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Still-too-early All-Stars: Who's on track for the Midsummer Classic?
231dDavid Schoenfield
After his MVP season in 2018, Christian Yelich has been even better this year. Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire
This year's All-Star Game is in Cleveland, but it will be a bit of a muted celebration. The Indians were favored to win their fourth straight American League Central title behind a bevy of All-Stars. Instead, the Twins are running away with the division, Corey Kluber and Mike Clevinger are on the injured list, Jose Ramirez isn't hitting, Trevor Bauer has struggled of late, and Francisco Lindor missed the first few weeks of the season. After having six All-Stars in 2018 and five in 2017, the Indians could end up with just one representative in 2019.
Who will make it? We still have nearly a month of games before the rosters are announced, so a lot can change, but here is my annual Way-Too-Early All-Star selections list.
There is a slight twist to the voting process this year, as fans will elect the starters in a two-tiered process: the "primary," followed by the "starters election." (There is no longer a final vote.) In the primary, the top three vote-getters at each position (and the top nine outfielders) will advance to the final phase. The starters election will last just 28 hours, starting at noon ET on June 26 and running through 4 p.m. ET on June 27. Fans can vote just once (as opposed to up to five times in the primary).
Note the other roster rules: 32 players for each league, with 20 position players and 12 pitchers. The players will still vote on the reserves at each position (including designated hitter in the American League), leaving the commissioner's office to fill eight spots in the National League (four pitchers, four position players) and six in the AL (four pitchers, two position players). As you'll see below, that lack of flexibility in the AL will be a big issue, especially because we have to get somebody from the Orioles, Mariners and Blue Jays on the team. (All stats through Monday.)
NATIONAL LEAGUE STARTERS
C -- Willson Contreras, Cubs (.291/.398/.564, 13 HR, 33 RBI). This is essentially a coin flip between Contreras, Yasmani Grandal and J.T. Realmuto, with Contreras owning the best offensive numbers, Realmuto the best defensive metrics and Grandal splitting the two. We'll go with Contreras' glossy totals at the plate.
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1B -- Anthony Rizzo, Cubs (.284/.398/.578, 16 HR, 43 RBI). Pirates fans won't like this, as Josh Bell leads all major league first basemen in batting average, OPS, wOBA and wRC+. He had one of the great months of May in major league history, hitting .390 with 12 home runs. But Rizzo was the better player in April, the better player in 2018 and the better player in 2017, is the better defender and is having a terrific season. I go by the 75/25 mantra: An All-Star selection is 75 percent what the player is doing in the current season and 25 percent what he has done in the past. Bell has been a better player than Rizzo for one month. It's close enough that Rizzo gets the nod.
2B -- Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks (.276/.327/.527, 14 HR, 43 RBI). When Marte came up with Seattle, he was a skinny, slap-hitting shortstop who looked like a future leadoff hitter -- he hit three home runs in 437 at-bats his first two seasons. Since then, he has completely transformed his game, adding strength and power, and the other night, he crushed a 482-foot home run, tied for the longest of 2019. He has played a few more games in center field, but he's listed at second base on the All-Star ballot, so we'll put him there.
SS -- Javier Baez, Cubs (.301/.346/.572, 14 HR, 37 RBI). I don't know how he does it, swinging at anything between Wrigley Field and the Hancock Building. He's proving that he can hit around .300 despite that approach, and now that he's more or less the full-time shortstop, he's also showing that he is a Gold Glove candidate there.
3B -- Nolan Arenado, Rockies (.345/.395/.638, 16 HR, 52 RBI). He hit .246 without a home run in his first 15 games -- after signing that big extension that will keep him in Colorado. But now he's fine. So fine, in fact, that he's on track for his best season yet.
OF -- Cody Bellinger, Dodgers (.376/.462/.733, 20 HR, 52 RBI). He not only leads the majors in batting average, OBP and slugging percentage (and thus wOBA), but also leads in defensive runs saved, so he has arguably been the best offensive player and the best defensive player in the majors.
OF -- Christian Yelich, Brewers (.313/.425/.719, 22 HR, 49 RBI). He won the 2018 NL MVP award and has posted even bigger numbers this year.
OF -- Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves (.277/.360/.460, 11 HR, 34 RBI). There is no obvious third choice, but Acuña is third in Baseball-Reference WAR among NL outfielders and fourth in FanGraphs WAR. The other guy ahead of him is Joc Pederson, mostly a platoon player. I'll go with the future MVP candidate.
P -- Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dodgers (8-1, 1.48 ERA, 73 IP, 69 SO). For every pitcher who goes out there and tries to strike out every batter, here's an object lesson in command and efficiency. Ryu has made 12 starts and walked five batters after tossing seven more scoreless inning on Tuesday night -- heck, Yu Darvish has walked five guys in one game three times already -- and hasn't allowed more than two runs in any outing. He went 5-0 in May, didn't allow a home run in 45⅔ innings and surrendered just three runs. I guess the Dodgers are happy he accepted their qualifying offer, keeping him off the free-agent market last winter.
NATIONAL LEAGUE RESERVES
C -- Yasmani Grandal, Brewers (.277/.376/.527, 12 HR, 30 RBI). The Brewers got Grandal on a one-year contract to upgrade their offense behind the plate, and he has done exactly that.
C -- J.T. Realmuto, Phillies (.265/.320/.451, 9 HR, 35 RBI). He should be headed to his second straight All-Star Game and has given the Phillies exactly what they wanted: a solid hitter and excellent defense, in both pitch-framing and throwing out runners (a league-leading 51 percent caught-stealing rate).
1B -- Josh Bell, Pirates (.332/.395/.681, 18 HR, 53 RBI). He leads the majors in RBIs, doubles and home runs that landed in rivers.
1B -- Freddie Freeman, Braves (.305/.391/.562, 14 HR, 35 RBI). Mr. Consistency. Check out his OPS+ totals since 2013: 147, 139, 132, 157, 155, 138, 145.
2B -- Mike Moustakas, Brewers (.262/.332/.565, 16 HR, 37 RBI). He's back at second base with the return of Travis Shaw and has held his own there, with just one error and minus-1 defensive run saved.
SS -- Trevor Story, Rockies (.293/.360/.556, 15 HR, 42 RBI). It's a good year for NL shortstops, as Baez, Story and Paul DeJong rank fourth, fifth and seventh among NL position players in bWAR and fourth, sixth and seventh in fWAR (with DeJong the highest there). Story gets the edge because WAR doesn't factor in that DeJong has hit poorly with runners in scoring position.
SS -- Paul DeJong, Cardinals (.276/.376/.477, 8 HR, 26 RBI). Originally, my final position spot went to Derek Dietrich -- how do you leave a guy slugging .700 off the All-Star team? -- but then I got to the end, and somehow nobody from the Cardinals had made it. So DeJong slots in here, a worthy choice given his top-10 total in WAR.
3B -- Anthony Rendon, Nationals (.331/.436/.650, 10 HR, 35 RBI). Somebody is going to make a lot of money this offseason.
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3B -- Kris Bryant, Cubs (.274/.390/.543, 13 HR, 36 RBI). He was slow out of the gate but showed that his shoulder is fine by hitting .333 with 10 dingers in May. His versatility has helped Joe Maddon, as he has started games at third, right field, left field and first base.
OF -- Bryce Harper, Phillies (.243/.355/.477, 11 HR, 43 RBI). This isn't a charity case based on name recognition -- though that helps -- as Harper is fifth among NL outfielders in FanGraphs WAR.
OF -- Juan Soto, Nationals (.293/.394/.533, 10 HR, 38 RBI). He got off to a slow start but heated up in May, and I have a feeling that he will separate himself from the pack between now and the end of June.
OF -- Joc Pederson, Dodgers (.267/.368/.655, 18 HR, 33 RBI). Only Yelich has a lower rate of at-bats per home run (8.73 to 9.17), as Pederson is slugging .730 versus right-handers. Has a platoon player ever made the All-Star team?
NATIONAL LEAGUE PITCHERS
P -- Max Scherzer, Nationals (3-5, 3.06 ERA, 85⅓ IP, 117 SO). OK, the record isn't pretty, but that's not really his fault. He leads the league in innings, strikeouts and FIP.
P -- Stephen Strasburg, Nationals (5-3, 3.19 ERA, 79 IP, 98 SO). Don't blame the top three starters in the Nationals' rotation for the team's slow start, as Patrick Corbin also has been excellent.
P -- Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks (6-2, 3.09 ERA, 81⅔ IP, 75 SO). What a joy to watch as he changes speeds, moves the ball around, sinks it and gets batters to chase. He's 35 now, closing in on 200 career wins (193) and looking more and more like a future Hall of Famer.
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P -- German Marquez, Rockies (6-2, 3.48 ERA, 85⅓ IP, 83 SO). He's tied with Scherzer for the lead in innings and batters faced, a testament to his ability to pitch deep into games, even at Coors Field. Check out his road numbers: 2.08 ERA, .167 average allowed. This guy is one of the best starters in the game.
P -- Luis Castillo, Reds (5-1, 2.45 ERA, 69⅔ IP, 82 SO). He hasn't been as good in May after a hurricane start, but the overall numbers remain strong, and pitching in Cincinnati isn't easy. The walk rate is the only issue here, but that elite fastball helps him get out of jams.
P -- Caleb Smith, Marlins (3-3, 3.10 ERA, 61 IP, 80 SO). He makes it on merit, not just as the Marlins' lone representative. He actually leads the NL in strikeout rate, a hair higher than Scherzer, trailing only Gerrit Cole, Blake Snell and Chris Sale across the majors.
P -- Jacob deGrom, Mets (3-5, 3.49 ERA, 69⅔ IP, 84 SO). He obviously hasn't been as dominant as he was last season and has battled minor ailments, but the Mets still need a rep, and deGrom gets the nod over Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso.
P -- Mike Soroka, Braves (6-1, 1.41 ERA, 57⅓ IP, 51 SO). This could be Corbin or Zach Davies or Chris Paddack or Kyle Hendricks, but I'll go with Soroka and -- so far -- that minuscule ERA, a result of his giving up just one home run.
RP -- Josh Hader, Brewers (1-3, 2.45 ERA, 13 saves, 29⅓ IP, 57 SO). Speaking of strikeout rate, Hader has averaged 17.5 K's per nine innings. Can a human being actually average two strikeouts per inning? Aroldis Chapman holds the record, at 17.67 per nine in 2014, when he fanned 106 in 54 innings. I don't think Hader gets there, and the six home runs he has allowed do show that he isn't untouchable.
RP -- Kirby Yates, Padres (0-2, 1.04 ERA, 22 saves, 26 IP, 45 SO). One of the best stories in baseball, Yates has been purchased twice and claimed on waivers twice, and after adding a split-finger a couple of years ago, he has become one of the best closers in the game.
RP -- Will Smith, Giants (1-0, 2.38 ERA, 13 saves, 22 IP, 32 SO). We need somebody from the Giants, but Smith is a deserving selection. Yates, Smith and Hader rank 1-2-3 among NL relievers in win probability added.
Yes, a few tough names to leave off -- Dietrich, Eduardo Escobar and big stars such as Manny Machado, Clayton Kershaw, Paul Goldschmidt and Rhys Hoskins. Still, picking the NL roster was a walk in the park compared to the AL.
The Twins' Jorge Polanco rises to the top of a crowded field among American League shortstops. Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
AMERICAN LEAGUE STARTERS
C -- Gary Sanchez, Yankees (.267/.341/.653, 18 HR, 35 RBI). Salvador Perez has started the past five All-Star Games for the AL, sometimes on merit, sometimes due to Royals fans stuffing the ballot box and sometimes because there simply wasn't anyone else. He's out for the season with Tommy John surgery, but it's safe to say that Sanchez's power numbers would have him starting over Perez regardless.
1B -- Carlos Santana, Indians (.286/.405/.510, 11 HR, 37 RBI). In a now annual tradition of trying to find a worthy AL first baseman, Santana gets the vote here because of his best-at-the-position WAR and .400-plus OBP.
2B -- Whit Merrifield, Royals (.298/.352/.502, 7 HR, 28 RBI). Jose Altuve could still win the fan vote, but he's currently on the injured list. With Altuve out, there are several solid options, but Merrifield wins on the 75/25 criteria: He was the best of the group last year and is even better at the plate this season.
SS -- Jorge Polanco, Twins (.338/.405/.584, 9 HR, 30 RBI). OK, this is a tough one. Part of the AL's roster problem is that certain positions are crowded with talent, especially shortstop and outfield, but you also have to squeeze two DHs on the roster. (If I were All-Star commissioner, I would at minimum erase the second DH requirement.) At Baseball-Reference, six of the top 25 position players in WAR are shortstops, and at FanGraphs, it's five of the top 18. Neither of those rankings include Francisco Lindor. Anyway, Polanco is second in the AL in bWAR and gets the pick here. Sometimes a guy has been so good that you break the 75/25 rule.
3B -- Alex Bregman, Astros (.270/.392/.555, 17 HR, 40 RBI). Fifth in the MVP voting last year, he's looking to fare even better this year.
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OF -- Mike Trout, Angels (.298/.464/.596, 14 HR, 37 RBI). QED.
OF -- Mookie Betts, Red Sox (.276/.387/.458, 9 HR, 27 RBI). He isn't hitting at his 2018 level, but he hasn't hit himself out of a starting nod in my book.
OF -- Joey Gallo, Rangers (.276/.421/.653, 17 HR, 41 RBI). Gallo is on the 10-day IL with an oblique strain, but it should be a short stay. Even if he misses a couple of weeks, his numbers are strong enough to earn this position. He's even playing center field and playing it well. I don't know if he can sustain that .276 average and .385 BABIP, but if this is peak Gallo, it's some kind of fun.
DH -- J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (.294/.373/.525, 12 HR, 32 RBI). There isn't really a viable second option here. Yes, Hunter Pence has been a huge surprise for the Rangers, but are you really taking Pence over Martinez? Some of the big names have missed time (Giancarlo Stanton, Nelson Cruz, Shohei Ohtani), and Khris Davis has just two home runs in his past 28 games.
P -- Justin Verlander, Astros (9-2, 2.27 ERA, 87⅓ IP, 103 SO). While some of last year's AL aces have struggled or battled injuries, Verlander keeps rolling along. He has allowed 22 runs -- 14 of those coming on home runs, as he has held batters to a .117 average with runners on.
AMERICAN LEAGUE RESERVES
C -- Christian Vazquez, Red Sox (.298/.340/.490, 7 HR, 20 RBI). This could be anybody -- James McCann, Josh Phegley, Robinson Chirinos. Heck, Mitch Garver has been unstoppable in a part-time role with the Twins (part of their MVP catching trio with Jason Castro and Willians Astudillo). If I had to predict, Vazquez wins the player vote here because of his defense and career year so far at the plate.
1B -- Luke Voit, Yankees (.268/.379/.521, 15 HR, 39 RBI). The legend of Luke Voit is a little overstated (he's hitting .314 with 11 RBIs in 12 games against the Orioles), but these aren't exactly the days of Jim Thome, Jason Giambi, Carlos Delgado, John Olerud, Mike Sweeney, Rafael Palmeiro and Fred McGriff all battling for All-Star honors.
2B -- DJ LeMahieu, Yankees (.311/.361/.450, 6 HR, 34 RBI). LeMahieu gets the nod over Tommy La Stella of the Angels, Rays rookie Brandon Lowe and the Twins' Jonathan Schoop based on his defense and longer track record of success.
SS -- Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox (.305/.386/.550, 12 HR, 39 RBI). Lindor is great. Carlos Correa is great. Both have missed time with injuries, however, and Bogaerts is crushing the ball. Shout-out as well to Adalberto Mondesi and Tim Anderson, two of the year's most exciting players.
3B -- Matt Chapman, Athletics (.272/.355/.558, 16 HR, 35 RBI). With apologies to Hunter Dozier, Chapman's all-world defense makes him a clear top-10 player in the AL.
OF -- George Springer, Astros (.308/.389/.643, 17 HR, 43 RBI). He's also on the IL, with a hamstring strain, but it looks less severe than initially believed, and he has already been doing pregame work and could return soon. He was having an MVP-type season before the injury.
OF -- Michael Brantley, Astros (.329/.385/.533, 10 HR, 37 RBI). He looked like the perfect free agent for the Astros, giving them a much-needed left-handed hitter, but he has been even better than expected -- and he's already a three-time All-Star.
OF -- Byron Buxton, Twins (.267/.325/.517, 6 HR, 31 RBI). The best redemption story of 2019, Buxton has excelled after a lost 2018 season. Austin Meadows has had two terrific months for the Rays, and Tampa teammate Tommy Pham has been an on-base machine, but nobody plays center field like Buxton, and he has produced at the plate.
OF -- Trey Mancini, Orioles (.302/.349/.550, 12 HR, 29 RBI). Mancini is having a good year at the plate, and I wouldn't take him on merit over Meadows or Pham, but he isn't a bad All-Star, and we need an Oriole. The only other remotely feasible candidate for Baltimore is pitcher John Means.
DH -- Dan Vogelbach, Mariners (.243/.371/.550, 15 HR, 32 RBI). This is where things get dicey for the AL because Vogelbach isn't going to win the fan vote, and he isn't a lock to get elected here by the players. That would leave the Mariners without an All-Star, and they don't really have another good candidate. (Edwin Encarnacion has some home runs, but a lot of players have home runs, and Mitch Haniger hasn't been as good as he was last season.)
This leaves me with one more AL position player and a half-dozen strong candidates. With further apologies to Dozier, Mondesi, Meadows and Pham, let's go with:
SS -- Francisco Lindor, Indians (.293/.363/.484, 8 HR, 20 RBI). First, the hometown edge factors in here. More importantly, it's the All-Star Game, so we're looking for stars, not -- in the cases of Dozier and Meadows -- guys who have had six hot weeks. Maybe those two are for real. We already know Lindor is the real deal and one of the best players in the game.
AMERICAN LEAGUE PITCHERS
P -- Mike Minor, Rangers (5-4, 2.74 ERA, 75⅔ IP, 80 SO). He has been a huge key to the Rangers' start, actually leading Verlander in bWAR. He might have been trade bait at one point, but with the Rangers playing well and Minor signed through next season, he probably stays in Texas.
P -- Matthew Boyd, Tigers (5-4, 3.01 ERA, 77⅔ IP, 97 SO). This is a merit selection, as Boyd ranks in the top 10 among all MLB starters in OPS allowed (10th) and strikeout rate (eighth).
P -- Lucas Giolito, White Sox (8-1, 2.54 ERA, 67⅓ IP, 78 SO). Giolito is maybe the biggest surprise of the season, even though he was once viewed as one of the best pitching prospects in the minors. But after posting a 6.13 ERA in 2018, his outlook for 2019 was uncertain. He has picked up velocity, has started throwing more four-seamers and has a 1.03 ERA in his past six starts. Great story and a great reminder that some pitchers require a longer learning curve.
P -- Jake Odorizzi, Twins (8-2, 1.96 ERA, 64⅓ IP, 70 SO). He's certainly pitching with some good fortune -- a .240 BABIP against, one of the highest strand rates and one of the lowest home run rates, even though he has one of the lowest ground ball rates -- but he leads the AL in ERA and has allowed zero runs in six of his past seven starts. That's a 0.65 ERA in 41⅔ innings.
P -- Charlie Morton, Rays (6-0, 2.54 ERA, 67⅓ IP, 83 SO). Morton was one of the feel-good All-Stars of 2018, making it for the first time at 34 years old. He might make it again at 35, as he ranks third in the AL in ERA, fourth in OPS and sixth in strikeout rate.
P -- Blake Snell, Rays (3-4, 3.06 ERA, 61⅔ IP, 83 SO). Snell won't be happy with that 3.06 ERA, the three-homer game on Opening Day or a seven-run outing against the Royals, but his strikeout and walk rates are both improved from his Cy Young season. Don't be surprised if he pitches himself back into the Cy Young running by the end of the season.
P -- Jose Berrios, Twins (7-2, 3.27 ERA, 77 IP, 72 SO). An All-Star last year, Berrios has matured into a nice workhorse who gives the Twins innings, and he has cut way down on his walk rate and improved his efficiency.
P -- Marcus Stroman, Blue Jays (3-7, 2.84 ERA, 76 IP, 59 SO). We still need somebody from the Blue Jays, and it's either Stroman or Ken Giles, who has rediscovered his slider. We'll go with Stroman (though that ERA is a little misleading, as he has allowed eight unearned runs).
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RP -- Ryan Pressly, Astros (1-0, 0.64 ERA, 3 saves, 28⅓ IP, 32 SO). He isn't the regular closer, but it's hard to argue that he isn't the best relief pitcher in the AL right now. Since the Astros acquired him last summer, he has allowed four runs in 51⅔ innings for a 0.70 ERA with 64 strikeouts and five walks.
RP -- Brad Hand, Indians (2-2, 1.14 ERA, 16 saves, 23⅔ IP, 35 SO). He has locked down the ninth inning for the Indians, converting all 16 of his save chances and holding batters to a .159 average and one home run. He should be headed to his third straight All-Star Game.
RP -- Aroldis Chapman, Yankees (0-1, 1.52 ERA, 17 saves, 23⅓ IP, 34 SO). He doesn't simply blow 102 mph blitz balls past hitters any longer, but he's just as effective, and he now mixes in more breaking balls. Look, this could be almost anybody who had 25 good innings, but I suspect the players, who elect three relievers, will go more with the track record than the one-year wonders. I'll go with Chapman as well.
It's a little bit of an odd staff -- no Chris Sale, no Gerrit Cole, no Corey Kluber, no Trevor Bauer. After I picked Snell and wrote this up, he went out and gave up six runs in 4⅓ innings to the Tigers. Cole and Bauer have good cases and have been dominant at times this season (Cole leads the majors with a ridiculous 37.4 percent strikeout rate). Sale has bounced back from that awful start, but that awful start counts, and he's 1-7 with a 4.35 ERA for the year, even though he has 98 strikeouts in 68⅓ innings.
This roster includes just one rep from eight teams (Blue Jays, Orioles, White Sox, Tigers, Royals, A's, Angels and Mariners), pointing to how top-heavy the AL is in 2019 and how chaotic choosing the roster could be, depending on whom the fans and players select. Can we just pretend some of the shortstops and outfielders are first basemen?


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DMS Insights: DTC & Subscription Advertising News
Home » DTC & Subscription Advertising News » Maryland Digital Ad Tax: Just The Facts
January 13, 2021 Sarah Cavill
A bill that would impose a digital ad tax in Maryland is being taken up again by the Maryland General Assembly. House Bill 732, which includes a digital ad tax that would be the first in the nation, was vetoed by Governor Larry Hogan last year, but supporters of the bill want to overturn Hogan's veto and pass the legislation.
What Is The Maryland Digital Ad Tax?
According to MediaPost contributing editor Rob Williams, "The tax rate is on a sliding scale of 2.5% to 10%, based on the company's global revenue from any source — not just digital ad sales. That means companies like Google and Facebook, which make more than $15 billion a year in revenue worldwide, would pay the top rate of 10% on digital ads in Maryland. If they sell $100 million in digital ads, they'd be required to hand over $10 million to the state." The taxes would be paid by the media vendor.
Are There Concerns About The Maryland Digital Ad Tax?
Yes. A recent editorial in the Baltimore Sun by three media and advertising professionals argued that the Maryland digital ad tax would be unfairly punitive to small businesses at a time when many are struggling already because of the impact of COVID-19. And, while tax rates will vary, many small businesses fall under the auspices of larger ones, particularly in publishing, and, with ad revenues already declining for those businesses, some worry the tax would have a worsening effect. "Businesses rely on advertising to inform consumers about their goods and services. The tax will force them to reduce their advertising at a time when they need to reach customers more than ever — even if it's just to assure the public they're still open." Williams agrees, noting that big tech and media companies will pass the "costs of the tax to advertisers, and many small businesses will get priced out of the media market." Currently, "advertising expenditures account for $101.5 billion of sales in Maryland." The Maryland digital ad tax only applies to digital ads seen by Maryland residents, further complicating the issue.
How Does The Maryland Digital Ad Tax Impact Digital Advertisers?
Other states have passed advertising taxes in the past, only to find them ultimately repealed, so even if Hogan's veto is overruled, it's likely the tax will have a winding road to ratification and implementation. For the moment, it's a watch and wait scenario for advertisers, as Maryland lawmakers reconvene to decide the future of the Maryland digital ad tax.
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Apple, Colgate and Huggies are among the latest brands to spotlight subscription services that reflect consumers' evolving pandemic-related lifestyles.
Kroger Debuts On List Of Top 10 US Ecommerce Companies
As consumers relied heavily on delivery of everything, including groceries, in 2020, brands like Kroger stepped up their ecommerce strategies and are reaping the benefits.
Apple Nutrition Labels: Just The Facts
After announcing the roll-out of privacy labels (AKA nutrition labels) this summer, Apple is now requiring them for all apps.
What Is Walmart Cookshop?
Walmart Cookshop will feature a shoppable video hub, allowing Walmart to connect with consumers and leverage its ecommerce offerings.
What Is The Nielsen ID Resolution System?
Nielsen has overhauled its measurement methodology and introduced its new ID resolution system to prepare for a cookieless future and offer advertisers optimal reporting.
Fitness & Wellness Brands Leverage The Popularity Of Apps
Health and fitness advertisers are using apps to scale revenue through subscription services, in-app advertising and strategic partnerships.
Shopping By Voice Still Presents A Growing Opportunity For Marketers To Reach Consumers
The number of consumers shopping via voice is expected to slowly increase through 2022, and marketers must prepare for the possible spike in demand.
WhatsApp Shopping Button: Just The Facts
WhatsApp introduced a shopping button for consumers to browse advertiser catalogs while chatting.


Varaluz's Bermuda Orb pendant light is constructed from hand-forged recycled steel made into small hammered triangles, and has an antique gold and rustic bronze finish.
The Bermuda Orb pendant light by Varaluz will have you doing a double take. This six-light design is made up of both flat and hammered triangles made of hand-forged recycled steel. It has an antique gold and rustic bronze finish that complements the geometry of this piece.
26" high x 24" wide. Canopy is 5" wide. Weighs 24 lbs.
Bermuda six-light pendant by Varaluz.
Antique gold and rustic bronze finish over hand-forged recycled steel construction. Hammering technique.


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These pages are deprecated. Please try https://www.cmtf.upol.cz/.
Studying |
J. L. Fischer Scholarship
Research | Cooperation | Practical information |
Facilities for special need students
Students affair office
ECTS |
UP - English / CMTF - English / Practical... / Sports facilities
Palacký University offers its facilities and services for sports and re-creation to students, academic and non-academic staff, and also to external public. There is a wide choice to offer: open space sports grounds as well as the large Sports Hall with facilities for training and championships of volleyball, basketball and handball. The Sports Hall is used for re-creational sports activities, sports education and for organization of international matches and for sports events on the European and world level. The university Boathouse is open up to students interested in rowing on the river Morava. The Olomouc Canoeing Club ranks among the best in the republic.
Academic Sport Centre
Programmes for leisure time sports activities of students and academics are organized by the Academic Sport Centre of Palacký University, situated in the Boathouse building. The centre frames, organizes and offers various outdoor and indoor activities in Olomouc, and also re-creations such as winter skiing courses in the mountains or boating tours in summer.
Address and contacts:
Palacký University Academic Sport Centre
tř. Míru 115
tel.: +420 585 636 450, +420 585 636 451, fax: +420 585 423 091
e-mail: jiri.vaculik(at)upol.cz
Sports Hall and Boathouse
Sports Hall, together with a complex of outside sport fields and a boathouse serve mainly for students of Palacký University and championships of the Palacký University Sports Club. During free times, especially from June till September, the Sports Hall is available for various sports events and cultural performances. With its equipment the Sports Hall meets all criteria for peak sports on the international level. The pitch meets the requirements of the international federations of volleyball, basketball and handball on the olympic level according to the DIN certificate. There are two separate pitches available in the Sports Hall, to be used for tournaments, workshops, organization of international matches and for sports activities on the European and world level.
Palacký University Sports Hall and Boathouse
U Sportovní haly 2
e-mail: jaroslav.melcr@upol.cz
City Sports Facilities
Olomouc offers a wide range of sporting and recreational opportunities. Omega, the largest of these facilities, boasts tennis and squash courts, a bowling alley, workout and wellness facilities. Information about specific sporting facilities are available at the city information site.
Last update: 13. 01. 2011, Martin Jurečka
© Palacký University Olomouc


Chop the ingredients into cubes and then quickly cover with the French dressing to prevent the apple and the avocado from going brown. Serve and eat immediately.
Crisp and fresh with a slight zing, only to be contrasted with the warm earthiness of toasted walnuts – this salad is perfect. My only change was to cut back on the olive oil which I saw to no detriment whatsoever. Highly recommended!


WorkSpaces' contemporary style is combined with modular and custom flexibility, so you get furniture that works well for your home or business. We create our own furniture designs and have them made to our strict engineering standards. We can easily customize our CurviLinear Office Furniture and Urban Living Office Furniture to meet your particular home or business office needs. Most components are made in the U.S.A. - Oregon, Washington and Michigan.
We take pride in working with you to find the best solution, whether it's a small desk for a home office or a multi-person layout. More options are available for larger businesses in our Commercial Office section.
Please continue in this section to shop online, contact us for advice, or request our Free Space Planning.


Comedy is a serious business" said W C Fields. And, indeed it is. So, if you are an up-and-coming comedian looking for an opportunity to present your talent, you need to sign up for Comedy Unfi ltered Open Mic. And if you aren't a participant, you can enjoy and witness the making of the next comedy superstar at this show. The show will be hosted by Sumaira Shaikh (in pic).
Tired of the same old jokes being repeated by comedians over and over again? To be fair to them, it takes a lot of hard work to come up with a really engaging and unique material. But if you want something totally off the cuff and unpredictable, go for tonight's Comedy On the Spot show, organised by Grin Revolution. In its essence, this show will feature new jokes by comics Azeem Banatwalla and Urooj Ashfaq (in pic) because they have to make them on the spot. Comedian Rohan Desai will be the host of the evening.
There are quite a few venues in Bandra for live comedy gigs. And, this restaurant is also becoming one such popular venue. At It's Not Even Funny get to watch comedians — old and new — as they deliver jokes that will tickle your funny bone. Since it's an open mic, budding comics are encouraged to sign up and showcase their talent. Your host for the evening is comedian Supriya Joshi and the show will feature special acts by Aditi Mittal and Vaibhav Sethia (in pic).
A motley crew of some of the popular stand-up comedians band together to make your evening the funniest ever. It's going to be a laugh-a-ton as the line-up for My Kinda Funny includes Saurav Mehta, Anirban Dasgupta (in pic) and Siddharth Dudeja. So, bid farewell to your Monday blues as these funnymen attempt to make you ROFL.


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info@tarilegal.com
About Section
Employment Visas
EB2 – National Interest Waiver (NIW) Green Card
Asylum & Removal
Naturalization Req: State Residency for Application
A. Three-Month Residency Requirement (in State or Service District)
In general, an applicant for naturalization must file his or her application for naturalization with the state or service district that has jurisdiction over his or her place of residence. The applicant must have resided in that location for at least three months prior to filing. The term "state" includes the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands of the United States, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The term "service district" is defined as the geographical area over which a USCIS office has jurisdiction. The service district that has jurisdiction over an applicant's application may or may not be located within the state where the applicant resides. In addition, some service districts may have jurisdiction over more than one state and most states contain more than one USCIS office. In cases where an applicant changes or plans to change his or her residence after filing the naturalization application, the applicant is required to report the change of address to USCIS so that the applicant's A-file can be transferred to the appropriate office having jurisdiction over the applicant's new place of residence.
B. Place of Residence
The applicant's "residence" refers to the applicant's principal, actual dwelling place in fact, without regard to intent. The duration of an applicant's residence in a particular location is measured from the moment the applicant first establishes residence in that location.
C. Place of Residence in Certain Cases
There are special considerations regarding the place of residence for the following applicants:
1. Military Member
Special provisions exist for applicants who are serving or have served in the U.S. armed forces but who do not qualify for naturalization on the basis of the military service for one year. The service member's place of residence may be the state or service district where he or she is physically present for at least three months immediately prior to filing (or the examination if filed early); The service member's place of residence may be the location of the residence of his or her spouse or minor child, or both; or The service member's place of residence may be his or her home of record as declared to the U.S. armed forces at the time of enlistment and as currently reflected in the service member's military personnel file.
2. Spouse of Military Member (Residing Abroad)
The spouse of a U.S. armed forces member may be eligible to count the time he or she is residing (or has resided) abroad with the service member as continuous residence and physical presence in any state or district of the United States. Such a spouse may consider his or her place of residence abroad as a place of residence in any state or district in the United States.
3. Students
An applicant who is attending an educational institution in a state or service district other than the applicant's home residence may apply for naturalization where that institution is located, or in the state of the applicant's home residence if the applicant is financially dependent upon his or her parents at the time of filing and during the naturalization process.
4. Commuter
A commuter must have taken up permanent residence (principal dwelling place) in the United States for the required statutory period and must meet the residency requirements to be eligible for naturalization.
5. Residence in Multiple States
If an applicant claims residence in more than one state, the residence for purposes of naturalization will be determined by the location from which the applicant's annual federal income tax returns have been and are being filed.
6. Residence During Absences of Less than One Year
An applicant's residence during any absence abroad of less than one year will continue to be the state or service district where the applicant resided before departure. If the applicant returns to the same residence, he or she will have complied with the three-month jurisdictional residence requirement when at least three months have elapsed, including any part of the absence, from when the applicant first established that residence. If the applicant establishes residence in a different state or service district from where he or she last resided, the applicant must reside three months at that new residence before applying in order to meet the three-month jurisdictional residence requirement.
7. Noncitizen Nationals of the United States
A noncitizen national may naturalize if he or she becomes a resident of any state and is otherwise qualified. Noncitizen nationals will satisfy the continuous residence and physical presence requirements while residing in an outlying possession. Such applicants must reside for three months prior to filing in a state or service district to be eligible for naturalization.
D. 90-Day Early Filing Provision (INA 334)
An applicant filing under the general naturalization provision may file his or her application up to 90 days before he or she would first meet the required 5-year period of continuous residence as an LPR. [14] Although an applicant may file early according to the 90 day early filing provision, the applicant is not eligible for naturalization until he or she has reached the required five-year period of continuous residence as a lawful permanent resident (LPR). USCIS calculates the early filing period by counting back 90 days from the day before the applicant would have first satisfied the continuous residence requirement for naturalization. For example, if the applicant would satisfy the five-year continuous residence requirement for the first time on June 10, 2010 USCIS will begin to calculate the 90-day early filing period from June 9, 2010. In such a case, the earliest that the applicant is allowed to file would be March 12, 2010 (90 calendar days earlier). In cases where an applicant has filed early and the required three month period of residence in a state or service district falls within the required five-year period of continuous residence, jurisdiction for filing will be based on the three-month period immediately preceding the examination on the application
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Disclaimer: The materials contained on this website have been prepared by Tari Law and are intended for informational purposes only and are not legal advice. Transmission of the information is not intended to create, and receipt does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. While we have attempted to maintain information on this website as accurately as possible, this information may contain errors or omissions, for which we disclaim liability.
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Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 4 Busch Light/Mobil 1 Ford Fusion for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), trails Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series points leader Kyle Busch by 70 points heading into Sunday's Consumers Energy 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn.
While most of the focus continues to be on the "Big Three" of Harvick, Busch and Martin Truex Jr., including their ability to dominate with stage and race wins, the 70 points that separate Busch and Harvick is another point of emphasis just four regular-season races remaining.
At the conclusion of regular-season-ending Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the points leader collects 15 playoff points while the driver who finishes second collects 10. That five-point differential between first and second in the regular-season championship could play a vital role in whether a driver makes the winner-take-all Championship 4 playoff finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Harvick will continue his quest for playoff points in the four races that remain in the regular season. Thus, even more pressure to start up front and, ultimately, to try to win the Busch Pole Award. Harvick ranks second with 33 playoff points heading to Michigan, just two markers behind Busch's 35 and six ahead of Truex.
The Big Three have accounted for 16 of the 22 race wins in 2018 and nearly 65 percent of the total playoff points accumulated thus far – 95 of 147 available.
As the series heads to the Irish Hills of Michigan this weekend, Harvick also has some unfinished business from the June race there that he would like to settle. Harvick started fourth and dominated the FireKeepers Casino 400 by leading 49 of the 133 laps before rain came and ended the race prematurely. Harvick's teammate Clint Bowyer opted for an aggressive pit strategy as the rain was approaching and held off Harvick on a restart as the rain began to fall. Bowyer was declared the winner with Harvick finishing second as the race ended under caution.
Harvick, the Bakersfield, California native, has one Cup Series win to his credit at Michigan when he finished 1.731 seconds ahead of runner-up Denny Hamlin in August 2010. While he is still searching for his second trip to victory lane there, he has finished second six times in his last 11 outings at Michigan.
The best way to score maximum playoff points in a race is to start up front, earn stage points and win races. Harvick and the No. 4 team can accomplish all of those goals with a win this weekend in the team's final visit to Michigan in 2018.
What does it take to have a good finish at Michigan?
Do you enjoy racing at Michigan International Speedway?


Family club franchise Busylizzy, based in West Sussex, has launched a range of pregnancy classes to add to its impressive portfolio of twenty two sessions designed for parents to enjoy with their little ones 0-4 years.
Pregnancy classes 'Mumstobee Pilates', 'Mumstobee Yoga' and 'Mumstobee Vibe' – a low impact music and movement based class have been especially developed with pregnancy in mind. Classes are taught by pre/ postnatal fitness professionals giving woman the opportunity to workout whilst pregnant in a safe and welcoming environment as part of their Busylizzy membership.
Julie Clabby, founder of Busylizzy, said: "We recognise that Busylizzy members are on a journey with us through parenthood and beyond which often results in having baby number two or three. With the introduction of our 'Mumstobee' classes, a Busylizzy membership will now support these members for longer giving them the opportunity to participate in pregnancy specific classes as well as our already well established and much loved mummy & me postnatal fitness sessions, baby classes and active tot classes.
With this additional service under our belt, a Busylizzy membership will attract new members six – nine months earlier into the business, giving our franchisee membership projections an incredible boost. We feel confident to accelerate the overall Busylizzy membership base beyond 10,000 members by end 2017 and hit our franchise projection of 20 branches".
Busylizzy was founded in 2011 after Julie identified a gap in the market for exercise classes designed for postnatal mums, babies and toddlers, all wrapped up into one membership. It now includes fifteen franchise clubs nationwide and recruits over two hundred instructors and fitness professionals.
Jen Hibberd, Horsham & Crawley franchisee said, "I think the addition of pregnancy fitness to our offering is a very natural extension of the business, and will enable us to create a longer and deeper relationship with our clients – seeing them through pregnancy, into the first year of motherhood and beyond. Staying fit in pregnancy is so important for many mums-to-be and there's a clear lack of options in many areas, so I'm very excited to be creating a new range of classes for pregnant ladies".
Rebecca Gray, Farnham franchise owner said, "Our mums-to-be classes are such an exciting addition to the club. As well as being a fantastic fitness options for pregnant mums, we will be able to give "soon to be mummies" a glimpse into the future and reassure them that their maternity leave will be full of fun and activity with an amazing group of likeminded mums".
The British Franchise Association (bfa) is the only voluntary self-regulatory body for the UK franchise industry, with a standards based approach to membership. Its aim is to promote ethical franchising practice in the UK and help the industry develop credibility, influence and favourable circumstance for growth.


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September 23, 2020 September 6, 2020 | proxyfish
Welcome to Waiting on Wednesday, a weekly meme linking Waiting on Wednesday by Breaking The Spine and Can't Wait Wednesday by Wishful Endings
| Waiting on Wednesday: September 23 |
Book One of Between Earth and Sky
by Rebecca Roanhorse
A god will return
When the earth and sky converge
Under the black sun
In the holy city of Tova, the winter solstice is usually a time for celebration and renewal, but this year it coincides with a solar eclipse, a rare celestial event proscribed by the Sun Priest as an unbalancing of the world.
Meanwhile, a ship launches from a distant city bound for Tova and set to arrive on the solstice. The captain of the ship, Xiala, is a disgraced Teek whose song can calm the waters around her as easily as it can warp a man's mind. Her ship carries one passenger. Described as harmless, the passenger, Serapio, is a young man, blind, scarred, and cloaked in destiny. As Xiala well knows, when a man is described as harmless, he usually ends up being a villain.
Crafted with unforgettable characters, Rebecca Roanhorse has created an epic adventure exploring the decadence of power amidst the weight of history and the struggle of individuals swimming against the confines of society and their broken pasts in the most original series debut of the decade.
To be published by Gallery / Saga Press on 13 October 2020
Amazon | Goodreads
Waiting on Wednesday: These Violent Delights
These Violent Delights
by Chloe Gong
Perfect for fans of The Last Magician and Descendant of the Crane, this heart-stopping debut is an imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai, with rival gangs and a monster in the depths of the Huangpu River.
The year is 1926, and Shanghai hums to the tune of debauchery.
A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city helpless in the grip of chaos. At the heart of it all is eighteen-year-old Juliette Cai, a former flapper who has returned to assume her role as the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang-a network of criminals far above the law. Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. And behind every move is their heir, Roma Montagov, Juliette's first love . . . and first betrayal.
But when gangsters on both sides show signs of instability culminating in clawing their own throats out, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, a madness. Of a monster in the shadows. As the deaths stack up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns-and grudges-aside and work together, for if they can't stop this mayhem, then there will be no city left for either to rule.
To be published by Hodder & Stoughton / Margaret K. McElderry on 17 November 2020
Waiting on Wednesday: The Dead of Winter
| Waiting on Wednesday: August 19 |
by S.J. Parris
Return to the origins of master spy Giordano Bruno in three gripping tales from No.1 bestseller S. J. Parris.
The Secret Dead
During the summer of 1566, a girl's body is found within the walls of a Neapolitan monastery. Novice monk Giordano Bruno has a habit of asking difficult questions, but this time his investigations may lose him his place in the Dominican Order – or deliver him into the hands of the Inquisition.
The Academy of Secrets
An invitation arrives from a secret society of enlightened philosophers, led by the eccentric Don Giambattista della Porta. Bruno is captivated – even more so when he meets della Porta's beautiful niece. But keeping these new heretical secrets soon becomes a matter of life or death…
A Christmas Requiem
When Giordano Bruno is told the pope wants to see him, he fears he may be walking into a trap. The pope is intrigued by Bruno's talent for complex memory games, but Rome is a den of intrigue, trickery and blood, and Bruno will be lucky to escape the Eternal City alive.
To be published by HarperCollins on 12th November 2020


Juvenile Termite Legs are a type of trophy item taken from the fresh corpses of young Bladed Termites. They are a popular folk remedy for headaches throughout Elona when ground into a powder. They are also eaten in sandwiches.
Exit from The Astralarium and head directly south. There is a group of about 10 Juvenile Bladed Termites.
Exit Champions Dawn heading east. After defeating the first small groups of plants there is a pool of water with around 13 Juvenile Bladed Termites with two Irontooth Drakes.
Location: Kamadan, Jewel of Istan, near the entrance to Churrhir Fields.
This page was last edited on 6 June 2017, at 19:42.


A cold front has moved off the coast this morning leaving windy conditions in its wake. Dewpoints have also continued to fall this morning which will help push relative humidity values below 20% for much of the area this afternoon. This in combination with the winds will produce dangerous fire weather conditions today. A Red Flag Warning is in effect until 3pm and is outlined in red. A Wind Advisory is in effect for the coastal counties until noon and is shaded in yellow above.


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Алфатар () — община в Болгарии. Входит в состав Силистренской области. Население составляет 3251 человек (на 15 сентября 2010 года). Площадь общины — 248 км². Расположена в историко-географической области Южная Добруджа.

Кмет (мэр) общины Алфатар — Радка Георгиева Желева (Болгарская социалистическая партия (БСП)) по результатам выборов 2007 года.

Состав общины
В состав общины входят следующие населённые пункты:
 Алеково
 Алфатар
 Бистра
 Васил-Левски
 Кутловица
 Цар-Асен
 Чуковец

Примечания

Ссылки

Общины Силистренской области

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


To be a successful health insurance agent, it is mandatory that as an agent or broker, be a person that understands the insurance market, is aware of the available options and be able to relate this information to the customers.
Purchasing health care insurance can be a very difficult task. Purchasing insurance is not like going to the store and picking out a policy. Group coverage offered by a company or organization is different and has less flexibility in that everyone in the group gets the same coverage.
The individuals and families securing health care coverage can get their insurance through coverage provided by their employer or some type of business, trade or fraternal organization will be covered by the provisions of the policies. However, in many, if not most cases, if a person leaves the employer or another group, the coverage will be terminated.
However, those individuals can purchase insurance on the open market as a result of the Affordable Care Act or as it is known as Obamacare. While the ACA is encountering some political and economic issues, it does ensure that a person cannot be turned down for prior health conditions.
The ACA also provides sources for securing insurance through the ACA Marketplace. Individuals can also secure insurance from other sources, as long as the basic guidelines are met.
Compare free health insurance quotes with your zip code in the box above!
Therefore, persons purchasing their own health insurance may need to have some help, which can be provided by a Health Insurance Agent. While the ACA provides for direct coverage, it is sometimes overly expensive or unavailable through the ACA HealthCare Marketplace.
Health insurance policies differed in some manner among the different companies operating within the area.
ZaneBenefits is one company that concentrates on small business employee benefits. In this category of insurance providers, there are some basic rules for agents to understand and use.
Do not try to rush the sale. Be prepared to spend time with the client and explain all details.
Make the best use of your time. Focus your time on the leads. A lead can come from a cold phone call to a previous successful sale leading to a friend or relative that has been satisfied with your efforts.
Be courteous to the customer. It is possible that he is very knowledgeable about insurance and is talking to a number of agents. If the answer you receive is no, you can ask why, but recognize the customer's wishes. Depending on the policy the customer is purchasing, he may end up being your client in the following year.
There are other rules offered by a number of sources. Therefore, as a person seeking to be an agent or broker, it is your responsibility to keep up with all the changes in health care laws and learning that something covered last year is no longer offered or something new is available.
However, regardless of where the insurance is purchased the security of knowing a person cannot be turned down for prior health conditions is assured, and accordingly, gives the insurance agent or broker more flexibility in meeting the needs of their customers.
A health insurance agent is responsible for helping the client determine the precise coverage that is being sought, the various parts of the Affordable Care Act and other issues that are a part of the sale of health insurance.
Thus, the health insurance agent has to be knowledgeable in all the nuances involving health insurance that may be purchased by individuals, a family or some type of organization.
No one wakes up in the morning and says, "Hey, I am an insurance agent." A considerable amount of education and training is involved so that a person can become a licensed insurance agent.
Health insurance agents generally have a college-level degree, but it is not an absolute necessity. Those persons that did not attend or finish college can perhaps become a health care agent.
A health insurance agent or broker is the person who makes the deal with the customers seeking coverage. To do this, the agent must have considerable knowledge about the policies he is offering and be able to explain the levels of coverage, restrictions, coordinating with other health policies if applicable and making sure the customer completely understands the coverage or product he is about to buy.
Agents work with individuals and companies or organizations that provide insurance. A number of companies can be found online and limited to a specific area. A good step is to review these sites, but take time in making a choice. The Wall Street Journal has published a story on how to select and insurance agent.
When purchasing health insurance on an individual or family basis, it is necessary to know that you are dealing with a licensed insurance agent. All states have various requirements for the different health care related issues, such as doctor and hospital services, emergency room, disability, and long-term care.
There are many types of insurance available on the open market such as property, auto, disability, long-term care and other specialties.When seeking a health insurance agent, it's important to make sure that they have the necessary certifications to sell health insurance and perhaps additional training in disability coverage and long-term care according to study.com.
Agents can be employees of specific insurance companies. Accordingly, they will be offering and promoting the coverage that a company is offering. There is nothing wrong with this approach, and the individual still has the right to check with several agents. There is also the possibility that by dealing with one agent representing one company, there may be some monetary discounts on the various types of coverage offered.
However, an independent agent can represent several different lines of insurance and possibly offer equal or near-equal coverage at a competitive price.
An independent agent may also be in a position to help acquire other forms of coverage such as dental, supplemental coverage and other lines of coverage, depending on the needs of the individual or family being covered.
An example of the independent agency is the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. Because these individuals represent more than one company, they can offer a greater variety of coverage options, including health care but extend out to other areas such as auto, home, life, retirement, etc.
Agents and insurance brokers technically do the same thing: sell insurance policies. The primary difference is that the broker may represent a variety of companies that offers several lines of coverage, while an agent may be focusing on one type of coverage. Unlike agents, brokers have to meet certain standards or lose their license. Brokers do sometimes charge an administrative fee for their services.
Brokers can also be helpful in securing Medicare insurance for people younger than 65 but having unique situations that go beyond the scope of regular insurance.
By understanding that there are different sources for securing coverage, it becomes apparent that there are many options available to the potential client. It is not necessary for the customer to take the agent's first offer. The independent agent and broker option can be pursued before a final decision is made.
Medicare is a form of health insurance that offers some options. Normally limited to persons 65 years or older, Medicare can be made available to individuals younger than the age limit and for persons with varying disabilities.
Persons receiving Medicare coverage can receive supplemental coverage from several companies that cooperate with Medicare. Thus the agent or broker has an important role to play. The agent must secure the supplemental coverage that best meets the patient's needs and be within an affordable price range.
Accordingly, brokers and agents can assist current and former clients with securing basic Medicare insurance.
There are many things a broker or agent cannot do when offering Medicare insurance to eligible people. There are things the agent can do in an effort to assure the client that he is getting the best coverage available.
Insurance agents and brokers provide a very important service that people depend upon to provide the best coverage possible. Therefore, after completing the basic requirements for becoming an agent in your state, your next task is to use that training in a manner that best serves the potential client.
It would be foolish to believe that every potential client you meet is going to purchase the policies you are offering. Always stay professional and when a prospect says no, be sure to thank them for the time they spent with you and tell them if they ever want to change companies to please let you know.
Each company has its own code of ethics. While the wording may be different and greater emphasis is give to the fact a person is representing a particular company, the guidelines are about the same for everyone.
The Agent represents a high level of qualification of the profession.
The Agent follows the precepts of honesty, competence, and financial care.
The Agent refrains from acts that are not in accordance with fair competition, including but not limited to refraining from acts in violation of unfair competition laws, such as the Sherman Act and the Clayton Act, antiBoycott laws and regulations, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and the laws and regulations administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Relationships with the Agent should be characterized by trust and partnership. The Agent should respect the personal dignity, privacy, and personal rights of each individual and act openly.
The baseline for any action is compliance with contractual obligations and the law. Agents will carefully and thoroughly fulfill their contractual duties and responsibilities while complying with all applicable laws and regulations.
Agents will extend this Code of Conduct upon persons acting on its behalf, including its employees. Thus if an employee is not an agent, he must meet the same standards as the agent.
Find health insurance coverage without an agent by comparing free quotes with your zip code below!


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The Frost Archive
Tributes and Memorial
Authorised Biography
SDF Memorial Lecture
Sir David is memorialised at London's Westminster Abbey. A stone to remember him lays in Poet's Corner in the South West Transept.
His memorial service was attended by an astonishing spread of family, friends, colleagues and interviewees. Readings and prayers were read by Sir Michael Parkinson, Lord Hall, Ronnie Corbett, Lord Owen, Herb Siegel, Lord Chadlington and Sir David's three sons, Miles, Wilfred and George. Greg Dyke gave a quite perfect Address, whilst Joanna Lumley's phenomenal poem summed up the mood of the service, and can be read here.
Lord Lloyd Webber's Pie Jesu was sung by soprano Anna O'Brien.
Carina and her sons were touched, as David would have been, by all those that attended. In particular they were honoured that HRH the Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, HRH The Duke of York, HRH The Princess Beatrice of York, and HRH The Countess of Wessex were in attendance.
Daily Telegraph – View article
BBC – View article
Aljazeera – View article
Daily Mail – View article
The Guardian – View article
The New York Times – View article
Independent – View article
'Last month we all lost a broadcasting legend. Sir David Frost was everything the BBC aspires to be.
He had wit and he used it to devastating effect. He was bold, fronting programmes that no-one had even thought of before he did them. He had the popular touch and was never too grand to appeal to his audiences. He was courteous and polite, never thinking himself more important than his guest. He was a journalist and broadcaster known throughout the world for his truth-telling, for his imagination and his ability to entertain.
That was the BBC that was and that is the BBC that will be.
A BBC back to its best. That still informs, educates and entertains, but where audiences also inform, educate and entertain each other.
A BBC that is both personal and global.'
The Lord Hall of Birkenhead CBE, Director General BBC, September 2013
'One thing you always knew about David was that his lifeblood was appearing on television… There'd never been anything like him before.'
The Lord Grade of Yarmouth CBE
'David was really the person who defined the interview where the interviewer doesn't try and become the story, he tries to extract the story.'
The Right Honourable Tony Blair
'I think David was motivated by insatiable curiosity. Everything he saw interested him.'
The Right Honourable Sir John Major KG CH
'He did it all with the minimum of ego.'
Sir Michael Parkinson CBE
'He was involved in so many different revolutions. The revolution of British satire, the revolution of the commercialisation of television in the UK and Breakfast TV, and then also revolutionising what political interviews really meant.'
The Right Honourable David Cameron MP
'David's career left the rest of us gasping. It was so consistent, so persistent, so dogged, and of such quality.'
The Baroness Bakewell DBE
'When you look at the people whom David interviewed, there never has been, never will be, I suspect, anybody who will have his span… Anybody who wants to understand the second half of the twentieth century is going to have to look at David's interviews.'
The Lord Birt
'One of the most extraordinary things about David was his mastery of all genres of TV.'
Loyd Grossman OBE
© 2014 Sir David Frost


Discipline is a key ingredient for success. It will build character, motivation and bring opportunity.
Distressed real estate opportunities can make great investments. You need the foresight and instincts to know the property's true potential.
[注1] The Pew Research Center (2017). Public Trust in Government: 1958-2017.


text:
Le Oblate di Santa Francesca Romana (in latino Congregatio Oblatarum Turris Speculorum) sono un istituto religioso femminile di diritto pontificio.

Storia

Nel XIV secolo Francesca Ponziani (1384-1440) era uno dei personaggi più noti di Roma, celebre per la carità e il coraggio con cui affrontò numerose disgrazie famigliari (il ferimento del marito, la prigionia di un figlio, la morte di altri due figli, il saccheggio della propria casa). Venne proclamata santa il 29 maggio 1608 da papa Paolo V.

Il 15 agosto 1425 Francesca e nove compagne, tutte esponenti di facoltose famiglie romane, si offrirono come oblate al monastero olivetano di Santa Maria Nova di Roma: il loro intento era inizialmente quello di dar vita a una confraternita di devozione, ma il 25 marzo 1433 presero in affitto un'abitazione all'ombra della Torre de' Specchi, nel rione Campitelli, e iniziarono a condurre vita comune dedicandosi alla preghiera contemplativa e al lavoro manuale, vivendo da eremite all'interno delle mura urbane, legate da promessa di stabilità e obbedienza, ma senza voti e senza clausura.

La comunità non aveva però nessuna copertura giuridica: la costituzione Periculoso di papa Bonifacio VIII (1298) imponeva alle comunità femminili la clausura, mentre i decreti del concilio Lateranense IV (1315) imponevano a quanti intendevano condurre vita comune l'adozione di una regola approvata; invece presso gli olivetani, come presso tutti i benedettini, l'oblazione non comportava l'emissione di voti o l'osservanza della regola, ma indicava un legame solo spirituale con l'ordine. Per sanare la condizione della comunità Francesca si rivolse a papa Eugenio IV. Il pontefice, con lettera del 4 luglio 1433, concesse alle oblate il privilegio di condurre vita regolare, di eleggersi una presidentessa, l'esenzione dalla giurisdizione del parroco locale, di scegliersi liberamente un confessore, di accogliere altre donne. L'abate generale della congregazione di Monte Oliveto, Battista da Poggibonsi, approvò le oblate il 9 agosto 1439 e concesse loro un'ampia autonomia dai monaci.

Le oblate si dichiararono esenti dalla clausura imposta nel 1566 a tutti i monasteri femminili dalla costituzione Circa Pastoralis di papa Pio V perché non appartenenti ad alcun ordine e, come libera associazione laicale, la comunità fu anche risparmiata dalle leggi eversive seguite all'annessione di Roma all'Italia (1870).

Il codice di diritto canonico promulgato nel 1917 riconobbe ufficialmente gli istituti religiosi di voti semplici: nel capitolo del 1947 le oblate di Tor de' Specchi stabilirono di costituirsi in congregazione di suore e, come tali, vennero approvate da papa Giovanni XXIII nel 1958.

Attività e diffusione
Oggi le Oblate di Santa Francesca Romana si dedicano soprattutto all'insegnamento del catechismo ai bambini che si preparano alla prima comunione: nel loro convento accolgono e ospitano le studentesse universitarie fuori sede per tutto il periodo dei loro studi.

Secondo la tradizione l'abito venne ispirato a Francesca dalla Vergine tramite san Paolo apparsole in sogno la notte di Natale del 1432. È costituito da una sottogonna bianca (segno di purezza), una tunica nera (simbolo della morte) stretta in vita da una cintura e da un ampio velo bianco (simbolo di obbedienza): in origine per la confezione dell'abito erano consentiti solo lana e lino, ma essendo considerati tessuti pregiati e troppo costosi il loro uso è stato abbandonato in omaggio al voto di povertà.

Al 31 dicembre 2008 la congregazione contava la sola casa in Tor de' Specchi e 13 religiose.

Note

Bibliografia
 Annuario Pontificio per l'anno 2010, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Città del Vaticano 2010. ISBN 978-88-209-8355-0.
 Guerrino Pelliccia e Giancarlo Rocca (curr.), Dizionario degli Istituti di Perfezione (DIP), 10 voll., Edizioni paoline, Milano 1974-2003.
 Giancarlo Rocca (cur.), La sostanza dell'effimero. Gli abiti degli ordini religiosi in Occidente, Edizioni paoline, Roma 2000.

Voci correlate
Chiesa di Santa Maria Annunziata a Tor de' Specchi

Altri progetti

Collegamenti esterni

Oblate, 00, Santa Francesca
Francesca Romana


I looked it up and Massdrop uses Fedex smartpost which according to their website takes "2-7 business days based on location" so the wait is almost over!!!
What state you guys in? Just got my shipping email but its still stuck in the label phase so I cant see.
North Carolina here, hopefully it will be sooner though.
I got the shipping email 2 days ago and mine is also stuck in the label phase. Wish I would see some movement!
I'm all the way on the opposite coast in Oregon, so I may be waiting the full 7 days (or more).
Ah you're lucky. Mine won't be here until the 6th of August. That's 9 business days, 13 regular days.


text:
PM's Christmas visits successful
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare spent Christmas Day and Boxing Day with patients at two of the nation's hospitals.
On Christmas Day, he visited and presented gifts to those at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara.
On Boxing Day, he travelled to north Guadalcanal to visit and spent time with patients at the Good Samaritan Hospital at Tetere and yesterday he ended the visit at Christian Care Centre.
On different visits, Sogavare was accompanied by immediate family members and his officials.
At the Care Centre Sogavare has praised the Anglican church of Melanesia to establish the Christian Care Centre.
"To establish this centre is a clear indication of acting out the love of Jesus and what you did is recorded in Heaven," Sogavare added
He said it touches the heart of God what this centre is doing to take care of children and women suffer from abuse and violence.
"It touches the heart of God when he sees His children suffer.
"We claim Solomon Islands as a Christian nation but it hurts me as leader of a Christian country when we have establishment like this centre it contradict that we are living in a Christian country," Mr Sogavare said
Prime Minister Sogavare said this centre is a clear manifestation of God's love that Christians propagates.
Speaking to end his Christmas visit yesterday he said that God hates violence, thus it is important for all fathers to take heed to Godly principles of marriage.
"We preached so much about God's love but when it comes to expressing God's love is not manifest in us
Responding to the Prime Minister Sogavare is the staff of the centre Doreen Awaiasi applauded his visit to see the needs of the centre and they expect government support.
Ms Awaiasi urged the nation to demonstrate God's love at their homes to end violence and abuse to have a better home and family.
By ELLIOT DAWEA
Category: News - NationalBy Sol Star News December 27, 2015
PreviousPrevious post:Ex-militants to be paid $300mNextNext post:Visible presence of police must be commended


Remi Gagnon was talented – one of the very, VERY, few humans who could shape their magic freely, rather than being limited to specific, well-studied, effects. An advanced degree in magical studies was almost inevitable.
Professor Gagnon taught, deciphered and studied ancient tomes of magical lore, served as a consultant to the authorities on mystical matters, and relaxed with camping and hiking trips with his friends. He was never much for actual wilderness skills – but that hardly mattered when you could compose small magics on the fly.
Disaster struck during one hiking trip. Conventional personal magics might allow him to escape the onrushing avalanche – but it would mean leaving his friends to die. In desperation Remi tried an ancient invocation that he'd been studying – the Fifth Light of Luathon – to raise a shield capable of withstanding the avalanche. In the face of onrushing doom, why not try a spell out of legend?
And Luathon answered his call. Remi's spirit stood before the gaze of a cosmic power, and was filled with a miniscule fraction of it's might.
The fifth light parted the avalanche – and Remi saw a choice. He might occasionally call upon the kindly power of Luathon and continue much as he was – or he could call upon it freely, and accept a role as one of his world's guardians.
Remi made his choice a few weeks later – and studied additional invocations.
Today, Professor Gagnon – as Boreas – is one of Canada's most respected sorcerers and a founding member of the Vanguard. He has, however, retired from his university position; his new tendency to attract arcane trouble would put the students and other faculty in too much danger if he was to continue teaching.
22 The Will of Ymir (90-pt reserve); Multipower only usable for a preset, game-master determined list of effects (this limitation cannot be bought off later, -1), recognized by knowledgeable magi (-.25), will not work against certain targets (creatures which are linked to the power source involved may take an immunity to the spells effects, -.25), visible (reveal the user's unique magical "signature", can be detected in use by other mystics, -.25), -.5 in variable limitations (usually taken as either a 14- activation check or as incantations and gestures, -.25), side effect (Disadvantages, -.5), side effect cannot be avoided (-.5).The disadvantages it inflicts are that the user must act to sustain the proper cycles of the world (the seasons, life and death, etc), especially in their downward aspect when it is time. They must oppose the powers of destruction, and restrain the wrathful – and they will attract the malevolent attention of the powers of fire and destruction. While the Will of Ymir is a fundamentally neutral force, if they choose a light aspect they must protect the young and oppose the forces of darkness. If they choose a dark aspect they must oppose the forces of light and promote unfettered competition and war among men and beasts.
16 The Eleven Lights of Luathon (82-pt reserve); A spell that was old when the milky way was young, the Lights channel the power of Luathon through the caster's spirit and into supernal, primordial, light. The colors that result reveal a great deal about the caster's inner nature. Using the more dangerous lights against another mage is regarded as a grave insult – perhaps because they were designed as a weapons against creatures "of the outer darkness", and that's a fairly rude thing to imply about someone.Multipower only usable for a preset, game-master determined list of effects (this limitation cannot be bought off later, -1), recognized by knowledgeable magi (-.25), will not work against certain targets (creatures which are linked to the power source involved may take an immunity to the spells effects, -.25), visible (reveal the user's unique magical "signature", can be detected in use by other mystics, -.25), -.5 in variable limitations (usually taken as either a 14- activation check or as incantations and gestures, -.25), side effect (3d6+1 cumulative major transform; the user must assist the Firstborn upon request and must oppose the Elder Ones, -1), side effect cannot be avoided (-.5), tends to draw supernatural foes and minions of the Old Ones (-.25), user may not employ truly "black" magic (-.25).
15 The Eleven Secret Coils Of The Wonderous Serpent Of Jade (75-pt reserve); Multipower only usable for a preset, game-master determined list of effects (this limitation cannot be bought off later, -1), recognized by knowledgeable magi (-.25), will not work against certain targets (creatures which are linked to the power source involved may take an immunity to the spells effects, -.25), visible (reveal the user's unique magical "signature", can be detected in use by other mystics, -.25), -1 in variable limitations (usually taken as those listed for the slot and either a 14- activation check or as incantations and gestures, -.5), Unavoidable (-.5) Side Effects/Temporary Disadvantages: The user must act to preserve the mystic "balance", as well as the balance of nature, to promote the ways of magic, and respect the elemental powers. He or she is also recognizably allied with primal cthonian powers, -1), Only works as long as the user maintains a shrine to the elemental forces (-.25).The "Eleven Secret Coils Of The Wonderous Serpent Of Jade" was formalized by a tong operating somewhere in China, but versions of the spell (Usually with a one or two slot difference) have an ancient history in Egypt and the Fertile Crescent – normally associated with priests of various serpent-gods. While not necessarily "evil", the powers tapped by this spell are certainly inhuman – and care little for ordinary human concerns. Magi who use this spell should be regarded with caution.
24 Sorcery / Variable Power Pool (20-pt Pool); Control Cost: 10; Generic Limitation (Must gesture and chant to cast spells.): -½; Variable Limitations: -½, -¼; Requires Skill Roll (Magic Theory): -½; Boreas is well aware that his defenses are weak – and so will usually be running a small persistent force field. He also tends to run a little flight, so that he can stay above any physical combat. Most of the time he uses an OIF (Focusing Amulet) to fulfill his variable limitations.
6 Character Cheese 1/2 Slice: +6 CP to All Attributes Blessing; Modifications to Primary Attributes do not affect secondary attributes. Aid to Defenses has half effect per standard rules.
When not on missions Boreas tends to be equipped with a Library ("Computer") full of mystical lore and an enhancing ritual circle.
Appearance: The Professor is obviously middle-aged, if well preserved, and is slightly heavyset. He tends to dress in comfortable suits, although he concedes to tradition with a cloak and mystical amulet, both of which are often used as foci for his personal spells.


Assault on the Peak registration is open!
Click Assault on the Peak to sign up.
From the event Web site.
Finally, a race/rec ride from the Pikes Peak toll gate to the summit. Summit Cycling Promotions has it lined up for Aug. 29.


Is eating chicken healthy? This question often pops in my mind majorly because it is one of my favourite foods and I tend to enjoy it almost on a daily basis and in forms more than one- be it fried, grilled or roasted. While for most it may be a staple in their diet, some may just like to savour occasionally. It has surely made its way to being one of the most favourite foods. Not only does it taste heavenly, but has plenty of health benefits to offer. It is known to be full of essential nutrients that your body requires, some of which may include proteins, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals.
Protein is made of amino acids that are building blocks of our muscles. Chicken is known to be one of the best sources of proteins that are also responsible for the building and maintenance of other structures in the body like cells and bones along with the breakdown of toxins.
Chicken is an excellent source of an amino acid called tryptophan that gives you a sense of relief and comfort. Eating some of this delight may increase the serotonin levels in your brain, further enhancing your mood. No wonder, chicken makes for a comfort food for many.
Chicken is an excellent source of selenium, an antioxidant that is thought to have positive effects on degenerative diseases including inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular and neurological problems. It is also known to fight cell-damaging free radicals.
Chicken contains vitamin B3, also known as niacin, which is responsible for converting carbohydrates to energy and maintaining healthy body cells. It has also shown to reduce cholesterol levels and risk of heart diseases in those who have high cholesterol.
The presence of vitamin B6 or pyridoxine helps in the metabolic process of carbohydrates and proteins. Without this vitamin, your nervous system, metabolism and immune system cannot function properly.
What Are the Different Types of Crop Pests?
What does a Girl Scout do?
Does Eating Raw Food Lead To Weight Loss?


In the midst of a publishing revolution, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, one of America's most storied institutions of journalism, is experimenting with new tools to tell stories in preparation for the end of print in the digital era.
Pleasantly surprised is the term I'd use when describing my thoughts on "Digital Edition" from James Kicklighter. Don't get me wrong though, I've seen projects from Mr. Kicklighter before, and expected nothing less than a well rounded, polished experience. What I didn't expect was a topic featuring a much broader scope than the title suggests. Being equally honest, I half expected a short film touching up on nothing but social media. The Digital Editions of our time. What I ended up getting was a fast paced, well thought out documentary; with a little bit taken and displayed from each plate. The "plates" containing media history, it's present form and a splash of future insight. I also can't say I agree with all the opinions expressed during this intervie... err... film. Mainly when speaking on print media becoming completely extinct. I've always felt a place for the "Morning or weekly Paper" will always exist. I do however, understand the points presented when thinking it could go the way of the doe-doe.
When it comes to "Digital Edition", we have a fine short film covering a lot of different aspects from the industry, and doing so in an extremely well put together way.
Normally, this section of the write-up is reserved for technical thoughts on a production. When it comes to a documentary however, there really isn't that much to write about; except maybe the graphics used and audio itself. I'm quite pleased to write that both are stellar. "Digital Edition" doesn't look (or sound) cheap. It's well paced, has some great graphics, and as I'm sure you've guessed, contains some awesome content. I've come to expect nothing less. "Digital Edition" would look right at home on your favorite television channel.
The thoughts expressed from industry professionals are interesting and more than a little informative. People in "the industry" may find things a little less interesting than say... I did, but that won't diminish the experience. Even if you know this stuff, it's put together so well you just can't help but watching. Now days, anyone can pull out their phone and shoot a documentary of their own. The problem is that you can always tell. I call it the difference between a YouTube video and a real one. James Kicklighter has a "real one" here. The spit and polish makes "Digital Edition" shine, and the information contained within is the icing on the cake. Many of the elder generation may miss the old ways, hearing how the morning edition is "Hot off the press". Even they however, can't find fault with having a faster system. One they can access almost any time with the swipe of a finger. But for me, one thing is clear. I love my morning paper and coffee. It's a tradition. I've tried a laptop or phone and it's just not the same; but even I can't deny how much I love to pop online and check things out later in the day. I guess that means I'm a contributor to the changes as well. Everything changes. Right? Extra Extra.