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BOSTON (CBS.MW) - Revenue, more revenue, and cash flow.
Those are the key metrics Lanny Thorndike looks for as portfolio manager of the $11.4 million Century Small Cap Select Investment Fund CSMVX, -0.79% since 2000.
"We describe ourselves as growth investors in value industries," Thorndike said. "So we pretty much only invest in service-based companies.
"And generally we only buy stocks that grow earnings and revenues faster than the overall market and their peer group, while they're trading at below-market and peer-group multiples."
The fund has yielded a 5.24 percent return this year, the fifth-highest growth among funds in 2002. By comparison, the S&P 500 Index is up 0.60 percent. On an annualized basis, the fund has returned 29.15 percent since its inception on Feb. 24, 2000; on a cumulative basis, 69.03 percent.
The fund is "very cash flow and balance sheet" oriented, Thorndike said. "We like to see a lot of recurring revenue, generally well over 70 to 80 percent."
Thorndike's top pick is American Capital Strategies Ltd. ACAS, a buyout and mezzanine fund with more than $1 billion in capital resources. "What we like about it is that it's a specialty lender, which has focused on lower-tech, cash flow businesses; the stock trades at 10 times earnings; it pays an 8 percent dividend, and it's growing at 15 percent." The shares, currently trading around $30, "could easily get up to $38 or $40," Thorndike said. The stock rose 78 cents to $31 on Tuesday.
The fund also likes pharmaceutical prescription benefit management provider Caremark Rx CMX, +0.00%. "The stock, we think, is very attractively valued here [in the $19 range]," he said. "We think it's going to benefit from the trends toward new drug therapies, and it's traded down recently." Shares fell 23 cents to $19.52.
First Health Group Corp. FHCC is another winner, in Thorndike's view. The health benefits provider offers discounts to corporate employers. "We think it's got very good cash flow. About 40 percent of revenue ends up as free cash flow," Thorndike said. "It's been growing earnings at 20-percent plus [annually], and we think it's just got a very strong area of the market, very favorable demographics over the next two or three years." Shares fell 16 cents to $24.19.


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Deathpoisoner is the first boss that is encountered in Kyris.
Abilities[edit | edit source]
Poisonous Spit[edit | edit source]
Accumulates poison and spits it at the target. Ranged ability. Cooldown: 3 seconds.
Acid Pool[edit | edit source]
Deathpoisoner leaves a pool with a 5 yard radius on the ground that inflicts damage and slows down everyone who steps in it. The pool exists for 15 seconds. Ranged ability. Cooldown: 12 seconds.
Acid Barrels[edit | edit source]
Deathpoisoner occasionally leaps towards the barrels and heals itself. An immortal can destroy the barrels, which will make them explode. If Deathpoisoner is nearby, it will take significant damage. Cooldown: 28 seconds.

subset: commoncrawl


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You should always put thought into anything you do, track the outcome and then try to make it better. To make something big and great, you have to start with the little things. Using just 5 small techniques can really help you create one great big email newsletter.
In 2019 email marketing is one of the best ways to communicate with your current and past customers. It also can help grow your customer base and find new loyal supporters. When sending out emails to your customers it's important you have these 5 things.
Use These 5 Simple Things
1. Company Logo
The first thing the person should see when opening your email, is your logo. Signs and symbols rule the world, it's important they see your logo, identify it and connect with it. Make the logo as big as you can without distorting it and center it on the page. Your logo is esentially your companies flag and you need to show it off.
2. Contact Information/Hours
Whether you are a pizza place, or a dentist you always need to have your contact information available. Just like the logo, your contact information and hours should be one of the first things in your email. Everything is important, from your store/office location to your phone number to your hours of operation. Also, by having your contact information in your newsletter it gives customers a chance to act on your email.
3. Graphics
They say a picture is worth 1,000 words and it is, especially in your email newsletter. Every email should have at least 2 to 3 graphics or images. Some of them can be advertisements for your services, or just regular stock photos for the office. It depends on the company, but either way having a picture or some graphics is a must. If you don't have a graphic designer try a template based site such as www.pizap.com.
4. Style
Put some style into your email blast instead of just sending some text. Use different text styles, sizes and colors. Add a funny photo that's relevant to your brand or a regular stock photo. It's important to have style because it shows people what your company is about. When you go to a business meeting you have to dress nice and have style right? Dress up your emails.
5. Various Links
The Internet gives any business tons of platforms and tools to promote their company. Make sure you are letting your customers know about your presence on these platforms. You have a website (I hope), and you should be on some form of social media. To help promote your different tools like your website or Facebook, you need to tell your customers these things exist.
After reading this article you should be a wizard at sending email newsletters! Add these new techniques and make sure you track the progress. By just doing these 5 simple things, your email newsletter will shine like a diamond. Now get out there and send those emails!


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How can your financial institution stay competitive when digital banks are being
introduced into the market everyday and customers' 24/7 demands are compiling?
Sharpen Your Competitive Edge by Marrying the Mobile Bank & Virtual Branch
Banks and credit unions struggle to establish and maintain a competitive advantage in
today's accelerated financial marketplace. New digital banks are being introduced every
day and customer demand for more resources, available 24/7, is suffocating. How can
your financial institution stay ahead in an industry that is continuously innovating?
Simple. Follow these steps to the smart transformation competitive edge you are
searching for:
Step 1: Mobile Banking
Mobile banking is the first step to mobilizing your branch and empowering your
customers and employees. Mobile banking delivers the self-service eBanking customers
demand with access to branch services at any time, from anywhere. Customers living in
the mobile-first age want to be able to do their banking on their own schedule,
regardless of branch hours. Mobile banking also caters to the non-9 to 5 clients that
aren't able to adapt to traditional banking hours as well as tech-savvy Millennials.
Not only is mobile banking a good means to satisfy customer demand, it also reduces
operational costs as there is less reliance on your physical branch and customer service
Mobilearth's mobile banking solution, MobiBank, makes traditional branch services
available at your customers' fingertips (literally), by allowing them to do their banking
via their mobile device or computer.
Step 2: Virtual Branch Banking
The virtual branch is how you really break free from location, branch hours and resource
constraints. You're opening yourself to the opportunity of offering banking to those
formerly out of reach customers who can't make it to the branch during regular
business hours (i.e. shift workers, trade workers, etc.), or those who simply aren't
interested in going to the bank (i.e. Millennials). With a virtual branch, you can meet
your customers wherever they may be by bringing the bank to them. This allows you to
provide your normal banking services to all of your customers without alienating the
non-traditional customers.
MobiBranch by Mobilearth mobilizes your workforce, allowing them to securely deliver
all branch services to your customers using a tablet or smartphone, as well as letting you
run your bank from anywhere.
Stay on top of the latest digital baking trends.
Step 3: Marry Mobile Banking and The Virtual Branch
Offering a mobile banking solution or having a virtual branch are great ways to stay
competitive. However, to truly hold the competitive advantage you must marry the
mobile bank and the virtual branch.
See Mobile Banking with the Virtual Branch in action!
Marrying mobile banking and virtual branch banking completely personalizes the
banking experience for your customers. It allows them to accomplish their banking tasks
in a way that's convenient for them. The easier you make it for your customers to get
their banking done, the more loyal they will be to your branch and the more banking
they will do with you. Ultimately, marrying the mobile bank and virtual branch will
improve your customer retention and acquisition.
The only way to stay competitive in the digital banking age is by marrying your mobile
banking solution and virtual branch banking. With MobiBank and MobiBranch, you can
easily combine the two to offer banking services at your customer's fingertips, and
deliver your services to anyone, anywhere. To see MobiBank and MobiBranch in action,
request a LIVE Smart Banking Transformation Demo.
Still have questions about gaining a competitive edge in retail banking? Please comment below or email us at email@example.com.


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What's in a name?
We wondered if there was a trend for non-gendered names? And if it matters...
Names are controversial. Every parent has experienced at least a moment of anxiety on choosing a name for their baby, and then once it's all decided, the big reveal can be awful. Look out for eye rolls, discreet sighing or shock, followed swiftly by 'ooh that's unusual/becoming so popular/old-fashioned!/sweet/bold'. The best answer? "Perfect". But that's rare, because names are as subjective as they come.
This year Oliver and Olivia topped the UK's baby name lists, with roughly 6,000 boys and 5,000 girls taking them as their first given name. Oliver has been on top since 2013, and Olivia just crept back up to number one after a period of being second or third.
This got us thinking - Oliver and Olivia are two side of the same coin. They are basically the same name. Yet, scrolling through Facebook birth announcements I see boys names called out as 'strong' and girls names as 'gorgeous', instantly defining the stereotypes that will dog these sweet babes for a lifetime. It makes me wonder if genderless names would help, if they would change or challenge the status quo?
The popular site nameberry.com has a section devoted to unisex names, gender neutral names, and an excellent graph to chart how the usage of some names has swung between boys and girls over the last century or so. They pick Leo, Harley and Sage as names to watch for 2018, all names that suit either gender.
Here in the UK, almost the same amount of boys and girls were named Bobbie in 2016 - slightly more girls in fact, and the same for Remi. Harper is now ranked 44 for girls from having been steadily trundling along as a unisex name. Harry is in second place for boys - how many of the 1132 girls called Harriet are going to also be called Harry? What about number 12 in the girls' list (Charlotte) and number 7 in the boys' (Charlie).
So we notice that girls are often given traditional boys names – Bobbie, James, Dylan, Taylor, Ashley and Charlie, but boys are rarely given names thought of as belonging to girls. If you Google 'girls names for boys', all the hits are articles for unisex names or 'boys names for girls'. Girls with boys' names have always been cool - from Jo Marsh to Blair Waldorf. If someone named their daughter Oliver, I think fewer eyebrows would be raised than if they named their son Olivia.
We want to make sure our daughters can float between the feminine and the masculine and find their own selves. We name our girls soft, delicate, flower names AND we give them the option to shorten to more "serious", blunt, unisex (that is code for 'boys') names. But do we let the boys do the same? Would you name your son Clover? Or Fern? Willow maybe? Dove? Where are the top 100 nature-inspired names for boys? The flowers and trees? The soft and delicate names than no-one bats an eyelid at?
Under the guise of becoming less gender-stereotypical are we actually holding up the same old patriarchal rules? Once a name becomes known as a girls' name, parents tend to stop naming their boys it (see Marion, Allison, Lesley, Evelyn). The message is should all want to be strong (like a man), or serious (like a man), or powerful (like a man). A girly name might just hold you back, whether you're a girl or a boy.
In truth, it seems all our agonising over this might be for nothing. There's no evidence that your name has any impact at all on your outcomes. Despite the popular idea that there is such a thing as nominative determinism, there really is no link between your name and your job (sorry scientists JW Splatt and D Weedon, who wrote a paper on the subject of incontinence). The President of the Supreme Court in the UK is Baroness Hale of Richmond. For the record, her given name is Brenda.
So maybe the key is, we just need to stop worrying about it. What a name means is all in our own heads. Put aside our prejudices and all names are good for anyone - just pick one you like. Whether this name is 'strong' enough or that one is 'masculine' enough for our boy is a red herring. We need to think what messages we give, right from birth, to any new baby - named anything at all. Raise a child that has the opportunity to be themselves in whatever way suits them, and it doesn't matter if they're called Rainbow Sparkles or Eric Bloodaxe. In the end, it's not about the name, but the person.


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Unicorns are out there as a flash trend, and an abandoned warehouse is just the perfect place to display the mood.
Tag: Asos
Beautiful things for beautiful people-The Lil Flea Market, Bandra
This market serves purpose of entertainment for all and includes vibrant pop-up shops, music, street food and experimental workshops
Heavenly stay at Beach Resort – Anyavee Tubkaek
Stay at Anyavee Tubkeak beach resort in Krabi, Thailand
Sun, Sand & Soaked!
We had the best tour in the tropical hot spots of the Krabi area in Thailand: Phra Nang Cave / Railay (Rai-Leh) beach, Tup Island, Chicken Island and Poda Island.


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Originally published in Forbes.
The restaurant industry woke up to very sad news on Friday, when CNN reported that star chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain was found dead in a hotel room. According to CNN, the cause of death is suicide; an unresponsive Bourdain, 61, was found by his friend and fellow chef Eric Ripert. They were in France working on a new installment of Bourdain's food show, Parts Unknown.
It was a shocking end to a life and career that spanned media and burned white-hot for close to two decades.
Bourdain's star turn came in 2000 with the publication of Kitchen Confidential, a memoir that delivered on the promise of "wild-but-true" restaurant stories and which inspired an entire generation of emerging talent. The book's honest-no-matter-the-cost tone would become the template for Bourdain's second career, as a globe-trotting TV host who reimagined the travel food show. He trademarked himself as a proud anti-snob and a critic of overwrought culinary conventions.
When Bourdain had a chance to have dinner with then-President Barack Obama, for example, they met not in a tony white-tablecloth establishment but a casual Hanoi restaurant with plastic stools, where the total cost of the bill was a reputed $6. Last year, the New Yorker described the dinner between Bourdain and the President. "Dip and stir," Bourdain said to the President as they were served steaming bowls of bún chả, a Vietnamese noodle dish. "And get ready for the awesomeness."
Read the full story on Forbes.


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How I Travel
Undoubtedly the question I have gotten most often the last two years is, "How can you afford to travel?" The truth is, it takes a lot of work, planning, and discipline to be able to travel as often as I do, but rarely does it take a lot of money. My goal is to debunk as many myths as I can about the practicalities of traveling early on in my blogging journey, and be as transparent as possible in the process.
At some point during my undergraduate career I decided I wanted to backpack through Europe. I think it was a combination of being in a constant state of wanderlust and my mom telling stories about how she always regretted not traveling more. Either way, my mind was made up that I would backpack through Europe. It took a little convincing for David to jump on board. He wasn't opposed to the idea per se, but he had practical concerns, like could he afford it, what if we get jobs, and is it safe? Me being the daydreamer that I am, I convinced him that if we created the right system to achieve our goal, we could afford it, and it would definitely be safe. He was convinced.
The two years leading up to graduation we increasingly spent more and more of our down time preparing for the trip. From brainstorming places we wanted to go, to researching the cost of travel in each place, we deep dove into the world of backpacking. By no means were we the first to have this idea. Plenty of people have embarked on similar journeys for a long, long time, and fortunately for us many of them have started blogs (like this one) to document how they did it.
We relied heavily on blogs throughout the planning process. Particularly budget backpacking sites. They provided us with great recommendations, encouragement, and inspiration, which eventually led to an amazing seven-week trip on a thin budget, and the conception of Dolby Travels.
Back to the question at hand. "How do we afford to travel?" Traveling is often times thought of as a luxury that can only be afforded by those with lots of money. While the reality is that, yes, you do need some money to travel, but you can get by with way less than you think. David and I try our best to live by these five tips in order to see the world on a variety of budgets.
Set Goals
David is much better at this than I am. He can articulate well-thought-out, reasonable goals like it's his job. It is one of his many hidden talents. I am more of a brainstormer, and terribly indecisive. Step one is deciding you want to take a trip or set traveling as a priority. The goal may be as vague as "I want to travel" or as specific as "I want to travel to Bulgaria in October and my budget is $2,000". Either is fine, but you need a starting place. Once you have established your goal you can start working it out in more depth. I recommend working through the goal until it is tangible. For example, my current goal is to take a trip in October to a cool climate for a low cost. I have a budget and a few regions of the country in mind (Canada, Oregon, and Utah- recommendations welcome!) and have been monitoring flights and accommodation prices to ensure I stay within my budget.
But setting the goal isn't the end of it. It's important to develop a system by which you can achieve your goal. What are you willing to sacrifice? What aren't you willing to sacrifice? How can you get from A to B if the goal is G? Writing down limitations/obstacles, important to do's, and intermediate steps to your goal will go a long way to actually achieving it in the end. Ultimately, it feels good knowing you are working towards a goal that will make you happy, and it will feel even better when you achieve it!
Save money
This one is much MUCH easier said than done. My biggest tips for saving money revolve around sacrifice, but only of things you don't necessarily need. Remember: this isn't supposed to be torture. It's supposed to be fun! Get motivated by the thought of achieving your goal!
First, I recommend tracking your expenses and purchases for a month. This will give you an idea of where your monthly income is going, and a decent long-term idea of how much money you can reasonably save. I do this regularly and I am always ashamed when I have to write down "Taco Tuesday" four times in one month. Figure out exactly where your money is going and brainstorm ways to cut costs. For me, alcohol is an easy one. I enjoy a nice glass of wine every now and then, but I rarely order a drink while I am out to dinner or at a bar. If I do, it's during Happy Hour, or David and I will split a drink. You wouldn't believe how much money this saves.
Food is another big cost people struggle with. I get it, not everyone likes to cook, and meal prepping is so much work, and you're tired when you get home at night, and the dog is sick, and you don't have food in the house, and on and on. I struggle with all these same excuses, and sometimes I break and just go out to eat. The truth is, eating out is more expensive than cooking in, unless you chose to cook lobster and steak five nights a week (which I don't recommend for health reasons, but that's another story). My advice is to start small. Dedicate one day of the week to make a list and go grocery shopping. Plan one or two or even three nights' meals that week, and buy the necessary ingredients (so you already have them – this will force you to eat in). Make sure your kitchen is stocked with everything you need for the whole week. This is key.
Real-life Tip: When you get home from work and you are starving and the last thing you want to do is make a meal, think about your next trip. Think about that beautiful beach in France you are in the process of saving for. You will get to sip rosé and eat fresh seafood while watching the yachts roll in for the night. Now, wouldn't you much rather be enjoying that meal than a meal out wherever you are now. If the answer is no, then go out to eat, but I find the answer is almost always yes. This tactic got me through my senior year of college and I am proud to report I only ate out three times the whole year. And you know what? Getting to binge eat croissants in Paris made it totally worth it.
One more tip: Figure out what travel item you're giving up when you want to cheat the budget. For example, if you're about to buy a new $80 stereo even though the old one works just fine, think of how many plates of paella $80 (at least 4 ) could buy you in Barcelona. Is it worth it?
Make Do With Less
Several months ago, I watched a documentary called Minimalism on Netflix. The documentary really spoke to me as I was in the process of selling everything I owned to move across the country. Minimalist principles have come in handy since the move and starting over from scratch. When you make do with less, you don't spend as much money, plain and simple. The first two weeks in our new house we didn't have a place to sit other than our quickly deflating air mattress. In those moments you realize what is a need and what is a want. A place to sit inside is a nice thing to have and I recommend it, but buying two couches and a chair for 2 people, maybe not so much.
By no means have we conquered the minimalist lifestyle, and I am not suggesting you sell everything you own. It's all about degrees. If you're desperate to travel every second of your life, minimalism might be a lifestyle choice you want to make. If you're just trying to make it to Mexico in a couple of months, then I recommend trying to get rid of one thing/day for the next 30 days. It can be anything, big or small, and you don't always have to make money off of it. A lot of the benefit of minimalism comes from just the mindset.
Minimalism has made me seriously consider what brings me joy in life. Family, friends, Sammy, fresh flowers, candles, and succulents. That about wraps up the contents of our house. I encourage you to look into minimalism and see how you can apply some simple principles to your life. There are lots of books out there on minimalism. I can't say I've read any (still working on the 200 page Mindfulness in Plain English book I promised David I would finish by July 1), but they are out there and I am sure they are plenty helpful in the process of living and making do with less.
Sell Things
Selling belongings can be annoying, rewarding, sad, and relieving. I was very overwhelmed when David and I decided we would sell everything and start from scratch in California. I had so many things and I had no idea where to sell or donate them. The two most useful platforms I found to sell my things were Facebook Marketplace and a local clothing consignment store. I also hosted a moving sale where I made ~$250 but by no means was this the most profitable route.
Facebook Marketplace was my best friend. I would post a few good pictures of an item, provide a good description, and a fair price, and that was it. I was shocked by how many messages I would get about an item. I also researched consignment shops in my area. This can vary from location to location, but I found a great clothing consignment shop that took 80% of my clothes (J.Crew, Gap, Lilly Pulitzer, and other name brands) and they have sold within a few months.
Travel Off-Season
This is one of my biggest tips for people looking to travel more often. Traveling off-season has a lot of advantages. Airfare and hotel prices are lower, there are WAY fewer crowds, and you get a much better experience as to how the locals live. Backpacking through Europe during January and February was not our original plan. I am not a huge fan of cold weather to begin with, and I certainly couldn't imagine packing two months worth of cold weather gear into one small backpack. However, life happens, and we graduated in December instead of May, and that ended up being the time we had off. And we had a blast. The Christmas markets, the snowy, wintry weather, the warm cafes, not to mention the distinct lack of crowds and lines. It was an amazing trip, and a lot of the fun came from it being off-season.
I'm not sure I fully appreciated being in Europe during off-season until I started planning my second trip to Europe during peak season (June-July). During off-season we had the luxury of booking accommodations the day of, seeing twice as many sights in one day, and taking great pictures with not a tourist in sight. Compare that to peak season. Everything had to be planned in advance, sightseeing took twice as long because of the crowds, and our photos were full of tourists wandering the streets. Not to mention the heat. I understand traveling in the off-season is not always realistic. Limited time off, kids' school schedules, or other personal commitments may keep you from having a flexible schedule and that's ok. That might just mean you have to take a little more time to save money or take several weekend trips instead of a weeklong vacation. But keep in mind it does pay to be flexible, so if you get the chance, consider planning your trip off-season.
I hope you find these tips helpful! They have helped David and I travel to 12 different countries in Europe, as well as to the mountains every summer, New York, Denver, Wyoming, a road trip across the country, and a lot more. By setting goals, saving money, and traveling in the offseason, we have had the opportunity to travel more often and for longer periods of time than we ever thought imaginable.
Thanks for reading and happy travels!


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PocoLoco Goldenmile Tower is closed for business from 25th September 2018. The other outlet nearest to Goldenmile Tower will be Royal Square@Novena click here for outlets address and contact no.
Tag: PocoLoco Singapore
PocoLoco is opening a new outlet at 590 Yishun Ring Road Wisteria Mall soon……
FREE 50 Panna Cotta daily!! PocoLoco NEW outlet at Royal Square @ Novena Level 2. T&C apply. Tel: +65 8699 6664 #PocoLocoSG #promotionsingapore #bestilatainrestaurant
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Who said appetizer can't fill your stomach? Come to PocoLoco outlets and have our 4 appetizers for the price of 3 appetizers. Friday to Sunday only. T&C apply Book Now!
Celebrate Singapore 52th Birthday with PocoLoco! ALL PocoLoco outlet Lunch Promo 52% discount for the 2nd Pizza or Pasta weekdays only! T&C


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Inspiring Kids to Become Christian Gumshoes : A Review of Cold Case Christianity For Kids by J. Warner Wallace/
J. Warner Wallace is a cold-case homicide detective. As a detective Wallace was well respected and earned the nickname "the Evidence Whisperer." At the age of thirty-five when Wallace was still an atheist, he turned his honed and careful mind toward the claims of Christianity. What Wallace found in his investigation surprised him; not only did the claims of Christianity appear plausible, but they were the best explanation of a variety of important facts, like the origin of the cosmos, the reality of the moral law, and the New Testament claims about the resurrection of Jesus. Wallace laid out his case for Christianity methodically as a homicide detective would in his book Cold Case Christianity, which has received numerous accolades, not least from my wife who, though acquainted with many well-known Christian apologists, found Wallace to be the most engaging and accessible. Wallace and his wife, Susie, have now translated that book into Cold Case Christianity: For Kids.
In this new book, Wallace aims to illuminate two ideas for children: how to think critically and the evidence for Christianity. Wallace tells the story of several young cadets who have entered cadet training under the supervision of wise Detective Jefferies. Wallace illustrates principles of critical thinking as the detective guides the children through the mystery of a missing skateboard. Wallace breaks down tough concepts like abductive reasoning and induction masterfully. One might doubt that children could understand abstract concepts like these, but as Wallace applies them concretely to the skateboard case, they are easy to understand and ought to be within the grasp of most children. But Wallace does not talk down to his audience, either. Wallace employs terms that many adults would need a dictionary to understand. How many of us know what "abduction" is off the top of our heads? And yes, the term is actually in the book! Wallace also shows that discovering the truth is often not a simple process. It will take time to gather evidence and think through all the implications. This reticence to water down the content while simultaneously making the ideas understandable to children is the greatest strength of the book. Wallace expects his young audience to rise to the occasion of thinking deeply and critically about some of life's most important questions. That's not an easy balance to strike, but Wallace does it well.
Though the theistic arguments are not the focus of this book, one of the highlights is Wallace's simple but effective summary of the cosmological, teleological, and moral arguments. The book also provides entertaining and informative pictures that will keep children engaged as well as provide clarity for them. Wallace further provides a simple but clear overview of some the primary issues relating to the resurrection of Jesus, and this is his main focus. Topics like "the chain of custody" of the New Testament documents, which I personally did not hear about until I was an undergraduate at a Christian college, are introduced and explained with ease. Children who have read this book will be more prepared and aware of the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus than even many adults.
But it is the synthesis of critical thinking and the presentation of the evidence which deserves the most commendation. In a world that is increasingly pluralistic and challenges the central claims of Christianity, children will need more than simple articulation of Christian beliefs. They will need to learn to think critically, like Detective Jeffries. This book does not merely provide the evidence for the resurrection in a way that children can understand, it provides a model of intellectual virtues which its young readers will feel called to emulate.
This combination is the reason I will read and reread this book with my young son as he grows up. Wallace has provided parents an excellent tool that any parent concerned about teaching their children critical thinking and the truth of the resurrection should not overlook. Cold Case can help our children provide a reasoned defense for the hope that they have, and MoralApologetics.com gives it our highest recommendation.
Image: "Junior Detective" by Jessica Lucia. CC License.


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Pear Ginger Wasabi Dark Balsamic Vinegar
Pear Ginger Wasabi Dark Balsamic Vinegar
from 12.00
Pear Ginger Wasabi Balsamic Vinegar
A mouthful to say, but also a mouthful of amazing flavors! This is a California Balsamic - not barrel aged, so it is not as thick as our traditional flavors - but anything you put this on will taste amazing - Salmon, white fish, salads, beef... use it instead of a teriyaki in a stir fry! The wasabi is not too hot. You get all of the flavors - distinct pear, distinct ginger and distinct wasabi, but little heat.


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CHICAGO — Just days after he was acquitted on charges related to a bar fight, Chicago Police Officer Robert Rialmo was involved Friday in an altercation at a Northwest Side bar.
Police said Rialmo — who fatally shot two people in 2015 — was part of a verbal dispute with two other men at Teaser's Public House, 7123 W. Higgins Ave., about 3:40 a.m. Friday. All three were kicked out of the bar.
The confrontation soon got physical when the men began to punch each other outside a Taco Burrito King down the street, according to Chicago police spokesman Tom Ahern. He described all three men as "victims."
Rialmo's attorney said his client was targeted.
According to attorney Joel Brodsky, Rialmo was approached by two Conservative Vice Lord gang members who recognized the officer from TV. One man poured a beer over Rialmo's head, Brodsky said; both men flashed gang signs.
In a statement, Brodsky said:
"When Rialmo called 911 the CVL street gang members ran off. When other officers arrived, the gang bangers came back shouting gang slogans and flashing gang signs at Rialmo and the officers, which was captured on the officers body cameras. Officer Rialmo went to the 16th Police District station to file a report and to take a breathalyzer test."
Police said Rialmo blew a 0.0 on a breathalyzer; it was not immediately clear Friday when the test was taken. No one has been charged. Internal Affairs officers are investigating.
This comes just days after Rialmo was acquitted on two counts of misdemeanor battery that stemmed from a fight caught on video inside an Edison Park pizzeria in December. Rialmo said he was acting in self-defense.
Rialmo fatally shot 19-year-old Quintonio LeGrier and 55-year-old Bettie Jones in December 2015. Rialmo had been called to LeGrier's father's home for a domestic disturbance. The officer claims he opened fire after LeGrier swung a bat at him.
Prosecutors declined to file charges. A jury last month awarded $1.05 million to LeGrier's family in a wrongful death lawsuit — but a Cook County judge reversed the finding once she learned the jury believed Rialmo feared for his life at the time of the shooting. He could still be fired by the Chicago Police Board over the shooting.
Detectives were working Friday to obtain surveillance video near Teaser's Public House and the Taco Burrito King as the investigation continues.


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The holidays can be such a magical time. The twinkling lights, the joy of the season and the feeling of connection that we feel with our fellow humans.
There's not much else like it the rest of the year.
For Empaths it can also be a very draining time.
A time when as givers we can over give and deplete ourselves - leaving us sick, feeling disconnected and discombobulated.
A time when we as sensitive Beings, sense things that are going on, that may not be showing on the surface.
A time when being around so many other people can feel exhausting rather than joyful.
So here are some tips from a fellow Empath to help get through the holidays not only surviving them but you might even find yourself thriving when applied.
1) Energy Level check. Do you truly have the energy to go to that party? Do you have the resources (which are also energy) to give gifts to others?
Many times as Empaths we will push ourselves beyond our capacity (energetically, financially, physically, emotionally, mentally, humanly, etc). We do this because we care, because we anticipate feelings disappointment and guilt, because we do.
Checking in with energy levels first helps us collect more facts rather than base things off feelings or expectations.
So getting real with ourselves is important. Remember, the universe/Spirit/Source/the Divine/Goddess/god doesn't want us to be depleted and sacrifice ourselves for others.
There is plenty to go around, so how can you give that IS within your ability and resources?
Just remember, the Universe is very creative. When we can tap into that, along with the newly accepted energy level, answers will come.
2) Really check in with your intentions. As Empaths we can also walk a fine line with Codependency. By that I mean we would rather sacrifice ourselves than feel another person's negative emotions (disappointment, sadness, etc). And we end up doing something out of alignment rather than what's in our highest good. Which by the way, is also in the highest good of all.
This can happen especially during the holidays when there is more societal pressure for life to be a certain way and we tend to want to show up and portray that.
So, asking yourself the hard truth questions:
- Why am I going/giving?
• Is it out of obligation? Tradition?
• Not wanting to feel left out?
- Am I trying to keep up appearances?
- What is the real reason I am doing this?
It's not always pretty or easy to be honest with ourselves but it is a basis of being a trustworthy person. Not only to others, but also to yourself and your Soul.
3) Energy field Check In. Does this event feel like fun when you check in energetically? What do I mean by this? Close your eyes, take a deep breath, put all logistics aside and visualize yourself at the event/gathering/party. Does your energy become excited and expand? Or does it feel more constricted?
Trust the first sense you get. Even if you don't like it. Especially if you don't like it or it doesn't make sense.
Energy is one way your soul uses to communicate with you. Taking the time (just a few minutes) to start building that relationship and check in makes it easier and quicker over time.
4) Intuition Invitation. Does your intuition give you the 'green light'? Even though you may have the energy and something feels like fun, doesn't mean that your intuition is guiding you there.
A couple of quick tips with Intuition:
- It's subtle and neutral (doesn't yell or scream),
- You have to quiet your mind in order to connect with it,
- It doesn't make sense (logic is the ego's responsibility).
((More on how to build a relationship with your intuition here))
5) Follow that. Then after receiving all of this information is to follow what has been shown.
Most likely there will be some resistance when it comes to this part.
Feel your feelings and still do it anyways.
This can sometimes be the most challenging step when starting on this journey. Especially if it's something you really want to do, but your energy is feeling contracted. Or your intuition is sharing that something is off.
I get it. It's new and different. And this can bring up feelings of sadness and frustration.
Which just means that your ego is having a hay day. It's going to reiterate all the fears, perceptions and guilt and obligation.
Choosing your soul over what your ego is sharing with you is challenging when you first start practicing this. But remember, your soul knows what's in your highest good. Your soul is always watching out for you and leading the way. And life goes so much more smoothly when you choose to live in alignment with your soul.
Drastically less amount of 'course corrections' - which can show up as challenges, feeling blocked and even chaos.
6) Recharging. How do you recharge your energy? How do you feel re-energized? Some recharge with alone time (introvert) and some recharge by being around others (extrovert). And yes, this is a continuum. It's not one or the other. Some people can be mostly introverts and then feel recharged being around others in certain scenarios.
But knowing this part of yourself will help you know what you need energetically.
The important things are:
- to know how you feel recharged,
- then make appointments with yourself to recharge, and
- keep the appointments!
Then you can fully and wholly show up. All of you. In every way. And your presence is what others crave during this holiday season.
You will be able to give your excess and not your reserves.
7) Whose Energy is it? As an Empath it's important to know whether you are feeling your own energy and feelings or someone else's.
So, take a quick moment to ask yourself, "Is this mine or someone else's?"
If it's yours, then go on with, "What do I need?" Then do it.
If it's someone else's, then kindly notice it, release it back to the Universe and fill in your own energy field with your energy.
A quick visualization can be sufficient for this.
No need to over complicate it.
8) Take a moment to lean into this moment. Yes, this is the cliche of 'this moment is a gift that's why we call it the present.'
Really challenge yourself to lean into that. Many times we know it (cerebrally or intellectually) but we don't actually apply and practice it.
Many Empaths spend their time replaying the past or trying to anticipate future events that haven't even happened.
So, yes, when things are happening and you are living your life, take a moment to FEEL the joy.
IN YOUR BODY (not in your head).
Allow the gratitude to spread throughout your physical Being.
Receive. Say thank you without feeling guilty or self deprecating.
Allow your energy to expand with ease.
9) Receive. Yes, this is the season of giving.
As Empaths some common feelings are feeling like a burden to others, unworthiness or that others' needs far surpass ours.
So we try to bypass receiving. We block off ways to receive. We even will downplay receiving.
One quick check in is -> how do you respond when someone compliments you?
Do you instantly deflect it? Downplay it? Reject it?
Easily shift it by taking a deep breath in (receiving) and then exhale with, "thank you."
When we receive we continue to be in the flow of being able to give. We're back to the whole, can't give from an empty well thing. If we are not receiving then we are not able to give.
Allow the Law of Circulation to flow. Receive. Give. Repeat.
The other part of receiving is when you give to someone else, you feel huge amounts of joy, right? Well, the other person who is giving to you also feels that. When you deflect, deny or downplay a gift then you impact that joy. Maybe consider your receiving a gift for their giving.
This is one of the biggest dis-eases that I find among Empaths. Receiving is a lifelong lesson layered with intricate causes. But the good news is that it can be addressed and healed.
You can read more about it, here.
10) Find a way to feel helpful with the suffering.
Many times Empaths think of all the suffering in the world during this season instead of leaning into the joy.
Take a moment to consider that sympathy and feeling sorry for others isn't helpful to raise their energies.
So... What CAN YOU DO to uplift and hold them in the light?
Remember this season is also about allowing the light to shine in the darkness - on many levels. Many ancient traditions and various cultures all over the world still practice this today.
Some ideas:
- set up an altar for those you'd like to offer energies to,
- ask permission to pray for them,
- offer them Reiki, good juju or positive thoughts,
- make sure you always have something helpful with you when you come across someone in need,
- donate randomly to various websites (can be Non-Profit Organizations or GoFundMe or CaringBridge),
- you can read more about being a depleted change agent, here.
The point of all of this is there are MANY MANY tools out there for Empaths and how to live an empowered life, especially during the holidays, when the world is in chaos and when life is shifting at high speeds.
We do not have to be weighed down by the hurts of the world. Or take on other people's energies or feelings in order to help relieve the suffering.
In fact this actually dis-empowers others and hinders the growth of the collective. When Empaths feel more empowered and able to become catalysts and stewards of energies, that's when the world transforms to new levels and healing spreads at rapid rates.
Wishing you a soul aligned and thriving holiday season and life,
ashley koe
Energy Intuitive, Alignment Coach,
Certified Reiki Master Teacher (CRMT),
Founder of Align & Thrive™
PS. If you'd like to find out more about how to align with your soul and thrive with ease, check out http://alignandthrive.com.


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BCAPOP Conference Highlight: Lesley Stedmon "Negotiating Contraception"
Lesley Stedmon is a certified Sexual Health Educator through the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality as well as a graduate of the University of Victoria B.Sc (Nursing) Program. She lectures regularly at Vancouver Island University, is a consultant sex expert for VivaXO.com website, writes a monthly column for Future Medicine, and runs a consultancy business, Lesley Stedmon Consulting. Lesley provides sex coaching to women and their partners, as well as specialized sexual health education to families, schools and community service agencies. Utilizing a model of healthy sexual balance, Lesley focuses her work on a holistic balance, enhanced by personal empowerment and the self-identification of goals. Lesley has facilitated sexual health workshops in schools and community agencies since 2003. She speaks on a wide range of subjects, including sexual development, decision-making and sexual safety. She brings humour and ease to her workshops.
In her workshop on Contraception at the BCAPOP conference, Lesley will:
- Review contraceptive methods, efficacy, accessibility and cost. There is a range of options and clients may need help in how to find and use the one that is best for them.
- Discuss negotiating responsibility in relationships.
- Provide training on how to support clients in accessing emergency contraception in their community.
- Review recent changes in legislation that have increased accessibility to emergency contraception.
- Provide training on how to support clients in advocating the use of birth control "in the moment"
You can still register for the BCAPOP Conference by visiting www.bcapop.ca


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Let's check out some of the pieces I found styled in my own house for winter. If you want the appearance of painted cabinetry, it could be time to provide blue a go. Another idea is always to completely be rid of a few the entry doors and paint the inside of the case with the same white paint. There are a great number of great farmhouse ideas you can combine into your planting season decor! Farmhouse interior decoration does not have any set guidelines.
Farmhouse style isn't almost creating knick-knacks that look rustic and lovely. Parts that are easy to replace are your very best choice. Whether you're endeavoring to bring an individual piece to a present-day interior or desire to make over a complete wall, another list is for certain to truly have a trendy suggestion.
Farmhouse design often is due to old-fashioned furniture and used accessories, so when you yourself have some prior drawers in your own home, you may create a shelf for your porch enabling you to generate a rustic appearance with white ceramic pots. While floor design and desk accents may accumulate and quickly promote a cluttered appearance, surfaces are an excellent methods to bring more of the farmhouse cosmetic into your home. Wall art work is comforting in a residence, so once you find an opportunity to apply it, you always must try to incorporate the program into your home.
There are motivation, and projects for each and every and every room in your house. Rather, it's about creating items which does not simply accentuate the appeal of your property, but that are useful for your day-to-day life too. You might successfully produce a farmhouse feel in your own home, wherever your home is or how big is your financial plan. Home is where in fact the heart and soul is, so once you own a door in the heart of your wall design, you make an effort to make it a inviting part of your property. The term house is a fairly easy brass design that utilizes a wreath for the o to make it look relatively more festive as you go in to the liveable space. It's suitable for families as it creates an incredible atmosphere.
Images Source: Pinterest


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Pink Flamingos Halloween party card
Regular price $2.75 Sale price
Rose-Aimee did not know this years Halloween theme was fast food ... Halloween card with 3 pink flamingos disguised as fast food, pizza, hot dog and soft drink and a flamingo disguised ... as a lamp!
- Blank inside
- Size 6'' x 4.5'' (15,2 x 11,4 cm)
- Quality print from original painting
- Cello sleeve and pink envelope included
- Printed in Montreal, Canada
Get 5 cards for the price of 4! Discount applies at checkout.


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12% of the Dota 2 matches have cheaters
GosuAI developed a Dota 2 anti-cheat algorithm. It can detect if a player is using cheats based on their behaviour and the actions they perform on the map.
Note: Not official data from Valve. We hope that they will reach out to the community and share more info on the issue.
According to GosuAI, there is at least one cheater in 12% of our games.
The GosuAI algorithm is based on machine learning and currently isn't able to detect all kind of cheats. They analyzed approximately 200k matches played by about 1 million unique players, and learned to spot cheaters who use zoomout, autostop of creeps, and items auto drop.
Cheats detected
Camera hack. The most popular cheat, used in 12.24% of the matches. With it the player can look quickly at distant places on the map, gaining a vision awareness advantage. Note that the hack won't detect ultra-wide monitor users as cheaters.
Automatic creep blocking. Only 0.1% of the player base uses it. A perfect creep blocking at the start of the match can give you an enormous boost, particularly in the mid lane.
Automatic items dropping. Used by at least 0.035% players. For example, dropping and picking back the Arcane Boots while using the Soul Ring gives you 75 extra mana.
The anti-cheat is still not perfect and according to the devs it has around 3% of false positives.
Test the anti-cheat
If you want to test the presence of cheaters in your games, you can do it using their service.
Add their bot to your friend list in the Steam Client so it will be able to gather your last matches data. Afterwards, they will send you a summary of your games played in the last seven days, which will inform if and how many cheaters the algorithm found in your matches.
Note that as long as you have the bot in the friend list, it will continue collecting data and sending you reports.
Recently, RuHub analyst Yaroslav Vladimirovich "NS" Kuznetsov showed the community all the cheats available in Dota, hoping to raise the public awareness on the issue.
If the numbers indicated by GosuAI are correct, the problem is already widespread. Dota 2 is a very competitive game, so the existence of so many cheaters could undermine its popularity and lead to a big loss of players.
Header image (Transmuted Armaments loading screen): Valve


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Is it Wine o'Clock All the Time? Then It's Time to Mix in Some Organic Versions!
Tis the season! And for many of us this season means all kinds of alcohol, especially wine and bubbly before, during, and after meals.
Along with a few bottles of champagne, I also have a some bottles of organic wine and prosecco around to enjoy during the holidays. If you're a wine connoisseur and wincing at the mention of organic, it might be worth considering this compromise for the sake of your health.
I admit that I gave up any hope of being a wine connoisseur long ago when studying yoga and nutrition became more important to my life (of course you can be both, studying wine just naturally became less interesting to me). But, wine and anything effervescent is still my personal slippery slope! When I'm dining out, I'm easy going and choose from the menu or what I'm being served. At home, however, I always drink organic wine. Not everything has to be organic, I know, but why should I ingest pesticides and added sulfites? I learned many years ago that the added—not naturally occurring—sulfites in wine was the main culprit behind the nasty headaches, even when only small or moderate amounts are ingested.
In the US, I used to look for organic wine that was also labeled NSA (No Sulfites Added), but I haven't come across that label in Europe, so I just go for organic. At the very least, even if sulfites were added, at least the grapes haven't been sprayed with toxic pesticides—and spray they do, those vintners!
I'm not advocating wine as a health drink, on the contrary, while wine marketers would have us believe we're drinking antioxidants (red wine has a teeny bit, but too meager to be significant) and boosting our memory, sadly the real science doesn't agree.
Alcohol causes a host of issues, from wreaking havoc on our gut flora to causing headaches, migraines, and triggering inflammation in the body. It's also like liquid sugar, especially wine; and beer is basically a glass of gluten. Alcohol causes blood sugar rollercoasters, gets stored as belly fat (it's not only about beer bellies), upsets digestion, and dehydrates the body. Not to mention it makes us puffy and exacerbates eye bags!
And with all that, I still enjoy wine! It's probably my last frontier in my health overhaul. I can leave if for a few weeks when I'm in detox or reset mode, but on average, I probably have 3 glasses a week—and more if I have a lot of social events. My habits are much better than when I was a single woman in NYC and knocked back 4 martinis AND a bottle of wine with dinner! I've come a long way. The reality of motherhood forces me to stay sober and avoid hangovers!
I know moderation is key when partying (I realize this is an oxymoron!), but in addition to going with organic, NSA wine and champagne, I have a few other tips to help you with the holiday drinking:
CLEAN COCKTAILS: If you're in a cocktail-y mood, go for low sugar alcohol, such as vodka. My go-to cocktail is a clean vodka martini straight up with a twist and I try to nurse it slowly. Vodka is one of the easiest alcoholic drinks on the body and the stronger alcohol content usually means less volume is ingested, whereas it's very easy to drink several bottles of beer or wine. Avoid or greatly limit mixed cocktails as they're delicious little sugar bombs.
CHOOSE ALCOHOL OR DESSERT AS YOUR CHOICE OF SUGAR: Since alcohol is liquid sugar, choose dessert or wine as your sugar intake. Simpler said than done, but I usually practice this when I know there is little chance of my resetting my body, such as the festive holiday times when it's one event after another.
START WITH WATER AND ALTERNATE: It's a habit to arrive at a party and start with a drink right away. Many of us need this to relax and "warm up." The next party you attend, however, start by hydrating with a sparkling or still mineral water (not club soda). This will also give you a little time to check out the party and guests before going directly into party mode. Then, if possible, drink one glass of water in between each glass of wine.
HYDRATE & FUEL BEFORE GOING OUT: As a person with an alternative diet, I always eat before I go to any event or even to someone's house for dinner. I will fuel up with a fiber, fat, and protein green smoothie to stabilize my blood sugar so that when I arrive, I won't eat the entire bread basket or a bunch of fried finger foods in order to better metabolize my alcohol. I want to enjoy a free evening out, but I don't want to completely sabotage my healthier habits, so this trick works perfectly!
METABOLISM BOOST PRE-PARTY: Before a night of drinking, squeeze in your favorite sweaty workout to pump your metabolism and boost detoxification before indulging. This will also give you a gorgeous glow for the evening, enhance your mood, improve your posture, and help your body cope with the extra food and alcohol!
So, that's pretty much it! I have a bunch of pre and post supplements I take to help my body metabolize too much alcohol (hello activated charcoal and miso soup!), but that's for another post.
For more reading on how to party more healthfully, check out my post Making Merry: Tips for All that Eating and Drinking During the Holidays
Wishing you a healthy and happy holiday season!
Much love, Juli


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David Harwood's summary of the May GVS meeting
The spring meeting of the society took place at Leicester racecourse on 15th May, beginning with a short AGM at which David Harwood took over as the society's chairman. He began by thanking his predecessor Tony Andrews who had held the position for over 15 years but no-one was quite sure of the exact period! In recognition of his invaluable input to the society he was made an honorary life member of the society, and presented with a bronze figure of a goat.
Diagnostic testing in goats and sheep – the first paper of the day was presented by Phil Scott of the University of Edinburgh. During a fully illustrated talk utilising both still photographs and video footage, the speaker ran through the clinical signs and diagnostic imaging findings of some common conditions in small ruminants. The technique of ultrasound examination is particularly useful for identifying lung lesions such as abscesses, in which lesion size and position can be assessed, alongside changes evident to monitor any therapeutic regime adopted. In the speakers view, this technique is the only really effective way of assessing clinical respiratory pathology, also having a part to play in screening apparently healthy sheep or goats for signs of respiratory disease such as ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Access to the chest for the procedure is through the chest wall in the relatively hair / fleece free area behind the elbow joint. Although auscultation can be a useful way of assessing heart sounds for possible pathology, ultrasound again has the edge, demonstrated by particularly clear images of established endocardial deposits on heart valves.
Another clinical syndrome in which the procedure can be of value is urolithiasis, in which not only urolith position can be assessed, but also the degree of bladder enlargement or leakage, and the degree of resulting kidney damage such as hydronephrosis that may have occurred. The final use described was for examination of the male genitalia in which the technique is able to differentiate between epididymitis and orchitis, and can give some indication of severity and extent of resulting pathology.
Feeding the pet goat – the second speaker of the day was GVS committee member and experienced goat keeper Sue Smith from Somerset. Questions related to feeding regimes for goats and in particular pet goats are commonly directed to the society. The speaker suggested that if we could define a pet goat as one that neither milks or breeds, then one of the first assumptions we can make, is that the majority are probably too fat! To get to a maintenance weight, a pet goat should be fed ad lib good quality hay and nothing more. This is hard for your average pet goat keeper, who tends to make up for lack of concentrate by substituting it with titbits such as digestive biscuits. As goats have evolved as browsing animals, these owners would be far better picking suitable branches for their goats to eat, and cheap pasta shells from the supermarket are a good "pocket treat." In a balanced diet, approximately 80gms of coarse mix twice daily or a similar amount of sugar beet would be more than sufficient for a maintenance ration with good quality hay. Condition scoring of goats can be undertaken with practice, making two assessments – one over the lumbar area similar to the procedure in cattle and sheep, and a second assessment over the brisket area looking for the presence / absence of a subcutaneous fat pad. Pet goat owners should aim for a condition score of around 3.0. There was some discussion as to what the influence on nutrition is by grazing, although difficult to evaluate, the overall benefit of being outdoors should not be underestimated.
Moving on to discuss hobby / show goats, the speaker stated that these would normally be animals that are milking and breeding, and often being milk recorded and taken to shows. Unfortunately for the novice, there are many different methods of feeding these goats, the majority of which work for each owner, their goats and their holding type! Concentrate examples include specialist goat course mixes and goat pellets, other owners feed cattle pellets. Forage sources include good meadow hay, dried alfalfa or dried grass. The speaker then outlined her own feeding system as an example. The maximum amount of concentrate she would feed is 1kg per day, split into two feeds; more prolific milkers have some soaked sugar beet in the evening as a third feed. This ration with ad lib hay has enabled her goats to average 1500-1800 kg per year, whilst maintaining a body good condition score.
Surgery and anaesthesia in sheep and goats – Phil Scott in his second paper, began by suggesting to the audience that they should consider the use of more traditional corticosteroids (such as dexamethasone) instead of non-steroidal products, describing the response he has had when treating suppurative polyarthritis in sheep caused by, giving a high dose intravenously, followed up by the simple use of penicillin. This is also an approach he uses successfully when treating encephalitic listeriosis cases, again with dexamethasone and an appropriate antibiotic.
Moving on to spinal anaesthesia which he feels is probably underutilised, he began by discussing the low extradural injection of xylazine and lignocaine, providing good anaesthesia for obstetrical procedures such as lambing or the replacement of a prolapsed vagina. High extradural injections can be beneficial for procedures such as vasectomy or the repair of inguinal hernias.
For goat disbudding, he follows the recommendations in the GVS DVD "Disbudding of goat kids" available from the GVS secretary, and also advises undergraduates to follow the advice given.
TB in goats – following the recent incidents of confirmed bovine TB in two commercial goat herds, there has been intense interest both within the goat sector and beyond, summarised in a letter to the veterinary record [Harwood (2014), 174, p456]. A number of delegates from outside the GVS attended including representatives from the NFU and AHWBE. The first speaker in the session was Alastair George, from the Defra TB policy team. The speaker began by giving some facts concerning the current TB situation in cattle, including the new "edge strategy" in which there are three areas referred to as high risk, low risk and the edge area in between. Goats are usually referred to as "spillover hosts" from other local sources, resulting in infection most often with the local geographical spoligotype. Defra observations however have shown that animal species may not always fall clearly into particular categories and the relative importance of a host species in the transmission of M bovis may change over time and from region to region. It appears that once the organism gains entry to a group of goats, that resulting spread of infection can be very rapid, with inhalation being the most common route of infection.
Clinical signs include loss of condition, inappetance, drop in milk production and intermittent coughing. At post mortem examination, lesions are fund predominantly in the respiratory tract and associated lymph nodes, but lesions have also been identified in the intestinal tract and associated lymph nodes and in the udder).
Lung lesions are white or cream containing semi-liquid white or cream pus, many lymph node lesions are caseous with mineralisation.
Suspect lesions of TB found at slaughter, or during post mortem examination together with the laboratory isolation of M. bovis in goats are notifiable under the TB (England) Order 2007 (as amended). Defra currently has limited statutory powers to control TB in goats, however, AHVLA may issue movement restrictions where a reasonable suspicion of TB infection exists. Legal powers to compulsorily test and slaughter individual suspect animals (reactors, contacts or suspect clinical cases) – cannot be exercised without compensation, and this is currently not available. AHVLA will seek the owners' cooperation when TB is identified and restrictions are served. If the owner agrees, then Defra will pay for skin testing, reactor removal/slaughter and the post mortem & culture work done by AHVLA (but with no available compensation). Private slaughter without compensation is a further option. Restrictions on the rest of the herd remain in force until any reactors die or are privately slaughtered and all other goats in the herd have undergone two clear SICCT (single intradermal comparative cervical test) tests at 60-day intervals or are similarly slaughtered. As there is an undoubted public health risk, AHVLA will notify Food Authorities if reactors are identified in dairy goat herds and inform Health Authorities (if M. bovis is isolated in any goat).
There is a forthcoming consultation on TB in non-bovine farmed and companion animals (including goats), and this will provide support for the TB Strategy for England – the GVS will be responding to this consultation, and would urge anyone working within the goat sector to do likewise.
The second speaker in this session was Alastair Hayton of the Synergy practice in Somerset, giving an update on alternative testing procedures for TB following his presentation to GVS in 2013 (reported in GVS Journal 2014, vol 30 p26). The test discussed was the "Enferplex TB test," reportedly with a 100% specificity and hence no false positives. The speaker outlined some work he had been undertaking trialling the test in camelids (similarly with a current TB problem), in which annual whole herd or proportionate bleeding in larger herds, was to be undertaken, final details were not yet available. The test had also been used on blood samples taken from one of the current TB commercial goat herd breakdowns, with many more positive goats being identified than by using the SICCT alone. The test also seemed to be unaffected by any concurrent Johne's disease vaccination in the herd.
Ectoparasites and their control – the first speaker after lunch was Chris Lewis, a sheep veterinary society former president and sheep farmer, who gave a historical perspective on ectoparasites and their control, focussing on sheep scab. Infection was most likely introduced to the UK from Normandy at the time that Henry VIII was carrying out his dissolution of the monasteries around 1536. In 1870, farmers were obliged to report scab to the relevant authorities, and by 1878, fines were imposed on those who failed to report such infection. The first effective dip "Coopers Dip" was launched in the 1890s, and contained the somewhat lethal cocktail of arsenic, nicotine and sulphur. Organochorine dips were developed and launched in 1946, and scab was eradicated from England and Scotland by 1948 and from Wales by 1951, and the country remained free of infection for the next 20 years, only to be re-introduced from Ireland in 1973. Since then many products have been withdrawn on safety grounds and others have been developed, yet there has been very little overall reduction in scab prevalence.
CAE in goats – the final speaker of the day was Lynn Batty of SRUC (formerly SAC consulting), who initially ran through the aetiology, and presenting clinical signs of CAE and modes of transmission. The most common presenting sign is arthritis affecting adult goats, and most commonly in the carpal joint. Mastitis is a particularly important problem in commercial dairy herd as the resulting pathology leads to the udder becoming firm with a loss of glandular tissue. Lung pathology is a more unusual presentation in the UK, and the encephalitis described in young kids has never been confirmed in the UK. The disease is an insidious one, and clinical signs may well be overlooked until around 50% of the herd is infected. Testing can be undertaken by the use of an ELISA blood test (with a test sensitivity of around 99.4% and test specificity of 99.3%). There is currently no vaccine and control is based on sound biosecurity to keep it out, once confirmed various test and cull options are available depending on numbers infected.
Top tips – during the final session facilitated by programme secretary Kat Bazeley, audience members were asked to give their top tips on housing, these included:
- Keep pet goats on a hard standing and not wet muddy conditions through the winter to reduce the prevalence of white line disease.
- Ensure you have two entrances into any goat shelters to get round the problem of the "bully goat" guarding the single entrance.
- Insulate the roof, keeps the building warm in winter and cool in summer.
David Harwood
May 2014.


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Book - A Freshman Survival Guide for College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders The Stuff Nobody Tells You About!
by: Haley Moss, Foreword by Susan J. Moreno
About the author:
Haley Moss is a 19-year-old student with High-Functioning Autism. She has recently completed her Freshman year at University of Florida where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology. She is also taking a minor in Disabilities in Society. Haley is the author of Middle School: The Stuff Nobody Tells You About, she is a keen advocate for autism, and she is a frequent speaker at autism events. She has won numerous awards including a Hope for Children "Teen Hero Award" and she was named one of the University of Florida's "Gators of Tomorrow - Top 25 Freshman Leaders". She is also a talented artist.
Susan Moreno is the founder and president of MAAP Services, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides information and advice to parents, teachers and healthcare professionals about all aspects of autism. She is the editor of The MAAP, a newsletter for families of more advanced individuals within the autism spectrum of disorders. She holds a Master's degree in Applied Behavioral Science from Valparaiso University in Indiana and is internationally known as a lecturer and motivational speaker.


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Four days of wine, food and fun during the President's Day weekend, February 16-19, 2018. A Wine Country Weekend Passport includes complimentary tastings at 13 participating wineries, appetizers Saturday + Sunday at each tasting room, and a souvenir wine glass + tote bag . This is the perfect weekend to try new wines and revisit old favorites - like us! ;)
Tickets are $65 each
WHAT: 4-day weekend event
WHEN: February 15-18, 2019
WHERE: Throughout the Santa Ynez Valley


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Kevin Federline has opened up about his marriage to Britney Spears, admitting that it was "overwhelming".
The 38-year-old star - who has Jayden James, nine, and Sean Preston, 10, with the Piece of Me singer - admits the whole relationship was completely "different" than he imagined it would be.
He told VLAD TV : "That was a whole different lifestyle than I ever imagined. I mean, just getting around from place to place and having 20 people follow you all day long - your whole life kind of being told through somebody else's eyes.
"Everybody wants to put their own spin on it. We like, were caught right in the midst of that whole thing. It was so crazy. I look back at it and it's like, at times it was so overwhelming.
Read more: Britney Spears' toxic days are over - she's laughing, joking and back to her old self
"That time of my life, there's so many different, like, pieces missing because of everything that was going on. That was at the, like, height of everything and you're thrown into this thing and you're thrown into that thing and the in-between stuff. I know it happened. I know why it happened. That's pretty much all that I'm going to say."
Meanwhile, Kevin - who was married to Britney for just two years - previously admitted he thought he'd spend the rest of his life with the 34-year-old singer.
He said: "I really thought I'd spend the rest of my life with her. She talked about having kids from the start and was madly in love with our sons when they were born. It was hard for her to juggle them and work, though. Then work became my focus, recording and promoting my rap album.
"There were also a few drastic things that went down, which I'll never talk about, but overall we still had fun. So when she filed for divorce, I was completely caught off guard. Look, there are a million things I could say about her that would make huge headlines and cause a ton of drama, but for what? The truth is I loved her to death."


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by Betsy Hicks
Post 10
(Post 1)(Post 2)(Post 3)(Post 4)(Post 5)(Post 6)(Post 7)(Post 8)(Post 9)
I could visualize the movie trailer:
Sad music plays as we fade in and see the widow trying to hold it together at the funeral while her friends offer condolences.
The widow curled up in a ball on her bed in her beautiful dress while she hears familiar voices enjoying the post-funeral gathering.
(Hmm the viewer thinks, this must be a sad movie)
Music tempo increases and becomes lively and jovial.
The widow's friends are trying to convince her to find something that brings her joy…segueing into her purchase of a mountain bike. She then awkwardly falls directly on her side while trying to mount it.
(Nope, the viewer now thinks, it's a comedy.)
A series of scenes follow as she pursues self-love through freeing herself from her business, packing up her belongings, and scrolling through the daily pictures on eHarmony.
But then it gets fuzzy. I don't see my face. I don't see his face. I just know there is this random guy, according to my psychic, that I fall in love with and we live happily ever after because that's how all the good romantic comedies end. There are those few movies that end with the girl realizing she doesn't need a guy to be happy (like Pocahontas), but this was my movie, dammit, and I wanted his strong arms, his loving voice, and his epic penis in my bed.
I knew that for a 90-minute movie to be decent, the writer had to sway the audience towards empathy. Let's face it, if we don't care about the heroine, then we don't care about the ending, and the fastest way to create compassion is to make her look hopeless and a tad pathetic. That part I was succeeding at.
I made the firm decision to make my life-movie a comedy. Death is not usually funny, yet my husband's passing was in the past and I could feel a great purpose waiting for me. I wasn't living my life to entertain others or to have great material for a book. I was living it with humor solely for the reason that laughing feels good and it attracts the demographic I want in my audience.
Visualizing my unfolding life as the next obvious scene of romantic comedy allowed me to cope when I felt hopeless. I would sit and reflect about the comedy of my day. For instance, the day after Mitch (the alcoholic, bad salad dressing guy) broke up with me for his old girlfriend, it was timed rather poorly because a set of knives arrived at my office with a passionate love note attached.
"Um, Betsy, sorry to bother you, but you just got a package from Mitch," my poor store manager gently told me.
"What?" I said confused, "But how?"
"Looks like he sent it before he knew he was going to break up with you," he went on to say.
Sure enough, a beautiful set of knives arrived with a note expressing his love and passion.
Goddamn motherfucking knives! Could it be more apropos?
"At least you got a consolation prize," my witty friend mentioned.
I would chuckle through the circumstances knowing it was nothing more than lightheartedness and part of the storyline.
Nights seemed endless in my memory-filled home, and I often heard the low bass, slow, depressing music accompanied by the distressed widow as she cries her way through another night on the couch and makes her way through the stack of Kleenex. This was the part of the movie that seemed like a good time to use the restroom or go buy some Raisinettes.
Four months in, I was past the coddling. Friends saw my dating as a sign that I was fine and had moved on, and in a sense, I had, but crippling grief was still very present at times. I recognized and genuinely understood, that it was natural to be sad and logically vital to allow myself to embrace the sorrow, but I wanted to delegate the task of cheering me up to someone other than me. Unfortunately, the timing was off. Right after John died, if I sent a text to anyone, they would immediately reply and offer comfort. By this time, unless I sounded very distressed, I usually got, "Let's get together soon." It wasn't that they didn't care about me; it was just now I was simply a friend with issues.
To me, grief was very lonely. It seemed ill-fitting to reach out purely to talk about my sadness. I certainly didn't aspire to screw up their day. I had images of their phones ringing and my girlfriend rolling her eyes and saying to her husband, "Oh crap it's Betsy again! I better take this." While her husband pats her back and says, "You're a good friend."
As the shock of John's death was beginning to feel normal to everyone else, that's when it hit me the hardest. All of the attention I had received initially was wasted on my zombie double. She was the woman who showed up and went through the motions, but couldn't listen or follow advice. By the time I was ready to receive encouragement, most people had moved on.
I had to take responsibility for my emotions. I recognized that I did have a choice, and the choice was how I viewed the circumstance. I could appreciate that my fate was not the result of a haphazard mistake or bestowed to me as a karmic punishment, but that it was paving the way for something greater.
I wanted to see the last scene of the movie. Where does she move to? Does she find a new career? Does she meet a great love? Does she ever manage to ride her bike without falling? Now that I felt the connection with John through both Kimber and my own intuition, I knew wholeheartedly that there was a happy ending, and rather than diving into fear, anger, or blame, I settled into impatience that during my high moments, smoothly transitioned to anticipation.
So there I sat like a member of the audience, curious and withdrawn on the couch at the end of another day munching through my popcorn and hoping that my movie will be worth the price of admission.