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MIAMI, FLORIDA -- Starbucks at Macy's store in North Kendall Dr. in Dadeland mall Miami, Florida. Employee at a Starbucks in Macy's did not like that we wanted to buy a $2.45 and not a more expensive one. It felt like a personal attack to us because we didn't buy a more expensive coffee, she was mad and she didn't even know which coffee we were talking about like she didn't even want us to get that one. That when she told us the store was closing, but 1 hour later as we passed by it was still open so she lied.
So she told us to wait because she had to check if they had any, how can a Starbucks store run out of coffee? She gave us coffee in a rudely manner and she denied us from buying pastries because she said she did not have any when there were clearly on display, she denied us from buying a lemonade because they did not have lemonade apparently. Basically anything we wanted to buy she said she didn't have any.
WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA -- The lemon cake was served in a sealed plastic bag like a Twinkie. The consistency was gooey so I checked the date. It was almost TWO MONTHS OLD which made me wonder what types of preservative like formaldehyde they had used to keep it "fresh". I felt sick when I left the Starbucks and gave the dated bag to an employee who made no attempt to do anything. This is the last time I am ordering food in Starbucks as it is apparent it is not one of those health-conscious places I prefer to frequent. Ugh, no different than a 7-11 gas station!
TORONTO, CALIFORNIA -- I am writing this review here as a warning to future customers walking into a Starbucks store managed by ** (previously at Store# 4350: 20 William Kitchen Rd, Scarborough, ON, M1P 5B7) to be cautious of him and his employees (e.g. Starbucks shift supervisor, **) based on the following incidents:
Starbucks should not allow their managers to make careless comments that can easily be misconstrued by customers. Perhaps it is Starbucks' culture to be 'laid-back' but it should never be acceptable for a male manager to say "Wow!" to a female customer upon first impression (particularly since nothing warrants this type of attention just for walking into a coffee shop in everyday wear).
If female customers walking into Starbucks LIKE this type of attention from him, he should be reserving this type of 'special treatment' for them and ONLY THEM. Otherwise, it is NOT a compliment and it is NOT customer service. Under any other circumstances in any other company that provides customer service, this type of incident would NOT be tolerated towards customers (female or otherwise) at all.
A Starbucks store has a manager in place to manage a store and part of that includes listening to customers' feedback regarding their experiences. While most managers understand the nature of their job entails interacting with customers, this Starbucks manager has not only refused to acknowledge a customer when he/she has a legitimate complaint, he has also deliberately disrespected the customer's wishes to not be subjected to further harassment from the entire staff (including the manager himself).
AND they have also continued the same harassing technique and taken it even further upon themselves to personally retaliate against the customer for not wanting anything more to do with this. In this case, a manager at this store who refuses to handle customer service situations is not needed – Please remember to take down his name and the name(s) of his employee(s) involved in the incidents and report to the District Manager/Corporate Headquarters IMMEDIATELY.
Starbucks should not be offering food samples if they cannot stand the thought of customers eating a small piece of food for free. This manager thought I was eating his food for free despite being passed to EVERYONE ELSE in the store – the reason being because I mentioned it in a feedback letter to compliment him. Instead, he took the same feedback letter and eagerly ran off to show HIS own manager for praise and then turned around and accused me of eating his food for free.
In the event of not knowing how to provide customer service, disrupting customers' routines is not the answer. Instead of leaving customers alone and managing the store, this manager would INTENTIONALLY GO OUT OF HIS WAY to purposely antagonize customers by pulling pranks to incite a reaction (and then laughing uproariously afterwards) and making customers do things for him, thereby deliberating making them angry.
He would even TEACH these tactics to his employees and then pat himself on the back for successfully angering/harassing a customer. Customers are not there for you to prank around – we want nothing to do with the Starbucks games. If Starbucks managers feel there isn't enough to do on a daily basis, they need to ask THEIR OWN MANAGER on what else can be done.
Managers should not force customers to write feedback letters for their own promotional use to look good in front of his/her company. Customers should reserve the right to provide positive feedback on their own (Starbucks' famous 'word-of-advertising' method), but not at the manager's request for one in order to make him/herself look good before his own company.
Sending the same employee to continually harass me (e.g. the service level will decrease until you do this for us) until I was forced to falsify a positive feedback letter for the employee should not be tolerated by the company. By doing this, Starbucks has lost credibility under this manager's doing because all 'positive' things said about the company are generated falsely.
Managers/baristas who engage in 'establishing rapport' have a responsibility on their part. Customers who walk into Starbucks are not looking for assistance nor are they looking to gain anything from Starbucks – they are simply there to make a purchase and mind their own business.
However, when managers/baristas are looking to establish a rapport and interact with customers, it is important to keep in mind that this rapport means you DO NOT prank the customer around over and over again. This manager has not only allowed his employee(s) to conduct 'customer service' in ANY manner possible, but has also made it acceptable for even the shift supervisor in charge to also conduct her own 'pranks' and to follow customers outside of the store.
Managers/baristas should not trespass the boundary into their customers' personal lives. Not only is this a severe breach of privacy and respect on the company's part, it is also completely unwarranted and has nothing to do with providing customer service. A coffee shop is a place to relax and enjoy your own affairs and interaction with other patrons, not to have a manager/barista continually steal information from you or pry into customers' private, personal details when customers do not wish to disclose them. It should not be a requirement for Starbucks employees to be involved in customers' personal lives at all.
If Starbucks employees are unsure on how to do their jobs, they need to be re-trained. For some reason, despite Starbucks providing training for their baristas, they still manage to be incompetent at their jobs and this manager has not even bothered ensuring that baristas are following Starbucks' regulations.
As a result, it has become the customer's responsibility to deal with each and every Starbucks barista and the shift supervisor for not knowing how to provide customer service. If Starbucks employees (including managers) feel they are overworked or unhappy or do not want to provide a service anymore, they should take this up directly with their own manager and not out on the customer.
Managers should be wary of using the 'Making a Connection' as a sales tactic. This manager did not want customers engaging in 'hellos' and small talk with him yet he would force customers to accept the outrageous customer service tactics bestowed upon customers, such as touching, inappropriate comments, unnecessarily 'helping out' and then having the same Starbucks employee glare at the customer when he/she approaches the same employee, small talk that goes nowhere, insincere hellos, prying into customers' personal details, and so forth.
The whole scheme was very manipulative and insincere. Their idea of a 'customer connection' was to pretend to like the customer first before hitting him/her with a sales tactic and then giving the cold, degrading treatment for not complying with them from then on. When a manager's intention of 'making a connection' is only focused on sales instead of customer service, he/she should not be surprised when customer service standards immensely fail with the result of a customer filing a complaint to Starbucks' Corporate Headquarters in the end.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA -- I'm sitting here in my office on my lunch break drinking a bad-tasting cup of Starbucks coffee. It is bad tasting because it has no cream in it. Like the man in front of me, I bought a large cup of coffee at noon today in the Atlanta CNN Center Starbucks and went to the counter to add half-and-half. There was none. We told the staff. They simply said, "We're out of half-and-half," not "Let us look to see if there is any in the cooler," not "Sorry, but just a little while ago we sent someone out to get more," not "Sorry, but may we offer you a refund," just "We're out of half-and-half."
I generally don't operate on the squeaky-wheel principle, so I did not complain. I operate on this principle: "If you cannot treat customers better, I'll go elsewhere." If they had just warned me that upfront, I would not have bought any coffee in the first place. I suspect that the people selling the coffee were not coffee drinkers themselves. Otherwise, they might have been a little less cavalier about it.
JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK -- I just recently ended a 10+ years long daily Starbucks habit. Yes, I visited a Starbucks everyday on average for over 10 years, spending on average $175/month. And I'm done with Starbucks - haven't been there in a month. I have no issues with their products, and I know many of their counter people get hammered with orders non-stop, so I'm ok with the occasional wrong order even though I've seen first hand that many wrong orders result from laziness and disinterest. And I'm ok with their 500% markup. I'm even ok with the impersonal way most Starbucks employees attempt to be personable with me when I come in and order something.
My main gripe originates from Starbucks corporate policy. Over the years, I started noticing more and more incidences of Starbucks running out of stock (snacks, drink ingredients, bananas, sandwiches) and certain seemingly in-demand items just not being in the stores ("Sorry, we're out of that."). And it's not just one store or a few stores. I've gone to Starbucks all over the country and it's the same story - everywhere. I even complained twice (to corporate) in the past few years and saw nothing change. Most people complain about Starbucks exorbitant prices, but I see a much larger problem that as a consumer, I can't accept.
GRESHAM, OREGON -- On Thursday December 04, 2013 at approximately 5:45 PM I stopped off at the Starbucks 2233 NE Burnside Rd
Gresham Oregon (503) 465-8091 to purchase hot chocolate for my neighbor's son. This Starbucks is located in the Oregon Trails Shopping Center. My complaint involves a lack of trust and integrity at Starbucks. Is free stuff good?
Review this scenario: I purchased some hot chocolate for my six-year old friend. I was wearing new black ski gloves. I removed the ski gloves and placed them on the counter so I could pay for the purchase. After I paid I left the black ski gloves on the counter. I sat down and waited for the young man to finish his chocolate and left.
Review his behavior: When I left the cashier he did not yell out, "Hey Mister you forgot your new black ski gloves on the counter!". When customers leave their hats, gloves or wallets on their counter that does not automatically mean that Starbucks employees have free hats and gloves. Many of you are wondering why the cashier did not point out the gloves to the customer. Maybe the cashier thought my gloves were a Christmas tip. Here is a hot tip: customers expect great product and service. Customers should not have to bribe the staff with tips or gifts to get what they originally paid for.
Review their attitude: I went back twice immediately after the incident and on Sunday December 08, 2013 at 7:45 AM. I spoke to a shift leader who refused to provide her name or the name of the manager. She was a short petite brunette very young in age. She wore a smirk when I discussed the black ski gloves. The confirmatory smirk indicates prior knowledge. This information is provided to assist Starbucks corporate in identifying the individuals.
Review Starbucks' trust, integrity and lack of honesty: There are several problems with this transaction all revolving around trust and a lack of integrity. When the cashier allows the customer to walk away obviously leaving their property on the counter salivating at the free stuff this is a blatant lack of trust and integrity. When the so-called shift supervisor/leader refuses to identify herself or provide the contact information for the manager this once again demonstrates a complete lack of trust and integrity. Do I trust Starbucks? Starbucks employees that help themselves to customers property should never be allowed around any cash register.
"Free is good" is bad if it's the customer's property. My complaint is Starbucks' convenient absence of a lost and found for customers property speaks volumes about Starbucks' lack of integrity. I strongly recommend that if you insist on doing business with Starbucks you count your fingers after you shake hands.
By the way the Starbucks hot chocolate turned out to be mostly foam. Starbucks hot chocolate Is seriously overpriced at $1.50. I asked the young man if he enjoyed it and he apparently did not. I am not a coffee or food critic but small children tend to be very honest and sincere so this is a very honest and sincere review. Too young to know how to lie young children often favor the simple truth.
Curiously I posted this on Google reviews no fewer than three times on the morning of Sunday December 08, 2013. Apparently the censors at Google objected to the truth and censored this review. Advertising dollars from www.starbucks.com have a way of influencing the truth. I do not appreciate internet censorship by Google. Censorship is a very serious first amendment violation and interferes with the public's right to know the whole truth.
I recently left Starbucks after 3 years of employment. Starbucks used to be a great company to work for, but now with the changes, it's not so great. It's modern day slavery. If you feel like you're waiting for your drink longer, and when you get it, it's not correct, well, you're probably not crazy! That's exactly what's happening.
We are instructed to be more "task-focused" and less "customer-focused". What that means is, the stores are now short-staffed to save money, but with the changes such as the breakfast sandwiches and the new (less tasty) frappuccino recipe (to compete with McDonalds' new frappe) the employees are put in a position to work faster and harder.
We also have follow QASA standards (QASA is the Starbucks 'more elite' version of the health department) and their standards of cleanliness are understandable. However, the time in which we are expected to tend to them are unrealistic. For example, before we hand a drink out, we have to wash the milk pitcher and wipe the steam wands. If we open a carton of soy milk or lemonade, we have to write the QASA standard expiration date immediately. We are instructed to tend to those things before tending to the customers' needs. Back to being short-staffed: yes, there usually is one person on the bar making drinks and we have to rely on the person at the register to properly mark the cup as well - the customer knowing how to properly order their drink. This "simple" process becomes complicated when products and samples are being pushed on the customer who is ordering.
So many times, the person on bar gets the incorrect cup marking due to the initial distractions at the register. That combined with a large volume of drinks with no help (as the people available to help are now making sandwiches) and abusive customers complaining that we're stupid and we made their drink wrong, well, it's no wonder many of you aren't getting the service you deserve. On top of this, we lost our personal days, the health benefits are more expensive and we get less for our money, we get MINIMAL breaks - yet we're on our feet all day AND working much harder.
We don't get commissions or bonuses for sales, we don't get sick days when we call out sick, it's hard to get the shift covered due to company-wide understaffing and partners simply not wanting to work anymore - so many times, we work when we are sick. Upper management is permitted to be condescending to store employees - essentially, we're spoken to like we're retarded first graders. We contribute a great deal to the success of the company, yet we don't get respect and we don't get acknowledgement. So yes, general morale is WAAAAAAAAY down and it does make a difference.
So, the next time you get your drink and it's been made incorrectly, please don't blame the person making your drinks. We're stressed enough from the unrealistic changes being made in the company. Instead, observe what is going on at the register. Are you being distracted to try the "new" exciting, life-changing, drink or pastry? Are you being asked to try Via (for the millionth time) or a Starbucks version of the egg McMuffin? Is the person on bar alone and flooded with drinks? Are there abusive customers, QASA standards being tended to and no help with any of it?
If you notice any of this, complain to the manager then complain to corporate. They need to hear these things. Whatever you do, please don't abuse your barista. Have some respect. Remember that your barista isn't "stuck" at Starbucks because it's the best they can do. They are there because they are in college, or are working towards their career goals and need a job that allows time flexibility and part-time benefits. They're not stupid, and if you piss them off, they have the power to give you sugar-free syrup, decaf shots, expired shots (espresso that sits longer than 19 seconds - they literally taste like poo), breve (that's half and half) when you ask for soy.
They have the power to, in turn, ruin your day by giving you a lousy drink. So open your eyes and see that these employees truly are doing the best they can and are very worn out by Howard Shutlz' (that's the ONE man who owns all Starbucks - they're NOT a franchise) desperate decisions on how to run such a large company with no regulations on how to treat the employees. Use your power of Customer Voice to complain to someone who CAN make things better or stop going to Starbucks all together and make sure you let corporate know why.
You deserve a positive experience and it begins with happy employees. You can help make that change. 1-800-starbuc or 1-800-23-latte You can also fill out the survey when it's given to you. Please be honest about your experience, those surveys are seen by corporate.
I hate customers. There are a lot of things people have experienced at their local Starbucks which disappoints them. Indeed, I too have had that kind of experience at mine in Toronto, but overall that doesn't outweigh the good. People like to complain too much. Sure it's not too much to ask for a drink to be remade, or for something small. However, most customers like to fly off the handle over the most trivial ** and it drives me insane.
For an example, the person complaining about an exchange/refund for the coffee mug. Listen, I've worked retail, and on EVERY SINGLE RECEIPT printed out there is information about what you need to return or exchange that product. YOU HAD BEEN WARNED. But, you'd prefer to waste your time, and theirs to argue against this rule. The rule is there for a reason, and even if to you it's not a good one, it's still there. You neglected to acknowledge that fact, so that's your own damn fault. If you lost the receipt, or failed to ask for one, yes, sorry I do not sympathize. It's your fault.
To the person complaining about a little bit of whip cream falling over the side of a cup, listen, really? It happens. It just does. It's not easy to pour those drinks precisely 100% of the time. So deal with it! If not, kindly ask them to remove it, without being a baby and making such a big fuss over nothing. There is a stack of napkins right next to you. Pick one up, wipe it off, stop being such a baby. To the person who complained about waiting a bit to get a drink before having to rush to work: If I had to rush to work, do you really think I would stop at Starbucks? Absolutely not. I'm smarter than that.
It gets busy, and if I can't be guaranteed to grab my drink in less than a minute, I'm not going. Period. Change your routine, get over it. And even if they were talking to each other, oh well. Maybe you caught them at a bad time. Take your business somewhere else. Or here's a thought! Make your own coffee? Or wait, but then you can't stroll into work with your status-written Starbucks cup in your hand that says you're a sophisticated, mature individual. My mistake.
To the person with the racist barista: your story sounds so unclear. It sounds made up. Maybe you had nothing better to do with your time. If she was actually a racist, I sympathize. But in all honesty, get it in your head that racism exists. You'll never change those racists' perspectives, ever. I'm not saying to be passive, but it's Starbucks. It's not worth it. She'll get hers.
To the people having difficulty working at Starbucks or who hated the experience or the hiring process or whatever. Seriously, you're stupid. Before you apply to a job, you should do some research on it, and all of these negative reviews from Starbucks' employees on the web should have saved you from that experience. Doesn't that just suck? Suck it up, it's your own damn fault.
To the people saying that they will not go to Starbucks ever again, and refuse to spend their hard-earned 3 (give or take 1) dollars on a cup of coffee: Do you really think that your business is all that important? If that's the case, you need to get your head in check, lose the narcissism and get over yourself. You're just ONE customer, and yes there are like-minded individuals who share your view, it's really nothing compared to the billions of people EVERYDAY grabbing something from Starbucks. Listen. I hate to bash on people, really I do.
As a waitress (who does go to Starbucks occasionally) I have learned to appreciate people...until they become customers, until they become so self-obsessed. I'm not saying that you don't deserve "service", but at the end of the day, baristas are there to make your ** coffee not to make your day. And if you don't like that, then I suggest you just boycott. But you wouldn't do that, Dear Customer, would you? Because what then would you complain about? Peace. Oh, and P.S. You can hate me all you want, but what I say is the truth, and the truth isn't nice.
SCARBOROUGH, CALIFORNIA -- I went in to Starbucks at Kennedy Commons, Scarborough, Ontario Saturday afternoon. I am handicapped and use a cane or a walker depending on my pain and mobility level. Saturday I was using my cane. I went into the store, used the washroom first and then went to stand in line. It was busy and I was in line for just over 5 minutes before I got to the cash. I placed my order and after I had paid, tucking my cane visibly under my arm to exchange the cash and change, I noticed that there are two small stickers with a handicapped symbol on the back of each cash register.
I read the signs. They read that assistance is offered to the handicapped with table-side ordering and drink delivery. I hadn't noticed the stickers previously because a tall display of mints and other impulse-buying items was sitting directly in front of both signs!!! I am handicapped and I look for such signs and stickers everywhere I go and I didn't see these signs until after any table-side assistance I needed was pretty much over. But I mentioned it to the cashier. I told her that anyone actually in a wheelchair (although not all handicapped people use wheelchairs) would never see the sign because it was completely blocked from sight.
An appropriate response from your staff would have been to immediately remove the display (and find a better place for it later) in order to start providing the service to handicapped right away, should it be needed. The response I got (from the cashier!) was a stunned "I never noticed the signs before." and then she took the order of the person behind me. I grabbed a card from the small stack of cards beside the cash and limped away from the cash to stand waiting another 5 minutes for my beverage. As I was waiting I asked to speak to the manager. I spoke to **. I told her that the display was blocking the stickers offering help to the handicapped.
Maybe I had been expecting too much from the cashier. The cashier probably didn't have authority to move displays but the manager definitely would. ** told me that the staff were all aware of the policy and would notice any handicapped person coming in and offer help right away so it didn't matter if the sign was visible or not. And then she turned away, picked up a box of something and started to walk away. I was stunned. I had picked up the card for the manager of the store at the cash and just stuck it in my shirt pocket. I pulled it out and checked the name and then asked the barista if ** was really the manager because the name on the card is **.
I had to ask the barista because the so-called manager had already moved out of hearing range. I leaned on the counter, hung the handle of my cane on the edge of the counter so I could show him the card I was holding. He told me that ** was the manager on duty but ** is **'s superior. Noticing that I still hadn't left, ** came back, scowling. I have no idea what she was about to say because she finally noticed my cane hanging on the edge of the counter and her face went blank. AFTER I HAD WAITED 5 MINUTES IN LINE AND ANOTHER 5 TO GET MY BEVERAGE AND ANOTHER 5 TALKING TO HER FACE TO FACE SHE NOTICED I AM HANDICAPPED!!
Want to know what ** did? Because this is the sugar topping on the pumpkin scone right here!! She offered me a sleeve for my coffee. She made a big show of reaching into the bin to grab one for me. She then made a move to grab for my Latte. I moved my drink out of her reach, took the sleeve from her and put it on my own drink and left without another word. I went back Sunday at roughly the same time and had EXACTLY the same result. Almost worse in that two of the same staff were there and the line was twice as long as yesterday. So much for ** noticing handicapped people and going right out to help them.
Every table was in use so unless she was prepared to kick people away from a table, the proposed table service wasn't available. I took a few photos in my 10-minute wait in line. I wasn't hiding the fact that I was taking pictures or the fact that I was using a cane but I was still ignored. The displays are still covering the signs. These signs are barely an inch high by 4 inches long. Even uncovered, they are too small to be much use but a token effort to help handicapped people would be nice. This store doesn't even make that tiny effort.
There are huge windows in front of the store as well as double glass doors. Could they not find a prominent spot to display the sticker on the door? I guess if handicapped people could actually see the sign the store might be required to deliver on what they supposedly offer. I'm including a link to one of the best pieces of fiction I've read in a long time. It's called the Starbucks' Mission Statement. (http://www.starbucks/. ca/en-ca/_About+Starbucks/Mission+Statement.htm) While I could easily go through it line by line with proof positive that each line has no basis in reality, I'll stick to the two issues that the 'partners' at Kennedy Commons apparently have never heard of. Ironically enough titled 'Our Customers' and 'Our Stores'.
"Our Customers - When we are fully engaged, we connect with, laugh with, and uplift the lives of our customers even if just for a few moments. Sure, it starts with the promise of a perfectly made beverage, but our work goes far beyond that. It's really about human connection." Really? When you're fully engaged? First of all, what does that even mean? Not the 'fully engaged' part, though that's an odd term to use, I'm referring to the 'When'. Meaning that the 'partners' working with machines that shoot out steam that can scald flesh in under a second aren't always 'fully engaged'? That's not just dangerous, it's terrifying! My SON has been near those machines!!!
Have other people never read your mission statement? Maybe I'm just unlucky but in the extensive time I've spent in that Starbucks in the last 24 hours I have not had one single of your partners become even partially engaged with me unless I've initiated it for a negative reason that the mythical 'fully engaged' state would have prevented.
I'm trying to keep this within a 2GB size so I'm not even go into the last two lines of that portion of your fairy tale "Sure, it starts with the promise of a perfectly made beverage, but our work goes far beyond that. It's really about human connection"
except to write, as my room pointed out, judging from the number of times his no-foam extra-hot latte has been produced with a half inch of foam on top and gone cold in 10 minutes, even a promise of a perfect beverage is a huge stretch on what you deliver.
And now we'll move on to 'Our Stores'.
Our Stores
When our customers feel this sense of belonging, our stores become a haven, a break from the worries outside, a place where you can meet with friends. It's about enjoyment at the speed of lifeâsometimes slow and savored, sometimes faster. Always full of humanity.
With no handicap parking in front of your store, no ramp near your entrance, no handicap entrance button on your door, and the only allowances you make for the handicapped is in the form of a tiny sticker that you have hidden behind displays of merchandise where even the able-bodied would have difficulty finding it, you have the audacity to suggest that I could feel a sense of belonging or think of your store, where I am very obviously not welcome, as a haven?
'Always full of humanity'? It's always full of something but you only got three letters right and you missed the 's' at the beginning.
You had the chance to fix it. I advised your 'partners' the day before that there was a huge flaw in the position of the stickers. They could have fixed the problem by removing even one level of the items for sale. And then they lied to me. Then Starbucks website lied to me.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- Well, Very simple - I have noticed that Starbucks is posting a 'bathroom is not working' sign. "Please accept our apologies. We are working to get it fix." Well that is simple - not true. Employees are using the bathrooms all the time. It's happening all over the city. What I don't understand is why they give space and electricity for the client that stay all day using the space for one coffee. When you need to sit everything is occupied. Now no bathrooms no seat. This is crazy. They are getting very unreasonable with their policies. Please give the bathrooms and the space back to their clients.


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Pourer Diamond With Shot Glass Gift Boxed Pourite
$ 54.95
Product Details
Elegant Dinner Party Pourer. This easy to use Pourer from Pourite will make a stunning addition to your home or commercial bar. Hand crafted from only the finest and most durable glass known to mankind, Borro-Silicate.
Please note: The accented colour of the stem, spout, and plug pictured may not be the colour you receive.Customers sometimes mistake our range of pourers for bongs. These Pourers are used for liquids such as alcohol, oil and salad dressings. If you're looking for Australia's most trusted range of bongs, please visit our partner site, shipping out of Canberra, Australia at The Bong Shop.

subset: commoncrawl


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Shortly after Mary Robinson was elected President of Ireland in 1990, she placed a candle in the window of Aras an Uachtarain (the official residence of the President) in remembrance of all the Irish who had left their homeland. I was deeply touched by her reaching out to the Irish diaspora. Ireland has continued to reach out to those of us who share Irish ancestry. Did you know that the Irish Constitution is unique in that it recognizes an affinity with the descendants of its emigrants? Article 2 states that "the Irish nation cherishes its special affinity with people of Irish ancestry living abroad who share its cultural identity and heritage." Recently, the Irish government decided to give official recognition of these ties to descendants of Irish immigrants by issuing a Certificate of Irish Heritage.
I also write a monthly post for the Certificate's website. (LINK TO MY CERTIFICATE BLOG). It's my way of saying "thank you" to the Irish government for honoring my ancestors and welcoming them home in spirit. When I give my genealogy presentations, I have been asked many questions about the certificate. Today, I'd like to share an interview with Gavin O'Sullivan, who is the Customer Service Team Leader for the Certificate of Irish Heritage (Fexco is the company that administers the Certificate for the Irish government). Gavin was kind enough to take time out of his very busy schedule to answer some of the questions I have been asked about the Certificate.
Who issues the Certificate of Irish Heritage? Is it an official document of the government of Ireland? GAVIN: The Certificate is issued by 'The Certificate of Irish Heritage' on behalf of the Irish Government (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade). It is an official Irish Government Document containing the golden harp, the national symbol of Ireland, and each Certificate is signed by Eamonn Gilmore TD, Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
|My Certificate (excuse the reflections)
Who can apply for the Certificate? GAVIN: The Certificate is open to anyone of Irish descent born outside the Island of Ireland.
Does an applicant have to know a county or a town of origin for their ancestor to qualify for a certificate? GAVIN: Applicants do not need to know the town or county that their ancestor came from. All they need demonstrate is that their ancestor was Irish or was born on the island of Ireland. If they know the county where their ancestor came from and the year they were born this information can also be provided to us and it will appear on the Certificate, but it is not a requirement.
Is there any help or assistance with genealogical research provided to potential applicants? GAVIN: Yes, we have a small and dedicated customer service team who are here to assist all applicants with their application. If applicants are having trouble locating a document that demonstrates their ancestor was Irish, our team will complete a search on their behalf and provide them with this document in order to complete their application. If you require assistance please email firstname.lastname@example.com.
|The beautiful framing job by
the Certificate framing dept.
Thank you, Gavin!


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Last Monday, we took the day off to get the kids rounded up for visiting the dentist. We also ran out to the Army base to get upated ID's and both of these took up most of the day. On our way home from the Army base, I asked Erik if he would be interested in stopping at the SpeedZone. This is a place that has a few different tracks for go-cart racing, bumper cars and arcade games too. So, we stopped there for a bit and checked it out.
I really wanted to do the go-karts more than anything so we decided to do the slick track. We were the only two on the track which I thought would be fun to race each other.
Truth be told I was getting a little car sick from turning the lap as many times as we did. I couldn't figure out how Erik passed me either—and when I say he passed me, I mean that he nearly came up behind me to catch up with me and I started off in first place. Turns out he never took his foot off the pedal. I was the careful driver lifting off the gas and turning at a reasonable speed while still sliding around a bit. I'm not much of a go-kart dare devil I've learned.
We were about to leave—we really just were stopping in for a quick lil' fun on the go-karts but we saw a few people lined up to do the Drag race against each other. There was a couple who were doing it and what looked to be a man and his son. The man was an older Grandpa guy with hearing aides who looked very determined. I was rooting for him. I hoped he would turn to look at us watching to give him a "thumbs up!" but he never did. There were only 4 cars racing.
There are lights in front of each car and when the light turns green, you are suppose to GO! The key is to know the timing of the lights and when it will turn green. You punch the gas and once you get to the orange cones, you press a button to shift and it launches you even FASTER. The speed goes from 0 to 70 in 4 seconds. Depending on how quick you are with your gas & shift button.. could make or break you in this race. It looked fun, so I asked Erik if he would want to try it. SURE!
I'm feeling so confused on what I need to watch for.. do I press the brake? Do I press the gas full speed? I was getting so nervous because as we were buckling in, 2 other guys came to race at the same time. The dude running the race put us both in the cars he thought were best so we weren't side by side.
This was my view.. and I felt like I was about to ride a rollercoaster or something with my nerves.
So here we are…. getting ready to go… and Erik looked very focused. I still felt doubt in the instructions but figured after the first run, I would catch on.
So the lights start blinking in what I would assume is a 5…4…3…2…1 GO type way….. but being so nervous on when GREEN would come, I was anxious and started to press the gas, and the guy next to me must have felt the same way… hence we both FOULED in our scores.
Erik ranks #1 every time. He is in the farthest left lane and I'm in the 3rd lane incase you are trying to figure out who is who…. note the orange vehicle in the left side of the frame with the arm in the air.. that is Erik cheering for himself.
When you get to the end, the car is automatically stopped, so you sort of yank forward and it reverses you back to the starting point again.
I haven't been that scared in a long time. I am a fast driver in every day life but this almost felt like I was in the movie "Contact" and things were going by me so fast. I almost felt like my life was flashing before my eyes. I felt panic and fear and I think my heart might have even stopped in the moment… but some how I managed to make it to the end of the race.
On the way back to do this a 2nd time, I looked over at Erik who was on a pretty happy high from his score of #1… I looked at the guy next to me who fouled and I think he was embarrassed and then to the guy on my right who got 2nd place and when I told him that it was scary, he responded "I'm having a really good time" in a very strange tone.
I pretty much closed my eyes after the green light on the 2nd and 3rd races and pressed the shift button when it felt right but very scary! I finished in 2nd place on my last run so I felt that I did well despite my fear of dying.
Poor dude on my left fouled out AGAIN on the 2nd run… by this time I was very confident that he was humiliated.
This was the one thing I'm glad I tried, but will likely never do it again. I'm just glad I ended on a high note in 2nd place!
Here was a picture of my car… These were SERIOUS machines!! YOWZA!
Have you ever driven a dragster?


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The common wisdom about America's current election season has been making its rounds, and it says with a perfectly straight face: "I think that the Republicans have just been in power for too long. Every few years it's good to mix things up and vote for the other party's candidate to keep either party from having too much control- that's when things always start to go bad." This seems to be a common theme of political conversations, as well as a visceral feeling and response to American electoral politics. Every four or eight (or sometimes twelve) years, we just can't stomach the current party anymore and have forgotten how bad the other party was, so we elect them. There's a glaring truth behind this premise that most people seem to overlook.
That truth is that both parties suck. It's that simple. If neither party ought to have control of our government for longer than eight years, because any longer than that will be enough time for them to do some serious damage, then it is clear that both parties are awful and shouldn't have control of our government for any length of time. We have two broken parties that propose and enact the wrong answers and the wrong solutions, and we're stuck playing them against each other so that neither one will be in office long enough to completely wreck everything. But in the meantime, we are suffering attrition- the slow wearing-down of our freedoms. Picture death by a thousand slow cuts. This is not a strategy to win over the long term. It's a strategy to suck less in the short term. It's not a plan that will solve America's problems. It's a plan to fail.
Witness the popularity of that bumper sticker that says "If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention." It's cleverly vague, and I'd bet that most Americans would nod their agreement with it. I think few Americans would disagree that things are slowly getting worse in our country. They'll only disagree over whose fault it is. Some (like the sort of person I've described above) will partially grasp that it's the fault of both parties, but not enough to oppose them outright and take their vote somewhere else. Then there are the partisans. Some of these will blame the Republicans. Others will blame the Democrats. Both will be correct. A few astute people will see and fully understand that it's both parties. Even fewer of those astute ones will see that it's both parties and their shared premise about the nature and role of government in our lives. If you want to be part of the solution instead of being part of the problem, you must break outside of the current two-party system and its false and destructive premises.
The truth is that neither party holds any promise of change. Neither party respects freedom- both agree that if only their side had control of government and could decide which rights were violated, at whose cost, and for whose gain, that things would be better. Personally, if I am slapped in the face, I don't care whether I'm slapped with the left or right hand. Yet election after election, we actually go to the voting booth deciding which hand we'll get slapped with for the next election cycle, as if it makes any difference. A sane electorate would vote not to get slapped anymore. The Republicans and Democrats offer no hope of change for the better in America. The fight is not between the GOP and the Democratic Party, but between lovers of real and uncompromising freedom (the precious few of us that exist) and lovers (or at least enablers) of the status quo: one giant, corrupt party that violates our freedoms and maintains its ideologically oppressive grip on America by masquerading as two different parties and convincing Americans that the only alternative is between them.
Part of this big lie is the concept of "the line." The Republicrats present the left/right dichotomy as a line with conservatives on the right and liberals on the left. To begin with, these terms have been so utterly mangled in modern American politics as to immediately render the line incoherent, and from here the problems with it only get worse. The moderates are in the middle of this line, and if you go to the right of the conservatives you'll find fascism, and left of the liberals is socialism, with communism even further left of that. This model is absurd as a political construct. What does it even mean to be left or right? Could someone please define "leftness" and "rightness" for me so that I can see what real, meaningful characteristic diminishes or increases as you move in either direction on the line, and furthermore, could someone explain to me why this one overarching characteristic gets to become the defining issue for how we categorize political thought? The line is an example of (deliberately) sloppy thinking at its worst. It has many different but not consistent implications that cause our view of politics to suffer and stumble under the weight of such absurdity. One is reminded of the saying by Ludwig von Mises in 1940:
"The usual terminology of political language is stupid. What is 'left' and what is 'right'? Why should Hitler be 'right' and Stalin, his temporary friend, be 'left'? Who is 'reactionary' and who is 'progressive'? Reaction against an unwise policy is not to be condemned. And progress towards chaos is not to be commended. Nothing should find acceptance just because it is new, radical, and fashionable. 'Orthodoxy' is not an evil if the doctrine on which the 'orthodox' stand is sound. Who is anti-labor, those who want to lower labor to the Russian level, or those who want for labor the capitalistic standard of the United States? Who is 'nationalist,' those who want to bring their nation under the heel of the Nazis, or those who want to preserve its independence?"
What strikes me as particularly odd, is that we are told our entire lives to think outside the box on every other issue, then when it comes to politics, most of us try to cram something as dynamic and complicated as the issue of how to properly and effectively govern a civil society into a line! This speaks volumes about the intellectual state of 21st century America and many of its "leading thinkers." Freedom lovers in America should make it their goal to convince everyone to "think outside the line" and consider alternatives to the two major parties and their ideas about the nature and role of government. Campaigning relentlessly not for a person or party, but for the message that I have outlined here (and for a broader, freedom-based and love-based approach to government), would do America a great deal of good, and possibly set the stage for a real change that embraces real solutions.


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When a father and son carpenter team took on a construction project to make improvements to a drainage canal, their first concern was supplying power to their equipment. They immediately installed a temporary electrical panel, fed from a nearby home garage electrical sub-panel.
In the beginning, they placed two portable submersible pumps in front of a temporary dam in the canal to pump water to a diversion channel. At first, the carpenters used an extension cord to supply electric power to the pumps. However, as the project progressed, they had to move the pumps farther away from the temporary service. Instead of using approved power cords, they used a 250-ft-long 2-conductor, No. 10 AWG (with ground), type NM-B cable to connect the panel and pumps. Since this cable crossed an area with heavy truck traffic, they decided to bury it.
Two weeks into the project, the son went down to the canal to help the other construction workers. At the time, the canal held a few inches of standing water. As one coworker recalled, the son went into the water to move a pump to another location. As he bent over to pick up the pump, he suddenly yelled, jerked violently, and fell over face down into the mud and water. Workers ran to his aid, raising his head out of the water. One worker ran to inform the father of the accident. The father called 911 from his cellular phone as he ran to the canal where his son lay unconscious and not breathing. Emergency medical personnel responded and immediately administered resuscitation efforts. They took him to a nearby emergency room where he was pronounced dead.
Within hours of the accident, investigators from the local police and fire departments, as well as representatives from OSHA, arrived on the scene.
OSHA investigators identified several deficiencies in the installation of the temporary electrical system contributing to the accident, including:
• A non-permitted connection to a residential electrical system;
• The neutral conductor of the single-phase service conductors feeding the temporary service was a separate cable from the phase conductors;
• Improper use and wiring connections of a single-phase, 4-wire, 50A receptacle at the temporary panel;
• Improper installation and connection of a 125V, 3-wire, 15A duplex receptacle used for general construction power;
• Improper installation of type NM-B cable in a direct-burial application;
• Absence of an OSHA-approved GFCI device or an assured equipment-grounding conductor system; and
• Inadequately trained employees.
As a result of this investigation, OSHA fined the construction company $52,000.
Forensic evaluation
The attorney representing the construction company called us to review the accident. In response, we assigned an engineer to investigate the case. Through his own on-site investigation, our engineer confirmed the deficiencies noted by the OSHA investigators.
However, he also revealed the following problems: Temporary construction panel. The carpenters set up the temporary panel about 150 ft from the house garage sub-panel. They also tied the panel (equipped with a 2-pole, 50A circuit breaker; a 3-phase, 50A receptacle; and 15A duplex receptacles) with baling wire to metal posts driven only 8 in. into the ground. There was no grounding conductor to the construction panel, nor was there a grounding electrode conductor. The engineer found neither the 50A, 3-phase receptacle nor the 15A duplex receptacles equipped with a grounding conductor. He found the duplex receptacle mounting screws stripped; thus they didn't have a reliable metal-to-metal connection between the yoke and panel enclosure.
Buried cable
The carpenters buried the NM-B, 10/2 cable, with ground conductor, about 6 in. below crushed rock, which workers spread over the area to accommodate heavy construction-related truck traffic. Laboratory examination of the cable found the outer sheath torn and the insulation of the energized conductor damaged. Analysts also found localized heating at one location on the cable.
The engineer concluded the crushed rock most likely damaged the conductor insulation after its installation. Once this occurred, the energized conductor contacted the bare grounding conductor, which in turn energized the outer case of the pump. The pump case became energized because the carpenters did not effectively ground the grounding conductor at the construction panel receptacle.
Accident prevention
Several factors contributed to this accident. However, most (if not all) were avoidable. Poor electrical work practices caused this tragedy. A qualified, competent electrician would have installed the temporary service panel in accordance with NEC and OSHA requirements. And had the son received training in the use of GFCI devices or daily testing of the grounding integrity of electrical equipment, he would have detected and removed the damaged cable. Lastly, had the workers known and used proper first aid (CPR), this story might have had a happier ending.
Foley is President of Technical Consultants Group, Ltd. in Denver. His firm specializes in electro-forensic engineering investigations.


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UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council imposed sanctions on two Iranian companies Thursday for smuggling arms to Syria and other countries.
The council's committee monitoring an arms embargo and other sanctions against Iran added cargo airline Yas Air and SAD Import Export Company to its blacklist.
Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., welcomed the new designations, saying the companies were responsible for shipping ammunition, assault rifles, machine guns, mortar shells and other arms from Iran to Syria.
"The committee's decision underscores the growing international concern over Iran's use of the transportation and shipping sectors as a means to export arms and conduct other illicit activities in violation of U.N. sanctions," she said.
The U.N. has imposed four rounds of increasingly tougher sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program. The U.S. and its Western allies believe Iran is trying to build nuclear weapons but Tehran insists its nuclear program is purely peaceful.
Rice said Thursday's sanctions add to those already imposed by the council on Iran's transportation sector "to further erode Iran's ability to exploit transportation and shipping means for its illicit uses."
"It is incumbent on all states to redouble their efforts to detect, prevent, inspect, and seize any Iranian arms shipments, whether by land, sea or air," she said in a statement.


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Because Seattle is focusing on Jeffcoat's pass rush skills that's created a different aspect to the relationship with his father since he signed with the Seahawks.
He was a first-team Associated Press All-American his senior season at Texas with 13 sacks and 86 total tackles, the only defensive lineman in the country to lead his team in tackles.
Ultimately, Jeffcoat went undrafted despite his production in college because in the NFL he was a player without a position. Was he a defensive end? Was he an outside linebacker?
His representatives and even his dad struggled to pin down a possible landing spot as the draft approached as well.
It was a question that hounded Jeffcoat throughout the pre-draft process with no one quite sure of where he could fit.
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Suddenly, Jeffcoat said his dad is trying to help him get prepared for the NFL. In the past his dad wanted Jeffcoat to learn on his own.
"He's a really good athlete, he fits in athletically with the guys that play for us,Authentic NFL Jerseys Cheap, same size and speed and all of that,wholesale jerseys," Carroll said. "He was very productive in college in a big program so we're anxious to see if he can push and fight for a spot here."
"It was horrible. I ain't going to lie to you," Jeffcoat said. "It was not fun sitting there with my family. ... It was tough going from hearing first to third to sixth and then not even getting drafted. It was rough."
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Jackson Jeffcoat's resume almost made it certain he would be picked somewhere during the first two days of the NFL draft.
"I don't know," Jeffcoat said. "I honestly don't know."
"He came in the league at 249 (pounds) when he got in the NFL and he played defensive end. He understands. It's technique. And with pass rushing, it's effort."
NOTES: Seattle will receive its Super Bowl rings at a private event Thursday night. "It's really an honor. The honor in it comes from doing it together with all these guys," Carroll said. ... Carroll said players recovering from surgeries — Kam Chancellor, Russell Okung, Sidney Rice, Malcolm Smith — all have a shot at being ready for the start of training camp. The one uncertainty is LB Bruce Irvin, who had hip surgery two weeks ago.
Others believed that despite being somewhat undersized at 6-foot-3, 253 pounds, he could be a serviceable defensive end, especially in pass rush situations. He was told everything, from being a possible second or third-round pick to being selected on the final day.
Some teams thought Jeffcoat would be an ideal outside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive system.


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NACCHO is committed to helping local health departments (LHDs) strategically align their community health assessment efforts with other assessment initiatives such as those of non-profit hospitals. The resources below provide information to help LHDs and non-profit hospitals conduct collaborative community health assessment and improvement processes.
Summary of the Internal Revenue Service's April 5, 2013, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Community Health Needs Assessments for Charitable Hospital
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text: The GOP Also-Rans: Early Favorites, Long Shots And Anti-Romneys TweetShareGoogle+Email View Slideshow 1 of 16 Surrounded by members of his family, Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum announces he will suspend his campaign at the Gettysburg Hotel on Tuesday in Gettysburg, Pa. Jeff Swensen / Getty Images View Slideshow 2 of 16 HALEY BARBOURAnnouncement: April 25, 2011The two-term Mississippi governor and former chairman of the Republican National Committee cited a lack of passion for the presidential slugfest. "A candidate for president today is embracing a 10-year commitment to an all-consuming effort, to the virtual exclusion of all else," Barbour said in a statement. "His (or her) supporters expect and deserve no less than absolute fire in the belly from their candidate. I cannot offer that with certainty, and total certainty is required." Brendan Smialowski / Getty View Slideshow 3 of 16 MIKE HUCKABEEAnnouncement: May 14, 2011The former Arkansas governor, ordained Southern Baptist minister, winner of the 2008 Iowa caucuses and runner-up to John McCain in the ultimate delegate count that year announced on his Fox News Channel program that he wasn't running again. "All the factors say go, but my heart says no," Huckabee said. "And that's the decision that I have made." Chip Somodevilla / Getty View Slideshow 4 of 16 DONALD TRUMPAnnouncement: May 16, 2011The businessman/reality TV star declared that if he ran he'd win, but that he wouldn't run. "I have spent the past several months unofficially campaigning and recognize that running for public office cannot be done half heartedly," Trump said in a statement. "Ultimately, however, business is my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector." Andrew Burton / Getty View Slideshow 5 of 16 MITCH DANIELSAnnouncement: May 23, 2011The second-term Indiana governor, former political director for President Ronald Reagan and former budget director for President George W. Bush broke the news to supporters via email. "If you feel that this was a non-courageous or unpatriotic decision, I understand and will not attempt to persuade you otherwise. I only hope that you will accept my sincerity in the judgment I reached." Daniels told The Indianapolis Star that his wife and daughters had the final say. "Simply put, I find myself caught between two duties. I love my country; I love my family more." Michael Conroy / AP View Slideshow 6 of 16 TIM PAWLENTYAnnouncement: Aug. 14, 2011The former two-term Minnesota governor became the first official candidate to leave the race, announcing his decision hours after a third-place finish in the Iowa straw poll. "There are a lot of other choices in the race," Pawlenty explained. "The audience, so to speak, was looking for something different." Chip Somodevilla / Getty View Slideshow 7 of 16 CHRIS CHRISTIEAnnouncement: Oct. 4, 2011The first-term New Jersey governor went so far as to make a late-September speech on "Real American Exceptionalism" at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Library in Simi Valley, Calif. But a week later (and despite being implored by some Republican leaders to enter the race) Christie called a news conference at the New Jersey statehouse to decline. "Now is not my time. ... I have a commitment to New Jersey that I simply will not abandon." Jeff Zelevansky / Getty View Slideshow 8 of 16 SARAH PALINAnnouncement: Oct. 5, 2011The former Alaska governor and John McCain's running mate on the 2008 Republican ticket used conservative talk radio to make official what most observers already had figured out. "Not being a candidate, really you are unshackled and you're able to be even more active," Palin said on Mark Levin's radio show. "I need to be able to say what I want to say." Charlie Neibergall / AP View Slideshow 9 of 16 HERMAN CAINAnnouncement: Dec. 3, 2011While denying allegations of sexual harassment and claims of an extramarital affair, the former Godfather's Pizza executive, former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Mo., and conservative radio talk show host said "continued distractions" were forcing him from the race. Cain had been the surprise winner of September's Florida straw poll and gained attention for his simplified "9-9-9" tax plan. Joe Raedle / Getty View Slideshow 10 of 16 GARY JOHNSONAnnouncement: Dec. 28, 2011The former two-term governor of New Mexico, who had been excluded from most of the Republican debates, announced he was leaving the GOP race to seek the Libertarian Party's nomination. At a debate where he was included, on Sept. 22 in Orlando, Fla., Johnson voiced one of the most memorable TV moments of the campaign season: "My, uh, next-door neighbor's two dogs have created more shovel-ready jobs than this current administration." Jim Cole / AP View Slideshow 11 of 16 MICHELE BACHMANNAnnouncement: Jan. 4, 2012The day after a sixth-place finish in the Iowa caucuses, the Minnesota congresswoman left the race. "Last night, the people in Iowa spoke with a very clear voice, and so I have decided to step aside," Bachmann announced. Her candidacy reached a high point in August, when she won the Iowa Republican Party's straw poll. But that victory was blunted, and much of her Tea Party support diverted, that same weekend when Texas Gov. Rick Perry joined the race. Eric Gay / AP View Slideshow 12 of 16 JON HUNTSMANAnnouncement: Jan. 16, 2012Six days after calling a third-place finish in the New Hampshire primary his "ticket to ride," the former Utah governor left the race and endorsed his fellow Mormon and longtime rival. "Today I am suspending my campaign for the presidency. I believe it is now time for our party to unite around the candidate best equipped to defeat Barack Obama. Despite our differences and space between us on some of the issues, I believe that candidate is Mitt Romney." Charles Dharapak / AP View Slideshow 13 of 16 RICK PERRYAnnouncement: Jan. 19, 2012Under pressure from some conservatives to throw his dwindling support to Newt Gingrich in an effort to halt the Mitt Romney train, the Texas governor did just that two days before the South Carolina primary. Declaring "no viable path forward" for his own campaign, Perry said: "I know when it's time to make a strategic retreat." David Goldman / AP View Slideshow 14 of 16 BUDDY ROEMERAnnouncement: Feb. 23, 2012After struggling to be taken seriously by the Republican establishment or get access to the all-important televised debates, the former Louisiana governor and member of Congress — and former Democrat — left the GOP race to seek the nomination of both the Americans Elect movement and the Reform Party. Matt Rourke / AP View Slideshow 15 of 16 RICK SANTORUMAnnouncement: April 10, 2012With the delegate math stacked against him and his 3-year-old daughter in the hospital over Easter weekend, the former Pennsylvania senator huddled with his family at the kitchen table where his candidacy began and decided to end his White House bid. The campaign has been "miracle after miracle," he said in a speech in Gettysburg, Pa. "This race was as improbable as any race you'll ever see for president." Jeff Swensen / Getty View Slideshow 16 of 16 JOHN THUNEAnnouncement: Feb. 22, 2011The junior senator from South Dakota became the first major figure to remove himself from contention after openly exploring a run for the presidency. "I feel that I am best positioned to fight for America's future here in the trenches of the United States Senate," Thune said in announcing his decision. Chip Somodevilla / Getty Originally published on May 23, 2012 11:04 am Copyright 2018 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/. TweetShareGoogle+EmailView the discussion thread.


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NY Times Execs Think People Will Pay $20 To $30 Per Month For The iPad Edition Of The NY Times
from the let-me-introduce-you-to-newsday dept
Rumors are flying that there's a battle within the NY Times on how to price their app for the iPad. Those on the newspaper side of the house apparently believe that it should be priced at $20 to $30/month to avoid cannibalizing the print product. By the way, if you want a simple tip for how to fail at business, it's to make a decision to avoid cannibalizing your own business. When you do, you've just made it clear that a competitor is going to cannibalize your business for you. The folks on the interactive side of the house think that $10/month makes a lot more sense and believe that pricing it at the $20 to $30 range is suicidal. Of course, if you thought that the management at the NYT's was really crafty, you might believe that this whole story was floated to reset the anchor price, though I have trouble believing that's true.
The problem, of course, is that the NY Times is pricing based not just on trying not to cannibalize the physical product, but without regards to basic economics, and the fact that everyone knows that without a physical product, the costs of the paper actually go down. Yes, of course the costs of all the reporting and editing remain -- no one is denying that. But you no longer have the printing and delivery costs, which are substantial. And reasonable people would expect that, at the very least, the cost of the app will reflect that. Either that, or (more likely), they'll realize that other, more well managed news providers will step in and offer up news for free in order to get the market share that the NY Times once had.
Oh, and one final word for the NY Times. I recognize that you're a better paper, with a much better reputation, than your neighboring competitor, Newsday, but remember what happened when Newsday tried to charge $20+ per month for access to its digital version? It got a grand total of 35 people to sign up. I'm sure more would sign up for a NY Times' app, but how many more?


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Check out reviews left by other students or leave your own review. You could win a free scholarship.Add your Review
Hanna from Monterey, CA
Reviewer is A current student here.
1 of 2
Categories Comments Greek Life
Clubs and Activities
Tons of great clubs.
What to do for fun
Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Monterey, Carmel, Carmel Valley, and Santa Cruz. Go for a run, surfing, biking, shopping, go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and much more.
Food and Dining
The cafeteria food is good, but off campus is better. Downtown Monterey is just down one block so it isn't hard to find a good alternative.
Dorm Life
There are no dorms.
Tips for prospective students
network, network, network!
In three sentences
Great school with interesting coursework, enthusiastic professors, and lots of opportunities all over town and abroad. Everyone on campus is involved, or at least has the opportunity to be involved, in other on-campus events as there are numerous clubs, societies, and student-led activities.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
Deborah from Columbia, TN
Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
2 of 2
Categories Comments Food and Dining
There are many quaint little places to dine around campus. MIIS is in the heart of Monterey so a short walk can get you almost any type of food you want.
Dorm Life
This campus does not have dorms.
Academic Rigor
I have not yet started classes but the academic aspect of the school seems intense.
Tips for prospective students
Have all your stuff together and actively check your status because the administration on this campus is not organized.
In three sentences
MIIS has very specific fields of study which is awesome because every one there has something in common. Every one I have met so far has been extremely friendly but, unorganized. Definitely call often to check your application status because they won't notify you if something is missing.
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Season 7 of America's Got Talent came to an end Thursday night, crowning a winner and bidding farewell to judge Sharon Osbourne.
While Osbourne's departure didn't come as a surprise, the victory announcement might have. Olate Dogs, a troupe of acrobatic pups, beat out their human finalist counterparts to take the title. After taking the $1 million prize, they'll be heading to Vegas to headline their own show.
America's Got Talent semifinals goes to the dogs
The runner-up was comedian Tom Cotter, who performed alongside Joan Rivers during the finale and delivered one-liners, including telling judge Howard Stern that he looked like "the bastard child of Joey Ramone and Big Bird." Earth harpist William Close came in third, and rounding out the top six were performance artist/painter David Garibaldi, sand artist Joe Castillo and dance troupe The Untouchables.
After the final performances on Wednesday, Stern correctly predicted the top three, telling TVGuide.com that Cotter would have his vote, but that viewers would probably be swayed by Olate Dogs' cute factor.
"I think America is going to fall in love with the dogs, as I have," Stern said. "The dogs will probably win it. I probably would've liked to see Tom Cotter win it." He also described Close as "phenomenal."
"It's too bad it can't be split between the three of them," Stern told TVGuide.com.
The final episode also featured performances by Justin Bieber, Blue Man Group, Green Day and others.
The four-legged acrobats were a favorite of Osbourne, who went up on stage and cuddled the dogs (and their trainers) after Nick Cannon announced that they were the winners.
Report: Sharon Osbourne quitting America's Got Talent because NBC fired her son
"Love these doggies!! #AGT" Osbourne tweeted after the show, along with a picture of herself holding one of the dogs.
She later wrote: ".@nbcagt is the best variety show in the world. It's been 6 great years, but time to move on."


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For bariatric diet recipes for the pureed phase, please visit the UPMC Bariatric Diet Resource.
Once you receive your surgeon's okay to progress to foods with a thicker consistency after your bariatric surgery, you can begin pureeing your foods.
Avoid pureed broccoli, cauliflower, and other fibrous vegetables at this stage
** Eat the protein portion of your meal first.
** Don't forget your liquids between meals (about 30 minutes after each meal).
If you're having a liquid meal replacement, soup, or high protein shake:
Pureed food should be the consistency of baby food, "spoon thick."
As you receive regular checkups after your bariatric surgery, your bariatric surgeon will advise you when to advance to the next phase of your diet.
Phase 3: Adaptive or Soft Diet
Your Diet After Bariatric Surgery
Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences
| Supplemental content provided by Healthwise, Incorporated. To learn more, visit www.healthwise.org
For help in finding a doctor or health service that suits your needs, call the UPMC Referral Service at 412-647-UPMC (8762) or 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Select option 1.
UPMC is an equal opportunity employer. UPMC policy prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected group status. Further, UPMC will continue to support and promote equal employment opportunity, human dignity, and racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity. This policy applies to admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in UPMC programs and activities. This commitment is made by UPMC in accordance with federal, state, and/or local laws and regulations.
Medical information made available on UPMC.com is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely entirely on this information for your health care needs. Ask your own doctor or health care provider any specific medical questions that you have. Further, UPMC.com is not a tool to be used in the case of an emergency. If an emergency arises, you should seek appropriate emergency medical services.
Pittsburgh, PA, USA | UPMC.com


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Happy V-day everyone! For all the happy couples, enjoy your day. And for the lonely hearts out there? Keep your chin up, it could be worse. You could still be with that gross ex of yours. You know which one I'm talking about.
And even though Kevin is far away during this romantic holiday, I thought I would get in the spirit of love and make some red velvet cupcakes with marshmallow cream frosting. They came out a little messier than I would have liked, and the cute heart wrapper things I had set aside didn't work, but they still taste awesome!
The coolest person in the world, Beth (HI BETH!!!) helped me make these this weekend, after she so bravely endured being my assistent during an engagement photo shoot for some friends. The girl has a knack for holding things, as it turns out. And that's not all she can do! Just look at her lovely chocolate decorations:
Gentlemen? She's single 😉
(Kidding. I know that men don't read my blog.)
You will need:
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 softened butter
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 bottle (1 oz) red food coloring
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp white vinegar
- 1 jar (7.5 oz) marshmallow cream (fluff)
- 1 cup softened butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Heat oven to 350. Line cupcake tin with paper cups.
In a small bowl, mix flour, cocoa, and salt. Set aside.
In large bowl, mix 1/2 cup butter and sugar on medium. Add eggs and beat 1-2 minutes, until fluffy. Stir in food coloring and vanilla. On low speed, alternate adding buttermilk and flour mixture. Beat in baking soda and vinegar.
Divide batter among muffin cups, filling 3/4 of the way full. Bake 20-22 mins or until they spring back up when poked.
To make the frosting: microwave fluff for 15-20 seconds, beat with butter on medium speed until smooth. Add powdered sugar and beat until combined. Frost cupcakes, decorate as desired.


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RICHMOND, Va. (CNN) -- Powerful storms roared through the Mid-Atlantic states and portions of the Deep South, claiming the life of a child and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of households.
At the peak of the outages, some 300,000 customers from Maryland to Georgia were without electricity, officials said.
The National Weather Service said a tornado was spotted near Colesville, Maryland, in suburban Washington.
In Richmond, Virginia, a 4-year-old child died and his father was injured when a tree fell on them Thursday afternoon, CNN affiliate WTVR reported.
The incident happened at Maymont, a 100-acre Victorian estate.
"The estate was being evacuated ... in preparation for the violent storm ... when the boy and an adult male with the boy were struck," said a post to Maymont's Facebook page. The estate will be closed until further notice.
As nightfall approached, storms with straight-line winds moved into the South and threatened the Atlanta metro area.
CNN affiliate WSB TV reported debris in the air and on the ground in suburbs to the northwest of the city.
WSB said winds as high as 70 mph swept through portions of Cobb County north of downtown Atlanta. It reported 900 lightning strikes in a span of 10 minutes in the area.
Widespread power outages
Officials in Maryland and Virginia said more than 134,000 customers had lost power. In Georgia, the number topped 170,000.
In Pennsylvania, the prestigious U.S. Open golf tournament resumed around noon after it was postponed because of severe weather moving into the area. And the weather situation appeared to be looking up for Philadelphia, near the site of the tournament. No severe weather is expected, and only light rain is in the forecast.
Earlier Thursday, with the words, "Turn around ... don't drown," the National Weather Service warned motorists in and around Lansing and Hastings, Michigan, not to drive through flooded streets.
Streets in Lansing were flooded and closed Thursday because of high water, according to CNN affiliate WILX.
The weather service warned that "only a few inches of rapidly flowing water can quickly carry away your vehicle."
Residents of Fort Wayne, Indiana, received a similar warning. "Flooding is occurring or is imminent," the service said.
CNN affiliate WANE reported Thursday that severe storms damaged northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio.
Damaging winds
A system of straight-line winds that slammed Chicago with 50-mph gusts and golf-ball-size hail Thursday bowled over trees and buildings in Auglaize, Ohio, CNN meteorologist Ivan Cabrera said.
The "derecho," as the windy system is called, usually builds in the Midwest then heads east, he said. "Derecho" is a Spanish word that means straight.
The system resembles a squall line, but instead of potentially producing tornadoes, it sends out a slicing wind.
Derechos usually dissipate quickly, but, Cabrera said, this one held together pretty good.
™ & © 2013 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.


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Early this week, the General Assembly returned to the Capitol to begin another legislative session, which in even-numbered years lasts for 60 days and runs through mid-April.
Gov. Beshear will help set the stage when he gives his State of the Commonwealth address this week and, later this month, presents his two-year budget proposal. Redistricting, something done each decade to align the state's legislative and Kentucky Supreme Court boundaries to changes in population, will also be a major issue in the session's opening days.
If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the Henry County Local, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.
Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.
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Embrace a healthier lifestyle and gain control of your commute, while saving money on tax and national insuranceSHOP NOW
Protect yourself, your bike & accessories, we can help you with three transparent insurance policies packed with extensive benefits.GET A QUOTE
We've created Wiggle legal to assist you back on your bike as fast as possible should an accident happen!RAISE A CLAIM
The 3T Scatto Ltd is a pure track sprinters handlebar for elite-level track competition and offers superb control and handling even in the most hectic of races. Scatto Ltd is available in 35cm width (128mm drop), and 37cm width (148mm drop).
Windtunnel tests show that the aerodynamic design produces way less drag than any standard round-section bar. This is achieved at no compromise to strength: Scatto is 50% stiffer than the reference bar formerly used by many of today's medal-winning track sprinters, as well as lighter.
Road bars are curved to offer a multitude of positions to suit the terrain. When climbing in the saddle you will often ride on the tops which are the part of the bar either side of the stems clamping point. When out of the saddle on climbs or accelerating you will often ride on the lever hoods mounted at the front of the bars curved section. For higher speeds you will find yourself on the drops, which offer a lower more aerodynamic position. Road bars come in a variety of widths, from 36cm wide up to 44cm, a good guide for bar width is your shoulder width, a bar should not be narrower than your shoulders as this can close up your chest, but they should not be so wide that you are creating a large frontal area. Road handlebars come in two clamp sizes, 31.8mm which is oversized and 26/25.8mm which is standard, it is essential that you get the correct clamp size for your stem as a poor fit will slip round. Road bars also come in different shapes and depths, with various bends for ergonomic reasons, some will also feature grooves in the material for your brake and gear cables to slot into, this helps to keep the bar round once tape is applied. Then there is the all-in-one bar and stem systems from brands such as Cinelli's Ram 2 and the Pro Stealth which offer clean lines and look great with their exposed carbon finish.
3T is an Italian cycle components company, founded in 1961 in Turin. After a change of ownership in 2007, 3T underwent a major program of investment to renew its technical capacity and delivery resources. The 3T Intelligent Production Lifecycle isnow the bike industry's most advanced engineering platform, integrating the product design–analyze–optimize–test cycle so every component has strength and reliability built in from the start. In 2008, the Tour de France and several Olympic races were won on 3T components. 3T sponsors ProTour teams Cervélo TestTeam, Garmin-Slipstream, and Team Milram, and World Champion triathlete Emma Snowsill
The delivery options available for shipping this product along with the contents of your basket to United Kingdom are:
Wiggle ships to over 100 countries. To see what delivery options are available for other destinations you can update your delivery destination via the International Options feature at the top right of the website.
Goods are shipped from the UK. Does not include delivery charges, local taxes or import duties, if applicable.
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We will happily refund any item purchased on Wiggle if returned to us within 365 days; excluding Wiggle gift vouchers, nutrition and customised products, except when faulty.
Please note: Bikes and other bulky items cannot be returned using our local returns service (where applicable). Please contact us and we can arrange to collect these from you using our discounted courier rates. There is a fee for all collections, except for faulty products.Returned goods must be unused and supplied with their original packaging, unless the goods are faulty. Wiggle will pay the return postage costs for any faulty items.
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Rally Bus to Warped TourSunday, June 24, 2018
Ventura County FairgroundsShuttles to Ventura, California
To keep prices down, school buses will be utilized for all trips to Warped Tour.
Book your seat for travel on a bus to Vans Warped Tour 2018 at Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura, CA on Sunday, June 24, 2018 without the hassles of driving, parking, or navigating traffic. Travel is better together with Rally!
Note: Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on buses for trips to Warped Tour.
* School buses will be utilized for this event.
Find your closest Rally Point in your area, or add your own. Then simply book your seat and get to work in comfort!
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Please enter your city.
Rally Information & Details
Rally to Warped Tour is a service that provides transportation to Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura, CA. We use technology and great local operators to offer round trip and one-way bus travel from a Rally Point near you to Warped Tour on Sunday, June 24, 2018. Parking at Ventura County Fairgrounds is expensive because of surge demand and traffic in Ventura, CA is expected to be difficult to navigate on festival day. Get together and go with Rally and ride above traffic while enjoying entertainment and access to a restroom on our high-end buses. Download the Rally app and get real-time updates on trip status and bus location to make your travel even easier. Find out more about Rally or get an introduction with answers to your first-time questions. And feel free to contact us for more information, we love hearing your thoughts and suggestions!
Rally your own trip! Rent a bus and create your own custom trip. Charter a bus and control every aspect of the ride!


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Bonjour from Paris!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 | Category: Antiques and Collectibles, Art, Decor Accessories, Decorating, Design Inspiration, Events, Material Girls Projects, Shops and Showrooms
Greetings from the City of Lights! I am here with my hubby John to attend the Maison & Objet Home Fashion Showcase, and we couldn't be having a better time eating, drinking, sightseeing and shopping our way through this magnificent city! Although the weather has been a bit dreary at times, that hasn't stopped us from taking in all that Paris has to offer. Also a blast meeting one of my Chicago client's at the flea market to find goodies for her new home. I am so excited to bring the best of European chic back to the U-S of A for my clients and showroom!
Here is a look inside what we have been up to…
Hotel Plaza Athenee…our amazing hotel! So Paris chic. Lavish glam to the max! The Gallerie and Night Club were elegant and happening. The Dior Spa and Fitness Center was one of my favorite haunts during my stay. Fitness was much sought out after foie gras intake daily.
Beautiful nighttime at our lovely hotel with the twinkling lights of the Tour Eiffel in the background. There is an ice skating rink in the courtyard of the hotel with children skating daily to the tunes of french music.
Restaurant Le Jules Verne at the Eifel Tower
Hands down the best meal and views of our stay in Paris. I highly recommend for lunch, sipping champagne of course!
Clignancourt Flea Market…I was like a kid in a candy store even though I have visited many times….
My client and I trying to wrangle best prices while amusing the crowd 🙂
Vanves Flea Market…another endless world of treasures!
The main attraction of our trip, Maison & Objet Home Fashion Showcase. Five days of the most amazing home furnishings and decor in the world! What is it about Paris that makes everything so oo-la-la?
Check out these chairs…j'adore!
Some exhibitors and me in the Hall of Garden and Home Furnishing's………..
A few little treats from Laduree to end the perfect day in our hotel …These are mostly gifts I swear!
- Posted By Julia-Chicago
- 6 Comments
- Category: Antiques and Collectibles, Art, Decor Accessories, Decorating, Design Inspiration, Events, Material Girls Projects, Shops and Showrooms
Tags: Buckingham Interiors }+ Design, Clignancourt Flea Market, Julia Buckingham Edelmann, Maison & Objet, Paris, Plaza Athenee, Vanves Flea Market


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Anybody who's recently downloaded iOS 5 or stared glumly at a Windows Phone 7 app screen and wished that some of the native applications weren't displayed so prominently should take a glance at the new Android operation system, Ice Cream Sandwich. Rather than force you to have apps, such as Google Books, on display at all times, you can now remove them from sight. Completely.
ICS (Android 4.0), you see, allows you to disable built-in apps that you don't use, thereby removing their icons from your home screen or app list.
The new feature won't remove the app entire however, simply hide it from view, as Dave Burke, an engineer at Google, told us. He also demonstrated that you can re-enable any application at a press of a button in the settings menu.
It's a new function that should keep Ice Cream Sandwich devices free from clutter, and it'd be good if Apple takes note. After all, who really wants Newsstand on their front page, sitting empty like a looted newsagents?
Would you use this new feature? Would you like to see similar on your Apple or WP7 device? Let us know in the comments below...


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***This giveaway is now closed. Winner is Milian…big congrats!.
What little girl doesn't LOVE to design their own clothing?
For all those of you with adorable little ladies in your life, this one is for you!
FashionPlaytes.com is an amazing design-it-yourself online fashion destination for girls 5-12, which encourages creativity and positive self expression. Children can create their own designs online and have them shipped right to their home at an affordable price. Custom options include dresses, tops, t-shirts, doll clothing, pants, skirts, and more. And all their apparel comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
How does it work?
Children can play virtual dress up with the interactive My Fashion Playtes Model. Once the clothing is designed, they can try it on the online avatar they have created. It's a fun way to test out the clothing before hitting the purchase button.
Choose what item of clothing you want to design. There are many items to choose from – tops, pants, skirts, dresses in many styles. Then your child can add their favorite designs, graphics, ribbons, rhinestones, etc. Then your child can design their own tag for their clothing "line"…so cool that they can see their own names on their clothing creations!
FashionPlaytes.gift certificates also make the most unique and personal gift for girls. Then your spend some time with your gift recipient helping her create her designs.
Special Holiday Promotion: From now through the end of the year, they are offering $10 for every $50 customers spend. And that includes money spent on gift certificates, so stock up on gift certificates for the holidays and get money back.
This week we're giving away a $100 Fashion Playtes gift card!!!
Contest Details
1. Contest ends Monday, November 21 at noon EST. Winners will be announced back here on this post, and notified via email with further instructions.
- Entry #1: What would your special girl design on FashionPlaytes.com?
- Entry #2: Tweet the following: Win a $100 @FashionPlaytes Gift Card from @5dollardinners #wingiveaways http://bit.ly/fashionplaytesgc
- Entry #3: Become a Facebook Liker of Fashion Playtes and Become a $5 Dinners Facebook Fan.
- Entry #4: Subscribe by email or in an RSS reader! Be sure to leave another comment for your third entry. 🙂
2. Winner will be selected by Random.org.
**NOTE: If you receive the email newsletter and wish to enter this giveaway, click on the title of this giveaway to get to the site and leave a comment on the site with your name and email address to be entered!