Strange topic…but an interesting one that might be of help to some of you!
Many years ago when my younger daughter was in college, she and her girlfriends would go for regular pedicures.
My daughter subsequently realized that her toenails were getting worse and that it was high time that she told me about it. I was horrified to see that they were yellow, thick and rough in appearance. I've seen this on diabetics and elderly people with poor leg circulation, but never on a young person.
I immediately scheduled an appointment with a local podiatrist. He diagnosed her with onychomycosis which is a fungal infection that affects toenails. She was instructed to apply a medicated polish for a period of time. When that proved unsuccessful, he wanted to write her a prescription for an oral medication that would require regular blood work to be certain that it was not adversely affecting her liver. As far as I was concerned, this medication was not an option!
Truth be told, my daughter's entire immune system was a disaster. Since infancy she was continually getting colds, viruses, and ear infections. She was a magnet for germs. At seven years of age, she contracted the mono virus and had to miss several weeks of school. As a young teen, she was also plagued with sinus infections, yeast infections and urinary tract infections. She also had pneumonia and bronchitis in college.
Why was she always sick?
Why was her body chemistry so different from her older sister who rarely got sick?
Why did she always need antibiotics to get better?
The difference between the immune systems of my two daughters must have something to do with antibiotics! My younger daughter was given antibiotics at least 4 times a year; whereas, my older daughter had only been on antibiotics once since she was born.
Antibiotics work by killing bacteria in the intestinal tract. Unfortunately, the good bacteria which we need for proper digestion and overall good health, are eradicated along with the bad bacteria when we take antibiotics. When our good bacteria levels are reduced, our immune system becomes compromised and does not work optimally.
The superhero of this story is —-> probiotics!!
She began taking a good quality probiotic on a regular basis. Probiotics provided her digestive system with the good bacteria which had been destroyed by the antibiotics. (In the beginning, she also added prebiotics which are food ingredients which help to feed the probiotic bacteria.) As her immune system strengthened and the good bacteria started to flourish in her intestinal tract, the new toenail growth came in healthy and smooth without a hint of yellow discoloration.
It is truly amazing how the body can heal when given the proper nourishment. So much of our health is tied in to our digestive system. My daughter rarely gets sick these days and has probiotics to thank for that!
NOTE: If you are considering adding a probiotic to your diet, please discuss with your personal physician or health care provider. I have shared this story for informational purposes only.
Does Your Neck Show Your Age?
While performing facial services, I often notice that the skin on the neck looks older than that of the face. Women who are diligent about applying moisturizers to their face neglect to protect the neck and décolleté (fancy name for the upper chest region).
One might think that the skin on the neck and décolleté is essentially the same as the face. However, since there are fewer oil glands in this area there is a tendency towards dryness. Additionally, the skin here is very thin and fragile. Collagen breakdown can be seen upon close examination. Facial skin, in contract, has a layer of adipose tissue which functions like a cushion. There is also a network of blood vessels in facial skin that is minimal in the skin of the neck and chest.
As we age, the dermal layer of the skin breakdowns and thins. This is especially apparent on the delicate skin of the neck and chest region. Subsequently, this area is more apt to develop a saggy, crepe-like appearance with visible wrinkling due to dehydration and loss of elasticity. There will also be an increase in lines and uneven pigmentation from years of sun damage.
Even though the neck and upper chest region are exposed to the same ultraviolet assaults as the face, they tend to be more vulnerable due to the above-mentioned factors in combination with minimal, if any, sunscreen protection. Skin degradation is cumulative and is a telling sign of a client's age. Because the skin on the neck and décolletage are thin, sun damage causes a breakdown of the supporting network of collagen and elastin. The result is that the skin loses its elasticity and firmness. It is important to protect the skin from damaging UV rays by routinely applying a broad spectrum SPF after moisturizing…even during the winter months!
Note that for women with extremely loose saggy skin — aka, the "turkey neck" — the only way to eliminate this condition would be with a surgical procedure performed by a plastic surgeon.
The good news is that it's never too late to begin properly caring for your skin. Recent advances in the science of skin care have produced products that are extremely effective in combating the signs of aging skin on the neck and décolleté. Peptides, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, antioxidants, etc. are just a few of the amazing ingredients that work to repair this damage.
If you are serious about your skin, I will be happy to discuss your concerns. As a licensed esthetician and skincare therapist, I have the knowledge, education and resources to turn your skin around. I will teach you proper techniques and provide you with outstanding products which will help to repair and improve your skin condition. You will be rewarded with a healthy, glowing, radiant complexion! Feel free to email me at lori@integrativeskincaring.com.
Lori Weintraub is a licensed skin care therapist, holistic health coach, and PCOS hair removal expert. She offers online consultations, skin care lessons, exceptional products and hand-holding guidance to help women over 40 regain their youthful glow. Learn more here.


What exactly are networks, and the process of networking? Networks are your system of connections, all of the people you know. People in your network can help you find a job and connect you with new people and ideas.
The process of networking is to expand your network by meeting new people. When talking about careers, the word networking is thrown around a lot. There are entire events dedicated to networking, and even classes to get better. All with the promise to get you better at it, and to get you that dream job.
Networking can be hard, especially when you're looking for a job. You don't want to come off as desperate, but you need to be firm about what you want. Being skilled at networking is important though, in fact it's reported that 70% of jobs are found through networking.
The solution? Do it early and often, to constantly expand your contacts. We identified four key channels to grow your network and how you can leverage them to find a job.
Most colleges have alumni networks, some even have databases with descriptions of each alumni, such as their current occupation or industry. Alumni want to help. They may remember being in your shoes, looking to make a splash in a new field, or maybe they just want to give back to their school.Through your school's database, you can find alumni that work in a field or industry that you're interested in, and their contact information.
If they don't have any information listed, LinkedIn is another great way to find alumni. Used the advanced search option to find people that went to your school, then a job title like "consultant." Once you've found someone you'd like to speak with, ask for an informational meeting. This can be in person if you're in the same area, or over the phone. Email also works. Ask questions about what they like and dislike about their job, and how they got there. The best questions are ones that relate to you but are about them. Don't ask for favors at first, work on building a relationship and learning about their career. After you've spoken, send a thank you note, handwritten if possible, but email is also fine.
Fraternities and sororities are very similar in approach to alumni. These groups span the entire country, and are full of connections. There are Facebook pages to keep in contact with other chapters, and many groups also have online information of all past and current members. Contact these people the same way you would alumni.
Many fraternities and sororities, particularly professionally minded ones, also offer networking events not open to the rest of the school. You can usually find these events on your group's Facebook page, or you can contact your chapter's president for more info. Some groups offer private events for companies, or even for specific industries. Formal events may also be held throughout the year open to previous chapter members, such as during homecoming. This is a great way to meet past "brothers" and "sisters" and see who can connect you to something new.
Friends and family add a more personal touch to the networking experience. By connecting with someone through a friend or family member, you could already have goodwill associated with your name. Let's say you want to intern at an accounting firm over the summer. Take a look around your local area to see if anybody you know is connected to someone you want to talk to – Facebook and LinkedIn are great for this. Say you find an accountant on LinkedIn that works at a local firm, and it just so happens he and your brother play basketball together every weekend. Ask your brother for an introduction, and turn that into an informational interview.
LinkedIn is considered the social network for professionals. Not only can you use it to find people like outlined above with alumni and sororities/fraternities, you can also find groups and join groups. You're allowed to be a member of 50 different groups, and they fit a variety of needs you might have.
There are groups for internships within specific companies, finding jobs in a specific industry, and even for roles in a certain area (Consultants in Seattle, for example). Once approved to join the group, you can interact with others and post within their discussion page. This is a great way to ask questions and find new connections from all over the world. You can also "follow" people and companies to receive their updates in your feed. We recommend that you follow all of the companies you want to work for, so you can receive updates on when they hire. Chances are your dream company is on there – over 2.5 million companies have profiles on LinkedIn.
Is LinkedIn worth it? Read up more on the professional social network my dreams about pakistan essay writing.


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Across the world millions of people have been celebrating Lunar New Year, which this year fell on 12 February. But for many, the holiday marking the start of spring has been very different this year due to the pandemic. We recently spoke to colleagues in Keller ASEAN to find out how things have changed.
Staff at Keller Singapore office celebrating Chinese New Year before COVID-19
Jin Sin Lee is looking on the bright side. Normally at this time of year, the Kuala Lumpur-based Operations Manager would be excited about travelling back to his home town of Johor, some 300km from the Malaysian capital. There, he'd reunite with family, enjoy a meal, watch the fireworks – traditionally used to scare away spirits bringing bad luck – and give lucky red envelopes of money (angpow) to the children.
Like around a quarter of Malaysians, Jin is of Chinese descent. "On New Year's Day itself, the Chinese wear a new set of clothes (often red, which is a lucky colour) and some will even arrange a traditional lion dance, again to bring good luck and fortune," he says. "But unfortunately, due to the pandemic, movement is restricted and we couldn't go back this year.
"As citizens we're obliged to be responsible for our own and each other's health, so myself, my wife and my baby daughter celebrated as much as we could on our own. We made video calls with friends and family to send our blessings, but as soon as the pandemic is over, we'll travel back and catch up with relatives."
"I count myself lucky"
Hsiao Chia Lee is also from Malaysia, but now lives in Singapore, where she's Senior HR Executive. Like Jin, she would usually head home to visit family, but this year couldn't due to COVID restrictions. She's also relying on technology to bring her family together.
"I did a video call, but thankfully got together with a few friends who also can't travel, as we're allowed to meet in a group of eight," she says. "However, we didn't have our own fireworks like in Malaysia as it's not allowed here in Singapore – other than Government displays.
"Normally at this time of year everyone is in high spirits. We reflect on what we've done in the past year and wish each other good fortune for the year ahead. Also, cleaning is seen as sweeping away your fortunes so we all get a break from housework!
"Although we can't meet with extended family, I count myself lucky, as my children are by my side and they are the 'vitamins' that make us feel better every day."
"Many lovely wishes"
In Indonesia, the Lunar New Year is called Imlek and has become a popular holiday over the past few years – not just for those of Chinese descent. "In the two weeks leading up to new year, people visit their ancestral cemeteries to clean and pray," explains Finance Manager Tek Lan Chandra. "And then on the day itself, we usually have a family reunion." But, like her colleagues in other countries, Tek Lan's family reunion will mainly happen online.
In Vietnam, the Lunar New Year is known as Tết and, as the most important time of year, usually sees celebrations lasting five days. Business Development Manager Van Nghia Cao is based in Ho Chi Minh City, and although he says Vietnam has largely kept the COVID virus under control, citizens are still cautious about gatherings.
"This is the time of year we fully focus on our families – I love to stay with my parents and see my children spend more time with their grandparents. Normally we would take the two days before Lunar New Year for lots of activities, such as decorating the house with special flowers and preparing the lucky envelopes – I enjoy this as I know I will get many lovely wishes from my kids. A very special activity is preparing the bánh chưng [sticky rice cake made with pork and neatly wrapped in leaves], which is the taste and spirit of Tết.
"This year, many of us who can't travel home prepared the bánh chưng and sent it as gifts to relatives."
Hopefully next year the bánh chưng will be delivered in person, and our colleagues across Keller can celebrate a more traditional Lunar New Year with their families.
"I'd like to wish everyone 恭喜发财 (gong xi fa cai – have a prosperous year) and, because it's now the year of the ox, 牛转乾坤 (niu zhuan qian kun – may ox turn heaven and earth), which means to reverse the difficult situation we find ourselves in."
Jin Sin Lee
Operations Manager, Keller Malaysia
"I wish everyone good health and a happy new year!"
Hsiao Chia Lee
Senior HR Executive, Keller Singapore
"Keep in touch with your family, enjoy the Lunar New Year and stay safe and healthy."
Tek Lan Chandra
Finance Manager, Keller Franki Indonesia
"For those who can't return home, please stay safe and think positively that Keller is always with you and supports you. I wish all colleagues a good and safe year: Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! – happy new year!"
Van Nghia Cao
Business Development Manager, Keller Vietnam
Keller ASEAN: We care

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Show #3688 - Wednesday, September 20, 2000
Andrew Garen game 1.
[<< previous game]
Andrew Garen, a project manager from Mamaroneck, New York
Barbara James, a freelance writer from Clifton, New Jersey
Dana Mermelstein, an international trade analyst from Washington, D.C.
[next game >>]
GEOGRAPHIC SQUARES
BOXING NICKNAMES
"TOUCH" ME
IN THE MOURNING
This London square is dominated by a 170-foot column topped by a statue of Horatio Nelson
Opera & field glasses are classified as these, a pair of telescopes mounted on a single frame
"The Greatest"
If it weren't for a misspelling on her birth certificate, she would have had the first name Orpah
It's worth 6 points
To honor the dead, flags fly at this position
It's the square seen here
[New York City]
In 1997 this TV show with 2 2s in its title went to 2 nights a week
"The Brown Bomber"
And here's to Kathleen Turner who appeared in the buff in this role, in a British stage version of "The Graduate"
Telephone type
On December 18, 1799, hundreds of people accompanied his coffin to its grave site
Krasnaya Ploshchad, the Russian name for this, can mean "beautiful square"
The last time there were 2 of these at the same time was 1449 with Felix V & Nicholas V
"The Manassa Mauler"
In 1994 she was "The Next Karate Kid"; in 2000 she was the next Oscar winner for Best Actress
A practice landing & immediate takeoff for a pilot
From an Indo-European word meaning "to separate", it's the mate of the deceased
On June 3 & 4, 1989, the People's Liberation Army killed hundreds of pro-democracy supporters here
In "The 12 Days of Christmas", it's the gift there are 2 of
"Macho"
This female TV "Friend" has a B.S. in biology from Vassar College -- who knew?
An object to test gold, or a standard by which something is judged
Originally performed to protect against evil spirits, it's the all-night vigil held beside the body
Called the "Drawing Room of Europe" by Napoleon, it's been the heart of Venetian life for over 1,000 years
The constellation Bootes contains at least 3 of these, or at least 6 little twinklers total
"The Real Deal"
DD: $600 22
This actor is the son of a British poet laureate & the son-in-law of playwright Arthur Miller
Literally to make contact with a foundation, or to briefly communicate with someone
Like St. Helena's in Jerusalem, an underground burial vault is known by this "hidden" term
Dana Barbara Andrew
$1,500 $800 $2,200
AFRICAN HOT SPOTS
20th CENTURY AMERICANS
OFF-BROADWAY 2000
"NINE" ACROSS
(Alex: This is a crossword-type category; I'll give you a clue & the number of letters in it, & each correct response will have "nine" in it)
This north African country is widely suspected in the Pan Am 103 bombing
Collect this when it falls & store it in a tank outside your greenhouse; it's just right for orchids
Hemingway's "The Snows of" this mountain was first published in Esquire in August 1936
Melvin Purvis of this organization ended the careers of Pretty Boy Floyd & Baby Face Nelson
"A Musical Celebration" of this singer included "All The Way" & "I've Got the World on a String"
Any dog
In 1998 U.S. missiles hit a suspected chemical weapons plant in this Sudanese capital
One way to grow big ones of these "love apples" is to pick a variety that normally grows big, like beefsteak
An old woman asks this Washington Irving character, "Why, where have you been these twenty long years?"
This painter & farm wife lived for 40 years in the 19th century & 61 years in the 20th
4-word title of an Arthur Laurents revival; it sounds like a sequel to "Land of the Free"
Malaria remedy
Violence has resulted from the land reform policy of this longtime president of Zimbabwe
Thrips are types of these & gardeners don't like them
In this Poe story, Mme L'Espanaye & her daughter Camille are murdered by an orangutan owned by a sailor
Famous astro-returnee heard here:
["I was going to be the fifth human in space & the first American to orbit"]
Todd Price produced the U.S. premiere of "Shadows in the Evening" by this witty Brit who died in 1973
Really silly
In 2000 Foday Sankoh's forces in this west African country took U.N. peacekeepers hostage
"Dancing" varieties of roses include Disco Dancer & this one that would feel at home in the Bolshoi
This master of surprise endings gave us the double-suicide tale "The Furnished Room"
This owner who brought baseball fans Satchel Paige & 3' 7" Eddie Gaedel wrote the memoir "...as in Wreck"
Critics weren't all kind to a revival of "Arms and the Man" by this playwright & critic
DD: $1,200 4
Like the MGM logo
In the Congo he's battled rebels himself since overthrowing Mobutu in 1997
To pollinate a bearded iris, take the anther from the first flower & wipe its pollen onto these in the second
The title of this James Thurber short story is synonymous with "an advantageous position"
In 1949 this 71-year-old became the only U.S. vice president ever to marry while in office
This group seen here has become an off-Broadway fixture
Melancholy, like a planet
$2,000 $1,000 $13,900
(lock game)
[wagering suggestions for these scores]
Sime Silverman founded it in 1905 after he was fired from another paper for panning a show
2nd place: a trip to Mazatlan, Mexico courtesy of Yahoo! Travel 3rd place: a Wingspan Bank.com debit card New champion: $15,000
11 R,
(including 2 DDs),


Alfred Russel Wallace may not be well known outside of the scientific community, but his contributions to the Theory of Evolution were invaluable to Charles Darwin. In fact, Wallace and Darwin collaborated on the idea of natural selection and presented their own findings jointly to the Linnean Society in London. Alfred Russel Wallace has become not much more than a footnote in history in that regard due to Darwin publishing his book "On the Origin of Species" before Wallace could publish his work. Even though Darwin's findings were considered complete with the data that Wallace contributed, Alfred Russel Wallace still did not get the sort of recognition and glory that his colleague Charles Darwin enjoyed.
There are, however, still many great contributions Alfred Russel Wallace gets credit for discovering on his journeys as a naturalist. Perhaps his most well-known finding was discovered with data he gathered on a trip through the Indonesian islands and surrounding areas. By studying the flora and fauna in the area, Wallace was able to come up with a hypothesis that includes a part called the Wallace Line.
The Wallace Line is an imaginary boundary that runs between Australia and the Asian islands and the mainland. This boundary marks the point where there is a difference in species on either side of the line. To the west of the line, all of the species are similar or derived from species that are found on the Asian mainland. To the east of the line, there are many species that of Australian descent. Along the line is a mix of the two and many species are hybrids of the typical Asian species and the more isolated Australian species.
At one point in time on the Geologic Time Scale, Asia and Australia were joined together to make one giant land mass. During this period, species were free to move about on to both continents and could easily stay one species as they mated and produced viable offspring. However, once continental drift and plate tectonics started to pull these lands apart, the large amount of water that ended up separating them drove evolution in different directions for the species making them unique to either continent after a long period of time had passed. This continued reproductive isolation has made the once closely related species much different and distinguishable. Even though the Wallace Line theory holds true for both plants and animals, it is much more distinctive for the animal species than the plants.
Not only does this invisible line mark the different areas of animals and plants, it can also be seen in the geological landforms in the area. Looking at the shape and size of the continental slope and continental shelf in the area, it seems that the animals observe the line by using these landmarks. It is possible to predict which types of species you will find on either side of the continental slope and the continental shelf.
The islands near the Wallace Line are also collectively called by a name to honor Alfred Russel Wallace. These islands are known as Wallacea and they also have a very distinctive set of species that live on them. Even the birds, which are capable of migrating to and from the mainlands of Asia and Australia seem to stay put and have diverged over long periods of time. It is not known if the differing landforms serve as a way for the animals to know the boundary, or if it is something else that keeps the species from traveling from one side of the Wallace Line to the other.


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Official start construction Rotterdam Ahoy Convention Centre and RTM Stage
It is exactly 47.5 years ago today that Rotterdam Ahoy was opened by HRH Prince Claus at the current location. Today, on the final day of the NN North Sea Jazz Festival, the event venue reached a new milestone in its rich history: the official start of the construction of the Rotterdam Ahoy Convention Centre and RTM Stage. Under the watchful eyes of many relations, City Councillor Adriaan Visser, Ahoy CEO Peter van der Veer and Director of Heijmans Vastgoed Dick Laheij gave the official start. The new event and concert venue will be operational starting from the fourth quarter of 2020. It was designed by Kraaijvanger Architects.
"I am extremely proud that today, after years worth of preparation, we were finally able to allow construction to commence," said Peter van der Veer, Ahoy's CEO. "In January 2021 we will celebrate our fiftieth anniversary here at this wonderful new venue. I'm really looking forward to it!"
"I am extremely proud that today, after years worth of preparation, we were finally able to allow construction to commence,"
Peter van der Veer, Ahoy's CEO
Rotterdam Ahoy Convention Centre
Rotterdam has become a much more popular destination for (business) travellers in recent years. Rotterdam City Councillor Adriaan Visser stated, "The opening of the Rotterdam Ahoy Convention Centre will help the city grow further as a business hotspot and will cause more and more business guests to come to Rotterdam. This will cause an additional economic spin-off and employment opportunities for the city."
The brand new Rotterdam Ahoy Convention Centre will open its doors in 2020 and will boast the largest auditorium in the Netherlands (seating capacity: 2,750). The event venue, which will have international appeal, will have four floors and will feature no fewer than 35 rooms that can be subdivided or enlarged. It will provide direct access to Ahoy Plaza and the trade fair and event rooms.
New concert hall
RTM Stage, the largest room in the newly to be constructed building, will be a genuine multi-purpose room. Not only will it serve as an auditorium and theatre, but once all the seats have been removed, it will serve as a concert hall where 7,000 people will be able to attend concerts and events. As far as congresses, concerts and plays are concerned, this makes RTM Stage unique in the Netherlands, and a great addition to Ahoy's array of large rooms. It will also allow for the further expansion of events such as the North Sea Jazz Festival, the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament and maritime trade show Europort.
Excitement versus intuition
The new building was designed by Rotterdam-based Kraaijvanger Architects. David Hess, who was responsible for the design, said, "On the one hand, the building will allow people to feel excited about the event they are attending. On the other hand, it will provide them with an easy layout in which they will be able to intuitively find their way. The plan contributes to the sensory stimulation that is part and parcel of special events. In addition, the design will help Ahoy to perfectly manage the logistics of the various crowd flows."
Hart van Zuid, Rotterdam
The renovation and enlargement of the Event & Exhibition Halls (which was completed ahead of schedule in May 2018) and the opening of the new event venue are part of the major Hart van Zuid area development. "This is a unique collaborative partnership in the Netherlands in which the local authorities, the business community, schools and local residents are joining hands to make the most of the area, in association with Ballast and Heijmans," said Dick Laheij, the Director of the Ballast Nedam/Heijmans consortium. The Hart van Zuid project is designed to improve the quality of life in the area surrounding Zuidplein Square. The project will lead to the creation of a pleasant and healthy environment, with ample room for leisure activities, work, housing, shopping and meeting places. Furthermore, the area will be made more easily accessible for cyclists and pedestrians. In this way, an entertainment district and residential area will be connected to their surroundings in the very best Rotterdam tradition. Together, they will form an urban hotspot with a metropolitan vibe, as well as a pleasant place to live where things will be happening 24/7; a green place providing plenty of opportunity for sports and exercise, arts and cultural events. The objective is to create a new and happening city centre in Rotterdam-Zuid.
Find more information about the construction of the convention centre and RTM stage of Rotterdam Ahoy on the website of Rotterdam Ahoy.
Do you want to have more information? Please contact me.
Judith Boer Press officer +31 (0)10 790 01 54
j.boer@rotterdampartners.nl
These two companies from Qatar chose Rotterdam to make their innovation happen
Showcase congress Architektenkammer: "We had excellent support in Rotterdam. Everything came together."
Showcase Traverse congress: "In our opinion, Rotterdam is the right city to cross the border for the first time."


text:
Kylie's Boudoir
Feminization Folio Volume 2
The idea behind the folios is to give a people a chance to read books they may have missed the first time at a really reduced price. I know that some people like to collect everything I write and if you're one of those people, it's a much cheaper way to fill in your library. In these folios, I try and put stories in chronological order, but if a book is part of a big collection (more than four parts) I leave it out and I move books around so that all parts of a story are back to back so you don't get stuck with an incomplete story.
Forced Feminization Folio Volume Two is from the end of 2014 and that's a time where I really came into my own as a writer, I think. Volume One stories averaged 6,000 words. The stories in this volume average over 10,000. Some of my favorite stories are in this section too. I am really proud of The Operator, Hoops, and The Mask of the Jaguar especially. This is what my cover artist Annabelle Brito had to say about the stories in this collection:
1. Reprogrammed
2. Doubling Down (*One of the best captured scenes from Kylie)
3. The Mask of the Jaguar (*The female vigilante feminizer!)
4. Halloween Humiliation
5. Hoops
6. The Operator
7. Giftwrapped (*Loved how a guy gets girftwrapped)
8. It's Nothing Personal: Breaking the Billionaire (*Its just good)
9. Mean Girls and Mermaids (*Just read it, you will love it!)
10. Friendly Seduction
It's really fun for me to look back at a time period and see what stories I wrote. I remember Doubling Down was the first story I ever released unedited and it was terrible. Fortunately, it's since been edited and fixed. Breaking the Billionaire was a story when I had no idea what to write and I just tried to use the Lester Dent fiction method. For a writer, his books are almost like his children. Seeing them like this is like seeing baby pictures.
Posted by Kylie at 12:30 PM 3 comments:
Panties and Briefs
Law school is a very competitive environment. Panties and Briefs is the story of a paper chase that turned into a panties chase:
Jax is used to things coming easy to him and law school is no different. He's fighting it out with Estephanie for first in his class and he's not above playing dirty to come out on top. Estephanie has fought for everything she's ever had and when she catches Jax in a plot to take her out of the competition, she calls over her best friend Gabriella and the two of them know that payback is a bitch. Jax will be a bitch to by the time they're done with him.
This 6,000 word story is a very slow and thorough feminization of an obnoxious jerk at the hands of two very attractive young women. It contains themes of forced feminization, bondage, female domination, and humiliation. It is intended for mature audiences.
The wax was finally heated and Gabriella began applying the bright pink substance to the back on Jax's legs. The young women waiting for the wax to set up and then began removing strips of the wax from his legs removing Jax's leg hair with it. They repeated this process up and down their helpless victim's body leaving only a heart shaped patch of hair above his smallish cock. The girls laughed know how humiliated he would be when he saw what they had done to him.
With his body denuded, Gabriella announced, "We'll need to take him into the bathroom for the next part. I don't want to ruin your sheets with the dye."
"What color are you going to make him?"
"He's a white boy. He has to go blonde," snickered Gabriella.
"Platinum blonde?"
"That'll take a long time."
"You told me we'd have twelve hours."
"I really owe you for this," said Estephanie. "Can I ask you a huge favor?'
"A favor in a favor, chula? You push your luck."
"I have a really killer test. Can I study while you do this?"
"Go ahead," sighed Gabriella in mock exasperation. "Figure about seven hours."
"I didn't expect this to be an all-nighter for you."
Posted by Kylie at 12:07 PM No comments:
Living Together Part 4
Wow! I totally forgot to promote Living Together 4. I apologize. Hopefully, you've read the other three parts and are really enjoying this story of our trio of roommates. Things are really heating up and Brandon is expected to go on another date with Doug. The girls are even training him how to go down on a guy. Just when things look darkest, maybe there will still be a happy ending.
Morgan immediately walked over the buzzer and after verifying it was Doug, she buzzed him up. He was dressed sharply in a black leather jacket and khaki pants. In his arm was a bouquet of flowers. As he entered the apartment, he was nearly knocked off his feet by Brandon's appearance.
"Wow! You look amazing!" he exclaimed.
"Doesn't she clean up well?" asked Morgan coyly.
"I'll say," replied Doug.
"You're too kind," said Brandon. "You look great too."
"I brought you some tulips," said Doug. "I remembered that they were your favorite flower."
"Oh yes, thanks," said Brandon trying to gush. He remembered saying that over the phone, but it was just the first flower that he could think of.
"Oh my God! You two are such a cute couple," raved Morgan. "You bought flowers and everything. So what's on the agenda for tonight?"
"Well, I have reservations for Bistro Everest," said Doug. "After dinner, we could go to Smoke, which is just up the street if Brandy feels like it."
"Well, I'm sure she'll feel like it. Won't you Brandy?"
"Oh yeah," said Brandon with mock enthusiasm. "Smoke sounds like an awesome club from all I've heard. I always wanted to try it out."
"Everest is supposed to be terrific too," added Morgan. "It sounds like you two have quite the night ahead of you."
"Yes, it sounds wonderful," said Brandon.
"Well, we had better get moving. Our reservation is for 7:20," said Doug.
"Sure," said Brandon nervously grabbing the women's coat that Morgan had loaned him for the evening.
"Have her home before midnight," said Morgan. "I don't care if it's not a school night."
Posted by Kylie at 5:40 PM No comments:
Well, we're 3/4 of the way through the series and Brandon is in a hell of a fix. Now, that both Taylor and Morgan are giving a united front on his training and feminization, it's bound to get a whole lot worse before it gets better. Living Together 3 takes things a bit further when Taylor can't make a double date with Morgan and Brandon is forced to take her place. This is a four book series and I just completed the 4th book yesterday so you know that you won't have to wait months for the next chapter.
Living Together Part 2: A Day at the Mall
Living Together keeps rolling along and I can promise you, it's already written and will be finished in exactly four weeks. I really like the finished product and I'm sure that you will too. This chapter deals with a trip to the mall and presents a turning point in the series.
Now that Brandon has been discovered wearing their panties, Morgan is out for revenge. She takes Brandon further along the road to feminization in a humiliating shopping trip to the mall. By the time they're done, Brandon will have acquired all sorts of humiliating purchases if Morgan has anything to say about it. This chapter represents a major turning point in the four part series that promises to change everything for our three roommates.
"I think I may have just the thing for his first dress," suggested Reina rushing off and grabbing a red dress off one of the racks at the back. Lyssa helped me out with it back in the dressing room. The silky fabric actually felt great against his skin though he knew that the flared sleeves would bother him if he wore it for any extended length of time.
"That looks great on him," said Tina when Brandon reappeared.
"The loose fit will conceal his lack of curves while still being sexy especially with the mini-skirt length," offered Reina
"Let's put that in the definite possibilities category," declared Morgan. "If we can't find something better, we'll have a winner."
For the next forty minutes Brandon tried on a wide variety of dresses. Sometimes because they were genuinely looking for something better and sometimes because they were just having fun and wanted to embarrass him by making him model something ludicrous in front of them, with the growing crowd enjoying the free show. Even Reina was getting in on the act, purposely pulling out some of the sluttiest club wear they had, just so that she could have him prance up and down in it for the appreciative audience.
"I think we definitely want that red hippy chick dress that Reina found us," declared Morgan eventually. "But, we still need to find the perfect pair of shoes to go with it."
"This is going to be something you can tell your grand kids about, Brandy," teased Tina.
"And we have lots of pictures to help you remember it all," agreed Morgan holding up her phone.
Brandon just sighed. The red dress wasn't especially expensive, but he didn't want to have to wear it out in public. They all walked up to the counter together where Morgan gave Reina his money, but she gave the dresses to Brandon with a big smile and a wink. The salesgirl who had become a co-conspirator in his complete humiliation told him, "Oh, please do come again sir."
Forced Feminization: A Love Story
The Boys of Alpha Theta Nu
French Exchange
Convention Feminization
32 Flavors
High-Heeled Coup
Alpha Theta Nu 7
Feminized by his Coworker
Trial of a Feminizer
Sissy-in-Law
ATN 3: The Book of Davis
After the Ordeal
ATN2: At the Mercy of the Deltas
Call Me on Niteflirt
Authoritarian Claudia
Kylie's Goodreads Page
Mean Girls and Mermaids Audio
Calendar Girl Audiobook
Friendly Seduction
Mean Girls and Mermaids
It's Nothing Personal
Welcome to College 10
window.amznpubstudioTag = "kylsbou-20";


The following three parks offer cross-country skiing and snowshoeing programs, when conditions allow. Contact the park before arriving for up-to-date conditions. See below.
Current Conditions: Please contact the park at the telephone number listed below for up-to-date conditions.
Admission: Regular gate admission fees apply. See fees for details.
Hours of operation: From 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (weekdays and weekends).
Ski and snowshoe equipment are available for rent only on weekends and Family Day, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the last rental at 4:00 p.m. No reservation required.
Trails: 4.5 kilometres of groomed and trackset trails, from beginner to experienced. Download the Laurel Creek Park brochure, which includes a map.
Dogs: No dogs on ski and snowshoeing trails.
More information: Visit the Laurel Creek Park page.
Hours of operation: From 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (weekdays and weekends).
Ski and snowshoe equipment are available for rent only on weekends and Family Day, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the last rental at 4:00 p.m. No reservation required. Note there is a limited supply of ski equipment available for rent.
Trails: Classic cross-country skiing on four kilometres of groomed and trackset trails; three kilometres of skate skiing trails; five kilometres of showshoeing trails and two kilometres of plowed walking trails. Download a winter trail map.
Dogs: Pets must be leashed. No dogs on ski trails.
More information: Visit the Pinehurst Lake Park page.
Hours of operation: Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Weekends from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Trails: 10 kilometres of groomed and track-set cross-country ski trails and a 2.5 kilometre snowshoe loop. Download the Shade's Mills Park brochure which includes a map.
More information: Visit the Shade's Mills Park page.


text:
A Singular Sound
Unlike most young guitarists, Anthony Pirog has fused a wide range of influences — jazz, country, blues, rock, fusion and pop — into a single style all his own, one not easily categorized.
Pirog's debut CD on the Cuneiform Records imprint, Palo Colorado Dream, offers proof. On the opening title track, the Washington D.C.-based guitarist, unaccompanied, unleashes acidic tones on various guitars affected by everything from a Minimoog to an iPhone. Pirog's able trio partners, bassist Michael Formanek and drummer/percussionist Ches Smith, appear on nine of the album's 11 tracks, including "Minimalist," which finds the threesome chaotically firing off independent lines that alternately contrast and connect; ""Motian," a freewheeling romp dedicated to Paul Motian that features solos by all three musicians; and "The New Electric," which Pirog renders at once ominous and gorgeous through his use of electric and baritone guitars and loops.
"I tried to sequence the record to give it the right pacing," Pirog says. "'The New Electric' is in the middle, and it's the most produced of the trio pieces. But 'I'm Not Coming Home' is an all-acoustic track with no effects, and the last one, 'Vicious Cricket,' is our free-jazz freak-out."
A Pennsylvania native in his mid-30s, Pirog also lived in California (the CD title refers to Palo Colorado Road, which runs through Big Sur) before settling into the nation's capital. And though Duke Ellington's hometown is known for its jazz traditions, Pirog's primary guitar-playing influences are Danny Gatton, a D.C. native who fused rockabilly, country and jazz; Roy Buchanan, an Arkansas native who became a blues icon in D.C.; and Bill Frisell, a Baltimore-born stylist who's developed a signature jazz-meets-Americana style. To his credit, Pirog's playing by turns demonstrates the diversity, texture and imagination of each of these primary influences, yet he never sounds imitative.
"I'm not trying to intentionally mix genres," he says. "I just like the way Gatton and Buchanan incorporated multiple styles, which influenced the way I play. And Frisell was the guy who really got me interested in jazz guitar."
Prior to the release of Palo Colorado Dream, Pirog recorded two duo CDs with fiancée and cellist Janel Leppin (under the name Janel & Anthony), with each adding loops and electronic effects. These outings helped Pirog develop his sound. Recording Palo Colorado Dream with no prior rehearsals added to his latest album's powerfully experimental nature.
"I'd heard Michael and Ches, but the three of us had never played together before the recording sessions," Pirog says. "But I knew what they were capable of, and I'm thrilled with what they contributed." —Bill Meredith
Photo Credit: Shervin Lainez
Tags: Anthony Pirog, April 2015
Editor April 21, 2015
Holiday Road
On the Sunny Side
Back to Brazil
Unlike most young guitarists, Anthony Pirog has fused a wide range of influences — jazz, country, blues, rock, fusion and pop — into a single style all his own, one not easily categorized. Pirog's debut CD on the Cuneiform Records imprint, Palo Colorado Dream, offers proof. On the opening title track, the Washington D.C.-based guitarist, unaccompanied, unleashes acidic tones on various guitars affected by everything from a Minimoog to an iPhone. Pirog's able trio partners, bassist Michael Formanek and drummer/percussionist Ches Smith, appear on nine of the album's 11 tracks, including "Minimalist," which finds the threesome chaotically firing off independent lines that alternately contrast and connect; ""Motian," a freewheeling romp dedicated to Paul Motian that features solos by all three musicians; and "The New Electric," which Pirog renders at once ominous and gorgeous through his use of electric and baritone guitars and loops. "I tried to sequence the record to give it the right pacing," Pirog says. "'The New Electric' is in the middle, and it's the most produced of the trio pieces. But 'I'm Not Coming Home' is an all-acoustic track with no effects, and the last one, 'Vicious Cricket,' is our free-jazz freak-out." A Pennsylvania native in his mid-30s, Pirog also lived in California (the CD title refers to Palo Colorado Road, which runs through Big Sur) before settling into the nation's capital. And though Duke Ellington's hometown is known for its jazz traditions, Pirog's primary guitar-playing influences are Danny Gatton, a D.C. native who fused rockabilly, country and jazz; Roy Buchanan, an Arkansas native who became a blues icon in D.C.; and Bill Frisell, a Baltimore-born stylist who's developed a signature jazz-meets-Americana style. To his credit, Pirog's playing by turns demonstrates the diversity, texture and imagination of each of these primary influences, yet he never sounds imitative. "I'm not trying to intentionally mix genres," he says. "I just like the way Gatton and Buchanan incorporated multiple styles, which influenced the way I play. And Frisell was the guy who really got me interested in jazz guitar." Prior to the release of Palo Colorado Dream, Pirog recorded two duo CDs with fiancée and cellist Janel Leppin (under the name Janel & Anthony), with each adding loops and electronic effects. These outings helped Pirog develop his sound. Recording Palo Colorado Dream with no prior rehearsals added to his latest album's powerfully experimental nature. "I'd heard Michael and Ches, but the three of us had never played together before the recording sessions," Pirog says. "But I knew what they were capable of, and I'm thrilled with what they contributed." —Bill Meredith Photo Credit: Shervin Lainez


text: Q: Chi square for comparing more than 2 categories I did a retrospective study on complications after 2 types of surgery.  My data is catagorised by subtype of complication (bleeding, infection, nerve damage, ...).  Can someone tell me if I can perform a chi square test to prove is there is a difference between the 2 types of surgery on complications, because it wouldn't be a 2x2 cross table , but a larger one.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Kelley Clink is the author of the new memoir A Different Kind of Same, which focuses on the impact of her brother's suicide in 2004. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications, including The Huffington Post and Gettysburg Review. She also is an advocate for mental health and suicide prevention. She lives in the Chicago area.
Q: You write, "I know now that sharing my story, baring my metaphorical notebooks for all to see, has transformed the way I see my illness and myself. It's also been a necessary element in resolving my grief." How did writing this book help you, particularly in the aftermath of your brother's death?
A: At the time of my brother's death, my life was "together." I was married, working, had two college degrees and a home. I was still deeply ashamed of my depression and hiding most of my struggles, but I wouldn't have said so. It was something that I did subconsciously, and I'd gotten very good at it.
My brother's death shattered that armor. Grief stripped me down to my rawest self, and I had no idea how to handle everything I was feeling. Actually, I didn't know how to handle anything I was feeling.
And I didn't know how to talk about it. I was terrified to talk about it. I'd conditioned myself to hide messy and complicated emotions for so long, I was sure that anyone who knew the depth of my grief would turn and run from me, screaming.
Writing broke those big, messy, complicated emotions into manageable pieces. It helped me get some of the chaos out of my head. But most important, when I found the right words for those feelings, when the words came from my fingers instead of my mouth, they were much easier to share.
Q: You share some very personal and painful details about your relationship with your brother before and after his death, and about your own struggle with depression. How difficult was it to revisit these experiences as you wrote the book?
A: Very. I knew as soon as my brother died that I wanted to write about him, but for the first two years I wasn't able to. The grief was too hot and too sharp to touch. But, of course, the more I tried to avoid my grief the larger it swelled.
By the second year after his death it had grown so big it eclipsed everything else. I quit all my jobs. I isolated myself from friends. There were some days I couldn't even leave the house. I knew then that I didn't have a choice—I was going to have to write my way through.
I've likened it to digging glass splinters out of my heart with my bare hands. On the good days, I spent a few hours reading his journal, combing my memory, and writing a few pages.
On the less good days I wrote about how hard it was, how angry I was, how tired I was, how little made sense. On the bad days I cried. And on the really bad days I stayed on the couch after lunch and watched reruns of Law & Order until the sun set and my husband got home from work.
That was my routine for about four years.
The good news is that, by the end, I'd learned a lot about self-care and I'd worked through most of my grief.
Q: What has been the reaction among your family members to this book?
A: My parents and husband knew I was writing early on, but I didn't share pieces with them at first. Once chapters started getting published by literary journals, I knew I had to show them. To my great relief and gratitude, they have been nothing but supportive throughout.
My extended family has been great, too. I have tons of aunts, uncles, and cousins, not to mention my husband's family, and everyone has been tremendous. I almost feel bad saying that, because it's so boring!
Q: How did you decide on the book's title, and what does it signify to you?
A: I worked on this book under a different title for many years. One day "A Different Kind of Same" just popped into my head. It felt like a perfect description of what it means to be a sibling.
You have the same genetic make up (if you are biologically related). You share the same parents and the same house (sometimes even the same room). You eat the same food. Watch the same movies. Go to the same schools.
You experience all these similar places and people—and yet, you experience them differently, because you are different. Your memories are different. Your opinions. Your likes and dislikes. Your talents, your dreams, your perceptions.
In my case, my brother and I had this extra layer to our story. We were both diagnosed with mental illness as teenagers, and there were many similarities in our journeys (including nearly identical suicide attempts). But our illnesses and outcomes were completely different.
Funny enough, the title ended up being the last words of the book. It's almost as if I wrote my way up to it.
A: I recently became a mom, and I've been enjoying writing about mental health and parenting. That's been a pleasant surprise and a nice change of pace. I do have an idea, and a lot of material, for another memoir. Hopefully in the next year or so I'll be able to sit down and start sorting through all that.
A: Sept. 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, and on that day I'll be donating 30 percent of proceeds from A Different Kind of Same to the Alliance of Hope for Suicide Survivors. Just make sure to send a receipt to cassie@sparkpointstudios.com!


We are highly qualified independent building surveyors who can provide help and advice with regard to structural surveys, building surveys, independent valuations, property surveys, structural reports, engineers reports, specific defects report, home buyers reports or any other property matters.
If you are experiencing any issues with overgrown trees in your property or nearby then please free phone 0800 298 5424 for a friendly chat with one of our surveyors.
Trees live and breathe (in a fashion) and as such require water as they grow. Like anything if they are not getting enough water they will look for water naturally. This can be a problem when a property is close by as the drawing out of water from the ground can affect it and cause settlement. Equally the root forcing its way into an area can cause movement and what people don't realise is that a tree which is cut down still can cause problems as it can cause heave in a property as the moisture in the ground which is used to being taken away by the tree is no longer taken away.
All of these terms, settlement, movement and heave are well known and seem to have almost a paranoia about them. This we would say is for several reasons. The first is of course that they can cause damage to the property. Living in your house, home or business when there are cracks appearing is not a good way to live. Secondly it can cause major upheaval as works to repair the property are carried out. Sometimes you will need to de-camp the building altogether, other times not use various areas while work is carried out. It affects the insurability of a property as trees close by tend to increase premiums. Close by meaning whatever the insurance company want it to mean; we are not joking about this as over the years the distance that the insurance companies are prepared to put up with trees being near the property has gradually got less and less, interesting when the tree has stayed the same.
Probably for most people the main problem they will have after the tree problem has been resolved is that having structural work carried out affects the value of the property.
A good way of explaining this is if you have two houses that are identical in every way including price and location, if you are advised that one has been underpinned and that the other one hasn't, in most cases people will purchase the property which hasn't been underpinned. Even with a ten or fifteen per cent discount most people would still purchase a property that hasn't been underpinned. In fact many people would never purchase a property that has been underpinned. It is only when you are looking at twenty to thirty percent reduction in value that people will start to have an interest in purchasing the property that has been underpinned. All of this caused because you have a tree near to your property.
We talked about trees being able to cause movement, we must say that trees are not to blame for all movement. There are many other reasons for movement, settlement and heave such as poor foundations and poor building workmanship, alterations and adaptions being carried out that haven't considered properly the weights that they will be holding, leaking drains, rotten timbers (particularly in older style timber frame properties). However we would add that usually we find trees do get the blame.
We have come across tree problems where neighbouring trees have grown so large that they block light out from neighbours properties.
The roots of trees can affect the drainage system. The only way to investigate this is to have a close circuit TV camera inspection.
If not properly maintained trees can cause damage to your property.
Over the years we have seen insurance companies deal with trees we would say in very different ways. Many, many years ago (about thirty years plus) as far as we can remember insurance companies were not overly concerned about how close trees were to properties. However in recent years we are aware that insurance companies have specialist sections where forms ask you to advise how close trees are to your property (if you have not seen this section of the insurance form you probably skipped it or missed it or filled it out automatically). Most insurance companies are particularly concerned about trees within five metres of a property although many still have a ten metre rule where trees need to be further than ten metres away from a property before they are concerned. This is interesting because the distance a tree is away from a property is not just the depending factor, it also needs to be taken into consideration what type of tree and what part of its growing cycle it is in. Trees close by to a property generally add to the premium. We would always recommend anyone buying a new property to speak to their insurance company before they commit to purchasing the property to see if the surrounding trees will cause any problems.
Influencing distance is given to the term that trees will affect the property.
We would add that identifying whether a tree is influencing the building is not exact science and is not as simple as looking at the type of tree, you also need to be aware of what part of its growing span it is in as like us it grows gradually then vigorously in its youth and then slows down. Also you need to have been able to look at the building and study it to see if there have been any defects caused.
There may be a reason that the tree has moved root wise towards to the building, for example a leaking drain or a leaking water supply pipe. It may be as simple as there was a rock in the way of it growing the other way so its root system has gone towards the house or even we have come across in one instance an underground wall that limited its growth in one direction.
We are in danger of insulting all tree surgeons but generally we have found that there is a different approach from an arboriculturalist than there is from a tree surgeon who are generally very keen to cut everything down that they see. Where there are some trees that are close to your property or there are a lot of trees in the immediate vicinity we would recommend an arboriculturalist report. They can offer a five, ten or twenty year plan as to how you should maintain the different trees.
At the end of the day it shouldn't be forgotten that no matter how large a tree is, it still needs maintenance. We say no matter how large the tree is as in our experience interestingly it is the larger trees that tend to be forgotten about and not maintained.
If common sense is used and trees and shrubs are not allowed to overgrow the property you should not have any problems. Leylandii for example, if not regularly maintained can overgrow and then become difficult to cut down. There have been many thousands of cases of neighbour disputes over leylandii trees in particular which are seen as light depriving hedges. Many of these disputes have ended up in court and even violence! Therefore if you don't want to upset your neighbours we would recommend that you regularly trim your leylandii!
Equally we would not recommend the removal of trees without specialist advice, as this could damage the dynamics of the soil in the area and the water table level.
It is generally known where there is a willow tree that there is water of some sort. In this case there was an underground stream in the area and this is typically what a willow tree would feed off.
The tree is not on my land – whose responsibility is it?
Let's start this question by answering the easy part first, if the tree isn't on your land then it is down to whoevers land it is on to maintain it. This is fairly easy where it is Local Authority land, say to the front of the property or in a green space. Trees generally such as this are not close enough to your property to affect it although we have come across some instances, in which case we would remind you now to make a reminder to prompt yourself to ring up the Local Authority and check what maintenance they are carrying out this year and when and what they intend to do in future years.
We have come across a spate of problems with Local Authority trees particularly in the London area where they are close enough to affect buildings, particularly Victorian properties that don't tend to have a foundation on the front bays; by bays we mean front windows.
Probably the most difficult scenario to deal with is where a tree is on a neighbour's property (as you always want to get on with a neighbour - please see our website help and disputes hell if you want to see how difficult it can be if you fall out with your neighbour) and the tree in question sits in your neighbours garden but also spreads its branches and leaves and other fruit that it bears over your side of the property and is in influencing distance of your property. We have recently dealt with a case where we looked at the property many years ago where next door have just refused to carry out any maintenance now causing cracking to the property. The owner has tried following our best advice which is to have a 'cup of tea meeting' with the owners and to come to some sort of friendly agreement with regard to how to deal with the tree. We certainly wouldn't recommend cutting off branches on your side without a 'cup of tea' meeting with next door regardless of whether you have a legal right to do it or not. You may need the back up of a Surveyors report which we would be more than happy to do to help you out with your situation or an Arboriculturalist report advising how the trees are affecting your property.
We can't over emphasise the importance of having 'cups of tea meetings' with your neighbours in relation to any problem, particularly where there is a tree involved as it is one of those unusual things that both you and your neighbour have to look at and may share in whatever way. Whether it is in their garden or in your garden, you may have to share the light it allows through, you may have to share the leaves, etc it puts into the gutters and downpipes and blocking the drains. You will also need to share a best way forward. It is no good saying that just because a tree is in a neighbour's garden you don't have any responsibility for it. Whilst legally this may be true it is often far better to have a cup of tea meeting and treat the trees almost as if they are your own. We feel it is better to contribute to trees being trimmed, lopped, pruned or being cut down rather than sitting there stubbornly refusing to do anything as ultimately you will of course have the benefit of any works to the trees that takes place.
Why we recommend you have an Independent Building Survey?
If you are moving house or having any property issues (with trees or anything else property related) then an independent Surveyor can help provide a comprehensive survey report on a building whether that be residential or commercial.
All our surveyors are independent meaning they are not tied to any bank, building society or estate agent. When they are working for you they will only have your best interests at heart.
We feel our surveys are quite unique, as they are written to your level of knowledge. The surveys include photos and sketches and definitions. The survey will also include an action required section and an estimate of costs in the executive summary.
We are more than happy to meet you at the property whilst carrying out the survey to discuss any specific issues you may have or have a general chat about what we have found at the end of the survey.
All things property related interest us greatly as surveyors and we hope this reflects in the detail we go into with our building surveys.
We use circles and ovals on our photos and sketches to highlight certain areas to you.


text:
Q: ogrmerge.py - How to running from Python I need merge list of shapefiles.
It is possible using ogrmerge.py
I use it and run using subprocess:
import pathlib
import subprocess

class MergeShpFiles:
    def __init__(self, output_file: pathlib.Path):
        self.output_file = output_file

    def merge_shp_files(self, file_list: list):
        command = "ogrmerge.py -single -o "
        command += str(self.output_file) + " "
        for file in file_list:
            command += str(file) + " "
        "-src_layer_field_name country"
        subprocess.call(command, shell=True)

It is possible to run function in Python without subprocess?
It is problem when I switch between Windows and Linux

A: Here is a worked example using Python 3 and OGR with 11 input polygon shp files named tmp*.shp.
    from osgeo import ogr
    import os

    outputMergefn = 'merged_features.shp'
    directory = "./"
    file_start = 'tmp'
    file_ext = '.shp'
    drvrname = 'ESRI Shapefile'
    geomtype = ogr.wkbMultiPolygon
    outputdriver = ogr.GetDriverByName('ESRI Shapefile')

    if os.path.exists(outputMergefn):
        outputdriver.DeleteDataSource(outputMergefn)
    out_ds = outputdriver.CreateDataSource(outputMergefn)
    out_layer = out_ds.CreateLayer(outputMergefn, geom_type = geomtype)

    filelist = os.listdir(directory)

    for file in filelist:
    if file.startswith(file_start) and file.endswith(file_ext):
         print("Processing: " + file)
         ds = ogr.Open(directory + file)
         if ds is None:
             print("ds is empty")
         lyr = ds.GetLayer()
         for feat in lyr:
             out_feat = ogr.Feature(out_layer.GetLayerDefn())
             out_feat.SetGeometry(feat.GetGeometryRef().Clone())
             out_layer.CreateFeature(out_feat)
             out_layer.SyncToDisk()


La Scuola is an authorized school for the International Baccalaureate – Primary Years Programme.
Reggio Emilia-inspiredinquiry-based learning approach fosters critical and creative thinking skills.
Language and cultural immersion in Italian.
Our approach provides children with an excellent basis for further academic achievements, and for becoming global citizens of the future.
Language Immersion is a cornerstone of a La Scuola education. Below is Dr. Jim Cummins' presentation about Bilingual Education.
*Language percentages do not include specialist subjects.
Children are not required to speak Italian to enroll in preschool, Kindergarten or 1st Grade.


text:
From silk to satellite: Half a century of ocean colour anomalies in the Northeast Atlantic
Dionysios E. Raitsos, Yaswant Pradhan, Sam Lavender, Ibrahim Hoteit, Abigail L. McQuatters-Gollop, Philip Chris Reid, Anthony J. Richardson
Earth Science and Engineering
Changes in phytoplankton dynamics influence marine biogeochemical cycles, climate processes, and food webs, with substantial social and economic consequences. Large-scale estimation of phytoplankton biomass was possible via ocean colour measurements from two remote sensing satellites - the Coastal Zone Colour Scanner (CZCS, 1979-1986) and the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS, 1998-2010). Due to the large gap between the two satellite eras and differences in sensor characteristics, comparison of the absolute values retrieved from the two instruments remains challenging. Using a unique in situ ocean colour dataset that spans more than half a century, the two satellite-derived chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) eras are linked to assess concurrent changes in phytoplankton variability and bloom timing over the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and North Sea. Results from this unique re-analysis reflect a clear increasing pattern of Chl-a, a merging of the two seasonal phytoplankton blooms producing a longer growing season and higher seasonal biomass, since the mid-1980s. The broader climate plays a key role in Chl-a variability as the ocean colour anomalies parallel the oscillations of the Northern Hemisphere Temperature (NHT) since 1948. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.12457
10.1111/gcb.12457
Dive into the research topics of 'From silk to satellite: Half a century of ocean colour anomalies in the Northeast Atlantic'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
ocean color Earth & Environmental Sciences 100%
Biogeochemical Cycle Chemistry 69%
phytoplankton Earth & Environmental Sciences 67%
CZCS Earth & Environmental Sciences 61%
anomaly Earth & Environmental Sciences 58%
chlorophyll a Earth & Environmental Sciences 57%
SeaWiFS Earth & Environmental Sciences 54%
algal bloom Earth & Environmental Sciences 37%
Raitsos, D. E., Pradhan, Y., Lavender, S., Hoteit, I., McQuatters-Gollop, A. L., Reid, P. C., & Richardson, A. J. (2014). From silk to satellite: Half a century of ocean colour anomalies in the Northeast Atlantic. Global Change Biology, 20(7), 2117-2123. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.12457
Raitsos, Dionysios E. ; Pradhan, Yaswant ; Lavender, Sam ; Hoteit, Ibrahim ; McQuatters-Gollop, Abigail L. ; Reid, Philip Chris ; Richardson, Anthony J. / From silk to satellite: Half a century of ocean colour anomalies in the Northeast Atlantic. In: Global Change Biology. 2014 ; Vol. 20, No. 7. pp. 2117-2123.
@article{3eb5765fd01a45e2ac918d5bd1b17435,
title = "From silk to satellite: Half a century of ocean colour anomalies in the Northeast Atlantic",
abstract = "Changes in phytoplankton dynamics influence marine biogeochemical cycles, climate processes, and food webs, with substantial social and economic consequences. Large-scale estimation of phytoplankton biomass was possible via ocean colour measurements from two remote sensing satellites - the Coastal Zone Colour Scanner (CZCS, 1979-1986) and the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS, 1998-2010). Due to the large gap between the two satellite eras and differences in sensor characteristics, comparison of the absolute values retrieved from the two instruments remains challenging. Using a unique in situ ocean colour dataset that spans more than half a century, the two satellite-derived chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) eras are linked to assess concurrent changes in phytoplankton variability and bloom timing over the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and North Sea. Results from this unique re-analysis reflect a clear increasing pattern of Chl-a, a merging of the two seasonal phytoplankton blooms producing a longer growing season and higher seasonal biomass, since the mid-1980s. The broader climate plays a key role in Chl-a variability as the ocean colour anomalies parallel the oscillations of the Northern Hemisphere Temperature (NHT) since 1948. {\textcopyright} 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.",
author = "Raitsos, {Dionysios E.} and Yaswant Pradhan and Sam Lavender and Ibrahim Hoteit and McQuatters-Gollop, {Abigail L.} and Reid, {Philip Chris} and Richardson, {Anthony J.}",
doi = "10.1111/gcb.12457",
journal = "Global Change Biology",
Raitsos, DE, Pradhan, Y, Lavender, S, Hoteit, I, McQuatters-Gollop, AL, Reid, PC & Richardson, AJ 2014, 'From silk to satellite: Half a century of ocean colour anomalies in the Northeast Atlantic', Global Change Biology, vol. 20, no. 7, pp. 2117-2123. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.12457
From silk to satellite: Half a century of ocean colour anomalies in the Northeast Atlantic. / Raitsos, Dionysios E.; Pradhan, Yaswant; Lavender, Sam; Hoteit, Ibrahim; McQuatters-Gollop, Abigail L.; Reid, Philip Chris; Richardson, Anthony J.
In: Global Change Biology, Vol. 20, No. 7, 23.04.2014, p. 2117-2123.
T1 - From silk to satellite: Half a century of ocean colour anomalies in the Northeast Atlantic
AU - Raitsos, Dionysios E.
AU - Pradhan, Yaswant
AU - Lavender, Sam
AU - Hoteit, Ibrahim
AU - McQuatters-Gollop, Abigail L.
AU - Reid, Philip Chris
AU - Richardson, Anthony J.
N2 - Changes in phytoplankton dynamics influence marine biogeochemical cycles, climate processes, and food webs, with substantial social and economic consequences. Large-scale estimation of phytoplankton biomass was possible via ocean colour measurements from two remote sensing satellites - the Coastal Zone Colour Scanner (CZCS, 1979-1986) and the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS, 1998-2010). Due to the large gap between the two satellite eras and differences in sensor characteristics, comparison of the absolute values retrieved from the two instruments remains challenging. Using a unique in situ ocean colour dataset that spans more than half a century, the two satellite-derived chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) eras are linked to assess concurrent changes in phytoplankton variability and bloom timing over the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and North Sea. Results from this unique re-analysis reflect a clear increasing pattern of Chl-a, a merging of the two seasonal phytoplankton blooms producing a longer growing season and higher seasonal biomass, since the mid-1980s. The broader climate plays a key role in Chl-a variability as the ocean colour anomalies parallel the oscillations of the Northern Hemisphere Temperature (NHT) since 1948. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
AB - Changes in phytoplankton dynamics influence marine biogeochemical cycles, climate processes, and food webs, with substantial social and economic consequences. Large-scale estimation of phytoplankton biomass was possible via ocean colour measurements from two remote sensing satellites - the Coastal Zone Colour Scanner (CZCS, 1979-1986) and the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS, 1998-2010). Due to the large gap between the two satellite eras and differences in sensor characteristics, comparison of the absolute values retrieved from the two instruments remains challenging. Using a unique in situ ocean colour dataset that spans more than half a century, the two satellite-derived chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) eras are linked to assess concurrent changes in phytoplankton variability and bloom timing over the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and North Sea. Results from this unique re-analysis reflect a clear increasing pattern of Chl-a, a merging of the two seasonal phytoplankton blooms producing a longer growing season and higher seasonal biomass, since the mid-1980s. The broader climate plays a key role in Chl-a variability as the ocean colour anomalies parallel the oscillations of the Northern Hemisphere Temperature (NHT) since 1948. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
UR - http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/gcb.12457
U2 - 10.1111/gcb.12457
DO - 10.1111/gcb.12457
JO - Global Change Biology
JF - Global Change Biology
Raitsos DE, Pradhan Y, Lavender S, Hoteit I, McQuatters-Gollop AL, Reid PC et al. From silk to satellite: Half a century of ocean colour anomalies in the Northeast Atlantic. Global Change Biology. 2014 Apr 23;20(7):2117-2123. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.12457


text:
XTRA MILE RECORDINGS
Spirit Of Minnie
Will Varley
Long Play Vinyl
Alternative, Indie
Slip Sleeve (CD or Vinyl)
XMR139LP
Will Varley is pleased to announce details of his 5th studio album, 'Spirit Of Minnie', released February 9, 2018 through Xtra Mile Recordings. Following 2016's much praised 'Kingsdown Sundown' and a sold out show at London's Union Chapel, the new album marks a distinct change of direction for the singer songwriter, being the first time he has recorded with a full backing band. Produced by Cameron McVey (Massive Attack, Portishead, Neneh Cherry), the new album expands on the pared back musical palette of Varley's previous sound, all the while retaining his gift for painterly, affirming and immediate lyric writing. Aided by McVey's nuanced, widescreen production and the warm cascading sound of his new band, 'All Those Stars' offers the perfect first glimpse into 'Spirit Of Minnie', straddling Will's sound and style from past to present. Counting the likes of Billy Bragg, Valerie June and Frank Turner as his fans, and with tours scheduled across Europe and America, the young songwriter from Deal seems poised for a huge 2018.
All Those Stars
Breaking The Bread


Home—Los Angeles, CA. Agent—c/o Author Mail, City Lights Books, San Francisco, CA 94133.
Poet, novelist, educator. Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School, Los Angeles, CA, composition and literature instructor, 1985—.
American Book Award (with Naomi Quinonez and Michelle Clinton), 1990, for Invocation L.A.: Urban Multicultural Poetry; finalist, PEN Center West Poetry Prize, 1996, for City Terrace: Field Manual; Top Shelf 2005 list, Village Voice, for Atomik Aztex.
(Editor, with Naomi Quinonez and Michelle Clinton) Invocation L.A.: Urban Multicultural Poetry, West End Press (Albuquerque, NM), 1989.
City Terrace: Field Manual (poetry), Kaya Production (New York, NY), 1996.
Atomik Aztex (novel), City Lights (San Francisco, CA), 2005.
Contributor of poetry to numerous journals and anthologies.
Sesshu Foster is a poet and novelist living in East Los Angeles, where he was brought up. His 1996 poetry collection, City Terrace: Field Manual, was a finalist for the PEN Center West Poetry Prize. In 2005 he turned his hand from verse to fiction with his debut novel, Atomik Aztex, a "potent mythopolitical brew," according to Anthony Miller, writing in the online LA City Beat. Foster posits an alternate history for the Aztecs, who, in his version, conquered the Spanish invaders in the 1500s and went on to conquer much of Europe and form the Aztek Socialist Imperium. The book is narrated by Zenzontli, the Keeper of the House of Darkness, who dwells in the congested and polluted capital of Teknotitlan. However, Zenzontli also finds himself transported through time and space to be, simultaneously, a butcher at Farmer John's Meat Packing Plant in modern-day Los Angeles. Through Zenzontli, Foster tells a myriad of tales, from the Aztec collaboration with the Soviets in a suicide mission against the Nazis, to in-fighting amongst powerful ruling elites in the Aztec empire.
Foster's Atomik Aztex received high praise from many critics. Writing in Library Journal, David A. Berona called the work "cleverly written" and a "fine example of alternative fiction with a strong social theme." For a Publishers Weekly critic, the novel was a "genre-straddling tour de force," as well as "brilliantly inventive." Similarly, a reviewer for Village Voice Online felt Foster alternates from "the creases he's pressed into the wrinkled fabric of reality." And Miller added further praise: "An absolutely incandescent work of imagination, Foster's first novel meshes the cosmological and the quotidian, the conundrums of the nature of time and history as well as the dilemmas of daily life in East L.A."
Library Journal, January 1, 2006, David A. Berona, review of Atomik Aztex, p. 95.
Publishers Weekly, October 24, 2005, review of Atomik Aztex, p. 36.
LA City Beat,http://www.lacitybeat.com/ (January 12, 2006), Anthony Miller, "Atomik Ages."
Modern American Poetry,http://www.english.uiuc.edu/ (July 6, 2006), "Sesshu Foster."
PoeticDiversity,http://www.poeticdiversity.org/ (July 6, 2006), "Sesshu Foster."
Village Voice Online,http://www.villagevoice.com/ (December 13, 2005), "Top Shelf 2005."
"Foster, Sesshu." Contemporary Authors. . Encyclopedia.com. 18 Apr. 2019 <https://www.encyclopedia.com>.


text:
Classical music audience has increased
Aaccording to new radio listening figures, the UK's biggest classical musicstation has increased its audience to over 5.6 million people each week. Thousands more listeners are starting their day with Classic FM'sMore Music Breakfast – during the week, an extra 197,000 people have discovered Tim Lihoreau's programme in the last three months. Breakfast at the weekend, meanwhile, has seen Anne–Marie Minhall attract her largest audience to date, with a yearly increase of 101,000 people on Sundays alone. The number of people tuning in for our flagship weekday mid-morning show, presented by John Suchet , has grown to over 2.8 million, whilst Jamie Crick's mix of requests , dedications and afternoon favourites has seen his audience surge to 2.6 million people each week. At the weekend, Alan Titchmarsh and Aled Jones now both reach well over a million listeners every week. Other programmes enjoying a significant increase include Saturday Night at the Movies withHoward Goodall, which has grown its audience by 17% in the last three months, and Charlotte Green's Culture Club, which is up 16%. In addition, Classic FM's major new series Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Classical Music, presented by Catherine Bott, is already attracting a large audience, with a year-on-year increase of 29%.
Radio manufacturer Pure produces Deutsche Grammophon Edition radio
Classical music is very stuffy to back on, said Horner
A new annual $100k music prize for classical musicians announced
BBC Radio 3 changed the broadcasts for budget cuts
10 classical music-inspired films → ← Are these 50 Best Classical Love Songs ?
1 thought on "Classical music audience has increased"
http://www.192.com/atoz/business/birmingham-b26/carpenters/fahy-carpentry-services/ab097c21-7eac-4e7e-9d18-f8c6bcc10fec/ugc/ says:
Be certain to secure this with waterproofing silicon, as well as drilling it into
place for a secure fit. So if still don't know what to do yet, consider a
carpentry career. It will be advantageous to highlight everything related to carpentry in and outside of school.


text:
Q: Resign keyboard of textfield present in alertview I have three text fields on an alertview, I set keyboard as decimalType ,
- (IBAction)heightMethod:(id)sender

{

 self.utextfield = [[UITextField alloc] initWithFrame:CGRectMake(12.0, 45.0, 260.0, 25.0)]; utextfield.placeholder = @"  Centimeters";

self.utextfield.delegate=self;

self.utextfield.tag=3;
[ self.utextfield setBackgroundColor:[UIColor whiteColor]];
[self.alertHeight addSubview: self.utextfield];
// Adds a password Field
self.ptextfield = [[UITextField alloc] initWithFrame:CGRectMake(40, 80.0, 80, 25.0)]; ptextfield.placeholder = @"   Feet";
self.ptextfield.delegate=self;
self.ptextfield.tag=4;

[self.ptextfield setBackgroundColor:[UIColor whiteColor]];
[self.alertHeight addSubview:self.ptextfield];

self.ptextfieldInches = [[UITextField alloc] initWithFrame:CGRectMake(140, 80.0, 80, 25.0)]; ptextfieldInches.placeholder = @"   Inches";
self.ptextfieldInches.delegate=self;
self.ptextfieldInches.tag=5;

[ptextfieldInches setBackgroundColor:[UIColor whiteColor]];
[self.alertHeight addSubview:ptextfieldInches];

 [self.utextfield setKeyboardType:UIKeyboardTypeDecimalPad];
 [self.ptextfieldInches setKeyboardType:UIKeyboardTypeDecimalPad];
 [self.ptextfield setKeyboardType:UIKeyboardTypeDecimalPad];

[self.alertHeight show];

}

As I tap any textfield, keyboard resign only two times, but on third time  its not resigning . I added resignfirst responder method inside the delgate method of alertview , look here
- (void)alertView:(UIAlertView *)alertView clickedButtonAtIndex:(NSInteger)buttonIndex

A: Create iVar of UITextField and assign in side UITextFieldDelegate method textFieldShouldBeginEditing. Hopefully  it should work.
Like Below:
- (BOOL)textFieldShouldBeginEditing:(UITextField *)textField
{
   textField = iVar;
}

A: Try
- (void) alertView:(UIAlertView *)alertView willDismissWithButtonIndex:(NSInteger)buttonIndex
{
    [self.view endEditing: YES];
}

A: When you Press OK button on alert view the keypad dismisses automatically.I have tested it out so remove resignfirstresponder from the above mentioned method and try


MacBook Air Modelle mit 11" Displays.
While replacing the I/O component I broke the connector on the logic board where it connects into. Can the black connector on the logic board be repaired?
Yes - I would suggest you seek professional help. Soldering logic board componets requires special tools, solder and lots & lots of practice. Visit your local computer/small electronics repair shop and have a talk with them.
Thank you Machead3. If I can't find a shop locally that can do it, are there any sites online I should check out?
I can't recommend any - there's logic board repair services over on e-bay.
csaviano wird auf ewig dankbar sein.


text:
Renewables Liberia
Liberia's Energy Landscape
Our Supporting Partners
Governmental Institutions
Local NGOs
Who is who gallery
Solar Installers & Technicians
Entrepreneurs & Professionals
Renewable Energy Students
Improve Cook Stove Technicians
Solar in Public Facilities
Analytical Map Night
Stakeholders Map
All Renewables Energy Installations In Liberia, Sierra Leone & Guinea
Solar Dryers
Solar for Health
Electricity Grids
Renewable Installations Document
Hydro in Liberia
Solar in Liberia
Biomass & Cooking
Archive - 2017/2018
Be a stakeholder
Inform & Share
Vacancies & Tenders
How do solar panels work?
MOOCs - Massive Open Online Courses
LEAP NETWORK
BGF Africa
BGFA approach
Activities and Updates
EnDev conducts Assessment of Mini Grids in Lofa County
A team of GIZ/EnDev staff comprising of Ali Toma Mohammed (Country Project/Program Manager GIZ/EnDev, Sierra Leone), Freeman K. Godu (Technical Project Coordinator, GIZ/EnDev Liberia), Daniel Koroma (Technician and Maintenance Officer, GIZ/EnDev Sierra Leone),
Sorie Kamara (Technical Driver, GIZ/EnDev Liberia) has concluded an eight (8) day monitoring and assessment visit in Lofa County, Liberia.
The purpose of the visit was to assess the five solar mini-grids constructed by Sunlabob on behalf of Plan International. This idea arose from consultations between, the management team of one of the Mini-Grids (Lengbamba), Sunlabob, and Daniel Koroma, who incidentally was also part of the Sunlabob team that constructed the Mini-Grids. They notify the team that four (4) out of five (5) charge controllers installed are faulty and the system is only partially working. That only one charge controller is presently working and is undercharging the batteries.
GIZ/EnDev decided to visit each of the five (5) sites in Lofa county and conduct thorough monitoring and assessment of each facility while also ensuring that each of the Mini-Grids is in an operational state.
A detailed technical assessment was done and shared in this report
Global Off-Grid Solar Market Report
Every six months, GOGLA and The World Bank Group's Lighting Global program publish the Global Off-Grid Solar Market Report, a market intelligence series on sales and impact of off-grid solar lighting products, sold by GOGLA and Lighting Global affiliates. Since H2 2018, the report also includes sales numbers of off-grid appliances, in partnership with the Efficiency for Access Coalition.
January - June 2020 Global Off-Grid Solar Market Report
The off-grid solar sector is playing an essential role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Solar home systems and efficient appliances are keeping the lights on in health centers, powering local businesses and helping families stay connected and informed.
Solar System for Gbediah hospital construction
In Gbediah Town Timbo District, River Cess County, a new hospital is under construction. GIZ/EnDev supported Welthungerhilfe to temporarily install an 11.75kW Solar System that will help the people who coordinate and work towards completing the hospital.
GIZ- Health Project solved electricity problem at the Rally Town hospital laboratory
The Rally Town hospital is in Grand Cess, Grand Kru County, Liberia. The laboratory received more than 100-150 patients on a daily average. Electricity has been one of the biggest challenged at the laboratory, most of the test that was to be conducted at the laboratory was transferred to Barclayville hospital, the capital of Grand Kru County.
Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa launches the Pre-Qualification stage of its first Call for Proposals
Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa (BGFA) is today opening the Pre-Qualification stage of its first Call for Proposals (BGFA1) inviting off-grid energy companies to compete for results-based funding to bring clean, modern, and affordable energy to customers in peri-urban and rural areas of Burkina Faso, Liberia, and Zambia.
BGFA1 aims to incentivize off-grid energy companies to accelerate the establishment of new, long-term sustainable energy service subscriptions at scale. In total, some EUR 30 million is offered to qualified, private off-grid energy service providers under three different Country Programmes, with funding opportunities split into a number of Funding Windows and Funding Lots. The contract size is expected to be EUR 1 – 4 million, depending on the target country and individual needs.
Local Financial Institutions: A Major Untapped Source of Financing for Energy Access in Africa
GreenMax Capital Advisors released today a briefing report on the market assessment conducted for the launch of the Green4Access First Loss Facility. The assessment covered 83 companies and 37 Financial Institutions (FIs) across 21 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The main findings of the assessment are:
Local FIs in Sub-Saharan Africa is willing to lend USD billions for energy access: It is estimated that the total projected lending volume indicated by the interviewed local FIs would translate to at least roughly US$6 billion in lending by local FIs throughout Sub-Saharan Africa – a significant contribution to the energy access financing gap.
Local FIs require credit support and technical assistance for off-grid lending: The vast majority of both FIs and locally owned off grid companies identified high collateral requirements and collateral inadequacy as a key barrier hindering financing. A majority of locally-owned off-grid companies also pointed out local FIs' lack of understanding of the off-grid sector, high cost of debt and lack of long-term funds as major funding challenges.
The first loss cash reserve will lead to increased lending and reduction in collateral requirements: FIs indicated that a first loss cash reserve will result in a 53% increase in projected off-grid lending volumes and a 42% reduction in collateral requirements on average. A first loss facility can also to some extent increase the tenor of loans.
Locally-owned off-grid companies unable to access capital could be the main beneficiaries: 56 African-owned off-grid companies surveyed indicated an actionable deal pipeline of $269 million. Unlocking local currency lending from local commercial banks will be crucial to meet the needs of these locally-owned companies, which are well positioned to serve last-mile customers but have been largely unsuccessful in accessing external capital from international sources.
Green4Acess (G4A) is a new first loss facility developed by Green Max in partnership with the UK NGO, Energy4Impact. The G4A First Loss Facility will be primarily focused on supporting FIs to accelerate local currency lending to energy access enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa via its cash deposit product. The G4A cash deposit product will provide first loss protection for up to 20% of losses in newly originated portfolios of energy access loans. The Facility is planned to be launched in 2021 with an initial capitalization of US$50 million. The design and development of the G4A facility are being supported by seed funding from the multi-donor platform – Partnerships for Green Growth (P4G).
The full report can be downloaded here
Contacts: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About GreenMax Capital Advisors
GreenMax Capital Advisors, is the US founding affiliate of the GreenMax Capital Group, a group of international clean energy investment advisory and management-consulting firms established in 1994. GreenMax has a lengthy and a successful track record facilitating efficient implementation of international development funds targeted for renewable energy investment in emerging markets worldwide. GreenMax has also supported regional commercial lenders to develop and roll out new lending products targeting renewable energy and energy efficiency investments and has helped many development financial institutions ("DFIs") plan and launch market-transforming sustainable energy finance initiatives. Learn more at greenmaxcap.com.
©Green Max Capital Advisors
Help Liberian drivers earn more with electric tuktuks!
For: Emergi: Innovators in Sustainability
Emergi is introducing electric kekehs in Liberia
F.J. Grante Hospital Laboratory in Sinoe has the electricity problem solved
During the last days of September and the first days of October, a 9.3kW/ 11.6 Kva Solar System has been installed at the F.J. Grante hospital laboratory in Greenville City, Sinoe County. The installation was done through GIZ/EnDev under the GIZ health project.
Biomedical technicians at the hospital will now be able to use all their equipment such as: Centrifuge, Microscope, Chemistry Analyzer, Bunsen burner, Baker, Buchner funnels. These tools needed for diagnoses have not been used for a long period of time due to electricity problems.
The 30 panels with 310Watt of add up to 9,300 watts or 9.3Kwp total watt peak of the solar system. When divided by the power factor of 0.8, this will equal to 11,625 kilo volt per ampere, or 11.6kva in generator size.
EnDev Senior installation technician Mr. Momo Torkson trained lab technicians, Biomedical supervisor and administrators in good use and maintenance of the solar system.
Dr. Alexander P: Tokpah, Medical Director at the Francis J Grant Memorial Hospital promised to ensure proper operation and maintenance of the system, and appreciated the GIZ/EnDev installation team for their efforts. He warned electricians to stop illegal connections in other parts of the hospital that will shorten the life of the system and promised to take drastic action against anyone caught in such act.
Gerald and Victor, two students of the Stella Maris University electrical engineering department had worked and learned during the installation of the system. Both students had transported themselves to Greenville City, Sinoe County, Liberia to acquire knowledge in installing a bigger solar system. They appreciated Mr. Torkson and his team for the knowledge they obtained during the SMA system installation.
New Design Red Fire Pot In Liberia
To reduce the problem of deforestation and to fight against the global outcry for climate change, GIZ/EnDev introduced the Red Fire Pot to the local coal pot producers in Liberia. The Red Fire Pot (RFP) is an improved cookstove that was introduced and promoted on the Liberia market by local coal pot/stove producers that were trained by GIZ/EnDev to produce and sell the product. Two different sizes have been designed for household cooking in Liberia, (the medium and the small).
Lighting Mumbi's Dream -" The Burden of Poor Quality Solar Products" video animation
ACE TAF is at the forefront of promoting the use of stand-alone solar as a cost-effective way to provide clean energy to millions of households across Africa that do not have access. Many of these households are also low income or vulnerable.
To ensure that the products that reach them are good quality and durable, ACE TAF is working with governments, development partners and the private sector for the adoption of quality standards across sub-Saharan Africa, and that countries have the capacity to enforce quality verification processes to safeguard consumers. ACE TAF is championing the adoption of the recently launched International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards which define the quality and durability specifications of solar products as well as requirements for truth in advertising.
Working with our strategic partners IFC Lighting Global, ACE TAF has developed a video which demonstrates the burden of sub-standard solar products on consumers in Africa. This video "Lighting Mumbi's Dream - The Burden of Poor Quality Solar Products" is a tool to create awareness and to promote the sale of only good quality solar products on the continent. Help us spread the word on how we all can play a role in improving access to affordable solar solutions. Watch and share widely among other industry stakeholders.
Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_4_geHh3cU
Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa (BGFA) is today opening the Pre-Qualification stage of its first Call for Proposals (BGFA1) inviting off-grid energy companies compete for results-based funding to bring clean, modern and affordable energy to customers in peri-urban and rural areas of Burkina Faso, Liberia, and Zambia.
BGFA1 aims to incentivized off-grid energy companies to accelerate the establishment of new, long-term sustainable energy service subscriptions at scale. In total, some EUR 30 million is offered to qualified, private off-grid energy service providers under three different Country Programs, with funding opportunities split into a number of Funding Windows and Funding Lots. The contract size is expected to be EUR 1 – 4 million, depending on the target country and individual needs.
"We are pleased to launch the first stage of this first Call for Proposals under the planned expansion of the BGFA program in Burkina Faso, Liberia and Zambia. The market scoping confirmed that BGFA funding is bridging a critical financing gap for off-grid energy companies to engage in bringing access to energy to customers living in non-urban areas in these three countries. We anticipate active participation in the call and encourage interested energy companies to register on the online system to learn more and start preparing their applications," commented Helle Lindegaard, Vice President, Head of the BGFA Unit at NEFCO (the Facility Manager). Read More here.
Lightning and Surge Protection for Photovoltaic Systems
We're happy to invite you to join us on a technical webinar on the topic of "Lightning and Surge Protection for Photovoltaic Systems".
In this session, we'll familiarize you with the residential and utility systems and the importance of lightning protection, from both commercial and technical aspects.
We'll discuss the risk assessments, mitigation procedures and the insurability of the installation You can also expect a thorough analyze of different risk factors based on the lightning flash density, installation type, climatic region.
09:00 AM - 10:00 AM GMT
Where: Online - Webinar
A new Cocoa Dryer has been constructed
Energy Transition Webinar Series
Free SMA Solar Academy Courses
COVID-19 Survey - Energy Access Industry Barometer
Rural & Renewable Energy Agency
Liberia Energy Network
Ecowrex
Energypedia
Folder Solar
Folder Solar Lantern
Folder Solar Home System
Folder Mini-Grid
Folder Solar Dryers
Folder Other
Adjacent Chinese Embassy, Backroad
Oldest Congo Town, Monrovia
info[at]renewables-liberia.info