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|Alex Karasulu <aok...@bellsouth.net>
|Re: [VOTE] Directory project releases II
|Thu, 30 Dec 2004 21:42:42 GMT
Alex Karasulu wrote: > Noel J. Bergman wrote: > >> Alex, >> >> Since we've already had a -1 from Roy on the earlier plan, I would >> like to >> make sure that he sees and comments on the revised one, which >> attempts put >> put out a more limited set, while resolving the trademark concerns. >> But I >> don't believe the the ldap, naming (previously released by Tomcat and >> others) and asn1 names represent a problem. >> >> There is the matter of the STATUS file. Incubator projects should >> not even >> be proposing a release if their STATUS file isn't up to date. >> >> > Yeah true I checked in the changes to the status file but I can't seem > to figure out how to publish things out. I ran ant but that did not > seem to make alterations to the generated directory.html file. > Perhaps there's something else that needs to be done. Any ideas? Alrighty I finally got the STATUS file published: found instructions deep in incubator sight hehe. Ok if you don't see the changes please for browser to reload page instead of using caches. Let's keep the vote going for projects: asn1 naming ldap Thanks for the heads up! Alex --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: email@example.com For additional commands, e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
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POSCO pursues 'Corporate Citizenship: Building a Better Future Together'. POSCO will become a valued member of society, grow alongside various stakeholders, such as employees, shareholders, customers, suppliers, vendors and local communities, and pursue the values of consideration, coexistence and symbiosis.
To deliver the meaning of With, which embodies the meaning of a corporate citizen growing together with society, W expresses the continuation of empathetic harmony by visualizing the image of two individuals holding hands. The warm orange color possesses the positive energy of growing together.
POSCO made 'With POSCO' its vision, and it is building a better future with 'Business With POSCO', by creating values with business partners, 'Society With POSCO', by building a better society, and 'People With POSCO', by fostering a corporate culture of trust and creativity.
POSCO takes great efforts to realize the values it deems important, such as putting substance first, emphasizing execution, and pursuing benefits. It achieves value management, win-win management and innovative management by putting substance before form, placing more emphasis on execution than on reporting, and pursuing substance rather than justification.
New Vision System
The Most Respected & Beloved Company Globally
Innovation POSCO 2.0*

subset: commoncrawl


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Contributed by: Matt Trujillo, CFP®
If you have ever financed anything before, then you are probably familiar with the concept of your "credit score." This number, or score, can play a significant role in your life as it has real implications when you go to purchase a home or car, to name a few big ticket items. Most of you reading this probably have a sense of what your current score is, but have you ever wondered how that score is calculated?
Here is a quick break down of the composition:
35%: Payment History
Naturally payment history is one of the biggest components of your credit score. Have you paid your bills in the past? Did you pay them on time?
30%: Amounts Owed
Just owing money doesn't necessarily mean you are a high risk borrower. However, having a high percentage of your available credit being used will negatively impact your credit score.
15%: Length of Credit History
Generally having a longer credit history will increase your overall score (assuming other aspects look good), but even people with a short credit history can still have a good score if they aren't maxing out their credit and are paying bills on time.
10%: New Credit Opened
Opening several lines of credit in a short period of time almost always adversely affects your score. The impact is even greater for people that don't have a long credit history. Opening multiple lines of credit is generally viewed as high risk behavior.
10%: Types of Credit you have
A FICO score will consider retail account credit (i.e. Macy's card), installment loans, mortgage loans, and traditional credit cards (Visa/ MasterCard etc). Having credit cards and installment loans with a good payment history will raise your credit score.
Hopefully now you have a better understanding of how your score is comprised. For more information please visit www.myfico.com for tips and strategies on how to improve your score!
Matthew Trujillo, CFP®, is a Certified Financial Planner™ at Center for Financial Planning, Inc. Matt currently assists Center planners and clients, and is a contributor to Money Centered.
(source: http://www.myfico.com/ ) This material is being provided for information purposes only. Any opinions are those of Matt Trujillo and not necessarily those of Raymond James. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but Raymond James does not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete.
Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website's users and/or members.


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It's time for Painting On Purpose! I started POP in 2015, inspired by my sweet Grandma Neva who turned 92 on the release of the first painting, she'll turn 96 when this one is released on February 6, 2019! The PURPOSE for Painting On Purpose is to give ALL of the money from the sale […]
Shop Online @ Etsy!
thank you to my wonderful collectors
"I can't say enough about this painting. I believe that Katie has a calling to all mothers. She has perfectly depicted me and my four daughters in this print. I know that my girls will one day want this for themselves. Thank you Katie." ~ Diane in Florida
"Natural Magic" arrived today! I fell in love with it as you posted progress on Facebook, but I have to say that the original far exceeded my expectations. It is breathtakingly beautiful. The subtle detail that is added from the brush strokes and texture just don't come through in a picture. I can't even begin to express how happy it makes my heart to look at your art. The painting has found a home on my piano with the prints I already had. Thank you so much for sharing your gift. ~ Erin in Indiana
"As a mother of three, cosleeper, baby wearer and breast feeder I was immediately drawn to Katie's work. When I came across this painting, it just spoke to my soul. It portrays one of those moments when a snuggle with your child transcends everything and you can feel the love pouring out of your heart, connecting you and your child in an indescribable way. Beautiful piece. " ~ Kathleen in Pennsylvania


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Essential dining destinations in Marfa, LaVenture and Bar Saint George are open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In-room dining is also available from 7:30 until 10 AM.
Bar Saint George is the perfect spot for a mid-day refuel, casual bite, or craft cocktails from morning to night. A vibrant spot for visitors and locals alike, it offers complimentary wireless internet, coffee and espresso, a full bar, and simple yet creative, satisfying fare. Daily Happy Hour is from 3 until 6 PM.
Bar Saint George opens from 7:30 AM until midnight Sunday through Friday, and from 7:30 AM until 1 AM on Saturday.


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If you are new to stock trading, the first thing you will hear of in your stocks trading basics is probably stocks technical analysis. But, I think Apple may be a paradigm for what both the market and consumers are looking for in the post-recession generation – a return to good old-fashioned service ethics and values, doing the right things to promote customer loyalty. My father didn't tell me about any other investments he had, just the one stock that he designated for me. As far as I knew, all of the eggs for my future were in that single basket. At the end of lesson one, I am fairly certain that I will probably never be a stock market guru.
Market trading volumes, IPOs and subsequent capital raisings and the success of new product launches (i.e. forex products). The market turnover Vedanta, Tata Steel, HDFC, HCL Tech, Yes Bank, Hindalco and heavyweight stocks such as Axis Bank has strengthened by 2.1 to 1 percent. You need to observe the price movement of a stock on a weekly, monthly, and half monthly basis to know its trend. The accumulation of a stock with great volumes might be an indication of a major break out or break down in the time to come. With the news flow related to the counter and its ratios like price to earnings ratio and earnings per share ratio, you would be able to make fast money by day trading in such stocks.
Analyzing bullish and bearish trends with the help of individual stock charts is the quality of an expert stock trader. You need to identify the support and resistance points on stock charts to make strategies and change them whenever needed. They are the best ways to book profits at the right levels and emerge as a winner even in fluctuating stock markets. Pulling your money out of the market at this point amounts to diving into a bank run.
As of the open of the market on Friday the current divisor for the Dow Jones Industrial Average found at page C6 of Friday's Wall St. Journal is 0.14967727343149. If Friday morning before the market opened you had purchased 100 shares of each of the Dow Jones Industrial Average 30 shares (assuming you could buy fractional shares and assuming no transaction costs or dividends) and sold at the close you would have lost $176 ($249,284 – $249,108). A read of the print editions of Friday's Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Investor's Business Daily, New York Times, USA Today, Atlanta Journal & Constitution & Daily Report (Ga.
If Thursday morning before the market opened you had purchased 100 shares of each of the Dow Jones Industrial Average 30 shares (assuming you could buy fractional shares and assuming no transaction costs or dividends) and sold at the close you would have gained $5,527 ($249,284 – $243,757). The market will start rebounding once Fed meet is out of the way, a confident Ramesh Damani, Member, BSE told CNBC-TV18. Some of the big companies has not done well on the stock market, MPSEZ,NTPC,NMDC and NHPC.


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Doctrinal Precedence Among the Hatch-Waxman Act, the Patent Act, and the Sherman Act
By Brett Frischmann on March 13, 2013 at 1:55 pm
The Center for Internet and Society at Stanford Law School is a leader in the study of the law and policy around the Internet and other emerging technologies.
By Brett Frischmann on March 13, 2013 at 1:55 pm
By Daniel Nazer on March 8, 2012 at 12:49 pm
How accurate is the Patent and Trademark Office? Can its examiners tell good patents from bad?
By Stuart Soffer on January 30, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Emeritus Stanford Computer Science Professor Gio Wiederhold provides in the January 2011 issue of Communications of the ACM (1) (the monthly journal of the professional society for Computer Scientists) an article titled Follow the Intellectual Property. The theme of his paper is that the offshoring of IP (actually domiciling the IP for sheltering royalty purposes in an off-shore tax haven such as the Cayman Islands) works to the disadvantage of US employees. Profits sheltered are not repatriated, but instead are used to seed and hire other offshore developments for the patent owners.
By Stuart Soffer on January 25, 2011 at 7:32 pm
In reviewing the statistical tea leaves of IP litigation trends for 2010, one aspect that now stands out is the number of cases involving auctioned patents. There are 15 such cases asserting 20 auctioned patents. Some of the highlights of these 15 cases are:
• US 6,526,219 for "Picture-based video indexing system" had a projected auction price of $250,000, but ended up sold for $700,000. InMotion Imagery Technologies, LLC asserted this patent in three cases in the Eastern District of Texas.
When Patent Office Director Michelle Lee gave that speech, Theranos appeared to be one of the most impressive companies in Silicon Valley. But later that year, the public learned that Holmes hadn't "proven" anything. Whistleblowers told The Wall Street Journal that Theranos wasn't even using its own devices for most of its blood testing. Holmes had apparently spent more than a decade building a company based on unrealistic or outright false claims about its revolutionary technology.
The general rule in patent law is that each country has its own patent system. If you want damages for sales in the United States, you need a U.S. patent. If you want damages for sales in New Zealand, you need to get a New Zealand patent, and so on. A case currently before the U.S. Supreme Court threatens to disrupt this system by allowing worldwide damages for infringement of U.S. patents.
If trolls don't face consequences for asserting invalid software patents, then they will continue to shake down productive companies. That is why EFF has filed an amicus brief [PDF] urging the court to uphold fee awards against patent trolls (and their lawyers) when they assert software patents that are clearly invalid under the Supreme Court's decision in Alice v.
This month's stupid patent, like many stupid patents before it, simply claims the idea of using a computer for basic calculations. U.S. Patent No. 6,817,863 (the '863 patent) is titled "Computer program, method, and system for monitoring nutrition content of consumables and for facilitating menu planning." It claims the process of using a computer to track nutrition information like calorie or vitamin intake. It is difficult to think of a more basic and trivial use for a computer.
In a ruling this week that will cheer up patent trolls, the Supreme Court said patent owners can lie in wait for years before suing. This will allow trolls to sit around while others independently develop and build technology. The troll can then jump out from under the bridge and demand payment for work it had nothing to do with.
Plenty of businesses rely on third-party payers: parents often pay for college; insurance companies pay most health care bills. Reaching out to potential third-party payers is hardly a new or revolutionary business practice. But someone should tell the Patent Office. Earlier this year, it issued US Patent No. 9,026,468 to Securus Technologies, a company that provides telephone services to prisoners.
Imagine if the inventor of the Segway claimed to own "any thing that moves in response to human commands." Or if the inventor of the telegraph applied for a patent covering any use of electric current for communication. Absurdly overbroad claims like these would not be allowed, right? Unfortunately, the Patent Office does not do a good job of policing overly broad claims. August's Stupid Patent of the Month, U.S. Patent No.
This is the third in a series of articles focusing on the experimental economics of intellectual property. In earlier work, we have experimentally studied the ways in which creators assign monetary value to the things that they create. That research has suggested that creators are subject to a systematic bias that leads them to overvalue their work.
"Despite the many lawsuits filed by Shipping & Transit, a court has never ruled on the validity of the company's patent claims, said Daniel Nazer, a senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit that works on intellectual property issues. But Shipping & Transit's business model took a hit after multiple courts ordered it to pay attorneys fees and questioned the company's motives in bringing the patent lawsuits."
"Daniel Nazer, an EFF attorney, said that Shipping & Transit is part of a dying business model.
"Most of S&T's patents are expired, and defendants had managed to get fees in a couple of cases," he emailed Ars.
"Daniel Nazer, a senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said the duty of the USPTO director is to the public, not just patent owners, and "frankly, his speech doesn't seem to reflect any awareness of that."
"Meanwhile, Daniel Nazer, an attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, also applauded the occasion.
"It's a classic example of how an overbroad patent can frustrate innovation," he emailed Ars. "To the extent the industry faces other challenges because of a stigma against sex tech or adult products, those will remain. But at least startups in the space won't immediately get sued.""
"EFF senior staff attorney Daniel Nazer tells me in an email that "it's a good thing this patent is expiring" and noted that the owner of the patent had filed a lawsuit against several small companies, "so it's reasonable to conclude that it was actively deterring innovation in this space.""
"But even when the U.S.P.T.O. granted patents to Raniere for his inventions (which they did for over 20), it shouldn't necessarily be considered proof of brilliance, according to Daniel Nazer, attorney and Mark Cuban Chair to Eliminate Stupid Patents at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Nazer said, "If your whole shtick is going around and convincing people that you're this genius, then the patent system is a way to buttress that.
"Daniel Nazer, a staff attorney on the Electronic Frontier Foundation's intellectual property team, thinks Tinder's case faces many of the same pitfalls. "I think most utility patents in this space face the same problems," he says. (Utility patents protect new machines, processes, and other inventions).
"Nazer believes none of these patents should have been granted in the first place, having failed to overcome the basic legal requirements of being both original and non-obvious. A big part of the problem, he says, has to do with how the patent office works. "Patent examiners spend an average of only 18 hours reviewing each application," he told me, "which is grossly inadequate.""
"Supporters of the reviews, meanwhile, say they are a much-needed corrective for a system that has issued far too many low-quality patents. Patent office examiners spend an average of 18 hours reviewing each application, too little time to research all the evidence that might invalidate a claim, says Daniel Nazer at the Electronic Frontier Foundation."
""We get questions all the time about, 'Can you help me with my patent?' But we couldn't until we got certification," said Elizabeth Townsend Gard, a Tulane Law School faculty member and co-director of the Tulane Center for IP, Media & Culture.
Townsend Gard said in each of the past three years, her intellectual property class has done about 100 trademark searches for people.
CIS Affiliate Scholar Marvin Ammori will be participating in the panel "Can Our Patent System Support (or Survive) the DIY Movement?"
Widely recognized as a preeminent scholar of intellectual property law, Mark A. Lemley (BA '88) is an accomplished litigator—having litigated cases before the US Supreme Court, the California Supreme Court, and federal circuit courts—as well as a prolific writer with more than 100 published articles and six books. He has testified numerous times before Congress, the California legislature, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Antitrust Modernization Commission on patent, trade secret, antitrust, and constitutional law matters. He is also a partner and founder in the firm Durie Tangri LLP.
May 26, 2017
""Ideas, before you actually put them to work, are very vulnerable to stealing," said University of California, Hastings law professor Ben Depoorter. "We give protection to someone who can make good on that idea, and put it into a particular application, practice, expression, art form.
December 16, 2013
Daniel Nazer of Electronic Frontier Foundation on the Supreme Court case that could set patent precedent.
Full story can also be found here.
November 20, 2013
This week, David Levine interviews Daniel Nazer, a Staff Attorney on the Electronic Frontier Foundation's intellectual property team, focusing on patent reform.
November 6, 2013
This week, David Levine interviews Prof. Victoria Stodden of Columbia University.
July 10, 2013
CIS Affiliate Scholar David Levine interviews Ron Epstein, CEO of EpicenterIP, on non-practicing entities/patent trolls/patent investors.
May 9, 2011
Defensive patenting---i.e., filing a patent specifically to avoid the threat of litigation---is a common strategy in the world of intellectual property for private companies focused on information technology. Free software and open source ("FOSS") projects, however, are historically wary of defensive patenting. Why is this? And what strategies might make defensive patenting more appealing to the FOSS community?


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We arrived at the City of Charleston and received a very in depth exlpanation and tour of Charleston from Michael Maher who is an architect and friend of Ted. Michael is the Director of Charleston Civic Design Center.
Along side visual plates explaining the growth of Charleston over time, there was also a braille version.


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Craig Valentino Design - Pop's Barrel Aged Maple Pumpkin Ale
"Packaging for a limited release beer by Mill House Brewing Company called Pop's Barrel Aged Maple Pumpkin Ale. This special 22oz small batch beer is packaged in swing top bottles and will be sold only at Mill House fall 2015. The maple syrup, which serves as a special ingredient to the brew, was harvested by locally and used in the brewing process before aging for a year in barrels. The labels were printed by Dion Label Printing using metallic inks on a matte black finish."
Designed by Craig Valentino Design


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No Android O for the Galaxy Note 8 to start
Some new rumors having to do with the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 are making the rounds today. The latest rumor claims two things about the Note 8 we didn't know before. One is that the smartphone will run Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box.
The other rumor is that the smartphone will have an Infinity Display. The display rumors claim that the Note 8 will have a 6.3-inch OLED screen meanig it will have more than half an inch of additional screen space compared to the massive failure that was the Note 7.
HotHardware reports that the Note 8 will have an aspect ratio of 18.5:9, which is the same aspect ratio that the Galaxy S8 uses right now. The screen aspect ratio implies that the Note 8 won't have a physical home button under the screen. The rumor offers no indication of what the screen resolution might be.
The rumor about Android Nougat being the OS will disappoint some people out there who were hoping that the smartphone would launch with Android O running the show, but that flavor of Android is still in testing. The official launch of the Note 8 is tipped to happen sometime in the second half of 2017. That means that the launch could happen anytime between now and December if the rumor is accurate.


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The men of Bridgeport will be gathering at the Davis home for a time of food, fellowship, a bonfire and prayer. John Enyart will be sharing as well. The Davis's address is 2710 S. 63 Street, Kansas City, KS 66106.
Back to All Events
Earlier Event: April 10Family Life Meeting
Later Event: April 21Rare Community


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Bespoke Your World - Launch
Mixing a luxury goods service with a social media platform sounds interesting, right?
We thought so too, so yesterday we headed to Soho arts and media members club The Groucho Club for the launch of Bespoke Your World.
BYW uses undiscovered luxury brands sourcing them from all across the globe. Distinctive pieces were shown at the launch - from beautiful Indian handmade shirt dresses to completely unique vintage pieces.
The service is mainly through popular social media platform Instagram through which a network of designers, stylists and customers from around the world can interact and buy pieces through the platform. This kind of engagement is so much more personal as you are able to discover the craftsmanship behind the pieces, comment on the items and find out the stories behind the designers themselves. BYW also operates through private shopping events; another way to establish relationships between customers and makers directly.
Founder Sara Simmonds has experience in mixing luxury and ethical fashion together. She has worked as a buyer for Harvey Nichols, and founded denim brand Sharkah Chakra - the first luxury brand to be awarded Fairtrade status. Sara was kind enough to talk to us about each of the brands and why they are so unique.
The event exceeded expectations when it came to personalisation. Laurie Lee leather offered personal painted prints on the back of her top quality leather jackets. We also met personal stylist Jasmine Shaw, who offered brilliant fashion advice and even gave me some style tips using a few of the exhibits at the event.
The brand really does make the idea of luxury and individuality a reality without comprising on the beauty of the products.
Follow Bespoke Your World on Instagram to begin your luxury shopping experience @bespokeyourworld


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Samantha Leal Joins Marie Claire
Marie Claire has hired Samantha Leal as senior Web editor covering culture, lifestyle, entertainment, beauty and fashion. Leal most recently served as deputy online editor for Latina since July 2014, and before that, was senior online editor. Follow Marie Claire on Instagram for runway looks, beauty tips, and a peek behind of the scenes of the popular women's magazine.
Want insights into the latest PR industry trends and best practices? Check out our free white papers, webinars and more!
About Cision StaffCision's research staff makes over 20,000 media updates to Cision's Media Database each day! For more updates and other thought leadership in the industry, follow @Media_Moves.
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In an interview with Ethical Corporation, Lee Ballin, Head of Sustainable Business Programs at Bloomberg, spoke about their efforts to develop financial reports and other initiatives to promote sustainability.
Today, investors examine companies with greater sophistication than ever before, and one of the new variables they consider is sustainability. They ask questions like: How sustainable are companies' internal practices, how sustainable are their external supply chain, including the natural resources they depend on? As more and more investors demand answers to these questions, increasingly companies are going to be required to report on them and address their risks.
I also think that there is a great business opportunity in sustainability. We are at a tipping point where our work is not only an operational efficiency and risk exercise but an opportunity for companies to leverage their core competencies and provide goods and services for a clean economy. For Bloomberg that is providing news, data and analysis about sustainability issues that matter to our customer as well as being transparent about our own efforts as a company.
… We incorporate 8 of the Sustainable Development Goals into our sustainability strategy: no poverty (HERfinance), zero Hunger (Second Harvest Japan), Quality Education (Bloomberg Startup), Gender Equality (maternity/paternity benefits, D


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The Queen's Green Planet, review – it was a joy to eavesdrop on the Queen and David Attenborough
Monday night saw television royalty join forces with the real thing in The Queen's Green Planet (ITV). This life-affirming documentary followed Her Majesty's ambitious project to create a vast network of protected forests, spanning the 53 countries of the Commonwealth.
The programme's centrepiece was a lovely conversation between the Queen and David Attenborough as they strolled through Buckingham Palace's gardens last summer.
Eavesdropping on their relaxed chat was a joy. When they tutted about Health & Safety gone mad or a noisy helicopter overhead (amusingly, the Queen blamed it on President Trump), it was like any two pensioners enjoying a moan about the modern world. At one moment, she laughed at a bent sapling, wondering if "somebody sat on it at a garden party".
The film also followed members of the Royal family helping make the QCC (Queen's Commonwealth Canopy) a reality. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge planted trees in Canada's Great Bear Rainforest – also taking time to catch salmon with their bare hands. (The Duchess was better at it.)
Prince Harry mucked in, demonstrating his flair for public occasions as he danced, drummed and downed local tipples in the Caribbean. "I'm closing in on my half century of trees planted," he told some giggling schoolgirls, "but I reckon the Queen is up in the thousands." Attenborough described the tree-planting tradition as "a sort of royal 'I woz 'ere'."
Just to add another A-list name to an already starry cast, Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie took her family to plant trees in the Namibian desert. Jolie flew the single-engine plane herself and was infectiously passionate about the project. Even Boris Johnson popped up with a typically verbose comic contribution.
This was a classily produced film, handsomely shot in verdant greens, the camerawork intimate yet unobtrusive as Attenborough and the Queen took time to smell the roses.
As the 91-year-olds stood admiring a pair of magnificent London planes, it drove home how treelike they are themselves: strong, noble and steeped in history.


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thiet ke web chuan seo
You know that great feeling you get when you read a new 5-star review? While receiving great reviews are a rewarding experience instilled with a great sense of pride, they're also a huge boost for your vacation rental business. Now how do you feel?! When you own a short term rental, your reviews influence guests' perceptions about quality and they play a role in determining your search rankings.
Positive reviews will increase your visibility within the listing platform, (e.g. Airbnb, HomeAway, and Booking.com). airbnbSecrets states, "The more you collect positive feedback…the more Airbnb will showcase you as a host." Both the quality and quantity of reviews determine how you rank against your vacation rental competition and the higher you're ranked, the more visibility your listing is going to get.
Your visibility can be the difference between success and failure for a short term rental business. The higher your rental shows up in search rankings, the more likely customers are to view your property, which ultimately leads to more bookings.
However, just because your listing is clicked on, doesn't guarantee your property will be booked. At Pillow, we've found reviews are one of the first things that guests take into account when selecting a vacation rental, so it's vital to have outstanding reviews if you want to convert those travelers from browsers to paying guests.
In addition, as the popularity of Airbnb and vacation rentals grow, there's likely to be an increase in supply and your need to stand out from the crowd will increase. And with escalating trends for options like instant booking, it is more important than ever to ensure your rental is well represented by positive reviews. Travelers who are searching online for a vacation rental may choose to book instantly if they see something that looks attractive and it's supported by raving 5-star reviews.
Need help getting reviews? Read this great post from LearnAirbnb. Or this post from The Abundant Host on how to position your location for 5-stars.
Once you take the time to increase both the quantity and quality of your reviews and you have a solid search ranking, you're likely to see an increase in your demand, which means you can raise your rental rate without worrying about loosing reservations. On the other hand, neglecting your reviews can lead to a situation where you have to attract travelers with lower rental rates.
If you're not sure how to start getting better reviews, Pillow can help. Find out how to take charge of your customer service, so that your customers feel more satisfied and are more likely to leave positive reviews.
By: Michelle Giuliano
Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , or Instagram for more tips and insights on creating a successful vacation rental. Or sign up for our blog!
Also read our other posts for additional tips and tricks in optimizing your vacation rental:


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Tummy Tuck Houston
Dr. Derek Lou has years of experience helping people achieve their personal aesthetic goals. For individuals who are dissatisfied with loose or sagging skin of the abdominal wall (often resulting from multiple pregnancies or earlier surgeries), we can help create a smoother and flatter abdomen.
Procedure Description
For most tummy tuck procedures, the surgery is performed in a hospital or outpatient facility and is conducted under general anesthesia. After this, different degrees of abdominoplasty can be done with certain modifications.
In mini-abdominoplasty procedures, only the skin of the lower abdominal wall is tightened, resulting in a very short scar.
Modified abdominoplasty deals with only the muscle wall or abdominal skin and makes any necessary repairs.
Standard abdominoplasty tightens the entire abdominal wall skin, as well as the abdominal muscles, resulting in a standard scar.
Finally, in extended abdominoplasty procedures the abdomen and sides are tightened, resulting in a long scar that extends around the sides of the abdomen and onto the lower back.
Recuperation and Healing
Recovering from any type of abdominoplasy can be a very time-consuming process and one that limits the mobility of the patient. Typically, one to three days of hospitalization or other type of professional medical care are required.
Patients can typically begin moving or walking around 1-2 days after the procedure and resume light activity after 10-20 days. It is not uncommon for the treated area to be painful or uncomfortable for up to 6 weeks.
Plastic Surgeon Dr. Derek Lou can discuss your personal recovery plan with you in greater detail and will help you prepare for what you can expect during your recuperation.
Other Options
Dr. Lou can recommend potential cosmetic alternative procedures for you including liposuction, breast procedures, or a thigh lift.
All surgical procedures bring with them certain dangers and risks of complication. While minor unexpected complications do occur (uncommonly), major complications are very rare.
Contact Us
For more information on our tummy tuck procedures, or to schedule a personal consultation, contact Lou Plastic Surgery at 713-932-7290.
Get in Touch
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- When to a kid's birthday party with Ladybug this afternoon and I am happy to report that The Chicken Dance is international. Whew. (I know you are relieved.)
- It figures that the night you decide to "sleep train" your baby (for the record, we are NOT using any cry it out type of method…), he will start running a pretty high fever. I guess maybe the better point to make would be: life does not go as we plan it to. (Not since kids, anyway.)
- There really is nothing more disgusting than realizing you washed a load of laundry with a piece of poop. There really is nothing more to expound upon here.
- A sweet, sweet friend sent me this Desiring God article today. Can I just say, "Yes and Amen."? Check it out here: Motherhood is a Calling
- Happy Weekending! Would you rather have a weekend spent out doing really cool things with your family, or a weekend spent at home just relaxing with your family?


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An insurance adjuster is a professional who can help you through the process of filing an insurance claim. They protect your interest and make sure you are getting exactly what you deserve. In return, they get a percentage of the settlement, usually between 10% to 20% and will only get paid after you have been awarded your compensation.
You might be wondering – why should I hire my own adjuster and lose a portion of my settlement? Here are the main reasons:
- They work for you.
These insurance claims specialists understand the industry inside-out and they can negotiate with the insurance company to ensure you get what you deserve. They will fight for you until you get what you are entitled to.
- They only get paid when you get paid.
They work on a contingency basis so you're basically not going to have to spend a single dime for their services, at least not until you get what is rightfully yours.
- You get more money.
They will carefully assess and scrutinize every single damage incurred so that you will receive more money than if you rely on the insurance company's own adjusters.
- You'll be treated fairly.
Usually, if you don't like the offer of your insurance company, you can go to arbitration. But the problem is that it is the insurance company who pays the arbitrator.
- The insurance company's initial offer is always less than the value of your claim.
They would never offer you the maximum amount you can get. They are a business and as such, they want to protect their own interests.
- Public adjusters are trained professionals who will work for you.
They have your financial interest at heart and they will work very hard to make sure you are given a fair settlement.
How It Works
Your public adjuster will arrange and present your claim to the insurance company, guaranteeing that you get a fair adjustment which covers everything you're entitled to based on your policy.
During the process, your adjuster will conduct a physical inventory, get quotes and appraisals, and ascertain that all policy provisions are met.
Should You Hire One?
The short and simple answer is yes. Public insurance adjusters aren't connected to insurance providers so you're assured there is no conflict of interest. You can always process your own claim but you may not be as successful in getting an equitable adjustment as a trained professional who deals with hundreds of these cases every year.
Keep in mind that a typical policy has numerous stipulations, provisions, and riders that are always being updated. Dealing with a disaster is already stressful as it is, you probably won't have the time, energy or the inclination to focus on the insurance claim process.
So save yourself the trouble and hire a pro. The sole purpose of an independent claims adjuster is to make sure you, as their client, will receive the maximum compensation due to you as per your insurance policy.


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So often we buy vegetables with a plan on cooking them, and so often they rot in our fridge. An estimated 28% of vegetables that are purchased are thrown in the garbage by the consumer. Besides being a sad thing, waste has larger repercussions. Wasting food also wastes all of the money, effort and time that go into getting produce from the farms to our tables. Having some pickle brine handy can help reduce waste at home. Just about any vegetable or fruit can be pickled, and pickling can preserve veggies almost indefinitely. Not only can we reduce waste by pickling, pickles are an easy way to add some excitement to everyday meals. Look at the menus of some of the great restaurants in the United States, and you will find pickled elements lacing everything from appetizer to dessert. Pickle brine can be made and kept unrefrigerated until you need it. Many cultures have developed their own distinctive methods of pickling, this recipe takes cues from a few different ones.
Makes about half a gallon of brine:
1.5 cups olive oil
5 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1 generous pinch red chili flake
4 cups apple cider vinegar
2 cups distilled white vinegar
3 cups water
9 Tbsp kosher salt
4.5 Tbsp sugar
- In a sauce pot, large enough to hold all of the liquid, heat the olive oil over a medium flame. Once the oil is warm, not hot, add the chopped garlic and cook until lightly toasted (if you burn the garlic, you should start over. Burnt garlic would make this brine very bitter).
- Add the chile flakes and cook another 30 seconds to release the aroma.
- Add all of the liquid, plus the salt and sugar to the pot.
- Bring to a boil. The purpose of this is just to dissolve the salt and sugar; as soon as the mixture boils, it is done.
- Remove the brine from heat and allow it to cool.
While the new brine is still fairly hot, is a good time to start some pickling. Simply pour the brine over whatever you want to pickle, in the container you wish to store in, and allow it to sit at room temperature. The pickles will be ready within an hour and will continue to develop flavor as it sits in the brine.
Whatever you pickle, it should be stored in a clean dry container to ensure the longest shelf-life possible. Canning is the best option because of the sterile environment it creates. But for the casual pickler, a clean tupperware is great. If you are using a metal container, make sure it is non-reactive (no aluminum or copper), as the metal will leach into the brine. Make sure all items are completely submerged in brine.
Some suggestions for things to pickle: 1/2 inch slices of radish, 1/2 inch slices of carrot, thin slices of onion, whole cloves of garlic, cauliflower florets, thin slices of lemon, 1/2 inch slices of celery, 1/2 inch slices of fennel, whole cherry tomatoes, diced plums, diced nectarines, diced peaches, 1/2 inch slices of apples, 1/2 inch slices of pears. The list goes on. Some cultures pickle sausages or other meats and fish. Experimentation with pickling can be fun and rewarding, and if its a choice between throwing something away, or into some brine, what have you got to lose?


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Gelish Manicures & Pedicures
Gelish performs like a gel and applies like a polish. Just one application lasts 2-3 weeks with no chipping or peeling resulting in a long lasting glossy finish.
Express Gelish Manicure £25.00
Consisting of nail shaping, cuticle work and a colour of your choice.
Gelish Manicure £30.00
Consisting of nail shaping , cuticle work, exfoliation and massage to the hands and lower arms . Finished with a colour of your choice.
Deluxe Gelish Manicure £36.00
The queen of manicures which consists of nail shaping, cuticle work, exfoliating and masque. Heated mittens with lovely oils and creams soften the skin and massage to the lower arms and hands leave you totally relaxed finished with a gorgeous colour.
Express Gelish Pedicure £28.00
Consisting of foot soak in our luxury foot spa, nail and cuticle work, hard skin removal and a colour of your choice.
Gelish Pedicure £32.00
Consisting of foot soak, nail and cuticle work, hard skin removal and exfoliation, massage to the feet and lower legs and finished with a gelish polish.
Deluxe Gelish Pedicure £37.00
Consisting of a foot soak in our luxury spa, nail and cuticle work, exfoliation and hard skin removal, heated booties, massage and finished with a gorgeous colour of your choice.


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Below is a list of our programs in Forest Hills. Click here to download our Forest Hills Registration packet.
We are excited to offer our world-class program for the first time in Forest Hills. The first program of its kind in Queens, our Kids program offers the same high intensity combination of fun and learning that we are so known for. In addition to this program, we will soon be offering other opportunities to fencing in Forest Hills, as this new location grows.
90 minute class
tu: 4:30pm
th: 5:30pm
su: 12:00pm
once/week: $225/mo
unlimited: $325/mo
1 hour class
th: 7:30pm
once/week: $99/mo
1-on-1: $50
We offer classes for beginner and experienced adult fencers that provide a high-energy workout while teaching and improving fencing skills. Each class includes an array of activities that develop core strength, flexibility, and speed as well as technical and tactical exercises that will accelerate your fencing development. All equipment is provided free of charge; you will only need to bring gym clothes (sneakers, t-shirt, sweatpants).


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Thanks for coming by to see Trolde's Vertices Unite - feriestriber!
To view this page, please sign in with your Ravelry account.
- Don't have an account? Ravelry is free and anyone can join. Just go to our front page and create an account.
- Already have an account? Sign in now.


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EXCLUSIVE: Maris Racal Says New Single Is About Inigo Pascual
- June 26, 2018
The romance between Maris Racal and Iñigo Pascual have definitely been growing and #MarNigo fans can't get enough of the two especially now that they are more public with their relationship.
A post shared by Maris Racal (@mariesteller) on
RELATED: Maris Confirms Relationship With Inigo Pascual
Apart from publicly professing their feelings for each other, Maris shared that they also express their love through their work. For instance, Maris revealed that Iñigo is a huge pat of her latest single, Ikaw Lang Sapat Na.
Watch our exclusive interview below:
So sweet!
Read more:


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May 7, 2014
Homily given at the 4:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday, May 3, 2014, the 3rd Sunday of Easter, by Fr. Richard Lobert, chaplain at Fr. Gabriel Richard High School in Ann Arbor. Fr. Lobert, drawing inspiration from Pope Francis' Easter Vigil homily, invites each of us to remember our "Emmaus" moment, when the Scripture was first broken open for us and our hearts burned within us with love for God and others.
Key words: Scripture, evangelization, conversion


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For the Love of a dog
By Elizabeth Sohnle
28 Aug 2012
Among other things, I am a photographer and dog lover. Of these I am not sure what is more important. Maybe it doesn't really matter since our canine friends are some of my most enjoyable subjects.
Living with two determined beagles has enriched my life, it gives me great pleasure to sneak a photo when the're being well......beagles.
I love to see some puppy with a certain look that I have to record and save forever . Our furry friends give us unconditional love and endless pleasure. We cherish photos of our joys with them, long after they have left this world behind.
Whenever I see a rainbow I think of the Rainbow Bridge , there our favorite pooches play in its meadows, hills and sunshine, as they wait for us to come along. When that time does finally come, I know our old friends wil be there once again to give us their most enthusiastic greeting. Then together we can walk across that Bridge to enter into heaven.
VOTE: Do you like this story?
1 response
je suis moi gave props (10 Jan 2013):
I vote YES >>>>>>>
More Photo Essays
Without you
By Oceane Perez — 9 Aug 2019
This self-portrait series express the loss of a loved one and the emotional torment it may come with.
The Power of Love: A Promise Kept
By Christian Webb — 17 Jul 2019
A dying doctor's dear friend fulfills a promise to see a local landmark restored back to its rightful place.


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Free Shipping on Pens* - Shop Over 1,000+ Writing Options
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New Europe's Federico Grandesso recently sat down with Oscar-winning Mexican film director Guillermo del Toro during the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival to discuss with the director of "The Shape of Water" his vision of cinema, his own biography, and his upcoming role as President of the Jury at the next Venice Film Festival.
You are a master of fantasy films, but would you like to work in other genres?
No, I'm going to continue to do the same movies, but if possible, I would love to explore the film noir genre, which I have always been a fan of, but you will never see me doing a comedy, musical or a melodrama. For me it not a circumstantial interest in things that are fantastic – a fairly tale or horror – my choice is a vocational one.
It's sincere, true, and honest. I was always interested in creating an "auteur" genre of film or something that was director centred instead of being centred on the producer.
Why are fantasy films so important in your life?
Because at a very personal, spiritual and intrinsic level they are what made me who I am. This is a nice quote, but it is true. The way people found Jesus, I found the creature of Frankenstein.
It became a spiritual journey, one in which I found myself on at every moment of my life. Fantasy has been the element that allows me to interpret the world in a way that makes it worth it. You can discuss absolute values through fantasies in a way that's parabolic. It isn't accidental that most religions use parables as tools of discussion. I think that a parable, both as fairy tales and horror, are very related and they are to me indistinguishable tools of a spiritual awakening in my own biography.
What we have in Latin America is the inclination to accept the extraordinary as an ordinary, daily occurrence. We live through magic and in most households in Mexico if you say, "My dead grandmother came to warn me about not driving to Puerto Vallarta" everybody would react "Hah! Really?" nobody would think that it never happened. There is will to accept something fantastic as a part of an everyday event…it's natural for us.
If you watch my movies, the supernatural and extraordinary sit side by side with ordinary situations. That's a natural ability for me, as I'm from Latin America.
What do you think about discrimination as a Mexican?
The movie – The Shape of Water – was planed, executed, and done long before these (anti-immigrant) movements started but it is already out there that if you're Mexican you are automatically "the other", especially when you go to immigration and customs. It's been a problem for decades and remains unresolved, even if the social discourse is more "manicured" you still feel it. For example, I was stopped in Beverly Hills by a traffic cop and kept me for around an hour. This was in 1995 and I was driving a little car rented by a company called "Ugly Duckling". It was a very bad car and I was going to meet a producer, so when they stopped me and they saw I was from Mexico, they didn't believe me when I said I was going to meet a film producer in that ugly car.
What is the relation between history and fantasy?
History is a myth told by the winners. If you first read Roman chronicles, then the Barbarians' accounts, of an event in history there is a huge difference in the story. History is fiction. It is a fantasy that we all accept via the democratic process. I would invite the world's historians to have a coffee with me and realise that since the very beginning of civilisation, the differences between Greek mythology and the foundations of the history and identity of a country are completely integrated.
Do you ever get inspired by art, and what can you absorb from that?
I find art or art finds me. I have no distinction between low and high art; it depends on why you need it as nutritional component for your spiritual life at that particular moment.
Every form of art that connects with me is immediately, gratefully, and humbly accepted by me no matter its origin. I'm influenced by soundtracks, video games, opera set designs, or a beautiful engraving by Piranesi. I think there are two elements in terms of creation, one is curiosity and the other is voracity. If you are endlessly curious about culture and you allow yourself to imagine that we live in a would where we all agree that caviar and champagne are the highest form of food, two months into that diet you would hate both. But if you allow yourself to have waffles in the morning and Chinese food in the afternoon, and the next day you have great pasta, that's fantastic. Culturally we should give ourselves the latitude to be inspired by those things. Art finds you, but you also have to seek it in different places and that's why I keep my little diaries.


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This week in 2007, Berwickshire man John Patchett, offered members of the public an opportunity to become a Scottish champion - as long as they could control a group of the fastest dogs in the world while on a small rig.
John Patchett, a six-times Scottish and British sled dog champion, was hoping to find five canine-loving and committed people to take on the challenge after his own hopes of racing this year were dashed after undergoing an operation to remove a tumour from his spine and was told to rest for six months. The five people chosen to race John's dogs were expected to compete in the four dog class held over six weekends running from October to March the following year.


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Business Development
Making Your Demand Our Business.
The MSMC and MSA work to develop and grow opportunities for Missouri's soybean farmers and Missouri-grown soybean, as well as our allied industry partners. Ongoing projects range from facilitating networking opportunities across industry to investing in leading breeding programs and industrial uses of soybean oil and meal. The Missouri Soybeans team has a strong track record of success and stands ready to assist. Contact any member of the Missouri Soybean Association and Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council staff for more information.
Economic Impact of Soybean
The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council commissioned the Economic Contribution of Missouri Soybeans study to assess the economic activity associated with the state's soybean production and processing industry. The study identified a $7.7 billion output for Missouri's soybean value chain, $3.2 billion in added value, $1.4 billion labor income and showed support of more than 20,700 jobs.
See the statewide report by clicking here. To view county-specific information, visit mosoy.org/economiccontributionreports.
Missouri Success Stories
Paseo Biofuels LLC
Paseo Biofuels is a New Generation LLC made up of over 600 Missouri farmer members that own 53 percent of a 40 million gallon (annually) biodiesel production facility and glycerin refinery in Kansas City, MO. Cargill owns the other 47 percent of this joint venture. The operation is located next to Cargill's soybean crush plant near the Paseo Bridge over the Missouri River. An eight-member J.V. board comprised of three representatives from Cargill and five farmers elected from the 11-member board of Paseo Biofuels oversee the LLC.
Mid-America Biofuels LLC
Located in Mexico, MO, Mid-America Biofuels is a joint venture of Biofuels, LLC (a farmer-owned biodiesel business), Ray-Carroll County Grain Growers, MFA Oil Company, Growmark Inc, and Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM).
Mid-America Biofuels has achieved Accredited Producer status under the BQ-9000 program, a voluntary fuel quality assurance program adopted by the National Biodiesel Board and the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association. Mid-America Biofuels is committed to producing only the highest quality biodiesel that will meet or exceed all industry specifications.
The Bay Farm Research Facility
The Bay Farm Research Facility exists to support and facilitate the research, business and market development and educational programs of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council and Missouri Soybean Association. Since its official opening in August 2012, the facility has been home to a collaborative effort between respected soybean scientists and Missouri farmers. The 160-acre facility operates under the mission to conduct high-quality research responsive to the needs of Missouri soybean producers, to showcase the importance of biosciences in agriculture, and to support Missouri's soybean industry in bringing reliable, safe, sustainable and profitable products to the marketplace.
Ongoing projects include efforts to develop soybean varieties and value-added traits that will optimize soybean yields and improve the profitability and competitiveness of soybeans grown in Missouri. Analysis of varieties' yields, nutritional value and oil content conducted at the facility directly impacts the bottom line of Missouri soybean producers and supports other researchers' work in Missouri, across the U.S. and around the world.


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Acupuncture For Osteoarthritis Melbourne Northern Suburbs
Acupuncture Effective for Knee Pain Treatment
For knee osteoarthritis, acupuncture has been found to be an effective for the management of its associated pain and debility. Osteoarthritis is caused by the wear and tear that causes the cartilage to slowly wear away. It is this bone on bone rubbing that can often give rise to pain and eventually degenerative changes such as bone spurs that can further exacerbate this condition.
Knee Osteoarthritis an Overuse Injury
Typically this condition occurs in an older population, especially in those whose occupations may include lots of heavy lifting, more commonly occurs in women, and can often be found concurrently in those who also have rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis can also be found in highly trained populations such as athletes, who are prone to overuse injuries such as osteoarthritis. There also seems to be a developing understanding that there may be a relationship between the pain and the restriction of knee mobility one may have and the increased impact that a lack of activity may have.
Acupuncture Can Help Knee Pain
According to the 3 included pieces of research below, acupuncture may be effective management option for knee pain. We are experienced in using using acupuncture for Knee osteoarthritis in our Melbourne clinic. Give us a call to see how we can help you. We have included the abstracts from the mentioned research for you to review below.
Research Abstracts Reporting the Positive Effects of Acupuncture for Knee Osteoarthrititis
Clinical and Endocrinological Changes After Electro-acupuncture Treatment in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Journal: Pain, Volume 147, Issues 1-3, pages 60-66 2009
Abstract: Neurobiological mechanisms invoking the release of endogenous opioids and depression of stress hormone release are believed to be the basis of acupuncture analgesia. This study compared plasma beta-endorphin and cortisol levels with self assessment scores of intensity of pain, before and after 10 days of electro-acupuncture treatment in patients suffering from chronic pain as a result of osteoarthritis knees. Forty patients of either sex over 40 years with primary osteoarthritis knee were recruited into a single-blinded, sham-controlled study. For electro-acupuncture group the points were selected according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Meridian Theory. In the sham group needles were inserted at random points away from true acupoints and no current was passed. Both groups were treated for 10 days with one session every day lasting for 20-25min. Pre- and post-treatment Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) index of osteoarthritis knee and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain were recorded and blood samples were taken for the measurement of plasma cortisol and beta-endorphin levels. Following electro-acupuncture treatment there was a significant improvement in WOMAC index and VAS (p=0.001), a significant rise in plasma beta-endorphin (p=0.001), and a significant fall in plasma cortisol (p=0.016). In conclusion electro-acupuncture resulted in an improvement in pain, stiffness and disability. Of clinical importance is that an improvement in objective measures of pain and stress/pain associated biomarkers was shown above that of a sham treatment; hence demonstrating acupuncture associated physiological changes beyond that of the placebo effects.
Acupuncture and Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Review of Randomized, Controlled Trials
Journal: Family and Community Health, Volume 31, Issue 3, pages 247-254. 2008
Abstract: Osteoarthritis of the knee is a major cause of disability among adults. Treatment is focused on symptom management, with nonpharmacologic therapies being the preferred first line of treatment. Acupuncture is considered a potentially useful treatment of osteoarthritis. The objective of this article is to review the English-language articles, indexed in MEDLINE or CINAHL, describing randomized, controlled trials of the effects of needle or electroacupuncture on knee osteoarthritis. Ten trials representing 1456 participants met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. These studies provide evidence that acupuncture is an effective treatment for pain and physical dysfunction associated with osteoarthritis of the knee.
The Effectiveness of Acupuncture on Pain and Mobility in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Pilot Study
Journal: The Journal of Nursing Research, Volume 16, Issue 2, pages 140-148. 2008
Abstract: Acupuncture has been repeatedly reported to relieve pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. As the vast majority of information on the effectiveness of acupuncture on this condition is based on data collected in Western countries, little is known about patients with osteoarthritis of the knee in Asian countries. In this pilot clinical study, acupuncture was incorporated into the standard care for adult patients with osteoarthritis of the knee to determine its contribution to pain relief and improved mobility. In a prospective, non-randomized controlled study, patients with osteoarthritis of the knee were separated into two groups. The first (the experimental group; n = 12) was scheduled for up to 8 sessions of acupuncture in addition to standard care, while the second (the control group; n = 12) received standard care only. Measurements using the six-minute walking distance test, pain visual analogue scale, and osteoarthritis of the knee outcome measurement were taken at baseline and after 4 weeks. Both study and control groups showed significant improvement with respect to time effects in terms of six-minute walking distance, pain visual analogue scale, pain domain and mobility domain scores determined by the osteoarthritis of the knee outcome measurement (p < .01), after adjusting for covariables. However, improvements measured in the study group did not differ significantly from those in the control group. Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee seemed to experience clinical improvements in six-minute walking distance, pain relief and mobility when their standard care was supplemented with acupuncture.


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The first thing to know about this year's winners of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards is that this time, the jury shied away from controversy with its picks. "Nice" is the operative word in the 2018 edition, unlike last year, when South African photojournalist Brent Stirton's image of a slaughtered rhino forced people to confront serious issues facing wildlife conservation today.
The inevitable result is that, as likeable as many of the 2018 winners are, collectively they're unlikely to stir the kind of difficult debate about species extinction and the wanton slaughter of rare animals for their body parts many conservationists — and wildlife photographers — say is even more imperative today, in a Trump world of climate denial and environmental deregulation.
That means fewer angry emails to contest organizers from parents upset that their younger, more impressionable children might be dissuaded from a career in conservation, because the winning image didn't reflect the beauty and wonder of nature.
This year's overall winning image — "The Golden Couple," Dutch photographer Marsel van Oosten's tender portrait of a pair of rare golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) taken in central China's Qinling Mountains, certainly evokes wonder. The image was chosen over 45,000 entries, from 95 countries. It will be one of 100 other images to go on display at London's Natural History Museum, the 54th such exhibition in the world's most prestigious, high-profile wildlife photography contest. The exhibition opens this weekend, Oct. 19th, and closes July 1st, next year.
In her statement to the world's media this week, long-serving jury chair Roz Kidman Cox admitted the winning image is traditional — it's a portrait, pure and simple — but then added, "But what a striking one, and what magical animals. It is a symbolic reminder of the beauty of nature and how impoverished we are becoming as nature is diminished. It is an artwork worthy of hanging in any gallery in the world."
On one level, this is true. It's hard to imagine Stirton's dead rhino, blood still congealing from the stump where poachers hacked off its horn with a chain saw, being unveiled at the Louvre or the National Portrait Gallery.
For all Cox's brave words, though, "The Golden Couple" is unlikely to make people stop and ask themselves, what happened here, who did this, why did they do it, and what can we do to prevent it from happening again.
Admittedly, it's also hard to imagine Cox's email in-box filling up with angry comments along the lines of last year's, "How dare you? I'll never follow your rotten contest again" viral outrage. As many upset patrons were only too happy to remind Cox then, nature photography is supposed to be about awe and appreciation, about inspiration and inculcating our collective sense of wonder, and not something that's shocking and awful.
I also know at least one prominent wildlife photographer and former WPOTY winner, a high-profile veteran who gives frequent lectures as part of National Geographic's National Geographic Live! speaker series, who argues that the time for debate has passed, that it's more important to shake people out of their complacency than to show them another pretty picture of a wonderful animal doing something wonderful. (Interesting fact: The award committee's decision to opt for such a violent, off-putting image in last year's edition sparked some of the most intense debate the jury committee can remember in awards history, but in the end the choice was unanimous. Yes, unanimous. Not only that, but that was reportedly the first time in the awards' 54-year history that, in the end, the entire jury agreed on the final choice, without a single dissenting vote.)
Here, then, without further ado, is a selection of this year's picks, along with a link to the Natural History Museum's awards page, and a link to an investigative article about the precarious situation facing China's dwindling population of golden snub nosed monkeys.
In a few days, I'll be posting a profile of renowned wildlife photographer Frans Lanting, winner of this year's inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award, but first this.


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UMD students received a crash course in sailing on Saturday as their boats fought the water, gusts and rain of the Duluth-Superior harbor. Two outdoor recreation groups, the Recreational Sports Outdoor Program (RSOP) and the Duluth-Superior Sailing Association, collaborated to produce Saturday's sailing event. Designed to promote student and community interest in sailing, the event usually begins with lessons in terminology and mechanics. Rain threatened the harbor, however, and the true-grit sailors hit fast-forward:
"We're here to teach you the down-and-dirty basics of sailing," said Tim Ingersoll, program director of the Sailing Association. "We've got about 30 minutes before the rain."
Within five, the students had zipped up their lifejackets and boarded sailboats.
With jibs hooked and tied, sails uncovered and raised, the instructors manned the tillers and the boat turned into the wind. Students braced for the waves.
Storm clouds sped over the harbor, pouring rain that drenched the boat and whipped the sails.
As the harshest weather hit, instructor John Zimmermann taught some students to tack—move the jib sail between starboard and port to navigate against the wind. Then a massive gust struck the main sail.
"I can't teach anything in this weather," Zimmermann said. He heaved the mainsheet, clenching it in his teeth as his arms tired. "Loosen port," he said. "We're heading in."
As it neared the docking post, Zimmermann dove atop the helm of the rocking sailboat. He tied it down, but not before he crushed his thumb and painted the deck with drips of blood. A second sailing instructor, Matt Booth, later commented on how two other boats sailing the nearby channel almost capsized when attempting to jib.
"They caught too much wind—that's the worst thing that could happen in that situation," Booth said.
Despite the poor conditions of the harbor, some students wanted to continue sailing. But after consulting the two instructors, Ingersoll ended the event.
"The weather's uncomfortable … and I wouldn't put instructors or you (students) in an uncomfortable position," he said.
Sopped and silent, the students boarded the bus two hours earlier than scheduled.
Nick Rorem, the supervising RSOP affiliate, said he hoped participants learned something.
They did.
Before the chaos in the water, grad student Jillian Votava asked Zimmermann about his first time sailing.
"My father told me to take the sailboat out on the water by myself, and I tipped it right away," he said. "Best lesson I ever had."
BY JOSH MACVEY email@example.com


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ZIPPERS! you either love them or hate them… I'm hoping to change that last thought and get you to love adding zippers into all of your projects.
Once you understand the basic steps of inserting a zipper you will be able to see that they aren't as bad as you once thought. You will find adding them into your dresses, cushions and other projects it will create a clean finish and professional finish look.
Continue reading "Zipper Series"


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That pain in the neck bothering you again? That aching back too? Want to know how to move and stretch while sitting in the office? The answer is here!
Learn office yoga movements and conscious breathing exercises to reconnect you with your body, stretch out those tired, aching muscles, and get you feeling refreshed and full of life.
(*No religious/spiritual practice)
***FREE for a limited time only!


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What is it?
Local Labour Market Information is research and data about the labour force and the economy, focusing on the Grand Erie communities we serve. LLMI includes face-to-face research with companies and people, along with statistical data, often using Statistics Canada information.
Why is it important?
Having fact-based research about local trends allows the Workforce Planning Board to identify labour force issues and problems in our community. Then we work with community partners to look at ways to address and solve those issues.
Recent Local Labour Market Reports
2018-2019 Labour Market Plan
Employers across the Grand Erie region continue to face challenges in finding the workers they need to grow.
Those challenges are explored in the 2018-19 Labour Market Plan titled Help Wanted: Growing the Talent Pool.
With the unemployment rate at the lowest level in almost 10 years in the Brantford area, companies are finding it difficult to hire new employees, both to replace retirements and to grow their business.
Simply put: the demand for workers is outpacing the supply of available labour. Population decline in the Brant and Haldimand-Norfolk, particularly in the 15 – 44 age range, is contributing to a shrinking labour force, leaving many businesses without the workers they need.
Read Help Wanted: Growing the Talent Pool to learn more about this and other challenges facing the Grand Erie region – and what can be done to help.
2018-2019 Local Labour Market Plan Update
2017-2018 Labour Market Plan
Help Wanted – Building the Talent Pool explores the hiring needs of employers and whom we can train to fill the jobs.
Brantford area employers continue to see a smaller labour pool to hire from, as the gap between skill levels and job requirements increases, and the average age rises. There are also under-represented groups of talent looking for opportunities.
Ensuring students and job seekers have the work ethic, literacy and numeracy skills for success is critical. The actions outlined in this report address those needs. Five areas of focus frame workforce strategies designed to inform, educate and prepare workers for today's workplace.
- Becoming Work Place Ready
- Building Human Capacity
- Understanding the Job Market
- Journey to Apprenticeship
- Growing Jobs in Small Business
Human resources are the most valuable asset of any business. Building the talent of students, youth, and job seekers is the
solution for continued growth and prosperity.
2016-2017 Labour Market Plan
Brantford area employers continue to see a smaller labour pool to hire from, as the gap between skill levels and job requirements increases, and the average age rises.
That's one of the key findings of the Workforce Planning Board's new labour market report, called Forging Skills for Today and Tomorrow – Update 2016.
Factors contributing to a shrinking labour force include an aging workforce, increased length of time recipients rely on social assistance, and low numbers of youth seeking help to find employment.
Forging Skills also highlights good news stories for the Grand Erie region:
- A significantly high number of residents have their high school diploma or a trades certificate;
- The three fastest growing sectors are: health care and social assistance, accommodation and food services, and manufacturing;
- Manufacturing continues to thrive, employing more than 16,500 local residents.
The Workforce Planning Board's report, Forging Skills for Today and Tomorrow, lays out strategies designed to help people become engaged in their local workforce, help employers meet their labour demands by tapping into under-utilized populations, and encouraging life-long learning and continual skill development for our residents.
2015-16 Labour Market Plan
Brantford area employers have a smaller labour pool to hire from, even as they face a growing need for skilled and qualified workers.
That's one of the key findings of the Workforce Planning Board's new labour market report, called Forging Skills for Today and Tomorrow – Update 2015.
Statistics Canada figures show that the number of residents participating in the labour force is shrinking, with only 2 of 3 people active in the workforce, said Jill Halyk, the Workforce Planning Board's executive director.
Factors contributing to the smaller labour force include an aging workforce, increased social assistance caseloads, and low numbers of youth seeking help to find employment.
"All of these factors require community action to encourage and support workers in our local economy," Halyk said.
"There is always a need to work as a community to help our unemployed and our employers obtain the skills needed for success."
Forging Skills also highlights good news stories for the Grand Erie region:
- More residents are obtaining their high school diplomas and pursuing post-secondary education;
- Construction businesses are booming, providing jobs for 4,300 employees and another 1,200 self-employed people;
- Manufacturing is thriving and growing, employing 14,000 local residents;
- Agriculture remains a backbone of our area, employing more than 5,000 people;
- And self-employment is growing, accounting for two-thirds of all businesses.
The Workforce Planning Board's report concludes that more can be done to help businesses grow and residents prepare for the ever-changing job market.
"Forging Skills for Today and Tomorrow lays out strategies designed to help people become workplace ready and to build their capacity to work in local industries," Halyk said. "There are also realistic strategies in place to support business."
2014-15 Labour Market Plan Preview
Our 4-page 2014-15 Labour Market Plan Preview is sort of a condensed version of Forging Skills for Today and Tomorrow.
We raise the question: Are we meeting the labour demand needs of industry by building the skills of our workforce?
The Preview focuses on Our Industries, Our Workforce, and Our Actions.
Our Industries highlights the top industries in Grand Erie, and contains information from employers about what they are looking for when hiring.
Our Workforce looks at how Grand Erie's labour force is changing. Residents are becoming better educated and the need for residents' to boost their education will continue, since 8 out of 10 jobs are expected to require post-secondary by the year 2031.
Our Actions highlights 3 main areas of focus for our community to work on to ensure we help people be successful in finding and keeping jobs, and ensure employers can fill the jobs they have.
The 3 areas of focus are:
- Developing Human Capacity
- Becoming Workplace Ready
- Understanding the Job Market
Please take a few minutes to download and read our 2014-15 Labour Market Plan Preview.
Click the picture to download.
We want to hear your thoughts. We want to hear you want to get involved to implement these actions.
Forging Skills for Today and Tomorrow
Forging Skills for Today and Tomorrow is the central theme for the Workforce Planning Board's 2014 Local Labour Market Plan.
Photo of Forging Skills for Today and Tomorrow, WPBGE's 2014 Local Labour Market PlanThe plan provides a honest look at what is happening to the area's economy, industry trends, and labour market challenges.
Forging Skills for Today and Tomorrow notes that employers have a need for high-skilled occupations and asks the question: "Are we meeting the labour demand needs of industry by building the skills of our workforce?"
The answer is: "There is a great deal of work to be done."
The labour market plan outlines a series of recommended actions that can be taken to ensure our workforce meets the demands of employers. This is essential for Grand Erie's residents, employers and our communities.
Click on the report cover to read.
Bridging the Gap – Are We Making Progress?
This community report provides an update on changing labour market conditions and new insights into the available labour force within Grand Erie.
Picture of cover of Bridging the Gap — Are We Making Progress?The report concludes that while the economic outlook in Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk is on the upswing, thousands of residents continue to struggle to find the jobs that will provide them with stable employment and financial security.
The report details this issue and looks at ways to help residents succeed in employment.
Bridging the Gap — Are We Making Progress? provides:
- Strategies and recommendations for action;
- An analysis of Grand Erie's labour force;
- A snapshot Grand Erie's unique and diverse workforce
- A detailed look at industry and employment trends.
Bridging the Gap: 2013 Local Labour Market Plan
Grand Erie's economy is undergoing a major transformation and the impact on our workforce will be dramatic.
Pic of cover of 2013 Local Labour Market PlanThat's the theme of the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie's 2013 Local Labour Market Plan called Bridging the Gap.
Bridging the Gap, based on interviews with dozens of local companies and statistical research, shows that employers are increasingly relying on skilled, knowledgeable workers to run their businesses.
Manufacturers, for instance, require workers who can operate and troubleshoot complex, expensive machinery. Construction, agriculture and other fields are also requiring more highly skilled workers.
Yet, firms are struggling to find skilled workers at the same time as many people remain jobless. The "skills gap" we hear so much about is happening right here, right now in Grand Erie.
Changes in our local economy require us to be vigilant, resilient and creative to adapt, so we can provide our residents with the skills and knowledge need to bridge the gap.
Read about our community strategies and recommendations to help meet the needs of our residents in Bridging the Gap.
2012 Local Labour Market Plan: Building a Leading Edge Workforce Together
Description: Our annual report outlines the state of the local labour market and priorities for action in 2012.
Workforce Focus November 2011: Youth Employment
Description: A look at youth employment in Grand Erie and Ontario
Workforce Focus October 2011: Health Care
Description: A look at employment in the health care sector in Grand Erie.
2011 Local Labour Market Plan:
Description: Our annual report outlines the state of the local labour market and priorities for action in 2011.
Training Gap Analysis: Rubber and Plastic Products Manufacturing Sector Study
Description: An in depth look at the training needs of Rubber and Plastic manufacturers.
Manufacturing –
A Grand Erie
Description: Grand Erie's manufacturing sector is in transition, but it remains a major economic force and employer.
Local Labour Market Information: Planning for Our Future
Description: The local boards of Grand Erie, Hamilton and Niagara identified the need for local labour market information.


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SANTA CLARA, CA--(Marketwired - Jul 24, 2015) - Glassbeam, Inc., the machine data analytics company, and Gridscape Solutions, Inc., which designs and develops a broad range of smart energy solutions, will discuss strategies for improving the efficiencies of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations during a free webinar to be held Thursday, July 30, at 11:00 a.m. PDT.
Titled, "Using Machine Data to Improve the Economics of EV Charging Stations," Vipul Gore, CEO of Gridscape and Carlos Quezada, Senior Director of Customer Solutions at Glassbeam, will highlight how mining machine data sent from EV charging stations can tremendously help in performing both regular, as well as predictive, maintenance. The data is also helpful to better understand the installed base and gleaning other valuable business insights. These business insights enhance the effort to reducing support costs and also for identifying new revenue streams.
The webinar will touch on important topics, including:
Last month, Gridscape selected Glassbeam for remote monitoring and maintenance of its 400+ Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations.
Webinar Details At-A-Glance
Vipul Gore, CEO of Gridscape Solutions, and Carlos Quezada, Senior Director of Customer Solutions at Glassbeam
"Using Machine Data to Improve the Economics of EV Charging Stations" free webinar
Thursday, July 30, from 11:00 AM to Noon (PDT)
To register for this free webinar, please click here.


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Speaker: Beth Tucker Long
Length: 30:00
It's a tough world out there. There are so many new things to learn, and the list of need-to-know's changes every day. How do you keep up? How do you move ahead? Find a mentor - but wait! Isn't this a dog-eat-dog field where admitting you don't know something is the death of your career? Maybe back in 1995, but this is the new age of open source. Collaboration and sharing of information reigns. Find a mentor to help you excel, but more importantly, find someone to mentor. Being a mentor is challenging, rewarding, and keeps you on your toes. Learn what it takes to find a mentor, be a good mentor, and what tools can help you build your mentoring relationship.
Enter your email address to join the PHP UK Conference mailing list and be the first to hear our latest news and announcements.
We operate a code of conduct to ensure all attendees are able to enjoy the conference.


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I usually post new blogs on Sundays, but this week, I spent my Sunday in a car on my way to Québec City to see the Foo Fighters play an epic outdoor concert.
This was sort of a last minute idea (wait, does six weeks count as last minute?) and it was a surprise for my husband. At first, I wasn't going to tell him until a few days before the show. I even contacted his boss to make sure he could have two days off without him knowing. Sneaky, right?
However, in the midst of my planning, my husband decided to take the week before the concert as vacation so it sort of screwed up my surprise plan. In the end, I ended up telling him two weeks before the concert, but all in all, it was still quite a surprise!
My husband and I generally like the same kind of music although he's more of a metal fan and I am more of a punk girl, but we tend to meet in the middle. I've always liked the Foo Fighters, but my husband is more of a fan than I am.
When we first heard that they were playing in Québec City for the Festival d'été de Québec, I was very hesitant. The thought of an outdoor rock concert surrounded by 80 000 people didn't quite tempt me, but I overheard my husband talking to my dad about it a few weeks back and I could tell he really wanted to go.
The Foo Fighters are the one band on his must-see live list that he hadn't seen yet so I started playing around with the idea of surprising him as an early 40th birthday gift. I emailed his boss and got her ok, I called his mom to get the tickets delivered there so he wouldn't find them in the mailbox and I booked a hotel all in a two hour span so I wouldn't have time to talk myself out of it.
We headed out early on Sunday morning in order to be able to enjoy the older part of Québec City since we didn't have much free time when we were there back in May for a conference. We arrived in late afternoon and we grabbed a bite to eat at an awesome hamburger joint (Le Chic Shack) just before the supper rush.
Afterward, we went to check out the concert site just to have an idea for the following day and finally, we headed to one of our favorite ice cream places : Chocolats Favoris!
The next morning, we headed out around 11am and walked around until we got hungry. The plan was to eat a large lunch that would hold us through until after the concert. We were allowed to bring snacks onto the concert site which was nice and we could also bring empty water bottles which could be filled at fountains throughout the site as well.
We got to the site around 2:30 and got in line, but it was quite hot. We ended up sitting under a tree for an hour and then headed back in line to wait for the doors to open at 6pm. At first, I thought it would feel a lot longer to wait there, but it wasn't so bad. The people watching was excellent.
Once the doors opened at 6pm, people rushed to be near the stage. We wanted to be close, but not that close. At 7:15, the first band played (Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls) and we were both pleasantly surprised. I love going to a concert and not really knowing the opening acts, but falling in love with them. We liked them so much that we stopped at a record shop on the way home the next day and bought two of their albums.
The second band (Greta Van Fleet) was also amazing and started playing around 8:15, but around 8:25, it started POURING!!! It rained for the better part of an hour and we got soaked, but it was very refreshing at the same time.
However, there was a little tension in the crowd during the rain, because three years ago, the Foo Fighters had played this same festival, but had only gotten through four songs before having to evacuate the site thanks to a crazy lightning storm so fans had been waiting three years for this show. The clouds were dark and the rain heavy so people were starting to wonder if the same fate laid ahead.
Thankfully, just like magic, the rain stopped mere minutes before the Foo Fighters came onto the stage. The clouds departed and the stars came out in full force. Very poetic, I know! The band came out around 9:30 and announced to very eager fans that they'd asked the festival committee and the mayor for a special permission to play until midnight in order to make up for the last show three years ago and that permission had been granted.
For two and a half hours, the band played hit after hit. Each band member had their time in the spotlight (especially Taylor, the drummer) and time flew by. Before we knew it, the show was done and we were flowing out of the site on our way back to the hotel. I'll be honest, I was a little worried about being in this large crowd for a long period of time, but all in all, everyone was in a pretty good vibe.
So, what was the best part of this experience? Honestly, planning the surprise! The concert was amazing, but I LOVED having this little secret and trying to figure out how and when to spill the beans. This was especially true the day that I bought the tickets. When I picked up my husband from work and he asked me how my day was, I replied : "Fine, you?" while inside, I was a whole lot of giddy!
So, why not add a little Foo to your life? And by Foo, I mean adventure, surprise and intrigue! It doesn't have to be a huge surprise either, but plan a little something for someone you love and appreciate. It's the ultimate feel-good vibe and you'll definitely get just as much energetically in return.
Have you ever planned a surprise for someone? Or has someone planned something for you? How did you feel as you were planning? Isn't fun being sneaky?


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Mudd's Mobile Homes, Inc.
Thank you for visiting our new Internet site. As an up-to-date business, we want to give you the opportunity to stay in touch with our company and our offers. A new content management system will enable us to always keep you up to date.
At present, our web site is still under construction. We are making an effort to present you with our entire spectrum of offers as soon as possible. At this point we can provide you with information regarding new manufactured homes. The emphasis of our site is on manufactured housing and how we can assist you in your new home purchase. This topic is certainly of interest to you. Check this site later, please.
In the meantime you can reach us at 765-659-4488 and by fax at 765-659-0688. We are looking forward to hearing from you. You can also contact us at our e-mail address: email@example.com.
If you are not familiar with our company and your first contact with us is online: We would be pleased to hear from you! Please let us know what your needs and questions are, we will be more than happy to help.
In brief, you should know the following about us: our company was established in 1971 and had been responsible for providing outstanding Sales and Service ever since. Our specialty is in the area manufactured housing. Our regular customers particularly value high quality and quick installation from purchase to move in.
Thanks for visiting....


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Our First Look At Valiant's War Mother And The Ravaged World She Inhabits
by Hannah Means Shannon
Valiant have revealed a first look at the first standalone series for their far-future set leader War Mother, slated to arrive on August 23rd, 2017.
Featuring a heroine who springs out of of 4001 A.D. for a limited series, War Mother is written by Fred Van Lente (Archer & Armstrong) and drawn by artist Stephen Segovia (Ninjak, Action Comics) and the series will take us deep into the "irradiated jungles of the ruined continent" of South America where our War Mother will become humanity's last best hope for survival.
War Mother #1 features covers by David Mack (Daredevil), Clayton Crain (4001 A.D.), Kano (Daredevil), Jen Bartel (Jem & The Holograms), and Monika Palosz (Bloodshot Salvation):
Our official description for this series reads:
Two millennia from today, Earth is not the hospitable home we once we knew. Ravaged by an endless onslaught of war, disaster, and time, the world is littered with desolate badlands, fortified kingdoms, and secretive enclaves where humanity still clings to life… Enclaves like The Grove – Earth's last known repository of scientific knowledge and bioengineered prosperity. Now, under the leadership of the lone protector called War Mother and her sentient sniper rifle, the denizens of The Grove face a critical choice: remain where they are and die, or find a new land and flourish. Can War Mother lead her people out of isolation and reignite the fires of a dying planet? And even if she can locate the distant citadel she seeks, can she fight back the horrors and perverse monstrosities that lurk just beyond her doorstep?
Here's our first look at the line art created by Stephen Segovia for this post-apocalyptic new series' #1:
Make sure to check out War Mother #1 on August 23rd, 2017. It's a very promising new miniseries that's showing us new directions in comics. It reaches FOC on July 31st.
Here's our order information on that book:
WAR MOTHER #1 (of 4)
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Art by STEPHEN SEGOVIA
Cover A by DAVID MACK (JUN172054)
Cover B by CLAYTON CRAIN (JUN172055)
Cover C by KANO (JUN172056)
Variant Cover by JEN BARTEL (JUN172058)
Variant Cover by MONIKA PALOSZ (JUN172059)
Blank Cover Also Available (JUN172057)
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On Sale AUGUST 23rd (FOC–7/31/17)
WAR MOTHER #2 (of 4)
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Art by STEPHEN SEGOVIA
Cover A by DAVID MACK (JUL172256)
Cover B by RENATO GUEDES (JUL172257)
Variant Cover by PAULINA GANUCHEAU (JUL172258)
Variant Cover by CLAYTON HENRY (JUL172259)
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On Sale SEPTEMBER 27 (FOC – 9/4/17)