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I spent yesterday morning wandering along Boulder's creek path. Benches here and there gave me a place to pause and make notes about upcoming projects. Walking and writing seem to help me access insights and ideas more easily.
I'm not alone in relishing time in nature to keep me creatively fueled. Many of my clients report that nature helps them feel more calm, relaxed and connected to the bigger picture. Nature is abundant with inspiration, and I love these three ways to treat my artist to nature's gifts: Forest Bathing, Long View and Water Inspiration.
Forest Bathing
The Japanese have a concept called 'Shinrin-yoku' or Forest Bathing. The idea is that contemplative walks in the forest reduces stress, anxiety and anger. Inhaling the natural oils of the trees can help us relax, allowing clarity and creativity to emerge. I personally love the cozy feeling of being in a forest, where the trees shield me from the sun and inspire me with their elegance.
Long View
When I ask my clients what they get from being in nature, many of them refer to a sense of connection, peace and restfulness. Gazing at the horizon, scanning the night sky, viewing mountains or the ocean can bring us a sense of feeling part of something bigger than ourselves. Oddly, this doesn't diminish us but instead can give us a sense of peace and connectedness.
This kind of space inspires us to take the long view on our projects. Stepping away from minutuae and looking out and up can help connect the dots.
Water inspiration
Many people report insights and ideas arrive in the shower or bathtub. Studies about negative ions in water show that the abundance of negative ions found in running water contribute to positivity and creativity.
I don't need a study to know that being near water helps me feel more relaxed, calm and joyful. I grew up swimming and skiing on a lake in Michigan, so water feels like my natural element.
There are many ways to spend time in nature. From plants and flowers in the home to visits to a local park to escapes to remote locations, time in nature fuels us.
Which of these three gifts from nature do you prefer? Perhaps you have another favorite way to bring Mother Nature into contact with your inner artist? Let us know in a comment below.
I'm grateful that I get to take weekend hikes here in Colorado. I'm also grateful that I get to teach in other beautiful locations. In May, we're going to the stunning Banff National Forest in Lake Louise, Canada.
We'll spend four days together at the Fairmont Chateau, where I will lead my Capture the Wow workshop. There will be the perfect blend of group time and solo time, when you can wander around the gorgeous glacial lake, hike in the forest, or simply rest on the terrace absorbing the view.
Join us to embrace nature's gifts for our inner artists at the Capture the Wow retreat at Chateau Lake Louise in Canada.


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Scotlands Gaelic West Coast - 11 day tour
Scotland's Gaelic West Coast
11 day / 10 night
The idyllic Western Isles lie off the West Coast of Scotland and feature dazzlingly white beaches, loch-dotted landscapes, pre-historic sites and an amazing array of wildlife. While the Hebridean isles are the focus of this tour you'll also have time to discover Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness; visit stately castles; explore battlefield sites and enjoy a ride on the scenic West Highland Railway. This tour really has something for everyone!
Price range: £2,645 - £3,605
Inveraray - visit fairy tale Inveraray Castle, the ancestral home of Clan Campbell
West Highland Railway - all aboard for a scenic journey on one of the World's great rail lines
Isle of Barra - admire the white sandy beaches and enjoy free-time in the charming village of Castlebay
Isle of Lewis - experience a full day tour visiting the pre-historic sites of Dun Carloway Broch and the Callanish Standing Stones
Edinburgh - discover the elegant Georgian "New Town" and travel along the Royal Mile to visit Edinburgh Castle
Movie locations - Harry Potter, Whisky Galore and Downton Abbey
Hotel accommodation included
Full Tour Itinerary
Select Day:
Day 1 - Welcome to Scotland & Glasgow City Tour
Our tour begins at 2:00 p.m. from your hotel. Make the short drive into the centre of Glasgow, Scotland's largest city to see the impressive Victorian architecture of the city centre. Travel along the banks of the River Clyde, famous for its shipbuilding heritage then head to the vibrant West End to view Glasgow University and sprawling Kelvingrove Park. Later tour to the ancient Cathedral Quarter to see medieval Glasgow Cathedral and visit the oldest house in the city, Provand's Lordship, built in 1471.
In the evening join your group for a welcome drink before enjoying dinner at your hotel.
Overnight: Doubletree by Hilton Glasgow Westerwood Spa and Golf Resort, Glasgow (Cumbernauld) (or similar)
Day 2 - Glasgow - Inveraray - Oban
Drive along the famous banks of Loch Lomond, enjoying amazing panoramas at every turn. Climb through Glen Croe to reach the "Rest and be Thankful" viewpoint then make for Inveraray Castle, the ancestral home of the Dukes of Argyll - Chief of the Clan Campbell. Tour the magnificent castle interior to view the armoury, many historic relics, and its famed portrait collection. There is free time in the attractive town of Inveraray to explore and to enjoy lunch.
Later make for the bustling seaside town of Oban which sits by a beautiful bay. Learn the traditions of whisky distilling during a tour of Oban Distillery. After the tour enjoy a wee dram before heading for your hotel.
Overnight: Muthu Alexandra Hotel, Oban (or similar)
Day 3 - Oban - West Highland Railway - Benbecula
Head northwards through Benderloch and Appin to reach picturesque Loch Linnhe. At Fort William board a train for the scenic journey along the spectacular West Highland Railway Line. Along the way see Ben Nevis, Britain's tallest mountain and journey across the Glenfinnan Viaduct, famous for its appearance in the Harry Potter movies. Look out for the evocative Glenfinnan Monument built in tribute to Jacobite clansmen. Journey's end is the fishing port of Mallaig where there is free time to explore before joining the ferry for the crossing to Lochboisdale on South Uist. On arrival travel to your hotel on the Isle of Benbecula. Enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Overnight: Dark Island Hotel, Isle of Benbecula (2 nights) (or similar)
Day 4 - Isle Of Barra Excursion
Tour through picturesque South Uist and board the ferry to Ardmhòr on Barra to admire the stunning golden sand beaches. Stop in Castlebay, the main community of this little island, to explore and admire the views of Kisimul Castle sitting on its island in the bay. Later continue on to Vatersay, an island just south of Castlebay. After a short tour, take the return ferry to Eriskay. Enjoy a drink with your group at The Politician Bar, named after the infamous shipwreck that inspired "Whisky Galore", before returning to your hotel.
Day 5 - Isle of Benbecula - Harris - Stornoway (Isle of Lewis)
Tour the island of North Uist, a magnificent landscape of miles of sandy beaches dotted with fresh and saltwater lochs. Visit the Hebridean Smokehouse famed for its tasty smoked seafood that is shipped to connoisseurs throughout Europe. After your tour of this modern facility enjoy a taste of the finished product. Stop for tea at the Claddach Kirkibost Centre, a key community centre and favourite spot for visitors to the island, before heading to see work of local artists at Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum of Arts. Continue north to Berneray and board the ferry to Leverburgh on Harris. Travel on to Stornoway, the largest town in the Outer Hebrides.
Overnight: Caberfeidh Hotel, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis (3 nights) (or similar)
Day 6 - Exploring the Isle of Harris
Today we explore the neighbouring island of Harris. Travel through the wild Harris Hills to visit Horgabost and Luskentyre beaches where there is a chance to take a stroll across the pristine white sands. Later head to Tarbert, the main village on the island. Visit the popular Isle of Harris Distillery to witness the distilling operation and enjoy a sample.
Harris is famed for the production of Tweed so there is an opportunity to visit a weaver to see the fabric being woven in the traditional way - a truly fascinating process. On return to Stornoway have a short orientation tour before returning to your hotel for dinner.
Day 7 - Exploring the Isle of Lewis
Today explore the rugged island of Lewis. At Bosta Beach see the Iron Age House, a reconstructed Iron-Age dwelling. A short drive away, overlooking Loch an Duin, visit Dun Carloway Broch, which is thought to be an ancient stronghold dating from around 200 BC.
Continue time- travelling with a stop to admire the ancient Callanish Standing Stones, which date from 2000 BC then discover how life was lived on these islands, not that long ago, with a visit to the fascinating Gearannan Blackhouse Village. This former community of traditional turf-roofed houses has been converted into a museum and visitor centre. Return to Stornoway for a free evening to dine and explore on your own.
Day 8 - Stornoway - Ullapool - Inverness
Enjoy a panoramic drive and short walking tour around Stornoway then there's time to explore this busy town on your own. Head to the port to watch the landings from the resident fishing boat fleet or visit An Lanntair, a flourishing arts and exhibition centre which celebrates the Gaelic language and culture. Lews Castle features an interactive museum including the 900-year-old Lewis Chessmen. Or learn more about the history and traditions of Harris Tweed at the Lewis Loom Centre. Here you can see demonstrations of spinning wheels, the hand loom, and, browse the craft gift shop for a unique souvenir of your island travels. In the afternoon board the ferry bound for Ullapool on the mainland. On arrival tour to Inverness for dinner then join a local guide for a walking tour around the city centre.
Overnight: Glen Mhor Hotel, Inverness (or similar)
Day 9 - Inverness - Scone Palace - Edinburgh
On the outskirts of Inverness visit Culloden Battlefield to tour the Visitor Centre. It was here on 16 April, 1746, British Government forces defeated the army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie). The outcome of this bloody battle changed Highland life forever.
Tour through the majestic beauty of the Cairngorms National Park and across the Grampian Mountains to reach Highland Perthshire. Visit Scone Palace and admire the fine collections of antiques before travelling through the Kingdom of Fife to reach Edinburgh. Enjoy an evening of dinner and traditional Scottish song and dance.
On 31 July; 14 and 21 August departures enjoy the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at the Castle esplanade. On these dates attendance at the Scottish evening will take place on Day Ten.
Overnight: Hotel Indigo Edinburgh, Edinburgh (or similar) (2 nights)
Day 10 - Edinburgh City tour and Edinburgh Castle
Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Edinburgh, comparing the wide streets and elegant mansions of the Georgian 200-year-old "New Town" with the ancient closes and medieval buildings along the Royal Mile, the oldest part of the city. Visit Edinburgh Castle to see the spectacular Scottish Crown Jewels and enjoy the amazing views of Edinburgh from the battlements. The rest of the day is free to discover Edinburgh on your own.
Day 11 - Tour Ends
Your tour ends after breakfast. Airport transfers are available, terms and conditions apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on this Premium Escorted Tour?
If you enjoy the art of travelling in comfort and style then a Premium Escorted Tour is for you. You'll travel in a group that is restricted to around 40 fellow travellers. Travel is aboard a state of the art motorcoach with air-conditioning, on-board WiFi, reclining seats and oversized windows. For your comfort there is an emergency washroom on-board too. An experienced tour manager will lead the tour and your coach will be expertly driven by a professional driver. In certain cities you'll be joined by a local guide who will provide local insight and show you the highlights. These tours are fully inclusive of first class/superior class accommodation, transportation, admission fees and most meals. Savvy travellers appreciate that these tours have no hidden extras – all the ingredients needed for a great tour are included in the tour price. There are no optional extras for you to budget for during your holiday.
What type of room should I choose?
There are different bedrooms types to choose from, here is what you can expect: Single room - one person sleeping in a single bed. Twin room - two people sleeping in two separate beds. Double room - two people sharing one large bed. Family room - three people sharing a room sleeping in one large bed (2 people) and one single bed (1 person). Please note that a family room can be a standard double room with either a sofa bed or a rollaway bed.
Will I hear Gaelic being spoken?
The Outer Hebrides is the heartland of Gaelic culture and the majority of islanders will speak the Gaelic language, as well as English. Of course there is no need to learn Gaelic to enjoy your time in the Outer Hebrides but if you would like to learn a few words why not try:Hello. Halò. Goodbye. Mar sin leibh. My name is... Is mise...How are you? Ciamar a tha sibh? I'm fine thank you. Tha gu math tapadh leibh. Excuse me... Gabh mo leisgeul... Cheers! Slàinte!
Tell me more about Inveraray Castle?
Romantic Inveraray Castle Gardens sits on the shores of Loch Fyne and is one of Scotland's finest stately homes. The ruggedness of the highland scenery serves as a spectacular backdrop for the sheltered tidal Loch, beside which nestles the present Castle built between 1745 and 1790.The ancestral seat of the Dukes of Argyll, Chiefs of the Clan Campbell whose family have resided in Inveraray since the early 15th century. Visitors enter the famous Armoury Hall containing some 1300 pieces including Brown Bess muskets, Lochaber axes and 18th century Scottish broadswords. They can also view preserved swords from the Battle of Culloden. The fine State Dining Room and Tapestry Drawing Room contain magnificent French tapestries which were woven especially for the Castle, fabulous examples of Scottish, English and French furniture and countless other precious artworks. The castle's priceless collection of china, silver and family heirlooms spans generations which are illustrated by the fascinating genealogical display in the Clan Room. Fans of Downton Abbey will recall that Inveraray had a starring role during a two-hour special where the Grantham family and staff travelled north to the home of their cousins, the Marquess and Marchioness of Flintshire in their mythical Scottish home, 'Duneagle Castle'. Inveraray Castle is open to the public between April and October.
Tell me what the visit to a whisky distillery will be like?
A visit to a traditional whisky distillery is a feast for all the senses. After a warm welcome you'll normally have a short audio/visual presentation on the the history of the distillery and the traditional methods used in the distilling process. Next is a tour of the distillery where you you will experience all stages of the whisky making process from mashing and fermenting to distilling and maturation. Your tour will end with a tutored tasting of a malt whisky and the opportunity to buy a souvenir of your visit in the distillery shop.
- 10 nights hotel accommodation
- Location: Cumbernauld (Glasgow) (1); Oban (1); Benbecula (2); Stornoway, Isle of Lewis (3); Inverness (1) and Edinburgh (2)
- Cooked/Continental breakfast (10)
- Welcome drink with your Tour Director
- Table d'hote dinners with wine (7)
- Scottish Evening in Edinburgh
Visits, Admissions and Experiences
- Admission to Provands Lordship, Inveraray Castle, Hebridean Smokehouse, Taigh Chearsabagh Museum of the Arts, Isle of Harris Distillery, Dun Carolway Broch, Gearannan Blackhouse village, Culloden Moor Visitor Centre, Scone Palace and Edinburgh Castle
- Tour and tasting at Oban Malt Whisky Distillery
- Harris Tweed weaving demonstration
- Single journey from Fort William to Mallaig on the West Highland Railway
- City tours of Glasgow and Edinburgh
- Walking tours of Inverness and Stornoway
- Tickets are included for the World-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on 31 July to 21 August, 2020 departures
Tour Essentials
- Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with extra-legroom, reclining seats, on board washroom and Wifi
- All ferry fares and reservations
- All baggage handling and hotel tips are included
- Services throughout the tour of a professional Tour Director
- Service charges and taxes
Departure information
Please check your tour documention for the commencement time of the tour
From The Doubletree by Hilton Glasgow Westerwood Spa and Golf Resort
1 Saint Andrews Drive
Nr Glasgow G68 0EW
Please note that this hotel is located 24 miles from Glasgow Airport.
The tour will end in Edinburgh after breakfast on day 11
Check-in: 13:30 hrs
Tour Departs: 14:00 hrs
Tour Returns: 09:00 hrs
Child details
Child discount applies to children aged 8 to 18 years inclusive on the basis that they share a room with an adult.
We're sorry but children aged under 8 years cannot travel on this tour.
Photo-ID may be requested to confirm discount entitlement.
Price Notes
The price of this tour includes hotel accommodation with en-suite bathroom
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Selected departures include a visit to this famous celebration of music, dancing and culture performed against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
Please see the FAQ section for more information on this tour.
Product code
Blogs and Guides - discover insider tips and ideas
9 day tour from £ 1120.00
8 day tour from £ 1360.00
5 day tour from £ 585.00

subset: commoncrawl


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Happy New Year from Japanese Club!
Our first club meeting of the New Year was a resounding success. Not only did we get sent lots of wonderful matcha (green tea) powder from Japan, we also got origami paper, Japanese chocolates and a very cute 'totoro' New Year's decoration!
Our language lesson revisited some of last year's work including the use of the verb 'dekiru' – to be able to. We also learnt the Japanese numbers and how to ask: 'How old are you?' (Nan sai desu ka)
Finally, Koge Pan's adventures got a bit obscure however; he did introduce us to 'charcoal pan' who had been in the oven for three hours!
Miss V. Whitlock
English (and Japanese) Teacher
01872 273 750
Richard Lander School, Higher Besore Road,
Truro TR3 6LT
Head Teacher: Mr Steve Mulcahy
©2017 Richard Lander School


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USB Flash Drives | External HDD | Solid State Drives | DDR4 DRAM Modules | Memory Cards | XPG DRAM | Mobile Accessories
Valuable Software | Apple Series | External SSD | Chargers |
Valuable Software | Apple Series | External SSD | Chargers |
Memory Cards
|Q1: What's the difference between A1 and A2 standards?
|Q2: Which ADATA memory cards are best for use with my dashcam?
|Q3: How do I confirm using a UHS-I supported card reader that it is operating at the speed it should have?
|Q4: How do I confirm that the IOPS comply with the specifications marked on the product?
|Q5: Why does higher IOPS mean better support for Smartphones and tablets?
|Q6: What does IOPS refer to?
|Q7: What capacity of card is considered to be enough for a digital camera taken on a trip?
|Q8: How do I use the Flash card on a laptop?
|Q9: Can A-DATA Flash card be used on any digital devices (DSC/PDA/card reader)?
|Q10: What are the differences between FAT, FAT32, NTFS, and exFAT?
|Q11: How do I convert FAT/FAT32 to NTFS?
|Q12: Why can't the exFAT formatted Flash card be used on computers running Windows XP?
|Q13: Why can't I format the 64GB Flash card on Windows XP?
|Q14: Why can't a larger than 4GB file be saved to the Flash card?
|Q15: Why can the 4GB/ 8GB SDHC be used on DSC (Digital Still Camera) but not on the laptop?
|Q16: The Flash card was 2GB, but became 1GB after being formatted by DSC (Digital Still Camera). What happened?
|Q17: What is the difference between CF card and Microdrive?
|Q18: Where can I find information about the reading and writing speed of memory cards?
|Q19: Can SD and MMC be used in the same card slot?
|Q20: What if my Flash card is suddenly not recognized?
|Q21: Can the Flash card be used on devices rather than DSC or DVD player?
|Q22: I cannot delete files or format my memory card.


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Family Office
For a number of wealthy families Conçerva provide a "family office" service.
A family office coordinates all the professional services that a family may need.
These services typically include banking, legal, investment and accounting – all coordinated in one place for the family.
In essence, Conçerva are put at the centre of a family's financial arrangements and provide a complete and multi-generational service.
There is no real difference between the services Conçerva can provide and those of a private bank. In fact the only difference is that a financial planner can offer a better service at a lower cost!
Proper financial planning is key to creating a multi-generational family office which reduces costs and minimises risks.
We apply the same disciplines to a family as you would do to a private company. This would involve producing a business plan, balance sheet and cash flow statement.


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Harbortouch, a national supplier of point-of-sale (POS) systems, recently released two enhancements to its free POS system program.
The first announcement is the introduction of a 30-day free trial program. This program allows merchants to test out the Harbortouch POS system for up to 30 days and return it with no penalty if they are unhappy with it for any reason. This program is only available for merchants utilizing Harbortouch Hospitality software.
The second announcement is that merchants now will own their free POS equipment once the initial five-year service agreement is complete. Previously, the equipment was owned by Harbortouch and needed to be returned if the merchant canceled their account. This new policy is retroactive for all existing free POS merchants.
Harbortouch CEO Jared Isaacman states, "We are constantly striving to improve our offerings, and we feel that both these changes will have a positive effect on all our current and future customers. Since the launch of the free POS program, these have been two of the most requested changes. We have listened to the feedback and this has guided our decision to implement these enhancements. We have already conducted a beta test of the 30 day trial program and have found that once a merchant has experienced the benefits of a Harbortouch POS system, they simply don't want to go back to operating without it."


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Having a lack of appreciation of self is a lack of confidence in your ability to succeed; it is linked with low self-esteem and leads to lack of motivation. There may well be other emotions such as embarrassment, fear and anger which is often internalised, left long enough it can become depression and greater feelings of worthlessness. Self-depreciation may have caused you to compromise in the past, be quiet about a potential idea or leave you in the background with no motivation to take yourself forward and use your skills and abilities.
The first step in all of this is recognising when you are being self-depreciating it can often come with the black humour of self-deprecation. When you notice you are being negative about yourself take a step back and see what might be the underlying cause. It often can originate in childhood where we failed at something, told we would "never amount to anything" or comparison with a sibling.
We hold onto these events and words and replay them making strong neural pathways keeping us trapped in that negative thought belief and causing lack of motivation to go forward in life, literally holding ourselves back.
Whoever or whatever happened in the past, happened in the past and is no longer needed. Face up to what makes you feel inferior and close the door on the negative thoughts and emotions that you have given energy too in the past. Use that precious energy for the future.
This is not an overnight process and will take time so be gentle on yourself during the process as you start to reprogram your thoughts.
Help your mind to begin to build new neural pathways that affirms that you do have self-worth. The truth is that you are a divinely created individual with special skills, gifts, and talents. You are a person of value who brings life and perspective into the world that only you can bring.
The wonderful psychics at TheCircle can really help you take that leap of faith forwards, to a positive future.


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Want to stay on top of all the mobile news? Follow @jaevincom on Twitter
If you're old enough to have read Mad magazine then you will probably recognize these black and white spies. Spy vs Spy is now available for the iPhone and iPad where you get to switch between the 8 bit retro graphics mode or a new modern look. Your aim is to find all the hidden items like cash and keys around the embassy and board the plane before your opponent. If you happen to be in the same room as your enemy, you'll enter a little combat mode with your opponent. There's also online and local multiplayer mode to get you pitting against your friends. Check out the classic game's trailer below:-
Price: $0.99
Category: Games
App size: 43.0 MB
Supported: iPhone & iPad


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Ep 105 - Avengers: Age of Black Panther
As of this recording, Black Panther does come out soon. The last time we saw him was in Captain America: Civil War. So why are we not watching that? Well, we already watched it for Spider-Man: Homecoming. So instead, we go back to the film that really let us know he was going to be coming to the MCU. With one of BP's main villains making an appearance, Age of Ultron was the puuurrrrfect choice.
Learn about how Wesley Snipes was almost Black Panther, what Klaw was like in the original comics (lame), what Anthony plans on wearing to Black Panther opening night and more!
Underground Inc, where your favorite movies come to hang out.
This episode contains spoilers to this film and possible other movies.


text: Not far from the town centre of Brunico, yet amidst nature, you'll find our Langgenhof Restaurant. Here you'll enjoy traditional, tasty dishes, Mediterranean specialities and a hearty service in the wooden "Stube" room or in our garden restaurant. We mainly use herbs and vegetables from our own farm and regional products. On the menu you will find seasonal delights and a new offer every three weeks. MENU


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Certificate Course in Comprehensive Laproscopic Surgery (focused on Cholecystectomy and Appendicectomy)
Laparoscopic surgery has become integral part of surgeon's practice. Procedures like diagnostic laparoscopy, biopsy, cholecystectomy and appendicectomy are now a patient demand as also surgeon preference. This is true even in the remotest part of our world. Patients want to recover faster and back to work quickly. Every surgeon practicing today needs to understand the principles and fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery and avoid compromises and complications. This three-day comprehensive course encompasses "all-in-one with certification" to fulfill the dreams of any surgeon wishing to practice safe laparoscopic surgery.
Knot tying and suturing at laparoscopic surgery has been the "Achilles heel" of novices and sometimes even of an "advanced" laparoscopic surgeon. The course promises extensive training at this aspect with dedicated hours in the simulation as well as wet laboratories to perfect skills including suturing.
Objectives of the Course
- To understand the philosophy and ergonomics (less strain- better performance)
- To gain proficiency in two-handed dissection and improve hand-eye co-ordination.
- To familiarize with laparoscopic knot-tying and suturing, diagnostic laparoscopy.
- To review indications, technical details and possible pitfalls in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, appendicectomy, diagnostic laparoscopy.
- To understand prevention and management of complications of various laparoscopic procedures.
Who Should Attend course ?
- Surgical postgraduates
- Experienced surgeons who have "hesitated" to remark on laparoscopic surgery
- Surgeons getting initiated in laparoscopic surgery
- surgeons performing laparoscopic surgery who wish to consolidate their knowledge and skills
Course Highlights
- Lectures from expert faculty
- Supervised training in simulation and animal tissue laboratories
- Plenty of opportunity for informal interaction with the faculty
- Emphasis on knot tying and suturing
A candidate registering as observer shall be allowed to participate in the course and attend the didactics, video discussions and transmissions at CEMAST. Observers shall not be eligible to any hands-on exercises in the labs.
Attractive Discount on GROUP REGISTRATION
Contact UDDIPTA on +917506683774 or write to him at email@example.com for Group Registration


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- Wine & Champagne Gifts
- Alcohol Gifts
- Gourmet Gifts
- Holidays
- Occasions
- Custom
- Floral
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Enjoy this beautiful bouquet of… Chocolate Dipped Strawberries? Yes, this deliciousGarden of Chocolate Dipped Strawberries & Wine is available for your eating and drinking pleasure. The perfect gift for either a loved one or even for yourself, including delicious chocolate-dipped strawberries inside a cute blue flower pot, as well as fine wine!
Chocolate - Chocolate Dipped Strawberries: What could be a better dessert than chocolate? What's a better fruit than strawberries? What if we combined these two great delights? The result could be extraordinary, don't you think?
Pot - Small Blue Flower Pot: This cute little blue flower pot with a handle houses the delicious chocolatey treats of this gift, but afterward, it can be used to house beautiful flowers in a kitchen or living space.
Please Note: This gift basket contains perishable items.
This Kosher wine gift basket includes a bottle of Kosher red wine which can be upgraded if you wish – Altoona Hills Cabernet Shiraz KPM. This 100% Kosher wine may be upgraded to any of the wines from our extensive wine collection, including several upgrade options at zero additional cost. Additional bottles of wine, champagne, liquor or beer may be added as well to make this great wine gift even better. Your gift recipient will love this wine!


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It's been a roller coaster of emotions with my daughter being sick with cancer, but it is a great relaxation to blog about someone in our family who reached a milestone that no one else on Mom's or Dad's side of the family has ever met. My sister Brenda and her husband Ronald celebrated 50 years of marriage last year September 25, 2015. Their children surprised them with a 50th Wedding Anniversary banquet. It was just beautiful. And just this past Sunday they celebrated 51 years of marriage! Let's all stand up and applaud. She was 19 years old and he was 24 when they married. She just turned 70 and he'll be 75 in December.
No one else in our entire family has ever reached that milestone, due to death of a spouse or divorce of a spouse. My grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, and siblings. Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert Ronald Evans have the distinction of being married 51 years this past Sunday, September 25, 2016. That record gives one hope in this non-committed society where anything like a shoe size is cause for divorce. It's an honor to know anyone who has weathered the storm and came out wiser for it.
If you remember, my sister Brenda was named after one of my dad's sisters, and she has the distinction of being the oldest of all the grandchildren on my Mom's side, too.


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Lightning strike injures 3 South Florida firefighters
BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Officials say a lightning strike injured three South Florida firefighters.
Boca Raton Fire Rescue Services Assistant Chief Michael LaSalle told The Palm Beach Post (http://goo.gl/9Taa2e) the firefighters were responding to a backyard fire sparked by lightning Tuesday afternoon when another strike occurred.
All three firefighters were knocked off their feet and one started having a seizure. Two others sustained minor injuries and were suffering hearing problems.
The firefighters were taken to a Delray Beach hospital for treatment. LaSalle says it appears they will all recover.
Information from: The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post, http://www.pbpost.com


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Research has always played a role in school integration advocacy, and NCSD believes that current research should inform policy development process in a more systematic way. NCSD aims to increase real time, two-way communication between advocates and researchers on key contested questions. We do this by: 1) consulting with leading educational researchers on important issues; and 2) connecting both emerging and already-established school diversity scholars and researchers with one another and with integration program practitioners.
NCSD Research Advisory Panel
The NCSD has convened a group of leading researchers to help us ensure that our advocacy efforts are informed by the most current, methodologically sound research on school integration. Many educational policymakers shy away from pursing integration without considering the strong research evidence demonstrating its value as an educational reform tool. On the other hand, school integration advocates have not always acknowledged, been aware of, or adequately addressed the challenges that arise in racially and economically diverse learning environments. The NCSD's advocacy efforts take these challenges into account.
Current NCSD Research Advisory Panel Members:
- Dolores Acevedo-Garcia, Brandeis University
- Jomills Henry Braddock II, University of Miami
- Casey Cobb, University of Connecticut
- John Diamond, University of Wisconsin – Madison
- Erica Frankenberg, Penn State University
- Douglas Harris, Tulane University
- Jennifer Jellison Holme, University of Texas at Austin
- Rucker Johnson, University of California, Berkeley
- Richard Kahlenberg, The Century Foundation
- Jamie Lew, Rutgers University
- Roslyn Mickelson, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Pedro Noguera, University of California, Los Angeles
- sean reardon, Stanford University
- Vanessa Siddle Walker, Emory University
- Genevieve Siegel-Hawley, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Amy Stuart Wells, Columbia University
- William Trent, University of Illinois
- Linda Tropp, University of Massachusetts at Amherst
- Richard Valencia, The University of Texas at Austin
Click here to learn more about our Research Advisory Panel Members and here for a listing of their related publications.


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Many garden centers have decades – even centuries – of history and experience to their names, but not every business can claim to have kickstarted ornamental growing in its region. Sheridan Nurseries, which was conceived as one of the very first nurseries in Canada, holds that distinction. President and CEO Karl Stensson explains the business' focus on bringing quality plants and growing success to the customer:
Q: How long has Sheridan Nurseries been growing ornamentals in the Toronto region? How long has it been retailing?
A: Sheridan was started by a husband and wife team of landscape architects, Howard and Laurie Dunington-Grubb, who emigrated from England in 1911. They realized there was nobody growing ornamental plants in Canada, so started the nursery. They advertised for a nursery manager in England and my grandfather Herman Stensson answered the ad, emigrated with his wife and 4 sons and started the farms in 1913. Sheridan actually had a landscape department and constructed many of the famous gardens in the Toronto area, along with many of the wealthy estates. When the nursery started producing enough plants, they opened the first store in the mid 1920's.
Q: I understand Sheridan Nurseries takes part in the Handpicked for You program. How did that involvement begin? How did the trialing and growing go this year?
A: Sheridan Nurseries is one of the founding members of the SynRG group. The collaboration between ourselves and the other founding members (Overdevest Nurseries, Prides Corner Farms, Saunders Brothers and Willoway) began in 2015. Our goal is to create a solid collaboration between breeders, growers and, most importantly, garden center retailers, resulting in bringing the best new plants to the consumer with reliable garden performance in their specific region.
In the last two years, we have spent a great deal of time and energy in trialing the many new varieties that have been made available to us. This is a long-term process but it yields the desired results we are looking for. The plants will initially begin as a typical production plant, where we monitor things such as rooting, the ability for it to fill the pot, length of time to flower and how it may look on the retail bench. All of this information is documented and tracked through a software called Trial Tracker. Through Trial Tracker, all members of the SynRG group can share their results with one another. It is at this point where we really begin to see how a particular plant performs within different regions. Once a new plant has passed this stage of the trial, it is further evaluated in a garden setting. It is planted outside and allowed to grow on its own accord. It receives minimal maintenance throughout the year and also receives no winter protection. The following spring, we evaluate again and make a decision to introduce it to one of our test garden centers to really see how it will perform at retail. Once all of these steps receive a passing grade, the plant will receive the Handpicked for You certification.
The trials thus far have provided us with a number of plants we are quite excited about. Many of these were shipped to our test garden centers throughout 2017 and will be evaluated this fall with the retailer's input. If they come through this part of the testing successfully, the Handpicked for You certification will be placed on the plant. Some of these trial plants included the Never Ending series of Daylilies, the KISMET series of Echinacea and the Bambini series of Phlox.
Q: Last year, you mentioned that land expenses in the Toronto area can make it difficult to expand the business with new locations, and improving upon existing properties is a more realistic focus. How did that objective progress in spring 2017?
A: About 5 years ago we sold our largest site as it was simply too good a deal to pass up. We have been fortunate to lease that site back and instead of being off it in 2 years we have managed to lease it for 5 years. At the same time, after an exhaustive search, we did manage to find 5 acres north of the current location by 10 kilometers where we are building a new store. To be honest though the purchase price of the site was reasonable however the development costs have been horrendous and I am not sure how anyone could justify starting from scratch without the backing we had from the other property. Government fees have become unaffordable.
Q: Is there anything else happening at Sheridan Nurseries you want to mention? Any final thoughts on being a part of the Top 100 IGCs in North America?
A: We have built a great team to run our stores. We are a very self-sufficient group with all marketing, sales, purchasing in house. We work extremely hard to promote our brand to the staff so that they properly represent us to our guests. Our Brand is well recognized, our quality is outstanding and our two year warranty to our retail guests instills confidence in what they buy. The consumer has LOTS of choices and in fact is many times confused by horticulture. Our tag line in our commercials says it all — "We make gardening easy!"


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By Aniko Drlik-Muehleck
In partnership with the Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation (GEODC) and Northeast Oregon Economic Development District (NEOEDD), the CSC recently hosted a series workshops in Ontario, Pendleton, John Day, and La Grande to identify ways to strengthen Eastern Oregon's New Natural Resource Economy (NNRE).
Over 40 participants, including representatives of economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, visitor associations, community colleges, City and County staff, and elected officials, gathered together to think creatively about the next steps for natural resource-based economic development in Eastern Oregon. Those who attended discussed the findings of the CSC's recent work with NNRE businesses and put their heads together to identify "opportunity projects" that might benefit NNRE businesses and the organizations committed to supporting them.
Three key themes emerged across all the workshops:
- Coordination of Economic Development Efforts: There are many layers and levels of organizations "doing" economic development, but those organizations don't always know what all the other economic developers are working on, or what resources might be available to them. Workshop attendees mentioned a few possible solutions to this issue:
- Compile a list of resources and organizations, held in a central place, that will make it easier for everyone to know what everyone else is doing.
- Create more opportunities for in-person interactions of all the organizations doing economic development. These meetings should be centered around solving specific issues so that everyone has a clear purpose for being in the room together. It is also important to involve businesses in these problem-solving processes.
- Youth Engagement: There is a lot of interest and energy around youth entrepreneurship and providing real world learning experiences for K-12, community college, and college students. Indeed, a lot is already happening in this arena. Kids and young adults should interact early on and frequently with natural resource professions so that they begin to see opportunities for living and working in the communities where they grow up. At the same time, it is important to expose children to the idea that they can start their own business someday, not just work for someone else.
- Building Trust with the Business Community: It is critical for economic developers to meet businesses on their own turf. Businesses have limited time and capacity; they need support that is targeted and not a waste of their time. Rather than expecting businesses to seek out assistance from economic developers, economic developers need to be proactive, integrating themselves into the business community so businesses view them as trustworthy, with something useful to offer.
For the full list of issues discussed and opportunity projects identified, browse through the document below, and think about how you might like to be involved, or initiate similar projects in your community!


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We buy & sell quality used cars, estates, 4WDs & MPVs and Motorcycles in Wiltshire
There has been a garage on this site for over 80 years, when originally it started by selling push bikes and then later selling and repairing Model T Fords, as can be seen by some old photos that are now displayed in our showroom.
The choice of the name Village Green was easy, our garage literally fronts on to the village green in the village of Holt, its location being so idyllic just outside Bradford on Avon and only 20 minutes from the CITY of BATH.
With our lower village overheads, enabling an extremely competitive pricing policy and Neil's 30 years experience in the motor trade ensuring that his hand picked cars offer the best in quality, most of our cars are sourced from franchised dealerships, as a consequence, the vast majority are one owner cars with service histories. After appraisal, detailed preparation and a Car Data Check of the vehicle's history, we find that our cars 'sell themselves' when customers compare the quality and value for money of our cars, to those offered by our competitors.
Customers will not have to endure tiresome high pressure sales techniques when they visit us.
By offering a friendly – even homely but professional, no hassle buying environment, customers making a personal visit to our showroom can relax and enjoy buying their next new car, in the knowledge that:
We really do try harder, to offer a good deal and hopefully embark on a lasting relationship to look after your future motoring needs.
Village Green is a Trading Standards Approved Motor Dealer.
We are Privileged to have this recognition as part of the government "Buy with Confidence" retail scheme that operates throughout the UK.
Trading Standards have recognised our high delivery of customer service in both the sales and service departments and rewarded us with this creditable retail standard.


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FabFitFun Worth It? | Unboxing + Review
I've partnered with FabFitFun. This is my impression of the FabFitFun box and all opinions are my own. Code: MEGANMAE for $10 off When I got home from a 10 day wedding extravanganza for the same best friend I found my beautiful FabFitFun box waiting for me. Right away, I pulled out my camera and set a "spooky" scene with my T-Rex behind me and … Continue reading FabFitFun Worth It? | Unboxing + Review


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Antiques (Multidealer)
Antique and Artisan Center
Stamford, (203) 327-6022, stamfordantiques.com
At the Antique and Artisan Center, you'll find vintage, mid-century and antique furniture all hand-selected and displayed by 60 top antique dealers. The 23,000-square-foot warehouse holds local and international artwork, jewelry and home décor. From a white Onassis chair by Karl Springer to bedding from Elanbach's Royal Collection, the Center has something for you to discover. The professionals at the Center's Studio of Design, Fabric and Upholstery can also repair, refinish and transform your favorite piece of furniture to make it look brand-new or to match your individual style.
Why it's the best: Every day dealers bring in new and unique pieces to decorate their booths, which means more items and artwork for you to add to an existing collection—or a reason to start a new one.
Antiques (Solo)
Mill House Antiques
Woodbury, (203) 263-3446, millhouseantiquesandgardens.com
Mill House Antiques notes that it's as well known for its gardens as its antiques. Both are superior, both worthy enough to give Mill House destination status. Once you get there, you'll glory in the 17 showrooms, spread among five buildings, that house an amazing selection of antiques and accessories. As you walk from building to building "the sensation of being in Europe will not leave you as stroll by antique urns and statuary that once adorned the walkways and gardens of manors and chateaus across England the rest of Europe." That passion of owner William Hildreth, expert collector turned shop owner, is infused in everything at Mill House.
Why it's the best: The passion for antiques comes with a social conscience, and Mill House hosts events for organizations such as the Glebe House Museum, the Waterbury Symphony and the Pomperaug River Water Coalition.
Consignment Furniture
Middlebury Consignment
Middlebury, (203) 528-0130, middleburyconsignment.com
If you're looking for a new sofa for the living room, or if you've been meaning to sell that antique armchair in your attic, Middlebury Consignments is the perfect place to buy and sell antique and contemporary furniture and home décor. The 20,000-square-foot showroom contains furniture from some of the most notable designers—Theodore Alexander, Maitland-Smith and Henredon—not to mention a large collection of iconic checkered black-and-white ceramic pieces from MacKenzie-Childs. After a day of showroom shopping, relax at the café and try the creamy and thick pumpkin soup, or a gourmet ham sandwich prepared by an in-house chef.
Why it's the best: As if the showroom didn't already make you feel at home, The Kitchen at Middlebury Consignment also offers cooking demonstrations and the newly expanded private dining room is perfect for intimate dinner parties and events.
Exotic Plants
Danielson, (888) 330-8038, logees.com
A visit to Logee's is akin to stepping into another world—five greenhouses teem with gorgeous tropical plants, some amazing specimens of which have broken through containers to take root (like the 114-year-old Ponderosa lemon tree that still bears five-pound lemons). Plus, there's an abundance of fruit-filled boughs and blooming flowers that reach from floor to ceiling at every turn. More than 1,500 varieties of plants are available, from fragrant flowers to fruit trees to orchids and more. The newly expanded retail shop also covers all your growing needs.
Why it's the best: Logee's has been a destination for rare and tropical plants since 1892, and more than a century of experience is hard to top.
Home Decor
Ethan Allen
Multiple locations, (203) 743-8293, ethanallen.com
With seven locations in Connecticut, this Danbury-based home décor giant is always close by when you need a new couch, bed or table, or want to upgrade your living room, bedroom or home office. Choose your style—romantic, elegant, vintage or modern—or explore a variety of furnishings, fabrics and accessories inspired by locations from around the globe. Ethan Allen designs, manufactures, sells, delivers and installs its own furniture and home décor, all with an eye to help you love your home even more than you do now.
Why it's the best: With such an established quality brand and variety of styles, Ethan Allen has something for everyone.
Broken Arrow
Hamden, (203) 288-1026, brokenarrownursery.com
Broken Arrow Nursery is a premier specialty plant retailer of woody plants and perennials in line with the best in the country. With contacts around the globe, the nursery is able to bring in top specimens from everywhere. Broken Arrow is the place to find native plants as well as the "uncommon and underutilized" options. Regardless of what you're looking for or how experienced you are with gardening, the knowledgeable staff will be able to guide you to the perfect plant.
Why it's the best: Broken Arrow specializes in both garden variety and exotic plants.
Twombly Nursery
Monroe, (203) 261-2133, twomblynursery.com
With an assortment of Climbers, English roses, Meidilands, Flower Carpets, Romanticas and Town and Country series, Twombly has a never-ending supply of roses. Japanese maples, hydrangeas or perennials are all readily available, and Twombly can also special order plants you want that aren't in the nursery. Need a few tips on how to start your rose garden or take care of your old one? Twombly Nursery has a staff of trained horticulturists and on-site designers that are ready to help you expose your green thumb.
Why it's the best: Twombly's abundant collection of roses, multiseasonal and hard-to-find plants will flatter any home garden.
Art Supplies Shop
Hull's Art Supply & Framing
New Haven, (203) 865-4855, hullsnewhaven.com
With more than 65 years of experience, Hull's knows art, and knows it well. Home to artists new and old, it succeeds in providing "tools for the imagination" for all creative minds. Besides paint, pencils and brushes of various colors and sizes, Hull's also has a children's section—smocks and all—that will thrill any young Picasso. With a collection of architectural model building supplies, filled with basswood sheets, museum boards and cutting tools, Hulls is more than an art supply store.
Why it's the best: Hull's has every art supply you could possibly think of, and plenty that you didn't know existed.
Fabric Store
The Barn
Bridgeport, (203) 349-2618, thebarn-bridgeport.com
If you just moved into a new home, or your living space needs a millennial update, The Barn is your go-to fabric and home furnishing shop. However, The Barn is more than just a fabric store—its wide selection of draperies, tablecloths and bedding can inspire you to find your inner interior decorator. And if you can't decipher the color wheel, a fabric specialist can create a personalized color story to reflect your personality. With such a vast array of selections, if you don't find what you're looking for in the store, you can place a special order for ready-made items, or the staff can sew whatever you need—from tablecloths to pillows and everything in between.
Why it's the best: Fifty years after opening its doors, The Barn is still helping homeowners and professionals find the perfect designer fabrics from all over the world as well as custom designing items sewn right in the workrooms.
Yarn Shop
Black Sheep Yarns
Kent, (860) 927-3808, blacksheepyarnsct.com
Black Sheep Yarns is more than just a place to buy yarn, needles, hooks and patterns. This shop is more like your neighbor's house where you're always welcome to stop by. Owner Nancy Hamilton hosts "Fiber Arts with Nancy" on WHDD 91.9 and invites all shoppers to visit during the week for a free first-time knitting lesson. Classes are taught regularly by local designers and friends of the shop. There's a rainbow of beautiful fibers to choose from, and there's always coffee, tea, water and homemade treats for snacking.
Why it's the best: There's no intimidation, so whether you're an experienced knitter or trying it for the first time, you'll find the help you need.
Bookstore (Independent)
R.J. Julia Booksellers
Madison, (203) 245-3959, rjjulia.com
For the last 25 years, Roxanne J. Coady, owner of Madison bookstore R.J. Julia Booksellers, has been committed to providing shoppers with an intimate, memorable experience. The shop is a little bit old—in the restored décor—and a little bit new with the ample book selection and of-the-moment guests stopping by. The shop hosts nearly 350 author-related events each year. A recent visit by prospective presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton, who signed copies of her memoir, attracted more than 1,000 people.
Why it's the best: All books are curated with specific audiences in mind.
Bookstore (Used)
The Book Barn
Niantic, (860) 739-5715, bookbarnniantic.com
There's no shortage of books at this Niantic landmark. The Book Barn's ever-changing inventory covers every shelf, is stacked to the ceiling and can be found in outbuildings and other spots on the property. The Book Barn buys books every day, offering checks and store credit to sellers. Books are brought here by the truckload, and as a result, you can often find items that aren't in new bookstores or even libraries.
Why it's the best: Sheer volume—you will find books here that can't be located anywhere else.
Musical Instruments
George's Music Center
Torrington, (860) 496-9362, georgesmusiccenter.com
Since George Donovan opened his Torrington music store in 1998, musicians from across the Northeast corner of the state have flocked to find the best in instruments, musical equipment and more. In addition to offering lessons (ranging from beginner to expert) and an instrument rental program (perfect for in-school musicians), George's has The Guitar Stash—the "guitarist's guitar shop"—with a selection of high-end, boutique and custom-made guitars as well as expert knowledge and guidance to help you find the perfect instrument for you.
Why it's the best: George knows and loves music, and is always willing to share that with everyone who walks through the door.
Baby Clothes
Baby Love
Milford, (203) 693-3140, babylovealways.com
If you're looking for clothes for mom and baby, nursery design and even jewelry for dad, Baby Love is your one-stop shop. From cribs and dresses to custom bedding and wall art, the mix of vintage and modern styles is perfect for designing any nursery. Besides setting itself apart with a focus on American-made and organic specialty items, Baby Love has a selection of handpicked toys and comfy blankets that will make your little one feel loved.
Why it's the best: With eclectic collections for mothers, babies and nurseries, Baby Love makes the transition into motherhood as smooth as possible.
Over the Moon
Avon, (860) 676-9599, overthemoonkids.com
If you have children, you already know that you can find clothes for them almost anywhere, but what makes family-run Over the Moon special is not only the range of clothes—from preemies up to size 12—but the quality of the selection. You'll find brands like Isobella and Chloe, Pink Chicken, Tea, Charlie Rocket and City Threads in addition to great outerwear, footwear, hats, accessories and more. Over the Moon focuses on high-quality, durable products because as parents themselves, they know it's important to buy clothes that are as good as they look.
Why it's the best: People with kids selling clothes for kids makes a good match.
Teen Clothes
Westport, (203) 557-8111, grooveforkids.com
Opened in 2012, Groove carries a wide selection of clothes and gifts for toddlers to teens and everyone in between. The apparel for teens is especially exceptional—with hip, on-trend clothing, shoes and accessories, there's bound to be something for even the most hard-to-shop-for teenager in your life. On the racks, you'll find laid-back, West Coast-style jeans and tops from popular brands like Flying Monkey, Nation LTD, Alternative Apparel, Wildfox, Chaser, LAmade and Rebel Yell. If you're in a last-minute gift dash, pick up one of Groove's handmade candy creations or choose from an array of phone cases, pillows, bags and jewelry and head straight to the party or event.
Why it's the best: For true California style right in Westport, Groove has the best selection of clothes from the hottest West Coast brands and fun gifts for every kid, tween and teen on your list.
Men's Wear
R. Derwin Clothier
Litchfield, (860) 567-4095, rderwinclothiers.com
On West Street in the center of historic and charming Litchfield, R. Derwin Clothiers is responsible for the two most arresting window displays, which serve as gateways to the separate but related boutiques of men's and women's country chic fashions. You find yourself lingering outside the men's shop, coveting items like a custom R. Derwin tweed blazer and shirt, adorned with a wool tie handmade in the UK by Seaward & Stearn, or something more casual but equally stylish like an R. Derwin chambray shirt, Adriano Goldschmied vintage jeans and waxed suede chukka boots from Frye. Started by Richard Derwin more than 20 years ago, this family business provides each customer "with the highest level of personal attention" in "a sophisticated country atmosphere."
Why it's the best: R. Derwin offers clothing you don't find anywhere else, allowing you to put together looks that, figuratively and even literally, make you a new man.
Women's Wear
Stackpole Moore Tryon
Hartford, (860) 522-0181, stackpolemooretryon.com
Through co-owner Jody Morneault's expert eye, Stackpole Moore Tryon—the Hartford fine fashions landmark—is a treasure trove for women, offering a blend of classic and timeless designs and labels with more adventuresome younger looks. Any woman with a misplaced fear of finding Stackpole's lines skewing to an older demographic need only to take a peek at the styles and lifestyle messages on the websites of labels Morneault has sourced like Agave Denim and Gerry Weber. Best of all, the women's department has just gotten a major makeover, with a wine-and-cream color palette, new dressing rooms and more.
Why it's the best: Co-owner Ron Morneault says, "Here we are in the 21st century and Stackpole is reinventing every day to help women interested in quality clothing to find their personal style."
Women's Accessories
Capri Clothing
Fairfield, (203) 254-6411
For fifteen years, Fairfield fashionistas from teenagers to more mature women have known the place to go for the most stylish accessories is Capri Clothing. Chic handbags, unique jewelry (such as IN2 necklaces and bracelets), monogrammed scarves and more—all at generally reasonable prices. Capri also has a hip selection of women's clothing (designer dresses, tops, jackets, etc.) and a staff that's devoted to helping each customer find the perfect complement to any outfit.
Why it's the best: Designer accessories and competent, friendly service—what more could a girl want?
Women's Formalwear
Helen Ainson
Darien, (203) 655-9841, helenainson.com
From mother-of-the-bride wear to cocktail dresses and evening gowns, Helen Ainson has been dressing the lovely ladies of Darien (and well beyond) in the most stylish designs for more than 35 years. Damianou, Rina diMontella, Alberto Makali, Blake & Co., David Meister and Teri Jon—just a sampling of the dozens of luxury fashion designs (in sizes 2 to 24) that are on hand when you're looking for casual chic or business formalwear, attending a society event, or looking to turn heads on the red carpet.
Why it's the best: Super hot styles, top-name designers and expert fashion advice makes it the premier destination for women's formalwear.
Orange, (203) 795-3682, saxonkent.com
Undergarments are not overloooked at this boutique store. Saxon-Kent believes in finding the perfect fit for all women, with a large selection of bras on hand to ensure that. The service here is highly personal and discreet, just as it has been for more than 50 years. The shop carries a variety of intimate apparel, all chosen to make you look and feel good. There's even a seamstress on staff to make custom alterations.
Why it's the best: They carry more than 60 different brands of bra, so there's always one that's best for you.
Consigned Designs
Greenwich, (203) 869-2165, consigneddesigns.com
Consigned Designs and its even more luxurious sister shop next door, Elle Encore Couture, are a dual paradise for women with impeccable taste and style who want the best labels at the best prices. The shops are located in a proverbial and literal oasis in Greenwich, not far from bustling Greenwich Avenue. "Every big name you can think of" is represented in the two shops, owner Ellen Atkinson says, ticking off names like Prada, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and Kate Spade. Clients reportedly include actress Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Why it's the best: The shops look and feel like designer boutiques, but the items start out priced at about one-third of retail, and those that don't sell after a period of time get marked down by another 50 percent. So you look like a million dollars for a (very tall) stack of dimes.
Jewelry Designer
Peter Indorf
New Haven and Madison, (203) 245-5700, peterindorf.com
Although there are many jewelers who make their own jewelry, Peter Indorf takes it to another level, often creating handcrafted custom pieces—primarily in gold and platinum—that also incorporate diamonds, colored gemstones and pearls. From initial consultation through the design process and to completion, Indorf and his team labors until each piece is nothing short of an artwork and every customer is thrilled with the result. Let them create something beautiful for you today.
Why it's the best: Peter Indorf makes sure it shines on your finger, so it'll shine in your heart for years to come.
Jewelry (Fine)
Lux Bond & Green
Multiple locations, (800) 524-7336, lbgreen.com
Lux Bond & Green was founded in 1898 by Morris A. Green, who sold pocket watches and gold eye frames from a horse-drawn cart in Waterbury. Today, watches, diamonds and jewelry from all the top designers can be found at Lux—names like David Yurman, Honora, Ivanka Trump, Marco Bicego, Mikimoto—as well as terrific pieces like the stunning cuffs of Connecticut-based Evocateur. What ties it all together is the family-owned aspect of a business that equally respects customers no matter the price point, and adds them to the family with impeccable care and service.
Why it's the best: An anecdote: You bring in the Baume & Mercier watch you bought there for a new battery and checkup. The technician has a bit of difficulty making the watch behave, so you have to wait more than a few minutes, and for that he declares: no charge. Translation: For the Green family, your happiness, and sparkle, is passion No. 1.
Jewelry (Casual)
Kimberly Boutique
West Hartford and Guilford, (860) 523-4894, shopkimberly.com
In these sister boutiques (one in West Hartford and the other in Guilford), the fashion is forward and curated to offer up only the best pieces each season. That goes for the jewelry too, which is selected to complement the clothing. Here the jewelry makes a statement without being too expensive. Currently, the store is featuring a selection of geometric-style jewelry, BCBG statement necklaces and ear cuffs. The designs of Connecticut-based designer Ann Lightfoot, who works with natural stones, are popular here.
Why it's the best: You can get a statement piece to accent any outfit without spending a fortune.
Multiple locations, opticarepc.com
Specializing in eye care for over 30 years, OptiCare Eye Health and Vision Center is the premier place for routine eye exams and eyeglasses, and with 18 locations throughout Connecticut, there's a center near you. When it's time for new glasses, choose from a selection of modern and classic frames from Calvin Klein, Ray Ban, bebe, Tom Ford, Versace, Prada, and several other great brands. For eye health issues requiring surgery, there's no need to head to the hospital—with the Ambulatory Surgery Center in Waterbury and Laser Vision Correction Center in Danbury, a team of professionals and surgeons will take care of you every step of the way.
Why it's the best: By using the latest in lens technology available and state- of-the-art equipment, OptiCare will make sure you leave looking and seeing your best.
The Bowerbird
Old Lyme, (860) 434-3562, thebowerbird.com
As The Bowerbird likes to brag, it offers 4,500 square feet of "impulsive necessities"—including items that are fun, special and trendy—from more than 2,000 vendors. Decorative home and garden accessories, toys, books, baby gifts, stationery, clocks, collectibles, frames, jewelry, seasonal gifts, gourmet food . . . the selection goes on and on, with even more items available in its online collection. Half the fun of a visit is browsing the shop and quickly realizing that there are more great gifts here than you have people to buy for!
Why it's the best: If you can't find the perfect gift here then you're not going to find it anywhere.
Kiddly Winks
Canton, (860) 693-8014, kiddlywinks.com
Imagine a store à la "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," except that the merchandise consists of toys not chocolates. Kiddly Winks is family-owned independent shop whose owners "have been hunting down whimsical, wonderful and magical toys for more than 20 years." Sure, the shop has a selection of de rigueur LEGOs and other items you'll find at large chain stores—but there are lots of award-winning, brain-building toys the big stores don't stock. Think of it like "Masterpiece Theater" on PBS vs. the latest sitcom on network TV: Kiddly Winks says, "We believe in children," and it's evident in how they source things children should have rather than what they demand based on TV marketing. And guess what? When kids enter Kiddly Winks, they seize the good stuff with a passion so powerful that any parent's "no" will melt into a "yes."
Why it's the best: Because Kiddly Winks truly celebrates children; that and its location in an open-air-mall oasis that is The Shoppes at Farmington Valley.
Bicycle Shop
The Devil's Gear Bike Shop
New Haven, (203) 773-9288, thedevilsgear.com
Yes, you can certainly buy a new Kona, Jamis or Brompton, or find a professionally refurbished gem here, but The Devil's Gear Bike Shop truly believes in "the joy of riding," which means that everyone on staff loves to share their bicycle knowledge and expertise with every customer regardless of skill level. In addition to making repairs and having replacement parts and accessories, the shop is committed to supporting the local riding community, sponsoring bicycling events throughout the year.
Why it's the best: A small, friendly shop with an unsurpassed passion for bicycling makes for a great bike-related experience every time you walk through the door.
Running Gear
Woodbridge Running Co.
Woodbridge & Brookfield, (203) 387-8704, woodbridgerunningcompany.com
If you do any sort of extended running and exercise, you know there's nothing more critical to your success and continued health than the shoes on your feet. Woodbridge Running Co. knows this too, and the staff—all runners themselves—works to find the right shoe for every individual runner and their particular needs. Top brands like Nike, Adidas, Asics, New Balance and Saucony are carried in stock (or can be ordered), and there's all the key accessories (watches, inserts, energy products) as well as running-related clothing.
Why it's the best: It's a shop for runners run by runners. That should cover it!
Sporting Goods
Rankin Sporting Goods
Danbury, (203) 743-7601, rankinsports.com
In a world increasingly dominated by large box stores and one-click Internet shopping, it's refreshing to stop in at this family-owned and -operated business. Established in 1971, it features a wide variety of sporting goods and a knowledgeable and helpful staff. There are baseball and softball bats, gloves, basketballs, tetherballs, badminton, croquet, bocce ball, football gloves, training videos, coaching books and more.
Why it's the best: It's big enough to have what you're looking for but small enough that there is someone to help you find it.
(This article was originally published on a different platform. Some formatting changes may have occurred.)
This article appeared in the September 2014 issue of Connecticut Magazine
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For a long time, Navy pilots have been required to be completely free of kidney stones. A few Navy urologists, led by Dr. Masterson, studied this in some detail. They found that in 30 years and 54 million flight hours there has not been a case of a mishap related to kidney stones. [read more…]
Erectile Dysfunction Affects Up to 50% of Diabetics
This study confirms something I've seen over and over again in the clinic. 50% of men with diabetes also experience erectile dysfunction. Hypertension makes this even worse in my experience. The summary is in the findings reported by Diabetic Medicine.
Healthy arteries with good muscle tone are needed for a healthy penis [read more…]
Is Active Surveillance Appropriate for all Prostate Cancer?
Many men with low or very low risk prostate cancer benefit from active surveillance. Active surveillance monitors progression with PSA and repeat biopsy to delay treatment until it is necessary. This delays the adverse side effects of treatment and the studies so far show no harm comes from it in selected patients.
A recent [read more…]
Young Men Have Tripled Testosterone Use
In the last ten years the number of younger men using testosterone supplements has tripled. 18-45 year old men are the group most likely to have children, and testosterone can have a devastating effect on fertility. Nonetheless usage has gone up considerably, especially for injectable forms of testosterone. Dr. Rao, of Johns [read more…]


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In 'N Out.
March to the beat of your own drum. Generally, we talk about fancy-pants burgers, which makes sense because that's what we like. There have and will continue to be exceptions to that rule not only because we see you burger-traditionalists, and we respect you, but also because not all delicious burgers need come topped with 27 syllables worth of cheese and exotic vegetation. Over the course of our handful of hat-tips to the simpler burgers out there we've even come to coin the phrase "California Style" which, if your memory fails is, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, and Thousand-Island dressing. What we have managed to NOT do (until now anyway) is pay homage to the creator of that style. To give credit to the establishment who re-wrote the fast food bible that WackDonald's imposed upon the world. To shout out the institution that is a culinary pillar of Southern California, and whose quality and consistency will keep them adorned in that accolade. Today friends, we are going to In 'N Out.
This is a burger blog about Southern California's offerings, and if you're reading this (you are), you probably live in Southern California and you probably like burgers. If both of those things are true, I'd bet the farm that you don't need me to tell you about In 'N Out's food. So, I won't. It's great. You know that. Sometimes I crave their food in a way that can only be cured by their food. You probably do too. In very few contexts, processed-pasteurized-American-cheese-food-product is pure joy and the greatest of those contexts is known as "Animal Fries." None of this is news to you. However, you may not be rich with fun facts about the company that has become a staple to residents and a to-do list top-liner for everyone who visits Southern California. Let's change that.
If you haven't read Fast Food Nation, you should; though it will probably have you questioning (and rightfully so) not only what you eat but also just how shameful you should feel about it. Though the whole book is informative, the very beginning describes Southern California as the Fertile Crescent of hamburgers and how that came to pass, which, if you're like me (fat), is simply fascinating. Ray Crock, the industrious entrepreneur who took McDonald's from one popular restaurant to a National force, created a blueprint that nearly all other fast food chains modeled their businesses after: Prime convenient locations and plenty of them, profitability through extremely low costs of both food and labor, market saturation, and a franchise business structure. In N' Out's philosophy agrees with exactly zero of those things. They only have approximately 300 retail locations despite nearly 70 years in operation, are entirely privately owned by the family that started the business and have offered no franchises, take excellent care of their employees both financially and in terms of available benefits, and have higher food costs so as not to compromise the company's quality standards. If that wasn't enough differentiation, the diversity of the menu is nil (there are basically a total of 4 things: burgers, fries, shakes, sodas, though one has a couple of style options per category), every store looks identical, and the pro-Jesus culture is subtle but visible on the bottom of every cup. So according to the fast food model followed by most of their competitors, In 'N Out does everything wrong. Somehow that doesn't equate to failure. I implore anyone to find an uncrowded location at mealtime.
In 'N Out is another solid example of "if you build it, they will come." Uncompromising standards yield consistent quality, and that makes for consistently happy customers, who are loyal. This chain's contribution to SoCal's burger Mesopotamia is an important one, and one that I suspect will continue to enjoy slow and steady growth at whatever pace it chooses, as has been the case thus far. If it ain't broke…
– Geoff Sawyer


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Hot damn, winter is over. It's not the grass shoots sprouting up on lawns, the smell of barbecue in the air, or even the yellow tickets we're finding on our windshields because street sweeping has started up again and we all forgot to move our cars. It's the fact that the 88 Drive-In Theatre is once again open for business, broadcasting whiz-bang summer blockbusters into the night air of Commerce City and declaring once and for all summer is just around the corner.
I can't say enough about the one-of-a-kind wonders of going to the drive-in. The festive open-air vibe of such places, like you're hanging out at a neighborhood block party. The excitement of watching the sun recede below the horizon just as the pre-film trailers get rolling on the screen. The schmaltzy snack bar, reeking of popcorn oil and hot dogs. If I keep going, I'm sure to start humming Bob Seger's "Night Moves," and nobody wants to hear that.
Over the past few years, I've discovered a new drive-in joy as the parent of a young child. With the kiddo asleep in his car seat behind us, the drive-in has been one of the few ways my wife and I have been able to enjoy going out to see a movie without the extra expense of a babysitter.
But these aren't the only reasons I'll be hitting up the 88 Drive-In in Commerce City real soon. I also see it as an obligation. After all, the 88 is the last drive-in theater we have in the Denver area, with all the others having fallen victim to development or declining revenue. If the 88 locks its gates for good as well, it will be a sad day indeed.
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Let's not let that happen. Grab some snacks, pack up the car (hell, stuff some freeloaders in your trunk to get a few guests in free) and head on up Interstate 76 tonight. Sure, the movie selection, like usual, isn't spectacular -- Fast Five, anyone? -- but remember, it's less about the movie on the screen, and more about everything else around it.


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Yesterday 1.3 million jobless Americans lost their unemployment benefits, thanks to Congress's unwillingness or inability to extend long-term unemployment insurance funding. The number could rise to 4.9 million within the next year.
Extending the unemployment benefits is a no-brainer at a time when long-term unemployment rates are still higher than in any previous postwar recession, when there are three unemployed people for every job vacancy, and the money paid out in unemployment benefits quickly gets spent, thereby boosting the still-weak economy. Support for the extension is strong among the public, liberal public policy groups, and even some prominent conservatives. But Congressional Republicans continue to block it.
I've heard four arguments against extending unemployment benefits beyond the current 26-week threshold.
1. It encourages idleness.
Econ 101 does indeed tell us that, other things equal, anything you do to make people's unemployment experience more pleasant, like giving them cash, reduces their incentive to take a job. Which is which unemployment benefits normally expire after 26 weeks. But these are not normal times, not with the long-term unemployment rate at 2.6%, a higher level than in any previous recession or recovery since WW2. Yet in all of those other recessions, whenever long-term unemployment got anywhere near this high, unemployment benefits were extended. If you cut off long-term unemployment benefits, some of the long-term jobless would find jobs, but the vast majority would not, unless a million or so vacancies could somehow materialize too and employers suddenly developed a preference for long-time jobless applicants. (Currently employers have a strong preference for applicants who are not unemployed, followed by those who have only been out of work for a short spell.)
A recent empirical study published by the Brookings Institution estimates that in the absence of extended unemployment benefits the unemployment rate would be about 0.1 – 0.5% lower, which we will note that is a small fraction of the current 2.6% long-term jobless rate. And the author notes that about half of that improvement would come not from the long-term unemployed rejoining the work force but from currently employed people sticking with their jobs because of the worsening of the alternative. So the estimate becomes just 0.05% – 0.25% of the long-term jobless who would rejoin the work force if benefits were cut off. Do the math, and the estimated ratio of still-unemployed people without benefits to newly re-employed is in the range of 9-to-1 to 51-to-1. Rather high pain-to-gain ratios.
2. It hurts the long-term unemployed by lengthening their term of unemployment even further, making it even harder for them to find a job.
While it's true that employers are reluctant to hire the long-term unemployed, this argument makes the same false assumption as in (1.), namely that the jobs are out there and the long-term unemployed just aren't looking hard enough or aren't willing to take them. A 3-to-1 unemployed-to-vacancies ratio should give the lie to that. And the ratio of long-term unemployed to vacancies that long-term unemployed people have a realistic shot at is surely much higher.
3. It's no longer needed, what with the economy's recent improvement. Real GDP grew 4.1% in the last quarter, and the unemployment rate is down to 7%.
Those numbers have dominated the recent headlines, but they're irrelevant here. Thanks to growing productivity, real GDP is now higher than it was before the recession, but with two million fewer workers. And as I seem to write in every post, the standard unemployment rate is largely irrelevant, when millions of jobless Americans have given up looking for work, millions more have left or avoided the labor force entirely, and other millions are involuntarily working part-time because they can't find full-time work. More relevant numbers are the 13.2% comprehensive (U-6) unemployment rate; the 58.6% employment/population ratio, which has not improved since the depth of the recession; and, of course, the 2.6% rate of long-term (27+ weeks) unemployment as a percentage of the labor force. The economy's recent good news has largely bypassed the long-term unemployed. The best that can be said about the long-term unemployment rate is that it's been coming down, from about 4.3% four years ago, but even then it's still as high as at any point since the 1940s.
4. It costs money.
This is the silliest objection of all, since the amount in question ($24 billion next year) is not only less than 0.7% of the budget, but a lot of the money would be returned to the federal, state, and local government in the form of tax revenues as the unemployed spend that income. Unemployed people can be counted on to spend nearly all of their benefits, especially seeing as the benefits are small compared to their previous income; the benefits level varies by state, with most states in the range of 25-45%. While unemployment benefits cost money, so do food, clothing, shelter, utilities, and all the other necessities and commitments that people have. They're called benefits because they provide very tangible benefits to the people who receive them, far in excess of their cost to the taxpayers. (And it should be noted that the unemployed already paid into the system when they were working and will do so again if and when they return to work.)
Whatever your opinion on this issue, there should be no doubting that long-term unemployment is one of the central problems of our time. The long-term unemployed are almost 40% of the total unemployed, which is roughly twice as high as in any previous postwar recession (see graph).
While extended unemployment benefits do more good than harm, what we need even more are jobs. Government job creation is a non-starter in Congress and apparently with the public as well, so once again we are left with the Micawber-like hope that something will turn up in the private sector.
Special no-prize to the first person who can connect that last line to this video of Keith Richards:


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Category: How To Treat A Guy That Treats You Bad"
How to treat someone who treats you badly
Ran across this post on the Experience Project site.
Click on this Link to visit the Experience Project to the read the post titled: "How To Treat A Guy That Treats You Bad".
See if you can pick up on some of the Narcissist's Red Flags in that post. Things like Love Bombing, Blame Shifting and not taking responsibility for their actions (it's always your fault).


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JIPMER Puducherry Recruitment Notification for Lower Division Clerk, Nursing Officer Govt Jobs Exam Pattern and Syllabus
JIPMER LDC Nursing Officer Jobs Exam Syllabus: Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research JIPMER Puducherry Invites applications from the eligible candidates for the available vacancies of Nursing Officer, LDC Lower Division Clerk. There are total115 posts in this JIPMER Puducherry recruitment 2018. Here are we are providing the detailed information of JIPMER Puducherry vacancies exam pattern, exam syllabus, exam date, merit list available date, hall ticket available dates, and other details. JIPMER post wise exam pattern and syllabus is given below. Online applications are accepted through JIPMER official website of www.jipmer.puducherry.gov.in website till 18-05-2018 for LDC and Nursing officer Jobs. JIPMER Puducherry LDC and Nursing officer posts written exam will be held on 10-06-2018. Detailed information about this JIPMER Puducherry recruitment of Nursing Officer, LDC Posts exam pattern and syllabus, online application process, important dates and other related information is given below.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus for JIPMER Puducherry Nursing Officer, LDC Lower Division Clerk Govt Jobs Recruitment Notification 2018
Important Dates for JIPMER Recruitment Nursing Officer, LDC Jobs:
Last date for online registration is 18-05-2018
Hall Tickets available online from JIPMER website 30-05-2018
Written Exam date 10-06-2018
Expected date of Merit list is 20-06-2018
Available vacancies in JIPMER Puducherry Recruitment 2018:
There are total 115 Lower division clerk and Nursing Officer jobs in this JIPMER recruitment 2018.
1. Nursing Officer-91 Posts (UR-56, OBC-17, SC-07, ST-11)
2. Lower Division Clerk-24 Posts (UR-14, OBC-07, SC-02, ST-01)
Pay Scale for JIPMER Vacancies:
Nursing Officer- Level – 7 (Rs.44,900/- to Rs.1,42,400) of pay matrix
LDC- Level – 2(Rs.19,900/- to Rs.63,200) of pay matrix.
Age limits for JIPMER Puducherry Recruitment 2018:
For LDC jobs-Upper age limit is 30 years.
For Nursing Officer Jobs-Upper age limit is 35 years.
Age relaxations are applicable as per JIPMER norms.
Qualifications for JIPMER Puducherry LDC, Staff Nurse Recruitment 2018:
For Nursing Officer Jobs-GNM Diploma qualification required or B.Sc Nursing
For LDC Posts-12th pass with 30 wpm in English or 25 wpm in Hindi on normal typewriter.
A typing speed of 35 wpm in English or 30 wpm in Hindi on computer type writer
Application fee for JIPMER Recruitment of LDC, Nursing Officer Jobs:
For UR and General Candidates application fee is Rs.1500/-
For others Rs.1200/-
Selection Process for JIPMER LDC, Nursing officer Posts:
Candidates selection will be based on Merit in Computer Based online test.
For the post of Lower division clerk Skill test will be conducted.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus for JIPMER LDC, Nursing Officer Posts:
For both the posts online exam will be conducted.
Exam duration is 90 minutes.
Written exam will be held on 10-06-2016.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus for Jipmer Lower division clerk jobs:
Written exam will be conducted for 400 marks. Exam duration is 90 minutes. Total 100 questions will be given. Each question carries one mark.
General Intelligence & Reasoning -25 Marks
Numerical Aptitude 25 Marks
General English 25 Marks
General Awareness & Current Affairs 25 Marks
Exam Syllabus for LDC posts is degree level.
Exam Pattern and syllabus for jipmer nursing officer jobs:
Written exam will be conducted for 400 marks. Total 100 questions will be given.
Exam Syllabus will be the Subjects taught in B.Sc Nursing and Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery level.
How to apply online here for JIPMER LDC, Nursing Officer Recruitment 2018:
Candidate who is having necessary qualifications they can apply online for JIPMER Puducherry recruitment 2018. It is mandatory for applying online here for JIPMER vacancies. Last date for applying online through www.jipmer.puducherry.gov.in is 18-05-2018.