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Score Breakdown based on
59 Reviews
5 on May 12, 2016
This is a Bed & Breakfast with heart & soul. They really care about your stay from the special welcome and the special attention to the breakfast menu, to the tasteful rooms and genuine friendliness. Warm & Intelligent hospitality, both in generous quantities - we all felt right at home. Thanks so much Penny & Adrian, you were the highlight of our trip. (I'd recommend getting an evening meal - it was fabulous!)
5 on September 17, 2015
We enjoyed the endless hospitality at Maison Maurice for a couple of days. As from the very first warm "welcome" from Penny and Molly, we felt at home. The house is restored with so much love for history and passion for details. The garden gives you a nice opportunity to rest an enjoy the results of all the efforts our hosts put into it. Every thing so clean and calm. The breakfast was prepared and served with a lot of passion for the good and local ingredienses, blended with a gentle touch of British tradition. All together Maison Maurice is more than worthwile visiting. Vibeke Husbond, Copenhagen, DK
5 on August 30, 2015
Another very enjoyable stay at this amazing chambre d'hote. Everything is of an exceptionally high standard offered in a totally relaxed way. Your hosts go above and beyond what one might expect of any 'b&b' with first class breakfast served in the surroundings of a beautiful garden and amazing dinners. Can't wait to return....
5 on June 17, 2014
The food (breakfast and dinner) is outstanding and would not look out of place in a top London restaurant or Hotel. The hosts truly make the Chambre d'hote what it is, always there to help you have a memorable stay. My wife and I have been several times and each experience has been unique and got better and better each time. I love the fact I can relax when I stay and enjoy great company, food, wine and champagne. If you haven't been you must go to this beautiful little paradise in rural France.
5 on September 30, 2013
There should be an 'Extra Special' Category, because this is just that. Penny and Adrian provide exceptional accommodation and food, but they then enhance that with themselves, as they provide an exceptional level of hospitality and warmth. Vey highly recommended, if you want a high standard of accommodation, food and hospitality.
5 on August 25, 2013
We were flying into to Jonzac to meet friends. No accommodation available there and Penny's and Adrian's B&B was the result, found by chance. What a find. Absolutely outstanding quality in their home but very relaxed.Hardly fair to refer to this as a "B&B". So much more than that. Food was prepared specifically and to a quality using local produce. We joined a happy gathering in the garden .Nothing was too much trouble. All so much of what makes a good short break. Pons Airfield nearby so no excuse not to be back
5 on July 22, 2013
Maison Maurice was the second leg of our holiday in the South West of France. Penny and Adrian made us most welcome from the minute we arrived. The location is perfect whether one wants to spend a day at the beach or a quiet walk in the vineyards or indeed a "degustation" at the nearby Cognac Distillery. Penny and Adrian were the perfect hosts, pampered us and armed us with lots of information for things to do in the region. The house was delightful, the food exquisite and the company most charming. When we next visit the region Maison Maurice will be on top of our list, we only hope that they will put up with our demanding ways.
5 on July 22, 2013
This is my first review on bedandbreakfast.com - I felt compelled to write after having had such a good stay with Penny and Adrian. The rooms were immaculate, the food excellent and, despite the great reviews, our expectations were still exceeded. Our visit was extremely relaxing and nothing was too much trouble for Penny and Adrian. They told us that their aim was to create a house/dinner party kind of atmosphere where guests felt more like friends than paying visitors and I certainly think they have achieved that. From the welcome with a cold drink in the garden to pre dinner drinks, a delicious four course meal and coffee, lots of help with how to best spend our one day in the region, a lift back from the local cognac distillery, hand written directions for the best route for the next leg of our journey south and refreshed water bottles for the drive, they were great hosts and deserve every success.
4.8 on June 27, 2013
A sign inside the door welcoming us by Cristian name was the first indication that we had arrived at somewhere special and so our stay proved. Maison Maurice is the definitive luxury B & B in France. Penny and Adrian are superb hosts with extremely high standards. We arrive as welcome guests and leave as committed friends
5 on May 27, 2013
Excellent place to stay when travelling from ferries to Southern France or Spain. Just a short distance from the motorway from St Malo to Bordeaux, with easy to follow instructions from the motorway. Adrian and Penny are warm and welcoming hosts. The food we sampled was excellent, both tea, supper and breakfast were superb with local and home-made produce. The accommodation is warm and comfortable with 'special welcoming touches'. The decor is stylish, very well thought out and decorated to a very high standard. We felt as though we were treated as old friends who had dropped by to stay for a few days and despite the single night booking were given greatly appreciated advice on routes and things to do and see in the surrounding area. This high quality B&B is an excellent choice whether for a single night stopover or a longer stay while exploring this most interesting area of France. Thoroughly recommended
5 on May 19, 2013
Even a brief stay at Maison Maurice will reveal why it has been rated as one of the top ten B&Bs in the international category. The attention to detail in every aspect of the accommodation reflects the high standard that Penny and Adrian set themselves whilst still providing a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Just the garden itself is worth a visit and the dinners equally delightful! If you are anywhere in the area seek out this hidden gem - you will not be disappointed.
5 on November 12, 2012
Amateur travellers in France myself and my partner pre-booked 3 B&B's to break up the journey down to Languedoc. We had no recommendation to go on bar what we read in various internet sites. Maison Maurice was the second of those selected B&B's and it turned out to be a total winner. The house is a peaceful haven with superbly renovated bedrooms - each of which has a different theme. The rooms are of a good size with individual modern en suite bathrooms. They share some features like beautiful oak beams and are peaceful, cool places for resting up after a long day. The house is set in its own gardens which during sunny periods offer the guest the chance to sit out and have breakfast or take some sun whilst reading a book. The best part of Maison Maurice however is not the building or its interior (excellent and all as those are) - it is the hosts Penny and Adrian who make the thing complete. They are a bubbly energetic couple with many years experience in stressful careers left behind to take on this challenge of running a B&B in France. And boy do they do it well. Prepare to be spoilt - the food - breakfast and dinner - were superb and presented with excellent wines - Rose, white and red. We recommend you try the local Pineau - a pre dinner drink which Adrian introduced us to and we took away 6 bottles back to Ireland!! The walks around the house - through the vines and the fields of sunflowers are beautiful. Our initial visit was so pleasant I called into Penny/Adrian on my way back from Languedoc and enjoyed that stay as much as the first trip. We are already planning our return in 2013. If you are anywhere near Biron then do yourself a favour - divert to Maison Mauirce - you will not be disappointed.
5 on October 05, 2012
We really enjoyed our few days stay with Penny and Adrian from the warm welcome, lovely room and excellent breakfasts and dinners, they made us feel at ease in their beautiful home. Nothing was too much trouble and their knowledgeable advice of areas to visit made for an excellent stay. Thoroughly recommended and having left as friends hope to return in the future.
5 on September 21, 2012
We cannot fault anything about our stay at Maison Maurice other than to say we wished it was for longer. By far the best B&B of our French holiday. The accommodation was characterful & classy. The attention to detail was lovely from the sprig of fresh lavender on our pillow to the colourful little flowers on the fruit at breakfast. We had the most memorable fine dining experience in the garden on a beautiful evening. The wine flowed (many thanks to Adrian) & Penny's food was exquisite. Breakfast was also one to remember including delicious homemade preserves & banana cake & I must not forget the fresh figs from the tree in the garden (we were also given a generous supply to bring home) Adrian & Penny are fantastic hosts & we can't wait to return
5 on September 16, 2012
Thank you Penny and Adrian (and Molly the dog!) for another lovely break. We visit Maison Maurice at least once a year on our way down from the UK to the south or back. Our two young children invariably cheer when we get to the village because they know they are going to be spoilt rotten by these lovely people, who go out of their way to make sure everyone in the family is well looked after. For that reason, the children tend to behave very well meaning we can really relax. All the rooms are spotless and tastefully decorated and the garden a gorgeous oasis of calm where, if you visit in summer, you can enjoy an alfresco breakfast or dinner. We go for walks and visit the local beaches but always try to get back for dinner at Maison Maurice because Penny really is a fab cook. I always come away with a few new recipes written down and sometimes cuttings from the garden. An excellent B&B. Highly recommended. Whoever you are and whatever your circumstances I can guarantee Penny and Adrian will make you feel welcome.
5 on September 10, 2012
A group of 8 of us arrived at Maison Maurice on 08/09/12 while touring around France. Adrian and Penny turned out to be the most amazing hosts, nothing was too much trouble, Our rooms were tastefully decorated and spotlessly clean. Dinner was delicious, Penny is a fantastic cook. Our stay with them was easily the best of our holiday. Excellent value for money. We will certainly return there again, A Fantastic stay, Thank you to Adrian and Penny , look forward to staying with you again, Maeve and Dennis
5 on August 13, 2012
My girlfriend and I just spent 3 nights at Maison Maurice - From the first minute Adrian and Penny were welcoming and very attentive to our every need. The beautiful farmhouse boasts a wonderful traditional feel with comfortable, large rooms with modern en-suite. Penny does a superb breakfast with homemade preserves, yogurts, fresh fruits and breads. Adrian and Penny provided us with lots of helpful local info, they were kind enough to spend time giving us directions to local restaurants and beaches. We also loved the company of their lovely little dog Molly - a great 'doggy fix' for us as we were missing our own dog at home! A thoroughly enjoyable stay - we couldn't recommend Maison Maurice more! Looking forward to our next visit. Chris & Chloe
5 on July 26, 2012
We stayed with Penny and Adrian in Maison Maurice at the end of June for one night while en route from Dublin to the Sud. We were welcomed and given (pre booked) a fantastic evening meal by Penny even though we were very late arriving there due to a long delay outside Nantes. The rooms were spotless and the beds so comfortable we sleep like babies. Breakfast was served in their wonderful English style garden and Penny was on hand to lay on a wonderful spread once again.Fresh croissants and crusty bread with a great selection of homemade preserves . Definitely recommend this B&B it really is outstanding in every category.
5 on July 21, 2012
We spend our holidays every year in Chambres d'Hotes in France. This year, we have been in a jewel: Quality, Kindness, Value for Money, Reliability and Extraordinarity like care during our sick days. The kitchen of Maison Maurice let us forget the restaurants. Dining was completed by the English humour of Penny and Adriand, and the singing dog (Molly). We met very friendly other guests from Italy and Lithuania and had also very friendly contacts on the markets and the concerts with the people from Poitou-Charentes. We had always time to retire and we could relax very well. The coast gave us great possibilities for sports like walking. We'll come back surely. Thank you very much Penny and Adrian - and Molly.
5 on July 17, 2012
Everything was just perfect, Penny and Adrian know how to make your stay wonderful, I think a dinner is a must, if you stay at Maison Maurice. With the best wishes from Lithuania, Jurate
5 on July 09, 2012
Abbiamo trascorso 2 giorni indimenticabili. I titolari sono molto cordiali e disponibili per qualsiasi consiglio durante il soggiorno nella loro casa. Lo raccomandiamo a tutti coloro che hanno intenzione di visitare la regione del Cognac.
5 on July 09, 2012
Felt like winning a lottery! THE place to stay!!! We crashed in on a very short notice 3 years ago with a giant dog (which Molly the tiny dog didn't mind at all) and everything at Maison Maurice was simply PERFECT! They really make you feel right at home: the house and the rooms are a treat, so comfortable and tastefully furnished, the garden just calls for relax and the food exceeds a 5-star hotel, especially when served outside... what more could you ask for? Definitely coming back, sooner or later. Penny and Adrian, you guys are the best!
5 on June 26, 2012
We spent two nights at Maison Maurice with Penny and Adrian and cannot find fault with anything! All was so clean and characterful, beautiful bedrooms with very good bathroom and the food we had (one evening meal and two breakfasts) was excellent, particularly the dinner. They are both excellent cooks. Easy to find if you follow the website instructions but might be a little more difficult at night. Thank you, we shall return if possible. Love to Molly the dog!
5 on June 12, 2012
We were looking forward to a few days of peace and tranquillity, with friendly hosts, and Maison Maurice did not disappoint, comfortable exceeding our expectations. Penny and Adrian are the perfect couple to run this charming Chambre d'hote, which is set in a beautiful rural location. Attentive yet discreet, friendly and professional, they really know what they are doing. Nothing was too much trouble and the food was outstanding, while the wine positively flowed. We returned very refreshed, sadly over too quickly. We will definitely be returning. Thank you very much .
5 on May 15, 2012
Great home which Penny and Adrian share with their guests. Attention to detail and great furnishings. Fantastic food and wine. Lovely garden and warm weather. What more can one ask for?!! Highly recommended.
5 on January 06, 2012
My wife and I stayed at Maison Maurice for 4 days in April 2011. We were warmly welcomed by Penny & Adrian. The bedrooms were immaculate with beautiful decor, comfortable bed and spotlessly clean. We enjoyed 2 gourmet evening meals in the company of our hosts and other guests - delicious food and very enjoyable repartee. The selection of homemade breakfast jams still lingers on the taste buds. Penny & Adrian could not have been more helpful and attentive to our needs. They gave expert guidance about where to visit and what to see in the area and also supplied bicycles for local excursions in this lovely wine growing region. We look forward to a return stay in 2012.
5 on December 15, 2011
We recently enjoyed a lovely weekend in the Cognac region with our base at Maison Maurice with warm and welcoming hosts Penny and Adrian. The B&B is tastefully decorated, spotlessly clean and we had a very comfortable bed for a perfect nights sleep. Our bathroom was a delight, again beautifully styled, lovely shower, my only slightly negative comment is that an extractor fan would make it perfect. Breakfast was delicious, love the yoghurts and fruit compotes and the very generous servings and variety of breads and home made conserves and teas to suit our tastes. Both Penny and Adrian are excellent hosts. We did however find that the location was not ideal for finding by google maps so it took us a long time to find Maison Maurice on the first night, so use their instructions provided on the Maison Maurice website. Local recommendations for places to visit were helpful. Highly recommended offering good value for money.
5 on November 17, 2011
A perfect haven of peace and calm awaits you at this exceptional Chambre d'hote. Attentive but unobtrusive hosts, Penny and Adrian go out of their way to ensure your stay - however long or short - will be memorable; you will not want to leave and you will certainly want to return. Rooms are of a very high standard, the food is exceptional, the garden delightful. Seek it out - you will not be disappointed.
4.4 on November 09, 2011
Perfect location for a driving tour around the Cognac region. Hosts were very helpful in recommendations of what to visit, and called to arrange Cognac distillery visit. We had dinner at the B&B and the meal was superb and the hospitality wonderful. Friendly dog helped make you feel right at home. Highly recommended - we would definitely stay there again.
4.8 on September 29, 2011
Nothing quite tends to live up to expectations when one is recommended a good restaurant or hotel by a friend or acquaintance. Or so it seemed to us, until we visited this delightful bed and breakfast in the Charente-Maritime. We both needed a rest from an exhausting work schedule and the children were straight away taken off our hands to see the rabbit farm across the road and to play with Molly, the little dog who lives with Adrian and Penny, the ever-so-friendly hosts in Maison Maurice. Every detail is taken care of for your stay and home-made just about everything is on offer at breakfast time - cakes, jams, pastries - all delicious and particularly so when served in the beautiful gardens. The rooms are straight out of a fairy tale - high oak beams and tasteful furnishings chosen with great care by Penny who used to be a home designer. The beds are so delightfully comfortable that I could not help asking where they had been bought! Adrian will talk you through all aspects of your visit to the region with suggestions for restaurants, cafes and where and when to find the best village or town markets. We arrived back very late one night but instead of being met with a ticking-off we were made to feel completely at home, with a cup of hot chocolate and biscuits! The next time that we thought we may be arriving late Penny simply gave us a key. We will be returning very soon to Maison Maurice and, although I am sure everyone who visits feels this way, we look forward to seeing the couple who started out as our hosts but ended up as our friends. Wish you were here? Well so do we - right now!
4.6 on September 25, 2011
We found Maison Maurice by accident online, while looking for B&B's in the area. We planned on just staying one night but enjoyed it so much we stayed for two. Penny and Adrian were wonderful hosts and very welcoming. They were able to make recommendations regarding local sights, restaurants and tours which were all very good. The local Pineau is highly recommended! We were sorry we couldn't stay longer and will definitely recommend it and plan to return if travelling in this area again!
4.8 on September 19, 2011
What a find! Within 5 minutes of arriving we were sitting in the lovely garden with cold beers relaxing. Penny and Adrian pay attention to every detail; the rooms are beautifully decorated and comfortable and the breakfast was excellent. We particularly enjoyed the homemade preserves and Penny kindly sent us off with a bag full of figs from her own tree when we left. The Girardots deserve to do well.
5 on September 13, 2011
Penny and Adrian were amazing hosts. They were full of great ideas of things to see and do in the area. Every tip they provided was a gem. They helped us plan and organize our sight seeing. The Maison Maurice dinner was the best meal we had in the 6 week trip. It was outstanding. The quality was excellent, and the setting was ideal. We would definitely return here and will recommend it to our friends.
4.0 on September 13, 2011
très joli jardin, chambres décorées avec goût jusque dans le moindre détail. Penny et Adrian connaissent parfaitement la région et donnent de très bons conseils. Merci
4.0 on September 12, 2011
This was our third visit (8th Sept) to Maison Maurice and, at very VERY short notice, on our way back from our house in the South, we were thrilled that Penny and Adrian could accommodate us! The welcome was as good as always and although they had a prior dinner engagement that night, Penny booked us a table at a nearby restaurant but not before inviting us for an aperitif in their lovely garden. When we came back from dinner we were invited for a 'night cap'. I don't know anywhere else where you would be given that kind of welcome! The breakfast with all the homemade jams,etc was fantastic! Thanks again Penny and Adrian. See you next year!!
5 on August 31, 2011
We have stayed at Maison Maurice 3 times and each time the experience has been fantastic. From the moment we arrive, with the lovely welcome glass of wine,through to the fantastic dinners and wonderful rooms our time there is always far too short. Penny and Adrian are attentive and entertaining hosts and their attention to detail is exceptional. Our holidays to France would not be complete without staying with them.
5 on July 24, 2011
From the moment we drew up with our three young children at Maison Maurice we were made to feel utterly at home and relaxed. Adrian and Penny are the most fantastic hosts - their warmth, hospitality and local knowledge are amongst many things that set them and their beautiful house apart from anything else. The rooms are beautifully decorated, each with an ensuite. The food (including a selection of delicious home made jams!) was delicious. Penny and Adrian went out of their way to ensure that we, and our children, had a relaxed and memorable stay. Molly, the singing dog, will be talked about by our children for many years to come! We cannot thank them enough and would thoroughly recommend Maison Maurice to anyone.
5 on July 18, 2011
Maison Maurice is a lovely old house situated in the countryside near Pons. The house is beautiful renovated and very well maintained. Spotless rooms with a nice bed and comfortable bedroom. The little village is peacefull and quiet. The owners are very friendly people who will welcome you as good friends. They serve delicious food prepared by Penny who's hobby is cooking. Adrian will serve you the best whine from the region. With the little old town of Pons, the beautiful countryside and the big city of Bordeaux nearby the area gives you a lot of possibilities. Maison Maurice is a perfect place to forget the rush of your busy day to day life.
5 on July 13, 2011
We had the most excellent stay at Maison Maurice, the accomodation is outstanding, tastefully furnished and immaculate. Located in beautifull countryside it was the perfect retreat for our trip. Penny and Adrian's hospitality was fantastic and boy can that lovely lady cook !!!!! Nothing was to much trouble for them and they certainly know how to look after their guests. We would definately highly recommend Maison Maurice and would love to return when next in France. Cheryl & Denise Portsmouth England
5 on July 07, 2011
After a long hot drive plus a speeding ticket, arriving a Chez Maurice was an oasis. Within minutes we were in a tranquil garden with a cold beer and wine in hand. The hospitalty was superb. All the rooms met a very high standard and are very chic. On our return journey we enjoyed an excellent four course dinner with wine. We shall return. Thank you Penny and Adrian
5 on July 06, 2011
My wife and I, along with her parents and brother, recently spent 5 wonderful days at Maison Maurice. Located in a quiet corner close to lots of attractions, it provides a wonderful base from where to explore the surroundings. Penny and Adrian went out of their way to make us feel welcome, and suggest many wonderful activities to fill the day. The rooms are spacious and quiet, the food fantastic and the service top notch. From there it is easy to visit Pons (go have a meal on the terrace!), La Rochelle, Rochefort (go see the frigate), Cognac, and much more. The surrounding area also provides for wonderful photos, and many small roads to explore by foot - walk or run! Overall, we were very happy and give it 5 thumbs up!
5 on June 15, 2011
Having driven from the Channel to the Pyrenees and back very many times in the last ten years, we often found Poitou-Charentes convenient for over-nighting. Tiring of mixed value and variable standards from tourist hotels, often with indifferent service, how lucky were we to discover Maison Maurice just over three years ago. Since then we have never considered staying anywhere else and one-night stopovers have expanded to two. What more could we wish for? Attentive and generous hosts, Adrian and Penny, lovely, stylish rooms and excellent, good value meals. In fact, we always feel less like paying guests, more like good friends meeting up to enjoy a relaxing stay, home from home. In good weather (and the sun nearly always seems to shine!) Penny's informal garden is an absolute delight. The award of one of the best Chambre d'hotes in France is well deserved. We highly recommend Maison Maurice, not just for a stop-over but as an excellent base for a week's holiday in a lovely part of France.
5 on March 21, 2011
We make regular trips down to the Pyrenees from Brittany and have tried several B&Bs or hotels for a night to split the journey. Following a recommendation, we decided to try Maison Maurice. If only we had known about it sooner! It is such a delightful place to stay. The hospitality of Penny and Adrian is outstanding. The rooms are beautifully designed, spotlessly clean and amazingly comfortable. Dinner was superb and a delicious breakfast fuelled us for our continuing journey. Needless to say, we stayed at this little gem on our return trip and we can't wait for our next trip to the Pyrenees so we can go back. Thankyou so very much Penny and Adrian.
4.8 on January 15, 2011
We were given such a warm welcome at Maison Maurice, we must have been a B&B owners worst nightmare, very short notice (our normal hotel was full) and just one night - but Penny and Adrian made us feel totally at ease and were perfect hosts. The bedroom was warm, beautifully furnished and had top quality linen etc. The bathroom was gleaming and modern. Breakfast was delicious. We will not bother with the hotel again, but will book next time! Thankyou both.
5 on September 16, 2010
We have recently had our third most wonderful stop over at maison maurice and cannot fail to be delighted by the continued excellence of the accomodation and the wonderful hospitality provided by Penny and Adrian. We discovered that Maison Maurice was ideally situated for our first night stop over on route to our apartment on the Costa del Sol but had never expected the stop over to be such a special part of our holiday. We have been fortunate to have met such interesting travellers and holidaymakers around the dinner table, whilst eating the most superbly home cooked meals and sharing delightful banter. We cannot recommend maison maurice highly enough and are now considering making our next stop over a longer break to visit the many interesting places within such easy reach and to sample local wines and delicacies.
5 on August 24, 2010
Penny and Adrian are outstanding and attentive hosts. The rooms are immaculately clean, new, and well-organized. We had an excellent, delicious dinner with them. I highly recommend anyone staying there to have dinner on the first night. (You'll want dinner there every night of your stay!) Penny and Adrian also have some great stories to tell. Everyone in my group loved this place the best! George Coppedge, Prague
4.6 on August 09, 2010
Our stay was (sadly) just a stopover on the way down from England to our home in SW France. Lovely garden to relax in, very pretty and comfortable room, very friendly welcome without being too overwhelming (Adrian was in the hotel business so knows how to do it well!) Excellent meal cooked by Penny and eaten with our hosts and other guests, which included the local wines and Pineau Charentes apéritif. Thoroughly recommend this to anyone - we will be back next time we do the trip by car to the UK. Anne, Vaour, France
5 on July 28, 2010
My son and I arrived almost 3:00 am to Maison Maurice due to traffic problems after watching a Tour de France stage. Not only the owners of Maison Maurice woke up and got out to help us find the way to their place, but they served as warm and wonderful dinner after 3:00 am. That's what I call extra hospitality! We enjoyed the couple of days we spent with Penny and Adrian and we would love to get back and spend more time in this wonderful place.
5 on May 16, 2010
My husband and I went to France last month on a two-week wine tour. Prior weeks of research determined that while in the Cognac Region we should stay at Maison Maurice. After all, this inn has the highest rating of 5/5 -- "outstanding...exceeded my expections"-- and we are pleased to tell you why: Maison Maurice is absolute perfection! It is a beautiful, charming, and spotless home/chateau, uniquely situated in the heart of Cognac in the quaint town of Biron. The Atlantic beaches are just a short drive away. So are countless wineries, cognac and pineau houses, and beautiful small towns. And the awesome countryside......you are IN it! Owners Penny and Adrian Girardot are warm and gracious and were such fun to hang out with. (Penny and Adrian -- if you are reading this, we want you at our next dinner party!) They created adventures for us that highlighted our trip to France. The night we arrived, Penny served up the best dinner of our entire trip -- voila! Another day she came with us on a bike ride THROUGH the vineyards of Biron. We literally rode between rows of wines with her darling dog Mollie trotting right alongside us! Penny and Adrian have poured their heart and soul into MM. It was a blessing to meet them and to stay in their beautiful home. It is now the first place we refer as a french destination. We will be back soon. A bientot!
5 on May 16, 2010
Wij hebben vorig jaar 5 prachtige dagen beleefd in frankrijk. De omgeving is mooi en het hotel is erg comfortabel en gastvrij. Penny en Adrian zijn erg vriendelijke mensen die je echt in de watten leggen. Als we weer eens op vakantie gaan en we de mogelijheid hebben om hier te kunnen overnachten zullen we dat zeker doen. Jeanne en Mart
5 on March 02, 2010
I loved it! This beautiful place is a little chunk of paradise hidden away from prying eyes. The rooms are stunning spacious and clean with beautiful views of the green. The hospitable owners Penny and Adrian went out of their way to cater for all our wants needs and whims. Delicious food, a relaxing environment the perfect place to recuperate. Looking forward to visiting soon. Rupa Hertfordshire
5 on February 24, 2010
Ceci est un lit merveilleux et emplacement de petit déjeuner, nous vous exhorterions pour visiter ici le plus tôt possible. This is an oasis which has to be experienced to be believed. A quite magnificent bed and breakfast location, with wonderful hosts and cuisine to match. We spent 4 days at Maison Maurice last April and would not hesitate to return. Ideally placed for either a stopover or longer relaxing break you will find Maison Maurice a truly memorable experience. Fantastic attention to detail, the ambience and decor is thoughtfully presented and very stylish and welcoming. We would recommend you take advantage of the dining option in order to sample some of the best cuisine on offer in France. Penny is truly magical in the kitchen! We are also sure that Adrian will be equally hospitable when it comes to the odd glass or two of 'vin splendide'.
5 on December 11, 2009
I can highly recommend 'Maison Maurice' to anyone who is looking for a relaxing stay in the country in a beatifully renovated farmhouse with excellent food. The 2 wonderful hosts, Penny and Adrian), made us feel not only really welcome but close friends after our 5 day stay. The food is superb (ask Penny for the Moroccan lamb - it is to die for!) and the wine flows very freely. The rooms are lovely and very tastefully decorated. On occasions some of their friends arrive and we shared some very special evenings eating and drinking outside in the lovely garden to the early hours. It is not compulsary however and not all the guests chose to eat in but as I have said I would recommend it highly. The breakfasts are also excellent and can be enjoyed in the garden as well.
5 on November 12, 2009
We spent three wonderful days at Maison Maurice, and hope to return as soon as possible! The rooms are lovely; beautifully decorated, comfortable and spotless. The food is excellent and the location is perfect, with several interesting and charming villages and towns nearby. This alone makes Maison Maurice a great choice, but what makes it truly outstanding is Penny and Adrian. From the moment we arrived they made us feel at home. They are generous, helpful and a lot of fun! Sitting in the garden under the stars, enjoying a delicious dinner and sipping wine, is as close to paradise you come without the benefit of wings!
4.8 on October 07, 2009
There are, as I now know, two great attractions for the visitor to France: the cities (Paris, of course) and the countryside. It is the countryside that I experienced, for the first time and will never forget, at Maison Maurice. You can read the other reviews, and learn that the Maison Maurice: 1) is run by two charming, friendly and warm people, Adrian and Penny, who, by the way, speak excellent English; 2) is located in a most beautiful French countryside, with corn, cows (and sheep and rabbits and chickens and goats and feral pigs and pheasants) and, mostly, grapes; and 3) is an exquisitely renovated, decorated and furnished two or three hundred year old farm house. These are definitely pluses! But what I will always remember is the bike ride that my wife and I took from 'MM'. To start, it was up the hill (scale of '0', tour de France, '8+' for me) past row after row of grapes, at the top of which we could rest, looking out over a full-blown 'farm', with cows, hay and two large metal fermenting vats; then down-hill to the first village, and an atmospheric Romanesque church; then onward past a (for us) an interesting grave-yard, surrounded by a serious stone wall containing a motley crew of monuments; then to the next village, where we bought bread and pastries for lunch (and the baker kindly gave us a light-weight plastic rack for carrying our purchases); and then, at the next village we stopped to taste Cognac (7, 12 and 15 year aged, we bought the last); and then lunch….you get the idea. And, I will also always remember our meals with Adrian and Penny…her excellent cooking, in four courses, and, more importantly, their company. Thank you, A & P!
4.0 on August 11, 2009
My partner and I recently spent four glorious days at Maison Maurice with its charming proprietors, Penny and Adrian. The Maison exceeds expectations as a romantic getaway. The home is a true labor of love: after a total overhaul, it boasts a cream interior punctuated by rich dark beams, glowing wood of varying hues, and sleek contemporary amenities. The exceptional furnishings are indicative of the owners' excellent taste and appreciation for luxurious travel. Every sense is indulged, from the gentle coo of birds wafting through sage-green shutters to the fecund gardens, cuttings from which Penny uses to accent dishes, drinks and bedside tables. Indeed, one could be forgiven for never leaving one's room where crisp Irish linens adorn each bed. Penny irons the sheets herself, prompting one to wonder how she maintains her bright spirit and graciousness amidst a nearly full house. She also creates delectable four-course dinners, incorporating fresh ingredients sourced by Adrian from the local market, ranging from traditional French cuisine to curry prawns. Each evening meal starts with an aperitif in the company of your hosts and concludes with inventive, delicious desserts: creamy espresso mousse in a teacup piqued my epicurean fancy while the signature meringue far surpassed that found in a typical French patisserie. Penny and Adrian, the consummate hosts, provide free use of their bikes to tour the adjacent vineyards, maps and gear to visit pristine coastal beaches, fine conversation, and generous playtime with their two adorable pets. At the end of our stay, they led us to a vigneron up the road and walked us through the process of tasting and purchasing pineau, a local aperitif. Having extended our original booking by an extra day, our only regret is that we couldn't delay our departure further. This B&B will be our first recommendation to friends and a prime destination for us upon our return. Visit and be enchanted. --Portland, OR, USA
5 on July 16, 2009
We have just returned from our trip to France and our stay at Maison Maurice. We had originally booked a 3 night stay as our first stop on our way to Carcassonne and back up the other side of France but we never got as far as the other side as we decided to come back the way we came just so we could get another night in at Maison Maurice. It is the most relaxing, welcoming, beautiful B&B I have ever stayed in and I hope to return many, many times. The peace and quiet was amazing and the setting was beautiful. I didn't want to leave. Adrian and Penny and the most welcoming owners and the food they serve is amazing, far better than I have had in 5 star hotels. I look forward to returning again soon.
4.4 on July 06, 2009
Penny and Adrian are excellent hosts who made our stay a special experience. The spotless rooms are comfortable and tastefully furnished. We can thoroughly recommend Maison Maurice as a place to stay. We plan to return in the near future.
5 on July 04, 2009
We have stayed in some lovely places but this is one of the very best in a long time. Penny & Adrian as hosts yuo certainly made us feel so very welcome in your beautiful home. We have made some new friends and will certainly be recommending to our other friends. Looking forward to more of your delicious meals and chatting into the wee hours. Beautifully decorated and very comfortable rooms. We will certainly be back hopefully very soon.


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Good Life
Calif. high speed rail will accept bids within weeks
SACRAMENTO — Contractors vying to build the first sections of California's proposed high-speed rail line will get the green light to start making their bids within just a few weeks.
On Thursday, the California High-Speed Rail Authority approved the terms and conditions that bidders will be expected to meet in designing and building a 29-mile segment of the line from east of Madera to the south end of Fresno, a stretch that is expected to cost about $1.5 billion.
The request for bids still must be approved by the state's Public Works Board, but after clearing that hurdle, five potential teams of construction companies from across the U.S. and around the world can begin making their bids.Read the full story at fresnobee.com.

subset: commoncrawl


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via press release:
Style Media is Exclusive Broadcast Partner of the 9th Annual Style Awards to Air Thursday, September 13, 2012 at 8pm ET/PT
LOS ANGELES – July 25, 2012 — In an unprecedented partnership between the leading brands in style, media and events, Penske Media Corp. (PMC), Style Media and IMG Fashion announced today the 9th Annual Style Awards will be held at Lincoln Center during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on September 5, and, for the first time ever, will be broadcast in primetime on Style, the fastest growing women's cable network, on Thursday, September 13 at 8pm ET/PT.
"We are tremendously excited to bring the Style Awards to the Style viewers and to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for the first time," said Jay Penske, Chairman and CEO of Penske Media Corporation, which owns the Style Awards. "This is a collaboration between three preeminent media and style brands that we know will thrive for years to come."
The Style Awards will take place at the epicenter of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week – The Stage at Lincoln Center – with a full-stage presentation and, befitting its theme, a runway for winners and presenters to walk on during the evening. In addition to traditional Style Awards such as Style Icon (Male and Female), Celebrity Stylist of the Year and Makeup Artist of the Year, the 2012 Style Awards will feature a Citizen of Style Award and a celebrity host and musical guest to be announced shortly.
"Further cementing Style's place in the fashion space and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, we are proud to be the first official broadcast partner of the Style Awards," said Salaam Coleman Smith, President of Style Media. "We are delighted to give our fashionista viewers an unprecedented view inside the event at Lincoln Center and look forward to working with PMC and IMG."
"As the largest media event in New York City and one of the most important stops in the international fashion week circuit; home to almost one hundred top designers, and 5,000+ members of the press and industry, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is the perfect home for the Style Awards," Peter Levy, Managing Director and Senior Vice President, IMG Fashion Events and Properties. "We look forward to hosting Style and their millions of fashion fans."
Last year, designer Alice Temperley and actress Chloe Moretz were amongst Style Award winners, and for the last eight years, such extraordinary and diverse talents as Patricia Field, Monique Lhullier, Max Azria, David LaChappelle, Rachel Zoe and Jenny Packham have won Style Awards in a range of categories, emphasizing the importance of the award in recognizing style talent at every stage in its development and achievement.
About PMC
PMC is a leading digital media company founded by Jay Penske in 2004 reaches over 80million unique visitors monthly according to Comscore. PMC owns a unique and growing portfolio of lifestyle brands that provide the web's best original content in categories including entertainment, sports, breaking news, media, finance, tech, health, shopping, fashion, beauty, and automotive. Deadline.com, OnCars, HollywoodLife, India.com, Movieline, TVLine, BGR, Young Hollywood Awards, The Style Awards, and Breakthrough of the Year Awards are all part of the expanding PMC portfolio. For more information on PMC and its brands, please visit:www.PMC.comor its digital properties directly.
About Style Media
Style Media, a global multimedia company that includes Style and myStyle.com, is the destination for women 18-49 seeking to fuel their insatiable appetite for looking great and living stylishly. Style currently counts nearly 78 million cable and satellite subscribers and is the fastest growing women's network in the U.S. MyStyle.com keeps women up-to-date on all of the latest fashion and beauty news on the web. Style's popular series include "Tia & Tamera," "Jerseylicious," "Giuliana & Bill," "Chicagolicious," "Empire Girls: Julissa & Adrienne" and "Big Rich Texas." Style is a network of NBCUniversal Entertainment & Digital Networks and Integrated Media, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/StyleNetPR.
About IMG Fashion
IMG Fashion is dedicated to facilitating a gateway to the fashion world – from creation to consumer. We offer solutions that seamlessly connect and associate fashion's key constituents and corporate brands using IMG's global resources, influence and expertise. Within the fashion industry IMG represents the world's top models, leading designers and the most influential photographers, art directors and stylists. The division produces the leading fashion events around the globe and represents many of the industry's top organizations and federations.


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Our pals at Team Polizei have pledged $10,000 toward the creation of a fund to benefit the family of Vladimir and Margarita Cepuljoski, the couple who died after an accident involving Gumballers Nick Morley and Matthew McConville last week in Macedonia. Other ralliers have expressed interest in helping the Cepuljoskis' relatives after the tragedy, so the Polizei stepped up and are organizing just such an effort. Interested in helping out? click here to donate.
Cepuljoski Family Memorial Fund Launch [Team Polizei]
Fast as a Shark: East of Eden: The Fall of the Gumball 3000 [Internal]


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Once a year, I "spam" my blog with this request. If you could share the link (www.gofundme.com/campmays) I would greatly appreciate it!!
Go to www.campmays.com to learn more, or visit our facebook page PLEASE feel free to share this link - Camp Mays is funded 100% through donations! Every little bit helps!!
My students' parents face several challenges once school is out for the summer. While summer break is, for most kids and families, full of opportunities and fun, that's not the case a lot of the time with my students. It is often difficult if not impossible for parents to find a babysitter or child care provider who is qualified and willing to care for some of my students so their parents have almost two months with no break at all from caring for their child - a child who requires constant active supervision. Additionally, many of my students' parents spend so much time, money and energy just providing everyday care for their kids that they often have little time, money or energy left over to do "fun" things. In an effort to provide some respite for my students' parents and provide some opportunities for "typical" summer fun experiences for my students over the summer months, a few years ago I began taking my students on day trips to places like White Water, Children's Museums, parks, etc. What has evolved has been dubbed "Camp Mays". I rent a van each week and take my students (along with several of my friends, family and coworkers who volunteer to help) to places like the movies, Jungle Jumpers, Stone Mountain, the Georgia Aquarium, and swimming. Some of my students' families may not have otherwise been able to provide these opportunities for their child. In the beginning I funded "Camp Mays" almost solely from my own pocket – purchasing the admission tickets, renting the van, buying the gas, and buying lunch for each child and volunteer. Families do not have to pay anything at all for their child to be able to participate in Camp Mays. In each of the first two years I spent over $3000 of my own money on Camp Mays. In 2011, I recieved over $1000 in generous donations and spent over $2000 on top of that. Last year I raised over $3000 in donations!! Because I get new students each year, and don't want to exclude former students who have moved on to middle school or moved to other schools in the county, Camp Mays grows each year. This year I am expecting to have 25 students with disabilities, which means I will need more volunteers. I will need a bus instead of a van! I feel that these opportunities provide such a great service to my students and their families – mainly giving the parents a small break from the extreme demands that a child with a disability presents almost constantly and providing opportunities for my students to participate in fun activities just like other children. Please visit www.campmays.com to learn more and see photos from previous adventures. 100% of all money collected will go directly towards... van rental, gas, admission tickets, lunch, and/or snacks.
EVERY child deserves a fun summer!
Once a year, I "spam" my blog with this request. If you could share the link (www.gofundme.com/campmays) I would greatly appreciate it!!
2 Responses to "EVERY child deserves a fun summer! "
- Lacey (visit their site)
I completely understand. With all the annual IEP meetings this past month, my parents have been asking if I know any camps or places they can take their kids for the summer. All the kids in my program are eligible for summer school, but it is only four weeks long and half a day for four days a week. I really like your blog and look forward to reading future posts.
Challenges Make Life Interesting
- Paula Hamand (visit their site)
wow this is incredibly generous! Many of my students' families have respite care and their children are taken to many of these kinds of activities by that care giver, however, this would be even better because they go with lots of other children. Paula


text: NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- New mortgage rules designed to create a more responsible mortgage market might end up hurting borrowers in states such as California and New York, where the price of real estate is expensive. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently issued rules that require banks to verify that the borrower has an ability to repay the loan by looking at criteria such as a borrowers' income, employment status, credit history and other debt obligations. Banks will be offered greater legal protection if they make "qualified mortgages" -- loans that do not have excess upfront points and fees, have no toxic features such as interest-only loans, negative amortization and balloon payments, and where the borrower does not spend more than 43% of his income to pay down debt. Analysts expect lenders to largely limit their lending to qualified mortgages to avoid legal liability. While this is expected to prevent the kind of reckless and abusive lending practices of the past -- indeed, many banks have already tightened underwriting standards significantly -- the new rules could make it tougher for borrowers in high-end real estate markets. According to a report by analysts at Deutsche Bank, the qualified mortgage rule will "significantly curtail the origination of prime jumbo loans." Jumbo loans are those that are above the conforming limit of loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- currently at $625,500. The jumbo loan market has already shrunk, with most lenders sticking to mostly agency-backed mortgages. Those who do jumbo loans -- Redwood Trust ( RWT - Get Report) is a big player -- now write mostly prime loans. Even after significant tightening of underwriting standards, more than 13% of jumbo loans originated since 2010 remain outside the parameters specified by the CFPB. Before 2010, about 75% of the jumbo loans were non-qualified mortgages. Jumbo loans face a tougher test because, historically, many million-dollar homebuyers have not not depended on W2 incomes, the analysts note. A lot of high-income borrowers with high credit scores tend to take "interest-only" loans for tax purposes. But interest-only loans are prohibited under the new rules. The majority of jumbo loans prior to 2008 were highly levered, with debt well in excess of 43% of reported income. Since 2010, about 9% of prime loans originated have debt to income in excess of 43%. Still, in markets such as California, New York and Connecticut, about 20% of jumbo loans originated in recent years would be considered non-qualified mortgages, according to the report. "The adoption of qualified mortgages in January 2014 will limit credit availability for many buyers in these three States," the analysts wrote. More broadly, the implementation of the rules could "further delay the recovery of the luxury housing market, which generally consists of homes that cost 1 million dollars or more. The luxury-housing sector is still struggling or even deteriorating despite continuous improvement in the overall U.S. housing market," the analysts said. -- Written by Shanthi Bharatwaj in New York.


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Views: 463
I have to wonder if there was some serious damage to the data base which required use of backups or something else going on at NING, Ruth. The "explanation," such as it is, of regular maintenance doesn't cut the mustard with me, and I like you would like to hear some substantial answers.
To restore public faith in A/N I suggest full transparency. Otherwise an investigation may be in order. Charges may then be charged and those responsible will be held accountable. Of course if this is a privately maintained website...nevermind ;-)
Steph, we can never get enough of you. :)
I'd like to know about the outage as well. If this was supposed to be regularly scheduled maintenance, we should have been notified beforehand.
Awww how sweet - thank you Flying Atheist.
So was it maintenance outage or what?
For the record, we do not yet know what happened. We were not down for maintenance, and it looks like it might of been a DNS attack or something similar. Many have tried to take us down over the past year, but we were able to fight them off.
I assure you all that I focused on nothing else over the past 30 or so hours, and once we find the source, we will take measures to prevent it from happening again.
Qu'est-ce l'histoire, sinon une fable sur laquelle tout le monde est d'accord ?
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon is often difficult to translate. I would say, 'What is history, if not a fable on which all the world agrees' or 'What is history but a fable on which everyone agrees'.
I find it curious that trying to reload the page, having got the error message, simply got me the error message again. I guess what one needs to do is try again via a bookmark.
I just now realized the site has been up for at least 15 hours, because I got an update in E-mail with a link that worked.
© 2019 Atheist Nexus. All rights reserved. Admin: The Nexus Group. Powered by


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Liberty News
Chancellor, recruiters laud LU's rapid growth
Liberty University's spring resident enrollment this year topped the 10,000 mark for the first time.
LU currently has 9,339 resident undergraduate students and 716 resident graduate students enrolled for spring semester, bringing the total to 10,055. (Resident enrollment includes students living on campus and commuters.)
Last spring LU had a total of 9,005 resident students.
The current enrollment figures were released last week by Lawrence C. Shackleton, the school's registrar and vice president for administrative information management.
LU is expecting resident enrollment in the fall to climb to about 11,200. This past fall about 10,500 resident students were enrolled.
"The Resident Recruitment Department has again broken a historical marker by achieving an unprecedented student body enrollment with amazing support from the chancellor, administration, and staff," said Chris Johnson, LU's executive director of resident recruitment. "Our efforts have been blessed yet again and the entire team knows that this is a God thing." Chancellor [Jerry Falwell Jr.] has stated "if momentum continues as it has for the past two semesters, we will be in a position to close off fall enrollment for the first time in LU's history before June."
Falwell Jr. credits LU Christian focus for its rapid growth.
"Transfer students have chosen Liberty this semester," he said. "We take seriously the responsibility to provide a quality education to these students and we are determined to make a positive difference in their lives with God's help. The sheer number of students who are choosing Liberty is evidence that Christian education is sorely needed in today's world. LU's Distance Learning Program also saw a surge in spring enrollment and number of credit hours taken.
A total of 18,483 students are currently enrolled in distance learning courses compared with 11,501 last year.
DLP students are collectively taking 145,259 credit hours compared with a total of 85,035 credit hours last spring.
A total of 22,757 individuals have been enrolled in distance learning courses in either the fall or spring semester.
Earlier this month, a survey by the Online Education Database ranked LU's Distance Learning Program as the third best in the nation.


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Scott's Genius 700 Tuned was weapon of choice for the Breck Epic XC stage race.
Choosing the right bike for Colorado's Breck Epic cross-country stage race depends a lot on what your goals are. If you're racing to win — or at least go as fast as your body will allow — opt for a wispy 29er hardtail or lightweight, short-travel 29er full-suspension rig. There's just so much climbing, much of it on buff singletrack or smooth fireroad, that you can't beat the efficiency of a full-bore race machine.
In 2012, I rode a 19-pound custom carbon Kirk Lee 29er hardtail. While I wont say it was the most fun I've ever had on a bike, it certainly made the Everest's worth of accumulated ascending more bearable. Not an ounce of pedal power was wasted. I even won a stage in my 40-plus old guy category.
The obvious flipside is that you pay a price for all that efficiency when the trails turns downward. The Breck course isn't overly technical, but there are plenty of rough and rocky downhills (especially stage 5's long decent off Wheeler Pass pictured below) when riding a hardtail is akin to operating a jack-hammer with locked-out elbows.
This year, I took a completely different tact, saddling up the Scott Genius 700 Tuned (MSRP: $9,500), a 27.5-inch trail bike with 150mm front and rear suspension. Did it climb as well the 29er hardtail? Of course not. A quick exam of corresponding Strava climb times showed a drop off of about 1-3 minutes depending on length and gradient. The longer and/or steeper the climb was, the slower I was.
The Breck Epic combines miles of long ups, with some amazing high alpine downs. That's Copper Mountain in the distance. The trail heads all the way to the base. Photo Courtesy Breck Epic/Eddie Clark
Part of this was due to the inevitable degradation of fitness that comes with older age (and a little less training). Part of this was due to a ~4-pound increase in bike weight (claimed weight for the size Large Genius is around 24.5 pounds). And part was due to my inability to consistently spin the bike's 11-speed SRAM XX1 30t-chainring equipped drivetrain on really steep climbs. Last year, I ran a 2×10.
(The Genius 700 Tuned actually comes spec'd with a 32t, which I replaced with the smaller ring after struggling through the first stage of the race. If I had to do it again I might even go down to a 28t since there's so little flat terrain in this race, and I do better when I can spin.)
That lack of flat terrain means there's a ton of downhill. And that is where this playful tweener trail bike was the perfect weapon for negotiating tight switchbacks, and ripping down rocky trail or rough fireroad. The six inches of progressive squish is a great way to experience the truly Rocky Mountains around Breckenridge, especially with Scott's three-position Twinloc handlebar-mounted lever, which allows you to toggle between Climb, Trail and Descend mode for both the Fox 32 Float Factory CTD fork and Fox NUDE CTCD boost valve shock that is custom made for Scott.
Climb mode all but locks out the travel, Trail (or Traction Control for the shock) reduces suspension to 100mm, and Descend offers the full 150mm. This new Fox shock is a big improvement over last year's DT Swiss offering, which suffered from stiction problems and was almost universally disliked by testers.
Left: The all new Fox NUDE CTCD shock is a major improvement over last year's set-up. Right: The Twinloc travel-adjust lever was put into regular use, as were the flawless Shimano XTR brakes.
This new Genius 700 also has a forged rear shock linkage with adjustable geometry via a shock mounted chip. Simply flip the chip to effect bottom bracket height (6mm up or down) and head tube angle (67.9 degrees or 68.4 degrees). Since the Breck Epic course isn't particularly technical, I left the bike in the more upright setting throughout the race, but it's a cool feature that's unique to Scott.
Remaining spec highlights include super stiff Syncros TR1.0 carbon wheels with DT Swiss-manufactured hubs, a Shimano XTR braking system (notable, considering the drivetrain is full SRAM), an E13 XCX chainguide (a nice touch, though kind of overkill on a 1x system), and Syncros carbon bars, stem, seatpost and saddle.
If you're wondering why no dropper post, the Scott PR folks says the Genius Tuned 700 was built up to be a race-ready enduro bike, and since seat height is often a set-it-and-forget proposition on the super technical enduro tracks in Europe, they opted for the lighter weight of a fixed position post, which could be adjusted up for the transition stages with a QR. I don't necessary agree with that logic and personally would rather have the flexibility of a dropper post. But the bike is lighter this way and it has internal dropper post routing ports so you can make the swap after the fact.
Left: No dropper post here, but the saddle was comfortable. Right: There are a whopping 42 teeth on the large cog of SRAM's XX1 cassette. Shifting was crisp and precise all week.
Our test bike also arrived with a 2.25 Schwalbe Nobby Nic tire on the front, and a 2.25 Racing Ralph in the rear. But the front tire didn't have EVO protection, so I replaced it with a beefier Maxxis Ardent and suffered no flats. For pedals, as usual, I ran the ever-reliable Shimano XT SPDs, which for my money are the best in the business.
During five hard days of racing (I had to skip the final day due to a prior commitment) the Genius 700 Tuned climbed well enough to keep me respectably ensconced in the middle of my 40-plus race category (no stage wins this year). The revamped suspension was bog-free in the mid-stroke and there was no noticeable pedal feedback.
Sure the extra weight slowed me down a tad, and I missed the rolling momentum of the bigger wheels on shallower climbs. But the reason to test this bike in these conditions was not to prove that one bike can do everything great. Instead it was to test proof of concept. And indeed, if you can only afford one bike, and want a bike that can do a lot of things fairly well, then this bike fits the bill.
On descents it performed just as advertised, chewing up rough trail and keeping me safely in control even when I was completely cross-eyed from having just summated yet another 12,000-foot summit (Breck Epic has several). Bottom line, the combination of light overall weight, flick'abile 27.5-inch wheel platform, and plush suspension with on-the-fly travel adjust make the Scott Genius 700 Tuned a bike that is truly blurring the lines between play and race. I might have been faster on a different bike, but there's no way I would have had more fun.
Left: War wounds for the author. Photo Courtesy Breck Epic/Liam Doran Right: Best to also bring some comfortable shoes. Photo Courtesy Breck Epic/Eddie Clark.
The entire Scott Genius line includes six bikes: the 700 Tuned ($9,500), the Premium ($9200), 910/710 ($5,800), 920/720 ($4,750), 930/730 ($4,100), and 940/740 ($3,150). All models are available in 27.5 or 29er except the 700 Tuned, which is 27.5 only. More info at www.scott-sports.com
Take a look at the extended photo gallery below for more shots of our test bike, plus get a look at some of the other new mountain bikes in Scott's 2014 line-up, and see more amazing shots from the 2013 Breck Epic. More info at breckepic.com


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ESMO Commentary: New Promising Options are Available for Renal Cell Carcinoma
Two drugs are changing the current landscape for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma
- Date: 29 Sep 2015
- Topic: Genitourinary cancers / Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy / Anticancer agents & Biologic therapy
In the last decade a number of therapies were approved for advanced renal cell cancer but patients' survival still remains critical. But the therapeutic armamentarium for treating this tumour is evolving, as remarkable results emerged at the European Cancer Congress (ECC2015), in Vienna.
In the METEOR trial1, an open-label phase III trial, carbozantinib, a targeted therapy that inhibits tyrosine kinases including MET, VEGFRs, and AXL, was compared to mTOR inhibitor everolimus, which is considered the standard of care in second-line therapy for patients with advanced renal cell cancer whose disease progressed following treatment with one or more VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The trial showed a 42% reduction in the risk of progression or death, and carbozantinib doubled the median progression-free survival.
Positive results were also presented in another trial, CheckMate 0252. In this study, the checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab, demonstrated overall survival benefit in the second-line treatment for advanced renal cell carcinoma after prior anti-angiogenic treatment.
These two drugs are likely to change the clinical practice, according to Cora Sternberg Chief of the Department of Medical Oncology at the San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital in Rome, Italy.
14LBA: Cabozantinib versus everolimus in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma: Results of the randomized phase 3 METEOR trial.
23LBA: CheckMate 025: a randomized, open-label, phase III study of nivolumab (NIVO) versus everolimus (EVE) in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).


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Beautiful Nighttime Views Of NYC Waterfront And Manhattan Skyline From Roosevelt Island Tram
Click full screen icon at bottom right to get full effect.
We are fortunate to be able to ride the Tram whenever we wish.
Posted by ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 8:34:00 PM
Labels: ROOSEVELT ISLAND TRAM , Tram Ride View
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A collective moan arose from the adult film industry the morning after Los Angeles County voters decided that porn actors should wear condoms during movie shoots.
The passage of Measure B by more than 55 percent of voters Tuesday was met with swift warnings by representatives of the industry, who said they would not only fight the law in court but also look into other cities and states where they could continue to make films without condoms.
"After being heavily outspent by a well-financed AIDS Healthcare Foundation which poured millions of dollars into passing Measure B, the adult film industry will not just stand by and let it destroy our business," said Diane Duke, executive director for the Free Speech Coalition, the trade group representing the adult entertainment industry in a statement released Wednesday.
"While the misinformation and outright distortions made by AHF during this campaign may have deceived voters, we believe in the calm, serious deliberations of the legal system we will find that Measure B is in fact unconstitutional."
In addition to the use of condoms, Measure B requires adult film studios to apply for public health permits and for the county Department of Public Health to lead inspections and enforcement efforts. Violators could face civil fines and criminal charges, and the Department of Public Health will be able to revoke the public health permits if it finds violations or a risk to public safety.
The law does not apply in the cities of Pasadena, Long Beach and Vernon because they have their own municipal health departments.
That news prompted at least one Pasadena-based porn actress to take to Twitter with the suggestion that producers just shift their production over to her city.
"Hey porn peeps," tweeted lesbian actress and director Lily Cade. "Pasadena isn't covered by Measure B…want to rent my house? Cute Pasadena Craftsman."
Advocates, primarily the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which spent more than $2 million to support the measure, said the new law promotes public health and the safety of actors.
"We were extremely gratified that not only did it pass, but it passed by a wide margin," said AHF executive director Michael Weinstein. "The people saw it quite clearly as a health, safety and fairness issue."
Weinstein said opponents have a right to fight the law in court, but he didn't believe they had a case.
"This is not a First Amendment issue," he said. "It's a public health issue. We're not telling them what to film but that certain precautions should to be taken. You don't have a First Amendment right to spread diseases."
Several questions remain about how the law will be enforced, and where.
The ordinance will take effect immediately in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. But it won't be implemented in the 85 cities that contract with the county's health department until those municipalities adopt the measure into their codes.
Los Angeles already has its own ordinance, but questions remain on how it would align itself with the county code.
"It is the law of the land, but this is a one-of-a-kind law for us that we have to look into in realistic ways because it is unique," said David Sommers, spokesman for the county's chief executive office.
Pasadena officials were caught off-guard by the suggestion that the business known for its ties to the San Fernando Valley might seek to move to the Crown City.
"They would still need a permit if they are doing that," city manager Michael Beck said.
Pasadena's director of public health, Dr. Eric Walsh, did not respond to requests for comment.
A city spokesman said the measure applies countywide despite the fact Pasadena has its own health department.
"It is fair to say we have the matter under review," said spokesman William Boyer.
Measure B requires producers to undergo training on blood-borne pathogens and submit an "exposure control plan," then pay for a public health permit.
Permit fees will be used to pay for enforcement, according to creators of the law.
Condom use on porn sets already is required under state and city laws. But those are rarely enforced, with state inspections and consequent fines based only on complaints.
The prospect of a more active government role worried some in the porn industry.
At an anti-Measure B rally held in North Hollywood on Sunday, adult film actors said having a health inspector on set would complicate already difficult-to-shoot sexual scenes. What looks like a spontaneous sex act can take an hour to shoot and involves close up cameras, lights and a director.
Actors defended the porn industry's voluntary guidelines, under which performers are tested every 14 and 28 days for HIV, gonorrhea and chlamydia. Actors and directors then view each others' medical records, to make sure health tests have been passed.
Many said they use condoms in their private lives and advocate safe sex but called their work erotic fantasy.
Opponents also called the measure a restriction on free expression.
But that could be questionable, said Peter Scheer, executive director for the California First Amendment Coalition.
"Porn films are entitled to First Amendment protection, but that doesn't mean that all aspects are not up for regulation," he said. "This appears to be regulation of public safety."
Yet it depends how they argue the case.
"If what they're really arguing is we're going to have a hard time charging people to see the film, than that is weaker than we can't perform the way we used to perform," he said. "The art has been fundamentally changed."
Opponents, including the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, said the law will chase jobs and millions of dollars out of Southern California, specifically the San Fernando Valley, famed as the nation's porn capital.
Adult films are protected under the Freeman decision of 1988, which made the making of pornographic films legal in California. Only New Hampshire has a similar law.
Amber Lynn, an actress, model and businesswoman, said she began in the industry before it was legal in California. She said that, just like Democrats and Republicans, the adult film industry and AHF need to find a way to work together.
"I've been in the business for a long time and my feeling is this industry is going to survive," Amber Lynn said Wednesday. "It's legal to shoot porn here and we fought hard to make it a legal industry. The industry has come too far to turn back now. It's definitely not over."
Frank Girardot contributed to this report.


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Festivals are taking over the local music scene this week, starting with the ambitious Hialeah Fest — 43 bands at last count, and possibly more to come. Meanwhile, indie darlings in rock, folk and R&B bring their acts to South Florida's mid-size venues.
Touring acts
Band of Horses at Fillmore Miami Beach, 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, $42.50, LiveNation.com or 305-673-7300
Seattle-bred alt-rock blends with acoustic country melodies in this quintet's woodsy, lyrical music. The band hits the Fillmore in support of its fourth album, "Mirage Rock."
The Weeknd at Fillmore Miami Beach, 9 p.m. Wednesday, $79.75, LiveNation.com or 305-673-7300
R&B has nothing to do with excessive synth drums in this Toronto native's act. The Weeknd, a.k.a. Abel Tesfaye, croons over delicate guitar pickings and almost trip-hop beats.
Ani DiFranco at Culture Room, 8 p.m. Saturday, $32.85, Ticketmaster.com or 954-564-1074
The righteous babe brings her folk tour for her latest album, "Which Side Are You On?" The record is her first in roughly three years, featuring New Orleans musicians backing her slam-style vocals.
Local acts
Hialeah Fest at Churchill's Pub, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $7 per day, HialeahFest.com or 305-757-1807
The 17th annual Hialeah Fest features performances by Radioboxer, Electric Piquete and the Holstered, but hordes of homegrown musicians are programmed to play over the two-day event. Exact showtime information was still in the works at presstime, but a quick call to Churchill's should remedy any inquiries.
Kreepy Luau at Five Points Lounge, 9 p.m. Saturday, $7 advance, $10 door, 305-803-9014
Fort Lauderdale's newest, possibly only Polynesian-themed, tattoo-loving watering hole — really, how many could there be? — dives into "a haunted evening in paradise" with hellish surf-rock band the Necrophiles. Polynesian Productions will provide the questionably cultural entertainment, and the Palate Party food truck will serve Polynesian-style snacks.
Lake Worth Blues, Brews and BBQ after-party at Bamboo Room, 7 p.m. Sunday, free, BambooRoomBlues.com or 561-585-2583
The Bamboo Room, Lake Worth's blues headquarters, plans to host parties before and after the Chamber of Commerce's BB&BBQ event, but Sunday's show is free. If the headliners that night, hip-shaking bluesmen LowDown 13, don't interest you, scrounge up $32 and head out on Friday for the New Orleans Suspects instead.
@mariamurriel or firstname.lastname@example.com


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Xbox One controller and headset compatibility
This article outlines certain compatibility features with the Xbox One Wireless Controller and the original Xbox One Wireless Controller.
Controller 3.5-mm port options
As of June 2015, new Xbox One Wireless Controllers will include a 3.5-mm port so users can connect a compatible 3.5-mm audio jack directly to the controller. For more information, see Connecting a compatible headset to Xbox One.
Controller expansion port options
Both the Xbox One and original Xbox One Wireless Controllers supports secondary devices, such as audio headsets, through its controller expansion port.
Currently, third-party wired controllers don't have this port. Therefore, peripherals designed for the Xbox One and original Xbox One Wireless Controller that are dependent on the expansion port will have limited or no functionality. If your headset requires audio to be plugged into either the Xbox One or original Xbox One controller via the Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter, it may not work on a third-party controller.
Note Audio is not supported over Bluetooth when using the Xbox One Wireless Controller. Older versions of the Xbox One controller do not have Bluetooth.
If you want to have chat capability with a third-party wired controller, try using the chat capability on the Kinect sensor.
Other Xbox-licensed products will provide audio options that don't use the expansion port, such as:
- Afterglow AG 9 (available through PDP)
- Elite 800X (available through Turtle Beach). For other Turtle Beach options, visit their compatibility page.
Note These products might not be available in all regions.
For additional options, check the third-party product manufacturer's page to see if they offer products that don't require the controller expansion port.
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Free shipping over € 99
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In the Nuovo Milano series the table knife is proposed in the empty handle and in monoblock versions. Obtained by working on a single piece of stainless steel, the monoblock knife is ideal for those who desire to have a certain feeling of heaviness when handling it.
The Nuovo Milano service was designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1987 by revisiting a traditional cutlery model in a contemporary fashion. The objects of this series are characterised by soft and rounded shapes which are extremely pleasing to the touch like those of a stone smoothened by the sea. Nuovo Milano is one of the most complete services in the Alessi catalog, offering a selection of 26 different types of cutleries. It is made of stainless steel and created from Sottsass's desire to design all the objects necessary for a "Beautiful Table"; this collection of cutleries is a typical contemporary design, approved by XV Premio Compasso d'Oro.VIEW THE COMPLETE RANGE
Born in Innsbruck in 1917, he is known the world over as one of the initiators of the revolution in architecture and design which led away from the rigid functionalism of the years prior to and following the Second World War. A great and influential Maestro of Italian design, the energy of his language and the vitality of his colour and line contrast sharply with any intellectualism and rigidity. He dies in December 2007.


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View interracial Singles in Stevenson
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SAS invites all to participate in popular SAS public events and to think about the benefits of becoming a member of SAS. All astronomy enthusiasts are welcome.
Clear skies are an essential ingredient for successful skywatching. Get a closer look at a clear sky chart or more general weather conditions.


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AT&T has announced a new set of data plans, starting Monday, for smartphones and tablets (read: iPads) that appear to come cheaper than current plans.
Although the changes might leave some people scratching their heads, I see more to like than dislike--such as iPhone tethering.
Tethering, which allows a laptop to connect to the Internet via a phone's 3G connection, will be available with the new data plans as soon as Apple releases iPhone OS 4 this summer, AT&T said in its Wednesday announcement. Tethering will cost an extra $20 and won't work with existing iPhone data plans; it will need to be added onto the new, lower-priced plans.
Monday, by the way, is also the first day of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference and the day that Apple CEO Steve Jobs is scheduled to give a keynote address.
The main difference between AT&T's new plans and the old is that the word "unlimited" is now gone, which at first sounds like bad news. But the unlimited plans, like many other broadband plans, had murky, inscrutable limits.
There are stories of people being charged for going over a certain amount of data without knowing what that limit was, which doesn't make the "unlimited" plans unlimited. To curb this, the just-announced plans give a new declared limit on how much data one gets for the money, fairly inexpensive options for those who go over, and tools for keeping tabs on data usage.
The pair of plans work with any smartphone that AT&T sells, including the iPhone.
The low-end plan, DataPlus, includes 200MB of data for $15 a month. If the 200MB limit is exceeded, another 200MB block is added on for $15. This continues for as much data as is used.
The high-end plan, DataPro, includes 2GB of data--10 times more than DataPlus--for $25. When the 2GB threshold is reached, another 1GB can be tacked on for $10. Each 1GB after that is $10, as much as is used. That's far better than the old overage rate of $100 per GB, or 10 cents per MB.
New iPad customers, who buy an iPad 3G starting Monday, can get the same $25 per month 2GB plan as iPhone users. Unlike iPhone users, iPad customers will still prepay for their wireless data plan with no contract. Existing iPad customers who have the $29.99 per month unlimited plan can keep that plan or switch to the new $25 per month plan with 2GB of data.
AT&T said it's trying to avoid surprises on people's bill. Before a limit is reached, customers will receive a free text message warning that they're about to hit the turnstile to the next billing level, so they can settle things down if needed. AT&T also offers a free app, MyWireless, for many of its devices, that displays the current data usage in real time.
iPhone users will note that the $25 plan is $5 less than the current iPhone data plan. AT&T says 98 percent of its smartphone users--including iPhone users--use less than 2GB a month. For many iPhone users, saving $5 a month by not paying for data they don't use is a good thing.
But nobody will be forced to switch. If people are happy with their current plan, they can keep it, which I expect many to do. In fact, AT&T says that people "are not required to switch to the new plans if they renew their contract or switch to another smartphone. However, if they switch to one of the new plans, they will not be able to go back to their old, unlimited plan." The only downside is that legacy iPhone plans won't get tethering, so there are some things to consider for some.
Besides 3G data, users of the new plans will have free access to any of AT&T's 20,000 nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots, which is about par.
That said, already I can see the comments surfacing: this is about throttling bandwidth, and this is about giving less for the same amount of money.
But I see a lot of good here: the majority of current smartphone users will be able to reduce their monthly bill without seeing any impact on their day-to-day usage. First-time smartphone users will be able to get a usable 3G data plan for $15 a month. And hardcore users can, if they choose, go on using their handsets just as they have without changing anything.
It's good to see AT&T getting more aggressive on data. And it's good to see the company clearing up the usage issues that have been a point of contention for some.


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Search results
Soil health at risk on fallow fields
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Mon, 20 August 2007
Jonathan Narcisse wants to on the Des Moines School Board. PLLLLEEEZZZZEEEE ! For the love of GAWD...elect him this time so the rest of us can get some peace. Thank you very much. Then, to whack or not to whack , that is the question.
Direct download: mickelson-2007-08-20.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:08am CDT


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There are three hours until the curtain opens on the musical event of the decade and Tito Merelli is not ready to perform. His singing partners cancelled, his daughter is growing up too fast, and the food spread in his five-star hotel is all wrong. It's a race against the clock to sort out his personal issues but they just seem to be getting more complicated! A sequel to Lend Me A Tenor, this non-stop barrage of hilarity sets out to remind us all that family is really what's important..
Back to All Events
Earlier Event: December 21Ken Ludwig's a Comedy of Tenors
Later Event: December 22Ken Ludwig's a Comedy of Tenors


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Recall that a few weeks ago I had a 1988 K100 that stumbled intermittently. It never died. It just stumbled. Based on that I kinda went down the fuel path. I replaced the fuel filter and replaced the fuel pump with a IBMWR-suggested non-BMW pump, complete with the shimming required to have it fit.
It's quite possible that it only had some water in the tank. I don't think I know exactly what the original problem was, but it ran fine for a week or so and then it got worse.
Now it doesn't run above an idle. The link shows what it's like. It's an mp4 file.
I'm thinking of emptying the tank, putting the BMW fuel pump back in, and replacing the fuel filter again. The tank-to-fuel-rail line is relatively new. I haven't checked the fuel-rail-to-regulator line.
A brief peek in the tank today and the non-BMW fuel pump is still in place.
Ideas about how to diagnose why it won't run above an idle? I never put a fuel pressure gauge on the fuel line, so I don't know what pressure the system is producing.


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Relationship Banker II
- Employer
- M&T Bank
- Location
- Aberdeen, MD
- Posted
- Jun 06, 2018
- Closes
- Jun 19, 2018
- Function
- Accountant, IT
- Industry
- Financial Services and Banking
- Career Level
- Experienced (Non-Manager)
- Hours
- Full Time
Retail Banking Division FULL TIME - Relationship Banker II 37.5 Hours Per Week Aberdeen Branch Aberdeen, MD FUNCTION Serves as a foundation of building customer loyalty and growing and retaining customer relationships in the M&T branch system. Plays key role in Relationship Management (customer assessments, profiling for sales opportunities, account opening and lead-focused outbound calling), Sales Process (profile/pre-call planning, outreach, appointment preparation, interaction/appointment, follow-up) and Risk Management (audit requirements, fraud prevention, Know Your Customer (KYC) and customer information profile (CIP)). Profiles customers to identify financial needs across all product and service lines, resolves service issues, and as required, completes accurate and timely processing of teller transactions. POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES Develop new customer relationships and expand and retain existing relationships by proactively identifying opportunities leveraging the portfolio management process and utilizing the fundamentals of the Bank's sales process to achieve personal sales and/or referral goals. Identify financial needs of customers and present all appropriate product and service options by working cooperatively with appropriate internal business partners. Build new customer relationships through frequent interactions with customers during the first 90 days of the relationship. Proactively contact customers in assigned customer portfolio, as well as participate in branch sales promotions to support these efforts. Support Bank's guidelines for delivering and coaching exceptional customer experience including proactively greeting customers, smiling, using their name and ending each interaction (whether in person or phone) by saying "Thank you for banking with M&T, is there anything else I can do for you today (customer name)?" Maintain a professional manner to build customer confidence and trust. Take ownership of account servicing and error resolution, including resolving customer problems and referring more complex issues to the supervisor. Follow-up on these issues as required to ensure timely and accurate resolution and convert servicing situations to sales/referral opportunities. Meet with customers entering the branch to assess and identify customers' immediate and long-term financial needs; present all appropriate options and complete the sale and/or referral of products and services as appropriate. Support branch in achieving its customer retention, acquisition and growth goals including Insurance revenue if appropriate, Follow consumer/business banking guidelines for accuracy and proper new account handling and exception processing. Process a variety of Retail and Commercial transactions, including deposits, withdrawals, loan payments and check cashing in a timely and efficient manner. Verify check endorsements and funds availability and disburse cash to customers in the conduct of transactions and according to policy. Issue receipts to customers for transactions processed to provide a record of activity. Balance daily work, adhering to all procedures stated in the Employee Difference policy. Approve check endorsements as required by branch. Maintain thorough knowledge of all procedures affecting branch activities to complete appropriate action as required by circumstance. Ensure compliance with operational, security and control policies/procedures, preventing fraud and protecting customer assets. Demonstrate teamwork by proactively assisting other branch colleagues when needed as well as actively participating and contributing during Branch Team meetings. Coach branch team on quality referral generation (based on Insurance designation) to support sales activities. On a limited basis, may be responsible for overall branch operation in the Branch Manager's absence. Understand and adhere to the Company's risk and regulatory standards, policies and controls in accordance with the Company's Risk Appetite. Identify risk-related issues needing escalation to management. Promote an environment that supports diversity and reflects the M&T Bank brand. Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable. Responsible for meeting and maintaining registration requirements under the Federal SAFE Act. Complete other related duties as assigned. NATURE AND SCOPE While the position spends some time servicing existing customers, the focus of this position is to serve as key driver to grow the business through proactive identification of sales opportunities and portfolio management with customers to support achievement of annual branch sales goals. Depending on the needs of the specific branch, the position may assist the Teller team with customer transactions. The percentage of time spent in each work area is based on branch size, complexity, and need. The position interacts with appropriate areas of the Bank to ensure customer needs and service issues are resolved timely, accurately and completely. The position must stay current on operational, product, and system changes/enhancements, as well as demonstrate good risk management decisions to assist the branch in managing preventable losses and reduce fraudulent activity. Once licensed, the position must maintain Insurance licensing minimum expectations as outlined in the MTS Licensed Banker Academy document. MANAGERIAL/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY Depending on the assigned branch, the position may provide guidance and training to less experienced personnel. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED High school diploma or equivalent (GED) and a minimum of 2 years proven retail sales, call center, customer service and/or telesales experience. Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills. Proven ability to demonstrate exceptional customer service. Well organized individual with time management and prioritization skills. Demonstrated financial services product knowledge. Proficiency with personal computers as well as pertinent word processing and spreadsheet software as well as email. Ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy with internal and external customers. Pertinent state Life/Accident and Health Insurance licensing required within 12 months of entry into position. IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS PREFERREDAssociates' degree. Notary public license. Licensed Life/Health Insurance Agent. Bi-Lingual based on branch needs. Experience with Internet. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSAbility to stand for long periods of time. Prolonged use of hands and fingers. Ability to lift light to heavy objects weighing 5 lbs. to 30 lbs. Ability to read fine print. Ability to interact with customers in an open face-to-face work environment. Ability to use fax, telephone system, copier and other communication tools. ABOUT M&T At M&T, we strive to be the best place our employees ever work, the best bank our customers ever do business with and the best investment our shareholders ever make. So when looking to advance your career, look to M&T. As a top 20 US bank holding company and one of the best performing regional banks in the country, we offer a wide range of performance based career development opportunities for talented professionals. And through our longstanding tradition of careful, conservative and consistent management and a strong commitment to the communities we serve, we continue to grow with a focus on the future. Job Posting: Apr 25, 2018, 12:30:37 PM Unposting Date: Ongoing