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Image: @tati_vk
For many of us lockdown and quarantine have become a time to reassess our habitual routines. We have gained a fresh perspective on shopping and fashion industry as a whole, with local manufacturers coming into the spotlight. With limited access to beauty salons, we have also gained a new outlook on such beauty treatments as manicures.
Without the access to long wear polishes and salon quality tools , it has become evident that beautiful nails are essentially healthy ones. Meanwhile, some of the techniques like E-file and multi-layered gel manicures are detrimental to nail growth and strength.
Here we will aim to address some of the most burning questions regarding nail care at home. Why purchasing a home nail kit with UV lights is not such a good idea? How to restore your nail plates after years of abrasive nail polish removers and lacquers? What natural products are best for nail care?
1/ Taking care of your nail health
Three of the most common reasons for brittle and thinning nails are vitamin and micronutrient deficiency, dehydration, and long wearing polish. To maintain good standards of nail health, it is recommended to consume sufficient amounts of calcium, chrome, zinc and biotin (vitamin B7). The latter can be found in abundance in foods like beef and pork liver as well as egg yolk, which explains the possible deficit of this vitamin among vegetarians and vegans.
Poor nail health can also be an indicator of general dehydration. But this can be easily solved by increasing your water consumption and taking more foods with high water content such as cucumbers, celery and watermelons.
But, more often than not, the reason for brittle nails is excessive use of high-tech manicure treatments and long wearing coats. Everything associated with these is questionable, from the gel polish itself, which contains toxic allergens and cancerogenic ingredients, to the UV light required for drying. Despite short-term use, scientists are concerned over its frequent application in manicures. UV-rays are considered mutagenic and are associated with an increased risk of skin cancer. On top of that, removal of such gel polishes required acetone-based products, which typically lead to nail plate thinning.
2/ Leave the cuticles alone
The thin film of skin at the base of our nails is there for a reason. It provides an essential protective barrier, preventing the penetration of bacteria, infection and fungus.
It is best to prioritise mechanical rather than electrical manicure appliances for this very reason. This involves moving the cuticle closer to the nail base with a special orange stick. To soften the skin around your nails and prevent burrs, make sure to regularly moisturise with oil.
3/ Maintain reasonable length
Nail length is not just a personal preference but also a matter of hygiene. Unfortunately, long nails are a draw for bacteria, even after washing your hands thoroughly with soap. The most reasonable solution is to keep them short or medium in length using nail clippers or a glass nail file.
Unlike their plastic or metal counterparts, glass files are more hygienic, long-lasting, and simply take good care of your nails. Make sure to file your nails in the same direction, from the edge towards the centre to avoid splitting.
4/ Give your nails a break
The idea of letting your nails breathe is nothing more than an old wives' tale. Nails obtain sufficient oxygen from the blood. However, giving your nails a break, with an occasional polish free period, is beneficial, especially if you are a frequent user of long wearing coats.
More damaging than the polish itself is the regular use of acetone removal products, filing of the coat and polishing. All of this increases nail sensitivity and leads to the loss of moisture in the cuticles. The safest solution would be to use natural coats and products containing moisturising ingredients. Even then, nails would require some time to restore, which would happen significantly faster if they are left to their own devices.
Our picks
HUM Nutrition
Killer Nails
A 6o day supply of biotin at 500 mcg per capsule strengthens the nails and prevents brittleness. The vegan formula does not contain salt, sugar, gluten, soy, artificial colourings, sweeteners or preservatives.
KIKI Health
MSM Flakes
A vegan food supplement, containing 100% methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), obtained from natural sulphur. Promotes collagen and cartilage production, which are fundamental for nail, hair and skin health.
Kure Bazaar
Nail Polish Remover
Kure Bazaar offer an all-natural nail polish remover, containing solvents of organic origin obtained from sugar cane, wheat sprouts and corn. Manufactured with musk rose and rose water.
Margaret Dabbs London
Crystal Nail File
Margaret Dabbs crystal nail file will gently shorten your nails without splitting them. An incredibly useful tool, which seals the nail edge to prevent water and dirt penetration. Expect stronger nails after a month of use.
Kure Bazaar
Organic Cuticle Oil
Argan, borage, hemp, sweet almond and rosa damascena infusion contained in this elixir restore the skin and noticeably moisturise the cuticles and nail plates. For best results, use daily before bed or throughout the day, as required.


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boredom's in the bathroom shaking out the loose teeth sally's in the stirrups claiming her destiny and nobody nowhere understands anything about me and all my dreams lost at sea jack it up judy set your heart alight mayfair mistress of the satellites misspent youth- faking up a rampage to hold off the real slaves paid off and staid and what you never knew can never get to you so fake it i'll be your stumbleine i'll be your super queen and make you jukebox fuckup hanging round the drugstore no matter what you say he'll be back for more mommy's in the manger with the little kids she's got her reasons, got my forgets of tears and idle threats misplaced and no matter what they do they can't get to you so fake it i'll be your stumbleine i'll be your super queen and make you me come around ruby i could never sleep alone
Fall 1994 - Sadlands (Billy's house) Aug 1995 - Village Recorder
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (buy ) The Aeroplane Flies High (buy ) Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (promo) Albanopumpkins - Mellon Collie and the Infinite Power Another 17 Seconds Billy's Home Demos Enter Adore Fallin' Out Of Sleep Five Night Stand MCIS Demos I MCIS Demos III Radio Love Transmission Secret Gig Tivoli Transmission total: 15 (4 on official releases, 11 boots)
Billy Corgan
Main | Songs & Releases | Music | The Band | News & Press | Tours | Online
copyright © 1999-2024 spfc.org Section corrections/submissions: email@example.com General site info/bugs: firstname.lastname@example.com / firstname.lastname@example.com Get updates on twitter / connect via facebook. Like the site? Order something from Amazon. spfc.org is in no way associated with or authorized by the smashing pumpkins, zwan, billy corgan, or any of their agents.

subset: commoncrawl


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There's a feeling that resonates through your body when you listen to a voice that is almost too pure and so fine it falls between your fingers. It is a feeling that snakes its way down your body from head to toe, shaking your spine and commanding your hairs to stand on edge. Odina stimulates that feeling.
Odina first release off her debut EP 'You Loved Me, You Killed Me' is so delicate it crumbles as you press play.
Odina possesses a voice in the same class as the likes of Lucy Rose and Gabrielle Aplin. She possesses that tool that could tame a lion, sooth a crying baby and bring a city to a standstill. Accompanied softly by her guitar and a gentle french horn Odina kills us with silk and softness. It melts as you turn up the volume. It dissolves as you play it again, and again.
[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/272557038″ params="auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450″ iframe="true" /]'You Loved Me, You Killed Me' is from her debut EP 'Broken' which includes a total of four tracks all equally enchanting. 'Broken' is out now! Get it on iTunes! Follow the artist on Facebook and her website!
- Bruno Major shares deeply sultry and emotive "There's Little Left" - October 7, 2016
- Goss – Waterfall - September 23, 2016
- Shhh – Shoegaze - September 23, 2016


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The realtor industry has given a huge head start to Zillow and the others, so it would take a herculean effort to build a new/better portal to squash them.
Here is what Greg has said about the features to expect on his realtor portal:
* A "secret sauce" differentiator that attracts homebuyers away from Zillow and other websites.
* Only listing agents will appear next to their listings.
*No online valuations – you can't value a home without seeing it.
* No FSBOs – only listed homes by licensed agents.
* No days-on-market disclosure – it hurts value perception.
* No price reduction disclosure – it hurts value perception.
* Managed by an elected committee of agents/brokers.
* Optimized to maximize lead flow for listing agents.
* Designed as the perfect website to sell homes faster.
To build a better portal than Zillow would require more transparency, not less. He wants to hide the days-on-market and price histories? Buyers would be slow to give up that information, and instead, click back over to Zillow.
I doubt his secret sauce will make up for the lack of transparency, and if the new portal doesn't have active and sold comps readily available, he might as well pack it up right now.
They are supposed to send out an email today regarding the pre-launch:
Tomorrow we begin the pre-launch phase of our crowdfunding campaign. This will provide the seed money we need to build an industry unification website designed to sell our listings instead of using our listings to take advantage of us. It will be the first ever nationally marketed home search portal owned and managed by America's real estate agents, a refreshing alternative to websites like Zillow that don't care about our industry or our clients (beyond how they can profit from us).
This crowdfunding prelaunch is only being shared with a select few. It is being provided to you because you have volunteered to help as part of our leadership team. The main launch to the public will not take place until September 19th.
Only five more days to the main launch!


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On 22 March there was a joint meeting of the Business20 (B20) taskforces and cross-thematic working groups at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) headquarters in Paris. The Alliance was represented on this occasion by its director general, Charles Gould, and its director of Policy, Rodrigo Gouveia. The co-operative delegation also consisted, representing the co-operative and mutual insurance sector, of Shaun Tarbuck, chief executive of ICMIF and Teresa Rasmussen, president of Thrivent Financial. The purpose of the meeting was to finalise and approve the recommendations that the B20 will send to the heads of state and government of G20 countries ahead of their annual meeting.
During this year's German presidency, co-operative representatives were very active in all the taskforces and working groups presenting views and examples from the co-operative movement. As a highlight, the Alliance president, Monique F. Leroux, co-chaired the Cross-Thematic Group on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME). As a result, the final policy papers, that provide recommendations to G20 governments, contain several references to co-operatives.
Among those, the policy paper on SMEs, which says that "SMEs might also help each other by combining their market power in a jointly-owned and jointly-managed structure, such as a co-operative. Common-owned structures like co-operatives might allow SMEs to maintain their independence and identity while delegating certain business functions (e.g. sourcing, marketing) to a larger entity that can negotiate better market conditions through the power of the collective. When formulating public policies for the development of SMEs, G20 governments should take into consideration the specificities of these structures and adapt regulations accordingly, that allow them to be established and to develop".
Similarly, on the Employment and Education policy paper, the B20 says that "G20 governments should promote entrepreneurship as a way to boost self-employment by reducing administrative burdens related to the creation of business, and by promoting a diversity of business models, including cooperatives and other social economy enterprises. These allow people to mutualise risks, offering a good alternative for women, youth and other disadvantaged groups to access entrepreneurship.
These examples illustrate that the International Co-operative Alliance has managed to increase the profile of co-operatives in global policy-making influence groups thanks to the committed and very active participation of its staff and members.


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Noyce Scholar Profile
Shane Carey
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Physics
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: 8th Grade Integrated and 9th Grade Physical Science
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Master Teaching Fellow
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Arkansas
Current academic or teaching status:
1 year teaching public school
School and school district:
1 year internship during MAT program
I grew up in a household with a mother who was/is a teacher. I saw the good things that she was/is able to do to make a difference in students' lives, and therefore became interested in teaching. The physics portion of my educational background stemmed from my interest in forces, acceleration, torque, etc that I began studying on my own to apply to the race cars I build before returning to college to formally study physics.
Why do you want to teach:
To have a positive impact on students' lives and learning, and to have a career as opposed to just having a job.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
My most memorable experience so far came when one of my 8th grade students who was really shy around his peers stayed after class one afternoon to tell me thank you for making their lessons so interactive and hands on because it makes learning science much easier for him and other students who have very limited English language proficiency.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program was huge in allowing me to get through the MAT program at the University of Arkansas. The MAT program has a required internship that I would not have been able to complete without the Noyce program. When I went through the MAT program I was 29 years old, I had bills to pay, and various other responsibilities that many college students (at younger ages) do not have to worry about. Without the Noyce program I would still be pursuing alternative teacher licensing avenues, and would not have had the wonderful experiences that I had in the MAT program.


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Download Free Print-Only PDF OR Purchase Interactive PDF Version of this Form
Report Of Earnings Form. This is a Official Federal Forms form and can be use in US Dept Of Labor.
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Tags: Report Of Earnings, LS-200, Official Federal Forms US Dept Of Labor,
Report of Earnings (Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, as Extended) U.S. Department of Labor Office of Workers' Compensation Programs www.dol.gov/owcp/dlhwc/index.htm OMB No.: 1240-0014 Instructions to Employee: You are required to complete and sign this form and return it to the employer/ insurance carrier/ special fund listed in item 4 within 30 days after receipt even if you have no earnings to report. (20 CFR 702.286) See page 2 for definition of "Earnings" and additional instructions. Loss of compensation benefits may result if this form is not completed and filed in accordance with instructions. 1. last name line1 line2 city st country United States 4. Name of Employer/Insurance Carrier/ Special Fund zip first mi. Name and Address of Employee (Type or print) 3. Carrier's No. 2. OWCP No. 5. Address of Employer/ Insurance Carrier/ Special Fund line1 line2 city st zip 6. Period for which earnings from employment or selfemployment must be reported From To 7. Have you had any earnings from employment or self-employment during the period shown in item 6? (See page 2 for definition of "earnings") Yes No 8. Complete the following if you had earnings from employment during the period shown in item 6. Periods of Employment Name and Address of Employer To From name city st name city st name city st zip zip zip Amount Earned 9. Complete the following if you had earnings from self-employment during the period shown in item 6. Type of Business or Service Dates Performed From To Gross Revenue Received Profits or Net Earnings Received 10. I certify that the above information I have provided is true, complete and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. Signature Print Name IMPORTANT NOTICE Section 31 (a)(1) of the Longshore Act, 33 U.S.C. 931 (a)(1), provides as follows: Any claimant or representative of a claimant who knowingly and willfully makes a false statement or representation for the purpose of obtaining a benefit or payment under this Act shall be guilty of a felony, and conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $10.000, by imprisonment not to exceed five years, or both. Form LS-200 Rev. April 2009 Telephone No. Date American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com INSTRUCTIONS TO EMPLOYEE You are required to report on this form all earnings from employment or self- employment earned during the period specified on page 1 of this form (20 CFR 702.286). An employee who fails to report his/her earnings when requested or knowingly and willfully omits or understates any part of such earnings may forfeit his/her right to compensation with respect to any period during which this report is required. Compensation forfeited, if already paid, shall be deducted from any future compensation which may be due in accordance with a schedule determined by the District Director of the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation, having jurisdiction in the case. (33 U.S.C. 908(j). Earnings are defined as all monies received from any employment and includes but is not limited to wages, salaries, tips, sales commissions, fees for services provided, piecework and all revenue received from self- employment even if the business or enterprise operated at a loss or if the profits were reinvested. An employer, insurance carrier, or the Director of the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation (for those cases being paid from the Special Fund) may require an employee to file this report semiannually. The information provided will be used to determine entitlement to benefits. Persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. FAILURE TO GIVE WRITTEN NOTICE MAY RESULT IN SOME LOSS OF BENEFITS. PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT Privacy Act of 1974 as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a), section 901 of Title 33 to the US Code and 20 CFR 702.285 authorizes collection of this information. The purpose of this information is to determine eligibility for the amount of benefits payable under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA). Completion of this form is not mandatory; however, failure to provide the information may result in the loss of compensation benefits. Additional disclosures of this information may be to: (1) the employer which employed the claimant at the time of injury, or to the insurance carrier or other entity which secured the employer's compensation liability. (2) Physicians and other medical service providers for use in providing treatment or medical/vocational rehabilitation, making evaluations and for other purposes relating to the medical management of the claim. (3) the Department of Labor's Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ), or other person, board or organization, which is authorized or required to render decisions with respect to the claim or other matter arising in connection with the claim. (4) Federal, state and local agencies for law enforcement purposes, to obtain information relevant to a decision under the LHWCA to determine whether benefits are being and have been paid properly, and where appropriate, to pursue salary/administrative offset and debt collection actions required or permitted by law. (5) Failure to disclose all requested information may delay the processing of the claim, the payment of benefits, or may result in an unfavorable decision or reduced level of benefits. Public Burden Statement According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 10 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Use of this form is optional, however furnishing the information is required in order to obtain and/ or retain benefits. (20 CFR 702.285). Send comments regarding the burden estimated or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room C-4315, Washington, D.C. 20210 and reference the OMB Control number. American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com


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The witches tarot-nine of pentacles
The Witches Tarot- Nine of Pentacles, depicts a very vivacious garden witch, happily standing under an arbor containing five petaled yellow flowers, with golden pentacles in the center. She is dressed in earthly colors and wears a necklace of nine green tourmaline stones. Nine is the number of the card, and green tourmaline is the complimentary stone of the herbalist and the magic gardener. Above her head, on the Arbor is a Falcon who is her animal companion. The Falcon represents focus, intuition, inspiration and confidence.
- This tarot card represents a person who is elegant ,successful and happiest when surrounded by the beauty of nature.
- It symbolizes a witch who taps into the earth for her powers.
- Sharing the secrets of her magic garden with others.
Thoth-9 of disks-Gain
The Thoth card- 9 of Disks, represents gain on all levels that are physical and that influence the physical; emotional gain, spiritual gain, mental gain and physical gain.
The 9 of Disks suggests hitting the mark. A bull's eye card, that shows you are financially right on the mark because your heart mind and soul are in union. In other words, you are passionately focused and have enabled gain on all levels of performance.
- Astrologically, this is Venus in Virgo. Venus is beauty, love, and creative power while Virgo represents balance, order and organization. Together, the meaning is your heart and mind are in this passionately and beautifully (beauty is balanced symmetry). The results are gain on all levels. On this card the blue circle symbolizes wisdom linked with our loving nature, (the pink circle), in a creative way (which is the green circle). This card also shows us that by utilizing our dynamic creative male energy (shown as the top coins with the planetary signs of Saturn, Mars, and Jupiter) we shall experience such gain.
- Saturn is the sign of the helmeted warrior who knows what his limits and boundaries are and paying attention to detail;
- The feathered cap symbol of Mars indicates that energy, vitality and assertion are a vital part of gain.
- Jupiter, the King, reminds us that flexibility, being open to opportunity that expands our leadership skills that are also needed to experience gain. But this is only half of gain, to be complete we need the feminine power of Maid, Mother and Crone, which are represented by the lower three coins.
- The Maid is the youthful bare headed feminine figure that is the power of Venus and reminds us that to follow our heart.
- The coin with the Feminine figure that has a Queen's hat (Mother) is Mercury, and reminds us that communication skills and nurturing leadership skills are needed to experience gain.
- The feminine figure with a crescent moon for a hat, is the Crone, reminding us that change and transformation, keep gain constant and that we must be true to ourselves and to be authentic in our actions.
The Moon also symbolizes both the outer world and the inner world showing a balance of inner (heart) and physical action that will help us experience gain. The Thoth Deck Nine of Disks (Pentacles in Golden Dawn and Ryder-Waite decks) is called, Lord of Material Gain, or Gain for short.
The Planet is Venus and Virgo is the sign. Angels of the Decan are: Hazayel and Aldiah. This card is Yesod in Assiah and/or the influence of Yesod in the Material World. Yesod, meaning foundation, in the material world this influence is very favorable for amassing things, but with Venus in Virgo, there is a lack of overt feelings accompanying this great efficiency.
This efficient amassing of material things, is shown by the design complexity of Crowley's 9 of Disks. As he states in his book of Thoth, "The Disks are arranged as an equilateral triangle of three, apex upwards, close together; and surrounded at some distance by a ring, six larger disks in the form of a hexagram. This signifies the multiplication of the original established Word by the mingling of 'good luck and management'." Which says it all for this card.
When the 9 of Disks/Pentacles-Gain, is thrown during a reading it implies:
- Inheritance and/or material gain, sometimes within 9 weeks or 9 months or the querent is experiencing it now for those time periods.
- A certain amount of Integrity, skill and talent has produced material gain and a sense of accomplishment.
- This is a purely material gain card, where talent and skill has come together in either a beginning stage of material gain or a good flowing gain on into wealth.
- That within the next 9 weeks or 9 months there is physical gain shown by organizing things and following your heart.
- You are to be dynamically assertive (electric male force) and magnetically receptive (female force) which is following your heart and what has deep meaning to you.
When ill defined by the surrounding cards in a reading, it implies:
- Avarice.
- Deception.
- Empty plans.
Thank you for your interest, comments and supportive donations. May you live long and prosper.


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With the ousting of the Spanish in the eighteenth century, the history of Latinos living in Georgia remains largely unrecorded from 1742 until modern times. The history of relations between Georgia and Latin America is better documented. Certainly, the presence of the plantation system and the heavy reliance on slave labor created strong trading ties between Georgia port cities and many Caribbean islands, including Cuba and Hispaniola. It is estimated that between 1755 and 1767 more than 60 percent of the slaves brought into Savannah harbor were from the Caribbean.
There is also a strong Georgian thread throughout the history of the Spanish-American War. When the United States declared war on Spain on April 20, 1898, many Americans saw the war as an opportunity to claim the territories of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines from the Spanish. Many Georgians, however, were opposed to annexation. Most outspoken among them was the U.S. Senator from Georgia, Augustus Octavius Bacon. Bacon called the U.S. occupation of Cuba unnecessary, extravagant, wasteful, and illegal, and he introduced legislation to block its annexation. When Cubans were allowed to decide for themselves whether or not to be annexed, the annexation effort was resoundingly defeated.
Half a century later, when Fidel Castro took control of Cuba in 1959, many Cubans fled to Atlanta. Like Miami, Atlanta was a prime relocation site because there were many strong historical and social ties between Georgia's capital and Havana. Since the turn of the twentieth century, the Atlanta business elite had frequented Cuba as a vacation destination, and many of the Cuban upper class educated their children in Atlanta schools, particularly the Georgia Military Academy, Georgia Tech, and Emory University. In fact, one of the first institutions in Georgia organized around Latino culture was the Latin Americans Club established by Cuban Georgia Tech students in 1948. It was the forerunner of a variety of Latino cultural organizations that would eventually spring up in Atlanta, such as the Latin American Association and the Mexican Center of Atlanta.
Cubans have regularly migrated between Atlanta and Havana since 1920. When former students were displaced as a result of the Cuban Revolution, Atlanta, like Miami, became a logical refuge. Migration from Cuba to Atlanta accelerated in the sixties, with as many as 2,500 Cubans (mostly upper-class whites) eventually settling in the Atlanta area by 1980. For many Atlanta was a secondary destination, after living for some time in Miami.
Among the new settlers fleeing first to Miami and then to Atlanta was Robert Goizueta. Born in Havana, Goizueta was educated at elite institutions in the United States, including Yale University. After returning to Cuba, he answered a newspaper advertisement for a chemical engineer at the Coca-Cola Company. Goizueta moved up the ranks in the company, first in Havana, then in Miami and the Caribbean, and eventually in Atlanta, where he was elected chairman and chief executive officer in 1981. He is largely credited for the marked success of the company in the eighties, its positioning as the worldwide soft drink giant, and for his philanthropic contributions to education. In 1994 Emory University renamed its business school in his honor.
Other former Cuban residents now living in Georgia have also prospered, and many have used their wealth to support anti-Castro movements and activities. Elena Diaz-Verson Amos, a former Cuban resident who moved to Columbus, Georgia in 1955, is prominent among them. Married to AFLAC insurance mogul John Amos, she used her considerable financial resources to advocate for human-
itarian causes in Cuba. She also financed the smuggling of Cuban dissidents out of the country, including Alina Fernandez Revuelta, the illegitimate daughter and outspoken critic of Castro. Fernandez and her daughters lived with Amos in Georgia for several years before moving to Miami.
In the early 1980s, Amos lobbied the Department of Defense to move the School of the Americas (SOA) from Panama to Fort Benning (near Columbus). The SOA is a U.S. Army-operated training center for Latin American military and law enforcement personnel. Training is conducted in Spanish. In 1984 the SOA was moved to Fort Benning, and Amos is credited with being instrumental in this move.
Amos's involvement with SOA has lent an air of notoriety to her biography. Almost from its inception, the SOA has been controversial. Many detractors argue that the school is a training ground for state terrorism and that students are trained in torture and other human rights abuses. Certainly, long lists of Latin American dictators, including Manuel Noriega, were trained at the SOA. In response to these charges, Congress voted to withdraw its authority for the SOA in 2000. In 2001, the school reopened as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), and WHINSEC now requires students to take courses in human rights along with their other curriculum. Despite these changes, the governments of Argentina, Venezuela, and Uruguay have recently established official policies to cut ties with WHINSEC.
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About Us
Point Break Pool and Spa Inc. is a Buxton based company that has been serving the rental homes and residents on Hatteras Island since 2000. The owners of the company have some 30 years combined experience in the pool and spa industry. We only use top of the line Bioguard® brand chemicals to keep your water sparkling clean. All of our technicians are certified and are seasoned veterans. No "new guys" here. If you are tired of dealing with inexperienced and unresponsive pool cleaners then give Point Break a call. We're the one stop shop! No job is too big or too small. We know that your pool and spa are the most valuable amenities at your property. Our shop is centrally located in Buxton which allows us to cover the Island efficiently.


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June 21, 2021
First things first. Let me define what 'grief trigger' means.
A grief trigger is basically anything that sparks memories of a loss.
It's not uncommon to think of birthdays, anniversaries, the holiday season, or special events as triggers for grief. What may not be as obvious, however, are the seemingly insignificant situations in life that can also trigger a grief response.
For instance, I'm reminded of a Sunday drive in my car several months ago. As I approached a stop sign, I noticed the intersection of the street I was driving on and the cross street, Patricia Lane. My mom's name is Patricia. Yikes! Instantly, tears welled up in my eyes and for a few minutes, I had to pull over and weep as memories of her came flooding to my mind. Most recently on a walk through my neighborhood, I observed a black Harley Davidson motorcycle making its way towards me. I immediately felt sadness rush in as I recalled times my dad enjoyed traveling around the country on his bike. Grief triggers.
The tricky thing about grief triggers is their ability to create almost instantaneous feelings of longing, sadness, guilt, regret, or loneliness. Further, some grieving persons experience waves of anxiety as memories come forward. And unfortunately, due to the unpredictable nature of the not-so-obvious triggers, it's nearly impossible to avoid them all.
That's where decompression comes in.
Please know there are a host of strategies you could use to settle yourself, and it's important to take stock of ones that are most helpful for you. Here, I'll share five practices that have helped me manage my own triggers.
While you can't control the timing of the triggers, you can take small steps to manage their aftermath.
I'd love to know what you discover.
Share your thoughts below.
Head over to my Facebook page to chat more and interact beyond the blog: https://www.facebook.com/DrMekel. I'm also on Instagram too: https:www.instagram.com/drmekel
Learn more about managing your lifestyle, love, leadership, and loyalties to God, self, and others by clicking here: https://mekelharrisphd.com/.


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After the US DOT said in April that COVID-19 was not a valid excuse to steal money from your customers and then said in May that changing the rules for previously purchased tickets was an unfair and deceptive practice, most airlines around the world came into compliance.
Some, like El Al, only refunded money to passengers that complained about them to the DoT, while others like United decided to revert their policies back to what they were and offer refunds to everyone who asked.
And then there's the crooks to our north, also known as Air Canada. The Canadian government has long limited outside competition to Canada to protect their flag carrier. Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar have long been frustrated by Canada's protectionist policies.
But make no mistake, Canada isn't protecting Canadians, they're protecting Air Canada. Protectionist policies raise prices. But worse than that, the Canada Transportation Agency ruled that Canadian airlines did not have to refund passengers holding tickets on flights that Air Canada cancelled. No other transportation agency in the world decided to shaft consumers like that. That's money out of Canadian citizens pockets when many need it the most.
But what about people with US flights?
The US, Europe, Israel, and other aviation regions have consumer protection aviation rules that apply to any airlines flying there.
In May, Air Canada wrote to people who filed DOT complaints that they are in compliance with US law, without explaining how they are in compliance.
Now, Air Canada has issued this response to a formal US DOT complaint from a Canadian citizen that was flying from Montreal to Chicago.
In it, they admit that they used to provide refunds for cancelled flights, but that they did so out of goodwill, not because their contract of carriage required them to do so. As of March 19th they removed their goodwill policy, so they didn't actually change the official policy after the ticket purchase.
Air Canada says that as the purchaser lives in Bermuda and bought his ticket in Canadian dollars, that this case is beyond the DOT's purview and rules. In essence they say that they are in compliance with Canadian rules, so the DOT should mind their own business and stay south of the border.
But Air Canada's biggest claim is that the DOT's COVID-19 guidance and enforcement notice aren't actually enforceable, as it's only guidance and not actual law.
If the DOT lets Air Canada get away with this, it may create a precedent that non-US airlines don't need to abide by DOT rules. It may also have an effect on airlines around the world complying with local regulations.
If you're stuck with a cancelled Air Canada flight, you should file a DOT complaint, just don't expect positive results. You can still file a credit card dispute and you can take Air Canada to small claims court.
But going forward, know that if Air Canada cancels your flight that they will just keep your money. It's the same reason I've heard from many travel agents that are now refusing to book their clients on El Al. Be sure to let companies behaving badly know that there are consequences for their actions. Vote with your wallet and give your business to airlines that are honest and will provide a refund if they cancel your flight.
Do you think the DOT will stand up to Air Canada with enforcement action or will they allow them to refuse refunds on cancelled flights?


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We don't recommend covering pores with makeup as a long-term solution.
Makeup will often enlarge the pores further and if the makeup is not thoroughly removed this can have an adverse effect. We highly recommend you try these treatments and these products to actively target large pores, if it is a skin concern of yours.
Once you have a thorough skincare regime in place, primers are the best thing to smooth the surface of the skin in preparation for makeup.
Primer will visibly reduce the shine and minimise the appearance of pores. It is always important to use a primer that suits your skin i.e. liquid primers are ideal for drier skin types and a thicker gel like primer for oily skin.
Jane Iredale, Smooth Affair, Facial Primer & Brightener, $78
Jane Iredale, Smooth Affair, Facial Primer & Brightener is packed with a number of anti-ageing properties that nourish your skin. This is the perfect primer for those who need a boost of hydration.
This particular primer will increase the skin's luminosity whilst minimising the appearance of pores. The Jane Iredale, Smooth Affair, Facial Primer & Brightener will give you a flawless, long wearing finish when applied before your foundation.
Jane Iredale, Smooth Affair, for Oily Skin, $78
As you may have discovered from the name of the product this is a go-to for anyone that has oily skin.
This primer assist with oil control and will work to visibly reduce the appearance of pores and diminish shine to create a photo finish matte look. The Smooth Affair for Oily Skin contains the revolutionary "PoreAway ™" technology, with technology like that how could you not?
Jane Iredale products in general are beneficial for those who have large pores. It is free from parabens, phenoxyethanol and is low allergenic. In essence, it will not block the pores, and it allows the skin to breathe naturally. More info on the Jane Iredale range can be found here.
Another great product available from our Bondi Beach clinic is the…
Curtis Collection By Victoria, Skin refining Face Primer, $49
Ideal for normal to oily skin types it contains dermat complex a natural bark extract used for its ethno-medicinal properties reducing pore size and shine.
Remember, clinic treatments and the right home care range is essential to target all skin concerns including enlarged pores. Over the counter products purchased at pharmacies or retail stores can and will do more harm than good.
Make time for a thorough consultation with our dermal professionals and we will have your pores looking minimised and functioning correctly.
For a, thorough skin consultation or a colour matching session with an experienced team member:
Call: 02 8897 0000
Email: [email protected]


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Conditions for struggling major Taiwanese carriers have become more uncertain this week, as it has been confirmed that two Taiwanese airline crews have contracted COVID-19 from an unknown source.
Taiwan's Deputy Transport Minister, Wang Kwo-tsai, confirmed that two pilots flying China Airlines' Boeing 747 freighter aircraft had been infected by the disease. It remains unclear whether they were flying the same aircraft or separately.
Many Taiwanese experts have also expressed grave concerns over the risks that airline crews pose to Taiwan's strong measures in tackling the virus. In essence they create a loophole in the strict new travel and quarantine measures, put in place by the Taiwanese Government last week.
During a question time at the Taiwanese Legislative Assembly, Wang confirmed the reports and noted that the recent travel histories of the pilots are currently under urgent investigation by the Taiwanese Civil Aeronautics Administration. He emphasised that China Airlines, the flag carrier of Taiwan, is attempting to establish the potential source of the infections and will present tracking analysis to the authorities as soon as possible.
Wang also noted that standard operation protocols are in place for all Taiwanese pilots, they are prohibited from leaving their hotels when overseas. He said the government will adjust its travel policies based on the results of the investigation.
When questioned by another Taiwanese legislator about reports that a flight attendant from Taiwan's second major carrier, EVA Air, may also have contracted the COVID-19, Wang commented that he was not aware of such a situation; he stated that he would contact the Central Epidemic Command Centre for clarification on the matter. EVA Air has declined to comment on the matter to Taiwanese media outlets.


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The American Government's Declining Investment in Children at the Atlantic (with the subtitle "Federal spending is falling precisely as the racial diversity of the country's youngest cohorts is rising") is the must-read article of the day.
And here's a comment on the article's subtitle and message that we also all need to remember:
Of course it is. These things have always been directly correlated. https://t.co/TpAJtbutp3
— Ida Bae Wells (@nhannahjones) July 26, 2018


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Jul 31 2020 05:13 AM
Hello everyone
I hope that you can offer support. When uploading a word booklet file that contains text boxes, pictures and text the alignment changes and titles move onto next page which is making the booklet hard to follow.
Can anyone advise please why this is happening and how we can avoid it.,
Thanks in advance


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First, let me say that taco salad is a very good thing: nicely seasoned beef and corn chips with lettuce, topped with diced tomato, scallions, onion, sour cream, and – really – just about whatever else you fancy.
Then, allow me to posit: how much better could said salad be when you season your beef with your own, home made stuff, and also make your own seasoned corn chips?
Much better, as it turns out, and really, not too much bother to make, at all.
You'll recall that Friday's Parfait! post was Tante Marie's French Dressing; which just so happens to take the place of the bottled 'Catalina' French dressing in this recipe, which means you've already saved yourself a bunch of sugar, a fair amount of sodium, and all of the corn sweeteners – so this salad has already gotten off to a good start! Let's get to work on the rest…
•1 lb ground beef
•1/2 cup French dressing
•2 tbsp chili powder*
•1 tsp Cajun Power Spicy Garlic Pepper Sauce (or 1/2 tsp of your favorite hot sauce)
•Torn iceberg lettuce
•Ranch spiced corn chips (see below)
•Shredded Mexican cheese blend
•Diced sweet onion
•Diced tomato
*Chili Powder Blend:
•2 tsp paprika
•1 tsp Cayenne
•2 tsp oregano
•1 tsp parsley
•2 tbsp garlic powder
•1 tsp cumin
•2 tsp Colman's dry mustard
Ranch Spiced Tortilla Chips:
•Corn tortillas, cut into 8ths
•Cooking oil
•Ranch dressing mix
Heat oven to 350º.
Cut the tortillas in 8ths and arrange on a foil lined baking pan. Note: I've done these chips two ways, one with a rack inserted into the pan and one without, and they seem to come out a little crispier without the rack.
Brush with olive oil, then sprinkle with ranch dressing mix.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or so, until the chips are lightly browned and nicely crispy.
Remove from the oven and set aside while you cook the beef.
Brown the beef in a large skillet, then drain and stir in the French dressing and chili powder.
Arrange the chopped lettuce on a platter or in individual shallow salad bowls, then top with some of the crumbled chips and and the cooked, seasoned beef.
Add other toppings as you like, I went with chopped tomatoes, diced sweet onion, sliced scallion, a bit of cheese, and a dollop of sour cream on top.
The only downside I will say to making this salad is that the home made corn chips need to be fresh. In my experience, while they are quite nice the day you make them… the next day? Not so much; so only make as much as you think you'll use at one sitting. Fortunately, they're pretty simple to toss together, so making them fresh isn't really a bother.


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New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 6 Department of Environmental Conservation
Chapter III Air Resources
Subchapter A. Prevention and Control of Air Contamination and Air Pollution
Part 231 New Source Review for New and Modified Facilities
Subpart 231-7 New Major Facilities and Modifications to Existing Non-major Facilities in Attainment Areas (Prevention of Significant Deterioration)
6 CRR-NY III A 231-7 Notes
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s 231-7.2 Pre-application analysis.
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s 231-7.4 General requirements.
s 231-7.5 Permit content and terms of issuance.
s 231-7.6 Best available control technology (BACT).


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Permit the brilliance and sexiness of a casino determine the ambiance for your special evening. This captivating arrangement will be appetizing for everyone regardless if you have been to a casino are a gaming aficionado or not. A couple of uncomplicated actions could conclude in table games and accents for all to enjoy.
Deliver invitations in the shape of a heart, a diamond, a spade or a club. When dressing up your event space, uncomplicated adornments can do far more then you expect. Pick up dice and poker chips from your dollar store. Toss a green tablecloth on top of your table and basically toss the dice and chips on the table.
You might not be able to bring the neon signs of Vegas to your recreational room, but envision what you could do. A couple of tinted light bulbs, such as red, can adjust the feel of the entire room. A made-to-order signboard with for instance your name changed into casino can be amusing also.
Gambling den theme games can go from the old standards such as chemin de fer and poker to other games as exciting as a loaned roulette wheel. Bingo can always be a group favorite for sure.
Gambling hall night can be a wonderful way to celebrate many occasions.


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Editor's note: This is part of a series of profiles for fall 2017 commencement. See more graduates here.
Antonio Joan, a recent graduate from Arizona State University with a degree in political science, is far from your average student.
Joan originally went to college to study industrial engineering in Spain before withdrawing due to medical issues in his family. He aided his father with the family business, which involved logistics and transport, before being able to return to school.
However, Joan found that he didn't wish to pursue a career in industrial engineering, and after discussing what he wanted to study with friends, he decided on political science. Having studied abroad in his high school years, Joan knew he wanted to study again in the United States, so he began searching online for universities.
"One day I was looking for universities and sending applications. You know that these websites once you start to look for something start to send you banners. So one day I saw one banner from ASU."
After receiving an acceptance from ASU, Joan decided to move to the southwest for school. Once he arrived, he found that ASU was very different from what he had expected.
"My very first impression was that ASU, despite being in the West of the U.S., is very well connected to the world. It took me just a couple days of walking around campus to see students from everywhere."
Since coming to ASU, Joan has found political science to be his passion.
"I realized in my first week [at ASU] that this is the place. I'm on the right track. All of my classes have been really interesting."
While attending classes, Joan learned about the Capital Scholars program offered by the School of Politics and Global Studies. Thinking it would be a good opportunity to get ahead in his professional development, Joan applied and was accepted into the program.
Once in Washington, D.C., he worked for the National Defense University as a research assistant. There he used his two passions, policy and energy, to immediately get to work.
Joan remarked that not only was the experience incredibly rewarding, but that it also gave him many opportunities to explore, network, and grow. He remarked that networking with people in government that wanted to see students like him develop and flourish was amazing.
"[We] didn't want to go home."
Joan had some advice to offer those interested in enrolling in the program: "Do not assume you know everything. The world is much bigger and (more) complex than we think; therefore, any piece of information is a little treasure."
Wishing to further his education, Joan is looking for programs that link his interests of foreign policy and energy. It's a combination he wouldn't even have considered until he received mentorship within the Capital Scholars program.
"[ASU] is a vibrant place. It is a place that is growing. It hasn't reached its full potential so it's [rewarding] being a part of that. I will be a Sun Devil for the rest of my life."
More Sun Devil community
Tempe Open Door concludes monthlong series of 2024 events
Arizona State University's Tempe campus took on an intimate and inviting atmosphere on Saturday, as it opened its physical and…
Founders' Day: A celebration of ASU's past, present and future
A Marine, a leader in carbon emissions technology and a disability advocate had one thing in common on Wednesday night. They…
Rooting for the underdog
Editor's note: Arizona State University alumni are making a difference in every corner and community of the world, positively…


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Good lord, it's a Liberty Walk Toyota Prius
Nope, your eyes do not deceive you. The grainy renders above have come in from a little known Japanese tuning house called Liberty Walk. You may have heard of them.
Of course, Liberty Walk aren't everybody's cup of English Breakfast tea. They're disruptors – who can forget the wide-body Ford Mustang and the Daihatsu Copen/Nissan GT-R mash-up thing.
However, their preserve is usually the high-end stuff – boss Mr. Wataru Kato isn't afraid to chop up the most exotic of supercars – so this Toyota Prius is a departure from the norm, right?
Well, no. As crazy as it might seem, this isn't even Liberty Walk's first crack at the Prius. The pre-facelift and third-generation models were also given the LB Nation treatment.
This time things are about to get properly low, but in all honesty we're a little disappointed with the lack of riveted wheel arches. The body kit does include a front and rear bumper re-design though, as well as a rear spoiler and side skirts.
There's not much else for us to add right now, and it's for you to decide what you think. Although we can tell you that the full kit, including the alloy wheels, will cost $5,070, or just under £4,000.
We can feel that five-star Uber rating coming on already.


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On Thursday, India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) announced that the Nag anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), intended for use in the four-kilometer range, has successfully completed its final trial and is now ready for deployment to the frontline.
"India today successfully carried out the final trial of the DRDO-developed Nag anti-tank guided missile with a warhead. The test was carried out at 6.45 am at the Pokhran field firing ranges in Rajasthan," Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) officials told ANI.
The missile was integrated with an actual warhead and a tank target was kept at some distance, the Defense Research and Development Organization or DRDO said. The dummy tanks armor was hit accurately by the missile, reported NDTV.
India today successfully carried out the final trial of the DRDO-developed Nag anti-tank guided missile with a warhead. The test was carried out at 6:45 am at the Pokhran field firing ranges in Rajasthan.
— ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2020
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO and the Indian Army for the successful trial of the Nag missile, NDTV reported.
India now well-equipped against enemy threats
In response to continuing skirmishes with its neighbors China and Pakistan along the disputed borders, the DRDO has been actively testing domestic missile technologies in an effort to reduce its reliance on foreign defense equipment suppliers.
The third-generation ATGM, equipped with an imaging infrared seeker and integrated with a warhead, has, over several years, completed 10 trial launches, each of them declared successful. The missiles are now slated for production by the state-owned manufacturer Bharat Dynamics and subsequent deployment.
Read more: Indian military actions in Kashmir: Can a war be ruled out?
The test of the Nag missile is the latest in a string of trials performed by the DRDO in the past month. The agency had earlier tested the supersonic surface-to-surface strategic missile Shaurya, as well as the Nirbhay cruise missile.
Before the success of the Nag, India had long lacked credible anti-tank weapons and was forced to purchase them from overseas partners. Last year, when tensions with Pakistan flared up, it made an emergency purchase of around 200 spike anti-tank missiles from Israel, all of them immediately deployed along the so-called Line of Control in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir to bolster defense against Pakistan.
Final user trial of 3rd generation Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) NAG was carried out today on 22 Oct 2020 at 0645 hrs from Pokhran range. The missile was integrated with the actual warhead and a tank target was kept at designated range. pic.twitter.com/GZ4oJWyNWs
— DRDO (@DRDO_India) October 22, 2020
Read more: Don't misuse military for politics: Ex Indian Navy Chief
The Nag missile system will be inducted in the Indian army and will extent India's range from 4 km to 7 km. While, previously it had to import missiles from Israel and US with a 4 km range. India, till now, has been using second generation Milan 2T and Konkur ATGMs. However, with this new missile system India is now better equipped to defend it's borders against enemy threats.
India has been facing a two-front threat for decades, amid unresolved issues about disputed borders with neighbors Pakistan and China. In May, conflict flared up again in the Ladakh region, with armed skirmishes alongside the Line of Actual Control, India's de facto border with China, though the two countries are currently in active talks to de-escalate the tensions.
DRDO chairman Dr G Satheesh Reddy appreciated the efforts of the research organization, the Indian Army and the industry in bringing the missile up to production phase, NDTV reported.
RT with additional information from GVS


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This year really isn't turning out the way any of us planned. We roared into 2020 at Inman Connect New York in Times Square, but that was quickly followed by a global pandemic, months of quarantining, reinventing how we are doing business followed by a global outcry on social injustice, racism in our world and specifically racism in the real estate industry.
A lot of folks are asking me what they should be saying on social media right now (or shouldn't say). I've been asked, "When can I start posting my listings again? When will everything 'go back to normal'?"
I don't have that answer, but I can tell you that I do think we are in a new normal. As cliche as that sounds, I believe that to be the truth, which means we are ushering in a new normal when it comes to social media.
If you would have asked me in the past about posting about politics, religion, racism or any other "hot-button issues," I would have probably advised for you to stay away. No one wins in those conversations.
Have we come to a point where silence speaks more than saying something?
I can only share with you my own personal experience over the past few weeks. I have always toed the line so to speak on my opinions and what I say publicly. However — there comes a time when you have to take a stand for what you believe in. For me personally — I got to the point where I couldn't imagine not saying something. I wanted to be unequivocally clear on my support for BIPOC.
What does this have to do with business? Well, like it or not — real estate is a personal business. The lines between our business and personal lives online and in-person are usually a dotted line. Buying and selling a home is one of the most personal experiences for many of us and our clients.
We discussed some of the nuances in my conversation with Kendall Bonner and Victoria Kennedy at Connect Now in June.
How does this play out in social media?
I don't think any debate was ever truly "won" on social media — but I do think you can take a stand and be respectful.
Listen to the other side. Don't bash others or post inflammatory comments about other agents or your clients.
When it comes to the Black Lives Matter movement — if you are like me and just feeling like your eyes have been truly opened recently to the systemic racism in our country and in our industry — it can feel really uncomfortable, to say the least.
I am in the process of reading two books that are helping me understand this and how I can do better:
- White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism
- The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America (This book specifically talks about the history of fair housing, red lining and the systemic racism in our industry.)
I am also working on educating myself, my family and our team with:
- Educational resources
- Having public conversations with industry leaders like this conversation I had with Inman speaker Valerie Alexander about what unconscious bias is all about and how we can do better in our industry
- Having public conversations with Inman speakers and social media experts Marki Lemons Ryhal and Chelsea Peitz on the reality of racism in our industry and what to post and say right now during these times
I don't have all the answers, and I'm at the beginning stages of educating myself. But, if you have seen me onstage at Inman over the years or have watched any of my social media training videos and have looked to me for advice — here is what I will advise you to do and not do:
- Be thoughtful and considerate with how you post. We are leaving digital breadcrumbs for the future. You can have an opinion but be respectful. Check your sources — there is a great deal of misinformation out there — to make sure you are sharing information from reputable sources.
- Take a stand, and share your opinion, but again, do so in a respectful way. Don't post because you feel like you have to. A few weeks back, many people posted a black square on social media because it was the thing to do that day to highlight black voices. But, if you just did that and haven't done anything else, it feels like you just "checked the box" versus really taking the time to think about your own business and how you could be more mindful.
- It's OK to talk about your business but remember — it's never been OK to just talk about your business. We know in the midst of a global pandemic and social injustice, we have a business to run and clients to serve. Yes, talk about business, but make sure it is not the only thing you talk about. It's important, now more than ever, to not be tone deaf. This is even more reason to not outsource your social media marketing to someone else. You need to show up and be there authentically.
- Brokers and leaders, don't shy away from diversity training, and know that it's going to take more than one or two speakers or classes. This is more about looking at the culture of your company and what you stand for. Talk to your BIPOC brokers and owners, and check in on them. Here is a great resource to read from Windermere Abode's co-founder Dave Jones on this subject.
- Keep in mind, as many have said these past few weeks, that this is a movement, not a moment. Whether we like it or not — real estate is a huge part of the discussion around systematic racism in our country. We have an opportunity to speak with our voice on social media but also with our actions with our clients, prospects, consumers, who we work with, who we hire, which organizations we support, where we spend our money and so much more. Here is another great example of an organization, Women's Council of Realtors, speaking candidly about how we can all do better.
I don't know when things are going to go back to normal, but what I do know is that there's an opportunity now to speak out, to listen more — to be a leader and to take a stand. I'm in. How about you?
If you're looking for more brainfood to fuel your journey, check out Inman staffer Marian McPherson's "20 resources to help you begin your anti-racism journey."
Katie Lance is the author of #GetSocialSmart and founder and CEO of Katie Lance Consulting, a social media strategy firm and founder of the #GetSocialSmart Academy. She's been recognized by Inman News as one of the 100 most influential people in real estate and is a featured keynote speaker at many industry events. Connect with Katie on Instagram or Facebook.


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Books by Dr. Melanie
Children's Sermons are often inadequately prepared, understood maybe only by the adults, and leave the youth wanting something to which they can relate. Because children take what you say literally, the stories need to be brief, to the point, and use simple and age-appropriate words. Leaders need to get and stay on the children's eye level.
This book will help you do that by offering a written sample story related to one of the week's lectionary passages. An accompanying auditory example is told on the CDs. Each lesson tells you what props are needed. The storyteller is encouraged to include some of their own personal walk with God to make the sermonettes come alive. These tools will prepare you to plan ahead to present a relevant, effective message that the boys and girls will not only learn from but will come back wanting to hear more. |
A brain tumor causes a 14-year-old boy to inflict violence on his teacher and classmates. A widowed manic mother of one of the victims orchestrates healing for the survivors and their families. A single parent of a deceased victim organizes the community after learning about Restorative Justice while befriending the assailant. Discover how tragedy unites the two grieving organizers and how you too can find healing through tragedy.
This guide came into existence because God laid it upon my heart to protect church laypeople. Most ministers do not set out to commit sexual misconduct, but a variety of factors can lean a person in that direction. When stress, isolation, and a history of family dysfunction accompany a minister into their calling, it can lead a person to disaster unless preemptively addressed. People of the pews need to be educated to prevent, predict, discover, address, treat, and recover from the effects of clergy sexual abuse/misconduct/addiction. This guide will do that.
Learn to:
On a journey from suffering to salvation, one woman finds the inner strength to overcome her abusive past and painful present to emerge from the quicksand and face a future filled with joy.
When she was eighteen, Marion found twenty-three-year-old Frankie exciting and worldly. His hold over her compelled her to violate her own values, but Marion believed it was true love, so they got married. Decades later, Marion is a shadow of her former self. She has spent a lifetime making excuses for Frankie's sins, but his deception, manipulation, abuse, and addiction-fueled extramarital affairs have shattered her. But Marion's history of childhood sexual abuse, her fundamentalist religious upbringing, and Frankie's own perversion of his role as a pastor have destroyed Marion's dreams while keeping her chained to a toxic marriage out of guilt and shame. Then comes the cancer diagnosis—and a host of other health problems. But Marion has finally decided that enough is enough, so she embarks on a path of healing. Through breakthroughs in psychotherapy, she finds that she can look past her harrowing experiences, break the chains that bind her to misery, and move toward a new life of wholeness—and freedom. |


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Search Colleges List Post My Ad
Social 28 is located within waling distance to UF and on the bus Route. From the penthouse sundeck where you can overlook campus to the rooftop Pool with hot tub, cabanas, grills, and outdoor TV, Social 28 makes your home feel like a resort. You can also upgrade to penthouse style for even more upgraded and modern technology. Social events bring the community together throughout the year as well as 2 recreation rooms, yoga room, 24 hour Gym, coffee bar, movie theatre, computer lab, and retail on the ground floor.Ubiquitous wi-fi Internet throughout the community and Study Rooms with MediaScape Technology offers you more scenic places to study. 24 hour security with 168 cameras, alarm systems, Gated community, and courtesy patrol is there for your safety. Electornic key access, elevators. and handicap access is also available. Social28 are smoke free buildings. For your convenience, Individual Leasing with Roommate matching, Online Payments, All inclusive bill (cable, hbo, Internet, water, electric, trash removal) are also available. Additional apartment amenities: Living room and bedrooms are fully Furnished 50& flat screen TV. Walk in closets and storage space when...Additional Details:• For more links and descriptions of Social 28, see Social 28 Details• Live Daily, Blogs & FAQs. • How do I sublease my apartment near UF? • How do I advertise my apartment community near UF? • Hottest Gossip about Muhammadu Buharis Health this way: https://www.livesomewhere.com/nc-a-and-t/write-a-blog-article?pb_yb=1413 • If you would like to see more open rooms or available apartments in the UF area, go to apartments near UF then read the sublease descriptions or use the apartment filtersBack to PreviousClose Tab
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Discrimination is not nice and not lawful. Preferences can be made if you are sharing the same living space, but make sure you check the laws to see what applies to you. Contact us to flag any post that violates fair housing. Fair Housing - Wikipedia Fair Housing - US HUD [x close]


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Photo Gallery
GALLERY: AEL's Electrical Learning Expo (March 2015) Calgary
March 27, 2015 | By Anthony Capkun
March 27, 2015 – Alberta Electrical League (AEL) recently concluded its annual one-day Electrical Learning Expo in Calgary, Alta., and EBMag was there to take in some of the sessions, and bring you photos from the show floor. (Photos A. Capkun)
The 2016 Learning Expo is currently set for Red Deer, Alta., also likely in March, so don't say you didn't have time to make arrangements to attend and/or exhibit. Among the delegates at AEL's expo are electrical contractors, maintenance supervisors, lighting design consultants, industrial electricians, electrical inspectors, consulting engineers, distributors and utility personnel.
( See yourself in here? Want a copy? Email email@example.com )
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Executives at Resource Capital Funds, a Denver-based firm that invests in mining companies, expect to close their fifth fund at $1 billion in the first quarter of 2010, a source familiar with the firm's plans told Buyouts.
At $1 billion the fund would be notable for its generous size, achieved in a stingy fundraising market, but also for the dramatic increase in size over its predecessor. The firm's fourth fund, raised in 2006, closed at $527 million.
Executives at Resource Capital began fundraising in April, without a placement agent, seeking to raise $800 million to $1 billion. Demand for slots exceeds $1 billion, though the fund will not breach that mark, our source said. In the past, Resource Capital has enjoyed the support of the Houston Police Officer's Pension System, the John & Catherine MacArthur Foundation and Northwestern University, among other limited partners. The fund features a 2 percent management fee and 20 percent carried interest.
Founded in 1997, Resource Capital invests $5 million to $100 million for control stakes in mining companies and projects around the world. Its stable of more than 25 portfolio companies includes Anglo Asian Mining Plc, an operator of gold and copper mines based in Baku, Azerbaijan; and Constellation Copper Corp., a Lakewood, Colo.-based company that operates copper and zinc mines. The firm prefers to invest in secured convertible debt; beyond that it does not use debt financing for its deals. It usually tries to exit its investments after two to eight years through mergers and acquisitions, block sales to institutional investors, or through initial public offerings.
Resource Capital employs 21 investment professionals out of its Denver headquarters and its office in West Perth, Australia. The firm has made one investment so far from Fund V, although our source declined to discuss it in detail.
This story first appeared in Buyouts magazine, where Bernard Vaughan is a Senior Editor.


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This was my first major project I built from this site. I would say that I am a beginner builder with only a little experience building small things. This was my first big project and I built it piece by piece over the course of a few months. This was my 4 year old's birthday gift. I bought my first Kreg Jig Jr. (I already want the master system!) and got a lot of confidence by doing this project. It was pretty straight forward, although the painting and sanding took way longer than I thought! I pretty much stuck to the plans and did not change much. The only thing I did was add hand hole cut outs on the stairs and I chose not to cut out a side window because that side was against a wall anyways. I am SO excited about this project and will be posting MANY MORE builds from here.
Sun, 10/21/2012 - 22:14
Great job dude! I bet your
Great job dude! I bet your daughter loves it. I am going to start building one for my nephews this week, hopefully it looks half as good as yours!


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Dear Students,
College is organising a Special Online Alumni Session with:
Alumni Avinash Singh
Principal Correspondent, NEWS NATION
Avanish has extremely valuable experience in reporting, anchoring and broadcast television. He has reported on almost all issues of national importance and has interviewed a wide range of Celebrities and Govt. Officials, the likes of Amitabh Bachchan Sir.
The Online Zoom Meet will be held on Saturday, 1 August, 202010:30 am onwards.
We expect an interactive session with good behaviour and hence student slots will be limited for this Special Meet. Students name will be taken on first come, first serve basis.
Thank you.
Team IAAN


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Interfaith Cash Drive This Morning Through Noon
Cathie Peacock, surrounded by Big Joe Marshall, Bridgette Fannuchi, Sally Van Bolt, Maryann Curmi, Mark Grauer, Sabrina Biehl and DJ Riendeau
Clarke Broadcasting is conducting its Cash Drive this morning through noon in partnership with Interfaith Social Services.
Interfaith Director Cathie Peacock was Friday's KVML "Newsmaker of the Day".
Cash donations to Interfaith are encouraged in order to purchase much needed items.
The Cash Drive for Interfaith Social Services has received a pledge from Tribal Chairman Lloyd Mathiesen that Chicken Ranch Rancheria will match all donations collected this morning.
Peacock says there is an overwhelming need for cash and coats this year. During a typical month, over 800 families come into the Interfaith office just to receive food.
Tune into Star 92.7 and Today's Country 93.5 KKBN this morning from 6 AM through noon to listen to the latest updates and help with any donations.
One hundred percent of all donations go to Interfaith Social Services to help Tuolumne County families in need. Cash donations are tax deductible.
Call (209) 533-1450 to donate. For information about donating via paypal, click here.
During the first several years of this event, the cash and coat donations have helped Interfaith meet local needs for many months.
Tomorrow (Saturday), residents and businesses can drop off new and gently used coats at Standard Park from 9 AM – Noon.
Santa Claus will arrive at 11 AM by helicopter courtesy of PHI Air Medical. Bring a camera as this is also a chance for kids to get a picture with Santa.
The "Newsmaker of the Day" is heard each weekday morning at 6;45, 7;45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.


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FIFA Mobile Points Guide: How to get free points for ultimate Team and what's the best way to spend them
2019-07-08 00:51:22
If you want to build a FIFA Ultimate Team and want to get close to TOTW & 99 Overall, you'd better equip yourself with enough FIFA Mobile Points. For that, points will help you with buying FUT Packs and FUT Draft entries. Card Packs contain items (including players and consumables) which you can use to improve your team, and FUT Draft Entries allow you to play FUT Draft. Do you want to know how to get free points without spending money? If your answer is yes, you are at the right place. In this short article, we will guide you on how to get free FIFA Mobile Points for FIFA Ultimate Team.
Each week there's a Team of the Week event for you to complete, which awards you with TOTW points. If you complete all of the TOTW events in a month, you're awarded with POTM points to spend at a later date. It has also been known for you to be able to get POTM points from End or an Era events (EOE), giving you more chance to get points to spend on POTM players. The best thing to do is to simply complete the TOTW events each and every week, so that you have enough POTM Points to spend when the time comes.
When you are looking for a League, you can check the Fame rating by pressing the information icon prior to applying. If a league has a decent amount of Fame points they're a better bet to help get you League Points.
You can also obtain FIFA Mobile Points as a one-time bonus at the beginning of the game, which grants you 1,000 Points that you can spend on anything you want. Other than that, the last way to earn Points is by investing real money in the Store and buying Points packs.
When it comes to purchasing packs, the best choice will be the Gold Premium parcel for 150 FIFA Points. Inside you will find 12 golden cards of which 3 will be rare. As a result, for the additional 50 FIFA points, you receive 3 times more rare cards than in a regular Golden Packet. The chance to gain the best players is also increased here and it looks as follows:
﹒100% chance to receive a gold player with an overall score of at least 75+.
﹒20% chance to receive a gold player with an overall score of at least 82+.
﹒4.6% chance to receive a gold player with an overall score of at least 84+.
That is the tips we got for FIFA Mobile Points farming. If you also want to find out the ways to get another currency of FIFA Mobile, called FIFA Mobile Coins, please be sure to check FIFA Mobile Coins Guide: How to Get Free Coins for Ultimate Team at Igxc.com.


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Why this street label is not visible even with zoom?
It has 'name' in it...
It looks like the road is too short for the text to fit on, or it's too curvy. Check here for a similar solved question. A solution could be to either abbreviate the label, or simplifying the line might help.
EDIT: if you don't want to change the road then you could use rule-based labelling and create a new rule solely for that single label:
"name" = 'R. da Fonte do touro'
For that particular label I'd suggest setting the placement as below the line, offset by a slight distance. You could then also reduce font size to fit better along the line. Repeat or add other labels with similar issues.


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Maya Reik was just 17 when she founded her fashion label Marei 1998 in 2015. In the years since, the Israel-based designer has made a name for herself, earning recognition in the fashion world for creating cruelty-free, sustainable garments and accessories from faux fur and vegan leather.
Starting in the early days of the brand, Reik made ethics a priority, opting out of the typical fashion calendar and practices and for slower production in order to remain sustainable. The house also follows a no-waste practice that upcycles around 90 percent of its own fabric from previous seasons, intentionally cutting garments in a way that ensures the remaining material can be used.
Known and loved by prominent names like Bella Hadid, Emma Watson, and Ariana Grande, Reik has infused Marei 1998 with a decadent luxury that, until recent years, many of us thought was unattainable with faux fur or leather. Combining that ethos of responsibility with timeless styles—like its rectangular Poppy and Pampas bags or the long, kimono-like Eklonis coat— the label is, one design at a time, taking the fashion world by storm.
Whitewall caught up with the designer to learn more about the brand and how it has evolved since its inception.
WHITEWALL: Marei 1998 is the culmination of inspirations like your grandmother's confidence and fashion sense and your love of travel and culture. How did the brand stem from that?
MAYA REIK: My grandmother Miriam has always been my inspiration and my muse. As I grew older, I understood her fashion sense is based around the ethos of keeping beloved and cherished pieces in her wardrobe for decades. The fact that she was able to preserve wardrobe staples, and doesn't believe in wearing real leather or fur, was embedded in my creative approach to fashion for as long as I can remember. Miriam practiced sustainability before it was even a term people could comprehend. She never tries hard to put together an outfit: it is just part of her DNA.
The more I was exposed to culture as a child the more I could develop my own "language" and aesthetic that draws influences from all over the world. Prior to 2020, I was fortunate enough to have visited countries and experienced cultures that have truly played a role in my artistic evolution. I find that travel, fashion, art and culture is simply a lens through which I create and continue to be inspired by.
WW: What was it like launching a brand at such a young age—would you say there were any advantages or challenges?
MR: Phew. So many challenges! I came into the industry with no prior experience or traditional training. As an autodidact, I found that this situation was advantageous, but I only learned that many years later. I wasn't prepared for certain situations and learned in real-time, which I would say gave me a heightened understanding of working with people.
Another main challenge— because of my age—is that people think you are going to last for only one or two collections and then move onto the next "thing." I took feedback from others too seriously and didn't trust in my intuition enough.
WW: What is your creative process like? What does a day in the studio look like for you? How do you typically approach a new collection?
MR: My creative process changes all the time, but the identity of Marei 1998 is steady. I tend to get excited about specific artists and ideas that subconsciously work their way as major inspirations into my world. Recently I reconnected with nature and use quiet moments walking outside to clear my mind, which naturally allows for the flow of news ideas to arise.
The studio life consists of many moving parts, but recently I took my studio home as restrictions from the pandemic have changed the way we work and live. The shift from an around-the-clock work-travel-studio life to a more centralized working environment has definitely been interesting and has furthered my belief in sustainability and the idea that less is more.
Over the past year we have shifted from launching seasonal collections to focusing on our signature faux fur and vegan leather pieces, which in a way creates a "family" of its own. The constant need to create just to create is no longer relevant for me and Marei 1998. Thus, creating and launching a new piece comes only after deliberation and a decision that this item is truly important and fills a need for our clients who prioritize quality over quantity.
WW: You've managed to infuse the same feeling of elevated luxury of genuine fur or leather into your vegan, sustainable options. What steps did you take to achieve this and how you came to the fabrics and techniques you use today?
MR: The first time I touched faux fur it immediately clicked that this was the fabric of the future, and that Marei 1998 would dive deep into this path of researching and understanding the meaning behind sustainable and vegan material alternatives.
I traveled to several countries in Europe and Asia to locate ethical textile producers and create our own fabrics that satisfied the level, look, and feel of faux fur and vegan leather that we demanded. It was important for me to visit every factory and meet the people who actually create our textiles.
WW: How has the identity of Marei 1998 evolved since its inception?
MR: Marei 1998 has been in a state of constant evolution: a manifestation of my personal and ethical growth. We first started as a label focusing on timeless pieces for day and night, and that was approachable by various age groups. From the second collection onwards, our focus shifted to an exemplary practice of sustainability underlying everything we do as a label.
WW: We read that, along with slow fashion and sustainability, you're looking for ways to utilize the brand to empower women and local economies. What's next for the brand in this capacity?
MR: In this aspect, I have many dreams and ideas for the future—[like] our recent collaboration with supportandfeed, an organization which provides plant-based meals prepared by local restaurants and businesses [for] people experiencing food insecurity in BIPOC and other communities. We organized a sale of our classic signature pieces from the past years and gave 10% of all sales to supportandfeed.
I believe that fashion should give back, form bonds between people, and do good for the world. This year we are hoping to collaborate with like-minded organizations that empower women and support those in need.
WW: What Marei 1998 piece are you always wearing?
MR: The Marei 1998 faux fur Poppy/Pampas handbag is literally with me everywhere I go. The piece is created exclusively from fabric remains from our faux fur coats and scarves. The handbag I am carrying has been the same for the past three years. I see no reason to swap for something new when this current piece still upholds its aesthetic, function and durability: the ethos of Marei 1998.


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(The Battle For Fort Hraggstad)
Head for the Stormcloak camp near Solitude. Talk to Galmar and he will send you to Fort Hraggstad. This operates exactly the same as Snowhawk did. To finish this quest, you must clear out all of the enemies. You will be regularly updated with how many enemies remain. When it hits zero, no more enemies will respawn and the quest will be completed but there may still be enemies remaining. They will likely run away at this point though. This time, report to Galmar when you've cleared the fort, rather than Ulfric.


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IHC of E2F4 on an FFPE Prostatic Adenocarcinoma Tissue
Intended Use | For In Vitro Diagnostic Use | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Summary and Explanation | E2F4 is a transcritption factor protein that is encoded by the E2F4 gene on Chromosome 16.E2F4 is a member of the E2F family of transcription factors. The E2F family plays a crucial role in the control of cell cycle and action of tumor suppressor proteins and is also a target of the transforming proteins of small DNA tumor viruses. This protein binds to all three of the tumor suppressor proteins pRB, p107 and p130. In quiescent cells, E2F4 is primarily localized in the nucleus but translocate to cytoplasm when the retinoblastoma family members are phosphorylated in response to mitogen.E2F4 is constitutively expressed throughout the cell. Squamous cell carcinomas of the salivary gland intense E2F4 staining, while most of the pleomorphic adenoma cells show nuclear reactivity of E2F4. Reduced expression of E2F4 has been reported in sporadic Burkitt lymphoma (sBL), and may play a role in Burkitt lymphoma tumorigenesis. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Antibody Type | Rabbit Monoclonal | Clone | EP252 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Isotype | IgG | Reactivity | Paraffin, Frozen | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Localization | Nuclear | Control | Tonsil, Placenta, Testis, Breast, Cervix, Colon, Cervical Cancer, Prostate Carcinoma | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Presentation | E2F4 is a rabbit monoclonal antibody derived from cell culture supernatant that is concentrated, dialyzed, filter sterilized and diluted in buffer pH 7.5, containing BSA and sodium azide as a preservative. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Availability |
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Note: For concentrated antibodies, please centrifuge prior to use to ensure recovery of all product. |


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What's for dinner?
Wet vs dry food? Set meal times or free-feeding?
Knowing what and when to feed your cat or kitten can be very confusing.
Set Meal Times
The amount and frequency of meals depends on your cat's age, health and preference.
Feeding your cat at set times during the day (two or three meals) allows you to provide food on a schedule, but food is not freely available between meals. This allows you to monitor how much food is eaten at each meal. Free feeding means food is available at all times. This works best with dry food, and allows the cat to eat multiple small meals per day, on their own schedule. Combination feeding allows you to feed both. Wet food often fed twice a day and dry food is freely available. However, this can often lead to overeating and obesity.
Dry Food
Dry food is by far more convenient than wet food. It's easier to store. It's less messy, lasts longer and is cheaper, but it has very little water content. Many cat nutrition experts warn against feeding cats a strictly dry kibble diet. Dry kibble diets average around 7-12% moisture content, making your pet prone to dehydration if they don't drink a significant amount of water. Kibble is also very calorie dense. While dry food is good for your cat's dental heath, feeding a dry food diet only can lead to obesity.
Wet Food
Many cats find wet food more palatable and the variety of wet food is impressive. Pate, chunky, with or without gravy – the options are endless! Add a little warm water to wet food to bring out the aroma of the food, and it's even more appealing. Since canned cat food naturally contains more moisture than dry food, your cat is less likely to suffer from dehydration. Feeding your cat wet food as a part of your cat's daily routine is the best thing you can do for your cat's kidney health. Wet food has more moisture and protein and less carbs – the perfect combination to help with weight loss.
In this short Jackson Galaxy clip, he outlines his 'must do' rules for feeding cats.
Kitten Food
Kittens require more food per pound of body weight to support their growth than do adult cats.
Kittens have different nutritional needs than adult cats. They need more protein, fat and calories, so always be mindful when choosing kitten food that it is specially formulated for kittens. Wet food is preferred for kittens as it contains the essential moisture needed to keep your growing kittens happy & healthy. Kittens should also be given free access to food during their first six months, and should be fed at least three times a day. After four months, feeding can be decreased to twice a day. At 12 months, kittens can move to adult food and an adult feed schedule.
Do Not Forget Water!
Always provide fresh water!
Cats need fresh drinking water every day for optimum health. Water is essential for helping the kidneys flush out toxins from the blood. Water also helps keep other organ tissues hydrated and healthy. Dehydration in cats is dangerous, and if not treated, can lead to death.
Serve Quality Food
Ultimately, whether choosing wet cat food vs. dry cat food, you should always choose a premium cat food with quality ingredients. Dry food is generally less expensive that wet food, but remember – you get what you pay for! The higher initial cost will be offset long-term by reduced veterinary costs.
The above is information only. Always discuss the subject with your veterinarian! They will make their suggestion based on professional experience and direct knowledge of your cat(s).


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Income inequality's a big issue here, and we know why. It's just that no one wants to point the accusing finger, and mouth the "P" word. Yeah, I'm talking about private property, which is one of the biggest causes of Singapore's income divide. Property investments make bridging the income gap about as easy as pole vaulting Mt. Everest:
Why the Property Situation Keeps You Rich…or Poor
In Singapore, private property defines wealth. If you own more than one house, the closest you will get to being hungry is whining that the Haagen Dazs man forgot to throw a cherry on your double scoop.
And your gravy train probably won't end in your lifetime. For various reasons, private property tends to make the rich keep getting richer. That's because of:
- Potentially Lower Interest Rates for the Rich
- Tolerance for Interest Rate Spikes
- CPF Interest Rate
- Asset First vs. Home First
1. Potentially Lower Interest Rates for the Rich
Okay, between rich and poor people, who pays more for their property?
It should be the rich right? I mean, HDB flats cost less and stuff. And that's true if you're talking about loan quantums (the total amount borrowed). But when it comes to home loan interest rates, most private property owners actually pay lower rates than HDB dwellers.
How much less? Try anywhere from 0.9% – 1.2% less.
Let me explain the witchcraft: if you can afford a cash down-payment of 5% (minimum) on your house, you can opt for a bank loan (and for private property, you always use bank loans). The typical rates for a bank loan range from 1.4% to 1.7%. They've stayed at that level for the past 10 years or so.
The HDB concessionary loan (which is what the average Singaporean will end up getting for public housing) is pegged at 0.1% above the prevailing CPF rate. That's 2.6%. So if your loan is from HDB, you are almost certainly paying higher interest than the rich guy in the condo across the road.
That's a pretty important contributor to the whole "rich get richer, poor get poorer" scenario.
But, I hear you asking, why does everyone not rush out to get a bank loan?
In the interest of fairness (and 50,000 other good reasons), let me explain that HDB is not ripping you off. It's just that you may not be rich enough to consider that bank loan, which comes with its own set of risks and conditions. For example, there's your…
2. Tolerance for Interest Rate Spikes
Bank loan rates are variable. So they're 1.7% now, but if there are cooling measures, or Ben Bernanke's lips twitch, they might shoot up.
Maybe they rise to 1.9%, maybe they rise to 3%. Whatever. Either way, it's the main reason poorer Singaporeans shy away from bank loans. If the rate does climb, they may not be able to afford repayments. A HDB loan may be expensive, but at least that 2.6% will probably not change for the loan tenure.
So all's fair right? The loans balance out in the end?
Yeah, think again. The rich can go ahead and risk that interest rate spike, because they could give a cow's backside about a 3% rate. Let me explain:
Say you're wealthy enough to buy a second house for investment. You rent it out to a tenant, for maybe $4,000 a month. One day, the interest rate spikes to 3%, and now you're paying maybe $3,500 a month. Oh no! Now you only lose negative $500 a month! Big deal that is.
But let's say you're poor. Chances are you just have your one dinky flat. What happens to you if the monthly repayment shoots up?
Let's see, what's your rental income? Oh right, $0, because you can't rent out the place that you sort of have to live in. Can't help noticing you're kind of disadvantaged there.
Is the message sinking in yet? The rich can afford a low-rate bank loan, because they can afford the higher risk. The poor are better off with the HDB route, because paradoxically, they can't afford the cheaper rate.
(But what if the rich guy only has one private condo? Well easy. When the bank extends a loan, they check if you can afford it based on an interest rate of 3.5%, regardless of what the real rate is. So even if the rich guy is paying 1.7% interest, his finances have already shown he can handle 3.5%).
Speaking of rental…
3. CPF Interest Rate
Say you buy a house, and you qualify for a bank loan at 1.7% interest. Congrats, moneybags. You then decide to make payments for the house via CPF (yes, you can do that for a bank loan).
Now, considering that your CPF money appreciates at 2.5% interest, what's exciting about this situation?
Bingo! Your CPF money grows at a faster rate than what the home loan costs you. It's 2.5% vs 1.7%. Also, remember that your CPF grows at 2.5% compounding interest, whereas your home loan is gradually amortised; the monthly repayments get lower as you pay off more of it.
But what if you needed to use a HDB loan?
Then I refer you to point 1. Your interest rate is 2.6%, or 0.1% above the prevailing CPF rate. Maybe this is the sort of thing that, you know, keeps you poorer?
(Although if you are rich enough to handle the downpayment and risks, talk to the brokers at SmartLoans.sg. They can set you up with a bank loan for free).
4. Asset First vs. Home First
HDB needs to ensure that flats remain public housing. In other words, flats cannot be allowed to appreciate like private condos or bungalows, lest our children end up wearing Salvation Army clothes and living out the lyrics of a Nirvana song.
So several recent measures, like de-linking new flat prices from resale flat prices, or forcing Permanent Resident buyers to wait three years, have smashed resale flat prices to pieces. And then HDB started selling flats to singles and ramping up supply, thus smashing the pieces into even smaller pieces.
Stuff like this just doesn't happen in private property (well, not often).
The prices of condos and bungalows have trotted along merrily these past months, while resale flat sellers weep into their peanuts in cheap bars.
Simply put, your flat is an asset second. It will never rival the private property gains of the rich. And that's why many of them keep gettingt richer, while you can't seem to catch a break.
They have access to the property game, which middle and working class Singaporeans can only watch from the sidelines.
What are your thoughts on our income divide? Share your thoughts on any other factors with us here!
Image Credits:
cisc1970, kenteegardin, Jason Bagley, nicwn, Philippe Put
Source: http://www.moneysmart.sg/housing-property/how-private-property-widens-singapores-income-gap/