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There are some interesting contemporary trends taking over the travel world of late, all related to the concept of sharing resources. While in times past, travelers who wanted to experience a great vacation would usually explore the available hotels in the area they wanted to visit. Younger, college age travelers might stay in hostels, which offer a shared, dormitory experience in a city. Hostels are appealing to those on limited budgets because, while basic, they offer a fun feeling of engagement with a city.
The shared resources idea has also caught on in transportation, as ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft have taken off by appealing to the need for people to get around without the expense of owning and maintaining a car.
Sharing Housing Resources
This idea of sharing to get the most out of a travel budget is catching on globally, which is why the www.Airbnd.com site is now so popular. This site has caught on globally as it offers travelers a way to visit exciting destinations and really experience the lifestyle of local people in a way that a hotel stay just can't. With the popularity of this site, however, has come a trend in sites that offer apartment stays that are more corporate minded, with luxurious amenities and apartments that are offered for long term stays.
One big city site that is offering travelers an excellent value for their travel budget is Clarendon Serviced Apartments. This site is geared towards corporate travelers who may be staying for longer work commitments in an area. In these situations, staying in a home (that offers hotel-style amenities) is much more comfortable over the long term than a hotel. The Clarendon site is focused solely on apartments in London, and it's this special focus that makes the apartments it offers such a great value for corporate travelers.
Special Areas
London, England is undoubtedly one of the great cities in the world, which is why it has always been a major attraction for travelers throughout the world. With its incredible royal heritage, its literary history and fascinating political history (with its intertwining of politics and royalty influencing some of the major wars of years past) London is a lively and fascinating place.
People who travel to this great city find much to see and do. The West End of London offers an always engaging selection of live theater, and areas like Soho and Fitzrovia offer engaging nightlife with an active nightclub and gallery scene. The Tower of London, Big Ben and other world-famous attractions are all part of what gives London its allure.
All of this is why booking an apartment through a quality site like Clarendon Apartments makes perfect sense. This site has luxury apartments in key neighborhoods throughout this incredible city, and with over 250 apartments to choose from, travelers are sure to find a place that is utterly appealing. So, next time travel beckons, take a look at all that this site has to offer.


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A transformative IRT solution for biotech and pharma sponsors
July 2017
WAYNE, Pa.—Bracket, a clinical trial technology and specialty services provider, announced June 1 the release of CUBE, what it calls "a transformative interactive response technology (IRT) solution for the life sciences industry." CUBE is immediately available to qualifying biotechnology and pharmaceutical trial sponsors through Bracket.
The solution will reportedly enable biotech and pharmaceutical sponsors to utilize an innovative new solution to deploy studies in one to two weeks. It leverages an iterative user acceptance build experience to provide a rapid and advanced deployment methodology without the time and cost constraints of traditional IRT solutions. Key highlights of CUBE for biotech and pharma sponsors of any size include:
"We're so pleased to introduce CUBE to the life-sciences marketplace and are confident that its easy-to-implement nature will improve the process of managing clinical supplies," said Jeff Kinell, CEO at Bracket. "By de-emphasizing requirement documents and prioritizing unique configuration needs, CUBE will undoubtedly evolve the paradigm of how sponsors collaborate to deploy IRT."
Among the professed advantages of the platform is that it allows study teams to visualize the RTSM system during the kick-off meeting. This accelerates timelines for sponsors and improves efficiency for CROs.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Chloë Moretz chews bubble gum, frolics at a carnival, and essentially acts and dresses exactly her age in the newest ASOS Magazine. Can you say adorable? (Fashion Gone Rogue)
You know their work and you best know their names, too. Check out this awesome photog cheat sheet with (naturally) plenty of stunning snaps to swoon for. (Fashionista)
Gisele definitely dominates when it comes to the green — but no, this time we're not talking money. The beauty gets recognized for her dedication to the environment. (Huffington Post)
In case you missed the heated Twitter commentary, Dolce & Gabbana are once again facing tax evasion charges. Hold on, this could be a bumpy ride. (WWD)
Do you find this British deodorant ad way more insulting than any kind of offensive odor? If so, you're not alone. (Styleite)
Photo: Via Fashion Gone Rogue


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July 22, 2007 – ev3 Inc. and FoxHollow Technologies, Inc. announced a definitive agreement by which ev3 and FoxHollow will merge in a $780 million cash and stock transaction to create a new company with a market capitalization of approximately $1.7 billion to become a global leader in endovascular devices with net sales in 2008 projected to be in the range of $585 to $615 million.
ev3 and FoxHollow's combined scale will create an organization that possesses one of the largest U.S. distribution footprints in endovascular devices with combined technologies for the advancement of the treatment of peripheral and neurovascular disease. Upon completion of the transaction, the company's combined product portfolio will include a broad spectrum of products to treat vascular disease in both the peripheral and neurovascular markets, including atherectomy and thrombectomy, PTA balloons, stents, embolic protection devices, infusion catheters/wires, embolic coils and liquid embolics.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, FoxHollow stockholders will receive 1.45 shares of ev3 common stock plus $2.75 in cash for each share of FoxHollow common stock they own. Based on the companies' closing stock prices on July 20, 2007, this represents $25.92 per share of consideration to be received by FoxHollow stockholders, or a total consideration of approximately $780 million, and a premium of over 20 percent to the 30-day average trading price for FoxHollow's shares. Upon completion of the transaction, FoxHollow stockholders would own approximately 41 percent of the combined company, and ev3 stockholders would own approximately 59 percent.
For more information: www.ev3.net and www.foxhollowtech.com


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Chris Dodd Says "Immigration Reform" on Front Burner for Democrats; Must Have "National Answer" - Video 4/25/10
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Here is video from "Meet the Press" today where Democrat Sen. Chris Dodd said the new Arizona anti-Illegal Immigration Law shows that a "national answer" is needed on Immigration Reform. Dodd said the issue will now be on the front burner for Democrats.
GOP Sen. Richard Shelby agreed that a patchwork of laws in various states is not good, but said the first thing that should be done is that the Federal Government ought to "enforce our borders," and then deal with "the rest."
It certainly looks like Democrats are going to make a push on Immigration, if for no other reason, to pacify those on the Left pushing for it. They see the potential of millions of Hispanic votes for many years to come out in front of them. What they may be underestimating is the rage they will generate on the part of millions of independents. But then, they have already lost many of the independents with their ramming through of ObamaCare.


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Everything is possible with animation! Get in from the cold and toast your body and mind to the warm glow of animated stories. Toronto's animation festival brings you eye-popping shorts, features and the filmmakers behind them. From our Saturday Morning Cartoons to the Midnight Madness program, TAAFI 2019 is going to satisfy that cartoon craving!
Some of the best cartoons from around the world for kids and the kids at heart.
This is a third party rental. For more information, click here
Tickets: $15 (Kids: $8)
Passes: $139 (Students: $79) BUY NOW
Keep up-to-date with the latest news from Hot Docs and the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema.
Join our email list to receive the latest Hot Docs news, including Festival announcements, screenings and events.
No Thanks.


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Okay, are you guys ready? 'Cause I'm about to get a little philosophical. You see, sometimes, when I sit for a formal meditation practice, certain visuals help me to center down, so I thought I'd share one with you today.
Step outside of yourself for a moment and think about the fact that, to a certain extent, "Reality" is what we make of it. Neurologically speaking, the human brain is notoriously fallible when it comes to processing stimuli (just think of your favorite optical illusion). But this is also true on a more subtle, emotional level. The way you perceive a certain event or interaction is bound to be different than the way I perceive it.
Since what you know to be Reality is very much a reflection of you, imagine for a moment that you are some kind of reflective surface. What kind of reflective surface are you? What version of Reality do you reflect back?
When I'm feeling high strung, anxious, agitated, distracted, or overworked, my reflective surface feels like a highly faceted prism, or a broken mirror, or… a disco ball. In those moments, my perception of Reality is rigid, complex, ornate, confusing, and overwhelming. It often feels like there is too much going on: too many thoughts, too many images, and too much to deal with.
So when it's time for me to slow down and turn off the monkey mind, I like to visualize my reflective surface as a single drop of water. When I do, my perception of Reality becomes far more fluid, simpler. Anxieties seem to wash away, and I begin to feel as though I can see more clearly. Things that were eating me up inside don't seem to matter so much anymore; in fact, they're no longer reflected in the big picture.
We cannot change the true nature of things, but we can control our perception of them. Like a multi-faceted mirror distorts the reflection of everything it captures, the ego has a way of making things much more complicated than they need to be. Choosing simplicity and acceptance may not come easily, but things get much easier when you do.


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Well, we heard back from the folks at the L.A. Times in regards to the photo we wanted printed from the fantastically tasty (if complex) college flank steak salad:
… [t]he fee per image to post to your website is $230.
You may make payment by check:
LAT Reprints
my attention
202 West 1st Street
1st Floor
or credit card:
fax # 213 237 6515
In either case, please include a copy of this email.
Kate McCarthy
Needless to say, that's quite a bit out of our price range. Even if we were to unethically purchase just a copy of the page and then scan it in, it would cost nearly $90 plus shipping.
Luckily, a Google search has revealed that Western Washington University, just a short 3-hour jaunt away, has the Times on fiche! Which is good because our other microfiche options would have taken us into California. I'll see how next weekend looks for a road trip… Plus, I need to find out whether I need a school ID to access the computers.
No recipes until at least Wednesday of this week because Toby's finals are keeping him out of the house until at least 3 a.m. most nights.


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Medical Dermatology in New Jersey
We are proud to offer a variety of medical dermatology services to all of our patients, and are happy to see patients seeking evaluation and treatment for a vast majority of medical skincare needs. With over 800 Five Star reviews (and counting!), Dr. Sperling and her staff take the time to consult, diagnose and treat all patients, and ensure that every patient who walks through our doors has an absolutely spectacular experience. Call us today to book your medical dermatology appointment!
We treat the following conditions (and many more)…
- Acne
- Actinic Keratosis
- Allergic/Contact Dermatitis
- Athlete's Foot
- Basal Cell Carcinoma
- Birthmarks
- Burns
- Cold Sores / Herpes Simplex
- Contact Dermatitis
- Dandruff
- Diaper Rash
- Drug Reactions
- Eczema
- Folliculitis
- Fungal Infections
- Genital Warts (Condyloma)
- Hair Loss/Alopecia
- Hidradenitis Suppurativa
- Hives
- Hyperhidrosis/Excessive Sweating
- Itching/Pruritis
- Keloids
- Melanoma
- Moles
- Molluscum Contagiosum
- Nail Dystrophy
- Onychomycosis
- Patch Testing
- Pigmentary Disorders
- Poison Ivy
- Psoriasis
- Rashes
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"Look No Further than Sperling Dermatology!"
"I absolutely LOVE every single staff member!"
— Molly D.
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"Thank you for making me feel beautiful Dr. Shari!"
"Very happy with my botox and I'll be back for sure!"
— Oyku U.


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Since our return from our cruise, Jasmine has been different. Different, as in good different.
Over Memorial Day weekend, we had our friends from Maine over for a visit. We sat around on the deck, ate and drank and just relaxed. Both our friends are dog people, and they were bound and determined to have Jasmine come up and take a treat. We broke out one of her favorites–Wagathas organic Cranberry and Cheddar biscuits. Our friends broke off little bits and pieces of biscuit and calmly and carefully dropped their hands to Jasmine-level (um, that's about 4 inches off the ground to you and me) and waited oh so patiently for her to come and take them.
The first biscuit is always the hardest. She stretched her little body to its limits and eased her head oh-so-slowly towards that delicious morsel. Craning her neck to lengths even I couldn't imagine, she reaaaaaaached oh so slowly and cautiously and then jumped back. When the treat didn't move (martinis make you calm, apparently), Jasmine stretched again and gingerly snapped up the treat and ran at the same time.
Another treat magically appeared. In this second attempt, she didn't jump back so much and took just a little less time to take the treat. A few (!) biscuits later, she was eagerly awaiting the next morsel. This was a huge step forward for Jasmine. Taking treats from strangers–especially men–has been difficult for her especially when she isn't sitting in my lap. This time, she was on her own (I was close by, but she wasn't accepting a treat from the safety of my lap). I was so very proud of her.
Last weekend, we were over visiting the grandkids and our daughter-in-law handed Jasmine a peanut. She eagerly gobbled it up. I was so happy to see her trusting just a little bit and being much less scared of everything. In fact, we were at one of the grandkids' pee-wee baseball game and Jasmine was curiously watching some kids kicking around a ball. Curiously. Not frightened, not shaking, just curious.
Perhaps a week without us made her appreciate us more. Whatever transpired, we have a little more outgoing dog on our hands. I'm so grateful.


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Musing on motivation and NCEA
Just recently I've been thinking about what motivates secondary students to want to learn, and specifically the complex but important relationship between motivation/engagement and NCEA. So often we hear that kids won't learn anything (in their senior secondary years) unless there will be a reward of credits for the effort they make. Pretty much every secondary teacher would recognise the truth in that and it's so easy to stop there. End of story! There's no point in saying it shouldn't happen because it obviously does. But what should we do about it?
This came up as an issue when we recently looked back across the years of our NCEA research with six future-focused themes as an analytical frame (these themes are in Supporting future-oriented learning and teaching). The results of the analysis are outlined in a new report called NCEA and Curriculum Innovation.
One of the messages that came out of the analysis was how important it is that students are active partners in their learning, and want to keep learning of their own volition. When you say this though, it's easy to read it as the opposite of motivation via credits (i.e. a simple binary between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation). But as we found when we applied the results of our analysis to three case studies of NCEA-related innovations, it's not that simple.
For some students early success from worthwhile learning – i.e. the students know that what they are doing is of value to them and others – can be a "circuit-breaker" if their past learning history leads them to expect to fail yet again. Here a boost of extrinsic motivation precedes but can lead to more intrinsically motivated learning efforts. But how do we get that crossover more often? I've described how it happened in one specific set of circumstances (in the first of the case studies) but there must be other ways and I'd love to hear about them.
One thing I do know is we shouldn't wait until the NCEA years to try and boost intrinsic motivation. In the longitudinal Competent Learners study, there was one smallish group of students who were in the lowest cognitive and/or attitudinal groups in the early primary years who went on the get Level 3 NCEA. The difference for them, compared to other kids who stayed on a less successful learning pathway, was that they had learned to persevere while still in primary school and by age 14 were in the top quartile for a number of markers of intrinsic motivation. The short report that describes this analysis is here.
In the recent Curriculum Innovation case studies, we also found an interesting but complex pattern of motivation for a group of more academic students. Yes they wanted to get merit or excellence for their research efforts (the extrinsic reward) but for them a lot of the appeal of the learning related to the engaging nature of the task itself and the "something more" that was demanded of them by the merit and excellence criteria in the subject's newly aligned achievement standards. Again my wondering is this: in how many subjects/standards is this crossover from extrinsic to intrinsic motivation actually happening? And how do you leverage the potential for crossover so that many more students come to care more about the learning than the credits? Maybe a different sort of "circuit breaker" is needed here?


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For two women in their early twenties, Natalie Turnbull and Elise Wilken possess the kind of smarts that you'd expect from designers who have been around the traps for a good deal longer. Aged 21 and 23 respectively, the best friends behind Melbourne accessory label Witu have a remarkably mature work ethic and business savvy. But things in the world of Witu are never quite what you'd expect.
For girls that met working the door of a nightclub, it was a love of craft and cups of tea that cemented their friendship. "I think we both wanted to make things and so we would just hang out at Elise's share house in Carlton and get crafty," says Turnbull. "Never was there a 'crafternoon' though. We hate that word!"
And with good reason – he girls' designs are far from the twee aesthetic associated with craft. Their distinctive neoprene backpacks, totes and clutches are bold and ultramodern, popping up across Melbourne on the arms of the effortlessly cool. The wetsuit fabric and chunky utilitarian buckles are an unexpected complement to their simple designs – as edgy as they are sport luxe.
Fully machine-washable and affordably priced, the functionality of the design was clearly as big a concern for the girls as appealing to the fashion-forward set. "A lot of Witu's products are about the meshing of form and function and neoprene as a material really allows us to explore that," says Turnbull.
But Turnbull and Wilken are not painting themselves into a corner with their distinguishing choice of fabric. "I think there's a lot you can do with one material, but I don't think Elise and I plan to always use neoprene forever. We really hope that one day we can expand Witu into a multi-faceted business."
With a short film, an upcoming collection based around the necessities needed for surviving on an island, and a whole host of burgeoning ideas and projects coming up, the girls at Witu are certainly getting things done their own way.


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Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension in streaming. The Ghost Dimension, follows a new family, The Fleeges - father Ryan (Chris J. Murray), mother Emily (Brit Shaw) and their young daughter Leila (Ivy George) - Who move into a house and discover a video camera and a box of tapes in the garage. When they look through the camera's lens, they begin to see the paranormal activity happening around them - including the re-emergence of young Kristi and Katie.
Cara Pifko, Michael Krawic, Ivy George, Brit Shaw, Chris J. Murray, Dan Gill, Mark Steger, Don McManus, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Aiden Lovekamp, Hallie Foote, Jessica Tyler Brown, Chloe Csengery, Rebecca Larsen
Directors: Gregory Plotkin
Duration: 88 min
Year of release: 2015
Genres: Horror
Click the links below to watch Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension in streaming:
- Alternate links
- 01


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Heheh...seriously. If you want to learn how to brew I can help you out. Via email, instant message, video, etc. Just let me know. Here's the link to my last post on this topic.
I'll be unavailable on the official day, but, I'm available up until that day and after that day. Just let me know what you need :-)
Tonight, I'm kegging the Strong German Ale and putting the two session beer kegs in the fridge.


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Basic Upper Half Specs:
Muzzle Device: A2 Flash Hider -OR- Pinned Compensator For NJ
Weight: 5lbs
Barrel: 1/8 Twist 4150 CMV, 1/2X28 Thread, Government Profile with M4 Feed Ramps, and QPQ Nitride Coated inside and Out.
Caliber: 5.56 Nato (will shoot .223)
Barrel Length: 16"
Gas Block: A2 Front Sight Taper Pinned to Barrel with Sling Loop and Bayonet Lug
Handguard: C.A.R. Single Heat Shield, Drop In
Gas System: Carbine Length Direct Gas Impingement
Standard Delta Ring Pack with Standard Barrel Nut
A3 Upper Receiver Made to Mil-Spec With Type 3 Hard Coat Anodizing and a Picatinny Rail on Top
Standard Charging Handle
QPQ Nitride M16 Carrier and QPQ Nitride Bolt
Currently only available in Right-Handed Option.


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The Luminous Portrait by Elizabeth Messina
February 7
Elizabeth Messina, whose work you've came to love can now be devoured in a hardcover book, available for ordering here at Amazon or here at Barnes and Noble. This is a must-have just not for photographers, but a great source of inspiration for any creative professional.
You may remember these images she took for our Shop?


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|Benito Jones. Photo via al.com.
Alabama isn't quite done with its 2015 recruiting class yet. That isn't stopping the Crimson Tide from looking ahead to 2016. Waynesboro, Ms. rising junior defensive tackle Benito Jones has become the first prospect to commit to 'Bama's 2016 recruiting class.
The 247Sports.com composite intangibles for Jones:
Jones is rated as a four-star defensive tackle. He is the ranked tenth among DT prospects for 2016. He is the ranked third among 2016 prospects in the state of Mississippi, and is ranked 98th among all 2016 prospects in the U.S.
Jones is ranked at 120 in the ESPN Jr300.
Jones attends Wayne County High School on Waynesboro, Ms. He stands 6'2", and weighs 260 pounds.
(via al.com)


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Farewell, from Jarrad
What an incredible journey the past six years has been!
It seems like only yesterday that I was being appointed as the senior coach of the footy club which had been part of my life since I was 13.
From that first difficult season in 2013, through to this year's incredible undefeated premiership season, it has been both an honour and privilege to be the senior coach of this outstanding club.
As I prepare to end this part of my coaching journey, I want to say thanks to all those who have supported me and the Subiaco Football Club across the past six years.
To the Subiaco Board of Directors including President Mark Lawrence thanks for firstly taking a chance on me as a first time senior coach and then giving me unwavering support as we together aimed to build a club and culture that was the benchmark of the WAFL competition.
To Subiaco Chief Executive Officer Peter Capes, thanks for also giving me the chance and likewise supporting our football program. Thanks for providing support to me as both a coach and as a leader, helping me to grow as a person and coach over our time together.
I have been fortunate to work alongside two outstanding Football Managers while employed as senior coach, thanks to Daniel Vidovich and Luke Sanders. To celebrate 2014 and 2015 premierships with Luke and then celebrate 2018 with Daniel have been a fitting reward for the hard effort and dedication both gave to the role and players.
To my coaching staff and assistants, whether it was for the full six years or just one, I am grateful for the support I have gotten from a number of outstanding assistant coaches in my time as senior coach.
The strength and conditioning teams, medical teams and support staff have always been one of the great assets of our club. I consider myself very lucky to have worked alongside a group of people who are both very professional at their job and have great passion for the football club. To Dan Hiscock, Craig King and your respective groups, thanks so much for your support of me and the players.
To all the office staff that I have worked with, thanks for assisting me in so many different ways. It is a professional, hard working and enthusiastic team, that constantly goes above the call of duty to support the club. I along with the players have appreciated the support of all of the staff of the club.
Special thanks to three people who have been big supporters of me as senior coach across all six years. To Mick Bailey, Alby Hawkins and Tania Ferguson, you have been a pleasure to work with and are three very special people to me and to this football club. You epitomise a lot of the great traits and values that exist within our club.
To all the Subiaco members, fans and supporters; thanks for your continued support of me and the players. We always feel the passion you bring to games and as coach it was a wonderful feeling knowing we had the support of so many outstanding people and great fans.
Finally to the over 100 players that I have been fortunate enough to coach and lead over the past six years, I cannot thank each and every one of you enough for your commitment to me and the Subiaco program. The hard work and dedication you showed to get the most out of yourselves as footballers is testament to the Subiaco culture and what we have together created over the past six years. I look forward to watching all of you progress as both footballers and young men as you aspire towards your goals.
I will be forever indebted to the Subiaco Football Club for the opportunities that they have provided me as both a player and coach over the past 25 years.
It is incredibly sad to be leaving the Subiaco Football Club, but it is nice knowing that I am leaving with the club in a strong position for sustained success. I wish incoming coach Beau Wardman every success and having worked with him closely over the past two years believe he is ideally suited to continue with the success of the past 15 years.
The future of Subiaco is bright and I look forward to supporting the club from a far to see the success continue. Subiaco will always have a place in my mind and heart.
Go Lions.


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For a very brief period in the mid-1980s the Grand Prix racing fans were able to sample two machines of singular purpose: Yamaha's V4 RD500LC/RZ500 and Suzuki's wild, square-four powered RG500Γ "Gamma." Each was intended to showcase the style, performance, and feel of a two-stroke GP motorcycle in a road-legal package, although they went about it in different ways. Of the pair, Suzuki's was closest to the true spirit of a "race bike for the road" and is generally considered more valuable than the Yamaha, although the RD/RZ has its fans as well, and prices for both are steadily climbing.
Part of the reason the Gamma is so desirable is that Suzuki never made that many of them in the first place, the other is that it might be one of the most authentic race replicas ever made, with a twin-crank, two-stroke, square-four engine that wasn't shared with any other motorcycle in their lineup. Although, like the similarly exotic Desmosedici that shared no parts with its MotoGP inspiration, Suzuki's powerplant merely aped the configuration of their 500cc Grand Prix machine, but was more much more road-oriented. So it may not have exactly been a detuned race bike, but it's as close as you're likely to get.
With around 100hp pushing almost 400lbs wet, the RG500 isn't the quickest thing around at this point, and it wasn't even the fastest thing going in 1986. But it was lightweight for the time, and the whole package was so exotic: two-stroke sports twins were the order of the day, so a twin-crankshaft, square four cylinder with the same eye-opening power delivery, only even more so, must have made the RG feel like it rolled right off a race track, with an experience of speed and agility that far outstripped the measurable performance.
If you're searching for a Gamma, today's example is about as good as it gets, unless you're looking for one that's been modified with more modern suspension, brakes, and wheels.
From the original eBay listing: 1986 Suzuki RG500Γ for Sale
Up for auction is my 1986 Gamma. This bike is completely stock with only 3,711 original km or roughly 2,300 miles. This bike has never been rebuilt, is all original and is by far the nicest Gamma I have ever seen. The bike has lived inside my house for the last five years. Originally a Canadian bike stored in a climate controlled environment I imported the bike legally and it now has a Maryland state title. I just trailered it to the shop for a new battery and fresh plugs and it starts right up on the first or second kick.In the time I have owned the bike I can't make myself ride it. Its just too nice. It really belongs in a museum or in someone's private collection or take it to shows which I have done. First place winner every time. Unless you find one still in a crate somewhere you'll not find a nicer Gamma anywhere.I'm willing to work with the buyer as far as shipping but cost will be their responsibility. I can also take as many pictures as you need and am willing to talk with any serious buyers. I also have another RG 00 with 8000km and a California title in amazing condition as well that is going to be auctioned next.


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Here are some more TED Talks1 to enjoy over the New Year holiday.
Enjoy!! Happy New Year!!
The shared experience of absurdity – Charlie Todd (12 mins)
Charlie Todd causes bizarre, hilarious, and unexpected public scenes: Seventy synchronized dancers in storefront windows, "ghostbusters" running through the New York Public Library, and the annual no-pants subway ride. In his talk, he shows how his group, Improv Everywhere, uses these scenes to bring people together. (Filmed at TEDxBloomington.)
Cloudy with a chance of joy – Gavin Pretor-Pinney (11 mins)
You don't need to plan an exotic trip to find creative inspiration. Just look up, says Gavin Pretor-Pinney, founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society. As he shares charming photos of nature's finest aerial architecture, Pretor-Pinney calls for us all to take a step off the digital treadmill, lie back and admire the beauty in the sky above.
How to buy happiness – Michael Norton(11 mins)
Michael Norton shares fascinating research on how money can, indeed buy happiness — when you don't spend it on yourself. Listen for surprising data on the many ways pro-social spending can benefit you, your work, and (of course) other people. (Filmed at TEDxCambridge.)
The optimism bias – Tali Sharot (18 min)
Are we born to be optimistic, rather than realistic? Tali Sharot shares new research that suggests our brains are wired to look on the bright side — and how that can be both dangerous and beneficial.


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The last place Walter (Haley Joel Osment) wants to be is on his great uncles' farm in rural Texas, where he is dumped off by his mother Mae (Kyra Sedgwick), in the middle of nowhere living with two crazy old men, a pack of dogs and a pick with only the promise that she'll come back for him. Walter has been lied to enough times that he's not quiet sure what to believe in.
Walter's eccentric and gruff great uncles, Hub and Garth McCaan (Robert Duvall and Michael Caine) who had been missing for 40 YEARS are rumored to have been bank robbers, mafia hit men and/or war criminals in their wild and wooly younger days. No one seems to know the truth, although the brothers do seem to have an endless supply of cash. During Walter's stay begins to see a "new" side to his great uncles when he stumbles upon an old photography of a very beautiful woman hidden away in a trunk in the attic (known as the "Tower" in the movie) and asks his uncle Garth who she is.


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Why We need architecture runway?
Agile principle states that "The best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self organizing teams". So architecture emerges in agile and it is the responsibility of the self organizing teams to evolve an architecture that can reliably host the existing and new requirements. This works well when agile is applied in small team.
As agile scales across the enterprise, the teams and teams of teams are building ever larger systems. When teams build components that need to integrate and work together, each component must be built to a well defined interface. It must also be ensured that changes in one component do not ripple to changes in another component, which would cause a cycle of refactoring that could affect a large number of teams.
One way to minimize large scale refactoring and to help disparate teams build features and components that integrate easily is to have some amount of Architectural Runway.
What is Architecture Runway?
Dean Leffingwell states
"A system that has architectural runway contains existing or planned infrastructure sufficient to allow incorporation of current and near term anticipated requirements without excessive refactoring"
Architecture runway is defined as a part of the "Big picture" defined by the same author . The enterprise is divided into three different levels . Portfolio, Program and Project. Even though Architecture runway is part of the Portfolio level, The impact is felt in all the levels.
Portfolio – At the Portfolio level, architectural runway is represented by ongoing infrastructure initiatives. These initiatives should have the same level of importance as the larger scale requirements epics that drive the company's vision forward. Architectural epics must be visible, estimated and planned just like any other epic.
Program – Once identified, architects, system teams, project teams and other stakeholders translate the architectural epics into architectural features that are relevant to each release. They are prioritized, estimated and resourced like any other feature. And, like features, each architectural initiative must also be conceptually complete (no overhang, no implied but missing functionality) at each release boundary, so as to not compromise the release increment.
Project – At the Project level, refactors, design spikes , evaluations etc. that are necessary to extend the runway are simply a type of story that are prioritized like any other story. Like user value stories, architectural work is visible, accountable and demonstrable at every iteration boundary. This is accomplished by agreement and collaboration with the system architects, product owners, and agile tech leads that determine what spikes need to happen, and when.
Building Architecture Runway
When building large scale systems in agile manner, components are the basic building blocks . The components and their interfaces are defined by the system architecture. Agile teams should organize around components , each of which can be defined/build/tested by the team that is accountable for delivering it.
However in order to form such teams we should have sufficient architecture established prior to substantive development and deployment of teams of teams to build the application. This becomes a chicken and egg problem because there cannot be teams without architecture and there cannot be architecture without a team.
To solve this, the organization will drive creation of an architecture team consisting of senior architects in the organization or a collection of architects and/or technical leaders from other teams . This team will have the responsibility to determine the initial component based architecture that will influence the eventual formation of the application teams. In addition it is likely that a prototyping team may be created or may exist, and that team may be used to test the architecture in the first few iterations.
In the next few iterations, additional resources are added to the project. It may be a component team implementing pieces of infrastructure, such as persistence or API or SDK, or it may be a feature or application team responsible for implementation of specific customer functionality.
All these teams follow the same iteration pattern and are forced to integrate with the architecture as frequently as possible, ideally on a daily, continuous integration basis.
The architecture thus developed must include domain models, component models, deployment models, and whatever else is required to support feature development for some reasonable, upcoming portion of the application lifecycle. In systems of complexity, building and maintaining sufficient architectural runway is a key to overall productivity.
Extending architecture runwayDuring the course of time there will be new and changing customer requirements. There will also be changes in the technological landscape. To accommodate this we should handle two things
a) Constant, incremental refactoring
b) Constantly extending the architecture runway.
While the principles of refactoring are well described in agile and out of scope for this text, Let us look at the methods of extending architectural runway. It is also to be noted that efficient extension of architecture runway will itself avoid unnecessary refactoring. This is an additional team skill that must be mastered so that the teams can avoid architectural dead ends that eventually doom the product.
Extending Architectural Runway: A Lean, Pull based Approach
There are many methods that teams can apply to extending runway, and they are as varied as the teams themselves. Much depends on where the architectural expertise lies. In larger scale systems, architects or an architecture team may operate somewhat independently of the component iteration process, working in advance to extend the architecture prior to the needs of the component teams. This pull based approach looks over the horizon at the upcoming release plans to determine what features the system may require that are not presently supported by the architecture. The architects may do their own spikes in synchronization with the release train, or they may work in an asynchronous manner driven by their own resource and schedule concerns. In any case, the teams are driven to a common set of objectives:
1 . Just enough architecture to support the next few releases
2. Available just-in-time prior to the iteration or release boundary that creates these new demands.
3. Architecture that is proven in code, either via the architecture teams themselves or via development spikes that are implemented by the component teams.
Extending Architectural Runway: Synchronizing with the Iteration
One way that teams approach the extension of architectural runway is to "program" design spikes into each iteration. Design spikes are activities intended to address design challenges, architectural extensions, and the impact of new technologies or to explore critical problems with the existing solution. As such, while design spikes do not directly deliver end user value, they are critical to the long term ability of the team to do so, and they are therefore treated just like user stories in the iteration. In other words, they take resources and they are therefore defined, prioritized, estimated, completed, and demonstrated like any other story in the iteration. They are not refactors in that the application code may be completely unaffected—the spikes just serve to extend the architectural understanding by some small amount in a specific technical direction.
In application, design spikes create a more ad hoc, but still programmatic, iteration pattern, as shown in the illustration.
Of course, these design spikes affect the value delivery velocity of the team because they use resources, and often key lead and technical resources at that. But they also extend architectural runway and are critical to the ability of the team to provide customer value over the long haul.
Another way to address the problem is to dedicate entire iterations to building runway, as specified in this illustration.
The advantage to this approach is that the entire team is engaged. Engaging the entire team fits the agile mantra by empowering the team to make its own technical decisions. The disadvantage is that those iterations will have little if any other delivered value, and it takes real management discipline and a supportive customer context to make that work.
ConclusionEither way, for systems of scale, it is incumbent on the enterprise to have sufficient architectural runway to support the future requirements on the system.
It is also important to look at agile requirements practices and gain insights to how teams come to understand the requirements to which their "just sufficiently adequate architecture" must respond.


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Dice the potatoes (I boil them in advance because I have a weak oven). In a separate container, finely chop the onion and fry it with the spices and minced meat.
Mix them all in a tray along with the tomatoes and bake for 15 minutes at 464°F (240 °C). Then add a sauce on top, made from the milk, egg yolks and a little flour, to thicken.
Bake the moussaka for another 10-odd minutes and serve it.


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UUID: cinnamon-maximus@fmete
Last edited:
2 weeks ago 2020-05-15, 12:08 UTC
Last commit: [1da0cfbf] cinnamon-maximus@fmete: hotkey to toggle decoration of active window
Undecorate windows its maximised.
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36 Comments
Am I missing something, or is there no documentation anywhere of how this extension is supposed to work?
nice extension! i want to use a command to toggle Undecorate(to bind a key >_<) would it be comming that?
Really indispensable extension. Love it! Anyone who need "Undecorate when tile" option to work, just replace line 102 in ~/.local/share/cinnamon/extensions/cinnamon-maximus@fmete/extension.js with following (without ---): --- let maxID = null, minID = null, settingsChangedID = null, changeWorkspaceID = null, grabID = null, tileID = null; ---
This extension really helps to making my old Thinkpad with 1600x900 resolution screen a pleasure to use. First I set up the taskbar to be on the side of the screen, but I still didn't really have enough vertical space, so I gave Cinnammon Maximus a try and it solved my problem! Note that when enabling the extension I did get a warning that it is not compatible with my version of Cinnammon (3.8 in Linux Mint 19), but it seems to work fine. The entire title bar, including buttons to minimise and close windows are hidden, but if you just remember that alt+f10 toggles maximise, you can get the bar back easily. Great little extension!
I tried some combinations but just couldn't use this extension to only hide titlebars in one single application (Opera Browser). Can Cinnamon Maximus be used for this purpose?
Ok, I solved by using Devil's Pie 2 . As found in a comment on a Opera Blog old entry: ----- use a windows matching utility like Devil's Pie 2 to strip the titlebar. Install devilspie2 and create a file called ~/.config/devilspie2/opera.lua containing the following: if (get_window_class()=="Opera") then undecorate_window(); end ----- It works.
@Aprianto Nursetiawan: Use applet(s) like https://cinnamon-spices.linuxmint.com/applets/view/184 @Peter Engeldinger: Works fine with me on Linux Mint 18.2, Cinnamon 3.4.6 :)


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I recently got interested in the subject of the stock photography and explored it a little. So now I decided to summarize what I've learned in this article which, I hope, will be interesting not only for photographers, but especially for them.
Stock photography – is buying/selling of the high quality photos in high resolution. There are photographers on the one side and the magazines, ad agencies and just aesthetes who want to have a pretty picture on their wall on the other side. Intermediaries – are so called photo-banks, sites which are connecting links between the photographers and those who are interested in their works.
This makes the whole process of buying/selling photos much easier, optimized and automated. Magazine workers don't have to search for photographers personally and conclude the treaties with them. Photographers don't have to search for people who are interested in their pictures and ready to pay for them. Photos are just being uploaded to the web-sites (photo-banks), tagged, categorized and then bought by users. Photographers are being paid royalty.
Some photographers (what's the most amazing thing is that they often even happen to be non-professionals) manage to earn thousands dollars monthly. But you definitely should be realistic and understand that you'll have to invest a lot of your time and efforts in order to achieve such a level. What is attractive here is the opportunity of the passive income. In other words your photos can be sold without your participation once the system is set up. And of course you'll be getting a payment for every single purchase. For example вот this pretty picture on IstockPhoto was sold more than 4600 times.
What do you need to know to start selling photos via the internet?
First of all you should have basic knowledge of English. Sure excellent English isn't required, but you're supposed to be able to make the descriptions for you pictures and to understand the website structure itself. Hint: you can use online dictionaries in order to make more accurate descriptions, by looking for the synonyms for example.
Secondly, you're supposed to own (or to have an access to) the high-resolution camera. That's because there are high standards that your photos should meet. And it's more about technical quality than artistic value. Usually photo-banks set minimal required megapixels for the cameras/photos. Besides, picture shouldn't be blurred. There should be no noises and it has to be properly exposed and focused.
Thirdly, you should register on the one or a few web-sites (photo-banks). BTW, it's a good idea to get registered on many web-sites because you're allowed to sell your pictures on the other sites and often pictures which unpopular on the one website are really popular on the other and vice versa. I personally got registered on all the main photo-banks. Here is the list: Shutterstock, IstockPhoto, Dreamstime и Fotolia. I'll tell you about every one in detail bellow.
Fourthly, you're required to confirm your identity and to pass the test. It's required by the Shutterstock and Istockphoto. Those are monsters with lots of high quality pictures and control the quality of the photos. You'll be asked to upload a copy of your ID in order to confirm your identity. You can use passport or any other allowed form of ID in order to do that. I'll tell you about the test bellow.
How to pass the test?
Only ShutterStock and Istockphoto require you to pass the test, whileFotolia and DreamsTime don't ask you to pass the test, neither they require you to upload any IDs.
Test most probably will be divided into the 2 parts. In the 1st one you'll be told what kind of site is this, what kind of pictures they need and what kind of pictures they are fed up. You'll also be given the basic information about working with the site. And then you'll be asked to answer the questions to check if you understood everything correctly. Usually it's passed without any problem by everyone.
In the second part you will be asked to upload a few examples of your works in order for the web-site moderators to able to assess and evaluate their quality. Usually there is no problem with that too, but make sure that you send best of the best of your photos. ShutterStock asks to upload 10 photos, while Istockphoto only 3.
But choosing "The Best Pictures" don't forget that best in this context doesn't mean "the most artistic and deep", while making your choice think of the practical business appliance and about places where your pictures can be used. BTW the most interesting thing is getting to know where your pictures were actually used.
The biggest photo-bank and the most profitable at the same time. As it was said above you will need ID to register. Test: you appload 10 photos, 7 of which should be approved in order to pass the test (every picture is considered separately). Minimal requirement: 4 mega pixel.
BTW, ShutterStock works even with videos!
Second profitable photo-bank. Minimal resolution is 1600×1200. You'll need 3 pictures for test and all of them should be approved. They have the most difficult test, but it's still possible to pass it. If you fail once you can try again in 3 months.
They don't ask for ID upload and don't ask you to pass any tests. You just upload your best pictures and start calculating the profits. Minimal resolution is 2,5 mega pixels.
This photo-bank is a bit younger than others and it doesn't require ID confirmation as well as the test passing. But profits and purchases are lower.
Which pictures are in high demand and which are not?
The most popular pictures are those that fall into the following categories: business, people, success, health, sports, objects on white background. And those are almost unclaimed: flowers, cats, dogs, views from jets, forests. Except for masterpieces of course, they can be sold thousands of times 😉
Examples. Take a look at the 50 top-sold pictures at shutterstock and read the istockphoto comments about photos they are looking for.
What is the model release?
Photo-banks require you to upload model releases for all the pictures with people. In fact this is just the model permission to sell the picture. The funny thing is that this rule applies even in the case when you upload pictures of yourself.
In the end I want to ask you to use the links I gave you instead of typing the addresses manually. The difference is that my links are referral. In other words they show the web-sites that it was me who invited you to the community. It will allow me to get a couple percents of your earnings. Obviously it doesn't mean that you'll be paid less. So in case you earn millions I will earn a few thousands as well. Consider this as "Thank you for the article" thing 😉
BTW send this link to all your photographers who also might be interested in the stock photography:
And thank you for attention!
So, one more time, links to the registration pages: Shutterstock, IstockPhoto, DreamsTime, Fotolia.


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Green Steps Initiative
For 2016-17, the iCivics class has continued their recycling efforts at MGMS. 6th Grade iCivics students have seen an increase in the amount of recyclable materials which has resulted in a two day a week pickup.
Ms. Grant's classroom has continued efforts to establish sustainable gardens where the students are involved in planting, maintaining and harvesting. An emphasis on quality foods is incorporated into the learning with student preparation and tasting of foods fresh from the gardens!
(MGMS 'going green' with our vegetable garden.)
(MGMS Honors Art incorporates aluminum cans into sculptures.)
For the 2018-2019 school year, the iCivics classes are continuing their air quality projects. We now have plants in every classroom to improve air quality. Air Quality Index flags are flown daily during ozone awareness months along with the Gator logo flag.
Asbestos Management Plan Available
Lexington School District One completed a comprehensive inspection of all facilities for asbestos containing materials in 1988, in compliance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) of 1986. Subsequent inspections were performed in 1991,1994,1997,2000, 2003, 2006, 2009 as required by AHERA.
No material regarded as posing a hazard of health was found. While asbestos-containing building materials are still in several of the district's schools, the materials are not friable, thus, not expected to release fibers into the air. As outlined in the law, the district monitors all asbestos-containing material by conducting semi-annual inspections and provides needed information to appropriate employees of the district.
Copies of each school facility inspection and management plan are on file at the District Office and at each school. They are available at any time for public review.


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Toscana started 30 years ago with Special Event Planning. Creating a seamless evening for our clients is in our DNA. The Toscana team offers everything from small farmers-market inspired dinners to themed parties for up to 50 guests. Our space provides dynamic options from standing cocktail parties to full seated banquets.
We offer customized prix fixe menus and a selections of boutique wines.
Please contact our Private Event Department for further information.
We look forward to working with you!
Have your favorite Toscana dishes and more, delivered to you for your next office meeting or gathering at home.
Our catering platters are available for parties of as few as five people or up to 500, and help set the tone for a casual or formal event with minimal effort.
Email [email protected] with questions or inquiries.


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hidden 01388 747 987
Our D'Mannose Power has a RRP of 22.5p per gram. There is a significant reduction to 15p per gram on this Bulk buy. All our D'Mannose powder is 100% pure with no added additives.
Naturesupplies are one of the biggest suppliers of the D-mannose supplement in Europe. We always like to offer our customers a deal and because we buy in bulk, it means we can pass the savings on to you! Make sure you keep an eye on Naturesupplies for new deals and sales happening all the time!
D-mannose powder
Dose: 1 - 7 scoops per day.
Maintenance Dose: 1 scoop morning / evening, every person is different 1 scoop morning or evening many people find enough.


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Article Title
Our beliefs about menopause have been challenged by a series of randomized clinical trials, including the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), which have contradicted the results of observational studies which suggested hormone treatment as a "prevent all" for coronary heart disease, as well as several other common chronic diseases. The message, based on the WHI analyses to date, remains the same: while hormone treatment is the most effective way to treat vasomotor symptoms, its use for prevention of chronic disease in women over 60 is not recommended. The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), seeks to better characterize the hormonal and symptom patterns of the menopause transition--the phase in which women move from reproductive age ovarian functioning to the final menstrual period--find a marker that will predict the final menstrual period, and determine factors that predict healthy aging.
menopause, Women's Health Initiative, Study of Women's Health Across the Nation, WHI, SWAN, depression
Total Pages
2 pages
Copyright © Susan R. Johnson, 2011.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Johnson SR. The menopause mess. Proc Obstet Gynecol. 2011 Nov 15;2(2):Article 17 [2 p.]. https://doi.org/10.17077/2154-4751.1131. Free full text article.


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Oh! The joyous sound of carolers singing the familiar songs of the past. Some written hundreds of years ago and others written within the past few years. All proclaiming the miracle of the ages: the entrance of the infinite King of Kings, God himself, into our finite sinful world.
He chose two young, innocent regular people like us to usher him into this life. Mary and Joseph.
What were they thinking when the Holy Spirit informed them of this unique, supernatural event that was to take place? Fear? Excitement? What we do know for sure is that they were humble and very obedient and after the angel's visit to Joseph it seemed they never wavered.
As a mother I know what it is like to look into the sweet face of your newborn. The wonder. The joy. This tiny innocent face so precious. I'm sure Mary felt the same as most all mothers feel at that intimate moment. Love. Joy. Peace.
Then shepherds arrived, telling of the angel's visit and proclamations! Knowing the circumstances surrounding her pregnancy and his birth, what were her thoughts? Did she and Joseph discuss all of these strange, wonderful events?
This newer carol has captured my heart, describing these first moments of his arrival into our cold, dark world.
Take a few moments today to listen to this song. Let these words take you back to that cave 2000 years ago and stand in wonder and worship of the child born that night.
"Today your Savior, Christ the Lord, was born in David's city. This is how you will recognize him: You will find an infant wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:11-12. GW translation)
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text: Quicksilver looks for partners for Discovery LNG in B.C. The junior Texas-based company Quicksilver Resources Inc. (Quicksilver) is looking for partners to share the opportunity to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Asia through the Discovery LNG project along the Campbell Channel on the Vancouver Island in British Columbia (B.C.), Canada. Established […]Read more


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The AEFP Early Career Award recognizes junior scholars with exemplary early career trajectories (typically between 1 and 6 years post-doctorate) whose research substantially contributes to the field of education finance and policy.
Selection criteria include quality of scholarship, policy relevance, and/or policy or practical impact.
Individuals who received their doctoral degree from an accredited higher education institution between June 1, 2013 and August 31, 2019 (dates may be extended for those who have taken family, medical, or service leave or have other extenuating circumstances).
- A $1000 award to recognize promise and contributions to the field
- Presentation of a plaque at the AEFP Annual Conference
- Award recipients will be expected to attend the 2019 AEFP Conference to be presented with their award.
Submission Process and Nominations
We encourage early career scholars to apply directly by submitting the application materials listed below before the deadline. It is not necessary to be nominated by someone else.
AEFP members, senior scholars, and others may nominate colleagues for early career awards by clicking this link. Nominations require only the nominee's name and institution. The awards committee will follow-up by email to encourage the nominee to submit the required application materials. To the extent possible, nominators will remain anonymous to the nominee.
Submission Requirements
Applications must include:
- A short statement prepared by the applicant addressing the selection criteria: quality of scholarship, policy relevance, and/or policy or practical impact (1-page maximum).
Application Information
- All applications should be submitted to the AEFP Awards Committee Chair Stephanie Cellini at firstname.lastname@example.com with "AEFP Early Career Award" in the subject heading.
- Deadline: December 31, 2019.


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GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. — Guilford County Schools had a Board of Education budget meeting Tuesday night at the High Point City Council Chambers.
The meeting covered a lot of ground.
The board voted 6-3 to close Hampton Elementary School.
RELATED:Guilford Co. Schools Votes In Favor To Close Hampton Elementary
Another school many have been fighting to save is Gateway Education Center, a special needs school in Greensboro.
One of the last items on the agenda was the consideration to waive the last instructional day for students for the 2018-2019 school year.
A June 11 make-up day was added because of the teacher rally in Raleigh.
Board members decided to get rid of the additional day, and make Monday, June 10 the last day of the school year.


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Eleven Netizens have been booked without detention for spreading malicious comments about the actress Kim Tae-hee on the web.
On June 3 an article titled "Kim Tae-hee Heads to U.S. for One Month of Language Study" ran in the news section of a portal site. Surprisingly, it prompted Netizens to unleash a storm of personal attacks on the star. "She's headed off to get an abortion," one comment read. "She's getting married to Goh Hyun-jeong's ex-husband," surmised another. Kim's agency accused 34 individuals of defamation and reported them to the Seoul Metropolitan Police's cyber crime unit.
Police say those who posted the slanderous comments include university students, designers and drivers. One of the accused told police they had just overheard high school girls gossiping about the issue while on the bus, and to kill time had thoughtlessly posted the message on the Net. "Netizens for the most part don't realize that they will be punished for posting slanderous replies and do so without giving much though to it," a police spokesman said. "But if the victim so decides, even posts made in jest can become a cause for punishment."
So far this year, people have been punished for posting similarly negative comments about the singer Rain, Lim Su-kyung, who in her college year shocked the entire nation by entering North Korea via East Berlin to participate in Pyongyang International Festival in July 1989 as a leader of a student organization, and former Seoul mayor Lee Myung-bak. Posting and dispersing falsehoods on the Net that defame another individual can be punished by up to seven years in prison and fines of up to W50 million (US$1=W956).
Source: english.chosun.com


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The European Parliament has decided against introducing any continent-wide blanket ban on internet porn, as a last-minute change in wording removed controversial porn outlawing concepts from gender equality legislation.
The plan, as it stood, would have required ISPs to police porn content and new authorities to be set up to monitor all forms of media - including print - and would've been a huge administrative nightmare for media companies old and new.
The issues with the potential EU porn ban arose when it was discovered that a well-meaning piece of legislation on gender issues contained the option of a "ban on all forms of pornography in the media," a particularly harsh concept that was deemed much too wide-ranging to be included in its current form. [Cnet]
Image credit: EU from Shutterstock


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The Department for Transport published Road Statistics 2007: Traffic, Speeds and Congestion on 24 July 2008. This bulletin includes the first release of National Statistics on 2007 Road Traffic, Free Flow Vehicle Speeds in Great Britain, and Traffic Speeds on the Strategic Road Network in England.
The bulletin also includes further information about congestion on urban and inter-urban roads. Data is available down to Government Office Region for several of the indicators, providing a useful source of data.
Filed under: Data, West Midlands | Tagged: congestion, Data, Research, speeds, traffic, Transport | 3 Comments »


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TV & Radio
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The New York Times
Week in Review
U.S. Needs Japan's Diplomacy, but Tokyo Isn't Talking
By NORIMITSU ONISHI
Published: June 25, 2006
South Korea and China are troubled by what they see as an increase in Japanese nationalism.
NORTH KOREA and its potential test of a long-range missile will top the agenda, no doubt, when Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan visits Washington next week. But what will, or should, President Bush say about Japan's ever-more-tenuous relations with its Asian neighbors?
American and Japanese coordination in the face of a possible launching last week could not have been more finely tuned, said J. Thomas Schieffer, the American ambassador to Japan.
But at a time when regional cooperation is needed as well, Japan is barely talking to China and South Korea. In fact, on Thursday, South Korea's President Roh Moo Hyun said that his country must strengthen its military deterrence, not against the North, but against Japan, because of a worsening territorial dispute.
Japan's relations with the two countries are their worst in decades, in great part because of bitter disagreements over Japan's militarist past. History is getting in the way even as Japan, with America's blessing, wants to play a bigger role in the region.
The last time they met, in Kyoto in November, Mr. Bush asked Mr. Koizumi about the troubled relations, but is said to have refrained from commenting. Since then, relations have remained frozen, and prospects for improvement look uncertain.
Worries have grown among American policy makers and scholars that the tensions are hurting Japanese — and American — interests in Asia. Calls have multiplied for the United States to become active, at least informally, in trying to resolve the disputes.
While Japan and China are at loggerheads over regional influence, natural resources and territory, Mr. Koizumi's visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, the memorial to Japan's war dead and its 14 highest-ranking war criminals, have drawn particularly strong criticism from Beijing, and from Seoul as well.
Mr. Koizumi says he prays for peace and for Japan's war dead when he visits Yasukuni. But China and South Korea consider the visits evidence of Japan's lack of repentance over its past. Both countries have refused to hold top-level meetings with Japan, citing the visits.
"The Yasukuni issue is undermining the efficacy of Japanese diplomacy in the region," said Kent Calder, director of the Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies at Johns Hopkins. "And that is important for the United States, particularly in a period when we are so involved in the Middle East and we don't have the resources and time that we should be devoting to East Asia."
The disputes have put the United States — which wants a more assertive Japan, but with which it shares its own wartime history — in an uncomfortable position.
Mr. Koizumi has cemented good relations with Mr. Bush by doing the previously unthinkable: deploying troops to Iraq, deepening military ties and moving Japan toward a revision of the Constitution.
The new military assertiveness, though, has given voice to conservatives who have long wanted to restore prewar symbols. Teachers are now being punished for refusing to sing the national anthem. Government-endorsed textbooks play down Japan's past militarism.
If Asia has been troubled by the rise of Japanese nationalism, it has also been perplexed by America's silence. Yasukuni, after all, enshrines leaders who waged war against the United States, too, and its museum propagates the rightist view that the United States forced Japan into war.
"It is one thing not to encourage Japanese nationalism, but the United States has not been discouraging it either," said Han Sung Joo, a former South Korean ambassador to the United States. "Japan seems to have little regard for how South Korea sees things, and the United States seems to have little regard for how Japan affects Korean sensitivities."
That, Mr. Han said, has undermined the trilateral alliance, the basis for America's security in Asia. "If one side of the triangle is weakened," he said, "the other sides suffer, too."
The silence has also encouraged Japanese hard-liners to take such a tough stance against China that the two countries no longer hold meaningful talks, said Kazuhiko Togo, a former Japanese diplomat who now teaches East Asian Studies at Princeton.
"They believe that America is backing this approach," Mr. Togo said. "But is that the case? If Japan cannot manage its relations with a rising China, I think that is a burden to the United States. I think that America should tell Japan that this situation it has created is not in anyone's interests."
But Mr. Togo — who is a grandson of Shigenori Togo, a wartime foreign minister who is one of the 14 prominent war criminals enshrined at Yasukuni — said American involvement in a debate over history could open a Pandora's box. A big gap in perception of history also exists between Japan and the United States.
Akio Takahara, a professor of politics at the University of Tokyo, said: "The atomic bombs are the most symbolic. What kind of historical view of the bombs do you have? How do you evaluate and perceive them?" The two countries have "completely different" perceptions, he added. Ambassador Schieffer said he found the view of history propagated by the Yasukuni war museum "very disturbing."
"If you viewed those exhibits or read those explanations, I think any American would be uncomfortable," Mr. Schieffer said, adding, however, that he believed Mr. Koizumi's explanations about his visits.
Japan and China have to work out their history problems by themselves, Mr. Schieffer said, adding, "I don't think it's helpful for foreigners to intervene."
Still, last month, Representative Henry J. Hyde, chairman of the House International Relations Committee and a World War II veteran, said that Mr. Koizumi should pledge not to visit Yasukuni if he wanted to address a joint session of Congress. The Japanese said the prime minister never asked to do so.
Either way, he won't be going to Congress. Instead, after a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, Mr. Bush will take Mr. Koizumi, a longtime Elvis fan, to Memphis for a tour of Graceland.
▲ by alfayoko2005 | 2006-06-25 23:45 | 国内政治
The New York Times
Stay Tuned, as 2 Churches Struggle With Gay Clergy
By LAURIE GOODSTEIN
Published: June 24, 2006
The only certain result of the Episcopal and Presbyterian church conventions that ended this week is that the participants will return to fight another day — and at future church conventions — over homosexuality.
For the Episcopal Church U.S.A. and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), as with other mainline Protestant churches, the summertime convention season has become a painful ritual. In each church, the conservatives and the liberals are bound together like brawling conjoined twins.
The liberals dominate the power centers of the denominations — the national offices and the legislative arms. The conservatives have threatened to walk away, but most have not because they say the church is rightfully, theologically, theirs.
"It's all very well to threaten divorce, but it's another thing to go to the divorce court," said David C. Steinmetz, a professor of the history of Christianity at Duke Divinity School who has spent the last few years on schism watch.
Members of both churches had looked to this year's conventions to clarify their positions on ordaining gay clergy members and blessing same-sex couples.
But instead, each convention produced the kind of parliamentary doublespeak that some Episcopalians call "Anglican fudge," a concoction often used to smooth over differences at meetings of the global Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church is the American branch.
The Presbyterians, on the sixth day of their eight-day General Assembly in Birmingham, Ala., approved the proposal of a bipartisan "Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church," which had spent five years trying to devise a compromise that would keep the church from splitting. The vote was 57 percent to 43 percent.
The proposal gives congregations and regional districts known as presbyteries the leeway to ordain gay clergy members and elders, despite church standards banning the ordination of gay leaders, which the delegates voted to reconfirm at the convention.
Liberals who favor a "live and let live" solution were relieved. But the ball is now in the conservatives' court, and in the post-convention wrap-up, conservative leaders said in interviews that they were not in unity.
Some said they knew of individuals who would surely leave the Presbyterian Church and of churches that intended to "separate themselves" from the denomination, at least temporarily.
But the leaders of most conservative caucuses in the church are encouraging their members to stay and fight, and to challenge the first ordinations of gay clergy members in ecclesiastical courts. A victory or two would give them the precedent they need to undermine this "compromise," they said.
The Rev. Michael R. Walker, executive director of Presbyterians for Renewal, a large conservative group, said: "It's going to increase confusion and rancor in the church, and it's certainly going to result in a quagmire within church courts. So, far from promoting peace, unity and purity, it actually promotes unrest and disunity and impurity."
He said the compromise solution, in which each church or presbytery could make up its own mind, was not acceptable to many conservatives because they felt "guilty by association" with a church that had "compromised biblical standards" on sexuality and morality.
Terry Schlossberg, executive director of the Presbyterian Coalition, another conservative group, said: "We're tired. We don't want to keep fighting the same battles over again, but there are battles to fight that we could prevail in. We are going back to work. We will recommit ourselves to seeing this rescinded at the next General Assembly."
Stay tuned in 2008.
The Episcopalians went into their convention under pressure from conservatives in the United States, and in Africa, Asia and elsewhere, to express regret for consenting to the ordination of a gay bishop — V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire — at their convention three years ago.
The demands were in the Windsor Report, a document commissioned by the Archbishop of Canterbury in an effort to referee the ruckus that erupted after Bishop Robinson's consecration. The report asked the Episcopal Church to place a moratorium on the election of gay bishops, and to stop blessing same-sex couples.
The decision came down to the last day of the church's convention in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday. The House of Deputies, made up of priests and lay people, was apparently in no mood to comply with the report's demands.
Then, at the urging of the church's newly elected presiding bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori, the House of Deputies passed a statement saying the church should "exercise restraint" in electing bishops "whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion."
Some advocates of gay inclusion were disappointed, but some of their liberal allies said it would buy the Episcopal Church time to remain in the Anglican Communion and persuade the bishops of other nations to accept the American position.
"I don't see it as a setback," said Bishop J. Jon Bruno of Los Angeles, a liberal. "I see it as a detour in the path to full inclusion of gay and lesbian people."
Bishop Bruno said he had been assured by the Archbishop of York, who was at the Columbus meeting, that the American statement would be sufficient to prevent the Americans from being excluded from the next major meeting of Anglican bishops, the Lambeth Conference in 2008.
The conservatives, however, insisted that the Americans' mea culpa was insufficient.
"If the communion puts its stock in this promise, it's going to be terribly deceived," said Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh, moderator of the Anglican Communion Network, a conservative group that has formed an alliance with conservative Anglicans in the developing world.
Bishop Duncan suggested in an interview that he had received assurances that the Anglican Communion would soon reprimand the Episcopal Church for disregarding orthodoxy.
"That's the stuff of reformations," he said. "And no reformation goes quickly."
African Anglicans slam US church as gay row deepens
▲ by alfayoko2005 | 2006-06-25 10:10 | LGB(TIQ)
(2006年6月24日18時30分 読売新聞)
(2006年6月24日18時30分 読売新聞)
Parti Socialiste
▲ by alfayoko2005 | 2006-06-25 10:02 | LGB(TIQ)


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Difficulty getting proper 1403 live fire training for your department annually, let us assist with an agreement that will allow you to budget and schedule making sure your members get the training needed to be safe and proficient. Live Fire training is available for individual crews, entire departments, new hire training or multi-agency drills.
Host an LFTI or LFAT class to reduce Live Fire costs for your agency!
Departments can benefit from the following Live Fire training:
- Flashover Awareness,
- Flow Path (transitional) fire attack
- Gas
- Vehicle
- Structure
In 2015-2016 CSRIPS will be completely renovating and building "Can City" for a new training experience and the best live fire in the region.
Please contact Chief McGilloway for further details or written proposal for services.


text: The small swimming pool mostly is intended for swimming lessons, because in Liepaja this is particularly essential, i.e. children living between the lake and the sea should be able to swim. Moreover, skills gained during these lessons are never lost and remain for a lifetime. The pool can also be used for entertainment and relaxation, as it is equipped with two counter-flow systems that can be used as massage equipment, and the cascade provides shoulder girdle massage. The pool is also equipped with underwater lights. Depth of the small swimming pool: 90 cm


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I wanted to chat a little bit about running in cold weather. Because here in Boulder, it's been chilly. Teen's and 20's, chilly! At least we'll be warming up into the mid to upper 30's this week. Our fall has quickly transitioned to winter!
I'm going to give you fair warning, though, and let you know that I won't be telling you to cozy up by the fire and sip a mug of hot cocoa. Save that for after the run.
One of the most important things to consider is what you'll be wearing. Keep in mind that you should always dress as if it were 20 degrees warmer. This is due to your body heat; once you get going, you warm up quite a bit. Layering is a good way to start. I typically opt for wicking fabrics that can help with sweating; or those items that offer extra ventilation. On a very cold day, say, below 30 degrees, I'll wear a wicking tank or short-sleeve top, with a long sleeve running top over that. Often, I'll also wear a jacket. This is especially the case if there is wind, rain, or snow. I will also wear a hat or earwarmers and a pair of gloves.
My favorite pair of gloves are the Mizuno Running Glove Breath Thermo/Dryscience. They turn your hand sweat into heat! And they are the only gloves that keep my hands toasty warm. Even my fingers! I have other gloves that I wear on occasion, but the tips of my fingers always get so cold! I make sure my Mizuno's are clean and dry before a run in really cold weather.
For bottoms, I love running tights. One pair is always fine for me.
As far as socks go, I'll be sure to have a thick pair of SmartWool's.
When temps really drop, either from a cold snap, or because the sun has set, I will sometimes use a neck gator that can easily slip up over my chin/nose. Another great item to wear if wind is involved!
Make sure that the route you choose is well-lit! While it will likely be dark when you are running, it also may be snowy or icy. Which also means, you might want a pair of these. Just be sure you have a good view for what is in front of you.
I would also recommend a headlamp. My Petzl headlamp is fantastic! And, it is always in my running bag!
Make sure that you have some warm clothes to change into soon after the run. If you are just running from home, I think a nice hot shower is a great way to warm up! Followed by that fire and hot cocoa, of course. However, if you are meeting someone, I recommend bringing an extra pair of socks and tops (sports bras, girls!). I love going out for some coffee or breakfast after a morning run, and I have been able to stay warm and comfortable with a fresh pair of socks and a new top. A pair of Uggs doesn't hurt either!
When all is said and done, you'll be glad you made it outside! And, of course, when blizzards hit, or you just can't find the motivation, find a dreadmill for your workout. Or, make it your off day, and don't sweat it. Literally.


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Letter: Celebrating Persian New Years, Nowruz, and Spring
Nowruz is the traditional Iranian New Year, initiated in Ancient Iran.
Apart from Iran, the celebration has spread to many other parts of the world, especially the parts which belonged to the Greater Iran such as Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
Nowruz also marks the first day of spring. It is celebrated on the astronomical vernal equinox, which usually occurs on March 21 or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed. The moment the sun crosses the celestial equator and equalizes night and day is calculated every year, and families gather together to observe the rituals. Typically, family members gather around a table with the Haft Seen on the table and they wait for the exact moment of the arrival of spring. At that time, gifts are exchanged.
Haft Seen means the seven S's. The traditional Haft Seen table includes seven items starting with the letter "S," or Seen in the Persian alphabet. The Haft Seen items are:
- Sabzeh: wheat, barley or lentil sprouts growing in a dish—symbolizing green environment, happiness and rebirth
- Samanu: a sweet pudding made from germinated wheat—symbolizing affluence
- Senjed: the dried fruit of the oleaster tree—symbolizing firmness and tolerance
- Sīr: garlic—symbolizing health
- Sīb: apples—symbolizing beauty and love
- Somaq – sumac berries—symbolizing patience
- Serkeh: vinegar—symbolizing development and evolution
There are lit candles, symbolizing enlightenment and sunrise; a mirror, symbolizing cleanliness and honesty; decorated eggs, symbolizing fertility; a bowl of water with goldfish, symbolizing life within life; and the sign of Pisces which the sun is leaving.
Nowruz is the most important holiday in Iran. Preparations for Nowruz begin in the last month of winter in the Persian solar calendar. Persians start preparing for the Nowruz with a major spring cleaning of their houses. On New Year's Day, families dress in new clothes and start the twelve days of celebrations by visiting senior family members, then the rest of the family and friends. During the short house visits which are usually reciprocated, they serve their visitors tea, pastry, cookies, fruits, and nuts.
On the 13th day, families leave their homes and picnic outdoors. This day is called Sizdah Be-dar which figuratively means "Passing the bad luck of the thirteenth day."
This year Nowruz will happen Sunday, March 20 at 8:00:12 a.m. in local time (March 20 at 12:30:12 am in EST).
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MMS 2010: Seek out the Windows deployment experts
MMS 2010 is bound to be a busy week for everyone attending. But while you're there, be sure to attend the Birds of a Feather sessions in the evenings. There will be two sessions this year on Windows deployment, both on Tuesday evening. The first one I'll be moderating:
OE01 Ask the Experts: Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010
Tuesday, April 20 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM, Marco Polo 702
And if that isn't enough for you, the session immediately following that, which will be led by Chris Nackers:
OE31 Open Forum Discussion: Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 (MDT) and Configuration Manager 2007 OSD
Tuesday, April 20 6:45 PM - 7:45 PM, Marco Polo 702
These sessions are designed for open discussions, so the actual topics discussed will be determined by the questions asked by the audience.
There's going to be a bumper crop of Windows deployment experts there this year too – hopefully most of them will be able to attend the Tuesday night sessions. Even if they can't, be sure to track them down during the week to at least say "hi". Some of those that will be around (assuming the volcanic ash and airlines cooperate) include:
- From the team working on MDT 2010 Update 1: Mary Anne Blake, Rajat Kumar, Jim Wightman, Chris Adams, Cameron King, Ben Shy, Michael Schmidt, Tim Mintner, Keith Garner, and myself
- From the ConfigMgr team, John Vintzel
- From the Windows team, Jeremy Chapman
- From Microsoft Services: Ben Hunter, Doug Klokow, Richard Smith
- From other consulting firms: Andreas Hammarskjold, Johan Arwidmark, Mikael Nystrom
- More people from the MyITForum crowd than I can possibly name
Sorry if I missed anyone, and hope to see you all there.


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How to Avoid a Coinsurance Penalty on Your Property Insurance Policy
The word "coinsurance" is often one of the most misunderstood and confusing terms used in the insurance industry. When used in context with property insurance, the word's meaning differs from when it's used in context with health insurance.
For the purposes of this blog, we are going to look at coinsurance as it relates to property insurance.
Most property policies, such as a homeowners or commercial property policy, contain a coinsurance clause. Yet, most people tend not to fully understand how this section could impact their coverage.
The International Risk Management Institute defines "coinsurance" as a property insurance provision that penalizes the insured's loss recovery if the limit of insurance purchased by the insured is not equal to or greater than a specified percentage of the value of the insured property.
Put simply, in the event the amount of property insurance you purchased is inadequate, your insurance company has the right to penalize you by reducing the amount of your claim payment. Typically, the standard amount of coverage that needs to be purchased in order to avoid the penalty is equal to 80% of the replacement value of the property.
For example, a building with a value of $1,000,000 should be insured for at least $800,000 to avoid an 80% coinsurance penalty. If the building was insured for less and a claim were to occur, the insured could end up being paid significantly less than anticipated.
Let's say the policyholder decides to buy $400,000 of insurance and a $200,000 claim occurs. The claim payment is calculated by dividing the amount of coverage that was purchased ($400,000) by the minimum amount of coverage that should have been purchased ($800,000). This factor (50%) is then multiplied by the amount of the loss ($200,000). The policyholder would receive $100,000 for the claim, minus any applicable deductibles, and then be responsible for paying the rest of the claim out of pocket.
For more information on the coinsurance clause specific to your property insurance policy, contact our licensed representatives at 508-347-6850 or visit us online at www.mcgrathinsurance.com.
*This article is written for informational purposes only and should not be construed as providing legal advice.