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Lady Lions Beat Rival Riverside
The Lady Lions took on rival and District 14-AA foe Riverside on Thursday night. The Lady Lions hit the ground running early, scoring in the first four innings and scoring in six out of the seven innings played. In the top of the first inning, Melanie Alexander hit a two out single. Caitlin Mitchell promptly brought her home because the first pitch Mitchell saw, she parked over the left field wall for a two-run home run. In the second inning, Shayla Phillips led off the inning with a…
For complete coverage, see the April 25th edition of The Lexington Progress
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We have now come to the era of new technology which if implemented successfully will bring a revolution in the field of internet. Investors and other big companies are investing a huge amount of cash in this technology, named Blockchain Technology. In the coming future, it could become one of the seamless technology, the web has ever experienced. It is also a disruptive technology that could drastically destroy the structure of present industries.
Top 30 Blockchain Interview Questions
If you are among one of the early birds who has understood the importance of Blockchain and are ready to dive in, this list of top Blockchain interview question and answers has been composed for you only. These questions are collected with years of experience in the Blockchain field which are asked by interviewers.
For the convenience of our fellow readers, we have divided this Blockchain tutorial into three sets of 10 questions each. Where the first set will deal with Blockchain interview questions for freshers with some simple and easy concepts. The second part will deal with Blockchain interview questions for experienced and the later section is Blockchain interview questions for developers.
Blockchain Interview Questions for Freshers
This section consists of the basic blockchain interview questions that you may come across in the interview as a beginner. So, if you are new to the world of blockchain technology or have little experience, this set of blockchain interview questions will help you crack the interview.
1. What is Blockchain technology? State some of the benefits of Blockchain?
Answer: The blockchain is a decentralized and distributed public ledger which cannot be altered or it is very hard to change once the ledger enters the database system. All the transactions in a Blockchain are secured using algorithms based on cryptography. When a record enters in the system first it is validated over the distributed network and then stored in a block. So if you want to alter the records then you have to travel from the last block to the genesis block or block "0" which is very difficult.
The main benefits of the blockchain technology are:
1. Immutability: There are multiple records created and stored of a single block over the peer-to-peer network so it is very difficult to alter something in the block.
2. Security: The transactions are very secure as it is based on cryptography.
3. Transparency & Resiliency: As all the transactions are stored over a distributed network so anyone can view it, which makes blockchain transparent and resilient.
2. What are the different types of Blockchain available for transactions?
Answer: There are three types of Blockchain as defined below:
- Public: This type of Blockchain is available for all and does not need any kind of permission to join and a user can download the required software and start running the node on their own. E.g. Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.
- Private: In a private Blockchain where all the permission are kept centralized to an organization and only authorized persons are responsible to add and verify the blocks. E.g. multichain, locks tax, etc.
- Consortium: This type of Blockchain is a private Blockchain managed by a group of individuals or consortium and only specific predefined nodes are authorized to add and verify the blocks. E.g. Hyperledger.
3. Define a Node in a Blockchain.
Answer: A node is a system or a computer which is essentially connected to a Blockchain network used to process transactions.
4. Define Consensus and tell the commonly used consensus models.
Answer: A consensus is a general agreement which is used to validate the transactions while following a protocol. A consensus is mainly of two types –
- Proof of work
- Proof of stake
Also Read: Beginner's Guide to Blockchain Technology
5. What is a block in a Blockchain?
Answer: The blockchain is a ledger which contains a list of transactions and these transactions are stored in the form of record in a block. Whenever a new transaction is done then a new block gets added to a genesis block and so on. In this way, it forms a chain of blocks called Blockchain.
6. What is a genesis block?
Answer: Genesis is the first block that is created in a Blockchain after which the blocks are added as the transactions are completed and verified in a system.
7. What are the components of a block in Bitcoin?
Answer: A block consists of three main components as described below:
- Hash Pointer
- Timestamp
- Merkel Tree
8. Enlist the difference between a traditional database and Blockchain database.
Answer: The difference between a traditional database and blockchain database is as follows:
1. Storage of Records: In a traditional system the records are centralized whereas in Blockchain the records are decentralized.
2. Operations Done: In a Blockchain system, you can only perform insert operations whereas in the traditional system you can read, edit, create and update the transactions.
3. Validations of transactions: You can validate any number of transactions on the network in a Blockchain whereas in the traditional database only specific nodes are allowed to validate the transactions.
9. What is Ethereum?
Answer: Ethereum is a software platform based on blockchain technology where a developer can build and implement decentralized apps. It is a distributed public blockchain network just like bitcoin. In the ethereum blockchain, the users work to earn Ether, that is a type of crypto token which fuels the network.
10. What are Ethereum Smart Contracts and in which language is Ethereum written?
Answer: A Smart Contract is a set of program that gets automatically executed on meeting the certain requirements of Blockchain. Ethereum is generally written in Solidity programming language.
Blockchain Interview Questions for Experienced
So, after covering top blockchain interview questions for freshers, here we move to the best blockchain interview questions for experienced candidates. This set of interview questions will make you ready to ace the blockchain interview.
11. Mention the types of record that can be kept in Blockchain.
Answer: In Blockchain, you can keep any number of records. Few of the records that can be kept in the blockchain ledger are:
1. Medical Transactions and history
2. The identity of numerous persons
3. Several numbers of events that take place in an organization and organizational records
4. Management records of companies that can be accessed from anywhere in the world with proper secure transactions
5. Documents that are to be kept at high-level security
12. Mention some of the benefits of Blockchain in business.
Answer: European Banks have already launched their projects to use this technology. The international payments system VISA has also joined them. Blockchain gives several advantages to the financial sector some of which are listed below:
- Money Transfer will become faster and cheaper payments are possible and significantly reduce their costs.
- With the help of the Smart Contracts are computer programs which facilitate to verify and negotiation of the agreement.
- In stock exchange Blockchain can remove brokers as intermediaries and decentralize the stock exchange system.
13. What do you mean by a Hard Fork?
Answer: Hard Fork is referred to a change of rule in Blockchain where the software that is used to validate will validate according to the new rules and the stands invalid. The nodes need to upgrade their software to work with the new rules.
14. What is Mining referred to as in Bitcoin Blockchain?
Answer: Mining is a process by which all the transactions done in blockchain are first verified and then added to the block. For blockchain mining, special nodes are dedicated called miners which use cryptographic algorithms for the validation and adding the transactions to the block.
Preparing for Certified Blockchain Expert (CBE) exam? Check your current level of preparation with the Whizlabs Certified Blockchain Expert Practice Tests.
15. Mention the basic components of the Blockchain Ecosystem.
Answer: There are four basic components of Blockchain ecosystem as explained here:
- Shared Ledger: It is a distributed data structure shared among peers managed inside Node application.
- Node Application: Each of the nodes is installed and run on a computer to become a part of the blockchain network.
- Virtual Machine: Here the implementation of instruction takes place and every participant runs that VM.
- Consensus Algorithm: It is implemented as a part of node application which provides the rules for validation of transactions.
16. What do you know about Information Processing?
Answer: Huge amounts of data are shared on the network. Before sharing the information on the network it has to be changed in formats that are easily transmitted over channels without any breach of security. So, the amount of work done in converting the information over the channel for the receiver and sender is called information processing.
17. What are the challenges faced during Information Processing?
Answer: The basic challenge is to secure the information during the information transfer. Another big challenge is to process that bulk load of information which can affect the performance and quality of information.
18. Enlist some of the platforms used for the development of Blockchain applications.
Answer: As blockchain is a new kind of technology so everyone is experimenting a lot with different platforms. Some of the popular platforms are Ehereum, Corda, IOTA, Hyperledger Fabric, Cardano, Quorum, etc.
19. Mention the Cryptographic algorithms used in Blockchain.
Answer: Here are some of the widely used cryptographic algorithms:
- Triple DES: DES stands for digital encryption system which uses 3 different keys of 56 bits.
- RSA: It is used in several areas in the digital certificate which is a public key encryption algorithm to encrypt the information transferred on the internet.
- Blowfish: It is highly effective and works with great speed which encrypts the cipher messages individually.
- Twofish: It is similar to blowfish with keys of length 256 bits.
- AES: Of all algorithms, AES is the strongest encryption algorithm to breach out as it uses 192 and 256 length bit keys for heavy encryption.
20. What is an ICO?
Answer: ICO or an Initial Coin Offering is a way to raise the company's capital. The company create an additional token or a coin and sell it to the investors in exchange for the cash or other cryptocurrencies usually ethereum and bitcoin. You must take care in ICO that these are very risky and have a high risk of a scam.
Blockchain Interview Questions for Developers
In this section, we will discuss some of the best Blockchain interview questions a developer should know to crack the interview. There is a huge demand for the developers in the blockchain, so if you are the one, a right preparation will lead you toward the success. So, let's read out these latest blockchain interview questions.
21. What is Solidity and what are the languages a Smart Contract can be written?
Answer: Solidity is a programming language used for writing Smart contracts on various Blockchain platforms. The remix is the IDE for Solidity. Smart Contract is written mainly in Solidity, Serpent, and Lisp.
22. What is a Metal mask and what is the type of Node Metamask uses?
Answer: The Metal mask is software used to interlink the Ethereum network with the networks of the browser.
23. Explain pragma and provide its syntax.
Answer: Pragma is a version of Solidity that will be used by the code that is written in the solidity. For using solidity as a compiler and writing smart contracts the version should be higher than 0.4.0. Every Smart contract starts with pragma only.
Syntax: version pragma ^0.4.00.
Preparing to become a Certified Blockchain Expert? Follow this Certified Blockchain Expert preparation guide and get ready to pass the exam.
24. How to import source files in Solidity.
Answer: As we do the import in java language same as the syntax for importing files in solidity also. If you want to import the file at a global level, type the following syntax: import "filename";
25. Where are the items stored in Solidity?
Answer: The items stored in the solidity are –
- Storage: it is the place where all the state variables are stored.
- Memory: it holds all the temporary values and it gets removed when a function is called.
- Stack: It is used to hold the local values which are small and are freely used. The amount of values stored in a stack is very limited.
Q26. What do you mean by Merkle trees and explain its importance in Blockchain?
Answer: Also called as the hash tree, Merkle tree is the fundamental part of a Blockchain. merkle tree uses cryptographic blocks which are used to securely transact large chunks of data. Both Ethereum and Bitcoin use Merkle trees.
The main advantage lies in the fact is we do not need to download every transaction and block.
27. What do you mean by 51% attack?
Answer: The blockchain is a chain of blocks that stores all transactional data in a period of time. Once the block enters the system it cannot be altered and the fraudulent data would be automatically rejected by network users. However, if 51% of the miners are controlled then a group of attackers can interfere with the process of recording of new blocks. They can block other users transactions and reverse it also. It is also known as double spending. A network that would allow double spending could suffer a loss of confidence. Then this kind of attack is called a 51% attack.
28. Name an alternative to Blockchain.
Answer: Hashgraph, but it is not yet open source.
29. What are events in Solidity?
Answer: An event allows contracts to return values to the user interface here an event function comes into action. Alternatively, if you want to create some synchronous trigger with data of your smart contract then an event is written in a program. They can also be used as a log in the system.
30. What is Inheritance in Solidity?
Answer: Multiple Inheritances is supported by solidity which includes polymorphism. In this only one contract gets executed while the code from all the other contracts gets inherited into the final contract.
Final Words
Interviews generally take candidates in stress but it's not that difficult to ace the interview if you prepare with good resources. In order to clear a blockchain interview, it is required to prepare with the latest blockchain interview questions. So, we have covered the set of most common Blockchain interview questions with answers that will prove an invaluable asset to crack your interview.
Certification validates and thus demonstrates your knowledge in the domain; thus acts as an add-on in the interview. If you want to take a certification first Whizlabs practice test series available for Certified Blockchain Expert exam will help you clear the certification exam. So, joining us will help you in certification preparation as well in the interview preparation.
Join us today to have a bright future!
If you've come across any other question in your blockchain interview, add this in the comment section below we'll be work to cover them here.
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subset: commoncrawl


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dgtl fmnsm
Online Residency Program 2020
Since 2016, the collective dgtl fmnsm has been using online and offline formats to address the virtual potentials that lie in the contemporary performing arts and imagine what a theatre of the future might look like in digitalised societies. Following the thematic focus on "Intimacy", dgtl fmnsm recently focused on the thematic complex "Disconnect" with an immersive installation in HELLERAU and an online festival at Hebbel am Ufer Berlin (HAU), albeit without being able to foresee how (sur-)real these specific questions would become in 2020 in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The thematic cycle "Disconnect" will conclude with a one-month online residency programme at www.digitalfeminism.net. From June 26th to July 23th 2020, artists and networks from various fields are invited to a one-week website takeover.
Things will be kicked off by Swiss performance artist Anna Fries, who is inviting us into the stomach of the pregnant monster with her digital body essay "The Host". In the engaging multi-dimensional video installation, which is presented for the first time in the context of the residency, the audience can dive deep into questions of becoming, change and deviation as well as the mutation and transformation of body, identity and gender.
Linh Luu and Marvin Lalihatu are Animistic Beliefs, a DJ- and producer duo for futuristic clubsounds from Rotterdam. Together with new media artist Jeisson Drenth, they will work on the expressive worlds of the audio-visual work "CACHE/SPIRIT" in their residency, in which Animistic Beliefs otherworldly sounds are combined with Drenth's unique visual language of techno-spirituality.
With Feminist Institutions, a whole network is coming into residence from Prague. Each day, a different institution or group will address their views on what it means to build a feminist organisation / structure and at the same time counter the art world's obsession with individualism and competition
The dgtl fmnsm online residency programme will be concluded by French rapper, producer, DJ and curator Moesha 13. Recently unanimously voted Artist of the Year 2020 by the SHAPE platform, she creates unique experimental soundscapes with her mix of French hip-hop, hardcore and reggaetón. Her artistic work is characterized by activism and performance, decolonial and feminist practices. As part of her first residency, Moesha 13 will present a new work!
The Online Residency Programme of dgtl fmnsm is run in cooperation with HELLERAU European Centre for the Arts and the SHAPE platform. And made possible through co-financing by the European Union, the German-Czech Future Fund and the City of Dresden.
26.06. – 02.07. Anna Fries
03.07. – 09.07. Animistic Beliefs & Jeisson Drenth
10.07. – 16.07. Feminist Institutions
July 17 – July 23. Moesha13
November 2020
dgtl fmnsm deals with the emancipatory opportunities offered by technology and feminism. We are an interdisciplinary festival featuring performances, videos, the visual arts, room-sized installations, discourse and workshops – online and IRL. We cooperate with clubs and independent queer feminist groups and artists.
dgtl fmnsm is a feature request for more radical thinking on the routine involvement of digital technologies in a culture currently dominated by the media. The look and theory of dgtl fmnsm's entertaining art interventions involve participants using their bodies as a meaningful form of expression in a world that is changing course in the light of digital technologies, online culture and political necessity.
In summer 2020 the festival will be back in HELLERAU. But already before there will be an exciting portion of dgtl fmnsm – already on 23.11.2019 different performances will be presented in a public laboratory, music will be played and space for discourse will be created.
Online Residency Program 2020
dgtl fmnsm collective in cooperation with HELLERAU – European Centre for the Arts and depart.one
dgtl fmnsm #disconnect is a project of dgtl fmnsm and is carried out in cooperation with the SHAPE platform and HELLERAU – European Centre for the Arts.
Supported by the state capital Dresden, the Office for Culture and Monument Protection and the German-Czech Future Fund and co-financed by the European Union's CREATIVE EUROPE programme.
Supported within the framework of the alliance of international production houses by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media
November 2019
"Laboratory: dgtl fmnsm meets STRAP" is a project of dgtl fmnsm & HELLERAU and is funded by the Alliance of International Production Houses with funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media and co-financed by the program CREATIVE EUROPE.
SHAPE platform is presenting Lyra.
SHAPE platform is co-financed by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.
HELLERAU in cooperation with depart.one


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Meaghan Rath was born on June 18, 1986 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She attended Dawson College in Westmount, Canada where she studied Cinema and Communications. Her younger brother, Jesse Rath, is also an actor.
She made her film debut with the 2001 independent feature Lost and Delirious while her first television appearance was in an episode of the series Fries with That?.
From 2004 to 2006, she played the main role of Adena Stiles in the TV show 15/Love. She also became known for other notable characters such as the part of Rigby Hastings in The Assistants. She now stars as Sally Malik in the series Being Human.
Body Facts:
Age in 2014: 28 (18 June 1986)
Height in Meters: 1.66m
Height in Centimeters: 166cm
Height in Feet: 5 Feet 5 1/2 Inches
Weight in Kilograms: 55kg
Weight in Pounds: 121lbs
Body Measurement and Size: 34-26-32
Bra Size: 34A
Eye Color: Black


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One of the best things about living in D.C. is the proximity of great bookstores, especially Politics & Prose.
A couple weeks ago, Barbara Kingsolver came to town. Knowing how popular she is, the store arranged for her to do her reading at a local church.
She started off behind the pulpit, but after a little while moved to center stage.
I have enjoyed her work since sophomore year when I took a class on contemporary women's writing. We read The Bean Trees and I fell in love. More recent books have merely reinforced the sentiment. I especially enjoyed Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, which was one of the best books I read last year.
Her new novel, The Lacuna, focuses on the first half of the 20th century. It sounds great, and I'm eager to start reading it.
After reading for half an hour or so, Barbara took questions from the audience, including interesting ones about whether she felt sad leaving her characters behind when she was done working on a book.
She also signed books.
I managed not to fall down in front of her when it was my turn. But I did stumble all over myself in a fangirlish effort to thank her for her writing. She was gracious, in just that way I knew she would be.
Oh, and she did say she liked my shirt.
I will own that shirt forever.


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WFP - Mid-term Evaluation of WFP's relief food and cash assistance to conflict affected people in Kachin and Northern Shan States
Key Aid Consulting conducted a mid-term evaluation on a fouryears relief food and cash assistance project to conflict affected people in camps, host communities and return/relocation sites in Kachin and Northern Shan States. The evaluation covered approximately 50 camps and 50,000 beneficiaries. Using a mix-methods approach the study combines internal WFP sources such as post-distribution monitoring with KIIs with critical stakeholders, paired interviews with staff members, FGDs with beneficiaries and in-situ observations of the project. The evaluation was conducted from November 2019 to July 2020.
Read the final report: https://www.wfp.org/publications/myanmar-wfps-relief-food-and-cash-assistance-conflict-affected-people-kachin-and
Digital facilitation of the validation workshop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZPdK_ux0FI


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Whether you're in a season of hoping and praying to one day be called "mommy"; a season of long nights, filled with scents of diaper cream, lullabies, and baby snuggles; or a season of dodging dinos, jamming out to Cocomelon and whipping up the best PB&J this side of the Mississippi, I think we all can agree Motherhood can be downright overwhelming & exhausting.
This is where I slide on scene like Lorelei Gilmore with a coffee for you and a coffee for me, & a light-hearted witty story to break the tension. Consider me your newest BFF and simplicity guru who's just trying to figure out this crazy, amazing, wonderful thing called life right along with you.
Simply put (pun intended) I'm here to encourage you during your journey to and through motherhood, and help you create simplified systems in your life and home so you can savor this sweet season and enjoy the moments that matter most to you.
{We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. To learn more about affiliate links, click here!}
I Believe In Simple Moments…
I believe in real moments and heartfelt conversations shared over a plate of warm cookies. In the kinds of traditions that remind you of the joy that can be found in the simplest of moments together. I believe in capturing photos that are itching to be printed, placed in beautiful frames, and hung on the walls of your home for years to come. And, you just may find me from time to time outside dodging raindrops or driving to the perfect spot to get just the right view of a colorful rainbow or a gorgeous sunset.
I believe there is something magical that happens when we sip lattes and enjoy some quiet time on the front porch in the morning while we watch the sun come up, when we catch the scent of freshly bloomed lilacs and the feeling of sun rays warming our skin during a leisurely bike ride in the early days of June, or when we hum sweet lullabies while cradling our baby in our arms as we rock them to sleep….feeling their every rhythmic breath, twirling a curl of their hair between our fingers, taking in all their sweet smells. These are the moments we'll remember and long for again as the seasons of our life quickly pass.
There truly is beauty in the small, simple and often times overlooked, mundane moments of life. And, this is why I believe it's never too late to slow down, cherish these moments, and lock them into our memory for the rest of time.
But, you see, it wasn't always like this for me and I'm certainly far from perfect. Hi! My name is Stephanie and I'm a recovering chronic overcomplicater. In fact, I used to wear exhaustion like a badge of honor thinking that if I just did all the things, strived for perfection, and never said "no" I'd find true happiness. Instead, I found guilt, anxiety, and severe burn out.
Does this sound familiar?
I hear ya, friend. But, it's never too late to hit "pause" and reclaim your everyday. Here's how my journey to a more simplified life began…
Nursing School Is Where My Journey To Simplicity Began…
I graduated from nursing school in 2007, after spending 6 very hectic and busy years in college, and then promptly began working what I thought was my dream job on a Pediatric Burn Unit at a large Children's Hospital in downtown Detroit. Suddenly I was thrust into this role of being a caregiver to these patients and families that desperately needed help, but I felt inadequate and unprepared even in this role that I longed for, planned for, and prepared for for years of my life.
I received a quick lesson during those short years as a pediatric nurse on the fragility of life and the importance of finding simple joys even in the midst of chaos thanks to my patients and their families who were dealing at that very moment with some the worst days of their own lives. Suddenly my worries and stressors seemed minuscule compared to the pain and strife they were forced to deal with. And it was a wake up call.
I remember in those early days of my nursing career, I truly began to understand that our time isn't guaranteed and that life can change in an instant. I will forever be grateful for this lesson, although it often left me with a lump in my throat during my tearful drives home after exhausting night shifts that I soothed over a big plate chocolate chip pancakes at a local diner before diving into bed. However difficult those days were, they began shaping my life and my perspective for the better.
Newlywed Life Was More Complicated Then I Imagined…
When I married my high school sweetheart on a little island in Northern Michigan a couple years later, we dreamt of starting a family and filling our home with laughter and memories. I quickly learned that for someone who was obsessed with reading Martha Stewart homemaking books and Parents magazines even in my early teenage years (yep that was me, #supercool) I hadn't the foggiest idea what I was doing setting up a home and starting a family.
As soon as we were handed the keys to our first home, I felt overly excited to get in there and start ripping out the carpet and painting the walls. I was not prepared for how rocky this transition of "setting up our home" was actually going to be. I suddenly felt like I needed degrees in food prep, stain removal, picking out furniture, and budgeting. Neither of us had lived on our own before, and we hadn't lived with each other. It was like diving into the deep end of the pool and being unsure of the way up. I felt like I was drowning and that I would never catch my breath, even though these were all things I couldn't wait to do when I was 14, apparently. #stepasidemartha
I even remember crying as I cleaned our shower for the first time, suddenly missing the comforts of familiarity and wondering how this place was ever going to feel like home. I wondered, "why the heck didn't I take Home EC class in high school?", you know that class where they make you pretend an egg is your baby. That class would've really saved my sanity at this point. But, yet I remember thinking, "I could certainly use that guidance and knowledge now as we have to quickly figure out a family budget, meal plan, stock a pantry, learn how to do laundry and fold like Kon Mari, and do all the things." My rant was semi-warranted, I guess. I just wanted to prove that I could be a "good" wife, which of course I thought meant making homemade chicken pot pie like his mom always did, and planting the most beautiful flower garden even though I didn't have a green thumb at all.
I quickly learned that none of that really mattered to my new groom, and that we were literally just figuring this out together and that it was, shockingly, supposed to be fun. But, my perfectionism and expectations shaded many of those bright first days of newlywed life because of my sheer overwhelm and panic at not already knowing how to do it all. Have you been there?
I realized that honestly nobody has it all together. Instagram and Pinterest, while fun, are just a highlight reel. No one shares their shower cry sessions like I am today or the recipes they spend hours on that were utterly gross (cue the gagging reflux when I think of my first attempt at making short ribs…barf).
Truth is, we're all just trying to figure this out and we can do it together, we can show ourselves the same grace we extend to our friends and family, and we can hold ourselves to a different standard than that of perfection. Do ya feel me? Can I get a praise hands emoji or a confetti shower?
Bottom line is, it took me years to hone in on simplified systems and routines that helped us conquer that overwhelm. I'm certainly not perfect. There are weeks and sometimes months where the wheels fall off this bus, if you catch my drift, and things spin out of control as real life happens. But, at least now, we have a plan and system that works for us and I hope it works for your home and life too.
Once we thought we had it all figured out and we were on our way to marital bliss, life through another curve ball.
A Season of Grief Led To Simplicity…
It wasn't until my first season of deep dark grief following a miscarriage that I was truly thankful for simplicity and these lessons that I'd learned along the way.
We found out we were having a baby, a little firecracker, due on the 4th of July, after dealing with 7 years of infertility. I never in a million years would've thought that we'd deal with years and years of struggle to start a family. That journey alone left me in a puddle of mess as months, and years, and holidays went by with empty arms. The countless number of doctors appointments, lab tests, ultrasounds, ovulation sticks, pokes and prods, and negative pregnancy tests (and of course hundreds of people praying for us for years on end), we were finally ecstatic to learn that we were going to be a family.
We shared the news with our friends and families is super Pinterest-y creative ways, began clearing out the room that would quickly become a nursery where we'd spend those sleepless night rocking our baby and watching over him nervously, and made plans and had dreams for what was to come, just like all new to be parents do. Little did we know, that this elation would soon be traded in for desperation and pleads for mercy over the life of our child that we already loved so deeply.
The day we found out we would lose our baby was a line in the sand moment for me. One of those days when no matter how hard you try, you just can't cross that line anymore and go back to the life or the person you once were. Trust me I've tried. I would close my eyes and pray to just have time rewind even for just 24 hours so I could experience the joy and innocence once again. Have you ever experienced a moment like that?
Losing our first baby, and later our second baby, have been moments in my life that changed and shaped me in ways I can't even express. It was during that darkest season of my life when I really embraced the art of simplicity and celebrating the everyday happenings of my life that brought me joy, out of desperation as I fought the battle of depression and anxiety.
I had never experienced such deep grief before in my life, and it knocked me off my feet. If I had to describe it, I'd say this "line in the sand moment" was much like having the rug pulled out from underneath you. One moment your happy and planning and dreaming, and the next moment you're lying flat on your back, the wind knocked out of you, gasping for breath as you watch your life quickly change in an instant and there's nothing you can do to stop it.
In fact, it was in those months following our first miscarriage, that I discovered blogging. I found online communities and women willing to share their stories of infertility and miscarriage, during late night Pinterest searches as I longed to feel not so alone anymore in this struggle. I decided to turn my pain into a purpose, and began LL&L with the hopes of reaching and encouraging women all around the globe.
Flash forward years later, I now have this space on the internet to call home where I can encourage women who are struggling with infertility and miscarriage and boldly proclaim, you are not alone! When I get to connect with these women via comments on posts or in emails, it is my absolute favorite thing and makes my day because it reminds me where I started and the true power and purpose of this space.
And, as I've cultivated this community over the past several years I've discovered something…that we all crave and need simplicity in our lives. It doesn't matter if you're in a season of grief, a season of great change that you've anticipated or that caught you by surprise, or in a season a happiness or contentment…we all can benefit from slowing down and enjoying the simpler things in life.
I'm passionate about helping women find that joy and rest again. I want to help you set up your home so that it's a safe-haven of rest and comfort for you and your family. I want to help you build a capsule wardrobe, share some clean beauty finds and other fun stuff that brightens your day, and encourage you to find the routines and rhythms that make you tick. And, lastly, I want to help you in any stage of motherhood…whether you're dealing with infertility or loss as I did, whether you're in the early days of motherhood that can seem so long but yet or so fleeting, or are knee deep into the mini-van, soccer mom life, I hope you find something here that inspires and encourages you to embrace a simplified life.


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Kathmandu: Early last month, on September 6, a 30-year-old woman was accused of being a witch by her community. The incident didn't take place in some far-flung district but in Swayambhu, Kathmandu, the country's capital city. Following the allegations, the woman was forcefully fed human and animal feces, all to prove that she is not a witch. There's a long-standing superstitious belief among Nepalis that if a person is able to intake their own faeces, then, as the belief goes, they are not a witch or a wizard.
Seeking justice, the woman reached out to the National Women Commission (NWC), a governmental body established to work towards empowering women and ensuring their rights, and also reported it to the police.
A team from the Kathmandu Metropolitan Police arrested four individuals —Dipendra Kumar Thing, a traditional faith healer, Dashanarayan Maharjan, Janardan Pandey, and the woman's own husband.
Thing had reportedly beaten the woman, saying that a witch had taken over her body. Police said that the woman was beaten by her husband and others at the request of Thing. According to the police, the woman's body was bruised due to the beating.
The two among the accused were released on a bail of NRs 200,000 each.
Section 168 of the National Criminal Code states that violence due to witchcraft accusations is punishable by law and the culprit will have to face up to 5 years of imprisonment as well as pay the fine of up to 50,000 Nepali Rupees.
But the implementation of this law has been sketchy as the aforementioned incident illustrates. "The culprits are easily let off the hook even when the law says otherwise," says Bimala Khadka, case manager at the NWC. She told Nepal Live Today that the entire footage of the women being brutally treated by those two men was available and presented in the court. "Yet they walk freely, which sets a bad example in the society when it comes to the gender-based violence, specially due to witchcraft accusations," she added. "People will stop fearing the law and these kinds of violence will keep on increasing if the laws are not enforced strictly."
Mostly, when these cases are reported, the culprits are sometimes very powerful, socially and financially, making the punishment even more lenient for them, says Laxmi Aryal, senior program and training coordinator at Women Rehabilitation Center (WOREC), a non-governmental organization fighting against violence against women in Nepal. In many cases, the First Information Report (FIR) is registered just for physical violence and not for violence due to witchcraft accusations. This gives the alleged a chance of receiving lesser to no punishment from the authority, Aryal further said.
Observers have said that violence stemming from witchcraft accusations still prevail in a lot of places in Nepal, including the city areas. People's belief in Shamanism (Dhami Jhakri) has also had an influence in the prevalence of these kinds of violence. The custom of visiting Dhami Jhakri instead of getting medical attention has yet not stopped.
Nepal records dozens of witchcraft accusations–and violence stemming from it–not just in rural settings but also in urban areas. Who is to blame and what can be done to curb them?
This practice is one of the root causes of witchcraft accusations, and it can be observed mostly in rural areas, including some in the cities, says Bimala Khadka, a case manager at NWC. Statistically speaking, most of the accused are those who identify as women, Khadka notes.
Although superstitious belief is one of the reasons, sometimes it also involves the anger of the family members towards women, said Khadka. There are many cases that involve brutal assault or even death of a woman because she and her family were unable to fulfill their demands for dowry. This raises a question regarding the prevailing gender-based violence within Nepal, where witchcraft accusations are merely an excuse for the violence. "It is a gender-based violence in the majority, not many accused are male identifiers," Khadka added.
What the numbers say
According to the data provided by the Nepal Police, cases of violence related to witchcraft accusations have risen within the last 5 years.
The data shows that in the year 2015/16 and 2016/17 the number of violence based on witchcraft accusations was 28 and 24, respectively. The number has increased in the years 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20 reaching 48, 46 and 34, respectively.
The Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC) Nepal, a non-government organization working for the protection and promotion of human rights in Nepal, however, reports a different set of data related to witchcraft accusations.
The number of witchcraft accusations has seemingly increased within the last 3 years, including 5 deaths in total.
The data shows that the number of incidents in the year 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 is 34, 33, 63, 44, and 62 respectively. The numbers have massively increased in the year 2018 and 2020.
"Unfortunately, these are just the number of cases that are filed within the police departments," says Aryal. "There are many other similar cases that go unnoticed and unreported."
What is to be done
More than in the past years, people are more willing to issue FIR regarding the violence they face due to witchcraft accusations. That has had a major impact on the increasing number of cases within the past few years.
But many women still fear social ostracism if they report the abuse they face to the police, according to Aryal.
To counter witchcraft accusations, raising awareness about the superstitious beliefs they hold and the repercussions they have to face if they resort to violence is essential, but "not necessarily enough", says Aryal.
Existing law must be fully and strictly enforced so that people will have the fear of the consequences of these acts, Aryal further says.
Also, it would be very helpful if more of these punishments were to be covered by the media sources, so that people would be aware of the laws against such acts, Aryal adds.
The NWC and some human rights organizations have been raising awareness among people regarding the heinous acts caused due to witchcraft accusations. But their efforts have yet to yield desired results.
Aryal points to the structural nature of these kinds of violence—the deep-seated misogyny prevalent in Nepali society. The ill-treatment of women has been so common in our society that people are still not willing to call these acts of violence out and take an action to curb them, she says. "This is why not all the awareness programs have been effective in all places," she adds. "But it does not mean we stop spreading awareness among the people."
Raising awareness may not be enough to mitigate the cases of violence, but a well-organized approach would go a long way, according to Aryal.
"We need to make the next generation aware about the ill customs our society holds," Aryal says. "Proper education and awareness offer hope for a better and safer community in the future. Meanwhile, the existing law should be enforced properly."
Khadka agrees with Aryal. "No culprit should be let off the hook," says Khadka. "With the strict implementation of the law, the people and the society should be made aware that witchcraft accusations and violence have repercussions and are punishable."


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Follow along with Laura Volpes as she shows you how to make this bright and encouraging card using Letter It™ Stamps and Stencils and Tim Holtz Distress Inks.
Join Jess Francisco as she shows you how to make this sweet card using Simon Hurley create. Stamps, Stencils and Dye Inks. It's the perfect way to welcome someone to their new home. Follow along here.
Megan Whisner Quinlan shows you how to let your creativity soar as you make this beautiful journal spread using Dina Wakley Gloss Sprays & Tim Holtz Stamps.
Paula Cheney shows you how to create this stunning DIY Vignette display that showcases the newest color in the Tim Holtz Distress palette, Prize Ribbon.
Terri Burson shares a fun creative tip for turning flowers into fish using Wendy Vecchi's Stamp, Die & Stencil Sets so you get more use from your supplies. Click here for the full tutorial.
Follow along as Joy Baldwin shows you how to make these quick and colorful Baby Shower Cards using Letter It™ and Tim Holtz Distress® products.Follow along as Beth Purnell shows you how to make this clever & colorful Christmas Tag Gift Card Holder using Dylusions Paints, Stencils & Collage Sheets.
Cheiron Brandon shows you how to make this eye-catching background for your next card featuring the newest color in the Tim Holtz Distress Line, Prize Ribbon.
For more inspiration & ideas follow us on Instagram @Ranger_Ink and don't forget to share your creations with us by using #rangerink.


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Our hotel is on a hillock 120 metres above sea level on the the west coast of the Island of Elba, surrounded by lush Mediterranean bush. The spectacular view of the sea and its unforgettable sunsets explains why it is part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park.
Offering our guests a peaceful and friendly atmosphere is of prime importance to us, so we have chosen to furnish our hotel in a plain but comfortable and welcoming way.
Sunset over Capraia
Our terrace
All 24 rooms have telephone, television, internet connection and bathroom with shower and hair dryer. The balconies are perfect for relaxing and sunbathing ...
The garden is perfect if you want to relax and cool down in the shade of the trees all around the hotel.
Thanks to the perfect position of the hotel terrace, romantic guests can admire the magnificent view of the sunsets over the Islands of Corsica and Capraia
Our cuisine
Full moon
Our restaurant
During the summer months - practically from June 15th to September 15th - the Marciana Town Council provides a shuttle bus service to and from the nearby beaches of Sant'Andrea and Cotoncello; in agreement with the public bus service, you can easily get to the more distant beaches like Fetovaia, Cavoli and Seccheto further round the coast.
In autumn you can go looking for mushrooms or chestnuts along the paths in the area.


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In a global economy, goods travel across borders from manufacturer to market faster than ever before. While intermodal transportation has been key to the modern system of freight movement, the recent challenges with international supply chains have shown that gaps remain.
Automation, digitization, and data analytics are evolving to make shipping even more efficient by reducing transition times, enhancing safety, and incorporating AI into logistics planning. When looking at modern supply chain solutions, AV trucking may already have the built-in tools to easily integrate into a new, modern freight and intermodal transportation system.
In this PAVEcast episode, guests Finch Fulton, Vice President of Policy and Strategy at Locomation; Dan Morgan, Chief Data Officer at U.S. DOT; and Selika Talbott, Adjunct Professor at University of Southern California & Founding Partner of Autonomous Vehicle Consulting, LLC, break down how AV trucking is well-positioned to uncork supply chain bottlenecks and usher in an era of efficiency for freight.


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Learn how to prevent water damage from frozen pipes.
Living in the south, it's smart to learn how to prevent water damage, especially from frozen pipes. While we're lucky to live in such a mild climate, we're also not complete strangers to cold winters and cold snaps. But you don't need to let burst pipes burst your bubble! Here's what you need to know about thawing frozen pipes, preventing water damage, and what to do if the unthinkable happens.
What Happens When Pipes Freeze?
During a cold spell, if the temperature drops below freezing, your pipes could be at risk of freezing. When there is water in a pipe on an outside wall or in an unheated or uninsulated location in your home, it can freeze which causes the water to expand. When this happens, it can put enough pressure on the pipe itself to cause it to rupture, burst, or break.
How Can I Tell if a Pipe is Frozen?
Since you probably don't have x-ray vision and can't see into your pipes, how do you know when they're frozen? The most immediate way is with your faucets. Turn on the faucet and if little or no water comes out, that could indicate a frozen pipe. Another indicator is a strange sound when you run water or when you flush the toilet. If there's ice in the line, air can't get to the sewer line which can cause a bubbling sound. If you hear any whistling, that's another warning sign that the water can't get through the pipe efficiently, and it could be due to ice blockages.
Is There a Way to Safely Thaw Frozen Pipes?
The trick to thawing your pipes is to get to them before they rupture or burst. Getting to them as soon as possible increases your chances of thawing them out and reduces the chance of them bursting. Warming up the pipe is the key. Here are a few tips:
- If the pipe is inside or behind a wall, turn the thermostat higher in your home. Warming up the area is the best way to warm up the pipe and start the thaw when you can't put your hands on the affected area.
- Heat lamps or portable heaters can be used near a wall where the pipe is or next to an exposed pipe that's frozen.
- Electric heat tape should be available at your local hardware store and can be wrapped around the affected pipe and plugged into the wall. The heating element inside the tape will thaw the ice in the pipes.
- Hair dryers pointed at the frozen area is a more labor-intensive method, but can work in a pinch.
- DO NOT use a torch or open flame to thaw your pipes. The risk, and ease, of causing a house fire with this method is far too great.
What if the Pipes Burst?
If your pipes freeze and you're not able to thaw them before they burst, water will pour out and into your home. This can cause a lot of water damage, the extent of which is dependent on the pipe and the water source. If your pipes freeze and burst, you need to manage the water as quickly as possible. Turn of the main water valve to your home immediately. The sooner the water can be cleaned up and restoration begun the more likely you are to have complete water removal and minimal damage.
There are some steps you can take to prevent frozen pipes and some easy methods for thawing pipes should they freeze during a cold spell, but it you should have a pipe burst in your home, you need to call in the experts to manage the cleanup and restoration.
Contact Can-Restore for help with cleanup or to prevent water damage from burst pipes by clicking or calling (770) 735-2695.


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City Gov't: barangay execs should lead in waste segregation efforts
City Gov't: barangay execs should lead in waste segregation efforts
January 14, 2020 No Comments on City Gov't: barangay execs should lead in waste segregation effortsTACLOBAN CITY (CIO 1/14/2020) — As the City's Sanitary Landfill (SLF) in Barangay San Roque is about to reach its full capacity after less than a year of operation, the City Government under Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez has urged barangay leaders to support the waste segregation efforts of the local government to minimize the volume of garbage generated in the City.
According to the Officer-in-Charge of the City General Services Office (CGSO) Engr. Leoncio Parado II, barangay chiefs should set a good example to their constituency regarding garbage management.
"They should conduct intensive monitoring for they already knew it (garbage segregation) since then. Anyway, it's one way to ensure the participation of their constituents in the proper disposal of their wastes," he emphasized.
"We already had this ordinance on Solid Waste Management (City Ordinance 2017-13-37), so I guess there's no reason not to implement it in their respective barangays," he added.
He also mentioned that while the contractors for this year will soon be finalized, residents are assured that the City's sanitation will be maintained.
"As of now, we will not yet change the schedule for the collection of garbage. We will just follow last year's schedule to avoid conflict," Parado added.
Meanwhile, the CGSO, City Engineers Office (CEO), and City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) have joined forces to do the collection of the uncollected trash in some parts of the City, which was aggravated by the onslaught of Typhoon Ursula last December.
"We should help one another in implementing waste segregation and maintaining the cleanliness of our surroundings. Otherwise, our sanitary landfill will suffer once it reaches its capacity," he concluded.
Meantime, those who carelessly dispose their waste may face the following penalties under the Solid Waste Management Ordinance of the City: First Offense – a fine of Php 300 or render community service for 1 day; Second Offense – A fine of Php 1,000 or render community service for two days and Third, and Subsequent Offense — A fine of Php 3,000 or render community service for not less than three days.
As of December 2019, a minimum of 120 tons of trash is generated in Tacloban City daily. – C. Merin/CIO
*Photos of the SLF taken last December 2019
Photo: K. E. Napala and A. Alamos/CIO


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Mollie Jay
Mollie Anderson, or more recognizably known as "Mollie Jay," is an Urban-Pop artist capitalizing on singing, songwriting and rapping. The aspiring artist grew up in Prince George's County, directly outside of D.C.—an environment that has inspired her fervor and drive towards the urban music scene. With heavy influence from the Hip-Hop, Street Rap and R&B/Neo-Soul communities, as well as Pop artists such as Sting, Steal, Phil Collins and Michael Jackson, Mollie Jay garnered a passion for blending seemingly opposed genres. Ms. Jay was part of bands, advanced choirs, and singing competitions through middle school and high school. She moved to South Florida where she received a scholarship to major in music with Vocal emphasis at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Shortly after she was signed to an independent label that eventually went under. Her debut single, "Glass on the Dancefloor," was picked up by major pop and RnB blogs at the time. Her biggest success thus far is her hit EDM single, 'Shine,' that landed at number 21 on the Billboard Dance charts.
Mollie Jay is currently living in Los Angeles and is excited to be performing at SXSW this year! Debut album '(K)now Better' April2020
Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.


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We tend to equate personal empowerment with a subjective emotion -- the feeling of being empowered. Yet personal empowerment, by its very definition, is not something one feels but rather something one demonstrates. To be empowered is to have actual influence within any of the many spheres of our lives.
For example, we might feel empowered to work on our relationship with our spouse or to set limits with our teenage child. Feeling confident and assertive, we initiate a conversation with our spouse and have a chat with our teen. But unless our discussions lead to real improvements in our relationship or significant behavior change in our teen, we are essentially not very empowered at all, despite how charged up we felt when we approached them.
In other words, true personal empowerment has to involve real world evidence of our ability to have an impact on our relationships and social surroundings. Indeed, current psychological research posits that personal empowerment is an interactive process of taking action, getting feedback, making adjustments, taking further action, and eventually attaining real results.
The Steps to Increasing Personal Empowerment
Because the attainment of personal empowerment is an interactive process, it usually involves several steps, time, and effort (which means that it also requires patience and persistence).
1. Defining Our Goal: Since real personal empowerment requires the ability to attain specific outcomes, the first step we must take involves defining a personally meaningful goal that demonstrates our ability to have an impact.
2. Taking Action: In the second step we take action toward reaching our goal and proving our influence. Of course, the actions we take will only contribute to a sense of empowerment if they have the intended impact and we meet with success. Although failures will hamper feelings of empowerment and set us back, they should be anticipated and even welcomed because they contain crucial information that can help us adjust our efforts and increase our likelihood of future success.
3. Assessing Our Impact: Most of us are not going to be fortunate enough to meet with success right away. Therefore, once we take action we can assess our impact and figure out how to refine our approach and improve our future efforts. Completing this crucial third step will increase our competence, improve our knowledge base, and make us feel more effective and assertive.
4. Repeating Our Efforts: Because personal empowerment is a process, steps 2 and 3 will probably need to be repeated several times before we reach our goal. However, with each round we will refine our skills and efforts and get closer to attaining the outcome we desire.
Let's look at an example of the entire process. Imagine you live near an intersection that lacked a traffic light and your goal was to get your local municipality to install one. You might start with making a phone call or writing an email to the relevant elected official. But if that does not work (and it probably won't), you need to become more knowledgeable. You can investigate who is in charge of making such decisions. You can then organize a petition signed by neighbors in the area and send that to the appropriate person. If that too does not work, you can try enlisting the local press to report on the need for the traffic light.
Personal Empowerment and Self-Esteem
With each round, each time you fail to achieve the impact you desire, you assess what you can do differently in the future, make changes, and try again. Persisting toward your goal in this way will not only make you likely to eventually succeed, but it will do wonders for your self-esteem in the process. Attaining personal empowerment by demonstrating actual influence in your social or personal environment will build more substantial and longer-lasting self-esteem than any other technique or approach, because it is based on real world and demonstrable outcomes (as opposed to other techniques of building self-esteem which merely address your beliefs about your character and attributes).
The bottom line is there are no shortcuts one can take to feeling personally empowered. However, the substantial effort and work that are required for us to demonstrate a real influence in our environment is extremely worthwhile, as it is guaranteed to produce not only real life improvements but psychological and emotional payoffs that are just as valuable and even longer lasting.


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Although not a think-tank as such, Liberal Reform often bring together some of the sharpest minds in the policy world to write about topics of importance. Below you will find some of our most popular publications.
We also regularly submit responses to Liberal Democrat policy working group consultations. Our responses can be read here.


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Sorrel opens tomorrow on tony Sacramento Street, bringing a popular fine dining pop-up to permanent status. Chef Alex hong and partner Colby Heiman have put down roots in the former Nico space, offering a menu of extremely refined seasonal dishes in a sleek setting they designed themselves.
The duo, whose backgrounds are hospitality, not design, have successfully remade Nico's space as a more modern setting with a darker, blue-gray palette, and lots of greenery. The bar is white and marble, with just eight seats. The 50-seat dining room is outfitted with banquettes and smaller tables, plus two walnut slab tables designed by Ben O'Hearn (Modern Millwork), with ironwork by Joe Servin at Dark Metal Machine Works. Above the communal tables hang globe lights handblown by Guido Gerlitz at Effetto Glassworks.
Hong, who spent time in the kitchen of Quince, has included a section of handmade pastas on the menu, with dishes like cappellacci in Whey with English pea, sheep's milk ricotta, favas, mint, spring onion, and morels (pictured). Check out the full menu here.
Meanwhile, Samuel Bogue (also wine director for the Ne Timeas Restaurant Group) is Sorrel's beverage director, providing a list with both classic styles, and more adventurous options. He'll update the list every month or so with new options to match the changing menu.
Low-ABV cocktails are also seasonally concocted by Kyle Greffin, with plenty of sorrel for garnish, and an emphasis on amaros.
Starting Friday, April 13, the restaurant will be open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.


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Halifax, NS – Representatives of several Halifax-based environmental, social justice and cultural groups are condemning the heavy-handed actions of the RCMP which have led to the arrest of 12 protesters seeking to halt the advance of fracking in Kent County, NB, north of Moncton.
Members of the Council of Canadians, The Sierra Club of Canada and other concerned citizens visited the sacred fire yesterday and were outraged to learn that the RCMP had made several arrests this morning in order to facilitate the exploratory drilling of the area by SWN Resources, a Houston-based corporation. SWN's massive 2.5 million-acre hydraulic fracturing project in New Brunswick could damage waterways and ecological systems across the Atlantic region.
"Where is the media?" asks Angela Giles, Atlantic regional organizer with the Council of Canadians. "And how is this democracy? The New Brunswick government has not been given the mandate to move ahead with shale gas development. The RCMP are paid with public money and then are assigned to protect private interests over the interests of the people… This is not right."
Billy Lewis, Mi'kmaq elder, also visited and prayed at the Sacred Fire in Elsipogtog yesterday. "This is Indigenous land and there is a duty to consult Mi'kmaq and Maliseet, and they weren't consulted. These actions affect the land, the treaties and all of us."
"In visiting the site yesterday, I was struck by the determination to protect their health and the environment from fracking," says Gretchen Fitzgerald, Director of Sierra Club Canada – Atlantic. "I'm amazed the lengths that everyday people have to go to in order to protect the water, the land, the air, and we owe them our gratitude."
Since the protests began last Tuesday, there have been reports of aggressive RCMP behaviour, and as of today a total of 17 people arrested. However these protests have been an historic coming together of Acadian, Anglophone and Indigenous communities in the province working together to assert their community rights and protect the water, land and all of us.
Several groups have expressed solidarity with these actions, including but not limited to Sierra Club of Canada – Atlantic Canada Chapter, the Council of Canadians and NOFRAC.


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February Instructor Highlight – Lamont Bawden
School News
January 29, 2019
Lamont recently retired after an exciting 40-year career in real estate, which included management of over 28,000 apartment units covering 15 markets across 10 states, 6,000 units of manufactured housing in 8 markets, 3 million sq.ft. of shopping centers, 2 million sq.ft. of office buildings plus brokering apartment complexes totaling $200,000,000. He obtained his B.A. degree from the University of Utah in 1969. After teaching school for one year, Lamont joined the Air Force as a pilot and officer. He obtained his real estate license in 1975 and became a broker two years later. Lamont currently holds real estate brokers licenses in 6 states. He served on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Multi-housing Association for 14 years and is a member of the Institute of Real Estate Management, where he holds a Certified Property Manager designation.
He has taught at ASREB for over 17 years, and has become a very active instructor over the past three years teaching several types of classes from continuing education to broker licensing. Students comment that Lamont's knowledge of history and stories of his own property management experiences make fair housing classes more interesting. Also, when teaching environmental law, he shares a picture he took at 60,000 feet when he was a pilot that students think is amazing. The picture shows just how much the ozone layer protects the earth because the sky becomes breathtakingly blue at that altitude. Teaching and helping students receive and renew real estate licenses brings him great joy and satisfaction.
He has been married to his wife, Louisa, for 51 years. They have 3 children, 9 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Between teaching, his family, and serving as choir director at his church, he stays happily busy.
You can reach Lamont at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Turn unwanted items into cash and buy used.
When you're living paycheck to paycheck, you are likely feeling burned out and stressed out. And when budgets grow tight, there may seem like there's no financial relief in sight. Even with the best budgeting intentions, cutting back on daily or monthly expenses may not be enough to ease these financial burdens. In these situations, an extra boost may be the only way to get ahead.
Although taking on a second job or side hustle may seem like the only way to make extra money, don't overlook the opportunity to turn unwanted items into cash. Whether it's an old gadget, unworn clothing or a closet full of toys collecting dust, spending time selling the items you no longer need or use can help you earn that much-needed money. To get you started, here are 16 free apps and sites that make selling and buying items in person or online a cinch.
Best for: unwanted gift cards.
Each year, billions' worth of gift cards go unused. Although gift cards are a popular gift, sometimes gift givers don't get it right, and you may have received one to a store you never shop at or a restaurant you don't like. The good news is you can turn those gift cards into cash through sites like CardCash.com, which will pay you up to 92% of the card value via check, PayPal or automatic clearinghouse payments, or you can trade it in for another store or restaurant gift card for up to 7% more. The amount you make depends on the popularity of the gift card, but it's a great option to anyone who is stuck with gift cards they can't or won't use. As far as buyer protection goes, CardCash offers a 45-day guarantee on all gift cards sold through its site from the date of purchase, so just make sure to use it before that period expires.
Best for: high-end home furnishings.
Chairish is an online marketplace for home decorating and design, where you can sell vintage decor, furniture, home accessories and art. As a consignor, you can have up to nine active listings as part of the free membership, but Chairish takes a cut of each sale, charging a 30% flat rate commission. One of the best perks of selling through Chairish is that it will organize shipping details for you, which can be a complicated process when dealing with large and heavy or fragile pieces. Otherwise, coordinating a local pickup is easy to set up through the app. Once your sale goes through, payments are issued via PayPal following delivery within the company's 48-hour return period. You can confirm that payment is being processed when an item is flagged as delivered in the sold items tab of the Chairish dashboard. The site's "hit list" feature curates the most loved listings in one place, encouraging faster sales.
Best for: unused tech.
According to a survey from Decluttr, Americans have nearly $200 worth of unused tech items at home. When it comes to selling those unwanted personal gadgets, you don't have to deal with the hassle of waiting for an auction to close. Instead, sites like Decluttr offer an instant payment. Begin by inputting the item's bar code — or use the in-app bar code scanner — to get an instant price estimate, guaranteed for 28 days. Once you accept the bid, you'll receive a welcome email containing a free shipping label that you simply tape to your box containing your gadget. Upon receipt of your tech item, payment will be processed via direct deposit or PayPal.
"Decluttr is also a good place to purchase refurbished tech items," says Trae Bodge, smart shopping expert at Truetrae.com, a personal finance and money-saving blog. "You can save an average of $100 on an iPad and $490 on an iPhone X." She also says you should look out for periodic sales, during which you can often save $50 on a special promotion.
Best for: auction-style sales.
Well-known for its auction-style sales, eBay also offers other selling formats where you can sell everything from clothing to electronics to baby gear to cars. If you decide to sell through an auction, simply choose a starting price and watch as interested buyers place bids. The buyer with the highest bid at the end of the auction window wins the sale. Auctions can run for either one, three, five, seven or 10 days. You can even select to relist unsold items automatically.
The other option for selling is to use eBay's fixed-price format, "Buy It Now," which lets buyers make a purchase instantly. If you're worried your price is too high, opt to let buyers make you an offer to make room for negotiating. Most listings are free, but sales will incur a final value fee that is calculated at a percent of the final selling price and varies depending on the item. For instance, the final value fee for clothing, shoes and accessories that sell for under $100 is calculated at 10.2% of the item's sale price, but it's free for items that sell over $100.
Select your preferred delivery option, from local pickup to shipping within the U.S. or internationally. To make shipments easy and affordable, purchase and print your shipping labels through eBay and you will get a discount from the shipping carriers it works with.
Best for: college textbooks.
According to the College Board, the average full-time, on-campus undergraduate at a four-year school is estimated to have spent $1,240 on books and supplies during the 2020-2021 academic year. Although many students look to recoup some of these costs by selling textbooks back to their college bookstore, more money is available online. Sites like eCampus.com offer higher payouts for college textbooks. One choice is the buyback service, in which you get an instant quote based on the data provided and free shipping with payments made via PayPal, check, direct deposit or in-store credit. Otherwise, you can opt to use the marketplace platform to sell directly to students. For this option, the site collects a 15% commission for each sale but provides shipping credit as a benefit.
Facebook Marketplace
Best for: selling locally.
If you don't want to deal with downloading yet another app or setting up another online account, Facebook Marketplace is a great option for selling and buying used items in your area since it's already linked to your Facebook account. Marketplace is Facebook's platform for buying, selling and discovering items. It makes selling items easy: Just upload a picture from your phone and review the interface's suggested category and price range based on sales for similar items in your area. You can sell to buyers locally by coordinating in-person transactions or ship to people who live beyond driving distance, depending on your preference. A bonus to using Facebook Marketplace is that you can view a potential buyer's Facebook profile and feel more confident about who you are doing business with.
Best for: local sales, video-enabled listings.
This peer-to-peer marketplace app uses your phone's GPS to reach buyers in your area. Shoppers can make you an offer or reach out about listing details through the in-app chat feature. For added safety, the site offers user ratings, phone verification and connects to Facebook so you know you're dealing with real people and not scammers. When it's time to make a deal, use the safe exchange area location tool to pinpoint nearby police stations for transactions. Otherwise, 5miles also offers an online payment and shipping option. The app also makes it easy to share your listings via Facebook, Twitter, text or email.
Best for: easy communication with buyers.
Whether you want to sell an old smartphone, unwanted toys or a used car, you can do it all through the Letgo app or on the website. Letgo allows consumers to buy and sell just about anything virtually, with categories ranging from electronics to sporting goods to cars. This free marketplace makes it a breeze to connect with buyers since all communication can be done through the app, such as discussing item specifications and negotiating prices. To optimize safety, Letgo verifies user profiles with ratings and reviews so you can see who you're talking to and what others have said about them before you move forward with a transaction. The app is free to use, so you keep 100% of your sale price.
Best for: negotiating and selling items quickly.
Similar to other secondhand marketplaces, OfferUp is free to use and lets you sell just about anything. You can choose to limit selling to just local buyers and meet in person, or you can post on OfferUp's nationwide sales page and coordinate shipments. When listing your item, let buyers know whether your price is set as firm or if there's room for negotiation, which means buyers can make offers. On OfferUp, you can increase listing visibility and sell your item faster using its "promote" feature for an added fee. When you promote your item, it will appear among the top 50 items in search, browse and category results. This ensures buyers will see your promoted listing when they're looking for similar items. Although you have to pay for this feature, it's a worthwhile cost for anyone who wants to sell an item faster.
Best for: those who don't like meetups or packing boxes.
On the Mercari app, you can sell just about anything, from sporting equipment to baby gear, without having to meet potential buyers in person. "I think of it like Craigslist, but no meetups," says Susan Towers, founding partner at Forerunner PR. All sales are shipped to buyers so there is no face-to-face interaction required. Plus, Mercari takes the headache out of shipping sold goods by offering a pack-and-ship partnership with UPS. If you bring your sold item to a local UPS store, an associate will pack and ship it for you, so you don't have to worry about finding the right box and creating a shipping label. Listings are free, but Mercari charges fees once a transaction is complete, including a selling fee of 10% of the sales price and an additional payment processing fee of 2.9% plus 30 cents based on the sales price.
Best for: peer-to-peer clothing resale.
Poshmark is a popular option for selling gently used name-brand clothing, shoes and accessories. To list your items, create a profile and add a few photos of each item you want to sell along with a description and price. You can motivate shoppers to buy more from you by offering a discount on multiple purchases. Listings are free, but you have to pay a fee when a sale is made. Poshmark takes a flat fee of $2.95 for orders under $15 and increases this commission to 20% for sales over that price point. Buyers of high-end luxury goods get extra confidence, thanks to free authentication — luxury items are shipped directly to Poshmark's headquarters for inspection first.
Earnings are deposited into your account, and you can withdraw money any time directly from the app via a direct deposit or by requesting a check. Shipping is also easy, as Poshmark provides you with a prepaid, pre-addressed label ready to be put on the box and drop it off at a nearby USPS mailbox or schedule an at-home pickup.
Becky Beach, the blogger behind the finance and lifestyle site MomBeach.com, says she uses the app often and suggests taking high-quality pictures of each item to attract more buyers. Place the item against a white poster board to make it pop, she says.
The RealReal
Best for: a hands-off approach to selling designer items.
Selling luxury goods through consignment is much more seamless, thanks to sites like The RealReal that specialize in reselling high-end designer brands including everything from women's, men's and kids' fashion to fine jewelry, watches, home decor and even art. As with most consigners, The RealReal takes a cut of each sale; you earn up to 85% of whatever you sell and an additional 5% if you apply earnings toward account credit to use toward shopping. One of the perks of selling through The RealReal is that you get a hands-off approach since the site tackles all the tedious work of posting pictures, setting prices, monitoring sales and shipping goods to buyers. Plus, every item is authenticated, which creates buying confidence and increases potential sales. You can even sell items without leaving your home. One of the site's luxury managers will come to you to help decide what to sell and transport the items to sell on the site. Michelle Madhok, online shopping expert and founder of SheFinds.com, says it's important to adhere to the list of brands the RealReal accepts and ensure everything is clean both inside and out.
Best for: wedding dresses.
Considering that some brides spend thousands on a wedding dress that they only wear one time, selling online can help recoup some of the original cost. Stillwhite.com offers a helpful marketplace for selling and buying pre-owned wedding dresses. Best of all, it doesn't charge commission fees. All you pay is a one-time listing fee, which means you keep more of the sale. Choose between the standard listing option for $20, which includes live analytics and four photos, or upgrade to premium for just $10 more to get ad space on the homepage along with up to eight photos and a video of your dress. You may be able to snag a coupon for savings on listing fees, so always check before paying. Plus, if you refer a family or friend to the site, you'll earn $5 each time they buy a dress or list one for sale. This person will even get 10% off their listing fee.
Best for: verified tech listings.
Mobile users are constantly upgrading their devices, but few are spending time to sell their older models. That's where Swappa comes in. This user-to-user marketplace was established specifically for people looking to buy and sell unwanted gadgets. You can sell almost any consumer electronic, from smartphones to laptops to video games and more. Most notably, every approved listing on Swappa is reviewed and verified by its support team to make sure it meets company standards and is fully functional. This includes verifying that phones are ready to be activated on the designated wireless carrier at the time of sale. To do this, photos are used to verify that the device matches the description, and serial numbers are reviewed to ensure it hasn't been reported lost, stolen or blacklisted. When it comes time to arranging your sale, you can choose to either ship items or make a sale in person through the Swappa Local marketplace.
Best for: consigning women's and kids' clothing.
This online clothing consigner makes it easy to make money on unwanted women's and kids' clothing since it does all the work of taking photos, listing items and managing sales. To start, request a "clean out kit" that includes a prepaid shipping bag you fill up with as many articles of clothing and accessories and send back to ThredUp. Some items are purchased outright by the site, while others are sold on consignment, meaning you only earn money if the item sells. Just like other consignment stores, ThredUp takes a cut of the profits and provides you with a payout for each item that sells, which varies per item and brand. Earnings are deposited into your ThredUp account, which you can either use as credit toward other used clothing or opt to cash out via Paypal or a prepaid debit card. For items that don't sell, you can choose to have them be sent back or donated.
Best for: easy shipping.
The best apps to buy and sell used stuff:
— CardCash.
— Chairish.
— Decluttr.
— eCampus.
— eBay.
— Facebook Marketplace.
— 5miles.
— Letgo.
— Mercari.
— OfferUp.
— Poshmark.
— The RealReal.
— StillWhite.
— Swappa.
— Thredup.
— Tradesy.
More from U.S. News
10 Ways to Save Energy and Lower Your Utility Bills
Be Ready for the Unexpected With an Emergency Fund
16 Best Apps for Buying and Selling Used Stuff originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 03/18/22: This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.


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Heather McGregor picks her favourite books of the year
Mrs Moneypenny, broadcaster and MD of Taylor Bennett Heather McGregor on her pick of the year.
The Key: How corporations succeed by solving the world's toughest problems
Lynda Gratton
A confession: I am a friend of the author. That's usually why I read books. But it doesn't mean I always like them or think they are useful, and this book gets both those votes. Professor Gratton (nearly 60, blonde, very agreeable, great shoes) has a unique insight into corporations and this book showcases her views on why business goals work best when aligned with a much broader world agenda. Huge problems such as income inequality can be solved, she thinks, by big companies. Thomas Piketty, I hope you've read it.
Napoleon the Great
Andrew Roberts
I know and like this author too (although I have no view on his shoes) but when the book turned up, at 976 pages, I didn't know whether to read it or use it as a doorstop. I am glad I persevered, because it's a great read, balancing its research (Andrew had waded through 30,000 letters sent by the Emperor) with lively anecdotes. I especially enjoyed the glimpse of his early life.


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CLEVELAND — When you're looking to donate to a good cause, sometimes its hard to tell which charities are real and which are phony. This time of the year, a lot of scammers pretend to be doing good for our military veterans - but are really pocketing those donations.
These types of scams run the gamut—and criminals will try every trick in the book to make money off the kindness of strangers, so the best defense is to do your research.
One of those crooks tried to fool Joe Keough when they called him out of the blue one day a few years ago.
"They were asking for cash or vehicles for disabled veterans," Keough, of Parkman, said.
It's a noble cause, but Keough—an Air Force veteran who also worked at the Geauga County Sheriff's Office for thirty years—says something felt off. So he looked a little deeper and realized the whole thing was bogus.
"On the second call, I kind of strung along a little bit and tried to get a little more information. And as a result of that, I was able to put together a statement of facts and send it to the State Attorney General's office," Keough said.
Turns out the person who called Keough was running the same robocall scheme in several other states and pocketed hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process. Because of reports filed by Keough and others, the Federal Trade Commission was able to find the man and hold him accountable for his crimes. But even though he's off the streets, there are many more to take his place - and they like to strike around Veteran's Day.
"You'll start to see more solicitations from veteran organizations, whether it is on social media, on television, through your email, anywhere online," said Sue McConnell, the President & CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Greater Cleveland.
McConnell says before you donate go to the BBB website or give.org, always research the charity.
"If that's important to you, and you want your donation to be tax deductible, the IRS, different sites can tell you if it is," McConnell said.
And if you find something feels fishy, don't just keep it to yourself.
"Report it. May take a while. You know, like, in my case, I kind of forgot about it was really pleased to get a call, you know, many months later," Keough said.
If you think you've been scammed, you can file a complaint with the FTC or the BBB.
RELATED: Local veteran helps bring case against scammer that duped people into donating to fake charities


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UniData provides two kind of data access:
- open data
(all users can use the data - an expense allowance could be required) - restricted data
(the data use is limited - see below)
Data Kind:
individual data
Time Dimensions:
longitudinal (trend repeated cross-section)
Series Name:
VV - Trips and holidays
other documentation
Trips and holidays is a quarterly focus included into the Households Budget Survey from 2014 with the aim of collecting information on tourist flows of residents. It provides a wide set of information on tourist trips, such as the amount and the characteristics of trips made for personal and business reasons, both in Italy and abroad, the amount of expenditure, the reasons for not participating in tourism, the amount of same-day visits. These information was previously collected by quarterly Trips, holidays and daily life carried out by Istat from 1997 to 2013. The estimates provided are internationally comparable and allow to analyse the evolution of the tourist behaviours of individuals.
Tourism is defined as the set of activities and services concerning people moving outside their 'usual environment', for holidays or work purposes. Therefore, all non-routine journeys are included in the tourist flows, with overnight stays (trips) or without (excursions, daily trips). The identification of the usual environment of a person makes it possible to correctly distinguish the tourist phenomenon from mobility, which does not included within the field of observation of tourist demand.
Tourism flows are distinguished into trips for personal reasons and business trips, the first ones differentiated between short holiday (1-3 overnight stays) and long holiday trips (4 or more overnight stays). The holidays include trips for leisure, pleasure, relax, visiting to relatives or friends, for health treatments or for religious reasons.
Istat provide three different datasets: individuals (individui), trips (viaggi) and excursions (escursioni). The annual files are obtained by combining the four quarterly files built through the survey.
The "individuals" file consists of a record for each individual member of the interviewed family, thus including both individuals who have traveled (tourists) and those who have not traveled.
The "trips" file consists of a record for each journey made by an individual. The classification of journeys makes it possible to distinguish business trips from holiday trips. The survey detects the trips that end in each reference month, regardless of the start date.
The "excursions" file consists of a record for each excursion carried out by an individual in the reference month.
Data are available for free in CSV format (registration required). After logging in, please click on the green button in the box at the right.
In order to optimize the time of use of the dataset, UniData offers a service of conversion in the statistical software format (SPSS, Stata, R or SAS). For detailed information visit the Services for Istat Data page.
For members, instead, data are available in the main formats used by the software for the statistical analysis.
Topic Classification:
Nations: Italy
Geographical Unit: region
Analysis Unit: individual, event/process, time unit
Universe: residents in Italy
Sample Procedure: 36.031 individuals. Two-stage stratified random sample
Weight: Weight used. Please read the documentation for any details
Collection Mode: Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI)
Collection Size: UniData supplies: 3 dataset in SPSS format (members only) or CSV (other users) relating respectively to "individuals", "trips" and "excursions"; 1 questionnaire in PDF format (ita); 1 methodological notes in PDF format (ita); 1 codebook in ZIP format (ita) (6 file)
Methodological Notes (pdf): | Codebook (zip): |
DDI Documentation: |
Data Use Restriction:
ISTAT data are released in according to Creative Commons – Attribution 3.0 Licence, available here. The redistribution to the third party, even in partial form, of data available to UniData members only is not allowed.
Source Contact: Contact Centre
Istat. (2016) Trips and holidays. UniData - Bicocca Data Archive, Milan. Study Number SN193. Data file version 1.0
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The questionnaire provided by Istat is an extract from the one used in the "Households Budget Survey", and, consequently, not all the questions reported in the questionnaire are corresponding to the variables of the distributed datasets.
See the Households Budget Survey in order to accesso to all variables relating to the missing questions.