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Central City 2035 Update: Preview of January 10 PSC Work Session on the Central City 2035 Plan
On January 10, 2017, the Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC), will hold its third work session for the Central City 2035 (CC2035) Plan. The agenda includes:
- Proposed street classifications and transportation projects
- Green building items (ecoroofs, bird safe standards)
- Specific zoning and FAR requests
- Willamette River related amendments
- And other miscellaneous amendments
The meeting materials for these topics are available here and briefly introduced below. Check the PSC CC2035 work session overview for more information about future work sessions.
Proposed street classifications and transportation projects
The CC2035 Plan includes Central City-specific amendments to update the Transportation System Plan (TSP), the long-range plan guiding transportation investments in the city. The TSP provides transportation options for residents, employees, visitors and firms doing business in Portland, making it more convenient to walk, bike, take transit — and drive less — while meeting their daily needs.
At their January 10 meeting, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) staff will present amendments to the Proposed Draft street classifications, transportation studies and transportation projects. A brief primer on each of these TSP elements is included below:
- "Street classifications" describe what kinds of traffic and trips are expected on a street and what types of land uses the street should serve. Classifications can influence street design elements such as lane widths.
- "Transportation studies" are intended to address issues that have a transportation component identified by the community or other entities.
- The "transportation projects" are the City's 20-year list of major transportation system improvements, including the general location and timing of implementation, the responsible agency and approximate cost. Projects may or may not have any funding "committed" to them, and many projects will require PBOT to undertake analyses before the design of any improvement.
Green buildings and ecoroofs
Portland has been a national leader in designing buildings that reduce impacts on the natural environment — both in their construction and their operation. The CC2035 Plan requires developers of new buildings over 50,000 square feet to register for green building certification and submit a checklist of potential green building features as a part of the building review process. By requiring registration, the City seeks to increase the share of new construction that pursues full certification (full certification is not required at this time).
One green building technology that has gained national acceptance by the construction industry is the "green roof" or "ecoroof." These roofs include soil and plants that help a building handle its stormwater during rainy seasons and reduce the costs of heating and cooling the building throughout the year by insulating the building's roof. The CC2035 Plan requires new buildings over 20,000 square feet in size to include ecoroofs.
Finally, in 2013 City Council directed staff to establish bird-safe design standards with the goal of reducing the number of bird fatalities due to window strikes. Since the publication of the Proposed Draft on June 20, which included a bird-safe design standard for the Central City, staff have worked with experts to refine the proposal and will present an update to the PSC at their meeting on January 10.
Specific zoning and floor area ratio (FAR) requests
At the July and August PSC hearings, some community groups and property owners advocated for specific changes to the zoning and FAR in the Central City. The zoning requests typically centered around areas such as Providence Park or the Central Eastside riverfront or — in a few cases — focused on specific properties. The FAR requests are primarily requests for increases along the transit mall and station areas. Staff will walk the PSC through these zoning and FAR requests and discuss any potential adjustments to the CC2035 Plan.
Willamette River amendments
The CC2035 Plan includes a number of proposed changes to how the Zoning Code regulates the Willamette Riverfront. First covered at the PSC's November 16 work session, this topic will continue in January.
What's up next?
The PSC will hold their fourth work session on January 24. The agenda will be posted once it is finalized.
Please check the PSC calendar to confirm dates, times and other details prior to the event. You can also view the work session on the BPS YouTube channel.
For more information about the work sessions, please visit the PSC work sessions and hearing page.


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Did you happen to see this photo posted to our Instagram?
It's just a tease for wee Christmas pressie we have planned for all of you joining us on the Road Trip to the Bath Christmas Market thanks to the generosity of sponsors Kettle Yarn Co. and East London Knit.
The two brands often collaborate together so it seemed like the perfect pairing to have Kettle Yarn Co.'s superwash BFL TWIST Fingering paired with one of East London Knit's charming designs.
Renée Callahan is the face behind East London Knit. Her background in fashion design with knitwear comes through in her designs. Renée's designs are playful yet practical with details that keep the knitting fun. You've probably seen some of Renée's designs hanging in the Kettle Yarn Co. booth at a show, or more recently in Amirisu, Knit Now, and Twist Collective.
If you're already not familiar with Kettle Yarn Co. then you really need to get acquainted with this lovely British brand. Dyer Linda Lencovic has very exacting standards when it comes to choosing the base yarns for her soft palette of colours. Softness, wearability and durability are all taken into consideration, and Linda has a handy Wear Chart for her yarns.
Linda will be showing off her yarns next at the upcoming Pom Pom Quarterly Christmas Party happening on 6 December in London but you can also find her delicious Islington yarn at A Yarn Story on the Bath road trip.
Many thanks to both Renée and Linda for being part of our first ever Christmas outing with Yarn in the City!
Have you got your tickets for the road trip yet or planned your knitting? We're chatting about our project choices over in our Ravelry group - why not join us?

subset: commoncrawl


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This guide shows you how to Enable Alexa Stopwatch and how to use Stopwatch voice commands with your Amazon Echo or Echo Dot ([easyazon_link identifier="B01DFKC2SO" locale="US" tag="arizonacaorg-20″]$49 on Amazon[/easyazon_link]). Keep reading to see how to use and enable the Alexa Stopwatch skill's functionality:
Alexa Stopwatch
- Say "Alexa, Enable [easyazon_link identifier="B019DB6YNI" locale="US" tag="arizonacaorg-20″]Stopwatch Skill[/easyazon_link]".
- Alexa will reply with "OK, this may take a minute. To start the skill, say 'Alexa Start Stopwatch / Stop Stopwatch'"
- Now say "Alexa, start the stopwatch".
- Say "Alexa, launch Stopwatch" to check the current time of the stopwatch, rounded to the nearest whole second.
- Now say "Alexa, ask stopwatch to stop" and Alexa will reply with "Stopwatch stopped at _ minutes, _ seconds."
How to Use Alexa Stop Watch (Voice Commands)
Warning: Your information is exposed.
Your location is Ashburn VA.
Your IP address is 220.127.116.11.
Hide Me Now
- To start the stopwatch, say "Alexa, start the stopwatch" or ""Alexa, open stopwatch and start"
- Check the current stopwatch time by saying "Alexa, launch stopwatch" or "Alexa, ask stopwatch for my status"
- Quit or stop the stopwatch by saying "Alexa, ask stopwatch to stop"
Related Alexa Commands
- Start a simple timer by saying "Alexa, start a timer" (this skill is built-in to Alexa devices – no Enabling required!). Or say "Alexa, start a timer for (Duration)" where the Duration is a number of seconds, minutes, or hours. Alexa can only set a timer within the next 24 hours (I tried 10 years, but she didn't like it).
- Get the current time: "Alexa, what time is it?" (Optionally you can add "in ____" and say the name of a geographical location, such as a city)
- What time zone is it? Say "Alexa, what time zone is this?" and she will reply: "The time zone in your current location is (Time Zone) time. Your current location in (Your city name) are both in (Time zone abbreviation) (UTC -X). "
- What time zone is (City name)? Ex: "Alexa, what time zone is Honolulu?". "Hawaii is Hawaii Aleutian Standard Time. Hawaii is X hours behind (Your city name)."
- "Alexa, set a reminder"
Count Time with Alexa
The Alexa Stopwatch skill is definitely a great addon to give you up-to-the-second time-keeping abilities. This is great for all kinds of purposes, but especially when you're around the house and don't want to operate your smartphone stopwatch feature. I personally use the Stopwatch function to time the steeping of a cup of tea (2 minutes). Also I've used it to time a workout (6 minute abs anyone?). One thing I haven't used the stopwatch for – but I've been wanting to use it for – is to time the daily tasks I perform over-and-over to see how long they take to improve my time management. Then I'll see how I can minimize the amount of time it takes me to perform the task, saving me time every day!
Look Up Time Zones with Alexa
Time Zones are quite a mystery to many folks, but with Alexa you can ask her to tell you about any time zone and she'll reply immediately with what you need to know.
Wrap Up
Have any suggestions for Alexa voice commands we missed? Let us know or just say hi on the KFire YouTube channel!


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Special Applications Group is committed to delivering actionable, relevant solutions to the problems faced by our customers in today's dynamic environment. We are able to achieve these solutions by leveraging decades of military experience, a dedication to service, and an unmatched, values-based approach to customer satisfaction. Since founding our company we have sought out opportunities to utilize our expertise in the most effective and best-fit arrangements with our customers.
We provide multiple services tailored to your organization's specific needs, focusing on strategic planning, in-depth studies, aviation operational flight training, courses and seminars, and developing effective performance-based training solutions for law enforcement, the military, or commercial entities.
Special Applications Group has built a reputation with customers for providing services and solutions that exceed expectations. Our customers include multiple branches of the military, federal law enforcement, non-U.S. Governments, and civilian organizations.


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Since I'm just kicking off this feature, it's so hard not to do this post daily. Of course, when it comes to beauty loot I have a ton of favorites, but I promise to always bring you a well edited list of the best of the moment. When I walk into a drugstore, Sephora or department store, I am beyond overwhelmed with options so I hope this helps you cut through the clutter. If you're looking for something specific and need a product recommendation, you can always reach me on Facebook! Truth is you hands and your neck give away your age quicker than your face. That's thanks to the extra TLC we give our faces in preventative and corrective measures. I was super impressed when I was introduced to Avon's Absolute Even Multi-Tone Skin Corrector + Hand Cream, because it has SPF 15 for protection, but also helps to even out your skin tone. I use hand cream about eight times a day and now don't have to think about getting old lady fingers.
While Laura Mercier's Cavier Stick Eye Colour, $24was created to help enhance a smoky eye, I like using it in Rose Gold as a wash of faint color all over my lid. It makes me look more alive and is perfect for daytime. Believe it or not, it consists of a creamy texture that doesn't crease and stays put all day. Promise. Since it's creamy, if you plan on layering it, let it dry between coats or it will be sticky.
While I normally like wearing dark greys or almost black shades on my tips, I am completely obsessed with Jin Soon's new Nail Polish in Blue Iris, $18. The electric blue pigment is so bold that it's a conversation starter all on its own.
Anything that's labeled "stress-minimizing" is worth a try. My latest conquest has been the Kiehl's Skin Rescuer Stress-Minimizing Daily Hydrator, $40. Truth is, it helps minimize and prevent the effects that stress can have on your skin like fine lines, blotchiness and inflammation. Yoga classes are still helpful.
While It Factor's new product Simply It, $21.50 cuts drying time, I'm kind of obsessed with it because it makes styling so much easier and let's just say that this bob isn't always willing to cooperate. It literally does everything like adds shine, acts like a detangler, adds moisture and is a heat protectant. I like it because it smells so clean. I start my day using it and even use it mid day for touch ups as a style refresher.


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And while it may initally seem less expensive to go to an online website or a friend for help, it is entirely possible to get either the wrong documents, get confused, misled, or all three. We routinely assist those who have tried to attend to their matters in these ways and paid for services they can not use. (In fact, it is unlawful to have anyone other than a Certified Professional Document Preparar or a Lawyer prepare your documents.) We are happy to help you remedy these pitfalls, but why not see us first? Give us a call and schedule a consultation today. A consultation is only $100 and can save you a great deal of time, money, doubt, and potential irritation. If your matter requires legal advise, we will refer you to an Attorney.
So sit down with a real person, face to face, in a brick and mortar office and ask the questions you wish in order to give you the peace of mind and knowledge so you understand what documents you need to submit. We are a Better Business Bureau Member. Call 520-459-4000 today for an appointment.


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> We do not use JUST server side includes because every server > has different way > to include pieces of code, and if you move pages from a > server to another, you > have not portable code. I agree. And to agree more, here are 2 examples: 1- I create a web page on Geocities because its free. I want to include a word perfect document (file.doc). Problem... It's a word perfect version 9 and word craps out when trying to view it. Two choices, ask Geocities to change my DOC type to Corel Word Perfect, or have an instruction that explains how to go to the registry, disable the Word Viewer, right click on the link, save as...? 2- I have a web application that "sends" files. A web page displays an instruction page on how to save/view/etc the document plus the server sends the document at the same time. I know this can be done because this is how www.download.com works. What will happen if the file sent is an HTML file, or a gif, pdf, doc??? These files will be displayed in the browser... Should there be a different instruction page for each type? No way. If you can help me work around this problem, I'll forget about this thread of emails. The problem is real because we had this problem more than once. I probably just missed a bolt. PatReceived on Thursday, 30 September 1999 09:13:19 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.1 : Wednesday, 7 January 2015 15:05:51 UTC


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Located just off 1-4 and only minutes from the Walt Disney World Resort, the Retreat at ChampionsGate is the ideal location for your vacation home. This premier Lennar community offers Resort-Style amenities in a welcoming, safe atmosphere. Several major highways link ChampionsGate to the surrounding areas, making both Downtown Orlando and Orlando International Airport easily accessible. There are also several shopping and dining options less than 10 minutes away.
The Retreat at ChampionsGate offers several floor plans from 2 Bedroom, Golf Course Condominums all the way up to Large, Spacious 9 Bedroom Pool Homes. All of the homes feature stainless steel appliances, upgraded cabinetry and tile along with granite counter tops in the kitchen. The builder is also proud to offer their eco-smart package, efficient features that help conserve energy. The outside elevations are very appealing with many offering brick paver driveways, stone facades and tile roofs. The resort is gated at it's multiple entry points, with manned security, to help ensure safety for both the homeowners and visiting guests.
The Oasis Clubhouse, with its massive 20,000 sq. ft building is SPECTACULAR! There are two huge resort-style pools, one being an adult pool while the other pool features an exciting water slide. For the little ones, there is a splash park that will provide hours of entertainment. There is also a lazy river to soak in the sunshine along with private poolside cabanas. A restaurant and a full-service bar are available to serve up your favorite food and drinks. The fitness wing has all the latest in cardio and weight training equipment while the spa will help rejuvenate your tired muscles. The resort also features organized games for kids. While the kids are busy having the time of their lives, each of the poolside loungers has a flag that you simply lift up. Within seconds, a pool attendant will be available to take your order.
There is also an 18-hole golf course and future plans include a tennis facility with 7 tennis courts and a center court having stadium seating. The amenity package at Champions Gate rivals any vacation rental community in the Orlando area.
|Under $300,000
|$300,000 to $400,000
|$400,000 to $500,000
|$500,000 to $700,000
|Luxury Homes
|New Construction
Register Now
The Alistair Brown Team
The Alistair Brown Team | 407-923-2134 | Contact Us
Granite House, 31 Stockwell Street, Glasgow,G1 4RZ
233 W. Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
Copyright © 2017, All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2019 My Florida Regional MLS DBA Stellar MLS. All rights reserved. The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange Program of My Florida Regional MLS DBA Stellar MLS. Information provided is for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Global Real Estate Services participates in the My Florida Regional MLS DBA Stellar MLS Internet Data Exchange (IDX) program, allowing display of other My Florida Regional MLS DBA Stellar MLS broker's listings on this site. However may not include all listings currently available. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Information last updated at 2019-09-19 17:50:22.


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Sweetbriar Cottage
Paperback, ebook, audio,
June 13, 2017
by Denise Hunter
- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Thomas Nelson
"Sweetbriar Cottage is a story to fall in love with. True-to-life characters, high stakes, and powerful chemistry blend to tell an emotional story of reconciliation." —Brenda Novak, New York Times bestselling author
When Noah and Josephine discover their divorce was never actually finalized, their lives are turned upside down.
Following his divorce, Noah gave up his dream job and settled at a remote horse ranch in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northern Georgia, putting much-needed distance between himself and the former love of his life. But then Noah gets a letter from the IRS claiming he and Josephine are still married. When he confronts Josephine, they discover that she missed the final step in filing the paperwork and they are, in fact, still married.
Josephine is no happier about the news than Noah. Maybe the failed marriage—and botched divorce—was her fault, but her heart was shattered right alongside his, more than he would ever believe. The sooner they put this marriage behind them, the better for both of their sakes.
But when Josephine delivers the final paperwork to his ranch, the two become stranded in his cottage during the worst spring snowstorm in a decade. Being trapped with Josephine is a test of Noah's endurance. He wrestles with resentment and an unmistakable pull to his wife—still beautiful, still brave, and still more intriguing than any woman he's ever known.
As they find themselves confronted with each other and their shared past, old wounds surface and tempers flare. But when they are forced out into the storm, they must rely on each other in a way they never have before. Josephine finally opens up about her tragic past, and Noah realizes she's never been loved unconditionally by anyone—including him. Will Noah accept the challenge to pursue Josephine's heart? And can she finally find the courage to trust Noah?
"Sweetbriar Cottage is a wonderful story, full of emotional tension and evocative prose." —Francine Rivers, New York Times bestselling author of Redeeming Love
My thoughts: SWEETBRIAR COTTAGE isn't my favorite Denise Hunter book, sadly, and I did so look forward to reading it. It is filled with sexual tension, a strong faith message, and redeeming grace, but wow. Josephine....
All I can say is it opened my eyes as to why the girls I went to school with who had her reputation might have gotten it. Made me wish I had been a little kinder to them, instead of keeping my distance--as all the good girls did. I never thought of things like what happened to Josephine happened back then. But maybe it did.
A good book, even though it is rough, gritty, and has some parts that were offensive to me (a conservative reader). I received a copy of this book free. My opinion is my own.


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The Moda Scatto Pro Bib Short is the perfect blend of technical fabrics combining printability and compression. The bib's cut and sew pattern is constructed with nine stitches per centimeter and only 4mm of interior seam height for a sleeker and softer fit than ever before. The bib short features 220 gram, 50 thread count printed lycra and an anti-abrasion seat panel fabric. The 190 E woven elastic leg cuffs hold the bibs in place without squeezing or restricting and the stretchable, breathable, and stabilizing bib uppers keep the bib in place during hard efforts.
The bibs are finished off with a reflective tab on the back of the left leg for visibility. Last but not least these bibs receive Giordana's Cirro chamois with Aloe Vera infusion.
Men's Bottoms
These charts are intended to be used only as a guideline. Each Giordana category is designed to fit differently to capitalize on specific fabric properties and features. Please refer to the introductory pages of each category for an overview on fit. Your size may vary based on personal preference.


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Recovery is all about change. If you are suffering from addiction, depression, anxiety or just finding life overwhelming, I hope to make a difference in your world. To be yourself is to become yourself.
Friday, 5 October 2012
Why We Were Chosen
8 comments:
Was given this at 12 step workshop recently. It is so, true, sometimes the best messenger is the lowest among us. That as we watch each other rise above our past and step into an amzing future. Thanks for SharingReplyDeleteReplies
I think the words are too beautiful even though thy are rather religion orientated - we know how to choose that as the God of our own understanding. Thanks for commenting Mark - had a quick glance at your ebook - looks good xxxDelete
Great post, tugged at the heart strings, I have never been a big drinker, but was married for 23 year to an alcoholic who refuses to take any action and address the problem, so I am moving forward on my own. Plenty of demons being fought but so worth it :)ReplyDeleteReplies
Must have been tough for you - I have been asked to write a blog post on that - how to treat alkies in recovery though. Thanks for commenting - much appreciated xxxDelete
- Anonymous5 October 2012 at 22:17
I love the John Wooden quote. It's so true - ignoring criticism is important - but not getting caught up too much in compliments and praise can sometimes take your eye off the future you are shaping for yourself. The only opinion that truly matters is your own!ReplyDeleteReplies
The ego can cause great emotional trauma - blog post coming up on that. Thanks for commenting - I really appreciate it xxxDelete
- Anonymous6 October 2012 at 00:27
Yes, some great words and some words of wisdom. I have never really been a drinker, a glass of wine here and there, so I absolutely do not presume to know how this feels, but I have friends who are affected by alcoholism.ReplyDelete
You say this is an opinion piece and ask for an opinion. Do you mind if I indulge in a little critical analysis and act as devils advocate for a minute?
From your quotes above I assume that one alcoholic has been chosen to help another. If I am an alcoholic and you help me, were you chosen to be an alcoholic for that purpose? Or did you and I become alcoholics without any divine intervention, then I went to AA and found you, and you were chosen to help me?
In my mind, this raises a great many questions.Replies
Okay will answer with my understanding of your questions. If I had not had that first drink, I would not have become addicted - but because of trauma in my younger years leading to emotional instability, I became a substance abuser to escape from the reality of life. For some reason this led to addiction which only happens to certain people - in other words I got to the point where there was no control anymore.Delete
During my worst years of alcoholism. I had been hospitalised and treated by psychologists etc but they could not help me. Only when I did the steps through AA with a sponsor, did I overcome the urge to drink. In other words, one alcoholic helping another for me is the best treatment for alcoholism.
Obviously if there are other mental health problems such as severe depression then medical help is most certainly necessary.


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With the first season of The Wolf Among Us wrapping up this week with the fantastic Cry Wolf, where the series should go next with a Season 2 is at the forefront of my mind. I am a big fan of the Fables series and love Snow White and Bigby Wolf but there are more characters that I would like to see get some screen time in the next season from Telltale Games.
The Tourists
Just because the first season being a brilliant murder mystery doesn't mean the second one has to be the same. The Tourists are the secret agents of the Fable world working for Bigby Wolf. Mowgli, Feathertop and the Woodsmen travel the 'Mundy' world keeping a track on the Fables that live out side of Fable Town. Having the second season focus on the Tourists would change things up enough for it to not get stale.
It would be great to see Telltale tell a tale along side the comic series and explore the out side world and the effect some of the Fables have on it. I have faith that Telltale would be able to tell an amazing spy mystery spanning the 'Mundy' world.
Cinderella is the Black Widow of Fable Town, while most of the Fables see her as a layabout waste of space, Cinderella takes on some of the most dangerous missions during the war with The Adversary. A season focusing on Cindy would have to have a secret agent feel to it, maybe returning to the homelands to gain information or stop an attempted invasion.
I would love to see Cindy and Bigby team up together, the last time that happened in the comics a traitor was revealed and killed in a Paris hotel room.
The Farm
The Farm was mentioned at the end of 'Cry Wolf' with Mr Toad and TJ heading off there because of their appearance. Early in the comic series the animal Fables at The Farm attempted a coup because of the poor conditions. With a fair breathing crow, three ex giants who have taken on the role of the three pigs and the dashing fox Reynard the adventures that could happen at the farm would be amazing.
The Cubs
As the children of Bigby wolf the six cubs Darien, Connor, Ambrose, Blossom, Therese, and Winter have the amazing abilities of their father. The Cubs grow up in Wolf Valley near The Farm, so a season focusing on them could just tell the adventures they have or introduce their grandfather the North Wind. 'Cry Wolf' introduced Bigby's true wolf form so a fight scene involving a pack of these incredible creatures might even be better than the Bloody Mary fight.
Where would you like to see The Wolf Among Us go next?
To keep up to date follow us on twitter here and me here.


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Join millions of players in one of the most competitive football games ever created.
Perform breathtaking tricks and take the lead in the Baja Motocross race!
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PIR/Ultrasonic Auto On Motion Sensors
Search Tips:
- Check for typos or misspellings
- Simplify your search - use fewer words or simpler terms
- Use a catalog product code, if available
- Contact Us for help.
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Dual Technology Motion Sensors - Occupancy
Dual technology motion light switches combine passive and active motion sensing technology to reduce the false alarms more frequent in single technology sensors. These motion sensors only turn on the lights when both the PIR and ultrasonic sensors detect occupancy of a space, but only need one sensors detecting movement for the lights to remain on. Our selection of occupancy sensors is available in a range of color options including brown, ivory, and white. For color consistency between wall plate and switch, we recommend sticking to the same brand for switches that are not sold with a wall plate. For help selecting the perfect motion light switch for your application, please give us a call at 1-800-624-4488 to speak to a lighting expert.


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At Copper Trace Family-first Senior Living, residents don't just live here – they're part of the neighborhood!
The people who live and work at our community create the unique sense of compassion and togetherness that is the hallmark of all CarDon communities.
Copper Trace was created to offer a variety of different designs and floorplans focused on creating a better living environment for seniors and those needing short-term rehabilitation.
The result is a smaller, more intimate feel while providing amenities such as dining rooms, a fully-equipped therapy gym, fitness area and theater in centralized locations to maximize a sense of shared community. Copper Traces boasts facilities and teams organized around the purpose of providing seniors and rehabilitation residents with the maximum level of independence possible.


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English/Psychobabble Translation Services
A good neuropsychological evaluation is worth its weight in gold. A thorough assessment provides invaluable data about an individual's cognitive, emotional, and psychological functioning, the way s/he processes and organizes information, and perceives and interacts with the world. A trained neuropsychologist takes the thousands of puzzle pieces that go into an assessment to create a coherent, rich picture of the many processes that make […]» Read more


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KIM Elli
- Kim Rorick serves as our Middle School director. Kim grew up in Fort Wayne. She is a single mother of two kids, a daughter who is 9 and a son who is 6. She has been a hair dresser for 20 years. She currently works independently, but owned her own salon for about 10 years. She has experience working with people and running a business. She has always believed that she would be working with students, but served as RiverKids director for the last 3 years, filling a huge need we had as a church. As Kim began to listen to the Lord, she knew it was evident He was leading her to move into student ministry with The River.
- For middle schoolers, learning about God should be fun and understandable to their way of thinking. Kim's goal as a leader in middle school is to work with parents to help their students learn and understand how to call on God, and how to hear Him, all week long, all year long and for the rest of their lives.
- Email: email@example.com


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The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (DVD)
Title: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
Volume: DVD
Running time: 98
Distributor: Bandai Entertainment
Release date: 2008-11-18
Suggested retail price: $29.98
Age rating: 13+
Something strange has happened to Makoto Konno. Time has suddenly stopped and moved her backwards.
With her newly discovered ability to literally leap backwards in time Makoto finds that tests become a piece of cake, embarrassing situations are corrected, and she can have her favorite food anytime she wants. Unfortunately, her carefree time traveling has adverse effects on the people she cares for.
With every successful leap Makoto somehow alters the fate of those around her. This wasn't supposed to happen and as she races back in time to fix everything, she notices that her abilities are not limitless but with every successful jump she's one step closer to discovering the most wonderful secret in her young adult life.
DVD Features: Audio Commentary with Mamoru Hosoda (Director), Riisa Naka (Makoto), Takuya Ishida (Chiaki) and Mitsutaka Itakura (Kousuke), Premiere Event in Tokyo, Hanako Oku "Garnet" Music Video, Theatrical Trailer, Promo Clip.
Spoken Languages: English, Japanese, English subtitles.
(added on 2008-11-26, modified on 2008-11-26)
- Encyclopedia information about (The) Girl Who Leapt Through Time (movie)


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Come join us for Music Bingo. Xtreme bingo will lead the game. She will play a clip of a song, and you mark it on your board if you have that song. There will be prizes for the 1st and 2nd place winner.
As always it is FREE to play, and FUN!!
It is also Thirsty Thursday!! One of the ladies on tap will be $1.00 off on a pint. Make sure to keep a look out for that information!!


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eBay - UK (ebay.co.uk), USA (ebay.com), Belgium (ebay.be), Australia (ebay.com.au), Germany (ebay.de), Canada (ebay.ca), France (ebay.fr), Ireland (ebay.ie), Italy (ebay.it), Netherlands (ebay.nl), Austria (ebay.at), Poland (ebay.pl), Switzerland (ebay.ch), Spain (ebay.es).
Amazon - North America & Europe
Magento, Shopify, eBay and Amazon
Coming soon: Etsy, WooCommerce
It's free to create a Zenstores account and ship your first 100 orders. We don't ask for a credit card and there's no time limit on trying us out. To create labels and ship orders after your first 100, you will need to upgrade to a paid plan.
You're always in control because plans are based on the number of shipments that you create, not orders received.
Zenstores is designed for small businesses who sell online and ship between 50 and 15,000 orders per month. Our features work just as well for individuals as small teams.


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"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle."
- Philo of Alexandria
I provide one-on-one spiritual guidance for Jews and Non-Jews seeking greater meaning, clarity, and purpose in their spiritual lives.
I bring to the table a lifetime of spiritual work, an openness to the diversity of faith traditions, a knowledge of Jewish and Non-Jewish sources that can be helpful on the spiritual journey, and, most importantly, a calm, non-judgmental presence.
Spiritual guidance sessions can take place in the comfort of your home, work place, or at a local coffee shop, depending on your preference. Each session generally lasts one hour and can be scheduled weekly, monthly, or as often as you like.
I currently serve as a chaplain for the Jewish Social Service Agency and provide chaplaincy services for hospitals, elder care facilities, and prisons. I am also developing a yoga, meditation and relaxation curriculum for prisons called Breathing Behind Bars®, which I plan to pilot at Washington D.C. area prisons soon.


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FIFA 16 Skills Tutorial: Scoop Chip Move
So there will be a lot of skills on FIFA 16 that many players will be familiar with, but this is an in-depth guide on a skill move known as the scoop chip. You can watch the full HD video tutorial below or continue reading on. The controls are really straight forward and all you've got to do is flick theRead more


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Barbara Ballinger had been married for 29 years when her husband announced he was leaving her.
"I was very embarrassed when it happened," Ballinger, co-author of "Suddenly Single After 50: The Girlfriends' Guide to Navigating Loss, Restoring Hope, and Rebuilding Your Life," tells The Post. "I had gray hair, I had gained some weight, and I just hadn't been paying attention to my clothing."
Divorce pushed the Hudson, NY, resident to seek professional fashion help from an image consultant.
"They steered me to hipper, sexier clothing — like this sexy black Vivienne Tam dress I never would have bought before. I started wearing dresses and showing off cleavage for the first time in years."
Almost 814,000 couples got divorced in the US in 2014...
...according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and there's money to be made from servicing their needs — from concierges who take care of tasks such as putting a couple's home up for sale to matchmakers who cater exclusively to divorced people.
That cottage industry now includes stylists, who say more divorced people are coming to them post-split to overhaul their image and regain their confidence.
Ballinger says the makeover gave her the mojo to dip her feet into the dating pool for the first time in decades — and the revenge factor didn't hurt, either.
"When I found out how much my now-ex-husband was spending on his new apartment, I bought my first pair of Manolo Blahniks," she says.
After all, looking good can boost frayed self-esteem. After her split with "The Voice" judge Blake Shelton, country singer Miranda Lambert got a sassy new hairdo and posted a selfie on Instagram with the caption, "What doesn't kill you only makes you blonder."
Hilary Duff dyed her hair blue, and began sporting eye-catching sheaths for the paparazzi and posting bikini selfies just weeks after her divorce from hockey player Mike Comrie.
Meanwhile, shows such as "Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce" portray their characters in trendy leather jackets and sexy stilettos.
Out with the old, in with the new.
"After the divorce, I felt like I needed a fresh start," says the 43-year-old Upper East Sider, who works in real estate. "It's that feeling of 'out with the old, in with the new.' "
[Her stylist] went through Wilson's wardrobe, chucking her outdated jeans and old "blah" turtlenecks. She outfitted her client in sleek leather pants, sexy knee-high boots and colorful patterned frocks.
"Even though it's just aesthetics, it actually changes the way you feel,"
says Wilson. "It really put me in the mindset to start anew and move forward . . . and I get a lot of compliments."
Michelle McFarlane, founder and CEO of the personal shopping business The Shopping Friend, charges [between $95 and $135 per hour for a closet consultation and for personal shopping services depending on your location] (NY Post misprinted our rates in their article).
McFarlane says women who hire a stylist post-divorce are usually looking to erase every trace of their marriage, clothes included. (I didn't actually say that. I said many wives get lazy in marriage and buy clothing that isn't really them. Post-divorce, they turn to a personal stylist to help them find the image that makes them feel fabulous and that usually includes getting rid of most of their clothes from their marriage.)
While men are looking to hire a replacement wife (Again, NY Post misquoted me. I said that our male clients usually had wives who shopped for them during their marriages and chose their styles for them. After divorces, our male clients don't actually know their personal style and hire our personal stylists to help them discover their authentic, individual style.)
She says her business has grown by 50 percent over the last two years — but that sometimes, she ends up playing the dual role of therapist.
"When we come through the door, we are spending hours with our clients," says McFarlane, who's based in Los Angeles but serves clients across the country. "We hear about what's happening in their lives, about their different relationships, about their kids..."
Other times, image consultants end up jump-starting their clients' careers with their whole new look.
3 ways to revamp your look post-divorce
1. Invest in a last-minute date dress
Try a day-to-night frock — but not an LBD (little black dress). "A brighter, jewel-tone cocktail dress feels feminine and flirty without being too revealing," she says, adding that the jolt of color is an instant mood-lifter.
2. Don't be sentimental
If you haven't worn an item in at least two years, give it away. "Women are sentimental about their clothes, whether it's something we wore to our rehearsal dinner or got on vacation. We tend to remember ourselves in Kodak moments wearing those clothes."
3. Change one thing about your look
Pick one style habit that you've been clinging onto, and change it. That could mean swapping your glasses for contacts or getting highlights. "Sometimes changing something small on the outside can bring about that change that you want to feel on the inside."
Are you ready to refresh your wardrobe, look put together, and feel confident with your outfits? We can help.
Find out more about our personal styling sessions and how they can take your wardrobe and lifestyle to the next level.
Our consulting services are offered in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Denver, New York, and Singapore.
The Shopping Friend is a team of image consultants, personal stylists, shoppers, and coaches dedicated to elevating and improving our customers' and clients' lifestyles and careers through image, wardrobe, communication, and etiquette tools.
Our goal is to help you look and feel awesome according to your personality and lifestyle. We help you facilitate upward mobility in your job, career, and relationships with improvements in your wardrobe and image.


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Tips on Preventing Mildew Growth on Boats and Sails
Posted by Darrell Nicholson at 10:13AM - Comments: (3)
I�ve been growing several interesting varieties of mold and mildew at home. It is glamorous work, I know. While my wife, Theresa, disagrees, I know that you understand.
This Practical Sailor project led me to our last test of mildew cleaners, and some helpful tips for keeping mildew at bay.
Having been closely involved in our mildew cleaner test and the upcoming report on spray-on mildew �shields� that supposedly prevent mildew growth, I�m convinced that sprays can help fight mold, but these shouldn�t be your first weapon against it.
The best way to fight mildew onboard is to keep it from ever starting in the first place. Prevention is your best defense. When storing your boat or leaving it closed up for an extended time, a few simple steps will help prevent mildew.
Clean and dry everything. Use a diluted water-bleach mixture on surfaces not likely to be damaged by the bleach. Wipe down and dry the head, shower, sinks, and the galley counters. Do the same for the overhead and walls/bulkheads.
Leave open all drawers, doors, and lockers to promote circulation. If covering the boat with a tarp, create ventilation between the tarp and the hull by hanging a few fenders between them. Prop up mattresses and cushions, or just remove them along with life jackets and foul-weather gear�even fenders and lines. Anything paper�charts, books, paper towels, etc.�should be stowed in air-tight bags or removed.
Good air circulation and moisture control go a long way toward keeping mildew at bay. Keeping the relative humidity below 55 percent throughout the boat gives you a good chance of preventing mold growth. Relative humidity can be measured by a hygrometer, available at many marine and air-conditioner stores, as well as some mega-retailers or hardware stores.
At the dock, a home dehumidifier, a dehumidifying stick (like the Golden Rod, effectively a small heater), or even a light bulb positioned under a vent can help promote air circulation and moisture removal. Moisture-absorption packets like silica gel can also help. These porous granules absorb up to half their weight in moisture from the atmosphere and can be purchased inexpensively in bulk at hardware stores.
The AbsorBag by Buffers USA uses calcium chloride to absorb moisture. The company also sells a non-toxic desiccant bag, E-Sorb, that uses montmorillonite clay for absorption. Star brite makes similar products, like the No Damp dehumidifier. PS plans to test these and other moisture absorbers in the future.
Ventilation products
Mildew thrives in humid, damp spaces, so keeping your cabin and lockers well ventilated is key. PS has tested numerous ventilation products and published a handful of articles on the subject.
We�re big fans of cowl vents coupled with Dorade boxes (PS May 15, 1997) to let air in but keep water out. A Dorade box is simply a water trap that employs a down-draft pipe offset laterally from the throat of the cowl vent. Vetus supplies a wide range of well-made cowl ventilators.
Twelve-volt fans (PS April 2008) and solar-powered vents (PS May 1, 1993) also keep fresh air flowing in the cabin. The Hella Turbo fan outlasted three other popular models in PS�s 2000 cabin fan longevity test. It also was among the recommended fans in our 2008 test.
Nicro Day and Night solar-powered vents from Marinco are another option. The vent pictured above was installed on the lazarette of a Cape Dory 25, as part of a restoration project documented in the March issue. During the day, the solar panel charges a small Nicad battery to power the fan at night. In effect, you get 24-hour operation and continuous circulation.
Proper sail care and maintenance go a long way toward keeping those unsightly black blotches off your canvas. We culled the following tips from sail care experts and authors Dan Neri (�Sail Care and Repair�), William Burr (�Boat Maintenance�), and Roger McAfee (�The Warm Dry Boat,� the Seattle sailors� bible).
� Never stow sails when they are damp or salty as salt attracts moisture. (Fresh-water rinse salty sails.) Air them out regularly, especially after a rain.
� Keep mildew-infected sails away from clean ones, and try to clean infected sails as quickly as possible. Stains are easier to treat when they are new.
� Never use bleach on Kevlar or nylon as it will destroy the fibers. Washing these or Dacron sails in a chlorine-treated swimming pool will turn them brittle and yellow. To clean Dacron sails, first try lemon juice and water to spot clean and let them dry in the sun. For stubborn stains, try diluted Tilex, but be sure to rinse it off thoroughly to avoid longterm damage from the residue. To clean Kevlar, use only water. Lysol can be used as an effective fungicide.
� Laminates grow fungus more readily than woven polyester because the film is impermeable and moisture cannot escape.
Now, to see how that shower mold is growing . . .
Comments (3)
Posted by: The Boat Galley | October 11, 2012 3:27 PM Report this comment
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Posted by: ARUNDEL YACHT CLUB | May 23, 2011 7:11 AM Report this comment


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Is there a good way to execute wsadmin commands as a script file rather than having to run the BPMDeleteSnapshot command one by one for every process app?
wsadmin -conntype SOAP -port 8880 -host ProcessServer01.mycompany.com -user admin -password admin -lang jython
AdminTask.BPMDeleteSnapshot('[-containerAcronym BILLDISP -containerSnapshotAcronyms [SS2.0.1 SS2.0.2]]')
For the matter of simplicity, I would like to create one script file by putting in the right acronyms and give to my admin, so he can just execute it and have all snapshots removed.
Answer by David Spriet (254) | May 30, 2016 at 07:21 AM
There is another thread which discusses the same topic.
There is no script in the product that will do exactly what you are referring to but with a combination of several wsadmin commands you can achieve what you are looking for.
There is a project which is still in "draft/development" state which is on dwAssets which is trying to help administrators in handling BPM Cleanup.
In addition there is an article that describes all the various commands for helping to purge snapshots and process instance data
This should help you as a starting point.
NOTE: Please be sure to look at the last Flash Alert and ensure you have the latest set of fixes applied to the appropriate version of BPM.
Issues with BPMDeleteSnapshot and BPMSnapshotCleanup commands in IBM Business Process Manager (BPM)
Dave Spriet
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Note for strategists and change agents: I make a strong recommendation that you read the article "The Neuroscience of Leadership" by researchers David Rock and Jeffrey Schwartz in the latest Booz Allen Hamilton online magazine Strategy + Business.
In short the authors espouse that: "Managers who understand the recent breakthroughs in cognitive science can lead and influence mindful change." Rock and Schwartz use compelling examples backed by clinical research to offer managers a portfolio of tools to better understand, lead and make change.
Thoughts: Particularly interesting is the discovery of the powerful role that our mental models or dominant logic plays in driving our current perceptions. And the corollary logic that "large-scale behaviour change requires a large-scale change in mental maps."
KEY WORDS: Change; Organisation; Leadership; Organisation; Strategy
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Neuroscience must read for change leaders
Note for strategists and change agents: I make a strong recommendation that you read the article "The Neuroscience of Leadership" by researchers David Rock and Jeffrey Schwartz in the latest Booz Allen Hamilton online magazine Strategy + Business.
Posted by nzchook at 11:07 pm 0 comments
Teledildonics and avatar sex
While hunting out emerging future trends and disruptions associated with robots and robotics I ran across a fascinating convergence of virtual reality, artificial intelligence and robotics – avatar sex and teledildonics.
- Sinulate Entertainment offers products which enables people at two distant computers to manipulate electronic devices such as a vibrator at the other end. The emerging field is called 'teledildonics'.
- XStream3D Multimedia offers a web game called "Virtually Jenna" in which the player has simulated sex with realistic cartoon of porn star Jenna Jameson.
- Visitors to RedLightCenter.com can adopt virtual characters called avatars and use them to live out their sexual fantasies, including having 'intercourse' with another avatar
Thoughts: At first glance this may all seem a little perverse, but this joining of social, physical and virtual worlds signals yet another play out of the merging of humanity and its own technology. Science fiction has well explored such 'social virtuality' ideas: for example in the movies Total Recall (1990) and The Lawn Mower Man (1992). Some questions arise - will the ability to move from relationship development via email, chat and dating services, to full virtual consummation be good or bad for us? Will it become the safer and even the preferred norm?
KEY WORDS: Avatar; Communications; Internet; Robots; Sexuality; Society; Virtual reality
Posted by nzchook at 2:58 pm 0 comments
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Scenting food packaging drives a new dimension
American company Scentsatonal Technolgies has commercialized a way to allow food grade flavours to be imbedded into plastic packaging materials. Now food manufacturers will be able to entice consumers to their shelf in the supermarket with compelling aromas. As their website says "ScentSational Technologies adds another dimension to your marketing with CompelAroma®. Nothing rivals the sense of smell for making an immediate impression about a product's flavor and freshness."
Thoughts: This new aroma packaging technology has potential in markets other than food – Socks Allure, Keyboard sur la Plage and even Book Scents.
KEY WORDS: Food; Packaging; Marketing; Consumer
Posted by nzchook at 1:51 pm 0 comments
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Dance of the Internet giants great for consumers
Google have just signed up with the world's largest PC seller Dell, to factory pre-load a suite of Google web and desktop search software on Dell's PC's for consumers and some corporate customers. This deal is a real challenge to Microsoft's decade long dominance of the user experience with software pre loads.
At the same time Yahoo and eBay joined forces in a multi-year deal to counter Google's rise and Microsoft's renewed web aspirations. Yahoo and eBay will share search and graphical advertising, online payments, a co-branded toolbar, and the testing of a click-to-call functionality.
Thoughts: This partnering dance of the giants feels like serious competition (= drives innovation) and potentially great for me the consumer. Has the music stopped and is that Microsoft still standing?
KEY WORDS: Software; Internet; Advertising; Innovation
Posted by nzchook at 10:15 am 0 comments
Monday, May 22, 2006
Oil industry ads drive uncertainty stake into heart of climate change debate
A public-policy group financed by oil company Exxon Mobil Corp. and automakers General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co began broadcasting two sixty-second ads across 14 US cities last week. The ads challenge the validity of current climate change science. The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), a nonprofit conservative business friendly think tank, have timed the ad campaign to coincide with the release of a documentary called ""An Inconvenient Truth," which is about the threat of climate change that features former Vice President Al Gore. Check out the ads here. The CEI ads defend carbon dioxide as a beneficial natural resource rather than a dangerous pollutant. Each 60-second ad ends with the line, "They call it pollution; we call it life."
It's hard not to see this CEI action as a cynical continuation of the American Petroleum Institute's (API) propaganda strategy, which was first exposed by the New York Times in 1998. The New York Times published an API memo outlining a strategy to invest millions to "maximize the impact of scientific views consistent with ours, with Congress, the media and other key audiences." The document stated: "Victory will be achieved when…recognition of uncertainty becomes part of the 'conventional wisdom.'"
Thoughts: My tracking of global warming and climate change science research over the last 2 years signals that humanity's use of fossil fuels is having a dire and dramatic impact on Earth. When oil industry funded 'research' comes up with the exact opposite finding, and seeks to manipulate public opinion, you have to laugh at the absurdity. And cry, because of the power such big oil interests can bring to morph the truth into such self-serving, and environmentally dangerous spin. Having 'outed' the lies and deceit of the tobacco industry, it's now time to uncover the untruths and manipulations of the fossil fuel barons and their political stooges.
KEY WORDS: Sustainability; Climate Change; Politics; Ethics
Posted by nzchook at 2:08 pm 0 comments
Sunday, May 14, 2006
How romantic…blue cheese perfume!
You've got to give credit to the UK Stilton Cheese Makers Association for pushing the boundaries of industry innovation. They have just launched ""Eau de Stilton" which it claims to "recreate the earthy and fruity aroma" of the pungent blue cheese "in an eminently wearable perfume". Apparently Shazia Awan, 24, of Manchester agreed to try the scent for a day. And she reported that none of her office mates complained.
Thoughts: It's actually not as strange as you might think. In author Patrick Suskind's bestselling novel "Perfume : The Story of a Murderer", the abominable 18th Century French hero Jean-Baptiste Grenouille wove a mixture of rat mouse droppings, cats urine and sweat into a perfume of invisibility.
KEY WORDS: Lifestyle, Marketing, Milk
Posted by nzchook at 4:00 pm 0 comments
Friday, May 12, 2006
Bush's Watergate?
The scale of the USA Today's exposure of the US National Security Agency's (NSA) confidential tracking of the phone calls of tens of millions of Americans, 'authorized' by a secret Presidential executive order - is breathtaking. The content of the calls has not been recorded. Rather the NSA has been collecting and using call data to "analyze calling patterns in an effort to detect terrorist activity." The tracking began shortly after '9/11' when three major telcos – AT&T, Verizon Communications Inc. and BellSouth Corp. starting handling over customers' phone calls records to the NSA. Apparently one big telecommunications company, Qwest Communications International Inc., has consistently refused to turn over records to the NSA, citing privacy and legal concerns. Washington is going ballistic. Senior Democrats and Republicans are screaming blue murder.
Thoughts: Shades of Watergate and impeachment in the air. In peacetime this phone tracking of millions of citizens would be outrageous. But at a time of this 'War on Terror' where should you draw the line, when you are trying to protect your own citizens? When combined with recent exposures of secret CIA prisons and abuses in Iraq, the unfolding picture is one of a completely unfettered security apparatus. And you have to assume that the press is only seeing a fraction of the secret picture. So the question is – when does Bush push America across the spectrum line of defending the principles of democracy to becoming itself a totalitarian state? I think this did it.
KEY WORDS: Democracy; Politics; Security; Globalisation
Posted by nzchook at 9:59 am 0 comments
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Global wine bust and boom
A recent 2005 Deloitte Wine Industry Benchmarking Survey shows Australian wine export prices are down by a massive 33% since 2002 and 40% of Australian wineries are making losses. "The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports the average selling price of Australian wine exported in January 2006 was just $3.78 per litre. The Australian Business Weekly (subscription required) summarises the problems in their May 4th article "Wine: The grape squeeze":
- Production of wine exceeding demand.
- Panic selling by inexperienced growers.
- Strong $AUD making exports less competitive.
- Retail consolidation hurting boutique wineries.
- Slow growth of 2-3% a year in domestic demand due to high tax on alcohol.
- Poor understanding of demand trends.
- The number of wine companies growing from 892 to 2000 in the past decade.
Thoughts: This boom and bust is very tough on the rapidly growing number of small wineries which lack cost scale, and very challenging for the volume producers of average wine. The strength and growth of the US market will eventually pull the Australasian industry out of trouble…there will be a whole lot less boutique players in the game by then. For consumers operating on the '24 hour cellar' this wine bust will be great news for the next few years. Pass the bottle!
Posted by nzchook at 10:01 am 0 comments
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Anticipation goes mainstream
A Milwaukee based business group called "The American Society for Quality" has run a survey of 62 selected international business executives s to identify six leading factors shaping the future. Intended as a tool to prompt business execs into developing adaption strategies, the selected six in priority of importance are: Globalization, Innovation/creativity/change, Outsourcing, Consumer sophistication, Value creation, and Changes in quality.
Writing of the top six, John Schmid of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel comments. "What's interesting are the topics that didn't rise into the top six: the aging of America, global warming and various geopolitical factors and medical advances."
Thoughts: Have you noticed that over the last year words like future, trends, scenarios, uncertainty have increasingly crept into both business and lifestyle language. This business of anticipation has moved from the realm of magic to mainstream.
KEY WORDS: Trends; Strategies; Future; Anticipation
Posted by nzchook at 4:42 pm 0 comments
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Coffee gets us to yes
At last some research that supports my coffee habit. Some Australian researchers have found that "a caffeine hit improves our increases our ability to scrutinise the content of a message and increases the extent to which we listen to and take on board a persuasive message."
Advertisers will perk up on this news…but apparently there is a downside: excessive coffee will lead us into a distracted state. So "if you're looking at an advertisement you may be more distracted by the attractiveness of the person selling it than the actual product."
Thoughts: Food; Augmentation; Advertising
Posted by nzchook at 5:07 pm 0 comments
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
The most important speech of his life
Every time I fill my car's petrol tank I wonder how bad the current situation can get? Peak oil advocate Michael C. Ruppert has just made a speech in New York to the conference on Local Solutions to the Energy Dilemma titled "The Paradigm is the Enemy – The State of the Peak Oil Movement at the Cusp of Collapse". On his website Ruppert rates this speech as the "This is the most important speech of my life."
You will be shocked by it. But there is no doubt there he has built a compelling argument founded in a deep understanding of the unfolding geopolitical dynamics surrounding fossil fuel. It's definitely worth reading – a powerful tool to test your own assumptions about the current(?) energy crisis. Ruppert quotes his friend Dr. Faiz Khan, "A paradigm is what you think about something before you think about it."
Posted by nzchook at 10:18 am 1 comments
Monday, May 01, 2006
From taste-free calories to calorie-free taste
Here's one for your jaded palette! The latest consumer offering for calorie-conscious Americans – Flavor Spray Diet. These FDA approved enhancers come in 32 flovours including Parmesan, Raspberry Chocolate Truffle and Memphis BBQ. Read all about it in "One spray away from a tasty meal" - West Central Tribune - 26 April 2006
Thoughts: What next? spray on youth?, sex? music?
KEY WORDS: Consumer, Food, Lifestyle
Posted by nzchook at 12:58 pm 0 comments
Sunday, April 30, 2006
An Australian climate change strategy for planet
Check out the climate change piece in Saturday's Sydney Morning Herald "People in greenhouses should turn up the heat" . The author is Peter Singer, a native born Australian, now a professor of bioethics at Princeton and author of the about to be published book "The Way We Eat : Why Our Food Choices Matter".
For some time I've been searching for an effective approach for Australia to help turnaround the mounting global (and Australian) climate change disaster...I like the pragmatism of Professor Singer's approach...show national and regional leadership in climate change and earn the credibility to challenge/shame gross over-consumption in the US which is responsible for 25% of the planet's greenhouse emissions.
Thoughts: Makes good sense…but on Australian PM Howard's watch? Is it realistic to expect Howard would ever seriously challenge his good friend and ally US President George double-YA?
KEY WORDS: Climate change; Australia; Ethics
Posted by nzchook at 11:26 pm 0 comments
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Rising diesel prices sinking fishing industry
Rising diesel prices are forcing fleets around the world to stay in port.
- The Nation paper article "Fishing fleet left stranded" reports that 2,000 fishing trawlers operating in the Gulf of Thailand can't afford to go fishing.
- The Dominion Post article "Fuel rises sink NZ fleets" says that almost 90% of New Zealand's national inshore fishing fleet of 1700 boats is up for sale. The diesel price has risen 316% since 1990.
- The Japan Times reports in "Oil-price spikes hit deep-sea tuna fishing industry" quotes a fishing industry source's forecast of an 'avalanche of bankruptcies at tuna-fishing bases in Japan'.
Thoughts: Although tough on the fishing industry participants, high fuel prices could be great for already decimated ocean fishing stock. Fish may well become a luxury. It may even force Japan to reconsider it's 'scientific research' harpooning of southern ocean whales.
The convergence of global warming and accelerating fossil fuel prices mean it might be now time to dust off plans for sail-assisted fishing boats. Have a look at Yasuo Yoshimura's short insight called "A Prospect for Sail-Assisted Fishing Boats"(PDF) for a short 4 page upload.
KEY WORDS: Peak oil; Fishing; Energy; Wind; Food
Posted by nzchook at 5:10 pm 0 comments
Friday, April 28, 2006
Global nano-arms race underway?
Citing emerging threats in a dynamic geopolitical environment and the changing nature of warfare, Malyasia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, told a nano-materials conference on Thursday, that the Government was committed to support innovative R&D in nanotechnology and composites technology as an essential component of Malaysia's economic and social well-being, and military strategy.
Reading between the lines, it looks like Malaysia is signaling it will invest to become a global player (and partner) in nano materials research for both commercial benefit, and to ensure it's own military capabilities are not left behind in the rapidly developing 'smart soldier' space.
Thoughts: When we see a country ranked 84th by GDP/capita (2004), investing in nanotech research to ensure military preparedness, is it a signal that we already in the midst of a new global arms race? Will the relentless acceleration of NBIC (nano-bio-info-cogno) technnology advance place such capabilities in the hands on citizens - and not country states - anytime soon?
KEY WORDS: Nanotechnology; Defence; Materials; Geo-politics
Posted by nzchook at 2:50 pm 0 comments
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Compelling insights from BBC's Global Business and new mag REALBUSINESS
Yet another Thursday night ritual~ my wife Andrea is ensconced in Coronation Street on TV (visions of that movie Groundhog Day -1993 and Bill Murray [me]) and I'm taking refuge listening (via RealPlayer) to Peter Day's weekly BBC radio documentary series Global Business.
The focus this week – an examination of the new entrepreneurial spirit emerging in Britain. Peter began the documentary by interviewing Charles Orton-Jones, a writer with the newly published monthly magazine REALBUSINESS. I checked the mag out online…looks good...lots of interesting case studies.
Thoughts: I recommend BBC's Global Business by Peter Day as a great weekly insight on global trends. It has been particularly helpful in providing a high level view of the emerging global importance of India and China. This whole online broadcasting/podcasting medium is becoming a highly convenient and compelling alternative to free to air TV and radio.
KEY WORDS: Business; Entrepreneur; Globalisation; Media
Posted by nzchook at 8:35 pm 0 comments
The value of trees is more than just shade
I just read a fascinating piece on the value of trees in suburban environments. Ethan Gilsdorf reports that just one shady tree can save a homeowner US$80 a year in energy costs. "Yes, humble street trees cool the air, reduce pollution, and absorb storm-water runoff. But the benefits aren't only ecological" says Gilsdorf. "Property values are 7 percent to 25 percent higher for houses surrounded by trees. Consumers spend up to 13 percent more at shops near green landscapes. One study even suggests patients who can see trees out their windows are hospitalized, on average, 8 percent fewer days."
I checked a little further and found several other web articles leading up to the National Arbor Day in America on 28th February 2006. One such piece details statistics supporting the value of trees to a community.
Thoughts: In our increasingly plastic, steel and concrete environment – Arbor Day comes as a timely reminder of our natural heritage and responsibility...as well as the commercial benefits of tree planting.
KEY WORDS: Sustainability; Cities
Posted by nzchook at 9:31 am 0 comments
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Rich rewards for extraordinary worker efforts at Nucor
This afternoon I read a fascinating article, 'The Art of Motivation' by Nanette Byrnes on Businessweek's Innovation website. It's all about Nucor the American steelmaker. Nucor's 387% return to shareholders over the past five years tops the performance of almost every other company in the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index.
Businessweek reports that what makes this rust belt industry player a star, is that it "treats its workers like owners". A key driver of worker buy-in to the com (pany and ongoing innovation is Nucor's pay system. Almost every worker is paid relative to their performance or value contribution. Specifically a steelworker at a different mill company can clock up $16 to $21 an hour. The base rate for a Nucor worker is nearer to $10 and hour, but a production bonus for defect-free steel by a worker's whole shift can deliver three times the average steel workers disposable income to the Nucor employee. The late F. Kenneth Iverson, founder of Nucor, summed up his then radical business approach "Employees, even hourly clock-punchers, will make an extraordinary effort if you reward them richly, treat them with respect, and give them real power."
I found a fascinating case study published by Dartmouth College in 2000 which describes Iverson's employee relations principles which underpin Nucor's success. (PDF here)
Thoughts: With ageing baby boomers beginning to retire in bulk numbers from 2010, there is fertile ground here for companies looking to build employee motivation and retention strategies. And why is it that such powerful and innovative ideas seem so practicle and obvious in hindsight?
KEY WORDS: Business style; Alignment; Work
Posted by nzchook at 10:29 pm 0 comments
PC to landline phone calls to virtually anywhere – for free!
My very tech-literate French brother in law Sylvain Filliol just turned me onto another cool Voice over IP (VOIP) offering called VoipStunt. I've been a Skype user for over a year and it's halved my mobile phone bill. VoipStunt is a great complementary service to Skype. It allows you to call any landline in a vast number of countries for virtually nothing. I checked out some online reviews and VoipStunt get's the thumbs up. For example see Anders Jacobsen's blog.
Thoughts: As PC and broadband penetration accelerates through business, home and the mobile space…time is shrinking for traditional telco's to remain relevant in the communications space. In the same vain Juha Saarinen's blog pointed me to a recent Sydney Morning Herald article describing Telstra's competitive response to VOIP...which again look's like too little too late to me.
KEY WORDS: VOIP; Telecommunications; Communications; Internet
Posted by nzchook at 8:28 am 1 comments
Monday, April 24, 2006
Wildly exciting food innovation in Chicago
I just read Jennifer Reigold's article in FastCompany on wildly exciting food innovator Homaro Cantu Jr. and his Moto restaurant in Chicago. If this is the future of the cuisine experience…Let it roll.
In the same magazine there is an almost unbelievable reference to how successful the growth in fine food and beverage sales in Las Vegas. "Vegas food and beverage operations managed to extract $238.32 per person per day from visitors in 2004, for a stunning $2.3 billion in revenue."
Thoughts: For affluent economies the 'Experience Economy' looks like it's exploding in the fine food and wine sector.
KEY WORDS: Food; Lifestyle; Experience Economy; Innovation
Posted by nzchook at 11:51 am 0 comments
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Skype me from 30,000 feet!
A colleague 'Skyped' me (made an Internet call) from 30,000 feet recently. He was aboard a Singapore Airlines flight back from Signapore to Australia. Amazing! This 'Connexion by Boeing' wireless broadband Internet service is now provided to passengers on selected flights of ANA, Austrain, Asiana, China Airlines, El Al , ETIHAD, JAL, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, SAS. The The cost of accessing the Internet is determined by each carrier (Lufthansa, for example, charges $9.95 per hour or $26.95 per flight).
A recent survey of 3,200 passengers who have used the service, reported in-flight Internet is changing traveler behaviour: 83 percent of those surveyed said that the availability of the Connexion by Boeing service will have an impact on future travel plans and their choice of airline carrier.
Thoughts: If you travel often then battery life is finally going to mean something. Let's also hope that this innovation might drive the seats a bit further apart in 'cattle class'. The combination of most ageing baby boomer bellies and cramped space generally means the only possible viewer of your laptop screen currently is likely to be your crotch!
KEY WORDS: Communic ations; Internet; Travel; Byusiness style
Posted by nzchook at 2:21 pm 0 comments
Saturday, April 22, 2006
At 75 dollars per oil barrell is this the beginning of the storm?
On the back of increasing uncertainty about the consequences of the escalating Iran nuclear program standoff, crude oil hit an all time record of US$75 a barrel on Friday (21st April 2006). Whatever your view is on how close or far away the planet is from unaffordable oil, I'm guessing the scenario played out in the film The End of Suburbia" was right on the button.
Thoughts: Is this the opening of the end of the oil economy? Can we afford to assume it isn't? How fast and strong will the storm come? What can a citizen do to prepare, or get ahead of the wave?
Posted by nzchook at 8:50 pm 0 comments
Friday, April 21, 2006
Abandonment of trad media by youth signals new ad channels sought
In November last year the Pew Internet & American Life Project reported that fully half of all teens and 57% of teens who use the internet could be considered Content Creators. "They have created a blog or webpage, posted original artwork, photography, stories or videos online or remixed online content into their own new creations."
The latest Economist Media Survey reports that Paul Saffo, a director at the Institute for the Future in California, says people no longer passively "consume" media (and thus advertising, its main revenue source) but actively participate.
The Ecomist article also quotes David Sifry, the founder of Technorati, a search engine for blogs, one-to-many "lectures" (ie, from media companies to their audiences) are transformed into "conversations" among "the people formerly known as the audience".
Thoughts: If TV and newspapers have lost their relevance to younger generations, more intent on creating and sharing via blogs and the web, what will become the new dominant advertising channels? Google ads? Word of mouth ceding? Sponsored podcasts or games? Mobile minute incentives? Picking or creating the winning channels in this new electronic tribal world is a significant opportunity. And the fastest growth market in this space has to be CHINDIA's exploding middle class.
KEY WORDS: Media; Blogs; Generation Y; Advertising; Communications
Posted by nzchook at 3:10 pm 0 comments
San Francisco leads US cities to Peak Oil strategy
The Board of Supervisors of the City of San Francisco has shown real leadership in voting unanimous support for a resolution which acknowledging the threats posed by peak oil, urging the city to develop a comprehensive plan to respond to the emerging global energy crunch. San Francisco has become the first U.S. city to pass such a resolution.
Thoughts: Will city-states become the primary drivers of sustainabilty change, as so many country-state politicians either a) struggle to develop coherent national sustainability strategies or b) continue to serve the narrow partisan interests?
KEY WORDS: Energy; Peak Oil; City; Leadership;
Posted by nzchook at 8:41 am 0 comments