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GOP can use a win to help in 2016
Unless most polls and prognosticators are wrong, Republicans will win enough elections on Tuesday to narrowly take control of the U.S. Senate and increase their majority in the U.S. House. But don't be surprised if they misinterpret why they won and miscalculate what to do with a victory that should set the table for a GOP campaign to take back the White House.
If they do win, it will be because voters used the election to show their deep dissatisfaction with President Obama's second-term agenda and stewardship, not because they suddenly fell in love with the GOP. The question is what will Republicans do with their new-found congressional power: Will they ram through partisan legislation that they know Obama will veto, or seek bipartisan support for legislation that shows both leadership and an understanding of how desperate Americans are for solutions?
Will they focus on what polls show are the most important issues — the economy, unemployment, government incompetence, terrorism — or become mired in second-tier social and cultural issues that animate fringe interest groups and donors but turn off moderates and independents?
How they answer that will help determine how competitive they will be in the next presidential election.
Raised expectations
By measures both historical and current, Republicans should enter the countdown to 2016 after Tuesday with raised expectations. Since Franklin Roosevelt died almost 70 years ago, Democrats have never held the White House more than two consecutive terms. (The GOP broke that barrier once, with the Reagan/Bush 41 era that lasted three terms.)
For one of the few times in recent history, a poll last month of registered voters — the ones who really matter — found that more think the GOP is better suited than Democrats to tackle important issues. Moreover, in Gallup surveys of party self-identification, Republicans and Republican "leaners" lead their Democratic counterparts for only the second time in the 31 such surveys since the 2012 elections.
The past, however, is not necessarily prologue.
The country is changing rapidly, as is the way political campaigns are engineered and conducted. The demographics of race, ethnicity and age increasingly favor Democrats in high-turnout presidential elections, as does their sophisticated use of data mining to identify and motivate voters. And, despite producing some clunkers in this year's congressional elections, Democrats are usually more effective in using negative ads to define and demonize opposition candidates.
Even so, campaigns are about more than metrics, mechanics and optics; they're also about issues, and this is where the GOP, if it takes control of Congress, has a chance to frame the national conversation.
Suggestions for party
So here's a challenge to GOP leaders in Congress: To quickly demonstrate that they're capable of leading the country out of its angst, forge compromises on two hot-button topics — immigration policy and Obamacare reform — thus taking both off the table before the 2016 campaign. People want results, not rhetoric.
Then pick a few overarching issues. I'd pick the decline of the middle class, the ineptitude and inefficiency of the federal government, the disorganized war on terrorism at home and abroad — and make them the centerpiece of your legislative agenda as well as your party's presidential campaign. You'll have to get down in the weeds and spell out solutions, but my sense is that voters are looking more for bold leadership on big issues than for hair-splitting arguments on trivial amendments and campaign talking points.
Meanwhile, GOP voters need to approach the presidential debates and primaries of 2016 with an unwavering determination to select a nominee whose record of competence and leadership will attract and inspire a coalition of independents, moderates and core conservatives — the kind that gave Ronald Reagan two landslide victories in the 1980s.
That will be the hardest part, assuming they can find such a candidate, because it requires putting pragmatism ahead of ideology. You only have to look back two years for evidence: The conventional wisdom on the Republican right is that Mitt Romney lost to Obama because millions of conservatives who thought he was too moderate had the courage of their convictions and stayed home.
That worked out really well, didn't it?
Don Campbell, a former Washington journalist and journalism educator, lives in Oakwood, Ohio, and is a member of USA TODAY's Board of Contributors.


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Is It Time To Tool Up?
There is a scene in American crime thriller TV series, The Wire, where one character tells another that if he doesn't like it he needs to 'tool up'. No doubt this brings to mind guns, knives and a whole lot of violence which I think we can all agree has nothing to do with the creative industry. However, the concept of 'tooling up' can be taken from the underbelly of crime and reshaped to provide us with a long-term strategy for growth. Tooling up therefore becomes a premise for agencies saying – am I prepared, am I ready, am I equipped for the job at hand?
According to the recent Kingston Smith report on the financial performance of marketing services companies in 2015 there has been some strong progression with the majority of sectors experiencing year-on-year growth. Unsurprisingly digital experienced the highest gross income growth at 11 percent, closely followed by media buying, public relations and design sitting between 7 – 11 percent. Moving on to profit margins and all sectors reported positive figures for the year, albeit at varying levels. Some sectors saw their margins fall when compared with figures from last year though – none more so than media buying which fell to 12.8 percent from 15.9 percent. As a result, the report noted that "for the first time in 25 years, media buying could be overtaken as the most profitable of the marketing services disciplines by PR, which is now less than 0.5 percent behind".
From this we can take that agencies within the creative space have been working hard to rebuild following the crash in 2008. But how can agencies build on this momentum and continue to grow – what are the next steps?
This is where the concept of tooling up comes in. In order to take the next step in the growth cycle, agencies need to prepare and ready themselves. However, there are a number of hurdles standing in the way, including but certainly not limited to, the blurring of boundaries between sectors, the talent shortage and even the high prices in the property market putting strain on revenue growth. The last thing these agencies need on top of this are internal challenges associated with technology and process.
Therefore, in order to tackle and in some cases, remove completely, these internal challenges, agencies need to ensure they have the right tools for the job. If all you're hearing are phrases such as 'disparate systems', 'data duplication', 'time consuming' and 'manual and laborious' then rather than reaching for a knife or gun, choose a different kind of weapon – technology.
A prime example of this is an agency management system. A software solution like this changes those negative phrases into phrases like 'instant access', 'transparency', 'real-time' and 'happy clients'. Not only will agencies be able to proactively manage client relationships, and track opportunities and relationships, but from a day-to-day perspective an agency management system provides granular insight into resources and capacity, work in progress, budgets and time recorded.
Investing in the right tools for your tool kit ultimately means that your agency is better supported from the outset. The momentum gained from the creative industry rebuilding itself should be harnessed and further built upon, and technology is in a prime position to support this growth. The pen may be both mightier than the sword as well as a traditional tool of the trade, but agencies who tool up with technology will be better placed to conquer the industry.
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A lovely sensory way to talk about the weather each day. Use the written words to help make a sentence and the pictures to build up weather vocabulary. Handpainted birch wood slices presented in a handy cotton drawstring bag. Makes for a great learning resource or gift. CE certified.
Product Information
Lab tested birch wood slices - 6-7cm diameter
Handpainted and sealed with toy safe sealer - each disc will be unique
Natural wood resource so bark may shed over time
CE certified


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JGL Society/Circles of Leadership
The Juliette Gordon Low Legacy Society recognizes those who have included Girl Scouts of Colorado in estate plans. Members receive a special pin, seasonal tokens of thanks and invitations to events throughout the year.
|W. K. Adam
Barbara Wills Albrecht
Linda Arneson
Ellene R. Austin
Lisa S. Berta
George G. Birdsall *
Sharon R. Blender
Nancy Knowlton Bray *
Karolyn S. Buck
Connie Campbell
Nellie C. Carney *
Marcia Ruth Cooperman
Loren Dilsaver & Willene Dilsaver *
Rae Ann Dougherty & Richard Dougherty
John C. Duncan *
Caroline J. Fisher
Anne M. Garcia
Christine L. Gasser
Joan B. Grady
John J. Gruber
M. L. Hanson
George Ann Harding
Betty C. Harmon *
M. Louise Hausburg *
Elizabeth Hayden *
Luanne C. Hazelrigg & Chuck Hazelrigg
Nancy E. Henning
Jack S. Hinchsliff *
Marian A. Hinderman *
Robert E. Hogsett *
Gwyneth F. Hughes *
Katrina Jamison
Donna M. Johnson
Mel Johnston
Barbara A. Jones
Jean C. Jones
Kathryn Starkey Keller/Eleanor Keller Wedum
Sherry H. Kenney
Fay L. Kessler *
Clara Dunlap Knott *
Susan C. Knox
Doris M. Knudsen *
Linda Kopman-Gravelle
Becky A. Korte
Carol B. Lay
|Marlene Logan
Faye Lombardi*
Caroline J. Lowsma
Kay E. Martley
Helen McGregor McCreery *
Kathryn A. McFadden
Carolyn B. Meyer *
Nancy K. Miyahara
Bev Morrato
Marcia Munson
Merial J. Myers *
Mary Anne Newell
Robert C. Newman
Roberta Noble *
Elizabeth W. O'Neill
LaRae Orullian
Barbara J. Pontarelli
Francis R. Potter *
Ruth H. Purkaple
W. G. Rainer
Carolyn O. Reimer
Penny Roberts
Reynolee E. Roob
Ann Rose *
Michelle Rose-Hughes
Jeanne Russell
Joan Schempp
Katherine G. Schrenk *
Sheila Sevier
Barbara Simon *
Debora A. Speicher
Mary E. Starsmore *
Roxie L. Strong
Patricia Sutterlin
Sandy Taylor
Dorothy M. Wotring *
Jill S. Tietjen
Margarita O. Truscott *
Laurie L. Weitzel
Marylin K. Werschky * & Donald Werschky
Linda S. Williams
Tia S. Woods
Kathryn S. Yarabeck
Mary Elizabeth Yates *
Margaret J. Zoller
* deceased
Girl Scouts of Colorado welcomes our generous friends into giving Circles of Leadership which are designed to encourage greater engagement and connection to Girl Scouts of Colorado.
Ambassador Circle donors make an annual investment of $10,000 or more and receive invitations to an exclusive annual reception, private tour of Girl Scouts of Colorado property, lunch with our President & CEO, tickets to all signature events and seasonal gifts of thanks.
Promise Circle donors give $5,000 or more and receive invitations to an exclusive annual reception, private tour of Girl Scouts of Colorado property, tickets to a regional event of choice and seasonal gifts of thanks.
Leadership Circle donors of $1,000 or more receive seasonal gifts of thanks.


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Mad Men's final season arrives -- in two limited doses
Mad Men, the bravura drama series that put AMC on the map, returns on Sunday, April 13th. A limited dose of seven episodes will be doled out before the series returns at roughly this time next year with its final seven. Our spoiler-free but not entirely generic review is right here.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark


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Yesterday, we released The Key—winner of the Storyscapes Award at last year's Tribeca Film Festival—on Oculus Quest and the Rift Platform. Today, our film festival news continues with the launch of Tribeca Film Festival's Cinema360 program on Oculus TV for Oculus Quest and Oculus Go, available now through April 26.
Cinema360 features 15 VR films, curated into four programs covering science fiction, horror, romance, comedy, and more. VR has something for everyone, and it lets us experience the stories that move and entertain us from home.
"Now, more than ever, we are feeling incredibly isolated from one another," said Tribeca Senior Programmer of Film & Immersive Loren Hammonds. "The XR community is very much a global community, as evidenced by this program which features work from China, South Korea, Spain, and Ethiopia, just to name a few. It's my hope that by providing these remarkable 360 films to a global audience during this trying time, we can do our part to bring people back together in the name of great art and shared perspectives."
Here's a look at what's in store:
These dreamlike experiences are journeys of adventure, from an immigrant worker's poetic and alienating vision of his new home country, to the seemingly impossible first mission to an unexplored moon.
1st Step (International Premiere)—Germany
Project Creators: Joerg Courtial, Maria Courtial
1st Step is equal parts documentary and fairy tale, telling the magical story of a dream come true: the Apollo missions. Follow the missions from launch all the way through to return, and find yourself gazing at lunar panoramas re-created from NASA's archival photos.
Dear Lizzy (World Premiere)—USA
Project Creator: Within & Fivehundred
Key Collaborator: Deborah's Child
Lizzy takes a walk as she reads a letter from a long lost friend. The road is long and there are many strange and beautiful things to see along the way. Yet Lizzy keeps walking. What is she searching for?
Forgotten Kiss (World Premiere)—Finland
Project Creator: Oleg Nikolaenko
Key Collaborator: Daniil Bakalin
Based on the story Forgotten Kiss by Russian writer Alexander Kuprin, this film tells the beautiful legend of a royal prince, who was kissed by the magic Fairy of the Spring Night. As the prince grew up he kept looking for something incomprehensible, something completely forgotten: the forgotten kiss of the fairy.
Rain Fruits (World Premiere)—South Korea
Project Creators: Youngyoon Song, Sngmoo Lee
Key Collaborators: Sergio Bromberg, Hyejin Jeon, Jinhyung Kim, Hwaeun Kim
Tharu comes to Korea from Myanmar in hopes of becoming a trained engineer. After a series of experiences as an alien worker in this capitalist country, he realizes that one's dream cannot be found anywhere in the world but where his heart is: his homeland.
Future classics in search of cults, this collection of mind-bending narrative experiences is designed for more mature audiences.
A Safe Guide to Dying (World Premiere)—USA
Project Creator: Dimitris Tsilifonis
Key Collaborator: Froso Tsipopoulou
Linus is on a journey to find painless ways to die inside a video game simulation that emulates sensory experiences. While experimenting with different suicide methods, he realizes he cannot log out. Trapped in a digital abyss, a force is set in motion to reconnect Linus with his offline self.
Black Bag (North American Premiere)—China
Project Creator: Shao Qing
Ex-military security guard, Mr. S works for a bank and leads the life of a normal working-class man. He fantasizes about a major heist, a dream that becomes reality. This VR film uses abstract metaphor combined with a unique hand-painted art style to create an intense thriller.
The Pantheon of Queer Mythology (World Premiere)—Spain
Project Creator: Enrique Agudo
Key Collaborator: Tim Deluxe
The Pantheon of Queer Mythology is a window into the world of a collective of Deities that present a way to question, empathize, celebrate, repent, resist, consume, abstract, identify, regenerate, and love in complex times. Step in, dare to learn, be inspired to grow, and enjoy the queerness.
Saturnism (World Premiere)—France
Project Creator: Mihai Grecu
Step inside one of the darkest paintings in the history of art: Goya's Saturn Devouring His Son. You will find yourself alone with mad Saturn himself in the cold and gloomy landscape. Saturnism is a visceral and primitive 360 experience.
Three stories of homes and families.
Ferenj: A Graphic Memoir In VR (World Premiere)—USA, Ethiopia
Project Creator: Ainslee A. Robson
Key Collaborator: Liam Young
Ferenj is a visual dialog between memory, reality, and the digital in an immersive memoir about Ethiopian-American mixed-race identity.
The Inhabited House (North American Premiere)—Argentina
Project Creator: Diego Kompel
Creator Diego Kompel resurrects fond memories of his grandparents house in this inventive non-fiction work. Compositing 360 footage of the house with actual home movies that help bring the past to life, this experience is an exercise in formalism that draws on the power of remembrance, reverence, and family.
Home (International Premiere)—Taiwan ROC
Project Creator: Hsu Chih-Yen
Key Collaborators: Kaohsiung Film Archive, Hsu Chih Yen Director Studios, Funique VR Studio
In this beautifully poignant experience, a family gathers at their old house on a summer afternoon. They surround grandma, though she's no longer able to move, react, or hear clearly. As people come and go, the day stretches on—leading to the inevitable end of the gathering.
Stories of innovation and illusion, with a healthy dose of inspiration.
Lutaw (World Premiere)—USA, Philippines
Project Creator: Samantha Quick
Key Collaborator: Michaela Holland
Like so many others in her remote area of the Philippines, Geramy must swim between the small islands in order to travel to the nearest school. But she's determined to find a better way to commute. This 3D animated experience is made in partnership with Oculus VR for Good and Yellow Boat of Hope.
Attack on Daddy (North American Premiere)—South Korea
Project Creator: Sung Sihup
It's Sunday afternoon and an exhausted daddy lies on the couch. Annoyed with his daughter's pestering pleas to play, he falls asleep and wakes up to find her missing. Sensing something awry, daddy quickly realizes that the answer to the mystery lies in her seemingly abandoned dollhouse.
Tale of the Tibetan Nomad (World Premiere)—USA
Project Creator: Carol Liu
Key Collaborator: Stan Lai
A newlywed nomad and his wife bask in the flush of new love. He falls asleep then awakens to discover his wife has disappeared. Embarking on a quest to find her, he's led into a life he never dreamed of—one that soon slips beyond his control.
Upstander (World Premiere)—USA
Project Creator: Van Phan
Key Collaborator: Oculus VR for Good
Upstander is a 360 animated experience about bullying and how we, as bystanders, can make a difference. Immersing the audience in a world adjacent to our own, you are challenged to think and take action. How can we be part of the solution and not be part of the problem?
Explore Tribeca's Cinema360 Program in Oculus TV on Oculus Quest and Oculus Go, now through April 26.


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A few years ago, I wrote a comparison of Citrix Cloud vs Azure Virtual Desktop, where I concluded Citrix pretty much ran away with it from a feature comparison standpoint. However, we are in very interesting times, so an update … Read More
The Evergreen Platform Bake-Off – Automated Testing for Windows.
An Evergreen platform can help you avoid running into compatibility issues that stop your Windows rollout in its tracks by automating testing. In this review I look at three platforms from AppAvail, Application Readiness, and Apptimized. Application compatibility. For anyone … Read More
Windows Virtual Desktop – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.
Microsoft's Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) is now Generally Available! This is a pretty momentous day as it has been a long journey to get here. While now well known as WVD, just a couple of years ago the discussion was … Read More
Windows 10 migration plan – application readiness.
Windows 7 is now End of Life. We strongly encourage that you pay for extended support while completing your migration. Welcome to the second part in this short series of articles in which I describe my approach to upgrading to … Read More
Windows 10 migration plan [updated].
Windows 7 is now End of Life. We strongly encourage that you pay for extended support while completing your migration. Windows 10 could be the last dedicated new Windows desktop Operating System released, so in this two part article, I … Read More
Is Windows 10 multi-user a step in the right direction?
For a virtualization fan, one of the most interesting recent developments is the Windows 10 multi-user support which has arrived in the latest preview. For decades we've become accustomed to running applications and sometimes shared desktops for multiple users … Read More
App-V Decision Matrix – March 2018
App-V and Packaging expert, Rory Monaghan has updated his popular App-V Decision Matrix and extended the scope to include other deployment technologies. The original diagram is available on his website, but we offered to take his raw App-V flowchart … Read More
Windows 10 S – Putting Your Desktops on Lockdown.
In previous blog posts, I touched on application delivery options when migrating to Windows 10. In this post, I'll delve into hosted applications, application virtualization, and Windows 10 S. You can also get your hands on a video I … Read More
99.9% virtualization with Numecent Cloudpaging and App-V.
You already know that real application virtualization benefits come about not when you've virtualized a few applications, but when you've converted your whole estate. While it can be hard work to achieve, if anyone's told you it's not possible, they're wrong. … Read More
Guide to creating one Golden Image for Windows 10.
Through years of trial and error, I've cemented some of my personal best practices for desktop imaging that I'd like to share with all of you in this article. Although the technologies are very different, my practice for creating a … Read More
WannaCry? You've got the poison, now get the remedy.
The WannaCry ransomware cyber attack has highlighted the importance of ensuring you are always up to date with the latest software updates available to you. In this article, Algiz CTO, Rory Monaghan explains what critical action you should take now … Read More
Windows 10 Application Compatibility Strategy
This article summarises the issues related to application compatibility in Windows 10 as discussed by Chris Jackson, Microsoft's Worldwide Lead for Application Compatibility, in his extensive article 'Windows 10 App Compat Strategy.' Upgrading to Windows 10. With the arrival of … Read More
Win 10 migration: Tools and tips to get off to a flying start.
I think the best way to begin is with a basic question: why is now the right time to start your Win 10 migration? In this article, I'll explain why it is, and also give you my recommendations on software tools to … Read More


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"I tend to latch on to things and not let go," admits Damien Chazelle, the 29-year-old director of Whiplash, a blistering portrait of the battle between life and art that wowed at Sundance and established him as a filmmaker who, like Benh Zeitlin, eludes the usual categories. Miles Teller stars as an aspiring drummer under the sway of his music school's jazz-band conductor (J. K. Simmons, bound for an Oscar nod), whose bullying perfectionism borders on the psychotic. What starts as a story about music takes on the life-and-death intensity of a war movie.
The son of professors, Chazelle grew up in Princeton—"It was total ivory tower," he says with a hangdog shrug—and went on to Harvard. It was there that he fell in love with the work of Jacques Demy, whose Umbrellas of Cherbourg inspired Chazelle's 2009 debut, the delightful low-budget musical Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench, and eventually led him to Hollywood. "Damien may have been lacking a little self-confidence at first," says the avuncular Simmons, "but he has everything a director needs." Or, as Teller puts it to me from the Baton Rouge set of The Fantastic Four, "Man, is he good." In February, Chazelle will start shooting his "multicolored love letter to L.A.," La La Land, an old-school musical about an actress and a musician (rumored to be played by Teller and Emma Watson). "What's great about musicals is their energy and go-for-brokeness—stopping the story to sing and dance," he says with a smile. "How can you not love that?"


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There is one system package that American Medical Alarm offers: 1. Medical Alert System: In-home system that requires a landline.
Review Summary
American Medical Alarms has a competitive "traditional" service offering but is lacking with the release of some of the newer technologies, like fall detection, no phone line cellular services, and GPS. We do prefer companies that monitor their own accounts in their own TMA (CSAA) 5-Diamond central stations. This may provide better quality control with less parties involved.
There is one system package that American Medical Alarm offers:
1. Medical Alert System: In-home system that requires a landline.
Compare Device Features:
Pros & Cons To Consider
How did American Medical Alarm do?
American Medical Alarm Review
Cost for Equipment
|Free self installation kit with free shipping
Cost Per Month
Advance Payment Discounts
|Annually prepaid monthly rate of $23.95/month, billed annually at $287.40 for the year. No discount for quarterly billing.
Monitoring Agreement Term
Repairs or Replacement Charges
|None, replacements shipped
|Cancellation Policy & Discounts
American Medical Alarm Review
Cancel at Any Time
|Yes. They will refund any unused prepayments made
Senior Discount
Other Discounts
American Medical Alarm Review
Approximate Button Range in Typical Home
|Coverage for up to 6000 sq. ft. and 200'-300' range outside
Watch/Button Battery Life
|Battery will last approximately 7 years
What Happens if I Lose Power
|System has up to 18 hours of battery back-up
Is the Watch/Button Waterproof
|Water resistant
How Can The Button Be Worn
|Neck or Wrist - you must choose when ordering
UL Certified Equipment
Does The System Automatically Test Itself To The Monitoring Center
|No - it is recommended that you test it monthly yourself
24 Hour Technical & Customer Support
|Monitoring Station
American Medical Alarm Review
TMA Five Diamond Certified Monitoring Center
Typical Response Time When Button Pressed
|Approximately 45 seconds
|Other Options & Information
American Medical Alarm Review
How Fast Does System Ship
|Orders received after 4:00 PM EST or on weekends will be shipped the following business day
Do You Need Separate Systems For Mom & Dad
|No. $35.00 one-time charge for additional button
|Optional Advanced Features
American Medical Alarm Review
Activity or Inactivity Monitoring
Senior Fall Detection
Cellular or No Phone Line
Smoke or Carbon Monoxide Protection
GPS Medical Alert Tracking System
|Special Offers
American Medical Alarm Review
Special Offers For Our Visitors
|None at this time
24-Hour Support - Support is available 24 hours per day.Flexible Monitoring Agreement - You can cancel at anytime.
Do Not Own Monitoring Center - They do not monitor their accounts themselves, but they do work with a central monitoring station which has dispatch centers in California and Texas and a back-up center in Florida.
Short Console Battery Life if Power is Lost - The system should provide at least 24-hours of battery backup if there is a power loss. American Medical provides up to 18-hours. Many companies provide 32-hours of standby battery.
No Automatic Monthly or Weekly Tests -Â System's console does not test automatically to the monitoring station.
No Activity Monitoring - Activity monitoring typically requires the user to check in with the system by pressing a button once every 24 hours. This is very beneficial as it allows you to know that your loved one is active and about each day.
No Pill Reminder Option - Having the system remind you of when to take medication is a nice feature, although not required by all. Many of these services have the main unit console provide some sort of beep reminder on regular interval to remind you of when to take your medication. The downside to this option is that it will not tell you what or how much medication to take.
No Fall Detector Option - Since diabetics can have the tendency to faint, fall detectors can be helpful because the user would be unable to press their medical emergency button.
No Cellular/No Phone Line Option - Since every household no longer has a traditional telephone line, having a reliable no phone line option is a must.
No Mobile GPS Option - For seniors or even young children on the go, this may be an important option for you
Bottom Line
American Medical Alarms has a competitive "traditional" service offering but is lacking with the release of some of the newer technologies, like fall detection, no phone line cellular services, and GPS. If you have DSL service, then you won't have to worry about adding a DSL filter, as their console has one built-in. Their website has a nice FAQ section and also a chat function to ask questions.Â
When monitoring a second person in the same home, we found that they do in fact gather separate information on the second person monitored. See our tip: Two Medical Alert Monitoring Systems For The Price of One? for more information on this type of service offering.
As of this review, they are a paid corporate sponsor the a program called Vial of Life, which is basically an attempt to standardize the notification of what and where medial information is kept at home. You get a free Vial of Life kit with your system purchase.
We do prefer companies that monitor their own accounts in their own CSAA 5-Diamond central stations. This may provide better quality control with less parties involved.
Although our experience with this company had these results, your experience may be different. If you're interested in this company's services, contact them to judge for yourself.Modified: 2021-09-14


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Why Hire MeI have no secretaries, no paralegals, and no associates. When you call into this firm, you will speak with me. You will have your questions answered by an attorney and no one else. I will never have a paralegal call you back or answer your question, because I have no paralegals. I understand that divorce, bankruptcy, and criminal charges can be stressful. I understand you want a straight and correct legal answer to your questions.
That is why I will make myself available to you. I will return you phone calls within 24 hours and I answer my emails daily. You are my client and I will do everything to make sure your case goes smoothly. You are paying good money to get a divorce help, so you should have access to your attorney. I feel the same way. You pay for an attorney, you should get an attorney. I will be with you every step of the way.
So call me today at (586) 439-4297, Extension 0 , or click on the Contact Me button above, and set up a time to talk with me. In the meantime, please sign up for my FREE monthly newsletter. It won't cost you anything and we will never sell your information to anyone. The information is entirely free and useful.


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From making the rounds at trade shows, career fairs, employee outings, or community events, many businesses and organizations are in regular need of having branded products on hand. That requirement, however, can sometimes require these groups to have boxes and boxes of products on hand. Without the luxury of a spacious and local warehouse, however, this is hardly an ideal arrangement.
That is where having a company store partnership can be a tremendous asset. Sometimes referred to as product fulfillment centers, these third-party run spaces can act as your own personal promotional product storage space, ready to meet your supply needs at the push of a button.
Here are just a few advantages a company store can offer businesses with promotional product needs.
No More Storage Issues
Using a company store eliminates the need for internal storage and inventory hassles. For an organization that regularly uses branded merchandise but may lack the space to keep boxes and boxes on hand at all times, a company store is a major asset. Not all businesses have the luxury of warehouse space or spacious office space. Even if they do, they may not have the budget or manpower to staff employees to care for and stock an inventory of products.
A company store acts as your dedicated partner in storing and caring for each and every promotional product you need. They handle production, storage, care, inventory, shipping – taking the hassles off your plate.
What You Need When You Need It
Even though your promotional products are not in your building, they are there when you need them and where you need them. With a company store partner, your product inventory is ready to be shipped to your office or wherever you need them as you prepare for trade shows, hiring events, demos, company outings, or whenever you need them on hand.
As opposed to a more traditional warehouse that deals more in skiffs and huge bulk shipments, the pick and pack delivery methods of company stores give you the flexibility of getting only exactly as few or as many of each item you need. Either through a dedicated online portal or just picking up the phone, you can order the exact items you need.
Simplifies Business Decisions
For businesses and organizations that regularly rely on promotional products, having a company store on hand can also help bring some simplicity to other areas of your operations. Cutting out the time it would normally spend digging through your promotional product inventory, gathering it up, packing it up, and getting it ready to go is time you can spend focusing on your business instead.
Having a company store handle all the storing and shipping of your branded merchandise also allows for great flexibility. Everything available in one place brings simplicity when it comes to internal scaling, changes to the size of your space, and is ideal organizations with multiple locations or branches.
Fuel Merchandise has the expertise and storage capacity to serve as the company store partner for any organization or business! Let us know how we can aid your cause.


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A free new "Pokémon" game hit the Nintendo Switch Tuesday night, Nintendo revealed in a Tokyo press conference. A mobile version of the game will hit next month.
The game is called "Pokémon Quest" and it takes place on a brand-new, mysterious location called Tumblecube Island, where Pokémon have turned into cubes, according to the official Pokémon Twitter.
Grab your Nintendo Switch and get ready for a new adventure! With Pokémon to befriend and hidden treasures to uncover, #PokemonQuest is a brand-new land for you to explore! pic.twitter.com/VZyCXNbG1A
— Ghost-type Pokémon (@Pokemon) May 30, 2018
Nintendo said the creatures in "Pokémon Quest" were originally discovered in the Kanto region, but they now have a boxy, cube-like appearance reminiscent of "Minecraft." Players will get to decide which characteristics their Pokémon have via special items called Power Stones. The players can also decorate their in-game homes with collectibles that not only spruce up the place and provide in-game benefits.
"This new Pokémon title, developed by Game Freak, lets players explore the island of Tumblecube with their team of cute, cube-shaped characters known as Pokéxel," said Shigeru Ohmori, director at Game Freak. "Players will be able to personalize their Pokémon and develop a strong bond with their Pokémon friends while battling their way through the adventure. With the simple touch-screen controls, Pokémon Quest is a game that Pokémon fans of all ages can pick up and play."
The game uses simple tapping and touch controls, according to the developer. Players will use items collected throughout expeditions to befriend a wide array of Pokémon. They can also partner with three of their Pokémon to battle through diverse environments.
Here's the official description of the game from its new website:
"Set off for adventure in the Pokémon Quest game. Venture out with your Pokémon buddies on expeditions across Tumblecube Island in search of loot in this free-to-start action-adventure for the Nintendo Switch system. Modify your Pokémon buddies with discovered Power Stones to make your ultimate expedition team.
"With a cube-shaped art style, Pokémon Quest is unlike any Pokémon game you've seen before. The simple gameplay makes it easy to hop into expeditions and start exploring Tumblecube Island with the help of your Pokémon buddies. Afterwards, head back to your base camp where you can use the loot you found during your adventure to befriend more Pokémon. Attract various Kanto Region Pokémon to your base camp by cooking up dishes made with collected ingredients! You can even decorate your base camp with fun items that provide helpful bonuses that make your expeditions more beneficial."
"Pokémon Quest" will be a free-to-start game. The game sells three sorts of expedition packs for $5 to $18. You can also buy different Power Stones for $3 each.


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Red Velvet Wendy's Shockingly Casual Airport Fashion Creates Gossip Among Fans
An attempt for normalcy for Red Velvet's Wendy's part ended up with a bit of hate online.
On May 11th, Wendy was spotted leaving Incheon International Airport for an event in China.
The singer was spotted wearing an attire of red hooded shirt, white shorts and pink shoes, a more casual look compared to various airport fashions Korean celebrities are known for. More so, she was also spotted wearing no hint of make-up as the members and their staff made their way.
The casual look, however, was not well-received by many netizens online as they bashed the singer for her "shocking" appearance, while others criticised her recent weight gain. Despite the reactions, fans were quick to defend that it was simply not weird for the singer to choose comfort and wear regular clothes for her schedules.
Check out the photos below.
Source: TVDaily


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Bank Negara likely to keep OPR at 3% amid deteriorating global outlook
Amid a deteriorating global outlook, Bank Negara is expected to stay on the cautious side and keep rates steady at 3% at its monetary policy meeting today.Full report: http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/9/8/business/9444492&sec=business
Slower Loan
OSK Research Sdn Bhd's (OSK Research) banking sector report released recently shows that loans growth in the country continues to moderate.
The report indicated that total loans growth toned down to 12.8 per cent from 13.8 per cent to 13.4 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) due to weaker growth in the business loans segment which was up 14.3 per cent.
Business loans growth was lower due to weaker purchases of non-residential property (up 20.2 per cent), construction (up 18 per cent) and working capital (up 10 per cent).
On the other hand, weak loans growth in purchase of passenger cars (up 5.8 per cent) and residential property (up 12.8 per cent) contributed to slowing household loans growth.
Loan applications growth trended lower to 8.5 per cent from 29.9 per cent y-o-y on muted growth in both the business (9.3 per cent for July and 38.5 per cent for June) and household segments (7.6 per cent for July and 21.7 per cent for June).
Business loan applications declined on slower demand in loans for the purchase of non-residential property (up 25.6 per cent), construction (down 18.7 per cent) and working capital (down 16.6 per cent).
Full report: http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/09/02/banking-sector-sees-sluggish-growth-in-loans/


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SPOTLIGHT!! The Geek and His Bad Boys by R. Cayden
Can his tender heart handle their scorching passion?
Some people have to fight like hell for their love.
Striker and Dante? They come out swinging.
I thought I was just going to get a tattoo.
It was so out of character. All of my gaymer friends thought I was going to chicken out because I'm afraid of needles.
But I was done being scared of things. I had spent enough of my life being scared.
Scared of bullies. Of my father.
Scared of every jerk who put me down.
The thing is, Striker and Dante? The tattoo artists?
They scare me.
They scare me because of how amazing it feels when I'm with them.
They scare me because, once we get together, I'm doing things I never thought I would do.
And most of all, they scare me because of how much they love each other.
Could I dare to be loved like that, too?
To be theirs?
The Geek and His Bad Boys is a 60,000+ word standalone MMM romance. It is a high heat novel, with loads of passion between our three men. Childhood bullies get faced down, a geek gets a spicy tattoo, and the story ends HEA for all three characters. Enjoy!
$ 3.99 on Amazon and available with KU
Leave It All (Saint Lakes #1): An M/M Dragon Shifter Romance by April Kelley
Lucas just wanted to be a normal human being, but normal is highly over-rated.
Lucas Speck had been just some guy who worked at an office supply store and house-sat for his snowbird parents. He was nobody special. Or that's what he thought until the headaches and other weird things begin to happen. When people start chasing him his whole life gets turned upside down.
Bennett Somerset is a dragon shifter, who likes his quiet life in his quiet town. He isn't looking for complications. He already has a family that defines the words, weird and crazy, to perfection. Good thing they live in a small town where nothing ever happens. That is until he smells the most delicious thing in the world and realizes it's his mate. His little witch of a mate just made things way more complicated.
SALE: $ 0.99 (usually $3.99) on Amazon and available with KU
Uncovering the Dark: An MM Opposites Attract Paranormal Romance (Saint Lakes Book 8) by April Kelley
One vision brings Damian to Saint Lakes, and the next will take him away.
Damian isn't good with emotion. Not feeling keeps things simple, which is exactly the way he likes it. His mate, Owen Somerset, is anything but simple. Their differences keep them from bonding.
When Damian has a vision of his long lost brothers getting murder at the hands of their tyrannical father, it's a race against time. Damian tries to leave Owen behind in Saint Lakes, but it turns out Owen can be very persuasive.
Warning: Talk of abuse and torture. Scenes with torture, violence, and captivity.
Uncovering the Dark is the eighth book in the Saint Lakes Series. It is NOT a standalone and must be read in order.
NEW RELEASE: $ 3.99 on Amazon and available with KU
Omega in the Middle: A Non-Shifter MMM Mpreg Romance (Triple Heat Book 1) by Braylon Black
Charlie Cox is a strong, independent omega who doesn't need an alpha. Until he falls in love with two of them.
All straight-A college student Charlie Cox wants is a quiet place to study and rest his head, away from the obnoxious partying and drunken debauchery of his dorms. But moving in with two hot, hunky alphas proves to be an order of magnitude more distracting than he ever anticipated.
Gavin Grey and Luca Burnett are best friends and roomies, but the driven, hard-working alphas are more than that, too: they're secret lovers, with plans to eventually add a third—an omega to share between them. But that's not their main priority. For now, they're far too busy racing against the clock to buy back Gavin's childhood home from a developer before the house is demolished.
All they want out of Charlie Cox is a responsible roommate, but the strength of their desire for the young omega proves too powerful to resist, and they just can't keep their hands off of him. Soon, all three find themselves wrestling with unintended consequences that threaten everything they've been working so hard to achieve.
Omega in the Middle is a 65k standalone, non-shifter MMM mpreg romance and book one of the Triple Heat series. This is a light, fun, zero-angst story with LOTS of steam, no cheating, and a heart-warming HEA.
$ 3.99 on Amazon and available with KU
Made In New York (Made In Series Book 1) by Ana Newfolk
Can a casual encounter turn into more?
Isaac's trip to New York just before Christmas had a single purpose, learn as much about running an LGBTQ Youth Center as possible and take it back to his native Portugal.
Max's love of the Christmas season was only surpassed by his job and a nurse and volunteering at his friends' LGBTQ Youth Center in New York.
A rescue.
A day out in the Big Apple.
A pull neither can resist.
Isaac didn't count on needing to be rescued by a strapping brown-eyed nurse.
Max didn't count on Christmas coming early in the shape of a curly-haired man with the most bewitching pair of eyes.
With time running out, will Max and Isaac give in to their attraction? Can it be more than a holiday fling?
Made In New York is a MM romance short story with themes of instant attraction and plenty of steam. The story has a happy for now ending, which concludes in Made In Manhattan with a HEA. Made In New York is better enjoyed as part of the series.
SALE: $ 0.99 on Amazon and available with KU
Made In Portugal (Made In Series Book 2) by Ana Newfolk
Can your best friend be your soulmate?
Joel's entire world has come crashing down.
When he finds himself back in Portugal to scatter the ashes of his parents, he doesn't know how his heart can ever feel love after the loss of his family.
David has been baking since he was a teenager.
While he's been running the family café, love has taken a backseat in his life. Not to mention he's keeping a big secret from everyone he knows.
An old travel journal.
A road trip in a temperamental red car.
Pastries, lots of pastries.
When the two childhood friends reunite, emotions re-ignite. But when the bubble bursts and secrets come out, will their love be strong enough?
Made In Portugal is a MM romance with a best friends to lovers theme, a meddling family, lots of steam and a HEA.
Made In Portugal can be read as a standalone but will be better enjoyed as part of the Made In Series as characters and stories from previous books appear in this story.
SALE: $ 0.99 (usually $5.06) on Amazon and available with KU
Between The Covers by Ann Lister, Elle Keaton, Kris Jacen, Lynn Michaels, SJ York, & TL Travis
Get lost in a book store and find something hot.
Behind the stacks, tucked into the dark corners, and reading nooks, you'll find an adventure, and you might just find more. Grab this hot boxset and get into these six tales of passion and possibly love.
Using book stores as a source of inspiration, these six bestselling authors take you on a journey you won't forget. Your heart will be warmed as you dive in and discover our men from the heart of the book store.
Featuring Stories from
Ann Lister
Elle Keaton
Kris Jacen
Lynn Michaels
SJ York
TL Travis
$ 4.99 on Amazon and available with KU
An MM Romance Box Set Collection by Avery Ford
1. Scars
Caleb always knew that his work was dangerous. For years, he'd thrived on the adrenaline rush, the danger thrumming under his skin, the tangible efforts of his labor a secondary reward when the flames flickered away to nothing and he was able to save a building, or save a life. He'd thought that the Johnson City Fire Station 10 was his home – until he got caught in a building with no way out.
Henry wasn't always shy and meek. As a child he'd always been buoyant and vivacious; in university he was the life of the party. And then he met Pritchard, and before he knew it he was skipping classes, flunking out, and isolated from his friends and family on threat of Pritchard's fists. Finally finding the courage to leave him was the best thing that Henry's ever done for himself – and also the hardest.
Caleb and Henry are both trying to put their lives back together, both scarred in different and lingering ways. Henry's bruises might have healed – but Pritchard's fists had left their mark on his soul. And Caleb's body is still healing from the burns and broken bones he'd suffered in that burning house. Neither of them are looking for love. Neither of them want someone to look beyond the surface. A quick jolt of pleasure is all they need before going their separate ways again… right?
2. Slander
Benedict d'Arcy has never had to worry about where his next meal was coming from, or whether he'd have enough to purchase the season's latest fashions. Growing up in the prestigious d'Arcy family meant comfort, stability, and a certain amount of lavish opulence. But when his beloved father dies, leaving his stepmother in charge of the family's assets, Benedict is demoted from shining star to suspicious freeloader.
Kota's parents have always been wealthy, too, but Kota chose another path in life – becoming a police officer. He's comfortable in his small home, knowing that he's benefiting his community and making a difference in the world. He's a simple man, with simple pleasures, and the only thing that's missing from his life is a committed partnership with someone he loves.
When Benedict's suspicions about his stepmother's involvement in his father's death begin to grow and manifest, he decides that it's time for him to leave the family home – at least until he has concrete proof against his stepmother. But he mistimes his efforts, and something goes wrong – he's being followed. When he stumbles into the next county's annual Policeman's Ball, he doesn't expect for a man with kind eyes and gentle hands to help him to his feet and claim that they're together. He doesn't expect an immediate show of trust and willingness to get to the bottom of his situation.
And he sure as hell doesn't expect their one night of pretending to be in a relationship to lead to something more – something authentic.
3. Secrets
Crew Turner didn't make his decision to leave the military lightly. He's always enjoyed being with his brothers in arms, even if it did mean traveling far from his home and family and seeing unspeakable horrors.
Mark Hartnett doesn't go out much. Ashamed of the large birthmark that covers his upper body, and too nerdy to have much in common with the general public, he has few friends, preferring to live his life behind a computer monitor.
Crew makes Mark want all the things he never thought he'd have – but Crew is hiding something underneath his good old boy façade, and those secrets might just tear them apart.
4. Protector
5. Gingerbread
6. A marriage Resolution
SALE: FREE on Amazon and available with KU
Memory is everything.
After an injury in the ring, amateur boxer Leith Wenz wakes to discover his most recent memories are three years out of date. Unmoored and struggling to face his new reality, Leith must cope anew with painful revelations about his family. His brother is there to support him, but it's the unfamiliar face of Zach, a man introduced as his best friend, that provides the calm he craves. Until Zach's presence begins to stir up feelings Leith can't explain.
For Zach, being forgotten by his lover is excruciating. He carefully hides the truth from Leith to protect them both from additional pain. His bottled-up turmoil finds release through vlogging, where he confesses his fears and grief to the faceless Internet. But after Leith begins to open up to him, Zach's choices may come back to haunt him.
Ultimately, Leith must ask his heart the questions memory can no longer answer.


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About InsoGoat
InsoGoat is an independent and practical company, which focuses on research, consultancy and training in The Netherlands, but also abroad. De power of InsoGoat is that consultancy, research questions and knowledge development are based on practical situations.
InsoGoat has unique research facilities in The Netherlands for research with dairy goats and kids. The facilities offer lots of possibilities, like nutritional research in relation to lactational performance and animal health or research to improve fertility. Desires of the customer determine the details of the research. Together we will decide what the possibilities are and at which location the research will be performed. Furthermore, we perform research at our own initiative based on current issues for general interest.
The research is carried out from a practical, but solid point of view, in which reliability and completeness is of high importance. We can also offer all other research aspects, besides setting up and performing the research and collecting all the data, like assisting in formulation of the research question, conducting data analysis and writing the final report.
Independent consultancy is given in The Netherlands, but also abroad. We operate for example in Denmark, Germany and Canada. A specific farm-based plan will be made, which is always custom made. So, the advice can be about a real specific subject, like nutrition, but also about a much broader subject, like daily management or rearing kids.
InsoGoat has some specilisations, including;
Individual feeding. Switching from group feeding to individual feeding is quite a change for the farmer, as well as for the goats. InsoGoat can support this change to make sure that this will go as gradient as possible. On the other hand, when the goats are already fed individual, it could be possible to get more out of it. InsoGoat can also advice in that case, to make sure you make optimal use of the system.
Starting dairy goat farms. There is often a great need for knowledge and experience, during the development of a new dairy goat farm. This development can be support from barn design to financial calculation. In addition, also giving you the possibility to get already more practical experience and knowledge is one of the possibilities.
Fertility. A goat is a seasonal breeder, but it is definitely possible to breed out of season, with use of natural breeding or artificial insemination (AI). In case of AI, the goats will normally be synchronised, which needs to be done accurate and pregnancy rates are variable over farms. We provide assistance in improving pregnancy rates with natural breeding, as well as with AI.
For those who are interested, we give inspiring presentations and training sessions, in which knowledge transfer and practical applicability play a central role. Subjects and further elaboration of the presentation or training will always be determined together. Subjects could be for example rearing kids, animal health, long lactation milking or nutrition.
An interesting program can also be composed for a group to visit several dairy goat farms, combined for example with a presentation. The duration of the program can vary from half a day to several days and exact completion of the program can be discussed.


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Slowly cooked to perfection and made with the finest ingredients; our toffee has a crisp, melt-in-your mouth texture that will leave you wanting more.
We truly value & listen to our customers feedback. Checkout a few of our favorite comments below...
"For Christmas I want my weight in toffee" - Carena P.
"I don't even like toffee, but I love Karamella!" - John B.
"The absolute best melt-in-your mouth toffee I have ever tasted." - Tamey P.
"So tasty! Best I have ever had." - Taylor L.
"You can't savor it because you're too busy devouring it!" - Kulsum B.


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Watch Following Anime IDOLiSH7: Third Beat! Episode 9 English Subbed with Full HD video quality at 4Anime. Let's watch online IDOLiSH7: Third Beat! Episode 9 English Sub. Watch full episodes of IDOLiSH7: Third Beat! Anime with subtitles in English. Check out all of our free anime series online by clicking on 4 Anime.
IDOLiSH7: Third Beat!IDOLISH7 Third BEAT!, IDOLiSH7 3rd Season, Idolish Seven 3rd Season, アイドリッシュセブン Third BEAT!
Status: Ongoing Studio: TROYCA Released: 2021 Duration: 24 min. Season: Summer 2021 Type: TV Censor: Censored
Third season of IDOLiSH7.


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PHOENIX — A worker at a Valley group home has been arrested for sexually abusing minor female patients.
On May 7 police arrested 23-year-old Rodrigo Omar Flores at his home near 67th and Olive avenues. Flores is accused of sexually abusing three patients at the Devereux Behavioral Health residential treatment facility in Phoenix.
According to court documents obtained by ABC15, a 14-year-old girl came forward in March, telling a teacher assistant of four incidents where Flores sexually touched her. The incidents reportedly occurred in her room and the laundry room.
Once the staff was informed, they placed him on administrative leave and later terminated his employment. Investigators soon learned of two other victims who were also living or had lived at the group home.
The other teens told investigators similar stories of Flores sexually touching them in their rooms and the laundry room. In total, victims reported 12 incidents involving Flores, from October 2018 until March 2019.
Upon his arrest Flores allegedly admitted to kissing two of the victims, saying he used "poor judgment."
Flores is being held on a $200,000 cash bond on multiple charges of aggravated assault, sexual abuse and sexual conduct with a minor.
Devereux released the following statement following the arrest:
"Any time a child makes an allegation of any kind, we immediately report it to law enforcement and actively partner in their investigation. Our chief goal is always the safe and effective care of our kids. We have absolutely zero tolerance for anyone who would hurt a child.
The former employee in question was immediately placed on administrative leave and was quickly thereafter terminated.
For more than 50 years, our focus has been to provide hope and healing to children. We use every tool available – from FBI child abuse clearances to police background checks – to screen potential employees prior to hire, and then provide exhaustive training before they ever work with our kids as well as thorough annual retraining to help ensure a safe and therapeutic environment."


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How Going Against Trump Affected Erick Erickson
Erick Erickson has been called one of the most powerful conservatives in the America. Erick hosts radio show Atlanta's Evening News with Erick Erickson, broadcast on 750 WSB (AM). He previously served as the editor-in-chief and the CEO of the conservative political blog RedState and was a political contributor for CNN and Fox News. Erick has also sat in for The Rush Limbaugh Show and now runs the conservative website The Resurgent.
He speaks frankly with Dave Sussman of Whiskey Politics about receiving threats during the 2016 election while battling serious family health issue, the 'alt-right', political correctness and Erick, who is currently completing his Master's of Divinity, analyzes cultural conservatism and the "church wing" of the Republican party and whether it had an impact in 2016.
Where is he now on Trump? Watch to learn what's changed. Filmed aboard the 2016 Post Election Weekly Standard Cruise. Also see the lively debate at the original post on Ricochet.com.


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Margaret Ewart, A Nurse and Fundraiser in the Battle for Australia.
Early January, 1941 I was called up to join the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS) and was immediately sent to Bathurst where some of the 8th Division were training. This was a most interesting experience learning about army ranks and procedures.
Already some of the battalions were embarking for overseas and my excitement was running high. Imagine my disappointment when four Sisters were posted to Darwin and I was one of that group. We called on the Principal Matron, pleading to go with the 8th Division but she informed us, in no uncertain manner that we were in the army now and must do as we were told.
During April, 1941 we embarked on the 'Katoomba' to join the male members of the 119 AGH who were to set up a 1200-bed hospital in Darwin.
The 119 AGH was to take over from 19 AGH at Bagot, an ex-aboriginal compound, with 150 beds in huts and under canvas; poor drainage; faulty septic system. Also our equipment hadn't been unloaded from 'Katoomba' owing to a wharf labours' strike - not a happy start. By the end of December part of the new hospital being built for us at Berrimah, 15 miles from town, was ready for use. I was one of the group being sent to the new facility.
The day of the first large raid, 19 February 1942 I was a patient suffering from dengue fever, a most debilitating illness. I had lost 2 stone (nearly 13 kg) in weight but that morning had felt a little better so decided to have a shower and wash my hair. As I was returning to my room, everyone was looking up into the sky where lots of planes were flying in formation, so high up they looked like silver moths. We all thought that they were USA planes when all of a sudden there were white puffs in the sky and someone called out 'ack-ack fire'. Then things moved quickly; patients and staff went out into the bush or into the few slit-trenches. The patients too ill to walk were lifted on the mattresses and placed under their beds with other mattresses placed round for protection and a Sister or an orderly stayed with each patient.
I hastily slipped into my uniform and tin hat with wet hair dangling down and jumped into a nearby trench. It was heart-breaking to watch these planes diving down over the town, harbour, RAAF and civilian aerodromes knowing there was no way they could be stopped. Huge clouds of black smoke filled the sky and we were worried about our friends at Bagot which was situated between the two aerodromes. All of a sudden two fighter planes swooped down over our hospital, so low we could see the pilots although we were crouched down as far as possible and they proceeded to strafe the wards. It was a frightening experience, that rat-a-tat-tat just above our heads; I felt a bullet would go through me at any minute. Unfortunately one of our patients under his bed was killed. After the initial large raid we had smaller ones on and off all day and for days to follow.
Matron didn't think I was well enough to resume duty, but said I could take the place of home Sister, which turned out to be a busy job. The RAAF Sisters, in a shocked condition arrived, their 'drome had been completely destroyed; their padre found the girls in a trench and hailed a passing truck to bring them down to us. The civilian nurses and any women left in Darwin came too. They all had to be fed, watered and beds found for them. Often the Sisters coming off duty in the early hours of the morning would find their bed occupied, so had to hop in with another Sister.
Very soon the wards and verandas were filled with casualties. Some doctors and men from the 2/12 Field Ambulance came to help. Many of the cases were severe burns and our facilities for treatment were pretty poor - we used 'tulle gras' made from mosquito-netting soaked in petroleum jelly given to us by the RAAF.
The day after that horrifying experience I took myself on duty to help get patients ready to be evacuated on the 'Manunda', sailing that night. Thirteen of the staff on that hospital ship had been killed, including one Sister and many wounded which necessitated four of our 119 AGH Sisters transferring to augment their staff.
Our matron accompanied the patients in the ambulances to the wharf and when she returned told us of the utter destruction to the town and harbour where many ships had been sunk. Others were badly damaged and still smouldering and troops were collecting bodies from the water…
Following her experiences during the Bombing of Darwin, Sister Margaret (Meg) Ewart went on leave in May 1942, after which she worked for a short time at the 119th AGH (Australian General Hospital) Concord.
During this posting Meg says… "I was sent with a member from each service to travel around the factories to tell of our war experiences (censored of course), which the Government hoped would encourage people to invest in the Austerity Loan Bonds." Having never been required to do public speaking, Ewart found the experience daunting and a challenge.
She continues her story… "On the December 24, 1942, having been posted as a reinforcement to 2nd/9th AGH, I boarded 2/1 AHS (Australia Hospital Ship) Manunda arriving in Port Moresby 29 December 1942.The Kokoda Track Campaign was in progress; all our wards were very busy.
"The hospital had 1200 beds under canvas but at the time had 2000 patients, the overflow were on stretchers under the beds. It was a hectic time. The medical wards were as busy as the surgical wards, lots of all types of malaria, scrub typhus, pneumonia, and dysentery. The ENT (ear-nose-throat) and Psychiatric wards were busy too."
On the 3 February 1943 the Sisters were admitted to the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) with NXF numbers, and also given a rank.
"On one occasion the Japanese bombers dropped their bombs on the hospital, fortunately no one was hurt. I was sent on leave on November 10, 1943 sailing on Canberra, and disembarked in Cairns; it then took 2 weeks by troop train to reach Sydney. I returned to 2nd/9th AGH arriving 21 December 1943, and remained in New Guinea until 24 April 1944"…
The 2nd/9th known as 'Seventeen Mile' in New Guinea.
With the rapid advance of the Japanese between January and May 1942 it brought the threat of war closer to Australia. In early March, the Japanese landed on the northern shores of New Guinea, and proceeded to advance over the Owen Stanley Ranges. In August the enemy was moving closer, with large numbers of Australian and American troops arriving in Port Moresby. The six AANS sisters who were working at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby were sent back to Australia for safety. The first AANS sisters to return to New Guinea after this were those of the 2nd/9th AGH and the 2/5th CCS (Casualty Clearing Station).
The 2nd/9th AGH along with other AGH's and CCS's returned from the Middle East during February and March 1942 when the 6th and 7th Divisions were withdrawn to defend Australia.
In August 1942 orders came for the men of 2nd/9th AGH to move to Port Moresby. Because of the instability of the military situation the AANS sisters were not, at first permitted, to accompany the men. When the men arrived they were taken to a site '17 miles' out of Port Moresby, near Rouna Falls and found all the hospital equipment dumped in huge piles where in an area of scrub had been burnt out. The hospital site was long and narrow (because of the hilly terrain) and spread out for over a mile. In less than a fortnight the hospital was admitting 46 patients per day. At the end of three weeks the men had erected 11 tented wards and had 600 beds equipped; the establishment of a General Hospital. The 2nd/9th AGH was the only General Hospital in New Guinea at that time.
By October there were 732 patients. Problems arose and were accentuated by the fact that the AANS sisters had not been permitted to accompany the men. In October a decision was made to send 68 AANS sisters to join the men.
They arrived on October 29 and commenced duty straight away. There was no time to acclimatise and most found, at first, the heat oppressive and tiring. Although the Japanese were being driven back the troops had to fight the enemy in a new type of jungle warfare in difficult terrain, they also had to deal with an array of tropical diseases. This was compounded by difficult casualty evacuation down the Kokoda Trail.
"By the time men reached the 2nd/9th they often had putrid fly-blown wounds, they were in states of extreme exhaustion and their clothes in tatters. Medical patients far outnumbered the wounded, almost ten to one, many had dreadful malaria rigors, they were debilitated and exhausted, with a variety of medical conditions including dysentery or scrub typhus which caused semi-consciousness and heart failure and required vigilant continuous nursing. "
Soon after the sisters arrived there were a large number of casualties from Buna, Gona and Sanananda, patient numbers soared to 826 bringing a shortage of beds so patients had to be nursed on ambulance stretchers under beds.
"The arrival of the wet season did not help. Tents leaked, wards became 'bogs' and beds sank into the mud at all angles. In letters home the soldiers wrote that 'the sisters in their grey uniforms made them feel that they must be in a safe area', which was good for morale. However, the grey uniform with starched veils, collars and cuffs was unsuitable for New Guinea so the sisters were issued with army boiler suits and boots until grey Safari Suits could be made."
By the end of 1942 there were over 2000 patients, 29 MO's, seven Officers, 275 male other ranks, 112 AANS sisters and three female physiotherapists in the hospital. In September 1943, 96 members of the Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAWMS) were sent to assist the 2nd/9th.
"The 2nd/9th AGH was under the flight path of the Japanese bombers on-route to target airfields at 7 mile or the harbour. On one occasion bombs dropped on the hospital, miraculously no one was killed. The CO commented that the staff of the 2nd/9th AGH were heavily overtaxed, and that the organisation would break down unless reinforced, he recommended more accommodation be provided both in hospitals and convalescent units.
"In January 1943 a second hospital, the 2/5th AGH was established at Bootless Bay near Port Moresby. In March 1944 the 2nd/9th packed up and returned to Australia for rest before being sent to Morotai between March and June 1945 for the Borneo Campaign."
The great respect the doctors, sisters and staff had for those gallant men who fought against such odds on the Kokoda Trail, helped overcome many of the difficulties at '17 Mile'. In October 1943 a group of AANS sisters, who were on leave from New Guinea, were invited by Major General V A Vasey, Commander, and men of the 7th Division AIF, to lead their March of Honour through Sydney. The 7th Division had just returned from New Guinea. For the AANS Sisters of the 2nd/9th who had diligently nursed so many of these men who fought so gallantly over the Kokoda Trail, it was a very moving experience.
The Manunda (originally a costal passenger vessel) had been fitted out in 1939 as a DEM Ship, a defensively equipped merchant ship but later requisitioned by the Defence Department on 22 July 1940 and fitted out as an hospital ship).
The AANS (Australian Army Nursing Service) name came into use in 1909 but the nurses were referred to by their civilian titles as Staff Nurse, Sister or Matron so when rank was conferred in 1943 it basically became Lieutenant, Captain and Major. Initially most sisters became Lieutenant but with seniority and length of service some were promoted to Captain and Major. A Major (Matron) was in charge of the Hospital/CCS).
The whole unit returned to Australia and was sent to Tamworth, some of us were sent to 2/2 AGH and others 2/6 AGH at Atherton to help for 6 months, both units very busy. We returned to our own unit 18 October 1944. I was sent to Prince of Wales Randwick for a couple of months, then to 103 AGH at Baulkham Hills until the 2nd/9th reformed. On 26 May 1945 we embarked from Newcastle to go to Morotai: 2/5 and 2/9 AGHs looked after the casualties from the Borneo Campaign, all under canvas and again very busy. I was on night duty the time peace was declared in the acute surgical ward and felt so sad that these boys should have been so badly wounded when it was so close to finishing. Soon after we were receiving men, women and children from the prison camps, some of them I knew from the Bathurst Camp but didn't recognise them they were so frightfully thin their features had altered. Some of us remained on the Island to gradually evacuate all the patients and close the hospital'.)
Bassett, J (1992) Guns and Brooches - Australian Army Nursing from the Boer War to the Gulf War, Oxford University Press, Melbourne
Crouch, J (1986) A Special Kind of Service- The story of the 2/9 Australian General Hospital 1940-46, Hedges and Bell.
Personal Interview with Sister Margaret Ewart AANS by Eileen Henderson RAANC (Ret)
This is a transcript of the War Loan Broadcast with 2UW on 12 December 1942 made by Australian Army Nursing Service nurse, Sister Margaret Ewart. Sister Ewart witnessed the first air raid on Darwin in February 1942 while serving with the 119th Australian General Hospital. Later that year she with three other servicemen, Navy, Army and Air Force visited many factories, Municipal Rallies meetings to raise awareness about the Austerity Loan as part of the National Savings Campaign.
In his book The Money Men-Australia's 12 Most Notable Treasurers, (2015), Chris Bowen explains Treasurer Joseph Benedict (Ben) Chifley's reason for introducing the 'liberty war loans'. ' ... The war effort needed to be scaled up even more because Australia was now directly under treat. Japan had attacked Pearl Harbour and declared war on the United States and remaining allies including Australia (p123)'. Singapore fell in 1942 and Australia faced its first ever attack on the mainland when Darwin was bombed. Government war expenditure almost doubled between 1941 and 1942. A way needed to be found to raise money. The idea was to get the people to lend the government their money by buying war bonds. The bonds were marketed as 'liberty loans'.
Curtin was clear on the national imperative: No longer can I appeal to you. Let me speak plainly. The enemy is at our very gates and Australia needs your money now if Australia is to endure. In the battles which rages on Australia's threshold - and in the loan now opened to support those who are fighting in that battle - we dare not fail. (The Age, 13 February 1942)
By late 1943 the government had raised close to 126 million pounds from 432,000 subscribers.
War Loan Broadcast 2UW 12 December 1942 Sister Margaret Ewart AIF
And here is another visitor to our studio and she is doubly welcome because she wears the Rising Sun and her uniform is grey and I shall introduce you to Sister Margaret Ewart of the A.I.F. Good evening Sister Ewart.
Sister Ewart:
Good evening everybody ... I have been asked to come along tonight and tell you something about Darwin. You have heard plenty and read plenty about Darwin. It is not a very pleasant place, but it is part of Australia. I was there when the Japs made their first air raid. I thought you might be interested in some of the things which happened on that day when for the first time in history enemy bombs landed on Australian soil, killing Australian boys - and Australian women.
It was shortly after breakfast one day when we heard the sound of a great number of planes …. many more than we were used to hearing. We were very excited because we had heard a rumour that we were getting more planes, so we all went out to have a look. It was quite a while before we could pick the planes up - they were flying at such great height - but at last we could see them high over our heads, and they approached just like a lot of silver clouds. We were trying to count them and saying how safe we felt with so many planes for protection when all of a sudden, our 'ack-ack' guns went into operation. We decided it was time for some action too.
Our first job was to get our patients out. The walking cases went into trenches or out into the bush, while the helpless cases were just lifted mattresses and all, and put underneath their beds. Other mattresses and blankets were placed on top and around them to afford a little protection. Some of the Sisters remained with these cases but those of us who were out in 'funk holes' as we called them, were able to watch the whole raid. The planes were disappearing behind the huge white clouds which we get up there during the wet season. Then, suddenly out they would come one after the other, diving at a terrific speed on their targets.
We saw them dive on the RAAF aerodrome, the Civil aerodrome and the Harbour, and all that followed were huge columns of black smoke which left us wondering just how much was left. Several planes dived down on the Hospital where we were, so we had to hop down to cover. Although we crouched down as far as we could get, the planes came so low that we could see the markings on them. We could even see the pilots as they flew up and down the full length of our Hospital, their guns blazing. We felt very annoyed because it was a new hospital, and our patients, and some our cobbers, were under their beds - but there was nothing we could do except call the Japs every name we could think of. Some of the words we didn't know the meaning of, but we heard the boys using them, so we tried them out too.
The saddest part of the whole raid to us was when they commenced bringing in the wounded. I find it very hard to describe to people just what those boys go through. ... You really have to see them to believe it ... there were boys from our own ack-ack batteries ... just lads, who had done a marvellous job. They had stuck to their guns against terrific odds. There were lads too from the Air Force, and some very badly burnt cases from the harbour. Soldiers, sailors, merchant marine, Yanks, ... they were all in it. We were struck by their cheerfulness. Although they were so badly knocked about, they always had some funny story to tell us of something that had happened during the raid, and they did everything in their power to help us and keep our spirits up.
Those boys have not safe conditions to work and live in. They are very often called upon to work 24 hours a day ... sometimes they do not even have a day off a week, and they don't even want it because the enemy is so close that they realise that their job is important and every minute precious.
I did not tell you these things because I like talking about them, but so that you will realise how very important your help is to the fighting forces. None of us can fully realise until we go into active service, just how much we depend upon the people at home ... you know the fighting services are just as dependent upon your support and your willingness to lend your money as you are upon those who are able to go out and fight. I think we can all take our example from the people of Great Britain, Russia and China. They have given up everything for the defence of their countries, and I am sure you will agree with me that our country is worth it to.
Margaret was thanked for her work:


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Tooled Red Mahogany Flat Martingale with Teal Swarovski Crystals (15 1/2")
Tooled red mahogany "English" bridle leather flat martingale collar with diamond cluster of teal Swarovski crystals in center; Teal crystal at end of tooling; Grooved edges; 1 3/4"
width tapering to 7/8" hand stitched pull tab; 1" stainless steel O-rings; 15 1/2" inner circumference
I hand sew with a traditional harness stitch method using needles, thread, and a diamond awl.
Because the flat martingale collar needs to slip over your dog's head, you need to measure the largest point BEFORE it slips onto and over the ears. Using a flexible tape measure is helpful. The measurement around the head will be the inner circumference or inner measurement of the collar. Be careful to avoid fingers under the measuring tape. Remember that it is easier to slide a collar over the head and onto the neck than to pull it off.


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MicroShow : Raphael at the Grand Palais
MicroWorld was honoured to have Raphael performing at the second MicroShow. This unique event brought members and lenders from the MicroWorld community together with Raphael, a musician who is committed to our cause, at an unforgettable concert held at the fabulous Grand Palais.
Raphael and the MicroWorld members share in their commitment to help microentrepreneurs in a way that is efficient and sustainable.
Relive this unique event!
Coming soon - many more MicroShows with other artists who support MicroWorld's cause.


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Get updates on new articles
The development of mobile apps in smartphones and the latest affordable technologies have developed this market niche "Taxi Aggregators". Entrepreneurs started investing venture capital in the taxi aggregator business after keenly looking into the Taxi Aggregator Business Model.
It is undeniable, that huge capital is invested by the topmost taxi aggregators like Uber, Ola in this business due to opportunities in the market and the popularity of this new market niche.
To analyze this taxi aggregator business in this article, we will look into the Taxi aggregator business model.
Explore a Taxi Booking App to organize and manage your Taxi Business
The taxi aggregators are a new market niche where the owners or the brand do not own their taxi and they depend on their associates to organize the taxi operators.
The intellectual property of the taxi aggregators is their capital invested in developing its App, IT support system, and the network required for this business.
The most popular taxi aggregators are Uber, Ola in India. They always focus on developing or building their brand to expand its business worldwide by providing lower and affordable services to its massive customer base and thus maintains the relationships with their business partners or cab operators.
Read how to Start Your Own Taxi Business like Uber or Ola.
Opportunities that are driving Taxi Aggregators are as follows:
In the real business of taxi aggregators, the technology used to build the app or the brand comes secondary when compared to the partners of the taxi aggregator business. The partners are the main key to this taxi aggregator business.
To realize the benefits of the cab aggregator business model for the aggregators or to the potential customers, it is necessary that the partners need to be focussed on this business. Thus to maintain the relationship with the partners of the taxi aggregator business, the aggregators need to offer high incentive schemes for the driver-partners or the users.
Speaking the truth, it is difficult for the aggregators to make money in between offering high incentives for the partners. They should afford to lose a huge amount of money to grab the market share. This is the point where they fail to occupy the position in the industry and may fail in this taxi aggregator business.
Also, check out the list of Top 10 Taxi Booking App Companies in the World
To achieve a monopoly in the market, they should afford to lose billions during the initial stage of the business. Here in this taxi aggregator business, it is difficult for all the taxi aggregators to grab the market share. Many of the competitors of taxi aggregator businesses are moved out of this industry and it is always one market leader model business. The one which grabs all the market share will achieve the monopoly in this niche.
It is evident from the below information about the taxi aggregator competitors that the business model achieves monopoly:
The market share of the taxi aggregator is retained by possessing potential customers and loyal driver-partners.
The short term incentives are focussed by the taxi aggregators and this strategy may fail in the long term
Let us discuss this with one example. Consider a scenario where one market leader has grabbed the maximum share and they start focussing on short-term incentives to generate profit. The drivers may move out of the business or move to the competitors. This, in turn, increases the service charges of the cab operation to compensate for the loss due to a lack of driver-partners.
Now the condition of the market leader is the same as when they started the business but the only difference is that they have the maximum market share and the popular brand which is difficult for other competitors to grab the market share as it involves billions of dollars.
In this way, the taxi aggregator business model is a monopoly and it can be sustained by gaining the brand and popularity
The need for On-Demand services is increasing rapidly in today's world.
Here are the various reasons why Taxi Businesses need to invest in On-demand Taxi Dispatch App
Hope this article helps you to understand what is taxi aggregator business and the business model of taxi aggregators. You will also be able to find the information about the market leaders of the taxi aggregator business.
Uber was the first company that bought a revolution in the Taxi Industry by making use of the Taxi Aggregator business model. Here is a detailed write up on the Business Model of Uber.
Ola followed the path of Uber and build its own, Ola Business Model which also became highly successful in the Indian Taxi Service Industry.
Always choose the best taxi dispatch software to build your own taxi aggregator business. Before you decide on a Taxi Booking App Try a Free Taxi Dispatch Software Demo.


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Gore Melian (singer/songwriter/producer)
He was born on the 26th of April, 1987, in Yerevan – Armenia. He grew up in a musical family. He was greatly inspired by his mother, Zara Barkhoudarian, who is a recognized vocal coach, pianist, and opera singer. Since the age of three, Gore has been singing and performing on local and international stages. He started composing music and lyrics at the age of fifteen, after which he also got involved in music production.
Gore Melian – "Fear vs Love"
Gore Melian – Fear vs Love
Music and Lyrics by Gore Melian
Video by Evgenios Zosimov
Produced by Gore Melian
Special thanks to the dancer Marina Theofilou.
The Prayer
Gore and Natalie wish Armenians worldwide a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year with their "The Prayer Christmas song".
Some of Gore's achievements
Gore together with his sister Hasmig Melian and Maria Moskofian won the 1st Prize in the Pan Cyprian Song Competition "Kataklysmos" 1997.
Gore won the 2nd Prize in the Pan Cyprian Song Competition "Kataklysmos" 2000.
Gore participated in the TV program "Afeteries" and was the youngest singer to enter the finals.
In 2007 Gore was chosen from 7000 contestants and became one of the 150 semi-finalists in the International Singing Competition of Young Singers "New Wave", representing Cyprus.
2008 – Gore Melian's song "Behind the green door" was chosen to be released in a CD compilation called "mp3.ru casting TOP 50"
Gore got together and started collaborating on numerous tracks with producer and songwriter Afana.
Gore Melian was one of the National Finalists to represent Cyprus in Eurovision, where he was nominated 3rd with his song "I Wanna Thank You" in 2009.
Following Eurovision, Gore was invited to represent Cyprus in Malta International Hit Song Festival with his song "I Wanna Thank You"
Gore Melian's first video clip, "Stop" featuring Afana was a great success. It was shown in the movie theatres of "Cineplex" all over Cyprus for several months.
Gore released his first album, "I Wanna Thank You" which consisted of 8 tracks.
2010 – Gore Melian, together with Eugene Prendi and Pinky, released his first "house" Song, "Feel Free To Love," under the Italian label "FKJ Music Records."
After the successful collaboration of Gore Melian & Eugene Prendi, they made a new free promo song "Say No More" which has had online success and reached the web charts.
Gore Melian released his digital single "Suddenly" which he wrote, produced and performed himself.
The single made it through the semi-finals in the Love Songs category of the UK Songwriting Contest 2011
"Suddenly" has been played consistently on the most popular Cypriot radio stations such as Kiss fm, Deejay radio, Ant1 etc.
The video clip of the song received a great deal of TV exposure on the island's biggest music TV channels i.e. NRG-MTV and MAD cy. Furthermore, it was broadcasted from the World Music Channel 4 through the international satellite.
The remix of the song featured a well known Cypriot artist Lyrical Eye.
The same year Gore Melian and Afana cooperated to produce a remix of Gore's previous club song "Crazy Night" written by: Gore Melian, produced & released by: Afana "on it music".
Follow Gore Melian on Facebook
Watch all videos of Gore Melian on Youtube


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HDR FX Photo Editor
HDR Fx Photo Editor gives you the best and most vibrant HDR effect on android, and this is all accomplished from just a single photo. Use sliders to get the very same HDR look you had admired on many photographic sites. Result will be similar to professional HDR camera photographs.Other than HDR effects, you can apply ...READ MORE +


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Dark Meme
The one they call Dark Meme (a.k.a Ken Mvvalye) started deejaying at Steak Out in Kampala while he was still at university majoring in IT. After falling in love with house music while on a sabbatical with Sean Smith of the OXYGEN JUNKIES, he became a resident house DJ at Mishmash Kampala. Now, with several festivals under his belt and his breakthrough with the famous Hatari Voltage Kampala parties, he's blowing up across the region. Mentored by Mwalimu Gregg, he strives to find the perfect sound along with Santuri Safari.


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For years I believed that the only way I could manage stress and stay spiritually grounded was to run three miles a day and meditate for an hour in the morning and an hour at night. That's about three hours a day -- more if you count getting dressed to run, showering, organizing the kids and the household so I could disappear to meditate. I've never had that much time to focus on personal activities -- not when my kids were young, and not now.
At best I can do one thing a day, and I'll almost always choose running. That's because I like to run more than I like to meditate. It's not easy to admit that, because a lot of people seem to think it's cool to talk about meditation -- whom your teacher is, how long you meditate every day, which meditation retreats you've signed up for. Actually, that's what really drove me away from the temples I frequented for a while, complete with "masters" who thought they were really quite special. I don't like that stuff. Gurus and guru-seekers bother me, and bragging about your meditation practice just seems wrong. It all turns me off, and then I even use that as an excuse not to meditate. I could find a million more reasons without much trouble.
For the full article please go here.
Welcome to the AIHCP blog. Members, vistors and friends are welcome to post on our blog. We believe that knowledge and opinion should be shared. We are professional health care organization offering continuing education and certification programs in a wide array of health care speciality practices, including: Grief Counseling, Legal Nurse Consulting, Case Management, Stress Management, Holistic & Integrative Health Care & more. Join the Discussion!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Momentary Mindfulness from Huffington Post
Posted by AIHCP, Inc. at 6:11 AM
Labels: meditation, meditation advice, meditation certification, meditation therapy, meditiation education
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Today I was fortunate enough to be taken on a private tour of the infamous Dharavi Slum in Mumbai.
I'd heard about it, read books about it, seen it in Slumdog Millionaire and thought I knew what to expect.
How wrong was I.
Dharavi has been around a long time – since the 1880's, and the relocating of slum residents to more 'suitable' premises in highrise apartment buildings has been going on now for over 40 years. What is most interesting is that Dharavi doesn't really resemble what I imagine a slum to be these days. It's a crowded, bustling, market, residential, cottage industry area that just happens to be home to perhaps a million residents, perhaps more, in a small area of less than 2.5 square km. I was expecting aluminium sided shanties with tarpaulin roofs. What I found was, solid cement 2 and 3 storey buildings, most with electricity, running water, sewerage and many even with bathrooms and airconditioning. OK, they were crowded together with narrow steep ladder staircases leading to the workshops and residences on the upper floors, but the streets were all paved and I saw hardly any open sewers and it was clean. The old towns of many Indian cities could learn a thing or three from the Dharavi redevelopment organisations.
My tour of Dharavi took me along the main thoroughfare and through smaller streets and alleyways. I visited various residential areas, including a 'transit camp' which was created to temporarily house residents who were kicked out of their homes to make way for redeveloped apartment buildings which whey would be relocated to when the building was completed. The ironic thing is that the residents built up the transit camp to such a comfortable standard, with their familiar open plan system where neighbours were part of the living arrangements that they didn't want to move into the apartment buildings where they would be enclosed in their 4 walls high up above the streets and where they wouldn't have their neighbour/families around them. They are in the process of obtaining permission from the Mumbai Development Corporation to remain in the 'camp' where they can continue to improve their homes.
As we walked through the various sectors of Dharavi, I was shown into many small factories – leather, clothes and pottery make up much of the production from Dharavi, a lot of which is exported overseas. Small rooms would be the workspace for 5 to 10 workers busy for 12 or more hours a day to meet production demands. Much of the work is done on a production line basis, but instead of it moving to another part of the factory, it moves to another building nearby for the next stage of processing.
99 percent of Dharavi's children go to school, and many of them in English Medium schools (where they have their lessons in English), so education is considered extremely important. Despite their standard of education, many residents remain in Dharavi as it is comfortable, familiar and 'home'.
Is Dharavi a slum? Sure some areas are less developed than others, some more crowded than others, some people still live in abject poverty, however it is also an area of incredible resilience, hard work and proud people. Many of Mumbai's immigrants from other parts of India found themselves in Dharavi and still 3,4 and even 5 generations later, they still call it home.
My tour guide was Felix 'the cat' and his connection with the people of Dharavi goes back many years through his social work. His access to people, workshops and various areas of Dharavi gave me an indepth insight into the area which has provided a fascinating education to this well-travelled Indiaphile!
If you want to visit Mumbai and Dharavi, I highly recommend Felix (contact us for his email and phone number). He'll be sure to provide you with an insight into Mumbai like few others.
If you want to join one of our group tours that visit Mumbai, check out our Essence of India tour, our Women-only tour, our Incredible India Tour, our Big Cats of India Wildlife & Heritage Tour and our Heartlands of India tour which all visit Mumbai.
Photography note: As my DSLR was in with Canon getting some minor work done, I only had my phone camera, so images are not as high quality as I'd have liked them to be. But still you get the idea!