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I was hired to work for BMW Group Canada fresh out of grad school. I bought myself a beautiful pair of Prada heels and some gorgeous new suits to celebrate and from my first day working in the President's office, I took executive management's mantra seriously: work hard and play hard.
Looking back at that time – 12 years ago – I feel tremendously pride in what I learned (and contributed) at BMW. I learned about branding and about love for a brand; I'm not talking about love for a car, or a luxury product, or 5 star customer service, or the fabulous parties and events; no, I learned that a company and product can have a personality and that personality is transmitted through a brand and carried forward by every single employee and follower/client of the brand. Everything that we feel, think, believe, experience about a product, service or organization makes up a brand and to put it very simply, I was blessed to have been immersed in this amazing learning experience right after graduation from my Master's program.
Most of my MBA colleagues went into banking, some others into consumer products, and still others into consulting services but my decision to join BMW was twofold: 1) I wanted a job that would stand out on my resume (and working for one of the most internationally recognized brands will do that quite nicely!) and 2) I wanted to work with executive management and board members to understand how "big decisions" are made. Both elements have helped me in my professional career and the investment I put into BMW as an employee was richly rewarded: the lessons I learned in branding have been present in many aspects of my life: from writing, my consultancy and the decisions I have made as a professional.
Working at BMW, I ended up learning more about branding than I ever thought possible. It probably started during my very first week when my boss – the President of BMW Group Financial Services – told me he got me a new BMW to drive since it was important that I "love the car." And from that moment on, the learning never stopped; to this day I am continually impressed by BMW's ability to reach the heart and minds of consumers. I still remember hearing about "corporate identity" (or "CI" as I learned how to call it) and experiencing the rush that comes with driving a series 7 down the 401 in Toronto or participating as a sponsor in Formula One in Montreal.
Photo: Esther Clark at Formula 1 in Montreal, Canada. Part of BMW's sponsor team.
Branding is not about a marketing strategy or an advertiser's storyboard or the color or look of your logo. It is about connecting your product or service to a human being and doing this in a meaningful, coherent and continuous way. I may just be BMW's biggest fan in Quito, Ecuador: I love the brand, and I wouldn't have it any other way!
Esther Clark


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As a well rounded student who is committed to excellence, I wish to have the best possible chance for a bright future. I have applied myself throughout high school, taking challenging classes that encourage me to think on a higher level and prepared me for a rigorous college. When searching for a university in which to pursue, my intended major, I was looking for an institution that would continue to help me think in ways I had not before. It would help me to better prepare for a life of challenging public service as a lawyer and a politician.
See more: how to start a scholarship essay
My acceptance into the university was not only due to my academics and test scores, but also due to my level of extracurricular activities and my commitment to programs that would further develop my view of the world. I have been involved in Choir and Music club. I have also been a member of the Red Crescent club for 3 years, which has expanded my exposures to other cultures by learning another language and studying mutliple customs.
I have been the captain of both the varsity golf and softball teams for two years, developing my leadership skills. My involvement in both my school and community proved that I am student committed to developing a promising future.
I am confident my commitment to be a well-rounded student will improve my future by teaching me discipline and time-management skills to enhance my leadership abilities. Your investment into my education would be an investment into the future of the world.
Cite this page
The Reasons That I Deserve the Scholarship. (2017, Jan 09). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/the-reasons-that-i-deserve-the-scholarship-essay

subset: commoncrawl


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It's that time of the year again. As you're finishing up your Thanksgiving meal, you're already mentally preparing for the holiday season. The holidays are always full of handmade gifts, crafts, and home decor, and we want to see what you are making this year! Share your holiday projects, and you'll have a chance to win a $100 shopping spree to CreateForLess.com! Hurry up and enter today, the contest ends December 2nd!
To help inspire your holiday crafting, here are some fabulous entries from the last drawing!
Jessica D. from Ridley Park, PA created these festive and adorable sock monkey tea towels. These would be guaranteed to put me in the holiday mood every time I saw them in my kitchen.
This snowman ornament by Janice B. of Dudley, GA is a very fun craft that little ones can help make. They're so cute and creative and I'm always looking for a fun button craft!
How about a beautiful snowman hat for your holiday decor? Tammy S. from Knoxville, TN added wonderful details to this fun top hat. It's original and beautiful. She displays this with a corn pipe, a scarf, and some chunks of coal! You've already got me singing "Frosty the Snowman"
These handspun sheep's wool slippers by Mary Jo H. from Battle Ground, WA look so cozy and warm. I would love to come home to those during the chilly winter months!


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A sim game where your goal as redneck is to end up with the most tricked out trailer in the trailer park. Make enough money by playing poker, shooting beers, pawning something, scratch and win games and even going to work at a beer factory, so you can trick out your trailer with spinner dubs, spoilers, a new coat of paint, undercarriage neons, tints and even a flame job. Get all upgrades and win a spot on the cover of an industry magazine. Have fun!
Your screen is to small to play this free online game.
Use your mouse to interact when you play this free web game. To start the game, you'll need to either go to work or pawn something, then you will have enough money to play poker (if you pawned something worth $20 or more) or play scratch and win ($5). To play the skeet shooting game, you'll need to make $100, then buy a gun from the pawn shop. Work consists of clicking the green buttons in succession...it's monotonous, but it makes money. To upgrade items on the trailer, click the upgrade icon (the arrow) and an upgrade panel will appear. Here you can select the item you want to upgrade, and a new panel will appear. You can click on the item to view it on the trailer, then click the "done" button to purchase the item. Once you have all 6 golden beers (one is awarded for each upgrade), then you can click the "goal achieved" area and see your trailer on the cover of a magazine. There you can submit your score, which is the amount of money you have left over after upgrading your trailer.
Rednecks live in the Southeastern United States. While they do not comprise the entire population in this region they do make up the vast majority of the people here. Typically, rednecks live in rural settings. They avoid urban settings. They are proud of their pick-up trucks or older cars and stick with them despite rising gas prices. They typically work industrial or manual labor jobs. The majority do not have anything beyond a high school education. Overall, rednecks are extremely friendly people but they are very reluctant to accept those different from them so it is hard for others to mingle with them or understand them.
The most common reason is that it is a cheap way to own your own home, and it is fanzy to them as it is actually a mobile home, they are facinated by though that it is possible to move it. Rednecks are social people and by living in a trailer park, they get to be closer to their friends and enemies. As these trailers are sometimes poorly insulated, and stuff it also make the rednecks feel closer to the nature. To a redneck the benefits of living in a double wide is endless, and even better if it is tricked out. But, let's put the fact on the web, not all rednecks live in trailers. The reason why some rednecks are called trailer trash is because they live in trailers.


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TAHC would like to invite YOU to take part in our upcoming Fall Conference. Sponsoring &/OR Exhibiting at our conference is a great way to highlight your business and support the Home Care Association at the same time. Meet with attendees from across the state which include Owners, Administrators, Managers & Staff of Medicare certified and private duty Home Health Agencies, Personal Support Service Agencies (licensed non-medical) and Hospice Organizations. I hope you can join us!
Sunday, November 17, 2019 - Tuesday, November 19, 2019 - Park Vista Hotel & Conference Center - Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Exhibit booth includes all the following: Print Registration
*Exhibit space which includes 6ft Draped Exhibitor table with 2 chairs, free electricity & free wireless internet.
*Company listing on the TAHC website.
*Company listing & description in the Conference Program
*Admission for two (2) employees to staff the exhibit booth (additional staff are $150 each).
*Receive a list of pre-registered attendees & will receive a final attendee list after the conference
*Breakfast & Lunch on Monday, November 18th, 2019 & Breakfast on Tuesday, November 19th, 2019.
*1 Exhibitor Representative is allowed and encouraged to attend Conference Programming.
*All exhibitors will be listed on the conference website with company contact information. Plus, every week our members will receive our list of exhibitors and/or sponsors that are already registered!
Sponsorships ARE Available!
Remember Me
11/2/2020 » 11/3/20202020 Fall Conference
©2020 TAHC :: P.O. Box 140087 :: Nashville, TN 37214-0087 :: p. 615.885.3399


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See my Coach Profile on TrainingPeaks
Here are the three levels of coaching offered. Fill out the questionnaire here to get started.
|Basic Coaching
|Premium Coaching
|Advanced Coaching
|For athletes who want a training plan without all the bells and whistles. You still get training plans and feedback to help you reach your goals fast.
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|Setup training plan based on athlete's goals. Coaching with daily feedback and weekly phone conversations. Weekly in-depth power and heart rate analysis.


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Doris Blanche Long, 88, of East Stroudsburg, passed away early Wednesday morning, Feb. 19, 2014, at Golden Living Center, in East Stroudsburg.
Born in East Stroudsburg on Feb. 13, 1926, she was a daughter to the late Harold and Marie (Pappilion) Ackerman. Doris was a graduate of East Stroudsburg High School, Class of 1944. She began her working career at Ronson Lighter Corporation in Delaware Water Gap as an inspector, a position she held for 18 years, leaving that position to be a stay-at-home mom. Once her children were grown, Doris opened her own business, Doris Long Cleaning and Waxing Service in East Stroudsburg, which she owned and operated for 18 years. Upon her retirement, Doris than spent her time helping care for the elderly.
Doris enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren; she felt they were her world. She loved to spend time outside on her porch and at Lake Seneca in the Finger Lakes in upstate New York. Doris also loved dogs, birds and Bingo.
Preceding her in death in addition to her parents was her loving husband, Wallace T. Long, who passed away on the same day as her, Feb. 19, 1991, and a sister, Lorraine Modelo and her husband, Lindo.
Surviving is her two daughters, Linda Whittaker and her partner, Richard Butz, of East Stroudsburg, and Carol Koberlein of Stroudsburg; a son-in-law, Charles Koberlein of East Stroudsburg; two grandchildren, Romain Whittaker II of East Stroudsburg and Sarah A. Koberlein of Reading; and a brother, Raymond Ackerman and his wife, Shirley, of Stroudsburg; many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and nieces and nephews.
A prayer service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24, at Lanterman & Allen Funeral Home, 27 Washington St., East Stroudsburg, with the Rev. Fr. Edward Lyman from St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Church, East Stroudsburg, officiating. Interment will follow in Laurelwood Cemetery, Bryant Street, Stroudsburg.
A public visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24, until the time of the service, at the funeral home.
Memorial donations can be made in memory of Doris to AWSOM, 3129 Godfrey Ridge Drive, Stroudsburg, PA 18360.
Lanterman & Allen Funeral Home
27 Washington St., East Stroudsburg
Doris Blanche Long
Doris Blanche Long, 88, of East Stroudsburg, passed away early Wednesday morning, Feb. 19, 2014, at Golden Living Center, in East Stroudsburg.


text: Did anyone watch this programme? It was about the relationship between penis size and masculinity. One mans mission to get men to talk about penis size. The presenter has a 3.5 inch penis and it was funny to see all the men he talked to didn't want to talk about cocks at all. Oh the embarrasment! It was quite enlightening. Still watching it now, will let you know if any gems of information turn up.


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Twin brothers nicknamed "Water" and "Power" from the hard scrabble Eastside streets of Los Angeles rise like prince's through the city's political and police ranks to become players in a complex and dangerous web of the powerful and corrupt of Los Angeles. One a decorated cop – the other a senator, find themselves in a seedy motel room on the eastern edge of Sunset Boulevard on a dark and rainy night. Something has gone very wrong. Can Power exist without Water? The Fixers and Powers of the city need answers. Everybody is looking for the Twins.
Nothing is concrete in LA - except the river.....
Water and Power.
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Workshop Facilitator
Dr. Sylva enjoys speaking to groups both large and small. She tailors the content for her audience so that they are quickly engaged and can apply the information to their everyday lives. Dr. Sylva's presentations often integrate ancient knowledge with our newest understandings of the body, mind and spirit. Her presentations also have a research and practical application along with audience interaction to facilitate learning. Those that have heard Dr. Sylva speak often comment on her authenticity and ability to share content in a way that is impactful and leaves a lasting impression.
Topics Include: (For a description of all current classes/workshops please see the Classes page)
• The Power of Ritual for Health and Healing
• Your Hidden Riches Revealed: Ritual for Enhancing Everyday Life
• Attracting Your Perfect Relationships
• Discover Your Passions – Live Your Destiny
• Get Your Skinny Jeans Out of the Closet!
• Creating Instant Rapport & Effective Communications
• Social Entrepreneurism and Marketing from the Heart
• Understanding You and Your Child's Brilliant Mind – The Role of ADD and ADHD
• You Are Brilliant! Using Your Mind for Success
• The Art of Balance
To learn more please click here
To keep informed about her upcoming workshops and teleclasses regularly check her Calendar on this website or send an e-mail to: email@example.com and put "Class Schedule Request."
Over the last 15 years, Dr. Sylva has taught in numerous settings and is available for corporate, network marketing, and school settings. Please direct inquiries to email@example.com


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As a result of an IRS investigation, it has come to light that Congressional candidate Abel Maldonado likely failed to report past campaign contributions which would be a violation of FPPC rules. According to a Sacramento Bee article on the IRS audit earlier this month, Maldonado raised $35,500 for his State Senate re-election campaign at a fundraiser and did not report expenses which he then tried to deduct from his company's taxes. Mr. Maldonado's failure to report these expenses as in-kind contributions, would be a violation California's campaign finance regulations.
This matter was just recently brought to our attention by the Sacramento Bee's reporting. The statute of limitations for the violations is 5 years for FPPC action and expires this year.
The Sacramento Bee reported that the IRS denied the deduction as part of an audit on Mr. Maldonado's family business. If the IRS is correct, those costs were an in-kind contribution from the company to Mr. Maldonado's campaign committee and failure to report that contribution is a violation of the Fair Political Practices Act. The IRS found that the family business, Agro-Jal Farming Enterprises, Inc., has underpaid its taxes by $4.2 million and has made dubious deductions for personal expenses, including home remodeling, country club memberships and a private plane.
Because Mr. Maldonado refuses to release his tax returns as he promised and refuses to report his campaign contributions or expenses as required by law, we must refer him to the FPPC for a full investigation. Central Coast voters must surely understand that if Mr. Maldonado were to go to Congress, he would be serving under a legal cloud.
To download a copy of the FPPC complaint click here


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What We Do
08 8363 6811
We've been here since 1993 and our purpose remains the same: to create meaningful and captivating brand communication that brings our clients success and fulfils our team. As a proud family business we have a culture that's empowering, agile and generous.
We have the privilege of being home to a group of amazing humans: creative thinkers, professional communicators, researchers, project managers, wordsmiths, designers, illustrators, developers, data analysts, digital marketers, videographers, photographers and musicians. When the sum of the parts come together, that's Fuller.
Peter Fuller
Managing Director
Will Fuller
Agency Director
Kathryn Fuller
General Manager-Senior Strategist
Marcus La Forgia
Communications Director
Sally Raphael
Brand and Marketing Director
Paul (PK) Kitching
Business Development Manager
Olivia Fuller
Agency Manager
Kate Fuller
Digital Content Manager
Matilda Rutter
Head of Digital
Kate Schlichting
Account Director
Kylie Roux
Senior Account Manager
Zoe Christoforou
Account Manager
Cassandra Ryan
Account Manager
Lucy Olsen
Agency Coordinator
Eloise Richards
Communications Consultant
Sean Kane
Head of Design
Nerissa Douglas
Senior Graphic Designer
Millie Sander
Graphic Designer
Jarrod Knoblauch
Visual Content Creator
Marko Rapaic
Senior Web Developer
Lewis Brideson
Digital Content Marketer
Shauna Pedler
Finance and Administration Manager
Fuller is a proud supporter of its local South Australian community and the Australian communications industry.
Members of:
Carbon Neutral Adelaide
Committee for Adelaide
South Australian Contemporary Collectors
Public Relations Institute of Australia
Adelaide Advertising Design Club
The Communications Council
Supporters of:
Foundation Barossa
Local artists:
Fuller encourages its clients to commission local South Australian musicians and artists for their branded content work. We provide a research and licensing service to match clients with relevant artists. For more information contact Digital Content Manager Kate Fuller –
[email protected]


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About Our Sumak Kilim Loafers
This unique style has garnered a cult following, and its limited releases are collected by fans all over the world. All of our Sumak Kilim shoes are handmade from vintage, hand-sourced Turkish carpets, which means that no two pairs will ever be alike.*
Sumak (also spelled Soumak, Soumakh, Sumac, and Soumac) kilims have a stronger weave and a more textural hand than other types of kilim carpets. They are known for their intricate designs that incorporate finely detailed symbols, figures, and representations of animals. The crisp and boldly contrasting blues, reds, and whites often featured in Sumak kilims make them a favorite amongs our community. Please note that the Sumak textile is more structured than the Kilim or Oriental Carpet, which generally translates to a longer break-in period.
Learn about the differences between our men's styles here.
Product Details
- Handwoven Sumak Kilim rug upper in wool and silk fibers.
- Leather sole with 3/4 inch heel.
- Handmade in Istanbul in a small, family-owned workshop, by cobblers whose families have practiced the craft for generations.
*The Sumak Kilim Loafers pictured here are the actual pair that you will receive.


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Money and ticket counters streamline casino operations in a way that humans can't. They're accurate, fast and rely on modern technology. As such, they're a perfect fit for the gaming industry, which is more and more turning to tech and big data to create the best-possible experience.
For instance, many casinos now gather data from their machines on how patrons move through the floor and play once they sit down. This information helps them better position both digital and manned stations to get customers to spend money and play more games. Additionally, computerized, state-of-the-art machines let players get a new experience. Money and tickets counters complement this environment of information and technology.
Money and ticket counters from Cummins Allison are outfitted with top-of-the-line features engineered to make operations more automatic. The JetScan iFX series can process cash, checks and tickets simultaneously, all while taking images of the currency and saving those files for your records. You'll be able to see the total mount coming in, as well as sums for each currency category.
What's more, you'll have pocket options, enabling you to get machines with one or more insert slots. That way, you can process as many bills at once as you need to - this makes outfitting exchange counters and counting rooms a breeze. As for speed, the JetScan iFX series can read up to 1,200 tickets and cash per minute.
Save time depositing your casino's income, too, using money and ticket counters. Cummins Allison's products send data to your financial institution, allowing digital deposit. This way, you won't have to take an extra trip at the end of the day.
All of these features, from automatic deposit to quick and accurate counting of multiple currency types, keeps the financial side of your business as fast as the rest of it. And with future-ready design, you can upgrade your machines as your casino becomes more and more technologically sophisticated.
March 29, 2017


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This North Carolina State University iPad case from Gameday Boots is the perfect iPad protector for a Wolfpack student, alum, or fan. Use this NC State iPad case with pride and show the world that you stand with the Wolfpack! Built to last, this NC State iPad case (style number #NCS-IP052-1) are sure to be conversation-starters wherever you go.
$50.00 Select options to the right to see the price. We're sorry, your selection isn't available
Prices valid only for items currently in stock.


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Continuing with catching up on Marion's activities in Cannes some pictures and a video from Tuesday when she was on Le Grand Journal. As you can see on the pictures of her arriving at the 'studio' and in the video she was accompagnied by Edith Piaf's best friend Ginou. As last, year she also signed a bottle of limited-edition gold leaf Moët Methusalem – which will later be auctioned off in support of FilmAid International, the humanitarian aid organization that uses film and video to entertain and to educate communities in crisis around the world.
001 63rd Annual Cannes Film Festival – Moët Lounge
023 63rd Annual Cannes Film Festival – Out & About May 18
096 Cannes Film Festival – 'Le Grand Journal' Backstage
021 Le Grand Journal de Cannes – 2010
001 Tag: Cannes > 'Le Grand Journal' Backstage


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On September 13 of 2010, I sat down and wrote my first blog. I can remember taking a deep breath before hitting "publish". I had no idea what I was doing, and no real concern about the quality of my work. Ignorance is bliss!
Eight year later, I'm still writing. I try not to compare my work to others and just let the words speak for themselves. I don't live with a thesaurus at my fingertips, and while my writing might not be the most technically sound – the feeling is all there. I still love blogging, and it gives my life direction when I don't know what way I am headed. (Kind of like right now!)
Blogging also gives me a few moments each day to take stock in my own thoughts and feelings. Lately, I have put a lot of my own dreams and desires on the back burner. My family needs most of my support and attention, and that will probably continue for a while longer as we sell this house (anyone want to move to Orange County??) and move to the next yet-to-be-determined place. The process is exhausting, and I really do feel like I've had to put everything I want to do aside. I never expected it would take this long, but here we are. Life has its own idea of the way things are going to go, I guess. Blogging keeps me semi-connected, at least. I haven't even talked to Amanda since the beginning of summer, but I feel like I at least have some vague idea of what is going on with her because I read her blogs. I don't love that I feel so removed and remote, but I believe that our friendship will bridge the gap and we'll catch back up again.
I wish I could say that after eight years, I've had some huge epiphany, or that I have amazing stories to share. Instead, I've learned a lot about myself. I started blogging because wanted to be liked. I wanted to feel like I was part of a group. I wanted to be one of those people that others would come up to and say hello when we saw one another at gigs. Simple things, really. For a self-admitted outcast, it has been really cool.
I know that I don't have amazing Duran Duran stories. Aside from a couple of things I've already shared too many times, I'm just your average fan. I don't know more than anybody else and I've certainly not done more than most of you reading. Once in a while something will happen and I'll be reminded that maybe, just maybe, the band recognizes me from somewhere – and that's pretty neat. I don't need to confirm that the reason they might recognize my face is because I've been to an obscene amount of shows during the past eight years (my husband reminds me about that all the time anyway). I can pretend it MUST be due to this blog, right? I don't go backstage or hang out with anyone exciting on a regular basis. I go to the shows I'm able, and then afterward, Amanda and I scramble to find something to do. We're always better when we've got a plan, right Amanda? We spend a lot of time making ourselves laugh and being idiots when we're together. It's not a bad gig, really, despite the lack of pay. I don't mind that I'm not personal friends with band members, although any time they're ready to hang with the commoners, they can drop us a line. I really do thank them for being such an effective muse over the years. I have no doubt that it will continue.
I don't know offhand when the band will tour again. I only know that we're going to keep blogging, and we're going to keep laughing.
I really do wish Amanda and I were together to toast to our eight years of insanity, but we're not so I have a message for my partner-in-crime: We did this together, and I hope you are as proud of it as I am. As I head out to drop my girl off at school, I'm going to be thinking about Daily Duranie, and everything we've done together, Amanda. It has been a wild ride, and I'm so thankful I've had you to bounce things off of along the way. I am hoping we can get back to that very soon. In the meantime, I know you are doing what you feel you must, I support you 100%, and I'm doing what I have to do to get my family settled again. Love you lots!
Eight years and counting!!


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Taking inspiration from the beloved Deco collection, offering less coverage and a style that complements the figure is the Freya Icon in a sensual Lace. The Freya Icon Underwire Moulded Plunge Bra offers a difference with a stretch lace covering, with a desirable low cut neckline, an enhanced apex for flattering cleavage and moulded cups. Featuring adjustable straps and for added hold and comfort, underwired cups. With intricate detailing and scalloped trim on the neckline adorning the stretch lace, finished with a central bow. The Icon Underwire Moulded Plunge Bra is available in sizes 32B to 38G.
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"I love the fact that I can find someone their dream home through my expertise and love of this amazing city."
Jason Grauerholz is passionate about Manhattan real estate and the relationships that fuel every deal. Working with a real estate agent means entrusting another person with the establishment of your home; securing a large investment; selling a place where you've lived, raised your family, or started a new chapter of your life. You really want to choose a professional who values the level of trust this entails. Jason takes very seriously the extensive trust his clients place in him. He is singularly devoted to their real estate needs and tirelessly dedicated to hard work, client advocacy and innovative solutions.
Jason closed the deal for his very first real estate client, an achievement very few agents can claim. Today, he works to deliver that same wonderful – and successful -- experience for each client. In today's market, deals often turn into a highly competitive race to the finish. Knowing what strategies, purchase price offers and even personal touches can win the deal for you is a priceless advantage. It can be the difference between clients moving into their dream home...or not. Jason has a proven track record in winning "best and final" negotiations. Nothing makes him as proud and happy as winning those deals on behalf of his clients—nothing.
Throughout his life, Jason has lived in almost every neighborhood in Manhattan. That's a lifetime of mastering neighborhood cultures and inventory. That mastery now benefits everyone with whom he works.
When he's not buying and selling real estate, Jason is an avid sports fan and player. His outgoing personality and high professional standards are keys to his success. His philanthropic commitments include fundraising for cancer research, Special Olympics and Play 60.


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Sparkle Allure Multi Color Pure Silver Over Brass Cocktail Ring
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Sparkle Allure Multi Color Pure Silver Over Brass Cocktail Ring
Product Description
- Ring Style: Cocktail Rings
- Features: Nickel Free
- Setting: Pave
- Stone Cut: Round
- Metal Color: White
- Ring Gallery Height: 6mm
- Metal: Pure Silver Over Brass
- Care: Wipe Clean
- Stone Type: 1 Crystal
- Country of Origin: Imported
Ring cannot be sized.
Metal may be rhodium plated to enhance appearance and reduce tarnishing.
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This is a follow-up to earlier posts of mine about course blogs. This one is about my evolving course blog for Swift and Literary Studies, my version of the gateway course to the English major (literature concentration). This course is designed to teach students the research process involving literature, literary criticism and literary theory. We do this by recursively studying a single author and work, Swift's Gulliver's Travels, in the light of successive critical and theoretical approaches.
As time has gone on, I have modeled it more and more as an inquiry-driven course that stresses active learning and the acquisition, consolidation, and transfer of skills rather than coverage of a prespecified course content. The blog enables me to do that by introducing more and more of the students' offline inquiry process (student questions; student responses; student research) into face to face class discussion. In this way, it provides more time on task outside the classroom, and provides many more, and more timely, forms of feedback for students.
What I typically do is begin by creating a wordpress shell each semester that I then remodel substantially after the previous semester's iteration. This blog is blocked to outside search engines and non-users.
Here's a screenshot of the homepage.
The screenshot shows that I use a vanilla format for the homepage with a row of easily accessed pages that students use throughout the semester. For example, the Resource page
contains links to selected library resources and websites; and so forth.
The course-blog has become essential for my teaching because I use it in a variety of ways:
- as an online forum for discussion, with periodic reading questions and responses assigned throughout the semester on the course readings, along with assignments for students to post their own questions about the course readings;
- as a convenient place to share the links or pdfs for assignments and course readings; to direct them to particularly important resources (e.g., Oxford Dictionary of National Biography), or to structure assignments to find new sources using approved paths (e.g., use the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy to learn something about Judith Butler);
- as a venue for sharing individual and group work, whether small research assignments in background reading (e.g., what is the disciplinary background of Luce Irigaray?) or finished group research assignments like annotated bibliographies on sub-topics of Swift criticism; these become available for the whole class to critique, compare, and incorporate into their own research;
- as a springboard for collaboration, among students but also among the various people attached to the course; students were able to compare the results of the various peer group teams in relation to various topics, but I was also able to work with the various librarians and reading support counselors who came and went through the semester by using the blog as a common forum.
One of the perennial tensions in pedagogy involves two contrary goals: of organizing all the materials of instruction so that they can be found in a single convenient place (i.e., the textbook or anthology) versus encouraging students to move beyond the predigested, preselected, preinterpreted materials of the typical textbook to show how they can apply, extend, and hopefully transfer what they learn into new contexts. For me, the well-designed course-blog can provide enough organization and convenience, along with sufficient flexibility and potential for extension, to satisfy both demands.
NB: for further reflections about better, more reflective uses of virtual learning, see these two pieces, by some of the researchers who helped devise one of the earliest articulations of best practices in higher ed some years ago, "Seven Principles for Good Practice."


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Boutique's latest mixed-use community hub will offer an eclectic mixture of stores and urban hangout spots
Summer Hill, a stylish new summer-inspired community hub by Boutique Prakhanong 1 Limited, a direct subsidiary of the leading property developer Boutique Corporation Public Company Limited (more often referred to as Boutique), is set to transform the Phra Khanong retail and lifestyle landscape when it opens its doors this year.
Located only footsteps away from BTS Phra Khanong, the mixed-use development features an assortment of stores, cafes, restaurants, fitness centres, and co-working spaces for visitors to shop, hangout, drink, eat, or simply enjoy their "summer-like" urban lifestyle whether it be outdoors, indoors, or beside the 160-metre-long frontage along Sukhumvit Road. Set on approximately five rai of land, Summer Hill will be home to 40 leading brands carefully selected to cater to the plethora of Bangkok residents' urban lifestyles.
Summer Hill is also planning a second phase of the project, expected to be completed by 2018, which will involve the development of a 10,000 sq.m office building with integrated retail on the ground floor, allowing office workers to also make use of the premium facilities.
Since its inception in 2004, Boutique has successfully launched more than 10 development projects and currently has more than 5 projects in the pipeline. Its first foray into retail came in 2012, with the opening of the award-winning urban oasis Rain Hill on Sukhumvit 47.


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The City Council's finance and culture committee is bringing forward a plan for an approximately 10% expansion of a Capitol Hill program that funds everything from trash and graffiti clean up, to marketing and advocacy campaigns around the neighborhood's Broadway core.
In 2013, CHS wrote here about the effort to expand the Broadway Business Improvement Area to Pike/Pine as the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce also considered a larger expansion that may eventually come back into play.
Following the committee's approval of the plan, according to a City Hall staff memo, a public hearing on the expansion will take place in early June before final adoption of the expanded boundaries. The memo also outlines state limits on how business improvement areas are allowed to expand:
Under state law, the Council may expand the boundaries of an existing BIA provided that the projected assessment revenue from the expansion area is no greater than 10 percent of the current assessment revenue of the existing BIA.
Also notable: City Council and staff are now referring to the program as the Capitol Hill BIA, not the Broadway BIA.
Any major changes to the BIA, including expanding its budget or boundaries, require approval of member businesses. Membership fees and an assessment based on gross income — $2 for every $1,000 generated — currently provide the bulk of the program's budget.
UPDATE: The approved plan is slated for a final vote by the full City Council on Monday, May 19th.


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Fall 2011 and 2012 Early Bird Booking Promotions
Include Discounted 14-Day Combination Nature Cruise and Live-Aboard Dive Itinerary
MIAMI, April 4, 2011 – Ecoventura's environmentally friendly fleet of small expedition vessels in the Galapagos will be undertaking two itineraries instead of just one as of early next year. Effective Jan. 29, 2012, this visionary small-ship travel company (Ecoventura) will offer two completely different, alternating week itineraries of seven nights each in accordance with Galapagos National Park and Marine Reserve regulations to help reduce usage on heavily visited sites.
Previously, Ecoventura itineraries followed weekly departures utilizing its fleet of identical 20-passenger expedition yachts, the M/Y Eric, Flamingo & Letty, which have been retrofitted to create the most sustainable presence possible on the water.
"This new arrangement of two distinct 2012 itineraries, with Week A cruising the Southern/Central route and Week B exploring the Western/Northern route, will assist conservation efforts. We do anticipate that many clients will ask for both itineraries for an extended 14-day program that features virtually no duplication in sites visited," said Doris Welsh, Ecoventura's Director of Sales & Marketing.
Welsh went on to explain that passengers on Week A will visit Espanola, Floreana, Isabela, Santa Cruz, South Plaza, Bartolome and northern San Cristobal. Passengers on Week B will visit Tower, Bachas, North Seymour, Fernandina, Isabela, Santiago, Rabida, Santa Fe and Santa Cruz.
Passengers booking two consecutive weeks on the Eric, Flamingo or Lettyreceive a 5% discount applicable on any week (excluding holiday weeks). If the week is on another promotion, the greater of the two discounts will be applied. The 2012 7-night cruise rate starts at $3,550 per person, double occupancy.
Scuba diving enthusiasts who combine a week of live-aboard diving on Ecoventura's M/V Galapagos Sky with a week of land tours on Eric, Flamingo and Letty receive a 10% discount when the two weeks are booked consecutively on select departures in January and February 2012. The 2012 7-night dive cruise rate on M/V Galapagos Sky starts at $4,795 per person, double occupancy through May 31 2012 (rates increase June 1 2012) including free NITROX and offers 16-18 dives and 2 land excursions per week.
Now through Jan. 22, 2012, will be the last time visitors to Galapagos can still experience both the Northern and Southern circuit Island highlights together in a 7-night itinerary under the existing comprehensive itinerary. During that time, Ecoventura is offering an Early Bird booking promotion offering a 5% discount on selected departures between Aug. 28 2011 and Jan. 22 2012.
Special Offers


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A strong advance Wednesday for the FTSE 100 Future through 7327 and 7354 resistances and a bull gap this morning (7371.5-55) to another new recovery high at 7385, to build on Tuesdays rebound from just above our 7197.5 support (from 7202), sustaining positive forces from the earlier September push through key 7268.5 resistance, to keep risks higher Thursday.
The early September surge above 7268.5 set an intermediate-term bull trend.
Furthermore, European and US equity averages have also been very strong in early September, as highlighted in our articleshere, where you can alos see FX updates.
For Today:
We see an upside bias for 7385; break here aims for 7400 and 7419, maybe towards 7442.
But below 7371.5 opens risk down to 7355, maybe 7323.
Intermediate-term Outlook - Upside Risks: We see an upside risk for 7442.
Higher targets would be 7666 and 7800.
What Changes This? Below 6999 shifts the intermediate-term outlook straight to an intermediate-term bear theme.


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The Real Story of Inspector Gadget's Mustache
In the beginning, the hero of the cartoon Inspector Gadget was intended to have a mustache. However, the creators decided to eliminate it (rather than risk a lawsuit) as the principal character bore a striking resemblance to Inspector Clouseau of the famous Pink Panther films.
The pilot episode saw Inspector Gadget sporting a mustache: this episode later became the 14th of the series, and the mustache was explained as being a disguise in order to pass incognito.
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Many folks — including me — have developed a new social media obsession with Instagram, an app based on photos and connectivity. The free app captures the appeals of people looking to tell stories via taking, editing and posting pictures … while commenting on and connecting with others doing the same.
At the most basic level, Instagram is photographing and filtering software. When taking iPhone pics via Instagram, I appear to gain greater iris control and focusing flexibility. When you take the photo, you can apply one of a number of filtering tools — which make it look like anything from an old Polaroid to washed-out contact sheet to monochrome. The filters may not quite as cool as paid app Hipstamatic, but quite a few add more flair and visual appeal to photos. It could be better integrated — clicking on a photo posted to Facebook whisks you to the nothing-special Instagram site — but I wouldn't be surprised if more improvements appear on the horizon.
But the really neat part is the ability to share it within — and outside of — the Instagram community. After you take a photo and apply (or don't) a filter, you can post it Twitter, Flickr, Facebook, Tumblr and/or Foursquare in one fell swoop. It even offers its own location-based option. And by default, pictures are shared with the Instagarm community. Looking through my Instagram feed on a recent night, I felt like part of a greater narrative of what people were doing. Even though my Instagram community is small for now, members were out watching two college hockey games, enjoying a romantic night in, reveling through a night out, spending quality time with the kids and exploring artistic endeavors. As a body of work, it's a compelling snapshot (sorry) of a few hours of 21st century life.
Looking through the lens (sorry again) of the 5+1 Keys to Social Media Platform Adoption, Instagram posts some high scores:
- Usefulness: Allows you to take, edit and share photos in a novel way; lets you enjoy pics from others.
- Usability: Very simple. Its basic menu is five buttons: Feed, Popular, Share (where you take photos), News and Profile — pretty intuitive.
- User Interactivity: You can comment on or like photos friends post. Not sure if other friends are using it? You can easily look through your Facebook and Twitter contacts. Want to make new friends? Browse the popular pics and follow those whose styles or activities you enjoy.
- Sharability: Great sharing options to five popular platforms as well as within the Instagram community.
- Sustainability: As long as you have things you want to document and/or you are interested in your friends' photos, this can sustain your interest.
- +1: Critical Mass: OK, Instagram isn't there yet. But the ball is rolling, and I seem to pick up at least a follower a day among my friends adopting it. And I think it's such a great app that I expect the social sharing and positive word of mouth to keep building the community.


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Is the world of autonomous single-passenger drones just over the horizon? Will you be commuting like George Jetson next year? At CES Chinese company called EHang made a splashy announcement promising just that. But consider us sceptical.
The company says its 200-kilo pilotless vehicle, called the 184, will hit the market at some unspecified date in the near future. The estimated cost? Anywhere from $300,000 to $400,000 – something like £200-£275,000 in the Queen's money.
"After we launch it at CES, the goal is to do the commercialization within three to four months," EHang CFO Shang Hsaio told Wired. The definition of "commercialization" is never made clear, so I wouldn't hold my breath.
All EHang needs now is approval from air authorities, a vast network of air-traffic control monitors, and a way to figure out how to make the thing land safely after just 23 minutes in the air. Oh, we didn't mention that? Yeah, its battery lasts a rather humble 23 minutes, or about 10 miles. Also, the drone doesn't have any manual controls, so if the thing fails mid-flight it seems you're out of luck.
EHang is better known for making hobby drones like the Ghost Drone, but that doesn't make us any more optimistic that this thing will ever make it to market.
The latest trend in flying car vaporware seems to be producing tiny drones as "prototype" vehicles and claiming that your full-sized product is just waiting for authority approval. Flying car companies like Moller International and Terrafugia have done just that with the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) in the UK. But just because you can make a small drone doesn't mean you can make something that A) flies safely enough to produce for the commercial market and B) will be granted FAA certification.
We have a century of similar promises about flying cars under our belt. So while we're rooting for EHang, even if it's ultimately just a toy for the rich, we're still not convinced that this thing will materialise/ In fact, I'd like to re-up my wager that if this thing hits the market in the next year or two, I'll literally eat the sun. [Wired]
Photos via Associated Press
Want more updates from Gizmodo UK? Make sure to check out our @GizmodoUK Twitter feed, and our Facebook page.


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A rescue team of Myanmar Hiking and Mountaineering Association found the jerkin and mountaineering glasses reportedly belonging to Seint Htet, who went missing since April 12 in a mountaineering trip to Mount Phangran Razi in Kachin State, said Nan Kaythi Khaing, leader of the rescue team during a press conference held at Central Hotel in Yangon on May 12.
The fund to found the body of Seint Htet is raised by Kyin Oo, Vice President of the Myanmar Hiking and Mountaineering Association and they founded a rescue committee consists of 15 members.
The rescue team left Putao to Mount Phangran Razi on April 26, she said.
Heavy rain poured down after four days and water level in stream increased which prevented them to continue their journey. Only some members of the team continued their journey, she said.
The rescuers didn't find her body but spotted her jerkin and mountaineering glasses.
"Although the rescue team usually goes within 24 hours, the rescue efforts are delayed. However we went quickly after we made a decision to rescue her. The possibility to find her alive is very narrow. We have one per cent of hope to find her alive," she said.
The jerkin and mountaineering glasses are kept at Putao police station as evidence.
Maung Maung Lay, father of the missing girl, is planning to sue the leader of the Summiter amateur climbing team.
"I am still waiting to see whether the authorities will take action on them or not. I will decide whether to sue them or not," he said.
The 20-member climbing team left Putao to climb Mount Phangran Razi on April 6 and reached the summit on April 12. She slipped and fell to the ravine, the Summiter amateur climbing team posted in their Facebook page.
An official from the Myanmar Hiking and Mountaineering Association said the Summiter climbing team didn't inform about their trip to Mount Phangran Razi.
The ice-capped Mount Phangran Razi is 14,095 feet in height.


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RUNNING A COUNTRY in crisis is challenging for even the most capable politicians. When thinking of those that have successfully led a country out of crisis, you might think of a leader with the vision of Roosevelt and the personality of Churchill. What then of a country where politicians are not only incompetent, but extraordinarily self-interested?
Venezuela is such a country.
Ranked 169th in the world by Transparency International in its Corruption Perceptions Index – the seventh lowest score – Venezuela is one of the most corrupt places on the planet. Period. Elections are widely regarded as shams, political accountability is non-existent, and former President Hugo Chavez's daughter is worth billions.
Venezuela's ongoing economic crisis may be a direct result of falling oil prices, but growing corruption (it was ranked 69th in 2001) and political cronyism have exacerbated the situation. After a failed strike in 2003, Chavez fired 18,000 employees of Venezuela's state oil company, PDVSA. The skilled and experienced workers who left were replaced by Chavez's political supporters, regardless of their qualifications. This started a catastrophic decline in oil production, as valuable technical knowledge was lost.
As the economy worsened over the years, and faced with declining oil production and falling oil prices, Venezuela's political elite was faced with a tough decision. One option was to remodel the economy, diversifying away from oil and encouraging foreign investment to help stave off future crises. The other was to print money to allay its short-term cash flow issues.
President Nicholas Maduro chose the latter. Ignoring the well-known fact that printing money is like playing economic Russian roulette with only one empty chamber, Maduro ploughed on ahead. Maduro believed that printing money and hoping the price of oil would recover and replenish his foreign currency reserves before hyperinflation began.
Fast forward several years and the economically illiterate Maduro has driven inflation rates up so far that the IMF predicts that inflation will reach 1,000,000 per cent by the end of 2018. Farcically, Venezuela now owes money to the foreign firms that print its currency. Oil production may drop to 1 million barrels per day in 2018, down from almost 2.5 million as recently as 2016.
Catastrophe in Venezuela is political: it comes from the top, from the corrupt and incompetent politicians that are driving the country to ruin. Only when Venezuela's leaders are held to account can the recovery efforts begin.
More information on The Venezuela Campaign can be found on its website.
This article was first published on the Adam Smith Institute blog.


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Penn State Basketball: Carr Drops 33 As Nittany Lions Cruise To 86-75 Opening Victory
Penn State basketball got a career night from Tony Carr and its first win of the season as the Nittany Lions took care of Campbell on Friday evening 86-75.
While Campbell made things interesting on a few occasions in the second half, Penn State was never truly threatened as the Nittany Lions got 15 points from Josh Reaves and eight from Lamar Stevens, Julian Moore and Shep Garner along the way.
The Camels (the lone mascot of its type in the NCAA) were led by Chris Clemons and his 39 points outburst. Clemons finished last season with the nation's third highest scoring average and did plenty to start 2017 off on the right foot going 12-of-29 from the field and 13-of-15 from the free throw line.
Penn State led the way for nearly all of the first half, warming up after a slow start offensively. By the break the Nittany Lions led 36-28 behind a solid defensive effort and a much more efficient final 10 minutes of the half.
It was more of the same in the second half, with Penn State leading by as many as 17 before a quick Campbell run cut it to just six with 6:22 to go. Tony Carr took care of the rest in the following minutes going on a solo 7-0 run to open the game back up. Campbell would cut the lead to five with just under a minute to play, but free throws would eventually seal the deal for Penn State.
Overall it was far from a perfect outing for Penn State, that finished the game with 36% shooting and a seven board advantage on the glass. Even so, the game did plenty to showcase the team's depth, potential and skill early in a pivotal season for the program.
The Nittany Lions return to the Bryce Jordan Center on Sunday.
Ben Jones covers Penn State football and basketball for StateCollege.com. He's on Twitter as @Ben_Jones88.
More articles by Ben Jones →


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Damn, I'm not sure what I think about this:
A sports apparel retailer is fighting back against the arbitrary multi-million-dollar penalties that credit card companies impose on banks and merchants for data breaches by filing a first-of-its-kind $13 million lawsuit against Visa.
The suit takes on the payment card industry's powerful money-making system of punishing merchants and their banks for breaches, even without evidence that card data was stolen. It accuses Visa of levying legally unenforceable penalties that masquerade as fines and unsupported damages and also accuses Visa of breaching its own contracts with the banks, failing to follow its own rules and procedures for levying penalties and engaging in unfair business practices under California law, where Visa is based.
It's the first known case to challenge card companies over the self-regulated PCI security standards — a system that requires businesses accepting credit and debit card payments to implement a series of technological steps to secure card data. The controversial system, imposed on merchants by credit card companies like Visa and MasterCard, has been called a "near scam" by a spokesman for the National Retail Federation and others who say it's designed less to secure card data than to profit credit card companies while giving them executive powers of punishment through a mandated compliance system that has no oversight.
Yes, but:
In December 2010, Genesco announced that it had been hacked, but provided few details about the breach other than to say it was possible that certain details of cards used in its stores might have been compromised.
In the court documents for its lawsuit against Visa, (.pdf) the company maintains that it found packet-sniffing software on its network but never uncovered forensic evidence that the hackers actually stole any card data.
And yet again:
Nonetheless, Visa accused the company and its banks of violating the Payment Card Industry standards, and fined the banks $5,000 each for noncompliance, then later levied $13.3 million against them for operating expenses incurred over the breach and to recover the cost of fraudulent charges made to the accounts. Visa collected the money this last January from the banks.
How much?
continues at Retailer Sues Visa Over $13 Million 'Fine' for Being Hacked | Threat Level | Wired.com.


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2714 N Jefferson
Indianola, Iowa 50125
(515) 961-7300
About Us
Site Finish Hardwood & Refinishing
Financing & Payments
Flooring Guide
Shop Online
Tile / Stone
About Us
Wood Floors
Everything you need to know about your wood floors
Wood floors are among the most beautiful and long lasting floors available, and when properly cared for, can last a lifetime and then some. We've compiled a list of key things that you will want to know about care and maintenance to protect your investment.
Humidity control
Wood is a hygroscopic material, meaning it gains or loses moisture with changing humidity levels.
Wood will shrink in dimension when it loses moisture and expand when it gains moisture.
This will result in seasonal cracks or gaps, which open in the winter and close in the summer. This process is completely normal.
In our climate, relative humidity levels in your home should be maintained between 30% and 50%, year round.
The key consideration is careful monitoring to maintain a level that is as consistent throughout the year as possible.
Humidifiers are recommended to keep humidity levels from bottoming out in the winter, and depending on your home, a dehumidifier may be necessary in the summer months.
Leaving the home for extended periods of time (longer than two weeks) can be hard on your wood floors, as they acclimate to a condition where humidity
levels are different from your normal living conditions.
We recommend that you leave your thermostat set as close to normal living conditions as possible when gone for extended periods.
Solid wood floors will respond more to moisture changes than engineered wood floors, due to the multiple layer plywood construction of the latter, but both will respond adversely to dramatic moisture changes.
Wider planks, especially solid, will expand and contract in changing humidity much more dramatically than narrower strips.
Protecting your floors
The main challenges in protecting a wood floor are from chairs, dogs, children and general debris that can be brought in from outside.
Placing entrance mats at all entries can help protect your wood floor from moisture, dirt, sand and salt that can be brought in from outside. Dirt, sand and small rocks can act just like sand paper to your wood floors.
Moving chairs, especially around a dining room table or office can deteriorate your floor finish fairly quickly if you do not take steps to protect it.
The legs on your chairs should be covered with felt pads, and these should be checked and replaced on a routine basis. An area rug under a dining room table does a great job of protecting your floors from most damage.
Chairs with rollers are extremely hard on wood floors. We recommend placing these on rugs or protective mats depending on the type, width and material of the rollers.
If rugs or protective mats are placed on a wood floor, we recommend moving and cleaning under these on a regular basis, or debris collected under them can act like sandpaper.
Large dogs (usually larger than 20-25 lbs) can scratch or dent almost any wood floor. You can minimize this to an extent by keeping their nails well trimmed, or by choosing a harder species of wood. However, even the hardest species of wood can be scratched or dented by a large, active dog.
Solid wood floors are often a better choice for a homeowner with large dogs, as they can be professionally sanded and refinished many, many times to restore them to good condition.
Regular cleaning is very important. Start by sweeping it with a soft broom to remove the debris, and follow up with an approved hardwood floor cleaner and terry cloth or microfiber pad.
Vacuums with rotating beater bars are not recommended.
A good hardwood floor cleaner should not add shine, it should merely clean. Products that purport to make your floor shiny or "restore" it tend to build up and look hazy over time. It should not contain finish or wax of any kind (never use wax on a finished floor as it will build up, make the floor slippery, and could prevent future finish from bonding to it).
DO NOT USE STEAM MOPS (see humidity control above). Steam mops introduce water directly into your wood floor. This can not only make your floor expand and cup (raised board edges), it can also raise the grain of the wood, dramatically accelerating the finish wear.
High heels should not be worn on wood floors. The narrow weight bearing surface of high heels makes the pounds per square inch your floor is exposed to multiple times higher than an elephant walking on your floor!
Area rugs, while important to protecting your floors, can also cause color differences between the wood underneath and the wood next to them, due to the fact that one area is exposed to sunlight and the other area isn't. We recommend moving your rugs a little bit each time you clean to prevent a distinct color-change line where your rug sits.
Area rugs should have a breathable backing. Rugs or rug pads with a full rubber back are not recommended (waffle pads are available that allow the wood to breathe).
Watch for areas of wear
The first areas that exhibit wear on a wood floor are usually entryways, high traffic areas such as the kitchen or hallway and around chairs in an area like a dining room or breakfast bar.
Usually the finish in these areas will get dull or worn well ahead of the rest of your floor.
It is important to have your floors refinished (with a maintenance coat) before these areas get down to raw wood, as exposed wood can have the stain worn off of them, or turn gray from moisture, resulting in the necessity of a full sand and finish.
Phillips' Floors gives free estimates to assess the condition of your wood floors, and give recommendations on any action needed (or not).
Your wood floor, after all, is a floor that is designed to be walked and lived on. That is its purpose.
My floor at home has several dents and scratches, and I know where every single one of them is, but the only thing people talk about when they come into my home is how beautiful the wood floors are!
In most cases (solid wood and engineered floors with good wear surfaces) can be refinished and restored to like-new condition. Good care and maintenance can greatly extend the time between new coatings and sand and finishes. As always, please let us know if you have any questions!
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The decision means that the party that has served as the mainstay of the country's democratic movement for two decades will be automatically dissolved.
BANGKOK — After months of internal debate, members of the party of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the long-detained pro-democracy leader, defied Myanmar's junta by announcing Monday that they would boycott the country's first elections in two decades.
The move raises questions about both the future of the Burmese opposition and the credibility of the vote.
According to election laws the junta released earlier this month, the decision means that the party that has served as the mainstay of the country's democratic movement for two decades, the National League for Democracy, will be automatically dissolved. Western governments, including the United States and Britain, had said that Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi's participation and that of her party were prerequisites for legitimate elections.
On Monday, U Win Tin, a founding member and strategist for the party, said that more than 100 delegates were unanimous in their decision. "We will ask the people around us not to vote in the election: Please boycott," he said in a telephone interview. He said that the party would try to continue political activities after it is disbanded. "We will work for the people," he said.
The party had been split over whether to participate in the elections, forced to choose between participation that would undercut its principles and a boycott that would dissolve it. Last week, Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi said through a spokesman that she viewed the election process as "unjust" and that she felt that the party should not take part.
"They made a decision to maintain their dignity," said Win Min, a lecturer in contemporary Burmese politics at Payap University in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. "They wanted to keep Aung San Suu Kyi as their leader. On the other hand, what is their alternative after this?"
Mr. Win Min said the National League for Democracy would likely be disbanded by May 6, a deadline set in the election laws. The party's assets, including offices, might be seized. "Some members may be planning to set up a new party," Mr. Win Min said.
The ruling generals portray the vote as part of a "roadmap" to democracy after 48 years of military rule, while diplomats and exile groups view it as window-dressing for the junta's continued hold on power.
But some inside Myanmar say they believe the elections offer at least a modest positive step.
In recent months the military government has announced nascent liberalization measures that they see as possibly the beginning of a decentralization of power. The measures include issuing permits for private hospitals and schools and allowing private-sector management of the rice industry.
But the counterpoint to these economic measures is the consistently hard line that the military has taken with the political force it considers its archenemy, Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi, 64, and her followers. Her party won a landslide victory in 1990, a result that was ignored by the ruling generals and officially nullified just this month.
The party has been weakened by two decades of harassment, intimidation and imprisonment of many of its members, including Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi and Mr. Win Tin. The party's leaders are aging — Mr. Win Tin is 81 — and the membership has dwindled.
Among many restrictive measures in the election law, criminal convictions bar candidacy. This includes Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi and Mr. Win Tin among the estimated 2,100 political prisoners in the country, many of whom were leaders of protest movements in 1988 and 2007 and form the core of the country's democracy movement.
Taking part in a new election would also have been a signal to people in Myanmar that the National League for Democracy had agreed to forgo its 1990 victory, Mr. Win Tin said. "We would have to give up all of our political convictions," he said.
The party also wanted to send a signal to armed ethnic groups in the northern reaches of the country that the election was illegitimate. The junta is demanding that the ethnic groups disarm.
"A sort of civil war will flare up very soon," Mr. Win Tin predicted.
Mr. Win Tin urged countries in Asia and the West to threaten to withhold aid to the junta. "Please put more pressure on the government," he said. "That is my message."
Mr. Win Tin, who wrote poetry during his nearly two decades in prison, used a concoction of water and red dust from the bricks of his cell to write his verses. He was denied pen and paper in the infamously brutal prison system.
Today, he said he is followed by military intelligence whenever he leaves the house. Agents were outside on motorcycle as he spoke to this reporter, he said.
"For me it's as if I were still in prison," he said. "I feel like the whole country is imprisoned," he said.


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A divorce in Pennsylvania can be difficult, especially if children are involved. While spouses are eager to move on in life, it is often the children who suffer the most in a divorce. When the court considers the best interest of the child, the judge will usually order one parent to take custody of the child and the other parent to pay child support.
In the event that the supporting parent does not pay the child support, either on time or not at all, child support enforcement matters are handled by the state and local governments and not by the federal government. Child support matters are rarely handled by the federal government. However, there are many state agencies that enforce child support. There are only a few agencies in Pennsylvania. Those agencies are known as Title IV-D and they enforce child support enforcement duties.
In 1992, a federal law known as the Child Support Recovery Act was passed. The act made child support enforcement easier. It administered the strictest punishment to those who did not pay child support. The authorities realized that it was important to impose serious consequences on the violators of the child support agreement.
Section 228, Title 18, states that it is a crime to not pay child support for a child just because that child is living in another state. The parent will face prosecution if that person fails to pay child support for more than one year, or if the amount of child support that the parent owes exceeds $5,000. Any violation is considered a criminal offense. The offender may face a penalty of six months in prison.
If the child support amount that is due is above $10,000, or if the parent has not paid child support for than two years, the parent is liable to face two years in prison.
Source: The United States Department of Justice, "Child Support Enforcement," Accessed on June 2, 2015


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The Black Rabbit Company by Lindsay Marsden creates handmade gifts in soft lambswool fabrics. Lindsey lavender filled 'bods', loopy lapins and media mittens have been a big hit with our customers here at iapetus. They never fail to bring a smile to anyone's face.
At iapetus we spend a lot of time carefully sourcing and picking the pieces we offer. Everything you see has been crafted to a high standard, ethically sourced, be that made in the UK or fairly traded from our International artisans, and lastly is quirky and unusual - something which should surprise, delight and inspire you to gift buying greatness!


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Our Customer Service team is available from Monday to Friday: 8am - 5pm GMT and can be contacted via our online contact form. Registered bookseller members can also use the call-back option in the Members Menu to ask for a telephone call during our business hours.
We have set up a list of the bank holidays that are observed in Germany for your reference:
- Monday, December 24th - Christmas Eve
- Tuesday, December 25th - Christmas Day
- Wednesday, December 26th - Boxing Day
- Monday, December 31st - New Years Eve
Tuesday, January 1st - New Years Day
- Friday,March 21st - Good Friday
- Monday, March 24th - Easter Monday
- Thursday, May 1st - May Day (German Bank Holiday)
- Monday, May 12th - Pentecost
- Thursday, May 22nd - Corpus Christi
- Friday, October 3rd - National Day (German Bank Holiday)
- Friday, November 1st - All Saints
- Wednesday, December 24th - Christmas Eve
- Thursday, December 25th - Christmas Day
- Friday, December 26th - Boxing Day
- Wednesday, December 31st - New Years Eve


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Seating vouchers available for Ailey II performance, Garrison Keillor lecture
- Author: Monday, January 7th, 2013
Free seating vouchers for the next two events in the 2012-13 season of WKU's Cultural Enhancement Series — a performance by Ailey II on March 4 and a lecture by Garrison Keillor on March 26 — are available on the WKU box office website or by calling (270) 745-3121.
All events in the 16th season of the series begin at 7:30 p.m. (Central time) in Van Meter Hall and are open to faculty, students, staff and the community. The season concludes on April 16 with a performance by Chanticleer.
For information, call (270) 745-2344 or email email@example.com.
Here is more about the upcoming events in 2012-13 series:
Monday, March 4: Ailey II is an exceptional company that merges the spirit and energy of the country's best young dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today's most outstanding emerging choreographers. Started in 1974 as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, Ailey II embodies Mr. Ailey's pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training and community programs for all people. Artistic Director Designate Troy Powell continues the legacy of Alvin Ailey. More: Read more about Ailey II's 2012-13 World Tour. (Click here for free seating vouchers.)
Tuesday, March 26: Thirty-eight years after the first broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion, storyteller and author Garrison Keillor continues to entertain audiences with his idiosyncratic brand of humor. Keillor was presented with the National Humanities Medal by the National Endowment for the Humanities in 1999. (Click here for free seating vouchers.)
Thursday, April 11: Grammy Award-winning Chanticleer – called "the world's reigning male chorus," by the New Yorker magazine — presents The Siren's Call. This program celebrates the Sea with music from New Zealand, Hawaii and China complemented by Chanticleer's signature treatments of Gregorian Chant and Renaissance music. (Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis.)
Contact: Potter College of Arts & Letters, (270) 745-5204.
Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.


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Arab Israeli Conflict
Middle East News
Israel News
Hi Tech News
By AARON REICH
By JEREMY SHARON
Sponsored Content
By AMY SPIRO
By BARRY DAVIS
By HERB KEINON
By JTA
Israeli and Indian companies will extract drinking water from thin air.
By HAGAY HACOHEN
Prime Minister ends speech by inviting Bollywood stars for an on-stage selfie so that 'millions of people can see the amazing friendship between both our countries.'
By HERB KEINON
"If [Indian Prime Minister] Modi makes it clear that he likes Israel and Netanyahu, and believes they can help India, that flows down to the people on the street."
The policy is truly a revolution in Indo-Israel ties.
Holtzberg thanked God for sparing his after a 2008 terrorist attack claimed the lives of his parents, Rivka and Gavriel.
By REUTERS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls Mahatma Gandhi "one of humanity's great prophets of inspiration."
The prime minister received a rare "cultural roadshow" in Gujarat on Wednesday.
By HERB KEINON,REUTERS
Folk artists performed along the eight kilometer-long route of the roadshow from the airport and thousands lined the roads amid tight security.
By MAX SCHINDLER
Israel has given New Delhi a list of 200 products on which it would like tariffs removed, to make it easier for Israelis to overcome unwieldy bureaucracy in India.
Indian Prime Minister Modi said that "one vote does not change the overall pattern" of ties between the two countries, which he said is of "a very close relationship that is getting closer."
The leaders also discussed issues they don't agree on, including Iran and the Palestinians.
By GLOBES/YUVAL AZULAI
Cancellation of such a large deal is liable to deal Israel's Rafael Defense Systems a serious blow.
Netanyahu, accompanied by his wife Sara Netanyahu, went to the site where Mahatma Ghandi was cremated. He wore white slippers, he and his wife laid a wreath on the tomb.
Trips such as this one to India are critically important for Netanyahu politically, because they shift the spotlight, ever so briefly, from scandals to statesmanship.
Five-day visit begins with gesture of warmth from Modi; PM hints missile deal may be revived.
Diplomatic reporter Herb Keinon accompanied the Israeli prime minister on the 5-day trip.
By TAMARA ZIEVE
A quote from the letter written to the Israeli Prime Minister noted, "Our Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi addressed a gathering of approximately 8000 Indians in Tel Aviv."
By HERB KEINON,HAGAY HACOHEN
During his six day visit Netanyahu will visit Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Agra as well as meeting Indian President Ram Nath Kovind.
New Delhi will buy Spike antitank guided weapons, media reports say
Netanyahu's visit to India comes just seven months after Modi made the first ever visit by an Indian prime minister to Israel.
By ANNA AHRONHEIM
Rumors that the deal with Rafael to buy 8,000 Spike missiles was cancelled first surfaced in November.
The Indian Foreign Ministry's bland statement made no reference to Jerusalem and prompted criticism at home that it was insufficient, vague and anti-Palestinian.
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems: We are not aware of this decision
Defense ties between Israel and India have grown in the past few years, with Delhi becoming a major purchaser of Israeli military hardware.
By SARAH LEIBOVITZ-DAR
Israelis aren't overly excited to work with Indian partners, but the big money from some of the giant corporations compensated for the lack of affection.
By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
By IDAN ZONSHINE
By IDAN ZONSHINE, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
By TOVAH LAZAROFF, LEON SVERDLOV
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
By TAMAR BEERI
By HAGAY HACOHEN
By LINDA GRADSTEIN
By GLORIA DEUTSCH
Please insert a valid email address


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Australia's Labor Party hammered out a working coalition government last week (huzzah!), and so then came the naturally arduous task of cabinet building. In a highly surreal twist, Australia's new Foreign Minister is apparently… ex-PM Kevin Rudd? The same fellow who was unceremoniously ousted as Prime Minister by Julia Gillard short months ago?
Rudd's now got the awkward task of representing the government of his vanquisher, and he's starting right away. He'll be in Washington this week, then to the UN General Assembly on Gillard's behalf. I don't envy him the task, and am very curious as to why and how he came to accept the role. It's glammy, but what a bizarre career trajectory.
I'm trying to imagine Paul Martin naming Jean Chrétien as Defence Minister in 2004, or Gordon Brown placing Blair as a Deputy Minister for Health in 2007. It just confirms to me: I don't get Australia.
In other weird Aussie political job-hopping news: ex-Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett has been moved from Environment to Schools, Childhood and Youth. That's also a demotion. But so was going from rock star to MP, I suppose.
Filed under: International, Politics, Australia, Garrett, Gillard, Rudd


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Hacking Chinese Resources
Click one or more tags to show relevant resources. Follow @ChineseLinks on Twitter, to get notified about new resources!
21 resources found.
Skritter (app to help you learn to write Chinese characters)
Skritter is a piece of software (for your phone or computer) that allows you to practise writing Chinese characters by hand and offers you feedback on your writing (using a touch screen or writing ... Read more.
Olle Linge – about 6 years
Hanping Chinese - Powerful Offline OCR & Dictionary apps for Android
Hanping Chinese Dictionary Pro and Hanping Chinese Camera are the two highest rated Android apps on Google's Play Store. The dictionary (both free and paid editions available) gives you the ability... Read more.
hanpingchinese – almost 6 years
Wenlin Institute: Software for Learning Chinese
Wenlin software makes learning Chinese easier and more interesting, for begining students, life-long speakers, and scholars alike. It combines a comprehensive Chinese dictionary, a Unicode text edi... Read more.
mikelove – almost 6 years
Chinese Text Analyser (a tool for segmenting and analysing Chinese text)
This Chinese Text Analyser is a tool that helps you find content suited to your current vocabulary level, and makes it easy to identify and learn new words. You can use it to easily see which words... Read more.
Olle Linge – about 6 years
Zizzle (app for learning Chinese characters)
Zizzle is an app that turns Chinese characters into engaging pictures and memorable short stories with funny heroes. For every single Chinese character, Zizzle creates a mnemonic story that employs... Read more.
Olle Linge – over 3 years
Chinese Learn Online (CLO)
Learn Chinese Online with CLO - Go from absolute beginner to intermediate learner with our step by step, progressive audio lessons in Mandarin Chinese Read more.
Adam_CLO – almost 6 years
Hanping Cantonese Dictionary
Offline Cantonese dictionary app for Android. Supports both Traditional and Simplified characters as well as Jyutping and Yale pronunciation. Handwriting recognition, syllable-by-syllable native... Read more.
hanpingchinese – over 5 years
Character Stroke Order Worksheets (Arch Chinese)
This tool allows you to generate character writing exercise sheets that include stroke order information, thus saving you or your students a lot of time. This is not as customisable as the other on... Read more.
Olle Linge – over 5 years
听故事,学中文Learning Chinese through Stories - 主页 Home
A podcast collection of Chinese short stories with explanations in Chinese graded to 7 levels. Transcript. Vocabulary list. Free. The explanations are very clear and use repetition and synonyms s... Read more.
Liz H – about 2 years
Ninchanese | Efficient and enjoyable Chinese learning
Ninchanese is a complete way to learn Chinese. Its online course allows you to learn and practice how to read, write, speak and understand Chinese in an enjoyable manner. It combines game mechanics... Read more.
Sarah – about 4 years
Hanping Chinese Dictionary Pro - Android app on Google Play
Pro version gives you: ★ Chinese handwriting recognition built in* ★ Mandarin audio - over 2,000 audio files of a real native Chinese speaker ★ Homescreen Widgets - flip through your favorite wo... Read more.
hanpingchinese – almost 6 years
Arch Chinese - Learn Chinese with innovative Chinese writing worksheets and powerful online Chinese English dictionary
Arch Chinese offers quite a lot of features (Worksheets, Flashcards, Pinyin Table, Radicals, Tools), but the most useful thing is still the dictionary. It offers sound, stroke animations and, most ... Read more.
Olle Linge – over 6 years
Chinese Vocabulary Profiler (Chinese Text Computing)
This website offers many tools related to vocabulary frequency analysis, some of which are also useful for teachers and students. This particular tool, Chinese Vocabulary Profiler, helps you analys... Read more.
Olle Linge – over 1 year
ChineseMe is the most integrated Mandarin course, designed for motivated learners who have decided to become fluent. It is an interactive textbook that adapts itself to your interests. The course i... Read more.
Tim – about 2 years
Learn languages online for free with Mondly - Language learning made easy, fun and free
Mondly is a mobile app very similar to Duolingo (which does not support Chinese). Pro: * more or less straight course to take, no distractions * It has several languages besides Chinese. Th... Read more.
stefan-wienert – over 2 years
Daily Chinese Sentence - Take daily steps toward learning fluent Chinese
Daily Chinese Sentence is an online and ongoing course that provides you every day with a unique Mandarin lesson straight to your inbox. You're presented each time with a key sentence for which the... Read more.
Olle Linge – almost 4 years
Talking Chinese–English–Chinese Phrasebook app from Paiboon Publishing and Word in the Hand
This is a fairly extensive phrasebook with some added extras. It has over 12,000 words, phrases and complete sentences in more than 250 categories. This app is meant for beginners, but works well f... Read more.
Olle Linge – over 4 years
Practical Mandarin (Chinese Lessons in London)
A London-based school that takes their Mandarin courses to the next level - integrating technology (bespoke Phone Flashcards) and HSK test planning into their courses from Beginner, Intermediate to... Read more.
Olle Linge – about 5 years
New Concept Mandarin (Chinese Course Online)
From their website (if you have personal experience of their courses, please leave a comment): New Concept Mandarin specializes in teaching Mandarin Chinese (Putonghua) as a second language. Act... Read more.
Olle Linge – about 5 years
Hanbridgemandarin.com (online and campus courses)
Hanbridge Mandarin provides campus-based courses, online classes, and intensive cultural immersion programs. I don't know anyone who has attended any of their classes personally, but they cover the... Read more.
Olle Linge – over 5 years
Chinese Tutor - Flashcards, Dictionary, Speaking Practice
Online Chinese flashcards that adapt to your learning, Chinese speaking practice using voice recognition, and a simple, fast Chinese-English dictionary. Read more.
ChineseTutor – almost 6 years


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A well established, award winning UK
leading independent Chartered accountancy practice is now seeking Internal
& External Auditors for their operations in Blackburn.
The Audit Team provides high quality
audit services, training and consultancy. Their niche is predominantly in the
voluntary and public sector, including social housing providers, charities and
education. Likewise they have a vast array of clients across trade &
Audit Senior Blackburn - Excellent salary & package + prospects.
are keen to hear from candidates who have Audit experience either in-practice
or from trade & industry.
The overall purpose of this role is to
supervise a team on auditing assignments for a variety of clients, ranging from
large businesses to SMEs.
Working with a diverse portfolio of
clients in both the public and private sector.
Planning audits and identifying
necessary resources and key risk areas.
Suggesting areas for audit efficiency
and improvement.
Supervising audits and ensuring the
timely completion of assignments.
Working closely with clients, offering
informative and relevant advice in regard to structuring, and systems.
Providing support in advisory and
business planning arrangements.
Identifying new service lines
opportunities for existing clients.
Managing trainee accountants and
assisting with their development.
Undertaking ad-hoc project or
consultancy work for other departments or sector teams.
Drafting and completing files including
statutory financial statements and formal audit letters.
Professionally qualified
Audit experience gained either
in-practice OR from industry.
You should have the ability to
communicate with client staff at all levels,
Confidence in delivering formal
presentations, as you will be required to work alongside the Partners/Managers
in delivering training to clients and tender presentations for potential new
You will demonstrate enthusiasm and a
commitment to delivering a high-quality service to all clients.
Your skills will be developed rapidly in
this professional and dynamic environment and you will be provided the
opportunity to be part of a growing business, in an expanding department, with
good career development prospects.
We look forward to your application.
Note re new GDPR rules & CV retention:
We take your data & privacy
seriously. We may retain your details on the basis of legitimate interest &
in accordance with GDPR rules. We will only use your email address &
contact details to inform you about related job opportunities, industry
news & general advice around the recruiting process. Our wider GDPR privacy policy can be
accessed here: http://www.reactiverecruit.co.uk/privacy_gdpr.asp


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To maintain the life of your engine and the enjoyment you receive from your Dodge every day, proper maintenance is essential. By following Dodge's schedule for service, you help to ensure that your Dodge vehicle continues to give you the reliability and enjoyment you depend upon every day.
The next time your automobile is due for a belt change, brake service or oil change, bring your Dodge to Premier CDJR of New Orleans in New Orleans, LA. We employ a staff of certified technicians who are familiar with the inner workings of your automobile and will work to maintain the original factory operating specifications.
Our Dodge dealership is your place for reliable auto repairs in New Orleans, LA, so schedule your next service at Premier CDJR of New Orleans today!
Regardless of whether you are life-long Dodge driver or this is your very first new Dodge vehicle, you'll feel assured bringing your Dodge in for service to the repair facility at our new and used car dealership near Metairie.
The service technicians are trained to diagnose and repair the inner workings of your particular vehicle. While you are here, be sure to visit our parts department and enjoy the full selection of MOPAR auto parts and accessories we carry that are designed to fit your vehicle.
At Premier CDJR of New Orleans, we supply genuine, Dodge factory parts. You can use our website to scroll through our complete inventory or connect with one of our part specialists today.
Our team is familiar with your vehicle and will match you with the part you require. Our Dodge dealership believes that maintaining your Dodge should be affordable. That's why we regularly offer service specials for your convenience.
When you come to us, inquire about what specials we have. Who knows, our service specials might align with your repair needs! So drive in for service and parts at Premier CDJR of New Orleans in New Orleans, LA today!


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Cutting out naps during preschool may be detrimental to your child's brain development. A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that skipping nap time resulted in a 10% drop in accuracy in a memory learning game.
In sleep medicine, we know how important sleep is for memory consolidation and creative associations, especially in young children. Now some underperforming preschoolers are taken out of nap time for individualized learning. Probably a bad idea.


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<![CDATA[I'm now officially one ninth of my way through the Pimsleur German course (that is I've finished Unit 10 of German I – Beginner). It's still as good as I said previously. Although I think perhaps they should rename "How to be annoying in German". Towards the end of unit 10, you have a conversation with a woman about having a meal.
"She will suggest a series of times to you. Refuse each time in turn and suggest an hour later."
Another funny thing I noticed looking at the covers for the rest of the course, the three levels are "Beginner", "Intermediate" but not "Advanced". The third level is "Intermediate Plus". Subtle way of saying even if you complete the course you have a way to go yet.
Least favourite German fragment so far: "jetzt nichts".
German, Pimsleur]]>


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|WTO Out! Doha round is a problem, not the solution for the food, energy and financial crisis
|Wednesday, 23 July 2008
Action in Jakarta
The fact is the WTO will only exacerbate the current global crises. The resumption of WTO negotiation will not solve the basic problems in Indonesia, or the poverty and inequality that result from the development process. Concluding the Doha Round will not solve the problems of agricultural markets. Even worse, it will destroy other sectors, such as the manufacturing sector. Furthermore, WTO negotiation will undermine people's access to services—especially public services.
We acknowledge the proposal by Indonesia and other developing countries (G-33) in the WTO negotiation of a Special Product and Special Safeguard Mechanism (SP/SSM) as an effort to support food security, livelihood security and rural development. We encourage them to stand on their position and request that they emphasize that food is not solely a commodity to betraded. We reject the compromise of the G-33, which is on the verge of a trade-off in the WTO negotiation, for supporting food security and moving toward food sovereignty, livelihood security and rural development in each country are state obligations. The G-33 countries must protect the people's interest first, before profit.
The current Doha package is a bad deal. It serves the private interests of the biggest corporations around the world, most of them headquartered in the developed world. WTO negotiations failed in 2006, and on many occasions since thirteen years ago. Therefore, it is not the solution for today's food, climate, financial and energy crises. It is time for a new approach to the multilateral trading system—one that focuses on policies that promote people-centered, ecologically sustainable development. Finally, it is time for GOI to stand for the Indonesian people, and to protect and develop the people: including peasants, small and medium producers, fisherfolk, workers, migrant workers, urban poor, youth, women, and environmentalists. It is the only true solution to the crisis.
Etiquetas: Doha Round, Via Campesina, WTO


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The 23 clergy members who were arrested in May for disrupting a session of the Missouri Senate were charged Friday with obstructing government operations and first-degree trespassing.
Both charges are misdemeanors.
Those charged include two Jefferson City men - John Bennett, 74, and W.T. Edmonson, 62.
Edmonson said Friday: "Whatever penalty the system wants us to pay, we'll gladly pay - because it's a far less price than for those without Medicaid to pay."
Also charged were:
Emmett Baker Jr., St. Louis, 70.
And 20 from the Kansas City area:
Chaunia Chandler, Olathe, Kansas, 41.
Dawn Hickman, Lee's Summit, 47.
Steve Houpe, Platte City, 61.
Susan McCann, Liberty, 71.
Vernon Howard Jr., Raymore, 51.
Three from Grandview: Jessie Fisher, 75; Donna McDaniel, 50; and Ester Holzendorf, 76.
And 12 from Kansas City: Wallace Hartsfield, 85; Karlous Kalu, 60; James Tindall, 72; Tony Caldwell, 52; Rodney Williams, 58; Kenneth Mosley, 51; David Kingsley, 71; Tex Sample, 80; Tony Johnson, 47; Riccordo Lucas, 55; Lloyd Fields, 73; and Sam Mann, 74.
A Capital Police probable cause statement shows officers went to the gallery and saw a large crowd that was singing and chanting.
Their actions stopped Senate debate.
Some members of the crowd were escorted out by officers, but these 23 insisted on staying in the gallery and refused to leave.
They stayed and continued to sing and chant until they were arrested, booked and later released.
State officials said those arrested were not handcuffed.
These 23 were among 300 members and supporters of the statewide Missouri Faith Voices group who rallied in the Capitol Rotunda, May 6, urging lawmakers to expand the Medicaid program as envisioned by the Affordable Care Act.
Their Senate Gallery demonstration began with a chant that included shouts of "Expand Medicaid!"
As Capitol Police began ordering people to leave the gallery, some chanted: "We will not go. We will not be quiet."
The protesters also said they "mourn for those who have lost their lives" because lawmakers have not raised the Medicaid eligibility level.
Those arrested had positioned themselves at the front of the gallery, overlooking the Senate floor, and refused to leave until led out, one or two at a time, by the Capitol Police officers.
Even after leaving the chamber, they continued chanting, praying and singing, including "We Shall Overcome" and "We Shall Not Be Moved."
"We stand as clergy and people of faith," the protesters chanted. "We will not be silenced. We will not be quiet!"
Shortly after his arrest in May, Bennett - a retired Christian Church/Disciples of Christ pastor who also is a Missouri Faith Voices board member - told reporters: "We're calling it a "Rally for Dignity,' and the reason I am here is because - for want of Medicaid expansion - 12 people die each week in the state of Missouri.
"It's predicted that 700 Missourians - our sisters and brothers, children and grandchildren - will die next year if Medicaid expansion does not occur. That's morally offensive and, as people of faith, we will not tolerate that any longer."
Edmonson - president of Faith Voices for Jefferson City, a past president of the local NAACP branch and chairman of the Second Baptist Church Community Action Ministry - told the News Tribune in May: "We're simply saying, as people of faith, we have to speak out for the "least of these.'
"Yeah, we interrupted the Senate, but how else were we going to be heard?"


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In a newsletter today, the U.S. EPA reported that Home Performance with ENERGY STAR is on track to exceed its 2010 national goal of 30,000 installations! With programs reporting for the first half of 2010, the total number of jobs is over 15,900. We're excited to be an enthusiastic and award-winning participant as Home Performance becomes the go-to existing home energy efficiency program in the country–excited because it means more homeowners have access to the science-based whole-house solutions we deliver to make homes more comfortable, durable, and energy-efficient.
Tags: award, Energy Star, EPA, green homes, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, retrofit


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Shortly before the New England Patriots kicked off the season, it was still unknown whether Tom Brady would be under center after being suspended for four games by the NFL.
Since that suspension was reversed in federal court, Brady has put together three absolutely incredible performances - and the Pats' 51-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars was no exception.
Brady threw his 400th - and 401st - touchdown passes, becoming just the fourth quarterback in NFL history to reach that milestone. To go along with the two touchdowns, Brady completed 33 of 42 passes, throwing for 358 yards.
U.S. & World
He was sacked twice and did not throw a pick.
While Brady's milestone was not an NFL record, Stephen Gostkowski's was. The Patriots kicker made six extra points Sunday, amassing 425 consecutive points after touchdowns. And he made three successful field goal attempts to boot.
LeGarrette Blount continued to solidify the Patriots' ground game, rushing for 78 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries. Brady also threw him the ball for a 14-yarder. Fellow back Dion Lewis continued to impress with 37 rushing yards on eight carries and 30 receiving yards on five catches without a miss.
Brady slung the ball around Sunday, hitting eight different players for double-digit receiving yards. Rob Gronkowski only made four catches on seven targets, but he made them count with 101 yards. Edelman had 85 yards on eight catches.
The two Brady touchdowns came by the way of Danny Amendola (five catches on five targets for 39 yards) and Keshawn Martin (3-3 with 33 yards).
Defensively, the Pats gave up 242 yards in the air to Jacksonville quarterback Blake Bortles. Both Jaguars touchdowns were on passes - on the ground, New England allowed their opponents to rush for just 57 yards.