With the increasing number of smart phone users, its becoming difficult to ensure that the website gets a good response from the target audience. One way is to create mobile specific website, a separate website, designed specifically for the smaller screens, with less images and text, and to allow people to get the information they're likely to be looking for, faster. Building such mobile compatible websites is the latest trend set.
Now, as the number of tablet users is increasing each day , should we provide one more option of a tablet specific website? And what about the fast evolving smart TVs with 50 – 60 inch screens? How do you ensure compatibility of your website with these devices?
Yes, each day, the number of devices, platforms, and display systems, that need to work with your website, is growing rapidly. To provide device specific websites across the range of devices, is not feasible. The ideal solution, here, is to have one website that fits all, from a tiny Smart Phone to giant Smart TV, from a Desktop PC to a Tablet.
Responsive Web Design is the answer to this. It is the concept of developing a website design, in a manner, that helps the lay out to get changed according to the user's screen resolution. Unlike the traditional Mobile Specific Website design, where a separate URL is created for mobile devices, serving a different set of HTMLs, sites that use responsive web design serve all devices on the same set of URLs, with each URL serving the same HTML, to all devices and using just CSS to change how the page is rendered on the device. For example, the RWD concept allows for an advanced 4 column layout, 1292 pixels wide, on a 1025 pixel width screen, that auto-simplifies into 2 columns for smaller screens. Also, it suitably fixes into single column on the Smartphone and computer tablet screen.
It keeps your desktop and mobile content on a single URL, making it easier for your customer to bookmark, share and interact.
Search Engines can discover your content more efficiently. Search Engine crawlers can crawl a page with the same user agent, efficiently retrieve and index all the content.
Flexible Grid: A layout, where each of the element is sized in relative proportion to its container. As the container resizes, all the elements (including fonts) auto-resizes accordingly. Check here (http://cssgrid.net) how flexible or fluid grids work.
Flexible Images: Image that resizes proportionally, depending on the width of its container. Check here (http://clagnut.com/sandbox/imagetest) how flexible or fluid images work.
CSS3 Media queries: Media Queries, a CSS3 module, is an enhancement of the @media rules of CSS. This allows to adapt the rendering of web pages, based on conditions such as screen resolution, size of display, color depth, aspect ratio etc. RWD design technique allows building web pages that alter how they look using CSS3 media queries.
HTML5: The evolution of HTML5, with its semantic elements is a boost for Responsive Web Design.
Adaptive Approach – Adaptive strategy is to have Multiple Fixed Width Layouts. For example, a 4 column layout, 248px each, separated by 20px-wide gutters, on a 1024 pixel width screen, that auto-simplifies into 2 columns for smaller screens. Also, it suitably fixes into single column on the smartphone and computer tablet screen.
Responsive Approach – Responsive strategy is to have Multiple Fluid Grid Layouts. For example, multiple range bound layouts, each for a particular range of screen size and each of which auto-resizes within their particular range.
Mixed Approach – In this approach, the web designer can use fixed width (Adaptive) for large and medium screens while Fluid width (Responsive) can be used for small screens.
Start Small – One of the best practices followed in RWD is to begin with mobile considerations (start by loading the absolute bare essentials on the smaller platforms) and then work up to a larger desktop version. The additional resources are loaded strictly on an 'as-needed' basis, to platforms that can handle them well.
Modular Design – Designing layouts in a modular fashion is, again, something favored by Responsive Web Design. Managing independent areas of a page in modular chunks allows fluid repositioning and segregates content clearly.
The Goldilocks Approach: The Goldilocks Approach is a good starting point for responsive web design that allows designs to be independent of device resolution.
Skeleton: Minimal responsive framework having collection of CSS files.
Responsive web designing is remarkably different from traditional designing in terms of technical and creative issues and a careful use of this can do wonders while designing. If you business requirement is reach a wide-range of devices, responsive web design would be the right approach for you.


Basics of Anesthesia [Robert K. Stoelting, Ronald D. Miller] on * FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. An introductory textbook that provides both. With the most authoritative and complete overview of anesthesia theory and practice, the latest edition of Basic Anesthesia, edited by noted anesthesiologist. The new topics include Approach to Learning Anesthesia; Medical Informatics; Basic Cardiopulmonary Physiology; Hemostasis; Congenital Heart Disease;.
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Amazon Second Chance Pass it on, trade it in, give it a second life. What other items do customers buy after viewing this item? Published November 1st by Churchill Livingstone first published January 1st Widely acknowledged as the foremost introductory text, this latest edition provides the most authoritative and complete overview of anesthesia theory and practice and continues to serve as an excellent primer on the scope and practice of anesthesiology.
Get fast, free shipping with Amazon Prime. Edited by two of the foremost experts in the field, the new edition is presented in full color and includes updated information on new and rapidly changing areas in anesthesia This latest stoeltinh provides the most authoritative and complete overview of anesthesia theory and practice and continues to serve as an excellent primer on the scope and practice of anesthesiology.
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Did you know that there are tons of gambling websites for lottery and casino games in Ontario? In literally just a few seconds, you can jump onto an ON Internet gambling site and start winning real money.
No matter where you are in ON, you can fire up your laptop, tablet, or smartphone and hop online. We've found the best gambling online Ontario has to offer. Stick with us and we'll show you exactly where to play.
With a great bonus and high payout percentage, Jackpot City takes the top spot for players in Ontario.
Of course slots are highly popular at online casinos, but so is poker and video poker. There are some players that enjoy bingo as well in Ontario. Any of these games offer good prize potential, but the progressive jackpot slots offer the biggest prize payouts of all.
If you give Ontario sports betting a try, take a look at the upcoming hockey matches because they are always a popular option. Lacrosse and baseball are decent options in the summer, but many people prefer football and soccer instead.
Licensing: If a game isn't fully licensed, we simply cannot recommend it.
Security: Similarly, all sites must use the latest encryption technology for safety.
Compatibility: The majority of people use mobile phones, which is why all sites must be fully compatible with leading smartphones and tablets.
Games: The core of any casino, sites need to give gamblers in Ontario a wide selection of high-quality games to choose from.
Banking: Using only trusted and popular banking methods, sites need to offer options for instant deposits and withdrawals.
Customer service: Even the best sites can leave players with questions or concerns, which is why friendly and responsive customer support is vital.
Our list of the best places to play Ontario online gambling games includes only the sites we're comfortable playing at ourselves, so check our links and discover your new favourite gambling online Ontario casino right now.
While Federal Criminal Code of Canada legalized gambling in the country, each province makes their own specific rules. That's why the Ontario online gambling laws might differ a bit from other areas. Even the Ontario gambling age is different from that in Alberta.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is responsible for gambling in the region. Here's what you need to know about the gambling age in Ontario and other local regulations.
You must be 19 years of age or older to purchase lottery tickets in Ontario.
Ontario gambling age is also 19 for entering a casino.
The OLG uses a portion of gambling proceeds to invest back into the community.
Casinos are considered commercial and charitable.
Race tracks often function as smaller casino, with slots and other casino games.
Take your betting with you on the go, or at home. You'll be able to use your mobile or tablet when you gamble in Ontario, which means that you can enjoy the best games when you like and where you choose. Without needing to travel to a casino, you can play on your own terms.
Thanks to instant play options in your browser, you don't always need to download an app. Instead, you can play using your normal web browser, giving you full mobile casino access on iOS, Android, Windows, Kindle Fire or BlackBerry devices.
That said, the superior experience is usually found on the more popular smartphone or tablet. This includes an Apple iPhone or iPad, or Android products like those made by Samsung, LG, Huawei or Motorola.
Gambling used to be illegal and mostly run by organized crime.
In 1970, gaming activities were made accessible and legal.
In 1985, provinces and territories were granted the rights to oversee slots, charitable gaming and lotteries.
In 2012, laws were changes to make gambling more accessible. This included legalizing online poker and lotteries.
Sites offering lotteries or gambling must offer gambling addiction help in Ontario.
Whether you're looking to jump into Ontario sports betting and cheer for the Toronto Maple Leafs, or you're just looking to play the local lottery, online gambling in Ontario is convenient and fun.
Visit one of our top-rated sites for players on Ontario and join other players winning big in 2019.
Do many people enjoy online gambling in Ontario?
Yes, it's highly popular to gamble online in Ontario. Give online gambling a try and enjoy all the convenient options that are available to you.
The government's lottery and casino websites are as safe as online casinos can get because they're run by the local gambling committees and the government themselves.
Which sports and games do Ontario players enjoy most?
Offline and online gambling winnings are not taxable at all.
Players at international casinos on the web have found that payment methods like Ukash are perfect for depositing with. That's because you don't have to link your bank account to your Ukash account, which means no casino will ever actually have your bank details on file.
What is the minimum gambling age in Ontario?


text:
Bank of Butterfield US Account Holders May Be Under Tax Investigation
1 Bank of Butterfield US Account Holders & the IRS
2 Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Agreement With Bermudian Bank To Resolve Criminal Tax Investigation
3 Golding & Golding: About our International Tax Law Firm
Bank of Butterfield US Account Holders & the IRS
Bank of Butterfield US Account Holders may be under investigation: Over the past 10+ plus years, The Department of Justice has entered into several non-prosecution agreements with Foreign Financial Institutions in order to uncover the names and information of US account holders who may have been evading tax and reporting requirements, such as FBAR and FATCA. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service closed down OVDP — and while VDP is still a viable and effective option for some Taxpayers — the rules are different and a bit more stringent than they were under OVDP — although Taxpayers can sometimes have a better opportunity to try to negotiate the VDP penalty if they have facts sufficient to do so without having to formally opt-out as they would have had to do under OVDP. Therefore, Taxpayers concerned about being audited or investigated (and losing the right to voluntary disclose) should consider their options.
Here is the Department of Justice is announcement on the matter:
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Agreement With Bermudian Bank To Resolve Criminal Tax Investigation
The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited Pays $5.6 Million in Forfeiture and Restitution; Receives Non-Prosecution Agreement as a Result of its Cooperation
Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Stuart M. Goldberg, Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department's Tax Division, and James C. Lee, Chief of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation ("IRS-CI"), announced today that Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited ("BUTTERFIELD") entered into a non-prosecution agreement ("NPA") with the U.S. Attorney's Office and agreed to pay $5.6 million to the United States for assisting U.S. taxpayer-clients in opening and maintaining undeclared foreign bank accounts from 2001 through 2013.
The NPA was based on BUTTERFIELD's extraordinary cooperation, including its efforts in providing 386 client files for non-compliant U.S. taxpayer-clients, and provides that BUTTERFIELD will not be criminally prosecuted. The NPA requires BUTTERFIELD to forfeit $4.896 million to the United States, representing certain fees that it earned by assisting its U.S. taxpayer-clients in opening and maintaining these undeclared accounts, and to pay $704,000 in restitution to the IRS, representing the approximate unpaid taxes arising from the tax evasion by BUTTERFIELD's U.S. taxpayer-clients.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: "Butterfield admits to helping its clients conceal their ownership of foreign bank accounts to avoid their U.S. tax obligations. Butterfield allowed its U.S. clients to use sham entities that assisted those U.S. clients in funneling money between U.S.- and Cayman Islands-based accounts.
The resolution of this matter through a non-prosecution agreement, along with forfeiture and restitution, reflects Butterfield's cooperation in our investigation and demonstrates that cooperation, including assistance in providing U.S. taxpayer client files, has tangible benefits. We will continue to pursue financial services firms around the world that help their clients evade U.S. taxes."
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg said: "As part of the resolution announced today, Butterfield has facilitated the production of approximately 386 unredacted client files. Taxpayers contemplating hiding money offshore and those who would facilitate their fraud should take note – nothing remains hidden forever."
IRS-CI Chief James C. Lee said: "As a result of the successful resolution of this investigation, Butterfield has agreed to turn over account files relating to U.S. taxpayer-clients who maintained undeclared assets overseas. This agreement marks yet another significant step forward in combating offshore tax evasion. Anyone who is hiding money or assets offshore with the intent of committing tax evasion will be found and prosecuted. It's not a matter of 'if,' it's a matter of 'when.'"
As part of the NPA, BUTTERFIELD admitted various facts concerning its wrongful conduct and the remedial measures that it took to cease that conduct. Specifically, BUTTERFIELD admitted that it knew or should have known certain U.S. taxpayers were using their BUTTERFIELD accounts to evade their U.S. tax obligations, in violation of U.S. law.
BUTTERFIELD acknowledged that it helped certain U.S. taxpayer-clients conceal from the IRS their beneficial ownership of undeclared assets maintained in foreign bank accounts by: (i) maintaining undeclared accounts for U.S. taxpayer-clients that were held by sham entities – structures that had no legitimate business purpose – even though Bank personnel knew, or should have known, that the entities were being used to conceal the identities of the true account owners; and (ii) opening accounts and facilitating the transfer of funds for U.S. taxpayer-clients despite obvious red flags that the U.S. clients were using the accounts to maintain undeclared assets or commit tax evasion.
The NPA recognizes that, in 2013, BUTTERFIELD implemented a series of remedial measures to stop assisting U.S. taxpayers evading federal income taxes. The NPA further recognizes BUTTERFIELD's cooperation, including its efforts to facilitate the production of approximately 386 client files for non-compliant U.S. taxpayers, which included the identities of those U.S. taxpayers.
As part of the NPA, BUTTERFIELD has agreed to forfeit $4.896 million to the United States, representing the gross revenues from services that it provided to U.S. taxpayers with undeclared foreign bank accounts from 2001 through 2013. In connection with this forfeiture, BUTTERFIELD has agreed not to contest a civil forfeiture action filed by the United States.
The NPA requires BUTTERFIELD to continue to cooperate with the United States for at least three years from the date of the agreement. In the event that BUTTERFIELD violates the NPA, the U.S. Attorney's Office may prosecute BUTTERFIELD.
Ms. Strauss thanked the IRS for its outstanding work in the investigation of this matter and thanked the Tax Division of the Department of Justice for its assistance in the investigation.
This investigation is being overseen by the Office's Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kiersten A. Fletcher is in charge of the matter.
Golding & Golding: About our International Tax Law Firm
Golding & Golding specializes exclusively in international tax, and specifically IRS offshore disclosure and compliance.
Contact our firm today for assistance.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: Solving a matrix equation involving an orthogonal matrix and complex phase shift factors (numerically or analytically) I recently came across the following problem:
Let $\mathbf{b_1}$,$\mathbf{b_2}$,$\mathbf{b_3}$ and $\mathbf{a_1}$,$\mathbf{a_2}$,$\mathbf{a_3}$ be vectors in $\mathbb{C}^3$. Let $[\mathbf{R}]$ be an orthogonal, 3x3 matrix. Let $\Delta T$ be a real number in the interval $[0,\mathrm{lcm}(T_1,T_2,T_3)]$ where $T_1,T_2,T_3$ are positive numbers in $\mathbb{Q}$.
Find ($\Delta T$,$[\mathbf{R}]$) such that
$$ [\mathbf{b_1}|\mathbf{b_2}|\mathbf{b_3}] = [\mathbf{R}] [\mathbf{a_1}e^{j2\pi\frac{\Delta T}{T_1}}|\mathbf{a_2}e^{j2\pi\frac{\Delta T}{T_2}}|\mathbf{a_3}e^{j2\pi\frac{\Delta T}{T_3}}] $$
under the assumption that a solution ($\Delta T$,$[\mathbf{R}]$) to the equation exists. (I am looking for either an efficient way of computing the solution or even an analytic solution if possible).
Right now my inefficient numerical approach looks like this:
First I rearrange the equation to:
$$ [\mathbf{R}]^T = [\mathbf{a_1}e^{j2\pi\frac{\Delta T}{T_1}}|\mathbf{a_2}e^{j2\pi\frac{\Delta T}{T_2}}|\mathbf{a_3}e^{j2\pi\frac{\Delta T}{T_3}}] [\mathbf{b_1}|\mathbf{b_2}|\mathbf{b_3}]^{-1}$$
I then define the function $\tilde{[\mathbf{R}]}(\Delta T)$:
$$ \tilde{[\mathbf{R}]}(\Delta T) := [\mathbf{a_1}e^{j2\pi\frac{\Delta T}{T_1}}|\mathbf{a_2}e^{j2\pi\frac{\Delta T}{T_2}}|\mathbf{a_3}e^{j2\pi\frac{\Delta T}{T_3}}] [\mathbf{b_1}|\mathbf{b_2}|\mathbf{b_3}]^{-1}$$
I then find $\Delta T$ using
$$ \Delta T = \mathrm{argmin}_{\Delta T} (||\tilde{[\mathbf{R}]}(\Delta T)^{T}\tilde{[\mathbf{R}]}(\Delta T)-I_3||_2)$$
which involves searching the entire interval $[0,\mathrm{lcm}(T_1,T_2,T_3)]$.
Maybe someone has an idea for a more efficient approach of computing the solution?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Faith Briefs
The Star Press
Faith Fest
NEW CASTLE — The fifth annual Henry County Faith Fest begins at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 29, between the courthouse and justice center in downtown New Castle, and continues on Monday noon-2 p.m. after the Memorial Day parade.
This year's festival features two days of live music, food and merchandise vendors, free kids' games and prizes and a bounce house. The festival will start with the Concert at the Courthouse where I Am Spartacus and Relesser will perform after opening acts Jessica Julson and Turnaround. At 7 p.m., local government and faith leaders will join together for a prayer to end drug addiction for Henry County's next generation.
The band Blank Pages will perform on the second day of the festival.
Information: henrycountyfaithfest.com
EATON — Eaton United Methodist Church will have its annual pancake and whole hog sausage breakfast on Memorial Day, 7-10 a.m. Monday, May 30, at the Eaton Community Building. A free will offering will be accepted.
Farmland rummage sale
FARMLAND — The Farmland Methodist Church, 400 N. Morris, will have a rummage sale from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, June 3, and Saturday, June 4. For information or to donate items for the sale, call 765-468-6049 or 765-625-1161.
MUNCIE — Gardens at Gethsemane United Methodist Church, 1201 W. McGalliard Road, will have its Strawberry Festival from 4:30-7 p.m. Friday, June 3, in Asbury Hall.
Tickets at the door cost $9 for adults and $5 for children for strawberry shortcake, an 8-inch sub (4-inch for children) slaw and chips. Carryout is available.
Proceeds will go to the church's youth camp and missions. Information: 765-284-6877.
Hazelwood minister
MUNCIE — Hazelwood Christian Church, 1400 W. University Ave., will welcome its new senior minister, the Rev. Jason Jones, to the pulpit at 10 a.m. June 5.
Jones received his bachelor of arts degree in religious studies from Missouri State University, and his master's of divinity from Brite Divinity School in Texas. He comes to Muncie from Highland, Ind., where he has served for the past nine years.
Rural Life Sunday
MOORELAND — Kent Benson of New Castle basketball fame will be the guest speaker for Rural Life Sunday at 10:30 a.m. June 5 at Buck Creek Church Of The Brethren, 8802 N. Buck Creek Pike. A carry-in lunch will follow.
Learning Christian Sabbath
HARTFORD CITY — John XXIII Retreat Center has scheduled a 5-9 p.m. June 10 event called "Learning Christian Sabbath." The retreat will include a meal.
Participants will prayerfully examine Biblical foundations, motivations and meanings of Sabbath. They will explore personal and global benefits as well as cultural and personal challenges to Sabbath practice. People who could be interested in participating are those who are overly busy or feeling caught in the rat race of life, and feel that they are too busy for regular church activities.
Registration is open through June 3. The fee is $30. Participants should take a Bible and a journal.
Registration: 1-888-882-1391 or john23rd@sbcglobal.net. Information: john23rdretreatcenter.com
Spiritual art journal
MUNCIE — Riverside United Methodist Church, 1201 N. Wheeling Ave., will offer the workshop "Intro to Keeping a Spiritual Art Journal, or Soul tending through Art Making," led by the Rev. Marianne Chalstrom, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 11.
"A spiritual journal is a place to record, reflect, and explore the growth of our soul, the spiritual dimension of our lives. More than words, the use of images adds depth and meaning to our expression. This workshop will introduce the use of magazine collage to expand the soul's expression and explore the spiritual journey," a release stated.
Participants should take a sketchbook at least 8 ½-by-11 inches, scissors, glue stick, and old magazines they don't mind cutting up.
A freewill offering will be taken.
Reservations: riversideumc1@sbcglobal.net or 765-288-4257.
'Walk This Way' VBS
MATTHEWS — Epworth United Methodist Church, 105 W. Eighth St., will offer Vacation Bible School from 6:15-8:30 p.m. June 12-16. The theme is "Walk This Way" as participants hit the road with Paul and learn to walk the path God has for them. The program will include Bible-learning experiences, team-building games, Bible songs and treats. Information: matthewseumc.org/vbs or Joseph Evans, 765-667-2024.
Westminster VBS
MUNCIE — Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2801 W. Riverside Ave., will offer Vacation Bible School with the theme "Olympion", 8:45 a.m.-noon, June 20-24. The program is open to children age 4 (by May 1) through sixth grade. Information: church office, 765-288-3355.
Freedom Quartet
MATTHEWS — Epworth United Methodist Church, 105 W. Eighth St., will present Freedom Quartet in Concert at 6:30 p.m. June 26.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. There will be no admission charge; a love offering will be taken. After the concert will be a meet and greet time in the Fellowship Hall with refreshments served.
A new gospel group from Sevierville, Tenn., the Freedom Quartet were awarded the 2015 "Favorite New Traditional Quartet" by Singing News Magazine.
Information: www.matthewseumc.org
Send local church news items and announcements to news@muncie.gannett.com.


Wrinkles, lines, and sagging in the brow area can make you appear aged, tired, or upset. Fortunately, a brow lift, or forehead lift, can help you achieve a more youthful appearance. As a renowned surgical center, Northwest Plastic Surgery Associates, PLLC offers leading cosmetic care for patients in Missoula, MT, who want to look and feel their best. Dr. Stephen Hardy has dedicated his career to providing his patients with procedures that are tailored to complement their surrounding features for a stunning outcome. This treatment is also popular among many patients due to the limited risks, substantial improvement, and long-lasting results.
These impactful changes to your facial structure can also have a significant positive effect on your self-confidence.
Depending on your overall cosmetic goals, Dr. Hardy may also recommend other facial surgery procedures, such as eyelid surgery, a facelift, or non-surgical treatments like a chemical peel or laser skin resurfacing. These procedures can complement the improvements made during your brow lift for dramatic facial rejuvenation.
Whereas as an endoscopic brow lift can create an unnatural, "surprised" appearance, Dr. Hardy strictly utilizes the traditional brow lift technique as it provides a greater level of control over the positioning of the brow. With the traditional method, he has the artistic freedom to create a much more natural appearance while still achieving the youthful results you desire.
Dr. Hardy has dedicated his career to providing his patients with procedures that are tailored to flatter their surrounding features for a stunning outcome.
To begin, the doctor will make a single long incision along the hairline, where any scarring will be generally concealed. After the skin is gently lifted and any excess skin has been removed, the incisions will be sutured closed. In some cases, the incisions will be covered with gauze. However, depending on the extent of the procedure, a wrap of protective bandages around the head may also be necessary.
These effects are temporary and should subside after a few weeks. To minimize swelling, it is recommended that patients keep their head elevated for the first few days following surgery. Typically, patients will need to request about a week off of work to allow for proper healing.
Contact us online or call us today at (406) 728-3811 to schedule your brow lift consultation. From our pristine, welcoming facilities to dedicated staff with extensive training, we provide a unique surgical experience that will help you feel comfortable and confident in our care.


I was incredibly fortunate to travel parts of the world as a teenager. I made friends in different countries, I learned about love, and sacrifice. I learned about different cultures and I watched history being made. I learned about life, grace and gratitude.
I knew in one day that life wouldn't be the same as most of my high school friends.
Shortly after that in yoga class, I heard a quote and it summed up everything for me. This quote made me realize with taking responsibility for our lives, our physical health and our emotional well-being we can change our world.
Custom blended grade A therapeutic essential oils to help you in any area of your life, that can change with you!
Creative custom massage and bodywork methods to aid in helping the body to repair itself, act as preventative care or stress reduction.
Learn how your mind naturally responds and using that to control your emotional responses to improve all aspects of your life.
Helping you to prioritize what matters in your life and get back to basics, literally starting at home.
Simple solutions to eat healthy to support your body's best healing.
Energetic healing that helps the body and mind find balance, release tension and seek true health.
Tales and lessons learned from my clients in helping find solid solutions to life's problems.
Corrective yoga sequences that help the body find a balance between strength & flexibility while balancing the body.
Learn how to read the human body and create your own sequences to best balance the body!
To know Michele is to know an animal lover. With 3 senior dogs and a super senior cat, much of her time is devoted to their care and happiness. She has been involved in animal rescue since she was a child witness animal abuse. She locally supports the Cornelius Animal Shelter with pop-up yoga classes, as well as donation drives as well as Best Friends Animal Sanctuary on a National Level. She is a cross-poster of Facebook for many different rescues in the South East US and has helped numerous folks find their perfect 4- legged companion!


Scrum, an agile methodology, is emerging as a powerfully beneficial toolset for building games. The approach of finding the fun through iteration rather than trying to plan and predict it completely up front is appealing to many developers who have repeatedly been surprised by all the unanticipated problems and discoveries made on the path to creating a game.
However, most publishers are too risk-averse to allow a team to not provide them with some form of detailed plan for the entire project. The developer using Scrum may resist this because they want to be able to adjust their priorities to the emerging game. This article addresses these issues of how publishers and developers using Scrum can work together with a long term plan and leverage the benefits of using Scrum.
One of the common misunderstandings of agile is that it avoids any long-term planning in favor of only planning a few weeks out. What agile does not do is support highly detailed long term plans up front. Agile methodologies, like Scrum, focus on continual planning for the entire range of the project. Like the iterations on the project itself, agile continually returns to the assumptions of the plan and modifies it based on reality.
One of the principles of Scrum is that the team commits to the amount of work they feel they can finish in small iterations of time called Sprints. These iterations are typically two to four weeks in duration. The results of the last Sprint will be used to potentially modify the goals and priorities of what will be worked during the next Sprint. This allows the goals of the project to "drift" a bit every few weeks. Ideally this drift is for the benefit of the game.
Among the adopters of agile in the game industry, questions are frequently raised about how this "drift" can exist when the publisher demands detailed plans. On the other side, publishers fear that without schedules, an agile team can iterate endlessly and never finish.
Fixed schedules attempt to predict the priorities and a rate of work that can be done ahead of time. Agile is a response to the reality that such predictions aren't very accurate and that we need to continually revisit our plans and adjust them during the entire project. Simply planning things out up front is not enough. The drift inherent with Scrum can be incompatible with these fixed schedules.
Customers often derive a sense of security from schedules. They want to be assured that a commitment is being made to deliver a product they can understand, with a known schedule and budget. It's not something they are going to abandon easily even though they are aware of the problems with fixed schedules. They have seen projects miss those schedules and budgets many times. They need something proven to work better if you want to introduce agile practices to long-term planning.
A challenge for the game development team using Scrum is to adjust the practices to meet the needs of their customers more closely while preserving the benefits of agile.
Many game developers applying Scrum have adopted what they refer to as a blend of Waterfall and Scrum. This usually means adopting Scrum practices like Sprints, Daily Scrums and Burndown Charts while maintaining detailed plan documents such as schedules and design documents for long term planning purposes.
The Sprint practices for Scrum are very easy to understand and implement while the Scrum practices for long term planning are not as easy to grasp. Some Scrum adopters or customers will not trust abandoning long-term schedules completely.


text:
More than 50 attorneys sign letter to Lightfoot urging her to abandon new ordinance targeting gang members
District 200 starts over in plans for new Jefferson building
By Dawn Rhodes
Chicago Tribune |
Wheaton school officials are rebooting their efforts to rebuild one of its major facilities.
Wheaton Warrenville School District 200 will solicit a variety of proposals from architects for reconstructing Jefferson Early Childhood Center and for updating other schools for new programming. The recent board decision marks the first step in creating a master facility plan for the district involving maintenance, upgrades and new construction.
But central to this nascent plan is a new building for Jefferson, tucked away in the western corner of the city.
"We've got to bring back, review and evaluate options for really looking at that building," Superintendent Jeff Schuler said during a Jan. 28 meeting. "As we consider some of the options, we'll have to attend to some of the estimates that are associated with that."
The idea of a new Jefferson comes with considerable history. The packed, outdated school hasn't changed since initial construction in the late 1950s, and is the only building in the district never to be updated. The space, just less than 27,000 square feet, is so inadequate that utility closets and hallways are being used as makeshift classrooms, and therapy rooms double as offices. Hallway bathrooms are too small; there is no central air or heating; and typical classroom design makes it difficult for children with wheelchairs or walkers to move around the area.
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About two-thirds of the students from ages 3 to 5 have some disability or special need, according to the district, but space is so limited that dozens of children in the program are taught at different schools.
The district proposed building a new, bigger building that could house all of the students in one place and better serve the variety of educational and social needs. But voters overwhelming shot down a 2013 referendum to generate $17.6 million in higher taxes to fund the new structure.
The district later paid a consulting firm to spearhead Engage 200, a six-month effort in 2014 seeking greater feedback from residents about Jefferson, among several other topics. The most frequent demand about Jefferson was for more information: why a new building was needed, how current conditions affect students and how the early childhood program worked.
Board members agreed that bringing in other architects would help create a more meticulous proposal to eventually bring back to community members.
"I think there's value in looking outside to see what other ideas are out there," board secretary Brad Paulsen said.
"We're embarking on something we haven't done before, so let's see what options are out there to guide the board," Schuler said.
The question of cost, however, could prove tricky. Schuler said the board legally must make a qualifications-based selection, meaning firms would present their ideas and the board would pick one without even a rudimentary price tag attached. Only after the selection would the two sides talk money.
The process would take two to three months, Paulsen said, but could be longer if the board and the firm of choice hit a snag in negotiating. Board President Barbara Intihar said that the timeline concerned her, but others argued that the investment was worth the wait.
"This is such a critical project for the district that we shouldn't let the calendar dictate to us," board member Jim Gambaiani said. "The scope of this project is so large that we want to get it right."
By starting from scratch, it was clear that the memory of the doomed referendum is still vivid some two years later.
"The responsibility for the failure of that Jefferson referendum would fall on me," said Rosemary Swanson, who was board president at the time. "I was not able to bring the board to a united vision. That is my greatest regret of all my 16 years of serving on this school board."
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In March, Michelle Obama delighted locavores when she planted an "organic" vegetable garden on the White House's South Lawn. For years, Alice Waters, Michael Pollan, and other sustainable food activists had been pushing the idea as a way to reseed interest in do-it-yourself agriculture. Less than two months later, the National Park Service disclosed that the garden's soil was contaminated with toxic lead, and the plot's educational value took on a new flavor as the New York Times and other papers discussed how to make urban backyards that are laced with old lead-based paint safe for growing kale and cauliflower. But those stories might have fingered the wrong culprit.
Perhaps not as clean as we thought. The same ComPRO fertilizer, now renamed Orgro, was used in a controversial, 2005 lead abatement study conducted in a predominately African-American neighborhood in Baltimore. Scientists wanted to know if lead in the soil of inner-city backyards could be immobilized by mixing it with sludge. Though the study found "significant reductions in the lead level in the treated yards," the initial levels of lead in the soil had been astronomical. Even before being applied to the yards, the sludge was already contaminated with lead at up to 237 parts per million, which is about 23 times normal soil levels.
Given that the White House vegetable garden isn't close to buildings that would shed lead-based paint, a combination of sludge and old exhaust particles from lead-based gasoline is more likely to blame for its lead problem. Sludge can legally contain up to 300 parts per million of lead, which is well above the 93 parts per million found in the White House garden. The EPA says that soil with more than 56 parts per million of lead might not provide "adequate protection of terrestrial ecosystems," but doesn't suggest worrying about anything below 400 parts per million as a threat to human health. However, some soil scientists advise against feeding children produce grown on soil with more than 100 ppm of lead. That's cutting it pretty close for Obama's daughters. The Clintons' "very clean poo" might have been too good to be true.
UPDATE: The blog Obama Foodorama interviewed lead experts who pointed out that 93 ppm is not an unusual level of lead in urban soils. That level is still well above natural levels and the EPA's own 56 ppm "ecological soil screening level"—hence my reasonable assertion that the garden is "contaminated with lead"–but the contamination could also be the product of old exhaust from lead-based fuel. Of course, it won't be possible to know the background lead level on the South Lawn unless someone sampled it before sludge was applied (a White House spokesman did not return a phone call). Given that lead levels in sludge can legally be way higher than what was found on the Obama garden, I still believe sludge could be a factor in the 93 ppm, but how much of a factor will be hard to say.
Update #2: Thoughts on the odd media coverage of this issue, and the health concerns associated with sludge.
Update #3: Response to the New York Times.


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Your Guide to Creating the Right PR Campaign in 2016
Faizan Raza June 3rd 2016 11:55 am
PR is an ever-changing medium. It has to be to keep up with the many industries and environments that it encompasses and in today's connected world, those changes are more rapid than ever. PR trends come and go, some rise to sit firmly within the fold, while others shrink into the shadows.
We're now almost six months into 2016 and are in the position to have some insight into the top PR trends for the year – and more importantly, how they're being realized. Let's take a look at our top five trends of 2016, and examples of brands that are putting them to good use.
The Traditional Press Release Is No More
This is a trend that the PR industry has been facing for some time now. It's been reported by global e-newsroom Wieck that 83 percent of journalists will only use 10 percent of press releases sent to them. It's no longer a good use of our time to produce traditional material to push out to media outlets in the hope that someone will take a bite.
Of course, if you have the news story to end all news stories, then the tried and tested route is probably still going to work for you. But, what about the rest of us? The PR stunt has seen a dramatic rise in the last several years, and more and more agencies are thinking creatively to get their message out to the masses and attract media attention.
One brand that is brilliant at the PR stunt is Carlsberg. They have a very coherent message, and their "If Carlsberg Did…." campaign has been winning them PR brownie points since they relaunched it back up in 2015, after dropping it for four years. In April last year they launched the world's first beer-pouring billboard, just one week after Coke's own version, with the slogan "Probably the Best Poster in the World" – and the world seemed to agree with them.
The stunt was picked up by UK publications such as the Sun online, Mirror.co.uk, Metro, Time Out London, the Guardian, The Telegraph online, and The LAD Bible. It also created a social media storm, as it was a great opportunity for selfies and photos.
40 percent of all Carlsberg's sales come from the UK, so it was a wise move to pay some attention to one of their largest markets. In total they're spending £12 million in the UK on various campaigns that span online, radio and television.
Companies such as Nestle are also using PR stunts to push their brand and new product launches. To promote the release of its all natural coffee-mate creamer, Nestle opened up a pop up coffee shop with "Au Naturel" staff – yep, they were naked (with body paint clothes on).
As with Carlsberg, Nestle used the power of people to spread their message by creating a physical location that they could go to and connect with the story. They put out a video, titled "The Natural Bliss Cafe – Surprisingly Natural" which featured unsuspecting cafe patrons struggling to focus on their order, which currently has over 4,358,000 views.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp2mEY3QtlY
Making Better Use Of Social Media
In 2015 there were 2.04 billion social media users globally – that's an awful lot of outlets to spread your message. According to projections by eMarketer, the number is expected to rise to 2.78 billion by 2019. In fact, the increase in social media users has redefined the term media itself. Previously you had print, wire and broadcast; today your media outlets should also include social media and blogs – both unlimited sources of word-of-mouth, viral marketing.
It is estimated that there are currently 275.9 million Tumblr blogs in existence – and that's just one platform, albeit one of our top 3 picks for driving traffic. Although not all blogs are world-class, many of them have loyal readers and fans. With so many blogs, encompassing every topic you can think of, there's a network out there for every message you want to push.
Just take a look at Tesco Mobile, who managed to completely change their image with their clever use of social media and their #nojoke strategy and hashtag. The company was facing a PR nightmare with their potential network of customers using them as the butt of many jokes online. The team decided to joke back with witty comebacks. Although Tesco is currently selling its mobile business, the original campaign launched the network's success – making it the largest subscriber outside of the four mobile network operators with 4 million customers.
With so many avenues to go down with social media, ensuing that you are directing your energy to the right place is perhaps even more important. A blanket approach simply won't yield the results you desire. Luckily for us, there are now more tools than ever on the market to allow us to track cross-platform analytics to see what's working hardest.
A brand that has made use of social media not only as a channel for PR but one that can also generate newsworthy content is PokerStars. As a leading online poker provider, PokerStars is producing a phenomenal amount of PR stories every day. They make full use of their social media channels, often using their brand ambassadors as their gateway to their audience. By looking at which of these stories already captured audiences' attention, they are able to create recap stories such as their "Best Poker Moments from Social Media", taking engagement one step further by using social media feedback to push out relevant and interesting content to their audience based on the audience's own interactions.
Using Real-Time Data
We live in a world where information and content is available to us in an instant – thanks again to social media. Your audience wants the breaking news, latest trends, key quotes and interesting stories. If you're not jumping on the bandwagon immediately to harness your PR strategy, then you are risking being left behind.
One of our favorite examples of a brand taking advantage of a media storm comes from the Snickers candy bar. In the UK, popular TV host Jeremy Clarkson, made waves when he punched one of his producers on set. His excuse? He was hungry. Enter Snickers, with their "You're Not You When You're Hungry" campaign. The social team moved quickly and sent Clarkson a box of Snickers in the post, backed up with a tweet to him for the whole world to see.
(Weight Loss Bitch)
Fast wit created an easy win for Snickers, and their tweet was retweeted over 1,200 times. Although you can't guarantee something like this will happen for you, as a PR professional you will be monitoring all channels of communication – the next step is to think of creative ways to shoehorn your message in with current affairs.
Real time data also has the added advantage that we now have the opportunity to limit any social media backlash we may face. Companies don't always get everything right, sometimes they make some pretty big mistakes, and as PR professionals it's our duty to ride out the storm in the best way possible.
Every cloud has a silver lining, and there have been several cases of brands turning a negative into a positive. One of our favorites comes from Greggs, a UK bakery. In 2014, their logo was replaced by one featuring an offensive mock slogan in their Google profile, the box that appears on the right of search results. The internet went wild with comments right away, but Greggs' social team were fast to act. They handled the situation with class, delicacy and well-placed humor – turning what could have been a PR backlash into unprecedented exposure for the company. The event generated hundreds of news stories and their tweet to Google, was retweeted 800 times.
Telling a Great Story
At the core of everything we do is the story and our ability to tell it through various mediums. In 2016 this is more important than ever before, as savvy consumers demand the very best content delivered in a coherent manner, among all the information pollution.
A story is so much more than a stunt that attracts attention for a week or two. It's extra building blocks for your brand identity. A great example of a company that knows how to tell a story is Starbucks. In September 2015, Starbucks began their "Meet Me at Starbucks" campaign. This is part of their wider story to become "the third place" – the go-to social place outside of home and work.
They began by writing your name on their coffee cups, bringing you into their fold, and their latest campaign tells real life stories of people meeting at Starbucks. It was shot in 28 countries in just 24 hours and delivers a powerful message of the human story in one common meeting place. To date, this video has had over 1.2 million views.
Another brand that has mastered the art of storytelling is Dove. They have been running their famous "Real Beauty" campaign since 2004, and it's had a positive effect on both their image and the image woman have of themselves. When the campaign started, Dove's research showed that only 2 percent of woman worldwide would describe themselves as beautiful – in 2011 the number had reached 4 percent. Both Dove and Starbucks place their customers at the heart of their brand, they make them the heroes to tell their story. Audiences love this immediacy and identify with the common people in the campaigns.
Influence Means More than Followers
More and more PR professionals are reaching out to their brands true influencers to spread their message. When we say true influencers we are not talking about people who have hundreds of followers on twitter. We are talking about the people who truly love the brand and have a loyal fan base of their own who share their desires.
In 2016, more PR agencies will spend time identifying and nurturing their influencers. A company that is really pushing influencer marketing at the moment is Netflix. With their streaming service, they have developed a "binge watching" generation that plays right into the millennials' hearts. It's been reported that their service has replaced network and cable TV for as many as 79% of millennials.
Now Netflix is looking to harness the power of their audience and are taking to Instagram to do so. Calling them "Grammasters" they are looking for Instagram users who can delve deeper into the universe of a show. These "Grammasters" will travel the world to shoot and share content from familiar sets and scenes of popular shows. It's storytelling combined with a deep understanding of their millennial audience and their lust for experiences.
2016 may be in full swing, but it's never too late to set your PR strategy onto a winning path. These trends look set to stay, and the brands that are pushing them are proving their value. PR might not be as simple as it used to be. In fact, it's a whole lot more complicated – but it's certainly more interesting!
Faizan Raza
@Faizi4it
I love Tech authors, publishing, and talking incessantly about them. My passion is partnering with authors to bring worthwhile content to publication. I started this blog as a way to create a community of writers, both published and seeking publication. Get in Touch: Faizan Raza
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So we spent time in our early days reading a lot of content online. We used to aggregate that which we used to find interesting and put it up here. Now its time to classify this a little old. We are coming up fresh content that is 2015 and later.
Lets just say, this section has been retired.
Facebook now probably has all possible features you can think of. From the basics like having people on your friends list, sharing pictures, updating your status messages to even video chatting.
Facebook is also one of the most important social media sites for marketing brands and products. It has over 4 million businesses present on it, selling products, marketing and building their fan base.
Statistics show that an average facebook user likes around 80 pages. But, this is not the limit…a person can like upto 5000 pages!
When we consider an average person, who likes 80 pages, the amount of time he spends on Facebook is enormous! He is logged into facebook for atleast an hour a day!
While on facebook, the first thing everyone does is to check their wall – all the status updates from their friends and the brand pages they like. They probably even update their own status messages, upload pictures, look up about their friends and even visit the brand pages they really like.
Now when there is so much to do on facebook, the only reason that a person would log out of it is because they have other things to take care of. Things like making payments, shopping online, etc. Just because they log out of facebook, it does not mean they are not online anymore. People spend a good couple of hours on the internet.
You have several e-commerce websites that people also look into everyday as well. There are many interesting things that people find on them and buy. People even complete simple tasks such as ordering food online.
For example, if there was a way that you could place an order for that pizza with special jalapeno toppings from a Pizza Hut or a Dominos while you were on Facebook itself. It would cut those extra few clicks and the extra couple of minutes that you need to log in to their websites and place your order.
Even with almost all brands, especially all e-commerce ones, existing on Facebook, it would be so much simpler if there was a way that all the features available on their websites be available on Facebook itself. Features such as going through all the products of the brand, selecting the items of your choice and even making payments for them directly via Facebook itself.
In this way, you would not have to log in to the different brands' websites that you like separately. Since you are on Facebook and you would have invariably liked the brand pages you like, it would make life so much simpler if you could find all features of the website with just a click of a button. It saves a lot of time and in this way, you would even be spending a lot of time on Facebook itself. You would not have to cut short a conversation with a friend or have to remind yourself to go through your friends' photos later…you can do it all at one place. Facebook will become your one stop solution for all your online needs!
How do you decide whether to like a page or not?
Facebook now probably has more than a million brands present on it. The reason behind a brands existence on Facebook is purely for marketing purposes. They like to connect with people on a more personal level and get to know what works and what doesn't with the audience. Not to forget, they are there to prove their credibility!
When a brand exists on facebook, they will make the most of their existence by creating a fan base of audience related to their brand and also engage them on a daily basis. The more the number of fans and the more they engage with fans, the more virality and credibility the brand builds.
So when it comes to liking a brand, how do you decide? How do you know you want to like the brand page or not? Is it because you like a single product they sell? Is it because all your friends like it? Or is it simply because you like the name of the brand?
Before liking a brands' page on Facebook, you need to be sure you like the page for all the right reasons!
Never like a page because you like a single product that the brand has come with. Also, never go with what the 'trend' is! You can be faithful to a brand, but it does not mean you have to like their page on facebook as well!
– Go through the details of the brand page. See the kind of products the brand has. Ensure the products the brand comes up with are of use to you and you can see yourself using them at some point or the other.
– Review the page and see how they engage with their audience. How frequently they post on the page, the kind of posts they put up and if it is relevant to you or not. It should not be such that they put up 5-6 posts a day and your 'wall' looks spammed by their posts!
– Also see the tabs/applications and the contests the brand comes up with. It should be exciting contests, the kinds that you would love to take part in!
When you like a page on facebook, it should be of real interest to you. It should have interesting posts and comments that keep you glued to the brand. It should not be such that, seeing the page and the kind of engagement they conduct, you finally lose interest in the products and the brand itself!
Facebook, the place for networking, where people used to only meet and catch up with people soon became something a lot more than that!
I mean, what more could you have asked for? You were happy just being 'friends' with classmates from high school, whom you probably saw after 10 years, your friends from college or your distant relative!
You have people from all walks of life as 'friends' on your Facebook page. You were satisfied with just updating your status or sharing photos.
But soon, it turned out to be a place for wholesome entertainment! Companies like Zynga, made the best of the huge number of people that were a part of this social networking site by developing games solely for them!
The first game that came out on facebook was Farmville. Each player had a virtual farm to take care for. Much like the real world, they had to plow the land, sow seeds, water them for them to grow and reap the benefits by harvesting them. And not to forget, there were farm animals you could benefit out of as well!
People were so addicted to the game, that the used to ensure they log in daily and harvest their plants so that they do not die. They used to lose sleep over it as well! It became a virtual force to reckon with, with over 11 million users daily.
Once they saw the success of this game, and before people lost interest, they developed several other interesting games as well. Be it Cityville, Fishville or Castleville.
Soon, all sorts of games came on to facebook. All games people loved playing became a part of facebook as well!
Angry Birds, which started out as a mobile application and was one of the most enjoyed and competitive games, was also available on Facebook.
Many other games like Mafia Wars, Poker, Bejeweled, Texas Holdem and many more followed suit as well. At present there are hundreds of games available on Facebook.
And what's more? You are not only entertained, you also have an option to compete with your friends!
The whole idea behind it is to ensure people spend a lot more time on their Facebook page (although it isn't really required!). To keep people entertained and addicted to it.
They wanted Facebook to be the one stop shop for entertainment…And it has definitely been that!
It has been 9 years since Facebook exploded into our lives and it seems to be growing onto us with every single day! Forget about knowing your friends or family on facebook… how about knowing companies?!
A recently concluded study has revealed that eight out of every 10 American companies have a Facebook presence. Not many people would have guessed that… and those who guessed it might not really know why. And more importantly, just how many really use their Facebook account? Read on to know!
The survey went on to reveal that most companies looked at Facebook to build a factor of trust with their brand. Has it worked? Well quite obviously… anyone would prefer interacting with a company with a backing of thousands of fans, rather than a company with no customer base whatsoever.
But the surprising highlight of the survey wasn't the percentage of companies on the social media major, the survey revealed that there's a noticeable different between using social media and taking advantage of it. Just 11 percent of companies are integrating their social media approach into their overall corporate strategy, while 17 percent are currently mid-integration.
It was found that 61 percent of businesses are paying attention to reviews and conversations that occur on social media. Eighty-three percent of companies say they always handle inquiries and complaints delivered to them through social media.
So quite obviously few companies are using the platform to generate business or leads or even maintain their brand image… And this does mean investing too.
But a fact that stood out in the survey was that a whopping 26 percent of the companies on the list didn't even operate their account after making it functional.
Even if only a few companies are taking full advantage of social media, the survey found that most businesses are using the new platforms to listen to consumers.
Image management is without doubt one of the most important aspects in reputation management today. There have been instances in the past where larger brands into hospitality have been tarnished because of odd campaigns out to defame them. No one really cares about the facts of the content, all people would care about is the negative impulse. Think about it, what would you rather read? A compliment or a complaint?
If such focus is driven by companies into brand reputation on Facebook, it is without doubt the place to be for Indian companies. Considering the fact that we are probably the most fussy customers!
But will the gap between companies on facebook and those active in facebook mark a significant change to brand management in India's digital world…time will tell soon enough.
You have all kinds of people on Facebook nowadays. Be it the politicians, celebrities, athletes, movie stars, singers, police officers, CXO's, regular working class people, students or parents.
Now, everyone opened their profiles here to know what the hype was all about at first. And once they knew what it was all about, they were addicted to it enough to get off it.
Having such a diverse set of people, it is but natural that it be used for a host of activities.
Initially, as expected, people started using it for marketing products and brands. Brands made the most of people being available for the new type of marketing opportunities this form of media provided. They created pages and ran ads to promote themselves.
People loved seeing the brands and being associated with them on such a close basis. They loved seeing the products and loved talking to the brands on a one-to-one basis.
And as expected, it was only natural for people to start voicing their opinions on things, sharing and commenting on things they saw day-in-and-out.
Soon, this became a trend and people started voicing their opinions on more important matters. Be it the dirty politics played by the people that rule our nation or how our National animal – the Tiger – is almost extinct!
Such campaigns were started by laymen to try and make a difference in the world we live in.
Everyone wished to share their opinions to change the society. But not everyone can be Anna Hazare. The least we could do is show him that we are with him in the fight against corruption. Hence, the campaign broke out on Facebook. This received more than 5 lakh fans. This may not have made a very big difference to the people on top, but it did help us voice our opinions about how we felt and what we thought about them!
Another important campaign that ran on Facebook was the Save Tigers campaign.
There are only 1411 tigers left in the India and there is major threat to the very existence of our National Animal!
There was a very active campaign that broke out on facebook about saving these big cats. It was mainly to keep people alert about this fact and wanting them to do any little bit that they could to save this part of our National heritage.
As a result, people became aware of the existing threat to these cats and were ready to help do their bit to save them!
The latest campaign to break out on Facebook is regarding the Presidential post of India.
There has been a lot of debate about the role that the President plays and if it is even necessary to have one since the past President has not done anything for the progress of the nation.
But then again, there were Presidents like Abdul Kalam whom the entire nation loved and adored. Everyone is showing their support for the return of Mr. Kalam to the Presidential post so that we can see some progress in the nation!
There have been several campaigns that have worked wonders. Sometimes big, sometimes not very – but no matter what they seem to make a difference. Be it the campaign pro and against Aamir Khan, or the fight against autos in Bangalore or the several different topics related to movies and movie stars!
Even if it does not reach the people it is meant to bring in the change that is expected, at least show the support of the common man and show what they want to stand for. And not to forget, it does spread truth about most matters and helps people to be aware of what is actually going on in the world!
When Facebook was started, it was only a network where people could meet and talk to each other. It was meant to be used only by individuals to connect.
But just like everything else, it gained a commercial value as well. It became a warehouse for brands and companies. If a brand has a name for itself or wants to create a name for itself, it's a must for it to have an existence on social media.
It is but natural for customers to have complaints about any product they buy. Facebook has become the best platform for people to voice their opinions and complaints about any brand.
It is not advisable for brands to let these complaints go unnoticed and not make a difference. It would be a smart move for them to acknowledge these complaints and let the customers know that their query/complaint will be sorted out as soon as possible. Hence leading to a happy customer, who would be looking forward to doing business with you again.
Being on social media will only benefit a brand. It will help the brand relate to the customers and understand them on a one-to-one basis. It will help them understand what works with the customers and what doesn't, how to improve the products and satisfy customers.
Another obvious advantage is the trust factor. The facebook page of the brand shows the credibility of the brand. The more the number of fans, the more credible the brand looks.
Over the past decade, e-commerce has become one of the most prominent developments. Believe it or not, Facebook has a very strong role. It is but natural to think twice before every online transaction. A Facebook page with a strong fan following would without doubt instill faith in the end user and even push for stronger sales. Think about it, haven't you searched for an e-commerce website on Facebook?
This blog would be incomplete if we did not touch with the positioning factor that Facebook holds for a business. It's the perfect place to create a brand the way you want it. For example, a flashy theme of a restaurant may be flaunted on Facebook with ease… without a single of your fans yet to visit! Again reaping the benefit of this would be an e-commerce site… imagine if none of them could've positioned the word 'reliability' over their online campaigns.
The very fact that an average person logs into their account 6 times a day shows the 'recollect' value a brand could have on Facebook. Each time you see a brand ambassador sporting a new bag/shoe/car… the brand grows further. This being a factor a company old or new cannot ignore.
Thinking about promoting your business on Facebook? Well, the reasons could not get better!


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University of Technology, Jamaica (Jamaica) UTech, Jamaica to Confer Honorary Degrees on Nation-Builders, Alfrico Adams and Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie at 2022 Graduation Ceremony
UTech-Jamaica
L-R: Engineer Alfrico Adams and Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie, CD
In recognition of their illustrious national contributions, the University of Technology, Jamaica will confer honorary degrees on distinguished engineer Mr. Alfrico Adams, Partner at engineering company Smada Consultants Limited and esteemed medical officer and physician Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie, Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health and Wellness. Their stellar contribution to nation-building will be honoured by the University at its Ceremony for the Presentation of Graduates to be held on November 11, 2022 at the National Arena.
Engineer Alfrico Adams, is a registered Professional Engineer, and one of the founding members of the Jamaica Institute of Engineers (JIE), serving as its President from 1983 – 1984. His expertise in engineering has contributed to an extensive list of projects, including institutional, industrial and commercial buildings, public and civil engineering structures, roads, markets and port facilities, water supplies and storage projects, housing and industrial structures.
Beginning his career as an Engineer and later Senior Design Engineer at R. Travers Morgan & Partners, in the United Kingdom, Mr. Adams was also a partner with Benghiat Associates in Jamaica. He has been Principal at Smada Consultants Limited since 1969. Along with his professional endeavours, Mr. Adams is a prolific researcher and writer. Between 1974 and 2021, he published and presented professional papers, including Current Earthquake Resistant Structural Design in Jamaica presented at the 1st Caribbean Earthquake Conference in 1978; Earthquake and Buildings in Jamaica published in 1983; Continuing Engineering Education and Jamaica Institution of Engineers published in the JIE Journal in 1989; The Future of our Building Codes in Jamaica. What are our Alternatives? published in 2002 and Ethics for Engineers published in 2021.
Mr. Adams is a member of several professional bodies including a Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers. He is a Chartered Engineer in the United Kingdom, and a Life Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie, CD, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), has over 25 years of experience in the health care system in Jamaica. The first Emergency Physician appointed as a Consultant in the Public Sector, she served as Head of the Accident and Emergency Department at the Spanish Town Hospital for nine years, before joining the Ministry of Health and Wellness as Director of Emergency Medical Services. In 2016, she assumed the role of Principal Medical Officer and Director, Emergency Disaster Management and Special Services, before being appointed Chief Medical Officer in 2018.
Dr. Bisasor-McKenzie helped to guide the nation through the COVID-19 pandemic, a service which contributed in 2022 to her National award of the Order of Distinction, Commander Class for outstanding Public Service in the field of Healthcare.
Dr. Bisasor-McKenzie has served as a member of the Caribbean Health Disaster Coordinator's Committee; as Board Member of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and as President of the Jamaica Emergency Medicine Association. She holds a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, a Master of Science in Public Health and a Doctor of Medicine in Emergency Medicine from the University of the West Indies.


The Ladymead project, awarded to WSL by Guildford Borough Council, requires the demolition of a pair of semi-detached houses and a further detached brick-built workshop. When cleared, the triangular site will provide 0.13 hectares for the construction of a new block of 12 x one-bedroom flats, parking, bin and cycle stores and landscaping. The flats will be retained by Guildford Borough Council for their Housing Register tenants.
The proposed building will be modern in appearance, with vertical panels of red-brick and concrete render. The variation of cladding and the vertical orientation of materials attenuates the design and reduces its bulk impact. The building has a flat roof of varying heights which again, serves to break up the outline and reduce any tendency towards bulkiness. Windows will be of aluminium, with large frames and placed symmetrically, adding variation and rhythm to the design.


You're invited: 2017 Cleveland World Congress!
You are invited to the 14th World Congress on Art Deco, to be held in Cleveland, Ohio May 14-21, 2017. We have an exciting week of lectures, tours, and events planned for you- focused on the theme of "Artists, Designers, & Craftsmen."
There are also wonderful pre-Congress tours in Cincinnati and Detroit, and a post-Congress tour in Pittsburgh, so delegates may see some other Art Deco treasures of America's Industrial Heartland.
Looking forward to seeing you in Cleveland!
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