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It was last November when I first met Courtney & Andy! As we discussed the details of their Portofino Hotel & Marina Wedding Courtney and I clicked instantly. We wrapped up our consultation and I walked away a little unsure. On one hand I was like that went really well, I think I nailed it, but Andy's demeanor had me questioning my skills. Not too long passed and I heard from them again, and after a few more email/phone chats we put together a package that worked for these two lovebirds. Courtney then confessed Andy was playing a little hard to get, and it worked LOL! As the months passed Courtney and I began texting about the engagement session, and then it quickly turned into randomly texting about our favorite trash TV shows (Real Housewives, The Bachelorette, etc)! We bonded over our secret stashing of bags of new clothes we keep hidden from our other halves, and our OCD tendencies. It was then I could tell this was going to be an AMAZING couple to work with! I guess our secret is out now, sorry Court! Hurry and hide those bags in the back of the closet or under the bed. As we discussed locations for the shoot we talked about the beach, but we wanted it to do be different than every other beach shoot you see out there. One weekend I happened to be shooting in Santa Barbara, and saw a sign for Lompoc Flower Fields. I quickly researched it, Google image searched it, and then texted Courtney and was like listen we can still do the beach but you have to check this out! Immediately she fell in love and began buying outfit upon outfit, I think she confessed to buying 10 like new outfits, don't worry Andy she "returned" the ones we didn't use...And by return, I mean she returned them to the bag, and then put them in the back of the closet lol! The day quickly approached and the occasional text from Courtney would come in, "Are you sure the flowers will still be there?" Or "What if it rains?" Or "Did you see what happened on The Bachelorette last night?" All her texts or emails were appropriately signed "OCD GIRL!" I can't help but laugh, because anyone who knows me can vouch that I'm pretty OCD myself and am guilty of the same thing! As you can tell the flowers were still there when we got up there so we just went with it and had a little fun running through someones flower fields, very careful as to not to damage them :-) As we drove from Lompoc back to Santa Barbara to wrap up the shoot and finish at the beach we encountered a couple of obstacles! I kept seeing these gorgeous fields, with rolling hills, and beautiful cloud covered skies and was like we have to stop and shoot here, but every field is fenced off with electric fences and barbed wire. So I had to get creative, and we had to trespass! We hopped a barbed wire fence only to land into a field filled with cows. Courtney had on a dress and risked showing the passing cars her backside but was most concerned with ripping her new "sexy Bebe dress" lol. We made over without tearing a dress, a layer of skin, or a hamstring! It was all fun and games until a few of the bulls looked like they wanted us gone so we had to make moves to a different area of the field. The end result was not arrest, but some very beautiful shots showcasing the gorgeous fields of Southern California. As we made our way down the coast to Santa Barbara a man filled with anger and road rage decided to pass me going 90 on the shoulder of the road nearly side swiping me and hitting another car. Can I just add he was DRIVING A PRIUS, and no it wasn't Andy lol. However he and Courtney witnessed the entire thing driving behind me! Seriously dude you're not Vin Diesel, and I'm not sure where you're going that fast in that Prius of yours, but you should probably relax before you kill someone. Once our lives were not in danger anymore, we made it to our final destination, the beach and as you can see we captured some really amazing sunset shots! So to make a long story even longer, there's not much we won't do over here at LA Exposures to give our clients some amazing photos paired with an ACTION packed day to remember forever! Stay tuned for their wedding photo BLOG post coming soon!
Matt & Elysse | Palm Springs Photographer
Last fall when I first met Elysse and Matt I knew this wedding was going to be amazing. It wasn't until a month later when we did their engagement shoot at Griffith Observatory did I know just how awesome these two were! They were fun, friendly, and soooo in love! Lugging along their new little puppy Scout to the engagement shoot added a unique fun touch to the engagement shoot!! Fast forward about 6 or 7 months to the wedding day! How can you go wrong when you choose an amazing venue like the Riviera Resort & Spa? As you can tell from the photos, we spent most of the day laughing, joking, and having a lot of fun with everyone in the bridal party! One of the funniest and most memorable moments was when I told all the bridesmaids to keep a straight face with no expression. Unsure exactly what I meant by that, Elysse's friend Kristin explained it as "RESTING BITCH FACE." I couldn't help but laugh, and as you can tell from the photos neither could they! Up next for their shoot were the groomsmen. Normally groomsmen, unless intoxicated, are pretty tough to make smile, and have a good time with. Not these guys! Between nicknaming one of them a nugget (Razmin), and cracking jokes left and right, these guys were nothing short of HILARIOUS and fun! BTW-side note, each of the groomsmen came up to me throughout the course of the night, separately, letting me know that I had successfully come up with a nickname for Razmin that they would continue to use! Everything about this wedding went seamlessly! I can honestly say this goes down in my TOP 10 favorite weddings that I've had the privilege of shooting! I've never had so much fun editing photos after the wedding as I did with this group either! The many expressions from every single member of this bridal party were priceless, especially Matt during the ceremony! :-) It's always the "tough guys" who surprise you and can't hold back the tears! With an assist from both Tim and the lovely Harleene, we were able to capture every loving, laughing, and candid moment. Let's not forget to give major kudos to Artisan Events for a job well done with the event decor, floral arrangements, and most importantly coordination! I couldn't have asked for a better group to work with on both sides of the camera!
Santa Barbara to Paris with a stop in NYC | Amourelle & Ryan | Destination Wedding Photographer
Sometimes it is definitely about who you know! Thanks to my other half, I was fortunate to meet a new friend named Greg, I call him my nugget. My nugget's close friend Ryan recently got engaged to the gorgeous Amourelle! Check her out below! Greg was kind enough to pass along my card to Amourelle, who reached out to me that same day to schedule an engagement session in Santa Barbara. Fast forward a week and we were finally able to sit down and go over some ideas, wedding samples, and her vision for her engagement shoot. As we were talking I asked where the wedding would be, and if she already had a photographer for that. I think I fell off my chair when she replied with, "We are having a family wedding in New York, and then a second wedding a week later in Paris." My two favorite cities in the world!!!! She had been talking with a local photographer for the Paris wedding, but didn't really think about having someone shoot her NYC wedding. Before wrapping up our meeting, I put together a custom package to include Santa Barbara, NYC, and Paris. The Paris wedding will be held inside The Rodin Museum Gardens. I DIE!!!!! A week later Amourelle called and made my day, well let's be honest she made my year! They were excited to move forward and bring me on board to shoot everything! Thanks to the amazingly talented Elizabeth LaGue, Amourelle's hair and make-up came out stunning! Not only did we spend hours making our way around SB capturing their love, we spend quite some time bringing out their fun, quirky side too. Amourelle bought a few really great props for the shoot, including an amazing blanket, and gorgeous Eiffel Tower champagne flutes! She also made one prop that had the potential to be great, but let's just say the confetti took a nose dive for the ground before exploding in the air. The only thing that would have made that series of photos better, would have been capturing a sad face as the confetti took a nose dive! So here's the magic we made up in Santa Barbara, and I can't wait to share their NYC and Paris wedding images next spring!
L.A. meets London | Lauren and Sam | LA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
What happens when you have a bride from LA and a groom from London? Well obviously they are going to get married at The London Hotel in West Hollywood, CA. Such a great way to bring two families from two different countries together. Lauren and Sam had a very intimate pop-up wedding in a gorgeous suite at the hotel with only their closest family and friends! There wasn't a dry eye in the room when the ceremony concluded. Between the laughing, the crying, and the crying from laughing I couldn't help but shed a tear or two myself! There wasn't a face in the room that wasn't glowing with excitement! When it was all said and done as I went to say my goodbyes, there were no handshakes, just hugs! The amount of love and joy filled the room, and left me smiling ear to ear!
It was New Years Eve, and I was being lame in my Rome hotel room when the clock struck midnight. In my defense I did have a 5 am flight to Florence the next morning. As I laid in bed my Facebook messages starting going off. When I opened the first one, it was from one of my friends, Ashley, telling me her long time friend had just gotten engaged at the Trevi fountain. At first I was like hmmm, where is she going with this.... Seconds later she asked if I would be around the next day to take engagement photos of them in Rome. What photographer wouldn't love to take engagement photos in Rome of all places. Unfortunately I had to tell Ashley that I was off to Florence the next morning. Thinking that was the end of the conversation I got ready for bed, minutes later she came back with, "what are the chances of this, but they too are going to Florence tomorrow!" This was fate! Needless to say, I met Meg(Ashley's friend) and her new fiance Ross, 2 days later in front of the Louis Vuitton store in Florence. The first thing that came out of Meg's mouth was telling me how sick she was and she could barely get out of bed. Being the trooper that she was Meg pushed through what seemed like an all day event as we made our way around Florence for their engagement photos( it was really only 2 hours). Ross who loves pictures (NOT REALLY AT ALL) would probably actually tell you it did take all day! The pictures were gorgeous, even sick Meg looked beautiful, and we couldn't of had more fun! The minute we got back to the states wedding planning began. Knowing she was going to need some help, I introduced her to an amazing wedding planner, none other than Ms. Holly Chavez, owner of HMC Event Solutions. The moment Meg met Holly she knew she was the perfect fit for her and insisted she book her right then and there! After months of planning, visits to countless venues and estates, Meg, her amazing Mom(Maureen) and Holly, chose Calimigo's Ranch Wedding in gorgeous Malibu, California. As you can see there were so many amazing details they all put together as Meg had envisioned. Family and friends traveled from all over the country for this fun, vintage inspired, chic wedding! Obviously as you look through these pictures its very clear these two are so in love, but even more importantly they know how to have fun together. Weddings like this make doing what I do so easy!!!!!!
Eileen & Vonny in LOVE! | Lake Tahoe Engagement Photographer
What can I say but boy can you feel the LOVE between these two! Eileen first contacted me just after Christmas when she found me on YELP for her Los Gatos Wedding, just south of San Francisco. After a few conversations, things just clicked, and we knew we had to work together! Once we began talking about locations for their engagement shoot, ideas were flying. Vonny took Eileen to Tahoe to last year to feel, touch, and play with snow for the first time since she had never been to or seen snow before. We decided it would be an awesome place to shoot their engagement session. After months of talking on the phone, we finally got to meet face to face Valentine's Weekend for the shoot. Perfectly planned there was snow on the ground, unfortunately between the crazy winds and intermittent rain, the shoot was a little challenging. We were able to get some pretty amazing photos if you can overlook the goosebumps HA HA HA! (Eileen joked with me about Photoshopping out her goosebumps) I couldn't be happier with the way the shoot turned out, but most importantly I really love looking at these photos because its pretty clear these two are madly IN LOVE! Not only do they know how to have fun with one another, they make each other feel so special, and both light up around one another! I absolutely can't wait for their September wedding!


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In every pregnancy, a woman starts out with a 3-5% chance of having a baby with a birth defect. This is called her background risk. This sheet talks about whether exposure to pesticides may increase the risk for birth defects over that background risk. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your health care provider.
What are pesticides?
A pesticide is a substance used to prevent or destroy "pests" such as insects, fungus or weeds which can harm crops or people. For example, pesticides are used to reduce the number of mosquitoes which may carry the West Nile virus or other diseases that can be spread to people. Pesticides used to kill weeds have also been called herbicides.
Pesticides sprayed outside with ground equipment or by aircraft are referred to as outdoor pesticides. There are many household products that are also considered pesticides, such as cockroach spray, rat poison, or flea collars for pets. These products are known as indoor pesticides.
How can pesticides get into my body?
Pesticides can get into your body in several ways. We could inhale them when breathing, ingest them by eating foods that were sprayed with pesticides, or absorb them through our skin. When outdoor pesticides are being sprayed, wind can carry some of the pesticide to other areas. Small amounts of outdoor pesticides can also be found in the food and water supply.
What are some commonly used pesticides?
There are many different kinds of pesticides used in the United States. Some commonly used pesticides are glyphosate (Round Up®), organophosphate pesticides (examples are malathion and naled) and pyrethrin and pyrethroid pesticides (example: Anvil®).
As this sheet talks in general about pesticides, please contact MotherToBaby to see if there is more information on a specific brand that you have questions about. When calling, have a copy of the label nearby so that you can list the ingredients.
Will exposure to pesticides harm my pregnancy?
Most animal studies with glyphosate, malathion, naled, pyrethrins, or pyrethroid exposure have not shown an increased chance for birth defects. Low birth weight and higher rates of fetal loss were seen at doses that were poisonous to the mother animal.
Two human studies looked at pregnancy outcomes following the repeated spraying of malathion, and another study looked at several different pesticides. These studies did not find a consistent increase in birth defects, and there was no effect on gestational diabetes, birth weight, or miscarriage rates. Another study found a higher chance for preterm delivery (birth before week 37) in counties of California that used higher levels of pesticides when compared to counties with lower pesticide use. These studies are limited because although pesticides were used in the community, the amount of exposure to each individual is typically not known. A study of 113 women using a pyrethroid cream to treat head lice did not show an increased chance for birth defects or pregnancy complications.
Some human studies have associated pesticide exposure during pregnancy with an increased chance of childhood cancer. These studies are limited because the actual amount of pesticide each individual was exposed to is unknown. In addition, it is possible that exposure to pesticides after birth was also present. Other studies have not shown that childhood cancer is related to pesticide exposure. At this point, there is not enough information to determine if exposure to pesticides during pregnancy increases the chance of childhood cancer.
How can I minimize my exposure to pesticides?
If possible, avoid mixing and applying pesticides yourself. If not possible, exposure can be minimized by working in a well-ventilated area and using protective equipment such as a respirator, long sleeves and pants, and gloves. Always follow handling and storage instructions on the pesticide label. It is unlikely that having your home or workplace treated by a professional exterminator will result in a high enough exposure to increase the risk to a pregnancy. To reduce exposure to pesticides found on food, thoroughly wash produce and your hands before eating.
What if I am exposed to pesticides while breastfeeding?
Pesticides might be found in breast milk, but studies on the effects of these pesticides have not been done. The nutritional and psychological benefits of breastfeeding may outweigh the risk of exposure from pesticides sprayed in your home, workplace, or community. Be sure to talk to your health care provider about all your breastfeeding questions.
What if my partner is exposed to pesticides at home or at work?
There are adult safety levels for pesticide exposure that should be followed in the workplace. In animal studies, high doses of malathion reduced male fertility. One human study compared men with high and low sperm counts and did not find a difference in the amounts of a malathion break down product in their bodies. Another study of 152 farmers found the 62 men who had been exposed to either paraquat or malathion or both in various amounts had lower sperm count and motility than those not exposed. In general, environmental exposures in men have not been associated with birth defects in offspring, although further studies are needed. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures and Pregnancy at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/pdf/.
References Available By Request

subset: commoncrawl


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In John 10:10 Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
This is a good promise to ponder as we celebrate Christmas. Jesus came that we could have life. And however much life we've received from Him, there's more to be had.
It's from this passage and others that we draw the idea that the Gospel promotes human flourishing; that God wants us to grow and know His blessing. As the Author and Source of Life, God wants more of it for us than we've known. So, however much life your walk with God has produce so far, there's much, much more. Abundance awaits.
That's good for us to bear in mind as we live in a culture growing increasingly hostile to the Faith. Critics and scoffers cast the Gospel as intolerant of other lifestyles and Christians as dangerous subversives to an enlightened society. Some followers of Jesus add to that image by unwise remarks. By remembering the Gospel promotes human flourishing, it may alter the way we communicate the eternal message of Christ. Sin diminishes flourishing because it leads to sorrow and death. Obedience to God promotes life.
To keep this truth fresh, next time someone asks you how you're doing and you're doing well, tell them you're flourishing. We've done this around our fellowship now for a couple years and it's led to some amazing conversations with the lost.


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Giovanna talked about so many delicious sounding dishes it was tricky to choose which one I wanted to experiment with and get inspired by. As a huge panna cotta fan I loved the idea of a greek yoghurt panna cotta, what a great twist. Greek Yoghurt is such a versatile ingredient and I love using it in my cooking, whether in cakes, for a dip, as a drizzle, as a dressing, or as a marinade. It's so useful to have in the fridge!
I experimented with using milk rather than cream and whilst it was good (somewhat lighter), I am of the opinion that if you are going to do a panna cotta you may as well go the whole hog and use cream. Panna Cotta is one of mine and my mama's guilty pleasures, which we sometimes eat together...just because. Although we tend to buy them for these occasion, as even though they are very easy to make it does mean you have access to more than one panna cotta at a time, and if you have the very low levels of self-control we possess...Well let's just say that can be dangerous.
I think because panna cottas involve gelatine many people think they are hard to make. This could not be further from the truth. Gelatine is not scary to use at all, it's really straight forwards. I always plump for the sheet gelatine over the powder, and really it is a cinch to use. In all honestly panna cottas take about 5 minutes actual cooking time, and even then that's if you are taking your time! I like making mine in very lightly greased dariole moulds which I then turn out, but any little jar or coffee cup will work too. I always grease mine if I want to serve them unmoulded as it's better for my nerves. But they look (and taste) equally as good when served in the little pots too.
These sticky apricots have been on my catering menus for many years as they go beautifully with lots of different things. I serve them with bircher muesli for breakfast meetings, or with pistachio cakes and I love them with rice pudding. I always use dried apricots which are very easy to get hold of, and these just go beautifully with the greek yoghurt panna cotta.
I am very much into the idea of puddings you could legitimately have for breakfast, and this could well be going on my special brunch menu. Watch this space. I don't think we can pretend it's healthy, but it's delicious and that counts for something.
Serves 6
For the apricots:
180g dried apricots
1 cup honey
1 lemon, juice and zest
1/4 cup water
For the panna cotta:
600ml double cream
200g Greek Yoghurt (full fat)
100g sugar,
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 leaves of gelatine
Lightly grease your moulds with a little vegetable oil.
Soak the gelatine in a bowl of cold water until it's soft. Once it's soft drain off the water and leave to one side.
Pour the cream into a saucepan and add the sugar. Heat gently until the sugar is dissolved.
Add the softened gelatine and whisk to make sure it's completely dissolved, and then add the yoghurt and vanilla and stir to combine. Pour into your prepared moulds and leave to set in the fridge. I always allow a good 4 hours if I am unmoulding the panna cottas, but if not you can get away with 2 hours. For peace of mind I do always tend to make them the night before.
For the apricots, this couldn't be simpler. Pop all the ingredients into a pan and bring to the boil. Simmer for just 5 minutes or so until the apricots are lovely and soft and the glaze has reduced. Leave to cool.


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Star Academy FC Granted Full NorCal Acceptance
We did it! After over two years since the inception of Star Academy FC in 2016, we are happy to announce Star Academy FC's full acceptance into NorCal Premier Soccer starting in the Fall of 2018. NorCal is the premier league for youth soccer competition in Northern California. Full acceptance means we'll be growing the Star family with more teams at every age group within NorCal Premier Soccer competitions.
"What Star Academy has been able to accomplish is unique on the Peninsula. The culture we are building has a lot to do with the common values we all share as people at home and outside, the lessons we want to teach, and the surroundings we want to have for happy and healthy lives. We are very happy for the support and partnership of the NorCal Board of Directors and Operations team. We will continue to work hard to contribute positively to our community and NorCal competitions. Personally, I want to thank all of our families and coaches for believing in what we do and trusting in us to develop your children." - Juan Porras, Star Academy FC Director of Coaching
"We are so proud to be supporting this special team of coaches and families and look forward to the next chapter." - Star Academy FC Board of Directors.
Star Academy FC offers the best coaching for teams playing in the US Soccer Development Academy, all NorCal levels, including NPL, Premier, Gold, Silver and recreational programs.


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Hi, I'M NELA
Lamb / Female / Rescued in 2017
I am Nela. I was born to a poor family raising sheep and they once they saw I could not stand up on my own or straighten my legs they surrendered me to SFT. But luckily for me Sally and her team never give up on an animal in need.
When I came to SFT my knees were so swollen, so Moustapha built me a provisional wheelchair to stretch my legs. Then a volunteer called Luca spent hours massaging me and encouraging me to walk. After all that Moustapha and Anissa continued to put hot pads on my knees three times a day. As you can see from the videos above I am doing so well.
x x x
If you would like to become Nela's sponsor and donate £15 a month for her care, please click below.


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Catching the Sunrise at Angkor Wat/
Since this is my first post of 2018, it seems fitting to write about a beautiful and hopeful sight - seeing the sunrise at Angkor Wat!
While visiting Cambodia, many people make the effort to drag themselves out of bed before the crack of dawn to witness a sunrise at Angkor Wat. But is it truly worth it? If you ask me, it really is! Especially as someone who has always wanted to capture this moment on camera. The breathtaking sight was definitely a highlight of my trip to Cambodia. Here are some tips to make your sunrise experience at Angkor Wat go a little smoother!
Before You Go
- Make sure that you get your Angkor pass before the day you are looking to see the sunrise. The ticket office opens at 5:00 a.m., so it would too much of a rush to pick it up the morning of. You'll need to have your ticket with you to enter the Angkor Wat complex.
- Make arrangements for transportation beforehand. Your hotel can likely do this for you so that you aren't scrambling to find transportation early in the morning. They'll also be able to recommend the best time for you to leave from the hotel.
- I think it's best to pay a visit to Angkor Wat before the day you go to see the sunrise to get a lay of the land. This way you can figure out how to enter the complex and get to the reflection pool while it's light out.
- Pack a flashlight, or have your phone with you with the flashlight app downloaded and ready!
The Morning Of
I mentioned that catching the sunrise involves waking up early. It's recommended that you get to Angkor Wat by 5:00 a.m. to get a good spot. We got there at around 5:15 a.m. and snagged one of the few spots remaining by the reflection pool. For us, this meant hopping on a tuk-tuk from our hotel in Siem Reap at 4:45 a.m.
After you get dropped off at the entrance of Angkor Wat, there is a bit of a walk in complete darkness to get to the reflection pool. This is where that flashlight that you packed will really come in handy! The reflection pool seems to be the spot of choice to see the sunrise, since you'll be able to see both the silhouette of Angkor Wat and its reflection on the water with the sun rising behind it. There are two reflection pools when you enter through the Angkor Wat Gateway, facing Angkor Wat - one on the left hand side and one on the right. The one on the left hand side is the one where most of the iconic photos of Angkor Wat sunrises are taken.
Enjoy the view!
Hopefully, you'll have arrived early enough to get a spot right by the water's edge so that you can witness the sunrise without having to look over the heads of everyone else who is there. As serene as these photos may make it look, due to the popularity of this experience, you will likely come across people pushing trying to get a better spot, or if you're small like me, some big camera lenses looming right over your head. But try not to let that get to you and ruin your experience. Appreciate the beauty before you as the colours in the sky change minute by minute, and enjoy the moment!
This post is linked up on Our World Tuesday, and...


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Thanksgiving Weekend Special...
Last years day after Thanksgiving Sale was such a success we decided to have it again! Purchase a gift certificate THIS WEEKEND ONLY (must be purchased by Sunday Nov.30 th at midnight) and receive a 2nd Gift Certificate for the same value for yourself for free! This means purchase a gift certificate for $200.00 for someone and you will get a $200.00 gift certificate for yourself. You can purchase any value amount up to $250.00 to get this deal. Details: Please note that the gift certificate you purchase MUST be for someone in a different household. You can not purchase it for yourself or your husband This is for GIVING to someone special for no reason at all or a christmas present! And to top it off you get a kick back for yourself. Gift Certificates will expire Dec.31, 2009. Limit one gift certificate per household. Gift Certificates are non-transferable. The gift certificates may only be used for FUTURE orders. You can not use them to pay for orders already placed with Bliss Studio.
To purchase: Your welcome to email (firstname.lastname@example.com) or call (541-517-4231) or to make your purchase easy I have put a special "Gift Certificate" gallery on the preview section of our website. Use this link: Gift Certificates…Please note in special instructions who the gift certificate is for.
Happy Black Friday
Please let me know if you have any questions.


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Most people associate the British Isles with cities – London, of course, and then Edinburgh, Manchester etc.
Many miss the multiple areas of outstanding natural beauty in the British Isles – the places where British people go on their holidays! These destinations are now beginning to emerge and are becoming the hottest places to visit in the UK.
Here are our top 6 destinations in the British Isles that are hot to travel to right now.
1. The Lake District
The trend to areas of natural beauty in the UK was kicked off by the announcement earlier this year that the Lakes District was to become a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This stunning region in the North West of England is England's biggest national park and also contains the highest mountain in England Scafell Pike.
The area has been incredibly well loved by the English for centuries and best known for its fantastic walks and ever changing weather!
There are 14 actual lakes in the Lake District, the largest and best known being Lake Windermere. The area is also filled with very cute English villages such as Hawkshead, Keswick and Grasmere.
In addition to walking there are many options to explore the lakes – from traditional boat trips to kayaking, windsurfing, canoeing and much more.
2. Snowdonia
Snowdonia is in the north west of lovely Wales.
The national park contains the second highest mountain in the British Isles, Mount Snowdon. This is an achievable but challenging day hike or you can just take the train to the top! There is a great café there that serves amazing soup!
Conwy is a charming medieval walled town with a castle, town walls to walk and the smallest house in Britain! It is a great town to have a wonder around and stop for a spot of lunch.
Then head to the beautiful Bodnant Gardens. Bodnant covers over 80 acres and has a mix of garden styles – from well sculptured to wild!
This is also a fabulous area for foodies so make sure you stop in to some of the fantastic farmers markets and local restaurants.
3. The Isle of Wight
A ferry from lovely Lymington takes you a short distance over the English Channel to the Isle of Wight.
Time seems to slow down when you get to the island. It is known for its walk, beaches, fish and chips and ice-cream! The most westerly point of the island is home to The Needles, 3 massive white chalk rocks that are very scenic.
There are watersports, cycling, horse riding, golf etc all on offer as well as every type of accommodation.
The island is particularly family friendly but also wonderful for anyone looking to slow down.
The Isle of Wight festival is held every June and features well known bands and musicians. Make sure you book quite a bit ahead if you plan on attending the festival as it is extremely popular.
4. The Isle of Skye
From the calm of the south of England to the wild and rugged north west coast of Scotland! It is now possible to drive to the Isle of Skye over the appropriately named Skye Bridge!
Don't forget to stop and check out Eileen Donan castle before you head over – and you will probably need to stop in again on the way back as the weather will most definitely have changed!
Skye is a magical and wild place.
The weather is a key feature as it is always changing and brings with it incredibly strong winds. It is quite a large island so it is best explored via car. Portree is the main town and a great base.
The Cuillin Hills offer stunning opportunities for walks in the wild landscape. Go with a guide or make sure you know what you are doing with a map as the constantly changing weather can have a big effect on visibility. We recommend this guided tour here.
Perhaps the most scenic drive is the one around the coast line of the most easterly tip of the island.
Here you will encounter everything from the old Man of Storr rock to a Fairy Glen (yes it is supposed to contain fairies!) to Tartan Rock – a rock that looks like, well, tartan!
There will also be a lot of sheep along the way and the view will change from completely clouded over to stunningly clear blue skies. If fairies do exist I am quite sure they would choose to live on the Isle of Skye!
5. The Scilly Isles
The Scilly Isles are perhaps the least well known of the destinations in this article.
This is bound to change once the word gets out as they are a stunning and unique archipelago off the coast of Cornwall. There are 5 inhabited islands and only one allows cars.
There are 2 options to get to the Scilly Isles – a short flight or a longer boat trip.
The boat trip can apparently be quite difficult on the stomach.
The flight could be a tourist activity in its own right! If you get a nice day the views from the plane are jaw dropping. And as the Scilly Isles has one of the mildest climates in the British Isles so the odds of that are quite good!
St Mary's is the biggest island and home to the most shops, restaurants etc. Importantly it is also home to the most boats!
One of the many charming features of Scilly is that boat trips for the day are not announced till that morning – so essentially you wonder down to the port and see what the options are.
There are also boats run between the islands in the evenings that allow you to head over and have a walk, a pub dinner and then catch a boat back. So lovely!
Tresco is the second biggest island and home to the number one tourist attraction of the islands – the glorious Tresco Abbey Gardens.
Due to the unique climate of the Scillys these gardens have more than 20,000 plants from around the world – the majority of which cannot be grown anywhere else in Britain.
The gardens are beautifully sculpted and oh so photogenic!
6. The Norfolk Coast
Norfolk is in the east of England and appears to be best known for being rather flat! This does however give the area that lovely big sky feel and makes for some stunning views.
It is also home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe – particularly Holkham which was made famous in the movie Shakespeare in Love.
This area is best explored by car. It is full of great views, lovely towns, fantastic food and quite a few windmills!
Don't miss the lovely town of Burnham Market – a favourite of weekending Londoners.
Cromer is the home of delicious crab – best enjoyed in a crab sandwich!
Wells by sea is delightful and over on the western side is the lovely beach area of Hunstanton.
Norwich is the closest major city. Although Norwich is a lovely city do head out of it and stay around the coastal area. If you do have some extra time head further each and explore the stunning Norfolk Broads – the marshy home to many boats!
The British Isles offers some stunning places to visit that are currently most frequented by Brits – head over for a different type of holiday!
Ready to fly to the British Isles?
Whilst the British Isles now offer some fantastic eating experiences let's face it the French have had somewhat of a head start!
One of my favourite things about Air France is the fantastic food that is on offer no matter what cabin you are in.
Even better they also serve champagne in all cabins on most intercontinental flights! I doubt a fully qualified wine sommelier chooses the wine on offer on Ryan Air!
The seats feel very luxurious after a few too many trips on budget airlines!
The armrests, seats and even headrest can all be adjusted to make you super comfortable (and there are fleece blankets!) – and there are loads of options available if you want a particular seat in a particular part of the cabin.
Add in a brilliant app and competitive prices and bien sur Air France!
Click here for flight details to your destination in the British Isles.
Plan Your Trip to British Isles
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Analyst | Tutor | Organist
Edward is an ESRC Scholar in International Relations at the University of Oxford, whose research specializes on East Asia and the Korean Peninsula, and an active writer and analyst on East Asian politics. He is also an organist and choral conductor, and tutor, specializing in undergraduate Geography and Politics, and Oxbridge admissions.
Find out more about Edward's research interests, as well as his work as a musician and tutor


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Using the leftovers in my fridge, I came up with another combination for a frittata, this was so yummy.
2 handfuls Kale
2 small tomatoes sliced
4 turkey smoked rashers chopped
3 medium eggs whisked
Goats cheese
50ml milk
Pepper to taste
1. Lightly brown rashers in a pan, approx 5 mins
2. Lightly fry kale in a pan approx 5 mins
3. Put rashers, kale into a shallow oven dish, add sliced tomatoes
4. Whisk eggs with 50ml milk and pour over evenly. Add pepper to taste.
5. Sprinkle goats cheese over.
6. Bake in oven approx 20 mins.


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I've been wanting to make this jig for a long time. Cuts my hollowbody neck block fit time from hours to minutes in two cuts. This test block came out clean. Stoked 👍
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Greg Santore is a Partner and Head of Odgers Berndtson's U.S. Sports Leadership Practice, where he works closely with the Education Practice's collegiate athletics initiatives across all Divisions.
Greg was previously a principal and head of the Sports Leadership Practice at Witt/Kieffer, where he recruited Athletics Directors and coaches for some of the world's most prestigious academic institutions including Yale, University of California at Berkeley, The College of William & Mary, Tufts, and others.
Greg also has experience recruiting executives for sports foundations, national governing bodies and other sports and entertainment-related organizations.
Before starting his career in executive search, Greg held various leadership positions as CEO, COO and President in the orthopedic rehab, sports medicine and technology fields.
Greg received his MBA from Rutgers School of Business and his B.A. from Rutgers University where he is currently an adjunct professor in their Global Sports Business M.S. program.


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PSEs are in a better position to be the partner for government's missions of Make in India, Digital India, Skill India and Swachh Bharat
In the last seven decades, Indian economy has grown over 1,444 times from `94 billion to `136 trillion. Public sector which has played a critical role since independence, has provided continuous momentum to this growth story. It has laid sound industrial and infrastructural foundations, and has helped in attaining technological prowess to place India among the fastest growing global economies.
During the journey, public sector faced many ups and downs. Despite this, the sector showed remarkable resilience and adaptability, proved its mettle by successfully countering rising competition in global market and provided the much needed stability to the country during economic down turns.
Impressive performance of central PSEs (CPSEs) can be judged from the fact that for the last four years, PSEs have been earning a net profit of over `1 lakh crore every year. They have contributed over `2 lakh crore to the exchequer every year from FY14 to FY16. CPSEs registered a turnover of `19,95,716 crore during FY16 which is 13.66% of the GDP. Total investment in 320 CPSEs, of which 244 are operating, is `11,71,844 crore. These had 12.34 lakh employees in FY16.
During the last decade, CPSEs contribution to the exchequer has been `17.87 lakh crore, which is 1.5 times the investment in these enterprises. They have paid `4.34 lakh crore as dividend out of which `2.83 lakh crore has gone to the government. Their payout as taxes and duties has been `14.87 lakh crore, and they have earned a net profit of about `10 lakh crore since FY07. There are seven Indian companies in the Global Fortune 500 list, of these three are CPSEs and one public sector bank.
Public sector is no longer the public sector of yesteryears. Maharatnas, like IndianOil, Oil & Natural Gas Corporation, Bharat Heavy Electricals, NTPC Limited, Steel Authority of India, etc, are world-class CPSEs. Several PSEs like GAIL (India), RITES, Engineers India Ltd, MECON, HPCL, BPCL, NALCO, WAPCOS, etc, are globally competitive and at the forefront of forging joint ventures in setting up subsidiaries abroad and expanding overseas operations.
Many PSEs have over the years, played a vital role in providing the critically needed infrastructure. Coal India, RITES Ltd, Power Finance Corporation, Airports Authority, Bharat Sanchar Nigam, GAIL, PGCIL, Container Corporation are among such PSEs.
In the backdrop of Make in India, CPSEs have given boost to manufacturing, and a thrust to R&D. They have also initiated strategic and innovative approaches towards digitalisation by adapting IT technology, e-auction, e-tendering and procurement, e-recruitment portal, compliant resolution mechanism, etc. These efforts are helping them bring more transparency.
Despite all this, it has become a fashion to spread belief that private sector does better than public sector. No private sector could have ever built the kind of railway network in the country, be it in pre or post independence era, that Indian Railways has been able to do.
But there are some challenges which need to be addressed, on a war footing, to ensure that PSEs perform to their full potential. First, is concerning governance, which has two issues. One is clearly defining role and responsibility of ownership and management, and the second is institution of independent directors. OECD guidelines on corporate governance state that the government should develop an ownership policy. It should define the state's role in governance of state-owned enterprises, its implementation of ownership policy, and the respective roles and responsibility of the officers involved. Such a policy will ensure that PSEs are run in a professional manner and will not cause complexities and uncertainties in taking decisions purely from a professional angle. As owners the main concern of the government should be that PSEs operate and function in a transparent and ethical manner and achieve their set goals, complying with all statutory regulations, and also earn profit besides fulfilling laid down commitments including CSR.
As far as compliance management is concerned, PSEs have adopted constructive mechanism to ensure greater conformity with rising standards of corporate governance. They comply with several rules and regulations under elaborate Parliamentary and government control. They have accountability to other authorities like CAG, CVC and under MOU System, RTI Act and mechanisms required in Companies Act. Over 100 PSEs have also gone an extra-mile by signing Integrated Pact with Transparency International. All these measures, though very beneficial, at times have also undermined performance of PSEs. There is, therefore, need for convergence of these heterogeneous regulatory mechanisms.
Institution of independent directors has emerged as the cornerstone of corporate governance. Absence of requisite number of independent directors on the board has implicated PSEs for not complying with the mandatory requirements of corporate governance. Here, it is important to understand the existing process for appointment, in which PSEs have negligible role. The process being tedious needs to be reformed and simplified.
Corporate social responsibility is an important aspect of corporate governance. PSEs, set up with twin objectives of economic development with social justice have given high priority to the ideals of CSR. Even after liberalisation, their emphasis on CSR has continued, and in fact intensified. According to Prime Database's recent report, during FY16, 920 companies spent `8,345 crore towards CSR. Among them 47 were PSEs, which spent `2,936 crore or 35.2% of the total.
On the CSR front, the challenge before PSEs are concerned with the Board and appointment of independent directors for setting up board sub-committees, which approve allocation of CSR funds. Selection of suitable agency/trust is also important besides creating awareness among employees, shareholders and other stakeholders about the company's efforts towards fulfilling social responsibilities.
Succession Planning is another area of challenge which involves capacity and skill building, motivation, retaining talented employees etc. Capacity building is crucial to fill the knowledge gap at various levels in the organisation and it should be in an ongoing process. Capacity building of the board members and senior managers is critical for sustainable and competitive growth.
PSE Boards have a complex collation of diverse and heterogeneous partners, namely functional directors, government-nominee directors and independent directors. All the three come with different qualifications, possess varied experiences, and working atmosphere/background. An effective orientation programme is required so that they can contribute effectively to the sustainable development of the organisation and various stakeholders.Succession planning and grooming dynamic leaders for top management at strategic positions is another challenging job. To accelerate the process, there is need to develop a cadre of potential candidates and professional executives within a PSE as well as within the public sector.
Today, world over, growth with social equity is the buzz word. Public sector is in an advantageous position in this respect. They have improved their performance by sustained transformation in human resource management, technological advancement, operation management, quality management, etc, incorporating the best corporate governance and CSR practices. Their size and over-arching presence across the country and various sectors of economy place them in a better position to be the partner for government's missions of Make in India, Digital India, Skill India and Swachh Bharat. With government's conducive policy interventions, PSEs can take the country among the league of the developed nations.
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You may base your decision to move to a new place on a pros and cons list or simply decide to trust your gut feeling. But even when you've narrowed down your choices to a single state, you may find you still have plenty of options. In South Carolina, in particular, coastal and inland or even mountainous metro areas can mean completely different lifestyles, requiring a few more choices to wade through before you can finally call a new city in the Palmetto State home.
Regardless of where you finally land in South Carolina, you'll never find your new hometown lacking in Southern flare. With a population of about 5.08 million people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, South Carolina is certainly not the most crowded state in the U.S., but with the 23rd largest population in the country, it's not the least populated, either.
Out of the 125 most populous metro areas in the U.S., four are located in South Carolina. Based on information used to calculate the Best Places to Live in the U.S. ranking – including cost of living, job market, quality of high school education and desirability, among other factors – we've compiled all the details to help you determine which major South Carolina metro area is right for you.
Here are the best places to live in South Carolina:
- Greenville.
- Charleston.
- Columbia.
- Myrtle Beach.
4. Myrtle Beach
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 75
Metro Population: 432,772
Median Home Price: $181,800
Median Annual Salary: $35,650
If a resort town sounds ideal to you, Myrtle Beach may be the right choice. Located on the northern end of South Carolina's coast, Myrtle Beach is at least a 90-minute drive to other major South Carolina metro areas such as Charleston or Columbia. Wilmington, North Carolina, is within reach, too. This area's beach town atmosphere draws in many residents looking for a slower pace. Popular among retirees, Myrtle Beach's median age is 46.5 years. Myrtle Beach is also the fastest-growing metro area by population out of the 125 places on the list. Between 2013 and 2017, the area's population increased by 17.42% due to net migration alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
3. Columbia
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 67
Metro Population: 808,377
Median Home Price: $144,192
Median Annual Salary: $43,840
South Carolina's capital city is centrally located in the state and ranks No. 67 on the overall Best Places to Live list. While Columbia doesn't offer the picturesque landscapes of other metro areas on the list, the relatively low cost of living makes life here much easier. Columbia-area residents spend just 22.5% of the median annual household income on housing, which includes median monthly mortgage payments, median rental payments and property taxes.
2. Charleston
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 45
Metro Population: 744,195
Median Home Price: $246,408
Median Annual Salary: $44,970
Ranking No. 45 on the overall Best Places to Live list, Charleston is a popular vacation destination when warm weather, time on the beach and a little bit of history are on the to-do list. Charleston is best known for its historic homes and cobblestone streets, but the metro area also includes nearby islands such as Kiawah Island, Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms, which all offer resort living and beach access. In a survey of 2,000 U.S. residents that asked where in the country they would prefer to live, Charleston ranked No. 30 out of the 125 most populous metro areas on the list for desirability.
1. Greenville
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 22
Metro Population: 872,463
Median Home Price: $172,067
Median Annual Salary: $43,230
If the coast or state capital don't quite appeal to you, Greenville is an option that will have you living in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The most populous metro area of the four in South Carolina, the Greenville area includes cities like Spartanburg, Anderson, Greenwood and Mauldin. Greenville's lower cost of living also shows how moving inland can reduce housing costs, with area residents spending 21.44% of the median household income on mortgage or rent payments and property taxes .
The Best Places to Live in 2019
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What are the best qualities of your hometown? It may be that it's easy to get around, there are plenty of job opportunities or it attracts new residents every year. To determine the Best Places to Live rankings, U.S. News looks at data on the country's 125 most populous metro areas, including the cost of living, job market, crime rates, quality of education and more. The data is weighted based on the responses from a survey of more than 2,000 people throughout the U.S. to determine what matters most to them when picking their next place to live. Read on for the 25 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2019.
Updated on May 17, 2019: This slideshow was originally published on April 9, 2019, and has been updated to reflect a change to the methodology in the desirability category, which did not affect the overall Best Places to Live rankings.25. Melbourne, Florida
25. Melbourne, Florida
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Metro Population: 568,183
Median Home Price: $198,425
Median Annual Salary: $48,240
After ranking No. 29 in 2018, Melbourne moves up four spots this year, in part due to its rapid growth in population and high-quality high school education. The Quality of Life score for Best Places to Live factors in college preparedness among high school students, access to quality health care, property crime and murder rates, morning commute and overall well-being.24. Salt Lake City
24. Salt Lake City
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Metro Population: 2,399,521
Median Home Price: $324,198
Median Annual Salary: $47,272
Salt Lake City is recognized for its strong job market, ability to attract new residents and overall quality of life. The biggest contributor to the Utah capital's ranking at No. 24 is its affordability. Salt Lake City residents spend just 22.14% of the median household income on housing costs, which includes mortgage payments, rent, property taxes and utilities.23. Portland, Maine
23. Portland, Maine
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Metro Population: 525,776
Median Home Price: $223,367
Median Annual Salary: $48,970
The most populous metro area in Maine may be one of the smaller places in the top 25, but Portland residents are quite happy. Of the 125 most populous metro areas in the U.S., Portland ranks sixth on the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index, which asks residents how they feel about their hometown.22. Greenville, South Carolina
22. Greenville, South Carolina
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Metro Population: 872,463
Median Home Price: $172,067
Median Annual Salary: $43,230
Situated in the mountains of South Carolina, Greenville takes the No. 22 spot on the list. Greenville gets its best score for affordability. Residents of the metro area benefit from having to spend just 21.44% of the median household income on housing expenses.21. Dallas-Fort Worth
21. Dallas-Fort Worth
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Metro Population: 7,104,415
Median Home Price: $248,375
Median Annual Salary: $51,250
The most populous metro area in the top 25, Dallas-Fort Worth's highest score is for population growth due to net migration. The Dallas-Fort Worth area grew by 5.7% between 2013 and 2017 due to net migration alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.20. Charlotte, North Carolina
20. Charlotte, North Carolina
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Metro Population: 2,427,024
Median Home Price: $213,983
Median Annual Salary: $50,150
Moving up two spots from 2018, Charlotte gets its highest score from fast and sustained population growth. The Charlotte metro area grew by 7.06% between 2013 and 2017 due to net migration alone.19. Washington, D.C.
19. Washington, D.C.
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Metro Population: 6,090,196
Median Home Price: $376,767
Median Annual Salary: $69,210
After ranking No. 8 on the 2018 Best Places to Live list, the District of Columbia fell back this year to No. 19. While the nation's capital continues to have a strong job market and high median annual salary, the area's cost of living has increased and net migration slowed between 2013 and 2017. The metro area grew by just 1.88% due to net migration during that time period.18. Sarasota, Florida
18. Sarasota, Florida
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Metro Population: 768,381
Median Home Price: $237,260
Median Annual Salary: $42,680
After ranking No. 34 in 2018, this metro area on the Gulf Coast of Florida jumps 16 spots to No. 18. Sarasota is the third-fastest growing metro area out of the 125 places on the list. Between 2013 and 2017, Sarasota saw a population increase of 13.1% due to net migration.17. Boise, Idaho
17. Boise, Idaho
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Metro Population: 677,346
Median Home Price: $221,475
Median Annual Salary: $43,880
Idaho's capital makes the list with high scores for population growth due to net migration and housing affordability compared with its median annual household income. Boise's lowest score, however, is in desirability among U.S. residents when considering where they would want to live.16. Asheville, North Carolina
16. Asheville, North Carolina
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Metro Population: 445,625
Median Home Price: $248,500
Median Annual Salary: $41,210
Set in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville receives its highest score for desirability, where it ranks 16th out of the 125 most populous metro areas in the U.S. Additionally, the Asheville area grew by 6.16% between 2013 and 2017 due to net migration.15. Nashville, Tennessee
15. Nashville, Tennessee
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Metro Population: 1,830,410
Median Home Price: $248,883
Median Annual Salary: $47,110
Nashville takes the No. 15 spot overall, with many U.S. residents viewing the Tennessee metro area as a desirable place to live. People are also acting on that feeling, as Nashville has grown by 6.88% between 2013 and 2017 due to net migration alone.14. San Jose, California
14. San Jose, California
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Metro Population: 1,969,897
Median Home Price: $1,080,017
Median Annual Salary: $77,180
The capital of Silicon Valley climbs three spots from No. 17 in 2018. With a median annual salary of $77,180 and an unemployment rate of just 2.6%, San Jose continues its reign as the metro area with the strongest job market out of the 125 most populous metro areas in the U.S.13. Grand Rapids, Michigan
13. Grand Rapids, Michigan
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Metro Population: 1,039,182
Median Home Price: $181,533
Median Annual Salary: $44,770
Grand Rapids ranks sixth out of the 125 most populous metro areas in the U.S. for affordability. The western Michigan metro area also scores highly for quality of life, which takes into account the quality of public high school education, commute time, property crime and murder rates and general happiness among residents, per the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index.12. Madison, Wisconsin
12. Madison, Wisconsin
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Metro Population: 640,072
Median Home Price: $247,967
Median Annual Salary: $52,190
Madison takes the No. 12 spot in the Best Places to Live ranking, in large part due to the metro area's job market. Madison residents benefit from a median annual salary of $52,190, which is above the national average of $50,620. The unemployment rate, at 2.2%, is 1.7% better than the national average of 3.9%.11. Huntsville, Alabama
11. Huntsville, Alabama
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Metro Population: 444,908
Median Home Price: $167,300
Median Annual Salary: $53,600
Huntsville is the smallest metro area in the top 25 Best Places to Live. This northern Alabama metro area is the most affordable place to live out of the 125 most populous metro areas in the U.S. and offers a flourishing job market, with many local companies focused on science, technology, engineering and math.10. Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina
10. Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina
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Metro Population: 1,824,266
Median Home Price: $249,294
Median Annual Salary: $53,788
The Raleigh and Durham metro area continues to be an attractive place for people to relocate, thanks to its affordability and job market. Research, technology, education and health care are consistently growing industries in the area.9. Seattle
9. Seattle
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Metro Population: 3,735,216
Median Home Price: $442,333
Median Annual Salary: $63,120
Moving up one spot from 2018, Seattle ranks No. 9 this year thanks to its consistently strong job market and high desirability among U.S. residents as a place to live. The job market contributes to its reputation as a great place to live, with Seattle ranking seventh out of the 125 metro areas on the list for desirability.8. Portland, Oregon
8. Portland, Oregon
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Metro Population: 2,382,037
Median Home Price: $375,425
Median Annual Salary: $55,330
U.S. residents view Portland as a highly desirable place to live, with the city taking the No. 1 spot in that category in a four-way tie with Colorado Springs, Colorado, Honolulu and San Francisco. Additionally, a strong job market and consistent growth in population due to net migration over a five-year period leads to the Rose City's rise in the rankings.7. San Francisco
7. San Francisco
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Metro Population: 4,641,820
Median Home Price: $768,517
Median Annual Salary: $69,700
Ranking No. 20 in 2018, San Francisco jumped to No. 7 this year. San Francisco continues to have a strong job market, and even more U.S. residents are saying they would like to live in the City by the Bay. San Francisco received a perfect score for desirability.6. Minneapolis-St. Paul
6. Minneapolis-St. Paul
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Metro Population: 3,526,149
Median Home Price: $237,367
Median Annual Salary: $56,030
Minnesota's Twin Cities metro area takes the No. 6 spot, continuing its climb up the rankings after scoring No. 9 in 2018 and No. 17 in 2017. A major reason for Minneapolis-St. Paul's jump is the metro area's low cost of living. Area residents spend just 21.5% of the median household income on housing expenses.5. Des Moines, Iowa
5. Des Moines, Iowa
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Metro Population: 623,113
Median Home Price: $178,942
Median Annual Salary: $50,600
Des Moines takes the No. 5 spot this year, with continued growth in its job market, sustained net migration to the metro area and solid quality of life scores. Des Moines also maintains a low cost of living compared to the median household income.4. Fayetteville, Arkansas
4. Fayetteville, Arkansas
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Metro Population: 514,166
Median Home Price: $177,942
Median Annual Salary: $45,830
This fast-growing metro area in Arkansas has long been a strong contender in the Best Places to Live ranking – and this year is no different. A low cost of living compared with household income, strong population growth due to net migration and high quality of life scores all contribute to Fayetteville's No. 4 ranking in 2019.3. Colorado Springs, Colorado
3. Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Metro Population: 698,595
Median Home Price: $286,700
Median Annual Salary: $50,050
At No. 3 in the overall Best Places to Live list, Colorado Springs also shares the top spot for desirability as a place to live among U.S. residents with San Francisco, Honolulu and Portland, Oregon. High marks for college preparedness among high school students and a consistently strong job market help Colorado Springs rank near the top of the list this year.2. Denver
2. Denver
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Metro Population: 2,798,684
Median Home Price: $393,842
Median Annual Salary: $57,400
After taking the No. 3 spot in 2018 behind Colorado Springs, Denver is back in second place in 2019. Denver remains desirable to U.S. residents and has a flourishing job market, but migration to the area has slowed over the last couple years.1. Austin, Texas
1. Austin, Texas
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Metro Population: 2,000,590
Median Home Price: $292,500
Median Annual Salary: $51,840
For the third year in a row, Austin is the No. 1 Best Place to Live in the U.S. The capital of Texas continues to receive interest from the tech industry, contributing to a strong job market and high desirability among Americans as a place to live. Aside from the job opportunities, new residents are attracted to Austin for its eclectic arts and music scene, which are highlighted in the annual South by Southwest festival, which features music, film and television attractions.The Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2019:
The Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2019:
(Getty Images)
- Austin, Texas
- Denver
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Fayetteville, Arkansas
- Des Moines, Iowa
- Minneapolis-St. Paul
- San Francisco
- Portland, Oregon
- Seattle
- Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina
- Huntsville, Alabama
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Grand Rapids, Michigan
- San Jose, California
- Nashville
- Asheville, North Carolina
- Boise, Idaho
- Sarasota, Florida
- Washington, D.C.
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Dallas-Fort Worth
- Greenville, South Carolina
- Portland, Maine
- Salt Lake City
- Melbourne, Florida
Updated on Aug. 28, 2019: This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
She has appeared in media interviews across the U.S. including National Public Radio, WTOP (Washington, D.C.) and KOH (Reno, Nevada) and various print publications, as well as having served on panels discussing real estate development, city planning policy and homebuilding.
Previously, she served as a researcher of commercial real estate transactions and information, and is currently a member of the National Association of Real Estate Editors. Thorsby studied Political Science at the University of Michigan, where she also served as a news reporter and editor for the student newspaper The Michigan Daily. Follow her on Twitter or write to her at email@example.com.
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Here's where you can enter in text. Feel free to edit, move, delete or add a different page element.
<< New text box >>
I am unable to bring my full range of gifts to all events so do feel free to contact me if there is something you are particularly interested in.


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Charities Featured in Welcome
Welcome is a smartphone-enabled communication system that automatically informs the service team of a person's specific needs both in advance and immediately before arrival. It provides the service team with an overview of the person's condition and "top tips" relevant to the initial interaction in advance of their visit. Both the overview and the top tips have been given to us by leading charities in the relevant areas.
Do you have any feedback on the overview and top tips or would like us to add further conditions to the app? Email us at email@example.com.


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I know that the majority of you don't need any reminding that November 1st is officially one week away. Why is that date special? Well, it's the priority deadline for Spring 2013 Bachelors and Associates applicants and the Early Action deadline for Bachelors applicants (except BA/BFA).
What is Early Action and how does it work? It's the option to submit your Bachelors application early and find out months before the regular application folks do. Early Action is also "non-binding," so there is no obligation to attend Parsons if accepted. For more details, check out the Early Action post from last year. If you have some last minute questions about how to prepare a portfolio and the Parsons Challenge, read up on Katie's helpful portfolio tips and watch the Parsons Challenge Tips video. The most important thing is that you include pieces that are uniquely you. We want to see you thinking creatively and executing your ideas.
Good luck!
-by Victoria O'Neill-


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Churchill Consulting is currently seeking a number of self-motivated and results-minded business professionals to join our consulting teams.
When joining Churchill Consulting you will be given the opportunity to make a real impact in transforming WA's leading organisations. You will have the opportunity to gain exposure and real experience across the following areas:
Churchill Consulting's success is primarily due to the quality of our consultants. We offer a stimulating and dynamic team environment and are committed to developing your career.
We can offer the right candidate:
For a confidential discussion about how you could fit into the Churchill team please call our Finance and Administration Manager, Melanie Marai on +61 8 6311 7011 or email to email@example.com.
Alternatively please feel free to submit your CV and cover letter to firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Last year in July, Elle was offered an opportunity to collaborate with Space Rocket Live to film the live performance of three songs. Elle and her Exxterminators ventured to Bucks New University to work with their students Each song would was to be recorded twice, the second being recorded in 'Stereoscopic VR'. This is where you can view a video using immersive VR headsets and you can watch the performance utilising 180°. What makes this even more cool is that the sound is mixed specifically with depth and responds to your movement when the headset is on. The first of 6 videos that has been freshly released is for 'Catapult'. This is the multi-camera version and viewable on all devices.
Next week we'll release the Stereoscopic VR version, giving you time to grab a headset if you don't have one - you can also use cardboard viewers with Youtube VR, so don't fret if you don't have anything like Oculus of PSVR.
Be sure to stay connected to Elle via all the different socials you're on. If you like the video give it a share and Tag Elle Exxe. Spread the Love and build an Army of Exxterminitators, killing it at life!
- LX HQ x


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Blistered Shishito Peppers with Orange Zest are a savory and healthy alternative to traditional bar food.
We recently discovered Shishito Peppers, and we are forever changed. The inspiration for these Blistered Shishito Peppers with Orange Zest came to us from one of our favorite burger and beer joints in the city, Cooper's Craft & Kitchen. We had been noticing Shishito Peppers on menus all over the place, and we could no longer ignore them once one of our favorite haunts started serving them with craft beer.
I have to say that I created this dish mostly for my consumption, as Jackie is not a big fan of peppers in general. She likes the flavor that they give food, but she is not one to eat any kind of pepper (sweet or hot) by itself. Initially I was not sure what to expect. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that these peppers are sweet and quite mild. I found that the flavor of orange and the subtle heat of crushed red pepper created a unique (and very addicting) flavor combination. I even got my pepper-opposed girl to eat a few and admit that they were interesting.
Whatever your opinion of peppers, these babies are worth a shot. They are full of flavor and taste great as a healthy alternative to traditional bar food. They look like they pack a punch, but these Blistered Shishito Peppers are so mild and sweet, they could almost pass as dessert. I recommend a heaping portion with an ice-cold beer (superman cooks style). Cheers!
- 1 quart fresh Shishito Peppers
- 1 orange
- ¼ C red pepper thinly julienned
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes
- 2 Tbsp Olive oil
- coarse salt to taste
- Zest one orange and set aside
- Juice remaining orange (to equal ¼ C) and place in medium mixing bowl. Add crushed red pepper and shishito peppers. Toss to coat
- Preheat oven to 400°.
- Remove peppers from orange juice, place on baking sheet and sprinkle red peppers on top and drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until peppers are blistered.
- Remove from oven and place in serving bowl. Salt and toss with orange zest.
- Serve warm.


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A very interesting interview: James Loeffler, pianist and scholar, discusses how Wagner's antisemitism affected Jewish composers and musicians in Europe (most certainly including the composers in my project).
"James Loeffler is an associate professor of history and Jewish studies at the University of Virginia. He is a trained pianist, ethnomusicologist, and specialist on Jewish classical music. In our latest Voices on Antisemitism podcast, Loeffler discusses German composer Richard Wagner's antisemitism. The influence of Wagner's ideas on Adolf Hitler is well known, but as Loeffler explains, Wagner's antisemitism also adversely affected Jewish musicians in Europe during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. "
Another article that may interest you after listening is this one on Forbidden Music, by Michael Haas, which discusses Mendelssohn, Mahler, Zemlinsky, and Schoenberg with relation to Wagner's legacy.
"Mahler did represent one Wagnerian trait that would be passed on to future generations of Vienna's Jewish composers: he was not a performer on the piano or violin, or indeed, any instrument. Wagner resented the fact that all of the prominent Jewish composers of his day happened to be virtuosi: Meyerbeer, Hiller, Mendelssohn and Rubinstein dazzled as pianists. Indeed, it was the only means by which a Jewish composer could be noticed. Neither Mahler, Schoenberg or Schreker claimed to be more than competent on any particular keyboard or stringed instrument. Zemlinsky was a marvellous pianist but this was not his means of establishing his compositional credibility. This sea change is important as all of these composers developed a uniquely fine ear for the 'distant sound' that defined fin de siècle musical Vienna."


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Before completing any paperwork you must schedule an appointment!, please call us at (913) 353-4802 to book your appointment, after this appointment is confirmed please choose from the following options to complete your paperwork:
Option 1 : Submit your paperwork electronically
After you have made your appointment you can log in here: (New Patient Forms) and complete your paperwork electronically. Your information will automatically update to your patient chart and you will be ready to review and sign the completed documents once you arrive at Kansas Dental Center.
Option 2 : Fill out forms once you arrive at Kansas Dental Center
If you choose to fill out your new patient forms the day of your visit, please arrive twenty minutes early to allow extra time to complete the check-in process. Upon arrival you will be provided with an iPad to fill out and sign your documents.
Cancellation and Reschedule Policy
Please note: Kansas Dental Center does not double book appointments, your appointment is reserved one-on-one time with the doctor and staff. If your schedule has changed please honor our 48 hour cancellation policy and give us a call at (913) 353-4802 to reschedule. If 48 hours notice is not given your account will be charged a $50.00 cancelation fee for appointments during regular business hours (8am-4pm) or $100.00 for late or weekend appointments (5pm-7pm or Saturdays).


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Minerva Bernardino/
Minerva Bernardino born Seibo, Dominican Republic May 7, 1907 (d. 1998). One of four women who signed UN Charter 1945; responsible for Charter's words: ''to ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms without discrimination against race, sex, condition or creed.'' Insisted on words "Free Human Beings" in UN Covenant on Human Rights. (photo mbernardinofoundation.org)


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Elegance Gloves for Adult Mechanical & Electric Hands
- Fits all adult Bock-style mechanical & electric hands
- Suitable for Select Electric hands offered by LTI
- Suitable for Mechanical hands offered by LTI
- Available in 4 adult hand sizes
- Extra long 25 (645mm) to cover entire forearm
- Available in both PVC and silicone
- Silicone Tufsil 3 for maximum durability
- Stain resistant silicone easy to clean
- Available in 19 skin tones
Following the successful launch of SKINERGY Leg Covers and responding to clinical requests, the ELEGANCE range of silicone and PVC gloves were introduced. Elegance gloves are designed to fit over the inner shells of Bock-style mechanical and electric hands from all manufacturers. For example, the adult mechanical and electric hands offered by LTI all use Elegance gloves. Unlike most cosmetic gloves for prosthetic hands, these gloves are extra long (about 25), thus covering the entire forearm for outstanding cosmeses. For trans-humeral and elbow disarticulation prostheses the glove can be trimmed at the elbow fold and the remaining proximal portion used to form a discontinuous cosmesis. Elegance gloves are offered in 19 colors to closely match the skin tone of the user. These gloves are offered in both PVC and silicone.
Elegance - PVC:
Elegance - PVC gloves provide a cost-effective solution for most mechanical and electric hands that will cover prostheses fitted with adult Otto Bock-style mechanical and electric hand system hands. PVC has proven to be relatively good for abrasion and tear resistance. If stain resistance is important to the user, then Elegance - Silicone gloves should be considered.
Elegance - Silicone:
Elegance Silicone gloves use Tufsil 3?, an innovation polymer technology. These gloves offer the toughness associated with PVC but provide the ease of cleaning provided by silicone. In addition, Tufsil 3? allows additional stretch, thus reducing the energy expended by the hand motor each time it opens. Properties of this polymer include improved tear resistance proven by clinical evaluations and up to 15% stretch to allow even bulbous sockets to be accommodated. These gloves are easy to fit and remove, allowing quick access to the hardware for maintenance and adjustment. They are simple to keep clean using soap and water.
Elegance gloves are available for each size Bock-style adult hand (7, 7¼, 7¾ & 8¼) and are offered in a variety of skin tones as well as gender (for the 7¼ & 7¾ hands, Elegance gloves are offered in female/male or female/youth). To select the appropriate glove color for the patient, use the RSLSteeper color swatches (E24658). If you need assistance, contact LTI at 800-437-0024 or at email@example.com.


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DETROIT - We had the bright idea of asking everyone to identify the worst roads in Metro Detroit during this pothole season.
What we found out after an overwhelming amount of responses is that the entire region is heavily potholed -- it's all pretty bad. Trying to identify the worst roads has become futile.
But you already know this.
So let's flip this around: Where are the BEST roads in Metro Detroit?
These might be a bit easier to identify -- or maybe not. Personally, I can't think of a "best" road on my commute. It seems like new, massive potholes are popping up each morning. And if you're like me and get an early start to your day before the sun comes up, you don't see the potholes, you just feel them.
There must be at least one stretch of road on your commute that's a bit friendlier to your wheels.
RELATED: 8 Michigan things to fill Michigan potholes with this season
If you by chance have a photo of a stretch of "good" roads -- send it to me here: firstname.lastname@example.com.
Copyright 2018 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.


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Blog about fun facts (facts of the day, every day), travel, life in Spartanburg South Carolina, video game reviews, movie reviews, TV shows reviews, anime, politics (I'm a Democrat), atheism and agnostic thought, and much more.
Monday, December 12, 2016
Fact of the Day: Tokyo Tower
10 comments:
That... I knew. And it's one ugly tower, I tell ya, Adam. Reminds me of that Tin Tin rocket.ReplyDelete
Never heard of this.ReplyDelete
Sure sticks out like a sore thumbReplyDelete
It's the first time I've heard about this!!ReplyDelete
We went up the Tokyo Tower when we were in Japan! The new #1 tallest structure was not yet open to public attendance then.ReplyDelete
Didnt godzilla knock it over ? Well he did in the original Japanese movie!ReplyDelete
I wish they'd come up with a more unique design.ReplyDelete
I've never heard of itReplyDelete
I went up the tower in 1969. The view was then terrific over the city of Tokyo. You could even see right out to the then International Airport - Harenda - Tokyo now has one of the biggest and cleanest International airports in the World - Narita.ReplyDelete
I don't believe that the Japanese had any intention to outdo the magnificent Eiffel Tower of Paris.


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The problem is, I am tired of going to Bulgaria to make movies ... I'm even tired of going to Vancouver. I want to be able to drive from the set to Neyland Stadium on Saturday morning.David Keith
FameRank: 6
"David Lemuel "Davey" Keith" is an United States/American actor and Film director/director. He received Golden Globe Award/Golden Globe nominations for Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture/Best Supporting Actor and Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actor/New Star of the Year – Actor for his performance in An Officer and a Gentleman. His performance led him to a lead role status in the 1980s appearing the film adaptations of The Lords of Discipline (film)/The Lords of Discipline, Firestarter (film)/Firestarter and White of the Eye (film)/White of the Eye.If you enjoy these quotes, be sure to check out other famous actors! More David Keith on Wikipedia.


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In the Winery - Art versus Science in the Wine Lab/
How wine is made is a mystery to many people. When looking into our processing facility, we often hear comments like "that's where the magic happens." In reality, wine processing is more like "where the science happens." But to my dismay, it's not all science. There is art involved in wine-making, and as a mathematician by training, art is not my forte. Thankfully, I am able to apply science right up to the final stages of processing, but that's where for me, things get a little dicey. Let's take a look at two white wines which will be released this summer...Riesling and Summer White...to see how they are similar and how they are different.
Grapes harvested at the peak of ripeness are the perfect fruit from which to make wine. There is enough natural sugar and enough water that neither of these need to be added. Pitch some wine yeast along with some nutrients, and voila...fermentation produces wine from grape juice. In the wine lab, three of the components we test in ripe grapes are pH, titratable acidity, and sugar level. To a winemaker, sugar level is not an indication of sweet wine vs dry wine. Sugar level is all about potential alcohol. Yeast converts sugar to ethanol, and a large percentage of sugar is needed to produce ethanol in the 12-14% range. This is generally an easy number to hit provided grapes are harvested when they are ripe.
Titratable acidity and pH, however, are more of a moving target. As mentioned above, we are currently putting the finishing touches on our Riesling and Summer White wines. The grapes that produce these wines have some things very much in common, like sugar level. But their pH and acidity levels differ dramatically. Because our Riesling grapes tend to have a moderate pH and low acidity, we can produce a dry or semi-dry wine from them. Why is this? Because a dry wine that is high in acidity will taste sour. Wines that are high in acidity need some residual sugar for balance. A crisp finish is nice in a drier wine, but a tart, sour finish is not. Since our Riesling tends to have low acidity, we are comfortable keeping this wine on the drier side.
The grapes for Summer White, however, tend to have much higher acidity and very low pH. The grapes varieties in Summer White are Brianna and Frontenac Gris, both grown right here at River Bend. Our cool climate produces grapes with higher acidity than say, grapes from the Napa Valley. It is because of this that wines made from cool climate grapes are often sweeter. The higher acidity must be balanced with residual sugar so the wine is not too tart but has a pleasant, fruity finish. The challenge...and the art...is just how sweet is perfectly sweet for a given amount of acidity. Too much residual sugar is just as bad as too little, making the wine flat or cloying. We strive for a moderate level of sweetness that still leaves a clean finish on the palette.
For me, this is the tricky part, and we make this decision based solely on taste (art) and not on numbers (science). It sounds pretty fun to taste wine all day to get the sweetness level just right, doesn't it? We actually agonize over this process, because we want all of our wines to be approachable and balanced. At the end of the day, the palette of our customer is the final judge on whether or not we hit our mark.
Once we finish up in the wine lab, we'll be heading back outside to check on the vineyard. Bud break has occurred, and we are about to see tiny little flowers and grape clusters emerging. Exciting! Do stay tuned.


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PASSPORT Information Fairs/
Interested in learning more about Passport Funding? Now is your chance!
With the recent release of Passport funding to more people in Wellington and Dufferin Counties, many people have questions: What is Passport Funding? What is PassportONE? What can I use my funding for? What is involve din self-administering my Passport funding?
Join Passport Community Developer Karenda Carpenter to get all of your questions answered.
August 1st - Guelph
August 8th - Fergus
August 15th - Orangeville
August 22nd - Mount Forest
August 29th - Harriston
Check out the FLYER for all the details, or call Karenda directly at 226-314-1126.


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Where Do I Go Now?: Reflecting on My Early-Career Executive Director Transition
I always knew that I wanted to be a leader. I wanted to build great programs and impact lives. I was driven by my passion for innovation, desire for system changes, comfort with challenging the status quo, and love of creativity. So during the recent economic boom in Alberta many young people, like me, saw an opportunity and seized it. In pursuit of my mantra, "be the change you want to see in the world", I became the executive director for a small nonprofit in Fort McMurray at the age of 26.
The role offered many rewards, but it was fraught with challenges. It is best summed up by The Editors at Nonprofit Quarterly in the article, "Life 'at the Top': Reflections on Being a Young Executive",
"You are the one who completes all necessary tasks." In my case, I soon found that I was responsible for creating and setting budgets, cleaning out rain gutters, organizing fundraisers, negotiating contracts, navigating complex staff personalities, fixing the dishwasher, compiling statistics, understanding every charity regulation or law, completing payroll, paying bills, creating policies, navigating renovations…and the list goes on."
Throughout my career I have lead several organizations and I've experienced many of the challenges faced by executive directors; whether it's managing multiple personality types, sometimes driven by ego, navigating the pervasive politics of partnership development, or constantly striving for sustainability. At 28, I was managing a team of 16 employees with an annual budget of $2 million. Having to raise $2 million annually was exhausting. This, coupled with a sense of isolation can lead to burnout, prompting many executive directors, like me, to leave the role or the sector altogether.
At 36 I decided to transition out of the role. The greatest gift but biggest challenge of this transition was asking myself, "what do I do now?". My first thought was to look to the sector for a new role. I soon found out that the opportunities were not there for me. I discovered that only by downplaying my experience did opportunities become available. Former executive directors are perceived to be overly qualified for staff positions, even if that's the route they wish to take in their career.
I took a leap of faith and started consulting with an arts organization through a model I call, "immersive consulting". The way my practice unfolded was exactly what I was looking for, leading me down the path to consulting and coaching.
However, being an executive director had been central to my identity. Rebecca Fishman Lipsey sums it up best in her article, "No One Told Us! The Unspoken Challenges of Being an Executive Director",
"As an ED, you can never truly "let go" because you represent something that is bigger than yourself, and your actions are tied to an entity whose reputation is yours to protect. The line between personal and professional blurs, and it can be hard to tell which relationships are authentically yours, and which are tied to your work."
After I transitioned out of the role I was faced with a sort of identity crisis. I was asking myself, "who am I?". Everything I thought I was had changed overnight. I could no longer be defined by my job. I took the opportunity to reflect on my skills, talents, strengths, experiences and who I wanted to be, and reinvented myself.
Loss is a recurring theme when we talk about transitions. We lose opportunities and lose parts of our identity. But nothing is as bad as losing our friends. The life of an executive director can be isolating. Often, we will rely on other executive directors for support. When you leave the role, you can end up leaving so many of your relationships behind, whether you want to or not.
We often characterize transformations and transitions in our sector as metamorphosis. We are a sector about creating change. I was an executive director for 10 years and what I learned in that time was invaluable. I have taken that learning and coupled it with my coaching skills and now I have the unique privilege of serving and supporting executive directors, boards and staff teams to provide the best possible services to communities in need.
Our career paths in the nonprofit sector may have twists, turns, successes and disappointments but if we remember who we are, focus on our strengths and still feel that call to be of service, we may be able to find or create the right opportunities for ourselves.
This blog was written for Peel Leadership Centre.


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Sunday 07/14/2019
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
G.L.O.C. the Mic with the Gorgeous Ladies of Comedy! We're gorgeous inside, and might not be ladies, but this female and non-binary-focused open mic is open to all and all about fun. Come support your peers, try out some new material or land in a safe space to try stand-up for the first time.
Comics get between 3-5 minutes. Only 15 people get up at this mic so show up early to sign up.
This show is free to the public.
Thank you for supporting The Ruby LA and ensuring a safe space for the comedic voices of underrepresented folks!