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iPhone 7 Plus cases are now available for orders and pre-orders. It has become customary for all smartphone accessories brands to capture attention of users. And therefore, they release some useful accessories before the launch of gadgets. iPhone 7 has been making rounds for the last couple of months. Taking advantage of this hype, leading brands like Spigen and Olixar have already rolled out beautiful cases for iPhone 7.
iPhone 7 Plus is also in the list of three iPhones Apple is planning to launch in September this year. So if you wish to buy this phone, you should first think of the protection of iPhone 7 Plus. People have already started purchasing cases for iPhone 7; hence, this list of cases for iPhone 7 Plus will surely impress those who dream about this in-demand smartphone.
Best iPhone 7 Plus Cases and Covers
1. Otterbox
This iPhone 7 Plus case is from Defender Series of OtterBox. Give your smartphone a heavy duty protection against accidental drops, dust, and other damages; what impresses users is case's design that doesn't obstruct any function while giving full protection to the device. The triple-layer protection is the key as the case is built from a high quality polycarbonate shell, a tough silicone slipcover and a built-in screen protector. You can save a few bucks you might have spent on your iPhone 7 Plus screen protector. Enjoy hands-free viewing of visual media with the help of belt-clip holster that can also work as a kickstand.
Price: $59.95
Order it from Amazon.com
2. Luvvitt
Luvvitt presents a flexible case which is enhanced by TPU rubber; this gives you perfect grip. Appreciate its raised lip that allows you to put your iPhone 7 Plus on table with its face down. Check the shock absorbing materials and killer design of the case. Users will be impressed by its slim and elegant design; this lightweight case is popular for its seamless integration with your iPhone 7 Plus. Gain access to all ports and buttons with its precisely cut out openings. Enjoy lifetime warranty and premium quality from the manufacturer. This case is made of superior grade first-class material powered by Luvvitt support.
Price: $12.99
Buy it from Amazon.com
3. Tozo
Tozo brings one of the thinnest protective cases for your iPhone. Users love its simple yet elegant design, which is functional. Even if you are frequently using your iPhone, this case ensures that it doesn't gather fingerprints or grease. Thanks to its matte face, which has reduced-reflection feature. Your iPhone is protected from all corners, thus the case offers you 360-degree protection to your iPhone. All corners are covered and the raised edge protects screen of your phone. The case is compatible with 3D Touch and has precise cut-outs that let you access speakers, charging ports, audio ports and buttons. Last but not the least, its protective ring for camera hole; the ring has protective layer, which is perfect for mobile camera.
Price: $8.99
Order it from Amazon.com
4. MP Mall
This clear case from MP Mall is particularly compatible with your Apple iPhone 7 Plus. Its custom design easily fits on your iPhone with perfect openings allowing effortless access to all buttons, controls, sensors and ports. The case is shock absorbent and scratch resistant as it is made with gel TPU material to safeguard your phone against accidental drops and scratches. Give your eyes visual treat with its slim profile and lightweight body. Feel minimum bulk in your pockets, though its slightly raised edges guard the screen when you put your iPhone face down. You can comfortably use your phone with its flexible and durable body.
Price: $29.99 [$7.99 while writing this on Amazon.com] Shop it from Amazon.com
5. Ringke
Ringke Frame is bolstered with an anti-scratch coated PC clear back for your iPhone 7 Plus. Now flaunt your prized possession and protect it with Ringke's dual layered bumper, which protects the phone against drops. Thanks to its TPU cushion and PC frame bumper that gives enough security. Users would also like its active touch technology which is designed for more natural responsive feel especially when they are pressing volume and power buttons.
Price: $32.00 [$3.99 while writing this on Amazon.com] Purchase it from Amazon.com
Don't Miss: Best iPhone 7 Plus Cases
6. Oeago
Oeago has designed this beautiful case for iPhone 7 Plus. If the thought of drop scares the daylights out of you, check that extra grip to your device that prevents accidental drops. You can easily press the buttons even while your phone is covered. Appreciate its shock absorbing engineering, which evenly distributes and circulates the impacts into the bumper. Its premium coating gives you soft feeling texture while you are holding your coveted iPhone 7 Plus.
Price: $7.18
Buy it from Amazon.com
7. Peyou
Peyou brings an iPhone 7 Plus case that perfectly fits on the device. Its premium material can easily stun you with its robust coating PC and premium soft TPU. You can hold your iPhone with soft rounded edges that offer comfortable grip. The case is precisely designed to let you operate all ports, buttons and controls on phone. It offers maximum protection with toughened corner security against accidental drops. Despite being such a robust and protective case, it has retained its thin profile.
Price: $19.99 [$7.99 while writing this on Amazon.com] Shop it from Amazon.com
The case is perfectly designed for iPhone 7 Plus. Users are awestruck by its ultra thin body that provides maximum protection without adding much bulk to your pockets. This case is made of smooth and premium quality TPU; this makes it flexible yet tough. Moreover, the case offers ultimate protection against sudden drops and falls. With this case on your iPhone 7 Plus, you need not to worry about dirt and stains. Its unique design lets you access all controls, ports and buttons on your iPhone. It is quite easy to install the case on the phone as LK has crafted this case to be lightweight and elegant.
Price: $29.99 [$7.99 while writing this on Amazon.com] Order it from Amazon.com
9. Tauri
Tauri presents a premium case for iPhone 7 Plus. This case is highly compatible with your iPhone as it allows easy access to all buttons, ports, camera and other controls. Admire its dual layered protection with crystal clear soft TPU interior that gently touches the back of your iPhone 7 Plus. Exterior of this case is made of hard PC shell to resist scratches and shocks. Check out the raised outer edges that safeguard your phone's screen from being damaged. You can comfortably hold this case as its slim profile offers easy grip that stops sudden drops and falls.
Price: $8.99
Purchase it from Amazon.com
Floral pattern on the back of the case instantly captures women's attention. This case from ANLI can easily impress your love interest so you can gift her on her birthday. About its features, the case boasts soft bumper which helps take up shock combined with an anti-slip finish. This further protects your phone against bumps and accidental drops. Slim fitting and lightweight features enable you to carry your iPhone 7 Plus in your trousers' pockets. You can effortlessly snap on and off installation with precisely cut out openings on the case.
Price: $29.90 [$7.98 while writing this on Amazon.com] Buy it from Amazon.com
Protection, comfort and functionality – get all the three features in a single EC case for your iPhone 7 Plus. For protection of your phone, this case has advanced two layers and corners moulded polycarbonate. For comfort and convenience, the case boasts built-in kickstand and belt holster. And for functionality, the case provides easy access to buttons, camera, headphone jack, speakers, microphone and charging port; moreover, this case is available with a stylus to enjoy the best touch screen experience on your iPhone 7 Plus.
Price: $29.99 [$8.59 while writing this on Amazon.com] Shop it from Amazon.com
Every iPhone lover is keenly waiting for iPhone 7 Plus. You can buy these cases right now, so that you will be inspired to buy your favourite iPhone 7 Plus upon its launch. Though this is not the right time to ask you for feedback, you can share some good insights about what features you expect in a case for iPhone 7 Plus. Write your suggestions on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.


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~ Gluten Free Bun $2.00 ~
Information and Policy: Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs, may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions. We do offer several gluten free options. This establishment uses glutens and dairy products, cross contamination is possible.
We accept Cash, MasterCard, Visa & Discover. No Checks or AMEX. 18% Gratuity will be added to parties of 6 or more.
~ Gluten Free Crust 5.00 ~
Colonel Charles Broadwater built the world-famous Broadwater Hotel and Natatorium in 1889, the year Montana achieved statehood. This grand resort was the stopping place for elite travelers going to and from the national parks of Yellowstone and Glacier. The broadwater Hot Springs Natatorium pool at 30,000 square feet, was the world's largest indoor pool. At one end of the pool giant granite boulders formed into two waterfalls, one from the Hot Springs and one from a Cold Springs. The Natatorium also sported toboggan slides, a "plunge" and observation decks. Stained-glass windows and colorful tiles covered the interior floors and walls. At night, lit from within by electric lights, the building glistened like a jewel box. With a bow to the long and rich history of the natural mineral waters from the hot springs, in 2015 the facility, under new ownership, became Broadwater Hot Springs & Fitness.
At the Broadwater we've used traditional Montana flavors in new and innovative ways to create our menu at The Spring's Taproom and Grill. We source local whenever possible because quality ingredients make quality food. We have a menu designed for our community in an atmosphere with the nostalgia of the spring's historic past. The space that is now our new taproom and grill was originally racquetball courts 3, 4 and 5 in the Broadwater Athletic Club. Keeping in mind the history of the space we upcycled the 1978 vintage wood floors from the courts and made them into the table tabletops in our Taproom & Grill. If the tables could talk we are sure they would have some great stories from the thousands of residents and guests that pounded on them for hours. Recognizing the Broadwater's roots here in Helena we have repurposed many locally gathered materials from the court floor table tops to the railroad track foot rests, not to mention all the other design elements seen throughout the restaurant. Our families were raised here in Montana and have a great respect for our Helena Community as we are very proud to say that our roots date back to our great grandparents. It is out of our love for this community that we give you "The Springs Taproom & Grill," a place as local as the Broadwater Hot Springs. Helena's Hot Springs.
We hope you enjoy soaking and hanging out at the Broadwater! Chris and Kellie, Scott and Windy, John and Bethany and our families.

subset: commoncrawl


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Join the RHS today and support our charitable work
Keep track of your plants with reminders & care tips – all to help you grow successfully
My plants
My calendar
My ideas
My advice
RHS members get reduced ticket prices
North Yorkshire
Greater Manchester
RHS members get free access to RHS Gardens
Free entry to RHS members at selected times »
Reduced prices on RHS Garden courses and workshops
General enquiries
020 3176 5800
Mon – Fri | 9am – 5pm
Help us achieve our goals
Make a
Join the RHS today and support our charity
We have combined these two powerful search tools into a single Find a Plant service searching over 250,000 plant records.
Virtually all of the features of the old searches are still available and in addition we have added several new features to create a more comprehensive and user friendly search experience.
When using this search
Search by plant name, key attributes or both to find plant details and a list of
AGM plants have been through a rigorous trial and assessment programme. They are:
This plant will provide nectar and pollen for bees and the many other types of pollinating insects.
It is included in an evolving list of plants carefully researched and chosen by RHS experts. Divided into 3 groups these lists, linked below, are maintained by a team of RHS staff and are reviewed annually.
the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9
Other common names
hellebore 'Tutu'
Helleborus can be rhizomatous, herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennials forming a clump of pedate basal leaves, or evergreen with erect, leafy stems. Large, bowl-shaped flowers are borne in loose clusters in late winter or spring
'Tutu' is a clump-forming, semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial, up to 45cm high, with glossy, mid-green leaves and pink flowers, with dark pink-red semi-double anemone-centres, from late winter to spring
Foliage Semi-evergreen
Habit Clump-forming
Toxicity Ingestion may cause severe discomfort
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
Partial Shade
Full Sun
Aspect East-facing or North-facing or West-facing or South-facing
Exposure Sheltered
MoistureMoist but well-drained
SoilClay, Loam, Chalk
pHAlkaline, Neutral
Ultimate height
0.1-0.5 metres
Ultimate spread
0.5-1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2-5 years
Will tolerate a wide range of conditions, but does best in fertile, moisture-retentive, humus-rich but well-drained soil which is preferably heavy, and neutral or alkaline, in a position with shelter from strong, cold winds and in dappled shade, mulched every autumn with leaf mould, chipped bark or other organic matter; for more advice, see hellebore cultivation
Propagate by division of large clumps in early spring, watering well until they are established
Suggested planting locations and garden types
Flower borders and beds Underplanting of Roses and Shrubs Ground Cover Banks and Slopes
Cottage & Informal Garden City & Courtyard Gardens
Pruning Remove old leaves to help prevent hellebore leaf spot, and deadhead by removing old faded flower stems
Pests May be affected by slugs, snails, hellebore aphid, hellebore leaf miner, chafers, vine weevil and mice
May be affected by hellebore black death, hellebore leaf spot, downy mildews, grey moulds (botrytis), smuts, and virus diseases
RHS members can get exclusive individual advice from the RHS Gardening Advice team.
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK's leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone's life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.


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Date: 25/03/2006
This research project aims to build ACP capacity to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the local science, technology and innovation system in the agricultural sector. The results of the study should provide information on the nature of the system as well as alternative approaches that might be considered, with regard to complementary policies, programmes and support organizations that could contribute to strengthening the agricultural science, technology and innovation (ASTI) system, especially with regard to the sub-sector, commodity or products which are the focus of the analysis. It should also provide one set of inputs into future policies governing agriculture and science, technology and innovation and should demonstrate to all stakeholders the need to focus science and technology developments on the agricultural sector and more specifically as they relate to agricultural trade, competitiveness and food security within the context of broader development goals.


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How to use the rundll32.exe file in Windows
Updated: 01/24/2018 by Computer Hope
Below are some examples of how the rundll.exe rundll32.exe files can be used in Microsoft Windows to perform Windows commands from the command prompt. Because of the different versions of rundll and rundll32, not all of the options below work. If rundll or rundll32 encounter an error, the command fails without any error messages.
Shutdown, restart, logoff, or poweroff the computer
Lock the Windows 2000 and Windows XP workstation
rundll32 user32.dll,LockWorkStation
Run the install for an inf file
Run the install for an inf file.
rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132 <inf file>
Open the "Open With" folder for a file
Below is a command that can be run from the command line to open the Open With window for a particular file.
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL <directory or file>
Run copy disk program
Below is an example of how the copy disk window can be opened from the command line.
rundll32.exe diskcopy,DiskCopyRunDll
Create a new shortcut
Open the create shortcut wizard icon by typing the command below into the command prompt. The "NewLinkHere" is case sensitive and generates an error if not typed in properly.
rundll32.exe appwiz.cpl,NewLinkHere <directory>
Open the screen saver window
rundll32.exe desk.cpl,InstallScreenSaver
Additional information
- See our restart, shortcut, and shutdown definition for further information and related links.
- Microsoft Windows help and support.


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About the GBC App
What can the GBC App do for you? It can:
- show you upcoming events
- give you paperless bulletins for the Sunday worship services
- let you listen to past sermons
- connect you to our pastors
- connect you to our Facebook groups
- connect you to our Prayer Chain
- suggest podcasts to subscribe to (don't use Apple's "Podcasts" app — it doesn't work!)
- help you memorize verses in the Bible
- suggest useful apps (such as Bibles and podcast apps) that either you may like or that it may need to extend its functionality
Three-Tap Installation Instructions*
The GBC App is a web app, which means that it's universal and will run on practically any device with almost every web browser. It also means that it isn't available in Google Play, iTunes, BlackBerry World or the Windows Phone Store and must be installed manually from your device's web browser.
The GBC App can be installed with just three taps* (exactly what to tap depends on the device and the web browser).
*These instructions apply to the vast majority of devices, but aren't exhaustive. Your particular device and web browser may behave slightly differently, but the procedure is more or less the same.
- Open this page (gbccalgary.com/app) in your device's web browser (Apple users must use Safari).
- Prepare to Install ⇐ Tap this button. The app will appear in a new tab so that you can revisit these instructions if necessary.
- Tap (or press) either the Menu, Share or More button to open the browser's menu.
- On Android devices, the Menu button is below the screen and next to the Home button (appearance varies widely). It may be dark or invisible until it's been pressed.
- On Apple devices, the Share button looks like or .
- On BlackBerry devices with keyboards, the Menu button is at the top of the keyboard and looks like .
- On most other devices and browsers, the More button looks like or .
- Tap Add to Home Screen or Pin to Start on the browser's menu. You may be given the opportunity to customize the app's appearance on the home screen — there is usually no need to change the default settings.
That's it! If you can see the GBC icon on your home screen then the app has been installed.


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'Democracy May Have Had Its Day'
Donald Kagan, Yale's great classicist gives his final lecture, fighting as ever for Western civilization.
By MATTHEW KAMINSKI
New Haven, Conn.
Donald Kagan is engaging in one last argument. For his "farewell lecture" here at Yale on Thursday afternoon, the 80-year-old scholar of ancient Greece—whose four-volume history of the Peloponnesian War inspired comparisons to Edward Gibbon's Roman history—uncorked a biting critique of American higher education.
Universities, he proposed, are failing students and hurting American democracy. Curricula are "individualized, unfocused and scattered." On campus, he said, "I find a kind of cultural void, an ignorance of the past, a sense of rootlessness and aimlessness." Rare are "faculty with atypical views," he charged. "Still rarer is an informed understanding of the traditions and institutions of our Western civilization and of our country and an appreciation of their special qualities and values." He counseled schools to adopt "a common core of studies" in the history, literature and philosophy "of our culture." By "our" he means Western.
This might once have been called incitement. In 1990, as dean of Yale College, Mr. Kagan argued for the centrality of the study of Western civilization in an "infamous" (his phrase) address to incoming freshmen. A storm followed. He was called a racist—or as the campus daily more politely editorialized, a peddler of "European cultural arrogance."
Not so now. Mr. Kagan received a long standing ovation from students and alumni in the packed auditorium. Heading into retirement, he has been feted as a beloved and popular teacher and Yale icon. The PC wars of the 1990s feel dated. Maybe, as one undergrad told me after the lecture, "the pendulum has started to swing back" toward traditional values in education.
Mr. Kagan offers another explanation. "You can't have a fight," he says one recent day at his office, "because you don't have two sides. The other side won."
He means across academia, but that is also true in his case. Mr. Kagan resigned the deanship in April 1992, lobbing a parting bomb at the faculty that bucked his administration. His plans to create a special Western Civilization course at Yale—funded with a $20 million gift from philanthropist and Yale alum Lee Bass, who was inspired by the 1990 lecture—blew up three years later amid a political backlash. "I still cry when I think about it," says Mr. Kagan.
As he looks at his Yale colleagues today, he says, "you can't find members of the faculty who have different opinions." I point at him. "Not anymore!" he says and laughs. The allure of "freedom" and "irresponsibility" were too strong to resist, he says...
Read the rest:


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The famous Charles M. Schulz characters you've grown to love have made a reappearance, but this time, it's not in a comic strip. Japanese brand Loopwheeler and Peanuts join in collaboration for this latest jacket featuring Snoopy and Charlie Brown. The varsity style jacket integrates the Japanese brand's famed fleece with leather sleeves completed with chenille patches featuring the comic strip's famous duo along with other various patches. What would be a Peanuts collaboration without them? No word on release date, but we'll keep you posted. [freshnessmag]
Also Watch


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Bike Stowe
- 2014 Bike Preview: Rocky Mountain Altitude Rally wp.me/p1xMq7-lK 6 years ago
- 2014 Bike Preview: Scott Genuis LT wp.me/p1xMq7-lF 6 years ago
- Demo Bikes For Sale! wp.me/p1xMq7-lC 6 years ago
- Wet Weather Got You Down? wp.me/p1xMq7-jN 6 years ago
- New Intense Builds wp.me/p1xMq7-jl 6 years ago
Author Archives: Mike Thomas
Bike of the Week- Intense Tracer2
Why is this Intense Tracer2 the bike of the week? Because it is the coolest 'kids' bike on the trails. Built for a local young (12 year old) ripper, this bike is really well sorted with some pretty exotic parts. … Continue reading
Bike of the Week
Intense Tracer T275 Carbon Why it's cool- The T275c is cool because it is Intense cycles latest super bike, making it the best all-around mountain bike that they have ever produced. This bike sports 160mm of travel front and rear … Continue reading
Bike of the Week: Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt 770
Welcome back to 'Bike of the Week' for 2014! I hope everyone enjoyed the winter, but it's time to start thinking about bicycles. The inaugural bike for 2014 is a new model from Rocky Mountain Bikes, the Thunderbolt 770. Why … Continue reading
Posted in Biking, Mountain Biking Leave a comment
Bike of the Week- Brook's Intense Carbine custom build Brook's carbine is built to be light and strong to compliment her aggressive yet smooth riding style. Some of the standout features are a full carbon fiber frame with our favorite … Continue reading
Bike of the Week- Intense Tracer29
Considering the weather we've experienced all month, this weeks 'bike' should probably be a photo of a canoe, but I'm gonna keep it real and talk about one of our favorite custom builds. An Intense Tracer29 with some pretty rad … Continue reading
Bike of the Week- Scott CR1 Comp
It might be too wet to get out and ride a mountain bike on trails, but there is plenty of time between the storms to log some serious mileage on a road bike. The Scott CR1 Comp is our Bike … Continue reading
Bike of The Week- Rocky Mountain Element 970 RSL BC Edition
This weeks bike splits the difference between XC Race Rig and fast Trail Bike, in fact, it's not between the two categories, it fits cleanly into both categories. Utilizing a Fox Talas fork with 120mm of travel that can be … Continue reading


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Carousel is a Westfield shopping centre here in Perth, Australia. I went there last week with my parents and saw that Portmans were on sale. I got those loafer shoes for $19.99 a pair! I love these shoes but I find that the width is a little too small for me. I do have extremely wide feet and it is difficult to find shoes. They're not totally uncomfortable either so I hope once I break into the shoes a little bit more they will be as comfy as a pair of house slippers. I would love to do the MichellePhan shoe trick but I lack the freezer space and I am freaked out about stinking/dirtying/poisoning the freezer contents. I would much rather a blister on my foot than food poisoning the whole house.
We then went to the $2 shop and thought that I should try this sausage bun shaper (haha, I don't actually know what to call those). Even though it was a $2 shop, this thing costed $3 – don't know why. I've never owned those hair doughnut things and I should probably have tried those first. I do have slippery, fine, layered hair and I clearly did not think this purchase through. When I got home, I put my hair up in a pony tail and tried to make the sock-bun look just like the millions of tutorials I've seen on YouTube. Guess what, I failed miserably To be able to compare these with a sock bun, I found a pair of unused socks I brought home from the aeroplane years ago. I cut the stitching at the toes off of one sock and rolled it up into the doughnut shape. I tried making a sock-bun – it did not work either.
So I am still wondering how to actually make a sock bun on my slippery, fine, layered hair. Maybe I need to put in some products first. I am not too sure. When I figure out how to do this, I will surely post another blog post. Meanwhile, if anyone out there know how to fix this problem of mine, do let me know!
Thanks for reading this blog and don't forget to follow my blog so you won't miss my posts!
Lots of Smiles,
Sita Carolina


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Harley Motorcycle Boots for Summer Riding Season
The summer is a busy time for riders across the country. With excursions planned and the season's biggest rallies filling up the schedule, riders must be prepped with motorcycle gear that's ready to meet the demands of the road.
Tired and aching feet are a common occurrence when it comes to spending long days on and off the bike. Durable footwear with comfort technology makes all the difference in maintaining stamina, ensuring no ride gets cut short. Offering a range of styles that blend superior performance with quality comfort, Harley-Davidson footwear has riders covered all season long.
Here are a few highlights:
Delivering superior protection and comfort, the FXRG Vance is the ultimate riding boot. The eight-inch lace-up style features a lightweight, flexible polyurethane midsole with rubber street side for increased stability and range of motion. The Vance also features a full-grain waterproof leather upper for protection from the elements along with added ankle support. Shock Absorbers Twin Pad Comfort Technology helps keep feet comfortable on even the longest of rides.
Gear up with the fully loaded Leila from the FXRG series. Lightweight stability meets superior protection with the flexible polyurethane midsole with rubber street side and an abrasion-, slip- and oil-resistant outsole built with Goodyear welt construction. The Leila features Shock Absorbers Twin Pad Comfort Technology, a full-cushion, dual-density PU footbed with a superior shock-absorbing compound that cushions the foot with each step for dependable comfort.


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EHC Youth
The Student Ministries at EHC consists of students 6th-12th Grade. We meet every 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month during the 10:30am worship service. In addition, we meet two Fridays every month for Friday Night Hangouts! There is usually 1 big event each month (service project, concert, ministry opportunity, etc.) that the youth group will take part in.
On the Sundays that the students meet, they begin in the main service and stay for the music and greeting portion (about 20 minutes). Then they are dismissed to youth group for the remainder of the time. They can expect to be either studying a book of the Bible or looking at a specific topic to see what the Bible has to say about it. We encourage and challenge each other, pray for one another, and just live life TOGETHER! At a Friday Night Hangout, you can expect some action packed games of dodgeball, volleyball, capture the flag, and many other high energy activities. After we play hard, we gather around for some snacks and drinks and encourage one another to keep going strong by opening God's Word to glean some truth.
Every June, the youth group goes to Encounter Camp in Oklahoma. Registration is open through May. We are not a perfect bunch but we do care about one another and we strive to present God's Word in such a way that it is understandable, applicable, and irresistible.
Find us on Facebook at the EHC Youth Group page!


text: Travelers Club® presents the Top Expandable luggage collection that vertically expands to give almost 50% more packing space. Including the patent-pending versatile 2-IN-1™ feature, offering a choice between the USB port and adjoining slit pocket/phone holder. Made of Cationic Jacquard, has a fully lined interior, top carry handle, push-button retractable trolley handle and in-line blade wheels. If you're on a business trip or just going to an important meeting, our luggage has you covered. This interesting expandability feature provides the option of using the extra space if needed or keeping the luggage smaller when not used. Additionally, this luggage collection comes in a variety of sizes.


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The rest of 2017 is set to bring a spate of new restaurant openings, and our mouths are already watering. Here are the eateries that we can't wait to see open their doors this year:
Ama:In 2016, Angus Brown and Nhan Le closed Lusca in Buckhead, opened 8Arm along Ponce de Leon Avenue, and started work on Ama inside Paris on Ponce, which is set to open this summer. Sadly, Brown died at the beginning of the year, but Le is pushing forward with plans for the 45-seat restaurant, which will be accessed from the Beltline and have a seafood-focused menu.
Anh's Kitchen:Fans of the now-shuttered Nam at Midtown Promenade will have reason to rejoice when this Vietnamese concept from Alex and Chris Kinjo — who owned Nam — opens at 855 Peachtree St. at the end of spring. Alex Kinjo also has two projects — MF Bar and District III —now open at the Avalon development in Alpharetta.
Bar Crema and Bar Americano:We're always interested to see what the team behind the Pinewood in Decatur and the Mercury at Ponce City Market has up its sleeve. This time, its these sister concepts going into the development at 56 E. Andrews Drive N.W. in Buckhead. Bar Americano is set to serve lunch and dinner, while the adjoining Bar Crema will serve takeaway items, desserts, gelato and coffee drinks, as well as classic cocktails and Italian aperitivos.
Bar Mercado:The newest concept from the Castellucci Hospitality Group, which owns Double Zero, the Iberian Pig and Cooks & Soldiers, will serve up a casual Spanish tapas concept inspired by the Market of San Miguel for the spot in Krog Street Market previously occupied by the Cockentrice. The restaurant is set to open in the spring.
The Canteen:Atlanta's food hall craze will continue in 2017 with this micro food hall project from the team behind the General Muir that will take the spot of the now-shuttered Spence at 75 Fifth St. N.W. at Tech Square. The Canteen will include outposts of Fred's Meat & Bread and Yalla, both of which also have locations in Krog Street Market, as well as a spinoff of the General Muir called TGM Bagel, which will serve bagels, coffee and breakfast items, and Square Bar, which will serve juices and smoothies in the morning and will transition to a full bar featuring beer, wine, frozen drinks and cocktails later in the day.
Coalition Food and Beverage:The team behind the popular Osteria Mattone and Table & Main will unveil its third concept in 2017 at Teasley Place at 50 Canton St., in Alpharetta. Chef Woolery "Woody" Back is set to deliver "progressive and signature interpretations of American wood-fired classics" including steaks, sandwiches and salads, as well as a full bar.
Hungry Ghost:The long-delayed spot from chef Calvin Phan of Poor Calvin's is set to open in 2017 at 345 Edgewood Ave. N.E., Atlanta. The Asian street food concept will reflect many of the offerings on the menu at Poor Calvin's, including lobster fried rice.
Mary Hoopa's House of Fried Chicken and Oysters:One Eared Stag chef-owner Robert Phalen plans to bring his restaurant specializing in fried chicken as well as oysters every which way to the Hosea + 2nd development in East Lake in 2017. Hosea + 2nd saw the openings this year of Greater Good BBQ and Poor Hendrix.
Noona: Michael Lo and George Yu, who own Taiyo Ramen in Decatur and Suzy Siu's Baos in Krog Street Market, have big plans for this "modern Korean" spot in the Parsons Alley development in Duluth, already home to O4W Pizza and the forthcoming Good Word Brew Pub from the Brick Store team. Noona, which means "older sister" in Korean, will focus on wood-fired grilling and will feature a raw bar program. Lo and Yu also plan to open Ramen Station at Larkin on Memorial this year.
Upbeet:Better Brands, which also owns the popular Yeah Burger restaurants, will open Upbeet at 1071 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta. The concept will allow customers to choose from a salad, grain bowl or protein plate, which they can customize as they move down the line. The restaurant will also feature a smoothie, superfood bowl and juice counter.
Photos: Best new restaurants in Atlanta
Photos: New dining trends to look for
Photos: Best time-tested restaurants in Atlanta
Atlanta classics: Restaurants that have stood the test of time
The ones to watch: The Atlanta food scene's rising stars
The best reviewed restaurants of 2016 and 2017
The most anticipated restaurant openings of 2017
Atlanta's best new restaurants
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In trying to recall the past 12 months of gigs in Taiwan I'm left feeling dazed and confused.
The most significant event was the closing of Underworld.
After that, it all feels blurry.
I know there were shows I wanted to see, like A Place To Bury Strangers, but I was in the USA. I can't complain as it allowed me the honor of seeing Black Sabbath perform.
So I furrowed my brow, and with supreme focus, remembered that yeah, this year Melt Banana, Ken South Rock, and Nouvelle Vague returned. Cradle of Filth got all up in my face. These were good things.
For local bands, I enjoyed the emergence of Duda Deportiva and Midnight Ping Pong. I have fond memories of several Dronetonics and BHD gigs. But my favorite local band performances were those of Hang in the Air, particularly their set at the GigGuide.tw benefit at Revolver. I know that may come off as self-serving, but they delivered a transcendent performance. What can I do but acknowledge it for what it was: great.
What also elevated that night was the tremendous support of the community. It was a remarkable turnout, and has helped us here at the GigGuide.tw office to feel encouraged with our efforts to continue.
Thank you everyone.
I loved Forests and Slack Tide's gigs this year. Forests was especially on form at Revolver's 3rd anniversary party. I thought Slack Tide's performance at Legacy's Next Big Thing in August showcased a band on the verge of a possible breakthrough. My favorite performance was the transformation of both Slack Tide and Forests into the Ventures at Revolver's Halloween party.
A special mention is required for Wonfu's thoroughly enjoyable Halloween gig at Legacy. Their Halloween show will be an annual pilgrimage now.
Finally, I salute the bands (Midnight Ping Pong, BHD, Sleaze and Hang in the Air) and the crowd at the GigGuide.tw show in December. It was a true celebration of our scene. I have never seen Revolver so packed and so full of life and energy.
My nostalgia for Suede was leading this category until Neutral Milk Hotel came along. That night with Jeff, Julian, Scott, Jeremy and that Chinese-speaking guy was pure spine-tingling magic.
On the other end of the noise scale, A Place to Bury Strangers at Formoz Festival and Ken South Rock at Revolver (again) blew me away. They were raw and loud. Like what rock can be.
White Eyes at Formoz Festival was a band seizing the moment and not holding back. They performed in front of a full house in the air conditioned EcoArk and tore into a high-energy set that kept the crowd cheering and dancing.
Inhuman Band at Formoz festival played in the blazing summer sun to a small but energized group of fans. Everyone was in a great mood and the band fed off the vibe delivering a great set and some hilarious antics. Throwing full beers off the stage didn't was a nice bonus.
擊沈女孩 (Destroyers) at Roxy Rocker with GoGoRise and P!SCO was an alcohol-fueled punk rock kick in the teeth. All the bands were excellent. But by the time 擊沈女孩 took the stage, everyone was well lubed and started moshing and singing. The band was joined on stage by members of P!SCO which added to the shenanigans.
88 Balaz at Beastie Rock performed late on the final day in the rain and was the epitome of a veteran band teaching us how it's done. The band showed us their classic rockabilly dance moves, stage diving techniques and even climbed the speaker stacks during their set.
GigGuide.tw was honored to feature Midnight Ping Pong, BHD, Sleaze and Hang in the Air at Revolver. I've never seen the venue so packed and every band was fantastic. BHD played the best set I've ever heard them play. For me though, Sleaze was the highlight of the night. They had the crowd moshing violently and loving every minute of it.
Forests played on Christmas night at Revolver with Slack Tide, Wake Up! Explosion and HBO. I've seen Forests many times, but on that night they were masters of their craft and had the drunken crowd going ballistic.
I'll start by saying that Deerhoof at Formoz Festival was not at their best. This was probably because most of the crowd didn't know what they are all about. With that said, Deerhoof always pleases and that day was no exception. It was a rare treat to have them pay Taipei a visit.
The sky was dark and the stage was even darker as A Place to Bury Strangers performed at Formoz Festival on the mountain top stage with Taipei's night skyline as a backdrop. It was the perfect setting for their ear-shredding set and guitar destroying antics.
Ken South Rock at Beastie Rock was rock at it's rawest. With rainwater exploding off the drums, audience members being launched onto the stage and a madman with a guitar wearing a kimono, it was a sight to behold.
Earwax served up an amazing lineup at Legacy featuring Sebadoh and Neutral Milk Hotel. I like Neutral Milk Hotel, but I had expected the night to be all about Sebadoh. Well, Sebadoh was a little off their game and Neutral Milk Hotel stole the show.
一月,【緊急通告: 傷心欲絕的喝湯湯水水有如破地獄的帆人】在左輪手槍,一樓的天花板差點就塌掉了。結束後我得到一雙滿是瘀青的雙腿,開始這新的一年。
八月,振奮人心的野台開唱,Go Chic是我在野台開唱看過最帥的台灣團;最帥的外國團也是她們。
十月,Forests和Slack Tide,一個超級The Ventures的萬聖節。
十二月,Slaㄎk Tiㄉe、威愷爆炸、洪申豪 & HBOrchestra和Forests。沒有更美好、更溫暖的聖誕節了。結束後,我的雙腿又是滿滿的瘀青,真的是有始有終有GigGuide.tw的一年。
還有很多好玩好看的表演但我不能寫出來 (o´艸`o) ,因為你們要自己去GigGuide.tw找。
Firstly, what a great year of live music in Taiwan! I saw more kick-arse gigs this year than ever and I could create a sizable 'best of' list for every month of 2013. But I won't.
To keep it brief I'm just going to list acts who rocked my socks off this year. Let me start with the locals;
Eyeball Killer, BHD, Dronetonics, Slack Tide, Roxymoron (I miss you guys!), Tight Tight Crotch, Midnight Ping Pong, Hang in the Air, New Sunglasses, TuT, Duda Deportiva, No Order, Sleaze, Hateful Rezpect and finally Forests. Fuuucking Forests, what a year of great shows they treated us to!
Now the internationals…
So So Modern, Mac DeMarco, Suuns, P.K. 14, Ken South Rock, Deerhoof, The Soft Moon, A Place to Bury Strangers, Blood Red Shoes, Neutral Milk Hotel, Sebadoh, Gallows, Fucked Up, Nouvelle Vague, Dirty Projectors, Godspeed You!, Apollo 18, Juck Juck Grunzie, Strength Approach…
I don't know how my ears and liver survived, but they did, and I'm sure they're looking forward to taking a beating in 2014!
Thanks to everyone who supported GigGuide.tw in any way this year - it's been huuuge and it's greatly appreciated!


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Diabetes & Hearing loss
Types Of Hearing Loss
30% of people with any type of diabetes suffer from hearing loss.
Usually seen more in women than men.
This is not something I was aware of, as I strained to hear a little more with every day that passed. Actually, I had been told this had nothing to do with my type 1 Diabetes until I got to the audio clinic of the Hospital. They explained that as our BG rises and falls, above and Below our recommended BG target (ex 4.5 – 6.5) it interferes with the blood flow to the delicate mechanism of our hearing.
Hearing loss is about twice as common in adults with diabetes compared to those who do not have the disease, according to a new study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). "Hearing loss may be an under-recognized complication of diabetes. As diabetes becomes more common, the disease may become a more significant contributor to hearing loss," said senior author Catherine Cowie, Ph.D., of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), who suggested that people with diabetes should consider having their hearing tested. "Our study found a strong and consistent link between hearing impairment and diabetes using a number of different outcomes."
Causes of Hearing Loss With Diabetes
In diabetics, hearing loss is caused by neuropathy. The tiny blood vessels and nerves that are a part of the inner ear fail to get enough blood or oxygen due to hyperglycemia, and they become damaged. Over time, that damage leads to noticeable hearing loss.
This type of hearing loss is called sensorineural.
If you notice you are straining to hear conversations or the TV needs to be increasingly louder, if general background noise drowns out sounds that you used to be able to hear, if you no longer actively take part in conversations because you can't hear them, speak you to GP and ask to be referred to a hearing specialist.


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Get in the game
Think fast: What is the capital of Finland? Even if you don't know the answer, you probably like trivia. Whether you watch "Jeopardy" or compete in trivia night at your local tavern, a healthy store of trivia knowledge is an asset. Plus, a curious brain is a healthy brain. If you want to keep mentally fit, you need to exercise your synapses. Packing your memory banks with interesting bits of contemporary knowledge is a great way to work your brain and has the added bonus of making you a more informed person.
And the world needs more informed people — not to mention more competitive games of Trivial Pursuit. Give your brain a boost and check out these seven offbeat but interesting bits of environmental trivia.


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Pizza Potato Skins
When I was younger, I was obsessed with barbecue sauce. I basically wanted to put it on everything I ate, it was my condiment of choice. One of the things I got teased about from my family was barbecue sauce on my baked potatoes. Now, maybe that sounds weird to you...but I promise it's actually good! In fact, now you can find recipes for and restaurants that serve that exact combination. Maybe I wasn't so crazy after all!
Today I'm sharing a potato dish with another unusual sauce. Earlier this week, we made a treat that was a combination of my husband's two favorite foods - potatoes and pizza! We were looking through my favorite cookbook, The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays. My husband was drooling just looking at the pizza potato skins. He could not wait to try this recipe out.
I love potato skins, but I've only had traditional ones. The combination of the potato with the pizza flavors, though, was delicious! This dish can be customized to your favorite pizza flavors. My husband typically eats traditional pepperoni pizza, but my go to flavor is bacon and onion. Both were easily replicated in potato skin form, and tasted amazing.
Here's how I made them -
Pizza Potato Skin ingredients:
- Canola oil
- Potatoes
- Cheese
- Pizza sauce
- Toppings - red pepper flakes, bacon bits, chopped pepperoni, onion, etc
Pizza Potato Skins:
- Preheat oven to 400F
- Cover potatoes in canola oil and Kosher salt
- Bake potatoes 45 mins
- Once the've cooled to touch, cut the potato in half
- Scoop out most of the potato - just leave a bit in the skin
- Brush inside of potato with butter - bake 4 mins
- Flip over and brush butter on outside - bake an additional 4 mins
- Brush on a small amount of pizza sauce on the potato
- Sprinkle on mozzarella cheese
- Top with your favorite pizza toppings - pepperoni, bacon, red pepper flakes, sausage, etc


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Mac Users: Are Latest DSON and Reality Plugins working on PoserPro (v 11.0.3) under OS X 10.11.4 (El Capitan)?
It's Great to have this new forum, very glad to have found it... Question of users of Latest Mac OS X (El Capitan) release:
Have all the issues that were caused by the initial OS X Upgrade to 10.11.0 been fixed with the latest updates that are out there for these 4 items?
Are those of you running OS X (v10.11.4), with latest Service Release to Poser Pro (v11.0.3.xxxxx), able to run latest DSON Importer (v126.96.36.199) and Reality (v4.2.1.xxxx) plugins without any problems?
I made the mistake of early adoption of El Capitan before a few of its updates, and suffered it "killing" several of my legacy programs, including Poser Pro 11 and creating issues with those Plugins. I actually "fell back" to my old OS (Yosemite) to stop the problems. I know Reality developers worked very quickly to identify and fix the issue in their product. Not real clear if the older DSON Importer Plugin has been changed at all; but since release of OS there have been several updates, as well as the new service release for Poser...
Would love to have a few folks indicate that things are OK for them before I attempt the UPDate again...
Thanks in advance...
chriswwd last edited by
Are those of you running OS X (v10.11.4), with latest Service Release to Poser Pro (v11.0.3.xxxxx), able to run latest DSON Importer (v126.96.36.199) and Reality (v4.2.1.xxxx) plugins without any problems?
I don't actually use Genesis/DSON or Reality any more, but I have the latest versions of everything, as in your question. This quick load/pose/render worked fine.
chriswwd last edited by
Hmm... I didn't check the Reality materials - they were all set to Glossy. I have no idea if Reality is supposed to recognise Genesis as a human figure with skin etc. but it didn't.
The background stripes and patch of light under the ball were caused by an IBL which I forgot to switch off in Reality (I use it just as a preview light with Poser SF).
@chriswwd Thanks!! Hopefully you're not alone, I'll see if some others are working away without issues using those Plugins.
I (along with a bunch of others) had all kinds of issues following the upgrade to the first release of El Capitan. I don't know if you experienced it, but if you were running Reality v4 Plugin Or the DSON Importer Plugin in Poser 11, after the El Capitan upgrade Poser would crash on start up every time. You basically had to remove those plugins from the python folder to even get Poser to start up... I know that Paolo at Pret-a-3D quickly found out what the issue was and put out a patch right away for his Reality product (Which is/was awesome BTW). But the DSON Importer was still an issue... And since the Upgrade also killed some of my older legacy Video editing software, I just reverted back to Yosemite...
Anyway, that was several updates and patches ago for everything, so I'm hopeful the "Glitches" have all been worked out... Sounds and looks like things are working for you, and that is great news. Thanks again ...
RobZhena last edited by
I have no problems at all with Poser Pro 11 since the fixes to El Capitan. DSON works fine. I do not use Reality, but if you search the boards, you will find that problem was resolved before the general fix to the OS.
Uli Klumpp last edited by
We released a Poser update to work around the stability issues in OS X 10.11.0, but it seemed like Apple addressed it in 10.11.1 as well. So even software that hasn't been updated should continue to work in OS X versions 10.11.1 or newer.
Thanks All... Sounds like it is safe to update now... I appreciate the feedback....
Answer = Yes They Do... Just Moved to El Capitan (v10.11.4), Opened Poser Pro 11 (v11.0.3), did a quick DSON Import of DAZ Genesis 2 Character (Michael 6), added a single spot light, fired up Reality (v4.2.1), used defaults for practically everything and generated the following.... Thanks Again to all who made me feel comfortable to apply the latest update to OS X.


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Well, just so you know, creating this contest form was not the most fun thing in the world. Too many categories, fairly exhausting. But one thing I will note — you can tell what they really really really REALLY like by how many nominations the thing gets in all categories, much like the Oscars. So that would mean Mad Men breaks an Emmy record and takes home the gold for best drama series and Modern Family wins again for comedy series. Downton Abbey is all over the place, too.
The only thing I'm personally rooting for is for Louis to win something. Louis CK getting Best Actor in a comedy series, or writing or directing. Beyond that, it would be nice to see Christina Hendricks get some Emmy love for Mad Men, Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson for Game Change.
Please enter our contest! The winner(s) will receive an Amazon gift card. Contest after the cut.


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| 8.8°C Dublin
Rob Kearney is "more than happy" to chase peak match sharpness and start Ireland's World Cup clash against Romania at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
Full-back Kearney expects head coach Joe Schmidt to make changes to keep his squad fresh ahead of facing the world's 17th-ranked side in London.
However, Leinster stalwart Kearney could well be handed a second straight run-out following last weekend's 50-7 victory over Canada with the 29-year-old aiming to hit top gear after a knee niggle.
Ireland declared a "clean bill of health" on Sunday, aside from Robbie Henshaw, but even the Connacht centre is expected to recover from hamstring trouble in time to contest selection for the Romania clash.
"I haven't seen the full medical report yet but there will be a few guys who maybe won't be fit for this weekend, or might be rested based on a couple of niggles," said Kearney.
"So it's not like the Six Nations or November when you have an unlimited number of people to choose from.
"So some people will be asked to double up again, and when you're asked to double up at a World Cup, you're more than happy."
Ireland shook off two consecutive defeats that closed their warm-up schedule by blasting seven tries past Canada in Saturday's Pool D opener in Cardiff.
After Romania this weekend come the group defining battles against Italy and France, with Kearney confident Ireland are edging towards their attacking best.
Schmidt's side were labelled conservative en route to their second straight Six Nations title this season, but Kearney insists expansive play will be reined right in by every side as the tournament progresses.
Kearney admitted the heat under Cardiff's closed roof and the breathless pace against Canada sapped Ireland's strength.
"Yeah, I was tired. I haven't been that spent now in a long, long time," said Kearney of the Canada victory.
"I don't know if it was the first proper competitive game back, the roof closed, or the fact there was a huge amount of ball in play.
"I've pulled up okay but I was unbelievably tired after the game.
"I was asking around the lads after the game hoping they'd say the same so I wasn't miles off the pace.
"But the general consensus was that the pace was very, very quick.
"It was great to score some tries after the criticism in the Six Nations that we weren't creating enough.
"The criticism didn't hurt, because ideally you want to be scoring tries but what matters is winning games.
"As this tournament goes on and teams get more evenly matched and the margins are smaller, you'll see a lot more aerial contesting and kicking of ball.
"That's a tactic teams will use when the stakes are higher."
Wing Dave Kearney has fought his way back into Ireland's starting line-up after injury trouble, leaving older brother Rob proud of their World Cup family ties.
"I'm really happy to see him get what he deserves - maybe I'm a little biased but he was always very much part of the team in my mind," said Rob Kearney.
"Had it not been for injury he may well have featured in the Six Nations.
"He needed to take his opportunities, but he has and it's been great to see."
PA Media


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Who will you choose in your eleven: De Gea or Courtois?
The transfer market for the goal keeping position has always been under-priced (or rightly priced) in comparison to the rest of the positions on the pitch. The highest price ever paid for a goalkeeper, was at the beginning of the new millennium as Juventus bought Buffon from Parma. A thankless job, and being in the limelight for the slightest of error, the goalkeeping job has never been a tougher proposition. However the presence of a young duo at the biggest clubs in the English Premier League has certainly raised the standard of goalkeeping and has ignited the debate of who is the better amongst the two; De Gea or Courtois?
Manchester United's David De Gea
At a relatively young age of 24 years, David De Gea has been the star performer for a struggling Manchester United Team. Not only has he cemented his place in front of a competitive duo of Anders Lindegaard and Ben Amos, he has also been the lynchpin of an otherwise vulnerable Manchester United defense.
David De Gea came through the ranks at Atletico Madrid and made 57 appearances during 2009-11 for the reigning Spanish La Liga champions. In 2011, he was bought by the Champions of England; however he had to step in the shoes of the legendary Dutchman Edwin Van Der Sar. It was never going to be an easy task, and the physical nature of the league didn't help him either. In his debut season, he was bullied by opposition on set pieces and he succumbed to the tactics and made blunders which didn't allow him to settle at Manchester United. An eye surgery in the debut season coupled with goalkeeping errors ensured he was replaced by Lindegaard and talks of him returning to Spain gathered pace. A lucky break came as Lindegaard got injured, and De Gea made the most of it with a stunning display against Chelsea and as they say he has never looked back. His spectacular performances during 2012 season helped him bagging his first Premier League medal and an entry into the PFA Premier League Team of the year. The 2013-14 season, as for all related to Manchester United, was a nightmare, however De Gea was a standout performer. His maturity and a calming influence also ensured him a berth at the World Cup Finals with the Spanish National Team.
Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois
Surprisingly at a young age of 19 years Chelsea bought Belgium shot stopper Thibaut Courtois and as soon as he made his transfer, he was sent on loan to Atletico Madrid to replace Manchester bound David De Gea.
Courtois is probably one of the most gifted goalkeeping talents in world football. With a cool demeanor he quickly adapted to La Liga and replaced the first choice goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo. He also won his first European medal in his debut season. With the world best goalkeeper Peter Cech operating at Chelsea, Courtois loan was further extended, raising fear that probably he will never be back at the bridge. His Man of the Match performance against Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey Final in 2012-13 season ensured Atletico beat their fiercest city rivals for the first time in 14 years. His performances ensured that Atletico Madrid won their first league title in almost eighteen years, and to everyone's surprise he was immediately back at Chelsea to replace Peter Cech.
Plying their skills in Different Leagues : 2013-14
The last season was of contrasting fortunes for the two brightest goalkeeping prospects in the world. While Courtois was in line to win La Liga and Champions League, fate of Manchester United was set in stone even before the finale to the season.
Thibaut Courtois kept twenty clean sheets in the league, in comparison to De Gea's paltry twelve. De Gea made a higher number of stops in comparison to Courtois, which also showed he was guarding a shaky and old defense at Manchester United. In terms of claiming the ball there was nothing really to choose out of the two and in terms of distribution which is of significance; Courtois was slightly better than De Gea, in reaching out to his teammates and hence contributing significantly.
Competing in the same league : 2014-15 (Till Round 11)
With probably the best goal keeping talent at display in the Premier League (adding the likes of Lloris and co), it will be a fair yardstick to judge both in 2014-15. De Gea has a better clean sheet record, but whenever he has conceded, Manchester United have allowed a bucket full of goals. In terms of stops, De Gea reflexes have been nothing short of being extraordinary, while Courtois is playing behind a solid and injury free defense. De Gea's distribution has been slightly better, although the attacking prowess at Manchester United has not been able to capitalize much upfront.
Goalkeepers definitely get better with age and it will be unfair to judge goalkeepers, who are in their early twenties, but it is anybody's guess that De Gea and Courtois, are destined to achieve greater milestones, if they continue their current development. Courtois has made a great start with Atletico and now with Chelsea, while it was a stuttering start for De Gea. Thibaut Courtois also has the advantage of a solid experienced defense in front of him, which slightly puts him ahead of De Gea. While it still remains too early to call, we can conclude that the first round goes to Courtois, while De Gea still remains one of the best in Europe. In the end, it would be interesting to see the battle unfold in the longer run, as Courtois settles in London displacing Cech, while De Gea might be heading to Santiago Bernabeu next season to replace Madrid's favorite son.
Data Source: Squawka
Image Courtesy: Express.co.uk
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HARMAN TiTAN 8x10 inch Pinhole Camera designed in conjunction with, and manufactured in the UK by Walker Cameras.
The camera is made from injection moulded ABS, finished with a very durable non-slip coating, making the camera exceptionally robust to withstand extreme natural elements, and rough handling, yet weighs only 800gms. The camera, which can be used with any photographic film or paper, takes an 8 x 10 film holder and features tripod mount positions, built-in spirit levels, and an accessory mount. New film holders are readily available from dealers selling the camera, with second hand ones often available at very reasonable cost.
More details available on www.ilfordphoto.com.


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Actor Robert Taylor and actress Barbara Stanwyck were married in 1939. Even though the two divorced in 1952 Barbara Stanwyck was still very much in love with Taylor. It was said "Nobody could replace the great love of her life."
Robert Taylor had died in 1969 but Stanwyck didn't die until January 20, 1990. The rumor was for 21 years Barbara Stanwyck was in mourning over the lost of Robert Taylor. After she died, a rumor began both Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck haunted the house they held passionate meetings at before their marriage. Theirs was clearly a love so strong that neither divorce nor death could destroy.
*I found this Hollywood folklore in 'Ghost Stories Of Hollywood' written by Barbara Smith.


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Expressions of Interest (EOI) are sought for ACAP Postdoctoral Fellowships for full-time research.
26 May 2017
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Gaveshana Sepalage, from the Monash University node, won the Best Poster award at 2016 Asia Pacific Solar Research Conference, with his poster...
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- The magnificent cave temples at Dambulla
- Cycle through rice paddy fields
- Search leopard in Yala National Park
- Climb the rock fortress at Sigiriya for breathtaking views
Highlights and Inclusions
- All breakfasts and 1 lunch
- All accommodation (see below)
- All transport and listed activities
- Tour leader throughout
- Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
The group flight usually departs in the evening from London Heathrow.
The group flight arrives at Colombo's Bandaranaike Airport and we transfer to our hotel approximately 30 minutes away. Those not flying with the group will meet us at the hotel.
We depart after breakfast and for approximately 4 hours drive through lush green countryside (a mix of coconut palms, paddy fields and banana plantations) through Kurunegala to Dambulla. Here we visit the magnificent Cave Temple, for some, the most impressive sight in Sri Lanka. There are colourful, well preserved paintings and statues of Buddha inside the caves, which date back to the 1st century BC. After lunch we continue to Sigiriya where we stay for the night. From our hotel we can see Lions Rock rising up from the plains (occasionally we may stay nearer to Dambulla due to hotel availability).
This morning we drive to the foot of the Lions Rock at Sigiriya. The imposing 5th century rock fortress of Sigiriya rises 600 feet from the plains overlooking the surrounding countryside and giving far-reaching views. Used as a safe haven from invaders, the route to the top goes via a series of steep steps and gangways. From the base, where a moat surrounds impressive water gardens, we ascend 200m, passing an overhanging rock under which superb portraits of native maidens holding flowers and temple offerings still adorn the rock wall. Crowning the flat-topped summit of the rock are extensive remains of the King's Summer Palace. During the afternoon there is a chance to enjoy an optional game drive in either Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park or the Hurulu Eco Park to see elephants in their natural habitat. For those who don't want to take part, there is time to relax at the hotel.
This morning we have a short drive to Giritale where our usual hotel overlooks the scenic Giritale Tank. The island's early inhabitants solved the dual problem of heat and lack of water in this dry area by constructing large tanks to act as reservoirs and cool the warm breeze. Nowadays they provide an important habitat for bird life, particularly from August to April. Today we take to bikes and cycle at a leisurely pace through a series of small villages and lakes (if you do not wish to participate you can hire a tuk tuk locally for approximately £10 and follow the group but not cycle). We should see plenty of bird life including Egrets, Brahmany kites, Kingfishers and Bulbuls. Stopping for lunch in a traditional village will break up the journey. In the late afternoon we return to our hotel in Giritale.
After breakfast we take a short drive to the 10th century capital of Sri Lanka; Polonnaruwa, the ancient capital of the Sinhalese. Here there are many Buddhist relics and ruins dating from a thousand years ago when Sinhalese culture reached its zenith. The city flourished in the 12th century after the decision was made to move the capital from Anuradhapura, so it was further away from incursions from Southern India. The ruins are therefore younger and better preserved than those at Anuradhapura. We visit many of the temples, palaces, huge dagobas (Buddhist stupas) and remarkable Buddhist sculptures. After lunch we head into the hills to the picturesque town of Kandy. On the way we stop at a spice garden near Matale where we can see various spices and herbs growing, and there is a chance to stock up on massage oils, spices and Ayurvedic medicines. This is a long but fascinating day and we arrive at Kandy in the early evening.
Kandy is located by a small lake and we spend two full days in and around the town. On the first day we will visit the Temple of the Tooth, which houses Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic. The Tooth of Buddha was taken from the funeral pyre in 543 BC and only found its way to Sri Lanka in the 4th century AD. There are literally hundreds of worshippers who visit the temple each day and in August the most spectacular ceremony takes place. Some of our trips in August should coincide with the Kandy festival, but the exact dates, decided by priests, are not known until 5 months prior to the event. After our visit we drive to a beautiful viewpoint over Kandy overlooked by a huge Buddha, and visit a gem museum where you can see the products of the traditional methods of gem extraction. Another highlight is the vast Peradeniya Botanical Garden with species of orchid that are endemic to Sri Lanka. In the evening we may have the chance to attend a performance of dancing and fire eating. The second day is free to explore this wonderful town. The surrounding hills are wonderful, offering fantastic views of the town below and there are many handicraft stores and antique shops in which to browse.
Leaving Kandy early, we have a spectacular drive through the countryside on the way to Kitulgala. Here we have the opportunity of going on a walk through the jungle or local villages followed by an optional white water rafting excursion. The rafting costs extra (see the Optional Excursions section), lasts a maximum of 1.5 hours and there is a choice of gentle or wild water (grade 3 rapids) depending on your preference. Those of us who do not wish to go rafting will be able to freshen up and relax by the water until the rafters return in time for lunch. Afterwards we will drive to our hotel in Nuwara Eliya. (Please note that from the full moon day of December to the full moon day of May it is possible to climb Adams Peak. This is optional and you need to be very fit to attempt this. You would leave Nuwara Eliya at 11pm on day 8 and drive to the base of the peak. The drive takes approximately 3 hours. From here it is a strenuous 4 hour climb to the top in time for sunrise. We then return to Nuwara Eliya to join the group for lunch on day 9).
This morning we will have free time to explore the beautiful town of Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya was a popular hill station during the British era and is situated in the cool highland air at 1890m. Known locally as 'Little England' it is dotted with British style houses and parks and features a golf club and a racecourse! Following lunch we will visit a nearby tea factory and learn about the process of tea production.
We have an early start this morning and take a 30km drive south to Horton Plains, a large plateau over 2,000m high, overlooked by the second and third highest peaks in Sri Lanka. The scenery is beautiful and the best way to explore is on foot. We take a guided walk through the rolling grasslands where we hope to see such as the Sambur and Purple Faced monkey. We also visit 'World's End' which is one of the most stunning sights in Sri Lanka where the ground drops 1050m to the plains. Following this we catch a train from the highest railway station in the country - within an hour and a half we drop from 1889m to 1097m. The train travels through the cloud forest into the tea plantations, with breath-taking views of the lush valley below. Please note that at times, particularly in peak season, the train may be extremely busy and as a result we cannot guarantee that the group will be allocated seats together for this train ride. We get off at Bandarawela, a town relatively untouched by tourism.
Today we continue on to Ella Gap where we have spectacular views of the coastal plain nearly 1,000m below. Almost the entire southern part of the island is in view and on a particularly clear day the shimmering silver of the Indian Ocean is visible. Heading south out of the hills we travel to Kataragama on the plains; this is our base for visiting Sri Lanka's best known national park, Yala. The park is popular for elephant, leopard, bear, crocodile and Wild boar. At 97,800 hectares, this is the second largest of Sri Lanka's national parks. Its open undulating terrain made it famous for elephants for many years, but recently the park has also become better known for leopard. The park, which is primarily shrub jungle with several salt and fresh water lagoons, has one of the highest concentrations of leopard per square kilometre in the world. (Please note that the sanctuary may be closed for 4-6 weeks from September to October allowing the park authorities to check the welfare of the animals. We therefore go to an alternative area close by, usually Udawalawe National Park).
Today we leave for the coast, with its beautiful palm fringed bays. Stopping on the way at Hambantota and walking to a nearby farm house where you be offered tea in a coconut shell along with a local snack. We will mix with real Sri Lankan life and take part in some traditional Sri Lankan games, returning to our bus in tractors used by the farmers. Continuing on to Ahangama in the afternoon we arrive at our coastal hotel and you can relax for the rest of the day.
Today is a free day to relax on the beach or by the hotel pool. There are also optional activities during the day including a boat ride through mangrove swamps to a cinnamon plantation or, from November to April you can go whale watching off Dondra head, one of the best places in the world for seeing Blue and Sperm whales. Huge pods of dolphins are also often seen playing alongside the boats.
We set off today and drive along the coastal road to the historic port of Galle, which dates back to the 17th century, and now a UNESCO world heritage site. On the way we stop at a small folk museum inspired by the local writer Martin Wickramasinghe. The museum is a typical house from the Koggala region and is set amongst beautiful gardens. We continue along the expressway to Colombo reaching our hotel in the late afternoon.
If you are travelling on the group flight we will have a morning transfer to the airport for the daytime flight to London. The arrangements for those not flying with the group ends after check out.
I was well impressed with Sri Lanka - charming people, friendly and calm perhaps due to the widespread effect of Buddhism. Our well planned route took us inland, through the mountains and round the south coast with expert guide Nalaka, so we got a great overview of the island. Lovely hotels, most with pools, and superb food - buffets with the chance to try everything mixed with home cooking on banana leaves. We had the opportunity to travel in different ways - rafts, bikes, jeeps and trains; we saw wildlife close up, especially elephants of course, crocodiles, monkeys and a wide range of birds; and we explored some incredible historic sites. A very memorable and fun trip with a lovely group.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I was particularly inspired by the view from the top of Sigiriya rock in the early morning mist, the folk museum and the life of Martin Wickramasinghe and the cheek of the monkeys!
What did you think of your group leader?
Nalaka was an excellent tour guide - charming, well organised, informative and helpful.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
No real need for adaptors - most hotels have sockets which take UK plugs. Walking boots are pretty useful - the Horton Plains track in particular is rough. And 'temple clothes' are needed - even just a sarong which can cover the legs or shoulders and old socks to wear on the hot rocks.
From tropical beaches, through steaming jungles to Scottish moorlands Sri Lanka has it all. Where else can you grow where they grow pineapples, coconuts and cashew nuts a few miles down the road from tea, potatoes and leeks? Fantastic scenery, great food and wonderful people.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing a 5ft water lizard at our first road side stop after leaving the airport. Just a taste of what was to come.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our leader had a great sense of humour and loved his country. Standard answer to any question was usually "90 minutes" and he wasn't far wrong.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go with the flow. Sri Lankans don't like to hurry and preparing fresh food takes time.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Not quite paradise but not far from it. If you have been you will know what I mean, if not then what are you waiting for?
The holiday was an excellent mix of activities - walking, cycling, exploring wildlife and looking at cultural sights. The hotels, with the exception of the Sevonra Garden, were excellent with good service and helpful staff. The food was great across the hotels, again with the exception of the Savonra Garden, with plenty of Sri Lankan dishes to explore. The changes I would make would be to have longer in Galle as it was such an interesting town and we only had a couple of hours there which was not long enough. Also to factor in less time in the woodcarving shop.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The day spent cycling as it was well organised and lovely to have time exploring along the watercourses with all the sights and sounds.
What did you think of your group leader?
Suneth was an exceptional leader - he was full of information about Sri Lanka and all the wildlife but more importantly he was a very kind caring man who went out of his way to make our trip special - introducing us to different foods, buying fruit for us to try, taking us out on birdwatching trips in his own time. He was very careful for our safety and was always available if we needed him. It was very sad that he had to leave early for family reasons but he handled what must have been a very difficult and emotional time for him in an extremely professional way.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
To add in a few days at the end to relax as the trip was very full on in the best way. it would have been great to have a few days at the end to relax and mull over the experience and to explore Columbo as a city.
A tour to be thoroughly recommended, covering all aspects of Sri Lanka and it's lovely people. Busy, lots of early starts and some long journeys but so worth it. The trip notes were accurate and we were also able to see sights at their most opportune moments, I.e. climbing Lion Rock before breakfast and before the crowds, Temple of the Tooth while a ceremony with drumming was on, Horton Plains early before the heat and the mists descended. Having lunches cooked by villagers and our guide stopping and buying us bananas, watching curd (yogurt) making and tasting it, eating freshly sliced Jack fruit at the roadside. We enjoyed every minute.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing elephants and leopards (and other animals) close up from a jeep in Yala and Minneriya. The ceremony at The Temple of the Tooth. Climbing Lion Rock. On the cycling day we enjoyed seeing the countryside, wildlife, and the local people, also having an amazing collection of curries cooked on a farm for lunch. Paul and I don't cycle but tuc tucs were hired for the non cyclists so that we could still enjoy the day to the full.
What did you think of your group leader?
Ruwan was an amazing tour leader. There are some long journeys on this trip but they didn't seem long as he made them very interesting with his informative talks on the history and culture of Sri Lanka and by regular stops for treats like bananas and Jack fruit, view points and waterfalls. He was very calm and well organised, warm and friendly and a good sense of humour. We were always well informed on where we were going, timings and what to take etc. Nothing was too much trouble for Ruwan and it was a pleasure to have him as our tour guide.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Travel light, the hotel laundry service was excellent, good value, and in most cases same day service. Leave some room in your suitcase for purchases, I.e. tea. It was very hot and humid during our stay (March) so you'll need loose cool casual clothing. It's probably best if you like curry, there's the most amazing selection at the buffets, and a lot are vegetarian. However, it's usually possible to order a la carte, just remember to do so at least half an hour in advance! Binoculars were useful, especially in the game parks. Walking trainers best for Horton Plains. We changed some money at the airport on arrival but all the hotels took credit cards.
Without going into the interesting detail of the trip notes, this tour was well lead by Sujan who was very funny and knowledgeable. Compared to other Exodus holidays it is quite laid back with more time off on most days and reflects the laid back feel of Sri Lanka. The elephant safaris were wonderful and we saw 60 elephants in all.....a bit of excitement!!! had when one rammed the jeep in front, whale watching was fabulous too with 17 sightings of Blue Whale and some mating turtles. The cycling was very relaxed seeing plenty of interesting village life along the river. The hotels were mostly luxurious, always a welcome drink, barely had to move a suitcase as porters dealt with them all, most with pools and a feast for breakfast. Although it was very often only an omelette and fries or club sandwich option for lunch. Most evenings the dinners were in the hotels so this meant you could eat and go to bed when you felt like it. In Late March with 38 degrees and great humidity it was boiling but the air conditioned coach helped tremendously and there were no mosquitos. Do take an umbrella for sightseeing to keep out the sun as a hat didn't feel enough. Drives that were set to be three hours turned out to be interesting stop and start drives as things were pointed out along the way, A trip I can recommend.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The elephant safaris.
What did you think of your group leader?
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
In late March we saw no mosquitos whatsoever so you could safely wear shorts and short sleeves to keep cool. Do take a light coloured umbrella to keep at bay the sun, like the locals, a must for sightseeing.
Deservedly one of the top selling trips to a country that prides itself in welcoming visitors. The design of the trip includes much of the green and exciting scenery which highlights the Buddhist nature of the people. The simple act of picking up a caterpillar from the path to avoid killing it, simple but touching. Excellent hotels chosen for their location were another great feature.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The people. The demure attentive school parties studying their history. The simple delight of the toddlers waving at "funny people" wobbling past on bikes. The sheer scale of the monuments and the civil works built centuries ago. The cleanliness of a poor but proud community. The tolerance of the traffic simply weaving its way all over the roads even if they start from the left! Hardly a horn to be heard
What did you think of your group leader?
Neelaka twice joint runner up in Exodus's leader poles was the finest guide we have experienced, absolutely on top of his job, and obviously enjoying it! Nothing left to chance based on years of experience and practice and a genuine love of people, fine ambassador for his country. Very touched to be introduced to his wife on the last night, a first for her and us, thank you!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go and embrace this wonderful place, and do the optional extras too!
This holiday met my expectations and more, It really does live up to its title of 'Discover Sri Lanka'. The itinerary is comprehensive and varied. In two weeks it looks at the culture and history of this truly beautiful island as well as there being many opportunities to observe its bird and wild life, The hotels on this trip are comfortable and it was good to have a number of stays lasting more than one day. Although I was unable to take part in some of the activities, thiose who did thoroughly enjoyed them. The tour leader was excellent.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Visiting Polonnaruwa, the Martin Wickramasinghe Museum and the Game Drives. But it's hard to close as I enjoyed the whole trip.
What did you think of your group leader?
Neelaker, our group leader, was excellent. He is warm, caring, considerate and very knowledgeable.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be aware that the walk on Day 10 on Horton Plain is approximately 9km.
Two weeks packed with variety of scenery, wildlife, culture on this beautiful island. The itinerary is well balanced to enable you to experience so many highlights yet still have relaxation time. The hotels, apart from the Orient, were a very high standard and in great locations. I travelled on my own yet always had an enormous double/twin room and felt safe. Our guide Nala and the driving crew were superb, everything was well organised yet flexible enough to allow us to enjoy "local experiences" which added to our fun. You will return from this trip with so many happy memories.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Difficult to choose from so many highlights - on wildlife has to be seeing a leopard so close up in Yala national park as well as elephants passing so near to the jeep. On scenery, the far-reaching views from Lions Rock and watching the sunrise from Adams Peak (after 2.5 hours of effort climbing up steps with hundreds of others). Patiently queuing to view the casket in the Temple of the Tooth was a humbling experience. The trip was full of other enjoyable experiences - biking, rafting, canoeing - where we were so warmly welcomed by the locals. Their smiles were simply heart-warming!
What did you think of your group leader?
Nala was a key factor in the success of this trip. He was an excellent guide, working very hard behind the scenes to offer us "local experiences" such as lunch in a traditional village, a spontaneous game of cricket or a stop at a roadside fruit stall. He was keen to impart knowledge about Sri Lankan life to us, was extremely well organised (giving us verbal then written details about the day's plans!), unfailingly calm and pleasant. An absolute delight to know! Nala worked well with our driver Dinesh and assistant Clement - they were a very competent team giving us excellent service (those cold flannels on returning to the minibus to escape the heat were bliss!).
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Dinners were mostly eaten in the hotels for convenience but if you don't want the buffet, you can choose a la carte, just order well in advance! Lunchtime was when we tended to experience locally prepared food. When you visit the national parks they do bag checks so make sure you don't take any plastics in. Have a pair of socks handy for temple visits, saves burning feet on hot stones!
Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with very friendly people. We experienced so many different things and visited so many places that gave us an insight into life in Sri Lanka. It was very well organised and it would be hard to see as much as we did without such a tour
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
So many inspirational moments it is hard to decide. Probably seeing blue whales and dolphins on a boat trip from Mirissa. Seeing the wildlife in Yala National Park including a leopard.
What did you think of your group leader?
Dileepa was a brilliant tour leader, very knowledgeable and approachable with a great sense of humour. There were personal touches that made the holiday extra special including playing traditional games in a village and watching Dileepa and some of the young men in the village play cricket. The driver and assistant were also extremely helpful.
Very much recommend this trip to people who like a huge variety of experiences on holidays. The trip notes are very accurate and you will travel through, walk through and stay in many different scenic places ranging from small villages, paddy fields, national parks, hill plantations and beach locations. You have opportunities to see and get close to a range of wild animals, bird life and to have contact with local people and their lives during walks and other activities. There are UNESCO world heritage sites and a range of towns to explore. Above all, there are the lovely, smiley Sri Lankan people to meet.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Difficult to choose one. I loved all the world heritage sites (especially Sigiriya) and the game drives (although there is a bit of an issue with the optional elephant game drive ...more later) Others in the group would identify the white water rafting or whale watching so it depends on individual choices.
What did you think of your group leader?
Ruwan was the best tour leader I've travelled with on my many Exodus (and similar companies) holidays. Well organised, personable, knowledgeable and with a passion for his country but also willing to discuss its difficulties. On long journeys he would give us a 'talk' on a particular subject be it Buddhism, history of the country etc. He had a lovely sense of humour which encouraged all of us to participate in activities and there is no doubt that his leadership and good relationship with the coach driver and co-driver helped everyone feel comfortable throughout the trip.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Some of the days involve long coach journeys but each of these were broken up by stopping at interesting spots or having breaks for tea or lunch. There was much more eating in hotels than I've ever experienced on previous Exodus trips. In some cases this was necessary as the hotel was 'out of the way' with little opportunities for cafes/restaurants around , but in other cases you could choose to not eat with the group and search out alternatives (which would be cheaper) locally. Be aware that in all hotels and some restaurants there are taxes to add onto your meal and drinks which increase the cost by 25% The hotels were of a much higher standard than I expected. You don't need to bring a hairdryer or shampoo/conditioner as all provide ...except one. The cottage hotel in Nuwara Ellya had an issue with hot water in some rooms and food service was painfully slow but this hotel only stood out as the others were so great.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Whilst I enjoyed seeing Asian elephants in the wild on the optional game drive near Sigiriya, be aware that currently there are no licenses granted or restrictions put on the number of people who can take tourists in jeeps. This of course leads to far too many vehicles being in the park at any one time. There seems little thought given to the welfare of the elephants as jeeps were allowed to get too close to them surrounding them at certain points. It felt uncomfortable. The game drive in Yala National Park seemed better managed with fewer jeeps and much greater distance kept back from the animals in the main.


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"Communication" is a powerful word with a multiplex of meanings. The dictionary throws up definitions like "…a document or message imparting views, information etc…"; "the science or process of conveying information especially by electronic or mechanical means…"; which in the world of corporate communications, its all about crafting and sending the message. But if we look at some other definitions we see a concession that communication can also mean a two-way interaction "… the imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions or information…". Now we often hear from corporate communications and their sponsors of wanting to 'engage' with their stakeholders, whether they are external or internal. The complication with this however is the sheer number of stakeholders that have to be 'engaged' with.
I recall many years ago, when working for a large corporation, I was asked to attend a 'focus group' being conducted by the corporate communications folks. The organisation was going through some significant changes at the time and corporate communications had been enrolled into the whole 'organisational change management' effort. As we were ushered in to take our seats in the meeting room one of my fellow attendees asked of the organisers as she was taking her seat: "Is this a Talk or a Tell Session?". I was initially amused by the question and I expect the organisers were less so. But there was a serious side to the question. If this was a "Tell Session" then basically we could just sit back and ingest the carefully crafted PowerPoint slides, perhaps ask some clarifying questions, and then quickly go back to our workplaces feeling better informed about what our leaders were looking to do. Corporate Communications could tick the box on another focus group having been 'communicated to'. On the other hand, if it was a "Talk Session" where we were genuinely being engaged for our opinions, with a realistic expectation that actions might be changed or adapted because of our feedback, then this would be different. Our hearts and minds would be elevated to another level and we would actively look to engage in constructive dialog with our corporate communications brethren, who would then faithfully report the results back to the leadership for review and action. Unfortunately in this case it was the former, rather than the latter.
The above episode was before the age of social media and social networking. There were some practical reasons why the Corporate Communications staff at that time was more about crafting and sending the message with little or no feedback opportunities. Today social technologies are facilitating a real interchange of thoughts and opinions. We have seen corporations seriously damaged by negative feedback from their clients. We have seen Governments overthrown with the help of social media. As public social networking migrates into the corporate world, with the advent of Enterprise Social Networking systems, all of a sudden the vast numbers of staff that Internal Communications is tasked with 'communicating with' now have a voice. For the Internal Communications officer it is no longer simply about publishing. It really is now about engaging in two-way dialogues. In other words its now "Talk, not only Tell". As intimidating as this may seem to someone who has mainly dealt with the publishing side of communications; it can also be seen as a real opportunity for Corporate Communications to become the key change agents in organisations.
The opportunity exists for them to become the critical link between senior leadership and both internal and external stakeholders at large. It will however require a significant change in perspective and capabilities; "from Teller to Talker".
Specifically here are some insights/indicators that I think the Corporate Communications folks should take notice of in making this transition:
- Social Media and Social Networking are here to stay and will give a substantial voice to the organisation's stakeholders; so embrace, don't ignore.
If you are of the view that social media/networking is a passing fad; then this data might influence you otherwise:
- Staff 'Engagement' cannot rely on 'Top Down" communication. Our research indicates that staff engage, and are influenced by, a multiplex of peers and leaders, far in excess of their own line manager. The trick is to identify the real influencers at all levels of the organisation; and target them for engagement. The chart below shows an extract of a social network analysis we conducted recently, showing the networks that exist at only the bottom two layers of a financial services organisation. Typically, staff at this level are the most client facing and therefore should be a clear target for internal communications. The network map shows the peer connections. The larger circles represent people who have been multiply nominated as influential by their peers. The chart on the left shows the 80/20 power law of networks in operation, whereby engaging with the most influential 20% only can potentially reach the remaining 80% through a trusted connection. Hence they are important people for Corporate Communications to target.
- Communications professionals need to assess their own personal networks. Are you truly acting as a link between the leadership and staff/clients? Or do you find that the majority of your connections are within your own function? Ideally Corporate Communications professionals should aspire to be the corporate ambassadors, or at least very effective agents.
- Do your stakeholders see you as an authentic individual, or simply a mouthpiece for the executive?
Its no longer enough to plead "don't shoot the messenger". Corporate Communications needs to be viewed as a "conversation leader", facilitating an authentic interaction between the leadership and their stakeholders.
- How balanced are your 'sends and receives'? Researchstudies have shown that productive conversations (Talk) would see a 50/50 spilt. Whereas "Telling" is 100% Send. Try monitoring your own conversations. What proportion of the time are you "telling" versus "listening".
So what's it to be ….Talker or Teller?
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Mayo native, Lisa Canny, who recently performed at Dolans, is bringing a new offering to her fans.
Talking about the influences of her new record, she compares the album to a big, juicy, open sandwich, "The filling is a mixture of soul and pop, seasoned with a healthy pinch of RnB, served on a seriously floury bap of traditional Irish music, holding it all together".
During an interview after the concert Lisa explained that she recently moved to London to work more closely with some of the producers and co-writers she loves, in preparation for her debut album release.
"At 28 I'm no spring chicken for the music industry, which I was made acutely aware by an executive of Universal America who told me that I was 'four years too old'… when I was just 23!" she joked after the concert. "I'm clearly ancient now in his wonderfully sexist eyes."
Lisa is investing a lot of energy in this project, and that clearly appears when she's on stage and she treats her songs as little babies. It's so obvious that there's a special bond between the artist and the songs; this is transmitted to the audience and they appreciate it.
Powerful, dynamic vocals, gutsy harp playing and experience behind her. That's why the audience love Lisa Canny. When she's on stage, the crowd enjoy every single lyric.
"I'm going to make sure that this album is the very best of me and not just some 'first attempt'", she declared. "If that means taking a few years to write, then so be it. I'm doing this the way that feels right to me".
Lisa is now exploring producers and financial backers. "Label, investor, crowdfund or get our balaclavas out and rob a bank… not that we'd get much out of that either I suppose," she laughed. "The final stage, the actual recording, mixing and mastering should be the easiest and most enjoyable part. I have an incredible band, bunch of loons too. Anytime I get to spend with them is time well-spent", she added.
Her plans for the years to come? "World domination. And justice for gingers."