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Category: self-publishing
Five Steps to Publishing
If you will indulge us for just a moment, we'd like to compare the self-publishing process to conflict resolution and the scientific method.
Wait, what? Each of these things has been distilled down to five simple steps, as we have done with the publishing process. Just as with conflict resolution, self-publishing is a negotiation of complex relationships. And just like the scientific method, self-publishing through Outskirts Press is a careful, thoughtful, and exploratory enterprise which produces reliable—and sometimes revelatory—results!
The comparison, perhaps, ends there. But when we talk about five steps to self-publishing success, we're not being overly simplistic or reductive. Within those five steps, you are:
Contacting a Publishing Consultant and receiving a Custom Publishing Profile
Your entire Outskirts Press publishing experience, including everything done both by you and our team of experts who will labor behind the scenes to ensure your masterful vision for your book is fully realized, is contained within these five steps. It is no simple thing to produce a masterpiece. However, we are committed to ensuring that you retain full creative control and full rights and royalties without having to spend invaluable hours in labor or your hard-earned dollars in dimes on services that might not pan out. At Outskirts Press, we put your investment to work and commit ourselves daily to walking you through these five easy steps! So, connect with a Publishing Consultant today to learn how Outskirts Press can help YOU publish YOUR masterpiece:
Live Chat at OutskirtsPress.com
start publishing today!
May 12, 2022 April 12, 2022 infographic, self-publishingLeave a comment
One Way to Expand Your Book's Availability
How do bestselling self-published authors sell so many books?
Sure, they often use high-quality publishers like Outskirts Press, so their books look great inside and out, but most bestselling authors also have multiple formats of their books available for sale. When you have a paperback version, a hardback, an Amazon Kindle eBook, NOOK eBook, and Apple Books eBook, you provide discerning readers with 5 different formats from which to choose. This translates to more availability worldwide, better search results, more browsers, and more buyers.
And for a very limited time, all 5 formats are FREE when you publish your book with Outskirts Press!
Simply publish your book today with the Ultimate Black & White or Full-Color Publishing Package, and you will receive:
A paperback edition
A hardback edition (with or without a dust jacket—your choice!)
An Amazon Kindle eBook edition
A Barnes & Noble NOOK eBook edition
An Apple Books eBook edition
Enter promotion code: febfivefree in your shopping cart when you place your order. Make 2022 the year you publish and expand your book's availability!
START PUBLISHING TODAY
Connect with a Publishing Consultant today to learn how Outskirts Press can help you publish your masterpiece:
February 7, 2022 January 13, 2022 full-color publishing, One-click-publishing-packages, self-publishing, Ultimate Black & WhiteLeave a comment
Publishing Options, Publishing Packages, publishing promotions, self-publishing
Celebrate the New Year with 22% Off Self-Publishing
Welcome to 2022, and in celebration, Outskirts Press is offering an instant 22% savings on our most popular packages—the Ultimate Black & White or Full-Color.
The wrapping paper has been torn off—and this is the perfect self-publishing gift for yourself. Among the many benefits both publishing packages offer, you'll receive:
A free customizable cover, the number one thing that gets readers to buy
A publishing team to answer all your questions and make sure everything that needs doing is done—on time
Worldwide distribution and availability at over 25,000 retailers
This deal even includes a stocking stuffer: we will also publish and distribute an Amazon Kindle eBook Edition of your book for free.
Keep your resolution to publish this year. Just use promo code newyearsv when ordering your package right now! This offer expires on January 7th! Don't let your New Year's resolutions, or this offer, pass you by!
START PUBLISHING
January 6, 2022 December 24, 2021 new year, outskirts press, self-publishingLeave a comment
Self-Publishing, Independent Publishing, Hybrid Publishing?! Oh My!
Nowadays, there is so much activity in the nontraditional publishing space that authors sometimes become confused by all the seemingly random terms thrown around by various companies.
And who can blame them? For one, many of the terms are so new or broad that it seems like many companies fall into more than one category. And the nontraditional publishers are not doing themselves any favors by sometimes muddying these waters in their marketing efforts to broaden their potential client base.
Despite some of the liberties that many of these companies take, some generally agreed-upon, broad-stroke definitions may help writers successfully navigate this tricky terrain of the wild wild publishing west.
"Traditional Publisher" is the most commonly used term to define "publication," whereby the author submits a manuscript (typically through an agent). If the manuscript is accepted (a big if), the publisher foots the entire cost of the publication and, in many cases, rewards the author with some advance. This is far and away the most desired type of publication in most writing circles. But did you see that big "if" up there? That "if" is why traditional publication now trails nontraditional publication for most books being published.
Here's where things get messy because the terms "self-publishing," "vanity publishing," "independent publishing," "eBook publishing," "hybrid publishing," "author-assisted publishing," and others have all been used to define an equally established, yet rapidly growing segment of the nontraditional publishing space. Unfortunately, some terms hold more malice/stigma than others. Hence, we experience the nontraditional publishers' creative methods of removing said malice/stigma by arriving upon another term, thus, adding to the confusion!
Almost all these nontraditional publishing companies can correctly fall within the broadest term among the bunch: self-publishing. If a traditional publisher does not accept you, you are therefore publishing your book yourself, in one manner or another, and you're either doing so with your own time and/or money, or both. In this broadest of definitions, you are therefore self-publishing your book.
But among that broad definition exist more specific definitions as companies attempt to carve out marketing—or service-oriented—niches in this growing segment of the publishing business. "Vanity publishing" is a term that is falling by the wayside as "self-publishing" becomes more accepted, while the traditionalists who introduced "vanity publishing" in the first place are losing interest in participating in a losing battle.
"Independent publishing" is now most often associated with the process whereby an author wears all, or nearly all, the hats involved in publishing the book without the assistance of a company, online platform, or publishing service. He/she vets cover designers, vets interior designers, requests quotes from offset printers, works with wholesalers, distributors, and retailers, markets, and handles all the financials (positive, like book sales and negative, like printer bills and taxes). That's a lot of work for most people, especially writers who tend to gravitate toward right-brained abilities. But for the proper author with the right tenacity and author platform, this is still a viable way to go.
Contributing to the slow demise of "independent publishing" is the rise of publishing services and online platforms which promise to do most of the work (mentioned above) for the author while still leaving all the rights, royalties, and creative control in the hands of the author. Some "self-publishing companies" offer these services for a fee, much like when one pays for the services of a doctor, lawyer, accountant, hairstylist, etc. Others are online, computerized self-publishing platforms that offer these services for free. The right choice typically comes down to the author's budget and faith in their work or the quality they desire for their masterpiece. It's rarely difficult to identify a book published by a service-oriented company compared to one published by a conglomerate's algorithm.
"Hybrid publishing" is a term cropping up more and more these days and is the closest cousin, in terms of pure business model, to the now nearly defunct "vanity publishing." In most cases, this business model requires the author to relinquish their rights (and often the rights of their future books) while also promising to purchase a set number of books (typically in the thousands) in exchange for "free publishing" on the hybrid publisher's dime. Like independent publishing, this can sometimes work for authors already possessing a successful author platform and a lot of tenacity since the initial investment is usually roughly the same as with independent publishing. However, since hybrid publishers often sell their own authors' book quantities in the thousands, they are more likely to use offset printing to lower per-unit costs. While that helps keep the retail price down, it becomes concerning, for the author is not always confident they have the marketing prowess to sell thousands of books.
Therefore, when it's time to share your story with the world, call and talk to an Outskirts Press Publishing Consultant who can help you on your journey to publication. They are here and dedicated to assisting you on your walk in this journey!
There are three convenient ways to connect
• Call 1-888-672-6657
• Live Chat at OutskirtsPress.com
• Schedule a free consultation
December 13, 2021 December 8, 2021 #hybridpublishing, independent publishing, outskirts press, self-publishingLeave a comment
Outskirts Press News, Promotions, Publishing Options, Publishing Packages, self publishing news, self-publishing
Go ahead—judge your book by it!
Yes, "judge a book by its cover" is an idiom referring to first impressions and snap judgments about everything, but when we're talking about literal books and their covers, the idiom holds true.
This is because the human brain processes images faster than it does words. Plus, if your cover looks shoddy, readers and reviewers alike will be right to wonder where else you skimped on quality . . .
Outskirts Press is making it even more affordable to wow! with your cover. Purchase the Ultimate Black & White or Full-Color publishing package today . . . and we'll give you a professionally designed custom cover (a $399 value) AND professionally refine your cover text (a $199 value), PLUS include a stunning-looking Amazon Kindle edition of your book (a $299 value) absolutely FREE!
Simply enter promotion code covervalue when you buy the publishing package, and this $897 in total savings will be added.
GET STARTED WITH ULTIMATE B & W PUBLISHING
GET STARTED WITH FULL-COLOR PUBLISHING
December 8, 2021 December 7, 2021 outskirts press, self publishing a book, self publishing simplified, self-publishingLeave a comment
Cheers to You and Yours!
Outskirts Press helps authors self-publish books
Whether you spend your Thanksgiving with your family or your friends, in person or via video call, with a big meal at your table, or by volunteering at a community table, we wish you well! We are so thankful to be a part of our authors' lives. We feel that appreciation every day—with every check-in call, every successful consultation, every book the moment it appears for the first time in stores—but today is an excellent opportunity to express that gratitude to you all. No matter where you are in your self-publishing journey, thank you for bringing Outskirts Press along with you!
We Salute Our Veterans!
Just over a hundred years ago, when "the war to end all wars" itself ended, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919, as Armistice Day, a day to honor those who bravely and valiantly fought in World War I. Then in 1954, after more wars, including a second world war, President Dwight D. Eisenhower made Veterans Day the annual celebration we know it as today: a time to honor all US veterans, regardless of when they served and sacrificed for our country.
So many veterans have trusted Outskirts Press to help them tell their stories to the world. So, as we do every November 11, this year, we once again THANK YOU—not only for your great love of country but also for that deep honor you have given us!
Publishing Tips, self-publishing
How Book Videos Help Self-Publishing Authors
Promo Code: bkvdsaveten
Did you know that video is the fastest growing segment on the internet, and that YouTube is the second most popular search engine (second only to Google)? In many ways social media has become a largely video-centric world. Consumers of news, pop culture, marketing and other information are digesting a growing percentage of all their information in video form.
A book video is an advertisement for your book that doesn't "seem" like an advertisement. Book video trailers help create awareness, engage with potential readers, and entice them to learn more about you and your book. Just as moviegoers might find themselves on the edge of their seats when watching a captivating movie trailer, so too might your readers enjoy your impactful book video trailer.
If you don't have a book video that promotes your book and is available to view from YouTube and from your own personal Facebook page and/or author webpage, now is the time to start. With an instant 10% savings, now is the time to see your book make its movie debut!
Just enter promo code bkvdsaveten at check-out to save 10% on your custom Book Video Trailer before the red carpet rolls-up.
ADD YOUR BOOK VIDEO
August 12, 2021 August 5, 2021 Leave a comment
publishing promotions, self-publishing
Your custom book cover is priceless! It is also included when you publish today.
Promo Code: augfreecover
Your book has mere seconds to attract a buyer's attention nowadays, and first impressions rely solely upon the front cover.
When it comes to publishing a high-quality book, there is no doubt a well-designed cover is one of the most important elements. It must instantly entice the specific readers you are seeking. It must make them want to take a closer look at what's inside. Once you've attracted the right audience, your cover must also impart vital information about your book: genre and content, tone or mood, and even the quality of the writing itself.
How do you create a book cover that meets those lofty goals? Lucky for you, we will do it for you for free! Right now and for a limited time, Outskirts Press is offering a FREE Custom Cover Design (valued at $399) with the purchase of your Ultimate or Full-Color publishing package! Simply enter promo code augfreecover at check-out to receive this valuable offer.
When you start today, we will also publish and distribute an Amazon Kindle eBook Edition of your book for free (a $299 value).
Discover why Outskirts Press is the A+ rated and #1-rated self-publishing company according to the Better Business Bureau and Top Consumer Reviews, respectively. Connect with an Outskirts Press Publishing Consultant today:
Call 1-888-672-6657.
Live chat at OutskirtsPress.com.
Everything About Book Royalties
When authors decide on the best self-publishing company for their masterpiece, one critical area is sometimes overlooked: author royalties. It can be a confusing topic because many publishers use different definitions to define what "royalties" means and different formulas to determine how author royalties are calculated.
In the simplest terms of definition, "royalties" means the amount of money that is paid to the author for books that are sold.
How are Author Royalties Calculated? The formula used to calculate the author royalties often varies from publisher to publisher and that can make comparing Publishers X, Y, and Z challenging.
For instance, some publishers will pay a percentage directly off the Sales Retail Price of the book, regardless of how much the book costs to produce, or how much the trade discount is. In these instances, it is not uncommon for the percentage to be fairly low (in the 5%-10% range).
This formula sometimes works to the author's detriment, however, since book printing and trade discounting play such an enormous role in the book's overall profit and the author has no say in what the Suggested Retail Price is. Without any say in the matter, authors are often left at the publisher's mercy.
On the other end of the spectrum are publishers that pay a percentage of the book's profit, which is the amount left over after the printing costs and trade discounts have already been accounted for. In these instances, you will more often see percentages in the 50%-100% range.
Yes, there are some self-publishing companies, such as Outskirts Press, that pay the author 100% of the net profit of the book when it is sold through wholesale channels, such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
That royalty formula looks like this:
Suggested Retail Price – Trade Discount – Printing Cost = Book Profit
What is the Suggested Retail Price (SRP) of a Book? It's just what it sounds like – the cover price as suggested by either the publisher or the author. While nearly all traditional publishers and almost all self-publishers set the SRP for the author there are a select few self-publishing companies that allow the author to set their own Suggested Retail Price. Outskirts Press is one of them; the only requirement is that the price being set by the author is above the sum of the trade discount and the printing cost. In other words, the Suggested Retail Price cannot be below what it costs to produce and sell the book. Makes sense, right?
Of course, the reason this is called the suggested retail price and not the final sales price is because retailers have the discretion to decrease the price (in the form of a sale) or increase the price (to improve their bottom line) if they choose to. But doing so has no affect on the amount the author ultimately receives, which is always set on the SRP.
What is the Trade Discount? This is the percentage of the book's SRP that the retailer, wholesaler (if any), and distributor take to "handle" a book. It's how they make money in the book industry. Every book that is for sale with a retailer has given a cut of its retail price to all the parties involved in the form of a trade discount.
What is the Printing Cost? In simplest terms, the "printing cost" is the per-unit cost of producing one book. The reason there is such a discrepancy between offset printing and print-on-demand, one-at-a-time printing is due to "economies of scale". While that topic is beyond the scope of this article, we have a whole blog posting about the role economies of scale play with your printing costs, and you can read all about that here.
The benefits to choosing Outskirts Press don't end with 100% author royalties, as important as that is. You also retain 100% of your book's rights, and receive unlimited wholesale and retail availability thru channels including Amazon & Ingram. Our flexibility and adaptability to your needs, coupled with our phenomenal services and staff, is just one of many reasons Outskirts Press is the only A+ rated and #1 rated self-publishing company according to the Better Business Bureau and Top Consumer Reviews, respectively.
You can schedule a no-obligation consultation with one of our consultants at https://outskirtspress.com/consultation.html or you can select your package to start publishing right now at https://outskirtspress.com/self-publishing.html.
Get started today. People are waiting for your bestseller!
February 24, 2021 February 9, 2021 advice-for-authors, book-royalty-information, determine-royalty-for-self-published-book, outskirts press, self publishing simplified, self-publishing, self-publishing authorsLeave a comment
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The safety of our kids is a priority which is the reason why parents take active steps to ensure that their children are safe at all times. When moving your little one from the crib to a bed, their safety on the bed is one of the issues that make parents worried. As you may already know, this issue can be fixed by simply installing a bed rail. It is an accessory designed to protect kids as they sleep by preventing them from falling off the bed. It can also be used by teenagers, adults, and even seniors.
There are many models of bed rails from different manufacturers on the market. While some of these products are worth your time, energy, and resources, others do not work to prevent your kid from falling. However, there is no need to worry as this post will furnish you with all the details you may require to make an informed decision. Read on for more information.
This is the first and the most important factor to consider when looking to buy the best bed rail on the market. It is advised to go for a product that is made of top quality and durable materials. This will help to ensure that the bed rail will thrive for a long time in good condition.
There is generally two type of bed rails on the market – bumpers, and bars. The former is usually made with foam with a not skid cover to hold the rail in place while also preventing your kid from falling off the bed. The latter on the other hand are made with metal or steel bar paired with a mesh cover to protect your kid while he/she sleeps. You will find that the two types of bed rails for kids have their pros and cons. The best one for you will be dependent on your preferences.
When choosing the best bed rails for kids, it is best to consider going for a product that is safe. Ensure that the product is not made from any harmful material. Also, consider purchasing a bed rail that is high and long enough to prevent your little one from falling off. Avoid products that cannot be secured in place as they can be easily moved thereby allowing your child to fall off the bed. In terms of comfort, you may want to consider purchasing a bed rail that is soft, and heavily padded with a breathable material.
Ease of installation is another important factor that should be considered carefully when looking to buy the best bed rail for children. Go for a product that can be installed within a few minutes without requiring professional help or special tools. Also, consider purchasing a bed rail that is easy to clean. You will find that the cover that ships with most bed rails on the market are machine washable to make maintenance easy for you. This type of bed rails will be a great choice.
The Regalo Swing Down Bed Rail Guard is one of the best you can find on the market. The product is famous among parents and it has received many positive reviews and ratings from past users. This is probably due to the amazing features it packs. Also, the bed rail features a beautiful design and it comes in a white shade which will easily blend into many different bedroom decors. It is made from top quality materials that will allow your kid to enjoy all the benefits the product has to offer for a long period of time.
The bed rail features a top quality steel frame paired with a mesh cover to keep your little one safe and comfortable. The mesh cover is removable and machine washable to make it easy for you to maintain. Also, the Regalo Swing Down Bed Rail Guard is easy to use even for toddlers. This is because it features a swing down functionality that makes it easy for kids to get in and out of bed. The feature will also go a long way to make it easy for you to change your little one's beddings.
With the Regalo Swing Down Bed Rail Guard, you don't have to worry about your kid's safety as the products feature an anchoring strap that can be used to couple it with the bed. This feature paired with the durable steel frame will help to secure your little one's safety. Also, the bed rail is long and tall to further enhance safety. It has a length of 43 inches and a height of 20 inches and it is certified as safe by the Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association and American Testing Society.
The Regalo Swing Down Bed Rail Guard is lightweight as it weighs only about 0.32 ounces. It is easy to set up since you can complete the entire process within a few minutes without requiring any special tool. Also, the bed rail is designed to be used only with box spring and bed and it will perfectly fit twin and queen size beds. If you decide to purchase this product, you will find that it is seamless under your kid's bed and comfortable to sleep on.
It is offered at an affordable price and looking at the features it packs, one may safely conclude that it offers a good value for money. Most users of the Regalo Swing Down Bed Rail Guard are satisfied with its quality, safety, and durability. However, some users complained that the cover that ships with the product are not durable as it is likely to break after a few repeated use. Other users stated that the cover of the bed rail is hard to put on.
The Hiccapop Toddler and Kids Bed Rail Guard is another amazing product on the market. It is considered one of the best bed rail for kids. Also, it is made from a reputable manufacturer that is famous for supplying top quality products to the market. The product features an ergonomic and modern design that will add styles to your little one's room while also providing much-needed security. It comes in a bright two-tone shade that will blend with different colors of beddings as well as with other furniture and accessories in your kid's room.
Furthermore, the product is made from premium quality materials that will allow it to withstand the hassles associated with repeated use. The material is water resistant to further enhance durability in good condition. To keep the product clean at all time and make it easy for you to maintain, you will find that its cover is machine washable. If you are not satisfied with metal bed rails on the market then this bumper will be a great choice. You also don't have to worry about keeping it in place as the bottom of the bed rail is anti-skip and silicone-beaded to keep it in place.
It is safe and non-toxic to use for kids and toddlers as it is hypoallergenic, BPA-free, and chemical-free. To further enhance the safety of your little one with this product, the maker stated that the foam and other material used in making the product does not contain PBDEs, TCEP, or TDCPP flame retardants, heavy metals, mercury, formaldehyde, lead, and phthalates. Also, the Hiccapop Toddler and Kids Bed Rail Guard passed through a durability test, performance test, and emissions test by independent accredited testing labs.
Unlike bed rails with steel frames, this bumper is soft and comfortable. When your little one's body touches the Hiccapop Toddler and Kids Bed Rail Guard, he/she will be gently informed of the danger ahead thereby prompting your kid to return to the safe side of the bed without any discomfort. Interestingly, the bed rail is also safe for active sleepers thanks to its height and length. It has a dimension of about 52 x 7 x 4.5 inches which means it will provide your kid with the much need support without taking up too much space.
In addition, the Hiccapop Toddler and Kids Bed Rail Guard which will make it easy for you to carry the product from place to place. It is ideal for toddler beds, twin beds, full-size beds, queen size beds, and king size beds. But it is not advised to use the bed rail on loft beds and top bunks. Although it is slightly more expensive compared to similar products on the market, many users stated that it offers good value for money. It ships with a 100 percent lifetime satisfaction guarantee to further assure you of its quality.
Most users of the bed rail are satisfied with its quality and durability. Yet, a few users complained that the bed rail was not as high as advertised and will not prevent toddlers from falling off their beds. Others complained that it is hard to keep the bumper in place.
If you are looking to purchase a top quality bed rail that is safe to use and offered at an affordable price, then this product will be a great choice. The Royexe Inflatable Travel Bed Rail for Toddlers and Kids is one of the best on the market to purchase. The product is available in both 1 pack and a 2 pack set. This will allow you to purchase a 2 pack set for the protection of both sides of your little one's bed for enhanced security. The bed rail features a stylish design that you and your kid will find appealing.
Furthermore, it is made from high-quality PVC material that will allow your little one to enjoy the features it packs for a reasonable period of time without worry about rapid wear and tear. The Royexe Inflatable Travel Bed Rail for Toddlers and Kids is water resistant to further enhance its durability. Unlike metal frame variants on the market that may cause your little one to feel trapped, this one is designed to be placed under your kid's beddings. This will allow it to blend in seamless into the room's decor.
Though it is an inflatable model, this bed rail is safe for your little one as the maker stated that it features an airtight and leak-proof construction. Still on your toddler's safety, the Royexe Inflatable Travel Bed Rail for Toddlers and Kids ships with dual non-slip grip strips at the bottom. It is designed to ensure that the bumper is secured firmly to your kid's bed thereby preventing it from moving out of place. The product is soft and comfortable which invariably means it will gently hold your child, preventing him/her from falling off the bed.
Interestingly, the maker of the product stated that it will efficiently hold up to 300 pounds of weight. Also, with a dimension of about 48 x 5 x 7 inches, one may safely conclude that the Royexe Inflatable Travel Bed Rail for Toddlers and Kids is high enough to prevent your little one from falling off. It is easy to fill the bed rail with air and deflating is a breeze as all you need to do is push the button provided for deflation.
If you decide to purchase this product, you will find that it is small enough to fit into a purse or a bag when deflated thereby making it easy for you to move it around or carry it along while going on a trip.It is compatible will all bed types including twin beds, convertible cribs, queen size beds, and king size beds. Also, it has been tested and certified by the CPSC and ASTM to meet and even exceeded all child safety regulations.
The Royexe Inflatable Travel Bed Rail for Toddlers and Kids is offered at a budget-friendly price and it ships with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee to further assure you of its quality. Most users of the product are satisfied with its quality and durability. Nevertheless, a few users complained that the bed rail is not as durable as claimed by the manufacturer. Others stated that the product is not airtight as it may deflate on its own thus posing a risk to your kid's safety.
The Shinnwa Toddler Bed Rail Bumpers for Kids is another amazing product you should consider purchasing. It ships with amazing features to keep your little one safe all night long. Also, it is specially designed to cater to the needs of infants and toddlers but it can also be adopted by teenagers, adults, and seniors. The bed rail bumper features an ergonomic design that is hard to turn away from. It is made of premium materials that will keep your baby comfortable while also preventing hazards. Just like other bumpers listed above, this one is designed to be placed under your kid's bedding for seamless use.
Unlike metal and steel bed rails, this product will constantly remind your kid if the danger that lies ahead with a gentle touch that will not disturb his/her sleep. Still, on comfort, you will find that the Shinnwa Toddler Bed Rail Bumpers for Kids features high-density memory foam padding to provide your little one with the best experience. Also, you do have to worry about the pillow moving out of place as it features a durable non-skid silicone bottom. This will help to ensure that the bed rail sits firmly on your little one's bed thereby reducing the risk of falling off to the barest minimum.
To make it easy for you to keep the Shinnwa Toddler Bed Rail Bumpers for Kids clean at all times, you will find that the cover of the product is machine washable. It is also breathable to provide your kid with the best experience. Additionally, the bumper is easy to set up as all you need to do is remove it from the pack, place it on your kid's bed and cover with the bed sheet. It comes in a two pack set that will help your secure both sides of your child's bed thereby enhancing protection from falling off. With a dimension of about 52 x 6.5 x 4.5 inches, the bed rail is high and long enough to protect your kid from falling off the bed.
Also, it is narrow which invariably means it will provide the much-needed protection without taking up too much space. The Shinnwa Toddler Bed Rail Bumpers for Kids is CertiPUR-US certified as safe for kids. The maker of the bed rail stated that it does not contain ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP flame retardants, lead, mercury, and other heavy metals, formaldehyde, phthalates as regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. In addition, the product has a low Volatile Organic Compound emission of about 0.5 parts per million for enhanced air quality indoors.
The Shinnwa Toddler Bed Rail Bumpers for Kids is compatible with all bed types including toddler beds, twin size beds, full-size beds, queen size beds, and king size beds. It is cheaper compared to similar products on the market and it ships with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee and a 30 days money back warranty to further assure you of its quality. Most users of the bed rail bumper are satisfied with its cost, performance, quality, and durability. However, a few users complained that the product does not prevent kids from falling off their bed. Others stated that it stays flat after removing it from the pack.
This is one of the best bed rails for kids that you can purchase on the market. The Dream On Me Mesh Security Bed Rail is specially designed to cater to the needs of infants and toddlers but it can be adopted by different categories of individuals too. It features a beautiful and modern design that will go a long way to add style to your little one's room while also providing much-needed support and protection. It is available in three different colors including white, blue, and pink. This will allow you to go for the shade that works best for you and your little one.
The maker of the product stated that it is made from top quality materials to allow for durability even when your little one uses the product on a daily basis. It features a durable bar with a mesh fabric cover that is breathable to enhance your little one's experience with the product. With the Dream On Me Mesh Security Bed Rail, you don't have to worry about your kid's safety. This is especially because unlike many similar products on the market, this one features a reinforced anchoring system.
The bed rail can efficiently support up to 45 pounds of weight. In addition, it features no-catch edges to enhance your kid's safely while also keeping him/her comfortable all night through. The maker of the Dream On Me Mesh Security Bed Rail stated that the above-listed features help to ensure that the rail is secure and stable at all times. Measuring 33.5 inches in length and 15 inches in height, the bed rail is long and high enough to guarantee your kid's safety. It will perfectly fit convertible cribs and twin size beds.
The Dream On Me Mesh Security Bed Rail is lightweight with a weight of about two pounds. This invariably means you can easily carry the product from one room to another. With this bed rail, installation is super easy as you can complete the entire process without requiring any special tool. It is easy to maintain. All you have to do is wipe the bed rail with a damp towel from time to time. The product is one of the cheapest bed rails you can find on the market and many users provide that it offers a good value for money.
Most users of the Dream On Me Mesh Security Bed Rail are satisfied with its performance, quality, and durability. Nonetheless, some users complained that the product is not ideal for toddler and kid's bed. Others stated that it is somewhat difficult to install the bed rail properly.
The Babyseater Bed Rail Bumper Guard is another amazing bed rail for kids that you should consider purchasing. The product is popular among parents and it is favorably reviewed by past users which may be due to the amazing features it offers. Also, the bed rail features a sturdy design that will provide your kid with all the comfort and protection he may desire. It comes in a white shade that will blend seamlessly into the decor of your kid's room.
To provide you with an even more seamless performance, this bed rail is designed to be placed under your kid's bedsheet for the best result. It is made from premium quality polyester material that will support its durability over a long period of time. Also, the maker of the Babyseater Bed Rail Bumper Guard stated that the cover that ships with the bed rail are water resistant to further enhance its durability. Interestingly, the cover is washable and machine friendly which will go a long way to simplify the task of maintaining the bumper.
The Babyseater Bed Rail Bumper Guard is soft and comfortable for kids. Unlike its metal frame counterparts, this bumper is designed to protect your kid from falling off its bed by gently reminding him of the danger ahead without disturbing his/her sleep. The bed rail is designed to sit firmly on your kid's bed thereby making it hard to move it out of place, thanks to the non-skid bottom. Also, it is easy to install since all you have to do is place the bed rail bumper on your kid's bed and then cover with a bed sheet.
The Babyseater Bed Rail Bumper Guard is high and long to guarantee your little on's safety by preventing him/her from falling off the bed. It has a dimension of about 11.2 x 6.2 x 6.2 inches. With a weight of about two pounds, the product can be easily moved from one place to another. It is slightly expensive compared to similar products on the market, but it ships with a lifetime reassurance to further guarantee you of the product's quality. It will perfectly fit all types of bed including toddler beds, twin size beds, full-size beds, queen size beds, and king size beds.
Most users of the bed rail bumper are satisfied with its quality, durability, and performance. Yet, a few users of the Babyseater Bed Rail Bumper Guard complained that it is hard to keep it in place. Others stated that the product is not high enough to prevent your little one from falling off the bed. It is available in one pack but if you want to protect both sides of your child's bed, then you will have to purchase two.
The ComfyBumpy Bed Rails for Toddlers is one of the best you can find on the market. The product is famous among parents and it has received many favorable ratings and reviews from past users. It features a beautiful design and it is available in two color variations including white and grey. All you have to do is go for the color that works best for you. Also, the bed rail is made from top quality materials that are durable which will allow it to withstand the hassles associated with repeated use in good condition.
If you purchase this product, you will find that it features durable metal frames with a flat and sturdy design to support and protect your child while also ensuring that the metal is not felt under the mattress. Also, the ComfyBumpy Bed Rails for Toddlers features a high quality, and easy to clean mesh fabric for added security. The mesh material is breathable to provide your child with the best experience he can get from a bed rail.
It comes with a curved and easy to let down design that will make it easy for your little one to get in and out of bed. This design will also make it easy for you to change your little one's beddings as well as carry out minor activities on the bed without obstruction. Also, the ComfyBumpy Bed Rails for Toddlers ships with adjustable straps to make it easy for you to pair it with different types of beds. It also used velcro to connect with slat bases to enhance the safety of your child with the product. You will find that the product is easy to install and the 5 minutes video instruction provided by the maker will further make the process easy for you.
The ComfyBumpy Bed Rails for Toddlers ships with screws to help you secure the base of the product while also making it easy to install. It has a dimension of about 24.8 x 3.9 x 6.1 inches which invariably means the product is high and long enough to protect your little one from falling off the bed. It is safe for kids as it is not made with any harmful material. The maker of the bed rail stated that it is ideal for toddlers that are at least 24 months of age. In addition, the ComfyBumpy Bed Rails for Toddlers will perfectly fit toddler twin beds, double beds, queen size beds, and king size beds.
It is available in regular and extra long size variations. The bed rail is pricey but looking at the features it brings, one may safely conclude that it offers a good value for money. Most users of the product are satisfied with its quality, performance, and durability. But a few users complained that the bed rail does not work with kid's bed. Others stated that the product is not stable. It is available in a one-piece pack. If you are looking to protect both sides of your child's bed, then you should consider purchasing two.


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Anaïs Moisy
Designer ∣ Seeker ∣ Dreamer
Tag: world
It has been more than a month that I finished my dissertation. But better later than never…
Here is the abstract and you can click on the cover bellow to access it.
By obfuscating what western human being take for granted, such as the knowledge offered to us by maps, clocks, or more recently electronic de- vices, my research aims to reveal how technology fails to give us the 'god's eye view' that it promises. This dissertation presents three of my projects: MyMap, Circadian Clock and SAAD, which encourage people to reflect on how we might overcome the challenges that modern technology puts in front of us, in order to reconnect with others and nature.
This dissertation explores the concept of borders; physical, symbolic, invis- ible or psychological, which I would argue are partly responsible for 'dim- ming' our perspective of the world. The research and projects, allowed me to develop the concept of 'Design Geography', which I define as the prac- tice to mediate the value of human interaction with others and the natural environment, using design processes.
by Anaïs Moisy
mymap
Happiness in the affluent West
On a BBC article Happiness dips in midlife in the affluent West it is argued that "in countries such as the UK and the US, life satisfaction followed a U-shape, dipping to a low in midlife."
For this research, the data set is coming from the Gallup World Poll in more than 160 countries covering more than 98% of the world's population. As well as physical health and pain, they considered three measures of wellbeing:
evaluative – how satisfied people were with their lives
hedonic – feelings or moods such as happiness, sadness and anger
eudemonic – judgements about the meaning and purpose of life
The work by MoveHub is related to this topic. He ask the question : Which country is the happiest in the world? And made an infographics out of the result of the research. It is a visualisation of the data of Happy Planet Index (HPI), which shows to what extent 151 countries across the globe produce long, happy, and sustainable lives for their citizens. The index measures three components:
experience well-being
Wealth and Power
I wanted to share an article from Alternet about the distribution of the world goods. It is always something which raise a lot of questions: why am I part of the world's richest even by being a broke student ? How can I contribute to make the world a better place ?
Here is the article:
The Shocking Amount of Wealth and Power Held by 0.001% of the World Population
The level of inequality around the world is truly staggering.
Many now know the rhetoric of the 1% very well: the imagery of a small elite owning most of the wealth while the 99% take the table scraps.
In 2006, a UN report revealed that the world's richest 1% own 40% of the world's wealth, with those in the financial and internet sectors comprising the "super rich." More than a third of the world's super-rich live in the U.S., with roughly 27% in Japan, 6% in the U.K., and 5% in France. The world's richest 10% accounted for roughly 85% of the planet's total assets, while the bottom half of the population – more than 3 billion people – owned less than 1% of the world's wealth.
Looking specifically at the United States, the top 1% own more than 36% of the national wealth and more than the combined wealth of the bottom 95%. Almost all of the wealth gains over the previous decade went to the top 1%. In the mid-1970s, the top 1% earned 8% of all national income; this number rose to 21% by 2010. At the highest sliver at the top, the 400 wealthiest individuals in America have more wealth than the bottom 150 million.
A 2005 report from Citigroup coined the term "plutonomy" to describe countries "where economic growth is powered by and largely consumed by the wealthy few." The report specifically identified the U.K., Canada, Australia and the United States as four plutonomies. Published three years before the onset of the financial crisis in 2008, the Citigroup report stated: "Asset booms, a rising profit share and favorable treatment by market-friendly governments have allowed the rich to prosper and become a greater share of the economy in the plutonomy countries."
"The rich," said the report, "are in great shape, financially."
In early 2013, Oxfam reported that the fortunes made by the world's 100 richest people over the course of 2012 – roughly $240 billion – would be enough to lift the world's poorest people out of poverty four times over. In the Oxfam report, "The Cost of Inequality: How Wealth and Income Extremes Hurt Us All," the international charity noted that in the past 20 years, the richest 1% had increased their incomes by 60%. Barbara Stocking, an Oxfam executive, noted that this type of extreme wealth is "economically inefficient, politically corrosive, socially divisive and environmentally destructive…We can no longer pretend that the creation of wealth for a few will inevitably benefit the many – too often the reverse is true."
The report added: "In the UK, inequality is rapidly returning to levels not seen since the time of Charles Dickens. In China the top 10% now take home nearly 60% of the income. Chinese inequality levels are now similar to those in South Africa, which is now the most unequal country on Earth and significantly more unequal than at the end of apartheid." In the United States, the share of national income going to the top 1% has doubled from 10 to 20% since 1980, and for the top 0.01% in the United States, "the share of national income is above levels last seen in the 1920s."
Previously, in July of 2012, James Henry, a former chief economist at McKinsey, a major global consultancy, published a major report on tax havens for the Tax Justice Network which compiled data from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the IMF and other private sector entities to reveal that the world's super-rich have hidden between $21 and $32 trillion offshore to avoid taxation.
Henry stated: "This offshore economy is large enough to have a major impact on estimates of inequality of wealth and income; on estimates of national income and debt ratios; and – most importantly – to have very significant negative impacts on the domestic tax bases of 'source' countries." John Christensen of the Tax Justice Network further commented that "Inequality is much, much worse than official statistics show, but politicians are still relying on trickle-down to transfer wealth to poorer people… This new data shows the exact opposite has happened: for three decades extraordinary wealth has been cascading into the offshore accounts of a tiny number of super-rich."
The photo that sums up our world
As African would-be migrants try to scale a triple-strength 7m (23ft) border fence that separates the Spanish enclave of Melilla from Morocco, golfers continue to play their round.
This photo was taken by local humanitarian group Prodein, which earlier this month released a video supposedly showing Spanish police carrying an unconscious man from Spanish territory to Morocco.
Commenting on the video, in which a 23-year-old Cameroonian man named Danny is removed, Human Rights Watch's Judith Sunderland said: "Spain needs to call an immediate halt to these abusive returns, and the public prosecutor's office needs to investigate this horrific case. Until the case has been fully investigated, the Guardia Civil should remove these officers from border duties."
Spain claims that 28,000 migrants have entered the enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta in the last decade, with 36 attempts upon the fence this year alone.
From i100 Independent and Rue 89
CSIS Data Chandelier
" Commissioned by the Center for Strategic and International Studies for their new headquarters in Washington, Sosolimited partnered with Hypersonic Engineering & Design, Plebian Design, and Chris Parlato to design, program, and fabricate one-of-a-kind chandelier. 425 hanging pendants form a map of the world when viewed from below. This map becomes a low-res display for illustrating global data such as GDP growth rate, renewable water resources, and energy consumption.
Each data set is paired with a lighting animation. In addition, CSIS can highlight regions of the map that correspond with international developments or events within the building. The entire system is automated, linking to web-based data to dynamically build animations. By parsing CSIS website, the team can identify countries in the news and highlight them on the chandelier.
The system currently uses UN Data GDP growth rate, USEIA Total Energy Consumption per capitaand Aquastat Total Renewable Water Resources per capita. Each of these data sets updates on an annual or quarterly basis. The team wrote a series of python scripts that process the data and colour an SVG map of world to match a normalized value for each set. An openFrameworks app loads these maps and uses the data to drive a series of animations. Each animation is unique to the data set and attempts to resemble the underlying data: water feels like rain drops, energy pulses, and GDP grows. There are also visual modes that let researches at CSIS select specific regions of the world to highlight – either to show conflict, or to show progress — John Rothenberg of SoSo Limited explains to CAN. Finally, the oF app outputs DMX to a series of DMX dimmer boards that control the light fixtures. Each pendant lights contains an MR-11 LED bulb that becomes a pixel in the display. " from Creative Applications
Bruce Munro
British artist Bruce Munro is best known for immersive large-scale light-based installations inspired largely by his interest in shared human experience. Recording ideas and images in sketchbooks has been his practice for over 30 years. By this means he has captured his responses to stimuli such as music, literature, science, and the world around him for reference, reflection, and subject matter.
His web site
Posts Gallery
Art between bike biodesign biology borders china clock connections data design disconnect edinburgh energy environment exhibition gps happiness human infographics installation jewellery light map music nature photography planet research sculpture shop sound space synbio Synthetic Biology teaching technology time trip turntable video visualization water workshop world

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Microsoft SharePoint team sites are evolving from the top down, bottom up and through and through. We highlight updates to more actionable, responsive home pages, evolving document libraries to be more powerful and user friendly, increasing the usability of lists and making it easier to discover what is happening within your sites, all connected with Microsoft Office 365 Groups. Learn about all the new functionality and what's next for SharePoint Team Sites.


Did you know that Squiddio makes its global user-sourced repository of sailing destinations available as way-points in OpenCPN*, the leading open-source navigation and chart-plotting software?
The sQuidd.io plugin allows users to retrieve marinas, anchorages, docks and other sailing points of interests for a specific region of the world with just one click, and view them right on their chart!
Destinations are displayed as OpenCPN way-points. By double-clicking on a way-point users can access useful information about the destination, such as the destination's average user rating, the address and phone number (where available) and a link to the Destination's page on sQuddio.
By following the link in the way-point, registered sQuidd.io users can post comments about the destination, as well as rate the destination on attributes such as beauty, service and quality of Wi-Fi access (where applicable). Users can also report new destinations not yet available in the database.
Use of the plugin is free of charge (free registration is required for certain functions).
Don't plan your next cruise without it!
What better place to plan your cruise than your charting software itself? If you use OpenCPN, you will find the plug-in to be an indispensable tool for educated cruise planning. Access to thousands of images, other cruisers' comments and lots of relevant sailing information can help you identify the best marinas or anchorages ahead of time without hours of research on the web.
Enable the plugin, right-click on an area of the chart and view all the local destinations. Right-click on the destination's icon, and follow the link to the destination's page on sQuiddio to view additional information, rate the destination and post comments.


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Iowa-Michigan State basketball game postponed
No. 5 Iowa's men's basketball game against Michigan State tonight has been postponed because of COVID-19 issues with the Spartans.
Michigan State center Mady Sissoko and guard Steven Izzo have tested positive, and the school said there was an additional positive test Wednesday afternoon.
"I'm really disappointed, but it just goes to prove that this can affect anyone," Spartan coach Tom Izzo said. "I feel so comfortable that me, my son and my players did everything possible and followed every protocol as best we could. I'm really, really impressed with the way they have conducted themselves. This virus does not discriminate and I can't emphasize enough how important it is to wear a mask, wash your hands and follow protocols."
The Iowa basketball program tweeted Wednesday, "Thursday's Big Ten game between MSU & Iowa is being postponed as mutually agreed upon out of an abundance of caution surrounding the health and safety of the participants."
"The institutions will work with the Conference to identify rescheduling options," the program tweeted.
-- Nonpareil News Editor Mike Brownlee contributed.
Steven Izzo
Mady Sissoko
No. 5 Iowa's men's basketball game against Michigan State tonight has been postponed because of COVID-19 issues with the Spartans.
Ohio State knocks off Hawkeye women in Iowa City
IOWA CITY – Even Caitlin Clark couldn't rescue the Iowa women's basketball team Wednesday.
Underwood girls run past Yellow Jackets; Eagles boys pull out win vs. T.J.
After being handed their first loss of the season before the holiday break, Class 2A No. 14 Underwood bounced back, running past Thomas Jeffer…
Hawkeyes open Big Ten play with Purdue
Saturday was disappointing.
Joe Davidson: The father of Kings' Marvin Bagley III isn't another LaVar Ball. He might be worse.
Word is that Marvin Bagley Jr. is LaVar Ball all over again. No. That wouldn't be fair to Ball. Bagley Jr. is worse.
Sioux City North bests Yellow Jacket girls, boys
The Sioux City North Stars used runs in the second and third quarters to pick up their first victory of the season, defeating Thomas Jefferson…
MLB 2021 fan plan: No mandate for vaccines or COVID-19 tests
Major League Baseball does not plan to mandate that fans provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result before entering a ballpark this year.


Our new president and CEO discusses the diversity of TechnoServe's current work and some of the key themes that will guide our programs in the future.
After seven weeks on the job and visits to four countries to see TechnoServe's work firsthand, President and CEO William Warshauer sat down for a virtual chat with Scott Anderson, managing editor of NextBillion.net. They discussed what sets TechnoServe apart from other organizations and the "incredible dynamism and resources" that the private sector brings to bear on development challenges.
Looking at what lies ahead for TechnoServe, Will highlighted our strategic plan goals to double our impact by 2017, as well as some of the themes TechnoServe will increasingly focus on in our programming, including targeting youth and pursuing emerging technologies.
Watch the full interview above and read more at NextBillion.


Be sure rooms containing tap water, equivalent to bathrooms and kitchen are geared up with constructing supplies that can withstand the results of water, if that they had, for a time period. Use of the Sealed N" Secure® Thermal Block System together with atypical fiberglass blanket insulation allows the ideas of steady insulation to be achieved with typical screw down roof and wall applications.
Since passively heated areas can simply overheat when the window space is just too large or if there may be not sufficient mass to soak up and store the solar vitality, having continuously circulating air with the forced-air distribution fan working at a slow pace helps stop overheating.


This manual describes the latest version of WINS' Quality Management System (QMS). The document has been continuously revised and improved as our strategy has developed over the last 10 years of operation.
WINS' QMS has been certified compliant with ISO 9001:2008 since 2012 and with ISO 29990:2010 since 2014. This revision of the QMS Manual was developed in line with revisions to ISO 9001:2015 against which WINS is currently certified.


Bread & Puppet looks good at 50.
This year, Bread & Puppet Theater turns 50 years old. There are a bunch of tributes and reflections happening in local media, like this from VPR, but I wanted to add in my fond memories of this radical Vermont puppet crew.
As a life long Vermonter, growing up with "yippee" parents in Central Vermont, Bread & Puppet was the crowning event of every one of my childhood & teen summers – literally we went every year for 18 years, until 1998 when Peter stopped the summer circuses. As you can imagine, as a small child and even as a teenager, I rarely ever really understood all the political messages happening during the Resurrection Circus, the side shows, or the Pageant – but I would dare say more than half the adults in the massive audiences were at a loss too. That was the great thing though – the theater, puppets, and music were accessible to all ages on many levels. B&P made you feel like you were part of the family.
The colors, sights, sounds, and smells of Bread & Puppet are forever etched into my memory as some of what makes Vermont, Vermont. My parents had a reverent respect for B&P and that meant not just going to the summer shows, but also to their many other events, parades, and even joining B&P at demonstrations in Vermont and beyond when they needed extra volunteers to carry banners or be puppets.
The pine forest – quiet, almost church like, and very flammable.
One summer, I was maybe ten or eleven years old, and I was sitting in their massive pine forest. It was during the side shows – the few hours before the afternoon circus – and there were some strung out Phish heads sitting in a circle off to my right. Even at that age, I knew they were not in their right minds. I watched in horror as they all lit up a cigarette or joint (who knows which it was) and started passing it around the circle. You see, it was forbidden to smoke in the pine forest due to the high risk of fire. There were signs everywhere. I looked around for an adult to interfere, but no one seemed to be noticing. I immediately felt panicked that something bad would happen to Bread & Puppet and so I lept into action, running toward the circle and in my most authoritative voice scolded them and said, "there is no smoking in the Pine Forest, you have to leave." The circle looked up at me perplexed, but I held my ground and stared at them. To my shock, they all immediately got up and left. I felt such relief – not for myself, but for "saving" the pine forest from what I was sure would be its demise.
My only time on stilts.
While I was in middle school, my sister & I joined a traveling summer "camp" called Village Harmony. It was a three-week experience that involved one week of rehearsal in the north east kingdom and then two weeks of a tour around Vermont, singing & playing shape note music. We were both just 13 at the time, so the whole experience was the definition of "epic." We were pretty homesick by the time we were on tour, but were both eager for our three-day stay at Bread & Puppet, where we were to perform with one of their mid summer pine forest pieces. I remember that it was a surreal experience to be on the farm without the larger circus hoopla. We were just hanging out at the Mora/Schumann's house – literally in their back yard, in their kitchen, and just wandering around.
Despite that, we never say Peter. He was kind of like the Wizard of Oz – you knew he was there, but you just never saw him in person. That was until one afternoon, where I found myself alone in the back yard reading a book. I looked up and there he was. Just standing there, all in white (a standard B&P outfit), with two pairs of stilts. When he saw me look up he said in a thick German accent – "do you know how to walk on stilts?" I was shocked he was talking to me & immediate terrified. This was Peter Shumann, the guy who routinely walked and danced around on 12 foot stilts and he was asking me if I did too. I was embarrassed but admitted I didn't. Without another word, he walked up to me and handed me a pair of stilts (very short ones) and went over to a picnic table, sat down & started tying the fabric around his knees on his pair. He looked back at me & waved me over. Put on the spot now, I knew there was no saying no, so I went over and sat next to him and put on the stilts.
By the time I got to high school, Bread & Puppet became a chance for me & my sister to try and become more involved. Never much the theater performers, we instead sought the famous B&P marching band and attempted to join one summer. This involved hauling up to Glover a few times over a summer to "rehearse" with the rag tag group of musicians who lived and worked on the B&P farm. Our very first practice, both my sister and I were super nervous. We showed up at the hay barn and were directed up to the attic – a place long roped off with a "staff only" sign over the many years of wandering through this part of the museum & workshop. When we got to the top of the stairs we were immediately intimidated – we were by far the youngest musicians and there were only about six of us total. We dutifully sat down and took out our instruments, my sister her flute & for me, my trombone. The rest of the players included a drum, a saxophone, a trumpet, and a "noise maker" – not exactly the marching band we were used to from Spaulding High School.
The trumpet player started the practice by asking what song we should play. Someone suggested "when the saints" – B&P's theme song – and they immediately started in. My sister & I stared blankly at each other. There was no sheet music! What notes were we supposed to play? After a few bars, the adults stopped & asked why we weren't playing. "We don't know the notes," I said. "Don't worry about that," said the trumpet player. "Just play B falt and you will figure it out." That was it. I never followed through that summer, but my sister went on to play in the band that summer, dressed all in white, walking in to the amphitheater while the B&P buses sped around the bend. It was one of the first times I remember being really proud of my sister.


Less ego and more compassion goes a long way in terms of connecting and relating to others.
Hi Tatenda, what makes you a woman?
What makes me a woman is how I embrace femininity and celebrate everything that comes with being a woman. My ability to nurture, chase my dreams and help shape society so graciously makes me a proud woman.
There are loads of women I respect for different reasons but if I have to pick one, it would be my mother for her amazing work ethic and dedication to family.
If I was a man I would imagine myself being more selfish and self centered. I feel men put themselves first in most instances and women almost don't have that luxury- although that is a healthy balance we have to establish for ourselves.
I struggle with putting myself first. It's been a journey and I'm way ahead now in terms of taking care of myself first.
I enjoy waking up every day and being intentional about pursuing my dreams with the people I love most cheering me on from the sidelines and doing the same for them. Priceless.
I would like to tell all women out there that they are special. (I feel like women always need this reminder) That they should celebrate themselves every day and not seek validation from anyone but themselves.
In short, self-love is the plug. Also to establish healthy boundaries and balance in life.
I would like to tell all men out there that they should love themselves and know that although they are raised to ignore their own emotions – to not appear 'weak' – their feelings do matter. Less ego and more compassion goes a long way in terms of connecting and relating to others.
My dream is to continue to develop my storytelling abilities and begin to touch lives beyond my country – to travel the African continent to document more untold, inspirational stories and to help create a more authentic narrative for ourselves as Africans.
Be unapologetic about traveling your unique life journey. Future generations depend on it.
Chase your dreams but don't forget to be THANKFUL for what you have every day of your life.
Heya Eugenia, what makes you a woman?
My biology, my body, my beauty, self confidence and having strong, caring men around.
I can go on and on but I feel like a complete human being with everything that nature gave to me.
She did the impossible to help me become the way I am today.
Finding myself. I like to do so many things that sometimes, I would want to go deep into one of them but get bored too fast.
My job, my hobbies, spending time with interesting, intelligent and beautiful people, and my family. I enjoy dreaming too.
Just be you. You are enough!
I dream to live in a world where there is less hate and jealousy.
I dream of plastic production being stopped by everyone in the world so we can save our planet sooner.
I dream that the rich will help the poor, and there will be less people suffering with depression etc.


WARNING: The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the German Auswärtiges Amt (AA) state that "There is a high threat from terrorism" in Egypt.
The East Bank of Luxor refers to the central part of Luxor township, centred on the twin foci of the Temple of Luxor and the Temple of Karnak. Unlike the West Bank, which was always the main area for cemeteries and mortuary temples, the East Bank represented the main settlement of the living throughout the millennia - a role that has hardly changed. The vast majority of hotels and tourist facilities are to be found in the East Bank.
April 2010 The reconstruction of the centre of Luxor is largely complete...but now they're digging up the town centre to expose the twin rows of spinxes that lined the processional route from Karnak to Luxor temple. As a result, a large number of buildings including hotels, churches and,I believe, mosques together with many private houses have been or will be demolished. Some of the recovered sphinxes are in good condition for their age although many are just fragments which are being fitted into cement replicas.
Completed major works include widening the main road along the corniche allowing the coaches from the Red Sea resorts to quickly access Karnak temple & the Valley of the Kings.
the Karnak Open Air Museum - an off-shoot to the Karnak temple complex, accessed just before the Second Pylon at left, featuring an amazing array of statuary and reconstructed temple structures. Don't miss this! Ticket to be bought from the Karnak ticket office. Open 6AM - 5.30PM daily. Entry LE 15, LE 10 (student).
Luxor Museum, open daily October-April 9AM-3PM and 4PM-9PM, May-September 9AM-1PM and 5PM-10PM, admission 80LE - located approximately halfway between Luxor and Karnak temples on the Corniche el-Nil. A small but quality collection of antiquities, mainly from the Luxor region. Includes most of the remarkable collection of pharaonic statuary found in a hidden cache within Luxor Temple in 1989, displayed in a special annex.
Museum of Mummification, Corniche el-Nil, open daily October-April 9AM-2PM, May-September 9AM-2PM and 5PM-8:45PM, admission 60LE, 30LE (student), opposite the Mina Palace Hotel - as the name suggests, the small (one-room museum) but fascinating collection is devoted to mummification practice. They place is tiny. Well done but only one (human) mummy! Probably not worth the extra 50LE ticket to use your camera unless you're really into mummification--there is much, much more and better at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Pay a visit at the Brooke Hospital for Animals - and leave a donation!
Visit ACE - Animal Care Egypt - it has new premises, and operates free for Egyptians. Donations are always accepted - but consider buying their clothing range or books, as a charity, they totally rely on such things.
Pay a repeat visit to Luxor Temple at night - atmospherically lit, it has a completely different mood to that found in the daytime and is usually more intimate then with fewer visitors.
Watch the sun go down over the Nile: preferably from the terrace of the Old Winter Palace hotel, with a drink in your hand. Listen to cacophony from thousands of small birds that roost in the trees lining the Corniche.
Take a walk along the Nile River. The section north of the mummification museum is fairly tranquil and tout-free. The atmosphere of the riverside walk resembles a nice park - a stark contrast to some of the dusty, damp streets farther inland.
Al-Sahaby Lane  The restaurant is located next door to Nefertiti Hotel, in the souk, the colorful Egyptian market of Luxor, on Sahaby street.
Jamboree Restaurant, Daily 10.30AM-2.30PM & 6.30-10.30PM. Inside the Souk. Ph: 010-146 1712, a spotlessly clean, air-conditioned establishment with roof terrace, serving a range of mid-priced Egyptian and international dishes of above average quality including Cajun chicken (LE 22.50), tasty jacket potatoes (LE 9-13) and a safe salad bar. Owned and run by two really friendly and handsome Egyptians, Mr. Hamdy and Mr. Amer.
El Kebabgy, Daily 12.00AM-12.00PM. Below the Corniche, near the Winter Palace Hotel, it offers great views of the Nile & West Bank and inexpensive, decent quality food including pasta, grills (Kofte, kebab, pigeon), mousaka etc; by candle light at night.
El Zaeem, Main road bordering the market, bright lights, two levels (sitting upstairs), 'chain' feel, red uniforms. Offers fresh simple and very cheap food such as shwarma and hawashi for 5 LE or less. Note that they have an Arabic menu with the 'correct' prices, and an english menu (or no menu at all) with made up prices for foreigners (anywhere between 10-25 LE for shwarma!). Therefore, reading arabic is a necessity for the local price!
McDonalds, Behind Luxor Temple, provides cheeseburgers and a safe haven from the nearby souk.
There is an excellent sugarcane drink place located near the train station, on the main road past the rotary. 6 LE for a cold, fresh bottle of sugarcane drink (1.5 liter).
Various large chains like Hilton, Sheraton, Novotel and Steigenberger also have high-end hotels in Luxor.
Luxor town has 4 telephone offices, allowing travellers to avoid the often hefty charges levied by hotels and mobile carriers for international phone calls.
The main telephone office is on Sharia Karnak, adjacent to the souqs and almost opposite the Emilio Hotel. It is conveniently open 24 hours a day. Another, smaller branch can be found below the grand sweeping entrance to the Old Winter Palace Hotel on the Corniche (open 0800-2000); whilst a third telephone office exists at the railway station (open 0800-2000) and the fourth telephone office is in Sheraton street, next DHL office.
If you wish to use your cell phone in Luxor, it is advisable to visit the Vodafone shop at the bottom of Television Street. You can buy a Holiday Sim Card, which costs 25LE, and you will avoid any roaming charges, even on international calls. Just top up the card as necessary. If your phone is 'locked' by your phone company, they will advise where you can get it unlocked for a fee of between 30-50LE.
Or buy a local simcard at Mobinil shop, opposite Pyramisa Isis Hotel, here they sell special tourist lines active for a few days. Also available are microsimcards for iphone4 and ipad users (prepaid) so you can use 3G for local egyptian prices during your holiday.
There is no shortage of venues in Luxor town to access the internet for email and browsing - the last few years have seen shops and food outlets both great and small venture into cyberspace as a new form of cottage industry. Shop around for the best deal, 1 LE for an hour or 0.5LE for half is often accepted.
Luxor town's main post office is on Sharia al-Mahatta, not far from the intersection with Sharia al-Karnak. Open 0830-1430 daily.
A smaller post office branch can be found in the Tourist Bazaar.
The Luxor passport office is located south of the town centre, virtually opposite the Isis Hotel, open Saturday - Thursday, 8AM 4PM. You need to give your passport, 2 pictures, and copies of your passport (including entrance stamps) before 11:00 AM. Your passport will be returned at about 02:00 PM same day. Rumour has it that visa extensions are far easier to acquire at this office than in Cairo.
If you want to buy stamps, you need small change because no one will sell you if you don't have it, and if you see an old woman at the stamp place, maybe, you will go back again because she doesn't want to work and do anything for you. She doesn't has a service mind. There is very bad experience with this post office.
This page was last edited on 8 August 2017, at 20:15.


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TV tonight: our highlights for Thursday 26th November
Lisa Patrick Thu, November 26 12:01am
Saving Britain's Pubs is just one of the gems on today...
Tom Kerridge calls last orders on his tour of the country Saving Britain's Pubs, three orphaned brothers' lives are changed by the DIY SOS team, and Pharrell Williams is on the lookout for Voices of Fire on Netflix. Here's what you shouldn't miss on TV tonight.
Our hand-selected recommendations for what's on TV tonight include three TV shows, live sport, a film and the latest trending need-to-binge-on-now box set
DIY SOS: The Big Build, 8pm, BBC1
You'll never get this lot in a bungalow!
Former foster parents Stephen and Lynn Smedley's retirement plans were changed forever when their daughter Carrie died suddenly, and grandsons Ruben, Jaden and Uche came to live with them in their two-bedroom bungalow – sharing a triple bunk bed in a single room. The team set out to extend the house and give the family some breathing space, and Nick Knowles' chats with Ruben reveal him to be a thoughtful, upstanding young man who takes caring for his younger brothers very seriously.
★★★★ SP
Saving Britain's Pubs with Tom Kerridge, 8pm, BBC2
Tom outside his own pub, The Hand and Flowers
It's cruelly apt that this series, planned as a four-parter, ended up being cut down to three episodes as a result of the pandemic – it echoes the change in fortunes of the featured pubs, which were forced shut by the lockdown just as they were finding their feet. This final instalment follows each pub through that unprecedented time as the publicans film their own experiences. As Tom notes, lockdown brings challenges but it also gives each of them time to step back, evaluate their business and work out what needs to change.
Voices of Fire, Netflix
Bishop Ezekiel and Pharrell Williams
This is a talent show unlike any other. No celebrity judges, no fancy staging or backing music, but a steady stream of ordinary people with extraordinary stories lining up to audition for a gospel choir in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Perhaps it's because singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams (a judge on The Voice US) is involved, or his uncle Bishop Ezekiel Williams has successfully shared his vision of creating the world's biggest multicultural community choir, but there's no end of talent and it keeps coming, their voices powerful and raw.
★★★★ MC
Grounded For Christmas, 3.10pm, Channel 5
Hit by a sudden blizzard, airline pilot Julianna Guill co-opts fellow pilot Corey Sevier into pretending to be her boyfriend when she visits her parents nearby for Christmas, after hearing her ex will be there with his new squeeze. Yes, love blooms in usual festive TV movie fashion, but watch out for Cheryl Ladd as Guill's mum.
Europa League Football: SC Braga v Leicester City 5.30pm (k-o 5.55pm), BT Sport 1
Europa League Football: Molde v Arsenal 5.30pm (k-o 5.55pm), BT Sport 2
Europa League Football: Sparta Prague v Celtic 5.30pm (k-o 5.55pm), BT Sport 3
Europa League Football: Tottenham Hotspur v Ludogorets 8pm (k-o 8pm), BT Sport 2
Europa League Football: Rangers v Benfica 8pm (k-o 8pm), BT Sport 3
EastEnders, 7.35pm
Emmerdale, 7pm & 8pm
Don't miss Saving Britain's Pubs on TV tonight – it's been a journey


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Pop Star Kesha Launches Vegan Makeup Line
Prior to the release of her new album in January, the musician will debut Kesha Rose Beauty, an all-vegan collection featuring "celestial" eyeshadows, lip glosses, and eyeliner.
On December 3, new vegan brand Kesha Rose Beauty will debut on Hipdot.com. The brand was created by pop star Kesha (previously known as "Ke$ha") and will feature an eyeshadow palette ($36) with 12 "celestial" hues, liquid eyeliner ($28), and lipstick/lipgloss duos ($26) in shades named after songs on her upcoming album High Road scheduled to debut in January. Items will be available for purchase individually and the entire collection will retail for $120 and come in a collector's box with a note from Kesha—or customers can opt for purchasing the line for $90 without the box or the note. "My relationship to makeup is not purely to make me feel perfect or beautiful or filtered. It's more to make me feel like my authentic insides are being shown on the outside," Kesha told WWD. "Sometimes with beauty, it feels like the goal is perfection. With my line, that's not the goal. My goal is happiness." This year, several celebrities opted to go the vegan route with their proprietary beauty lines, including Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown with Mills, Lady Gaga with Haus Laboratories, and both Kylie and Kendall Jenner with Kylie Skin and Moon, respectively.
These Cruelty-Free & Vegan Beauty Box Subscriptions Will Simplify Your Holiday Shopping
by Sara Kelley
14 Ethically Minded Celebrities Who Have Launched Vegan Brands
The 20 Best Vegan Valentine's Day Gifts That Aren't Chocolate
Why TikTok Star Charli D'Amelio Made Sure Her First Perfume Is Vegan and Cruelty-Free
28 Vegan Businesses Backed By Celebrities Like Serena Williams, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Cameron Diaz
Actress Kate Mara on Activism, Family, and Vegan Parenting


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Former Presiding Bishops
The Rev. H. George Anderson
The Rev. H. George Anderson was elected bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on August 19, 1995, during the ELCA's fourth Churchwide Assembly, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Anderson, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from Yale, earned graduate degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, and is known as a translator and author of many works on Lutheran history. At the time of his election he was president of Luther College, having served in that capacity from 1982 to 1996. Prior to his tenure at Luther he was on the faculty of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, South Carolina, and served as its president from 1970 to 1982.
Anderson was born in Los Angeles March 10, 1932, and adopted by Reuben and Frances Anderson. On the day he was elected bishop he compared that adoption with the unconditional love of God. "Adoption by those parents and adoption as a child of God has been a gift with me all my life," he said, "a feeling of being appreciated and valued by someone."
That feeling of belonging, and what Anderson calls "a sense of guiding and providence in my life," has sustained him through a distinguished career, a personal tragedy and a chain of events that nearly put him at the head of a Lutheran denomination in 1978.
Anderson, then president of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, S.C., was the leading vote-getter in the balloting for the presidency of the Lutheran Church in America. In an ironic twist of fate, he would have succeeded Dr. Robert J. Marshall, the pastor who had confirmed him at Grace Lutheran Church in Alhambra, Calif., in 1945, but he said he could not "visualize" himself as head of the LCA. "I interpreted that as the lack of an inner call to that task," he said, and withdrew his name.
The personal tragedy was to come next, as his wife was diagnosed with cancer. "If I had been elected then, I would have been pulled away from home at a terrible time," he said. "I had precious time to be with her during those days."
The death of his wife four years later was a test of faith, he recalls. He had just become president of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. The parents who had adopted him had recently died, his father's death coming within 10 weeks of his mother's. He assumed the role of single parent of two teenagers at the same time he took over the leadership of one of the country's most prestigious Lutheran colleges.
"I went through a period of depression," he said, "trying to function from day to day." It was worship in Decorah Lutheran Church and at the college chapel that sustained him. "I could listen to other Christians singing hymns of praise, even if it was difficult for me to do so," he said, "and that became a great blessing."
The new ELCA bishop reflected on numerous moments of blessing while speaking to reporters following his election. He recalled the time in 1945 when Pastor Robert Marshall began serving as his pastor in Alhambra. Pastor Marshall, who later became the president of the LCA, quickly determined that Anderson and the other young people were not properly prepared for confirmation, and the rite was delayed "until we learned those important basics of the faith."
The call to the ordained ministry was also unexpected. Following his first year at Yale, where he found campus pastors "challenging and stimulating," Anderson had volunteered as a youth worker in a mountain parish in western Virginia. "The pastor contracted Bell's palsy," he remembered, "and I ended up accompanying him every day as he did his pastoral work." The experience led him to switch his interests from science to theology, and he enrolled in the Lutheran seminary in Philadelphia in 1953.
Another unexpected opportunity set him on a distinguished career path as a historian and theologian. He was invited to accompany Kenneth Scott Latourette, a noted church historian, on a research trip to Europe. "He was a strong influence on me," Anderson said, "for he was an intellectual with a strong spiritual life."
Throughout his life, Anderson said, there was a sense of security and confidence, fed by his sense of adoption by human parents and by God. He later married Jutta Fischer, a woman who had been a student at the South Carolina seminary during his presidency, and adopted her two children.
Though it is common for church leaders to be asked to reflect on their past, Anderson had words about the future for the ELCA Assembly. Those words applied the faithful confidence he had described in his personal life to the 5.2 million member denomination. "As to the future," he said, "God has promised that as long as the earth endures, the church will be here. The future is not our enemy. It belongs to God."
In addition to serving the church over the years in many voluntary capacities, Anderson's record of community service includes organizing the College Place Day Care Center, co-founding the Eau Claire Community Organization, and serving as a director of Minnesota Public Radio (1984-90).
As bishop, Anderson wrote a regular column in The Lutheran magazine, and completed "A Good Time to Be the Church, A Conversation with Bishop H. George Anderson," Augsburg Books, February 1997. Other works include co-authorship of several volumes of the "Lutherans and Catholics in Dialogue" series, many scholarly essays, book chapters and translations over the course of three decades.
The Rev. Herbert Chilstrom
The Rev. Mark Hanson
ELCA Leadership
Churchwide Organization