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WASHINGTON — President Obama's new budget has opened a debate over what it means to be a progressive Democrat in an age of austerity and defines him as a president willing to take on the two pillars of his party — Medicare and Social Security — created by Democratic presidents.
By his gamble on Wednesday in proposing budgetary concessions to Republicans on Social Security, the 1935 creation of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Medicare, the legacy of President Lyndon B. Johnson, Mr. Obama has provoked angry supporters on his left to ask whether he is a progressive at all.
The A.F.L.-C.I.O. president, Richard Trumka, in a blistering statement, called the proposed changes "wrong and indefensible." An e-mail from Representative Alan Grayson, a liberal from Florida, was headlined "President's Budget Breaks Promise to Seniors."
But to Mr. Obama, cost-saving changes in the nation's fastest-growing domestic programs are more progressive than simply allowing the entitlement programs for older Americans to overwhelm the rest of the budget in future years.
Even so, he emphasized that his support is contingent on Republicans agreeing to higher taxes from the wealthy and new spending, in areas like infrastructure, to create jobs.
The president's views put him at the head of a small but growing faction of liberals and moderate Democrats who began arguing several years ago that unless the party agrees to changes in the entitlement benefit programs — which are growing unsustainably as baby boomers age and medical prices rise — the programs' costs will overwhelm all other domestic spending to help the poor, the working class and children.
"The math on entitlements is just not sustainable," said Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, one of the few Democrats to unequivocally endorse Mr. Obama's budget. "And if you're not finding ways to reform, where do you squeeze? Well, then you squeeze early-childhood programs, you squeeze Head Start, you squeeze education and veterans."
"There's nothing progressive about — and no business argument for — a business or any other enterprise to invest less than 5 percent of its revenues on the education of its work force, its infrastructure and its R & D," Mr. Warner added. "And that's what we're doing."
The president's $3.77 trillion budget, with a mix of deficit reduction through spending cuts and tax increases and new spending to spur the economy, projects a $744 billion deficit for the 2014 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. That is down from the $973 billion shortfall projected for this fiscal year, after four years of post-recession deficits exceeding $1 trillion.
Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the Democratic minority leader, has arranged for House Democrats on Thursday to hear a debate on Mr. Obama's proposed change in the cost-of-living formula that determines Social Security benefits. The debate will pit the A.F.L.-C.I.O. counsel, Damon Silvers, who opposes the change in the formula, and Robert Greenstein, executive director of the liberal Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, which has long supported changes to entitlement programs as part of a bipartisan deal to protect other federal spending on, for example, antipoverty programs, the nation's infrastructure and education.
It has been evident from his first months in office that the pragmatist in Mr. Obama has made him sympathetic to the thinking of Mr. Greenstein and others. In 2009, Mr. Obama considered proposing the change in the cost-of-living formula for Social Security until Democratic Congressional leaders objected.
But now in his fifth budget and the first of his second term, he has decided over some advisers' objections to make that proposal — and his brand of pragmatic liberalism — official.
Under the president's budget, the government would shift in 2015 from the standard Consumer Price Index — used to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security and other benefits and to set income-tax brackets — to what is called a "chained C.P.I." The new formulation would slow the increase in benefits and raise income tax revenues by putting some taxpayers into higher brackets sooner, for total savings of $230 billion over 10 years.
While many economists say the new formula is more accurate, opponents say it does not adequately reflect the out-of-pocket health care expenses that burden older Americans. All Social Security beneficiaries would be affected, but Mr. Obama proposes that at age 76 they would get gradual benefit increases to offset the depletion of their private assets or pensions.
In the president's bid to revive bipartisan talks, his budget includes other proposals from his last compromise offer, made in December to Speaker John A. Boehner, Republican of Ohio, before their private deficit-reduction negotiations collapsed. The president's budget would save $400 billion from Medicare over a decade, mostly from reductions to hospitals and other health care providers, but also through benefit and premium changes.
The budget's total 10-year savings would replace the $1.2 trillion in indiscriminate across-the-board cuts, known as sequestration, that took effect March 1 after Mr. Obama and Republican leaders failed to agree on alternative deficit-reduction measures.
By this budget, Mr. Obama has forced the party's internal fiscal debate to go public to a degree not seen since President Bill Clinton pushed Democrats toward the political center. Until now, attention has focused on the Republicans' postelection divisions over defining conservatism.
Mr. Clinton's second-term effort to address the long-term finances of Medicare and Social Security was aborted by his impeachment and then by unexpected budget surpluses that relieved the fiscal pressure to change the programs. Ultimately, Mr. Clinton left office better known for his policy of "Save Social Security First" — that is, save the surpluses to pay the approaching costs of the baby boomers' retirement rather than use them to cut taxes, as Republicans wanted.
Democratic Congressional leaders were muted in their support for the president's plan and were troubled that Mr. Obama had made his overture to Republicans without any sign that they would compromise in return.
Their political concerns seemed to be validated when Representative Greg Walden of Oregon, the head of the House Republicans' campaign committee, said on CNN that the budget was "a shocking attack on seniors." His words were interpreted as a signal that in the 2014 midterm elections Republican candidates will again accuse Democrats of trying to cut Medicare and Social Security, even though Congressional Republicans led by Mr. Boehner have demanded Social Security and Medicare cuts throughout budget talks of the past two years.
The C.P.I change in particular "was the speaker's idea," said Representative Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, the senior Democrat on the House Budget Committee. "And for them to turn around and attack the president for including their proposal in his budget is so hypocritical."
Mr. Boehner, who was dismissive before the budget's release, tempered his criticisms afterward. He told reporters that Mr. Obama "does deserve some credit for some incremental entitlement reforms that he has outlined in his budget."
Some Senate Republicans were complimentary, and later Mr. Obama had a dozen of them to dinner at the White House to discuss the budget, immigration and gun controls. He hopes to persuade enough of them to compromise with Senate Democrats on the issues, putting pressure on House Republicans to go along.


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Don't mix politics and education
and education
Regarding Paul Khare's Oct. 7 letter mixing politics and education in Bethel:
Let's review some actual facts. There is no lobbying group in Bethel named "save our school." There is a state-registered political action committee (PAC) called Support Our Schools. You've seen signs all over Bethel with the name on them.
By the way, these signs are a total fraud, posted in a desperate attempt to confuse voters and distract from addressing real issues. By definition, it is the job of SOS to be politically active. This election season, SOS is advocating a Vote Row B campaign.
Matt Knickerbocker, BOE chairman, runs professional, inclusive and informative meetings. His goals always revolve around student achievement. I would challenge anyone to find any trace of a political slant to BOE meeting minutes under Mr. Knickerbocker's chairmanship.
The choices of our school and town employees are, quite frankly, no one else's business. They are Americans first. They have every right to support whomever they believe in, whether by display of a campaign sign on their lawn or by financial contribution to a political party. Congratulations to them for not allowing themselves to be bullied or intimidated. They're standing up for their beliefs, not hiding behind them.
Additionally, personal comments about any unpaid volunteer working on behalf of the town of Bethel are totally unnecessary and reflect poorly on the author and the people he endorses. Through Bethel Central PTO, the children of Bethel raised more than $4,000 for the renovation of the Bethel Public Library. Community support is what they are about.
The allegations of "back-room deals" and "unwritten rules" are simply baseless and nonsensical. In future letters, please stick to actual issues facing the town of Bethel. It will be much more productive and positive for all residents.
Jeff Neuner

subset: commoncrawl


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September Sunset — Photo-Artistry by kenne
I wanted a good place in the foothills
To have a drink as the sun goes down.
Light breezes move silver-green olive leaves —
I watch swirling clouds circle the sun.
How did I make it here?
My heart just pushed me here.
If your heart was like mine
You'd put down the book and be here.
— kenne


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Review Detail
Mystery & Detective August 26, 2014
Must read for romance and mystery fans
Overall rating
Is the book engaging / enticing?
Can you relate to the characters and/or subject matter?
Can you easily follow the scenes/chapters? Are they descriptive enough?
Would you recommend this book?
"Deadly Secrets" by Angel Sefer is a spellbinding mystery romance novel in the most beautiful and captivating of settings: The Greek Island of Mykonos. Our recently heroine Helena leaves England to visit her aunt Sophie on the island where she meets the ominous and charismatic yet not always likeable Dimitris. Dark, moody and with a sense of foreboding this story unfolds with ominous "greek drama". The mystery around her father's disappearance many years ago, secrets revealed in a diary and the muddy motives by the people around her throw Helena in turmoil and confusion. Against her will she finds herself attracted to the arrogant Dimitris, although her aunt assures her about the man and sees him quite differently. The writing is powerful and had a strong hypnotic spell on me. I was drawn into this great and intriguing story from the beginning. The chemistry and passionate, fatal attraction between Helena and Dimitris, the doubt and confusion were driving me insane. On top of that there are plenty of beautiful descriptions of the island and Greece. I am not always one for romance writing but Angel Sefer has great talent and knows how to tell a story. A must read for romance and mystery fans


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Social media can be used to achieve many of your digital branding objectives. This infographic displays how you can use social media to develop a digital brand voice.
Here are some key insights:
Develop A Digital Brand Voice via Social Media
Establishing a Digital Brand Voice
Your digital brand voice is developed by understanding your audience, delivering value from your offering, and conveying your organization's core values.
Ask yourself:
1. How will I deliver my messaging in my own unique way?
2. How will I be transparent when speaking to my audience?
After you have engaged with your audience, how are you going to express your promise of helping the customer or client?
Consider personality the window to the soul of your brand. When people engage with your digital brand, what impression will they walk away with?
Your digital brand voice must express the true energy of your brand and leave a lasting impression on your audience.
How have you used social media to establish your digital brand voice?


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Please refer to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy for important information on the use of cookies. By continuing to use this website you will be consenting to the use of cookies as outlined in that policy.
Borrow, sell or buy from Scotland's Pawnbroking specialists.
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In fact, anything of value is considered.
You risk losing you items if you fail to repay on your due date.
Your items are required as security. Customers must be 18+. Terms and conditions apply ask in-store for details. Proof of identity and address may be required


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I'm not very sure that all of you will know the person I am going to talk about today.
Her name is Lauren Conrad and she is a big celebrity in the U.S.A, I´ve already mentioned
her in the Blog before.
This girl became famous thanks to an MTV reality show which was about a group of friends
who were attending high school in Laguna Beach back then.
After this show came to an end, one character of all them was picked to continue a new
reality show about her/his life in Los Angeles.
This chosen person was Lauren Conrad, who back then wanted to become "someone" in the
Fashion world.
Nowadays, she has several fashion lines, plus a new decoration line. Often we can find on
her website some tips for decoration and several DIY.
Her designs have all a romantic and very classic touch. It´s because of her exquisite taste
why she is so successful and why I like what she does.
So today I want you to come with me to an exclusive visit of her Paper Crown office
in West Hollywood.
Recently she had remodeled it, creating a more efficient structure, though her previous
office was also stunning.
Let´s now take a look of the before and after pictures.
What do you think of this place as your every day working space? I feel so relaxed
just by looking a the pictures, and I believe that is what they were looking for. A free
stress environment place.


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Who should attend
Candidates for this program are managers, young professionals or teachers wanting to advance their career opportunities, executives wishing to update their knowledge and have an in-depth understanding of the field, or university graduates without economic background wishing to learn management techniques. The program is open to internationals living in Vietnam and Vietnamese citizens.
Program model
The duration of the program is 16-18 months, and the courses will be taught in evenings on weekdays, or at weekends. The teaching program is fully provided by Benedictine University and eight courses will be taught in Binh Duong by their professors. The remaining eight courses are taught by Vietnamese lecturers approved by Benedictine University. Classes are taught in the centre of Thu Dau Mot, in Binh Duong University. Binh Duong can easily be reached from Ho Chi Minh City by bus. BDU will provide TOEFL classes for non-native speakers to improve their language, and there will also be a tutor available.


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We've all heard 'em. Some of us have had the unfortunate experience of hearing them said to us. Consider the all time pick up classic, "If I told you that you have a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?"
The quintessential pick up line is a device designed to let another know you are strongly attracted to them or simply desire further flirtation. Though it has a bad reputation as insincere flattery or innuendo, a gentle pick up line can be a decent if blunt introduction between strangers.
Nervous Nellie and Nick
This ideal is quickly butchered by simple rearranging of phrase?that is, the nervously spoken and therefore funny pick up lines, like the following:
"If you told me you had a beautiful body, would I hold it against you?"
"If I told you, um, something, um, beautiful, would you hold it?"
The pick up line is also contextual in nature, in other words, it is not recommended to be employed at a speed dating meet, a fast shuffling of folks where participants may begin to pursue possible compatibility matches with a dozen people or more in a single session:
"If I told you that you have a beautiful body?"
"I would hold it against you, yes, since you just said it to number six at the next chair also."
Taking the Shot
A pick up line is a calculated risk. If done with a straight face, funny pick up lines can really make it as winsome icebreakers, or else they can make the picker-upper seem like a poor prospect to the picker-uppee indeed:
"My, my? did it hurt?"
"Did what hurt?"
"When you fell to the ground? from Heaven."
A smoother move is to use the cheesy or goofy line as the opener, while saving the compliment for a bit later in the pitch.
"Beg your pardon?"
"I must have 51 cards only in my deck, because I'm thinking of telling you aloud that you are drop dead gorgeous."
Note that with one eyebrow cocked high, tongue firmly planted in cheek, someone with enough confidence can get away with this kind of nonsense. "I am thinking of telling you?" even as you tell them what you are thinking!
The Direct Approach
Bear in mind that while direct and speedy, the pick up line is often a compliment on looks alone, such as body type, nonverbal expression or a facial feature like the eyes or mouth. Pick up lines are known as an expression to the receiver that physical attraction may take priority over intelligence or personality to the deliverer of the line. That's why some of the better quips are less pointed to the physical, and simply funny pick up lines:
"Tired? You must be exhausted by now. You've been running through my mind?"
"I've been noticing you, not noticing me?"
"Believe in love at first sight?or may I stroll by you once again?"
The Dating Coach
If your pick up lines are not working for you, it may be time to call in the coach. A professional dating coach will advise on approach, grooming and more for $75 – $150 or more for an hour seminar or private tutoring.
A more economical option is to consult some trusted advisor members of the gender you are dating and ask them what they think of your "moves". They may take strong (and healthy) objection to lines like:
"Hey baby, where's the gravy?"
Often, a good friend will provide helpful advice on your manner, style, clothing and more. Be sure to let your pal know you are getting advice from them on approaching others and not trying to win their heart in love.
The Courtly Option
An approach to dating growing in popularity in these uncertain times is not to date at all. By going back to courtly ideals, people are instead getting to know one another as friends in safe settings, and only after they feel there is good compatibility, offering to go to a serious courting relationship. Marriage is the ultimate goal and achievement for those who court.
Someday, as courting increases to burgeoning levels, we may laugh at the funny pick up line:
"If I told you we are ready to court after knowing each other for only five months, would you hold it against me?"


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Saturday, February 25, 2012
Eratat Lifestyle - My First Stock, My First Mistake
19 comments :
Wow that's a good loss. For you to lose only 20% yet learn so much. Pales in comparison to my larger losses haha. Anyway I think you have come a long way. Still in awe of your thought process.ReplyDeleteReplies
it's not just a 20%... Out of my first 10 trades, i made losses in 9 of them. Though these sums up to only 11% of my total capital, it has scared me enough to take up a more structured fundamental approach. And of course, I have to thank ValueBuddies - peer pressure helps a lot :) Can't imagnie what will happen to me if I stumbled onto a trader's forumDelete
A very impressive piece of reflection!ReplyDelete
Never let a good mistake go to waste, and you seem to have profited from it ;)
Now look at your previous post: http://sgyounginvestor.blogspot.com/2012/01/young-investor-series-why-should-you_25.html
Are there similarities between your "assumptions" on compounding and your believing in the growth story of Eratat?
We are only young once. So go out there and get more bruises and cuts!
I am so envious of you!Replies
As I said it was my first stock, I did not have any idea how to analyse the financial statement then. All I knew then was that this stock has a great growth story and it is reflected in the earning. And the P/E is like less than 2. So I thought it must have been that people treated it like all the other S-chip, so it will make a great "value-buy".Delete
Right now, I am in fact wondering if it will work if we were to diversify and place an equal amount of capital into every S-chips. Will we be able to generate at least 10% return?
It's definitely good to get all the bruises now given that my capital is still small. but my failed "stock-picking" techniques at the start with only a 10% success rate compelled me to learn as much as possible.
One thing to consider is from a broader perspective: Is it better to select individual stocks whilst analyzing the balance sheet in-depth and the like, or just better to buy an index fund? I guess it all comes down to what one believes. If you feel you have the time, skill and discipline to beat the overall market, go for it; otherwise, and index fund could just be the best bet. Or, perhaps a combination of both techniques.Delete
I am currently looking for a 10% capital gain and 5% dividend gain. Will I be able to achieve that? Maybe yes or maybe no. Well, it's never easy to be an enterprising investor who is perhaps just looking for a few more percentage points in return over the Index.Delete
Nonetheless, I do believe that this will be a fun, enjoyable and rewarding journey even if one is not taking into account the monetary aspect of it.
- AnonymousFebruary 29, 2012 at 9:27 PM
oh dear, reading the first couple of pars tells me that you are missing the key elements of the picture.ReplyDelete
a. regarding shoe production increases: U had assumed Eratat was producing more & more sports shoes. It's wrong. They produce casual lifestyle shoes (which are of course different from shoes for running/basketball, etc).
b. Inventory turnover days : The bulk of Eratat's revenue is from apparel -- this is contracted out to suppliers. Therefore Eratat doesn't have apparel inventory the way FMCG players do. Yr comparison is flawed for lack of understanding of the business.Replies
a) Be it whether they are producing what king of shoes, it is still a fact that they put in money to increase factory output but end up producing only half of its 8.4m output. The 20m rmb spent in this area could have been saved up. And, Eratat has make it clear that they are going for apparel as they have higher margins than shoes. Then they say they are going to premium brand to have even hgiher premium.Delete
b) Shoes are being produced by their factory while apparel are contracted out. However, given that its inventory is at 26m and trade payable is at 25m, it will means that Eratat has to self-finance 5/12* 700k = 300m in cash for it to secure its good for the next half of the year.
My illustration of FMCG is to show how high inventory turnover can be positive if receivable day is less than inventory turnover day. In Walmart, Macdonald and Amazon case, they have NEGATIVE working capital since they can turonver their inventory in less than a month, while they can choose to pay back trade payables after a month or 3.
However, if it is high inventory turnover + 5 months to collect receivables, the company will have to do some more share placement to raise its working capital. This is what's happening to Eratat now. Else if it is not in its inventory and trade payable, what happen to the other 650m of COGS? Obviously, Eratat will have to pay for them next year.
And, the latest announcement says that subsidies will only be 5% of revenue. This is rather tricky...
With its Net profit margin at 14%, a drop in 5% revenue= net profit margin drop to 9%. This means that Eratat net profit will drop by 33% next year if revenue remain the same.
I'm momoeagle in a number of stock forums. I have warned others about Eratat following my previous mistakes, but been flamed in some forums :p
These were my very early postings on Eratat:
My latest is at valuebuddies forum :)Replies
How i wish that i could have learnt as much about accounting at the start... but well, it's all too late to say that now.Delete
- AnonymousMarch 1, 2012 at 12:46 AM
Don't forget that the price you go in and out are very important considerations. Eratat at 40 cents, 20 cents, 10 cents, 5 cents... all have very different implications. If possible, tag or benchmark your analysis to a relevant price.ReplyDelete
thank you, i will take your suggestion into consideration next time. anyway, i bought it at 1.50 and sold it at 1.25.Delete
- AnonymousMarch 1, 2012 at 9:34 AM
yikes, you deleted my posting which raised valid points about yr wrong assumptions!ReplyDelete
a. shoes - u assumed sports shoes. it's wrong. Eratat has switched to doing casual lifestyle shoes.
b. inventory turnover -- Eratat doesn't hold inventory like other players since it contracts out the manufacturing upon receipt of orders at its 2 trade fairs.Replies
i didnt delete it. it was just labeled as spam by blogspot. If i have deleted it, i will not have been able to restore it:)Delete
Fear not, the day when I really want to be draconian, I will ban the use of anonymous
- AnonymousMarch 3, 2012 at 12:19 PM
I am not observer2 but I re-post here his/her comment in the NextInsight forum which is useful in providing balance and perspective to the discussion in this blog:ReplyDelete
One of the valuable tips for investors is to really "understand well the business that one invested in". Some of the comments made in this forum clearly reflect a lack of understanding of Eratat's business. To understand Eratat better, those interested in Eratat may like to ask themselves the following questions:
What is Eratat's business model? Is Eratat's management on the right track to transform Eratat from a Sportswear business to a "Casual Lifestyle Wear" business? [Also see JP Morgan's comments on PRC Sportswear - http://www.nextinsight.net/index.php/story-archive-mainmenu-60/917-2012-chinahk-companies/4959-jp-morgan-reiterates-negative-view-on-prc-sportswear ]
Assuming you are now the owner of Eratat, how would you make a success of Eratat's current business?
High receivable is a risk factor. What has Eratat done to deal with this risk? How is this risk compared to the risks of accounting fraud, insider's mismanagement, poor business or business downturn, etc.?
Eratat has rewarded its distributors for their good performance. [In FY 2011, revenue of RMB 1,041 million was raked up by 12 distributors as against RMB 968 million by 17 distributors in FY 2010]. Is it necessary to give such reward? Would you do it if you run such a business?
Eratat intended to subsidise distributors to renovate their premises to give it a classy, high-end look. Is this necessary? Would you do likewise if you were the boss of Eratat?
Is Eratat likely to succeed in transforming itself into a seller of high-end casual lifestyle wear in one or two years' time?
Ken Ho and Kelly Tan of Eratat had dealt with all the issues above in detail at their briefing sessions to investors, and those interested to know more of the company should find it useful to attend one of these sessions. Ultimately, it is for each individual to decide whether he/she wants to invest in Eratat (or any other company) after knowing the full facts of the company. If Eratat can succeed in sprucing up its image as a high-end casual lifestyle wear supplier, shareholders taking a stake at current price level could well reap a whopping windfall; otherwise, its share price could just languish in depression like any other poor S-chips, depending on market condition.
As for the fall in Eratat's share price since March 2011 which would likely have caused depression to many Eratat's shareholders, I only have one simple question to raise – Which penny stock did not have a big fall in share price since March 2011?Replies
Sure, i welcome discussions a lot so long as there's no malice, advertisement or spam. Discussion is where one's investment acumen can grow and perspective broaden :)Delete
Eratat is defnitely on the right track from transformation of sportswear to casual lifestyle wear and now to premium apparel. It is precisely this business model which draw me to invest in the stock in the first place.
And High receivables is the main factor of discussion on Eratat. How much of a risk is that? I can tell you it is extremly high even if we were to assume that there's absolutely no fraud involved in the revenue. Since we have no evidence of so, i shall not be assuming it is.
The receivables collection days are currently 5 months if we take into account the so called distribution. Eratat COGS is around 700m RMB. 5/12*700= 290m RMB. This is how much of a working capital that Eratat will need on the assumption that revenue does not grow. and what if revenue continues to grow at maybe 20%? eratat will need 350m rmb in cash. And this is precisely the reason why Eratat has been introducing share placement. if receivables continue to stay the same way at 5 months and revenue continues to grow, Eratat will have to do numerous other share placements or risk being sued for default. In the business world, many start-ups die due to cashflow problem and not exactly profit.
If i were Eratat, will i give sales incentive? No.
So what if i give them sale incentive, will they be able to grow my revenue because of this? Not really.
They will be able to stay loyal to the brand - No, the best way is to make sure that your product continues to sell as well.
So what will I do? I will rather use this pile of money to do aggresive advertisement to raise the profile of my products. Succesful advertising increases demand at every price. In this way, i grow my profit, while my distributors enjoy higher profit. Isn't this a much better method?
Eratat will only succeed not because of their success in sprucing up its image but that they will be able to collect their receivables. Else, there's a limit to how much it can grow its revenue given its lack of working capital to purchase more goods.
Most penny stocks did fall in price, but then again I am never concerned about the price. What I am concern more about is if it is value for mmoney. Even if my stock will to fall by another 50% the next day, I will buy more so long as the fundamental does not change.
As for Eratat, sales incentive distribution and a likely 33% drop in net profit this coming new FY has definitely changed its fundamental :)
- AnonymousApril 27, 2013 at 4:55 PM
This yeat will be a gd year for Eratat. Advertising is not enough. The shop image, space etc will also affect whether a consumer will purchase it or not. Thus renovation is necessary. Would u immediately go outside and buy a product just because of a gd advertisement u saw on tv. Renovating shop hv a longer lasting effect on branding. U shld come gor briefing to understand the biz model. They are headingvthe right direction n eratat's growing well.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJanuary 30, 2014 at 4:05 PM
wow... u are vindicated .. in 2014 Jan 30... there are a lot of counters to invest. Exit if u find anything suspicious, why toy around with our own $$$ right? good workReplyDeleteReplies
Thank you. I guess momoeagle deserves more of a praise than i do for his perseverance in warning people of this company time and again. http://wealthbuch.blogspot.com/search/label/China%20EratatDelete
The sad truth is that once again people are likely to lose their hard-earned money. I wonder how long more will it takes for the market clean up?


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Housed in a building as singular as its legendary namesake, the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, is a stunning example of visionary architecture. Completed in 2009, the exhibition building rises 16 meters above the ground, supported by three enormous V-shaped columns. Visitors have the sensation of floating.
In the 5,600-square meter exhibition area, visitors can learn about the history of Porsche and view 80 of the company's iconic vehicles, ranging from the early 356 to the 911. For the visitor, the Porsche Museum is an exhilarating, exciting experience, one heightened by the use of advanced materials in the landmark building's construction.
Mirroring perfection
Visitors first interact with the building in its lobby. Eyes are immediately drawn to the ceiling, which is clad in shimmering stainless steel. The reflective material makes the spacious lobby area appear even bigger. The interaction of visitors and building is reinforced by the mirror effect. Captivated by the choreography of reflection, visitors give little thought to the processes required to create such artistry.
At Outokumpu, however, intense focus ensured delivery of material of uniformly high quality. Production of customized diamond-shaped stainless steel elements met or exceeded architects' specifications for the demanding project.
Strong but light
For this uniquely challenging project, Outokumpu's Krefeld and Dillenburg plants produced 90 metric tonnes of Supra 316L/4404 austenitic stainless steel. Strong but light, stainless steel is well suited to high-profile applications like that of the Porsche Museum.
The advanced material's exceptional corrosion resistance translates into greatly reduced maintenance. For the building owner, that means low life-cycle costs and impressive durability. For the visitor, it reflects polished performance.


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You are here
Reggae Art Skanks into Montego Bay Airport
The vibrant, energetic interpretations of Jamaican history, lifestyle, and culture, especially music, that went into the late Michael 'Freestylee' Thompson's distinctive designs, now greets passengers arriving at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.
Infused with a Reggae aesthetic, Freestylee's designs allow the ink to skank energetically across the page, and his interpretations of Jamaica' national heroes are on their way to becoming iconic, imbued with a passion and rebelliousness usually missing from the traditional interpretations.
The Sangster International Airport will sport 10 prints of Freestylee's work, in a deliberate move to leverage Jamaica's art and culture in not merely beautifying the airport, but improving the cultural experience.
"Michael's work is iconic and celebrates, unmistakably, the Jamaican spirit and the country's rich cultural heritage," said Rafael Echevarne, CEO of the MBJ Airports in a release.
The prints are included through a sponsorship from the Spanish Court which will be opening a Spanish Court Montego Bay in summer 2017.
Michael Thompson was an artist and activist. He cofounded the International Reggae Poster Contest as a step towards creating a Reggae Hall of Fame and performance center in Kingston.
Prints selected for the airport showcase a commendable range. They include national heroes Samuel Sharpe, Paul Bogle, Marcus Garvey and Nanny of the Maroons, interpretations of portraits of Maroons and Tainos as well as the distinctive street culture, including that of the intrepid peanut vendor, or a sound system via a bicycle.
According to the release, the inclusion of the prints is part of a larger programme using art showcasing Jamaica's icons and culture at the airport which will be expanded throughout 2017.
Thompson died in 2016.


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I imaged a long, drawn out race scene, but figured that not everyone wanted to wait for three weeks, while I drew three pages of the story not progressing. Granted, this might be the type of thing that's more exciting to read, that there doesn't necessarily have to be a lot of talking to progress the story, IF you're moving it forward visually. In any case, here's page 73 from Escape From M__.
Dr. Casey Miller, Dr. Howard Bolam and Evelyn escape from an unknown assailant in Escape from M____.See more by following the links:
- Fundraising Faux-Pas,
- King Street Capers
- General comics
- Tomb of the Undead (updated Jan. 28), or the
- Mugabe comic strip (Pinocchio parody)
Here are a few links from the blogs I'm following these days. A great post from the talented Skottie Young [Snow Day], a series of podcasts from the incredibly useful (and edgy) Your Screenplay Sucks [PODCASTS #10, #11, #12 are reaaaaaady and waiiiiiiting! More Filmmaking Sins!] here's something of a year in review from Script Magazine [WGA News: End of Year 2011] and an amateur project that deserve just as much recognition as mine, Wonder [Newfoundland and Other Things]
Graphic novel news
Read a one-on-one interview with Stan Lee, reflecting on his story in comics. As they put it, Lee's story is really the story OF comics. Pretty cool. Read how Caleb Melby (I think Caleb is a sweet name) is looking to using graphic novels as a new form of story telling (like unique maps) and finding the human element in stories to keep people reading. And one for my wife her passion for Adam Sandler + Chris Farley. A graphic-novel series on the Lunch Lady has GOT to be funny, or else it'd be nothing more than a tragedy.
Check it out!
Stan Lee Reflects on 70 Years in Comics
Joey Esposito
"Stan's story is really the history of comics and he was inspired by so many real-life events that were happening at the time, so it was covering history, comic book history, and it was covering his personal life which is the part that everyone is responding to," explained Dougas. "His relationship with his business partners, his friends, his wife. The guy's not as tough as he seems to be. He's a sweetheart."Click to read more.
Why The Graphic Novel Will Save Business Journalism
Aziz Ali
Click to read more.
[J]ournalism remains an industry in crisis. Caleb [Melby] believes that focusing on newer ways of storytelling (i.e. interactive maps, unique story ideas) and finding the human element (i.e business leaders, relationships within a particular industry) are the keys to saving journalism. The graphic novel therefore, is one form that can easily be leveraged to achieve this.
Author of 'Lunch Lady' children's book series visits students at George L. Hess in Hamilton Township
Children's author Jarrett J. Krosoczka used an active imagination and perseverance to turn stories he wrote in elementary school into a successful career and a popular graphic novel series.Click to read more.
Krosoczka spoke to the fourth- and fifth-grade classes Monday at the George L. Hess Education Complex to encourage children to write and draw using their imagination and creativity. Krosoczka, who writes and illustrates his books, showed students stories, which featured kitchen appliances, that he wrote and drew as an elementary school student.


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After decades of careful effort by the military, we have thoroughly institutionalized violence in our country. Pakistani terrorists have turned their violence on our own people and on three of our four neighbours. We now have a most bewildering patchwork of militant groups, each out to kill someone or the other in the name of Islam, bankrolled at some point or the other by the army and its supporters. Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Muhammad, Jundollah, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, Tehrik-e-Taliban (itself a coalition of dozens of militant factions), it seems like we have more militant organizations than NGOs.
We carry out an operation against Swat Taliban and there are reports of Jaish-e-Muhammad expanding its hold in southern Punjab. We start an operation in South Waziristan and there are reports of Taliban and al-Qaeda entrenched in Quetta. It seems like every time we muster up the resolve to deal with one faction another springs to prominence. How we will stamp out all these groups, I have no idea. Does the army even want to dismantle all the militant organizations? How does it end?


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VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS!!!!! Yeah I love the fact that I can get onto the computer to view a variety of things. You can find just about anything you want on there. "Mom can we go to the zoo?" The baby is sick, money is tight and you are beat from schooling and household chores. Besides we did baseball, art, park day and karate already this week.
"No, we can not go to the zoo today, but you can see some animals and learn about them on the computer. We can also get some activity pages you can do."
There are a number of web sites which are geared towards virtual fields. However, I personally feel if it says virtual I get to interact somehow or watch a video, this is not the case with all of them. But, they are educational.
Virtual Field Trip has tons of links on a variety of topics including zoo cams, frog disection and castles from the middle ages just to name a few.
Virtual Field Trips I visited the White House, The Museum of Science and Industry and Africam.
Read Write Think this site offers a selection of virtual field for grades 3-5 and includes educational resources. There are also acitvities with 6-8.
Teachnology has various generators to help you create your own crosswords, word search and more.
Tools for Educators also has various generators to create bingo cards, dice, games and more. Totally cool site.
By conducting a word/topic specific search using the word coloring pages you should be able to easily find some. I Googled coloring pages White House and a slew of sites came up.


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Is College Worth It? 10 Well Paid Jobs That Don't Require a College Degree!
Is College Worth It? 10 Well Paid Jobs That Don't Require a College Degree!
Is college worth it? Many new high school graduates are asking if getting a college degree is worth the time and money. In fact, many college graduates are discovering that finding a job is not easy and paying back student loans deeply cut into their household income. Most students sign up for student loans not fully understanding the impact on their future wallets. It is no wonder that so many people care asking – "Is college really worth it?" Here are a list of 10 jobs that do not require college degrees.
Social media copywriter
Main Duties: Create online presence, create content that is informational and engaging, create content to attract readers, utilize keywords and search engine optimization in content and convert readers within medium
Average Annual Wages:$43,000
Education Required: No formal education is required; however, excellent writing skills and knowledge of search engine optimization is a must.
Web Designer
Main Duties: design and create websites that are attractive and performing good
Average Annual Wages: $62,500
Education Required: Certificates or apprenticeship in programming and/or graphic design
RELATED ARTICLE: The Best Jobs For Every Personality Type
Heating and Refrigeration Mechanic
Main Duties: repairing and installing the following systems: heating, cooling, ventilation and refrigeration
Average Annual Wages: $43,640
Education Required: Apprenticeship, in some states a license is required
Bookkeeping, Accounting and Auditing Clerks
Main Duties: reconcile records, record transactions and update statements
Average Annual Wages: $35,170
Education Required: High School diploma, basic math, computer skills, bookkeeping software and spreadsheet knowledge
Construction Equipment Operators
Main Duties: operate heavy machinery used in construction
Average Annual Wages: $40,980
Education Required: On the job training, apprenticeship or trade school
Craft and Fine Artist
Main Duties: create the following types of art – handmade goods, glassware, pottery, textiles, paintings, illustrations and sculptures
Average Annual Wages: $44,380
Education Required: raw talent, must have the ability to be creative and turn ideas into a product
Airline and Commercial Pilots
Main Duties: fly airplanes
Average Annual Wages: $98,410
Education Required: commercial pilot license and/or Airline Transport Pilot certificate
Detectives Criminal Investigators
Main Duties: investigate crimes
Average Annual Wages: $45,740
RELATED ARTICLE: The 9 Least Stressful Jobs of 2013
Education Required: high school diploma and many states require a license
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Main Duties: help patients recover and return to healthy daily life and work habits
Average Annual Wages: $53,240
Education Required: 2- year certification program
Truck Drivers
Main Duties: hailing heavy or bulk material in large trucks
Average Annual Wages: $38,200
Education Required: Professional truck driving school, commercial driver's license
Most people attend college to better their job outlook; however, the current job market suggest that great paying jobs do not require degrees. There are jobs for every talent and interest. Is college really worth it? There are many who would say, "Not for me!"


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Welcome to our online radio station
The Rock 926 Online Radio Broadcasting Music from London to the world
Lady Versatile K
Hits: 10152
Hi my name is Karen Bone A.K.A. Lady ' Versatile' K. I began listening to music from a very very early age in my Mum & Dad's pub. When I was older my Dad use to give me the money to buy the singles for the jukebox and things went on from there like helping out at the school discos and parties.
My brother introduced me to the reggae scene like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Sly Dunbar etc. which made me get more and more involved into reggae. I started DJing in London around Peckham, Brixton and Camberwell playing reggae, bashment and revival and also done a session with Symbolistic Sounds System.
My son Deejay QT is now getting involved in selecting music and he does my jingles too and his only 6 years old.
8901 Go Sitdown Road, Move and Go Weh
E-mail: email@example.com


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On the thread "Getting Anything Out of Liturgy," Chris offered some commentary, a few points of which deserve highlighting.
There is nothing in this photo which communicates that this is a Catholic church, or a Mass.
Does the church setting bear the brunt of "sacralization" in the Christian liturgy? In other words, is it always preferable to see an image or orient oneself in a church and identify it clearly as a Catholic church or a Catholic Mass? If the photo from my parish wasn't a Mass, we're doing really really well stuffing several hundred people into pews and have five priests concelebrate a ritual outside of the Eucharist. Just imagine what happens on weekends.
The image in question is from the south loft, taken at Mass celebrating the departure of our last pastor. I chose it because it captured the most people of any Mass image on our web site's photo gallery. The thread was, after all, about people at liturgy, and their occasoinal complaint.
The altar is clearly lit the strongest in the building, so that seems pretty clear to me. I also know the building pretty well, so I can see the tabernacle, the credence table, and other familiar things. And unlike Chris or non-parishioners, I also know their context.
In a way Chris makes the point about disengagement from the liturgy Joyce and I see often from the pews. (Though I have to say I've seen less of it in my present parish than any other.) There's no doubt that a worshipper might have to work harder to be engaged in some churches. My new pastor and I have discussed much of this. The task is how we engage new college students: give them enough that is familiar to draw them in; challenge their youthful sensibilities and invite them to a more intentional Catholicism.
Chris suggests this church "offers as little as possible to the people who make the effort to be there." If this is true, the bright side is that parishioners are self-motivated and engaged by choice. Is it better to have an "easy" space full of what some may cite as distractions? Or should a church assume adults are present who don't need to be entertained by figures in windows, statues, icons, or architectural finery? Are fancy churches like picture books? Are plain churches like serious novels? I don't ask these questions to be facetious. I think there are two complementary aspects that architects, designers, and liturgists must address when buiolding new churches or renovating old ones. Beauty and art: are they sufficient to themselves? Or in a church, should they or must they have a reason? A higher purpose? Are they only a means to an end?
Rather than sit from a single perspective, does the building here fare better when empty and when one can move around?


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Established 1994. Locally owned and operated. Family business at Reno/Tahoe area, providing personalized services at very affordable prices. Founded by Greg Jepsen. Call now for free estimate at (775) 425-4343. Green treatment available upon request at no additional cost. Residential and Commercial. Services: ants, spiders, bed bugs, roaches, mice, rats, snakes, pigeons, fungus, termites, flies, and much more. Termite pre-treats available. Official Website: www.statewidepest.com
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Saturday, August 3, 2013
YOU MAY KNOW YOUR SOULMATE EVEN BEFORE YOU MEET - The Journal of The Bugsman's Wife
The Cutest Story Ever Told! Maybe it will Inspire some :)
When I was 11 years old, I did my first trip outside of Brazil. My mom took me to see Disney World in Florida!
I was a huge fan of Winnie the Pooh, and I went crazy over that huge stuffed Pooh bear I saw at the Disney Store.
But my mother told me that that bear was too expensive for her but she could give me the small one. I was happy about it anyway, and she put the little one in our shopping bag.
We were wondering around the beautiful store and ended up loosing each other. She was in panic running around the crowded store trying to find me. Finally, she found me and got so happy that she took me straight to the bear section and bought me the big Pooh bear!
I was so happy! I tried to tell her that it was too expensive, but she said that she was happy to find me and wanted to give me that bear.
At the checkout we were both so happy and bubbly! Then I noticed the name of the cashier written on his shirt. It was GREG. I told him: "This is the prettiest name! I've never heard that name before, we don't have this name in Brazil, but I will name my bear Greg!"
My mom might even be able to find the picture we took of the cashier called Greg.
And since then, I had my stuffed animal Greg, he was my companion in all my trips until young adult. My mom only gave it away to needed children after I got married.
Coincidence or not, I came to Reno in 2003 and met my Greg. Maybe my soul already knew at 11 years old that this would be the name of my future husband.
Love, Liv
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Get to Know Your Bug Guy - Greg Jepsen, Reno NV
Get to know your bug guy!
One thing that not too many people know about Greg is that, besides running Statewide for almost 20 years, he is also a great pilot. In fact, there are many pilots in the family.
Flying has always been Greg's passion, though he doesn't do this very often anymore. He has been flying small planes, hang-glides and ultra-lights for over 30 years. He has also done acrobatics in his old airplane.
Statewide Termite & Pest Control, Inc.
LOCAL COMPANY in Reno, Nevada for 20 years!
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Pasi�n de Cristo
I've just read the best review of Gibson's film about the torture of Jesus in "Mensaje". It is in Spanish, and very complex. It takes Gibson seriously as a firlm director and rips him to shreds. It takes his theology seriously and elegantly underscores its irrelevance to global poverty and solidarity. Written by Carlos Ignacio Casale Rolle, the lengthy essay begs to be translated into English and circulated among theology students eager to debate/study theological ideas.


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Personalized Reflective Dog Collars (5 colors available)
Customized Dog Collars
Personalized Dog Collars
PetLink's Reflective Dog Collars include your dog's name, microchip number, and the PetLink toll-free number on a reflective band of super-bright, 3M Scotchlite material. This material is used and recommended by safety professionals.
- Maximize visibility of pets to approaching motorists.
- Triple nickel plated D ring for easy attachment of tags (sold separately).
- Available in red, blue, pink, orange or black.
Size Specifications:
- Small – (5/8" wide, fits 9" - 12")
- Medium - (5/8" wide, fits 12" - 18")
- Large - (1" wide, fits 18" - 28")
These collars are not recommended for cats. You may shop reflective cat collars here.
*Due to space limitations, a maximum of 12 characters can be printed for your pet's name.
Attention users placing orders on mobile devices: the character limitation may not function correctly on your mobile device. Please follow the character limit guidelines for this product. If you submit an order that does not conform to the allowed character limits, your product will not print correctly. Please review your order carefully and follow all order guidelines. There are no returns or exchanges for personalized products.
All personalized orders are final and cannot be exchanged or returned. Please double check your order details.


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50 Mother's Day Gifts You Can Make For Under $20
Without a doubt, Mother's Day gift is something that must be unique. We all want to make our gift for mom made with her face will stay sincere smile and her eyes sparkle of joy. I do not want to buy cosmetics?
Make this Mother's Day memorable with a unique DIY gift that you can make with your own two hands. diyncrafts has been so kind to create a huge list of the BEST Gifts You Can Make For Under $20. Go ahead and choose a project – or several – and create something really special for your Mother this Mother's Day.
Go check out the full list of: 50 Mother's Day Gifts You Can Make For Under $20


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Party Planning Game Plan
Here are two fantastic party appetizers that will help you step up your game!
We all need a Game Plan when we are planning a party, especially a party for the big game. Rhodes has some wonderful appetizers that would be the perfect 'play' for any party! Here are two yummy appetizers that we will break down with some tips and tricks. This will save you time and let you come out on top of your game!
1 Loaf Rhodes™ Bread Dough, thawed but still cold
slices of your favorite cheese
cooked bacon
green onion, diced
dipping sauce
All right let's plan ahead for the big day. Remove your loaf of bread from the original packaging and place in a zip lock bag. Put it in the refrigerator to thaw overnight. The dough will hold for 12 hours in the refrigerator. You can also use the traditional thawing method that is printed on the packaging. I like to make more than one party loaf at a time so I freeze one to have on hand for my next party.
Roll the loaf into a long rope or "snake" 20-22 inches long. Form it into a circle and place in the bottom place in the bottom of a sprayed bundt pan. Make sure you spray your bundt pan really well with a nonstick spray. Cover it with plastic wrap and let rise until double in size.
Remove the wrap and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Let it cool slightly and then invert the pan to release the loaf. ***Tip: If the loaf is sticking, you can loosen the edges with a plastic knife which won't scratch the pan.
If you want to save one for later, wrap the loaf in plastic wrap and then you can freeze it. Or you can make it a day ahead, although you will still want to wrap it in plastic wrap to keep the loaf fresh.
Let the loaf cool completely and then make cuts lengthwise and widthwise, about 1-inch apart, without cutting through the bottom crust. This part can be a little confusing, so hopefully these photos will help you understand.
Next, insert cheese slices, bacon pieces and green onions between the cuts. Return to the oven and bake an additional 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Serve with your favorite dip in the middle and enjoy! This Party Loaf will be your own personal touchdown!
And now for a game day classic...
This Football Pepperoni Pizza can a part of your décor for the big game. You will need the following ingredients:
12 Rhodes™ Dinner Rolls, thawed and risen
1 cup pizza sauce
2-3 cups grated mozzarella cheese
24-26 slices pepperoni
1 string cheese
Remove 12 dinner rolls from the package and place in a zippered bag, allow to thaw until warm and bubbly. This will make the dough easier to roll and shape. You can also plan ahead with this and thaw your rolls in the refrigerator the night before.
Combine dinner rolls and roll into a football shape, about 17 inches long and 12 inches wide. Place on a sprayed baking pan. Poke several times with a fork to prevent bubbles from forming.
If you are finding that the dough springs back and is difficult to shape, allow it to "rest" for 10 minutes, then reshape.
Now pre-bake your crust at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with sauce and cheese. Mimic the shape of the football with the pepperoni. Cut the string cheese into four equal pieces length wise and top pizza to form laces.
Bake an additional 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees - then dig in!
Everyone will be a winner with this pizza at your gathering. Happy Baking and enjoy the big game!
Party LoafServings: 8-12 | Skills: Beginning | Prep Time: 30 min (not including thaw time) | Bake Time: 35 min
A fun recipe for your next party or family gathering.Party Loaf
1 Loaf Rhodes Bread Dough, thawed but still cold
slices of your favorite cheese
cooked bacon
green onion, diced
dipping sauce
Roll loaf into a 20-22-inch rope. Form into a circle and place in the bottom of a sprayed bundt pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool and then make cuts lengthwise and widthwise, about 1-inch apart, without cutting through the bottom crust. Place on a sprayed baking sheet. Insert cheese slices & bacon pieces between the cuts. Return to oven and bake an additional 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with your favorite dip in the middle.


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Hotel Pastry Chef Ron Paprocki of
Ron Paprocki is of that rare chef breed that comfortably, naturally straddles fun and serious discipline. It might be because he came to pastry relatively late, having tasted some of the real world—and developed a sufficiently thick skin—in his previous profession, landscape design, before trading in his garden tools for pastry tools at the age of 31. Call it life experience or a quirk of personality, it allows Paprocki to keep his cool, and even crack a few jokes, while creating sophisticated desserts in a market positively glutted with pastry chefs.
He might have come to the game late, but training at Germany's Elisabeth-Knipping Schule in Kassel, and completing his formal apprenticeship at Café Alheit, gave Paprocki a rock solid, Old World foundation in the techniques and practices of the pastry arts. But however serious his schooling, and however seriously Paprocki took it, the chef didn't lose his lust for fun, imagination, and play. It has endured the rigor of European training and continues to show up in his desserts, even in the austerity of fine dining.
When Paprocki moved to New York he became head baker and assistant pastry chef at the celebrated Financier Patisserie. Not content to let his pastry knowledge stagnate, the chef attended a chocolate sculpture seminar the following year at The French Pastry School under master chocolatier Jean-Fran?ois Castagne. "Learn everything you can, be exposed to everything you can," Paprocki advises. "The older you get, the older you get."
In 2005, Paprocki helped develop and open the Sacha Bakery/Restaurant in the Meatpacking District, serving as pastry sous chef and further honing his repertoire. He joined the opening team of Gordon Ramsay at The London in the Fall of 2006, where he's been drawing on the classics and incorporating innovations of modern pastry ever since.
Interview with Pastry Chef Ron Paprocki of Gordon Ramsay at The London – New York, NY
Antoinette Bruno: What inspired you to pursue cooking professionally?
Ron Paprocki: I love it. I love creating stuff. I love to create stuff. My mom still has The Fannie Farmer Cookbook. Whenever I go home to Rochester, which is not as frequently as she would like, she'll put it up on the spine and it automatically opens up to the sugar cookie page, smeared with every bit of fat. She says, "Here's that book, remember when you were five or seven years old, making cookies all the time, peanut butter cookies, sugar cookies."
AB: Do you recommend culinary school to aspiring chefs?
RP: Yes, I do have a background in culinary school. I apprenticed in Germany. It's a full-on formal apprenticeship there. I was there for four or five years. I'd highly recommend it as a basis or background on which to understand the basic technology in the professional kitchen; it's not a necessity, but does provide a solid foundation.
AB: What advice would you give young chefs just getting started?
RP: Learn everything you can, be exposed to everything you can. The older you get, the older you get; definitely grab as much knowledge as you can and never say no. Keep going while you're young, work 19, 20 hours a day, expose yourself to all types of work and technique. The older you get, you get constraints, you get tired; you get a family and all that stuff.
AB: What is your philosophy on food and dining?
RP: Food should always compliment the mood, the surroundings. Also, pay close attention to the dessert—it should definitely compliment the savory courses that come prior to the dessert, too, and it should be fun.
AB: What goes into creating a new dish?
RP: I like the classics but I also like to be on the forefront of the trends of the industry. I always like to try to weave a nice fine line between the two and select the best from both sides. Coming up with desserts, the first things that come to mind are flavor combinations, textures and mouthfeel; appearance has come a long way in the industry in creating things, everyone likes to have stuff look nice too; simple and clean.
AB: What's the toughest thing you've had to do in your job?
RP: Really to maintain standards while working, and being a hotel pastry chef. Working in a hotel, I'm responsible for room service, desserts in 560 rooms here in hotel, responsible for desserts in Gordon Ramsay fine dining, maze, banquets, and amenities; [there is] a lot of stuff going on here for me.
AB: If you had one thing you could do again, what would it be?
RP: I wish I would have started this a little earlier. I began at 30, or 31.
AB: What trends do you see emerging?
RP: I feel that a lot of the things I'm doing now, where it's molecular meets the past, the more traditional style dessert; a couple years ago there was molecular and progressive. Now after the recession, breaks going on, now it's a cross between the two—classics using new techniques.
AB: If you weren't a chef, what would you be doing?
RP: Probably landscape design. It was my background prior to pastry; that's why I started so late. This wasn't a prison release job here.
AB: What is your proudest accomplishment in your career to date?
RP: Working with Markus [Glocker], definitely opened the door to a lot of things here.
AB: Has your style changed?
RP: Yeah, I'm definitely more upbeat about things; I can be a little more whimsical and not so constrained. When I would go to develop newer desserts, Markus would push back. Now I can definitely be a little more progressive, more than I was a year ago; working together, him being Austrian, me being exposed to German culture and baking technology.
AB: What's next for you? Where will we see you in five years?
RP: Owning my own shop, ice cream and chocolate, something very simple. Ice cream and chocolates and candy, everything. Somewhere downtown or in Brooklyn. Downtown is good.


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How beautiful is the Lord's grace upon us! Us, who murder Him with every sin. As I grow in the Lord, the more I become aware, no, awed at this fact! With every sin, I see how amazing and incomprehensible it is that Christ would love me. It is this constant realization that keeps our love for our beautiful Savior strong, even through trials.
Here are the lyrics to a song eloquently describing this love for us. Each verse speaks of a Person of the Trinity and their relationship with us. Jesus, the Son, is spoken of in the first verse, and His rescuing us from our sin. The second verse is about the Spirit, our Counselor, Comforter, Keeper, offering the hope of salvation to our depraved hearts. The last verse constructs an image of our Almighty Father, calling us to fall before His throne. When it speaks of His faithfulness, it brings to mind 2 Timothy 2:13, If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. Each Person is brought together as the Trinity in the chorus, where it says, "You are the One we adore," referring to the Trinity as a whole, not each individual face.
I hope and pray the reader finds much encouragement from this song, and from the remembrance of the undeserved gift of true love.
Wonderful, Merciful Savior
Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would have thought that a Lamb could
Rescue the souls of men
Oh, You rescue the souls of men
Counselor, Comforter, Keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
Hopelessly lost our way
Oh, we've hopelessly lost our way
You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh, our hearts always hunger for
Almighty, Infinite, Father
Faithfully loving your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh, we're falling before Your throne


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If you are a fan of short films be sure to check out the The 8th Annual Carrboro Film Festival on November 23-24. The all-shorts festival will feature over 50 films from North Carolina and beyond. MFA student Jacob Rosdail's film The Doll Dilemma, which explores a daughter's struggle to handle the extensive doll collection left behind by her late mother, will screen on November 23 at 12:45 p.m. at The ArtsCenter. You can also catch The Possum Drop, directed by MFA student Mindy Keeley, on November 24 at 2:30 p.m. at The Century Center.
The festival will also present the winner of the Our State Magazine documentary contest. Chris Zaluski, DFP alum and faculty advisor of WIP, is one of five contest finalists. His short, The Duke of Roguemont, provides a glimpse into how a North Carolina resident is expressing his love for the Dukes of Hazzard television show. The winner will be announced November 23 at 4 p.m. at the Century Center.
Categories: DFP News
Recent Posts
- August 10, 2020
- August 10, 2020
- June 14, 2020


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The Pink Vault is an app currently serving Canada and the United States.
It is the easiest way to access a guide to local and national gentlemen's clubs, massage parlours, and stores. The Pink Vault app allows customers to locate any gentlemen's club, massage parlour, or store, anywhere in North America. All of this can be done through the GPS technology on a mobile device: with a tap of their finger, your customers will be able to access important information about your establishment.
Profile Featurettes
Girls can sign up for a Pink Vault exclusive look at everything from their age, height, and weight to gallery pictures and messaging.
Establishment Profiles
Customize your profile to really promote the kind of night your clients are in for! Add images, list your girls, hours, events, and everything else to get you put on the map.
Coupons & Discounts
Want to get more women coming in on ladies night or free door cover? Promote your discounts and make their decision for a night out an easy one.
Find all the latest events going on at all the hotspots. Post you event on our site to drive even more traffic to your front row.
Competition Conquering
Gain an inch on your competition and get your establishment listed directly on your competitors profile page. So even if they don't come to you first, you can show them why yours if better.
The Essentials
- Update Business Information
- Website and Social Media
- 1 Profile Photo
- 1 Active Coupon
- 1 Active Deal
- 1 Category Listing
Get Noticed
- Update Business Information
- Website and Social Media
- 3 Profile Photo
- 3 Active Coupon
- 3 Active Deal
- 3 Category Listing
- Category Priority
- Featured on Relative Businesses
Experience Success
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- 5 Profile Photo
- 5 Active Coupon
- 5 Active Deal
- 5 Category Listing
- Category Priority
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- Dedicated Account Manager