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I would like for you to drift back into the Basketball mental state that you were in before the postseason started. You may have been wondering if the Rockets were really better without McGrady; whether Chauncey would bring some stability to the unfocused Nuggets; whether it was really over for Detroit, Dallas, and San Antonio. But really, in your hoops heart of hearts, you were just praying that there was a way to skip to the NBA Finals--to the matchup of the Superhuman versus the Supernatural. You wished that there were no injuries, while hoping the elites in the playoffs would give you something to talk about around the water cooler.
Well, that did happen to an extent. Billups showed that he still deserves to be placed among elite floor generals. Miami and Atlanta are in the most boring 7-game series in history. Portland and Philly (and Orlando, to some degree) showed that they're still one year and one piece away from being thoroughly respected. Dwyane Wade is still a superhero. But even with all that, this first round would be nothing without Bulls/Celts. This is the diversion Big Commish was looking for--somthing to grab ahold of the people and bring more eyes to the TV screen.
Because of the glaring flaws of each team, the series was allowed to be more than just The Champs vs. The Baby Bulls. Throw in the unpredictability of the plays--and Chicago's inability to get the memo about Ray Allen and screens in crunch time--and you have speechless Basketball fans after six games anxiously waiting what the seventh will unfold. Instead of sitting with our heads in our hands waiting for the Kobe/Lebron promo, we're awaiting what tricks Rondo will have up his sleeve. We're wondering if Rose/Rondo is the CP3/D-Will of the East, at least until Devin Harris gets into the posteason, and that D-Rose's block was the drawing of first blood. We look forward to the possibility of Ray playing like Jesus, whether or not his last name is Shuttlesworth; and if Paul Pierce can bring the Truth to John Salmons to create some space at the free throw line. We're pulled in like a new audience in front of an experienced magician that hasn't seen his close-up illusions before.
Shot after shot, defensive stop after defensive stop, and whatever possessed Joakim Noah in the third overtime, the Bulls and the Celtics have temporarily provided misdirection; averting our eyes from June and into the first round. And David Stern is all smiles for it.


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Exclusive Audrina Patridge“s friendship with Lauren Conrad might be over for good … “cause the former MTV star tells us she hasn”t been invited to LC”s upcoming wedding yet … and she”s not sure she ever will be.
Conrad has been engaged for a solid month to her boyfriend William Tell … and there are reports that she”s looking to keep the wedding a non-MTV affair — no Heidi, no Spencer, no drama (However, word on the street is Lo Bosworth will be a bridesmaid).
So, when we saw Audrina at LAX yesterday … we had to ask — did you make the cut We were kinda shocked by her answer.
As anyone who”s ever been involved with a wedding knows … the guest list is a huge deal — and people take it VERY personally if they”re not invited when they think they should be.
Audrina Patridge in a Bikini — The Hills Are Back!

industry_corpus2: Film & Entertainment


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Small businesses can gain a welcome productivity boost from the MF411dw A4 laser Multifunctional printer. Offering professional-quality printing at speeds of up to 33ppm, the MF411dw is versatile enough to handle all your document needs despite its impressively compact size. An intuitive 3.5” colour touch screen, 300-page paper capacity and Quick First-Print from start-up all help your teams to work more efficiently and without interruption. The MF411dw also offers security convenient privacy feature: the Secure Print function protects your documents with a PIN code, even when you’re printing from a mobile device.
Thanks to the MF411dw’s support for Apple AirPrint (iOS) and Mopria (Android), your workgroup can print from any enabled device. They can also access a wide range of advanced features with the Canon PRINT Business app and can connect the device to a Google Cloud Print account in seconds.
The cloud-ready MF411dw can help your business be more agile. Using the MF Scan Utility (for PCs/laptops) and the Canon PRINT Business app (for mobile devices), everyone can connect seamlessly between the MF411dw and popular cloud storage services like Evernote® and DropBox to capture, digitise and share documents on the go – or simply to scan and email in a single operation.

industry_corpus2: Computing & Telecommunications


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The deadline to determine and communicate the creditable or non-creditable status of plans for 2019 is Oct. 15, 2018.
To assist in determining creditable coverage, UnitedHealthcare annually collaborates with Optum Insight to perform bulk-testing analysis of its standard benefit designs to satisfy the actuarial value test of the Medicare Part D determination.
Optum Insight determines if your plan provides "creditable coverage" based on the results of the bulk-testing.
Employers should communicate the creditable or non-creditable status to members.
This determination is mandatory at least once a year and the deadline for completion is prior to Oct. 15, 2018 so you can appropriately inform members.
Employers, not UnitedHealthcare, send creditable coverage notices to members.
Employers can pay UnitedHealthcare to send creditable coverage notices to members on its behalf.
If a plan's coverage is creditable, the plan sponsor can elect to pursue a subsidy called the Retiree Drug Subsidy program. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), subsidy payments to plan sponsors became subject to standard tax deduction rules starting in 2013. This optional step requires additional testing and an application process. Plan sponsors can apply for the subsidy by going to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) RDS Website.
Note plan sponsors must apply for the subsidy 90 days prior to the beginning of an RDS plan year, which can mirror a benefit plan year. For example, if a benefit plan year begins Jan. 1, 2019, and an employer wants their RDS plan year to be the same, they would apply for the subsidy by Oct. 2, 2018. If they request an extension, CMS can grant an additional 30 days to complete the application.
The 2019 creditable coverage tool will be posted by Tuesday Sept. 4, 2018. For more information, please visit the websites above or contact your UnitedHealthcare representative.
Email creditable.coverage@optum.com for assistance locating a plan design among the plans tested. For more information on RDS reporting, please contact Michelle Dovolos, michelle_a_dovolos@uhc.com. For all other questions, please reach out to Cheryl Theuninck, UnitedHealthcare Product, 952-205-1129, cheryl_theuninck@uhc.com.

industry_corpus2: Health & Medicine


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New Zealand is famous around the world for its ice cream, but Canstar Blue recently sought to find out which brands are tickling tastebuds here at home. Three brands topped the ratings for overall customer satisfaction, including Rush Munro’s. So we asked a spokesperson what the company’s secret ingredient is.
A) Rush Munro’s Ice Cream has an extensive range of iconic flavours, which are all made with real fruit and no colours or preservatives. Our premium, ice cream, made with 100 per cent natural ingredients comes in 24 different flavours. Our Maple and Walnut and Vanilla Bean continue to be our most popular flavours. Our real fruit ice creams including Feijoa and Passionfruit are also very popular.
Last year Rush Munro’s Maple and Walnut Ice Cream was named the best in the country at the National Ice Cream Awards. Rush Munro’s is proudly New Zealand’s oldest ice cream maker, handcrafting ice cream since 1926. We’ve been making ice cream for a long time and I think the Rush Munro’s flavours taste so good because we make it with care in small batches so the quality is high.
A) Rush Munro does not have a low fat ice cream range. To make ice cream you need to have a minimum fat content of 10% and premium ice cream is typically around 12 – 16%.There is huge demand for our premium ice cream which is made with real fruit and 100% natural ingredients. Consumers are becoming better informed and knowledgeable about ingredients and they are looking at ingredient lists more frequently, and we at RM are focused on using nothing but natural ingredients to deliver the best tasting product to the consumer. Most of the fruit and ingredients that goes into our ice cream is sourced from local growers and suppliers around the Hawke’s Bay region.
A) Each batch of ice cream is hand crafted and batch churned to create the beautiful premium ice cream we are known for, 100% natural, 100% delicious. When we say 100% natural, we really mean it. Our products have a very short ingredient list that you don’t need a food science degree to understand! That’s because we only use what’s needed to produce delicious natural ice cream: pure New Zealand dairy, fresh eggs and the finest locally sourced ingredients.
A) Although the team at Rush Munro’s are thrilled to be part of a world renowned New Zealand Dairy Industry we’re solely focused, for the time being, on ensuring the ice cream we produce is in line with the vision of it’s founder over 80 years ago, with the desire to provide New Zealanders’ as well the many international visitors who visit the Hastings area and visit the iconic Rush Munro Ice Cream shop with best handmade, 100% natural and we think tastiest ice cream in New Zealand!

industry_corpus2: Others


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Kane Brown Just Made A MAJOR Surprise Announcement!
Listen to the Spanish-language remix of "Lost in the Middle of Nowhere" from Kane Brown and Becky G.
Find Out Who Is Performing LIVE At The 2019 ACM Awards!
Buckle Up #WolfShedders! 2019 Watershed Line Up is Fire!


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Nosa Igbinedion directs this alternative take on the Orishas where he makes it out to be a superhero movie titled Oya: Rise of the Orisha starring Ethosheia Hylton Prince Shoyelu Jayde Stedford Quincy Okpokpor Luiana Bonfim Orwi Imanuel Ameh. Well so far i cant say i’ve heard or come across a Nigerian superhero film so this one i just had to check out.
For centuries the doorway between the world of the Orishas and our world has remained closed, until now. Our hero, Ade, is one of the few people with a connection to one of the gods, Oya. She has been tasked with the job of protecting the innocent and that means keeping the door to the gods shut.
If the doorway to the gods is opened, they will wreak chaos upon us as retribution for our abandonment of them. To keep the door shut, she must find ‘the key’, a young girl with the potential to open the doorway, and keep her safe.
The adventure unfolds with a host of memorable characters and a string of unexpected twists, Ade, goes in search of the key, battling against those who wish to open portal and unleashing a horde of forgotten gods and goddesses into the world, with powers and skills beyond our comprehensive and supernatural gifts which will change the course of history for mankind, forever.


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Sweets is a kind, young, cute witch who enjoys trading and sharing with children.
Sweets the Witch starts off like any other young witch, eating everything her parents give her. As she grows older she only wants to eat candy. Even having her teeth fall out doesn't deter her from her goal of getting as much candy as she can on Halloween night to last her all year long.
Because she likes to share, she casts a spell so that children will trade their candy for a toy or special wish of their choice (as long as it's a fair trade for their candy). They can trade it all or just a bit, the more that they trade the more that they'll get! At the beginning of October, read our book, then talk to your child about what they would like to trade their candy for, they write down a wish or draw or cut out a picture of what they want and put it into Sweet's cauldron pot, then they put their candy that they want to trade next to the cauldron and when they wake up they will find that Sweets the Witch has been there and left them their "SweetSwitch"!
*We encourage parents and children alike to view our Sweets the Witch and her SweetSwitch commercial and music video (tabs are located on our home page) to see our wonderful Halloween family tradition brought to life!

industry_corpus2: Subject Education


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If you would've asked the pre-kid me where my offspring would attend school, I wouldn't have hesitated to say, "Well, the public school. Where else?" Fast forward to five years later. My twins, having successfully completed two years of preschool, were ready to go to kindergarten, even if the hubby and I were not. After discussion and visiting some local schools near the tail-end of our daughters' pre-k career, we decided to send our girls to a private school. If you knew our budget and income, you'd probably be snickering by now and wondering how we could manage that.
Private school tuition can be daunting; it certainly was to us, especially when doubled. Here are some legitimate ways we found to help cut down on those costs and make private school work within our budget.
The school we decided on had some discounts in tuition already available for those students and families who met certain criteria. For example, because we were enrolling two students at once, we did get a reduction in the second tuition. Taking this a bit further, if you happen to have more than two enrolled at the same time, the tuition for each subsequent student drops a bit more. So having multiple children at the same private school at the same time might help out in your financial department.
If the school you're looking at is affiliated with a certain church or religion, check into discounts linked to this. Our girls' school is Lutheran and is attached to a church; members of the church get a nice discount off tuition, while Lutheran members of other area churches are entitled to a different discount.
It's not just for college anymore. In all seriousness, there could be a local program out there to help with private school tuition. We are fortunate to live in an area that has such a program dedicated solely to helping families living within certain incomes with private school tuition. Our local program, the Bison Fund, provides such assistance to some 1,300 children throughout the Western New York region. Do a little internet digging of your own or ask potential schools if there is a similar program near you.
My last bit of advice is to familiarize yourself with whoever is in charge of admission and/ or finances at the school of your choice and ask about any assistance you might be missing as far as tuition goes. If your region does not have a fund like that one described above, your school could still offer tuition assistance or reduction based on income. It does not hurt to ask.
Also, if the lump sum of the tuition is more than you can pay at one time (though there could be a financial incentive to do so), inquire about the possibility of a more manageable monthly payment plan. It has been my experience (limited though it is) that private schools will work with families.
My kids attend the local public school and are doing well there. Our area also has a very rich Charter school system so I'd look into that if the public school wasn't working out.
I'm facing a similar dilemma to you. Our public school is not very challenging and I fear a bit for the child who just entered grade 2. I have talked with the teacher, and I see a little change but not enough. I'll try again soon and if nothing happens by Christmas I'm going to have to do something for the new year.
@ Ashley - both my hubby & I attended public; we hold nothing against them, just wanted something with an emphasis on God for our girls.
@ Alex - we're finding out that our school does go above & beyond the public curriculum - it's a bonus in our eyes!


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Did Peter really just walk into Alicia’s apartment and announce they were still married on The Good Wife Season 7 Episode 18?
Despite having slept with hookers and having numerous affairs with coworkers throught the years. Peter still feels he has the right to stake his claim on Alicia when he comes face to face with Jason.
His behavior was far from a surprise; it was almost expected, and yet I’m still awestruck at what a hypocrite Peter can be.
The best part was how calmly Jason reacted to Peter’s posturing, as though he expected that behavior too. Peter stood there in Alicia’s bedroom demanding to know how long Alicia and Jason have been sleeping together and whether Grace knew about it while Jason calmly told him to direct his questions to Alicia.
After all of these years, Alicia finally walked into Peter’s office to announce she’s divorcing him and it’s about damn time. Their marriage may have helped Peter’s career but more often than not it’s been a detriment to Alicia’s.
So true. But Peter was right about this time being the real deal. Eli wasn’t about to let his daughter get dragged into Peter’s mess. He may not want to but I think he will testify against Peter if it comes down to it. I think Peter killed off a lot of Eli’s loyalty when he ousted Eli and hired Ruth to run his Presidential campaign and, in part, that decision is coming back to bite him now.
There were big changes at Lockart, Agos, & Lee as well. Alicia became a named partner, Howard got moved to the lowly 27th floor, David Lee cut some sort of a deal and Cary quit!
I’m not sure what to think about Cary quitting. Working at this firm hasn’t looked like much fun and Cary has clearly grown weary of all of the behind the scenes manipulations. He deserves a long vacation on that beach he keeps staring at.
But I don’t want Cary to disappear with only a handful of episodes left in the series! That would be a waste of a great character.
Even Caitlin returned after having her daughter and won her drone case, only to reveal she and her husband have separated. Can’t anyone be happy on this show?
Do you think Alicia will give Peter the stay he’s looking for or pull the plug on their marriage now? Is Cary really gone for good? Will Eli actually testify against Peter?
Check back later in the week for our The Good Wife round table and if you can’t wait for more, you can always watch The Good Wife online here at TV Fanatic.


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Rich is an award winning professional photographer based in Vancouver, BC. With more than 15 years’ experience, Rich specializes in sports, editorial and corporate photography.
Rich freelances for such clients as Getty Images, The Canadian Press, USA Today, Russell Peters and a variety of magazines, daily newspapers and corporate clients. His images have appeared worldwide.
When working with clients, Rich is known for his ability to understand his client’s message and present it in a photograph. He is quick to adapt to the changing surroundings and document what is happening around him. Whether it is a riot, a championship game or a wedding, his images tell a story.
Rich has also worked at the Vancouver, London and Sochi Olympic games as a Venue Photo Manager, organizing logistics and aiding the photographers covering the games.

industry_corpus2: Media & Journalism


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Magic Juice! sample pack is a brand new enchanting pack that brings you an assortment of sounds from the producer Nava Sounds.
Magic Juice! sample pack includes 117 intriguing quality WAV files that are ready to be dragged into your next production.
The sounds in the Magic Juice! sample pack range from enchanting piano lines, drum shots, stunning textures/FX, beautiful strings and choirs, plucks, pads, and guitars, Samples Music Loops (Royalty Free! )!


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You are floating in Kailua Bay just moments before the starting cannon sounds the beginning of a day that absolutely no one really knows what it’s going to take to make it through. The goal is the IRONMAN finish line. Make it there and one grand journey will be complete. How that’s going to happen is still an unknown. Only minute-by-minute as the day unfolds will it all come into focus.
The gap between where you are at in the race and the IRONMAN finish line has a way of expanding and contracting, and then expanding again.
Rough patches can be followed by, well, more of the same. You deal with one and feel back on track, and then another one hits. Finishing can go from feeling barely worth it to sounding totally and completely impossible. You ask yourself why? Why am I out here? Why do I keep pushing? But even as you debate the whole worth of the day within yourself you are amazingly still making forward progress.
From first to last, you have to find the place within that is willing to do whatever is necessary to finish.
Eventually you are so locked in that pain and discomfort mean nothing. They take a silent back seat to your steal-clad commitment to keep making forward momentum. A good result or a bad result? Neither have any real sway over you. That type of measure just doesn’t compute in your brain any longer.
You are on a singularly focused mission: Get To The Finish Line!
At one point an epiphany happens. You know you are going to make it regardless of the state you are in. It might be with you hands held high because you set a PR, won an age group, or simply overcame everything the day served up. But regardless, the moment you cross the IRONMAN finish line, it’s like an unseen Seal Of Approval issued from the Department Of Life is stamped onto your DNA.
This video is a reminder of the journey. It’s a reminder of why the IRONMAN in Hawaii is so special. And mostly it’s a window into the joy and elation the inspiring IRONMAN finish line brings out.
It doesn’t matter if you are a finisher or someone there cheering the athletes across it, the IRONMAN finish line is something I am sure you will agree is a Top-40 Greatest Moment at IRONMAN. And this “moment” isn’t just one speck of time. It spans the entire 40-years of IRONMAN finish lines in Hawaii and includes every IRONMAN finish line around the world.
Start your IRONMAN experience HERE.

industry_corpus2: Sports


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Welcome to bestethernetcable.com! Tech and electronics gurus are gathered to create this website where they can share their expertise and knowledge to help the users get the best networking stuff. Here you will find articles on different Ethernet cable types; best Ethernet cables list for particular needs and demands, networking tips, and all the other stuff for your wired as well as wireless connections.
Our goal at best Ethernet cable is to become the largest online community and informative content website which delivers only high-quality reading and application material for our visitors. We always aim to deliver top-class content which is well-written, original, with in-depth analysis, edited by professional authors and contained expert’s touch to be a useful piece of information.
Wireless connection is also a good option, but sometimes it causes high latency and congestion. This may result in a poor gaming experience especially in shooting games where each millisecond counts. On the other hand, Ethernet cables are the great way to have a reliable, secure, clear, and high speed internet connection on your different network devices like routers, hubs, switches, adapters, and gaming consoles like PS3, Xbox One, PS4, Xbox One S, etc.
Different Ethernet cables are differing in terms of size, price, speed, frequency, noise resistance, and also the type which is the main aspect of choosing the best cable option for fastest network connection. On this website, you will get all the information related to different Ethernet cable types and suggestions and tips to find the best among them.
Whether you want a reliable Ethernet cable to have an enhanced gaming experience or a secure wired connection, the high speed Ethernet cable will deliver the optimal performance for you. If you have any query related to your wired or wireless connection, or want to know anything about the different network devices, their working, and their benefits, contact us without any hesitation and we will be right there in your Inbox to help you out in no time!


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Snowball Earth (2008-2009) was commissioned by Emil Holmström. The commissioner asked me to reach for extremities both in difficulties and complexity. I didn’t find it interesting to write anything only because it’s difficult, so I took three different elements: harmony, arabesque and repetition. These elements are at first quite independent, but later, after expansion of these elements to three layers, they begin to interact more and more eagerly. The result is very dense and complex texture which uses all registers of the piano almost at the same time. Finally, after about ten terrifying minutes for the pianist, these three elements, still keeping their own features, freeze into one point.
The title ”Snowball Earth” refers to an era of millions of years when the Earth was almost entirely or wholly covered in ice, stretching from the poles to the tropics. This freezing happened over 650 million years ago in the Pre-Cambrian, though there may have been more than one of these global glaciations, which varied both in duration and extent.


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Hybrid Irons– these are extremely forgiving, and are great for a golfer who doesn’t play often, doesn’t have a high swing speed, or who is in the beginning stages of the game.
Cavity Back Irons– these irons are forgiving, but have a slightly thinner look than hybrid irons. If you shoot between 87 and 105 (legitimately), these might be a good choice.
Forged Irons– forged irons are probably the most common iron on tour these days. They offer more forgiveness than blade irons, but still have that sleek look that the tour players want. These are my personal choice of irons, and I shoot anywhere from high 60’s to mid 70’s on average. I put these in the bag when I was averaging about 80, and definitely saw my game improve with them. If you are serious about improving your game, it doesn’t matter what skill level you are, you will eventually have to own a set of forged irons.
Blade Irons– these are just another option for the tour player. They are the thinnest and smallest iron, and require the most precise strike to achieve solid contact. I don’t see any benefit of having blades, but some tour pros still play them, so I’m not talking.
The better question is, how good do you want to be? There are no rules saying that the beginner cannot purchase a full set of forged irons. I think this golfer would struggle tremendously at first, but if they could withstand the frustration without losing confidence in their ability, this would be the surest route to improve a golf game. If you don’t aspire to shoot in the 70s consistently, cavity back irons are a good option.
The only situation where purchasing hybrid irons makes sense to me is if you don’t hit the ball very far. If you can swing the club with decent club head speed, purchasing hybrid irons is a waste in my opinion.
This is the used vs. new debate. If you want to avoid spending over $400, go with used irons. You will be much better off buying a quality set of used irons than you would be to buy a brand new set of Wal-Mart knockoffs.
If you don’t mind the hefty price of $800 or more, I recommend that you invest in a custom made set of irons. You can do this on your own with the help of several tutorials I have posted on the site, or you can place a one time order through a club-fitter/golf store.
If you plan on ordering custom shafts, you really can’t go wrong with anything True Temper, KBS, Project X, or Nippon. These brands all carry excellent iron shafts. When selecting a flex, it is safe to go with the flex that you chose for your tee clubs. The flex of your iron shafts are not quite as important as your tee clubs in my opinion (they are important though!).
When you build your iron set, it is extremely important to get the lie angles correct. Here is a post that explains lie angles in depth.


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There are basically three kinds of foundations who work to meet the needs of sick kids: those who focus on specific illnesses, those that work with any child diagnosed with a terminal diagnosis, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and those who work to support sick children in a variety of ways to make their lives easier, happier and hopeful. These foundations provide huge comfort and support to both sick children and their families.
One of the biggest needs of parents is for information centers where they can direct inquiries, rather than having to turn to their doctors with every question. Foundations, such as the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, Epilepsy Outlook, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, are easily identifiable groups who offer expertise and support around these specific conditions. They can advise on treatment methods, lifestyle adjustments and provide psychological support.
Most school districts offer teaching services for children not able to attend school and will visit sick children either in the hospital or at home to provide them with lessons, activities and reporting to help them keep up with their education.
SKIP of New York meets the needs of sick kids in their homes through practical assistance, such as fitting shower chairs, support rails and offering hourly respite care. They also provide educational and developmental support while educating parents and caregivers. They aim to make home a safe and happy place for sick and disabled children and to keep their families connected to their wider communities.
The Confetti Foundation specializes in providing birthday parties for children in hospitals, tailoring the menu, games, and theme to the needs and condition of the sick child.
Child’s Play collect and distribute toys to children’s hospitals all over America and internationally, mainly through the support of video game enthusiasts. Starlight Children’s Foundation also aims to brighten the hospital experience of children by bringing in toys, games, special visitors and safe play equipment into children’s hospitals.The Confetti Foundation specializes in providing birthday parties for children in hospitals, tailoring the menu, games, and theme to the needs and condition of the sick child.
Child’s Play collect and distribute toys to children’s hospitals all over America and internationally, mainly through the support of video game enthusiasts. Starlight Children’s Foundation also aims to brighten the hospital experience of children by bringing in toys, games, special visitors and safe play equipment into children’s hospitals. Perhaps the most well-known foundation for sick kids is Make-A-Wish, which helps critically sick children achieve a dream or goal while undergoing treatment.Perhaps the most well-known foundation for sick kids is Make-A-Wish, which helps critically sick children achieve a dream or goal while undergoing treatment.
The Hospice Movement has homes dedicated to providing end-of-life care for children. These can be used for respite needs, so that parents can rest while taking care of the round-the-clock needs of their sick child, knowing that their child is in safe and professional hands. The main focus of Hospice is to manage the patient’s pain, discomfort and distress in a loving and comforting manner as the child nears death. Families have 24-hour access to the facility and every effort is made to create a positive environment. The staff is generally made up of professional nurses, nursing assistants, and doctors, as well as admin and support staff. Medicaid and Medicare patients usually have their Hospice bills covered, as do most patients with health insurance; otherwise, charges are calculated on a sliding scale.
© 2019 Foundation for sick children. Built using WordPress and OnePage Express Theme.


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I would never go back to living without the support of angels and guides. Never. My life is so much better with divine guidance to assist me.
1. You are never alone! So many of us feel alone and than few people understand us. My guides and angels really understand me. They know I am sensitive and they have trained me how to manage my sensitivities. Sometimes by giving me the idea to open a certain book to a random page and there will be the answer I seek. Or I mention that I need something for a craft project for instance and my friend will tell me she happened to buy too much modpog or something.
2. You have the ability to manage your feelings and open your heart. By helping us meet our basic needs they facilitate us being open to the higher qualities of compassion and love.
3. You find new ways of thinking that support you. I get instructions that I don’t understand, but later upon reflection, there was a perfect reason for it. An example is the time I was told from the voice within to say no to a social invitation that seemed like it would be great and later it turned out that I was called to do a bedside sing with my hospice choir who needed a soprano. That is a priority for me, singing when people need it.
4. You develop healthy habits and an empowering lifestyle. My guidance asks me to give up sugar, reduce meat consumption and meditate daily. I also cannot be around scented products and they turned out to be full of harmful chemicals. I was guided to stop dying my hair too. And all the cleaning supplies I need are white vinegar and baking soda. If I need to make the room smell better, I use lemon essential oil or peppermint for bug repellent.
5. You experience moments of grace and synchronicity. When I listened to the inner voice that told me to call a friend and she was weeping because her good friend had just died, I was grateful to be there in her time of need. Or when I took 5 minutes longer to get ready even though I hate to be late and I passed an accident that had just happened.
6. You find your life purpose and have the passion to pursue it. I have been supported in pursuing my dream of having a healing practice that honors the fact that I think we need to have a sense of spirituality to be psychologically well. I found a graduate school that operated from that theory and provided a course of study that gave me confidence and credentials to live my dream. This occurred because I was guided to take a workshop, met a man that completely inspired me and he taught at the college that was 3000 miles away. I researched the school, applied, sold my possessions, packed my car and moved out there in 3 weeks. I didn’t even know if I was accepted at the school or had financial aid. I just knew I needed to go and everything lined up for me to do it. I loved all my courses, found a whole school of people who thought like I did and had a year of feeding my soul. It was all about art being meditation and prayer, ecology being a deep part of spirituality, feminism and sexuality being essential to wellbeing and the cosmos living within us. Quantum physics, mysticism, native religions, honoring mother earth and divine wisdom that speaks through our hearts were all a part of what we studied. And what wonderful people I met!
7. You get insights to help you solve problems and navigate life. I was contemplating what I was going to do to expand my private practice and shared this with a business advisor. He said something I will always be grateful for, “I think you should meet this other client of mine, something tells me you can help each other out”. We became business partners officially 16 months later. She is the technology expert and I provide the spiritual, emotional and physical healing that helps our clients. It is a wonderful expansion of my private practice and we are getting the wisdom to many more people than I could before working with her. All because this guy used his intuition to suggest we connect, because we listened and followed through and have been following guidance ever since.
In the comments below, let us know … How have guides and angels helped you and made your life better?


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A single goal: following the tradition of Angoris’ first classic method, the “Nature”, which ceased production in 1996. From here comes 16 48: a toast to Angoris and its long history.
Cristal golden yellow; fine and persistant perlage.
Intense; bread crust, almond, yogurt; floral with hawthorn and elderberry flowers; fruit notes of white peach, nectarine and hints of tropical fruit; fragrant, mineral.
Soft, fresh; dry, balanced and persistent; creamy, mineral with a nice acidic backbone.
Raw crustaceans, oven roasted grouper, fried shrimp, crudo, tuna or swordfish tartar, oysters or the greatest of aperitifs.

industry_corpus2: Hospitality & Catering


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Welcome to day 7 of our 12 days of Christmas giveaways! If you missed our previous advent giveaways then be sure to pop over to our giveaways page to catch up.
Today we have a prize perfect for those cold winter nights courtesy of Sleepy People.
Sleepypeople.com is a UK based family run business which was founded back in 2006. They source the best-branded products at the most affordable prices. You can buy everything for the perfect night’s sleep, from pillows, duvets, memory foam mattress toppers and more. They have everything to help get you into a snuggly slumber. We have recently had one of their electric blankets and it is amazing!
Our bed is always super toasty when we get in it, which is very welcoming on these Winter nights.
The lovely guys at Sleepy People are giving one of you lucky readers the chance to win a Silentnight Winter Warm Duvet 15 tog in double.
All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is fill in the rafflecopter form below.
Remember to come back tomorrow for yet another fab giveaway.
What a great giveaway, for keeping nice and warm in bed.
Wow, what a great prize to keep you nice and warm.
always love being warm in bed, and when you get too hot, its easy to stick out a leg !
Our heating has broken so my son could do with this duvet to keep warm in bed!!


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For those whose experience of golf matters depends as much on the surrounding scenery as the actual playing of the game itself, there are fewer regions more ideally suited to you than Gloucestershire. It is split into three distinct areas: the Cotswolds, Royal Forest of Dean and Severn Vale and boasts the largest Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK.
It is hardly surprising then that, despite being quite a small region, golf course architects took full advantage of the region to construct 42 courses here for you to enjoy, each offering fine views of the marvellous countryside. Naunton Downs, for instance, in the Cotswolds is a fantastic test of golf for players of all abilities and enjoys an active membership that warmly receives visitors to their tees. It offers exceptional views across this quaint, peaceful and traditional part of England, as well as a lovely clubhouse that has a very homely feel to it.
Similarly, Chipping Sodbury Golf Club, just outside Bristol, is set amidst some truly luscious, verdant countryside where the seclusion from the hustle and bustle of modern day, urban life is so complete, you could indeed almost hear a pin drop on the fairways. Painswick, Forest of Dean and Lydney Golf Clubs also offer fine courses that allow you to enjoy the fresh air of this tranquil part of English countryside, as you plot your way around some of the finest, oldest and most traditional courses the country has to offer.


text: These 2 Pieces Leather Car Seat Side Pockets are made of durable leather and can be applied to most most car models. These car catcher caddy can create extra storage within easy reach and prevent items drop under the seat, which is perfectly help your car tidy and organized. This car seat side storage is easy to install and fits flexibly between the seat and center console.

industry_corpus2: Automobiles


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My husband and I are both light sleepers and consequently, picky pillow people. To help us sleep at night, warm and comfy bedding plays a big part. For anyone that has ever looked for quality linens in Budapest, you know this can be tricky. Yesterday, we set out to find the perfect pillow in Budapest. And guess what? We did.
Some people are very lucky and seemingly have the ability to sleep anywhere at anytime – just like my sister. I need a dark room, a heavy blanket, calm music or total silence. My husband is the same and we always wake up if there is the slightest disturbance in the force.
Located at Teréz krt, 35 in the 6th District of Budapest, Elfenbein is easy to miss. Only a small sign on the street takes you to a door leading down a fairly rickety wooden staircase into a basement filled with feathers. It’s like being in a Victorian snow globe – but one filled with goose down instead of snow!
Our trepidation disappeared in an instant when we received a warm greeting from the owner, Tamás Szántó. This small but perfect workshop was started by his grandfather in 1957. Elfenbein makes custom Hungarian goose feather pillows and comforters – and they are amazing!
The welcoming and knowledgeable Tamás.
Tamás gave us a tour of the workshop and explained the differences in the 3 types of pillows he offers. You are also able to purchase them in various sizes – including any custom sizing you may want. We chose to purchase two standard pillows in the “sandwich” style. The means our pillows are stuffed with Hungarian goose feathers, but then also have a layer of goose down on either side. This method allows the feathers to provide good head and neck support, with the soft down to prevent feathers from sticking into your face while you sleep. Clever.
Luckily, Elfenbein also provides pillow cases, so we didn’t have to go to a separate store on the way home. This is especially important for us since the standard European sized pillow is different then what we use in North America. Any and all of our of our existing pillowcases just wouldn’t fit.
Andrew feeling the very soft Hungarian goose down used in our pillows.
A corkboard with articles and thank you notes from satisfied and some very famous clients (Goldie Hawn being the most recent).
While I understand that feather pillows aren’t for everyone – especially those with allergies. We LOVE them. We can even take ours back to Elfenbein to have them adjusted if required. Tamás said these new ones should last us 30 years before replacement is necessary. It should be noted that we paid more than double for our old feather pillows purchased at The Bay in Toronto five years ago – and those pillows were not hand-made.
Of course, Elfenbein is also famous for their comforters/duvets. We did ship ours from home, but we know where to get a new one when the time comes. We highly recommend Elfenbein for your new pillow in Budapest – and they even ship worldwide.

industry_corpus2: Manufacturing


text: The following is sponsored content: NBC5 News has partnered with Rogue Credit Union and AARP for Your Place Your Money. Each week you’ll get practical financial advice that will save you money! This week we discuss checking your credit score.

industry_corpus2: Finance & Economics


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John Macdonald - Scotland's international accordion virtuoso has achieved gold album sales in Australia. With the Blue Mountains as his home, John extensively tours throughout Australia and overseas.
Complete your details below and your enquiry will be emailed directly to John MacDonald Show. Please check your contact details are correct to ensure the quickest possible reply.


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American Tourister’s duffle bags are the ideal option when you need a lightweight wheeled bag that is flexible and easy to handle. Travelling by train or car? Then this is the bag for you.
Perfect for casual business, these laptop rucksacks and bags offer special compartments for a range of different laptop sizes and tablets up to 10.1”. Plus the ergonomic straps and padded backpack panel promise maximum carrying comfort.

industry_corpus2: Travel & Geography


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1) The lyrics tell us the singer is on his way to catch a train and he really wants to be on time. When is the last time you were late for something?
2) He sings he's on his way to meet a woman known for her macaroons. What's your favorite cookie?
3) His girlfriend's face is so pretty she lights up the city night. How many lights are in the room you're in? How many are switched on?
5) 47 years after their record was a hit, The Stampeders still tour every summer, playing festivals across the US and their native Canada. Do you enjoy live music under the stars? Or would you prefer to be seated in a theater?
6) In 1971, when this song was popular on the radio, detective shows were popular on TV. Mannix, Ironside and Cannon were all in the Top 20. Who is your favorite TV detective?
7) Also in 1971, the Post Office Department was disbanded as a Cabinet department and became The United States Postal Service. When did you last go to the post office? Were you mailing something? Buying stamps? Picking up a package? Renewing your passport?
8) Race car legend Jeff Gordon was born in 1971. Do you watch NASCAR?
9) Random question -- Do you have a vaccination scar? If so, where is it?
Thanks, Sam!! Good song and great questions!
Enjoyed this one. Got mine up on my blog. Thanks.
Doing mine now... Thank you!
It's my first time here, but certainly not my last. Wonderful, fun questions and I look forward to reading everyone's answers.


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We've tried to cover some of the more common questions we're asked, but we're very approachable, so please do call or email if you have any questions at all.
Do I have to pay the full amount when i order?
No. Once you've approved your quote, we'll require a 60% deposit up front. You'll be asked to pay the balance on completion of work.
We're based in Oxfordshire, but more than happy to work within a 30 mile radius. Some of the areas we cover include: Abingdon, Bicester, Carterton, Wantage, Dorchester, Didcot, Wheatley, Wallingford, Benson, Eynsham, Kidlington, Woodstock, Witney, Reading and Thame. That being said, please do get in touch so we can discuss if your location is feasible.
Do your products meet British safety standards?
Yes, we only supply and fit the highest quality products. We only use reputable brands like Solidor and Swish to name a couple.
Do your products come with energy efficiency ratings?
How long does it take to install windows and doors?
This will depend on the complexity of the project, but typically we aim to complete 3-5 windows per day.
Will you dispose my old windows after installation?
Yes, it's all part of the service.
Will you need to put up scaffolding?
This will all depend on the type and structure of the building that we’re working on. In most cases, we tend to use tower scaffolding that will be erected and dismantled on completion of work.
If we do need to put scaffolding up, our team are PASMA certified and fully qualified to do so. We always adhere to the most recent health and safety regulations in the UK.
Will I need to get planning permission before installing new windows or doors?
Usually you don;t need planning permission to replace windows and doors in their original walls of the house. However, in some cases, like listed buildings, we'll need to replace like for like. If you're unsure, we'll be more than happy to discuss your options when we visit the property.
Will I need to replace carpet or tiles to have a new door installed?
Once we’ve fully assessed the project and it’s requirements, we’ll be sure to let you know. It is always our aim to keep customers well informed and most importantly happy - that being said, we always aim to leave your premises as we found it.

industry_corpus2: Real Estate & Construction


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We began this week’s episode of Revolution with last week’s cliffhanger: Rachel has managed to walk right up to Monroe, and stands in his tent with a live grenade. She flicks the striker, and two things happen simultaneously: one of Monroe’s men wrestles her to the ground, grappling for the grenade, while another soldier hauls Monroe around and pulls him to the ground as well, shielding him with his body. Monroe struggles with the soldier, staring over at Rachel in disbelief; she simply stares back, seemingly oblivious of the man fighting to wrench the grenade from her hands.
At the last moment, the soldier manages to yank the grenade away from Rachel, and he hurls it outside of the tent, where it promptly explodes. Monroe staggers to his feet, his expression still fixed in stunned disbelief, while Rachel makes no effort to get up as well, staring back with a kind of sad resignation on her own face.
Four miles away, a helicopter lands, and Miles, Neville, Nora, Charlie, and Jason climb out. As they all gear up, Miles quips that they likely have an entire army awaiting them, not to mention Monroe, “But, what the hell? Just another Monday, right?” They then set out in hopes of rescuing Rachel.
Aaron observes the ensuing chaos within the Monroe camp through binoculars, having apparently realized that Rachel’s plan did not succeed. He watches as Monroe hauls Rachel out of Monroe’s tent and then marches her over to the Tower entrance, followed by Randall and a contingent of soldiers. Monroe grabs one of Rachel’s hands, forcing it against the computer scanner. Both she and Randall look surprised when the computer flashes “Access Granted” and the doors begin to slide open. They reveal a tunnel, and lights flicker on inside as the group watches.
Monroe heads in, accompanied by Rachel, Randall, and a few of his soldiers. They walk out onto a causeway, with huge pipes running overhead and stairwells leading to multiple levels below. Randall points out a supercollider to Monroe, stating that it’s just the tip of the iceberg in potential weaponry. They keep walking, and Rachel berates Randall in an undertone for bringing Monroe to the tower. She says that it is an insane move, even for Randall, who responds that, unlike Rachel, he has a healthy interest in self-preservation. He then wonders how Rachel managed to get the door open, since he didn’t recall her having the clearance needed. Rachel replies that she has no idea. This leads Randall to conclude that it must have been Grace’s doing, and he informs Rachel that he left Grace in the Tower under supervision, but that she must have gotten loose. When Rachel expresses disbelief that Grace would have managed to take out one of Randall’s men, he retorts, “Who else could it be?” To which Rachel offers no suggestion.
Outside, two of Monroe’s men walk near the Tower entrance, one of them asking the other what Monroe is doing inside. When the other soldier asks the Captain if he is questioning Monroe’s judgment, the Captain quickly denies this. The sight of the Tower doors sliding shut suddenly distracts them. They race over, but the doors close before they arrive, and they pound uselessly at the entrance. Unbeknownst to them, they are being watched on a camera, from within the Tower, by a man. As they shout and bang at the doors, the man hits a few keystrokes on a computer keyboard, and the monitor he is watching flips to a new view, this of Monroe, Randall, Rachel, and the soldiers walking along the causeway.
The man turns away from the monitors, addressing a group of people behind him, stating that it was time to welcome their visitors. This prompts his group to grab weapons off the wall before heading out.
In the nearby woods, Miles and the group are observing Monroe’s camp, searching for Rachel. Nora notices a light in the distance, and they sneak over to it, assuming it is Monroe’s scouts. Instead, they stumble upon Aaron, who is shocked to find them with Neville.
Inside the Tower, Randall has led the group back to the area where he had left Grace. He presses the button for the elevator, and is surprised when it lights up, and the floor indicator shows the cage moving up to them from floor 11. Monroe is more interested in the computer monitors on the opposite wall, which display live global satellites. Randall tells Monroe that the Tower was built to be impervious to everything, including the blackout, and is fully powered. He goes on to say that there is nothing they can’t do from within the Tower, including spying on anyone in the world, listen to anything they’re saying, or kill them, all with the push of a button. He is quick to add that Monroe will need his help to accomplish this. Monroe asks if all of that could really be accomplished from where they stand, and Randall hesitates, stating that they need to get to level 12 first. Rachel attempts to interrupt Randall, shocked and alarmed at what he is telling Monroe, which proves to Monroe that Randall is telling the truth. He starts walking toward the elevator, with the intent of going down to that level with the others.
Outside, Aaron and Charlie exchange a quick embrace. When Aaron asks how things are going, Nora speaks bluntly, saying that if he doesn’t get the power back on, the Rebels and Georgia army will be destroyed. Aaron then reveals that Rachel is in the Tower with Monroe, after failing in her attempt to go down there and kill him by also killing herself. He shows them Dr. Warren’s journal and explains how he can gain access to the Tower by using the override codes inside, once they figure out how to get past Monroe’s troops.
Inside the elevator, Monroe and the others watch as the floor indicator slowly dings its way down toward 12. It suddenly jars to a stop, opening its doors on floor 11. Randall steps out and looks around, before stepping back in and pushing the button again for 12. Nothing happens, and he tells Monroe that there must be something wrong with the elevator, but that they can use a stairwell to reach the bottom level. Suddenly, all of the lights go out, before flickering on and off with the sound of an alarm. A few soldiers step out of the elevator as Monroe demands for Randall to explain what is going on. Before Randall can even attempt to respond, the air is lit with gunfire, and several soldiers collapse as they are killed. Everyone jumps from the elevator, most cut down immediately. Monroe is trapped in a doorway, and notices that Rachel has managed to make it down the hall and is punching a password into a locked door. She manages to get the door open, and as she slips inside and starts to close it, Monroe appears and starts to force his way in with her. Rachel tries to keep him out, but he overpowers her, pushing the door open hard enough for her to lose her grip and fall back. Monroe gets inside, closing the door behind him, and Rachel attacks him. Again, she is overpowered, losing her weapon and pulled down to the ground by Monroe. He screams at her to stop fighting, and as they lay there, gasping, he asks her what just happened and who just attacked them, but she simply stares at him.
In Monroe’s camp, Jason and Neville have snuck into the command tent, where Monroe’s power amplifier is. They open cans of gasoline, and Jason pulls a grenade from his pocket. He and Neville exchange a long look, before Jason pulls the pin and flicks the striker. He drops the grenade on top of the amplifier, and he and Neville race from the tent. It explodes behind them, knocking out all of the power throughout the camp. While the flames distract Monroe’s soldiers, Miles, Charlie, Nora, and Aaron run to the Tower doors, and Aaron starts working on the override codes. While he is still keying in the commands, they are discovered by the Militia, who open fire. He finally finishes keying in the sequence of commands, and the doors open. They run inside, and keep exchanging fire with the soldiers, waiting for Jason and Neville to join them. However, they run out of ammo, and Jason and Neville are pinned down by gunfire. Miles orders Aaron to close the doors. He grabs Charlie as she tries to run out, screaming for Jason, and Charlie and Jason exchange looks of horror as the doors close with Jason and Neville still outside.
Within the Tower, Rachel watches a monitor that shows several different areas of the underground compound, while Monroe stalks around the room, searching it, still firing questions at her. Rachel calmly denies any knowledge of who attacked them or how they can escape or where Monroe can find weapons. When Monroe points out that she must know something of the Tower, since she knew how to access the bunker, Rachel only stares at him, refusing to admit anything. Monroe tries reasoning with her, stating that their only chance to survive is if they help each other. This causes Rachel to remind him that she only wants him dead, even if it means her death as well. Monroe accuses her of lying, stating that he has talked to several people who attempted suicide and somehow survived, and that they all expressed regret when they made the attempt. Therefore, he knows what Rachel was thinking back in the tent, and now this is her chance to get out of the Tower alive, so that she can get back to trying to kill him without putting her own life in jeopardy.
One week before the blackout, Rachel stands, holding a pendant, while nearby Ben works on a laptop. He assures her that the pendants are merely a precaution, and that the containment protocols are rock solid. Rachel is not convinced, saying that there was still a chance that something could go wrong. When Ben brushes off her concern, Rachel gets in his face, urging him to help her cancel the launch. They exchange harsh words before Rachel backs off, saying that all they ever do anymore is fight. Ben agrees, saying that they just need to get through the week, and Rachel responds that after the week is over they should spend some time apart.
As Miles leads the others along the causeway, everyone looks around in amazement. Charlie, in particular, is finally realizing the part that her parents played in instigating the events that led up to the blackout.
Back in the militia camp, Neville and Jason are handcuffed within a tent. Two men enter, and Neville greets them as Franklin and Riley. He congratulates Franklin on his promotion to Major, and Riley on being made a Captain, telling Riley that he has to be one of the youngest Captains in the Republic. Franklin informs Neville that he knows that Miles was able to get into the Tower with Neville’s assistance, and demands to know how it was done. Neville ignores the question, asking instead where Captain Baker was. He tells Franklin that Baker should be running point, unless the rumors were true, and Monroe blew his head off. Franklin merely repeats his questions, but Neville continues to ignore them, persisting with his thoughts that Monroe has been killing many good men lately, and that Neville himself was a victim of Monroe’s psychotic behavior. Franklin scoffs at Neville’s words, but is interrupted by another soldier, requesting that he go to the infirmary. As he and Riley turn to leave, Neville calls after them, telling them that it’s only a matter of time until Monroe turns on them also. Franklin leaves, but Neville’s words cause Riley to hesitate and stare at Neville for a moment before he, too, leaves. After the militiamen are gone, Jason demands to know what Neville is planning. Neville merely stares at his son, slowly starting to smile.
Once again, the elevator is in use within the Tower, as Aaron, Miles, Charlie, and Nora also attempt to access level 12. The elevator stops on 11, and everyone stares in shock as the doors open to reveal blood-splattered walls and motionless bodies. As the elevator doors close behind them, Miles catches sight of a body that reminds him of Rachel. He hurries over to it, and to his and Charlie’s relief, it is no one they know. Charlie starts to ruminate on who killed them, and with what, when the forgotten elevator dings to life, and they all look at it, suddenly realizing that it had returned to the ground floor and was now coming back down.
They race down a corridor, not wanting to be there when the elevator doors open. Miles leads them into a room that appears to be a laboratory, and they quickly barricade the door. He pries a vent off of a large air shaft at the other end of the room as someone starts pounding on the door. The group escape into the airshaft – Aaron grabbing something off a nearby table – just as the pounding stops and something blasts a hole through the door.
In the bunker, Rachel sits against a wall, watching Monroe strike a golf club against the glass panel to no avail. He finally tosses the club away in frustration, and accuses Rachel of knowing how to open the panel and access the weapons behind it. To his surprise, Rachel agrees with him, and then she proceeds to tell him that he was right about everything – that she didn’t want to die, and she wanted to see Charlie. When Monroe asks why, then, she won’t help him, Rachel responds that he also killed Danny. Monroe tries to claim that Danny’s death wasn’t his fault, as he was not there when the boy died, but Rachel calls him out for always having excuses and shifting the blame elsewhere.
Four months after the blackout, Ben is in an abandoned house, working to put a computer together. He takes his pendant and is able to power up the machine. He types out a message, asking if anybody is out there, and while he is waiting for a response, Rachel enters the room. She tells him that she went into town for supplies, and couldn’t handle the smell, saying that people were no longer burning the bodies of the dead, but simply leaving them in the streets to rot. She says that she saw a little boy around Charlie’s age, skin and bones, who ran away when he saw her. Rachel starts crying, saying to Ben that they were at fault, that the blackout and the catastrophe afterwards was their doing, and she isn’t sure if she can live with that. Ben consoles her, and goes on to say that what they did before didn’t matter any longer, and the only thing that should matter is their children. He starts to cry as well, telling Rachel that they had to hold on, and stay alive for Danny and Charlie. Rachel touches Ben’s face, and nods her understanding, and the two embrace. In the background, Ben’s computer monitor flashes a new message: Grace has seen his communication and is responding.
Deep within the Tower, Miles, Charlie, Nora, and Aaron have managed to elude those chasing them. Nora wonders at the type of weaponry used against them, and Aaron explains that they were coil guns, using electromagnets instead of gunpowder – something he saw once on Mythbusters. Miles wants to try and get ahold of their own coil guns, and Aaron tells him that there is an armory up ahead. He holds up what he had grabbed from the laboratory: a map of the compound. The group heads toward the armory, and are nearly discovered by some of the Tower inhabitants. Miles instructs the others to stay behind, as it would be easier for him to proceed alone. He manages to evade those looking for them, but when he reaches the armory, he discovers that it is empty of weapons.
Back outside, Captain Riley has returned to the tent where Neville and Jason are being held. Neville, sensing the young man’s wavering faith in Monroe, tells him that the only thing wrong with the Monroe Republic is Monroe himself. He urges Riley to see the truth of the matter – that Monroe has become paranoid, erratic, and not fit to lead. Riley responds by asking Neville if he thinks he should be the one leading the Republic; and for the first time, Jason speaks up, telling Riley that his father may be many things, but one thing he always did was take care of the men, and they always loved him for it. Neville, obviously overcome by his son’s faith in his leadership, urges Riley to help them lead a revolt, to kill the few remaining soldiers still firmly loyal to Monroe for the greater good of a better world. Riley appears torn, clearly wanting to believe Neville, but he hesitates, telling Neville and Jason that he’s not sure if they speak the truth, or are only looking to save themselves. He then storms out of the tent.
Things are heating up in the Tower, as one of the inhabitants discovers Charlie, Nora, and Aaron. He fires his coil gun, causing them to scatter. He manages to get Charlie in his sights, but Miles jumps him, and the two grapple briefly before Miles kills him. Miles takes the man’s gun and he and the others regroup and keep searching the compound.
In the bunker, Rachel notices Aaron on the monitors, followed by Nora and Miles. She is visibly shaken when she sees that Charlie is also there. Monroe comes over, and when he also observes the group, he urges Rachel again to unlock the guns, telling her that, no matter what he’s done in the past, he does not want to see another one of her kids get hurt, and he will help her keep Charlie safe. Rachel tells him that he is lying, and Monroe accuses her of wanting to kill him so badly that she’d let Charlie die rather than have him protect her. Rachel glances back at the monitors, and then asks Monroe about Miles, to which he responds that he can make no promises there. However, he swears to her that he will save Charlie, and Rachel opens the cabinet to the guns.
Another group of Tower inhabitants discovers the group. While Miles and Nora divert them, Charlie and Aaron keep moving, and, unbeknownst to them, are followed by one of the Tower guards. He fires his coil gun at Charlie’s back, hitting a nearby shelving unit by accident. The unit collapses, trapping Charlie underneath. Aaron returns to her side, and freezes as the man trains his weapon on him and prepares to shoot. Before he can, he is shot in the back, and Aaron looks in stunned disbelief as Monroe steps out of the shadows. He walks over to them as Rachel appears, also toting a gun. She and Aaron start pulling the debris off Charlie, and while they are distracted, Monroe turns and walks away. Charlie attempts to chase after him when she is freed, but Rachel restrains her, pulling Charlie and Aaron in a different direction. She leads them into another room, but they don’t get far before they are discovered, and overpowered, by another Tower faction.
Miles and Nora remain behind, Miles exchanging fire with some of the Tower occupants. Suddenly, Monroe appears, killing one of the Tower men. Monroe calls out to Miles, asking him if he’s ready to settle their conflict with each other once and for all. Miles swings out of his hiding spot, and he and Monroe scrutinize each other, weapons raised.
Rachel, Charlie, and Aaron are taken to another part of the Tower compound. They are led into a room occupied by not only Tower men, but women and children as well. As these people gather before them, their guards quickly search them, taking away any weapons. Dr. Warren’s journal is also taken, much to Aaron’s angst. Rachel is startled when Grace appears, and Aaron also expresses shock at the woman’s appearance, as she was the one he had been searching for so very long ago when Ben had given him the pendant. Grace greets them warmly, welcoming them. Another man steps forward, speaking Rachel’s name, and she stares at him in astonishment. When Charlie asks her mother who the people are, Rachel tells her that the man, Dan, and others were left in the Tower, working, the night of the blackout. She looks back at Dan, and tells him that she thought he was dead. Dan replies that they remained within the Tower, guarding it, especially Level 12, which was too dangerous to remain unprotected.
Outside the Tower, Captain Riley returns to the tent, seeking affirmation from Neville that the man is serious about his commitment to lead the militia once Monroe is removed. Neville convinces him, and Riley quickly unchains Neville, telling him that there are 12 soldiers with them, and that if Neville gets rid of Franklin, the remaining soldiers will also fall in with their cause. He hands Neville a gun, and then turns to unchain Jason. Neville praises Riley for his decision, and as Jason walks over to him, Neville asks him if he’s ready.
We end the episode with Dan taking Dr. Warren’s journal and dropping it in a metal container. As Rachel pleads with him about the validity of turning the lights back on, he dumps lighter fluid over the journal, telling her that returning power would simply give weapons to the entire world so that they could kill each other. Rachel argues that at least then, everyone would be able to defend themselves and that it would be a fair fight. Aaron also jumps in, telling Dan it would mean medicine, and clean water, and reason, and that they’d be able to help people and make things better. In response to their words, Dan strikes a match, and sets fire to Dr. Warren’s journal. As they watch it burn, a bewildered Aaron states that he doesn’t understand Dan’s reasoning. Grace tells Rachel to explain to Aaron what will happen if she flipped the switch.
Rachel simply replies that the lights will go on, but Grace refutes her words, telling Aaron and Charlie that if the power is turned back on, maybe they save the world…or maybe they set the world on fire.
So! What did everyone think of these revelations? Do you think Rachel’s one-in-a-billion estimate of a world in flames means they should take the chance and flip the power back on? How do you think Monroe and Miles’s standoff will end? Will Monroe leave the compound, only to find that his militia has been taken over by Neville? Let us know your thoughts about this episode in the comments section below!


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Here are the supplemental materials for the January 27, 2014 meeting of the School Board, to be held at 7pm at Memorial Middle School.
I'm happy to report that the supplemental materials for School Board meetings are soon going to be posted on the District website. Thank you Dr. Marschhausen for making this happen. Perhaps at some point, documents from prior meetings will be posted online as well, but until then the materials I've posted - going back to June 2012 - will remain available here.
As I noted previously, we're in the process of going through the three readings of new and changed policies, the documents which govern the operations of our school district. This meeting will be the second reading, and if all goes according to schedule, we'll be voting to put these policies into effect at the next meeting.
Please take the time to read the new proposed language of Policy CBA, the "Qualifications and Duties of the Superintendent." This has been significantly overhauled with input of the School Board, Dr. Marschhausen, and Dr. Bill Reimer of the Education Services Center (ESC) of Central Ohio. This policy is much more "alive" than the prior policy, and I'm excited to observe Dr. Marschhausen already spreading its philosophy through the District.
Please also give some attention to the proposed IGBEA-R, which describes how our district will deal with the Third Grade Reading Guarantee. I understand the motivation behind the Guarantee, but I think it places unnecessary burdens on school districts which have demonstrated success without it. After all, we're not in the business of producing 3rd-grade graduates, it's 12th grade graduate which is our goal. If a kid catches up in the 5th grade, why isn't that a good and acceptable thing?
I wish our public education system could be redesigned to adapt to the developmental growth rate of each kid, and not try to shove them through 13 years of school like it is an assembly line in which each age cohort is homogeneous in their ability. We certainly do that at the college level - each individual is free to go at the pace in which they can succeed (and afford).
Meanwhile, we're going to have some drama because of this law and the policies it demands. There are going to be kids who have to repeat 3rd grade who might be better served with other solutions. The parent meetings will be challenging, and as Dr. Marschhausen says, everyone will be crying.
Item E1f is the approval of supplemental salaries for coaches and leaders of the Spring activities for Davidson/Weaver and Bradley/Memorial. The Darby/Heritage numbers will be brought for approval at the next meeting.
I've been writing for a few years about the ticking time bomb which is Ohio's State Teachers Retirement System. I first became aware of this issue when I came across a blog written by Kathie Bracy, a retired Columbus Public teacher.
This week, STRS was again in the news when The Columbus Dispatch reported that a consulting firm the STRS management uses had a "programming error" in their actuarial evaluation of the investment fund. It turns out that the problem is bigger than was thought.
Pension funds are simple in concept. Employees and employers pay into a fund during the employee's working career. That money is invested. When the employee retires, the combination of employee and employer contributions, plus the earnings on investments, are used to pay out retirement benefits to the employee.
Pensions have been around for a while, but became popular during the last half of the 20th century as employers competed for workers in the post-WWII boom economy. The best thing about this component of compensation - from the perspective of the employers - is that it was a promise to pay something in the distant future, and not an immediate hit to profits.
Then someone got the bright idea to start increasing the pension benefits so that a retiring worker would receive not just the money he had contributed, plus that contributed by the employer on his behalf, plus the earnings on those contributions accumulated over the years - but also a share of that which was being contributed by active workers, and by the employer on those workers' behalf, plus the earnings generated by those contributions.
Some would call that a classic Ponzi scheme - a kind of con game where the first investors are paid off using money collected from newer investors, who are paid off with money from still newer investors. Ponzi schemes collapse when new investors become hard to find, and there's no money to pay off the earlier investors. This is what happened with the now infamous Bernie Madoff scandal, but there have been many such swindles over the years.
STRS is an agency created by the Ohio law, and governed by a Board which includes officials appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the President of the Senate, plus five actively working teachers, and two retired teachers. They don't share exactly the same goals.
Working teachers would like to contribute less, have the employer (ie taxpayers of school districts) contribute more, be able to retire earlier, and have confidence that their eventual payout will be both generous and secure.
Retired teachers want to be sure that they get all that they were promised, and that their benefits won't be reduced, or made less secure, by increasing demands from working teachers, or because of risky investment decisions by the retirement fund managers (unless they pay off).
And the politicians? They want to get re-elected of course. So they listen to the lobbyists who provide the most in the way of campaign contributions and votes.
What about the voters - the taxpayers - the folks who foot most of the bill for this retirement system? In politics, the ignorant, the apathetic, and the quiet get ignored. Sadly, this seems to be the majority - the so-called "Silent Majority."
STRS needs more fixing. This actuarial mistake reveals that the current STRS benefits scheme is still designed to pay out more money than can be supported by the current size of the fund, its projected investment earnings (which are still overly aggressive in my opinion), and expected future contributions. Some or all of those parameters need adjustment.
The only way to fix it is to increase contributions and/or reduce benefits. You could of course get even more aggressive in the investment strategy. Rare coins anyone?
Two classes of folks have an interest in the benefits side of the equation: teachers already retired, and teachers who are yet to retire. The latter group has the greater political clout, primarily because of the power of the Ohio Education Association - one of the largest unions in the country. The working teachers also have more seats on the STRS governing board than do the retired teachers. So for now, future retirement benefits are prone to be protected at the expense of the benefits to current retirees. This is what Kathie Bracy and her cohorts have been fighting about.
On the contribution side, the two parties are the working teachers and the employers - the taxpayers. For a number of years, the teachers have contributed 10% of their salary, and the taxpayers 14%. In the last round of adjustments, the teacher share is gradually being raised to 14% as well.
STRS invests heavily in the stock market. They probably had pretty impressive returns in the past year or so (the 2013 report is not yet out). They've also had some pretty spectacular losses, like in 2007 when they lost nearly half their money - on the order of $30 billion. They're not expecting those kinds of losses again, but they are making assumptions about investment returns which many - including me - believe are overly aggressive. That's means they think they're better off than they really are.
I don't know what comes next, but I remain steadfast in my belief that the taxpayers shouldn't be expected to bail STRS out. Our 14% share seems like it should be enough to fund reasonable benefits, given reasonable contributions from the working teachers. Remember that the while the percentage is constant, the underlying compensation isn't. If compensation goes up 5% per year, then the taxpayer contribution will go up at 5% per year as well.
If the STRS members want to gamble with that money in hope of getting even bigger retirement benefits, that's okay by me. But if the bet doesn't pan out, it's the STRS members who have to take the haircut.
Here are the supplemental materials provided in preparation for the regular meeting of the School Board, to be held Monday January 13, 2014 at 7pm at Ridgewood Elementary School. Note that this meeting will be preceded at 6:45pm by our annual organization meeting, during which officers will be elected, committee assignments made, and various annual resolution passed. Andy, Lisa and I will be sworn in for the new term.
Item C3 is the acceptance of the Treasurer's Monthly Report for November.
Item F1 is a resolution to authorize the President and Treasurer to sign a contract for the sale of 100 acres of the parcel on Cosgray. The buyer is Help All Kid's Play, Inc. (HAKP), and the price is $3.5 million, or $35,000/acre. These are the folks who want to build soccer fields there, and are who we hoped to sell the property to in the first place. Unfortunately, the first time around, they wanted the school district to provide the financing, and we could not accept their offer on that basis. This is a simple cash offer.
We've decided to retain title to 24 acres of this parcel just in case it makes sense to build a school there at some point in the future. In the meantime, it will be leased to HAKP for use as part of their athletic facility. This is an annual lease with automatic renewal unless either party gives 90 days notice.
The agreement includes a rider which states: "No portion of the Property shall be sold, leased, licensed, authorized or otherwise used for residential or multi-family housing or any related uses (the “Use Restriction”). The Use Restriction shall run with the land. No residential or multi-family housing building or structure shall be erected or constructed on the Property." Besides the obvious desire to limit new residential development, this also keeps the buyer from just "flipping" the property to a developer at a tidy profit. We accepted a price lower than the $40,000/acre that Rockford Homes thought it was worth only because HAKP agreed to this condition.
A new set of Policy updates are getting their first reading. I've not reviewed them yet, but will be doing so before the next Board meeting. I encourage you to read these as well, and let one of us know if you have any feedback.


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Being a typical girl, I love Valentine's Day - my boyfriend on the other hand isn't a true fan. He doesn't hate V-Day but thinks it's a whacked up holiday - his philosophy...."shouldn't I show you I love you every day of the year and not just one particular day in February?". Who can argue with that? But.....a girl likes to be wooed on the same day as many other girls are being wooed, so we can compare whose boyfriend or husband loves us the bestest! You've all been there...my flowers are better than your flowers or my candy heart has way more candy than your's does.
The card I'm posting today is one I made last year. It's an easel card which I'm very fond of. I like making easel cards and giving them to special people who will appreciate them and want to display them for all to see...and easel cards make displaying them a breeze.
Since this project was made last year I don't have all the specifics of the products that were used. I do know the pink paper that has the border all around was done with a Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page border punch set. I think it was called 'Eyelet Lace'. These punches are very easy to use as long as your paper is the exact size indicated in the instructions. The little girl was colored with Copic markers.
My easel card is 6x6. Very easy to make. Take a 6x12 piece of cardstock and score it at 3" and 6". Fold it as shown above. Take a separate 6x6 piece of cardstock and decorate as desired. When adhering the separate piece to the card base make sure to only put adhesive on the bottom 3x3 piece of the separate piece OR just put the adhesive on the 3x3 folded section of the card base. Don't forget to put something on the inside part of the card to act as a stopper. I've used buttons, brads or just a sentiment adhered with pop dots. Card folds flat for mailing.
That's all for now....thanks for stopping by!
Any Monty Python fans out there? I believe 'and now for something completely different' is one of the catch phrases from their comedy routines....along with 'nudge, nudge, wink, wink, Bob's your uncle'. I'm not a total fan but I must admit some of their stuff is hilarious while other things just go over my head.
Oh well, enough about that....what I want to share with you today is something I find really fun to do. Over a year ago a customer came into Archiver's and asked if we had special paper and pens to do something called 'zentangle'. I had NO idea what that was and she brought up some samples on her phone. I must admit I was intrigued. I went home that evening and spent about 3 hours on the internet researching it. I found all kinds of websites showing tons and tons of different patterns. I went to Hobby Lobby and bought an artist's sketch pad and some fine tip black pens and started drawing all the patterns I liked.
For those of you that have no idea what zentangling is.....it's pretty much doodling with a mission. You've all done it.....when you're on the phone with a pad and pencil, or when you're in a meeting with a pad and pencil...drawing little patterns all over your paper. That's zentangling.
Here are some of the bigger zentangle pieces I did when I started in 2010.
I get so excited when I find/learn something new that it becomes contagious. My manager at Archiver's got into it too (big shout out to Megan), she bought a sketch pad and was copying the patterns from my book. Then one of my co-workers (big shout out to Valerie too) got so involved with zentangling that she designed and created her Christmas cards.
What's great about zentangling is that the only supplies you need are pad and pen. I carry a small pad with me when I travel that has all the different patterns I love and blank pages so that while I'm in the airport I can 'doodle' when the mood hits me. The whole thing about ZENtangles are they're supposed to be relaxing...I'm not quite at that point....while I do find it somewhat calming to do, I'm still a little amped up trying to figure out what pattern I want to put where...it's not quite the free flowing out of my fingertips relaxation yet....but I'm working on it.
They also make great gifts...at least I think they do. I made this photo tray using ATC trading cards and drawing my favs on them for my Mother for Christmas in 2010. She thinks I'm really talented (no bias there, right Mom?) and wonders where I got this passion for all things crafty.
That's all from the land of black lines on white paper....I'm in the process of designing my Valentine Day card - I'm up to three versions right now...so hopefully I'm zeroing in on something I'll be happy with. I'll be sure to share what I come up with in my next installment.
Well, Christmas is over and New Years is now but a memory and we can sit back and enjoy what 2012 has to offer. For me personally 2010 and 2011 were difficult and trying years so I've got my fingers crossed that 2012 is a much better year. So far so good. It's now the 8th of January and where I live in the midwest we've had no snow to speak off. Only a slight dusting of snow twice this season. Of course I have just jinxed it and should probably send my apologies now to the entire midwest region....sorry!!!!
Since we've just finished with some pretty busy holidays and I think it's too early to start posting Valentine's stuff....I think I'll just take a breather and post some cards that have nothing to really do with any holidays inparticular.
This first image is a set of thank you cards that I made. They are 3" x 3" cards and I just LOVE that size card. It's a perfect size to leave in someone's briefcase or lunchbox, etc. It makes a perfect little card to attach to a gift and even works well if you make a set to give someone as the gift. The stamps are a mixture from Stampin' Up's 'Just Believe' and 'Pocket Silouhette' sets. The scalloped background for the purple card is from a set I can't find so I don't have the name or vendor. The papers are from my stash of scraps. That's another thing I LOVE about these 3" x 3" cards.....you can use scraps to complete them. Woo-Hoo!!!
The next image is one for our furry friends. The dog is an older die cut from QuicKutz (now Lifestyle Crafts) and the papers are from 'Max and Whiskers' by BasicGrey. Isn't he cute???!!!
And because every grouping is best handled in odd numbers.....here's a third image for you. I believe the stamp is from CC Designs and her name is 'Heidi' - she's a pixie stamp and she's sitting in flowers. I had to buy this stamp because a) she's got my name and b) she's just so darn cute sitting the flowers with her little golashes. The papers are from 'Lime Rickey' by BasicGrey and the border punch is 'Arch Lattice" from Martha Stewart.
That's all I have for you today. Thanks for stopping by. Have a great 2012!!!!!


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The millwork in the office features a gray-green finish. "I wanted it to feel classic but I didn�t want it to feel old and stodgy," says interior designer Amy Carman.
With it's classic symmetry, Cream City brick and black shutters, the Georgian revival brick home along Lake Michigan in Fox Point looks as if it has been there for decades.
"Part of the clients' goal was to build something timeless," says interior designer Amy Carman of Amy Carman Design, Elm Grove. The previous structure on the property had been torn down before the clients bought the lot, so they were starting with a blank canvas.
Rustic furnishings in the dining room contrast the formality of the wainscotting.
Carman joined the project before construction began on the 8,000-square-foot, six-bedroom, 6.5-bath house. "At the time I was working on a room in the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Showhouse for a Cure, a beautiful East Side mansion built in the early 1920s," Carman says. " I spent a lot of time studying the millwork in that old Georgian mansion."
The interior selections - from the crown molding to the flooring to the furniture - are influenced by traditional design. "It's a fresh take on traditional," Carman says. "It's a neutral color scheme but there are a lot of layers and a lot of contrast. Its' not boring,"
She chose colors in the midrange of the neutral palette to give the interiors a richer feel. "everything feels very authentic," she says, noting that the dark colors, such as the hand-scraped walnut floors, balance the lighter neutrals of the millwork and wall colors. "It's bright and airy, classic and timeless. It's something you can live with for a long time."
In the office, distressed leather chairs with classic nailhead trim look very lived in. Oil-rubbed bronze fixtures add contrast and the old books on the shelves add to the room�s story.
Tile set in a herringbone pattern on the floor of the sunroom provides a modern accent to the room�s traditional decor. Walls of windows showcase views of Lake Michigan.
The kitchen features two large islands topped with a natural quartzite material that has the look of petrified wood. "It�s twice as dense as granite," Carman says. The pendant lights above the island are a bit unexpected in a warm brass finish. White cabinetry and a white subway tile backsplash are hallmarks of classic design.
Carman opted to paint the millwork on the lower level black. "At the end of the day, black is a neutral, too. It�s just at the opposite end of the spectrum," she says.


text: Naturally Sparkling Fine Perry. Succulent, natural rich and soft. Matured in steel, fermented with wild yeasts, & finished in bottle.

industry_corpus2: Agriculture & Fisheries


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dimethyl dicarbonate (Velcorin ®) provides effective protection against spoilage microorganisms for non-alcoholic beverages and wine without affecting the sensory properties of the drink.
Dimethyl dicarbonate (DMDC) is used for extremely effective removal of typical beverage-spoilage microorganisms such as yeasts, a wide range of bacteria and molds and is simple to use.
Dimethyl dicarbonate penetrates the cell and deactivates enzymes, leading to the destruction of the microorganisms. After addition to the beverage, dimethyl dicarbonate rapidly breaks down into negligible amounts of methanol and carbon dioxide, naturally occurring compounds in many beverages such as fruit and vegetable juices and wines. It has no effects on the taste, smell or colour of the beverage. Dimethyl dicarbonate is suitable for carbonated or non-carbonated juice beverages, isotonic sports beverages, iced teas and flavored water and wines. It is added immediately before filling the beverage [1, 2, 4, 5, 6].
Application of dimethyl dicarbonate reduces sulfur content in young wines, replaces membrane filtration as a means of stabilizing unfiltered wines, eliminates spoilage yeast such as Brettanomyces, and prevents secondary fermentation of the wine. The use of dimethyl dicarbonate helps to keep the wine stable during the period from filling to consumption.
Dimethyl dicarbonate can help the sector reduce production costs, since switching from hot fill to cold fill technology in the manufacture of fruit-juice-based beverages saves energy. In addition, thinner PET bottles can be used in cold filling.
Highly viscous products that slow down the decomposition reaction.
Dimethyl dicarbonate in its pure form is moderately toxic by ingestion, highly toxic by inhalation, irritating to the skin and eyes and combustible if exposed to an open flame. Due to these hazards, people are required to wear safety gear when handling Dimethyl dicarbonate and are given regular safety training.
This technology is generally used by beverage companies.
Only minimal modifications are needed to convert an existing hot fill line to the dimethyl dicarbonate technology. Technical requirements are the installation of an optimized energy recovery system (cross-flow heat exchanger) and a dimethyl dicarbonate metering unit. Energy consumption by the filling process can be optimized by applying the pinch point method. In such a “design process”, the ingoing and outgoing energy at different temperature levels can be optimized until the difference reaches the desired minimum value at the pinch point.
Consumers do not know about its use because in many EU states (including CR) it has not to be declared on label as preservation additive.
The EU Scientific Committee on food, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the United States of America and the JECFA of the WHO have confirmed the safe use in beverages.
The use of dimethyl dicarbonate technology as a new enological procedure for stabilizing wine during filling was approved for Europe - according to Regulation (EC) No 643/2006.
 Mary C. Calisto (1990): DMDC's role in bottle stability - dimethyl dicarbonate, Wines & Vines.
 http://www.velcorin.com, be careful, this is company web info.

industry_corpus2: Petrochemicals


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With a fun and colourful style reflective of her own personality, Shirleys illustrations are one of a kind. Shirley would like to invite you to browse through her work, and hopes you gain as much joy looking at them as she did creating them!
Shirley has been a professional freelance illustrator, working since 1997 for international publishers and authors. Her work has been included in nationally distributed Taiwanese newspapers, magazines as well as books with topics ranging from Childrens stories, self help series, finance, business, literature, Life style, education and Buddhist philosophies.

industry_corpus2: Literature & Emotions


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In 2012, just three years after launch, marketing software HubSpot had grown by 800%, and during the years preceding, there was frustration in the ranks about a new company policy. How did CEO and CO-Founder Brian Halligan handle the situation? According to HubSpot Project Manager Karen Rubin, the author of this article, Halligan took the “influencers and loudmouths” out to dinner. During dinner, he listened, asked questions, and then listened some more: “He spent time just listening, not interjecting his own thoughts, so he could learn more and find effective solutions.” Once it was time to communicate, Halligan ensured that he and his entire leadership team were on the same page—that they could all “articulate the reasons” behind the decisions.
According to consultant Carlo Demaio, “As a business grows, there is the potential for company hierarchy to dilute healthy communication and an individual’s perception of impacting the business through access to senior leaders.” In other words, as you add more levels between the owner of your practice and the staff, employees may begin to feel less and less involved—and that will definitely take away from the culture you’ve worked so hard to create. To keep everyone connected, Demaio says it’s all about opening the lines of communication. It “might be as simple as an ‘open-door policy’ or more structured methods like scheduling time for employees to share improvement ideas.” Just keep in mind that even though your employees may be aligned in culture and values, each of them may have his or her own individual communication style. Try to tailor your processes to address these differences.
According to this article, when Foursquare Co-Founder Dennis Crowley started his company, “he hired friends he knew could foster the kind of open sharing that continues to be a core value, with 135 people now working in three separate offices.” Today, Crowley holds office hours once a week to hear from anyone who wishes to bring “ideas and feedback straight to the boss.” Crowley also uses technology, like iPads, to conduct virtual meetings for anyone not based in his New York office.
With a team you can count on your fingers, it’s pretty easy to gauge employee morale. After all, you probably have time to have at least a few conversations with each person throughout the week as well as watch their interactions with one another. Once your numbers begin to climb, however, this level of observation drops significantly.
As Demaio points out, “culture is your brand,” it is the way in which you “differentiate yourself from your competitors,” so live the values you’ve set, across the board, in all interactions, both inside and outside the office. “As leaders,” he says, “You will initially have the most impact on shaping the culture,” so shape it right. And it’s going to take more than just saying the words. Your employees will look to you for guidance and to gain a better understanding of what behaviors align with the company’s values—and what behaviors don’t. If you’re not a model example, not only are you sending confusing mixed messages to your staff, but you’re also appearing rather hypocritical—neither of which is good for your culture or morale.
In addition to hiring the right people, it’s also crucial to put people in the right roles. When WebPT Co-Founders Brad and Heidi Jannenga began to grow their company—from three employees to almost 200 in five years—they were determined not to let it become another heartless corporation. But they knew they couldn’t manage the company’s culture along with their own ever-growing responsibilities. So, they hired a Culture Captain, whose sole responsibility is to ensure that the company never loses its employee- and customer-centric core values.
How have you maintained your practice’s culture as you’ve grown? What do you wish you had done that you didn’t? What might you do differently in the future? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.