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ByErik Ashby Updated on August 23, 2022
Today, social media is a primary way that consumers follow and interact with brands, and that includes reaching out for customer support. If your company, brand, product, or app has a social media presence, you're likely to field questions and comments from fans, customers, consumers, and users via channels that include Facebook Messenger; Twitter replies, comments, and direct messages; Instagram comments and direct messages; etc. Social support is the term used to describe the customer support options enabled through your social media channels.
Why Does Social Support Matter to Customer Service?
Social media is not simply just another marketing channel for brands. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter have become central to brand strategy and a critical playing field where customer experience plays out. Brands that are not cognizant of social support strategy leave themselves open to risk when their social media communication (or lack thereof) backfires. Disgruntled users in particular are quite fond of using social media platforms to air their grievances with companies they're not happy with.
The best way to maintain control over social media is with social support options that enable you to interact with and be responsive to customers who reach out to you on social media.
How Helpshift Supports Social Support
While social media platforms are essential to the customer experience and an important way for brands to interact with their customer bases, social support in the form of posts and messages is not entirely effective when an issue is time-sensitive or a query involves customer information. For this reason, companies need a mechanism to transition social queries from social support to other support platforms that are better equipped to answer customer questions quickly and in depth for faster resolution.
Support issues received on platforms like Facebook can be forwarded to the Helpshift platform via APIs so that conversations can be transitioned to email, web, in-app messaging, or phone. And with the help of a developer, you can also embed a direct, custom social support solution into Facebook and integrate Helpshift support into a Facebook Page tab.
Note: it's important to remember that if customers are turning to social media to vent about your company, product, or service, you may not be doing a great job with your customer service in the first place. Typically, red flags pop up before a customer resorts to publicly shaming your company. Having a solid customer service system in place to catch those red flags and manage customer relationships up front can help ward off social snafus.
Additional Information About Social Support
Article: How can I direct user inquiries from my social media page to the Helpshift dashboard?
Blog: A Look At Social Media's Compatibility with Customer Service


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Q: Android ExpandableListView in Xamarin, bindable with MvvmCross Has anyone used the Android ExpandableListView control in Xamarin with the MvvmCross framework (binding to collections)?

A: I would start by looking at this: https://github.com/hlogmans/MvvmCross.DeapExtensions.git as shown in this thread:
 mvvmcross expandablelistview

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


At Willrich Precision, we carry grade 'A' granite surface plates that offer stellar wear resistance as well as inspection grade accuracy. The plates we carry in our inventory also have good temperature stability and are pretty resistant to corrosion. What's more, they are distortion free and nonmagnetic, so they make an excellent surface for accurate marking out. In addition, you can rest assured that most granite surface plates are twice as hard as their cast iron counterparts. Brands we carry are Starrett Tru-Stone and Mitutoyo. Get your granite surface plates today!
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Sifting through election season distractions, one choice is clear. I support the re-election of Jim Stamas as state representative.
I first met Jim when I was running for Homer Township supervisor and he was on the Midland Township board. Throughout my township service, he always had time to answer questions about local government and was a great example of how to relate to constituents.
Jim then became a Midland County commissioner and in time, I became register of deeds. I was able to observe him continue to work tirelessly to represent our community and his foundations of family and faith were always apparent. He has the ability to calmly listen to all sides of an issue and then work toward a plan that will improve the lives of those he represents.
Since his election in 2008 to the Michigan House, Jim's life experiences have served him well. With his background as a small business owner, veteran and elected leader, he quickly rose to majority floor leader. Jim's focus is on increased employment opportunities, creating a favorable state business climate and providing a great education for our kids, and Jim is still a good listener!
In the last two years, we have seen balanced budgets and true improvements for our state. What a contrast to the failed policies of the Granholm era. To keep positive momentum going, please join me in voting for the candidate that will best represent our community, state Rep. Jim Stamas.
Many proposals are getting much attention and one referendum is on the ballot for consideration. Of all of them, the referendum is the most insidious.
I have obtained a copy of the legislation, known as Emergency Financial Manager or "Local Government and School District Fiscal Accountability Act," that was instituted last year and has caused much concern for many, enough to get the referendum on the ballot.
Michigan had a limited program for sending state managers to aid cities engulfed in a fiscal crisis, known as Public Act of 1988 PA 101 or former Act PA 72. Over the years, the PA has been tweaked a few times, the last one under Gov. Jennifer Granholm, each time with a little more tightening of what the role of "manager" was to be. Until 2000 there was no such action taken. Now several cities and one school district has had the privilege of being taken over.
Behind the scene was an idea that manifested itself under Gov. Rick Snyder after he took office in 2010, that he was happy to put forth as his proposal. Snyder was not willing to put his support behind Michigan becoming a Right to Work state because of the political fallout, but he could promote this legislation that would perhaps pacify those who would like to see a Right to Work action.
This measure, LGSDFA Act was pushed through both houses of the Legislature in two weeks of March 2011, and signed by Snyder before the public knew it. LGSDFA Act allows the governor to seize control of any local government he deems to be in fiscal demise, suspend the people's democratic authority, impose a corporatized version of "martial law" and install his own "emergency financial manager" to govern. The act allows usurping the power of all elected officials or simply "firing" them. They can rewrite the public budget without any public participation, unilaterally eliminate various services, cancel contracts, seize and sell off public assets, privatize government functions and dictate new laws. They can even dissolve a city's charter.
An online journalist, Cory Doctorow, reported on March 11, 2011, this opens the door to the kind of "governance" we've seen in occupied Iraq, where high-paid appointees who don't answer to the governed get to award no-bid contracts to their pals with little or no oversight or control. This act involves appointed individuals making decisions who are not elected by or accountable to the people and cancels their vote at the ballot box.
Lord Action wrote in 1887, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." The difference between freedom with a republic and tyranny with a dictator is freedom allows you to fail and a dictator controls with tyranny for all!
Choices have consequences — check out the facts before you cast your vote that may be canceled out.
Our right to vote with a secret ballot makes our country great. lease vote for Joan Brausch for District 98 Michigan House.
Joan demonstrates a commitment to representing all of the people, with a strong focus on improving education and job growth, both critical to growth of Michigan¹s economy. Check out www.brauschforhouse.com for her positions and an impressive list of endorsements.
House prior to 2005, indicated he had never done (Midland Daily News, June 18, 2012). Stamas has not apologized.
He cancelled his confirmed appearance at the League of Women's Voters Candidates Forum, the most respected non-partisan forum. Stamas does not have an election website and his election Facebook page (Oct. 24) has not been updated since September. Is this a representative who is reaching out to all of his constituents?
Republican choices. All voters who want real representation in Lansing, please vote for Joan Brausch. She is ready and committed to work for all her constituents. Don't we all deserve that kind of representative?
I used Mr. Nicholas Finley's phone number from the Sanford directory when placing my calls referred to in a letter to the editor Wednesday.
Mr. Finley advised me at 2 p.m. on Wednesday that the number I called was no longer his number. He had changed his number six or eight months ago.
My apology to Mr. Finley for drawing the wrong conclusion, that I had spoken to him.
The presidential debates have concluded.
On display has been a suave bully named Mitt Romney, who continues to blabber platitudes, unclear policies, and downright lies.
In the final two debates President Obama was able to counter this barrage of words and give the nation a better hold on the truth. Mr. Romney portrays an image of president-as-boss, one whose every whim is to be embraced and followed without question.
He joins forces with wealthy corporation and Wall Street bullies in his projected economic policies. As president we could expect him to collude with religious-right moralists in bullying and restricting women. Most important, he bullies the truth, ignoring facts and making sketchy generalizations that are not true but serve his own agenda. When effectively challenged, he simply makes up something new as if he had never said the opposite.
We know what to expect and do not have to be confused by his continual position shifting and posturing. He selected another bully of the truth as his running mate and will continue to work within that tight box of failed Republican policies that got us into our current mess. Although Romney tells us how wonderful his policies are, ticking the names he has given them off the finger tips of one hand, he almost never gives us details, and what costs and savings he claims just do not add up. In the same way he brazenly and wrongly declares Syria as Iran's "path to the sea," in all matters domestic and foreign Romney is counting on a gullible public that can be manipulated and bullied.
He is right about one thing. We face very difficult problems, unprecedented demands to shift and evolve new structures to meet new challenges that we wish could be resolved easily and quickly. It is understandable in the face of all this to be disappointed in Obama's modest accomplishments. Yet with Romney the disappointment would be greater and we would experience the horror of some seriously tragic reversals of gains we have made, reversals that would dig an even deeper hole that would be even more difficult out of which to climb.
Whatever we believe about Obama either from our own study or from the many misrepresentations of him, Obama is a superior choice in this election. He will hold the line against returning to policies that got us into our current mess and enable modest steps in the right direction. He will continue attempting to work "across the aisle" with any Republicans who want to get something done on the issues that are causing our suffering. Those Republicans who say Obama will not work with them are really complaining that he will not go along with their reactionary policies that favor the wealthiest portion of our population and continue to mistreat and abuse the rest of us.
As citizens of a truly great nation, let us not succumb to the blandishments and the force feeding of lies by a wealthy cable and their etchy-sketchy bully-boy.


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Ella Canta
Text by Adam Hyman, moving images by Greg Butler
She sings, we listen
I'm rather envious of the address of Ella Canta, the new restaurant by celebrity Mexican chef Martha Ortiz. Located at No. l Park Lane, the Mexican dining room is located in the InterContinental hotel that overlooks Hyde Park Corner. Despite Theo Randall's excellent pasta at his eponymous restaurant in this hotel, I can't say that this is a hotel I often frequent. It hasn't got the charm of Claridge's or the aesthetics of the Rosewood.
Ella Canta - translating into 'She Sings' - has by far the better setting compared to Randall's Italian, with floor to ceiling windows that give diners views of the crossroad that brings Mayfair, Knightsbridge and Piccadilly as one. Large circular lenses of textured glass, inspired by the work of Mexican artists Feliciano Bejar, distort the flashes of red from the passing Thomas Heatherwick-designed Routemasters following their designated routes around the capital.
Ortiz's restaurant in Mexico City, Dulce Patria, features in the list of the World's 50 Best Restaurants and she's famed for her use of colours in her cooking, which she says is how she portrays her femininity - being a successful chef, especially in a Catholic country full of macho male chefs, is something she feels very passionately about.
London has had a flurry of decent Mexican restaurants open over the past year, including Breddos, El Pastor and Santo Remedio. However, Ortiz, 47, is the first to have a restaurant in Mexico and then open in London.
It's also the first time in a while that David Collins Studio has designed a restaurant in London. The studio, famed for the interiors of The Wolseley and the Connaught bar, has worked closely with Ortiz on the project; it was overseen by The Studio's creative director, Simon Rawlings.
On the day I visit, Rawlings is dressed in a crisp, khaki suit with a pair of designer sneakers, overseeing a photo shoot. He welcomes me in through the restaurant's own entrance off the street (something all hotel restaurants should have). One of the first things to catch your eye in the reception area is the start of a 45-metre walnut wood carving that runs the length of the restaurant - inspired by Mexican furniture designer, Eugenio Escadero. Even to my novice eye, it's clear that a lot of money has been spent to make the former site of the Cookbook Cafe look like this. Handmade Mexican 'amate' wallpaper lines the walls behind custom lighting that bask the space in a warm, soft glow - the sort of light one can imagine at dusk in Mexico.
I notice that Ortiz has arrived and is inspecting her restaurant. She's dressed in a pair of fitted black trousers and a crisp, white shirt with a large collar and flowing cuffs - I cannot decide whether this is her take on a chef 's jacket - and a chunky pair of high-heeled boots. Her hair is tied up and she's wearing a fierce shade of red lipstick. She walks through the different sections of the dining room - that go from blush pink, sun-bleached red, blue and tan, inspired by the architecture and landscapes of Oaxaca - looking at the crockery that has been set on the table, dismissing some cut-glass water tumblers as they're too formal. Tablecloths will not be a feature at Ella Canta as every single table-top in the restaurant has been finished in hand-crafted eggshell, ivory and black lacquer that is trimmed with walnut - a nod to the Mexican pottery by Gustavo Perez.
The decor of chef Ortiz's restaurant is far more distinct than the other parts of the hotel. She has worked very closely with David Collins Studio blending tradition with modernity, and using mid-century references in the design and furniture. The strong shapes, soft colours and clean lines in the restaurant have been influenced by the architecture of Ricardo Legorreta.
Ella Canta is opening at a time in London when our restaurant scene is flourishing and Mexican cuisine is gaining more prominence - Londoners have moved on from TexMex. At the time of writing, I have yet to dine at Ella Canta, so I cannot comment on whether Ortiz's food sings. However, its interiors certainly do.
Martha Ortiz and Ricardo Legorreta by Guillermo Kahlo.
Text by Graham Erickson, photography by Kensington Leverne
When Martha talks of Ella
To be thrilled by a surprise is an increasingly rare event - a threatened notion, even. We need to be careful. A life without surprises is a safe, grey and mundane region.
On the corner of Hyde Park Corner, there is a very beautiful surprise. Never judge a book by its cover, or the books that surround it. The imposing grey masonry and precise geometry conceal, deep within, a jewel of Pacific breeze cool. The restaurant is confidently independent from the hotel despite being architecturally adjoined.
Ella Canta is the exquisite London outpost of Martha Ortiz. It is difficult to determine where Martha ends and Ella begins. Ella Canta was designed by a team led by Simon Rawlings. Even by the standards of David Collins Studio it took a long and exhausting time to imagine, design, negotiate and realize this unconventionally alluring otherworld.
That the investment of emotion, intellect and sheer physical commitment resulted in a series of spaces that don't look overtly-designed is, perhaps, a signature of both Ortiz and Rawlings. Design can often over think the beauty out of an idea. To effortlessly avoid this is a signifier of truly consummate aesthetic instinct.
It takes a very short time to be transported from the reality of Hyde Park Corner to a parallel region of languid sensuality and verdant exotica. This sleight of sense is the culmination of the collective effort of chef, designer and studio, where something rare and enthralling exists. All of the passion, danger, wild energy and overwhelming colour of her beloved Mexico is composed and corralled with couture production levels.
An interzone, exquisite and difficult to define. Too instinctively emotional to be formal. Too ceremonial and dramatic to be casual. But one that is singularly beautiful.
A home to serve cuisine which shifts one's perception and understanding of the taste and intoxicating fragrance of Mexico. It is a Mexico of Luis Barragan, Maria Sabina and Holy Mountain. A Mexico where Frida Kahlo is more than a tourist emblem. A world away from the monotony and grease of Tex-Mex compromise. One where colour, poetry, music and sensual abandon are served with acute intensity and passion. Where they are served with love.
Martha has an intense, almost fierce, animal grace and a restless instinct. To see her in this room is to see an artist in a studio, a poet in a study or a director on a deserted set.
Graham Erickson: So, why London?
Martha Ortiz: I am Mexican. I am passionately proud of my country. I am committed to showing the beauty, magic and drama of Mexico to the world. I adore London and see a lot of similarities between it and Mexico. So, really, the decision formed itself.
GE: Do you always get so involved in the design process?
MO: I am not a person who can simply retreat and observe. I like to learn and I like, also, to collaborate. My restaurants are a manifestation of me so there is no way I cannot be a part of the process from beginning to where we are now. I say that as I think design processes never really end. I would also like to think I have absolute respect for all collaborators. I hope!
GE: Does Ella Canta look, and feel, how you initially imagined?
MO: It looks exactly as I imagined it. This is, of course, a result of the skill, instinct and intelligence of the David Collins Studio team.
GE: You explained why London. Why David Collins Studio?
MO: Well, that is answered in the last question. I immediately felt confident that Simon truly felt the emotional intent of Ella from our first conversation. This passion and understanding remained throughout the process. This is very important when a project of this scale begins to become real. Then, of course, it is fantastic to know that the creativity of The Studio is paired with a very strong commercial responsibility.
GE: Restaurants often compliment and harmonize with location. This part of Mayfair, though, is an odd place to find a surge of wild, passionate contempt for convention. Was this a conscious decision?
MO: I wanted to create a restaurant in London. The opportunity arose and it felt very right. Like something that was meant to be. Whilst I love London I did not have a deep knowledge of Mayfair. I always had in my mind what Ella would be regardless of how the neighbourhood behaves. There is a wildness about Ella but also a charm. I think the neighbourhood is fond of her! I now, of course, know a lot more about the character of the area. I have strong beliefs, though, that a restaurant should not simply blend in to its location. It should be different. A restaurant should be where memories are made. A restaurant should therefore be confidently distinctive and proud.
GE: London has never really been served well with Mexican cuisine. The clichés of the food are bundled up with lazy ideas of what Mexico looks like. You seem to be a one person guerilla on a quest to reset people's ideas and perceptions of Mexico. Are there any more future ideas to continue this revolution?
MO: Well, as I have said, I am recklessly passionate about Mexico. I love restaurants. I am currently working on a very exciting, theatrical project in Mexico. It is a collaboration with Daniel Liebsohn who is a fanatical collector, with an impeccable eye, for Baroque-Colonial Mexican art. The idea will reveal his home as a very beautiful experience which blurs the lines between restaurant, art and theatre. There is a lot to do but it will be very beautiful.
GE: Where, now, is home to you?
MO: Always in Mexico. Not because I do not love other places. But Mexico is my absolute soul.
GE: What is your single favourite feature, detail or moment in Ella Canta?
MO: The screen, I just adore. I never tire of looking at it. It has a charming femininity and a very cool sixties chic. The wood is exquisite. It already has softened and appears more rich and beautiful every day. It is simple but complexly beautiful. It looks fascinating when humans pass behind it. It gives it a subtle cinematic feel. I love it!
GE: There is something cinematic about Ella. As research I watched Holy Mountain by Jodowrosky. I am, beyond this, a bit lost on Mexican cinema and culture. What are some Mexican films I should explore?
MO: Well, they are not really authentic Mexican films but that is not important to me. I think The Shape of Water and Pan's Labyrinth, both directed by Guillermo Del Toro, capture the perfect strange play between the light and the dark, the magic and mystery of the Mexican psyche and of Mexico itself. I am an unapologetic fan of Guillermo. There is an interview where he is asked how he can create such dark work yet be such a happy light person. His response is simply, "I am Mexican" – I totally understand his beautiful answer.
I had never met Martha. I had visited Ella Canta three times before the above interview. Every time the restaurant was vibrantly humming. Singing, I guess. Busy, which of course is the point.
This time I went at 10:00 on a Monday morning. This time the entrance had the strange exoticism of an abandoned, but beautifully preserved, imaginary Embassy for a fictitious, sub-Tropical, country. A utopian state where aesthetic delight, sensuality and pleasure were a part of the manifesto. Such places don't really exist. Empty of people, the restaurant has a gorgeous tranquility.
Enter Martha. To the minute punctual. We begin talking and we discuss, in no strategic order, the following:
Shamanism in its true, ancient and magical form. The sensuality of Mexico which is present in everything from food, architecture to religious iconography. Mexico as a country of wild extremes. Wealth, poverty, overwhelming femininity and heroic, almost arrogant, masculinity. Lush colour and dark shadow. We discuss Frida Kahlo. We talk of the extremes, contradictions and devastating allure of her. A savage, androgynous fire of desire. Filthy, nicotine fingers, the cloy fug of medicinal opium, the punished elegance of her clothes. The essence which bewitched those who fell into her presence. Food as theatre. As art. The Mexican reverence for myth, legend and mysticism. The miserable touristic, credit card version of Shamanistic ritual. The third eye sight seers and weekend visits to enlightenment.
She urges me to go to Mexico. I, slightly scared, tell her I have been to New Mexico. She gives a look somewhere between pity and disdain, and then laughs. Then smiles. Her hands fill in the blanks when a word, in English, gets stuck. Her hands look as capable of holding a baby bird without hurting it as they do of wringing the venom from an ornery snake. She shows me the devastating portrait of her with Ricardo Legoretta. Taken by Guillermo Kahlo, the photograph defines the tough, savage, dignified sensuality of Mexico. The feminine power and the masculine strength.
She is present in every colour, detail and reveal of Ella Canta. She provides a perfect example of the client as vital element in significant, beautiful design.
She steps out for a cigarette. I quickly search online for flight prices to Mexico City.
Portrait by Lisa Finder.
Adam Hyman lives in London and is the Editor of CODE Hospitality.
Greg Butler is a filmmaker living in London.
Kensington Leverne is a fashion and interiors photographer living in London.
Ella Canta: Tinkering with magic realism.
Ella Canta Brings the Best of Mexican Cuisine to London.
Modern Mexico: Mexican chef Martha Ortiz in conversation with Simon Rawlings.
Ella Canta brings a taste of Mexico to Park Lane.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The point of living an active lifestyle, or incorporating exercise and other activities into your routine, is to be healthy. Exercise and sports have other benefits like helping to manage stress and anxiety, increased energy, and even improve your quality of sleep. Taking care of your body, particularly when it comes to injury, is just as important as the rest of your overall health. An active lifestyle can often lead to injury if you are not careful, so over the course of this article we will discuss some of the most common sports and exercise related injuries, signs of injury, and ways that you can prevent injury during your workout. Pushing yourself to do one more rep, run one extra quarter mile, or hold that plank for 10 seconds longer is an awesome thing, but not if it causes injury.
Injury is something that can happen to any active person, and it doesn't necessarily have to happen in the gym. You could be on a hike and twist an ankle, or pull a muscle running the bleachers at your local school. There are so many different types of injuries, most of which are considered common. One of the most common injuries among exercisers is pulling or straining a muscle.This specific type of injury generally occurs when the muscle suffers from overuse or fatigue. It is also possible to pull or strain a muscle by training and working out too much. Yes, it's true; you can work out a little too much sometimes! For minor aches and pains, especially those associated with arthritis and joint pain, try SSLA Lifestyle's Soothe Muscle & Joint Pain Relief Cream. This fast acting aloe-based cream has a silk smooth finish, and works to help eliminate the pain often associated with joints and overused muscles. Try Soothe today, found on the SSLA Lifestyle shop page.
A few of the best ways to prevent these types of injury include stretching daily, and more importantly taking rest days. It can be hard to take a rest day, especially when using exercise as more than just a means of being fit. Taking the appropriate rest days for recovery as just as important as doing the actual exercise, so if you're feeling strained take a day off to recover!
Another common exercise and sports injury is shin splints. If you've ever experienced them before, you know they are most definitely not enjoyable. Shin splints are felt from the knee down to the bottom of the shin, and occur when the tissue around the shin becomes inflamed. Then, the muscle and tissue press against the bone during activity, causing the pain and inflammation. Shin splints are very common in sports outside of the gym, like ballet dancing, and those who run frequently often suffer from them. Luckily for those who may suffer from shin splints there are an array of solutions for relieving this pain: foam rolling, icing, elevation, and some basic over-the-counter pain medicine (like ibuprofen or advil) can help handle the pain.
Straining your back is a big injury among those who work with weight, especially heavy weight. Many people already have somewhat weak muscles in their backs from sitting whether it be at work or at home. So, when it comes to hitting the gym, you can easily go too hard, heavy, or fast and strain your back. One of the best ways to avoid an injury like this, which can be severe, is to start slow. It makes sense that you would want to push yourself especially if you've had a particularly successful day with your back squat, but over-exerting yourself can lead to a serious strain injury and prevent you from working out in the future. Another tip is to focus on lifting with your legs and not with your back. You can also weave exercises into your routine to strengthen your back.
Focus on working injury prevention into your routine, instead of worrying about treating them when they occur. Being proactive about possible injury is the number one way to prevent harming yourself when in the gym. Doing a proper warm-up session before a workout will help prepare your muscles and body for some conditioning, and prevent injury in the process. Cooling down after your sweat session and doing the proper stretches after a workout can also help prevent injury. Another way to prevent injury is to spend some serious time focusing on your form before getting deep into your routine. Often times improper form can cause injury, so starting your fitness journey with a focus on the proper techniques can benefit you so much in the long run. Taking care of your body from the inside out is key to living a healthy and active life. Listen to what your body tells you, even if it means taking a step back from your fitness routine and focusing on rest and healing.


IBM smart camp is coming to Dubai this December.
IBM Boot camp is an invitation call for all the startups in Dubai to join this great one day boot camp and pitch competition. This camp is happening in 30 cities around the world. This is the first time that Dubai would also compete in this global event.
Winners will be nominated from the Dubai city to further compete with the finalist. The top 10 finalists would be invited to San Francisco in March 2017. It would be a pitch, demo and network event at launch festival. Here all startups will compete to become the IBM smart champion. One wining startup would get $25,000 USD investment from the Launch fund along with a spot in renowned Silicon Valley angel investor Jason Calacanis' Launch Incubator.
All the interested startups apply today to join the IBM smart camp pitch competition.


WHICH NEW MOVIE release is worth the price of a cinema ticket this weekend?
We're here to help you decide just that, with these trailers.
Ooh, it's the latest in the Hunger Games series, and we're all rather excited. Peeta is alive, Katniss is a reluctant heroine, and things are as dramatic as ever.
Idris Elba plays a narcissistic criminal who's a pretty awful piece of work. When he punches his way out of a prison van and then tries to get into a woman's house, it all gets rather terrifying. Grim.
Three 'insane' women are transported by Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep across the US during pioneer times. Cormac McCarthy fans rejoice.
Email "VIDEO: Your weekend movies... The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt 1".
Feedback on "VIDEO: Your weekend movies... The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt 1".


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Q: Импорт данных по расписанию Есть два MS SQL сервера. Линкед между ними делать долго (в контексте рабочей обстановки).
Есть дефолтный инструмент импорта данных, где указывается Источник и Получатель данных.
Как эту процедуру поставить на расписание?


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ISIS suicide bomber who killed 13 US troops was released days earlier from Bagram prison abandoned by Biden admin
An ISIS fighter carries the Islamic State flag. (Wikipedia/Released)
October 06, 2021 Liz George
The ISIS-K terrorist who carried out the August 26 suicide bombing outside the Kabul international airport that left 13 United States troops dead was released from prison by the Taliban just days before the bombing, three U.S. officials said on Wednesday, according to CNN.
Two U.S. officials and Rep. Ken Calvert, who said he was briefed by national security officials, confirmed the Taliban released the ISIS-K bomber from the Parwan prison at Bagram airbase after it was abandoned by President Joe Biden's administration in July.
CNN reported that several hundred ISIS-K terrorists, as well as thousands of other prisoners, were being housed in the Parwan prison at Bagram and the Pul-e-Charkhi prison near Kabul. In mid-August, the Taliban quickly took control of the facilities that were left in the control of Afghan authorities.
The militant group emptied the prisons, releasing both Taliban members and members of ISIS-K.
Eleven days after being released, one of the prisoners detonated a bomb at the Kabul Airport, killing 11 Marines, one soldier and one Navy corpsman. More than one month after the attack, one Marine injured in the attack remains in serious condition at Walter Reed Military Medical Center outside Washington, D.C.
ISIS-K took credit for the deadly suicide bombing and identified Abdul Rehman Al-Loghri as the terrorist who executed the attack. Two U.S. officials later confirmed his identity.
The report comes as President Joe Biden continues to face backlash for his disastrous withdrawal and evacuation from Afghanistan that also left thousands of Americans stranded behind enemy lines.
Last week, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Gen. Frank McKenzie and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley both confirmed before Congress that they recommended to President Biden that a number of troops remain in Afghanistan, but those recommendations were seemingly ignored.
Without the troop presence, the generals said they believed Afghanistan would swiftly collapse.
"This committee is unsure as to whether or not General Miller's recommendation ever got to the president," Inhofe said. "Did you talk to the president about General Miller's recommendation?"
"I was present when that discussion occurred, and I'm confident that the president heard all the recommendations and listened to them very thoughtfully," McKenzie said.
In the wake of Biden's chaotic exit from Afghanistan, no top officials have resigned, but one Marine officer is now facing court martial over publicly calling for top military officials to be held accountable for the deadly withdrawal.


Thaddeus & Joe's cat Nico needs at least 2 posts. Here's the other 36"-er to match his first. It includes shipping. Note: you can add any cat toys or greens (catnip or cat grass kits), without increasing your shipping costs! Offer expires Monday, 7/27/09.


Following the success of our Pina festival bags in 2017 we are delighted to launch our larger leather classic 'Lavenham' tote bag. We were asked by so many customers for a larger bag so here it is.
A wardrobe must have our versatile bag is made in the UK from English saddle leather finished with English bridle leather straps with our signature contrast stitching.
The 'Lavenham' tote is unlined but the saddle leather provides the structure to make this bag suitable for both formal and casual use. With a longer strap you can wear over your shoulder or it can be carried.
Large enough to fit all the essentials. Road tested here at AB HQ and we think it's the perfect size. Not too big but elegant and a classic shape that will last for many seasons.
The top is fastened with a simple magnetic clasp and we have added a detachable inner pouch which can be used to store keys, a phone and of course you can remove this should you want to use as a mini clutch.
Presented in a dust bag.


Tax Deductibility: Bremerton Central Lions Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization (ID # 94-3104595). All contributions are tax deductible less the fair market value of the benefits provided, unless benefits are declined.The tax deduction is limited to the excess of the contribution over the fair market value of any items received in exchange for the donation. The estimated value of goods or services provided for the Dinner & Auction ticket in return for your donation is $40.
Seasoned with a mélange of crushed peppercorns, garlic, and kosher salt, slow roasted whole, hand carved cuts topped with a green peppercorn brown sauce.
Fresh Salmon oven poached in white wine, lemon, fresh basil and butter. Served topped with a pesto cream sauce and a lemon wedge.
Cheese filled Tortellini pasta with sautéed onions, Mushrooms, Zucchini, Bell Peppers and Garlic in a fresh basil pesto cream Sauce. Topped with Parmesan cheese and sliced green onions.


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Benjamin Cluff Jr. (7 de fevereiro de 1858 - 16 de junho de 1948) foi o primeiro presidente da Universidade Brigham Young e o terceiro diretor da escola. Sob sua administração, o corpo discente e o corpo docente mais que dobraram de tamanho, e a escola passou de uma academia para uma universidade e foi oficialmente incorporada pela Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias. Cluff mudou de classe de meia hora para uma hora inteira, adotou as cores oficiais da universidade, começou a escola de verão e a Associação de Ex-Alunos, encorajou o primeiro jornal estudantil da universidade (Branco e Azul), forneceu os primeiros empréstimos estudantis e desenvolveu um sistema esportivo intercolegial.

Vida pregressa
Benjamin Cluff nasceu em Provo e nasceu em 1858, filho de Benjamin Sr. e Mary Ellen Foster Cluff. Quando tinha 4 anos, sua família mudou-se para Logan, Utah. Eles então se mudaram para o Havaí quando Cluff tinha 7 anos porque seu pai estava servindo em uma missão lá. A família trabalhava em uma plantação da igreja para o algodão e cana-de-açúcar. Eles voltaram para Utah em 1870.  Cluff depois viveu em Coalville, Utah com seu tio, onde se tornou bibliotecário da cidade aos 17 anos por causa de seu amor pela leitura.

Em 1877, ele andou 67 milhas de Coalsville para Provo, a fim de iniciar seus estudos na Academia Brigham Young, onde estudou no Departamento Normal. Quando começou a estudar, trabalhou como zelador, mas depois de um ano tornou-se instrutor no Departamento de Primária da Brigham Young Academy.  Em seguida, ele foi em uma missão de 3 anos para a Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias para as ilhas havaianas em 1879. Em 1882 ele voltou a ensinar na Academia, ensinando tudo, desde a linguagem até a contabilidade. Ele também ajudou a brigada de incêndio em Provo quando o Edifício Lewis, que era o local original da Brigham Young Academy, pegou fogo.

Em 1886, ele recebeu aprovação para uma licença para ir para a Universidade de Michigan e foi designado para estudar lá por John W. Taylor. Enquanto estudava em Michigan, Cluff juntou-se a uma organização estudantil de prestígio chamada Adelphi Society. Trabalhou em estreita colaboração com professores das áreas de astronomia e engenharia e tornou-se amigo de James Burrill Angell, presidente da universidade.  Cluff recebeu seu diploma de bacharel da Universidade de Michigan em 1890.  Ele também serviu como presidente do Ramo Ann Arbor da igreja SUD enquanto esteve lá. Na época em que ele partiu para a Universidade de Michigan, Cluff tinha duas esposas, Mary, a filha de David John e Harriet "Hattie" Cullimore.

Diretor da Brigham Young Academy
Depois de receber seu diploma, Cluff retornou à Brigham Young Academy e tornou-se o diretor assistente. Embora a Diretoria tenha votado unanimemente para tornar o diretor assistente da Cluff, grande parte do corpo docente da Academia estava apreensiva por causa dos laços de Cluff com a educação no Oriente e sua desconfiança nas influências orientais na Academia.  Quando Karl G. Maeser, o diretor interino da Academia, retornou de uma longa viagem, ele descobriu que muitos dos assuntos da Academia, especialmente assuntos financeiros, estavam em desordem e por causa da reação de Maeser, Cluff renunciou. como assistente principal. Alguns meses depois, o conselho rejeitou a renúncia de Cluff. No final de 1891, Karl G. Maeser teve que ser substituído como diretor da Brigham Young Academy porque tinha sido chamado para supervisionar todo o programa de educação SUD como Superintendente das Escolas da Igreja, e era incapaz de fazer ambos os trabalhos.

Universidade da Igreja
Em 4 de janeiro de 1892, o cargo principal da Academia Brigham Young foi passado de Maeser para Cluff. Isso ocorreu no mesmo dia em que aproximadamente mil pessoas se reuniram para a dedicação do novo prédio da Academia. Depois de se tornar principal, havia muitos assuntos urgentes que Cluff tinha que resolver. Um desses assuntos era a proposta de formação de uma universidade SUD em Salt Lake City. Muitos temiam que isso afetasse a Academia, tirando alguns de seus professores mais prestigiados, incluindo Cluff, a quem foi oferecida uma posição lá. Felizmente para a Academia, Cluff não foi para o LDS College. Quando o Número Circular Eight, um documento que restringia o direito das escolas SUD existentes para centralizar a nova Universidade da Igreja, foi criado pela Junta Geral de Educação, Cluff e outros líderes de importantes escolas eclesiásticas, tentou combater contra certas disposições do documento. Uma provisão que Cluff temia era a restrição de que as escolas da igreja, além da nova Universidade da Igreja, dessem diplomas a seus alunos.

Embora os líderes das principais escolas SUD estivessem apreensivos sobre a ideia de criar uma Universidade da Igreja, muitos dos mais prestigiosos desses educadores foram chamados para serem membros do comitê encarregado da responsabilidade de organizar a nova Universidade da Igreja. Junto com Cluff, o comitê era formado por Karl G. Maeser e James E. Talmage, da Academia, além de James Sharp e Willard Young. No dia seguinte, o comitê propôs que a nova universidade fosse chamada de "Universidade da Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias" ou "Universidade da Igreja". Depois de questões financeiras nacionais, a liderança da igreja decidiu suspender quaisquer novos esforços para criar a Universidade da Igreja e deu seu apoio à Universidade de Utah em Salt Lake City. Após contínuas lutas financeiras, a Academia conseguiu permanecer aberta, mas por causa da morte de Abraham O. Smoot, que foi um generoso benfeitor da Academia, as dificuldades financeiras duraram mais do que outros períodos de desafios financeiros.

Em 1893, Cluff voltou para a Universidade de Michigan para trabalhar em um mestrado e deixou George H. Brimhall como presidente interino.

Mudanças sob Cluff
Os métodos de Cluff como principais foram descritos como quase opostos aos de Maeser. Maeser foi insular e conservador em seus métodos de ensino. Ele manteve seus ensinamentos dentro do mundo SUD e aderiu aos padrões clássicos de educação. Cluff estava mais aberto a novas idéias e métodos. Ele também acreditava que o mundo fora do mormonismo tinha muito a oferecer à escola. Cluff frequentemente se referia ao seu tempo como administrador da Academia como a "Nova Época", porque seu compromisso com a excelência acadêmica e seu lema "aprendem a fazer fazendo". No início do mandato de Cluff, a administração continuou a aplicar estritamente as regras da Academia como a administração Maeser havia feito, mas ao longo do tempo Cluff ajudou a Academia a transferir esse poder para os próprios estudantes. Isso ajudou a estabelecer uma atmosfera de disciplina e responsabilidade mantida pelos alunos por meio do autogoverno.

Antes do cargo de diretor de Cluff, a Academia Brigham Young ainda se parecia mais com uma escola de ensino médio do que com uma universidade. Cluff, no entanto, começou a implementar várias mudanças na escola de acordo com suas experiências em Michigan. Ele começou a separação do colégio da escola secundária, dando aos alunos mais velhos acesso a materiais de nível superior. O Departamento de Colégio da Brigham Young Academy foi oficialmente estabelecido em 1896 e foi uma extensão dos cursos de nível universitário que Cluff ensinava desde que se tornara diretor. Ele também introduziu um programa de atletismo, que incluiu beisebol, futebol e atletismo. O programa de futebol foi rapidamente fechado pelo Conselho de Administração porque muitas faculdades nessa época desaprovavam os programas de atletismo e porque o esporte era uma "abominação para o espírito". Cluff também ajudou a implementar muitos programas que estavam à frente de seu tempo, como adicionar um departamento militar, uma escola de verão, uma música escolar e aulas de psicologia. Ele também ampliou a duração da aula de 30 minutos para blocos de uma hora. A escola era privada de apoio de membros da comunidade, e não foi absorvida e patrocinada oficialmente pela Igreja SUD até 18 de julho de 1896.

Por volta de 1894, Cluff estava achando cada vez mais difícil encontrar professores qualificados que estivessem dispostos a receber o salário que a Academia podia lhes oferecer. Outro problema recorrente foi a retenção de professores da Academia por causa de missões da igreja que exigiam que os instrutores deixassem seus trabalhos de professor e dedicasse todas as suas energias aos seus esforços missionários. Nesse mesmo ano, Cluff conseguiu contratar um punhado de professores não mórmons depois de muita resistência de Maeser e Brigham Young Jr. Embora contratar professores fora da comunidade mórmon fosse o trabalho de Cluff, ele também viu a importância do treinamento. professores de alta qualidade dentro da comunidade mórmon. Para atingir esse objetivo, Cluff iniciou uma "Escola de Treinamento Normal", que oferecia aulas gratuitas para os alunos interessados em ensinar. Este enfoque provou ser bem sucedido, e a escola normal forneceu professores experientes e qualificados para as escolas da região.

Em maio de 1898, o College Hall foi construído com o objetivo de oferecer mais espaço para os alunos da divisão superior do Departamento Colegiado da Academia. Mesmo com o espaço adicional, muitos alunos da Academia ficaram limitados devido ao aumento contínuo de matrículas. A escola continuou a ter sucesso com a dedicação e abertura da Escola de Verão anual da Brigham Young Academy. Outra iniciativa bem-sucedida que Cluff sugeriu foi a implementação de um Programa de Treinamento Missionário em 1899 para os futuros missionários da igreja SUD.

Expedição para a América Central e do Sul
Em 1899, Cluff esboçou sua proposta de levar estudantes da Academia em uma expedição às antigas ruínas do Livro de Mórmon e completar outros estudos históricos relacionados na América Central e na América do Sul. A liderança da igreja aprovou os planos de Cluff e ele começou a se preparar para a viagem. Ele tinha que selecionar os homens que o acompanhariam, obtendo financiamento necessário e organizando melhor os estudos que aconteceriam durante a expedição. Os homens que faziam parte da expedição foram separados em 7 de abril de 1900 e 10 dias depois eles embarcaram em sua expedição, deixando George Brimhall como diretor interino da Academia. Enquanto viajavam pelo sul de Utah, durante os primeiros 16 dias da jornada, encontraram festas e celebrações em muitas das cidades em que entraram. Depois de deixar predominantemente as áreas mórmons, os membros da expedição começaram a sair em pares para atuar como missionários nas cidades pelas quais passaram. A expedição parou em Thatcher Arizona por um mês, enquanto Cluff foi visitar Florence Reynolds, que era professora na Academia Juarez nas Colônias Mórmons no México e se tornaria a segunda esposa de Cluff. Os jovens da empresa estavam ficando inquietos por causa do atraso significativo em sua jornada, e depois de sua espera de um mês, eles seguiram para a fronteira mexicana e começaram a se familiarizar com a cultura mexicana.

Heber J. Grant foi e visitou o acampamento de expedição que havia parado em Nogales, na fronteira do México. Depois que ele retornou a Utah para relatar suas descobertas, a Primeira Presidência e o Quórum dos Doze Apóstolos decidiram que, porque os membros da expedição não eram viajantes bem-experientes e não estavam demonstrando estar completamente de acordo com as regras que aprenderam na Academia., uma carta foi enviada a Joseph F. Smith. Ele se encontrou com Cluff e expressou a preocupação da liderança da igreja e recomendou o término da viagem. Mesmo quando lhe disseram para cessar o empreendimento, Cluff ignorou esse conselho e prosseguiu com a jornada. Embora Cluff decidisse continuar, alguns membros de sua expedição decidiram retornar a Provo, restando apenas 9 membros da expedição, incluindo Cluff. Eles passaram por muitos assentamentos mórmons no México e tiveram muitas dificuldades, incluindo fome, doença e fadiga. Depois de quase dois anos de viagem, a expedição ficou sem suprimentos, teve problemas para garantir a passagem segura pela Colômbia e foi forçada a voltar atrás. Cluff finalmente retornou à sua posição em 1904, mas foi acusado de várias impropriedades, incluindo imoralidade sexual por seu assistente Walter Wolfe. Cluff foi forçado a renunciar. As acusações de imoralidade decorreram de um casamento pós-manifesto entre Cluff e Florence Mary Reynolds, de 25 anos, realizado no México. Cluff obteve permissão para o casamento de Joseph F. Smith.

Fundação da Universidade Brigham Young
No último ato oficial de Cluff, ele propôs ao Conselho que a Academia fosse nomeada "Universidade Brigham Young". No começo, havia uma grande quantidade de oposição a isso. Muitos membros do Conselho achavam que a escola não era grande o suficiente para ser uma universidade. No entanto, a decisão acabou por passar. Um adversário da decisão, Anthon H. Lund, disse mais tarde: "Espero que a cabeça deles cresça o suficiente para o chapéu".

Hoje, o Edifício Cluff, no campus Provo da BYU, é nomeado em sua homenagem.

Vida mais tarde
Depois de renunciar em 1903, Cluff se mudou para o México para estabelecer uma plantação de seringueiras e mais uma vez teve problemas no México. Em um ponto ele foi mantido por bandidos por 2 semanas e durante sua ausência sua família foi roubada.  Ele trabalhou com mogno e embarcou um pouco de madeira para a Califórnia, o que o levou a decidir mudar sua família para a Califórnia, onde abriu uma mercearia e posto de gasolina. Ele morreu em 16 de junho de 1948 com a idade de 90 anos.

Vida familiar
Cluff era marido de três esposas e teve 25 filhos.

Notas

Ligações externas

 O diário de Benjamin Cluff Jr., de L. Tom Perry Coleções Especiais, Brigham Young University
 Diário de Benjamin Cluff, MSS 1667 em Coleções Especiais de L. Tom Perry, Brigham Young University
 Diário de Benjamin Cluff digitalizado, MSS 3076 em Coleções Especiais de L. Tom Perry, Brigham Young University

Nascidos em 1858
Mortos em 1948
Alunos da Universidade de Michigan
Acadêmicos dos Estados Unidos

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Our world seems increasingly fractious and hostile, yet in the face of great adversity, human beings rally to support each other with love and understanding. How can we develop the sense of equanimity and emotional stability to remain warm-hearted, despite great social suffering? How to genuinely care for all beings when some beings seem so destructive and negative?


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Italy: opinion on artists´ reactions after the Manchester terror attack 2017
After the terror attack in Manchester, do you believe that it is better to postpone music show out of respect for the terror attack´s victims or to continue so not to give up on terrorists?
by Statista Research Department, last edited Mar 8, 2018
The statistic displays the opinion among Italians on different artists´ reactions after the Manchester terror attack in 2017. According to the survey, 78 percent of respondents believed that the better option is not to postpone music shows but to continue so not to give up on terrorists. On 22 May 2017, a suicide bombing was carried out at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England, after a concert by American singer Ariana Grande. The explosion killed 23 people and injured 64 others.
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Mugging rate in Italy in 2016, by province and number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants
Extortion rate in Italy in 2016, by province and number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants
Theft rate in Italy in 2016, by province and number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants
Vehicle theft rate in Italy in 2016, by province and number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants
Commercial establishments burglary rate in Italy in 2016, by province and number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants
Residential burglary rate in Italy in 2016, by province and number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants
Robbery rate in Italy in 2016, by province and number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants
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Total number of voluntary manslaughters in Italy from August 2017 to July 2018, by relationship with the murderer
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Share of individuals very or quite worried to experience a residential burglary in their living areas in Italy in 2016, by municipality size
Total number of thefts in Italy from August 2011 to July 2018
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Share of individuals very or quite worried to experience a motor vehicle theft in their living areas in Italy in 2016, by municipality size
Share of individuals very or quite worried to experience theft/pickpocketing in their living areas in Italy in 2016, by municipality size
Number of people reported for drug laws violations in Italy from 2006 to 2017
Number of women reported for drug laws violations in Italy from 2006 to 2017
Number of minors reported for drug laws violations in Italy from 2006 to 2017
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Number of people reported for synthetic drugs-related crimes in Italy from 2006 to 2017
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Assets seized from Mafia in Italy from August 2015 to July 2016, by region
Assets confiscated from Mafia in Italy from August 2015 to July 2016, by region
Number of Mafia-type associations in Italy in 2016, by region
Number of Mafia-type associations in Italy from 2004 to 2016
Number of reported crimes of association* in Italy in 2016, by region
According to you, how widespread is in your area organized crime such as mafia, camorra or `ndrangheta?
Compared to ten years ago, how would you describe the diffusion of mafia-like organizations in your area?
Incidences of terrorism in Italy from 1968 to 2009
Number of people arrested for terrorism-related offences in Italy from 2001 to 2015
Number of people expelled for terrorism-related security reasons from Italy from August 2016 to July 2018
Number of monitored foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) in Italy from August 2016 to July 2018
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Number of people involved in special operations* of Police and Carabinieri against foreign fighters in Italy in 2015
Estimated GDP cost of terrorism in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg (Benelux) between 2013 and 2016 (in million euros)*


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Combined Shape Shape
Kristin L. Lentz
Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Corporate Finance, Public Companies & Capital Markets, Finance & Acquisitions, Federal Oil & Gas Leasing, Oil & Gas Acquisition & Divestiture
Erin K. Simmons
Partner, Corporate Finance, Cross-Border Transactions, Finance & Acquisitions, Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Public Companies & Capital Markets, Mineral Financing
Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP corporate finance attorneys represent a diverse range of public and private businesses, private equity sponsors, banks, and other financial institutions in a range of sophisticated debt transactions, including cash flow loans, asset-based loans, reserve-based loans, acquisition financing, leveraged buyout financing, structured finance, and subscription-based financing. Our experience crosses a broad range of industries, including oil and gas, mining, energy, manufacturing, retail, equipment leasing, logistics, construction, technology, commercial real estate, communications, transportation, hospitality, and agriculture.
Agent & Lender Representations
Our team works with major commercial banks and other lenders in a wide variety of secured and unsecured, single lender, syndicated, and "club" transactions.
Some of our representative transactions on behalf of agents and lenders include:
Represented a national banking association as administrative agent and lender in an $84 million revolving and term loan credit facility for a digital printing company
Represented a national banking association as administrative agent and lender in a cross-border $50 million senior secured revolving loan to a ski resort operator
Represented a senior lender in a $40 million revolving facility to a company in the moving services industry
Represented a national banking association as lender in an amendment and restatement of its $15 million revolving line of credit to a pet toy manufacturer and its over $23 million amendment and restatement of 3 tranches of term loans to an affiliated real estate holding company
Represented a senior lender in a $33 million credit facility to a company in the air services industry
Represented a lender in a proposed $28 million term loan to finance an acquisition by an industrial minerals company, along with a $3 million asset-based revolver
Represented a national banking association in a $30 million revolving credit facility for a moving services company
Represented a national banking association as administrative agent and lender in a $25 million revolving line of credit to an oilfield services company
Represented a senior lender in a $25 million credit facility to a company in the energy sector
Represented a large regional bank in an over $17 million senior term and revolving credit facility supporting the acquisition of a fabricating and manufacturing company
Represented a national banking association as lender in a delayed draw term loan to a fixed base operator
Represented related private equity funds in term loans to oil and gas exploration and production companies
Represented a commercial bank in a secured loan to a medical equipment supplier
Represented a commercial bank in a workout with a critical security solutions provider
Represented a senior lender providing acquisition funding (term, revolver and capital expenditure loan) for a consumer retail services business
Represented a lender in its senior term and revolving credit facility supporting the acquisition of a large food services company
Represented a commercial bank in a credit facility with a golf game improvement company
Borrower & Sponsor Representations
Our team represents borrowers and sponsors in all phases of obtaining, structuring, and negotiating loans and other debt financing arrangements. In addition, we frequently act as local counsel in a variety of jurisdictions in providing legal opinions in connection with local law mortgages and deeds of trust and organizations organized in local jurisdictions.
Some of our representative financing transactions on behalf of borrowers and sponsors include:
Represented PDC Energy, Inc. in a reserve-based revolving credit facility providing for a maximum credit amount of $2.5 billion and an initial borrowing base of $1.3 billion, and in obtaining debt financing and bridge loan commitments relating to a $1.5 billion acquisition of oil and gas assets
Represented SRC Energy Inc. in a reserve-based revolving credit facility with a maximum credit amount of $1.5 billion and an initial elected commitment of $450 million
Represented a natural gas producer in $750 million and $500 million first lien credit facilities for its two operating companies
Represented a privately held food company in its $420 million senior credit facility
Represented a real estate investment fund in its $300 million credit facility to finance the acquisition of a portfolio of shopping centers located throughout the United States
Represented an oil and gas exploration and production company in a $250 million term loan
Represented DMC Global Inc. in a $75 million syndicated credit agreement with $100 million accordion
Represented a mining company in amendments to its $125 million revolving credit facility
Represented an industrial materials company in a $95 million term loan and $30 million revolving loan
Represented sponsors in a $123.5 million term loan to finance the acquisition of a hotel in Hollywood, Florida
Represented a distributor of children's products in amendments to a $42 million senior secured credit facility and a $36.8 million subordinated unsecured term loan
Represented an in-home health care services company in amending a $57 million credit facility
Represented sponsors in a $53 million loan agreement to finance construction costs of a ski village
Represented an oil and gas midstream and marketing/logistics company in a $52.5 million credit facility
Represented an oil and gas exploration and production company in a $50 million credit facility
Represented an oilfield services business in a $35 million credit facility with a $35 million accordion feature
Represented a sporting goods retailer in a $25 million revolving credit facility with a $20 million accordion feature
Represented energy and real estate focused private equity funds in subscription-based credit facilities
Joel O. Benson
Partner, Cross-Border Transactions, Mergers & Acquisitions, Mining Acquisitions & Divestitures, Mineral Financing, Federal Oil & Gas Leasing, Oil & Gas Acquisition & Divestiture, Natural Resources & Environmental Litigation
Zachary D. Detra
Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions, Finance & Acquisitions, Corporate Finance, Private Equity, Intellectual Property, Technology Company & Technology Transactions
Patricia Peterson
Senior of Counsel, Public Companies & Capital Markets, Finance & Acquisitions, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Finance
Partner, Finance & Acquisitions, Bankruptcy & Creditors' Rights, Mergers & Acquisitions, Coal, Federal Oil & Gas Leasing, Corporate Finance, Oil & Gas Acquisition & Divestiture
Elizabeth Karpinski Vonne
Of Counsel, Finance & Acquisitions, Mergers & Acquisitions, Public Companies & Capital Markets, Private Equity, Executive Compensation, Cross-Border Transactions
Deborah J. Friedman
Senior of Counsel, Corporate Finance, Coal, Finance & Acquisitions, Mergers & Acquisitions, Cross-Border Transactions, Private Equity, Public Companies & Capital Markets, Executive Compensation
John L. McCabe
Senior of Counsel, Corporate Finance, Finance & Acquisitions, Mergers & Acquisitions, Hospitality
Gary Meade
Of Counsel, Corporate Finance, Finance & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Mergers & Acquisitions
Christopher John Lane
Partner, Real Estate, Corporate Finance, Finance & Acquisitions, Hospitality, Clean Energy & Sustainability
Taylor M. Smith
Partner, Finance & Acquisitions, Corporate Finance, Private Equity


I like to push myself and test my limits. Normally this means physically pushing myself through outdoor adventures, but every once in a while I test other limits. For example, as you likely know, I am most at ease in nature, so spending a long weekend in the downtown of a big city (Denver) can also take me out of my normal comfort zone.
This is pretty much my normal look (outdoorsy).
However, I recently met up with my sister and a friend for a long weekend in Denver, so I got a bit gussied up and even wore….wait for it….MAKEUP! Seriously, I couldn't remember the last time I wore it (likely the last time my sister helped me with it at some point because I seem to be inept at girlie things like that!).
All kidding aside, I had a fabulous time getting to see my sister and our friend Heather for a few days. This was extra special because my sister is currently stationed in Germany, so our time together these days is limited. Being three hardworking professional women, we decided to treat ourselves and stay at the Ritz-Carlton in downtown Denver. This place was super swanky but the staff was so super nice and accommodating (even when I requested some foam pillows so I didn't mess up my neck).
We spent some time (& money) at the Denver REI; I came away with a sweet new snowboarding helmet (thanks Mom & Dad!) and a super sweet birthday present from my sister, the sunglasses I have been dreaming of for months (Native Eyewear Silencers).
Naturally, it was then time for some beer….hey we are all WI girls, so what do you expect?! We headed down the road from REI to try some brews at the Denver Beer Co. We got a sampler which included the normal suspects (a wheat, a pale, and IPA) as well as a few tasty surprises in a cider, graham cracker porter (soooo yummy!!) and a mead of sorts. With its big front porch and garage door front, this joint seemed to be a favorite to locals, and we quickly became fans of it as well.
After a day of shopping, some more adult beverages, and sightseeing, we finally found a place for dinner (it was a Saturday night, so most places had hour plus waits, ugh!). We stumbled upon a great little Italian café named Mangiamo Pronto. My sister and I shared some subpar pesto bruschetta (It was served on regular toast; I mean come on it is an Italian café who bakes their own bread…give me a baguette!) and some tasty chicken pasta with pine nuts and creamy pest.
Then, drumroll please, I had my first taste of gelato (yes, ever); it was delicious creamy caramel sea salt flavored goodness.
Day two was more shop browsing before Heather had to head back to CA, wine tasting at Cru Wine Bar, a tasty beer sampler from Wynkoop Brewing Company, and an early birthday dinner at the super fancy (especially by my terms!) Ocean Prime . The entire meal was fantastic but the dessert really took the cake (pun definitely intended!). Renee and I shared this beauty of baking perfection.
A great weekend with my best friend!
Chances are that if you have ever met me, you know that I am close with my family and that at 32 I still enjoy spending time with/taking trips with my parents. I had the chance to do just that over the recent Labor Day weekend.
My mom and I decided to meet in Rapid City for a few days of fun and hiking with the dogs (Sydney and Fia, my sister's dog which my parents are keeping while my sis is stationed overseas). The last time I actually stopped in the Black Hills and didn't just drive through them on the way to another destination was in 1992 during my family's first big road trip vacation (I think we did like 12 states in 10 days or something close to that).
Hmm, I think I remember seeing these guys before….
Anyway…my mom and I met up in the parking lot of our hotel. We got there about 10 minutes apart which is pretty amazing timing considering she was driving 10 hours and I was driving 5 ½. The dogs went berserk at the joy of being reunited (they hadn't seen each other since Christmas).
After a low-key rest of the day we were raring to go on our first adventure. We decided to hit up Harney Peak first thing in the morning as it would be getting up into the 90s later in the day (and we had no desire to injure our dogs!). There are two trails taking you from the gorgeous Sylvan Lake area in Custer State Park through the Black Elk Wilderness of the Black Hills National Forest; we decide to take Trail #4.
At an elevation of 7,242ft, this granite peak is the highest point in the state. With an elevation gain of 1,100ft, it was a fun hike for all four of us…until we got to the very top where there is a tower. It was at this point that Fia (my sister's dog) freaked out because of the metal grated stairs.
Fia was so scared that she almost dove over the side!
As luck would have it, that day was actually Fia's birthday (as decided by my sister when she adopted her). While driving through the beauty that is Custer State Park, we treated the pups to birthday knock-off Twinkies, which couldn't have been more fitting (family joke 😉 ).
After leaving the completely tuckered pups at the hotel, my mom and I headed for the bustling area that is downtown Rapid City (I kid of course). We decide to go eat at Firehouse Brewing. After a tasty beer sampling, we opted on a dunkle and a red for mom and I respectively. Figuring we burned a gazillion calories that day, we decided to order a huge plate of nachos to share as our supper.
With day #1 of the trip in the books it was time to hit the hay to rest up for day #2!
Pupusas, Beer, & a Falcon!!!!
The day started off a bit overcast, and I was once again hungry (shocking, I know!). We went to breakfast at this awesome Greek/American dinner called The Mediterranean Restaurant, or as the locals call it, The Med. There is a reason that this places looks and feels like the quintessential local dinner; it is. Opened in 1969, The Med has the same owners dishing up phenomenal food for surprisingly low prices. Be careful though because this gem is only open for breakfast and lunch; also it isn't open at all on Sundays!
The Med made my tummy happy!
After a meal of biscuits with sausage gravy, eggs, toast, cheese grits, and homefries (don't be fooled though because they called them "hashbrowns"), we were stuffed to the gills and ready to hit the town, gimpy style. But first, to answer the question burning in your mind right now, no I didn't eat all of the food alone; Steve ate half of it!
Not to be put off by expensive prices, we headed to Mast General Store in downtown Asheville. Now, if you have read my previous posts, you might know that I fell in love with this store last summer in Henderson, NC (https://anappetiteforadventure.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/oh-pisgah-i-love-ya/), so I was giddy with excitement!
Apparently Steve has a thing for pig's ears????
I have to admit that I did treat myself to my first pair of Keen's during this trip, but they will become vitally important come winter in Cody. They were having a sale on sample size shoes, which happen to be size 7, and wouldn't ya know, I wear size 7 for winter boots! Let's just say that I just these beautiful Betty Boots by Keen for a steal; that is right they were less than my last pair of on sale Asics running shoes from Kohl's!
Ok so back to what you have all been waiting for, I held a falcon! How cool?!
See, I wasn't making it up 🙂 Please check out the below video (I am holding a falcon, people!!) to find out about some great work that Peter Kipp and the Quest Foundation are doing.
After the amazing falcon encounter, we enjoyed the River Arts District with all of its quirky and interesting studios of blown glass, pottery, and a heap of other cool artistic pieces. We arrived at Wedge Brewing Company for a few tasty brews and yet another first for my time in Asheville, my first tamale! While I have had an amazing dish that my mom makes called tamale pie, I have never had a legit tamale. This one was extra unique because it was from a food truck; not just any ordinary food truck but from Ceci's Culinary Tour. The tamales and pupusas were delish!
Of course I had to watch the Derby that evening after picking my winning horses on vital information such as how cool the name was and what number/color combo the horse and jockey would be wearing 😉 We made our way from one brewery to the next and watched the race at the Asheville Brewing Company with a sampling of five of their brews. Shockingly, my favorite was the Jalapeño beer! As someone who is not a fan of even the slightest hint of heat in my food or beverages, I loved this beer because it had the Jalapeño taste with absolutely no heat.
Our tour of Asheville was topped off with a cool experience that evening. It was Cinco de Mayo, so we figured finding a place to eat might be a bit hard; plus, we were actually beered-out (I know, unthinkable…). We decided to head to a French restaurant. Of course as soon as we got to Bouchon's, it was packed with a long wait. We struck up a conversation with a local gal who told us about the treasure hiding next door; Creperie Bouchon was just what the doctor ordered with a large outdoor patio under the stars (& the supermoon) and a live three-piece band paired perfectly with a tasty cheese plate and French wine.
This was a great way to finish my time in a city I never knew I would love, Asheville, NC.
Glorious Beer in Beautiful Asheville Makes a Gal Happy!
I am not completely sure how I have lived in Athens, GA for going on two years and just finally made it up to Asheville, NC this weekend! I really wish I had gotten the chance to discover this amazingly cool town earlier in my time here.
With my current less than stellar ankle/foot situation, hiking was out and climbing was not an option. Getting around town on crutches or hobbling a few feet without them would have to be enough of an adventure for me! Steve and I headed north on a beautiful drive taking us through one gorgeous view after another.
Following our arrival in this funky little town, we (read that as "I") hobbled our way to the Lexington Avenue Brewery where we had some tasty, perfectly sized lunches before making our way to the highlight of the day, our private tour!
Once we figured out how to get to the somewhat secluded Highland Brewing Company (we used GPS, and I still managed to get us lost!), we met up with Steve who is the head of sales and merchandise. He took us through an extensive tour and to places normal tours don't necessarily get to go/see (inside the bottling line and where they keep the just for fun beer experiments). After filling our glasses with tasty selections, we walked through the brewery, tasted barley at multiple malted levels (they came from WI!), and learned more about the brewing process than I had ever known (& I have been on my share of brewery tours).
Eating barley…this one was pretty good!
Steve giving us some of the "experiment" beer. Notice the nail in his hand, the beer is coming out the nail hole!
As luck would have it, Highland Brewing Company was tapping their summer seasonal, Razor Wit, the day of our tour! After an amazing, not to mention super tasty tour, we enjoyed this newly released brew on their porch and got some local insight into food options.
I was starving and if you know me at all, that means I can start to get cranky if I don't eat soon 😉 We headed to a place that looked good and was right downtown, Pack's Tavern. With tons of North Carolina brews on tap, and a yummy looking menu I was initially happy. Sadly that sorta changed. First, I ordered a beer that was just too darn fruity for my taste (my bad because it did have blueberry in the name); next our waitress seemed to not be having the best day, at least I am going to give her the benefit of the doubt and hope that is what it was. We ordered an appetizer of dips and chips as well as a Monte Cristo to split. With a disgusted look on her face our waitress' response was "You know that's deep-fried, right?" The appetizer and sandwich were brought out at the exact same time and one of the dips was so cooled (a queso dip) that it was near impossible to "dip" a chip into it. The sandwich (my first Monte Cristo ever!) was luckily very tasty; however, I don't think I would go back there as there are so many other great places to eat in Asheville.
All in all the first day in Asheville was a beautiful, sunny day with some great food and beer (and some not so great). Thanks to Kirsten and Steve at Highland Brewing Company for making the day awesome 🙂 Just wait until you see what I got to do on the second day in Asheville!!!!!


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Climate Change Roulette and Water Scarcity
Dec 23rd, 2013 | By admin | Category: Water Issues
By Suzanne York, www.howmany.org
A new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that climate change is likely to put 40 percent more people worldwide at risk of absolute water scarcity, due to changes in rainfall and evaporation.
Unsurprisingly, the study noted that "Expected future population changes will, in many countries as well as globally, increase the pressure on available water resources."
With a mid-range UN projection of 9.6 billion people by 2050, how countries around the world manage water resources is becoming more critical with each passing day. And a changing climate is likely to play havoc with even the best laid plans.
Today, between one and two people out of 100 live in countries with absolute water scarcity (defined as less than 500 cubic meters of water available per year and per person). On average, each person consumes about 1,200 cubic meters of water each year, and even more in industrialized countries. Yet the impacts of continued population growth and increasing climate changes could bring the ratio of people living in countries with absolute water scarcity up to about 10 in 100 people.
The Mediterranean, Middle East, the southern US, and southern China could experience "a pronounced decrease of available water"; southern India, western China, and parts of eastern Africa could have an increase.
The authors of the study found that "This dwindling per-capita water availability is likely to pose major challenges for societies to adapt their water use and management."
Just last month, the World Resources Institute (WRI) released the results from its Aqueduct water project in which it found that 37 countries face "extremely high" levels of baseline water stress. This means that more than 80 percent of the water available to agricultural, domestic, and industrial users is withdrawn annually—leaving businesses, farms, and communities vulnerable to scarcity.
According to WRI :
…the world's water systems face formidable threats. More than a billion people currently live in water-scarce regions, and as many as 3.5 billion could experience water scarcity by 2025. Increasing pollution degrades freshwater and coastal aquatic ecosystems. And climate change is poised to shift precipitation patterns and speed glacial melt, altering water supplies and intensifying floods and drought.
Greater conservation and more efficient water systems (especially for industrial agriculture) will help. Also incorporating traditional and indigenous methods of water storage and usage that is applicable to each community and/or region will be needed. But what is most needed is global action on climate change to reduce global greenhouse emissions and thereby put the world on a path toward a more sustainable future.
There is too much at stake, and water is too precious of a resource to not implement policies to help countries, communities and families adapt to the coming changes.
Suzanne York is a senior writer with the Institute for Population Studies.
Tags: Climate Change, Population Growth, water scarcity
Transition Earth
A blog exploring the relationships between population growth, human rights, women's equality, family planning, carbon footprints and economic activity.
Population Numbers: Addressing Family Planning for the Sake of Our World
The Predicted Losses Keep on Coming
Water Scarcity: The Making of a Pakistani Tinderbox?
Finally Putting a Gag on the Global Gag Rule?
State of American Newborns: "We're Number 30!?"
Empowering People and Protecting the Environment: Putting PHE in Place
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Rio+20 Earth Summit
Planting Trees Isn't Enough: We Also Need Family Planning for a Thriving World
Food Will Decide the Human Future
Newsflash: "profoundly troubling signs from human activities"
The Methane Gun – The Threat to a Habitable Earth
Center for Biological Diversity – Population & Sustainability
Center for the Advancement of a Steady State Economy
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The Consequences of Today, for Tomorrow's World (Part II) - Population Growth - Human Rights, the Economy, and the Environment on The Consequences of Today, for Tomorrow's World (Part I)
Solutions for Saving Elephants on World Elephant Day - Population Growth - Human Rights, the Economy, and the Environment on Earth Overshoot and Ending Our Debt to Nature
alexandrafloraine on Is Word Getting Out that Population and Climate Change are Connected?
Dave Gardner on To Grow or Not to Grow: The Wild Card of Aging Populations
Up for grabs: Land and food in a hungry world | Mobilization for Climate Justice on Up for Grabs: Land and Food in a Hungry World
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Cologne, February 24, 2014. QSC AG, the leading ICT provider for medium-sized businesses in Germany, takes over 51 per cent of the shares in the Munich based FTAPI Software GmbH, a company specializing in encrypted data exchange between business customers.
The start-up was founded in 2010 and offers a range of products around high-security transfer and storage of confidential company data. With FTAPI, files can be transferred and stored at different security levels, from an SSL download link to an end-to-end encryption. The features can easily be integrated in existing CRM and ERP systems like SAP and Salesforce as well as in e-mail solutions like Outlook. The particularity: The encryption is very easy to handle, it works also with large data volumes in the gigabyte range and is available as a local software solution as well as a cloud service. Furthermore, FTAPI has developed branch-specific solutions, for example for transport, manufacturing, trade, media and finance.
With the acquisition of the security specialist QSC intensifies as planned the in-house development of innovative cloud-based services. At the same time FTAPI benefits from QSC's high-security data centres, the efficient distribution channels and the client base of over 30,000 business customers.
"Since the latest NSA spying scandal the security issue has become very important. FTAPI's own software development and their contemporary products are totally in line with this topic", says Juergen Hermann Chief Executive Officer of the QSC AG, stating a reason for the acquisition and emphasizes: "This is only the beginning. We want to keep providing companies and creative minds the opportunity to continue to develop their innovative products and to market them efficiently. This is part of our ICT strategy."
The total market for IT security in Germany has been growing steadily for a long time with growth rates of five per cent a year. QSC projects the submarket for IT security software relevant for FTAPI at currently 800 million euros with an annual growth of at least 10 per cent a year.
The company FTAPI GmbH already has renowned businesses among their customers such as Hochland Group, MAN Roland and SSI Schaefer. The two company founders and managing directors, Stephan Niedermeier and Daniel Niesler, will remain shareholders and continue to develop FTAPI for QSC in the years to come. They emphasize: "For us, QSC is the ideal partner. As far as we are concerned, there is no German company apart from QSC with a comparably high innovation speed which will influence the ICT market in such a significant way in the years to come."
The QSC AG buys the main part of their shares from the lead investor High-Tech Gruenderfonds as well as from Bayern Kapital and Gebrueder Mende GmbH.
Romy Schnelle, Senior Investment Manager of High-Tech Gruenderfonds, accompanied FTAPI on their way to this successful exit in only two years: "We are very pleased about the strong partnership between QSC and FTAPI. The merging of the two companies generates a high potential in distribution as well as in the technical product development."
Arno Nonnen, Dr. Schwarz-Schilling & Partners, worked as an M&A advisor for FTAPI.


In the heat and humidity of a Northern Virginia summer, coming home to a cool and comfortable environment is a real treat. When it comes to energy efficiency, however, there's been some debate over whether keeping the air conditioner on while you're away is the smartest strategy. Does it take more energy to cool down an overheated home or to leave the air conditioner running all day? A real-world study on programmable thermostats indicates the correct answer lies somewhere in between.
To determine if using a programmable thermostat to adjust AC settings during the day saves energy, the Canadian Centre for Housing Technology used their twin research houses to come up with a definitive answer. For the summer study, the thermostat in one house was set 72 degrees Fahrenheit while the other was set to 77 degrees. The study showed that raising the temperature just 5 degrees during work hours and at night cut cooling costs by 11 percent.
Because heat naturally gravitates towards cooler areas, keeping household temperatures a little warmer when you're away, actually slows the flow of heat into your home. While turning the AC off completely isn't cost-effective in regions like Northern Virginia where hot summer temperatures are the norm, using a programmable thermostat to raise the setting 5 to 10 degrees can significantly improve your home's energy efficiency.
Wi-Fi models allow you to adjust settings from your smartphone or tablet.
Energy usage reports let you evaluate your home's energy consumption at a glance.
Illuminated displays with touch-screen icons make it easy to alter settings.
Automated alerts let you know when it's time to change the filter or schedule maintenance.
To learn more about money-saving products that conserve energy while enhancing your comfort, explore our air conditioning services or call Commonwealth Cooling & Heating today at 703-436-8028.