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Keep idle hands busy when you take your tot to a DIY mini mochi pouch making class at My Craft Studio! Let your little one's creativity flow as they decorate and personalise their own little pouches to bring home.
Redeem offer from Today until Tue 31, Jul 2018
Reservation required, read fine print for details
Download the free app to browse hundreds of great discounted offers on-the-go
Package includes
Class duration varies between 15 - 45 minutes depending on the child's age.
Call +60127236360 for booking with:
Cancel within the next 3 days and receive a full refund in Fave cashback


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Jean Van Leeuwen
About the Author
Jean Van Leeuwen is the author of more than fifty children's books, including picture books, Easy-to-Read books, and middle-grade fiction. Ms. Van Leeuwen lives in a small town north of New York City with her husband, Bruce Gavril. She has two grown children, David and Elizabeth, and a young grandchild, who will surely inspire more stories.

subset: commoncrawl


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Don't Neglect Your Dental Health While Away at CollegeThursday, November 3rd, 2016
Midterms are in full force, you are deep into your class load, the manager from your part time job is calling to see if you can pick up an extra shift, there are intramural sports to be played, and there's plenty of partying to be done on the weekend. As a college student, you are busy, and you have all the freedom and independence you want to make your own health decisions. But now is not the time to let your dental health go by the wayside due to your tightly packed schedule.
A 2016 study of dental health practices in US college students found that 76% of students reported having at least one dental exam in the year prior to their survey. But the study also found that dental health care habits and regular dental visits declined annually following the students' freshman years.
Students cited reasons such as having a healthy mouth and not feeling they needed dental care, not having the time to go to the dentist, and worries about the cost of their visit for the explanations as to why they were missing their regular checkups (1).
Unfortunately, putting your oral health on the backburner is not a good choice. When it comes to your mouth and teeth, prevention is always cheaper and easier than waiting until a problem arises. Regular checkups can allow us to find issues before you show signs of pain and more advanced dental disease.
College students are also at risk for oral health changes because of poor dietary choices, changes in routine, and putting off regular visits to the dentist. Even though there is a lot on your plate and even more on your mind, there is hope!
Try these tips to maintain good oral hygiene while you make your way through your college years!
Keep it real. Eat "real foods" rather than packaged and processed foods to help minimize unnecessary sugars. Snacks such as fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts or seeds are great choices (2).
Keep sugar to a minimum. Avoid using sugar as a stress reliever. Increased sugar intake increases your risk for decay and cavities.
Watch your late night eating and hygiene habits. Avoid late night snacking, or falling asleep without brushing your teeth. This habit leaves sugars and acids in your mouth to wreak havoc on your enamel until morning. Leftover food particles also become a breeding ground for bacteria. Furthermore, this sets you up for a bad case of morning breath (3).
Remember to exercise! Also be sure to develop regular exercise and good sleep habits. These routines are important and helpful for managing stress levels and maintaining both dental health and overall health during your college years (2).
Look at your entire health. Minimize or avoid alcohol use and smoking. College students sometimes experiment with these two behaviors, both of which cause dry mouth, changes in the pH of the mouth, and an increased risk for tooth decay or gum disease (2). Alcohol abuse also makes it more likely that you will skip or forget your nighttime dental cleaning routine.
Start with water! Choose water over sodas, energy drinks, and other sugary drinks. The acids found in carbonated and sugary drinks are very hard on your enamel (2, 3).
Brush and floss daily. These are time-tested habits that keep your oral health up. Even when you get home late or your schedule feels too busy, be sure to floss and brush. We recommend brushing twice a day with a soft brush, and flossing once a day (4). This investment takes about 5 minutes, which means you only have to dedicate 0.3% of your day to reap the rewards of a healthy smile.
Remember your regular dentist visits! Either find a great dentist near your school, or schedule your dental checkups around visits back to your hometown – over the holidays or school breaks. Don't leave your next appointment without scheduling your next one!
Call Hagen Dental Today
Are you overdue for your next dental cleaning? Or perhaps you are enrolled in school in the Cincinnati area and need to find a great dental practice while you are away from home? Give Hagen Dental a call to answer your questions or to schedule your next appointment at (513) 251-5500.
- http://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1363&context=jhdrp
- http://www.deardoctor.com/articles/10-health-tips-for-college-students/
- http://compdentalhealth.com/blog/college-students-oral-health/
- http://dental.ufl.edu/patient-care/patient-information/oral-health-tips-for-all-life-stages/


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CDAC Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. is a continuing education provider for the following:
- Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling (BAP #50-11268, expires 03/2021)
- Florida Certification Board (FCB #5088A, expires 12/2019)
- Florida Board of Nursing (#50-11268, expires 10/2020)
- Florida Board of Nursing Home Administrators (expires 9/2020)
- Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners (#0474, expires 02/2020)
All trainings meet the requirements for Alabama Licensed Professional Counselors, CHES Category II, and may be applied toward FL certification hours.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in a CDAC is asked to advise this agency at least 2 days before the training by contacting Linda York Wilson using the information below. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact CDAC using the Florida Relay Service at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=65D-30.001
To be added to our email list and for current information on CEU courses, contact Linda York Wilson:
- Email: email@example.com
- Phone: 850-860-1554
- Fax: 850-433-9802
CDAC is sponsored in part by Big Bend Community Based Care and the Florida Department of Children and Families and is a United Way Partner Agency.


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What's this? What is this wet stuff? It's all over the grass...the hedges...
The sidewalk and the driveway....anybody recognize this stuff?
Why, it's actual, measurable RAIN! Yes, here in Southern California, it RAINED overnight! To a measurement of 0.08 inches! Wow-weeeeeee!!! The 2nd measurable rain since April! Think we'll have cracked the drought from the past 8 1/2 years with this? Probably not.
But I thought I'd document it here just in case we have all forgotten what this liquid substance looks like!
In other news, in the continuing saga of the gazillion and one baby blankets that should have been finished last August, another one is off the list. At the current count (please stop drinking the water- I'm soooooooooo freakin' far behind!) there is one baby already here waiting on a blanket, and 6 more on the way. I'm beginning to understand the appeal of knitting machines. ha.
Once again, I bring to you another Crayon Ripple Throw. It's a pattern available through Lion Brand yarns. It's a full sized pattern that I've adapted for 'baby size.' I used an "H" hook, and Caron's Simply Soft yarn. This is the white that has become soooooooooo elusive to find in an actual WHITE shade, rather than a 'grey' tinge. Ulg. That stuff looks like it's been dragged through a mountain of dust bunnies. I wish Caron would get their act together. Some time back I contacted them and they responded saying that they WHITE would hit the stores in August. So far, all I've been able to find is the grey tinged yuck stuff. I'm wondering if that's because that's what they have on hand and wont' order more? What do you think?
The finished details: Caron Simply Soft colors: White #1201, Soft Blue #9712, Orchid #9717, Soft Pink #9719, Off White #9702, Soft Green #9739. Crochet hook sized "H", finished size: 36" square.
Next up, is another Feather and Fan Rainbow Baby Blanket in the same colors.
The best news of the week? Dad went home on Sunday, and is still at home! He's on a liquid diet and they're monitoring his food very carefully. There's some talk about adding soft foods in the future, but at a very slow pace and not for a little while.
In the last bit of news, I'm frustrated with something that I found by chance reading another person's blog. There was a posting of someone who'd purchased a pattern and knitted a towel for the kitchen. Here's where I got upset. Upon looking at the picture, and then following the details from where she bought the pattern, it's my pattern for my Hanging Kitchen Towel pattern that I worked over several months to get the decreasing and towel topper section the way I wanted it back in 2005. I started from scratch and worked out the details, and have offered the pattern for free here on my blog for people's PERSONAL, NOT-FOR-SALE, PRIVATE USE! Meaning, with the posting and the copyright of any of my patterns, they are MINE! They are NOT FOR SALE OR PROFIT!
Now, the blog writer isn't to blame for this. She, in good faith not only purchased and knitted up a pattern, but also gave credit for it's source. Rightly so. However, the 'designer' of the pattern that the blog writer has posted, in my opinion, has 'borrowed' my pattern and is now making a profit off of it. And it's my opinion, that this person also has several other patterns 'borrowed' from other sources than myself, changed a border here and there...and is making a profit off of other people's intellectual knowledge and time, and their free sharing of the patterns they've written. Now I ask you. Is that fair?
I'm NOT a happy camper. At all.
At this point, I'm trying to concentrate on the goodness of my Dad being home rather than in the hospital so very often over the past few months. However, if these patterns aren't taken down very soon, I'm going to have to inquire to other matters. I have shared my designs for your personal use. Not for this other person's financial gains.
I'm NOT a happy camper. At all.
At this point, I'm trying to concentrate on the goodness of my Dad being home rather than in the hospital so very often over the past few months. However, if these patterns aren't taken down very soon, I'm going to have to inquire to other matters. I have shared my designs for your personal use. Not for this other person's financial gains.


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The Fairmont Banff Springs
|Physician Fee
$ 1095
|Non-Physician Fee
$ 995
Room starting at $479 per night*
|Reservation Link
|Click here
|Reservation Phone
|Group Code
|Passport Required for US citizen?
|Airports Nearby
| Calgary International Airport(YYC)
|Conference Note
The discounted room block is sold out. Please contact the hotel directly for rates and availability.


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If you had never heard of Tunisia before this past year, you're not alone. The small North African nation rarely made headlines outside of human rights campaigns decrying the behavior of repressive dictatorships in the region.
Then, in December of 2010, a young fruit vendor named Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in exasperation after being humiliated by a public official. His eventual death the following month set off 28 days of demonstrations and rioting, ultimately causing dictator Ben Ali to step down.
But the die had been cast.
Local news from across Southern California
Middle East observers dubbed the months of rioting and regime overthrow that spread across the region the "Arab Spring," a historic movement whose actions and implications continue to this day.
"We don't feel like this is done yet; it's not over," says Jordan Elgrably of the Levantine Cultural Center in West LA. He is one of the organizers of the world's first "Tunisian Film Festival," which continues through Thursday at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Hollywood and will feature at least 10 films.
Young filmmakers like Mahomedali Nahdi are participating. His film, "The Project," was made before the Tunisian revolt, but it decried how censorship in that country was stifling creativity.
"Freedom is not a gift," says Nahdi. He says he feels a bigger responsibility now, after the Arab Spring's first year has passed. "You have to grab it. You have to fight for it."
Indeed, other Tunisians in Los Angeles for the festival say they're somewhat torn by dueling emotions, one year after their country's emancipation from dictatorship.
"To see it happen …it's a beautiful thing," says "MC Rai," a singer slated to perform at the festival. "I couldn't be more proud."
But all of them expressed concern for other Arab nations as they struggle through the most dangerous period of all for young democracies. Blood is still being shed in nations like Syria and Yemen; and there are grave concerns about what the future holds for post-Khadaffi Libya and the government in Egypt, where a military regime has assumed power after the ouster of Hosni Mubarak.
Festival participants say now is the time for creative communities like theirs – filmmakers, painters, singers and writers – to lead the charge for change in the region. There are already plans for another festival next year.
Follow NBCLA for the latest LA news, events and entertainment: Twitter: @NBCLA // Facebook: NBCLA


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Governor signs grand jury bill ending 'pick-a-pal' system
AUSTIN - Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday signed a bill ending Texas' "pick-a-pal" system for selecting grand juries, a move heralded as a way to end lingering questions of bias in the criminal justice system.
House Bill 2150, which takes effect Sept. 1, replaces the so-called "key man" system, in which a judge selects commissioners to recommend the names of prospective grand jurors. Under the new law, judges will pick grand jurors using the same random-selection system used to seat regular civil and criminal court juries. Prospective juror names are selected from voter rolls and driver license records, a larger pool that supporters of the change said will result in more diverse grand juries across the state.
The bill was one of several criminal justice-related measures signed by Abbott on Friday. Others included a measure to decriminalize truancy and a bill to emphasize community-based programs rather than state lockups for juvenile offenders.
Texas is the last state in the nation to use the "pick-a-pal" system, though some judges already use random selection or a hybrid system to seat grand juries.
Supporters said the change was needed to ensure grand juries reflect the diversity of the counties they serve. They insisted the "key-man" system was rife with conflicts of interest that could taint the impartial review of criminal investigations to determine whether charges should be pursued.
Some counties had opposed the change, arguing that judges should be allowed to continue having friends and people they trusted recommend names of their friends to sit on grand juries.
Provision opposed
Although Abbott supported the change in how grand juries are selected, he had opposed a provision in the bill that required judges to prioritize the demographics of the county when seating a panel.
While that provision was removed by the House, similar wording later was added back into the bill in the Senate as part of a compromise with Abbott's office. Aides at that time had indicated he would likely sign it into law, but some counties had continued to push for a veto arguing that they should have the option of using random selection or the traditional key man system.
"Anyone who's paid attention to the recent controversies in our country knows the importance of restoring public confidence in the grand jury system," said Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, the Senate sponsor of the bill. "Having a police officer as foreman of a grand jury investigating police shootings is not the way for people to have confidence in the system, and this bill will correct that."
In other action Friday, Abbott signed House Bill 1690, a controversial measure to transfer the authority to investigate ethics violations by state officials from the Travis County district attorney's office to the Texas Rangers at the Department of Public Safety.
Prosecutions of ethics violations would be handled in an official's home county, rather than in Austin where the alleged crimes occurred. All other Texans must face prosecution in the county in which the crime occurred.
GOP complaints
Republicans long have complained that the Democratic-run Travis County District Attorney's Office has targeted GOP officials for prosecution, citing the recently-overturned conviction of former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and the indictment of former Gov. Rick Perry as proof of bias. In addition, they cite the 2013 drunk-driving conviction and jail sentence served by Travis County District Attorney Rosemary - who refused to resign - as evidence of a double-standard.
Ethics-advocacy groups Public Citizen and Citizens for Public Justice, have blasted the new law as a way for lawmakers to make it almost impossible to prosecute ethics violations. They said local prosecutors, often are friends with elected state officials and will be reluctant to prosecute them, citing the pending investigation of Attorney General Ken Paxton that the Collin County district attorney initially declined to pursue.
The Paxton case is expected to be presented to a Collin County grand jury by special prosecutors next month.
Abbott also signed Senate Bill 1630 by Whitmire that allows Texas' juvenile-justice system to utilize more community-based programs rather than state lockups, a move planned since 2007 as the next step in reforms aimed at further reducing recidivism by teenage offenders.
He also signed House Bill 2398 by Rep. James White, R-Hillister, that decriminalizes truancy.
"Criminalizing unauthorized absences at school unnecessarily jeopardizes the futures of our students," Abbott said in a statement Friday, explaining he signed the truancy measure as part of his broader goal to boost the state's education system.
The three laws take effect Sept. 1.


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Originally uploaded by SuperFantastic
What an opportunity! What a great pic!
Be brave and give your own tongue a good, long look. Check it out first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. Look at it in the spring, summer, fall and winter. Check it out after an argument and also after a particularly good experience. Look at it when you're 20 years old and when you're 80 years old. Compare your tongue to your friends' or loved ones' (any of them that won't think it's too kooky that is).
What changes do you see? What stays the same? Each part of your tongue including the body, coating, tip, middle, edges and root, its color and shape, whether it's dry or moist, curled or flat, deviated or straight all tell your acupuncturist about what's happening inside of your body. Even if you don't know immediately what your tongue is "telling" you, your acupuncturist can translate!
Whereas your "Chinese" pulses provide up-to-the-second information about what's going on in your body, your tongue shows your body's trends. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER brush your tongue before an acupuncture visit. The point of looking at your un-brushed tongue is so that we can figure out what points to needle to make the most of your visit!


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SLR provides environmental consultancy services in the UK and US, advising clients on a range of strategic and site specific environmental issues. It has particular strengths in the energy sector, the private sector waste management industry, and the planning and development sector, working for many of the major commercial developers.
The right environment for rapid growth
- Our investment provided capital and support to evaluate, assess and deliver a programme of UK and international acquisitions, namely Insite Environments and Seacor Environmental
- Capital from Livingbridge enabled the management team to invest in financial systems and HR to support growth, with a significant recruitment push. We supported the recruitment of a non-executive chairman who joined at completion.
- New offices opened in the UK and US in 2006, with over a third of SLR's revenues generated outside of the UK at point of exit
- Staff levels grew from 168 in 2003 to 600+ in 2008
"We have supported SLR through an impressive period of growth, where its geographic footprint, range of services and reputation have all developed strongly. This success has been underpinned by the exceptional culture within SLR, which today has over 220 employee shareholders."
Liz Jones, Livingbridge
SLR founded
Buyout from parent company
Livingbridge invest as part of a £13 million investment in SLR
Continued organic growth, 6 new offices opened in the UK alone in 2006
Acquisition and integration of Insite Environments in UK
Acquisition and integration of Seacor Environmental in Canada
Successful sale
Staff levels at 600+


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Our approach
Our locality planning forums tell us about important health and social care issues in each locality. They are made up of community representatives and people who work in health and social care.
- Asking you about your experience of health and social care services
Listening to what you have to say, recognising that what you have to say is important
- Acting on what you tell us and combining that with what the local and national evidence says
- Communicating what we are doing and what we are planning to do in an accessible and honest way
Have your say! Get Involved


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New York kept certain fantasies about the Four Seasons alive for a long time. We told ourselves that it was an elegant restaurant, that it was an important restaurant, that the roll call of designers, editors and so on who ate lunch there — a short list that grew shorter as publishers moved downtown, expense accounts were clipped and longtime patrons were called by the great reservationist in the sky — was proof of something other than the tendency of famous and busy people to act from habit and herd instinct.
Long before the end, fantasy and reality had gone separate ways. The Four Seasons was a mess. The beaded curtain chains that rippled upward for 20 feet in endless waves like a waterfall running in reverse were coming apart, some of them missing or broken or lying on the floor like dead snakes. The bronze-rod Richard Lippold sculpture that hangs in midair over the towers of whiskey and gin bottles inside the square bar was furry with dust.
A dinner I had in 2013 was a disaster, from the stale rolls to the zombified service to the dry and crumbly duck served with fruit compote that tasted like the filling in a grocery-store pie. It goes without saying that all this cost a pile of money.
Because the restaurant's lease was winding down, I never wrote up that meal. And when the landlord signed a new one with the Major Food Group instead of the old owners, New Yorkers might have mourned the end of our fantasy Four Seasons, but there weren't a lot of reasons to be sad about losing the real one.
Now, instead of one restaurant, we have two. Rich Torrisi and Mario Carbone, the two chefs who run the Major Food Group with their noncooking partner, Jeff Zalaznick, have taken a divide-and-conquer strategy. Mr. Torrisi is in charge of what was the Pool Room and is now just the Pool. The Grill, formerly the Grill Room, is in the hands of Mr. Carbone. It was the first to open, in May, and comes very close to being the kind of restaurant many of us imagined in this space all along.
The Grill is confident, theatrical, retro, unsentimental, sharp and New Yorky. Like other projects from Major Food Group, it is packed with ideas and historical allusions. Unpacking it all is a lot of fun if you can afford it; preposterous expense is one reality of the old restaurant that the new tenants preserved.
They also preserved the Philip Johnson interior, after the landlord proposed some changes that were swatted down by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Rightly so: funded by the Seagram Company, Johnson did something astonishing in this room. It's a vast space that offers privacy, a corporate monument that gives back to the public, an expression of International Style austerity that feels exuberant.
All that is in sharp focus again now that it's holding a restaurant with a full battery charge. The beads have been strung back together. Lippold's bronze glints again. The book-matched French walnut paneling is glossier and more radiant, the patterns in the grain more evocative of monumental abstract paintings, than before.
Mr. Carbone, Mr. Torrisi and Mr. Zalaznick prepare for their restaurants the way Matthew Weiner or David Simon get ready for a new show, with a mountain of research. Taking over a high point of midcentury modernism gave them license to study James Beard, rolling trolleys, Jacqueline Kennedy, the martini, John Cage, club sandwiches, Joe Baum, continental cuisine, Delmonico's, green goddess dressing, Craig Claiborne and Catalina sauce.
Some dish names are cryptic, as if written to invite a question the servers can answer with a story. The one about "Jack's Pie" involves John F. Kennedy and comes in two parts. The second is a dubious dirty joke about Marilyn Monroe.
This postmodern approach to modernism leads to some self-conscious nonsense. Next to the staircase is a buffet table set with a surreal cornucopia of vegetables, fruits and layer cakes. It's stunning to look at but it's purely decorative — "a buffet in name only," the servers have to explain.
Dinner sees a traffic jam of rolling carts parked tableside for various bits of stage business, some of which are pointless. Peach Melba doesn't get better when you set it on fire, and when a server painstakingly removes a pastry seal on a cocotte to reveal two pieces of endive, you have to wonder if Mr. Carbone hasn't lost his mind.
But any doubts about his sanity vanish when you taste the spectacularly good guinea hen that the endive accompanies. Roasted and sauced with jus, Madeira and black truffles, it is among the most delicious things I've eaten this year.
So is the Seagram crab cake, very sweet and pure under a golden lid of potato coins.
So is the prime rib, carved thick or thin at your elbow — this time, the ritual makes sense — and set in front of you along with a meaty barbecued bone in a dark mustard and spice crust.
So are the lamb chops, brushed with curry oil and grilled, with yogurt sauce and a fantastic molded cone of apple-mint jelly.
So is the honey-mustard duck breast, dry aged for a month until it is supernaturally tender.
So is the larded squab in bittersweet orange sauce with a grilled candied orange; the lard is provided by a cloak of whipped fat that bathes the squab breast as it cooks.
So is the slice of lemon chiffon cake confected by Jennifer Yee, who is serving as pastry chef until the restaurant is on solid footing. Perfectly tender and fluffy and just sweet enough, it is the kind of dessert that has almost disappeared from New York restaurants, and deserves to come back.
I'll be thinking about those dishes for the rest of the year, and probably beyond. At least half a dozen others are merely very, very good: the gently spicy salad called avocado crab Louis; the anchovy-laced steak tartare that finishes with a surprising riptide of chile heat; the broodingly dark crab gumbo; the "Neptune's crown" Dover sole under a Creole shellfish sauce; the hot pretzel twists and the griddled anadama bread and the nearly weightless dinner rolls brushed with butter that come around at the start of the meal.
For all of this you pay prices that range from "Wow" to "Are you guys serious?" The reassembled lobster Newburg (or Newberg, as the menu has it), in a reduced-fat sauce outfitted with dried cherry tomatoes and basil leaves, is marked "MP" on the menu; it's $98, about five times what you'd pay for a live lobster of the same size.
At least it's memorable, which is more than can be said for the $25 jumble of smoked wild mushrooms held together by a wafer-thin one-egg "omelet," or the $38 chicken "à la Queen," which is like chicken cacciatore that's been fancied up.
Balanced against a few lapses of taste and judgment, though, is the real achievement of Mr. Carbone and his partners in breathing new life into the formal, French-derived style of dining. This used to be the only style chefs thought was suitable for expensive restaurants. But then tasting counters came along; suddenly the rituals of captains standing at attention above white tablecloths seemed antiquated.
Taking off from the model the Major Food Group polished at Carbone, the Grill turns that old and increasingly empty formality into theater, or a game that everybody can get in on. The captains are allowed to have personalities, which means the rest of us can, too. It would work even better if Major Food Group hired more women for the dining room; it's hard to imagine many female captains who would be O.K. with calling Marilyn Monroe "Jack's pie."
As a strict constructionist about the architecture of this space, I can't write about it without registering the loss of the lovely, understated modernist stemware, bowls and other pieces designed specifically for these rooms by Garth and Ada Louise Huxtable. Eating here without them is like visiting a Frank Lloyd Wright house furnished by Ikea.
Some of the things they've been replaced by are very good. Others are reasonably apt. A few are painful. The chunky brass bar coasters marked with a big capital G are a Trumpian touch. So are the napkins with "THE GRILL" embroidered in gold thread.
But coasters and napkins can't cause lasting damage to an interior this extraordinary. It was always one of the most beautiful dining rooms in New York. Now it's also one of its most exciting restaurants.
Follow NYT Food on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. Get regular updates from NYT Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice.


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Watch Ashanti Feat. Rick Ross "I Got It" VideoAshanti delivers the visuals for her new single "I Got It" with Rick Ross. The visual features some choreographed dancing in a dark club setting, as well as an appearance from Birdman. Her "Braveheart" album drops March 4th.
Behold Ashanti Feat. Rick Ross "I Got It" Video, a new offering from Ashanti, which was released on Tuesday, February 11th, 2014. Ashanti's rap artistry continues to improve with every release, something which is most definitely evidenced on Ashanti Feat. Rick Ross "I Got It" Video. His ever - expanding catalogue is definitely better for it, and we're looking forward to the next piece of the puzzle - aren't you?
Did you enjoy Rick Ross's contributions to this video?
What do y'all think of this video?
If you're feeling this, make sure to hit up Ashanti's profile page for the latest info, news, songs, and mixtapes. Check out Ashanti's Facebook and Twitter.


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We know it's a pity that when you want to try out something fantastic but only got a error message of "Not Supported Yet". Since the first release of AirMirror, we've received tons of feedback every day, which urged us to make AirMirror support more and more devices. We heard your voice, and kept improving AirMirror!
In this version, most Samsung devices with official ROM can use AirMirror! (root required, Android 4.0+)
We've tested AirMirror with Note 2, Note 3, S3, S4, S5 and AirMirror works well on these devices (Sorry that S6 is not supported by the current version, now we are making improvement into it)! But please note that due to different ROMs, network environment, different Root managers and many other factors, some Samsung device may not be supported. If you can't use AirMirror with your Samsung device, please tell us in this thread to help us improve it.
In v3.1.3, searching for other devices running AirDroid on the same network is much faster. And booster is now compatible with Android M. We tested Android M at the first time and find bugs in Booster and then we fix it. XD
What's New in AirDroid v3.1.3
1. Added AirMirror support for most rooted Samsung devices.
2. Searching for other devices running AirDroid on the same network is much faster.
3. Booster is now compatible with Android M.
4. Other bug fixes and improvements.
❤ Note: Only Android app this time. Just update AirDroid on your phone ❤
Update now:


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Automotive locksmith IrVING TX
How Expert Locksmiths Can Help You
If questioned what an automotive locksmith Irving TX does, a lot of people might answer "Help open a locked vehicle door when they keys are stuck inside." This is fact, and this is a valuable service offered by locksmiths.However, it's far from the very essential and varied responsibilities, which can also be done by such professionals. Most consumers are not aware that automotive locksmiths Irving TX do more than locked vehicle doors.
Whether you're locked out of your vehicle, or you've lost your keys, Bulldog Locksmith can assist you! Along with the most innovative cars being fortified by a transponder, damage or loss to a transponder can leave you stuck without the skill to drive or access your vehicle. If this occurs – contact us immediately. Our staff can copy, supply and repair car transponder keys for every motor vehicle brand. There's no need for you to go and see your manufacturer and pay a hefty price – in the majority of cases, we'll be much reasonable, and probably much faster!
The advantage of using Bulldog Locksmith as your Automotive Locksmith Irving TX partner is that we'll tell you right away on the phone what it'll cost you. With years of experience and training with vehicles, we believe that it can be challenging to work on cars and time is critical. Rest assured that we're available to assist you and offer you the best advice you're looking for.
Find a Qualified, Reliable and Professional Auto Locksmiths at Bulldog Locksmiths !If you live in Irving TX and lock yourself out of something like your car, then our skilled locksmiths can help! Our trained technicians are proficient professionals and can offer you with entry to your car!Having a car lockout, no problem! Once you call Bulldog Locksmith,rest assured that a locksmith would answer. Customer satisfaction is our utmost priority, and we ensure that you feel like an essential part of our customer family.
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Part VI Agreements Concerning Patented Technology, 12 Technology Transfer
Edited By: Lars Kjølbye
From: Antitrust and Patent Law
Alan DevlinEdited By: Lars Kjølbye (Consultant editor)
- Subject(s):
- European Union — Copyright — Licensing — Rights — Technology transfer agreements — United States
This chapter addresses technology transfer, through which patentees license their claimed technologies in upstream licensing markets. Many competition lawyers who practise in the patent space advise clients on intellectual property (IP)-licensing contracts and on the various clauses that can create antitrust issues. The chapter provides such attorneys with an account of both EU and US law, and explains why the law deems certain restraints to be problematic. It also explores a common patent-licensing arrangement taking the form of patent pools and portfolio cross-licensing deals. Such mechanisms are distinct from technology-transfer agreements, as they predominantly entail competitors in downstream product markets cross-licensing one another—and, in the case of a patent pool, licensing third parties—to create a clearing position.


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About 5 percent of all firefighters are women, according to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
This story is one installation of a three-part series on women who work in male-dominated careers. See also: Natalya Groff of Ottawa Lake and Megan Bailey of Monroe.
Chief Wendy Stevens said she wanted a career that would allow her to do a job that most don't see, some need and many appreciate.
She didn't join the field to be painted as a hero. And she certainly didn't join with plans to change the climate for women firefighters.
But as one of only about 50 female fire chiefs in the U.S., according to the Women Fire Chief Council, some could argue she's had that impact on Monroe County.Women firefighters by the numbers
"I don't see the genders like some people do," Stevens said. "I didn't change anything to conform to (the male firefighters), but I also didn't expect them to conform to me."
Apart from being head of the Frenchtown Township Fire Department, Stevens said she doesn't feel like she's any different from her male counterparts — even though statistics say women don't often become firefighters.
About 5 percent of all firefighters are women, according to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, and Stevens' background is largely representative of that number.
After 27 years spent as a full-time firefighter, Stevens said she's never worked directly with another woman throughout her professional career.
But if you ask her, that's okay.
She joined the field because of a passion for the work, no matter the diversity — or lack thereof — among colleagues.
When Stevens was about 22 and looking to relocate, she wanted one, major factor in her new destination — a volunteer fire station.
So she moved to Flat Rock and began firefighting part time — and she loved it.
"They said they'd hire me and I was elated," Stevens said. "I went into my first fire and that was it. I grabbed the hose and started spraying and I just loved it."
Soon, she was hired full-time at the Canton Fire Department, where she spent about 25 years. In 2016, Stevens moved to Frenchtown as deputy chief. Within months, she was promoted to chief.
While she knew that the Frenchtown crew would take some time to adjust to new leadership — especially to a female chief — she said the transition was seamless and firefighters have been supportive of her management.
"There are things that I thought I'd get pushback on, but I didn't. I got support," she said. "Getting hired here was probably the best thing ever, besides the adrenaline (of fires). This is all I know, and I wouldn't ever change it."
While Stevens said she's never worked directly with another woman throughout her close to 30 years as a full-time firefighter, she said she's never had an issue fitting in with the male firefighters.
But she acknowledged an adjustment period between herself and the guys when she was given a new shift, worked with a different partner and was promoted to chief.
"You always experience that feeling where you walk into the room and the room goes silent," she said. "They wonder, 'Do we have to change how we act, change how we talk?'
"I'd imagine I had to earn things more than others because of that gender thing."
Rather than adjusting to coworkers, the most difficult part of being a woman in the field, Stevens said, was simply finding gear that fit her. Suits and other equipment generally are tailored to those with a larger build, and at about 5-foot-6, her height sometimes was a challenge.
Being able to reach the pedals in the fire trucks while also having access to overhead controls also was a height-related difficulty and caused her to adjust the way she operated the emergency vehicle.
Although those issues were minor ones she could've faced in comparison to others — like strength or potential physical barriers — she didn't experience them.
"Are they stronger than me? Yes. But I have strong legs and can lift just about everything," she said. "I still lifted the head of the stretcher as much as I could."
Despite having minimal issues among coworkers as one of few women firefighters, Stevens said the biggest gender-related issues she has experienced were while on calls.
"I got more flak from patients than I ever did from male firefighters," she said. "Like walking into a home and having someone say, 'Oh, you're not going to be able to lift me, Missy.' "
But the remarks never deterred her. In fact, Stevens said she thinks it works best when there's both a woman and a man on a call to meet the needs of different types of patients.
"We have a different compassion and I think that's great," she said. "Some people need a 'You're going to be okay' from a man; some need it from a woman."
Stevens said starting a family also was more difficult than she anticipated mostly due to working long hours. During the times her children were born, she said she worked 24-hour shifts.
The only time she's ever cried at work was when she had to leave each of her babies for the first time after maternity leave for a 24 hours, she said.
While Stevens may not have become a firefighter to change the climate for other women, her perseverance as a minority in the field, leader in the community and working mother likely has left its mark on the county.
"Our success and our failure starts in our own minds," she said. "Do you think you can? Then you can … I would tell women, too, don't rush things. Do the best you can do, right now."


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- since 1996 -
|NDT.net Issue - 2011-09 - NEWS
|NDT.net Issue: 2011-09
Publication: e-Journal of Nondestructive Testing (NDT) ISSN 1435-4934 (NDT.net Journal)
XCT-1000 ? Flexible, high resolution CT X-ray Inspection System for quality controlMatriX Technologies GmbH13, Dachau, Germany
MatriX Technologies expands its NDT product line with the XCT-1000, a compact and flexible configurable CT X-ray system
Feldkirchen, June 2011 - The new MatriX XCT-1000 system is especially designed for the manual CT analysis and offers highest possible flexibility for specific customer requirements. Depending on the customer application the system can be configured with different high resolution x-ray tubes ranging from 160kV to 225kV and with flat panel detectors with inspection areas up to 200mm x 200mm. The XCT-1000 is capable of performing the classical X-ray transmission inspection as well as the CT X-ray analyzing.
The industrial computer tomography guarantees complete, non-destructive analysis of objects with inner structures that are difficult or impossible to access. The compact, manual XCT-1000 system (floor space: 1500mmx850mm) is ideally suitable for the operation in a laboratory environment (product development) as well as for material analysis (void and crack detection) of small series in the production environment of castings made of light metal, plastic or ceramic. The XCT-1000 System is equipped with a highly precise 5 axes motion system. The checkable volume supported is 400mmx400mmx300mm. To avoid gravitation influences the systems x-ray beam path runs in horizontal direction and the rotary table does have a vertical rotary axis.
With its horizontal beam path and the rotary table with Z-axis motion, the XCT-1000 system meets all requirements to perform high quality CT techniques. Those are Fraunhofer Helix CT technique for artifact reduced high-performance CT and alternatively the Siemens Cera TXR (Theoretically eXact Reconstruction) technique for theoretically exact reconstruction providing reduced reconstruction times up to 50%. Both methods are optionally available in combination with the standard MIPS-CT setup and offer a significantly higher CT quality, free of Feldkamp artifacts.
For visualization of the volume data the approved Volume Graphics VGStudioMax2.1 Software is used. The 2D and 3D analysis tools available are e.g. manual measuring of voids, porosities and wall thickness in volume as well as in slice images. The Matrix proprietary MIPS_NDT Software is used for control of the XCT-1000 system. It can be optionally extended by the modules MIPS_NDT analyzer and MIPS_NDT inspect. MIPS_NDT analyzer is used to perform manual analysis and image processing in X-ray images and slices. MIPS_NDT inspect is a software for automatic defect analysis with good/bad classification of X-ray iamges and slices. It supports also automated inspection of production batches.
About MatriX Technologies:
Direct contact at MatriX Technologies:
Feedback: ()


text:
Perfect Pilot Cap In Organic Cotton
Standard Price:$14.00 Sale Price:$3.79
- Soft yet stretchy, light yet protective, this organic cotton cap is the year-round answer for babies in silky rib knit. Unique chin-tie design fits a variety of heads, and washes beautifully.
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Standard Price:$14.00 Sale Price:$3.79
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- Soft yet stretchy, light yet protective, this organic cotton cap is the year-round answer for babies in silky rib knit. Unique chin-tie design fits a variety of heads, and washes beautifully.
- Item # 51772-KA4-NB
- Organic cotton rib knit
- Super-smooth flatlock seams
- Handy chin ties
- STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® | 03.U.9375 - FI Hohenstein
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Most special elections for a single seat in the 435-seat House of Representatives are overhyped. Not so Tuesday's vote to fill the vacancy in Florida-13 – a tossup district in the swingiest region of the nation's biggest battleground state.
Both national parties have been closely involved in the race, which is neck-and-neck, and stand to learn lessons from the outcome.
Obamacare is effectively on the ballot. And if Democrat Alex Sink wins, her message – that the Affordable Care Act is worth defending but needs to be fixed – could show Democrats that Obamacare (and by extension, President Obama) isn't necessarily a dead-weight anchor around their necks in the November midterms. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who has also made the "defend it but fix it" argument about the ACA, could apply the same lesson if she runs for president in 2016.
For Republicans, a victory by nominee David Jolly would hold the seat for the GOP and show the party that its march to a bigger House majority and possible takeover of the Senate is on track. But if Mr. Jolly loses his bid to replace his long-serving former boss, the late Rep. Bill Young, who died in October, that could force Republicans to retool their message for the fall.
Even if Jolly ekes out a win, "Republicans are learning that they have to get beyond their slam-Obamacare-all-the-time strategy," says Ford O'Connell, chairman of the CivicForumPAC. "They have to convince voters they have a plan."
In fact, a victory by Jolly could lessen the urgency around fashioning a proactive message. So if he loses, the silver lining could be that it forces the party to develop a positive agenda, which boosts the GOP cause in November.
The Democrats need the victory more than the Republicans, analysts say, to show donors that Mr. Obama's unpopularity and the ACA haven't thrown the party completely off track. Democrats face a very steep climb to make the net gain of 17 seats to retake the House, but if they're going to have a shot – and keep majority control of the Senate – they need donors to pony up the resources.
The other key for Ms. Sink is women, who constitute 54 percent of the district's electorate.
"If she wins, I think it will be because of the women's vote," says Susan MacManus, a political scientist at the University of South Florida in Tampa. She predicts Sink will win by a hair, "but anything can happen."
A poll taken March 7-9 by the Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling showed Sink ahead, 48 percent to 45 percent, with Libertarian candidate Lucas Overby getting 6 percent. Among those who voted early, Sink led 52 percent to 45 percent.
Obama won the district narrowly in both of his presidential campaigns, even as the Republican Congressman Young was easily winning reelection.
Sink started the race with some advantages. She faced no primary challenger, and thus could husband her resources for the general election. Jolly, by contrast, had to spend money winning a contested primary. Sink also came in with wide name recognition, having served as Florida's chief financial officer and then the Democratic nominee for governor in 2010. She won Florida-13 in her gubernatorial race, which she lost to now-Gov. Rick Scott (R).
On the down side, Sink isn't a strong stump speaker and has made some awkward comments. She called a recent report by the Congressional Budget Office saying that the ACA would reduce the labor force "an exciting prospect." She also had to explain a recent statement on immigration reform, which she called critical for Florida, because it would keep employers from hiring undocumented workers to clean hotel rooms and do landscaping.
Sink has also had to fight charges she's a carpetbagger. She owns a home outside the district, in nearby Hillsborough County, and moved into Pinellas County, in the district, to run for the seat.
But Jolly, too, has fought "outsider" charges of his own. Though born and raised in the district, he worked as a lobbyist in Washington after leaving Young's office in 2007. "Washington lobbyist" isn't the most felicitous label for a first-time candidate.
Press headlines such as "National GOP turns on Florida candidate" also haven't helped. The Politico article describes unhappy Washington Republicans calling Jolly's campaign a "Keystone Cops operation, marked by inept fundraising, top advisers stationed hundreds of miles away … and the poor optics of a just-divorced, 41-year-old candidate accompanied on the campaign trail by a girlfriend 14 years his junior."
Jolly distanced himself from an ad paid for by the National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC) that took issue with Sink's use of a state plane to get to a vacation spot, back when she was Florida's chief financial officer. NRCC officials were not pleased by Jolly's comments to a Tampa Bay Times reporter.
In the end, the race will come down to turnout. Florida-13 skews older, and older voters tend to turn out. Democrats reportedly have a better turnout operation. But all the mud-slinging could discourage participation.
"The thing that's alienating people is the negativity of the ads," says Ms. MacManus.
Whoever wins Tuesday's race will serve only for the remainder of this Congress, and must run again in November to keep the seat.


text: Hey readers! So as you can tell I have two followers, not that I am unhappy with those two. However since this blog site doesn't offer traffic amounts, I encourage you all to become a follower. This will also help you to stay updated with my posts. Best wishes to all of you and your families.


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1st of September is Spring Day and the public pools will be open Yippee! The signs of spring are everywhere in the garden. Hope we have no unexpected cold fronts again.
The Gardens Buzzing
Can't believe spring is almost upon us.
1st of September is Spring Day and the public pools will be open Yippee! The signs of spring are everywhere in the garden. Hope we have no unexpected cold fronts again.
When I went out with my camera I had expected to take a few shots and that would be that but these little critters are so fast and they not exactly bursting with excitement over having their picture taken either. Really needed to practice my patience. I was very excited to see that this turned out and was so worth the time taken.
My New Kitty Collection
I think from my previous posts it has become obvious that I am crazy about all and any animal. The only creatures I am Not into are spiders - when I see them I become crazy with fear.
My latest addition is my collection of Kitty Cats and I absolutely love them. They're really photogenic and love the attention as cats do.
From Left to Right: Tommy, Tammy, Meera, Friskie, Smokey and Cleo.
Today I had some fun n the garden with my chickens...
Loving my photo shoots with them, feel like they should be totally famous and need some awesome names. Please leave any suggestions in the 'Comments' I look forward to reading all of your suggestions.
Then why are we the only ones out here?
Took my new friends out to the lawn for a photoshoot.
The late afternoon light was against me, but I was able to balance my camera on some pebbles and use my remote shutter release to capture the longer exposure time. I am happy with the results and even had a little fun telling a story with the little guy.
Circus Coffee Shop
Had an afternoon out at the local coffee shop and here are some photos from their beautiful gardens.
Birds in the Garden
I have really been enjoying my walks around the garden with all the signs of spring everywhere. Here are some birds I spotted enjoying the sun.
Young dove sunning itself
Dove sitting on her nest
Dove keeping watch at the top of a branch
Doves chilling together on a branch near the top of the pepper tree
Weaver busying constructing his nest
Spring is in the Air
The first signs of spring are here at last. So glad winter is over and the warmer weather is here. Took these photos in the garden during my daily walk around. Enjoy!
Enjoying the Warmer Weather
Our favourite time of the day - walkies and exploring everywhere. My babies love spending time with me enjoying the garden especially now that winter is coming to an end.
Diane Langenstrass
This is the place you will find me discussing photography, design, enjoying life and all I find interesting and inspiring.
January 2016


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Solano County Marijuana Distribution Lawyers
Distribution of Marijuana Defense Lawyers in Vallejo
In California, a person can be charged with distribution of marijuana if they knowingly transport, import, sell, furnish, administer, or give away any amount of marijuana. A person can also face marijuana distribution charges for offering to transport, import, sell, furnish, administer or give away any amount of marijuana. This means that a person can still be criminally prosecuted for the crime, even if he or she never actually carried out the offense. The penalties for distribution of marijuana depend on the quantity of marijuana involved.
Distributing more than 28.5 grams of marijuana is a misdemeanor offense, and is punishable by no more than a $100 fine. In addition, a person may face enhanced penalties for distributing marijuana in a school zone or near a playground, church, or some other religious establishment.
How Our Experienced Solano County Marijuana Defense Lawyers Can Help
If you have been charged with distribution of marijuana in Solano County or Napa County, it's in your best interest to speak with our Solano County distribution lawyers right away. In order to win their case the prosecution must have sufficient evidence that proves beyond a reasonable doubt that you're guilty of the offense. This means at some point law enforcement officials conducted an investigation. At Maas and Russo, we can make sure the police conducted themselves in a lawful manner during the investigation, and that they did not violate your constitutional rights or federal search and seizure laws.
If it is discovered that the evidence was obtained unlawfully, we will motion to have it dismissed or thrown out completely. As always, our number one priority at Maas and Russo is providing our clients with exceptional legal counsel, dedicated service, and aggressive representation throughout the criminal process. You can count on us to stand up for your rights, vigorously fight your charges, and work hard to negotiate for a reduction or complete dismissal of your charges.
Nothing is more important to us than protecting your rights and preserving your freedom! Contact our Solano County drug crime attorneys at Maas and Russo today.


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Many thanks to EEHLFA for this article
If you have any queries regarding your service charges and would like assistance please contact EEHLFA (EastEndHomes Leaseholders and Freeholders' Association).
The 2011 / 2012 final demand has a slightly different layout to last year, and we think makes some of the individual charges clearer. The changes are probably due to questions raised by leaseholders on last years demands.
The cost centres appear to be split into three categories –
- All of EEH estates – this includes cost for the Improvement Team and Buildings Insurance
- Local estate Charges
- Block Charges
It is likely that property owners will have different views on the best basis of calculation – if based on all of EEH estates you can see the total expenditure, and if on a local basis it should make it easier to examine work schedules and also judge if receiving value for money. Let us have your thoughts on which you think is best and also what information you are able to obtain from EEH.
Administration charge
One of the differences you will notice between the estimated charges and final charges for 2011 / 2012 is that the Administration Charge has been added to the Housing Management Charge in the final service charge breakdown but was not added in the estimated charges. In an LVT decision with Gordon House in July 2010, the LVT said that EEH could not add the
The administration charge has also been added to the Buildings Insurance cost, which it does not appear to have been in the previous year. With the average combined costs of these around £300 this adds circa £36 to the administration fee.
We think changes to the basis of calculations should be highlighted and an explanation provided – and would ask that EEH does this in future.
As to the individual headings –
Improvement Team
The accompanying notes say there are 3 permanent staff and previously this was included in the caretaking charge. With the description of the tasks being undertaken appearing to be within individual blocks some leaseholders have said that they would expect this to be allocated according to the time spent on the individual blocks, similar to block caretaking charges. Please let us have your thoughts on this.
Have you seen this team working on your block or estate?
Buildings Insurance
The accompanying notes say this is insured under one policy, however we would still expect costs to be calculated for each individual block taking account of that block's risk, rebuild costs and claims experience. Details of block sum assured and cost attributable to individual leaseholder's block should be available.
Drainage Charge
On the 1 October 2011, the ownership and maintenance for private sewers and lateral drains were transferred to the water and sewerage companies. In effect this means from the time the sewer goes into a shared drain – normally the lateral drain – it becomes the responsibility of the water and sewage companies and they will clear any blockages. As a result of this we would expect to see a significant reduction in drainage charges after the 1 October 2011.
The water companies did increase water and sewage rates for individual flat owners to cover the cost of this maintenance.
The drainage charge currently appears in estate charges – over the last few years there have been a couple of LVT hearings, one where it was decided that drainage charges should be treated as a block cost and one where it was decided that they should be an estate cost. In the hearing where it was ruled that drainage costs should be allocated as an estate costs it was said that it could be difficult to "clearly identify the source of a particular issue". As the water and sewage companies now take responsibility for clearing blockages in the lateral drains this is no longer the position. EEH have responsibility for clearing the common drains between the flats up to the lateral drains and therefore it is possible to identify where the problem arises and we would expect this cost to be allocated to block costs where there are chargeable drain costs.
If you have asked EEH for a breakdown of the drain costs, and have received these, and would like help in reviewing them please contact us.
As the notes say the handyperson undertakes minor repairs. Have you seen the handyperson carrying out repairs on your estate?
Housing Centre
Some leaseholders have asked why the percentage for this is different to the other estate charges. In the notes EEH say that freeholders and commercial units do not benefit from this service – this appears to be a change from previously, and also from the breakdown for the estimated service charges for 2012 / 2013.
You may consider asking EEH –
- Why the change – if freeholders and commercial units have always benefited from this, why is it felt that this has changed for 2011 /2012.
- For a full breakdown of the services that the Housing Centre has provided in 2011 / 2012 and how the costs have been calculated.
- We have already commented on the Administration Fee being charged on the Housing Centre charge and that this is contrary to what the LVT said in July 2010.
Development Contribution
We have been asked at what stage can leaseholders expect to receive the development contribution referred to in the service charge demand.
The accompanying notes say a contribution of £100 per property is to be paid towards estate services by EEH's development partner, and this will be payable whilst they are building and selling new properties on your estate.
Are new flats being built or sold on your estate?
Does your service charge include a payment in respect of a Development Contribution – if so how much?
From the accompanying notes can it be assumed that this is an ex gratia payment, or is it in respect of estate or other services being provided that are not mentioned?
At what stage of the build or completion process will these properties start paying service charges towards estate charges based on their square footage?
If you have new properties being built or sold on your estate you may wish to raise these questions with EEH.
We feel leaseholders for the new properties should be contributing to the estate and area charges based on their square footage from when the properties are owned by individual leaseholders – EEH leaseholders contribute on this basis. For service charges to be a "reasonable proportion" there needs to be consistency in the basis of calculation between all leaseholders on the estates, otherwise some leaseholders will be subsidising other leaseholders and it could be argued that the charges are not a "reasonable proportion".
Communal Energy
Do you have new properties being built near your block – Are the builders taking an electricity supply from the communal energy supply for their equipment and lighting – is this being metered?
If you have any concerns on this you should ask EEH for details of the breakdown of costs etc.
Now these have been separated leaseholders can assess what part of their service charges are being used for cleaning the communal areas inside their block (block charges) and the outside communal areas (estate charges) of the estate where their block is situated. We suggest you divide these costs by 52 weeks to give you the weekly costs, and then divide this figure by the number of days that the premises are cleaned. Are the resultant figures consistent with the amount of time you see staff cleaning your block and estate?
Administration Charge and Fuel Charges
Also in the LVT decision in July 2010 the LVT said that it considered it inappropriate to add 10% to the Heating Charges for management as this is not a service charge within the terms of the lease.
We have had feedback that some leaseholders are confused re the Fuel Charge and Administration Charge. Some leaseholders have reported that this charge has not been added to the fuel charge. We have also been advised by leaseholders that a charge has been included for Communal Heating R & M (with an admin charge added) – and their block does not have any communal heating.
It is worth checking your service charges to see if an Admin Charge has been added, and if it has, also check your lease to see if it is correct under the terms of the lease.
We are talking to other leaseholders and will provide further feedback as we obtain further information.
For the other headings we would suggest you consider the costs of these and if you think you are receiving value for money – if you have any doubts ask EEH for a breakdown of the costs.
EEHLFA believe the content of this article to be accurate, but if you notice anything you believe to be incorrect please contact them and they will be happy to discuss and correct if an error has been made.


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Once one is on the downslope of August -- as we all are by this point -- one has to face facts that our beach-close get-together will be winding down soon.
That's not exactly true; the SoCal beaches stay visitable all year long, save those blustery February days. But the major summertime festivals? Yep, there's a reason "summertime" is in their very definition.
One of the last of the biggies, before the September lobster events begin to take over our piers and boardwalks, is the Redondo Pier Chalk Festival. It's slated for Saturday, Aug. 18, and, like all good chalk festivals, it is free to see.
Plus? If you register early, and you're one of the first 150 people to do so, you'll score some free chalk. So, what will you draw? A beach scene? A gull? Could you draw the chalk festival itself, where dozens of people are gathered near a beach, on the sidewalk, drawing? Perhaps that is a bit meta.
Hours are noon to 4 p.m.
And now we fear we've bummed you out about summer winding away. It has gone quite yet, despite all the back-to-school-ing and temperatures finally inching down; the Twilight Concert Series at Santa Monica Pier is on through Thursday, Sept. 6. And, as mentioned, the lobster parties truck into San Pedro and Long Beach in mid-September-ish, with the Redondo party wrapping things up over the Sept. 21-23 weekend. That'll be just north of the pier, at Seaside Lagoon.
Follow NBCLA for the latest LA news, events and entertainment: iPhone/iPad App | Facebook; | Twitter; | Google+; | Instagram; | RSS; | Text Alerts | Email Alerts


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With the modern cloud the focus shifts back on the functional requirements of applications. We design and implement cloud solutions which leverage the full potential of the cloud.
Modern clouds come with a broad offering ranging from infrastructure as a service to AI as a service.
Our customers not only migrate their on-premise workloads to the cloud, for instance their collaboration platform, but they particularly use the cloud to host scalable business applications. Additionally, artificial intelligence among other cloud offerings enable the engineering of applications which previously seemed to be too complex or expensive. Most cloud providers also offer cloud-based collaboration which facilitates internal and external collaboration while offering a data and threat protection in the background.
We consult our customers building up their hybrid and cloud-based architectures. Our consultants support the migration process of entire platforms, such as intranet portals, document management systems or search infrastructures. These infrastructures allow us to implement scalable applications.
By utilizing artificial intelligence frameworks, we build intelligent bot-based applications for the intranet and internet. Our staged approach reduces project risk and boosts user acceptance. Moreover, our connector products are designed to fuel bots by keeping them synchronized with the underlying knowledge bases.
- Bots
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- Machine Learning
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Fascinating All Ceramics by Oliver Brix
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In 11 chapters and 1200 images, of the highest quality and resolution, featuring special 3d printing, the author describes in minute details how to use lithium disilicate by presenting clinical cases that he has worked on in co-operation with other world renown clinicians.
This book is for dental technicians.
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Instead of going out to find another job, it makes a lot more sense to establish yourself with work at home. It can be hard as the owner of a new small business, but you can be profitable and communicate with other through MLM. In this article, you can learn information that you can use to assist you as you strive towards MLM success.
In multi-level marketing, it is easy to get pulled into the numbers game and focus on the quantity of prospects when in truth your success depends on the quality of your leads. In order to earn a profit, you must have dedicated hard-working people in your network that are actively developing their own set of business contacts.
The best way to improve your approach is by learning from past mistakes. When you have setbacks, do your best to understand why. Understanding your mistakes can help you to avoid making them again in the future, and helps you narrow your focus on what does work.
Building a website is a great idea for network marketing, but even using social networking sites is a start. Even a good blog can generate enough interest. In addition, make sure you are taking full advantage of the exposure you can get from the various social media options to enhance your network. The larger your cyber presence, the easier it will be to grow your network. It helps to have an active and well-designed blog as well.
Make a board that contains all of your goals to focus on in multilevel marketing. What is it you hope to get out of your business? Is it a yacht, fast car or mansion, or something else?
Encourage your networking contacts to dominate the conversation. If you get as much knowledge about them as you can by using social media and other forms of contact, you will be better poised to promote your products. You will uncover their needs, desires and aspirations, and you can create the atmosphere in your advertising accordingly.
Strive to re-create the success that you see around you. Analyze what people in your upline, and the best performers in your organization have been doing. Model their success and start to cultivate a similar approach and attitude to success. If you can replicate their success, you will see success also. We shouldn't just learn from the mistakes we make. We should also learn from other people's successes.
If you do not have the time, have another company perform your network marketing. You may not possess the knowledge, manpower or other resources needed to get the most out of multilevel marketing. Outsourcing the more trivial aspects of your business will allow more time to handle the most important issues, which speeds up the advertising.
MLM can help large corporations get their audience via your network as a home business owner. You should have an easier time getting into MLM and making it work for you if you make use of the advice this article has given you.


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The story of India's Civilisation is also the story of her Cuisine & Cooking. In Maharashtra people are very fond of their authentic cuisines. In Morya we care for these values and want to carry forward this tradition and taste of the authentic Maharashtrian food.
"Maharashtrian food offers something for everyone" Some authentic food recipes are time consuming in preparation and difficult to maintain their taste, but at the same time they are high in nutritional values and extremely delicious. In today's hectic lifestyle it has become very difficult to enjoy these authentic recipes very often.
"Morya Minerals & Foods Pvt. Ltd." is giving an opportunity to enjoy the treasure of these authentic Maharashtrian foods easily, in the form of frozen foods. Morya Food products are prepared in an extremely hygienic environment by using rich natural grains, spices and other raw materials. The products maintain it's rich authentic taste.
The products are unique and easy to cook because of less preservatives it will give you a homemade feel.We are planning to spread the unique taste of these foods in the Global Market.
I Believe " Eating is a Necessity But, Cooking is an Art ".


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I've really enjoyed this challenge and can't believe I got thirty mini stories done! A great idea and well done to all at Word Bohemia for making it a success. Here's today's prompt.
They call it the Queen's Heart, or in Irish, Croí an Banríon na Sidhe. It's been on the edge of town for a hundred years. The old people would never move it, or let their cattle touch it. It was her heart, you know, and that was a thing even more cursed than their dwelling place.
My granny told me the story, when I was doing a project in national school. The queen was a vicious, angry woman, with one weakness. She loved a musical man. And when she saw one from afar, she tracked him down.
This young man, dark, handsome, gifted at a variety of instruments, seemed to be an exceptional person. Unlike myself, but we'll get to that. The fairy queen tried every trick in her arsenal to entrap him with her, under the ground, have him play music day and night. But nothing worked.
He carried iron in his pocket. If she tried to get him lost in the fields on the way home at night, he turned out his jacket with barely a shrug and walked on. Though not especially religious, he'd sprinkle holy water on whatever path he walked.
And then the musical man met a woman he wanted. Another exceptional person. They found themselves tormented and blasted by the fairy queen wherever they turned. Mary Anne, the musician's new belle, copied her fiancé's strategies, but the queen was persistent.
"It's no good, Michael," she said. "We'll have to leave this place." It was the day before their wedding, and that morning Mary Anne had found herself under attack from the clothes she'd been trying to hang out on the washing line. Another one of the fairy queen's tricks. Mary Anne had stayed calm and recited a decade of the Rosary, and a pair of her grandfather's longjohns eventually loosened its grip around her neck.
"How about America?" Michael had been playing in Ennis and Mallow and everywhere that could be reached on horseback in under three days. "I know it's far, but we have a bit of money, and she'll hardly follow us."
Mary Anne thought about it. She loved sunshine and wonderful fabrics, both of which were in short supply in Ireland at the time. About thirty seconds later, while spotting a will'o'the wisp circling her husband-to-be's head, she grabbed his hand and said, "Let's go, my darling."
The paranormal activity ratcheted up in the weeks before their departure. Mary Anne's sister had winked on her wedding day and whispered that she could expect very little sleep from now on, but the new bride knew that this was hardly what she meant. The fairy queen never let up. Never slept, never rested. Michael and Mary Anne were exhausted, and they both knew that this made them vulnerable.
She would try and attack their coach, the day they left for America. So Mary Anne decided. She would never tolerate this kind of harassment from a real woman, so why would she take it from something that didn't even have flesh and bones?
She got their coach to stop on the way to the train station, in a field belonging to Michael's uncle. It was the field where they said the fairies lived, and it was just outside the station.
"I want to talk to you," she shouted in the air.
The coach driver glanced curiously at her, and muttered something about being late for the train.
"Won't be five minutes," she nodded to him.
And she appeared. No creature had ever been so beautiful, no woman so attractive. Blonde, etheral, wearing half-nothing. You know, the usual.
"Oh, it's the pipsqueak," the fairy queen said, flicking a ball of fire waspishly at Mary Anne.
"Yes," Mary Anne said, dodging the missile without a backwards glance. "I'm hardly worthy to talk to you, I know. Please, forgive me."
The fairy queen glanced at her nails. "I'm bored already. What do you want?"
"It's not what I want," she said, bowing her head humbly. "It's what you want. And what my husband wants."
"Well, now, it's about time!" the queen said. "Bring him to me."
"Go to him yourself," Mary Anne said, beginning to sob. "He's in the carriage."
The queen rushed over to the coach, her feet not even touching the ground. Michael was as quick-witted as his wife, and jumped from the coach just in time, pulling the driver with him. Despite not even touching her skin, the iron-wrought wheels burned the queen, and the pair slammed the door on their foe and raced, with the coachman puffing behind, to the station and the waiting train.
Now trains and ships and factories and cars are the great enemies of fairies, and once Michael got on the train, the fairy queen knew she couldn't touch him.
"… And you could try for a hundred years to kill a fairy," my grandmother said. "And you'd fail. But between the iron burning her body and her annoyance, and, it has to be said, her heartbreak at losing Michael, the queen's heart swelled up and up and up and blew the carriage to kingdom come. All that was left of Madam was that stone formation. Her heart.
"Now she's not dead. They're never really dead. And if a young man touches those stones, she'll come back, and take him for her husband."
Did I listen? Of course not. Would you believe that nonsense?
So one night- don't ask me how long ago- I was coming home with the rest of the lads in the band, guitar a reassuring weight against my leg. We couldn't get a taxi. Mikey sighed and told us he was on the other side of the county and we could wait if we liked. But it was a bitterly cold October night, where the wind was still and the moon huge, and winter was giving us a live action preview. So we walked through the fields from town.
"Hey, here's the Queen's Heart," Alan said, a grin on his face. "Oooooh!"
"That rubbish," Sean snorted. "Everyone knows that Paddy Carroll puts them there himself for the tourists."
"Ah, yeah," I said, suddenly feeling uneasy, "But they were real people, though, Michael and Mary Anne?"
"Yeah, they were my granny's cousins," Sean said. "But they went to America and got old and died. You can't believe that shite!"
"Of course I don't," I said.
"You do!"
"I don't!"
"Ah lad," said Alan, "This is too funny. Wait til I tell Laura she's got a mystic on her hands!"
"I don't fucking believe in it!" The mention of Laura, the girl I'd been texting, infuriated me for some reason. I know better now, of course. Another trick. "I'll prove it!"
I raced towards the heart and touched the stone nearest to me. The bottom of the Queen's Heart.
Nothing happened.
Feeling bolder, I picked it up and held its cool solid weight in my hands. For a second I thought of throwing it at them.
And then she appeared. She looked like Laura, too, if Laura was perfect. I really liked Laura, but the Queen looked like her if she never got a spot, or tired, or sick. She looked like Laura would, if Laura was immortal and magic.
Another trick. Something that's a thousand years old really does look like it first thing in the morning.
"Ahhhhhhhh," the Queen said, and smiled. "Yes. You'll do."
She lent forward and kissed me and I became entangled in her arms, the scent of lilies and Laura's perfume and everything sensual.
And here I am. In a draughty, miserable castle. Playing guitar every day, trying not to vomit in the queen's four-poster every night. I don't know how long I've been here, but I really hope some of Mary Anne's spirit lives on in Laura.


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My life has been woven by the theme of the unconventional. From my parents' origins to the way I saw the ordinary things of the world, I knew that I might never quite fit in anywhere.
Growing up in the outskirts of the largest city in South America, I found refuge amongst the trees, plants, and animals of the Atlantic Rainforest. It was a privilege to be able to wake up hearing the birds and monkeys in the mornings and fall asleep to the sounds of the frogs. My parents' deep love and respect for nature effortlessly ingrained in me. I felt at home when I was outside. I instinctively knew that I was a part of something larger than myself. Through those early experiences, I began to understand that nature is—as Leopold so insightfully put it—"a community to which we belong." I began to understand that every one of us—every species of plants, species of animals, soil, water, and air—are all intrinsic and interdependent parts of this complex world we live in.
Growing up with that intimate connection with the natural world, I had trouble understanding the mainstream "progress" minded, dissecting, segregationist, and utilitarian relationship our society has with nature. A relationship that ultimately led to the pollution, destruction, impoverishment, and injustice I could so easily see from the top of the Great Rock that overlooked the cancerous, gray, smog-filled São Paulo from the no-longer-so-pristine Atlantic Rainforest I once called home. Our world today is filled with case studies of injustice to our land and to all of the living beings on it.
Our relationship with the Earth ultimately reflects our relationship with ourselves. I believe that all of our needs are intertwined and interdependent. There is no separation. We must care for our world and each other, as the family we truly are.
I believe in the power we all have to work together to create a more harmonious Earth community. A community that thrives on the understanding of our interdependence with each other, on the principles of sustainability, and on the acceptance and embracement of diversity.
Working at the Environmental Center
My experiences at the Environmental Center have helped me better articulate my beliefs and values by providing me with opportunities to both share ideas with and present ideas to a diverse range of audiences in a varied range of contexts. From working on projects to educate the community about environmental issues to leading a group of students on projects to solve a local problem, I have been encouraged and empowered to learn to clearly communicate myself.


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Ode to a bygone era
Pro basketball a casualty of profit-driven modernity
Recommended Video:
Thirty years ago, Monday night was the unforgettable moment of my sportswriting career.
No, not the Sonics' NBA championship. That was merely the setup.
The moment: Dancing with Lonnie Shelton. At his 280-pound insistence.
Top that, "Dancing with the Stars."
A few hours earlier, the Sonics defeated the Washington Bullets at suburban Capital Centre in Landover, Md., to win the title series 4-1.
As Seattle erupted in spontaneous street parties, the Sonics retreated to their Washington, D.C., hotel to spend all night whooping on themselves and the furniture the way they had whooped on Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld.
Alcohol may have been involved. In the party, not the game.
That would have been the main reason the players, coaches, management and staff allowed in some of the media crew covering the series. We were from Seattle. That was the password into the impromptu hotel hothouse.
Shelton was the formidable forward. I was the young sportswriter. He was the ultra-cool black dude, I was the ultra-dorky white guy. As were many in the room, Shelton was dancing randomly and exuberantly to chest-pounding disco. I was standing against the wall, bobbing my head, almost in rhythm.
Shelton looked over and saw me, worked up his trademark one-sided grin. We'd become acquainted through the season, and were reasonably friendly. Still, I was a sportswriter.
The intoxication of the moment and the barley apparently overwhelmed him. From five feet away, he motioned to me, signaled to bend at the knees, lower my butt and start to move. Even though we were both 6-foot-8, I suddenly felt three inches tall. I froze.
His grin disappeared. For a dreadful moment, he looked at me like he used to look at an old rival, Portland's Maurice Lucas, from whom he regularly removed a variety of organs, drawing only the occasional off-the-ball foul.
Seeing no manly way out, I recalled a show-biz bromide. I looked down and said, "Feet, do your stuff."
I started to move. Awkwardly, gracelessly, I danced. Complete with white-man's overbite. I was into the evening.
I looked up. Shelton had stopped dancing and was half-bent over, laughing. Hardly ashamed, I was pleased - apparently I would leave the room with the same number of kidneys I brought with me.
Shelton draped a wagon-tongue arm over my shoulder.
"Man," he said, grinning, "you all right."
I all right? I all right!
"Thanks, Lonnie," I said, searching for words for my first man-dance. "Uh . . . you come here often?"
Shelton threw his head back and roared, slapped me on the shoulder and turned back into the throbbing swarm.
Never found out whether it was as good for him as it was for me.
The rest of the night has become a blur. I remember stumbling to my room just in time to pack and head for the airport. Then it was into the whirlwind.
The championship, the parties, the downtown parade that drew a quarter-million fans, the writing of seemingly dozens of stories eagerly snatched up by pre-Internet readers (yes, kids, there was a time ...) and perhaps most of all, the engagement with popular, compelling players led by a local icon, Lenny Wilkens - it was all dazzling. Following on the previous year's feat of reaching the title series against the Bullets, the Sonics seemed to be establishing a tradition of excellence.
Years later, reflecting on his first two NBA seasons in Seattle, center Jack Sikma said, "That's the way we thought it would always be."
As we were to find out, regarding not only pro basketball but just about everything in life: no.
The newspaper I worked for then, the Daily Journal-American of Bellevue, is no longer.
The newspaper I moved to shortly after the NBA Finals, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, is no longer.
The Sonics never won another title, made only one more title-series appearance and are no longer.
And the NBA game that the Sonics so splendidly expressed in those two seasons, is no longer.
A form of the pro hoops championship will again be available starting this week between the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic. Individual players on each side will be remarkable, and the outcomes and series may be close, but the game itself will be a shadow.
That may well be at the heart of why the Sonics are no longer.
During the Sonics' final two brutal years that culminated in their departure to Oklahoma City, much blame was dished, rightly so, on the public and private sectors that failed their stewardship. Howard Schultz and his ownership partners did not do enough, and Mayor Greg Nickels and his administration did not do enough.
But after a year of reflection, their inadequate efforts were representative of a larger community that cared less and less about the pro game. Whether the privates and publics ever say so, they reached a similar conclusion - Seattle wasn't that into the NBA anymore.
For good reason.
Starting with the 1999 labor lockout that failed in its objective to control labor costs, coupled with the Schultz campaign begun in 2002 that said the seven-year-old KeyArena was already economically obsolete, basketball's miserable finances were staining the experience as rapidly as the devolving game.
Some might suggest this a back-in-the-day rant about the superiority of a bygone era, but I will contend that the today's MLB and NFL games are qualitatively more compelling, sophisticated and entertaining than their predecessors. The NBA is not.
Any longtime hoops fan who watched in the playoffs the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team that won 66 regular-season games, knows that team is no match for many playoff teams from 15 and even 25 years ago. I would pay large coin to see the 1979 Sonics lock up either of this year's Lakers and Magic. The overstretched NBA has yet to top the splendid team play of the mid-'80s Celtics and Lakers, nor have we seen the equal of the Bulls' Jordan-Pippen brilliance of the mid-'90s.
NBA play often withers into one-on-one isolations supplemented by dumps into the post and kick-outs beyond the arc. Spectacle has replaced strategy, which helps account for the high TV ratings of this year's playoffs amid declining attendance and financial peril for the league's bottom half.
The game still has its moments and its players, but the excellence and personal connection that sustained December Tuesdays in Milwaukee and January Wednesdays in Seattle has largely vanished, thanks mostly to the infection of money that has compromised this sport more than any other.
More and more fans didn't want to pay more and more money for less and less of the basketball and its people with which they once were enthralled.
Seattle chose to dance alone.
For too many, it all right.
For too few, it too damn bad.


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A Gulf Coast Getaway Like Never Before.
Wonders never cease just off the Choctawhatchee Bay in South Walton Country, Florida. At Live Oak Landing, you'll find diverse, world-class fishing, oak-studded trails, picture-perfect views, easy access and luxury conveniences.
Family Reunions
S'mores, swimming and the stars above—make unforgettable memories here with friends and family.
Celebrate your special day at a special place. Sun, surf, and views make for an amazing venue.


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Thursday, August 4, 2011
Do You Really Need an EVF on Your DSLR?
The DSLR Film Noob asks a very good question this time out. Are Electronic Viewfinders really necessary? Deejay has a good argument about why you don't really need one and how your camera already provides you with magnified picture information. It's easy to get caught up in the latest gear, but sometimes you can get by without it and save or spend your money elsewhere.
2 comments:
- GodMedia said...
Great thoughts, but I think DJ misses the point in a very significant way. EVF is the acronym for Electronic View Finder. This refers to a small "monitor-like" device that allows you to see what you would normally see on your camera's view screen (as in the "Live Mode" view) remotely. These are typically much smaller than an external monitor and are designed to mimic the function of the regular optical viewfinder of the camera.
There has been much discussion on other sites (like CheesyCam) about the possibilities for these devices. Of particular interest is how they may allow for a greater flexibility in camera placement and unique shooting angles as the position of the camera is no longer limited by the need to place the camera where an operator can also still look at the built-in view screen or finder.
What DJ is discussing are what are commonly known as lens loupes. While certainly not useful on their own for assisting with critical focusing, they are extremely useful for far-sighted individuals like myself in helping us see the tiny screen better as we make our adjustments. They also serve as a sort of makeshift EVF that is much easier to see when using a DSLR on certain kinds of shoulder rigs, mimicking the EVF found on higher-end dedicated video cameras. I am very fond of my HoodMan HoodLoupe using it whenever I shoot video with my T2i.
- August 4, 2011 at 10:40:00 AM PDT
- budwzr said...
Yes, the HoodEye is probably a better value at around $50 complete, and has more functionality.
- September 10, 2011 at 9:40:00 AM PDT