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Review and Giveaway: Mississippi Mud Bars
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
I, like most of you, I presume, love sweets. Brownies are one of my favorite desserts, and one time while I was watching Food Network, Down Home with the Neelys actually, they made some Mississippi Mud Bars and I knew I had to make some or try some!
What was funny was, about two weeks later, I received an email from MyBlogSpark to try out some NEW Mississippi Mud Bars by Betty Crocker. You can bet that I jumped on that Spark!
I've been cooking alot more since I'm out of work. Not that I didn't cook before, but the meals I cook now are always three course meals and at least once a week I make a dessert to go with dinner. We love to eat here and one thing I know is that my mother taught me well - she taught me how to cook nutritional, tasty meals for my children.
One day I made some London Broil (which I've been making ALOT of recently!) for dinner and I decided to make the Mississippi Mud Bars. I had to lick the spoon and the bowl before the kids came downstairs, that's how good they looked! Yes, they looked that good even before being baked!
One thing I can't explain is that I followed the directions to a T and the mud bars came out a little dry. Not sure why, but next time, I'm going to adjust the water and/or eggs to make them a little more moist.
All in all, these were very tasty. I loved them! The kids loved them too!
One of you will win the prize pack that I won (pictured above) to make your own Mississippi Mud Bars!
To enter to win, tell me: Do you have an event coming up that you'd like to serve these at? (Required entry)
For extra entries, please view my Giveaway Rules, updated 2/2/10.
This giveaway is open to US and Canadian Residents 18 years of age and older. This giveaway will end on 6/23/10. Winner will be announced in a post here at A Simple Kinda Life and will be emailed, so please leave your email address in your comment!
Thanks for entering, and Good Luck!
Disclaimer: Betty Crocker provided me with the free product, information, and prize pack through MyBlogSpark. The opinions expressed above are solely my own and yours may differ. Receiving a product will NEVER influence what I write in any review.


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Izakaya Sozai San Francisco, CA. 1500 Irving st.
In a Diverse city like SF, it may sound off, but it's hard to find a great Izakaya restaurant with a true Japanese feel.
Sozai has the izakaya has that feel, chef Ritsu's serves up modern izakaya cuisine along with a modified western version.
I highly recommend coming and trying their izakaya out! Tell ;,chef Ritsu Hawaiian Ryan sent you.

subset: commoncrawl


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Another successful month moving towards my step goal of 3,000,000 steps. I took the opportunity to read some of my older monthly posts (like Feb and March) and it was amazing to see how far I've come. At the beginning of the year, 3,000,000 steps seemed almost impossible. Now, barring some catastrophe, it seems like a foregone conclusion.
Even though I could take it easy, now I'm pushing myself to see how quickly I can get to three million steps. Will I do it by the beginning of December? The middle of November? September was pretty consistent with August. I had 27 days with over 8,000 steps. Of those, 18 days were over 10,000 steps and 5 days were over 14,000 steps. My best day was September 20, with 21,640 steps, which was also the day I ran my first 5k race. FYI. That's a lot of walking in addition to the 3.1 miles I ran that day.
I felt like I ran a lot more, but I actually ran 49 miles, the same as August. My personal monthly goal was 55 miles, but I fell short. Still, I've made a lot of progress, so I can't feel too badly. My best running distance for the month (and ever) was 6.25 (10K) on September 13th. I've also been thinking about doing more long runs, like possibly a 10 mile race or even a half marathon.


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The theory's beauty is in its simplicity: by placing the needs of others above our own, we let other people win at our expense. And in healthy relationships, they are doing the same for us.
Perhaps it's time to change the way we perceive generosity in order to meet the needs of the people around us.
Giving back is always important, but that urge inevitably grows stronger within us around the time of Thanksgiving. Maybe it's because we gather with family and friends who have been good to us or maybe it's because the spirit of generosity seems to suddenly be everywhere. Whatever it is, it's the perfect time to reflect on the importance of giving in our lives.


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Debt in America: Consumers Paying off Credit Cards
Credit card obligations have fallen 10% since January, according to Credit Karma, a web site that offers free credit scores. Since this time last year, credit card debts have dropped a stunning 17%.
(Note to readers: This is part of a four-part series on debt, you can read the entire report starting here.)
Credit Karma compiled the data by analyzing the debt information contained in the more than 211,000 credit files accessed by users of the site. That gives the company a clear picture of how Americans are handling their credit cards, home mortgages, auto loans and student debt.
Most forms of debt, with the exception of student loans, are on the decline, says Kenneth Lin, chief executive of Credit Karma. But no where are Americans paying off their loans as fast and furiously as they are with their credit cards.
Admittedly, some of that is likely to be involuntary, Lin says. Issuers have pulled roughly $1 trillion in available credit away from consumers by cancelling cards and cutting credit limits over the past two years.
Still, the trend is a positive one. As Americans cut their reliance on high-cost debt, the cost-of-living comes down and consumers become increasingly financially stable. That will lead to a healthier consumer segment that will be better able to thrive as the economy edges forward.
Some noteworthy facts about credit card debt in 2011, according to the Credit Karma data:
- The average consumer owed $6,472 on credit cards in July, down 17% from a year ago.
- Consumers in Colorado hold the largest credit card balances, owing an average of $7,543.
- New Jersey residents aren't far behind, holding average balances of $7,531.
- Residents of both Colorado and New Jersey have cut the amount they owe on plastic -- though not quite as fast as the nation as a whole. Colorado residents owe 16% less on credit cards today than they did a year ago; New Jersey residents owe 15% less.
- The state with the smallest average credit card balance is Wisconsin, where the average consumer owes just $4,654.
- Wisconsin also gets plaudits for paying off the most credit card debt, with average debt dropping 40% from $7,810. (However, Lin says this remarkable drop may be linked more to sample size than state-wide trend. The company has fewer customers in Wisconsin than highly populated states like California and New York.)
- The second least-indebted state (at least with respect to credit cards): Mississippi, where the average consumer owes just $5,901 on plastic.
Nevada: Average debt $6,096, down 23% from a year ago
Alaska: Average debt $7,528, down 22% from a year ago
Hawaii: Average debt $7,248, down 20%
Rhode Island: Average debt $6,269, down 20%
South Dakota: Average debt $6,661, down 19%
Missouri: Average debt $6,189, down 19%
Massachusetts: Average debt $6,429, down 18%
Maine: Average debt $6,374, down 18%
California: Average debt $6,332, down 18%
Minnesota: Average debt $6,006, down 18%
For more information about how Americans are handling their debt, check out the other articles in this series:
Debt in America: Most and Least Indebted States
Debt in America: States Where Mortgage Debt is Declining
Debt in America: Students Buried in Education Loans
More on MoneyWatch
Credit Card Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Vacation
Rejected for Credit: New Rule Requires an Explanation
3 Best Credit Cards for Students
How to Build a Great Credit Score from Scratch


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Organisational models: when the 'blanket' is too short
July 2014 | EXPERT BRIEFING | FRAUD & CORRUPTION
Recent Italian jurisprudence has shed light on the long-debated topic of the roles played by supervisory bodies in corporate entities – particularly in ensuring the responsiveness of corporate actions to ethical principles and compliance to organisational models adopted in view of avoiding corporate responsibility under the principles of Legislative Decree no. 231 of 8 June 2001.
This law establishes that corporate entities may be held liable for criminal violations performed in their interest by top managers or reporting figures acting in authority, unless a clear violation by such managers or figures of the adopted protective organisational models may be proven. If the comapny's model appears responsive and aligned with legal principles, and the violation is proven to have avoided or bypassed the model and relevant procedures, corporations may not be held responsible for criminal violations, if they can demonstrate that they have adopted models and procedures capable of upholding corporate compliance to ethical and lawful principles.
This debate has much to do with the general role of corporations in the overall environment, or, said another way, the reflection and impact of corporate behaviour and activities on the values relevant to the general collective interest. In fact, Legislative Decree no. 231/2001 establishes first and foremost the need for companies to be willing to draft an ethical code, within which the legal entity should define and determine its primary values, visions and general objectives, to address primarily its general interests and monitoring behaviour.
A recent interpretation by the Supreme Court sheds a fundamental light on the role of the supervisory body, the compulsory professional body envisaged by Legislative Decree no. 231/2001, responsible for overseeing corporate actions, ensuring consistency between procedures, behaviours and objectives, and monitoring potential criminal violations (the list of which is quite varied, ranging from environmental law principles to privacy constraints, corporate violations, corruption, labour protection measures, etc.).
On 30 January 2014, the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation, Criminal Section no. V, issued judgment no. 4677. The case involved the crime of market manipulation (aggiotaggio, under Article no. 2637 of the Italian Civil Code), a crime forming part of the lengthy list of criminal violations listed by Legislative Decree no. 231 of 8 June 2001 under the title of corporate violations, and able to trigger the direct administrative liability of legal entities for activities performed in the execution of their duties.
In the criminal proceeding pending against Impregilo S.p.A, a company awarded public tenders to treat urban solid waste, the preliminary merit judgment held before the Court of Appeal of Milan had discharged from allegations that both the president and the chief executive officer engaged in the offence of market manipulation.
The allegations referred to disseminating to the press distorted information with the intention of altering the recognised value of listed titles. During the procedure it became clear that the two top managers had wilfully modified the contents of the draft versions of press releases with the aim of ensuring a different perception and altering the company's market value.
The Court of Appeal upheld the acquittal decision issued by the Court of First Instance on the grounds that the organisational model adopted to ensure the lawful behaviour by managers appeared to be suitable for the purposes of avoiding the sanctioned behaviour. The Court stated that senior management had fraudulently breached the organisational model, bypassing its procedures governing the release of information to the press.
Yet the Supreme Court of Cassation set aside this judgment. First and foremost, for the Court, the company's senior management did not appear to have fraudulently breached the organisational model.
Instead, the Court of Cassation ruled that the organisational and management model adopted by Impregilo appeared not to be able to prevent, in general terms, the crime of market manipulation, allowing the chairman and the chief executive officer to draft press releases in total autonomy and without any checks or monitoring activity by third parties. In that respect, the organizational model did not appear suitable, regardless of how the events had unfolded, to comply with the stringent principles of protection and avoidance set by Legislative Decree no. 231/2001.
The Supreme Court also clarified that, although the organisational model had appeared to define the expected role of the supervising body, the supervising board did not appear to possess the necessary independence, autonomy and professional characteristics required by Legislative Decree no. 231/2001.
For the Supreme Court, the sole definition of the role and power of the supervising body is not sufficient in itself to exempt the company from the general principle of liability, in particular if the supervising body is not in a position to perform the required activities of monitoring and overview, given its de facto subordination to the hierarchical powers of the senior managers it is supposed to control.
The Supreme Court highlighted that if "…the Body in charge of supervising is not even allowed to express a dissenting opinion on the 'finished product', it is clear that the Model cannot be considered suitable to prevent the performance and consummation of a crime of particular skill, such as market manipulation".
In addition, the Supreme Court clarified that, under article no. 6 of the Legislative Decree, the company can be exempt from liability if the organisational model is fraudulently breached, through misleading or false conduct intended to avoid the stringent protocols set out by the company. However, for the Supreme Court, a mere violation of the organisational model cannot be considered in itself a fraudulent breach.
Regarding the organisational model implemented by Impregilo, the Supreme Court set out that the role of the supervisory body requires in itself a stringent and effective possibility of action and control; in the case at hand, the drafting of a press release statement drawn up by the chairman and the chief executive officer should have been previously submitted to the supervisory body prior to its release. For the Supreme Court, in the absence of an explicit provision in the organisational model regarding an express 'control and supervision' issue, " the principles of necessary control set out by Article no. 6 of Legislative Decree would be de facto irrelevant, since they would imply the possibility of an operator to avoid responsibilities simply by ensuring control of a draft press release, but not on the final version".
The role of the supervisory body, is thus to supervise "the operation , compliance and updating of organizational Models " (Article 6 Legislative Decree no.231/2001 paragraph 1, letter b ) in an effective and proactive manner, such that its exercise must confirm the "autonomous powers of initiative and control" given to the board and ensured in an effective way, to prevent the execution of crimes.
Fabrizio Cugia di Sant'Orsola is a partner and Silvia Giampaolo is a lawyer at Cugia Cuomo & Associati. Mr Cugia can be contacted on +39 06 960 38 103 or by email: firstname.lastname@example.com. Ms Giampaolo can be contacted on +39 06 960 38 106 or by email: firstname.lastname@example.com.
© Financier Worldwide
Fabrizio Cugia di Sant'Orsola and Silvia Giampaolo
Cugia Cuomo & Associati


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Did a walk through last weekend checking out this year's Harlem Book Fair. Bought a couple of books, but also this t-shirt and earrings from a clothing vendor, 2 Lite Creations I bought one of their "Rock What You Were Born With" t-shirts at a trunk show a couple years ago and just happened to be wearing it when I ran into her stall that day. It's one of my favorites to wear during the summer, just had to buy another one.
New finds
22 Jul 2013 Leave a comment
in beauty and hair Tags: afro, book fair, earrings, harlem, t-shirts


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SACMI: Casting Process
IN OUT is a new patented technical solution for the production of ceramic WCs that can overcome design barriers using a fully automated production process. The process reportedly introduces the possibility of fractioning the objects into two parts so that each can be processed using technical solutions best-suited to their final purpose. The base "fairing" is produced using large solid spacers to counteract deformation and thus prevent breakages.
IN OUT can form motor and fairing separately as part of a high-pressure casting process inside the same unit and assembles motor and fairing to produce a finished product that reduces tensions within what is a complex object by assembling two distinct parts; brings out the best in cutting-edge aesthetics to provide high-quality results; complies with all the technical requisites of the finished product; and is made all in one single casting machine like any ceramic WC.
For additional information, visit www.sacmi.com.


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Arts Nova Scotia supports emerging artists with exceptional talent by providing funding to the Nova Scotia Talent Trust. The Nova Scotia Talent Trust (NSTT) is a not-for-profit registered charity that provides scholarships to Nova Scotians who demonstrate exceptional potential and commitment to become established artists in their chosen fields. Applicants of any age may apply but support is given to those who are not yet established in their fields and who are undertaking programs of study which will advance their artistic development and who are pursuing career paths that can lead them to become established artists.
The bi-annual application deadlines are March 1st and May 1st and must be made through the Nova Scotia Talent Trust Website.


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Get my 8 universal principles to build a million dollar business…
Domingo Silvas is a "serial" entrepreneur. Besides being a very successful entrepreneur, he is a humanitarian, a supporter of good causes – a world traveler, great family man, and a good friend to many.
He specializes on Capital Strategy, Start-ups and is an expansion expert. He provides companies vision and strategic directions, including capital strategies. He has raised over US$ 200 million in over 10 years.
Domingo has a passion for entrepreneurship and serves as a mentor, coach and advisor, both for individuals and corporations. Domingo also teaches as a guest lecturer and moderator at several business school events locally and abroad. Domingo is a frequent speaker on the entrepreneurial circuit and has traveled from Quebec to Shanghai helping business owners achieve their goals.
Are you READY to scale from 6 to 7 Figures?
After spending time coaching, and working with small to middle size companies all over the world, I found Scale 8UP Program is the foundation of business (Entrepreneurship).
"Working with Domingo Silvas, III in various projects has allowed me to see his brilliance, knowledge of growing companies, and his maturity in working on global businesses that's unusual for a man his age. He has also introduced me to some outstanding mega-entrepreneurs that are becoming key players in the expansion of our educational and renewable energy companies. I look forward to expanding our association with Domingo and his global team in future endeavors."
-Dame DC Cordova
"There are many "Experts" out there who claim to be a professional in their niche. However, Domingo is one of the most highly qualified experts in this space. His leadership is unmatched and his skill-set is proven. Having him speak on my stage was one of the best decisions I made for my event. He shows up and over delivers! The crowd loves him everywhere he goes. If you are looking to hire Domingo as a coach or speaker, you will be thoroughly impressed with the value he brings to the table."
-Adam iMob Flores
"Domingo Silvas is a very special presenter. He is a natural teacher: humble, open and egoless. People drink him in. His content comes from the fabric of his soul, he knows success and awakens that in an audience. He is one the best presenters I have ever had the pleasure of working with…"
-Julian Noel
"He went on to say that even if you generate millions a month in cash, you can still be financially poor. I have since learned so much more from this very humble man and I know it's only the tip of the iceberg. I consider Domingo one of my best mentors in business and in life. He is a true inspiration for me and every time I have the chance to pick his brain for even just 5 minutes my life keeps changing positively. I applaud anyone who attempts to build an asset or any relation with him."
-Samuel Xiveiro
Get my eight universal principles to build a million dollar business…


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Travel Guidelines and Services
We offer the following guidelines and additional services to help you with your travel arrangements. If you have questions or need assistance with planning your travel, please contact us at email@example.com or call us at 509.396.5551.
- For UCLA: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- For Yale University: Bradley International Airport (BDL)
- For Harvard University: Logan International Airport (BOS)
- For Johns Hopkins University: Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI)
Check-in time: Summit check-in is from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM on the first day of the program. Parents dropping students off can take part in the optional parent orientation. The check-in desk will remain open until all students have arrived, however we ask that you plan to arrive during the window above so that your child does not miss orientation and activities planned for that afternoon and evening.
Pick-up time: On the departure day, students must be picked up by 9:00 AM.
Driving directions to the summit site will be provided to you before the summit. Upon arriving on campus, please look for the signs that will direct you to the Ambassador Leadership Summit registration area.
Airport Pick-up and Drop Off Service is available for students traveling independently and arriving into the designated airport for a $95.00 round trip fee. Our program staff will meet the students upon arrival and provide supervised transportation via private motor-coach to the program site, and to the airport on the departure day.
In order to take advantage of this service please book your flights in the following windows:
- Arrival Flights: Flights should arrive between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM on the first day of the program into the designated airport listed above.
- Departure Flights: Flights should depart between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM on the last day of the program from the designated airport listed above.
If you are not able to find flights during the above published times, please contact the program office before finalizing your plans to discuss alternative arrangements as additional fees may apply.
Please note the airport pick-up/drop off service is only available at the designated airports as published above.
unaccompanied minor service
Unaccompanied Minor (UAM) Service is a fee-based service that is arranged through the airline. Airlines have age requirements that vary by the airline and may mandate that this service is purchased if the child is flying alone. Please contact the airline for details on using this service.
If you do purchase this service, please contact the Program Office to ensure that our staff is prepared to meet your child.
[ ] Once you have confirmed your travel arrangements, please provide your travel plans to the Program Office by submitting the Travel Plans Form, regardless of whether you are dropping off your child or your child is traveling independently.


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When your new employee was in the military, they were consistently and publicly rewarded for meeting objectives and going above the call of duty. Veterans are also accustomed to clear direction so that they can advance in their careers and increase their pay.
They need a high-touch approach as they transition to your workplace, says Sherrill A. Curtis, principal and creative director for HR consulting firm Curtis Consulting Group LLC, in her guide "Support From Behind the Lines." Here are a few steps that Curtis and other experts suggest.
- Create a mentoring program. Link veterans with other employees who have served in the military to show them the company ropes and who can provide feedback on any concerns that they might not otherwise voice. Or, assign managers to shepherd veterans. For example, in Seattle, Starbucks has instituted a "sponsorship" program. Each new hire receives one mentor with military experience and one without military experience. These three employees can accomplish two things. First, they can make the transition easier for the new employee, and second, they can continue to bridge the civilian-military divide by learning from one another.
- Establish employee resource groups (ERGs), or affinity groups, targeted to veterans. ERGs provide networking opportunities, like community volunteerism, raising awareness and education about the military community among the employee population. ERGs also offer one-on-one coaching (a mentoring program can dovetail into your veterans' ERG agenda). For example, USAA of San Antonio, TX, provides VetNet, its internal veteran employee resource group. VetNet boasts a communication site and social media community designed for veteran and military spouse employees that works much like LinkedIn. VetNet is used for sharing information, posting military-related events, seeking/offering help on the job, mentoring, listing military-related websites and establishing focus groups for specific business needs. The VetNet team also executes internal social and professional development events.
- Don't forget about the basics. Be sure that issues such as job responsibilities, start time, chain of command and professional growth opportunities are clear to them when they first start, and check in with them weekly for the first three months to see how they are adjusting.
Veterans' employee resource groups don't always translate into good integration opportunities for military spouses. Spouses also may be dealing with unspoken stresses that cannot be discussed in mixed company. They may be more apt to reach out to other spouses for support rather than to your designated Employee Assistance Program (EAP) coordinator, too.
You may want to form an employee resource group specifically devoted to military spouses and those who want to support them. Something like this is especially essential when deployments or missions interfere with a spouse's day-to-day routine. Being able to connect with those in similar situations enables a spouse to focus on their job, despite what may be going on personally with their spouse's mission. Also, tailor a mentoring program for spouses whose professional experience may be interrupted by frequent moves and lifestyle challenges.
If you're new to all of this and want to get advice from other companies that have blazed the trail with military spouses, consider becoming a partner of the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP), a key component of the White House Joining Forces campaign. Opportunities exist for MSEP partners to network within industry sectors or with other industries to share best practices, discuss corporate challenges and support the military community.


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Local Leaders Initiate Effort to Name Bailey Bridges & Park in Honor of Korean War Veteran and Retired Sheriff Thomas F. Higgins
A tireless servant to his country and his community, longtime Erie County Sheriff Thomas F. Higgins has dedicated a lifetime to Western New York and now local leaders are pushing to dedicate a local landmark in his honor. Federal, State, County and City representatives are teaming up to name the newly reconstructed Bailey Bridges and adjacent park, located in Sheriff Higgins' South Buffalo neighborhood, after the United States Marine Corps veteran.
"With 42 years of law enforcement experience, including twelve years as Sheriff of Erie County, Tom Higgins is the region's most accomplished law enforcement leader of his generation," said Congressman Brian Higgins. "This tribute provides a lasting reminder of the Sheriff's commitment to serve."
"As a Korean War veteran and former Erie County Sheriff, Tom Higgins has courageously served our country and our community for decades, and continues to be a strong, respected leader throughout his retirement," said Senator Tim Kennedy. "It is only fitting that we dedicate these bridges and park in honor of a Western New York icon, who continues to inspire new generations to dedicate themselves to public service and bettering our great city. It is people like Tom who earn Buffalo the nickname the City of Good Neighbors, and who make our community a better place to grow, live, and raise families."
Erie County Legislator Patrick Burke, a sponsor of the County resolution advancing the effort, said, "Tom Higgins is a friend to many, a combat veteran, and one of the best public servants this community has ever known. It is my honor and privilege to dedicate this park in his name."
Buffalo Common Councilmember Richard Fontana said, "Sheriff Higgins' service and commitment to Western New York has never wavered. I am proud to support the Bailey bridge naming in honor of a true American, Sheriff Higgins.
"Sheriff Thomas Higgins epitomizes the term public servant," said Buffalo Common Councilmember Chris Scanlon. "He's worn countless hats: most notably, serving his country during the Korean War, serving the people of this great city as a lieutenant in the Buffalo Police Department and serving the whole of Erie County as Sheriff. No matter which position he has served in, Tom Higgins has always treated all people with dignity and respect, a practice needed in this world now more than ever. Naming the bridges on Bailey Avenue after the Sheriff will ensure that his legacy of service to his country, county, city and fellow human beings will be remembered for years to come."
Born in 1930, Sheriff Higgins began a three-year tour of duty with the United States Marine Corps at age 21, engaging in combat during the Korean War, serving in the 1st Marine Division, 11th Regiment until his honorable discharge in 1954.
Sheriff Higgins earned an Associate Degree from Erie Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Buffalo State College and a Master's Degree in History from the University at Buffalo. He returned to the classroom again and again to lead lectures at local high schools, colleges and the Central Police Services Academy.
His public safety career began in the Buffalo Police Department where he worked for twenty-one years. As a Buffalo Police Officer, Higgins demonstrated leadership early, working as a precinct level detective, earning the rank of Lieutenant and serving as a mentor to the next generation of recruits as director of the Buffalo Police Academy.
In 1977, Sheriff Higgins began a more than two-decade long career with the Erie County Sheriff's Department. As the Undersheriff, he collaborated with community organizations to develop the "First Time/Last Time" program aimed at reducing recidivism rates among young adults and organized educational programs through a partnership between the Sheriff's Department, City of Buffalo and New York State Department of Education to help detainees earn their GED.
Higgins was first elected by residents to serve as Erie County Sheriff in 1985 and continued in that role for 12 years. He established the Erie County Law Enforcement Foundation to assist local public safety departments with the purchase of specialized training and equipment. He also co-founded and chaired the New York State Sheriff's Association Scholarship Fund.
Throughout his life, Sheriff Higgins dedicated his time and energy to dozens of veteran, civic and public safety organizations, serving as President of the Buffalo Naval and Military Park Board of Directors, a member of the Buffalo Commission on Citizen's Rights and Community Relations, President of the Buffalo State College Alumni Association and Chairman of the Korean War Memorial Committee.
Constructed the same year as Sheriff Higgins' birth, the 88-year old Bailey Bridges, which cross Cazenovia Creek and the Buffalo River, recently underwent a $22 million reconstruction. The rehab was supported by federal, state and city funding. At the same time, greenspace enhancements adjacent to the bridges and waterways are underway, transforming the public space into a new Erie County park.
The Buffalo Common Council and Erie County Legislature are expected to advance resolutions seeking to officially designate the bridges and park as the Sheriff Thomas F. Higgins Bridges and Park.


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The Management Committee (Board) is made up of a maximum of 15 local residents.
At present the structure is:
Full Committee of Management 10 members
Ms Marion McMillan (Chairperson)
Mr Alistair Penney (Vice Chairperson)
Ms Valerie Kyle (Treasurer)
Mr Bruce Strathearn
Mr John Forrest
Mrs Elizabeth Carter
Mrs Susan Harper
Mr Chris Carr
Mr Bobby Pollock
Mr Michael Doherty
Finance/Audit Development Sub Committee 4 members
Mr John Forrest
Ms Marion McMillan
Ms Valerie Kyle
Mrs Susan Harper
Subsidiary Board
Gamal Haddou
The Full Committee meets monthly and the sub committee meets quarterly.
The Full Committee deals with all the general business and the sub committee deal more specifically with issues such as policy in order that more time can be devoted to looking at issues in more detail. The Full Committee ratifies all of the sub committee work.
Our Staff of 12 and our part time finance consultant supports the management committee


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Just a small post to let you know this is a commentluv enabled blog
I like to spread my luv around comment luv that is!
If you have a blog then go to http://comluv.com get the plug-in and register your blog it is all free.
Here is the best bit, once you are set up, find a commentluv enabled blog, there are loads out there. Or back here! And leave a comment
You get ten links of your choice back to your own blog all those posts!
You do not have to put your links in yourself just leave a comment, email address, and website your done.
Check at the bottom of your comment you will have a little luv heart with a plus sign example below.( just left myself a little comment so you know what i mean)
Just lay your cursor on and you will see, were you have been, plus info about your blog, Plus links to your last post.
Having problems want to know more then leave me a comment i will reply to you
It fun to share and it a way of saying thank you for leaving a comment on my blog and its all free that's even better !


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Pacoima City Hall Media Room (2nd Floor)
13520 Van Nuys Blvd, Pacoima, CA 91331
presented with Center for Cultural Innovation
Artists are essential in resisting and dismantling fascism. Throughout history and through the present, you instigate, question, provoke; you provide humor, creative impulse, reflection, serenity, validation. In light of our country's political swing toward white supremacy and hate, artists need the emotional, financial, physical, and spiritual support to sustain their work. You are invited to show up, listen, and share: support, resources, community-building, information, methods to enter movements, and ways to sustain both your activism and your practice. You will receive a free pamphlet with tips and self-assessment tools for continuing your practice during this administration. Bring a notebook and something to write with!


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"Employment experts agree that technical or hard skills get you an interview, but soft skills get you the job and help you keep it." -Monster.com
Someday our teens will be looking for jobs. And if you are like me, I want to see my kids succeed at getting the job or career they desire. The questions is, "are they developing the necessary soft skills to get that job and keep it?"
Listen as I talk about soft skills and which ones are critical for our teens to develop in order to succeed at their job.
David Roux is an Academic Life Coach for teens and college students from Fishers, IN. For more information, check out www.davidrouxcoaching.com.


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Located in Edmonds, WA
Edmonds Fishing Pier:
The Edmonds fishing pier has been a fishing hot spot for ages, offering great salmon opportunities as well as bottom fish, crabbing an shrimp. Best of all Edmonds fishing pier is open year round, so the fun never ends. Get your pole and get going to the Edmonds fishing pier.
Salmonid Species:
When to Fish
To view our timetable chart that indicates when the salmon run this body of water become a member of Lunkersguide.com Today!!!!
Fishing is year round from the Edmonds fishing pier.
**See Washington State fishing REGS for exact times.
Daily Limits
This fishery generally allows 2 Salmon per Day
**See Washington State fishing REGS for details.
Preferred Fishing Tackle:
Cut Plug Herring, Buzzbombs, Super bait, and spinners.
Cut plug is by far the most productive at this location, Next Superbait then buzzbombs work well too and lastly Spinners.
Combat Fishing Rating:
Occasionally Dock is Packed! On occasion anglers are stacked about 6 feet apart on the dock. Get there early to secure your spot or you may get pinched out.
Edmonds Fishing Pier Access:
Become a member of Lunkersguide.com to view our Lunker location map to the Edmonds public fishing pier.


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Non-Profit Holiday Wish Lists/
Help make the holidays special for the organizations we give to. From school supplies to bicycles, many of them are in need of items big and small. View our non-profits' wish lists by clicking on the links below. What a great way to give back during the holidays!
- Turning Wheels for Kids
- DreamPower
- Chamberlain's Children Center
- Casa of San Mateo
- Achieve Kids
- Grateful Garment
- Sunday Friends – Basic Necessities
- Sunday Friends – Holiday Wish List
- Good Karma Bikes
- Next Door Solutions


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Azure (2010)
For Brass Quintet
Duration 2'00
Premiered at the Christopher Newport University Composathon on November 21, 2010 by the Cardinal Brass Quintet.
Program Notes
The color azure is a sky blue. This movement is a musical representation of a clear, beautiful azure sky. Amidst this sky, a hang glider floats through the air. With the ground beneath him passing by in a blur of color, the azure sky provides a monotone blanket of blue. The movement features the first trumpet player on flugelhorn and each instrument passes the melodic motif throughout the work.


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Ripley Castle
Ripley Castle is a Grade I listed 14th-century country house in Ripley, North Yorkshire, England, some 5 km north of Harrogate. The house is built of coursed squared gritstone and ashlar with grey slate and stone slate roofs.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 1/200s, f 9.0, ISO 100, 24 mm
License: CC0 Public Domain
Note: If you intend to use an image you find here for commercial use, please be aware that some photos do require a model or property release. Pictures featuring products should be used with care.
268,681 free pictures
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Public Domain Pictures.net created by Bobek Ltd. Copyright 2007 - 2019 by Bobek Ltd. Registered in England and Wales No. 5951382


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News Hub
Coin counting machines leave a positive impression on grocery store shoppers
Grocery stores and supermarkets that offer access to self-service coin counters can attract more patrons and develop more loyal customer relationships. Businesses in the food industry don't have to limit their options when it comes to offering additional services beyond an abundance of inventory. In fact, Financial Brand, an online publication, indicated shoppers make a habit out of frequenting their neighborhood grocers for weekly trips. With such a steady routine, these businesses can maximize long-term revenue by making it possible for patrons to complete more than one errand during a quick trip to the store.
Coin counting machines help businesses communicate convenience to customers
The amenities available at a grocery store or supermarket often have subtle impacts on overall shopper behavior. David Lewis, the author of "The Brain Sell: When Science Meets Shopping," wrote in the online publication Progressive Grocer about the cognitive processes shoppers experience when they are browsing the aisles of a business. The way an establishment is designed can directly influence the perception of convenience patrons associate with the company.
Similar concepts extend to the presence of self-service coin counters on site. When customers are aware of the opportunity to access certain financial services at the same place they buy groceries every week, they will likely have a more positive impression of the store as a whole. Individuals want their neighborhood shops to be a source of convenience and community. By leveraging this concept, businesses in the grocery and supermarket industry can create more in-store traffic. Additionally, these companies will be able to improve long-term customer retention rates when people understand that they can convert the loose change they have on hand into cash while also making a routine shopping trip. Investing in these additional services will help any company stay ahead in a competitive local market.
May 7, 2014


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Your Custom Text Here
Sunday - 12noon to 1pm
You will find that in most of our classes at Triton there is a variety of men and women in all the classes. People of different experience level will often train with one another to facilitate progression.
Having at least on day of the week where more than 30 women can get together provides the ladies with a unique opportunity. There is benefits training with the opposite gender, but this class allows them to feel more at ease with one another giving them a sense of reality when it comes to competition.


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This Week in Culture: July 24 - July 31
From Zimbabwe
One of Zimbabwe's best known and most studied lions, Cecil, was killed by a trophy hunter, later revealed to be an American dentist. This has since sparked outrage and debate over the trophy hunting of endangered species. Cecil was being studied by Oxford University since 1999.
Read more
From Cameroon
A new study has come out that suggests that Pygmies, a population of people living in East and West Africa, did not develop the way it was previously thought that they did. A population of Pygmies in Cameroon was studied, and it was determined that East and West Pygmies have different growth patterns, which is something that was not previously considered. This data provides new information as to how people around the world evolved to have similar and different statures, and how these developments are beneficial to survival in that region.
Read more
From the US
Beneath a church in Jamestown, Virginia, the first colonial settlement in the United States, the bodies of some of the founders of this settlement were found. Although the skeletons were not well-preserved, they were able to be identified as an explorer, a nobleman, a soldier, and a chaplain. Archeologists have been working on excavating the graves since 2013.
Read more
From Iran
Although many may not see Iran as a very progressive country, Nina Ansary, an Iranian scholar, recently released a book called "Jewels of Allah: The Untold Story of Women in Iran" that hopes to highlight Iran's burgeoning feminist movement, as well as feminist idols of the past. Women like Shahla Sherkat (pictured), who founded a magazine that provided coverage of women's rights in Iran that mainstream media ignored, are highlighted, showing the Western world a different image of Iranian women.
Read more
From Jordan
Lara Abdallat, former beauty pageant winner, has left her pageantry days behind her to work as a hacktivist with Ghost Security, an international counterterrorism group, fighting the Islamic State with technology. Since many believe the Islamic State is using the Darknet and Deepweb to recruit and conduct business, Abdallat and Ghost Security are playing a vital role in freeing the world from the threat of terrorist groups.
Read more
Maria is a 20-year-old student at New York University majoring in neural science and minoring in chemistry and child and adolescent mental studies. Although she has lived in the United States her whole life, Maria's family is from Croatia, and she speaks both English and Croatian fluently.


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Stoddard County Crash Ends in Injury
Poplar Bluff, Missouri man is moderately injured after getting rear-ended.
On December 1, 2011 at approximately 5:49 a.m., 39 year old Gary Quinton of Poplar Bluff, Missouri was operating a 1990 GMC Truck traveling eastbound on US 60, three miles west of Dudley. At that said time and place, 18 year old Dustin Teague was operating 2003 GMC Pickup also traveling eastbound on US 60. Teague rear ended Quinton, causing Quinton's vehicle to run off the side of the road. Quinton was ejected from the car.
Quinton was taken from the scene of the crash to Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter by ambulance. Quinton was treated for moderate injuries. Teague was not taken to the hospital at the time of the crash. Neither driver was wearing safety devices at the time of the crash.
Quinton's vehicle sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Swanks Towing. Teague's vehicle sustained moderate damage and was driven from the scene by Teague. Damage to state property occurred when Quinton's car went off the road. The vehicle struck a cable barrier, damaging poles and cables.
This crash was investigated by Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper T. Templemire of Troop E.
The A.W. Smith Law Firm in Columbia handles auto crash and wrongful death cases all over the State of Missouri. If you have questions about how to choose a law firm that is equipped to handle your auto crash or wrongful death case, please contact us today at 573-443-7300 or visit our website at www.awsmithlaw.com. The A.W. Smith Law Firm has recovered millions in settlements and verdicts in serious injury and wrongful death cases.


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Upaya was profiled in the 12 December 2014 edition of the Seattle Times. In the article, Upaya co-founders Sachi Shenoy and Steve Schwartz talk about the organization's evolution, the challenges of the work, and how the Upaya model is changing lives.
Extreme poverty is an unavoidable reality in India. The first time I traveled in the country — as an inexperienced and idealistic 20-year-old backpacker — I was shocked by the families living on the street, the children begging for food, the old women breaking rocks on the side of the road.
I wondered what could be done to help these people — the poorest of the poor. Some travelers gave them money, others didn't. One (loosely) quoted the Bible by saying "Sarah, the poor are always with us."
Everyone seemed convinced that extreme poverty was an intractable problem beyond straightforward solutions.
But Sachi Shenoy disagrees. She says these "ultrapoor" just need jobs.
"In India we estimate that there are almost 400 million people living under the extreme poverty line. ... One of the root causes (is) unemployment and underemployment" explains Shenoy, executive director and a co-founder of Seattle-based nonprofit Upaya Social Ventures.
Upaya — which recently received a grant from The Seattle International Foundation, the foundation that funds this column — hopes to address that unemployment by investing in business ventures that have the potential to expand and employ those who otherwise have few, or no employment opportunities.
Shenoy says she was inspired to start Upaya while working for a microfinance organization in Delhi, India. Microfinance is a development approach that lends money to poor people, usually for small-business ventures. She says the microfinance approach tends to focus on the "midlevel poor" — people who made $2 to $4 a day — rather than the "ultrapoor" — those who make less than $1.25 a day.
"There was a cutoff for being too affluent and then there were people we would do surveys on and say, 'These people are too poor; they're too much of a credit risk,' " says Shenoy, describing the selection process for microfinance applicants. "That's when my interest got piqued ... If we're really trying to alleviate poverty, what do we do about the extreme poor?"
Her answer was Upaya, which focuses on entrepreneurs who have ideas with big business (and thus big employment) potential. They offer investment (not loans) with the hope of creating jobs for those often left behind by microfinance.
"You can think of us as the angel funders for small businesses in India," says Shenoy, explaining that Upaya makes a point of working with entrepreneurs who may have trouble attracting traditional investors or securing bank loans. The investments (usually between $10,000 and $75,000) go to businesses from areas that have a large concentrations of "ultrapoor."
The goal is to help grow promising businesses with capital as well as mentorship. In exchange, business owners promise to hire the poorest people in their region as jobs are created.
In the past three years, Upaya has invested in six businesses, ranging from a dairy collective to a company that makes "luxury paper" out of rhino and elephant dung, and an operation that turns fallen palm leaves into biodegradable plates. All told Upaya ventures now employ more than 1,100 people in jobs that pay, on average, between $2.25 and $4 a day.
It's still a tiny paycheck for a tiny percentage of the millions living in desperate poverty. But it's enough to move those few from that dangerous ultrapoor category to the more stable midlevel-poor group. At this level people can begin to secure housing, eat regularly, keep kids in school and even address chronic health problems — all developments that Shenoy says they've seen among workers employed by their Upaya ventures.
Creating stable, decent-pay jobs in some of India's poorest (and often) rural communities is a difficult business. Shenoy says their first business (the dairy collective) endured religious unrest and droughts in the first year. It was an experience that taught them to think in "contingency plans" and to closely consult with entrepreneurs about specific needs (special accountants to help prevent corruption and bribery, for example).
But it's worth it to reach those who might not otherwise be reached, says Steve Schwartz, a fellow co-founder of Upaya. For him, the mission boils down to one of simple belief.
"The best way to get someone out of extreme poverty," says Schwartz, "is to pay them better than someone living in extreme poverty."
Maybe the "ultrapoor" aren't such an intractable problem after all.
Sarah Stuteville is a multimedia journalist and co-founder of The Seattle Globalist, www.seattleglobalist.com, a news site covering Seattle's international connections. Sarah Stuteville:firstname.lastname@example.com. Twitter @SeaStute


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--Now it can be told that host Long Island Ducks officials were genuinely concerned about the warnings of a possible blackout in Central Islip, NY, because of the extreme heat. Owner Frank Boulton took to the telephone himself to take any possible measures that Central Islip would be spared.
--The first confirmed sale of an All-Star is that of Bridgeport right-hander Patrick Ryan to the Boston Red Sox. The 27-year-old will report to Salem, VA of the Class A Carolina League Saturday. Ryan was the league earned run average leader (1.39), and had just been named Pitcher of the Month (5-0, 0.94 with 48 strikeouts in 38.1 innings.
--Seven scouts requested credentials with five from major league teams.
--Of the 44 players in the game, 11 have major league experience while seven have not played above Class A. Everyone else has topped out at AA or AAA to this point.
--Matt Watson got into his first major league game since 2005 Wednesday when he played leftfield and hit eighth in Oakland's 6-2 loss to the New York Yankees. The recent Lancaster, PA outfielder went 0-for-3.
--League batting leader Steve Moss of Bridgeport (.343) was MVP after hitting a two-run homer (2-for-2 plus a walk and two runs scored) in the Liberty Division's 7-1 triumph and Josh Pressley of Somerset took the home run-hitting championship by belting three out of Citibank Park with only one failed swing remaining in the second playoff round.
--The crowd at Citibank Park was announced at 6,436, which is well above the regular seating capacity of 6,002, and the stadium was surprisingly full considering the oppressive heat. All but about 300 of the tickets were sold a month or more in advance of the game.
Subscribe now to 2010 Independent Baseball Insider columns


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Porsche Supercup extends F1 undercard deal to 2016
|By Gary Watkins
|Sunday, December 15th 2013, 12:01 GMT
The Porsche Supercup has extended its long-standing deal to race on the Formula 1 undercard
You have viewed over 15 free stories this month. Why stop there? Click here to find out how to continue reading.


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About Ras Al Khaimah (RKT)
One of the seven United Arab Emirates, located along the Arabian Gulf, Ras Al-Khaimah is famous for its beautiful beaches, majestic mountains and fascinating desert sand dunes. Presenting a number of tourist attractions and unmatched opportunities for recreation and relaxation, this city is an important travel destination not only in the region, but all over the world. Ar-Rams is a small coastal town here, worth visiting on a trip to Ras Al-Khaimah for its pearl diving sites, spectacular sand beaches and opportunities for bird watching. Masafi is a town in the South, famous for its drinking water. No vacation in Ras Al-Khaimah can be complete without visiting Khatt, a beautiful village, where visitors can explore its thermal springs and beautiful palm gardens. Ras Al-Khaimah Old City is known for its old souq and the magnificent Al Hisn Fort, which houses Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum- an important building where artefacts related to the glorious history of this place are on display. There is also a Camel Race Track where visitors can enjoy camel racing- the traditional sporting activity of this place. History-lovers can explore the remains of 16th century Sheeba's Palace, during their trip. Inspiring the imagination of visitors with its breathtaking natural vistas and man-made wonders, this city is a must-visit destination. MakeMyTrip offers several travel packages, buying one at affordable prices can help tourists travel around this emirate in a very convenient manner.
About Havana (HAV)
Serving as the capital of Cuba, Havana is a bustling cosmopolitan city that attracts globetrotters for its many man-made and natural wonders. The city comprises three major parts, namely Old Havana, Vedado and the suburban districts. Home to many architectural marvels, Old Havana is the heartbeat of Havana city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The iconic landmarks of Old Havana that draw many tourists from all corners of the world are Malecon, La Cabana, Cathedral of Havana, National Capitol, Plaza de Armas and Castillo de la Real Fuerza, among others. Earlier a strong fortress, Castillo de la Real Fuerza is presently an important maritime museum. Tourists who visit this attraction get acquainted with Cuba's incredible maritime past. Ancient navigational instruments, marine archaeological artefacts and precious metals belonging to the colonial era are on display at the museum. Besides sightseeing, there are many other things and activities that keep tourists occupied in Havana. Tourists can go for leisurely walks along the Havana coastline, attend a cabaret show or enjoy live music in one of the many restaurants. Get hands on a cheap travel package from MakeMyTrip and explore this city in the most comfortable manner.


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Seaside Stitchies Applique is set one of a two set series and is a set of 10 fun and bright applique designs that are great for all children (or adults). Great for decor items, shirts and totes.
This set includes both a 4x4 size and a slightly larger size requiring a 5x7 hoop. SEW and PCS users, please note that 5x7 hoops are not avaliable in your format, so PES has been included for the 5x7 size. See our full range of Boys Embroidery Designs. View all Bunnycup embroidery designs
Unless otherwise stated on each design set, all machine embroidery designs typically fit a 4 x 4 hoop (or your embroidery machines standard hoop - each format has been sized for the specific standard hoop). If you would like design information such as the design size, stitch count and needle changes, please click on the thread chart to the right.
Illustrations Purchased and Exclusively Licensed by:
Penny Johnson


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Stan Silas' "Norman" makes the jump from graphic novels to comics, when the horror/comedy star debuts in a new, monthly series from Titan Comics.
Debuting in June 2016 with a variant cover by "Lenore" creator Roman Dirge, the comic will pick up where the graphic novels left off, following the adventures of the eight-year-old title character and his zombified uncle. But where most kids dream of being superheroes, Norman's imagination finds him emulating his favorite scenes starring his heroes -- Hollywood's famous slashers.
Check out the press release below, along with the first issue's covers by Silas and Dirge.
Official Press Release
Beginning this June 2016, Titan Comics will expand the gloomy world of the award-winning graphic novel series when they launch Stan Silas' Norman as a monthly series!
From visionary writer/artist Stan Silas' creation is perfect for fans of Emily The Strange, Lenore and the grand tradition of horror comedies Gremlins, Shaun Of The Dead and Chucky!Â
Announced at ComicsPRO retailer summit in Portland, Oregon, the debut issue of the new series features an exclusive cover by series creator Stan Silas and macabre superstar of the Lenore series, Roman Dirge!Â
The brand-new series follows directly from the critically-acclaimed collected editions, which went onto become a cult hit, described as "Dexter: The Early Years" and "Charles Schultz meets Tim Burton set in South Park".Â


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True FLOW Yoga 200HR Teacher Training.
Sept 15 - Dec 17, 2015
Introducing True FLOW Yoga
Yoga training, like so many other things in our society today, has become a corporate enterprise. This often means that authenticity and individualized attention are traded for more students and more profit.
I created True FLOW Yoga to offer my students a more intimate and fulfilling journey into yoga, whether they are attending my classes & workshops, my teacher training, or myaffordable yoga retreats.
In particular, my Teacher Training courses are designed to fill the need for a return to the ancient tradition of transmitting physical, mental, and spiritual yogic knowledge from teacher to student in an intimate setting. Because True FLOW accepts only a few students at a time, each student is viewed and guided on a personal, one-on-one basis.
I invite you to explore everything True FLOW Yoga can offer you as you create your own beautiful life path. Namaste!


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A recipe for easy lacto-fermented pickles.Read More
Cooking with Tempeh [Recipe]
Playing with Vegilante's Tempeh led to an amazing discovery. "Not your typical meat-replacement" oh no, tempeh is a beautiful fermented food (you know how much we love ferments around here.) Adding tempeh (if your vegan or testing the waters on plant-based diets) to your list of regular meals is a great idea because it's one of the best proteins available for non-meat-eaters. It's DELICIOUS!Read More
Pumpkin Spice Latte [Recipe]
SKIP THE BUCKS. Starbucks' version of a pumpkin spice latte comes with 330 calories and 40 grams of mostly refined sugar. The worst way to start your day is with a ton of sugar, so I learned how you can make your own pumpkin spice latte at home, you can even just do this with a blender if you don't have a fancy-schmancy coffee maker. Here's the recipe….Read More
Gluten/Dairy-free Cheesy Pasta [Recipe]
For this recipe we were playing with Pulse Kitchen 'cheeses' specifically the "Sharp Cashew Cheddar" which is made with local Gluten-Free Beer for extra sharpness. Chickpea miso and nutritional yeast adds the cheesy flavour (and also amazing nutrition benefits!) It's dairy-free, soy-free, vegan and gluten-free. Going dairy free usually means giving up cheesy pasta, so here's a great way to get the best of both worlds.Read More
Thai Inspired Grilled Chicken [Recipe]
This Thai-inspired Grilled Chicken Satay recipe is groovy because it goes so well with summer salads and red wine. It will leave you Satay-sfied! Check out this recipe and get that grill fired up…Read More
Making Okanagan Sourdough [Recipe]
Sourdough bread is one of the finest foods around. While I could sit here and elicit memories of eating San Francisco sourdough, I'd rather share my recipe for the powerhouse that is sourdough! Sourdough bread reflects the traditional preparation of grains. It is slow-fermentation. It takes time, it takes patience. Go back to days of old (and your digestion will thank you!) See the recipe….Read More
"Burrito Soup" [Recipe]
When you just feel like tossing a bunch of foods into the slow cooker, it's nice to have a bit of a game plan! How about burrito soup? Tasty and easy... intrigued?Read More
How to Love Swiss Chard [Recipe]
Like anything that you don't really want to eat, but you know it's good for you, adding something awesome like bacon tends to make it more appealing for anyone.
When we are first changing our diet, we tend to 'hide' foods or cover up healthy foods. This works wonders when you are starting out in holistic nutrition and being patient with your taste buds. Eventually, one day, you'll be loving kale and your swiss chard!Read More
Hippie Granola [Recipe]
THESE are the best homemade granola bars I've ever had.Read More
Okanagan Harvest Casserole [Recipe]
Harvest Time! When all the fresh colors and green are gone, nature leaves us with beautiful oranges, browns and dark greens. Here in the Okanagan, we often complain about the transition to fall as we miss our hot weather but it's still a gorgeous time of year and the foods available are still plentiful, simple and tasty, like this delightful & simple Okanagan Harvest casserole.Read More
Healthy Chocolate Truffles [Recipe]
Sweet treats that are also healing & nourishing for your body. Here's a recipe for decadent protein chocolate truffles...Read More
Okanagan Fruit Salad [Recipe]
What's more refreshing in the summer than biting into a juicy peach? Or having a handful of cool, red raspberries? Not much! So I'm sharing what I'm living off of this summer. I love squeezing as much as I can out of the season, where food is fresh and juicy as can be... my favourite treat is a fruit salad, and adding some coconut whip is a whole new level....Read More
Healthy Strawberry Parfait [Recipe]
A special healthy summer treat.Read More
Craft Your Own Amazing Cream Cheese (Easy!)
Instead of sour cream or cream cheese based dips, why not make a super healthy version full of calcium with no added "stuff" to clog you up? Make this delightful yogurt cheese and use in place of cream cheese or use as a base for a delicious party dip. Video instructions are in the blog.Read More
Healthy Banana Fudge Bars [Recipe]
Healthy, organic and freaking delicious?? Yes, you can have it ALL! Can you believe the words "chocolate almond fudge bars" can actually be all of these things? It is true. When moving to a real foods diet, you don't have to sacrifice those delicious treats.Read More
Winter Lentil Masala [Recipe]
The winter is a time for soft, warming foods. Masala is an Indian word for "hot mixture of spices" and this is exactly what we need during our cold Canadian winters. Even here in the beautiful Okanagan, the desert of Canada, we still get cold winters and this recipe aims to make you want to cozy up and rest... which is what winter is all about.....Read More
Roasted Red Pepper Pasta [Recipe]
You can enjoy your Kaslo sourdough pasta with any of the veggies that you have at home to roast, (or any pasta you have on hand of course) but here's a wonderful recipe fitted just for spring.Read More
Righteous Rhubarb Crisp [Recipe]
Here's a healthy twist on a typically white sugar-filled treat. Using high quality flours, sugars and raw honey, and delicious butter you can transform it into a healthier dessert! Most people who have rhubarb plants want to give it away - there is just so much of it! So ask around before buying rhubarb, free is fantastic!
Rhubarb is almost always put into pies or crumbles, here is my absolute favourite recipe for this.Read More
Bitchin' Balls [Recipe]
Crunchy Raw Protein Balls… this is a clean eating recipe made with real food ingredients that are raw, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free. These snack balls offer a filling combination of protein, carbs, and fats, plus they're easily portable.Read More
Healthy Brownies [Recipe]
Is it possible to have a healthy brownie? Now it is....and dear god, these are good. I mean, you-could-eat-a-whole-pan good. These brownies are made using whole foods, which means they have no additives or filler, and they won't mess with our blood sugars the way that store bought or packaged bakery brownies will.Read More


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Music and Artistic Director
Dr. Edward C. Harris
After an extensive national search in 2002, Dr. Edward C. Harris was appointed the conductor and artistic director for the San Jose Wind Symphony. Dr. Harris is only the second conductor in the group's 62-year history. Under his leadership, SJWS has established itself as one of California's premiere concert bands with performances at the 2009 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles Conference, the California Music Educators Association Conference, as well as international and regional concert tours.
Dr Harris recently retired as the Director of Bands at San José State University. Born and educated in Santa Monica, Dr. Harris received his Bachelor of Music degree in music education and Master of Arts degree in clarinet performance from San Francisco State University. He received his Doctor of Arts degree in conducting and clarinet performance from the University of Northern Colorado, where he studied under Eugene Corporon. Before joining the San José faculty, Dr. Harris served in a similar capacity at California State University, Stanislaus; Humboldt State University; and the University of Wisconsin, Platteville. Preceding these appointments he served as Director of Instrumental Music at Sequoia High School in Redwood City, California, from 1971 to 1978.
Dr. Harris brings to his position a broad knowledge of both traditional and contemporary wind band literature. His ensembles have gained wide recognition for their diverse and creative programs. Dr. Harris also maintains an active schedule as guest conductor and lecturer throughout the United States. He has guest conducted honor groups and festivals in nine states and was selected to conduct the California Community College All-State Honor Band in 1983 and 2005, the California All-State Concert Band in 1988, the California All-State Symphonic Honor Band in 1996, and the CBDA California All-State Concert Band in 2004. In addition to his conducting duties, he has served as President of the Western Division of the College Band Directors' National Association and has been on the Board of Directors for the California Band Directors Association and the California Music Educators Association. In 1995, Dr. Harris was honored to receive the "Stairway of the Stars" Award from the City of Santa Monica for distinguished contributions to the arts in California. In 2003, he was honored with the Gilbert T. Freitas Memorial Award for Music Education from the California Music Educators' Association Bay Section and the CMEA Don Schmeer/Byron Hoyt Band Educator Award honoring excellence in instrumental instruction and performance. Dr. Harris received the 2006 CMEA John Swain College/University Educator Award for his progressive leadership at San Jose State University. In 2010, Dr. Harris was named the "Music Educator of the Year" by the Bay Section of the California Music Educators Association and received an Abby Award for distinguished arts leadership from the Silicon Valley Arts and Business Association. Dr. Harris was elected into the prestigious national organization the American Band Masters Association in 2011.


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Moving from Chicago, Illinois to Orlando, Florida really gave me a new appreciation for sunny HHHOOOTTTT summer days. Every summer, as we head out to enjoy the sand and sun at the ocean, in either Cocoa Beach (about a 40 minute drive from Orlando) or Daytona Beach (about an hour and 40 minute drive), we try many products that promise to enhance our beach experience.
1. SunMate ($9.99; http://www.purelyproducts.com) – This little handy gadget measures ultraviolet ray intensity using the National Weather Service's UV index scale. A good buy to practice safety.
2. Sand-Free Tote ($25; http://www.cgrear-sandfree.com) – If you love the beach but hate the way the sand works its way into everything, this tote is for you. Sand can get out, but it can't get in. The bag is roomy and easy to carry. It also has a large pocket to hold your wallet, keys, and mobile phone.
3. Coldfront ($49.95; http://www.mycoldfront.com) – These palm-sized gel packs are great if your travel with people who get overheated spontaneously. They come in a great carrying case and are simple to use.
What do you use at the beach to keep you happy on beach day?
As always, please feel free to share your thoughts and experiences.
Carmen M. Perez, Travel Planner
Your Florida Travel Expert and Girlfriends' Getaway Specialist
You dream it, I plan it, you deserve it.
Call me now to get pampered, play around, or just bounce back with your girlfriends, and without all the drama.
Visit My Website: www.GalPalBounceBackGetaways.com
Telephone: (407) 900-9258 E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
"Like" Me on Facebook: GalPalBounceBackGetaways "Follow" Me on Twitter: @CMPTravel


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International Wedding Fashion
Daphne Newman Design
Daphne Newman is a Canadian bridal designer specializing in couture veils, and luxury bridal robes. Transcending traditional assumptions, and re-defining opinions of the wedding veil, Daphne Newman's pieces embody romance, and emotion as modern and traditional details unite.
This particular veil is complimented by delicate lace design to ...
Bride's Head Revisited
Bride's Head Revisited has concentrated exclusively on couture-quality bridal veils. These custom creations capture the individuality of each bride and reflect the importance of her special day. Whether a bride wears layers of white satin with a cathedral veil trailing behind, or a slinky silk gown with an elegant cage veil perched on her...
Madame Tulle
Madame Tulle began out of founder Kay Kamara's personal experience. A few years ago, as a bride-to-be, she had a tough time finding a veil that suited her taste and dress. Since then, Kay has dedicated her creative and entrepreneurial self to creating beautiful, quality wedding veils for other brides.
Due to the delicate nature of ...
Zveil is a bridal veil design company delivering handmade, high-quality wedding veils at a fraction of boutique prices. Our goal is to make wedding veil shopping fun, effortless and empowering for busy, style and budget conscious brides.
Yuri C. Wedding Shoppe
Yuri C. Wedding Shoppe strives to create beautiful and timeless wedding accessories. Our focus is on handmade quality items and customizable designs. Our passion is making the search fun, enjoyable, and most of all, easy!
Monvieve is an Italian haute couture heirloom bridal accessory company based in Milan and New York.
Innovative, elegant and definitive, Monvieve is a collection for sophisticated women of individual style. It is meant for modern brides who are looking for that sublime bridal veil or headpiece that stirs the imagination with emotional imp...
Gilded Aisle - Bridal Accessories & Veils
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Ivie White
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Unlock Democracy reacts to article 50 being triggered
Today (Tuesday 29 March 2017) the Prime Minister Theresa May will trigger article 50. In response, Unlock Democracy's Director, Alexandra Runswick, said:
"Democracy is a process, not an event, and the triggering of article 50 should mark the beginning of an inclusive conversation about what we want the future of our country to look like, not the end.
"Public deliberation is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. It is therefore alarming that the government has taken the referendum as a blank cheque to pursue its own establishment agenda. Far from taking back control and giving it to the people, the government is instead empowering itself.
"The binary question on the ballot paper has been interpreted as giving an answer to many issues the public simply did not vote on. We now step into the void with little more than the government's word that there will be answers to questions like what will become of the devolution settlement, how will Parliament be meaningfully involved, and what role will the people play in shaping the future of the UK.
"The Prime Minister has been explicit: this is an opportunity for great 'national change' where we need to 'step back and ask ourselves what kind of country we want to be.' If Theresa May is serious about building a stronger, fairer, more global Britain, the process of a deliberative, transparent, and engaging Brexit must start here and now."
To organise a further comment please contact Sarah Clarke at either press [@] unlockdemocracy.org.uk or on 0798 3280 187


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October 13, 4:15 p.m., 203 Butler Library
"Feminist Politics, War Rapes, and Global Governance"
Dubravka Zarkov, Associate Professor of Gender, Conflict and Development at the International Institute of Social Studies, The Hague
"Follow the Numbers: Global Governmentality and the Domestic Violence Agenda"
Rema Hammami, Associate Professor of Women's Studies at Birzeit University, Birzeit, OPT
Discussant: Janet Halley, Royall Professor of Law at Harvard Law School
On Facebook.
Reframing Gendered Violence is a two-year initiative of Women Creating Change at the Center for the Study of Social Difference, supported by the Dean of the Humanities, the Columbia Global Centers, and linked to the project on "Religion and the Global Reframing of Gender Violence" supported by the Henry Luce Foundation.
Art by Huda Lutfi, 2008.
This event will be videotaped.
This event is free and open to the public. Columbia University is committed to creating an environment that includes and welcomes people with disabilities. If you need accommodations because of a disability, please email Terry Roethlein at email@example.com, at least two weeks in advance.


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Notes on 2013 Documentaries: Vol. 2
Here are a few more notes on documentaries from the 2013 shortlist, a couple of which made the cut for Academy Awards nominations. Similar to my first volume, these three films range from highly recommended to undesirable. More importantly, these three films serve as a perfect microcosm for the three distinct types of documentaries the Academy is interested in.
Life According to Sam is a documentary profiling progeria; a rare genetic disorder that renders a victim's phsyical age increasingly incongruous with their actual age. As the title suggests, the film uses Sam as the vantage point of a progeria sufferer. His precociousness and level-headed perspective on life make him an ideal centerpiece and reference for the audience. And conveniently (for the film as well as Sam), his mother (a doctor) is the leading researcher of progeria. The majority of the film's narrative follows her seminal study on the effects of a drug on a sample of progeria victims.
Unfortunately, the film becomes obsessed over the ongoings of the mother's post-study research through academic journals as she attempts to advance significant treatment options. It's a worthwhile story to tell, and Sam offers a wonderful personality, but Life According to Sam acts more as a proponent of broader recognition for a terrible disease, something akin to an informative article, and in exchange keeps in-depth emotional storytelling at arm's length.
Cutie and the Boxer, a film about New York artists, takes the opposite approach of Life According to Sam. It's the portrayal of a long marriage between Noriko (Cutie) and Ushio (the Boxer) and their lifelong struggle to make ends meet. But though the art and the artist's struggles fill their own substantial pocket of the film's runtime, this is first and foremost a portrait of domestic turmoil.
By domestic turmoil, I don't mean the sensational back-and-forth yelling of many fictional films. Cutie and the Boxer blossoms out of simple quips or unmasked statements, usually delivered by Noriko, that reveal a lifetime of being tossed out of focus due to Ushio's art, recognition, alcoholism, and social circle. Her even-keeled, yet boldly honest temperament also bears the weight of being the marriage's pragmatic half that anchors his irrational positivity. It doesn't take long before you realize this is Noriko's film.
The film's third act centers on the couple's first art show duet, in which Noriko finally has the chance to display her unrecognized talent as well as her autobiographical narrative of Cutie. Through her exhibition, she tries to rectify her position and give her a sense of importance and achievement. She doesn't hold back from confronting the long-held imbalance in their marriage nor from displaying her perception of some of the relationship's muddiest moments.
It is the weight and honesty of these muddy moments and the love that transcends them that accrue Cutie and the Boxer's beauty. Noriko says that their marriage only lasted because of her endurance. The film thrives on this kind of honesty about their differences, jealousy, negligence, and artistic sensibilities; the truth that love is to be found in difficulty.
Dirty Wars is the story of Jeremy Scahill's investigative reporting of some of the uncovered corners of America's war in the Middle East. Many of his discoveries and portrayals of the affected innocent are delicate and interesting, and his conceit is noble. HOWEVER, this film, and Scahill, as he appears here, is disdainful as he turns Dirty Wars to mere masturbatory, self aggrandizing crap. And since these are only notes, as well as to save you from a bunch of contemptuous prose, I am going to resort to a list of all of the components that made this film a real struggle to get through for myself (I'd actually be interested to know how many of the Oscar voters did a blind vote on this one):
1. Scahill's narration sounds annoyingly like an audiobook
2. The predictable live text in typewriter font that plays like a dossier or mission update
3. Planned stock footage of Scahill's work/daily activities (not that I fundamentally have a problem with planned footage in documentaries) that make him seem important, much like the navel gazing shot seen above
4. Scahill as the main subject without any character development
5. Unless you consider annoying lines like, "I had no idea where the story would lead me...how much the world had changed, or how much the journey had changed me" as true mental plumbing
6. The black-and-white shots of foreign children reminiscent of manipulative Feed the Hungry infomercials
If there's one thing to learn from Dirty Wars, it seems to be that Jeremy Scahill is an awesome journalist who does good things for people. Cool.
Life According to Sam is streaming on HBOGo
Cutie and the Boxer & Dirty Wars are streaming on Netflix


text: I've only had a couple of chances to witness a real, down-on-one-knew proposal. It does take a special person to hire a photographer to capture this moment. Zach is one of those special people. Zach and Chelsea have been together for five years, had talked about marriage...but Chelsea had no idea that there overnight at Church Landing on the way to Chelsea's father's house was all part of Zach plan. Chelsea works in a shop that makes rustic signs and Zach ordered a "Will You Marry Me?" custom sign, which Chelsea painted. He picked out a ring, hired a photographer, took her out to the Gazebo on lake Winnipesaukee in 12 degree weather... and told her he had one more present for her. I series get chills just recounting this! Chelsea and Zach were both giddy after the proposal. So much fun to be there! Thank you Zach and congratulations to you both!


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Authorities in Pakistan's southern Sindh province today banned Skype, Whatsapp and Viber to facilitate security operations, triggering angry reactions from numerous users of the instant messaging applications.
The decision to enforce the ban for three months was made at a meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah to review the law and order situation.Following the meeting, provincial Information Minister Sharjeel Memon announced the ban on the use of Skype, Whatspp, Tango and Viber.
"Terrorists and criminal elements are using these networks to communicate after the targeted operation was launched (against them)," he said.
Sindh's Home Secretary will contact the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to have these applications banned in the province. According to Memon, the Sindh government would contact the federal government to ensure that illegal SIMs too are shut down.
Memon said the brandishing of weapons too had been banned and an operation will be conducted against individuals possessing illegal weapons.
Many people took to social networking sites to vent their anger over the ban on the instant messaging and Voice Over Internet Protocol applications.
People described the decision as absurd but Sharmila Farooqi, a leader of the Pakistan People's Party that rules Sindh, tweeted it was a small price to pay for security.
"If we can cleanse (Karachi) from criminals. Back to trunk calls, telegraph and chitthi for 3 months!" she tweeted.
But other Twitter users complained that people were being banned from using the applications while Taliban leaders were free to communicate with media outlets and journalists.
Ironically Pakistan was today placed among the bottom 10 countries in the Freedom On The Net 2013 report, which measured internet and digital media freedom in 60 countries.
The annual report from Freedom House, an independent watchdog, gave Pakistan a low rating as internet penetration in the country of 180 million people is just 12 per cent.
Senior lawyer Fareed Ahmed said there was ambiguity about the ban by the Sindh government as imposing restrictions on the internet was a federal subject. "We have to wait and see whether they implement this ban all over Pakistan or just in Sindh, where the operations are being conducted," he said.


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Two lovely ladies and one lovely gentleman from Crane TV came to check out our shop a couple of weeks ago. We got to play dress up, have a little chat and we all had lots of fun! You can check out the results here..
Many thanks to Crane TV, our lovely models for the day, Coralie and Jessica, and of course our little dog Pompidou! <3
We would love to hear what you think of our Crane TV segment, so please leave us a comment below!


text: Why do the stories of helpless animal rescue tug so much at our heart strings? Why do they appeal so much to us…and moreover…why do we have such an aversion to animal cruelty/negligence? I think the answers for these questions are pretty well obvious, but something more occurred to me today. This morning, I watched an online video of a man rescuing a dog from the bottom of a canyon. He seemed pretty sure that the dog (whom he named Riley) was put there intentionally by someone, and there was no way for Riley to get out on his own. He was nearly starved to death and extremely dehydrated. After discovering Riley on his hike/rappel, he went back out, got food, water, and a towel and went back down to give Riley the immediate assistance he desperately needed. After this he went down another time to bring him out and begin the process of his recovery. This is a wonderful story of someone helping a creature that was truly helpless and pitiful… Continue reading


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Looking Back at a Geeky 2014
It's almost the end of another geeky year and we look back at some of the best movies, TV shows and characters of 2014. It's Fangirl's last podcast as host and we look back at some of her most memorable moments.
Other topics in this episode include character names from The Force Awakens, consideration of Jennifer Lawrence for the next Ghostbusters movie, Christian Bale's explanation of the end of The Dark Knight Rises and Marc Singer's new role in Arrow.
All this and GANNIN is on Twitter!
Leave a Reply.
The Assembly of Geeks Podcast ran from September 2013 - December 2016. The feed continues to run all current podcasts.
Get the AoG Feed!
January 2017


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Eight Weeks To A Better Brain
Sue McGreevey for Harvard Science:
"It is fascinating to see the brain's plasticity and that, by practicing meditation, we can play an active role in changing the brain and can increase our well-being and quality of life," says Britta Hölzel, first author of the paper and a research fellow at MGH and Giessen University in Germany.
Interesting food for thought for New Year's resolution season.
(Via Dan Benjamin)


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Woman want many things from men. But there's one thing they need before they will let a guy in sexually.
You know the old saying, men only want one thing? It's true for women too …. While a man's one thing is sex, for a woman, that one thing is … wait for it … security. Don't get me wrong, please. I'm not saying that women need men to be secure! But in the context of a relationship, emotional security—feeling safe with her partner—is likely to be at the top of her list. In fact, many women in my practice will tell me that a prerequisite for sex is emotional safety within the relationship. If you understand that the number one emotional need women have in a relationship is the need to feel secure with you, you've just dramatically increased your chances for both a better relationship and better sex.
Often men are able to compartmentalize, so for men the need for emotional security as a prerequisite to sex isn't always primary or even a big concern.
We can acknowledge that there seems to be a disparity between what men and women need when it comes to sex. To quote the astute funnyman Billy Crystal, "Women need a reason for sex, men just need a place." Often men are able to compartmentalize, so for men the need for emotional security as a prerequisite to sex isn't always primary or even a big concern. This is why it's important for men to understand the need for creating emotional security in their relationships as a foundation for establishing and maintaining good sex with their partners.
Somehow men typically believe that if they are simply good lovers, women will want more of them.
Of course, we men have emotional needs as well. For men, the need to feel significant usually tops our list. It is my experience that a man gains a sense of importance, of feeling he matters, when a woman opens herself up to him sexually. In contrast, when a man feels sexually rejected he feels miserable and perhaps even on some level unworthy. It can be a vicious cycle … she doesn't feel emotionally secure and rejects his advances for sex; he stops asking and withdraws emotionally, and adds to her lack of emotional security. Somehow men typically believe that if they are simply good lovers, women will want more of them. Right or wrong, sex for most men isn't as much about achieving an orgasm (his or hers) as it is about ego gratification.
If she isn't responding to you sexually, it may have to do more with a lack of trust than a lack of attraction.
Yet for women sexual satisfaction isn't all about performance, size, or stamina. A woman will more often be able to reach orgasm and feel sexually satisfied if she first feels emotionally secure. A large part of this is due to biology. At a primal level, since sex leads to pregnancy, a woman seeks security as a means of survival for herself and her child. Thousands of years ago, a woman would depend on a man to provide her physical needs, such as food and shelter, for her and her children's survival. Today women can certainly take care of themselves, but the echoes of evolution remain, leaving women with the desire for emotional safety. Consequently, emotional safety and security are vital for a woman to feel emotionally connected to a man, so if she isn't responding to you sexually, it may have to do more with a lack of trust than a lack of attraction.
How can men creating emotional security for women?
The good news is that guys don't need to learn a new sexual position or find some elusive magical "G" spot to keep a woman interested in sex. Instead by focusing on providing emotional security, you likely will increase her sexual satisfaction. The best way to help her feel emotionally secure is to be this: be consistent. She needs to know and trust that "what she hears and sees will be what she consistently will get." She might not always like what she hears and sees, but if you are consistent and reliable, then she'll know she can trust you. Here are five key areas where you can practice consistency that will build emotional security.
- Be Consistent With Your Words: You can't tell her you love her in a passionate moment and then call her a "bitch" when you're angry and expect her to feel secure. Your words have power to cut her down or build her up. Consistently communicate to her that she is important, that she's the only one, that you are not interested in anyone else, and that you love only her. Help her feel safe with your words by speaking kindness, love, and adoration even if you're upset.
- Be Consistent With Your Listening: Communication goes both ways, but if she doesn't feel heard, then she's going to feel insecure. Listening without thinking about your retort is not only a skill but also an act of love. Likewise, to listen, really listen, to her without judgment and without defensiveness requires courage. As Winston Churchill said, "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."
- Be Consistent With Your Actions: Yes, words are important, but if your words and actions don't line up, then you're going to poison the trust. Trust is the foundation of security, and being inconsistent with your actions is lying through your conduct. Security is formed when you do what you say you're going to do, be where you say you're gong to be when you say you're going to be there, and follow through with your promises. You can't say you'll be home at 6:00 and show up at 8:30 expecting her to want to jump into bed with you. Consistency with your actions also means that you don't hide things from her. Don't hide text messages, emails, or details about your day. Even if you think she will be mad at you, it's better to have her upset than it is for her not to trust you.
- Be Consistent With Your Truth: Your truth is your virtues and values. If she sees you go back on your truth, you will break trust. If she sees you tell a white lie to your mother, she'll expect that one day you'll also lie to her. If she sees you being mean to the check-out clerk, she'll wonder when that anger will one day be unleashed on her. Your truth is your word, your bond, and the essence of your values. Be constant with your truth, and she will see you as a foundation she can rely on.
- Be Consistent With Your Commitments: Even if your commitments impinge on her needs, she will respect you if you are constant with your commitments. For example, if you made a commitment to someone but it unknowingly conflicts with her needs, don't change your plans. If you go against your commitments, she will likely lose respect for you. Sure, she's not going to like it, but it will give her confidence that you can stand up to her and therefore also stand up for her. By standing up to her, she knows you will also be able to stand up to other women who might try to lure you away.
Building emotional security takes time and considerable effort. Focus on creating emotional security through consistency in your words, listening, actions, truth, and commitments and see if it doesn't improve your relationships and the quality of your sex life.
Originally published at www.tobetheman.com


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Post Production is post and prior—a lot of work taking other people's material from dozens of sources and fitting it all into some other group's needs. Very technical.
DCI – New HDR and Direct View Display Docs
- Details
- Category: Video Processing
21 Nov 2018
DCI has released two new documents for industry review, one dealing with emissive technology (describing them as 'often LED pixels', but leaving the door open for anything) and the other which deals with HDR – High Dynamic Range – displays in post-production and exhibition theaters "so that consistent and repeatable color quality can be achieved."
Both documents include a paragraph that begins: "This document is not a DCI Specification" plus a statement that invites review and comment and an email to send comments to, which other recent versions of these documents have done as well.
Swatch Out; Secret Code for SMPTE Badge
- Details
- Category: Video Processing
12 Oct 2018
No, there is no secret code on the SMPTE badge that I can tell you about...that is for certain.
But, take this test and put your score at the bottom corner of your badge and see if anyone else does...
Deep Immersive Sounds, Plus...Cool Interview
- Details
- Category: Audio Processing
02 Oct 2018
As everyone knows, the First Rule of Fight Club is that you don't talk about the Committee Work of the Society of Motion Pictures and Television Engineers. So, although Atmos Sound has been around since shortly after the CinemaCon 2012 introduction, with about 4,000 installations by now, and DTS showed their iteration of the Open Source MDA Object Oriented sound, DTS:X, at CinemaCon 2015...and Barco bought the Iosonno rights up about that same time to augment the Auro system with object oriented sound ...one heard nary a word out of the committee halls of SMPTE about the known Immersive Audio objective: a single standard format for immersive sound so that any mix will play in any theater, regardless of the manufacturer of the compliant rendering system it was playing on.
And now that has changed: The first 3 SMPTE documents have been released toward that immersive effort. They won't be interesting to anyone who isn't making a rendering device since they merely (merely, the editor scoffs) describe the bitstream, establishes the metadata, and defines the names of the sound field groups and channels that make up an immersive track.
Light Illusion IBC Show Specials | Probes and Software
- Details
- Category: Video Processing
16 Sep 2017
We are delighted to announce that in partnership with some of our hardware manufacturers we are able to offer a range of 'IBC Show special discounts' to celebrate the fact that Light Illusion has ceased attending any and all shows, as the viability they used to offer no longer applies in today's world.
The discounts will be available throughout the duration of the IBC Show, and are limited to a set number of units as defined below.
When the limited number of units has been sold, the offer for that item is over.
(For all, other than the Jeti probes, this means the offers expire at the end of play on the 19th September)
DCinema Services Directory
White Papers Post
Edge Storage and Archiving
If a few bits disappear, the oil company has to take tons of equipment back to the source and measure the sub-terrain again. The same production and post...except you ain't gonna get Clark Gable back to the shoot again.
Video Processing
CGI, X'Y'Z' to P3, there are so many things going on. Here's the news.
Audio Processing
You know, I kept seeing that 3D stuff, and seeing that 3D stuff, and never getting it. Then I saw the same clips with a great audio system, and what do you know...the pictures looked better.
Storage and Networks
There is a right way to do this and a wrong. There is faster and there is more faster. There are security issues and return on investment issues.
Ingest...it just isn't the same anymore.