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3 Earnings Season Takeaways for Your Retirement Planning
Like every other investor these days, pension plans are having a tough time earning a decent return from high-quality investments. The prolonged low-interest-rate environment continues to pose a big challenge, and CFOs are crying out the consequences this earnings season. What are the implications, and, better yet, what lessons can investors take away and apply to their financial planning?
Delusional discount rate
Calculating a pension plan's obligation (roughly, what it owes its workforce in retirement) involves using a "discount rate," which is the rate of return that the plan can reliably earn on its investments from now until the times it must pay benefits to its retirees. Last summer, Congress revised the rules for calculating obligations by allowing plans to use a higher discount rate (about 1% higher). The higher the discount rate, the lower the plan's estimated obligations.
Although a 1% increase may seem like small potatoes, it can have a significant effect. The change led to lower required contributions from companies with substantially underfunded pension plans. For example, according to The Brookings Institution, this 1% increase would cause United Parcel Service's required pension plan contribution to drop to $47 million from $1.6 billion.
Fast-forward to this earnings season
When UPS released its most recent earnings, the package-delivery behemoth reported a $3 billion non-cash charge as a result of its pension plan. Meanwhile, $53-billion-market-cap aircraft manufacturerBoeing reported a net pension deficit of nearly $20 billion at the end of 2012. Ford and Goodyear Tire and Rubber have also disclosed gaping pension shortfalls during this earnings season. Just last year, Ford's pension deficit widened by 21%.
During the past few years, robust stock market performance has buoyed investment returns. But persistently low interest rates, amplified stock market volatility, and increased life expectancy are working against pension plans, regardless of last summer's Congressional ruling that eased up on them.
Some companies are effectively throwing in the towel. During the past year, both General Motors and Verizon scuttled a combined $32.5 billion in pension liabilities to Prudential Financial . As a result, the insurer took on the risk of paying out the pension plan obligations to retirees. In the process, Prudential is compensated by big cash injections in the form of premiums (that it's hopefully priced correctly).
Lessons learned
So, what do corporate pension plans have to do with those of us planning for our own retirement? I think there are three key takeaways.
1. Save more of what you earn.
This is the single biggest factor of your retirement planning that you can control. In my years as a financial advisor, I never heard anyone approaching retirement say, "I wish I were retiring with less money." But I heard plenty of individuals utter, "I wish I started saving sooner and invested more."
2. Diversify your investments.
By doing this, you'll reduce your risk and minimize volatility. I know, it sounds boring. And, frankly, it is. But real wealth is built slowly, over time, with calculated risk-taking. As marketing strategist and advisor Becky Saeger says, "Risk averse doesn't mean you're afraid -- it means you're thinking."
3. Revise poor assumptions and unrealistic expectations.
Sometimes we make bad assumptions ("Sure, I think my portfolio can return 20% annually over the next three decades") and have unrealistic expectations ("I'm 40 years old, have nothing saved for retirement, and want to retire by age 50"). But not revising unrealistic assumptions and expectations -- when the writing is clearly on the wall that we must -- is detrimental to reaching our long-term financial goals.
Planning means giving thought to what could go wrong and then magnifying that. Many corporate pension plans must dig themselves out of huge deficits because of poor assumptions that were made and not enough money pumped into the plan. But it's so much easier to start out ahead than it is to play catch-up later.
Can Ford help you get ahead?
Without a doubt, Ford's pension deficit problems are in overdrive. But the automaker has been performing incredibly well over the past few years -- it's making good vehicles, is consistently profitable, recently reinstated its dividend, and has done a remarkable job paying down its debt. But Ford's stock seems stuck in neutral. Does this create an incredible buying opportunity, or are there hidden risks with the stock that investors need to know about? To answer that, one of our top equity analysts has compiled a premium research report with in-depth analysis on whether Ford is a buy right now, and why. Simply click here to get instant access to this premium report.
The article 3 Earnings Season Takeaways for Your Retirement Planning originally appeared on Fool.com.
Fool contributor Nicole Seghetti owns shares of United Parcel Service. Follow her on Twitter @NicoleSeghetti. The Motley Fool recommends Ford, General Motors, and United Parcel Service. The Motley Fool owns shares of Ford. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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09 February 2015 - Teledyne LeCroy announces the MDA800 Series of Motor Drive Analyzers (MDAs) providing a complete three-phase power analysis from motor drive input through motor mechanical output. The Motor Drive Analyzers (MDAs) are based on the HDO8000 oscilloscope platform and are standard with 8 input channels (16 digital channels optional) with 12-bit resolution, 2.5 GS/s sample rate, up to 1 GHz bandwidth and up to 250 Mpts/ch acquisition memory.
The MDA800 Series combines three-phase power analyzer static (steady-state) calculations, unique dynamic three-phase power and mechanical motor analysis capabilities, and high bandwidth (1 GHz) embedded control system debug in a single instrument. A complete set of serial trigger/decode and analysis software options, and a wide variety of voltage and current probes are available to use with the MDAs.
The MDAs will be utilized by designers and manufacturers of motors, motor drives, variable frequency drives, variable speed drives, industrial automation and motion control equipment manufacturers. Design engineers that integrate motors into their designs (vehicles, power tools, appliances, elevators, fans, blowers, compressors, pumps, etc.) will utilize the product to validate proprietary controls and complete drive system designs. Of course, for those who design three-phase systems without motors, the MDAs can be used for basic three-phase power system analysis and debug as well.
Complete Motor Drive System Validation and Debug
A complete drive system is a complex mix of three-phase power electronics, motor/mechanical analog and digital sensors, and embedded controls, with a complex variety of analog, digital, serial data and pulse-width modulated (PWM) signals. Conventional 8-bit oscilloscopes are able to capture higher-speed embedded control system or power transistor activities. Power Analyzers are a single-use tool for measuring input/output "black-box" drive power and efficiencies, but provide limited or no waveform capture for embedded control or drive system debug.
The MDA permits waveform captures from the drive three-phase power section, individual power transistors, and embedded control system, and performs coincident three-phase power analysis of the power section waveforms in one high-performance instrument, enabling debug and analysis of all aspects of the complete motor drive.
More Information beyond "Numbers"
Various voltage, current, power (real, apparent, and reactive), phase angle/power factor, and efficiency parameters are calculated on acquired voltage and current waveforms and displayed in a Numerics table. The table is user-configurable and is displayed along with the acquisition waveform, and corresponds to information normally provided by a Power Analyzer that measures in a "static" (steady-state) operating mode.
Additionally, the MDA provides numerical calculations under dynamic operating conditions. Waveforms showing any per-cycle measurement parameter variation can be "synthesized" and displayed by simply selecting a table value. This Waveform is time-correlated with other waveforms acquired by the MDA and can be used to correlate complex drive behaviors to other control or power system waveforms, and to debug drive system problems. Statistical detail of the measurement set can also be displayed. This additional information goes well beyond what is provided by a Power Analyzer.
Dynamic Motor Drive Analysis
The long acquisition memory in the Motor Drive Analyzers (up to 250 Mpts/Ch) provides unique capabilities for motor, motor drive, and three-phase power dynamic response analysis. For example, 25 seconds of continuous acquisition capture is possible at a sample rate of 10 MS/s. This permits complete understanding of dynamic drive behaviors, such as startup, application of load, or fast changing load conditions, and correlation of drive response problems to control system instructions or power section failures. Zoom+Gate mode provides one button setup of zoomed waveforms for all voltage, current, mechanical, or other probed signals. Then, per-cycle "synthesized" Waveforms and Numerics table results are automatically "gated" to the zoomed area, and results updated instantaneously as the zoomed area is scrolled through the original acquisition or changed in zoom ratio. This provides a quick and powerful way to gain a deep understanding of drive system behaviors and root-cause of abnormalities.
Flexible Setup Capability
An intuitive, graphical user interface provides setup/connection guidance. Setup capability is provided for any combination of single-phase or three-phase drive input/output, and supports both two- and three-wattmeter calculation methods and a line-line to line-neutral voltage conversion. Using the two-wattmeter method, drive input/output and motor output efficiencies can be measured using the eight inputs on the HDO8000 oscilloscope.
Complete Mechanical Motor Integration
The Motor Drive Power Analyzer software permits simple integration of nearly any type of speed, rotation or position sensor, including analog and digital (pulse) tachometers, Brushless DC (BLDC) Hall sensor, Quadrature Encoder Interface (QEI), and Resolvers. Additionally, Hall sensor and QEI signals can be integrated through digital inputs, preserving valuable analog input channels for other signals.
Standard Teledyne LeCroy passive or active voltage probes (passive or active) and current probes may be used for power measurements. In many cases, probes required for embedded control or power section debug can be used for power measurements, making incremental investments unnecessary. Other voltage and current measurement devices (potential or current transformers, current transducers, Rogowski coils, etc.) may also be easily and simply integrated to the MDA.
1000Vrms isolation is available with Teledyne LeCroy's HVD Series HV differential probes, with a maximum 2000Vpk-pk differential voltage rating and 1% gain accuracy.
Pricing and Delivery
The MDA is priced at $29,850 for the 350 MHz model, $32,850 for the 500 MHz model, and $35,850 for the 1 GHz model.

subset: commoncrawl


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Another Remand To Get It Right.
Way back in April 21, 2016, we posted on New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC v. Public Utilities Com., 246 Cal.App.4th 784 (2016), where the 1/4 DCA remanded a fee award to intervenors under Public Utility Code section 1803 for intervenors making "a substantial contribution of the adoption, in whole or in part, of the commission's order or decision."
On remand from this 2016 appellate decision, the PUC awarded every penny to intervenors based on the theory that compensation was warranted if the positions advocated by the intervenors "would have" materially influenced a decision on the merits.
The same appellate court in New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC v. PUC, Case No. A151870 (1st Dist., Div. 4 Mar. 29, 2018 published and modified from Mar. 13, 2018 unpublished decision) vacated the fee determinations and remanded once more.
This time, the 1/4 DCA found that the "would have" rationale was too speculative, with it being necessary for intervenors to trace time and costs billed by intervenors with precision to an order or decision of the CPUC; and, absent that, making a reasonable allocation of amounts to the successful work rather than just claiming a 100% fee recompense.


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Gagosian / Hong Kong / Nov 26 – Feb 29 / Christie Lee /
"There is a kind of distortion that happens with adoration," says John Currin. I'm not sure that's true at the artist's first show at Gagosian Hong Kong. Despite the blooming cheeks, perfect brows, rosy lips and impeccable curls, the artist's portraits are more kooky than sweet. For one thing, the women are smiling with teeth. Showing the teeth used to be a breach of etiquette for the upper class—usually the only class who could afford the time to sit for formal portraits before the modern era. Whereas classical portraits usually feature solemn sitters, the women in Currin's portraits have either delirious or vacant expressions. One would never expect a half-naked woman who is looking sideways out the frame to pull a sort of semi-insane smile. Nor would one expect a woman decked in a red robe in the style of a saint to be grinning stupidly. In The Philosopher, a woman decked in a brownish-grey trench coat and a bandana holds a wine bottle in one hand while clutching a blue glass with the other. She has a wicker basket hoisted high on her back, and a teeth-baring grin dominates her face. It is reminiscent of a Mao-era propaganda poster.
In Ballade, what looks to be a tender moment—featuring a woman sitting in front of a piano in a pensive mood—is subverted by the flatness of the image. Is Currin aiming for satire? A commentary on mannerism? A clue, perhaps, lies in the artist's unabashed weaving together of pornographic and religious imagery. And yet, while the skull in Happy Magdalene hints at a memento mori, it doesn't bear any of the dark, sombre hues that usually characterise the genre. The symbolism doesn't hold. Currin's paintings are as slippery as ever.
There is also an eerie lightness to all of Currin's portraits, from the translucent vessels in Happy Magdalene and Shelley to vacant smiles. It's as if every one of them could use an additional layer of vanish. They feel oddly empty, as if the artist has so much more to say but somehow barred himself from doing so. They appear to be part caricature, part mid-20th century ad and part art commentary, and yet simultaneously none of them. There is little way of accessing them. It's clear that Currin is a skilful painter. But that's all what one can glean from his opaque art: his technical skills and his knowledge of art history.
Currin's paintings aren't about the male gaze, nor are they satirical spins on mannerism. Instead they pose the question: how much of a person can you really extract from a picture? Naturally, Currin wasn't the first painter to question the validity of portraiture. Francis Bacon urged a generation of gallery-goers to look past the surface into the pain, violence and isolation that haunted post-war Britain; and Cindy Sherman's self-portraits critique the idea of femininity, positioning it as a social construct. Currin's portraits question the limitations of portrait painting itself: how do you distill something as multi-faceted as a human being into a 60- by 45-centimetre painting?


text:
by Kelli
(Morrisville, NC)
I use the Complete Curriculum created by Harcourt Family Learning.
It's Kid and Parent friendly. Lots of big bright colored pictures. Words are big and easy to see. The whole appearance of the worksheets are not threatening looking. The Complete Curriculum contain Reading, Math, Spelling, Language Arts, Writing and Test Prep. You also learn History, Art and Science integrated in the lessons. The lessons deal with every day real world experiences. Not only will your child have fun learning because the lessons are interesting and fun to do, but they will also do well when testing comes. No planning involved. Answers in the back of the book. Stress free.
Must have a notebook to write the answers to the lessons. Lines are too close together. Does not go into deep details in Math. Hopefully, you remember from your schooling days.
Writing section is very vague. If you are not strong in writing this section will be a little bit of a challenge.
Help other homeschoolers by sharing your experiences. How? Simply click here to write a review, share your schedule or post a photo of your schoolroom.
|Read More Homeschool Curriculum Reviews!
|View Sample Homeschool Schedules and Create Your Own
|Check Out these Homeschool School Rooms


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Do you remember the story of Disney's Sleeping Beauty? Knowing that the your Princess Aurora had been cursed to get stung by the needle on a spinning wheel, her royal parents ordered all the spinning wheel in the country to be burned, but they forgot one at the attic in the castle's tower. And so, with the spell of the evil queen, Princess Aurora was led upstairs to use the spinning wheel, and there she got stung by the needle, and fell into the coma planned by the evil queen.
In our homes, we always have these cursed spinning wheel around, deadly time bombs that will readily harm the residents of the home during severe earthquake. They are the bricks. Mostly loose, unsupported and unreinforced, and merely rely on the plaster to keep them together. It amazing to think that in 2015, we human still resort to non-reinforced brick masonry, even in the most earthquake-prone regions, and even in the upscale development, where both the income level and the sophistication of the residence should be looking for a more advanced, safer alternative.
What about lightweight bricks? Lightweight masonry, so long as they are not reinforced, would be just as dangerous. Although lighter than concrete or conventional red bricks, these large sized lightweight bricks falling down from a story worth of height, can easily maim and kill building occupants.
By employing b-panel® (as well as similar Structural Insulated Panels/SIPs), the concern of falling brick debris during earthquake is completely solved, as there is no loose bricks in the structure of the building. All wall surface is reinforced with densely spaced steel wire matrix, which makes the wall in effect a structural shear wall (and a thermally and acoustically insulated one at that). In a b-panel® building, the walls are one extremely rigid, monolithic structural unit. Even in the most severe earthquake, the failure characteristics of b-panel® wall is not catastrophic. The plaster will cracks and loosen, but not in a big, heavy chunks that can be lethal if hitting humans as in the case of bricks.
But old habits die hard. Even in recent b-panel® projects, it was found that some contractor still use bricks to cover areas that was not covered by b-panel® (mostly due to estimation error), such as triangular area under the roof ridge. ("Ampig" in Indonesian). This is the lone yarn machine in the Sleeping Beauty story. The b-panel® wall will stay safely intact during earthquake, but the home occupant might still get hurt by the sudden falling bricks from beyond the ceiling. There is no Prince Charming to give the wake up kiss to the fallen victims of bricks. Another example is loose bricks used for mosque architectural details – it is ironic if a place of worship become a dangerous place during natural disaster instead of a place of shelter it was intended to be.
The practice of using unsupported masonry, especially for public service facilities, such as schools, hospitals/clinics, place of worships, government buildings, and communication shelters, must be eradicated. If this is still done because of cultural and behavior inertia, more effort to educate the market needs to be done. However, it is deeply unethical, if the architect, owner, or contractor still build this way even if the potential danger of unsupported masonry is already known.
Related News:


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The Oaks on Lincoln Apartments and Townhouses for Rent in Oak Park, MI
2 & 3 bedroom apartments and Townhouses, starting at $1,450
Located in the community of North Oak Park, The Oaks on Lincoln is conveniently located within walking distance of places of worship, schools, eateries, shopping and parks. All of our floor plans include eat-in kitchens, patio or balcony, and washer and dryer hookups. Enjoy up to 1,460 square feet of spacious homes with fantastic closet space, a full basement, and a great pool. Choose the floor plan below that works best for you!
The Oaks on Lincoln Amenities Include:
- Fully Updated Kitchens & Baths
- Spacious Floor Plans up to 1,460 Square Feet
- Full Basements
- Central Air Conditioning
- Private Townhomes Available
- Sparkling Pool with Sundeck
- Patio or Balcony
- Eat in Kitchens
- Individual Washer & Dryer Hook Ups
- Online Resident Portal
- Conveniently located between Downtown Detroit, Royal Oak & Southfield
- A Short Hop to Wayne State, Lawrence Tech & OCC
- Minutes from I-75 and I-696
As you tour the Oaks on Lincoln, you'll be amazed at our oversized floor plans, newly landscaped grounds and fully renovated exteriors.
"It is a quiet, diverse and family orientated place and I really like it." Certified Resident
Our Spacious Floor Plans:
2-3BR/1.5BA Apartments
1,010-1,460 sq. ft.
Starting at $1,450
The Addison
1,010 sq. ft. 2BR/1.5BA ranch
The Brentwood
1,085 sq. ft. 2BR/1.5BA ranch
The Cranbrook
1,165 sq. ft. 2BR/1.5BA ranch
The Drake
1,460 sq. ft. 2BR/1.5BA ranch
Oak Park, MI is a suburban community of Detroit. With a diverse population, Oak Park is home to a variety of ethnic restaurants, from take-out to formal dine-in. Residents can find unique gifts at shops both small and large. The City of Oak Park includes a Library and Rec Center where you can enjoy events and classes all year 'round. The Oaks on Lincoln is centrally located in Oak Park, so you'll have easy access to Woodward and I-696.
Oak Park, MI is a family friendly neighborhood. You can enjoy walking, running and biking around the neighborhood, take kids to a nearby park or people watch from a nearby café. Living in Oak Park is just a short drive from Royal Oak, Birmingham, Detroit or Ann Arbor. So you can enjoy everything the larger cities have to offer- then come home to a peaceful community.


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Wednesday, 11 April 2018
WOW: Ouch! My Sitting Down WOW!
20 comments:
hope you get back to normal soonReplyDelete
Dear EstherReplyDelete
Get better soon. The older we get, we do not need to do to much to injure ourselves. Mine was stress knitting a baby blanket last week. Only to get a frozen shoulder from overdoing it. So now I am forced to rest up, to heal. Not easy for a person with a wedding quilt deadline. Watching Netflix and catching up on some movies and series I have been wanting to see. Dreaming of all the projects I want to make. My best friend is my hot water bottle with the teddy bear cover. It is called bongo the bear, our kids named it as they were growing up!
Hope you feel much better soon.
Yours in Stitches.
Oh Esther I hope you get better soon.ReplyDelete
So sorry that you are still laid up with your pinched nerve, I'm sending A bag full of positive vibes your way Esther, I hear so often of people doing the same thing sneezing while bent over????? Sorry you can not even catch up on your mail. Hugs Glenda PS you will have to design a new design for that lovely teal fabric!ReplyDelete
Sorry to hear you are hurting. Get well soon !!ReplyDelete
Ouch! Hope you feel better soon.ReplyDelete
Ouch! Hope you are feeling better soon. I saw the "Love Entwined" quilt at AQC, and it was fantastic to see in real life. It looked marvellous. If that is the one you missed, what a shame!ReplyDelete
Oh Esther,ReplyDelete
I am so sorry to hear you are in pain. Back pain is just the worst as just about any movement you make involves your back. I hope you are finding some enjoyment with catching up on reading and sketching. I am sending loads of healing vibes and prayers your way. ~smile~ Roseanne
Of course you have all my positive healing thoughts, can you feel them? Hope so... ;) Hope you get better very soonReplyDelete
Oh this is just awful. Nov 11 last year I irritated my piriformis muscle which caused pressure on my sciatic nerve. Doing of all things, loading a quilt on a frame. I had pain from my hip, down my leg and out the arch of my foot. All too well do I realize your pain and am sorry from the deepest of my heart. Anti-inflamatories did not help me at all. Sitting in a wooden rocking chair with added lumbar support, 2 Tylenol and 2 Advil every 4 hours was the only thing that has helped me. Its been 5 months to the day and I still have discomfort. Some days I do not have to take anything, other days I take the dosage above but only once a day. And, I still cannot sit on anything other than the rocking chair or the chairs at the dining table. Fortunately my car seat is very very firm and had threatened to sleep in my car. The car seat gave me the greatest comfort. Ditch the anti-inflamatorires, take the dosage above and moist heat in a solid chair. Lots of love and healing your way.ReplyDelete
It always amazes me what pain we get in one place can make your whole body sick - so sorry, I pray you are better soon.ReplyDelete
So sorry to hear this! DO take care and take time to heal.ReplyDelete
I did the same thing about 10 years ago. Sneezed and pinched a nerve. I hope you're back mobile and feeling better soon!ReplyDelete
So very sorry you aren't feeling well. Pinched back nerves are the worst!! Hope you are feeling better soon!ReplyDelete
Prayers for a speedy recovery, Esther!ReplyDelete
Oh no Esther! I know that feeling all too well whenever I get a severe cold or flu and sneeze or cough and I do the same thing. I will keep you in my prayers for a quick healing and you'll be back at quilting in no time.ReplyDelete
Bonjour, je compatis ! Reposez-vous bien et revenez-nous en pleine forme. Bon rétablissement. Amitiés. FabienneReplyDelete
Oh, Esther -- so sorry to hear that you're in pain. I have a lower back thing like yours that flares up from time to time, so I know what you're going through. Do you have a rice sock to put on it? I don't know whether maybe it goes by another name, but it's like a sealed sock full of dry rice that you can microwave for a minute to a minute and a half or so, and then it releases moist heat that feels wonderful on a pulled muscle or pinched nerve.ReplyDelete
Esther, I am so sorry you are in such pain. My husband recently had terrible back pain and had to have physical therapy, which worked a miracle on him!! Just a few simple exercises for a month, and what a big difference they made! So, take heart, and sending best wishes for a quick recovery!ReplyDelete
Oh I do indeed feel your pain. Whether sneezing of falling down a flight of stairs, the pain is the same. SO no more sneezing Bless youReplyDelete
Thank you so much for commenting. I moderate comments to block spam so don't worry if your comment doesn't appear instantly.
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.


text:
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text:
A sneak peek at YNAB 3.
There are a lot of great budgeting software products in the market, many of them free. But a lot of the free financial tools are browser based, and while there are certainly a lot of people who are mighty fine with having their information stored and transacted via the web, there are still those folks who are more comfortable with desktop tools, especially when it comes to managing their budget or net worth. If you prefer to do your money management transactions in your own personal "space", then a desktop tool may suit you better.
The dominant product in the market right now is Quicken software, now that Microsoft Money has been retired. However, I'd like to bring up a lesser known desktop budgeting product that I've actually written about before called YNAB or You Need A Budget, which is a great alternative to Quicken. If you check Amazon ratings, you'll find that YNAB smokes Quicken in the rankings and positive feedback.
Money Management Software For The Desktop: YNAB 3 Review
YNAB 3 is the newest reincarnation of You Need A Budget, and it's much anticipated. It's finally available and if you happen to have YNAB Pro (the previous version), you can get a discount if you upgrade to the latest version.
To see how YNAB 3 looks like, check out the following screenshot: click on this link or the image below for a sneak peek.
If you want to see YNAB 3 in action, you can view these demos: here's a video walkthrough that covers Categories and Notes. Here's another video that shows how the "Spending Tool Tip" feature works.
You Need A Budget! YNAB 3 Features
YNAB 3 promises some great improvements, as its new features attest. Let's have a quick run through of the changes you'll see in this version:
1. Runs on the Mac. YNAB 3 running on the Mac should make a few budget-minded folks happy. A good number of us have been eager to try out YNAB but haven't been able to, in the past, due to software platform restrictions.
2. Reports. It's my opinion that all software tools (particularly financial ones) should have reporting capabilities. For those who need additional reporting beyond what YNAB 3 offers, the tool will allow you to export the data elsewhere, to work with as you wish.
3. Improved Search and Usability. The ability to undo our work or to customize fields are things we take for granted in many tools; glad to know these are now part and parcel of this version of YNAB.
4. Cash Flow Management and Asset Management. The software allows you to track both budgeted accounts vs other types of accounts (such as your mortgage, retirement accounts and car expenses), while adhering to YNAB's core cash flow management methodology.
5. Flexibility With Accounting. There's flexibility here with how you can account for aspects of your budget.
6. Proactive and "Smart" Budgeting. You can move your budgeted numbers seamlessly across budget categories if you prefer to do this rather than deal with negative numbers. YNAB is also "smart" enough to inform you if you've got errors or things out of sync between your budget and your bank account(s).
7. Better Look and Feel. Just by checking the videos above, you can see the cosmetic improvements that this version has over its predecessors.
Copyright © 2009 The Digerati Life. All Rights Reserved.


text:
The New York State Department of Health Commissioners' recognition awards recognize accomplishments in the areas of: HIV, STD, HCV, LGBT, drug user health or youth sexual health.
For hepatitis C, the New York State Department of Health is recognizing individuals or teams committed to eliminating hepatitis C by promoting hepatitis C testing, ensuring timely linkage to care and improving access to hepatitis C care, treatment and cure..
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) is seeking nominations for the 2018 Commissioner's Special Recognition Awards'. This email contains the link to the "Nomination Request Form" Survey Monkey. The form can be used for an individual or team award. Nominations must be completed electronically to be considered. The NYSDOH will be selecting up to three (3) nominees per New York State region for each topic area to receive an award.
How do you make a nomination?
• Choose one of the topic areas (check one only) listed on the Nomination Request Form. See number 11 on the Nomination Request Form.
• In 200 words or less, summarize the activity and accomplishments of one individual or team in relation to the one topic area.
• Include specific examples of accomplishments, contributions and commitment; provide links, articles, etc. pertaining to the examples. See number 12 A, B and C on the Nomination Request Form.
• An individual or team nomination must be someone who has never received a World AIDS Day Commissioner's Special Recognition Award.
• Use the "box" provided on the Nomination Request Form for your summary.
• For the Ken Dunning Trauma-Informed Care nomination, see number 13 on the Nomination Request Form. Follow the criteria for submitting a nomination and use the "box" provided for your summary.
• Submit a completed electronic Nomination Request Form by 5 pm Friday, October 26, 2018.
No nominations will be accepted after 5 pm on October 26, 2018 – NO EXCEPTIONS
Please submit your Nomination Request Form on time! Click the link below to access and complete the form.
The nominator will be notified by the NYSDOH AIDS Institute if their nominee has been selected to receive an award.
Questions should be emailed to firstname.lastname@example.com
Last Updated on October 5, 2018 by HepFree NYC


text: Do you struggle with getting traffic to your site or attracting your dream customer? With my blog just a little over one-year-old, my goal is to increase traffic to my blog. There are many marketing strategies I have learned throughout this past year on how to increase traffic to my site. However, I am excited to get my hands on Traffic Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Filling Your Websites and Funnels with Your Dream Customers and take part in this 30-day challenge to learn all there is to learn on driving traffic to my site from none other than Russell Brunson. #trafficsecrets #trafficgrowth #blogtips


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Posts Tagged 'empowerment'
Reclaim Your Body
Hey SuperSTAR! How many times have you felt like you needed to alter the way you dress so that you would be treated better? Whether it was making yourself look sexier or hiding your sexy self so you wouldn't get harassed, most of us goddesses have felt like we had to manipulate our authentic self-expression…Read More
Be-Loved from the Inside Out
Hey SuperSTAR! Whether you are on the quest for your Beloved or are in a relationship that isn't fully rocking your world, this weekly Goddess Diary inspiration is for you! There are all sorts of methods for "calling in the One," and what I have to share will be helpful, AND it may also be…Read More
Awaken Your SuperPowers
Hey, SuperSTAR! Have you ever played that game: "Which Superpower would you choose? Flight or Invisibility?" There's a whole debate about the personalities that choose one or the other. I have a BIGGER game for you to play. What SuperPowers would you choose for yourself if you were given the option? As many as you…Read More


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|A lady on the bus polished her nails, hands and toes. Her goal was to be polished. The fumes were awful and so was her lack of polish.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Polish vs Polished
Posted by Yvonne&Yvettetiquette at 5:24 AM 0 comments
Labels: dirty nails, grooming nails, manicures, nail clipping on buses and trains, nail polish, pedicures, primping, public grooming, toe nails
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
A Well-Mannered American Living In Paris
|Lauren Sarafan and Susan Oubari
We asked Susan and Lauren (a frequent visitor) how their experiences have shaped or re-shaped their codes of behavior.
How has living in Paris affected your own etiquette?
Since living in Paris I have become more aware of etiquette... This is what I've learned since then and I would advise to anyone coming to Paris:
1) Say "Bonjour, Madame or Monsieur" upon arriving in a store, restaurant, café, etc, don't forget to say, "Au revoir, merci!!!" with a smile as you leave! (You'll get brownie points, I swear.)
2) In a store, after having said, " Bonjour,"make sure you say, "Would you mind if I take a look around please?" Don't get upset when the saleswoman follows you and puts the coat hangers back into their perfect 1-inch separation position. (C'est la vie!)
3) At the dinner table, put your napkin on your lap once the hostess has done so and keep your hands above the table. Don't sit or eat before the hosts. When pouring wine the glass should be no more than three-quarters full. If you're giving a dinner party, set the table with the forks "prongs down" (it is very offensive to do it the American way "prongs up")
4) Try to talk less (or at least less loudly), I know it is hard to do.
5) Parisians can be snobby, so I make a point to be overly friendly and correct when conversing with them. My French friends do the same. I would rather make more of an effort than have them make me feel like they want to spank me!
Is there a basic difference between Americans and Parisians when it comes to
Americans are more spontaneous and less contrived. Parisians are too married to their rules.
When Yvonne, lived in Milan, Italians would make fun of her accent when she spoke Italian. Do you encounter this? If so, how do you handle it?
Actually, the Parisians don't seem to tease in general. Their humor is different, if anything; they can even enjoy a good Canadian or American accent. The Canadian accent has become quite fashionable lately due to Canadian celebrities. If by chance I can't get myself understood on the phone, I sometimes just say, "Hey, I'm American and trying my best!"
Lauren: My best friend's 13-year-old son is so embarrassed by my French and constantly telling me not to speak and to allow him to ask for anything we need. No one has ever made me feel bad about trying.
Are men and women expected to split the check?
I've been married forever; I haven't gone on a date for 20 years! But I can't imagine the woman paying for herself on a date. The men always pay, and sometimes one man pays for everyone, and then the next time the other man foots the bill. Men pay for the women. I make sure I send flowers the next day if another couple pays for my husband and me at a restaurant.
Lauren: I just see men paying for women. I enjoy being a girl.
Posted by Yvonne&Yvettetiquette at 8:15 AM 2 comments
Labels: an american in Paris, Diner en Blanc, dinner parties, France, French bread, French dating, Lauren Sarafan, living abroad, Midnight in Paris, Paris nightlife, Susan Oubari
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The tire pressure monitoring system is NOT a substitute for manually checking tire pressure. The tire pressure should be checked periodically (at least monthly) using a tire gauge.
See Inflating Your Tires in this chapter. Failure to properly maintain your tire pressure could increase the risk of tire failure, loss of control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Each tire, including the spare (if
provided), should be checked monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.) As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for approximately one minute and then remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function properly.
The tire pressure monitoring system complies with part 15 of the FCC rules and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Changing Tires with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Note: Each road tire is equipped with a tire pressure sensor located inside the tire and wheel assembly cavity. The pressure sensor is attached to the valve stem. The pressure sensor is covered by the tire and is not visible unless the tire is removed. Take care when changing the tire to avoid damaging the sensor.
You should always have your tires serviced by an authorized dealer.
Check the tire pressure periodically (at least monthly) using an accurate tire gauge. See Inflating Your Tires in this chapter.
Understanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System
The tire pressure monitoring system measures pressure in your four road tires and sends the tire pressure readings to your vehicle. The low tire pressure warning light will turn on if the tire pressure is significantly low.
Once the light is illuminated, your tires are under-inflated and need to be inflated to the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure. Even if the light turns on and a short time later turns off, your tire pressure still needs to be checked.
When Your Temporary Spare Tire Is Installed
When one of your road tires needs to be replaced with the temporary spare, the system will continue to identify an issue to remind you that the damaged road wheel and tire assembly needs to be repaired and put back on your vehicle.
To restore the full function of the tire pressure monitoring system, have the damaged road wheel and tire assembly repaired and remounted on your vehicle.
When You Believe Your System Is Not Operating Properly
The main function of the tire pressure monitoring system is to warn you when your tires need air. It can also warn you in the event the system is no longer capable of functioning as intended. See the following chart for information concerning your tire pressure monitoring system:
When Inflating Your Tires
When putting air into your tires (such as at a gas station or in your garage), the tire pressure monitoring system may not respond immediately to the air added to your tires.
It may take up to two minutes of driving over 20 mph (32 km/h) for the light to turn off after you have filled your tires to the recommended inflation pressure.
How Temperature Affects Your Tire Pressure
The tire pressure monitoring system monitors tire pressure in each pneumatic tire. While driving in a normal manner, a typical passenger tire inflation pressure may increase about 2 to 4 psi (14 to 28 kPa) from a cold start situation. If the vehicle is stationary overnight with the outside temperature significantly lower than the daytime temperature, the tire pressure may decrease approximately 3 psi (21 kPa) for a drop of 30°F (17°C) in ambient temperature. This lower pressure value may be detected by the tire pressure monitoring system as being significantly lower than the recommended inflation pressure and activate the system warning light for low tire pressure. If the low tire pressure warning light is on, visually check each tire to verify that no tire is flat. If one or more tires are flat, repair as necessary. Check the air pressure in the road tires. If any tire is under-inflated, carefully drive the vehicle to the nearest location where air can be added to the tires. Inflate all the tires to the recommended inflation pressure.
Using snow chainsYour Taurus SHO may be equipped with summer tires to provide superior performance on wet and dry roads. Summer tires do not have the Mud and Snow (M+S or M/S) tire traction rating on the tire side ...
Changing a road wheelWARNING: The use of tire sealants may damage your tire pressure monitoring system and should not be used. However, if you must use a sealant, have an authorized dealer install a new tire pressure m ...
Other materials:
Specifications, Description and Operation
SPECIFICATIONS Material Torque Specifications DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION Handles, Locks, Latches and Entry Systems Overview The power lock/unlock feature locks or unlocks the doors upon a customer request from either door lock control switch in the vehicle, a RKE transmitter, or t ...
Fuel Charging and Controls - 3.5L GTDI
SPECIFICATIONS Material Torque Specifications a Refer to the procedure in this section. DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION Fuel Charging and Controls 3.5L Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection (GTDI) WARNING: Do not smoke, carry lighted tobacco or have an open flame of any type when working on or n ...
Evaporative Emissions
SPECIFICATIONS Torque Specifications DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION Evaporative Emissions The EVAP system consists of the: EVAP canister purge valve. EVAP canister. dust separator and EVAP canister vent solenoid assembly. fuel vapor tube assembly (includes ...


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TATA TeleServices/Docomo/Communications PRI & SIP Trunk, VOIP, Leased Lines & Mpls Vpn Connection and best Service Provide with Price Rates & Tariff Plans in Bangalore: 9206776070 | 9902420304.
The Primary Rate Interface (PRI) is a standardized telecommunications service level within the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) specification for carrying multiple DS0 voice and data transmissions between a network and a user.
PRI is the standard for providing telecommunication services to offices. It is based on the T-carrier (T1) line in the US and Canada, and the E-carrier (E1) line in Europe. The T1 line consists of 24 channels, while an E1 has 32.
T1 and E1 systems
PRI provides a varying number of channels depending on the standards in the country of implementation. In North America and Japan it consists of 23xB (B channels (be/s). In Europe and Australia it is 30xB + 1xD on an E1 2.048 Mbit/s. One timeslot on the E1 is used for synchronization purposes and is not considered to be a B or D channel.
Fractional T1
Fewer active B channels (also called bearer channels) can be used for a fractional T1. Bearer channels may also be known as user channels. More channels can be used with more T1s, within certain design limits.
PRI and BRI
The Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) prescribes two levels of service:
BRI, the Basic Rate Interface: two 64-kbit/s B channels and one 16-kbit/s D channel, intended for the homes and small enterprises PRI, the Primary Rate Interface for large organisations, with one 64-kbit/s D channel and 23 (1536 Mbit/s T1, a.k.a. "23B + D") or 30 64-kbit/s B channels (2048 Mbit/s E1, a.k.a. "30B + D").
Each B-channel carries data, voice, and other services. The D-channel carries control and signaling information. Larger connections are possible using PRI pairing. A dual T1-PRI could have 24 + 23 = 47 B-channels and 1 D-channel (often called "47B + D"), but more commonly has 46 B-channels and 2 D-channels thus providing a backup signaling channel. The concept applies to E1s as well and both can include more than 2 PRIs. Normally, no more than 2 D-channels are provisioned as additional PRIs are added to the group.


text: Reusable Seat Cover - Protective Automotive Car Seat Cover SKU: 184 MSRP: $19.99 $15.93 CAATS Reusable Seat Covers are an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic seat covers. These covers are made from reusable, recyclable, non-woven polypropylene which reduces waste and land fill. They are non-porous, resist chemicals, are... Add to Cart


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Q: Who is MocVideo?
A: Mocvideo is the brainchild of Mitsuru Okabe, the pioneer of video in the bodybuilding world. He was the first to gain access to the best and baddest bodybuilders in the world. They took him in with open arms and MocVideo grew into the powerhouse now known across the world. Recently Mitsuru passed down MocVideo/Mitsuru Okabe Inc. to Bruce and Lee Lester. We have worked hand in hand with Mitsuru to ensure that MocVideo runs smoothly and just as good, if not better, as before.
A: Unfortunately, no! Bruce and Lee took over Mocvideo
in 2008, right at the time that the BFO would have been filmed, so that was
impossible for 2008. 2009 was very slow in DVD sales and we were focusing on
getting a couple new titles out, which we did (Troy
Alves Resurrection, David
Henry Beyond Motivated, and Stan
McQuay Rising Sun). We did not have resources to do the BFO 2009, and vowed
to bring that series back in 2010, which we did!
Q: Will there be a Battle for the Olympia 2008 or 2009?
Q: What new projects are in the works?
A: We are shooting to produce 2-3 DVD's each
year. We always have athletes in our sights, but only a certain amount of
production time for each. We will do our best to get the most interesting,
personable, and intriguing athletes we can. If you are an IFBB Pro, or top
level Amateur looking make a DVD, feel free to contact
us. Why shoot with us? Simple, EXPOSURE and EASE! We have the most recognized
name in bodybuilding films, period! Nobody comes close to us. Any bodybuilder
out there that has a video collection of their favorite athletes, most likely
has our titles!
Q: What does it take to be a distributor of your dvd's?
A: To order at a wholesale level you need to have a website or an outlet to sell that you can verify. There are thousands of websites that could benefit by selling our dvd's, all you have to do is contact us. Minimum orders are small and we ship all orders for FREE, no matter what country you are in. This keeps your profits high and you can re-order whenever you like.
Q: How/When do you ship your dvd's?
A: We ship using USPS and FEDEX. Shipping time is usually within one business day of ordering and paying. If you are domestic you will receive notification of shipment/tracking from Stamps.com, so please white list that, or check your junk mail for tracking.
Q: What if I received a Pirated copy of your dvd?
A: Unfortunately there are assholes out there that will take what we work hard to produce, and distribute it as their own. We are actively working on preventing piracy and will pursue people that we feel are profiting on our copyright material. Please contact us with the details of where you attained the copy (website, address, any relevant info) and we will look into it. We appreciate all of your support and the support you show us and the professional athletes in this matter.
Q: My DVD has a hologram on it, what's up with that?
A: As a method to help deter piracy we place holograms on EVERY new title we produce. Any dvd produced by us after 2008 has holograms on them.
© 2009 MocVideo Productions LLC


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Even the Pope and Cardinal Dolan have been lauding South African leader Nelson Mandela following his death earlier this week of natural causes at age 95.
But I can't.
Nelson Mandela has the blood of preborn children on his hands… lots of them. According to The Examiner on December 6:
Serving as the Republic of South Africa's president from 1994-1999, Mandela not only signed the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1996, he was also one of the most ardent supporters of what the openly pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute calls "one of the most liberal abortion laws in the world."
As cited, the law "allows abortion on demand up to the 20th week; after it and up to birth for 'serious medical reasons'; and, as amended in 2004, allows registered nurses and midwives to perform abortions as well before the 12th week."…
Since the legalization of abortion in the RSA, there has been 1 million legal abortions reported to the government, with the overwhelming number being that of racially black African unborn children as cited by Spero News on Jan. 31, 2012.
I cannot get past this and cannot view Mandela as any other than a leader who engaged in mass genocide of his own innocent people.
Others are noting additional blemishes on Mandela's record, but even if he were an otherwise all-around hero, I wouldn't be able to bring myself to say a positive word to say about him other than, "I pray he repented."
Am I wrong?
LifeNews.com Note: Jill Stanek fought to stop "live birth abortions" after witnessing one as an RN at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois. That led to the Born Alive Infants Protection Act legislation, signed by President Bush, that would ensure that proper medical care be given to unborn children who survive botched abortion attempts.


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Newly Commissioned Army Officers
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Nine Tarleton State University ROTC Texan Battalion Cadets were commissioned second lieutenants in the U.S. Army in May 9 ceremonies on the Stephenville campus.
Cadets must complete their undergraduate degree, including a military science curriculum, and pass a physical fitness test, to be commissioned.
Keynote speaker, Brig. Gen. Gregory Cheney, Commander of the Texas Army National Guard, called the commissioning a prestigious occasion.
"The transformation you are about to see as the shoulder boards of the rank of second lieutenant are pinned on and the oaths are given marks the transformation into a significant profession, the profession of arms," he said. "These ROTC graduates have volunteered to be a part of that profession of arms, to protect the people, the Constitution and the freedoms of the United States of America."
Recently commissioned Texan Battalion Cadets, their degree, Texas hometown and military duty status are:
• 2nd Lt. Adam Arata, bachelor's in history, Manahawkin, N.J., active duty infantry officer.
• 2nd Lt. Katie Bull, bachelor's in kinesiology, China Spring, Texas, active duty engineer officer.
• 2nd Lt. Asmita Gurung, bachelor's in nursing, Fort Worth, active duty nursing officer.
• 2nd Lt. Taylor Henry, bachelor's in history, Stephenville, active duty military intelligence officer.
• 2nd Lt. Austin Laughlin, bachelor's in criminal justice, Wichita Falls, Texas, Texas Army National Guard infantry officer.
• 2nd Lt. Michael Murray, bachelor's in criminal justice, Plano, Army National Guard military police officer.
• 2nd Lt. Garret Pluhar, bachelor's in construction science, Killeen, active duty aviation officer.
• 2nd Lt. Luis Zamora, bachelor's in political science, Harker Heights, Texas, active duty infantry officer.
• 2nd Lt. John Zellner, bachelor's in criminal justice, Richardson, Texas, active duty infantry officer.
Tarleton, founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven education marked by academic innovation and a dedication to transform today's scholars into tomorrow's leaders. It offers degree programs to more than 13,000 students at Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian, RELLIS Academic Alliance in Bryan, and online, emphasizing real-world learning experiences that address societal needs while maintaining its core values of tradition, integrity, civility, excellence, leadership and service.
Contact: Phil Riddle, News and Information Specialist
[email protected]


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You've looked forward to it all year…researched, planned and anticipated. It's finally here – vacation time!
And you're determined not to let anything ruin it.
Unfortunately, no matter how meticulously you plan, there are a lot of things that can derail a vacation. Some are simply out of your control – like delayed flights, lost luggage, and perhaps the most infamous of all – the weather.
Fortunately, you can control one of the worst travel 'disasters' – and that's spending your vacation in pain. I'm going to give you great ways to avoid pain in the first place, so your vacation can be as perfect as humanly possible.
Because after all, a pain-free traveler… is a happy traveler.
Travel wreaks havoc on your body. First, there's the stress of just getting there – getting to the airport, getting through the airport, standing on endless lines to get through security. And that's all before you even board the plane! Let's not forget the less-than-spacious seating on most flights today or that person in front of you (you know who you are) who reclines their seat and makes your legroom virtually non-existent (you've no doubt had a choice word or two for them).
And even if you're traveling by car, bus or train, sitting in traffic and sitting for long periods of time can stress your body to a point of pain, stiffness and fatigue.
When I travel, I always pack an over-the-counter pain reliever, having been the victim of that dreaded pain-while-on-vacation syndrome on too many occasions. (I'd also pack my own personal massage therapist if I could!). Of course, it's also wise to plan any Travel vaccines by PharmaVaccs you may need well in advance, as these can protect you from any infections and diseases.
But by far, the best discovery I've made is a portable Hot/Cold Massaging Spot Therapy Gel Pack from Wahl. It's perfect for those times when you're away and in need of relief. It works great at home, too. The pack is the first of its kind to infuse ceramic beads into the gel, allowing it to retain its hot or cold temperature longer. The pack also comes with a deep-penetrating massage disc, offering three therapies in one product.
Ah, pain relief…right in the palm of my hand.
In addition to packing a small pain cache, following are some more great and helpful tips to stay pain-free while traveling.
The Challenge: Sitting for a long time can make your legs cramp and your back stiffen up. Not only that, but a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that prolonged sitting is associated with negative health outcomes and mortality. Everyone should reduce the amount of time they spend sitting, experts concur.
The Solution: Rather than sitting at the gate waiting to board your flight, walk around the airport terminal. Once airborne, get up at least once each hour and walk and stretch (if room allows). Stretching and walking help boost blood flow and loosen tight muscles.
Plan regular breaks to get out and walk around and stretch during long car trips (An added bonus is that you can stop along scenic routes and take in the setting that you might have otherwise missed.)
The Challenge: Cramped airline seats. What's more unpleasant about flying than cramming your body into a tiny seat? Not much. Seats range from a high of about 34 inches of legroom to a low of 28; seat widths hover around 17.2 to 18 inches. Hardly sufficient.
The Solution: To get more space you may have to pay more. But you can also explore other tactics, such as checking SeatGuru.com, which shows the specific plane and the amount of legroom it offers. Or, see if you can sit in the bulkhead section (the first row of economy class) or the exit row, which typically have more legroom. An aisle seat may allow you to stretch your legs a bit more, too.
The Challenge: Seats in a car or plane don't necessarily conform to your body and can cause neck and back pain.
The Solution: Bring along some props. Support your lower back with a rolled blanket (or if you're traveling with a jacket or sweater, use that). A neck pillow can help keep your head and neck in a neutral position. Inflatable neck pillows are perfect for traveling.
The Challenge: While on vacation, you want to be active and try things you don't always get a chance to do. Windsurfing! Golf! Water skiing! The possibilities are endless. There are so many centers/ places that offer a wide range of activities, like Vally Marine who offer water sports activities – make sure you find someone local to you who can get you started!
The Solution: Know your body and its limitations. Pace yourself. While this might be the only time you get to try out a new sport, you have to be realistic and be aware of activities that might stress certain parts of your body that may not be up for the challenge. Jumping in too quickly – or for too long – can result in injury. Additionally, make sure that you look for locations to stay that can offer you the experiences that you want, be it golf, gambling or otherwise. Tip: You're much less likely to get injured if you warm up beforehand and slowly build your pace and intensity.
The Challenge: Lifting or carrying a heavy suitcase. Whether it is into the trunk of your car or an overhead bin of a plane, you're at risk for pulling or straining muscles in your neck, back or other parts of your body.
The Solution: Move slowly and strategically. Break the action into smaller parts. For instance, if you're lifting your bag into an overhead bin, first place it on the top of the seat, then into the bin. Don't use back muscles to lift; instead, bend at the knees and use your leg muscles. Avoid twisting when lifting. When carrying heavy items, hold them as close to your body as possible, switch sides often to avoid stressing just one side or distribute the weight evenly on each side of your body.
May your next vacation be everything you want it to be… plus hassle-and-pain free.
To increase the chance that it will be, make sure to leave a comment. A winner will be randomly chosen to receive their very own Spot Therapy Hot/Cold Pack from Wahl, (MSRP $19.99). I'll email the winner for your address – I'll need you to respond within 24 hours (or else another winner will have to be chosen – and your loss will be their gain!).
Bon voyage!
This post is sponsored by Wahl Home Products, but I assure you that opinions are strictly my very own.


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Leaders of the Professional Numismatists Guild say many of the 50 dealers participating in the upcoming PNG Dallas Rare Coin & Paper Money Show, February 26 – 28, 2015, will be offering free, informal appraisals of the public's old coins and currency.
The three-day show will be in Hall C of the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center that is located at 1501 Gaylord Trail in the Dallas suburb of Grapevine, Texas.
"The Dallas show will be an opportunity for the public to learn the value of coins or currency they may have inherited. They can find out what it is and what it is worth. And collectors in the Southwest can meet and do business with many PNG member-dealers from around the country who usually do not attend the local Dallas area coin shows," said PNG President Terry Hanlon, President of Dillon Gage Precious Metals in Addison, Texas.
Dallas-based Heritage Auctions will conduct an auction of U.S. rare coins in conjunction with the show.
Admission is $10 for a three-day pass, however, free admission coupons are available online at www.pngdealers.org/images/COUPON.dls.pdf.
Public hours will be Thursday, February 26, from 10 am to 6 pm; Friday, February 27, from 9 am to 6 pm; and Saturday, February 28, from 9 am to 5 pm.
For additional information, contact the Professional Numismatists Guild by phone at (951) 587-8300 or by email at [email protected].


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Shock wave therapy has now been subjected to multiple randomized, placebo-controlled, and additional open-label studies in clinics worldwide, demonstrating impressive efficacy and safety.
The clinical practice of erectile dysfunction (ED) management has been advanced greatly in the past 2 decades, owing to major progress made in the scientific study of this condition that, in turn, led to new treatments. However, current treatments for ED remain less than ideal because they are effectively "on demand" and they uniformly do not provide a sustained erection recovery benefit.
The ongoing purpose of scientific research efforts in this discipline is to achieve pathophysiologically grounded and clinically restorative interventions-in essence, curative therapy. Much excitement has surrounded such ideas as gene therapy and stem cell therapy for this exact purpose, although their promise is as yet unfulfilled.
Read: New tech may bring exciting era in BPH
The concept that low-intensity shock wave therapy may subserve curative therapy for ED has driven a great deal of excitement toward this particular treatment. A novelty when initially investigated 5 years ago, it has now been subjected to multiple randomized, placebo-controlled, and additional open-label studies in clinics worldwide, demonstrating impressive efficacy and safety (see article here).
The attraction of this therapy is noted by being easily administered and noninvasive. Its role may be defined by treatment success in as much as 70% of phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor non-responders or otherwise allowing many to recover PDE-5 inhibitor responsiveness after treatment. In this mode, shock wave therapy at least affords a reduced need for second-line, semi-invasive ED treatment options in process-of-care paradigms.
Amid this excitement, concerns regarding the application of this therapy persist. The mechanism of its effect remains elusive, although some scientific work has suggested it exerts angiogenesis and local neovascularization effects or stimulates stem cell recruitment with tissue repair. A patient acceptance barrier is also possible because the treatment does require extensive treatment sessions. Ongoing work will also be required to define an optimal treatment protocol and establish the preferred role of this treatment for target populations with ED.
Watch out for these 7 common EHR mistakes
Extracapsular prostate cancer leads patient to sue
The promise of PD-1 ligand pathway in treating bladder cancer
Subscribe to Urology Times to get monthly news from the leading news source for urologists.


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Understanding DUI Penalties and Suspensions
Our Miami DUI Lawyers Can Help Prepare You
Florida has very strict laws for preventing DUI'S, which continuously become tighter, and thus places harsh punishments on those who are eventually convicted of the charges. DUI's are very serious matters, so whether or not you are currently facing DUI charges, you should know all about all of the possible penalties. A DUI conviction on your record can have a negative impact on your reputation, as well as your future, making it difficult to pursue your goals. That is why is vital to consult with a Miami DUI attorney to help fight your charges.
We have 40+ years of experience working with clients who are facing serious criminal charges, including DUI. Call today and schedule a no-cost, confidential consultation with Hager & Schwartz, P.A.!
Fines s. 316.193(2)(a)-(b), F.S.
The fines for DUI penalties vary, but can be steep the more convictions that are accumulated on your record.
Here are the schedule of fines:
- 1st conviction: no less than $250, not exceeding $500
- 2nd conviction: no less than $500, not exceeding $1, 000
- 3rd conviction (more than 10 years): no less than $1, 000, no more than $2, 500
- 3rd conviction (within 10 years): no less than $1, 000, no more than $5, 000
- 4 or more convictions: no less than $1, 000
Other factors can also raise the penalties or the price of the fines. For example, if someone is carrying a minor in the car while driving drunk, that person can be charged with the penalties for child endangerment and DUI. In Florida, if your BAL, or blood/breath alcohol level, is above .20%, the fines rise significantly.
Here is the fine schedule for convictions where the BAL was found to be more than .20%:
- 1st conviction: no less than $500, no more than $1, 000
- 2nd conviction: no less than $1, 000, no more than $2, 000
- 3rd conviction (more than 10 years): no less than $2, 000
- 3rd conviction (in 10 years): no less than $2, 000
- 4 or more convictions: no less than $2, 000
Possible Prison Sentencing s. 316.193 (2)(a) 2, 4(b), (6)(j), F.S.
In addition to fines, many who are convicted can face imprisonment. Under the law, a first or second DUI offense may be charged as misdemeanors, which means that the individual may go to a local or a county jail, up to one year. Felonies, on the other hand, are elevated charges, which means that the person could face at least one year in state prison. At the court's discretion, some of the sentence may be served during a treatment program for either drug abuse or alcoholism, and this would be counted towards the imprisonment terms.
These are current terms for imprisonment:
- 1st conviction: no more than 6 months
- 2nd conviction: no more than 9 months; if within 5 years, mandatory imprisonment for 10 days and 48 hours of confinement is to be consecutive
- 3rd conviction (within 10 years): mandatory imprisonment for at least 30 days; 48 hours of consecutive confinement
- 3rd conviction (more than 10 years): imprisonment no more than 12 months
- 4 or more convictions: no more than 5 years, or according to s.775.084, Florida Statutes, as a habitual or violent offender
With a BAL over .20% or a minor in the vehicle, the sentences become enhanced:
- 1st conviction: no more than 9 months
- 2nd conviction: no more than 12 months
Impoundment or Immobilization of Vehicle - s. 316.193 (6), F.S.
The vehicle of someone convicted of a DUI can be impounded or immobilized under Florida law. The vehicle may not be impounded or immobilized while the individual is serving a jail or prison term.
The duration of impoundment depends on your conviction:
- 1st conviction: 10 days
- 2nd conviction (within 5 years): 30 days
- 3rd conviction (within 10 years): 90 days
Courts can exercise the right to throw out any orders for vehicle impoundment or immobilization if the individual's family has no other means or transportation or if the vehicle is driven primarily by employees of or businesses owned by the individual.
DUI Misdemeanor Involving Property Damage or Personal Injury-s. 316.193 (3), F.S.
If it is found during the process of a DUI conviction that the individual caused property damage or an injury was involved, that person may be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor. The punishment may include a fine of up to $1, 000 and even one-year imprisonment.
DUI Felony: Repeat Offenders or Serious Bodily Injury in an Accident s. 316.193 (2),(3) F.S.
Three DUI's within a 10-year time span, or four or more can constitute a third-degree felony charge. That individual could face fines no more than $5, 000 or five years in state prison.
If the accident resulted in serious bodily injury to another, this can constitute a third-degree felony charge, which could mean no more than a fine of $5, 000 and five years in state prison. A habitual/violent offender, as noted in s. 775.084, F.S. may also face a possible felony charge.
Manslaughter and vehicular homicide (s. 316.193 (3), F.S.) are other possible crimes that can happen when driving under the influence. These are also felony level charges, with varying sets of penalties based on the circumstances pertaining to the incident.
Here is more information about these charges:
- DUI manslaughter: 2nd degree felony; fines no more than $10, 000 and/or 15 years in prison
- DUI manslaughter/leaving the scene: 1st degree felony; no more than $10, 000 fine and/or 30 years in prison
- Vehicular homicide: 2nd degree felony; fine no more than $10, 000 and/or 15 years in prison
- Vehicular homicide/leaving the scene: 1st degree felony; no more than $10, 000 fine and/or 30 years in prison
Arrested in Miami or anywhere in the surrounding areas of Florida? Please visit our home page to learn more about criminal defense and the criminal defense process. Our Miami DUI attorneys have years of experience defending charges ranging from DUI, simple drug possession, all the way to major felony offense.
Driver License Revocation Periods for DUI-s. 322.271, F.S. and s. 322.28,F.S.
Driver's licenses may be revoked for a certain period of time, depending on whether the conviction was a first, second, or third offense. The terms of this revocation must be served out to completion, however, you can apply to reinstate your license due to hardship close to the end of the period. You will need to pay administrative fees, license fees, as well as attend DUI school. Even if you decide to allow the revocation period to pass, you will still need to take the above steps in order to have your license reinstated.
Here are the current revocation periods:
- 1st conviction: 180 days minimum, up to 1 year
- 2nd conviction (within 5 years): 5 years minimum; eligible to reinstate due to hardship after 1 year
- 3rd conviction (within 10 years): 10 years minimum; eligible to reinstate due to hardship after 2 years
- 4th conviction or murder with motor vehicle: revocation is permanent and no eligibility for reinstatement
- DUI manslaughter: 3-year minimum
DUI School Requirements - s. 316.193 F.S., s. 322.271, F.S., s. 322.291, F.S.
DUI school is required by Florida law for those convicted of driving under the influence. It is also a necessary component of reinstating your license due to hardship. You must be able to show proof of enrollment or a certificate of completion within 90 days of filing to reinstate; otherwise, the application will be canceled.
Here are the list of requirements:
- 1st conviction: DUI school to be completed before reinstatement
- 2nd conviction in 5 years or 3rd conviction in 10 years: DUI school to be completed after conviction
- DUI manslaughter with no prior related conviction: permanent revocation; there is a 5-year wait period before one can apply for hardship reinstatement. DUI school must be completed prior.
A note about reckless driving: If you were charged with reckless driving and there was enough cause to believe that alcohol or drugs contributed to the charge, the court may order you to attend DUI school before allowing reinstatement of your license, regardless of the fact that the charge is less severe than DUI.
If you were being treated for a condition following a psychosocial evaluation, your attendance will not be waived unless a court-appointed agency can review these results.
Administrative Suspension Law - s. 322.2615, F.S., s. 316.193, F.S., s. 316.1932, F.S.
Florida enacts administrative suspension law, which means that law enforcement has the right to and can immediately take away the license of anyone suspected to be driving under the influence. Refusing to take a breath test to measure the blood-alcohol level can further enhance the possible punishments.
These are the current laws under administrative suspension:
- 1st suspension for driving with a blood-alcohol level above .08%: 6 months
- 2 or more suspensions for driving with a blood-alcohol level above .08%: 1 year
- 1st suspension for refusing to submit to a blood, urine, or alcohol exam: 1 year
- 2 or more suspensions for refusing to submit: 18 months
Suspensions can take place immediately following an arrest, however, a temporary permit that is valid for 10 days can be issued to eligible drivers. During that period, driving may only take place to transport the individual to and from work, to run errands such as grocery shopping, doctor's office, etc. No driving for personal pleasure or satisfaction may take place, as the courts will not allow this.
Have you been charged with a DUI? Contact a Miami DUI Lawyer at our firm as soon as possible to learn more about the penalties and suspensions and to see how we can help you overcome your charge!
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Our Client Success Stories
Brett Schwartz is one of the best attorneys
"Brett Schwartz is one of the best attorneys available in Florida. I was charged with a DUI with Serious Bodily Injury and Leaving the Scene. I was facing a possible 10 year sentence with a Judge that rejected our plea on several occasions and seemed to have a soft spot for cases like this. And then when everything seemed hopeless and I spent my ..."
- Katie
I thoroughly recommend Brett Schwartz as a defense attorney.
"I thoroughly recommend Brett Schwartz as a defense attorney. He worked tirelessly and relentlessly to get my case dropped even before it went to trial. He succeeded, although the odds were heavily stacked against us. Thanks to our overcrowded justice system, the entire ordeal took two months, and was the most stressful experience of my ..."
- Michael
Thanks Brett...sound strategy and a willingness to go the extra mile made all the difference!
"Brett aggressively handled my felony cases and the outcome directly reflected his tenacity."
- Bradley B
If you need help go see Brett!
"We worked with Brett on a domestic violence charge. He was the third lawyer we went to and we FINALLY got the result we desired. His knowledge of the law, the system and straightforwardness are beyond impressive. He "tells it like it is", but he knows how to get the job done. In our case, we were stuck in traffic and he had won before we even got ..."
- Sally
So grateful to have found Brett Schwartz!
"I knew in the few minutes in speaking with Brett that he was the right attorney for my Domestic Violence case. He put me at ease immediately and got the ball rolling to rectify the issue."
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We're in the midst of the cold winter season and you may be feeling like it's time for a new duvet cover. Right now, we're offering 20% off on 3 great patterns!
Kaleidoscope is a 280 thread count sateen weave made with 100% cotton. It's available in this cheerful light turquoise color, or a neutral flax. With a crisp white background, it looks fresh and modern.
Odessa is also a 280 thread count sateen weave made with 100% cotton. This modern look is available in blue, blackberry or linden green. The purple shade of blackberry is a top color of 2014 according to Pantone! (see the blackberry color by clicking the link)
Oslo is a poly/cotton blend in a 300 thread count sateen weave. What makes it really interesting is that it's a crossweave. The warp yarns are 100% cotton and the weft yarns are polyester… so on the front side of the fabric you get the feeling of 100% cotton. At the same time the polyester content helps it resist wrinkling after washing and drying. We also love the huge scale of the links pattern… really unique and striking!


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Test Drives
Trust Your Co-pilot: Bendix Wingman Fusion keeps virtual eyes on the road, foot upon the brakes
First, a confession. I am a terrible passenger. My right foot is always pumping against the floor mat whenever I find myself riding shotgun. A knot forms in my stomach when someone takes anything other than my favorite route. When the Today's Trucking team carpooled to a trade show earlier this year, I was quick to reach for the keys before anyone else had the chance.


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Generac 50 Amp Power Management Module (PMM)
Model #6186
Power Management Modules are used in conjunction with the Smart Switch to increase its power management capabilities. It gives the Smart Switch additional power management flexibility not found in any other transfer switch. Not compatible with pre-wired switches.
The Digital Power Management system consists of two parts. The first is the PMM (Power Management Module) Starter Kit, which includes the easily field installed 24VAC transformer and the first 50 amp, 24VAC actuated PMM. The transformer must be installed in the NEMA 3R Smart Switches to enable the use of PMMs. The second is the PMM, a 50 amp, 24VAC actuated contactor housed in a NEMA 3R enclosure for indoor and outdoor installation applications. Through the use of the PMMs in conjunction with any of the 100-800 amp, single phase switches, household or business loads can be intelligently managed enabling the use of a smaller, more efficient generator system. Up to four PMMs can be used with a single switch. Both the PMM Starter Kit and individual PMMs have a one year limited warranty.
Part number 6186 is for an individual Power Management Module, THIS IS NOT THE REQUIRED STARTER KIT. The starter kit is required before you can use an individual Power Management Module. Add it as an option above if needed.
Note: The Starter Kit and PMMs will only work with the RTSR and RTSY transfer switches.


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Paint-By-Numbers: Saguaro (15 colors)
Paint your very own image of Saguaro National Park with this easy-to-follow paint by numbers kit!
Image size: approx. 12x16 inches
Paper size: 13x19 inches
What's Included?
Everything you need except a cup of water & paper towel!
- Painting template on watercolor paper
- 15 paint colors
- 2 brushes
- Instructions with tricks & tips
How does paint-by-numbers work?
You'll receive a painting template with outlines like you see in a coloring book, but each shape will be labeled with a number. You'll also receive a set of numbered paints. Match the paint with the corresponding sections on the template and create your very own painting!
Available exclusively from Danika Ostrowski's Art Studio.
In-stock orders ship within 1 week.Pre-orders ship by the day specified in the "Ship Date" drop down menu.
Flat rate shipping on this item is $7.25 within the continental US.
All items are final sale. Please contact firstname.lastname@example.com with questions about your order.


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make a gift
Connecting fellow parents and guardians to the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota community, serving as a resource for family members of Saint Mary's students, and serving as advocates for parents and the University.
On behalf of the Saint Mary's Parents Council, welcome to the Saint Mary's Parents Association. As the parent or guardian of a current Saint Mary's University of Minnesota student, you are automatically a member, and get access to information and events that will be useful to you and your child on your journey with Saint Mary's and connect you further to the school and the Winona, Minn. community.Your student has chosen a remarkable university. Rooted in the Catholic faith and guided by the principles of Saint John Baptiste de La Salle, Saint Mary's offers more than just a college education; it advances the principled transformation of hearts and minds. Saint Mary's has an excellent academic reputation, state-of-the-art education facilities, and a size that means our students have direct access to world-class educators. The University's mission to awaken, nurture, and empower learners to live ethical lives of service and leadership means that our sons and daughters will not only be prepared to succeed, but also empowered to help change the world for the better.As parents of current Saint Mary's students ourselves, we know that you now hold a new place in their life, and this can be a challenging transition. The Saint Mary's Parents Association was formed as both an informational resource, as well as network for parents, during your tenure with Saint Mary's. We are here to help you obtain answers to any questions, address concerns, and above all, to make sure that your student has an exceptional experience at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.We encourage you to not only take a look around this site, but to take advantage of the resources available here. We also encourage you to consider volunteering or joining the Saint Mary's Parents' Council, the governing body of the Saint Mary's Parents' Association.
We hope you and your student enjoy your time here, and take advantage of all the university has to offer. We are delighted to have you as part of the Saint Mary's family, and look forward to getting to know you and your student throughout your time here.Welcome and Blessings,Saint Mary's Parents Council
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Plank Oakland, a bowling-alley-meets-gastropub-meets-entertainment-center in Jack London Square, is home to a state-of-the-art arcade with a hipster Oakland vibe. The atmosphere is loud and pretty kid-friendly.
Pro tip: Parents will want to visit Plank with game-loving kids on off-peak hours to save money.
The place looks terrific. Reclaimed wood and modern fixtures, along with a stone hearth pizza oven that's visible from the waiting area make it inviting, while an outdoor bocce ball court set in the upscale marina that is Jack London Square make it unique.
Plank Oakland food is ok
The food served indoors is average at best, but if your dining companions are not discerning, it's fine. A kids menu is available, with a build-your-own meal structure.
Choose one of these (entrees) + one of these (sides) + then you can have (dessert). Clever.
Plank Oakland arcade is terrific
Purchase reloadable game cards to play the arcade games, the higher value cards come with bigger "bonus" plays. You can use the card for multiple visits if you can hold onto it. My kids spent most of their time shooting baskets in the arcade while I played skee-ball. We also played air hockey and rode on a stationary roller coaster that was amazing and surprisingly affordable. No arcade activity is more than $3 and many are $0.50.
Bowling at Plank, timing is everything
We went on a Saturday and were taken aback to learn that a bowling lane would be $75 (for up to 6 players), plus $20 more in shoe rentals for the four of us, so we skipped it. Monday through Friday until 3 pm, bowling is $7.25 per person or $13 per person including shoes. (Much better when you're paying for the family and not splitting with friends!)
The 18-lane bowling alley features huge-screen tv broadcasts of multiple sports at a time, Las Vegas style, and the balls are painted like oversized billiard balls.
Since plank attracts so many young adults and becomes a 21-and-over spot after 9 pm, it's best enjoyed by kids during early afternoons before 3 pm, before people really come to drink. The waitress warned us that during a Warriors game, it would be difficult to move inside the building.
Pro tip: Use of the arcade without a meal is perfectly acceptable and definitely worth a stop if you're in Jack London Square.
The beer garden offers appealing outdoor community seating in front of bocce ball courts, but the wait time for the courts can be prohibitive, and the outdoor menu is more limited. (Think hummus plates.) For a few adults with a baby or toddler, plank's beer garden is a great spot for a drink and snack outdoors.
Plan your visit to Plank
Address: 98 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607
Hours: Monday – Thursday : 11:30 am – 11 pm; Friday & Saturday : 11:30 am – 11 pm (capacity limited after 8 pm); Sunday: 10 am – 9 pm; Saturday, May 6th: 11:30 am – 5 pm; 21+: After 8 pm
Phone: 510-817-0980


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Spanish program ends at Del Mar Heights school after board vote
By Karen Billing
The Del Mar Heights School Spanish program ended Jan. 20, following a Del Mar School District board vote of 4-1 on Jan. 18.
The underlying issue the decision was based on was the role PTA (parent-teacher association) fundraising plays versus Del Mar Schools Education Foundation fundraising.
Simply put: According to district rules, people come from the foundation, programs come from the PTA.
The board was placed in a difficult position as Del Mar Heights parents donated more than $15,000 with the intent of paying for a Spanish teacher, which was perceived by the board to be a consultant, not a teacher. District superintendent Jim Peabody admitted "full blame" in thinking that it was an after-school Spanish program, as it had been the previous year, not a class that would be taught during school hours.
As a result of the board's approval of what they thought was just a consultant, Mary Zobell has been teaching Spanish at the Heights since the beginning of the school year. Now, per the board's vote not to approve her performance agreement, the Heights Spanish program ended on Jan. 20.
Peabody said it is inappropriate for an independent contractor or "professional expert" to act as an employee and the Spanish teacher did not meet IRS requirements as a consultant.
The vote was painful, most noticeably for board president Scott Wooden, and the trustees tried to find some way to be able to keep the program or save it from being cut mid-year. The only option would be to offer a contract, but as trustee Doug Rafner pointed out, that would not be fair to the other schools.
"The message that is sent to other schools in the district is that to get funding, just give to the PTA and you can get whatever you want. That's not how things can happen. This employee wasn't brought in through the front door. 'Professional expert' doesn't tell me she's a teacher," said Rafner. "We look like we have egg on our face and we look silly for turning away a fully-funded program but our obligation has to be to the entire district."
Trustee Doug Perkins was the sole vote in support of renewing the performance agreement.
"This would be an easier decision to make if this was at the beginning or end of the school year," Perkins said, noting that because of the misunderstanding and that the students have had Spanish for half of the year, they should work on finding a way to fix the problem instead of cutting the program.
The Heights Spanish program can still be allowed at the school but only during after- school hours, as an enrichment program.
Peabody reported having received 54 emails and one letter from parents on the subject, including two emails from Del Mar Hills parents addressing a rumor that they caused the Heights program to be cancelled.
"I can assure everyone that's not the case," Peabody said. "It was a request from the board to get an update on PTA and DMSEF fundraising, and the Spanish performance agreement was terminating on Jan. 20 and the board was required to approve a new one."
Upon hearing that their program could be cut, a large crowd of Del Mar Heights parents came to the meeting in support of Spanish and their school's goal to create a global village.
Parents told stories of how much their children loved Spanish and were sad to see it go—Tamar Gollan said her daughter almost started to cry when told the program would no longer be available.
Parents said that Spanish was more than just learning a second language; it had given their children an appreciation for a culture that is very engrained in the San Diego community. Parents told anecdotes of students recognizing Spanish art and styles, coming home singing Spanish songs and speaking the language with a fine-tuned accent.
"This isn't just a 'nice to have' program, I think it can be a very interesting opportunity for our students in this state," said parent Jennifer Crittendon, noting over 30 percent of the population speaks Spanish in their home and the state's Hispanic population is 40 percent and growing.
Parent Katherine White lamented some of the programs besides Spanish that the district has lost, such as instrumental bands.
"It's time to stop losing programs," White said "We need to find a way to make this all work…We're a great district but we can be greater."
Wooden said that while it's true that the district has lost some programs, it's because of the foundation that they have been able to keep some programs that other schools "can't even dream about having," such as music and art.
Since 2009, the district has operated on the model that DMSEF monies come in and are allocated throughout the district schools. Each school site makes the decision on how to split up the money between music/art, PE, science and technology. Spanish used to be a part of ESC but the board decided to remove it in 2009.
"Every school in 2009 offered Spanish and we did away with Spanish as ESC," said Comischell Rodriguez. "We are not saying goodbye to Spanish tonight."
Rodriguez said she was insulted to be in this position because it was made very clear to the principals what the formula was. She recalled PE teachers who attempted to save their jobs when their ESC time was reduced in 2009 and parents weren't able to fund their contracts or allow them to come back.
"There's egg on the district's face because we have to abide by the law and it doesn't feel good at all," Rodriguez said.
Trustee Doug Perkins wondered whether it still made sense for the district to operate under those same foundation guidelines for parity.
"I'm looking at a three-year-old policy and seeing if there's a better way to do it and I think there is. I fear that the equity model loses ground to a site-based model," Perkins said, expressing an idea about incentivizing schools to increase giving and once they hit that incentive they could take site-based revenue for something additional. "It's sad that we're going backward and eliminating programs."
Trustee Kristin Gibson agreed that the foundation policy may deserve a fresh look but said that for now, the board couldn't operate outside the policies until they officially changed them.