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Modern Florida wedding: Brooke + James
Brooke is a lady with an obsession for black, white, pink and gold. Kinda sounds like us! Interiors, fashion, florals – she just can't get enough. That's why they became the central colors in her wedding. Working those colors in with other poppy bright colors (oranges, reds and corals), she wanted to make sure the rest of the design balanced vintage, modern and glam elements to create an unforgettable look. She rocked it (and that Jenny Packham dress!).
Great b & w chevron liners & rsvp cards by Smock Paper.
Brooke used some of the graphical elements from their invitations to design the rest of their paper goods, including that rad large program poster.
I walked down the aisle to Bright Eyes' "First Day of My Life". During the ceremony, my 2 sisters and a really close family friend, Rachael Miles, sang Jason Mraz's "I Won't Give Up". It was one of my favorite parts of the whole day!
Had to show a close up of those nails! We see a mani happening with that design in our near future.
As for the bridal party, I let all of the bridesmaids choose their own dresses with the only "rule" being that their dresses were some shade of red, pink, coral or orange. I wanted everyone to be comfortable and LOVE their dress (and hopefully wear it more than once!).
The types of flowers used and styles of arrangements actually wound up being a surprise. A family friend acted as our florist, and I basically let him know the color palette and a few of my favorites and he went to town! Their were a mix of peonies, dahlias, ranunculus, tulips, hydrangeas, bougainvilleas, proteas, roses everywhere!
Great advice from Brooke:
Even if you do all of the wedding planning yourself (which I did), I would HIGHLY recommend a day-of coordinator. They were able to handle countless last-minute questions and minor emergencies (a few sprinkles of rain and a LOT of wind in my case!), allowing me to relax and enjoy the day. Also, pick a great photographer that you can have fun with. If you think about it, you probably spend as much time with your photographer on your wedding day as with your husband and more time than with your family and friends! Lucky for us, Heidi not only took gorgeous photos but we spent all day laughing. She was the best!
Congrats Brooke + James! May your many years be filled with lots of pink, black, white, and gold!
Photographer: Heidi of Our Labor of Love / Venue: Selby Botanical Gardens / Day of coordinator: Elizabeth Faist (friend of bride) / Caterer (food, cake/desserts & beverages): Mattison's / DJ: Al Garcia / Lighting: Affairs in the Air / Transportation: Sarasota Trolley / Florist: family friend / Bride's dress: Jenny Packham / Shoes: Yves Saint Laurent / Jewelry: Lulu Frost (earrings), vintage/borrowed (bracelets) / Groom's suit: Hugo Boss / Tie: J Crew / Shoes: Allen Edmonds
Social Love
(@WeddingReports) (@WeddingReports) on Jul 23, 2012
Modern Florida wedding: Brooke + James http://t.co/H58O7Gqa via @100LayerCake #wedding
(@PerfectBridal) (@PerfectBridal) on Jul 23, 2012
Modern Florida wedding: Brooke + James: Brooke is a lady with an obsession for black, white, pink and gold. Kind... http://t.co/9EsP803r
(@100LayerCake) (@100LayerCake) on Jul 23, 2012
A Jenny Packham dress, b&w striped linens, pink & gold details, and a rad manicure design we want asap! http://t.co/k8dvTqMC
(@LayneCorban) (@LayneCorban) on Jul 23, 2012
Modern Florida wedding: Brooke + James http://t.co/AgeZro8c #bridal #wedding
(@WeddingCakeBook) (@WeddingCakeBook) on Jul 23, 2012
Modern Florida wedding: Brooke + James http://t.co/RrKCatZD
(@helenChupp) (@helenChupp) on Jul 23, 2012
Modern Florida wedding: Brooke + James http://t.co/FY9C6guh
(@clubwedd) (@clubwedd) on Jul 23, 2012
Brooke is a lady with an obsession for black, white, pink and gold. Kinda sounds like us! Interiors, fashion, fl... http://t.co/viZ0mAdb
Oasis Events (@OasisEventsIndy) on Jul 23, 2012
We adore this set-up RT @100layercake:b&w striped linens, pink & gold details, and a rad manicure design we want asap! http://t.co/pgTIsGPS
tabitha on Jul 23, 2012
Gorgeous wedding and love the black and white details. She mentioned a DOC... who was the vendor I didnt see them listed!
(@sashbuzz) (@sashbuzz) on Jul 23, 2012
Modern Florida wedding: Brooke + James http://t.co/dVZRLsAU
(@Elise_GKBCinc) (@Elise_GKBCinc) on Jul 23, 2012
Sharing: Modern Florida wedding: Brooke + James http://t.co/YcrsKg8V via @100LayerCake
(@100LayerCake) (@100LayerCake) on Jul 23, 2012
Loving the mix of pink, coral & red bridesmaid dresses in this @ourlaboroflove wedding: http://t.co/k8dvTqMC
rita on Jul 23, 2012
b&w stripes, bright, bold colors, and long tables = my favorite things! love this wedding! thank you for sharing! also- totally agree on the photographer comment. you really want to like the person (videographer, too, if you have one!) b/c they are a part of some of your most intimate, memorable moments that day!
Sidney on Jul 23, 2012
this wedding is BEYOND. thanks for sharing!!
Mickey Lynn Jewelry on Jul 23, 2012
Micki A. on Jul 23, 2012
The large poster program is so unique and absolutely fantastic.
(@100LayerCake) (@100LayerCake) on Jul 23, 2012
Did you guys see these b&w striped tablecloths? Gorgeous al fresco dining experience for sure! http://t.co/k8dvTqMC
Naree on Jul 23, 2012
So many divine details. I adore the colors of the bridesmaids' dresses.
Gina on Jul 23, 2012
Uau! Bravo... it's all that I can say! And that dress.... is something! No words to describe it, honestly!
Katarina I. on Jul 23, 2012
A very beautiful wedding. I love all the colors that the bride incorporated. I am not a big fan of fuchsia pink but in this case it really works. The bride looked gorgeous. The unique Jenny Packham dress really suited her body type and the theme of the wedding. I also really appreciated the fact that the bridesmaid's dresses are so mismatched. A LOT of the time when someone decides to mismatch the bridesmaid's dresses it really doesn't work. However, making sure they stick to the same shades and/or colors still brings the dresses together and makes them more uniform. The ceremony area was amazing. Since the area is already so beautiful they really didn't need a lot of decor which is also a budget friendly move. All in all a very cute wedding for a very cute couple. Kudos to the vendors and Heidi for the photos, she really captured a lot of great moments and of course 100layercake for the post! Katarina I. Weddingful - Plan a Fabulous Wedding
(@dpnak) (@dpnak) on Jul 23, 2012
Love the vibe of this wedding on 100 Layer Cake. Modern, classy and stunning. http://t.co/eY1QD9pi
(@MagnetStreetWed) (@MagnetStreetWed) on Jul 23, 2012
Absolutely gorgeous! --> Modern Florida Wedding: Brooke + James http://t.co/OS1T20S0 {h/t @100LayerCake}
enjoy events co. (@enjoyeventsco) on Jul 23, 2012
we dig this too RT @100LayerCake Loving the mix of pink, coral & red bridesmaid dresses in this @ourlaboroflove wedding http://t.co/J9MfjHzU
Katie Anderson-Keith Watson Events on Jul 24, 2012
What a fun wedding! Love all the different dresses on the bridesmaids!
Adrianna on Jul 25, 2012
Love the Stripes! Were they a diy?
Blog Hacked on Jul 6, 2013
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National Car Rental on Jul 9, 2013
When going on a road trip, attempt to keep away from rush hour. If you can t strategy your trip exactly where you won t be driving for the duration of rush hour, use that time to stop for a break. It can be a good time to get one thing to consume or to just let the youngsters get out and run around for a bit.


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About Us
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About Us
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What has motivated you to apply for this position and what experience can you bring to the role?
Where do you see yourself in two years?
Job Title :
Horticultural Apprentice (Beccles)
Employer :
Vertas Ltd
Location :
Beccles, Suffolk, IP1 5PB
Position Type :
Sector :
Vacancy Reference :
Vacancy Short Description :
A fantastic opportunity to begin a career as an apprentice Horticultural Grounds person with one of the largest facilities management companies in the UK
Qualifications Required :
Minimum of 3 x GCSE's at Grade C/4 or above, including Maths and English, (or equivalent)
Proof of qualifications will be required before you can be accepted onto the apprenticeship.
Vacancy Full Description :
Your duties will include but not be limited to the following tasks:
•Monitoring and maintaining health and safety
•Maintain and develop personal performance
•Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
•Preparing ground for seeding and planting
•Establishing plants or seeds in soil
•Maintain the health of sports turf
•Maintain the condition of sports turf surfaces
•Renovate and repair sports turf surfaces
•Use and maintain non-powered and hand held powered tools and equipment
•Use and maintain pedestrian controlled powered equipment
Number of Positions Available :
Working Week :
37hrs Mon - Fr 8am - 4pm
Salary :
£185.00 Per Week
Application Deadline Date :
Possible Start Date :
Personal Qualities :
You should be prepared to work hard in a pressured environment. You must have good communication skills.
Ideally you will have some experience of a horticulture/landscaping/sports turf environment;. You should understand the importance of making the right impression at an interview. You will need to work well within a team environment.
Skills Required :
The successful candidate must demonstrate a passion for outdoor horticultural sports surface operations in general. The successful candidate will understand the opportunity that this apprenticeship has for the development of a long term career as a specialist amenity horticulture apprentice within one of the largest facilities management companies in the UK.
Future Prospects :
Excellent prospects of a full time role with further development and training for the successful candidate that proves to be reliable hardworking and flexible.
Further training and development can be expected including certification of PA1, PA6 and Trailer Test.
Training to be Provided :
Qualification: Level 2 Amenity Horticulture
College Attendance: there is no regular college attendance required as the qualification will be delivered almost entirely in the workplace.
Training for all job specific tasks will be given. In addition the apprentice will have the support and guidance of a qualified assessor from the college, who will make on-site visits every 6-8 weeks. There may be the occasional need to attend either the Otley or Easton campus for short training courses and tests.
Other Information :
Pay Rates: The current NMW rate for Apprentices is £3.70 per hour with effect from 1st April 2018. This applies to 16-18 year old Apprentices and those aged 19 and over in the first year of their Apprenticeship. For all other Apprentices the Apprentice National Minimum wage appropriate to their age applies. The wage for Apprentices applies to both time spent on the job plus time spent in training. For more information visit: www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates
Apprentices need to be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week in the industry with a contract of employment
Employer is offering £185 per week
Working Week: 37hrs p.w. Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm
Vacancy Location: This vacancy is based at Unit 1
Boast Industrial park
College Lane Beccles NR34 7SA
Shortlisting and Interviews - Shortlisting and interviews will take place throughout the duration of the vacancy ad. This may mean that the vacancy could close before the published cut-off date should suitable candidates be found.
Things to consider :
This opportunity is predominantly for outdoor work so you can expect at times to be either hot cold or wet.
You will be on your feet for most of the day.
Consideration should be given to the physical nature of the role.
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Paris is always a good idea! This French style, tunic, dress by LULU-H is the perfect piece for everyday style, with a unique paisley print to give that unique look this season. Alternatively, dress up with some heels and tights for a festive party look!
- Tunic style
- 3/4 Length sleeves
- Paisley print
- Khaki
- Flattering fit
- Polyester
- Lined with 2 pockets


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Call the comfort guys…we're there!
We're on a mission to change people's lives. We do that by working within our community to create a positive change and by exceeding expectations, going above and beyond to make sure that our customers are satisfied. When we answer the phone, we ask, "How can we make you smile?" And that's just what we plan to do.
A Company on a Mission
When Ken Starr, our founder, and CEO, started Home Comfort USA years ago, he made a commitment to honor every client. Our technicians carry out this promise and bring ethics and integrity to every service.
For years, Ken helped other heating and air conditioning companies achieve their goals and boost their profits, and his expertise was sought out by many. But he grew tired of companies that cared more about their income than about the people in the community.
After working for other contractors for decades, Ken had a series of epiphanies, realizing that he had a calling to open up a heating and air conditioning company that offered more. In 2013, he followed in his parents' footsteps and opened a different kind of HVAC company.
Heating and air conditioning is Ken's calling, and we hire technicians with the same dedication to the job. We are a faith-based company, and many of our staff members are involved in community service projects that change the lives of members of our community.
We treat our customers like family. When you work with us, you get more than quality work and excellent customer service. You get technicians and staff members who care.
Call the Comfort Guys…We're There!
Home Comfort USA is a different kind of contractor. We are committed to the customer experience, so you'll get so much more than great service when you work with us.
- Exceeding Your Expectations – We over–deliver on our promises, doing whatever it takes to make sure you're comfortable.
- Delivering 100% Satisfaction – Or else we'll make it right for you.
- Honoring Our Clients – We will do what's right for your home, and respect your time and your property.
- Leaving Your Home Clean and Neat – If possible, we'll leave the area even cleaner than we found it.
- Polite, Respectful, and Thankful Every Day – That's what our technicians take to every job.
- Never Offer You Any Unneeded Recommendations – We use ethics and integrity, only recommending solutions that would truly benefit your home.
- We'll Do Unto Others as We Would Have Them Do Unto Us – We are a faith-based company with a calling to treat our customers right. Our dedication to the community and our involvement in local charity projects demonstrate our commitment to treating people with respect.
Angie's List Super Service Award Winner
We are proud to announce that we have received the 2018 Angie's List Super Service Award due to our commitment to our customers. 'Our Pledge To You'
- We will exceed your expectations (or you don't pay)
- We will deliver 100% satisfaction
- We will honor you and all of our clients
- We will leave your home neat and clean
- We will be polite, respectful, and thankful for everyday
- We will never offer you any unneeded recommendations
- We will do unto others as we would have them do unto us
Home Comfort USA is a company committed to creating a positive impact in Orange County. Call us to work with a family–owned and operated heating and air conditioning company, and you'll find trustworthy technicians who exceed expectations.


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"He led America by example. He reminded our people of what was right and he reminded them of what was wrong. I think it can be safely said today that Jackie Robnson made the United States a better nation." – American League President Gene Budig
"Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life." Jackie Robinson
April 15th 2009 was the 62nd anniversary of Jackie Robinson's first game in the Major Leagues with the Brooklyn. Robinson's first game with the Dodgers came a full year before President Truman integrated the military and a full seven years before the Supreme Court ruled school segregation unconstitutional. It was not until 1964 that the Voters Rights act passed in Congress. Jackie Robinson paved the way for a change in American society that has continued for 62 years since his debut at Ebbetts Field on April 15th 1947.
Jackie's feat was a watershed moment in the history of our country. Blacks had struggled for years against Jim Crow laws, discrimination in voting rights, and even simple human decencies such as where they could use a rest room, what hotels they could stay in or what part of the bus that they could sit. In baseball many white fans were upset that blacks would be coming to see Robinson in stadiums that they would not have been allowed in before. Players from other teams heckled Robinson, he received hate mail, people sent made death threats, he was spiked and spit on. But Jackie Robinson kept his pledge to Dodgers owner Branch Rickey not to lash out at his tormentors, as Rickey told him that he needed a man "with enough guts not to strike back."
Jackie Robinson played the game with passion and even anger. He took the advice of Hank Greenberg who as a Jew suffered continual racial epithets throughout his career "the best ways to combat slurs from the opposing dugout is to beat them on the field." He would be honored as Rookie of the Year, was MVP, played in six World Series and six All Star Games. He had a career .311 batting average, .409 on base percentage and .474 Slugging percentage. He was elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame in 1962.
Today Jackie Robinson's feat is history, but it should not be forgotten. He was a pioneer who made it possible for others to move forward. He would be followed by players like Roy Campinella, Satchel Paige, Don Larson, Larry Dobie and Willie Mays. His breakthrough had an effect not just on baseball but on society.
Jackie Robinson would have an effect on my life. In 1975 the Stockton Unified School District voted to desegrigate. I was in the 9th grade and preparing for high school. As the school board wrestled with the decision anger boiled throughout the town, especially in the more affluent areas. Vicious letters were sent to the school board and to the Stockton Record by parents as well as other opponents of the move. Threats of violence and predictions failure were commonplace. In the summer of 1975 those who went out for the football team, both the sophomore and varsity squads began to practice. Black, White, Mexican and Asian, we bonded as a team, the Edison Vikings. By the time the first buses pulled up to the bus stops throughout town on the first day of school, the sense of foreboding ended. Students of all races discovered common interests and goals. New friends became guests in each others homes, and all of us became "Soul Vikes."
30 years later the Class of 1978, the first class to be desegregated from start to finish graduated from Edison held a reunion. Our class always had a special feel about it. Looking back we too were pioneers, like Jackie Robinson we were far ahead of our time. When I look at my friends on Facebook from Edison I see the same faces that I played ball, rode the bus and went to class with. Things have changed. Even 30 years ago none of us imagined a African American President, we believed in each other and we saw potential, but I don't think that anyone believed that we would see this in our day.
I think that Jackie Robinson prepared the way for other pioneers of Civil Rights including Dr. Martin Luther King. Today, 62 years plus one day, Jackie Robinson looms large not only in baseball, but for the impact of his life and actions on America. Here's to you Jackie Robinson. Thank you and God bless.
Peace, Steve+


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ROUSH®/Valvoline Post-Race Report - NMRA Drag Racing Series @ Atco Raceway
ATCO, N.J. - The ROUSH® Drag Racing Team traveled to the East Coast, and New Jersey's fabled Atco Raceway for the second stop on the NMRA's Ford Drag Racing Series tour. Though the weather outlook heading into the weekend was spotty, the stars aligned for the Sunday, May 17 elimination rounds, and the event was run to completion.
During the offseason, team patriarch Don Bowles located a clean 1972 Ford Maverick body and dropped it off at the ROUSH® Fabrication facility in Livonia, Michigan. At the ROUSH® skunkworks, the shell was transformed into a state-of-the-art 25.5 SFI-certified chassis, complete with all of the bells and whistles that Bowles would need to compete in his new class, Hot Street. This is the pinnacle of naturally-aspirated small-block Ford performance, and Bowles relies on ROUSH® Competition Engines-built power to guide his trips down the dragstrip. The craftsmanship that went into the construction of this car must be seen to be believed, and Bowles set out to run in one of the NMRA's most competitive classes.
In the season-opener back in March, Bowles anvanced to the semifinal round in a largely untested car, and he was naturally excited to get back on the track this past weekend in New Jersey. After some struggles during the qualifying sessions, the team discovered the tires were rubbing the edge of the wheel wells ever-so-slightly on the big end of the track, causing a slight loss of ET. Back in the pits, minor surgery was performed on the rear quarter panels, and they entered Sunday with high hopes.
In the first round of competition, Bowles faced off against Hot Street newcomer Richard Preiser and earned an easy win, running an 8.72 at 152.50 mph to Preiser's 9.11 at 150.11 mph. This brought Don into the second round, where he ran into longtime class participant Bob Hanlon. Don had his hands full, as Hanlon is known for his driving prowess. As the tree dropped, Hanlon went up, and up, and up, standing the car on the bumper and ending his weekend, and sending Don into the final round against 2008 class champion Robbie Blankenship. As the pair took the tree, Don uncorked his decades of racing experience, taking the battle on the tree and running the car out the back door to a new personal best of 8.66 at 153.40 mph, easily winning over Blankenship's shutdown 10.46 pass. Bowles was ecstatic in the winner's circle, as all of the hard work that the team has put into sorting out the operation of the new car paid off in spades at this race.
Susan Roush-McClenaghan had a great season-opening race in Florida, but didn't fare as well in New Jersey. She qualified eighth, just behind teammate Donnie Bowles, but once eliminations started, the car wouldn't perform as expected. With her qualifying time, her dial-in became a 10.50, but the car fell off, all the way to a 10.69 in the first round, causing her to lose against Mark Frazin. However, that enabled her to enter the NMRA's bracket race in Bracket Two, giving the team a chance to try to track down the gremlins. As the bracket race wore on, the team didn't find the source of the problem, but did end up going four rounds against some of the best Ford bracket racers in New Jersey. Susan explained, "We looked at all of the data acquisition, and couldn't find anything that looked out of place. The engine and transmission seemed to be operating properly, so we're going to take the car back to Michigan and see what we can find before the next race. We'll be ready."
Teammate Donnie Bowles, driving his 2005 ROUSH® Stage 3™ Mustang, qualified with the exact same reaction time as Susan, but took the seventh qualifying position because he earned it earlier in the qualifying rounds. In the first round, Donnie came up against Massachusetts racer David Shea, running his 2007 Shelby GT500. However, since Donnie had qualified during the heat of the day on Saturday, his dial-in was a 10.51. On Sunday during eliminations, the weather had cooled considerably, and the resulting change in conditions threw him for a loop, as he chased Shea through the traps and broke out, running a 9.91 and ending his weekend prematurely.
The ROUSH® Drag Team carries sponsorship from 3M, Valvoline, Mickey Thompson and ROUSH® Performance. The next event on the NMRA schedule will take place June 12-13, 2009 at Milan Dragway in Milan, Michigan.
Based in Livonia, Mich., "The Art of Performance Engineering" takes place at ROUSH® Performance. To get a look behind the scenes at what goes on at ROUSH® and how the vehicles are designed, manufactured and produced logon to www.ROUSHtv.com. In addition to the array of Ford Mustang and F-150 styling, handling and performance upgrades, a complete line of performance parts and crate engines are offered. For more information see your local ROUSH® dealer, visit www.ROUSHperformance.com or telephone toll-free (800) 59-ROUSH.


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NEW YORK: This new tobacco plant will sure make smoke but the kind that comes from the exhaust of an aeroplane.
Boeing and South African Airways (SAA) are collaborating to make sustainable aviation bio-fuel from a new type of tobacco plant.
Known as solaris, the hybrid plant is a nicotine-free alternative to traditional tobacco.
Test farming has started in South Africa and bio-fuel production is expected in the next few years, said a Boeing press release.
Initially, oil from the plant's seeds will be converted into jet fuel.
As newer technologies develop, the rest of the plant will also be used to make aviation bio-fuel.
"By using hybrid tobacco, we can leverage knowledge of tobacco growers in South Africa to grow a marketable bio-fuel crop without encouraging smoking," Ian Cruickshank, a specialist with SAA's group environmental affairs, said.
In October 2013, Boeing and SAA had announced they would work together to develop a sustainable aviation bio-fuel in southern Africa.
Aug 9, 2014, The Times of India


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All archery is currently postponed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and following government guidance. For more information see Archery GB.
Welcome to Rickmansworth Archery Club. Founded in 1997, we are a friendly, family-orientated Target Archery Club situated in Southern Hertfordshire serving Watford, Rickmansworth, Croxley Green and the surrounding areas of Chorleywood, Maple Cross, Amersham, Northwood, Stanmore, Pinner and Harrow.
Our Beginners Courses allow all newcomers to archery to learn the basics of safe shooting and develop the skills that they will require to progress. As well as Recurve and Compound bows, we also offer all beginners the opportunity of trying out a variety of other more traditional bows (such as Mongolian, Scythian and Longbows), with the exception of Crossbows.
Membership of the Club is open to archers of all ages over the age of 10 years old who have completed an approved beginner's course. Joining us as a Club Member, you will be affiliated to Archery GB, Southern Counties Archery Society and Hertfordshire Archery Association.
If you are an established archer or if you have already completed an approved archery beginners course, Club Membership is available after an assessment by our Club Coach or one of our Archery Instructors - this is not a test of shooting skill but an assessment of shooting safety.
We aim to make archery an enjoyable and fun experience for all. Our webpages give you more information about our club and its activities, but if you would like to know more, get in touch on email@example.com


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In the olden days, business is as easy as setting up an office and wait for business to come to you. Actually, when I started business 10 years ago in a small town, I still managed to get 20% of my business in that way. People just walked into the office, asked to see the lawyer and we would be discussing whatever that was ailing them that particular day.
In my current office, that rarely happens. It was more than rare. I do entertain a few cases from some neighbouring office but in two of the cases which I did handled in 9 years I have practised in Kuala Lumpur, both cases were companies which share the same lift as us. I was even in trouble for one of the case when the authority discovered they were selling snake oil of the government contract kind (Luckily that ugly episode has passed).
So, on Tuesday, when my secretary told me there was a man in the reception waiting to see a lawyer, I personally handled his grievance (as I was also the only lawyer at that time). And lo and behold, it was a genuine case which involve them being sued for a very strange case, which is another matter.
When my senior associate asked him that evening as she was interviewing him to get more data for the case, she asked why did he choose our firm over a few other legal firms, numbering to 5, within the two blocks our offices are located.
He answered simply that, there were a few times he takes a smoking break, people who were looking for our office asked him for direction to our office. As we are actually opposite of each other, he just need to point our office to those who asked. Those episodes are the reason that our office became his choice that Tuesday morning.
You get all kind of clients but how you get it is very much a story of its own....


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Straight to the point.
Fire Risk Assessments identify hazards that can be removed or reduced to protect your premises in the case of a fire. Quantum Compliance will help you identify the nature and extent of the fire precautions you need to take.
Quantum Compliance has created control standards for all identified fire hazards. Judgements for levels of compliance will be made during the fire risk assessment. This will be done by comparing existing control measures and assessing their suitability.
The approach is based on the following 5 steps:
Step 1 – Identify fire hazards Step 2 – Identify people at risk Step 3 – Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risk Step 4 – Record, plan, inform, instruct and train Step 5 – Review
You will be provided with a Fire Risk Survey Report including the following:
Delivering pragmatic fire safety compliance and best practice advice
Employing ex-Fire Officers to liaise with enforcement authorities on your behalf
Ensuring your business is fully compliant with fire safety law
Fire strategies are recommended for all new and existing 'complex' buildings. Fire strategies extend the remit of the statutory Fire Risk Assessment carried out under current legislation. You will benefit from expert fire engineering consultants who will focus on the specific needs of your project when creating fire strategies to suit you.
When carrying out a fire strategy assessment of your premises, Quantum Compliance will focus on the following:
Fire strategies can also cover the construction process. Quantum Compliance will identify how you must maintain standards of fire safety throughout all stages of construction.
Quantum Compliance will evaluate your fire safety objectives and how the fire engineering design has been incorporated into your building. How these are being maintained and managed with the daily operation of the premises will be evaluated during your site visit.
Quantum Compliance will provide you with a Fire Strategy Report including the following:
Delivering fire log books and fire safety management manuals tailored to your requirements
Detailing necessary equipment and means of escape
Providing advice for best practice and compliance for fire safety
Quantum Compliance's Passive Fire Protection Surveys (PFPS) assess the adequacy of the means of escape from your premises. The survey forms part of the fire risk assessment under fire safety legislation. It is designed to save lives in the event of a fire but does not cover property protection. PFPS features are those built into the building to restrict the spread of fire and smoke. These include fire doors, fire-resisting walls, floors and ceilings and fire-resisting ducts and dampers.
Your Quantum Compliance consultant will assess the following around escape routes at your premises:
Quantum Compliance will evaluate your passive fire protection objectives and how the fire escape routes have been incorporated into your building. How these are being maintained and managed with the daily operation of the premises will be evaluated during your site visit.
You will be provided with a Passive Fire Protection Survey Report including the following:
Ensuring your business is fully compliant with health and safety law
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If you love paper crafts like I do, be sure to check out Close To My Heart's "Art & Soul" webisodes. Just go to my CTMH website then click on CTMH TV button on the left. Enjoy some quality crafting time from the comfort of your computer chair.
Let me know what you think of these webisodes. Also, I'd be happy to help you make the projects if you'd like.


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Third Part of a Three-Part Series
I. The Nano-Future and the High Frontier
In Part One of this series, we noted that the U.S., in the course of its history, has had to fight just about every other major power on the planet. Yes, indeed, the world is competitive and dangerous, and so military technology is always a key component of a nation's survival equation.
In Part Two of this series, we focused on two central elements of military and economic competition: the nano-world of cyberspace and the vastness of outer space. We recalled that in both realms of space—the infinitely small and the infinitely large—the United States initially took the lead, and yet, since then, that lead has shrunk, even disappeared. And our most potent competitor, of course, is China.
Now, starting with cyberspace, we can observe that computer hacking is one of the greatest dangers we confront: While hacking seems to be a worldwide phenomenon, Americans can still marvel, in particular, at the fact that Chinese warplanes look exactly like the U.S. warplanes built a a few years before. Meanwhile, Chinese drones copycat U.S. drones.
Although the Trump administration, as recently as May 11, has taken solid steps to upgrade cyber-security, it's not certain that current efforts will prove sufficient to stop China's systematized e-espionage.
To put that another way, if the Chinese government—as well as other governments, such as Russia—has turned military and industrial hacking into a national strategy, then we must make cyber-defense our national strategy.
II. A Cyber-Academy?
To that end, two Navy veterans have suggested a U.S. "cyber academy,"modeled after Annapolis and the other service academies. As Mark Hagerott, now chancellor of the North Dakota University System, and James Stavridis, a retired four-star admiral and former supreme commander of NATO's armed forces, wrote in March, "The Pentagon should . . . establish a national cyber academy to defend America in cyberspace, in our critical infrastructure, and in the internet of things."
Hagerott and Stavridis make a shrewd point about the reality of organizational behavior: Yes, it's true that today, all the branches of the military understand that cyber-security, and cyber-combat, are important, and yet at the same time, it's unlikely that cyber anything will ever be at the core of any branch's mission. That is, the Navy will always be mostly about ships, the Marines will always focus on mobile infantry, and so on. Thus cyber will inevitably be secondary to each branch—and yet down the road somewhere, that could be disastrous.
The best solution, Hagerott and Stavridis argue, is to make cyber its own independent thing: That is, a robust career path within the military, such that a young up-and-comer in the military could see cyber as just as promising as any other specialty.
As an aside, we can recall that in the past, the U.S. military made similarly profound organizational adaptations as it sought to maximize the use of new technology. For example, after the Wright Brothers flew their first flight in 1903, the War Department initially thought of aviation as a reconnaissance tool, and so flyers were folded into the Aeronautical Division of the Army's Signal Corps.
Yet as the years, and the wars, went by, it became evident that airplanes were most valuable as direct combat weapons, and so the organization hub of Army aviation evolved to reflect that shift: it became the Army Air Corps, then the Army Air Force.
However, the organizational and doctrinal problems that came from lumping aviation in the same branch with, say, armor, were glaring. And so finally, in 1947, Congress established an entirely separate branch of the armed services: the U.S. Air Force.
Now today, Hagerott and Stavridis argue, it's time for another moment of organizational evolution, this time on behalf of cyber-strength. And as we have seen, while the technology of cyber is revised with each new moment, the two cyber-academy advocates have the wisdom of military history on their side.
III. The Ultimate High Ground
So now let's turn our attention to the other kind of space—outer space. It's long been understood that space is a vital strategic domain, although no one put the stakes in starker terms than Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson (D-TX), speaking in 1958:
Control of space means control of the world, far more certainly, far more totally, than any control that has ever been or ever could be achieved by weapons or by troops of occupation. The race we are in—or which we must enter—is not the race to perfect long-range ballistic missiles. There is something more important than any ultimate weapon. That is the ultimate position—the position of total control over Earth that lies somewhere out in space. This is the future, the distant future, though not so distant as we may have thought. Whoever gains that ultimate position gains control, total control, over the Earth, for the purposes of tyranny or for the service of freedom.
At the time, Johnson was the Senate's Majority Leader, and as such, he was the driving force in Congress behind the creation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); he later, of course, became our 35th president.
The point that Johnson was making, six decades ago, was remarkably forward-looking, and, well, upward looking: Space will prove to be the decisive dimension. As we all know, throughout military history, the higher position has usually been the superior position.
To cite a specific 'frinstance, we can think of North Korea. Right now, it's ridiculous that a country of only 25 million people, with but a tiny economy, is nevertheless to be rated as a serious threat to the U.S. homeland. That is, it's not at all certain that we have the capacity to shoot down a possible North Korean nuclear missile aimed at Alaska, Hawaii, or the Pacific Northwest. Indeed, if the Pyongyang regime continues to improve its offensive capabilities faster than we improve our defensive capabilities, it's only a matter of time before Kim Jong Un's little dictatorship can threaten the entire continental U.S.
Obviously, past presidents have been careless about dealing with this threat, and just as obviously, we must immediately upgrade our missile-defense capabilities, especially since, over time, more countries will develop the same WMD capability.
To be sure, there are lots of ways that we might stymie the North Korean threat, but one way would be to develop a reliable "look down" capability. That is, post U.S. missile-defense satellites permanently overhead, in geostationary orbit.
Once again, it's the high "ground" that could make the difference. If Kim looks up and sees, in effect, Uncle Sam's eye looking down at him, that could prove to be the overwhelming deterrence that we need.
We can observe that such a defensive satellite system would be a powerful application of the "High Frontier" concept outlined decades ago by an Air Force visionary, Gen. Daniel O. Graham. That concept was later embraced by President Ronald Reagan when he launched his Strategic Defense Initiative in 1983; SDI, we might recall, proved to be the ultimate game-changer of the Cold War.
Yet in the decades since, some American presidents have gotten the strange idea that American security is better secured by attempting to spread democracy, by force, to hostile Muslim countries, or by supporting world-wide crusades against climate change. Thus missile defense—which could save millions of Americans from being nuked—has been neglected. Sad!
In the meantime, the Air Force, operating all these years within restrictive political encumbrances, has done its best to stay focused on strategic concerns. On May 7, for example, the USAF's X-37B, an unmanned "mini-shuttle," cruised to a soft landing at Florida's Kennedy Space Center. It had been in orbit for 718 days. What, exactly, was the spacecraft doing up there for those two years? That's classified. To which the rest of us ought to say: "Good! Let's keep other countries guessing!"
Yet at the same time, potential foes are operating, too, in space. Back in 2007, the Chinese successfully destroyed a satellite (one of their own) in orbital space. The implication was clear: In addition to the United States, the People's Republic of China had developed the capacity to wage active kinetic astro-war.
We must conclude: Given that the security of the U.S., as well as its economy, is heavily dependent on our satellites, this Chinese capability is no small matter. (The Russians, and undoubtedly other countries, also have the same sort of arsenal.)
Thus we can see that space is being increasingly militarized, and not just by the U.S. That is, many of the great powers of the earth are grasping for the even greater power that comes to those who can operate extra-terrestrially.
We can also conclude, moreover, that this stern international reality casts a long shadow over the efforts by various billionaires to turn space into their own privately profitable wonderland. That is, it's cool that Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson, Paul Allen, and other tech tycoons have ambitious plans for high-priced space joyrides, asteroid mining, and even deep space travel. It's even cooler that some of them have already developed powerful new technologies, such as reusable rocket launchers.
Yet all that money, and all that glamor, won't change the reality that private space activity is inherently vulnerable to the actions of other country's public sectors—specifically, their militaries. And did I mention the possibility of space vandals, or even space pirates?
It seems evident that the same sort of system that keeps order on the land and on the sea will also be needed to keep order in space: That is, police and, if needed, the military, all guided by the rule of law.
At an April 4 space symposium in Colorado, USAF Lt. Col. Thomas Schilling outlined the case for extending Uncle Sam's protective reach into space:
The [U.S.] Navy secures the freedom of action for commerce globally for the good of all humankind, and I think it's going to take a force very similar to that to provide the predictability and security that the marketplace of space will need. I think that would be the role of the United States Air Force moving into the future.
Moreover, on May 12, NASA announced plans to return humans to the moon in 2027 and then to land humans on Mars by the mid-2030s. This will be more than great news—it will be epic news. If, that is, it happens: after all, plenty of earlier deadlines have been missed.
And if it doesn't happen—that is, if the U.S. loses its nerve once again—then we can only wonder what will become of space. If space is left up for grabs, then most likely, some other nation-state will end up grabbing space. As one might say, political nature abhors a political vacuum.
That is, the Chinese, the Russians—or conceivably, some James Bond-movie-type villain—will have the power to extract taxes, tribute, or ransom, from privatized spacegoers. None of that would work out well for America, or Americans.
This potential reality—that China or some other rival, could end up in charge of the ultimate commanding heights—became clear on April 26, at a Capitol Hill hearing convened by Sen. Ted Cruz, chairman of the Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness. Cruz was eager to highlight, as he put it, "the real possibility that in the not too distant future, American private citizens will be able to reach space from a launch pad or a runway in Texas." Cruz is right; such capitalist exuberance is, in fact, a real possibility—and it would, indeed, be wonderful.
However, as one of the witnesses at Cruz's hearing, Robert Bigelow—founder of an aerospace company that's working to develop private space stations—pointed out, private visionaries will always need government protection. That is, no individual is rich enough to buy space-mercenaries, and besides, history tells us that such hired guns aren't very reliable.
Bigelow further observed that China has displayed an "ownership-minded" approach to matters down on earth, such as the disputes over islands in the South China Sea. Indeed, he continued, China seems to be taking the same approach toward future permanent lunar settlements. As he put it, if China were to claim territory on the moon, it would have an "amazing impact" on China's power and prestige down here in this world.
Indeed, as we noted in Part One, the Chinese are acutely aware that five or six centuries ago, they let their massive head-start in expansionary technology—sailing ship and gunpowder—slip through their fingers. Now today, they don't intend to make that mistake again. "I don't think it's a joke," Bigelow declared of China's beyond-this-world ambitions. "I don't think it's something to be cavalier about."
Bigelow is correct: China's quest for aggrandizement is not something to be cavalier about. On the other hand, it's also not something to be paranoid about. That is, China is doing today what every great civilization has typically done—it is striving to be greater. And there's nothing wrong with that, or, at least, there's nothing we can do to change that sort of big-think. All we can do is resolve to defend ourselves, no matter what, while prudently but determinedly pursuing our own interests—everywhere. Yes, we, too, should think big.
Finally, it could even be possible that we could work with China, or Russia, or other countries, as we all go space-voyaging, perhaps as a team. We can note that such multi-ethnic—as opposed to multicultural—cooperation worked on Star Trek. Admittedly, that was a work of fiction, but nevertheless, it offers something precious: hope.
Hope, that is, for a better future, here on earth, and out amidst the stars. And so even if the U.S. must do it all by itself, in competition with those other states, it's a hope always worth striving for.
IV. To Boldly Go Where No Man Has Gone Before
Many of us know the opening narration of Star Trek by heart, starting with, "Space, the final frontier." The narrator, of course, was William Shatner, playing Captain Kirk, commander of the starship USS Enterprise. The show debuted on NBC in 1966, and it lives, seemingly forever, in reruns. Moreover, other incarnations carry on, too, in movies, books, videogames—there's even a brand-new TV show.
Without a doubt, the original Star Trek captured something in the political culture of the 60s, as well as in the popular culture. Indeed, Kirk was modeled after President John F. Kennedy, down to his handsome face, his luxuriant hair, and his lusty ways.
And yet the real-life JFK was far more than a dreamboat. He was a determined political leader, eager to make his mark in history; the manned space program was his signature presidential endeavor.
It was the 35th president who convened a special joint session of Congress on May 25, 1961, in large part to make the case for space. There, in the Capitol, he issued his famous "moon shot" pledge. "Before this decade is out," he declared, America will achieve the goal "landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth."
As we know, Kennedy was assassinated two years later, and yet his dream lived on—and not just in a fictional TV show. In 1969, we did, in fact, land a man on the moon—two, actually. And we brought them both back, and then, over the next three years, sent another ten.
Yet then the culture changed, and with it, politics. The original Star Trek went off the air, and the space program shriveled. In Part One of this series, we compared the recent U.S. retreat from space exploration to China's decision to withdraw from oceanic exploration six hundred years ago; that was one of the most calamitous moments in Chinese history. And in Part Two, we further considered outer space in the context of current international rivalries.
Now we can add: If the strategic and geopolitical aspects of exploration are compelling, so are the cultural and historical aspects. After all, as the founder of this website, the late Andrew Breitbart, liked to say, "Politics is downstream from culture." That is, what people think and feel—for better or for worse—has a way of manifesting itself in political action.
And the urge to explore is not only cultural, it's primal. It is based, ultimately, on a powerful human impulse: curiosity. That impulse, writ large, leads to great historical events.
Nobody ever articulated this point better than Alfred Lord Tennyson, author of the famous poem, "Ulysses." In that lyrical work, first published in 1842, Tennyson summons up the mythical hero of the Trojan War (also known as Odysseus), by now in his old age. He is back home in his kingdom, having survived the 20 years of warring and adventuring described in The Iliad and The Odyssey.
Yet even now, in his advancing years, the aged king feels the urge to once again go a-roving. As he puts it, "Some work of noble note, may yet be done/ Not unbecoming men that strove with Gods." And so, he continues, his purpose is "To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths/ Of all the western stars, until I die." The poem closes with ringing words of resolve that have ennobled so many speeches, including political speeches: "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."
Okay, so now let's transfer this point from the imagined world of epic poetry to the actual world of epic deeds. Once again, it's the trailblazers who are remembered.
V. Living in History—Forever
To illustrate, we might consider: What if the average American was asked the question, "What's the most important historical event that occurred in the 1400s?" Chances are, most folks would instantly say, "1492."
That, of course, was the year that Christopher Columbus first made landfall in the Americas. In other words, all the kings and popes of that century, and all the painters and conquerors, seem less significant than that redoubtable explorer, sailing three 50-foot-long ships across the Atlantic. Thus a lesson for those who thirst for eternal glory: If you want to be remembered, discover something.
To further underscore this point, we might consider the career of another 15th century explorer, Infante Dom Henrique, known to history as Henry the Navigator. Born in Portugal in 1394, Prince Henry never ascended to the throne in Lisbon, but he is far better remembered than any Portuguese monarch of that era.
In those days, Portugal was just a tiny country on the edge of Europe, still recovering from 500 years of subjugation by Muslim invaders, and frequently at war with its larger neighbor on the Iberian peninsula, Spain. So there was no particular reason to think that Henry, or his country, would prove to be consequential in the course of history. As one of Henry's most recent biographers, Sir Peter Russell of Oxford University, wrote in 2001:
The Portuguese world into which the Prince was born exhibited no features that could have caused anyone to suppose that, forty years on, Portugal would become Europe's first maritime empire.
Yet even as a young man, Henry had a sense of purpose; when he was old enough, he chose as his personal motto talant de bien fere—"a hunger to perform worthy deeds." Then Henry set about looking for ways to live up to his own words.
One of the hoped-for deeds of that era was the quest to reach India and China. Why? For purposes of world-historical glory, of course, but also, crucially, for commercial profits. That is, ever since Marco Polo had returned to Italy in the late 13th century, full of tales about the wondrous riches of the Orient, other Europeans were determined to follow in his footsteps—or, better yet, to get to the Far East by sea.
Thus it was his far-reaching seafaring that became the great work of Henry's life. And here he was helped, as successful explorers often are, by new technology. The high tech of the 15th century was a new kind of sailing ship, the caravel, which sported two or three masts with triangular sails; these vessels were far more maneuverable than traditional square-riggers.
Led by Henry in the 1420s, the newly nimble Portuguese navy soon occupied the Atlantic islands of Madeira and the Azores. And new riches came back home: fish, sugar, wheat, as well as other precious commodities, such as "dragon's blood," the resin from the dragon tree (Dracaena draco), used as both a dye and a medicine.
Meanwhile, other of Henry's caravels traveled down the western shores of Africa—the so-called Guinea Coast. It was there that Portugal began the slave trade; the first human cargo of Moors came back to Lisbon in 1444.
Today, of course, everybody rightly joins in condemnation of slavery, but in Henry's day it was a standard practice, even more so in Africa than in Europe. In fact, the Portuguese—and later European oceanic slave traders—typically purchased slaves from land-based African or Arab slave traders. Of course, two wrongs don't make a right, and yet still, blame for the brutality must be appropriately apportioned; the West had no monopoly on this evil.
In the meantime, the Portuguese were by now getting good at globetrotting. Even after Henry's death in 1460, Portugal pushed on. His grand strategy continued to unfold, as Portuguese mariners found fantastic wealth (and also fantastically high mortality rates) as they planted their banners at the mouth of the Congo River (1482) and in South Africa (1486), India (1498), Brazil (1500), Indonesia (1511), the Persian Gulf (1515), and China (1557). Thus did plenteous commercial profits stream back to the mother country.
So we can see how the tiny country of Portugal emerged, at least for a time, as a superpower. Unfortunately for the nation, though, neighboring Spain, a vastly greater land power, was getting the same idea: It was Madrid, not Lisbon, that sent Columbus to America. And so soon, Spain came, in fact, to dominate Portugal.
We might pause to note that an excellent overview of this pivotal era can be found in a 2003 work from the late historian Hugh Thomas: Rivers of Gold: The Rise of the Spanish Empire, from Columbus to Magellan. The title communicates one key aspect of Spain's desire to subdue the Americas, as does Thomas' comment that the Spaniards were also driven by a "desire for . . . glory, to cut some kind of dash in the world." In other words, there's always a yearning to leave a mark, and one way to accomplish that is "to boldly go where no man has gone before"—once again quoting Captain Kirk.
Still, Portugal's power lives on in the form of the Portuguese-speaking country of Brazil, population 207 million, which might yet prove to be a superpower. And within Portuguese culture, Henry is regarded as a national hero. (Meanwhile, here in the U.S., Christopher Columbus has the honor of having his own federal holiday.)
Okay, so that's enough on Henry and Columbus. And yet many centuries after their deaths, they and their peers in the explorer/conquistador class—including Ferdinand Magellan, Hernán Cortés, Hernando de Soto, and Francisco Pizarro—continue to live in history. Admittedly, they are no longer deemed to be politically correct, and yet still, five centuries later, they are names to be reckoned with.
VI. The Next-Gen Navigators
So now, as we can contemplate the visionary explorers of our own time, and we can see a kind of exploratory continuity, albeit without the prospect of blood-soaked conquest—space, as far as we can tell, is empty. That is, as discussed in the previous section, the American tech billionaires who are digging deep into their own pockets to fund space exploration hope to do so without firing a shot. And yet maybe someday, they'll be remembered as being on a par with those long-ago adventurers.
It's interesting, for example, to note that one of today's tycoon techsters, Elon Musk, having declared that he wants mankind to be "an interplanetary species," further says that he wants to die on Mars—although, of course, not anytime soon.
Here, too, we can hear echoes of those Portuguese and Spanish immortals; Magellan, de Soto, and Pizarro, for example, all died far from their homelands—Magellan in the Philippines, de Soto in the present-day U.S. states of either Louisiana or Arkansas, and Pizarro in Peru. And yet even today, their legacies linger; the Philippines and Peru have predominantly Spanish cultures, and all over the Southern and Southwestern U.S., there are plenty of "DeSoto" place-names.
Yet at the same time, even as we admire today's private pathfinders, we must remember that serious exploration, especially the kind that leads to permanent settlements, is typically done by nation-states, not individuals or even companies. Yes, sometimes private combines have played a huge role in colonization; that was the case, for example, with the British East India Company, which controlled the subcontinent of India for centuries. Yet even then, these private ventures, and there were many of them, were closely supervised by their national governments.
So yes, private profits were always part of the exploring equation.
Yet at the same time, there's always that innate human desire to strive, to seek, and to find—and that might be more powerful, even, than the lure of gold or other kinds of wealth. Indeed, it's no cinch that there are profits to be found in space, although there probably are, and maybe enormous profits at that—mining asteroids, for instance.
Indeed, it's been reported that the mineral resources on a single asteroid, currently orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, could be worth 10,000 quadrillion dollars.
To put it mildly, it's not easy to figure out how to tap into such a lucrative asteroid. And in addition, the politics will be tricky: Not only is there legal liability to think about—nobody wants an asteroid, or a piece of an asteroid, crashing down on earth
Moreover, there's also a 1967 UN Treaty that declares all resources in space are to be the common ownership of every country and all of humanity. Yet immediately, mindful of the importance of ownership claims and property rights as a key to the rational utilization of a resource, we might surmise: Perhaps that half-century-old treaty is now obsolete. If so, the reworking—or scrapping outright—of that treaty will be its own mega-political project.
So why are we going to space? We are going because we are curious—and organized curiosity is about as powerful a force as there is in human nature. In other words, we are going for the reasons that inspired President Kennedy: because space is there, and because it's cool.
Indeed, even those of us who will never go to space should count ourselves as lucky to be alive at a time of renewed exploratory curiosity. That is, we are fortunate to be blessed with sturdy souls—in the public and private sectors—who are willing to take up the challenge of space-questing.
Tennyson's Ulysses would have felt a kinship to all of these latter-day heroes.


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Good morning. Making breakfast together as a family on the weekend isn't for everyone – there's definitely more washing-up and clearing-up than when one adult is in sole charge – but it is a fun way to get everyone involved in a "project". Whichever way you choose to do it, these three weekend breakfast dishes will tingle your tastebuds and wake you up.
Spicy baked beans on toast with apple and cucumber salsa (pictured above)
These baked beans are warm, comforting and ideal as a hearty brunch on toast or as a side dish to an epic barbecue spread. Just remember to soak the dried beans overnight. The smoky chipotle adds a robust flavour that makes this taste meaty despite it being vegan. The beans will keep for several days in the fridge: just reheat with a splash of water to loosen. The salsa is a great accompaniment, but a dollop of yoghurt or soured cream would work, too.
Soak Overnight
Prep 20 min
Cook 1 hr 15 min
Serves 4-6
200g dried haricot beans, soaked overnight in plenty of cold water
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 large onion, peeled and finely diced
6 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
1 jalapeño chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground cinnamon
7g dried chipotle chilli (about 2 small chillies)
40g tomato paste
2 tbsp soft light brown sugar
2 tbsp apple-cider vinegar
4-6 slices sourdough, toasted
For the salsa
1 green apple, cored, peeled and chopped into 1cm dice
1 Lebanese cucumber (or ⅓ regular cucumber), deseeded and chopped into 1cm dice
2 spring onions, trimmed and finely sliced
5g mint leaves, roughly torn
1 tbsp olive oil
½ tbsp lime juice
Drain the beans, discarding the water. Heat the oil in a heavy-based saucepan on a medium flame, then fry the onion until soft and nicely browned – about seven minutes.
Add the garlic, jalapeño and spices, cook for a minute, then add the beans and a litre of water. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low and leave to simmer slowly for 50 minutes, until the beans are soft but still hold their shape.
Meanwhile, put the dried chilli in a small bowl, cover with about 150ml boiling water and leave to soak for 30 minutes. Lift out the chilli – reserve the soaking liquid – then discard the stem and seeds. Put the chilli and two tablespoons of the soaking liquid in a spice grinder or small food processor, and blitz to a smooth puree.
Add the blitzed chipotle, tomato paste, sugar, vinegar and a teaspoon and a half of salt to the beans, turn up the heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes, until thickened and rich.
Just before serving, toast the sourdough and mix all the salsa ingredients in a bowl with an eighth of a teaspoon of salt. Pile the hot beans on the toast, and serve with the salsa on top or alongside.
Roast potato, chorizo and eggs
This is a perfect brunch or easy family dinner. Apart from quickly wilting the spinach, everything is cooked in the oven. I've used 200g chorizo, because many packets come in that size, but feel free to add more – even up to 300g. Serve with a simple green salad.
Prep 6 min
Cook 55 min
Serves 4+
1kg charlotte potatoes, quartered lengthways
60ml olive oil
4 garlic cloves, peeled, 2 crushed and 2 thinly sliced
1½ tbsp thyme leaves
Salt and black pepper
200g cooking chorizo, cut in half lengthways, and then into 5mm-thick slices
250g cherry tomatoes
250g baby spinach
10g tarragon leaves, roughly chopped
6 large eggs
Heat the oven to 220C/425F/gas 7. Put the potatoes in a high-sided, 20cm x 30cm roasting tray or oven dish. Add three tablespoons of oil, the crushed garlic, thyme, a teaspoon of salt and plenty of pepper. Toss to coat, then roast for 20 minutes, until they start to brown. Stir in the chorizo and tomatoes, and roast for 20 minutes more.
Meanwhile, heat a tablespoon of oil in a large frying pan on a medium-high flame. Once hot, fry the sliced garlic for one to two minutes, until it starts to brown. Add the spinach and an eighth of a teaspoon of salt, stir for two to three minutes until the spinach has completely wilted, then stir in the tarragon and take off the heat.
Once the potatoes, chorizo and tomatoes have finished cooking, dot the spinach mixture randomly around the tray. Break in the eggs and sprinkle them with a generous pinch of salt and plenty of pepper. Cover the tray with aluminium foil and bake for another eight minutes. Remove the foil, bake for a final four minutes, until the egg whites are cooked but the yolks are still runny, then serve at once.
Fried boiled eggs in chilli sauce
This was a bit of an experiment, but I'm rather pleased with the result; it looks glorious, too. Serve on fresh or grilled bread for a rich, spicy breakfast, or as part of a meze spread, in which case it will feed about eight alongside all the other dishes.
Prep 20 min
Cook 35 min
Serves 4-8
8 large eggs, at room temperature
100ml vegetable oil
1½ tbsp cornflour
2 onions, peeled and thinly sliced
1 tsp caraway seeds, toasted and lightly crushed
¾ tsp cumin seeds, toasted and lightly crushed
1 tbsp tomato paste
2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
1 ancho chilli, torn into 5-6 pieces, stalks discarded, deseeded and soaked in 250ml boiling water for 20 minutes
1½ tsp pul biber (Turkish chilli flakes); or half that amount of regular chilli flakes
1 spring onion, finely sliced on an angle
5g coriander leaves, roughly chopped
4 pickled green chillies, to serve
Bring a large saucepan half-filled with water to a boil, turn down the heat to medium-high, so the water is boiling gently, then lower in the eggs and cook for six minutes. Drain, leave the eggs under cold running water for a few minutes to stop them cooking any more, then peel.
Heat the oil in a large saute pan on a medium-high flame. Mix the cornflour in a small bowl with an eighth of a teaspoon of salt, then toss the peeled eggs in the mix. Once the oil is very hot, carefully lay the eggs in the pan and fry for three minutes, turning them a few times, until light golden brown all over (there's a chance the eggs may break and spit a bit, so keep a safe distance from the pan and don't worry if they look a bit misshapen). Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate lined with kitchen towel.
Fry the sliced onions in the same pan for seven minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown, then add the caraway, cumin, tomato paste, garlic and a third of a teaspoon of salt, and cook for two minutes, stirring from time to time, until aromatic.
Stir in the ancho chilli and its soaking liquid and the pul biber, cook for about 90 seconds until the sauce thickens and turns a rich, deep red, then return the eggs to the pan to warm through for 30 seconds. Sprinkle over the spring onion and coriander, and serve hot with the pickled chillies.
•Food styling: Emily Kydd. Prop styling: Jennifer Kay


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Check out our hand-picked deals for Wednesday. Deals are updated throughout the day at BFAds.net, and you can find more deals on our Hot Deals page. Let us know what you think, and tell your friends to sign up for our Hot Deals newsletter here!
- Plantronics Gamecom 780 Headset - $39.99 at Frys
- Wall Power AC Adapter USB Travel Charger for Amazon Kindle Fire - $2.99 at Meritline
- Sony Noise Canceling On-Ear Headphones (MDRNC7/BLK) - $18.84 at Amazon
- Toshiba 32" 720p 60Hz LCD HDTV (32C120U) - $199.99 at Amazon Computers
- Hanns-G 27" 1080p LED Backlit Monitor w/ Built-in Speakers (HL272HPB) - $199.99 at Newegg Apparel, Jewelry, Health & Beauty
Technomarine Men's Cruise Sport Chronograph Silicone 200M Watch - $147.99 at Shnoop.com
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Thanks for Visiting and Happy Holidays!


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Jamali Maddix
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Show And Tell Presents JAMALI MADDIX: VAPELORD 2.0
UK stand-up star, and host of Viceland's Hate Thy Neighbour, Jamali Maddix returns to New York after two sold-out New York Comedy Festival shows in November. He brings updated segments and new routines to his critically-acclaimed solo show Vapelord, with brutally honest and unflinching material on the state of society. Along with personal tales from his travels around the world of hate and moral confrontation.
Jamali has appeared on Viceland's Desus & Mero, and regularly across UK television, including BBC's Live at the Apollo, 8 Out Of 10 Cats and many more.
9:45pm Doors / 10:00pm Show
*DO NOT USE* Union Hall
702 Union St.
Brooklyn, NY, 11215


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The teacher's handbook is clearly structured, easy to use for classwork, and offers step-by-step instructions for implementing the teaching units and background information on general subjects and cultural and linguistic aspects. Further ideas for classwork and photocopiables for additional exercise and teaching units round off the package.
Includes: 192 pages
Shipping & Handling per order
If your order only consists of digital product downloads or online products, the flat rate shipping fee will not be levied.
We deliver stocked articles within a period of approx. 2 to 4 workdays within Germany. The delivery within Germany takes place by DHL Paket. The delivery time for dispatches abroad depends on the destination country of the delivery and is at least three working days.
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With one week left until Christmas, it�s time to get some gift shopping done if you haven�t already.
Volunteers for some local charities have to get started shopping pretty early each year.
Volunteers from three local churches who help out with the Foster Children�s Christmas Fund get shopping lists in September. Then they shop for presents for children in foster care in Alamance County so they can be picked up by foster parents in early December and put under the tree on Christmas Day.
It�s a similar story for volunteers with the Arc of Alamance County�s ArChristmas Fund and the National Alliance on Mental Illness� Operation Santa Claus. Both provide gifts for people living away from home for the holidays.
These are the kind of charities that Love Enough to Share, the annual Times-News holiday fundraiser, works to help.
Each year, we ask readers to contribute to one (or more) of six charities that we think do a great job meeting the need during the holidays. Along with the ArChristmas Fund, Operation Santa Claus and the Foster Children�s Christmas Fund, Love Enough to Share also benefits Residential Treatment Services of Alamance�s Santa�s Helper program, Christmas Cheer and The Salvation Army Shoes with Love program.
This year�s goal is $50,000. Every penny goes directly to the charities.
To participate in Love Enough to Share, look for the coupon with stories that will appear in the Times-News through the holidays.
Fill out the form and return it to the Times-News, Attn: Love Enough to Share, P.O. Box 481, Burlington, N.C. 27216. Contributions can also be dropped off at the newspaper office at 707 S. Main St.
Checks should be made out to the individual charities. The Times-News will send a complimentary card to honorees or, in the case of memorial contributions, to the family. Contributors will also be recognized in the newspaper, unless they request anonymity.
Donations received Monday include:
▪ A $100 donation by Jerry, Faye, Jay and Amy Bayliff in memory of Eddie Harris
▪ A $150 donation by Alamance-Burlington School System nurses in honor of Alamance-Burlington School System students
▪ A $50 donation by John L. Jackson
▪ A $50 anonymous donation in honor of Dot Jackson
▪ A $50 donation by the Southern Alamance High School National Honor Society
▪ A $100 anonymous donation in honor of HB, Courtney, Katie and Victor
▪ A donation by Barbara DAnna in honor of Mayor Raymond Herring
▪ A donation by Barbara DAnna in honor of Mary Hawk
▪ A $100 donation by Boyd and Brenda in honor of Edith Payne
▪ An $800 donation by Livvie and Becky Vann in honor of Bridget, Madeline and Christian
▪ An anonymous donation in memory of Hilla Dixon
▪ A donation by Louis Dixon in honor of V.B. Dixon family and spouses
▪ A $50 donation by John Kemp in honor of all the volunteers at ARMC
▪ A $35 donation by John Kemp in honor of the Thursday volunteer group at ARMC
▪ A $30 anonymous donation in memory of Bob Coleman
▪ A $30 anonymous donation in honor of Judy and Marvin Pattersons 53rd wedding anniversary
▪ A $200 donation by Lynn and Tom Chandler in honor of employees of Chandler Concrete Co.
▪ A $100 anonymous donation in honor of Grove Park teachers and staff
▪ A donation by Ronald and Pam Carter in memory of Richard and Carolyn Carter
▪ A $25 donation by Steve Kimball
▪ A $100 anonymous donation in memory of Anne Louise White
▪ A $50 donation by Robert and Rhonda Bowling
▪ An anonymous donation in honor of the Rev. Howard Thompson for his longtime service and dedication to Burlington


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Building up to the release of the EP, we got together twice this week. First to update Swings, then RGB, which you can hear below in the nifty soundcloud widget.
For dinner we made a couple of pizzas.
A pizza patata, based on my recollection of a pizza I've had in a great Edinburgh restaurant, and a plain old margherita. The pizza patata is thinly sliced potatoes, mozzarella and rosemary on a pizza base, and we didn't get it quite right. I think the base should have been thinner and crisper, it was a bit too doughy as it was.
The EP could maybe do with a little explanation – we're going to release it on my record label, which I'm in the process of starting up. The first release will be an album of my own solo stuff as Giant Bears (beginning of Feb, hopefully), followed by this EP in March.
When my Mum told a friend of hers I was starting a business (albeit a tiny one that's unlikely to ever turn a profit), the first question was; "What's his USP?" (not unique selling point, USP -gag-). The label doesn't have a USP, but it does have a reason to exist. When we think of music, we tend to think of it as this enclosed thing – it's a sequence of notes, a particular collection of sounds, and that's all it is. But there's more going on than simply vibrations in the air.
What we see, touch and smell while we're listening, all change how we hear those vibrations. Similarly, what we've read about that song and artist, the discussions we've had about them, change our perception. While you can technically argue* that there is an objective thing that is music, out in the world, that doesn't change and is forever fixed, we do not perceive that thing as the fixed artifact it supposedly is.
The label is based on the idea that it is the perception of music which is the most important thing, and that therefore the surrounding material/discourse/etc. is every bit as important as the sound itself. So there will never be releases that consist solely of a collection of sound files uploaded to iTunes or wherever. A release will always be a mass of stuff surrounding the sound at its heart. Whether that's an mp3 tangled within a mess of html and images, or a CDR bound up in a book of rough-textured paper, or even a game (and increasingly I'm thinking that games are the most interesting medium to work with – they can encompass so much).
This of course leads onto Marshall McLuhan's theories of media. An mp3 is a fundamentally different medium to a CD. And how we perceive the music is different as a result (even ignoring mp3's technical deficiencies – a lossless file format is every bit as different). The aim of the label is to release music that is aimed at a particular medium, in the same way as a painter would make a conscious decision to work with oil over watercolours. There will never be releases of the same music on different media, as (contrary to received wisdom) the media are not interchangeable.
That's kind of a 1st draft of the label's manifesto. There's plenty of holes and contentious points, but I think it explains why the label exists (or is going to exist in a (gulp) week or so). And manifestos are meant to be contentious…
* – Or not, but for the purpose of the argument…


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This has been five intense weeks, I really feel that I've leant more about games than I did the entire first year on my education. Making games this way is a really great way to get lots of experience, fast. I'm not sure I'd do it for ten weeks, I feel pretty spent game design wise. But after I've had a few weeks to get my brain back on track again I'd really like to do the same thing again.
One of the greatest challenges with this project were the keywords, more often that not I found myself basing the game on one of the words and sort of cheating in the second (or just ignoring it), this was really against the rules I set in the beginning. But then again, my main goal was to make games that were fun to play, not make games heavily tied to keywords. If I'd do it again I think I'd choose a broader theme like "water†and then do a bunch of variations on that. One good thing with the keyword rules I used is that you can't really start with the next game until you're supposed to. This keeps you focused on the game at hand.
Final Advice
I summed up my experiences from this project in a few points. Maybe they can help someone else.
Do the important stuff first and do the fun stuff as a "break†of sorts.
For me this meant to make a toy that tested the gameplay as fast as possible, and then, when that got tedious I did some graphics. It's pretty easy to tell which games were the most fun to make, they have the worst graphics.
Take the middle route, there's fast and there's good. Make it both.
It's a classic programmers thing to make "good reusable codeâ€, screw that. If it gets the job done it's the code for you. Of course there's no point in coding the whole game like crap either, then you'll be screwed when you need to change stuff. The trick here is obviously to find the middle route, modular but fast to write. It's also a good idea to look for examples or code snippets that do what you want to do, we're prototyping here so I say steal and pillage code as much as you like, as long as you give credit where it's due.
Don't be afraid to change your game if it isn't fun.
I spent ages trying to make Popeatron amusing when what I really would have needed to do was to scrap the concept and rethink it entirely. A bit like I did with Isotope. That was also a game that suffered from "unfunniness†but, a rethink of the rules and it turned into something amusing.
Emergence is your friend. When the game makes it's own content, you won't have to.
There's a reason why I've used the elastic ropes in half of the games i made. When you make a game in three days you spend the first day coming up with the idea, the second day is making the basic mechanic and the third day is making a game out of it. There's just no time to make levels.
Final thoughts
I'd recommend this to anyone who claims to be the least bit into designing games, most of my classmates however doesn't have the programming experience to do it. But I say learn. Spend a few weeks getting to know some way to make games (I'd recommend Flash, over say C++, atleast for prototyping), then go for it on a spree like this.


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A fourth leak has been detected at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, its operator TEPCO announced Thursday, and is the latest in a string of failures at the disaster-stricken facility still struggling with the aftermath of the meltdowns following the 2011 massive earthquake and tsunami.
The announcement of the new leak comes just two days after TEPCO said the third of seven underground radioactive water pools were leaking, and also follows two failures of the plant's cooling system in a month.
"This time about 22 liters of radioactive water has leaked from a junction of the piping. The liquid has seeped into the soil," Kyodo news reports TEPCO as saying.
On Wednesday, Nuclear Regulation Authority Chairman Shunichi Tanaka acknowledged that "Fukushima No. 1 is still in an extremely unstable condition. There is no mistake about that." Foreshadowing the new leak announcement, Tanaka added, "We cannot rule out the possibility that similar problems might occur again."
And Masayuki Ono, TEPCO general manager, had told a news conference, "We admit that the underground tanks are not reliable," and said "our faith in the underwater tanks is being lost."
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On the integrity of the existing storage tanks, the New York Times reported:
... as outside experts have discovered with horror, the company had lined the pits for the underground pools with only two layers of plastic each 1.5 millimeters thick, and a third, clay-based layer just 6.5 millimeters thick. And because the pools require many sheets hemmed together, leaks could be springing at the seams, Tepco has said.
On Wednesday, TEPCO President Naomi Hirose told a news conference that the underwater storage tanks would no longer be used, and that TEPCO would be moving 7,100 tons of the radioactive water to surface storage tanks, and would build 38 new steel tanks for the rest of the radioactive water, The Asahi Shimbun reported.
The decommissioning of the Fukushima plant is expected to take at least four decades.
Nearly 160,000 people fled the area following the nuclear disaster, with some areas now looking like ghost towns. Tens of thousands are still displaced, and the human health and ecological effects remain to fully unfold.


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Taylor is a Digital Content Producer for Fox 13 News. He specializes in all things social media and loves writing the latest breaking news for Utah and beyond. Taylor also helps contribute to Fox 13's Wanted With Scott McKane and enjoys making a difference helping identify suspected criminals.
Taylor is a graduate of Marymount Manhattan College. He has done a variety of freelance work, and most recently has been a senior staff writer for SLUG Magazine. Taylor enjoys riding his bike (when the inversion isn't bad) and camping throughout Utah, staring at truly beUTAHful stars.


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Which eBook Store Should You Use?
Now that you have a better idea of which eBook reader you want to use, it's time to consider where to buy your books. There are so many stores now that sell eBooks that they're starting to all look alike! Which one has the most benefits for you, the customer?
There are some things most eBook Stores have in common. Usually, they all have:
There are some things most eBook Stores have in common. Usually, they all have:
- Multiple categories of books. You want a wide variety of books to choose from, or you're going to start wondering what the advantage of choosing an eBook store is.
- Reader reviews. Using these while choosing a book helps you figure out whether buying it is worth it.
- An excerpt or preview of the book. Sometimes, reading a few pages can help you choose if you'll enjoy reading the author's writing style
Through thorough evaluation on eBook stores throughout the internet, I've settled on one that consistently gives advantages over others. Diesel eBook Store. What features makes it different from other, similar sites?
- A Buyer Rewards Program.Any true book lover will tell you that one will just not suffice. Reading is a hobby, a love, an addiction. Who doesn't love a website that rewards you for reading?
- Free eBooks. eBook sites usually offer books commercially or free, not both. Diesel offers both, which makes me feel better as a reader, not just a customer.
- Bundles of books. Books are grouped together by commonalities, making it easier to find the books you love. Bundles are also cheaper than buying the books separately. Many eBook stores don't offer them, but Diesel supports them. At last check, Diesel had over 600 bundles, and many of them were created by readers like you. Not only can you create your own bundles, but you can also potentially a gift certificate if you enter this contest.


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RICHMOND � John Bivens believes he and his Virginia teammates have what it takes to advance to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., this season.
RICHMOND � John Bivens believes he and his Virginia teammates have what it takes to advance to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., this season.
There is sound reasoning behind that confidence.
The Cavaliers, who opened their season with 19 consecutive victories, are one of only six NCAA Division I baseball teams � including Georgia, North Carolina, New Mexico, Coastal Carolina and George Mason � to have reached the 30-win plateau.
And the wins keep coming.
Steven Proscia hit a grand slam and left-hander Matt Packer pitched five scoreless innings as No. 11 Virginia defeated VCU 8-1 in a rain-delayed affair Tuesday night at The Diamond.
�We definitely can get to Omaha,� said Bivens, a Prince George High School product. �We�re a solid team. We�re playing well and coming through in the clutch. We�ve got great pitching. We�ve got great hitting. I definitely believe we can get to Omaha.�
Bivens drew a walk in the ninth inning � eventually scoring one of two of the Cavaliers� late insurance runs.
Packer scattered two hits while striking out six as Virginia (31-8-1) won for the third time in four outings.
The Cavaliers pounded out 11 hits against five VCU pitchers.
Proscia finished with five RBIs.
�We�ve become one team. There our no individuals,� Bivens said. �Each player just goes out there and puts it all on the line for the team.�
Cavaliers coach Brian O�Connor shares Bivens� high hopes.
�I really like this team,� O�Connor said. �We�ve had five really good teams previous to this, but this team is a little bit different. This team is a little special. Our players have as much character as any team I�ve ever coached. We handle adversity very well. Collectively, as a group, this is the best offense we�ve had here. We�re also the deepest we�ve been pitching-wise.
�I really, really like this team. If we continue to play how we�ve been down this final stretch, I think we have a chance to do something pretty special.�
An seventh-inning RBI double by Richard Gonzalez was the only true highlight for the Rams, who entered the game with a .313 team batting average.
VCU (18-15) was limited to five hits and stranded five baserunners.
It wasn�t enough. Not by a long shot.
Not on a night when most of the 1,947 in attendance were wearing orange and blue.
Virginia freshman designated hitter Danny Hultzen opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning. Hultzen finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and freshman infielder John Hicks scored three runs.
�[Virginia] has three or four guys that should probably pro ball right now � guys that had a chance to sign [with a major league franchise] right out of high school,� Rams coach Paul Keyes said. �They have some guys that would have been high draft picks. That�s the advantage a school like U.Va. has with their quality of education. They�ve just done a great job of really separating themselves from any other program in this state.�
Matoaca High School product Michael Cheatham drew a walk and recorded eight putouts at first base for VCU.
Rams junior outfielder M.L. Morgan, a Dinwiddie High School product and son of Virginia State coach Merrill Morgan, was hit by a pitch.
� Neil Fuller can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com
WP: Packer (2-4). LP: Deane (2-3). SAVE: Davis (1).


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Emirates profit grows 165% in 1H2009, while large cost and yield reductions; sees slow recovery
Despite a strong result for the six months to 30-Sep-2009, Emirates Chairman and Chief Executive, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, said that while "some say the green shoots of economy recovery are sprouting", he expects "it will take at least another year or two, before demand for air transport and travel services starts picking up again."
In the meantime, he says. "Emirates is well-placed to weather the rest of the storm. We will continue to chart our course with long-term goals in mind while staying flexible to maximise opportunities and mitigate risks."
The carrier has said it will not postpone delivery of its existing orders. President, Tim Clark, was reported as saying earlier this week that it hoped delays in the A380 deliveries would not affect it: "Emirates has 53 Airbus A380 aircraft on firm order, with two of these due for delivery in Dec-2009. Emirates currently has five A380s in its fleet and we will receive a further 15 up till the end of Nov-2010. We remain in close discussions with Airbus in relation to our order,"
There is certainly little to suggest that Emirates has anything in mind other than a long term dominance in most of the markets it serves. This week it confirmed plans to increase Asia Pacific frequencies significantly over the next couple of months, with an additional 17 services per week, representing 13% capacity (seats) growth. This brings the the carrier's services to the Asia Pacific region to 187 per week. The main increases involve additional daily services to Bangkok (a fourth) and Sydney (a third), each effective 2-Dec-2009.
The strong profit improvement for the first half came on the back of substantial reductions in both revenue and costs, as the carrier cut back drastically on non-essentials.
But a 13.5% reduction in revenue despite a passenger traffic increase of 21%, implies a very substantial yield reduction over the period. If Emirates can remain profitable in those circumstances, this says a lot about the versatility of the model that goes far beyond casual criticisms of government support and low priced fuel.
Emirates' financial results for the six months ended 30-Sep-2009 were as follows:
- Total revenue: USD5.4 million, -13.5% year-on-year;
- Total costs: USD5.2 million, -15.8%;
- Net profit: USD204.9 million, +164.8%;
- Passenger traffic (RPMs): +21%;
- Passenger load factor: 77.5%, -0.8 ppt.


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Availability: In stock
Pre-order now:
Volume 2 covers all the rules for housing benefit for rent payments across the UK, containing many practical examples and more than 80 useful tables for quick reference.
The Guide to Housing Benefit (now published as volume 2 of the housing cost handbook series) has a strong reputation for clear, impartial and accurate advice and is used by local councils, social landlords, advisers, tribunal members, housing professionals and tenants. It is designed to complement volume 1 which covers universal credit, council tax and rate rebates and certain matters common to housing benefit and universal credit, including appeal tribunals and the rules about migrants and recent arrivals.
This new edition of the Guide to Housing Benefit has been fully revised and updated to incorporate all the changes over the past year, including the April 2020 uprating. It provides answers to some of the most frequent problems and issues and explains all the new rules starting from April, including:
Get a 20% discount when you order 5 or more copies (discount will be added at point of sale).
P&P is £4 for the first copy, plus £2 for any subsequent copies.
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