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The New Orleans Saints landed another big free agent signing after the 2019 NFL Draft. Per a report from Josh Katzenstein of the Times-Picayune, the Saints reached an agreement with rookie pass rusher Porter Gustin. Gustin went undrafted after playing at the collegiate level with the USC Trojans.
When he was on the field, Gustin proved to be a problem for opposing offenses. Injuries limited him to just 10 games over the last two years, but he made the most of his opportunities with 10.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in that time. In his full four-year, 34-game career, Gustin racked up 21.5 sacks and 33 tackles for loss, along with five pass deflections and a fumble recovery. He also tallied 137 tackles (84 solo). Per Pro Football Focus charting, his per-snap pass rush productivity rating ranked sixth in the draft class.Buy Saints Tickets
But the concern with Gustin is his lengthy injury history. A surgically-repaired toe injury flared up twice in the 2017 season, and he ended up cutting the season short after tearing his biceps muscle. In 2018, a midseason ankle fracture ended his senior year. The guy hasn't been able to catch a break.
But if his pro day performance is any indication, those latest ailments might be well behind him. Gustin wowed scouts with impressive times in the three-cone drill (6.97 seconds), 20-yard shuttle (4.22), and 60-yard shuttle (11.84), all of which would have ranked among position leaders at the NFL Scouting Combine. He also timed the 40-yard dash in 4.69 seconds at 6-foot-4 1/2, 255 pounds. From a height/weight/speed profile, he compares well to former Saints defensive end Alex Okafor — except Gustin is a little faster.
If Gustin is going to make the team, he'll need to prove that his physical gifts and playmaking ability translate to the pro game. He'll also need to prove he can get healthy and maintain his body after taking hits in so many different areas the last two years. But he'll have every opportunity to succeed in New Orleans.


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This article of mine is designed to wish the outgoing governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, 'goodbye' for years of failure to lead the people of Ondo State to the promised land. In the history of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimko remains the first governor who has completed two terms in office. Unfortunately, the governor used his years of service to manipulate the minds of his people. William Shakespeare said, "No legacy is so rich as honesty." In the case of 'Iroko' of Ondo State, he focused all his years on pure politics, selfishness, egocentrism, malice, iniquity and spite.
Permit me to quickly take you to the scriptures. As Moses grew up in the Pharaoh's palace, he learned all the wisdom of Egypt. In spite of growing up in the palace, he loved his people of Israel and did go to free them whenever they encountered challenges. One day, when he was taking care of the sheep and goats of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, God appeared and told him to rescue the people of Israel from the Egyptians and to bring them out of Egypt to a spacious and pleasant land. God knew that the people of Israel were suffering and appointed Moses to lead them out of Egypt where they were being used as slaves.
Above all, Moses did as God commanded and led the people of Israel out of Egypt despite challenges he faced before he could get his work done. At the desert of Zin, the people of Israel were thirsty, begging for water to drink. They gathered themselves against Moses and the Lord later spoke to Moses and told him to take the staff and speak to the rock and it will pour out water for his people to drink. Moses and his brother Aaron gathered the people together in front of the rock and said, "Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?" Then, Moses raised his arm and angrily struck the rock twice with his staff and water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. For Moses to have done this, the Lord was displeased with his actions, saying "Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them." One may ask why did Moses warrant such a severe penalty from the Lord? The answer is simple, because he disobeyed the commandment of the LORD.
How could it have been so good for a man to start a journey and end it well? Dr. Mimiko started well, but it is unfortunate that he fails to end his journey well. Just eight days from today, Mimiko will cease to be attending a meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum in Nigeria. It will be added to the history book of Ondo State that Dr. Mimiko is the governor who left his workers unpaid for about seven months compared to his predecessors. Presently, the Ondo State House of Assembly members dominated by PDP are at loggerheads with one another, following the interference of Governor Mimiko over the impeachment of their speaker, Jumoke Akindele. The Assembly was later sealed off by the order of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris. The crisis over Jumoke Akindele has left the Assembly in shambles, and demonstrates the governor's failure to keep order in his own state.
Should we now say this is a good development for Mimiko? The answer is 'no'! Fourteen PDP Lawmakers are away in Ibadan waiting for Mimiko's tenure to end. Is this not a sign that Governor Mimiko's eight-year tenure is nothing but a ruse? The law of harvest is to reap more than you sow. Sow an act, and you reap a habit. 2009, when Dr. Mimiko came into power, feels just like yesterday but he has forgotten that things cannot continue to be the same. To Rahman Mimiko, it is as if he could try to hold on to power like Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia but time is no longer on his side as the incoming governor Rotimi Akeredolu has concluded arrangements to take over the mantle of leadership. One must surely pity Dr. Mimiko for not producing a successor as governor who he can easily control. What good is the achievement of a person who leaves an office without having a successor?
Of course, it is glaring to the people of Ondo State that the word 'achievement' is being used to console themselves. Deep inside them, it is a total failure. If not for the sake of desperation, the outgoing government would have sponsored different groups to call for the postponement of last year's governorship election just to perfect plans to allegedly rig the election. Recalling that he has failed to transform the state around, it is on record that governor Mimiko's eight-year tenure in government has caused a major setback among the comity of states in Nigeria.
Anyway, a lot has been said in the past, but I just want to wish 'Iroko' goodbye and say that people of the state will forever remember you, either for the good or the bad.

subset: commoncrawl


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Company Registration
Foreign Company Registration
Post Incorporation Compliance
Other Services
General Meetings or meetings of the members/shareholders of a company may be of two types:
An Annual General Meeting (AGM) is a meeting of the members/shareholders that every company is mandatorily required to hold every financial year. An AGM is held every year to carry out certain annual appointments etc. and to inform the members of the previous and future activities of the company. It provides the shareholders and partners with an opportunity to receive copies of the company's accounts as well as reviewing fiscal information for the past year and enables them to know the directions the business will take in the future.
When is an Annual General Meeting held?
An AGM must be held by every type of company once a year and there shall not be a gap of more than 15 months between two AGMs. However,the First AGM of a company may be held at any time within 18 months from the date of its incorporation.
The AGM must be held on a working day during business hours. If any day is declared by the central government to be a public holiday after the issue of the notice convening such meeting, such a day will be treated as a working day.
Where is an Annual General Meeting held?
The AGM must be held at:
- The registered office of the company or
- At some other place within the city, town or village in which the registered office of the company is situated.
What are the legal requirements for holding an Annual General Meeting?
A notice of at least 21 days before the meeting must be given to the members unless consent is accorded to a shorter notice by all the members entitled to vote thereat. The following documents needs to be sent along with the notice of the meeting:
- A copy of the annual accounts of the company;
- Director's report on the position of the company for the year; and
- Auditor's report on the annual accounts.
Companies having share capital should state in the notice that a member is entitled to attend and vote at the meeting and he is also entitled to appoint proxies in his absence. A proxy need not be a member of that company. A proxy form should be enclosed with the notice. The proxy forms are required to be submitted to the company at least 48 hours before the meeting.
A company may, by appropriate provisions in its articles, fix the time for its annual general meeting and may also by a resolution passed in one annual general meeting fix the time for its subsequent annual general meetings.
What is the Quorum required for Annual General Meeting?
Unless the articles of the company provide for a larger number, the quorum for an AGM shall be as follows:
- In case of Public company: Minimum 5 members personally present; and
- In the case of any other company: Minimum 2 members must be personally present within half an hour from the time for holding the meeting.
What are the consequences of not holding an Annual General Meeting?
The Company Law Board (CLB) may, on the application of any member
- Call or direct the calling of a general meeting which shall be deemed to be an AGM of the company;
- Give such ancillary or consequential and fine which may extend to Rs. 5,000 for continuing default, a further fine of Rs. 250 per day.
What are the businesses carried out at an Annual General Meeting?
The Ordinary Business that is taken up at every AGM is as follows:
- Declaration of dividend.
- Consideration of annual accounts, director's report and the auditor's report.
- Appointment of and the fixing of the remuneration of the statutory auditors.
- Appointment of directors in the place of those retiring.
Any business apart from the above is referred to as a Special Business. In order to undertake any such matter in an AGM, prior notice is required to be served to the members. Therefore, the notice calling the AGM shall be accompanied by an explanatory statement for every special business proposed to be discussed at the meeting.


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N-Trig, a component company that provides touchscreen technology for many PC and smartphone companies, had introducted its battery-powered Digital Pencil, a stylus that can work with multitouch devices.
The pen will let you chose between using the pen or their fingertips. According to N-Trig, the possibilities could include anything from taking notes in class, playing games, to creating art or engineering design.
The Digital Pencil is a wireless power-efficient electronic pen that uses a N-Trig's DuoSense software. The software can identify "the position of the Pencil and the pressure level, removing the need for an excitation coil within the DuoSense digitizer and can be used either as an integral part of the solution or as an optional after-market accessory, enabling OEMs (original equipment manufacturer) to offer system upgrades, making the Digital Pencil ideal for the consumer market," according to N-Trig.
These capabilities could very well change the way in which people interact with computers. Pen-plus-touch input can be used for a multitude of devices, including tablets, phones, and iPod-like devices. This lets developers create apps that can use the pen plus touch features. You can easily write notes, grab and edit pictures, or creating art. The pen could even be used like a paintbrush, where the more you swipe it back and fourth the more "paint" comes off the brush leaving the impression that you are really using a paint brush. If takes off, anyway.
Concept videos of Microsoft's now-canceled Courier tablet showed the user manipulating objects onscreen with both fingers and a stylus (for example, using the stylus to write, and using fingers to manipulate objects onscreen), and a recent YouTube video looked at similar pen-plus-touch possibilities.


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I have sold a property at # 206 3377 CAPILANO CR in North Vancouver.
Far from the madding crowd, yet close enough to observe them! You will find a lovely one bed + den apartment in top notch condition. Hardwood floors and almost new carpets, a gas fireplace + in-suite laundry and a huge very private deck for those long summer evenings. Although no age restrictions, this is primarily an adult driven building. The den could always be used for a second bedroom for visitors (just enough comfort to say 'you're welcome' but not too much that you wish to God they would leave! A really great building, set well off of Capilano road, yet easy walking distance to the village.


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I have two great kids, and both of them are in high school. At their high school, the kids carry around their backpacks. Last year, they needed a 1-inch binder for each subject, and my poor son carried around five binders and two folders that were never used except to hold a spiral notebook and the pockets (filled to the brim of handouts and tests all jammed into one). By the end of the year, when he had to gather his papers to review for finals, he was so overwhelmed that he never decided again. We needed a better way for him to manage all the papers so he can refer to them at the end of the school year.
So, to help him organize his backpack, we decided to do something different this year. Here is how we created his bag organization.
First, we determined how many sections (tabs) would be needed for each subject. This is what we came up with.
For English and German
For European History and Algebra II
For Biology
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For Chorus and Health
A Folder with pockets and loose leaf paper attached in the center.
We washed his backpack from last year. This bag lasts two years, and we keep buying them because they are durable and can handle a boy.
The key to successful paper management is to have an easy system to maintain & retrieve.
Then, I found these backpack accordion folders with six tabs and seven spaces from Target. I used a black marker to write the sections on the tabs inside the accordion folder for each subject. I used the label that came with the accordion folder and folded two of the labels together so it wouldn't slide out when the accordion folder turns on its side. It's so annoying when a tab slides out of an accordion folder.
I labeled each accordion folder in the front and on top with 1-inch label maker labels. As a Professional Organizer, I have a professional label maker, but if you do not have this, you can write the subjects on tape and make your labels.
We then placed the accordion folders in the backpack in order of his schedule so my son would first use the front section in the morning and the second section in the afternoon. Here is how it looks from the top.
If you are looking for an academic planner, check out the most recent post for purchase options and details on how we used this academic planner.
The front smaller pocket became his pencil case. This section holds his calculator, pens, pencils, erasers, dry erase markers, index cards, and stick notes. By the way, the index cards are in a small index card spiral notebook so he can tear them out and they don't get lost in the pocket.
This entire setup took one(1) hour. It didn't take long and hopefully; this secure system will help him throughout the year.
At the end of each semester, we store the older semester paper into a large accordion folder. This accordion folder stays home in his study area. And, at the end of each marking period, he will take those papers and organize them by the subject and by handouts/worksheets and quizzes/tests. So, hopefully, this will help him find the appropriate documents he needs to review for the finals at the end of the year.
I hope this gives you some inspiration on how to organize your child's backpack. I will update this post from time to time with the process of how he is maintaining his backpack. Come back and often visit to see if he can keep it organized. Let's continue the conversation. If you have any questions about paper management, please leave it below. I will do my best and reply as soon as possible.


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In or near Kentucky's cultural capital this weekend? Then, after a few swigs of Ale-8 for pep, perhaps you ought wander to the 930 Art Center, where you will find yourself surrounded by creatures of disparate origin but sharing the same space and time. Culled from a call for submissions that emphasized local Louisville artists but reached nationally and globally, the show is a perfect encapsulation of a zoo; a temporary holding area for creatures that normally have nothing to do with each other.
Shedding, The Town Criers, Squeeze-bot, and Ultra Pulverize plan to properly inaugurate the show with music. Doors open at 6:30pm, admission is free and all-ages. You can read a succinct essay on the spirit of this series of shows by Unusual Animals zookeeper Michael Kaufmann here, and more about the bands and art here.


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One of our best selling products is now available in a convenient, easy to apply cream. With all the same great soothing properties of our original Miracle Oil , this small jar is perfect for soothing most any minor skin irritation. Safe for body or face use.
Returns Policy
We fully understand that shopping can be a challenge, and at times a customer receives their wig and it is not suitable. This could be due to style, colour choice or size.
When you receive your wig, it is very important to handle it carefully until you are sure it will work for you. Please do not remove any tags until you are 100% happy and certain you are keeping the wig. If you are not happy with the product for any reason, please notify us immediately by email (email@example.com) or telephone (1-844-367-9947), so that we may start the process to find you a replacement as quickly as possible. You have 10 days from the date you received the product to return it to us. Also, please keep in mind not all products are eligible for return or exchange as per the details below:
Eligible Products:
• Unworn
• Unaltered
• Tags Attached
• In its original box, wrapping, net, etc.
• Original invoice to accompany return
Ineligible Products:
• Clearance Items (always a final sale)
• Discounted Items (always a final sale)
• Care Accessory Products, Liquids, Wig Stands, Brushes, etc.
You are responsible for all shipping charges when returning a product or ending it back for exchange.
Once First Lady Wigs receives your return, your refund will be processed within 3-5 business days.
Within Canada, all orders over $99.00 (before taxes) are shipped via Standard Post FREE of charge. Depending on where you are located, it will take 3-7 business days to receive your order.
All orders are shipped by Canada Post. If you have another preference, please call us at 1-844-367-9447 and we will be happy to arrange that for you.
Expedited deliveries are available. You can choose upon checkout.


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With Township Supervisor Linda Moore in Texas for her daughter's college graduation and Rob LaPorta also absent, the meeting was relatively short and peaceful. No one raised his voice or went off on a rant. Trustee Gerry McMahon even sat … Continue reading
Category Archives: Harriet Ford
In a completely scripted performance lasting just ten minutes, petition challenger Wrayburn Krohn's attorney, Judith Svensen, withdrew her client's objection, the Grafton Township Electoral Board accepted the withdrawal and ruled unanimously that Pam J. "Pam" Fender would appear on the … Continue reading
An IRS finding handed down January 31st will surely be the talk of the next meeting of the Township Officials of Illinois. It says that heretofore fringe benefits, such as the Grafton Road Commissioner's vehicle and the reimbursement for dinners … Continue reading
The Grafton Township Food Pantry was started by former Supervisor Jack Brunschon and continued to operate under his successor John Rossi. During that time it was turned into a not-for-profit entity in order to get better prices on surplus food, … Continue reading
Township government consists of two parts, the Road District, which was spun off as a separate unit of government by the General Assembly and the rest of township government, usually called the township. The last administration of the Grafton Township … Continue reading
Again yesterday, Judge Michael Caldwell set back the date he will hand down a decision in the suit filed by Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore against the Grafton Township Trustees and Ancel Glink, the law firm giving the Trustees legal … Continue reading
I'm losing count. Was today the fourth day of testimony in the Grafton Township separation of powers suit? Maybe it was that I arrived by the expected start time, but an argument over a Temporary Restraining Order wanted by the … Continue reading
10 AM is the time court begins. It's the trial between Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore and the Grafton Township Trustees consisting of Robert LaPorta, Betty Zirk, Barbara Murphy and Gerry McMahon. At the last hearing, Township Administrator Pam Fender, … Continue reading
According to the First Electric Newspaper, the firm hired by the Grafton Township Trustees to investigate whether Grafton Township computers had been tampered with sent an email last night complaining of not having been paid some $15,000 and released some … Continue reading
So how many times did the "Family Feud" Grafton Township Board meet in the first year since Linda Moore replaced John Rossi as Supervisor? Past boards have met once a month, plus the Annual Town Meeting of Electors. The Supervisor … Continue reading
When looking at the legal bills that Grafton Township has run up with Ancel Glink, the word "priceless" comes to mind. I recently went searching for township minutes and, guess what? The minutes from October, 2009, are not yet available. … Continue reading
One thing is certain. Grafton Township officials make enough use of law firm Ancel Glink's services that readers of the legal fee invoices can discover a lot of what is happening on a day-by-day basis. Today's bill covers the last … Continue reading
With over 700 registered voters in attendance, electors at the Annual Town Meeting overwhelmingly refused to follow the script laid out by Ancel Glink partner Keri-Lyn Krafthefer. There were so many people in attendance that the 700 pink ballots designed … Continue reading
The Huntley-centric Grafton Township Board reached out to the northeast corner of the township to select a Lakewood woman as township clerk. On a 5-0 vote, the board voted for Harriet Ford. Ford edged out Kristy Borchart and Joan Citro, … Continue reading


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About Graeme Wilkinson
Graeme Wilkinson was born in County Durham in 1973 and left it as soon as he could. He managed to get all the way to Teesside. Which is not very far at all. He is the author of the Battenberg Trilogy of metaphysical, theological, anti-religious, intergalactic, time-travel, post apocalyptic, dystopian, Dickensian, bizarro fest novels, and is currently writing several more.
Books by Graeme Wilkinson
Screw, God and the Universe
Time, Space and a Slice of Cake
The Boy at the End of the World


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Lain—driven by the abrupt suicide of a classmate—logs on to the Wired and promptly loses herself in a twisted mass of hallucinations, memories, and interconnected-psyches.
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The Stand is NOT Suitable for Blue Yeti USB Microphone.
Max. Microphone Clip Diameter is 1.26"/32mm.
Microphone & Filter Shield Mask NOT Included!
(1) Microphone Scissor Arm Stand (BLACK) + (1) Table Mounting Clamp (BLACK):
Ideal for radio broadcasting studio, voice-over sound studio, stages, and TV stations, etc. YOU CAN NOT MISS IT!
The Scissor Arm Stand is equipped with super-strong spring so that it can stand much more weight.
Your microphone is held safely and firmly on this scissor arm microphone clip.
The double-braced arms add strength. Extend up to Approx.31.5"/80cm.
Max load: Approx 2KG
Material: Steel
Color: Black
(1) Standard Microphone Clip (PLASTIC/BLACK):
A standard microphone clip to mount most standard-sized handheld microphone.
Package Contents:
1x Black Microphone Scissor Arm Stand
1x Black Table Mounting Clamp
1x Black Microphone Clip
|Blue, Purple, White
|20, 24
|100% Polyester


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Reliance Industries To Acquire 5 Percent Stake In Eros International
RIL and Eros International Media Limited announced that they have agreed to partner in India to jointly produce and consolidate content from across India
Photo Credit :
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and Eros International PLC (Eros) have announced that RIL, through a subsidiary, will subscribe to a 5% equity stake in Eros International.
RIL and Eros International Media Limited announced that they have agreed to partner in India to jointly produce and consolidate content from across India. The parties will equally invest up to Rs 1,000 crores in aggregate to produce and acquire Indian films and digital originals across all languages.
In addition, it was announced that Jyoti Deshpande, Group CEO and MD of Eros will be stepping down from her Executive role after more than 17 years in Eros and move on to head the Media and Entertainment business at RIL as President of the Chairman's Office. Deshpande will start her role at RIL from April 2018, but will continue to remain as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Eros while Kishore Lulla will resume his position of Group Chairman and CEO of Eros.
Commenting on the development, Mukesh Ambani, Chairman & Managing Director, RIL said, "We are pleased to join hands with Eros, as it will bring further synergies into our plans, making for a win-win partnership. We are delighted to welcome Ms. Jyoti Deshpande into the Reliance family and believe that she will not only give wings to our plans but also play a pivotal role in transforming the sector."
"I am very pleased that Eros is partnering with RIL in its entertainment journey with several synergies across technology, content and digital with Eros Now. We look forward to collaborating and growing as we continue to make new strides on the digital and content forefronts. I am confident that together, we can make a meaningful difference. Jyoti Deshpande has been an invaluable part of the incredible Eros growth journey and I am confident that she will make a positive impact on the industry in her new role at RIL. I wish her the very best of luck", said Kishore Lulla.
In her new role at RIL, Deshpande will lead the company's initiatives in Media and Entertainment to organically build and grow businesses around the content ecosystem such as Broadcasting, Films, Sports, Music, Digital, Gaming, Animation etc., as well as integrate RIL's existing media investments such as Viacom and Balaji Telefilms with a view to build, scale and consolidate the fragmented USD 20 billion Indian M&E sector.
"Having worked and associated with Eros group since 1998, it has been an integral part of my professional career and I extend my heartfelt thanks to Kishore Lulla and the Eros family for the opportunity to build an amazing company together. I am delighted that RIL has strategically aligned with Eros, so the association continues. My new assignment at RIL will allow me to push boundaries, set new standards of excellence, assemble a world-class young leadership team and adopt a collaborative approach to architect and execute this ambition in true RIL tradition. I am genuinely honored and humbled to have been granted this opportunity but more than anything I cannot wait to roll up my sleeves", added Deshpande.


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As we are well aware, nearly all businesses are now done via the internet. With increasing demand for online purchasing, businesses are moving to e-store business, that will save time while increasing revenue. Inline to this trend, ANGLER develops robust E-commerce Retail Application and delivers comprehensive range of benefits to retailers and customers.
e-commerce retail application helps businesses to easily manage inventory, sales, from anywhere on a tablet or phone. It increases the conversion rate / perfect the customer shopping experience for your brand. and makes the business reach a new, higher level of success. Our retail application has all essential aspects of retail operation
Key Retail Software Solutions offering includes:
- Offline online orders sync handling
- Email / SMS notations are done in automated background server script
- Large local data are handled efficiently
- Temporary order id maintained for offline order tracking
- Order summary with different sorting options
- SMS/Email notification for Manager to build order intimation
Buyers regardless of geographies / age groups are using this platform to choose, compare and buy products. It you want to provide your buyers with the best customer service then Contact us we can help you in every step of your operations and give you an edge over your competitors.


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Get reliable protection from drops and bumps with this brown Samsung Note 20 wallet case for Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G. Crafted from high-quality faux leather with beautiful stitching, this case looks and feels luxurious. Precise cutouts ensure full access to ports and function buttons, speakers, pen, and camera. You can use it as a kickstand to prop up your phone while watching a video or movie.
- Designed for Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G.
- The wallet compartment can hold up to five cards and some cash.
- The integrated kickstand lets you place your phone in front of you to comfortably watch videos.
- Ergonomic open button, port, and pen design enable easy access to all phone features.
- Non-slip side grip allows easy phone handling.
- Faux leather material reduces stretching and yellowing.
*Not compatible with wireless charging.*


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Nintendo's long-awaited sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has been delayed. The Switch game is now expected sometime in spring 2023, series producer Eiji Aonuma said in a video announcing the delay of the still-untitled Breath of the Wild sequel.
"For those of you who have been looking forward to a release this year, we apologize," Aonuma said. "As previously announced, the adventure in this sequel will take place not just on the ground as in the previous game, but also in the skies above. However, the expanded world goes beyond that, and there will be an even wider variety of features you can enjoy, including new encounters and gameplay elements. In order to make this game's experience something special, the entire development team is continuing to work diligently on this game, so please wait a while longer."
Aonuma's announcement video also appears to show a tiny snippet of new footage from the Breath of the Wild sequel: Link unsheathes his Master Sword, which looks ... different.
Nintendo had previously communicated a 2022 release window for the Switch game, but has never announced a firm release date.
The untitled sequel to Breath of the Wild was announced in June 2019, with a mysterious trailer packed with hints about the future of the Zelda franchise. Nintendo remained relatively quiet about the game until 2021, when it showed a new trailer at E3 2021 that teased Link's next adventure in the skies above Hyrule, and pegged the Switch sequel for a 2022 release. But Nintendo has yet to confirm the full, final name of Breath of the Wild 2, explaining that its title might give away too much too soon.
The original The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was released for Nintendo Switch and Wii U in 2017. The game gave the Zelda franchise a vast open world to explore, letting players conquer the world of Hyrule at their own pace and develop their own solutions. Breath of the Wild was a commercial and critical success — Polygon named it Game of the Year in 2017 — and it has had a profound impact on the design of open-world games.


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Every parent thinks they know their baby well, but are they willing to bet on it?
Bet on Your Baby is a new show where parents play fun games with their toddlers, and try to "bet" on what baby will do next! If they guess correctly, the family wins $5,000 in college tuition money, and the chance to play for $50,000!
All of these heartwarming and hilarious games are played in a toy-filled room called the Baby Dome. Do you think that you could predict what baby will do next?
I know when my boys were little I had NO Idea what they would do next, they were always into something new!
Giveaway: One winner will win 3 coupons for Luvs Diapers!
Luvs® Super Absorbent diapers give your baby the protection they need at the low price you're looking for—complete with a money back guarantee. New Luvs® Super Absorbent Jumbo Packs have an everyday low price of $6.97 at Walmart!
Please enter using the rafflecopter form below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway


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How You Can Help
Donations of postage stamps and tan and variegated worsted weight yarn are greatly needed and appreciated.
Mail to:
Mother Bear Project
P.O. Box 62188
Minneapolis, MN 55426
Mother Bear Lauren
Mother Bear Nancy
Mother Bear Emma
Mother Bear Joan
Mother Bear Jeanne
Mother Bear Linda
Mother Bear Tedi
Mother Bear
The simple tasks in life can bring an individual great joy, but sometimes they can bring happiness and comfort to others, as well. Sylvia Chu had always found pleasure in crocheting and handicrafts, but when she came across Mother Bear Project, she realized that her passions could benefit others, especially children in need.
"In my heart, I am a farmer," Chu said. "From my apartment in Vernon Hill, IL, I look out at a farmer's fields and it gives me calm. Crocheting bears is a soul-satisfying project."
Perhaps Chu learned to appreciate peaceful tasks and creating a gift with one's own skilled hands from growing up on a farm in Little Swan, Minnesota. Back then, she was known as Sylvia Punkari ("We were probably the only family in Minnesota with that name.").
"I probably learned to crochet watching my mother, but I can't remember too well," she said. "I used to knit, also, but crochet is faster for me."
Now 91, Chu still describes herself as an "old Finnish Minnesota farmer." She spends her days enjoying walks, reading, puzzles, and of course crocheting bears.
Handcrafting had been a hobby of Chu's for decades, and she was always searching to do something worthwhile with her time, so when she read an article about Mother Bear Project in Ladies Home Journal, she was eager to become involved.
"At this age it is easy to feel 'useless'—a term I hear often from others. Being able to contribute in some fashion counteracts that," Chu said.
Chu has certainly contributed more than her fair share of bears to the Mother Bear Project. She has already sent 124 bears to bring comfort to children through the Mother Bear Project. She believes that the organization is necessary to assure that the carefully crafted bears are delivered where needed.
"My hope is that each child can be aware that there is someone who cares about them."
It is hard to believe that Mother Bear Project is entering its 9th year this month. I can recall the article that moved me to act—reading about the horrific problem of baby and child rape in South Africa due to the myth that this brutal act will cure a man of AIDS. It was at that moment when I chose to dedicate myself to providing comfort for so many whose lives have been devastated by the HIV/AIDS pandemic and when I decided to figure out how to knit so that I may give a bear to a child who has lost so much.
In 9 years 72,100 bears have been sent to 19 African countries and Haiti. I am so proud that today MBP is still doing the exact thing we set out to do—sending comfort and hope to these children affected by HIV/AIDS with an unconditional gift of love.
There is so much I love about Mother Bear Project. I love that it brings people of all faiths and all ages, from all over the world, together to do something for children that comes straight from the heart of each person. I love that this project has so much accountability, and that every bear is handled with care from the moment the yarn is cast on a needle or hook until it reaches the arms of a child.
I am humbled and filled with gratitude to all who make the bears, distribute them, sew on the hearts, and contribute to the high cost of shipping and storage. I am touched by the efforts of so many who understand that every child needs comfort and that perhaps this gift of love means much more than we will ever know.


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I had an abortion yesterday. I was 7 weeks and 3 days, emotional, plagued with morning sickness, and most of all I was terrified. This story is for anyone who is scared to get an abortion- or who may be second guessing it, this is for the people who are afraid that they may regret it, and most importantly this is a story to inform you about what happens during an in-clinic abortion, and how I felt after an experience that I thought I would regret. (This is going to be long)
Some background: I am 22 years old and in an incredibly happy and healthy relationship of over four years. When I found out I was pregnant on Christmas Eve, I sobbed. I sobbed for myself, the tiny embryo inside of me, and for fear of what my future would hold. What was I going to do? What was my mom, my brother, my fiancé going to think? After all, I'm unemployed, just finished my first year of college, and still live with my fiancé in my moms tiny 3 bedroom home with 3 cats and 2 dogs. How were we going to afford to move out and raise a child in one of the most expensive counties in the United States? We weighed our every option, and ultimately decided that it would be parenting or abortion. We did not consider adoption as we knew that if I were to carry my pregnancy to term that we would find it exceptionally hard to part with the child.
We started making a plan for parenting, starting by looking at apartments (for a 1 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment in San Diego, CA you're looking at at least $1500 a month), lists for things you need to prepare for a baby, health insurance for me as I currently am uninsured, jobs that I could potentially work to help save up money, and in the end we realized that we could not afford to bring a child into our world, not to mention that I would be giving birth right in the middle of the semester before I graduated with my associates degree. We knew we couldn't afford to raise a baby, at least not the way that we wanted to. Before I met my fiancé I never even thought I wanted children, and once we decided that we would eventually like to have a family we always said we would only want one child. We were stupid and not using any form of protection, after 4 years of unprotected sex we were pretty certain we had perfected the withdrawal method, as well as planning around my fertile days. This pregnancy was not entirely un-wanted, we want to have a child some day, but we want to do it right. We do not want to struggle to get our baby basic necessities, and we definitely do not want our child to ever feel like we are struggling BECAUSE of them. We knew what we need to do, but we still struggled to call planned parenthood and make that appointment.
I put off calling planned parenthood for a while, afraid that once I made that call everything would be final. I struggled every day with feeling like I didn't really have a choice- and cursed myself for not being farther forward in my life. I was beating myself up so badly, and was resentful of all of the other young mothers who I saw that seemed to be able to handle having a child in less than ideal circumstances. I gave myself time to mourn, and time to come to term with my decision to abort. And ultimately I knew I was making the right decision for myself, my partner, and the embryo inside of me. I called planned parenthood and made my appointment for the following Friday. I allowed myself to cry the night before my abortion, and to come to peace with choosing what I believed to be the right path for my life.
On the morning of my abortion I was very scared. I suffer from an anxiety disorder and couldn't help the worst thoughts from running through my mind. Would it hurt? Would I bleed a lot? And most of all- would I be sad and would I regret it? All I can speak for in this post is my experience- but I hope this brings comfort to whoever reads it.
When I arrived at planned parenthood I checked in and went to the waiting room with my fiancé (he had been so incredibly supportive of me during this whole process and I cannot thank him enough for that). When we stepped into the waiting room I was shocked to see just how packed it was- there were barely any seats for us to sit in. Since this planned parenthood is the only one in San Diego County that offers in-clinic abortion it was pretty clear as to what all of the couples were there for.
The wait was quite long- 2 hours to be exact- and my nerves and tension continued to build as I leaned on my fiancé for support. Finally they called my name. I went back and my nurse sat me down in a chair and went over the procedure with me. She explained to me that they would need to do a vaginal ultrasound to see how far along I was (I believed I was 8 weeks but this turned out to be wrong) and then they would get me prepped for the procedure by inserting an IV, taking my blood, giving me some pills for pain and antibiotics, and then give me my conscious sedation through my IV. She told me the procedure itself would take no more than 10 minutes and that I may experience some cramping. After that I would be brought to recovery to monitor my vitals, check for any abnormal bleeding, and let the sedation wear off, and then I could be on my way. I was terrified of getting sedation, I'd never had it before and was afraid of being out of it in such a vulnerable position, she assured me that I would be awake during the entire procedure and that it would just feel as if I had had a couple of strong drinks. I agreed to the sedation and also to get a depo shot after the procedure to prevent this from happening again. I signed all of my waivers and filled out my medical history and then headed back to the waiting room for my ultrasound.
The ultrasound was very easy, they were playing some jazzy music in the background that I was able to focus on so that helped. There was a bit of pressure that was slightly uncomfortable but it was over in about 2 minutes. My nurse informed me that I was 7 weeks and 3 days, earlier than I expected. She asked if I would like to see the ultrasound, and I declined. After this I got dressed and headed back to the waiting room, the next time I would be called back would be for the procedure.
A different nurse called me back this time. We went into the operating room which I was surprised to see was very comfortable, it just looked like a regular doctors office, no cold metal table and scary surgical tools, just a nice comfy reclining table with a big heating pad. The nurse began asking me questions to make sure that I was confident about my decision and that no one was forcing me into this. After that another nurse came in to put in my IV and take my blood, she was super nice and got my vein on the first try! Once this was done I took my ibuprofen and an antibiotic, I was instructed to get undressed from the waist down and to cover myself with the drape and to sit waiting on the table for the doctor. This was unfortunately another long wait- about 30 minutes. I was scared, but also at peace. I knew I was doing the right thing.
The doctor came in, and I was surprised to see that she was an older lady with a super kind face. She assured me that the procedure would be quick and that I would just feel a bit of pressure and some cramping and that if it hurt at all to let her know. The nurse in the room put the large heating pad on my stomach while the doctor told me she was going to give me my sedation through my IV and then she began talking to me about how she liked my name, how she liked my engagement ring, what my plans were for the weekend, etc. She made me feel incredibly comfortable and for that I am hugely grateful. I kept waiting for the sedation to hit me- again I didn't know what to expect- but really I just became super calm, like I knew that everything was going to be okay. She told me she was going to begin the procedure and to my surprise I felt nothing! I was awake but all I could feel was some pressure as she dilated my cervix. The most uncomfortable part was the vacuum as at the end of it I did have some pretty bad cramping, very comparable to heavy period cramps. Suddenly she said "we're all done" and I couldn't believe it, I looked at the clock on the wall and it had only been 5 minutes. She checked my cervix to make sure my bleeding was normal and then told me to have a good day.
The nurse that was assisting with the procedure then helped me to get dressed and put on my pad and then walked me to the recovery room where I was put in a super comfy recliner and given a heating pad, some sprite, water, and cheese-itz. My recovery nurse was awesome. She talked to me about her favorite shows on Netflix and told me that my plans for the evening should be to make some Mac and cheese and binge watch my favorite shows- she had the right idea. As I came off of the sedation I was surprised that I felt fine, more than that, I actually felt a bit relieved. I was so scared that I was going to feel instant regret, and that I would be overwhelmed with sadness. But the experience was so non-traumatizing that I actually felt incredibly at peace. I got my depo shot and was in the recovery room for about 20 minutes until I was discharged to go home. I came home, ate some Mac and cheese, and then slept until this morning.
Today I am still feel relieved. I feel perfectly fine. My bleeding is minimal and so is my cramping, but it's not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. I feel incredibly at peace with my decision, and I am confident that I made the right choice for my family, as well as for the embryo that was inside of me. Some people may call me selfish for getting an abortion, but if the one thing I choose to be selfish about is my body and my future, then I'm okay with that. I hope this story helps to bring some clarity to you, and helps give you more strength and confidence in whatever you decide for yourself. No matter what, it is our body and our right to make our own decisions for it, don't ever let anybody shame you for that. Everything will be okay.
Remember that our stories are ours to tell. We'd love to hear your story too!


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Right now, the most difficult place in America to be a journalist is arguably St. Louis, Missouri. It has been more than two weeks since Jason Stockley, the white former police officer who fatally shot Anthony Lamar Smith, a black man, in 2011, was acquitted by a St. Louis judge, and protests over racial inequalities show no signs of abating. Journalists covering the protests have been caught in the middle of the action, enduring tear gas and rough treatment from both police and protesters.
On Tuesday night, reporter Jordan Chariton and cameraman Ty Bayliss, both journalists for The Young Turks, were arrested. So were independent live-streamer Jon Ziegler and freelance photojournalist Daniel Shular. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker has done excellent work reporting out these incidents; so far, the project has documented 27 arrests and 25 physical attacks on journalists across the US in 2017. One trend that's evident in the Tracker's data is the prevalence of incidents occurring at protests.
ICYMI: The first reporter to arrive at Vegas gunman's house has covered the story in many ways – except one
At the Paley Center's Tuesday evening panel on the state of press freedom in America, several journalists referenced the dangers facing journalists covering protests in 2017. The Press Freedom Tracker is a new project, so it's impossible to compare its data to past years, but there's no denying the reality that frequent and increasingly visible protests have placed journalists in difficult situations.
The nightly protests in St. Louis are into their third week, with authorities on Tuesday evening taking 143 people into custody, a high-water mark in terms of police action. Despite their size and longevity, the protests haven't drawn the sort of national attention that greeted those in nearby Ferguson three years ago. That should change. Reports of excessive force by police have been prevalent, and journalists are needed on the ground to accurately document the events and tell the stories of both protesters and police. As St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Mike Faulk said after he was arrested while covering protests in September, "I can't imagine how one-sided this discussion would be about what happened on Sunday night if not just reporters, but other people filming, weren't there or somehow did not have the ability to do that."
Below, more on the St. Louis protests and the threats to journalists who cover them.
- The same concerns: More than three years after Michael Brown's death, The Washington Post's Abigail Hauslohner writes that there has been "little action by local police departments toward resolving or even acknowledging the existence of racial discrimination."
- After a protest arrest, what should newsrooms do?: CJR's Jonathan Peters spoke with media lawyers and news executives about how newsrooms should prepare for and respond to their reporters being arrested while covering protests.
- Case study: Faulk's arrest was one of the few pieces of protest news to break through nationally. The Press Freedom Tracker has an overview of his case.
Other notable stories
- "Neither of us had ever reported a story of this difficulty before." Politico's Dan Diamond and Rachana Pradhan explain how a vague tip in March led to months of trying to nail down the details of former HHS Secretary Tom Price's private flights.
- CJR's Alexandria Neason and Karen K. Ho compared coverage of the Las Vegas shooting to previous mass shooting events. They found "an unsettling repetition of superlatives" as wells as a "familiar treatment of white men who commit violent crime…and a hesitation to describe what happened in Vegas as terrorism."
- Harvey Weinstein has "enlisted a team of attorneys to fight planned articles that are said to be about his personal behavior," according to The Hollywood Reporter's Kim Masters and Chris Gardner. The New York Times, NBC, and The New Yorker are all reportedly chasing stories about the movie mogul's actions.
- Los Angeles Times staffers are headed for a showdown with parent company Tronc, reports The New York Times's Sydney Ember. Yesterday, the committee behind a unionization push went public with its reasoning.
- Interesting story from BuzzFeed's Steven Perlberg and Mark Di Stefano on Rupert Murdoch as an unlikely hero in the media's battle with Facebook and Google.
- Crooked Media, the progressive brainchild of former Obama staffers Jon Favreau, Tommy Vietor, and Jon Lovett, is expanding. Brian Beutler, formerly of TPM and The New Republic, has been brought on as editor in chief to oversee a new website and growing network of contributors.
- Also expanding, the president's favorite television show. Fox & Friends is adding two predawn hours of programming. CNN's Tom Kludt has the details.
Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that former officer Jason Stockley was acquitted by a jury. Stockley waived his right to a jury trial, and was acquitted by Judge Timothy J. Wilson.
ICYMI: We looked at newspaper headlines around the Vegas massacre. We found some unsettling trends.Pete Vernon is a former CJR staff writer. Follow him on Twitter @ByPeteVernon.


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Soughton Hall
History, tourist information, and nearby accommodation
Bankes was inspired by his experiences travelling in the Middle East, and created an exotic facade with Islamic elements mixed with more traditional British architecture. The architect responsible for implementing Bankes' exotic vision was Charles Barry, later to become Sir Charles, and most famous for his design of the Houses of Parliament in London.
Close to the house is a formal 19th century garden, while further afield is 18th century parkland, traversed by a lime avenue planted by John Wynne around 1732. It is this lime avenue that provides the most historically important feature at Soughton, though the formal gardens near the Hall itself are lovely.
Since 1987 Soughton Hall has been operated as a country house hotel and wedding venue. This might normally mean that the interiors and the lovely gardens that surround the house would only be open to guests, however, the Hall does operate several popular restaurants, including one based in the old stable block, so perhaps enjoying a meal is the easiest way to enjoy Soughton today!
About Soughton Hall
Address: Northop, Mold, Flintshire, Wales, CH7 6AB
Attraction Type: Garden
Location: On the A5119
Website: Soughton Hall
Email: email@example.com
Location map
Photo Credit: Nigel Homer, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence
We've 'tagged' this attraction information to help you find related historic attractions and learn more about major time periods mentioned.
Find other attractions tagged with:
18th century (Time Period) -
Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low-exceptional) on historic interest
Mold Castle - 2 miles (Castle)
Mold, St Mary's Church - 2.2 miles (Historic Church)
Ewloe Castle - 2.5 miles (Castle)
Tower - 3.4 miles (Historic House)
Flint Castle - 3.7 miles (Castle)
Hawarden, St Deiniol's Church - 4.3 miles (Historic Church)
Hawarden Old Castle - 4.6 miles (Castle)
Penbedw Stone Circle - 4.8 miles (Prehistoric Site)
Nearest Holiday Cottages to Soughton Hall:
Northop, Clwyd
Sleeps: 4
Stay from: £336.00 - 1529.00
Northop Hall, Clwyd
Sleeps: 6
Stay from: £588.00 - 2698.00
Northop Hall, Clwyd
Sleeps: 7
Stay from: £582.00 - 3098.00


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We have all become slightly more aware of our surroundings in the past decade. Technology has allowed us the opportunity to capture and share our environment, friends and thoughts with the quick snapshot of a camera. In the cacophony we call urbanization, we share our space with millions and billions of people who are both different and the same as us. As we pause and look around, we wonder if someone else might be going through the same journey we are going through; if someone feels the same joy or pain. We imagine a world beyond language when we snap a picture of someone that we do not know. We seem to think that with a snapshot, we can gather some data that allows us to understand not only the subject better but ourselves as well.
Nacho Ormaechea, a Spanish Graphic Designer and artist based in Paris, explores the narrative of his subjects and himself through a digital composite of photography and graphic montage. He mixes the principles of both fields to drive his camera. Every piece is a new concept as the unknown individual reflects a new message to Nacho. It is all a bit of technique and improvisation. It is all a little of today and a lot of yesterday.
>> Each picture comes from a feeling, an idea that aims at provoking a reaction within the spectator's mind. This reaction is likely to be different from my own, nourishing itself from different backgrounds and personal stories. My characters, anonymous people from the street, are mirrors reflecting my state of mind as well as yours. <<
Nacho Ormaechea
Is the story that is told Nacho's or the unknown individual's who is captured? We don't quite know but what we do know is that the transformation of the body and the internal graphic narrative creates a provocative connection that familiar to a bit of us all.


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Our own Tom Evers will kick off the 2015 weekly seminar series at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, better known as the Stream Lab.
The weekly series, which runs January-April, features a hodgepodge of speakers from academia, government and industry espousing on topics related to the environment, geophysics, biological fluid mechanics and engineering. Which might make you wonder why the Executive Director from a non-profit will be at the podium, 3:30-5pm, Tuesday, January 27, but rest assured, the topic is relevant: Re-envisioning the Minneapolis Riverfront.
All Stream Lab seminars are free and open to the public. So read up on Tom's abstract and then join us for the talk in the auditorium of the Stream Lab, which is located at 2 Third Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414.
Can't make Tom's engagement in-person, or prefer to watch from the comfort of your own desk? Then check out the Stream Lab's livestream during the event.
Featured Image: Courtesy of SAFL


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Our coaching process is specifically tailored to an individual so that he or she can achieve new heights in performance and results. Our coaching approach combines practical advice with a structured strategic process to bring disciplined accountability to a coaching relationship. To help achieve firm goals, we provide education, positive support, critical feedback and advice to improve effectiveness and success in marketing and sales activities and support.
Our coaching programs are designed to improve the key areas that every leader is responsible for: People development, client service, practice development, leadership and profitability. With our coaching relationships, we will also provide coaching around partner or employee conflict, working through difficult decisions. We also provide you access to our tools and resources. As a result, you will be able to utilize tools that are based on a proven system, improve your personal bottom line, improve profitability in your firm, and develop successful rainmaker habits.
These coaching resources are available either through pre-scheduling calls at a convenient time or if needed as on demand coaching for a check in, conflict resolution opportunity, brainstorming session, best practices session, pursuit coaching, etc. Choose the type of coaching that best meets your needs:
|Areas of Focus
|Why It's Important
|Accountability Tools
|One on One Leadership Coaching
|Provides support for any/all of the following: Managing Partner, Partner, Executive and Manager, HR, Marketing, Goal setting, accountability and measurement Idea generation and performance encouragement Problem solving Conflict resolution Revenue Action Plan coaching
|Strategic Plan Revenue Action Plan Goals BAR sheet
|Growth Team Coaching
|Provides designated growth leaders with 1:1 customized support and advice for challenges they face in implementing their growth plans
|Niche plan
|Client Loyalty Coaching
|Provides support for building client loyalty through "X" and "A" Client Bear Hug Meetings and follow up
|Bear Hug Action Plan Strategic Plan
|Pursuit Coaching
|Provides support in prospect pursuit strategies throughout the targeting phase, the uncovering needs, solution development and resolution
|Pursuit Plan
"The Rainmaker Companies have been an integral part of our success. Their knowledge and understanding of our industry and of our company have made it so that we can bring the business to the next level."
"Through the Strategic Growth Advisor relationship, Rainmaker has been a tremendous resource to us by helping us focus our efforts on the deliverables that we wanted."
Terry Mitchell, Principal
Jackson Thornton
"Rainmaker has provided us with valuable tools and advice that help keep us moving in the right direction. They have helped us focus on our business strategy, build a growth plan that supports it, and implement our plan so we're actively pursuing growth and change."
Gary Hawkins, Chairman of the Board
HSMC Orizon


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In my time delivering workshops and working with different teams, I've found that no two experiences learning Wardley Mapping are alike.
There are so many concepts to learn and ways to learn them. And importantly, "Wardley in concept" differs significantly from "Wardley in use." The messiness of actual mapping work can be quite jarring when compared to the book knowledge.
I have a soft spot in my heart for that messiness, and for better or worse I prefer to follow the burning questions of "Wardley in use" rather than stick to a standard "Wardley in concept" lesson plan. Both are necessary, however, and far from being incompatible, the differences between the two are critical to helping people find their path to "getting" it.
In other words, I'm convinced that every team and every individual who hopes to pick up and sustain Wardley Mapping as a practice will start with the basics but ultimately end up muddling through it, at least until mapping itself matures significantly. This challenge can be discouraging at first, with all the theory there is to learn, as well as all the uncertainty there is about whether you're "doing it right." So, what I hope to share in this post is a general approach and attitude towards Wardley Mapping facilitation that might help you as you help others.
This post is not going to cover the technical aspects of facilitation, such as what exercises to run, or how to structure a mapping session. (If you want me to write about those things, let me know in the comments.) I am instead going to share broad reflections on what it really takes to create good learning conditions as a facilitator, from my own mistakes and experiences doing so for others.
Expect a Mess
To create good learning conditions, start by making everyone aware of what to expect and what not to expect of the process. Wardley Mapping is not about making clean, perfect maps, nor coming up with the answers in one attempt. It's not about completion of the process (since there is no endpoint in our knowing). It's not even necessarily about getting beyond the first step.
Instead, it's about engaging thoughtfully with a messy situation and uncovering things we ought to know but don't (at least yet). It's about discovering where we aren't acting intentionally and negotiating a shared understanding of both the situation and what can actually be done about it.
Make Progress Visible and Believable
Create opportunities to reflect throughout the experience, to acknowledge progress and make observable any changes in situational awareness. These two measures are important for prompting the right kind of directional assessment:
- Are we having important and interesting conversations that couldn't or wouldn't have otherwise happened?
- Are we acting on what we learn?
A Wardley Map is not itself a unit of progress. The discussion, challenge, and negotiation that ensues is, however. And of course all the memorization of Wardley theory in the world won't change a thing unless it's followed by action.
We are aiming to eventually build intuition for strategic thinking, but a surprising amount of the required experiential learning can come from making and discussing simple lists — of users, of needs, of capabilities, etc. Understanding these basic forms eventually enables more complicated, intricate representations of our designs — value chains, maps, etc.
As a facilitator, you are the steward of the process. But the process is difficult and can be discouraging — undoing years of unintentional situational un-awareness is not to be taken lightly. Offer reassurance and encouragement when unsteadiness inevitably appears. Emphasize the importance of new conversations and new actions (no matter how small) that come as a result of Wardley Mapping together. Be the calm, reassuring presence that makes the evidence of increasing situational awareness visible and believable.
Slightly More Intentional, Every Day
Wardley Mapping facilitation is an amazing opportunity to help people be slightly more intentional, every day. By creating the right conditions, you can help them make sense of their situation and discover for themselves the critical places where they might replace ignorance and compulsion with intention and agency.
Avoid the desire for quick answers, perfect maps, and instant progress. Accept the reality of "muddling through," and develop an appreciation for the compounding effect of small, incremental progress.
The journey to strategic intuition is long and winding — a thoughtful plodding rather than a sprint. Even experienced practitioners must take their time, crossing the river by feeling the stones.
We are fortunate we get to be the guiding hand that helps with taking first steps.


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April 10: See correction at bottom.
Some real-estate brokers blog. Plenty others tweet. And some reel in clients via Facebook and Instagram. And then there are brokers who sell $13 million worth of real estate, sight unseen, via social media.
Last month, Ryan Serhant, a NestSeekers agent and one of the leads on Million Dollar Listing: New York, Bravo's sharky reality-TV take on New York City real estate, says his team* [correction: it was Douglas Elliman broker] received a message on WeChat, one of the most popular social networking sites in China, from an investor who wanted to buy property in the city. He was interested in purchasing a unit at the Baccarat Hotels & Residences, a luxury condo on West 53rd Street, and that he did. He wound up with two, in fact — a $10 million three-bedroom and a $3 million one-bedroom. All without having set foot in the city, let alone the building. (It's still being finished.)
Serhant says sight-unseen deals aren't all that novel in a city that attracts so many investors. Scores have been conducted by phone and email. But this one's different. "This price for a deal that was done and initiated 100 percent through social media and across the world?" he asks. "A complete stranger who learned about us via social media and basically gave us $13 million and change to invest in something that's not even been built yet in a city they've never even been to? I don't think [anyone else has done that]."
No question social networking is now an essential part of selling real estate. Serhant's Bravo co-star, Fredrik Ecklund of Douglas Elliman, told the Real Deal last month that about a quarter of his business results from his Facebooking, tweeting, and Instagramming. "It's a viable piece of the marketing mix," adds Matt Leone, director of web marketing and social media at Halstead Property, who trains agents at that firm on everything from Tumblr posting to Twitter sharing.
In the last year, Serhant says he's had about 25 transactions come through the online networking pipe. (One of them will unfurl this season as a story line on the show, which debuted last week.) Half of those were for apartments buyers have never even visited, though he's been known to Skype from properties so buyers get some sense of the space they're about to own.
And now he's on Weibo, China's version of Twitter. "We just want to do more, more and more," he says. "You have to use every tool at your disposal."
Correction: Publicists from both the Baccarat and Douglas Elliman contacted Daily Intelligencer disputing Serhant's account that "his team" did this deal. Serhant now confirms that sole credit belongs to Elliman broker Emma Hao. Through his publicist, Serhant gave this statement: "The New York Magazine article about social media released on April 7th accurately reflects what I said during my interview. To clarify, I said that someone on my team did the deal at Baccarat. Emma is with Elliman but I still consider her part of my team. We work closely together and have taken out buyers together, we discuss many deals including Baccarat. We have filmed together, celebrated Chinese New Year, and I consider Emma family. Emma spends a lot of time in my office and we support each other as friends and in business."
Hao is a forgiving sort. "It's a misunderstanding," she says. "That happens." There's certainly no misunderstanding a statement from Hao sent via an Elliman publicist, which says that Hao "brought the buyer to contract, who initially contacted me over WeChat. We spent time through a group I set up on WeChat discussing in Mandarin floor plans, lawyers, bankers, etc. Ryan Serhant is a good friend who with whom I discussed details of the unique social media aspect of the transaction, but he was not involved in a professional capacity. At the end of the day, the deal was mine."


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August 25, 2020
#1314 Oh They Get It, They're Just Cowards
Adam and Dr. Drew open the show discussing the dangers of drinking with Mark Geragos before transitioning to discussing the back to school issue and how it differs from place to place. They then turn to the phones and speak to a caller who has a theory of the so-called 'anti-racism' leaders and what they all have in common. They also speak to a caller who has questions about proper dosing for quercetin as it relates to fighting off covid. They also examine a clip of CNN that Adam recorded on his phone this morning and analyze their ability to deliver an unbiased story.
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Chapter 162: New Year's Eve, shielding shortcomings at the family banquet Original and most updated translations are from volare. If read elsewhere, this chapter has been stolen. Please stop supporting theft.
On New Year's Eve, the palace was adorned with colorful festoons and lanterns to liven up the scenery. The family feast was held in the empress dowager's Peace & Wellness Palace[1]. Just like Zhao mama had said, it was a large dinner that had everyone sitting around the same round table. There were no other superfluous programs. Even so, a few mouths could be enough to cause trouble here.
It was rare for the empress dowager and Grand Concubine Yi to be sitting together. Emperor Tianhui and Long Feiye sat on the empress dowager's left, followed by the crown prince and other imperial sons. The empress and Han Yunxi were on Grand Concubine Yi's right. Han Yunxi was still young, but only at this setting did she perceive her order of seniority in the family. Originally speaking, she should've been on equal terms with the empress.
Duanmu Yao sat right next to Han Yunxi. Everyone had already starting eating dinner, but there was no sign of Princess Changping anywhere. The mama said she was just in a side room, preparing a New Year's gift for the empress dowager that would be an unthinkable surprise.
"This Changping certainly knows how to take her time," the empress scolded unhappily.
"Just humor her. I'm still waiting to see her surprise," the empress dowager replied with a smile.
Grand Concubine Yi drew her lips up in a disdainful smile as she quietly picked up food with her chopsticks. She didn't speak since it would be awkward to talk about events at the Plum Blossom Meet here. After all, it was her family's Murong Wanru that had lost face. Eunuch Li's dereliction of duty had resulted in his death by the empress's hands. This also counted as the empress settling accounts with Grand Concubine Yi.
Long Feiye and Emperor Tianhui were whispering in each others' ears. Though everyone saw them, it was inconvenient to interrupt. After all, these brothers wouldn't be speaking of casual matters so secretly. A family feast was a chance for a family to reunite. Elders could show solicitude for the younger generation, who in turn could ask after their health. The empress dowager was sitting in a hall full of grandsons. Naturally, she asked after this one and that one, her face wreathed in smiles and her mood excellent. Occasionally, she speak a few lines to Grand Concubine Yi, who had yet to hold any grandchildren. Sometimes she'd reply with a smile, but the expression never reached her eyes.
Soon enough, the empress dowager's attention settled on Princess Rongle. Actually, both the empress dowager and the empress wished that Princess Rongle could marry the crown prince. Unfortunately, her heart was completely set on the Duke of Qin. A marriage alliance was no child's play, much less a simple affair between two families. It held the major considerations of two countries and put Tianning and Western Zhou's cooperation at stake, especially their mutual trust on the battlefield. As a result, even if the empress dowager and empress were unsatisfied, they didn't dare interfere but stood on Emperor Tianhui's side, hoping that the Duke of Qin would agree to this marriage.
"Princess Rongle, you mustn't be so polite. Someone, hurry and pour Princess Rongle some wine."
"Esteemed empress dowager is the one who's polite. Yao Yao can do it myself."
The empress dowager had spent fastidious care on Duanmu Yao, who'd long gotten wind of the stiff relations between her and Grand Concubine Yi. Naturally, she didn't dare act too familiar with the empress dowager in front of Grand Concubine Yi, but she maintained her courtesy and face.
"Come, Yao Yao. Eat more vegetables."
"Grand Imperial Concubine, Yao Yao doesn't dare receive your care. It should be Yao Yao getting vegetables for you."
Grand Concubine Yi personally got vegetables for Duanmu Yao, who refilled Grand Concubine Yi's soup bowl in turn. The two of them hadn't yet become mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, but were already behaving like mother and daughter. As far as logic went, Han Yunxi should be the star of the feast since she had newly married into the imperial family. But ever since the beginning of the meal, she'd been given the cold shoulder, as if the bustle of this table had nothing to do with her. Still, she was at ease as she quietly ate her meal and listened to them talk. The hypocrisy and sincerity in their speech was rather obvious to her ears.
The empress dowager darted her a look before finally speaking. "Yunxi, is there any news?"
Han Yunxi raised her head in confusion. What news? Meanwhile, Grand Concubine Yi's face had suddenly turned gloomy.
"Muhou, it looks like there's nothing after all. Look at her reaction, she probably doesn't even know what you're asking about. She's already married but she still acts like a unmarried girl," the empress teased.
Han Yunxi was really at a loss. Why were they suddenly asking her if she had news? What kind of news?
Seeing her expression, the empress dowager suddenly laughed out loud and looked towards Grand Concubine Yi. "Little sister, this girl from your family...is she pretending not to understand, or does she really not know? You didn't teach her anything?"
Grand Concubine Yi heaved a soft sigh filled with emotion. "She's only been married for half a year and the Duke of Qin's so busy that he's hardly seen around the house. How could there be any news so soon?"
At these words, Han Yunxi finally understood what it meant to 'have news.' The empress dowager was asking if she was pregnant yet! She immediately found things awkward and lowered her head, her cheeks a little red. Long Feiye and her were just a couple in name at most. Even their drop of red from the wedding night had all been a sham, so how could her stomach have any news?
"So there's really no news yet?" the empress dowager asked while clearly knowing the answer. She even adopted an expression of well-intentioned concern. Grand Concubine Yi didn't even want to answer, but only shot Han Yunxi a cold glance, hinting that she should reply by herself.
This 'having news' and 'drop of red on the white handkerchief' were one and the same principle. They didn't ask after the process, but the results. Although things like this needed efforts from both sides, a lack of results would typically be blamed on the female party. This was especially true in the Imperial Clan, since no one would tolerate calling its men into question!
Grand Concubine Yi said nothing more. Besides the ones who were listening to Emperor Tianhui and Long Feiye talk, everyone else at the table had focused on Han Yunxi. As a woman, there was no other method beyond bearing a child to establish herself securely in a household! This was especially true for a commoner like Han Yunxi who had married into a rich and powerful aristocratic family. Having a child was even more important for her standing. Not being able to issue children was one of the seven reasons to divorce a wife. In the stillness of the atmosphere, even the imperial concubines sitting on the sides turned their heads to look around before devolving into gossip.
Although Han Yunxi's face was a little red, she she spoke calmly without misgivings. "There's none yet."
What else could she do besides act calm?
Her words elicited a round of secret laughs from the people around her. Behind Han Yunxi sat Noble Consort[2] Xiao at the head of her table. She leaned over and spoke in a low voice, "It's already been half a year. Even if the Duke of Qin's busy all day, there's no reason that… Han Yunxi, ah, have Imperial Physician Xue have a look when you go back. He's an expert when it comes to things like this."
Though her voice was low, many others still heard her speak. Another round of secret laughter swept past them, while Han Yunxi only felt that she'd turned into a target of public criticism. But regarding this problem, she didn't take the initiative, nor did she have any room to explain herself. Of course, such a topic wasn't appropriate for a family feast. The empress dowager was already satisfied from seeing Grand Concubine Yi's unpleasant expression.
When she saw that everything had run its course, she withdrew the topic and gave Han Yunxi a platform to get down from the spotlight. "Duke of Qin, this would be your wrong. No matter how busy you are, you shouldn't give Yunxi the cold shoulder."
Originally, the empress dowager thought that the Duke of Qin hadn't been listening. At most, he'd just nod. Unexpectedly, Long Feiye raised his head with perfect awareness of all that had happened. His tone was mild as he spoke. "Empress Dowager has rebuked rightly. Erchen shall strive to continue my efforts."
Suddenly, the scene turned into an uproar. Nobody expected the Duke of Qin to have this kind of attitude. Duanmu Yao was gaping as if she'd been struck with a heavy weight. In her heart, senior brother was a godly figure who was forever elevated and unpolluted. She had no idea he could say such dubious-sounding words. Many women in the hall suddenly felt their faces turn red, to speak nothing of Han Yunxi's own face.
'Strive to continue my efforts,' such words really stirred the imagination to infinite depths!
How is he planning to continue his efforts?!
She even starting imagining how before she stopped herself. Han Yunxi couldn't resist stealing a peek at that venerated deity sitting across from her, only to see Long Feiye looking back at her without batting an eye. She immediately looked away and missed the flash of amusement in his gaze. The empress dowager pursed her lips, uncertain of how to reply. As for Grand Concubine Yi, she was in stark disbelief despite being his mother. She thought back to how the drop of red had came about the handkerchief in the past. Judging from Feiye's words now, he was protecting Han Yunxi.
If he hadn't spoke up, the 'having news' question would plague Han Yunxi in the coming days. His words ensured that many of the people present wouldn't bring it up again. How could a personality like her son's be willing to help Han Yunxi this way? Grand Concubine Yi realized that she was beginning to understand him less and less.
Emperor Tianhui had a complicated expression as he studied Long Feiye before saying teasingly, "Duke of Qin, you only have one wangfei in your entire estate and you're already giving her the cold shoulder. When the new year comes, what will you do if a new person comes in? You can't be like this then."
A new person coming in the new year was a blatant reference to the marriage alliance. And that new person would be none other than Duanmu Yao. This should be Emperor Tianhui's first time bringing up the marriage alliance in a public setting. Although his words were veiled, everyone present understood the meaning behind them. Duanmu Yao had even joined in on the family feast. Add that to Emperor Tianhui's speech, and everyone assumed that the recent rumors regarding the marriage alliance were eighty or ninety percent true.
Long Tianmo picked up a goblet of wine and polished it off in one gulp. Though others couldn't see through the acting, he did. Grand Concubine Yi had brought Duanmu Yao to the family feast, while Imperial Father had asked such a question in public. The two of them were joining hands to apply pressure to the Duke of Qin so he had no way to refuse, right?
It looked like the matter was set!
He could let go of the fact that he couldn't marry the woman he liked, but he didn't expect to miss out on a woman he didn't like, either. Thinking up to here, he poured himself another goblet of wine.
A conclusion was a conclusion, but everyone still hoped that the Duke of Qin could personally agree to the arrangement. Duanmu Yao grew nervous, her cheeks dusted with pink as she waited for Long Feiye to reply. At the same time, Han Yunxi was waiting as well, her face still red from her previous blushing. Once again, she looked towards Long Feiye. Once again, she met his deep, profound stare. He was looking at her again. Han Yunxi wanted to avert her eyes, but for some reason, she didn't this time. She only kept her gaze on him and waited. Everyone said that locking gazes with each other was a form of wordless communication. But Han Yunxi didn't have anything to tell Long Feiye. She was just waiting. Yet when Long Feiye saw her serious stare, his lips rose into a light curve.
In the ensuing silence, he said, "Your lordship is already too busy to properly attend to one wangfei. We might as well forget about any new person."
His words fell on the hall like a thunderbolt on the banquet table, shocking everyone so much that their hearts nearly stopped. What did Long Feiye say?!
Silence descended upon the scene. Emperor Tianhui's complexion turned stormy, while Grand Concubine Yi shot him a fierce glare. The empress dowager and empress were so astonished that they didn't know what to do.
"Long Feiye!"
Suddenly, Duanmu Yao gave an angry shout and shot to her feet before turning to flee. The same time she turned, she knocked over her bowl of soup, which trickled onto Han Yunxi's clothes.
Grand Concubine Yi chased after her in a flurry. "Yao Yao! Yao Yao, wait!"
Han Yunxi was covered in soup but ignored it to look at Long Feiye. Inexplicably, her lips drew into a small smile. Right now, the one thing she wanted to asked him was whether he did this on purpose. Did he wait for a public setting before announcing his refusal? Otherwise, why did he keep silent all the times before?
This man, how thoroughly wicked!
[1] Peace & Wellness (康宁) - kangning, which literally means 'healthy and free from worry.'
[2] Noble Consort (贵妃) - guifei, a title for the highest-ranking imperial concubine.
Original Chapter Teaser:[expand]
Han Yunxi: Welcome...
Han Yunxi: ...to the most awkward dinner banquet of the year!
Han Yunxi: Featuring people you don't want to meet, family you don't want to see-
Han Yunxi: -and a whole bunch of idle, no-good gossip girls!
Han Yunxi: So now that we're all here~
Han Yunxi: Let the party begin!
Empress: Is-is that a brothel?!
Han Yunxi: It was easier than finding footage of palace banquets.
Empress Dowager: What gall! Comparing our palace to a...a gathering of licentious riffraff?!
Han Yunxi: I heard their dancers are pretty good.
Empress Dowager: *miffed* Are you saying ours aren't?
Empress: Hmph! Of course they are! This is the palace, after all-
Han Yunxi:-where everyone knows how to dance around their words!
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