at a time when hiring in this country remains slow. One reason for the very slow pace of job gains is that many businesses learned to do more with less during the recession. And now they don't need to bring back as many people. These new efficiencies lead to what economists call labor displacement, and it's today's Bottom Line in business.
To illustrate how labor displacement works, NPR's Yuki Noguchi followed a business doing the same amount of work with half the original staff.
YUKI NOGUCHI, BYLINE: Two things are noticeably absent from the offices of Mid-Atlantic Builders in Rockville, Maryland: people and paper.
John Lavery is vice president of sales for the residential builder. In his office, he keeps a relic of the company's recent past: a binder heftier than a phone book that's filled with sketches and floor plan options of all the homes the company builds.
JOHN LAVERY: Each home had sometimes up to 25 different versions of the fronts that they could choose from, and then literally hundreds of different layouts.
NOGUCHI: There are literally millions of permutations and combinations possible for the company's customizable homes. And their paper-based systems have been confusing and fraught with potential for error, miscommunication and logistical snags. But a few years ago the company automated everything. Now customers click and drag to design their floor plans. Those changes update in a single digital file, which in turn synchs up with the design, procurement and billing systems. Lavery says they no longer wrestle with muddy blueprints or misplace orders for windows. And automation has made it possible for each worker to do more.
LAVERY: Oh, I would say it doubles their efficiency.
NOGUCHI: Before the recession, Mid-Atlantic Builders employed 75 people. That fell to a low of 22. The company resumed hiring again with the recent uptick in business and by next year plans to build almost as many homes as it did at its peak, but with half the staff it once employed. Besides the automation, executive vice president Stephen Paul says he's found other ways to cut time and waste. To illustrate, he takes me to meet the crew building a house nearby. Hi, I'm Yuki.
JIM BARBES: I'm Jim. Nice to...
NOGUCHI: Nice to meet you. Paul says in the past he might have had a team of employees on-site. Today he needs only one.
STEPHEN PAUL: Back in the day, when we'd get more and more houses, we would just keep hiring people, we'd be throwing bodies at the problem.
NOGUCHI: To build this large luxury home, Paul is testing a new strategy. He's contracting out the building of the frame, the walls, and windows to a bigger company that builds the home in pieces, then assembles it on-site. Jim Barbes is the area manager of that bigger firm, 84 Lumber. Barbes says more builders are turning to his company to essentially prefabricate their homes.
BARBES: In a sense we've kind of become a virtual factory. We're able to, you know, take it from design all the way through to a total structure.
NOGUCHI: Outsourcing shaves weeks off building time and makes the process less dependent on weather. It also reduces headaches. Instead of hiring five or six contractors, from roofers to drywall people and window installers, Mid-Atlantic Builders deals with just one. Paul says the changes have allowed him to go after a different kind of talent. Now he recruits people like Christian Cerria.
CHRISTIAN CERRIA: I recent graduated from University of Maryland in architecture.
NOGUCHI: Cerria is not only young - he did a stint with Apple and pushed Mid-Atlantic Builders to use iPads and iPhones to manage projects without shuttling blueprints back and forth. Technical know-how like this makes it easier to coordinate the complex dance between the arrival of supplies and workmen, which, again, cuts down on both mistakes and cost.
NOGUCHI: Timing is everything, Cerria says. And as if on cue, the cabinets arrive for installation.
CERRIA: I'll get you some plywood.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN #1: You want it in that room?
CERRIA: Yeah.
NOGUCHI: When everything arrives at just the right moment, you don't have workers standing around waiting for something to do and you also don't have an unfinished house full of appliances inviting theft. Stephen Paul says there's little he misses about the old way of doing business.
PAUL: It's a lot of work to retool a company. To see the computer system you saw, that took thousands of hours to do that, but once you get past the pain, it's a powerful tool. Very powerful.
NOGUCHI: And now, he says, it's paying off. Yuki Noguchi, NPR News, Washington.
Copyright © 2013 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by Verb8tm, Inc., an NPR contractor, and produced using a proprietary transcription process developed with NPR. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR's programming is the audio record.


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LOS ANGELES — XR Brands has officially released its exclusive Pornhub lubricant collection, co-branded with the online adult company.
"The first of its kind, this groundbreaking deal ignites a true crossover collection that combines XR Brands' smart sex toy design with Pornhub's unrivaled mainstream marketing prowess," a spokesperson said. "Retailers will have a first look at this week's 2016 eroFame show."
The Pornhub collection will launch first with four premium U.S.-made lubricant varieties, each made for a particular kind of pleasure: Luvrub glycerin-free and paraben-free water-based, Premiumrub water/silicone hybrid for enhanced anal pleasure, Hotrub warming lube, and Pornrub glycerin-free and paraben-free water-based masturbation gel.
"Each product included in the line has been designed with Pornhub's trademark style and vast viewer demographic in mind, and all are manufactured with the dependable quality that XR Brands is known for," a spokesperson said.
"Pornhub is one of the most recognizable names in adult content, and we are proud to officially make this lubricant line available for order," said Rebecca Weinberg, director of sales & marketing for XR Brands. "It was only natural that the brand would expand into tangible products, and we worked together to create varieties that cater to intimate acts that require the best lubricant formulations. It's an honor to partner with the likeminded team of Pornhub professionals, and we look forward to giving our customers a first look at eroFame.
The release of the Pornhub line will be supported by mainstream marketing designed to capture attention and garner headlines while creating content that inspires fans to shop. A party featuring the world's biggest lube slide was shot to commemorate the launch and can be viewed at PornHubLube.com.
"Whether solo or with a partner, lubricant is an essential part of satisfying sex — and we are so excited to team with Pornhub and enhance the experience for their more than 100 million daily users," said Valentino Tolman, international sales manager for XR Brands. "This is the first crossover of its kind and sets a new standard for how product manufacturing and content delivery can be combined for maximum impact. It was an honor to orchestrate this collaboration, and the team and I can't wait to showcase the final results."
A spokesperson said that "Pornhub and its signature sense of humor will play a major role in the success of this new collection."
"Our collaboration with XR Brands is a big but rational move for us," said Corey Price, vice president of marketing for Pornhub VP. "At Pornhub, we're all about the user experience, and until now, we've been laser-focused on delivering that through best-in-class content. Now with the help of XR Brands, we will be able to further enhance that experience through product by bridging the online and at-home Pornhub experience. Our initial launch will focus on lube, and we are confident it will run smooth. For fans sick of using lotions, we've got the potions — and the Pornhub team is greased up about the launch. We hope our fans will be too."
For more information on Pornhub, visit its official website or follow them on Twitter.
For more information on XR Brands, visit its official website or follow them on Twitter.


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Here is the caffeine.com team at TechRaising. We built the foundations of a start-up in 48 hours. Stay tuned!
How Did I Get High on Caffeine at TechRaising
We built a startup and delivered a live demo of our product in 48 hours. My first ever TechRaising weekend was the most electrifying journey. I lived on meat, cheese, the occasional sip of champagne and lots and lots of caffeine. Way more than you'd think, as I had the pleasure of managing the Caffeine […]
A note from our founder
So what is this all about anyway? Well this is really a story about human interaction on a number of levels. We've all had to buy something second hand, maybe it was a car or a piece of furniture or what have you. Personally I was frustrated every time I had to go find such […]
Welcome to Caffeine.com – NEW way to Buy & Sell!
Caffeine.com is the fastest way to buy and sell your stuff. Not simply a classifieds site, but a premier marketplace that better serves regional buyers and sellers. Frustrated with your classifieds site? Please share your thoughts with us by filling out Feddback Form. Caffeine.com is being built during the TechRaising weekend 25-26, 2014.
Caffeine is unleashed
Stay tuned for updates.


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#CAS Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat 7th October 2016 Written Updates! Kaurvaki falls on ashoka :- The TV series Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat is now yet to showcase that Devi's another attempt to reunite Ashoka and Kaurwaki will fail as Ashoka refuses to go back to Kaurwaki. However, Devi plans to leave Patliputra for the couple to come together. Earlier, Chanda reveals about her pregnancy and curses Ashoka for killing Sushim.
The last night episode of the TV series Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat begins with Ashoka asked Chanda after killing her husband Sushim that he can feel her pain but Chanda cursed Ashoka as well she lashes out at him for killing Sushim.
She also asked Ashoka that 14 years back Sushim had to live without his father because of you and now Sushim's son will have to live without his father because of you. Chanda also called Ashoka as Chand. Ashoka wanted to consoles her by saying that he is having respect for Chanda.
But Chanda interrupted him by saying if he respects her because she is a woman then she would prefer to die rather than having respect from Ashoka. Kaurvaki requested Chanda to stop her debate and Chanda gives nod but she also asked to Kaurvaki that she will be never forgiving Ashoka anyhow.
Ashoka now feels guilty of killing Sushim but Kaurvaki explains to him that Sushim was a Daanav and you killed him to do the welfare of the Magadha citizen. She also asked Ashoka that he should not be depressed of killing Sushim as he did so for the welfare of the Magadh.
Now Devi asked to Kaurvaki that she want both Ashoka and Kaurvaki to be together but Ashoka and Kaurvaki left from there. Now Devi decided to go from the Magadha and he asked RG Acharya to explain this to Ashoka that he should forget Devi and he should be with Kaurvaki.
Acharya tries to make her explain that being Devi's husband Ashoka will be never married Kaurvaki but he let Devi left the Magadha as she insists him for that. Devi pledge to Acharya please let me go.
Precap: Promo of the final war between Kalinga and Magadh is shown. Ashoka stabs Kaurvaki (she has covered her face). Her veil comes off to fall in Ashoka's arms.


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Corrupt Police, Corrupt System
I was falsely arrested by Temple Terrace Police by 4 officers at least called out to take a report against another officer. That officer was on scene when I was arrested, because that makes sense that they would even allow that.
-When I exited my home, I found 3 police officers waiting to take a report, first comment, "Why does it take so many officers to take a report?" No answer.
-I was immediately threatened with arrest for trespassing on the property I was renting.
-When I realized this was just to intimidate not to file a report, I immediately asked if I was being detained….answer yes…although no cause…so asked if free to go…."Yes get back to your house."
-Walking back to my house said, "I would report this in morning." They said," Get back here, your under arrest." Walked back to car and was kicked a bit and arrested. Spent an hour in car to see if I would cave in back in police station, before taken to jail.
-Spent 11 days in jail, roommate who assault me, illegally evicted me, claiming he was my landlord. Could not fight it, as when I got out on bail (lost $560 to do so) 5 days notice was up and had mere days to move. The jerk continued to harass me, as going to bathroom, said, "how does it feel to lie to cops." He called cops saying I assaulted him. He's 50 pounds heavier than me and younger than me (also on medication and never held a job more than 3 months supported by his bf, total loser., DAVID COX, btw, dont hire him. He can feel free to sue me, I will sue him for assault, false reports, and just being batshit crazy. Also, which I reported to temple terrace police, which they probably did not follow up on, I witnessed them inviting underaged persons staying in the house and their room, for sexual purposes. David, given his idiocy, even claimed, he would not be liable under florida laws for the underaged sex being maybe 20 at the time, but his older boyfriend would. Temple terrace police department did not choose to contact me regarding this, when at the time I had names of people involved.
-End of story? Patty stanton investigated? with no contact with me and did not respond to almost anything I wrote her. She determined an officer falsely arrested me with no grounds for arrest…granted, considering they said I was free to go 15 seconds before arrest….fired an officer for doing so.
– However, they punished no one else….this was clearly an attempt to intimidate someone not to file a report. When I wrote her saying officer fired was not the person in charge…no response. When I wrote mayor and chief of police, no response (and response to date as they do not think the buck stops with them).
-When they sent me the 1 video of events and said that seems edited, Patty Stanton said, "Nothing is edited." Everything is edited, they have to cut and paste video from presumably 8 hrs of video….The video they sent me shows me in street when 2nd officers with cam arrived (all cars have cams) protraying as unable to stand in street and drunk, rather than coming out to find 3 officers waiting for me. Then it goes into actual video, then it departs again when arrest…they cut out me walking back to street (first time exiting lawn) to get voluntarily arrested in street. On their video I am arrested off screen, while the 1 audio from 1 audio is close enough to hear everything.
-so Patty Stanton claimed no video was edited…..she also lost the other 5 car videos and also lost the log who deleted those videos per their own manual. They have to log that, so log was lost. Who think Patty Stanton should be fired for incompetence here…BUT JUST WAIT..
-Final, (there will be links to stuff but) I just wanted damages….say $2000, but more importantly, an apology and just punish people involved….
-So they refused to give apology AND STILL HAVENT…the mayor, chief of police, the police, no one has apologized…instead of admitting they did wrong…the police and city doubled down and paid out $100,000
**after lawyers I got $73,000….would have and STILL want an apology and those officers to do so as well…but they lawyered up and offered me $20,000 with no apology…srsly…handwritten apologies from all involved punishment or retraining …would have taken $2000 to pay for expenses…lesson for them…maybe talk to people first, but the tax payers are paying the $100,00 not the police and not the mayor (please elect them out) I begged them to talk to me….so they are STILL DOING THIS….chief of police should be first to go…
Can I get an apology from any of you police or mayor or chief of police….the most degrading part was switching cells when I had to strip naked and squat before another man and I did not do it right, and he complained that he hated newbies. But I got $73000 bitches! so F the police forever….
phone number those police: 813-506-6500
or email patty stanton…the PR/investigator who decided PR of police was more important?
or mayor/chief of police who thought…we do not need to talk to peopple we falsely arrest


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Rumor Has It Ryan Murphy Tortures Those "Glee" Kids. Rumor Has It Ryan Murphy Is Kind Of My Hero.
By Joanna Robinson | Pajiba Love | December 8, 2011 |
By Joanna Robinson | Pajiba Love | December 8, 2011 |
One of the presidential candidates for the Republican Party made a huge gaffe yesterday. I'm sure you heard about it. Yup, Michelle Bachmann said nice girls shouldn't ask boys out on dates. (Jezebel)
JUST KIDDING YOU GUYS. I mean, she did say that. But the Republican Candidate with his head firmly lodged up his *ss was, of course, Rick Perry. If you haven't seen his hateful campaign video yet, go check it out here. (Uproxx) That's right, Bachmann eyes, there's a new meme in town. Even if you do agree with Perry's politics, this article explains why that ad was a tactical misfire. (The New Civil Rights Movement)
Okay, this post right here is basically one big ad for a T-shirt company. BUT, they're a clever geeky little company and there's a discount promo on the page. So, you're WELCOME. (Nerd Approved)
Speaking of geek purchases, you can procure these muppet wall decals for your kid's room. You know, if you hate your child and want to give them feltish nightmares. Also, for those of you who said Clooney resembled Sam The Eagle. Nailed it. (HolyCool)
Speaking of nightmares, check out this Cheeseburger flavored Cup O' Noodles. I'm not sure which version is scarier, the freeze-dried "Before" or the melty, plasticky "After." (InventorSpot) Are cheeseburgers suddenly a thing now? There's also this really confusing cheeseburger wrapping paper. (Kickstarter)
Oh my little useless data sets! It's been awhile since we had a good Venn diagram. This seasonal one comes from The Curious Brain. Creepy, right?
Speaking of creepy, watch STP's Scott Weiland try out his best Michael Buble impression. No, no, not charming and hilarious Buble. Frank Sinatra Impersonator Buble. Weiland has a new, possibly ill-advised holiday album out. (Stereogum)
Speaking of crooners, it's the 31st anniversary of John Lennon's death. Yoko Ono has posted a place where people can leave thoughts and tributes. RIP, John. (Imagine Peace)
I usually refrain from posting hearsay rumors, but this is a delightful one. Sources say Ryan Murphy is a huge prick to the "Glee" kids, blackmailing them and miring them in unappealing plot lines if they don't toe the line. Does this explain the abundance of weird, stupid, nonsensical plot points on "Glee"? Amazing. (Celebitchy)
Speaking of hissy fits, here's a hilarious breakdown of the "10 Classic Types Of Lady Tantrums In Movies." I mean it when I say hilarious. "Faye Dunaway prefers sturdier hangers, OK?" (MovieLine)
Here are 11 great anachronistic photos from period films/TV shows. In the card game of thrones, you either bid, or you die. (Buzzfeed)
Speaking of anachronisms, check out these great magazine covers featuring Disney princesses. Oh hot, slave girl Jasmine, you were always my favorite. (Unreality)
And, finally, a one two holiday punch just for you Pajibans. First, a series of zombie holiday cards. (Nerd Approved) And, from Laughing Squid, a tentacular nativity scene. Dude, is Joseph an African Squid? Boss. (Laughing Squid)
Last, but not least, on this, possibly our final day of new "Community," I bring you an adorable video of the cast playing pop culture trivia on the set. Dan Harmon makes an excellent moderator and I LOOOOVE me some pop culture trivia, but the victory dance is what launches this into the stratosphere of greatness.
Joanna Robinson thinks that if she met Alison Brie, she probably wouldn't like her. You can convince her otherwise here.


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Pierce County sheriff's blotter: OWI arrests; Bay City vandalism
Traffic trouble
• An Elmwood man was arrested at 11:23 p.m. Dec. 22 at 330th Avenue and County Road S in Plum City after a traffic stop. The 23-year-old was arrested on suspicion of OWI and was cited for operating left of center.
• Deputies were called at 4:13 a.m. Dec. 23 to W829 County Road G in Elmwood for an unwanted intoxicated person. A 31-year-old Red Wing man was arrested on warrants, including one from Clark County.
• A motorist was stopped at 1:53 a.m. Dec. 24 at Highway 63 and County Road V in Ellsworth for speeding and operating left of center. The driver, a 33-year-old Ellsworth man, was arrested on suspicion of OWI-third offense, operating after revocation and obstructing or resisting an officer.
Bay City vandalism
Vandalism was reported Dec. 28 at N1378 Elsa Court in Bay City. A complainant reported someone tipped over his garbage can and threw eggs at his house.
Loose dogs in Ellsworth
A caller reported dogs were running loose Dec. 26 near W7650 County Road V in Ellsworth. Deputies arrived to find dogs loose and near the road. The dogs' owner was warned and told he could be ticketed for having animal at large.
• Deputies went Dec. 22 to W2728 690th Ave. in Spring Valley to find a man with an active arrest warrant. A 52-year-old Spring Valley man was found and arrested.
• A deputy on patrol at 1:31 a.m. Dec. 24 stopped a vehicle after observing it pull into two different driveways with its headlights off. The driver reported being scared to pull into the actual driveway.
• A deputy stopped at 8:50 a.m. Dec. 27 to check on a car parked on the side of the road at 920th Street and Highway 65 in River Falls. The driver said she was waiting for her windows to defrost. The deputy let the woman use his ice scraper. She continued on her way afterward.
• A caller reported being the target of a suspicious photographer Dec. 28 near County Road K and Highway 35 in Hager City. Deputies were unable to locate the suspect.
• A crash was reported at 8:36 p.m. Dec. 18 at N6191 740th St. in Ellsworth. There was a report of an injured party. Deputies arrested a 35-year-old Ellsworth man on suspicion of OWI-second offense.
• Officers were called to a one-vehicle rollover crash at 7:36 a.m. Dec. 19 at 330th Avenue and County Road P in Elmwood. The driver lost control, struck a guardrail and rolled.
• A two-vehicle crash was reported at 3:28 p.m. Dec. 19 at Highway 10 and 1090th Street in Hager City. All people involved denied medical attention. A Red Wing man was ticketed for failure to yield right of way.


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First printing: February 1992
Also includes table of contents and indicia. The foreword is continued in the final page.
The full title is "Yes Virginia, There Really is a Blabette Yakowitz, or How I Spent My Summer Vacation."
Article accompanied by margin illustrations. Text continues on pg. 24.
"Written: '85; Drawn: '91"
Illustration accompanied by a brief blurb on the artist's other work.


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Tips on finding the BEST car accident lawyer in Dallas.
There are a ton of lawyers in Dallas, but not all lawyers are created equal. To find the best lawyer for your case, you need to do your research.
Some types of car crashes end up resulting in criminal charges for the at-fault driver. These penalties may serve some deterrent purpose and prevent more people from causing the same types of wrecks. Drunk driving laws, for example, are made to discourage people from driving under the influence and causing car wrecks. These criminal penalties may give the victims some sense of justice, but a sense of justice doesn't help to cover the bills generated by a driver who was negligent and who caused a wreck. That's where personal injury lawyers come into play.
Contacting a lawyer.
You can learn more from an attorney by contacting them and requesting a consultation. They will usually give you such a consultation for free (we do). These consultations are where they determine whether or not they think they can help you with your claim. If they don't think they can help you, they'll politely turn down your case.
Do not give up after speaking to one lawyer. Some lawyers are simply looking for easy cases that they can settle, while others may not have the necessary experience to provide you with solid representation. Look into the law firm's past case results, find news articles about cases they've litigated, and do your research! Find an attorney with whom you feel comfortable, and one which can give your case the attention it needs.
Understanding lawsuits.
A car accident injury lawsuit is basically a complaint, filed with the court, that alleges the person being sued did something they shouldn't have done or failed to do something they should have done that would have prevented the accident. No one is alleging that the person who caused the wreck should have done something heroic or far beyond their abilities to prevent the accident. These claims are based on the person being a normal individual and the regular expectations that people have of such individuals.
Suing for damages.
In order to sue, you (or more-accurately, your attorney) must first determine how much you are demanding from the insurance company. This cannot be pulled from thin air, rather you must be able to prove your damages in court. It is NEVER a good idea to discuss the value of your lawsuit before you've completed medical treatment, and no reputable attorney would attempt to do so. There is a process to bringing a personal injury claim, and our attorneys can help ensure that you have the best chance at a successful case.
Your car wreck lawyer may be able to negotiate a settlement with the other driver prior to a lawsuit being filed. This might happen if you have a claim that's particularly strong. The settlement amount will usually be less than the amount you're seeking in damages, but the trade-off is that you get cash sooner, avoid court fees, and avoid the uncertainty of trial.


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World Skateboarding Brings Rider Cup Team Championships to NYC's Five Boroughs
$10,000 Cash on the Line Plus a Trip for Winning Team to South Africa to Compete in Rider Cup Championship During the 2014 Kimberley Diamond Cup
World Skateboarding Grand Prix announced today it will bring the World Skateboarding Rider Cup – a team skateboarding championship – to NYC's five boroughs: Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island this summer. The World Skateboarding Rider Cup – NYC will take place over a six week period every Saturday beginning mid-June. Local skateboarders will form teams to represent their boroughs and compete in a jam format contest for a shot at a $10,000 cash prize and an all-expenses paid trip to South Africa to compete in the World Skateboarding Rider Cup championships during the 2014 Kimberley Diamond Cup.
Teams must be made up of four riders, with an alternate in case of injury, all from the same borough. Two, four or eight teams will represent each district. Teams will compete in skateparks divided into four sections. Each section will belong to a rider on each team and they will be judged head-to-head. Skaters will be judged based on the number of tricks landed, difficulty of tricks and overall impression.
To advance to the finals, teams must accumulate the highest number of points for the neighborhood they are competing in. The winning team from each borough will receive a $2,000 cash prize and advance to the finals. The top three teams in Brooklyn and Queens and the top two teams in Manhattan, Bronx and Staten Island will advance to the finals. The final 12 teams will compete at LES Skatepark in Manhattan for the $10,000 first place cash prize.
Legendary New York skateboarder and founder of 5boro NYC, Steve Rodriguez, will produce the World Skateboarding Rider Cup contests. "I'm looking forward to producing this event for World Skateboarding and to bring this event to the five boroughs," said Rodriguez. "This is a great concept and something different from usual skate contests. Where else better to kick off a contest like this than NYC? The team challenge format is cool because we all know there are already so many crews in each borough and it will be cool to see how they stack up against other crews from other boroughs! I'm excited to see which borough comes out on top."
Watch out for announcements on signups for World Skateboarding's Rider Cup on our website at worldskateboarding.com.
The 2014 World Skateboarding's Rider Cup Team Championships NYC competition schedule is as follows:
Saturday, July 12, 2014: Manhattan Qualifier at LES Skatepark
Saturday, July 19, 2014: Bronx Qualifier at River Ave Stakepark
Saturday, July 26, 2014: Brooklyn Qualifier at McCarren Skatepark
Saturday, August 2, 2014: Queens Qualifier at Astoria Skatepark
Saturday, August 9, 2014: Staten Island Qualifier at 5050 Skatepark
Saturday, August 16, 2014: NYC Final at LES Skatepark
"We introduced the World Skateboarding Rider Cup at the 2013 Kimberley Diamond Cup World Skateboarding Championships and it was a huge success," said Tim McFerran, GM of World Skateboarding Grand Prix. "We had teams from all over South Africa travel to Kimberley to compete. It was such a unique concept for a skate event, and was so well received that we've already had interest from other countries and are planning to expand the contest globally. But first, we wanted to bring the event to the US, and when we started thinking about locations, New York with the five boroughs, just immediately made sense for the team format. Steve reached out to us last year and we discussed doing an event last summer, but just didn't have enough time. Everyone knows that if you're going to do an event in New York, Steve is the guy to get it done. We think the New York skate community is going to love this event and we can't wait to bring it to New York City this June."


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Because I said so......
The life of a mom of five children,two teenager girls and three boys with ASD and ADHD
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Happy Birthday
Posted by malette-foreveryoung at 10:54 AM No comments:
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
I am participating in this:
What: Moment of Silence for Cohen
When: Thursday July 1st from midnight to 11:59 pm.
How: Bloggers participating will post the Cohen banner (below) or simply post Cohen's name in large letters on their blog.
Why: July 1st Megan and Brent will be holding Cohen's memorial service. The moment of silence is an opportunity for Megan's blog community to stand behind her and support her on this difficult day. Linking up will give Megan a chance to see the support at a glance.
Participating bloggers can Link Up on July 1st at Send Love To Cohen. Will you join me and help spread the word?
Posted by malette-foreveryoung at 8:09 PM No comments:
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Happy 16th Anniversary
Posted by malette-foreveryoung at 11:54 PM No comments:
Sunday, May 9, 2010
HAPPY MOTHER DAY- By Kelsey
I hope all moms had a good mothers day.
I hope all moms had a good mothers day.
Posted by malette-foreveryoung at 8:14 PM No comments:
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Nashville here I come
Tuesday at 7:50am I and two others for working are flying to Nashville for conference. We will be there until Sunday. Praying for safe travels. I got a new camera so i will try to take pictures and post them when I get back. We are planning to go to the Grand Ole Opry.
Posted by malette-foreveryoung at 7:27 PM 1 comment:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


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Tags: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog
And less. Much, much less. Prepare for inevitable scene-by-scene comparison to commence.
Tags: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog
And less. Much, much less. Prepare for inevitable scene-by-scene comparison to commence.
More gems such as these can be found at the always-entertaining fyeahfriendsgifs tumblr.
So I wrote this piece that's on Thought Catalog about Father's Day that might be a big fat bummmmer, but now that it's the day after the day in question, you can read it.
I do like these photos of dad's and their kids that The Sartorialist did for Kiehl's. He writes a little bit about stay-at-home dad's too.
Also Clarence Clemons died. "Even after Mr. Springsteen chose to write shorter, pop-structured songs, making concision his new discipline, Mr. Clemons held his place: as the honking foundation of 'Hungry Heart' and the longed-for dance partner in 'Dancing in the Dark,'" writes Jon Pareles. People have paid respects in awesome ways, but "Hungry Heart" is maybe my favorite Springsteen song, so here you go:
Two tales of alcoholism; the first is from xoxojane.com (thus far, I've put Jane Pratt's site into the "pretty much fluff but occasionally has a gem" category), and the other from Jane's fave 90s wild child, Courtney Love. If you can only handle one tale of addiction, read Love's, as it's a comprehensive vision of what a wild rollercoaster drug use can be throughout a lifetime.
When should kids go to kindergarden? As Emma says "We went at four, and we turned out just fine."
When Bruce Springsteen was a young man, he was not very good at paying his bills, but he did like practicing his autograph.
Read this story about the leftovers of the Riot Grrrl movement. "We'd have these challenges: Do you think we could write about the intersection between coming out as LGBT or coming out as a sexual-abuse survivor?Can we write a catchy song about that?" said Kathleen Hanna.
What does it mean that an artist has "made" a painting? What was seen as revolutionary in Andy Warhol's factory is basically the present-day way an artist's studio functions.
VS Naipaul might be a great writer, but he's a dick.
Did you know Sesame Street is full of lefty propaganda? Well yes, I did.
Debbie Reynolds is giving up her dream of creating a museum out of her amazing collection of Old Hollywood memorabilia by auctioning it all. Luckily, now you have lots of options for what to get me for my birthday.
Jeff Conaway aka Kenickie from Grease aka the man who made a lot of inappropriate jokes I didn't get until I was very old has died.
New Yorkers aren't allowed to smoke in parks anymore. Yes, this means all of Central Park.
This piece by Roseanne Barr about working in show business (especially on Roseanne) is relatively fascinating and amazing.
David Pogue threw an iPhone at his wife. While domestic violence is not funny, the fact that it was an iPhone is. It's like he doesn't work in journalism and doesn't understand what a good headline is made of.
A Prairie Home Companion might want you! But there goes Garrison Keillor…
Feel like NOVA hasn't been delivering its usual high-quality pieces? You might get upset about the following:
"Scrambling to secure much-needed funding, the Public Broadcasting Service began its spring pledge drive Monday with the debut broadcast of Nova: Boobs A-Bouncin'. "We at PBS are proud to present this latest installment in our award-winning science series," PBS spokesperson David Brennan said of the two-hour special devoted to the science of breast mobility. "As you'll see, Boobs A-Bouncin' covers all the ups-and-downs, side-to-sides, and other various jiggling patterns associated with the physics of breasts in motion. Please enjoy this episode, and please, please call the number at the bottom of your screen to donate."
The Catholic Church did some study about priests and sexual assault and blamed it on the 70s. That's what I blame all my problems on too, so, fair.
Go surfing in Basque country? Yes please — I love water + my motherland.
Steve Albini has a food blog, and LA Weekly interviewed him about it. People: they can have more than one interest.
Mies Van der Rohe building on Lake Shore, November 1956 (Frank Scherschel, LIFE magazine). I like all those words.
I don't listen to The Melvin's, but this poster is amazing. I always found Sleeping Beauty to have some Art Nouveau tendencies to it.
Did you know that Djokovic is really hot? You do now.
I love daguerreotype's and I love boyfriends, and this site combines the two. The photo above? Almanzo Wilder, who I've always considered an earlier version of Paul Walker, with a much sexier than.
Look at these miniatures! I was a very sad child when I found out that the Carole and Barry Kaye Museum of Miniatures in LA was closed.
Google did an homage to Les Paul for his birthday that was interactive. Props, but a question: Does anyone actually use google.com the homepage anymore?
Architect Barbie has glasses like mine (duh) and you can design her dream house! It's like The Sims, but way, way better.
At this amalgamation of clips of the massive tornados of late.
Some dudes being boss.
In Chicago, it's free!
Also known as The Night the Two Josh Grobans Faced Off
Ashley is the friend you have that won't stop talking about her ex, with ex being code for guy she made out with a few times who she never really dated (am I that friend? Do not discuss). And now that we're in Thailand, her problems have just changed continents, except now we get some token asian music and a lot of rain. Molly says, "Minor chords!" I say, it was obviously cheaper to do this trip during the off season, and there is only so much a nice umbrella can do.
Josh Groban #1, also known as Constantine, gets a one-on-one. He looks different and improved in Thailand. Thai hair, says Molly.
On the Group Date, we discover that Sir William is still alive. We're pretty sure that there are a few Ashley's keeping around just to have sex with — Bentley was one, and "I played for the Yankees for a hot second" Nick is another. Also did you know there was a tsunami here recently? Watch the news, guys.
Josh Groban # 2 (Ben F.) gets a one-on-one date after he charms Ashley at an orphanage with his artistic side, which is not code for his penis. She draws an Ashley flower which is not code for her vagina. Nick does nothing but play with a hula hoop on said group date.
On his date, Ben F. says both "I felt like you were kind of buzzing around me" and "Ruh roh." To which I say, Ben F., you remind me too much of a guy that I date(d) (we'll keep the mystery alive).
The most important news from this episode is that Molly is now a fan of "Quasimodo" Ames. She says that "this Thai air is doing something to his features." I think his hair is longer and the humidity makes it curly. Though Ames seems unaware that their lack of making out is not a good sign, Ashley is the one that fouls up this scenario. In my notes, I wrote "Why does she always ask about old ladies?" which I think translates to "Why does she always ask about the ex-girlfriends of these men?" She also references Titanic when on a boat with Ames, which makes me worry she hasn't actually seen how that movie ends.
Blake the dentist has a few good quotes as well. He claims that sweet, sweet Ryan "swoops in, and it just screams of foul play." He says that "Constantine is a gamer," and the whole thing "Chaps my ass." And finally, about the show: "That's the nature of this beast — everyone's going after the same piece of fruit." He then becomes the whistleblower to Ryan on how no one else likes him, but this only prompts Ryan to say to the camera, "What, you can't hang with the fact that I'm freakin' happy a lot? I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm not grumpy…Think of all our soldiers that are overseas now. Why wouldn't you be happy here?"
Most importantly, JP and Ashley get a moment on the beach. Molly: They are not touching enough. Bring in the bluetinis! (Note: There was a lot of blue lighting and blue alcohol in this episode). They just go from making out to GET IN MY LOVE SUITE. She also says that Ashley would be a FOOL not to pick him, but obvi she is one, because he's a sane guy who actually likes her, is hot, and a good kisser.
Ultimately, Wes is sent home, which is really just Ashley sending herself home — she can't commit to a guy who's ready to move on, because she has horrible taste in men and isn't ready for this. Wes' final speech proves that he's too deep for this show. Ashley chooses Lucas as her first, a man with whom she has no chemistry, because she doesn't really want to be doing this and feels like she needs some sort of redemption from Brad's season. Wise move on the producer side: when she speaks with Chris, he's very particular when he says potential with Bentley "was in her heart and mind." Good save Chris. We know the truth. And we're reminded that this is The Bachelorette and there "are no rules" because Ashley gets to keep another guy. Just more proof she's not ready to commit to anyone, and you know what Ash — that's ok. Just admit it.
Ashley is insecure quotes:
I feel like I have a little bit of my heart back, so I'm ready to start giving a little bit of it away.
I don't just think everyone likes me. I don't think everyone wants to be with me.
Tell me about your past relationships
I guess hopeless Ashley is now hopeful again.
It's been awhile since I've revealed the gold that is how people find my blog. As usual, this segment is brought to you by Google Search.
I don't know. I wish I did. Christopher was certainly confused, and if he can't answer, I most certainly can't.
Can you clarify? Did you mean the first time, or the second time? Because the first time she spoke, she flubbed her teleprompter lines, and the second time, she cursed and a whole sentence or two was bleeped out because the man hates us.
Next time, please Google more specifically.
7:01 Neil Patrick Harris tells us that this show is "not just for gays anymore."
Sara: Who choreographs the Tony's? Do you think they're really impressed with themselves?
Christopher: I'm sure they think, I'm going to bring my art to the masses.
7:03 Is that Al Pacino in a headband?
Brooke Shields has already fucked up. It wasn't even funny enough to wait for
Bobby Canavale aka Cupid looks horrible.
This is so low budget.
Christopher: They moved it out of Radio City Music Hall, so it's in some sort of warehouse somewhere.
7:05 Sara: What is it to have a gay costume?
Christopher: Jim Parsons. Ambiguously gay Jim Parson's doesn't know how to react.
7:07 Christopher: Can we pick randomly, having seen none of these, who is going to win?
I wish there was a red carpet for this, I feel like I haven't prepared with enough judgment.
Christopher: Wait, they are not all first time nominees.
Ellen Barkin wins Best Featured Actress in a play. Performing in A Normal Heart is the most important part of her career, because it has taught her that one person can change the world.
Thank you "you Jewish boy." That you malatof cocktail. Slim shoulders. Alec Baldwin looks like hes on the edge of his seat while standing.
7:11 It's Matthew "I'm closeted" Broderick and the dude from Mad Men. He's between seasons on the show, so he can do whatever he want with his hair, ok Chris?
Daniel Radcliffe can be my shortie any day. This camera that is shooting him dancing from below is awesome.
Christopher thinks it was a questionable decision to have him do the big dance numbers and calls it messy choreography.
There's a reason they didn't televise that win.
[Redacted: Comments on Ben Brantley from unnamed source]
7:22 I just want you guys to know I'm missing the premiere of Ice Loves Coco for this.
Oh my god John Leguizamo's pants are so poorly tailored. Did you guys you know he's from Queens and his immigrant parents? JACKSON HEIGHTS. Gag me. This picture of him in his High School yearbook would be funnier if the girl next to him didn't have the same afro as him.
7:25 Oh dear, John Cryer closeup.
So you're an alcoholic. Sara: Point of this story — I drink too much.
7:28 Viola davis does not hide her glee that John Benjamin Hickey has also won for A Normal Heart. "It's cool to be on a list with all these other people — who are they?"
Christopher: I would literally bang him. Kate: I like his glasses.
Let the record show that they cut Hickey off, but not Ellen "sort of famous" Barkin.
Christopher: Oh and he gave a shoutout to AIDS — very nice.
7:32 Just figured out that this is Norman Leo Butz performing from his voice. I hoping he's just pretending to have packed on the pounds, but Christopher says he was always a little tubs.
They are getting so trigger-happy with the bleeping.
Christopher: I wouldn't say this song was even remotely catchy.
7:39 E.T.: "New York's biggest stars sign off on their disgraced congressman." Us: Why?
Neil Patrick Harris hits us with 30 seconds of Spiderman jokes. Of course, the Julie Taymor joke was the only good one.
We discussed Fraiser at length over dinner, so I'm so pleased to see David Hyde Pierce. We think he has aged well.
Trey Parker is no priest in that suit — it's sequined.
We're counting "Partner" shoutouts — it's been 2 so far. Trey Parker desperately wants to say something.
Christopher: Wait is he gay? Kate: I don't know, his shirt is.
Why didn't Ellen Barkin thank Joel Grey?
Christopher's mother says "Gag" to this win.
7:45 Glad War Horse won, because that clip was amazing to look at. But Christopher says the script is awful.
Sara: Just shut out the woman. Get rid of her.
We're dancing to minstrel music. Inappropriate?
Christopher: I don't quite know what this means that this has been done in a minstrel style — this just seems straight camp.
7:53 Christopher: Are cereal makers chefs? Discuss.
There are a lot of visual metaphors in this COPD commercial for Spiriva.
7:57 I like that Angela Lansbury gets her own little notepad. Teleprompters are for chumps.
What a classy broad. Lost, but classy.
Harry Connick Jr. could go die in a hole and we would all be okay. I feel as though he's a pathetic choice of wet dream for fifty-somethings.
7:59 Nikki M. James is legit SPAZZING over her win for Book of Morman. "Tony, come on over and live with me." She comes from a long line of bumblebees, everyone.
Stage actresses are horrible.
8:02 Sara asks that Steven Colbert please be funny. He uses the phrase "double-down" so I'm sure we'll be okay.
8:06 I know Book of Morman is supposed to be really good or something, but I'm unimpressed. Sara is really confused, and also thinks this dude licks his lips too much.
Mutual of Omaha bank tells us that its okay to join a rollerderby team at 30, instead of getting married and having babies.
8:13 Oh so Hugh Jackman is making fun of Neil Patrick Harris — hilarious. Any show you can host, I can host better. REALLY. This is such an obvious medley.
Christopher: The innuendos are not subtle. "You're the top"?
8:17 Brooke Shields is going to be in The Addams Family? They just bleeped her so bad. That's two fuck-ups in one show.
Could John Larroquette look more underwhelmed? Oh wait, he almost cried, so we're in the clear.
8:20 Bono anddddd The Edge. GAG ME. They say, "We used to be famous for being in U2…." All these jokes about Spiderman are really tasteless. They just let them talk endlessly to apologize and get people interested in the show — classy.
Christopher: This sounds like an Evanescence song. There better be some flyinnn soon.
The performance from Spiderman is going to consist of Peter Pan and Mary Jo Watson literally just sitting there and singing. Christopher: I would say that this is the biggest failure of the evening, with this apology introduction for the shit that will follow. His nose looks so smooth. I am literally amazed that he looks like a lady.
8:32 I'm really sad we missed Costume Design. The way that dude was fingering his award looked sexy.
None of us are impressed with Robin Williams.
Sara: I wonder what mormons think of this musical? Or are they not allowed to watch…
8:37 Sister Act performance introduced by Whoopi Goldberg.
Sara: (to Whoopi Goldberg) Get it girl. Get it bag lady.
I will admit that until right now, I had no idea what Sister Act was about. Thanks Whoopi Goldberg.
Christopher: Do you think she gets dressed and acknowledges that she looks crazy, or goes "Yea, I look good"?
Christopher: I like that every church has a gigantic Virgin Mary lording over everything.
Sara: I don't know what, but I'm enjoying this. Maybe it's the wine, or I'm just so desperately bored with everything. Oh those crazy black people!
8:44 Christopher: I've seen a lot of ads for different flavors of Yoplait, and I've never been tempted.
8:46 I'm a little bored of Betty White, I'll admit. She's not magic.
Marg Hellenberger looks amazing.
Largest applause thus far has been for this puppet horse. Bad sign?
Patrick Wilson really can't catch a break, can he?
GAY MARRIAGE GUYS, theater really does(n't) matter. But A Normal Heart wins for Best Revival of a Play.
Christopher: Larry Kramer is wearing a legitimate snuggie.
"Dearest loving mother…to gay people everywhere, who I love so." The chosen people = The gays, not the jews now.
Re: this performance of last year's Memphis — bring in the Children when things are dull.
9:05 Sara thinks that Joel Grey is 80 years old. I think he looks damn good. We are all so pleased with Anything Goes and Cole Porter, as per the usual.
They are both floored: Chris — This is such a good musical. Sara — I have chills. Finally the Tony's deliver.
9:16 Lookingglass wins Regional Theater!
Vanessa Redgrave and James Earl Jones.
I can't share the story that Christopher just told, but let it be known, it's a doozy.
I love how James Earl Jones made like 2 bucks for Star Wars.
Christopher: They're both such slow talkers.
Who's she searching for with her eyes?
9:20 I had no idea Christie Brinkley was dying to be a Playboy Bunny. Christopher: Wow, wow. You're bringing a lot to the table.
9:24 Kelsey Grammer. He's really a horrendous person, it appears. But Anything Goes wins the Tony Award, so props.
9:28 I love Tyne Daley. The silver hair and the tan skin is contrasting nicely.
9:35 Frances McDormand is wearing glasses and a JEAN JACKET. Not to mention the hair.
Crack. You can say that again.
Sara: Did she just get out of the shower?
Kate: No, she can't, as she hasn't washed her hair for a year.
Daniel must compose himself before speaking. "Um…"
Are Sutton Foster and Bobby Canavale together? Yes, they just kissed.
"I've never been happier in my life…."
She's getting emotional over her dresser leaving her. "And he's moving to Cape Cod and I love you SO MUCH!!!!" He (nameless) is apparently "the most talented artist", but since he's only defined by his role in Sutton's life, she gives no plug to perhaps, I don't know, push his career forward? Also why Cape Cod?
Sara: I don't know what's better: homeless person Frances McDormand, or overly emotional Sutton Foster.
9:42 Why are the Weather Girls performing? Also David Letterman's annoying lackey. But this song has always been pretty sexy ("Absolutely soaking wet," anyone?).
Christopher: I really love that there is an industry where people like Frances McDormand and Sutton Foster are celebrated for being as crazy as they are.
9:47 Some debates going on over the Ray LaMontagne song "Trouble." In case you were wondering, it is not "Dog in my 'scrot."
9:51 Mother with the Hat sounds like a very different play than it is intended to be…
Jerusalum dude wins — Boeing Boeing was amazing, so props.
This speech about walking through walls is amazing and obviously memorized. Note: It is apparently a poem by Louis Jenkins.
Christopher: That was like a set-up for a Groupon joke that never ended.
9:53 Norbert Leo Lutz wins! I love him! He's emotional.
Look at Catherine Zeta-Jones' shoulder bones.
I like to pronounce CAA "Kaaaa, Kaaa."
Dressers win for the night!
9:58 Chris predicts Book of Mormon. WOAH CHRIS, WOAH. He tells us that "We know what the best musical is, it's such a waste of time, it's like taking a hooker to dinner." Classy.
Trey Parker: "Thank you, this has been really, really cool."
© 2009 Smart Girls Who Do Stupid Things. All Rights Reserved.
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How to Be Productive on a Monday
5 Little Tips to Help Kick-Start Your Work Week
5 Little Tips to Help Kick-Start Your Work Week
A case of the Mondays is unavoidable. We can't hit rewind and relive the relaxation of our weekends — but we can eliminate some of the stress with a few tricks to put into practice over the weekend and first thing Monday morning. Just take a look at how you can make the most of your Monday back at the office and kick off your week on the right foot.


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One would hope that when an organisation like Sun specifies a standard as important as a transaction api they might take the time to ensure they do a reasonable effort -- unfortunately you would be wrong. The JTA specification is freely available from Sun, however the document is extremely vague and requires the reader to infer the underlying transaction state machine - with the unsurprising result that the corner cases are left completely unspecified. So having waded through this morass myself, I include here my advice on what you need to do to understand JTA, in the hope that anyone else coming to this standard won't have to waste as much time as I have understanding it.
Read the JTA spec last. JTA is a little more than a thin wrapper around the Object Transaction Service 1.1 published by the OMG. This is one of the CORBA standards published in the late 90's and early 2000's - and like most of the early CORBA specs, it is well written; easy to read; and pretty complete. Unfortunately it too leaves the underlying state-machine and some of the corner-cases (especially those to do with recovery) underspecified. As a result I recommend printing this out and referring to it as an adjunct to the JTA spec.
Fortunately the CORBA-OTS is itself an object-oriented wrapper around another spec, the Distributed Transaction Processing: The XA Specification spec' published by X/Open (now The Open Group). There in Chapter 2 you will find most of the definitions missing from the other two specs; and in Chapter 6 the state-tables that provide definitive semantics for the various operations you will need to implement. You will also find a reference to another related X/Open specification - Distributed Transaction Processing: Reference Model - which contains all the remaining definitions and assumptions missing from the the JTA/OTS specs.
So if you do need to implement a JTA interface I strongly recommend you start with the X/Open reference model; then read the X/Open XA Spec; and only then read the JTA specification alongside the OTS spec for elaboration.


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Eye Vision Associates
271 Smithtown Boulevard
phone: 6315885100
fax: 6315885185
email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Mon 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Tue 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Wed 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Thu 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fri Closed
Sat 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Sun Closed
We are your optometrists in Nesconset, NY. Dr. Gwen Gnadt, Dr. Brad Meltzer, Dr. Kristin Protosow,, Dr. Kristen Tamburro, Dr. Tracy Rossi and staff are dedicated to providing an eye care experience that is unparalleled in its quality and compassion of care. Our eye doctors strive to give personalized attention, excellent eye exam care and high quality optical solutions as the preferred optometrist service in Lake Ronkonkoma, NY. A genuine concern for the visual well being of our patients is a cornerstone of our eye care that combines experienced Lake Ronkonkoma optometrists and the most advanced eye care technology. Our patients leave our office confident that their eye health was thoroughly evaluated, satisfied that they have been educated on the status of their eye health and all of their vision correction options and pleased to know their eye glasses and contact lenses were fit with great care and accuracy. If you are currently a patient at Eye Vision Associates, we thank you. If you are not, we ask you to consider visiting our practice to personally experience the optometric care we can provide you and your loved ones, from comprehensive eye exams to hard to fit contact lenses. Please call or stop by our office in Lake Ronkonkoma, which also serves the nearby areas of Lakegrove and Holbrook, our eye doctors and staff will be happy to assist you with all of your eyecare needs.
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Here to view a fax?


text:
The sights and sounds of the Big Apple surround you and welcome you while you stay at Courtyard New York Manhattan/Midtown East. Located in Midtown Manhattan, our hotel places you just steps from iconic destinations including St. Patrick's Cathedral and the Central Park Zoo. Ride the subways and navigate the city like a local, thanks to our location near various stations including Grand Central Station. You and your phone can recharge after a day in the city with our rooms boasting plush beds and easily accessible power outlets. Our accommodations also feature complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and flat-panel TVs to keep up with your high-tech lifestyle. After a good night's sleep, enjoy Starbucks® coffee and morning meals at our on-site restaurant, Table 866. Take in the view as you run and lift in our fitness center complete with an array of equipment and floor-to-ceiling windows. Courtyard New York Manhattan/Midtown East makes it easy to relax and unwind in the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle.Show More
From executive meetings to client presentations, our event room offers a flexible space with custom seating plans, catering options and AV equipment.Learn more
Avoid the lines and morning rush with our on-site restaurant, Table 866, home to Starbucks® coffee, energizing morning meals and convenient snacks.Learn more
From Times Square to the scenic Central Park, our hotel provides guests a location just steps from the series of spots New York City is known for.Learn more


text:
Business Services
Residential Services
Internet Help
Company Info
Fulfill your need for speed...Get DSL!
This site will help you understand and order high-speed DSL service for your personal computer or business network. Learn about DSL and request a DSL line from U.S. West.
What Is DSL (technical) ?
DSL Advantages and Disadvantages
What Do I Need?
Minnesota OnLine DSL Products and Pricing
Personal DSL Pricing
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© Copyright 1995-1999, Minnesota OnLine. All rights reserved.


text:
Wouldn't it be good if we had in the style-sheet specification a way to specify the visibility of an element. I think that we could have a new property named "visibility" that could have 3 values: "invisible", "folded", "normal". If we had this feature in CSS, then one could specify that for instance that images are not visible (and so not loaded) for documents associated with a CSS. With this feature, one could also tell that the lists of his document are folded, when the document is loaded, so that the reader have a more general view of the document when it first appears. This functionnality relates to the presentation of documents and i really m miss it to provide differents levels of reading to different users.Received on Monday, 24 February 1997 14:55:19 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.1 : Monday, 2 May 2016 14:26:42 UTC


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It can be difficult to really maximize your clothing. You may have had a hard time creating new combinations by mixing and matching your closet. The following article below has the fashion tips that you can use when it comes to fashion.
Add a belt to bring a little color or an accent piece. You can purchase any type of belt in many designs or colors.
Sheer outfits are super sexy, but don't forget modesty. Wearing clothing items that are sheer in private areas can make you appear to be more trashy than classy.
Hair Accessories
There are so many different hair accessories. Hair accessories are things like hair bows, headbands, hair bows as well as hair extensions. You need to have many hair accessories as part of your look. If you are heading out with friends, opt for a sparkling hair bow or headband to compliment your outfit.
Don't pump your mascara brush into and out of the container.It only serves to trap air bubbles inside the mascara bottle. This practice promotes the odds of bacteria growing in it. Move your brush within the container to make sure that it is coated.
Favorite Beauty
Use up your favorite beauty products before discarding them. You might want to purchase a squeezer that can be used for getting every last drop out of what you buy. You can turn bottles around to get the most out of product. You can even take the top when the product is nearly gone. You will save some money by using these methods and not have to worry about constantly running out of your favorite beauty supplies.
Every woman should have the basic essentials to build on in her closet. You should have two pairs of dark dress pants, a pair of jeans that are hemmed for heels and a pair hemmed for sneakers. In the event of special occasions, every woman should have a little black dress for those special occasions.
Know how to dress your figure's strong points and weaknesses. If you are someone who is petite in size, use soft and muted patterns that are fitted at the waist to increase the appearance of your overall length. Busty women can draw attention to a different part of the body. If your shape is that of a pear, wear darker bottoms with light colored shirts.
A great touch is making sure your belt matches their shoes. This will help you a classic look that will help you rise in the fashion world.
A new jacket may have some loose stitches that are around the shoulders and vents. These threads can make your whole look good and should be removed. Just snip them off with scissors. This is a simple step you can boost your style.
Don't style hair in a way that creates two competing textures. You won't look messy as opposed to looking edgy and quirky.
Quilted fabrics will be the trend for this autumn and winter.
Just use it cautiously or you don't mix any of your clothing items up and bleach the wrong clothes on accident.
Spend some time with a fashion consultant and find out the colors that flatter you. Different colors create different visuals and depend on features like eye color, their eyes and their hair.
Stay away from crew neck tops and boat necklines if you're buxom. Try to opt for a v-neck instead to highlight your attributes. A v-neck will help to improve your frame and appearance. Try on a few shirts with different necklines; you will see that a v-neck looks better on you.
Know your own body shape and find the styles that suits you best. Is your shape more pear, hourglass, or pear? Your shape will significantly impact your clothing choices.
You just need to research them online to see what you have to do every season.
One essential fashion guideline is knowing how to make the accessories. Showcase one key accessory such as a necklace or two quality accessories for the best look. This will help to draw attention on that one item and gives you the appearance of being well-organized.
The right accessories help make an outfit. You can choose from watches, watches, necklaces, and bracelets. The right hairstyle and shoes are also a must. There are a myriad of great ideas throughout fashion magazines that will help you bring your look together.
Don't underestimate the importance of accessorizing. The right choices of accessories can update to most any of your outfits. Make sure to remember the overall look that you are seeking to achieve when you are putting an outfit together.
Getting the most from the clothing you own is not always easy. Keeping your look fresh with limited options is quite the obstacle. Implement the tips you've just learned to put your wardrobe to better use.


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Come Celebrate Poggi Bonsi Cucina's 2nd Anniversary Through Saturday
Starting today (Thurs. Mar. 13th) through Saturday (the 15th), come celebrate the 2nd Anniversary of Poggi Bonsi's Cucina Store, located at 901 SW 152nd in "Olde Burien" (206-859-6401).
Save 25% on all Italian and French Ceramics
Thursday, March 13th from 3-5pm:
Specialty Food, Olive Oil and Chianti Tasting at Cucina with Ritrovo Italian Regional Foods
Friday, March 14th from 1:30-3pm
Amoré Chocolate Tasting with chocolatier Brenda Archuletta.
Friday from 3-5pm
"Festa di Té" (Tea Party) to launch Tea Forté. Sample teas and treats as you browse our unique display of home decor, jewelry and gifts.
"In the Pink"
Wine Tasting and Appetizers. Discover the lush flavors of Rosé wines from Europe and the Northwest.
Saturday, March 15th from 4-6pm
"Think Spring" Wine Tasting and Sampling Dips and Spreads with Kelsey from Noble Wines.
Daily Drawings:
Thurs.: Tea Forté items
Fri.: Tea Forté items
Sat.: Set of 3 Italian Baking Pans


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A teenage girl from Texas suffered from multiple strokes after smoking synthetic marijuana – leaving her brain damaged, blind and paralyzed, the Independent reported.
Seventeen-year-old Emily Bauer, from Cypress, Texas, purchased the fake marijuana at a local gas station with friends in December. Just 15 minutes after smoking it, Emily said she had a migraine and wanted to lie down.
Later on, the police were called to restrain Emily, after she suffered from a series of strokes – which ultimately triggered a psychotic state. She ended up having violent hallucinations, running into walls and urinating on herself, according to the Independent.
Her friends and family hoped to dissuade her from taking the drug again once its effects wore off. But 24 hours later, Emily was still having hallucinations and trying to hurt herself.
Doctors decided to put Emily in a medically induced coma in order to run tests on her brain. They discovered her seizures were a result of severe vasculitis – an inflammation of the blood vessels, ultimately restricting blood and oxygen flow to the brain.
Over time, pressure on Emily's brain became so intense that her doctors had to drill a hole in her skull to provide some relief. Doctors told her family more than 70 percent of her brain was 'dead' and she would neither recognize her family or be able to use her arms and legs again. However, after the family decided to remove her breathing tube, Emily began to show signs of recovery – even telling her mother she loved her at one point.
Emily is still paralyzed and very confused, but has recently started to reuse her arms and legs – and even eat solid foods.
In order to educate the public about Emily's story and the dangers of synthetic marijuana, Emily's family has created a non-profit organization called Synthetic Awareness For Emily (SAFE).
Source: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/02/05/teenage-girl-suffered-strokes-brain-damage-after-smoking-synthetic-marijuana/


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On Episode 70 of "Podcast of the Immortals," Jimmy sits down with video game journalist Dan Ryckert to talk about wrestling, video games and wrestling video games. Ryckert will hit the road soon for his first WrestleMania. Advertisements Continue reading
Monthly Archives: March 2014
Episode 69 – Jimmy talks independent wrestling and WWE Network with pro wrestler Renny D
On Episode 69 of "Podcast of the Immortals," Jimmy sits down with Renny D, a professional wrestler living in Minnesota and a lifelong fan of the business. They talk about independent wrestling, his tryout with WWE, its new network and how awesome apartments can be. Continue reading
Episode 68 – Triple H dominates Daniel Bryan; CM Punk on Talking Dead
On Episode 68 of "Podcast of the Immortals," Matt and Jimmy talk way too long about WWE 2K14, break down the important angles heading into WrestleMania XXX and analyze CM Punk's appearance on the Talking Dead. They also have news regarding the Undertaker, Sting and give a review of the season 2 premier of Total … Continue reading
Episode 67 – Bryan Occupies Raw; Cena Hulks up; Undertaker confronts Heyman
On Episode 67 of "Podcast of the Immortals", Matt, Jimmy and Andy discuss the huge news surrounding Daniel Bryan's WrestleMania plans, John Cena's impending match versus Bray Wyatt and the Undertaker and Paul Heyman confrontation. They also look at the potential WrestleMania XXX card following Raw and our early predictions for what could happen in … Continue reading
Episode 66 – Hijack Raw; CM Punk no-show; Bryan burried by Authority
On Episode 66 of "Podcast of the Immortals", Matt, Jimmy and Andy talk about TMZ reporting that Buff Bagwell is now a male gigolo, how the #YESmovement aligned with #HiJackRaw in Chicago and how Daniel Bryan was once again taken out by the Authority. There is also the weekly CM Punk update and Paul Heyman … Continue reading


text: This is master piece of hand wood carving from Heiko Morgenstern out of the Erzgebirge region of Germany. Heiko handcarves each individual horse by knife making each horse unique and none two alike. Heiko operates a very small boutique handcarving studio. This creation is approximately 12 inches long and 5 inches high.