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True Brand Differentiation: Not New or Improved
by Ted Mininni
Corporate marketing and brand managers have long worked on the premise that they can continue to enjoy a competitive edge by offering "new and improved" product features. This is touted as product and brand differentiation. But is it truly?
Corporate marketing departments and package design consultancies are constantly collaborating on management initiatives that best represent the brand. Everyone is striving for that unique positioning—differentiation—in an overcrowded marketplace. Honest, down-to-earth assessments must and should be made about brand differentiation if companies are to succeed, today and into the future. Yet, too many "me too" products—and packaging—continue to appear in the marketplace, making it more and more difficult to differentiate brands. In fact, according to industry estimates, of the more than 25,000 new products that appear annually, roughly 80% of them can be categorized as "me too". And 90% of them will disappear less than two years after being launched.
Packaging delivers
Brand identity and package design are increasingly important components of corporate branding strategies. They make a significant contribution toward the success of all category leaders in the marketplace. While marketing and advertising efforts seek to create "need" or demand for a product, only the package can tangibly deliver that product and brand to the consumer. The package must meet the consumer where he or she is, and it must deliver just the right brand message to promote a purchasing decision. The package is the last hope for reaching consumers. All of the corporate marketing, advertising and promotional efforts in the world go for naught if the consumer, standing before the retail shelf, passes over the product. When this happens, the huge cost of new product innovation, research and development, marketing and positioning the product in the marketplace has been a waste.
Since a brand's packaging is its most enduring and accessible brand communication vehicle, it's important that it conveys the brand experience through an innovative structure and package design system. The brand's packaging must be a synergistic part of the overall brand expression continuum.
Corporations tinker with their product brands in amazing ways. In the food and beverage business, for example, companies allocate millions of dollars to add a new flavor, new color, improved taste or vitamins to an existing product. But what have they done to bring excitement to the whole product category? To illustrate my point: check out your local supermarket's cereal aisles. While there are unique and noteworthy products, there is also much duplication. Interesting to note in this day and age of product proliferation, that some of the old "stand-bys" like General Mills' Cheerios, Kellogg's Corn Flakes and Nabisco Shredded Wheat continue to be top sellers.
New products constantly debut. Some do well. Many constitute a marginal return on investment for the manufacturers, who spend millions on R&D, manufacturing, packaging, marketing and advertising. When it is all said and done, what has been done to truly achieve overall brand differentiation? Let's be honest here: nothing.
It shouldn't be suggested that companies who manufacture consumables, as well as durable goods, should not build innovation into their products. That would be absurd. In today's fast-paced retail environments, with commoditization happening at an accelerated pace, true innovation is essential. However, it should always be predicated on making real improvements that consumers are looking for and demanding. True innovative features that make products new and unique in existing categories create excitement in the marketplace. They also create excitement for package design consultancies, and push them to innovate.
Sometimes the corporate objective is to develop a logo and package design system for line extensions by leveraging existing brand equities, creating distinctive imagery in the process. At other times, the packaging project involves the positioning of a single new product or a complete product line. In that case, brand identity and image must be created from scratch. Logo design, product naming and a host of research must be done prior to all of these functions. Category audits must be done to assess the competition on the shelf. The brand assets of the new product must be uncovered and its brand drivers identified. Research into the brand experiences that impact consumer perception and decision-making must be assessed. Ultimately, consumer satisfaction is paramount.
To buy or not to buy
Wal-Mart looks at packaging critically. Its benchmark? Consumers must get the brand promise behind the package within three seconds and up to fifteen feet from the shelf! The critical decision to buy—or not to buy—is made at the shelf. Recognizable, trusted brands in visually appealing, stimulating packaging have a distinct advantage in a sea of sameness.
In the food business, for example, convenience and convenient packaging factor into the buying decision. Are the products convenient and easy to open and re-close? Are they portable? Are they easy to dispose of? Other key factors include a perception of value, nutritional merit and even fun. When packaging delivers what I call the "enjoyment assets" of a brand, the consumer forms a meaningful relationship with that brand and its products, and this leads to brand loyalty. Uncovering the enjoyment assets of a product and brand becomes the foundation for building a differentiated visual expression for that brand. This creates an essential emotional bond between consumers and brands—and that connection becomes potent and lasting. Unlocking the enjoyment assets of a brand brings favorable associations to mind at the point of sale, motivating purchase. This creates a sense of brand promise fulfillment—something fundamental in the consumer's mind—and cements brand loyalty.
Even basic commodity products that do not ostensibly "own" enjoyment, can bring their differentiating attributes into play in packaging, and create positive interactions with consumers to create enjoyment within the brand experience. A host of research must be conducted to uncover the brand enjoyment assets of products. Some of these assets are overt, others are dormant and still others remain uncovered. Consumer-based research helps to uncover these factors. The ensuing package design solution must honestly and directly communicate solid brand values, and create that connection with the consumer.
Meaningful innovation
Safety "tamper-proof" features are important to many consumers. Today's educated and aware consumers are demanding more and more biodegradable packaging; and more and more use of post-consumer-recycled (PCR) packaging to cut down on waste. Resealable packaging allows consumers to easily store unused food portions in their own storage containers. Standup bags and pouches are easy to open, reseal easily and are portable. Standup, zippered freezer bags are more user friendly and take up less space in storage. Pop-top cans for products like Campbell's soup are convenient, quick and easy. Aseptic packaging for broths and soups stand out among myriad cans on the shelf, and since they are easily resealed, are convenient as well. Packaging that communicates the benefits of time-saving meal solutions is vitally important. Providing clear benefits in packaging yields significant dividends with consumers and retailers. Keeping the cost of delivering those benefits down in packaging, while creating the perception of greater benefits than the competitors' products, scores. This all points to the future of food packaging.
Structural packaging has been getting more and more sophisticated, and beverage manufacturers have been especially eager to distinguish their products by collaborating with design firms who specialize in this arena. New, irregularly shaped bottles, or bottles with multiple curves or unusually textured surfaces, have become increasingly popular. These are attention getters on the shelf.
Take a look in the grocery store aisle that merchandises bottled water, and you will see what I mean. Poland Spring, Dasani and Aquafina are merchandised in an array of artistic, ergonomic PET bottles that are as functional as they are beautiful.
Sam Rowse, owner and president of Veryfine, commented recently on the company's new packaging for Fruit2O fruit-infused spring water: "It has pillars designed into it, which gives it a wonderful way of refracting the light…when you turn it to drink, it gives the appearance of ice."
Veryfine's goal was to create a package that would be instantly recognizable to consumers, without even looking for the name on the label. Even high-end liquors are getting the structural packaging treatment. The future of structural packaging is exciting, and the possibilities endless.
Pressure-sensitive film labels on such bottles also make a strong statement. The investment in great package design will continue as food and beverage manufacturers continue to battle for market share and shelf space. The quest for more brilliant graphics and more innovative packaging will continue as vendors seek to differentiate their products and brands in an increasingly global marketplace. As manufacturers and packaging consultancies alike work toward the goal of delivering what the consumer and marketplace are demanding, they will continue to push the envelope and innovate.
A make or break proposition
By all means, companies should continue to improve and innovate their products or they risk losing category leadership. Rather than launching "new and improved" products and conducting the usual test marketing and consumer focus groups as part of their overall research, perhaps more companies should start with consumer surveys that point the way to the features and benefits that they as consumers want—in the first place. That is true research. Question: can manufacturers and consultancies working in tandem to deliver true product and packaging innovation to the consumer? Answer: they can, and they must.
True brand differentiation is about one simple, and often overlooked thing: consistently meeting, and exceeding, the basic needs and desires of the consumer. When product and packaging come together to deliver for the consumer, they create new category leaders. When companies deliver, they become true global leaders and own categories.
Increasingly, package design can make or break a product—or a brand. It either communicates true brand differentiation effectively, or it doesn't. It either delivers the product's merits to consumers and meets their needs, or it doesn't. Remember: only the package can tangibly deliver that product and brand to the consumer. Given this, can't we say that package design is one of the most crucial factors in building brand awareness and brand equity? Can't we also say that innovations in packaging are as crucial as innovations in consumer products? BP
The author, Ted Mininni is President of Design Force Inc., a metro New York consultancy specializing in brand identity and package design for the food and beverage and toy and entertainment industries. Contact Ted at 856.810.2277, or visit www.designforce.com.


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Discover the best RV rental in Beaverton, OR!
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Just a few miles west of one of the country's most unique cities of Portland, and in the beautiful landscape of the Pacific Northwest, Beaverton, Oregon, has a personality all its own. This gorgeous region offers visitors unique cultural activities, both in the city and the surrounding rural areas, along with an amazing variety of outdoor experiences. Beaverton is located in the Tualatin River Valley, boasts a charming, small-town plaza and shopping district, and is a great place to base your travels in and around this part of the country. From sophisticated to funky city experiences, and majestic mountain and seascape views, Beaverton is an attractive destination for all ages and interests. Enjoy your own adventure in the Pacific Northwest and book an RV in Beaverton, Oregon.
It would be hard to find a region more beautiful than the Pacific Northwest, with its volcanically-formed mountains, lush rainforests, the force and beauty of the Pacific Ocean, endless riverways, waterfalls, lakes and streams. Really, your options are almost limitless, especially with the mobile accommodations of your Beaverton rental camper.
The Beaverton/Portland area has many natural areas, offering great places for a walk or picnic. Local favorites include the Jordan Woods Natural Area, a gem of an area tucked into a pretty little neighborhood. Paved and unpaved walking paths connect this park to the nearby Jackie Husen Park. Another in-town nature treat is the Government Island State Recreation Area, with a series of islands accessible only by small watercraft; there is a myriad of opportunities for hiking, swimming and fishing. Take the kids to Nadaka Nature Park, with its fun playground, picnic facilities, nature trails and community garden.
This part of Oregon is home to the spectacular Columbia River, and not too far of a drive in your Beaverton rental RV is the wondrous Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. A must-see feature is Multnomah Falls, but you'll also find fishing, hiking, camping, picnic areas, and stunning sightseeing opportunities.
To the west of Beaverton is the grand coastline of Oregon, where the land meets the Pacific Ocean. Dotted with beautiful cliffsides, sandy beaches and active tide pools, this part of Oregon is another great reason to travel by Beaverton rental RV. You can camp right on the beach at Beverly Beach State Park, attend interpretive programs at the meeting house, hike, fish and watch one of the most beautiful sunset views you will ever see.
For an extended road trip in your Beaverton motorhome rental, find yourself in Crater Lake National Park. You can easily spend two to three days or more exploring this fantastic landscape. Known for its namesake Crater Lake, which was formed as a result of a collapsed volcano cone, you can enjoy numerous trails and the fabulous Rim Drive which takes you all around the lake.
Of course, you can visit burgeoning Portland, known for its quirkiness, green spaces, great eateries, city parks and arts and culture. But, Beaverton is a destination all its own. This charming town is the state's most ethnically diverse in the state, and this is highlighted through several annual events including the International Celebration, Ten Tiny Dances, a showcase of dances from around the world, and the famous Fiesta Latina.
Beaverton's historic downtown area offers history, coupled with art and culture. Specialty shops and boutiques are neighbors with antique stores, acclaimed eateries and wine tasting rooms. Events are held almost every weekend in the downtown plaza, including art shows, cultural events, and free music concerts. This is a great place to park your rental RV in Beaverton and enjoy a picnic, some people watching, or maybe a little shopping and relaxation.
Enjoy a self-guided art walk through the downtown Beaverton area, and enjoy the many public sculptures and murals, and visit some of the many private galleries. The performing arts are alive and well in Beaverton, with several community theater groups in the area, including plays, dance troupes and symphony orchestras.
Learn about the history and future of the area through many fine museums. The interesting geological history of the Columbia River Gorge and the Pacific Northwest is explored in the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals. Washington County Museum presents exhibits on topics that vary from space exploration to book art and the history of the area.
Love airplanes and the history of flight? Check out the Classic Aircraft Aviation Museum, and climb into the cockpit of a restored vintage fighter plane. Visit vintageTek Museum to learn about the history of technology.
It's said that folks who visit the Beaverton, Oregon, area in the Tualatin Valley never really leave. There's something about this area that draws people together. This is a laid-back place, with an artist-community feel, coupled with stunning landscapes and outdoor activities in every direction. The generally mild weather makes it a year-round destination, and its proximity to national seashores makes it a place for every traveler's interests and abilities. The unique flavor of such a culturally diverse place, and such close proximity to metropolitan Portland, ensures that every traveler will find something that he or she loves to do. Exploring this area in your Beaverton camper rental will really allow you to dive in like a native, and maybe never really leave.
There are dozens of state parks and other green spaces where you can stay in your Beaverton, OR rental camper. There are also many private RV parks, offering complete amenities like swimming pools, laundry facilities, WiFi, cable TV, camp stores, and more. In the nearby national forests, you can dry-camp in your Beaverton travel trailer rental, and complete facilities are available in Crater Lake National Park and other national park lands, just a day's drive away.
You'll find plenty of services for your trip, including camping supply stores, hunting and fishing license locations, fuel stops, grocery and convenience stores, and much more. Walmart stores are located throughout the region. In Beaverton, there are Walmart Neighborhood Markets on the north and south sides of town.
If you are a foodie, you've struck it rich in the Beaverton and Tualatin Valley area. This part of the state has gained recognition in culinary circles as a foodie's paradise. The Beaverton Farmers Market is the largest "all-agricultural" market in the region, and is open Saturday mornings from May through November. U-pick farms and farm stores dot the area during the summer harvesting season, and local restaurants take advantage of regional produce, too. Acclaimed restaurants, including many international flavors, offer fresh seafood, local beef, many gluten-free and vegan/vegetarian offerings, too. The area is specifically known for its many great Korean eateries, as well as several local wineries.
Stop dreaming and start planning your very own Tualatin Valley experience now! Search for an RV rental in Beaverton, OR, today!
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This article is part of UNU's Habitat III series featuring research and commentary related to the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, 17–20 October 2016 in Quito, Ecuador.
Urbanisation has reached a global tipping point with more than 50% of the world population now living in cities. For many people the thought of swelling urban areas brings to mind sprawling megacities like Tokyo and Mexico City, or the packed streets of Dhaka and New Delhi. Few people think of desolate islands as a scene of surging urban migration. But despite their comparatively lower urban population of about 35%, many Pacific Island countries (PICs) are currently experiencing urbanisation rates more than three times the global average. This trend will continue and with it comes an urgent need to address urban issues ranging from infrastructure and disaster risk to health, employment, and crime.
Scattered across the Pacific Ocean, the 22 PICs — also known as small island developing states (SIDS) — are home to about eight million people of distinct cultures. The region represents a wide diversity of languages, land use practices, and socio-economic conditions. Perhaps a surprise, the population density of some PIC capital cities is comparable to that of large Asian cities. In the Micronesian atoll nations of the Marshall Islands and Nauru, over 70% of the inhabitants live on the main islands, where their respective capital cities are located. It is projected that by 2020 more than half of the population in the Pacific will live in urban centres due to increasing rural-to-urban migration and the region's high birth rates.
Despite these trends, urban development issues are not a priority for many PICs and only a few have developed formal policies to address urbanisation, such as Samoa's efforts to establish their National Urban Policy.
Although this rural-to-urban migration might seem like a recent phenomenon, migration is not a new strategy for most Pacific Island communities. Inter-island migration has long been a coping mechanism to deal with stressors such as droughts, conflicts, or overcrowding. With the projected impacts of climate change and sea-level rise, migration will continue to be a coping mechanism for Pacific communities, particularly those living in low-lying atolls and coastal areas.
Rapid urbanisation on the Pacific Islands has brought about a number of benefits similar to other regions of the world: greater access to improved social services and infrastructure, more economic opportunities, enhanced food security, and access to stronger governance and land tenure systems than those found in the rural outer islands. For many of the PICs, most investments in services and infrastructure development target urban areas. This means that there are major disparities between the rural outer islands — where subsistence economy prevails — and urbanised islands, where much of the economic activity is concentrated.
But urbanisation has given rise to a myriad of socio-economic and environmental issues in the Pacific Islands, such as increases in informal settlements, civil unrest, environmental degradation, crime rates, and non-communicable diseases. Simultaneously, weak urban management and planning policies have exacerbated these problems. In many PICs, urbanisation has not contributed to a rise in gross domestic product, and a large number of the economies still depend on informal agricultural and tourism sectors.
Youth increasingly migrate from the rural outer islands in pursuit of modern lifestyles and the perceived benefits of living in cities. However, the number of jobs in these urban centres has not kept up with the influx of young migrants, resulting in a high rate of youth unemployment, particularly among young women.
For example, in South Tarawa, the capital and largest city of Kiribati, there are few private sector employment opportunities and even in the public (government) sector, which accounts for 60% of formal employment, the number of jobs is small. A lack of educational opportunities contributes to this problem, as there is only one technical college with a variety of courses to develop vocational skills. For young men the other choice is to study at the marine training centre so they can work in the seafaring industry.
Furthermore, cities across the Pacific struggle to provide services for the disadvantaged (such as low-cost housing) undermining the cultural fabric of looking after one another. This reality stems from how some politicians perceive poverty as an embarrassment. This perception has fuelled the rapid increase in informal settlements in cities like Suva, Fiji, which are often located on marginal land (mangroves and swamps) which is prone to flooding and erosion.
Despite these negative developments, urbanisation issues have attracted limited attention from policymakers and donors in the Pacific. Other pertinent issues — such as climate change, overfishing, and biodiversity loss — have been given precedence over the last decade. There has been an increase in funding for programmes related to these issues, which directly threaten the livelihoods of many communities and endanger the bedrock that PIC economies are built upon. These issues have also impacted the rate of urban growth; as many communities across the Pacific lose their homes to sea-level rise and salinisation of limited groundwater resources they are pushed to migrate from rural to urban centres.
There is an urgent need to focus on the links between Pacific Island urbanisation and stressors like climate change, which amplify risks to human security but are often overlooked in formal planning and policy processes. While rural-to-urban migration has given rise to a range of urbanisation issues — increasing demand for adequate and safe housing, clean water and sanitation, access to healthy food, and protection from natural hazards, to name a few — they have rarely been incorporated explicitly into national climate adaptation or disaster risk reduction planning efforts that are currently being mainstreamed across the Pacific Islands.
The Samoa Pathway Outcome document which sets the roadmap for sustainable development among all SIDS, only mentions urbanisation once in the context of "urban-rural linkages". This is alarming, given that many underlying processes driving urban vulnerability (such as loss of traditional dietary practices and increased reliance on imported food) also undermine a person's capacity to adapt to climate change and environmental degradation.
Nonetheless, there have been positive regional developments in addressing urbanisation issues in the Pacific, especially in preparation for this week's United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development — Habitat III. For example, the fourth Pacific Urban Forum held in early 2015 convened key policymakers who stressed the need for sustainable solutions to urban challenges. They called for increased urban resilience to tackle issues such as climate change, more robust social infrastructure, and enhanced capacity for urban governance. Since the forum, PICs such as the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea have begun to develop urban policies.
The final draft of the New Urban Agenda gives important focus to PICs in its call for action to address "the unique and emerging urban development challenges facing all countries, in particular developing countries, including … small-island developing states".
This urban focus is timely and essential. The outcomes of Habitat III must propel urbanisation issues into development policy, and seek to pave a path for culturally and contextually sensitive solutions that address the complex challenges of rapid urbanisation in the Pacific Islands.
Turning the Tide on Urbanisation Policy in the Pacific Islands by Natasha Kuruppu is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.


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The price of Bitcoin (BTC) is up 5% in the past 24 hours and currently trades at $9,600 after reaching a daily high at $9,664. The overnight increase in BTC coincides with an unexpected decision from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).
On July 22, the OCC said banks in the U.S. are allowed to hold cryptocurrencies. It essentially gave the green light to bank-operated crypto custodial services.
Within a day of the announcement, the cryptocurrency market surged. In tandem with BTC, Ether (ETH) also saw a substantial rally, as the price rose by 12%.
BTC USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView
Is Bitcoin price reacting to the OCC decision?
In a formal statement, OCC Acting Comptroller, Brian Brooks said banks could serve "tens of millions of Americans" by supporting cryptocurrency custody.
Brooks said:
"From safe-deposit boxes to virtual vaults, we must ensure banks can meet the financial services needs of their customers today. This opinion clarifies that banks can continue satisfying their customers' needs for safeguarding their most valuable assets, which today for tens of millions of Americans includes cryptocurrency."
Effectively, this has opened the floodgates for banks to enter the cryptocurrency market and provide their clients with tools to invest in cryptocurrencies.
Throughout 2020, a consistent increase in institutional inflows into Bitcoin has continued to push the cryptocurrency market upwards.
In the second quarter of this year, Grayscale said it processed $905.8 million in inflow to its cryptocurrency products. The firm, which operates the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, recorded $1.4 billion in total inflow over Q1-Q2.
Bank-run crypto custodial solutions could be an alternative to existing regulated Bitcoin investment vehicles. Investors may be interpreting this new development as bullish as it means more accredited and institutional investors could potentially invest in the cryptocurrency market in the long-term.
Peter Van Valkenburgh, the research director at non-profit organization CoinCenter, said:
"Accepting that centralized entities for cryptocurrency safekeeping and storage are unavoidable and essential, then it is excellent news that, thanks to the OCC's new policies, there will be even more competition for providing those services. National banks entering the game expands that competition and may also allow more traditional institutional investors to deal in cryptocurrencies."
It is possible that the unexpected announcement of the OCC fueled an abrupt increase in demand for top cryptocurrencies.
Industry executives react positively, but with some skepticism
The overall response to the statement of the OCC was positive. Industry executives generally said that it could result in more inflows into the cryptocurrency market in the medium-term.
But, Compound Labs lawyer Jake Chervinsky emphasized that the OCC is one of many regulators in the U.S. It is also unclear whether Brooks will remain as the Acting Comptroller for a long period.
Since banks move based on market demand, Chervinsky suggested that it does not guarantee an upsurge in banks supporting crypto custody. He said:
"Banks are ultimately businesses like any other, so they'll respond to customer demand. But OCC is only one of many relevant regulators, Brian Brooks may not be in charge there for much longer, and banks are psychotically risk-averse / compliance-focused."
As such, it remains to be seen whether investors are merely using the news as a narrative to push up the market.


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Friday November 6 – Sunday November 8, 2015
Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. – Midnight
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
2418 W. Swann Ave. | Tampa FL 33609
(Directly between So. Howard Ave. and So. Armenia Ave.) See map
• Entrance fee: $2.00
• FREE Parking throughout weekend. Click here for map.
• Free admission (11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday only)
• Free admission for children under 12 and for the military & family (with id).
• Entrance locations:
– Moody Avenue (rear parking lot located behind church and school.)
– On corner of Swann Avenue and Moody Avenue (in front of church)
• Disabled parking is located at Moody Avenue entrance.
What is The Tampa Greek Festival?
The Tampa Greek Festival is one of Hillsborough County's oldest cultural celebrations. Established more than 30 years ago, the festival strives to bring its heritage, its Orthodoxy, and of course, its wonderful food to individuals from throughout Tampa Bay. It is one of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church's biggest public fundraisers. Throughout the weekend, guests can enjoy strolling through the Grand Hall, indulging in inventive spirits at the Opa! Party Tent, and watching professional sports games in The Grecian Gardens, an outdoor oasis on the opposite side of the cathedral from the Kid's Zone. Whether it's freshly-prepared Mediterranean style food and pastries, an evening of live music and beautiful choreographed dance, or a unique shopping experience, The Tampa Greek Festival gives everyone the chance to enjoy life like a Greek.
The Orthodox Christian Church
For the first thousand years of Christianity, there was one Church. In 1054, the church broke into two, with the churches of Rome and Constantinople excommunicating one another. After 1054, the church in Eastern Europe became known as the Orthodox Christian Church, and the church in Western Europe became known as the Roman Catholic Church. Today, most of the Christians in Eastern Europe (Greece, Albania, the Balkan Countries), Russia, the Middle East and in the northeast part of Africa are Orthodox Christians. In many countries, like Greece and Russia, the Orthodox Church is the official state church. In non-Orthodox countries like the United States, the Orthodox Church bears the name of the ethnic group which founded the church. The Orthodox Church is marked by Traditions that are universally practiced, including the way churches are built (architecture), decorated (with icons), the services that are held and the theology that governs the church. We invite you to take a tour of our church and learn a little bit more about its history as well as the symbolism of its beautiful interior appointments.
St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church is the second oldest Orthodox community in Tampa Bay. It was founded by Greek-Americans in the 1950s. This doesn't mean that the church is for Greeks only—in fact 90% of marriages in our church today are between Greeks and non-Greeks. The church is under the authority of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta and serves more than 350 Tampa families through a vibrant variety of activities and outreach efforts. St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church Office Phone: 813-876-8830 Fax: 813-443-4889 firstname.lastname@example.com wwww.greekorthodoxchurchtampa.org[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]


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SFWMD Weekly Environmental Conditions Report forwkly_env_conditions_ops_report_2020_03_11
My husband Ed's aerials of the St Lucie River/Indian River Lagoon show a positive picture of area waters that in 2013, 2016, and 2018 were black and green with the repeated bruises of Lake Okeechobee's toxic algae blooms. This is not the case last year in 2019, and so far in 2020. We must celebrate these wonderful times for our waters by enjoying them. Healthy breezes float by, fish are jumping, and a blue lavender sky beckons you…
Most important, sea grasses are recovering. ~Although dormant in winter like the plants in our yards, they bloom forth now; "spring has sprung!" Signs of life are everywhere from pink and orange, protected baby queen conch at the Sandbar, to 9 armed starfish walking about, and even the recent rare sighting of critically endangered Right Whales, ~a mother with her calf swam slowly across St Lucie Inlet. Thank God the water was clean!
We are thankful for these times of bluer and clearer water and we will never give up the fight! Enjoy the the flight and if you can, go visit our beautiful river.
~STARTING OUT AT C44STA/RESERVOIR, WESTERN MARTIN COUNTY, this project cleans water from the C-44 Canal before it enters the SLR
~FLYING EAST OVER THE TOWN OF SEWALL'S POINT and HUTCHINSON ISLAND provides a familiar view of the confluence of the St Luice River and Indian River Lagoon where the water bodies converge to exit at the St Lucie Inlet. Although the upper St Lucie is always ailing from years of damage, the lower St Lucie and Indian River Lagoon is very flushed by the sea. Seagrasses in the area of the Sandbar and Sailfish Flats have been dormant during winter months and are blooming out now-just like plants and flowers in our yards. It will be important to compare these photos to summer to see true recovery.
~FLYING SOUTH ALONG ST LUCIE INLET STATE PARK, JUPITER ISLAND and then swinging north we see Hutchinson Island's Bathtub Beach, being restored AGAIN, the 1876 House of Refuge where the mother Right Whale and calf were just a couple of weeks ago, and the nearshore reefs VISIBLE and not under black green toxic water.


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Standard Aircraft Operating Cost - Alarus
Lycoming 0-235 fuel burn is approximately 5.5 US Gallons per hour
Wearable spare parts such as tires, brake pads, filters etc. are less than $5.00 per hour
50 hour inspection time is about 4 hours
100 hour inspection time is about 8 hours
Engine TBO at 2,400 hours is less than $10,000.00 when done in-house
Basic airframe maintenance is rare due to the extra strength of the structure
Prices, performances, specifications and all other information on this web site is subject to change without notice.
Above costs are estimates only and can vary based on operator etc.


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Mountain Lakes High School Social Studies Department
Welcome to the MLHS Social Studies Department homepage. Our department realizes that in the 21st century, our students need to be prepared to live as global citizens. Therefore our classes are geared to help students acquire knowledge of the diverse people with whom they share this world. Our courses were designed by using the NJ Social Studies Learning Standards.
Moreover, as the world is experiencing a virtual revolution in information and communication technologies, MLHS students need to be trained to acquire and critically evaluate the abundance of information. Our teachers use resources and primary sources that foster the skills students need to communicate their knowledge about the social sciences.
MLHS Social Studies Staff
Darrell Fusco, Social Studies Supervisor
Mary Piasecki
World Cultures
AP US History 2 &
US History 2 Honors
Rebecca Hadjiloucas
& AP Economics
Mark Hoffman
US History 1 Honors
& Holocaust
Sarah Gillespie
AP Government, PXL,
& US History 2
Rich Ziccardi
AP World, AP European,
AP Art & World Cultures
Francis Hittinger
World Cultures & Latin


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Hello @ll,
version 1.12 of the P4AO fixes an issue with exporting the scenery library into a temporary scenery.cfg file. The old versions failed to expand the scenery paths if they were relative to the add-on.xml defining them.
This update is also recommended for all those who are using MakeRunways for Prepar3D V4, as this tool also makes use of the P4AO's export function.
Best regards
Leave a Reply.
This page shows product news and information about current development streams


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The Petaluma People Services Center will launch its new iRide Petaluma volunteer driver program Tuesday, Feb. 25 in a fundraising event at Lagunitas Brewing Co.
The event will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the outdoor Beer Sanctuary of the brewery at 1280 N. McDowell Blvd.
PPSC, in conjunction with the Petaluma Senior Center, is launching iRide Petaluma, a volunteer driver program for people who are unable to use the bus or who need transportation within Petaluma. The program will utilize a network of volunteers who will use their own vehicles to drive seniors to their appointments, providing a personalized one-on-one transportation service.
Admission is $5, which includes appetizers prepared by chef Tracy Gentry. One hundred percent of the beer sales will be donated to the iRide Petaluma program.
Live music will be provided by Los Gu'achis, a Petaluma group that plays songs of Mexico, the Southwest, Early California and other places.
For more information, contact PPSC at 765-8488 or e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com.


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The "Quick Search" tools in the drop down menu is listed by sequenced titles from A to B. Please Note – Book prices can be subject to change.
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Shark Scope
Analyze your statistics to find out where you make all your money or use our Tournament Selector to find the easiest tournaments on the internet.
* You are allowed 5 free searches per day.


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History shows us there's no protection for Black women in America
"The Most disrespected woman in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected woman in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman." – Malcolm X
This past Sunday the body of Kenneka Jenkins was found dead in a deep freezer of the Crowne Plaza hotel in Chicago after a night of partying and dancing with her friends. As details slowly came out about the story, a shared disgust from the Black community arose as another Black woman was left vulnerable and defenseless to her own community.
As I've written on Black Women from them going missing, the threats from masculinity, trans violence, and more, the issue has become abundantly clear: there are truly no protections in the world for Black women.
Kenneka's death is a summary of just how dangerous it is to be a Black woman in America. The friends she attended the event with who should have been looking out for her while in an intoxicated state, let her be harmed. The men who should have been protecting her, knowing she was not in the right state of mind. Some even believe inconclusive video posted online even shows Kenneka was potentially sexually assaulted. The hotel and the state who received pleas from the family to find her, did nothing until it was too late. For Black women, this story in pieces and as a whole is commonplace when discussing the difficulty for them to exist in safe spaces.
–Video reportedly shows Kenneka Jenkins enter freezer alone–
There are numerous examples of scenarios in which even Black women have blamed Black other women for the harm they potentially brought upon themselves. Internalized sexism and misogyny is a learned behavior within our community, passed down from generation to generation that has removed the agency of women to show up as their full selves. It was last year that singer Erykah Badu set the internet on fire, claiming that young girls should wear longer skirts if they don't want older men to harass or make sexual advances at them. Again, another attempt at placing the burden of Black women protecting themselves from predatory men, on Black women. Badu's argument, and many like hers, is not something new and mirrors the sexist statements men often make in barbershops and locker rooms.
To counteract this, Black women have begun to film and chronicle their daily interactions with men, who often invade their spaces when they are minding their own business. The #YouOkSis campaign started by feminist and journalist Feminista Jones chronicled the stories of Black women who were street harassed, attacked, and even murdered at the hands of men. These stories offer a lens into the world of Black women who deal with sexism, misogynoir; an effort to put the blame on the offenders rather than the victims.
Tragically, the alleged sexual assault stories involving celebrity men like R. Kelly, Bill Cosby, Nate Parker and others, have exposed revolting commentary from men; comments rooted in the notion that "women knew what they were getting into" when they end up in environments that become unsafe, removing the responsibility of men to respect a woman's agency. There is a shared belief that Black women are bringing harm to themselves because of how they dress and react in given scenarios, removing any accountability on the part of the man who is to blame for an ideology rooted in manhood being tied to sexual dominance and superiority based on gender and sex.
No one is free unless the black trans woman is free
Life expectancy of 35
We can no longer be silent about the dehumanizing of trans folks https://t.co/NHyGamxre1
— George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) August 24, 2017
This experience is not only commonplace for Black hetero women, as Black trans women also experience this shared plight within their communities. So far, 19 trans women have been murdered in 2017 as their community sees violence at an alarming rate in comparison to other marginalized populations.
Black trans women who have a life expectancy of just 35, are quickly being removed from existence in so-called civilized societies. What's more is that though their attackers and murderers are almost exclusively Black men, the burden of safety is yet again placed back on the victim–the vulnerable and the marginalized. However, communities of color are only echoing an even greater threat to the Black woman and the devaluing of their existence, which is coming at the hands of the state.
In a piece I wrote for theGrio entitled "Black women and girls are missing and no one seems to care," I discuss the epidemic of Black women who have gone missing with little to know action from the state. Thousands of Black women and girls go missing a year and the state is quick to assume that they are runaways rather than victims, which in turn allows them to not utilize man hours and additional officers to find them.
Korryn Gaines and Sandra Bland will also go down as Black women who rather than be protected by the state, were in fact murdered by the state. Instead of their cases being about police interactions with Black women, and how cops should be held accountable to uphold a standard of protect and serve. It became about respectability politics, and how these Black women didn't deserve to be respected and protected due to their disobedience of a law enforcement system that has never given them reason to be trustful.
Y'all misogynistic and abusive fucks keep telling women to "just leave."
LOOK AT WHAT CAN HAPPEN. https://t.co/TedCBSA7Qj
— PrestonMitchum (@PrestonMitchum) September 12, 2017
The time has come that as a community we begin to not only acknowledge the plight of the Black woman, but put actions in place for their protection and safety in effort to create equality and equity amongst a community that is often divided on the issue of sex and gender. Black women stay in abusive relationships and get killed. Black women try to leave abusive relationships and get killed. Black women walk to the train minding their business and ignore a man's advances and get killed.
At some point, we must recognize that it is not on Black women to protect Black women, but on us to challenge hetero Black men and beyond, and condemn the violence they continue to place upon our sisters.
The death of Kenneka is truly sad and bizarre. A young Black woman, who was in a vulnerable state lost her life tragically when she arguably could have been saved. The time is now that we take responsibility for our Black women and their protections. We have failed them time and time again, and now the blood is on the hands of any unwilling to stand up.
George M. Johnson is the Managing Editor of BroadwayBlack.com. He has written for Ebony, TheGrio, TeenVogue, NBC News and several other major publications. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram


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By Alexandra York
published in the June 2005 issue of The Living Resources
Newsletter, an online publication of Dr. Michael Hurd,
and again in the Summer 2005 ART UPDATE Newsletter
Art or
con art? A festival or an offence? Sacred or silly? Jolly
good fun or a sneaky snide joke? Whatever one may decide,
THE GATES—Christo's orange stretch of "fabric" that lined 23
miles of Central Park walkways in February (2005)—was surely
a phenomenon that succeeded in frenzy feeding our shallow,
starved-for-distraction culture. Of course, like Chinese
food, after consuming the meal, one is hungry an hour later.
[That's a New York joke, friends]. But viewed for a moment
as a serious phenomenon, whatever one does conclude,
individually, is determined by each of us via our value
systems. The response of every viewer will be in direct
relationship to his or her own subjective, personal values,
whether affirmed or assaulted by that artificial
installation running through New York's most treasured
mini-countryside. On the other hand, there is an objective
artistic judgment to be made. So how do we arrive at that?
starters, let's quickly consider "a Chinese menu" of
possible definitions in order to choose a category for THE
GATES from which to critique its success or failure. The
first definition (of art) is my own, taken from a 1997
speech I gave at Hillsdale College in Michigan, titled THE
FOURTH "R" in EDUCATION, which was subsequently published in
Vital Speeches of the Day. The rest are from the
Oxford English Dictionary.
Art: an
intelligible representation of the world and humankind that
manifests an artist's conceptual visions in perceptual,
aesthetic form.
Entertainment: The action of occupying (a person's)
attention agreeably… That which affords interest or
amusement. A public performance of exhibition intended to
interest or amuse.
Amusement: Distinction or diversion of the attention…;
beguiling, deception. Idle time-wasting diversion or
Something new or unusual; a novel thing or occurrence.
Annoyance: The action of annoying, vexing, troubling,
molesting or injuring; molestation.
The action of attacking or assailing. The act or fact of
offending; wounding or displeasing the feelings of another;
usually viewed as it affects the person being offended;
hence… displeasure or annoyance or resentment caused
(voluntarily or involuntarily) to a person.
course, Christo's installation was voluntary (meaning
intentional), and intention counts in our choice of
categorization for judgment of his work. In fact, the
question—and it is a question—of intent is one of the
reasons many New Yorkers declined to spend time going to
witness something we considered to be an annoying (albeit
temporary) "molestation" of our precious urban/country
retreat. For many of us, it seemed like nothing more than an
orange stain, preventing our normal enjoyment of the park.
I have,
however, reports from people who did go. I also have seen
pictures of the display and have prior knowledge of
Christo's presentations on which to base my reactions. But
just as I, personally, don't need to see TV programs that
glamorize the Mafia or Broadway shows that find Hitler
funny, I know that I am not interested in any of his
projects, that there is no value exchange for me and that,
at root, there is something very wrong at play from both an
artistic and philosophical point of view.
The title
itself was abstruse: Gates (usually swinging contraptions)
serve to open or block an entrance or exit path to or from
something. In Central Park they installed many miles and
spent millions of dollars creating a glaring orange corridor
of some industrial fiberglass or "rip stop" nylon chute of
fabric, which lined the already-existing walkways of the
park and led to nothing but its own end. It wasn't even akin
to the yellow brick road that led to a phony Wizard of Oz;
it didn't "go" anywhere for any purpose except to outline
the thoughtfully and aesthetically designed paths originally
designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, whose motive was to
create a "natural" country haven as a retreat in the midst
of an increasingly fast-moving urban environment for
inhabitants dearly in need of respite—Olmstead, by the way,
didn't even approve of skating rinks or any man-made objects
that would intrude on his carefully designed "natural"
environment, so we can imagine what he would have thought of
this stunt.
To be
fair, though, the construction did take a great deal of
planning, time and effort, and the "fabric" did sometimes
blow in the wind. And I'm told that the plastic post and
beam structures that held the fabric in place exactly
matched the same color of orange as the fabric. Now that's a
technological feat? So should we give Christo and his
red-haired wife-partner credit there? Maybe her hair should
have been changed to orange for the occasion?
even though it was considered 'spiritual' by some art
reviewers, I found nothing ethereal or spiritual about the
whole production," an older male writing colleague reported,
"even though they said the color was 'saffron,' evoking the
color of Buddhist monks' robes. It really was orange. Yet,
on some level, it was an aesthetic experience. The sky was
blue, the snow was white and the trees, bare of leaves, were
brown, so the color combination was actually quite
striking." His most telling observation, however, was that
all the spectators seemed to have had a good time. "A sort
of sixties-type 'Happening.' A gala get-together."
middle-aged friend of mine (who, incidentally, tips the ends
of her long blonde hair with touches of orange) did not
visit "the atrocity" on principle: "Millions of dollars
spent on a ridiculous folly! Why would I go? The money would
have been better spent on extra soup kitchens with hot meals
for the homeless in the middle of winter. At least, then,
there would be some good come from it on a human level.
Besides, the Park is supposed to be nature. So I might go
for a walk in the snow to be with nature in the middle of
our rat race that is
New York, but to walk through a bunch of goopy fabric that looks
like monochromatic laundry hanging out? Give me a break!"
Turkish-American friend (in her twenties) decided she didn't
want to see the spectacle—"too obviously commercial and
self-promoting!" But one day she happened to find herself at
Columbus Circle and thought: Well, why not? I'll take a
look. Three minutes later, she stomped out of the park
muttering, "We have enough construction going on in New
York. I don't need to see any more orange!" [Steel netting
and barriers surrounding construction sites in NYC are
orange—did the "artist" think of that? I doubt it. But she
Japanese friend mused that the post and beam construction
reminded her of the Shinto gates (sans fabric) that provide
an entrance to a particular temple in Kyoto, so that was
nice. But my Italian hairdresser was furious, not at the
billowing fabric that gave him a great emotional rush but at
all the people he heard who kept asking, "What does it
mean?" "Everything doesn't have to have a purpose or a
meaning," he declared. "If it makes you feel good, that's
enough!" Of course, the meaning was passed out in written
form to any passersby who wanted it, and people were
stationed here and there throughout the route to explain
what it was all about. The visitors I know who read the
literature or talked to the explainers couldn't figure out
quite what any of the meaning meant, but it was there for
the taking and talking. Finally, a teacher I know, who walks
through the park every day to work, found the daily,
physical construction of THE GATES more interesting than the
finished product.
The one
common denominator I heard from all those I queried, who
actually enjoyed wandering around the phenomenon was that
the event was fun in a lighthearted party atmosphere sort of
way and everybody attending seemed to have a good time.
So what's
the problem? How could this "creation" be offensive or
threatening to anyone? It provided a destination point for
out-of-towners who came to collect memories and pictures for
back-home-cocktail-chatter and New Yorkers who would rather
have been in the Caribbean but had already read the Sunday
paper and seen all the awful movies at $10.50 per ticket,
nibbled at $5.00-a-bag popcorn and had nothing better to do,
or else New Yorkers who were just curious and wanted their
own first-hand opinions.
So how
can I postulate that this spectacle of sorts was
artistically and philosophically wrong? A couple of reasons:
If you love nature and do not wish the most important nature
spot in New York City to be "molested," even temporarily by
a frivolous intervention, you were prevented from enjoying
the park for sixteen days. Or if you love serious art that
is intelligible and does have ideational content as well as
aesthetic beauty, you will be offended by the transformation
of the walkways of a beautiful, purposeful "natural" and
cherished Central Park into an avenue of orange that the
tastemakers have termed "art."
If you want to call THE GATES free amusement and a
fortnight's "fun" distraction, then the project was a
success. Fine. But don't call it art! This is the crucial
point. Call it a party, but don't call it art because that
denigrates the definition of true art. And that is dangerous
to our culture because it encourages the elimination of
objective artistic standards, turns art criticism into
promotional commercialism and throws the whole subject of
art into a free-for-all grab bag.
lay the peril and the offense. Whether Christo's intent was
to give a bright orange public party, or to put up an
artificial entity so that once it came down people would
appreciate real nature better, or to nihilistically destroy
any definition of art altogether, I do not know because I
don't believe any rationale that these type of "artists"
give. Is Christo malicious? Is he consciously attacking
objective standards of "fine" art? Or is he just having
childish, impish fun, thumbing his nose at the seriousness
of anything at all, all the while promoting himself as his
greatest product and (I am told) making money from sales of
his many drawings of projects to collectors, plus (I am told
by a friend whose business partner owns one) sales of framed
pieces of the "fabric" itself.
fine. Free enterprise, caveat emptor and all that. After
all, he doesn't physically hurt anyone or any thing—except
for the time when his umbrellas flew away and nearly
decapitated onlookers—and his installations are always of
short duration, so even if he offends our values, it's not
for long. But the fact remains: whether voluntarily or
involuntarily, he does succeed in offending not only serious
art but also values as such, thereby helping to confuse and
degrade the whole subject of values on a most fundamental
level. This undeniable fact is neither fun nor funny.
I can't
resist suggesting that if Christo's act had been billed as a
circus—"Banners and Circuses," maybe, instead of "Bread and
Circuses"—it might be judged by more appropriate criteria.
But we still run into a snag don't we? Because even a circus
act requires specific skills and employment of craft, and
the performers can be judged objectively by audience
appreciation commensurate to the excellence of the act; that
is to say if an acrobat flies gracefully through the air and
catches the bar, he has succeeded and deserves applause, but
if no one laughs at a clown, he has clearly failed and
everybody, including the clown, is unhappy.
I will pose one psychological reason as to why so many from
so far wished to witness and be part of THE GATES: a
psychological desire that has caused people throughout
history and throughout the world to want to witness and "be
part of " one-time-only experiences, like the (now unlawful)
Indian ritual of suttee, the execution of a satanic heretic,
the launching of a first space ship, or the last race of a
famous boat—All subjects of interest, of course, are
determined by one's value system as to what one wants to
witness and be part of . But the psychological urge, I
believe, comes simply from the wish is to declare: "I was
there!" "I have the story to tell my grandchildren and/or
pictures of me in front of the 'whatever' to prove I was
there!" Oh, glory!
So ponder
the definitions above and see what you think of those now
media-fossilized GATES that no longer exist in real life
(except that the remaining fabric has gone into a recycling
bin, so it can come back in another form—Ah,
reincarnation!). You do not need to see certain so-called
"art" to judge it, if it's this far afield, especially "art"
sadly misplaced in actual fields of nature, so carefully
designed by an architect with all aesthetic and
horticultural sincerity.
Art and
the meaning of serious art are crucial, life-serving values,
nourishing our personal spiritual existence and our cultural
identity. We must not let charlatans walk in our midst,
lauded for the wrong reasons and without criticism from
those who seek not celebrity (like the rest of them) but
truth to values.
To end my
commentary where it began, on another Chinese note, just for
my own fun and symmetry's sake: a Chinese-born friend of
mine took her young niece to see THE GATES because she
thought the girl might want to report the event during "Show
and Tell" in school the next day. At first, she was just
bored. But then she was reminded of the
Great Wall of China (which, of course, had been built for serious purposes,
not for frivolity), and her boredom turned to
annoyance—"Those orange things had no significance or
purpose," she told me. "A waste of time." She also told me
that when she asked her American-born niece how she liked
THE GATES, the ten-year-old child responded: "Well, could we
go over to F.A O. Schwartz (the most beloved and lavish
children's toy store in
York)? I like it better there."
following excerpts from Alexandra York's novel, CROSSPOINTS
A Novel of Choice, pertain directly to the criticism in the
above article:
Chapter Seven:
Leon found
the artistic outlet he needed: "constructions" or "stunt"
art, he called it. He was learning at last (and to his
relief) that art need not aspire to be beautiful or
uplifting but would better succeed by simply being different
and unexpected… or as offensive as possible. Laughing at the
idea of love and having sex with countless females had
canceled (and corrected) his childhood idealism. Now he
found he could also laugh at art and mindscrew everyone in
the art world, too. Once one caught onto the irony of it
all, the rawest and most distorted real replaced the highest
and most beautiful ideal with shocking ease in every part of
life. That was what the twentieth century was all about,
wasn't it? And the twenty-first? Cashing in, of course.
Leon was finally, completely, happy. In life and in art. His acerbic wit
and contagious good humor became a trademark for him. In
college, he "created" everything from a gigantic sunbaked
pretzel twisting through a
Harlem housing project to a mammoth hot-air "kite" tethered to an abandoned
building in the
Bronx. He constructed a ladder, which led viewers to a tree house to look
through a knothole at a deeply pitted "earthwork" he had dug
into a hill a mile away across the
River and listen to Rap music amplified through tree branches hardwired for
sound. And he laughed to himself at the people, critics and
public alike, who actually climbed the ladder to see his
"art" and attend to the bruising lyrics that turned the
grotesque charade into a multi-media event.
Chapter Twenty-two:
wrong," he said. "One could ignore it. And one should! But
no one ever has. It's a fair trade. My art is a joke to me
and a commodity to them. But they are the fools, not I.
They've climbed ladders to see it, they've walked around it
so as not to muddy it with their shoes, they've stood in the
cold while I burned it at a 'public corroding ceremony'.
They don't want art, they want theatricality: something to
write about, something to prattle about at cocktail parties.
I give it to them. One critic, for years, called me the
'last Enfant Terrible of Art'. He didn't give a pig's eye
about what I made. He loved me because I was a brat who gave
him his headlines, his reputation. But what have they all
given me in return? Their independent judgment. And why is
that? Because what once were called standards by which to
judge no longer exist, proof positive that most of the last
century defined art as just what an artist does. And who is
an artist, you might ask? Why anyone who says he's an artist
and can get a few other influential people to believe him.
It's all a big joke! Why shouldn't I cash in on such a
society? Some people still think art means something. Some
brainwashed fools even really think that a heap of horseshit
means something if it's varnished and shoveled into a
gallery or a museum. But at least I'm honest with myself. It
all just a big, sad mercenary joke!"
© 2005 Alexandra York. All rights reserved.


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Additional information
|8.562 × 19.625 × .500 in
This piece was conceptualized at Swift Engineering, It is a mixture of modern materials and finishes.Starting out with Ren-Shape (a material used to lay-up carbon fiber race car parts) I hand sculpted it, it has 8 different angles that would be very efficient in the wind tunnel, once shaped it was primed and painted Scuderia Rosso (authentic Ferrari red).The sculpted shape was then bonded to an authentic carbon fiber panel with a matte finish which was mounted to a 6061t-6 aluminum plate with a brushed, hard anodized finish, The industrial polished ball bearing completes this extraordinary exclamation point.
Brushed hard anodized .375 6061t-6 aluminum plate , matte caron fiber, Renshape, Ferrari Scuderia Rosso paint 1.125 industrial ball bearing.
8.562" w x 19.625"h x .500 d
1 in stock
|8.562 × 19.625 × .500 in


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Introduction: Hazelnut and Almond Nougat Chocolate Brownies (With a Secret)
185g Unsalted butter cut into cubes
185g dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids)
85g Plain flour
40g Cocoa Powder
3 Large eggs
175g Golden Caster sugar
75g Almond Nougat (I got mine from a pick 'n Mix Sweet shop)
25g whole hazelnuts (chopped)
(optional) 4 or more Ferrero Rocher chocolates.
Put the butter and chocolate in a bowl and melt over a small saucepan about a quarter full of hot water. Do not let the bowl touch the water. Use a low heat and melt the butter and chocolate together. Put to one side to cool.
Cut the almond nougat into small chunks and chop the hazelnuts into rough pieces.
Turn the oven on to heat fan160C/180C/Gas 4.
Use a 20cm square tin and line the bottom with non-stick baking paper.
Sieve together the flour and cocoa powder into a bowl.
Break the eggs into a bowl of a stand mixer or use a hand held mixer. Add the caster sugar and whisk together on maximum speed for about 5-8 minutes until the mixture is thick, pale and creamy and double the size. Check the batter leaves a trail when a little is allowed to settle on the surface.
Pour the cooled chocolate mixture into the egg mixture. Fold together with a rubber spatula. Be gentle but thorough. Keep the air in the mixture.
Sieve in the flour and cocoa mixture and gently incorporate them with the chocolate mixture. Be careful again and use a spatula attachment on the stand mixer if you have one.
Add in half of the nougat pieces and half of the hazelnut chunks. Mix carefully in.
Pour the mixture into the tin and level off. If you are going to add the Ferrero Rochers do it now. Push them gently into the mixture and cover over with some of the chocolate mix so they do not burn. The mixture will rise up around them.
Top with the rest of the chopped nougat and hazelnuts.
Put in the oven for 25 minutes and then check. It will probably wobble in the middle and will need another 5 minutes or more.
I cooked for another 10 minutes in all. They are ready when the top is set and the sides are coming away from the tin a little. You can also check with a clean skewer to see if it comes out clean.
Leave in the tin to cool and then lift out and cut into squares. The very lucky ones will have a Ferrero chocolate in their piece. These are the nuts hidden by the secret squirrels.
Makes approx. 12 Brownies.
Step 1:
Participated in the
Chocolate Contest


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Allow me to introduce you to one of my and John's biggest cheerleaders: my friend Arayna. We met Arayna through church and when she discovered we were adopting she was on us like irony on a hipster. For the past year every encounter we've had with her has been met with deep encouragement, heartfelt words, and usually a weepy set of eyes or two. Arayna has also spent a couple evenings putting her notary stamp and signing skills to use, notarizing what feels like hundreds of adoption documents. She never complains about hand cramps or how much ink we've asked her to spill for us though; she just keeps on encouraging and cheering us on.
Arayna's been so encouraging because she knows. Not the kind of, "I know the waiting is hard" or "I bet you are so excited!" knowing, but the real kind of knowing. The I've been there kind of knowing. Arayna and her husband Jeff have welcomed two beautiful children, Zac and Emily, into their family through the gift of adoption. A couple weeks ago I asked her if she would be willing to share her story on my blog. With a bit of trepidation but a generous and willing spirit she said yes and much to my delight she chose to share on the part of these adoptions that is very tender and beautiful: the openness.
Welcome Arayna. I hope you are blessed by her story of open adoption as I have been.
Open adoption. Two words that strike fear into any adoptive mom's heart. Mine was no
exception. If you had asked me 14 years ago whether or not I would have an open adoption I
would have emphatically told you "no." I wasn't the least bit interested and extremely afraid.
Fast forward to today and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Let me give you a little context into how things have changed over the last several years.
As most adoptive parents know, there are lots of steps and stages that you go through before
you get an approval from an agency and an even longer wait before you finally have that
precious babe in your arms.
One of these steps and stages for us was a pre-adoption class where we had an opportunity
to listen to a birth mother share her story, her experiences, her regrets, basically her heart.
It was heart wrenching to listen to, but it also left an amazing impact on me. After listening to this young woman talk, it dawned on me that what these birth mothers craved was simply reassurance.
She understood that she was going to miss out on much in this little one's life, and just wanted something, anything to reassure her that her child was loved, was growing and developing well, and that she had made the right decision. A few pictures, a few notes, a visit now and then seemed so little to give in comparison to what she was giving up. And that was how I looked at it. Someone had to lose something in order for someone to gain. I haven't forgotten that lesson.
Our open adoptions started off hesitantly; meeting at neutral locations, short amounts of time, and a fair amount of trepidation in my heart. There were lots of tears all the way around, but there were lots of smiles and laughter too. We slowly moved our way to visits in our home, including more of our family and at times more of our birthmother's families as well. It was a progression; we didn't just jump in with both feet. It took time to build those relationships and more importantly for us all to build trust. In the beginning there were lots of "rules:" curfews, phone calls to check in, all of it. I would pace back and forth in front of the door beginning a half hour before the kids were due home. I admit, I was afraid. The never ending "what if's" would creep in and I would be a nervous wreck.
|Zac and Jane on Zac's third birthday.
|Emily and Alecia / Christmas Party / 2009
When we began this open adoption journey we honestly had no idea what it would look like, let alone feel like. I share with everyone who will listen that we have 2 children that are adopted and that we have open adoptions for both of them. I always get the same response, "I could never do that". I just smile because there was a day and time I thought the same thing. It's not so difficult really. Our hearts were opened to these small lives long before they were ever placed in our arms and their birth moms were placed in our hearts right along with those small little babies.
I asked both of the kids the other day what they thought about having open adoptions. It was never a question I'd actually asked them before. I admit I was a bit nervous wondering what they would say, but come to find out, I had no reason to be concerned. They both agreed that they like knowing "where they come from and who they look like." Our son said to me, "It's just like having an extra family." And that is the best description I could ever give. It is family, it is my children's family. Yes, they are my children, but they also have their birth family. It does not lessen my importance or my role in their lives to have Jane and Alescia involved. It does not diminish what I have done. And I honestly believe that by encouraging those relationships between my kids and their birthmothers, I am allowing them to cultivate a relationship that I hope will last them a lifetime. It won't just be the "where did I come from and why did you give me up" questions that most adoptees wonder about. By fostering these relationships from the very beginning we are building a relationship where, I hope, our kids never wonder about those things. Those topics have been talked about and I am sure they will be talked about again. Each stage and phase of understanding that the kids reach; they will understand on a deeper level those answers and it is our hope that they are not left "wondering."
|Zachary, Jane, Jane's parents, Jason (Jane's brother) / Zachary's 12th Birthday 2011
|Mother's Day 2012
Jane, Zac, Arayna, Emily, & Alecia
When I read through Arayna's post I was struck by the truth that so often the greatest rewards in life require the greatest risk. As Arayna's title "an unexpected blessing" suggests, when we confront our fears and insecurities we are often surprised by many of the good gifts our Lord has to offer us. When I see this family sitting in church I thank God for Arayna and Jeff's courage and their decision to open their lives up to two open adoptions. They are a living testimony.
Thank you for sharing Arayna!
Since this is Adoption Awareness month I have a little giveaway to encourage some awareness!
The goods:
From my etsy shop, one reader will win a choice of either a "someday" necklace or a "faith hope love" necklace:
And another reader will win our "It takes a village" navy shirt in either M v-neck (pictured) or L crew-neck.
|designed and modeled by my ah-mah-zing sister - check her out jennabos.com
To enter, two things:
1. Pick a post on this blog- any post- and share it on facebook to build adoption awareness.
2. Come back and comment on this post and tell me which post you shared.
That's it! You will be entered to win one of the two prizes. Entries close next Wednesday at noon. Winner will be randomly electronically selected and announced next Wednesday evening. Happy adoption awarenessing!
UPDATE 11/07: This giveaway is now closed. Thank you so much for everyone who shared on FB and left a comment!
With a little help from random.org, the winners have been selected and they are:
For the "It takes a village" tee: Katie B who said, What an amazing mom, thank you for sharing your story, Arayna. I hope that someday our relationship with my sons birth mom can be better. I shared this post on my Facebook in hopes that more people can understand how wonderful open adoption can be! Jillian- thinking of you as the days pass and you near your final trip to get your boy!
Thank you Katie for sharing the post and for your thoughts as we anticipate bringing our little man home! Please contact me via private message on my facebook page with your shirt preference (M V-neck or L crewneck) and shipping address!
And for the choice of either "someday" or "faith hope love" necklace from my etsy shop, the winner is: Ashley with the comment, Aw I'm so excited for you Jillian. I shared "Meeting Him" from July. I can't wait for Thanksgiving so I can read about your trip home with your little boy. I've followed your story since GP days and I remember when you first were exploring the adoption in Russia.
Ashley I am thrilled to stamp a necklace for someone who has been following our story since the very, very beginning! Please contact me with a private message on my facebook page and let me know which necklace you would like along with your shipping address!
Thank you everyone once again for sharing my blog posts on your facebook pages and spreading the adoption awareness month love!
PS: Enjoy free shipping on my etsy shop for the next 5 days with the coupon code BLOGREADER12


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Crypto platform VALR promises 'negative fees'
VALR, in partnership with Bittrex, has announced the launch of a new digital asset trading platform in SA, which will allow users to buy and sell more than 50 crypto-currencies.
This will be the largest selection of crypto-currencies out of all South African platforms, claims VALR.
Farzam Ehsani, former blockchain lead at Rand Merchant Bank who is now co-founder and CEO of VALR, says: "Our partnership with Bittrex is one of a kind in South Africa and gives us access to international liquidity, globally competitive prices and leading security practices."
On signing up, new customers will be fully verified within minutes.
"We use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technology to validate customers' identity within minutes, to comply with international know-your-customer guidelines, without them ever needing to leave the comfort of their home (or smartphone screen)," says Ehsani.
When potential customers sign up, they will be put on a waiting list and will have to invite other people within their network to join. Once a certain number of referrals is reached, they will get access to the platform.
Ehsani says by participating in the referral programme, new users will be rewarded with discounts and the ability to earn up to R1 500 per referral. All people who receive an invite via a referral will also receive a 10% discount on fees.
Bittrex CEO Bill Shihara says: "Bittrex is committed to advancing blockchain technology around the world, and our partnership with VALR gives us the opportunity to help drive adoption of this technology in new markets."
Ehsani says VALR is unique because it will have fees that are lower than zero for market makers on their bitcoin-rand and bitcoin-ether order books.
"This means we pay our customers. This is revolutionary in the financial industry, where an institution has negative fees!"
On the company's Web site, under frequently asked questions, this is explained in more detail: "A market maker is someone that places a buy or sell order that is not immediately matched with any other order on an exchange. They must wait for another market participant to match their buy or sell price. As a result, market makers increase liquidity on an exchange platform, giving options for market takers to execute a trade immediately and therefore create a thriving marketplace."
Ehsani says: "We depend on market makers to increase liquidity on our bitcoin-rand and bitcoin-ether order books, and we think it's only fair that they get incentivised and rewarded for providing this service.
"We're excited to be the first in South Africa, the continent, and most of the world to pay market makers a percentage of their trade value whenever their orders get matched. This is one of the ways VALR shares its value with its customers."
Ehsani says the company has some unique products in the pipeline, which they believe will be world-first when they arrive: "But, unfortunately, I can't divulge much about them yet."


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Axe Sheath for Husqvarna 13 in. Curved Handle Hatchet
Handmade in Spokane Washington, USA
Husqvarna Axe Sheath
This sheath is designed particularly and precisely for the Husqvarna 13 in. curved care for hatchet. It's constituted of raw cowhide and later stained with boiled linseed oil for waterproofness and tanning. The sheath is Hand-crafted in Spokane, Washington. The development of the sheath begins with three items of leather: The principle body of the sheath, the securing strap and the welt. The principle body is folded over a welt that may be inserted into between the 2 folded part which prevents the blade of the inserted Awl from slicing the sew that may be placed to carry the sheath in combination. The sheath is then hand stitched and steel rivets are placed on the corners to improve the body. The Awl head blade, whilst placed within the sheath, is prevented from touching the rivets as a result of the welt. The retention strap is then secured with a steel rivet and a steel snap is added for simple on/off action. This sheath is built to last, and High quality made in the us (Spokane, Washington). End to the sides of the leather is applied for classy appeal. Watch how this sheath is made on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/reL6CQi18xk?record=UUdKhV7sJiUTzlk7d6nKm-cQ
Hand-crafted in Spokane Washington, USA
Husqvarna Awl Sheath
High quality


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The Ruparel's WESTSKY movement is based on 6 fundamental promises to every Mumbaikar
Embrace the Next Level Large life, Mumbaikars!
The Amazing Next Level Lifestyle At a Glance
One of Western Mumbai's most sought-after prime in-city locations – the buzzing Kandivali
Next Level connectivity for every member of the family!
Metro Station: 2 Minutes
New Link Road: 2 Minutes
Ryan International School
Billabong International School
Seven Star Multi-Speciality Hospital
Oscar Hospital
Infinity Mall
Inorbit Mall
Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana MCA
Goregaon Sports Complex
Mrinaltai Gore Flyover Extension Goregaon Mulund Link Road (GMLR) & JVLR Extension
Metro Line 7 & Metro 2A
Metro Station at Highway
29.2 Km long freeway Coastal Road Connecting South Mumbai (Marine Lines) to North Mumbai
Established in the year 2000, Ruparel Realty, has been constructing numerous Residential & Commercial marvels that have carved a unique niche in the world of construction. The group is currently constructing 2 million sq.ft in the prime lands of Mumbai Metropolitan Region with 2.5 lakhs delivered sq.ft in Navi Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Ruparel Realty has over 2 decades of inspiring presence in Mumbai's real estate. Backed with the experience of constructing 20+ lakh sq.ft. of properties in prime land parcels of MMR, with 6 million sq.ft. of ongoing projects in Mumbai and projects delivered in Navi Mumbai.


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Beasley Media Group announces WCSX-FM Morning Personality Big Jim O'Brien from Big Jim's House will join Motor City rock Legend Alice Cooper to unveil Alice Cooper Court Thursday, September 23rd at Eloise Asylum (30712 Michigan Avenue) in Westland, Michigan.
"Alice Cooper Court" is the third street name created by WCSX honoring Motor City rock icons. Other Detroit area landmarks include "Bob Seger Boulevard" and "Glenn Frey Drive".
The official ceremony begins at 2pm ET hosted by Jim O'Brien, and includes remarks from Alice Cooper who will attend the unveiling prior to his concert performance at the DTE Energy Center Saturday Sept 25th. It will also feature a live performance by Alice Cooper cover band, "The Nightmare".
"From Glenn Frey Drive to Bob Seger Blvd, we've celebrated great local musicians," said Big Jim. "But NEVER has an artist and location made more sense than Alice Cooper Court at Eloise Asylum. We can't wait to celebrate Alice here in the Motor City!"
"Alice Cooper's stage show features guillotines, live snakes and a strait jacket," said Beasley Media Group Vice President of National Content and Director of Detroit Programming, Scott Jameson. "So, it's only fitting we honor him with a landmark on the grounds of a century old Detroit area sanitarium. Some things just write themselves".
To commemorate the dedication, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland is adding an official "Alice Cooper Court" street sign to its Legends of Rock exhibit, which features a new Alice Cooper display opening September 23rd. In addition to the street sign, fans can check out Alice's original electric chair prop, and costumes worn from his iconic tours.
"Rock and roll is as much about the spectacle and visual as it is the sonic. Inductee Alice Cooper spawned a new generation of rock and roll with both" said Nwaka Onwusa, Chief Curator and Vice President of Curatorial Affairs, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. "We are thrilled to add the official street sign to our exhibit as we celebrate Alice Cooper's legacy with fans and share stories behind the music he created"


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Our title today emanates from that Kenny Roger's classic, "The Gambler"…"You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em. Know when to walk away, know when to run." It seems this is a lesson that has been lost on PIMCO founder, Bill Gross and his minions. Because Mr. Gross knew how to "hold 'em" in the last 30 years of a great bull bond market and because he built PIMCO into a two trillion dollar bond manager he has achieved great fame and credibility. He is now both legend and pundit, a media favorite; and this is a problem. It is a problem, because Mr. Gross does not seem to know how to "fold 'em", but the media continues to hang on his every pronouncement. And those pronouncements continue to get more frequent and eccentric.
To give an example, earlier in the month Mr. Gross and the PIMCO crew were all over the tube and print media, charging that the Fed zero interest rate policy (ZIRP) was slowing the economic recovery and that Ben Bernanke and QE were the problem. In other words, end QE. I made note of this in both Sessions 38 (Bad News Bearer) and 40 (Be Afraid, Very Afraid), and I took some issue with what looked like faulty reasoning in his argument. Today, three weeks later, as hints of a QE taper sprang from last Wednesday's FOMC meeting tanked the bond market, Mr. Gross is out saying, something to the effect, let's not be too hasty implementing this retreat from QE. This is a complete 180 on quantitative easing in three weeks.
All of this media exposure in a way looks like a veiled attempt to keep assets in place at PIMCO by keeping shareholders leery, in a cautious stance. In my opinion it is tarnishing a good name. It also brings the PIMCO organization closer media scrutiny. Chances are that this morning's article on the performance, or lack thereof, of Mr. Gross' pet project, the $285 billion PIMCO Total Return Fund, might not have been front page news, if he had kept a lower profile.
So Bill Gross, your hand at the market table looks very weak on a longer-term basis. We may be heading for tough times in fixed-income land. It may be time to "fold 'em" and get out of the lime light before you turn yourself into a one-shot (albeit a very successful) wonder.
What do you think?
The information presented in kortsessions.com represents my own opinions and does not contain recommendations for any particular investment or securities. I may, from time to time, mention certain securities for illustrative purpose, names where I personally hold positions. These are not meant to be construed as recommendations to BUY or SELL. All investments and strategies should be undertaken only after careful consideration of suitability based on the risks, tolerance for risk and personal financial situation.
shot) wonder.
What do you think?
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Source: barnesandnoble.com via TheFishie's on Pinterest
My First Book of Nursery Tales: Five Favorite Stories is a book of classic fairy tales retold by Marianna Mayer and illustrated by William Joyce. I don't recall whether I had this book as a child or not, but published in 1983 (about the time when I was still being read nursery rhymes and fairy tales) these are the versions of the stories I remember. In this book are: The Three Little Pigs, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Little Red Hen, Gingerbread Man, and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. While you would think my favorite would be Goldiloks, I think the Little Red Hen was the most well done. It not only contains a clear lesson--don't be lazy and expect to be handed something, but it also features everyday ordinary characters and memorable lines. Deceptively plain on the outside, this book has some quite nice illustrations in warm, muted colors. Ranging in length from 6-11 pages, I can see it being easy to roll through this book in a single evening or two with your little one. I read it over 3 evenings. Highly recommended!
Source: Library Book


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'HIV/AIDS' and '60 Minutes to Convince'
In September 2005, UNESCO�s Bureau of Pubic Information launched a series of 60 week-long events organized as part of the events to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Organization and designed to focus attention on a range of the Organization�s activities. Each week, an hour-long seminar entitled '60 Minutes to Convince', held at lunchtime on successive Tuesdays, addressed, week by week, 60 subjects at the heart of the Organization�s action.
Among the weekly seminars, that on 29 November 2005 was specifically focussed on HIV/AIDS Prevention Education, with an accompanying two-page overview providing insights to UNESCO�s work in this priority area.