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The Children’s Collaborative for Healing and Support started in 2021 to honor the stories of children who have experienced the death of a parent or caregiver and provide resources to help them and their families as they rebuild and look to the future. Today, the Children’s Collaborative brings together community organizations, grief groups, government resources, and more to surround all families with a comprehensive network of support. By strengthening this system to support children and families we ensure that no children or family grieves alone.
1 in 14 children will lose a parent before the age of 18.*
Too often their stories go unnoticed.
“It’s harder than people think, the dramatic change of your caretaker being there every single day of your life and then all of a sudden they’re gone. Your whole world changes. Everything changes. Radical change like that can affect you for a long time.”
Age 16, Arizona
“It’s a very hard time in your life and you just don’t know what to do… It is difficult to go to sleep at night when you’re thinking of that special person. It’s hard to get out of bed when you’re thinking of that person. It is just hard to do stuff when you’re thinking of that person.”
We’ve curated a library of high-quality resources to support families and community champions through every step of the journey. This includes resources for financial services, grief and bereavement, mentoring and non-clinical interventions, and educational support to help your child and family navigate this challenging time.
Children's Collaborative is an initiative of the COVID Collaborative, a bipartisan coalition of the nation’s leading experts in public health, education, and the economy working together with state and local leaders across America to win the fight against COVID-19.
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Christian Arabic School was founded by Coptic parents living in North America. Like many other second and third generation Egyptian parents, we realized that our children were losing touch with their culture and heritage. They were neither able to attend/understand Arabic Liturgy nor communicate with many members of our family. This gave us the idea to create an Arabic language program that may help other families with similar concerns.
We created an online school offering classes to students of all ages. Our goal is to help them learn a second language, understand the basics of Arabic Liturgy, expand their vocabulary and even be able to talk to Teta and Gedo in their mother tongue. Our beginner classes focus more on the Egyptian dialect than on classical Arabic.
We are so excited to play a role in bettering the future of our children and in helping ensure the continuation of the Arabic language in our North American Coptic Churches. We pray that God may bless this project and look forward to getting to know your families.
Sincerley with the grace of God,
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We hope you enjoyed From Ashes to Beauty - My Favorite Links. If after sojourning through the Christianity Oasis community, you find our Ministry to be worthy and would like to make a Love Offering as to assure the Light of Hope continues to shine for the lost and hurting souls dwelling in darkness, thereby providing them with the opportunity to pursue the path of Christianity as well as provide a safe and enjoyable sanctuary for fellow Christians.
Please choose to make a one time love offering securely by way of Paypal, credit card or debit card by clicking on the PayPal button below.
If you prefer to pay by check or other source or if you have any questions, please contact us at: ChristianityOasis
May God bless you abundantly for your Love.
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| 152
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The Networks Have Ears
Can you trust a network you don't personally administer? No. The professors at the University of California are learning that lesson the hard way:
"Secret monitoring is ongoing."
Those ominous words captured the attention of many faculty members at the University of California at Berkeley's College of Natural Resources when they received an email message from a colleague on Thursday telling them that a new system to monitor computer networks had been secretly installed on all University of California campuses months ago, without letting any but a few people know about it.
"The intrusive device is capable of capturing and analyzing all network traffic to and from the Berkeley campus, and has enough local storage to save over 30 days of *all* this data ('full packet capture'). This can be presumed to include your email, all the websites you visit, all the data you receive from off campus or data you send off campus," said the email from Ethan Ligon, associate professor of agricultural and resource economics. He is one of six members of the Academic Senate-Administration Joint Committee on Campus Information Technology.
When you control a network it's a trivial matter to setup monitoring tools. This is made possible by the fact many network connects don't utilize encryption. E-mail is one of the biggest offenders. Many e-mail server don't encrypt traffic being sent so any network monitoring tools can't read the contents. Likewise, many websites still utilize unencrypted connections so monitoring tools can easily read what is being sent and received between a browser and a web server. Instant messaging protocols often transmit data in the clear as well so monitoring tools can read entire conversations.
It's not feasible to only use networks you control. A network that doesn't connect to other networks is very limited in use. But there are tools to mitigate the risks associated with using a monitored network. For example, I run a Virtual Private Network (VPN) server that encrypts traffic between itself and my devices. When I connect to it all of my traffic goes through the encrypted connection so local network monitoring tools can't snoop on my connects. Another tools that works very well for websites is the Tor Browser. The Tor Browser sends all traffic through an encrypted connection to an exit node. While the exit node can snoop on any unencrypted connections local monitoring tools cannot.
Such tools wouldn't be as necessary to maintain privacy though if all connections utilized effective encryption. E-mail servers, websites, instant messengers, etc. can encrypt traffic and often do. But the lack of ubiquitous encryption means monitoring tools can still collect some data on you.
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CUSD School Board Meetings 2025
Thu, Jun 05
|Zoom & in-person
Pursuant to Board Bylaw 9320, the Board shall hold two regular meetings each month, except in the months of January, April, and July. Regular meetings shall be held at 5:30 p.m. at the District office on the first and third Thursdays unless otherwise specified.
Time & Location
Jun 05, 2025, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Zoom & in-person
About the event
This is a Hybrid Board Meeting. The public is invited to attend either in person or remotely via Zoom. In order to make a public comment, you will need to attend in person or submit your comment online.
For in-person attendance: The meeting will take place in the board room at the district office (170 West San Jose Ave, Claremont, 91711). While the District has lifted the indoor masking requirement, the Board of Education wishes to maintain a welcoming environment and support those who choose to continue wearing masks due to health or personal reasons.
For remote access: A button to the Zoom live stream will appear on the meeting information page on the day of the meeting.
Reasonable Accommodation for any individual with a disability:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and with at least 48-hour notice, any individual with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to…
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Patagonia in the south of Argentina is a hiker’s dream. From the zigzagging steeples of the mountains crowned with sparkling glaciers to raging waterfalls cascading into brilliantly blue glacial lakes, the hiking opportunities and unforgettable sights in Argentina’s Patagonia are simply endless. Hiking in Argentina’s Patagonia is one of the most spell-binding travel experiences with numerous routes to suit all levels.
One thing is for sure when going hiking in Argentina’s Patagonia is that your camera shutter-finger is in for an intensive workout!
With so many nooks and crannies to explore, we’ve narrowed down a list of our favorite treks and hiking experiences in the stunning Los Glaciares National Park near El Calafate and El Chalten in Argentina’s region of Patagonia.
♦ Perito Moreno Mini-Trekking, El Calafate
Estimated Time: 9-10hrs tour / Difficulty: Moderate / Highlight: Exploring the surface of Perito Moreno Glacier
Taking a tour of Perito Moreno Glacier near El Calafate in the Los Glaciares National Park is more than just a hiking experience. Following the drive into the National Park from your accommodation in El Calafate, your expert guide will take you for a walk along the Magallanes Peninsula where you’ll have your first view of the mighty Perito Moreno Glacier and Lake Rico. Having enjoyed the view from afar it is time to have one of the most unique experiences in Argentina’s region of Patagonia as your professional guide helps you put on your crampons to begin exploring the surface of the Perito Moreno glacier.
During the approximate 2 hour mini-trek on top of Perito Moreno, you’ll be able to see the incredible wonders of this icy landscape from its hidden waterfalls of glacial melt water to deep crevasses and glistening lakes.
Your Perito Moreno experience doesn’t end there as you board a boat for a cruise across Lake Rico where you’ll be able to see and hear huge blocks of ice breaking off and falling into the waters of the lake making for incredible photos. Due to the strenuous nature of the Perito Moreno mini-trekking excursion, travelers under the age of 10 and above the age of 65 are not allowing to take part in the mini-trekking excursion.
♦ Laguna Capri hike, El Chalten
Approx. Length: 3.8 miles / Estimated Time: 3-4hrs return / Difficulty: Easy / Highlight: Short with stunning viewpoints
The trail to Laguna Capri is the perfect introduction to trekking in Patagonia and for those travelers with limited time in El Chalten or looking to go on a quick afternoon hike on the day of arrival. Often overlooked for the more challenging or lengthy routes, the hike is short but full of breath-taking views.
Leaving along the trail towards the north of El Chalten, you’ll immediately be welcomed by the stunning scenery along the scenic Rio de las Vueltas.
Continuing along the trail, you’ll arrive at a junction where a short walk down the right-hand track will lead you to another viewpoint where depending on the visibility that day, you should be able to catch your first glimpse of the 11,171ft. tall Mount Fitz Roy. Returning back to the junction you should now follow the left-hand route that will take you down to the lake. Depending on the color of the sky, the beautiful lake will appear either deep blue or slate gray. You can then take a leisurely stroll back to El Chalten along the same route you came, and enjoy a heart-warming homemade hot chocolate in one of the village cafes.
♦ Laguna Torre hike, El Chalten
Approx. Length: 12.5 miles / Estimated Time: 7-8hrs return / Difficulty: Moderate / Highlight: The spire of Cerro Torre
The Laguna Torre hike is perhaps the most popular day hike in El Chalten as it provides a great balance between its level of ease and being longer than the Laguna Capri hike. A number of trails leave from the western side of El Chalten into a beautiful Patagonia beech forest but don’t worry about which one to take as they all join up after about an hour’s walk at a viewpoint.
From the enticing ‘mirador‘ (lookout) you’ll see the other imposing mount of El Chalten known as Cerro Torre, which rises up 10,262ft.
Continuing along the trail, follow the scenic Rio Fitz Roy until you reach the glistening Laguna Torre. We recommend continuing for another hour along the northern shore of the lake to reach Mirador Maestri as the view of Cerro Torre’s spire is the best from here.
♦ Laguna de los Tres hike, El Chalten
Approx. Length: 13.2 miles / Estimated Time: 9-10hrs return / Difficulty: Moderate-High / Highlight: Best views of Fitz Roy
Hiking to Laguna de los Tres which is often referred to as the base camp of Mount Fitz Roy, gives you arguably one of the best views in all of the Los Glaciares National Park. The ‘Tres’ refers to the three peaks of Mount Fitz Roy, Mount Poincenot and Cerro Torre that you’ll be able to see along the way. As a long, full day of walking, we recommending starting at dawn to be able to enjoy the peace and tranquility of your surroundings as the morning sun rise. With a large sign in the north-west of El Chalten, the start is difficult to miss and you will soon find out that the only way is up!
Enjoy the spectacular view and a quick rest after a fairly steep climb soaking up the unrestricted views across the magnificent landscape.
Following the signs for Poincenot where after crossing the campsite, over some small rivers and a welcoming flat section of the trail you will be ready for the final ascent. This is the steepest part of the trail and once you reach the top of the ascent you will be entertained by the three breath-taking peaks of Fitz Roy, Torre and Poincenot as well as the Laguna de los Tres while enjoying your lunch if the conditions permit. Before descending along the route that you came, make sure to take one last look at what is without a doubt the closest and best view of Mount Fitz Roy and the surrounding peaks.
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From picnics and beach saunas to fine dining and pottery making, check out our guide to the top romantic things to do in the UK for a swoon-worthy Valentine.
Abby DriverA superb lineup of national music artists, mouth-watering foodie delights and buckets of family fun, here’s our guide to The Big Feastival in the Cotswolds.
Annie CowenFrom bluebell walks and cream teas to garden parties and picnics, here are some of our favourite ways to celebrate a bank holiday weekend.
Annie CowenWalk through honey-dipped villages and marvel at the area’s rich history as you discover just how much there is to see and do in the Cotswolds.
Annie CowenSwap idyllic villages for the grand architecture and grounds of Blenheim Palace, a piece of living history in the heart of the Cotswolds.
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| 197
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Japanese banknote detector cleaning cards are a unique and essential tool used in the maintenance of various currency handling machines, such as ATMs and cash registers. These cards are specifically designed to remove dirt, dust, and debris that accumulate on the sensors of banknote detectors, ensuring accurate detection and smooth operation of these machines. What sets Japanese banknote detector cleaning cards apart from others in the market is the concept of seasonal models. These models are designed to cater to different environmental conditions that may impact the effectiveness of the cleaning process. In this article, we explore the reasons behind the division of Japanese banknote detector cleaning cards into seasonal models and their significance in maintaining optimal performance.
The Concept of Seasonal Models
Japanese banknote detector cleaning cards come in different seasonal models, each tailored to specific environmental conditions that may affect the performance of banknote detectors. These models include the spring model, summer model, autumn model, and winter model. The idea behind this categorization is to address the varying levels of humidity, temperature, and dust accumulation that occur throughout the year in Japan. By using a cleaning card that is specifically designed for the current season, users can ensure that their banknote detectors are properly maintained and continue to function efficiently.
The spring model of Japanese banknote detector cleaning cards is formulated to address the issues commonly associated with the transitional period between winter and summer. During spring, temperatures begin to rise, and there is a higher chance of dust and pollen accumulation in indoor spaces. The spring cleaning card is designed to effectively remove these particles from the sensors of banknote detectors, preventing false readings and other malfunctions. Additionally, the spring model may contain ingredients that help to reduce static electricity buildup, which can also interfere with sensor performance.
Benefits of Using Seasonal Models
Using seasonal models of Japanese banknote detector cleaning cards offers several benefits to users. One of the primary advantages is the improved efficiency of cleaning and maintenance. By using a card that is specifically formulated for the current season, users can effectively remove the most common types of contaminants that may affect sensor performance. This results in a more thorough cleaning process and ensures that banknote detectors operate at their optimal level.
Another benefit of using seasonal models is the prevention of potential damage to banknote detectors. Regular cleaning with a suitable card helps to prolong the lifespan of these machines by reducing the risk of sensor malfunction or other issues related to dirt and debris buildup. This can result in cost savings for businesses that rely on banknote detectors for their daily operations.
Furthermore, using seasonal models of cleaning cards can help to maintain the accuracy of banknote detectors. When sensors are free from contaminants, they can accurately detect and process banknotes without errors or delays. This is especially important in environments where large volumes of cash transactions take place, as any inaccuracies in detection can lead to financial losses and customer dissatisfaction.
Tips for Choosing the Right Seasonal Model
When selecting a Japanese banknote detector cleaning card, it is essential to choose the right seasonal model for the current environmental conditions. To ensure optimal performance and effectiveness, consider the following factors:
- Temperature: Choose a cleaning card that is suitable for the temperature range in your area during the current season. Extreme temperatures can affect the composition of the cleaning solution and may impact its cleaning ability.
- Humidity: Select a cleaning card that is designed to address high or low levels of humidity, depending on the prevailing conditions. Excess moisture or dryness can affect the performance of banknote detectors and the cleaning process.
- Dust levels: Consider the amount of dust and other particles present in your environment when choosing a seasonal model. A cleaning card with enhanced dust removal properties may be necessary in areas with high pollution or dust accumulation.
- Specific needs: Take into account any specific requirements or challenges associated with your banknote detectors when selecting a seasonal model. For example, if your machines are prone to static electricity buildup, choose a cleaning card that includes anti-static properties.
- Regular maintenance: Regardless of the seasonal model chosen, it is essential to regularly clean banknote detectors using the appropriate cleaning cards. Establish a maintenance schedule based on the manufacturer's recommendations to ensure consistent performance.
In conclusion, Japanese banknote detector cleaning cards divided into seasonal models offer a targeted and effective solution for maintaining the optimal performance of banknote detectors. By choosing the right seasonal model based on environmental conditions, users can ensure that their machines remain free from contaminants and operate accurately. The benefits of using seasonal models include improved cleaning efficiency, prevention of damage, and maintenance of detection accuracy. For businesses and individuals who rely on banknote detectors for secure and efficient cash handling, investing in seasonal models of cleaning cards is a wise choice. By following the tips outlined in this article and incorporating seasonal cleaning into a regular maintenance routine, users can prolong the lifespan of their banknote detectors and maximize their functionality.
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| 980
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When it comes to choosing the right wipes for various applications, such as cleaning, skincare, or baby care, the water absorption rate is a crucial factor to consider. The effectiveness of wipes largely depends on their ability to absorb and retain moisture. One key factor that influences this is the fiber weaving density of the wipes. In this article, we will explore the relationship between the fiber weaving density of wipes and their water absorption rate. Understanding this correlation can help consumers make informed decisions when selecting wipes for their specific needs.
The Impact of Fiber Weaving Density on Water Absorption Rate
The density of the fibers woven into wipes plays a significant role in determining their water absorption rate. Fiber weaving density refers to the tightness and thickness of the fibers in the wipes. Wipes with a higher fiber weaving density have a tighter weave, which allows them to hold more water. This means that these wipes can absorb moisture more effectively and have a higher water retention capacity compared to wipes with a lower fiber weaving density.
In contrast, wipes with a lower fiber weaving density have a looser weave, which may result in reduced water absorption and retention capabilities. The fibers are spaced further apart, leaving more gaps for the water to escape from the wipes. As a result, wipes with lower fiber weaving density may not be as efficient in absorbing and retaining moisture, potentially leading to the need for multiple wipes to complete a task that could be done with fewer wipes of higher density.
The Role of Fiber Material in Water Absorption
In addition to fiber weaving density, the type of material used in the wipes also plays a crucial role in determining their water absorption rate. Some fibers, such as cotton, are known for their high absorbency, making them ideal choices for wipes intended for tasks that require thorough moisture removal, such as cleaning up spills. However, the weaving density of the cotton fibers will still impact the overall water absorption rate of the wipes.
On the other hand, synthetic fibers, such as polyester or polypropylene, may have lower absorbency compared to natural fibers like cotton. However, the weaving density of these synthetic fibers can be optimized to enhance their water absorption capabilities. By choosing the right combination of fiber material and weaving density, manufacturers can create wipes that strike a balance between absorbency and durability.
Factors to Consider When Selecting Wipes Based on Fiber Weaving Density
When choosing wipes based on fiber weaving density, several factors should be taken into consideration. First and foremost, the intended use of the wipes should dictate the weaving density required. For tasks that require high water absorption rates, such as cleaning or disinfecting surfaces, wipes with higher fiber weaving density are preferred. These wipes can effectively remove moisture and debris from the surface without leaving streaks or residue behind.
Conversely, for tasks that involve gentle wiping, such as skincare or baby care, wipes with lower fiber weaving density may be more suitable. These wipes are softer on the skin and less likely to cause irritation, making them ideal for sensitive areas. However, it is essential to balance the softness of the wipes with their ability to absorb moisture sufficiently to avoid excessive rubbing or tugging on the skin.
In conclusion, the fiber weaving density of wipes has a direct impact on their water absorption rate. Wipes with higher weaving density are generally more effective at absorbing and retaining moisture, making them ideal for tasks that require thorough cleaning or disinfection. On the other hand, wipes with lower weaving density may be better suited for gentle wiping tasks, such as skincare or baby care.
Ultimately, the choice of wipes should be based on the specific requirements of the task at hand. By understanding the relationship between fiber weaving density and water absorption rate, consumers can make informed decisions when selecting wipes for different applications. Whether you're looking for wipes that can tackle tough stains or ones that are gentle on the skin, paying attention to the weaving density of the fibers can help you choose the right wipes for your needs.
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Generous Lippings For Easy Trimming
Delivery In 3-7 Working Days
High Grade Materials
10 Year Guarantee
✓ In stock - ready to ship
Upgrade your interior with the Farley Oak Fire Door, a harmonious blend of security, style, and compliance. Crafted meticulously to ensure your safety while enriching the aesthetic appeal of your space, this FD30-rated fire door is the ultimate choice for both residential and commercial environments. Also available in standard 35mm door sizes.
Uncompromising Fire Protection: Engineered to offer 30 minutes of fire resistance (FD30), the Farley Oak Fire Door is designed to withstand the ravages of flames and smoke, giving you precious time to evacuate and contain a fire. Its robust construction and fire-retardant core provide a reliable barrier against the spread of flames, making it an essential component of any well-prepared space.
Elegance in Oak: Crafted using a premium American White Oak veneer, this fire door is not just a safety feature, but a stunning piece of craftsmanship. The natural beauty of oak wood adds a touch of sophistication to your surroundings, making it suitable for a wide range of design aesthetics. The timeless appeal of oak grain complements various interior styles, from contemporary to traditional.
Versatile Applications: Whether you're looking to enhance the safety of your residential property or ensure compliance in commercial spaces, the Farley Oak Fire Door fits the bill perfectly. Its adaptable design makes it suitable for bedroom doors, living rooms doors, corridors, and even entryways. Wherever it's installed, this door seamlessly integrates into the existing decor while delivering top-tier fire protection.
Easy Installation: Installing the Farley Oak Fire Door is a hassle-free process. Its standardized dimensions facilitate quick and efficient installation, saving you valuable time and effort. Rest easy knowing that your fire safety upgrade doesn't come at the cost of convenience.
Low Maintenance: Maintaining the Farley Oak Fire Door's impeccable appearance is a breeze. Its durable veneer, once finished, is resistant to scuffs, scratches, and stains, ensuring that it continues to look as good as new for years to come. Regular care is simple, allowing you to focus on the things that truly matter.
Choose the Farley Oak Fire Door for a seamless fusion of safety and style. Elevate your space with a door that not only protects but also adds an air of elegance. With its FD30 fire rating, timeless oak design, and easy installation, this fire door is your steadfast guardian against emergencies while enhancing the aesthetic allure of your environment. Prioritize safety without compromising on sophistication – choose Farley Oak Fire Door today.
If you need further installation or care/maintenance advice with our products, please visit our technical information section or call us on 0203 846 0345.
Specialist suppliers of high quality, internal and external folding and french doors. Buy direct for the best price.
Delivery to most mainland UK postcodes within 3-7 working days. Free delivery on orders over £750.
All of our doors and hardware are guaranteed for ten years against the occurrence of manufacturing faults.
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The coldest, darkest depths of the ocean are home to a surprising abundance of life. But not humans, which is why would-be miners argue they’re the perfect place to hoover up metals needed for the clean energy transition.
Hundreds of scientists and campaigners are calling for a moratorium on deep seabed mining until the impacts on ecosystems and the carbon cycle are better understood. They are backed by several big carmakers and tech companies – Volkswagen, Samsung, Google – with responsibility for sourcing these types of minerals for their products.
Nobody told the International Seabed Authority, which is working on a regulatory timeline that could see the ocean floor opened for exploitation as early as July 2023. A moratorium was not on the agenda at its Jamaica HQ this week.
Why the rush? Pacific island state Nauru, population 11,000, triggered a fast-track process. It is fronting for Vancouver-based The Metals Company, which also has deals with Kiribati and Tonga.
The haste and remoteness of the issue has caught some off guard. The EU for example has no common position, with voices of caution coming up against the commercial interests of member states with exploration rights.
Germany voted in favour of a moratorium at the world congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature in September. Yet its representative at the ISA assured the room they were ready to regulate. One for the new coalition government to make up its mind on, pronto.
This week’s stories
- John Kerry: US supports a coal phaseout but cannot commit
- Europe conflicted over push to fast-track mining code for the ocean floor
- Campaigners seek to curb UK oil production through the high court
- African Union urged to bring political clout to Egypt climate talks
- ‘Huge blow’ – cuts to gas finance spark West African backlash
- US spending on airport expansion flies under the radar for climate activists
- A rush to mine the deep ocean has environmentalists worried
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As India’s premier healthcare centre dedicated to woman and childcare, we understand the complexities of women’s health. We care for women of all ages, addressing conditions in areas of adolescence, pre-marital counselling, early pregnancy, sexual health, breast care, hysterectomy, urinary incontinence other gynaecological issues. We also provide comprehensive “Well Woman” check-ups as a diagnostic screening tool.
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Gynecology is the branch of medical science which deals with diseases and functions specific to women and girls, especially those affecting the reproductive system.
What’s the work of a gynecologist?
Gynecologists deal with a wide range of issues, including obstetrics, or pregnancy and childbirth, menstruation and fertility issues, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), hormone disorders, and others. They are doctors who specialize in women's health, with a focus on the female reproductive system.
Why do women need the best gynecologists?
A visit to the gynecologist is recommended for annual screening and any time a woman has concerns about symptoms such as pelvic, vulvar, and vaginal pain or abnormal bleeding from the uterus. Conditions commonly treated by gynecologists include issues relating to pregnancy, fertility, menstruation, and menopause.
Are gynecologists also maternity specialists?
The two, maternity and gynecology specialties are closely related and most of these specialists provide care in both areas. That’s why these doctors are referred to as OB-GYNs. Although, most gynecologists also deliver babies, obstetricians, however, restrict their practice to pregnancy and childbirth.
What is the difference between Obstetrician and Gynecologist?
In medical science, Obstetrics and Gynecology come under the same specialty. But they are associated with two different fields. An obstetrician is someone whose service and care is required at the time of preconception, during pregnancy, childbirth, and immediately after the birth of the child from which it can be understood that obstetricians do not deal with other health problems other than pregnancy. A gynecologist deals with all sorts of problems related to women’s health. On Cloudnine we have the best gynecologists and obstetricians near Ghaziabad. Cloudnine puts its primary focus on quality care for women to feel safe under the supervision and care of well experienced and qualified gynecologists and obstetricians.
Which health conditions are treated by an obstetrician and gynaecologist?
Several important health conditions can be treated by an obstetrician and a gynecologist. They are evaluated as follows: bladder incontinence, cervical cancer, cervical insufficiency, congenital abnormalities, egg freezing, endometriosis, Uterine cancer, fecal incontinence, fibroids, hirsutism, oncofertility, pelvic floor discovers, recurrent pregnancy loss, pregnancy, reproductive surgery and some other. Cloudnine provides the country’s best, most trusted, and preferred obstetrics and gynecology service and care near Ghaziabad.
What are the early symptoms of pregnancy?
Pregnancy symptoms may be different for every woman. For some women pregnancy symptoms may occur within a very few days of conception, however, for some women the symptoms may occur after several weeks of conception. There are several early significant symptoms of pregnancy that can be observed. They are such as period miss, nausea, frequent vomiting, tenderness of breast, recurrent urination, weariness, dizziness, constipation, irritation, heartburn, etc. On Cloudnine, you will find the finest pregnancy consultants near Ghaziabad to help you in the anxious and overwhelming time of pregnancy to step into healthy parenthood.
What are the trimesters of pregnancy in weeks?
The three trimesters cover the entire journey of pregnancy. The three trimesters of pregnancy can be evaluated in weeks. They are discussed as follows: The 1st trimester begins from week 1 of conception and lasts till the end of the 12th week, The 2nd trimester begins from the 13th week of conception and lasts till the very end of week 26. And finally, the 3rd trimester begins from the 27th week and lasts till the very end of the whole process of pregnancy. On Cloudnine we have the country’s best pregnancy and mother-child care services near Ghaziabad. We work to guide and help you during the three trimesters of pregnancy and to create a pregnancy experience as stress-free as possible.
What are the precautions to take during the first trimester of pregnancy?
There are certainly necessary and important precautions that should be taken by women during the 1st trimester of pregnancy. Important supplements must be taken by them such as calcium, folic acid, vitamin D, magnesium, and some others. Adequate and sufficient rest must be taken by them in this crucial time. They must indulge themselves with proper healthy food at this time. Light exercise is very significant at this period of time. Trying to stay stressless is extremely essential. They should also try to maintain a certain weight during this period. They should quit smoking and also consuming alcohol at this time. On Cloudnine, an individual will get the very best pregnancy consultants and the country’s leading gynecologists near Ghaziabad who will guide the individual with absolute care during the stressful yet beautiful experience of pregnancy.
What are the pregnancy planning tips and how to prepare the body for it?
There are some important and essential tips for women to help them plan and prepare their bodies for pregnancy. The tips are discussed as follows: It is extremely important that they take adequate care of their nutrition and diet, they should involve themselves with light physical exercises, they should stay stress-free as much as possible at the time and look after their sleep cycle, they should go for routine check-ups at this time to be absolutely sure, they should not smoke or drink alcohol at this time when they are preparing to become pregnant. On Cloudnine, an individual will find the finest consultants, gynecologists, obstetricians, and services near Ghaziabad while going through the anxious time of pregnancy.
How often should pregnant women visit an obstetrician & Gynecologist doctor?
Routine prenatal visits should be maintained by women during their pregnancy to have a safe, stress-free, and healthy experience. From the 4th week of conception to the 28th week, 1 prenatal visit in a month is very essential, from 29th week to 37th week of conception, 1 visit in 2 weeks is quite important, and from 36th week to the 40th week, 1 visit in 1 week is required for them. On Cloudnine, near Ghaziabad, it is recommended for the women to maintain the routine check-ups suggested by their doctor.
At what age should I consult a gynecologist?
It is important for women to understand and have a fair knowledge about their body from a certain age as it helps them to have clarity and live a stress-free life. Women should begin visiting and consulting a gynecologist from the very age of thirteen to fifteen. This is a crucial time in their lives as they get their periods at this period of time. On Cloudnine, near Ghaziabad it is highly recommended and also Cloudnine provides an individual with the country’s most experienced and trustworthy gynecologists to guide young girls to go through any sort of problems related to their health.
Are gynecologist and obstetrician doctors in Ghaziabad, New Delhi operating during the current outburst of Covid-19 pandemic?
Currently, the entire world is facing the wrath of covid 19 pandemic. It is one of the most difficult times observed by humanity. But, even in this difficult period of time, on Cloudnine, gynecologist and obstetrician doctors near Ghaziabad are performing and operating every day. Cloudnine has the country’s finest and most experienced gynecologists and obstetricians to help women go through any problem associated with women’s health. On Cloudnine, you will be provided with the most skillful consultants to guide you with absolute care.
What kind of test does a gynecologist do?
There are several significant tests or examinations done by a gynecologist. They are such as the Pelvic Exam, Pap Smear, Breast Exam, Urine Sample test, etc. Pelvic exams include several significant steps such as the external genital test, the speculum test, the Pap Smear exam, and the bimanual test. Pap Smear is a kind of exam that looks for cancerous cells. Breast Exam is comparatively a quicker and pain-free process. Urine Sample is examined for several significant conditions such as kidney, pregnancy, etc. On Cloudnine, near Ghaziabad an individual is provided with the most preferred service and care for any type of problems associated with women’s health. Cloudnine has the most qualified gynecologists in the country to guide women through different conditions and exams.
When should you go see a gynecologist?
Women should maintain a routine once a year check-up with their gynecologist in general. Other than that, when an individual is going through any kind of gynecological issues such as menstrual disorders, pap smear abnormalities, pelvic pain, genital tract infections, menopause, infertility issues, urinary incontinence, etc they should definitely visit a gynecologist. On Cloudnine, near Ghaziabad an individual will get the service of the country's leading and experienced gynecologists to help them to deal with any type of problems regarding women’s health.
How can I book a consultation with a good gynecologist near me, in East Delhi, New Delhi, Ghaziabad?
Booking an appointment with the best gynecologists near Ghaziabad, East Delhi, New Delhi is simple, just follow these steps:
Book An Appointment Online with India’s best doctors on Cloudnine via the website widget, just:
- Select City
- Select Hospital
- Select Department
- Select Doctor
- Select Procedure
- Select the Date/time slot
- Select payment method
- Receive confirmation Or, Download ‘It’s our baby app’ log in, and book a video consultation.
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Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University
Associate ProfessorI study fungi that parasitize plants and cause disease. The mechanisms by which these fungi induce disease in plants are still not well understood. By elucidating these processes and gaining deeper insight into the biology of the fungi, I aim to develop disease control strategies that do not rely solely on pesticides—or that enable more effective and targeted use of them. Through research on plant diseases, I also hope to better understand the complex interactions among microorganisms, plants, and the environment.
Recent Topics of Interest:
Phytobiome, Biological interactions, Ecological control, Biological control
Motto in Research or in Life:
Waste is sometimes a necessary part of the process
Hobby / Holiday:
Caring for killifish, Exploring strong sulfur springs, and Appreciating good Japanese SAKE
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Excellent 1st,and Client Supreme is our guideline to deliver the ideal provider to our prospects.Nowadays, we have been seeking our best to become certainly one of the most effective exporters in our discipline to meet shoppers more require for Retro Rum Bottle, Glass Beverage Dispenser With Stand, Logo Spirit Bottle, Clear Flint Glass Bottle With Screw Cap, Glass Wine Bottle. Our purpose is always to build Win-win scenario with our customers. We feel we are going to be your greatest choice. "Reputation To start with, Buyers Foremost. "Waiting for your inquiry. The product will supply to all over the world, such as Europe, America, Australia,Gambia, Estonia,venezuela, Angola.During in 11 years, We have participated in more than 20 exhibitions, obtains the highest praise from each customer. Our company has been devoting that "customer first" and committed to helping customers expand their business, so that they become the Big Boss !
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Over two decades ago, eminent scientist Jacques Vallee wrote a provocative book about UFO cases, folklore, and certain unexplained phenomena. He joined George Knapp in the first half to discuss that original groundbreaking work Passport to Magonia, which changed our understanding of the UFO phenomenon by connecting documents and data from earlier centuries that related to incidents in the modern era. Among the numerous parallels between UFOs, folklore, and religious traditions were tales of fairies, elves, leprechauns, apparitions, and strange creatures.
In Celtic regions, witnesses described seeing fairies who were accompanied by strange oval objects from the sky, and these beings were also known for abducting people-- not unlike modern reports of alien abduction, he pointed out. A ninth century account from the Archbishop of Lyon, France dealt with three people who were said to emerge from a flying ship-- villagers thought they came from a magical land called Magonia that was beyond the clouds. Vallee spoke of how UFO phenomena seems to straddle different layers of reality, and what witnesses actually observe may be modulated by their individual consciousness. People in Asia view the phenomenon as part of nature, and the alien beings hailing from a different plane, rather than another planet, he added.
In the latter half, Ray Stanford, who has been investigating the Socorro UFO landing for over 50 years, shared not only the details he presented in his seminal 1970s book Socorro 'Saucer' in a Pentagon Pantry, but further evidence in the case. The incident took place in April 1964, when Lonnie Zamora, a New Mexico policeman, heard a loud roar and saw a descending object in the sky in flames. In his patrol car, he tracked the craft to where it had landed in a ravine on the outskirts of Socorro, and saw two small beings beside it. The beings were the size of children, and dressed in something like white coveralls, Zamora reported. Several other witnesses described seeing an object in the sky, and landing traces and soil were subsequently tested.
Stanford made numerous trips to Socorro, to examine the scene and interview Zamora and other witnesses. He found Zamora to be highly credible in his accounts, and famed ufologist J. Allen Hynek also came to town to investigate. Directly after the incident other patrolmen arrived on the scene, including one who took photos-- he was asked to turn over the images to the government, and some of the photos reportedly showed the effects of radiation, Stanford detailed. Zamora made a drawing of the red insignia he saw on the side of the craft, yet the military ended up changing the look of the drawing to deliberately obfuscate the public, in order to determine if future sightings might be copycat hoaxes, Stanford explained. He further revealed that he has acquired an actual photo of the craft, which he's hoping to use for publication in an updated book on the Socorro incident.
George Knapp shares a number of items that have recently caught his attention including an article about time travel and the 'grandfather paradox':
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Welcome to Colton Middle School
We are glad you are considering enrolling!
Online registration is now available @
https://co.cesdk12.org/cosd/PXP2_Login.aspx for returning students.
New Student Registration can be found @ https://co.cesdk12.org/cosd/PXP2_OEN_Login.aspx
You will also find a printable registration packet at the bottom of this page for your convenience.
Proof of Residency must be established before your child may enter the district.
The following documentation is required at the time of registration and may not be substituted with any other documents:
Child's birth certificate or passport for proof of age
Parent/Guardians DMV issued identification card with current address for Colton School District
In addition to the above mentioned documents one of the following is also required with Colton School District Address:
Recent Utility Bill (Electric, Water or Cable) Only One
Rental Agreement (must be on letterhead of rental company dated within 30 days of enrollment)
Voter registration card
Copy of approved Inter-District Transfer Agreement
The name and address must be visible on all bills used for proof of residency and all documents must be dated within 30 days of registering your child. Additional forms may be required at the time of registration.
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Comfort Keeper® of the Year honoree Marie Crizouho shared how she loves to bring laughter to her clients and the importance of purpose and joy on seniors' wellbeing. She also recounted how the support she receives from the office staff makes her feel supported and appreciated.
Porschea Bell, Comfort Keeper® of the Year honoree, shared that she's a caregiver because she loves people and she comes home from work happy every day because of her clients. Like so many Comfort Keepers caregivers, Porschea feels that caregiving is more than a job, it's an opportunity to make a difference.
Comfort Keeper® of the year honoree Kelly Ramos shared what being a caregiver means to her and the impact caregiving has had on her life. We are fortunate to have caregivers who go above and beyond every day and truly elevate the human spirit for our clients.
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At one point, businesses depended solely on physical brick-and-mortar storefronts, foot traffic from outside streets, and tangible billboards and flyers to bring in customers. Now, especially in the recent decade, technological advancements have paved the way for traditional businesses to undergo digital transformations.
What Do Digital Transformations Comprise?
A digital transformation is the process of integrating technology into a traditional business, whether a manufacturing, retail, or healthcare company, to reshape operations and improve processes. Many believe this digital adoption solely includes incorporating an online store to extend or replace the current physical setup and enhance brand awareness. However, it offers so much more.
Below, we’ll explain the three key elements of this transformation and what they can do for your business.
Adhering to Customers and Their Needs
Your customers are the life force of your livelihood, so strive for optimal customer satisfaction to keep your company not only afloat but competitive. Artificial intelligence and machine learning help as chatbots and voice assistants. These virtual assistants use natural language processing to understand customers and the emotions behind their words or voices to show empathy and better assist.
AI technology then uses the information provided by the business owner or other business pages to answer questions and concerns so customers don’t have to wait for a live agent. Furthermore, it follows customers on their purchasing journey, observing their viewing and buying trends to recommend similar products better. The personalized content improves the customer experience.
Revolutionizing Business Processes
AI integration also helps streamline processes like creating orders, returns, exchanges, and other repetitive actions. Since these processes follow a distinct pattern that doesn’t change between customers, a machine can learn and regularly repeat the cycle, keeping live agents from tedious tasks. It makes them available for unique issues requiring a human touch so the team gets to more issues faster.
Business owners also benefit from automating tasks during a digital transformation since technology does anything from sending emails and instant messages about upcoming events and sales to tracking inventory so employees don’t manually input the information. Not only does it reduce human error, but it also improves efficiency for higher productivity.
Utilizing the Appropriate Digital Technologies
However, the only way to ensure these advancements is by utilizing the appropriate digital tools, including more than just artificial intelligence. For instance, if you purchase smart devices for your physical space, from iPhones and tablets to smart thermostats and kitchen appliances, they can all join the Internet of Things (IoT) so these items can exchange data and communicate.
These devices also communicate with the cloud, allowing business owners to store data elsewhere on physical hardware like servers. With cloud computing, companies receive software, data analytics, networking, and more over the internet with high speeds and flexibility.
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CNBLUE has updated the release details for their first Japanese single of 2013 – “Blind Love” – cover jackets, full track list, and bonuses have all been revealed. Also announced is a tie-up as theme song for show PON! on Nippon TV. The boys also revealed a behind-the-scenes video of their cover photo shoot for Japanese magazine an·an. New single “Blind Love” comes on three editions and hits stores on April 24th 2013 – updated details and video follow…
The single is Korean band CNBLUE’s 5th original Japanese single and the Limited type-A includes DVD containing music videos plus 7-song live performance from their Christmas 2012 concert MUSIC FOR ALL, ALL FOR ONE held at Yoyogi National Gymnasium.
Previously CNBLUE released their 4th Japanese single “Robot” on December 19th 2013. Confirming their popularity in Japan, fans pushed single to #2 on the Oricon weekly charts. In Korea CNBLUE released their 4th mini-album “Re:BLUE” in January 2013.
New Japanese single “Blind Love” comes on three editions with each having a different karaoke track,
– Limited A with DVD that includes music video and making of footage for the title track plus concert footage and 7 song performances from the MUSIC FOR ALL, ALL FOR ONE held at Yoyogi National Gymnasium December 24th 2012. Application card A
– Limited B with DVD that includes concert footage and 6 song performances from Robot Release Live held at TFT Hall on December 23rd 2012. Application card B
– Regular CD-only. Application card C.
First Press on all versions adds bonus photo sticker! (varies by store)
Fans purchasing the First Press Limited A & B and Regular editions (all 3) can submit the three application cards for two awards (planned):
– 500 people (lottery) invited to special release event somewhere in Tokyo April 27th 2013.
– Special CNBLUE reel cord keychain (shipping in Japan only).
Enjoy the magazine cover shoot video (March 1st 2013) after the release details.
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HIGH IMPACT HEALER
The most profound transformations happen during multi-day retreats. This training will provide you with everything you need in order to Facilitate Breathwork in a retreat environment and even provide the necessary tools and guidance to host YOUR OWN retreat. This is the best way to earn a high income and provide the highest level of facilitation for others!
After this training, you will be fully equipped to provide life changing workshops for your community.
You will also notice that private groups will want to hire you over and over again because of your skills as a facilitator + The power of Breathwork!
Every company wants their employees to be healthy and vibrant. After this training, you will be ready to share the power of the breath with corporate teams in a business setting.
After this training, you will be prepared to guide your clients through long term breathwork coaching programs in which you will build a lasting relationship with your client as well as create the most impact/Income as a wellness entrepreneur!
Mens Retreat In
I received the opposite of what I expected to receive, but I got exactly what I needed. I found my center again, I found my power again, I was able to reset and I can take that back home with me. I would recommend this retreat for any man, no matter where they are in their life
- ROberto L
I received a sense of peace and resolution here. Prior to this retreat I felt lost, and at this retreat, I was able to allow myself to get to a better place. This retreat was very transformative.
- Johnathan M
This is my third retreat and at each retreat, you receive something different. It always comes at the perfect time, and if you come open and free, the universe conspires to give you just what you need and I received exactly what I needed here.
- Kevin S
I received a deep heart-opening experience of love for myself and others here. I have been looking for this love for a while and this retreat was a total catalyst to receiving that love. I've learned so much from the men in this container and I connected deeply with all of them which is something that's been very hard to find in the past.
- Ryan Pinter
~ Music and Podcast ~
Through these projects Ben and his team provide multiple transformational retreats, teacher trainings, courses, community events, and workshops every year both in person and online
Ben's unique approach to the facilitation of healing and expansion focuses on a multi-dimensional, integrated model by combining a plethora of healing modalities both ancient and modern designed uniquely for each client him and his team work with.
Ben's team is fully focused on providing the highest level of trauma informed facilitation and support for all of their clients and retreat participants.
Ultimately, this style of facilitation leads to gaining the priceless ability to self-regulate, and a felt-sense of empowerment so that they too can then become a holder of healing space for others.
Ben creates a beautiful, awesome setting for you to explore whatever you want to explore during his workshop. His approach is genuine, goofy and relaxing, at the same time. And well-grounded, founded, so you can bring everything you experienced into this reality. During and after the whole journey you feel supported by him and his awesome assistants! There’s a deep sense of trust in his workshops which allows the participant to feel ‘at home’, and that’s where all the magic happens
I cannot speak highly enough of Ben as a human, and as a facilitator.
Thanks to Ben's facilitation, I no longer feel like a prisoner inside of myself.
Ben is an amazing facilitator and space holder. His guidance was clear and useful and you could tell that he’s really in his integrity and truly wants for the evolution of humankind. I had a transcendent experience doing breathwork with him and trusted him completely to hold the container tight for our breathwork journey. The music he picked was subtly hypnotic and was grounding and relaxing where it needed to be so.
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Hey guys! It’s Jules!
Today’s recipe was inspired by my sister who has a strong aversion to bananas, but for years has asked me for a deliciously creamy green smoothie sans fruit!
As a self-proclaimed fruit lover and full-blown banana addict myself, to say that I’ve been resistant to ditching fruit from my diet would be putting it lightly. After all, fruit is as natural as it comes. I have thrived on a high-fruit diet for months at a time (one of my many food experiments)! Plus fruit is a whole food that comes from the earth and has been known as one of the most healing foods we have on the planet. How could it be bad for us?
I’ve wrestled with this question for a long time and it is without a doubt a complex topic. In simple terms what I’ve come to realize is this – The modern day body has become overly acidic, inflamed, and toxic. Many people are walking around with blood sugar imbalances, candida, yeast and mold overgrowth. Our guts are all out of whack and the result is intense sugar cravings and sugar sensitivity (not sure if that’s you? Be sure to check out our Sugar Sensitivity quiz here). For these people sugar IS sugar IS sugar. And eating fruit (or any other natural sweeteners) will only add to the gas, bloating, constipation, brain fog, mood swings, exhaustion, and weight gain. And this is exactly why we developed our new Low Sugar Plan as part of our live support Cleanse (get info about our next cleanse here).
So, while I’m personally not swearing off fruit for good, I have been on a month-long sabbatical from all forms of sugar….apples, bananas, dates and all! And it’s been a real eye-opener to see all the ways in which I reach for something sweet (even if natural) over the dark leafy greens and more alkaline foods like cucumbers and celery.
I love fruit for the energy and great bowel movements that it gives me, but I’ve also loved taking a break from it. The bottom line is this – eat fruit in moderation, focus on low glycemic fruits, and if you feel like you can’t go without it, take a hiatus and see how you feel.
Are you ready to start blending? Today’s green smoothie is a delicious, low sugar, fruit free smoothie that is loaded with healthy fat and green veggies. I hope you love it and it helps you break free from your fruit addiction.
Are you confused about fruit? Be sure to leave me a comment below. I’d love to hear from you.
With fruit free love,
Fruit Free Green Smoothie
Yield: 1 Quart
- 1½ cups almond or hemp milk
- ½ cup water
- 2 cups spinach
- ½ avocado, peeled
- ½ cucumber
- 1 TB. nut butter (we used almond but sunbutter is delicious too)
- ½ tsp. cinnamon
- Handful of ice (optional)
Place the almond or hemp milk, water, spinach, avocado, cucumber, nut butter, cinnamon, and ice (optional) in a high speed blender. Blend until creamy.
If you liked this recipe, we invite you to join our online community! As a welcome-gift, we’ll send you our Green Smoothie eCookbook, a collection of more of our favorite easy smoothie recipes!
We also share new recipes, free live calls with us, and more healthy lifestyle tips, plus let you know when our next group cleanse is coming. Welcome! We’re so glad you’re here.
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched lawsuits against Virginia and Alabama, aiming to halt the states’ efforts to clean their voter registration lists in the run-up to the elections. The lawsuits are part of a broader strategy by the Biden administration to oversee voting processes and prevent states from removing voters, particularly noncitizens, from their rolls within 90 days of an election, as stipulated in the National Voter Registration Act. Critics, including legal experts and state officials, argue that the DOJ’s actions misinterpret the law and undermine election integrity.
In Virginia, Governor Glenn Youngkin condemned the lawsuit, asserting that his state was following legal procedures to remove noncitizens from voter rolls, citing over 6,300 removals since January 2022. Similarly, Alabama’s Secretary of State revealed that 3,251 potential noncitizens had been flagged, prompting the state to take action while facing resistance from federal authorities.
Proponents of the lawsuits, including DOJ attorneys, claim that the removal efforts could confuse eligible voters and violate protections intended to keep eligible citizens registered. These cases are just part of a series of legal actions by the DOJ addressing voting accessibility and election integrity nationwide, including previous interventions in Wisconsin, Arizona, and Ohio. A court hearing regarding the Alabama case is scheduled for Tuesday, with Virginia expected to respond soon.
DOJ goes on offense to halt voter roll cleanup
The Department of Justice’s recent lawsuit against Virginia marked the second attempt in as many weeks from the federal government to stop states from cleaning their voter registration lists in the lead-up to the election.
The DOJ’s lawsuits against Virginia and Alabama came only after the department had also filed a lawsuit in Wisconsin and intervened in cases in Arizona and Ohio, an aggressive string that is illustrative of the Biden administration’s heavy hand in the voting process in the months and weeks before Election Day.
In Virginia and Alabama, the DOJ alleged that election officials’ efforts to remove noncitizens from their voter rolls were a violation of a National Voter Registration Act provision that restricts a state from systematically removing people from its voter registration list in the 90 days before an election.
These actions “have likely confused, deterred, and removed U.S. citizens who are fully eligible to vote — the very scenario that Congress tried to prevent when it enacted the Quiet Period Provision,” DOJ attorneys wrote in their Virginia complaint.
Hans von Spakovsky, a senior legal fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, called the pair of lawsuits “an abusive misinterpretation of the law.” Von Spakovsky served as counsel in the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division and helped enforce the 1993 NVRA, also known as the “Motor Voter Act.”
“This interpretation of the law is frankly absurd,” von Spakovsky told the Washington Examiner, adding that the NVRA would be unconstitutional if it “required states to keep an alien on the voter rolls.”
The states share similar views. Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) criticized the DOJ in a statement, calling the lawsuit “a desperate attempt to attack the legitimacy of the elections in the commonwealth.”
The DOJ had alleged on Friday that Youngkin’s August directive that Virginia election officials continue removing possible noncitizens from its voter rolls meant the state would likely incidentally remove eligible voters during the NVRA’s 90-day quiet period. Those who were citizens who were removed would be able to correct their registration in time for the election. The directive came alongside Youngkin’s revelation that his state had removed 6,303 alleged noncitizens from its voter rolls since January 2022.
“With less than 30 days until the election, the Biden-Harris Department of Justice is filing an unprecedented lawsuit against me and the Commonwealth of Virginia for appropriately enforcing a 2006 law signed by Democrat [Sen.] Tim Kaine that requires Virginia to remove noncitizens from the voter rolls, a process that starts with someone declaring themselves a noncitizen and then registering to vote,” Youngkin said.
Attorneys in Alabama defended their state’s efforts in August to deactivate what Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen found, which were 3,251 possible noncitizens on Alabama’s list of registered voters. The attorneys said Allen had discovered the registrants had alien numbers and that the federal government was uncooperative with Allen when he looked to it for assistance in determining their citizenship.
“Noncitizens are not eligible to vote, but they sometimes do. Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen wants to deter that conduct,” the attorneys wrote in a court filing.
The scenario was, again, a situation in which those who were incidentally switched to “inactive” status but were citizens could cure their registration by proving their citizenship.
Noncitizen voting is against the law, and studies show prosecutions for it are extraordinarily rare, but polls show Republicans share widespread suspicions that instances of noncitizen voting could be going unchecked.
A hearing in the Alabama case is set for Tuesday, while Virginia is set to respond to its lawsuit in court in the coming days.
Meanwhile, cleaning voter rolls is not the only activity the DOJ has been targeting.
In Wisconsin, the department alleged in September that two towns did not have voting equipment that was accessible to handicapped voters. The suit came after an election chief in one of the towns expressed distrust over electronic voting machines and opted instead to use paper ballots only.
In Ohio, the DOJ intervened in a lawsuit over the summer, arguing people with “blindness, disability, or inability to read or write” should be able to seek voting assistance from anyone they choose and that Ohio was unlawfully placing restrictions on whom such voters could tap to help them.
In Arizona, a top battleground and border state, the DOJ intervened in a case that was elevated to the U.S. Supreme Court in which Republicans sought to prevent tens of thousands of Arizonans who had registered to vote but had not provided documented proof of citizenship from participating in the presidential election.
The DOJ fought against Republicans, arguing they were pushing for more guardrails than what federal law permits. The Supreme Court ruled partially in Republicans’ favor.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
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The US Food and Drug Administration has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to investigational drug CP101 for the treatment of patients with recurrent C diff infection.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted a Breakthrough Therapy Designation to investigational drug CP101 for the treatment of recurrent C diff infection, Finch Therapeutics announced today.
The drug is being developed to address an unmet need in C diff prevention. Recurrent C diff has been designated an urgent public health threat by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention due to the high percentage of patients failing standard-of-care treatment.
“CP101 is designed to break the cycles of infection by restoring the balance of the gut microbiome, an approach supported by numerous clinical studies and Finch’s extensive experience providing microbial treatments to patients suffering from [C diff,]” Mark Smith, chief executive officer of Finch said in making the announcement.
The company reports that participants are currently being enrolled into a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2 clinical trial called PRISM3. The trial will assess the safety and efficacy of the drug, which will be administered in a single dose through an oral capsule.
“The investigational treatment, CP101, is a capsule containing a freeze-dried community of bacteria from a healthy human gut,” the company website explains. “It is designed to deliver this new microbiome to the specific areas of the intestine that have been disrupted by C diff and antibiotics.”
Participants who enroll in the study will be assigned at random to receive the investigational drug or a placebo. Over a 6-month period the participants will meet with clinical staff 7 times to have their health and progress evaluated. Participants will also submit stool samples throughout the study using at-home collection kits.
The Breakthrough Therapy Designation is intended to expedite the development and review of investigational therapeutics for areas of unmet need when preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the product may demonstrate a substantial improvement over existing therapies.
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There is a lot going on in this area in medicine and here is the most up-to-date news on health programs and therapies.
May is Hepatitis Awareness month and provides a time to reflect on everything from curative treatments to developing therapies and vaccines.
On the treatment side, there is a curative treatment for hepatitis C, and other treatments in clinical trials for hepatitis B and D. For hepatitis D, there is a therapy that might be approved in Europe soon and possibly in the United States later this year.
Although there is a lot of encouraging developments on the therapy side, on the awareness side, education is limited and needs to be revamped. As Thelma Thiel founder of the Liver Health Initiative wrote recently, "we also need to work towards greater education of our youth as well as our adults about liver health and develop the knowledge in trying to prevent viral hepatitis transmission."
Check out our updates on some of the latest news in hepatitis treatment.
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Discover the Samsung Galaxy A35, a smartphone designed to enhance your daily life with its powerful performance and innovative features. Equipped with a long-lasting 5000 mAh battery and Samsung Super Fast Charging, it keeps you connected longer. The triple rear camera setup, including a 50 megapixel wide-angle lens, captures every detail in stunning clarity, while the 6.6-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display brings your content to life with vibrant colors and sharp detail. With 5G connectivity, Bluetooth 5.3, and a suite of wireless interfaces, you're always in the loop, at high speed. The Galaxy A35 is not only powerful but also durable and secure, featuring IP67 dust and water resistance, Samsung Knox Vault, and a fingerprint reader for enhanced security. It's the perfect companion for those who demand both performance and protection in their mobile device.
- Premium design: intuitive flat housing with elegant glass back
- Clear, crisp photos and videos: captures vibrant colors and fine details day or night
- Redesigned display: upgraded Infinity-O display with Super AMOLED
- Samsung Knox Vault: designed to keep your sensitive information safe
Awesome inside and out
A delightful blend of simplicity and enjoyment. The iconic Galaxy A35 5G design features a linear camera layout encased with an elegant glass back and a flat side frame for a sleek look and feel.
Beauty lies in the details
Capture beautiful photos with the 50MP high-resolution Wide-angle camera. The vivid color and details will give you awe-inspiring photos worth sharing.
Stunning photos even in the dark
Nightography just got fun. The Galaxy A35 5G comes with an improved NPU and enhanced sensor that makes photos clear with detail even in the dark. From nightscapes to night portraits, you'll get more detail in every shot.
Shoot clear and steady videos
With Super HDR, you can get rich colors, clear videos, and better visibility in a variety of lighting conditions. Paired with OIS and VDIS, you get smooth videos while filming on the move.
Edit photos effortlessly
Take your photos to the next level by enhancing your images with Edit Suggestion like Background blur, Remaster, Erase shadows and more.
Bright and vibrant display
Meet the brilliant 6.6-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED Infinity-O display with a 120 Hz smooth high-refresh rate and 1,000 nits of brightness. Vision Booster can give you crystal-clear outdoor visibility even in direct sunlight.
The power is in your hands
Unlock the Octa-core processor's power with improved GPU and NPU, making multitasking, gaming, and streaming a breeze. Galaxy A35 5G features a large vapor chamber cooling system that's ready to handle almost any task.
Battery life for 2 days
Get more mobility with the 5,000 mAh (typical) battery designed to keep you connected for 2 days and recharge with Super Fast Charging.
Helps resist damage from drops and spills
Your phone is dust and water resistant with an IP67 rating. Plus, the display is made from tough Corning Gorilla Glass Victus + to give you additional peace of mind.
Support to keep your information safe
The EAL5+ certified Samsung Knox Vault is designed to protect your sensitive information, such as your PIN, password and pattern. Your encrypted data can be safely transferred to Samsung Knox Vault storage, which is completely isolated and separated from the main operating system.
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It’s no secret that I’m a huge garlic lover. I love the smell and most of all the flavor. Any chance I get, I’m adding garlic! So what if it makes your breathe stinky for a little bit. It’s got some other benefits too especially this time of year when I’m wanting to go mushroom hunting. Believe it or not, the scent of garlic comes out in your skin and those dang yucky ticks that I’m allergic to don’t like that smell!
Given my garlic obsession, when I heard that a group of bloggers were getting together to celebrate National Garlic Day I had to jump in. We’re talking all sorts of garlic! Yes, please!! Don’t have to ask me twice.
Another one of my not so hidden favorites belongs to the lovely starch family… you know those potatoes that I can’t seem to stay away from. So why not bring the two together right? Throw in some dill weed and it’s pretty much deliciousness all in a mouthful.
These Garlic Dill Roasted Potato Wedges are super easy and the perfect combination with a burger. Another awesome thing is that these wedges need absolutely NO dipping sauce. I’m a huge ranch fan when it comes to my fries and I tried it with these and it was a no go… seriously no dipping sauce required.
Garlic Dill Roasted Potato Wedges
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled, cut into wedges
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 roasted garlic cloves, minced
- 1-2 tablespoons dill weed
- Preheat oven to 425*
- In a medium bowl, toss the potato wedges, olive oil, garlic and salt and pepper (to taste)
- Place on a cookie sheet
- Bake at 425* for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from oven and toss with dill weed.
- **If you do not want to roast the garlic, simply used minced garlic (but I recommend roasted garlic–more flavor)**
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Most of us experienced the holidays during the winter months as one long continuous celebration, starting with Thanksgiving and topping off with New Year’s Day. We gathered with loved ones, dressed up, shared tasty food, and enjoyed festive holiday events.
Unfortunately, thousands of families were without their loved ones due to mental health or substance use challenges, incarceration, care in behavioral health facilities, or loss by suicide.
COVID-19 continues to expose significant disparities in healthcare and emphasizes the urgency of addressing the methods utilized to respond to mental health and substance use crises. The National Institute on Mental Health reports that suicide was the twelfth leading cause of death in the United States in 2020, claiming the life of 45,900 people. The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics 2020 data indicates a 30% increase in overdose deaths, claiming the life of 91,000 people.
An estimated three-quarters of those who enter jail each year with a severe mental illness have a co-occurring substance use disorder. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, approximately two-thirds of female and a third of male inmates report being diagnosed with a mental health disorder. In an effort to reduce the use of police in addressing mental and substance use crises, 9-8-8 was launched nationally in 2022.
Most families bear the brunt of the consequences of their loved one’s mental health or substance use issues: Fees for legal counsel, providing funds for commissary and medical bills for services not covered by insurance, and visitation during incarceration are a drain on family finances. Family members experience hopelessness, helplessness, and guilt from not being able to communicate with their loved ones regularly or having been able to protect loved ones from their own behaviors.
The NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Rockdale & Newton Chapter’s outgoing and incoming Chairperson Claudette Harden and Olinda Ricard-Hodge, respectively, have lived experiences of being advocates for their sons whose untreated mental illness contributed to their arrest and incarceration. They’ve experienced the additional burden of not knowing how their family member was being treated while detained or hospitalized: whether they are safe and being provided the proper medical care that they need.
The families of those with mental health issues continue to engage with our local, state and federal legislators about the importance of allocating more funding to improve mental health facilities and expand resources in our healthcare systems and communities.
In 2022 Georgia lawmakers passed the Mental Health Parity Act (HB 1013) to ensure that insurance plans provide coverage for mental health and substance use is comparable to medical coverage. As well as establishing Psychiatric Advanced Directives (HB 752) and developing co-responder teams (SB 403), which provide for peace officers and mental health professionals to respond to mental health and substance use crises jointly.
Rockdale and Newton counties are home to numerous local agencies working together to provide services, connections to resources, encouragement, and support to individuals and families impacted by mental health and substance use challenges. Agencies like the Newton County Family Connection, Newton County Drug-Free Community Coalition, Rockdale County Drug-Free Coalition, Newton-Rockdale Suicide Prevention Coalition, View Point Health, Rockdale Coalition for Children and Families, the Community Resource Network, Grit and Grace Recovery Community Organization, Rockdale County Stepping Up Initiative, Give Life a Chance, Cat10Entertainment and NAMI Rockdale & Newton host town hall meetings, community resource fairs, educational events, support groups and more.
The NAMI Rockdale & Newton Chapter serves residents across our counties with free mental health support, online groups, resources, education, and opportunities to become an advocate with the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization.
Our ability to improve lives and make advancements in addressing mental health and substance use challenges increases when we continue to bring awareness to the issues by sharing our stories. On Tuesday, Jan. 31, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., mental health advocates from across the state will participate in Mental Health Day at the Capitol. They will meet with our legislators to advocate for early intervention & prevention, strong parity protections, enhancing the mental health workforce, decriminalizing mental health, improving emergency crisis response, affordable housing for people living with mental illness, and other topics.
To learn more about Mental Health Day at the Capitol, NAMI Rockdale & Newton, our monthly support groups, or community resources, visit us online at https://namirockdalenewton.org, email us at [email protected] or call 470-665-6808.
If in crisis, please call 988 or the Georgia Crisis & Access Line at 1-800-715-4225. You can also text “NAMI” to 741741 for 24/7, confidential, free crisis counseling. If you call 911, please ask for a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)/Mental Health trained Officer.
Claudette Harden is the past chairperson and Olinda Ricard-Hodge is the current chairperson of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Rockdale & Newton Chapter.
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Georgia's low income students have performed measurably worse on state tests than their high-income classmates, and the distance between the two groups is greater in Georgia than almost every other state based on national comparisons. State lawmakers have an opportunity and a responsibility to do something about it, especially now that the pandemic has worsened the situation. Georgia is one of only six states that does not provide additional funding to schools to educate students living in poverty, and our lawmaker’s inability to act is reflected in student outcomes.
Thankfully, Georgia’s Senate passed Senate Resolution 650 establishing a committee to review the state’s education funding formula. The committee has met twice; the next is slated for Friday, the 21st of October. The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI), where I am a senior education policy analyst, has joined with other groups in the coalition Fund Georgia’s Future to encourage the study committee to fix the way we fund schools so that educators can serve every child based on their needs. Lawmakers should use this committee to recommend adding an Opportunity Weight to the state’s funding formula — additional dollars to educate students living in poverty to ensure they have the necessary resources to excel.
Currently, our state’s teachers are burned out and local schools are losing quality teachers because of the stress. Georgia Department of Education’s own report on the matter shows a profession on the brink. We ask educators to be miracle workers for children, teaching in schools that have on average only one counselor for every 419 students and are lucky to have an onsite nurse. As school districts struggle to recruit and retain quality educators, it is integral for state leaders to take action to ensure that students from every economic background receive a quality education in our state. Adding an Opportunity Weight to Georgia’s school funding formula would mean that schools serving large portions of low-income students could hire more teachers and reduce turnover in areas where teachers are being burnt out due to large class sizes. Research out of the Education Law Center shows teacher attrition is highest in majority Black districts and those serving a large number of students living in poverty. This has been partly caused by the lack of resources and the quality of teacher pay in these districts. Smaller classes have the added benefit of allowing teachers to offer more one-on-one attention to their pupils that need more support. An Opportunity Weight would allow districts to enhance the quality of learning in communities that have been starved of the chance by limited funding.
The benefits go beyond bolstering the teaching profession.
Georgia’s Black Belt — the pathway of rural counties with a high concentration of Black students and high portions of students living in poverty — students seldom have opportunities to take Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Fifteen school districts in the Black Belt did not have a single student take an AP course in 2018. The cost of materials from the course can deter districts from offering these necessary college-level opportunities. If lawmakers continue in this direction, these districts will only continue to be far less prepared and equipped to teach quality curricula.
Additionally, an Opportunity Weight could also supplement school support staff like counselors and nurses. Several studies show that having a sufficient number of school counselors results in positive outcomes for low-income students, students that are learning English as a second language, and children exhibiting aggressive behavior or actions associated with depression. Hiring additional counselors has been found to be financially practical as well since it is more cost-effective than alternative policies aimed to support students’ socio-emotional needs.
The idea of adding funding for economically-disadvantaged students is not new, nor is it revolutionary. Nearly every state provides this type of additional funding, and it typically has bipartisan support. In fact, Gov. Nathan Deal’s Education Reform Commission recommended adding an Opportunity Weight to provide funding for lower-income students back in 2015. The need for an Opportunity Weight has been exacerbated by persistent cuts to the state’s education budget over the last two decades. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 budget has restored significant cuts to school funding, but it still lacks critical investments to raise success and outcomes for Georgia’s students. Educating without state budget cuts should be seen as a floor, not the ceiling of state investment.
With a record surplus in state reserves, there is a clear opportunity to take action to help the state’s most vulnerable scholars. There is still a meeting on the docket for SR 650’s review committee. It is my hope that the panel will take a hard look at the present need for Georgia’s most vulnerable students and take action during the session to provide the resources that children deserve.
Stephen Owens is a senior K-12 education analyst for the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, a nonprofit based in Atlanta that analyzes tax policies and proposed budgets in Georgia.
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The Rockdale community will have a chance to put its ingenuity and problem solving methods on display as it will get together to determine the best science mind.
Students from grades 6-12 from public schools, private schools and home schools in Rockdale County will be able to participate in the Rockdale Regional Science and Engineering Fair on Jan. 28.
“By completing a scientific research project, students learn how to apply the scientific method by solving problems using an organized, logical and methodical process,” said Mary Ann Suddeth, Rockdale Regional Science and Engineering Fair Director.
In order for students to apply the scientific method funds must be applied to the fair. Funds are sought to cover expenses of ribbons, trophies, plaques, certificates, supplies and lunch for the volunteer judges.
Also, the Rockdale Regional Science and Engineering Fair is responsible for paying all registration and travel expenses for students who become eligible to advance to the state and International Science Fairs.
All students who receive a first place award will advance to the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair, which takes place on March 31 through April 2. Up to two grand champions will advance to the International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles on May 8-13..
Suddeth is hoping to raise approximately $9,000 for the Rockdale Regional Science and Engineering Fair.
For more information visit http://rsef.webs.com.
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The Crucial Advantages of Cowon Button Cell Batteries
For the powering of small electronic ensembles, Cowon button cell batteries have a few advantages that assist it quite remarkably. The first of these has to be their performance, which is long lasting. These batteries are designed for continuous service, making it possible for devices to remain active longer before they are needed to be changed. This not only saves you money but helps in the reduction of electronic waste.
The second option is Cowon which is one of the leading suppliers of the products and is known for maintaining quality. Each button cell battery goes through a comprehensive quality test which assures performance liking those built from high caliber materials. Given that type of dedication to excellence, customers know exactly what they get with Cowon products — a steady supply of energy no matter what appliances.
Moreover, Cowon button cell batteries are sufficiently usable. They fit in a variety of devices even household appliances and some medical devices. Introductively, this suitability of the devices makes them a wide range of customers at home or at workplaces.
Customer satisfaction issues are also addressed effectively by Cowon. The company has an active support team that addresses all new questions that arise even from customers. Such an approach complements the overall experience and makes the company more appealing in the already competitive battery market.
Lastly, selecting Cowon button cell batteries suggests that one is making an investment in quality and performance whilst ensuring great customer satisfaction. Their versatile and long-lasting energy solutions will suit all your electronic needs.
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If your business has been growing for years, it might be time to expand and redesign your office space. To motivate your team to work even harder, you must design it to reflect your company’s culture and make your workers comfortable and happy coming to work every day. So, before you get on with it, here are some important things to consider when designing an office.
1. Multifunctional Spaces
Multifunctional spaces are some of the significant features that modern offices should have. It’s vital to consider this during the early stages of the office layout. When implementing collaborative spaces and meeting rooms into your office design, allow for potential situations that could happen in the future. You should think of these rooms as more than just a space to conduct team meetings. If you have to regularly welcome visitors into your office, you may want to consider having a larger office space to account for this. In addition, if you are expanding, your initial design concept should consider this. It would be a waste to lay the groundwork for your new office only to change it again after only six months.
There are many benefits to having multifunctional workspaces. First, it encourages employees to interact and collaborate since you provide them with the space to do so. By designing an office area with multifunctional spaces, employees can break the monotonous of their daily routine and be more comfortable sharing ideas, thanks to the welcoming space that a multifunctional workspace can offer.
2. A Space for Socialising with Colleagues
Your office space should encourage socialisation and relaxation amongst employees, where they can eat and work simultaneously in cafes, pantries, or cafeterias. The lounge concept promotes safe and social interaction while also maximising productivity. Some office spaces offer more than just an excellent interior-designed workspace for employees. A good idea would be to provide amenities like playrooms, fitness rooms, wellness rooms, etc. The way that people work in this modern age is far from the usual. People these days tend to prefer working for companies that offer flexibility and a healthy work-life balance.
Transforming your office space into more social hubs can also help workers overcome their worries about returning to the office setting after working from home in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Having a work lounge can encourage socialising and can be optimised to help shift between collaboration and individual working scenarios. The space should exude a welcoming appeal and accommodate changing working postures while enabling collaboration. After working hours, it can transform into a place that supports socialising and relaxation together as an organisation.
Aside from encouraging socialisation, the space should be able to support the organisation’s needs. It should foster a sense of belongingness through comfort and collaboration.
3. Breakout Areas
Breakout areas should be a significant aspect of designing an office. Depending on the size and location of your office, you may need to create a space where employees can relax and enjoy breaks between work. Office breakout spaces can come in the form of comfy areas, kitchens, and places to chat and relax with colleagues during a break. The space can also be utilised for other purposes, including a room for conducting online compliance training, or any other form of online course. Just as it is essential to create a productive environment for your team, you must also give them an area to unwind and relax. Employees often take advantage of their breaks to chat with colleagues and switch off. Taking breaks throughout the day can help them stay focused, preventing burnout. By providing breakout areas for your employees, you will reap the benefits once they return to work since they will feel refreshed and rejuvenated, ready to take up as much work as possible.
Consider providing other means of mental stimulation or entertainment for your employees to enjoy during a break, which can be very useful in an extremely busy work environment. For instance, you can install a TV in the break room, allowing employees to unwind and zone out between work. You might think an entertainment system can distract your employees and negatively affect their work performance. However, these are actually helpful for relieving stress.
4. Comfortable Furniture
The key to a good breakout area is comfort. Much of the value of a dedicated break area in an office setting will be useless if it can’t provide some level of comfort. Therefore, when it comes to seating and other furniture, choose something that can help make everyone feel comfortable. Your employees will love stepping away from the conventional office setting and into a homier space. It allows them to better disconnect from the pressures of the workday and take advantage of the relaxation zones. Provide enough tables and chairs where your employees can leisurely eat and lounge around. Equip it with couches where they can comfortably relax after their lunch. The breakout space is an area in the office where inviting furniture can make a huge difference. Providing a space where employees can put their feet up, relax, and hang out for a few minutes after lunch break is key to helping them stay motivated at work.
When designing your office, make sure you consider the lighting. Natural light in an office space is a crucial aspect that helps keep employees stay productive and motivated. You may also consider installing controllable light in each workstation, allowing employees to alter the lighting according to what suits them. Good office lighting can help drive productivity in the workplace. In case you didn’t know, light plays a central role in our circadian rhythms, creating balance and routine throughout the day. A well-lit office space can improve your employees’ wakefulness, helping them to focus more on their tasks. Well-lit offices have also been found to have lower absences and workers getting ill, which further contributes to productivity. One study found that 68% of employees complain that lighting is one of the reasons they can’t stay productive at work. Thus, lighting should be a priority when designing your office space.
Photo credits: Coworking London
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You have to make the decision whether to sell your home or rent it. Duh right? This is probably the toughest decision. Remember when I mentioned that decisions aren't always black and white? For us we had no choice. We had refinanced just 6 months before we moved. We obviously didn't know we would be moving (to make refi worth it you are typically advised to stay in the home 2+ years to recoup closing costs). Honestly though we don't regret refinancing one minute because it lowered our monthly payment making what we charge for rent more affordable. Had we sold we technically owed more than our home was worth (not by much, just from the closing costs added to our loan). And seeing how the economy went the last 5 years, we actually lucked out. Thankfully the market where we bought wasn't "hot" 5 years ago so it wasn't affected as bad as some bigger cities were.
Advertise. If you chose to rent you've gotta get the word out. We chose not to "publicly" advertise. So we didn't run ads in the paper or put flyers up in town. We wanted to be more selective about who our tenants were. They are going to be living in our home afterall. We advertised on facebook, through word of mouth, and at our local Bible college. August is typically a good month for people moving into a college town and it just so happened that August was the month it was. We found tenants in less than a week. Also this may fit under the next category but we chose to run a credit check. We know this isn't a fool proof method, but it gives us an idea of their payment history. I can't remember exactly how we did it (Josh did it) but we went to the credit bureau site and typed in the tenants email address and the bureau sent them a link to fill out with their personal information. Then the credit history was reported to us upon them submitting the link. That way we weren't responsible for any personal information (social security numbers, etc.). We didn't run background checks in this case because we actually knew of our tenants. If they had been total strangers we would have.
Should you hire a property manager? It depends. First of all we were new at this and it would have been ideal to hire a property manager. But my parents have been landlords for my whole life. I've grown up around having a rental house and seeing the ups and downs it brings. We also used their knowledge to draw up a lease. That was probably the most difficult part. But I called my dad whenever we had a question about "lease/law wording" and he helped. If this is totally out of your comfort zone, I would recommend hiring someone to help. You also have to keep in mind that property managers get paid a certain % of the rent money. You must take that into account when you are coming up with what to charge for rent. Also we are about as far away from a rental as I would be comfortable with. We live just over 100 miles away. Anything more and we would probably have a property manager. We also have our a/c guy, plumber, and electrician on speed dial just incase.
Lease. I already mentioned that you need to draft a lease, but there's lots of important things that needs to be included. Are you okay with pets? What if the tenants want to paint? Are you leaving anything behind that you expect to be there when they leave? This is very individualized to the situation. For instance we were okay with pets as long as we know about them. As far as paint, again we are okay with it (tenant funded) but they just need to run the colors by us (no fluorescent orange or black walls). I wish I could say I've never had to paint over a black wall, but I have. My parents had renters that didn't exactly stick to their lease terms (and didn't receive their deposit back either). Oh and I've had to paint over sharpie from walls. Yeah. We left alot of things behind at our house because when we moved out we weren't sure where we'd be living. We left our patio furniture, a few ladders, our lawn equipment, and other misc things. Those things are all drafted in the lease.
Figure out a price. We aren't in this to make money. We simply want to cover the mortgage, we include pest control services in the rent, and a little bit to put aside for repairs. When I say a little I'm talking no more than $50 a month. Things break and we don't want it to be a hardship on our family when they do break so it's nice to have a cushion and pay cash when it inevitably happens. Also figure out a deposit amount that they pay with the first month's rent. Again this is going to depend on the circumstances. Make it fair to you and them.
Maintenance. This should also be included in the lease (what's the tenants responsibility and what's our responsibility). We require our tenants to keep up with the lawn maintenance, but we make sure the air filters are changed and the smoke detector batteries are working. There's more written in the lease but those are the major things. Obviously if the septic tank needed to be pumped we'd be responsible for that too (but we had it pumped right before we moved).
This shouldn't need to be said but it happens. Stay in touch with your neighbors. They know what normal activity is. My parents had a bad situation a few years ago where the neighbors knew things were going on in the house but no one ever said anything. Since then my parents leave their contact information with the neighbors, just in case. It doesn't matter how many times you drive by, you may not see all that goes on. Your neighbors are gold when it comes to this.
Hire a tax professional. We did our taxes by ourself for many years, but once we added the rental it was out of our hands. They were able to find deductions we weren't aware of and they have great advice when it comes to keeping track of all receipts and necessary documentation for tax time. Even our tax person said "Yeah, you had alot of changes this year. Good thing you came by." To us whatever they charged was priceless. We just couldn't have done it ourselves and felt confident enough the face the IRS if audited.
We have taken the advice of our mortgage company and we keep 6 months worth of rent in our savings account just in case. When we were approved for this mortgage they required that amount of cash plus our downpayment to be in our account during the process. We figure it's just good practice to have that emergency fund just in case. 1. In case something huge breaks. 2. In case we don't have renters for a while. We thankfully worked hard to put a new roof on and replace the siding before we left so those "majors" are covered for a while.
If I haven't already said it, please know that we are so thankful to be able to do this. Not everyone is comfortable carrying two mortgages, but given the circumstances, we felt it was the right thing to do. I mentioned before that when we bought the home we are living in now that we pay less for our mortgage AND HOA fees than we would to rent a 2 bedroom apartment. So for us this really was a win-win situation. We had to find the delicate balance of what we could afford and what we were comfortable paying each month and find a place that fit our budget needs and our family. The rest? It's history!
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This week’s devotions are based on Week 4 of Stormproof – Election Earthquakes (CLICK HERE)
We are just a few days from the presidential election. We have heard much rhetoric, listened to debates, watched the news and followed the polls. At the end of the process, one of the candidates will be our next president and one will not.
So if your preferred candidate wins or loses, how do we as Christians want to respond?
It would be easy to have a strong despair if your candidate loses or a strong cockiness if your candidate wins. The thing to do is avoid either of these ditches – the ditch of gloating and the ditch of despair.
Every American owes the newly elected president his or her honor and respect as the Apostle Paul encouraged in Romans 13:1. You may not agree with the policies, or like the personality, but we honor God by honoring the authority he has allowed to be over us.
The promises of God are still real and bear keeping in mind as we realize while the president of the US has consequence in our earthly existence, the president has no bearing on our eternal status.
I saw this list on Facebook and found it sharing helpful reminders:
- God will still be on his throne.
- Jesus will still be King of kings and Lord of lords.
- The Bible will still have all the answers to every problem.
- The tomb will still be empty.
- Jesus will still be the only way to heaven.
- Prayer will still work – it will still make a difference and God will still answer prayer.
- The cross, not the government, will still be our salvation.
- There will still be room at the cross.
- Jesus will still save anyone who places their faith and trust in him.
- God will still be with us always – He will never leave us or forsake us.
Elections can bring out the best and the worst in us. They challenge us with a level of anxiety over the policies we hope will be implemented or ones we don’t want to find codified. They can lead to division in relationships over strong feelings one way or the other. Elections don’t often bring the best out in people.
So, as a Christian, remember the constant of the God who loves you and is the one who allows or doesn’t allow an individual to be president. He answers to no one, but ensures his children are blessed.
What does that mean for us? First, get involved and cast your vote. Second, direct any fear or anxiety to the Lord. Third, do as Jesus encouraged in Matthew 5:14ff:
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Apply: Prepare your heart and mind now, with the guidance of God’ Spirit to not be anxious about the election and know that the constant of the Lord will overcome the ever changing patterns of the world.
Prayer: Lord, as the election comes closer, remind us that you are King of kings and Lord of lords. We treasure that you guide all things for the blessing of your people, the Church. AMEN.
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Space, Light, and Harmony
Containing 70 beautiful color photographs, this book is an adventure in design, building, and living. It is the true story of the evolution of a home—from initial planning to interior decorating—that serves as a powerful metaphor for personal development.
Years ago, Swami Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters) withdrew to the woods in a personal search for clarity. In designing his home, he felt that it must reflect this inner search. In the process of building, the author explores practical topics such as what a home should express, architectural choices, interior design, and how to select art for your home. He also discusses deeper principles behind these choices, such as the importance of myth, the meaning of friendship, and the need to find balance in our lives. Full-color photographs throughout, presented in a gift-book format.
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How can you not get a big frosty grin on your face when you look at Scentsy’s warmer of the month? The Frosty Glow Warmer captures the playful spirit of Christmas in his perfectly placed grin. The best part is he also comes in a pint size mini snowman, so the smiles can be seen in every room. And the reasons to “Be Merry” don’t stop there, because our scent of the month is filled with hints of holly leaf, pine boughs and cassis.
There is a special bundle offer on Frosty and his mini-me warmer, so visit my Scentsy shop to get 10% off of everyone’s favorite snowman and the Be Merry fragrance in a bar, scent circle, or room spray all of November!
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"Golf in the heart of Wisconsin's Green Bay & Fox Valley Region"
Perched atop one of the highest vistas in Outagamie county, Crystal Springs Golf Course is the perfect place to embark on an enjoyable day of golf. From 1967 through today, this course has provided golfers with an outstanding combination of natural beauty and golfing value. Our picturesque location just outside Seymour, Wisconsin is just minutes from Green Bay & Appleton, and features a great variety of golf holes with plenty of opportunities to score well.
At Crystal Springs, we are especially known for our fabulous greens. They are the BEST greens in Northeast Wisconsin and will always give you a true roll for those crucial, scoring putts. In addition, you'll be sure to enjoy the serenity of our natural setting and our finishing holes. The 9th and 18th holes are beautiful, dogleg par 5s with uphill approaches to contoured greens. Enjoy your round and then watch your fellow golfers try their luck as you relax inside the panoramic windows of Jackson Point Sports Grill or outside on the gorgeous patio area. The Patio has it's own bar area, separate wood fire menu, and spacious seating. We look forward to seeing you out on our course soon!
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See proceedings of CSE’s webinar on the subject and the Down To Earth cover story click here
New Delhi, February 28, 2023: Developed countries of the world are reneging on free trade in the name of climate change – says a new analysis and the subject of its latest cover story by Down To Earth magazine. Armed with massive subsidies and tariffs, the US and EU are leading this trend towards protectionism. This may change the global trade system as we know it.
Says AvantikaGoswami, the writer of the Down To Earth report and programme manager for climate change at the New Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE): “In the race to build low-carbon economies, countries are introducing policies to speed up the transition from fossil fuels, promote manufacturing of cleanenergy technologies and decarbonise industries. On the face of it, this race appears to be part of the global effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions. But they have also sparked fears of trade wars, as governments on the pretext of climate action try to reshore green industries and dominate the global supply chain of goods and technologies essential to avert a climate catastrophe.”
CSE, which helps publish Down To Earth, recently organised an international webinar on the subject, which was addressed by Rob Davies, former minister of trade and industry in South Africa; Paul Butarbutar, executive director, Indonesia Centre for Renewable Energy Studies; Katie Gallogly-Swan, economic affairs officer, UNCTAD; ApratimSahay, senior policy manager, Green New Deal Network; Sunita Narain, director general, CSE and editor of Down To Earth; and Goswami.
A new trade order: The machinations of the US and EU
In August 2022, the US passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) – a bill offering about US $370 billion in subsidies, mainly through tax credits over 10 years, for renewable energy, electric vehicles, energy-efficient appliances, carbon capture and storage and clean hydrogen. This has rankled other green technology manufacturing powers like the EU, South Korea and Japan, which fear that their companies may jump ship and expand business in North America.
Says Goswami: “Developing countries like India cannot match the IRA’s scale of subsidies. If we take the example of electric vehicles (EVs) in our country, there are three incentive schemes that are offered – the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME II) with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore; and two Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes of Rs25,398 crore (automotive sector including EVs) and Rs 18,100 crore (battery storage), respectively.”
There is also the question of access to critical minerals. Prices of minerals in the global market are set by the big players. China is the biggest buyer today. Once the US enters this race for its own domestic manufacturing on a large scale, India will have to aggressively scale up its EV production to command prices on its own terms.
CSE experts suggest that India should focus on the EV sectors in which it has a ready domestic market -- two-wheelers and three-wheelers, which constitute 63 per cent and 34 per cent of the domestic EV market. It can also become a hub for recycling of spent batteries, which will enable it to recover the processed critical minerals that it is currently lacking.
In December 2022, the EU reached a provisional agreement on a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) – a tax on imports of goods like steel and aluminium from countries with lax emission reduction rules. The CBAM has been criticised by BRICS countries, and India’s finance minister has warned the country’s firms to reset themselves and be ready for “tariff walls coming up newly in the name of climate change”.
According to UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development), if applied at US $44 per tonne, a CBAM will reduce global carbon emissions by not more than 0.1 per cent -- but it will have an adverse distributional impact because it will decrease global real income by US $3.4 billion, with developed countries’ incomes rising by US $2.5 billion while developing countries’ incomes fallby US $ 5.9 billion. Other developed countries like the UK may follow suit and implement a carbon border tax.
When faced with the CBAM, developing countries need access to finance and technology to decarbonisetheir manufacturing sector so that export competitiveness is maintained. For India, the EU is its third largest trading partner – the Down To Earth report points out that India’s iron and steel and aluminium sectors would be the most exposed to CBAM, albeit to a lesser extent than other countries. India does not have one domestic carbon price – but it has an upcoming domestic carbon market, a national NDC and net zero target, and voluntary climate targets by industrial firms. Whether or not this patchwork of market-based schemes and climate signals will create a case for Indian industry to avoid the tariff burden from CBAM is yet to be seen, says Goswami.
Speaking at the webinar, Davies said: “A CBAM is directly attacking the market access of developing countries; and it could be expanded to all exports eventually. African countries are emitting the least, and the gain from imposing this tax on them would be minimal in terms of carbon emission reduction. We need to respond to these measures.”
As per UNCTAD, “policies like IRA and CBAM point to a missing developmental dimension in trade commitments, combined with growing evidence that industrialised economies are outsourcing pollution at the same time as they avail themselves of industrial policy tools to bolster their dominance within emerging green industries.”
Industrialisation has enabled sustained productivity growth in the EU and US, but industrial development has been an uphill battle for developing countries, in part due to trade agreements designed to constrain their policy space. WTO – heavily influenced by developed countries - treats subsidies, tariffs and export bans as “trade distorting”. Thus, current trade rules prevent developing countries from using local content and technology transfer requirements,or tools like government procurement to stimulate domestic industries. Now that rich countries are increasingly embracing industrial policy to ensure their economic resilience, it is difficult for them to prevent developing countries from implementing similar policies.
Echoing these sentiments expressed in Down To Earth, Katie Gallogly-Swan of UNCTAD said: “We need to reframe the trade rules for a time of climate change and address the long-standing concerns of developing countries. We need to strengthen the core principles of ‘special and differential treatment’ at WTO and ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’ in the UNFCCC process. A more positive agenda would support developing countries’ priorities, additional financing, green technology transfers, capacity building supporting environmentally sustainable economic diversification, and adequate policy and fiscal space to support their own integrated policies to advance towards their climate and developmental goals.”
In her concluding address, SunitaNarain from CSE said: “In this era of climate change, developing countries need to build self-sufficiency in domestic production of green technologies. They must be allowed to deploy ‘industrial policy’ tools like subsidies to forge their own equity and green development growth paths, without being subject to over-reaching trade rules. If a country is rich in green minerals, it should be able to deploy a set of policies that attempt to retain those minerals, process them domestically, and create jobs and a manufacturing sector and thus, build innovation and technology locally.
Narainadded: “We should look at what rules will work for us best (the developing world), and work for us in a climate-constrained world. We need to make sure we can combat emissions, and at the same time, have economic growth. In doing so, maybe for the first time we will end up making a trade deal which does not work against the environment, but for it; a deal that works for people.”
For more details, interviews etc, please contact Sukanya Nair of The CSE Media Resource Centre: [email protected], 8816818864
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Claudia Sümeghy is an economist specialized in fashion and film. She is the producer of the JUNO11 projects like commercials, short films and features like their first, CURTIZ. Totally obsessed with the art of branding and…the red carpet. The thing she loves the most in filmmaking is to show her vision for hundreds of people started with the cast and crew and finished with the audience.
TAMÁS YVAN TOPOLÁNSZKY
Tamás Yvan Topolánszky is an award-winning filmmaker, writer and media designer. During his career, he has written and directed several short films, commercials, animations, a documentary and a feature film. He founded JUNO11 Pictures production company with his producer wife, Claudia Sümeghy. In JUNO11 they are making films according to their current interests, inspired by their private life but always choosing subjects that can be interpreted at any sensitivity level.
As a professional writer, since the release of the first three books at her early 20s, she has worked for publishing houses, magazines and cultural insitutes. Her novel was adapted for the stage (No Man’s Tree) in 2015. Soon she became winner of Midpont script development program in Prague, thus won writer scholaship to Cottbus and Triest festivals. She was assigned for writing CURTIZ shortly after that, along with another feature (animation, fully funded) and a feature documentary.
He has already participated in several Hungarian production. In the last few years he has worked as a cinematographer for two other successful films besides CURTIZ. He's the director of photography in Petra Szőcs's feature film, Deva, which was nominated at the Venice Film Festival. The short film, A Siege - directed by István Kovács - won a bronze award at the Student Academy Award.
Director of Photography
Dorka has learnt free-hand drawing and ceramics at the secondary school of Fine and Applied Arts and graduated from the University of West Hungary as Interior designer.
Since 2012, she's been working for movie and television studios as a visual artist and as a set decorator. She"s had a chance to work in workshops as a visual artist and become familiar with several aspects of movie production that requires more in-depth knowledge.
In 2008, he graduated from Liszt Academy's jazz faculty. As a guest performer in several band, he had the opportunity to play with many acknowledge artist from allover the world. Since its formation, he has been member of the Modern Art Orchestra, which band contributed to make CURTIZ's music.
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When Security is not Optional
Today’s warfighter must have the tactical edge when if comes to authentication and communications. Making data driven decisions and mission speed is mission critical. CybrSec b² Cryptography, allows a warfighter to be securely authenticated and send/receive hardware based, AES 256-bit encrypted, phone calls, text messages, email, and access to data all over private or hostile public networks without compromise. This secure level of authentication and communications can be provided with commercially available devices or military hardened devices. This dynamic eco-system provides a secure connection, between the warfighter and command.
Warfighter Authentication & Secure Communication (WASC)
The Warfighter Authentication and Secure Communication system has been developed in response to the need identified by the Department of Defense for a coordinated enterprise-level approach to cloud infrastructure to make it possible for warfighters and leaders to be able to make critical data-driven decisions at “mission-speed”.
A most critical factor for consideration during the expansion to a coordinated system is Information Security. While the coordinated approach provides critical capabilities, data breaches are potentially more substantial and therefore more catastrophic. The evolution to a coordinated approach can only be contemplated in the context of the deployment of better security methods and technology. The Warfigher Authentication and Secure Communication System provides an integrated security solution that utilizes b² Cryptography, a next-gen, award-winning security technology designed to perform in the severe and mission critical environment of the battlefield. The major breakthrough in b² Cryptography is the ability to remotely, and securely exchange encryption keys. This enables both authentication of a verifiable identity and secure communications even over a public hostile network.
The WASC system provides the ability to identify the warfighter, and give access to CybrSec Secure Services. These services include secure communications, such as email, phone calls, text messaging, and video calls. These communications are extremely secure and can be sent over public networks using commercially available devices without compromise.
Warfighters also have access to CybrSec Secure Vaults where they can access encrypted data, such as battlefield intelligence, from any location while connected to any network. If the data that is secured with b² Cryptography were to be captured and examined through deep packet analysis, the data would be useless to the viewer.
The WASC solution offered by CybrSec provides important benefits to the Department of Defense (DoD).
2) Can be used to remotely manage security credentials based on a chain-of-command hierarchy.
3) Makes email, text, telephone and video communications extremely secure even over public networks when necessary.
4) Deploys on top of existing security methods and solutions.
5) Protects sensitive data in servers even when captured in the field by insurgents.
6) Utilizes nano-latency networking technologies developed under SBIR Army Contract # W31P4Q-12-C-0118, improving network response times by orders of magnitude making it possible for warfighters and leaders to be able to make critical data-driven decisions at “mission-speed”.
7) Provides the ability to make sensitive data available in the battlefield, while restricting the data decryption capability upon demand from central command.
GoldKey Tokens with b² Cryptography
GoldKey Tokens for Hardware-based Chain-of-Command Management
b² Cryptography utilizes portable GoldKey® security tokens that are connected in a hierarchical structure. While these tokens have a familiar form-factor, don’t be fooled. Tokens that are powered by b² Cryptography are orders of magnitude stronger than smart cards or other tokens.
The WASC hierarchical structure provides a five-tier chain-of-command deployment, allowing authority to be delegated from the Commander-in-Chief all the way down to the war-fighter, all based on the National Command Authority organizational structure. A user’s authority can be readily allocated or revoked by any user higher in the chain-of-command.
The encryption keys distributed throughout an organization are all managed and stored securely inside the FIPS 140-2 validated GoldKey token hardware and are never in an exposed or vulnerable state. Once the hierarchy structure is in place, military-grade AES 256-bit encrypted data can be shared throughout the organization, even over public networks.
Up to Five-Factor Authentication
A crucial advantage of b² Cryptography is the ability to reliably authenticate the true identity of a user over the network.
As a security token is assigned to a user, a verifiable identity is associated between the token and user. Depending on the sensitivity of the data involved, authentication can be accomplished at any of three verification levels: standard, extended, and extreme verification.
When extreme authentication is required, the system relies upon five-factor authentication which includes the GoldKey token, iris scan, facial scan, thumb print, and PIN. Applications include access to highly restricted areas, access to highly sensitive data, or weapons control systems.
The CybrSec Secure Access modules installed at high-security entrances, can be set to require extreme verification before allowing access.
GoldKey Tokens in USB and card form factors
Hardware-Based Hierarchal Management
GoldKey® USB Security Tokens utilize b² Cryptography to provide a hardware-based identity and access management system for trusted authentication of users for access to data, facilities, and secure communications.
GoldKey Tokens are registered to Master tokens to control user access to all resources secured by GoldKey. For increased security the GoldKey hierarchical management system has been designed to put control into the hands of those in command, allowing them to easily delegate or revoke authority to users in the system without the need for IT involvement.
GoldKey Access Cards and Downloadable Tokens for mobile devices, utilize b² Cryptography in an alternative form factor that offers seamless integration.
High-Security Data Center Solutions
To provide a robust and effective solution, the key exchange and access technology is only part of the overall system. For this reason, the world’s first, high security server has been developed by the fs‣ix® server division of GoldKey Corporation. The fs‣ix server is unique in the sense that the hardware-based symmetrical key management technology has been built into each server. The servers themselves are state-of-the-art, high performance units with a built-in UPS to sustain operation during power outages. They also provide advanced data redundancy and backup capabilities to prevent data loss and to provide data availability even during network outages. These advanced features are managed by a Network Management Unit (NMU) which also utilizes hardware-based security to prevent tampering and outside threats.
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Brussels – Ghent – Bruges
Ø km per day
What better way to get to know Flanders than on a bike tour from Brussels to Bruges? The Flanders region is located in the northern part of Belgium and is known above all for its rich culture, history and diversity. You start in royal Brussels, the capital of Belgium. On the historic art city route, you embark on a stage-by-stage bike tour through centuries of Flemish history. Between your pretty stage destinations of Mechelen, Antwerp, Dendermonde, Ghent, Kortrijk and Bruges, you cycle through picturesque green landscapes, along rivers and canals and always have the opportunity to take a break and get to know one or two sights better. The quiet and flat cycle routes on your bike tour in Flanders promise relaxed cycling pleasure. It is also a pleasure to sample Belgian and Flemish specialties. Whether it's waffles, chips, chocolate or a tasty beer - on the bike tour in Flanders, you will also be spoiled in culinary terms.
If you like, extend the bike tour in Flanders with an extra night. This gives you the opportunity to add an extra day to the tour, which will take you to the North Sea coast around De Haan.
Diverse and gracious – that’s how Brussels presents itself. Its European Quarter is well known through the news, but the Belgian capital has a lot more to offer. Monumental palaces, long boulevards, majestic churches and elaborate Art Nouveau quarters mean Brussels is an appealing travel destination. Some great attractions in the historic centre are the Manneken Pis, Grand Place with its Gothic town hall and the Belgian Comic Museum.
The first day on the saddle will initially lead you to Leuven, where Belgium’s oldest university is situated. Its extraordinary town hall on the Grote Markt is regarded as one of the most beautiful buildings of the late Gothic period. Following the Dijle downstream, you will reach today’s final destination, Mechelen. In its centre, you will find hundreds of protected buildings. The cathedral, with its incomplete church tower, offers an unusual sight.
The second stage of your bike tour in Flanders first takes you to the small town of Lier. Pay a visit to the Begijnhof and the town hall with its striking bell tower before cycling towards your destination for the day, Antwerp. The port city on the Scheldt was once the most important trading metropolis in Europe. Today, it offers its visitors a wealth of architectural and artistic monuments dating back to the city's heyday – all of which are well worth seeing! Internationally, Antwerp is known as an important center for the trade of diamonds.
Before heading to your next destination today, another discovery tour through Antwerp is worthwhile. Take a stroll through the Grote Markt, which owes its current appearance to the construction of magnificent buildings by wealthy merchants in the Middle Ages, or pay a visit to the Rubens House, which is dedicated to the world-famous painter Peter Paul Rubens. The route continues along the Scheldt to Dendermonde. The town's symbol is the Ross Bayard. Every 10 years, the legend of the horse with magical powers is commemorated at a big festival.
You cycle along the Scheldt on the bike tour in Flanders to your destination for the day, Ghent. Since the Middle Ages, the city skyline has been characterized by three towers close together. Another eye-catcher is Gravensteen Castle. It is one of the largest moated castles in Europe. Many other buildings from the Middle Ages have been preserved in the historic city center, including St. Bavo's Cathedral with the world-famous Ghent Altarpiece. In the evening, sample the traditional Flemish cuisine and enjoy a full-bodied Ghent triple.
Today you cycle through the beautiful landscape around the river Leie, which has inspired many painters to create their works, to Kortrijk – from East to West Flanders. Kortrijk combines the flair of a big city with the tranquillity of a small town. Numerous sights are waiting to be discovered by you. Secular and religious buildings, modern architecture and a centuries-old cultural heritage characterize the cityscape. Get to know Kortrijk from a different perspective on a boat tour on the Leie.
The last stage of your bike tour in Flanders takes you to Bruges, which welcomes you with an old town surrounded by canals and ramparts. The medieval city center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for many years. And rightly so, as every corner is a reminder of Bruges' heyday in the Middle Ages. Explore the city from one of the open boats that sail along the canals or simply on foot. The Gothic town hall, the Church of Our Lady with Michelangelo's Madonna of Bruges and the city gates will catch your eye, as will the Grote Markt and the beautiful alleyways.
discount-icon discount-icon-lego |
From 0 to 3 years |
discount-icon discount-icon-football |
From 4 to 12 years |
discount-icon discount-icon-joystick |
From 13 to 17 years |
Additional fee single room |
599 € |
Return transfer excl. own bike, Bruges – Brussels (only on Saturdays) |
85 € |
Return transfer incl. own bike, Bruges – Brussels (only on Saturdays) |
125 € |
129 € |
219 € |
95 € |
179 € |
21-gear rental bike |
99 € |
Electric bike / Pedelec |
269 € |
Ø km per day
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The first international UCI-certified race to take place since Paris-Nice in March was halted on its very first day – not by a coronavirus case but by a vehicle that entered the circuit and crashed.
The Dookola Mazowsza, a four-stage race in Poland that carries a 2.2 UCI classification, got underway in Teresin on Wednesday but was abruptly brought to a halt towards the end of the flat opening stage.
According to reports, a motorbike drove onto the finishing circuit and crashed with a race organisation car, and the riders were ordered to stop with just under 30km to go.
"The race seems to be over. Civilian motor bike was on the circuit and crashed. No riders were involved, but the race has been cancelled," read a message on Twitter from the Israel Cycling Academy team account.
The cancellation of the entire stage was soon confirmed by race officials, with riders making their way back to team bases and all awarded the same times.
"Race over. The accident happened on an intersection with the circuit and due to police investigations we won’t be able to continue," read another message from the Israel team account.
According to Polish news organisation Polsat, the motorbike driver was overtaking parked vehicles on the opposite side of the road and crashed into the car from the race organisation that was blocking off the road for the riders.
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The motorbike driver was reportedly seriously injured and was taken to hospital by helicopter.
The Dookola Mazowsza was the first international UCI race to take place since the coronavirus pandemic enforced the shut-down of the racing calendar back in March. Recently, a number of national championship events have taken place, but this was to be the first international competition. Certain races, such as the HTV Cup in Vietnam, and the GP Vermarc in Belgium, have gone ahead, but they have been non-UCI-official events.
Israel Cycling Academy were one of 25 teams on the start line, along with the CCC Development Team.
The Dookola Mazowsza will continue – or re-start – with a short individual time trial in Sluzewiek on Thursday.
Polsat reports that a police investigation into the incident is underway and the holding of the final two stages, which are traditional road stages, is in doubt.
The race seems to be over. Civilian motor bike was on the circuit and crashed. No riders were involved, but the race has been cancelled.#DookolaMazowsza pic.twitter.com/69qVqlP1flJuly 15, 2020
Cyclingnews is the world's leader in English-language coverage of professional cycling. Started in 1995 by University of Newcastle professor Bill Mitchell, the site was one of the first to provide breaking news and results over the internet in English. The site was purchased by Knapp Communications in 1999, and owner Gerard Knapp built it into the definitive voice of pro cycling. Since then, major publishing house Future PLC has owned the site and expanded it to include top features, news, results, photos and tech reporting. The site continues to be the most comprehensive and authoritative English voice in professional cycling.
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Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) will be without key climbing super-domestique Jai Hindley on the first summit finish at the Giro d'Italia and throughout the brutal third week full of mountains, after the former winner was forced to leave the race due to a crash.
His team announced late on Thursday that Hindley had suffered a concussion. "He will remain overnight in hospital for observation. We wish him and all the other riders involved in the crash all the best for their recovery," the team wrote.
On Friday morning, Hindley revealed he also had a lower-back fracture.
"I went down pretty hard and have a slight concussion and fracture in my L3 vertebrae, but otherwise am all good," he wrote in an Instagram story.
Hindley had been set to be Roglič's right-hand man in the high terrain, with last year's Giro runner-up Dani Martínez not being at his best five days into the action.
The 2022 Giro winner also started the sixth stage sat 15th overall, after a strong start and solid time trial in Tirana on stage 2 left just 41 seconds separating him and team leader Roglič.
But without Hindley, the Slovenian is down his key lieutenant, and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe no longer have two cards to play, with the team confirming at the finish that a new, perhaps less aggressive, approach would be needed heading into the remaining 15 stages.
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"You're right, this changes things. I think we cannot hide this. Jai played a major role in our strategy, and we don't have him anymore now," said sports director Christian Pömer to Cyclingnews and Daniel Benson's Substack at the team bus.
"Nevertheless, we still have six good riders who can support Primož, also Martiínez is a former podium rider in the Giro, and I will have to look day by day at what is possible.
"Generally, I think the approach stays the same, but we maybe have to just, instead of trying to win one stage or the other, save our energy and focus only on the GC."
While Friday's stage to Tagliacozzo offers up the first summit finish of the 108th Giro, the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe DS didn't think this was where Hindley's absence would be felt most, with ascents like the Colle delle Finestre and a whole host of other brutal climbs backloaded into the third week.
"I think tomorrow it doesn't play a major role, it's a relatively easy summit finish, where only seconds will be in the game," said Pömer.
"Basically, for tomorrow, it doesn't matter; it's more for the Alps, where we're really going to miss Jai.
"I think we will see this day by day. It's still a long way to the real high mountains, and it's for sure not the last crash that will happen along the way."
The incident also saw Jan Tratnik and Martínez go down, with less severe outcomes than for Hindley. For once, Roglič managed to avoid the chaos and seemed to play a role in communicating with organisers before the GC times were neutralised for the day.
As the pre-race favourite, Roglič will now look ahead to the seventh stage, where, if it comes down to an uphill sprint between the Giro d'Italia GC favourites, he will be expected to win and extend his lead over those also chasing the overall.
Having only narrowly lost out to Josh Tarling in the Tirana TT, Roglič already has a lead over expected main rival Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), with several other contenders even further down before this initial mountain test.
Roglič himself admitted pre-stage 6 that the finish doesn't feature one of the climbs he did a recon of, with the race favourite and current best-placed GC hopeful not expecting too many fireworks in the Abruzzo region.
"No, I didn't do a recon, I don't know it. For sure, there will be a fight, we will go full, but in the end, yes, it's about the legs, so hopefully I have the legs to follow the best guys," said Roglič in Potenza.
"Everyone is there, you shouldn't write off nobody. It's just the start of the Giro, and we'll still be having a big fight tomorrow." While Pömer doesn't expect Hindley's absence to play much of a role tomorrow, it could be tricky if the likes of UAE start to launch attacks with their GC hopes, and there's no doubt Red Bull are severely weakened without him.
The team have now provided a medical update on why exactly Hindley had to abandon, with a confirmed concussion, after looking shaken up after the mass incident at high speed occurred. Pömer also, thankfully, confirmed that Hindley was not knocked unconscious during the crash and communicated with the team in the moments afterwards.
"Of course, we were shocked that there was such a big crash happening," said the Austrian.
"He was conscious, and as you know, here at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, we don't give away medical details, but the race doctor confirmed there is no chance to continue the race.
"I'm not a doctor," said Pömer, when asked if they knew yet whether it was a concussion, "He was able to communicate, but as I said, the doctor said there was no chance to keep going, and you don't have to be a medical expert to see that this was the right decision."
Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our 2025 Giro d'Italia coverage. Our team on the ground will bring you all the breaking news, reports, analysis and more from every stage of the Italian Grand Tour. Find out more.
James Moultrie is a gold-standard NCTJ journalist who joined Cyclingnews as a News Writer in 2023 after originally contributing as a freelancer for eight months, during which time he also wrote for Eurosport, Rouleur and Cycling Weekly. Prior to joining the team he reported on races such as Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d’Italia Donne for Eurosport and has interviewed some of the sport’s top riders in Chloé Dygert, Lizzie Deignan and Wout van Aert. Outside of cycling, he spends the majority of his time watching other sports – rugby, football, cricket, and American Football to name a few.
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Tipsy O'Turtle Irish Pub
A fantastic atmosphere, great music, and unbeatable value for both food and drinks!
The best pint of Guinness can be found at Tipsy O'Turtle Irish Pub, located on Aphrodite's Street in the Pernera area of Protaras.
The pub offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a daily special: a different baguette served with coleslaw and a glass of wine or pint of beer.
Popular dishes include Steak & Kidney Pies, Cottage Pies, Fish & Chips on Fridays, and Sunday Lunch, served weekly.
The beer garden is a favourite spot, especially in the cooler months of autumn, spring, and even winter, though in the heat of summer, guests prefer to sit inside.
Live entertainment is a staple at Tipsy O'Turtle Irish Pub, with live music every night inside the bar from 9:30 PM. Additionally, a special gig is hosted once a month in the beer garden.
Mr. Stevenson and his team continue to provide a welcoming atmosphere with great food, drinks, and live entertainment, ensuring that guests have a memorable experience at Tipsy O'Turtle Irish Pub.
Enjoy standout food with the best pint of Guinness on the island!
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Your post will show up in News Feed, on your profile and in search results.ANDERSEN Family History
This ancient surname recorded world-wide in over two hundred and fifty spellings, and including as examples Andre, Aindrias, Andrew, Anders, Jendrusch, Vondrak, Dandy, Andriol, Andretti, Ondracek, Vondraeck, Andress, Jedrzejewicz, and Andriuis, is of pre Christian Greek origins. It derives from the personal name "Andreas", meaning manly, and was held by the first of Christ's disciples. Prior to the 10th century a.d., the name as a first name only, there were no surnames before the medieval period, was almost exclusively held by members of the church, one of the first of such recordings being that of a monk "Andreas", in the English Domesday Book of the year 1086.-
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Now that he has the “special master” he requested to deal with the documents he hoarded at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump is already finding reasons to object to the process. Specifically, Trump’s legal team is refusing to talk about whether, or how, Trump actually tried to declassify any of the documents by claiming it would harm their “defense to the merits of any subsequent indictment.”
In other words, they’re saying that if they reveal that Trump didn’t declassify any documents, that could subject him to legal action for stealing and holding highly classified information. Which he did. And if Trump claims he did declassify documents, then he’ll have to prove that in court, and also be subject to possible charges over failure to follow the law regarding declassification. Plus, there’s the whole perjury issue—and the issue of Trump obstructing an investigation—that comes with lying about the whole thing.
On top of this, the special master wants this whole thing wrapped up quickly. Trump objects, because that’s the last thing he wants. And finally, the special master wants to know something that’s been bothering everyone: Why is this thing in front of him instead of being dealt with by the court that issued the search warrant in the first place?
In response to the ridiculous ruling by Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Cannon, former district court Judge Raymond Dearie has been made “special master” over the documents removed from Mar-a-Lago during an FBI search, including over 11,000 documents that could fall under the regulations of the Presidential Records Act.
Dearie’s job is straightforward enough: He is to determine which, if any, of these documents might be subject to some form of protective privilege. In most special master cases, that privilege is limited to attorney-client privilege. In fact, it’s very difficult to find another special master case that doesn’t involve a search of an attorney’s office and the need to protect clients not involved in the actual crimes being investigated (so difficult that it may be impossible). But Dearie has also been charged with making evaluations related to executive privilege.
On Friday, Dearie issued an order to both the Justice Department and Donald Trump’s legal team instructing them to submit a proposed agenda for a preliminary conference to be held on Tuesday. On Monday morning the government sent in its response, which set out a simple proposal for the meeting. Perhaps the most notable part of the government’s response was a proposal that the documents all be scanned and hosted in a secure server visible to both parties, which would maintain the Department of Justice’s access to the documents—something not specifically provided by Cannon’s order, which would have left the documents completely out of the government’s reach for the duration of this process.
But the other interesting point in the government’s response was that it mentioned Dearie had already proposed an overall plan for dealing with the documents and a timetable for completion. That timetable apparently calls for everything to be wrapped up neatly by Oct. 7, rather than the Nov. 30 (i.e., well after Election Day) deadline that Cannon set in her proceedings.
On Monday evening, Trump’s law firm provided its own response (classily sent on letterhead paper declaring “hands-on counsel, gloves off litigation”). That response more acknowledges that this isn’t the time or place to object to Dearie’s proposed plan … then it objects to everything about Dearie’s proposed plan. The first thing it asks is that all the deadlines be extended, and that everyone take a break for a couple of weeks, just to make sure that new schedule is long enough. Trump’s team wants two weeks just to evaluate 64 documents. Dearie, who has been special master in other cases, knows this is ridiculous. His schedule expects to move through hundreds of documents a day.
Then the subject flips to a complaint that Dearie wants Trump’s team to state whether or not he has actually declassified any documents. They don’t want to do that. Because if they do it means Dearie will have made Trump give up “a defense to the merits of any subsequent indictment.”
In other words, they don’t want to say whether, or how, Trump declassified any material. Because it leaves him open to charges.
However, no matter how Trump’s team may claim Dearie has no reason to ask this, it’s clearly at the heart of his role as special master. After all, in her stay of the government’s request for continued access to the documents for use in criminal proceedings, Cannon wrote that she was denying the government specifically because the government request was based on two claims: that Trump had classified documents, and that he had no claim of privilege over those documents. Cannon stated that she wasn’t willing to accept the government claims without “further review by a Special Master.”
And that’s exactly what Dearie is now trying to do: determine how Trump could have any plausible claim of privilege to classified documents, including such highly classified documents as nuclear secrets of a foreign nation. It’s natural that the first thing Dearie wants to discuss is Trump’s repeated public declaration that he declassified these documents.
There’s one other section in the letter from Trump’s attorney that is pretty extraordinary, even if it does seem esoteric on the surface.
… While the Plaintiff is, of course, willing to brief anything ordered by the Court under the auspices of the Special Master, we are concerned that the Draft Plan directs the Plaintiff to address whether Rule 41(g) litigation should be litigated under Case No. 9:22-MJ-08332-BER. The Plaintiff respectfully sees no indication the District Court planned to carve out related litigation for a merits determination by the issuing magistrate for the warrant in question.
In other words, Dearie asked Trump’s team to justify why all of this hadn’t been the subject of the court of Judge Bruce Reinhart, who not only signed the search warrant, but already bent over backwards in attempts to address issues about transparency. Why, Dearie wanted to know, are you asking a special master to deal with issues that should have been handled in Reinhart’s court?
It’s a very good question. Trump’s team doesn’t want to answer.
There’s one other big thing to note concerning the reply by Trump’s attorneys: Threats. Almost every paragraph of the reply drops Cannon’s name or makes reference to how Trump’s team doesn’t believe that what Dearie is asking for fits with what Cannon wanted.
On the timeline, “we provide below an informal ‘grid’ of party obligations under Judge Cannon’s order and possible deadlines” that stretches everything to the last possible date. On asking why Trump’s team went court shopping, “none of the District Court’s Orders have ever indicated that this was even a consideration.” And on asking Trump about declassification, there’s a closing note that Dearie would be getting this “without such a requirement being evident in the District Court’s order.”
Dearie was Trump’s pick for special master. The reason Trump’s team put Dearie on the list of possible special masters is simply because Dearie was on the FISA court when the warrant for Carter Page was issued, and Trump assumes that Dearie would be as angry as he is about subsequent issues that have surfaced with information leading to those warrants.
In short: Trump picked Dearie because Trump assumed Dearie would also be angry at the FBI and ready for revenge.
Cannon picked Dearie because Trump picked Dearie. But Cannon’s order also made it clear that she could fire Dearie at any point, and without cause, if it turned out he didn’t suit Trump’s purpose.
The Special Master shall be discharged or replaced only upon order of this Court. The Court reserves the right to remove the Special Master.
Trump’s team is making none-too-subtle reference to this line every time they reply to Dearie with a claim that he’s asking for something that “the District Court” didn’t require. They want Dearie to toe the line or know that they’ll ask Cannon for him to be canned.
Based on everything that’s happened so far, there’s a good chance Dearie won’t be there to see this thing to the end. Which will generate more delays. Which is exactly what Trump wants.
Donald Trump and his MAGA allies came close to overthrowing our democracy on January 6, and they will try again if they win in 2022. The best thing you can do is to help get out the Democratic vote for the midterms, and we need everyone to do what they can. Click here to find all the volunteer opportunities available.
Good judges are more important now than ever. In some states, judges are on the ballot this November. Tune in to this week’s The Downballot to listen to Justice Richard Bernstein talk about what being on the Michigan Supreme Court has been like, and how his re-election campaign is shaping up.
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On November 6th a visitation panel will visit Wageningen University and evaluate the proposition for a new bachelor programme in data science. The panel will focus on evaluating the quality of the programme and how the double track (Dutch and English) will be realized. During that day the panel will discuss the details of the programme with representatives of teachers, programme management team, examination committee and representatives of the professional field. The working group of which WDCC is part of, is extremely busy with the preparations.
Also, the name of the programme has been decided: Bachelor Data Science for Global Challenges. This name conveys the strategy of WUR to employ state of the art digital technologies in the context of WUR domains of interest. The new bachelor has also its own website where interested students may read more about the programme and follow the updates.
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High Pressure Pumps
D.A. Lincoln Pump Service and Supply is your source for industrial high-pressure pumps used in the car/truck wash industry, pressure washers, cleaning systems and other fluid applications. From start up of wash equipment to a replacement pump you have come to the right source.
We are your direct line for Interpump General, CAT, Giant the best names in the industry. They are backed by many years of engineering excellence, providing unmatched performance along with heavy-duty components, such as oversized connecting rods, a one-piece forged brass manifold, V-shaped seals, ceramic plungers, and superior inlet/discharge valve assemblies providing extended service life.
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The Nazarene – The Way, The Truth, and The Life, an unprecedented experiential production using 21st century storytelling and innovative technology to showcase the life of Jesus, will have its world premiere in Dallas.
In The Nazarene, visitors are transported back 2,000 years to walk along the path of faith as the greatest story ever told unfolds across a 30,000-square foot exhibition featuring five narrated galleries and 19 awe-inspiring scenes. The sights and sounds of ancient Israel come alive as powerful portrayals of the most significant events from Jesus’ life. Walk with Jesus in the very places he lived. Hear the clamor of a Jerusalem marketplace and gaze across the calm waters of the Jordan River. From the nativity and His baptism to His ascension, this is the most dynamic and inspiring exposition of Jesus’ life ever presented, created to unify visitors around the principles of Christianity while conveying His message with a modern experience. The exhibit offers visitors a glimpse into the life, culture and traditions of people who lived in the Holy Land at the time of Jesus – the people who knew Jesus, heard his teachings and followed him.
In addition to the breathtaking visual installations of The Nazarene, Alpine Artists is proud to present one of the world's most important collections of ancient artifacts from the time of Jesus. From the world-renowned collection of Oded Golan, “Discovering Jesus: The James Ossuary & Ancient Artifacts from the Holy Land” is a priceless collection of biblical, first century treasures, featuring more than 300 rare and ancient artifacts from the Holy Land.
For the first time in the United States, The James Ossuary will be displayed and is the centerpiece of the collection. This limestone bone box has been authenticated by antiquities experts and scientists as being that of James, the brother of Jesus, and first bishop of Jerusalem. See hundreds of other important first century items on display including fishing gear from the Sea of Galilee, nails similar to those used in the crucifixion and coins like those given in exchange for the betrayal of Jesus. Through these ancient artifacts, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the history of Christianity.
Days and closing times vary; please check the website for exacting timing.
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While quite possibly not the most well-known guitarist from Europe, I suspect you may have heard of Rik Priem. He was the main guitarist for Kurt Vereeke's AOR project Frozen Rain and their second album 2012's Ahead Of Time. Now Priem hooks up with that band's lead vocalist, the veteran, Carsten 'Lizard' Schultz to create his own project Rik Priem's Prime.
Least to say, this self-titled debut album is a guitar-oriented album, with Priem's riffs and leads driving the songs. Yet, thanks to his experience, and probably the AOR nature of Frozen Rain rubbing off on him, his skilled guitar work is wrapped up in generally strong melodic song arrangements, though defintely on the heavier side, nearing metal. Both Hungry At Heart and Blindfolded are examples of catchy melodic numbers riddled with Priem's slick guitar leads. As for those leads and his style, one might call it solid mixture of classic hard rock and metal with a touch of the neo-classical. What I wished I would have heard is some influence from the blues. You might hear it within Looks Like Trouble, but that could be a stretch.
Fundamentally, as mentioned early, this album is a showcase for Priem's guitar skills. So, in one sense, there is little variation between songs (and may, for some, allow for monotony). Yet you might find some interesting parts besides all those leads. You may catch some subtle lighter breakdowns within the power metal of Child of Anger. Or the calliope keyboards at the beginning of In With The Freaks. Or the lighter guitar work in the early third of Kneel Before The Peices, the song closest to a ballad. Yet, in the end, it's all about Priem's brisk fret work. So if you dig an abundance of riffs and a boatload of solos flying from your speakers, Rik Priem's Prime is definitely for you.
Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.
Rik Priem's Prime is all about Priem's brisk fret work. So if you dig an abundance of riffs and a boatload of solos flying from your speakers, this album is definitely for you.
Three decades on and still going strong is the iconic progressive rock band, The Flower Kings, founded by veteran multi-instrumentalist and composer Roine Stolt. Since 1994, The Flower Kings have been known ... [ Read More ]
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Exotic hair on hide composition book cover. Neat black , brown, and white hair on hide. Truley unique piece.
- Because of shipping cost this DOES NOT COME WITH THE COMPOSITION BOOK.
- First class package shipping is included in the price.
- Any standard 7 1/2 x 9 3/4 composition book will fit. Available at Wal Mart, office supply stores, dollar stores, ect..
- Just slip it on 1 or both covers of the composition book.
Composition Book Cover, Exotic Hair on Hide
First class package shipping is included in the price of this item. Composition book does not come with the cover.
I will gladly accept returns on these. Please contact me within 14 days of recieving the cover and pay return shipping. Refund will be made when item is returned in the same condition as when it shipped.
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VIENNA: A blackout caused by fresh shelling near Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has compromised the site’s safety, the UN atomic watchdog warned on Friday, adding the plant’s operator is considering shutting down the sole remaining reactor.
“Shelling has caused a complete blackout in Energodar (town) and compromised the safe operation of the nearby Zaporizhzhia (plant),” International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi tweeted, calling it a “dramatic development”.
“This is completely unacceptable. It cannot stand,” he said, calling for “the immediate cessation of all shelling in the entire area”.
“Only this will ensure the security of operating staff and allow the durable restoration of power to Energodar and to the power plant,” he added.
The Zaporizhzhia plant is Europe’s largest nuclear power facility.
It was occupied by Russian troops in March and has been shelled in recent weeks, with Ukraine and Russia blaming each other for the attacks, raising fears of a nuclear disaster.
Grossi said he learned of the shelling on Friday from IAEA staff on the site.
The shelling of the switchyard at Energodar’s thermal power plant has led to a “complete power blackout” in the city, where the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is located, he said.
“No running water, no power, no sewage,” he said.
Plant operators and others living in Energodar faced “increasingly dire circumstances”, with a “significant risk” there would no longer be enough essential staff at the plant.
And there was “little likelihood of re-establishing reliable offsite power” given the increased and continued shelling, he added.
“As a result, the IAEA understands that the operator, having no longer confidence in the restoration of offsite power, is considering shutting down the only remaining operating reactor,” he said.
The plant in recent days has relied on this reactor for the power it needs for cooling and other safety functions.
“The entire power plant would then be fully reliant on emergency diesel generators for ensuring vital nuclear safety and security functions,” Grossi warned.
The IAEA called on Tuesday for a security zone to be set up around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, saying the current situation was “untenable”.
The IAEA sent a 14-person team to the site last week. Two members are remaining there on a permanent basis to ensure the facility’s safety.
Kyiv on Wednesday called for an international mission to be set up at the plant and for the population to evacuate the area amid fears of a nuclear disaster.
Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2022
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For a seamless festival experience, here are 8 practical tips to keep in mind. From understanding artists and ensuring comfort to budgeting wisely and preparing for the unexpected, these insights pave the way to success.
2. Plan Ahead for Festival Success
At the core of festival success lies thorough planning. This means intimately understanding the artists you’ve booked, including their set times and any specific requests or rider requirements they may have. Once you have this information, be sure to follow up with the artist to ensure that you can implement what the artist needs or negotiate based on your resources available.
Furthermore, the vast crowds and chaos of a festival can lead to communication breakdowns or lost team members. To counter these challenges, establish a designated meeting point where your team and artists can regroup during the event, ensuring that everyone stays connected amidst the festivities. Additionally, make sure everyone knows what their role will look like before the festival begins by delegating specific daily tasks and responsibilities to each staff member.
2. Comfort is Key
Comfort is an often-overlooked aspect of festival preparation, yet it’s central to your overall experience when you’re working. Pack spare clothing items, including an extra set of socks. Festivals are notorious for unpredictable weather, and wet socks can put a damper on your abilities. Select comfortable, sturdy shoes capable of enduring long hours of walking and standing. Sneakers or boots are the optimal choices, and they should be well-suited to the festival terrain.
3. Budget-Friendly Strategies
While festivals can be financially demanding, with careful planning, you can still provide a high-quality experience without breaking the bank. Consider bulk purchasing essential items such as equipment and storage items to significantly reduce costs. Create a budget in advance to anticipate expenses, which can enhance crew efficiency. Moreover, explore opportunities to secure sponsorships with local companies, further cutting your expenses and potentially building long-term relationships for your event in the future.
4. Health and Well-being
Preserving your health and well-being is critical for holding a successful event. There can never be enough water available! Ensure that you always have a water bottle or hydration pack within reach, as dehydration can lead to fatigue and impair your abilities. Additionally, it is crucial to make sure there are working water stations all throughout the festival area to keep both the crew and attendees hydrated. To stay fueled and energized throughout the day, pack non-perishable, non-meltable, and energy-boosting snacks, like nuts and granola bars. Finally, carry hand sanitizer, towelettes, and tissues to uphold hygiene throughout the event.
5. Efficient Storage and Organization
Efficiency and organization play a pivotal role in your festival’s operations. Fanny packs and utility belts are lifesavers, enabling you to keep essentials close at hand without the need for a bulky bag, particularly when you’re on your feet for extended periods. Should you require more storage, opt for a well-organized and multipurpose storage bag with compartments that keep everything neat and easily accessible. Radio belts and harnesses are also useful for easy access to your communication devices throughout the festival when you need to contact other staff members quickly.
6. Documentation and Credentials
Navigating the maze of paperwork can be a festival worker’s nightmare. However, it doesn’t have to be. It all starts with having the right documentation and credentials at your fingertips. It is equally important to understand the meaning of each credential for every individual once you have them, to prevent confusion and avoid granting incorrect access.
When it comes to granting media passes, a specific set of guidelines must be followed. Ensure that you not only have the required space to accommodate the media team in the pit but also that they are well-informed about any regulations. For instance, they need to be aware of rules such as no flash photography and the restriction to capture media only during the first three songs of the show. Additionally, maintaining a list of crucial contacts, including agents, festival organizers, and local authorities, is your lifeline in case of emergencies.
7. Weather Preparedness
Weather’s unpredictability underscores the need for thorough preparation. For outdoor festivals with rain on the horizon, ensure you’re equipped with vital rain gear like raincoats, ponchos, and waterproof equipment covers. On the other hand, when the sun is scorching, safeguard yourself from sunburn and heat exhaustion with sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. Stay ahead of the weather for a successful festival experience.
8. Emergency Management
Lastly, readiness for the unexpected is crucial. To mitigate risk, look into insurance plans for your event, including weather and general liability. Investing in the right plan can save an event from significant losses if anything goes wrong.
Furthermore, having safety and security plans is vital for addressing unforeseen challenges and ensuring the safety of all attendees. One key recommendation is the use of blow-through barricades strategically placed in front of performance stages. This precautionary measure significantly reduces the risk of a barricade toppling over, ensuring the well-being of both performers and the audience.
To keep performers and attendees safe, steer away from handing out items at the beginning of a show that can cause injury if someone is struck, like a metal water bottle or frisbee.
In addition to physical safeguards, it’s crucial to keep the security team well-informed, especially if the performer has any plans to venture into the crowd during their performance. This proactive communication ensures that security personnel are adequately prepared and can take necessary measures to maintain order and safety should such crowd interactions occur.
Finally, establish a reliable communication channel within your team, whether through walkie-talkies or smartphones. Effective communication can make all the difference when tackling unforeseen situations.
Here at Degy, we have a deep understanding of the festival landscape, and our team is committed to ensuring your event stands out and becomes an unforgettable success. With our practical tips and dedicated assistance, we empower you to navigate the festival scene confidently. Let’s collaborate to make your next festival truly outstanding!
For more information: contact [email protected]
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Elena Granatello joined De Berti Jacchia Franchini in 2017 and was previously partner at Mondini Rusconi.
She qualified as avvocato in 1990, after a period of training, including internships at top law firms in Paris, and began working with the firm Bergmann Scamoni – which subsequently became CMS Adonnino Ascoli Cavasola Scamoni – becoming partner in 1994.
Elena works in the field of civil and contract law, she is a litigator specialized in commercial litigation in all its phases, including enforcement procedures.
Right from the beginning of her professional career, Elena has dedicated special attention to French and Belgian clients, both in the field of commercial litigation and in assisting Belgian and French companies with regards to their branches and subsidiaries in Italy.
She assists clients principally carrying on business in the insurance and agricultural/food sectors. In general, she assists both Italian and foreign clients in contractual and non-contractual as well as insolvency matters.
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The most successful democracy support in post-conflict states features quick and sustainable benefits, local ownership of projects and interventions that permanently changed rules, practices and perceptions, according to a new analysis from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).
But approaches must be customized to local circumstances as similar interventions generate different outcomes in different countries or even within the same country at different times or with different partners, adds the report, Increasing the Success and Sustainability of Democracy and Governance Interventions in Post-conflict Countries: Analyzing Literature Findings and Partner Perspectives. It highlights the views of partners receiving assistance from the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS) to support democratization and stabilization in post-conflict environments and analyzes the success and sustainability of these interventions.
Interventions that drew more praise from partners and whose gains are still seen and felt were those for which ownership was quickly transferred to partners; those that were relatively easy or affordable to maintain; and those that permanently changed rules, practices and perceptions, note the report’s authors, Fernanda Buril [a former NED Penn Kemble fellow] and Bailey Dinman of the IFES Center for Applied Research and Learning:
The overall findings, and the diverse paths different activities have taken in the countries analyzed here, highlight the importance of understanding the specific opportunities and challenges in each environment. As our examples show, similar interventions have led to different outcomes in different countries and sometimes even within the same country at a different time or with different partners and stakeholders. Some intrinsic features of interventions do seem to make them more or less likely to succeed. However, the ultimate success and potential to produce sustainable outcomes seem to be related to its fit within specific context (including the political, economic and security circumstances).
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Many people compare Lexapro vs Zoloft. Both of these medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, commonly referred to as SSRI’s. Lexapro and Zoloft are both commonly prescribed to treat major depressive disorder or MDD. However, there are some significant differences between these medications.
Why They Are Prescribed
Lexapro is manufactured by Forest Laboratories and was put on the market in 2002. This medication is used for both adolescents and adults to treat major depression and generalized anxiety disorder.
Zoloft is manufactured by Pfizer and was introduced in 1991. This medication is used for both adolescents and adults to treat both major depression and generalize anxiety disorder just like Lexapro. However, Zoloft is also prescribed to treat obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, premenstrual disorder, panic disorder and post traumatic stress disorder. So Zoloft is used for many more disorders than Lexapro. Also, it has been on the market a lot longer as well.
When looking at Lexapro vs Zoloft in terms of side effects, they are very similar. This is because they are both SSRI’s so they behave the same way and have similar effect on people that take them. These side effects include the following:
Taking During Pregnancy
Both of the medications are classified as a Category C which basically means that they have been tested on pregnant animals, such as rats and rabbits, and that these tests indicate that there is a risk to the unborn baby. There have been very few clinical studies done on pregnant women particularly in the first and second trimesters. Most of the studies that were done were mainly with women in their third trimester. In these cases, looking at Lexapro vs Zoloft, they are both equal. Evidence has indicated that babies who are exposed to an SSRI like Lexapor and Zoloft are at greater risk of serious complications such as the need for tube feeding, respiratory issues, tremors, seizures, inconsolable crying – things that may require hospitalization.
There is a lot of information about Zoloft and breast feeding. In terms of nursing, studies were done for both Lexapro and Zoloft, it was determined that when taken by the mother, only small traces of the medication was ingested by the infant. However, keep in mind that both of these medications may impact lactation.
One of the most important precautions when considering an SSRI is that it cannot be taken within 14 days of an MAOI (ie. Nardil). If you take them within 2 weeks of each other it can lead to serious complications such as serious fluctuations in vital signs, confusion, extreme irritation, becoming delirious or even slipping into a coma.
So, when comparing Lexapro vs Zoloft, they are very similar in nature because they are both SSRI’s. However, this is a difference in terms of what they treat (Zoloft treats more disorder) and how long they have been on the market. The side effects, while similar via the studies, will vary from person to person. So, keep that in mind as you are trying to make your decision on the treatment of choice.
Photos courtesy of 123RF.com
Lexapro vs Zoloft to Depression Test Home Page
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Shenzhen, China, August 3, 2020 – Shenzhen Goodix Technology Co. Ltd., an integrated solution provider offering industry-leading software and hardware semiconductor solutions, today announced it has completed its acquisition of Dream Chip Technologies GmbH (DCT). The acquisition of DCT is a key step for Goodix in constructing diversified strategy and integrating global engineering talent. DCT's strong technologies, product offerings, and market penetration are a perfect match to Goodix's innovative and fast-growing team, accelerating Goodix's ability to rapidly deliver integrated solutions for smart mobile devices and automotive applications, serving an expanding worldwide customer base.
Recent design wins with Hyundai and Lynk & Co demonstrate strong consumer recognition of Goodix's expansion into the automotive application market. With DCT’s strong focus on autonomous systems, the combined organizations will further strengthen Goodix’s technological capabilities in offering differentiated products to automobile customers worldwide. Specialized in the development of large SoCs, FPGAs, embedded software and systems, DCT's world-class image signal processing team adds to Goodix's arsenal of technologies, rounding-out a more complete and comprehensive R&D team. Their joined forces will enable enhanced and broadened offerings to the market of smart mobile devices.
“DCT’s track record of success and market validation are perfectly aligned with our strategic development in automotive applications and ISP offerings,” said David Zhang, CEO of Goodix. “Coupled with Goodix’s leading position in the marketplace, we are well positioned to deliver compelling solutions to our combined customer base.”
“This is a very important move for DCT. With the fundamental backup of Goodix, DCT will now be able to engage with customers into full ASIC business, supporting them not only with outstanding chip design capabilities but now also with the whole quality proven ASIC supply chain,” said Peter Schaper, CEO of DCT. “This will address all the upcoming demands for computing power hungry SoCs supporting autonomous driving as well as comfort features in the cars.”
Goodix Technology (SH: 603160) is an integrated solution provider for applications based on IC design and software development offering industry-leading software and hardware semiconductor solutions for smart devices, IoT applications, and automotive electronics. Goodix is recognized as the largest biometric authentication solution provider for Android devices in the global market. To learn more, please visit: www.goodix.com
About Dream Chip Technologies
Dream Chip Technologies GmbH (DCT) is a German fabless semiconductor technology company, specialized in the development of large ASICs, FPGAs, embedded software and systems, with a strong application focus on automotive vision systems. Companies worldwide from different industrial sectors rely on DCT's expertise and outstanding engineering skills. It is DCT’s mission to bridge the gap between demand and supply by supporting their customers with sophisticated vision technologies, thus enabling them to launch new products without neglecting their core business. This strategy ensures business stability and steady growth through product innovations simultaneously. Our strong development team brings more than 25 years of design experience to customers. The main strength of the company is image signal processing, device inter-networking and autonomous systems. The company now has more than 100 engineers in Germany and the Netherlands. To learn more, go to www.dreamchip.de.
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A lot can happen in eight years and for DJ and producer Blinky Bill, this week marked eight years since the release of a track that thrust him and Just A Band onto the world stage.
It also become Kenya's first viral video.
The song called Ha-He, loosely based on Makmende a fictional Kenyan superhero, went on to lead to more recognition for Blinky and his fellow Just A Band mates. The collective released three albums including animated video, Iwinyo Piny, which they animated themselves.
As a solo artist, Blinky Bill has released an EP titled We Cut Keys While You Wait and he’s putting the finishing touches on his album, Everyone’s Just Winging It and Other Fly Tales.
Having both come to Design Indaba as a speaker, a year ago, and as a performer at this year's Nightscape at Design Indaba, Blinky says he always strives to not restrict himself musically.
“I want to make genreless sound – but if you absolutely have to place it, it is a mix of hip-hop, afrobeat and jazz,” he said during talk at last year’s Design Indaba.
His quest to make more genreless music culminated on the Nightscape stage last month where he was joined by fellow producers Sichangi and Sibot. Sichangi released an EP called Hold On and a recent album called Project Greatness. The young producer has also collaborated with Wilough, a group made up of Willow Smith, Jabs and Tyler Cole.
Sichangi and Sibot will also be performing with him again at the Cape Town Jazz Fest this week.
He says: “Both are producers that I work/ will work with a lot in future. Me and Sichangi have a production outfit that is tentatively called the Nairobi Laptop Orchestra.”
I ask him to think back to last year’s Design Indaba and what stood out the most for him about his experience.
“I loooooved Design Indaba last year. It was really cool connecting with Kate Moross who is mad dope, watching Black Coffee play at home was a treat, hanging out with homies Selly Raby Kane and Yinka Ilori, plus making all the new friends I made, it was an amazing way to start the year.”
The recent loss of Bra Hugh has also impacted him.
“Hugh Masekela is my favorite African musician. I've had a framed picture of him in my living room for years, and watched him perform live 3 times and I wished we could be homies, such a charming man who loved music.”
He adds: “I was hoping to get him on a song, but it looks like the spirit of the song will be a tribute to him. I realised watching his pics on social media that he almost always had his trumpet with him, from when he was young till he hit old age, and that to me is the sign of someone who is passionate about his craft, and that's something I will always remember and carry with me in my journey. Thank You Bra Hugh.”
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After seven years of investigations, crew members from migrant rescue ships accused by Italy of helping human traffickers in the Mediterranean hope to finally clear their names Friday.
A Sicilian court is set to decide whether or not to proceed to trial in a case against staff from several charity ships, including the Iuventa operated by German NGO Jugend Rettet. Rights groups have slammed the case as politically motivated.
Triggered by a tip-off by an ex-policeman on board and marked by the wire-tapping of lawyers and journalists, the case has been highlighted as an extreme example of efforts by European governments to thwart NGOs helping migrants at sea.
But in a stunning development in February, prosecutors recommended that all charges be dismissed — a decision the court in Trapani is expected to follow on Friday.
The lawyer for the Iuventa crew members, Francesca Cancellaro, said the seven-year investigation and preliminary hearings showed “how pervasive the effects of criminalisation of solidarity can be”.
– Migrant surge –
Italian authorities began to focus in on the rescue workers in 2016, as Rome’s then centre-left government grappled with a double-digit increase in the number of migrants reaching its shores.
About 181,000 migrants landed in Italy that year, as part of a wider surge that saw more than two million asylum-seekers enter the EU, many from war-torn Syria and Afghanistan.
A former policeman working as a security contractor on Save the Children’s Vos Hestia ship first reported allegations that the charities were working with people traffickers.
Police placed an undercover agent on the ship, while investigators wire-tapped charity workers, lawyers and journalists — a move that sparked outrage when it became public.
Charges were eventually brought in 2021 against 21 individuals from the Iuventa and from the Vos Hestia and Vos Prudence ships operated by Save the Children and Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
After the case was split into various separate proceedings last year, eight crew members and two ship captains remained as individual defendants in the case to be decided Friday.
Three entities — Save the Children, MSF and the shipping company that owned two chartered vessels — are similarly charged.
Accused of facilitating illegal immigration from Libya to Italy in 2016 and 2017, the defendants risked up to 20 years in prison.
They were accused of coordinating their search-and-rescue actions with human traffickers off Libya, returning dinghies and boats to them to be reused, and of rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean whose lives were not in danger.
The Iuventa ship itself, which was seized in 2017, remains “abandoned, plundered and largely demolished” at the port of Trapani, its operator has said, despite a December 2022 court ruling to return it to its original condition.
– ‘Criminalisation’ of rescue workers –
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and even the UN’s Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders have all criticised Italy for its “criminalisation” of volunteer migrant rescue workers, and for due process violations against defendants.
When prosecutors recommended the case be dismissed, Iuventa’s crew reported that government lawyers in court had “admitted that the main witnesses lack credibility and that there is no basis for any wrongdoing on the defendants’ side”.
But the tough stance against migrant rescue NGOs has accelerated under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s hard-right government, which accuses the ships of encouraging people traffickers.
Rome has limited ships to one sea rescue at a time, and forces them to dock at an assigned port — rules the charities say has severely curtailed rescues.
The government has also renewed a controversial EU-endorsed deal between Italy and the UN-backed Libyan government in Tripoli signed in 2017.
Under that deal, Italy provides training and funding to the Libyan coastguard to stem departures of migrants and fight traffickers.
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BOND COUNSEL FOR HEALTH CARE DEAL OF THE YEAR |
We are a nationally recognized, "Red Book" listed municipal bond counsel firm, which delivers approving opinions with respect to hundreds of tax-exempt financings, aggregating billions of dollars each year. Our attorneys serve as bond counsel for a variety of government borrowers, including state governments, counties, cities, townships, villages, school districts and universities. In addition, we serve as bond counsel for many health care, 501(c)(3), multi-family and single-family financings. We have strong relationships with major investment banks, financial institutions and financial advisory firms across the country. We are consistently ranked as one of the top firms in the nation in both dollar volume and number of deals, as recognized by The Bond Buyer/Thomson Reuters.
Additionally, our public finance attorneys represent a full range of participants in the municipal finance market, including underwriters, commercial and trustee banks, qualified borrowers, non-profit corporations, and private developers. Our attorneys participate in the following types of transactions: financing for capital projects, such as traditional public infrastructure (schools, utility systems, municipal buildings, street and road improvements and airports); non-profit facilities (hospitals, nursing homes, college classrooms and dorms); and urban redevelopment and economic development enterprises (residential/office complexes, industrial and waste disposal/recovery facilities and professional sports venues). Examples of our work include a $765 million project at O’Hare Airport and a $1.5 billion project to build two new bridges over the Ohio River near Louisville, Kentucky.
Many of our public finance attorneys came to us as a result of a merger with Peck, Shaffer & Williams, a firm with a 125-year history in public finance transactions.
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In an earlier post on this blog, we gave you some great tips on how to anticipate and address potential wedding day challenges before they erupt into major problems. Here are some more great ideas on how to make your wedding stress-free.
- Hire a day-of wedding coordinator. You may not have the budget to hire a full wedding planner to guide you through the entire months-long process. But designating a wedding day shepherd will take a big load off your shoulders. A professional coordinator is best, because he or she will know all the hidden traps that are likely to pop up, and know how to avoid them. Your coordinator will ensure that all of your vendors are fulfilling their duties, and handle last-minute changes of plans without disrupting the smooth flow of your special day.
- Rehearse. And not just your ceremony. Do a full test run with your makeup artist and hairdresser. You may find that they may have entirely unacceptable ideas about how you should look at your wedding. Better to find out in advance, while there’s still time to re-educate them or find someone else.
Also, bustling the bride’s gown, with its seemingly endless collection of buttons and loops, can take forever at your wedding. When you go in for your final fitting, take along the person or persons who will be bustling your gown, so they can see in advance how to do it. - Share your vision with your photographic team. Know in advance what group pictures you want to take — wedding party, parents & grandparents, college classmates, whatever — and give your list of must-have pictures to your photographer and videographer. Try to get those pictures out of the way immediately after your ceremony, while everyone is in one place. Let your key people know in advance that they’ll be needed for those pictures, so they’ll stick around. If you have a wedding web site, that’s a good place to alert everyone about your picture plans.
- Envelopes are your friends. Some final payments are due on your wedding day. Write out your checks, or count out your cash, and stuff an envelope for your venue and each vendor. If you’re tipping your vendors (and you should), the tips should be placed in separate envelopes. Choose a trusted family member or friend to pass out the envelopes to all the right people. Also, be sure you or someone close to you will have a few hundred dollars cash on hand for unexpected expenses, like an extra hour of open bar or an extra hour of music.
- Eat! You’re not Superman or Wonder Woman. The physical demands and the normal stress and excitement of your wedding day are going to take a toll on you. Don’t let yourself get so swept up in the moment that you skip a whole day of meals. Remember, even a sip of wine can leave you hopelessly drunk if your stomach is empty. And even if you don’t drink, you’re going to feel light-headed if you don’t make a special effort to nourish yourself. Start the day with a hearty breakfast, and keep some non-perishable snacks on hand, in case you notice after visiting all your guests’ tables that you forgot to eat dinner.
- Get away. You and your new mate need time in the midst of all the chaos to be alone for a few minutes. If there’s a balcony above your banquet room, sneak up there and look down on the festive scene, and allow yourselves to think, “This is all for US. How cool!”
Your only responsibilities on your wedding day should be to get married and party with your friends. Delegating responsibility and preparing in advance will help you focus on those priorities.
© Fourth Estate Audio, 2016 – Jay Congdon is president of Fourth Estate Audio, a professional Chicago DJ and Chicago Wedding DJ company.
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CottonCandy Watermelon Chalice (Echinophyllia aspera) is a colorful addition to any aquarium. The coral sports a green edge around a red body, resembling a watermelon, hence its name. As this variety grows, some of the eyes may develop yellow eyes that look like the seeds of the fruit. The color develops when the colony grows to 1 to 2 inches.
Most Chalice Corals will increase the production of mouths (eyes) as they get comfortable with their environment and begin growing.
Chalice Coral are typically an encrusting low rider formation of wavy cups and folds. The middle of the coral can have significantly raised corallites, which can appear as raised round, warty bumps. The flat middle, which is where the oral disc is located, is a raised area 1/2" (1.27 cm) or larger. Some are less dramatically structured with little whorls and slight bumps, while the ends or outer perimeter of the coral are delicate.
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The Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway is a 30km walkers' and cyclists' paradise along the route of the old railway line from Navan in Co. Meath to Kingscourt in Co. Cavan.
The Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway begins in Navan and passes through or close to the villages of Kilberry, Wilkinstown, Castletown Kilpatrick, Nobber and Kilmainhamwood before ending in Kingscourt.
To experience our top 5 stops along the Greenway, please click here!
This 30km Greenway includes the following sections outlined on the map:
- Blackwater Park, Navan to Gibbstown Station 3.7km
- Gibbstown Station - Wilkinstown 4.0km
- Wilkinstown - Castletown (South Entrance) 4.5km
- Castletown (North Entrance) to Nobber Station 4.3km
- Nobber Station - Kilmainhamwood Station 4.4km
- Kilmainhamwood Station - Kingscourt 7.1km
Greenway Trails to enjoy
- Castletown Trail 3.5km
- Nobber Trail 3.5km
All images courtesy of Fáilte Ireland.
Download the map in English
Íoslódáil an léarscáil i nGaeilge
Navan is the largest town in County Meath, situated at the confluence of the rivers Boyne and Blackwater. It is located close to the Hill of Tara, one of the ancient royal sites of Ireland, as well as the important ecclesiastical site of Ardbraccan. Another abbey was founded in Navan itself. Navan developed as an Anglo-Norman market town in the late 12th century, when Hugh de Lacy granted the land to one of his knights, Jocelyn de Angulo. The barony and castle of Athlumney, across the river, was granted to Amauri de Feipo.
Navan grew in importance in the modern period, as a place of trade and industry. Numerous mills produced grains and wood, which in turn gave rise to Navan’s famous furniture and carpet businesses. Navan is now a vibrant business town with a wide variety of shops, cafes and restaurants. For tourist information see the Solstice Arts Centre.
Kilberry is the site of a medieval church (now ruined) and graveyard with a chest tomb, ornate grave slab and medieval font. The headstones in the oldest part of the graveyard have been photographed and recorded and are available on www.historicgraves.com. A large ringfort, located just east of the village at Rathcoon, is also visible from the graveyard. Much of the land was owned in past times by the Everards of Randalstown House who were famous for their local tobacco plantations. The Kilberry Restaurant is just a short distance from the town of Navan and the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway and is open 7 days a week serving breakfast, lunch & dinner. Stop in here for a treat before or after your trip on the Greenway, you won't be disappointed!
Wilkinstown is located at the intersection of the main Navan to Kingscourt Road, and the old Midland and Great Western railway line. In July 1798 the defeated United Irishmen from Wexford and Wicklow marched north through Leinster until they were finally caught and scattered by crown forces at Knightstown Bog, just north of Wilkinstown. Local folklore tells of how the locals helped shelter the fleeing pikemen, and some even settled in the area. There is a playground at Wilkinstown Community Centre which is just off the Greenway and keep an eye out for their monthly market which takes place on the first Saturday of every month.
If you are looking for 3.5 acres of outdoor space with plentiful safe off road parking, accessible toilets, baby changing facilities, covered Gazebo with ample seating, picnic areas, bike hire, bike service area, bike parking, a coffee trailer and best of all, easy direct access straight onto the Greenway - Park Beo is the place for you!
With the team from Feel Good Bikes on hand to ensure that you are sorted with a range of regular and e-bikes by providing bike hire and a bike service area, this is the perfect base to explore the newly opened Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway!
Castletown Kilpatrick is a small village with medieval origins. The original medieval parish church of St. Patrick, located north of the village, was rebuilt in 1823 as a Church of Ireland ‘First Fruits’ church. A medieval cross-slab and architectural fragments may still be seen in the graveyard, although the church is ruined once more. A new Catholic church was built in the village in the mid-19th-century, completed under the directions of Fr. Patrick Gibney. Castletown Walking Trail connects to the Greenway and is a 1.4km looped walk. There is also a pitch and putt course located beside the school in the village- some nice diversion from your Greenway adventure!
The town of Nobber and its surrounds is an ancient settlement that can trace its roots back to Mesolithic Ireland, c.6,000 BCE. The name Nobber come from the Irish word “an Obair” ('the work'), which refers to the Norman motte (above) at the north end of the village. You will find a number of cafes, shops and bars in the village making it an ideal stopping point as you traverse the Greenway. Located just off the Greenway, you will find the Greenways Café. Serving breakfast, lunch and tasty treats, with speciality coffee and artisan local food produce and open daily, it is the perfect stop for you on your day of the Greenway!
You can also enjoy a 1.5km looped walking trail, Slí na hOibre. Access points are beside the distinctive red Forge building on the northern side of Nobber and just off the L3402 (to the left approaching Nobber from the south, before the cemetery).
An important prehistoric settlement was built nearby on artificial islands called crannógs on Moynagh Lough. During the early Christian period Nobber became an important monastic settlement; nine High and Latin crosses from the site that can still be seen today in St. John’s Cemetery.
In the twelfth century the Anglo-Normans invaded Ireland and the area came under control of Gilbert de Nangle who built a motte and bailey fort at the north end of the village. The remains of the motte can still be seen. The tomb and memorial of two prominent Norman families from the area, Cruise and Balfe, can be seen on the grounds of the cemetery.
One of Nobber's most famous residents was the blind harpist, composer and Gaelic singer Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738). In more recent times the renowned archaeologist George Eogan (1930-2021) came from Nobber. More information on Nobber. If you're in need of some refreshment, drop into the Greenways Cafe.
Kilmainhamwood is a picturesque village in north Meath. It takes its name from Kilmainham priory in Dublin, as the monastic Order of St. John (the Knights Hospitaller) who were based in Kilmainham also owned land in Meath at Kilmainhamwood. The original medieval church is now gone, but the site remains as a graveyard to the north-west of the village, and includes a medieval font and cross-slabs. A Church of Ireland church was built on the site in 1803 but it has also been removed. A bullaun stone (an early-Christian man-made hollow within a stone basin) may be seen in the wall of the modern Catholic church. The beautiful Whitewood Lake is located nearby.
Kingscourt is a busy market town located in County Cavan, near the border with Meath. Its name originates in the Irish Dún an Rí, 'fort of the king'. It was the terminus for this branch line of the Midland and Great Western Railway; passenger service on the line ceased in 1947 but commercial use continued, as trains carried gypsum ore from Kingscourt until 2001.
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[This is another in a series of posts I'm doing to help me clear off the zillions of cool astronomy pictures I have sitting on my computer desktop. The difference this time? I took this one!] On Friday night, February 24, 2012, the Moon, Venus, and Jupiter made a pretty line in the sky. I took some pictures as they were setting to the west, but there was a show to the south, too: the constellation of Orion was standing straight and tall over the roof of my house, so I took a quick shot of that, as well:
[Click to enhunternate.] Not bad, eh? That's a 13 second exposure with my point-and-shoot camera mounted on a tripod. I just aimed it and took this one picture (right after I took this we had to get dinner started, and the kitchen light illuminates my back yard so I couldn't shoot any more). Sometimes astrophotography is pretty easy! Now, I wouldn't submit this shot to a professional site or anything, but given how least-effort it was I'm happy to post it here. And it's not terrible. In the bigger version you can see star colors -- Betelgeuse (Orion's right shoulder) and Aldebaran (to the upper right) are both clearly orange, and you can see the blue in Rigel. Look below Orion's belt; in his, um, dagger you can see the fuzzy Orion Nebula, shining slightly pink. Look to the lower left: there's Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, peeking through the trees. It doesn't take crazy fancy expensive equipment to take pictures that you can enjoy. Sure, I'd love to have a $4000 camera with telephoto and pro tripod, but even with a modest camera it's not impossible to capture the skies. And with Venus still shining madly in the west right now after sunset, even folks in big cities can get interesting pictures of it. If you have a camera, give it a shot!
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Welcome to the world of composting! If you're looking to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden, the Geo compost bin is an excellent choice. This guide will walk you through the steps on how to use a Geo compost bin effectively.
GeoMat, short for geosynthetic mat, is a type of material used primarily in erosion control and soil stabilization. It is a synthetic product designed to mimic the natural processes of soil and vegetation, providing a stable environment for plant growth and soil retention.
Synthetic fibers are man-made fibers produced from chemical substances. Unlike natural fibers such as cotton or wool, synthetic fibers are created through industrial processes. Common examples include polyester, nylon, and acrylic. These fibers are known for their durability, elasticity, and resistance to various environmental factors.
In the modern world, synthetic fibers have become an integral part of our daily lives. From the clothes we wear to the furnishings in our homes, these man-made materials offer versatility, durability, and affordability.
In the ever-evolving world of textiles, synthetic fibers have carved out a significant niche. These man-made marvels have revolutionized the fabric industry, offering a plethora of benefits that natural fibers often struggle to match.
Synthetic fibers have revolutionized the textile industry, offering durability, versatility, and affordability. These man-made fibers are engineered to mimic natural fibers, but often come with enhanced properties that make them ideal for a wide range of applications.
Geocell is a type of geosynthetic material. It consists of a three-dimensional honeycomb structure. This structure is made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The cells are filled with soil, gravel, or other materials. This creates a stable and strong foundation.
When you walk by a construction site, you often see scaffolding covered in netting. But have you ever wondered why? Let's break it down.Safety Benefits of Netting on Scaffolding1. Prevents Falling DebrisOne of the primary reasons for using scaffold netting is to prevent debris from falling.
DKM High strength polyethylene sheath geogrid is a monoaxial array of composite geosynthetics strips. Each single longitudinal strip has high tenacity polyester fibers bundlings and coated with a polyethylene sheath.
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DkIT Engineering Graduates Return to Inspire Next Generation
27 March 2023Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) are always delighted to invite their graduates back on campus to inspire the next generation. Kimmitt Sayers, Programme Director Level 8 Mechanical Engineering said, “Ask any staff member and they will tell you that they never cease to be amazed by the achievements of our graduates when they return to DkIT to talk about their careers”.
This was clearly the case when DkIT School of Engineering graduates James McEneaney, Mechanical Engineering graduate who now works in Abbot Nutrition, James Maguire, Civil Engineering graduate who works in Gas Networks Ireland on The Causeway Project and Seán Ó Fithcheallaigh, Electronics Engineering graduate who works for Sensata Technologies, returned to DkIT to inspire our current students with their thoughts on the development of their own careers.
All of these graduates spoke with justifiable pride about their achievements to date. Ranging from managing multi-million-euro equipment budgets and working to stringent pharmaceutical compliances, sensitively managing construction projects that visibly contribute to the Dublin skyline or developing the electronic systems to contribute to high end Mercedes maintenance and safety systems, their career stories were varied and inspirational.
In spite of their very different engineering career paths, common employability related themes were present in all three of the graduates’ presentations. These included the value of full participation in college life as a DkIT class rep/student ambassador in developing confidence; maintaining technical curiosity and actively seeking professional guidance from peers along with the importance of communication and teamwork.
All of these graduate attributes continue to be important elements of DkIT Level 7 and Level 8 Engineering programmes. Kimmit added,
“Many thanks to James, Sean and James for taking the time to speak and for giving the benefit of their experiences to our students”.
DkIT students and graduates have a full range of employability supports, assistance and professional development for up to 12 months after graduation which they can attain from the DkIT’s Careers & Employability Centre at DkIT.
Dundalk Institute of Technology DkIT Engineering Futures – Engineering Career Fair will take place in DkIT on Tuesday March 28th with a large number of local and regional employers of Engineering graduates attending.
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DLA Piper expands Antitrust and Competition Practice with the addition of three former government enforcement attorneys
DLA Piper is pleased to welcome litigation partners Amanda Wait, Victor Domen, and Carsten Reichel, further expanding the firm’s Antitrust and Competition practice. All three partners are former government antitrust enforcers and will be based in the firm’s Washington, DC office.
Wait, a former Federal Trade Commission lawyer, advises deal makers and litigants across a wide variety of industries and is particularly active in the healthcare, energy, and retail sectors. She led the team responding to the Department of Justice’s investigation of US Sugar’s proposed acquisition of Imperial Sugar. The team ultimately defeated the DOJ’s attempt to block the transaction in court. Some of her notable representation includes successfully advising a major health system in connection with its strategic, cross-market combination in review by the FTC; advising a major US energy company in connection with a vertical acquisition; and developing and leading a global merger clearance strategy for a transportation industry manufacturer in connection with a multi-billion euro transaction.
Domen is a government antitrust investigations and prosecutions attorney with more than 25 years of state and federal antitrust experience. As a former antitrust enforcer for the Tennessee Attorney General’s office, Domen served as the lead lawyer in the investigation and prosecution of federal and state antitrust matters brought on behalf of the state of Tennessee. During his time as Chair of the National Association of Attorneys General Multistate Antitrust Force, Domen coordinated antitrust enforcement efforts of the State Attorneys General with officials at the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, FTC, and international antitrust enforcement agencies in multiple significant merger and conduct matters.
Reichel, a former federal prosecutor with nearly 15 years of experience at the DOJ, represents corporations and individuals in government antitrust and other white-collar investigations and follow-on civil litigation, and he counsels clients on a variety of business decisions and in the development of compliance programs to navigate and mitigate antitrust risks. During his time with the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, Reichel spearheaded some of the DOJ’s most significant criminal cartel matters, working across a wide range of industrial sectors to investigate and prosecute cross-border price-fixing, bid rigging, market allocations, conspiracy, and fraud. Reichel brings a unique global perspective to his clients, having worked with numerous competition agencies across the globe to advise on cartel investigative practices and to coordinate international cooperation in enforcement activity.
"Amanda, Vic and Carsten are first-rate lawyers with a proven track record of success in high stakes merger counseling, antitrust litigation and government investigative matters. We know our clients will quickly value their advice and counsel in many of their most significant matters," said Loren Brown, US vice chairman and chair of the US Disputes practice.
"Antitrust and competition laws permeate virtually every aspect of business, and the addition of Amanda, Vic and Carsten enhances our ability to help clients navigate this changing landscape. They bring years of experience in and insight into the complicated US and global antitrust enforcement environment," said John Hamill, co-chair of the US Antitrust & Competition group.
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Available On: PS4, Xbox One; Steam
By: Team17 Digital Limited, Ghost Town Games
In Overcooked 2, you and (hopefully) some friends will be returning to the kitchen, trying to get food made and delivered on time. You'll need to grab your ingredients and coordinate myriad duties, like chopping, blending, mixing, plating, steaming, baking, cooking, washing dishes and actually delivering the plates of food. Things get extremely hectic, since dishes need to be delivered in a particular order displayed on the ticket in front of you, and once you run out of time, the finished (or unfinished) dish is basically useless, unless you get lucky and the same order is coming up again. Points are awarded for making and delivering food on time, and lost for doing the opposite. Burning food is a major setback, and there's always the risk of catching something on fire, requiring the use of a fire extinguisher to stop the blaze. Coordination, communication and a good attitude is key. Also important is your ability to use a fire extinguisher.
Story & Flow
The original Overcooked was a fast-paced blast, and we loved it. The plot in the sequel possesses the same type of quirky humor, with a fun but almost unnecessary story; the game could easily stand on its own with no story at all, so it's a testament to the team that the story is not only there, but also a lot of fun, with the onion king tasking you to cook dishes in order to stop a zombie bread invasion. As you might expect, a lot of food puns and ridiculousness ensues.
Overcooked 2 has the same basic gameplay that made Overcooked of the best couch co-ops around, but the new twists and tricks they bring to the sequel keep the formula fresh, and serve to ramp up the excitement, speed, insanity and difficulty. Get ready to burn a lot of food, and catch yourself on fire at least a few times. And the kitchen. And maybe your fellow chefs. Extinguishers are your friends in Overcooked 2.
Everything is tougher, bigger, faster and more complex in the sequel, from the new recipes and methods of making dishes, to the larger and more complicated kitchens that contain a ton of moving parts. Luckily, the chefs have some new abilities to match the ramped-up difficulty, and chief among them is the ability to throw ingredients, which really changes how the game is played. More than just a gimmick, throwing food is invaluable to your culinary success. There are limits to what you can throw, as only raw ingredients can be tossed around, but they can be chopped or unchopped, and you can toss food directly into a fryer, onto a cutting board, or just into your fellow chef's hands, provided you have the skill to do so.
Although there are only about 9 dishes in the game, there is a lot of variety to them, like a burger with cheese vs a burger with tomato, vs a straight-up, plain old hamburger. Although it sounds simple, in the heat of the moment, it most definitely is not. It's very easy to accidentally toss a slice of cheese onto a plain hamburger, ruining the order and making you start from scratch, as your partner screams at your incompetence. Speaking of interacting with your partners, you might want to play Overcooked 2 after the kids are in bed due to the language you'll most likely be using; then again, you might want to wait until the kids are gone altogether due to the language you'll most likely end up using. This is the type of game where you are screaming obscenities at your friend, albeit with a smile on your face.
Overcooked 2 brings more complicated dishes to the table, including burritos, sushi, burgers, chicken tenders and fries (my partner yelling, "I got the clucks, where dem friiiiies at??!!" will be stuck in my head for a while) and all offer different challenges, since this time around you'll need to mix ingredients using mixers and place food into the new steamers to add to the cooking maelstrom. The levels are similarly amped up, with gale force winds, lava floors, conveyor belts, teleporters, sliding counters (which can cut you off from ingredients/burners if you aren't careful) and more.
One gripe is the difficulty level. It starts pretty high and then continues to ramp up, making things pretty tough for the uninitiated. There are also some occasional depth-perception issues when it comes to some of the kitchens, and more than a few times I went to pick something up, especially in corners, hammering on the button, only to realize I needed to scoot over juuuuuuust a little to grab it. It wasn't enough to ruin my order, but when seconds count, when it happens, it can be frustrating. Also, four player co-op is often not as fun as it sounds, since there are often just too many chefs running around to efficiently run and move in a kitchen.
Graphics & Sound
Everything here is similar to the first game, and again, it works very well. The cutesy chefs clash comically with the almost-frustrating gameplay, as the temperature in the kitchen (and your living room) rises, and the sound effects are great at ramping up the tension, as the music begins to speed up while you boost around the kitchen, listening to the alarm bells that you know are about to morph into whooshing, crackling flames.
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Jerry Lewien Remembers (continued)
Sick in the Jungle
As we moved further into the DMZ we took up another CP. It was then that we had two individuals come down with a bug.
That night one man was in such pain that the doc [corpsman] was giving him morphine to keep him quiet. The next morning it was decided to Medevac both men. One was enlisted and the other was I believe our FO [forward observer].
I called in the Medevac and when it arrived the gun ships were circling above wanting to know where last enemy contact was. Well since we were in the DMZ I said, “All around.”
As I positioned the chopper above the open spot in the canopy they started to lower the sling. The pilot said there was an open area about 500 meters away. I informed the pilot we had not been that far out and did not know if the area was safe.
I believe the CO [1stLt Bob Riordan] had the same symptoms but refused to be Medevaced.
The next day Lt Riordan wanted to take a patrol deeper into the DMZ and I was selected to go along as his radio operator. (Read Lt. Bob Riordan’s account here.)
Into LZ Duster in the DMZ
It was the first of October when we were choppered into LZ Duster, sent in to relieve another unit.
As we landed and moved out, I remember the Lt [Bill Wentworth] asking the other lieutenant “Where was the last enemy contact?”
I remember the reply, “about 500 meters out!”
As we cleared the LZ we halted, and the lieutenant sent Corporal [Robert L.] Knisely out with another corporal to check out the trail.
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Jadziawatches as Duncan heals not only Ori, but also one of the dying bystanders. She and Cramaris keep pressing the attack, and a smile tugs at her lips—they don't make half a bad party, really. Even this Kerrigan person has come to aid. Who might she be? Seems like everyone here knows her.
Setting those thoughts aside, the bard turns her attention back to the remaining ankheg. "Back to the soil you came from—and soon, it’ll feast on you instead," she says, once again leveling her flute at the creature.
Vicious Mockery. WIS ST DC 13 for ... ouch ... 1 damage + disadvantage on its next attack.
(not sure if people have missed yet but don't forget you all have bless too)
Duncan, not feeling overly threatened will continue to help the villagers. He will either cast spare the dying on another unconscious one, or if they are all alive enough, he will position himself in the way of them and dodge.
With a few last blows and spells, you all manage to dispatch the second ankheg, leaving it a chittering corpse on the street.
Once things settle down a little bit, the druid approaches and says with a commanding voice, "I speak for the forest and all creatures, both mortals and monsters, who dwell within these alnds and call them home. There are many monstrosities within this realm, and this mine should be counted among them. It has ripped open the natural world and in its suffering, the creatures within have lashed out with no sense of right or wrong--much like those who approved of this mine's construction. The land is in pain. It will not be safe here as long as this mine remains."
Carlsbad, who had been giving the speech earlier, spoke up quickly after Kerrigan finished, with a forced laugh. "Please, settle down! Look at all the good that's come to this town! The jobs, the renown!" Several people nearby begin to murmur in assent, and one surly looking man starts to rally them a bit, looking important as well, gathering some of the miners together, clearly forming a band against the druid. However, before too many words can be exchanged or more blows dealt, one of the town elders, raises his arms and calls for attention.
"All right! It's been quite a day! Why don't you all come to the Quaint Flask for a free round of drinks on me!"He comes over to you all as well, "I'm Tug Tannerhide. I'm sorry about all of this but I appreciate your stepping in there. Come share a drink with me, I think you should be involved in us deciding what to do about Kerrigan and the mine." As he's talking to you, Carlsbad shouts out once more, this time mentioning that the celebration will be held at dusk the next day.
As the dust settles from the ankheg fight, Jadzia turns to her friends, concern in her eyes. "Guys? Are you okay?" She lingers on Ori and Cramaris, who bore the brunt of the second creature's attacks. "Glad to see Duncan's healing got you both back on your feet quickly."
She glances around, brushing a strand of breeze-swept hair behind her ear. "Well, this is a mess," she mutters. "I get where Mutterall and the miners are coming from, but… the druid has a point too. Not sure how this is going to turn out."
Before the crowd disperses, and assuming Kerrigan is still nearby, Jadzia approaches her with a tentative smile.
"Um… Kerrigan T'Kay, right? I'm Jadzia. Nice to meet you—and thanks for your help back there." She hesitates a moment, then adds, "Would you consider coming to the Quaint Flask as well? This is clearly a big issue, and the townsfolk should hear all sides. Maybe we can find some kind of balance ... if we can all actually talk things through."
“I’m fine,” says Ori, quietly, when questioned. Her crossbow is replaced on her back, and she pulls one of the two crossbow bolts she fired from the Ankheg’s carapace intact.
In the time you have know Ori she has been a jovial, if unreliable, figure. Now, her face is grimly set and her mouth forms a harsh line.
She follows Jadzia to Kerrigan the Druid and lets her speak. Adding, at the end,
”Mighty Druid. I understand your bond with nature. I have sought my magic in the wild, and found it, in the cackling shadow under the weaved boughs, and in the slaughtered wolf that decomposes in the mushroom circle.”
”I seek to know nature’s mind, and I seek to serve its court.”
She pauses, her breath short pants.
“Which of the mine folk must we murder? Over which lintel must we daub the blood and praise the small folk that live amongst the cobwebs and smile from morning dew. Let me be as you are. Let me learn the mysteries of those mighty druids who bestride nature and direct its wroth!”
At some point she has begun to kneel, her head bowed and her hands held up to the Druid in supplication.
Duncan has made his mind up before the discussions. But still wants to attend to make sure his point is made. He goes with Jadiza to see if Kerrigan will come, adding "I don't think a balance is needed. From the sounds of it, it's either all or nothing. And Kerrigan is right, if the mine stays open it will be too dangerous. You can't fill jobs if all your workers are dead. And it will still have renown but as the town that got slaughtered for ignoring advice"
“Errr, joking?” Says Ori taking in the faces and gazes of the party. She winks at the Druid, gesturing with one pointed figure between the two of them then tapping the side of her nose and winking again.
"Ori. There will be no murder of anyone. I am not forbidding violence if and only if it is necessary to get them to be sensible. However I would be very disappointed if you don't leave them alive enough for me to prevent a premature departure from this world."
Kerrigan looks you all over for a moment with a wary eye, with a particularly longer stare at Ori. "I must return to the forests for now, the mine needs to stay closed, make sure that happens." She'll then turn to leave, walking off with a slightly hobbled gait toward the forest's edge in the near distance, leaving you to decide whether to join Tug at the tavern or not.
Jadzia arches an eyebrow after Kerrigan leaves. "Ain't she a chatty one?" she says dryly, then sighs and turns to her companions. "To the tavern, I suppose?"
The blue-skinned genasi considers asking Ori to dial back what she considers "jokes" once they're there—but this is Ori's town, after all, and the bard assumes the witch knows what she should or shouldn't say to her own neighbours.
Ori nods at Duncan's words as if given this lesson for the first time, and scratches one antler absent-mindedly. "Never much had the gift of knowing exactly what I was supposed to say, or what not to say. But I guess honesty is just part of my charm! No premature departures. A time for everything, and everything in its time. Got it!"
She waves to the distant back of Kerrigan, then follows along to the Quaint Flask with the others, smiling at a job well done and a drink well earned, happy to be back in the nearest thing to a home-town a hermit can have.
Once you all make it into the tavern, fairly lively at the moment with quite a crowd there for the free drinks and natural conversation after the incident, Tug sits down with you and gets a weary look in his eyes. He leans in and says with a shrug, "The mine has been good business, if you're a digger. But some of us aren't diggers, we're farmers, and them it hasn't been good at all. Crops came up pretty slim this year, and those that did have a decent harvest claim they can't sell what they grew--tastes like slate and shale. I'm not saying it's the mine. But I'm not saying it ain't either."
Anyone make a Nature check (DC 14) as the food and drink are served here:
Perhaps now that he mentioned it, the grass around town did seem less vibrant that it used to be, or should be. The food and drink does seem to taste flat and stale, and even a cursory glance around the tavern shows that some of the people at the bar are gray, even toothless.
After a drink Tug goes on, "Look, the town was never the biggest or best, I get that, but the mine was shuttered long ago by the founders of the town because those who lived here were experiencing similar maladies. Children were dying. Horrific creatures wandered the woods, and even the streets of town. Once the mine was closed down, the jobs here dried up, people moved away, and instead of creatures roaming the streets, bandits and looters did instead. When Mutteral Mining Works agreed to buy the mine and began operations here in earnest, things started to turn around pretty quickly." Tug takes another swig and looks down at his cup.
“Damned if you do, damned if you don’t,” says Ori, putting a tankard down heavily (‘Delicious’). “Seems the Druid thinks the mine is worse than the alternative though, and folk can’t live on metal and jewels.”
She waves a hunk of gristly bread in the air to emphasise her point.
Once they'd settled into the tavern and taken a few sips of ale, Jadzia pulled the bandore into her lap and began plucking a few quiet notes—not a full tune, just enough to tune the strings and keep her hands busy. Her blue eyes drifted between her companions and the townsfolk scattered through the room, drinking like the ale was a reward for surviving the ankheg attack. She listened as they talked, letting the music hum quietly beneath their words.
The genasi gave a small nod at Ori's remark, then added, "Bandits sound easier to deal with than ankhegs. You can scare them off, bribe them, talk them down. Ankhegs just want to crush and eat you alive."
Her fingers paused on the strings, and looked at Tug.
"From what you're saying, this feels like a story you've already lived through once. If the crops were rich before the mine reopened, and you weren't losing people to creature attacks, then maybe reopening it has already brought more harm than good. If the land could heal again, you might build a stronger market around it. Hire guards to deal with the bandits. Maybe even get Kerrigan to help—if you gave up the digging."
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Nobody ever disliked a nice person. Being nice is the most simple skill to build and use in your daily life. Being nice is its own reward most of the time.
One of the most underrated skills in business right now is being nice. Nice sells.
- If you need help, to whom would you instead go? The nice person.
- If you want advice, to whom would you instead go? The nice person.
- If you want to catch up, to who would you instead go? The nice person.
People like nice people. Do not confuse being nice with being slimy, with somebody who constantly does lip service, who tells you what you want to hear. None of these things is about being nice. It might look nice and feel nice, though people will see through it and know it is disingenuous. People do not like deceitful people.
Don’t hold back
If you are nice, it doesn’t mean that you need to hold back. You can be nice and honest, nice and direct, nice and open, nice and disagreeable. It is how you behave. It is how much you care about the other. Since if you are just honest but not nice, you are just being mean.
Be nice. It doesn’t cost you anything extra. Niceness might be the best investment in your career. If you can interact with people, give them a good feeling, and resolve conflicts in a manner both parties value, you become an even more precious person.
Over time, your valuation pays out. Unfriendly people only go so far. Niceness has endless longevity. And as with most investments, time in the market beats timing in the market.
Be nice in 2022.
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This is where you will find photographs and videos of all the exciting thing that have been happening at Downderry and in our community.
Downham 100 Community Garden
Members of the local and school community have started work developing the corner plot between Downderry and Bonus Pastor to commemorate 100 years of Downham and the creation of a Legacy Garden. A special thank you to the Parents of Archie and Casper, Ted and Azia and Alexandra- who donned gardening gloves, rolled up their sleeves and offered a few hours of their time to clear the site. Over 20 bags of rubbish were cleared!
A group of Year 6 children, together with Mrs Fawcett and staff and pupils from Bonus Pastor completed the landscaping and seating area ahead of planting in the coming weeks.
We would like to thank Selco, B&Q and BuySigns for their kind donations towards this community endeavour.
Helios, 19th-22nd June
Downham 100 Logo Competition Winner
Downham 100- Poster Competition
Developing our local Community: Whitefoot Lane Sports Field
In May 2023, children and staff were treated to a VIP visit as part of the culmination of the JR Sports Stars 12-week sports training programme, received by all classes from Years 1-6. The programme was funded by Balfour Beatty in partnership with MUSE who are responsible for the exciting and inspirational Lewisham Gateway development.
Former England World Cup rugby winner, Jason Robinson headed a VIP filled assembly which included Lewisham’s Young Mayor, to hear his inspirational story to sporting success and beyond. Jason showed his World Cup, MBE and OBE medals and even took part in a PE lesson, challenging pupils to a race off! The children really enjoyed the day, especially a child from Ash class who said “Today has been the best day of my life.”
Join the conversation and shape how we will celebrate Downham Estate’s 100th Birthday!
In February 2025, Downham Estate will reach the remarkable milestone of 100 years. We believe that this momentous occasion deserves both recognition and celebration.
Sevenfields Primary Care Network want to make this milestone truly special by organising community events and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations of residents, but can’t do it without your input.
Sevenfields want to hear from you about how you would like to get involved in and what you envision for the year’s activities.
To make it easier for you to share your thoughts, they have put together a list of exciting potential suggestions below so that we can understand what the community value most. This will help with a funding bid to ensure 2025 is an unforgettable year for all Downham Estate residents.
Here are some of the possibilities:
- Developing existing open spaces, parks, woodland walks and gardens to build on original vision of Downham Garden City.
- Create an oral history of Downham through videos, interviews, photo exhibitions and more.
- Street Parties and a Parade
- Sports events
- Public art installation (mural/statue etc)
- Envisioning the future - what do you want Downham to look like in the next 20 years?
- And of course, we welcome any other suggestions you may have!
Your opinion matters, please take a moment to share your preferences by downloading the questionnaire below and ranking the above from 1-6 (with 1 being your most preferred, and 6 being your least preferred). The age and ethnicity information is optional but will help to gather preferences from a diverse range of individuals.
Please send your complete questionnaire by email to [email protected] or bring in to the school office.
Thank you being a part of this exciting time.
Today we celebrated Red Nose Day as children came to school wearing a touch of Red! Thank you for your kind donations. We will let you know how much was raised for the charity soon!
Downderry Comedy Club
Sports Report - Downderry Primary School & Balfour Beatty
If you have been into Lewisham recently you will be aware of its transformation. Balfour Beatty is helping to regenerate Lewisham as part of the Lewisham Gateway Development. This is great news for the area; the development will include new homes, offices, a cinema and gym, and dedicated green spaces for the community to enjoy.
But the news get even better for the pupils of Downderry Primary school…. Balfour Beatty have funded a 12-week multi-sports coaching programme, which has already started with children in Years 1 and 6 and will reach out to all of the pupils across the school.
Zero Carbon Retrofit
Lewisham Council have successfully bid to central government for funds to create a zero carbon plan for five schools, one of which is ours!
We are delighted to have been chosen and look forward to working with RAFT (Retrofit Action For Tomorrow) to further reduce our energy bills and carbon footprint. This project is also perfectly aligned with our development plan goals including the development of Global Citizenships within the school community.
The proposal from RAFT is a response to the climate emergency by delivering educational workshops on climate change and thermal performance in parallel with the delivery of a deep retrofit, low carbon feasibility study and action plan for the school. The proposal aims to engage, educate and empower children and the wider school community to reduce energy and carbon use at school and homes.
RAFT Workshop 1
Children have been working in partnership with the local authority and RAFT to develop a plan to reduce the amount of carbon we are using in school. Workshop 1, which took place during the lockdown earlier this year, looked at the school building and the materials used in its construction.
Children researched the thermal properties of the building and considered ways this could be improved.
RAFT Workshop 2
Our next workshop is scheduled to take place mid- May, when children will be visualising and measuring our carbon footprint, and identifying priorities to reduce and improve this.
RAFT Improvement Works at Downderry
RAFT Workshops at Dowdnerry
Help keep Beckenham Place Park litter and dog mess free!
Beckenham Place Park has launched a poster design competition for schoolchildren aged 13 and under. There will be three winners, and the winning designs will be made into A4 size stickers and stuck on the littler bins in the park.
The brief: Design an A4 colour poster that encourages park visitors to use the bins provided for litter OR dog mess. The design should be eye catching and clear so that people can see it and read any words from a distance. It should convey the message that leaving litter or dog mess in the park isn’t nice for other park users and is not good for the environment. If the design relates to dog mess, please include that it must be bagged before binning.
The prize: There will be three winners. The three winning posters will be made into A4 size stickers and stuck on the litter bins in the park.
How to enter: Ask a responsible adult to email your image as a pdf to [email protected]
We cannot accept emails directly from children. If scanning or photographing your poster, please make sure that it is a clear image. In the email please include: Your name, age, post code, school name and your school year
Deadline: 5pm Wednesday 31 March 2021
In remembrance of our fallen heroes, we joined together with local schools to pay our respects and to lay our wreath at Downham War memorial.
Our very own bugler played the 'Last Post' in our remembrance assembly, introducing our 2 minutes silence and members of Bellingham Golden Oldies shared their memories of wartime with year 6.
Thank you to everyone who supported our Poppy Appeal to raise funds for essential welfare work for our Service men and women, veterans, and their families. We will let you know how much was raised soon!
This year our Harvest Festival will be held on Tuesday 13th October. This years assembly will be different due to the present climate with Covid19. The children will be sharing ideas about what Harvest means to them and learning about Harvest. Father Stuart of St Barnabas Church will be presenting a virtual assembly to the children.
Please support us in this Harvest celebration by donating any tins, dried or packets food. This year we will be donating the food to the Children's Centre Food Bank to support the local families at this difficult time.
Your gifts will be truly appreciated.
Unfortunately this year we will not be able to have our annually Spooky Disco as usual. Instead the children will be invited to attend school on the Thursday before half term (Thursday 22nd October) in either their own clothes or a spooky outfit.
Macmillan Coffee Afternoon
A massive thank you to children, staff, parents for the fantastic support that we had in raising funds for MacMillan Cancer Support to fight against Cancer.
Downderry raised £609.00 for the charity.
Thank you to all parents, carers and friends who came along to the Christmas fair. We would also like to say a massive thank you for all your donations and support.
The amount we raised was £630.57! This will be going towards a variety of things within the school to support the children's experiences and learning!
Chinese New Year Display
School Council's campaign for a cleaner and greener area around our school
Food Bank Appeal
Due to demand our food bank is more popular than ever before but this means we are running short of our essential items. Can you help us? We are looking for donations of any tinned food, dried packets such as pasta and rice, breakfast cereals, tea/coffee, sugar, biscuits, toiletries and cleaning products. We have also started a Just Giving page to allow us to buy fresh items such as milk, cheese, eggs, fruit and vegetables to add to our stock, just search for 'Downderry' on the Just Giving homepage or copy and paste the link below into your browser:
Food donations can be made to the main school office or directly to the Children's Centre (Shroffold Road entrance).
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The Dragons are pleased to announce Shane Millard has been appointed as the club's Recruitment and Pathways Manager.
Millard has previously worked in a number of NRL systems including the Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers and most recently the Bulldogs.
His long playing career also spans 12 seasons and two hemispheres and includes a stint with the Dragons in 2002. He has also worked in the Dragons pathways system previously.
"This is a significant role for the club and one that works closely with the head coach," said Dragons General Manager of Football Ben Haran.
"We have been patient in filling this role but with Shane Flanagan confirmed as our head coach moving forward this was a crucial next step.
"Shane brings a wealth of rugby league knowledge and experience and has great connections and strong relationships across the game
"We look forward to him helping the club build a strong playing list and bring through that next generation of Dragons over the coming seasons."
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As a hobby photographer, I have been enjoying playing with golden hour light since this past spring. Early in the pandemic restrictions, I would walk five blocks to what I thought was my “boring” neighborhood park, to enjoy some fresh air and outdoor time. But the sloth of the lockdown held a gift for me: the first few weeks of severely reduced working hours had me, mostly happily, staying in bed until 1 or 2:00 in the afternoon more often than not. By the time I had showered, eaten, and decided to go to the park, the light would be starting to turn. And it was absolutely enthralling.
There is a Japanese phrase, mono no aware (“the quietly elated, bittersweet feeling of having been witness to the dazzling circus of life – knowing that none of it can last”) that describes the “extra” beauty of an aspect of nature that arises when we know that the beauty is fleeting.
This could aptly describe the end of summer, the end of a flower’s blossom, the end of a day … so I think that the golden hour, while visually stunning in its own right, also benefits from this concept.
Today was a spectacular Portland September day. The high temperature was around 80 degrees (27 C), and after work I spontaneously decided to bike to one of my favorite food carts, Uncle Tsang’s Kitchen. The ride took me along the beautiful Springwater Corridor. After a wonderful outdoor meal of vegan Chinese food, I headed home a different way, through the Westmoreland neighborhood. As I was rounding the bend at Bybee Blvd, I glanced to my left and was visually struck—not for the first time—that there was a beautiful overlook of the Willamette River just there, and there seemed to be some benches. Tonight, I finally paused long enough to check, and sure enough: I saw three picnic tables, two of which were occupied, and the last one just waiting for me.
As I parked my bike next to the table, I was overcome with the beauty of the light. It was about 6:30 pm, and the sun was dropping in the sky, saturating all the river trees with a golden glow. I marveled at it, and began photographing somewhat obsessively, as is my wont.
Finally, I relaxed and simply sat at the table, soaking in the moment. After thirty years in Portland, to sit in this spot was another first for me this summer. The temperature was perfect. The light was perfect. This wonderful dream of a bike tour hummed in the back of my head.
And… I realized that a big part of my motivation for taking this trip is to maximize the golden hours in my life. I hadn’t thought of it in quite those terms, but that is what I’m dreaming of: to follow the light and the warm, pleasant weather all around the continent. Of course I know I will encounter days—probably stretches of weeks—that will deviate drastically from these ideal conditions. But… I hope that on most days of this tour, I will greet the golden hour tired but satisfied, and I will be able to sit—alone or with friends, new or old—outdoors, in some new spot every few days, feeling the warmth of the lowering sun and basking in its magical glow.
This summer is drawing to a close in Portland. If all goes according to plan, by this time next year I will be in southern Oregon or northern California. Tonight, as the evening ebbed, the summer ebbed, the year ebbed, my time in Portland ebbed… I savored the mono no aware.
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| 764
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Table of Contents Show
Are you in Southeast London and looking for ways to maximize your living space? A South East London loft conversion company can provide excellent options that transform your home and add value to your property. There are various loft conversion choices available, each with its unique benefits and considerations.
In this article, we’ll explore the different loft conversion options in Southeast London and guide navigating the planning process, finding the right specialist, and designing a space that meets your lifestyle needs.
- Loft conversions are an excellent way to maximize living space in Southeast London properties.
- There are various loft conversion options available, including dormer, mansard, and hip-to-gable conversions.
- It is essential to obtain planning permission before starting a loft conversion project.
- Choosing the right loft conversion specialist is crucial for a smooth and successful conversion project.
- Design considerations such as space efficiency, sustainability, and style can help transform your loft conversion into a beautiful and functional living space.
Types of Loft Conversion Options
If you’re looking to maximize living space in Southeast London, loft conversions are an excellent choice. There are different loft conversion options to choose from, depending on your needs and preferences. Here are the most popular types:
Type | Description | Benefits | Considerations |
Dormer Conversion | An extension that projects from the slope of the roof, creating additional headroom and usable floor space. | Enhanced natural light and ventilation. Can maintain the exterior appearance of the house. Suitable for most properties. | May require planning permission. Can limit space in smaller houses. |
Mansard Conversion | A flat roof extension with a 72-degree slope that sits in line with the outer walls of the house. | Relatively more headroom than other conversions. Maximizes space. Provides an elegant design option. | Planning permission may be required. Requires significant construction work. |
Hip-to-Gable Conversion | Changes the sloping side of the roof to a vertical wall, delivering higher ceilings. | Can significantly extend living space. Ideal for semi-detached or detached houses. Offers a chance to personalize the exterior design. | Planning permission may be required. Not suitable for certain roof types. |
Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, and it is essential to choose the most suitable option for your specific requirements. A professional loft conversion specialist can advise you on which choice is best for your property, taking into account your budget, style preferences, and other factors.
Planning Permission Requirements
Planning permission is required for most loft conversions in Southeast London. Before beginning your project, it is essential to confirm whether planning permission is needed and obtain it if necessary. Failure to do so can result in costly legal issues and possibly even demolition of your conversion.
The planning process can seem daunting, but with the right guidance, it can be a smooth and straightforward process. Below are the necessary steps to obtain planning permission for your loft conversion in Southeast London:
- Determine whether planning permission is required for your conversion project. This can be done by contacting your local planning authority or consulting with a professional loft conversion specialist.
- Submit a planning application to your local planning authority. The application must include detailed plans of the proposed conversion and its impact on the surrounding environment, including elevations, sections, and floor plans.
- Allow time for your application to be reviewed, typically takes up to eight weeks.
- Receive a decision from your local planning authority regarding your application. The decision may include conditions that must be met for the conversion to proceed.
- Ensure that your building regulation approval is in place, which is separate from planning permission.
By following these steps, you can obtain planning permission successfully and avoid legal issues during and after your conversion project. Remember to consider the necessary time requirements along with the cost of obtaining planning permission in your budget planning.
Benefits of Loft Conversions
Loft conversions offer numerous benefits for homeowners in Southeast London, making it a popular choice for maximizing living space and investment. Here are some of the advantages:
- Additional living space: Loft conversions provide valuable additional space for a variety of purposes such as an extra bedroom, home office, or game room.
- Increased property value: Loft conversions have the potential to add significant value to your property, making it a wise investment for the future.
- Natural light and ventilation: By incorporating skylights and windows, loft conversions utilize natural light and ventilation, providing a bright and welcoming environment.
- Customizable design: With a wide range of design options available, loft conversions can be customized to reflect your style and meet your specific requirements.
- Reduced energy costs: By adding insulation and energy-efficient features, loft conversions can help reduce energy costs and improve your carbon footprint.
“A loft conversion is an excellent way to create extra space in your home, while also adding value to your property.”
Finding the Right Loft Conversion Specialist
When it comes to a loft conversion project in Southeast London, finding the right specialist is crucial. A specialist with experience and expertise can ensure that the project is completed seamlessly, on time, and within budget. Here are a few tips to follow when selecting a loft conversion specialist:
- Research – Look for a specialist with a good reputation, lots of experience, and positive customer feedback. Check if they have any accreditations such as certification from professional bodies.
- Portfolio – Ask to see examples of their previous work to get an idea of the quality and style of their work.
- Communication – Make sure they are easy to communicate with and will keep you updated throughout the project.
- Price – Compare prices from several specialists, but keep in mind that the cheapest option may not always be the best.
- Reviews – Check online reviews from previous customers for a more accurate view of their services.
In addition, make sure the specialist has experience in the type of conversion you want to undertake, whether it be a dormer, mansard, or hip-to-gable conversion. With the right loft conversion specialist in Southeast London, your dream space can become a reality.
Cost Considerations for Loft Conversions
Before embarking on a loft conversion project in Southeast London, it’s important to consider the financial aspects involved. Factors that can affect pricing include the size of the space, the type of conversion, and the materials used. Budgeting effectively is key to ensuring a successful and stress-free project.
One cost consideration to keep in mind is planning permission. Depending on the type of loft conversion and the location, planning permission may be required, which can add to the overall cost. Other expenses to factor in include architectural and design fees, building regulations, and any necessary structural work.
However, investing in a loft conversion can provide a significant return on investment, increasing the value of your property and maximizing your living space. Consider using eco-friendly and sustainable materials, which can also save money in the long run through reduced energy costs.
Cost Considerations Table:
Cost Consideration | Description |
Size of space | The larger the space, the higher the cost |
Type of conversion | Dormer and mansard conversions tend to be more expensive than hip-to-gable conversions |
Materials used | High-quality and sustainable materials may increase costs but can provide long-term savings |
Planning permission | Depending on the type of conversion and location, planning permission may be necessary and can add to the cost |
Architectural and design fees | Professional fees for design and planning services |
Building regulations | Guidelines and regulations that must be followed and can increase costs |
Overall, cost considerations play an important role in planning a loft conversion in South East London. By taking a practical and strategic approach, you can create a beautiful and functional living space that meets your needs and budget.
Maximizing Space Efficiency in Loft Conversions
Loft conversions are an excellent way to maximize space in your home without altering the existing footprint. However, it’s crucial to use the available space wisely, ensuring that every inch is functional and efficient.
One of the most effective ways to maximize space efficiency in loft conversions is through clever storage solutions. Consider using built-in cabinets or drawers to make use of awkward corners or slanted walls. Shelves that follow the shape of the roofline can also provide ample storage space while utilizing otherwise unused areas.
Another great option is incorporating storage into your furniture, such as beds with built-in drawers or ottomans that can be used as storage containers.
Maximizing natural light can also enhance the space efficiency of your loft conversion. Skylights or dormer windows can bring in a significant amount of natural light, making the space feel more open and spacious. Additionally, Opting for sheer or light-colored window treatments can help to enhance the effect of natural light in your home.
Effective layout strategies are a fundamental consideration when converting your loft. Creating an open-plan layout can help to maximize the feeling of space and facilitate the flow between areas. Avoid long corridors and opt for open, functional spaces that allow you to make the most of your new living area.
A well-designed loft conversion can significantly enhance your living space while adding value to your home. By focusing on maximizing space efficiency through clever storage solutions, natural light, and effective layouts, you can create a functional and stylish living area that meets your lifestyle needs.
Design Ideas for Loft Conversions
Designing your dream loft conversion is an exciting opportunity to add personality and style to your home. Whether you’re after a cozy retreat, a spacious studio, or a luxurious master suite, there are endless possibilities to inspire your creativity.
Styles and Layouts
There are various styles and layouts to choose from when designing your loft conversion. From modern minimalism to rustic charm, you can tailor your space to reflect your taste and personality. Consider an open-plan design, which creates a sense of spaciousness and flow, or separate your bedroom from the main living area for more privacy.
- Modern minimalism
- Rustic charm
- Industrial chic
- Mid-century modern
- Scandinavian simplicity
Decor and Finishing Touches
Adding decor and finishing touches can bring your loft conversion to life, making it a comfortable and inviting dwelling. Neutral tones can create a sense of calm and tranquility, while pops of color can inject personality and energy.
Area rugs, artwork, and statement lighting can elevate your space and add warmth and personality. Don’t forget to incorporate plenty of storage to keep your space tidy and organized.
- Neutral tones
- Pops of color
- Natural materials
- Area rugs
- Statement lighting
- Ample storage
“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” – Steve Jobs
Keep in mind that your loft conversion design should not only look fabulous but also work for your lifestyle needs. Consider your daily routine and how you envision using the space to create a functional and practical area that meets your needs.
Potential Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Loft conversions are an excellent way to maximize living space in Southeast London, but they also come with potential challenges that need to be addressed. Below we’ll discuss common obstacles that may arise during the conversion process and provide practical tips on how to overcome them.
Insufficient Head Height
One of the most common challenges in loft conversions is insufficient head height. This is often due to the angles of the roof or the ceiling beams being too low.
To overcome this, consider lowering the ceiling on the floor below or altering the roof structure to gain more head height. Additionally, consider adding roof lights or dormer windows to increase the amount of natural light coming in.
Inadequate Fire Safety Measures
Another challenge in loft conversions is ensuring adequate fire safety measures in the new space. It’s essential to comply with current building regulations, and this includes installing fire-resistant materials, smoke detectors, and fire doors. Consultation with a local building control authority is highly recommended.
Structural issues can arise due to the removal of load-bearing walls or the addition of extra weight through the new living space. A structural engineer can help assess these issues and suggest any necessary structural modifications to ensure the safety and stability of the converted loft.
Limitations with Plumbing and Electrics
When considering a loft conversion, it’s essential to assess the existing plumbing and wiring in the house to determine if any modifications or upgrades are necessary. In some cases, the current system may not provide adequate support for the new space, and additional work may be required.
Overcoming challenges during a loft conversion project is crucial to achieving a successful outcome. By anticipating and addressing potential obstacles early on, homeowners can enjoy their newly created living space with confidence and peace of mind.
Considerations for Loft Conversion Sustainability
When considering a loft conversion, it’s important to think about sustainability and how to make your new space eco-friendly. Here are some factors to keep in mind:
- Eco-friendly materials: Choose materials with low environmental impact, such as recycled wood, bamboo, or cork flooring, and natural insulation options like sheep’s wool or cellulose.
- Energy-efficient features: Incorporate energy-efficient windows, lighting, and heating systems to reduce energy consumption and lower your carbon footprint.
- Water-saving fixtures: Install low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets to conserve water and reduce waste.
- Green design: Consider a “green” roof or rooftop garden to improve air quality, reduce stormwater runoff, and provide a habitat for local wildlife.
By incorporating these sustainable features into your loft conversion, you’ll not only make your home eco-friendlier but also save money on energy bills and increase the value of your property.
Transforming your loft into a functional living area is an exciting and potentially rewarding project. By exploring the various loft conversion options available in Southeast London, you can maximize your living space and add value to your property.
Whether you opt for a dormer, mansard, hip-to-gable, or another type of conversion, it’s essential to carefully consider factors such as planning permission, design ideas, cost considerations, and sustainability to ensure a successful and satisfying outcome.
By finding the right loft conversion specialist and navigating potential challenges, you can create a space that reflects your style and meets your unique lifestyle needs. And with strategies for maximizing space efficiency and incorporating eco-friendly features, you can feel good about your investment for years to come.
So go ahead, and take the next steps in transforming your living space with confidence and style. With the right guidance and planning, your dream loft conversion can become a reality.
The different types of loft conversion options available in Southeast London include dormer, mansard, and hip-to-gable conversions. Each type has its benefits and considerations.
Planning permission is required for loft conversions in Southeast London. To obtain permission, you will need to follow the necessary steps and navigate the planning process successfully.
Loft conversions in Southeast London offer numerous benefits. They create additional living space, add value to your property, and enhance your lifestyle and investment.
Finding the right loft conversion specialist in Southeast London is crucial. It’s important to select a reputable and reliable professional who can ensure a smooth and successful conversion project.
Loft conversions in Southeast London come with cost considerations. Factors such as size, complexity, and materials used can affect pricing. It’s essential to budget effectively and consider all financial aspects.
Maximizing space efficiency in loft conversions involves strategic planning. Utilizing clever storage solutions and maximizing natural light are key strategies to make the most of your transformed living area.
Yes, we have a wide range of design ideas to inspire your loft conversion project. From various styles to layout options and decor choices, we can help you create a space that reflects your personal taste and lifestyle needs.
Loft conversions can present challenges, but with proper planning and guidance, they can be overcome. Common obstacles include structural issues and obtaining planning permission. We provide practical tips to overcome these challenges effectively
Considerations for making your loft conversion sustainable include using eco-friendly materials, incorporating energy-efficient features, and making environmentally conscious design choices. Prioritizing sustainability in your project is important for a greener living space.
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Non-Standard Auto Insurance in Marietta, GA
You may not fit the mold for standard auto insurance, but you still need an appropriate car insurance policy. Our specialized non-standard auto insurance options give you the coverage you need, tailored to your unique situation.
Contact Drivers Insurance in Marietta, Georgia, today to learn more and find appropriate auto insurance.
What Is Non-Standard Auto Insurance?
Non-standard auto insurance is designed for drivers who might not meet the criteria for standard auto insurance policies due to various reasons, including the following:
- Driving record—Multiple accidents, DUIs or other serious traffic violations.
- Lapse in coverage—If you’ve had a significant gap in your auto insurance history, standard policies may be out of reach.
- Non-traditional vehicles—If you’re driving a high-performance or customized car, you might also require non-standard insurance.
How Does Non-Standard Auto Insurance Work?
Non-standard auto insurance operates much like standard auto insurance but with certain distinctions.
Generally, non-standard auto insurance comes at a higher premium. The added cost is due to the higher perceived risk associated with the abovementioned factors.
Non-standard policies might offer fewer coverage options. For instance, you may find getting comprehensive or collision coverage challenging compared to standard policies.
One of the advantages of non-standard insurance is its flexibility. Whether you need a policy that understands your need for an SR-22 form or you require a shorter policy term, non-standard auto insurance is often more accommodating.
Many people use non-standard auto insurance as a stepping stone. Once the factors causing you to need a non-standard policy improve, transitioning to a standard policy is generally straightforward.
At Drivers Insurance, we’re committed to providing you with insurance solutions that fit your individual circumstances. Contact us today to get a personalized non-standard auto insurance quote.
| 0.919824
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Dry January is a public health campaign initiated by Alcohol Change UK in 2012 that inspired 4,000 people to give up alcohol for the month. By January 2018 about four million had signed up. The idea is to abstain from drinking alcohol for a month to see how that affects your consumption going forward.
The results are rather impressive. In 2018, researchers from the University of Sussex surveyed participants and reported that, on average, their drinking dropped from 4.3 to 3.3 days per week and that the amount of alcohol consumed when they did drink also dropped measurably. Moreover, 71 percent of the participants reported that they slept better, 70 percent reported generally improved health, 67 percent said they had more energy, 58 percent lost weight, 57 percent reported improvement in concentration and 54 percent said their skin looked better.
Study leader, psychologist Richard de Visser, noted that changes in alcohol consumption were seen even among people who didn’t manage to give up drinking for the full month of January 2018, although the benefits they realized were somewhat less than those reported by participants who didn’t drink at all during the month. Dr. de Visser concluded that this shows even just trying to complete Dry January is helpful.
Other reported benefits: 93 percent had a sense of achievement, 88 percent saved money, 80 percent felt more in control of their drinking, 76 percent learned more about when and why they drink, and 71 percent realized they don’t need to drink to enjoy themselves. The Wall Street Journal reported in 2019 that a group of liver specialists in the UK found that abstaining from alcohol for a month improved liver function, lowered blood pressure and reduced blood markers associated with cancer.
Dry January is billed as a campaign to help people “reset” their relationship with alcohol, but according to Alcohol Change UK it is not for heavy drinkers who develop such physical symptoms as shakes, restlessness, insomnia, nausea or stomach cramps when they stop drinking. In these circumstances, you’re better off seeking medical help.
The concept of Dry January has spread from the UK to the US. I’ll be interested to see if it catches on here. But whether or not you participate in Dry January, if you’re a regular drinker and are concerned about how often – and how much – you drink, bear in mind the best way to protect yourself from the hazards of alcohol is not to use it every day. I recommend that people who drink wine with dinner every night or have a beer every day or a mixed drink or two after work give themselves two or three alcohol-free days a week.
Andrew Weil, M.D.
Richard de Visser et al, “Voluntary temporary abstinence from alcohol during “Dry January” and subsequent alcohol use.” Health Psychology, March 2016, doi:10.1037/hea0000297
Gautam Mehta et al, “Short-term abstinence from alcohol and changes in cardiovascular risk factors, liver function tests and cancer-related growth factors: a prospective observational study.” BMJ Open, May 5, 2018, doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020673
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Duchess Farm was established in 1846. In 1953 William and Carolyn Warren purchased the old dairy farm in Marbletown, NY. They devoted themselves to raising a family, and the care of their dairy. Having about 100 Jersey cows at a time, it was one of the largest producers of milk in the area, supplying milk as far away as NYC. Over 50 years later, the Warren's hung up their overalls to retire from farm life.
In 2006 under the stewardship of their son Michael, Duchess Farm was transformed into the first equestrian community in the area. While maintaining the agrarian way of life, the farm will now insure future generations will enjoy and experience the tranquility and beauty this farm has to offer. Our residents will become the future stewards of Duchess Farm.
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DVM Newsmagazine nets a national business journalism award.
New York - dvm360.com netted a national Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award last week in New York for Best Web Site. The Jesse H. Neal awards are considered the Pulitzer Prize of business-to-business media. DVM Newsmagazine also won a Neal Award for Best Single Issue of a Tabloid/Newspaper for its July 2009 publication.
The Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Awards is sponsored by New York-based American Business Media, a national organization representing business-to-business media companies. The awards drew 700 entries in 20 categories and were created to recognize editorial excellence by independent business publications.
The dvm360 content group had two additional finalists for awards. DVM Newsmagazine Editor Daniel R. Verdon and Veterinary Economics Editor Kristi Reimer accepted the awards on behalf of their editorial teams.
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Thanks everyone for the positive feedback on the medicine cabinet makeover. Apparently, I'm stuck in bathroom mode this week. You know, it's not me unless I'm in the midst of, or contemplating a project. I've been saying I'm going to do this next idea for a while now, but it wasnt' until two of my favorite bloggers went for it, that I decided to do the same.
There's nothing really wrong with my current master bath vanity, but the builder basic oak leaves a bit to be desired.
Both Decorchick and Dwellings by Devore recently painted their bath vanities, and surprisingly chose very similar colors. They both turned out beautifully. LOVE!
Dwellings by Devore |
Valspar - Elephant Gray |
Sherwin Williams - Summit Gray |
The process "seems" pretty cut and dry. Of course, we know shortcut Sally (me) will surely have some sort of mishap. I think I could knock it out in a weekend.
After I paint, I'm definitely going to change the knobs. Not sure what direction I'm going, but there are lots of options out there. This one at Anthropologie is nice, but may be too girly.
There's also Hobby Lobby. Not sure if you're aware but Hobby Lobby has the BEST knobs and pulls section. They're usually 50% off the price marked. I like both of these options, currently available on their website.
I guess as my friend would say, "There's nothing to it, but to do it!" Touche', my friend, touche'.
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It seems the Y chromosome, the crucial marker of male biology, is slowly vanishing from our genetic makeup. But don’t fret – an alternate sex gene may save the day, and indeed, our species.
In humans and other mammals, it is the Y chromosome that determines the sex of the offspring. Now for some unsettling news: the human Y chromosome is shrinking and on track to disappear entirely down the evolutionary line, potentially signaling our extinction.
However, hope springs from a curious corner — rodent species that lost their Y chromosome but are thriving nonetheless.
From a superficial standpoint, the Y chromosome might appear underwhelming. Compared to the female dual set of X chromosomes, males possess a lone X chromosome and a rather diminutive chromosome dubbed Y.
Yet, despite its size, the Y chromosome packs quite a wallop. It houses an essential gene that kick-starts male development in the embryo.
This master sex gene, designated SRY, was pinpointed in 1990. It sets off a chain of genetic events leading to the formation of testes in the developing baby. The embryonic testis produces male hormones, ensuring the development of male characteristics.
The Y chromosome began with nearly 900 active genes, but over 166 million years, it lost most of them, leaving about 55.
This significant gene loss over the centuries has lead scientists to predict that the Y chromosome might vanish entirely in about 11 million years. This has sparked intense scientific debate and numerous claims and counterclaims about the expected lifespan of our Y chromosome.
In this seemingly bleak scenario, two rodent lineages bring us a glimmer of hope. The mole voles of Eastern Europe and the spiny rats of Japan have both lost their Y chromosome – and are getting along just fine.
A team led by Asato Kuroiwa from Hokkaido University made a breakthrough in understanding how the spiny rats could continue without the Y chromosome. They found that most of the genes on the Y chromosome had relocated to other chromosomes.
The team also discovered a tiny difference near the key sex gene SOX9, on chromosome 3 of the spiny rat. They found that a small duplication was present in all males but absent in all females. This discovery suggests that this duplicated gene could potentially turn on SOX9, allowing it to work without SRY.
So, what does this mean for us, the human species? The impending disappearance of the Y chromosome has fueled intense speculation about our future. We can’t replicate the self-fertilizing mechanism found in some reptiles due to the critical genes in sperm that only fathers can provide.
The potential end of the Y chromosome could spell disaster for us, leading to the extinction of the human race. However, the new research offers an alternate possibility – we could evolve a new sex determining gene.
But it’s a double-edged sword; it could also lead to the separation of new species, driven by different sex determination systems.
Fast forward 11 million years into the future, and an alien traveler could encounter a vastly different Earth. They might find no trace of humans, or perhaps discover multiple human species, each evolved with unique sex determination systems.
Imagine the diversity of life forms that could exist, shaped by millennia of adaptation to changing environments and challenges. This scenario sparks curiosity about our evolution and the potential paths it could take.
The alien observer would witness not just remnants of humanity, but a rich tapestry of variations, raising questions about survival, adaptation, and the essence of what it means to be human.
The notion of the Y chromosome disappearing may seem alarming, but there is hope in science.
Throughout millions of years, humanity has shown remarkable adaptability and evolution, and this applies to our sex determination mechanisms as well. While the future remains uncertain, it’s crucial to recognize that change is a natural part of life.
This perspective reminds us to stay optimistic about scientific advancements and our ability to adapt to new realities. By embracing ongoing research and understanding the complexities of genetics, we can find reassurance in the resilience of our species.
The study is published in the journal PNAS.
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Please join Rodney as he guides us through our early training in mindfulness toward the full evolution of mindfulness into spacious, formless awareness.
The evening will include a dharma talk, Q & A, and meditative Inquiry.
This is a benefit for both East West Bookshop and Seattle Insight Meditation Society, and all proceeds will be distributed equally between the two not-for-profit organizations. Please give generously.
$10 admission. Click on the yellow PayPal Donate button below to give your donation of $10 or more. After your complete your donation, you will receive an email from "[email protected]" with your Zoom link info to join the event.
-Mindfulness is meant to reveal our fundamental nature
-Our fundamental nature is formless, timeless, immediate, and complete
-Mindfulness evolves out of the watcher of the experience into watching, which is no longer controlled by the egoic sense of self
-Transcendent freedom is seeing reality through formless awareness and not through the distorted lens of the ego
Rodney Smith is a retired Insight Meditation Society guiding teacher and retired founding and guiding teacher of the Seattle Insight Meditation Society. A former Buddhist monk and hospice director, he has taught meditation for 40 years and is the author of Lessons from the Dying; Stepping Out of Self-Deception: The Buddha’s Liberating Teaching of No-Self; Awakening: A Paradigm Shift of the Heart; and Touching the Infinite: A New Perspective on the Buddha’s Four Foundation of Mindfulness.
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"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
We are EBook People.
The mission of eBookhounds is to connect our readers with the top free and discounted ebooks on the Internet. We don't think it's right or fair to have to pay paperback or even hardback prices for books that are stored and delivered to you digitally. On top of that, we believe that ebooks are the future and that they're great for our future. Put it all together, and we have built a beautiful website for authors to advertise their best work to our readers.
eBookHounds is free to join and enjoy! We want everyone (the 100%) to have access to the best ebooks at the best prices. Each of our readers is delivered a personalized version of Bailey's Bargains directly to their email inbox. This email lists the top free and discounted ebooks that Bailey found on that day. Sign up instantly to start reading!
We Cater to Your Ebook Tastes.
Bailey is the eBookHounds butler. He works tirelessly to deliver you the top free and discounted ebooks--in genres you love. Actually, if you asked him, he wouldn't call it work! Click to learn more about Bailey.
eBookHounds works with authors and publishing houses all over the world to bring Bailey's Bargains, our deals of the day, directly to the email inboxes of our readers. If you're an author, agent or publisher, click here to submit your book!
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Effective as of February 5, 2020
Information We Collect
When you use the Services, Traction Rec may collect three types of information:
(1) Personal Data
Personal Data is any information directly or indirectly relating to an identified or identifiable individual, such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that individual (“Personal Data”).
(2) Aggregate Information
Aggregate Information is information about your activities on or in connection with the Website that typically cannot be used to identify, locate, or contact you (“Aggregate Information”). For example, Aggregate Information includes information regarding the frequency of use of the Website and browser types used to access the Website.
(3) Cookies, etc.
Collecting Personal Data
Traction Rec collects Personal Data when:
(1) you use certain features of the Website that require the collection of Personal Data in order for those features to function;
(2) you voluntarily enter or upload Personal Data to or through the Website; and
(3) you communicate with Traction Rec, whether through the Website or through another form of communication, such as e-mail or telephone.
Collecting Aggregate Information
Traction Rec collects Aggregate information resulting from your use of the Website.
Using and Sharing Personal Data
Traction Rec uses Personal Data we collect:
(1) to provide services through the Website, such as downloading information or registration for various events;
(2) to improve the features and functionality of the Website;
(3) to communicate with you in response to any of your questions and requests; and
(4) to provide relevant marketing and other information to you, but only if, and to the extent that, you have consented to us providing such marketing and other information to you in accordance with applicable laws. In such a case, we will provide an easy link to permit you to “opt-out” of receiving future marketing communications.
In rare cases, Traction Rec may be required, or may, acting in good faith, believe it is required, to share certain information with legal authorities. In such a case, Traction Rec will provide only the minimum amount of information required and, unless prohibited by law, Traction Rec will notify you of the Personal Data it has provided. Such cases include:
(1) if required by law;
(2) to protect or defend itself, you, or others against legal liability or immediate danger; and
(3) to investigate a possible crime, such as fraud or identity theft.
Traction Rec may share Personal Data with third party service providers as Traction Rec deems necessary for such third party service providers to perform their duties required for the Website to function. For example, the Website may utilize hosting providers. Such third party service providers are not authorized to retain, share, store or use Personal Data for any purposes other than to provide the services for which they have been retained to provide.
Traction Rec does not sell or otherwise share Personal Data with unrelated third parties.
Using and Sharing Aggregate Information
Traction Rec uses Aggregate Information:
(1) to provide the services offer through the Website, such as downloading information or registration for various events;
(2) to improve the features and functionality of the Website;
(3) to monitor and analyze usage of the Website;
(4) to research, compile, and report on usage trends, user demographics, and user behaviors; and
(5) for other legitimate business purposes.
Traction Rec may share Aggregate Information with its affiliates and certain third parties, such as investors, potential investors, and third party service providers we use to provide and facilitate the Website.
Aggregate Information is anonymized and does not have the capacity to be used to identify an individual. In other words, Traction Rec may share this information but no Personal Data will be disclosed to third parties.
The Website may contain links to third party websites operated by other people or companies. Traction Rec is not responsible for those websites, and links to such websites are included solely for your convenience. Please review the privacy policies of such third party websites.
Security and Data Protection
Traction Rec takes appropriate security measures to protect Personal Data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction.
Such measures include internal reviews of Traction Rec’s data collection, storage and processing practices and security measures, as well as physical security measures to guard against unauthorized access to systems where Personal Data is stored.
Data Processing and GDPR
Traction Rec is both the data processor and the data controller for your Personal Data. This means that Traction Rec performs operations on Personal Data and controls your Personal Data. In the case where Traction Rec uses third party service providers with respect to your Personal Data, Traction Rec is the data controller and such third party is the data processor.
To the extent applicable, Traction Rec will adhere to the requirements as outlined in Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation, commonly referred to as GDPR).
Traction Rec may transfer your Personal Data to countries other than the one in which you live.
Traction Rec may require certain financial information, such as credit card information. We will not share this financial information, other than the financial institutions involved in processing your payment. At all times, Traction Rec will comply in all respects with applicable consumer protection laws.
Corrections and Removals
You may have the right to access your Personal Data and require Traction Rec to update, delete, or correct this information. If any part of your Personal Data, such as your name, e-mail address, mailing address, telephone number or other personal information is incorrect or has changed, you may update, correct or remove the relevant information by contacting Traction Rec. We will take reasonable steps to update or correct Personal Data in Traction Rec’s possession or control.
Contact Traction Rec
Traction Rec Technologies Inc.
Attention: Privacy Officer
PO Box 11303 RPO Wessex
Vancouver, BC V5R 0A4 Canada
Effective Date: Feb 05, 2020
| 0.918378
| 1,288
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Spot Welding – Definition, Working Principle, Application and Advantages:
By definition, spot welding is a form of resistance welding in which the parts or pieces are joined in spots, accompanied by heated relatively small sections of the parts or pieces between suitable electrodes under pressure.
Spot welding is perhaps the most widely used form of resistance welding. It is characterized by low cost, speed, and dependability making it a common electrical resistance welding process.
Spot welding is usually used for joining or fabricating sheet metal structure. This type of welding only provides mechanical strength and is neither airtight nor watertight. For obtaining good welds having strength, and to avoid the excessive heating effects due to foreign filmson sheet surfaces, it is desirable to clean the sheets thoroughly before welding. In this type of welding the workpieces to be welded are pressed together by mechanical pressure exerted through electrodes (made of pure copper or alloy of copper) as shown in Fig. 6.4 and then supply is switched on for a particular period. The mechanical pressure may be developed by a foot lever or by air pressure or by hydraulic cylinders. The metal in the zone of pressure gets up heated to fusion and the joint thus made gets cooled under pressure. The pressure remains applied till the weld cools and regains sufficient strength. Current required is above 5,000 A and the voltage between the electrodes is usually less than 2 volts. The open-circuit voltage is less than 12 volts. The time period of flow of current varies widely depending upon the thickness of sheets, kinds of metal etc. For thin sheets this period is about 1/50 second for each 0.25 mm of total thickness of the two sheets to he joined.
In order to avoid electrode sticking it is necessary to avoid heating of junction faces between electrodes and work. This is achieved (i) by using water-cooled electrodes and (ii) by employing electrodes made of material having high electrical as well as thermal conductivity. In order to minimize the wear and tear at the tip of the electrodes it is necessary to employ electrodes made of material having high mechanical strength.
Efficient spot welds are possible only by a correct combination of current, pressure, and welding time. The heat developed being proportional to the product of the welding time and the square of the current, it is possible to obtain good welds by employing either low currents for a longer duration or higher currents for a shorter duration. Longer welding time usually produces stronger welds but this involves lot of distortion of workpieces, electrode maintenance and high energy expenditure. The welding pressure required is determined on the basis of a specific electrode pressure of 7 kg per sq.mm over the electrode tip area. In view of the fact, however, that plates will not always be perfectly flat, a certain additional pressure is usually recommended, which will overcome slight distortion of the plates without the resultant necessary welding pressure.
For obtaining good joints spot welding machine (Fig. 6.5), which makes the welding operation independent of the operator by automatically controlling welding current, pressure, and timing, once the same have been set correctly, may be employed. By toggle mechanism electrodes are pressed on the work and according to the requirement the current can be turned on and off. In certain machines the electrodes of spot welders are equipped with water cooling arrangement. In such cases the electrodes are made hollow and the water is circulated through them. Spot welding machines are of capacities ranging from 10 to 150 kVA.
Application and Advantages:
Spot welding is applicable for joining components made from plate material, the plate thickness being limited (usually to 10 or 12 mm) by the pressure and current capacity of the available spot welding machine. It has an advantage over projection welding in cases where the number of welds required is relatively small, where the size of the job is too large for the capacity of projection welders, and where the design allows the necessary spacing and arrangement of the welds to be obtained. The lower cost of the equipment makes spot welding economical for small quantities.
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| 816
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Dinner’s Up For Butternut Box Bark Awards
Think of your favourite fresh food delivery box but this time it’s for your beloved dog! Butternut Box delivers delicious, human-quality meals for dogs, full of freshly prepared ingredients, straight to customers’ doors. All meals are made with human-quality meat and vegetables, gently cooked to create simple, tasty and complete meals, and created with the right balance of vitamins and minerals for dogs of every age. Butternut was founded by two friends, Kev & Dave, after seeing the benefits that home-cooked food had on Dave’s poorly rescue dog, Rudie. Butternut’s mission is to deliver health and happiness to dogs and their humans all over the world.
Alongside creating delicious food for our furry friends, they work with a number of charities, build new shelters for rescue dogs and also donate meals to those less fortunate each time a new dog signs up. Their BARK (Butternut Annual Recognition and Kudos) awards are held internally every Christmas, but were newly launched last year to their external suppliers on their Supplier Day. A testament to how fresh and delicious their product is, attendees of the awards even got to taste the product…which is dog food!
With the focus of the ‘Grow With Us and Make a Difference’ Supplier Day being sustainability, they launched a series of webinars that will continue to take place every quarter for their Raw Materials, Packaging and Logistics Partners so that they can continue to grow and learn along with their suppliers on the sustainability journey, sharing knowledge and insight as they go. Therefore the awards had to match this ethos! We pride ourselves at EFX on our sustainable awards and the wide variety we offer.
The initial four paw print award designs focussed on their four core values, ‘Dedicated and Determined, Open and Honest, Genuine Care, Strive for Better.’ The 5th award was the sustainability award, aptly named the Green Bone award. The five awards were created out of solid oak with digitally printed detailing. A spokesperson for the event said – ‘The feedback was really positive, everyone loved that the shapes were a bit different and dog themed – a paw print and a bone and the fact that they were wooden, so sustainable was really important considering it was one of our focuses for the day.’
They also had this to say about working with EFX and their sustainable awards – “Sharron was so helpful and a pleasure to work with, the whole process was seamless and the final awards exceeded my expectations.”
We at EFX believe anything is paw-sible with our awards!
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| 558
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- Director, Eisner Advisory Group LLC
Henric Adey is a Director in the firm’s Transfer Pricing Practice. Henric is responsible for advising clients over a wide span of industries concerning both international and multi-state transfer pricing matters. This includes assisting companies with transfer pricing documentation and planning projects in addition to supply chain restructuring. Henric also provides advice on the transfers of intangible property, royalty arrangements, cost-sharing of intellectual property, and profit-split analyses. He has significant expertise in audit support and defense; and state tax planning.
Prior to joining firm, Henric had a significant role in the Transfer Pricing Group of a Big 4 accounting firm. His prior work experience has afforded him insights into the European and Asian financial markets.
Henric is a native German speaker.
- Transfer Pricing
- International Tax
Credentials & Education
- University of Bristol: BSc, Economics & Accounting
- London School of Economics & Political Science: MSc
- Georgetown University: MA, Economics; PhD
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| 208
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ACADEMIC PROJECTS: 2015
SMITHFIELD's MINISTRY OF FOOD,
Preserving Smithfield's General Market, City of London
Project Description: Graduation Project, BArch University of Nottingham
Date: 05 June 2015
Project Location: Smithfield's General Market, City of London, United Kingdom
Studio: Year 3, Unit 3B 2014 - 2015
Tutors: Warren McFadden (Design Mentor)
A project which attempts to revive part of the existing Smithfield Market in London and particularly the General Market which was initially constructed in 1883. It constitutes an attempt of preserving historical fabric as well as redefining the meaning and role of markets in peoples lives as well as UK’s food culture through education, and direct contact with the food process.
By understanding the power of markets as a place where the political sphere may be revealed my aim was to create a new place where politics of food can be “served on plate” and debate between interested parties can be generated. The scheme comprises of debating/dining halls, market stalls, kitchens, restaurants etc.
The Manifesto of this project is to transform London’s Smithfield Market into a 21st century Athenian Agora by proposing the separation of food from the current governmental Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, so as to underline the importance of food in every aspect of our lives today, and thus the creation of a New Ministry of Food. It is a governmental department where government representatives are used for public governance and not for the expression of authority. For strategic oversight and coordination that will allow people from different backgrounds and social statuses to participate actively in the debates around food, to express themselves freely and unbiased to redefine their relationship with food and consequently to revive the principles of the [Athenian] democracy that has been lost throughout the years. Market stalls from street markets, commercial kitchens, educational active classes will share the same space with the governmental department underlining the power of food to bring people together. People buying or eating food will observe those making the decisions and vice versa. Key drivers of the design are accessibility, transparency and participation. As a result, this attempt to design an egalitarian-democratic building both in its philosophy and implementation, generates a beautiful complexity, orchestrated by social, political and environmental aspects which are derived and developed on two different axes, concept and site.
Please click on the thumbnails below to view the rest of the project.
Smithfield's General Market, London - Unknown
Existing Situation 2015
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| 521
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Our aluminum cables in Maihar possess high tensile strength as they can withstand twisting and bending. You can trust Electric Wire Manufacturers for the best quality Aluminium Wire Cables in Maihar. These wires we avail in Maihar work very efficiently due to their electrical properties.
These aluminum wires and cables offered in Maihar are the ideal alternatives to copper cables. Our company is the most trusted Aluminium Wire Cables Manufacturer in Maihar. The aluminum cables we offer in Maihar are very flexible and lightweight which makes them a versatile product.
We are backed by a team of skilled professionals to provide the best quality wires and cables in Maihar. These wires from us are popular in Maihar because they provide great resistance. Our company is the major Aluminum Wire Cables Supplier in Maihar.
These aluminum cables are popularly used in Maihar for house wirings and power wirings of airplanes. Besides this, our company is also ranked among the chief Aluminium Wire Cables Exporters in Maihar.
BRAND | Electric Wire Manufacturers |
WIRE SIZE | 1.5sq.mm - 25sq.mm |
VOLTAGE | 440V |
CONDUCTOR THICKNESS | 0.0100mm |
CONDUCTOR MATERIAL | ALUMINIUM |
INSULATION THICKNESS | 0.0428mm |
INSULATION MATERIAL | PVC |
LENGTH | 100YARDS(91.44METERS) |
COLOUR AVAILABLE | BLACK/WHITE/ORANGE |
PACKAGING | BUNDLE |
FRLS | YES |
No. OF STRANDS/CORE | 2 |
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN | INDIA |
Electric Wire Manufacturers Wire |
Wire Size |
Number Of Cores |
Fire Resistant |
Insulated Material |
Cover Material |
Roll Length |
Number Of Core | 4 Core |
Usage/Application | Industrial |
Conductor Type | Aluminium |
Wire Size | 0.5 Sqmm |
Rated Voltage | 1100 V |
Fire Resistant | Yes |
You can trust Electric Wire Manufacturers for your cable requirements in Maihar. We are among the providers of Multi-Core Wires And Cables in Maihar. Our cables are very versatile as they are used in various industries in Maihar. We also cater to the electric wire and cable demands in Maihar. They are extremely flexible, so they are widely used in Maihar.
Read MoreElectric Wire Manufacturers is a Delhi-based company, providing the best quality cables in Maihar. Our company offers top-grade Aluminum Armoured Cables in Maihar. This cable we provide in Maihar has an additional layer of armour that protects the cable core. These cables are also known as round service wires in Maihar.
Read MoreOur submersible cables in Maihar are made from electrolytic copper and premium PVC insulation. At Electric Wire Manufacturers, we strive to provide supreme quality Submersible Cables in Maihar. These cables in Maihar offer a high level of safety and they are reliable to use. The cables we avail in Maihar are ideal for places that contain moisture.
Read MoreCopper is the most extensively used metal for the wires and cables we provide in Maihar. Electric Wire Manufacturers offers high-quality Copper Wires & Cables in Maihar at affordable prices. Our cables in Maihar have high tensile strength because they are made from copper.
Read MoreOur flexible cables in Maihar are perfect for places that require flexible application and constant repositioning. Electric Wire Manufacturers avails the best Flexible Core Cables in Maihar. These cables we offer in Maihar are relatively lightweight. They are also known as ‘continuous-flex’ cables in Maihar.
Read MoreWant to get high-quality polyvinyl chloride cables in Maihar? Searching for PVC Cable in Maihar? If yes, you can count on Electric Wire Manufacturers for all your wiring requirements in Maihar. These wires we provide in Maihar are fireproof and corrosion-resistant. These particular cables are extensively used for residential, commercial, and industrial wirings in Maihar.
Read MoreOur sheathed cables in Maihar consist of insulation of a non-conductive material. Electric Wire Manufacturers provides premium quality Insulated Cable in Maihar. PVC (polyvinyl chloride), semi-rigid PVC, polyethylene, and plenum PVC are the materials used for insulation in our cables in Maihar.
Read MoreIndustrial cables are also known as power circuit cables in Maihar. Electric Wire Manufacturers avails premium quality Industrial Cable in Maihar. These power cables in Maihar are used to distribute electricity around large industrial sites. These cables provided in Maihar are bundled inside thermoplastic insulation or sheathing.
Read MoreShielded cables are also known as screened cables in Maihar. Electric Wire Manufacturers avails the best quality Shielded Cable in Maihar. The shielding provides structural integrity to the cables we provide in Maihar. These cables in Maihar reduce the electrical interferences and electromagnetic radiation.
Read MoreOur power supply cables in Maihar are utilized for the transmission of electrical power from one place to another. You can rely on Electric Wire Manufacturers for the best quality Power Cable in Maihar at the best possible price range. Mostly stranded aluminum or copper conductors are used in the cables we provide in Maihar.
Read MoreData cables we provide in Maihar are specially designed to transmit and receive electronic information. Electric Wire Manufacturers avails the top-grade Data Cables in Maihar. These cables are extensively used in telecommunication and computer networks in Maihar. We also provide these cables in Maihar at affordable prices.
Read MoreOur commercial cables in Maihar consist of additional thermoplastic heat-resistant insulation or sheathing. At Electric Wire Manufacturers, we are dedicated to providing high-quality Commercial Wire and Cables in Maihar. The wires we provide in Maihar are durable as the additional coating protects the wires from corrosive liquids and gasses.
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| 1,278
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An au pair is a young person from another country who lives with you and helps with childcare and household tasks in exchange for room and board. Hosting an au pair is a great way to find highly flexible childcare and a unique opportunity for cultural cooperation.
However, it’s important to consider the hidden costs of having an au pair.
Hosting an au pair is a great way to get the help you need at home without paying full-time nanny prices, especially from a reputable au pair agency. But before you make the decision to hire one, it’s important to be aware of the hidden costs associated with this type of childcare.
First, you’ll need to consider the cost of an au pair’s travel expenses to the United States and back. Depending on the country, this can be expensive. However, it’s also important to keep in mind that the host family can choose to cover these costs for their au pair if they wish to do so.
In addition to travel expenses, you’ll also need to consider the cost of your au pair’s personal transportation needs while she is with your family. This may include things like gas, car insurance, and maintenance. Whether or not you decide to provide your au pair with a vehicle and pay for its usage will be up to you, but if you do, make sure that you set clear boundaries ahead of time. For example, is it okay for your au pair to transport her friends or drive on overnight trips?
Some host families also opt to provide their au pair with a cell phone. While this is not required by the program, it can be a nice way to show your appreciation for their hard work. Moreover, it can be a useful tool for communicating with the family when the au pair is not at home.
Au pairs need to be covered by insurance while they are working and living with the host family. Host families should discuss this with their au pair and include it in their agreement so there are no surprises when the bill comes. The amount of this expense will vary depending on the host country rules and the specific au pair’s situation, so be sure to check the Info Host Countries section for more detailed insurance information.
Cell phone and data plans are another common expense that au pairs will need to pay. Some host families choose to provide their au pair with a new or used cell phone to help them stay in touch while they are not together and others choose to just give their au pair a cash allowance for the cost of a plan.
There are also additional costs that a host family may need to cover in addition to the room and board for their au pair. These could include:
The au pair program fee – the one-time payment that goes to the au pair’s program that sponsors their visa, conducts interviews, and does all of the other things needed to prepare for their au pair arrival (including providing flights).
Accident and liability insurance – to cover the au pair in the event of an injury or accident while on duty with the host family. Some host families offer this to their au pair as well, which can be a great way to show appreciation for their hard work.
Educational expenses – up to $500 per semester toward the language course required by the State Department, plus class materials. Many host families opt to pay for these because they see this as a good way to support their au pair’s growth and development.
3. Cultural Activities
Welcoming an au pair is more than a childcare option, it’s also an opportunity for cultural exchange. As an international exchange student, your au pair will bring customs, traditions, and perspectives from their home country that can enrich your entire family’s experience together. This first-hand exposure to another culture fosters open-mindedness and promotes understanding in a very real way.
The cost of these activities depends on the arrangement made between host family and au pair, but many families choose to include their au pairs in as many family outings and vacations as possible. From baseball games to a night out at a theater, or simply a dinner with the whole family, these little moments make for memories that last a lifetime.
In addition, some au pairs are given a leisure activity allowance or have their costs covered by their host family for things like movies or restaurants. These outings are a fun and exciting way for au pairs to immerse themselves in American culture, and it’s a wonderful way to build close connections with their host family.
Some au pairs are also given language study expenses by their host families. This is a great way to encourage their learning while allowing them the freedom and flexibility to work as much or as little as they’d like while with the host family.
Despite what some people may think, the biggest cost associated with hosting an au pair isn’t the agency or the program. It’s the resentment and frustration that can be caused by a host family who demands too much from their au pair, such as working more hours than allowed or asking them to do more than they should.
The amount of “hidden” au pair costs a family incurs can be minimal or significant, depending on the arrangement between the host family and their au pair. For example, many families choose to pay for their au pair’s entertainment expenses like movie tickets or museum admissions in order to show appreciation and help her enjoy her time in the US. This can be a great way to make the experience a little bit more special for everyone involved.
Other costs that may arise can be things like clothing and personal items, a cell phone with a shared data plan (if you want to provide her with a phone), household items like particular toiletries or a cable box in her room, etc. Some au pairs also take a language course during their stay, which typically requires the host family to cover the cost of that as well.
It is important to discuss these costs with your au pair before she arrives so that there are no surprises and you both understand what is expected of each other. Some families even include these costs in their contract with the au pair in order to avoid any potential misunderstandings.
Overall, the hidden au pair costs are minimal compared to other childcare options such as daycare or hiring a nanny. In addition, hosting an au pair is an incredible cultural exchange experience that can be very rewarding for your entire family. Keeping these costs in mind as you consider your options for childcare can help you decide whether or not an au pair is the right fit for you and your family.
Hosting an au pair can be a hugely beneficial experience for both host families and au pairs. However, it’s important to consider all of the potential costs associated with this arrangement before committing to it. Having a plan in place and extra savings set aside can make the difference between success and stress for all parties involved.
For many families, the benefits of an au pair are worth the additional expenses they may face. In addition to saving on daycare costs, au pairs are able to provide a more personal touch than traditional childcare. They also offer an opportunity to expose children to a new language and culture, which is invaluable for their education. In addition, au pairs are typically paid more per hour than other childcare solutions and have the added bonus of working from home.
Some au pairs will have additional expenses beyond private room and board, such as phone and internet charges, personal clothing items, basic toiletries and cleaning products and cultural/recreation activities with the family. Host families can choose to reimburse au pairs for these additional expenses or pay out of pocket.
It’s also important to note that any costs incurred by the au pair during on-duty hours are tax deductible. These include the au pair’s stipend, agency fees and transportation costs.
Another cost to consider is any additional childcare needs the au pair may have outside of regular work hours, such as school closures or snow days. While this is not a common cost for most au pairs, it’s still something to keep in mind when planning your budget. In most cases, au pairs find these out-of-the-ordinary expenses to be well worth the extra expense because it enables them to provide their kids with additional care without relying on friends and family members.
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| 1,707
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By: Srikanth Saripalli, Texas A&M University
In early November, a self-driving shuttle and a delivery truck collided in Las Vegas. The event, in which no one was injured and no property was seriously damaged, attracted media and public attention in part because one of the vehicles was driving itself – and because that shuttle had been operating for only less than an hour before the crash.
It’s not the first collision involving a self-driving vehicle. Other crashes have involved Ubers in Arizona, a Tesla in “autopilot” mode in Florida and several others in California. But in nearly every case, it was human error, not the self-driving car, that caused the problem.
In Las Vegas, the self-driving shuttle noticed a truck up ahead was backing up, and stopped and waited for it to get out of the shuttle’s way. But the human truck driver didn’t see the shuttle, and kept backing up. As the truck got closer, the shuttle didn’t move – forward or back – so the truck grazed the shuttle’s front bumper.
As a researcher working on autonomous systems for the past decade, I find that this event raises a number of questions: Why didn’t the shuttle honk, or back up to avoid the approaching truck? Was stopping and not moving the safest procedure? If self-driving cars are to make the roads safer, the bigger question is: What should these vehicles do to reduce mishaps? In my lab, we are developing self-driving cars and shuttles. We’d like to solve the underlying safety challenge: Even when autonomous vehicles are doing everything they’re supposed to, the drivers of nearby cars and trucks are still flawed, error-prone humans.
| 0.963593
| 371
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In an era where sustainability is more than a buzzword, businesses across the globe are pivoting towards practices that not only bolster profitability but also positively impact the environment. One transformative initiative at the crest of this green wave is the integration of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations into the repertoire of services offered by businesses. This forward-thinking approach not only underscores a company’s commitment to environmental stewardship but also positions it as a leader in the adoption of renewable technologies that support the rapidly growing electric transportation sector.
The electrification of transportation is seen as a crucial step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and curtailing the global reliance on fossil fuels. As such, the proliferation of EVs is met with parallel growth in demand for accessible and efficient charging infrastructure. By installing EV charging stations at their premises, businesses can attract eco-conscious consumers, enhance their corporate image, foster customer loyalty, and capitalize on potential new revenue streams.
Moreover, EV charging stations operate as a tangible nucleus for corporate sustainability initiatives, offering a powerful tool for businesses to meet ecological regulatory requirements, and perhaps even benefit from government incentives. They also serve as a statement of purpose and intent, demonstrating a business’s long-term commitment to sustainability and leading the charge towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.
With this comprehensive backdrop, EV charging stations emerge as more than a mere amenity—they become a pivotal component in a business’s sustainability blueprint. This article aims to explore the myriad benefits, considerations, and impact of deploying EV charging as part of a business’s green strategy, navigating the journey towards a more sustainable and environmentally-conscious business model.
As we delve deeper into the subject, we will uncover the intricate dynamics of EV charging stations, dissect the nuances of their implementation, and present a roadmap for businesses seeking to drive sustainability initiatives by harmonizing economic goals with ecological imperatives. Join us as we charge ahead into the future of business sustainability, where EV charging stations are not just a convenience but a catalyst for change.
Assessment of Site Infrastructure for EV Charging Integration
Installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations is a proactive step amidst the growing trend of EV adoption, signifying a commitment toward sustainability and future-proofing your business operations. The onset of such an initiative begins with a critical step: the Assessment of Site Infrastructure for EV Charging Integration. This examination is foundational, determining the feasibility and scope of the EV charging project.
To embark on the assessment, consider the existing electrical infrastructure at your site. This includes evaluating the capacity of the current electrical service, the proximity of power sources to potential charging station locations, and the identification of any upgrades needed to support added electrical load. Businesses should engage with professional engineers or specialized consultants who can perform detailed assessments, including energy audits and the examination of transformer capacities, to ensure the safety and efficiency of the installation.
Apart from electrical concerns, physical site characteristics play a role in assessing feasibility and planning. Criteria such as available space, proximity to buildings, accessibility, and traffic flow are examined to optimize user experience and maximize the utility of charging stations. Moreover, site assessment will identify any necessary groundwork modifications, like trenching for conduit or reinforcing parking surfaces, while keeping in mind ADA compliance and local zoning ordinances.
Furthermore, site assessment is not just about the physical and technical aspects—it also encompasses analyzing the projected EV charging demand. Identifying the type of vehicles—whether they are fleet vehicles, employee cars, or customer vehicles—and the frequency of charging needed will inform decisions on the number and type of chargers to install, as well as the allocation of resources for ongoing operation and maintenance.
Moving towards sustainability through the deployment of EV charging stations not only caters to the increasing number of EV drivers but also serves as a testament to a business’s dedication to environmental stewardship. It presents an opportunity to distinguish a business as a forward-thinking entity while meeting customer and stakeholder expectations. By addressing the initial step of site infrastructure assessment diligently, businesses set themselves up for a successful integration of EV charging stations into their operational framework. This in turn can aid in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving local air quality, and potentially offering a new revenue stream if paid charging services are provided. It’s a symbiotic relationship between enterprise progression and ecological responsibility, positioning businesses at the vanguard of a greener future.
Understanding Local and Federal EV Incentives and Regulations
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations are playing a critical role in the movement towards sustainable transportation, and one of the essential aspects for businesses aiming to install these charging points is to fully comprehend the local and federal incentives and regulations that are involved. By understanding the incentives, businesses can significantly reduce installation costs and gain various benefits, while adhering to regulations ensures compliance and eligibility for these incentives.
Local and federal governments often provide a slew of incentives to encourage the adoption of EVs and the installation of EV charging infrastructure. These incentives can range from tax credits and rebates to grants and low-interest financing options. For example, in the United States, the federal government offers a tax credit to businesses under the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit, which covers 30% of the cost of purchasing and installing an EV charging station, up to $30,000. Other incentives might include reduced utility rates for electricity, expedited permitting, or even subsidies for the vehicles themselves.
Moreover, local regulations and building codes can influence where and how many charging stations can be installed. Municipalities may have their own rules regarding the implementation of EV charging points regarding their numbers, placement, access, and integration with renewable energy sources. For businesses, it’s critical to align with these regulations not only to capitalize on the incentives but also to streamline the installation process and avoid any legal issues that may arise from non-compliance.
By leveraging these incentives and adhering to regulations, businesses can underscore their commitment to sustainability. Not only does this support the corporate image as a forward-thinking, environmentally responsible entity, but it also provides a valuable service to employees and customers who are EV drivers. The proliferation of charging stations due to comprehensive understanding and utilization of incentives and regulations can also influence the market, encouraging more consumers to switch to EVs knowing there is a growing infrastructure to support them.
It’s worth noting that incentives and regulations are subject to change and may vary significantly depending on the location. This dynamic landscape requires businesses to stay informed and perhaps even engage with professional consultants to navigate the complexities of integrating EV charging stations in a way that takes full advantage of the available government programs while operating within the legal frameworks. Doing so is a smart move strategically and environmentally, aligning business practices with broader sustainability initiatives and public policy goals to combat climate change.
Options for EV Charging Station Types and Power Levels
When considering the integration of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations as part of your business’s sustainability initiatives, understanding the various options for EV charging station types and their power levels is crucial. This will not only influence the infrastructure requirements of your site but also determine the level of service you can offer to EV drivers, which can range from employees and customers to the general public.
The types of EV charging stations are generally categorized into three levels, differentiated by their power output and charging speed.
**Level 1 Charging Stations** are the most basic and use a standard 120-volt AC plug. These are typically used for home charging or at workplaces where vehicles can be parked for a long duration. They provide about 2 to 5 miles of range per hour of charging which makes them impractical for quick charging needs but cost-effective for overnight charging.
**Level 2 Charging Stations** require a 240-volt AC plug and are the most common public charging stations. These can add about 10 to 60 miles of range per hour of charging and are suitable for both workplace and public settings. They strike a balance between charging speed and installation cost, which makes them popular for both residential and commercial installations.
**Level 3 Charging Stations**, also known as DC Fast Chargers (DCFC), offer the highest power level by using a 480-volt DC plug. They can charge an EV’s battery to 80% in around 20 to 30 minutes, making them ideal for quick charging stops along highways or in urban areas where drivers want to recharge quickly and continue their journey.
Each charging level serves a specific segment, and your business’s choice depends on several factors including the expected dwell time of vehicles, user expectations, cost of installation, and available electrical infrastructure. For instance, a shopping center might opt for Level 2 chargers to incentivize customers to spend more time shopping while their vehicle charges. In contrast, a roadside service area would benefit more from the rapid charging capabilities of Level 3 stations to serve travelers who need to get back on their way quickly.
It’s worth noting that in addition to the charging levels, there are also different connector types such as the SAE Combo (CCS), CHAdeMO, and Tesla’s proprietary connector. Ensuring compatibility with most electric vehicles is essential, which typically means offering several types of connectors or adjustable cables that can connect to different EV inlets.
For businesses, the decision to install EV charging stations reflects a commitment to sustainability and positions the business as forward-thinking, appealing to an ever-growing demographic of EV owners. It’s a tangible way to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and potentially attract customers who value environmental responsibility. Moreover, employees who drive EVs will appreciate the added convenience, potentially boosting company morale and reinforcing the company’s dedication to sustainability goals.
The Impact of EV Charging Stations on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) represents a company’s efforts to improve society in some way, ranging from environmental conservation efforts to promoting employee welfare and community development. The installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations is increasingly viewed as a significant CSR activity that aligns a company’s operations with the broader goals of sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Firstly, EV charging stations reflect a company’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions. As businesses encourage the use of electric vehicles by providing essential charging infrastructure, they help to diminish the use of fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative strongly positions a company as an environmentally conscious entity that is invested in combating climate change and protecting natural resources for future generations.
Moreover, the existence of EV charging stations can serve as a visible marker of a company’s innovative approach and forward-thinking mindset. It sends a message that the organization is not just adapting to current trends, but actively participating in the transformation of transportation to make it more sustainable. This can enhance brand image and appeal to a growing demographic of eco-aware customers and stakeholders who prefer to align themselves with green businesses.
Additionally, by adopting EV charging stations, corporations can attract and retain top talent who seek to work for responsible organizations that match their personal values. Employees are increasingly looking to be part of companies with strong sustainability agendas. Offering EV charging infrastructure could, therefore, be a deciding factor for potential employees who want their employers to facilitate environmentally friendly commuting options.
Furthermore, as governments around the world begin to implement stricter regulations on emissions and promote electric vehicles, businesses that preemptively adapt to these changes can gain a competitive edge. By investing in EV charging stations, companies may not only comply with these emerging regulations more easily but can also take advantage of any available financial incentives, such as tax credits or grants aimed at increasing EV adoption.
To summarize, integrating EV charging stations into a company’s CSR strategy is not just about charging electric vehicles—it’s about charging up the business’s reputation, employee satisfaction, and a sustainable future. These stations become more than just a utility; they become a statement of the company’s dedication to a cleaner, greener, and more responsible way of conducting business. As EV adoption continues to rise, the impact of such initiatives is likely to become even more profound, positioning companies at the forefront of corporate environmental responsibility.
Strategies for Funding and Partnering in EV Charging Station Installation
Implementing strategies for funding and partnering in EV charging station installation is a crucial step for businesses aiming to incorporate electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure into their operations. As the adoption of electric vehicles continues to grow, businesses have an opportunity to foster sustainability by providing EV charging options. This not only supports the increasing demand for EVs but also aligns with many companies’ sustainability and corporate social responsibility goals.
Funding for EV charging stations can be approached from several angles. One of the most common strategies is to utilize government grants and incentives. Many local, state, and federal governments offer financial support for businesses looking to invest in EV infrastructure. These incentives can significantly reduce the capital investment required for installation. It is essential for businesses to stay informed on the latest policy changes and funding opportunities as they can considerably differ from year to year and from one region to another.
Additionally, utility companies often provide programs and rebates for the installation of EV chargers as part of their efforts to manage grid demand and incorporate more renewable energy sources. Businesses can engage with their local utility providers to explore potential collaborations that may lead to mutually beneficial outcomes. For instance, utilities might offer reduced electricity rates for off-peak charging, which could lower operating costs for businesses while helping utilities balance the grid load.
Another strategy for funding is through public-private partnerships. These involve collaboration between a private entity, such as a business or a non-profit organization, and a government agency to share resources and risks. Such partnerships can facilitate the financing and installation of charging stations in areas that serve the public and the employees of the business. Public-private partnerships can also potentially unlock additional sources of funding, as some initiatives aim to expand infrastructure for public use.
Corporate partnerships can also play a significant role. Companies that aim to install EV charging stations might partner with manufacturers of charging equipment, service providers, or even other businesses that have a vested interest in promoting EV adoption. These partnerships can result in financial savings through bulk purchasing, shared advertising, or co-branded initiatives.
Moreover, businesses can explore crowd-funding options or engage with local community groups and non-profits that have an interest in promoting sustainable transportation solutions. Collaborating with these organizations can provide not only financial support but also enhance community engagement and reinforce a company’s commitment to sustainability.
Finally, there are innovative funding and business models such as ‘Charging as a Service’ (CaaS), where providers manage the installation, operation, and maintenance of EV chargers for a subscription fee. This approach can reduce upfront costs and offload the technical complexity of operating charging stations.
In conclusion, by employing a multifaceted approach for funding and partnering in the installation of EV charging stations, businesses can effectively drive their sustainability initiatives while managing costs. Exploring various funding avenues, staying aware of incentives, and forming strategic partnerships are key to successfully establishing an EV-friendly infrastructure that helps pave the way for a greener future.
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When you are in need of office supplies and equipment, Electronic Office Systems is the firm to turn to. For years, we have been praised by our customers for our excellent customer service and world-class solutions. We are also an Elite Dealer for a wide range of high-grade office equipment companies that are recognized for their excellent quality and customer support. As a result, we are able to have a ready supply of office equipment and parts on hand for quick repairs and replacements.
About Gloucester County
Gloucester County can be found in New Jersey and it has had a population of 302,294 as of 2020. The county is situated towards the southern region of Philadelphia and off the northwestern area of Atlantic City.
Office Equipment Repair Services in Gloucester County
You might lose money if a vital piece of equipment goes down in the middle of your daily operations. Due to our status as an Elite Dealer for all the brands we offer, we always have the necessary parts on hand to quickly fix any malfunctioning equipment.
Office Equipment Maintenance Services in Gloucester County
Regular equipment maintenance is essential to ensuring that your equipment lasts as long as possible while also reducing your energy use. We have got a team of experts ready to assist you to keep your equipment running at its best.
Company Relocation & Pre-Move Planning Services in Gloucester County
Your new office’s plans can be reviewed by us as part of your pre-move process. This will allow our team to develop the best possible communications and technology layout to promote optimum productivity and efficiency. We will also assist in getting your equipment ready for the transfer so it arrives at the new site in good shape. Our crew will install all of the necessary equipment so that your business can get back to work right away.
Document Management Audit Services in Gloucester County
Automated and digital processes are a big part of our business. We can automate compliance and repetitive processes by reviewing workflows and document management, building a user-friendly library, and incorporating automation.
Office Equipment Consultation Services in Gloucester County
Consult with our experts to get the advice you need on an optimum equipment arrangement for your company’s information technology and communications requirements.
Choose Electronic Office Systems for Office Equipment and Services in Gloucester County
Electronic Office Systems was recognized by J.D. Power as one of just 40 companies in the industry for providing great value and superior customer service. In addition to offering a diverse selection of high-quality products from trusted manufacturers, we are also known for customizing each solution to meet the precise requirements of a company’s business functions. If you use our technologies to automate operations, you can expect to save time in the long run. Multi-step activities such as compliance, document formatting, and data distribution may all also be automated using our tools and services.
For more information about our office equipment and services in Gloucester County, feel free to call us at (973) 808-0100 or schedule a 15-minute meeting with us today.
Your ideal office electronics partner is just a click away.
Contact us now or visit our showroom to discover how we can elevate your workspace with state-of-the-art electronic office equipment and unparalleled service!
Serving Essex, Morris, Bergen, Hudson, Hunterdon, Sussex, Union, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Passaic, Somerset & Warren Counties in New Jersey. Rockland and Orange Counties in New York.
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I’ll never forget when a client who took my birth class recalled how nothing she’d hoped for had actually happened.
Before birth she had felt prepared, confident, and sure that everything would be fine. After, she was left feeling completely floored and let down—by birth, her body, me, and my birth class.
I’ve lost count of how many times women have shared with me their pain and let down after giving birth, and how they were certain they had been prepared, confident their birth would go well, or that they’d be able to cope with whatever happened. As a Birth Story Healer, it pains me to see so many women left feeling blindsided, unprepared, and disappointed—I know something needs to change in the way we approach the unexpected and unwished for when preparing for birth.
As a childbirth educator, nothing felt worse than the growing realisation that despite having the best of intentions, not only was my approach not always effective, it was also hurting the people I was trying the hardest to protect. At one time, I thought I had all the answers when it came to approaching fears and worries about birth. Working with different models of childbirth preparation over 12 years, as well as helping people process difficult births, I came to see that not all approaches are deeply preparing people for birth or honestly conveying the range of possibilities that can occur. In many cases, the way we prepare and work through worries (or don’t) is a big factor in how we are left feeling afterward, and how we are able to process our experience.
When facing the unknown of giving birth, we’re all drawn to different ways of dealing with our worries. Some of us bury our heads in the sand, hoping if we just ignore them they might go away. Others choose to “trust the process,” think positive, and not give our fears any real airtime. We might try to slay the fear dragon with logic, reason, and evidence—something we are encouraged to do by many in the birthing world.
Many of us who felt “prepared” had a birth close to what we wanted, so who knows if we were really prepared? Maybe luck also played a part, or maybe it was a combination of factors. If we have a different experience our next time around, we could be left wondering what we did wrong, even though we prepared the same. How would we know we were deeply prepared unless we were faced with something we didn’t want? Many of us, when confronted with our fears or things we had hoped to avoid, are often left feeling blindsided; and in some cases, we might even feel ashamed that we weren’t able to change what happened to us.
Birth preparation is often seen as only a positive thing, yet I came to see with much clarity that that isn’t always so—in fact, it can be responsible at least in part for some birth trauma and dissatisfaction with our experience. My own experience of birth trauma, despite being the most prepared and informed person I knew, did not prepare me deeply enough and left me wondering how I could be feeling so down when I’d done so much to avoid it. Later, when I understood more about emotional preparation and the meaning I’d taken from my experience, it became really obvious that the way I prepared wasn’t working.
I fell for the common idea that being intellectually prepared equals being realistically prepared.
How do we prepare ourselves in the most holistic way so that we are deeply ready for the range of possibilities that could happen, and are primed to be kind to ourselves no matter what happens?
Informed equals Prepared—or Does It?
One of the loudest voices we hear in countering our worries and gaining confidence about giving birth urges us to gather information. We are encouraged to fill ourselves to the point of overflow with facts, figures, research, and evidence-based information about birth—after all, “knowledge is power.” Or is it?
The idea is that the more we become an informed and savvy consumer, understand hospitals and how they work, the hormones and physiology of birth, and common tests and interventions, the more we can steer the course and own our births. Along with choosing a care provider who is aligned with our wishes, the promise is if we prepare ourselves properly, we can protect ourselves and be okay whatever happens, as well as increase the chances of getting the birth we want.
Birth plans or preferences are a natural byproduct of this information gathering process. This can be a helpful part of preparation depending on how its done. We have to ask ourselves from which place are we devising our preferences? What most of us really want at this vulnerable time is respect and support for our choices and to be considered in decisions, which in an ideal world would be part of standard care. Yet birth preferences can be written as a way to avoid having conversations with care providers and can give us a false sense of power and control over a normal, yet often unpredictable process.
This part of preparing for birth can be a very important factor, yet doesn’t always go deep enough, or reach the place from where upset and trauma arise. I’ve often heard patients say that if they’d known enough, tried harder, or made the “right” choices, they could’ve avoided things not going to plan. This mindset is anything but empowering when we realise we weren’t deeply prepared at all.
Gathering information helps, but not if it distracts from the deeper emotional work that we need to do. While gathering information we could mindfully ask ourselves:
- What is the motivating force behind gathering information or making a birth plan?
- What do we really want to get of this process? Simply to make our wishes known or to feel a sense of control over others and what might happen?
- Is this process about being heard or asserting ourselves?
- Which part of us is behind this process? Is it the part of us that is fearful and trying to get the right outcome to gain approval from ourselves or others? Is it our emerging mother self who wants the best for our baby?
As we move through this process, a great guide is to notice how we feel in our body. Do we feel frantic, tense, full of nervous energy, even adrenalised from the process? Do we feel more at ease or an inner strength? Mixed feelings, or something else?
Is our seeking coming from a more wise, centered, and compassionate place that knows we can’t control others or the way our birth will unfold?
Release Fears and Manifest our Ideal Birth.
Another dominant idea, rather than addressing worries head-on, is to shift attention to imagining our ideal birth. In the classes I used to teach, we tried different “fear release” exercises and spent time on visualisations and letting go of worries. While these practices work well for some and can help us to feel calm and relaxed, we often don’t realise—until we are faced with the opposite of what we wanted—that we aren’t necessarily “prepared” for it.
These ideas can also give us a false sense that we can face anything just by remaining calm. Even if we are able to remain calm when our birth plan strays off the path, is this actually considered coping? Does staying calm help us process a difficult birth afterward? Is this just conforming to an appealing idea of a preferred way to behave during the birthing process?
One of the reasons this approach (as well as burying our heads in the sand) is appealing is because of a phenomenon called optimism bias. Around 80 percent of us experience optimism bias, and this means that we believe that things will turn out better than they will, yet we hold a more realistic view of obstacles and complications for others. Given we tend to think this way, it probably makes sense to be overly prepared rather than overly positive. Or at least, while remaining positive, be willing to look at worries and potential obstacles and how to cope with them, rather than hoping they won’t happen or believing that focusing on our ideal birth will make it happen.
By not examining our worries more closely, the part of us that is resourceful, flexible, and can take action might not be awakened to be able to deal with what happens in the moment, as that part is simply too busy being relaxed and calm, trusting that all will be well and ignoring the range of possibilities.
Knowing Ourselves—the Missing Piece.
In order to prepare holistically for birth and decrease upset and trauma, our emotional preparation needs to be our major focus. “Knowing ourselves” is even more important than all the research and information we could ever gather about birth. It’s even more important than trusting our body and the birthing process.
Pam England, author of Birthing From Within and Ancient Map for Modern Birth, says, “In the real world, some bodies are not able to give birth. So instead of focusing on the adage “trust your body,” trust that you can meet whatever challenges come your way.” Perhaps this is what we could focus on instead—trusting that we can love and accept ourselves through whatever unfolds.
Instead of just visualising our ideal birth scenario, how about also imagining ourselves being able to cope with the things we don’t want to have happen—imagining something we could do to cope in the moment. If we can explore the meaning we might give to such an event with self-awareness and self-compassion, how might this give us a much deeper and more thorough preparation?
If we learn how to awaken the part of us that knows we can do our best but also fully accepts that we still can’t control others or the outcome, nor are we defined by it, then we can be prepared for almost anything. Learning to listen within, tune into our bodies and instincts, and love and accept ourselves—whatever twists and turns our experience takes—is a truly holistic approach that could leave us better equipped at that vulnerable time after giving birth, and help as we process and integrate such an intense and transformative experience.
| 0.969808
| 2,119
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5 Reasons You Are Unhappy (And Shouldn't Be) With Your Perfectly Good Life
Most of us lead pretty good lives, but we still aren't happy. We continually want more, which is fine, as long as we can be satisfied with where we are right now.
Instead of lamenting where you want to be or with whom you want to be, take a look at what you've accomplished, how far you've come and how bright your future is.
Stop with the negativity. Here are five reasons you can't seem to understand that your life is actually just fine:
Well, it sucks. That little adage about perspective being everything actually holds some truth. Maybe you don't have a dream job yet, or that car you want, or the partner you seek in life -- but that doesn't matter. What matters is how you view your life right now. Are you working toward that job? That means you are closer than you were yesterday.
Are you saving for that car? Even if it's just $10 a week, that car will be yours sooner or later. Are you consciously bettering yourself so you can adequately contribute to a relationship? Then the right person will complement you, rather than complete you when he or she comes along. (And seriously, the relationship will be healthier because you aren't lonely.)
You Settle for Mediocre
This doesn't mean you should always strive for the corner office or the director position, but how are you performing right now in your current position? Is doing just enough to "get by" your mantra? Are you satisfied with only striving for half of what you're capable of? This includes everything from work, to relationships, to school or whatever.
If you only put in partial effort, you will generate mundane results. There is a sense of satisfaction in giving a task or a relationship all that you have. Not only that, it will also directly affect the kind of life you live. Change your mantra from "I'll get by" to "hard work and dedication." It will give your attitude a boost toward the positive and life will take a turn for the better.
You Lack a Practice of Gratitude
And it literally is a practice. Let's go back to that car you want -- well, is the mode of transportation you have serving its purpose? You should be grateful for that. Do your lights turn on when you flip the switch? Do you have heat in the winter? Is there food in your fridge? You should be grateful for all of that. Every day. Try writing down a couple of things every day that you have to be grateful for. You'd be surprised at how quickly it changes your perspective (there's that word again).
You Won't Take Ownership
Your life belongs to no one but you. Your parents can't tell you what to do anymore. They don't monitor your drunk texts or keep track of your finances. You are in charge. And now it's time to take ownership of that. No one told you to buy drinks for the entire bar, to skip class, to show up late to work or to pay the your electric bill 15 days past the due date.
These are all conscious decisions made by the only person who controls your fate -- you. Everything from the amount of debt you have acquired, to the job you have is a choice you have made.
If you can't change it, maybe you should change your perspective on it. (See the trend here?) The first step is to own up to your choices. Once you realize that your life is a direct result of every choice you've made, an epiphany occurs. You can now move forward with better choices. You can act instead of react.
You Hold On To Things That No Longer Serve You
Still got your ex as a Facebook friend? How's that working out for you? Are you holding on to that friendship with the person who only calls when she needs something? Still hitting the snooze button three times before getting out of bed? These people and habits only perpetuate the problem. If the goal is to better yourself and to continue moving forward, then holding on to relationships and habits like these only stunt your growth.
You might not be able to count on people, or your car starting in the morning, but you can count on change. It is constant. It is real. It's time to embrace it so you can move forward. Make the conscious decision to let go of all the people, the things and the habits that aren't making you a better person.
As campy as it sounds, look at the bright side. Seriously. Your life could be better, but it could also be much worse. Perspective is key.
Photo via Collider
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Gorgeous Gloucester Road Escorts
If you’re a single guy in the Gloucester Road area, chances are you’re looking for a little bit of fun. So why not spice up your love life by spending the evening with a gorgeous Gloucester Road escort?
Here at Elite VIP Models, we’re proud to offer our clients some of the best escorts sexiest models in London. Our girls are gorgeous, witty and eager to please, and will do all they can to make your time together truly unforgettable. Just get in touch with our friendly team to find out a little more about the beautiful escorts in your area.
Enjoy a Date With A Beautiful Woman
Gloucester Road is one of the most affluent, exclusive areas of London. There are many restaurants, pubs and hotels in this beautiful part of Kensington, and what better way to experience them than in the company of a beautiful woman?
Your Gloucester Road escort will be more than happy to accompany you to dinner at a restaurant of your choosing. L’Etranger is a truly global culinary experience, with its Japanese-influenced French Menu. If you have more traditional tastes, head to Olives, an Italian restaurant set in opulent surroundings.
Elsewhere in SW7 you’ll find some great places to enjoy a drink or two, including the Polo Bar, a stylish bar with a cosy fireplace and a great selection of beers. Another fantastic nightspot is Meursault, a cocktail and champagne bar that by night is a discreet entertainment venue.
If you’re visiting the area, why not book into one of the nearby hotels for the night? Your Gloucester Road escort will relish the opportunity to spend more time with you, and you can really relax and get to know each other. The Egerton House Hotel is a truly incredible place to stay and is fitting for one of our high-class escorts. The Baileys Hotel London is another great place to stay and is a stone’s throw from the tube station.
Get in Touch With Elite VIP Models Today
Gloucester Road is an area of Kensington with real prestige and class, and you can be confident that our escorts will fit right in. Whether you’re in town for business or pleasure, one of our ladies on your arm is the perfect way to make a statement.
Discreet, professional and drop dead gorgeous, she’ll wow everyone you meet. Give us a call on 07774 234478 to find out more about our escorts in SW7 – and make sure you inquire about our famous VIP services too!
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| 545
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Future of the Fashion Industry:
Revolution and evolution are the basic instincts of a progressive society and talking about fashion makes us take a dig into everything revolutionary as well as evolutionary since time immemorial. "Future of the fashion industry"
Looking back to the eras that passed by from Gothic, Pop and Victorian to nineties, Art Nouveau, Oriental, Art Deco, Prêt-a-Porter and Flower Power, fashion has transitioned and reformed through the ages to give a new outlook to the world.
Welcome to the age of Artificial Intelligence where clothes have become more than a wearable art and accessories are designed to multitask. If fashion has undergone so much resuscitation till now, one can easily imagine what it would be like 2 decades from now!
Wait! If you are thinking that the motive of fashion as a form of escapism would be dissolute; then relax. Fashion would still retain its identity as a form of diversion and expression. With the technology involved into clothing galloping ahead, future clothing would function as an interface and would influence our communication with the connected world and with each other. The rollout of 5G would accentuate this technological advancement furthermore.
Moreover, with sustainability gaining prominence in the fast fashion and textile recycling taking a front seat in the fashion world, people would start reflecting upon things they actually need for their existence. They would not spend on something like an outdated model, say fast fashion and would buy in from brands that follow sustainability strategy.
According to a recent report shared at the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana’s third international roundtable on sustainability in Milan, buyers at stores like Barneys and Saks in the US and Printemps in France expect to nearly double their total spending on sustainable products in the next five years, from 23% to 40%.
Handmade and tactile crafts would be at par with the evolving future tech, in order to meet the fashion fixes of the common mass. Second-hand markets are already on hike and in future as well they will entwine with the rental economy to gather grip and novelty.
Clothing will be powered by Artificial Intelligence and would undergo a shift in their assessment. Central fashion services will gain prominence and would be subscribed to by people for borrowing clothes on a short-term basis which will depend on the needs and changing lifestyle of people. That means people would barely have a closet stacked with unused clothes.
3D printing is the blessing of our generation that allows designers to make customized designs digitally for their customers. Neuro Studio’s collection encompasses 3D-printing, the tech that allows designers to tailor-make pieces digitally for individual customers. Nike already lends its shoppers the facility of designing their own trainers. This reflects upon a fair possibility of the future where we will be able to 3D print our own shoes at home. Isn’t that more than what we want? Future of the fashion industry.
We would not merely be consumers but would be our own designers as well in the coming years.
Future fashion can be an extravagant affair or it can be somewhat strange, never imagined or seen. But, whatever it would be, it will always act as a mirror of the happenings in the society.
With our identities becoming more fluid with time, we are spanning both the digital and physical realms. Digital fashion would help us push limitless creative boundaries and experiment with how we would like to be perceived. If you believe in the science behind magic, then the near future is surely going to be a roller-coaster ride full of creative innovations in the fashion world!
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Jul 11, 2024
In today's digital age, an increasing number of children are grappling with a vision condition known as myopia, or nearsightedness. This refractive error occurs when the eye elongates, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it, resulting in blurred distance vision. As a parent or caregiver, it's crucial to comprehend the implications of myopia on your child's visual development and overall well-being.
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Myopia
As a parent or caregiver, being aware of the signs and symptoms of myopia can aid in early detection and prompt intervention. Here are some common indicators to watch out for:
Squinting or frowning when trying to focus on distant objects
Frequent eye rubbing or blinking
Holding reading materials or digital devices closer than usual
Complaints of headaches or eye strain after prolonged near work
Poor performance in activities that require distance vision, such as sports or classroom activities
The Impact of Myopia on Children's Learning and Development
Myopia can have a profound impact on your child's learning and overall development. When left uncorrected or unmanaged, it can lead to various challenges, including:
Academic Performance: Blurred distance vision can make it difficult for your child to read from the whiteboard or projector screen, potentially hindering their ability to comprehend and retain information effectively.
Confidence and Self-Esteem: Children with myopia may feel self-conscious or embarrassed about their vision problems, leading to social withdrawal and a reluctance to participate in classroom activities or extracurricular pursuits.
Physical Development: Myopia has been linked to an increased risk of developing other eye conditions, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts later in life, which can further compromise vision and overall health.
Outdoor Activities and Sports: Children with myopia may face challenges in participating in outdoor activities and sports due to their limited distance vision, potentially affecting their physical fitness and social interactions.
By addressing myopia early and implementing effective management strategies, you can help mitigate these potential impacts and ensure your child's optimal visual development, academic success, and overall well-being.
An Innovative Approach to Myopia Correction
While traditional glasses and contact lenses can correct myopia, they do not address the underlying cause or prevent its progression. However, an innovative approach called Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) offers a promising solution for managing myopia in children.
Ortho-K involves wearing specialized rigid gas-permeable contact lenses overnight, which gently reshape the cornea while you sleep. This temporary corneal reshaping corrects refractive errors, providing clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses.
Studies have shown that Ortho-K can effectively slow down the progression of myopia in children, potentially reducing the risk of developing more severe vision problems in the future.
By eliminating the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses, Ortho-K can boost your child's self-confidence and encourage their participation in sports and other physical activities. Ortho-K eliminates the hassle of wearing glasses or contact lenses during the day, providing a more convenient and comfortable solution for active children.
The Role of MiSight Contact Lenses in Myopia Management
While Ortho-K offers an innovative approach to myopia management, another promising solution is the use of MiSight contact lenses, the only FDA approved lens for myopia management. These specialized daily disposable contact lenses are designed to not only correct myopia but also slow down its progression in children.
MiSight contact lenses work by creating a simultaneous vision experience, where the center of the lens provides clear distance vision, while the periphery of the lens is slightly defocused. This unique design has been shown to reduce the eye's elongation, which is the primary cause of myopia progression.
Clinical studies have demonstrated that MiSight contact lenses can significantly slow down the progression of myopia in children, potentially reducing the need for stronger prescriptions in the future.
As daily disposable lenses, MiSight contacts offer the convenience of a fresh, clean lens every day, reducing the risk of eye infections and ensuring optimal comfort for your child.
Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam with East Main Vision Clinic Today
Myopia is a condition that should not be overlooked, as it can have far-reaching implications for your child's vision, learning abilities, and overall well-being. By understanding the signs and symptoms, recognizing the potential impacts, and exploring innovative management strategies like Ortho-K and MiSight contact lenses, you can empower your child to overcome the challenges posed by myopia.
If you suspect your child may be experiencing the signs of myopia, schedule an appointment with our experienced optometrists at East Main Vision Clinic. We specialize in myopia management and offer cutting-edge solutions like MiSight contact lenses to help your child achieve optimal vision and reach their full potential. Contact us to take the first step towards a brighter future for your child's vision and overall well-being, visit our office in Puyallup, Washington, call (253) 780-0700, or text (253) 785-6580 to book an appointment today.
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| 1,089
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Un-block your team's performance and progress and don't lose your mind.
Are you ready to get some sage insight into your current challenges? Sanity Check is possibly the easiest way to connect with Carrie who will quickly and honestly help you assess your situation. In our first check-in, you will provide an overview of the challenge then Carrie will share how she can and cannot assist. If the two of you are a good fit, together you will determine next steps and schedule a follow-up check-in. Three check-ins are absolutely FREE. Perfect for: Managers of all levels, Program Managers, Product Managers, Engineering Leads, Process Managers, and Cat Herders Typical Benefits: Separate the noise from critical path priorities, develop a strategy to organize and deliver, facilitate challenging conversations, and tips and tricks to working with a dispersed and anxious team.
24-hour notice prior to scheduled session is required for a refund.
Los Angeles, CA, USA
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| 202
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Rock & Bowl Fundraiser
Andy Mattox's Rock & Bowl Fundraiser
Andy Mattox's life significantly changed on August 31, 2021. Andy nearly lost his life while running fiber optic lines from a bucket truck near some electrical lines. He sustained electrical burns throughout his body including both arms. Andy's left arm was amputated at the shoulder and he lost most functional use of his right hand. He started Outpatient Occupational Therapy (OT) in the Fall of 2021. From the start of therapy, he was extremely motivated and determined to complete any task or challenge presented to him no matter how daunting. He achieved higher levels of functional independence in activities of daily living that far exceeded his OT's expectations considering his limited movement of right hand. Although he had many successes during his recovery he also experienced many setbacks and frustrations. In the fall of 2022 he attended the Skills for Life (SFL) workshop. His perspective on his injuries and struggles immediately shifted. Being able to meet others with bilateral limb loss of various ages and stages of life and seeing how they were living full, happy lives was extremely inspiring. SFL workshop not only provided Andy with helpful resources it also helped him feel not as alone in his struggles. It provided him with a rejuvenated energy, hope and determination to not only focus on his recovery but also start focusing on truly living his life again. He began participating in fun activities that he had not yet returned to since being injured like bowling and traveling to visit family and friends. He also began feeling a strong new purpose in his life. He felt compelled to figure out a way to help ESFL continue their amazing work in providing positive experiences and opportunities for the bilateral upper limb loss/limb difference community. He also knew that adding more fun and rock and roll to anyone's life is always a good idea! Andy truly is one of a kind.
The weekend's events are as follows:
Saturday, October 7th
-Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Tour (AM)
-Dinner and a live Elvis performance at VFW Post 5137 (PM)
Sunday, October 8th
-Doubles Bowling Tournament
The Bowling Tournament will be held at AMF Lanes in Medina, OH. There will be two shift start times, 10am and 1pm. Open bowl will be available as well.
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* Online Donations *
If you are interested in supporting Andy's fundraiser, you can use the PayPal or Venmo donate buttons at the top of this page (or any page). Please make sure to include "Andy Mattox" in the note section of your donation.
As you may know, we offer scholarships to attend the Skills for Life workshops, but did you know we also offer financial assistance to attend Andy's bowling tournament? Click here to fill out your application today. Enhancing Skills for Life will take care of the hotel bill upon checkout and will reimburse you for your flight once we have your receipt.
Registration, Rules & Flyer
All the information you need should be in one of these three documents:
But if you still have questions after reading through the above information and links, please contact us.
Raffle & Silent Auction
We are always looking for donated items that we can include in the raffle or silent auction. Fill out this form if you have something you would like to donate (weekend getaways, gift cards, homemade crafts, etc). Contact us with any questions.
| 0.975199
| 704
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