Welcome to the home page of the Pre-meeting for New Researchers to the World Congress of Probability and Statistics. This event is hosted at the Fields Institute on the 7th and 8th of July 2016, precedeeding the Bernoulli World Congress of Probability and Statistics. This pre-meeting is the second of its kind, with the first preceding the Bernoulli-ISI World Congress in Istanbul (2012).
The two-day 2016 pre-meeting dedicates one day to the academic theme of Big Data: Statistical, Computational and Mathematical Issues. The second day is dedicated to a series of presentations that pertain to career development.
1. To stimulate interest of international young researchers in a rapidly emerging field.
2. To give support and perspective to young researchers with regard to mapping out their future career - especially for participants from developing countries.
3. To allow young researchers with common research interests to network amongst their peer group.
Towards the top this page on the right hand side, the poster for this event can be seen. Click on the hyperlink "Register Online" under the poster. This is CAD60 for the 2 days and includes lunches, coffee breaks. There is a dinner on Thursday night, attendance at which is an additional CAD40.
Confirmed speakers include Flori Bunea, Ryan Tibshirani, Helene Massam, Gavin Shaddick, and Jim Zidek.
Important: before registering or applying for funding, please determine if you are eligible for waived registration fees based on the country in which you are a permanent resident. Registrants from Low Income, Lower Middle Income, or Upper Middle Income developing countries have waived registration fees.
Afghanistan; Albania; Algeria; American Samoa; Angola; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bangladesh; Belarus; Belize; Benin; Bhutan; Bolivia; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Botswana; Brazil; Bulgaria; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cabo Verde; Cambodia; Cameroon; Central African Republic; Chad; China; Colombia; Comoros; Congo, Dem. Rep.; Congo, Rep.; Costa Rica; Cote d'Ivoire; Cuba; Djibouti; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; Egypt, Arab Rep.; El Salvador; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Fiji; Gabon; Gambia, The; Georgia; Ghana; Grenada; Guatemala; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Haiti; Honduras; India; Indonesia; Iran, Islamic Rep.; Iraq; Jamaica; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Kiribati; Korea, Dem. Rep.; Kosovo; Kyrgyz Republic; Lao PDR; Lebanon; Lesotho; Liberia; Libya; Macedonia, FYR; Madagascar; Malawi; Malaysia; Maldives; Mali; Marshall Islands; Mauritania; Mauritius; Mexico; Micronesia, Fed. Sts.; Moldova; Mongolia; Montenegro; Morocco; Mozambique; Myanmar; Namibia; Nepal; Nicaragua; Niger; Nigeria; Pakistan; Palau; Panama; Papua New Guinea; Paraguay; Peru; Philippines; Romania; Rwanda; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Senegal; Serbia; Sierra Leone; Solomon Islands; Somalia; South Africa; South Sudan; Sri Lanka; St. Lucia; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Sudan; Suriname; Swaziland; Syrian Arab Republic; Tajikistan; Tanzania; Thailand; Timor-Leste; Togo; Tonga; Tunisia; Turkey; Turkmenistan; Tuvalu; Uganda; Ukraine; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu; Vietnam; West Bank and Gaza; Yemen, Rep.; Zambia; Zimbabwe.
• You must be a permanent resident of one of the Low Income, Lower Middle Income, or Upper Middle Income countries listed above (exceptions may be made; see application form for details).
• Please complete and submit this application.
• Submit completed form electronically to the email listed on the form. Deadline: April 8th, 2016.
• A confirmation of receipt will be sent from the Fields Institute once the form has been submitted.
• Incomplete forms will not be eligible.
• The results will be announced in early May 2016.
• On receipt of funding, you must join the International Statistical Institute if not already a member (see here for instructions of how to join and pricing).
Qurat-Ul-An Sabir Dalhousie University Halifax Nova Scotia.


Rainy City Roller Derby from Manchester, England won the honor of playing this bout, defeating 10th seed Steel City Roller Derby, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the first game of 2016 International WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs Columbia. The 2nd seed, Jacksonville RollerGirls, from Jacksonville, Florida, had a bye in the first round, making this their first game of the day. While Rainy City could not pull out a win, they put up an impressive performance against the higher ranked team and did well in their first game at WFTDA Playoffs. In the end, Jacksonville took the game 214-96.
Jacksonville jumped out to a quick 31-1 lead in the first four jams before Rainy City would hit their stride seven minutes in, with Wilde picking up Rainy City's first lead jammer status of the game while blocker Missy Rascal dominated Jacksonville's jammer, Krispy Kreme-Her. Unfortunately, the next jam would look a lot like the first four, with a jammer penalty to Rainy City's Smack Mamba and a 19-point run by Steel City transfer, Snot Rocket Science. Following a couple more jammer penalties for Rainy City, Wilde would once again get lead and five more points, bringing the score to 62-11 with half the period played. While Rainy City could hold their own when their defense was left to set up and play a slow game, their transitions to a faster pack and their strategies for dealing with offensive blocking from Legs R Us and Stephanie Gentz left them trailing on the scoreboard, 133-24 at the halftime, and in the stats, with 5 lead jammer statuses to Jacksonville's 13. Rainy City was playing Jacksonville's game.
The second half did not go the same way. With expert bench management from Mick Swagger, Rainy City found their own game at halftime. GoGO Chanel, Wilde, and Alex Valentine would draw first blood for the Brits, going 17-0 while keeping Jacksonville scoreless for the first five minutes of the half. The wraparound offensive hitting from Ruthless Philly and Missy Rascal proved successful for Rainy City in the turns, allowing their jammers to avoid the braced walls of Jacksonville. Their jammers, who had been anxious to score points in the first half and had picked up penalties on risky moves, settled into their play and skated a much cleaner half. Rainy City picked up 10 lead jammer statuses to Jacksonville's 8 in the second half and tripled the number of points they scored in the second compared to the first. The jammers were not the only skaters to step up for the Brits; their defensive formations became more adaptive to Jacksonville's offense and kept their play slow, even when the Floridians wanted to run the pack.
The turnaround from the first half to the second half was impressive, but Jacksonville was not to be undermined. They put up some of their highest jams in the second half to maintain their huge lead, despite not being lead jammer the majority of the time. A 20-0 jam by Jamsterella and a 19-0 jam by Krispy Kreme-Her served notice that Jacksonville could continue to dominate. They will need to put it together more consistently as they move on in the tournament, though, and without Erin Jackson, all three of their remaining jammers need to have a good game every game. Snot Rocket Science, in particular seemed to be a bit shaky throughout the game. With less than five minutes on the clock, she picked up a low block, allowing Wilde to come out of the box for lead and 13 more points. This gave Rain City a silver lining finish, winning the final two jams of the game 17-1 and closing the score gap from the first half, with a final score of 214-96.
Jacksonville will go on to play Denver Roller Derby (#3) at 8 p.m. on Saturday, while Rainy City moves to the consolation bracket, playing the winner of Game 7 at 4 p.m. on Saturday.


text:
Home Robot Stuff Best Smart Robot Vacuum Cleaners with a Mop
Is a robot vacuum cleaner with a mop the best way to keep your house clean?
Smart devices and homes have the capacity to make our lives significantly easier, and a smart vacuum with a built-in mop makes some serious promises on that front. After all, something that can keep your floors free of dust and dirt without any input from you can save hours of time every month.
While hoovering keeps your floors free from dust and debris, its only half the picture. You can't beat getting a mop out and giving floors a good wet mop. There are several robotic vacs that will now not only suck up the dirt but give your floors that extra wet clean too.
But do they actually deliver, and can a robot vacuum cleaner really keep your floor clean and tidy? In this guide we're looking at the best smart robot vacuums that also have a built in mop.
The best robot vacuums with built-in mops for 2022
We've been hard at work picking the best smart floor cleaners you can pick up in 2022 and here are the ones we think either do the best job, offer good value for money or are generally worth your time and hard-earned cash.
Best overall robo-vac with a mop: Roborock S6 MaxV
Suction: 2500Pa
# Cameras: 2
Maximum area: 2580 sq feet
Equipped with an upgraded HyperForce airflow design the S6 offers greatly improved cleaning
Our favourite mop equipped robot vacuum, the Roborock S6 MaxV is a genuinely impressive overall hoover, as well as packing a smart mopping system into its slimline frame.
First off, like a vacuum, it's very respectable, with 2500Pa of suction, easily enough to deal with carpeted floors and larger particles of dirt. Twin cameras provide constant area scanning, using Roborock's ReactiveAI scanning system that recognises unknown objects and decides what to do with them.
To navigate around your home, the system uses LIDAR laser scanning to make its maps and advanced route management that synchronises near perfectly with the app. Built-in multi-floor mapping lets you create profiles for up to 4 floors in your home, and the app can handle 10 no-go zones, 10 no-mop zones, and 10 invisible barriers. Per floor of your home.
This is backed up with a solid 180 minutes of run time, which the manufacturers say will cover 2580 sq. ft of space, and a dedicated pet mode that searches out hair and dander, as well as avoiding any unfortunate presents that have been left behind.
As a mop, it's impressive, with a large internal water reservoir and different programmable mopping levels for different rooms. The app also has built-in smart scheduling; which means it will clean all of the dry rooms first, then move to the remainder and engage mop mode.
So are there any downsides to the S6 MaxV? A few, but they're all relatively minor. One, there are occasional issues with Wi-Fi connectivity, but this generally happens in areas with bad reception anyway.
Second, and strangely, if you decide to order this vacuum from Amazon, you have to ensure that you order the power cable separately. It doesn't cost extra or anything, but there's still a process to go through, which is irritating.
But as an overall deal, the S6 MaxV is perfectly equipped to deal with almost any situation you might throw at it, and it's also surprisingly reasonably priced, to boot.
Check Current Amazon UK Price
Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8
Smart home integration:Google Assistant & Alexa
Mapping technology: Precision lasers
Advanced laser technology maps your home with 4X greater precision
We've already reviewed Ozmo T8's sister model, the N8+, and were incredibly impressed by the powerful performance, and the sheer amount of gadgets that Ecovacs managed to pack into a standard sized frame.
Let's start by addressing performance, which is a fine 2300Pa of suction. That's decent, but not exceptional, as we've seen much more powerful suction from equivalently priced vacuums. However, it's not a bad performance, at all, and this is more than powerful enough to clean your home and pick up 99% of what it might face.
The run time is a monstrous 180 minutes, which is basically the best we've seen and let this cover around 3200 sq. ft of space. The base itself isn't just a charging station, it's an emptying station with a 2.5l reservoir; enough to last around 2 to 4 weeks.
The sensor tech is also one of the best we've seen. A suite of TrueMap lasers constantly reads the environment around the vacuum and filters it back using AI technology that identifies obstacles and how to navigate around them, at up to 4 times faster and twice the range of standard laser mapping.
The mopping systems are just as impressive, with an oscillated mopping system that works at 480 times per minute, and has the option of 4 different flow levels that lets this actually clean tough stains, rather than just wiping a floor enough to leave it shiny.
Deebot seems to love on-demand HD video and remote controls in their vacuums. It's an option we don't see often, but it's a useful thing to do, letting you manually drive the bot around your house like a drone, check on pets, or scoot under sofas just to see what's going on. (Just us? Okay then.)
Finally, you have all of the other expected sensors and systems, including a comprehensive app, Alexa voice controls, and a long 2-year warranty.
So why is this not on our top slot? The answer is simple. The Ozmo T8 is literally the best robot mop on the list, but the S6 MaxV just slightly edges it out in general features. So that's the decision point, and in our opinion what should be swaying you when you're making your choice.
Coredy R750 3 in 1 Robot Vacuum
Smart home integration: Google Assistant & Alexa
Automatically increase suction power to lift cleaning head and two large wheels when carpet is detected
The best budget robot vacuum on the list, the Coredy R750 packs a surprising amount into its sleek chassis by focusing on the core functions and performance over flash and extra features.
To begin with, the vacuum itself is solid, with 2000Pa of suction backed up by a decent suite of sensors that can spot down intervening furniture and navigate around it. Zoning is controlled through old-fashioned boundary strips, which is a shame, and means that you might want to spend a little more if you have a particularly complicated house layout.
But that's balanced out by simple but powerful controls. The app is well laid out and simple to understand, with timer scheduling, real-time monitoring of your vacuum, and the option to link into Alexa for voice controls.
The mop system is also really decent, with 3 different cleaning modes and automated water control, letting it clean what needs to be cleaned while keeping your carpets free of water.
It's also worth pointing out the general build quality. Out of the box, this feels reassuringly heavy and well made and has a long battery life of 120 minutes.
All of this adds up to a winner. While larger houses might want something a little more feature dense, for smaller homes, student flats or similar, this packs more than enough power for the job.
Midea M7 – Smart Robot Mop / Vacuum Cleaner
Mapping technology: Laser navigation.
Maintenance is simple, just empty & wash the dustbin and wipe it dry.
By far the most powerful vacuum cleaner on the list, the M& by Midea stands out primarily because of its ridiculous 4000Pa suction power.
It's worth reiterating that performance standard because it's up to twice as strong as standard models, which is, frankly, absurd.
It can be set to 3 levels of power, with an auto-boosting function that increases suction when it's over the carpet, and powering back down when it's over flat flooring to increase battery life, covering up to 2700 square feet and 150 minutes of power. But realistically, with the power this puts out, we wouldn't expect it to hold out that long.
The brushes are backed up with a reliable mapping system. The water reservoir is a little lower than we'd like (around 20% smaller than expected) but should cover most of its square footage without issues. You just need to refill it more often.
The sensor suite is equally impressive, with a huge 30 sensors that accurately map out your home, with the option for deep cleaning individual rooms via the app, or voice controls through smart home hubs. Unfortunately, the app is a little complicated to navigate, and there's a learning curve too, for example, set up a schedule that you don't see on better-known brands.
It's the little things like that, and the lower water capacity and tendency to burn through the battery, that holds this back. It's still a really impressive piece of gear, and it's going to leave your home impressively clean, it just … lacks a little polish.
Are robot vacuums with mops worth buying?
In our opinion, the answer is obviously a loud and hearty yes.
But that comes with some caveats.
First off, a robot vacuum, mop or no, is never going to be able to clean your floors in the same way you can. First, they're working off of sensors and artificial intelligence, so miss the occasional spot of dirt.
Second, a robot vacuum has no way to sit down and scrub at a particular ground area of dirt. It does what it does. (Except for the models that actually do this. More on that later.)
But that doesn't matter, because the situations that a robot vacuum can't deal with are few and far between. It's the difference between having your home at 98%. Realistically, no one except you is going to notice the dust under the sofa that makes up that last 2%, and it's so much simpler to go round after an electronic hoover when it's done.
What a robot vac offers are convenience and time. Correctly chosen, they'll keep your home clean and fresh, with zero input from you, and that's more than worth the entry price.
Related: Best Roomba Alternatives
How to choose a robot vacuum cleaner
Suction power and mopping
The heart of a robot vacuum is its ability to leave your home clean and tidy. It's pointless buying a high tech design that's full of bells and whistles if it leaves the dust in every corner.
The suction of a vacuum is measured in Pascals, (Pa) a unit of pressure. 2000Pa is a good general baseline value, but it's common to see higher-powered units pushing upwards of 3000Pa, including boosting modes for driven in the dirt.
In terms of mopping, the method used depends on how much you're spending.
Cheaper robot vacuum cleaners will simply spray water onto the floor as they move around your home, using a microfibre cloth to leave the floors behind them cleaner and shinier.
However, more expensive robot vacuums, like the Ecovacs Ozmo T8, will have bottom-mounted sensors and oscillating mop units that can identify ground in dirt and genuinely deep clean your floors.
It's also worth bearing in mind that performance, both suction and mopping, depends a lot on your home. Pets or children track a lot more dirt and dust around, and constantly shifting between high-pile carpets and hardwood flooring, for example, can make it much more difficult for a vacuum to keep the area clean.
Battery life and capacity
Modern robot vacuums almost always have a high-powered, rechargeable lithium battery and a home dock that acts as a charging base.
In our experience, the expected battery life is normally between 90 and 180 minutes, which allows most vacuums to cover a home between 2000 and 3000 sq. ft.
Mapping and sensors
The sensors are the eyes of your vacuum and help it navigate around your home, map out rooms, avoid obstacles and identify areas that might need extra cleaning.
Original robot vacs were clunky and almost blind. It's a near meme that old Roombas were liable to spend minutes bumping into something over and over again until the battery gave out.
But the advances of modern, cheap technology means it's becoming much more common for vacuums to have advanced laser detection systems that can map out your home with near-perfect accuracy, and probably navigate around it better than you can.
You can take it as a given that nothing on our lists will have bad sensor suites. But where a vacuum's sensors are exceptional, we're sure to point it out.
Controls and app
Almost the entire point of a robotic vacuum is the fact that you don't have to do anything with it; it just trundles around your home keeping everything clean without your input.
So a suite of smart controls that can make that simpler, as well as giving you various options about how and when you control your vacuum is obviously a huge advantage in how you schedule your days.
At their simplest, robot vacuums work on a timer system connected to a phone app. Most good models will give you the option to engage extra cleaning cycles at the push of a button. But it's becoming increasingly common to increase the amount of control you have over your home, with features like Alexa voice control that lets you start your vacuum at the touch of a button. Dedicated scheduling and mapping apps that let you tell your vacuum which parts of your house need cleaning, and which might need a little more TLC than normal, and even full Wi-Fi enabled remote control.
Under most circumstances, the standard range of controls is enough, but if you have a larger home, it's worth considering how much granularity and fine-tuning you'd like your vacuum to have.
Are Robot Hoovers Any Good In 2022? And Are They Really Worth It?
The Best Roomba Alternatives in 2022 – Top Affordable Options
What's the Best Robot Vacuum UK Home Owners are Buying?
Create your own robot arm with these kits available now

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
soc.support.depression.family
Cheer up! The happiness guru on how to feel better
a425couple
Apr 19, 2021, 7:19:15 PM4/19/21
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/apr/18/cheer-up-the-happiness-guru-on-how-to-feel-better
Jamie Waters
Meik Wiking in a jacket and scarf, smiling
'Putting good food on the table with loved ones is still the most
universal source of happiness:' Meik Wiking Photograph: Chris
McAndrew/The Observer
Meik Wiking is a world expert on what makes us feel happier. So, is
there a simple fix?
Sun 18 Apr 2021 08.00 EDT
Just like that, one of the world's foremost happiness boffins beams into
my living room with a megawatt grin and an infectious chuckle. Even
though Meik Wiking (pronounced "Mike Viking") is moving house on the day
of our interview – surely up there with the most exasperating life
events – spirits are high for the bestselling author, public speaker and
CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen.
There are removal boxes "everywhere", he says, but in the Zoom square on
my computer all I can see is a handsome Dane with surfer hair and
black-rimmed specs flanked by minimalist furniture and a luminous pot
plant. Denmark famously ranks among the world's happiest nations and
it's tough to think of a better poster boy for the land of cheer.
happy emoji
The 43-year-old has been busy lately, opening a happiness-themed museum
– a world first – in Copenhagen in mid-2020; advising the Nordic Council
of Ministers on how social media impacts young people's wellbeing;
releasing the paperback version of Happy Moments, a book about creating
positive memories; and overseeing a global survey of Covid-19's impact
on happiness.
The pandemic has launched an all-out attack on the emotion to which he
has dedicated his career. With much of the world stripped of socialising
and confined to cramped apartments, the past 12 months might well go
down as the grimmest passage in living memory, with many people
experiencing a spike in loneliness, anxiety and suffering.
So, for those feeling downtrodden and in dire need of a dopamine hit, is
there a way to become more chipper? Or, is there a sense that, by
forcing us to maintain small, simple lives, the pandemic has actually
helped us zero in on what truly makes us happy?
What the pandemic has done is 'decouple wealth from happiness'
Asking if there is a way to become happier is a bit like asking how to
beat the house in Vegas, but Wiking hasn't let that put him off. He
founded the Happiness Research Institute, an independent thinktank, in
2013, pledging to "look at happiness from a scientific perspective", by
poring over reams of data to figure out why some folks are happier than
others and how societies can boost their citizens' wellbeing.
After studying sociology, political science and economics at university,
Wiking joined a sustainability thinktank where, late one night, he
stumbled upon the UN's inaugural World Happiness Report. He was struck
by the attention given to this emotion – and by the fact his homeland
had topped the charts. "I thought, 'Why are the Nordic countries doing
well?' Somebody should be looking into this," he says.
The idea kept him up at night, and in the end he decided to quit his
job. "I thought, 'You can continue working here, but you're not super
passionate, or you can try this crazy idea and see where that goes.' At
first, it was just me, a bad laptop and a good idea."
Wiking found success in 2016 with The Little Book of Hygge, on the
Danish art of being cosy and content during harsh winters, which sold
more than 1m copies worldwide, but the Happiness Research Institute is
his baby. It sounds like something from a Hans Christian Andersen tale
but, instead of being filled with "puppies and ice-cream", as he puts
it, the office houses 10 analysts, who use the intel they've gathered to
advise governments, foundations, employers and impact investors
(companies that want to invest in something which will make a difference
to the world).
Quantifying happiness is difficult, but "not impossible", says Wiking,
adding that "we measure a lot of things that are subjective, such as
stress, loneliness and depression," so why not happiness? One of the
ways to deal with its subjectivity is to follow indiciduals over time:
for its pandemic study the Happiness Research Institute quizzed 3,211
participants up to six times each over three months.
It broke down happiness into elements including overall life
satisfaction ("All things considered, how satisfied are you with your
life these days?"); whether your mood is positive on any given day; and
whether you have a sense of purpose or meaning, based on Aristotle's
thoughts on the good life (eudaimonia).
Its Covid-19 survey found that, while daily moods have dipped during the
pandemic, sense of purpose hasn't waned. And the UN's latest World
Happiness Report, which similarly acknowledged a 10% increase in
day-to-day sadness and worry, stated that life satisfaction had remained
on a par with previous years. Other polls have suggested some people
have been happier during Covid-19.
Why hasn't there been a more comprehensive happiness slump? Wiking says
draining commutes have disappeared, family time has increased and, for
most people, the main contributors to happiness have remained fairly
stable. "Putting good food on the table with loved ones is still perhaps
the most universal source of happiness," he says.
What the pandemic has done is underscore the joy of simple pleasures.
The link between happiness and money has been well-documented over the
years and while, in general, rich people are happier than poor people,
it's not that money buys happiness but that "being without money" and
unable to afford food and shelter causes unhappiness. Once you've passed
a certain threshold, "if you're already making good money, and you make
£200 extra, you buy a more expensive bottle of wine but it doesn't matter".
The pandemic has made that clear by "decoupling wealth from happiness",
he continues. "You can't go on exotic holidays or to fancy restaurants,
but you can go walking. So perhaps this year we realised better than
ever that we can find happiness through simple things accessible to
all." He says we've reached "peak happiness for 'stuff'", whereas hikes
or swims are more reliable mood-boosters.
Covid-19 has also diminished the possibility for social comparisons.
"There's an American saying that 'A happy man is a man who makes $100
more than his wife's sister's husband,' and that concept shows up a lot
in the data," says Wiking. We derive pleasure from being more successful
than our neighbours or friends – but become anxious when we're not. By
purging our social media feeds of sparkling shots of Michelin-starred
meals and island getaways, the pandemic has reduced angst, envy and fear
of missing out. That no one is having fun – except the Kardashians and
those pesky Aussies – makes us feel better.
These pandemic-era observations affirm much of the work Wiking has been
doing for the past eight years. The Happiness Research Institute's rise
has coincided with a broader global movement as governments and the
general public have started taking happiness seriously. In 2008, Bhutan
conducted its first Gross National Happiness survey; in 2016 the UAE
installed a Minister of State for Happiness; and in 2019, New Zealand
introduced a wellbeing budget to ensure policies consider citizens'
quality of life. Meanwhile, wildly popular happiness psychology courses
have sprouted at Yale, Berkeley and Bristol universities, and authors
and entrepreneurs have filled bookshops, app stores and airwaves with
tips to get us beaming. The movement has caused many an eyebrow to arch,
partly because it can be considered frivolous, says Wiking. "Why should
we care about how happy people are?"
Scepticism also stems from doubts about whether these developments have
the capacity to effect actual change in people. For starters, can anyone
attain happiness? Wiking pauses, choosing his words carefully. "Not
necessarily."
Several forces outside our control influence our ability to be happy,
including genetics (studies of identical twins show they have similar
mood levels); the natural rhythms of life (happiness tends to follow a
U-shape, peaking when we're young and old and nosediving in our 40s);
and where we live (the least-happy countries include war-torn Syria,
Burundi and the Central African Republic). "I don't think we can go to
people in refugee camps and say, 'Listen guys, happiness is a choice,'"
says Wiking. "We need to acknowledge external and genetic conditions and
not put the entire responsibility on the individual."
Indeed, if you look at global happiness rankings, the top 10 countries –
the Nordics, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland – are all
wealthy. Money matters. Yet countries with similar GDPs record different
levels of citizen life satisfaction, and some poorer nations, such as
Costa Rica, score highly. A nation's success at converting "wealth into
wellbeing" mostly comes down to its ability to eliminate sources of
unhappiness, says Wiking. Some who have struggled to do this include
Italy, where women are "significantly" less happy than men because of
gender inequality; Spain, where high youth unemployment affects morale;
and South Korea, where pressure on young people's academic performance
has been linked to high suicide rates. Conversely, Denmark's widespread
access to education and healthcare remove anxiety- inducing
competitiveness. "I like to say the Nordic countries are not the
happiest in the world – they're the least unhappy," comments Wiking.
Nationality aside, if an individual made a conscious effort to try to
become happier, is success possible? Or do genetics and other factors
mean we're forever glued to one point on the smile spectrum?
"I don't think you are stuck," says Wiking, and he's backed up by the
positive psychology discourse that has been ascendant since the late
1990s, which suggests change is possible. But it's not a quick fix – as
others attest.
"I do not believe books or lectures alone are sufficient to make
behavioural changes to any great effect," says Bruce Hood, a psychology
professor who runs the science of happiness course at Bristol
University. "Knowledge is not enough and, as Aristotle pointed out,
action is needed," he says, meaning you need to work hard to develop new
behavioral habits that might contribute to a peppier mindset – something
that apps and courses can perhaps encourage.
Even so, perspective is needed to see past the smoke and mirrors, and
aspirational marketing speak. We're forever hopeful we might become a
bit cheerier if we buy this product or attend that class, and plenty of
entrepreneurs are only too happy to indulge us. Like its self-help
cousin, the happiness sector "is populated with some charismatic
individuals who possibly over-sell the promise of everlasting
happiness," says Hood.
A lot of the information given, even from respected experts, is obvious.
"I wish there was a silver bullet, but that's not the case," says
Wiking. "I think you know a lot of the things I'm telling you: that your
relationships matter, having a short commute and a fulfilling job
matters, having enough money to get by matters, comparisons to others
matter." Yet even if people do already know, he says, we "need to be
reminded of things – such as the fact that more money does not always
translate to more happiness."
His advice, if you feel your happiness level is jammed on a five out of
10, is to ask yourself: what would lift you to a six? If you're lonely
it might mean joining a club (they're a big thing in Denmark) to see if
you can strike up new friendships. "The secret is that there's no
secret," says Wiking. The mere act of consciously turning our mind to
what could make us sunnier is a start.
Happy Moments by Meik Wiking is published by Penguin at £9.99. Buy it
for £9.29 at guardianbookshop.com


The second UK tour – Ashley Blaker: Meshuga Frum – is available for £12 (free P&P); £14.50 for international shipping; or £10 for download. Just click below to purchase.
The first UK tour – Ashley Blaker: Ungefiltered – is available for £12 (free P&P); £14.50 for international shipping; or £10 for download. Just click below to purchase.


text:
Beijing +20 - Women and Poverty
In 2014, the 80 richest people on the planet owned the same as half of the world's entire poor population. And the gap is growing ever wider. Poverty destroys people's opportunity to live in dignity. This makes rising income and wealth inequality one of the most serious global, economic, social and political problems.
The 1995 World Conference on Women in Beijing illustrated that poverty has taken on a significant gender-specific dimension. Women are particularly hard hit by poverty: they perform a greater portion of work, but receive a mere tenth of global income and own less that a hundredth of all property. Other social dimensions such as skin colour, religion and ethnic origin further intensify this discrimination.
Strategic objectives aimed at combating poverty were specified in Beijing: women living in poverty and their needs must be given greater attention and addressed through specific policies and strategies. Women need equal access to property, land and financial resources. Methods and research dealing with the feminization of poverty are required.
Over the last five years, the effects of the global economic crisis have been felt across the globe, especially in households living on the poverty line. Worldwide, single women households are the especially hard hit by poverty.
Many women in Germany are also denied their own secure livelihoods and economic independence. This is primarily due to the unequal work-life balance between women and men. Linked to this, gender-based segregation stubbornly persists on the labour market which results in great pay inequality and subsequently an even greater pension gap.
Video: Beijing+20 in South Africa
The Heinrich Böll Stiftung Southern Africa office spoke to five leading women's rights activists on their perceptions of the challenges that women in South Africa face today and whether the Beijing Declaration, and South Africa's commitment to it, remains relevant to addressing those challenges.
Young black women occupy spaces and change Brazilian reality
In Brazil, women of color face double discrimination because of their gender and skin color. Most often, they live in favelas - the slums of the poor at the cities' outskirts. Manoela Vianna reports about three women who fight for a change
By Manoela Vianna
Still a long road ahead
"Cambodia still has a long road ahead", believes Ms. Sok, who spoke at the roundtable on Beijing +20 at the Metahouse in Phnom Penh, hosted by Heinrich Boell Foundation. Since the promises of Beijing, a lot has been improved, but especially concerning education and economy, much remains to be done.
Beijing+20 in the Regions
Progress of the World's Women 2015/2016: detailed report by the UN Women on the economical barriers facing women, and strategies of improving the political participation of women on a global scale. more>>
Read the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action here
[PDF].
An overview the Platform's 12 critical areas of concern by the UN Women. more>>
Women in Armed Conflicts: in the context of the CSW 59, the GWI co-hosted an event at concering a pressing issue for the Platform - women in armed conflicts. more>>
GWI-Newsletter
Die GWI-News rund um Feminismus & Geschlechterdemokratie.
Beijing+20 - critical areas
Women and poverty
Education and training of women
Women and health
Women and the economy
Women in power and decision-making
Institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women
Human rights of women
Women and the media
Women and the environment
The girl child
Across Areas


Do you have a Nook? Bright Young Things with Bonus Material by Anna Godbersen is Free at Barnes & Noble today. Be sure to get it at the link below.
Lust, jealousy, glamour, ambition, heartbreak: In New York City, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Godbersen's rich, evocative writing brings flapper-era Gotham to life through the eyes of two small-town girls trying to make their way in the Big Apple. This fun romp follows the young women as they celebrate in speakeasies, strive for stardom, and side-step an occasional scandal. The plucky protagonists would be at home in today's New York social scene, but the 1920s-period detail makes for a unique and nostalgic adventure.


AL: You may or may not in your meditations have been able to achieve Loving Neutrality yet to the extent that I have described it, but having Loving Neutrality as an intent in your heart is your key. You know it. God knows it. Those guiding you know it. And you believe all is of one accord in your intent to attain it.
So, having attained your state of peacefulness and relaxation, not fighting thoughts but just allowing them to drift on by, begin to focus now directly in front of you. Just keep your focus directly ahead. This, interestingly, creates a field of energy that is you. Thoughts and things can't break through that because you are the power — your mind, your, spirit, your emotions — you have control over them, if you allow your Authority to assume that control (and assuming you have begun as outlined above with prayer, etc).
Very often, people are unaware of things that are happening or appearing in their meditation. Looking straight ahead, also interestingly enough, actually opens the field, broadens the awareness of experiences going on around and about. If you are perceiving darkness, then focus on the center point of the darkness in front of you. Sustain that focus until something changes, and it will change, I assure you… a spot of light, a symbol… Something will change.
After you have focused directly ahead for a time, even if you have received a symbol of some sort, expand your perception as though you are looking to the left, right, up, down, and perceive if there are any other indicators that could serve as the starting point for your journey. People I've guided often have said to me, "Im not getting anything." I would say, "Yes you are. Look around. Turn your consciousness to the left. Now turn to the right." Most often, people would, very excitedly, perceive something they hadn't before.
Be at peace with this first exercise. If it guides you to explore further in that session, by all means, go with it; if you feel it is time to "return", then follow that guidance. When you have reached the conclusion, express your gratitude for what has been given to you prior to opening your eyes. Remain in that state of gratitude for as long as you feel guided to. Sometimes it is even in this state that the answer to your prayerful intent comes to you. Either way, it is a beautiful time to just Be with your Creator and those who love you, unseen.
Once in awhile, I have found that I couldn't get past "obstacles" to the extent that I was not able to find the Neutrality. When this happens, I stop trying. I get up, get something to drink, wash my hands and face, walk around little, step outside for a bit… things such as this. But as I do these, I'm continuing to look for a feeling of Neutrality. Remember, that is a key to journeying into Consciousness. Sometimes, though rare yet, I'm still not able to reach the feeling of complete Neutrality, so I set the reading/meditation aside for another time or even to the next day, knowing that the energies involved will have an opportunity to balance during that space.
Knowing ahead of the meditation, expecting, that you will get something is a powerful energy that helps make that happen and most often will guarantee what you would deem a success, an answer to your intent, something you do feel truly grateful for having experienced. It's possible that it will be in a form that is not immediately understandable, like symbols in a dream.
Keep notes about your meditations: what your intent was, what your prayer was, review what appeared/did not appear. These notes can be very helpful in evidencing something to you that, upon review, you might otherwise have missed, and you can make a breakthrough based on that one point. So it's good to keep a journal and look at these experiences from time to time. You will see that you are making progress when it sometimes may seem that you aren't.
Your questions are very welcome. Click here.


We have been so busy we got past the end of the month and forgot to update the web site - this has never happened before. Perhaps it isn't us being busy but the first signs of dementia.
We celebrated 42 years of married life so Jane arranged a couple of nights in London with bookings for several exhibitions and an evening show, see below for details. We've also been preparing the house in readiness to go on sale and searching for an Estate Agent who we trust and have confidence in. We know it's not usual to see the words Estate Agent and trust in the same sentence but we think we have found one, we hope so.
We spent a couple of days in London at the beginning of the month for our 42nd anniversary and Jane had arranged several events to keep us busy. After travelling down on a packed train, (it was half term), we dropped our bags at the Norfolk Towers Hotel and decided to walk down to the river through Hyde Park and stopped for lunch at Victoria Station. We then caught the Tube to see the Lichtenstein exhibition at Tate Modern. It was excellent – bright, intriguing and colourful.
After the exhibition we just had time to make our way to Jane's brother in Islington. We had a relaxed chat and then walked to Ask in Islington for dinner, where we managed to finish off a couple of bottles of house red. It started to pour with rain and we made our way back to our hotel in Paddington wet but happy. It was a very good day and one to remember.
We asked ourselves why we'd reached our mature years without ever taking a Thames river trip. Ok, the weather wasn't good and the top of the Shard was in cloud but we enjoyed every minute of the trip down to Greenwich. It seemed appropriate to visit the National Maritime museum by boat which was awash with school children however we found a safe haven in the Ansel Adams photography exhibition. His black and white photographs are so absorbing all the more so when many of the effects were achieved in the dark room. He was a great believer in photo manipulation after the event to achieve the result he had originally envisioned.
Of course in the digital age this is so much easier even if you don't use a full blown version of Photoshop there many pieces of software to manipulate an image at the click of a button. For Ansel Adams he would dodge and mask his photos in the darkroom where the chemicals he used would vary in strength and effectiveness. Jane was disappointed because there weren't many of his very large prints but the ones there were displayed the Californian coastline in all its glory.
On day two we visited the light show exhibition at the Hayward Gallery on the South Bank. This was an assault on the visual sense and really fascinating with various installations throwing the eye into not believing what they were seeing or colour changes that deceive and change as other colours are thrown into the mix.
The item in the photo is a light within a cube of mesh that throws ever moving shadows over the walls of the room. It felt as if the whole room was moving and perspectives of size kept changing. You have to see it to appreciate the concept as words don't do it justice.
Jane arranged for us to see the Curious Incident of the dog in the night-time at the Apollo theatre in central London. We had both read and enjoyed the book so we were intrigued to see how this could be produced as a stage play. How could the story of a boy with Asperger's syndrome be translated to the stage? Were we in for a surprise? It was excellent – the acting was very strong with a good supporting cast however the real wow factor came from the staging.
The simple set of graph paper on the floor and walls that lit up in various ways was just unbelievable and it linked so well to the light show we'd seen at the Hayward gallery in the morning. This evening was one of those memorable moments in our lives.
That maybe true for affairs of the heart but it doesn't apply to our lawn. Steve gave the lawn its first cut but because it was the first cut and the grass was a bit long and wet he did it on a higher cut than usual. If the weather keeps improving then he will be out there again within a week to get it down a bit more. Our lawn has always been prone to moss and the wet winters of the last two years have just made matters worse. It doesn't look too bad from a distance.
Once the house goes on sale it may require cutting twice a week.
We went to see Oblivion despite it receiving some damning criticisms from the Sunday Times film critic. Thankfully we ignored them because what do critics know. We love sci-fi so even a poor story line will have us hooked as long as the gadgets are smart and Oblivion had plenty of expensive technology even if the connection between earth and the Control Centre went off at night – we cannot figure out why that would be but let's not dig too deep into the practicalities because this is a film and not reality.
So earth has been invaded but humanity has survived sufficiently to realise that the planet is no longer sustainable so techies remain on the planet to harvest its resources before migrating to another habitable planet. Or at least that's how it starts. Without wishing to give too much away there is a twist that comes out of nowhere and is very good. There are doubts and the doubts are what make this film very entertaining. Plenty of edge of the seat stuff and similarities to Moon with questions about one's own existence for good measure.
We enjoyed it very much and after the initial enjoyment we spent some time discussing the flaws in the story line but as mentioned before "let's not dig too deep into the practicalities because this is a film and not reality". We gave it 4 stars (out of 5).
Towards the end of the month we met with the Tree Officer to discuss some of the trees that had been identified as in poor health and therefore unsafe as well as a number of self set Holly trees that were growing in the way of the drive.
We've taken the plunge and put the house on the market. We took time preparing so that it was freshly painted and clean but we were not prepared for when the estate agent came in with his assistant, a photographer and the Energy Performance man.
The rooms were "dressed" for the photos so we had to put loads of stuff out of sight to give an uncluttered but lived in look – not an easy concept to achieve in our house. So it has been advertised! Click here for a preview… We now wait for the nail biting experience of the first viewings and of course we have to keep the place neat and tidy.


Even if the whole website is deleted from the server it can easily be restored as long as the relevant files have been backed up to a local hard drive. Admin / Backup can be used or they can be downloaded via FTP (or cPanel File Manager).
All the files in the /pages/ folder.
All the files in the /comments/ folder.
All the correspondingly-named .php files in the root folder.
All the files in the /img/ folder.
It is advisable not to open any backup .txt files before they are uploaded again. Text files created on the website may be Unix files and on your own computer may be Windows files. Line endings for instance may be treated differently from one platform to another. If the backup text files are never opened except on the website, there should be no issues of incompatibility — although I have only encountered this when using a Unix-based backup file on a different Windows server (new empty lines were created above every original new line).
If a backup .txt file is opened on your own computer (in a text editor such as Window Notepad) and you intend to paste the text into a new page on la.plume micro CMS it is better to save it locally as a new file. The text can then be safely copied and pasted without any incompatibility issues.
(1) Create a brand new installation of la.plume micro CMS.
(2) Upload all the backup files to their respective folders.
(3) In Admin / Setup, Submit setup.
Admin / Backup backs up everything required. It can also back up all the images. If for some reason only the .txt files are backed up, the original pages can be restored by pasting the text into new pages and giving the page title the same name as the text file.


With its organic, pebble-like pendant of recycled brass suspended from a long brass chain, this necklace offers simplicity that transcends styles and seasons. Ethically sourced materials, elegant design, and sustainable craftsmanship come together to create this simple yet sophisticated piece. Soko redefines ethical fashion by matching marginalized Kenyan craftspeople with real-time demands to bring their stunning statements to market. Designed in San Francisco and handmade in Kenya.


I was attended to right away, treated with respect and got a thorough check of my car, filters, wipers, lights. etc.
Just want an oil change do not want to go through the history of my vehicle or if I need something else like wiper blades or filters.
I feel that I could get a better deal somewhere else. Feel the prices are quite high.
Staff was efficient, knowledgeable and friendly. No waiting room but an outside seating area was just fine. When I mentioned small light bulbs I needed was surprised that they were able to put new ones in - trunk and license plate lights. They did not have the engine air filter that they would have put in.
They were quick, worked as a team, friendly and no pressure to buy additional services.
Great communication. Both to me and to each other. Professional and pleasant.
It was all around a great experience. Quick & easy!
It was very easy and thorough. They checked a bunch of things for me and let me know what was/wasn't working right. They didn't try to sell me anything additional which I appreciated because I didn't need it.
The costumer service was great!
I have been taking my car to Toyota for the last 7 years for all scheduled services. I liked the convenience of being able to drive thru and have the service and oil change done ! Was a new and efficient great experience.
I DON'T DRIVE FAR, AND NEEDED NOTHING, THERE WAS NO PRESSURE FROM ANYONE TO BUY ANYTHING... I WAS VERY PLEASED.
The staff knew what they were doing. They were professional yet friendly. It was quick and painless. I was able to stay in the car the whole time.
My husband always questions if indeed it was a part coming from our cars that is shown as requiring replacement. I was very pleased with the process the team followed where I was able to see and make absolute certain that it was our part. I could answer my husbands questions without hesitation.
Employees went out of their way to explain what they were doing and why.
The staff at the Novato station are absolutely awesome!
I appreciate the professionalism the timeliness of the work and the price is fair.
I just wanted to stick with the original quote that was given over the phone.
Very courteous staff who clearly work as a team supporting an efficient workflow.
Efficient service, friendly staff and safety awareness.
Tyler R. Was very polite and helpful!
I am pleased at how thorough they were , and the work that was done included replacing a belt and was happy with that as well.
I had to wait a few minutes before I could pull into the bay. At that point I still had to wait for someone to begin service.
As always, this Valvoline Instant Oil Change station performed brilliantly as expected. I am a customer for as long as I live here, then a customer if I move somewhere else.
This visit met my expectations.
Technicians were very friendly and professional. Service was quick. I used coupons I'd been emailed by Valvoline so got a great deal.
The person handling my vehicle was professional during the service.I was impressed by the timely service.
The technicians were very knowledgeable and willing to answer my questions.
It seemed the team was helping each other check to make sure everything was tested and done correctly.
Very friendly staff. Seemed trustworthy and kind.
Pricing is good for the convenience. First time there since it changed over. The guy was really friendly. He told me I needed an air filter change soon but didn't pressure me into the change - makes me more likely to come to you guys when I'm ready for the service.
Well, I was coming to the one before it changed to Valvoline and it keeps my car in good running condition.
The two young men were friendly and efficient. I did not see the gentleman under the car, but he changed my oil very quickly. I am very satisfied with the service I received.
The service was quick, I liked that I could stay in my car while they did the oil change, the staff was friendly and professional.
Both people were pleasant, prompt, and professional. I was surprised at how quick the entire change went and i liked sitting in my car through the service. Overall great experience.
Very professional treatment by staff. Good attitude of all workers.
They work as a team. They showed me the dip stick after the oil change. Also checked trans fluid on request.
The first value is I'm happy with the professional service and very welcome.
Too long of a Survey.
I paid more than $120 for an oil change. This is double the amount I normally pay. It's excessive.
The staff was most courteous and explained everything they were doing. My only comment is that before they fill my windshield washer canister, they ask if I use 0 degree washer fluid. They watered down the fluid, and I go to Tahoe often in the winter. Small detail, but just a comment for future services.
The oil change was done very quickly.
All service performed on my vehicle was satisfactory.
The gentleman I worked with was friendly, explained everything to me very well, was very respectful. It took so little time and was overall a pleasant experience.
Everyone is always very nice here.
The service was quick, professional, and the techs were clearly checking off items with call outs to each other which provided a sense of thoroughness and professionalism.
Staff was really friendly, very professional and got my service done quickly.
There was no wait and the service was completed quickly.
Staff was great. Not too happy about sittin in car while service was done!
Mainly because the Manager, Bryn was exceptionally efficient, fast & friendly!! Employees like her are hard to find!! I hope she is paid well!
Fully checked my vehicle and made recommendations. I have used this place several times before and been satisfied but this time was different. Excellent service!
The tech, a young lady was very customer service savy. She was a pleasure to do business with. Any monkey can change oil, it's the service and the feeling of someone who is interested in doing the best they can for your car that makes the difference.
Over all customer service awesome as was the female manager.
The manager Bryn was exceptional in her explanation of services and professionalism. She seemed to have a high level of supervision of her staff.It was a busy time so I did wait 40 minutes for the service to be complete. The survey asked if I waited in the "waiting area". This station does not have one. When it was Penzoil, it did. Would welcome a waiting area.
The luxury of pulling right up and into the service bay. The full point inspection that I am included in. If there are additional recommendations made they provide a visual on why the "filter" needs changing. They provided a receipt showing the strength of my battery and explained the life expectancy of an original battery. In my case the reading was below "replace battery." The very next day....I'm at the bank....the car won't start. Dead battery!! Umm....yeah....next time I'll listen more closely.
All great. Staff bows what they do and very pleasant.
Friendly knowledgeable staff. Highly efficient and fast service.
Everything was smooth and fast. The techs were very polite and awesome!
It went quickly, Alex was courteous, helpful, and knowledgable.
The technician was very friendly and explained every step of the oil change procedure. He kept me infomred of how long approximately things would take and how much approximately my Toyota Tundra would take in oil, which the other places won't tell you, because they want to jack up the price on you at the end of the service.
Outstanding customer service, great familiarity w my vehicle. Very quick.
When I pulled up they were working fast and very good communication due to the recent fires only one employee he was wearing a mask but not an n95when it became my turn to pull into the garage I handed a dust mask n95. Also I can hear the people who work on the oil change underneath that they needed a break I took that as they were working overtime. I feel they're getting pushed too hard and a result of that they overlooked installing air filter , before they were going to close my hood they notice they didn't install enclose my air filter. They put it back together before I left. I feel they need to slow down so mistakes are not taken.but it looks like everybody has each other's back.
They checked everything. They showed me that filters were clean and did not need changing.
Comprehensive and attention to detail and kept informed of the progress and necessity of each service.
I don't know much about cars, and the one I have is a hand-me-down that's definitely been around the block. My servicer talked me through what was a possible issue with my car and why it would be necessary to work on it. I appreciated him not taking advantage of my stupidity, and I appreciated him going slow for me. Great customer service, great work ethic. Overall a great experience!
Quick, very friendly and no upsell pressure.
service tech was polite, well spoken, and fast.
Even though construction was in process we received prompt service.
All the employees were very professional, courteous and did an excellent job!
Every one there was very professional and treated me with respect. They guided me through the whole process in a simple way. Thank you!
I know my vehicle very well. I felt no pressure to purchase any unnecessary items, service was prompt and polite. I always check my vehicle after leaving for leaks or irregularities. All was fine. Good job Novato Team!!
The staff were amazing! That's what blew me away. They were clearly following the safety protocols and calling out what they were doing to each other. Worked really well as a team, excellent communication. Moved with purpose. I thought at the time that the managers should know how good these staff are and almost asked for a way to let them know. So glad the survey came. Don't always fill these out but these staff members deserve to be recognized. As a manager of 45 staff members myself, these are the kind of employees I would want working for me.
The service was excellent. Staff was knowledgeable and fast. No pressure for add ons which I appreciated.
I felt that everyone who helped me was knowledgeable and friendly. I trusted the people and service.
They are very friendly and I would recommend them to everyone. It was also great to see some female in there.
Both attendants were very professional. When I denied additional services, they were both respectful and efficient. Very good service.
I was very well answered about my questions!All done,no complains!
I have used Oil Can Henry's in San Francisco several times and have always received great service.The young team in Novato were super friendly, efficient and even pointed out a nail in one of my tires.I will definitely return for another service, as I didn't feel pressured into getting other services even though I was shown I needed two filters, I was advised to get the most important one and return when my finances allow me.Krupp the good work!
The staff was great and they enjoyed doing their work!
Staff were very knowledgable and were just pleasant to deal with. They were very personable and friendly and sincerely showed they cared about their customers and the quality of job that they did!
Appreciate the personnel and the ability to ask questions not specifically about the oil change but about the car in general. Conscientious response to the above.
Everyone had a lot of knowledge. The customer service was great and it was done quickly.
All of the service reps were nice enough however, there was an air of being a little "green" meaning leaning more on an excitable, immature side instead of a confident professional side. I'm sure it will come in time- the Valvoline station I visited was a recent take over of an old Pennzoil station. They have a new base to work with and explain the Valvoline way (including staying in the car- which I like, and the higher prices. As well as yelling the check lists off to each other- which apparently is meant to show the customer good communication and accuracy but also can come off as a little manic- hence the "green" energy). I do think that in time, when the team gets more gelled they will have it down- the greeter seemed like a good leader and manager. Luckily, my car doesn't need oil change too often- maybe by the time I need another one they will have it all down and smooth- confident professionalism.
Service representative knowledgeable enthusiastic and pleasure to work with.
Great and knowledgable service !
Everyone who was working was very nice and they worked as a team which i really enjoy seeing. Like how I can stay in my car and just relax while seeing what is going on and the choices I can get.
Frankly, I did not know what to expect as I had never been to a Valvoline Oil Change store before. I was most impressed with the competence and friendliness of the staff. Will definitely come back again. Such a great experience. Getting an oil change can actually be fun!
Staff were friendly and knowledgeable; service was rendered quickly and efficiently.
No pressure. Filled at fluids.very friendly. But told me to stay in car. I usually go to safeway. They need a TV in waiting room.
It has become very expensive to do the most basic service, and people were pleasant but for $ 53, not one of the 3 people even offered to clean my windows, side mirrors, let alone check the fluid for windshield washing, used to be some oil changers vacuumed the front of the car; none of that happened.
I was amazed by the service provided and positive vibe of the workers, who operated as a very well harmonized, happy team. Everyone was cheerful and enjoying their work, which is such a refreshing vibe compared to many businesses these days with dour service staff. I loved being there!
They have a very efficient and courteous staff, I feel confident that my car is taken care of properly when I go there.
I just love your staff; they are fun and friendly and refreshingly diverse. Keep up the great work with hiring!
Staff were incredibly knowledgeable and super friendly. I appreciate the quick turn around, not needing an appointment, and being able to remain in my car during the process.
Didn't have to wait, was able to pull up. The person who helped me was very nice, attentive. Explained everything. The service was great and different from the rest.
Again received great, friendly, professional customer service.
The service technician (who was also the manager, I believe) was the friendliest and most competent person I've ever dealt with when getting work someone on my car. She was efficient and explained everything and was overall just great. The other workers were also very friendly.
Drive thru was great. Friendly professional staff.
Quick and very attentive customer service.
Just a convenient, friendly service! I was able to have my oil changed, tires rotated and windshield wipers replaced in less than 20 minutes. Saved me time and I feel safe my car is ready for the long commute I have. I was a regular customer at Pennzoil because of the convenient location, but really thrilled with the service at Valvoline.
I never had to leave my truck, the team seemed knowledgeable and honest.
Russo was great. I forgot his first name.
Your crew was really great all the way around. Courteous, fast and seem very competent .
Quick and professional service. Also all the employees were friendly not only to mess the customer but to each other as well. I also like how the have safety procedures in place lol calling out what and where they are doing something and having a different person check all work. I went to Jiffy Lune years ago and my trans fluid was drained and not replaced causing my trans to freeze and break 120 miles later on my way to Tahoe. I never went back there except to get paid for my replacement trans.
Attendant was very good at explaining everything. Everyone was very friendly and great to see girls working there!
Service was quick, and liked how I could stay in my vehicle to observe. Techs were professional and did not try to upsell services but did show services and prices. I will use them again.
I feel that the pricing is too high. Wallmart only charges $20 for an oil change. Not sure why Valvoline charges $33 more?
The service was quick, and I was not pressured to get anything more than what I came for.
Staff where is Jamie and I want to bowl and fast, very efficient team. It was almost like a symphony of cooperation, reminded me of in n out burger in a way.
Excellent service, friendly staff. Very thorough explanation of services. I appreciate that all services performed were double checked by another technician. Really impressed that the day I had the service done there were two female technicians who were very friendly and very thorough.
The employees were really friendly and experienced. Very fast service . Good recommendations for my car.they are ordering a belt for me. I sent my aunt there and she was so happy to stay in the car because she is 90.
This was my first time ever getting an oil change, and car issues freak me out. The guys who helped me were sweet and didn't bat an eye to any questions I had. Amazing service!
The staff were extremely professional and I was very impressed at their efficient teamwork. Great experience.
The manager, a young woman, very impressive.
Then work was done well and quickly. I just felt I was being sort of forced to agree to come back.
The professionalism and productive service. The staff was high energy and they were quality people. They represented Valvoline extramely well.
The staff and manager of the Diablo Ave., location, location manager,Bryn, and her staff member, Beatrice, were extremely knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. I would return to this location just because of the service and staff customer care I received!
Way over priced!!! It's $10 to $15 more than the Pennzoil that was in the same building 4 months ago!!!
Seems the system is new there and the crew didn't seem like they worked as smoothly as if they were working in that system longer. Also my car is 2019 so some of the data for the oil change wasn't available. Not their fault but it did add time the service. Otherwise everyone seemed helpful and knowledgeable.
Great service. Fair price. Fast.
The cost was more than I expected, the service rep polite but not knowledgeable beyond an oil change.
The personnel or, employees worked as a team and really knew to check the parts of the engine that had to be checked based upon the service I needed and had pointed out other tasks that I should get done sometime soon.
I am a curious person by nature and was fascinated to see the process of the oil change. The staff were awesome and friendly! So much more friendly and efficient than Pennzoil was.
You are very expensive. Besides for the price you charged me you did not even vacuum the car or clean the windows. Basically I feel that I got ripped off and do not think I will come back to you again or recommend you to anyone unless you change.
They listened to my trivial requests not to touch the running lights or attempt to turn them off, to re-set the "check oil soon" light, put air in tires and to re-set that warning message, as well. Although, it was later explained to me that it may take 10 miles of driving, before the "check tire pressure" goes off on its own. They are the experts and I am not, so I appreciated them listening to my concerns.
In and out pretty quickly. No pressure for extras.
I don't like to be in the car while they doing there job! Plus they telling me do this do that!
Bryn, (Britany) who is the 24 year old manager, was very professional, highly knowledgeable and incredibly personable. She readily shared her experience and advice relating to my questions about purchasing a new car/truck. One of her employees, Natasha, was also highly personable and professional as she quickly serviced my car.
The attendants were very knowledgeable efficient and had great personalities.
CSR Brittany and Topside Natasha were very professional, friendly and efficient. They both explained what they were doing each step of the service and asked for and answered any questions I had. From beginning to end they were smiling and made me feel like I was the only one there even though the place was obviously busy. It was a VERY pleasant experience and I will be getting my services there from now on. Oh, I had been getting my oil changed at that location when it was Pennzoil. This is much, MUCH better.
Wonderful customer service, everything was very clear and the procedures done felt very streamlined as well as the team having awesome cooperation and really knew their stuff.
attendant said I had to wait in the vehicle while the work was done.it was very hot outside!
Much more expensive than the prior facility (Penzoil). My oil change was almost 80 bucks with an air filter!!! It was never that expensive. Every step of the way they commented on extra services needed and upgrade options for the oil. Plus I had to drive through myself. I felt taken advantage of.
Marianne A. of Novato, CA.
I had the best experience at the Valvoline Oil Changers in Novato, CA. than I have ever had at any I'll changes before. A very polite and knowledgeable technician named Jopheth, who I later understand was just filling in from Southern California, stayed by my side the entire time, explaining everything that was going on. An entire crew serviced my car in synchronized movements, shouting out jobs when completed. I was offered water. I was asked if I was comfortable. I had the manager of the shop overseeing my service and checking under the hood. I was treated as a highly valued customer and I will definitely be back. And I will recommend this Valvoline Oil Changers to everyone I know.
Even though I had to wait 20 minutes to be serviced, once they started on my car, it was quick! And best of all, I did not have to get out of the car. Everyone was nice and I was not pressured to over-buy.
OMG it was awesome. Elyssa and Bryn were wonderful and kind. Natasha was very warm and made me feel safe and I loved that there were so many women on hand. Bryn explained everything clearly and concisely.
Very knowledgeable about my vehicle. BRYN was very nice and helped me look up my windshield blades. Everyone was very nice and helpful.
Representative was helpful and conveyed a very positive impression of your company.
courteous staff. Prompt service. Price is consistent with what I'd paid Oil Stop.
My main concern was the constant upselling. I appreciated how friendly everyone there was.
It just seemed a bit pricey, but the staff was great.
Valvoline wants their technicians to upsell services. The technician was wonderful, and completely understood when I declined.
I appreciated the approach from the customer service angle. The rep at my carside was friendly and explained the process well.
The technicians were efficient and knowledgeable.
The price was out of sight. There's another quick change oil place two miles away and I could have saved $25-$30 with the same services performed.
They were very fast! Made it very easy by just letting us stay in the vehicle while I have my 2 year asleep in the car it was great!
I really liked the service. I didn't feel prrsssured to upgrade my service. I really liked the people there, they seemed like they really knew what they were doing.
I would have preferred the attendant to pull my car into the garage. And, I was not bewildered why they did not ask me prior to driving in what I was there for. It was awkward.
Customer service was very friendly and very knowledgeable.
I understand that you want to be paperless, but is there a way to get a better idea of prices upfront? Perhaps a chalkboard?
The service was friendly, fast, and efficient. I was surprised by the new drive through technique; it was very convenient and I like that everything is now paperless. I also liked seeing the diversity in the staff members. Great work!
Since I got there the employee made me feel welcomed. Told me about the new ownership.We talked about cars, he didn't just left me there waiting in the car. It was awesome.
The team that worked on the vehicle was great. Excellent communication.
All of the employees were friendly and knowledgable. I felt confident in letting them service my car.
Highly satisfied would mean they would have had to go above and beyond. I feel the service was adequate and the workers were friendly. I liked that there were women working there, which is something you rarely see. Also, I would have rather left my car and run my errand as I had intended to do when I got there. It wasn't a huge deal, but I like to make the most of my time.
Staff was super professional and efficient. Worked well as a team.
I feel the price of a regular oil change is too high for a drive through even with the coupon.
The tech was welcoming and explained everything clearly. No pressure sale and systems were all checked.
It was an extremely hot day and you could tell the employees were working hard and they even gave us water bottles. They also gave us a military discount which was greatly appreciated.
Very professional team. Thank you Samantha!
Friendly, efficient service with knowledgeable staff.
The person helping me out directly was exceptionally courteous. Reminded me of top tier hospitality. The price point is a bit too high, especially as a return customer. $30 for tire rotation is too much.
My customer service rep was fabulous. She explained everything and answered any questions I had in a very professional manner.
Novato location has an excellent team. The woman in charge kept everything running quickly and smoothly. Everyone worked together so well. I was very impressed.
The woman explained what they were going to do and what the services were. She gave me options and informed me, based on past records, what was recommended and what the prices were. The time and cost were fine.
I was kept informed of the services that were being provided. I felt like I had a say in the care of my car - which oil to use, did I want the filters changed, etc. The workers did not seem bored or tired nor did they treat me like I was intruding. I was made to feel welcome and appreciated the step by step instructions.
Only open 2 weeks, so still not fully organized. Very courtreous and apoligized for mess during move. No longer have coffee, magazines, etc in waiting area. More luke a storage area now. Im sure that will change w time.
Staff were highly knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and experienced. I like the drive through aspect. They explained everything they were doing with my car as they were doing it.
To cookie cutter, to many people working on car, don't like the feel of being rushed!
Good prices, good service; I had a headlight that needed to be replaced and I thought I had the correct one. The mechanic realized it wasn't the right one. He said to get the right one (Valvoline didn't have any in stock as they are just setting up) and he would put it in for me. I did get the correct bulb the next day and he put it in for me for free. This kindness will definitely make me return to Valvoline. Thank you!
I was satisfied with the experience just fine. I did not rate as Highly Satisified only because the experience was similar to other oil changers.
It helped tremendously since I am handicapped, not having get out of my car. The young lady that helped was awesome, knew her stuff, friendly, professional and great sense of humor!
It was my first time there so I can't rate something I've never been to as "Highly Satisfied" when I have nothing to compare it to.


Scooby-Doo!. Winter wonderdog [videorecording] / a Hanna-Barbera Production ; producers, Art Scott ... [et al.] ; story, Charles M. Howell, Tom Ruegger, Doug Booth, Diane Duane ; directors, Oscar Dufau, Charles A. Nichols ... [et al.] ; produced and directed by Joseph Barbera and William Hanna.
Scott, Art. (Added Author). Howell, Charles M. (Added Author). Ruegger, Tom. (Added Author). Booth, Doug. (Added Author). Duane, Diane. (Added Author). Dufau, Oscar. (Added Author). Nichols, Charles, 1910-1992 (Added Author). Barbera, Joseph. (Added Author). Hanna, William, 1910-2001 (Added Author). Auberjonois, René, 1940- (Added Author). Buzzi, Ruth. (Added Author). Kasem, Casey. (Added Author). Messick, Don. (Added Author). Waldo, Janet. (Added Author). Holt, Bob, 1928-1985 (Added Author). Jaffe, Nicole. (Added Author). Vander Pyl, Jean, 1919-1999 (Added Author). Marples, Bob. (Added Author). Chiasson, Roger, 1943- (Added Author). Iverson, Gil. (Added Author). Curtin, Hoyt S. (Added Author). Hanna-Barbera Productions. (Added Author). Warner Home Video (Firm) (Added Author).
Originally produced as a television series.
Cool special features: Scooby-Doo's winter vacation game; Christmas with the monsters music video; Scrappy-Doo music video; Get the picture: how to draw Scooby-Doo ; Get the picture: how to draw the Mystery, Inc. Gang; trailers of other Scooby-Doo and family favorite videos; interactive mentues; scene access; enhanced features for your DVD-ROM PC; Web events; Web site/chat room access.
The nutcracker Scoob -- Alaskan king coward -- A scary night with a snow beast fright -- That's snow ghost.
Cinematographers, Bob Marples ... [et al.] ; animators, Roger Chiasson ... [et al.] ; editors, Gil Iverson ... [et al.] ; musical director, Hoyt Curtin ... [et al.] ; character designers, Alice Hamm ... [et al.].
Voices: Rene Auberjonois, Ruth Buzzi, Casey Kasem, Don Messick, Janet Waldo, Bob Holt, Nicole Jaffe, Jean Vander Pyl.
Scooby-Doo and the gang face off against festive frights, frosty nights, and the ghost of Christmas, who wants to wish everyone a scary Christmas! And the gang unwrap a series of mysteries in order to stop a group of chilling crooks from stealing the spirits of the season.
Languages and subtitles: English, Français & Espan̋ol ; Closed captioned for the hearing impaired.
Subject: Scooby-Doo (Fictitious character) > Fiction > Juvenile films.
Winter > Fiction > Juvenile films.


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Serving the communities of Palisades and Sparkill, NY
Readers who are transitioning from the elementary grades to middle school often feel it is difficult to find books that challenge them and yet are fun to read. "Furthermore" by Tahereh Mafi, which is suggested for readers 9-13, might be such a novel. Mafi, the author of the "Shatter Me" series, has created a magical land called Ferenwood. Alice Alexis Queensmeadow, age 12, lost her father three years earlier. There are only three things that matter to her: Mother, who wouldn't miss her, magic and color, which elude her, and her father, who always loved her.
With the help of Oliver, a mysterious companion, they embark on a quest to find Alice's father. Their journey takes then to Furthermore, a mythical land where down can be up, paper is alive, and left can be right.
This is a story of friendship, loss, and recovery in a mystical setting–all the elements that will appeal to middle grade readers.
Posted in Adult Readers Advisory | Leave a Comment »
"Pax" could be described as a coming-of-age story. In this case, both the titled character Pax, a red fox, and his friend-owner, Peter, will be called upon to use their intelligence, courage, and perseverance to survive and mature.
Awarding-winning author Sara Pennypacker has written a moving and, often intense, novel that beautifully describes the bond between human and pet. She focuses on the journey that Peter and Pax take to be rejoined after a heartbreaking separation.
Peter is a thirteen-year-old boy who lives alone with his father. He found Pax in the woods and raised the orphaned kit. When the father volunteers to join the army and fight in the war, Peter must move in with his grandfather and there is no place for Pax in his new home. In the emotional opening pages of the story, Peter must abandon Pax in a forest.
Alternating between two points of view, Pennypacker unfolds the story of how boy and fox search for each other. Peter faces a number of obstacles that force him to reevaluate who he is. Pax, who has never lived in the wild, must learn how to hunt and defend himself. Pennypacker gives voice to both the boy and the fox.
The issue of war is another theme in the story. As we follow Peter on his journey to find Pax, the reader learns what war has done to people and animals in the area. Only a brief mention is given as to the cause of the war–the fight over water rights.
Young readers who enjoy realistic animal stories will appreciate this novel. There are, however, some very strong, vivid images that describe how Pax learns to survive in the forest and the devastation brought on by the war. This book is suggested for readers ages 10-14.
New Video Games
We have just ordered two new video games to add to our collection! Madden NFL 17 and the highly anticipated No Man's Sky will be arriving next week! Make sure you come in and check out these two new games and fill out the Video Game Survey at the Circulation Desk so that we can improve our video game collection!
"In No Man's Sky you explore an infinite universe where you will discover unique never-before-seen planets and lifeforms. A mystery lies at the center of the galaxy, an irresistible pulse that draws you on an epic voyage to discover the true nature of the cosmos. Your journey will be charged with danger, encountering hostile creatures and fierce pirates; in order to survive, you will need to prepare, upgrading your ship, suit and weapons. Whether you choose to fight, trade or explore, every decision you make has consequences, shaping your journey as you travel ever deeper into No Man's Sky."
Back to School Children's Books
The NY Times Book Review this weekend has as entire listing of recommended books for kids. Several popular authors have new picture book offerings: A Child of Books is by Oliver Jeffers, the famed author of The Day the Crayons Quit, I Am a Story by Dan Yaccarino, and How This Book was made by Mac Barnett. A middle grade novel is out from Richard Peck, titled The Best Man, and Raina Telgemeier has produced a new graphic novel, Ghosts. They are a sure bet to welcome kids into the school season, so be sure to check them out.
Scary books? No way.
A study from the United Kingdom says that about one third of parents avoid reading scary books to their children. Referring to Cruella de Vil, the Oz wicked witch, and the Big Bad Wolf, parents are afraid of exposing kids to these characters. Psychologists say it "forges resilience" however. With The BFG and other evil-doers prevalent in most children's novels, it is difficult for parents to know if they are stepping over a line which would cause nightmares. Fear not! The psychologists say it helps children learn the difference between good and evil and helps children learn to conquer fears.
Adult Readers Advisory
Children's Readers Advisory
DVD Advisory
Teen Readers Advisory
RCLS Videos on Youtube
Rockland Government Ready Reference Guide
Symphony Lib Guides
19 Closter Road
Palisades, NY 10964
Monday - Thursday 11 am - 9 pm
Friday and Saturday 11 am - 5 pm
Closed Sundays in the Summer


Your Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Toyota or Honda is your lifeline. Your vehicle keeps you mobile and allows you to drive to work, do your shopping and visit your friends. So, if there is a problem with your vehicle's auto electrical wiring, it can be challenging to find a reliable and trustworthy garage that does not overcharge you for auto electric repair.
Thankfully, you can always turn to Evergreen Automotive for auto electrical repair in the Gig Harbor, WA area for all problems related to your car's auto electrical wiring.
We specialize in undertaking high quality auto electric repair and are renowned for our exceptionally high quality work and affordable pricing in the Gig Harbor area. When you visit our service center, your Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Toyota or Acura will be treated with utmost care and our mechanics will undertake auto electrical repair to your satisfaction. We have been in this business for 37 years and know everything there is to know about handling and repairing auto electrical wiring issues.
Auto electrical wiring problems can develop in any vehicle, be it Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Toyota, Honda or Acura. The service center you go to should have the knowledge and expertise to resolve the issue and not cause any more problems for you. That is the reason our mechanics are trusted when it comes to auto electric repair in and near Gig Harbor.
Our mechanics can ensure accurate diagnosis and auto electric repair. After all, this kind of repair requires knowledge and experience which our highly trained mechanics have in plenty. So bring your Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Toyota, Honda or Acura without worries to our service center for auto electrical repair.
We are the best service center for undertaking auto electrical repair. Our mechanics get trained periodically, so are breast with the latest electrical wiring systems in Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Toyota, Honda, Acura and other makes as well.
We have the last diagnostic tools to precisely diagnose the issue and ensure that the root of the problem is diagnosed and repaired. We are renowned in the Gig Harbor and surrounding areas for our professional and yet friendly service. You will never find us overcharging our customers for auto electrical repair.
So if you are looking exceptionally high auto electric repair, come to Evergreen Automotive. You will find our friendly service refreshing and our prices extremely affordable. Call us on 253-954-1809 today and enjoy our professional and high quality service.


A space to observe, to walk, to enjoy… where you can dream, that was what the Allariz Council entrusted the municipal technical services; designing a unique project, the first in Spain, an innovative and hoping one.
This singular initiative in Galicia and Spain tries to offer all the neighbours the possibility to enjoy a new recovered public space in the right bank of the Arnoia river. The creation of this public space is a big step for the achievement of the Thematic Corridor of the Arnoia river, which converts the river into an element of identity, leisure, nature enjoyment and also an economic revitalisation one.
To get these discounts you need to provide the appropriate document in each case.


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Cash Call Mortgage
Baytech developed a CRM system that allows for leads to be routed to sales agents based on a variety of customized criteria.
FEEDBACK SUMMARY
Baytech delivered a highly customized CRM platform that's not only made a significant improvement in managing leads, but also helped the company access millions of dollars in sales. They built the platform with the future in mind, allowing the company to be nimble over time.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I'm the vice president of sales at CashCall, a digital mortgage lending company.
What challenge were you trying to address with Baytech Consulting?
We needed a better CRM system that allowed us to route leads to our call center of 30–50 agents based on different criteria.
What was the scope of their involvement?
Baytech built a custom CRM platform, incorporating a routing system that essentially routes calls as they come into individual agents based on certain criteria like state licensing and lead pipe source. Previously, the system was only capable of routing calls based on whether the agent clicked on the lead or whether it was randomly assigned. The new system builds on those two options with an additional 4–5 customizations, including one that allows agents to reengage "dead" leads.
What is the team composition?
We mostly worked with the two partners of Baytech, Jeff and Bryan, who were very hands-on in terms of day-to-day communications.
How did you come to work with Baytech Consulting?
We came across some of the other CRMs they'd built for other clients and reached out to them based on that. They had a better vision of what we needed compared to other firms we'd worked with in the past.
How much have you invested with them?
We initially invested about $15,000–which included planning, formatting the technology, and working with our IT staff to develop a solution–and $10,000–$25,000 per month after.
What is the status of this engagement?
We worked with them from June 2012–February 2018.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
The customizations that Baytech built into our CRM have had a significantly positive impact on the company. For example, now that our agents are able to grab "dead" leads, we've accessed an additional $3 million in revenue.
How did Baytech Consulting perform from a project management standpoint?
They're not only experts in providing technology solutions for companies but are also very familiar with the mortgage industry. Other members of their team took the time to learn about our industry and whiteboard some ideas as needed. We mostly communicated through email, phone, Slack, or the built-in chat feature they have that allowed us to reach them easily at any time.
What did you find most impressive about them?
They built an industry-leading CRM and lead management tool that's custom-designed to support the needs of the consumer lending and mortgage industry. During the project, I was most impressed with their ability to effectively track and direct agent activities. They also have a strong desire to track and compare the ROI from various lead sources.
Are there any areas they could improve?
I think any vendor in the tech industry can benefit by focusing more on the customer service aspect of their business, maintaining strong relationships beyond the scope of a project.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Prime quickly became a competitive advantage, providing accurate and actionable insights to agents and the company. By directing agents to perform the most impactful activities, the use of Prime provided measurable gains in both sales and efficacy. The result was a reliable mortgage call center CRM that ensured success for the company and its agents.
"The technology they provided is easy to customize."
Brett Coca