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In this first of two episodes, John Pracyk, MD, PhD, MBA, MAPS President of the Americas Region, speaks with Patrick Vega of Vizient Advisory Solutions about ways that device companies can capitalize on the shift from inpatient surgical settings to hospital outpatient departments, ASCs and outpatient sites of care. Presenters hypothesize that device companies that better understand the outpatient setting can more effectively adapt their products, services and support to meet customer needs.
MODERATOR: John Pracyk, MD, PhD, MBA
PANELIST: Patrick Vega, MS
Following is an automated transcription. Please excuse inaccuracies.
JOHN PRACYK: Welcome to the Medical Affairs Professional Society's Perspective series, conversations with MAPS President of the Americas Region. This is Dr. John Pracyk. This is an interview series with thought leaders that impact all aspects of Medical Affairs. Unfortunately, this is the inaugural podcast for the series. The views expressed in this recording, are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect on the opinions of the companies in which they are affiliated. In this section, we'll discuss some foundational aspects of the transition that we're seeing taking place in the orthopedic space in regards to COVID, so let's get started. As I said, this is the first installment of what is going to be a two-part podcast. And it's an interview with Patrick Vega on his recent Orthoworld article entitled entitled "How COVID-19 Disruption Accelerates Orthopedic Opportunities in Ambulatory Surgery."
First we'll start out with some quick introductions. Patrick, it's great to have you, Patrick. Would you provide our audience with just a very brief introduction
PVEGA: Sure, thank you very much Dr. Pracyk. I appreciate the opportunity to talk to your membership today and to share the perspectives of frontline providers and to some degree, vendors in the space. I have worked in healthcare for more than 20 years, most of that in orthopedics spine and neurosciences, conducting strategic assessments planning development and implementation with hospitals health systems and physician practices across the country and have had the opportunity to work in most parts of the country. I currently am employed as the director of orthopaedic consulting with Vizient and a large group purchasing organization that has multiple subsidiaries that span data collection and analysis, as I said, purchasing in strategy and assessment. Appreciate the opportunity again. Thank you.
JOHN PRACYK: This is John Pracyk. I am the President of the Americas Region for Medical Affairs Professional Society. We are an organization of some 3700 plus Medical Affairs professionals from all aspects of the career spectrum and we represent over 200 companies. My day job is that I work for Johnson and Johnson specifically Depuy Synthes Spine which is the orthopedic company of Johnson and Johnson and there I serve as the Integrated Leader of Preclinical R esearch, clinical research and Medical Affairs for diffuse in the spine. So, Patrick, it's an absolute pleasure to have you with us. I'm going to start out with the very first question is, why is the topic of COVID-19 disruption moving orthopedic opportunities for ambulatory surgery important to our MAPS membership?
PVEGA: Well, the it's important to all of health care in terms of the impact of COVID as we have seen, there has been a substantial and long lasting impact of COVID 19. First off, relative to orthopedics really shut down. All elective procedures in virtually all hospitals across the country due to concerns about the spread of COVID. And again, this has caused tremendous operational financial and medical staff strain across the country and also it has impacted companies that sell into this particular market for many hospitals and health systems Orthopedics and spine represents a substantial portion of their revenues and as I mentioned a moment ago, elective procedures represent a majority of their surgical procedures and most profitable. So, relative to hospitals health systems and physician practices and those companies, particularly orthopedic and spine this represents both an economic loss as well as a substantial challenge in terms of how to recover from it. Presumably, this would apply across much of the MAPS membership. Relative to other companies that have, that have lost opportunity because their services or products are not being purchased by hospitals and health systems.
JOHN PRACYK: No, thank you very much. Patrick, I think our MAPS membership is predominantly pharmaceuticals, but we also have life science. We have diagnostic devices. We have implantable devices representing two major sectors of med tech. And also we're seeing that those lines are starting to blur where pharmaceutical companies are looking at combination products. So there's been quite a bit of interest recently in the transition of products, particularly as they kind of place would apply to both the pharmaceutical as well as the med tech. So I think this topic, although it's specific for orthopedics is particularly cogent at this time. So let's let's dig into it a little bit. You've written a column for Orthoworld so vendor manufacturer facing publication with an audience of over 1000 industry experts. How did you come about to write this column?
PVEGA: I've had a relationship with ortho world for probably about 10 years periodically writing columns around Orthopedics and spine. And then I was approached two years ago by their chief content officer about the opportunity to bring more of a provider perspective to the publication and historically articles and content in ORthoworld have really centered around vendors and manufacturers, both from a new product standpoint, from a strategic standpoint, from a capital and financing standpoint and what was missing or at least what we had speculated at the time was missing was a provider perspective where vendors might better understand how their products are used beyond just the sale in the hospital. So, for example, a joint replacement vendor might sell products to the hospital for a knee replacement oftentimes that vendor is supporting the physician in the operating room. Supporting this position in the operating room with technical expertise access to various sizes of products and so on. But they really oftentimes don't have much of a view beyond the operating room and providing the invoice to the hospital and being paid. So one of the, one of the approaches and perspectives that I wanted to share with vendors and manufacturers is, for example, how do you navigate the value analysis process. For those folks in map that aren't familiar with that. It's really a product evaluation process where combination of physicians hospital executives purchasing and perhaps finance people will review new products to ensure that they need safety and clinical needs and either accept or reject them for use in the organization. Oftentimes vendors don't have much view to this, they might be yes for data or for capabilities for their product, but they don't have much of you to what happens. And so I'm thinking back to a column that I wrote on about how small companies can navigate the value analysis process and that provided some insights to them on whom they might contact how they might strategically approach that process. So it's really about bringing provider level insights into the organizations — the vendor and the manufacturer organizations. In addition to that, doctor pricing. One of the other phenomena that I have seen is that whereas maybe 15-20 years ago, vendors were selling to the individual physician perhaps somebody in supply chain or purchasing now oftentimes those particular processes and approvals are being done on a integrated delivery network or multiple hospital basis, maybe regionally, maybe even nationally, where there is many more individuals that evaluate the products and they have much better access to data in terms of that evaluation process. So my contention has been through a series of articles that I've written is that from the vendor and manufacturers standpoint, this also requires some additional supplemental skills that sometimes direct sales representatives don't have and that would be the ability to navigate these other parts of the organization hope that's helpful.
JOHN PRACYK: No, it's absolutely helpful and framing it up so that our MAPS colleagues from the pharmaceutical side understand what is a very common process on the med tech side. Is that the value analysis committees really had their foundations within the pharmacy and therapeutics committees. So the P AMP T committees and the value analysis committees are analogous one for the pharma world and the other for the med tech world. So let's transition a little bit to ambulatory services. Can you give us a brief history of ambulatory services in orthopedics and spine.
PVEGA: So when we talk about ambulatory services, we're talking about everything that happens outside the hospital walls. Now, increasingly, they can actually or this can actually occur within the hospital walls as well. So when I think about the places of service. And those options for a military services they might include what we call hop D or hospital outpatient department, perhaps something called CD surgery. In those might be hospital based they're not necessarily based out in the community in terms of freestanding facilities or operations, they would include the outpatient sites, whether it's rehabilitation, whether it's the surgeons clinic, it could include urgent care could include and excuse me ancillary services diagnostics interventional procedure rooms.
And the standpoint of the ambulatory surgery centers or as sees the common shorthand, they would be comprised of really driven by an ownership model, whether they're exclusively physician owned, whether they are jointly owned and managed by a ambulatory surgery center ownership model. Where they might co venture with physicians, it could be exclusively hospital or they could be a hospital physician jointly owned and operated ambulatory surgery center. So the history of these is perhaps 2025 years ago. Physicians and Surgeons understood that there were opportunities to to deliver some of their services on an outpatient basis, those would include minor orthopedic procedures, perhaps sports medicine. Treating fractures and so on. And initially, again, going back many years physicians did not have the capital oftentimes to invest in build these services, whether it was facilities equipment and so on. And oftentimes what occurred was that they would approach hospitals as potential partners. Oftentimes, that that at that particular point in time, hospitals, would, would go believing that that the these procedures would not leave the hospital, oftentimes. Their response was that they would not support the development of those not invest in that so over time, physicians found capital elsewhere, start to develop outpatient, ambulatory ambulatory surgery centers and they flourished in the, in some cases, started taking cases from hospital to the ambulatory setting.
Hospitals started to see this occurring and believe that there was that there was a need for them to be involved in this particular marketplace and the delivery of services on an outpatient basis and we approached oftentimes physicians at that point, oftentimes the physicians were adequately capitalized didn't need the support from the hospital. And they as as direct owners were benefiting financially in greater control over their services. So now, hospitals, find themselves in the position that either they must develop the services, themselves in collaboration with their physicians or with new medical staff. So the challenge at this point across this whole continuum of places of service is who owns and manages the services. So what we find is a high level of interest for hospitals to strategically understand what their opportunities are to identify prospective partners in to seek the development of the services.
JOHN PRACYK: Thank you. Thank you very much. It's a comprehensive history and you can see how it has evolved over time. So there's a fair amount of provenance there. Let me pick up on a theme that you just introduced at the very end. And that is, could you help characterize for our listeners who are the main strategic stakeholders in ambulatory services, Patrick.
PVEGA: The, the main strategic stakeholders would be for Orthopedics and spine are going to be orthopedic surgeons perhaps neurosurgeons orthopedic spine surgeons. They're going to be hospitals health systems and then development companies or management development companies that might partner with hospitals or physicians in the development of ambulatory services. They the developmental companies have acquired and are able to bring extensive expertise in the financing operations promotion. Supply chain to the industry and many physicians have found them to be. The a very comprehensive and capable partner. So again, hospitals, health systems, surgeons and management companies.
JOHN PRACYK: Now, thank you so much. As we look at the location. You've already touched briefly on the ambulatory places of service, whether that be a full blown ASC ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient department or same day surgery. I'd like to transition now to really sort of setting the stage before the pandemic and that is what was happening in this sector immediately before COVID 19.
PVEGA: Well, the, the growth of ambulatory, the growth and volume of ambulatory services being delivered has steadily grown over many years to the point that joint replacement was happening pretty much on a regular basis. Oftentimes, paid for through commercial insurance of those CMS had recently approved joint replacement for knees on an ambulatory basis. So the volume of let's just use joint replacement as a specific knee replacement of this specific example. The volume of cases that were commercially insured and then insured by Medicare had grown steadily. Other procedures simple spine procedures such as typo plasticity or fracture care simple lumbar fusion maybe other less invasive procedures again had grown steadily, but not at a rapid pace and then that was changed substantially we cope with this.
JOHN PRACYK: Thank you so much. With regards to the two or three critical COVID impacts on ambulatory care. Can you help frame up for our listeners what had been really the things that have affected ambulatory care. Obviously, to begin with, surgeries weren't being done. There was a moratorium and prevention and suspension of elective surgery but as that is start to unfold help now characterize what you were learning for this sector of the market as cases started to return.
PVEGA: Correct, correct. So probably you cited. Probably the number one factor, and that is the elective cases were essentially brought to a standstill by COVID that hospital did not want to take the risk of exposing patients to COVID, as well as their staff. So the discontinuation of the elective procedures which an orthopedic spine represents a vast majority of the procedures that were done on an outpatient basis. So those procedures, not being able to be done on an inpatient basis conceivably provided an opportunity for them to be done on an ambulatory basis. The other factors that might be included here would be patient fears. So oftentimes patients have expressed fears about going on on the campus of a hospital for fear of being infected. Another factor would be that if patients still wanted for example a hip replacement or a joint replacement they might be looking at months of waiting for the hospital to open and re mobilize their surgical services versus being done on an ambulatory basis. So really, the combination of the three the discontinuation of elective procedures for the inpatient basis. Patient fears of going on campus. And then the availability of these procedures that historically has been done an inpatient basis conceivably could now be done. Safely for a select group of patients, I would add, Dr. Pracyk that for patients to be qualified for their procedure to be done on an ambulatory basis, they were likely going to face more scrutiny in terms of evaluation of co-morbidities patient risk factors. So not every patient that was appropriate for inpatient joint replacement for example, would necessarily be appropriately clinically safe to be done ambulatory basis is that helpful.
JOHN PRACYK: Very helpful. So there's going to be a subset that will be able to migrate to the ambulatory setting. And potentially that could free up operating room throughput back at the main hospital.
PVEGA: That's very helpful.
JOHN PRACYK: As we're winding down this first podcast, I'm going to come to the final question. And that is what are the strategic and tactical considerations for this topic of Disruption accelerating the orthopedic opportunities for ambulatory surgery.
PVEGA: True, sir. Good question. I think the top strategic and tactical considerations would apply to both the inpatient setting and the outpatient setting. So, for example, one of the things that I often recommend hospitals and health systems and physician practices is to really have an accurate and thorough assessment. Both of the opportunity which, in which might include things such as demand in the marketplace for the procedures, they're contemplating providing an ambulatory basis. Insurance access and so on, as well as understanding what assets they have. Do they have ambulatory space currently. How's it being used, is it appropriately licensed that appropriately staff. And I think from a, from, from the standpoint of Evaluation and understanding assets, it's a rather simple focus, it's both simple and complex. And it's really not for hospitals and health systems in for physician practice, it's not necessarily a shift away from inpatient but in addition of system structure and resources to include ambulatory services, my own perspective over the years is that oftentimes hospitals and health systems because there are so many problems and challenges, day in and day out that oftentimes they are preoccupied with with simple financial survival in a particular marketplace that oftentimes they're not able to marshal the focus to really apply research resources in intentional and deliberate fashion. And go through the process of assessment. Again, understanding the opportunity, understanding the assets. In understanding the relationships with their surgeons. So I would say that probably on a an overarching basis that probably a primary recommendation that I was made to hospitals health systems into vendors for that for, for that matter. Is to really understand what is the opportunity for each of them, respectively. In some cases, they're going to be common themes like products, services, patient access and other ones that are going to be specifically focused. Let's say for example on vendors. I think that oftentimes when, particularly when surgeons are comprised ownership for an ambulatory surgery center, they become less brand sensitive because they're more at risk for the financing and the financial performance. So again, I would circle back to it's really about strategic assessment understand current position and opportunity.
JOHN PRACYK: Well, thank you very much. Patrick that has been most comprehensive foundational work to help our listeners understand this migration of Orthopedic services to an ambulatory environment. Well, this is going to wrap up our first podcast first segment, I should say, of a two part podcast on this topic. My guest has been Patrick Vega, Senior Director at Vizient and consulting and he has been talking to us about his recent ortho world article entitled How COVID 19 disruption accelerates orthopedic opportunities in ambulatory surgery. We will make a link available to this publication on both of these podcasts, but until next time, thank you so much, Patrick. Thank you, our listeners for tuning in to this very first of perspectives conversations with MAPS president of the Americas region and we look forward to listening to you soon. Thank you.


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HFSC Explorer Program
HFSC Explorer Program
The Houston Forensic Science Center (HFSC) Explorer program introduces students to forensic science and some of the disciplines that fall under that umbrella. Each monthly class will involve a short lecture and hands-on activity presented by real-life analysts and examiners from HFSC's various divisions. The program will culminate with a mock crime scene where the students will put everything they learned into practice by collecting and testing evidence.
The Explorer program is open to high school students that are interested in the field of forensic science as a career. Students will receive hands-on experience in various scenarios that will help expose them to the different forensic disciplines our lab practices and support their ability to develop valuable skills.

subset: commoncrawl


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Ultimate Handmade "Madake"
Sankei Co. Ltd have been manufacturing Shinai for 30 years now, and Madake Shinai are made from carefully selected quality Japanese style bamboos. The "Gold" series are of higher quality because of the longer process (further purning and balanceing) for perfection.
This Shinai will take about 1 month to complete. When you order a Madake Shinai series BoguZen.com will like to ask for your patience.
This Shinai can undergo a special oil treatment where it is soaked in a special oil formula.
A process that will take 5 days to complete.
This will make the Shinai last longer in area that has a low humidity (dry environment), it also makes the Shinai more impact resistant and longer durability.
* NOTE: For female use, the weight of the shinai will be the same as the male.
*Doubari Sakiboso (Thick Haribushi & Thin Kensaki).
This Shinai has five fushi, and the Sakifushi is longer than the others Shinai.
It is made from heavy material, and the quality of the bamboo is very firm.
It is one of the best balance Shinai.


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This is where content moves next. Here you'll find cloud computing and media infrastructure pushing the boundaries of content delivery anytime, anywhere. This is the place for people who want to boost their productivity. Want to leverage emerging tech to reach new audiences? Want to get hands-on with the right tools to make content distribution easier? Whatever you seek, you'll discover it here.
Key trends include:
- Acceleration of ATSC 3.0 use cases and rollout
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Discover the Connect Collection
Outdoor Floorplan
Featured exhibitors include Viking Satcom, Gerling & Associates, Inc., Sat-Lite Technologies & more.
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The West Hall is home to CONNECT, INTELLIGENT CONTENT, Tech Pavilions and Experiential Zones.
CONNECT Exhibitor List
CONNECT features companies including Dell, Evertz, Wide Orbit, BroadView Software & more.
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Listen as global industry leaders share insight and tactics on advancing in a new media market.
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PREPARE FOR IMPACT AS NEW DISTRIBUTION TECHNOLOGIES ARE POISED TO RESHAPE ENTIRE INDUSTRIESLearn More
NABIQ: Create the d&d team manifesto for the next five years
How might you attract new talent and bridge knowledge gaps to generate a competitive advantage? What values, skills and purpose would you prioritize for the next five years? During this 90-minute facilitated challenge, you'll delve into those questions and design solutions with your peers. This is one of three NABiQ challenges in CONNECT and one of nine cross-collection. Each workshop will accommodate up to five teams of six participants each (paired at random) who will compete for the winning solution.
Digital/Broadcast Content Distribution Tour
Learn new technologies that will help you reach viewers where they want to consume their content.
What is Beyond Video Streaming? Roundtable
Will television lose its place in the home? What role will mobile play?
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Reunite with friends and colleagues. It's time to celebrate being together again!
Streaming Summit Happy Hour
Join the streaming community to discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead of you.
On the Main Stage: NAB Show Welcome
In his first ever state of the broadcast industry remarks, NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt will share his vision of NAB's role in strengthening the future of the broadcasting industry and address the issues impacting local radio and television stations. NAB will also present the NAB Distinguished Service Award, which is given to broadcasters who have made significant and lasting contributions to America's broadcasting industry and the National Radio Award, which honors outstanding leadership in the radio industry.
Featured Conference: Broadcast Engineering & IT (BEIT)
Technical presentations consider pressing issues facing today's media professionalsLearn More
NextGen NOW
Multiple Days
NextGen Now will help broadcasters understand the challenges in implementing the standard in local markets.
Protecting Your Content from Cyber Threats
Tuesday, April 26
While reviewing recent cyber-attacks against broadcasters as a backdrop, discover the potential risks stations face in the cyber realm, learn the most common attack vectors for broadcasters, understand common misconceptions that need to be corrected and learn about actionable steps and readily available tools stations can deploy to protect their content and their infrastructure.
2022 PILOT Innovation Challenge Winners: Michigan Radio and Townsquare Digital
Tuesday, April 26
The Innovation Challenge is designed to identify startups and growing companies providing solutions to some of the key challenges and opportunities facing broadcasters over the next two to three years. The winners were selected by a panel of broadcast industry representatives.
How to Build a Compact LIVE Streaming Kit
Multiple Days
Live streaming can scale from your kitchen table to a multi-million dollar studio. Let's explore low cost, compact streaming solutions, for those who want to focus on quality without breaking the bank or taking over your entire living room.
Expand Your Reach and Revenue
Media consumers today get their content on air, online and on the go. The CONNECT destination at the 2022 NAB Show will showcase the infrastructure and solutions that enable this dynamic world of content delivery and consumption. It speaks to the challenge of bringing content to viewers when, where and how they want it. Thanks to the proliferation of content across various platforms, from broadcast to streaming to connected devices, this has become a complex undertaking.


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David Dickson Sullivan
November 27, 1934 ~ June 29, 2006
Resided in: Pueblo, CO
David D. Sullivan, born November 27, 1934, in Boone, CO, passed away in his sleep June 28, 2006. David was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Hazel Sullivan; and his brother, Jack. He is survived by his 3 sisters, Betty (Bill) Christensen of Canon City, Evelyn (Duane) Wright of Fowler and Patte (Myron) Thomas of Pueblo. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. David graduated in 1952 from Fowler High School and CU in 1956. He served in the Navy before becoming a Vice President at Traveler's Express. He loved to travel, read, play bridge and spend time with loved ones. Memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 5, at Temple Baptist Church, 3030 Thatcher, in Pueblo. Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Foundation through Montgomery and Steward Funeral Directors, 1317 N. Main St., Pueblo, Colorado 81003. Family can be contacted at 128 Princeton, Pueblo, CO 81005. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com


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At any age it is not uncommon to wonder or even worry about what the future holds. Looking back won't help. Instead, the best way to create peace with these concerns for the unknown is this: Make today your best day by doing the most with that which you have and figuring out ways to do something even better.
In some ways this seems too simple. It's easy to discount all that woo-woo talk about the power of the moment. But if we step back and bring rationality to our worries about the future, it becomes clear that the only way to possibly improve future outcome in any area of our lives, is to do our best work in that area today because a lot of best days start to add up!
By example, suppose we want to be healthier tomorrow. I think we can agree, this is unlikely to happen while watching TV and munching a bag of chips. However, we can start with making today a "best" day by choosing to eat more fruits and vegetables and getting up and moving. IF we are making healthier food and activity choices— it's not illogical to conclude that we are simultaneously improving our health. The same goes for anything. For example, writing has been instrumental to my work for my entire life and I have written many books on a wide variety of topics. But, committing to writing a blog every day for now over 2 years or 730+ days, when I sit down to write or edit anything for either myself, a client or a friend — my vocabulary and the fluidity of my thoughts have improved exponentially. I'm particularly happy about this because I feel this is an essential process that will also keep my brain sharp — which is something I hope for until my last day.
If you find yourself worrying about the future, ask yourself, what can I do better today. While I have no idea what our futures will reveal, I do know that following this rule of living will increase our life satisfaction in real time.
I'm @DianGriesel aka @SilverDisobedience the author of The Silver Disobedience Playbook ✨ I'm a Perception Analyst who shares my Daily Meditations for other Ageless, Passionate & Curious People. Modeling info @Wilhelminamodels —other info in my bio & on my websites. #wilhelminadirect #newyork #SilverDisobedience #wilhelminamodels #wilhelminamodelsmiami


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In case I haven't mentioned it here, SB Nation has three writers at the Super Bowl. Brad Wells from Colts site Stampede Blue, Dave Cariello from Canal Street Chronicles and Joel Thorman from Arrowhead Pride (but is acting on behalf of SBNation.com). Brad is already there and filing reports from the ground in advance of media day tomorrow.
Stay tuned to our Colts blog, our Saints blog and SBNation.com for the best coverage of the Super Bowl from a fan perspective anywhere.


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In this solo show Bart explains the term 'Aspect Ratio' and answers a listener question on Depth of Field.
Show notes available at https://lets-talk.ie/ltp71
Reminder – you can submit questions for future Q & A shows at http://lets-talk.ie/photoq.
Please consider supporting the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/ltpod
Let's Talk Photography: http://www.lets-talk.ie/photo @LTPod http://www.flickr.com/groups/lets-talk-photo/
Bart Busschots: http://www.bartb.ie @bbusschots http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbusschots/


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On Strike
A curious topic with which to revive my blog. Ironically, being on strike leaves me at a loose end - with, finally, both the time and the inclination to actually write something new!
As I type this, our fourth day on strike is drawing to a close. Four days of a possible fourteen, with ASOS (Action Short Of a Strike) potentially to follow. This is action by UCU members on an unprecedented scale, reflecting just how angry and determined we are.
If you've not already seen the extensive media coverage, the issue in question is the future of our pension scheme, USS. Universities UK, the body representing our employers, wants USS to become a defined contribution scheme, in which our future retirement income is uncertain, dependent entirely on the vagaries of the stock market and likely to be significantly less than it is at present - to the tune of £10k per year for staff in the early stages of their career. We wish to retain defined benefits, whereby our retirement income will be known.
Most people these days don't enjoy the advantages of a defined benefits pension scheme, but it's important to realise that this has traditionally been seen as one of the perks of an academic career: partial compensation for the fact that our salaries are generally significantly lower than those enjoyed by equivalently qualified people in the private sector. If we lose defined benefits, we lose one of the things that attracts talented young people to academia, and the sector suffers as a result.
What's particularly irksome about the current situation is the largely spurious nature of the justification given for dropping defined benefits. It's claimed, for example, that a huge deficit exists, such that the assets of USS will be insufficient to pay the pensions of all those in the scheme if payments into the scheme were to cease. Now for a normal company pension scheme such a deficit would matter, because companies do sometimes go bust. But for this to be a problem for USS, all member universities would have to go bust simultaneously. The probability of this happening is essentially zero.
Then there's the fact that this notional deficit is merely a prediction, based on a number of assumptions and particular, overly prudent choices about how the scheme's funds would be invested. For example, it assumes that academic pay will increase each year at RPI + 1% - but why would we believe employers will offer this in the future when they've done their utmost to avoid doing so in the past?
It seems like UUK has decided on an outcome it prefers - one that transfers the risk from employer to employee - and then made the assumptions needed to produce that outcome. That simply cannot be right.
Astonishingly, UUK even made the claim that, in a consultation over the future of USS, 42% of HE institutions had called for 'lower risk' - only for it to emerge later than they were counting the responses of individual Oxbridge colleges as equivalent to those of full universities! And just to be clear here, the Oxbridge colleges collectively have only 1.7% of active USS members (2009 figures).
All of this leaves a very sour taste in the mouth, and the lingering feeling that UUK are not going to negotiate in good faith. Which means that we may be in this for the long haul.
Be assured that we don't want to strike for fourteen days. We certainly don't want to inflict all of that disruption on our students. And none of us want to lose fourteen days of pay, nor can many really afford to do so. But better a little pain in the short term than a much bigger pain when we eventually retire.


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PGF High School All-American Game To Air On ESPNU
Premier Girls Fastpitch (PGF) will host its 2021 High School All-American Game on Saturday, July 31 in Southern California. The game, featuring college softball's future stars, will air live on ESPNU at 3 p.m. ET.
In total, 40 players were selected to participate in the game, each of whom had to go through a lengthy selection process. After being nominated by a coach and/or a PGF Selection Committee Member, the National Selection Committee decided on players who earned a spot on their "Watch List." Following the development of the Watch List, the committee announced six Regional All-American teams (Western, Mountain, Southwest, Central, Southeast and Northeast). Two weeks later, the final All-American team rosters, with the players who will be playing on July 31, were selected.
The final 40 players are divided up into East and West teams, with 20 graduating seniors on each roster. In total, the players selected hail from 16 states, with California being the most represented. Fifteen out of the 20 players on the West roster will be playing in their home state. All 40 of the players selected will be playing Division I softball next year at several of the top schools in the country.
Twenty-six of the 40 players selected were a part of Softball America's list of the top 100 players in the 2021 graduating class. Several eyes will be on pitcher Jordyn Bahl and catcher Sophia Nugent who are ranked No. 1 and No. 3 in their class, respectively. Although Bahl will be playing for the East and Nugent for the West during the All-American game, next year they will be a pitcher-catcher duo at Oklahoma.
Other notable players to look out for include Washington-bound infielder Rylee Holtorf (ranked No. 2 by Softball America), Oregon-bound pitcher Stevie Hansen (ranked No. 8 by Softball America) and Alabama-bound outfielder Dallis Goodnight (ranked No. 12 by Softball America).
The players selected will have the unique opportunity to be coached by several former All-Americans, national champions, Olympians and professional players. The talented coaching staff includes Natasha Watley, Crystal Bustos, Suzy Brazney, Jennie Finch, Lovieanne Jung and Tony Mascarenas, who will be split up between the East and West teams.
Additionally, this year, PGF announced the addition of a Futures All-American Game, which will include some of the best junior and sophomore high school players in the country. Differently from the East vs. West format being used for the Senior All-American Game, the teams for the Futures Game are divided up by class. The Futures Game will follow a 2023 (rising juniors) vs. 2022 (rising seniors) format. In addition, the Futures Game will include a mix of committed and uncommitted players, many of whom are hoping to find their college destination in the coming year.
For the 2022 roster, much of the attention will be on uncommitted pitcher Taylor Tinsley, who is ranked No. 6 in her class by Softball America.
There will also be a lot of excitement for Florida Gators fans, as three future Gators will be making an appearance in the Futures All-American Game. 2022 catcher Sam Roe (ranked No. 1 in her class by Softball America) will be facing two of her future teammates, 2023 pitcher Keagan Rothrock (ranked No. 1 in her class by Softball America) and 2023 infielder Mia Williams (ranked No. 3 in her class by Softball America).
Across both games, there will be fierce competition among many players who will be the future stars of college softball. With the top players in the country together on one field for the All-American Game, it will be an event you won't want to miss.


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The greatest B2B marketing conference
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Join us in Boston October 4-6 or online October 5-6.
Since our founding in 2000, we've produced tens of thousands of marketing resources on lead and demand generation strategies, insights, and tools. (So many that even our editors have a hard time keeping up!)
We've set up our demand generation resources so you can search, refine, and find exactly what you're looking for. Filter or search our full library of demand gen articles, videos, classes (and more!) to make your results more relevant. Our marketing resources are created by lead and demand generation experts and marketing professionals, so you'll find just what you need.
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CONTENT TYPE: Master Class Lesson | TOPIC: Demand Generation
Your CMO, CTO, and CFO all want to know: are you investing in the right automation system? Instructor Kenda Macdonald says, "which is the best marketing automation platform?" is one of the most common questions she hears, and it's not simple to answer when you have 8,000 MarTech choices. This lesson covers how to identify your needs so you can choose the platform that's best for you. (This lesson includes a worksheet listed under "Supplementary Resources.")
In this "Put it to Work" lesson, you'll get your hands dirty under the hood of your demand generation machine by diving into lead magnet signup forms. You'll learn which fields you should include on your forms, when to use traditional progressive profiling, and how to get it all up and running. While this lesson walks you through the process using Hubspot, you do not need to use Hubspot as your automation platform to benefit from this lesson; most MAPs work similarly.
Don't be intimidated by the prospect of creating your first short-term nurture series (or at least your first seriously effective series). In this "Put it to Work" lesson, instructor Kenda Macdonald walks you through email templates proven to engage, provide value, and move consumers forward. While this lesson walks you through the process using Hubspot, you do not need to use Hubspot as your automation platform to benefit from this lesson; most MAPs work similarly. (This lesson includes templates listed under "Supplementary Resources.")
They say you only have one chance to make a first impression, and when it comes to demand generation automation, that first chance is your welcome campaign. This "Put it to Work" lesson gets into the nitty-gritty of how to do that, with templates designed to introduce, differentiate, and control the frame. While this lesson walks you through the process using Hubspot, you do not need to use Hubspot as your automation platform to benefit from this lesson; most MAPs work similarly. (This lesson includes templates listed under "Supplementary Resources.")
This "Put it to Work" session takes you into the nuts and bolts of creating messages that work and getting your campaigns running with perfect timing toward your destination—conversions. While this lesson walks you through the process using Hubspot, you do not need to use Hubspot as your automation platform to benefit from this lesson; most MAPs work similarly. (This lesson includes templates listed under "Supplementary Resources.")
CONTENT TYPE: Master Class | TOPIC: Demand Generation
Join Kenda Macdonald for her Master Class: The Secret to My (Demand Gen) Success. In 22 bite-sized lessons, you'll learn how to combine marketing automation, buyer psychology, and content marketing to improve your demand gen programs immediately.
Demand generation marketers are accountable for the entire purchase journey, from attracting interest through conversion (and even after). In this lesson, you'll learn the three critical components needed for demand gen success—behavior, life cycle marketing, and content—and how to pull them together into a demand generation automation strategy designed to achieve your goals.
The buyer's mind isn't a mystery. (It's true! There's research!) This lesson on buyer psychology covers what's happening in the buyer's brain during their purchase journey. Because once you understand how consumers think and what increases reward activation, you can start formulating an evidence-based demand generation approach.
If you want to succeed at demand generation automation, you can't just tackle a little awareness here and a smidge of deal closing there. In this lesson, you'll learn a framework for planning the entire purchase journey, touching the four components of life cycle marketing—attract, engage, sell, and wow. Get ready to maximize customer lifetime value (CLV).
CONTENT TYPE: Chart | TOPIC: Demand Generation
Many B2B sellers say the COVID-19 pandemic has made it more difficult to close deals because buyers have put decisions on hold and/or reprioritized, according to recent research from Showpad.
CONTENT TYPE: PRO Webinar | TOPIC: Marketing Content
Join Kenda Macdonald to learn how to plan and create strategic Nurture Campaigns that generate real results. Part of our Working Webinar Summer series: One part workbook. One part webinar. 100% hands-on learning.
CONTENT TYPE: Friday Forum | TOPIC: Demand Generation
As a marketer, you're always trying to improve both the quality and quantity of leads for your sales team. And even though there are more channels, platforms, and content formats than ever before, it probably seems harder than ever to create true connection with customers and prospects. It's time to up your demand-gen game. Sponsored by Adobe.
CONTENT TYPE: Article | TOPIC: Marketing Strategy
Your shiny new product doesn't have to be ready to go before you start to market it. In fact, it's best to begin your strategy while the product is still in development to ensure you have an audience to sell to. Find out more in this article.
CONTENT TYPE: Article | TOPIC: Email Marketing
When Apple rolls out its improved Hide My Email feature this fall, marketers will have to decide whether it's still worth accepting the "fake" relay addresses it generates. How big a problem will this be for your lead-gen forms and email list? Here's what you need to know.
Join behavioral psychology and marketing automation expert Kenda Macdonald to learn how to build Sales Campaigns and Sales Pipelines that get your prospects to open and convert. Part of our Working Webinar Summer series: One part workbook. One part webinar. 100% hands-on learning.
CONTENT TYPE: Article | TOPIC: Marketing Content
The use of video in content marketing is becoming increasingly vital to B2B businesses. Create the best possible videos to boost your sales by using these five tips.
The relationship between Sales and Marketing at most B2B companies has often been dysfunctional, even though coordinating the efforts of the two departments can have a big impact on the company's bottom line.
CONTENT TYPE: Sponsored Webinar | TOPIC: Marketing Content
The ability to create and use video in a way that drives leads and generates revenue is a top skill for today's marketers. And it's most effective when video is integrated into your marketing and content culture—because that allows you to authentically connect with prospects and customers consistently, and at scale. Sponsored by Vidyard.
Join Kenda Macdonald for Welcome Campaigns, part of our Working Webinar Summer series. One part workbook. One part webinar. 100% hands-on learning. In this webinar, you'll discover how to create a welcome campaign strategy, and how to implement the campaign in your marketing automation.
CONTENT TYPE: Sponsored Article | TOPIC: Account-Based Marketing
Video can play a unique role in account-based marketing. There aren't many other tactics that make you stand out from the crowd, drive engagement, and result in useful analytics all at once. See how to use video for ABM.
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Tomorrow marks the first anniversary of the Sandilands tram derailment, in which seven Croydon residents died.
A civic ceremony to mark the anniversary will take place at Central Parade, New Addington, near the homes of many of those passengers who made that tragic journey last November.
Members of the public are invited by the council to join together at Market Square at 10.30am. The service will feature a choir of 60 children from Fairchildes Primary and Meridian High. An inscribed plinth has been installed at the square along with seating and planting to provide a permanent memorial to those who lost their lives.
The event will be attended by those directly affected by the derailment, as well as by representatives of all the agencies, charities and volunteers who helped in the aftermath.
It is expected the ceremony will last an hour and will conclude with the opportunity for tributes to be laid at the memorial site.
For those unable to attend New Addington, there will also be a minute's silence observed at 11am at the flagpole outside the Town Hall in Katharine Street.
St Edward's Church in New Addington will be open from 6am for quiet reflection, and a service will be presided over by the Bishop of Croydon at 5pm.
- BECOME AN iC SUPPORTER: For the cost of one over-priced coffee each month, you can support the local journalism that brings you Inside Croydon. Click here to sign-up as a donor
- Inside Croydon is a member of the Independent Community News Network
- Inside Croydon is the borough's only independent news source, and still based in the heart of Croydon
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- If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, a residents' or business association or a local event to publicise, please email us with full details at email@example.com


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Discover more from Project: Shadow
Are you ready for an adventure beyond your wildest dreams? Dive into my electrifying space opera, mystical urban fantasy, and epic fantasy stories, and discover the unseen wonders of Writing, Fandom, and Fiction as seen through metamodern eyes.
Continue reading
How effective would an active be as a vampire hunter?
In Dollhouse a person could hire the Dollhouse to program an active with whatever the client wants. What if I need a vampire hunter.
Could Topher program Victor with enough skills and knowledge to actually hunt down and slay a vampire?
What psychological profiles would Topher use in Victor's Vampire Hunter Active?


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A win today mean the Yankees are in second place. A loss today, still second place.
But a win is a win, and a sweep of the Blue Jays would mean a lot for a Yankee team that seemed to be staggering through the first half of the season.
They send David Phelps to the mound to take on Drew Hutchison.
Go Yankees. Go baseball.
Today's Lineups
|Jose Reyes - SS
|Brett Gardner - LF
|Melky Cabrera - LF
|Derek Jeter - SS
|Jose Bautista - RF
|Jacoby Ellsbury - CF
|Edwin Encarnacion - 1B
|Mark Teixeira - 1B
|Dioner Navarro - DH
|Brian McCann - C
|Juan Francisco - 3B
|Carlos Beltran - DH
|Erik Kratz - C
|Ichiro Suzuki - RF
|Colby Rasmus - CF
|Brian Roberts - 2B
|Steve Tolleson - 2B
|Kelly Johnson - 3B
|Drew Hutchison - RHP
|David Phelps - RHP


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The Electronic Private Automatic Branch Exchanges (EPABX) is a complex in-house telephony switching system. Brihaspathi Technologies offers end-to-end support on EPABX solutions. This includes choice of wireless EPABX systems of all brands and make, and prompt after-sales service.
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A 5-day 'Light and Clean' Nutrition Schedule
After the holidays, and probably lots of eating and drinking, most of us are feeling the need to get back on track with their healthy lifestyle. To help you jump-start the new year and boost your motivation we created a mealplan for you, including easy-to-make recipes. This mealplan is for both women and men. Portions are adjusted into the plan.Read more


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Nicklas Bendtner revealed how he made Steve Bruce laugh during a dressing down over his off the field antics while at Birmingham.
The former Arsenal striker lifted the lid on his lifestyle while as a player in English football.
The 32-year-old joined Tuesday's talkSPORT Breakfast discussing some of the crazy stories in his new book - Both Sides.
Bendtner was on loan with Bruce at Birmingham from the Gunners at the time and his partying was a cause for concern for the manager.
talkSPORT host Laura Woods said: "Steve Bruce asked you about going to lap dancing clubs five times a week, what did he say?"
Bendtner replied: "It wasn't just lap dancing clubs five times a week. It wasn't like I was addicted to lap dancing clubs, let's get that straight! It was just going out in general.
"I had an injury. I had such huge respect for Steve. People I really respect I cannot lie to. I have to be completely honest.
"He called me in fuming. He was really upset. When he was explaining 'you've been out four times this week'. I was like 'I'm really sorry, Steve, it was five'.
"He didn't really know how to react. He was so mad but couldn't stop doing a giggle to himself."
Bendtner also had problems with gambling and would lose hundreds of thousands of pounds at a time.
The striker said he was chasing 'the kick' that you would get from playing in front of a huge crowd.
When asked about losing £400,000 in one go at a casino, Bendtner said: "It was quite quick, within an hour or so. I don't know if you've ever played roulette but it can go quite quick.
"If you don't hit your numbers then it goes quickly.
"I think it comes down to many players find it difficult, me too, to get that kick you get from walking out on the pitch in front of 60,000 people who watch every move. Being in that tunnel with 22 people.
"That's sort of where my gambling started. I couldn't find that kick I needed in my life on the pitch.
"We speak about when I was £400,000 down and then got it back to £20,000. It was a reality check for me. At that moment, I'd lost a lot of my money. I didn't want to just be another guy in debt and couldn't get out of it.
"It was actually a good thing because it was a real wake up call for me."


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Angelique Catero
"I am real sensitive so a lot of the time I am drawing auras and pure feelings. I'm a work in progress and there is room for growth. AFTS gives me a chance to show and sell art again. People don't realize how much they are getting here–opportunity."


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My Hulu wanderings led me to the "Chicken Ranch," a documentary film about a legal brothel just outside Nevada. The documentary uncovers life inside the house, and gives a look into the psychology of the women who have to earn their living there. It reminded me a bit of "Paris is Burning," in terms of sex being the deciding factor in how the subjects were going to live their lives. It could be gathered that all of the subjects were forced into prostitution due to extenuating circumstance; one of the girls had been physically abused by an ex-boyfriend, the other was in a huge amount of debt. It wasn't exactly explained how the girls wound up there, what was important was that while they were there, that's all they were allowed to be.
The girls themselves likened it to a prison, and rightfully so. I would say in a prison a woman is more autonomous because at least her body is her own; there they were selling themselves for nothing and splitting it with the house 50%. One of the most disturbing bits about prostitution showcased in the film wasn't the trade off of sex for money; it was how much money had to be given to someone else for allowing the girl to make that money in the first place. An argument regarding this led to the abrupt, chilling, end of the film. One of the girls is forced to leave by the owner, or pimp, Walter Plankinton (who eventually sold the ranch for $1 million) and as she is trying to call a car she breaks down over what she had to do, for how little.
At the time, The Chicken Ranch was considered expensive, and one of the best brothels nationwide; for instance a man is kicked out of a room when he won't spend over $20 for oral sex and told to go look for women on the street. The brothel has since lost its reputation for being high-end; the average price for a half an hour of oral sex and intercourse is about $350.
Watch the full documentary: http://www.hulu.com/watch/155136/chicken-ranch
Image Credit: Boston.com


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SHIPSHEWANA, Indiana (PRWEB) February 05, 2020 -- The contemporary-styled Carson Buffet enhances the growing lineup of modern furniture available from Brandenberry Amish Furniture of Shipshewana, Indiana.
In creating the Carson Buffet, Amish designers and cabinetmakers included a number of features that give the piece a modern vibe. These features include clean, uncluttered lines, flush panel doors and drawers plus sleek nickel hardware that contrasts with the dark stain.
Other contemporary elements are frosted glass doors, glass shelves and touch lights. With pieces like glassware or figurines on the shelves, the lights give the buffet the feel of an upscale curio cabinet.
"With its trendy features and Amish construction, the Carson Buffet is a superb choice for homeowners looking for quality Amish solid hardwood dining room furniture," says Floyd Eash, furniture consultant at Brandenberry Furniture.
At 72 inches wide by 33 inches high and 19 inches deep, the Carson Buffet has lots of storage space.
As with other items from Brandenberry Amish Furniture, the Carson Buffet is handcrafted by Amish cabinetmakers. Also, these craftsmen use quality regional hardwoods, such as cherry, oak, maple and hickory. As a result, the piece is sturdy, durable – and heirloom-quality. In addition, the buffet is available stained or unfinished, and customers can specify the wood specie, finish and hardware.
The Carson Buffet can be ordered online. Or, customers can visit Brandenberry's 'brick and mortar' store in Shipshewana, Indiana.
About Brandenberry Amish Furniture
Brandenberry Amish Furniture is located at 1045 N. State Road 5 in Shipshewana, at the intersection of State Road 5 and US 20, near the Indiana Toll Road. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment.
Brandenberry Furniture opened its doors in 2008. The Brandenberry Furniture concept allows customers to design the furniture of their dreams…to explore the rich woods and stains that only nature can offer. Nothing matches the feel, the smell and the weight of hickory, oak, cherry, maple…real woods that come to life in an Amish handcrafted piece. They are meant to last a lifetime and beyond.
Whether a customer's favorite style is Mission, Traditional, Modern or something in between, if Brandenberry Furniture doesn't carry it, their craftsmen will build it to specification.
Brandenberry Furniture offers everything from bedroom and dining collections to home accessories, patio and exclusive furniture pieces. Browse our easy-to-use website with detailed photographs and information, and you'll find furniture categorized by room (including family room, dining room, bedroom, office, children's) as well as by wood species (including oak, hickory, cherry, elm, maple, pine and cedar) and style.
Floyd Eash, Brandenberry Amish Furniture, https://www.brandenberryamishfurniture.com/, (855) 768-3270, [email protected]
SOURCE Brandenberry Amish Furniture


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Located in the Iberian Peninsula, Spain is the largest country in Southern Europe. Spain boasts one of the most diverse cultures and landscapes in Europe. The country has gorgeous beaches, delicious cuisine, vibrant nightlife, and distinct artistic culture. The people of Spain are very social and love to share conversation over tapas and drinks.
Basic Things to Know When Planning a Trip to Spain
The official language of Spain is Spanish. Catalan (or Valencian) is spoken by 19% of Spaniards. In regions such as Barcelona, you'll likely hear a mix of Catalan and Spanish spoken. English is the most spoken second language in Spain and spoken by many locals in heavily touristed areas.
When to Visit
The best months to visit Spain are April, May, June, September, and October. The weather is great during these months and it's not overridden with tourists.
Currency & Payment
The Euro is the official currency of Spain. Credit cards are widely accepted as payment and ATM's are available all over the country for cash withdrawal.
The best way to travel long-distance in Spain is via its high-speed train (or AVE). Inner-city travel is possible in bigger cities such as Barcelona and Madrid via Metro, taxi or bus. If you take a taxi, always make sure the driver turns the meter on as soon as the ride begins so that they can't price gauge you.
What to Pack for a Trip to Spain
Here's a list of what to pack for Spain, in addition to what you would already plan to bring:
Power Adaptor: Italy uses plug types C and F and operates on 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
Refillable Water Bottle: There are drinking water fountains available throughout the big cities. You can use these to refill your water bottle while you site-see.
Comfortable Shoes: You'll likely walk a lot during your trip, especially in big cities, so don't forget to bring comfortable shoes!
Things to Do in Spain
Here's a list of things to be sure to do while visiting Spain.
Visit Madrid: Spend time in Madrid and see some of the world-famous works of art that are preserved here in their vast collection of art museums – including the Prado museum.
Go to Barcelona: Barcelona is a city full of vibrance and culture. The city offers a wide variety of sites to see, so you'll likely want to spend a lot of time here. It's famous for its Gaudí architecture—which is worth a trip in and of itself. The city also has tons of incredible restaurants, a plethora of museums, beaches lining its shores, and a booming nightlife.
Experience a Flamenco Show: Flamenco is the traditional dance of Spain and it's possible to see a show in most major cities.
Drink Rioja in La Rioja: Spanish wines are some of the best in the world. Many of them come from the wine region; La Rioja.
Indulge in traditional foods & drinks: Spain is known for many excellent foods and drinks such as tapas, sangria, jamon, paella, and vermouth. Enjoy as much of this as you can during your trip!
Spend time in Mallorca: Located in Spain's Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, Mallorca is known for beach resorts, sheltered coves, limestone mountains, and Roman + Moorish remains.
Check out Costa Brava: Costa Brava is a coastal region about 60km away from Barcelona. It's full of awesome beaches, great restaurants, and really cool rock formations.
Visit Seville: The city of Seville is famous worldwide for its culture, monuments, traditions, and artistic heritage. The flamenco also got its start here.
Discover Toledo: Toledo is the capital of ancient Spain. Often dubbed the "city of three cultures" because of its historical influences from Christian, Muslim, and Jewish culture.
Conquer the Caminito del Rey hike: Dubbed as Spain's most challenging hike, the Caminto del Rey is located in Malaga, Spain. You'll find yourself hiking 100 meters high on a sheer cliff face.
Fast Facts About Spain
Here are some facts about Spain that you may not have already known:
- Spain is the world's largest producer of olive oil.
- In Spain, it's typical to eat lunch between 1pm – 3pm and dinner at around 10pm.
- The official name of Spain is, "Kingdom of Spain"
- The world's oldest operating restaurant, Sobrino de Botín, is located in Madrid, Spain.
- Spain has the highest concentration of bars in all of Europe.
- There are 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain.
- The bull is the national animal of Spain.
- Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world (the first is Chinese)
- Many world-famous artists come from Spain…including Dali, Picasso, Gaudi, and Goya.
- Spain is the third-largest wine producer in the world after France and Italy.
Budget Suggestions for a Trip to Spain
Here's a look at how much it would cost you to visit Spain. The prices in Italy vary – for example; if you visit a small town instead of a big city than you'd likely pay less. The season that you visit also has an influence. This estimate is based on what it would cost to visit Barcelona and should only be used to give a basic idea of what you may spend.
|High End
$15 - $30/Night (Hostel Dorm)
$35 - $90/Night
(Private Room in Hostel, Budget Hotel, or AirBNB)
$90 - $250/Night
There are more high-end hotel price points than what's listed here, if you're looking for a more lavish stay.
$3 - $10/pp/meal
(Local Food)
$10 - $25/pp/meal
(Average Restaurant)
$25 - $100+/pp/meal
(High-End Restaurant)
Tapas are cheap and can be ordered to satisfy your hunger at a low cost. The cost of high-end meals can scale higher than what's listed here.
$1 - $5
(Domestic Beers, Sangrias & Wines)
$6 - $12
(Imported Drinks & Cocktails)
Spanish wine is cheap & incredible. Imported drinks usually come from surrounding European countries.
$2.40/each way (Bus or Metro)
$2.50 (base rate) + $1.50/kilometer (Public Taxi)
$15 - $25/hr
(Private Taxi Organized in Advance)
The cost of a private driver varies pending the company. Rates converted from Euro to USD and are subject to change pending currency variations.
Explore Spain Virtually From Home
Learn how to make Paella with a pro from a local in Spain – click here.
Check out this video of Central & Eastern Spain in 4K – click here.
This Blog, "virtual travel to Spain" offers many different virtual tours – click here.


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Our Brand Directory is a curated list of businesses that have been handpicked for you based on our knowledge and research. Our ultimate goal is to provide you with the resources you need to find chic, stylish, sustainable, affordable alternatives to everyday items.
Join and get access to my totally FREE, "DETOX FOR LIFE" guide when you sign up for email updates + get exclusive offers and info straight to your inbox!


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When a son or daughter is in a long-term relationship and the relationship is over, it is not unusual for parents (seniors) of the couple to experience a deep sense of loss for the "almost" son or daughter-in-law. I was more aware of this when a woman commented after reading my last HuffPo blog Mourning a Child's Divorce, "Even though my son isn't divorced, primarily because he and his girlfriend of 11 years haven't married, I remember how sad my husband and I were. I think I cried more than either of them. For the young woman we considered a daughter and for the grandchildren they wouldn't give us. Not the same but your blog brought it to mind."
I think 11 years of pre-marital cohabitation and 11 years of expectations, justifies some mourning. Ties are tough to break. It is easy for outsiders to say, "Well, aren't you glad the couple wasn't married? Get over it, soon there will be others to take his or her place."
Marriage has always held an honored place in our society. However domestic partnerships are becoming an increasingly prevalent lifestyle. According to senior economist Fry and senior writer Cohn who conducted a survey for the Pew Research Center (2010) on the growth of the family, the share of 30-to-44-year-olds living together has more than doubled since 1990s. This steady trend toward cohabitation presents challenges to seniors, especially when there are children born while the couple was living together or brought into the relationship by one or both partners.
If the couple has not hammered out a legal agreement to share custody or worked out a visitation schedule, seniors may find themselves with little recourse and a lot of pain when the relationship dissolves.
Marion talks bitterly about her son's breakup. His girlfriend's children became part of Marion's extended family. "I looked forward to celebrating holidays and birthdays together. I used to babysit Pat's two kids all the time. Now I never see them. If my son had married Pat I just know they would have worked harder at staying together."
There seems to be some truth to Marion's complaint. There is evidence that married couples are more committed to one another than unmarried couples. According to a National Health Statistics Reports (2006-2010), cohabitations are typically short-lived and tend to dissolve within 5 years.
With this trend toward cohabitation creating what others see as a war over the family, seniors will be facing many of the challenges parents face when their married children divorce. Marriage-based or otherwise, there are tasks and goals at different stages seniors can adopt to help the family heal.
For more information about the role parents play, please see: Your Child"s Divorce: What to Expect ... What You Can Do (Impact Publishers, Inc.)


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1.1 This guide covers a procedure to assist owners and operators of commercial and institutional buildings in the stewardship of cleaning and housekeeping operations. The focus of this guide is to address appropriate cleaning activities and processes, to promote eco-efficiency and sustainability, and to avoid adverse impacts on the building occupants, cleaning personnel, the building structure itself, and the environment. Adherence to the principles set forth in this guide can lead to greater tenant/occupant satisfaction, reduced operational costs and greater productivity (of occupants and cleaning personnel).
1.2 This guide will focus on the development of a stewardship plan and will include the assessment of cleaning processes, product selection, storage, usage, disposal, equipment, training of cleaning personnel and communication throughout the chain-of-commerce.
1.3 This guide addresses issues relating to the operation and maintenance of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems which can have a major impact on indoor air quality (IAQ) only to the extent that the HVAC system provides adequate ventilation to lower risk to cleaning personnel, building occupants and the environment during or as a result of the cleaning process.
1.4 This guide is for use in a building that is maintained by either in-house cleaning personnel or an outside cleaning contractor.
1.5 This guide is not intended for construction related activities, but may be appropriate for post construction clean-up.
1.6 This guide is not intended as a procedural guide for cleaning personnel.
1.7 This guide is not intended for use in residential buildings.
1.8 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a projects many unique aspects. The word "Standard" in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.


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WASHINGTON—With key votes looming on everything in President Biden's Build Back Better agenda from labor law reform to legalizing undocumented people, droves of citizens groups are intensively lobbying lawmakers to ensure looming legislation aids their progressive causes.
In the week Congress returned, starting Sept. 20, everybody and their mothers-in-law descended on Congress with demonstrations, e-mails, phone banks, toll-free call-ins, and petitions.
Literally, mothers-in-law. Moms Rising was one group that massed its members for the blitz.
Biden's $3.5 trillion Build Back Better plan "includes historic investments in paid family and medical leave, child care and early learning systems, a permanent extension of the expanded Child Tax Credit, and more to boost our economy and families," Moms Rising said, seeking signers for its petition.
"But now, as Congress prepares to vote, some conservative lawmakers are trying to water the package down or, even worse, block it entirely. We can't allow that to happen. Sign MomsRising's urgent petition today if you agree Congress must invest in care infrastructure now."
As might be expected, the AFL-CIO and its affiliated unions were leading the way. Federation President Liz Shuler posted a toll-free number, 833-770-1697, for workers to call senators to campaign for legalization and comprehensive immigration reform covering the 10 million to11 million undocumented people in the U.S.
"The best way to strengthen our democracy and economy is by empowering working people—no exceptions," her e-mail begins. "However, millions of undocumented immigrants, who are vital to our economic recovery, still live in fear because of our outdated and inhumane immigration system.
"It's time to put an end to this injustice. All people who live and work here deserve a job with full rights and protections. So tell your senators to pass a budget that includes a broad pathway to citizenship."
It also would feature "good union jobs," and the Communications Workers extended that point to cover all of labor law reform in their call to action. Government Affairs Director Dan Mauer said the union plans a phone bank on the afternoon and evening of Sept. 23 and is gathering signatures on a mass petition at CWA.org/BuildBackBetterAct.
"Build Back Better will create jobs, cut taxes, lower costs for working families, and make it easier for workers to join unions," Mauer explained. It also "includes historic labor reforms that will help more workers join unions and give members more power to negotiate for better wages and working conditions."
The reforms all come from the Protect The Right To Organize Act, labor's #1 legislative priority. They include much higher fines against employers—including corporate CEOs and board members—who break labor law or condone doing so and a longer list of labor law-breaking violations—such as holding captive audience meetings and employing "permanent replacements" for economic strikers.
The Service Employees and the National Domestic Workers Alliance planned a "Care Can't Wait" rally on Capitol Hill on the afternoon of Sept. 23. The two unions, and their allies, brandished a new Hart Research Poll showing 81% support for the section of Build Back Better that would raise domestic workers' wages, especially for home care workers, and pump millions of more dollars into building and rehabbing care centers. That's 15 percentage points more than support for the whole Build Back Better agenda, SEIU and NDWA noted.
"From coast to coast, people of all backgrounds are raising their voices to say care can't wait," said SEIU President Mary Kay Henry. "Home care workers—the Black, Latina, Asian, white, indigenous and immigrant women who have cared for our nation throughout the Covid-19 pandemic—have been excluded from labor laws and protections, and forced to make do on poverty wages.
"This new poll shows there is no debate. It's time for Congress to meet the moment and deliver a once-in-a-generation investment in the care economy that transforms home care jobs into good, union, living-wage jobs and ensures everyone who needs care services can access them."
The federation wasn't the sole group campaigning for migrants and their rights. TPS Action and the Laborers teamed up for a Sept. 21 march, demonstration, and street theater to highlight the plight of a subgroup of the migrants, some 500,000 workers and their families who have been in the U.S. for decades on Temporary Protected Status.
TPS beneficiaries, virtually all people of color, are a huge share of unionized construction workers. They fled war, civil unrest, natural disasters, and violent gangs in Latin America, Syria, and North Africa. They renew their visas, with fees, every six months or so. Courts stopped Trump's threat to deport all of them.
The estimated 700,000-800,000 people brought to the U.S. as kids, without papers, by their parents—says the Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth McDonough—don't meet rules to fit into legislation to implement Biden's Build Back Better agenda. UWD wants supporters to call or e-mail lawmakers on that issue—and overrule her. Immigration reform would cover the TPS holders, among others.
"Despite a strong precedent and a substantial budgetary impact for including citizenship for immigrant youth, TPS holders and essential workers, this unelected advisor…recommended against it as a formality," the Dreamers said. They are the leading organization representing all of those young people. The parliamentarian's ruling is non-binding, in any case, and should not be used as an excuse to scuttle major immigration law reform.
Democratic leaders, including Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer "still hold all the power to do the right thing and deliver a pathway to citizenship for millions. This isn't over. The parliamentarian doesn't make decisions–but the Democrats we helped elect do," the Dreamers said.
That push may not get very far, though. Schumer is already talking about an unspecified namby-pamby yet-to-be-revealed compromise.
As if the Build Back Better agenda wasn't enough on Congress's plate, Public Citizen launched a late push to cut the military budget by 10%. And on Sept. 20, Sunrise Movement activists descended on the Phoenix office of Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., to demand she support Build Back Better's billions of dollars to combat climate change.
"While Sen. Sinema caters to fossil fuel executives in D.C., young Arizonans are outside her office demanding she listen to them as they face record drought and extreme heatwaves killing their communities," Sunrise Movement Executive Director Varshini Prakash said in a follow-up statement.
After months of denial, U.S. admits to running Ukraine biolabs
Trudeau blames 'Russian propaganda' for Nazi ovation; Poland wants SS vet extradited
How It's Gon' Be': A young Black artist starts figuring it out
Trump orders MAGA House Republicans to shut down the government…again


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Our staff is comprised of dedicated and licensed professionals with the experience to answer all your questions regarding our services. Please feel free to contact any of our staff members at any time.
McDonald, who served 20 years as a state Representative, was appointed to the PSC by Governor Zell Miller to fill a vacated post and then re-elected in a special mid-term election in 1998. He held the seat until 2002. On December 2, 2008, Georgians elected McDonald to serve on the PSC again.
McDonald has a deep knowledge of the energy industry. During his previous term, he served on the Committee on Electricity of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, chairing that body's subcommittee on Nuclear Issues and Waste Disposal in 2001 and 2002. Today he is a member of NARUC's Electric Committee and Nuclear Subcommittee.
McDonald has spent decades serving the residents of Georgia. As a state Representative, he chaired the Industry Committee for five years and the Appropriations Committee for eight years. He also served as a commissioner in Jackson County, served on the Board of Managers of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia, and volunteered as a Firefighter for the city of Commerce for 35 years and served as its Chief for 25 years..
A native of Commerce who now resides in Clarkesville, McDonald is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a BBA in Business. He has long been a supporter of higher education, serving on the Board of Governors of Mercer Medical College and the Board of the Advanced Technology Center at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He was also a director of the Small Business Development Center at the University of Georgia.
McDonald has lived his entire life within District Four of the PSC. Currently, he is a partner in L.W. McDonald & Son Funeral Home in Cumming, with his son, Lauren III. He was married to his late wife Sunny Nivens McDonald of Gainesville GA for 45 years. He is an elder in the Presbyterian Church, a private pilot, and an avid golfer. He Married Shelley Hailey McDonald in 2012.
Funeral Director / Owner
Lauren and his wife, Claire, live in Cumming with their two sons, Wylie, Ridley and daughter, Hailey. A proud graduate of the University of Georgia, Lauren is also a graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. He currently serves as a member of the Georgia State Board of Funeral Service.
He is an active member of Cumming First United Methodist Church, Lanier-Forsyth Rotary Club, Cumming/Forsyth Chamber of Commerce, and the Yaarab Shrine of Atlanta. Lauren serves on the board of a number of local organizations including the Northeast Georgia Red Cross, Forsyth County Arts Association, Northeast Georgia Boy Scouts and the United Way of Forsyth County.
In his spare time, Lauren has served as a volunteer fireman with Forsyth County for 21 years. He is also an elected official in Forsyth County.
Funeral Director / Owner
Having always lived in the Atlanta area, Claire was born at Piedmont Hospital, graduated from Walton High School in Marietta, graduated from the University of Georgia in Athens with a Bachelor of Science in biology and worked for her family's manufacturing company in Smyrna for twelve years.
Claire and her husband, Lauren, married in 2001 and live in Cumming with their three children: Wylie, Ridley and Hailey. In 2014 she completed her studies at Ogeechee Technical Institute and received her Funeral Service Education degree. She is a licensed funeral director and embalmer.
Claire is an active member at Cumming First United Methodist Church and a member of UMW. She is a past executive member of the UMW Board and has served on the committee for the consignment sale for the past few years.
Director of Family and Community Relations & Certified Crematory Operator
Amanda is a native of Dahlonega and graduate of Lumpkin High School. She is a licensed funeral apprentice and has worked at Dahlonega Funeral Home since 2010. She is the Director of Family & Community Relations and location manager for our Dahlonega location as well as our Cleveland location under the leadership of Claire McDonald.
Amanda is a Certified Crematory Operator and holds a certificate since 2019 from the NFDA. Amanda operates our on site crematory in our Cleveland Funeral Home.
Through her role in the funeral industry over the last 12 years and with developing relationships with families she has served she has felt the impact of certain unexpected deaths. This has caused her to become an advocate for Suicide Prevention where she carries a certificate in Suicide Prevention Training and for Overdose prevention where she is part of the Georgia 911 Good Samaritan Law fighting fatal opioid overdoses. In this is trained and able to administer Naloxone.
Amanda currently attends Ogeechee Technical College to complete her final step in obtaining her degree for Funeral Directing.
Growing up in Dahlonega and just recently making a temporary move to Dawsonville with her son Dockery; she is assisting in the process of restoring an older home in downtown Dahlonega where she hopes to reside very soon.
Amanda plays an active role in all daily activities with McDonald Family Funeral Home's and spends a great deal of time volunteering in the community and being a key part of many organizations including CASA, Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Lumpkin, Dahlonega Cemetery Committee, Eastern Star, Kiwanis, and Dahlonega Woman's Club. Amanda takes pride and fills her already busy schedule by coordinating many Senior Events, Cell Phones For Soldiers Projects, our annual Toys For Tots Drive, and partners with Lumpkin County Family Connections, Community Helping Place, Thankful Hearts and Rainbow Children's Home for many other community projects and events in hopes to better and give back to the community in which she loves so much.
Amanda is a court appointed special advocate and has previously served on the board for Enotah CASA (an organization that advocates for abused and neglected children). She has served as a chair on the Lumpkin County Cemetery Committee, the Fundraising Chair for Lumpkin County PFO, a Secretary for W.I.L.L (Women in Lumpkin Leadership), President of the Lumpkin County Healthcare Committee, and Vice President Health & Family Expo organizing committee.
Amanda grew up spending much of her childhood in White County and looks forward to becoming more involved with White County Programs and being more rooted in the community.
Funeral Director / Embalmer
Funeral Director / Embalmer
Pre-need Counselor
Pre-need Counselor
Tink is a native of Cleveland and graduated from White County High School. She has been a part time funeral associate for many years now and works full time at the White County Courthouse for Probate Judge Garrison Baker.
She lives in Cleveland and is the mother of Shelby and Jesse. She is very active in the community and has a love for her hometown and the people in it. She also works in the Children's Ministry at Northside Church.
Most people want to know how she got the name "Tink" as her actual birth name is Marcia Davis. She was the first born grandchild and her Papa JD Coker picked her up and said "This is my little Tinkerbell" and that name simply stuck!
In her spare time, Tink enjoys being with family and friends and you will always see (OR HEAR) her at most all sporting events supporting her White County Warriors!
Community outreach & funeral attendant
Funeral Associate