In today's world API's form the backbone of data and workflow as all the applications rely on API responses which are accurate and returned in fastest possible time.
Often companies make the mistake of testing all the functional flows at the front end using front end automation frameworks.
Front end tests are most expensive to write and maintain. They are often brittle and take long time to execute due to browser actions involved.
One solution for this can be workflows that can be tested at the API level should be validated against API rather than at front end due to the fact that API tests are much more resilient and execute much faster.
I am not advocating that all things can be tested at API level. You still need effective front end browser driven tests (actually lots of them 🙂 ) to validate your customer facing applications, however certain functional aspects can be tested more effectively at integration level.
Domain has internal and external API's that are exposed to public. So it is of utmost importance that those need to be tested thoroughly before they are consumed by our apps or third-party developers.
Postman is the one of the most popular API test tools out there.
Often it is used as a manual tool to observe the response returned by a particular API end point.
But it can also be used to automatically validate the API response and meaningful tests can be written using Postman.
As such, we started with Postman as out initial tool for API test automation.
As Postman tests can be run on command line using the tool called newman, we implemented a CI pipeline with our build tool Teamcity.
Extra steps to import and export code.
As the exported collection file from Postman contains a lot of auto generated code, it is a big obstacle for the code reviewer.
Even for small commits, the reviewer needs to get the latest code and import into Postman and then evaluate it.
Less control over test code and workflow – For reusable code, there is not much provision in Postman as the tests are individual blocks and the code can not travel among multiple tests. This leads to a lot of code duplication and solution maintenance is a nightmare.
Execute selective tests – The tests can't have execution type attributes like smoke, regression etc. . Although you can have them in separate directories but then again we need to have duplicates.
Due to the above limitations, we started looking for a code based framework where we can have full control over test code and any other automation tester or developer can just open and start contributing.
As we use node as our preferred language for writing tests front end tests, so we started looking node based API test frameworks.
It is a node based framework for API testing.
Chakram extends Request library for all the http requests. So you get the full capabilities to construct your requests and customize your headers and body parameters.
It is based upon Mocha and Chai frameworks for test management and assertions.
Chakram has its own Expect library which has some extra assertions plus the handling of Promise objects is way better.
Since we are using .env files for our environment variables, we are pre-loading the config file from dotenv-safe in our package.json and running Mocha programatically.
"e2e-test": "node -r dotenv-safe/config ./run-tests.js e2e-tests"
// Instantiate a Mocha instance.
* Gets the test .js file paths recursively from a given directory.
// Get all .js paths and add each file to the mocha instance.
There are numerous good mocha reporters out there. We use mochawesome as find the reporting pretty neat and makes much sense.
The reports are generated in html and Json formats in ./mochawesome-report directory.
Following is how a report normally look in html format.
One of the most important aspect of automation tests is to have the capability to run in CI pipeline.
For this we have already included teamcity-properties package.
As we have certain user/client sensitive info in our .env file and we don't check-in this file.
Instead we check-in .env.stage and .env.prod files to run our tests in whatever environment we want to run out tests.
Below is the example of how we create .env using .env.stage and set sensitive properties from Teamcity during build process. We run this file as a build step in Teamcity build configuration.
P.S. Make sure you save your sensitive info in Teamcity as system properties and not as configuration parameters or environment variables for teamcity-properties package to get the values correctly.
That's a glimpse of things we do to automate API integration tests.
Hope this helps you getting started, Keep testing!


in addition to my gorgeous astier de villatte pottery, my other big purchase from paris last fall was a classic celine box bag. i went specifically looking for this mint green, and found the last one at the celine store on avenue montaigne.
i was waiting until spring to use the bag, but something about the cool shade feels right in this crisp weather. the quality is stunning, and it holds just what i need on a daily basis.


text:
nubia to showcase wearable smartphone at MWC 2019
Home » Mobiles News » nubia to showcase wearable smartphone at MWC 2019
By Xite - February 12, 2019
The wearable phone which was earlier in testing is not fully ready to be launched. Nubia will be holding a space at the Hall 1 in Fira Gran Via, the venue of the MWC, and will be displaying the tech t....
Confirming its presence at the Mobile World Congress 2019, ZTE's sub-brand nubia has teased a flexible device which is essentially a wearable smartphone. Called as nubia-α (Alpha), the device was first showcased at IFA Berlin in 2018.
One of the main USPs of the nubia-α (Alpha) is that one can wear it on the wrist. The device features a large curved OLED screen using Flex, the company's proprietary flexible display technology. The wearable device also has a front camera and button on the sides. The back of device is home to charging pins and heart rate sensor.
The company has not announced any further details about the device.
This is not the first time that ZTE is trying its fortune in the wearable space. Earlier, the company announced Axon M at MWC 2018 that came with two displays attached by a hinge in between.
The Alpha is said to come with a specially tuned proximity sensor that determines the orientation of the wearable smartphone. The company hasn't revealed any information pertaining to the display resolution, the processor that will power the wearable, the memory or storage, or even the battery life.
nubia alpha
Sunder Pichai-led Google's parent Alphabet Inc. becomes a $1 trillion company
ISRO's GSAT-30 communication satellite launched: Here is all you need to know
Lava Z71 with Helio A22 processor launched in India: Price, specifications and all you need to know
Telcos speak as SC rejects AGR plea, Airtel, Vodafone Idea shares tank
Samsung Frame QLED TV to be available on Flipkart Republic Day Sale
Oppo F15 with 48MP camera launched for Rs 19,990: Specs, price and features
Microsoft's Chromium-based new Edge browser is now available for download
Businesses should dedicate resources to counter ransomware, BEC attacks in 2020: Report
WhatsApp most downloaded app, Google top publisher of mobile apps in Q4 2019: Report
Instagram brings direct messages support to web
Next Article: Lava Z71 with Helio A22 processor launched in India: Price, specifications and all you need to know

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: java.lang.ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException when trying to get a base64 string MuleSoft the dataweave code in MuleSoft
the request in postman
i just dont understand i have this same api deployed on cloudhub which is working perfectly fine but on localhost it is giving this error

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Thanks to the generosity of the Sheraton Hotel Chicago, we will be distributing 100's of pillows to various shelters and missions around the Chicagoland area along with warm winter boots.
During the months of October, November and December Jack Daniels will be partnering with Share Your Soles to raise awareness and support for our cause.
Share Your Soles officially has a home! Due to a very generous group of individuals, we are now the sole tenants of what was the Stable Building located in Historic Pullman. With an old building comes a ton of work, but thanks to some amazing friends who have supported us all these years, we are getting it done! We couldn't do it without you!
We are in need of winter boots! We are going to be continuously collecting and distributing throughout the Chicagoland Area.
We are consistently collecting Socks & Wellie Boots!! These are best suited for immediate disaster relief!


Only on Yemeksepeti, buy 'Vodafone Menüsü (2 Dilim Pizza)' only for 24,9 TL instead of 33 TL! Order with exclusive discounts on "Vodafone Menus", just by entering your Vodafone registered individual mobile number into the related query field and hit Send. Upon entering the campaign code you'll receive via SMS, your account will be recognized as a Vodafone member for you to enjoy discounted Vodafone Menus without campaign codes on each order, unless you change your number or leave membership. You may also benefit from this campaign with the codes you receive from Avantaj Cepte mobile app or by texting YEMEKSEPETI to 6666, getting the campaign code and typing it in Vodafone Kampanyası slot on the Order Confirmation page before completing your order. Otherwise, your Vodafone Menu order will be charged on its actual list price.
Only on Yemeksepeti, buy 'Vodafone Menüsü (Big Daddy Klasik Dilim Pizza - Küçük)' only for 29,6 TL instead of 37 TL! Order with exclusive discounts on "Vodafone Menus", just by entering your Vodafone registered individual mobile number into the related query field and hit Send. Upon entering the campaign code you'll receive via SMS, your account will be recognized as a Vodafone member for you to enjoy discounted Vodafone Menus without campaign codes on each order, unless you change your number or leave membership. You may also benefit from this campaign with the codes you receive from Avantaj Cepte mobile app or by texting YEMEKSEPETI to 6666, getting the campaign code and typing it in Vodafone Kampanyası slot on the Order Confirmation page before completing your order. Otherwise, your Vodafone Menu order will be charged on its actual list price.
Minimum delivery amount is 40 TL to Karadeniz Ereğlisi Ömerli, Belen Mah. regions.
Minimum delivery amount is Yeşiltepe, Kemer TL to 25 regions.
Minimum delivery amount is 50 TL to Organize Sanayi and Fabrikalar regions.
Minimum delivery amount is 40 TL to Tersaneler Bölgesi, Göktepe Mavkii, Plajlar Mevkii (Gülüç) regions.
The approximate delivery time to 60 minutes for the Ömerli and Ören.
Minimum delivery amount is 40 TL to Korubaşı (TOKİ), Ömerli (Devlet Hastanesi), Kaynarca, Kaynarca Konutları, Balı Mah. regions.
Gerçekten pizza işinde rakipleri yok. Lezzet on numarahızlı ve sıcak servis için ayrıca teşekkürler.
Bi sonraki siparişimizde suflenin yanına çatal yerine kaşık koyarsanız seviniriz:).


Complaint: Misdemeanor spelling of your own company's name (multiple counts); Misdemeanor spelling of your own company's name when the correct name is engraved nearby (multiple counts).
Report: Officer was seated in the back of a New York City taxi cab when he noticed "Bumber Guards" sticker on the taxi compartment partition. Officer at first thought that the name was purposely misspelled, since no one could be that stupid. Officer then noticed the correctly spelled "KGT Bumper Guards" engraved into the partition not more that eight inches away. Realizing this was pure gold, he then took a photo which distracted the driver and got him yelled at.


Posted May 10, 2008, 10:06 a.m.
Great column in the Washington Post this morning by David B. Rivkin Jr. and Lee A. Casey regarding the occupation status (or rather, the lack thereof) with Israel in relation to the Gaza Strip. The Gaza Strip has been militarily controlled by Hamas, a terrorist group, since 2007 following Israel's unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza territory in 2005. Many continue to point to Israel as an 'occupying power' with responsibility for the welfare of the people in Gaza—but contradictorily demand Israel withdraw (!?).
But the fact is that Israel, under centuries of precedent in the international relations arena, is no longer the occupier of Gaza. Thus, they have no responsibility to the people of Gaza. Furthermore, Israel has a nearly unlimited right to use military force against their neighbor—sovereign, belligerent Gaza—that continues to launch missiles at them and remains under the military control of an active anti-Israel, anti-Semitic terrorist group.
A similar situation exists in the West Bank, the one area of Palestine still nominally under the control of the Palestinian National Authority, although it is less clear-cut. Israel would do well to withdraw their military forces and all settlements from the West Bank to clear up the issue.
This would grant the Palestinian National Authority full control and responsibility for the West Bank and, even better, give them exactly what they claim to want—a full Israeli withdrawal. This, however, would be Palestine's last chance for statehood (following offers of statehood made in U.N. partition plan of 1947, the Oslo Accords of 1993, the Camp David Summit of 2000, and the Road Map for Peace of 2002, and each time rejected or derailed by the Palestinians). The Arab Peace Initiative is a non-starter with its baseless claim to Jerulasem, so its time for Israel to act unilaterally like they did in Gaza, end the occupation, and treat Palestine as a neighboring, enemy sovereign . . . and if Palestine continues to wage war against Israel, whether via Fatah or Hamas, Israel should fight back with the full, unlimited strength of their military forces and end the Palestinian threat for good.


Health and Safety legislation requires that all businesses appoint someone who is competent to manage their Health and Safety activities. They have to possess the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to oversee Health and Safety correctly. This could be yourself, one or more of your workers or someone from outside of your business.
Most businesses don't have the resources or time to dedicate to becoming experts in Health and Safety. With years of experience, our Consultants can become your competent person for Health and Safety, helping to support your business with your legal obligations whenever you need it and will make sure you are managing Health and Safety correctly.
With a wealth of experience in many sectors our Consultants are affiliated to The Institution of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH) and in addition are also listed on the Occupational Safety & Health Consultants Register (OSHCR), the only Government approved register of professional Health & Safety Consultants in the UK.
The level of service and frequency of visits that are typically charged at a daily rate vary depending on a numbers of factors. These are generally your business activity, location, number of staff and condition of your current safety management system. Price on application and following a meeting with you.
This service also extends and works very well assisting junior Safety Professionals that have more than Safety as their prime responsibility and sometimes struggle with the demands of meeting compliance, ensuring the safety management system is both effective and current.


Be prepared and have power in an energy blackout while others are left without power.
End you dependence to the sometimes unreliable grid.
Take complete control of your energy!
Save money with the current solar tax credits. 35% state tax credit and 30% federal tax credit for PV systems.
Your electricity bill will go down.
There is a 25 year guarantee for solar panels. What other product gives you a guarantee that long?
Reduce your dependence on harmful fossil fuels.
Have the ability to charge your electric car with clean energy.
Time is running out to qualify to sell back extra power your new solar system makes to KIUC!
Don't miss this MONEY SAVING opportunity before it phased out at the end of the year.


text:
NFL: A Ram raid…
Peter Nurse / September 27, 2018
This evening the Los Angeles Rams host the Minnesota Vikings in what should be an entertaining clash.
The Rams are expected to win tonight thanks mainly to a supercharged offence, a group of talented players that now make their team the hot favourite for the Super Bowl just three matches into the season.
The Rams have scored over 100 points from their opening three games, with quarterback Jared Goff throwing six touchdowns to four different receivers while his running back Todd Gurley also pounds them in, scoring four times himself.
This team has only punted five times this season, and has gone three and out only once – the first offensive play of the season!
And amidst all the fanfare for their offensive talent, let's not forget they have also conceded the fewest points in the league to date.
The Rams are now the only NFC side that has a 3-0 record, and look likely to dominate what looks otherwise a weak West division. They may not have it their way all of the time, but they do look well on course for the no. 1 seeding in the NFC.
The AFC looks more difficult to predict, with the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs both with 100% records so far. But neither team looks as strong all round as the Rams, and the traditional AFC powerhouses of the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers are struggling.
The bookies have reacted to this, of course, and the Rams are now the 9/2 favourites to win the Super Bowl. But we at Lap of the Odds think this still represents value, and we confidently feel they will be a lot shorter by January.
Recommendation: LA Rams to win the Super Bowl, 2 pts, at 9/2, widely available
September 27, 2018 in Other Sports.
NFL: Looking for some Gurley hurley…
Super Bowl: Backing the Brady Bunch…
NFL: Running opportunities for the Colts…
← Thursday Yankee: Box of delight…
Ryder Cup: Day 1 Fourballs – Rose/Rahm to star →


Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a phytocannabinoid commonly found in high concentrations certain strains of hemp. It is one of at least 113 cannabinoids discovered in the cannabis plant and is non-intoxicating in its effects.
Visit our blog to learn more about CBD and other common terms.
We at Lazarus Naturals care about our customers' experience and will gladly cater to individual needs or requests, so feel free to reach out to us through email or phone!
Check out our blog post that touches on the endocannabinoid system and other common CBD-related terms.
Cannabinoids are a group of chemical compounds that are most commonly found in–but not exclusive to—cannabis. In addition to being produced endogenously by the human endocannabinoid system, cannabinoids have also been found in other botanical sources, including hops and varieties of Echinacea. At least 113 cannabinoids have been isolated from cannabis and characterized, with two of the most notable ones being cannabidiol (CBD) tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Due to the wide range of use-cases for CBD, appropriate serving sizes can vary widely. Your serving size will be dependent upon your body weight, metabolism, individual body chemistry, and other metabolic factors.
We cannot make specific recommendations regarding serving sizes. We recommend starting with a small amount of CBD, and gradually increasing the serving until the desired effects are achieved.
CBD naturally occurs in the hemp plant as Cannabidiolic Acid (CBDA), which is a very closely related analogue of CBD. In order to transform CBDA into CBD, a given plant or extract must undergo a process known as decarboxylation. Sometimes, this process is referred to as "activation" as it produces a more biologically active version of the CBD molecule. Decarboxylation is defined as the removal of a carboxyl group from a given molecule, and is accomplished in CBD by heating the material to approximately 110 °C (230 °F). This facilitates the removal of the carboxyl group on the CBDA molecule and produces CBD as the end product.
However, while this may be the case for CBD, it must be noted that CBD is non-intoxicating in its effects. It does not produce feelings of euphoria, stupor, or loss of control; effects commonly associated with THC ingestion. Research suggests that this is due to the fact that CBD does not bind to the CB1 receptor in the same way that THC does. In fact, CBD has been shown in some studies to modulate or reduce the intoxicating effects of THC.
What is the Difference Between Hemp Seed Oil and Hemp Oil (CBD)?
While hemp seed oil is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant, hemp oil is a product derived from the leaves, flowers, and stalks of the hemp plant. Hemp seeds rarely contain minute detectable quantities of cannabinoids but typically, hemp seeds contain non-detectable levels of cannabinoids. By contrast, detectable levels of cannabinoids can be found in the stalks and leaves of hemp, with the highest concentrations of cannabinoids being found in the flowers of the hemp plant. CBD/hemp oil products have a much greater concentration of CBD than hemp seed oil products, while hemp seed oil products commonly contain no therapeutically viable levels of cannabinoids.
Are There Heavy Metals and Pesticides in CBD Products?
Although we cannot speak for the CBD products made by any other company, all of our finished products are third-party tested for heavy metals and pesticides, in addition to cannabinoid profile. In order to ensure the highest standard of quality and safety in our products, we follow the guidelines established in the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia Cannabis Monograph.
All of our results are reported on a per serving basis and can be viewed in the "Test Results" section of each product page. We encourage you to read our blog on this subject to learn more.
Do your products contain Hemp Oil or CBD Extract?
Our products all contain CBD extract. Our third party potency results show a precise CBD concentration present in each batch of our products. These can be found under our product's potency results tab. We also test every batch of our hemp for heavy metals and pesticides, in addition to potency, terpenes, residual solvents and micro/mycotoxins. These can be found right next to the Test Results tab on our product pages.
Hemp seed oil is an added ingredient in our tinctures, but the oil itself does not contain any substantial amount of CBD. It's also possible that hemp seeds may incidentally be extracted during the extraction process, but it is never our intention to do this because they contain lower levels of CBD.
Hemp products that contain CBD are currently and successfully brought to market in all 50 states and over 40 countries by many businesses. We encourage users to always check with your local government, police department, or customs office for the most up to date information regarding the legality of CBD in your area before purchase. This answer should not be considered legal advice, so we strongly recommend that you check with your own local administration to ensure that you are happy with the level of legality of consuming these products before you buy them.
What is your CBD made from?
Our CBD is derived from hemp. We extract the CBD from our hemp with ethanol. The extract undergoes a purification and distillation processes that results in a high quality CBD oil, free from all solvents.
Do Lazarus CBD products contain any THC?
Trace amounts of THC can be found in most hemp-derived CBD products. Our products comply with the federally mandated THC limit of less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.
How do I store CBD oil and isolate?
While our products do not require refrigeration, we recommend storing your CBD oil in a cool dry place, such as you would store honey. Make sure to shake well before each use. For isolate, we recommend storing in a dry cool place away from direct heat and sunlight. Ensure the cap is closed air tight after each use. Refrigeration is not necessary but may prolong shelf life.
Do you test for heavy metals or pesticides in Lazarus products?
All Lazarus Naturals products undergo multiple rounds of lab testing for heavy metals and pesticides. The results of these tests can be found under the "Test Results" tab of each individual product page. Our standards adhere to the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP) monograph on cannabis.
We test every bulk shipment of hemp for heavy metals and pesticides, then test the raw oil again in the post-extraction phase. All final batches are then sent to a third-party laboratory for a final test for potency and quality analysis.
For more information, visit our blog on why we test for heavy metals and pesticides.
All of our products undergo a high-level testing protocol for heavy metals, pesticides, potency, residual solvents and quality analysis before bring brought to market. This is to ensure the products meet our demands for quality and safety. Every batch undergoes multiple rounds of testing, although what we test for varies slightly depending on what stage of the process that the product is in.
Every bulk shipment of hemp we receive undergoes an initial test for heavy metals, pesticides and potency. Post-extraction, the raw oil undergoes a second test for these same items and is also tested for residual solvents. It is important to note that while the solvent we use (cane ethanol) is the same as what you find in alcoholic drinks and is safe for human consumption, we test for residual solvents to ensure that the oil that makes it into our products is free from any residual ethanol.
If the raw CBD oil is refined into CBD isolate, we do a final test for potency and residual solvents. All final batches are tested for potency and quality analysis by a third-party laboratory.
The "Test Results" tab on each individual product page shows the results for each batch. The results section on each product page is updated regularly as new batches are finalized.
The majority of our products contain vegan-friendly ingredients exclusively. Beeswax (used in our balms) is the only component currently in use that would not be considered vegan. All of our products are also gluten-free and contain no artificial preservatives.
Lazarus Naturals and other popular CBD brands currently make products available in all 50 states. With the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, regulations regarding hemp-derived ingestible cannabinoid products will continue to be updated, so we strongly recommend that you check with your local administration to ensure you are comfortable with the level of legality of consuming hemp CBD products before you buy them.
Should I swallow or take the tinctures sublingually?
Our CBD tinctures can be taken sublingually by putting the product under your tongue, or can be swallowed.
Why is there a Grapefruit warning?
As of 2019, about 70% of our industrial hemp is sourced from our own farm in Central Oregon. All of our full-spectrum products and the majority of our isolate products are made using our own hemp.
The remaining supplemental hemp is all of top quality, sourced from trusted growers on Oregon farms. We ensure all source material comes from farms which adhere to the stout certification process of the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) Hemp Research Pilot Program.
What does High Potency and Standard Potency mean?
Our tinctures labeled as "High Potency" contain 50 mg of CBD per ml, while our "Standard Potency" tinctures contain 15 mg CBD per ml.
Can I find Lazarus products in stores?
Yes! Our products are available at several retailers throughout the U.S. See our store locator to find a location near you.
We accept all major credit cards. We take our customers' security seriously and ensure your private information is safe with us. To prevent fraudulent charges, all credit and debit card holders are subject to validation and authorization by both us and the card issuer.
When will I be charged if ordering from the online store?
Your card will be charged immediately after security checks from your bank and Lazarus Naturals have been authorized and confirmed.
How will I know when my order is successfully placed?
We will send you an email verifying your order once it is completed through our website. This email will outline your order, and provide an invoice number in case you need to contact us with any questions or concerns. Please make sure to keep this email, as inquiries without the reference number might be delayed.
Will I receive a notification when my order has shipped?
Yes! We will send you tracking information and confirmation when your package is being shipped.
What if I didn't receive a confirmation email or tracking number?
First, check your spam folder since our confirmations are generated automatically—sometimes this is a red flag for email clients. If the email is in the spam folder, make sure to add Lazarus Naturals to your address book. If the confirmation is not there, check to make sure the details you have provided are correct, and contact us at: [email protected] if the issue continues.
Orders are generally processed within 24 hours (for weekdays) or 72 hours (for weekends) after you place your order. If you place your order before 12PM(PT) Monday-Friday, your order will be shipped out the same day. We do not ship orders on weekends or national holidays.
If your order is missing an item, please contact us immediately so we can send a replacement item.
If you feel that you are entitled to a refund on your purchase, please send your order back along with a receipt or proof of purchase within 30 days of receiving your product(s). After 30 days, per our return policy, we do not offer a refund or exchange. Partial refunds in certain circumstances may be granted at the sole discretion of the company.
On efficacy: remember, everyone's experience with CBD varies and there is no one guaranteed or normal reaction. Some only need a small amount while others prefer a larger amount. Furthermore, some prefer isolates over full spectrum and vice versa. Keep in mind that CBD is a unique kind of supplement and may not be effective for some users' specific goals.
In addition, the advice and claims we can make are limited by restrictions placed on dietary supplements by the FDA—please consider reading scholarly articles on the efficacy of CBD for your own circumstances.
Please visit our Policies page to learn more.
Do I still get free shipping even if I order internationally?
No, the free shipping only applies for orders made with in the continental US.


text:
All Posts • CCHD • Newborn Screening and Genetics
Dylan Coleman Has a Story to Warm Your Heart
by Nancy Maddox
Dylan Coleman, a vivacious one-year-old, is super smiley and loves to be held. "He's got a ridiculous amount of hair," says his mom, Michele, and "he loves his older brother."
Yet if not for a simple newborn screening test, Dylan would likely not be alive today.
Flash back to December 2012, to the day Dylan was born in Silver Spring, Maryland. "The baby went to the nursery to sleep, and in the morning they didn't bring him back to me when I asked for him," said Michele. "I asked again: Where is Dylan? Can I have him?"
As a pediatrician soon explained to Michele, Dylan's pulse oximetry test—a painless procedure that uses a beam of light to measure to measure the oxygen in the blood—showed that Dylan wasn't getting sufficient oxygen to his lower extremities. Doctors suspected a problem with his heart and arranged for Dylan to have an echo cardiogram, a sonogram of the heart that would let them view its parts in motion.
Said Michele, "I was very annoyed. I was dressed and ready to go home. My husband had already left to tend to our other son," who was then two-and-a-half years old. "I was curious," said Michele, "but I don't remember being nervous. I was ready to go home."
After waiting five hours for the on-call, weekend cardiologist to arrive and perform the echo cardiogram, Michele received devastating news: Dylan was born with multiple heart defects and would have to have open heart surgery or he would die.
The newborn was taken directly to the neonatal intensive care unit and, late that evening, was transferred to Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC.
"A cardiologist drew a heart and walked me through the problem," said Michele. "I totally felt like I was disconnected from my body, like I was blowing in the wind."
In brief, Dylan's aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body, was not completely developed (i.e., interrupted) and he had a hole between his pulmonary artery and aorta that enabled oxygenated and unoxygenated blood to mix. Also, his ductus arteriosis—a blood vessel that is used in utero and normally closes soon after birth—hadn't yet closed.
The open ductus arteriosis, however, was actually good news. As Michele explains, "The interruption of the aortic arch was like an accident on the highway, and the [still-open] ductus was a detour, so the blood still could get through to the stomach and legs."
As Dylan awaited surgery, he was given a drug called prostaglandin to keep the ductus arteriosis open and thereby maintain some blood flow to his lower body.
"If you don't have blood flow to the stomach," said Michele, "lots of things start to break down. [Without early medical intervention] Dylan might not have died right away, but within 72 hours his organs would have started to fail, because he wasn't getting blood. . . . . The chances of him living a normal, healthy life went down and down and down, really, every minute that we waited [for medical intervention]."
Five days later, Dylan's surgery was a complete success, and, about two weeks after that, he was discharged from the hospital. Said his mom, "You would never know that he had surgery. He does everything that he should be doing. He's sweet and happy. At his last check up in August 2013, Dylan's cardiologist told us everything was great and his heart is fully repaired."
Michele Coleman realizes how lucky her family is. The state of Maryland began crib-side screening for congenital heart defects—via pulse oximetry—in September 2012, just a few months before Dylan was born. In fact, Dylan was the first baby born in Maryland to be diagnosed with a heart defect as a result of the test.
Had Michele delivered in Washington, DC, where she and her family live, Dylan would not have received routine newborn screening for heart defects.
Without pulse oximetry, Michele said, "we may have had a very different outcome."
Maryland was the third state to add critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) to its newborn screening program. The state screens about 74,500 newborns each year, and, as of February 10, 2014, had detected four infants with CCHD via pulse oximetry testing, including Dylan.
congenital heart defects pulse oximetry test cardiology newborn screening cchd heart
Chemical Exposure Study in NY is Innovative and Promising
The Problem with Clap in the Yap — A Valentines Day Post
Q&A with NewSTEPs: Bringing routine CCHD newborn screening to every state - Medicull says:
[…] Read how this simple test saved Baby Dylan's life […]
Q&A with NewSTEPs: Bringing routine CCHD newborn screening to every state | APHL Public Health LabLog says:


This waterproof switch assembly is perfect for outdoor applications or in any wet and harsh environment. It is rated IP67 meaning it is protected from dirt and dust and can withstand immersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.
The rugged SPST On-Off power rocker switch is environmentally sealed. The actuator is sealed by means of a unique, patented integral boot. The switch body and connections are encapsulated in urethane inside a robust ABS enclosure. There are two mounting tabs on the enclosure which allow the switch to be secured to any convenient mounting surface. The dimensions of the enclosure are 3" long x 3/4" wide x 1" high (including the switch button). Wire switch leads are 6" long. The switch is rated at 16A @ 125VAC, 10A @ 250VAC, 10A @ 12VDC.
Enclosure is 3" long x 3/4" wide x 1" high (including the switch button).


text:
Organizational Stats
Partnership Maps
Donner Lake
Fallen Leaf Lake
Mammoth Lakes Region
In-Kind Partners
Litter Categorization
Diver Application
General Volunteer Application
Clean up the lake Ambassadors
Clean Up The Lake 501(c)3 partners with ambassadors from both our local and global community in order to spread the word of our mission further. Our ambassadors are individuals who support our mission & stand behind the environmental values that we have and have chosen to unite with us to fight back against plastic and all forms of pollution both above and below the surface of our local waterways.
ELENA HIGHT
We are stoked to have Elena Hight as the first ambassador of Clean Up The Lake. Elena has been an absolute powerhouse since stomping that infamous 900 at the age of 13 and she took that energy under the surface of Lake Tahoe where she trained with our team in Summer 2021, then volunteered as a litter-diver on the 72 mile clean up! We are looking forward to working with her more in the future to fight back against pollution of all forms.
Why Elena Hight supports Clean Up the Lake
It is no secret that trash is an issue in Lake Tahoe. As this place holds a very special place in my heart I jumped at the opportunity to volunteer to help Clean Up The Lake & their mission is to diligently dive the entire rim of Lake Tahoe to remove as much pollution as possible.
– Elena Hight
MUTUMBA FAISAL
Mutumba Faisal first reached out to us in 2021 as he was setting out to work with youth and his communities to help clean up Lake Victoria as well as portions of the Nile River. Mutumba continues to work hard on his efforts to clean up Lake Victoria and our organization continues to offer consultation and support where we can, while seeking to help him acquire resources he needs to further his efforts in challenging conditions. We are proud to be able to call Mutumba Faisal an ambassador of Clean Up The Lake and honor the hard work he is doing.
© 2023 Clean Up The Cayes 501(c)3 - [DBA: Clean Up The Lake] - EIN: 82-5280324
Learn about news, events, and follow along as we reach milestones in cleaning up the lake. Interested in joining us as a diver? Sign up to receive news for divers.


Eve Hurwitz has a history of serving her country and community. She aggressively advocates for the needs of families, justice, and progressive values and passionately dedicates her life to making the world significantly better.
Eve actively served in the military from 2002 to 2010 and accrued almost 1000 aircraft hours. She deployed twice aboard USS ENTERPRISE with VAW-123, the first carrier-based Navy squadron in the world to operate in support of special warfare. As a Naval Flight Officer, Eve was Mission Commander in the E-2C Hawkeye for combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. She is currently a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Reserve.
As the Executive Director of The Milky Way Foundation, Eve works daily to empower mothers and bring families to the forefront of America's priorities. She was integral to the success of the critically-acclaimed documentary, The Milky Way, which was honored as an Official Selection for the Hollywood Film Festival, Choice! Film Festival, and others. Eve also supports earned sick days and family leave legislation as well as legislation that champions equitable treatment for women, minorities, immigrants, veterans, and marginalized communities.
To support entrepreneurs and businesses in improving their financial acumen and portfolios, Eve co-founded EvenJohn, LLC and is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor with over 23 years of experience. She is the owner of The QuickBooks Badass, a full-service bookkeeping and financial services company with clients in all arenas of business, across all company sizes.
Eve began her grassroots advocacy by working on several political campaigns at the state and federal level. Eve then organized the Annapolis Women's March in January 2017 and founded March On Maryland, the group that organized the March for Science, Rally for Healthcare, and March for Racial Justice in Annapolis. She is also a board member of March On, a group of Women's March organizers from across the country who are building political power with the millions of marchers and their supporters.
Eve Hurwitz is a business owner, an entrepreneur, and a progressive capitalist. She believes that businesses thrive when employees are happy, healthy and productive. Eve will find the balance and work with other legislators to help businesses grow while also taking care of their people.
Anne Arundel County is being developed without the residents' input or approval. Often people don't know about new development until bulldozers show up next door. Eve will help the residents of our district get their voices heard before development begins, and she will strengthen the role of community and environmental impact assessments.
Healthy families start with healthy children and continue with care through all stages of life. Proper prenatal care and postpartum support can make a world of difference in both the development of the child and the health of the mother. Without proper bonding, our youth are more prone to addiction. The opposite of addiction is not sobriety; it is connection. We must foster connection and community support to keep our people healthy.
Once children are in school, they need an environment conducive to learning, which includes reasonable class sizes, modernized and clean facilities, arts programs, and a school atmosphere free from bullying. Eve will track down gaps in the budgeting process, like the Education Trust Fund, which is being used in the general budget instead of in our schools.
Our population is not growing fast enough to take care of our elderly family and friends. In our district especially, our senior citizens increasingly need our assistance and support, and we need to be there for them. Eve has several ideas to take care of our seniors, with programs that provide transportation, veterans assistance, companionship, and musical performances.
By Authority, Friends of Eve Hurwitz, T. Robinson, Treasurer.
**Eve is in the Navy Reserve. Use of her military photograph in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Navy or Department of Defense.
New website and new goal!
Hello everyone! We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are looking forward to the holiday season. We've updated the website! Check it out here and let us know what you think. Also please visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/voteforeve to join in the discussion and give Eve a review!
Our next step is to knock on doors and connect with our communities. In order to do this, we need to purchase the Voter Activation Network list with the district voter information. This is $2500, and we are hoping to raise it by the end of this weekend so we can start door knocking next week! We would greatly appreciate a donation of any amount, and we've turned on recurring donations.
Thank you so much for your support, and we look forward to working together to #flip33!
Save the date for the kickoff party!
Save the date for our kickoff listening party! Please join us the evening of May 6th, 2017 for our official campaign launch. More details coming soon!


Tiger paw home buyers is the right place where you sell your house fast to us with no fees, commissions & on Cash Payment Maryland.
Need to sell your home quickly? Then get in touch with Tiger Paw Home Buyers. Get a cash offer on your property today. We buy homes in St. Mary's County MD, Charles County MD, Calvert County MD, Southern Maryland, SOMD, Anne Arundel County MD, Prince George's County MD, and King George VA, Spotsylvania VA, Fredericksburg VA, DC, and the District of Columbia.
Contact us and get a cash offer for your home today!
No, we do not charge any fees or commissions to buy your home. We pay all closing costs, and settlement charges. This helps create a smoother transaction.
But, I have an agent can I still sell you my home?
Unfortunately, we are not able to purchase your home at this time. We respectfully decline due to the property being on the market. When your listing agreement expires, or is terminated then feel free to contact us.
Can I buy homes from you?
Yes, we also sell homes to other real estate investors. To join our list please email info@tigerpawhomebuyers.com and we will be in contact.
How do you calculate my cash offer?
Our team has over 50+ years of experience in buying homes. We compare the surrounding properties in your area and utilize our proprietary formula to give you the highest offer, so we can purchase your home.
The closing date is up to you, we can buy your home as soon as the title work and settlement documents are clear for closing. This can be as quick as 5 days.
My property has liens, taxes & judgments, which I am unable to pay, can you still buy my home?
Every property that we buy is different and has a unique situation. We will work together to find the most suitable solution.
I found the experience to be as painless as it could be. Michael was lovely, fair and gentle. I felt comfortable with him. He was a real gentleman.
Had great experience with Tiger Paw. My buyer was able to purchase their first home because of this company, and move in comfortably, knowing that everything was taken care of and no corners were cut. Seamless transaction at a great value and with great people!
Address : 38582 Brett Way, Unit B Mechanicsville, MD - 20659 US.
The principal owners of Tiger Paw Home Buyers are licensed real estate professionals.


The future trials planned for prisoners in Guantanamo Bay detention camp will be "Stalinist show trials" as their preliminary proceedings "have already proven them to be Travesties of Justice," a distinguished international law authority warns.
Under the 1949 Geneva Conventions, Boyle said, "executing persons detained as a result of armed conflict without a fair trial before a regularly constituted court constitutes a grave war crime" and the Stalinist-type show trials would do just that, says Boyle. He predicted the Guantanamo Bay prison will become Americas first-ever Nazi-style death camp.
The law professor went on to charge that the Obama government has not applied the Uniform Code of Military Justice to the Guantanamo courts despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
The Pentagon's "Kangaroo Courts System on Guantanamo...(has) been soundly condemned by every rights organization and every human rights official and leader in the entire world as well as by the United State Supreme Court itself in Hamdan v. Rumsfeld," Boyle said.
Henry King Jr., who was a prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials at the end of World War Two, has argued that the type of tribunals at Guantanamo Bay "violates the Nuremberg principles" and run counter to "the spirit of the Geneva Conventions of 1949," Wikipedia noted.
The Guantanamo Bay detention camp was set up in 2002 initially to house prisoners taken by the U.S. in Afghanistan.
Boyle is the author of "Protesting Power: War, Resistance and Law (Rowman & Littlefield Inc.), a book for lawyers to use in military courtmartials.
President Obama, close Guantanamo before it's too late!


text:
Tag Archives: Yemen
Extremism & Terrorism, Middle East, War & Peace
Saving Syria's Aleppo from War Crimes & Humanitarian Crisis, Norwich Rally
15th December 2016 Katy Leave a comment
Save Aleppo, Syria – Norwich Rally
Lotty Clare, Save Aleppo, Norwich demo
Movement for Justice and UEA student, Lotty Clare led a rally outside City Hall Norwich for Aleppo Syria with Tim Hughes of Stop the War Coalition, activist and writer Katy Jon Went, Norwich-based Syrian refugee Anas, and John Cowan. Cllrs Alan Waters and James Wright of Norwich City Council were among the gathered crowd to offer support and hear what could be done. Alan Waters said that the city's MPs, Chloe Smith and Clive Lewis, would be written to.
Powerful words from speakers at City Hall this evening including from @katyjon – speaking out in support of Aleppo #savealeppo pic.twitter.com/61CrtjJNX7
— Cllr James Wright (@JamesWrightLD) December 14, 2016
One of the hardest things is feeling so powerless in the face of the humanitarian disaster, but there are actions that can be taken:
Writing to MPs
Writing to international embassies about the United Nations Responsibility to Protect to which all member nations signed up in 2005 to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity
Writing to Syria's embassy as responsible for the wellbeing of its own people and to uphold the 16 UN resolutions regarding atrocities and human rights abuses in Syria
Supporting Syrian and international aid charities
Helping Médecins Sans Frontières as a medic or with money
Joining Amnesty International
Welcoming Syrian refugees – offering spare rooms. Half of Syria have been forced out of their homes, the biggest refugee and displacement crisis since the Second World War, 11 million people
Keeping yourself informed to maintain international pressure on the parties responsible for perpetuating the situation
Attending rallies to keep Syria in the public and media eye
Norwich Save Aleppo Rally
My own contribution evolved out of a facebook rant I wrote earlier in the day about the escalation of terror and atrocities in the weeks before Christmas, the supposed season of goodwill and peace to all mankind.
Text of my speech
"We hear you Aleppo", placard by Laure Ollivier-Minns
A year ago, as the UK Parliament was considering joining the by then year long US & 13 nation coalition of bombing Syria, I attended a Don't Bomb Syria rally. A year later and the situation is worse, not only in Syria but also in surrounding nations. 15 years of invasions, interference, and increased radicalisation by bombing the bombers, has not stopped or solved a single middle eastern crisis.
Christmas sees no let up in world chaos and terror, no salam, shalom, peace toward all men…an Advent calendar of death mostly meted out on non-combatants, mother and child, drone strike "collateral damage", innocent victims of men's rush to conquer and dominate, or to solve problems with swords rather than ploughshares, bombs rather than words.
On Sunday, IS killed 25, mainly women, in Cairo's Coptic Cathedral, the same day Boko Haram forced two 7-year-old girls to act as suicide bombers in a Nigerian market. In the first 2 weeks of December alone, IS have executed 100 people, so have Syrian pro-government forces, and suicide bombs have gone off in Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Somalia, Turkey, Yemen.
Meantime the humanitarian disaster that is Syria and Aleppo continues to escalate with over 450,000 killed, and some 4.8 million refugees (along with 6.6m internally displaced, that's half of Syria's 22m population forced out of their homes), cities flattened, hospitals destroyed, children killed (up to 50,000). The current raids on Aleppo have been called by the UN this afternoon, in all probability a war crime. If the battle for Aleppo is over, then for Assad the victory is Pyrrhic as the city is demolished and its people dead and devastated.
Great progress world, congratulations on continuing to be a right royal fuck up 2016 years after baby Jesus/Yeshua/Isa was apparently born. Extremist and fundamentalist religious interpretations, repressive political regimes, and "proxy wars" are not on my Xmas card list, Syrian refugees are – an airdrop of aid, peaceful passage out of conflict zones, a welcome in the West, but better still – stop the bombing so they can stay, live and rebuild their land.
Instead, we continue the bombing, and breaking of ceasefires 2 hours after they are put into effect – even bombing the very roads the evacuations were due to take place on. Bombing escalates terror, and is a failed strategy, that even Donald Trump now admits! Indeed, Boris Johnson, against political and Tory party advice, has called a spade a spade, and for an end to proxy wars of geopolitical games carried out by Saudi Arabia, but perhaps also: Iran, Russia, Turkey and the US.
Each religion or political cause can be twisted to apparently justify slaughter, but that comes from man's inhumanity to man, not faith or ideology per se. Equally, most faiths can be quoted from to encourage love, mercy and kindness. At this time of year, and every day, we need to be encouraging community, compromise and communication, not escalating conflicts creating mass casualties as the collateral toll of other people's battles.
Save Aleppo
"Save us, people. Save us, people, world, anyone who has even a bit of humanity," said one doctor in a voice message from a besieged district. "We beg you, we beg you, the dead and wounded are in the streets and people's homes have collapsed on top of them. Save us. Save us."
Shortly after the rally, it was announced that the ceasefire had been restored, but for how long? By Friday morning it was off again. A UN official says the evacuation is "redolent of the Nazi evacuation of the Warsaw ghetto" as thousands are bussed out down the 21km corridor, 6km of which is controlled by Government forces.
Supporters at the #SaveAleppo rally in Norwich. More photos here and also pics by Emma Pamplin here.
Alan WatersAleppoAmnesty InternationalAnas ShoudabAssadBombingDiplomacyEgyptIranISISILISISJames WrightKaty Jon WentLaure Ollivier-MinnsLotty ClareMiddle EastMovement for JusticeNigeriaPeaceRefugeesRussiaSomaliaStop the War CoalitionSyriaTerrorismTurkeyUEAYemen
Crime & Justice, Feminism & Gender, Human Rights
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women #IDEVAW
25th November 2016 Katy Leave a comment
End Violence Against Women & Girls
White Ribbon Day (#WhiteRibbonDay) and #OrangeTheWorld are both campaigns today, 25 November, marking the start of 16 days of activism against gender abuse on the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW). Whilst people are more real than statistics, nonetheless, the stats are representations of the reality of some people's lives, they make sobering reading. Sixteen days won't end violence against women and girls, but it might be the beginning of the end, if we start to say 'no' every day and give women back control, power and agency over their bodies and lives. The 16-day-long campaign ends on Human Rights Day, 10 December, but shouldn't stop there.
12 Facts about Violence towards Women
2 women each week are killed by an ex or current partner (UK), 40-50% of all murders of women worldwide are by family or partners, but just 4-5% of men
1 in 3 women and 1 in 2 transwomen experience domestic abuse, in some countries those figures are 2 in 3, up to 71% (Ethiopia)
Even Universities are not safe where 1 in 7 young women experience abuse or violence
Up to 30% (eg Bangladesh) of women experience their first sexual act as forced
Forced marriage and sex tourism often go hand-in-hand with low ages of consent e.g., 9 (Afghanistan), 12 (Philippines), 13 (Japan), regularly 14-15 in other Asian countries. Rural areas may allow marriage even younger with sex at puberty (age 9 or earlier). Among Sri Lanka's Moor and Malay minorities under 12 is permitted with the permission of male leaders or relatives!
Over the last year 295 trans people were killed, mostly transwomen
Over 200 million girls alive worldwide now have undergone forced female genital mutilation (FGM)
2-3,000 Honour Based Violence (HBV) reported incidences/year, with 1 person a month being killed (UK), 2000/year (Pakistan)
Girls are lured by ISIS (50+ last year from the UK alone) or abducted by Boko Haram & others as war brides and sex slaves
Sex slavery and forced prostitution accounts for over 20% of all forced labour of women (4.5m people)
In 32 countries men cannot be accused of raping their wives
Girls are aborted more than boys as part of sex selection abortion, not only in India, China and elsewhere but also in the UK, as many as 5000 girls are missing from census data.
More facts about violence against women from WHO, UN Women.
"I'm a simple village girl who has always obeyed the orders of my father and brothers. Since forever, I have learned to say yes to everything. Today I have decided to say no…I want a divorce!…You've sullied the reputation of our family! You have stained our honor!" – Nujood Ali, I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced
Change Men* and Society to Eliminate Causes of Violence
Violence and abuse are possible because of physical, social, religious and economic power imbalances. Men should not have power and control over women's fortunes, choices, and bodies. This is manifested in legal, religious, cultural and political ways including victim shaming, reduced legal rights, and religious traditions. Women need human rights and agency over their bodies and lives, freedom to safely and economically exit abusive relationships, and for authorities to take seriously the claims of sexual and physical violence.
(*Men in the main, as they have the power, and are the main perpetrators, but this does not exlude women on women and girls violence)
AfghanistanAge of ConsentBabiesBoko HaramDASVDivorceDomestic AbuseDomestic ViolenceFGMGender Based ViolenceGirlsHBVHonour Based Violencehuman rights dayHuman TraffickingIDEVAWIntimate Partner ViolenceISISMalayMoorNujood AliOrange The WorldPhilippinesPubertySex Selection AbortionSex SlavesSex TourismSexual ViolenceSri LankaTransUKUNWar BridesWhite Ribbon DayWHOWomenYemen


Is 500 IU of Vitamin D Enough to Treat Vitamin D Deficiency?
My mother had her Vitamin D levels tested recently and they were at 25.7 ng/ml. She had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia several years ago and I had questioned her doctor about testing her levels because she suffers so much with muscular aches and pains.
He acknowledged that they were low and prescribed Citracal with Vit. D and magnesium.
The dosage is only 500iu of Vitamin D daily. I would like to know if this is really an adequate dosage to bring her levels up.
She doesn't get out in the sun very much and her diet doesn't include most foods that contain Vitamin D.
Comments for Is 500 IU of Vitamin D Enough to Treat Vitamin D Deficiency?
Grrrrr! Your doctor has NOT done ANY research on Vitamin D and that makes me mad. 500 IU of Vitamin D is HALF of what Dr. Cannell at the Vitamin D Council recommends for MAINTENANCE for a NEWBORN INFANT. Other studies would say that the dose that your doctor prescribed your mother is "Woefully Inadequate"!!
Ugghhh! So, I'm not sure why your doctor is so reluctant to give your mother more, especially when there is SO much Research on Vitamin D and Pain.
And if you Sign up for my Newsletter there is an EXTENSIVE report on Vitamin D and Pain that you can print out and give to your doctor that outlines that fact that even MILD vitamin D deficiencies can cause pain.
All of the current researcher recommendations for Vitamin D Levels state that Levels should be AT LEAST 40 ng/ml in order to be considered Sufficient.
Please go back and speak to your doctor. Although, your doctor will likely prescribe you a larger dose, anything that he prescribes will be Vitamin D2. And vitamin D2 is considered to be Not Suitable for Supplementation. Treating Vitamin D Deficiency with Vitamin D3 Supplements is by FAR the better choice.
So, you are going to have to really get educated and be assertive if you want to get your mom's vitamin D deficiency treated appropriately. You'll also need to insist upon vitamin D Levels approximately every 3 months until her levels have stabilized.
I know that's a lot to take in, so let me know if I can help.


Jeevan Jyoti Jan Kalyan Kendra (JJJKK) is working towards improving the economic status of women by raising their educational status, providing skill development programmes, technical trainings, animal husbandry programme. Periodic health check-ups are also carried out to improve the health status of women. It is also working for providing education for children of poor families and literacy programme for tribal women between the age group of 15-45 years. Nearly 125 Self Help Groups have been formed in 31 remote villages of Gomia Block by the Kendra.
Kendra also initiated the formation of a committee for Handicapped people. Presently 686 Handicapped people are members of this committee. Kendra helped the members in getting Handicapped Certificate from the Government, which aided them in getting facilities like pension under Vivekanand Pension Scheme, Rail Travel Card etc.
The organisation has also conducted awareness campaigns on HIV/AIDS, adolescent reproductive health care, prevention of female foetus, legal rights, and labour rights under NAREGA.


text:
Israeli destruction of Palestinian homes in West Bank, 'not compatible' with international humanitarian law, UN says
UNRWA/Lara Jonasdottir
The three-year-old girl in the photograph had been twice displaced with her family in the West Bank over the past year. (2018)
22 July 2019 Humanitarian Aid
Following "with sadness" the Israeli authorities' destruction of homes in the Palestinian community of Sur Bahir, three top United Nations officials issued a statement on Monday underscoring that the move was "not compatible" with Israel's "obligations under international humanitarian law".
Israel's Supreme Court has reportedly ruled that the houses were built too close to the separation barrier in the occupied West Bank, violating a construction ban.
"Among other things, the destruction of private property in occupied territory is only permissible where rendered absolutely necessary for military operations, which is not applicable", said Jamie McGoldrick, UN Humanitarian Coordinator, Gwyn Lewis, Director of West Bank Operations for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and James Heenan, Head of the UN Human Rights Office in the area.
Demolitions reported in Sur Bahir this morning pic.twitter.com/hO3XHi7EJG
OCHA oPt (Palestine)
ochaopt
"Furthermore", the statement continued, "it results in forced evictions, and contributes to the risk of forcible transfer facing many Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem".
The statement said that Israeli forces entered the community early on Monday morning, while it was still dark. The large-scale operation forced families out of their homes and demolished a number of residential buildings on the East Jerusalem side of the Barrier.
"Among those forcibly displaced or otherwise impacted are Palestine refugees, some of whom today are facing the reality of a second displacement in living memory", the UN officials flagged.
They stated that while humanitarian partners are poised to provide emergency response to those displaced or otherwise affected by the destruction of their private property, "no amount of humanitarian assistance can replace a home or cover the massive financial losses sustained today by the owners".
Several of the affected people report having invested their life savings in the properties, after securing the required building permits from the Palestinian Authority.
"What happened today in Sur Bahir is of even greater significance, as many other homes and structures now risk the same fate" said the senior UN officials.
Against international law
In 2004, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), ruled against constructing the Israeli Barrier and found that the parts running inside the West Bank, including East Jerusalem – including the Sur Bahir homes – "cannot be justified by military exigencies and thus violates Israel's obligations under international law", said the statement.
Moreover, in a resolution of 20 July 2004, the UN General Assembly, demanded that Israel comply with its legal obligations as stated in the ICJ's advisory opinion.
"Had there been concrete action to ensure respect for these principles, and for international humanitarian and human rights law, generally, the people of Sur Bahir would not be experiencing the trauma they are today, and violations of their rights", the statement concluded.
Occupied West Bank
UN 'regrets' new US position on legality of Israeli settlements
Palestinian children's education deeply impacted by 'interference' around West Bank schools, UN warns
$1.4 billion needed this year to fund UN's agency for Palestine refugees
UN officials' statement on demolitions in Sur Bahir
General Assembly Resolution ES-10/15 (2004)
OCHA Occupied Palestinian Territory
Persistent threat of war erodes prospects for Middle East peace, Security Council told
Developments in the Middle East cannot be divorced from Israel's military occupation of Palestinian territory and settlement-building, or Hamas' hold over Gaza and its militant activity, a senior United Nations envoy told the Security Council on Thursday, warning that these actions "collectively erode the prospects of a two-State solution".
Palestine refugees' relief chief warns Security Council money to fund Gaza operations will run out in mid-June
The head of the UN relief and works agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) warned on Wednesday that despite weathering a "truly existential crisis" over funding last year, money to continue operations this year in the Gaza Strip will only last until mid-June.


I have never read a book before that brought back a memory from my childhood so vividly before, but that is exactly what happened while reading Sebastian's Poet, it was not a good or bad memory, just something that I thought I had forgotten. My heart broke for Sebastian in so many places in this book that I lost count. He is a very special little boy who had to grow up way to early like so many other kids, and it is not fair. Thankfully Sebastian had Teal that came in to his life and tried to provide for him the way a parent should and show him that that children should be children.There are a lot of "feels" in this book from heartache for Sebastian and his brother Renee, to rage and then almost pity for their Dad as he could never quite get the help that he needed that for me stemmed from more than one mental health issue. My favourite character had to be Teal though, he was able to understand right off the bat what the boys needed, and tried to provide that for them as much as possible, even if it was something as simple as making them breakfast, or just spending time with them.This story takes you through a very tumultuous period for Sebastian and Renee, and it looks as though one of them may take the same road that their father did, but by the end of the novel, you really feel that with the twist in the story, they are going to be ok, that even though you may have given up on yourself, and you feel that there is not a whole lot of hope for what the future brings, you really just need that one person behind you saying yes you can, making you believe that you can be whatever you want to be, and your past does not necessarily determine what your outcome will be.This novel for me is a 5/5 for sure! I would suggest this for anyone who loves a novel that is going to make you feel (even if it is uncomfortable at times), and makes you think about what other people have gone through and why they may be the way that they are.


Hampi was eerily amazing. The main ruins on the tourist path were spectacular but just that: spectacular tourist ruins. When we started walking around we realized that the entire landscape was dotted with the remains of the city that once stood there. I saw it described as (in its heyday) larger than Rome and more beautiful than Lisboa and after a couple days there it's easy to imagine.
Which one is the monkey?
Our first morning was my favorite part of the trip. We'd walked around Hampi Bazaar and some of the nearby ruins at sunset when we came in but what I was really itching to do was to get down to the river and see what birds I could find (some archaeologist's wife I am, huh?). Kekai, who can barely stand to put down the binoculars, readily agreed to come with me at dawn. Kalani and Tim not so much so, but come morning Tim decided to join in and, after a lot of moaning, Kalani also decided to join us.
We'd tried to find access to the river the evening before but had only found some mosquito-infested restaurants perched above shrubby banks. But while sipping tea and swatting mosquitoes I'd seen a banked stone path leading out of town along the river that looked promising. As far as Tim was concerned it started off good: some tight passages between rocks with carvings inside and the birds weren't too boring. Kalani was most fascinated by the whirlpool warning near the calm waters and Kekai couldn't keep his eyes off the lapwings. The road dead-ended at an old temple that was still in use and a dirty little path continued along a narrow stretch between the temple and the river before widening out into a floodplain then more rocky outcrops (lots of rocks in this part of India). As we gazed at the rocks, one of the boys shouted, "hey! There's a ruin up there," and, sure enough, there was. Now we had a destination and took off across the boulders to see what was up with that ruin. Once we got going, we realized the rocks were strewn with old structures (mostly just stone, but a few with the mud tops still standing), carvings on the stone, large stone steps, and a few temples. We spent several magical hours exploring before returning for breakfast and an autorickshaw drive to the main structures of Hampi.
After breakfast we hired an autorickshaw to take us on an all-day trip to the main ruins. They were truly amazing but too much for one day. By the time we got to the Vithala Temple Complex we were all almost too tired to appreciate the magnificence of it. Plus you're no longer allowed to tap the musical pillars (completely understandable given the number of tourists passing through) which I would have loved to have heard. But everything was spectacular anyway.
The final cool thing we did was to take a coracle down and across the river and hike up to the Hanuman temple. Ever since watching the Ramayana shows in Indonesia as a kid I've been fascinated by Hanuman so it was cool to be able to visit the place said to be his birthplace.


We are often asked, "Where are the new restaurants in Sarasota?" "What's new on the Sarasota dining scene?" "Are there any new restaurants in Sarasota we should try?" "Have you reviewed any new restaurants lately?" Of course, we are always interested in providing accurate and valuable information to these questions. Sometimes this information is shared verbally. Other times it is posted on our social media pages. Frequently it is shared by word of mouth.
In an effort to provide a more formalized way of disseminating information on new restaurants recently opened in Sarasota, we have created The New Restaurants in Sarasota Guide. This guide is designed to highlight the "newly opened restaurants in Sarasota; full reviews will follow.
Empacurious Market & Bistro: Located in the Gulf Gate area, this hybrid market/restaurant offers artisanal Latin street food with a variety of different spices and flavors. Focusing on empanadas which include veggie, chicken, pork, and beef options. Very casual. See our full review.
Element Mediterranean Steakhouse: A true steakhouse dining experience with a local twist. Nice decor, a small yet sophisticated bar and dining room, outdoor and private dining options. Large menu of pasta, seafood, beef, pork, and chicken options. Pricey.
PBnT: Pizza Burgers and Tacos, quick serve, downtown location, super casual, family-friendly, reasonably priced. Beer and wine available. Great outdoor seating.
Summer House Steak & Seafood: High end, refined dining comes to Siesta Key Village. The Summer House is creating the complete dining experience in a relaxed, casually elegant setting.
Italian Tradition: A beautiful decor with indoor and outdoor dining space. Northern Italian cuisine, a bit pricey. Weekly specials. Full bar service.
Giorgio's on Hillview: Family friendly, traditional Italian-American restaurant, pizza, pasta, and much more, large menu, full bar service. Open daily for dinner. Early bird dining and happy hour options. Wallet-friendly pricing.
ABO: Atlantic Beer & Oyster, our downtown neighborhood oyster bar. Featuring an ever-changing selection of East, West, and Gulf coast oysters, smoked fish, and seafood. Part sports bar, part seafood shack, pure fun.
Napule: Sarasota's version of Eataly. Fresh house made pasta, wood-fired pizzas, salumeria, and full bar service. Very casual, a bit noisy, and very busy. Reservations required.
Tokaj: The latest dinner dining restaurant from the owners of the Sunnyside Cafe. Eastern European/Hungarian influenced cuisine. Continental in style and decor. Old World, classic.
1812 Osprey: From the owners of The Oasis Cafe, a new wine bar, a casual eatery in the hot Southside Village area.
Pazzo Southside: From the former owners of Mozzarella Fella, this casual Southside eatery offers pizza, awesome sandwiches, and home-cooked styled Italian dinners, nightly specials, beer, and wine. A must try kinda place!


The most recent in know-how for residences encourages residents not to lift a finger, besides perhaps to the touch their phones. The tendencies that have been affecting the electronics industry over the past few years are on-going and continuing to influence on distributors, whether or not that's technology drivers, mergers and acquisitions amongst OEMs or prospects relying extra heavily on distributors to choose up the slack, as they look to chop back on their very own direct gross sales and advertising and marketing capabilities.
As well as, the programmers in your company can be taught so much from expertise blogs every time there's a new operating system introduced by Google Android, Home windows or Apple. Although current information about IBM making Watson available widely at US clinics could increase the whole thought of physicians needing help from algorithms. Be a part of our sixteen,000 subscribers who obtain the New Electronics weekly round up. Bringing the most recent news, options, whitepapers, interviews and extra direct to your inbox.
Thankfully for right this moment's tech savvy particular person, who likes to keep abreast with the latest happenings on the earth of expertise, mediums like laptop blogs and expertise articles are simply accessible on the internet. Any enterprise that doesn't adapt and grow to keep up with the newest technology seriously risks being left behind in the wake of their rivals who choose to trip technology's leading edge.
So before the inevitable invasion of the tech giants, banks must take a leaf out of the retailers' rule book and start fighting hearth with hearth by investing heavily into the client experience and enabling expertise in order supercharge their branches and compete. Liquid biopsy was the big thing in 2016 and now it is turning into extra accessible for sufferers worldwide The technology has limitations, but it surely's getting higher.
If you happen to run an IT firm, subscribing to blogs on technology can assist you study the latest traits in the market. Join at the moment to get one of the best of Automotive Information delivered straight to your e mail inbox, freed from charge. Affleck believes proudly owning the newest know-how and having an open thoughts to new ideas and products is important for his company's future.


text:
Exotic sports car slams through elementary school gate
by: Jaime Chambers, Christy Simeral
Posted: Aug 23, 2018 / 09:28 PM PDT / Updated: Aug 23, 2018 / 11:45 PM PDT
UPDATE: Officials identify the teen who plowed through an elementary school fence before causing a fatal, wrong-way crash on I-805 Thursday as 18-year-old Trevor Heitmann, a popular YouTube personality known as "McSkillet."
SAN DIEGO — The driver of an exotic sports car smashed through a gate at an elementary school in Carmel Valley Thursday evening before speeding off and evading capture.
The incident happened shortly after 4 p.m. at Ashley Falls Elementary School, according to San Diego police.
Witnesses say after the driver of a black McLaren slammed through the gate, he got out of the car and smashed a window on a school building.
One witness told FOX 5 he was nearly hit by the car as the driver, whom he described as a teenager, sped out of the campus parking lot.
"I was worried he was going to hit the two people standing at the gate," Alec Galloway said. "They stood in the middle trying to stop him, doing hand motions but he didn't stop at all. If they didn't move they would've got run over … he didn't stop his car, he just kept accelerating and the gate busted open when he hit it."
No one was injured.
Investigators said they have identified the driver and are looking into several other incidents involving the car.
California Highway Patrol investigators were at the school Thursday night, but officials did not say whether the incident was related to a fiery crash that killed three people approximately thirty minutes later on Interstate 805.


Sunday 16th February 2014, 11.00 am - 2.00 pm.
Meet at Ham House (PL2 2HE) at 10.45 am or in the community orchard at 11.00 am.
Come and help plant damson, plum, cherry, fig, walnut, green gage, mulberry, quince, medlar trees.
Free refreshments including hot soup. Please wear sturdy footwear and outdoor clothing.


text:
How Much Force is Too Much? Homeowner Livid Over Destruction To Capture Shoplifter
Kathryn Porter Send an email June 6, 2015
A WalMart shoplifter who barged into a home while fleeing from police on the afternoon of June 3rd, found himself outmanned and outgunned as Greenwood Village Police in Colorado destroyed the home to capture him. The alleged perpetrator, Robert Jonathan Seacat, fired rounds at police officers during the 20 hour standoff.
Police used chemical agents, grenades, and a battering ram that left enormous holes throughout the structure, causing extensive damage. A neighbor also reported that police drove a tank through their fences.
Homeowner Leo Lech viewed the actions by police as paramilitary, suggesting what was done to his home appeared to cause more damage than that done to the compound of Osama Bin Laden. He described the use of force to arrest one gunman as an abomination and an atrocity.
Lech told the local ABC affiliate:
"They methodically fired explosives into every room in this house in order to extract one person. Granted, he had a handgun, but against 100 officers? You know, the proper thing to do would be to evacuate these homes around here, ensure the safety of the homeowners around here, fire some tear gas through the windows. If that didn't work, you have 50 SWAT officers with body armor break down the door."
A nine-year-old boy inside the home during the invasion was talked out of the house at the beginning of the standoff by the police and his mother. He came out of the home unharmed. The mother is engaged to Lech's son.
Lech's son and fiancé rented the home. They did not carry renter's insurance and have lost everything.
The Greenwood Village chief of police told the local news affiliate, "We did what we needed to do to protect human life."
Watch Lech's interview here:
Kathryn Porter
Kathryn Porter is a political watchdog who has served as an elected member of the Colorado GOP State Central Committee and the El Paso County Republican Party Executive Committee. As an illuminator of truth, she was banned as a guest of the 2016 Republican National Convention by then Colorado State Chairman. Following her banishment, she contested the entire 2016 delegation to hold the state party accountable for balloting errors, the disregard of bylaws, and numerous irregularities at the state convention. The 2016 RNC Credentials Committee granted her a convention pass, overruling the former chair's pronouncement. In an RNC report responding to the case she brought before the Committee on Contests, the Colorado Republican Committee was chastized for its "embarassing incompetentence."
Reflecting on Benghazi: Never Forget!
Rick Perry Gives Very 'Presidential' Speech in New Hampshire, Focuses on Veterans


text:
Shaka Laka Boom Boom est une série télévisée indienne produite par Tashagala Productions, diffusée sur la chaine télévisée Star Plus de 2000 à 2004. Vijay Krishna Acharya (la franchise Dhoom) en est le scénariste.

Synopsis
L'histoire tourne autour d'un garçon possédant un crayon magique qui lui permet de rendre vivantes les choses qu'il dessine.

Distriution
 Kinshuk Vaidya : Sanju
 Muhammad Faizan Ali : Sanju
 Rahul Joshi : Shaan
 Hansika Motwani : Karuna
 Sainee Raj : Ritu
 Reema Vohra : Sanjana
 Adnan Jp : Jaggu
 Madhur Mittal : Tito
 Nikhil Yadav : Partho/Poison
 Mamik/Rushad Rana : Sanju adulte/Sandros
 Tanvi Hegde : Fruity
 Lata Sabharwal : Sanju's mother
 Aditya Kapadia : Jhumru
 Vaishali Thakkar : Lalita
 Romit Raaj : Karan
 Jennifer Winget : Piya
 Chahat Khanna : Simple (ex) / Jay Rani
 Tanmay Jahagirdar : Sunny
 Ishita Sharma : Simple
 Mehul : Short Leg
 KK Goswami : Crystal
 Shehzad Khan : Tiger
 Sachin Singh : Monu
 Jagesh Mukati : Mangu
 Kurush Deboo : colonel K.K.
 Bharati Achrekar : le proviseur
 Jarrar Choudhry: l'inspecteur Abhinav
 Frank Anthony : Chandu

Liens externes

Série télévisée indienne des années 2000

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Eclectic boutique design company, Schoolhouse, has officially opened a retail space in East Liberty.
Schoolhouse produces and sells a wide range of vintage-inspired pieces, including lighting, hardware, home decor, and furniture. The Portland Oregon-based brand operates from their 125,000 square-foot factory on Nicolai Street in Portland. From concept design to production, this is the place where the magic happens. They also have a retail store in Tribeca, New York – and now, Pittsburgh.
The serendipitous molds were the genesis for the brand. After the discovery, Faherty and his Schoolhouse team worked to restore the molds back into production. From there, the company continued to grow to where they are today.
The East Liberty outpost is the brand's first retail store in over 10 years.
Schoolhouse Pittsburgh is located inside of the former police bureau building on Broad Street in East Liberty. Dubbed "The Detective Building,"Brian Faherty and the Schoolhouse have spent the past three years rehabilitating this long-abandoned building.
The first floor of the building is occupied by the Schoolhouse storefront and The Bureau, a new coffee shop concept by The Vandal team. Above the store and coffee shop there are three floors of office space operated by Beauty Shoppe coworking company. Every floor features curated décor from Schoolhouse.
Learn more about Schoolhouse PGH, and the Schoolhouse style, from the brand's Fall 2018 catalogue.
Schoolhouse East Liberty is open from 9:00 A.M. until 6:00 P.M. daily.


Glen is the Managing Partner and founder of Camden Delta. Camden Delta solutions center on strategy & workforce planning, organizational change management, HR strategy and organization effectiveness, integrated talent management process improvement and leadership/individual coaching for success.
Glen's deep experience covers the realm of human capital management including defining human capital strategies and workforce planning requirements for clients across the globe, effectively facilitating corporate restructuring, growth and change and delivering talent management excellence in collaboration with his clients. Prior to founding Camden Delta, Glen was a Principal with Hewitt Associates and a senior human resources leader.
He has been fortunate to work with some of the world's largest and most recognized companies and also has devoted significant time to helping to improve the human capital outcomes of numerous public sector agencies and non-profit organizations. Recent clients include Assurant, Crawford & Company, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, HD Supply, Goodwill Industries, and Kaiser Permanente.
He is a frequent speaker and writer on such topics as HR in the 21st Century, Excelling in HR During Times of Change, Strategic Workforce Planning and Creating Value through Effective Talent Management. Glen, in collaboration with Camden Delta associates, has researched and published numerous studies and reports on the Multi-Generational Workforce, Strategic Workforce Planning and Employee Engagement of the U.S. Workforce.
Glen received a M.S. degree in Human Resources Management & Development from Chapman University and a B.S. degree in Management/HR from Seton Hall University. He is an active member in the HR Planning Society, OD Network, the Human Capital Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management. He also proudly served in the U.S. Army. He currently serves as a Senior Faculty Member for the Human Capital Institute.
Glen resides in a small community outside of Atlanta with his wife, three children and two adopted dogs.
Broccoli!!! Cauliflower is a close second!


Where did the word "Muffin" come from???
All of you who have ever been to this part of India would totally agree-the place is breathtakingly beautiful, I had gone there on a school trip - my first ever experience of staying away from home for 10 days! Can you imagine the sense of freedom :) only any of you who have studied in a Convent will be able to understand what I am talking about!!!
Anyway's apart from eyeing all the guys around (haha the good ol' days) ,we learnt a lot too- mainly about Buddhists(the place is dotted with beautiful monastries)we also saw Sikkim, Gangtok and all the neighbouring areas.Darjeeling has loads of Tea-gardens as all of you know, we bought several tins of this prized tea back with us.
Sikkim has Tiger Hill close by ,which is supposedly the closest you can get to seeing the Sun rise anywhere on Earth,we had to get up at 4 in the morning and jeep's take you up a very steep hill, almost vertical -then all you got to do is wait with chattering teeth and bitter winds -for the Sun to rise,but it's totally worth it,the Sun as it rises seems HUGE right in front of you,if you can imagine in your head what I am talking about,the Sun is so close you will feel direct heat on your face-Memorable sight!
Now let's make the Thukpa first !
Chop tomatoes roughly add ginger and garlic and give several whistles in the pressure cooker, cool, blend and strain.
Put on heat again ,add the rest of the ingredients except for salt, lemon juice ,cabbage, coriander and ajinomoto and cook till veggies are done but still crunchy, add the seasonings and cabbage, cook for few seconds, garnish with cilantro and serve- SLURP! SLURP!
Loved the name Bindiya, thanks for visiting my blog and leaving your sweet trials.... All the ingredients of this soup are so handy, can make them anytime. Tx for sharing!
Wow Delicious soup.Would love to have a huge bowl in this cold weather here.
I am gonna try this soon. Will let you know.
sounds like minestrone. i love tibetan food and their culture. gotta try this.
healthy recipe. will try it soon.
Hey that sounds delicious...I am surely going to try this asap..
Looks good, but...where's the beef?
About Thukpa recipe - I rather think that the noodles have to be first boiled and rinsed to remove all excess starch before adding them to the soup. At least that is what the taste indicated when I had it in Bhutan.
How are you.Nice receipe its really good and one thing is missing it is black crushed pepper,as i am from Nepal we generally prefer to add pepper in it ,rest all the thing is good.
I love chinese food as well as Tibetan.It seem you are in passion of food ,as that's my hobby as well as passion to.
It seem you are in passion of cooking me to ,its my hobby and passion .
I tasted Thupka during my first ever visit to Manali. I stayed and worked in Manali approx. for 2 year and i enjoyed Thupka regularity. I am not sure about todays, but at that time the Manu market (in Manali) used to produces the best mutton Thupka i have ever tested. I had almost got addicted to it at least during my stay there.
Someone who plans to visit Manali must not miss the chance to taste Manali Thupka (Vegetarian version is equally tasteful) and Momos. A aged couple family staying in a wooden/earthen hut near Hotel Kanishka produced the best Momos in Manali. I pray and hope i find both of them cooking momos and thupka (they cook only vegetable version) when i visit Manali next time.
It looks good.. I will give a try and let you know. Tukpa is a Tibetan cuisine (I think Thukpa stands for noodles in Tibetan language), and I love Tibetan food.
Its good to know that you liked the place and the food.. its nice to read the blog,just wanted to let you know that you have a slight mistake with the info. Tiger Hill is located in Darjeeling,just a few minutes drive uphill on the outskirts of Darjeeling town Cheers..!!
Hi , first of all I must say I absolutely love your pic , smiling vibrantly.
Second , this dish is lovely. I was searching for the Nepalise recipes, came across this one..
Well I grew up on that, but what we had was made from beef stock those days. For the best momos and Thukpa in the world you got to visit Penangs Restaurant in Darjeeling.
Thanks for the recipe. It would be nice if one could have a printer friendly version of the recipes.
Awesome turned out so good! Was just going through to find panjeeri recipe and got your page good work bindiya keep it up! Cheers, do you have a facebook page?
Hi, is der anything called laphens? its tibetian heard it when i was in Mcleodganj do u have its recipe?
looks delicious, Lovely healthy version.


text:
Home/Business/Gary Lavin dreams big as Irish brand Vit Hit secures a big US deal
Gary Lavin dreams big as Irish brand Vit Hit secures a big US deal
Fry Electronics TeamMarch 20, 2022
Irish drinks brand Vit Hit sold more than 30 million bottles worldwide last year and has now secured a major distribution deal with US giant Walgreens.
Chairman and founder Gary Lavin said that Sunday independent Sales were up 38 percent this year and he expects to sell 35 million bottles in 2022.
After a successful trial, the brand is now available in 300 Walgreens stores across the US. The chain has more than 7,000 stores and could potentially hit Vit be rolled out gradually to everyone, Lavin said.
"I'm confident we'll end up in all 7,000 stores and it's an absolutely huge opportunity for us," he said. "To enter such a large retailer at such a level would be a real game changer."
The former professional rugby player took 22 years to build the brand he founded after a knee injury ended his playing career with Harlequins in the 1990s.
His idea of a health-conscious, vitamin-rich alternative to sugary soft drinks almost failed when the financial crisis nearly destroyed the business before it could get a foothold.
"I was under so much pressure at the time that I couldn't pay the bills and all those things," he said.
"It was almost a relief when I lost my house. I just got in my car and drove across the country to try to rebuild the business. I think to be successful I had to get to the bottom of the barrel."
But those days are long gone now, and Lavin said the brand's compound annual growth has been 23 percent over the past eight years.
Vit Hit has taken a hit in its main Irish and UK markets in the early months of the pandemic.
"In the UK we had built up a sizeable business in the food service sector in cafes, universities, hospitals etc. That was literally wiped out and that was 25 per cent of our business in the UK and retail was down another 20 per cent," he said.
But other countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands and Iceland have also grown strongly. Australia has "exploded" and is up 350 percent over the past year compared to 2020, he said.
"We will be selling three million bottles there this year, which translates to retail sales of around AUD 13 million," he said.
In 2018, Lavin moved to Australia with his family for five months to focus on building a market for Vit Hit.
"I really believed that with their outdoor sports lifestyle there was a market for a product like ours."
However, the brand was not an overnight success Down Under.
"My accountant told me last year to shut down Australia because we're only handling around 900 cases a month, which just wasn't good enough. But basically I'm an optimist and I never see failure. I wanted to prove that Vit Hit is a brand that can travel, that it's not just something that people in Ireland and the UK might like. It just exploded last August and we're out of stock at 20,000 cases."
Vit Hit is still 100 percent privately owned, although Lavin has been attempted to sell on three separate occasions by others.
"A lot of companies are selling because they need cash, but we have very sustainable, self-paced growth and are profitable. So if I'm approached, I just tell them we don't have to sell."
Staying independent has many benefits, most notably the freedom to move quickly into new markets or new brands, he said.
"We have never taken capital from an outside party. We stood on our own two feet. We're 5th in the top 30 drink brands in Ireland and I'm pretty sure we're the only independent brand. Our model is sustainable because if Walgreens told us, for example, that they would put us in 7,000 stores, we could take out a stocking loan.
"We have a really good balance sheet and have been profitable for about nine years. So if we had an offer like that from Walgreens, I think even conservative Irish banks would be happy to support it."
However, being independent can also have its downsides.
"Vit Hit is currently the best selling functional drink in the UK but we aim to be in the top 10 drinks on every level. What is holding us back is sales. We're not Coca Cola that could just say, 'Put our new brand on 20,000 shelves,' when in fact we're outselling bigger brands."
Lavin said he often challenges retailers on how to build the next Innocent — the last truly successful independent brand to make it big. It's getting harder and harder for independents to achieve that kind of success, but Lavin is confident that Vit Hit can pull off just that.
"Our sales rate is so good. We just need to get on more shelves. It's really difficult to get a brand that actually sells, even for the big companies. We have an and I'm holding on to it for my life."
https://www.independent.ie/business/gary-lavin-dreaming-big-as-irish-brand-vit-hit-secures-major-us-deal-41461548.html Gary Lavin dreams big as Irish brand Vit Hit secures a big US deal
Dublin takes a step towards surviving in Division One with a crucial win over Donegal
Triangle Strategy has sold 800,000 copies in just two weeks
Drogheda Chamber President Robert Murray resigns in October
Britain's truss promises Bank of England "independence" and action on energy prices
Putin in 'desperate situation' as Russian army 'running out' of ammunition: British spy chief
We transformed our drab mobile home into an unrecognizable, fully furnished family home – it was hard work, but it was worth it


text:
China's Golden Cities
By Newsweek Staff	 On 7/2/06 at 8:00 PM EDT
The common assumption about China's boom is that its impact, good and bad, is concentrated in the coastal cities where economic reforms first began 25 years ago. One thinks of Shenzhen's blossoming from a fishing village into an industrial metropolis of 7 million people with a business climate that builds great wealth, but also may foster corruption and degradation of the environment. That's what many of us at the World Bank would have assumed, too, until we began surveying 12,400 firms in 120 Chinese cities. While we are only beginning to analyze the data, a number of patterns quickly emerge. Among the most striking is the fact that there is no link between fast growth and the breeding of corruption or pollution.
In general, China's transition to a market economy appears to be both more advanced and somewhat less damaging than we thought. Only 8 percent of the firms in this random sample of manufacturing are majority state-owned. Though they control one third of the assets in the sample, this still suggests a larger private sector than previous estimates. The extent of the transition varies dramatically:, from 99 percent private firms in Wenzhou or Jiaxing on the southeast coast to 60 percent in Anshan in the old northeastern rust belt. But in the cities where the private sector flourishes, firms reported far less red tape--from faster times through Customs to fewer days dealing with bureaucracy and less frequent demands for bribes.
While corruption is inherently hard to measure, we get pretty good response rates on the question of whether firms have to pay bribes to get loans from commercial banks, which are still largely state-owned. In southeast cities such as Hangzhou or Xiamen, 1 to 2 percent of firms report paying bribes to gain loans; the figure is above 10 percent in more than 20 cities of the center and west.
What explains these differences? Being near the coast is a help in China, because of access to external ideas and because coastal areas were permitted to experiment with reform first. An intriguing pattern is that governance is best in coastal cities that had very little industry when reform began in 1978. Shenzhen now has the highest per capita GDP in China. The same holds in Jiangmen, Dongguan, Suzhou--all were industrial backwaters in 1978, and responded to China's opening by creating good environments for private investment and learning from outsiders. Cities that already had industry tended to protect what they had and reform less aggressively.
A good investment climate for firms also goes hand in hand with a good environment for people. As expected, cities with better investment climates tend to have higher wages (averaging $3,000 to $4,000 a year in coastal cities, versus $1,000 in the interior), less unemployment, lower infant mortality and higher education spending. But surprisingly, they also score higher on environmental measures such as green space per capita, clean-air days per year and percent of water discharge that is treated. For example, cities like Weihai, Qingdao, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Fuzhou all score very highly in terms of business climate, and all treat 97 percent or more of their industrial waste water, with Weihai treating a perfect 100 percent.
The opposite is also true. The average waste water treatment rate for cities with poor investment environments was about 78 percent. Why is this so? Cities with poor investment climates tend to have industry dominated by state firms, which often are the worst polluters.
Let's be crystal clear: all the major cities of China face serious environmental challenges. Still, many of the coastal cities now realize that having a good environment and being a nice place to live are critical to attracting talented people in an increasingly competitive world. So a number of "golden cities"--such as Suzhou, Hangzhou, Dongguan, Jiangmen, Qingdao and Weihai--are finally becoming both relatively nice places to live and good places in which to do business.
China's Golden Cities | News