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It's time to save some of that hard-earned cash with our Daily Deals, featuring exclusive TUAW Deals, a handy list from Dealnews and our own handpicked iOS and OS X selections.
TUAW's Daily Deals
The Touch Screen-Compatible Gloves [On sale for $14, down from $29]
Winter's coming, which means colder weather -- and we all know how annoying it is to use our smartphones with gloves on, constantly taking them on and off to make calls and send texts.
Well no more, thanks to the touch screen-compatible gloves: These bad boys use sensor technology to conduct your skin through the material, and enable you to use any touch screen as if you had no gloves on at all. Grab a pair (or five) of the perfect stocking stuffer for all the tech-lovers in your life.
Save 51% on The Touch-Screen Compatible Gloves at TUAW Deals. Please note: The sale price includes FREE SHIPPING to the countries listed in the "Terms & Conditions" on the offer's website.
Deals from Dealnews
- Best Buy: [iPad] iPad Trade-In at Best Buy Stores: Up to $350 Gfit Card towards a new one.
- Other World Computing: [Computer Accessories] OWC Garage Sale: Deals from $1 on RAM, accessories, computers and more.
- Adorama: [Camera Bags] Lowepro Pro Roller Mobile Studio Case w/ Laptop Table for $245 + free shipping.
- iTech Deals: [iPhone Accessories] Lightning to USB 3-Foot Cable 3-Pack for $6 + free shipping.
- X-Mirage: [Mac Software] X-Mirage Airplay iOS Device Server for Mac for $10.
- StackSocial: [Internet Software] Complete Web Designer's Fall Bundle for PC or Mac for $30.
- all4cellular.com: [iPhone Accessories] Apple iPhone 5 3-Foot Lightning to USB Cable for $10 + free shipping.
- eBay: [TV Antennas & Receivers] TaoTronics Rotating Outdoor HDTV Antenna for $35 + free shipping.
- Adorama: [Notebook Carrying Case] STM Armour 13" Laptop Shoulder Bag for $25 + $8 s&h.
- StackSocial: [Mac Software] Live Interior 3D Standard Edition for Mac for $20.
- eBay: [TV Antennas & Receivers] Refurb Mohu Leaf Ultimate Amplified HDTV Antenna for $55 + free shipping.
- Yugster: [USB Flash Drives] Victorinox Swiss Army Alox Slim 16GB USB Flash Drive for $14 + $5 s&h.
iOS Software Discounts
Bookmark[iPhone; Category: Books; Now free, down from $1.99] Try the BEST bookmarking app for audiobooks and podcasts.
Fast Camera [iOS Universal; Category: Photography & Video; Now free, down from $1.99] Take lightning-fast photos. Never miss the action again.
Broken Sword - The Smoking Mirror: Remastered [iOS Universal; Category: Games; On sale for $0.99, down from $3.99] While investigating a ruthless drug gang, journalist Nico Collard unexpectedly comes across an ancient artifact. Little can she know that the ornately carved obsidian stone will lead her, and her adventuring companion George Stobbart, into a mysterious escapade of intrigue and deceit.
ProCam XL [iPad; Category: Photography & Video; Now free, down from $0.99] Camera app with night mode, Anti-Shake option, burst mode with adjustable image quality and more.
Sooner: to-do list & weekly planner [iPhone; Category: Productivity; Now free, down from $5.99] Sooner is a beautiful to-do list and weekly planner that helps to organize your tasks and time.
myExpenses [iPhone; Category: Finance; Now free, down from $4.99] myExpenses is a highly optimized app to make managing your personal finances as quick and easy as possible.
SnapPen [iPhone; Category: Photography & Video; Now free, down from $0.99] SnapPen is the quickest way to scribble on photos and share with your friends and the world.
AVP: Evolution [iOS Universal; Category: Games; On sale for $0.99, down from $0.99] The deadliest creatures in the universe face off for the first time on your phone and tablet. Play as both the Alien and Predator in this official game brought to you by Angry Mob Games.
Asphalt 8: Airborne [iOS Universal; Category: Games; Now free, down from $0.99] The best iOS arcade racing game series reaches a new turning point! Perform dynamic, high-speed aerial stunts in an intense driving experience powered by a brand-new physics engine!
Ravensword: Shadowlands [OS X; Category: Games; On sale for $0.99, down from $6.99] Explore a vast and richly detailed world, gather powerful weapons, collect hundreds of items, increase your skills and follow a deep storyline to solve the mysteries of the Kingdom of Tyreas.
The Great Jitters: Pudding Panic Reloaded HD [iPad; Category: Music; Now free, down from $0.99] Puzzle a shivering jello through 60 levels of a haunted house. But beware! Scary monsters are waiting in the dark! Your only chance of survival is to scare the monsters back before the pudding quivers, shivers and faints from fear. Apple's App of the week.
OS X Software Discounts
Dinosaur Games [OS X; Category: Education; Now free, down from $1.99] Ever wanted to play with dinosaurs? Now you can! Dinosaur Games is a uniquely styled collection of games and activities that are entertaining and educational.
Two Dollar Tuesday [OS X; Category: Various; $1.99] Two Dollar Tuesday is offering three OS X apps for $1.99 each. Titles include ScreenFloat, Security Camera and Set for MS Office.
Light Compressor [OS X; Category: Photography & Video; On sale for $0.99, down from $3.99] Light Compressor lets you easily combine multiple exposures into striking HDR images.
InstaArchiver [OS X; Category: Social Networking; On sale for $1.99, down from $2.99] InstaArchiver will download your photos for you so that you have a backup on your computer.
Impression [OS X; Category: Photography & Video; On sale for $9.99, down from $14.99] Watermark app for the Mac that allows you to automatically add high-quality watermarks to your photos.
Battlestations: Midway [OS X; Category: Games; On sale for $6.99, down from $14.99] Take command of the greatest battles of the War in the Pacific. Sale lasts until 11/10/2013.
Battlestations: Pacific [OS X; Category: Games; On sale for $9.99, down from $19.99] Battle your way to victory in the air, on the water and underwater in this unique combination of action and strategy. Sale lasts until 11/10/2013.
Controls+ for iTunes [OS X; Category: Music; On sale for $1.99, down from $4.99] Controls+. Simply said, it's "Control Center for Mac." Common settings are a menu bar click away.
Magic Crush Saga [OS X; Category: Games; Now free, down from $2.99] Magic Crush Saga is a magic-themed match-3 game, which has a wonderful story mode.
Crypt3 [OS X; Category: Utilities; Now free, down from $6.99] A simple app for encrypting and decrypting files and folders. Uses AES 256-bit encryption in CBC mode and can securely shred old unencrypted files after they are encrypted.
Appy Fridays [OS X; Category: Various; $10.99] Spend $10.99 and get OS X apps including FX Photo Studio Pro, Photo Slideshow for Mac andPicCollage in the Fantastic Photo Bundle. The offer is valid till November 7, 2013.
Other Deals
NextWorth [10% extra on your next iPad Trade-in] Use the special offer code "TUAW" the next time you are trading in an iPad with NextWorth to receive an extra 10% on the trade-in value. Deal ends November 11.
Note: All prices are USD and subject to change. Some deals may expire quickly. TUAW is not responsible for third-party deals and cannot guarantee availability or quality of any particular product at a specific price.


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Monday, August 20, 2012
''Max Keiser: Global political issue of owning gold & silver''
From PressTV.......''In this edition of the show Max interviews J.S Kim from smartknowledgeu.com. He talks about the Asian economies and precious metal currencies, as well as plans by Germany to force European nations to use their gold reserves as collateral. J.S Kim has an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and two master degrees (a Master in Public Policy and a Master in Business Administration) from the University of Texas at Austin. In 2005, dissatisfied with the ethics of the commercial investment industry, J.S. Kim left the corporate world behind to launch SmartKnowledgeU™''
Posted by nakedempire at 5:13 AM
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subset: commoncrawl


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About Us
Coolanowle Organics is a small family run business in County Laois, run from Coolanowle Organic Farm situated in south county Laois Close to the Carlow border.
Having converted the farm to organic in 2001 the "Mulhalls" started selling organic meats produced on farm at farmers' markets around Ireland in 2004. Run by owner, Jimmy Mulhall, his son Eddie, and 3 full time butchers.
A new meat production/ processing facility and meat outlet is now open to the public at Coolanowle. Deep freeze preparation for beef, lamb and pork is also available.
A number of farmers markets across Ireland (please click HERE for details) are served and they also supply direct to restaurants, shops, and hotels.
Coolanowle organic meats are the only certified organic producer selling organic meats at the Farmers markets in Dublin.


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Saturday, June 30, 2018
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
The Bookends' eclectic mix of original composition and interesting covers arouses a full range of emotions, making them one of the most popular Westchester area bands. These uniquely gifted vocalists will present a wide range of music from the Classic era, bringing a night of eclectic surprises to Untermyer Park!.
Our events are admission free and open to the public. Performances are on the Great Lawn Stage; please bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets, as seating is not provided.
In case of rain, call the Untermyer Performing Arts Council's ArtsLine, 914-375-3435, or check our website (www.untermyer.com) after 2 p.m. the day of the performance for confirmation of the program's location. This year our rain site will be the Saunders High School, 183 Palmer Road, Yonkers.
This program, done in cooperation with Mayor Mike Spano and the Yonkers Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, is made possible by ArtsWestchester with support from Westchester County Government and the City of Yonkers. The Empire City Casino, Senator Shelley Mayer and our many generous supporters provide additional support for our programs.
For further information, please call the Untermyer Performing Arts Council's Arts Line at 914-375-3435. For updates, visit our website www.untermyer.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter @UntermyerPAC, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
Event Location and Ticket Information
Untermyer Performing Arts Council at Untermyer Park
945 North Broadway
Yonkers, NY 10701
Handicap Accessible? Yes
Date: Saturday, June 30, 2018
Times: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Ticket pricing:
Free event
Presenter: Untermyer Performing Arts Council
Presenter Phone: 914-375-3435
Presenter Website: www.untermyer.com


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Top 4 Reasons Why REC Solar Loves our Hometown of San Luis Obispo
REC Solar installs commercial solar accross the United States plus Puerto Rico, but our headquarters has always been in the beautiful central California coastal town of San Luis Obispo on Broad Street. Why do we love San Luis Obispo so much? Here are our four top reasons:
1) REC Solar's Roots Are in San Luis Obispo
REC Solar's SLO roots have been tied to its two co-founders, Judy Ledford and Fred Sisson, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with the goal of making solar systems a mainstream energy source for home owners. Since its founding in 1997, REC Solar has expanded to installing solar throughout California and other states, but we've always kept San Luis Obispo as our hometown.
2) San Luis Obispo Reflects REC Solar's Values
From the Thursday night farmers market and street fair on Higuera Street, to the walk-friendly sidewalks and miles of bike routes, San Luis Obispo reflects REC Solar's values for balance, sustainability, and being environmental stewards of the world.
The city limits housing growth to 1% a year and purchases open space in order to minimize suburban sprawl and create more public spaces. As a result, San Luis Obispo is filled with parks, hiking trails, and wildlife preserves. And that brings us to reason number three:
3) San Luis Obispo Is a Great Place to Live and Work
REC Solar employees not only work in San Luis Obispo, but also live here and in the surrounding areas of Paso Robles, Morro Bay, Cayucos, Harmony and Cambria. Between REC Solar and our sister companies AEE Solar and SnapNrack PV Mounting Systems, we have about 200 employees in the greater San Luis Obispo area. So, our growth and success helps contribute to the local SLO economy. We also set aside time to educate the community about solar at local schools and other SLO events throughout the year.
4) San Luis Obispo Is a Great Place to Go Solar
You need sun to go solar, and as SLO residents know, San Luis Obispo has plenty of it. In fact, on June 20th, the longest day of the year, San Luis Obispo received 14.5 hours of daylight, and on the shortest day, it received a little less than 10 hours. On average, the area gets about 5.5 hours of sunshine a day, which ample light for producing clean solar energy and reducing SLO residents' utility bills. Over the last 15 years, REC Solar is proud to have helped over 1,000 SLO homeowners to install solar on their roofs, and we've also installed solar at local wineries, such as Alban Vineyards, as well as other local businesses.
We could go on about how we love San Luis Obispo for its beaches, golf courses, gourmet food, and so much more, but the bottom line is that REC Solar loves being a part of SLO's community, and we genuinely want to help all of our hometown businesses to find out if solar is right for them. So, we hope you'll contact us for any solar questions you have. With commercial solar installations around the U.S., REC Solar will continue its founders' vision of making solar a mainstream and affordable energy source in San Luis Obispo and the surrounding area.


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Migraine Pain Relief Crystal Medicine Bag
- Product Description
- Metaphysical Properties
- Product Reviews
Product Description
New Crystal Medicine Bag For Migraines! Stop pain, remove stagnant negative energy. Let crystals help you feel better! Don't let pain ruin your day. Much less affect negatively your beautiful life! Crystal healing has been used from the beginning of times for a reason. I encourage you to welcome them into your life, and find out for yourself.
DESCRIPTION: I created this crystal medicine bag, to help those suffering from pain caused by migraine and headaches. I had never suffered migraines in my entire life! until I went through some very traumatic experience in my life, and started getting these intense migraines. I believe this was caused by the accumulation of negative energy and emotions I was holding and feeling, and the disharmony of my spirit-body-mind. I started using crystals to heal and bring my divine self, back to harmony and wellbeing. After using many different crystals, I found the combination of these crystals to be extremely powerful and helpful in helping relieve migraines and physical pain. So if you suffering from migraine or headache, I encourage you to give it a try, and see how helpful they can be to you too!
MATERIAL: 100% Authentic Crystals and Ancient Stones
SIZE: This crystal medicine bag comes in a beautiful purple organza bag.
HOW TO USE: When you experience pain from migraine or headache, hold the crystal bag in the area you feeling the pain. make sure after using it, you place it over selenite to cleanse your crystals, as this medicine bag contains powerful crystals that absorb and remove negative energy. Reason why it is very important to be cleansed after each use.
See the metaphysical tab to learn more detailed information on these wonderful crystals.
Metaphysical Properties
LAPIS LAZULI: Lapis Lazuli is a deep blue crystal flecked with white and gold. It is a highly prized gemstone. Lapis Lazuli is thought to stimulate the higher levels of the mind encouraging clarity and objectivity. It is also believed to allow the release of stress bringing deep inner peace. Lapis Lazuli is said to facilitate self-knowledge and self-expression and, when used in meditation, to enhance psychic ability and spiritual insight.
Gives physical aid in treating: Fevers. Headaches and migraines. Alleviates pain. Depression and melancholy. Anxiety. Insomnia. Vision and hearing problems. Disorders of the throat, lungs and immune system. It's healing properties relate to the sinus channels of the body, reducing lymph node swelling and boosting the endocrine system. For these reasons, Lapis Lazuli is great for treating throat and ear pain and infections. It is good for headaches and migraines. It will help problems with the lymphatic system, the ears and eyes and has a calming effect on the central nervous system. As such it will help to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.
Stone Personality: one of the oldest spiritual stones, a protective stone,inspiration, universal truth and friendship
Emotional Properties: eliminates internalized emotional baggage that often makes us ill, brings happiness in love, helps our heart and mind work together, brings harmony, reveals our inner truth, assists with self acceptance issues,
Mental / Intellectual Properties: good for clear communication and discretion, encourages creativity
Physical Properties: boosts the thyroid, helps insomnia, depression,improves our physical strength, eases migraines and headaches,helps us understand the karmic roots of our dis-eases and erase those related patterns and emotions that prevent our healing
Psychological Properties: protects us from psychic attacks, increases courage and self confidence
Spiritual Properties: powerful stone for spiritual awareness, enhances insight, intuition, increases spiritual connections and imparts ancient knowledge, energizes the throat chakra, benefits 3rd eye chakra
BLACK OBSIDIAN: Black Obsidian Stone is a powerful cleanser of psychic smog created within your aura, and is a strong psychic protection stone. Black Obsidian Stone is also an excellent aid to help you to release any negativity that your day to day life may have caused. This negativity may be present within your auric field and needs to be removed... to aid your ongoing physical, emotional and spiritual health. This powerful stone can help cut through illusions, lies, fearful facades and blockages, etc. black obsidian identity is its ability to draw in negative energy, thus protecting the wearer or the surroundings in which it is placed.
This stone acts to remove any built up negativity caused by your own or others anger, fear, resentment and even stress... as well as aiding you to remove any negative attachments. They are a strong psychic protection stone, and will benefit you by shielding you from all negativity... so they are very helpful stones to keep within your auric field. Their resonance within the base chakra is very strong. They have a strong vibration that aids spiritual grounding, by helping you to move any excess energy down via the earth chakra to Mother Gaia for grounding.Releases imbalances and negative energies.
It has powerful metaphysical properties that will shield you against negativity, and their energy may stimulate the gift of prophecy.Obsidian is truth-enhancing. A strongly protective stone, it forms a shield against negativity. It blocks psychic attack and absorbs negative energies from the environment. Obsidian draws out mental stress and tension. Brings clarity to the mind and clears confusion. Helps you to know who you truly are.
JET STONE: Jet is commonly used as a stone of protection, yet it also carries some wonderful healing properties, including pain relief for headaches/migraines and enhanced healing of traumatic injuries. Working almost like an energetic filter, Jet is a wonderful grounding stone that has intense purification and protection properties. Jet is known for clearing the aura of impure energies and is an important stone for the medicine bag. Jet can also be helpful for those experiencing an overabundance of negative energies or emotions, and has traditionally been used as a stone to alleviate grief. Not only does it draw off negative vibrations, but Jet can help the victim of these vibes to understand their original purpose and the lesson to be learned.
Jet can facilitate the release of negative behavior patterns and old emotional attachments, freeing the individual for rapid personal growth. Jet can be used in combination with virtually all other stones for healing purposes. Jet is a stone of sympathy and its calming energy provides support and helps alleviate pain.
AMETHYST: Amethyst is a violet to dark purple stone, which helps develop your psychic abilities. Amethyst is powerful, protective, with a high spiritual vibration and guards against psychic attack. It is a natural tranquilizer and enhances higher states of consciousness. It dispels anger, fear, and anxiety and alleviates sadness and grief. It opens intuition and enhances psychic gifts and helps those seeking spiritual wisdom. It promotes love of the divine. It relieves psychological pain and stress, eases headaches and relieves tension.
A variety of Quartz, it is known as one of the master healers and would be a good choice for anyone with asthma, addictions, headaches, hearing problems, phobias, miscarriage, and menopause or pre-menstrual tension. It promotes restful sleep and is also a good choice for stress and anxiety. An excellent crystal for those suffering from grief. It is a natural tranquilizer for cooling down the mind and emotions and alleviating a multitude of physical, mental and emotional imbalances. It is a natural tranquilizer and enhances higher states of consciousness. It dispels anger, fear, and anxiety and alleviates sadness and grief. It opens intuition and enhances psychic gifts and helps those seeking spiritual wisdom. It promotes love of the divine. It relieves psychological pain and stress, eases headaches and relieves tension. It helps connect the physical, mental, and emotional bodies, linking them to the spiritual. If you are looking for more spiritual awareness, protection, and connection, amethyst is the stone for you.
This is the stone of higher consciousness. Amethyst was used in ancient times to recover from both physical addictions as well as addictive relationships, and became know as the "stone of sobriety". A natural stress reliever, Amethyst can encourage inner strength. The strong healing energy of Amethyst can transmute lower vibrations to higher frequencies, transforming negative energy to love energy. Overall it is a healer beyond measure for practically everything. Amethyst is particularly well known to treat addictions on all levels and it provides a protective shield around the aura against psychic attack or negativity. Symptom Healing Following are some widely accepted and additional ways to use this crystal: Physical: Swelling, bruising, injuries, inflammations, insect bites. All organs of elimination, metabolism and the immune system. Headaches, migraines, hearing, lungs, respiratory tract; skin conditions. Emotional/Mental: Very helpful in reducing rage, anger, tension, anxiety, panic attacks, nightmares. In the case of depression or sadness, Amethyst is known to balance the highs and lows and help one to become more centered even in the midst of grief or loss. One of the very best remedies for insomnia (place on forehead). Improves mental functioning, focus, concentration, decision-making, memory and motivation.
CLEAR QUARTZ: Healer of negativity. Enhance other crystal's specific healing attributes . Clear quartz has been used since ancient times, as it was believed to be a source of power and energy. Clear Quartz has the unique ability to amplify the property of any crystal in its vicinity. This amplification process can also be used to assist in healing, increasing energy and/or the clarity of thought. Clear quartz has been used since ancient times, as it was believed to be a source of power and energy. While they believed this on an intuitive level, modern measuring equipment has proved this to be correct. Clear Quartz Crystal are strong amplifiers of energy, and are often used in healing rooms by alchemical healing practitioners. Clear Quartz has the unique ability to amplify the property of any crystal in its vicinity. This amplification process can also be used to assist in healing, increasing energy and/or the clarity of thought.Clear Quartz works very well when being used as a centerpiece for healing grids or long distance healing. Use Clear Quartz any time you need to energetically "amp up". It has a potentcy of amplification and divination where one can access universal wisdom and the insight into past events and lives. The clarity of the crystal is not only symbolic of seeing what is difficult to ascertain, but also energetically inspiring to "dig deeper" and look beyond the material realm into the metaphysical realms of emotion, thought, mental process, intuition, psychic powers and spiritual growth. Clear Quartz Crystals are excellent for enhancing meditation, relaxation and lucid dreaming. I often recommend that one is placed on an altar, near pictures of favorite dieties, or loved ones who have passed on.
It is extremely uplifting as well. There is also a deep connection to the amplifying power of cosmic creation as it flows through us in human potential form. Quartz crystal healing may promote release of negativity and stimulate positive thoughts and feelings. Use quartz crystals in your daily crystal meditation, to enhance the flow of more authentic beliefs and assists you in becoming of a more spiritual nature.
Product Reviews
Perfect timing
Posted by Jenn on Apr 13th 2019
Perfect delivery timing. I needed the migraine bag the very next day. Packaged beautifully.
Posted by Lynn on Mar 30th 2019
I received a healing for my migraine just by viewing this crystal set online. Decided then and there to get a set. Really helps. Thank you Ana!!!


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Just as much of an acquired taste now as they were when they first surfaced in the late '80s, Boston's Anastasia Screamed nevertheless made a relatively immediate impression on me with "Searcher no. 9 (Song 16)" a cut from this very album that I was exposed to by the grace of college radio. Even by obscuro standards, this Beantown quartet (who ironically didn't boast any females in their lineup) were sheer unknowns nationally, despite distribution through Dutch East India Trading. Well, I suppose you want to know what they sound like before taking the plunge. Mouthpiece/focal point Chick Graning possess the same worn-in, raspy timbre Peter Searcy of Squirrel Bait became legendary for. Though his guttural croon is nearly impossible to forget, Graning's cohorts are a much looser, ramshackle bunch, flailing about like so many flannel-flyers from points due Northwest. Glorious feedback squalls, not to mention extra enthusiastic percussion, put them right up there with Dino Jr at times, and to a lesser extent the demi-psych meanderings of SST-era Screaming Trees. By today's standards however, new schoolers would likely deem Anastasia Screamed a really sloppy "emo" band, due in no small part to Graning's maudlin vocal theatrics. A/S delivered a second album, Moontime, along with several eps and singles. They also contributed a Television cover to the Pipeline! WMBR radio comp I posted this March.
Graning would go onto the higher profile Scarce (and have a near-death-experience to serve as that band's compelling back story, which you can read about here). Click the A/S hyperlink above to learn about what pursuits the other band members followed.
01. Beautiful
02. Lime
03. Disintegration, Yesterday
04. The Skidder
05. Violet
06. Searcher No.9 (Song 16)
07. Tide
08. Parts of Us
09. Tricked Into Feel
10. Shade
11. Samantha Black
12. Notown
Eric's Trip - Long Days Ride 'Till Tomorrow (1997) - LINK / INFO
2 hours ago


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about us
Since 1997 offering outstanding services in Retail Training. Our team is experienced in their areas of expertise and have multi-disciplinary skills, whose main objective is to generate satisfaction and nimbleness to our clients.
– CFT consultants are experts "behavioural and technical";
– CFT consultants have a strong academic background and research managing training;
– We offer periodic follow-ups to check the results of consulting and training;
– We have already trained more than 22.000 people;
– We have already implemented more than 1.900 franchises;
– We have already organized 6 Retail Tech Missions.
Educational management of people and the development of
innovative potential at work.
To be a reference in the development of people in their areas of activity.
Ethics, social responsibility, commitment to people, relationship
with suppliers and society, innovation in services.
Retail Training
Retail Training provides and develops opportunities that improve results in Retail and Franchise. We think, one hundred per cent, in our clients, in their unique needs.
Our consultants have expertise in course, facilitation and experience in various retail disciplines and the directors personally manage client relationships.
If you spend a lot of time training employees just to open and close your store, probably, you are losing money. Do you think that your employees should be a better salesman, but you don't know how to do it?
Yes, we can help you!
We are a professional and experienced team work with the special methodology
Franchise Startup
We are a company specialized in Franchise Startup
Do you think that standardization should be better for your business, but you don´t know how to do it?
Yes, we can help you!
We implement franchises start-up through theoretical-practical training, aiming at the strategic standardization
Retail Tech Missions
We have been developing Tech Missions (Business and Academic Missions), since 2010. We organized missions to NRF- National Retail Federation–USA; Silicon Valley-USA, Hamburg Messe-Germany, Entrepreneurship-Canada, International Congress-Colombia The Tech Missions prepare people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential. Do you think that to know the world's retail information and make it universally accessible and useful, but you don´t know how to do it?
Yes, we can help you!
2018 © CFT – Centro de Formação e Treinamento. All rights reserved.


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Explore 1857-1904
African Americans denied citizenship
In the Dred Scott decision, the U.S. Supreme Court upholds the Fugitive Slave Act and declares that "Negroes," whether free or enslaved, are not citizens. As Chief Justice Taney puts it, they have "no rights which any white man is bound to respect." Free Black people are taxed like whites, but they do not enjoy the same protection and entitlements. African Americans are not granted citizenship until the Fourteenth Amendment is ratified in 1868. In the meantime, the wealth of centuries of slavery accrues exclusively to whites. When slaves in Washington, D.C., are freed in 1862, the only reparation paid is not to slaves but to slaveowners for loss of their property.
Evolution shapes debate
When Darwin introduces the mechanism for evolution, it dramatically alters public debate. "Racial" differences, previously explained by some as the result of separate, divine origins, are now seen as the result of historical change and divergence over time. Evolution provides a new paradigm for comparing group "progress" but it also introduces the threat of competition and possible extinction. Herbert Spencer captures the public's excitement and anxiety when he coins the phrase "survival of the fittest" in applying Darwin's ideas to the social realm. Advocates of Spencer's "social darwinism" view the hierarchy of races as the product of "nature," not specific institutions and policies. Consequently, social reform or improvement is pointless.
14th Amendment guarantees equal rights
Passage of the Fourteenth Amendment is a landmark event, not only for African Americans but for all Americans. Conceived during Reconstruction, the amendment extends citizenship to African Americans and attempts to heal the wounds of the Civil War by emphasizing national unity over sectional divisions. The amendment defines citizenship for the first time, guarantees all citizens equal protection and due process under the law, and most importantly, grants citizens privileges and immunities that cannot be abridged. Although the amendment's strength is tested by discriminatory laws and policies throughout the 20th century, the equal protection clause nevertheless forms the cornerstone of the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision and provides the legal basis for all civil rights and anti-discrimination efforts to this day.
Birth of eugenics
Francis Galton, Charles Darwin's cousin, coins the term eugenics, meaning "good genes," to apply Darwin's ideas to suit his vision of an ideal society engineered through selective breeding. Eugenics writings find a receptive audience among white intellectuals in the early 20th century and profoundly influence many aspects of American life, including immigration policy, antimiscegenation laws, involuntary sterilization, and schooling. Although the American eugenics movement collapses by World War II, its effect on institutions and social policy is long-lasting, finding its fruition in Nazi Germany.
Jim Crow segregation begins
Beginning in the late 19th century, southern states codify a system of laws and practices to subordinate African Americans to whites. The "new" social order, reinforced through violence and intimidation, affects schools, public transportation, jobs, housing, private life and voting rights. Cutting across class boundaries, Jim Crow unites poor and wealthy whites in a campaign of aggression and social control, while denying African Americans equality in the courts, freedom of assembly and movement, and full participation as citizens. The federal government adopts segregation under President Wilson in 1913, and is not integrated until the 1960s.
Birthright citizenship established
Most people take for granted that anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen. However, that hasn't always been the case, especially for groups barred from naturalizing. The 1898 Supreme Court case of Wong Kim Ark v. United States first establishes the precedent of birthright citizenship when the court rules that, under the 14th Amendment guarantee, a Chinese man born in America to immigrant parents is a citizen even though his parents are ineligible for citizenship. Throughout the 19th and 20th century, Asians, like other minority groups, fight consistently for inclusion. The Chinese alone bring 170 cases to the U.S. Supreme Court, most under the 14th Amendment.
White Man's Burden
In February 1899, McClure's Magazine publishes a poem by Rudyard Kipling which advocates American imperialism in Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. Picking up where Manifest Destiny leaves off, the concept of the White Man's Burden not only justifies expansion, it presents the colonization of people as a noble enterprise. Racial superiority has become more than common sense - whites now have a moral imperative to govern inferior peoples, a mission preordained in the hierarchy of races. Against the backdrop of Jim Crow segregation and mass immigration from Europe and Asia, the concept figures prominently in debates over citizenship and social fitness at home and in the newly acquired territories.
Europeans seen as not quite white
At the turn of the century, immigration to the U.S. from southern and eastern Europe swells dramatically. Many of the new arrivals are "ethnics" employed in undesirable low-wage jobs and living in the urban ghetto. Like the African, Mexican and Chinese Americans also performing unskilled, industrial labor, these immigrants are seen as "not quite white." Reflecting this view, anthropologist William V. Ripley publishes The Races of Europe, dividing whites into a distinct hierarchy of subraces and sub-sub-races. Yet even the degraded Hebrew, Celt and Italian are still legally "white" - they are not denied citizenship or prevented from full participation in American society. They naturalize, organize, vote, and eventually amalgamate into whiteness as they move into government-subsidized white suburbs after WWII and up the economic ladder.
Japanese and Mexican farm workers strike
In 1903, Japanese and Mexican farm workers organize the first multi-ethnic agricultural union to demand fair wages and labor rights in the sugar-beet industry in Ventura, CA. The union leads 1200 workers - 90 percent of the labor force - on strike and scores the first victory against big agribusiness in the west. Their success attracts the attention of the American labor movement concentrated in the industrial east. However, when the Mexican secretary of the Japanese-Mexican Labor Association applies for a charter from the American Federation of Labor, it is granted only on condition that the Japanese are excluded. The JMLA refuses to bend, but without the support of other organized labor, the union folds within a few years.
Race on parade at World's Fair
St. Louis, MO stages a world's fair to showcase American achievements and celebrate the 100th anniversary of Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase. Nearly 20 million visitors attend. The fair reflects the culmination of 19th century racial ideas in science, politics, and culture. Across from the technology exhibits are groups of indigenous peoples from around the world displayed in their "natural" habitats - a "living illustration" of man's hierarchical development on the earth. By century's end, race is invoked to explain everything: individual character, the cause of criminality, and the natural superiority of "higher" races.
© 2003 California Newsreel. All rights reserved.


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Divorce Survival Guide
Helping You Find Peace, Power, and Passion after Divorce
"Catholic divorce" but the bad news is Catholics do civilly divorce. We're here to help, and to encourage healing through the Sacraments where you'll personally encounter Christ—with all His love and tender mercies. And that's the REALLY good news.
"Come to me, all you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
For more information please visit: www.catholicsdivorce.com
New session beginning soon!
Beginning on May 2nd through June 27th in rooms 9/10 of the Lucchetti Ministry Center, the Divorce Survival Guide will meet at 7 pm to 8:30 pm. To register, please contact Roz Rine at 209 931-0639.


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Farming is vitally important to everyone on the planet but it can come under threat from organisations, companies and even the environment. These issues can have a devastating effect on rural communities as they limit options for farmers, spread misinformation, damage the environment and can even shut down entire industries. These issues always need to be addressed, but some must be addresses with caution to make sure all parties get a fair deal, a equal say and all aspects of issue are addressed.
CSG is a issue of great concern to many Queensland and New South Wales farmers, with fears of ground water contamination and access issues, check it out on the CSG page.
Genetically Modified Crops is another affecting farmers all over Australia, it is a technology with great potential to help us feed our rising population but it still faces a large amount of opposition, check out our GM page.
Feral Animals are constantly causing damage and destruction to Australian Farms and the environment, find out the impacts they cause and the control methods on our Feral Animal page.


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The headphones work, but the internal speakers don't. I have the volume at its highest but nothing is heard. I have also tried to reinstall the drivers but still no luck.
The headphones work, but the internal speakers don't. I have the volume at its highest but nothing is heard. I have also tried to reinstall the drivers but still no luck.
Hello, have you made sure that your speakers are the default sound output device? To do so in windows 7, right click in the speaker's icon in task bar and set it there. It is also possible that your speakers are set to mute. Try the following:
-- right click on sound icon in taskbar
-- select open volume mixer
-- under device, speakers make sure that your speakers are not muted
In older laptops, there was a sound knob in the laptop itself. Most times if was in the front. Does your laptop have one? If it does, make sure to increase the volume in it.
Nope the speakers are not muted.
Did u fixed the problem? i've same problem:((
Thank you for the reply... How do i disconnect skype? I have now realized that my sound only works for Skype and nothing else
right click on the Skype icon in the system/notification tray, then on the menu that comes up, click on Quit
Goto control panel and from add/remove programs, uninstall skype, then check in programfiles skype folder and delete.
if you are unable download revouninstaller free version and use it to uninstall skype.
Even after using the revouninstaller and getting rid of skype completely, the problem still persists. I have also used the Microsoft Fix It for Audio (whatever it's called), and still no sound. Even restarted the computer. Another other suggestion?
Did you tried to uninstall the driver from device manager, rebooting and allowing windows to reinstall a clean one?
if you do jnot trust the windows driver try this one?
right click on your sound volume icon this will open sound then under playback make sure speaker is active one. Under communications see if reduce the volume of others sound by 80% is enabled.
go to control panel then to Administrative tools then services check:
Windows Audio Endpoint Builder: Status is started, Startup type is Automatic
Windows Audio: Status is started, Startup type is Automatic
let me know if this helps?
Nope i have tried all ur suggestions but no luck. im just gonna give it to a technician. Thanks for all your help. It is greatly appreciated.
Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound > Select Your Output on the
Playback Tab > Properties > Enhancements Tab > Enable "Loudness
do you have skype? if yes disconnect.
Resolving No Sound or Audio Problems (Windows 7)
Tips for fixing common sound problems


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Earn points toward FREE PIZZA with Piece of the Pie Rewards
More About Domino's Near 15944
Order Fresh Handcrafted Pizza Near 15944
When your tastebuds are tingling for a delicious slice of cheesy, meat-topped goodness, we know you're not craving any old pizza near 15944. You want a hot, delicious pizza with a flavorful tomato sauce, perfectly sliced chunks of pepperoni, generous piles of mozzarella and parmesan, and a crust that's both crunchy and chewy—all at the same time. You want a pizza that makes your dinner dreams come true. You want Domino's!
At Domino's near 15944, we make it easy to get exactly what you want: pizza that's fast and fresh. Order your pizza at the Domino's nearest you, give us a call, or place your pizza order online!
First, start by selecting from one of our handmade crusts, like our hand-tossed crust that's packed with buttery flavor, a pan crust featuring two huge layers of cheese, a crispy thin crust, or a gluten-free pizza crust! Then, choose your sauce and your favorite pizza toppings. Pick as many as you want! Whether you're a serious fan of mushrooms and spinach or love spicy pepperoni and tangy asiago cheese, you can count on your nearby Domino's to deliver.
There are over 34 million ways to craft a single Domino's pizza. That means you can be sure we've got a slice for whatever your hunger demands! Customize your pizza from crust to sauce or choose from one of our most-loved specialty pizzas, like the ever popular Ultimate Pepperoni, MeatZZa™, or Cali Chicken Bacon Ranch, and have it delivered hot and fresh to your doorstep, today!
We Deliver, You Eat: Pizza Delivery Near 15944
Order from Domino's near 15944 and you'll see—we're pretty serious folks when it comes to pizza delivery. In fact, we promise your pizza will arrive hot and fresh at your door, right out of our oven. Can't wait for your pie to arrive? Use our patented Pizza TrackerⓇ system and follow your pizza order as it's prepped, baked, and headed out the door for delivery... and try to keep your drool from falling onto your keyboard or phone in the meantime.
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You already know we deliver pizza, but did you know we rock at fast pizza takeout near 15944 too? Feel free to order from our pizza menu or take home something more! Satisfy everyone's cravings with one of our hand-tossed salads, oven-baked sandwiches, rich pastas, spicy chicken wing platters, and even mouth-watering desserts like chewy cookies and chocolatey brownies.
With more than 12,000 stores in 80 plus countries, we know quality and customer service. It's our goal to be the best pizza delivery company in the world, not only in New Florence, and everything we do reflects this commitment. You'll see it in our courteous delivery drivers and money-saving pizza coupons, and taste it in every bite of pizza you eat. Call your local Domino's restaurant near 15944, use our free smartphone app, or place your order online for fast pizza delivery and carryout today! We may be more than 56 years old, but we aren't just any old pizza restaurant. Domino's is your go-to pizza place near 15944!


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On Christmas day, 19 year-old Carlitos called the local FundaVida staff asking for help. He had saved up a little money and wanted to pass out some food for the homeless.
Luis Carlos, "Luisca" lives in La Tabla (The Plank), a neighborhood infamous for drug trafficking, gang violence, and prostitution. For years, his house has operated as a hub for crack and marijuana sales.
Kimberly Wilson is a courageous 18 year-old student from the neighborhood of Linda Vista. Abandoned by her father eight years ago, Kimberly took on a protective role of her three younger siblings.
Throughout her childhood and adolescence, 19 year-old Karla Madrigal suffered from frequent panic attacks.


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DTS is an association of patent attorneys and lawyers providing highly qualified legal advisory services to clients world-wide. DTS puts special emphasis on a problem-solving approach ensuring that clients' needs and goals are met. The DTS Lawyers are all specialists in their specific legal fields. They advise on intellectual property law as well as copyright law and unfair competition law.
In the area of intellectual property, DTS advises clients both on national and international filings and registrations of trademarks, patents and designs as well as on cases of infringement and invalidity proceedings. Furthermore, DTS assists with devising and implementing of business strategies tailored to the client's specific needs and requirements. In this regard, the enforcement of industrial property rights and the defense of contested patents or trademarks, an area of innumerable and complex tactical possibilities is a particular strong point of the DTS team. The DTS attorneys draw on their practical experience when preparing future patent attorneys for the qualifying exams at CEIPI and Hagen Open University (Fernuniversität Hagen). At DTS, lawyers and patent attorneys closely cooperate in matters regarding the law of employee invention, licensing law and representation of clients interests before Court.
The DTS copyright practice enjoys an outstanding reputation, having successfully represented the interest of artists and authors, both nationally and internationally. The Head of the copyright practice, attorney-at-law Dorothee Thum, is co-author of the practitioner's commentary to the German copyright law (Praktiker-Urheberrechtskommentar), a standard reference manual published by C. H. Beck Verlag.


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Zombie Defense Escape Download for Free
Zombie Defense Escape by Pirate Bay Games
Try to escape from the post apocalyptic subway, populated by zombies. Escape is the spin-off of zombie defense 2, in which Sarah Foster is fighting for the survival of humanity, trying to find a vaccine against a deadly virus.
John Dorian – one of the few survivors of the disaster, he managed to take refuge in the subway. But the subway is an insecure place, so John tries to get to the top and find shelter.
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– 3d first person shooter
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– Weapon Upgrade
– More than 15 levels
– Realistic graphics
Download link – https://play.google.com/store/apps/de…
Download Zombie Defense Escape Android
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Program " Building a Europe for and with children" includes eliminating any kind of sexual assault against children using the specific legal instruments and activities, that will raise the awareness of this problem. Within the program, The Council of Europe started the Campaign "Stop Sexual Violence Against Children" in Rome on 29 November 2010.
The main goal of the Campaign to achieve further signature, ratification and implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.
Another goal is to equip children, their families/carers and societies at large with the knowledge and tools to prevent and report sexual violence against children, thereby raising awareness of its extent.
The Council of Europe wants to strenghten governments, members of parliaments, professionals, civil society, parents and children. The Council of Europe has enabled them to take an action and stop the sexual assault against children .
Ministry of Families Veterans' affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity lead the Campaign in Republic of Croatia. The Association of Parents "Step by Step" contributes to the Campaign. The Association offers many activities through the CAP (Child Assault Prevention) prevention program.
The project "Strengthen the right of children to be safe" was implemented for 20 months, or to be more exact, from July 2013 to March 2015. Partners of the project were: Association FENIKS from Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Association of Alfa Albona from Labin, Istria County, Association Portal Alfa, Belišće, Osijek-Baranja County and Association U.Z.O.R. from Rijeka, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County. Project members were: City of Dubrovnik, City of Labin and Istria County, City of Belišće, City of Rijeka and city of Zagreb. The project was implemented in five counties: the City of Zagreb, Osijek-Baranja, Istria, Primorje-Gorski Kotar and Dubrovnik-Neretva County.
The total project value is 100,486.60 euros. The project was co-financed by the European Union under the program European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights - EIDHR) in the amount of 79,500.00 euros, and the rest of the project is co-financed by the Office of the Croatian Government for Associations and by the National Foundation for Civil Society Development in the framework of institutional support.
School children parents in Croatia, mostly have few opportunities to participate in decision-making of the school and the local community for their children's benefit. On the other hand, parents and other parties interested in the wellbeing of children are obliged to implement the children's rights in the best possible way which is only possible through open communication and collaboration. Parents' Association Step by Step, Croatia, is implementing the project School open to parents since 2007; which encourages collaboration between parents and schools and empowers parents to actively participate in the community.
The CAP (Child Assault Prevention) Program is one of the most acknowledged and one of the best world programs in primary prevention of child abuse. It is considered one of the world's most comprehensive and most innovative prevention programs.
The CAP seeks to integrate the best resources of a community in an effort to reduce a child's or a young person's vulnerability to verbal, physical and sexual assault.
The project "A mom is a mom" was developed in 2005 with the aim of preventing risky behaviors of young people and providing psychological and social help and support for adolescent mothers, pregnant girls and their families. Pregnancy and birth have an immense impact on the lives of adolescent girls. They are faced with numerous problems; family's rejection, terminating education, partner's abandonment, difficulties in adjustment and acceptance of their new role as a mother. The program is striving to reduce vulnerability of expectant mothers and parents and strengthen them for active and responsible parental role takeover.


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I hope all the rest of you living in the line of Hurricane Sandy stay safe and free of power outages!
P.S. - if by any odd chance we do lose our power, and there is no Rednesday posted, then you'll know why!
Take care! My son is checking in w all his online buddies who are in the path. The web has made us all neighbors.
stay safe we are on the very end of sandy so not sure we will get much but rain.
Prayers to you and yours hope the weather guys have this all wrong ! E
Thinking of you all...smiles..Renee
Prayed for safety for ALL...it's good to have the candles ready and a few good snacks too!
Take care.
Be safe!!
Stay safe.....hope it passes without damage.
Be safe! Liz
We have battened down our hatches too! Stay safe!
Stay safe Sue! Sounds like a good opportunity to get cozy and have some quality family time!
Prayers sent to all of my New England blogging buddies! Stay safe Sue! Keep us updated please!
I sure know your pain of the preparing and waiting...sigh...I live in Florida. I have been thru this more time than I want to even think about!!!! Grab a good book and try to relax if you can☺
Stay safe! I have family in CT, and am worried about them. We've been living with Sandy for 2 days, 10+ inches of rain, and she's still here! ((hugs)) Pam
Here is hoping that it is lost some of it's gusto by the time it gets toy you....be safe and warm!!!!!! The whole easy coast is in my prayers! I wish they hadn't named this terrible storm Sandy!
Hugs, Sandy


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Before we talk wrestling, indulge me in some football speak. The key element in the modern game, according to all of the learned pundits on television and twitter, is to build a competitive and balanced squad. Unfortunately my team, Arsenal, failed to assemble such a collective and consequently did not have the legs to last the season. Performing well in fits and starts and overly reliant on our weaker performers, we stuttered to second place, behind the astonishing Leicester City.
I've often thought my Arsenal fandom marries well with my WWE obsession: I've loved both since the age of 12; my wife tolerates but understands neither; and they both tend to promise me more than they can consistently deliver. As Arsenal's title push was derailed between January to March, almost simultaneously WWE's Wrestlemania card was stripped of momentum as the roster deficiencies were laid bare for all to see. I couldn't help but note another connection between my dueling passions: neither organisation has built a squad to last the course and meet their fan's lofty expectations.
Now, Arsenal can head into the transfer window and fix these issues (Arsenal fans can insert their own sarcastic remark here) but let's get back to wrestling. What would a perfect squad look like for a wrestling organisation? What compliment of performers would be required to appeal to a broad fan base across a whole year of intense competition? What mix of talent could handle both the pressures of a grandiose Wrestlemania and the challenges of a Superstars taping on a cold Tuesday night in Tulsa? If the unlikely happens and, stay with me here, Shane and Steph do fall out and begin feuding, splitting the roster in two for the next round of Raw vs Smackdown, then we may see some serious squad building, WWE style. Where I to be assisting in the assembly of such a roster, this would be the spine I'd be looking to create.
The Main Eventer: John Cena
John is still the man that ticks the most boxes: promo, wrestling ability, experience, look, crossover appeal. He has the work ethic and the respect of the locker room so if you want to build your brand around someone, quite simply this is the guy to start with.
The Big Heel: Kevin Owens
Maybe he is too funny to be a true heel right now but I get the sense that if WWE pulled the trigger and put KO in the main events, his witty repertoire would be replaced with outright badassery. Just as a football team needs two centre backs who can complement one another, a wrestling roster needs a top face and heel who can make the magic happen. Cena and Owens have done so before and they will do again.
The All Rounder: Seth Rollins
Injuries happen and plans change. That's where the all-rounder comes in to his own. A role once perfected by Edge, Rollins, his New Era successor, could be that guy as he can perform any number of roles: face or heel, hound of justice or corporate schmuck, high flying sympathetic challenger or beatable champ. If crisis hits, Rollins is the safe pair of hands a brand manager can rely on. A must for any roster.
The Women: Sasha Banks and Charlotte
If you're building a woman's division in 2016, these are the MVP drafts. Just as Cena and Owens could be the recurring feud in the male ranks, Sasha vs Charlotte could be the staple match of this brand's women's scene. Paige has a quirky, unique style and Becky is adorable as the underdog but the upside of Miss Banks and Miss Flair is too strong to ignore: talented already but with scope to grow further. Character wise they are vastly different, opening up electric opportunities for any programme, whilst the flexibility they offer in regard to who can play heel or face only adds to their versatility.
The Veteran: Chris Jericho
A lot of options here: Brock Lesnar and Undertaker are box office superstars but I'd be looking for a veteran who can offer more in terms of dates and aiding character development. Brock might pop a crowd but how much could a young guy learn being viciously pummelled for 15 minutes? That makes Chris Jericho the obvious choice for this slot. Able to play a variety of roles and mesh with performers of different styles, he would be a guaranteed good match on the card and a positive learning experience for the younger worker. We're often told there are not enough "good hands" left in the business so hold on to those that we have.
The character wrestler: Bray Wyatt
There is so much untapped potential for Bray that it would be a crime to omit him. His inclusion would add colour to the roster, with his promos, narrative arcs and angles being totally unique to a show in which variety is king. He also offers the prospect of a stable which is a required booking trope for any wrestling group. Some might go for Undertaker and, as was aforementioned, experience is great but more than a smattering of youth is needed to keep things fresh.
The Underdog: Sami Zayn
The following views do not represent ATPW: A friend of mine once commented that Sami Zayn shouldn't be likeable as he is "ginger, a hipster, dances like an idiot and looks like Seth Rogen who hasn't been funny in years". A little harsh perhaps (Bad Neighbours was okay) but when pressed, said friend admitted he still did like Zayn, adding that he just "didn't know why". Innate and inexplicable likeability is always a good trait in an underdog babyface and, for my money, Zayn has delivered NXT's two most emotive moments: his title win against Neville and his recent send off in Dallas. So I'd pick him. And his hat.
One for the kids: Kalisto
Kids love masked wrestlers. Case in point: as I attended a family event last week, I was greeted at the door by an excited, sugar high 9 year old who proudly declared he had a new Sin Cara mask. Ignoring the fact that this anecdote represents that my first social interaction at this fairly formal occasion was to talk wrestling with a child, it also proves my point masterfully. Kids love a fella in a mask even if adults are non-plussed. It looks cool, sells merch and it doesn't matter if you switch the performer underneath it: they won't know, they're just kids! So my brand needed a masked wrestler and I picked Kalisto, the superior of the Lucha Dragons.
The Comedy act: The New Day
New Day Rock: fact. Funny equals money: opinion. But is the opinion shifting? The New Day supposedly moved the most merchandise during Wrestlemania weekend and at last month's Raw taping in London, I was overwhelmed by the colourful sea of their shirts that spilled from the bars and restaurants. As well as popularity, a comedy act helps vary the tone of the show, providing something for everyone and ensuring entertainment is always at a premium. Whilst some see it as belittling to wrestling (and if overdone, it can be) many serious works have added laughs to keep audiences guessing. Think Fight Club were brutal bare knuckle scenes are counterbalanced by moments of farce or Shakespeare's classic Macbeth where the murder of King Duncan was followed by a servant taking a piss and telling sex jokes. Now imagine Raw: Sami Zayn and Kalisto have been caught in a barbed wire bear trap and everyone is crying. But here come the New Day with some cereal and video game jokes. We're all laughing now. Job done.
The Slow Burner: Big Cass
Big Cass has been turning heads lately. Better delivery of promos, more intensity in his work and remember: he's got something you can't teach. He seems a sure thing right now and whilst sure things in wrestling don't always pan out, I wouldn't want to let Cass slip away. There's gold in them 7 foot hills. And to bring the Arsenal connection back into play: he and Giroud share the best chant in all of sports.
The Commentary Team: Mauro Ranallo and Corey Graves
Obviously I'd need more bodies in the mix and, having established the core of my roster with the above picks, I'd love to add the likes of A.J Styles, Becky Lynch, Finn Balor and Baron Corbin to broaden the stylistic qualities of the collective. But for now, with transfer windows upon us and squad overhauls in the sporting world afoot, ask yourself this: if you were drafting a roster within the world of WWE, who would you move heaven and earth for? Answers in the comments below…


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Sales Check
August 2009
11 years
A'Gaci Arrives in Chicago
Two for One
Local Forever 21 and H&M locations may be up for some competition starting this Friday. Also specializing in trendy women's fashions at lower prices, A'Gaci (866-362-4224, agacistore.com), a popular chain store that originated in San Antonio, Texas, expands to the Midwest with two Chicagoland flagship locations. The stores debut one week apart from each other, opening at the Palmer House (17 E. Monroe St.) on Thursday, August 27th and…
11 years
Custom Movie T-shirt Line Launches
Insiders Welcome
Combining their love for classic cinema with elements of design, lifelong friends and Chicago multimedia artists Ryan Barkan and Dave Yakir launched belowtheCollar.com (773-687-0520), a movie-inspired T-shirt company, in mid-June. "All the movie shirts out there are mainstream. We wanted to create shirts that aren't…
11 years
Mineral makeup boutique in Naperville
Made in the Shade
During her time as a fashion consultant and manager of various cosmetic counters, Heather Hanson, a Northwest suburbanite, stumbled into the field of mineral makeup more than a decade ago. Back then, the product was just breaking into the market and gave Hanson the idea to make a high-quality cosmetics line that was affordable. Hanson contacted…
11 years


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Note: I'm very sorry from my break from blogging which was caused by having to do my GCSE exams and then being abnormally busy in the holidays. Thankfully I felt my exams went well and all that is over now so I can get back to blogging regularly. This seems like an appropriate post for my return to blogging as this was how it was before my exams…
This is a guest blog post for Will Harper-Penrose, urban nature blogger and self-proclaimed adventurer, about the urban wildlife of Hull. His blog can be found at https://wildsouthlondon.wordpress.com/ which is packed with interesting posts in his entertaining writing style.
When Will first asked me to write this blog, the prospect didn't fill me with joy. I had never really been looking for wildlife in the city centre, it has always been just as easy for me to visit sites in the countryside, which most people would view as being better. That all changed, though, during the course of this trip, in two of the top sites for urban wildlife in Hull. However, I think it is fair to say that Hull is not seen as the most glamorous of places, but in this blog post I hope to extirpate this stereotype, at least from a naturalist's point of view. Now, where has my copy of The Urban Birder got to?
First up on the list of places to visit was the Pearson Park Wildlife garden. This is a mini wildlife oasis managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, secluded in the heart of urban Hull. It is aimed at involving young children with nature, something that previous readers of my blog will know I feel strongly about, with eye-catching fact boards and creative statues dotted around. I headed straight for the pond, having fond memories of pond-dipping, and was not disappointed as lurking within were the dragons of this realm, Smooth Newts. These were my first of the year and courtship behaviour was observed, often involving three newts at a time. They are definitely best seen up close, though, with their beautiful and striking mottled bellies, washed delicately with the colours of fire. Very small tadpoles were also writhing around the pond and congregating in the shallower areas. A sure sign of spring. Along with them, my first Pond Skaters of the year flicked effortlessly across the unruffled surface of the water.
Tadpoles in the Pond
Pond Skater
I then decided to take a look around the rest of the reserve. There were a multitude of garden birds; Wrens were flitting from bush to bush and firing their rapid song into the clear spring air, Long-tailed Tits roamed the canopy in their parties, exploring every nook and cranny in the delicate new branches for miniscule insect prey and this rather friendly Robin came down from his perch to investigate me.
Friendly Robin
It may have been better to visit later in the year, the information boards promising me Common Blues told me that, but all around me, spring was coaxing the world into coming out to play after a long winter; fresh green leaves were appearing on the Hawthorn bushes, Great Tits were broadcasting their repetitive song and the first bumblebees of the year were taking their initial tentative flights into the air. Spring was springing and I was loving every second of it. At the boundary of the reserve a juxtaposition became apparent, through the hedge I could see businesspeople striding briskly down the path, I could hear the squeak of car breaks and the occasional horn blast. But, if I turned around all of this melted away and the serenity of the gently swaying bushes and trees and the calming calls and movements of the birds would absorb me and the outside world didn't seem to exist.
Fresh Hawthorn Leaves
The Wildlife Garden
Back to the main park it was to try to photograph some of the (mostly feral) birdlife at the pond. The easily-spooked pigeons had flown up all around and their atmospheric flapping filled every part of the soundscape, taking me to 1800s Wisconsin and the immense, and sadly now extinct, Passenger Pigeon flocks. They soared in circles with wings raised into a poised, elegant V and departed to wreak havoc in the bread crumbs of the city centre. Many wildfowl and gulls frequented the pond including this immature Herring Gull:
Herring Gull
What would a visit to Hull be without seeing its claim to fame, the Humber river? I wasn't expecting much, but was secretly hoping for some scarcer birds out on the estuary, but what followed made me think differently about urban birding.
I came to the river by The Deep with the Humber Bridge in the distance, landmarks galore (!), and was immediately greeted by a Redshank bobbing amiably among the rocks by the shore of the great river, a good start and maybe a foreshadowing of what was to come.
Many Landmarks!
Scanning the river brings up nothing but a few distant gulls. But, a short walk along the river later and a large wader is seen pottering around among some seaweed. A quick glance through my binoculars confirms it as a Curlew. It allows me to edge closer and closer until I am about 3 or 4 metres away, I fire off some shots but then go back to scanning the river as I am in a more likely place for birds that have come in from the sea. When I finally lower my binoculars the Curlew has come even closer, now this is definitely the best view of a Curlew I've had! It allowed me to get ridiculously close, waders here are certainly tamer than in their usual seaside or estuarine habitats. This is one of the great joys of urban birding! Seeing a Curlew is even more special now, because of their well-publicised and drastic decline.
Further downstream, I come to a quay sunken into the street where some Moorhens and Mallards are bobbing about. There is also a Mallard's nest tucked away in the corner of the quay amongst some grasses, the female who is incubating the eggs and guarding the nest is defiantly hissing at some males who have approached too close. Unfortunately, you can see that some of the eggs have fallen into the water, a tragedy for the female and one of the dangers of having your nest so close to the edge of the water.
Female Mallard on her Nest
Eggs in the Water
I come to a channel flowing into the much larger Humber and it makes an attractive photo opportunity, this view would not look out of place on an unspoilt and wildlife-rich Scottish estuary. But it is here, just a stone's throw from the centre of industrial Hull. The wildlife associated with this environment is also present here, albeit in much smaller numbers. At this point in time I am incredulous that I let myself think that urban birding was not going to be a worthwhile pursuit! Many gull and wader prints were also scattered around on the mud; it seems I missed quite the party!
Channel into the Humber
I keep walking and seaweed-covered rocks start appearing at the bank of the Humber, out of the corner of my eye I see a whir of wings and expect to turn and see small waders; Dunlin, Turnstone or something of that description. But no, Starlings have some down from the rooftops on my left to reap the rewards of the estuary. I have never seen this behaviour before and you can see the characteristic feeding method of inserting the bill into the weed and then prising it apart, looking for invertebrates hidden within. Starlings; the unofficial waders of today!
Starlings Feeding on the Seaweed
Just behind the Starlings it becomes present that true waders are in attendance, a group of Redshank are puffed up on the tideline and another group of them then shimmer back the way I have come, uttering their peevish but calming calls, the white panels in their wings shining out amongst the gathering gloom. An allusion to North Norfolk, past holidays there were always Redshank-filled and this moment brought me back there.
All in all, this was a brilliant day that changed my opinion of urban birding and nature watching. I won't be surprised if I take many more trips to find nature in the city again!


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The Story
Field Trip! Spider-Man and the X-kids blast into space to take down Deathbird's Brood-Symbiote Imperium! Glob Herman's finest hour! And the mole's identity revealed! Maybe we should have led with that one!
Free Marvel Comic Download
Spider-Man & The X-Men #5 Free Download
Language : English | Year : 2015 | Size : 50 MB
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The club's September monthly meeting takes place this Thursday night at 9pm in the clubrooms.
What a great weekend for the Ladies' section of the club, as our Under 14 girls and Senior ladies lifted a trophy each amid scenes of great celebrations. The youngsters were first up on Saturday morning against Devenish and produced a very mobile and incisive effort against a gallant opponent to take the league title. Next day, our Senior ladies achieved the club's historic first championship in a very exciting and enjoyable final against Tempo, a super whole team and panel effort. Congratulations to our players and full credit to the two management groups. Firstly Frances, Martin and Brian, who have put in a huge effort for underage girls' football, and also to Niall Elliott who has stuck at it for years and most definitely deserves every credit for the team's success. It also has to be said that the support at both matches was brilliant. Thank you also to our Ladies' team sponsors Elliott's Swings and Things with the underage teams, and The Cosy Bar with our seniors.
Well done also to our senior men's team who defeated Devenish in the championship semi final last Friday night. We have the privilege of a county final to prepare for, and good luck to all involved. The Harps wishes a good recovery to Devenish forward Chris O'Brien, who sustained an injury towards the end of the game.
The club's cycling wing has taken delivery of a consignment of Harps cycling shorts and gilets, which might give some of our members and supporters that extra bit of inspiration in the Hills above Derrygonnelly or Fear events. Contact Donal Corrigan or Donal Fee to get hold of some top kit.
Our Under 8s hosted Trillick on Saturday morning for a Go Games session, much enjoyed by our three groups across the pitches. Thanks very much to all who helped out on the day, and good luck to them in the Moy GFC blitz this Saturday. One last training session this Wednesday evening at 6.15!The Harps Lotto jackpot, now £7600, was not won on Sunday night.The numbers were 9, 12, 15 and 30. £20 each went to Carmel Holland, and Susan Bradley, both c/o Kevin Cassidy, plus Eamon Cadden, Donagh. We are in The Linnett Inn next Sunday night, with Peter, Gerry and Mary Cox on duty.
Welcome to Derrygonnelly Harps > Harps News >


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PRINCE Harry and his new wife Meghan Markle reportedly helped and guided each other through their wedding ceremony with encouraging and loving comments, and the occasional f-bomb.
Smitten newlywed Meghan reportedly swore in delight while travelling in the back of the horse-drawn carriage with Prince Harry today.
Eagle-eyed royal fans spotted the 36-year-old former Suits star's hilarious sweary remark on Twitter.
Meghan, who was overcome with emotion as excited crowds chanted her name, appeared to drop the expletive as the open-top carriage entered a private section of the Long Walk in Windsor.
"I swear I just saw Meghan say 'f***' in the back of the carriage as she went through those gates lol," commented one amused onlooker.
While another joked: "TURNED THE ROYAL WEDDING ON JUST IN TIME TO SEE MEGHAN DEFINITELY SAY 'F***' ABSOLUTE SCENES."
"Meghan says 'oh f***!' as carriage enters private section of Long Walk. What a farce! #RoyalWedding," said another viewer.
But that wasn't the only laugh-out-loud exchange between the royals today.
Prince Harry reportedly said he was "ready for a drink" after he and Meghan completed their Royal procession.
As the carriage pulled away from the crowds into the gated grounds of Windsor Castle, Meghan seemed to be in awe of the scenes, lifting her hand to her chest and saying "wow".
While Harry seemed in need of some Dutch courage. Lip reader Tina Lannin told Fabulous Online that he said to his bride: "I'm ready for a drink now."
Earlier in the day, Prince William joked his trousers and shoes were "too tight" as he stood at the altar with Prince Harry.
How the Royal Wedding has unfolded so far...
- Royal fans are descending on Windsor to catch a glimpse of the loved-up couple as they tie the knot today
- Meghan Markle spent her last night as an unmarried woman with her mum Doria Ragland at Cliveden Hall
- Prince Harry stayed at Coworth Park with his big brother and best man, Prince William
- The brothers had last night walked out around Windsor to greet fans ahead of the big day
- The bride will walk down the aisle partly by herself before being joined by Prince Charles, who will give her away
- Meghan's dad Thomas Markle will not be at the big day, still recovering from a heart operation
- Prince Harry and Meghan will be the Duke and Duchess of Sussex
According to expert lip readers, Harry greeted Meghan at the altar by telling her quietly: "You look amazing - I missed you."
She replied shyly: "Thank you."
The new Duke is also responsible for prompting the beautiful kiss on the steps of the chapel.
As a smiling Meghan looked up and asked: "Do we kiss?", the prince replied: "Yeah".
The couple were also spotted exchanging remarks in the carriage about the large crowds, exclaiming "Wow!"
They pointed out signs and banners held by members of the public, with Meghan saying: "How sweet!"
Before the ceremony, Harry and William's brotherly exchange saw the groom ask: "Is she here?"
William replied: "No not yet, I don't know actually."
Lip readers also claim that when Prince Charles walked up to the altar with Meghan, Harry turned to him and said "thanks Pa", before turning towards his bride.
Well-wishers waved banners as they caught a glimpse of the couple on the Royal procession.
Some queued overnight for a chance to see the newlyweds on their big day.
Up to 150,000 people descended on Windsor's Long Walk as Harry and Meghan made their first appearance as a married couple.
A sea of banners were seen as royal fans draped in Union Jacks smiled at Meghan and chanted her name.
The bride looked surprised with the reaction as the carriage travelled through Castle Hill.
They were driven along the High Street and into Windsor town centre before returning along the picturesque Long Walk for their reception.
The very modern wedding has seen 1,200 public invitees able to watch the arrival and departure of the bride and groom.
Charity workers, school children, royal household members and Windsor residents are among those invited.
The Ascot Landau was commissioned in 1830 by Prince Adolphs, The Duke of Cambridge, and presented as a gift to Queen Mary in 1920.
It was recently used at Windsor Horse Show in 2016, for The Queen's 90th Birthday celebrations.
Kate and Wills travelled in the open-topped 1902 State Landeu on their wedding day, as did Princess Diana and Prince Charles, and Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew.
Try our Royal Wedding Snapchat lens
Want to celebrate Harry and Meghan's wedding like a royal?
We've made a brand new Snapchat lens just for the big day!
Unlock The Sun's Royal Wedding lens on Snapchat here and send us your snaps to @TheSunUK


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Alfred Hitchcock's 1958 classic "Vertigo" is one of the master of suspense's films being celebrated
by the San Francisco Symphony as part of Hitchcock Week: October 30th to November 2nd
Hitchcock and Halloween are the perfect match. So fittingly this (Halloween) week the San Francisco Symphony presents Hitchcock Week over four nights (Oct 30th to Nov 2nd) by celebrating the perfect partnership of filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock with composer Bernard Herrmann. As well as Bernard Herrmann the San Francisco Symphony, with Joshua Gersen conducting, will also be performing music of Lyn Murray, and Dimitri Tiomkin. Hitchcock Week opens on Wednesday October 30th with a screening of the ultimate scary movie Psycho. On night two, Thursday, Halloween night Hitchcock's The Lodger: Silent Film: A Story of the London Fog with live organ accompaniment of this early silent thriller from the master of suspense.
Friday November 1st will be the anticipated (instantly sold-out) screening of Hitchcock's 1958 masterpiece Vertigo starring James Stewart and Kim Novak about a retired San Francisco detective suffering from acrophobia investigating the strange activities of an old friend's wife. Then the closing night, Saturday, November 2nd's program is billed as Hitchcock! Greatest Hits and will feature a variety of clips from various Hitchcock classics such as North by Northwest, To Catch a Thief, Strangers on a Train, and Dial M for Murder. Eva Marie Saint, who is now 89 years of age, will host. Buy available tickets and get more info here.


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Senior Manager
KPMG Tanácsadó Kft.
Aniko has Master's Degree in Finance at College of Finance and Accountancy and Corvinus University Budapest. She is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, UK (ACCA). Anikó joined KPMG in 1999. She is specialized in insurance sector audits and advisory, but has strong expertise in the construction and real estate sector as well.
She performed several Financial Risk Management projects for the insurance sector, in particular in connection with Solvency II preparedness and ORSA simulation. She also leads IFRS and accounting advisory projects for insurance clients and is experienced in due diligence projects.
She is a regular instructor on internal and client trainings on IFRS and Solvency II. In addition to her native Hungarian, Anikó speaks English and German.


text:
SECO Systems, Inc.
B-404905.3,B-404905.4: Oct 4, 2011
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
(202) 512-8278
Kenneth E. Patton
(202) 512-8205
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
SECO Systems, Inc., of Huntsville, Alabama, protests the exclusion of its proposal from the competitive range under request for proposals (RFP) No. GS-08P-11-JE-D-0006, issued by the General Services Administration (GSA), Public Buildings Service (PBS), for administrative and technical support services for GSA's Rocky Mountain Region.
We deny the protest.
B-404905.3; B-404905.4, SECO Systems, Inc., October 4, 2011
The decision issued on the date below was subject to a GAO Protective Order. This redacted version has been approved for public release.
Howell Roger Riggs, Esq., Government Contract Solutions, LLC, for the protester.
Leigh Ann Bunetta, Esq., General Services Administration, for the agency.
Paula J. Haurilesko, Esq., and Guy R. Pietrovito, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision.
Protest of the exclusion of the protester's proposal from the competitive range is denied where the agency reasonably found that the protester's proposal was not among the most highly-rated offers.
SECO Systems, Inc., of Huntsville, Alabama, protests the exclusion of its proposal from the competitive range under request for proposals (RFP) No. GS-08P-11-JE-D-0006, issued by the General Services Administration (GSA), Public Buildings Service (PBS), for administrative and technical support services for GSA's Rocky Mountain Region.
PBS provides workspace for millions of federal employees in government-owned buildings and privately-owned, leased facilities across the nation. Agency Report (AR) at 2. In addition, PBS repairs, alters, renovates, and maintains these facilities. Id. PBS's Rocky Mountain Region leases, manages, and owns 650 properties in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Id.
The RFP, issued as a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business set-aside, provides for the award of an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for administrative and technical support services for the Rocky Mountain Region for a base period and four option years. The RFP provides that award will be made on a best value basis, considering price and four non-price factors: key personnel qualifications/experience; past performance; staffing plan; and management and quality control plan. RFP at 202. The RFP provided that the non-price factors were equally weighted, and when combined, were significantly more important than price. Id.
With regard to the key personnel qualifications/experience factor, the RFP instructed offerors to submit three personal references for each of the following key personnel: program manager, contract administrator, and human resources manager. RFP amend. 3 at 205. With regard to the past performance factor, the RFP required offerors to identify two projects completed within the last five years that demonstrate, among other things, the "ability to provide quality and timeliness of services on multi-functional support services contracts of very similar scope, complexity and size," and to have, for each project, at least two references submit completed questionnaires directly to the agency. In this regard, offerors were advised that only the prime contractor's past performance would be considered. Id.
GSA received 23 offers, including a proposal from SECO.[1] The proposals were evaluated by the agency's source selection evaluation board (SSEB). The SSEB assigned a numeric rating for proposals under each non-price evaluation factor. Proposals were rated on a 5-point scale as either: 1 (poor), 2 (marginal), 3 (satisfactory), 4 (very good), or 5 (exceptional). See AR, Tab 7, Source Selection Plan, at 14-18. The SSEB's ratings were supported by narratives that discussed applicable strengths, deficiencies or weaknesses. See AR, Tab 12, SSEB Initial Summary and Final Report.
The SSEB recommended to the contracting officer (CO) that the agency establish a competitive range of the proposals of the five most highly-rated offerors and hold discussions with those firms. Id. at 41. SECO's proposal was ranked 19th among the 23 offers received. The proposals of the five most highly-rated offerors and SECO were evaluated as follows:
Numeric/Adjectival Rating
Evaluated Price
Offeror A
4 (very good)
$19.04 million
Offeror B
4 (very good)
$19.76 million
Offeror C
4 (very good)
$20.48 million
Offeror D
4 (very good)
$34.28 million
Offeror E
3.75 (satisfactory)
$19.99 million
2.75 (marginal)
$34.79 million
Id. at 4; see also AR, Tab 13, Competitive Range Determination Memorandum, at 9. SECO's 2.75/marginal rating reflected the SSEB's judgment that, although SECO's proposal had some strengths, it also had a number of deficiencies and weaknesses. For example, under the key personnel qualifications/experience factor, the SSEB noted as a strength that SECO's proposed program manager was [Deleted], and that all its proposed key personnel had significant government experience. AR, Tab 12, SSEB Initial Summary and Final Report, at 30. The SSEB also noted as a deficiency under this factor that SECO's key personnel were [Deleted] and that the agency had not received past performance references for two of SECO's key personnel (its contract administrator and human resources manager). Id.
Under the past performance factor, the SSEB identified no strengths, but noted as a deficiency that only one past performance reference was received for each of the projects referenced, where two were required for each. Id. The agency also noted that, although SECO identified two projects for its past performance, only one of the projects was performed by SECO. The other project was performed by SECO's subcontractor, and, under the evaluation scheme here, this project could not be considered in evaluating SECO's past performance. RFP amend. 3 at 205; AR, Tab 12, SSEB Initial Summary and Final Report, at 30. The SSEB also noted as weaknesses that the questionnaire provided for SECO's project did not contain any narrative supporting the rating assigned to SECO's past performance, and that the small size of this project failed to demonstrate that SECO had experience with similar projects. Id.
The CO reviewed the technical and price evaluations and agreed that the five most highly-rated offers should be included in the competitive range. AR, Tab 13, Competitive Range Determination Memorandum, at 16. The CO also agreed that SECO's substantially lower-rated, marginal proposal should be excluded from the competitive range. Id. at 10. In this regard, the CO noted that SECO's proposed price of $34.8 million dollars was substantially higher than all but one of the competitive range offerors' proposed prices. The CO also concluded that the higher technical ratings of the one competitive range offeror whose proposed price was slightly less than SECO's, justified including this offeror's proposal within the competitive range. Id. at 15.
Following notification of the exclusion of its proposal from the competitive range and a discussion with the CO concerning the exclusion, SECO filed this protest with our Office.
SECO challenges its exclusion from the competitive range, complaining that GSA applied unstated evaluation criteria.[2] Specifically, SECO states that the CO told SECO that GSA was looking for "over and above strengths," which SECO's proposal did not provide. SECO also complains that GSA downgraded SECO's proposal because the price proposal did not provide a narrative discussion, and because SECO's key personnel were [Deleted].
GSA responds that SECO's proposal was not excluded from the competitive range for the reasons identified by the protester. Rather, GSA states that SECO's proposal was not included in the competitive range because SECO's proposal failed to satisfy a number of solicitation requirements. AR at 7. For example, GSA notes that, contrary to the RFP, SECO did not provide references for two of its key personnel, that is, its contract administrator and human resources manager. GSA also notes that SECO only identified one project that it performed, although the RFP required the identification of two projects. In addition, GSA notes that this project did not demonstrate experience with projects of similar scope, complexity, and size. Id. at 8. Furthermore, the agency notes that, contrary to the RFP's requirements, SECO only submitted one reference (and not two) for the project it identified for its own past performance. Id.
Our Office will review an agency's evaluation and exclusion of a proposal from the competitive range for reasonableness and consistency with the solicitation criteria and applicable statutes and regulations. International Med. Corps, B-403688, Dec. 6, 2010, 2010 CPD para. 292 at 7. Contracting agencies are not required to retain in the competitive range proposals that are not among the most highly rated or that the agency otherwise reasonably concludes have no realistic prospect of being selected for award. Federal Acquisition Regulation sect. 15.306(c)(1); D&J Enter., Inc., B'310442, Dec. 13, 2007, 2008 CPD para. 8 at 2. In this regard, a protester's mere disagreement with an agency's evaluation and competitive range judgment does not establish that the agency acted unreasonably. SPAAN Tech, Inc., B-400406, B'400406.2, Oct. 28, 2008, 2009 CPD para. 46 at 9.
Here, the record establishes no reasonable possibility that SECO's proposal would be considered to be among the most highly rated offers, even accepting the protester's arguments concerning its price proposal and key personnel. As noted above, the agency determined that, contrary to the RFP's requirements, SECO failed to provide references for two of its key personnel and failed to identify two projects for its past performance. AR, Tab 13, Competitive Range Determination Memorandum, at 9-10. SECO does not challenge the agency's determination in this regard. Instead, SECO's arguments focus upon the two statements in the competitive range determination memorandum that it contends are unreasonable.[3] Even accepting SECO's arguments, however, SECO's proposal failed to satisfy all of the RFP's requirements. We cannot say based upon this record that SECO's proposal should have received higher than a marginal rating, given the proposal's material deficiencies. Furthermore, SECO's proposal was substantially higher priced than all but one of the offers included in the competitive range, and the one offer that was slightly lower priced was rated significantly higher technically.
In short, although SECO disagrees with the CO's competitive range judgment, the protester has failed to show that the agency unreasonably concluded that SECO's proposal was not among the most highly rated offers for inclusion in the competitive range.[4]
The protest is denied.
Lynn H. Gibson
General Counsel
[1] Following the receipt of proposals and prior to the consensus evaluation by the source selection evaluation board, the agency initially determined that the proposals of 10 offerors, including SECO, were "nonresponsive" to the solicitation and rejected those proposals. Following several agency-level protests, the agency clarified aspects of some of the proposals and determined that the proposals of 6 offerors, including SECO, would be included in the evaluation of proposals. AR, Tab 13, Competitive Range Determination Memorandum, at 2.
[2] SECO does not challenge the agency's evaluation of the proposals included in the competitive range.
[3] SECO also alleges that the CO, in her discussion with the protester concerning the exclusion of SECO's proposal from the competitive range, informed SECO that the CO was looking for "over and above strengths." Protest at 3. GSA contends that SECO misinterpreted the CO's statement. The protester did not specifically respond to the agency's contention, and we therefore find no support for SECO's arguments in this regard.
[4] SECO also complains that GSA should have communicated with SECO with regard to the agency's concern that SECO's proposed key personnel were [Deleted]. Supp. Comments at 2-3. We need not address this argument, because, as noted above, SECO's proposal was reasonably excluded from the competitive range, even accepting SECO's arguments concerning its key personnel.
Aug 11, 2020
Chase Defense Partners
We deny the protest.
The Winvale Group, LLC
We deny the protest.
CEdge Software Consultants, LLC
We deny the protest.
Kardex Remstar, LLC
We deny the protest.
Aug 10, 2020
Agile-Bot II, LLC--Costs
We deny the request to recommend that the agency reimburse costs related to pursuing protest issues beyond those the agency has agreed to pay.
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