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Click Here to view our COVID - 19 Preparedness Page
Steptoe & Johnson's Alternative & Renewable Energy team provides a full range of services across the alternative and renewable energy spectrum, including wind, solar, biomass, hydroelectric, and cogeneration projects.
Our attorneys assist with project development, site acquisition, financing, permitting, compliance, and negotiation of power purchase and other commercial agreements. Team members also advise clients on renewable energy credits, tax incentives, and energy efficiency and savings.
Click here to view our recent webcast on Opportunity Zones and Renewable Energy Development.
What Sets Us Apart
- Top-listed in the U.S. in Energy Law; also recognized in Project Finance, Energy Regulatory, Real Estate Law and other areas
- Multidisciplinary approach pulls together the right team for each project, matching client needs with specific expertise
- Scalable, time-sensitive solutions keep projects moving forward
Related Practice Areas
- Banking & Commercial Transactions
- Bond Counsel/Infrastructure Finance
- Commodities & Derivatives
- Corporate & Transactional
- Energy Transactions
- Environmental
- Public Utility & Regulatory
- Real Estate
- Taxation
Team Members Located in:
- Colorado
- Kentucky
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
- West Virginia
How We Have Helped
Site Acquisitions
- Negotiated leases and easements from dozens of landowners for wind farm project
- Represented timber company in negotiating lease of rural timberland to wind developer
- Provided title insurance for purchase of 2,000-acre+ hydroelectric facility with recreational lake
- Negotiated property agreements for commercial and utility-scale solar arrays
Permitting & Siting
- Advised solar developer on siting and environmental compliance requirements for utility-scale solar project
- Represented hydroelectric facility operator in enforcing covenants and local ordinances against adjacent property owners to comply with FERC mandate
- Represented developers in obtaining certificates of public convenience and necessity for biomass electric generating facilities
- Served as environmental compliance counsel to purchaser of 1,600-acre hydroelectric facility
- Represented bond underwriter in issuance to finance four renewable power plants
- Provided title services and title insurance to wind developer for $300M+ financing
- Advised client regarding capital investment to reclaim and process methane gas from municipal landfills
Power Purchase & Commercial Agreements
- Led team negotiating multi-million dollar supply agreement for production and sale of biomass to electric generating plant
- Advised utility in negotiations for proposed co-generation FOG digester and electric production facility
- Negotiated PPAs and related agreements between IPPs, power purchasers, utilities, and RTOs
- Represented utilities in negotiating commercial agreements with large waste digestion facility
- General counsel to developer of commercial scale pyrolosis system to convert plastic bottles into diesel fuel
Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)
- Counseled clients on eligibility for RECs
- Negotiated REC purchase and sale agreements
- Represented client before state utility commission and FERC in REC ownership dispute
Energy Efficiency & Savings
- Represented purchaser of energy savings lease
- Represented municipality in financing construction of fire station with energy efficiency measures
- Negotiated energy savings transactions for large municipality
Net Metering
- Represented rural electric utility in net metering rate development
- Counseled clients on net metering eligibility
Who We Are
Our team members have a wide range of business, government and legal experience that they bring to bear to develop practical, efficient solutions to suit each client's needs. Among other positions, they have served as:
- State public utility commissioner
- State tax commissioner
- General counsel to state Commerce Department
- General counsel to regional franchisor with 120+ sites
- In-house counsel to state environmental protection agency
- Outside counsel to municipalities and zoning board


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This plant stand can water our pots or yours. It's versatile watering system is capable of watering up to an 8′ x 20′ area while also watering itself. Completely waters all containers in as little as 3 minutes. Individual sprinklers may be adjusted independently from spray to drip to off. 60 gallons of growing capacity in less than a 30" x 30" space. Made in America, the frame is constructed with premium ground contact treated lumber and lined with beautiful, durable cedar. 90% fully assembled! Complete assembly in minutes! All parts included!
Kit Contents:
1 – Base w/ Watering System
1 – Shelf
2 – Side Posts
12 – 3″ Screws
1 – Assembly Instructions w/ photos
Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.
FAQ's click here.

subset: commoncrawl


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Christopher Golden, Jonathan Maberry and James A. Moore get together to discuss popular culture, books, movies and whatever else crosses their minds in a weekly discussion of the world at large as seen by three writers of speculative fiction. Be part of the live taping of the world premiere of this exciting new online talk show.
Apr 25, 2017
On this episode of Three
Guys with Beards we decided to take it a little easy and catch up
with each other. We had a lot to say!
Having trouble logging in?


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Let's Play! [add me I'm ronery]
Anyone tryna play MCC tonight? Don't care which game.
whenever I'm online, you can invite me
been playing a lot the past week, dunno if I'll stick to it this time but we'll see how it goes
I'm going to be playing H2 every night from now on and I'd like to find some people to play customs with! My friends list is pretty empty at the moment! Add me! =)
GT - l Slash RF l
GT - l Slash RF l
added! H2C 1v1's at any time :)
True N3rd play with meh
i'm trying to get back into mcc so anyone on here feel free to add me: ur pro friend
try to include a message that you're from here, but i don't get requests so i'll prolly accept anyway. we will play some tonight and hopefully i have a mic somewhere.
Who's up to take challenge??
Anyone up to play in 30 mins? GT: inxy
by GoLiaTH is my gamertag
i need friendz
GT: xShelton (formally as xRiPSaWx aha).
Looking for people who are still playing H2C!
If anyone wants to play 360 H3 add TAISUMOV
Looking for a matching team, Im currently hovering between 16-1700 onyx but didn't play pre-season. HMU @ Scotchyy and @ ScotchyWINS
looking for people who still play h2c or customs.. add me: L0u nee - 0 is a zero
Yo I'm down to just play some 1v1's for fun on h3 or h2 add me at BR so Faithful.
playing mcc quite alot now and its getting ronery
GT: Eiiision
I'll play with you on Saturday if you're still down for MCC.
Let's play Halo 3 Xbox One
GT: inxy
getting on in 10 mins tbh
GT: inxy
getting on in 10 mins tbh
stay retired old man. you can't hang with the young bloods any more.
Might get on MCC. I'll update this post with the tag I'm using.
Might get on MCC. I'll update this post with the tag I'm using. FLIPPERS16
Playing for ranks this weekend and live capping. GT = BxSouijah
GT - ahitofdank. Need people to play with so add me please!
Still running? GT: adversitive
Add me! Would like to play ffas on midship!! I got no mic yet. Gt: I'm Mr Lebowski
added. My xbox is basically for halo 2 and nhl
Looking H2/H3 peeps.
Tag: i brisk x
Oh helllll yeah


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Digital Learning Day is here, and with less than 7 hours to go, play has been vigorous! Messalonskee Middle School still holds a slim lead on Auburn Middle School. It's not too late to play! Final scores will be downloaded tonight at midnight, but that doesn't mean you have to stop playing. You can practice play FreeRice everyday and continue to improve your skills while helping the World Food Programme!
Recent Comments
Game Clock
The 2013 RiceBowl Challenge is over! Thank you for your participation. Congratulations to AFC Champions and Messalonskee Middle School! Keep playing and supporting Freerice.com. Get ready for next year's challenge!
The 2014 RiceBowl Challenge begins Jan. 20, 2014!


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August 23, 2018
Quick Links
This is it. You are about to walk into your new home as the owner. Whether you are a first home buyer or a seasoned property investor, it's still a challenge to cover all the essentials of a new home final inspection. No pressure, but even one small misstep could leave you with costly repairs, which you could have brought up with your seller or builder for a more efficient fix.
When you look closely during your final home inspection, you might also find a good reason to back out of the purchase altogether. This doesn't happen very often but it's still smart to do that eleventh-hour check to make sure you are still buying the home you saw when you first viewed the property. It is, after all, your right legally. Take advantage of it and feel more confident with your purchase.
To help make sure you have checked everything, use this final inspection checklist.
Professional Inspections for a New Home
Before you go through your new property with a fine-toothed comb, you'll have professional inspectors take care of the big stuff.
- Building inspection to check for structural issues, damage, or outdated fixtures or features that need to be replaced.
- Pest inspection to ensure there are no insects or vermin already inhabiting your new home. Also, ask your inspector to let you know of the potential for pest issues in the future based on location and materials used in the home's construction.
- Swimming pool inspection for the pool, pool fencing, and the surrounding area, if your property has a pool. This is something that has to be done regularly anyway for safety reasons.
- Surveyor's report to identify your property's boundaries so you know exactly where your land ends.
The Final New House Inspection You Should Perform
Before settlement, you need to do a comprehensive final – and very thorough check. Take someone with you to make sure you leave no stone unturned.
Here are all the potential issues you should check for:
Water pressure and drainage. Go through and flush all the toilets and run all the taps, including the shower and bath, to check for leaks, low pressure, or poor drainage.
Windows and doors. Hold your hands around the edges of the windows and doors to check for draughts. Are there any west-facing windows that may heat up your interior quickly? Also, open and close all windows and flyscreens to make sure all the windows function properly.
Flooring. Take your shoes off and walk on all the floors, checking for bumps, warping, or uneven spots. These could be the sign of a problem. Check how the carpets feel – plush or worn? Look around the edges where the flooring meets the walls – are any mistakes or messes being cleverly covered?
Electric check. As you go through the house checking the taps, you can also check the electricity. Turn each switch on and off to make sure it works. Also, bring in a small device like a small fan or your phone charger to test each outlet. If the outlet works, it will turn on the fan or start charging your phone immediately.
Cupboards. Open and close all the cupboards and drawers in the kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom. Check for any issues as well as strange odours that could signal poor ventilation or mould growth.
Walls and paint. Often, homes are given a fresh coat of paint before going on the market. Take a look at the paint job, paying particular attention to corners, borders, and window frames. If there are any mistakes, you can ask for them to be corrected.
Outdoors. Walk around the outdoors looking for any aesthetic issues that need to be addressed like siding that's falling apart. Your building inspector should have spotted major issues but it's still a good idea to do a final check in the outdoor living space.
Get Your Free Refinancing Report
Calculate your potential savings, lowest interest rate, and receive a free home loan consultation.
What if There Are Problems in the Final Inspection?
If you go through your final inspection checklist and realise there are a few issues with your new house, you still have time to do something about it. Usually, a seller will offer to fix factors that your building inspector brings up as the house has to pass inspection before you can buy it. If they can't or won't fix the issues, you'll have to decide if it is still worth it to purchase the home as you'll have to pay for the repairs. You can also ask for them to lower the price.
For hiccups that come up in your personal inspection, you can talk to your realtor about approaching the seller and seeing what they can do. If they are really interested in selling you the home, they may offer to address your concerns. On the other hand, in a competitive market, you may be left with the burden, especially if it is something cosmetic like chipped paint or old carpeting. You can discuss your options with your realtor, who will have a good idea of the best route to take.
If you purchased a home off the plan or are moving into a new construction your architect designed, you can talk to your builder about fixing any problems you notice. It's a lot easier to take care of things before you move in, and before your builder will be ready to move on to their other projects.
And, if everything looks good, congratulations! Now you can go ahead and collect your keys to officially move in.
Written by Refinancing.com.au
Refinancing.com.au is an end-to-end service that helps people refinance their home loan. We empower you to search for your home loan, and choose the process that suits you.
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Thank you for your enquiry
A Refinancing expert will contact you shortly to discuss your needs, and how we could potentially save you time and money. If you are not ready to refinance, simply let our team know and they will schedule a call back for another time.
We're all about making the refinancing process easy! Please continue searching for refinancing products.
The Refinancing team.


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Looking to capture the beauty of the Great Enchantress on film? We invite professional photographer Fran Goncalves, director of Shutter Kings Photo Tours to share the most photogenic locations in Barcelona… all photos his own.
|1. El Raval
|2. Glories
|3. Graffiti Park
|4. Estacio de Franca
|5. Bunkers del Carmel
|6. Barceloneta Beach
|7. Gothic Quarter
|8. Placa del Angels
|9. Born Cultural Centre
|10. Sant Felipe Neri
|11. El Born District
With its abundance of magnificent medieval behemoths, its ubiquitous Catalan art nouveau treasures, and colourful bursts of eye-catching modern architecture, Barcelona is every photographer's dream. Crowned with the unique visions of the architect, Antoni Gaudi, it's no exaggeration to say that the Catalan capital is one of the most photographed cities in the world.
There are literally hundreds of amazing places to capture with your camera, but if you really want to skip the classic tourist shots… then take a look at this list.
There are literally hundreds of amazing places to capture with your camera, but if you really want to skip the classic tourist shots and treat your portfolio or social media timeline to some truly cool photos, then take a look at this list.
Whether you're an old school professional shooting with a DSLR, or a travel influencer looking for the most Instagrammable spots in Barcelona, these locations will offer your lens plenty of material to work with. I've also tried to offer some tips on taking the best possible shots while you're there.
1. Street of El Raval
Next to the iconic Ramblas, El Raval is the most multi-cultural and diverse neighbourhood of Barcelona, so if you're a street photography enthusiast, this is the place to be. There are loads of great characters and people watching opportunities (obviously abide by the rules of courtesy when shooting people), and several signature locations like La Rambla del Raval, the courtyard of the old Gothic hospital and Plaça del Angels (which I mention later in this guide).
Pro tip: For amazing light coming through the narrow and full of hanging clothes streets, go an hour before sunset… specially at Tallers street!
2. Glòries (Modern Architecture)
On its way to become the modern district of Barcelona, the area of Glóries is going through a lot of changes. With the smart buildings and brand new museums, this is place to take advantage of all the geometry, colour and shapes that its modern architecture affords the photographer. There are many intriguing new buildings here, but I particularly like the new spacecraft-shaped Encants flea market infrastructure and its glass rooftop, which appears straight out of Star Wars. You can also visit the market for second hand articles and some bargains (be aware that it's closed on Tue, Thu and Sun), although the vendors prefer you to buy their stuff than photograph it.
Pro tip: For some super cool images, bring your tripod after the sun goes down to try some amazing long exposure shots of the lighted Agbar Tower and the lights display at the Plaça de Glòries square.
3. Parc de les Tres Xemeneies (Street Art)
Street art lovers, this is your paradise. This concrete park is rich with graffiti-covered walls that are in a constant state of renewal… and if you're lucky you might even run into one of the world's top street artists in action. It's easy to find them working on the walls and, since in this place it is perfectly legal to paint, they're not hiding and usually open to be interviewed or photographed.
Pro tip: The ideal time to go here for photos are on sunny and bright days, so the colours of the graffiti works stand out even more.
4. Estació de França
The last remaining classic train station of Barcelona is a mine of cool photo opportunities! The steel structure of the ceiling and the curved platforms are a perfect canvas to compose your pictures, along with the way light filters in from the roof. Not only that, but the distinctive brown and cream aesthetic of the main foyer is also extremely photogenic. The best part, for shutterbugs, is that there are no turnstiles to access the trains area, you can walk in and get as close as you need to get your shot.
Pro tip: if you have a fancy camera and big lenses, try to be discrete or use a smaller device, since lately some security guards are asking for signed permissions to take photos in this place if they consider your equipment to be professional.
5. Bunkers del Carmel
Once the home of anti-aircraft guns, now this place – at the top of El Carmel mountain – only guards the best views of the city. Until not so long ago, this was a hidden gem of the city. Now it's one of the most popular places for photo lovers… but it's still well worth a visit, even if you're not into selfies. Why? Because, even when it is crowded, everybody is enjoying themselves so you'll find a lot of photo opportunities with improvised models, together with great shots of the city skyline and the Mediterranean.
Pro tip: The views may be magnificent, but some human presence make the photos more urban and real. If you're not comfortable incorporating strangers into your shots, bring your partner or friend and get them to pose for you.
6. La Barceloneta (Barcelona's Main Beach)
Bustling with people during the summer, safe haven of surfers during the winter, La Barceloneta beach area offers different photo situations depending on the time of year. There's always something going on, on the sand and out of it, so go and look around for a different angle. Needless to say that sunrise and sunsets make for amazing shots at this location. You can even take photos while you sit at one of the many beach bar terraces with your favourite drink in your hand!
Pro tip: Try arriving when the light is softest, and keep an eye on the horizon. When it's not perpendicular to your shot, it can make your photo look amateurish.
7. Gothic Quarter
This medieval district is full of gorgeous narrow streets, so narrow that on some of then you could touch both sides if you open your arms! Some of the most iconic buildings of the city, such as the Gothic Cathedral, are located in this area so expect many tourists around… but if you dare to go off the beaten track you might find really amazing spots, so getting lost won't be that bad after all. For every famous corner, there is at least one unknown treasure.
Pro tip: If you want to capture some famous landmarks like the Pont del Bisbe bridge, or Plaça de Sant Felipe Neri, just set the alarm to wake up early in the morning (or stay up til late at night and bring your tripod) to avoid the large crowds!
8. Plaça dels Àngels (Skateboarders)
Designed by the renowned architect Richard Meier, the MACABA Museum is the background of this amazing square that somehow became the Mecca of skaters in the city. No matter your photography skills, it won't be difficult to frame one of these extreme sports lovers in front of the many lines and squares of the museum building. Also, its a popular meeting point for all kind of urban tribes, in case you're looking for portrait opportunities.
Pro tip: A fast shutter speed is essential for capturing skateboarders on the move. If you don't have a state-of-the-art DSLR, you might want to go earlier in the afternoon when there is more natural light, rather than the very end of the day when cheaper lens and phones may struggle to take sharp shots.
9. El Born Cultural Centre
The Mercat del Born was one of the first iron structures in the city, but after falling into disrepair was due to be restored and reopened as a library. That was until workers found ruins of the medieval city that was destroyed on the 1714 Secession Wars, and the decision was made to reopen it as a cultural centre instead to display these historic remnants. Besides its historical importance, this attractive location offers a lot of geometry and cool background details for experimenting with different angles. Plus the light coming from the main door is good for some nice backlight shots. Also it has probably the best public toilets of the city in case nature calls in the middle of your photo hunt. Closed on Mondays.
Pro tip: Adjusting your camera height and changing angles can help create new and interesting compositions.
10. Plaça de Sant Felip Neri
If you were into emo music at the beginning of the 00's, you'll recognise this square from the Evanescence music video of their hit My Immortal. The truth is even sadder than an emo love song however, as this plaza was twice bombed by the fascist planes during the Civil War, killing 42 people, mostly children from the school that still exists on the square. The partially-destroyed walls of the plaza's church are a reminder of these terrible times. They also form an evocative and poignant background for photos.
Pro tip: The ambience is this place is special, and even more during spring time since all the ground gets covered with tiny yellow flowers so try shooting from feet level. During weekday mornings, the square may be closed as it is used as a playground for the kids of the school.
11. El Born
If I could only go to one place to takes photos in Barcelona, it would be El Born district. An amazing mix of old, new, narrow streets, open spaces and street art, the district lies in the city centre but without all the hustle of the Gothic Quarter. Wander around the streets and look for shadows, textures and always keep looking up for some of those that are decorated with pennants, stars or lightbulbs that will look great if you're looking for a place for a city photoshoot of a model or loved one. More on the district here.
Pro tip: El Born narrow streets are great for street photo compositions… just check where the sun is and shoot in the opposite direction to avoid that bleach effect on the upper part of your pictures. And don't let rainy days ruin your plans! Look out for puddles to get some amazing reflections and vibrant colours on those streets with decorations.
Photography Tours
It's one thing to know all the cool places to go, but visiting them in the company of a professional photographer can really help you elevate your photos, and to capture all the magic of Barcelona in the best way possible – and the lessons you learn are something you can take with you to your next travel destination too.
For that reason I started Shutter Kings Photography Tours, to help people improve their skills behind the lens, no matter what camera you have or what level of knowledge you currently possess. For many, it's a great opportunity to clear up any doubts you have about how to use all the features on your camera or phone, and to master those options you might have been struggling with in manual mode.
We have a small and passionate team of guides who know all the best places and spots, and if there's a specific corner that you're looking for that perfect photo in your mind, we can take you there and help you capture the image you're looking for. We also offer photo shoots, if you'd prefer to be a model for the day.
Whatever your photography needs, just get in touch with me any time!


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Design must reflect the practical and aesthetic in business but above all.. it should be user centered design.
Are you looking for a new website, or just to spruce up the one you have please contact me and lets see what you dream to create.
Children are complex, intelligent users. Designing for them starts with a clear understanding them as users and match it with their cognitive skills.
Creating a strong brand is no longer a corporate luxury -- it's a professional necessity.
I want to make the world better, more creative, and less complicated.
email@example.com | +45 41 42 53 23


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Seriously Naughty
My girls are sooo bad lately. Who am I kidding. They've always been mischievous; but overly so recently.
Here are a couple pictures of some of the naughty things they've been doing lately. Mind you, this is only a sample. If I tried to capture it all, I'd be taking pictures all day....
Climbing on top of the side table....and usually dancing. Apparently, hilarious.
Our biggest problem as of late, is getting completely undressed in our cribs. I should have censored this photo, but you have to see the whole picture to really get it. I surprised her and the face is priceless. (so is Ashleigh's in the background)
There will be more blog posts to come on this one.....
The girls decided to 'help' mommy organize her magazines...thoughtful, aren't they?
(notice that 'innocent' ashleigh is no where to be seen...she is usually the instigator)
I love the pure joy of naughtiness on their faces. Jordyn is purposely turned away I'm sure to prove her UN-involvement. Uh-hem.
Oh the joys of toddlers. Three at once. Yippy skippy. :)


text: Drunk driving checkpoints, or DUI checkpoints, are set up by law enforcement officials all across Washington in an effort to reduce the number of drunk drivers on the roads. These checkpoints help to prevent crashes that can cause serious injuries or death. If you ever approach a DUI checkpoint, it's best to enter it and comply with the requests of the officer. Here's what you can expect during such a checkpoint in Spokane.


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Hey guys,
This is the Lollipop version of the Matr1x kernel and it works on 5.1.
- Based on Linux kernel version 3.10.40
- Built with GCC 4.8 from Google
- BLX (Originally by Ezekeel and ported to Nexus 6 by me)
v1.0 Initial release: stock 3.10.40 kernel with added deadline I/O scheduler tweak and BLX.
Link to source: https://github.com/mathkid95/linux_motorola_lollipop


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Not quite that long, but it surely feels like it's been 84 years since my last post. It's really only been just over a year. (Can anyone identify the source of that quotation, by the way? Chelsea, are you reading?) My excuse? I forgot my password. I feel really sheepish saying that. Passwords are recoverable. However, I have a separate email account associated with this blog and I forgot the password for that as well… so… Anyway! Now I'm back.
So much has happened over the past year. We've added a new family member, our little Sugar Plum, who is five months old today. Monkey Man is almost four years old; Hula Girl just turned six recently. We completed our first year of real homeschooling. We've added new chickens to our flock. And all sorts of other things in between.
I wanted to get back to blogging because I don't really keep track of our lives in any other organized way. All my kids' baby pictures can be found on Facebook, but nowhere else. I want a place to store all our memories again!
I'm just going to jump right into writing about what happened today. I'll go back and fill in details as needed, but I don't really want to try to recap more than I already have.
This week Hula Girl has been taking a ballet class at dance camp. The funny thing is, she has the same ballet teacher she had waaaaay back when she first started dance. She quit dancing back then because she was just too shy to continue on. However, she started back up two years ago, and she has flourished. Hula Girl does so well with dance. She has beautiful feet, she takes corrections well and applies them consistently from the first time they're given, and she observes her teachers carefully so she rarely misses a step. I know that all moms whose daughters dance think their daughters are just the most beautiful little ballerinas they've ever seen. I am no exception. Hula Girl astounds me with her grace and self-assurance when she dances. We plan for her to take separate tap and ballet classes in the fall.
Another funny thing about Hula Girl's dance class is her reaction to a new girl in her class who has Down syndrome. Hula Girl loves kids with Down syndrome, especially if they're of Asian descent. She once told me she wants to be Chinese and have Down syndrome, because she loves her friends who have Down syndrome SO MUCH. (Some of her favorite Sunday school friends have Down syndrome. Two of them are adorable Chinese girls.) The new girl in her ballet class has a darker complexion as well. I was SURE she would come home talking about the new girl with Down syndrome. I was half right. She DID come home talking about the girl. She said the girl is new to dance and that she is excited to see the girl trying so hard when it is something she has never done before. She said she is proud of the girl for doing her best. I asked her if she noticed anything else about the girl, and she thought for a minute before answering, "I really liked the way she had her hair braided!" It is such a rewarding experience for me to see my daughter being so accepting and encouraging of children with all abilities and skin tones. I want to impress on my children that NO ONE is better than anyone else, for any reason. I want them to learn to love and appreciate everyone, and to find ways to encourage everyone. Hula Girl is doing these things, and it makes my heart so thankful.
Monkey Man has a lot of fun at Hula Girl's dance classes. He stands in the corner and does all the steps along with the dancers. We actually planned to have him take a rhythm and movement class this summer, but he backed out of it. I think it's so interesting because he loves getting everyone's attention– he is always walking through stores saying hi to everyone– but he doesn't want to participate in dance class because he's afraid people will watch him! We aren't pushing the issue with him. Jonathan danced and we would love it if Monkey Man wanted to try it out, too, but we will leave it up to him to decide whether he wants to do it, and when. He knows the option is open to him.
Both children are also interested in taking gymnastics classes and joining a soccer team. They are both very athletic, and Jonathan and I are all for them trying out as many different activities as they'd like to try while they're young. We are also planning to start music lessons soon. I never learned to read music (I have tried, but it befuddles my mind), and I feel such a sense of loss over this that I refuse to let my kids feel it too! So we will start piano lessons soon. I am certain that music lessons will be fun for Monkey Man. He is introverted, and he has always had an extra measure of musicality.
And now for a bit about our little Sugar Plum. She is just the easiest, sweetest baby you could imagine. She only ever cries if she is extremely overtired, extremely hungry (has only happened once in her life), or cold. Otherwise, she is just all around mellow. Nothing makes her smile more than seeing someone she loves; eliciting a laugh takes herculean effort. Most of the time she can be seen just gazing around the room and quietly taking it all in. She hasn't rolled yet, but she is trying very hard. I am certain she will be rolling within a week or two. She looks much more like Monkey Man and Jonathan than she does like Hula Girl and me. However, she has red eyebrows, which leads me to believe she *might* have my red hair. So far she is taking after her siblings by growing superfine, uncertain-colored hair all over her giant head.
Jonathan and I are doing well. Just keepin' on keepin' on. I'll let you know if anything specific happens. Haha.


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Linda Katz is founder and principal of Right Fit College Coaching, LLC, a Hopkinton, Massachusetts educational consulting firm that helps high school students prepare for and find the 'right fit for college'. Linda specializes in helping students with learning differences or a disability.
Linda has spent the past 30 years working with children and teens, having worked as both a licensed occupational therapist and peer mediation trainer. She has a Bachelor's of Health Science degree from the University of Florida and has completed a certificate program in Independent Educational Consulting from the University of California. Linda is a professional member of two national associations: the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) through which she has earned a Learning Disabilities designation and the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA). She served for many years on her town's Youth Commission and on the high school council.
Linda lives in Upton, MA with her husband Michael and has three children ages 26, 23, and 20. She enjoys reading, pickleball, biking and walks in the woods.
"Linda gave my daughter the push she really needed to get moving down the path of applying to college. Getting Linda involved provided guidance with breaking the process down into bite size pieces by creating timelines and a methodological process to encourage her to be more accountable. Having her lead us through the process decreased the tension in our house a thousand percent! Thank you, it's been a terrific experience for our family."
– Hopkinton mom


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Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox
Susan Yamada
Susan Yamada is Executive Director of the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Hawaii at Manoa's Shidler College of Business. Yamada calls herself an "accidental entrepreneur," with a career that moved from hospitality to publishing to leading tech companies. After a successful life in Silicon Valley during the dot-com boom, she came home to Hawaii, never needing to work again. But in this phase of her life, she has dedicated herself to giving back to her community by mentoring young future entrepreneurs.
This program is available in high-definition and will be rebroadcast on Wed., July 20 at 11:00 pm and Sun., July 24 at 4:00 pm.
I just talked with a CEO of a large company who said, If I'm feeling comfortable, I suspect something is wrong. Something has to be wrong.
Yeah. I think there always needs to be that level of discomfort, because that means you're pushing things, you know, whether it's your company, your programs, yourself personally. So, people go, Why? Why do you want to do that? And I think the more you do that—and pushing your comfort zone, in my mind, is taking risks. And it's not like, yeah, I'm gonna jump off a cliff and hope, you know, I have my parachute. It's really calculated risks that you're trying to take. And I think what that does is, it really builds confidence that, Hey, I can do it, I can talk to Leslie on TV, and everything was good, and I didn't die. And all those culmination of experiences, I think, gives you the confidence to move forward and do other things in the future. It gave me the confidence to move from one industry to another industry, it gave me the confidence to take risks that, you know, others may not have taken, and know that it's not gonna be the end of the world if it fails, because I'm building a skillset that I can then transfer to something else.
Susan Yamada's confidence has taken her from playing football in the streets of Kaneohe to leading tech companies during the dot-com boom. Even with her crazy work hours and success on the West Coast, she never lost sight of home. Susan Yamada, next, on Long Story Short.
Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox is Hawaii's first weekly television program produced and broadcast in high definition.
Aloha mai kakou. I'm Leslie Wilcox. Susan Yamada, raised in Windward Oahu, was an accidental entrepreneur who did very well in the Silicon Valley dot-com industry. She was so successful that when she returned to Hawaii to raise her children, she didn't ever have to work for pay again. Yet, she does. Today, Yamada is the executive director of PACE; that's the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship within the Shilder College of Business at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She's mentoring Hawaii's future entrepreneurs. Yamada grew up in Kaneohe, where she realized at a young age that she loved to compete.
Kind of a Rockwell-ian childhood. You know, my dad had his own business selling plywood in town, in Kalihi. My mom was a schoolteacher, so she taught kindergarten at Heeia Elementary School. And I have two brothers; one older than me, two years, and one younger than I am.
So, you're the only girl, and you're the middle child.
Does that say anything about you?
Hm … that's a good question. I think it says a lot about me in that I grew up playing more baseball than with dolls. I remember one Christmas I got a hairdryer, and that turned into a nice little pistol.
So, yeah.
And you're athletic.
I love athletics. Growing up, we played in the neighborhood, right? Baseball, football, with all the neighborhood kids. So, yeah, I love sports.
Did you play in the street?
Oh, yeah.
In the street.
And the cars had to wait a little bit 'til you could get off the road?
Luckily, we lived on a dead end, but you know, every time the ball went into, like, the mean neighbor's house, you know, everybody ran away.
Whoever hit the ball into that yard had to go get it; right? So, it was just kinda like that. Okay; pass the telephone pole, that's a touchdown. Okay. And then, this manhole cover, that's home plate. So, it was really cool.
That's interesting that you were an athlete and a tomboy. So, does that mean competition might have been easier for you when you hit the business world? 'Cause in those days, women were still …
Yeah; that's interesting.
–treated differently.
I think my competitiveness helped me. I don't like to lose. You know, I like to set my goals and achieve them. But I think when I set out on my business career, that really wasn't kind of foremost in my mind.
What was high school like for you? I mean, public high school in Hawaii.
Everyone has fond memories, or maybe not so fond.
Yeah; it was a lot of fun. You know, I went to public schools all the way up to Castle. And so, some kids you knew, and then you know more kids as you go to King. And that's when, I don't know, there's like four or five elementary schools in the Kaneohe area that all matriculate to King Intermediate. And so, I got to know a lot more friends at King Intermediate, and then we all went up to Castle. And you know, I just met a ton of friends, and we remain friends to this day. You know, every Christmas, we have a gathering and we get together, and we just laugh and laugh.
Did your parents explicitly tell you about life? Did they give you advice, or was it leading by example?
[CHUCKLE] Yeah; well, career-wise anyway, my mom gave me advice. And she said, Be a schoolteacher, because schoolteachers, you get the summer off, all the holidays, when your kids are off you'll be off too. So from that point, I wasn't a really good listener. But, you know, I think the fundamental values that they exhibited themselves about being hardworking, being honest, being a contributing member of society; they totally led by example. And I feel that that's the foundation for my life. And on that, you grow, you know, who you are, what you become, and things like that.
Your father owned his own business, and then sold it; right?
Yes. Yeah; so, that was great, because growing up in elementary school, he had his own business, and on weekends, he'd let one or two of us come over to his—and it was a pretty small place. And you know, we'd just kinda be messing around. And he had uh, a plywood business as well as some hardware supplies. And so, all the scrap wood, we'd just be building stuff, and sometimes he'd tell us to clean out the hardware area, so we'd do that. All so we could have like, this Boulevard Saimin plate lunch for lunch. And that was like, the best Saturday, was to be able to go with Dad to work.
When you were raised, I imagine your parents really weren't giving you water bottles and …
Oh, we drank from the hose.
–and helicoptering.
We drank from the hose. [CHUCKLE]
And telling you, Don't come back 'til—I bet you they said, Don't come back 'til dusk, or …
Yeah; yeah.
How did you raise you kids? Differently than that?
You know, it's very different, and it's unfortunate, really. When I was growing up, it was like, you know, you had something to eat for breakfast, you were out, you were playing all day. When you got hungry, you know, you came home, you made yourself a sandwich, you went back out again, and you had to come home when you saw Dad's car coming down the road, because you're either gonna have to do yardwork, or dinner's gonna be ready soon. And so, we had so much freedom. You know, we'd get on our bikes, we'd ride down to the river, catch fifty fish, put 'em all in an aquarium and try to name 'em all. I mean, it's crazy; right? And you know, I'm sad for my kids that they couldn't have that level of freedom at that young age anymore.
Well, why couldn't they?
You know, I don't know how much is reality and how much is perception in parenting at this point, where you know, even if my kids, when they were in elementary school were playing in the front yard, I felt like I had to be out in front
watching. If there's even a miniscule chance that your kid's gonna get abducted, then of course, you're gonna be out front and you're gonna be watching. But it's just a different world. And because, you know, our neighborhood wasn't full of kids, you know, you would have to have play dates, you would have to invite kids over to play with them. And you know, when you were talking about helicopter parents, you know, I don't think I am one. But, you are, when your kids are young, kind of setting their life up. It's less creative for them, I think, at this point. You know, that's where I think some of the old charm, I guess, of Hawaii is being lost. And I was just commenting to my friends; I go, I know I'm getting old because I'm grumbling a lot now about how it used to be and how it is now, and how it's, you know, losing some of that ohana, that inclusive community sometimes.
After Susan Yamada earned a bachelor's degree in business administration at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, she went into the hotel industry. Eventually, her love of the ocean led her to greater opportunities.
I learned some interesting things that they don't teach you at the Travel Industry Management School. And that's when you work at a hotel chain, if you want to move up, many times you have to transfer out of one hotel into another. And at the time, I know it's hard to believe, but there was just one Marriott in the State, and that was on Maui. That was the first Marriott that they built. And so, I was there, and then I found out I would have to travel. So, my big goal in life after the university was to move to Maui.
Because my cousins were there, and I used to spend all my summers there, and I just loved the lifestyle there; it's just so laid back. But I found that, you know, being single and in my twenties, after about two and a half years, it was just a really small place. And so, it was time for my promotion, or I was up for promotion, and so, they asked if I wanted to either go to, I think it was Torrance or Santa Clara. So, I got out the map, because to that point I had been out of state once. And I went on my second trip right before I moved, but I knew nothing; right? So, I looked to see what the proximity of those two areas was to the beach. So …
Santa Clara looked much closer. So, I chose Santa Clara. And little did I know that Santa Clara is Silicon Valley. So, that was … a good move on my part, but I can't say that I planned it.
And you had the beach.
But, you know, you're going there to work in the hotel industry, not to work in Silicon Valley.
Yes; uh-huh. And so, that's what I thought; it was just a next step, I would go there, spend two years there, and then I would come back home. And so, I got there, and … and this is why I feel a lot of local kids, they should really get out, because it's such a big world. You know, I thought tourism; hey, being from Hawaii, wanting to stay in Hawaii, that's where my career opportunities were gonna be. And when I got to Silicon Valley, it was just like, Oh, my gosh. It was just … you know, drinking from a fire hose, there were so many different opportunities. So, I went, I got my MBA after two and a years at the Santa Clara Marriott. And then, I got into the technology industry.
Susan Yamada left the hotel industry to pursue work that would give her experience in running a business. She got an opportunity to test her skills when she was offered a job at Upside Magazine, a publication that was on the cutting edge of the digital revolution, and groundbreaking in its time.
What did you do in those years between your MBA and that?
Okay; so I was a research analyst for the technology industry for a couple years, and I worked in a head injury rehab organization, doing the business side of it. My father-in-law had a contact with a magazine publisher, and he said, I've got a failing magazine that needs to get turned around, and I'm looking for somebody to run it. And so, I think maybe it was four years out of my MBA, my father-in-law introduced me to this guy. And that's how I got my first opportunity to run a company. And it was a failing company.
What was that transition like?
The one thing that I learned is, business is business, no matter what you're hawking. So whether you're in the hotel business, or whether—you know, I was a consultant soon after researcher and analyst, you know, you have a product and you need to sell it. And so, that, I think, was one of the first lessons that I had of, Okay, how do you make money? You know, what is my business, and how do you make money.
So, you go from head injuries and research and analysis to magazine publishing.
Of course, that is in the middle of, at that time, a digital revolution.
Right. So, the internet was just starting to come out and be a big player. And so, the magazine that we had—and again, it's hard to believe, but there was no wired, when you picked up Business Week, they didn't have an extensive editorial about the technology industry. Technology industry was just starting to come out. The PC was just kinda transforming all kinds of things. We were trying to figure out all the different things PCs could do. So, our magazine really focused on those sorts of needs to a higher level audience. So, they were executives within the technology industry that wanted to know what other people were doing, because the future of technology was still unlimited.
So, did that put you in touch with the titans of technology?
Yeah; yeah. So, every month, we would have an interview with one of the leaders in the technology industry, whether it was Bill Gates, or Larry Ellison. It was just an incredible time. And I'm not sure it would be so easy to get those interviews today. But during that time, you know … most definitely.
And did you think that was your calling, magazines?
I loved it. Yeah. It wasn't so much magazines as it was I loved the fact that you never knew if you were gonna make payroll.
I know; I know. And people were like, That would drive me nuts. And you know, obviously, it wasn't just like wishing. You actually put together a plan and start implementing the plan. But when things start working, it's so exciting to see that.
Susan Yamada was the publisher of Upside Magazine for five and a half years. During that time, the magazine became profitable, and the connections she made there opened doors to new opportunities in the digital revolution.
That's when the internet was starting to take off. And that was a super-exciting time. It was like the second coming of the Gold Rush in California, because there was so much excitement in the Bay Area. People were flocking to the Bay Area to take part in, you know, the internet mania. You know, if you graduated from college with a bachelor's degree and you were halfway decent, you were making six figures already. It took me all my career to that point, to get up to that point. And here these kids are, and just because there was such a shortage
of talent, they were making incredible money; there was so much money going around in the Bay Area at that time.
And so, what did you do? What was your next step?
I joined an internet startup company called Trustee. And if you look at a lot of the major websites now, they all have privacy statements, and many of them have a Trustee seal. And it was an interesting time, because the internet was so new, privacy was an issue. Privacy of your personal information; your name, your address, your phone number. Because the internet is a global marketplace, and unlike the United States, the European union considers your personal information yours. In the United States, any information you give, that's a database for somebody to sell. And we used to sell that database extensively when I was at Upside. Now, we're dealing with the fact of having to train U.S. websites that they have to state what they're using that information they're collecting it for, and they have to do it.
Your company came up with that limitation?
Yeah; right.
And Trustee is still working?
Still there; yeah. Still operational? Wow. So, what happened to your time there? Because
clearly, you don't do that anymore.
You know, the first time a big site came in, like the first time Yahoo said they were gonna use our seal, you know, the crowd goes wild; right? But, you know, when Microsoft comes in, it's like, Mm, all right. Then, when, you know, Netscape was really big at that time came in, it's just so anticlimactic already. It's like you were expecting it to happen. And I don't know; for me, it just kinda gets boring, really. So … I just find eighteen to twenty-four months, it's time to move on.
Now, it seems to me that at that time, there were very few women, probably very few Asian women.
Very few Asians, period.
What was that like for you?
My married name was Scott, so it was Susan Scott. And when I would make an appointment to see people, they were expecting Susan Scott; right? And so, I think first impressions are very important. And I think if I went in on the mainland as Susan Yamada, there would be a ton of stereotypes. I don't know; I think it's just human nature. But right in that little time when they were like, looking around in the waiting room for this Susan—
Where's the blond?
That's exactly right. A tall, statuesque blond woman; right? Isn't that what you would think? And so, right in that moment of confusion, it was my time to make a good impression. So, you know, that's when I would just be, you know, very forthright and go, Hi, I'm, you know, Susan, and just try and break any stereotype they may have had about me already. So, I use that as one specific example. But the one thing that I felt about the technology industry is, for the most part, it's gender-neutral. It's like, What can you help me with? And if you have the skillsets, I never felt like gender was a big, big issue.
But you did have to get in the door.
Totally. Yeah.
Susan Yamada moved back to Hawaii in 2001. She had made enough money to retire, and she spent her time raising her children and volunteering in the community. Over time, plans changed, and in 2008, Yamada started working part-time at the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship in the Shidler College of Business at the UH. That turned into a fulltime role.
The job with Shidler, I mean, it's not something I have to do, but it's something that I've come to love to do. And part of it is a bigger issue of being able to give back to Hawaii. I mean, it's been fantastic for me, it's where my roots are, I love it here. The seventeen years I was in Silicon Valley, you know, my main purpose was a goal that took me too long to attain, 'cause as I told you before, it was just supposed to be two years that I was up there, was to come back. Because this is my home. And so, having the opportunity to be able to give
back to my community through the university, because I'm very passionate about education, it's an honor for me to do that. So, yeah; I could be messing around and playing golf all day, but I don't think I'd get the same level of fulfillment.
In your opinion, what are the things that drive entrepreneurs? I mean, are they very different, and you can't generalize, or do they tend to be hardwired in a certain way?
I think there are certain characteristics that make a successful entrepreneur. Number one is, they have to have a vision and drive. And they can't be easily dissuaded. You know, so you talk about entrepreneurship and passion a lot. And I think a big part of that is passion; it is very important. You need to be able to really believe that what you're providing will be a significant improvement to your life, whoever your buyer is. And the first year, the first two years, the first five years, it's very, very difficult, and you have to work really hard. So, I think the work ethic and passion are two things that we always look for. And then, there's the coach-ability stand point.
It seems like such a tough deal, where an entrepreneur has to be able to be able to persevere, despite rejection and hard times, and yet, has to know when they're hearing advice that they really should take and leave it, do something else.
Exactly. I mean, it is not easy, for sure. But it is something that almost every single startup will go through at some point.
Have you ever been wrong in saying, That's not gonna work, don't do it?
Rarely do I say that. Because, you know what? If I was that smart, I would be … I don't know, sitting on a beach right now; right? 'Cause you never know; right?
So, what do you say?
If they wanted to open a restaurant, for example, serving hamburgers in Waikiki, the first question I would ask is, How are you different from these ten other competitors that are—
So, you ask probing questions so that they make their own conclusions.
Now, if you are different, right, if you're a Korean style taco truck, for example, which is wildly successful in L.A., okay, maybe that's enough of a difference; right? If you have a social media campaign … I need to see different. I can't see the same. Because if you're copying the same thing, it's very, very, very tough. A goal is hard work. And if you're easily dissuaded from your idea, or you don't have that passion, or perseverance, not gonna happen.
And how do people even support themselves for four or five ideas, while they're just refining this?
Yeah. So, that's what I tell my students. I go, If you ever have entrepreneurial aspirations, do it now. You don't have kids, you don't have to pay, you know, for tuitions, you don't have to pay a mortgage or your car loan. I said, You have the least to lose right now, so do it now.
But whoever doesn't have that when they're an adult?
And that's where it gets much harder. But it is possible. So, you know, I was adult when I started my business. So it's possible; you can do it. You just have to be able to manage what resources you have.
And yet, Susan Yamada credits her time away from Hawaii for challenging her to grow in ways that she may not have if she'd stayed home.
If people could have seen you in Silicon Valley at the time they were working at their jobs in Honolulu, would you have had a markedly different style from your style now?
I think I'm more forward, and I'm less concerned about what people think about what I say. So, maybe less filter. And I think part of that has to do with, you know, where I am today or who I am today, and not being overly concerned about, am I gonna get a promotion, or what are people gonna think about me. I mean, they can think whatever they want to think, actually. It's just who I am, it's what my opinion is. And we can agree to disagree, and I'm perfectly happy with that. I don't have to win an argument. So, I think, you know, it has changed me. I think it's given me more confidence to say what I want to say, and just be who I am, and not try to be someone that someone else wants me to be.
Do you recall being that way before?
I think when you're younger, you're a lot more insecure. And so, you know, you take everything to heart, and maybe you create self-perception issues that might not even be there. But I think the great thing about getting older is … who cares?
You know,I am who I am, and you know, I try to be a good person. And so,I try and let that guide me. I have mentors for everything; right? For how do I raise my kids, to you know, business mentors, to you know, my friends from high school; right? They all form this very informal kitchen cabinet, if you will. And so that I can call them and share different things with them, and get feedback.
And do they always agree?
I have mentors for everything; right? For how do I raise my kids, to you know, business mentors, to you know, my friends from high school; right? They all form this very informal kitchen cabinet, if you will. And so that I can call them and share different things with them, and get feedback.
And do they always agree?
Your friends in the kitchen cabinet.
Oh, I don't want them to agree with me.
You just want to hear some … how you would handle this, and then you decide what you do.
Because I don't want them to tell me what to do. I want them to give me their opinion. Because they don't what specifically I'm going through. And so, you take their opinion, and you make your own decision based on that.
But you never said formally to any of them, Would you be willing to be part of my kitchen cabinet?
No; no.
How did that evolve?
I just make them. [LAUGHTER] What's the worst thing that's ever happened to you?
Professionally, the magazine. So, we brought in the chairman of the board, the guy who hired me. He eventually wanted the job back after it was profitable. And so, I did conferences; that's what I wanted to do, I wanted to get back into a startup routine. And we weren't really quite seeing eye-to-eye on things, and I came home from a conference, and there was an envelope on my front door. And it was a termination letter. And so, it's like, he didn't even have the courtesy to call me. You know, it was something he gave me, something that wasn't successful, I was able to turn it around. And I was like, How can this happen? How can the board allow something like that to happen? So, that professionally was probably the worst thing that ever happened to me.
Didn't the magazine later go into bankruptcy?
How long after that?
I think they expanded too quickly into the internet, and they put too many resources there, and they were under-capitalized, and so it didn't work out. So, I think within the three years after that, it was pretty much on the ropes and down.
But that is quite the rejection, isn't it? Especially after you'd put so much into it.
Yeah. After five years into it; right? And I didn't think it was very well done, either.
Since you've headed PACE, what's the best thing that's come out of it?
I don't think it would be a specific business idea. It's the students that come out of there. You know, I see them going in, and I see them experiencing the joy of discovery, of the aha moments like, Ah, I get it; okay, I've gotta do this and this. And you know, they're students; they're so eager to please, they really want to do a good job. And when I see them working hard, when I see things coming together for them, I'm super-excited for them. Because what I think I'm doing is, I'm teaching them life lessons.
Susan Yamada is inspiring and challenging new generations of entrepreneurs through her passion and perseverance, qualities that continue to guide her own life. Mahalo to Susan Yamada of Honolulu for her enthusiasm and her commitment to serving our community. And mahalo to you for joining. For PBS Hawaii and Long Story Short, I'm Leslie Wilcox. A hui hou.
For audio and written transcripts of all episodes of Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox, visit PBSHawaii.org. To download free podcasts of Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox, go to the Apple iTunes Store or visit PBSHawaii.org.
Do you see yourself making another change in the future?
Yeah; I definitely do. My son is in ninth grade now, and I've always said that— and this should be no shock to my boss, that once my son is into college, then I think that opens up a whole 'nother chapter in my life as far as, what do I do next.


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Set the oven to 200°C / 400°F / Gas Mark 6
Serves 6 as a main
3 large red bell peppers
50g (2oz) nuts; hazelnuts, pistachios, pine nuts etc. 3 garlic cloves – crushed
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
2tbsp of organic apple cider vinegar
8 tbsp of organic, cold pressed extra virgin olive oil
8 spring onions, finely chopped
A small handful each of fresh coriander and parsley, finely chopped
pinch of Himalayan pink salt and pepper
6 large, firm fish fillets (salmon, cod, tuna, monkfish)
2 tbsp coconut oil
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Heat the coconut oil in the frying pan and fry the fish fillets until golden brown on each side. Turn down the heat, cover the pan and continue to fry gently until cooked through. Serve the fish warm or cold with a dollop of the salsa on top.


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Answer Center
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Out of State Callers:


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Beautiful fabrics and meticulous hand made design.
NOTE: Velcro should always be closed when not in use or when cleaned to avoid snagging.
Sizing is for small to medium dogs and sizes range from XXS to XXL.
Care instructions: Hand wash in cold water with Woolite. Hang or lay out to dry.


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Depending on the severity and extent of the pigmentation problem, Dr. Sneh Thadani of SSD Hospital tailors a patient's treatment based on his or her individual skin tone.
Unwanted pigmentation problems, like brown spots or splotchy skin, have many causes and can occur in all skin types. Fortunately, dermatologists have investigated a variety of skin-lightening methods and have developed many promising treatments. Depending on the severity and extent of the pigmentation problem, we at SSD Hospital can tailor a patient's treatment based on his or her individual skin tone, and the treatment may include a single therapy or a combination of one to two therapies.
The main cause of dark spots in light-skinned individuals is sun damage. Years of sun exposure can result in spotted hyperpigmentation, a condition marked by increased pigment production that results in patchy skin colour or a blotchy complexion. The extent of sun damage depends largely on a person's skin colour and his or her history of long-term or intense sun exposure.
Two of the most common pigmentation problems that occur in people with darker skin tones are melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Melasma is a patchy brown discoloration that occurs on sun-exposed areas of the face and is commonly referred to as "the mask of pregnancy" because it often occurs during pregnancy. Those with light skin can develop melasma, but the condition is more common in dark skin. Because a deeper skin layer (the dermis) may be affected, melasma can be difficult to treat and requires a multifaceted treatment regimen.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a condition in which an injury or inflammation to the skin causes increased pigment production. PIH occurs in darker-skinned individuals and, like melasma, can be difficult to treat when it involves a deeper skin layer. The most common cause of PIH is acne, but it also can result from psoriasis, a burn, or an injury. It is important to address the underlying cause of the pigmentation problem. For example, to treat PIH due to acne.
Facial rejuvenation can effectively:
Reduce wrinkles.
Treat sun spots
Tighten loose skin
Improve skin tone and color
Remove blotchiness
Eliminate damaged blood vessels
A hydra jet spray using normal saline gently exfoliates the dead skin layer. Or a diamond tip microdermabrasion exfoliates the dead skin layer. After which skin lightning products, vitamin c, hyaluronic acids etc are infused with a help a high end infusion machine into the deeper layers of the skin, which restores the moisture , vitality, improves the blood circulation, reduces the fine line and wrinkles giving you a more hydrated radiant and youth full look. Perfect for an instant glow.
Microdermabrasion also called as Skin polishing, is a simple and safe office procedure that helps in abrading the superficial skin layer (stratum corneum). This superficial abrasion is done with the help of aluminum oxide crystals or other abrasive substances that are blown onto the skin surface and then vacuumed off, using a single hand piece. Also diamond tipped microdermabrasion is available at SSD Hospital where no crystals are required Meso therapy Infusion of essential mineral, vitamins, anti oxidant, skin brightening and skin tightening agent are infused into the deeper layer of the skin, which are generally lost due to everyday stress, pollution and lifestyle.
The penetration is hence enhanced, and the skin cells' metabolic processes stimulated. The cells remove metabolic products more efficiently with the dead and dull cells from the surface of the skin and hence the skin seems more fresh. Its like spraying the skin with a magic elixir of life.
End result is a rejuvenated and smooth look with reduction in the fine lines and open pores. This procedure can be repeated every 15 days to maintain the effect.


text: Get the best of all FIVE of our baby basics! Style your baby in the Aztec print of our Bonchi Combos. These limited edition combos are a perfect starter for Mama and baba around the seasons and make the ideal baby shower gift too. Astec print color the Carry Bag, Burpi, Bib and Blanki, while the Bonchi (breastfeeding poncho) is a plain black fabric.


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This is a big one!
I now have 12 paperbacks selling on amazon.
The kindle versions are there too.
So far sales are already coming in which is really exciting.
That's one of the BIG developments of this last month.
I started testing various publishing systems (POD) already months ago.
Now, the system is streamlined and working.
Sales are coming in and more titles can be published soon.


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Open topic with navigation
The getcwd method returns the current working directory of the application.
(String). Returns a string containing the absolute path of the current working directory.
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We welcome your comments!
To open the configured email client on this computer, open an email window.
Otherwise, copy the information below to a web mail client, and send this email to firstname.lastname@example.com.


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From the very second I picked up a book on HTML that my mother had from a course at the local community college, I knew I wanted to be a web developer. Sure, I have grown greatly since then, but I still have that book and while extremely outdated and irrelevant to most things that I do, it serves as a subtle reminder that a simple book can change my entire life.
Of course, that single book is only a piece of what has made me who I am now within the WordPress community.
The Early Career
Early in life, I was introduced to affiliate marketing and SEO in which I attribute a large portion of my skills as both a developer and marketer alike. Through a series of unfortunate events, I began making my living in the affiliate marketing world to keep a roof over my head. While I will often attribute those days as some of the worst in my life, I have come away with excellent skills and a drive to succeed no matter the odds stacked against me.
Virginia Beach and InMotion
In 2012, I decided that I needed a change in my life. At the time, I was working in Harrisburg, NC and owned a cell phone and gaming console repair and modification shop. Business was steady but something about it just didn't feel right. I had the freedom to do something I enjoyed but felt like I had a large missing piece in my life. I now know that the missing piece was a community and being part of something.
After many days of deliberation, I decided to pass my resume over to InMotion Hosting in hopes to relocate my girlfriend and 2 dogs to Virginia Beach. Sure enough, I moved to Virginia in August of 2012 and began 2 weeks after that life-changing acceptance letter.
At InMotion Hosting, I was continuously at the top of my game. I knew Linux well when I came on board at InMotion but certainly learned a lot during my time as technical support. Still, I felt the need to get more out of my career. Then, a position within the Customer Community team opened up. I knew exactly what I had to do.
Enter the WordPress
One day, within only a few months of being on the team, I completely changed the ballgame. Due to a collaboration of ideas with Brad Markle, I decided to write WordPress Through The Ages and from that day on, life was never the same.
Because of the success of WordPress Through The Ages, doors were opened to the community for me and my name became known. The primary success of that being Jeff Chandler of WP Tavern. Soon after he published a reference to WordPress Through The Ages, Jeff and I began speaking on Twitter about the 90's. Something about pop music and Hulk Hogan. From there, we decided to start WP After Hours; a drunken WordPress hangout on Friday nights where everyone can relax and joy a beer while working on their various projects.
Through After Hours, I have gained a significant number of friends both online and offline. Soon later, I was attending and speaking at WordCamps all over the country, getting to see many online acquaintances in real life.
On March 9th, I joined the GravityForms team at RocketGenius, primarily writing documentation. Since then, my overall development skills have dramatically improved. The ability to be around so many incredibly talented people is mind blowing.
It's been over a year now and I never dread being at work. There's always something new and exciting. I always feel valued.
So here, I am. You now have my story. I thank everyone in the WordPress community for shaping me into who I am today. Especially you, Jeff. You vodka loving asshole.


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NAMM 2012, one of the world's largest international pro audio tradeshows, is to take place from January 19-22nd at the Anaheim Convention Centre, California.
With more than 1,400 exhibitors taking to the floor, the NAMM 2012 show provides an ideal opportunity to experience the latest in pro audio technology and innovation, as well as offering the perfect platform for industry networking and maximising your company's exposure.
There will also be some shows for smooth jazz fans:
Freddie Ravel and his trio will be presented by the Josef Brodmann Piano Company from Austria.
Friday Jan 20 noon – 12:30 and 5:30pm – 6 pm.
Gregory Wachter will also be playing live on 1-21-2012 at the NAMM show with an All-Star band.
Gary Stanionis – percussion – Tony Moore – drums -Brad Rambur – sax & guitar – James East – bass
Elan Trotman – sax – Mike Parlett – sax -Eddie Baccus Jr. – sax.
Also on the trade show are Roger Smith, Tony Exum Jr, Jason Miles, Quintin Gerard W. A good chance to meet your favorite artist.


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What if we told you that you could rent an entire island for less per night than the cost of a medium-rare steak in Manhattan? What if we told you that one of the most beautiful resorts in the world is located off the coast of Cambodia … and that you and your 65 closest friends could have it to yourselves for a week – with a promise of personal infinity pools at every villa? Were you also aware that you can see the northern lights and orcas in the same day from a lighthouse in Norway, with no one around for miles?
Know more: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/photos/


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DataGrid Wizard allows you easy and quickly create datagrid pages.
While creating/editing datagrid pages you may select database tables from dropdown box.
In this box are listed only non-system tables.
To work with your own tables, you have to add them to the database before.
Remember: new tables must be created with the same prefix that was used while installation of ApPHP AdminPanel.
HOW TO add(view) new tables in DataGrid Wizard?
Talk and info about common issues and learn how to do almost anything with ApPHP AdminPanel
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Exceptionally versatile full depth high efficiency gas fire.
High Efficiency
A combination of contemporary fascia design and traditional log fuel bed is sure to make the Meridian an impressive feature in any home. This exceptionally versatile fire can be installed as a modern hole-in-the-wall fire or with a fire surround for a more traditional look. N.B Now only available with black ribbed interior.
Accessories and Document Downloads
- Full Depth Inset Convector
- Choice of trims, frets and fascias
- Verine 15 Year Guarantee
|Flue Type
|Balanced Flue
|Flame Supervision Device (FSD)
|Direct Heat Output
|Useful Energy Efficiency
|83.9 %
|Ventilation Required
|Not normally required
Brochure Download
Fill out this quick and easy form to download your Verine Fires brochure now!


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We provide loans, exclusively to students, to help pay for tuition fees and living costs while studying.
Our aim is to remove the financial barrier to education, levelling the playing field so that students can fulfil their potential.
We calculate your interest rate based on your individual circumstances, taking into account things like your credit history, which university you're studying at and what course you're on. On average our rates are 11.2%, but they vary between 6% – 15%.
A government student loan has the lowest interest rate and is the best choice if it is available to you. If you aren't eligible for a government loan, for example if you're a second degree or foreign student, then we believe we're the next best option.
Our loans are designed especially for students, with a very competitive APR of 11.2%. When you graduate we'll drop your interest rate by a further 2% as a reward for finishing university.
Submit your review
Great assistance in the nick of time and for which you are not even required to visit personally. The deals offered to me were structured to provide extensive support, which I guess is one of the USP of availing loans online.


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Monthly Archives: October 2013
Almost a month back home
Well, almost a month has passed since I ended the trail (this weekend will be one month). It is still surprising to me how fast time goes by. In some ways I feel like it was yesterday that I stepped … Continue reading
Posted in PCT2013: Home after the trail 2 Comments
Readjustment to 'normal' life and…I made the news!
Hello All, Well, it has been 2 and a half weeks since I have been home, and it has definitely been a bit hard re-adjusting. At first, I didn't think anything would feel different, and that going right back into … Continue reading
Posted in PCT2013: Home after the trail 4 Comments
New pages to the blog..CHECK 'EM OUT!!
Hi all—I added a page of trail photos (from end to beginning), and a page with my final gear list attached. Feel free to ask questions, leave comments 🙂 You know I love them. Also, you can click on each … Continue reading
Posted in PCT2013: Home after the trail Leave a comment
Friday 9/21 mile 2558 – 2580 equals 22 miles! Stehekin! Oh my God! I am in Stehekin! I am in a hotel room at the Stekehin Lodge right now. Just showered after a pretty great meal at the landing here. … Continue reading
Posted in PCT 2013: Washington 2 Comments
Leaving Frazier, and Enroute to Stehekin
Tuesday 9/17 mile 2472 – 2486 equals 14 miles (Nero at Skycommish Barney the Dinsmore's) Camping at Lake Janice. Pretty hard day for me mentally and emotionally. It is 9:30 p.m. I am in my tent safe and sound and … Continue reading
Thanks for all the comments
I just wanted to take the time to say THANK YOU to everyone who left me comments on my blog throughout the journey. Although I couldn't respond to all of them, I read every single one as they came in, … Continue reading
Posted in PCT2013: Home after the trail 1 Comment
Future Slideshow ????
Hello all! I am starting to think about and create a slideshow of photos from the trail to share with folks, since the request has been made by several of you. I have just a few questions for those of … Continue reading
Posted in PCT2013: Home after the trail 6 Comments
Washington Favorites
From the end of the state southward 1. Woody Pass & its snowy ridge 2. STEHEKIN!! Best little remote town of the entire trail 3. Firecreek Pass and its corresponding valley; stunning, and great creeks 4. Mica Lake (desending Fire … Continue reading
Weds 9/25/13: Mile 2620 to mile 2646= 26 miles
What a day! So glad it is over. Not the hardest, but pretty damn close. I am at camp, safe and sound! It was freezing cold for the first half of the day, to Harts pass and beyond. We stayed … Continue reading
Posted in PCT 2013: Washington 1 Comment
Tuesday, 9/24/13: Mile 2594–mile 2620= 26 miles!
-No rain today, thank goodness, but cold, foggy, cloudy and misty -Rainy Pass: Met up with Caveman (he had made it there last night, and slept in the bathrooms!) -cold, frozen feet most of the day 😦 I got them … Continue reading


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Hot Buy: Sequin Jacket ($648) by IRO
Dazzling zip-up jacket with sequined shell and three faux pockets at the sides. Features zipper closures on both sleeves, leather trim along the zipper and collar, and slight padding at the shoulders.
Please note that this post may contain one or more sponsored links. If you happen to shop using these links, Mama's A Rolling Stone will receive a commission from the store.


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National Breath of Life Prepares Summer 2020 Workshops
Nov. 4, 2019
National Breath of Life Prepares Summer 2020 Workshops
Eugene, Oregon — The National Breath of Life Archival Institute for Indigenous Languages announces the second of two workshops to foster advanced archive-based linguistics research for language revitalization. The workshop will be hosted by the Northwest Indian Language Institute at the University of Oregon from July 13 to 17, 2020.
The field of archive-based linguistic research for revitalization has grown significantly. With four iterations between 2011 and 2017, and the inaugural workshop held earlier this year at Miami University, the institute has provided training on the use of archival documentation for the revitalization of highly endangered languages to 124 community researchers from 55 language communities. With this growth comes the need for software to support the advancement of the research.
The workshops are designed to train participants in advanced methods of archive-based research for language revitalization. This includes the use of the new Indigenous Languages Digital Archive.
The archive system is the only available software that allows for the organization, storage and retrieval of digital copies of linguistic archival materials. The Indigenous Languages Digital Archive directly links original manuscript pages containing historical language data, with their transcription, translation and analysis. Its powerful search function allows for the in-depth linguistic analysis required for the reconstruction of a highly endangered or sleeping language.
The software is modeled after the Miami-Illinois Digital Archive created in 2012 through the Myaamia Center at Miami University. After years of development and continued testing by a team of Nuu-wee-ya' researchers at the University of Oregon's Northwest Indian Language Institute, it is now being more broadly released.
"The development of the Indigenous Languages Digital Archive is in recognition of and support for the rigorous linguistic analysis that community researchers carry out in order to revitalize their languages," said Dr. Gabriela Pérez Báez, assistant professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Oregon and co-director of National Breath of Life.
In September 2018, the Myaamia Center was awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities Digital Humanities Advancement Grant Level III (HAA-261218-18), in partnership with the Northwest Indian Language Institute, to finalize the development of the archive software and to carry out the workshops.
Dr. Janne Underriner, director of the Northwest Indian Language Institute, welcomes the opportunity to host the workshop next year. "We are honored to be partnering with the National Breath of Life team in this important national workshop," she said. "We look forward to hosting community language leaders from across the nation."
Myaamia Center director Daryl Baldwin said he looks forward to expanding the archive's community base. "We are excited to move the Breath of Life model into the next phase of development with the distribution of Indigenous Languages Digital Archive to communities who are ready for this next important step in archive-based language revitalization," said Baldwin, who is co-director of the National Breath of Life.
Applications to the upcoming workshop open Nov. 4, 2019. For more information, including application information, visit nationalbreathoflife.org.
National Breath of Life Archival Institute for Indigenous Languages


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With the federal stimulus package on people's minds, Westchester County's wishlist drew the attention of the Pasadena News in California for being as shortsighted:
"Consider the similar wish list of small ideas suburban Westchester County has proposed for its stimulus package as reported in the New York Times: updating sewage treatment plants, buying hybrid buses and reducing Westchester's toll on the environment by replacing energy systems, lights, and windows in county buildings, and upgrading traffic signals. Sound familiar? These sorts of projects may keep city employees fully employed and pensions fully funded but do little for the long run of the city."
Westchester is not Pasadena but how ironic that our county lawmakers catch such a negative tag clear across the United States.
Yes ... We googled "Westchester County" and one of the first news stories mentioning our county government was clear across the county in California. That's how notorious the highest taxed county in the United States has become.
These sorts of projects may keep county employees fully employed and pensions fully funded but do little for the long run for the county. They make for great press releases for Westchester County Executive Andy Spano but it's an attempt to seek federal bailout money to subsidize other fiscal problems.
"The amount, timing, and millstones that will be involved with any Federal stimulus package that might filter down to Pasadena have not been definitively decided upon yet. Hopefully, what will trickle down to Pasadena will be in the form of a block grant that local governments can target to the unique needs of each city. But it would behoove Pasadena to begin a forward planning process given that President Obama has rightly emphasized the importance of infrastructure which typically takes significant lead time to implement."
Suggestion: Start with the Tappan Zee Bridge, which State and County lawmakers have been entirely slow to make "shovel ready" -- thus leaving it ineligible to get any monies from Congress within this version of the federal bailout.


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"Om Sathguru Sri Seshadri Swamigal Thiruvadikkae"
This is the "Rainforest" necklace, made of Red Jasper, Green Onyx, Fire Agate, Indian Agate, White Agate, Picture Jasper, Leopard Skin Jasper, Black Tourmaline, Red Goldstone.
A combination of several powerful stones, "Rainforest" is suffused with the vibrant sparks of red goldstone, red jasper and fire agate, and the cool grounding vibrations of indian agate, green onyx! Picture jasper that represents the wood element, lends a beautifully balance to the fire and earth elements! White agate and black tourmaline form the polar balancing stones, through balancing the yin/yang energies, and providing firm grounding and protection!
"Rainforest" is a piece of jewellery, that pulsates with the slow steady vibrations of the rainforest – the gentle red earth, the lush verdant flora, and the vibrant fauna, ruled by the protective Divine! It is a combination that could soothe both body, and mind…
Aesthetically, the browns and greens are minimally interspersed with fine silver floral spacers, and the centrepiece sparkles with a pair of sparkling red goldstones! The centre of attraction is undoubtedly the chunky beautiful red jasper pendant…
This a combination necklace that addresses Anahata (heart) and Mooladhara (root) chakras.
A powerful combination necklace!
Dimensions – 8 mm & 10 mm beads, 20 inches long


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Sony's Santa Monica Studios is responsible for some of the dopest PS3 exclusive titles in the game. From Infamous to God of War III to Twisted Metal 4, the California game developer has had its hands in some classic material to boast about. Inadvertently, they leaked on the business social media site LinkedIn, three unannounced PS3 titles that will never make its way into stores.
Steve Johnson, a sound designer for Santa Monica, listed all the games he's directly worked on, including a few that we didn't know about. Since we don't have any information about these titles, we have to ask y'all to take a shot in the dark as to what High Rise, Hand of God, and Psynapse entailed.
Feel free to pitch your best ideas in the comments section below.
[via CVG]
Also Watch


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Degrees and Certifications:
Ms. Denise Menon
I was raised in San Francisco, which is where I developed my interest in meeting people from around the world, exploring the coast, and trying new foods. I live near Regnart, and love being a part of this community. In my free time I enjoy hiking throughout the Bay Area, reading, and spending time with family and friends.


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From his remote and exposed operating base, Marine Calvert, of Charlie Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines, fights only for survival and thinks not of victory but only of going home to his girlfriend and young daughter.
Many who have served in Afghanistan would agree with his bitter feelings about the nearly decade-long war on the dusty lanes and sun-baked fields of Sangin in Helmand Province.
The Marine, who is half way through his second tour of duty in the country, says his view is shared by many in his troop which is made up of men from across the regiment – all of whom have seen friends lose their lives.
Only two weeks after this interview, Marine Adam Brown, of Alpha Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines, died in an explosion while on foot patrol in the Sangin District of Helmand province on Sunday.


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|source: www.fitpregnancy.com
Soon after, I made a good friend who introduced me to yoga. It felt akward at first, and my balance was horrible. But slowly I worked at it, and I noticed changes in my body. My knees and shins stopped hurting while I was running; my lower back pain (which continued with nursing) went away as my core strengthened and my spine aligned itself; and I started to discover that I could breathe through discomfort and focus my mind in a relaxed state. I was hooked. I continued to do yoga during my subsequent three pregnancies- and I continued to see amazing benefits- a pain free and healthy pregnancy, a speedy recovery, and a level of self-discovery and confidence that helped me during my labors.
It is never too late to start yoga! There are prenatal yoga DVDs that you can purchase, pre-natal yoga classes that you can attend if they have any in your area, and free online resources (through YouTube, http://www.prenatalyogacenter.com/cmps_index.php?page=free-yoga-videos , http://yogatoday.com/videos/this_weeks_free_video , http://www.prenatalyogadvd.com/ ) Obviously there are times in my life where I have had to rely on DVDs and books, but I would always recommend attending a prenatal yoga class with an instructor that you like. The interactive teaching that takes place, the nurturing environment, and the motivation of having other moms exercising with you make it all worth it! You can even have your workout tailored to meet whatever specific discomforts or challenges you are experiencing in your pregnancy.
If you are not interested in doing yoga, then stay fit in some other way. Don't start something new- but if you are already a runner, cyclist, or soccer player- keep going until you start to feel off-balance or uncomfortable. Stay away from down-hill and water skiing, jet-skiing, and horseback riding- sports that require great balance and have a high-risk of injury. For a list of prenatal workout ideas, guidelines, and research that shows the benefits of staying fit, check out Fit Pregnancy Magazine. http://www.fitpregnancy.com/yourpregnancy/prenatal_workout/
|During my third trimester, we could still hike and explore around Haifa while visiting for a friend's wedding because I felt fit and healthy.


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McAfee names Datacentrix as Commercial Partner of the Year for 2018
High performing and secure ICT solutions provider, Datacentrix, was recently named as the Commercial Partner of the Year 2018 for device-to-cloud cyber security company, McAfee.
The award was presented to Datacentrix based on its contribution to McAfee's local bottom line, which was around 20%, according to Wayne Olsen, security business unit manager at Datacentrix.
"As a certified Platinum Partner, which is the highest tier of McAfee partner accreditation, Datacentrix has already proven that it has the right, certified engineers, consultants, support staff and sales people in place, and an expert knowledge of the McAfee products and technology suites," explains Trevor Coetzee, regional director for sub-Saharan Africa at McAfee. "By assisting McAfee with such excellent growth in the local commercial market, Datacentrix has also shown that it continues to focus on this relationship as a strategic partnership, while remaining cognisant of excellent customer results."
Olsen continues: "The past year has shown, in particular, that Datacentrix's service-centric approach is paying off, as more and more clients move away from traditional box-drop vendors to find a solutions-dedicated partner.
"Cloud security is a key focus area at Datacentrix, as we see increasing numbers of South African companies looking to move fully to cloud or hybrid-cloud environments. We are consistently developing solutions that will enable us to ensure client data is protected, no matter where it resides within the cloud.
"The McAfee partnership has always been an important one for Datacentrix," Olsen states. "We will continue to invest in this relationship, as part of our commitment to delivering solutions that address the risks businesses face in the dynamic cyber security world."
Olsen adds that, over 2019, Datacentrix will intensify its investment in artificial intelligence (AI) technology for the cyber security space. "The speed and frequency of today's cyber attacks is extremely high, and as computing power far surpasses a human's ability to spot and identify attacks, this move will bolster our ability to respond to and remediate against such incidents."