text:
Features Other Crops
Specialty crops in focus
By Julienne Isaacs
Industrial oilseeds, biomass crops and cannabinoids show promise in Ontario.
Other Crops
Hemp can be grown for seed stock or CBD. Photos courtesy of Jim Todd.
According to Jim Todd, industrial crop specialist for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), there are lots of reasons why industrial specialty crops can be a good option for Ontario field crop producers. Specialty crops could be a source of new or additional revenue, while breaking up pest cycles on the farm.
But there's also a big reason why many producers avoid them: the lack of processing capacity in the province.
"There are always people who want to buy the crop, but if you can't get it processed, there's no value," he says. "Demand and markets have to develop in lockstep."
Market demand and processing capacity for specialty crops are improving in Eastern Canada, albeit slowly. In the meantime, Todd's team is working out the agronomics for crops like cannabis and hemp, camelina, feedstock plants for biogas such as cup plant, and biomass crops like switchgrass and miscanthus.
Much of Todd's work over the last two years has been focused on cannabis and industrial hemp for CBD, and is done in close collaboration with Rene Van Acker and Rachel Riddle from the University of Guelph.
Acreage of industrial hemp increased dramatically in 2019, when growers in Norfolk County alone added at least 1,000 acres.
That's not to say growing hemp is a walk in the park.
"There are a lot of regulatory challenges for hemp," Todd says. "If you want to grow hemp for CBD, you want to grow the varieties that produce the highest levels of CBD, from plants that are females. But if CBD levels are raised, you risk bringing THC levels above a certain percentage, which causes problems." Health Canada stipulates that all industrial hemp, even if grown for CBD, must have THC levels below 0.3 per cent.
This isn't the grower's problem, Todd is quick to point out – seed producers are required to certify THC levels are 0.3 per cent or lower. But it can become complicated for farmers if the licensed processors buying the crop ask them to have the crop analyzed.
Hemp can also be grown as a seed crop, which is simpler, Todd says. At harvest, the combine requires special settings, and the fibre can be a challenge; one method is to raise the head and take the tops off, leaving the stalks to be baled or plowed down.
Growers interested in cannabis as a field crop for CBD production should be aware that the crop can only be sold to a licensed cannabis processor. "Having contracts with licensed processors before sowing the crop would be in the grower's best interest," he says.
Markets aside, some agronomic questions for growing industrial hemp or cannabis still need to be worked out in the province.
Todd's team is looking at the impact of pollination on CBD yields from female flowers. The current practice, he says, is to plant just female plants to avoid running the risk that plants will be pollinated, which may reduce CDB yield. But Todd says research is still needed to establish that yields are meaningfully affected by pollination.
Camelina beginning to flower.
Cup plant can be used as a feedstock for anaerobic digesters.
Todd has also been working with Linnaeus Plant Sciences and the University of Guelph on camelina, an industrial oilseed and relative of canola.
Camelina oil is highly valued for the consumer market, while camelina seed meal is approved for use as a feed ingredient for broiler and layer hens and farmed salmon and trout.
In a recent study, Todd's team looked at the potential for double-cropping camelina with soybeans, with soybeans seeded into fall-seeded winter camelina. This system allows for winter cover for bare fields, and potentially higher net profits from the combined yields of the camelina and bean crops.
The project failed to take off, Todd says, due to low seed vigour in the camelina crop in the first two years. But in the third and final year, when new seed was planted, the crop established well.
"I see camelina as a valuable replacement or supplement to canola, because it's more resistant to swede midge," Todd says. "But again, in Ontario the lack of crushing capacity for camelina means you have to find a niche specialty crusher to do it."
Biomass crops
Todd is also working on cup plant, a feedstock for anaerobic digesters, as well as perennial grasses such as switchgrass and miscanthus, which are grown for a variety of industrial uses. The latter are the particular focus of his colleague, Mahendra Thimmanagari, bioproducts specialist for OMAFRA.
Thimmanagari says miscanthus and switchgrass are the most common biomass crops in Ontario; both have high yield potential and, once established, can remain productive for 10 to 15 years. The crops are grown on around 2,500 acres in southwestern and eastern Ontario.
In collaboration with University of Guelph associate professor Naresh Thevathasan, Thimmanagari is researching biofertilizer effects on switchgrass crop yields, as well as these crops' potential for soil carbon sequestration.
Both crops can be grown on marginal land, Todd says, such as riparian strips or other corners of the farm where it can be tricky to grow a field crop – although they predictably do better on prime land. And both crops have "tremendously deep root systems," Todd says – easily six- to 12-feet deep in the soil – meaning they could help draw excess nutrients from runoff.
Cup plant, a native perennial and member of the aster family, is used as a feedstock for anaerobic digesters.
"One of the challenges with the digester is having a regular supply of feedstock. Cup plant could be a good alternative to corn silage," he says.
For the last three years, together with Brandon Gilroyed at the University of Guelph's Ridgetown campus, Todd has been working on field agronomics for cup plant, such as germination rates and response to nitrogen, as well as variety trials.
A&L Canada Laboratories to include hemp services
Sponsored: How to handle hemp
Archive: Daily satellite imagery for specialty crops
An IPM control strategy for dog strangling vine
Old ways made new


free standard shipping on us orders over $25.
Love this item? We'll send you a note when it's back in stock.
From Liilu Spring/Summer 2019. Bloomer style short with smocked and embroidered waistband.
Enter your email address below, and we'll send a link to reset your password.
Welcome to Bien Bien. Subscribe to our newsletter and receive updates about our latest arrivals and sales.
Please check your email for a link to confirm your subscription.
Could not connect to the registration server. Please try again.


Why are you still looking for commercial poster printing?
You want a poster that looks professional, right? But why haven't you found the right commercial poster printing service? It is true that to attract customers you should have a professional image, but don't let our laid back style fool you. We're nothing like the last guys you approached with their fancy coffee maker and leather sofas and the pretentious price tag to match. We have an energetic and enthusiastic team who concentrates on coming up with the best commercial poster printing results. Give us the details of the job that you want doing in that little request form and we'll check everything over real carefully. We know you don't want some bodgy rushed job, so we'll take our time a little. No - we're not looking for a coffee making machine – we're just making absolutely certain that we can do your commercial poster printing job and coming up with the very best price for you.
Believe us – this is where your search for commercial poster printing ends!
So now you know about our awesome commercial poster printing service, you're probably wondering how we can offer you this awesome service right? Well, that's simple! We use the very best staff, who may look a little grumpy from time to time but they always put their heart into all the work they do. We're absolutely not lazy! You can tell by the fact that we don't give you a price list for your commercial poster printing. We will treat you like an individual, and we'll look over your commercial poster printing request real carefully instead of making you pay for a package of services that you won't even need – we're thoughtful like that!
You'll only get a commercial poster printing service that we would be happy to get ourselves, so you know you're going to get the very best for your money. We'll do all we can to stay in touch with you throughout the whole process to make sure that our commercial poster printing wizards can work their magic for you in the exact way that you're expecting them to!


text:
El municipio de Lyon (en inglés: Lyon Township) es un municipio ubicado en el condado de Lyon en el estado estadounidense de Iowa. En el año 2010 tenía una población de 275 habitantes y una densidad poblacional de 3,42 personas por km².

Geografía
El municipio de Lyon se encuentra ubicado en las coordenadas . Según la Oficina del Censo de los Estados Unidos, el municipio tiene una superficie total de 80.42 km², de la cual 80,41 km² corresponden a tierra firme y (0,02 %) 0,01 km² es agua.

Demografía
Según el censo de 2010, había 275 personas residiendo en el municipio de Lyon. La densidad de población era de 3,42 hab./km². De los 275 habitantes, el municipio de Lyon estaba compuesto por el 99,64 % blancos, el 0,36 % eran asiáticos. Del total de la población el 0 % eran hispanos o latinos de cualquier raza.

Referencias

Enlaces externos

Municipios de Iowa
Localidades del condado de Lyon (Iowa)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Modules can be installed/uninstalled/ activated/deactivated with a click using the XOOPS module administration system.
The ability to search for users by various criteria, send email and private messages to users through a messaging system.
With a powerful theme system, both admins and users can change the look of the entire website with just a click of a mouse.
Module to manage articles or news. This module is very powerful and suitable for news portals or blogs.
Xmcontent is a simple content module. It allows you to create static pages in Xoops.


FEATURED VIDEO: 7th Summit for ACP Heads of States and Government, Malabo Equatorial Guinea, 13-14 December 2012.
Summary report of the 7th Summit of the ACP Heads of State and Government.
Produced by ACP Press/ Video Lawson.


If you're researching last minute flight deals to Punta Cana from Regina, you'll want to give WestJet a look. We fly into Punta Cana International Airport and more than 150 other destinations across Canada, the U.S., Central America, the Caribbean and Europe — so you can depend on us to get you there. On top of our great routes, we're proud to provide our passengers with air travel that's truly safe, swift and comfortable, all at an affordable price. So make your next trip one to remember and book with WestJet.
Visitors are drawn to Maryland's biggest city to learn more about its history, experience its vibrant culture and taste its famed seafood cuisine. Waters here wash up on shore from both the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, which are great places for guests to paddle in shallow waters or wade in natural marine pools. Beyond the sandy shores, visitors will discover a pleasing array of restaurants, shops and spas, as well as a thriving nightlife.
Are you past due for a vacation? Book last minute flight deals today through WestJet and your dream trip to shimmering, genial Punta Cana will quickly become a reality. It doesn't matter if it's business travel or a trip to see Punta Espada golf course, The Basilica Catholic Monument or Dr Fish Ocean Spa — you can get there with us. Fly to Punta Cana from Regina and find out how your money goes further with WestJet.


text:
Testimony Could Cost Giambi Millions
NEW YORK – Jason Giambi's (search) reported testimony that he used steroids might jeopardize his $120 million contract with the New York Yankees and allow baseball commissioner Bud Selig to discipline him.
Giambi said he injected himself with human growth hormone (search) in 2003 and used steroids for at least three seasons, according to a grand jury transcript reviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle.
His testimony last December, before a federal grand jury investigating illegal steroid distribution, contradicts his public proclamations that he never used performance-enhancing drugs.
Penalties for steroid use in baseball began in 2003, but testing that identified players didn't start until the next season. Human growth hormone, or hGH, is not specifically banned by the major leagues.
While discipline is spelled out for positive tests and criminal convictions, admission of steroid use is not addressed, possibly giving Selig an opening to punish Giambi. Even so, baseball can't test him more than other players because it's been over a year since the steroid use.
Selig repeatedly has called for year-round random testing and harsher penalties, but management and the players' association have failed to reach an agreement. The contract runs through the 2006 season.
"I've been saying for many months: I instituted a very, very tough program in the minor leagues on steroids in 2001. We need to have that program at the major league level," Selig said Thursday in Washington, D.C. "We're going to leave no stone unturned until we have that policy in place by spring training 2005."
Giambi, the 2000 American League MVP with Oakland, signed a seven-year contract with the Yankees before the 2002 season, the sixth-highest deal in baseball history.
Bothered by an injured knee, Giambi hit just .250 in 2003. He batted .208 and played in only 80 games last season, missing time because of a sprained right ankle, fatigue and a benign tumor, which the New York Daily News reported was in his pituitary gland. The Yankees did not even include him on their postseason roster.
Giambi reportedly testified that one of the drugs he thought he used was Clomid, a female fertility drug that some medical experts say can exacerbate a pituitary tumor.
Giambi's agent, Arn Tellem, didn't return telephone calls seeking comment.
New York still owes Giambi $82 million, but the Yankees might be able to get out of the deal.
They could argue Giambi's use of steroids violated his contract, allowing them to terminate it; violated the guarantee language of the deal, allowing them to release him at a fraction of the remaining money; or caused him to be injured or unavailable, meaning he was paid at a time when he was at less than full strength.
"We have met with the commissioner's office today and will continue to work with them to obtain all of the facts in this matter," Yankees president Randy Levine said. "We have made no decisions and will keep all of our options open."
Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney Kevin Ryan said his office was concerned about the leaks to the Chronicle and asked the Justice Department (news - web sites) to investigate. "Violations of grand jury secrecy rules will not be tolerated," Ryan said.
Giambi came to spring training this year noticeably trimmer. Asked in February whether he had ever taken performance-enhancing drugs, Giambi said: "Are you talking about steroids? No."
However, he told grand jurors he used steroids during the 2001-2003 seasons, the Chronicle reported Thursday. He testified how he injected hGH in his stomach, testosterone into his buttocks, rubbed an undetectable steroid knows as "the cream" on his body and placed drops of another, called "the clear," under his tongue, the newspaper said.
Giambi testified that he obtained several different steroids from Barry Bonds' personal trainer, Greg Anderson, one of four men indicted by the grand jury probing the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative. He said he got the hGH from a gym in Las Vegas.
Tony Serra, Anderson's lawyer, said Anderson "never knowingly provided illegal substances to anyone."
Gene Orza (search), the chief operating officer of the players' association, declined comment.
Anderson, BALCO founder Victor Conte, BALCO vice president James Valente and track coach Remi Korchemny have pleaded not guilty to charges that include steroid distribution.
In an interview to be shown on ABC's "20/20" on Friday night, Conte mocked MLB's drug-testing program.
"I think they still believe there's a Santa Claus," he said. "They're not in contact with reality. I mean the program that they put together is a joke."
"Let me tell you the biggest joke of all: I would guesstimate that more than 50 percent of the athletes are taking some form of anabolic steroids," he said.
Giambi was among dozens of elite athletes — including Bonds, Gary Sheffield (search) and track stars Tim Montgomery and Marion Jones — who testified before the grand jury last year under a promise of limited immunity from prosecution.
Bonds, Jones and Montgomery deny using performance-enhancing drugs. Sheffield told Sports Illustrated and ESPN he used "the cream" and "the clear" from BALCO but did not know they contained steroids.
Giambi told grand jurors that he didn't notice a "huge difference" in his performance after starting to use the drugs, the Chronicle reported.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Jorge Voiteh (en búlgaro: Георги Войтех) fue un aristócrata búlgaro de Skopie del siglo XI y el organizador de una gran rebelión contra el dominio bizantino. Pertenecía a una familia Kavján.

En 1071 Jorge Voiteh dirigió el descontento del pueblo búlgaro con el dominio bizantino que decidió rebelarse contra los bizantinos. Según la tradición búlgara, sólo un descendiente de la familia real podría ser coronado zar. Como Voiteh no era de la familia real, los conspiradores pidieron al príncipe de Zeta, Miguel, enviar a su hijo Constantino Bodin para convertirse en zar. Bodin descendía de la dinastía de los Cometopulos por el lado de su madre.

En 1072 en Prizren Bodin fue coronado como zar de Bulgaria bajo el nombre de Pedro III. Los rebeldes tomaron Skopie, la capital del Thema de Bulgaria. Jorge Voiteh permaneció como comandante y Bodin marchó hacía Niš. El emperador logró apoderarse de la ciudad, pero mientras tanto Skopie fue sitiada por el gran ejército bizantino. Voiteh, que consideraba estar preparado para hacer frente a un prolongado asedio o recibir ayuda de Bodin inició nogeociaciones con el general bizantino Miguel Saronites y finalmente se rindió. Después de eso, se arrepintió de su cobardía y envió un mensaje secreto a Constantino Bodin sugiriéndole que debía atacar Skopie mientras los bizantinos no estaban haciendo ningún movimiento. El emperador búlgaro se dirigió a Skopie pero fue emboscado y derrotado marcando el final de la rebelión.

Jorge Voiteh murió durante su deportación a Constantinopla en ese mismo año.

Fuentes
"История на българската държава през средните векове. Том II. България под византийско владичество (1018—1187)" - Vasil Zlatarski (I изд. София 1934; II фототипно изд., Наука и изкуство, София 1972, под ред. на Димитър Ангелов)

Nobles de Bulgaria del siglo XI
Nacidos en el siglo XI
Fallecidos en 1072
Militares del siglo XI
Militares de Bulgaria
Búlgaros de las guerras búlgaro-bizantinas


In comparison to other media, radio enjoys little attention among researchers; it appears that the most-used medium is such a routine accompaniment to the day that there is no need to bother about it. Together with 13 partner organisations from ten European countries, the Institute wants to promote interest in research into radio and to draw more attention to it through the international networking of researchers into radio. At the same time, a basis was to be created for intensifying comparative research into radio.
To this end, an "International Radio Research Network" was founded, which is trying by various means to enliven radio research in Europe: summer schools and international conferences on radio have been organised – in April 2004 in Bordeaux, in 2005 in Seville, in 2006 in Bilbao, Lublin and Brussels.
In addition to organizing events, a database is being constructed to be searchable online and to provide information about European radio systems as well as about the publications of European researchers into radio. Framework Programme, the partner organisations have applied for funding for a comparative research project under the title "Creativity, Culture, and Democracy: the Role of Radio". Furthermore, members of the project founded a Radio Research Section in the framework of the European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA). Funding from the EU for the 6th Framework Programme ran out at the end of 2006. In the 7th Framework Programme, the partner organisations applied for funding for the research project "Creativity, Culture, and Democracy: the Role of Radio". Even though it received a positive evaluation in 2008, it was announced in February 2009 that the project would not receive funding by the EU.


I started writing Performance Poetry after moving to Edinburgh in August 2012. I took part in the Literature Society poetry slam in my Freshers Week, and never looked back! I currently help run the Soapbox Open Mic and the Inky Fingers Spoken Word collective, I wrote Comic Book Love (I usually refer to it in shorthand as CBL) in Spring 2013, and it marked a real turn in my writing style.
I see performance poetry as something that can constantly change: from writing; to performing; to performing again and again.
I am hugely interested in performance poetry as a medium. I think the experience of live poetry has an exhilarating effect that is hard to replicate, and I am very excited by the resurgence of interest in live readings and poetry slams that seems to be occurring across Scotland. I have an interest in exploring the intersections of storytelling and poetry, and how issues of identity are tackled through a direct identification with the poetic "I".
Freddie Alexander is an English Literature student at the University of Edinburgh. He doesn't only win poetry slams but helps organize them too, including the 2014 National University Poetry Slam. He lives with 3 other poets, but doesn't do any poetry with them. Mostly they just play Xbox or watch HBO. Freddie is working his way through Robert Dimery's '1001 Albums to listen to before you die' from 1955 – 2014. He's currently in 1981.
I read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called Comic Book Love – #poetscorner and is located at http://prancingthroughlife.com/2014/10/22/comic-book-love-poetscorner/.


Men's Extra Wide Socks By Norfolk® Care.
We understand this and have spent time designing our Extra Wide socks to work in harmony with both your feet and your footwear.
- Our socks work like regular socks but we have incorporated our Norfolk® Stretch+ Technology giving up to 70% More Stretch across the entire Socks.
Our Extra Wide Socks are not only for people with Swollen Legs, Ankles or Feet but will also help people with Diabetes, Oedema or sensitive legs or feet.


Day 3: Dumja village to Khunkot rafting approx. 6 hours WET AND WILD.immediately we are hitting the rapids passing enroute the fishing village of Kodaris' and the Chamera Bhir were you see hundreds of bats screaming and clinging to the walls of the cliffs, some good fun filled rapids takes up to Khunkot where we camp for the night.
Day 6: Harkapur village to Rai Ghat rafting approx. 6 hours Today is one of the most exciting and challenging days of the expedition encountering some very demanding rapids where you witness the skills of our guides, we pass through 'Bridge rapids' and 'Krishna rapids' stopping to carefully plan our strategy through the next rapids. Mr. Mangal Gurung was the first rafter to successfully take rafts in 1979 and he has the distinction of being the 1st Nepali to raft the Sunkoshi, it was a no mean success, hence, the rapid is named after him 'MANGAL RAPID'. Floating past the confluence of the Dudh Koshi, we hit the last rapid for the day, 'Roller Coaster' a hair rising rapid.
Day 7: Rai Ghat to Bander Ghat rafting approx. 6 hours Hold tight, the ride is not over yet.as past the point of Sap Su Khola is a rapid with the greatest drop Huge 'holes', 'eddies' and churning 'stopper waves' demands team work and hard paddle.


Home cashews Thengai Sadam (Toasted Coconut rice)…home alone!!
In a pan/skillet/kadhai, toast the coconut till it just begins to change colour. Remove and add to the rice with salt. Mix everything well and keep aside.
In the same pan, heat the oil and add mustard seeds. When the mustard seeds start spluttering, add in the dals.
Once the dals start changing colour, add in the green chilies, ginger, curry leaves, hing, peanuts, cashews and dried red chilies.
Stir well and fry everything on low heat till the peanuts and cashews turn golden brown.
Add in the rice mix to the pan. Stir well but gently to allow the tempering to mix well with the rice.
Switch off the heat once the rice is all warmed up.
Traditionally coriander leaves are never added. I add them when I eat this rice on its own and omit when serving with a curry.
Also, when serving with a curry, I reduce the amount of coconut to about ¼ cup.
I also add onions to this at times (finely chopped and fried till it starts going soft with the tempering). I like the texture even though it's never ever used traditionally.
If not serving immediately, I prefer to also fry cashews/peanuts separately and keep aside. Top the rice with nuts only when serving or else they tend to go soft and lose that crunch factor.
Previous articleParrippu Payasam (Mung dal pudding cooked with Jaggery and Coconut milk)…celebrating Onam!!
Next articleKozhi Thoran/Chicken Thoran (Chicken stir fried with grated coconut)…pet names!!


text:
Federal Court of Appeal Quashes Kinder Morgan Expansion
Category: Coast Views	Coast Views
Published: 10 September 2018	10 September 2018
2018 has been the most devastating fire season in recorded B.C. history, beating the previous worst fire season in 2017, creating the worst air quality in the world, right here, with scientists attributing these events to humancaused climate change. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau flew into Nanaimo under heavy smoke, to hold caucus meetings. On the ground, environmental activist-protectors stood with Indigenous leaders to voice their continued opposition to the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion project and Trudeau's decision to buy the pipeline for a reported 4.5 billion dollars. But economist Robyn Allan has said the deal could eventually cost taxpayers between 15-20 billion dollars. 1
In the years of resistance to the pipeline expansion, more than 400 people have been arrested, with many facing heavy fines and prison sentences. But in a ruling on August 30, 2018, the Supreme Court of Canada quashed the project, in a historic and scathing 266-page unanimous decision. The applicants were several First Nations, Environmental NGOs, and the cities of Burnaby and Vancouver, vs The Attorney General of Canada, the National Energy Board, and Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC. Chief amongst the issues cited in the decision were: - Failure by the Government of Canada to properly consult First Nations. - A flawed National Energy Board Hearing, not considering tanker traffic. - Failure to address the threat to Southern Resident Orcas, which are under threat of extinction.
In 2012, upon hearing of Kinder Morgan's expansion plans, I decided to make a film on the issues; this took more than five years to complete. This Living Salish Sea was supported by people in several communities and has been screened in many towns in B.C. and Washington State. But when Green Party Leader Elizabeth May hosted a special screening of my film on Parliament Hill for MPs and Senators, none watched it, despite there being several screenings. I had repeatedly invited my MP, Pamela GoldsmithJones to inform herself and watch the film, but she did not attend. She did however, support the approval of the Kinder Morgan expansion and purchase, as did other Liberal MPs from B.C.
Meanwhile, the Government of Canada and of Alberta have spent millions on a slick ad campaign promoting the pipeline expansion. Within thirty minutes of the court ruling, shrewd Kinder Morgan/Trans Mountain shareholders voted more than 99% in favour of selling, acquiring a large profit. Shortly after, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau finalized the purchase, saying he was intent on completing the pipeline expansion, putting the government in a direct conflict of interest in regard to any new First Nations consultations or a NEB process and approvals. 2
I am very honoured that the film was used in many fundraising events to help support the First Nations in their battle, which resulted in such a historic legal victory. This Living Salish Sea is based on facts and science and shows the beauty and diversity of our marine environment. You may watch the film online by clicking on the link at the film website: www.livingsalishsea.ca.
This issue is important, since it is less about the path taken, which we cannot influence, and more about the path ahead, which we can.
Wildfires and climate change, Radio Canada International: http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2018/08/16/british-columbia-wildfires-worse-due-toclimate-change/
Federal court of appeal decision: https://decisions.fca-caf.gc.ca/fca-caf/decisions/en/item/343511/index.do
Robyn Allan, National Observer: https://www.nationalobserver.com/u/robyn-allan


Salvatorian ministries succeed thanks to a diverse array of individual talents and gifts. Share your gifts, and help us improve the lives of people who lack resources; of those in hospitals and prisons; of youth at risk. Above all, help us reach the many individuals who long to experience our Savior's mercy and love.
Please give today. We thank you for your interest in supporting our work—and His Word.
You are a part of our present.
Be a part of our future too.
in your will and trusts.


A study describes how companies can adopt a flexible innovation strategy that is responsive to changes in rapidly shifting markets.
Bottom Line: A study describes how companies can adopt a flexible innovation strategy that is responsive to changes in rapidly shifting markets.
What is the best way for companies to manage R&D projects that are suddenly affected by unforeseen circumstances? Traditionally, companies sort different types of projects into so-called strategic buckets. Doing so helps them compartmentalize R&D ventures according to their scope and the employee incentives, leadership style, and level of managerial autonomy thought to be required.
But this approach underestimates the complexities that increasingly confront cutting-edge businesses, according to a new study. Specifically, conventional wisdom ignores how R&D departments handle the tension that inevitably arises between projects as they evolve and demand different resources and managerial approaches.
When the firms that were studied failed to account for the importance of project shifts — for instance, abrupt changes in a firm's strategic outlook or the unexpected external events that can suddenly transform a local project into a wide-ranging initiative, or vice versa — they experienced delayed or diluted project launches that ultimately damaged their bottom line, the authors found. On the other hand, companies that intentionally built flexibility into their R&D structures found themselves poised to turn surprises to their benefit. Because they were willing and able to incorporate new information on the fly, they delivered better products or services.
To explore the impact of sudden project shifts in an empirical setting, the authors conducted extensive fieldwork, tracking the progress of 12 R&D projects at leading high-tech firms with annual sales ranging from almost US$1 billion to more than $40 billion. They conducted numerous structured and semi-structured interviews with CEOs, chief technology officers, vice presidents, and business unit managers directly responsible for steering the R&D initiatives, as well as with project leaders and team members on the front lines.
The authors also observed the R&D process in action, sat in on project meetings, and analyzed the firms' annual reports, IP documentation, board communications, financial returns, and media and industry publications. All of the businesses examined in the study operated in the high-tech realm and therefore required fast, efficient turnarounds on new projects, which typically had budgets in the $24 million to $28 million range.
The various R&D initiatives were originally focused on either the search for new technologies (external) or the refinement of existing practices (internal). But all experienced significant project shifts that played a part in determining their success or failure.
For example, one automotive firm's attempt to modify designs for an existing suspension drive assembly was temporarily disrupted by the emergence of a new construction material on the market. But managers adjusted quickly. By allocating the newly appropriate resources and encouraging more experimentation, they made a product that changed the way "suspension assemblies were designed and manufactured," according to one industry article.
In contrast, a project that originated as a minor improvement on a laptop design became bogged down in a tangle of new technologies that emerged from the supplier sector. The design team reacted far too sluggishly to broader market trends and never diverted the R&D effort from its initial focus. Because senior management frowned upon the costs associated with trial and error, the team lacked the resources needed to expand its scope. After a delay in the product launch caused by efforts to implement last-minute changes, the laptop was labeled a dud by the media and was quickly discontinued.
Because senior management frowned upon the costs associated with trial and error, the team lacked the resources needed to expand its scope.
Although both initiatives started out as attempts to build on a firm's current capabilities, they soon encountered external changes that could fundamentally alter their reach and objective. The difference was that one firm was prepared to roll with the changes and use them to the product's advantage, and one refused to be swayed from its initial course.
Successful projects tended to be led by senior project leaders who made decisions about projects often, typically about once a month, and who used similar processes to monitor all their R&D projects — without confining them to a particular type or bucket. The authors call this the "responsive" search method, and it allows managers and team members to alter a project on the fly.
The good news: It is possible to build this flexibility into systems. To implement a responsive strategy, the authors advise firms to (1) develop a risk-evaluation system that continuously tracks all strategically vital R&D projects; (2) establish a weekly communication plan that enables employees at all levels to exchange information; and (3) use a continuous planning procedure that doesn't stop when the project starts, but instead gathers monthly updates on external technological and economic changes.
Of course, doing these things might not be cheap. There are training costs to consider, and extra employees will be required to monitor changes in product, process, and supply chain technologies. Managers, too, will need to devote more time to tracking R&D efforts, and might need training or support systems of their own to refine their traditional views on project supervision. But the study suggests that these extra costs eventually pay off, and that the administrative burden will lessen as these processes become more intertwined and ingrained in a company.


Making So isn't something to be taken — the choice is vital to your website's success, though. After all, your website's theme will decide the design displayed to your visitors, along with your plugins will include most of its plugins.
To help You make an educated decision, I'll take an in-depth look at a few of the best places to purchase WordPress themes and plugins: MyThemeShop. In addition to examining MyThemeShop in general, I will also be looking in its main attributes, reviewing some of its best products and sharing hints to prospective buyers.
With a Name like MyThemeShop, you would think the answer will be clear cut. In reality, MyThemeShop occupies a middle ground somewhere between a WordPress theme shop and a WordPress'club'. Because of its pricing policy, more probably leans .
This is Because although all of its products (MyThemeShop develops themes and plugins) are available to buy individually, in addition, it has a membership option that gives users complete access to its whole product range.
As we've Touched a number of occasions in this post, MyThemeShop offers 24/7 support for its clients, quality. And so that users may learn from problems, it happens in public, in its own service forum.
There is a Dedicated section for plugins and themes, also separation between superior and free products. Simply post your issue about the forum and one of those MyThemeShop-employed service team will respond to your query promptly .
Instead Than focusing on paid associates, MyThemeShop offers great support to free users as well, believing that the service someone receives for a commodity should not depend on whether they paid or not.
The forum Additionally supports a search function, so you can start looking for solutions to a problem — usually the fastest way to find answers. Queries that were resolved are indicated with a postage that was green resolved.
Along with The support forum, MyThemeShop has added a selection of 45 video tutorials teaching the fundamentals of WordPress, the way to utilize the MyThemeShop products, and even how to use some favorite non-MyThemeShop plugins. These videos are available through the Tutorial tab.
And, if You are still not able after posting to this support forum to solve your issue, MyThemeShop also offers email support. In the event you need tweaks to your subject, specific customisations, site setup, or website migrations, the MyThemeShop support team can help you out (though these services are, as you'd expect, paid).
MyThemeShop Topics were designed with usability in mind, and every single motif ships with a market-leading theme options panel from which you can control the theme's settings, import arbitrary content (to have your website looking like the demo you watched when you purchased the motif ), or dip right into its numerous customisation choices.
To get a Start, every motif has the entire catalogue of Google net fonts — over 600 and support for infinite colors. Perhaps more importantly, all topics offer unlimited background options: including a variety of built-in background patterns, the above unlimited colours, and also the choice to upload a custom background image.
The Topics are fairly feature-rich also. There is built in ad management, lightweight and fashionable buttons that were social-sharing, and contact type functionality included with each theme. All topics come with support for the entire selection of MyThemeShop shortcodes, letting you incorporate eye-catching design components to your website with ease.
Most Importantly, though, is that underneath all of this is really a clean, lightweight, and robust code. What's more, to make sure your website is as visitor-friendly as possible, all themes boast a fully mobile responsive layout, lightning-quick load times, and cross-browser compatibility.
All Themes include a preview that will assist you to get an idea of the plan. These previews come in rows of three by default, butif you would prefer a slightly larger preview, you can pick rows of 2. There's also a basic filter that lets you form the topics by launch date or popularity.
When You've discovered a motif you like the appearance of, you can click through to the theme's product page. Here, you'll be able to read more about the theme's main attributes, plus you will get an notion of the subject's popularity — each theme involves a community rating out of five.
Before You buy a theme, I recommend spending a couple of minutes researching this demonstration. You'll be able to sample the motif's designs, try out different customisation choices, and get an overall idea of how the motif looks and performs.
From Social networking to the search engines, Schema is a site tailored for dominating the SERPs — attained by a carefully designed, SEO-optimized design. The subject is lightning quick, with website speed an important factor. The website uses a stylish-yet-simple design, also it comes packed with inspection functionality and advertising management. For an SEO-focused theme named Schema, the motif, of course, adds the necessary Schema markup which powers Google wealthy snippets.
Social Traffic is consistently growing, and sites have popped up consuming off traffic. If you are looking to build a viral social website, SociallyViral was assembled for you — the motif boasts many different features to Boost social shares and cater to viral traffic. That means a site with a great deal of social buttons, trending article widgets, and, with one eye on monetization, advanced AdSense optimization.
OnePage supports a gorgeous slider over The fold, catching visitors' attentions immediately. It is primarily a company theme, encouraging dedicated team, portfolio, client, reviews, and pricing sections — all of that look extremely professional and offer stylish parallax effects. The theme also looks fantastic when kitted out from its own alternative blogging skin.
PointPro is another professional motif Time coming in three variants — blog, business, and eCommerce shop. The company template is very eye-catching, using a clean, organized layout complementing a great deal of images — there is an image slider, thumbnails, and gallery performance, also. The motif provides you plenty of versatility, with boundless colours, custom sidebars, and backgrounds that are unlimited.
You can Search for plugins in the exact same way as themes, but, because plugins change in regard to their capacities, the plugin pages are the areas to search for whatever information you are after.
Each Plugin has a very long list of the plugin's features, giving you a clear indicator of what it could (or can't) do. You will also observe an individual rating so that you can see every one in action, there's a handy demo for each plugin.
Because There are plugins compared to themes, let us run down the best three MyThemeShop WordPress plugins. I provide a succinct overview of what every plugin can perform.
WP Mega Menus adds beautiful, interactive menus into your website. The mega menus come loaded with options, and permit you to add thumbnail pictures. These menus are a notable and magnificent design feature for your site, and they make it more straightforward to navigate.
WP Subscribe Pro lets you exhibit stylish popups and Your list to grow. This plugin boasts lots of design choices plus support for departure intent technology. You can even incorporate WP Subscribe Pro including MailChimp, AWeber and, needless to say, with the hottest email marketing autoresponder solutions.
MyThemeShop Functions a pricing structure — any theme will set you back a 59, with plugins coming in at $29 each. This is a somewhat typical price for plugins and themes, and on a par with major marketplaces such as ThemeForest and CodeCanyon.
Should you Want access to its subject club, an elongated membership account costs $167 a year. You'll receive access to customer support and 20 plugins, in addition to all 99 themes and full access to Photoshop PSDs.
Membership Is more expensive than that of a number of the other motif clubs, like ElegantThemes (from $59 annually ), TeslaThemes (from $59 annually ), also ThemeIsle (from $99 a year), but more reasonably priced compared to the likes of WooThemes (from $399 annually — upgrade — 16th July: WooThemes.com is now under the umbrella of WooCommerce.com, with their themes available at https://woocommerce.com/product-category/themes/), WPMU Dev (from $294 annually ), and StudioPress (from $499 annually ).
What is More, an membership will also provide you with access to some products published by MyThemeShop to the length of your subscription.
Overall, MyThemeShop is almost certainly among the greatest WordPress clubs around — it offers an impressive range. Throw in an excellent, versatile choice of plugins and support, and it is not tough to see over 300,000 clients have taken the plunge and become MyThemeShop clients.
You may Be wondering whether you should buy themes on an individual basis, or as a job lot as part of the'bar' subscription. Obviously, this depends.
Should you Build a lot of sites — maybe as a developer or a creative service — then the club membership is sure to be the option. This package will provide you access to impress your clients, and each one comes packed with customisation options so it is possible to tailor a site to a customer's liking.
The Yearly membership reflects the best value, and holds its own when compared to other WordPress clubs — $167 a year for 20 professional plugins and 99 quality topics is a complete bargain!


text:
Global Carmakers To Spend $515B On Electric Vehicles Over Next Decade
By Maggie Valenti @maggievalenti0
An analysis from Reuters revealed that 32 automakers will spend over half a trillion dollars on electric vehicles and batteries by 2030.
Based on company disclosures, a global breakdown of the numbers by Reuters revealed European automakers will spend $112 billion, with German company Volkswagen contributing to half of that amount. Volkswagen has a huge lead among global automakers in investments in battery technology and electric vehicle manufacturing.
Chinese automakers account for $124 billion, which is 66% of the total investment from Asia.
Tesla, General Motors, and Ford each made roughly the same investment amount — about $25 billion — into battery technology investments.
In 2018, Reuters conducted a similar analysis that found global automakers planned to spend $300 billion on electric vehicles and the technology to run them. The spike in spending is likely a result of zero-carbon mandates from countries around the world, demonstrated by pledges made at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland
Brian Maxim, head of global powertrain forecasting at AutoForecast Solutions, told Reuters that investments in electric vehicles may not meet the demand, as all the investment by global carmakers may mean little without incentives. This includes selling the public on buying electric vehicles, spending on the creation of more charging infrastructure, and maximizing grid capacity.
"Once a few manufacturers announced EV programs, everyone else had to announce their own or be viewed as being left behind," Maxim told Reuters. "This leaves a lot of vehicle manufacturers planning significant volumes for a vehicle category that has unknown consumer acceptance and will have minimal to no profit [for years]."
The world's biggest automaker expects 10 percent of European sales to be vehicles powered by electricity or hydrogen by 2025 AFP / Hector RETAMAL
Tesla, which only makes electric cars, has invested billions of dollars in "giga factories" near Berlin and Austin, Texas, that will boost their production capacity.
Different projections have been made by consulting firm AlixParnters. The firm estimates investments in electric vehicles will reach $330 billion by 2025.
Apple Supplier Foxconn Unveils Electric Vehicles
Amazon-backed Electric Vehicle Maker Rivian Announces IPO
Tesla General motors Volkswagen Ford Motor Company


text:
Home » News » Lucky Ali alleges land grab; says IAS Officer Rohini Sindhuri is helping
Lucky Ali alleges land grab; says IAS Officer Rohini Sindhuri is helping
Bengaluru: Lucky Ali, son of Bollywood comedian Mehmood, who is presently in Dubai, in a social media post, alleged yesterday that Bengaluru-based "land mafia" is encroaching on his farm in Karnataka and that they are "forcibly and illegally" entering his property, located at Kenchenahalli, Yelahanka. In a Facebook post, Ali shared the text of his complaint letter to the Karnataka Police Chief.
"My farm which is a Trust Property located in Kenchenahalli Yelahanka is being encroached on illegally by Sudhir Reddy (and Madhusudhan Reddy) from the Bangalore land mafia. With the help of his wife, who is an IAS Officer by the name of Rohini Sindhuri they are misusing State resources for their personal gain," Ali wrote in his post.
In his complaint, the musician stated that the "land mafia" is illegally entering his farm and refusing to show the relevant documents. He said that his family has been in possession of the land for the past 50 years, and that other individuals are now attempting to encroach on it.
Ali named Sudhir Reddy as the principal individual attempting to encroach on the land. He also added that Sudhir is being helped by his wife Rohini Sindhuri, who is an IAS Officer. The singer claimed that the couple is exploiting Governmental resources for their personal gain.
Later in his post, Ali also stated that he is not getting any help from the local Police. The musician also shared his concern regarding his family.
"My family and small children are alone on the farm," Ali said, adding that he could not meet the State Police Chief before leaving for Dubai where he is currently for work.
"I am getting no help from the local Police, who are in fact supporting the encroachers and are indifferent to our situation and the legal status of our land," Ali stated.
READ ALSO DC visits COVID War Room, lauds service of volunteers
At the end of his post, Lucky Ali urged the Police to take action and help him before the final court hearing on Dec. 7.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra told reporters yesterday that he would direct the DG-IGP to order an inquiry into the matter and submit a report.
Lucky Ali Rohini Sindhuri
Singer misusing celebrity status: Rohini Sindhuri
Items 'missing' from ATI Guest House after former DC's brief stay !
2 COMMENTS ON THIS POST To "Lucky Ali alleges land grab; says IAS Officer Rohini Sindhuri is helping"
Shantala says:
This complaint is coming at the same time the missing of 20 items at the guest house, where Rohini Sindhuri briefly stated. There has been intense rumour that she treats all her official facilities and items as her own.
She is a Reddy and was rumoured to have passed her IAS exams because of the powerful Reddy pull, and is married to This Sudhir Reddy, a failed software engineer, wanting to become very rich.
The enquiry should be from the CBI, and there has to be a raids on the homes linked to Sindhuri and her husband Reddy. Until, everything is cleared up, she should be suspended from her post.
This is the ugly face of corruption and misuse of power by the IAS officers – IPS officers too, who often fail to solve the crime, for example, the leader of the armed robber gang who led to violent robbery on a jewellery shop in Mysore, last year is missing. One wonders, what good these central services officers are. There is no effective checks on them, as the state governments have no power, since these officers belong to central government service loaned to states.
duplicate Shantala says:
Is Shantala, Koppal Boregowda and Mann Ki Baat same person? Their writing style is same and posted within minutes of each other..
Oh, I know insane person has 10s of pseudo names..


text:
Maidenhead Boyne Hill Station Maidenhead Boyne Hill Station Maidenhead Boyne Hill Station was opened on the 1st August 1854 as part of the Wycombe Railway and virtually unnoticed it still stands there today. As you climb up Castle Hill out of Maidenhead the A4 road passes over the line at a point where an elaborate brick structure looks a little too complicated to be just a simple bridge. Two bricked up arches give the game away. These were the original entrances to Maidenhead Boyne Hill station's platforms below. It's tempting to wonder what is behind these walls _ are there still steps down and was everything removed before they were sealed like some kind of tomb? The answer was discovered during a site inspection in 2015. "Basically there are a series of vaults/chambers adjacent to the A4, below the footway and across the railway line. There are 9 in total, with the two end ones being the arches which were blocked up and are visible from the roadside, one of which has the door inset into. Within these two there are also small openings on the railway side of the structure , other than these two the other 7 are completely sealed. At some point in the past minor repairs have been carried out which included installing supporting bars and creating holes between the vaults to allow access to them all" (with thanks to James Church and Vince Blissett for this information). The station was originally simply called Maidenhead (Wycombe Branch) and acquired its Boyne Hill suffix at a later date. Its period in use was short too, it had closed by 1871 less than 20 years after it had opened. Perhaps the walk up the hill to the station from the town did not help its survival but ultimately it was the new Maidenhead Station located on the main line from Paddington that sealed its fate. Opening on the same day as Boyne Hill closed it has remained Maidenhead's station to this day.
Further detail on the Boyne Hill Station can be found in 'First Stop Maidenhead' by Matthew Wells.
All photographs copyright artofthestate 2011
To order a hi_resolution copy of any of these photos click here (image reference LDN_MAIDBOHI_1) and state image description.
All photographs copyright artofthestate 2011 except Maidenhead Castle Hill Station illustration. The remains of the original Maidenhead Boyne Hill station are still visible today.
The two bricked up entrances originally led to the booking hall and the platforms
Inside this bridge there is reputed to be the original booking hall area
Maidenhead Castle Hill Station illustration


The Lake Erie Monsters will host Make-A-Wish Night at the Quicken Loans Arena this Saturday, February 21 when the Monsters take on the Rockford Icehogs at 7:00 p.m.
The Monsters have invited four local Make-A-Wish kids (Timothy, Kabir, Jori and Maxwell) to participate in the evening's festivities. The experience will start with a locker room tour and meet and greet with Monsters players. Each wish kid will also participate in special fan experiences during the game, including the ceremonial puck drop.
"The Monsters are thrilled to partner with Make-A-Wish for our game this Saturday night," said Monsters Sr. Vice President and COO Mike Ostrowski. "We commend them for all of their outstanding work and are honored they will be at The Q for this special evening."
The Monsters players will be wearing special Make-A-Wish Jerseys on Saturday night and fans will be able to bid on these jerseys throughout the game. Partial proceeds from the special jersey auction will go toward a $5,000 donation the Monsters will be presenting during the game to Make-A-Wish(r) Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana.
"We are excited to partner with the Lake Erie Monsters for Make-A-Wish night," said Development Officer Megan Cantrell. "Fans will have the opportunity to watch a great game of hockey, learn more about our mission and help make more wishes come true."
For more information on ways to help, visit ohio.wish.org, call 1-877-206-9474, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @makeawishohkyin.
Maxwell is a four-year-old from Mayfield Heights, Ohio. He is living with spinal muscular atrophy and had his wish granted in October of 2013 to go to Walt Disney World(r) Resort with his family.
Kabir is an 11-year-old from Beachwood, Ohio. He was diagnosed with leukemia and had his wish granted in October of 2010 to have a game room.
Jori is a seven-year-old from Massillon, Ohio. She is fighting a series of life-threatening medical conditions and had her wish granted in August of 2012 to have a swimming pool.
Timothy is a 14-year-old from Parma Heights, Ohio. He is battling cystic fibrosis and had his wish granted in February of 2013 to be a marine biologist.
Make-A-Wish(r) Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Currently, there are more than 170 children in northeast Ohio waiting for their wish to come true. You can help share the power of a wish(r) by making a donation, volunteering, or referring a child. Make-A-Wish is in urgent need of volunteers in Trumbull, Columbiana, Stark, Summit and Wayne counties. For more information, visit our website at ohio.wish.org or call 1-877-206-9474.


I have finally finished BETA 2 of the latest update of Dynamic Forms For SharePoint, vLookup for SharePoint and SPJS-utility.js.
This update of DFFS started out as a relatively small update to support the new "add children from NewForm" in vLookup, but one thing lead to another. I have now redesigned the entire trigger handling in DFFS, and added a few new features. Here is a few lines describing the changes.
Rules can now be ordered as you like – rules related to one trigger does not have to be grouped together anymore.
Changed how rule reversing are handled to how it was before v4.301. In v4.301 I changed this to loop trough all rules that should be reversed, and to apply a "summary" of all these reversed rules after all reversals had been looped trough. This was done to try to fix a performance issue in IE8. I have now gone back to handling all rules one by one as part of a major redesign of the trigger handling. Please report any performance issues related to large lists with a lot or rules.
Added new trigger on people pickers in SP2013. If I get feedback that this works, I could add support for SP2010 and possibly SP2007 also.
Added new option to "Stop and skip to another rule". This feature adds a kind of branching to the rule handling.
Added option to use "not true" in the "And these rules or functions = true / false" option in the trigger.
Added option in the Misc tab to "Launch EditForm in dialog" to be able to return to the DispForm after EditForm is submitted.
Fixed potential license validation error when using JSLink version with Google Chrome.
Changed the order of Tabs and Rules tab in DFFS backend.
Changed layout and color scheme in DFFS backend.
Various small refinements of the code.
Please note that the DFFS, vLookup and other plugins are the same for the "CEWP" version and the "JSLink" version. I have however added the files in both "formats" to the download and install page.
Changed handling of lookup columns when adding children to remove some internal functions in vLookup, and instead use the corresponding spjs-utility function. Please note that you must update to the latest spjs-utility version. This update is also done in vLookup receiver for NewForm.
Various small bugfixes and enhancements to both frontend and backend.
Various small changes related to setting lookup columns and other small fixes related to the changes introduced in BETA 1.
Please report all issues in the forums. Let me know if you find any bugs – or if you like what you see.


POSTED October 2, 2018 2:46 p.m.
Darlene Ann Westemeier (Hallberg), 76, of Blue Eye, MO., formally of Platteville/Cuba City, passed away on Monday, Sept. 3, 2018, after a courageous battle with cancer.
The family is planning a Celebration of Life for her on Satuday, Sept. 29, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Sonshine Center by the Free Methodist Church, 350 E. Furnace St, Platteville, Wis. She will rest in peace in McGregor, Iowa, on Sunday, Sept. 30. Burial will be at the Swede Ridge Lutheran Church, 31743 175th St., McGregor, IA, at 11:30 a.m.


There are several recent video games which teach kids to consider natural resource protection and promote planet-saving activities, but what about greening the act of gaming itself? Flip produced a 5 minute clip on several ways to green electronics and gaming habits. Narrated by Katharine Fletcher, one of the bloggers on Flip, who admits that while she is not saying that kids shouldn't game, she wants to incorporate her greenness into one of her favorite hobbies and share these tips with other fellow gamers.
Rechargeable batteries, using a bye-bye standby, and turning off screens while downloading large files are just a few of the tips offered. Fletcher is probably not much older than most gamers, the target audience, so she is easier for kids to listen to.
World's First Forecasting Game Asks: What Would You Do If Humanity Had Only 23 Years Left?


Nespresso – An Unsustainable Business Model?
Single-serving coffee made at home. That's the category Nespresso operates in – a segment estimated to be 8 billion USD in 2012 (source).
It took 30 years for Nespresso to get to where it is now.
Their first patent was registered in 1976 and it was launched internationally in 1991.
As of 2012, their concept (machine, capsule, service) is subject to 1,700 patents.
Features celebrities, such as George Clooney and John Malkovich, as brand ambassadors.
At 55 cents for a 4-g capsule, Nespresso coffee works out to a nerve-jangling $62 per lb. ($137 per kg). And the hefty markup doesn't seem to bother its fans.
Is rumored to command gross margins at about 85%, compared with 40% to 50% for regular drip-coffee brands.
The company confirmed that Nespresso is targeting to grow sales by around half a billion francs in 2013.
As a brand, Nespresso has been vaunted as the "Apple of coffee pods" riding high on the classic razor/razor-blade business model – otherwise called as the Vendor Lock In business model. See an informative video here on the specifics of the Nespresso business model using the framework of Business Model Canvas.
Mondelez International, the world's second-biggest coffee maker, is going head to head with larger rival Nestle by launching capsules compatible with its Nespresso system to steal a share of the premium coffee market.
The capsules will be sold under the Jacobs and Carte Noire brands in many EU markets in the second half of 2013 – the biggest challenge yet for the $4.4 billion (2.8 billion pounds) Nespresso brand that has sued many copycats.
These are just the warning bells for the company as many more brands jump onto the bandwagon of this fast growing coffee segment.
Benefit from market growth: Even if Nespresso's share drops, sales can still increase if the market is growing.
Keep product quality up: Continue offering a better coffee experience through its select blend of coffee.
"Load" existing customers: Defend against the Mondelez launch by loading its existing customers with product, and so taking them out of the market.
Drive distribution: Drive distribution in new channels. e.g., store-within-store formats.
I would however beg to disagree here, as I suspect if the current business model can be sustainable in the long term. And my argument is equally applicable to the Tassimo's, Dolce Gusto's, Keurig's and Verismo's of the world. Why?
Insight #1: Which business are the Nespresso's of the world actually into?
..while pod machines might not make great coffee, they do make a consistent cup. This is making them irresistible to high-end restaurants…. Nespresso machines can now be found in the kitchens of around 30% of the world's 2,400 Michelin-starred restaurants. The appeal is obvious –they're consistent, cheaper than hiring a barista and take up less space than a traditional espresso machine.
Insight #2: What can I learn from a cup of Starbucks coffee that bears my name?
What if a 'coffee pod' sets up a unique proposition of designing a one of its kind, exclusive and a truly unique coffee blend concocted to your minutest specifications and delivered it to you as your own coffee pod (like that cup of starbucks with your name on it) for you to be able to enjoy this very same cup of coffee day after day using the machine back home?
The benefits are obvious: enduring consumer relationships, deeper consumer insights, a treasure trove of data on how people love their coffee, a truly unique blend that only you can deliver, resulting in pods that consumers are willing to pay a premium for and finally pods that cannot be easily replicated by the "me too's" of the world.
Speak about infusing authenticity to the vendor lock in business model.
This entry was posted in Business Model, Business Strategy, Innovation, Retail and tagged Business Model, Coffee, Coffee Pod, Dolce Gusto, IKEA Effect, Keurig, Mondelez, Nespresso, Starbucks, Tassimo, Verismo. Bookmark the permalink.
Wow – That is truly a neat concept. Do you know if Nespresso or any other vendor is working on something like this ?
That was a wonder article. When we consider our five senses, marketing has been done considering mostly in all the senses. But I was wondering whether there are any marketing strategies going on for the sense of touch? Are there any brands which we can recognize just with the touch?


Purpose of Post : Responsible to support Management of Chemical suppliers supporting to India Business through their assessments. Audit and suppliers visit for their Quality Compliance as per J&J Guidelines and applicable regulatory compliance. Track the audit status for its compliance as per agreed supplier Audit Management SOP, communicate with suppliers for Audit responses and their compliance. Review of Audit evidences submitted by suppliers and ensure effective closure of observations as per agreed Audit Action Plan (AAP) on time.
• Management of Chemical suppliers supporting to India Business through their assessments.
• Audit /Visit suppliers for their Quality Compliance as per J&J Guidelines and applicable regulatory compliances.
• Track the audit status for its compliance as per agreed supplier Audit Management SOP, communicate with suppliers for Audit responses and their compliance.
• Review of Audit evidences submitted by suppliers and ensure effective closure of observations as per agreed Audit Action Plan (AAP) on time.
• Management of Change controls related to chemical suppliers supporting to India Business.
• Coordinate on the quality system related matters with Suppliers to ensure its closure.
• Collating and capturing basic data for Monthly report of India.
• Management of progress of CAI / EAI Chemical suppliers as per J&J guidelines.
• Drive and complete mitigation plans, actions plan documented in various actions like Exit strategy, Risk assessment forms, Escalations etc related to Chemical Suppliers.
• Monthly review with key suppliers on their progress on Quality parameters.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in Consumer or pharmaceutical industry.
• Should have knowledge of Drug & Cosmetics regulatory guidelines (ISO/Drugs & Cosmetics Act/ICH guidelines).
• Knowledge of Change Management, Internal Audits, Deviation management, Risk Assessment & cGMP.
• Knowledge of computer systems, Working on MS Word, Excel & PowerPoint. Working experience on Electronic document management systems like Trackwise, Symphony etc is added advantage.
• Working experience in Quality Assurance or Quality Control of Chemical or Packaging Material Manufacturing facilities.
• Candidate must have language proficiency in Spoken/written English and 2-3 local languages.
• With Positive Mindset, Committed and responsible.
• Proactive and solution-oriented approach to challenges.
• Quality mind-set and strong analytical skills.
• Sensitivity to cultural issues and ability to work in a diverse multi-cultural environment.


text:
What r the multiples of 3?
the multiples of 3 are........0,3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27.... and more
Q: What r the multiples of 3?
What r the multiples of 3 and 4?
Any multiple of 12.
1,2,3,61*6=62*3=6
What r all the numbers divisible by 3?
Itself and any of its multiples
What r the common multiples of 3 and 15?
15, 30, 45 and so on.
What r the first 3 common multiples of 6 and 9?
18, 36, and 54
What are the first 3 common multiples of 6 9 10?
they r 90, 180 and 270
All multiples of 3?
3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27,30,33,36,39,42,45,48,51,54,57,60,63,66,69,72,75,78,81,84,87,90,93,96,99,102All the multiples of 3.
What are the common multiples of 12 and 3?
All multiples of 12 are also multiples of 3.
What are the multiples of 6 4 3?
Multiples of 6: 1,2,3,6 Multiples of 4: 1,2,4 Multiples of 3: 1,3
What are multiples of 3 and 8?
They are the multiples of 3*8 = 24
Are multiples of 3 also multiples of 6?
No; all multiples are not multiples of 6, for example 3×3 = 9 is not a multiple of 6. However as 6 = 2×3 all multiples of 6 are also multiples of 3.
What r multiples?
multiples are like timesing like 7 x 5=40
Multiples of 3 and 5?
3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27,30,33,36,39,42are multiples of 3 5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55,60,65,are multiples of 5
Are all multiples of 3 odd?
No - alternate multiples of 3 are odd, and alternate multiples are even.
What are all of the multiples for number 3?
There are an infinite number of multiples for 3
What multiples of 3 are not a factor?
All multiples of 3 are factors of something.
What are the multiples that are whole numbers of 3?
The whole number multiples of 3 are 1 and 3.
What are examples of multiples of 3?
The term "multiples of 3" is a common math term. Children learn about multiples at an early age when learning to skip count. 3, 6, and 9 are all multiples of 3.
What are the multiples for 27 and 30?
The multiples of 27 and 30 are :-1. Multiples of 27 are 3 and 92. Multiples of 30 are 3, 5,6,10, 15* * * * *No, those are FACTORS of the numbers, not multiples!The multiples of 27 and 30 are 270 and all its multiples.
Are all multiples of 9 also multiples of 3?
Yes, all multiples of 9 are also multiples of 3.but they're not all of them. Every multiple of 9 is also a multiple of 3, but there are more multiples of 3 besides those.
What are the multiples of divisibility of 9?
The multiples of 9 are: 1 and 9 3 and 3
Why are multiples of 6 also multiples of 3?
Because 6 is a multiple of 3.
Do the multiples of 9 are all multiples of 6 and 3?
3 yes, 6 no.
What are 81 27 and 45 multiples of?
They are multiples of 3.
What multiples of 2 is a factor of 3?
No multiples of 2 are factors of 3.


text:
Chat
"Flying with a Cause" - Defying the Status Quo Podcast with Rene Bangelsdorf
Kimberly Perkins is among the 2% of pilots in the United States – a female captain. She's a Captain on a Gulfstream 650 based in Seattle, WA and has piloted jets on six continents. After living in Nigeria for two years, she started a non-profit called Aviation for Humanity. They use the traveling public to bring school supplies to children in underfunded schools, shelters and orphanages around the world. Hear more about Kimberly's nonprofit as well as her thoughts on gender parity and equity initiatives in aviation. Listen HERE
"Aviation - a Case Study for Inequality" - The Fix Podcast with Michelle King
Michelle King, Director of Inclusion at Netflix, interviews Kimberly Perkins on the invisible barriers that are keeping women from the flight deck. Listen HERE.
From The Fix Podcast: "In the United States, women make up 47% of the total workforce. But professional female pilots constitute five percent of the piloting workforce, a statistic that has remained unmoved in four decades. Compared to other STEM fields and "traditionally" male-dominated industries, aviation has one of the lowest percentages of women.
There are mentors, scholarships, conferences, magazines and organizations that all have a goal to increase the abysmal five percent statistic. When experts are questioned on this topic, often the same old explanation is given: "It's a pipeline problem."
On today's episode, Kimberly Perkins, an International Captain and Safety Officer on Gulfstream 650 aircraft based in Seattle, Washington and humanitarian activist through Aviation for Humanity will reveal what the systemic barriers are to women's advancement in aviation and why the industry has to change."
Kimberly Perkins is an international Captain flying a Gulfstream 650. She is amongst only 2% of all pilots in the United States – a female Captain. Kimberly is the co-founder of Third Wave Aviation. Through her published works and public speaking, she is an outspoken leader on gender parity, diversity and inclusivity within the aviation industry. Her lived experiences and research has fueled her passion as a staunch advocate for caregivers and dismantling structural bias in hopes of making the industry more family-friendly.
After two years of living in Nigeria and a year in Malaysia, she turned her passion for philanthropy and aviation into a grassroots effort to connect travelers with students throughout the developing world with the creation of Aviation for Humanity. Kimberly holds a bachelor's degree in Aviation: Flight Operations and a master's degree in Political Science. She resides in Seattle, WA with her husband and two daughters (ages 8 and 4).


text:
The West Point Junior Black Knights Are Truly America's Team
May 24, 2016-With the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, we decided to write about a soccer club that is as American as they come. The West Point Junior Black Knights, playing in the East Hudson Youth Soccer League (EHYSL) and Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), is made up of kids from Army families and they play their games at the United States Military Academy.
"Having a soccer program on a military base is extremely challenging. The biggest challenge is not knowing how many players are returning the following year," commented Junior Black Knights President Oneisha Staples, who is Child and Youth Services Sports and Fitness Director at the US Military Academy. "It's hard to keep a core group of children together as the turnover rate is very high since Army families move a good deal."
Five boys travel teams and five girls travel teams play in the EHYSL for the Junior Black Knights, whose name comes directly from the Army Black Knights collegiate teams. Additionally, there's an intramural program that is completely coed. Just 4 U Soccer has four peewee teams, Division A Soccer has six teams of children ages 5 and 6, Division B Soccer has four teams of children ages 7 to 9 and Division A Soccer has one team of kids ages 10-13.
The Junior Black Knights play on four home fields, all at the US Military Academy: Dragon Park, H-Lot, Shea Stadium and the United States Military Academy Preparatory School.
"Playing their matches at West Point, all visiting teams receive the added bonus of seeing one of our great historical military academies. The youth soccer teams from the Junior Black Knights have been an outstanding member of our league," explained EHYSL President Jim Purdy. "Despite the occasional mid-season turnover of coaches and players due to deployments, the club does not miss a beat as there are many great volunteers who serve."
Club President Staples added, "Another challenge we face are tryouts. The only children allowed to play for our travel teams are children with an affiliation to West Point whereas other clubs are able to allow anyone to try out for their teams."
Yet despite these challenges, West Point coach John Vigna received the EHYSL Girls Coach of the Year Award in 2014 and some Junior Black Knights teams are in the most competitive divisions of the EHYSL. Maybe that's what they mean by Army strong!


Pamela Wamala's paintings signal serenity to all who view them. She has the talent to capture nature's tranquility and calm in her pastel, oil and mixed media paintings.
And her signature style comes through in the show Peace of the Sea: Pamela Wamala, on view March 16-April 29 at Lowell's Whistler House Museum of Art, 243 Worthen St. An opening reception is on Saturday, March 19, 2-4 p.m. in the Parker Gallery.
These paintings reflect Wamala's mission to foster peace, she says.
"The paintings in Peace of the Sea capture moments of time at the shore. Like so many others, I am drawn to the seaside. There is majesty and magic in the light, beauty and rhythm that exists at the sea and salt marshes," said Wamala.
In praising Wamala's work, Sara Bogosian, WHMA president and executive director, said, "The tranquil nature of the colors in Pamela's works are very calming, serene, and yet uplifting. We are pleased to have her exhibition at the Whistler House."
Influenced by her grandfather, Wamala began painting at the age of 5. She has a BFA in drawing and painting from UMass Lowell and is a studio artist at the Brush Art Gallery and Studios in Lowell. She is a member of the Lowell Art Association and a former trustee of the WHMA. Visit www.whistler.org for info.
Image Theater presents its 2016 Femnoire, a festival of plays by female playwrights, during the exhibit on Friday-Saturday, April 8-9. Doors open at 7 p.m. and show is at 8 p.m. Visit www.imagetheater.com for info.
HOMECOMING: Linda Puiatti, a former Chelmsford resident who now calls Holmes, N.Y., home, is sharing her artwork in a show this month and next at Chelmsford Center for the Arts, 1A North Road. "It's a sort of homecoming and wonderful way to meet up with old friends," said Puiatti, who paints full-time and shows her work in Hudson Valley galleries. Her coastal and seascape paintings are inspired by yearly visits to the Cape, she said. There is a reception on Friday, April 1, 5:30-7:30 p.m., and the show runs through April 17. Gallery hours are Saturday-Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Visit www.lindapuiatti.com for info on the artist.
AWARD-WINNING FILMS: On Saturday, March 12, Lowell Telecommunications Corporation (LTC), the Lowell Film Collaborative and Women in Film and Video New England (WIFVNE) screen the three award-winning short films selected in the 2016 Women in Film and Television International Short-Case short film contest. The free screening, being held in the LTC Gallery, 246 Market St., includes the best narrative, documentary and animated films selected from 1,400 submissions. For more info, visit www.lowellwomensweek.org, www.ltc.org or www.lowellfilmcollaborative.org.
KING COTTON: Lowell National Historical Park and the Moses Greeley Parker Lecture Series present Sven Beckert for a presentation and conversation on his book "Empire of Cotton: A Global History" on Tuesday, March 15, at 7 p.m., in the LNHP Visitor Center, 246 Market St., Lowell. The book, winner of the prestigious Bancroft Prize and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, delves into how, in "a brief period European entrepreneurs and powerful statesmen recast the world's most significant manufacturing industry, combining imperial expansion and slave labor with new machines and wage workers to change the world," according to the publisher. Lowell and its industrial system were enmeshed in this system that helped create the modern capitalist economy.
Jazzy music and more on tap at Peabody Essex Museum's Artopia event on March 17.
Free and open to all. Free parking in the Visitor Center lot, 304 Dutton St.
ANNUAL MEETING: Fruitlands Museum hosts its Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 13, at 2 p.m., at the Wayside Visitor Center on the museum's Prospect Hill Road campus in Harvard. It's a chance to enjoy refreshments, mingle with members and friends and hear about plans and programs. Call 978-456-3924, ext. 288 to RSVP.
CREATIVE CELEBRATION: Peabody Essex Museum of Salem hosts its monthly after-hours PEM/PM: Artopia celebration on Thursday, March 17, 6-9 p.m. On tap is New Orleans jazz from the Jazz Fest All Stars/Krewe De Groove, small plates tasters from the Hawthorne Hotel, art making opps, poetry and a chance to see PEM's newest exhibitions. Cash bar. Free for members; $10 nonmembers.


text:
Haunted Towns in the Midwest - Alton, Illinois
Haunted Alton, Illinois and the Mineral Springs Hotel
Once again, the month of October is upon us…. a time for hauntings, Halloween - and all things spooky. This month, A Grave Interest is traveling around the Midwest, taking ghost tours and getting a look at some 'lively' places, and, maybe, the spirits who make them so…
I decided early on that it would be smart to get some guides for these haunted jaunts. And who better to seek out than the local experts on all things paranormal in their towns.
On a cool, rainy night about 30 people milled around in the foyer of what was once a grand hotel in Alton, Illinois. First, let me preface by saying that Alton has the reputation (well earned, I might add) of being one of the most haunted towns in America.
The building we were in was, at one time, the Mineral Springs Hotel; given the name because of the mineral springs that flow below the building. At the turn of the century sulfur springs were thought to have healing properties. Here the water was pumped up inside the building to be bottled and used as cures for a variety of aliments. The hotel opened in 1914 and thrived for several decades before finally closing in 1971.
Mineral Springs Hotel Building
The building was reopened in the late 1970s as an antique mall and has had a rocky time since then. Today it is home to a few shops, the Torture Museum, and Mineral Springs Haunted Tours, which is where we began this night with tour owner, Janet Kolar.
Alton Cemetery
"Pearl"
After "checking in" we proceed to our vehicles and followed the Mineral Springs Haunted Tour hearse "Pearl" to the Alton Cemetery. There we were told about several prominent Alton residents from the past as we visited their graves.
Sarah Bell's Stone
Tour in Cemetery
At the plot of the Bell Family, our guide told of a young girl, Sarah Bell, who died when she was around 10 years old. A small limestone marker was placed in the family plot to mark her grave, but it soon disappeared. Her mother was inconsolable and continued to search for the stone until her death some years later. After she died, an apparition of a lady in black was seen walking in this area of the cemetery, apparently searching for something.
Alton to Edwardsville
The story could end there but circumstances added a final chapter. A few years ago, a man in Edwardsville, Illinois (18 miles from Alton) contacted the cemetery wanting to return a tombstone he had found buried in his backyard. He had unearthed it while digging a foundation. The stone was that of Sarah Bell, missing for over 100 years. Since it has been returned to the family plot, the lady in black has not been seen…
Lovejoy's Grave
The grave of abolitionist Elijah Lovejoy is also located here, inside a small iron fence. Lovejoy began printing an abolitionist newspaper called The Alton Observer in 1837. But one year later a pro-slavery throng attacked his printing store in an attempt to destroy his press. During the melee, Lovejoy was fatally shot. Orbs and lights can sometimes be seen streaking past his grave, as if he is still trying to run his presses.
Cemetery Seance
Cemetery at Night
About midway through the tour, a séance was held down a dark cemetery road. Several took part, although participation was optional. Orbs and streaks of light were reportedly seen in the cemetery at that time.
Lobby Area Today
We then headed back to the warmth and light of the old Mineral Springs Hotel where refreshments were served in the Crystal Room. Then we began a tour of the old hotel, which has been called the most haunted building in Alton – and in this town, that is claiming a lot!
Using Rods
Things have gone "bump in the night" here for years. And tales of murder, suicide, and vengeance are abundant. Former employees, shop owners, and guests report phantom footsteps, cold spots, and an eerie feeling of being watched throughout the hotel.
Basement Pool Area
In the basement is a swimming pool; said to be haunted by several sprits including a young girl, a man, and a woman. Wet footprints have been seen near the pool, which has been without water for years. Splashing sounds have been heard in the basement but when investigated there are no sounds, and again, there is no water.
Mural of Alton
Another spirit that seems to linger here is that of Charlie, a painter who could not pay his lodging bill in the 1930's. Instead of running out on his tab, Charlie offered to paint a mural of Alton on one wall of the bar. The owner agreed and Charlie worked off his debt, while also working behind the bar at night. Legend has it that something made Charlie despondent and he took his life one night.
Staff and customers have reported smelling alcohol in this section of the building and of having the feeling of being watched. The guide on this tour said that Charlie has been known to follow some women from the tour back home, but once he's told to go away, he returns to Mineral Springs.
Probably the best-known ghost is that of the Jasmine Lady. The story goes that a woman and her husband came to the hotel to enjoy the healing waters around 1925, but while staying here she became involved with another guest.
Jasmine Lady's Room
Down the Hallway
One evening, when her husband was gone, she entertained the man in her room. Her husband returned unexpectedly and found the two. Panicked and terrified, the woman ran from her room and plunged down the stairs in an attempt to reach the safety of the lobby. What really happened is not known; did she trip while running down the stairs, or did her husband push her? Either way, the result was a broken neck during the fall. She died immediately.
Haunted Stairs
Several employees, staff and guests have witnessed the replay of the Jasmine Lady's fall down the stairs. Some catch a whiff of jasmine perfume that seems to linger around the staircase. Others have reported feeling something brush past them on the stairs, and some have seen business signs in the hallway swing back and forth as if moved by a sudden gust of air.
Mineral Springs Haunted Tours offers several walking tour adventures, after dark, in the downtown area, and in the cemetery, which also includes a tour of the hotel. Or, if you're feeling very spirited, you might consider an exclusive overnight camp-out in the pool area.
Tour Group
For more information about tours and times, visit their web page at www.mineralspringshauntedtours.com and the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MineralSpringsHauntedTours?ref=br_tf
Haunted Lobby
This is one hotel, that as the song says, "You can check out anytime you like" - but at Mineral Springs Hotel it appears that there really are some former guests "who can never leave…"
Posted by Joy Neighbors at 4:00 AM 2 comments:
Labels: Alton Illinois, ghost tours, haunted, haunted hotel, haunted tours, Jasmine Lady, Mineral Springs Hotel, mysterious, spooky
Haunted Towns in the Midwest - Westfield Indiana
Walking Haunted Westfield, Indiana with Historic Indiana Ghost Walks & Tours
Underground Railroad Tour
I decided early on that it would be smart to get some guides for these haunted jaunts. And
who better to seek out than the local experts on all things paranormal in their towns.
On this balmy evening about 30 people stand on a darkened Westfield Indiana parking lot waiting to be conducted on a ghost tour with Underground Railroad connections. One of the partners of Historic Indian Ghost Walks & Tours, and our guide for the evening, is Michael Kobrowski.
Historic Indiana Ghost Walks & Tours Logo
Michael and his wife, Nicole began their publishing company, Unseen Press http://www.unseenpress.com back in 2000, and the next year developed a ghost tour that centered around Westfield and its "Ghosts of the Underground Railroad." Michael leads most of the tours, which are offered year-round. Nicole writes books about paranormal in the area; her latest was released just last month, and both go on paranormal investigations.
North Carolina Quakers Ala Bales, Ambrose Osborne, and Simon Moon founded Westfield in 1834, planning for it to be an Underground Railroad stop. The Quaker community was one of only six stops in the state that helped to hide, feed and clothe runaway slaves before they headed northward to South Bend.
Former Hotel
One of the stops on the Underground Railroad was a hotel on the main street. A Mrs. White ran it during the 1840's and helped slaves escape the slave hunters who came after them. In the 1930s, a mortuary moved in and purchased the adjoining building to create a large funeral home. When that business moved, another business purchased the structure and placed offices in it.
But everyone knew the former hotel was haunted. The hallway that adjoined the two original buildings always felt odd, as if you were being watched. Footsteps would be heard upstairs when only one person was in the building. People reported seeing a woman standing on the stairs who when approached would simply fade away.
And just a few doors away another building had similar happenings. It had housed a grocery store, an office and several other businesses before it became the home of Marlow's Café. Marlow's was located there for over 30 years before recently being sold.
Inside Marlow's
Restaurant employees reported that the kitchen area was very haunted. It was not unusual for servers and kitchen help to have their aprons untied as they worked. The stove burners would suddenly increase temperatures and food would burn. Several people have seen a dark shadow in the restaurant. A woman, who had worked in the building when it held offices, said that one night, when she was there alone; she heard an office chair begin moving in the next room. When she went to look, the chair was swiveling as if someone was sitting there. She retired shortly after.
Former Bank
The Westfield Savings and Loan stood proudly on a main corner for years until it was closed in the 1970s. Since then the building has been a café, artist studio, mortgager company and hair salon. Many tenants have reported something strange is going on in the building, especially around the staircase.
Haunted Stairs?
One person with an office upstairs reported coming in some mornings and finding everything on the desk thrown to the floor and furniture moved. The building's heat gets turned up to an uncomfortably hot level in the winter. Repairmen came in to check out the furnace and controls but no malfunctions were found. Some have seen an older man in bibbed overalls standing at the top of the stairs gazing down.
BANK Lettering Above Door
The basement is also haunted. A woman who worked there went downstairs to retrieve something from the old safe that was being used for storage. Suddenly the door slammed shut and she was trapped inside. (Good thing we live in a time when help is only a cellphone call away.)
A doorway to an underground tunnel has been found in the basement. It is considered part of the Underground Railroad and links this basement to the basement of Jan's Pizza, located across the street.
City Hall Building
Stairs At Night
It seems that the Westfield City Hall is also haunted. Lavender perfume can be smelled in the building, along with diesel fuel. Employees have reported seeing a man walking up and down the stairway dressed like a fireman.
Assembly Room Window
On one of the Ghost Walks, several people saw a man floating about 8 feet off the floor in the assembly room. Window blinds have opened and closed when no one was there, and people have been physically touched and scratched on the tour.
Anti-Slavery Friends Cemetery
Union Soldier's Grave
Appropriately, the tour ends in the Anti-Slavery Friends Cemetery. This is the darkest part of the tour and the crowd quieted considerably when we entered the gates. A Union soldier is rumored to patrol these grounds. He has been seen leaning against a tree in the cemetery, before disappearing. He is known to walk the perimeter of the cemetery, stopping near one grave in particular – that of a Union soldier who died just after the war's end.
People who have worked in the cemetery doing repairs have seen shadows and felt a presence nearby; someone might blow on your neck in a teasing manner, but then again, others have been scratched when not treating the cemetery and its "residents" with respect.
Unseen Press now offers six ghost walks and have added three Ghost Bus Tours to the lineup. Walking tours last between 1.5 and 2 hours, and cover about 1.5 miles. Bus tours may be longer. Visit the webpage http://www.unseenpress.com/general/tours.htm or Facebook http://www.unseenpress.com/general/tours.ht for more details and to make reservations.
So What's With the Snow?!
And don't be too surprised when you get home and check out the photos you took (on a clear night, in 75-degree weather). Some things are easier seeing to believe…
~Joy
Labels: Ala Bales, ghost tours, haunted Indiana, haunted tours, haunted Westfield, Indiana Historic Ghost Walks and Tours, Unseen Press, walking tours, Westfield Indiana
Haunted Towns of the Midwest - St Charles, Missour...
Haunted Towns in the Midwest - Miamitown, Ohio


Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates. A taxpayer may not use the business standard mileage rate for a vehicle after using any depreciation method under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (NACRS) or after claiming a Section 179 deduction for that vehicle. In addition, the business standard mileage rate cannot be used for more than four vehicles used simultaneously.
"Approximately 3.6 million Social Security numbers and 387,000 credit and debit card numbers have been exposed in a cyber attack," the South Carolina Department of Revenue announced.
Anyone who has filed a tax return in South Carolina from 1998 through 2012 may have had their Social Security number, credit card number or debit card number compromised by the data theft.
The Department of Revenue has set up a special telephone hotline (1-866-578-5422 and special Web page (http://www.sctax.org/security.htm) to assist South Carolina taxpayers. Also, a one-year, free credit protection is being provided by visiting, www.ProtectMyID.com/scdor. Please follow those instructions to set up this protection.
"This incident affects more than three-quarters of South Carolina's 4.6 million population," reports Anthony Kosner at Forbes.
State government officials urged taxpayers to review their credit reports, place fraud alerts with credit reporting bureaus, and to place security freezes with the credit bureaus.
Taxpayers may also consider monitoring their bank and credit card statements closely for transactions that they do not recognize.
South Carolina's Division of Information Technology informed the Department of Revenue of a potential attack on their computer network systems involving the theft of taxpayer data on October 10, 2012, and investigations were begun. On October 16, investigators discovered that at least five attempts had been made to probe the Department of Revenue's computers systems and that data had been stolen in mid-September. The state claims that the security vulnerability was closed by October 20, and that their computer system is now "to the best of the department's knowledge secure." A more detailed chronology of the events that transpired is available on the Department of Revenue's Web site.
The US Small Business Administration and the Office of Women's Business Ownership collaborate with many organizations to make the best possible resources available to women entrepreneurs. Whether you are a woman interested in starting a business, applying for a business loan, finding government contracting opportunities, or improving an existing business, this place is a good point of reference for you.
Please note that the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and social media channels.
For more information on phishing scams, please see Suspicious e-Mails and Identity Theft.
The IRS warns consumers about a new tax scam that uses a website that mimics the IRS e-Services online registration page.
The IRS website has information that can help you protect yourself from tax scams of all kinds. Search the site using the term: phishing.