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Whatever you want, we build it to your requirements, and always to a very high standard. From simple portable accommodation to high specification turnkey solutions that you will never believe were built off-site, we will deliver on time. Whatever your problem, we have the answer and it will be at an excellent value.
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For portable accommodation units to buy, for construction, office space or hygiene, call:
Every Mercian Masterplan Ltd unit is designed and manufactured to the highest standards, using high quality, durable materials and finishes.
Most of our cabins we sell are finished externally in profiled PVC coated steel cladding, with interiors decorated according to use. Floors are of either vinyl sheet, tiles or carpeted.


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subset: commoncrawl


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Tuesday, October 14, 2008
NCR-SARE Awards $100,000 Diversity Grant
The Diversity Research and Education Grant Program is a new NCR-SARE grant program. Its purpose is to fund people and/or projects that can help NCR-SARE reach and work with underserved audiences to improve agricultural sustainability in the region. Chaired by Robin Salverson, the NCR-SARE Diversity Committee was formed to respond to NCR-SARE's goal to reach and work with underserved audiences.
"We have long had the sense that NCR-SARE isn't as effective as it could be at involving all the people that are interested in making agriculture more sustainable in our region," said NCR-SARE Regional Coordinator, Bill Wilcke.
"A majority of NCR-SARE stakeholders believe that agriculture will be more sustainable if we involve a greater variety of people and perspectives in our decision making and if we fund a greater variety of projects," said Wilcke. The Diversity Initiative is a reection of our acknowledgment that we could use some help in setting up systems and practices in becoming more diverse and serving more diverse audiences."
Ultimately, along with a call for proposals, NCR-SARE committed to building strong relationships with existing programs and organizations that currently serve those that may be under-served by NCR-SARE. That goal will not only inuence future funding, but also how NCR-SARE communicates and engages in outreach in the region.
Norman's interest in helping underserved farmers is evident in much of the work she has accomplished with Michigan Integrated Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS). In 2002, Norman coordinated a SARE project centered on African-American and Hispanic farmers in order to serve a growing need in southwest Michigan. This newly funded NCR-SARE Diversity Grant project will work with a broader audience and a broader geographic area than her previous work.
"Service providers in other states within the north central region are also interested in working with underserved farmers; however, they need the mentoring of an experienced outreach person who can make the connections within the underserved community that lead to successful projects," explained Norman.
"Leaders in the underserved communities recognize the advantage of receiving mentoring from experienced farmer advocates who can bring them together with the service providers who can help them," said Norman.
Norman has selected three specific areas to concentrate efforts for this project: Detroit, MI, Kankakee, IL, and the historical farms of Nicodemus, KS. Norman and MIFFS outreach coordinators targeted these three underserved communities based on demographic data and the potential to build on key relationships with service providers in those underserved communities.
Moving forward with the project, MIFFS outreach staff will meet with potential leaders and early adopters in the targeted communities, develop partnerships with service providers who are interested in working with the underserved communities, and establish this SARE sponsored project as a means to develop relationships among SARE, the leaders/early adopters, the underserved farmers, and the service providers.
Norman's enthusiasm about the project is sure to inspire the participants.
"I think this project will contribute tremendously to sustainable agriculture in the region," said Norman. "The more people we get involved, the more the word will spread. More people will be aware of SARE and what SARE has available. As more farmers see the advantage of working with SARE, it's going to become more exciting."
To read more about NCR-SARE Diversity Initiative, click here.
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Assignment Objective: Each student will use/develop his or her research skills in an effort to explore a topic of interest in United States history in the 19th century.
Research Objective: Each student will evaluate and apply a variety of sources to support their thesis by accessing and properly navigating databases, book collections and other online resources available.
Conferencing Appointments
If you would like to need help on your own individual paper (i.e. finding articles and information, citing your sources, topic development, revising/organizing your writing...etc), I am here to help! Please email me at email@example.com to schedule an appointment or stop by the LC and simply ask! When booking your appointment through email, please make sure to include your name, availability, and a summary of your thesis statement.
Lunch Workshops @ the LC
Throughout the research project, we will hold lunch workshops at the LC classroom based on upcoming assignments. Workshops are informal information sessions that focus on a particular topic. Please check the LC classroom board for upcoming workshops. If you have a suggestion for a workshop, please let me know. Some of the things we can work on during a workshop are:


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Congratulations to Dr Ricky Carvel, lecturer in Combustion and Fire Dynamics, who was runner up in the 'Best Course' category for his "Fire Science and Fire Dynamics" class at the EUSA Teaching Awards 2017/18, on Thursday 26th April.
The Students' Association Teaching Awards Ceremony recognises the teachers, personal tutors, students who tutor, research supervisors, and support staff who made an enormous positive impact on students' learning experiences at Edinburgh University. This year there were over 1,600 nominations for over 780 staff members. The winners were announced at a ceremony on 26th April at Teviot Row House.
Dr Carvel was nominated because he "developed the basic of fire science and then helped us to analyze the critical situations. He created a great interest in the subject. And even he forced us to think as much and got us out of our knowledge barrier and pushed us to think further. I am fortunate to do his class. His course evaluation is perfect and the way he designed the course is perfect for someone to know almost every aspects of the course."
Fire Science and Fire Dynamics is an optional course for Civil, Mechanical and Chemical engineering undergraduate students in their final years. It is also taken by postgraduate students on the "Structural and Fire Safety Engineering" MSc, the "Advanced Chemical Engineering" MSc, and the "International Master of Science in Fire Safety Engineering" MSc.


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I give this product 3/5 thumbs up. I like it.
I was quite interested in trying this out after all the hype online. It is claimed that this makes brushing your hair and untangling it easier and painless. To be honest, I found it perfectly comparable to a regular hairbrush. I have the compact version of it, which when I saw them at the shop I preferred it. I found it you are buying one of these it makes more sense to go for the compact one, it is perfect for traveling, you do not have to carry a bulky hairbrush but this very nice compact and light version instead. The regular size one I personally found too big, and since it is also comparable to a regular good brush, then I rather use a regular brush with a handle. If you are interested in getting this product, check out both sizes in the shop to decide which one fits your lifestyle and needs better.
Would I buy this again? The compact version, yeah!


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NumisWiki For the New Collector
Ancient Greek Coin Collecting 101
|Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Roman Coins| ▸ |The Twelve Caesars| ▸ |Augustus||View Options: | | |
Augustus, 16 January 27 B.C. - 19 August 14 A.D.
Octavian Augustus, the first and possibly greatest Roman emperor, founded the Roman empire after defeating Mark Antony and Cleopatra. He reformed the coinage and the military, and embarked on a huge building program all across the empire. Augustus was succeeded by his stepson Tiberius after a long reign of 41 years. He was 77, having ruled from 27 B.C. to 14 A.D.
|Struck around the time of Jesus' birth.
The brothers, Caius and Lucius, were the sons of Agrippa and Julia, daughter of Augustus. They were each designated caesar and were due to succeed Augustus, but they predeceased him in 4 and 2 A.D. respectively.
Tradition holds that Saint Cornelius the Centurion, the first non-Jewish convert to Christianity, became the first bishop of Skepsis in the early days of Christianity.


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We're often asked what is the best way to print my package. The answer depends on your needs. Are you developing a prototype or, are you ready to produce high quantities of your product?
In this article we cover the different types of printing as well as the best option for your specific needs.Read More


text: Thomas Van Zyl was by far the easiest baby that I've ever photographed. We did the shoot in my Studio in Somerset West on 21 June 2012. His mom Lisa and I have been friends since primary school and it was really special to be a part of creating a lasting memory of Thomas when he was 8 weeks old. I must say that Thomas is a real poser and loved the camera, he kept smiling and looking at the lens with big eyes. What a beautiful, vibrant, adorable and cuddly bundle of joy!


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5 reunion Fans are excited in 'Avengers EndGame' beside Tony and Steve
The anticipation around Avengers EndGame is increasing rapidly. Marvel most anticipated movie is expected to conclude the story line that began with the release of Iron Man. The reunion of Steve Rogers and Tony Stark is the main patch up audience are excited to see. Beside their emotional reunion, fans are excited to see some other Avengers reunite.
War Machine and Tony Stark
James Rhodes and Tony Stark have been together for a long time. They have fought together side by side. After the catastrophic event of Captain America Civil War,we have not seen them together. In Avengers Infinity War, Tony had to team up with Doctor Strange and Peter Parker whereas Rhodes teamed up with Steve to battle Thanos minions. Tony does not know Rhodes has team up with Steve. It will be a good reunion. Everyone on the earth think Tony is either dead or turned to dust.
Tony Stark and Peter Parker
"Mr Stark, I don't wanna go" the line that made the whole audience cry. A dying son asking father for help and a helpless father who could do nothing. The relationship between Peter Parker and Tony Stark has been great in the MCU. Peter consider Tony as his father figure. Tony always wanted Peter to be far from danger. But Peter wants to prove himself capable of becoming an Avengers. It is rumored that the heroes that turned to dust will not remember anything. Will it be a awkward reunion or an emotional?
Rocket and Groot
The members of Guardian of Galaxy has been together since 2014. "We are Groot" is one of the best line in MCU. But after the first Guardian of Galaxy, we have been seeing a young Groot. Groot was one of the member of Guardian who turned to dust. Before turning to dust Groot last word were "I am Groot". James Gunn reported that the translation of the phrase was Dad. If the phrase had translation in the movie, it would have been more emotional. The reunion between Groot and Rocket is another worthy thing to see in Avengers EndGame.
Tony Stark and Doctor Strange
Tony Stark and Doctor Strange had strong and phenomenal relationship in Avengers Infinity War. The two arrogant characters fought together and worked together against the mad titan. Doctor Strange gave up the time stone to save Tony's life. But in the end, Doctor Strange was the victim of Thanos snap. Fans are excited to see the two working together to defeat the mad titan.
Avengers EndGame will have some emotional moments in the movie. Who do you want to see reunite in Avengers EndGame apart from mentioned above?
Share your thought in comment section.
Avengers EndGame is schedule to release on April 26 2019. Apart from Avengers EndGame, Captain Marvel opens on March 6 2019 and Spider Man Far From Home on July 5 2019.


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Spokane County Sheriff Forensic Unit earns ANAB Accreditation
Last updated 4/25/2019 at 10:41pm
On March 1, 2019, the Spokane County Sheriff Forensic Unit became one of five ANAB accredited forensic units/labs in the State of Washington. The Forensic Unit staff has worked incredibly hard to obtain this goal and now is accredited in three disciplines: Friction Ridge (Fingerprints), Crime Scenes, and Digital Evidence.
The long and detailed process to gain ANAB/ANSI Accreditation began in early 2017, and it took every member of the unit, working together, to obtain this goal.
The Spokane County Sheriff Forensic Unit is the only unit or lab in the State of Washington that has obta...
For access to this article please sign in or subscribe.


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Funded Programs
The Commission funds a complimentary array of programs of prevention, early intervention, education and outreach to improve the physical and emotional health of young children and works collaboratively with many government and private organizations to provide services to children and their families in Sutter County. The Commission has identified four focus areas for service planning:
- Parent Education and Support Services
- Early Childhood Care and Development
- Healthy Children
- Integrated services for Families and Children
Sutter County Smiles
Sutter County Smiles is the result of an Oral health Initiative approved by the Sutter County Children & Families Commission in January 2004. Oral health services are provided in partnership with Peach Tree Healthcare. For more information regarding oral health services for Sutter County pregnant women and children age 0-5, please call (530) 682-8428.
Bright Futures, Child Health and Development Screening
This monthly program provides FREE Health and Developmental Screenings to Sutter County children birth to age 5. The program provides an opportunity for parents to have their parenting and child development questions answered in a fun and relaxed environment, and if there is a need for additional services Bright Futures staff can provide help accessing the recommended service. Bright Futures has screened an average of over 2682 children since 2004. In 2005 Bright Futures was the winner of the National Association of Counties Acts of Caring Award which recognizes the top county volunteer programs in the country.
Smart Start, Kindergarten Transition Program
The Smart Start program continues the Commission's commitment to school readiness services. The Yuba City Unified School District is the administrator of the program which continues to expand. The Smart Start program provides pre Kindergarten students with a wide variety of activities including academic readiness, socialization, self-help skills, physical development and enrichment activities in addition to health and dental assessments, immunizations and referral services. Families are offered literacy support services, parenting skills classes and information on community resources.
Smart Start will be held at several elementary schools in Sutter County starting in June 2012. Complete the interest flier and return it to your neighborhood school. For more information call 822-3207.
The Commission has committed to funding to a Child Development Behavioral Specialist to provide early screening and intervention for children under six in Sutter County who are exhibiting behavioral problems to the extent that they have been identified in pre-school, kindergarten, health or child care settings as in danger of failing. The goal is to help children successfully transition into the school setting.
This program serves all residents of Sutter County with children under the age of six. In most cases, difficult behavior can be corrected by improving the skills and understanding of the adults that interact with the child and establishing a plan to modify the behavior. In some cases, the child may need to be referred for specialized services.
For more information call (530) 822-7505.
Family SOUP, Special Needs Project
Families Learning in Play (FLIP)
FLIP provides a variety of services to increase child and parent/caregiver community-based early learning programs for children 0 to 5 and their families.
FLIP families sign up for 6-week sessions, meeting weekly together where parent/caregiver and child will learn hands on skills to build toward school readiness. Playing, exploring and creating together with topics focused on variety of learning activities. Participating families receive free learning materials.
FLIP session options include: Parent-Infant Play, Parent-Toddler Play, Science and Health, Music, Math and Numeracy, Visual Arts, Language and Literacy, Movement, and Dance and Drama.
For more information call (530) 301-0623.


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Lopped to 3.5 hours, 'Ring' legend is more myth
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Wagner's "Ring of the Nibelung" is not for sissies. The cycle unfolds over four long operatic evenings, with a cast of dozens and a mythological storyline dense with meaning and thematic interrelations.
Is it any wonder that there are folks eager to scale the thing down to a more manageable size?
"Legend of the Ring," which opened Saturday night in a sumptuous revival by the Berkeley Opera, attempts precisely that. Created by David Seaman for the Nuremberg Pocket Opera, it condenses Wagner's cycle into a single 3 1/2 -hour piece, suitable for presentation by a company of modest means, to an audience of presumably modest patience.
To call "Legend of the Ring" condensed, of course, is an understatement. "Das Rheingold," the first and shortest of Wagner's four operas, runs about 2 1/2 hours without intermission; Seaman's version clocks in at well under an hour. Surgery on the other three operas is even more radical.
When Berkeley Opera introduced the piece here in 2004, I was content to mock it. Six years later, it seemed only right to see whether there was some hidden value here that had eluded me the first time around.
Not really. The piece - thin, rushed and lacking in emotional texture - resembles nothing so much as a PowerPoint mockup of one of the opera world's richest and most majestic creations. This is opera as performed by recent business school graduates; it feels as though the libretto is studded with "net-net," "bottom line" and "at the end of the day."
And although Seaman does admittedly masterful work in stitching together pieces of Wagner's scores to hide the seams, the biggest loss is the sense of dramatic depth created by the composer's innovative weave of melodic leitmotifs.
Advocates of "Legend of the Ring" will claim that it is a manageable introduction to the full "Ring" cycle, a sort of gateway drug to the heady ecstasies of full-blown Wagnerism. Maybe so.
But what it calls to mind most clearly is Classics Illustrated, the midcult publishing staple from the '50s and '60s that offered up everything from "Moby-Dick" to "The Iliad" in comic-book form. You get a bit of plot and flavor, sure, but very little hint of what makes any of it worth caring about.
For this revival, at any rate, Berkeley Opera has taken the shrewd step of importing some prominent operatic stars, and the effect, during Saturday's opening performance at the El Cerrito Performing Arts Theater, was nothing but helpful.
Baritone Richard Paul Fink has established himself as one of the leading singers of Alberich, the malevolent dwarf who sets the drama in motion by forging the all-powerful Ring out of gold stolen from the depths of the Rhine. Here, though, he took his first whack at singing Wotan, and brought a similar level of vocal assurance and dramatic fervor to the part.
He did a splendid job of tracking the psychological changes in the character over time, and the hint of Alberich-like blackness in Fink's vocal tone only made the portrait more compelling. And when he returned at the end of the evening as the cowardly Gunther - "Legend of the Ring" uses canny multiple casting to make the entire piece doable by no more than eight singers - he gave the role a comic vividness it often lacks.
Other starry names - veterans of the country's major opera houses - included tenor Jay Hunter Morris, who sang easily and fervently as Froh, Siegmund and Sieglinde, and soprano Marie Plette, a magnificently versatile and elegant vocal presence in five different roles.
Bojan Knezevic made a witty and big-toned Alberich, and Christine Springer, though stiff onstage, sang Brünnhilde's vaulting high notes with fearless precision. Stephen Rumph (Loge and Mime), Dean Peterson (Fafner and Hagen) and Valentina Osinski (Fricka) made forceful contributions as well.
Music Director Jonathan Khuner did what he could to evoke Wagner's orchestral textures with a 16-piece ensemble, with results that were sometimes stirring and sometimes scrawny. Director Mark Streshinsky made deft use of Jeremy Knight's video projections to give the piece a sense of space.
"Legend of the Ring": 7:30 p.m. Wed., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 p.m. Sun., El Cerrito Performing Arts Theater, 540 Ashbury Ave., El Cerrito. $25-$65. (800) 838-3006, www.berkeleyopera.org.


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Hello guys, today I'm gonna guide you how to install WhatsApp Plus APK and use it. Because you might be heard that WhatsApp Plus is no longer working anymore it was developed by Spanish developer named Ralfanse in 2012 and its banned yeah its true. … [Read more...]
Download WhatsApp Plus 8.00 Latest Version Apk for Android
October 16, 2019 Filed Under: Android, WhatsApp By Leave a Comment


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An interim report released on September 20 by the Tax Working Group says some features of the tax system – such as the inconsistent treatment of capital income – have probably exacerbated the house price cycle even if the tax system is not the primary cause of unaffordable housing.
The group, headed by Sir Michael Cullen, had considered the 6,700 submissions lodged between 1 March – April 30 before preparing the interim report. The Labour Party has promised several more rounds of reports and public consultation before any final decisions on changes to the tax system are made by Cabinet.
The mandate for any proposed changes would be tested at the 2020 election and the implementation of any changes associated with the Working Group would be made at the start of the 2021 tax year.
The Group's report says its work on housing affordability is closely linked to its work on the taxation of capital income and there was an open question as to whether an extension of capital income taxation would have a material effect on the housing market.
However, it was difficult to quantify the impact of the New Zealand tax system on house prices and rents because the housing market was subject to many different influences.
"Disentangling these influences is no easy task, so there is little definitive empirical evidence regarding the tax impact on house prices and rents in New Zealand."
The Group says that the extension of capital income taxation, such as through the introduction of a tax on capital gains from residential property investments, could be expected impact on housing markets, including some upward pressure on the ratio of rents to prices.
It was considering 'vacant land' and 'empty house' taxes as one way of improving housing supply and affordability. It noted that the introduction of a tax on vacant residential land, or on empty homes in residential areas, would intensify the use of existing urban areas. The interim report lists examples from Australia could inform the development of similar taxes in New Zealand.
Links to the Tax Working Group Interim Report, in both PDF and HTML formats, can be accessed here along with relevant charts and data.
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$1 Million Sword Dancer Another Highlight on Travers Day
Sword Dancer is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Race to $4 Million Longines Turf
The Travers Stakes may be the headline event of the biggest day of betting and racing at Saratoga, but the $1 Million Sword Dancer is a terrific race leading into the Travers. Contested at 1 ½ miles on the inner turf, the Sword Dancer has drawn a diverse group of marathoners, including a pair of European favorites breaking from the outside in Idaho (2-1) from Ireland and Erupt (3-1) from France. California shipper Frank Conversation (20-1) is a long shot breaking from the rail, but a trait the seven turf marathoners share is that
none has spent much, if any, time on the early pace in their races.
In the field of 7, the #5 horse Sadler's Joy (5-1) is one to target on top, despite storming to the front in the local prep Bowling Green Stakes (G2) over this turf last time out but failing to finish it off. A rider switch back to Julien Lepareaux is positive, as the top jock should cover him up and have him ready to finish strong. The lack of pace is a concern, but the Bowling Green Stakes just fell apart, so two others in here who made their move to finish 1-2 will get solid consideration. That includes the Bowling Green winner Hunter O'Reilly (6-1), who stole that race at 16-1 odds, and Florent Geroux rides again. Bigger Picture (8-1) was 2nd by a neck in that race, and this 10-time winner also has a rider change to top jock Jose Ortiz for trainer Mike Maker. Bigger Picture has solid tactical speed and should factor.
The Sword Dancer is a Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' Challenge Series race to the $4 Million Longines Turf Nov. 4 at Del Mar.
Money Multiplier (7-2) is a clear contender for top turf trainer Chad Brown. Javier Castellano switches over from Sadler's Joy, and Money Multiplier enters off a win in the Monmouth Stakes (G2) last month over a weaker group, and he also finished 2nd in last year's Sword Dancer.
Many look at the two favorites as the top choices, but that's not necessarily a value play or a certainty. Erupt beat Idaho in the Canadian International last October at Woodbine at 12-1 odds, but current form doesn't look as good. He didn't handle the ground in a poor finish last time out. Idaho doesn't possess push button acceleration like Erupt, but Idaho is one to include following his 3rd place finish at Ascot last month. Idaho has faced so much better than these abroad, which is why he's the top betting choice and considered the most likely winner.
The Sword Dancer is Race 10 at Saratoga on Aug. 26 with post time approx. 4:49pm ET. The Sword Dancer and Travers Stakes will both be broadcast by NBC Sports with TV coverage starting at 4:30 ET.


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Food truck catering for your next event. Fast, easy and delicious. Book it here.Get Started
Hang 10 Fries is LA's go to for the best fries in town. No really, we've checked. It's a food truck that's making that side dish the main attraction on a full-bodied menu built to satisfy, delivery salty satisfaction at every turn.
This family-run and operated affair truly believes in fries for a happy life. We couldn't agree more. At Hang 10 Fries they're using the highest quality potatoes to hand cut and deep fry to golden brown perfection, never frozen to add to the flavor. Get 'em smothered in Louisiana hot sauce and bleu cheese for buffalo fries, or have 'em melted with mozzarella cheese, smothered in pizza sauce and pepperoni for pizza fries. But that's not all. For those of you with a sweet tooth, they've got sweet potato fries and churros, along with the crispiest of chicken strips. Drool-worthy? Absolutely. Find Hang 10 Fries in Los Angeles, or have 'em out to cater your next event. Trust us. They won't disappoint.
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I am starting with books that have helped me with my work.
My first book is my absolute favourite, the bible of ceramics (at least for me),'The Complete Potter' by Steve Mattison. It is described wonderfully on the front cover as "The complete reference to tools, materials and techniques for all potters and ceramicists". That sums it up.
Although I have never tried any of the ideas described, I really like 'Alternative Kilns & Firing Techniques' by James C. Watkins & Paul Andrew Wandless. It describes in great detail rake, saggar, pit and barrel firings.
The final recommendation is 'Mouldmaking and Casting' by Nick Brooks. It is a comprehensive manual of the many techniques of this ancient craft and art form.
Well that is it. I hope you are inspired too by my selection. I would love to know your favourite ceramic books.
More in the 'Inspirational' series -


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A list of tools to stay safe while you are being stalked. Visit www.jodisvoice.org for more information on stalking.
Of course, this list and its resources do not guarantee safety in any way. Choose the ones that work best for you.
Address Confidentiality Programs were created to protect victims of stalking, domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes from offenders who use public records, such as voter or drivers' license registries, to locate them.
Here's how it works
Choose your first responders from your address book
Set an alarm when you jump in a taxi, head out on a date or even go hiking
Check in when you're safe
If the timer runs out your responders are alerted that you may need assistance, even if your phone is damaged, switched off or has no cellular coverage. Responders are even shown a map to your location.
You can also activate an instant SOS alarm at any time.
Can send law enforcement your GPS location
All 50 states have laws that explicitly address electronic forms of stalking, harassment or cyberbullying.
Instant live streaming video allows your emergency contacts to see and hear what is happening while transmitting your GPS location.
With great power comes great responsibility, so lock up that smartphone.
Signs that your phone may have been hijacked:
screen lights up for no reason
Ambient noise in the background when you're on a phone call
Strange text messages from an unknown origin
Your location settings are on without authorization
Facebook is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them. People use Facebook to keep up with friends, upload an unlimited number of photos, post links and videos, and learn more about the people they meet.
Check out this free privacy monitoring tool that continuously searches the web for your private data and alerts you when it finds anything new about you.
This OVC directory is an online, searchable resource of crime victim assistance programs in the U.S. and other countries that offer crime victim services for coping with crime victimization. Accuracy of the entries are the sole responsibility of the program providers and users are encouraged to verify information prior to obtaining assistance.
Android: Sanity is a free utility for Android that can suppress unwanted phone calls and SMS messages, announce the names of callers when you get a call or message, allow urgent calls through even if your phone is set to silent, and more.
Strong password generator. Generate strong, secure, random passwords, safely.
Strong password generator. Generate strong, secure, random passwords, safely.
What are others twittering about you? Get an email when they do talk about you!
Online Safety Tips


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There is likely to be a settlement of the silicosis and tuberculosis (TB) class action litigation, which was initiated in 2012 by lawyers acting on behalf of Southern African ex-gold mineworkers. Yet it remains to be seen if the settlement is truly comprehensive and fair. Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) took up the campaign for justice for mineworkers with silicosis and TB in 2011 following discussions with the British law firm Leigh Day and the South African National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the union to whom many of the mineworkers belonged. From our experience, the six main mining companies have regularly sought to frustrate efforts to ensure that their former employees receive what they deserve.
At Anglo American's AGM in April last year, ACTSA, supported by Unite, launched the campaign briefing Coughing Up. The paper details the gold mining industry's active collaboration with the apartheid regime. It also discusses the scale of the problem.
There are tens, possibly hundreds, of thousands of ex-gold mineworkers across Southern Africa with silicosis [a long-term lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of crystalline silica dust]. No one knows the accurate number because the mining companies failed in their duty to test for it. Just as they failed to protect the mineworkers from the effects of silica dust in the first place.
The mining companies recruited black Southern Africans to be cheap, expendable labour. For this they were paid a fraction compared to their white counterparts and housed in shockingly unhygienic hostels. When too sick to work these mineworkers were simply sent home to die.
In March 2016, a settlement was reached on behalf of 4,365 ex-mineworkers in relation to legal actions against Anglo American and AngloGold Ashanti. ACTSA joined NUM in welcoming this statement but together we stressed that it only applies to a very small proportion of all Southern African gold mineworkers who developed silicosis and TB. Since then, ACTSA has called for any settlement of the class action – which in theory would cover all affected ex-mineworkers – to be at least as good as the terms of the March 2016 settlement.
In October 2017, the six main mining companies announced the amounts that they had individually set aside in relation to a possible settlement of the class action. At the time, ACTSA calculated that these amounts totalled approximately $371.2 million (5.1 billion rand). We argued that this figure was too low when weighed against the estimates of the numbers of ex-mineworkers with silicosis and TB. Another reason that this figure is too low is because it is inclusive of all other costs (under the March 2016 settlement costs relating to providing medical examinations, distributing funds and supporting payment of statutory compensation to those who qualify were treated separately and are borne by the mining companies).
Now the mining companies are presenting the larger headline figure of around nine billion rand. However, this is misleading, as the 'additional' money is actually in a statutory compensation fund established through the Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works Act and administered by Government of South Africa's Department of Health. This should not be conflated with any settlement in relation to the class action. Of course, synergies between the statutory fund and any settlement fund are necessary, but this is just common sense.
On top of this, AngloGold Ashanti is already bleating about the impact of the amount that it has set aside in relation to a possible settlement of the class action. In reality, the amounts that it and the other mining companies have set aside are small compared to the size of their businesses and insignificant compared to the pain and suffering endured by the ex-mineworkers. Moreover, this issue should have been addressed long ago. Instead of taking responsibility for what they did to their former employees, the mining companies have spent many years fighting them through the courts.
As a result, many ex-mineworkers have already died without ever receiving any compensation. What of the many women who cared for sick mineworkers when they returned home for good, unable to work any longer? Relatives of deceased ex-mineworkers with silicosis and TB were included in the March 2016 settlement. Yet it is unclear whether they will be eligible to receive decent compensation under any settlement of the class action. It would be nothing short of scandalous if they do not.
We wait to see the details of any final settlement. It must give ex-mineworkers with silicosis and TB, as well as the relatives of deceased ex-mineworkers, the medical care, financial compensation and support that they deserve. If it does not, then ACTSA will continue to stand with NUM and the broader IndustriALL family, and ensure that the world knows the truth.
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"Make Physics Real Again Why have so many physicists shrugged off the paradoxes of quantum mechanics?"
May 07, 2019
Review of a book that explains and describes the history of Bohr's view of quantum mechanics--famously glossed as "Shut up and calculate!" versus Einstein's--who stated that Bohr's view meant "Spooky action at a distance".
I can see some merit in both views. But in the end, I have to go with a long-standing inclination: give the points and bet on Big Al.


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Welcome to Kew Vineyards, the hidden gem of Niagara's wine country history. A true Grande Dame of vineyards, her original 1975 plantings are among the oldest in the region, guiding winemaker Philip Dowell in producing exquisite terroir driven wines.
Kew Vineyards is as much about gracious country hospitality as it is about beautiful wine. We have opted to take a different approach to the winery experience, understanding that there are times when you feel the need to be off the beaten path, to take your time and smell the roses.
Our 2013 Blanc de Noirs is made from both the Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. This sparkling wine is a wonderful example of Niagara's exceptional cool climate Pinot Noir producing region.
On the nose, Pinot Noir characteristics of rose petal and cherry dominate, while the palate expresses strong notes of Ontario strawberries, green apple and citrus, with a balanced, toasty undertone. The finish is long, dry and refreshing with excellent acidity.
Making a white wine from a red grape requires great care. The fruit was hand harvested from two different vineyards, including the Young Family Organic Vineyard. Juice from gentle, whole berry pressing was fermented in stainless steel. On lees for three years, yeast contact in the bottle harmonized all of the elements together in this delicate, Brüt style wine. The result is a beautiful, copper coloured wine with a very fine mousse and delicate effervescence.
Open Daily - 11am-5pm
Open Daily - 11am-5pm
Groups or functions, please give us a call.


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In addition to the City's planned street improvements for Boones Ferry Road, there are a number of private redevelopment projects taking place in the Lake Grove area, namely the Springs and Mercantile developments.
Crews have started installing a new water line along Mercantile Drive as part of the Mercantile private redevelopment project (corner of Kruse Way and Boones Ferry Road).
Starting the week of April 8, crews will shift to night work on Boones Ferry Road between Mercantile Drive and Kruse Way. Work hours on Boones Ferry Road will be 9 P.M. – 5 A.M. Monday to Friday.
During work hours, Boones Ferry Road will be closed at Kruse Way and traffic will be detoured around the construction zone, onto Mercantile Drive and Kruse Way Place. Night work is expected to take about three weeks to complete. Please watch for flaggers, follow signage and drive cautiously.


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Do you remember my post of January 2, 2015, on how the Obama administration refused to declassify 28 pages of the 9/11 report on foreign governments' involvement?
In so doing, Obama was continuing what the George W. Bush administration had done, despite the fact that former Sen. Bob Graham (D-Fla.) — chairman of the congressional Joint Inquiry Into Intelligence Community Activities Before and After the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001, which had issued the 9/11 report — declared that "there is compelling evidence in the 28 pages that one or more foreign governments was involved in assisting some of the hijackers in their preparation for 9/11." Graham later indicated that by "foreign governments" he was referring to Saudi Arabia. (15 of the 19 hijackers on 9/11 were Saudis.)
As recently reported by ZeroHedge, in 2013, conservative Congressman Walter Jones (R-N.C.) revived the push to declassify the 28 pages by sponsoring a House resolution because, as he put it, "the American people deserve the truth. Releasing these pages will enhance our national security, not harm it." Jones has since become one of the most outspoken opponents of reckless U.S. intervention abroad.
Last May, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) joined the 28-page fight by introducing the Transparency for the Families of 9/11 Victims and Survivors Act, co-sponsored by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), but opposed by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie who instead urged deference to Obama's judgment on the issue.
Members of Congress can read the still-classified pages in a special secure room on Capitol Hill if they get prior permission from the House or Senate Intelligence Committee. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), one of 18 co-sponsors of Jones' resolution, is one of a few to have read the classified 28 pages. Massie was shocked: "I had to stop every couple of pages and just sort of absorb and try to rearrange my understanding of history for the past 13 years and the years leading up to that. It challenges you to rethink everything."
Said to have bankrolled the 9/11 attacks that launched the United States on its War on Terror which has cost thousands of American lives and more than $1.6 trillion, Saudi Arabia is widely reported to be bankrolling Islamic State terrorists throughout the Middle East. None other than Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a Senate committee last September that "I know major Arab allies who fund [ISIS]."
Now that the heat is building for the Obama administration to declassify those mysterious 28 pages in the 9/11 report, the Saudi regime is resorting to outright threat and intimidation.
Mark Mazzetti reports for The New York Times, April 15, 2016, that Saudi Arabia told the Obama administration and members of Congress that it will sell off hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of American assets held by the Saudis if Congress passes a bill that would allow the Saudi government to be held responsible in U.S. courts for any role in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi foreign minister, delivered his government's message personally last month during a trip to Washington, telling lawmakers that Saudi Arabia would sell up to $750 billion in treasury securities and other assets in the United States before they could be in danger of being frozen by American courts.
Saudi officials have long denied that the kingdom had any role in the Sept. 11 plot, and the 9/11 Commission found "no evidence that the Saudi government as an institution or senior Saudi officials individually funded the organization." But critics have noted that the commission's narrow wording left open the possibility that less senior officials or parts of the Saudi government could have played a role. Suspicions have lingered, partly because of the conclusions of a 2002 congressional inquiry into the attacks that cited some evidence that Saudi officials living in the United States at the time had a hand in the plot. Those conclusions are contained in 28 suppressed pages of the 9/11 report.
Families of the Sept. 11 victims have used the courts to try to hold members of the Saudi royal family, Saudi banks and charities liable because of what the plaintiffs charged was Saudi financial support for terrorism. But the families' efforts have largely been stymied, in part because of a 1976 law that gives foreign nations some immunity from lawsuits in American courts.
The bi-partisan Senate bill, which passed through the Judiciary Committee in January without dissent, would make clear that the immunity given to foreign nations under the law should not apply in cases where nations are found culpable for terrorist attacks that kill Americans on United States soil. If the bill were to pass both houses of Congress and be signed by the president, it could clear a path for the role of the Saudi government to be examined in the Sept. 11 lawsuits.
Claiming that weakening the sovereign immunity provisions would put the American government, along with its citizens and corporations, in legal risk abroad because other nations might retaliate with their own legislation, the Obama administration has lobbied Congress to block the bill's passage, and the Saudi threats have been the subject of intense discussions in recent weeks between lawmakers and officials from the State Department and the Pentagon.
Mindy Kleinberg, whose husband died in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11 and who is part of a group of victims' family members pushing for the bill, said, "It's stunning to think that our government would back the Saudis over its own citizens."
Outside economists, however, are skeptical that the Saudis will follow through on their threats, saying that such a sell-off would be difficult to execute and would end up crippling the kingdom's economy.
The dispute comes as bipartisan criticism is growing in Congress about Washington's alliance with Saudi Arabia, for decades a crucial American ally in the Middle East and half of a partnership that once received little scrutiny from lawmakers. But that alliance has frayed in recent years as the White House has tried to thaw ties with Iran — Saudi Arabia's bitter enemy— in the midst of recriminations between American and Saudi officials about the role that both countries should play in the stability of the Middle East. Last week, two senators introduced a resolution that would put restrictions on U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia, which have expanded during the Obama administration.


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AL West Heat Check: The Hill of Hell for the Angels
The past week was particularly brutal for the LA Angels, but take heart, they may have their eyes on the prized free agent of the winter who could take them to the promised land.
MLB Playoffs: Time to get wild or be left out
With just over one week left in the regular season, Brian Draus gives his thoughts on the MLB wild card races and provides his favorites to win.
Updated MLB postseason odds
The MLB postseason is almost upon us, so we take a look at the updated league and World Series odds.
AL West Heat Check: To rebuild or reload in Seattle
Hope and cynicism will characterize yet another playoff-less offseason for the Seattle Mariners. Will General Manager Jerry Dipoto reload for another run or blow it all up?
MLB Award Race: The two most deserving MVP candidates
As we are one third of the way through the final month of the regular season, it is time to start taking a hard look at the MLB's MVP races.
AL West Heat Check: Could Adrian Beltre return for another season in Texas?
AL West heat check: Will Adrian Beltre return for his 22nd season? Even with injury concerns creeping up on the third baseman, his recent hot streak shows he's still effective.
AL West Heat Check: Time for the Astros to take it home
The Houston Astros are healthy, determined, and they can smell that AL West Championship. Are they ready for a September sprint to the postseason?
AL West Heat Check: Oakland A's, AL West Champions?
The Oakland A's have surprised everyone with their surge up the AL West standings this season, but will they have enough in the tank?
Matt Chapman's breakout year leading the way for Oakland
Matt Chapman exceeded his rookie limits in 2017, but 2018 marks his first full season as an Oakland A. Chapman has played a key role in Oakland's playoff run.
AL West Heat Check: L.A. Confidential—Changes Afoot in La-La Land
Drifting through a lost season, there's intrigue in Los Angeles. What will the team look like next season? Will longtime manager Mike Scioscia return, and if he doesn't, who will replace him?


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|Home Terms
Information about home, mortgage, insurance, homebuyer, real estate, property, buy home, home insurance, financing, home financing, home buyer, first time homebuyer, homes, homebuying, credit, condo.
Main Page: home, buy home, insurance, homes, mortgage, financing, credit, home buyer, homebuyer,
Definition of Veneer
Extremely thin sheets of wood. Also a thin slice of wood or brick or stone covering a framed wall.
Related Terms:
Brick Veneer
A vertical facing of brick laid against and fastened to sheathing of a framed wall or tile wall construction.
Concrete Block
A hollow concrete 'brick' often 8" x 8" x 16" in size. Often used in low rise commercial and some residential construction. The original design and use is attributed to the architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
Z-Bar Flashing
Bent, galvanized metal flashing that is installed above a horizontal trim board of an exterior window, door, or brick run. It prevents water from getting behind the trim/brick and into the home.
Area Walls
Corrugated metal or concrete barrier walls installed around a basement window to hold back the earth.
Balloon Framed Wall
framed walls (generally over 10' tall) that run the entire vertical length from the floor sill plate to the roof. This is done to eliminate the need for a gable end truss.
Bull Nose Drywall
Rounded drywall corners.
A projecting structure supported on one end, such as a balcony.
Construction Documents
All drawings, specifications and addenda associated with a specific construction project.
Gable End Wall
The triangular end of an exterior wall above the eaves formed under a gable roof.
aterial used to cover the interior framed areas of walls and ceilings
Knee Wall
A wall-like structure that supports roof rafters.
Load-Bearing Wall
Includes all exterior walls and any interior wall that is aligned above a support beam or girder. Normally, any wall that has a double horizontal top plate.
Nonbearing Wall
A wall supporting no load other than its own weight.
Quarry Tile
A man-made or machine-made clay tile used to finish a floor or wall. Generally 6" X 6" X 1/4" thick.
Trombe Wall
A passive solar wall, usually masonry or concrete, used for passing heat from one room (like a sun room or solar garden room) to another.
Wall Out
When a painter spray paints the interior of a home.
Related to : home, mortgage, insurance, homebuyer, real estate, property, buy home, home insurance, financing, home financing, home buyer, first time homebuyer, homes, homebuying, credit, condo.


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There are two free classes offered per year. To learn more about it please sign our e-mail list or follow the blog (side bar button)
WORKSHOP: MoveSchemer's Talking Through The Arts
"MoveSchemer's Talking Through The Arts" fosters self-expression and appreciation for performing arts by channeling the strengths and interests of its participants into art creation. During the four hour workshop, participants explore multi-media artists and their interdisciplinary works, and work together to create a final project shown at the end of the workshop.
The workshop can be adapted for both adults and youth. Please email Monica at: email@example.com for more info or with any questions.
The workshop is facilitated by Monica Robles, a multidisciplinary artist based in New York. She has facilitated art programs for various institutions such as the Santa Barbara Dance Institute, Brain Injury Support Center Of Santa Barbara and most recently with Free Arts NYC, introducing art making and appreciation for the arts to adults and their children.She has presented interdisciplinary and site specific work at The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Alice Keck Park, The Santa Barbara Museum Mile Fest, The Chen Dance Center, and Andrew Freedman Home.


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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved lumateperone (Caplyta), a novel antipsychotic from Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc., for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults.
"We believe Caplyta provides healthcare providers a new, safe and effective treatment option to help the millions of adult patients with schizophrenia," said Sharon Mates, PhD, chairman and CEO of Intra-Cellular Therapies. The company expects to begin the commercial launch of the drug late in the first quarter of 2020.
Lumateperone is an oral medicine dosed at 42 mg once daily. In 2 placebo-controlled trials, it showed a statistically significant separation from placebo on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score. The most common adverse reactions for the recommended dose of lumateperone vs placebo were somnolence/sedation (24% vs 10%) and dry mouth (6% vs 2%).
In pooled data from short-term studies, mean changes in weight gain, fasting glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol were similar for lumateperone and placebo. The incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms for lumateperone was 6.7%, compared with 6.3% for placebo.
Lumateperone's mechanism of action in the treatment of schizophrenia is unknown. According to a statement from Intra-Cellular, its efficacy "could be mediated through a combination of antagonist activity at central serotonin 5-HT2A receptors and postsynaptic antagonist activity at central dopamine D2 receptors."
The drug will carry a Boxed Warning indicating it is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis, who are at an increased risk of death when treated with antipsychotics. See the full Prescribing Information here.
Lumateperone is also being developed for the treatment of bipolar depression, behavioral disturbances in patients with dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, depression, and other neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders.
—Terri Airov
FDA approves Intra-Cellular Therapies' novel antipsychotic, Caplyta (lumateperone) for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults [press release]. New York, NY: Intra-Cellular Therapies; Dec. 23, 2019.


text: Celebrating Black History Month February 11, 2019 In honor of Black History Month, Unyts is highlighting the need for organ, tissue, and eye donation in the African American community. Let's get the word out and encourage African Americans in our Western New York community and beyond to register to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor during the month of February. In Western New York, African Americans account for about 40% of the population, but over 50% of the people in Western New York waiting for an organ transplant are African American. Together we can decrease the donation gap. Check out the stats for yourself… African Americans make up 29% of the U.S. organ transplant waiting list (even though 13% of the population is African American in the U.S.) 32% of African Americans waiting on the organ transplant list are waiting for a new kidney Only 1,728 African Americans were organ donors in 2018 To date, 29,794 African Americans have helped save the lives of 239,000 people through organ transplants. Let's raise that number! While Caucasian donors can donate to African Americans recipients, it is beneficial to receive organs from a person of your own ethnic and racial background. Why? Because blood types O+ and A+ are the most common in African Americans, which is necessary in organ transplantation and will lessen the chance of rejection. We Honor People Making a Difference. There are many people who are playing critical roles in America's transplant system throughout our diverse communities. Two of those people include former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back, Bobby Howard and heart recipient and volunteer, Courtney Waring. After requiring a kidney transplant himself, Bobby has taken a leadership role in the transplant education field as the Director of Multicultural Donation Education Program at LifeLink of Georgia. Courtney survived cancer, received a heart transplant and is now dedicated to raising awareness about organ donation in the African American community. Do you know someone in the African American community making a difference in the transplant field? Please let us know.


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The Early November announce the tenth anniversary of The Room's Too Cold with a 180 gram repressed vinyl by Rise Records. The LP includes revamped artwork and deluxe packaging, which will be available in December.
In cohorts to the vinyl, the band will perform the album in its entirety for the first time on December 21 at the Union Transfer in Philadelphia, PA, with an additional set of songs from the band's catalog.
Pre-orders for the LP and show tickets will be on sale on September 20.
Check their website for more details.


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Herbie Hancock - River: The Joni Letters 2LP
Verve Records
The legendary pianist and innovator explores the words and music of another musical pioneer Joni Mitchell on his first new studio recording for Verve since 1998's GRAMMY® Award winner Gershwin's World. Inspired in equal parts by Mitchell's poetic lyrics and unique melodies/harmonies, the musicians play with a restraint and elegance that achieves a perfect balance between the adventurous aesthetics of jazz improvisation and the emotional directness of one of the finest singer/songwriters of the last five decades. On the album: Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Lionel Loueke, Dave Holland & Vinnie Colaiuta with special guests Norah Jones, Tina Turner, Corinne Bailey Rae, Luciana Souza, Leonard Cohen & Joni Mitchell.
1. Court And Spark (feat. Norah Jones)
2. Edith And The Kingpin (feat. Tina Turner)
3. Both Sides Now
4. River (feat. Corinne Bailey Rae)
5. Sweet Bird
6. The Tea Leaf Prophecy (Lay Down Your Arms) [feat. Joni Mitchell]
7. Solitude
8. Amelia (feat. Luciana Souza)
9. Nefertiti (feat. Wayne Shorter)
10. The Jungle Line (feat. Leonard Cohen)
11. A Case Of You (Short Version)
12. All I Want


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Our History
First oil well in the United States is drilled by William "Uncle Billy" Smith for Edwin L. Drake in Titusville, Pennsylvania. The 69-foot well produces 15 barrels of oil per day.
U.S. Civil War
Standard Oil Company is created.
Rudolph Diesel builds his very first model of a diesel engine and continues to make improvements during the following years.
Spanish American War; Rudolph Diesel receives a patent for an "internal combustion engine" (Diesel engine).
Texas Fuel Co. is founded (eventually Texaco).
Henry Ford builds the very first Model T.
The kerosene-powered Aladdin model 1 lamp is invented, providing bright white light to rural America where half of the 92-million population lives.
Dr. Walter Snelling identifies propane.
The production of propane is patented by Dr. Walter Snelling.
Dr. Walter Snelling and colleagues establish the American Gasol Co., the first commercial marketer of propane; Standard Oil Co. establishes the first gas station in Cincinnati; Rudolph Diesel delivers a speech stating, "the use of vegetable oils for engine fuels may seem insignificant today, but such oils may become, in the course of time, as important as petroleum and the coal-tar products of the present time."
WWI begins
WWI ends.
Lou Hilton "LH" Foster Sr. & LW Roark Sr. start Brookneal Oil Company, delivering flour, ice, and five-gallon cans of lamp oil to the Brookneal area by ox-drawn cart. LH Foster Sr. was a WWI veteran.
8.5 million automobiles and trucks are registered in the United States.
LH and LW split the company. LH assumes the oil business and—with his wife, Queenie "Inez" Foster—they continue to grow the business. LH & Inez have a son, LH Jr. Brookneal Oil becomes a consignee with Texaco (first Texaco consignee in the area).
One of the original trucks bought for the company is located in front of the Brookneal office today.
First trucks with diesel engines are built by Benz, Daimler, and MAN.
The first bobtail truck is built to transport propane.
The U.S. stock market crashes, causing the Great Depression to begin.
Propane is used to fuel all the appliances for cooling and heating the water in the Olympic Village at the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles.
LH Sr. and Inez have another son, Watt "Bobby" Foster Sr. Both boys eventually join operations.
Oil deposits are found in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
WWII begins
Japanese attack Pearl Harbor.
Gasoline rationing along the Atlantic seaboard as a result of the war.
LH Jr. enlists for WWII through the ROTC program while still attending Virginia Tech. He loses ½ his leg while in service.
WWII ends; gasoline rationing ends.
Brookneal Oil Co. changes to become LH Foster & Son.
Korean War begins.
Korean War ends.
Gasoline sells for $0.15/gallon.
LH Jr. eventually takes over operations. His younger brother, Bobby, is involved with the family business also. LH Foster & Son continues to grow while Bobby attends the University of Richmond.
Bobby graduates from the University of Richmond and assumes control of the company with his wife, Nancy.
Bobby and Nancy have a son, Watt Jr., and the family business name changes to L.H. Foster & Sons. The business is incorporated on September 12th. LH Sr. passes away, and LH Jr. and Watt Sr. run the company together.
Vietnam War begins; OPEC forms on September 14.
Company name changes from LH Foster & Sons, Inc. to Foster Fuels, Inc. Bobby buys a transport truck to pick up fuels in Richmond. First delivery is made to James Bailey's Cleaners on Main Street in Brookneal (now closed). Other local companies are bought to become part of Foster Fuels.
Propane installations in the United States total 13 million tanks.
Kerosene sells for $0.163/gallon.
Bobby adds propane to Foster Fuels' services. Deliveries now include kerosene, fuel oil, gasoline, and motor oil.
Fuel oil sells for $0.169/gallon.
Propane price controls are instituted in the wake of the Arab oil embargo.
Vietnam War concludes.
The 799-mile-long trans-Alaskan pipeline is completed and first used.
President Reagan eliminates price controls on propane, gasoline, and crude oil.
Watt R. Foster Jr. graduates from James Madison University and joins the Foster Fuels team.
LH Jr. dies on November 11th (Veterans Day).
Bobby (Watt Sr.) sells Foster Fuels to Watt Jr., his son. Bobby and Watt Jr. continue to run the company together like the sale never happened. Bobby remains President and participates in all important decisions.
Watt Jr. does everything from driving a truck to service and work sales.
Propane is listed as an approved, alternative clean fuel in the 1990 Clean Air Act and—two years later, it is listed again as an alternative fuel in the Energy Policy Act of 1992; Persian Gulf War begins.
Texaco fuels are dropped from inventory.
Persian Gulf War ends.
Biodiesel goes into production in the U.S. for the first time.
Foster Fuels celebrates 75 years of business.
Attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon; the U.S. declares war on terrorism.
67 million barrels of petroleum are produced worldwide each day.
Watt Jr. and Watt Sr. establish a disaster relief division in response to Hurricane Isabel's arrival in Virginia.
Hurricane Ivan slams Florida—Foster Fuels responds successfully for private companies.
Katrina, the most disastrous storm to strike the U.S. in decades, sweeps through the Gulf Coast.
Foster Fuels expands its disaster relief business to service the federal government.
Watt Jr. and Watt Sr. revitalize the propane gas division.
Watt Jr. and Watt Sr. expand the company with a new headquarters and facility to hold the growth. Foster Fuels
purchases a local propane company to expand its propane division. Foster Fuels also expands propane into Danville, VA via another acquisition.
Foster Fuels responds to hurricanes Ike and Gustav with 80 trucks in the Gulf region.
Foster Fuels responds to ice storms in Kentucky in February. Foster continues to expand its propane operations and its trucking division.
The biggest oil spill in U.S. history; 5 million barrels leak into the Gulf of Mexico.
Foster Fuels responds to the Haiti Earthquake in January. Watt Jr. is deployed there with his men to oversee operations. Watt Jr. is away for two months while Watt Sr. continues to oversee operations in spite of his failing health.
Foster Fuels celebrates 90 years of business (1921–2011).
The Mission Critical division successfully performs the largest federal disaster relief mission in history in response to Superstorm Sandy in the Northeast.
Propane services expand from Lynchburg to Charlottesville with the opening of a full-service branch in Lovingston, VA. This expansion makes Foster Fuels one of the largest privately-owned propane companies in Virginia.
Foster Fuels Mission Critical responds to Hurricane Matthew.
Hurricance Dorian hits and the Mission Critical division is activated.


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Public Forms
Reaching users outside of your Cflow program is easier than ever with Public Forms. Be it collecting information about your new employees, requesting invoice particulars from a vendor or creating a database of your customers, everything can be done using forms that work through a simple easy to use URL.
Just tap on create public forms, enter the details you would like the participants to share with your company and send the custom URL to as many people as required. When they enter the required data, it will immediately be uploaded and linked with your Cflow processes making it easy to keep track of the database, irrespective of its size. Public forms make it easier to connect with users who are not directly associated with your organization but are required to provide the information you require to streamline your workflow.
- Create public forms with simple one-tap settings
- Integrate with your public website and capture all information instantly
- Every detail entered in the public form is seamlessly routed to the appropriate reviewer and shows up in Cflow automatically
- Ideal for the registration process, enquiry process and feedback forms, aimed at a large audience.


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Show whitespace characters in vim
I like to be able to see the whitespace characters in my editor, specifically I like to see when code is indented with tabs versus spaces:
Add the following to your
.vimrc to display a cute arrow unicode character for tabs in vim:
" Show extra whitespace
set list
set listchars=tab:➪
list tells vim to show tabs and
listchars sets the characters to use when display tabs.
You can change the arrow to any valid unicode character that your chosen font supports. Play around and find something you really like.


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Duane & Kelly Roberts are proud to introduce the newest specialty guest suite, the Kensington Kelly Suite named after their granddaughter, Kensington Kelly. The Kensington Kelly Suite is a mini-European castle unto itself and features a royal, yet playful ambiance and is elegantly decorated with a palette of pinks and gold with polka dot and striped accents to entertain a design-minded eye.
A large crown is mounted above the elevated queen-size bed with gold accents that complement the custom pink Chesterfield-style sleeper sofa with rolled arms and tufted back. The suite also features a quaint sitting area with tea set, beautifully tiled fireplace, and French doors lead to a personal patio enclosed by wrought iron fencing in a nod to the suite's European inspiration creating the ultimate fairytale get-away for children and adults alike.
Kelly Roberts is proud to introduce her latest children's book titled "Kensington Kelly and the Mystery of the Missing Macaw" inspired by her granddaughter, Kensington Kelly.
Meet Kensington Kelly, the Magnanimous Majesty of the Mission Inn who lives in the castle-like suite named after her. She is a young girl with a sweet tooth and a love for all things pink. She spends her days soaking in the spa, beating Bill the Butler at backgammon, and painting her nails pink: ballerina pink, rose pink, sunset pink and magenta. But one morning, Josephine the red macaw bursts through her door with urgent news: Napoleon, the blue macaw has gone missing! Be captivated and explore with Kensington Kelly and her friends Josephine and Shuggie the Cavalier King Charles Cocker Spaniel, to follow the trail of feathers high and low to uncover the mystery and reunite Josephine and Napoleon.
Purchase this book at the Kensington Kelly shop inside Kelly's Boutique and browse the one-of-a-kind Kensington Kelly branded merchandise.
The Kensington Kelly book is now available on Amazon Click here to purchase.
Exclusive in-room amenities are available for guests to use and enjoy during their stay in the Kensington Kelly Suite and include:
The packages cater to a variety of guests, whether it's a mom and daughter looking for Mommy & Me escape, a few friends planning a girls' getaway, or even a bridal party preparing for its own royal wedding, there are endless packages available for guests to choose from.
Available Room Packages
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*Allow 3.5 hours for treatments
Treatments designed especially for children ages 4-12 years include:
Little Princess and Prince Spa Package - $185 per child
Mommy & Me Spa Package - $300 for mother & child
(Additional tiaras/crowns available for purchase | Each additional guest is $125)
BFF's Spa Package - $125 per child
(Tiaras/crowns available for purchase | Guests 18 and older can enjoy treatments in Kelly's Spa)
The Mission Inn welcomes you to an elegant afternoon honoring a timeless tradition in the enchanting Spanish Patio. The Kensington Kelly Princess Afternoon Tea is the perfect children's tea offering that includes a princess tiara and exclusive menu:


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The Virtual Dorm
When your shot has to carry over a water hazard, you can either hit one more club or two more balls.
-- Golf Tip
Fearless Football PredictionsPosted: 2010-09-01
Here they are! Each of these fearless predictions was made before the 2010 season started. Of course, these are predictions only .. not what we hope for but what we believe will happen. Twelve bold predictions - fact is there is not that much variation in these - looks like almost everyone is cautiously optimistic - still, only one will be judged the best! Who will win the coveted first place prize?
The original challenge:
Here ye here ye, one and all.
Announcing Fox's 4nd annual ND season prediction contest.
Are you man enough to enter? .. confident in your prognostication prowess? ..
So, don't be strangled by complacency, just send, by September 3rd, directly to me, a single paragraph of no more than 300 words with your prediction for the upcoming season. I'll post them for all to admire on the CZ News Site.
Come the end of the season a set of impartial judges will evaluate all the entries based on a weighted scale that includes entertainment value ("Gabes will be calling for the coaches ass by the end of September"), accuracy ("they will lose badly to Mich State, lose a squeaker to USC, and win the rest of the games by an average of 4 points"), grammar and spelling ([not] "season be it good and vary happy winnings"), boldness ([not] "they will win every game in which they score more points than the other team") and just how all around good they are or should I say were. The winner will get a really amazing, yet so far undetermined, prize and will be featured on CyberZahm News!
PS Just a little hint .. Gabes is predicting no worse than 6 - 6.
The schedule is not so scary. Look at all those home games. Then again .. small but tough road schedule.
I certainly think we are headed in the right direction. Like what I hear about the new coach.
But not sure the personel are there .. sure there are some big names and lots of good athletes, but every team has good atheletes. There is still the issue that these are just kids and that they are under a lot of pressure both on and off the field.
I say by Oct 10 we are probably 3 and 3 ... maybe 2 and 4. And I predict that Gabes will be OK because we will be in the games we lose and it is too early to jump ship.
We then hit the weak part of the schedule at about the time the team begins to find its rythym and we reel off 5 straight victories and at worst 4 and 1.
USC is a tough call. I am hoping they have fallen apart by late November .. but don't think those kids on that team are idiots and losers. There is a reason they were recruited by USC and I don't think this Irish team can win there .. maybe two years from now. We lose .. its not close but not embarassing.
Bottom line .... 7 wins, 5 losses, hold our heads high.
Just look at the schedule:
Home Games
Purdue--Home opener; lots of excitement; I can see a blow out win. After all, this isn't the Purdue of the 60s and 70s anymore. Sorry Joey Old/New!
Michigan--OK, it's Michigan, but they've been down for two years and we have them at home after a big win in the opener. Should be a win.
Stanford--Should be a good test. Good team with a good coach. This one could go either way.
Pittsburgh--Wannie could beat Fatso, but no way I see him beating Kelly at home.
Western Michigan--Puhleeessse! Why are they even on the schedule?
Tulsa--See Western Michigan!
Utah--Another tough game. This one could go either way.
So, there are two, maybe three, tough home games out of seven. 2-1 in those three wouldn't surprise me at all, but let's say we go 1-2 in those three and finish 5-2 at home.
Away Games
Michigan State--Always a tough game, and I'll be watching this one closely since my son, Johnny, will be a freshman there. Go Spartans, and I'll give a loss here.
Boston College--Just don't see Kelly losing this game. This will be a big game for Kelly returning to his roots. I'll bet he puts major effort into winning this game. ND becomes the best Catholic football program once again!
Navy--No more Fatso. BAMP!
Army--"That Army has a very fine ball club!" Ara after 62-3 win. "That Army has a very fine ball club!" BK after 62-3 win.
USC--I think Kelly will win this game, but for discussion purposes, let's say it's a loss.
So, 3-2 worst case on the road, and 8-4 worse case overall before a bowl game. Still, looking at the schedule and the state of all teams that we play, it wouldn't surprise me at all if ND goes 9-3 or 10-2 in Kelly's first year, and even better could be possible with some luck! ND football will be back!
Bottom line: I'll say 9-3, plus a bowl win!
10-2. Could win every game, could lose 6. I think a combination of existing talent, coaching, and the realization of how good they can be will turn them into a resurgent team by year end. Losses are Michigan State and Pitt. If the Irish go 4-2 in the first six they'll be able to re-group for the stretch run. They'll have time to prepare for the Utes, and if they are 9-2 going to LA they'll be playing for at least a New Year's day bowl, if not the BCS. The Toejams will be looking at bupkus, and the Irish ROLL!!
Coach Sobo
Like last year, we're capable of beating every team on the schedule. A two game improvement over last year really isn't asking for much, especially with games against Army, Navy, Western Mich and Tulsa. ( I know, I know, Navy is good, but...), so 8-4 is well within reach. Very good chance that we'll do better than that, but I'm tempered by recent beatings.
I really don't know who the hell will beat us, but if forced to pick I'd say (1) Michigan State - they're talented and still stronger up front than we are; (2) Pitt - after a tough prior week win at BC; (3) Utah - we're surprised at home by a team that pounded Bama year before last; and (4) Southern Cal - can't get the monkey off our back yet.
Am in an internet cafe checking in for a few minutes and saw these predictions. Will be listening to game from St. Petersburg Russia. Someone has to do it....
Awesome life....From afar....
Your continued King.
PS. 7 and 5 season....
We will beat Purdue, Michigan, Michigan St, Boston College, Western Michigan, Tulsa, Army, USC, and lose to Stanford, Pittsburgh, Navy, Utah for a record of 8-4.
We will go to a Bowl game and win.
The Irish will be drinking boilermakers in celebration after beating Purdue 31-24.
Next, some payback to the Wolverines (35 - 21) after last year's game was stolen from us in Ann Arbor.
We finish the Big Ten portion with a close loss to the Spartans (28 - 24).
The Cardinal and Coach Harbaugh leave Rockne Stadium with a broken wing (31 - 17).
A trip home to Bastan for Coach Kelly brings a win over the Notre Dame wannabees (28 - 21).
The Wannstedt Panthers come close but return home toothless (31 - 30).
WMU gets blown away by the 80,000+ in the stands (45 - 21).
A trip close to the shore trips up a persistent NAVY bunch (35 - 24).
Tulsa goes down (31 - 17).
The utes from Utah suprise us and win (31 - 28).
A return to the NY area beats the Cadets (45 - 21).
We scratch the itch in Calie (31 - 28).
A ten win season has us going Bowling.
The season will depend on whether or not we can stop anyone, not on how many points we score - although if we score enough, concern #1 goes away.... The D last year was a disaster.
Purdue - W the emotion of the first game will be enough to get a win
8 - 4 and looking for a bowl game since we wont be in the BCS
With an unproven QB, new coach, huge question mark on defense, this record could be a stretch. Nevertheless, I'll be at most home games cheering on the Irish.
there you have it.
ND goes bowling and wins it.
My predictions below for an 8-4 season.
Okay, I'm in South Bend and I can FEEL it. I can look out the hotel window and see the Dome. Almost as importantly, I can see the stadium. Blue skies with lots of clouds, 65 degrees. Supposed to be the same tomorrow.
Purdue: everybody is jacked. We score a zillion, they score not as many. The Kelly Era starts with a W.
Michigan: a game we should have won last year. This year, they get punished. Another W.
at MSU: we continue to score points, the D gets adjusted, we steal a big road win. W.
Stanford: Good team but we should have beaten them last year in Palo Alto. Tight game, we find a way to win. W.
at BC: Not a vintage BC team but they're always up for the Irish. We kick their Jesuit asses. W.
Pitt: Another really good team. They've had our number recently. They still have it. Our first loss. L.
Western Michigan: We're pissed at losing to Pitt. We take it out on the Woodchucks or whatever the fuck their nickname is. W.
Navy: Shades of Ara and Lou. They score but we score a lot more. W.
Tulsa: Our buddy, Bubba Cunningham, is the AD at Tulsa. His kid is a student at ND. Student schools daddy. Another win. W.
Utah: Who would have thought this would be a big game when it was scheduled? Points galore. We find a way to win at the end. W.
Army: Ah, Yankee Stadium. Not even the ghosts of yesteryear will save the Cadets. A major ass-kicking. W.
USC: They still have better talent but we're in their grill most of the game. They find a way to win at the end. L.
There you have it. 10-2. Anything above 8 wins should be considered a successful year, IMHO. Kelly may be in over his head but I'll bet a few folks said the same thing about Ara. Time will tell. Go Irish!! TE
0-12 and Gabes is screaming for Charlie to come back by the end of the season -- Andy
After reading Ikey's report, I've changed my mind. My prediction is 12-0 and a NC Bowl win.


text: Gardner CHILD CARE AND HEAD START OPENINGS �� Montachusett Opportunity Council�s Child Care and Head Start Services have openings in both the part day and full day programs. To register, parents or guardians must bring child�s birth certificate, income verification for the entire year, social security cards, and immunization records. For Head Start centers, contact Deb Hubbard, Director, MOC Child Care and Head Start Services (978) 343-0185. HOLY ROSARY PRESCHOOL � Our Lady of the Holy Rosary School, 99 Nichols St., has openings in all of its preschool programs and is accepting registrations. For information, contact the school at (978) 632-8656. Ashburnham OAKMONT GRADUATION EVENTS � June 9 and 10 � John R. Briggs Theatre Arts Production Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m., June 11 � Overlook Middle School Spring Concert at 7 p.m., June 14 � Undergraduate Awards Night at 7 p.m., June 15 � Overlook Drama Suessical the Musical at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Barre NCLB GRANT INPUT/REVIEW � The Quabbin Regional School District is preparing NCLB Entitlement Grants, Title I II Parts A & D, III, IV, & V, for the upcoming school year, 2007-08. The public is welcome to review the priorities and have input into the preparation process. Call Chris Nosel in the district office at (978) 355-4668 Ext. 8513 for more information. Hubbardston FREE HUNTER EDUCATION COURSE � The Massachusetts Hunter Education Program is conducting a Basic Hunter Education course. Upon successful completion of the Basic Hunter Education course, all students will receive a Massachusetts Hunter Educa-tion Certificate. For additional info call (978) 632-7648. Templeton WARRIOR BLANKETS � The Narragansett Class of 2007 is selling Warrior Blankets. The blankets make great graduation gifts. LAST DAY OF SCHOOL � The last day of school is June 14 2007. Narragansett Regional High School students will be dismissed at 10:46 a.m., Middle School students will be dismissed at 11:25 a.m. and all elementary students will be dismissed at 12:05 p.m. Parents who have any questions are advised to contact the principal at their child�s school.


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In the face of tighter new LVR rules that came into force from October 1, with an exemption for investors buying new-builds, there are reports of increased interest in subdivisions and pre-builds.
NZ Property Investor magazine weighs the pros and cons of investing in new-builds and reports that Keith Hay Homes, which targets the investor sector, says its business in Auckland jumped from 30% investors to nearly 70% after the Reserve Bank's last LVR increase.
And a shift towards new-builds has been backed by Property Institute chief executive Ashley Church, who says current property investment is being directed into the wrong places.
According to a landlords.co.nz report last month, Mr Church believes that encouraging investors towards newbuilds is a crucial element in solving Auckland's housing market issues, including house price inflation.
Some of our Quinovic managers in other 'hotspots' around NZ, where demand for residential rentals exceeds supply, are also seeing greater interest investors buying off the plan in new subdivisions.
With 42% of properties in Auckland currently being sold to investors, Mr Church says they "are simply selling existing homes to each other and inflating the value along the way".
And while the October 1 40% LVR rule was a step in the right direction, the Property Institute has controversially also proposed that LVRs for investors buying existing dwellings should increase significantly.
Quinovic Merivale's Sharon Layton says Christchurch is seeing a large number of new-build properties coming onto the market as a result of the rebuild and there's been a huge marketing push over the past 18-24 months for new developments.
She says many out-of-Christchurch investors have been purchasing new-builds rather than existing stock and longterm investors favour post-earthquake builds "because they are an easier transaction both for purchasing now but also potentially for selling in the future".
"The changes in the LVR have very little, if any, effect on larger investors who are likely to have enough equity across their portfolio," says Sharon. "It only affects those who are just starting out and again, they are likely to take the easy option of buying post-earthquake stock simply because it's easier and more dependable, rather than because of any LVR tightening."
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Yes we all know discounting is hurting (and in some cases killing) retail, but the challenge as Monique raises above is: what does a retailer do when their competition all discount? To me it comes down to a lack of imagination. Retailers need to compete by creating an offering that's compelling enough at full price to attract custom. That means being creative and that's where Ozzie retailers have been very poor. Easy pickings for the highly evolved international entrants. I blame it (partly) on the old Harvey Norman yell n sell model so successful back in the 80s and 90s that set the bar so incredibly low that retailers lost the will or ability to invest in talent and innovation.
Is the discounting drug worse than the illness?
I am continually amazed when walking retail malls the amount of discounting that is offered by virtually all general merchandise retailers, be they fashion, homewares, jewellers or whatever category you can think of.
This is true for the vast majority of the year, be it in peak trading times or not.
I do not understand why a retailer would offer 30 per cent off kids school shoes in January, when the vast majority of school shoes are sold, or 40 per cent off women's wear in the week before Mother's Day or 20 per cent off toys in December, and so the list goes on.
In addition, the proliferation of discounts in Australia seems far more prevalent than in most other similar societies around the world.
Twenty five or so years ago, Target started discounting by 7.5 per cent on a Tuesday once a month, and stayed open until to midnight to handle the volume of shoppers, then it became 10 per cent until 9.00 pm, then 15 per cent with no extended hours and so the deterioration of the appeal diminished.
But the regularity and the percentage off kept growing until no one would buy at the ticketed price. "Why pay full price for towels when I know they will be cheaper next week" was a common thought.
And so the 'rot' or 'cancer' of retail in Australia was born.
In simple terms, in the early days it was about a short term grab at market share, But this instilled a sense of distrust and confusion by the brand of the 'real price' offered when not on promotion.
And so many shoppers now have the belief 'never to pay full price again'.
For a retailer, this is a nightmare. Have a look at the effect of discounting on a retailers bottom line, if sales do not increase due to discounting.
Is this similar to what has happened at Myer during Q3?
Conversely, if the bottom line of $5.00 profit per $100 sales is to be maintained, but at 25 per cent GP instead 50 per cent GP, then logically sales will need to double to $200 to achieve the $5.00 profit. (All outgoings being equal).
This is a difficult threshold that is not often achieved.
In addition to the diminished financial result, what is the damage done to the brand, and its ability to sell at the full-ticketed price again?
What does it do to the trust in the brand? What do the people who did pay full price prior to the promotion think? Not happy as they would feel they have paid more than they had to!
So in reviewing Myers third quarter results announced recently, that sales had 'only dropped by 2.9 per cent' despite a strong season of discounting, one can only await the next announcement of reduced profits, or should it be losses?
To me, the true measure of a retailer's ability is the management of its gross profit. Anyone can give the product away at discounted levels, but a truly fit retailer concentrates on giving the customer what they want, at a constant fair price, builds trust and protects a reasonable, sustainable gross profit.
One of Kmart's secrets to its resurgence is 'everyday low prices' you can trust. You will not see them offering a per centage off across the store!
Being a good retailer means finding solutions for the business without reverting to the discounting drug as a default solution. It would seem to me the 'drug' is more likely to kill than the illness and that it is better to treat the core illness.
Peter Sheppard is senior consultant and head of implementation division at Retail Doctor Group.
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3 comments
Robert posted on May 30, 2018
Great article about an issue that is endemic in Australian retail. Clearly the discount mentality has helped establish a number of retailers to the detriment of many established players and the brands that supply into the various sectors. The big question is how does Australia move away from this discounter mentality where customers refuse to buy product at full price? Companies like Apple have stuck to their guns and will rarely discount but most other businesses that are battling to grab a share of the declining disposable income dollars have not had the will power or resources to do so for fear of going by the wayside. When pricing new products it is becoming the norm to inflate the RRP in the full knowledge that it will be necessary to discount up to 70% of your sales volume. Grocery are so attune to the fact that they run their business on a promotional cycle that they regularly report promotional effectiveness as a key criteria of the vendors performance. Earlier this year Coles made a bold statement that they were moving away from price promotion. This lasted for about a week before they reverted to pushing promotional prices for fear of losing market share to Woolworths. Personally I think the key to reducing promotional reliance is to focus upon exclusive brands but this poses its own problems as manufacturers are heavily reliant on broad distribution for economy of scale Log in to Reply
the bed shop Ballarat and the sofa store ballarat posted on June 2, 2018
Retailers have to think like retailers and not like consumers. We are an independent store and have been operating for 20 years ,We have marketed and operated our store successfully in a changing market place competing with the bedding and furniture nationals who offer sales every day of the week..... the bed shop and the sofa store has never had a SALE promotion in 20 years. We have remained independent in our business and in our business thinking. Our business model formula has proven to be successful in profit, continued growth and business development . We could certainly teach some of the large retailers how to be truly successful retailers. We will keep that secret to ourselves.... Log in to Reply
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Straighter Teeth Improve Your Smile
And They Can Make You Look Younger, Too! (Issued Summer/Fall 2019) — You know that a beautiful smile can boost your confidence, but did you know it can also enhance your entire facial appearance and make you look younger? As we age, people notice changes to their skin and face, showing up as laugh, smile, […]Read More


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Rusko is a beast. Better yet he's Dr. Frankenstein and his recent album, O.M.G.!, is his monster. Utterly out of control and course with half-dead and living contradictions, every moment of Rusko's effort at creation, simultaneously destroys and devours your ability to perceive reality. Like Frankenstein's monster, we wonder the night contemplating our humanity in the wake of such an apocalyptic convergence of sounds. Hip-hop, electro, reggae, dub and R & B converge as the lightning bolts of Rusko's diabolical genius converge. Try not to dance on the cold steel slab of the dance floor as you wake to life.
Rusko at Congress Theatre on 4/22
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Why Do You Want To Be A Manager?
Any fast-paced growing organization boasts of having and promoting scores of first-time managers. Those, who have done well as individuals and have up the ladder by (hopefully) demonstrating potential to take up a higher role. However, many do not have an idea of what people management is all about. More than some Googled Do's and Don'ts on leadership, they do not see themselves in a different light in their new and enlarged role. Thus, their journey towards people management and later leadership, starts with unexpected, unstructured and sometimes undesired hiccups.
I meet a lot of newly promoted and first-time managers. I ask them a simple question – "Why do you want to be a people manager?"
Surprised, confused and even irked up faces look back at me!
A common answer that I receive, more often than not, is – "…it comes with the promotion/higher position and that it signifies that I am growing. And of course, managing people is a essential part of growing, so I take it up at it comes…"
Shouldn't we call this effect a 'default leadership experience'? Where people-leadership is a by-product of career-growth… and where it does not invoke new thoughts in the incumbent's mind, on the breadth of the new role in terms of managing others. Something that is a key skill requirement post getting that growth. A design by which a leadership aspirant will ask herself a crucial question – "Am I sure I want to be a Manager?" And thereafter, work towards building that skills meticulously…
I leave you with a what Joseph Grenny, a management author, says, "Leadership offers profound satisfactions – but only if embraced fully, willingly, and for the right reasons."
This is a food for thought for all new managers…
Do you agree? Let me know what you think.


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Every successful trader and investor will tell you that in order to be successful you have to be obsessed with managing risk. Let me give you an example.
If you have a $150k account, and you lose 50%, you have $75k left. What does it take to get your account back to $150k? You will need to DOUBLE your account, that's a 100% gain. That will take years to recover from for most traders and investors. Which is why after years of trial and error I found the proven system that allowed me to trade profitably on a consistent basis that almost automatically manages my risk.
When I started with $583.15 I knew I couldn't afford to lose money. In fact, the minimum account balance was $500. That meant I had an $83.15 cushion before I would need to add more money to my account. I needed to make sure every single trade I took was A+ quality.
As I'll show you in the webinar, I ended up using 2 strategies that were a repeatable and sustainable process for building up profitable trades. The first strategy was to use a specific profit loss ratio that allows me to be profitable even if I'm not accurate. The second strategy was to trade the strongest stocks, this meant by accuracy was higher.
I'll go in-depth on everything we just talked about on this LIVE One-Time Stocktwits Exclusive Webinar On August 21st at 1 PM EST and 10 AM PST. Register below now.