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Why is it that despite in aggregate people's economic situation has gotten better than it was years ago, people feel ever more disenfranchised than they have in the past?
Children are kind of micro examples of adults. The challenges and issues they deal with are elementary examples of how we are as adults.
They are kind of digestible simplified representations of ourselves
Kind of like Aesop Fables - little lessons for us to be more conscientious of our own behavior
So I learn a lot about myself from my kids - amazing little life lessons
So the other day I surprised my daughter after school and told her that we were going to go rock climbing
She was excited so we head over
When we park the car she tells me she wants to get rock climbing shoes
At first I explain that they don't have her size and she is better off using her tennis shoes but she is getting upset so I said sure if you prefer to have rock climbing shoes it is up to you
Then when we get to the floor she says that she wants her own chalk bag
Then she says that she wants to get dinner across the street at this Vietnamese restaurant
Then she says after dinner she wants to get Boba
I finally said no.
Then she said she didn't want to climb anymore so after 15 minutes we changed our shoes packed up and just went home
And we had a conversation
She was happy to go rock climbing rather than going home, but ended up more upset because of some other factor rather than being appreciative that she was able to go rock climbing
Because she was unappreciative now she stopped climbing and also we didn't go out to dinner
Be appreciative for we have rather than being unappreciative for what we don't have
Dan Ariely
Weekend in Rome all-expense paid - flight, hotel, breakfast
Weekend in Paris all-expense paid - flight, hotel, breakfast (no coffee)
We put a disproportionate value on things that should have little value and when we do this we impact our overall happiness
Rock climbing in itself for my daughter should = happiness
Rock climbing without shoes, chalk bag, Vietnamese food, boba = unhappy
We get fixated on what others have and this impacts our own happiness
People tend to compare themselves upwards
As society gets richer as a whole the distribution between the richest and the poorest will naturally be increased
[3:196] Do not be impressed by the apparent success of disbelievers. [3:197] They only enjoy temporarily, then end up in Hell; what a miserable destiny!
God's System
[6:44] When they thus disregard the message given to them, we open for them the gates of everything. Then, just as they rejoice in what was given to them, we punish them suddenly; they become utterly stunned. * [6:45] The wicked are thus annihilated. Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe.
*6:44 Before the guilty are thrown out the window, they are taken up to a high floor.
Example of Qaroon
[28:76] Qãroon (the slave driver) was one of Moses' people who betrayed them and oppressed them. We gave him so many treasures that the keys thereof were almost too heavy for the strongest band. His people said to him, "Do not be so arrogant; GOD does not love those who are arrogant. [28:77] "Use the provisions bestowed upon you by GOD to seek the abode of the Hereafter, without neglecting your share in this world. Be charitable, as GOD has been charitable towards you. Do not keep on corrupting the earth. GOD does not love the corruptors." [28:78] He said, "I attained all this because of my own cleverness." Did he not realize that GOD had annihilated before him generations that were much stronger than he, and greater in number? The (annihilated) transgressors were not asked about their crimes.
[28:79] One day, he came out to his people in full splendor. Those who preferred this worldly life said, "Oh, we wish that we possess what Qãroon has attained. Indeed, he is very fortunate."
The Real Wealth
[28:80] As for those who were blessed with knowledge, they said, "Woe to you, GOD's recompense is far better for those who believe and lead a righteous life." None attains this except the steadfast.
The Tyrants' Inevitable Fate
[28:81] We then caused the earth to swallow him and his mansion. No army could have helped him against GOD; he was not destined to be a winner. [28:82] Those who were envious of him the day before said, "Now we realize that GOD is the One who provides for whomever He chooses from among His servants, and withholds. If it were not for GOD's grace towards us, He could have caused the earth to swallow us too. We now realize that the disbelievers never succeed."
[57:20] Know that this worldly life is no more than play and games, and boasting among you, and hoarding of money and children. It is like abundant rain that produces plants and pleases the disbelievers. But then the plants turn into useless hay, and are blown away by the wind. In the Hereafter there is either severe retribution, or forgiveness from GOD and approval. This worldly life is no more than a temporary illusion.
God's system is that we are of different ranks
[43:32] Are they the ones who assign your Lord's mercy? We have assigned their shares in this life, raising some of them above others in ranks, in order to let them serve one another. The mercy from your Lord is far better than any material they may hoard.
Be appreciative for what we have not unappreciative for what we don't have
Society is like an organism we each have a function to serve.
Tree would not be so foolish for it's branches to fight among itself
[17:21] Note how we preferred some people above others (in this life). The differences in the Hereafter are far greater and far more significant.
Run your own race
Matthew 25:14-30 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Parable of the Talents
14 "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.
19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.' 21 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'
22 And he who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.' 23 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'
24 He who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.' 26 But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.
29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
Don't worry about what other people received focus on what God gave you
[42:27] If GOD increased the provision for His servants, they would transgress on earth. This is why He sends it precisely measured to whomever He wills. He is fully Cognizant and Seer of His servants.
[7:169] Subsequent to them, He substituted new generations who inherited the scripture. But they opted for the worldly life instead, saying, "We will be forgiven." But then they continued to opt for the materials of this world. Did they not make a covenant to uphold the scripture, and not to say about GOD except the truth? Did they not study the scripture? Certainly, the abode of the Hereafter is far better for those who maintain righteousness. Do you not understand?
The blind man and the rich man
[49:13] O people, we created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of GOD is the most righteous. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant.
God has given each of us different amounts, skills, abilities, blessings, favors etc. Regarding our life, God is not concerned about what He gave others, He wants to know what did we do with what He gave each of us.
[53:48] He is the One who makes you rich or poor.
أَغْنَىٰ = Ag-nah-ah = Rich = free from need
وَأَقْنَىٰ = ag-nah-ah = poor = makes satisfy
Root = ق ن ي = to acquire a thing; to cause to acquire; make contended; satisfy; preserve; make satisfy with a given thing
[74:6] Be content with your lot.
[76:8] They donate their favorite food to the poor, the orphan, and the captive. [76:9] "We feed you for the sake of GOD; we expect no reward from you, nor thanks.
[92:17] Avoiding it will be the righteous. [92:18] Who gives from his money to charity. [92:19] Seeking nothing in return.
When you ask for provisions from God are you asking so you can better serve God with those provisions or are you asking for yourself?
[2:272] You are not responsible for guiding anyone. GOD is the only one who guides whoever chooses (to be guided). Any charity you give is for your own good. Any charity you give shall be for the sake of GOD. Any charity you give will be repaid to you, without the least injustice.
[24:55] GOD promises those among you who believe and lead a righteous life, that He will make them sovereigns on earth, as He did for those before them, and will establish for them the religion He has chosen for them, and will substitute peace and security for them in place of fear. All this because they worship Me alone; they never set up any idols beside Me. Those who disbelieve after this are the truly wicked.
One can have everything in the world but they will not be able to be satisfied and therefore they will not be appreciative and therefore they will never be happy
[3:91] Those who disbelieve and die as disbelievers, an earthfull of gold will not be accepted from any of them, even if such a ransom were possible. They have incurred painful retribution; they will have no helpers.
Kafar = disbeliever = unappreciative


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Kidron OH ZIP Code
Kidron city is located in Ohio State, Wayne County and has a unique zip code assigned by the US Postal Service Office.
You can search for the Kidron OH zip code by its streets and block numbers if we have some of the Kidron streets loaded in our website
Kidron Area Code is 330 and Time Zone is Eastern (GMT -05:00).
Kidron Zip Code - Ohio
The US ZIP Code basic format consists of five decimal numerical digits assigned to the Kidron City. An extended ZIP+4 code, introduced in the 1980s, includes the five digits of the Kidron ZIP code, a hyphen, and four more digits that determine a more specific location within a given ZIP code in Kidron, Ohio.
The Kidron Zip Code is 44636.
If you want to send a mail to Kidron City, you should use the 44636 Zip Code.
In 1983, the U.S. Postal Service introduced an expanded Kidron ZIP code system that it called ZIP+4, often called "plus-four codes", "add-on codes", or "add ons". A ZIP+4 code uses the basic 44636 Zip code plus four additional digits to identify a geographic segment within the five-digit delivery area, such as a Kidron city block, a group of apartments, an individual high-volume receiver of mail or any other unit that could use an extra identifier to aid in efficient mail sorting and delivery in Ohio.

subset: commoncrawl


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AHPETC is an acronym that many Singaporeans would be familiar with after this week.
The Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council was the subject of two days of Parliamentary debate which held it to account for its management lapses as spelt out in the Auditor-General Office's (AGO) audit report. The audit was ordered by the National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan, after the town council's own auditors had for two years issued a disclaimer of opinion - that it could not say that financial statements provide a true and fair account of the town council's financial position. The town council was also late in reporting its accounts and cyclical maintenance.
Three ministers weighed in on the issue during the Parliament sitting on Thursday and Friday.
Mr Khaw called on the Workers' Party, which runs the town council, and its MPs to manage the town council better. He said the government will tighten laws to give it more oversight and powers over town councils.
Law Minister K Shanmugam, a former top litigator, went for the jugular when he accused the WP of running the town council for the benefit of their friends in FMSS, a company that serves as managing agent and received millions in funds to run the town council. He said the town council's set-up - lots of self-dealing, with the same people doing work, certifying it, and approving payments to themselves - was unlawful.
Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said the WP had betrayed the trust of Singaporeans with their behaviour. It can't even check itself, how can it hope to serve as a check on the government, he said.
The general picture painted by the People's Action Party ministers is that of a group of WP MPs - town councillors in AHPETC - who were not just inexperienced, but also incompetent. Mr Shanmugam said they acted in breach of their fiduciary duties; all three ministers said they overpaid their friends in FMSS for services with monies taken from hardworking Singaporeans; and accused them of hedging and evading when held to account.
The Workers' Party of course has its own side of the story.
None of the WP MPs who spoke in Parliament denied or disputed the AGO report. They said they accepted it, had responded to it, and essentially would improve. They also supported the motion which "notes with concern" the AGO report on the town council's lapses.
Mr Low Thia Khiang, the WP secretary-general, said the difficulty was a political one: The WP had problems getting a managing agent to run AHPETC. Two companies that took tender documents did not tender for the job. Meanwhile, WP supporters who had experience running Hougang Town Council set up a company called FMSS a week after the WP won Aljunied GRC in May 2011. FMSS was appointed managing agent to run the council. The truth was that "nobody wants to work for me, that is the problem, Prime Minister!", he had exclaimed in Parliament on Friday.
In an earlier speech, he had said: "Under our current system, it seems to me that any opposition party which aspires to be elected in a GRC will have to build a town management team to train hundred staff officers first, then taking the advice of the Minister for National Development start shopping for an off-the-shelf accounting software.
"If an opposition party aspires to be the next government, perhaps it may need to build an army of civil servants first. This is a strange political situation for any functioning democracy to be in."
Ms Lee Li Lian, WP MP for Punggol East, told a similar story of how companies shunned working for the opposition town council. The WP won the Punggol East by-election in Jan 2013. AHPETC was due to take over the town council from May 2013. It thus asked the handing over council, Pasir Ris Punggol TC, to call for a tender for cleaning services in March. Two established companies tendered - but withdrew when the date of the handover to the WP drew close.
"The tenderers were invited to attend the tender meeting in late April 2013, just before the handover in May. Unfortunately, representatives were sent from both companies to inform that they were no longer able to participate in the tender and would like to withdraw from the tender process. It was also followed up by written notices to the TC Chairman on their decision to withdraw without any valid reasons.
"AHPETC had no choice but to respect the company's decision to withdraw. As the incumbent conservancy contractor was to cease their services by end June 2013, the town council then needed to quickly make a decision to invite companies to tender; otherwise no one will be clearing rubbish and cleaning lifts! This is just one of the many challenges opposition town council faces.
"On the other hand, I am pleased to note that EMSU (essential maintenance service unit) services provided by the previous contractor continued their services in Punggol East. Regardless of political affiliations, residents' interests should always be the priority and there should not be elements of political preference or fear. It will be sad if there are elements of fear when bidding for a project in opposition TCs."
The PAP said the WP MPs were "playing the victim" with such charges.
They had spoken so confidently of their ability to run a large town council, boasting that they had successfully run Hougang Town Council for over 20 years, noted Mr Heng.
Yet the audit showed the town council was in a sorry state, he said.
Here, Mr Low indicated one reason why: In the past, the Housing Board in charge of public flats, provided computer and EMSU (essential maintenance service unit) services and charged town councils a monthly fee. So when the WP took over Hougang Town Council, it could have seamless maintenance and computer services continue.
This raises the question of whether, in fact, AHPETC was deprived of services critical to the smooth running of a town council after it took over, with the unrealistic expectation that it should devise a computer system, set up a maintenance structure, and get things going in 90 days.
If so, this may be a factor in why the WP did creditably with Hougang in the past, but fell flat on its face with a larger town council.
WP's Mr Png Eng Huat (Hougang MP) for example, highlighted this issue when he said that AHPETC had to develop its own database and computer system to track payments and service and conservancy charges.
"I wish to touch on safeguarding public funds.
It is a waste of public funds for an incoming administration to develop a new computer system that does essentially the same functions as the previous system, which was also develop with public funds.
"I understand in the old days, HDB used to provide town councils with a centralized computer system. It makes perfect sense since town councils are set up to manage only HDB estates and the common areas. Who else would have the latest data on the number of flats in an estate, the types of flats, the residency status of the tenants, the amount of grant each flat should receive, when to start collecting S&CC (service and conservancy charges) and whether the unit is rented out whole or partial? All these information affects S&CC and grants.
"And such systems are not cheap to develop. The old system at Aljunied Town Council cost over $20 million, hardware and software, split among the other PAP town councils. AHPETC has spent over half a million dollars just to replicate what the old system could do and we still have a way to go. Isn't that a waste of resources and public funds? Setting up a centralised computer system will certainly safeguard residents' interest and money, no doubt."
Ms Sylvia Lim, WP chairman, cited absence of economies of scale as one reason why FMSS charges the town council about 20 per cent more than other managing agents charged other town councils for managing the estate.
What are Singaporeans to make of the whole sad, sorry saga, as the PAP put it?
I think a fair-minded person following the debate cannot help but think that the WP has a lot to answer for, and that it should take the matter more seriously than its MPs appear to do in Parliament - Pritam Singh for example suggested he would answer to residents (and not to Parliament), earning a quick rebuttal from MP Sam Tan that he was an Aljunied resident and could Mr Singh please answer him.
Singaporeans may forgive an opposition party for inexperience, but not if it fails to take action on lapses; or if it comes across as shielding its own supporters. "We must not allow FMSS to profiteer from its incompetence," said Mr Khaw. He castigated AHPETC for its poor financial accounting: "Opacity creates opportunities for crooks to make money."
To me, the relevant questions at this point are:
- Was there any criminality in the town council's actions (or inaction)? If so, rest assured the government will take action. Already Mr Khaw has pledged that "MND is studying what other legal recourse any aggrieved parties may have."
- Was there a breach of civil law? Both Mr Khaw and Mr Shanmugam suggested that if the town council were a listed company, it would face civil action - and shareholders would sue or demand resignations.
- What next for FMSS? Government ministers have called on Mr Low and the WP to investigate the matter thoroughly by way of a forensic audit, and hold FMSS to account if there was any wrongdoing, and return monies unduly paid to FMSS to residents.
The episode is an opportunity for the WP to raise its game as a political party. If it wants ever to become a credible alternative to the PAP, it has to take the issue seriously and set its own house in order. If it fails to do so, it will remain in the margins as a political party good enough to attract protest votes when Singaporeans are vexed by the PAP, but not become a political party that can lead a nation and govern a country.
But the PAP too should not duck the political issues raised by the WP.
It was not too long ago that the PAP explicitly denied opposition constituencies access to government funds for upgrading or shunted them to the back of the queue. Meanwhile, anecdotal accounts of the career or business setbacks of those who have truck with opposition parties routinely make the rounds in the cocktail and kopitiam circuit.
Many Singaporeans will listen to the WP's litany of woes with some sympathy, even if they have no patience with their repeated prevarication on their financial statements.
The PAP can dismiss such talk by the WP as politicking or playing the victim.
Or they can take advantage of the review of the Town Councils Act to put in place rules of transition, to make sure that essential services, computer systems, accounts, and all relevant matters are properly handed over when a town council moves from one political party to another, and that an incoming council is given time and every assistance for a smooth transition.
Singaporeans deserve better than a WP that ducks and evades responsibility. They also deserve better than a system that may hobble an opposition party from taking over a town administration smoothly. Voters' choice is sovereign, and a First World government must respect that choice and accord a legitimately-elected party the respect and assistance to carry out its duties it deserves. Singaporeans deserve no less.
Opinion Editor Chua Mui Hoong blogs weekly on notable issues and commentaries.


text: The first record of Acupuncture was found in the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine which is said to be the oldest medical textbook in the world over some 4,700 years ago. Acupuncture is one of the modalities used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and has it's basis in TCM. Traditional Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles in the body at specific points shown to be effective in the treatment of specific health problems. These points have been mapped by the Chinese over a period of four thousand years, [pull_quote]There is no pain if there is free flow; if there is pain, there is no free flow.[/pull_quote]and recently by practitioners from other countries as Acupuncture continues to spread through out the world. As a matter of fact electromagnetic research has confirmed their locations. According to theory, acupuncture allows energy and blood to flow to areas where it is deficient and away from where it is excess. In this way, acupuncture regulates and restores the harmonious energetic balance of the body. "There is no pain if there is free flow; if there is pain, there is no free flow." Treatment depends on the duration, severity, and nature of the complaint. Acupuncture can treat a wide range of different conditions. Diseases of the muscles, bones, and joints. Headaches, Anxiety, Depression, and other Nervous Disorders. Digestive disorders, Immune conditions, Respiratory conditions and many other conditions. At Integrative Natural Health Clinic we only use disposable needles.


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By Sarah Townsend
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First look inside Dubai's newest luxury villa development at Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City - District One
Meydan Sobha unveiled the show villas at its $10 billion Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City - District One project near Dubai's Meydan Racecourse to the public for the first time on Thursday.
In an exclusive tour for shareholders and the media, Meydan Sobha revealed the three villa styles on offer to prospective buyers: 'Mediterranean', 'contemporary' and 'modern Arabic'.
Each design is available as a four-, five- or six-bedroom villa with prices starting at $4.2 million (AED15.5m) and rising to around $6.9 million (AED25.5m). Larger 'mansion' villas, not displayed during the tour, are being sold for in excess of $25 million (AED90m) – making them some of the most expensive in Dubai.
Four-bedroom villas are around 6,200 sq ft in size, five-bedroom villas around 7,300 sq ft in size and six-bedroom villas span upwards of 8,000 sq ft.
The developer claims the first phase of 267 villas and a chunk of phase two – a further 364 villas – have already been sold via word-of-mouth marketing, with buyers representing at least 80 nationalities, including Emiratis and other GCC families, Indians, Brits, Russians, Canadians, Americans and North Africans. There has also been interest in the villas from members of royal families from the Gulf and beyond, the developer said, adding that fifty percent of the cost of a villa is required upfront.
Service charges are yet to be worked out, but as the low-density development is 60 percent open spaces across a 1,100 acre site, with an 8.8km cycle track circling the scheme and a seven kilometre 'Crystal Lagoon' for swimming, kayaking and other activities, annual costs to residents are likely to be hefty - though Meydan Sobha
insisted they would be in line with their other luxury villa complexes. The lagoon, surrounded on all sides by a man-made sandy beach, has been equipped with technology that gives it a constant "ripple" effect intended to prevent the water from stagnating.
The first two phases are scheduled to complete by the end of 2017. However, Meydan Sobha's founder and chairman PNC Menon said it was reluctant to put a timeframe on the third and fourth phases "while Dubai's real estate cycle is at a low point".
Under the plans, the third and fourth phases will comprise the same mix of four-, five- and six-bedroom villas, along with a hotel, retail and other lifestyle-related components that are yet to be determined.
PNC Menon also revealed that there will be an announcement later this year of a "special new addition" to the scheme, which is located on a site approximately three kilometres east of the Burj Khalifa. It is understood that the "addition" will take the form of a family-focused entertainment or leisure facility, though the deal has yet to be signed and Meydan Sobha would not be drawn on the details.
"You cannot repeat this project elsewhere in Dubai – it's about location, location, location and 'super-luxury' design," said PNC Menon.


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A person's home is not just about shelter and where they live. It's also where they put down roots, build relationships, and make a difference in the greater community. The Cinco Ranch Southwest Community Council is a unique association that offers the opportunity for residents to create a better quality of life for themselves, their neighbors, and the community at large and to have a great time doing it.
When Cinco Ranch II was created, multiple associations were established to meet all of the community members' needs. The traditional homeowner's association deals with the day to day business of maintaining the community, handling tasks such as facility maintenance, assessment collection and compliance enforcement for the residential portion of the community. The commercial association does the same for the commercial properties within Cinco Ranch II.
The Community Council is where the magic happens! Under the guidance of a 7-member Board of Trustees, the Community Coordinator, Lindsay Schofield, does an amazing job providing social events that crossover to also be educational, cultural, environmental and/or charitable.
December is a particularly busy month for Lindsay. For the entire month of December, the Council sponsors a toy drive. December is also when the community celebrates the holiday season with the Annual Family Fest. Diversity is an important part of Cinco Ranch Living and Lindsay has created an event that celebrates many cultures. The event is not just about Santa and decorated trees to celebrate the Christmas holiday. At the Cinco Ranch Family Fest, you will find displays and activities that incorporate Diwali, Kwanza, Hanukah, Winter Solstice, and Yule. It is truly an amazing sight to see! Later in the month, there is a special holiday movie. Families are encouraged to cuddle up on their blankets and watch a treasured holiday film on the big screen.
It is exciting to work with an association that embraces community living, giving and learning! We are proud to be a part of this amazing group!
Community of the Month – Features Past
There are some great stories, some wonderful programs, some fantastic people to meet in these features, enjoy our past Community of the Month features.
Click a column heading to sort the list by DATE –or– alphabetically by NAME.
|August 2020
|Valley Lodge Property Owners Association
|July 2020
|Sunrise Pines Homeowners Association, Inc.
|June 2020
|Indian Shores Property Owners Association
|May 2020
|Aliana Homeowners Association
|April 2020
|Remington Ranch Community Association
|March 2020
|Bridlewood Estates Property Owners Association
|February 2020
|Hidden Arbor Community Association
|January 2020
|Heather Ridge Village Homeowners Association
|December 2019
|Plantation Lakes Community Association, Inc
|November 2019
|Summerwood Commercial Association
|October 2019
|Clear Creek Forest Subdivision, Section 13, Property Owners Association
|September 2019
|Cedar Springs Homeowners Association, Inc.
|August 2019
|Magnolia Heights Homeowners Association, Inc.
|July 2019
|Ashcreek Homeowners Association
|June 2019
|Aliana Commercial
|May 2019
|Cinco Ranch Southwest Community Council
|April 2019
|Lake McQueeney Las Brisas Homeowners Association
|March 2019
|Pine Forest Village Community Association
|February 2019
|Bowling Green Garden Homes Association
|January 2019
|Artesian Lakes Community Association
|December 2018
|Kendall Pointe Homeowners Association
|October 2018
|S.A. Remington Heights Homeowners Association, Inc.
|September 2018
|Aliana Community Council
|August 2018
|Redland Ranch Estates Homeowners Association, Inc.
|July 2018
|Community Association of the Highlands
|June 2018
|Retablo Ranch Owners Association, Inc.
|April 2018
|Cinco Ranch Residential Association II
|February 2018
|Lochshire Maintenance Fund Inc.
|January 2018
|S.A. St. James Place Homeowners Association, Inc.
|November 2017
|Indian Shores Property Owners Association
|October 2017
|Bay Pointe Community Association
|September 2017
|El Sendero (San Antonio) Homeowners Association
|August 2017
|Atascocita Trails Homeowners Association
|July 2017
|White Oak Ranch Subdivision Homeowners Association
|June 2017
|Telfair Commercial Association
|May 2017
|The Woods at Fair Oaks Homeowners Association, Inc.
|April 2017
|Cross Creek Ranch Community Association
|March 2017
|Aliana Homeowners Association
|January 2017
|Plantation at Woodforest Community Association
|December 2016
|Cinco Ranch Commercial Association II
|November 2016
|Dancing Bear Property Owners Association
|October 2016
|Rancho Verde Community Association
|September 2016
|Deerfield Owners Association
|August 2016
|Kirkmont Section II Association
|July 2016
|Inwood Northwest Neighborhood Association
|June 2016
|Colony Grant Homeowners Association
|May 2016
|Greensbrook Community Association
|April 2016
|Atascocita Timbers Homeowners Association
|March 2016
|Cinco Ranch Southwest Community Council
|February 2016
|Homeowners Association of Timber Forest
|January 2016
|New Forest Homeowners Association
|December 2015
|Riverpark on the Brazos Property Owners Association
|November 2015
|Community Association of the Highlands
|October 2015
|Cedar Springs Homeowners Association, Inc.
|September 2015
|Eldridge Park Village Community Association
|August 2015
|Cinco Ranch Residential Association II
|July 2015
|Cypresswood Green Property Owners Association
|June 2015
|Fairway Pointe Community Association
|May 2015
|Eilan Condominium Association, Inc.
|October 2014
|Fairfax Villages Homeowners Association
|September 2014
|Belleau Wood Civic Club
|August 2014
|Eastpoint Subdivision Homeowners Association
|December 2013
|Eldridge Park Village Community Association
|November 2013
|Royal Palms Homeowners Association
|October 2013
|Bowling Green Garden Homes Association
|September 2013
|Bay Pointe Community Association
|June 2013
|Woodforest North Section II Homeowners Association
|April 2013
|Community Association of the Highlands
|March 2013
|Cinco Ranch Southwest Community Council
|February 2013
|Copper Creek Civic Improvement Association
|December 2012
|Cinco Ranch Residential Association II
|November 2012
|Heron Nest Owners Association
|September 2012
|Dancing Bear Property Owners Association
|August 2012
|Sonoma Ranch Homeowners Association
|May 2012
|Fairway Pointe Community Association
|April 2012
|Riverpark on the Brazos Property Owners Association
|March 2012
|Parkway Forest Property Owners Association
|November 2011
|Westfield Glen Property Owners Association
|October 2011
|Pine Forest Village Community Association
|September 2011
|Cumberland Community Association
|August 2011
|Bridlewood Estates Property Owners Association
|May 2011
|Cross Creek Ranch Community Association
|April 2011
|Valley Lodge Property Owners Association
|February 2011
|Hunterwood Village II Association
|October 2010
|Homeowners Association of Timber Forest
|August 2010
|Oak Park Ridge Section 2 Homeowners Association
|June 2010
|Ashcreek Homeowners Association
|May 2010
|Ridgepoint Community Association
|March 2010
|Traces II Community Improvement Association
|February 2010
|Stable Gate Homeowners Association
|January 2010
|Fairway Pointe Community Association
|October 2009
|Plantation at Woodforest Community Association
|May 2009
|Heather Ridge Village Homeowners Association
|April 2009
|Heron Nest Owners Association
|January 2009
|Cinco Ranch Residential Association II
|October 2008
|Inwood Northwest Neighborhood Association
|July 2008
|Hunterwood Village II Association
|February 2008
|Fairway Pointe Community Association
|January 2008
|Valley Lodge Property Owners Association
|December 2007
|Parkway Forest Property Owners Association
|September 2007
|Westfield Glen Property Owners Association
|August 2007
|Woodforest North Section II Homeowners Association
|May 2007
|Clear Lake City Boulevard Association
|February 2007
|Community Association of the Highlands
|December 2006
|Stable Gate Homeowners Association
|June 2006
|Sonoma Ranch Homeowners Association
|April 2006
|Bay Pointe Community Association
|February 2006
|Pine Forest Village Community Association
|January 2006
|Parkway Forest Property Owners Association
|December 2005
|Colony Grant Homeowners Association
To view other communities we've featured in the past, select from the list on this page below.


text:
I love Puerto Vallarta for hundreds of reasons, many of which I have poured out glowingly here. We "discovered" the town over 25 years ago, well before we were married, […]Read more
Author: Molly Williams
Hola, Normal
by Molly Williams This year, I really can't wait to be here. I know I say that every winter, when my skin is paler than the snow before we drive […]Read more
A recent NPR story about the benefits of experiences over acquisitions trumpeted an obvious fact that addicted travelers have always understood: being and doing is better than getting and having. […]Read more
In Search of the Awe
Travel is not what it used to be, everyone complains. Lines are long, security is a pain, traveler comfort is not a priority, and even the free peanuts are a […]Read more
Of Monkeys And Marriage
by Molly Williams They say in space no one can hear you scream. I hope the same is true for 300 feet up in a Mexican jungle, flying between the […]Read more
Food for thought, while you wait
By Molly Williams http://inmylifebymolly.blogspot.com/ I am a semi-retired history teacher, a part-time lawyer, an optimistic writer, a contented wife, a forever mom, and a joyous and open-eyed traveler. There are […]Read more
By Molly Williams A recent NPR story about the benefits of experiences over acquisitions trumpeted an obvious fact that addicted travelers have always understood: being and doing is better than […]Read more
Day's End
By Molly Williams I have watched probably 200 sunsets in PV. Although the elements are essentially the same each time, it is like watching the waves – each one is […]Read more
From the Balcony
By Molly Williams From the third floor balcony of the condo we rent overlooking Playa de los Muertos, we can almost reach out and touch the mariachis on the malecon. […]Read more
Old Town
In 1992, a friend who was a travel agent met my husband and me for happy hour in an after work tavern in downtown Kansas City. Knowing that we were […]Read more


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Hey lovelies!
This week I'm sharing another birthday card with you, this time using Waffle Flower's "We Herd" stamp set!
I started by stamping out the group of rabbits in my Misti stamping tool using Gina K's Amalgam Jet Black ink and colouring them with my alcohol markers. I used a white gel pen to add highlights and details before fussy cutting them out. I used Mama Elephant's "Basic Rectangles" Creative Cuts to cut three panels from white card stock, two of the second largest size and one of the largest. I cut a section from the middle of one of the smaller panels. I stamped the top and bottom sections with the confetti stamps using Iced Spruce Distress Oxide Ink.
I took the bottom section and secured it in my Misti, stamping my sentiment on to it using Gina K's Amalgam Jet Black ink once again. I blended the middle section of the smaller panel with Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide Ink and the edges of the larger panel with Broken China Distress Oxide Ink.
I adhered my two sections and the bunnies tucked in to the bottom with Scor-Tape. I adhered this to my larger panel and on to my card base.
Thanks for reading lovelies! I'll see you next week with another card.
Bumbleberry Papercrafts
Stamps & Dies
Waffle Flower "We Herd" Stamp Set
Mama Elephant "Basic Rectangles" Creative Cuts
Gina K Amalgam Jet Black Ink
Iced Spruce Distress Oxide Ink
Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide Ink
Broken China Distress Oxide Ink
Misti Stamping Tool
1/2″ Scor-Tape


text: Delta SurveyA British Academy Research Project Information on the archaeological sites of the Delta is presented here in the form web-pages containing an alphabetical listing of sites. Where a substantial amount of information is available, or photographs of the site exist, links are provided to supplementary pages. The site-names in most cases are those of the Survey of Egypt maps. The material is offered as a source of reference and a tool for the planning of new projects. The letters 'T' and 'K' in the lists stand for 'Tell' and 'Kom' respectively, Arabic words for 'mound', describing the usual appearance of archaeological sites in the region. We would recommend viewing this area of the website on a desktop computer. You may also be interested to visit the separate Western Delta Regional Survey on Durham University's website here: http://community.dur.ac.uk/penelope.wilson/Delta/Survey.html About the survey Alphabetical index Sites by SCA number Sites on Google Earth Bibliography SAL-SHE Name Location Map ref. Extent No. Notes Literature Salih, K (Saleh) E of Buto 31 12 38N 30 48 53E levelled 278 DAI 1983 survey found the mound destroyed, but sherds in the fields over an area 100m long. Three examples of Roman to Coptic date noted by Ballet and von der Way (1993). More recently investigated by Robert Schiestl. P Ballet and T von der Way, MDAIK 49 (1993), 18; Schiestl, 2010a, 11-13;id. 2017a. Salwa, K N of Biyala 31 19 40N 31 13 36E overbuilt 116 Attempt to locate the site by J and P Spencer in 1997 failed after long excursions along dirt tracks. CORONA images from the 1960s show an area of wasteland with mound remnants just being reclaimed. Ezba Kom es-Sahayet is 1.5 km to W of the site location. - Samahat, K es- N of Kafr es-Sheikh 31 11 45N 30 57 50E destroyed 6 No traces remain, only cultivated fields (2007). - Samara, T 15km NE of Simbellawein 30 55 16N 31 36 48E 290 x 215 x 6m in 1987 175 Visited by J and P Spencer in 1990: a low black mound with a Late Predynastic to Early Dynastic cemetery. Part covered by modern cemetery. SCA excavations in 2000. Details and photos SCA Daqahliya - Dameitta register no. 050303 (location marked erroneously as 050304 on SCA map). SoE 1:25,000 series, 91/660. See Leclant, Or .52 (1983), 472; Or. 54 (1985), 349 and BIFAO 104 (2), 2004, 705. Samedi, K Canopus 31 18 45N 30 03 20E part overbuilt 223 Part of ancient Canopus, remains of mound in a built-up area. - Sami, T 7km SE of San el Hagar 30 56 21N 31 57 41E levelled 623 Fields at the edge of a small village. SCA Sharqiya register 13060009. Sammanud At Sammanud town 30 57 32N 31 14 30E Overbuilt 76 Ancient Sebennytos. The mound is quite elevated but is totally covered by the modern town. Temple site destroyed long ago: blocks collected in an open-air store by the SCA. Details SCA Gharbiya register no. 080204. PM, IV. ASAE 11 (1911), 90-6; Naville, Mound of the Jew, 23-6 and pl.VI. Leclant & Clerc, Or. 69 (2000), 218-9. Samn, K es- N of Cairo 30 12 50N 31 16 50E destroyed? 52 Satellite imagery (2004) shows only cultivated fields and villages in this area. - Samuni, T el- 3.5km E of Dahtamun 30 40 48N 31 44 30E destroyed 541 Amsterdam University survey reported part of the site had been levelled and the rest overbuilt by village of Ezba Nicola Saluka. Details SCA Unregistered site no. 130004, under the name Tell ed-Dummiyin. SoE 1:25,000 series, 88/675; Brink, MDAIK 43 (1986), 7ff., 23. San el Hagar N of Husseiniya 30 58 30N 31 53 00E Massive extant mound 166 Major site not subject of this survey Ancient Tanis. See bibliography for excavations and discoveries. SCA Sharqiya register 13060010. ESA 1:50,000 map (1996), sheet NH36-J4d. For bibliography, click here: San el-Hagar Sandala 20 km E of Desuq 31 09 20N 30 50 12E 100m long and 15m high (1983) 470 DAI drill-core tests in 1983. The archaeological mound is situated in the middle of the village, partly overbuilt by houses and modern tombs. Details See MDAIK 40, 323; P Ballet and T von der Way, MDAIK 49 (1993), 18 and Fig. 17, no. 58. SCA Kafr es- Sheikh register no. 090154. On SoE 1:100,000 (1916) map as village of "Sandila". Sandanhor S of Benha 30 24 09N 31 12 12E overbuilt 692 A modern town on an ancient site. SCA Qalubiya register no. 070104. Sangaha, Gez. SW of Tell Rak 30 50 51N 31 38 45E part levelled 592 Listed in Amsterdam University 1984-5 survey as having been partly levelled for agriculture or settlement. Ancient site on sand gezira. Early Dynastic sherds reported. Artibus Asiae 21 (1958), 86; Brink, in MDAIK 43 (1986), 21, 23. Sangar, T In Lake Burullos 31 29 57N 30 55 10E 700 x 400m (2007) 599 On SoE 1:100,000 map (1916) only as island of Geziret Sangar, not as ancient site. The ancient mound is at the south end. Visited by Penny Wilson for the Delta Survey in 2012. An area of 90 x 140m with pottery and brick was noted. The pottery was Late Roman to Islamic; red slipped wares and glazed wares. SCA Kafr es-Sheikh register no. 090150 Sanhur, T 7 km N of Minshat Abu Omar 30 57 54N 32 00 59E 750 x 600m (2001) 197 Visited in November 2001 by J and P Spencer. A very large and high mound with sandy surfaces, littered with fired bricks, ceramic slag and glass fragments. Details and photos SCA Sharqiya register 13060016. Foucart, Rec Trav. 20, 168; id., in ASAE 2 (1901), 79. See Details page for more references. Sanyura, T el- 8km NE of Kafr Saqr 30 49 23N 31 43 17E 500 x 200m 678 A sand gezira at the E side of the town. The area under SCA supervision is a strip clear of buildings between the town and the modern cemetery. SCA Sharqiya register 13050071. Saqya, K el- SW of Abu Hummus 30 57 01N 30 11 04E overbuilt 416 Shown only as a village on ESA 1996 map NH36-I4c. The flattened mound is overbuilt by a village and a small modern cemetery. SCA Beheira register no. 100242. SoE 1:100,000 (1916). Sarahig, K el- 4 km N of K Alawi (241) 31 23 12N 30 42 13E 400x 200m (2007) 460 SCA told J Spencer that this site was extant in 1990. Visible on satellite images of 2007. On SoE 1:50,000 (1909) map, sheet VII-II NW. SCA Kafr es-Sheikh register no. 090126. Sarari, T N of Awlad Musa 30 49 10N 31 44 10E levelled to fields 564 Amsterdam University survey 1984-5. Site now cultivated. Former tell of 5 feddans. No pottery noted. SoE 1:25,000 series, 90/675; Brink, MDAIK 43 (1986), 7ff., 21. Sauwan, K es- S of Abu Hummus 31 02 10N 30 15 50E overbuilt 386 Hogarth report to EEF in 1895: 'Much dug, not much left, Saite bricks', are his comments (see ref. to P Spencer). Hogarth used the spelling 'Suan'. Covered by village and cemetery. SCA Beheira register no. 100179 (location on SCA map inexact). SoE 1:100,000 (1916). P Spencer, in Studies on Ancient Egypt in honour of H S Smith (EES 1999), 305, 309. Sauwan, T K es- - - - - Under this name see also under Kom Sauwan, T (452) - Sebakh, K es- NW of Damanhur 31 05 30N 30 26 00E levelled 287 No trace found by S R Snape during a visit to the area in 1996. Satellite images show fields at the edge of a village, with possible site remnants at 31 05 26N 30 26 25E. - Sebakha, T el- At Es-Sebakha, Near Mansura 30 58 04N 31 21 56E overbuilt 515 GR Town and cemetery NW of tell with Roman tombs of white limestone, rectangular, with gabled roof, used as bath by villagers, noted by Chaban. In 1912 covered only 12 feddans. Koms à Sabakh:12; Chaban, M. 1906 "Sur Le Tombeau Romain de Tell el Sebakha" in ASAE 7 (1906),17-18. Daressy ASAE 13 (1913), 184; Bietak, Tell ed Daba, II, 112. Sebakhiya, T SW of Husseiniya 30 50 02N 31 52 52E levelled 545 Amsterdam University survey reported the site had been almost destroyed by 1984-5. Dusty surface produced few sherds (Saite, Ptolemaic and Roman). Levelled to cultivation. Tell shows in field pattern to 2016 as a rounded shape of 60m diameter. SoE 1:25,000 series, 90/690; Brink, MDAIK 43 (1986), 7ff., 22. Sefier, T NNW of Biyala 31 18 48N 31 10 48E levelled 603 Perhaps the large mound, cut back to an irregular polygonal shape, that shows on 1960s CORONA images at this location. Although since levelled, its outline persisted in the field-pattern to at least 2016. The SoE 1:100,000 (1916) map shows unnamed mounds at this location. SCA Kafr es-Sheikh register no. 090155 (with the name perhaps transferred to Tell Handuqa?) Semasem, T el- NE of Cairo 30 11 14N 31 20 26E levelled 723 Levelled before 1968. SCA Qalubiya register no. 070204. Sersana El-Shuhada 30 35 47N 30 54 02E much reduced 640 The archaeological area is surrounded by buildings, which have encroached on the site since SCA excavations began in 1994. Visited for the EES by J. Rowland in 2005 and 2007. Details and photos Daressy, in ASAE 12 (1912), 205. SCA No. 080104 (Menufiya) in "The Rest of the Lower Egypt Governorates" publication of the SCA (2002); See P. Wilson and J. Rowland in JEA 92 (2006), 10 Shabbas esh-Shuhada SE of Desuq 31 05 27N 30 44 41E destroyed and overbuilt 467 Modern town on site of ancient Shabasa. Islamic cemetery on west, shown on both the 1916 and 1996 maps, might cover part of ancient mound. A small area of the mound at the SE of the town free of buildings in 2005. SoE 1:100,000 (1916); ESA map NH36-M2a; Schiestl 2010b, 7. Shablanga 7km E of Benha 30 28 19N 31 15 36E overbuilt 693 A town on an ancient site. A small mound remnant shows on satellite imagery (2006) at the S edge of the town. SCA Qalubiya register no. 070105. Shagamba 6 km NW of Bilbeis 30 26 57N 31 31 20E covered by modern graves 330 Liverpool University Delta Survey, 1983. Only small high steep-sided mound remains with sheikh's tomb and modern cemetery on top. SCA Sharqiya register 13080004. Petrie, Hyksos & Israelite Cities, 52-4; Tyldesley, Popular Archaeology July 1985, 35-6. Shagara, K esh- N of Biyala 31 13 27N 31 12 36E 300 x 220m (2004) 109 Satellite imagery shows the mound in the cultivated fields, clear of modern structures. Higher at NW and S, with lower centre. Path on the west and canal on the NE side. In March 2016 the whole mound was covered by test-pits, probably a prelude to disposal. SCA Kafr es-Sheikh register no. 090102. Shahabya, El- NE of Baltim 31 34 57N 31 08 51E overbuilt 530 Shown only as a village on SoE 1:100,000 map of 1916. Site overbuilt by the town of the same name. SCA Kafr es-Sheikh register no. 090103. Shahedi, El- SE of Itayi el Barud 30 54 00N 30 39 22E overbuilt 709 A village on a levelled mound. SCA Beheira register no. 100204. Shaisha, T - - - - See Ahmar, K el- (99) - Shaleqan 13km NNW of Giza 30 11 26N 31 09 33E overbuilt 734 A town on an ancient site. Some clear land shows on satellite imagery (2006) at the NW. SCA Qalubiya register no. 070106. Shalshalamun 3.25km SE of Minyet el Qamh 30 29 32N 31 22 53E overbuilt 674 Site overbuilt by the modern town. SCA Sharqiya register no. 13140005. Shaqafiya, T el- W Tumilat 3km S of T el Kebir 30 31 08N 31 57 45E large in 1979 529 American magnetometer survey 1979. Roman sherds and coins. Leclant, Orientalia 48 (1979), 350. Shaqafiya, T el- W Tumilat 20km NE of Bilbeis 30 31 14N 31 47 07E 500 x 200m (2005) 548 Formerly a large sandy mound used as an ancient cemetery. This area is now all cultivated. SCA Sharqiya register no. 13040085. Shaqf, T es- 6km SE of Dahtamun 30 38 05N 31 40 01E destroyed 542 Amsterdam University survey of 1984 reported the tell had been levelled and covered by village of El-Semek. Details SoE 1:25,000 series, 88/675; Brink, MDAIK 43 (1986), 7ff. Sharan, K 10km SW of Abu Hummus 31 02 00N 30 13 57E overbuilt 620 Shown as a medium-sized mound on the SoE 1:100,000 (1916) map (labelled "Saran"). Levelled and overbuilt by a village. SCA Beheira register no. 100144 (position transposed on SCA map with T. Ahad (392). SoE 1:100,000 (1916). Shatanuf 13km NW of Ausim 30 14 15N 31 04 30E overbuilt 309 Ancient site completely overbuilt by a modern town. SoE 1:100,000 (1916); Plan 4 of Bietak, Tell ed-Daba, II. Shatayein, K esh- 10km SW of Mehalla el-Kubra 30 55 10N 31 04 20E destroyed 74 SCA inspectors told J Spencer in 1990 that this site had been destroyed. Satellite imagery (2007) shows only fields in this location. - Shatta, T Suburb of Damietta 31 24 52N 31 51 19E overbuilt 717 Satellite imagery (2007) shows an area of flat wasteland on the west edge of Shatta, cut by lagoons. From the northerly location, no older than Roman. SCA Daqahliya - Damietta register no. 050113. Shehid - - - - See Dundit (507) - Sheikh el Arab, K N of Biyala 31 17 17N 31 12 47E overbuilt 114 Shown as a mound on SoE 1916 map, but as settlement only on the ESA 1:50,000 1996 map. CORONA images show a substantial mound of 500 x 300m clear of structures. The modern village sits directly on the former mound. Details SoE 1:100,000 (1916). Sheikh Ibeid, K el- Just SE of Tala 30 40 06N 30 58 50E overbuilt 36 Shown as village only on SoE 1916 map, since developed into a town. SoE 1:100,000 (1916); ESA 1996 map NH36-I5b. RAD-SAL Back to top SHE-SOW


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Does Corn Oil Promote Cancer
Many people continue to believe the myth that industrially processed vegetable oils are healthy but shy away from natural fats.
Vitamin D3 Deficiency & Dosage
Winter blues, weak bones, pain?
For 35 cents a day you'll improve your immune system, brain, mood, even autoimmune conditions.
Vitamin D.
Low DHEA Levels?
There are two substances that fall into the category: Fountain of Youth.
They are Vitamin D and bioidentical DHEA.
Signs and Symptoms – B12
Alzheimer's, dementia, cognitive decline, memory loss? MS and other neurological disorders?Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder?Autoimmune disease?Cancer?Infertility?Heart disease?L
Q: What is the Diet for Killing Cancer?
I was recently asked, "I was wondering if there is a diet that you could recommend that does not let cancer cells live in your body? Like no sugar, ph balanced, water.. etc..
Cholesterol Drugs Serious Side Effects
The Government is Very Busy …
The government is busy raiding food companies and threatening seizure or injunction for claiming that food is healthy (Blue Diamond Walnuts, elderberr
Quickie Video – Paprika Health Benefits
Concerned About Too Much Vitamin D3?
Vitamin D3
One of the most powerful supplements you can take is Vitamin D3.
There are two ways that best support healthy Vitamin D3 levels.
Fluoride and the Brain, Thyroid, Cancer
Health conscious consumers know that it is critical to filter tap water before drinking it, cooking with it or bathing in it because it is loaded with harmful chemicals.
The Ketogenic Diet for Cancer Care Treatment and Prevention
Podcast with Colin Champ, MD Caveman Doctor.
Can the Caveman Diet Help Treat Cancer?
Part 1
Part 2
About Colin E. Champ, M.D.


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Following the publication of his own reading list on DDR, De-radicalisation and Countering Violent Extremism, Dean Piedmont authored the third Centre for Security Governance SSR 2.0 Brief on "The Role of Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration in Countering Violent Extremism". He argues that there is no policy guidance to address the DDR-CVE nexus. As this brief shows, there is a need for a new, innovative policy framework for DDR that better equips the concept to address the DDR-CVE challenge. A paradigm shift in policy is needed to reframe DDR as a conflict-prevention measure, rather than merely a post-conflict peacebuilding tool.
You can access the brief and its abstract here.


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REEF Giant Inflatable Pineapple 200cm
Keep cool this summer with the Genuine Reef Giant Inflatable Pineapple.
- Genuine Reef Giant Inflatable Pineapple
- Stylishly fun floaters/loungers for your pool
- Made of durable PVC, 1 repair patch included
- Perfect summer accessory
- Measures approximately 200cm x 100cm
Jumping in the pool will never be the same again with these really cool Reef Inflatable Pineapple. Guarantee that your summer won't suck – it'll blow! With funky colours and even funkier detail! They are perfect accessories for the water-crazy who want nothing more but to soak up the sun while wading gently in the water. Just don't forget to put on lots of sunscreen!
It is made of durable PVC and also include a puncture repair patch to make sure the fun goes on and on and on! It is definitely the perfect gift to give your fun-loving family and friends!
Suitable for ages 3+


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Passion Projected by Jennifer Salaiz
Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Inc.
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (122 pgs)
Other: M/F, Ménage, M/F/M
Rating: 4.5 Cherries
Reviewed by Holly
Marley truly believes she's losing her mind. The dream lover who's brought her pleasure continually for the last three months finally appears in the flesh with his two gorgeous friends, and he reveals some unexpected news.
Zachary is determined to claim Marley as his mate and takes her on a lusty road trip to his compound in Virginia. But when her dreams turn sinister and manifest themselves into reality, Marley has to muster all of her strength just to survive. Will Marley submit to the pleasure Zachary and his friends are willing to give her?
Marley has never, in her thirty two years of life, been considered frivolous or flighty. Now she thinks she's losing her mind. For the past three months, a handsome and sexy stranger has haunted her dreams. Now here he is, in the flesh, in front of her at the grocery store.
Zachary has been in Marley's mind and dreams, and he's come to claim her as his mate. Can Marley accept a future with Zachary, once she learns what he is? Can they get to his estate in Virginia before the traitor in their midst acts? And who is the traitor who wants to take Marley for his own: is it Jordan or Cole, one of the two companions Zachary traveled with?
Jennifer Salaiz has found a new and different twist to the wolf finding his mate story.
I loved Marley, insecurities and all. I loved how Zachary was able to track Marley down in Texas, in spite of forgetting to actually ask her in their nightly visits where she was. I liked that these characters aren't the conventional twenty-something's, but are a little more mature. Marley is a business woman and is determined to stand up for herself. At first, Zachary comes off as a bit too domineering, but then as he spends time with Marley, he relaxes and becomes more likable. I enjoyed the action in this one, and the character development was wonderful.
If you like your shifters hot and sexy and your action fast and deadly, this is a great one for you.
Order Today!


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Home of the Chargers
This is a fee based program.
Experience a day in the life of a Cadet at the University of North Georgia!
This is a fantastic opportunity for you to experience the Corps of Cadets first-hand by participating in the activities of the day on our Dahlonega campus.
*Dates are now available for the spring semester on Tuesdays and Thursdays, January - April.
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Concord, NC 28027
Phone: 704-260-6600
Fax: 704-260-6629
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text:
Hi, I had an old user id and password that I was using on Paypal site and when I lost access to that email id, I modified my user id to a new one and made the necessary changes on LastPass to reflect the new user id and password. However, whenever I go to the Paypal site, even though my new user id apprears in the vault, when I use the fill feature, Lastpass somehow retains the old user id and password. I tried this on multiple laptops and had the same issue.
How do I get past this issue in LastPass ??? Help needed !


text:
This Week's Xbox Deals With Gold Includes Need for Speed, Divinity, Flockers and more
by Pradeep
4 years
This week's games and add-on deals are now Live on the Xbox Games Store. It includes popular game titles like Need for Speed, Divinity, Flockers, Gems of War and more. These discounts are valid now through 18 July 2016. Find the...


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Wedding Planning From Your Vendors' Point of View {Miniseries} ~ Wedding Makeup
Happy Sunday! It's the last day of the weekend and a new beginning to the week. I never did know how I felt about Sundays…. but today is different! I have been excited to share a series of posts I have put together that will run all this week about wedding planning. And who better to get advice about all the different aspects of your wedding planning than from the vendors who help make your day a success?
The more I talk to new brides, I realize that many of them know the general tasks that need to be completed before their wedding date {such as finding a photographer, a caterer, a DJ or band, etc.}, but are un-educated as to how to go about doing that, or finding a person that is the right fit for the wedding they want and for them and their guests.
This mini-series hopefully offers some insight and advice for those of you planning your weddings. We will talk to a Makeup Artist, Caterers, Photographers and offer advice on beach wedding planning and I will offer advice on how to start your planning process. Please feel free to leave questions and comments, and I will respond to them.
Today's wedding pro is Aaron Ellerbrock of BRIDEface Richmond:
Makeup! We play with it, we buy it, we wear it, we love it! But sometimes we hate it too, don't we? Why is it that the products that look so pretty in the store or in the magazine don't look as pretty on us when we get home?
My name is Aaron Ellerbrock and I am the owner and lead artist for BRIDEface Richmond. I was trained under celebrity makeup artist Laura Mercier, and at BRIDEface Richmond, we specialize in airbrush foundation, individual lash enhancements, and impeccable makeup application for a flawless, long-wearing, stunning look that is just as gorgeous in real life as on camera. Having been a global artist and training executive for several luxury cosmetic brands I have learned the ins and outs of the industry quite well.
On average women spend $100 per month on beauty and cosmetic products. That certainly adds up! Above and beyond anything else, the number one reason I hear as to why so many women end up not liking what they buy is A LACK OF EDUCATION!!! And guess what ladies…that is not your fault! It is the fault of the person selling you that makeup. Now, I understand that if you are picking something up from a drug store you may not have a beauty advisor there to help you, but if you are shopping at ANY department store, there are people there that are paid to do just that. The problem that comes up is that they are also required to sell a certain dollar amount each day (and yes girls, I did that for years) and so sometimes the sale of a product becomes more important than how to put it on.
Make sure you take the time to ask questions like:
- What is the best applicator for this product?
- How heavy do I want to apply?
- Show me exactly where on the eye this goes to contour?
- Do I need anything to maximize the wearability of this product?
Hundreds of dollars a year can be saved if you have the advisor give you the proper education on that product. I actually teach FACEing classes where I come to my client's home and she brings up to five friends and we do just that. We go through the makeup bags, not with the purpose of cleaning them out (although if I find a mascara that is older than 6 months I will do my best to pry it away from you) but to show how you can get the most out of your products and make them work for you!
Now when it comes to wedding makeup there are a few things to keep in mind. I firmly believe that you can be very confident with makeup, but should probably not take on the pressure of doing your own. The nerves and excitement of the day can add stress to the bride who is trying to do it herself. If you must do your own {for example a destination wedding}
- Take a DIY class first {we would be happy to help you with this!}
- Second, be careful what foundation your chose. You want to be certain what you are wearing is enough coverage so that your photographer does not have to work overtime editing the photos. But conversely, you don't want a heavy foundation that will weigh the skin down and make you look older. Cheeks are very complicated.
- Brides like to have the glow, but stay away from the "sparkle powder". It ends up reflecting your photographers flash back at him and you end up "whited" out.
- Create a great cheek by the use of cream blush and a perfectly placed highlight.
- When it comes to eyes you typically need to go with a little more drama. That does not mean if you are used to wearing a little liner and mascara everyday that you then have to have a full-blown smoky look. You can still get the drama with a nude all over shadow, a bit of contour for the outer crease and then a dramatic liner with lash enhancements. That way when you look at your photos in 20 years you will look like you, not some stranger.
Photo credit: Robin McKerrell. Makeup by BRIDEface
One last tip to remember is to make sure you have a great sealer the day of the wedding. If it is warm, or you are someone who gets teary-eyed, a sealer can save the day.
Makeup can be your best friend. It is something that should boost your confidence, not make your more stressed. Take time before the big day to research what is going to be best for you. Remember there are professionals out there that want to hear a register ring, but there are so many more who want you to feel like the beautiful and confident woman you are.
-Aaron Ellerbrock with BRIDEface Richmond
Aaron helps run a blog on BRIDEface with lots of useful makeup tips! You should head over there and read it after you're done visiting me
So brides! Listen to the man! I self-educated myself about makeup before my wedding, thanks to my BFF, and while it was fun {we practiced with my bachelorette party makeup}, I am SO happy that I took the time to do this since I could not hire someone for my wedding date {the woman I wanted was booked, and ran out of time finding another one}. I want to list my favorite makeup must-haves that I recommend to every one of my brides:
- A face primer – My BFF turned me on to this, and I thought it was unnecessary at the time, but it did WONDERS for the imperfections on my face. A silicone based primer fills in any pores or whatnot on your skin without clogging your pores or making you oily. I recommend and LOVE
- A great foundation that matches the color of your neck, not the color of your face or your hands! So many women go too dark or too light on their makeup, and it makes them look alien. When you get the right shade, the foundation should even out your skintone, not make you a completely different shade. For special occasions where lots of pictures will be taken, I LOVE a light radiating foundation like
- Eyelid primer– A wedding day is a marathon. No matter how often you fix your face, your makeup is not going to last the long haul…. especially if you're having fun. Eyelid primer helps keep your eye shadow from running into the crease of your eyelid and helps you feel photo ready all day. I LOVE {Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion}
- A pair of false lashes- now before you judge me, I have told several brides and my own bridesmaids about this, and they all hated the idea of wearing false lashes on their wedding day. They all said they wanted to look like themselves. Let me be the first to say that YOU WILL look like yourself, but your eyes won't look washed out or tired! A $6 pair of false lashes will keep you fresh all day, and most of your guests won't even know you're wearing them!
- Use a lip stain instead of makeup. Unless you are going for the bright red glam look, opt for a lip stain instead of lipstick. You will have to touch it up less often. Go for a shiny gloss on top if you want that lipstick look.
So yes, all of this is a lot of effort, and yes it will cost a bit more, but please please trust me when I say it is worth every penny if you are not investing in a makeup artist for your wedding! I use all of these products (except for lashes) for every single wedding I produce because I need to look fresh the whole day too!
Please comment below with any questions you have! We will make sure to get you an answer to them!
Happy Planning!


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How Did I Get Here?! by @BookMinxSJV
Welcome to a new feature from @TeamBATC! If you've ever wondered exactly what we do, other than drink cocktails, eat cupcakes and read, READ, READ, and how we came to be where we are – read on! First up, me…..
This year marks my 34th as a member of the full-time 9-5 treadmill, and my 17th in a profession that, if I'm honest, I didn't really even know existed till I rocked up with my brand new squeaky shoes and Woolworths pencil case at Waterstones Head Office in 2002 to begin my brand new job as Office Services Manager.
Looking after the envelopes, managing reception, ordering the loo roll etc wasn't, if I'm honest, my dream job, but as an ex Waitress, ex Cocktail Bar Manager, ex Client Servicing Manager, ex Editor, ex PA, ex Customer Relations Officer, ex Human Resources Exec, and ex Estate Agent, if there is one thing I've learned, it's that with a modicum of street smarts, adaptability, and downright blagging, most people can turn their hand to most jobs and get away with it…
So, there I was, with my new pencils, squeaky shoes, and three floors of bright, clever, terrifyingly well-educated literary types all beavering away with just one thing on their minds – BOOKS. Teams of people planning and designing and maintaining shops. Hordes of creative types sketching out the images for POS (point of sale) material – the posters and headers and shelf talkers – and adverts and marketing campaigns. A whole floor of bean counters working out how much everything costs. PR teams. HR teams. IT teams. The Board. And then a floor of chaps called Product, surrounded by (and swimming in) shelf upon shelf, row upon row, pile upon pile, of books. And I was hooked. Led by a notorious fellow called Scott Pack - Product Buying was where the magic happened.
20 incredible people who chose the books that were put on the shelves of the Waterstones stores up and down the country. The books in the window, on the tables at the front, the books 'spine out' at the back, and everything in between. And these people were called Buyers. And that's exactly what they did. They bought all the books that ended up on the shelves from the hundreds of publishers that would come into Head Office, with their little wheelie cases, and huge AI (advance information) kits and SOLD the books to Waterstones. And I had no idea that this was a thing. No idea at all.
So through a combination of badgering, tea making, harassing, lemon drizzle cake making, hassling, begging and pestering, I managed to wangle my way into the team as starting-from-the-bottom Buying Administrator and embarked on two of the most fulfilling, fascinating, hilarious years of my life….
So. I was IN. In Product. And I didn't have a scooby doo what I was doing! Luckily a team of cracking chaps (Rodney, Peter, Gabrielle, Suzie, Jenny and Scott – I'm looking right at YOU) explained, patiently, over and over again how Product Buying at the head office of the UK's largest book chain worked – all the in's and the vast amount of out's. Visual planograms. The infamous Front of Store Checklist. Core Range grading. Promotional Marketing Agreements. The Weekly Product Bulletin. The weekly sales reports for our Publishing chums… the list of tasks I was responsible for went on. And on and on. The particular needs of our Academic stores. The specialist teams that looked after children's books. And the different genres within non-fiction. And Fiction. Ah, fiction… of course cookery books and kids picture books and everything else in between are fabulous, FABULOUS I tell you, but with fiction I knew I had found my spiritual home….
So whilst beavering away at the Day Job, I set about ingratiating myself with the Publishing Houses behind the authors I loved the very most – Jackie Collins, Lisa Jewell, Chris Manby, Adele Parks, Bernadette Strachan, Josie Lloyd & Emlyn Rees, Marian Keyes, Catherine Alliott, Freya North, Jennifer Weiner, Cecelia Ahern, Harriet Evans, Jenny Colgan, Jane Green, Katie Fforde, Louise Bagshawe, Mike Gayle, Penny Vincenzi, Sophie Kinsella, Veronica Henry… the list was many and magnificent!
And internally, I worked hard to push the wonder, the importance, the fabulousness of my favourite genre (commercial, mass market, women's fiction, chick lit – call it what you will) higher up the To Do Lists of the key decision makers in the business – those who could Let Me Make Stuff Happen.
And slowly, slowly catchy monkey, I was given the green light to kick off my Big Fat Strategy Plan that included increasing our core stock range of a Hit List of over 300 titles, launching a Reading Group made up of other fans of women's fiction who worked within the business, building a community on Waterstones.com (we even had a logo!), asking Marian Keyes to select HER favourite women's fiction and then rolling out the entire list as a price promoted Shelf Offer across the entire estate, asking publishers for exclusive competitions and content and samplers and previews and interviews…..
And then, my hold-your-breath moment in the sun. My first ever estate wide Offer of the Week. We were going to go hard (or go home) on the film-tie in edition of The Devil Wears Prada. A HUGE order. Advertising in Heat, Hello and Closer. In store POS. All the bells and even more of the whistles. And I crossed my fingers and toes… and you know what? It was our best selling Offer of the Week. EVER.
You know those highlights that stick in your mind, long after the moment has passed? The Big Deal things? A marriage perhaps? A birth? Finding the perfect pair of shoes, in the sale… in your size. Laughing about NOTHING, with your mates, till you pee your pants.
I have a whole library of these types of things from my days at Waterstones. Up there in the mind bank. Amazing, incredibly, fantastic moments like meeting President Bill Clinton… and his team of Secret Service men. Working the midnight opening party at Oxford Street for the launch of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and being in charge of the actual sorting hat! Breakfast with Gillian McKeith. Lunch with Jenny Colgan. Dinner with Janet Street Porter. Cocktails with Big Brother 6. Going to the Nibbies (British Book Awards). Special events with heroines like Marian Keyes. And Lisa Jewell. And Bernie Strachan. And Cecelia Ahern. And Louise Candlish. And Jackie Collins. And Sophie Kinsella. All up there… all on a replaying loop of gloriousness.
And then there are the other things. The littler, but just as marvellous things. Boxes and boxes of Galaxy chocolate turning up – and I have absolutely no idea why. Incredible restaurants and bars. Boat trips. Theatre trips. Parties galore. Learning about books. How they are written. How they are published. How they are sold. Meeting readers and customers. Meeting authors and celebrities. Scoffing 'family' packs of chocolate éclairs under the desk to avoid sharing. And the book themselves. Don't let's forget the books… four fabulously happy, happy years immersed in the world of books.


text: Iran FM backs parliament's decision to resume uranium enrichment AFP: Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi on Sunday welcomed the decision of his country's parliament to back the resumption of uranium enrichment. "This is a decision that testifies to Iranian honour. Iran must not be deprived of this legal and legitimate right," Kharazi told journalists at the end of a visit to Qatar before returning to Tehran.


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If you've been thinking this whole time that eating disorders are a "teenager problem," it's okay–you're not alone. Little media attention is given to the exploding number of women (and men!) aged 20+ who struggle with eating disorders, but practitioners and researchers alike are realizing that people outside the "typical" age range of eating disorders are seeking treatment in greater numbers than ever before.
Why are we seeing more adults with eating disorders in treatment? A few hypotheses:
- These adults may have had eating disordered behaviors as teens that were either never treated at all, not fully treated, or are simply resurfacing because of stress, trauma, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, etc.
- These adults may have had the eating disorder behaviors all along, but were unable or unwilling to seek treatment previously, for various reasons.
- For men, eating disorders were once considered something that only women were "supposed" to have. While it's true that women still comprise the vast majority of patients in treatment for EDs, men are presenting for services in increasing numbers as well.
- While the role of the media is controversial among those who treat EDs, the fact of the matter is that female models are thinner than ever, and male models have impossible-to-obtain muscularity. Yes, airbrushing has a lot to do with it, but many people take what they see on tv, online, and in magazines as the truth of what "beauty" is, and it's an impossible standard.
There's lots to know about eating disorders, especially if your partner is struggling with one. This post will just skim the surface with a few basics that you as the healthy partner should know, and I will come back to this topic from time to time.
The top five things you need to know as the partner of someone with an eating disorder:
- Eating disorders do not appear overnight, and they do not disappear overnight.
- It's not about the food.
- Recovery from an eating disorder is an "all hands on deck" process. Everyone in the person's life needs to be part of the team and supportive of the person's recovery.
- Your partner has to want recovery for themselves. No one else can be the reason they choose to get better, and medication alone will not solve the problem.
- Recovery from an eating disorder is hard work, and it is often not a linear process. There will be two steps forward, three steps back at times. This is normal…as long as the process does keep moving forward.
Now a brief explanation of the above:
- No one wakes up one day with an eating disorder. One of the toughest parts for everyone involved in eating disorder recovery is the length of time it takes to recover. The average recovery time is two to seven years. Yes, years. Some people can do it faster, some will never fully recover. And that's with full-blown treatment that includes at least weekly psychotherapy, medication, and active participation on the client's part to change behaviors. For people who are more severely ill, inpatient or residential treatment may be required.
- For someone who does not have an eating disorder, the recovery process seems pretty simple: eat more, if the client is anorexic; stop bingeing and/or purging if the client is bulimic or has binge eating disorder. In theory, that sounds great, but that's actually not the problem. Food is a tool that is being used to manage the client's distress. For people with anorexia, not eating produces a "high" that can distract from unbearable emotional pain. For bulimics and binge eaters, bingeing can be a way to "stuff down" feelings. Purging can provide a relief, a way to release tension and anxiety. So, food is not the enemy; it's the feelings your partner is struggling to control that are the problem.
- Your partner will need a lot of support through the recovery process. As you'll learn, people with eating disorders struggle with accurate perceptions. A well-meaning comment of, "You look great!" to a person with anorexia who has regained five pounds translates into "You are so fat!" Patience, encouragement, discussing your partner's feelings, being willing to support your partner when they are trying "scary" things, like eating out, and communicating with their treatment team are all vital for recovery.
- Having said that, no one can make someone with an eating disorder recover. Sadly, eating disorders have the highest rate of death among the psychiatric illnesses, at 10%. Even hospitalizing someone and sticking a tube in their stomach or down their throat cannot make them survive if they don't want to. The person can have the greatest therapist ever, an appropriate amount and type of medication, and lots of love and support from family and friends, but the bottom line is that the person has to make the right choices for themselves.
- Finally, even with making good choices, and having all of the above as support, recovery from an eating disorder is a process. Your partner might be doing really well for a while, and then suddenly backslide into old habits and behaviors. This is where communication is extra important, both with your partner and with their treatment team. Your partner may be reluctant to share their slips with their team, but it's really important that the team know what's going on. For example, some medications only work appropriately if taken with food. If your partner is restricting or purging, the medication they are prescribed may not work, which could increase the velocity of the downward spiral.
As I said, this is just the tip of the iceberg on having a partner with an eating disorder. I encourage you to check out the following links for more information:
Weightless, a blog on body image here on PsychCentral
EDReferral.com, a site for finding treatment
National Eating Disorders Association


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Find upcoming classic car shows and auto events near you. From car shows and cruise nights to classic car auctions and swap meets and more, be sure to browse our 50 state event calendars. Do you have a classic car show, event, or classic & collector car auction coming up? Add your event to our calendar free of charge! Just click here to get started.
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Vintage Swap Meet
January 09, 2016 8am
Specializing in MODEL A FORD and other vintage car parts
Paroquet Springs Conference Center at 395 Paroquet Springs Drive
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Cost: $5.00
To Register: call Roy Armstrong at 502 543-4189 or call Emeric Howell at 502-550-2797
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Why partner with a woman owned business?
Quora Questions Vol.2 : Does cement contain asbestos?
It can, but not all cement and concrete mixes do. While asbestos was once used in a whole slew of applications, usually it is – not- found in most poured concrete. (Most. There are always exceptions and one should always get a material tested before demolishing.). Asbestos was found in cement building materials such as Pipe cement, mortars, Transite and wallboard systems, and If asbestos is to be found in cement, it's typically in a building material. It is commonly seen in pipe cement, as well as in concrete/cement mixture that's found within transite or wall board systems, or even as 'asbestos brick' in the United States. In other countries, it can be commonly found in 'pressed concrete' wall boards, and other materials. Basically , if you're doing renovations and need to destroy any of the following :
Some of the standard cement ACMs were:
- Powder for masonry mortar and binding cement.
- Foundation and building support cement.
- Cement roofing, flooring and siding materials.
- Pressure pipe and drainage products.
- Gutters and downspouts.
- Fire control bricks, chimney flues, and heat shields.
- Asbestos-cement sheets.
- Insulation and acoustic inhibitors.
- Roofs- typically on industrial or farmyard buildings.
- Flat sheets for house walls and ceilings
- Battens used to cover the joints in fibro sheets.
- "Super Six" corrugated roof sheeting and fencing.
- Internal wet area sheeting, "Tilux"
- Pipes of various sizes for water reticulation and drainage. Drainage pipes tend to be made of pitch fibre, with asbestos cement added to strengthen.[7]
- Moulded products ranging from plant pots, roofing, to outdoor telephone cabinet roofs and cable pits.
Or if you find work or currently work, or have worked in one of these fields :
- Bricklayers and masons.
- Foundation contractors.
- Renovation and demolition specialists.
- Siding, roofing and flooring installers.
- Plumbers, pipefitters and boilermakers.
- Shipyard and dockworkers.
Remember :
Asbestos is microscopic, and it's impossible to tell if a material contains it without having PLM bulk sampling. Even if you aren't dealing with Asbestos when handling concrete, you should remember that there are other safety risks involved, and use precaution. Respirable Silica is potentially just as hazardous as asbestos, and silica -is- in all concrete type materials.
Detroit Lead Inspections – Full Compliance F.A.Q
Detroit Lead Paint Inspections for Rental Properties F.A.Q.
Since January 1st, 2010, Detroit has required all Rental property owners to have a lead clearance for their properties before they can be rented out to the public. The wording of this ordinance is clear, but to people unfamiliar with lead safety it can also be really very confusing. What is a Clearance? Why do I need a prior inspection? How long is my clearance good for? What can the city do for those who are non-compliant? We answer these questions and more, daily, and hope that by sharing some of our information with you, we can help you decide what course of action is best moving forward with lead paint inspections.
1.) What exactly does the City rental code require?
The 2010 amendment to the Detroit City Code, Chapter 9, Article 1, Division 3 requires the following:
- "Owners of rental property built before 1978 in the City of Detroit must have a lead inspection and risk assessment performed to determine the presence of lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards."
- "If lead-based paint hazards exist, the hazards must be reduced or controlled using interim controls and/or abatement (as defined by State Law) prior to a tenant occupying the rental property."
- "After Interim Controls and/or Abatement are performed by properly trained and certified and individuals, the owner must obtain a clearance inspection and lead clearance. Owners must obtain this lead clearance in order to receive a Certificate of Compliance and Rental Registration from the City."
2.) What happens if I ignore this?
To rent a property legally within the City of Detroit, one must obtain a Certificate of Rental Registration. This can not be achieved without having a lead clearance.
Furthermore, there are penalties for non-compliance. These fee's change with the size of the building, but they range from $500-$2000 for single-family/ duplex owners to $2000 -$8000 for Apartment owners. These penalties can continue daily until compliance is achieved.
Under current laws, in the state of Michigan make landlords responsible for lead paint in their rental property.
It's a criminal offense in the State of Michigan to rent a residential unit to a family with a minor child who is found to have an elevated blood lead level where the property owner or manager has knowledge that the rental unit contains a lead-based paint hazard. (MCL 333.5475a.)
The penalties that can incur after such an incidence is up to 93 days in jail and/or fines as high as $5000 for first-time offenders, and double that for repeat offenders.
On a smaller scale, it is a violation of the Detroit City Code to maintain a rental property that has lead hazards. Section 24-10-25 of the code states that it is " unlawful for any owner to maintain a dwelling unit in a condition where lead hazards present a danger of lead poisoning to children who inhabit the dwelling."
The penalty from the city can be as harsh as $500 a day until the said hazard is fixed and cleared.
On a Federal level, Federal law requires landlords to disclose all known lead hazards to tenants at the time of lease or lease renewal. This disclosure must occur even if the hazards have been removed, reduced or abated. Not disclosing this information is a violation of HUD , the US Department of Housing, and the EPA. The violations start at $11,000 per agency and violation.
3.)How is this any different from older laws?
An ounce of prevention with lead paint is more viable than any cure. In previous versions of these rental laws, the lead was generally not identified until someone, generally, a child had already been exposed to lead via the paint. Lead poisoning is not reversible, and they can last a lifetime. The new laws allow for the prevention of pain and suffering and improve the quality of life for all citizens within the city of Detroit.
4.) What part of the city can help me know if I'm in compliance?
The City of Detroit Buildings and Safety Engineering department is responsible for the regulations and changes to the city's ordinance. They can be reached at the following: 800-450-2503
5.) So, when do I need an inspection?
A.) If you've never had a Lead-based paint inspection before.
B.)If you had an inspection and used interim controls and a clearance, your inspection should be done annually.
C.) If you had an inspection and used abatement procedures, your inspections should be done every three years.
D.)If you had an inspection and no lead paint was found, or the home was fully abated, you require no further lead inspections or risk assessments.
6.) Can I do my own lead inspection? If not, who can help me?
Unless you are a certified lead paint inspector within the state of Michigan, you can not do your own inspections. These services can be provided by a certified Lead Inspector/Risk assessor within the State of Michigan. The Michigan Department of Community Health is in charge of licensing these professionals. ETC employs well over 20 certified lead technicians and is well versed in dealing with the city of Detroit's rules and regulations. However, if you'd like to see a list of other Lead safe Inspectors you can find one here!
7.)How much is this going to cost me?
For a Lead Inspection/Risk Assessment, the prices can vary depending on the size of the facility, age of the house, and the number of rooms. Generally, you're looking at anywhere from $500-$700 for an initial single family home inspection. Multi-family inspections can be a significant amount more and are generally based on unit's tested.
For a Lead Clearance, You can expect to pay anywhere from $300-$500 depending on the size of the home and how many hazards were found. Multifamily units are again priced per unit and contingent on common areas and number of rooms.
8.) What's the difference between Abatement and Interim Control Methods?
Abatement: This method of control seeks to act to reduce levels of lead, particularly in the home environment. Generally, this permanently eliminates lead-based paint hazards. This is done in order to reduce or eliminate incidents of lead poisoning. This involves either the complete removal and replacement of lead-based paint surfaces and fixtures or encapsulation of hazardous materials. This also branches out to the removal and covering of soil hazards. The process of abatement includes preparation, cleanup, disposal, and post-abatement clearances. All abatement work must be performed by a state certified lead abatement firm.
Interim Controls: A less permanent, yet generally lower in immediate cost method of dealing with lead paint hazards. This method is designed to temporarily solve the problem. Interim controls include, but are not limited to :
- Specialized cleaning.
- Repairs
- General Maintenence
- Painting
- Temporary Containment
- Ongoing monitoring of lead-based paint or hazards.
- and Resident Education.
The temporary nature is why Interim options require more frequent monitoring than houses which have been abated.
9.) Who can perform these controls or my abatement?
Any certified renovator, with accredited training from the state of Michigan Department of Community Health, and has an up to date, issued certificate can perform renovations. These individuals can also act as directors of subcontractors to others who supervise while the renovations are being performed.
Abatement, however, must be done by a certified abatement worker. This individual has been trained and specialized to perform this task, and has been certified by the Michigan Department of Community health to perform abatement.
10.) I can't do the work myself?
As a rental owner, you can. But you must be trained as a certified renovator in order to perform interim controls or renovations that disturb more than 6 square feet of paint per room or 20 feet total.
The good news is, it doesn't take much to become certified. You or someone on your staff must take the 8-hour Renovate, Repair, and Painting course f from any certified Renovator Trainer. Environmental Testing and Consulting also specializes in this form of training, and we run these classes often. If you are unable to attend one in our Romulus or Lansing branch, you can find more trainers here.
11.) I just got my first letter from the City. What are my next steps?
- Call 1-800-450-2503 and obtain a certificate of Rental Registration for each of your properties.
- Schedule a lead inspection /risk assessment for your properties.
- Hire a contractor, or take classes your self, so that the hazards may be addressed which are highlighted in the Lead Inspection/Risk Assessment report.
- Obtain a Lead Clearance, and send it to 'Building, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department" @ 313-628-2451
City of Detroit, Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Development,
"New Lead Ordinance Requirements for Rental Property Owners"
Quora Questions Vol.1 : Do All Popcorn Ceilings Have Asbestos?
Here at ETC we believe information is utterly invaluable. That's why we do what we can to educate the public with simple answers to fairly simple safety questions to increase public safety overall. Quora.com is a wellspring of random questions, and many are about Asbestos , Lead , and Mold. We've taken the initiative to try to answer some of these questions while sharing some of the better ones here on our website!
NOPE! Contrary to popular thought, not all 'Popcorn' style ceilings contain asbestos. Problem is, some do. So how do you know if you're working with a substance that contains asbestos or not? You Don't. It is literally impossible to tell which popcorn ceilings do and do not have asbestos with the naked eye.
"Literally", Literally. This is because asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, that is prized for its tensile strength and lack of flammability. Asbestos crystals form in long thin fibers that are generally fluffy and can range in color from white to blue. These microscopic fibers are what causes lung damage, as they are made airborne when disturbed. Theses jagged fibers can get sucked into the lungs when we breathe and can cause a wide array of problems.
But isn't there a cut off date for Asbestos safe homes? Not Really.
Unlike lead that was outlawed from paint and petrol in 1978, the United States has never outlawed Asbestos .
Asbestos is still used in industrial applications, while some of the more frivolous applications have been tapered down. While we don't see asbestos baby bottle warmers or gloves anymore, we still see asbestos in building materials and some automobile parts.
So how do you know if your popcorn ceiling has asbestos? The good news is it's cheap, and relatively easy to get a sample tested to be certain before you remove the material. Analysis, before you remove, is FAR more cost effective than testing and cleaning after improper removal. Taking a sample is pretty safe and simple. Here's a great video showing how to take a popcorn ceiling sample quick, safely and easily. After you've taken the sample give ETL a call and we'll be glad to get your samples analyzed. Our NVLAP accredited lab is highly competitive in pricing and specializes in helping homeowners!
CLEARcorps and Detroit Lead Paint Inspections
CLEARcorps and Detroit Lead Paint Inspections
Since 2010 the Detroit Property Maintenence Code has made it mandatory for owners of rental properties built before 1978 to undergo lead inspections every few years. This is news to many landlords. CLEARcorps has been tasked with getting landlords who are unaware of the law or noncompliant up to code, by sending out notices.
Lead in paint is one of the largest sources of lead poisoning, causing a variety of health issues. Fertility damage, kidney damage, high blood pressure in adults, and behavior /learning disabilities in children. The threat is so prevalent that in 2004 over 6% of children tested for lead exposure by the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness tested positive for lead exposure.
If you own rental properties in Detroit, built before 1978, or received a notice from CLEARcorps about needing a lead risk assessment or lead clearance, you can find more information about the lead ordinance here.
In order for the rental property to be occupied in the City of Detroit, the owner must have a Certificate of Rental Registration and a Certificate of Compliance. Neither of which can be obtained without a Lead Clearance. Inspections are generally required before the lead clearance as most homes in the city are old enough that they will likely have lead hazards of some sort.
If a property is being rented without the proper clearance, financial penalties can be steep. Fee's range anywhere from $500 – $8,000 depending on the size of the property. These fines are additional to those that simply not having a certificate of compliance.
All Landlords are liable to be held responsible for the lead in their rental properties under State, local and federal laws. National laws require landlords to disclose all known lead hazards to tenants even if the hazards have been abated or controlled.
OSHA's Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction
OSHA's New Silica Guidelines
This summer OSHA published a guide to help small businesses comply with agency standards for worker exposure to silica. The new exposure rules went into effect in June and companies have until 2018 to comply.
What is Silica?
Crystalline Silica is a known carcinogen, and exposure can trigger a chronic disease called Silicosis. Silicosis is a deadly disease that scars the lungs and leads to lung cancer. The proposed rule looks to save 700 lives, and prevent 1,600 cases of Silicosis every year. OSHA estimates that 2.3 million workers are exposed to the silica dust, along with an additional 2 million workers in the construction industry.Workers in high energy operations like cutting, drilling or crushing rock may create small particles of respirable silica. These particles are 100 times smaller than sand. The new OSHA guidelines lower the permissible exposure limit to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air during an 8-hour shift. Where can I find information to comply? While OSHA has previously written compliance guides for silica and construction, the new guide focuses on small businesses. There is also an OSHA fact sheet available here.
For an 'At a Glance' approach to Silica, ETC has created this handy InfoGraphic for ease of use:


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