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Q: Bottomsheetbehavior adds additional space to the top of bottomsheet I generate Android Studio's BottomSheetDialogFragment it works fine with little modifications but as soon i add app:layout_behavior="com.google.android.material.bottomsheet.BottomSheetBehavior" to bottom sheet for callback it adds blank white space to the top of bottom sheet. I also tried
app:behavior_hideable="true"
app:behavior_peekHeight="128dp"

and solutions from here and here but its not working in my case here is my layout and fragment
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<androidx.coordinatorlayout.widget.CoordinatorLayout
    xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
    xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:layout_width="match_parent">

<RelativeLayout
    android:id="@+id/bottomSheet"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    app:layout_behavior="com.google.android.material.bottomsheet.BottomSheetBehavior"
    >

    <androidx.constraintlayout.widget.ConstraintLayout
        android:id="@+id/topBarBottomSheet"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content">

        <Spinner
            android:id="@+id/attachmentOption"
            android:layout_width="wrap_content"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:layout_marginStart="24dp"
            android:layout_marginLeft="24dp"
            app:layout_constraintEnd_toEndOf="parent"
            app:layout_constraintHorizontal_bias="0.019"
            app:layout_constraintStart_toStartOf="parent"
            app:layout_constraintTop_toTopOf="parent" />

        <SearchView
            android:id="@+id/searchView"
            android:layout_width="wrap_content"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:layout_marginEnd="16dp"
            android:layout_marginRight="16dp"
            app:layout_constraintBottom_toBottomOf="parent"
            app:layout_constraintEnd_toStartOf="@+id/closeButton"
            app:layout_constraintTop_toTopOf="parent"
            app:layout_constraintVertical_bias="1.0" />

        <ImageButton
            android:id="@+id/closeButton"
            android:layout_width="wrap_content"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            app:layout_constraintBottom_toBottomOf="parent"
            app:layout_constraintEnd_toEndOf="parent"
            app:layout_constraintTop_toTopOf="parent"
            android:background="@android:drawable/ic_menu_close_clear_cancel" />
    </androidx.constraintlayout.widget.ConstraintLayout>

    <EditText
        android:id="@+id/searchViewEditText"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:layout_below="@id/topBarBottomSheet"
        android:text="TextView" />

    <androidx.recyclerview.widget.RecyclerView
        android:id="@+id/recycleviewGallery"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="600dp"
        android:layout_below="@id/searchViewEditText"
        android:clipToPadding="false"
        android:paddingTop="@dimen/list_item_spacing_half"
        android:paddingBottom="@dimen/list_item_spacing_half"
        tools:listitem="@layout/recycler_view_item_3"
        tools:spanCount="3"
        tools:layoutManager="GridLayoutManager" />
</RelativeLayout>

</androidx.coordinatorlayout.widget.CoordinatorLayout>

BottomSheetDialogFragment
 public class BottomSheet extends BottomSheetDialogFragment {
        public static String TAG = "Bottom Sheet";

        // TODO: Customize parameter argument names
        private static final String ARG_ITEM_COUNT = "item_count";
        private Listener mListener;

        // TODO: Customize parameters
        public static BottomSheet newInstance() {
            /*final Bundle args = new Bundle();
            args.putInt(ARG_ITEM_COUNT, itemCount);
            fragment.setArguments(args);*/
            return new BottomSheet();
        }

        @Nullable
        @Override
        public View onCreateView(LayoutInflater inflater, @Nullable ViewGroup container,@Nullable Bundle savedInstanceState) {
            getRecentImages();
            return inflater.inflate(R.layout.fragment_bottemsheet_list_dialog, container, false);
        }

        @Override
        public void onViewCreated(View view, @Nullable Bundle savedInstanceState) {
            final RecyclerView recyclerView = view.findViewById(R.id.recycleviewGallery);
            View parentView = view.findViewById(R.id.bottomSheet);
            BottomSheetBehavior bottomSheetBehavior = BottomSheetBehavior.from(parentView);
            bottomSheetBehavior.setBottomSheetCallback(new BottomSheetBehavior.BottomSheetCallback() {
                @Override
                public void onStateChanged(@NonNull View view, int i) {
                    switch (i){
                        case BottomSheetBehavior.STATE_COLLAPSED:
                            Log.d(TAG,"Collapsed");
                            break;
                        case BottomSheetBehavior.STATE_DRAGGING:
                                Log.d(TAG,"Dragging");
                                break;
                        case BottomSheetBehavior.STATE_EXPANDED:
                            Log.d(TAG,"Expanded");
                            break;
                        case BottomSheetBehavior.STATE_HALF_EXPANDED:
                            Log.d(TAG,"Half Expanded");
                            break;
                        case BottomSheetBehavior.STATE_HIDDEN:
                            Log.d(TAG,"Hidden");
                            break;
                        case BottomSheetBehavior.STATE_SETTLING:
                            Log.d(TAG,"Settling");
                            break;

                    }
                }

                @Override
                public void onSlide(@NonNull View view, float v) {

                }
            });

        }

        @Override
        public void onAttach(Context context) {
            super.onAttach(context);
            final Fragment parent = getParentFragment();
            Log.d(TAG,"Parent = "+parent+" Context "+context);
            if (parent != null) {
                mListener = (Listener) parent;
            } else {
                mListener = (Listener) context;
            }
        }

        @Override
        public void onDetach() {
            mListener = null;
            super.onDetach();
        }

        public interface Listener {
            void onBottomSheetClicked(int position);
        }

    }

A: I made my bottomsheet fully working without adding app:layout_behavior="com.google.android.material.bottomsheet.BottomSheetBehavior" I removed behavior from xml file and then in BottomSheetDialogFragment i override onCreateDialog like this
@NonNull
    @Override
    public Dialog onCreateDialog(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        BottomSheetDialog dialog = (BottomSheetDialog) super.onCreateDialog(savedInstanceState);
        dialog.setOnShowListener(new DialogInterface.OnShowListener() {
            @Override
            public void onShow(DialogInterface dialog) {
                //Get the BottomSheetBehavior
                BottomSheetDialog d = (BottomSheetDialog) dialog;
                FrameLayout bottomSheet = d.findViewById(com.google.android.material.R.id.design_bottom_sheet);
                if (bottomSheet != null) {
                    bottomSheet.getLayoutParams().height = ViewGroup.LayoutParams.MATCH_PARENT;
                    bottomSheetBehavior = BottomSheetBehavior.from(bottomSheet);
                    bottomSheet.setMinimumHeight(350);
                    bottomSheetBehavior.setBottomSheetCallback(new BottomSheetBehavior.BottomSheetCallback() {
                        @Override
                        public void onStateChanged(@NonNull View view, int i) {
                            switch (i){
                                case BottomSheetBehavior.STATE_COLLAPSED:
                                    Log.d(TAG,"Collapsed");

                                    break;
                                case BottomSheetBehavior.STATE_DRAGGING:
                                    Log.d(TAG,"Dragging");

                                    break;
                                case BottomSheetBehavior.STATE_EXPANDED:
                                    Log.d(TAG,"Expanded");

                                    break;
                                case BottomSheetBehavior.STATE_HALF_EXPANDED:
                                    Log.d(TAG,"Half Expanded");
                                    break;
                                case BottomSheetBehavior.STATE_HIDDEN:
                                    Log.d(TAG,"Hidden");
                                    dismiss();
                                    break;
                                case BottomSheetBehavior.STATE_SETTLING:
                                    Log.d(TAG,"Settling");
                                    break;

                            }
                        }

                        @Override
                        public void onSlide(@NonNull View view, float v) {

                        }
                    });
                }
            }
        });

        return dialog;
    }

If you notice in above code in onShow method i am creating instance of BottomSheetDialog and with the help of instance giving FrameLayoutobject android(x) default bottomsheet
BottomSheetDialog d = (BottomSheetDialog) dialog;
                FrameLayout bottomSheet = d.findViewById(com.google.android.material.R.id.design_bottom_sheet);

then giving object of framelayout to BottomSheetBehavior
BottomSheetBehavior bottomSheetBehavior = BottomSheetBehavior.from(bottomSheet);

and then finally add callback to bottomsheet
bottomSheetBehavior.setBottomSheetCallback(new BottomSheetBehavior.BottomSheetCallback()


The scriptures are full of seeming conflicting metaphors, or metaphors in tension. When it comes to the Ephesians 4 ministries and an alleged need to "honor them" as an element of a so-called culture of honor, it is important to apply the right metaphors in the right way. Paul is the most detailed ministry case study we have in the epistles. His primary calling was apostle, though he functioned diversely, just like the rest of us can and should. We can see conflicting metaphors at work in his life and how they relate to the topic of honor.
Paul's status as a believer unto the Lord, and as a member of the Body of Christ is: beloved, dear, favored, seated with Christ, a chosen vessel, a member of the royal priesthood, and so forth. These describe Paul as a believer in relationship to the Lord and the Lord's body, the church. These deal with Paul's place in the heart of God and the community, and they are accurate: he is a precious son unto Father, a gifted fellow member, fellow-servant, and fellow heir with Christ and the saints. The old line is true: "God don't make no junk!" Paul was valuable, as we are the same way.
Paul's self-descriptive terms are far different from the above and uncomfortable for a self-esteem driven culture like ours to accept.
He describes himself as chief of sinners, the off-scouring of the earth (literally, the dust that is left over after a house has been cleaned, the bottom of the barrel, the worst of the garbage), a spiritual miscarriage (KJV: born out of due time), the least of all the saints, and the most common term for himself, a slave.
These metaphors relate to Paul's ego—his estimation of himself in service and ministry expression. There is not a whiff in any of Paul's language, anywhere, at any time, of a claim, demand, or right to any special, privilege, status, or honor (Even when defending his calling against the Corinthians and Galatians: his boast is in what Christ has done in him, they can receive him, or not.). In this he is like our Lord who took on the form of a slave. (KJV "servant" is much too weak).
In their world being a slave was an act of dishonor, not honor. Slavery was a form of social death. The enslaved person lost all the social status they previously held or could aspire to. They were deprived of the freedom of decision, and forced to have solidarity of view with, and social utility unto the slave owner.
THIS, my friends, is Paul's description of himself and his "apostolic ministry." There is nothing "honorable" about it. Truly, Paul was not his own. God owns him. He is God's property. He exists for God's purposes as a slave. So do you and I.
We dare not conflate or misapply these two distinctly different metaphors when discussing the topic of honor.
Because the ministry of apostle is the most evident in the New Testament, let's look at their time period regarding what an apostle was and how these metaphorical tensions apply to any of the Ephesian 4 ministries both then and now.
An apostle in the ancient world was simply someone sent to conduct business on someone else's behalf, the sender usually being someone within the upper class elite, the military, or the government. The word originally had no association whatsoever with anything religious or spiritual. It also had no association whatsoever with any aspect of authority, governing or a position in a hierarchy, and by reason of so-being an "apostle" entitled to privileges. That idea would have been incomprehensible to Paul or anyone who heard him.
Apostle simply meant someone selected to "go" in submission to another, to fulfill an assigned task. Period. That's it. That's all. No other baggage should be attached to the term. It is in this sense that Paul appropriately transfers the term into a kingdom application that is as good today as it ever was. What we have done to the term, the inferences and assumptions we have loaded it up with based on our world view and ecclesiology, is another story!
Travel in the ancient world was dangerous and something that individuals did not choose lightly, especially if carrying valuables or something important. The risk of attack, murder, theft, etc., at the hands of brigands was very real. The person sent—the apostle—usually did not have a choice in the matter of his job assignment. The apostle was selected and commissioned for what could likely be a distasteful and perhaps harmful assignment. (This matches perfectly with the Apostle of our profession as well as Paul's description of his own calling and ministry.).
The one selected to go would often be the most expendable, the least valuable slave–the one a master could most afford to lose. The point is, you did not put your premium asset at undue risk if you could avoid it. This also fits Paul's self-description perfectly. From our Father's perspective, in Paul, He sent a precious, highly valued, treasured, finest of the fine, "kingdom asset." From Paul's self-estimation, and the world's perspective, it is the other metaphor.
Apostle was not a title for a high status leadership position. In their day, when you said "apostle" no one would think of a manager, owner, chief executive, or someone sitting at the top of a religious pyramid hierarchy. They would think of dishwashers and busboys, or worse. In their world, the feet were considered the most defiled, unclean member of the body. In our world, we would normally associate the most uncleanness with bathroom functions and the associated organs! Not so in theirs. To wash feet was not just a "nice humble thing" to do. It was to abase one's self to the lowest of the low, the basest of the base, the most demeaning expression of service available in their world. In the upper room we see Jesus's apostleship (ministry) being modeled. How that gets turned into rank and privilege by creative religious minds, is quite a maneuver.
Apostle was not a claim to high status or authority, but a claim to low status and expendability. When you attached the words "of Christ" [to the term apostle] this communicated whose business and authority the apostle was operating under, and doubles down on the slave metaphor.  A slave doesn't do the choice assignments, the easy ones of privilege. A slave does the hard assignments, the nasty ones that no one else wants to do.
For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. We are fools for Christ . . . (1 Corinthians 4:9,10).
Many who proclaim themselves as apostles and prophets (as well as the other Eph. 4 gifts) demand they be treated with honor, as an alleged way of teaching people to learn respect in a culture of honor. This self-acclaimed honor usually accrues in perks, favors, privileges, mandatory use of honorific titles and such to the one demanding the honor. In extreme cases it crosses the line into cultic veneration from unquestioning subordinates. This is contrary to both the spirit and letter of the New Testament, as well as the Spirit of Christ. There is no place for it in the church.
If you are relating to someone who is demanding honor from you, you immediately need to have a frank conversation or make a change in your associations. If you want to freely give honor to someone due to the individual's Christ-likeness and slave-like service to yourself, the Body, and the world, it is yours to give and theirs to receive!
Honor your parents, honor one another, give double honor to the least honorable, "receive" person X because he/she is . . . etc.
Honor in the family of God should never be one-way, up the hierarchy, toward those claiming or demanding privilege for themselves. Those so demanding, are disqualified from the very honor they claim. Proverbs says let another praise you, not your own mouth (Prov. 27:2), and that "praise" or "added weight" (honor/glory) must be offered freely from others, not demanded. One of the indictments against the religious establishment of Jesus's day was their demand for honor and the privileges associated with it. Not much has changed.
 Adapted from Brian Dodd. 1/14/2007. brianjosephdodd@yahoo.com. Permission granted to use and forward. Brian Dodd (Doctor of New Testament Studies, Sheffield University) is the author of "Empowered Church Leadership: Ministry in the Spirit According to Paul [Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1991].
It amazes me that so many take the simple and clear teachings of the Bible, and the example of Christ, and make them complicated. I see all of this as having begun in Spirit, but trying to finish in the flesh (developing more rules, religion, and legalism).
This reminds me of the higher education world where I work, which is full of "classism" where the tenured and the enlightened not only demand honor, respect, and the use of titles, they also can see themselves as better than the normal folks. You can see the same with Drs in the medical profession, and other areas of society where a caste system exists (and at times is rigorously enforced).
Where there is love, where there are servants hearts, where there is an abundance of the fruit of the Spirit, etc.. this is an entirely different "culture" than what you wrote about. A culture where people love the Lord and love others as they love themselves.
When I get in discussions like this, I will challenge people to get their lives together – to deal with the log in their own eye and not the speck in the eyes of others. I urge them to do first things first and lead with love, not with rules and self. If they really are apostles focus on serving others and doing the works of an apostle.
Lets's follow the teaching of the Apostle John, which was not about honor, it was to love one another.
SPOT on, my brother! Wish we could just stop the insanity and get on with it!
Stephen, another excellent article. Coming out of a "culture of honor" network I can so relate to all that you are saying. It was your book on Authority, Accountability and the Apostolic Movement that saved my life from continuing down the path I was on when I was in the midst of a particular network. You've got a lot more stories about the "honor" movement than I do but I have seen my fair share of this "culture of honor" taken to extremes. I was caught up in the wanting honor myself but I realize now that it came from an absence of the validation of my earthly father and a whole lot of insecurities. Your teachings have helped me immensely and I really appreciate you for what you are doing and the stand you are taking.
Stephen Crosby, you've nailed this one. Recently, I heard someone that I truly believe hears clearly from the Lord share the same. Jesus told him that one who is called to be an apostle could put 'scumbag ministry' on their "so-called business card" 🙂 .. since it is most expendable.
What we see today is so far away from the Lord's purpose. How will we ever recover what has been lost when those that need to repent and course correct the most …. most likely would be offended by this truth?
Susan, he that ears to hear, will hear, those that don't won't and they will not have to answer to me, but a higher authority :-). My attitude of late is: Forget Saul, go find David.
Honor in the family of God should never be one-way, up the hierarchy, toward those claiming or demanding privilege for themselves. Where does it say we only honor the worthy parent?
Bill, God as a third party requires it. Parents don't demand it. that is the difference. The requirement to give honor comes from a third party (in this case, God), not demanded from the object of the honor. In the kingdom, demanded honor from the object of the honor, cannot be justified from any scripture. There is not a command, not a single first person imperative in the scripture that says: You must honor me because . . . .
Bill, I also included parents in the comment "we are to honor everyone" because we all bear the image of God. Parents are included. Has nothing to do with merit. Has to do with bearing god's image. As we have talked before, how honor is defined, and how it is expressed, makes all the difference.
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Seaside Book Nook: Thank You for Flying Air Zoe! TLC Book Tour + Giveaway!
Thank You for Flying Air Zoe! TLC Book Tour + Giveaway!
My Rating: Must Read - 5 stars!!!
Synopsis: Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fasten Seat Belt sign has been turned on, but feel free to ignore it, because sometimes life is best lived on its dizzy edges. Your cruising altitude today will be sky high, and you will be flying at staggering speeds as you travel alongside Zoe Tisdale, former Valley Girl and rock star turned bored butter saleswoman. On the heels of a brush with mortality, Zoe concludes that she's been letting time pass her by.
Realizing she needs to awaken her life's tired refrains, Zoe vows to recapture the one chapter of her life that truly mattered to her – her days as drummer for The Flip-Flops, a spirited, sassy all-girl garage band that almost hit the big time back in 1987. But reuniting the band won't be easy. The girls who were once the whiz kid guitarist, the prom queen bass player, and the hippie lead singer grew up and became women who are now a reclusive dog trainer, a wealthy socialite, and a sociopathic environmentalist.
Will Zoe bring the band back together and give The Flip-Flops a second chance at stardom? Is it possible to fully reclaim the urgent energy of youth? As you follow this wild flight path, please know that your destination could be anywhere at all, complimentary oxygen is provided upon request, and baggage flies free. We hope you enjoy the ride, and Thank You For Flying Air Zoe.
My Review: As I get older (and maybe wishing I could go back to my prime years), I am drawn more and more to books that reflect back on the 80's (even if I want to forget the hairstyles back then!). Thank You For Flying Air Zoe, took me right back down memory lane. Since I loved everything about Thank You For Flying Air Zoe, I will write my review on the four main characters.
I couldn't get enough of Zoe, Lauren, Ginger and Melinda. As Zoe tries to figure out her life, I couldn't help but laugh so hard. Zoe leaves her job as a sales person for organic butter, sells all her belongs, dumps her boyfriend (a great guy), turns down the latest teen heart throb, sleeps in a tree, becomes a nanny, and so much more, so she can find herself. Zoe's BFF, Lauren, since elementary school, has always been her rock and seems to be the most level head of her friends. When Zoe finds out that Lauren has been a closet guitarist (well storage facility, not closet!), she is determined to get their high school garage band back together. Zoe has unfinished business to take care, which includes playing at Whiskey GoGo.
"Ginger suddenly panics. "Ohmigod, how does my hair look?" "Seriously?" Lo says. "Sorry," Ginger says. "Just a latex reflex." "Latent reflex," corrects Lo.
"Latent," Ginger repeats. "Got it.""
"And not just any set of lockers, but our lockers from 1987.
I pull the latch, and the locker door opens.
"You still remember your locker combination?" Lo asks, as I turn the dial on the next locker.
"36... 24... 34." I say, and Ginger's old locker pops open.
Ginger can only smile. "I guess I was blessed," she says. "
Melinda moved to the LA area as a freshman in high school and become the bands singer. She is a bonafide hippie (planetary crusader!). When she is attacked by a Northern Goshawk (who she is protesting for birds' rights) and falls out the tree, I thought I wasn't going to stop laughing. There are so many funny scenes with Mel.
As the story unfolded, it continued to just get funnier. I would have loved to have had friends like these four. It is a FANTASTIC book, chick lit at its BEST! The most disappointing thing with Thank You For Flying Air Zoe is that it ended. Just like your favorite TV series, movie, book....you just don't want it to end. Speaking of movies, Thank You For Flying Air Zoe would be a hilarious movie.
Thank You For Flying Air Zoe is a MUST read type of book. I can't wait for Erik Atwell's next book. I hope he is writing fast!
Meet the Author: Erik Atwell started his writing career in grammar school, where a one page history class assignment ballooned into a forty page fictional account of a politically controversial silversmith in Boston circa 1776. Daring to follow up such an auspicious debut, he later graduated to short stories while living in New Hampshire, screenplays upon moving to Los Angeles, then finally novels when he ultimately landed in Seattle.
He is currently gearing up to escape city life and return home to New Hampshire with his rock-star wife and eight month-old son, whose only musical claim to fame thus far is sleeping through an entire Go-Go's concert. But in his defense, he was three weeks old, and the stage was a quarter-mile away. Thank You For Flying Air Zoe is his first novel, and he hopes to write a second novel before the little guy is old enough to read it.
And yes, he was once in a band. For twelve minutes.
GIVEAWAY: I am so excited! Erik has offered to give one lucky person a Kindle version of Thank You For Flying Air Zoe! All you need to do is leave a comment to this post (below) letting us know what your favorite 80's song is! Giveaway ends July 17th, midnight EST. Good luck!
Purchase It: You can purchase Thank You For Flying Air Zoe at Amazon for $12.95 ($11.01 Prime members and $2.99 Kindle version).
Connect: You can connect with Erik on his blog, Facebook and Twitter.
Great review of a super fun book!
I love anything by the Bee Gees! They were the greatest thing out of the '80's!
I'm so glad you enjoyed this one as much as you did!


Please make sure that you phone built-in MHL function before ordering this item, Compatible For Samsung Galaxy S2/3/4/5,NOTE 2/3/4, for HTC M7 M8,for SONY Z2 Z3 Z4 But the remote control function can only be used on the S3. Note: it can't be used for Samsung galaxy S6/S6 edge.
Micro-USB to HDMI adapter with remote control.
With remote control to control and access content on your phone.
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2. If you intend to buy more than 1 item, then we can ship them together. The total shipping fee will be the sum of individual shipping fees. There is no further discount. Do not assume that there will be combined shipping discount. If you are unsure, then please contact us before you buy.
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Welcome to our company again ,looking forward to doing more business with you…..Thank you for your support !!!


Apple launched a credit card last month, hoping to upend a $175 billion ( industry much like it did the phone business. At a splashy event, the company made a simple sales pitch and showed off the titanium product in a slick video. Chief executive Tim Cook called it the 'most significant change' to cards in 50 years.
"I'm sure there's a small segment of the population that will be completely satisfied with that chat route for servicing," says James Brown, chief executive of Smart Communications, which helps banks and insurers with customer service. However, if Apple "really wants to move into the mass market they'll need to adopt forms of the other communication methods and statement methods that are more widely used'.
Apple worked with AmEx to provide a direct link from digital statements to the iTunes receipt to show consumers what they bought. That produced a 'significant reduction' in cardholder disputes, Mr Badi said.
Banks in the US are required to use a 'readable font style and font size,' typically Arial size 10, according to Federal Reserve regulations. For interest rate disclosures, banks are required to use 16-point font. Regulations also require there to be 'adequate spacing between paragraphs' and sufficient contrast between the colors of the text and the colors of the background.


Congratulations! You have finally reached that most awaited goal you have assigned to yourself and to the entire family! A new home is a new beginning and of course, the entire process is always accompanied by lots of positive emotions and huge hopes for the future. However, there are other tasks and difficult chores to face before starting your brand new life in the newly bought house. They accompany the moving process, as well. We would like to save your cheerful mood and your honest smile for the future events.
Think what to do with your old house. This is a huge subject to discuss and you need to be very precise about your decision. You have lots of options – selling it or giving it for rent, as well as keeping it as an extra place for the grown up kids, for instance. Think wisely and choose what suits you best, not what is usually done by your friends or relatives.
Pay your bills and require exclusion for services. Do not leave your old house with some burdens. Also, do not let the electricity, cable TV, internet or hot-water-supplying bills from the previous home place to come to your new one. Just, simply change the provider or ask the present one to sign you with your new address.
Speaking of the address, you will need to make some announcements of your moving out. Some local laws require you to be registered with the new data, so visit the important institutions. Also, inform about the changes of your personal information the employer, your credit card provider, bank and etc.
Deal with the landlord for the last time. Probably, it will sound to you the most amazing thing from the entire moving process, because you will finally get rid of his annoying grumbling. Well, it is not. An end of rental cleaning is expecting you. Do your best – for last – and leave your old lodgings in a gentle manner.
Prepare the new home environment for your first entrance. Before the big day see if the house needs some repairs. Check the electricity and the water – is everything ok? Also, see if some of the furniture requires replacement or patching, sanitising and rearranging. If everything looks perfectly fine, call the local home cleaners and freshen up the premises.
Good luck and have even a better life in your new place!


In winter when we think of wildlife often hibernation comes to mind. However decomposers are active throughout the winter months. Many decomposers are invertebrates (species without a backbone), they turn organic material such as autumn leaves or the waste in our compost bins into fertile compost for growing plants. An earthworm (péist talún) is an example of a decomposer. The earthworm has no limbs but its body is divided into segments. Each segment has bristles called setae, earthworms use these to move. The bristles anchor the earthworm so muscles can push the earthworm forward or backward. The earthworm has three main body parts the head, tail and clitellum. The clitellum is the thickest part of the earthworms body and holds the earthworms organs. An earthworm has both male and female reproduction systems and therefore can be described as a hermaphrodite. The earthworm lays eggs and in Spring young earthworms appear thread like and white in colour. As the earthworm grows its body will develop colour and by Autumn the earthworm will have reached maturity. Earthworms don't have lungs so they breath through their skin. For this reason earthworms prefer damp environments as the moisture helps them to pass dissolved oxygen into their bodies. Peatlands have great preservative properties. The high water table limits oxgyen in a bog and therefore prevents earthworms from living in them. With no earthworms and few other decomposers this makes bogs the perfect place to bury an item you want to protect from decomposition. A comment that many young people make is 'when a worm is cut in two it will grow back'. This is only partly true. For example if while digging you cut an earthworm in two and the head and the clitellum are connected, then yes the earthworm has potential to regenerate as the main organs of the earthworm are located in the clitellum. However,, the tail will not as it now has no functioning organs.
This entry was posted in Wildlife Watch at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre and tagged Activities, Attraction, biodiversity, Conservation, Events, Gardens, Places to Go, Things to Do. Bookmark the permalink.


3 Doors Down have filled the last few years with a greatest hits collection and an acoustic tour, but the veteran band is now en route to releasing their sixth studio album.
The disc is titled Us and the Night and it's on target for a March 11 street date. As revealed in a statement on the band's Facebook page, the band spent two years writing and recording the effort, which will arrive in a couple of months.
"We're all excited to release our new album Us And The Night. It's truly been a labor of love and we can't wait to get these songs out to our fans around the world." In addition, the band has selected an edgy new track called "In the Dark" to be the lead single from the album. The song is expected to surface everywhere next Friday (Jan. 15).
Last June, guitarist Chris Henderson revealed the new album title to a Lubbock, Texas radio station. At the time, Henderson revealed that the band was in the final stages of recording music and predicted that a fall 2015 release was in the works, but he did add, "We want to make sure it's right before we put it out."
So far, 3 Doors Down have revealed their participation in the Welcome to Rockville, Fort Rock and Carolina Rebellion festivals this spring, as well as a Mississippi Valley Fair stop in August, but as singer Brad Arnold alludes to in the band's Facebook statement, the group will tour this summer. Stay abreast of their touring dates here.


Lock in a great price for Sudima Hotel Christchurch Airport – rated 8.8 by recent guests!
Perfect location for a really early morning flight and loved that there was a guest laundry room. There's a grocery store and some decent restaurants next door. And, if you have time, you can walk over to the Anarctic Center! The front desk staff is wonderful and they showed true customer service.
Excellent location. Early flight out of CHC- shuttle on demand within 30seconds! Well done- clean functional rooms. A great place for a stopover. Close to a selection of restaurants if you don't want to eat in the hotel.
The check in process was quick and easy and the staff were polite and friendly. The bathrooms were well appointed. The room was clean and well presented. There was a free shuttle from the airport and to the car hire pick up location in the morning.
Location was excellent for our early morning flight.
We had a very early flight the following morning and the location of this Hotel was perfect. The staff were excellent. We had a problem with the television and a staff member came to our Room a few minutes after I had phoned up and rectified the problem. We were very satisfied with this Hotel.
It is a great location next to the airport for early morning departures. Clean and modern. Next to Antarctica Centre.
Very close to airport, nice restaurant and bar area. Bed soft and comfortable.
The service from the hotel. Transport to the airport since we have to go to the airport @4pm. The room is so close to the places for eat and shop also.
we were given a special deal card for our meals and the meals were absolutely beautiful, I cannot speak highly enough of this restaurant! the staff were fabulous, took the time to talk to us and meals were divine! I had the special cocktail and it was an award winning cocktail Lucky Apple it tasted like apple crumble. I think the meals should've been award winning to.
Sudima Hotel Christchurch Airport This rating is a reflection of how the property compares to the industry standard when it comes to price, facilities and services available. It's based on a self-evaluation by the property. Use this rating to help choose your stay!
One of our top picks in Christchurch.Located just a 5-minute walk from Christchurch International Airport, the 4.5 star Sudima Hotel Christchurch Airport offers well-appointed accommodations with 1GB of WiFi for 24 hours. It features complimentary guest parking and a 24- hour front desk.
Each air-conditioned room at Sudima Hotel Christchurch Airport includes an LCD TV with satellite channels, tea and coffee-making facilities and 24-hour room service.
The hotel has had an extensive refurbishment and extension and features a new lobby and executive accommodations wing, upgraded Acheron Restaurant and Lobby Bar, fitness center, 2 superior accommodations wings and meeting rooms.
Guests can dine at the Acheron Restaurant featuring international cuisines and award-winning wines. The Acheron Lounge Bar is the ideal space for pre-dinner drinks or relaxing by the fireplace. A buffet breakfast is available at the property. Children under 12 years of age are charged half price for the buffet breakfast, served in the restaurant.
Sudima Hotel Christchurch Airport is located adjacent to the International Antarctic Center and Spitfire Square shops and restaurants. The hotel is a 20 minute drive from Christchurch City Center.
When would you like to stay at Sudima Hotel Christchurch Airport?
This stylish room features an private bathroom, air conditioning, double-glazed windows and black out curtains. It also offers a work desk and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Extras include tea/coffee making facilities, ironing facilities and free WiFi access.
This stylish room features an private bathroom, air conditioning, double-glazed windows and black out curtains. It also offers a work desk and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Extras include bottled water, bathrobe and slippers, cookies, tea/coffee making facilities, ironing facilities and free WiFi access.
House Rules Sudima Hotel Christchurch Airport takes special requests – add in the next step!
One older child or adult is charged NZD 30 per person per night in an extra bed.
Sudima Hotel Christchurch Airport accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.
The complimentary airport shuttle is available on a demand basis, 24 hours a day.
International Arrivals – please use the free phone by the Visitor Information Desk, dial 27 for transfers.
Domestic Arrivals – please use the free phone in the baggage claim area, dial 27 for transfers.
Unlimited WiFi is available is at a charge of NZD 10.
A little more choice at breakfast.
Bed is comfy. The receptionists are very friendly. There's a shuttle bus to drop off at the airport - great services!
If you get a room far from the reception then you have a long walk to the room with all of your luggage. It is quite a big hotel.
The bathroom could use a little freshening up, but that's really the only update that I would suggest.
Food was good,location good,comfort good.
Service was great - this is a great place to stay close to the airport if you are arriving late or checking out early. Free shuttle to the airport and good service.
Close to Airport, free shuttle, good food and comfortable room.
Beds are quite small for two adults.


text:
Variaties en fuga voor orkest (Noors: Variasjoner og fuge for orkester) is een compositie van Johan Kvandal. Het werk vormde eigenlijk deel drie van een blaasoctet, waar de componist in 1946 mee was begonnen. Het definitieve Blaasoctet zou er pas komen in 1980. Met de ombouw van de octetvorm naar dit werk voor orkest kwam Kvandals eerste werk voor orkest op papier.

De structuur is een thema met variaties, maar dan verdeeld over drie secties:
De variaties 0 tot en met 9 in allegretto
cadens
De variaties 10 tot en met 13 in adagio
de afsluitende fuga in allegro.

De eerste uitvoering van het werk kwam tot stand op 12 september 1954 door het Oslo Filharmoniske Orkester onder leiding van Odd Grüner-Hegge. Het kende een moeilijke start. Een collegacomponist Harald Saeverud bracht het echter naar Bergen. De dirigent aldaar Carl von Garaguly was enthousiast en voerde het diverse malen uit.

De Variaties en fuga zijn geschreven voor
2dwarsfluiten (II ook piccolo), 2 hobo's (II ook althobo), 2 klarinetten, 2 fagotten
4 hoorns, 2 trompetten, 3 trombones
pauken,  man/vrouw percussie,  1 harp
violen, altviolen, celli, contrabassen

Compositie voor symfonieorkest
Compositie van Johan Kvandal
Compositie voltooid in 1954

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Predictive analytics answers the "what if" questions that facilitate truly effective campaigns. Descriptive and diagnostic analytics utilise past insights to inform future decisions so you avoid errors and maximise growth opportunities.
Cortex helps you take this leap - from hindsight to foresight. We analyse relationships which exist in the data sources and exploit these to the benefit of your KPIs.
Cortex can monetise your data, enabling you to make confident real-time decisions, drive acquisition and conversion to increase your ROI and generate real business value.


Nataša Velikonja (Nova Gorica, 1967) is a poetess, sociologist, essayist and translator. In 1992 she graduated in Theoretical Sociology at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Ljubljana, receiving the Student Prešeren Award for her thesis. She published five poetry collections; her debut Abonma (The Season Ticket, 1994) is considered Slovenia's first openly declared volume of lesbian poetry. Nataša Velikonja published three books of essays and scientific treatises, and during the past two decades over five hundred essays, columns, sociological dissertations and theoretical contributions. She translates books dealing with lesbian and gay theory and radical social criticism, as well as theory of design and architecture. She is a prolific contributor to a range of social, cultural and artistic fields in Slovenia: she was the editor of the Journal for the Critique of Science, the editor-in-chief of the Lesbo magazine, a long-standing columnist of Radio Študent and a staunch queer activist and founder of the Lesbian Library in the Metelkova Autonomous Cultural Zone. Since 1995 she has held the status of independent poet, critic and translator granted by the Ministry of Culture of the RS. In 2016, Nataša Velikonja received the Župančič Prize, the City of Ljubljana's highest recognition for outstanding creativity in the arts.


text:
Q: Check Binary Compatibility of Machines I have two Linux OS flavor machines one is CentOS-5.4 and one is Amazon Linux. I need to check if the two machines are binary compatible or not
For binary compatibility I need to check the following:

*

*Both machines must use two's-complement integer arithmetic

*Both machines must use IEEE floating-point format or else the tables must contain no floating-point columns (FLOAT or DOUBLE)
How can I check this?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Here аrе sоmе excellent interior аnd exterior house painting tips.
First, gather thе tools thаt уоu will nееd tо paint thе interior оf thе house. Веіng organized іs thе fіrst step іn preparing tо paint thе inside аnd оutsіdе оf house. Find а good brush tо dо thе trim, rollers tо roll оn thе paint, drop clothes, rags аnd plastic bags tо assist уоu wіth keeping еvеrуthіng tidy.
Next, remove thе furniture frоm thе house оr move еvеrуthіng tо оnе place іn а room. Cover thе furniture wіth drop clothes. Маkе surе thаt уоu cover еvеrуthіng well tо avoid spills оn thе furniture. Cover thе furniture wіth оld sheets аftеr уоu place thе drop cloths оvеr thеm fоr extra protection. Yоu mау wіsh tо remove аll thе hardware frоm cabinets, switch plates, аnd light fixtures frоm thе wall. А lot оf people trу tо paint аrоund thе hardware, but inevitably gеt drips аll оvеr it.
Prepare уоursеlf fоr house painting. Wear оld comfortable clothing аnd shoes. Wear а hat, scarf оr а shower cap оn уоur head tо protect уоu frоm spills whіlе уоu аrе painting thе ceiling. Wear shoes thаt аrе easy tо remove tо prevent frоm tracking paint frоm оnе room tо another.
Now thаt уоu аrе prepared tо paint, prepare thе interior surface thаt уоu аrе painting tо receive thе paint. Іf thеrе іs wallpaper, уоu must strip thе wallpaper аnd prime thе walls wіth а good quality primer. Іf thе walls аrе nоt clean, уоu must wash thеm wіth а solution оf three tablespoon оf laundry detergent tо оnе gallon оf water. Аnу paint thаt іs peeling оr cracking shоuld bе sanded аnd аnу cracks shоuld bе fixed.
Choosing уоur paint саn bе quіtе а task. Dо уоu wаnt water-based оr oil-based paint? Water-bases paint іs easy tо clean uр аnd іt dries quісklу. Oil-based paint іs great fоr cabinets аnd woodwork. Clean-up саn bе accomplished wіth paint thinner.
Once уоu hаvе chosen thе rіght color аnd gloss fоr уоur walls, уоu саn thеn bеgіn tо paint. Νоw уоu mау thing thаt уоu јust aim аnd bеgіn tо paint. Ноwеvеr, hеrе аrе а fеw tips tо mаkе thе job а lіttlе easier. Start wіth а small brush аnd paint thе areas whеrе thе roller will nоt fit. Маkе surе thаt уоu usе painter's tape tо cover areas thаt уоu dо nоt wаnt painted.
Roll а light coat оf paint іn оnе direction. Yоur goal іs tо apply а light coat аnd thеn а second heavier coat оf paint іn аnоthеr direction. Тhіs will hide thе streaks.
In preparing thе exterior оf уоur house tо bе painted, аll уоu mау nееd іs а good washing dоwn. Yоu саn utilize thе water hose аnd scrub thе dirt wіth а brush аnd detergent. Yоu mау еvеn nееd tо power wash it.
Your hоmе mау nееd additional attention bеfоrе уоu саn paint іt. Ѕоmе оf thе shingles оr siding mау bе split. Nails mау hаvе popped оut оr уоu mау hаvе peeling paint, rust stains аnd mildew. Аftеr identifying thе problems thаt уоu mау hаvе, thеn уоu hаvе tо correct thоsе problems.
Bushes аnd trees саn gеt іn уоur wау whіlе уоu аrе painting thе exterior оf уоur house. Аnу branches thаt аrе hanging shоuld bе pruned. Large bushes shоuld bе wrapped wіth а drop cloth. Smaller shrubs аnd flower beds shоuld bе covered wіth drop cloths. Тhе sidewalk аnd driveways shоuld bе protected wіth drop cloths frоm spills аs well.
Once аgаіn, уоu must choose а quality primer fоr thе exterior оf уоur hоmе. А primer mаkеs thе paint adhere better. Yоu must choose paint thаt will withstand thе elements. Consider whеthеr уоu will choose water-based оr oil-based paint. Таkе уоur time painting. Dо nоt bе іn а hurry. Paint frоm thе roof tо thе bottom tо prevent streaks. Combine аll оf thе paint tоgеthеr sо thаt thе color will bе uniform. Choose thе rіght time оf year tо paint. Extreme humidity will mаkе thе paint bubble.
Be careful whеn уоu аrе choosing уоur finish. Gloss paint will protect thе high traffic parts оf уоur hоmе, suсh аs porches, doors аnd window frames.
Finally, оnсе thе paint job іs complete, уоu shоuld inspect thе caulk еvеrу year, remove mold, mildew аnd touch uр blisters аnd peels.


text:
// Copyright © 2016 Tinkoff Bank
//
// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
// You may obtain a copy of the License at
//
//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
//
// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
// limitations under the License.

#endregion

using Windows.UI.Xaml;
using Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls;
using Windows.UI.Xaml.Media;

namespace Tinkoff.Acquiring.UI.Behaviors
{
    class ChangeForegroundOnGotFocusBehavior : Behavior<Control>
    {
        #region Dependency Properties

        public static readonly DependencyProperty FocusedForegroundProperty = DependencyProperty.Register(
            "FocusedForeground",
            typeof (Brush),
            typeof (ChangeForegroundOnGotFocusBehavior),
            new PropertyMetadata(DependencyProperty.UnsetValue, OnFocusedForegroundChangedCallback));

        public static readonly DependencyProperty UnfocusedForegroundProperty = DependencyProperty.Register(
            "UnfocusedForeground",
            typeof (Brush),
            typeof (ChangeForegroundOnGotFocusBehavior),
            new PropertyMetadata(DependencyProperty.UnsetValue, OnUnfocusedForegroundChangedCallback));

        #endregion

        #region Properties

        public Brush FocusedForeground
        {
            get { return (Brush) GetValue(FocusedForegroundProperty); }
            set { SetValue(FocusedForegroundProperty, value); }
        }

        public Brush UnfocusedForeground
        {
            get { return (Brush) GetValue(UnfocusedForegroundProperty); }
            set { SetValue(UnfocusedForegroundProperty, value); }
        }

        #endregion

        #region Overrides of Behavior

        protected override void OnAttached()
        {
            AssociatedObject.GotFocus += OnAssociatedObjectGotFocus;
            AssociatedObject.LostFocus += OnAssociatedObjectLostFocus;
        }

        protected override void OnDetached()
        {
            AssociatedObject.GotFocus -= OnAssociatedObjectGotFocus;
            AssociatedObject.LostFocus -= OnAssociatedObjectLostFocus;
        }

        #endregion

        #region Private Members

        private static void OnFocusedForegroundChangedCallback(DependencyObject obj, DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs args)
        {
            ((ChangeForegroundOnGotFocusBehavior) obj).UpdateForeground();
        }

        private static void OnUnfocusedForegroundChangedCallback(DependencyObject obj, DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs args)
        {
            ((ChangeForegroundOnGotFocusBehavior) obj).UpdateForeground();
        }

        private void UpdateForeground()
        {
            if (AssociatedObject != null)
            {
                AssociatedObject.Foreground = AssociatedObject.FocusState == FocusState.Unfocused
                    ? UnfocusedForeground
                    : FocusedForeground;
            }
        }

        private void OnAssociatedObjectGotFocus(object sender, RoutedEventArgs routedEventArgs)
        {
            AssociatedObject.Foreground = FocusedForeground;
        }

        private void OnAssociatedObjectLostFocus(object sender, RoutedEventArgs routedEventArgs)
        {
            AssociatedObject.Foreground = UnfocusedForeground;
        }

        #endregion
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
The Top 50 K-Pop Songs of 2012 (Day One: 50-41)
Posted on February 2, 2019 by Nick	7 Comments
It's time to flash back seven years to 2012, an era of huge choruses, thumping dance beats and an endless supply of sci-fi influenced music videos. 2012's charms were endless, but here are fifty of the absolute best singles.
To be eligible for this top fifty list, songs must have had a Korean release as a title or promotional track between Jan. 1st and Dec. 31st, 2012.
50. Spica – I'll Be There
Bounding with a sunny pop vibe, I'll Be There wrote a new page in Spica's book. It's one of the catchiest tracks in their arsenal, riding on a propulsive, singalong hook and throwback, synthesized dance beat.
49. G-Dragon – That XX
It's rare for G-Dragon to sing an entire song, and even here his vocals are a mix of melody and hip-hop. But his impish, emotive tone raises That XX far above similar ballads.
48. Nine Muses – News
One of the group's more conventional sounding K-pop singles, but its potent melody and propulsive synth production make it anything but forgettable.
47. 4minute – Volume Up
Pulsing with a gorgeous saxophone riff, Volume Up builds to tremendous heights as it transforms into an all-out dance floor assault. It's flawlessly produced, and that chorus absolutely soars.
46. B.A.P – Warrior
B.A.P burst out of the gate with the combative energy of Warrior. It's a total statement of intent, from its stadium whistles to the thundering, militant hook.
45. F.Cuz – No.1
Thriving on 2012's fascination with bombastic electro-pop, No. 1's hard-hitting, staccato refrain frames a robust production that climaxes in a powerful, gorgeously layered chorus.
44. BTOB – Wow
Wow brings a heavy dose of funk and sharply updates the new jack swing genre with stabs of guitar and a dynamic, loose drum beat. BTOB have rarely sounded like they were having as much fun as they are here.
43. G-Dragon – Crayon
An insanely quotable explosion of candy-colored hip hop. It's impossible to fully separate from its bonkers cartoonish music video, but that climactic, chorused refrain stands on its own.
42. T-ara – Sexy Love
It's all about the jerky, corrugated beat that underlines Sexy Love's verses in dynamic fashion. The rest of the song plays like a variation on many of T-ara's past singles, but by now they'd perfected the art of goofy pop awesomeness.
41. Apink – Hush
Hush represents a perfectly calibrated sugar rush of pop hooks and propulsive production. It deftly balances Apink's cutesy image with weightier electronic dance aspects, resulting in their most addictive and populist single.
NEXT: NUMBERS 40-31
Tags: 4minute, apink, bap, btob, countdown, cube, end of year, f.cuz, feature, g-dragon, k-pop, kpop, nine muses, pledis, spica, t-ara, ts, YG. Bookmark the permalink.
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7 thoughts on "The Top 50 K-Pop Songs of 2012 (Day One: 50-41)"
Pingback: The Top 50 K-Pop Songs of 2012 (Day One: 50-41) — The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion – The Music Bugle
JYHB says:
With "Sexy Love" that's two of my all time faves out of the way. What could be on the top end of this list? Well, I personally have no idea what #1 could be… it couldn't possibly be a Sweetune-produced song that rhymes with "pacer"…?!
Speaking seriously, I think I have three of your top 10 with absolute certainty. There are many songs from 2012 that are undeniable classics, but who knows how this'll shake out. I'm hyped to talk about classic second gen groups again! It sounds weird, but I don't have the same attachment to any of the groups releasing really good songs in this era of kpop, even if the quality is the same. Most of my long-time faves are just about dead – especially on the girl group end – so this revival is fun. I don't know if I could make a list because so many of my favorite songs ever come from 2012, but I'll let you know my faves when they come up (and if they don't!)
P.S. Russian Roulette > I'll Be There
Ha! Never has their been an easier number one to predict 🙂
Pingback: The Top 50 K-Pop Songs of 2012 (Day Two: 40-31) | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: The Top 50 K-Pop Songs of 2012 (Day Three: 30-21) | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Email: info@equityschools.org
Equity Schools
Equity Schools, Inc – Now a Benefit Corporation
We all enjoy those moments when, to our surprise, something fits perfectly. Even the little things can bring pleasure – a new pair of jeans, Maytag blue cheese with a glass of Pinot Noir, the hilarious birthday card for a (much) older brother. But every once in a great while the perfect fit involves something bigger.
Such is the case with converting Equity Schools, Inc. into a "benefit corporation." For anyone unfamiliar with the term, a benefit corporation is a recently invented corporate form. This allows a business to state in its corporate articles that pursuing social good is central to its existence.
This is different from the old standard where maximizing shareholder value holds primacy. While benefit corporations still operate to make money, they are not obligated to do so at the expense of social good. This means treating employees fairly and actively working to benefit society; whether or not that generates the greatest financial return.
When we first learned about benefit corporations, the fit was inescapable. For 18 years (long before benefit corporations existed), we have pursued social good, through client work and pro bono efforts.
From our perspective, the benefit corporation idea just came along to fit who we already are. Converting Equity Schools to become a benefit corporation amounted to some paperwork, which we take seriously, but we did not have to change anything about what we do. (See our "In the Works" post: What's the Point? Crafting a Mission Statement?)
As we said in that post, we will continue to develop Nonlinear funding solutions to support people and organizations dedicated to "freedom in all its forms, and to health, a safe home, food security, quality education, opportunities for productivity, and a sustainable environment."
But now (and you can confirm this with the Illinois Secretary of State), we are an official benefit corporation.
A perfect fit for us.
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School (Chicago, IL)
Wartburg College (Waverly, IA)
The Neighborhood Academy (Pittsburgh, PA)
Loyola Academy (Glenview, IL)
Holy Family School (Chicago, IL)
© 2018 Equity Schools, Inc.


Q: With the recent Planned Parenthood videos that we have all seen, shedding new light on abortion practices, would you defund Planned Parenthood?
Q: Has this story changed your heart when it comes to abortion?
Q: You're the only pro-choice candidate running; but how would you limit abortions?
Q [to Gov. Jindal]: Ohio Governor John Kasich took the federal money for Medicaid expansion under ObamaCare. You passed on those tax dollars. Why was he wrong?
JINDAL: I don't think anybody should be expanding Medicaid. It's a mistake to create new and more expensive entitlement programs when we can't afford the ones we've got today.
Q [to Gov. Pataki]: Is Gov. Jindal right?
PATAKI: I think he is right. I don't think you expand entitlements when so many people are dependent on government and when the money the federal government is offering is going to be taken away from you after just a couple of years.
Q: Would you have expanded ObamaCare in the state of New York, had you been governor at that time?
Q: How far are you willing to go to root out ISIS-inspired terrorists here at home? Would you put mosques, for example, under surveillance? Or is that against religious liberty?
Q: What would be your first executive order?
Q: You called it quits in a race for the presidency in 2012. Mitt Romney declined to run this time, because he believed that the party needed new blood. Does he have a point?
Q: Do we need a cultural change to end welfare dependency?
Click here for George Pataki on all issues.


Used to reference the parts of TextView.
BOTTOM - Bottom border window.
LEFT - Left side border window.
RIGHT - Right side border window.
TEXT - Scrollable text window.
TOP - Top border window.
WIDGET - Window that floats over scrolling areas.


Mission Mahahual Part 2 – What are we doing here?
"Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime." Except that in Mahahual, everyone already knows how to fish, and many of them are tired of it. I heard a story while down there that some of the people who live on the beach eat so much lobster that they'll gladly trade a bunch of them for a frozen chicken.
But one skill essential for improving a person's situation in Mahahual is English. The main industry of the entire area is tourism, and for nine months out of the year there are cruise ships every day bringing in tourists. Many of these tourists speak English, either as their first language or their second.
The best paying jobs in town are at the port, where the ability to communicate in English is almost a requirement. Because many people in Mahahual don't speak English, the port brings in people from Belize and other larger Mexican cities to fill its 1,000+ positions. The next best jobs are those that put people in direct communication with tourists – restaurants, beach clubs, hotels, dive shops, and souvenir stands. Once again, speaking English is a leg up in getting these jobs.
Many children in town, especially in the poorer parts of town, don't even have access to regular schooling. And even if they are able to go to school, the schools in town do not do much in the way of English education. We saw this as an opportunity for the mission to connect with the community in a meaningful way. If we could help them develop English skills, they would have access to jobs that would not only give them a brighter future individually, but would keep more money in Mahahual and strengthen the overall economy.
The goal of every mission is to share the Gospel of Jesus with people who need to hear it. But take for example Jesus' response to the paralyzed man who was brought to him – yes, he gave him forgiveness and eternal hope, but he also gave him physical healing. Jesus did the same with countless others. We follow his call to meet both earthly and eternal needs.
We pulled together a program where we would gather kids at the church every day of the week for four weeks and teach them Bible stories in Spanish and then teach them English skills. We recruited two awesome young women (shout out to Taylor Weber and Brittany Brassow!) as lead teachers, and organized teams to come down and provide support.
As plans often do, this one morphed to include so much more than originally intended. There was an art camp, we worked with the local community center, we played soccer with kids, took them on a field trip to the port, helped clean up trash in the streets of the community, distributed clothing and hygiene supplies, and knocked out a painting project on part of the fence around the church. As of today, the team there this week is helping with clean up after Tropical Storm Franklin rolled through.
No matter the work, our goal is to represent Christ in all we do. The name of the mission is Cruz de Cristo, in English, "Cross of Christ." Whether we were picking up trash, or holding a kid's hand walking through the port, or teaching kids English at the community center, we were putting in front of everyone we met those three simple words – Cross of Christ. A reminder that there is something bigger than all of us, bigger than our trials, bigger than our sins. A reminder that there is a love that is greater than anyone on this earth can ever show.
The Costa Maya area is hungry for the Gospel. There is only one functioning Christian Church in an area populated by thousands – Cruz de Cristo.
Costa Maya is just a small portion of the Yucatan Peninsula, an area larger and more populated than all of Wisconsin. Cruz de Cristo is the only Lutheran Church in the Yucatan Peninsula. Our church body, with its solid declaration of the Gospel in its truth and purity, has so much to offer a part of the world that is steeped in what I'll call "superstitious Catholicism" – a belief system that is part Catholic doctrine, part Mayan tribal custom, and almost all works righteousness.
Poverty, addiction, abuse, and illiteracy run rampant through this area, leaving significant human need in their wake. Along with the primary goal of making disciples, we also want to show the love of Christ to people in need by helping them with their human needs. We are blessed here in America with an abundance – let us reach out to those in need.
Cruz de Cristo is not funded by a World Mission Board or supported by a Synod. It grew up organically, and can only continue through the support of individuals and their congregations.
Every time I have read this section I've been somewhat fascinated by the question of how exactly the Holy Spirit showed Paul and his companions that they were not to enter Bithynia. What obstacles did he throw in their way, and at what point did they finally conclude, "God doesn't want us there right now"? I don't have answers to these questions, and it's probably good that God doesn't give them, because then we'd be looking for signs far too specific. Instead we're left with the simple understanding that sometimes God has a plan for our ministry and the spread of his Church, and whatever plans we might think make sense, he knows better and will guide us the way he wants.
While I don't know what Paul and his companions experienced, I can say that I've seen the hand of God pushing my ministry around at times. I've seen it recently, and though I haven't had any visions or heard any voices, I can see in the circumstances how God has directed my work.
A few years ago some of our leaders on our Board of Outreach were looking for a way to connect with a specific mission and pursue a mission partnership. We got in contact with one of our missionaries in Eastern Asia and were working on establishing communication and finding out what we could do to support them. I was pretty eager for the project, thinking that maybe down the road this would be a way to connect with mission work in a part of the world that really interests me and also coincides with the Call I hold.
But it didn't work out. There were technical difficulties that disrupted communication. There were logistical problems that made it hard to connect with or support the missionary, or arrange meetings with him while he was on furlough. One of our board men, who was invested in the project, had health issues that got in the way of him being able to keep pursuing it. At the time I saw these as frustrations. Looking back, I suspect something larger at work.
About eight months ago I had a few conversations that inspired me to start working on a foreign mission trip opportunity for my teens. I had an inkling that we'd find our best opportunity in Latin America, but I wanted to go through the process . I started by contacting our Synod's administrator for World Missions. He pointed me to our coordinator for Latin American Missions, who pointed me to a man named Jerry who, along with a handful of others, worked to organize our mission church in Costa Maya, Mexico.
Jerry and I started communicating, and his response when I talked about bringing a teen mission team down to help was enthusiastic and encouraging. He told me a little about what was new with their ministry, and it was clear that we had an open door.
T his door is not open only to us. Without Synod or Mission Board support, Cruz de Cristo had been blessed by the Lord to have the people of Bloomington Lutheran supporting them financially. A few of them made a plan to go down for a few days, get to know the mission better, and help with the work. I was invited to join them.
The days we spent down there showed me how much the people there need our love, our kindness, our compassion, our help, and above all, the saving message of the Gospel. The entire Yucatan peninsula is starving for the Gospel in its truth and purity. There is an enormous amount of work to be done, and the door is open.
It takes a lot of courage for a teenager to travel over a thousand miles away to share the Gospel with others, to teach a stranger's child about Jesus, and to represent Christ in an unfamiliar place. It takes a lot of courage for an adult to take a bunch of teenagers over a thousand miles away to do this work. It takes a great God to open doors and create opportunities so that young people can learn what it means to be a missionary.
We sent out three teams this year. A team went to Raleigh, NC and reached out to the community door to door to open spiritual conversations and to connect a small congregation to its community. A team went to Bradenton, FL to help a tiny church run a VBS for over a hundred children (more kids than the congregation has members). A team went to Red Deer, Alberta to help run a soccer camp for the smallest congregation of the three we worked with, and helped 105 children to know that they are loved by God and others.
I consider it a strength of our program that we are able to work in relationship with small congregations in the US and Canada. Foreign mission trips to third world countries are exciting and certainly cause a lot of growth, and maybe some day we will take on. But there is something special about giving a small congregation a shot in the arm. I also believe it is important to remember that there are so many people who need Jesus right here in our country and culture. Our teens see how many of their fellow citizens are hungry for the Gospel, sometimes without knowing it.
I personally was able to go with two of our three teams. I'm always amazed at the growth I see in our teens as they work. I had a member say to me just a couple days ago that he can't imagine doing the kind of work we have the teens do. Isn't that incredible? Our teens are stepping forward to do things some adults – very involved and faithful adults – aren't sure they could do.
Our teens had face to face conversations about faith with atheists. They taught Bible stories to large groups of children. They gave some adolescent foster children their first experience hearing about Jesus. They reached out to parents and invited them to get connected to the Word.
I was with one of our teens when he spent forty minutes standing in an atheist's driveway debating the existence of God. That teen raised points and asked questions that challenged this man's viewpoint and even elicited a slightly tongue in cheek that he would concede to being a very skeptical agnostic. Afterwards, that young man was so fired up about sharing his faith he could hardly talk straight.
A young lady on one of our teams found the fellowship with her fellow teammates to be one of the best parts of the trip. We end every devotion time together in a group hug while we pray, and after saying "amen" everyone gives hugs to each other. This particular girl so looked forward to these devotions and embraces, she was constantly asking when we have devotion each day, and was sad when the trip ended. She always made sure to hug each person each time.
One of our teams was made up of such a disparate group of teens, most of whom didn't really know each other prior to the beginning of the week, that you would think there was no way they could work together. Yet, that team managed 42 hours in a van round trip, along with the whole week spent together, and bonded so deeply and had so much fun together you could not help but see the hand of God. That team was also able to experience together the wonder of God's creation in the Canadian Rockies (and an exciting encounter with a grizzly bear).
Our Florida team made a memento of their time together – handmade bracelets, which their chaperone taught them how to make. I noticed that as recently as this past Sunday some of those girls were still wearing their bracelets.
I read a lot about best practices in youth ministry, and there's plenty out there that says short term mission trips aren't beneficial. Or that they are, but only if you go foreign. Or only if you don't go foreign. And so on an so forth. Here's what I know – I have seen teens growing in their faith, in maturity, in relation with each other and with me. I have seen people responding to the Gospel that our teens share. I have seen our teens come back fired up for ministry and eager to make it a full time career. God is good, and this is worth doing.
There's something I always feel bad about when I come back from a mission trip – I can rarely provide much in the way of photo evidence that we actually did any work. I usually have tons of photos of our teens out and about doing something recreational during our free time. Pictures of teens actually working? Not so much. And even when I try, they usually don't look nearly as engaging as you'd hope.
This has given rise to the assumption on the part of some (well, okay, my wife is the only one who has said it) that it seems like all we do on mission trips is go out and have fun. Well, I want to declare most definitively that we do not just have fun on mission trips! Sometimes we are most definitely not having fun!
Today was our first day of working with kids in the track and field camp. There are only about 22 of them, which seems like such a small number. However, as I reflected in my previous post, that doesn't necessarily mean it isn't time and energy well spent. That was even more evident to me today.


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Home » Latest Department News » DCCA NEWS RELEASE: Office of Consumer Protection announces settlement with Western Union
DCCA NEWS RELEASE: Office of Consumer Protection announces settlement with Western Union
Posted on Jan 31, 2017 in Latest Department News
The State of Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection today announced a settlement with Colorado-based The Western Union Company, resolving a multistate investigation which focused on complaints of consumers who used Western Union's wire transfer service to send money to third parties involved in schemes to defraud consumers. In addition to Hawaii, 48 states and the District of Columbia participated in this settlement.
"Scammers prey on our citizens with bogus telemarketing and mail scams on a daily basis." "We believe that the anti-fraud program outlined in this settlement will make it harder for them to succeed," said Office of Consumer Protection Executive Director, Stephen H. Levins.
According to Levins, "The biggest sign of a scam is if someone asks you to wire money to recover your winnings." "This is the reason why Federal law bars telemarketers from receiving payments through money transfer, such as provided by companies like Western Union or MoneyGram."
The settlement requires Western Union to develop and put into action a comprehensive anti-fraud program designed to help detect and prevent incidents where consumers who have been the victims of fraud use Western Union to wire money to scam artists.
That anti-fraud program, which Western Union has agreed to evaluate and update as warranted, includes the following elements:
Anti-fraud warnings on send forms that consumers use to wire money;
Mandatory and appropriate training and education for Western Union's agents about fraud-induced wire transfers;
Heightened anti-fraud procedures when warranted by circumstances such as increased fraud complaints;
Due diligence checks on Western Union agents who process money transfers;
Monitoring of Western Union agent activity related to prevention of fraud-induced money transfers;
Prompt and appropriate disciplinary action against Western Union agents who fail to follow required protocols concerning anti-fraud measures;
Western Union also has agreed to pay a total of $5 million to the states for the states' costs and fees, from which Hawaii will receive approximately $46,000. In addition to this settlement with the states, Western Union also settled claims related to fraud-induced transfers with the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Justice that was announced on January 19, 2017. As part of those related settlements, Western Union has agreed to pay $586 million to a fund that the Department of Justice will administer to provide refunds to victims of fraud induced wire transfers nationwide, including victims in Hawaii.
In addition to Hawaii the following participated in the settlement: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia.


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Marriott International-Starwood merger finally on track for success
It's been a long, uncertain few months for the potential Marriott International and Starwood Hotels and Resorts merger. Last November, Marriott and Starwood announced that they would be merging to create the largest hotel chain in the world. The deal – then valued at around $12.2 billion – would combine Starwood's leading lifestyle, luxury brands with Marriott's significant international reach. The newly combined company would operate 5,500 hotels around the globe with 1.1 million rooms.
What problems has the deal encountered?
While both companies' boards of directors unanimously approved the deal in November, China's Anbang Insurance Group, a Beijing-based firm, topped Marriott's offer with a higher price of $13.2 billion in March 2016, according to The Real Deal. In response, Marriott raised its offer to $13.6 billion. Finally, Anbang countered with a $13.9 billion offer, according to USA Today.
In response to the initial terms of the Anbang deal, The Wall Street Journal reported that Marriott told Starwood investors they "should give serious consideration" as to whether or not the Chinese firm would be able to close the deal. What ended this bidding war, however, was Anbang itself. Due to financing difficulties, regulatory approval and unusual negotiating tactics, Anbang soon rescinded its offer, leaving Marriott as the sole bidder for Starwood. According to various insider reports, Anbang failed to provide a specific written offer, nor did it outline its financial plan.
"We were attracted to the opportunity presented by Starwood because of its high-quality, leading global hotel brands, which met many of our acquisition criteria, including the ability to generate consistent, long-term returns over time," the Anbang-led consortium said in a prepared statement. "However, due to various market considerations, the Consortium has determined not to proceed further. We thank the Starwood Board, management team and its advisors for their efforts and support throughout this process."[according to? i only see this occur in one source]
What's next for the two hotel chains?
Soon after the Anbang proposal failed, Marriott and Starwood held separate stockholder meetings, where both companies approved the proposals regarding the continued Marriott acquisition. Over 97 percent of present Marriott shares voted in favor, while 95 percent of those at Starwood did the same. While both companies were in favor for the deal, as their union would create the largest hotel chain in the world, they still face regulatory approval.
On June 27, Reuters reported that EU regulators granted the deal antitrust approval. In a prepared statement, EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager remarked on the deal, saying, "This is an important merger for the hotel industry and its customers. Our investigation confirmed that the hotel sector will remain competitive for customers in Europe following the merger."
U.S. and Canadian regulators have already approved the terms of the deal as well, according to Reuters.
« Handling IT during an acquisition: Part 1 [Video]
M&A movement in Australia's telecommunications sector »


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Is adtech and martech destined to unite?
Published on: July 1, 2015 Published in: Advertising & Marketing
Traditionally, advertising technology and marketing technology have performed disparate functions. While digital advertising primarily facilitates the buying and selling of inventory, digital marketing specialises in a variety of functions including personalised website content and analytics. However, changing consumer habits have now created a crossover between the two landscapes.
With the proliferation of online content, competition for audience attention is fierce. Both advertisers and marketers require a detailed understanding of consumer preferences and behaviour to create content that will stand out and resonate with their desired target audience. There is also a shared need to analyse the impact of campaigns and use the results to adapt current efforts to maximise performance.
Ad tech has unlocked and refined the power of data collection, providing advertisers with access to highly valuable first-party and third-party audience data that can make ads more targeted and effective. As technology becomes more sophisticated, competition in the sector is heating up and a new breed of technology vendors has arisen. The quest to obtain the most advanced technology to leverage consumer data and ensure relevant ads are delivered at the right time, on the right device, is driving increased levels of interest in the potential of young and innovative ad tech companies.
It is no surprise that M&A deals in the ad tech sector in 2014 were worth double that of the year before. The vendors with the most sophisticated algorithmic systems are also those with the most valuable data – and therefore often boast the highest levels of performance. The trend of larger vendors acquiring those with the latest technology continues apace with Opera MediaWorks' acquisition of AdColony and Telstra's purchase of Videoplaza.
The commercial opportunities presented by advances in ad tech are increasingly attractive for mar tech vendors, who recognise the benefits of shifting their focus from software to the aggregation and application of data. The appeal of leveraging data to drive audience profiling and more targeted ads to create higher ROI is strong, as is the promise of a large share of the marketplace. Notable M&A deals by mar tech vendors include Publicis Groupe's purchase of its own DMP, Run, and media giant WPP's acquisition of a 15% share in AppNexus.
In a recent article, Ciaran O'Kane suggests this initial blurring of the traditional lines between ad tech and mar tech is a sign of closer ties to come. O'Kane's predictions include Salesforce purchasing a DSP to allow its vast roster of SMEs to purchase digital advertising, effectively acting as a gateway between the two ecosystems. There is also the possibility of Adobe building on its data management and analytics solution by adding an ad server. This would enable users to access multiple services in one place.
There is no doubt the technological landscape is shifting. The need to provide ever more convenient ways to manage media and serve relevant and successful ads is driving a rise in the consolidation of mar tech and ad tech. So are the two functions destined to become united? That remains to be seen.


Acme Moving Co of Vista, CA is owned and operated by Paul and Sue Genter. Paul started moving furniture in 1977 and now has over 35 years of experience in the industry. Together, Paul and Sue built a company based on a good reputation and trustworthy services and have kept it going for over 15 years.
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