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The OpenMV M7 Camera is a small, low-power microcontroller board that allows you to easily implement applications using machine vision in the real world. The best part about the OpenMV is that it is not only capable of image capture, but also face detection, color tracking, QR code reading and plenty more. If you are looking for an economical camera module boasting multiple high-end features, look no further than the OpenMV M7!
The OpenMV can be programmed in high-level Python scripts (courtesy of the MicroPython Operating System) instead of C/C++. This makes it easier to deal with the complex outputs of machine vision algorithms and working with high-level data structures. You still have total control over your OpenMV M7 and its I/O pins in Python. You can easily trigger taking pictures and video on external events or execute machine vision algorithms to figure out how to control your I/O pins.
If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.
Skill Level: Rookie - You will need a better fundamental understand of what code is, and how it works. You will be using beginner-level software and development tools like Arduino. You will be dealing directly with code, but numerous examples and libraries are available. Sensors or shields will communicate with serial or TTL.
See all skill levels
If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.
Skill Level: Rookie - You may be required to know a bit more about the component, such as orientation, or how to hook it up, in addition to power requirements. You will need to understand polarized components.
See all skill levels
We welcome your comments and suggestions below. However, if you are looking for solutions to technical questions please see our Technical Assistance page.
The OpenMV can be programmed in high-level Python scripts (courtesy of the MicroPython Operating System) instead of C/C++. This makes it easier to deal with the complex outputs of machine vision algorithms and working with high-level data structures.
But I prefer C/C++. I have tons of existing C/C++ infrastructure that I can reuse. C/C++ runs faster because there's no interpreter overhead.In addition, a decent compiler can optimize my code to run as fast as possible. I get to control memory allocations and my code can be deterministic hard real time. I can put indentations where I want them and curly braces let me know that I've changed scope. Best of all, I can find 90%+ of my errors at compile time, not run time.
Having Python-only control is a huge bug, not a feature, a terrible blemish on an otherwise interesting product. (Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?)
In defense of the M7, I humbly submit this reply... ><> Yes, your right in some aspects. I hear what your saying. However... The speed issue based on compiled versus interpretive isn't an issue for a 216Mhz headless embedded micro. At least not with me. Forced indentation is ok with me. Eliminating the curlies just seems to clean up the code by getting rid of some noise. And it tends to help conformance issues resulting in common coding tactics. Compile time errors are syntax errors. Good coders like you and me don't make a lot of them. So, no biggy here either in my view.
Now, I will say this. uPOS is not, in my view, an "Operating System". It's more of an "Operating Environment". I like the Arduino world for the simple fact that there is no OS per see. You have Setup() and Loop(). Period. Perfect. The embedded micro does one thing and it does it very well. Just like micro-python where it runs main.py. Period. I have a pyBoard and am learning Python using the uPOS it provides. I am doing this while I wait for my uArm Swift Pro robotic arm to arrive which will be coming with an M7. I got in on the kickstarter which is shipping product now. I'm going to have the M7 talk to the pyBoard which will talk to the Arm to simulate an autonomous entity. The M7 will be its eye, a microphone for an ear, an Emic 2 for a voice, and a whole lotta code for enhanced interaction with the real world. And that's where things get hairy with Python. Ok, 2 + 2 is a very simple "rvalue". But when an rvalue contains Lists of mutables filtered by regular expressions used as part of a comprehension for generating a set of tuples, the glaze begins to form over your eyeballs. How did they put it, "This makes it easier to deal with the complex outputs of machine vision algorithms and working with high-level data structures." Yeah, easy once you get the hang of it. And that's what isn't so easy. Which brings me to another point on the speed issue. When Python iterates through these data-structures, it's using pointers, C++ pointers, and we all know how much faster things execute using pointers. So, again, speed isn't an issue with me.
A huge bug, naaa, just a different way of doing things. Not a feature, no, of course not. It's the way it is. A terrible blemish? Strange way to describe software. Not sure how to respond to that so I won't.
In any case, the M7 is a very cool "sensor" for vision. And it's only going to get better. As for uPOS, there is a lot of work going on in this area which will only further its appeal to the Maker World. One last thing. I do want to give SparkFun a kudos for providing this device. Even though they went for my primary source to my tertiary source and pretty much no longer use them to provide me with my parts, I do want them to know they made a good choice here.
Hi NorthernPike,
This is Kwabena (OpenMV President). I hear what you're saying about Python types being complicated. It's a different world from C. But, it's easy to learn.
Note that by high level data structure manipulation I mean things this:
for blob in sorted(raw_blob_list, key = lambda x: x.area(), reverse = True)[0:max_blobs]
The above python line does a "for" loop on a list of color blob detections that have been sorted by the area of each color blob in descending order on the first "max_blobs" color blob detections. Note that each color blob detection is an object with about 10 fields. I could have sorted the detections based on something else other than area().
In python you're able to do all of this in one line more or less. In C... well, life is harder. Doing good computer vision work often requires you to filter things, sort things, etc. Python is great for this.
For more info on the above... here's a link to an OpenMV Cam script that emulates the CMUcam5 Pixy which the above line of code is from:
Hello Kye, Thank you for the reply. A comment from the President of the company is quite impressive and reinforces my confidence in your product.
Now, as far as the Python "types" being complicated isn't what I was actually trying to get at. It's the "use" of the types that gets interesting. Just look at your example for instance. You have a "List", an iterator calling a method for use in comparison, and your "slicing" that list to use the first to max_blobs items. At least I think that's what it appears to be doing. Again. it's how these data types are used or "assembled" together to form a really cool yet complicated "rvalue'.
Now, put that line of code in front of a 12 or 13 year old and see what happens. That's why I will not say Python is easy. I won't lie to those trying to learn it. I've been coding since 1975 from Fortran written on punchcards and run on an IBM 360 to Machine code to Assembly language to Cobol, Pascal, Basic, Lisp, C and C with classes, er C++. It's the "obfuscation" issue made so popular by C.
The fact that Python can allow one-line statements to be constructed with such power can be concerning when trying to promote the technology. Sometimes it's better to have "easy-to-read" code then compact super-duper fast code. But, your example really isn't clever or unique or even impressive. It's pretty much standard stuff for Python. And that's the crux of my point.
In any case, good luck with the M7. I look forward to receiving mine soon. And thanks again for the link to the code on GitHub.
PS - Shouldn't there be a colon ":" at the end of your example statement above? :))
Hi Member #394180,
This is Kwabena (OpenMV President), you can actually program the OpenMV Cam in C. We have an open-source build system available here: https://github.com/openmv/openmv/wiki/Firmware-Development. No external expensive programmer tools are required. All you need is the OpenMV Cam and a USB cable.
The above said, our firmware is over 1 MB in size which takes a couple of minutes to program onto the STM32F7 chip. If you are developing code in C you need to be an excellent programmer who doesn't make silly mistakes to get any work done. For beginner students and hobbyist... this isn't the case. Having the python system on-board makes it really easy to get an application that uses computer vision in the real-world working quickly since you're going to have to constantly tweak settings until everything works right. Being able to compile and run in under a second is HUGE.
Make one of these with an imager that has a global shutter, and I will love you forever!
Looks neat, and Im sure it has its uses.
Why would I get this instead of an RPI with a camera? I can get an RPI3+Camera+SD for 65, or an RPIZW+Camera+SD for 45. The RPIs can do some reasonable OpenCV stuff in both C++ or Python. Not great but not horrible either. (the Zero is pretty slow but just fine as a hi-def security camera sending pics to a server). I have both and they work for what im doing.
Hi bennard,
This is Kwabena (OpenMV President).
If you know what you're doing with a Raspberry Pi and can sling computer vision code easily along with I/O pin control then there's no need for the OpenMV Cam. But, if you aren't a master you're going to run into a step hill with OpenCV and then trying to get the output from your code to controlling stuff in the real world.
The whole point of the OpenMV Cam is to make things "easier" - in particular doing robotics. Note that we give you a nice IDE to program the system with that makes your development experience a lot nicer that using a Raspberry PI with OpenCV.
+1 on global shutter request, important for robotics, etc., where the platform may not be stable (moving). Image sensor is capable of 60 fps, might help if M7 can operate it at that speed rather than 30 fps.
Hi Member #658570 ,
This is Kwabena (OpenMV President).
The next version of the system will have this in the future. Note that we've found out a way to drive the camera faster to enable higher than 30 FPS for some algorithms.
Will it do facial recognition (identification of a person in a photo based on a library of faces) of only facial detection (identify if there is a face, and perhaps it's coordinates)?
It can do basic detection of faces and relay information about it, but i don't believe it can actually identify a person. at least i can't find anything on that.
Hi reissinnovations,
This is Kwabena (OpenMV President), we can detect faces using a Haar Cascade and then tell you face locations. Facial Recognition is possible in the future. But, we haven't written the code for that.
That said, you can take pictures with the OpenMV Cam and then transmit said pictures to facial recognition services if you have an internet connection for the OpenMV Cam using our WiFi shield.
Very cool product. Will SparkFun create some user guides and example projects using this hardware soon? Hope so :)
Can the camera be run at higher frame rates than 30fps with reduced resolution, bit depth, or a smaller ROI? Or is 30fps a hard limit for some reason?
Also the OV7725 product page suggests the camera can run at 60fps at full VGA - where does the 30fps frame rate limitation come from on the OpenMV?
Will Sparkfun also stock the lenses and the LCD shield in the future? I need them! (https://openmv.io/collections/products)
pyb.LED(3) turns on the blue led, not the IR. I cannot get the IR LED to turn on with any 1, 2, 3 or 4 parameters. Is the FET dead on my board?
Is it possible and easy to view / stream the video from the camera to somewhere on the internet using a minimum number of external components? Would a simple Arduino or ESP8266 do, or do I need a dedicated computer to do that?
Hi Member #559126,
This is Kwabena (OpenMV President). Yes, we have a WiFi shield which can get your OpenMV Cam online.
Wouldn't $65 spent on a low end Android phone yield a better camera, faster processor and richer choice of programming environments? You would get a USB2 connection fast enough to stream live video and a fast enough system to make it possible to do that AND do various recognition processes locally. Only downside is losing the serial / spi and i2c outputs and the IR capability and since this product doesn't feature a controllable IR cut filter it is a dubious feature at best.
At some point repurposing mass consumer products becomes more practical than making a more hacking friendly board out of the obsolete parts that small manufacturers can get parts and datasheets for.
Hi John Morris,
You're totally correct with your above points if you're optimizing for performance and cost. Lots of folks are releasing Android systems like this right now.
That said, minimal effort is put into making such systems as easy and as fun to use as your first Microcontroller. The whole point of the OpenMV Cam project is to make it "easy" to control things in the real-world using computer vision functions. For the OpenMV Cam, this mean having a hard 250 mA current consumption roof so you can use the system more easily with robotic applications and program it from your computer with one standard USB cable and nothing else. For more on why... see our FAQ here: https://openmv.io/pages/faq
About the M7 processor - it's about half the speed of a Raspberry PI zero but with a lot less RAM. It can actually do USB 2.0 but we don't enable that feature since it would mean we couldn't have DFU support anymore which makes the OpenMV Cam unbrickable. Given we allow you firmware updates it's important that you can ALWAYS recover the system.
Note that future OpenMV Cam will have more powerful processors. The idea behind the OpenMV Cam project is to make developing easy by giving you an Arduino like (but with much better tools) programming experience. In particular, one IDE which can be used to control the whole system. Not a lot of different tools bundled together.
You EU peoples had best be circumspect with any monitoring done with this stuff. A relative in the old country hacked some Nikon coolpix cameras to make a generic monitoring system with tracking smarts, then promptly caught some local brats doing bad stuff to her property, then became the subject of an investigation by local LE when the visual evidence was presented.
On this side of the cod pond, you will need to read your state's code. Most states do not care if you call it a security system, but some states and locales have regulations for monitoring people and collecting and/or storing data on privates.
As for most image processing, desktop Python is my preference. C or Python may not be the issue - as embedded systems simply do not have the resources that a desktop Linux box or OSX box would provide. And windoze will only provide headaches and anger.
Can this device detect text? For instance, for use to compare license plate data to a database?
Geez, been tons of code for this stuff for years. You people ever try that fancy-pants search engine by them google folks? Your inner Big Brother awaits the wakening.
Look at openalpr and opencv. But you will not like doing this with micropy.
Hi jlang,
This is Kwabena (OpenMV President).
Not yet, but, it's on the todo list for future functionality. We release firmware updates regularly so the feature list expands over time.
Based on 5 ratings:
3 of 3 found this helpful:
Great product that delivers exactly on its intent at a really affordable price. This is a compact, complete machine vision system that works right out of the box. The example code in the IDE provides a variety of functional object recognition, and is easy to tweak into what you want.
Would love to see built-in text recognition, similar to the included QR, ARtag, and barcode readers.
2 of 2 found this helpful:
I was able to easily use the examples provided to get my Parallax ActivityBot to follow a yellow ball, and use it's AprilTag features to set up localization - basically it was like I had miniature indoor GPS for my ActivityBot. I am confident I will, with a bit more effort, get something close to a SLAM implementation. SO COOL!! Very happy with this module!
1 of 1 found this helpful:
I downloaded the software and plugged in the camera and got it working after a few minutes of trial and error. A more detailed step by step tutorial would be helpful. You have to adjust the focus until you actually "see" something. The example programs show you some of the capabilities - which are numerous. The 1st example program (hello world) had some timing statements that gave errors when I tried to upload the program. Got it working after commenting them out.
The code is in python - which is enough like C++ that it isn't a problem. The camera is a "sensor" object and you manipulate its attributes like objects in C++. If you're not familiar with python but understand OOP in C++ you won't have any problems.
Right now I'm just playing around with it to get more experience. It works great.
1 of 1 found this helpful:
Upgraded, Tested a few examples(colors, face recognition...) Everything just great. A few weeks more and I'll try to use the arduino with it.
1 of 1 found this helpful:
Magnificent platform for vision applications, with spectacularly good software and IDE. Great support from the community. Highly recommended.


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I graduated from faculty of Science and Technology School of Applied Earth Sciences El-Neelain University September (2005) in hydrogeology. Awarded the MSc. in geology (geophysics), Sudan Academy of Sciences January (2010) and Ph. D. in geology (Structure geology), Sudan Academy of Sciences April (2018). I'm researcher in National Center for Research from April 2016 Up to now, conducting scientific research in geological sciences. Now I'm a head of the geophysical and geotectonic department - Remote Sensing and Seismology Authority. Also I work as teaching assistant at Sudanese universities. I fulfilled scientific courses inside and outside Sudan. I am a Member of a working group to deal with disasters and rapid intervention, and a member of many scientific projects.
Khartoum, Sudan


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Tag: neutering
Posted on February 1, 2015
Is Zeuterin a Good Choice For Your Dog?
I recently filled you in on my experience learning to use Zeuterin, a zinc/arginine solution used to nonsurgically neuter male dogs. Now, I'd like to enhance your understanding of the differences between surgical neutering and Zeutering. Comparison of… Read More
Posted on April 7, 2013
Questioning Traditional Neutering Recommendations for Dogs
Until a few years ago, I'd always nodded in agreement with the recommendation to neuter dogs (particularly females) not intended for breeding purposes between six months and one year of age. Spaying and castrating within this age window… Read More


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Industriens, the Danish pension fund for industrial sector workers, posted an 8.2% return on investments for 2016 – boosted by rallying US equities and bonds.
The return compares to a 6.7% gain in 2015. Industriens said half of last year's return had been generated by holdings in infrastructure and American securities. Overall, these investments contributed DKK5.5bn (€741m).
Laila Mortensen, chief executive of the pension fund, said: "We are committed to making sure we have the best risk diversification and have increased our investments in infrastructure and corporate bonds."
She added that these two asset classes added DK3.7bn to last year's total return, and now accounted for 11.4% and 14.6% of Industriens Pension's investments respectively.
Mortensen said the pension fund was very pleased with the 2016 result, even though it was more concerned with long-term returns. Over the past 10 years, the fund produced an annual average return of 8.4%.
Industriens has DKK35.8bn invested in corporate bonds – 24.1% of the overall portfolio. Of these holdings, high yield bonds produced a 14.8% return last year, investment-grade bonds gave a 4.4% return, while emerging market bonds generated 11%, the pension fund said.
However, equities – in which Industriens has DKK42bn invested – ended the year with very different levels of return coming from different geographical regions, the pension fund said.
Danish shares produced a "modest" 3.2% return, it said, but noted that this had come after three years when the average annual return for these investments had been 30%.
European shares produced a return of just 0.3% last year, while shares outside the region generated 13.2%, it said.
Unlisted shares in businesses, infrastructure assets and property – which make up 26.9% of the overall portfolio – produced a "significant contribution" to the fund's total return for last year, Industriens Pension said. The highest return came from infrastructure assets: 11.4%.
Industriens Pension's total investment assets increased to DKK150.8bn at the end of 2016 from DKK137.7bn at the end of 2015.


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401-room St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay Resort set to open this November
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The 401-room St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay Resort on Hainan island in China is scheduled to open this November.
"We are excited to introduce the St. Regis brand to Hainan island," said Sunny Heng, General Manager of The St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay Resort. "The St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay Resort will redefine luxury for this resort destination – offering unrivaled services and amenities and a stunning, contemporary design that will elevate the resort experience for the world's most discerning travelers."
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In this age of social media with the widespread re-use of images and information it would be wise to reflect on what your employees and agents are actually sharing about your hard earned brand, where they are sharing it and how. It is highly likely your organisation name is either protected or trademarked. Your logos may be design protected nationally and internationally and aspects of your services or products may also be protected across multiple territories.
Anyone involved in trademark and brand design and protection knows that it can be a relatively expensive and time consuming task to complete. To defend against external entities copying or using your brand without permission is something your organisation chooses to defend against. It is all the more remarkable therefore how little effort is spent by organisations on educating employees and related 3rd parties on what is and what is not permissible regarding the re-use of brand.
For example, an employee may take it upon themselves to use your brand image and collateral in personal social media posts on Instagram, Facebook and other popular channels. This is a fast way to lose control of how your brand is being seen and perceived by others.
Similarly an employee may sharing industry opinions and thoughts under the guise of your organisation brand by also publishing their job role or title alongside the article in a channel with great reach.
Another example is how sales employees can generate their own PowerPoint presentations with logos and other corporate image assets and then they may distribute these presentations innocently to clients without any form of permission statement attached. It may appear harmless to individuals as they may not realise that what they are doing innocently is affecting how your are controlling your brand image to a competitive market.
These situations most commonly arise because an organisation either has not taken the time to establish and publish an organisational Brand Use policy, or that it has not been reinforced or publicised in any meaningful way. One should combine a policy with an easily visible statement or reminder to all employees as to what is and is not allowed regarding brand re-use. A simple policy reminder such as a Copyright and Quote Policy is a good start.
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Below are frequently asked questions about our skills training programs.
Workforce programs for the public
- What is the new 29 million skills training commitment?We are excited to announce our new commitment that by 2025 AWS will help 29 million people grow their technical skills with free cloud computing skills training. To do this, we will continue expanding our current programs and piloting new initiatives designed to meet a wide variety of schedules and learning goals.
We will provide training opportunities through existing AWS-designed programs, including AWS Training and Certification; AWS re/Start; AWS Educate; Machine Learning University; and the AWS Fiber Optic Fusion Splicing Program.
Our focus is global, and our goal is to make cloud skills training accessible to anyone, anywhere. This plan is part of our ongoing commitment to support the future workforce.
It builds on the Upskilling 2025 commitment we made last year to train our own employees. Skills training is an area we have been focused on for a long time. We're excited to continue increasing access to cloud skills training, and give new opportunities to anyone who wants to further their technical knowledge. - How can I get started?We are providing training opportunities through existing AWS-designed programs, as well as developing new programs to meet a wide variety of schedules and learning goals. Each program is different in terms of the content provided and delivery method. We recommend reviewing the program websites listed in our report for details on what you'll learn and how to get started.
- How much is AWS investing in providing 29 million people with skills training?We are investing hundreds of millions of dollars to provide free cloud computing and technical skills training to people from all walks of life and all levels of knowledge, in more than 200 countries and territories.
- Are these programs free?Yes, the courses that are part of our commitment to train 29 million people are free. We want to make sure these trainings are accessible for all.
Programs for Amazon employees
- What is Upskilling 2025?In July 2019 we launched Upskilling 2025, our pledge to invest $700 million to provide skills training to 100,000 Amazon employees in the U.S. by 2025 so they could access in-demand jobs.In July 2019, Amazon committed $700 million to provide 100,000 employees, roughly a third of our U.S. workforce at the time, with access to upskilling programs through 2025.
These training programs—including Amazon Technical Academy, Associate2Tech, Machine Learning University, Career Choice, Amazon Apprenticeship, and AWS Training and Certification—support Amazonians as they gain critical skills to move into higher skill, better-paying, technical and non-technical roles, either within Amazon or elsewhere. - How is Amazon tracking towards Upskilling 2025, its employee commitment?Through this pledge, Amazon is focused on creating pathways to careers in areas that will continue growing in years to come, like healthcare, cloud computing, and machine learning. Since making this commitment in 2019, Amazon has scaled and expanded these six employee-focused programs across the U.S., with 15,000 participants trained in the first 12 months of our commitment.
- Do employees pay to participate in Upskilling 2025?All Amazon programs are paid in full by Amazon, and with Career Choice, Amazon pays up to 95% of tuition and fees toward certificates or diplomas.
- Who are the 100,000 employees benefitting from Upskilling 2025?These programs are for employees throughout the U.S., across all different job types and levels.


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Joseph Alfred, ACCA Singapore
Joseph Alfred, ACCA Singapore
8 September 2021
Why It Matters: Key areas of opportunities that the finance function can help leverage on in a post Covid-19 world
A recently launched research report by ACCA and PwC titled 'Finance functions: seizing the opportunity' with PwC, provided insights on whether the pandemic has created opportunities for finance roles. Joseph Alfred, Head of Policy – Singapore, Australia, NZ and Oceania, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) shares more about the findings and opportunities that the finance function can help leverage on, in a post-pandemic world.
Download the podcast.
Listen to his previous podcasts:
2 June 2021
How accountants are critical for businesses to become more resilient in these challenging times
A report by ACCA, the Singapore Accountancy Commission (SAC) and Shanghai National Accounting Institute (SNAI) showed the demand for non-regulated accountancy services fueled by the rise of technological advancement within the industry. Joseph Alfred, Head of Policy - Singapore, Australia, NZ and Oceania, ACCA, discusses more about the study and how accountants can help businesses to be more resilient in difficult times.
Download the podcast.
3 June 2020
Professional services progression pathways facilitating business diversification and technology adoption for SMPs
According to a study conducted by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Singapore (ACCA) and Singapore Accountancy Commission (SAC), there are some professional services that are subject to high demand but are in short supply. Joseph Alfred, Head of Policy, ACCA Singapore shares more about the importance of SMPs diversifying their practices to meet changing demands.
Download the podcast
30 March 2020
Upskilling for the digital world
In Career 360 on Prime Time, Bernard Lim spoke to Joseph Alfred, Head of Policy at ACCA to understand the challenges accountants face and how they can optimize digital opportunities.
Download the podcast
6 May 2019
ACCA Singapore on AI in Accounting
Joseph Alfred, Head of Policy and Technical for ACCA Singapore on its latest project, Machine Learning: More Science than Fiction. What will it mean for the accounting industry and current accounting professionals?
Download the podcast.
5 Apr 2019
ACCA's AccXelerator Program For SMPs
Rapid globalisation, changing business models and huge technological advances, has resulted in increasingly interconnected systems and processes in today's society. Professional accountancy body, ACCA believes the change will have an effect to a range of industries in the professional services sector, especially for SMEs. Joseph Alfred, Head of Policy and Technical, ACCA Singapore
Download the podcast.


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Oracle Corp. will expand its supply chain planning applications with the acquisition of Demantra, a provider of demand-driven planning solutions. Leveraging analytics and collaboration capabilities, Demantra offers solutions for demand management, sales and operations planning, and trade promotion planning and optimization.
Together with Oracle's existing supply chain and ERP applications, customers can more proactively manage complex, global supply chain operations.
The closing of the transaction is anticipated in June 2006, subject to certain closing conditions. Financial details were not disclosed.


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Sponsorship Opportunity
The Growing Kids Sale is excited to offer sponsorship options for business, events and organizations who want to reach the Growing Kids consignors and shoppers. The Growing Kids Sale offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to reach thousands of local moms and families. Our sponsorship packages bundle several different, effective advertising avenues.Growing Kids looks forward to partnering with you to increase the community's awareness about what you have to offer!
Please support our Sponsors:
-Assess family needs, from developmental to physical -Help families find support networks -Refer families to community/state resources
-Positive Experiences-Safe Environment-Qualified Staff-Family & Community Support-Focus on Kindergarten Readiness
Quality dance instruction in a Christian atmosphere. Uplifting music, modest costumes, conservative choreography.
Hello Little One is a local prenatal ultrasound studio where mothers and fathers to be, along with friends and family, can gather together in a relaxed environment to meet the newest member of their family.


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Giving people with special needs chance in the workplace
What you need to know:
- Ability. People with disability, special needs, or the differently-abled, are some of the terms used to refer to people with a form of impairment. While society is embracing non-discriminatory language when referring to them, few organisations have all inclusive human resource policies to give them equal opportunities.
When Chris Agaba* was called for an interview in one of the organisations in Kampala, he noticed the people on the interview panel were shocked at the sight of his condition.
"I remember one of the people on the panel asking me whether I would manage to work considering my condition," he shares.
Agaba is a person with a disability (PWD) on the leg, and uses a crutch. He is a certified accountant and can work as efficiently as any other person with his skills. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, with a specialty in Finance from Makerere University. He also has a certificate in Public Accounting. However, Agaba did not get the accounting job he had applied for. He learnt from an insider that he was the better candidate. However, he was not taken on because of his condition.
The descrimination
Like Agaba, a number of people with disabilities are facing discrimination at different places of work or during the selection process.
According to Hassan Waddimba, a programme associate for East Africa Centre for Disability Law and Policy today, many persons with disabilities are educated and are qualified with different skills. However, despite their qualifications, many of them are still facing challenges of unemployment. He attributes this to the direct and indirect discrimination against persons with disabilities in the labour market.
Waddimba says although Uganda's legal framework on employment vividly prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities, a section of employers are still afraid to hire PWDS. "Often times, PWDS are left out of short lists they are qualified for, some employers are still not yet comfortable hiring PWDS, which is a sign of discrimination contrary to what the law provides for," he says.
Inclusive environment
During a training organised to sensitise employers on people with disabilities, and developing disability inclusive human resource policies, recently, Elizabeth Kayanga, the Executive Director for Integrated Disabled Women Activities Uganda, says, PWDS can and want to be productive members of society but some are being denied the opportunity. She says society should promote more inclusive environments and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
She notes that in order to achieve this inclusion in employment, there must be improved access to basic education, vocational training that is relevant to the labour market, providing jobs that are suited to PWD skills, interests and abilities and other adaptations as needed.
Kayanga observes that most of the factors mentioned above are not yet fully addressed, the reason many PWDS are unemployed. "There are many barriers that have not yet been addressed for instance, making the working environment more accessible for persons with disabilities. Most of our working environments don't consider PWDS," she says.
Job advert medium
Kayanga says another issue that is still hindering PWDS from getting jobs is the nature through which jobs are advertised. She says most employers use advertising formats that are not inclusive for PWDS.
She says while advertising jobs, employers need to ensure people with disabilities are provided with information in a variety of forms but not to only place adverts in print media. She adds that on several occasions, employers forget that there are people that cannot see but can hear and these can best learn of a job opening through radio or broadcast media
Following a survey conducted in Iganga and Mayuge districts on employment of persons with disabilities, Kayanga noted that most employers have human resource policies that are discriminative of persons with disabilities, and thus engaged in building their capacity on inclusive employment.
The ability to perform
She adds that on several occasions, employers forget there are people that cannot see, but can hear, and these can best learn of a job opening through radio or broadcast media, yet the job will only be advertised in print media.
Waddimba says another pressing issue that needs to be addressed is challenging the attitudes and mistaken assumptions that people have for PWDS. He says many people due to empathy, imagine that PWDS cannot accomplish certain tasks, which to him are a wrong presumption.
"Most PWDS are hardworking people who have many times proved that they have potential to even perform better, so it wrong to leave them out on employment," he says.
He adds that many employers still hold fears based on myths and ignorance that is barring them from recruiting persons with disabilities.
He says to close this gap, employers need to be sensitised on the potentials of persons with disabilities in employment, and how this potential can be realised through offering PWDS an opportunity to work.
"Once recruited, it becomes an opportunity for both the employer and the workmates to learn from, and about an individual with a disability about their abilities and what support systems should be put in place to enable them perform better while at work," he says.
Waddimba says there needs to be reasonable accommodation of PWDS at every workplace. To him, this should include the necessary and appropriate modification and adjustment working atmosphere and not imposing a disproportionate or undue burden to ensure that persons with disabilities get the enjoyment or exercise an equal basis with others of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
*Not real name
The records
Allan Kabaale of Disability Rights Employment Initiative, advises PWDs to be aggressive and seek employment opportunities. He says although the society still segregates the PWDS on employment, also some PWDS still look down on themselves and are not aggressive enough. "We need to fight the stigma of inferiority complex among PWDS, you have the potential to compete favourably for different employment opportunities, so do not fear to aim high," he advises.


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11 Curly Hair Tips for Winter
This post may contain affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please read the disclosure policy for more details.
We love winter for the holidays, the pretty snow, and the hot cocoa, but us curly haired girls don't love it for its dry air. Your already dry hair becomes impossibly drier, the wind and snow make your hair ridiculously tangled, and let's not even talk about hats and the frizz they cause.
So what's a curly girl to do? You need the best curly hair tips for winter and they are a bit different than your standard curly hair routine.
Reviewed by Laurie Cain, Curl Specialist and Hair Stylist.
Winter Means Low Dew Points
First, let's understand why curly girls suffer so much in the winter. The low dew point is to blame. Anytime the weather hits below 35 degrees Fahrenheit, your hair releases water. That's the opposite of what you want to happen but if you use humectants, that's exactly what happens.
What's the result? You name it – frizzing hair, flyaways, broken hair, and split ends – all the things we hate.
During these cold months, layer up on the leave-in conditioner and only use products with light hold. Your curls need the moisture now more than ever – don't give it away! Start a winter curly hair routine.
The Top 11 Ways to Handle Curly Hair in the Winter
Now that you know what curly hair will do in the winter, here are our favorite curly hair tips for winter.
1. Use conditioner – a lot of it.
Conditioner is your best friend in these winter months. Like I said above, leave-in conditioner keeps the moisture in your hair instead of giving it away. Give your hair some moisturizing love and find a leave-in conditioner you love.
And in addition to using conditioner and leave in on wash days, you can add moisture back into your hair by applying some watered down leave in conditioner on dry hair. Just be light handed with this and make sure it doesn't have any humectants in the top 5 ingredients.
Check out my picks for the 10 best curly girl conditioners here.
2. Never comb or brush dry hair.
Curly girls shouldn't comb or brush dry hair ever, but in the winter it's an even bigger no-no. If you need some help in the shower getting through your tresses and making sure each strand gets conditioner, use a wide-toothed comb but only in the shower. Once you're out, stick to your fingers, but use them sparingly too.
3. Skip the heat – or go low.
This is another curly girl no-no in the winter. Hot tools ruin your curls and dry out your hair. But, sometimes we can't help it. We're in a hurry and don't have time for air drying. In those instances (make them rare) use a diffuser on the lowest heat setting to dry your curls.
4. Seal your hair.
If you don't use oil year-round, winter is a great time to start. Pay close attention to your ends, as that's where your hair loses the most moisture. Oil locks in moisture and any products you used to style your hair. Not only that, but it protects your hair from the nasty dry air and damaging cold temperatures.
Argan and jojoba oils are my favorite options because they are lightweight, affordable, and work well on all hair types.
The best way to use oils to seal is by taking just a few drops and scrunching them into the ends gently just after you finish applying all your styling products and your hair is still wet.
I do want to note curl specialist Laurie's comments on using oil:
While I understand that oil is used and loved by Curly Girls around the world….. It is my LEAST favorite product. However, as I tell all my guests, if you LOVE it and don't want to give it up, you will need to do more intensive cleansing -more frequently. All oil, any oil, sealing, penetrating, whatever…. will block the hair from absorbing water. It will need to be removed regularly.
So just be sure you're on top of this by clarifying on a regular basis if you do decide to use oil.
5. Treat yourself to a silk pillowcase.
You can't help but roll around while you sleep. Unfortunately, that's a recipe for broken and frizzy hair, especially during the winter months when your hair is already fragile. Since you don't have to do anything except lay your head on your pillow, this is one of our favorite tips. Enjoy your sleep on a silky new pillowcase.
You can try this one on Amazon or this one from Tee-Owels (use affiliate code HOLISTICENCHILADA to save).
6. Find your favorite protective hairstyle.
Hats, scarves, wind, and cold wreak havoc on your pretty curls. If you have some time on your hand, get to know different hairstyles. Braids, loose ponies, and cute buns (hello messy bun) are all great ways to protect your hair from tangles, frizz, and getting caught on all the winter gear we have to wear.
7. Buy a satin-lined hat.
Now you can enjoy the luxury of satin all day long. Satin lined beanies are a thing and you need them if you have curly hair. If you've ever suffered the embarrassment of looking like you stuck your finger in a light socket after removing your hair, you understand. Curly girls shouldn't have to freeze just to protect their hair – so treat yourself to a little luxury.
8. Mask (deep condition) your hair a lot.
Find a quality hair mask and use it often. Winter isn't a time to scrimp and save. Your hair needs as much protection as possible and it doesn't get much better than a thick hair mask that locks in your hair's moisture.
A few options I love include the Mielle Babassu Oil And Mint Deep Conditioner, Ecoslay Banana Cream conditioner, and Jessicurl Deep Conditioning Treatment.
9. Sleep with a humidifier
Give your hair the gift of moisture while you sleep by adding a humidifier to your room. When you wake up instead of having dry, straw-like hair, you'll have moisturized hair that's much easier to style and manage.
You could also use a steamer to refresh your curls and add some moisture back into your hair.
10. Keep it short
You don't need super short hair, but cutting off a few inches for the winter months isn't a bad idea, especially if you don't have time to let your hair air dry. Cutting off a few inches may save you more than an hour in drying time and it's less hair to deal with while the air is dry and there's frizziness galore.
11. Avoid glycerin in the top 5 ingredients.
I alluded to this in the first tip, but since glycerin is a humectant and it's popular in curly hair products, you might have to avoid it when the dew points are low.
Remember that in low dew points humectants pull moisture OUT of your hair and dry out your hair. For this reason, avoid glycerin as one of the first 5 ingredients in any leave in products. Check out this post with glycerin free styling products.
Start your Winter Curly Hair Routine
While you should take care of your hair all year, your curls need extra TLC in the winter months, which means a winter curly hair routine. Pay close attention to the products you use and even how you treat your hair. Give your hair extra love when you shower, style it, and even throughout the day – including when you sleep.
With the right help, you'll give your hair the moisture it needs to fight off the dry winter air and the damage it can cause. If you do it right, you won't be able to tell if it's winter or summer looking at your beautiful curls!
Please do me a favor and share this post to social media, as it helps me grow my audience and spread the word about our curly hair movement! And remember to subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more curly hair tips and product recommendations. Thanks!
Check out these other curly hair posts:
- My Favorite Curly Girl Products of 2020
- 11 Frizz Tips & Tricks
- Protein Treatments For Curly Hair – A Guide To Protein Moisture Balance
- Tips For Fine Low Density Curly Hair
- How To Fix Limp Curls
- How To Choose Products When Starting The Curly Girl Method
- How To Repair Damaged Curly Hair
If you want help with embracing your naturally wavy or curly hair, you can join my FREE email course and download my FREE pdf guide, THE QUICK START GUIDE TO MASTERING YOUR CURLS, full of everything you need to know to get started and bring out your beautiful waves and curls.
Join the Facebook group!
Fabulous Curls Academy
Fabulous Curls Academy offers the curly hair resources you need to master your curls and create the routine that will give you fabulous curls. Check out the digital downloads and courses to help you have the defined, bouncy curls you want. The monthly membership is the most affordable way to access everything you need to embrace your curls with success. Click here to learn more.


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In Jodhpur, I didn't manage to find a couchsurfing host at short notice, so I booked myself into the Govind Hotel. It's just a couple of hundred metres from the railway station, and the manager offered a walking pick up straight off the train. However, they've had problems in the past with the station authorities not believing they're picking up guests with prior reservations, and threatening to prosecute them for touting for business on the platform. So the manager described the procedure: I tell him my carriage number and he will wait outside it, wearing a blue t-shirt. When I get off, I should look for him but not talk to him. When he sees me, he'll briefly show me a piece of paper with my name on it. Then he'll walk out of the station, and I should follow behind him at a distance until we're clear.
I could have found the hotel myself, but once I'd heard about the John le Carré style procedure of the walking pick up, I definitely had to go for it. The contact went precisely as planned, and we were undetected by the railway authorities as we exchanged a subtle nod on the platform and escaped through their net to the street outside and the hotel.
I was only in Jodhpur for one day, so I had to make the most of it. I signed up for a tour of the Bishnoi villages, organised by the hotel, to cover the morning, and then planned to walk into the old city and see Meherangarh Fort in the afternoon.
At first I was the only person signed up for the Bishnoi tour, which was going to cost me Rs1500, of which I paid a Rs1000 deposit. But over dinner on the rooftop cafe, I managed to talk two American guests, Peter and Corinna, into joining me. By recruiting them to the tour, the price was reduced to Rs700 per head. Peter and Corinna paid up, and the hotel manager gave me my Rs300 refund – which made it look like I was the sort of commission scam tout that I've grown to hate with a passion in India.
We drove about 30 minutes out of Jodhpur to the area of the Bishnoi villages. This is something which is fascinating about India. In the UK, if you travel 30 minutes out of a city to visit the local villages, you'll be meeting people who are just like the ones in the city, except they've chosen to live in villages. In India, a modern urban dweller could drive 30 minutes out of town and be amongst tribal people like the Bishnoi, living in houses made of cow dung and following obscure local religious practices. Well, maybe you could do that in Norfolk too.
Our first stop was Khejarli village, and a memorial to the 363 Bishnois who sacrificed their lives to protect their sacred khejri trees from the Maharaja's lumberjacks. The memorial is in a park full of khejri and other trees, with a small temple, and a new larger temple under construction behind it. The piles of sand and cement lying around spoiled the ambience somewhat.
We went from there to the house of a Bishnoi family, which as I mentioned before, is made of cow dung – in particular the floor. It is dried and painted over, at least. There, we were given traditional Bishnoi opium tea. Considering Hate List item 11.10, I should say "opium infusion". We were only given a little of what I presume was a fairly weak mixture. I guess the tour organisers want us to be happy enough to tip well, but not to knock us out completely for the rest of the sights. A tiny amount of opium resin was ground in water with a mortar and pestle, then strained through a cotton funnel hanging from a stand. After slurping a couple of thimblefuls from my hand, and waiting a few minutes, I thought I could feel a slight effect, but it was subtle enough that I could have been imagining it. Meanwhile I also had a go at grinding millet with a hand-powered millstone.
We stopped by a lake where our guide showed us Siberian crane and blackbuck. By this point, the opium effect was akin to having had 1-2 beers. I felt like my pool game had probably improved. Unfortunately there was no chance to test the theory, as we were off to a craft workshop to see a demonstration of pottery on a very primitive potter's wheel, just a large stone disc, spun by hand and then left to run by inertia. We looked at finished pottery and block-printed fabric products, and Peter and Corinna bought some of the latter. I had no interest in stocking up on clay figurines and bed sheets at this particular time.
Finally, we went to another Bishnoi home for lunch, a weaving demonstration and another shopping opportunity, this time for carpets. The lunch was roti (flat bread) made from a mixture of millet and wheat flour, curd curry and cooked khejri leaves. After this we headed back to Jodhpur. I felt quite sleepy and found it difficult to stay awake in the car: you know how it is, being in the passenger seat, during that post-lunch lull, when the weather's warm. And you've had some opium.
By the time we got back to Jodhpur, the opium had worn off and I immediately signed up to do the Bishnoi tour again the next day. (Joking, mum.) Coffee at the hotel perked us up, and we walked into the old city towards Meherangarh Fort. As I wrote in the last blog post about the Art Nouveau havelis of Bikaner's old city, the medieval quarter of Jodhpur is exactly that. It still has the city's densest concentration of population, industry and commerce, rather than the museumpiece alleys and squares of European old cities. Sardar Bazaar around the clock tower, especially, would be a great place for some street cafes, if you could get rid of all the people and clean it up. Not that I'm recommending genocide. Maybe just a forced relocation.
Corinna wasn't interested in seeing the fort, so cut away from Peter and me and went off to explore the streets and shops. Later, at the hotel, she said she'd had a great time and had returned with a huge bag of turmeric, bought for the bargain price of Rs35 (about 35p). I wondered if perhaps my distaste for these still-functioning "old cities" wouldn't be so great if I were interested in shopping as a tourist activity. I don't buy anything from European old city boutiques either, I just like them because they're discreet and keep the place nice and tidy. Maybe I'd enjoy Old Delhi / Shahjahanabad, the Pink City of Jaipur, and this place, a bit more if I wanted to do what Corinna did, go and hunt out the spice stalls and stock up on turmeric at rock bottom prices. But why would I? It's trivially easy to buy turmeric at home, and any saving on price is massively outweighed by the hassle of carrying a big bag of it with me for the rest of the trip, and inevitably having it explode over all of my stuff.
Guessing a route through the alleys up towards the fort, Peter and I were accosted by a boy of no more than 14, smoking a cigarette.
- Boy: Hello! Want smoke?
- Peter: No thank you.
- Boy: Can I have one question?
- [I was too slow to say yes, and ask him one.]
- Peter: OK, just one.
- Boy: Your skin looks very soft. Do you use moisturiser cream?
- Peter: No.
- Boy: How do you make it so clean?
- Me: He washes. Thus ends the lesson.
We continued striding up the hill, too quickly for Beauty Tips Boy to bother following us.
By far the best place to enjoy the Blue City is from the fort, where the street level is obscured, and you see only the blue-painted upper storeys of the houses jostling together against the cliff walls. Except for the colour, it's very reminiscent of Athens, with the Acropolis towering over the ancient city.
After a while of touring Rajasthan, you can become a bit fort-blind. They all start to merge into one. Which fort was it where we saw all the cannons? Where was the throne room fabulously decorated with mirrored tiles? Answer: all of them. From the outside, Meherangarh in Jodhpur is the most magnificent I've seen so far: vast, solid walls and towers rising from the already vertiginous rock. Inside, it's the same old stuff: intricately carved screens, plush throne rooms, rich textiles, armouries of decorated weapons. I reckon I could project manage my own Maharaja's fort by now: I know all the stuff that's supposed to be in it. Meherangarh did contain a few new things though: galleries of howdahs, palanquins and cradles, a throne room ceiling decorated with Christmas baubles, and of course its incredible views over the Blue City.
On the way back down through Jodhpur's narrow, busy alleys, I almost got run over by a motorbike. Not in the Western sense of having a motorbike whizz past, missing you by inches. That happens a hundred times a day. No, I mean in the Indian sense, where you both suddenly have to stop because the motorbike's front wheel is now between your legs.
My two American companions for the day, Peter and Corinna, are a teacher and a poet respectively. I asked Corinna if she had written any poetry about India. She said that, apart from being cliched, and not the sort of topic she covers anyway, she wouldn't feel comfortable writing about India from the perspective of a privileged white Western visitor. We have no right to make judgments on another culture. Ah, I thought, the relativist position. I understand the argument. I don't agree with it. I'm extremely comfortable going around India, judging the shit out of it. My values are my values. They may be changed by contact with another culture, but ultimately I believe that I'm right, and if you differ from it, you're wrong. Cultural relativism is the attitude which leads otherwise right-thinking people to sign a petition in favour of the mutilation of girls' genitals, even when it happens in the UK, because they don't want to interfere. Its antithesis, cultural imperialism, inspired the British Raj to put an end to suttee, the ritual burning alive of a dead man's widows on his funeral pyre. Monuments to the practice can be seen at Meherangarh Fort, where the Maharaja's widows would follow his funeral procession out to the burning ground, leaving their handprints on the wall of the entrance gate as they passed under it for the last time.
Each of these 31 hands represented a human life, needlessly and cruelly extinguished. Visitors place coins and garlands to "honour" the practice, which still happens occasionally up to the present day.


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I had a dream last night … and let me tell you, it was a doozy.
In this dream, I was in a foreign land, or so I thought, until I realized it was Brooklyn. Dave was there with me, and someone asked him to do a Catholic funeral at a place that was supposed to be a large church, but which ended up being big and expansive, like a sports stadium, except that it also felt like a small, intimate bowling alley. We'd been assigned the center four "lanes" for this particular funeral, but other funerals were going on all around us on the other lanes. Ours was the biggest. In the field below our "stadium," some sort of sports activity had begun, but I couldn't quite hear what it was.
Someone put me in charge of lighting the candles, of which there were perhaps 500 — all in different shapes and sizes, tucked here and there and everywhere. Some were hurricane lamps, some were tea lights, some were votives, tucked way down deep in giant mason jars. All they gave me for my task was a box of stick matches, so I kept having to strike a new one every few candles, and the wicks were too far down on a lot of the hurricane lamps, so I kept having to blow out my match and stop and tug on those blackened wicks. The whole time I was lighting the candles and lamps, these disapproving Catholic church ladies kept circling and watching me, and tsk-tsking my candle-lighting performance. Meanwhile, I kept looking over my shoulder trying to watch this TV interview with Lenny Leblanc, who was explaining why he felt compelled to return to the studio with six back-up vocalists and remake his 70s mega-hit song, "Falling" (one of my all-time favorites). This may have accounted for some of the tsking.
I thought I was dressed appropriately for a funeral (I was wearing black pants and a black blazer, and a silky red blouse), but people started asking me when I was going to change my clothes. I saw my friend, Janet B., sitting on one of the bleacher/pews waiting for the funeral to begin. "Is this blouse okay?" I asked. She scoffed and said, "Why would you wear red to a funeral?" But she was wearing a red fox stole around her shoulders, which really confused me. Janet and all the church ladies around her started pointing to me and saying, "Inappropriate! Inappropriate!" Figuring I was inappropriate, I looked around for something else to wear, and eventually found a black tank top with cougar print all over it (in shades of gray) that I first tried to pin to the front of my blazer (like a dickie) before realizing I could just put it on.
Another friend, Teresa T., had been asked to sing Ave Maria at the funeral. I had no idea she could sing. She asked me to pray with her before she went on, so I figured that maybe it was news to her too. After praying with her — and I had to really speak up for her to hear me, because we could hear bowling pins being knocked over and cheering from the sports fans in the stadium — I went around the side of the bleacher/pew to light some more candles and found a torch, but it was out. But a Filipino man appeared with another torch which he tried using to light mine, but it didn't work, and I couldn't understand what he was trying to say to me. His friend came over and asked me questions, but I couldn't understand him either. They stuck some things in my torch that looked like a combination of car fuses and stogies and tried to light those. But I could hear Teresa starting to sing in front of the stadium, so I dropped the torch and ran around to hear her.
She began singing Ave Maria (and she was actually pretty good), but it morphed into the Star Spangled Banner, and she kind of shoved the words into weird spots that made it almost unrecognizable. I finally figured out that she was doing a comedy routine. When I came around the side, she wasn't in her dress anymore, but in a fuzzy pink costume. talking a lot about bunnies and cherry mountain bars. Everyone loved her. They were all clustered around her gushing about her act and listening to her describe her other comedy routines and trying to book her for other funerals. (Wow. Do I get a plaque or something for fitting "her" in that sentence five times?)
I had been asked to recite the Lord's Prayer, but I couldn't remember the second to the last verse, so I had to stand up there saying the first part all somber and serious while trying desperately to search for the prayer on my iPhone. I couldn't ask Siri to do it for me while simultaneously talking into a microphone, so I was just punching in stuff in google trying in vain to find it before reaching that part of the prayer.
The funeral ended, I changed back into my inappropriate red blouse, and I flew to Europe.
When all that was over, I woke up thinking exactly what you are thinking: Man, I need a mountain bar!
So here's a recipe. 😀
No-Bake Mountain Bars
Before I give you the ingredients, let me explain that we're trying to substitute coconut oil (which is actually really yummy) for butter as much as possible. Lots of new data is showing how healing coconut oil is to the body, and that it may even help prevent Alzheimer's. And I really don't want to be a lonely old lady when Dave and I are ninety.
- 1 ¼ cup white sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar (you could use all white … I just didn't have enough)
- ½ cup coconut oil (you could use butter)
- ½ cup rice milk (you could use regular)
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ cup peanut butter, creamy or crunchy
- 1 TBSP pure vanilla
- 2 cups regular oats, blended just briefly in a blender to pulverize a bit
- 1-2 cups oats, just enough to hold it all together
Here's a picture of what the coconut oil looks like, in case you haven't used it before. It's solid at room temperature, but it melts at a temperature a little lower than butter. As you can see by the photo, it is vital that you are extremely accurate in your measuring:
Mix sugar(s), oil or butter, milk and cocoa powder in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook for one minute.
Reduce heat and add peanut butter. Stir to blend.
Add vanilla.
Add the oats you pulverized (just slightly). Begin adding oats, up to 2 more cups, until the mixture looks like it will hold its shape together when you put it on waxed paper.
Using a cookie scoop, drop onto waxed paper or a silicone baking mat. (I've had mine so long that I can't find an exact match anymore. The one I found was so large I was able to cut it to fit a few of my baking pans. These make baking or candy-making so much easier! I really don't know if I could successfully make my Licorice Caramels or Poor Man's Almond Roca without it). The mountain bars will set up in ten minutes or so.
Set a little to-go package aside for your daughter to take with her to school.
Enjoy a few with coffee while listening to Lenny Leblanc's "Falling" (the original; not the unneeded remix 🙂 )


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Youth Outreach Leaders
Youth Outreach Leaders will learn how to do block-walks and canvassing, they will work in teams and walk around neighborhoods in Austin, talking to neighbors and new people about voting! You will learn how to register people to vote and share information about important local elections. This position requires weekend and after-school hours for block walks and training.
- Applications Close on November 10th
- Seeking to Hire: Ages 14-22
- Pay: $20/hr
- Reports to our Youth Canvassing Coordinator
- More details here
- For more about Youth Rise Texas check our IG @youthrisetx or our website www.youthrisetx.org.
- For questions or concerns text (512) 333-1406 or email email@example.com!
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The Hawthorne Voices blog showcased the EcoVillage LEED home, but I also stopped by a few other NoMi homes on the Minneapolis/St. Paul Home Tour. One place that just blew my mind was 1500 Dupont Ave N, owned and rehabbed by FenaMacher Properties. (top photo is from their website)
After being amazed by the gorgeous woodwork throughout, the next thing I noticed was, of course...
...the windows.
Not all of the windows are the original ones, but the owners took care to preserve as much of the original features as possible. Time and time again slumlords have spliced up rooms and added walls to create more bedrooms and maximize rental capacity. Prior to this rehab, that's exactly what had happened.
Thank goodness the original woodwork was still intact, but all too often new owners simply don't fix this. After all, why spend time and money on making your property bring in LESS rental income?
This is why. |
In the long run, such dedication to restoring a home to its original intentions can pay financial dividends. Quality workmanship will attract quality tenants. But the work wasn't all historic restoration; the owners added new gadgetry too.
For what it's worth, this is what I would call a perfect blend of the old and the new. The aesthetic features of the house show a care for preservation and the functional aspects of the house, such as the kitchen and bathroom, have a more modern feel.
Even the Craigslist posting for this place is done right. (Yes folks, there are still units available for July 1 at the time of this posting!) All too often we'll hear landlords in NoMi complain about how difficult it is to find good tenants. And then we find out that they "marketed" their properties by sticking a sign in the front yard with their phone number written in with a black Sharpie. Or worse yet, they use sign spam.
FenaMacher Properties markets this rental as beautifully as they've restored it. They use words and phrases like "unmatched location," "small town in a big city," and "diverse, aware, connected neighbors who truly care." We live in a great community in NoMi, these owners know it, and they want tenants who know it too.
Now it occurs to me that I haven't quite done this place justice. One photo above showed the view from the back porch on a drab April day. But if you move in by July 1st, this is what you'll see from that same spot only a few days later:
Photo from apartment's Craigslist post. |


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Cyprus Smash Brothers
The Super Smash Brothers Community is maybe not the largest organisation present at the Cyprus Comic Con but certainly one of the oldest, as well as one with a competitive yet friendly community.
The organisation is founded and curated by Alexandros Megalemos, Miltiades Strouthos and Petros Petrou, but the aforementioned community is highly involved in arranging both casual and competitive get-togethers, always in the true spirit of good fun (and some lucritive prizes)!
The group sets its sights to improving participator as well as spectator experience year by year, through hype-casting and raffled participation prizes.


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Oz Tablet Sales Fall: Android Slips, Windows Grows
Latest research from technology analysis firm, Telsyte, has revealed Australian tablet sales during the first half of 2017 dipped 10% from a year ago.
Telsyte's study found a declining demand for Android-based tablets, with greater preference given to Windows 10-based touchscreen devices. Many third-party manufacturers have held back from releasing new Android-based tablets, whilst Google has not unveiled a new Nexus or Pixel tablet in over twelve months.
Windows-based devices have benefited from the merging of PC and tablet features. 2-in-1 tablets (i.e tablets capable of being used as a computing device with keyboard) have only increased in demand, now representing a third of tablet sales in 1H 2017.
Telsyte expects Windows-based tablet sales in Australia to overtake Android by the end of 2017.
Telsyte Managing Director, Foad Fadaghi, states of Microsoft's emergence:
"Microsoft seems to be redeeming itself with larger touchscreens despite losing the smartphone platform battle".
The top four tablet manufacturers (by sales in first half 2017) remains; Apple, Samsung, Microsoft and Lenovo. The sum of these brands equates to 80% of total units sold within this space.
The firm's research reveals that more consumers are requesting 4G/LTE capable tablets, which is only set to increase on the back of the imminent arrival of eSIMs.
Telsyte expects 1.7 million tablets will be sold in the second half of 2017 – up from 7 percent over the same period last year.
Notably, the firm expects the emergence of AR – perpetuated by the release of Apple's ARkit and Google's ARCore – to only benefit and further grow national tablet sales. The firm states thus far over 40% of Australian tablet users have already tried AR apps.
Telsyte's Senior Analyst, Alvin Lee, states the development could holp opportunities for brand differentiation:
"While AR has been around for a long time, new developer platforms and better hardware will encourage business investment in the next generation of tablet apps".


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uniball Deluxe Roller Ball Pen, Stick, Fine 0.7 mm, Blue Ink, Champagne/Black/Blue Barrel, Dozen - Introduce sophisticated style to your everyday writing with Deluxe Rollerball Stick Pens from uniball featuring a strong, long lasting tip. Even-flowing, acid-free liquid ink delivers a smooth writing experience for intense, vibrant lines. Deluxe delivers crisp lines with unparalleled definition, making it easy to create super fine details in your drawings and diagrams. Capped roller pens are useful for a variety of tasks from note taking and list making to signing checks and legal documents. Innovative uni Super Ink technology forms a strong bond with the paper, protecting from water, fading and fraud. Up your writing instrument sophistication with the matte black, brushed steel barrel of the Deluxe capped rollerball pens.
Uniball Deluxe Roller Ball Pen, Stick, Fine 0.7 Mm, Blue Ink, Champagne/Black/Blue Barrel, Dozen
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- Quick-drying roller pens produce neat and precise strokes for intricate writing, allowing you to write effortlessly without smudges or smears.
- Smooth, even-flowing liquid ink rollerball pens are perfect for note taking, list making and signatures.
- Sleek, metallic exterior has a matte finish.
- uni Super Ink protects against water, fading and fraud.
- Features acid-free and archival quality roller ink, which is useful for important documents that need to last.
Shipping from
This product is shipped from our supplier's warehouse in Colombus, WI, United States
Our guarantee
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A 25% handling charge is levied against all authorized returns except those due to our error. Unauthorized returns are subject to a 40% handling charge. Damages & defects must be reported to us within 14 days.


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Story Highlights Would require total income tax to top out at 25%
The final recommendation will determine which companies face higher or lower taxes
Source: Committee on Ways and Means
Proposed tax changes would affect most earners
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As negotiations continue over a bill to overhaul the U.S. tax code, an influential congressional panel today recommended changes to the alternative minimum tax (AMT), potentially raising taxes for millions of Americans.
The report by the Joint Committee on Taxation could affect Amazon, General Motors, Boeing, Ford, Phillips 66, Mastercard, Lockheed Martin, Procter & Gamble, and other large corporations and certain partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs) and S corporations, according to a recent analysis. The other industries that would likely be impacted, according to Forbes, include insurance and financial services, media, technology, private-sector workers' compensation, energy, communications, and real estate.
A statement from the committee said its recommendations will likely be changed to comply with Senate rules, and it did not mention that they could affect income-earners who have less than $100,000 in pre-tax income. The AMT is currently imposed on individuals and, to a lesser extent, on households. By applying the tax to corporations, the entire U.S. economy would be affected because corporations, when making payments to shareholders, are mostly owner-directed.
The final report on the tax bill will determine which companies will face higher or lower taxes, and the new tax could potentially cost individual taxpayers hundreds or thousands of dollars per year.


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#535: Cape Todo (category: cape)
Cape Todo (or Todo-ga-saki in Japanese) is the easternmost point of Honshu Island (refer to #062). Located in Iwate Prefecture, the cape belongs to Sanriku Fukko National Park.
"Sanriku" is an ancient name of the northeastern area of the Tohoku region (refer to #136) and literally means "three lands". Also, the word "fukko" can be paraphrased as "reconstruction" in English.
(Monday, May 14th, 2018) See Archive
#534: Cape Ohma << >> #536: Bisha-no-hana
Sponsored Links


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From: | John Fisher <john@...> |
Date: | Sunday, July 25, 1999, 21:18 |
I've just put up the fifth section of "Teach Yourself Elet Anta" If you'd like a look the index to the course is here: http://www.drummond.demon.co.uk/anta/course Here's another translation exercise from the course, if anyone wants a go (sorry that it's rather culture-specific...) There are many mice in my house. I don't like them, they are dirty. Yesterday I saw three mice on the kitchen table, eating the bread. My mother said, "Buy a cat. Cats happily eat mice, and there will be no problem in your home." In the shop I looked at two cats. The second one was very big and bad tempered, and it only had one eye. The attendant said, "It eats many mice." I bought it enthusiastically. The cat sat in my kitchen, and its one eye looked at me angrily. I was frightened of it, and I felt sorry for the mice. But in the evening, I saw the cat lying on a chair. Very near it were three mice. All four animals were sleeping calmly. --John -- John Fisher email@example.com firstname.lastname@example.com Elet Anta website: http://www.drummond.demon.co.uk/anta/ Drummond ro cleshfan merec; fanye litoc, inye litoc


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Mechel Awarded for Active Participation in Russia's Year of The Environment
Moscow, Russia – June 9, 2017 – Mechel PAO (NYSE: MTL, MOEX: MTLR), a leading Russian mining and metals company, was awarded with an honorary diploma for its active participation in Russia's Environment Protection Year.
The award ceremony was held in Russian Presidential Administration building at a solemn function dedicated to the Ecologist Day and the International Environment Protection Day. The V.I. Vernadsky Non-Governmental Ecology Fund and the All-Russian Environment Protection Society organized the function with the support of Russian Presidential Administration and profile committees in the State Duma and the Federation Council.
Honorary diplomas were awarded to those enterprises that make a significant contribution to the cause of environment protection. Since its foundation, Mechel Group has invested over 15.7 billion rubles in environment protection measures.
In 2017, the Group's Chelyabinsk facilities — Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant PAO and Mechel-Coke OOO — are implementing major ecological programs. In particular, Mechel-Coke has begun implementing a project of technical revamping of its benzene facility, isolating the coke gas final cooling water cycle in the by-product recovery plant #2. Implementing modern technology will enable the company to fully eliminate a large emission source.
The Group's mining enterprises also conduct active measures to improve the ecological situation in the regions of their presence. In 2017, Southern Kuzbass Coal Company PAO will rehabilitate 77 hectares of disturbed soils, while Yakutugol Holding Company AO will restore some 59 hectares. As part of biological reclamation of mined land, Southern Kuzbass Coal Company has already planted 24,000 conifer transplants, with 55,000 more planned to be planted by the end of the year.
Southern Kuzbass Coal Company PAO and Korshunov Mining Plant PAO annually take part in the program for restoring fish stock in regional waters. Every year, the companies release hundreds of thousands of nelma, pelyad and whitefish juveniles hatched with the two companies' financing.
Complex modernization of its facilities as well as implementation of ecological programs enables Mechel to consistently reduce the impact of its facilities on the local environment.
Mechel PAO
Ekaterina Videman
Tel: + 7 495 221 88 88
Mechel is an international mining and steel company. Its products are marketed in Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa. Mechel unites producers of coal, iron ore concentrate, steel, rolled products, ferroalloys, heat and electric power. All of its enterprises work in a single production chain, from raw materials to high value-added products.
Some of the information in this press release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of Mechel, as defined in the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We wish to caution you that these statements are only predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. We do not intend to update these statements. We refer you to the documents Mechel files from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form 20-F. These documents contain and identify important factors, including those contained in the section captioned "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in our Form 20-F, that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements, including, among others, the achievement of anticipated levels of profitability, growth, cost and synergy of our recent acquisitions, the impact of competitive pricing, the ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals and licenses, the impact of developments in the Russian economic, political and legal environment, volatility in stock markets or in the price of our shares or ADRs, financial risk management and the impact of general business and global economic conditions.


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The Benny Awards continue ever onward, and to day its time to give the Bobby Award, given to the team's most improved player. It's named for former United standout and current Houston Dynamo defender Bobby Boswell, who went from an undrafted rookie to Defender Of The Year in just a two-year stretch.
In a season without much improvement, it was difficult to find a full crop of candidates. Some of these players improved this year over last year, while others improved from what they were at the beginning of the season as compared to what they were at the end of the season. However, I think that all of the candidates improved in some way, shape, or form. The only past winner of this award is the cake-filled Chris Korb.
1. Kyle Porter: Porter was originally signed to be one of the last members of the bench, a role player who was supposed to be an impact sub at best. However, he ended up being tied for the most goals scored on the team when he was asked to start; when he returned to the bench, he provided that spark off the bench that we had hoped he would be all season. His time as a starter was more mixed, but as an impact sub and spot starter I am content with Porter moving forward.
2. Perry Kitchen: Stints in central defense aside, Perry Kitchen has grown into a very good defensive midfielder. This year, he continued that growth even with the rest of the team falling apart around him and also grew into his leadership role as well. With the team needing a new captain next year, I think that Kitchen should be on the shortlist.
3. Ethan White: There were calls for D.C. United to get rid of Ethan White, who was seen as overpriced and a bust as a homegrown player after he couldn't break into the 18 last season when Dejan Jakovic was injured. Those calls continued when he couldn't get a start despite United's horrific defense this season. But when he finally got his opportunity, he seized it with both hands and became the best defender on the team. Should United get a center defender in the offseason, there will be a barn-burner of a competition between Jakovic and White to see who gets to start next season (should Dejan still be around).
4. Michael Seaton: Seaton's improvement was likely missed by many of you, since it happened down in a city called Richmond. But in his first few games, Seaton was as much of a mess as you might expect a 17-year-old homegrown player to be: he was easily muscled off the ball, he allowed central defenders to get into his head, and he was wasteful with his chances. But with more game experience came more confidence, and Seaton ended up using his physicality and speed to his advantage, scoring five goals and adding one assist.


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Dodgers Catching Depth: Will Smith, Austin Barnes, and Why Don't They Just Sign Russell Martin?
The Los Angeles Dodgers have bountiful depth everywhere around the diamond.
The club lost its expected number three starting pitcher when offseason acquisition David Price opted out of the 2020 season amid COVID concerns. Thankfully they had three other capable arms ready to plug in and help LA not miss a beat.
If there are injuries or any lost time in the infield or outfield, there are players ready to step in and provide productive at-bats.
However, one area of weakness might be behind the dish. Beyond the expected tandem of Will Smith and Austin Barnes, the Dodgers are looking a bit left out to dry at catcher. Smith — a second-year backstop who tapered off in the second half of his rookie season — and Barnes — a now somewhat grizzled veteran still chasing production now three years gone — are fine options, but what if injuries or something worse befalls either of the duo?
Here we get to know some of the younger, not quite ready for primetime players in the organization and how one old name is the one that makes the most sense.
What do you think? Will Rocky Gale be enough as a glove-first backstop in an emergency? Do you start the clock on unproven top prospect Keibert Ruiz or teenager Diego Cartaya? Or do you bring in the veteran presence of Russell Martin?
NEXT: Max Muncy Doesn't Quite Like the New Look Dodger Stadium Yet


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Members sit on the Vaccine Advisory Committee (VAC) for a three-year term with the option to extend one more term, for a total of six years. The chair reserves the right to reappoint members for service exceeding six years if it is determined that doing so is in the best interest of the committee and is mutually agreed upon by the appointing organization and member.
Whenever possible, terms will be staggered for organizations and entities that have multiple members on the VAC to avoid multiple representatives leaving their positions simultaneously.
Additionally, two other state agencies have seats: the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). The Washington State Chief Science Officer, who chairs the committee, appoints consultants representing healthcare providers in pediatrics, obstetrics, and for connecting to the Washington State Vaccine Association (WVA). Consultants do not have defined terms of membership.
The following professional organizations, government agencies, and entities provide representation to the VAC:
- American Indian Health Commission for Washington (1 representative)
- Internal Medicine (1 representative)
- Managed Care Organization (1 representative)
- Naturopathy (1 representative)
- Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (1 representative)
- Perinatal Health Care Providers (1 representative)
- Public Health Seattle King County (1 representative)
- State Agency Health Care Purchaser (1 representative)
- Washington Academy of Family Physicians (2 representatives)
- Washington State Association of Local Public Health Officials (4 representatives)
- Washington State Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (2 representatives)
- Washington State Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (1 representative)
- Washington State Pharmacy Association (1 representative)


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By: callanbentley
Image: Ron Schott
Creative Commons Attribution ⧉
Uploaded: 15 Jan 2020
Last Updated: 15 Jan 2020
699 megapixels
25,233 x 27,697 pixels
84.1 in X 92.3 in at 300dpi
241 pixels per inch
Normal fault in the Fort Hays member of the Cretaceous Niobrara Formation, south of Stockton, Kansas. These chalk beds were originally deposited in the shallow Western Interior Seaway about 80 million years ago. The thick beds of the Fort Hays member are extensively bioturbated. Faulting is post-Cretaceous and pre-Quaternary.


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Dr Rodney Brown is an empirical archival researcher of issues at the intersection of taxation and financial accounting. Rodney's current research interests focus on corporate tax avoidance and the extent to which increased transparency of firms' tax arrangements has real effects.
Rodney joined UNSW in July 2018 after spending 5 years in the UK completing a PhD in Accounting at the London School of Economics (LSE). His PhD thesis primarily examined the impact of country-by-country tax reporting on the tax aggressiveness of European Union banks.
In addition to his current teaching at UNSW, Rodney has taught postgraduate and undergraduate courses at the LSE, Kings College London and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
Prior to academic life, Rodney gained extensive industry experience over 20 years working as a Chartered Accountant and financial planner in public practice (including PwC and EY), commercial organisations and management consulting.
Rodney retains strong industry links via his professional affiliations including Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) (Member since 1999), the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA) (Fellow since 2009), and The Tax Institute (TTI) (Fellow since 2020).
Rodney serves on university- and industry-level committees including the UNSW Business School's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee and The Tax Institute's Education Quality Assurance Board (Deputy Chair). He is an active member of UNSW's Centre for Law, Markets and Regulation (CLMR).
Rodney is passionate about research and teaching that bridges the divide between academic research and practice.
Rodney is a Reviewer for leading academic journals including the Journal of Business Finance and Accounting (ABDC A*-ranked), Australian Tax Forum (ABDC A*-ranked), eJournal of Tax Research (ABDC A-ranked), World Tax Journal (ABDC B-ranked), and Accounting Perspectives (ABDC B-ranked).
My Research Supervision
PhD: Shaun Castor, 2020 onwards, UNSW, (Examining the interaction between domestic courts and the G20/OECD's Base Erosion and Profit Shifting ('BEPS') project)
My Teaching


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Jannik Mulvad and the team in Aarhus is building the library of the future. What are their dreams and hopes?
This and much more in this week's episode of TWIL: your weekly dose of library innovation!
This video was imported to Library Channel from TWIL's Vimeo Channel.
More information:
This Week in Libraries
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Or join in the discussions at our Linkedin group


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Stainless Steel Measuring Spoon Set
Problem solved! We understand how frustrating it is to try to measure out the exact amount of herbs or spices from your spice jars when you discover your measuring spoons just won't fit! This handy set is designed to eliminate that problem—their unique rectangle shape is more likely to slip into a variety of spice jars. The set includes the most popular measuring spoon sizes: 1 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, 3/4 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1/4 teaspoon, and 1/8 teaspoon. Each measuring spoon is made from a single piece of heavy gauge 18/8 stainless steel with the measurement stamped into the handle.
- Sturdy measuring spoons made of 18/8 stainless steel
- Spoons come in 1/8 tsp., 1/4 tsp., 1/2 tsp., 1 tsp. and 1 Tbsp. sizes
- Rectangle shape fits into a variety of spice jars
- Measurements are permanently stamped onto each handle
- Each spoon has an approx. 4-1/4" long handle
- Easy to "level" off spices for exact measurements
- Dishwasher safe
- Set of six measuring spoons
1) Standard: Delivery estimates provided during checkout.
2) Standard Plus: Packages are sent via UPS Ground, street address is required (add $5).
3) Express: Packages are sent via UPS 2Day, street address is required (add $15).
4) Overnight: Packages are sent via UPS Overnight, street address is required (add $25).
For Express and Overnight shipping, orders received by 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Thursday, will ship that day; orders placed after noon will not ship until the following business day.
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