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Q: Can sql server give me a warning if I try and insert unicode without the N prefix ok, so the support team have once again updated a value in the database and forgot the N prefix so replaced it with ???s.
Is there something that can be done on either the database (sqlserver 2012) or sqlserver management studio 2012 that can stop or warn people?
And why does the database automagically change the update to ?s, if it's a nvarchar column and I'm passing in Unicode without N why not have it error?

A:
Is there something that can be done on either the database (sqlserver 2012) or sqlserver management studio 2012 that can stop or warn people?

Not to my knowledge. About the only thing I can think of would be:
ALTER TABLE some_table ADD CONSTRAINT stop_messing_it_up CHECK (NOT column1 LIKE '%?%');

but you can't tell the difference between a question mark that came from prior content-mangling and a real question mark, so that would only be workable if it were also invalid to put a question mark in the database.

why does the database automagically change the update to ?s, if it's a nvarchar column

It doesn't matter what the column is, it's the type of the string literal in the query expression. In SQL Server (only), non-NATIONAL string literals can only contain characters in the locale-specific ("ANSI") code page, so the data loss occurs before the content gets anywhere near your table:
SELECT '随机字符中国';
??????

SELECT N'随机字符中国';
随机字符中国

A: This is not an issue with the driver being used to connect to SQL Server. It is simply an implicit conversion happening due to using the wrong datatype in the string literal. Everything has a type. A number 2 by itself is, by default, an INT, and not a DECIMAL or FLOAT or anything else. A number 2.0 is, by default, a NUMERIC (same as DECIMAL), and not a FLOAT, etc. Strings are no different. A string expressed as 'something' is 8-bit ASCII, using the Code Page of the database that the query is running in. If you had used '随机字符中国' in a database set to one of the collations that supports those characters in an 8-bit encoding (it would be a Double-Byte Character Set (DBCS)) then it would not have translated to ? since it would have had the character in its Code Page.
CREATE DATABASE [ChineseSimplifiedPinyin] COLLATE Chinese_Simplified_Pinyin_100_CI_AS;

Then, run this:
USE [ChineseSimplifiedPinyin];
SELECT '随机字符中国';

and it will return those characters and not ??????.

And why does the database automagically change the update to ?s, if it's a nvarchar column and I'm passing in Unicode without N why not have it error?

The UPDATE is not being changed. An implicit conversion is happening because you are using the wrong datatype for string literals when not prefixing with the N. This is no different than doing the following:
DECLARE @Test INT;
SET @Test = 2.123;
SELECT @Test;

which returns simply a 2.
Now, it might be possible to set up a Policy to trap implicit conversions, but that would be too far reaching and would likely break lots of stuff. Even if you could narrow it down to implicit conversions going from VARCHAR to NVARCHAR that would still break code that would otherwise work in the current situation: inserting 'bob' into an NVARCHAR field would be an implicit conversion yet there would be no data loss. And you can't trap any of this in a Trigger because that is after-the-fact of receiving the implicitly converted data.
The best way to ensure nobody forgets to insert or update without the N prefix is to create a web app or console app that would be an interface for this (which is probably a good idea anyway since that will also prevent someone from using the wrong WHERE clause or forgetting to use one altogether, both of which do happen). Creating a small .NET web or console app is pretty easy and .NET strings are all Unicode (UTF-16 Little Endian). Then the app takes the data and submits the INSERT or UPDATE statement. Be sure to use a parameter and not dynamic SQL.

Given that the ? character is valid in this field, if it can be determined that multiple ?s would never naturally occur, then you can probably prevent this issue on cases involving more than a single character getting converted by creating an INSERT, UPDATE Trigger that cancels the operation if multiple ?s in a row are present. Using a Trigger as opposed to a Check Constraint allows for a little more control, especially over the error message:
CREATE TRIGGER tr_PreventLosingUnicodeCharacters
ON SchemaName.TableName
AFTER INSERT, UPDATE
AS
BEGIN
SET NOCOUNT ON;

  IF (EXISTS (SELECT *
             FROM   INSERTED ins
             WHERE  ins.column1 LIKE N'%??%')
     )
  BEGIN
    ROLLBACK; -- cancel the INSERT or UPDATE operation

    DECLARE @Message NVARCHAR(1000);
    SET @Message =
               N'INSERT or UPDATE of [column1] without "N" prefix results in data loss. '
                 + NCHAR(13) + NCHAR(10)
                 + N'Please try again using N''string'' instead of just ''string''.';

    RAISERROR(@Message, 16, 1);
    RETURN;
  END;
END;

And if 2 ?s can naturally happen, then do the search for ??? and then it is only 1 or 2 character items that might slip by. In either case, this should catch enough erroneous entries so that you only need to fix things on rare occasions (hopefully :).

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Is it Wine O'clock in Wheeling? Celebrate National Wine Day on May 25
A Light in our Valley
Cracks, Whizzes and Cheers: Eight Decades of American Legion Baseball
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WATCH: Progress at The Fort Henry Club
The Mabel Files: Centre Market
The Mabel Files: Part 11
Learning the Colorful History of a Keystone Wheeling Neighborhood
It was a sweltering July Saturday in 1938, when Mabel spotted the "for rent" sign in the window of the little storefront on Market Street directly across the narrow roadway from the red brick Centre Market House. As usual, there was a kind of electricity running through the neighborhood.
Drivers steered their cars around the neighborhood in search of places to park, and big, lumbering trucks driven by men in overalls seemed to worm their way through the traffic to unload and restock the depleted vender booths under the big green roof of the open-sided Market House structure.
Children darted recklessly between parked cars, sales booths, and crowds of people keeping motorists and pedestrians alike on their guard and prompting the occasional angry shout or sharp blast from a car or truck horn.
From inside the Market House, vendors crooned their lists of offerings in song-like chants: "Strawwwwww-berrieees, Bluuuuuue-berrrieeees, Cher-er-er-ries."
There were people laughing, arguing, bargaining, and loudly making plans for the rest of their Saturday visit to Wheeling—the region's shopping and entertainment hub. There were even young men dressed as cowboys wearing wide-brimmed white hats, shirts embroidered with images of cows and cacti, and leather chaps around their legs. They were passing out fliers to drum up business for that night's WWVA Jamboree.
Radios set to different stations and blaring old-time music, radio comedies, farm reports, and big-band dance music blended into a whirl of sound that wafted into the street from the open windows of second-floor apartments along the street.
The smell of fresh fruit was in the air, but so was the smell of some kind of meat being cooked on an open grill, fried cod from Coleman's Fish Market, and exhaust fumes from the noisy collection of cars and trucks that prowled the streets. It was all mixed with the overriding aroma of baked bread from the Stroehmann's Bakery just around the next corner.
This Saturday morning, like most every Saturday since the older upper Market next door opened in 1853, shoppers from miles around converged on the neighborhood to buy fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses from farmers who set up shop in busy little booths inside the lower red brick Market House.
On this day, Mabel was just passing through. Every Saturday she and her mother, Lizzie, briskly walked the long distance from the little Jacob Street apartment/confectionary store run by her father, Tom, on their way to the "five-and-dime" stores or L.S. Good's store uptown to buy material for sewing projects or other household goods. The sights, sounds, and smells of the Centre Market on a Saturday had always fascinated Mabel. But, now, for the first time, she thought about actually living amid all the action because she spotted that "for rent" sign.
It was on the corner of 23rd and Market streets on the east side. It had a storefront with four rooms behind it—two bedrooms, a kitchen and a little living room/dining room combination. Lizzie held onto Mabel's elbow and they ventured inside the open door to look around. They found the owner inside. His name was Shaffer, and he explained that the retail space and apartment was available for rent at a reasonable rate.
When Tom heard Mabel and Lizzie describe the new opportunity, he was convinced and 30 days
Lizzie, with her crochet work, and Tom take in a Saturday morning at Centre Market in front of the store about 1940.
later, the Minns Family moved their belongings and store stock of light confections, candy, tobacco, pop, bread, and milk into the Market Street store with the help of an army of young people led by Mabel's beau, George.
It was the beginning of an interesting phase of the little family's life. New characters came into the store; George, proposed; and the newspapers Tom sold began to run stories about unrest in Europe. This was where the family lived when George announced that he had been drafted, when they learned about Pearl Harbor and the start of war, and when Mabel found her first out-of-the-home work conducting children's story time at the Ohio County Public Library just down the street.
Several weeks after the Minns settled in, George noticed an old man who sat for hours each day on the stoop in front of the building two doors to the north of the Minns store. The old fellow was feeble but jovial. He traded quips and shared laughs with any pedestrian who took the time to chat. One day as George passed by the man, he struck up a conversation—an encounter that turned into a three-hour neighborhood history lesson.
Evangelical Lutheran Zion Church Ohio county Public Library
When George finally came into the store later that night and sat down with the family for dinner, he had tales to tell about the new neighborhood and the role it had played in Wheeling's history, courtesy of their 88-year-old neighbor.
"The old man who sits out front every day is named Ernst," George explained to Tom, Lizzie, and Mabel as the family dug into one of Lizzie's pot-roast and potato suppers. "He was born here in Wheeling in 1850, and he told me some very interesting stories about the neighborhood. It seems Ernst's father came from Germany, and he had a shop where he repaired buggies. Ernst lived in a comfortable three-story brick townhouse just south of Wheeling Creek—just a few hundred yards away from here. I guess this part of town was mostly a German neighborhood in those days. Lots of Germans seemed to settle here. Anyway, Ernst can remember way back to the days when the West Virginia wasn't even a state yet."
Ernst told George about the old Evangelical Lutheran Zion Church at 2118 Market Street (now the Towngate Theater) and how he and his mother were almost killed inside when a tornado hit in 1852.
"Ernst couldn't remember it, of course, but he did remember his mama telling him about what happened," George explained. "The tornado hit hard and quick. The roof of the church fell in, and the north and south walls were damaged. The really bad part was that three children were killed from the falling bricks and the roof. Ernst said he was almost killed too. He said it was a really bad time, and the community took a long time to get over the children's deaths and the damage to their church. He also said he thinks the place is haunted by the spirts of the dead children."
Tom drummed his fingers on the dining table. Mabel sat wide-eyed. Lizzie , who ate like a bird, had already finished eating and taken up her crochet work.
"That's a bit of a depressing story George," Lizzie said. "Didn't Ernst have any uplifting things to say?"
George spooned another helping of potatoes onto his plate.
"Oh that's just the beginning," he responded. "Wait till you hear about the rallies they used to have here, and the strange story of how they built the library down the street."
Francis Harrison Pierpont http://www.aoc.gov/images/pierpont.jpg
According to Ernst, who was 12-years-old at the time, the older upper Market was the site of a torchlight rally on Aug. 2, 1862, when Francis Pierpont, governor of the Restored Government of Virginia, made a rip-roaring speech in support of the Union. The agitated crowd immediately formed committees to draft resolutions expressing support for the federal government and authorizing the recruitment of troops to go join the Union Army. Aware of his predominantly German audience, Pierpont called them the "bone and sinew" of the city.
George then told the family about how the Market House was an assembly point for Union troops and how Ernst recalled chatting with soldiers who rested with their backs against the Market walls while cleaning their rifles and bayonets.
"Ernst swears he saw General George McClelland himself ride in, tie up his horse, and go inside the Market to get food for his train ride from Wheeling to Washington, D.C., where he took command of the whole Union Army after the First Battle of Bull Run," George said. "McClelland was in Wheeling commanding the Department of the Ohio when Lincoln telegraphed him to come and take over."
Tom, a Civil War enthusiast and avid Union supporter, pricked up his ears at the war stories.
"Then Ernst told me about when some guy was almost hanged right in front of the Market for trying to work up a cheer for Jeff Davis," George said. "He said Union soldiers broke up the mob and saved the southern sympathizer's life by firing their rifles over their heads."
Lizzie fidgeted.
"There you go again, George," she said. "Can you keep it positive?"
George thought for a moment.
"How about this," he offered. "Ernst explained how dominant German heritage and customs had once been in the neighborhood in the old days. He said there had once been 11 different singing societies in Wheeling that sponsored famous singing festivals in 1898 and 1906 called Saengerfests that drew crowds from all over the Eastern United States to Center Wheeling.
"And about the library," George continued. "You know how there's all those libraries all over the place named for Carnegie? Well, I guess Mr. Carnegie built them for free in lots of towns and offered to build one in Wheeling. All Wheeling had to do was buy the land and the books and maintain it. Carnegie would do the rest. The city authorized a vote on a $50,000 library levy to make it happen. But, Ernst said the unions were against it because they hated Andrew Carnegie so much. They worked to defeat it, so in 1904, the levy was beaten by 201 votes, and Wheeling became the first American city to reject a free Carnegie Library. Ernst said the only reason we have the one we have up the street now is that the Ohio County Board of Education eventually voted to build a library with its own money in 1911."
George remembered another tidbit that might interest his future mother-in-law.
"Here's one you will like, Abby. (George always called Lizzie Abby because she reminded him of a character by that name in one of the family's favorite books.) "You remember that book we read last year called 'Life in the Iron Mills' by a woman named Rebecca Harding Davis? Well, according to Ernst, she was the daughter of Richard Harding, the city treasurer, and they lived up across from the Second Presbyterian Church at 20th and Market streets. She eventually worked as a reporter for the Wheeling Intelligencer before becoming a famous writer and moving to New York."
Mabel chimed in.
"That was the book about women and the effect that conditions in the iron mills had on family life back in the 1860s," she said. "I've heard people say it was about Wheeling."
Rebecca Harding Davis http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Rebecca_Harding_Davis
George said that according to Ernst, the second lower Market, the one across the street from the store, was built in 1891 and was designed by a Wheeling architect named Edward Bates Franzheim, who also designed Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church, the Board of Trade/Court Theatre and had a hand in renovations to the Fort Henry Club and the Oglebay Mansion.
"Ernst said he remembers watching Franzheim visit the building site for the lower Market," George said. "He said Franzheim was a bit of a dandy and carried a yellow cane and gloves and wore spats."
Edward Bates Franzheim http://www.wvencyclopedia.org/
"Apparently, things got pretty dicey for the German folks who lived in the neighborhood during the Great War," George said, shifting gears again. "Ernst said gangs would go around looking for copies of German newspapers that they would gather up and burn out in the streets. He said that the word 'German' used to be on a lot of banks and churches and all of a sudden, the word was taken off. St. Alphonsus Catholic Church used to be called St. Alphonsus German Catholic Church and the First German Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church became just Zion Evangelical Church."
Lizzie and Mabel had cleared the table and started washing dishes by the time George finished relating all he had learned that day from the little old man down the street.
"Fascinating stories, George," Tom said pushing back from the table and heading for the radio. "Tomorrow, maybe you could introduce me to Ernst. I have some questions for him."
"Sure thing Pap," George responded. "It's great to get to know what happened in your hometown a long time ago from the people who saw it all happen firsthand. It's history that will drift away if we don't ask about it."
Read more Mabel Files:
Part 2: Lindy Visits Wheeling
Part 3: T.J. Minns and his "Pal"
Part 4: Music, talk, and danger inside the Minns' Confectionary
Part 5: Stogies, Sandwiches, and Crocheted Lace
Part 6: The Minns Confectionary Feels the Loss of a Jazz Giant
Part 7: Wheeling's Underworld and Big Bill
Part 8: When George Met Mabel
Part 9: Wheeling's Bonnie and Clyde
Part 10a: Fireside Chats and the Flood of '36
Part 10b: WWVA Jamboree and It's Wheeling Steel
Read more about Rebecca Harding Davis here.
Read more about German life in Wheeling here.
Centre MarketMabel
http://flowershopsonline.net/ May 25, 2015
link google plus and facebook May 13, 2015
Your style is really unique compared to other folks I've read stuff from.
Thank you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this blog.
Elizabeth April 13, 2015
Thanks for all you writings! My son and I just love to read all about Wheeling, were I was born.
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Centre Market's New Manager Has Big Plans For Its Future
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Online services link owners, aspiring farmers
Oct 25, 2018 After the Farm
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By Jeremy Simes
It can sometimes be difficult for a retiring producer to find someone to take over the farm. | Getty Images
Older farmers who start thinking about retirement can sometimes have a hard time finding the right person to take over the land.
Those obstacles can be even trickier to overcome if no family members are willing to stay on the farm.
Producers usually want the farm to remain as a farm, but where do they turn if they are in that predicament?
A growing number of programs are available to do just that. They are like dating websites but without the romance. They connect new entrants looking to begin their farming careers with older folks looking to retire.
One organization, called FarmLINK, is just one of many in Canada that are connecting the young and the old.
On its website, FarmLink.net, new entrants can view profiles of those looking to sell and vice versa. People can communicate online through the site until they are ready to meet in person. The site is available for farmers across Canada.
"Think of it as a cross between realtor.ca and eHarmony, connecting those looking for land with owners," said Keeley Nixon, the program lead with FarmLINK.
"It's really formulated to get folks to put their best foot forward."
While FarmLINK doesn't create specialized succession plans for its users, Nixon said it does at least get those conversations going. On its website, the organization points people to other resources they can use, such as succession checklists, information about legal agreements and webinars.
She said there have been a number of success stories. For example, she pointed to a match between Cathy McKay and Rob Alexander near Port Perry, Ont. The two never knew each other before linking up online, even though they lived only 20 minutes away from one another.
"She (McKay) really wanted someone to take over. She spent about five years trying to find someone to mentor before posting a listing on the site," Nixon said.
"Once she did, she found someone fairly quickly. That's the magic of it."
However, FarmLINK isn't the only service matching farm seekers with owners.
L'Arterre, an organization in Quebec, pairs aspiring farmers with current producers. The group has agents who ensure matches are compatible.
If all goes well, a business agreement can be signed between the two parties. L'Arterre works with a network of lawyers, tax specialists and advisers throughout the process.
As well, the Young Agrarians group offers mentorship programs in British Columbia and Alberta. While the programs don't necessarily deal with succession, they connect aspiring farmers with current owners, providing them with an opportunity to see what farming is all about.
By the end of the program, new entrants should have enough skills for when they decide to purchase or lease land. In B.C., the Young Agrarians also has a land-matching program, which links new entrants with owners.
However, Nixon said while these connector sites are necessary, they aren't the only tool that farmers require in order to have successful transitions.
She said other initiatives are needed to support succession, such as protecting prime farmland, tax incentives, financial support, training programs, community outreach and funding for new-farmer programs.
"This is just another tool in the toolbox of all the things we need to do to address succession," she said.
"I don't think we need more duplication of what we're doing, but we should improve what exists and better tap into current resources, as well as identify the gaps."
Sam Smith, a farm business specialist with the Intervale Center, agreed more tools are needed to help with succession. Intervale, which is based in Vermont, connects new entrants with owners and helps in the transition process.
"The face of agriculture is changing," he said.
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Sunday, June 25, 2017 - 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time - A [Trinity 2011]
[Jer 20:10-13; Rom 5:12-15; Matt 10:26-33]
"Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted." [Matthew]
The lines quoted are from the instructions given by Jesus to his disciples before sending them on their mission. Needless to say, they are for our instruction, too. They carry with them the assurance of God's providential care in proclaiming the gospel. Adversity is to be expected. I can recall in my grade school days when we were preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation that the sisters warned us that the bishop would tap us lightly on the side of the face as a reminder that we were to be "soldiers for Christ." The ecclesiology (study of the church) in those days spoke of the "Church Suffering, the Church Militant, and the Church Triumphant." The "sodality of our Lady," to which I belonged, had a marching hymn that began, "An army of youth, flying the banner of truth. We're fighting for Christ the Lord!" All of this suggests an intentional, almost aggressive, evangelism. We Catholics were out to prove our faith to be the only true one and in the process also show that we were good American citizens!
The tone of all this is considerably different now. Indeed, the pope is more universally accepted at a pastor for the whole world and not just for Catholics. "The New Evangelism" is directed more at those in the church who have stopped practicing their faith. The social justice teachings, which includes anything that touches on human dignity, are offered to the world in a "consistent life ethic" and a concern for "our common home." Pope Francis exhorts all of us to be "missionaries of mercy." However, despite the change in tone, there will always be political and economic forces that will oppose the faith. When Jesus sent the disciples out on mission, he wanted them to go with eyes wide open to the task. When Matthew put his gospel portrait together, he already had the experience of the community to reflect on. Our baptismal commitment means that Jesus' instructions are for us now. What shall we do to spread the Word? AMEN


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Update: City Council approves adding cameras to Old Town
Home TV Appearances Update: City Council approves adding cameras to Old Town
KSNW TV
WICHITA, Kan. – The Wichita City Council voted 6-0 Tuesday to approve security upgrades in the Old Town area. The city plans to add up to 70 high-definition cameras. The cost of the security upgrades is $750,000.
Wichita Deputy Police Chief Jose Salcido said the project was started with three goals in mind: crime prevention, crime solving, and prosecution.
Deputy Salcido cited a study that found a 51 percent reduction in parking lot crime. The cameras would be used for video forensics, catching a criminal in the act, or identifying a suspect.
Police will be able to live stream the feed in a command center downtown.
"You here that people don't come downtown because they don't feel safe," says Gina Buster.
The plan will also allow for businesses who get their own cameras to hook up to the feed, and choose what cameras they allow the police to watch. Meads Corner general manager, Gina Buster, says more cameras downtown is a big benefit for employee safety.
"Knowing that they have not just us and our security system but they city as well," says Buster.
But also for people like Amy and Krystal, who sometimes walk down to get their coffee and have sometimes felt a little uneasy walking at night.
"If I came down here or maybe by myself with a friend then I would feel more secure walking around and doing stuff," says Krystal McMillan.
But where do you draw the line on too much surveillance?
"How can it be private if it is in a public place?"
KSN legal analyst, Dan Monnat, says the camera's and surveillance are within the legal limits of privacy.
"I don't think 70 cameras in a public place push the limits of privacy any more than 70 law enforcement officers in a public place," says Monnat.
So what business will be first in allowing police access to camera's inside and outside?
"We will talk about that and see if it is something that is in our best interest to do," says Buster.
Deputy Salcido told the city council that several officers would be trained to monitor the cameras from the command center.
"We would have an officer or two watching the cameras that could see a disturbance. Rather than wait for a bystander to pick up the phone, we don't have to wait for the incident to get to this point, we can intervene when it is starting."
The project would be completed by June 2017.
See full video at KSN.com


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Tom Pauken: No more Common Core
Texans tried Common Core for more than a decade and found it very wanting
Tom Pauken
Republican advocates for the Common Core State Standards have been surprised to discover deep and persistent opposition to a top down, educational system driven by a �??testing to the test�?� mindset which seeks to push all students towards a four year university degree. You might say that, by failing to anticipate objections from grassroots conservatives, Common Core advocates are guilty of the soft bigotry of low expectations. But, the trajectory of the debate and the passion it engenders from many parents, educators, grassroot conservatives and employers dissatisfied with the increasing state and national control over local public education, is not at all surprising to those of us in Texas who have watched and participated in the battle over our state�??s education policy in recent years. As Chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission, I was heavily involved in that battle.
Over the past two decades, intellectual elites took control of Texas public schools and implemented a philosophy that shares with the Common Core the same defining characteristics:
– a top-down, centralized approach
– an obsession with testing
– one-size-fits-all standards and curriculum
– the use of buzzwords like �??rigor�?� so as to imply that opponents favor low quality education
– giving lots lip service to principles like local control while essentially threatening those (schools, districts, states) who don�??t choose to comply to do so under state mandates.
In Texas, this approach to education goes back to initiatives begun by Ross Perot in 1984 which gained steam under Democratic Governor Ann Richards in the early 1990s. But, when George W. Bush was Governor, this top-down, centralized educational philosophy came to dominance.
Despite the liberal roots of Bush�??s education policy Republicans in 1995 were generally supportive of his reforms even though the architect of his plan was Sandy Kress �?? the former Chairman of the Dallas Democratic Party. It�??s not hard to understand why. Many Texans were tired of seeing their tax dollars go to fund public schools that did not appear to be doing well. High stakes testing was sold as necessary to keep administrators accountable. Moreover, conservatives were weary of the left�??s constant accusations of racism; and, thus, the increasingly rigid graduation requirements that were promoted by the Bush Administration provided a good soundbite: The Bush Administration had high expectations for all Texas students, not just high achieving school districts.
Texans subsequently learned that you can�??t legislate achievement. Getting students to pass an increasing number of state mandated tests came to be the focal point in many classrooms. The rest of the country learned the same thing when President Bush took his education policies to Washington in the form of No Child Left Behind. More than a decade after the passage of that bill, it is clear that you can�??t make every student proficient in reading and math simply by writing it into law and requiring a bunch of tests.
Republican supporters of the Common Core have missed the shift that has occurred among conservatives since the time when Bush took office in Texas. Conservatives have returned to their roots. After letting their guard down in the mid-1990s, they recovered their healthy suspicion of centralization and top-down solutions. Common Core advocates appear to be genuinely dumbfounded that anyone would not support implementation of their standards. Yet the past two presidential administrations have taught us to be highly skeptical when a room full of experts say �??trust us.�?�
Texans finally had enough. A remarkably diverse coalition emerged over the last couple of years — perhaps the most diverse political alliance I�??ve seen in my half-century in politics. The bipartisan group consisted of parents from affluent suburbs and the inner city, teachers and superintendents, business owners, and legislators from both rural and urban districts. They were fed up with the obsession with high stakes tests that had come to dominate every aspect of Texas public schools. And, employers who were struggling to fill slots for good paying jobs in the skilled trades were tired of a mentality that denigrated working with your hands and said that all kids should go to college.
The result was that in its most recent regular session, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 5, which Governor Rick Perry signed into law after intense pressure from voters who barraged his office with calls in support of the bill. HB 5 significantly reduces the amount of standardized tests high school students must take to graduate. It also, undoes the one size fits all approach curriculum approach, giving students multiple pathways to graduation. Under the new law, local school districts will have greater flexibility to develop graduation plans that will help prepare those students interested in a career pathway to get an industry-certified credential or a license by the time they graduate from high school.
Some Common Core advocates may tell you that their approach to education has not been tried and found wanting but rather found difficult and not tried. Don�??t believe them. Texans tried it for more than a decade and found it very wanting — so much so that they finally stood up to an army of well-paid lobbyists and condescending bureaucrats to demand a return to common sense.
Tom Pauken is a former Reagan official and Republican candidate for Governor of Texas.
A queen in Obamaland
U.K. Economy Grows at Fastest Rate in Three Years
Written By Tom Pauken


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SAM & ARTIST JEFFREY D HARRIS
SAM HIRES FAMOUS PITTSBURGH ARTIST JEFFREY D HARRIS
SAM used the artistic talents of Jeff Harris to create caricature-like renditions for our new website.
Born on the island of Guam, and a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Jeffrey has been working in the design field for nearly 30 years. He is a versatile visual communicator and has great success as an illustrator, graphic designer, art director and creative director, in addition to freelance work of an internally syndicated kids feature called Shortcuts.
For more about Jeffrey, to see some of his fantastic art, caricatures and other designs visit his website: www.jeffrey-d-harris.com
Thanks for making us look good, Jeffrey!
SAM Joins Women in Consumer & Commercial Finance
SAM Inc. Celebrates 15 Years in Business!!!
Interview with AccountsRecovery.net – Getting to Know Brenda
New Vendor Partner – Information Security & More
OPERATED BY BRENDA MELI & LAUREN MILLER
SAM is a 100% woman-owned business, incorporated in March 2004, based in Harrisburg, PA and Toronto, Canada.
Ms. Meli is a Pittsburgh native and 25 year veteran to the credit and collections industry, specializing in sales and marketing.
Ms. Miller is a Chicago native with 15+ years of executive experience in Operations, Payment/Collections, Customer Service and Marketing.
More About SAM
Solutions for Account Management (SAM)
4075 Linglestown Road #321 Harrisburg, PA 17112
Brenda@SAMincSolutions.com
Lauren@SAMincSolutions.com
SOLUTIONS FOR ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT (SAM) | Copyright All Rights Reserved © 2020


When you get married, you expect that marriage to last forever. Unfortunately, the sad truth is many marriages end in divorce or one spouse dies and the other goes on to remarry. In those cases, you would generally want the assets you acquired during the first marriage to go to the children of that marriage. Without proper planning, those assets could end up being given to the children of your second marriage or your second or third spouse.
It is very simple; either you design a plan or your estate will be distributed according to the plan the government designed. The government's plan does not and will not take into consideration your personal wishes. Their plan also does not consider the types of families we have today or the stages of life you are in. In California, there has been no significant change to the government's distribution plan in over 100 years. However, there have been substantial changes to the types of families there are in the world today.
The only way to protect your family is to create a plan centered on your family's personal needs. If you have children from a first marriage, create a plan that ensures the assets from that first marriage go to the children from that first marriage. Don't risk letting your assets be divided by a plan that doesn't know you or your wishes.


Great News! Grant #4 - LCMS Mission Central Support for Missionary Expenses ($10,000.00) has been fully paid! On Sunday, March 24, Zone President Joan Anderson presented the check to Rev. Brent Smith of Mission Central at Faith Lutheran Church in LaCrosse Wisconsin. See the picture of the Funding Presentation! Watch for further details of exactly which missionaries benefitted from this grant in the coming weeks. A follow up article will be posted at that time. The Lord has led the ladies of our district to be generous with their mites. We now turn our attention to Grant #5 - Shelter MySheep - Free at Last Ministry for $20,000.00. Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow!


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Stanley William Farquhar (February 24, 1916 – May 30, 1992) was a politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1963 to 1971 who represented the riding of Algoma—Manitoulin.

Background
He was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, the son of Thomas Farquhar. In 1949, he married Catherine May Reid. He was general manager of Thomas Farquhar and Sons, which produced dairy products and ice cream. Farquhar died at his home on Vancouver Island in 1992.

Politics
Farquhar served on the local school board and was mayor of Little Current.

In 1963, Farquhar ran as the Liberal candidate in the northern Ontario riding of Algoma—Manitoulin. He defeated Progressive Conservative incumbent John Fullerton by 1,644 votes. In 1967 he was re-elected by 1,347 votes. He retired from politics in 1971.

References

External links

Tributes for Stanley William Farquhar in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario

1916 births
1992 deaths
Mayors of places in Ontario
Ontario Liberal Party MPPs
People from Manitoulin Island
People from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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The reason why this mum always has sex on first date
Single mum Elysia Downings, 28, who runs a successful webcam business, believes it can really help a relationship in the early stages
Zoe Forsey
Anna Riley
Single mum Elysia Downings always has sex on the first date (Image: Facebook)
Many of us know that getting invited back to a date's house for a 'coffee' or a 'nightcap' is often an innuendo for getting a little more intimate.
But how long should you know a person before sleeping over? General dating advice normally suggests going on a few dates with someone and really getting to know them before having sex.
Yet one woman has revealed she always has sex on the first date if she likes the man, claiming it has one huge benefit.
For single mum Elysia Downings, 28, getting intimate straight away helps to cut out time wasters and can actually speed up the process of finding someone special.
"I don't see anything wrong with always sleeping with men on first dates – in fact, there are benefits," she told the Sun.
"If a guy is only interested in having sex with you, regardless of whether you do that on the first date or ten dates later, they're going to disappear.
Elysia says the job has made her the "happiest she's ever been" (Image: Instagram)
"So by having sex with them on the first date, you can work out where the relationship is going to end up. It helps make sure you're not wasting your time."
Elysia, who lives Buxton in Derbyshire, runs an online underwear and sex toy business called Betsy Boudoir and also works as a webcam girl.
She told Mirror Online that she can make up to £72,000 a year and says the job has made her the "happiest she's ever been".
Watch: The best time to have sex
All the very strict rules Hull's only strip club must follow as Purple Door's licence renewed
The businesswoman from Buxton in Derbyshire, charges punters £3.99 a minute to watch her get her kit off and perform various erotic acts online.
She has around 500 subscribers, with some loyal fans dishing out thousands of pounds to see her private broadcasts from her bedroom.
She feels there is even more of a stigma about being in this industry as she is a mother (Image: BETSY BOUDOIR)
She said: "You need to let go and not have any worries. It's all in our heads.
"I love doing it, I feel free and liberated - and I do feel powerful.
"It's been so good for my confidence, especially after having a baby and stretchmarks – I've learnt to accept my body.
"I know people will judge me regardless, but I am the happiest I've ever been."
On average she aims to make £500 a day for two to three hours work, and made £4,200 in the run up to Christmas in just one week.
The 28-year-old hopes to make enough money so she can retire by the time she is 40 (Image: Instagram)
Elysia, who has a six-year-old son, said: "I'm saving as much money as possible.
"Hopefully I am going to retire by the time I'm 40, which by that time my son will be 18, so I can enjoy life and not have to worry about work.
"And I really don't think it's all to do with attractiveness. It's just about being a businesswoman – and I've had years of practise seducing men."
Download our app - You can download our free app for iPhone and iPad from Apple's App Store , or get the Android version from Google Play .


The blaxploitation classic Superfly returns to theaters this week via a modern, hip-hop-inspired makeover fueled by a soundtrack largely overseen by rapper Future. While reviews of the movie have been mixed, to put it kindly, blaxploitation films are often outshined by their soundtracks. Such accompanying music often invited artists to get creative in mixing and matching genres, thereby allowing soul, funk and R&B legends to show what they could do outside of the album-single format. In honor of Superfly's resurrection, we look at five outstanding blaxploitation soundtracks.
The third solo album from Curtis Mayfield serves as a soundtrack to the 1972 film of the same name, with the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer using the movie's premise – a drug dealer out to get his life back on track – to go deep on societal ills such as poverty and drug abuse. "His hope was a rope and he should have known," Mayfield sings on the signature single "Freddie's Dead," where funk and orchestral flourishes strive for a low-key, dream-like quality. Even the more aggressive numbers – the street-wise rhythms that lead to svelte guitars on "Pusherman," for instance – philosophize as much as they tell a story. "A victim of ghetto demands" is how Mayfield describes the boisterous dealer. Superfly, then, not only creates character portraits, but meditates on them as well.
The Isaac Hayes-led soundtrack to the classic 1971 crime film still towers as a defining soul, funk, and R&B album. His "Theme from Shaft," for instance, remains one of the coolest, sexiest, and mischievous movie tunes around. The trumpet says this song is refined, while the hip-shaking wah-wah guitar effects imply something more lecherous. Then there's "Do Your Thing," in which Hayes offers a sermon in individuality and confidence – a lecture, if you will, in self-assurance. The latter functions a prime example of what Hayes did best: Devise single-ready songs and extend their lengths by taking us on cinematic, groove-led journeys.
The tough crime thriller Trouble Man isn't regarded as a genre standout. But musically, the Marvin Gaye-led soundtrack showcases just how expansive an artist and orchestrator Gaye had become. Only a year removed from the landmark What's Goin' On, Trouble Man isn't as explicitly topical but instead sees Gaye experimenting with genre mash-ups and out-of-this-world sounds. Check "'T' Plays It Cool," which launches with a blast of horns that hint at multiple directions. Perhaps a sultry, James Bond-like endeavor will follow, or even something more space age. Neither occur, but it sounds deliciously weird, as late-night bluesy horns, snake-like synths, and a casual guitar provide mysterious shading. Elsewhere, "The Break In (Police Shoot Big)" finds Gaye adopting New Orleans jazz inflections while the title track mesmerizes with sauntering horns and Gaye's dizzying falsetto.
A showcase for James Brown, 1973's Black Caesar inspired the soul-funk legend to bring a darker, jazz-infused edge to his sound. While the songs seem to only casually nod to the plot of the film, the music endures with a rough-around-the-edges toughness. "You try hard, and you die hard," Brown sings in "Down and Out in New York City," his scratched vocals giving the tune an aggressive edge. Elsewhere, moments such as "Blind Man Can See It" go for a more relaxed and cool vibe, while the keyboards on "Sportin' Life" feels almost psychedelic. A must-own effort for Brown fans – and fans of funk, no doubt – Black Caesar is a joy for how much it allowed Brown to stretch out. Just see the one-two punch of "Dirty Harri," a patiently gritty instrumental, and fiery "The Boss."
This 2009 film functions as more of a tribute (or parody of) to the blaxploitation genre. The over-the-top plot follows an ex-government agent out for revenge and setting to rid the streets of a potent drug. The soundtrack, too, remains something of a love letter to the 70s, with producer Adrian Young crafting songs that nod to the giants of the era. It also served as a calling for Young, who would later go on to collaborate with Kendrick Lamar and members of the Wu-Tang Clan. Working with a host of vocalists, Young creates retro funk and soul with a modern, hip-hop mindset. These are songs built as much for sampling as they are the soundtrack itself.


I designed this new Innovative Management Approach in early 2000 and have successfully tested and practiced through the past few years within very different organizations. Through critique from my mentors and colleagues, it has evolved into a strategic and progressive method of management and leadership that is sure to lead any agency toward success.
Incorporated throughout this process, is an evaluation procedure which defines the direction of these elements and my personal contributions toward your efforts. I look forward to contributing the SPECTRUM method to your organization's success!
Designing the strategy of the organization; either through a recommitment to, and/or enhancement of a present strategy, or through the creation of a new short and long-range strategy and vision.
Involving all levels of management and governance in the implementation of the organization strategy and re-alignment. Initiating Community Development techniques in the planning of your organization's strategic plan.
Internal and External Communication techniques are employed to educate, enlighten and engage in the delivery of the organization's mission, vision and strategy.
Sharing and delivering the branding message, strategic plan and mission to Foundation, Corporation, Community and Government Leaders in a progressive manner; highlighting action plans with each.
Delivery of the performance tools required for staff and volunteers to engage the strategic plan and deliver the mission with excellence and purpose.
Accountability for successful delivery of strategic planning elements are clear at all levels of the organization. Responsiveness and implementation is evaluated based upon these elements.
All levels of management, governance, staff and volunteers fully understand the mission, strategic plan and their roles in delivering the organization's mission and message.
Recognition is provided as an ongoing and purposeful process of encouragement, inspiration and stimulation at all levels of management, governance and leadership.


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Intuit Eyes Millennials With $7B Credit Karma Buy
The deal will give the maker of TurboTax access to one of the most popular financial apps for young consumers.
Matthew Heller
Intuit is buying credit score app Credit Karma for about $7.1 billion in a move to expand its financial product offerings.
The acquisition, the largest ever for Intuit, will give the maker of TurboTax and QuickBooks financial software access to one of the most popular financial applications for young consumers.
Credit Karma gives users access to their credit scores and then uses the information to provide them with advertisements for new credit cards and loans. It earns a commission every time someone accepts a new credit card or loan offer that it advertises.
"By joining forces with Credit Karma, we can create a personalized financial assistant that will help consumers find the right financial products, put more money in their pockets and provide insights and advice, enabling them to buy the home they've always dreamed about, pay for education and take the vacation they've always wanted," Intuit CEO Sasan Goodarzi said in a news release.
Intuit owns the budgeting site Mint but according to Engadget, "it doesn't have a credit tool quite like Credit Karma —Turbo is as close as it gets."
"Intuit can tap Credit Karma's customer base and range of services … to complement those it already offers [and] to help upsell those users to Intuit's premium, paid services," TechCrunch said. "And Intuit can use it to grow its wider business by tapping a set of consumers — typically younger users — that Credit Karma has possibly been more successful in capturing than Intuit has."
Credit Karma was co-founded in 2007 by Kenneth Lin, who is the chief executive, after he had trouble acquiring his own credit score. "Unlike many start-ups, Credit Karma has a proven business model and reliable revenue," The New York Times noted.
The startup made $1 billion in revenue last year, up 20% from 2018, and has more than 100 million members, including a third of all Americans who have a credit profile and half of all U.S. millennials.
"The complementary strengths of our combined companies will help us to invest in innovation, build faster and deliver products our consumers expect and deserve," Lin said.
Kimberly White/Getty Images for TurboTax
Credit Karma, credit scores, Intuit, Kenneth Lin, Sasan Goodarzi, startup
Visa Calls Off $5.3B Merger Deal With Plaid Over DOJ Lawsuit
The U.S. Department of Justice said the transaction would eliminate healthy competition from the online payments market.
Staples Offers to Buy Office Depot
Previous merger offers were blocked by regulators in 2016 and 1997.
Acacia Breaks Merger With Cisco
Cisco was seeking a court order to close the deal following the announcement.


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From the Whiteboard, you can now print up to a week's worth of Crew Daily reports.
Under Crew, leave as [All Crews] or select the Crew you wish to generate for.
Under Show For, select the range you wish to generate for (ie. Today, Next 2 days...Next 7 days).
Your Crew Daily will open in a separate tab in PDF format for you to print or email to your Crews.


GMA Network gave honors to Philippines anew as GMA News TV's flagship documentary program Reel Time won the Grand Prize at this year's Asia-Pacific Child Rights Awards for its documentary Isinulat sa Tubig. At the same time, the station also earned a nomination from the Asia Rainbow TV Awards for Naku, Boss Ko!.
Isinulat sa Tubig is an eye-opener of a documentary. It is about a group of children who needs to cross a part of an ocean and climb a mountain to reach the schools. It was written and directed by Executive Producer Jayson Bernard Santos.
"We are very much overwhelmed by Reel Time's third recognition from the Asia-Pacific Child Rights Award. The documentary resulted in collaboration among educators in Matnog, Sorsogon and viewers who sent donations after watching the documentary. The audience's active participation in starting small but meaningful reforms in the education of the students is the best reward we received for this story," said Santos, who received the award from Andrew Brown of UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office in a ceremony held in Bali, Indonesia on Oct. 24.
The Asia-Pacific Child Rights Award for Television by Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is the most prominent distinction in Asia and the Pacific that recognizes the efforts of broadcasters and producers in pursuing high quality children's programming and better coverage of issues affecting children.
For five years in a row, documentary programs from GMA Public Affairs have won the Asia-Pacific Child Rights Award. Reel Time took home three of these, while I-Witness and Front Row won in 2012 and 2014, respectively.
The same episode is also vying for the Best Documentary award at this year's Asia Rainbow TV Awards after being included in the top three nominees along with another GMA Public Affairs original, the eight-part political romcom, Naku, Boss Ko!.
Naku, Boss Ko!, nominated for Best Comedy Program, mixed the sarcastic wit of a political satire and the feel-good vibes of a romantic comedy to expose the absurdity and hypocrisy of some of the campaign strategies employed by some, if not most politicians today. The groundbreaking mini-series aired two weeks before the Philippine national elections, and was top-billed by GabRu or Gabbi Garcia and Ruru Madrid together with veteran actors Tessie Tomas and Leo Martinez.
The third Asia Rainbow TV Awards is organized by the Hong Kong Television Association and the China Television Production Committee and is considered the Emmy Awards of Asia. Winners will be announced during the awarding ceremonies on Nov. 27 in Macao.


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China eyes better military relations with the U.S.: MOD
国务院新闻办公室网站 www.scio.gov.cn 2017-04-28 来源:Xinhua
Senior Colonel Yang Yujun, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People's Republic of China (PRC), answers reporters' questions at a regular press conference on April 27, 2017. [Li Aiming / mod.gov.cn]
China is willing to work with the United States to constructively manage risks and properly handle disagreements in order to propel mutual trust and seek more progress in promoting ties between the militaries, a Chinese defense ministry spokesman said April 27.
Speaking to reporters at a regular press briefing, Yang Yujun expressed hopes that the U.S. military could make joint efforts with the Chinese side to "meet each other halfway and inject positive and constructive elements to Sino-U.S. ties, and contribute to world and regional peace and stability."
Quoting Chinese President Xi Jinping who had just visited the United States earlier this month, Yang said military relations make up an important part of bilateral ties between China and the United States, adding that mutual trust in military and security areas forms the basis of strategic mutual trust between the two countries.
The Chinese military will resolutely implement the important consensus reached between Chinese and U.S. heads of states, Yang said.
It will work to maintain exchanges between the two militaries at all levels, bring into full play their dialogue and consultation mechanisms, carry out the annual exchange programs the two sides have agreed upon, and implement and improve the mutual reporting mechanism on major military operations and the code of safe conduct on naval and air military encounters, he said.
Chinese investment in U.S. triples in 2016: report
China hopes for progress in investment treaty negotiations with U.S.
'Fruitful' Xi-Trump meeting charts course of China-U.S. ties under global gaze
Charting progress of Sino-U.S. relations
President Xi says ready to boost China-U.S. ties from new starting point with Trump


Adding space to your home can be an expensive and incredibly stressful project. Many of the options available require lots of time, money, and energy for you to see any sort of desirable result. However, there is one simple, cost-effective way that you can create an extension to your home: a bump-out renovation. Adding a full-scale addition to your home, which are hugely expensive, while a bump-out simply extends the amount of space in your home.
A bump-out is more or less the addition of a single room to your house, rather than a full-on addition, which includes multiple rooms. This kind of renovation project is much smaller in scale and requires less work than the more expensive alternative. Bump-outs are attached to one side of your home, offering an expansion to a certain room, such as your living room, dining room, or even upstairs bathroom.
The extent to which you can add space through a bump-out renovation ranges from 2 to 15 feet from the original perimeter of your home. They do not require any extra HVAC services, nor do they involve any significant modifications to your home's exterior, such as an extension to your home's roof, as it will have its own separate roof that is either in a lean-to or flat design. This understated aspect of a bump-out means that it won't mismatch your home's current design but will, in fact, complement it.
Full Room: Simply put, a full-room bump involves your contractor adding another room to your home, usually as a first-floor addition to extend your living room or as an anteroom before entering your patio, deck, or backyard.
Less than a Room: These kinds of bump-outs are meant to be minor extensions to a room. As small as 2 feet long, these help add that extra bit of space you may need in order to add extra flair to your interiors or complete a huge indoor remodeling.
Cantilever: This is an upper story bump-out that is 'cantilevered', or unsupported by posts connected to the ground underneath it. Instead, the joists beneath the floor of your upper-story must be deepened and extended, to support the extra weight, followed by building the bump-out on top. To get a permit for a cantilevered bump-out beyond two feet is often difficult to obtain but is possible with the help of an experienced home renovation contractor.
A bump-out addition is a great way for you to add more space to your home without the hassle or the large cost of a full-scale addition. It is a versatile renovation option for you to create extra room that will help update your interior or add a whole new area for your family and guests to enjoy.
If you are a resident living in any area of Northern Virginia, you can find help with your bump-out or other large-scale Alexandria home renovation by calling our highly-experienced technicians at Ricky Can Build It. All of our trades are provided in-house, allowing us to tailor our services to each customer's, giving us the ability to maintain low costs, high quality, and reliable craftsmanship. Contact us today at (571) 512-5240 to start discussing your ideal renovation project.
New tile in your bathroom can be quite the transformational experience. Tile is not only aesthetically pleasing but it's also extremely easy to clean and very effective in containing moisture. There are also several different types of tile available that have their own characteristics, which may include price, water-resistance, and durability.
The professionals at Ricky Can Build It are certified experts in handyman services and specialize in bathroom renovation services in Northern VA. In our experience, we've observed many of the ups and downs that are associated with different types of tile. We know how overwhelming choosing bathroom tile can be, so here are some different options to consider as you decide.
If price is your primary concern, then ceramic tile is a great option. Ceramic tile is not recommended for floors but is light and durable enough to be a solid wall tile. With fantastic water-resistant qualities, ceramic tile is a great option for the walls inside your shower or out.
Looking for a dynamic tile that you can use both on your floors and your walls? Look no further, porcelain tiles are stronger than ceramic and just as water-resistant. Porcelain is one of the most popular tile options because of its versatility. However, it can sometimes be more difficult to cut and place on walls than ceramic because of its weight. Keep in mind, porcelain and ceramic tiles are both very easy to maintain and keep clean.
When you add stone tile to your bathroom, you're not only adding a beautiful feature to your floors or walls, but you're also adding tremendous value to your property. As natural stone is more expensive than both ceramic and porcelain tiles, it definitely acts the part. Stone is the heaviest and requires the most maintenance. Although stone is unmistakably appealing, It does require a good deal of work in order to maintain its durability and water resistance.
Regardless of which type of tile you prefer, the experts at Ricky Can Build It can mix and match your favorites to craft your dream bathroom. Our expert bathroom renovation specialists care about our customers and strive to exceed your expectations. Trust our team to make your entire family feel at home with a personalized bathroom that suits your exact needs.
Get started on your bathroom renovation project today! Contact us at (571) 512-5240 to transform your bathroom into your sanctuary.
The coming of spring often produces a need to change and refresh ourselves, which is likely why cleaning our homes is so common around this time. Before you do begin cleaning, consider whether you have enough storage space around your home. Not only does a good spring cleaning include clearing out the messes that were made over the lengthy, cold season, but it also involves organizing where all that clutter should go.
Professionally built custom cabinets have the ability to enhance a room's appearance as there are a variety of wood grains, colors, sizes, and styles for you to choose from. With custom cabinets, you can even select the type of hardware you would prefer such as knobs and handles so it will be a perfect fit into the room of your choosing. Whether you are installing custom cabinets for your kitchen or bathroom, you will be able to personalize it to the smallest of details to get the most out of your installation experience.
Most existing homes come with sets of stock cabinets already installed. Instead of trying to fit your things into the limited amount of storage you currently have, flip the script and get custom cabinets that increase your home's storage. Ricky Can Build It utilizes every inch of your home to give you the maximum amount of storage space you need to overall improve your lifestyle and live your best life.
As we all try to organize our homes as effectively as possible, there are always going to be limitations. The stock shelves that we get with our homes provide a general amount of space and are known to not last as long. However, a set of custom cabinets can include fitted spaces for anything, from a small rack for your spices, or a large, tall cupboard to store your kitchen and home appliances. Part of being organized is having a place for everything to go, and with custom cabinets, you can choose the cabinet sizes you need to ensure everything in your home has its designated place.
Transform your home with a set of custom-made cabinets. At Ricky Can Build It, we have helped numerous customers with a variety of home renovation projects, catering our methods and materials to our clients' every preference and need. We are among the best home renovation services in Northern Virginia, with a long track record of customer satisfaction. Contact us at (571) 512-5240 and discuss installing your set of custom cabinets today.
Managing an entire commercial renovation on your own can be a challenging task as the design and renovation process is an extensive one. It is important that you consider working together with a commercial renovation company in Northern VA to help you through each step of the way.
At Ricky Can Build It, our team of commercial remodeling contractors have the experience you can trust to provide quality craftsmanship and a space that helps you stand out amongst the rest! Here is a commercial renovation checklist we have created to help you decide whether working together with a professional is your best bet.
With any renovation, it's important to do your research! When looking into commercial renovation contracting companies, keep in mind why you are renovating in the first place, cost, previous work they have done, and whether communication skills are strong.
Once you have scheduled your consultation with several of your preferred renovation companies, be completely honest about all that you would like done and what the main goal is for your commercial space. This way they will provide the best suggestions as to what layouts, materials, features will be best to implement into your new space and provide you with an estimate.
Set a realistic budget and stick to it as a complete renovation may be one of the major investments you spend toward your business. Most often, you can obtain free quotes from your renovation contractors and compare to see which one suits your needs best. Keep in mind how transparent some renovation contractors are as this will show you if there are any hidden fees that come with their services.
With your selected renovation company, you can begin planning the design and development of your business. Prioritize functionality over style as this will allow your space to be easily accessible to you and your customers.
When you work with a professional renovation company, they will review the building plans, determine the code provisions, and will also be responsible for attaining the right permits. After these have been completed, the construction phase of your business can begin!
Ricky Can Build It has the experience to help transform any commercial space into one that is inviting and draws the attention of potential customers. Our team has provided the best commercial renovation services to businesses all throughout the Fairfax County area. We pay close attention to craftsmanship to ensure your space attracts the right audience and leaves a lasting impression! Call us today at (571) 512-5240 to speak with a commercial renovation specialist!
Being stuck in your house all winter can make you want to redesign every inch of your home. Upgrading your bathroom to give it a more modern look will bring a sense of simplicity and relaxation to the entire space. While remodeling a bathroom on your own can be a daunting task, working together with trusted home renovation specialists will make the remodeling process a breeze.
Ricky Can Build It offers quality custom bathroom remodeling services to residents throughout Fairfax County VA. Our team will work together with your imagination to help you create the modern bathroom you've always wanted. We closely oversee all of our projects with our in-house home re-modelers to ensure each and every detail is right. Remodeling a bathroom can be a challenge for any homeowner and here are five tips below for you to keep in mind for your next remodel.
One of the most important things to consider when remodeling a modern bathroom is cost. When designing a bathroom, keep in mind your bathroom size, materials, and how much of your budget you are willing to invest in your remodel. Even though completing some of the labor yourself can keep costs low, letting an experienced home remodeling professional handle your custom bathroom renovation will keep you from going over your budget and ensures a quality installation.
The main goal of remodeling any space to make it more modern is by increasing its functions and overall appearance to suit your family's lifestyle needs. Modern bathrooms can be attained through changing its many fixtures and replacing them with energy-efficient ones. Upgrading your toilet or bathtub with one that saves your more financially and supports a sustainable environment is another option to complete the look of a modernized bathroom.
When you walk into a bathroom, the first thing you see is a toilet or bathtub. If either of these are outdated and old, it can be very off-putting. Consider making the shower or tub the centerpiece of the bathroom to brighten up the space.
It is important that your new space is well lit and the lights match the style of the entire bathroom. Having a combination of task, accent, and decorative lighting can ensure that your space has enough lighting throughout the day. Selecting energy-efficient lighting in your bathroom is as easy as replacing regular bulbs with LED ones. Other options may include timers for your lights, adding dimmers, or having your lights operate through a motion sensor.
Switching out large fixtures with smaller ones will maximize your bathroom space. Replacing features such as your old sink with a pedestal sink or your bathroom for a standing shower will help increase space especially in smaller bathrooms. Adding other aspects like cabinets to enhance storage space can turn your bathroom into a space that's fully-functional and energy efficient.
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Our results are close to those published by Thung et al. These authors found Vo2resp to be 13 percent of Vo2tot in patients studied after cardiac surgery. Higher values have been reported by Wilson et al in the immediate postoperative period of cardiac surgery. In patients with various degrees of cardiorespiratory diseases, Vo2 resp was found three times higher than that reported in the present study2 (8.7 vs 2.6 ml OJh of ventilation). This is related to the underlying lung disease which is associated with an increased work of breathing and/or a decreased efficiency of the respiratory muscles.
Compared to CPAP ventilation, IPSV was associated with a lower RR and a higher TV. Similar changes have been observed by other investigators. The normal PaCOz values which we found during IPSV confirms that this mode of ventilation allows the patients to match their minute ventilation to their Vco2. During IPSV, the level of pressure support was set at 15 cm H20, a value lower than the 30 to 42 cm HaO peak airway pressures which were observed during CV. This suggests that, under IPSV, an active inspiratory effort was still required by the patients to provide a tidal volume of the same order as the one observed during controlled ventilation. This assumption is also supported by the sustained inspiratory diaphragmatic contraction which was observed in patient 7 during the application of IPSV. However, we found that the amount of oxygen required to supply energy to the respiratory muscles under IPSV was insignificant, since it did not affect whole body oxygen consumption. In the same way, it can be assumed from our data that the work which is necessary at the onset of inspiration to trigger the ventilator is of little magnitude.
In conclusion, the present study was conducted in the weaning period of a major surgical procedure in seven patients with normal preoperative pulmonary function test results. We found Vo2resp to be about 11 percent of Vo2tot. Secondly, under IPSV, Vo2resp was insignificant, which indicates that this mode of ventilation took over the major part of these patients' work of breathing.


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Enjoy the best that Holland has to offer with this comprehensive tour from Amsterdam. You'll feel part of an impressionist painting as you drive through the picture-perfect landscape of windmills, wooden houses and scenic meadows.
This Holland tour will take you to the fishing villages of Volendam and Marken, as well as the windmill city of Zaanse Schans, and visits a cheese farm and clog factory.
Continue exploring the culture, history and political workings of the Netherlands with guided visits to Delft, The Hague and Madurodam.
The first part of your Holland tour begins on board a bus, with an audio guide at your disposal. You will board the bus at the meeting point and set off to see the charming Dutch countryside full of windmills, polders and traditional fishing villages.
You will visit the village of Volendam, located on the coast of the Ijssel Lake. The scenic beauty of Volendam, which became a retreat for artists like Picasso and Renoir, offers many photo opportunities, with some visitors even enjoying posing in a traditional Volendam costume.
Continue your tour to Marken, where you will find charming, green-painted houses and people in period dress. At Marken, you will visit both a cheese and clog factory where craftsmen will demonstrate how cheese is made and transform a block of wood into a beautiful pair of shoes.
End your bus tour driving through the Dutch Countryside with the sites of windmills and wooden houses in the village of Zaanse Schans.
The second part of your Holland tour includes visits to Delft, The Hague and Madurodam with a local guide. Spend some time walking on the streets of the picturesque city of Delft.
At The Hague, see the Peace Palace, Houses of Parliament and the work palace of the Dutch King.
Your last stop will be the miniature park at Madurodam, that represents the Dutch culture with miniatures of bridges, canals, windmills and other landmarks distinct to the Netherlands.
You will conclude the tour at the starting point.


With Amanda highly trained years of using of using a sterile, disposable surgical scalpel she will gently and safely exfoliate and remove unwanted facial hair, on your skin's, face and neck area surface. The blade is held against the skin at a 45-degree angle on the surface of your skin using light feathery strokes. Each area of the face is carefully and gently scraped until all dead skin has been removed. There is no swelling or pain associated with the Dermablading treatment. Extractions of any pustules and blackheads are then done, lastly, ark skin care products designed especially for your skin type and concerns, as well as UV protection, will be applied.


Church in small town, East Bethel, Vermont, 1947.
County school, East Randolph, Vermont, 1947.
Highway sign and country school.
Lowering planes to deck, East River, New York, 1945.
Esso Utica. Boom lowering p-38 planes to deck. Ship deck is fixed with special rigs for carrying planes as cargo.


Get excellent responiveness with this Belkin Black Jersey Mouse Pad. It has a Jersey surface great for smooth motion and easy movement, giving you pleasant feedback as you slide your mouse across the surface. The Belkin Mouse Pad provides your mouse with a smooth surface ensuring greater accuracy, control, and faster response. Our durable jersey surface and rubber nonslip backing keep your mouse on track and performing at its best.
Gets the job done! Without every little mark/stains showing.
My mouse just runs up and down this thing. I think they deserve some softer cushion rather than the sawdust they live on. Plus, it gives a nice place to lay after he is done running on his wheel.Just kidding, it's a good pad for your computer.
Belkin usually has good products but this isn't one. The smell is enough to make you sick and with some vendors you can't return so you're just throwing money down the drain. I wouldn't even donate it.
Great product, works as expected.
I know it's a great deal for the price, but i don't think the smell is worth it. I would recommend buying the outletpc basic version.I'm on my second day with the mouse pad. The smell is still there. Plus, the smell does stay on your hand.
Another good quality belkin product.
Hasn't worn at all. Still as good as it was when i first bought it.


text:
Many Globalizations
Their Price in NZD
Amazon UK yesterday 52.29 $36.23 You save $16.06
Peter L. Berger is University Professor of Sociology and Theology at Boston University, and Director of the Institute for the Study of Economic Culture. Samuel P. Huntington is Albert J. Weatherhead III University Professor at Harvard University and Chairman of the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies in the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs. He is the author of The Clash of Civilizations and the Making of World Order and co-editor of Culture Matters: How Values Shape Human Progress.
"Provocative.... Taken together, the trenchant, well-written essays included in this collection provide indisputable evidence that an identifiable global culture is indeed emerging."--World Policy Journal "Analytical and penetrating, this text belongs in classrooms as well as on the desks of anyone with an abiding interest in the forces shaping the world."--Publishers Weekly "A fascinating series of accounts, country by country, of how, as the world is thought to be getting ever smaller under the force of globalization, individual cultures are both responding to it and at the same time finding the means to sustain themselves. Nor could there be any better guides to this subject than the co-editors of this volume, Peter Berger and Samuel Huntington, whose insights into the play of culture both in the world and local affairs have been nothing short of germinal."--Midge Decter "Finally a volume that gives the cultural side of globalization the analytic clarity it deserves. This rich collection of studies of local transformations in an era of global change reveals that cultural globalization is far more interesting and diverse than we thought. Highly readable, unfailingly rich in detail and stunning in its insights, Many Globalizations is a landmark in the study of public culture on a global scale."--Mark Juergensmeyer, Director of Global and International Studies at UC Santa Barbara "Provocative.... Taken together, the trenchant, well-written essays included in this collection provide indisputable evidence that an identifiable global culture is indeed emerging."--World Policy Journal "Analytical and penetrating, this text belongs in classrooms as well as on the desks of anyone with an abiding interest in the forces shaping the world."--Publishers Weekly "A fascinating series of accounts, country by country, of how, as the world is thought to be getting ever smaller under the force of globalization, individual cultures are both responding to it and at the same time finding the means to sustain themselves. Nor could there be any better guides to this subject than the co-editors of this volume, Peter Berger and Samuel Huntington, whose insights into the play of culture both in the world and local affairs have been nothing short of germinal."--Midge Decter "Finally a volume that gives the cultural side of globalization the analytic clarity it deserves. This rich collection of studies of local transformations in an era of global change reveals that cultural globalization is far more interesting and diverse than we thought. Highly readable, unfailingly rich in detail and stunning in its insights, Many Globalizations is a landmark in the study of public culture on a global scale."--Mark Juergensmeyer, Director of Global and International Studies at UC Santa Barbara
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Peter L Berger Books
Cultural Diversity Books
Peter L Berger
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EXCLUSIVE: UTA has signed Spanish-speaking comedian, musician and radio personality, Franco Escamilla, in all areas worldwide. The agency will continue to support and further Escamilla's career when it comes to touring, film, TV, branding and more.
Known as "The Master of Sarcasm," Escamilla is the founder of La Diablo Squad, a group of comedians that he performs with live and on his weekly La Mesa Reñoña YouTube show. As a musician, he released a solo album titled, "Fe" in 2017 and has performed at numerous festivals such as Trovafest and Pa'l Norte.
Escamilla was the first stand-up comedian to perform two sold-out shows at the National Auditorium in Mexico. He has since gone on a high-selling worldwide tour and is the first Spanish-language comedian to do a tour in Asia and Europe. He released an hour-long Netflix special, Por La Anécdota, which he taped at the Arena Mexico in Mexico City.
His "Por La Anécdota" tour brought him all over the globe with sold-out nights in Los Angeles, London, Paris, Barcelona, Tokyo, Latin America and more. Escamilla is also the host his own show on Estrella TV and has taped numerous stand-up episodes for Comedy Central. His upcoming tour, "RPM" will play in Hong Kong, Sydney, Melbourne, Israel, Dubai and more.
Escamilla will continue to be repped by Bryan Andrade of ESCAN Management.


The fellowship of the faithful of the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral in Lower Manhattan is evident as several mingle with three visiting sheep in the church's north yard after Mass Aug. 14. Top left, Jim and Jill Gadwood, with sons Gregory, 3, and Mark, 1, show their tender care, as do the Golia siblings: Rafael, 7, Natayla, 9, and Giovanni, 10 (in striped shirt, obscured), and Tom Darrigan, back to the camera at right.
The three sheep graze among the gravestones in the church cemetery.
The family, greet the "Soho Sheep" Faith, Hope and Charity on a hot Sunday afternoon outside the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral in Lower Manhattan following the 12:45 p.m. Mass Aug. 14.


One of the happiest moments is when I get to unbox a brand new bike! Regardless of whether the bike is my own or a friend's, we are all happy for each other. It also helps to have friends around when you unbox a bike, as they will all gladly help to assemble the bike, followed by taking turns to go for a spin. I feel that riding a new bike with friends is the best way to share and spread the joy!
As you can already tell from the title of this blog post, it is about a new bike. However, I just want to elaborate on the background and reason for getting this new bike, before introducing it.
My first road bike was the Merida Scultura 5000, and it was a great bike to ride. When I first got it, it was a partial Ultegra 6800 groupset with mechanical shifting. Along the way, I made many modifications and it eventually ended up as a full Ultegra Di2 groupset. I have no regrets getting that bike, it was a bike that fitted me well and I really enjoyed that bike.
However, my heart was attracted to the latest trend and technology in road cycling: Disc brakes. This trend of road bikes using disc brakes started a few years back, but the technology was not yet mature. 4 years ago, SRAM was the first to introduce road hydraulic disc brakes on the Red 22 groupset. This was swiftly followed by Shimano, who introduced the non series ST-R785 hydraulic road shifters with Di2 shifting. However, the axle standards, rotor size standards and brake caliper mounting standards had not been standardized yet, so there was a wide variety of specifications.
Earlier this year, the new generation of Di2 road shifters with hydraulic braking was finally revealed, the Dura-Ace ST-R9170. The main difference for this generation is that the shifter size has been greatly reduced, until it is almost similar to the standard mechanical versions.
From left to right: Hydraulic braking + Di2 shifting; Mechanical braking + Di2; Mech + Mech; Hydraulic + Mech.
I felt that the time was right to get a road bike with hydraulic disc brakes, as the road disc standards have finally been more or less standardized. Upgrading the Merida is not possible, as a frame and fork with disc brake mounting is required. Also, disc brake specific wheels are also required. Therefore, it makes more sense to sell away the Merida road bike, and get a new bike that is specific to road hydraulic disc brakes.
I considered many brands and models of road bikes, using my own set of criteria to screen through the wide range of road hydraulic disc brake bikes.
I also considered getting a bike frameset and building it up myself, versus getting a full bike. It all comes down to the value and features of each bike model. While I was shopping around for this new bike, I had already sold my Merida road bike. This was not an issue for me as I still have many other bikes to ride in the meantime.
It came to my attention that Canyon was having a sale, in celebration of the Tour de France which was going on at the same time. A Canyon frame is on my shortlist, but then I found that some of the complete bikes were going at a great discount. I did some calculations, and the result was that it was better value to get a complete bike from Canyon, as the price also includes the wheelset which can be quite costly on its own.
One benefit of getting the complete bike is that I will have a bike ready to go, instead of having to wait for all components to be available before building up the bike. If not for the huge discount on the complete bike, I would have gotten the frameset instead.
Canyon has three main types of road bikes, the aerodynamic Aeroad, the lightweight Ultimate, and the comfort based Endurace. All these three types had good discounts going for hydraulic disc brake models with Di2 shifting, although none of them had the latest Dura-Ace ST-R9170 groupset.
Finally, I decided to go with the Endurace model, as it has a less aggressive geometry compared to the race-ready Aeroad and Ultimate models. Also, it claims to be more comfortable due to the special suspension seatpost. For my kind of riding, I don't need the most aerodynamic frame, as my cycling outfit and gear is not aerodynamic anyway. The Ultimate frame is more lightweight, but the more aggressive geometry is not for me.
After much comparison and calculations, I decided upon the Canyon Endurace CF SLX Disc 8.0 Di2. This is the top grade Endurace frame, as denoted by the SLX tag. The normal price for this bike is USD 4499, which is quite a big amount to pay for a bike. As it was on sale, it had a USD 900 discount, which is a huge 20% discount. This lowers the price to USD 3599 and makes it more reasonable and achievable.
Note that if you are buying a bike from Canyon, you need to take into account the shipping costs which are quite substantial. Also, you will need to pay for GST, which is also levied on the shipping charges! Even after adding all of these, it is still priced lower than other bikes of similar specifications that you can find in the local bike shops.
Within 1 week of placing the order, the bike has arrived! This quick delivery is because the bike was already in stock, and it came via UPS.
The bike came in a special bike box which claims to protect the bike better. It was really quite well protected, with all loose parts neatly velcro-ed together and safely cushioned. Assembly was quite straightforward, as only the handlebar, front wheel and seatpost need to be installed. All cables are already connected.
Canyon Endurace assembled and ready to go! I really like the bold Kerosene Red colour scheme.
As an introductory post, I will highlight all the components on this new bike, just to take note of it in the stock condition. I already have plans to upgrade this bike, but it will take some time, so I shall ride it as it is in stock condition and enjoy it first!
Endurace CF SLX frame, which is the top grade of road endurance frame that Canyon has.
Model number for this frame is R36. Geometry for this frame is almost the same as the Merida Scultura 5000.
Ultegra 6800 11-32T cassette for wide gear range, together with the mid cage Ultegra Di2 6870 rear derailleur.
Ultegra Di2 6870 front derailleur, and the mid-compact 52/36T Ultegra 6800 crankset.
Together with the 11-32T cassette, this bike has a wide gear range of 31.5 to 132 gear inches. I think that this wide gear range was purposely selected for this bike. With the highest gear combination of 52/11, this bike can descend as fast as any race bike. Yet, when the gradient gets steep, the low gear combination of 36/32 will come in really useful, especially on an endurance bike where it will be used on a wider variety of terrain.
Press fit bottom bracket gives a nice integrated look to the frame, although it will be harder to remove it to access the inside of the frame.
Fizik Aliante R3 saddle with a unique shape, on top of the equally unique VCLS seatpost that can flex rather alarmingly. The seatpost will be studied in more detail in a later post.
Seatpost clamp bolt is hidden neatly behind the seat tube, and covered by a rubber cap. Very clean and integrated design.
Inside view of the seat tube. The external clamp bolt pushes on a plastic sleeve which clamps the seatpost inside the seat tube.
The ST-R785 road hydraulic shifters, which I studied in greater detail in another post. I also changed to these shifters on the Avanti Inc 3, and I like them.
These connectors on the hydraulic hoses are the J-Kit connectors which allow for quick connection of the pre-bled hydraulic hoses.
This bike comes with a one piece integrated handlebar, which means that the reach and angle of the handlebar cannot be adjusted. What you can adjust is only the stack height, by varying the number of spacers under the handlebar.
Hydraulic hose for the rear brake and the Di2 wire runs into separate holes on the head tube.
Now for the non drive side view of the bike. Normally the non drive side has nothing much of interest, but since this is a disc brake bike, this side is also very interesting.
Non series Flat Mount hydraulic disc brake calipers, BR-RS805. Also comes with Ice-Tech brake pads for improved cooling.
Top quality disc rotors, SM-RT99 with Ice-Tech cooling fins. 160mm sizes are used for the front and rear.
Good quality Reynolds Assault Limited Edition wheels, with Continental GP4000 28mm tires. More details about the wheelset will be shared in another post.
The 28mm tires measured 31.5mm when mounted on the wide rim. I wonder if there is any disadvantage here?
Quick release lever for the 12mm E-thru axles. What is innovative is that the angle of this lever can be repositioned easily after tightening the axle.
There is no quick release lever for the front as it shares the same lever as the rear E-thru axle!
These E-thru quick release axles are quite innovative, as they are unlike anything I have seen before. Usually, E-thru axles thread into a nut on the frame, and the nut position needs to be adjusted so that the lever will point in the desired angle when tightened.
However, for this design, the nut angle does not need to be adjusted. After threading in the axle fully and achieving your desired torque, you can still adjust the angle of the lever separately from the axle.
Pull the lever outwards lightly, and the lever position can be adjusted. If you need to remove the whole lever, just pull harder and the whole lever unit will detach from the axle. This lever can then be moved to the other wheel if you need to loosen the other E-thru axle. For more details check out this link.
For weight weenies, you can even leave the quick release lever at home if you want, as you can use a standard 5mm Allen key to loosen or tighten the E-thru axle!
That's all for the introduction of this bike, lots more detailed info to come once I have time to study the components further!
Nice review, Thanks. Could I ask how tall you are and what size bike that is?
I'm 168cm and that is a size XS bike.
Hi there, nice review. Is there any reason why you chose to get this over the Merida Road disc bikes such as the scultura disc?
Mainly due to the discount and that it includes good wheels.
Hi, nice bike! Can give a breakdown of the GST, Shipping cost and total you paid for the Canyon.
Bike alone is 3599 USD. Add 324 USD for shipping, then convert all to SGD. Then add 7% GST and you have the total.
Canyon sells direct to consumers, you can't buy it in a shop.
You can see other brands with similar specifications, most of them cost more.
Hi Steve, thks for the reply. Is pedals included in the bike purchase or need to buy separately?
do you need to pay any singapore custom duty?
must buy or worth buying ?
the canyon road bicycle with normal running shoes?
Just the 7% GST and about 20 dollars of some fee. If you want to install a Garmin computer, you can add on the Garmin mount to match the integrated handlebar. If you want, can also add on the spare derailleur hanger.
Any flat pedals will work with the bike and running shoes. Just choose one that you like.
Hi Steve, thanks for the reply.
U mentioned u bought your bike during the tour de France period. Which is early July.is it the time u bought your bike? Besides this period, do u know of other period when they give discount?
Canyon is having end of season sale now,but the discount not as good as yours.
I read in some forums. Jan is the most expensive, every quarter will be cheaper till September.
No idea when they will have discount again. I just happened to see it at that time. They were clearing stock for old Ultegra (6800, 6870) since the new Ultegra R8000 has just been launched.
Enjoy reading your bike review!
Any recent update on your Canyon bike ?
Got a major groupset upgrade coming soon, stay tuned.
hi steve, if im 176cm, i should take a M?
Check out the sizing on the website, you might be between S and M size.
I am looking to get the Endurace CF SLX too. Wanted to ask you since you have been riding it, does the bike feel fast as compared to say the Trek Emonda SLR6. Is the bike capable when doing climbs.
I wouldn't know as I have not tried the Emonda. But this bike is different, you don't feel fast even though you are going fast.
Reason is, on most road bikes, it feels fast because you feel vibrations from that road that translates into a stiff and light feeling.
For this Endurace, the tires and seatpost dampens out this vibration. So it does not feel fast even though it is still fast.