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The signature deadline for 2012 ballot measures was Friday July 6. We can now say that Washington voters will see six statewide measures on the ballot in November. And the two most controversial measures are not your garden variety initiative to the people.
The first high-profile measure is a referendum on the state's marriage act. In a legislative referendum of this nature, those opposing a bill can place a new law on a ballot for the voters to endorse or veto.
- R-74, Washington Same-Sex Marriage Veto Referendum
SB 6239 was passed by the state Senate 28-21 on February 1 and by the House 55-43 on February 9, 2012. A "Yes" vote approves the law as passed by the Legislature; a "No" vote is a veto.
The second high-profile measure, which was certified in January, would decriminalize marijuana. The Legislature did not act on the initiative, which moved the measure to the ballot.
Two are legislatively-referred constitutional amendments. Only Delaware reserves the power to amend the state constitution to the state legislature; all other states have some form of citizen validation.
- SJR 8221, Washington State Debt Amendment
- SJR 8223, Washington Public University Investments Amendment
Finally, there are two traditional initiative measures.
- I-1185, Son of 1053 (2/3 vote for tax increases)
- I-1240, Washington Charter School Initiative


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Review of Marvel's Iron Fist Season 1 By: Andrew Roebuck Since 2008 Marvel has been the kings of superhero movies, and with Daredevil's release on Netflix it appeared they were set to dominate the TV world as well. DC comics attempted to set up their universes, and were met with …
Home > Tag Archives: marvel universe
March, 2017
February, 2017
13 February
Nerd News Network EP 001 – The Orange Alleys of DS-9!
THE NERD NEWS NETWORK CAN NEVER BE DEREZZED!!! That's right WE'RE BACK!!! TFG1Mike takes the lead as he and Ryan the UnEvenFlow bring up some interesting news items, oh and GYESS WHAT…?? It would NOT be Nerd News without Mike The Birdman Dodd!!! Join this terrific trio as they …

subset: commoncrawl


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If you are an alumni, please leave us feedback and review our workshops at the bottom of the page or on Yelp, if you are a Yelper, or Google Places, or?? . We really want to hear from you so we can make this the best experience possible!
If you are just checking us out, here are some reviews from people who have taken our workshop...
Novani M. on Yelp 10/19/2019 - 5 Stars
I took several couple massage classes before, but Joe's class was absolutely far the best of all. The class was very thorough and he is an excellent teacher. The class was very informative, entertaining and educating. Totally recommended if you are interested to learn a different way of giving a more effective massage.
J. M. on yelp 7/26/2019 - 5 Stars
This was a brilliant class to take!! Super professional and educational!! Even though there were many couples in the room, he was able to personalize each couples needs. He taught maneuvers that were very successful and easy to do. He definitely knows what he is doing!!
Robyn S. on Yelp 4/23/2019 - 5 Stars
This workshop is fantastic - I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about massage and/or who wants to share the gift of massage with a friend, family member, or loved one. The instruction Joe gave throughout the evening was thorough, easy-to-follow, and fun. The best part was his customized approach of teaching to his audience's interests (instead of rattling off any kind of memorized lesson plan). I appreciated his attention and response to our requests, and his hands-on demonstration was a treat to watch (and receive!). His passion and knowledge is evident from the moment you meet him - he is truly a guru in his field.
Julie D. on Yelp 11/19/2018- 5 Stars
My partner and I get regular massages and wanted to learn how to give each other massages in between the pro sessions. "Touch" is high on both of our love language profiles so we figured the workshop would be a perfect way to enhance our connection. Joe's workshop provided us with a fun, engaging and highly effective forum to practice multiple techniques in an intimate classroom "lab" environment. His welcoming, warm demeanor, experienced facilitation and great insights on giving and receiving feedback from your partner all combined to create a truly unique and worthwhile learning experience. Post-workshop, we were provided with a thorough list of resources, including videos to help us remember and reinforce specific massage techniques. We feel well-supported and encouraged to keep practicing the power of touch together.
Mimi H. On Yelp 3/18/16 - 5 Stars
Joe not only gives excellent massages, he is the perfect person to run a couples workshop. He makes the evening so fun. My husband was hesitant to go to the workshop. He thought there would be a lot of uncomfortable moments, which there were none. In fact we came away very impressed with how Joe made everyone feel comfortable and how we all learned how to give a decent massage without becoming fatigued. My husband now is willing and able to give me a massage...not as good as Joe's but at least my hubby's is free.
Rosanne G. On Yelp 2/1/16 - 5 stars
An amazingly powerful experience for us as a couple that has been together for 46 years. This 3 hour session with Joe taught us a new way to nurture and please each other in an enlightening way. He put us at ease right away and the studio was very comfortable. This workshop is a must for couples who are dedicated to continuing to build their relationship in a passionate, nurturing, healthy way.
Twyla S on Yelp 1/10/16 - 5 Stars
These guys are great. Very comfortable setting, not awkward at all. We had an awesome time, learned a lot, and they checked in frequently to give advice or teach a more specific technique.
Annette H on Yelp 7/21/15 - 5 Stars
Invaluable experience and exceedingly enlightening. It was a great experience and expanded my awareness of touch.
Tom T on Yelp 6/28/15 - 5 Stars
Joe was incredible! His ability to demonstrate (clearly) safe and effective methods of massage was the best I have personally ever seen. The entire experience was extraordinary and I would wholeheartedly recommend this workshop to any interested couples.
Jaya J On Yelp 2/16/15 - 5 Stars
There is no better way to learn than from someone who is not only an expert, but also passionate about what he is teaching. Joe Lavin is an excellent massage therapist, who cares deeply about
what he does and about the people he works with. In addition, he is so easygoing and relaxed, there's no need to feel intimidated or nervous with him. Our workshop was
on Valentine's night and it was just the perfect way to spend the evening. There was no pressure to chat or mingle (which was fine for me, naturally shy....) but everyone seemed friendly and
nice. We had plenty of space to ourselves -- Joe provides it all, from tables and sheets to lotion, hot stones, etc. My husband and I both felt that we received a great massage and I felt like I
learned a lot. Thanks Joe!
Kaitlyn L on Yelp 10/5/2014 - 5 Stars
What a wonderful class! Joe really makes it a fun experience that's comfortable for everyone...regardless of enthusiasm level. Yeah, I'm talking to all you couples where one of you is way more excited about this class than the other! haha...don't worry, if you are at all reluctant about anything, I promise you'll be glad you came! I really liked that he just dives right in, no lecture or discussion ahead of time, you get right to work! He emphasizes mastering a few basics, and then from there, don't worry too much about proper technique. It's about being comfortable, enjoying yourself, and listening to and responding to your partner. The two of us loved doing something so different from our normal routine, and taking a few hours to really focus on each other--sounds cheesy, yes, but it truly is a great way to reconnect with each other.
Most of all, I was so impressed by Joe's enthusiasm for massage therapy. He clearly loves what he does, as evidenced by the fact that he took extra time with our group, answered every question we had, brought a lot of humor to the class, and took time to demonstrate techniques on every couple. We loved it and highly recommend it!!
Sylvia S. on Yelp 6/30/2014 - 5 Stars
This class is low key and fun. The owners were very professional and managed to teach 6 couples simultaneously how to massage each other. I was not sure what to expect when we first walked in, but by the end we didn't want to leave because we were having so much fun! We are still using the techniques we learned and would like to go to another class when they offer one.
Amy D on Yelp 3/10/2014 - 5 Stars
I had bought the couples massage workshop through a deal site many years ago. Life got busy and I didn't use it before it expired. I contacted Joe about my expired deal and he didn't hesitate to allow me to use it even though it was a year past its date. I was impressed.
I have had many pro massages but my husband has never had one. He was feeling a bit shy about the whole thing and not knowing what to expect. We were both put at ease by Joe and his wife's teaching style. They have a sense of humor and are down to earth so you never feel silly for "not getting it" right away when you are learning a technique. They emphasize massage that uses your own body weight to massage your partner, using the least amount of effort on your part. This was very key for me as my hands/ fingers are weak and tire easily but they taught many ways to massage with almost never having to use your fingers! Yay!
We both had fun, it made a great unique date night, and I highly recommend! Great customer service, great teaching style, great environment with nice comfortable massage studio.
Doug H. on Yelp 11/12/2013 - 5 Stars
In a word: WOW! My partner is an avid runner and he keeps his body in awesome condition and he really loves regular massage therapy to soothe his muscles and ease his aches and pains. I
really want to help, but I get bored and tired of it very quickly. I decided to see what I could find to help teach me/us some technique that makes it more interesting for me and actually help
him. After doing some online research, I found Joe and his reviews made me realize that I had found exactly what I was looking for. I couldn't have been more correct! We showed up and he made us
feel right at home and as if we'd known him forever. Joe is very charismatic and warm and he really enjoys his work...he's funny to top it off! He showed us both how to really enjoy
ourselves and never to miss an opportunity for "free touch". I highly recommend one of Joe's workshops to anyone (two-some, couple or whatever) who would like to learn the essentials of great
massage technique and the general closeness that it brings two people, not to mention the sensuality. One more added bonus...I was getting some great yoga-type stretches and became totally
engaged in the massage, even though I was the one giving it. It's a total Win-Win!
Zaakera S. on Yelp 9/30/2013 - 5 Stars
Awesome workshop. Joe was fantastic at moving with the flow of the group and the different requests/needs for certain problem spots that individuals had. It was comfortable, relaxed and fun. I was also pleasantly surprised at how I WASN'T worn out by giving the massage per Joe's promise. Finally, it was the first time my partner had given a massage that didn't kill me or make me want to jump out of my skin (no bone rubbing bone action) Kudos for the great and gentle teaching style.
Priscilla D. Update on Yelp 8/29/2013 - 5 Stars
Okay! It has been about 3 months since we had the workshop and we have moved across the country and I kinda wish my now fiancee and I could get a refresher course and learn some more moves. We bought a massage table off of craigslist and a huge container of massage oil so we are taking Joe and Wendy's advice and practicing and experimenting with different techniques as well as practicing the ones they taught us.
Patty S. on Yelp 8/26/2013 - 5 Stars
Fantastic workshop! I got this as a Christmas gift for my husband and we both loved it. They did a nice job of demonstrating techniques and giving individual attention if you needed it or had questions. Three hours sounds like a long time but it goes very fast. I definitely recommend this.
Chris S. on Yelp 7/29/2013 - 5 Stars
Joe was great! My husband and I hadn't done anything together for a long time, so this was a great way to reconnect and spend time.
Kevin P. on Yelp 6/3/2013 - 5 Stars
Fantastic workshop. My wife and I used to get super tired massaging each other and Joe gave us a ton of information on proper techniques that result in a great massage for your partner without wearing yourself out in the process. I would highly recommend to anyone--great bang for your buck!
Priscilla D. on Yelp 6/1/2013 - 5 Stars
My boyfriend got me this groupon for the PTCMW and I was actually a bit skeptical because I am pretty modest and kinda uncomfortable with my body. I think you all will know the ending to this story because I've rated it 5 stars... and if I could rate it higher I would. Joe and Wendy were competent, confident and you can tell that they are passionate about what they do. They genuinely enjoy teaching couples how to give a very relaxing massage that they can duplicate for the rest of their lives. I mean I just gave my boyfriend a fantastic massage for an hour an a half and I was not tired in the slightest. Before it'd be five - ten minutes and I was worn out! And then... I received a better massage from him for an hour and a half! This isn't just a one time thing that you enjoy and relax and then it's over.... it's really new skills that we will both use to bring us closer together and de-stress. It gave us the language to talk and communicate about what we like and prefer in massages as well.
In a nutshell.... absolutely fantastic.
Rene A. on Yelp 5/13/2013 - 5 Stars
These workshops are excellent. We really did learn a lot and enjoyed the session that day. The workshops are very well put together and Joe really knows his stuff. I must say we were a bit skeptical about doing a couples workshop, but it really turned out very well thanks to Joe and his team.
Michelle R. on Yelp 4/30/2013 - 5 Stars
My husband and I did this workshop together a couple of weeks ago. We both loved it! Joe uses the Lomi style of massage which is so much better for both of us when we're getting or giving massages than anything we ever thought to try. The class instruction was easy to follow and Joe worked the room to make sure we were all getting the techniques. He also gave us some specific tips on how my husband could help me when I have migraines and how I can help with his tired construction worker hands.
I have recommended the class to friends and family already and my husband and I have agreed that we want to go back in about a year for a refresher course. I think the experience of taking the class was a very good one and I feel like we will constantly be able to benefit from what we learned by using the skills at home. The class was definitely worth the time and money.
Adham H. on Yelp 4/20/2013 - 5 Stars
My wife and I attended this workshop, and we both loved it. It was incredibly helpful in learning new ways to give extended massages without tiring yourself out. Overall it was quite relaxing, and the instructors are happy to answer questions and teach certain techniques if there are key areas of the body you wish to concentrate on. Would recommend for other couples to try out.
Julie G. on Yelp 2/22/2013 - 5 Stars
This massage workshop was a gift for my husband and myself and I was very excited to go. First off, I did not have to wait very long because the workshops occur fairly often. The workshop was very thorough, comfortable, and modest. You end up getting and giving a nice long massage to and from your partner at the same time you both are learning many new and different techniques.
There are only six couples in each workshop and two instructors so either Joe or his wife are always close by to help if you have and questions or if there is an easier way to do something. I was not sure what to expect but they definitely exceeded any expectations that I did have.This was not the first massage workshop I have been to, but I will definitely not go anywhere else again. Oh yea and after you take the workshop once you can take it again at a discounted rate.
Joan P. on Yelp 2/5/2013 - 5 Stars
This was the best "Date Night" that my husband and I have enjoyed in years! We both enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere, gained confidence in our massage skills, received individual instruction for "problem areas", and recieved a great massage too! We intend to take advantage of his other classes and even buy a massage table. This class is a fantastic gift idea for Valentine's Day or Anniversary! Joe and his staff are professional and the nicest folks you will ever meet. You will be friends by the end of class. This is a GREAT investment in every way! Do it!
Justin B. on Yelp 2/4/2013 - 5 Stars
This was an amazing experience, would definitely recommend and plan on attending again. An amazingly intimate experience anyone in a serious relationship should partake in! Sign me up!
Ginger N. on Yelp 2/3/2013 - 5 Stars
Last weekend my husband and i attended the couples massage workshop. It was great. The instruction was paced to each person, the techniques were clearly explained. With Joe and his Mom teaching there was plenty of assistance for questions and demonstration. There was no issue with privacy or feeling uncomfortable with a few other couples in the workshop. The room was spacious enough and laid out to afford an amount of privacy and they taught draping for modesty. The on line videos in the alumni section of the web page will be a helpful reminder as we continue to practice. It's a great service that Joe is teaching relaxation one couple at a time!
Kelly R. on Yelp 1/31/2013 - 5 Stars
My husband and I attended the Couples Massage Workshop and both walked away feeling more relaxed, more connected, and more educated on how to take care of each others bodies. Joe Lavin did an amazing job instructing - very clear, easy to understand, and open to as many questions as we could come up with. I would highly recommend this class - we had a wonderful time and learned skills that we will both benefit from for a long time!
Heather G on Yelp 1/29/2013 - 5 Stars
Attending this workshop was one of the best decisions I have ever made for my relationship. My husband and I both LOVED it. The instructor was incredibly nice and even funny. He made no mention that he would at times repeat himself and stayed long after the scheduled times to accommodate all of the questions we had as newcomers. I would refer this place to ANYONE.
Teresa B. on Yelp 1/27/2013 - 5 Stars
My husband and I did a couple's massage workshop today and it was wonderful! We were in small goup with five other couples. There were two wonderful instructors so all of us received lots of hands on as we practiced our new techniques. There was a lot of wonderful techniques and basic skills taught so that I felt we could go home and practice what we had learned in class. I would highly recommend this class. It is a great way to connect with your partner and learn more about how your partner likes their massage. What a great valentines gift to give your special someone!!
Lisa S. on Yelp 1/22/2013 - 5 Stars
My husband and I went to a Thai stretching workshop for couples this week-end. Previously, we had participated in a general couples massage class taught by Joe Lavin. This was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and I am impressed with the wealth of knowledge offered to us during the workshop and shared by email after the event. I believe Joe and Wendy really love their work and their clients benefit greatly!
Tina P. on Yelp 1/15/2013 - 5 Stars
This was a really interesting class. You get hands on technique help from the instructors, one a massage therapist and the other a physical therapist, between the two of them the
instruction is wonderful. At the end all I could say was I wish there was 1 more hour cause I felt like there was so much more to learn and build on.
David S. on Yelp 11/1/2012 - 5 Stars
My wife Holly and I had the distinct pleasure of attending one of Joe's Couples Massage Workshops, and we came away with some very easy and useful techniques, as well as an incredibly relaxed
smile or two. His teaching method is at once personable, light and readily supportive. Oddly enough, one always wants to be on the receiving end of a great massage, but emulating
Joe's style makes giving one a great experience in itself! It was akin to poetry in motion, being both fluid and dynamic, while maximizing touch and thus one's connection to the massaged
person. I came away feeling both relaxed and energized at the same time.
I happily give Joe my highest recommendation as a master of his craft. Try him and you won't be sorry!
Robert D. on Yelp 9/16/2012 - 5 Stars
Amazing. We both got so much more than we were expecting from this workshop. I wasn't expecting to get so much hands-on teaching and feedback from Joe and his mom. I really felt
like I learned some of the basic techniques I've experienced from professional massages to be able to use on my partner.
Learned that using friction balm instead of just massage lotion let me work so much easier. Also learned that we need to start watching for a used portable massage table - being able to work on my partner on a table instead of floor, etc. meant no more back pain and no tired fingers or wrists since I finally learned how to use my forearms, elbow, and she was quite happy. I was surprised how much we were able to take away from just 1 session to practice on our own. We're both interested now to setup massage nights for each other, and to do a few more 'date nights' where we do some more learning.
We did a 6pm-9pm evening workshop and I'm glad I brought along a few energy bars for snacks for us. I thought there would be more standing around lecture time but actually the demonstrations are while you are at your partner's table so you can mirror what Joe is showing and apply it immediately. That was probably the biggest factor that made us have such an enjoyable time while BOTH getting massages in just a 3 hour time period.
Philip H. on Google Local in August - Quality: Excellent
A lot of fun. I registered for a session as a birthday present for my wife, I figured it would be something fun and different and relaxing prior to dinner, but I didn't think I'd learn as much as I did. Very informative and I look forward to using my skills in the future.
L.S. on Yelp 7/22/2012 - 5 Stars
My husband and I went with to the couples massage workshop and it was really enjoyable - a very fun experience. Joe and Wendy work well together and they are very knowledgeable on the
subject and very good at teaching others.It was an entirely entertaining and stress-free evening and I recommend it highly.
Alexandra B. on Yelp 6/92012 - 5 Stars
I learned a lot from this workshop... Definitely felt comfortable and the atmosphere was friendly and helpful. But I'm not gonna lie, the thing that was most worth it was the information my partner took away with him and continues to use ;)
Juli-Ann W. on Yelp 6/3/2012 - 5 Stars
Hands on instruction! With just a short introduction, you get busy learning how to give and receive massage with your partner. Class size is small and you receive a lot of personal attention as the instructors come around the room. I've had a lot of massage and it was wonderful to learn how to give the type of strokes my partner wants. And how to protect my thumbs, hands, and wrists when giving lots of deep work. Joe and his mom (helping that day) were great, personable and encouraging. I felt completely comfortable and picked up so many great skills. This makes for an excellent shared experience as a couple.
Frances P. on Yelp 4/4/2012 - 5 Stars
Guys, if you want to make your woman happy constantly, this is the place to check out. Your girl will not be disappointed in you at all Do me a favor and just spend the money in order for the two of you to experience a couple of hours together that will help your relationship out for life.
Google Local User in April - Quality: Excellent
"I don't review a lot and I usually only review the bad apples so people know to stay away (or maybe I am just a good complainer). Anyway, my girlfriend gave me the workshop as a "gift" and I thought for sure I was going to hate it. I didn't. I actually loved the whole experience. Joe and his wife Wendy are very personable, professional and knowledgeable. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot of really useful massage skills. I also ate a lot of crow!"
Cathy M. on Yelp 03/19/2012 - 5 Stars
WOW! I gave this to my husband for Christmas. We LOVED it. Great class, very informative but no pressure. We each got a great massage AND learned how to keep doing it for ourselves. I apprecieated learning techniques to make it easier on the massager, ways to use gravity and leg strength instead of wearing out my arms and hands. We're already thinking about when we can do it again. It was a lovely evening.
Google Local User in March - Quality: Excellent
Very good workshop although time seemed to fly by. ;) Covered the basics quite well. Relaxed atmosphere. My wife was worried beforehand, but she had a very good time.
Christine Z. on Yelp 2/9/2012 - 5 Stars
I got spots for me and the BF in the couples massage workshop as a birthday present for the BF last August! And, we could not have been more pleased with the workshop. Joe and Wendy did an
exceptional job leading the workshop. They are both very knowledgeable, personable, and very patient! It's a very small workshop with only 6 couples. I liked the individual
attention I was given while working on the BF.
I also really like that all alumni get monthly newsletters via email with tips, video clips of new techniques, and other news from Joe. I find those to be really helpful. he BF says this was (by far) the best birthday present he has ever received (I'm sure it helps that it has turned into the gift that keeps on giving, since we give each other weekly massages!)
This is a great workshop for any couple - not only will you learn how to give your special someone a pretty decent massage, but you will become more in tune with your their body, thus strengthening your relationship!
Google Local User in February - Quality: Excellent
Joe was attentive to each couple and was quick to answer questions and help us correct our technique. His demonstrations and explanations were clear and easy to understand. He enabled us to feel relaxed and comfortable so we felt at ease doing the various stretches. My daughter and I work together and love the stretches so we have a way to help each other have relief on stressful days. Joe's workshops are fun and very informative. We have gained knowledge that we will be using for many years to come. It was fun to see his mom there too. What an amazing woman!
Dawn C. on Yelp 11/14/2011 - 5 Stars
This was a phenomenal class! Joe and Wendy were very helpful and also made the instruction interesting and fun! This workshop was a great date night idea too!
Kayla S on Yelp 11/12/2011 - 5 Stars
For our anniversary, I bought my boyfriend the couple massage Yelp deal. We like to give each other massages so I thought this would be a cool idea to get some actual technique training. At
first the experience is a little awkward because you are in an open room with 6 massage tables but then you dont worry about it too much anymore. Woman massage the men first, so we left the
room while they got changed. We rubbed them for a good hour, and then it was our turn.
I definitely learned a lot! Joe and Wendy are fabulous teachers and they come around and help you to make sure you are doing it right. They are very nice people who make you feel comfortable, very knowledgable and let you have fun with the class. I would highly recommend this class to any couple looking for a good time and bounding experience type class. My only criticism is when us ladies went, afterwards we mentioned how cold we were in the room! I don't know if it was just because we were near the windows or what but MORE heat please!!
Ann W. on Yelp 10/17/2011 - 5 Stars
Thank you, Yelp & Katy H, for awarding me a free couples massage workshop with the amazing Joe and Wendy Lavin! Joe and Wendy were so kind, knowledgeable, and made us feel super comfortable. They also spent time with each couple throughout the workshop to work on massage techniques that are right for specific body types and partners' preferences. S and I had a wonderful time and I highly recommend a couples massage workshop at Power of Touch!!
Ariel B. on Yelp 9/20/2011 - 5 Stars
Thank you Joe!! The massage workshop was awesome. He did a great job showing both of us how to give (and receive!) a good quality massage. Everything from techniques, how to put enough pressure without overdoing it and without tiring yourself out, what oils to get, a cool way to have the oil accessible, how specifically to give a variety of different massages, and so on. I love massages and it feels like this is something we learned that will reward us for years to come. Now both my girlfriend and I can give way better massages. It's like a gift that keeps on giving. :)
Incredible experience and highly recommended!!
Kimmy C on Yelp 9/12/2011 - 5 Stars
One word could sum it all. AMAZING! I had the pleasure of coming here for the massage workshop. Prior to the workshop, the massage therapist (Joe) sent us emails including a video to prep
us. The instructors taught us different techniques and was actively teaching us individually as well as the group. They taught as proper draping technique, and massage techniques providing
emphasis on the back, legs and neck. If you have problem areas that you want to address like low back issues, they are sure to teach you techniques in that area that relieves stress AND also
proper body mechanics when giving the massage.
It also may seem kind of weird that there were 10 other people in the room but it was actually comfortable. We're all adults. No one is laughing and pointing. It was nice to have others in the room because you all learn from each other anyways.
I definitely slept like a baby at night of the workshop. Excellent idea to have the workshop at 6pm on a sunday evening! I can't imagine doing this workshop in the day time because I'd knock out. Either way if you give the massage or receive the massage I think you're going to knock out and sleep like a baby. Its hard work to give massages. You get a real good workout on your upper body =D
I would highly recommend this workshop!! If I could I would give it 6 stars!
Jennifer B. on Yelp 8/27/2011 - 5 Stars
Go Joe! The massage therapist, Joe is a good teacher and patient in sharing techniques. He has one partner go first for about an hour and then switches to the next person. He is generous about using his oils. This is a good concept and who ever would've thought to train your partner to be your massage therapist. I won this as a Yelp Elite member and am very appreciative of it!
Rebekah R. on Yelp 7/77/2011 - 5 Stars
My husband and I have wanted to learn how to give better massages to each other. This was a great opportunity for us. Joe and Wendy do a fabulous job informing the couples how to stretch for part of the class. Then they taught us hands on how to massage our partner. They both helped me learn some great techniques that I can use at home with my husband. Joe and Wendy are very knowledgeable. They make the class fun. Not once did I feel uncomfortable; which I was concerned about, because I was not too keen on the idea of removing my clothes for the massage (which I did not have to do). I highly recommend this couples massage workshop.
Kurt J. on Yelp 10/17/2011 - 5 Stars
I too have to say I was a bit reluctant when I found out it was going to be 3 hours for the class; but, everything was great, and things moved along pretty well. Class started right on
time, the surroundings weren't creepy or odd.
I have to say too that the tandem teaching of Joe and Wendy was great. I felt that we got enough exposure on how to do stuff while still being left alone long enough to try things out. Also, they were very helpful and attentive to what might be the particular needs of a couple, i.e., my wife gets knots in her scapular area, and Wendy spent a lot of time helping me understand how to work that particular area.
I wouldn't hesitate to highly recommend this to anyone. In fact, when we set this up, we invited a few of our friends to join us; however, they were perhaps a bit too chicken. And, on our way home after the class, both my wife and I expressed the opinion that they really missed out.
Varesa H. on Yelp 7/13/2011 - 5 Stars
This workshop was the coolest thing I have done in a long time! It is a great way to get out with your boyfriend, friend, or anyone you feel comfortable giving a massage to really. You don't have to take off your clothes if you don't want to. Joe and his lovely wife Wendy were awesome! I learned so much. They started out with some cool stretches great for using on your significant other or even your kids before sporting events. Then showed us how to do a lot of cool massage techniques. I bought a table and before I took this class it killed me to give an hour massage, now I can do two hours and have fun doing it! I would recommend this workshop to Everyone!! Its not like school its a good time :)
Bob L. on Yelp 7/1/2011 - 5 Stars
I didn't know there was so much one could learn about massage. This was a great coarse for the first timer or one who knows a lot. The trainers were knowledgeable, fun and easy to feel comfortable. The hands on experience, with Joe and Wendy guiding me, gave me simple steps for giving a good massage. The facility and workshop were very professional. With a total of four couples I found that there questions helped in learning because I didn't even know what to ask sometimes. The training, hands on experience and discussions were very lively. I will recommend this Workshop to everybody.
Matt H on Yelp 6/22/2011 - 5 Stars
I have never given a review on one of these things before but I just have to "Yelp" about my experience with the Power of Touch couples massage workshop. It was a great experience! I was a little skeptical at first especially after I discovered this was NOT the fathers day couples massage I thought it was going to be! Once I resigned myself to the couples massage WORKSHOP, I figured I'd be a good husband and go for my wife... Did I already say that this was a great experience?
It turned out to be a, "teach a man to fish" kind of scenario. Rather than one night of relaxation and pleasure we now have the tools to enjoy whenever we want. We are even going to invest in a massage table! My recommendation: SIGN UP NOW!
JR on Yelp and Google Local 06/21/2011 - 5 Stars
My wife and I took the workshop last weekend and really enjoyed it. I was really impressed with how practical the knowledge was and the relaxed the atmosphere. We started with instruction and a demonstration and then did hands on massage for two hours with our partners. I learned a ton and look forward to trying more at home.
Varesa H on Yelp 6/21/2011 - 5 Stars
The workshop was great. I would recommend this for all couples. Really its good for anyone that wants to be able to give a good massage, just find someone to drag to it, they will have a good time! I wasn't sure how it was going to be, but Joe and his lovely wife were a great teaching team. I feel like I can give a very enjoyable massage now! It was really a lot of fun. I thought three hours was going to seem long but I would almost wish it was longer :)
Lisa D. on Yelp 6/19/2011 - 5 Stars
Loved it and I am looking forward to practicing all of the great stuff we learned. Girls, drag your guys here...they really need this :-)
Brian P on Yelp 6/16/2011 - 5 Stars
I have to admit that I was a bit of a reluctant participant here. My girl bought the tickets and said that we "really needed this". So I was not sure what I was getting into. But it was great!
The workshop was really professional and we did not have to take our clothes off (my girlfriend's only fear before getting there :-)
The massage school where the workshop is held is very spacious and well appointed. There were tables, sheets and lotions provided. They gave us lots of literature for use at home and we have gotten some great follow up emails with even more massage techniques. I wish it would have been my idea. We are giving some of our friends gift certificates for their anniversary. Bottom line: Very, very cool!
Please send us your feedback or review of one of our workshops by using the form below. Thank you!
You Can Interact With Us On...
For more information you can email, text or call....
Joe Lavin, LMT, CPT CEIM, AOBT
Certified Phenomenal Touch Practitioner®
Certified Ashiatsu DeepFeet Bar Therapy Practitioner®
Certified Myofascial Cupping & IASTM Practitioner
Cell: (206) 817-5896
Email: email@example.com


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If you plan to exhibit livestock projects at any of the following livestock shows in the spring you need to complete your major show entry paperwork:
San Antonio Livestock Exposition
San Angelo Livestock Show and Rodeo
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo
All forms may be found at www.travis4h.com , on the right side of the page, there is a tab, livestock information under the heading "4-H Programs", Click on the livestock information link and the page that will come up obtains the forms you need.
Each exhibitor needs to complete a major show summary form - this allows us to be more organized and make sure we have all the entries in order for each exhibitor. The forms are divided out by the specific show. Please pay attention to the details of each form.
If the responsibility of each family to submit their own paperwork to John or Cory at the extension office. Checks need to be made payable to Travis 4-H. Forms are due back on November 10, 2010.
If you have any questions, please let us know.


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In an effort to increase the representation of women in business, Presidents Trump and Trudeau have come together for the creation of the Council for Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders. According to a joint statement released by the two Presidents "It is a priority of both countries to ensure equal opportunities for women in the workforce. We are committed to removing barriers to women's participation in the business community and supporting women as they advance through it."
While it remains to be seen what the exact responsibilities the council will have, the newly formed council already touts top women in business including Elyse Allan of General Electric Canada, Carol Stephenson of General Motors and Julie Sweet of Accenture North America.
Women on executive councils in the S&P500 are at an all time high. There are currently only 5 companies (soon to be 4) that do not have women on their executive boards but the partnership between the two countries is looking to do an even better job with representation. Women make up around 50% of the population for both countries resulting in a need to grow women in business to match population need.
Although the Obama administration statistically did a great job in this regard, an effort needs to be made to add more than one or two women. Hopefully this new partnership will go a long way in doing so.


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As cool winter weather settles over Southwest Louisiana, our morning appetites turn to warm comfort food. Oatmeal often finds its way into our breakfast bowls, though we may not always have time to cook oats the old-fashioned way. Instant oatmeal to the rescue! Here's a roundup of several brands you'll find in lake area cereal aisles.
Quaker may be considered the quintessential oatmeal brand. And deservedly so. This breakfast staple has been around since 1877! While most are familiar with popular flavors such as maple brown sugar and apple cinnamon, Quaker continues to reinvent the brand. They recently sponsored a "Bring your Best Bowl" contest. Finalists included these three daring flavors – Vanilla Chai, Apple Cheddar Rosemary, and Lemon Ricotta Pancake. The winner will be announced in February. While very popular, Quaker Instant Oatmeal contains more artificial fillers and flavors than some of the healthier options. 150 calories, 2 grams fat, 30 grams total carbs, 3 grams fiber, 4-5 grams protein. Found most anywhere oatmeal is sold.
Kathleens's Quick Oats offers an all-natural instant oatmeal with a very short ingredient list. The Ancient variety contains whole grain rolled oats, brown sugar, flaxmeal, hulled hemp seeds, and chia seeds. That's it. Other flavors include Brown Sugar, Cinnamon Raisin, and Oats & Quinoa Crumble. 170 calories, 4 grams of fat, total carbs 29 grams, 4 grams fiber, 5 grams protein. Recently found at Big Lots for $2.00 a box. (A bargain!)
Bakery on Main Oatmeal and Muesli comes from a dedicated gluten free, non-GMO, kosher, natural foods bakery in Connecticut. They feature fun flavors like Strawberry Shortcake, Apple Pie, Maple Multigrain Muffin, and Blueberry Scone. Each variety's ingredient list includes healthy ancient grains – chia seeds, flax meal, quinoa, and amaranth. Kudos for natural ingredients, high fiber, and protein, but demerits for excess sugar. 200 calories, 3 grams of fat, 37 grams total carbs, 5 grams fiber, 6 grams of protein. While a bit trickier to find locally, it can be ordered online at bakeryonmain.com.
Also called porridge, McCann's Irish Oatmeal has a rich texture and nutty flavor. It comes in Regular, Apple Cinnamon, and Maple Brown Sugar flavors. 100 calories, 2 grams of fat, 19 grams total carbs, 3 grams fiber, 4 grams protein. Can be found at select Kroger and Market Basket stores.
One of the healthiest instant oatmeals on the market is Nature's Path Organic. Also non-GMO and vegetarian. It comes highly recommended on the Eat This Not That website and includes several tempting varieties including Optimum Power Blueberry Cinnamon Flax. 160 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 30 grams total carbs, 3 grams of fiber, 9 grams protein. Sold at Kroger, Albertson's, Big Lots, and Target.
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Many US flights already have one - and other countries have also introduced armed guards on board, including Germany, Canada and Australia.
Israel's El Al has had armed marshals operating on its flights for more than 30 years.
The cautiously screened, highly-equipped and motivated individuals are supposed to bring under control a possible hijacker - and thus save many lives.
Their presence is designed to reassure the flying public - but they may not even be aware of their presence, for one of the virtues of the sky marshal is the ability to remain an inconspicuous, innocent-looking passenger.
And they must abide by strict rules of engagement, experts warn - the marshals are not on police duty even though many in Britain, for instance, have been drawn from police ranks.
Shrewd and calculating would-be hijackers may stage-manage an air-rage incident solely for the purpose of "outing" the onboard marshal and subsequently disarming him, says David Learmount, editor at Flight International Magazine.
Rules of engagements
Pilots are particularly concerned about the chain of command in an aircraft that might have more than one armed individual.
El Al's plainclothes marshals sit among the aircraft's passengers - but their special seats are said to be equipped with buttons to alert the flight deck of any trouble.
Upon receiving the warning, pilots are under orders to roll and dive the plane to overbalance anyone standing, the Guardian newspaper reports.
At the same time, oxygen masks drop to the guards' seats only, giving them an advantage over the alleged hijacker, the paper says.
Flight commanders, however, remain in charge, even though they co-ordinate with the marshal, Captain Chris
Beebe, from the American Pilots Association - and a pilot of a major US carrier - told the BBC.
It was important, Mr Beebe told the World Service's Newshour programme, that the more security there was on board an aircraft, the better.
But the British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) has instructed its pilots not to operate flights that carry sky marshals "until adequate and written assurances are received".
These include putting the captain - not the armed guard - in charge at all times, and reassurances about the weapons to be used and the training given.
Air marshals represent "the last line of defence" in an emergency, says Philip Baum, editor-in-chief of Aviation Security International.
"There is no evidence to suggest that they are a real deterrent," Mr Baum told the BBC, as they can only be deployed on a tiny number of flights.
Security ought to be tightened around airports in the first place, he said.
For several months now, cockpits of the aircraft flying into the US have been fitted with bullet-proof doors - and video surveillance systems - making forcible entry almost impossible.
Therefore, there is no crying need for armed sky marshals on board to prevent prospective hijackers from seizing control of an aeroplane, David Learmount told BBC News Online.
Their presence could even be dangerous, Mr Learmount says.
An airplane is highly unlikely to be brought down as a result of flying bullets - persistent shooting may be needed to penetrate the windows, for instance, Mr Learmount says, in addition to the fact that aircraft have many "stand-by systems".
And the "neater" damage of high-velocity weapons could even make re-pressurising the cabin considerably easier.
But the use of low-velocity bullets in an exchange of fire can certainly increase dramatically the risk to passengers, he says.


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About AWeber
AWeber is an email marketing platform that allows 100,000+ small businesses and entrepreneurs to create and send emails people love <3.
And by sending emails people love, they're empowered to connect with customers in ways that grow their business.
From the moment our CEO Tom Kulzer founded AWeber back in 1998, that's been our primary mission. Since then, AWeber has grown into a team focused on helping customers achieve success with email – whether we're building AWesome tools and features or providing live support and education.
To help us do so, there are six core values that have become the foundation of everything we do:
Our Core Values
1 | Create remarkable experiences.
Anyone can say they're remarkable. But how many companies will, say, knock your socks off with awesome email marketing... and then send you a new pair of socks in the mail? (No seriously, we occasionally send socks and other goodies to our customers!)
That's the kind of thing AWeber does. We love creating experiences customers will love – and we do that by providing a live customer solutions team that's available 7 days a week, sharing hundreds of educational resources to help you with your email strategy, and building a platform that's easy and enjoyable to use.
2 | Execute with passion.
There's a lot that goes into creating remarkable experiences. In addition to having a talented team of experts working here at AWeber HQ, there's another element that's key to our success: Our passion to drive and deliver results.
Once we commit to a project that allows us better help customers, our team is quick to plan and execute with passion.
After all, the more we can help our customers grow their businesses and provide value to their own customers, the more pumped we get about what we do. Heck, it's the kind of stuff that drives us to work each day!
3 | Foster respect and cooperation.
At our core, AWeber is a family. A warm, fuzzy, 100-person (and growing!) family. But how does a big team feel like a family?
It's all in our culture of respect and cooperation. It doesn't come from policy, it comes from treating people like people – the way we all should be treated. Teams openly collaborate to solve problems and we work together to make sure our service is the best it can be.
Our totally open workspace helps the collaboration thrive. We're not just the anti-cubicle office. We're the anti-office-door office where everyone is accessible.
4 | Listen to what people say about us. Invite feedback.
You can't run an AWesome, helpful company in a vacuum. That's why feedback is so important to us, both internally and externally.
Throughout AWeber, every team has their own way of incorporating customer feedback on a daily basis – and that helps us decide what feature to focus on next or what email course we decide to offer.
We also believe that every team member's opinion matters. That's why we encourage everyone to share feedback and listen to suggestions from one another. Whether it's to improve a project we're working on or resolve an issue, we strive to maintain an open and honest environment.
And that probably has something to do with why we're regularly named one of the best places to work in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania (now going onto our 6th year in a row!).
5 | Learn. Educate. Innovate.
We're the ones who invented autoresponder emails, so we know all about innovation. As our CEO Tom Kulzer likes to say, "Dream big, fail fast and iterate on what works."
Constant education is a big part of that. We encourage team members to keep learning by attending events and conferences or continuing formal education in their field.
We're all about educating our customers, too. We want your email campaign to be the best it can be, because when your email succeeds, your business and community succeeds too. That's why we regularly create educational content and host meetups to share our advice for email marketing strategy.
6 | Don't take ourselves too seriously. Have fun!
As serious as we are about helping you succeed with using email to grow your business, we strongly believe it's all about loving what you do, and having fun while doing it.
So it's only natural that we enjoy every minute working here.
Some days we kick it old school with pinball and arcade games. Other days we flaunt our athletic skills with a competitive game of ping pong or foosball. Or you'll find us in the middle of a hardcore Nerf gun battle, or playing board games during one of our monthly Happy Hours.


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In 1914 there were a great number of large empty houses in the town (plus ça change!) and they were quickly snapped up as billets for soldiers, auxiliary VAD hospitals, and homes for refugees.
Accommodation for the Belgian refugees would be provided in (a) furnished houses, (b) houses furnished by the Committee, (c) apartments, and (d) hostels. The Committee later commented that "with regard to the hostel system of housing, some little difficulty was at first experienced by the Committee in meeting the different views and habits of the Flemings and Walloons but this was soon overcome by allotting hostels to each class" [sic].
In total, 38 properties were used by the Mayor's Refugee Committee, with at least another 16 either offered to the Committee or rented privately.
Of the houses run by the Committee, three were lent rent free:
32 Upper Grosvenor Road by Canon Keatinge and St Augustine's (Oct. 1914 – Apr. 191?);
Grosvenor Lodge by Charles Tattershall Dodd and family (Oct. 1914 – May. 1919) ; and
11 Linden Park by builder Louis Beale (Nov. 1914 – Apr. 1918).
The Church Army "Anchor" Home on Upper Grosvenor Road, was rented to the Committee for a nominal rent of £1 a week.
Another, the Old Blessed Sacrament Convent at 47 Upper Grosvenor Road – 'The Belgian Hostel' – had its rent generously paid by two members of the Committee, Miss Power and Miss McClean.
Six further houses were rented by the Committee, two furnished and four to be furnished by the Committee, and apartment accommodation was provided at 26 other properties in Tunbridge Wells and Southborough.
Properties occupied by Belgians were rate-free, in line with a resolution passed by the Borough Council at its Meeting in October 1914.
Tunbridge Wells 1 Albert Street 19 Beltring Road 21 Beltring Road 62 Beulah Road 65 Beulah Road 1 Calverley Park Crescent 3 Calverley Road 9 Calverley Street 38 Calverley Street 64 Claremont Road 37 Culverden Down 25 Culverden Park Road 55 Culverden Park Road 2 Dorking Road 26 Dudley Road 28 Dudley Road 3 East Cliff Road 34 Grosvenor Park 50 Grosvenor Park Grosvenor Lodge, Grosvenor Road 11 Linden Park 1 Monson Road 19 Monson Road 31 Monson Road 194 Silverdale Road 32 Upper Grosvenor Road 33 Upper Grosvenor Road 38 Upper Grosvenor Road 152 Upper Grosvenor Road 154b Upper Grosvenor Road 213 Upper Grosvenor Road 246 Upper Grosvenor Road 26 York Road 40 York Road
Southborough Beechview 16 Church Road 61a London Road 72 Pennington Road
Sources : 1919 Report of the work of the Borough of Tunbridge Wells Belgian Refugees Committee, and Tunbridge Wells Borough Archives.


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H/T to Lilith
Family Motto: Spero meliora. (Loosely translated as, "I hope for better things") And if you don't like bad language, then bugger off. Beware. Cookies maybe lurking on this site. I usually post several times a day about differing subjects. Do scroll down
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Countdown. Jihad version.
Posted by The Filthy Engineer at 19:56
2 comments:
- Just Woke Up15 December 2010 at 11:33
That was just cruel. Now we'll never know what the anagram answer was. Oh, the inhumanity...!ReplyDelete
That was gold. Who was it? Frankie Boyle again?ReplyDelete
Say what you like. I try to reply. Comments are not moderated. The author of this blog is not liable for any defamatory or illegal comments.
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Fraud News Update 11.15.16 – This week's edition of the Fraud News Update features: Gold Theft (a cheeky crime), The HealthSouth Turnaround (props to the CEO), Sandy Fraud (still rockin 4 years later), Corporate Ethics (karma isn't enough) and Allegations of Fraud At The Clinton Foundation (one financial expert's opinions).
As leaders in the fraud consulting arena, read on for more topical information and our insights, observations and unique commentary on some of the weekly fraud news stories.
Like our content? Feel free to share Fraud News Updates with your network or colleagues.
A "Cheeky" Crime
There are many ways to steal…but most wouldn't immediately think that "turning the other cheek" is one of them.
However, that's exactly what happened in Canada as a former Royal Canadian Mint employee, suspected of hiding gold pucks in his (insert bodily part here), was convicted of stealing gold from the Mint.
"Butt" (pun intended) wait, there's more. This was a totally circumstantial case with no direct evidence showing that the employee committed the theft. This proves three things:
- Employee's who are motivated to steal will come up with all sorts of creative methods to do so.
- Convictions can still be had in circumstantial cases lacking strong evidence of the theft.
- Don't deposit the proceeds from criminal activity back in your bank – AML training makes teller's suspicious!
The HealthSouth Turnaround
HealthSouth's 2002 corporate implosion was one of the era's many huge fraud meltdowns which are now classic case examples of corporate greed, misdeeds, lack of control oversight and financial shenanigans.
The former CEO, Richard Scrushy, was originally acquitted of the federal fraud charges related to the HealthSouth debacle but later convicted on other federal charges and sent to prison.
The anti-fraud industry spends a considerable amount of time examining cases where greedy business executives go bad leaving the public, and shareholders, holding the bag. E.g. Enron.
Most businesses like Enron, which suffer this kind of classic fraud implosion, are destined for the scrap yard with little to salvage.
It's worth noting, however, that more than ten years later, HealthSouth, under CEO Jay Grinney, has changed the culture, implemented a positive control environment and made a remarkable business turnaround.
See how a CEO implemented positive change and kept a sinking ship from going under.
Post Sandy: 4 Years Later Fraud Marches On
Disaster fraud is a real deal and has been featured in the Fraud News Update regularly over the years. Recently, the WSJ highlighted Hurricane Sandy and the devastation associated with it.
Post Sandy fraud charges were heavy in 2016 and are expected to continue strongly in 2017, five years after the event.
Sandy is not unique in this regard. Every time there's a natural disaster of some sort, the insurance claims pour in, leaving investigators swimming in a sea of fraud (exaggerated or completely staged) among the legitimate claims. Add contractor fraud post event, like the individual featured in the WSJ piece, and it's Fraud Palooza!
Corporate Ethics – Is Karma Enough?
The answer is "no" and that's the focus here. The author's two key takeaways:
- Set the bar high
- Create a strong ethical culture
Couldn't agree more, as some companies only strive to meet the minimum requirements. The key is to ascertain what the regulatory minimum is and then look for ways to blow the minimums away with a more robust anti-fraud program (policies, processes and procedures).
It's important for businesses to be "good corporate citizens," always do the right thing and go above and beyond the minimum required.
Otherwise, it's a real bummer when one's Dogma gets run over by their Karma.
Ortel: Clinton Foundation Largest Unprosecuted Charity Fraud in History
The election's over and the dust is starting to settle. One side won and the others claiming that the FBI Director committed a flagrant foul. But Fraud News Update isn't political commentary, it's about stories making the news.
So, along comes financial expert Charles Ortel entering the fraud news fray. Ortel's alleging that the Clinton Foundation, which is registered as a 501c3 with the IRS, is a fraud.
Charity fraud is not a new phenomenon in this country… it happens all the time. So, the fact that someone is alleging that a high-profile charity is operating fraudulently should surprise no one. Here's a brief excerpt of what Ortel has to say on usawatchdog.com:
"Clinton Foundation documents omit crucial facts, include false and materially misleading statements, and exclude legally required audits of financial statements for each year of operation, that must be prepared on a consistent basis." Pretty standard claims in many charity fraud cases.
Are there real charity fraud truths here, which warrant a prosecutor's attention, or is someone just blowing political smoke? Will there be prosecutions after January 20th? That was "The Donald's" rhetoric during the campaign but he was referencing the private server scandal. Clearly, this isn't that.
To be perfectly fair however, "The Donald" has fraud issues of his own to deal with.
Stay tuned.
Fraud News – The Bottom Line
Fraud – empowering people to break the law. It's a way of life for some and every fraud has a story. At Fraud Solutions,we're passionate about helping customer's mitigate enterprise fraud risk management losses. Being proactive is key, so, follow us each week as we cover the fraud beat with added insights, information and unique commentary on stories making the fraud news.
Those are our insights. What are yours?
For more information on how we can help your businesses prevent enterprise fraud risk, conduct fraud risk assessments, provide fraud training, develop fraud content, reduce major fraud losses and improve operational ROI, contact us to schedule an initial consultation. No obligations…just unique insights from an industry leader.


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As the number of people shopping online increases, it's important that you have a top-notch eCommerce platform that is performant, visually appealing, and delivers the functionality users expect. However, when you sit down to determine how your resources should be used, should you devote your time and money to IT or marketing? Can you balance the needs of both? This article covers actions that have large impacts on your site and how you might allocate your resources between competing demands.
Implementing landing pages that grab users' attention and bring them into your brand's lifestyle
Landing pages, or more specifically, images, can make or break your conversion rates. People like to touch things to get a feel for the product before making a purchase, but this isn't possible when shopping online. To compensate for this disadvantage against brick-and-mortar stores (and other online sellers), you'll want to include high quality, dynamic images that give shoppers a clear idea of what your products are like and prompt your users to make the purchase.
Obviously, this type of content is expensive, both in terms:
- the marketing brainpower needed to curate the content required for a product to look attractive
- the infrastructure needed to serve up such heavy pages quickly and efficiently
However, what your users see (or doesn't see) directly impacts whether they stay on your site and whether they make the purchase. Because visual features are so important, the landing pages where all of this is displayed is one area where you'll want to dedicate as many of your resources as possible to both form and function.
Ensuring page load speeds/site performance are fast to capture customers' short attention span
Shoppers tend to be impatient. Many expect your site to load near instantaneously. In fact, if your site takes even four seconds to load, you'll have lost 25% of your viewers. High bounce rates are obviously a negative impact on your bottom line, so it's imperative that you optimize your site's performance to the best of your ability. However, this can be an expensive proposition, so focus your resources on three areas:
- Homepage: This is an area that's often updated and includes lots of images. If these images are unoptimized (which they often are), your page load time will suffer due to the longer periods of time required to retrieve and render each and every image. In addition, how frequent the images are updated precludes any type of longer-term caching. Spend some of your resources on determine and using the appropriate image type and ensure that you're using the appropriate compression techniques for the image type you choose.
- Search Result Pages: Search result pages display a large number of rich images, so it's important to optimize the images (this includes determining and serving the correct sized images). Each unoptimized image is a hit on your page load time. The number of results the page needs to display may magnify this slowness many times over. Additionally, the typical action of a user on a search result page is to immediately scroll down to view the results. Typical tricks for working with above-the-fold content won't necessarily apply in these instances, due to the nature by which a user looks through the whole page in a short amount of time. Regardless, you can (and should!) optimize your JavaScript and CSS, both of which can be render-blocking.
- Product Pages: Product pages are particularly important, since visitors arriving to your site via targeted ads may land here. To keep your bounce rate low among visitors arriving via ads, make sure that these pages load as quickly as possible, especially for mobile viewers. While these pages typically aren't as resource-heavy as homepages, the same principles you use to optimize your homepage apply here as well.
As you can see, performance is paramount, but don't let that hold your marketing teams back. Just be aware of ways that you can include awesome visuals while minimizing hits to your performance, such as using MP4s instead of GIFs or CSS Sprites instead of JPEGs. Additionally, you can use tools such as Rigor Optimization to identify exactly which aspects of your site aren't performing optimally.
Providing a rich user experience with accurate search abilities to browse offerings and products
Rather than bogging your shoppers down with content that they are not interested in, you'll want to provide your users with the search functionality they need to find what they want quickly and easily. Users that cannot find what they are looking for become dissatisfied with your business and quickly jump ship. In this scenario, the user is likely to not complete the transaction with you. Worse, the user may take his or her business to your competitor. Things that you can do to improve your user's search experience include:
- Ensuring that your search area is easily visible: Have your designers help implement a search area (it doesn't matter if you are implementing this via a search bar or a navigation bar) that stands out, is easy to find, and easy to use.
- Providing appropriate filters for search results: Your users will expect their product searches to be filterable, so be sure to go above and beyond in terms of providing categories your users can choose–this is a great area where your marketing and tech teams can work together. For example, if you are a clothing site, users will expect filters on size and color, but they will also appreciate filters for things like clearance or seasonal items.
- Implementing smart searches: If possible, ensure that your searches have intelligent autocomplete enabled and are capable of handling long tail semantic searches (such as "men's wool socks size large"). Users who use either of these convert at a higher rate than those who don't.
Testing user experience before jumping on the latest technologies
If you're just starting your website optimization process, you might be tempted to completely overhaul your site. However, there are probably things that are working in your favor, so to conserve resources for other things (such as marketing!), you should consider doing a series of A/B testing to see what works and what doesn't.
Many people are opting for online shopping over visiting brick-and-mortar stores. So, it's important for you to have a top-notch eCommerce platform to take advantage of this customer pool increase. However, it can be difficult to determine where you should allocate your resources when it comes to building this platform, especially when balancing the needs of your marketing and IT teams.
The exact formula will vary from company to company, but generally speaking, you should strive to ensure the best possible visual experience, top-notch performance in terms of speed, and ease of use. Additionally, you probably have an online presence already. Consider using A/B testing to ensure that you don't spend time and money on areas that are already working in your business' favor.
To determine what steps you should take to improve your online experience and how you can optimize your platform's performance, contact Rigor today.
To learn more about building exciting online user experiences, register for eTail West 2017 in Palm Springs, California! The three-day conference will provide more insight on Form vs. Function and will also explore other best practices for those in eCommerce. At eTail West 2017, you'll see a ton of big names in the industry. Rigor will be at the conference in the South Foyer at table no.2. See you there!


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Perreault, Froio represent Panthers on NWCA All-American Scholar Team
PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Two members of the Plymouth State University wrestling team earned a national academic honor from the NCAA Division III Wrestling Coaches Association.
Senior Chris Perreault (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) and sophomore Matt Froio (Cohasset, Mass.) were named to the NCAA Division III Scholar All-America Team for 2016-17. Perreault is a Physical Education major at PSU who wrestles in the 184-pound weight class, and Froio is a Marketing major at PSU who wrestles in the 165-pound weight class.
Perreault finished the season with a 21-7 record, ranking second on the team in victories. He won individual titles at three different tournaments, the Doug Parker Invitational at Springfield, the Jim Aguiar Invitational at PSU, and the Johnson and Wales Open. Perreault finished an outstanding career with a record of 92-35.
Froio posted a 20-10 record for the Panthers this season, ranking third on the team in victories. He was a place-winner in three tournaments, taking sixth at the Doug Parker Invitational at Springfield and third at both the Ted Reese Invitational at Southern Maine and the Jim Aguiar Invitational at PSU.
Froio upped his career record to 38-18.
In order to become an NWCA Scholar All-American, the following criteria must be met:
- The wrestler must have a GPA of 3.2 or greater for the previous academic year or have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or greater. Freshmen are eligible, and their GPA from the fall of 2016 must be above 3.2.
- The wrestler must have been at the current school for the entire 2016-2017 school year
- The wrestlers must meet at least one of the following wrestling criteria
- NCAA Qualifier with a winning record
- Finish in the top six at the NCAA regional while competing in at least half of the team's scheduled competitions and compiling a winning record
- Win at least 67% of his matches while competing in at least 50% of his team's scheduled competitions
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Tag: IT Staffing Agencies Pittsburgh
Want Amazing Job Opportunities Dropped in Your Lap? Connect With a Great Recruiter
The Wall Street Journal reported that up to 80 percent of jobs are NEVER advertised—either online or anywhere else. In fact, many employers looking to fill critical openings don't turn to job boards, classified ads, or other "traditional" job advertising. Instead, they network, they seek referrals, and they partner with recruiting agencies that specialize in… Read more »


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"Be of good courage. And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the Lord." –Psalm 31:24
I was faced with a challenge today. A 31day challenge to write 500 words or more…daily. I'm hoping as I take on this challenge my heart will be strengthened. Without fear, editing or need for approval. I used to walk around inspired daily to write. I'd hear a word, see an image, listen to a tune, watch a movie and the connections would flow. Until they didn't anymore. Wordless. Without direction. It was like silence, deadness, lack and instead of hope and encouragement there was more fear, dread and negativity. With that lack followed discouragement and disappointment. So part of taking on this challenge is discovering my love for words and writing again. Finding inspiration in just the sheer gift of living and being able to press my fingers onto a key board. To stay in courage and be challenged to find inspiration daily. Living each day inspired a new.
"Your courage asked me what am I afraid of…and what I know of love?" –Sara Groves
With this recent downward spiral came the upward inching of the scale. Funny how the emotional, spiritual, mental connection always equates to poundage in my world. I found myself making lofty goals, moving towards extremes turning what should be health and wholeness into a striving goal of reaching and perfectionism. Not gonna do it. No can do. Where does that get me? A dead end no doubt. As I swam the other day with my kickboard and no flippers, it was like I was standing still in the water. What seemed like standing still trying to get to the wall forced me to settle into the lack of movement. When am I going to get there? The contrast with the flippers on; was jet setting to the wall with no real concept of struggle, push or forward propulsion. And if given the two options, the no flipper struggle was way better. It made getting to the wall that much more satisfying.
"You can only lose if you give up" –Joyce Meyer
Pressing on, fighting the good fight, staying in courage is what this choosing life and believing better has been about. Not staying stuck in unbelief and in the rut of not so beneficial choices. In reading the Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown (book club we need our next date) She talks about courage. How the whole hearted journey is all about courage-"to speak one's mind by telling all of one's heart." To be honest takes a dose of courage. To show up takes a heap of courage. To live in grace, to walk in truth takes a whole buncha courage. After my divorce I started reading Changes that Heal by Dr. Henri Cloud and watching old Felicity episodes to identify in a coming of age sorta way what that can look like in real time. It's hard to recognize and identify sometimes. In his book Dr. Cloud talks about the keys to growth-grace, truth and redemptive time. Seems like fear rooted in lies would be the opposite of courage. If I don't have courage, I can't be honest. If I don't have courage, I can't show up and connect. If I don't have courage, I can't relate. If I can't relate, connect or be there or honest…how can I be kind and filled with compassion towards myself or others. So I'll start with courage. How about you?
"Owning our story can be hard, but not nearly as difficult as running from it." –Brene Brown


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By Rajendra Shende
WARSAW, Nov 24 — The national stadium of Warsaw is brand new but the game being played there has now become familiar, fogyish and frustrating. The name of the game is Climate Negotiations.
The game is being played by 195 countries for the last two decades. They keep on talking and talking, passing the ball without making goals and without heeding the scientific whistles and yellow or red cards from civil society. The meeting in Warsaw was no different except for the backdrop.
First, the host country, well known for its history of path-breaking scientists like Copernicus and Marie Curie, is now recognized for its refusal to break its path from its 90 percent coal-fed electricity generation. In a sheer show of its resolve to continue on its path, it arranged an international summit of coal producers parallel to UN climate meeting and even managed to get a top UN official on climate change to deliver the opening address.
Second, during the meetings from Nov 11 to 22, at least three extreme climate events occurred across the globe, devastating large populations. Typhoon Haiyan in Philippines was followed by a tornado in the US mid-west and cyclone Helen in the east coast of India as the meeting closes.
Third, there is growing suspicion that the fossil fuel lobby has financially supported the climate event in Poland with huge advertisements of those companies all over Warsaw, including their logo on the 'welcome pack' for delegates.
The meeting also had a backdrop of total failure of fulfilling the agreed targets of emissions-reduction as well as past promises of financial contribution for the developing countries.
In May 2013, atmospheric concentration of CO2 reached 400 ppm-unprecedented in the human history-up from 355 ppm in 1990. The goal of stabilizing CO2 emissions is grossly missed. The emissions over the last two decades from the developing countries, not needed to take legally binding targets as per the terms of the Kyoto Protocol have gone up steeply. Developing countries now account for nearly half of the global emissions and China has become the largest emitter of CO2, taking over from the US.
According to a report by United Nations Environment Programme, the gap between annual emission reduction required to limit the temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius and the expected annual emission levels – even assuming that the countries meet the pledged targets – is a staggering 12 giga tonnes annually. And every year such gap is widening due to inaction by the developed and developing countries.
The delegates entered into negotiations in Warsaw having backtracked and reneged on almost every promise given in the past. They are now expected to make speedy progress on drafting new post-Kyoto agreement, to be finalized by 2015 and kick off implementation by 2020. They also have the responsibility of continuing the implementation under extended Kyoto Protocol and speedy agreement on the draft of a post-2020 Protocol to regain lost ground. They were, therefore, were expected to be strategic, cooperative, determined and disciplined. Instead they have, over last two weeks, resorted to tactical, divisive, liaise-faire and clannishly self-serving practices.
The issue of climate justice and equity that India has been raising at several meetings still continues to be the country's central negotiating point.
NGOs representing civil society were so frustrated and fed up with the pace and nature of the negotiations that they, numbering about 4,000, walked out on November 21, saying the negotiations are "washed out" by fossil fuel lobby.
There has been no meaningful progress on key matters on revised targets and the timetables for the pre- and post-2020 period. Developed countries are reluctant to agree on targets at this stage. They are keen that China and India and other emerging economy countries also take up the targets.
The tug of war among the major economies continues while the least developing countries (LDC) in Africa and small island countries nervously and helplessly look on.
Some good news came when Norway announced continuation of its $40 million assistance for preventing deforestation and land degradation.
But that is simply a drop in the rising seas.
Rajendra Shende is the founder and chairman of Pune's TERRE, an environmental think tank promoting sustainable development. The views expressed are personal.


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Graduate Program
The School of Criminology offers graduate programs leading to the degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy that are designed for, but not restricted to, individuals graduating with a Bachelors or Masters degree in criminology, or students with a background in one or more of the behavioral or social sciences, or with legal training, who are interested in becoming specialists in criminology.
The School of Criminology has both a strong national and international focus. Undergraduate and graduate students come from all parts of Canada. At the international level, persons enrolled in the M.A. and Ph.D. programs have come from Australia, Belgium, China, Denmark, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Japan, Jamaica, Nigeria, Norway, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the United States.


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Here's the tree decorated. Yes, those are chocolate Santas. All the way from New Zealand.
And here's a pic of the cards I made to send abroad. All you need is some origami paper, colored card, scissors and glue.
Thank you for supporting jar of buttons.
Copyright © 2010. This website is for personal non-commercial use only. All written work and imagery copyright to jar of buttons unless otherwise stated.
If you love me, vote for me. Vote for JoB in the Best Taiwan Blog Awards 2009. Just click on the + in the points box.


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Daily Mountain Eagle
OAKMAN — Chris Walton is happy to be home.
Walton was recently named the new principal of Oakman Middle School, and he said a lot has changed at his alma matter.
After graduating from the University of Alabama, Walton …
Daily Mountain Eagle
OAKMAN — Chris Walton is happy to be home.
Walton was recently named the new principal of Oakman Middle School, and he said a lot has changed at his alma matter.
After graduating from the University of Alabama, Walton landed his first teaching job at Oakman High School in 1996, where he stayed as a teacher and coach until 2003.
He then had his first administrative role as assistant principal of Curry Middle School, before becoming principal at Parrish Elementary School in 2011.
Walton said leaving Parrish after six years was not a decision he took lightly, but he is happy to be serving the school community of Oakman again, over a decade later.
"I've been gone 14 years, and coming back, it's been great," Walton said in his new office at Oakman Middle, after a day of outdoor labor at the school on Thursday. "What's been odd is when I pull up I don't see the old buildings that I was used to because it's a new high school, a new middle school. ... It's a lot different than it was when I was here before. You can see the school growing, you can see the community growing around the school and it just takes your breath away."
He added, "Parrish is a great school, great kids, great faculty and a great community. I loved it. It was a hard decision [to leave], but I prayed about it, and I knew I was being moved for another reason. Sometimes you get moved because the Lord needs you somewhere else."
Walton said he has been working with Oakman High School Principal Patrick Gann to identify ways the two schools can work together and become a part of each other's traditions. Some initial plans for unity, Walton said, would be for the middle school to be involved in the high school's homecoming festivities, and to extend beginner band to sixth grade students.
"He and I have been friends for a long time, and we've always had a good working relationship," Walton said of he and Gann. "We're already putting our heads together, trying to build some bridges and move forward with some joint efforts between the two schools. There's going to be many positives coming out of both schools where we can mesh things together."
Walton said he also wants to instill the positivity displayed by Oakman Middle's assistant principal, Nancy Shepherd.
"She's a very good person, and I'm looking forward to working with her. She puts off a very good, positive energy and vibe, and that's what we want to build on," he said.
He said students returning to school in the fall will be able to look forward to improvements to the school's gym and a new, digital sign that will allow the school to share important information with parents.
Walton is married to Suzie Walton, a teacher at Cordova High School. They have two children, Morgan, 24, and Brett, 19. He said he enjoys spending time with his family and outdoor activities, such as hunting and fishing.
He said he credits his growth as an administrator to the principals he's learned from in the past, and he hopes parents and students know that his door is always open.
"I started out my career here, so I'll hopefully end my career here," he said. "I'm back home."


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Almost immediately after the holiday, my inbox started filling up with emails asking for help getting started with the Silhouette CAMEO. A few of you actually admitted to getting your cutting system months ago, but still not taking it out of the box because you didn't even know where to begin. Whether it was how to use the software, or what supplies should be on your "must-buy" list, it seemed like a lot of you were excited to see where your CAMEO could take you, but not sure how to get going in that direction.
So, before second semester kicks off in February, I'm going to do an "Intro to Your CAMEO" class Tuesday, January 22nd, at 8pm EST.
Added Later: Did you miss class? No worries! You can enroll in my online Silhouette Studio courses at any time here!
I will start class with the basics of designing in the Silhouette software. We'll create the two color phone decal shown here. I'll show you how easy it is to create intricate designs using some of the software's replicate and mirror features. I'll also share a few tricks for transferring your designs to whatever surfaces you'd like. We'll review some tips for using the CAMEO's more advanced features, like the print and cut options. (This is one of my favorite tools to use, but it can be tricky when you get started!) and the trace option, which allows you to easily edit free designs you find online. I'll end with my list of favorite supplies and what I use them for. After that, I'll open the floor to all of you. Feel free to ask any questions you have, again whether it be about the software or the actual supplies you can use with the system.
I've been crafting with my CAMEO for months, and have created more with it than I ever thought I would. My goal for this class is to jumpstart your experience with the CAMEO and shave weeks off of the software learning curve. (Yes, there is a learning curve. I dove into the software with both feet and learned the hard way, over the course of a few months, and by lots of trial and some error. This class will help you avoid that, and get right to the fun!) Take a look at the bottom of this post to see just a few of the many projects I've made with my CAMEO. You'll quickly see that your cutting system can take you way beyond just paper and scrapbooking!
And as always, if you can't make class live or need to review any segments for clarification, the class will be immediately available for replay. Students can come back again and again, plus there is a comment section on the class page, where you can continue to ask for help as you experiment with all of the crafty fun you can have with your CAMEO!
I hope to see many of you there!
Nikki, In Stitches


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- Kate was awarded "Worker of the Month" for her constant hard work during June.
- Joel received a merit certificate for his persistence while making pom-poms last week.
- Taj graduated from the Reading Recovery programme.
- Meg was elected as our student councillor for second semester.
- The whole class won the "Good Manners Award" for being the class with the best manners this week.
We would also like to say a very big thankyou to Noah, who was our student councilor for the first half of the year. He was a fantastic leader and represented our class very well.
|Noah, Taj, Meg and Kate with all our awards!


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Uninstall Telstra Online Security via TOS Uninstaller Tool
Note: Please use this tool in case you are not able to uninstall Telstra Online Security from Programs/Features in the Control Panel.
Step 1: Download the Telstra Online Security Uninstaller tool from the file attachment below.
Step 2: Run the Uninstaller.
If it asks your permission to continue, please click on YES or CONTINUE on the UAC dialog
Step 3: Uninstaller will show the information that it might take about 10 minutes to remove Telstra Online Security successfully. Click on "Continue".
Step 4: Once the Uninstaller has completed removing Telstra Online Security from the computer, please select "OK" now button to complete the process.
After the computer is restarted, you will be taken to selfcare login page, in order to download a fresh version of Telstra Online Security, if you wish to install it again or upgrade it.