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Boot Repairs
Ever since the start in 1932, repairs have been part of Lundhags concept. It is a conscious strategy that we repair our boots, backpacks and clothes. The high quality and repairability is part of the very idea of our products, and that is also why the prices are what they are. We think that you should always look at what the price will be over time.
Our shoemakers in Järpen are happy to receive your broken/old boots. Since the boots are built according to our shell principle, it is possible to replace different shells/layers and get them almost as new again. It happens from time to time that we receive boots that are over 30 years old - usually we can make them new again. For us, that's true sustainability.
Prices for ordinary repairs:
Replacing the soles: SEK 900
Clothes and backpacks
It's not surprising that equipment and clothes get damaged when you're out in nature - it's part of the adventure. Sometimes, however, it can feel way too complicated to fix them yourself. Our seamstresses are ready to repair tears, broken zippers, or other damages that may occur on clothes and backpacks.
Contact us via the form below, and we will get back to you shortly.


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Since most drivers have little knowledge about tires, it would be safer if more people would use all-weather tires. Using all-weather tires would help keep them safe in all weather conditions, and they would only have to worry about the tires' condition. The condition would include having proper tire pressure, making sure that they are rotated to even out the wear, and changing to new tires when they are worn out or damaged.
Many places in North America, especially in the United States, don't have a long winter season, that warrant a shift to dedicated winter tires. Short period of snow makes people believe that they can manage with all-season tires, which aren't approved for winter use. The concept of all-weather tires is that they combine the tread of both all-season tires and winter tires so that they will be safe to use regardless of the weather.
If you live in a place with a long winter season, it will be better to change to winter tires, as they will still provide better performance and safety than using a hybrid tire. Since all places are not the same, it is difficult to find the best tires for areas with varying weather, or the usage isn't consistent. You might want to go up skiing some weekends and some other go to the beach; since this is possible in some areas, the tire selection would be almost impossible without all-weather tires.
The fact that winter tires aren't mandatory in all the states, you have a problem when there is a snowstorm. People are very dependent on their cars and can't manage without them; they will still use them even if they don't have winter-approved tires on the car and snow on the ground. The lack of knowing how dangerous it is to drive with all-season tires in winter conditions contributes to this behavior. The name of all-season tires can also be ambiguous as they can't be used for the winter season. The better name would be warm-season tires.
All-season tires are not made for winter conditions; this makes them so dangerous when used outside their intended usage area. The rubber compound used in all-season tires is optimized for summer temperatures and provides the best performance at warm temperatures. When used at low temperatures, the rubber turns hard and can't conform to the road surface's microstructure.
Winter-approved all-weather tires can handle a wider temperature range. They use a different rubber compound to handle a wider temperature range and remain flexible even at low temperatures. This makes them perfect all-year-round tires, regardless of the weather. They provide the best grip and control during both summer and wintertime. If you are not going to purchase winter tires for the winter season, I would recommend that you consider all-weather tires you can use all year round.
For more information regarding all-weather tires, visit: https://www.nokiantires.com/

subset: commoncrawl


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Physik Invest's Daily Brief is read free by thousands of subscribers. Join this community to learn about the fundamental and technical drivers of markets.
The S&P 500 (INDEX: SPX) closed higher yesterday despite the Federal Reserve's (Fed) Jerome Powell warning rates would stay higher for longer.
According to an analysis by Interactive Brokers Group Inc's (NASDAQ: IBKR), "it was clear that there were algos programmed to buy if [Powell] mentioned 'disinflation.' When [Powell] said the secret word, off we went."
Implied volatility (IVOL) compression, as evidenced by shifts lower in the IVOL term structure and measures like the Cboe Volatility Index (INDEX: VIX) declining, was a booster, as was the trade of ultra-short-dated call options.
SpotGamma's HIRO indicator showed positive delta call buying and put selling. This indicator validates the belief that IVOL compression catalyzed a rally and that follow-on strength came from traders' demand for call options. In instances of put selling and call buying, counterparties hedge by buying underlying stocks and futures.
One way to think about what's going on is to recall that for options to keep their value, something unexpected has to happen. When nothing unexpected happens, from a trader's perspective, what's the value-add of continuing to own put options, for instance? So, you sell and pressure IVOL. Consequently, dealers, who are short puts declining in value, buy back some of their short stock and/or futures hedges, and this is supportive for the market.
The bullish impact of this options activity, taken alone, is not long-lasting.
In the Daily Brief for February 3, 2023, we discussed the impact of this activity, all else equal; as time passes and/or volatility falls, the counterparties' reaction to long call options, for example, declining in value is to sell some of the stock and futures they own as hedges. This can resist traders' attempts to explore higher prices.
To close, it continues to make sense to position in structures that take advantage of still low longer-dated S&P 500 (INDEX: SPX) IVOL. For instance, traders can consider selling rich call verticals to finance put verticals expiring months from now.
In our recent commentaries, we reasoned why such structures are priced the way they are. Should market pressures surface, that's a simple way to protect profits.
As of 6:50 AM ET, Wednesday's regular session (9:30 AM - 4:00 PM ET), in the S&P 500, is likely to open in the lower part of a balanced overnight inventory, inside of the prior day's range, suggesting a limited potential for immediate directional opportunity.
The S&P 500 pivot for today is $4,153.25.
Key levels to the upside include $4,168.75, $4,189.00, and $4,202.75.
Key levels to the downside include $4,136.25, $4,122.75, and $4,113.00.
Disclaimer: Click here to load the updated key levels via the web-based TradingView platform. New links are produced daily. Quoted levels likely hold barring an exogenous development.
Volume Areas: Markets will build on areas of high-volume (HVNodes). Should the market trend for a period of time, this will be identified by a low-volume area (LVNodes). The LVNodes denote directional conviction and ought to offer support on any test.
If participants auction and find acceptance in an area of a prior LVNode, then future discovery ought to be volatile and quick as participants look to the nearest HVNodes for more favorable entry or exit.
POCs: Areas where two-sided trade was most prevalent in a prior day session. Participants will respond to future tests of value as they offer favorable entry and exit.
The author, Renato Leonard Capelj, works in finance and journalism.
Capelj spends the bulk of his time at Physik Invest, an entity through which he invests and publishes free daily analyses to thousands of subscribers. The analyses offer him and his subscribers a way to stay on the right side of the market. Separately, Capelj is an options analyst at SpotGamma and an accredited journalist.
Capelj's past works include conversations with investor Kevin O'Leary, ARK Invest's Catherine Wood, FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried, Lithuania's Minister of Economy and Innovation Aušrinė Armonaitė, former Cisco chairman and CEO John Chambers, and persons at the Clinton Global Initiative.
Direct queries to email@example.com or find Physik Invest on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
You may view this letter's content calendar at this link.
Do not construe this newsletter as advice. All content is for informational purposes.


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by Remi du Preez (@tractoroutdoor) The ripple effect of lockdown on outdoor media owners and marketers has been quick, and cut-throat. Advertisers, understandably, are finding it difficult to justify their spend on out-of-home (OOH) when we've all been told to stay at home. While temporarily under siege, I advise advertisers and brands to look beyond lockdown to the new opportunities presented by outdoor.
Reacted rapidly
As we watch the repercussions of covid-19 unfold in real time, we've only just begun to see the extent of its economic toll as it takes with it whole industries as collateral damage. OOH advertising is one of the industries that's suffering crippling economic effects in these uncertain times and it's rattled to its core. Advertisers have reacted rapidly, pulling their placements and spend across the board. The value proposition that OOH presents as a high-reach, high-frequency medium is being challenged.
While we have your attention, please would you consider taking out a MarkLives membership to help finance our operations? The covid-19 pandemic is having a huge impact on society and industry. With your support, either as a once-off or monthly contribution, we can continue our coverage of its impact on our industry. |
South Africa is not unique in this position, which mirrors the global pattern. In India, experts predict around a 6% drop in overall OOH spend from the previous financial year; in the US, outdoor media owners have seen a fall in share prices running in parallel to the 30–70% decline in consumer foot traffic. This is juxtaposed by the reality that, prior to the novel coronavirus pandemic, OOH saw what was widely regarded as an unprecedented global 'renaissance', with the international GroupM having forecast an 8% growth in the category.
While the current landscape is vastly different, advertisers would be wise to take the underlying reasons for outdoor's resurgence into account and base their marketing decisions on long-term outcomes, rather than short-term panic.
Brand presence
Establishing a strong, consistent brand presence will carry companies through hard times. Brands that have developed strategies agile enough to navigate immediate hurdles while keeping their long-term vision firmly in mind will outperform competitors. Outdoor is uniquely positioned in that it derives the bulk of its success from broad-scale brand awareness, driving long-term behaviour change.
According to Google Mobility Reports, a 24% spike in residential movements has been captured as a result of lockdown, and advertisers might want to consider residential inventory [as long as these are legal — ed-at-large] as well as digital OOH (DOOH) inventory, in the form of roadside digitals, in the short term. Looking to the long term, consumers are getting a taste of the convenience that online shopping brings and some of these behavioural changes will remain post-lockdown. Ecommerce will draw massive benefit from complementary offline advertising. This is supported by evidence: given the increasingly cluttered online space, OOH has been shown to have a positive effect in conjunction with digital advertising. One study found that consumers are 48% more likely to interact with a digital advert after initial exposure to the OOH ad.
While temporarily under siege, I advise advertisers and brands to look beyond lockdown to the new opportunities presented by the outdoor industry.
Scarce stock
High-value inventory is sometimes booked for years at a time, with only the creative changing at periodic intervals, meaning that prime stock is often scarce. Savvy advertisers are contacting media owners to book iconic holding sites now, taking advantage of the wide onset of cancellations across the industry. This provides them with the necessary leverage to secure quality inventory at fantastic deals, with added value.
Many media owners are also increasingly flexible in their offerings in an effort to assist advertisers and brands under pressure, eg providing extensions on media exposure; offering alternative payment arrangements to help clients which've been severely impacted; and proactively reaching out to several small businesses to offer free inventory in a community-minded effort to help those most vulnerable get back on their feet when lockdown is over.
I believe that those who support their community will see renewed customer loyalty when life returns to some semblance of normal. My advice to media owners is to look for creative new solutions to aid those who might be struggling to stay afloat.
Invest indirectly in communities
OOH also allows advertisers the opportunity to indirectly invest in communities, thanks to its revenue-share model, and this has a positive knock-on socioeconomic effect. On average, the industry pays an approximate R125m every month towards its inventory landlords — which are often schools, NGOs and tenanted buildings home to SMEs such as restaurants and offices. That billboard you see on the exterior of a school is used towards its funding, meaning that your adspend, in part, contributes towards teachers' salaries.
And there's a silver lining for advertisers prepared to ride out the storm: OOH is anticipated to become a go-to channel in the not-so-distant future. We saw it with the Great Depression and, more recently, the 2007/8 global recession. Once the threat lifts, people come out in their droves.
While OOH may mean a commitment in these tumultuous times, it's important to bear in mind an old truism: "This too will pass." It will be those companies that hold the long-term outcomes in mind which will reap the rewards and secure the loyalty of consumers.
See also
- #CoronavirusSA: The covid-19 crisis for OOH in southern Africa
- #OpenForBusiness — Radar
- #CoronavirusSA — Radar
- #CoronavirusSA – Special Section
With over 11 years' experience in the out-of-home field, Remi du Preez is the commercial director at Tractor Outdoor (@tractoroutdoor), a national OOH media owner. He is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction and management of the business.
This MarkLives #CoronavirusSA special section contains coverage of how the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and its resultant disease, covid-19, is affecting the advertising, marketing and related industries in South Africa and other parts of Africa, and how we are responding. Updates may be sent to us via our contact form or the email address published on our Contact Us page. Opinion pieces/guest columns must be exclusive.
— Sign up now for the MarkLives newsletter, including Ramify.biz headlines, emailed every Monday, Wednesday and Friday! Become a MarkLives Member, too, to ensure continued coverage.


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Solstice Sol was created by Krystle, a beauty industry professional and cancer survivor, to marry her love of a sun-kissed golden tan with her desire for a healthy tan free of toxic chemicals and UV rays. Krystle set out to create her perfect tanner - Solstice Sol. It's a creamy, vegan mousse that's free of parabens, gluten, and fragrance.
Since then, Krystle's drive to achieve a glow without sacrificing her health has resonated with many in the Solstice Sol family. Read on to learn more about what people love about Solstice Sol.
Enjoy a Simple, Streak-Free Glow with Our Sunless Tanner
"So I usually do not like sunless tanner. I have dry skin and other products I have tried typically flake off after a couple of days and I end up looking really patchy. I tried this stuff, and I have to say, it has changed my life. With my dry skin, it stays on perfectly and doesn't flake off. It doesn't smell bad like most sunless tanners do, and it goes on easy, and it's buildable if you start to notice your skin getting lighter over a period of time. This stuff is AMAZING."
- Hailey
"Anyone that knows me, knows I like to be tan, and I like to be dark. I don't need a special occasion to be tan. I spray tan often just to feel good and look good. I have to say this product is out of this world. If you sunless tan, you know the nasty smell. There is no smell, no streaks, no stains, and no mess! I apply at night and sleep in it. After 4 nights, I was at my desired dark color and it LASTS! Wonderful product! Membership at CA Sun canceled!"
- Jade
Ready to try this streak-free, flake-free formula for yourself?
Get Your Shimmer on with Our Setting Powder
"This stuff is amazing!! I love the shimmery glow it gives in addition to using the sunless tanner."
- Hailey
"Love love love the shimmer! This stuff is amazing!"
- Carmella
Lock in your tan with Solstice Sol's organic setting powder.
You'll Be a Fan of this Rainbow Fan Brush
"Such a fun brush that is soft and perfect for applying the powder."
- Hailey
Solstice Sol's Rainbow Fan Brush features soft bristles made from synthetic fiber – it's ideal for applying your setting powder! Enjoy your choice of a black or white handle.
Ready, Set, Glow With Our Full Set
"Absolutely LOVE this product. I'm not a huge fan of self-tanners and have tried many with little success…but this one was so easy and the results are amazing! No streaks, no horrible smell, and I climbed right in bed without it getting all over the sheets. You're a genius!"
- Karissa
"This product is a game-changer! The sunless tanner comes out as a light and airy foam that goes on like silk. The bronze color guide will not transfer onto your sheets or clothes and there is no sunless odor. There is no other product like this out there on the market. The setting powder is perfect for daytime application and it highlights that healthy glow!"
- Alicia
The full set packages everything you need for your golden glow in a convenient bundle.
Are you enjoying your summer glow? We'd love to hear about your experience. Leave a review for your favorite Solstice Sol product!


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Recently signed to Red Cord Records, Mercy Screams takes some time to tell us a little bit about who they are.
So tell us a little bit about the history and experience of Mercy Screams.
(Jeremiah) It all began as a jam band back in 2006, when our vocalist joined a nameless band and came up with the name Mercy Screams. After playing house shows and parties, he wanted the guys to take it to a more professional level. After some member changes they started playing more legit shows and recorded their first E.P., "Self Titled". As the band progressed, we had more and more problems with what direction we wanted the band to go, and once again lost members. In 2007, Ian Scott, a guitarist and drummer, joined the band on guitar. So we picked up where we left off and started writing again. We then recorded our next E.P., "Death Defies us all". Mercy Screams didn't become a Christian band until December of 2007 when the our vocalist Jeremiah and guitarist Ian were at a show that Blessed is He played. Both were touched by God and gave their lives back to the Lord, and they decided to change Mercy Screams for the better. Since then, the band has gone through a couple more member changes, but in the last year and half been blessed with a solid lineup with musicians that all share the same vision and style.
What was recording/mixing of Pathways like? Was the studio experience different than you imagined it would be? Any good memories from that experience?
(Aaron) The studio was a blast were all a bunch of jokers so it was most definitely a fun time, recording and mixing in a legit studio was an awesome experience and gave us more freedom to try new things with the EP
How does your faith fit into your lyrics/music?
Jeremiah's lyrics are very personal and relates a lot on things he's been through trying to find God and himself
What bands influenced you guys?
Jeremiah: From a Second Story Window, Life in Your Way, Norma Jean, The Acacia Strain, On Broken Wing's and Dead to Fall
Ian: Silverstein, For the Fallen Dreams and Haunted Shores
Aaron: For Today, Underoath, August Burns Red, Darkest Hour and As i Lay Dying
Kyele: Joey Jordison (Slipknot), Buddy Rich, Animal (The Muppets) and Oceano
Zach: Hundredth, Take it Back and Comeback Kid
What has been your favorite show so far?
As i Lay Dying and Unearth
Who are some big names you have shared the stage with?
Here's a couple (For the complete list, checkout their MySpace):
A Day To Remember | Despised Icon | Sleeping Giant |
A Plea for Purging | Destroy the Runner | Take It Back |
Advent | For Today | Texas in July |
As Cities Burn | Gwen Stacy | The Chariot |
As I Lay Dying | Haste the Day | The Color Morale |
August Burns Red | Hundredth | The Crimson Armada |
Becoming the Archtype | Impending Doom | The Ghost Inside |
Before There was Rosalyn | In the Midst of Lions | The Glorious Unseen |
Before Their Eyes | Inhale Exhale | The Great Commission |
Blessed By A Broken Heart | Life in Your Way | The Wedding |
Black My Heart | Maylene and the Sons of Disaster | Versa Emerge |
Black Dalhia Murder | Memphis May Fire | War of Ages |
Call To Preserve | MyChildern MyBride | With Blood Come Cleansing |
Close Your Eyes | Oceana | Within the Ruins |
Demon Hunter | Oh Sleeper |
Anything embarrassing ever happen to any of you guys during a show?
(Kyele) Recently we were playing a show and our bassist had the worst time ever first he ripped is pants while getting low then his strap broke trying to fix it. He backed up too far and fell off stage it was so funny!
So you guys just signed to Red Cord Records, how did that all come about?
Through you guys THANKS!!!
Who are you currently listening to?
Jeremiah: Bring me the Horizons new album, For Today, (The New) Oceana, Die Antwoord and Eminem
Ian: The Contortionist, Underoath, Eminem, Lil Wayne and Attack Attack
Aaron: In the Midst of Lions, The Color Morale, Close your Eyes, Stray from the Path and Miss May I
Kyele: Ghost Inside, Rooks, The Plot in You, Eminem and Suffokate
Zach: Hundredth, Kid Liberty, Twelve stones, Breaking Bejamin and For Today
Anything else about Mercy Screams that someone outside your local scene should know about you guys?
(Jeremiah) We have a new album coming out in the new year and will be touring so come check us out in your town.
Mercy Screams is:
Ian – Guitar
Jeremiah – Vocals
Aaron – Guitar
Kyele – Drums
Zack – Bass


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Deuteronomy 7:25-26 New International Version (NIV)
25 The images of their gods you are to burn in the fire. Do not covet the silver and gold on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the Lord your God. 26 Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. Regard it as vile and utterly detest it, for it is set apart for destruction.
Moses warned the Israelites against becoming ensnared by the idols from the defeated nations. Do you think it is alright to be close to sin if you do not participate? Do you tell yourself you will not do anything wrong? Do not fool yourself. Being close to sin can hurt you. There is an attraction that can happen, and with that there may be a giving in. Avoid the snare of sin. Reign in your desires and stay away from sin. Do not put yourself in the wrong place.
Spirit and Truth


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Alison Wonderland has given 2020 a good old whack in the kahunas with this imaginative and climactic new single 'Bad Things'.
The song from first listen is about reminding yourself of all the good things in your life and trying to block out the bad stuff. It ebbs with a softly sung hook by the Aus producer and flows into heavy synth and bass drops that she's known for.
The video has been premiered on YouTube below so you'll be one of the first to see it!
Revisit a playlist of Alison Wonderland's favourite tracks back in 2018.


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My friend Kevin (@mckeek2) invited me to come crash the party at his photoshoot with one of our good friends Danielle (@daniellefedder). I was able to capture some of my favorite shots yet. Take a look at what we created.
Styling was beautifully executed by Natalie Alonzo (@natalie_alonzo), a talented Savage x Fenty stylist. This was my first time working with Natalie, and I couldn't recommend her expertise enough.
I used my Nikon d750 paired with my Sigma 24-70 2.8 Art lens, my go to. The photos were edited in Adobe Photoshop.
We moved from our leather look to a western inspired feel. We continued to incorporate red, as it complimented Danielle effortlessly.
We had a few moments of sunlight left, so I moved the scene to Kevin's rooftop - one of my favorite spots in Los Angeles. Located in the heart of Hollywood, it brings the magic of the west coast to your fingertips.


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Feisty little buggers.
The rodents of the future will eat poison pellets like candy, according to new research conducted on mice found in a German bakery. The baker called in an exterminator to rid his business of the pests and discovered, to his horror, that the little buggers weren't even fazed by bromadiolone, which is a very concentrated and deadly version of the common rat poison warfarin…
This defensive immunity comes from interbreeding with Algerian mice, which had already developed an immunity to the poison. Looks like these unwelcome visitors are determined to stick around, no matter what we throw at them!
Image via Image*After


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high speed pcb-rf4 pcb While going global, we not only remain consistent in the promotion of A-TECH but also adapt to the environment. We consider cultural norms and customer needs in foreign countries when branching out internationally and make efforts to offer products that meet local tastes. We constantly improve cost margins and supply-chain reliability without compromising quality to meet the needs of global customers.
A-TECH high speed pcb-rf4 pcb In the production of high speed pcb-rf4 pcb, A-TECH CIRCUITS Co., Ltd. places a high value on quality control methods. The qualification ratio is maintained at 99% and the repair rate has been greatly reduced. The figures come from our efforts in material selection and product inspections. We have been partnering with the world-class raw material suppliers, making sure that each product is made of high purity materials. We allocate a QC team to inspect product at each stage of the process. pcb file viewer,make a pcb board,making pcb board.


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It's featured family time! Each week, I am busy digging into the amazing queer community over on Instagram to find new families to share with you. Because queer families rule. And because we can all use a whole lot more of seeing families that look like us. Let's meet this week's families!
"My name is Emily & this is my wife, Kristen, and our daughter, Madison. We have been together for 6 years, married for 3 years, and had Madison 10 months ago. We live in Boston, MA with our two dogs and a cat and will someday (hopefully soon!) be expanding our family to include another kid."
You can find Emily's family on Instagram: @e_keenan. She also blogs at www.4realequalityweddings.com. Thank you for sharing your family with us!
"My name is Cindy and partner is Sarah. We have two beautiful children, Jai-lynn-13 and Derek-5. We currently reside in Vacaville, CA."
You can find Cindy on Instagram: @cperez1203. Thank you for sharing your family with us!
"My name is Winnie my partner is Suzy. We have two children. Our boy is 7 and our girl is 4. We live on Cape Cod. Were not married yet."
You can find Winnie on Instagram: @winnipooh_tales and on Twitter: @winwin02. Thank you for sharing your family with us!
All photos shared with permission. Thank you to this week's families for being awesome and sharing a glimpse into their families with us. Can't get enough featured families? Check out our previous featured families and follow us on Instagram! Tag your Instagram pics with #LesbianFamily to help us find you!


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The Parliamentary Education Office provides curriculum support for school groups and broader civics education for tertiary and other educational institutions.
The tours are free, interactive, informative and engaging and every effort is made to tailor learning experiences to current classroom or whole school programs.
The tours are 60 minutes long and may be arranged for any weekday; however, the format will vary depending on whether Parliament is sitting at the time of the tour.
Students will tour Parliament House and may have the opportunity to observe Parliament at work and meet a member of Parliament.
Students will tour Parliament House and undertake an activity called 'Voting with Your Feet', where students learn about voting during a division in Parliament. This activity is appropriate for students of all literacy levels.
Students may also have the opportunity to meet a member of Parliament. The Parliamentary Education Office advises the members representing the electorate (Legislative Assembly) or region (Legislative Council) in which your school is located, of the students' intended visit.
Parliamentary Education tours cater for the following group sizes:
Years 5-6, 10 - 35 students
Years 7-8, 10 - 30 students
Years 9-10, 10 - 25 students


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This WWU grad creates beautiful pixel artwork of Washington
[ad_1] Ryan Haight's animated pixel artwork options acquainted Washington places. #k5evening SEATTLE — Western Washington College grad Ryan Haight is a pixel artist. He creates immersive, lovely artwork that mirrors the type of basic 8-bit or 16-bit video video games. Actually shifting pictures, made up of time, effort and tiny little pixels. "It takes ten… Read More »


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Those of you who love weapons can consider this list of weapons as your periodic table of weapons. We have listed out at least 50 weapons and the era to which they belong. Just like human beings, weapons too have evolved over time. It's fascinating to learn how mankind designed better and better defense mechanism with every passing era.
Get better acquainted with these arms and ammunition with our well designed periodic table lookalike for weapons. Do not forget to share this information with anyone you know who loves weaponry.
Infographic by – Verge Studios


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Even the most inexpensive and rudimentary of dental insurance plans covers preventative care such as check ups and cleanings. Regular cleaning of the teeth is one of the keys to maintaining oral health and can keep future dental costs down. This can also help reduce your medical costs and medical insurance premiums in the future.
Dental insurance works differently than medical insurance. Most dental coverage is designed to ensure that the patient receives regular preventive care. High quality dental care rarely requires the complex, multiple resources often required by medical care. A thorough examination by the dentist and a set of x-rays are all it usually takes to diagnose a problem. As most dental disease is preventable, dental benefits plans are structured to encourage patients to get the regular, routine care so vital to preventing and diagnosing the onset of serious disease.
If your options include a plan funded by your employer, you may have an administrator responsible for processing and payment of claims. The primary responsibility of the third party is to provide the financial foundation for your dental benefits plan. There are three types of third parties.
Dental Service Corporations are not-for-profit organizations that negotiate and administer contracts for dental care to individuals or specific groups of patients. This is the type of dental insurance that is received by most employees.
Insurance Carriers are for-profit companies who underwrite the financial risk and process payment claims for dental services. These dental insurance companies make contracts with individuals or patient groups to offer a variety of dental benefits packages. Some providers are also able to offer international dental plans which cover you whilst you are on holiday, or abroad on business. But this may not be standard, so you need to check with them before travelling.
Self-Funded Insurers are companies who use their own funds to underwrite the expense of providing dental care to their employees. The company pays for the dental costs of its employees, usually with limitations on services and fixed-dollar allocations.
When purchasing an individual plan, you are usually offered two choices. The open panel plan allows covered patients to receive care from any dentist. Closed panel plans, which are also sometimes called Freedom of Choice plans only allows you to receive insurable treatment from a dentist the company chooses.
Most dental insurance plans provide coverage for selected diagnostic services, preventive care and emergency treatment that are basic for maintaining good oral health. However the extent or frequency of the services covered by some plans may be limited. Depending upon your individual oral health needs, you may be required to pay the dentist directly for a portion of this basic care.
Before purchasing a dental plan, find out how much treatment is allowed in any given year without cost to you, and how much you will have to pay for yourself. This is crucial as every dental care plan is different.
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The people who have got to know me well throughout the years, know my opinion about Greek bands. I will state it to you all in case I could be misunderstood here. I always believed that from a point and on, many bands in our country waited by fate or other factors, to drive things towards the way they wanted, meaning that away goes the effort they should provide to themselves in order to do something remarkable.
It has been known to all of us, that without hard work, you can't achieve nothing at all. You can't just sit and wait from a record company to sign you, from a promoter to put you as a support group in a good gig and from a reviewer to give you a high rating, especially if you don't deserve it. Greece has produced great bands through the years, needless to mention which ones, we all know them and admire them for their character and personal style. But I still believe we could do better. It's all about the way of thinking in people's minds I guess. This litle prologue comes here, in order to show you that all of these DON'T exist here.
Ladies and gents, I am in the (very) pleasant position to make a review for the first effort of Athenians The Silent Rage. A band which shows its love about pure and true heavy metal (again I will say that not only I dislike these definitions, but i also think they don't find meaning in most cases). But as a goal in injury time in a football derby, the title debut ep by The Silent Rage catches us by surprise. Honest, heavy, right to the point, with a good production and simple but not naive structures in their songs. Especially we have to mention the excellent guitar work, especially the leads hide some unfound magic that lies in the mid 80's or early 90's.
The influences of the band might be whatever made its breakthrough these golden years in the past. But the good thing is that despite they sound traditional, they don't try to convince us that they are the truest of all or the new heavy metal saviours. I can imagine the members of the band showing a lot of love to what they created, especially during the recording process they must have done their best numerous times, so that the result would sound like it is. In the 23 minutes (a magic number, that brings good memories. Think about it a while…) that this ep lasts, you will hear some great vocals, a steady rhythm section and guitars that are the driving force to all this. The sweet Maiden-like melody of the last track "Litany Of Imprisoned Souls", brought a big smile on my face. Sounding like an honest tribute to a once great band, The Silent Rage reveal besides their dedication to our music, also a clever mind of what's about to come.
I really wish these guys to continue the hard work and not become a cogwheel in the gear of the music industry that devours bands, especially from Greece. Once you go on like this, fate will bring it upon you one day. But even if it doesn't, you will at least know that you tried as hard as you could. My respect to you guys. Honestly, I am a fan of yours from now on. Period.
Website: www.myspace.com/silentragegreece
Track List | Line Up |
01. Perished In Flames 02. Leading The Legions 03. Wings Of Tragedy 04. The Silent Rage 05. Litany Of Imprisoned Souls |
Nikos Siglidis – Guitars, Aggresive Vocals Kostas Tokas – Guitars, Lead Vocals Christos Sevastopoulos – Bass Kimonas Limenidis – Keyboards Panos Karadimas – Drums |
Aggelos "Redneck" Katsouras.


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Enjoy a hike to explore Fairmount Park's hidden gems followed by a guided meditation.
Sunday, July 18, 2021
6:00am - 8:30am
Chamounix Hostel
3250 Chamounix Dr
Philadelphia, PA 19131
Enjoy a hike to explore Fairmount Park's hidden gems followed by a guided meditation. No prior experience with hiking or meditation required! Hike portion led by park enthusiast and member Ambrose Crenshaw. Meditation portion led by local yoga teacher and personal coach, Nicole Taylor of Evolve Philadelphia.
Estimated distance: about 3 miles
Level: moderate to difficult
Terrain: combination of flat open parkland and hilly trails
TICKET PRICES: Pay what you can – $15, $20, or $25
[ Not sure what to pay? Please refer to this Sliding Scale Pricing FAQ for additional info.
-Please dress according to weather conditions.
-Please wear sturdy shoes, comfy clothes and bring water, a snack and, if you would find it helpful, a small meditation cushion (or towel) that you can carry with you during the hike.
-There are no nearby bathrooms. Please plan accordingly
-Appropriate for adults
PARKING: there is plenty of free parking in on Mount Pleasant Drive. As always, NEVER leave valuables in your car!
IMPORTANT: We will leave promptly at scheduled time (10 am). Please arrive at the departure location at least 5 minutes early. Latecomers will not be allowed to join after the group has departed.
CAP / COVID PROTOCOL: By registering for this event you are agreeing to follow ALL of these protocols:
This event will be capped at 16 people. Please only register if you fully intend to attend and let us know if you need to cancel ASAP.
Participants must maintain 6 feet of distance from one another during the event.
Please bring a mask. We encourage you to wear it if you're in proximity to others.
If you or anyone in your household are exhibiting COVID-19 systems, please stay home.
POSTPONEMENT / CANCELLATION POLICY: This event will take place in light rain. In the event of heavy rain or other severe conditions, the event will be cancelled and attendees are eligible for a full refund.
PRESENTER(S) BIO: Nicole Taylor fell in love with teaching yoga in 2008 and never looked back! She is a 500-hour certified yoga and meditation teacher, and a NAMA-certified Ayurvedic Health Counselor. Nicole's purpose is to embody and create sacred spaces for joy, healing, and transformation. She teaches through the lens of Ayurveda and yoga in the Himalayan Tradition. Her class provides an internalizing experience with an emphasis on bringing stability to the body, drawing awareness to the breath, quieting the mind, and experiencing the higher self. For the past couple years, Nicole has joined forces with park enthusiast and nature lover Ambrose Crenshaw to lead these one of a kind experiences in Fairmount Park.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS: If Philadelphia's parks make a difference in your life – consider becoming a member of Fairmount Park Conservancy and help ensure that Philadelphia's parks are enhanced for generations to come. PLUS members register first for events and enjoy discounts on park experiences including Treetop Quest, Shofuso and more! https://myphillypark.org/support/become-a-member/


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Primates are a diverse taxa that presents unique clinical challenges to the veterinarian. The purpose of this presentation is to introduce the clinician to basic preventative medical procedures and the common diseases associated with non-human primates, with an emphasis on monkeys. More extensive references on primate medicine are available.2-5 The ethics of treating pet primates is highly debated, and should be a consideration that is thoroughly considered prior to the decision to get involved with pet primates. The clinician should also be familiar with the regional and local legal restrictions on primates and how they affect veterinary care of those species.
Primates pose a safety risk due to their ability to inflict serious trauma and due to their zoonotic disease potential. Proper training, including disclosure of risks, should be provided to all hospital personnel, including non-medical staff. The hospital must be equipped with proper equipment, drugs, housing, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to accommodate primate patients. The decision to incorporate primates into a clinical practice should not be taken lightly. Extensive planning, preparation, and training should occur before the first primate patient is ever admitted.
Preventative Medicine
Zoonotic Diseases
Humans and primates share many infectious diseases. Proper training of staff, procedures for handling animals and samples, and proper PPE can all help to reduce the risk of acquiring a zoonotic disease from primates. Annual tuberculosis (TB) testing of staff is recommended for patient and staff safety. Vaccination of staff for hepatitis B, tetanus, and rabies is recommended. Many labs will not accept primate diagnostic samples due to the zoonotic disease risk, so be sure to check before shipping samples.
Physical Exam
With rare exceptions, a thorough physical exam of a primate will require sedation or anesthesia. This also helps to maintain the safety of the clinician and staff and reduces stress to the patient. Primate anatomy can vary greatly, so the clinician should be familiar with each species treated. Scent gland locations, dentition, and gastrointestinal anatomy are some of the features that can vary greatly between taxa. A systematic exam of each body system should occur with every exam, including a thorough oral/dental exam.
Blood is routinely collected from the femoral, brachial, or saphenous veins. The femoral vein is located medial to the palpable femoral artery located in the inguinal region with the leg extended caudally. Holding off this vessel is rarely required. Pressure should be applied afterward to prevent hematoma formation. The brachial vein (ventral surface of the forearm) and saphenous vein (caudal surface of the distal rear limb) are alternative sites for venipuncture and are the preferred sites for IV catheters. Closed collection systems (e.g., Vacutainer brand) are recommended for venipuncture to reduce the risk of exposure to blood. Needles should not be recapped prior to disposal in a sharps container.
TB Testing & Ancillary Diagnostics
Annual TB testing is recommended for all primates. A tuberculin syringe with 25–27 gauge needle is used to inject 0.1 ml of mammalian old tuberculin intradermally in an atraumatic manner. The most common injection site is the upper eyelid, although other sites such as the abdomen have been used. The site should be observed for swelling and erythema 24, 48, and 72 hours post-injection. Any swelling or erythema should be considered a suspect reaction and be followed up with additional diagnostics. Ancillary TB diagnostics include comparative skin testing, thoracic radiography, gastric or bronchoalveolar lavage for mycobacterial PCR or culture, gamma interferon testing, and serologic testing.
Radiographs are a useful screening as well as diagnostic tool. Standard orthogonal positioning applies to primates, except that larger species (e.g., apes) may produce better thoracic images in an upright position.
Annual vaccination for rabies using a killed vaccine is routinely performed. However, this is off-label use and vaccinated primates may be treated as unvaccinated by authorities in cases of bites to humans or other animals. Tetanus toxoid vaccination is also recommended. Protocols usually involve a series of 2–3 injections followed by boosters every 5–10 years or following traumatic injuries. Other vaccines developed for humans (e.g., measles, influenza, polio, etc.) have also been used safely in some primate species. Killed or inactivated vaccines should be used when possible.
Serologic Testing
Serologic screening tests for a wide variety of viral diseases are available through commercial primate diagnostic labs. Taxa-specific panels are often used as routine screening tests to detect subclinical diseases of concern.
Fecal Diagnostics
Fresh fecal samples should be evaluated with a direct smear as well as with flotation or centrifugation techniques to screen for protozoa and parasite ova. Special staining may be required to identify and speciate protozoa. Giardia and Cryptosporidium ELISAs can be used as a more sensitive screen for those pathogens. Stool cultures for enteric bacterial pathogens are often part of an annual health screen. Special media and techniques may be required for some bacterial pathogens. Electron microscopy can be performed to check for the presence of viruses in cases of diarrhea of unknown etiology.
Surgical techniques are options for permanent contraception. Ovariohysterectomy and castration are not usually recommended in healthy individuals due to hormonal changes that affect behavior and social status. Tubal ligation and vasectomy are more appropriate surgical techniques that maintain hormonal effects. Progestagens (e.g., melengestrol acetate implants, medroxyprogesterone injection, etc.) are the most commonly used reversible contraception options. Gn-RH agonists (e.g., deslorelin) have also been used in primates of both sexes.
Quarantine of all newly acquired primates is highly recommended. Quarantined individuals should be housed in isolation with PPE and procedures in place to prevent spread of disease. A minimum of 30 days is recommended for animals with known medical histories, while 90 days or longer should be considered in individuals with unknown medical histories. A thorough physical exam and all preventative medicine diagnostic screening should be performed during the quarantine period.
Enrichment is the process of providing environmental stimuli to an animal to promote natural behaviors and reduce unwanted behaviors. Enrichment is an important part of primate husbandry due to their high intelligence, and is required by the USDA's Animal Welfare Act. Enrichment can include manipulative items, changes in diet presentation, training programs, changes to the enclosure, and interactions with conspecifics.
Bacterial Diseases
Tuberculosis in primates is usually caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and occasionally M. bovis. The disease has a slow, chronic progression with lethargy, anorexia, and respiratory signs. Thoracic lymphadenopathy is the most common radiographic lesion, unlike humans who exhibit pulmonary granulomas. Quarantine and TB surveillance are key to prevention, as treatment is challenging and controversial.
Enteric Pathogens
Common enteric pathogens include Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Y. enterocolitica, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter jejuni. All can present with diarrhea or other GI signs. Some can cause bloody diarrhea and extraintestinal signs. Treatment is supportive.
Other Bacterial Diseases
Clostridium tetani can cause tetanus and is associated with contaminated wounds. Prevention is with vaccination. Listeria monocytogenes is associated with contaminated food and causes abortion or sepsis/meningoencephalitis of newborns. Streptococcus pneumoniae can be spread through the aerosol route and can cause pneumonia or meningitis. S. zooepidemicus has been associated with lymphadenitis in callitrichids that had access to contaminated horse meat.
Viral Diseases
Macacine herpesvirus 1 (McHV-1; aka herpes B) causes severe fatal disease in most primates and humans, but minimal lesions in the natural host, macaques. PPE and handling protocols are essential in preventing this serious disease when working with macaques. Other herpesviruses have similar behavior where they are relatively harmless in natural hosts, but potentially fatal in other closely related species. Saimiriine herpesvirus 1 (SaHV-1) found in squirrel monkeys is lethal to owl monkeys and callitrichids. Ateline herpesvirus 1 (AtHV-1) found in spider monkeys is also lethal to callitrichids. Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1, HSV-2), the cause of cold sores in people, has been shown to be lethal to callitrichids, gibbons, and great apes.
Retroviruses such as Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV), Simian Retrovirus (SRV), and Simian T-cell Lymphotropic Virus (STLV-1) are associated with immunosuppression and lymphoproliferative disorders. Evolution of human pathogens from these viruses (e.g., HIV, HTLV) emphasizes the importance of PPE and zoonotic disease control. Foamyviruses are another retrovirus common to many primates that have exhibited transmission to humans. Clinical signs have not been reported from this virus in people or primates.
Other Viruses
Paramyxoviruses and Orthomyxoviruses (e.g., Parainfluenza, Influenza) can cause respiratory disease in primates. Severe disease can result when combined with other pathogens. Measles can be acquired from humans and may cause facial erythema/edema, a maculopapular rash, and fever. Vaccination for both measles and influenza have been performed in some primates. Encephalomyocarditis Virus is a Picornavirus found in the Gulf states and is carried by rodent vectors. It can cause sudden death in primates and other species. Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus is also associated with rodents and causes liver and neurologic signs in callitrichids. Hepatitis A is a Picornavirus that may be asymptomatic or cause anorexia and diarrhea in all primate groups following fecal-oral transmission. Hepatitis B is a blood-borne Orthohepadnavirus that might be asymptomatic in gibbons and great apes. Primates are susceptible to rabies, which may be prevented with killed vaccines. A thorough reference on primate virology is available.7
Parasitic Diseases
Enteric Nematodes
Strongyloides stercoralis, S. fuelleborni, and S. cebus can cause pruritis, dyspnea, or hemorrhagic diarrhea or even death in some primates. The pinworms Enterobius vermicularis and others colonize the cecum/colon and may by asymptomatic or cause perianal itching. The whipworm Trichuris trichiura colonizes the cecum/colon and may cause mucoid/watery diarrhea. The nodular worms Oesophagostomum spp. affect apes and OWPs causing submucosal nodules in the colon or cecum. The spirurid Gonglyonema pulchrum affects the mouth and upper GI tract of NWPs and is transmitted through ingestion of cockroaches.
Protozoal Diseases
Entameba histolytica can colonize the large intestine and cause ulcerative colitis and extraintestinal lesions, but should not be confused with commensal protozoa such as Entameba coli and others. Balantidium coli is often nonpathogenic, but can cause ulcerative colitis, especially during times of stress. Both Entameba and Balantidium can be treated with metronidazole or paromomycin. Giardia intestinalis infections may be asymptomatic or cause mucoid diarrhea. ELISA testing can help detect infections, which can be treated with quinacrine, metronidazole, or tinidazole. Toxoplasma gondii is a systemic protozoal disease associated with cat feces or consumption of intermediate hosts. Toxoplasmosis causes more severe disease in lemurs and NWPs. Treatment with atovaquone shows some promise. Encephalitozoon cuniculi can mimic toxoplasmosis in NWPs.
Reproductive Diseases
Primates usually give birth at night with the fetus presenting head first. Breech presentation is the most common cause of dystocia, although diabetes and pelvic malformations can also be a cause. Endometriosis is the presence of hormonally responsive endometrium in an abnormal location and is common in primates. Treatment is ovariohysterectomy. Leiomyomas are benign smooth muscle tumors of the uterus that can affect reproduction or cause space-occupying clinical signs.
Metabolic Diseases
Diabetes is reported in primates and is most often Type 2 caused by amyloid deposition in islets of the pancreas. Obesity is a predisposing factor. Gestational diabetes also occurs and can lead to fetal macrosomia. Obesity is also common and often caused by improper diet and inadequate exercise. Obesity is associated with insulin resistance, endocrinopathies, adipokine changes, osteoarthritis, and heart disease.
Degenerative Diseases
Renal disease from glomerulonephritis (caused by chronic antigen-antibody formation) or from interstitial nephritis can lead to chronic renal failure. Cardiac diseases reported in primates include fibrosing cardiomyopathy, dissecting aortic aneurysms, and atherosclerosis. Cardiomyopathies are the leading cause of death for all captive great ape species.6 Osteoarthritis/spondylosis is common in older primates, and can be treated with traditional regimens.1
Nutritional Diseases
Like humans, primates are unable to synthesize vitamin C and therefore require it in their diet. Signs of deficiency (scurvy) include gingival hemorrhage, periodontal bone resorption, epiphyseal fractures, and anemia. NWPs have a higher vitamin D requirement than OWPs and cannot convert vitamin D2 to D3. Exposure to UV light and a proper diet is important in these species.
Neoplastic Diseases
Primates can get many neoplasms, but those reported with increased incidence include colonic adenocarcinomas in cottontop tamarins, myelolipomas in Goeldi's monkeys, and lymphoproliferative disorders in individuals infected with SIV or STLV-1.
Other Diseases
Periodontal disease and tooth root abscesses are common and can be prevented with proper diet and routine dental care. Dental fractures often require endodontic therapy or extraction. Canine teeth should not be altered for non-medical reasons.
Traumatic injuries are common in primates and should be handled with routine treatments except that sutures should all be buried to prevent picking. Tail tips may need to be amputated if severely traumatized. Abscesses often are the result of focal punctures caused by bite wounds.
Amyloidosis (type AA) is common in primates and often secondary to chronic inflammatory processes. The disease may manifest as hepatosplenomegaly, chronic renal failure, chronic weight loss, or diarrhea. Treatment is aimed at the underlying condition.
Behavioral disorders such as stereotypic behavior and self-injurious behavior (e.g., alopecia, trauma) can be problematic in primates. Environmental modifications and behavioral modifications may be needed to get to the root of the problem. If self-injurious behavior is severe, neuroleptics or SSRIs may be necessary.
1. Adkesson MJ, Rubin DA. Degenerative skeletal diseases of primates. In: Miller RE, Fowler M, eds. Fowler's Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine: Current Therapy, Volume 7. Elsevier, St. Louis, Missouri. 2012:396–407.
2. Bennett BT, Abee CR, Henrickson R, eds. Nonhuman Primates in Biomedical Research: Diseases. Academic Press, San Diego, California. 1998.
3. Joslin JO. Other primates excluding great apes. In: Fowler ME, Miller RE, eds. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, 5th ed. Saunders, St. Louis, Missouri. 2003:346–381.
4. Junge RE. Prosimians. In: Fowler ME, Miller RE, eds. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, 5th edition. Saunders, St. Louis, Missouri. 2003:334–346.
5. Loomis MR. Great apes. In: Fowler ME, Miller RE, eds. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, 5th edition. Saunders, St. Louis, Missouri. 2003:381–397.
6. McManamon R, Lowenstine L. Cardiovascular disease in great apes. In: Fowler ME, Miller RE, eds. Fowler's Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine: Current Therapy, Volume 7. Elsevier, St. Louis, Missouri. 2012:408–415.
7. Voevodin AF, Marx PA, eds. 2009. Simian Virology. Wiley-Blackwell, Ames, Iowa.
Joseph A. Smith, DVM Fort Wayne Children's ZooFort Wayne, IN, USA


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Why I feel so lucky that my brother is my best friend
My brother William and I weren't always the closest. Or rather, I wasn't always the best sister. We're four years apart, and when I was young, I used to use those years as an excuse to pull rank. I'd always choose the biggest cookie for dessert, I'd use my longer legs to my full advantage when we ran for the remote after dinner, and I'd always, always sit in the front seat. We had our tiny sibling arguments, sure, but I like to call them "sitcom arguments" — that is, they wrapped up quickly, or at least within the span of a 30-minute episode.
In our younger days, I would exclude him from things a lot. When I'd venture across the street after doing homework to hang out with my best friend, I'd often make up excuses about why he couldn't come, and I'd turn my head as he pouted. I'd also close my bedroom door when I had friends over, even though he often just wanted to be part of the group. This, obviously, wasn't very nice of me.
We got closer over the years, however. We discovered a similar sense of humor, and developed something akin to our own language, complete with gestures and eye rolls (this language evolves still today, and now includes emoijs). Our favorite thing to do was stay up as late as we could on weekends, watching the terrible movies of the early 2000s until we were so delirious and giddy with laughter that we fell asleep on the couch, then we'd follow it up with early morning cartoons and our dad's famous crispy-edge pancakes. Those were some of my favorite nights ever, and we still continued them into his late teens and my early 20s.
In high school I started to get into music, and I showed him everything I knew. I'd spend hours downloading music from Napster and Limewire (I know, I know) and burning stacks of CDs with William watching over my shoulder, waiting eagerly for me to give him a song list to write down. We'd beg our parents to let us play our favorite mixes on long car rides, rather than the oldies stations they preferred (though, to be fair, we love the oldies stations too — you can't not, with our parents). We went to some local shows together, and our love for similar music was solidified. So many bands and songs still remind me of that time, and of my brother in general, like anything by Rilo Kiley or Death Cab for Cutie, or The Format's Interventions + Lullabies.
I didn't know how much sharing my music meant to him until recently when he came to visit me in New York from California, where we grew up. He told me that when I shared music with him it made him feel like I thought he was cool and like I cared about him, which meant a lot to me, in return. Toward the end of my high school career, our parents sent me away to a live-in program for troubled teenagers. They were worried about my behavior, and I wasn't allowed to see William for the first six months, per the rules of the program. When I came back from the program after 15 months of hard work, we immediately picked up where we left off, and in fact became closer than ever — something I was immensely grateful for.
While I was gone, I had been worried that he'd resent me for my behavior, or for the fact that during much of high school I'd been depressed and withdrawn, made poor decisions, and treated my family badly. But he forgave me, and loved me anyway. I was also grateful that he had learned from my mistakes, rather than followed in my footsteps. Because we were both older when I came back, we were able to talk about a whole breadth of things with a maturity we hadn't been able to before — everything from relationships, to family, to what we both wanted for our future.
That was 10 years ago, and since then, he's become my best friend. He texts me every single day, whether it's a long conversation or one single "miss you, sis" text. We often send each other Snapchats of our pets (he has a cat named Niyama, and I have two dogs named Lily and Milo), and we talk about food a LOT. We also talk about our relationships, Netflix shows, and what we want to do when we see each other next. Usually, it's just spend time together walking around, being goofy, and eating a lot of pizza.
I'm so lucky and grateful to have a best friend who is truly (and, duh, literally) my family — he is there for me no matter what, and has seen me through everything I've been through.


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Locarno Film Festival Review: Wrong Cops (2013)
From the mind that brought us a runaway maniac tire and a cult of do-good dognappers come the titular antiheroes of Wrong Cops, the conduit to Quentin Dupieux's latest absurdist assault on the senses. This is a filmmaker whose fans arrive with a very particular picture in mind, and whose newcomer viewers emerge either whooping with delight or wide-eyed with fright. His is a unique cinema indeed, unforgiving in its unconventionality; the philosophy of "no reason", outlined in an opening spiel by one of the many meta-referential characters of Dupieux's 2010 breakthrough Rubber, remains very much the dominant force within the world Dupieux presents. There is no reason to his madness, only a mad method of conviction so steely it can only be admired.


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Louis Vierne
Louis Vierne had a declared wish to die on the organ bench in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
He was the organist there for 37 years, starting in 1900. Before that, he was assistant organist to his teacher, Charles-Marie Widor, at Saint Sulpice Church. The organ was Vierne's instrument, and his organ works today are core repertoire for organists around the world.
Vierne's life was no bed of roses. Throughout his life, he was plagued by mental illness. An unhappy divorce and the loss of both his brother and his son in World War I did not help his mental health. A brutal traffic accident nearly cost him one leg and made playing the organ difficult. An eye disease nearly blinded him.
These external circumstances, however, did not affect his music. On the contrary. In his professional life in music he found the clear framework and security he lacked in his personal life. His musical style is Romantic, but not as sentimental as that of his teachers César Franck and Gabriel Fauré. Vierne's music is built on strict forms, stylistic purity and French elegance. The same goes for his chamber music, orchestral music and vocal music.
Vierne was a dutiful and well-liked composition teacher at the Paris Conservatory, where he trained such important composers as the sisters Nadia and Lili Boulanger and Marcel Dupré.
The organ benches of Paris were a refuge for Vierne. And his wish to die on his beloved organ bench in Notre Dame came true. On June 2, 1937, during his 1750th organ recital, he suffered a stroke and fell off the organ bench, dead. One foot landed on the low E-pedal, filling the cathedral with sound for several seconds after he expired.


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I Can Talk to God
Psalm 145:18 "The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth." When I was 7 years old, my mother bought me a used prayer kneeler bench. I remember so special times at that prayer bench when I was young. I still have that prayer bench, and I have had some special times using it for prayer times as an adult. But you can pray anywhere you go… lying, kneeling, sitting, standing, kneeling…. Please join me and some sweet children as we remember the exciting truth in this children's song, "I can talk to God" This message is great for children of all ages! Holy Hugs!


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What Every Boise Blockbuster Video Store Looks Like Now in 2022
I was recently chatting with some coworkers the other day about what movie-watching and video streaming used to be like, and we had a lot of fun sharing our memories. It's crazy how different it is today!
We started reminiscing about the 'good old days' when you could go into an actual Blockbuster Video Store to rent your movies, and how Netflix first started by sending out DVDs in the mail – but that's definitely not the case anymore.
Time is moving fast, and it's crazy to think that now these stores don't even exist.
I remember going to Blockbuster stores with my family and spending way too much time looking through all the isles of VHS tapes or DVDs, trying desperately to find something we could all agree to watch and enjoy. While this was seemingly the most annoying part of the process at the time, it also created a lot of great memories looking back.
Going to Blockbuster was a family activity. It was part of the experience. I miss that.
Now, rather than going to the store and arguing about what we're going to watch, we can do it from the comfort of our own homes. We just have to scroll through the endless categories and options on our preferred streaming platforms.
But this got me thinking, now that all of Boise's Blockbuster Video Stores are permanently closed, what businesses took their place? Check out what these Blockbuster locations are today! 👇


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08 Jun Survey: Half of providers think stimulus won't help health IT adoption
You can lead doctors and hospitals to health IT, but you can't make them adopt it. That, in essence, is what providers said in a new survey looking at their interest in and use of health IT. To conduct the research, researchers reached out to 508 healthcare providers across the United States this past April.
The study, which was sponsored by electronic communications services provider IVANS Inc., found that more than 50 percent of providers believe that the billions of dollars set aside to promote health IT adoption will have little impact on that process. The biggest obstacle to adoption was "lack of budget," cited by 82 percent.
Read full article>>


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Following news that Elon Musk's deal to buy Twitter is "temporarily on hold," Snoop Dogg decided it was time to step in.
"May have 2 buy Twitter now," he jokingly tweeted on Friday (May 13), before compiling who his new "board of directors" would be for the platform, including Cheech & Chong's Tommy Chong, "tha guy with the ponytail on CNBC" (a.k.a. Pete Najarian) and, of course, "Jimmy from my corner Fish Fry."
More from Billboard
The "Drop It Like It's Hot" rapper then delved into some major changes he would make to the platform. "First line of business. Free internet on airplanes!!! 29 dollars for 1 hour is bulls—," he tweeted, before adding, "Everyone gets a blue checkmark. Even tha bots with 10 letters in their name that hit you in DMs n just say "Hello". Nah f— those bots."
Snoop's tweets come following Musk's announcement that his plans to buy Twitter for $44 billion were "temporarily on hold," pending details on spam and fake accounts on the social media platform.
In a tweet, the Tesla billionaire linked to a Reuters story from May 2 citing a financial filing from Twitter that estimated false or spam accounts made up fewer than 5% of the company's "monetizable daily active users" in the first quarter.
"Twitter deal temporarily on hold pending details supporting calculation that spam/fake accounts do indeed represent less than 5% of users," Musk said, indicating he's skeptical that the number of inauthentic accounts is that low.
Two hours after his first tweet, Musk said he is "still committed" to completing the acquisition.
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Why did the chicken cross the Florida Keys? It might sound like the setup for a horribly corny joke, but believe it or not, it's the latest trend in water sports.
For anyone that's ever had the pleasure of traveling to the Florida Keys knows that there are chickens everywhere.
Whether they're roaming free or making their living as a beloved house pet, some people are going so clucking crazy for chickens that they've decided to take them out on the water for a paddle boarding adventure they won't soon forget.


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「見えざる刃」 (Miezaru Yaiba)
"The Invisible Blade"
While I may retain fears about the staying power of Munou na Nana, there's no denying I'm loving what I'm seeing thus far. After going through the rounds of a wheel-a-murder, we're now actually getting some legitimate competition for Nana as senpais prove their worth and fellow killers come out the woodwork. We might know how the future is likely to play out, but that doesn't mean the process cannot be fun to witness.
I think the biggest surprise for me this week (outside of the usual cliffhanger) was Nana's past being revealed. And not just any past—her actual past. This was coming at some point regardless, but I'm honestly quite pleasantly surprised we both got it in full and with enough detail to start piecing together other critical aspects. It's not hard guessing that burglar for example is not a burglar, as few people out for monetary reward are going to spend the time dismembering household residents and arranging their body parts on the kitchen table. Not impossible mind you, but highly improbable. Top it off with the indication that Nana's family was intimately involved with the Talented and yeah, we're looking at something else other than pure coincidence regarding Nana's situation. I don't know if we'll find out the truth this season, however I guarantee the voice on the other side of Nana's phone holds all the answers and then some.
The real fun though naturally comes from Nana's immediate problems, and oh boy is this starting to spiral out of control. Jin of course is front and centre given his ridiculous ability to coopt any and all powers (albeit with a weakness he's keen enough to keep hidden) that nullifies whatever Nana could try, but top it off with third parties now making a play to ameliorate specific grievances (because that's the primary reason for these kids to lash out) and I expect things to get chaotic in a rush. The interesting bit will be what happens between Nana and Michiru though, as it's fairly obvious Nana has started humanizing the girl and seeing her as a person contrary to everyone else; Michiru's personality and actions guaranteed are going to catch Nana out at some point and force her to make a choice she subconsciously doesn't want to make—e.g. let Michiru die, take a blow for her, choose not to kill her. And that is the stage where the real fun begins. One way or another we're building up to a major showdown and airing of backstories and hidden motivations, with the question being just who is left standing once the dust settles.
Whether or not it involves blatant hints and teaserss, well, we've all got a week to properly mull it over.
Full-length images: 23.


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Mt. Elizabeth Brand Vintage Tuolumne County California Apple Crate Label
This fruit crate label was used by Charley Bottemiller, Twain Harte. Nice stock label with three red apples.
- 9.00 x 10.50 inches in size.
- Printed in the 1940s.
- Near mint condition, a couple light handling marks.
An original fruit crate label, not a copy, not a computer-printed art print. A vintage label intended to be pasted on a crate, but never used. Old stock from a warehouse find.


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There's no denying the dramatic and old-worldly beauty of Italian architecture like the Old Palace in Florence or Banchi Square in Genoa. These stunning feats of design are iconic and beloved landmarks, often acting as focal points in a city's architectural landscape. Unsurprisingly, they're on most visitors' must-see lists and have been photographed hundreds of thousands of times.
However, unlike standard snaps we usually see of these types of buildings, Italian photographer Andrea Facco wanted to capture the full scale of their impressive size, especially focusing on their ornate roofs. To do so, he started using a panoramic technique that stitches several shots together, producing an incredible, fully-formed picture of the building's interior.
"The vertical panoramic technique lets me capture these spaces in a way that reminds me of the direction of my view when I observed them for the first time," Andrea tells Lonely Planet. After the first results, I decided to apply it to other pieces of architecture that I found interesting. Now I use it in every city I visit, looking for the most interesting places to photograph. Living in Italy, I still have a lot of architecture to choose from!"
The technique works in a similar way to a classic panorama. "I usually take between five and eight horizontal pictures, starting from the ground up to my head," explains Andrea. "I always take these shots with a super wide-angle lens on a Nikon reflex. Each shot overlaps with the previous one so that the software can merge the shots correctly and create the panorama."
As you can see from this breathtaking series of shots, Andrea has captured vertical panoramas of Milan's cathedral, the Mazzini Gallery and Bombrini Mansion, to name but a few. His favourites though include a spectacular Spanish shot. "The shots I most prefer are the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and the staircase of Madama Palace in Turin," he says.


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When buying a Goldendoodle dog, you need to choose the right generation to get the best traits and characteristics. There are different types of Goldendoodle dogs available with breeders. While they all might appear similar, there is a significant difference in their generation.
Basically, the physical characteristics, as well as the personality of a Goldendoodle, depend on its parents and grandparents. While the original Goldendoodle dog is developed using Poodle and Golden Retriever, there is a great possibility of various genetic combinations.
Not all the Goldendoodles come from Poodle and Golden Retriever. Nowadays, most dogs are multigenerational. In order to get the best traits in a dog, breeders often use two Goldendoodles for breeding instead of purebred dogs.
This results in multigenerational Goldendoodles. As the name goes, there is a generation gap between these dogs. When two second-generation Goldendoodles are bred, the litter is categorized as a multigenerational dog.
It means that the parents, as well as the grandparents of these dogs, are Goldendoodles instead of a Poodle and Golden Retrievers. Each generation of Goldendoodles has specific characteristics. If you want to choose the right dog, you need to know about the generation.
To learn more about multigenerational Goldendoodles, continue reading this article.
What is a Multigenerational Goldendoodle?
Multigenerational Goldendoodles are rare designer dogs that make wonderful family companions. These dogs are bred using two Goldendoodles beyond the second generation. This means near the parents, nor the grandparents of these dogs are Poodle or Golden Retriever. Normally breeders consider any generation of F3 and beyond to be multigenerational Goldendoodle.
Although Goldendoodle generations are similar in their appearance and personality, they differ in genetic makeup. F1 Goldendoodle pups have hypoallergenic fur, and F1b puppies have curly fur. F2B Goldendoodle puppies are hypoallergenic, and F1 and F2b Goldendoodle puppies are suitable for families with young children and those who suffer from allergies. However, a multigenerational Goldendoodle is the best choice if you are looking for a perfect hypoallergenic dog.
The parents and the way the breeder breed the dogs can have varying coat types. For instance, a multi-gen Goldendoodle can have a soft wavy coat, also known as the teddy bear coat, which is low shedding but may develop mats easily. The curly coat of a multigenerational Goldendoodle is not as allergy-friendly as a smooth-coated Goldendoodle.
There are several benefits of a multigenerational Goldendoodle. One of these is that it has a lower health risk than purebred Goldendoodles. While a multigenerational Goldendoodle has more Poodle genes, this does not mean that the dog will have a more spirited temperament.
A multigenerational Goldendoodle may have a higher shedding rate than its first-generation counterpart. The best way to determine whether a multigenerational Goldendoodle is right for you is to look for its pedigree.
Different Generations in The Goldendoodle Breed
To know the difference between generations of Goldendoodles, you need to understand how the bloodlines of both breeds differ. These dogs are generally less energetic and have a more relaxed temperament than Poodles.
The coats of multigenerational Goldendoodles are also often very low-shedding, which makes them an excellent choice for people with allergies.
Here is the list of different generations of Goldendoodles.
- F1 Goldendoodle
There are several different generations in the Goldendoodle breed, and this can make choosing the right one difficult. The most common types are F1, F1B, and F2. These generations vary in several important characteristics, including coat length and shedding, so it's essential to know what to look for when selecting your new dog.
If you're allergic to dander, knowing about the different generations can help you choose a dog that won't trigger your allergies.
The first generation, also known as the F1, is composed of 50% Poodle and 50% Golden Retriever. These dogs are bred using purebred Poodle with purebred Golden Retriever. They are the first generation of Goldendoodles and have characteristics of both parents.
- F1B Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle has a complicated genealogy. The breed is a cross between a Poodle or Golden Retriever and with F1 Goldendoodle. The F1B generation is the least shedding of all the generations but is still very healthy.
If you suffer from allergies or just want a dog that sheds less than other types, this generation may be a better choice. However, you should remember that F1B Goldendoodles are typically more expensive than other generations, so you should only purchase them from a responsible breeder.
These dogs are bred using an F1 Goldendoodle with either a Poodle or Golden Retriever. In most cases, the other parent in Poodle. They have 75% Poodle and 25% Golden Retriever genes.
- F1BB Goldendoodle
The first generation of the Goldendoodle is the F1 breed, whose name means "first generation." The resulting dog will be a combination of purebred Poodle and Golden Retriever. The F1BB generation is the back cross of F1B Goldendoodle with a purebred Poodle parent. They have 87.5% Poodle and 12.5% Golden Retriever genes. It is one of the lightest shedding dogs and mostly has a curly coat.
- F2 Goldendoodle
F2 is nothing but a second-generation Goldendoodle. They are bred using two F1 Goldendoodles. These dogs have 50% Golden Retriever and 50% Poodle genes. Their coat type can be highly unpredictable. It can be either curly, straight, or wavy. These dogs can have low shedding as well as high shedding coats. They are not as popular as multigenerational Goldendoodle.
- F2B Goldendoodle
This is the back cross of the second generation Goldendoodle. These dogs are bred using F1 Goldendoodle and F1B Goldendoodle.
These pups have a 37.5% Golden Retriever and 62.5% Poodle mix, and they have curlier coats and shed little. They are often considered multigenerational Goldendoodles.
- F2BB Goldendoodle
These dogs are 81.25% Poodle and 18.75% Golden Retriever. They are a cross of F2 Goldendoodle with purebred Poodle. These dogs are light-shedders as they have a high percentage of Poodle genes. They are 4th generation Goldendoodles and are often termed multigenerational dogs. They have curly and light shedding coats.
- F3 Goldendoodle
These are multigenerational Goldendoodles. These are the third-generation Goldendoodles. They are a cross of F1B Goldendoodle. These dogs have a large quantity of Poodle genes and don't shed much. They have typically curly coats.
Benefits of Multigenerational Goldendoodles
While a first-generation Doodle is 50% Golden Retriever and 50% Poodle, it can still have characteristics from both breeds. The Golden Retriever inherited the gene for shedding, and a first-generation Doodle may shed less than the F1 doodle.
But these dogs may be hypoallergenic or have the look of the first generation. A multigenerational Goldendoodle has the best qualities of its parents and grandparents. They don't shed much and have the best personality.
As for the health benefits of F1b Goldendoodles, they have less shedding than the F1 Goldendoodle. They are hypoallergenic, intelligent, and trainable. However, these dogs are still high energy and require exercise.
They may shed occasionally, so this is a consideration if you live in an apartment or a small home. If you're looking for a doodle that sheds less than F1b Goldendoodles, you might want to consider a multigenerational Goldendoodle.
While Goldendoodles are easy to train, Poodles are not as easy to socialize with other dogs. Goldendoodles are known for their friendly personalities and are great for first-time dog owners. They'll entertain themselves and keep visitors entertained.
And they're also good for allergy sufferers. Of course, multigenerational Goldendoodles can be temperamental, so it's important to know what you're getting into before making the purchase.
While Groomers can maintain the coat of an F1 Goldendoodle, you must also be aware of its tendency to shed. Even if a Goldendoodle has a low-shedding coat, you still need to take the time to groom it daily to ensure that it doesn't mat. In addition, you'll have to give it a bath regularly to keep its coat in good condition.
As a multigenerational dog, a Multigen Goldendoodle has more Poodle genes in its lineage than the Golden Retriever. Hence, a Multigen Goldendoodle's coat is usually curly or fleece. They are almost completely non-shedding. As such, they're great pets for allergy-prone families.
Among Goldendoodles, hypoallergenic ones have non-shedding coats. Hypoallergenic F1B Goldendoodles are the best for people who suffer from moderate dog allergies. But their coats are curly and require substantial grooming to keep them from matting. So if you're allergic to dogs, an F1B Goldendoodle is the best choice for you.
Multigenerational Goldendoodle Coat Types
Multigenerational Goldendoodles, also known as F3, are hybrids between two second-generation Goldendoodles. The dogs may have less hybrid vigor than the first-generation Goldendoodles. Coats vary from straight to soft-wavy and curly.
The following information will help you determine the most appropriate coat for your dog.
- Wavy Coat
If you're concerned about shedding, you'll want to opt for a multigenerational Goldendoodle. This variety's coat is characterized by a wavy pattern. In addition to being soft and luxurious, this breed also sheds very little, making them perfect for allergy sufferers or people who'd like less fur around the house.
This is the most common type of coat in multigenerational Goldendoodles and is called a "teddy bear" coat. This type of coat is low shedding but requires daily brushing. To maintain a wavy coat, brushing your Goldendoodle at least twice a week is recommended.
- Curly Coat
The coat type of multigenerational Goldendoodles can vary, depending on their parents and breeding setup. In general, wavy Goldendoodles have the highest chance of developing a curly coat. This coat is derived from Poodle genes. The curly coat and either be with loose curls or tight curls.
F1b Goldendoodles are the first generation and were backcrossed with a purebred Poodle. They are more likely to have a curly coat than any other generation and are generally hypoallergenic. The best thing about a curly coat is that it doesn't shed much and is perfect for people with allergies.
- Straight Coat
There are many different coat types in a Goldendoodle. Straight coat dogs resemble the Golden Retriever, while those with wavy coats resemble the Poodle. This coat type requires minimal grooming, but it can be difficult for people who have allergies to the fur.
DNA testing is available to determine whether your Goldendoodle has this coat type. It is also important to note that you can avoid this coat type through genetics. Straight Goldendoodle coat types are less common than other varieties. This coat is easier to maintain, but you will need regular brushing.
What is the Best Generation of Goldendoodle?
Multigenerational Goldendoodles are considered the best generation, as they have the best genetic combination. Breeders monitor registered dogs, and they carefully screen for any genetic illnesses. The best breeders have documented medical histories of their parents, as well as those of close relatives. This reduces the chance of developing certain diseases in a puppy.
The first generation of Goldendoodles is called the F1. These dogs have the highest level of shagginess. They resemble Poodles with their curly coats, which require daily brushing. The F2b generation of Goldendoodles shares the same percentage of golden retriever and Poodle DNA. They require moderate to high grooming. The F1B and F2 generations are the most popular.
The best Goldendoodle generations will be F1, F2, and F3. The F1 generation is a cross between a purebred Golden Retriever and Poodle. This is considered the "classic" Goldendoodle generation. DNA percentages will vary, but they will inherit a 50/50 split from their parents. If you're looking for a high-quality Goldendoodle, F2 is your best choice.
There are some definite differences between the first and the second generations of Goldendoodles. The first generation has a lower price tag and the most consistent look. First-generation Goldendoodles are easy to predict and have a great temperament. They also have more poodle genetics than later generations. If you're worried about allergies, a first-generation Goldendoodle is likely to be the best choice for you.
However, if you want a dog with the best personality and low shedding coat, it is best to choose multigenerational Goldendoodles. There are many benefits of choosing these dogs. They have the best appearance, the best personality, and a lower risk of developing certain health conditions. These dogs are more expensive than first-generation Goldendoodles.
Are Multigen Goldendoodles Better?
While multi-gen and F1 Goldendoodles have very different temperaments, there are some similarities. Multigen Goldendoodles are generally more fun-loving and may have a longer lifespan. But, as with any breed, you should know your Multigen Goldendoodle's health history and your own. That way, you'll be able to choose the best Goldendoodle for your home.
In Multigen Goldendoodles, all parents and grandparents are Goldendoodles. Multigen dogs have curly fur and are hypoallergenic. Most Goldendoodles are devoted and loving and are typically easy to train. And while the shedding of F1b puppies is not as severe, Multigen Goldendoodles are still susceptible to it.
The Multigen Goldendoodle has become a fashion designer dog. Only a few years old, it's already become a popular choice for many pet owners. The fun-loving temperament of the Goldendoodle is a winning combination. The Poodle genes impart a high level of intelligence and make it an easy-to-train dog. Multigen Goldendoodles are devoted to their owners and love the water.
So yes, multigenerational Goldendoodles are better as they have all the best set of features. With careful selection, you can get an ideal dog for your house. Make sure you choose a reputed breeder and check the health certificates of the dog. It will help you to get the best and most loving companion.
Some of My Favorite Products For Dog Owners
I hope this article has helped you just a bit in everyday life as a dog owner. Being a dog owner for more than 25 years, I've tried many different products with varying success, but these products below are some that I can highly recommend to every dog and their owner without hesitation!
These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. But it's products that I use daily myself, and I have the utmost praise for.
Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. But since 2015 when the company was founded, I've been using Ollie Petfood. With their product being tailor-made to suit every dog's specific needs, and as my dogs love the product, I'm pretty sure I've found a product I will continue to use for many years more. If you use my link you can get 50% off your first order.
Dog Training: If you've ever owned a puppy, you know that it requires a lot of training to grow into a well-behaved adult. Brain Training for Dogs has helped me immensely with the mental training part of raising a dog, and it's something I strongly recommend you consider.
Grooming: If you have a dog in your home, you're going to need a brush, and for this, I recommend a Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush. For that price, you simply can't beat this brush for everyday grooming.
If you're looking for the most up-to-date recommendations, check out my recommended products section that I've created to help every dog owner!


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Sermon text: Romans 8:12-17
All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. That line from Paul reminds me of my favorite part of the baptismal rite, as I apply olive oil on the child's brow in the shape of a cross and say, "You, child of God, have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever."
There is something profound about baptizing an infant, frankly about baptizing anyone, and saying those words. For in that moment the child is preaching to me, to us, a reminder that God claims us even when we've done absolutely nothing to try to earn that status. In that sacrament we first experience the power of being God's, of being claimed.
Paul tells us that not only are we claimed by God, we are adopted. God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, has become our legal guardian. We, like Jesus, can call out to God as Abba, Father, in prayer. We can rest secure knowing that a mothering God is brooding over us. Paul uses this legal term of adoption to let us know that we are officially on equal footing with Jesus the Son. We are heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ.
An heir is a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death. Think about the implications of what Paul is saying here. It's one thing to be adopted by your Great-Aunt Beatrice and upon her death you inherit a chest of costume jewelry, a Davenport that smells of mothballs, and seventeen cats. It's another thing entirely to be an heir of God. Should God happen to die does that mean the Kingdom of Heaven is ours? Do we each have a stake in the jeweled walls and the golden street of the new Jerusalem? What does it mean for us to inherit the Kingdom?
As heirs we are also incorporated into the flowing nature of the Holy Trinity, which we honor on this festival day. One of my favorite images of the mystical Trinity is a dance, that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are in constant connection and relation with each other like dance partners twirling around a room doing a holy waltz. The Trinity weaves itself together like the endless lines of a Celtic knot. As heirs we are invited to become part of this holy and fluid relationship, adopted into this family of the Triune God.
I've adopted animals four times in my adult life. Two cats and two dogs. The latest happened in the summer of 2015 with my dog Otto, who, at the time, was named Scooter. Following the early and tragic death of my first dog Wally, who died of lymphoma at the age of two and a half, I began walking dogs at the Somerset Humane Society. It was a good way to deal with the grief, I got some exercise, and I was happy to give the dogs my love and attention.
One day a new collection of dogs came into the Humane Society. A hoarder/breeder surrendered two adult males, four adult females, and 32 puppies from four separate litters. I was finished walking dogs at the Human Society on my day off and the staff, knowing my story, invited me to take a look at all the new puppies.
I have a picture saved of that first encounter. Twenty of these puppies were in side-by-side cages, the other twelve were a week older and held in another room. It was a rolling sea of fur and cuteness. But oh, the smell–this putrid mixture of food and urine and feces—it was rank in the summer heat, but it was easily overlooked because of the twenty adorable lab puppies. They were black, yellow, and red fox colored and they varied a little in size.
Most of the puppies were sleeping in big clumps of fur, but when I stood at the end of the cages one puppy had his eyes open, he saw me, stepped on the bodies and faces of his sleeping brothers and sisters, climbed over them, and came directly to me. He looked at me with his brown eyes, gave me a tail wag, a small cry, and mouthed my hand as I gave him a head rub. The connection was instant. The name on his collar said Scooter and I said, "That will have to change." And after a few moments together he went to chew on the ear of his cousin and I went to the front desk to reserve my new best friend.
Even though they call it animal adoption, it's really the animal who adopts you…or at least that's been my experience with all four of my pets. There's a lot of wisdom in that pithy animal paw bumper sticker that asks: Who rescued who? In that moment there is something so deeply powerful in the fact that you have been chosen, you have been claimed, and you had nothing to do with it. You only showed up. You were a passenger on this ride. It's a passive role. Otto chose me. He claimed me. I will be your dog and you will be by people.
If you have ever been chosen, if you have adopted, you know the power and emotion that comes from the experience. It's an amazing feeling. The very same thing happens to us when God the Father looks at us. We are adopted, we are chosen, claimed, and valued, simply for who we are.
How much different would the world be if we operated by the same principle? God looks at us and sees worth. We are cherished not for what we can do but for who we are. Can we use the very same lens? Can we welcome, adopt, and make a person a part of this family of God regardless of who they are? As a body of Christ, can we adopt into the family people who look, think, and identify differently than we do? Whether they are on welfare or have a trust fund, whether they are dark skinned or light skinned, whether they have a masters degree or a GED, whether they have a criminal past or a spotless record, whether they vote for conservatives or liberals…no matter who they love, no matter the gender they claim, no matter what year they were born in, no matter what home they live in or the place of their ancestry…who are our joint heirs with Christ? Can we love like God? Heck, can we even love like my dog? Simply for who a person is, for being present, for sharing the same air and the same space?
It can be a lifechanging experience to be chosen, and it is our story, it is our purpose, to let others know that God chooses them. If there is space for God to exist as Three in One and One in Three, then there is certainly space in the church for a few more siblings in Christ. There's always space for more heirs of the Kingdom. The church can be their forever home AMEN


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All these machines contain the boiler, a portafilter, and also the switch to on/off the pump so as to performan extraction. This may be the previous attribute which goes onto put the"semi" in a automatic if you'll. As one other attributes are automatic, you've got command over if the extraction starts and finishes. In addition, there are Semi Automatic Espresso Machines with the programmable dosages that allow an individual to schedule a extraction to prevent pole a specific duration of the moment; point.
These espresso machines typically incorporate the boiler, and a filter, and the ruler to activate and closed the pump in order to do a extraction. It is this ability to pull that continues on to make it the most semi-automatic machine.
What Is the Distinction Between a Brilliant AndThe Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines?
An important difference between these two machines istheirprice along with capabilities. Even the super-automatic machines, additionally called a fully automatic, include the programmable roles. Whereas, semi-automatic machines, might have a bit of limited automated attributes.
But small investigation onespresso and grinding or a coffee brewing is necessary when using a best manual espresso machines And of course, it is sti require to stuff coffee earth, and then connect a portafilter, commence the shooter, and eventually lather milk if required.
Closing Phrases
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