text:
.@LilveronicaR to Heat Up the @SapphireNYC Stage for 1 Night Only
Veronica Rodriguez to Heat Up the Sapphire NYC Stage for 1 Night Only
The Lee Network Presents the Sexy Latina Performer in New York on December 4!
NEW YORK (December 3, 2015) – Adult feature dance agency The Lee Network presents adult star Veronica Rodriguez on the main stage of Sapphire NYC for one night only on December 4. The sexy Latina wraps-up a successful year of feature dancing at one of the world's biggest venues.
Veronica Rodriguez will bring her sensual dance moves and energetic interactive show to Sapphire's main stage for one of her select dancing appearances this year. She will be available for lap dances, fan photos, and autographs between performances.
"I love coming to New York City specifically to dance at Sapphire!" exclaimed Rodriguez. "It is my favorite club!"
Rodriguez's posts on social media have helped create a huge buzz leading up to her one-night performance. Instagram and Twitter posts are receiving thousands of likes, comments, and shares.
The 24-year-old star is known for her sexual performances on popular adult films, such as this year's erotic action feature "Lock and Load," the newly-released "Squirt for Me," as well as the recent releases "Teen Matinee" and "Bubble Gum Girls." Her live performances further amplify her sex appeal and enthusiasm onto the stage with acrobatic skills, playful teasing, and crowd-pleasing dance moves that have thrilled fans across the country.
"Veronica has established herself not only as the foremost Latina adult star and feature entertainer in the industry today, but also very high on such rankings in general. Her appearance is never less than stunning, and her pole work is among the best. Sapphire has welcomed Veronica many times and will continue to do so, as her fans always come out for her and she never disappoints. It's always interesting to hear the house dancers give her credit – sometimes begrudgingly even, as they can be the toughest judges," said Derek Hay, booking agent for The Lee Network. "She is the epitome of a true entertainer!"
Sapphire New York is the premier gentlemen's club in the Big Apple. It features the biggest stars in the adult industry along with the most beautiful adult entertainers in New York. It is also home to Prime 333, an exclusive New York Steakhouse recognized for its world class steaks! The club also features VIP seating, VIP rooms, bottle service and a main stage for top adult performers. The club is online at www.NYSapphire.com.
The Lee Network is the premier feature dance agency, representing the biggest names in adult entertainment. Serving gentlemen's clubs across the country, the agency formerly represented legends, like Ginger Lynn and Jenna Jameson, as well as today's current superstars, like Alexis Texas, and Tori Black. For more information, The Lee Network is online at www.TheLeeNetwork.com.
Click here for a complete list of adult star talent represented by The Lee Network.
For more information about Veronica Rodriguez's appearance at Sapphire New York, the club's VIP amenities, including, dinner and a private limo ride with the adult star, click here or call (212) 421-3600.
About The Lee Network:
Since 1989, The Lee Network has been the true source of Adult Film Stars, having played a leading role in shaping the Feature Entertainment Business of the Gentlemen's Club Industry around the globe. From legends such as Ginger Lynn, Amber Lynn, Christy Canyon, Tera Patrick, and Jenna Jameson, to modern-day stars such as Belladonna, Bree Olson, Alexis Texas, Jesse Jane, and Tori Black, and top magazine models, showgirls, mainstream celebrities, and TV reality stars, no other agency has ever boasted such a star-studded lineup rivaling that which The Lee Network has provided for over the last two decades. For the very best in Feature Entertainment, clubs and fans can always count on The Lee Network to deliver. Its clients are among the very best, well established and most respected club owners and managers in the business, many for over 15 years. The Lee Network's team of principals and agents have their finger on the pulse of the Adult Entertainment Industry; the company's resources are unmatched, and its talent roster is exceptional. For more information, visit http://www.theleenetwork.com.
About Sapphire NYC:
Sapphire NYC, the premier NYC gentlemen's club in the tri-state area, pampers New Yorkers with provocative dancers, full bottle service, and an extensive list of wine and champagne, plus complimentary concierge services with VIP amenities. Guests of Sapphire NYC will be treated to a wide array of lovely ladies as the gentlemen's club has over 8,000 entertainers. In addition to the upscale gentlemen's club, Sapphire NYC is home to Prime 333, an exclusive New York Steakhouse with amazing cuisine and exceptional world-class steaks. Sapphire NYC also features deluxe amenities, including designer VIP suites with private butlers, to satisfy your every indulgence. For more information, visit http://nysapphire.com/.
The Lee Network, TheLeeNetwork.com, feature dance agency, Veronica Rodriguez, Sapphire, New York, Sapphire NYC, porn star, performer, meet porn star, top gentlemens club, number one gentlemen's club, strip club, feature dance, porn star stripper, December 4
To book Veronica Rodriguez for feature dancing, please contact:
Derek Hay – The Lee Network
derek@TheLeeNetwork.com
Please direct all media requests for The Lee Network to:
PR@TheLeeNetwork.com
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New Study by @SquirtOrg Shows What Over Half of Gay & Bi Students Fantasize About - September 12, 2016
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Posted on December 3, 2015 Author FAMCategories Adult Industry NewsTags feature dance agency, New York, Sapphire, Sapphire NYC, The Lee Network, TheLeeNetwork.com, Veronica Rodriguez
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The Anti-spell amulet in the event editor.
The Anti-spell amulet is an event which appears in the original Rayman, Rayman Designer and its spin-offs.
The Anti-spell amulet as it appears when hacking the original Rayman.
In the original Rayman it can be seen using the same sprite as the save icon on the world map through hacking the game. In the event editor of Rayman Designer it appears as a small yellow circle with the face of Betilla inside it. Her hat is sticking out on the top of the circle. During normal gameplay the Anti-spell amulet can't be seen by the player.
The Anti-spell amulet reverses any spells cast by Mr Dark upon touching it. It functions similarly to a gendoor, although it has a fixed size and can't be linked to other events. It appears twice in the original Rayman in the level Mr Dark's Dare where it first reverses the reversed controls spell and secondly the forced run spell.
Oddly enough this event appears in the enemy category. This is most likely due to its connection with other enemy events.
This page was last edited on 23 March 2019, at 17:17.


Supervision of related public health programs, immunization programs, and communicable disease surveillance, prevention, and control.
The delivery of programs and services in the areas of Population Health Assessment and Surveillance and Environmental Health.
Provides direction for contact tracing, investigation, control measures and surveillance of these diseases.
Supervises and directs immunization programs in the County and provides guidelines to those who administer vaccines.


I called Gloria on the phone.
"I was wheeling the garbage bin out to the curb, and I heard a sound," I said. "It sounded like music."
"So I kept wheeling, and I heard it again," I said. "So I opened the lid, and do you know what I heard?"
"Pa-la-la-la-Polly!" I said. "THAT'S what I heard!"
"Oh, no," she said, laughing. "I knew you'd find that."
"So you tried to throw out Polly Pocket Groove 'N Dance Disco," I said. That was the little toy that you could wind up and it would start playing the Polly Pocket song, which, by law, required us all to start dancing.
"It was broken," she said. She lied. ALL LIES.
"This continues a disturbing pattern that began with Little Chemo Bear and continued with the Headless Christmas Reindeer," I said. "I'm going to wake up in a trash bin some morning." She laughed.
"Do you know what we'll be doing tonight?" I asked.
"Dancing," I said. "You have been foiled."


text:
**Poke** is a dependency injection framework inspired by - [Dagger](http://square.github.io/dagger/).

Why reinvent the wheel?
* The main reason is to incorporate with [AndroidMvc](http://kejunxia.github.io/AndroidMvc/) framework, it needs to do **reference count**. Since [AndroidMvc](http://kejunxia.github.io/AndroidMvc/) automatically saves and restores state of controllers, when a controller is not used its state won't need to be managed any more. So [AndroidMvc](http://kejunxia.github.io/AndroidMvc/) needs to know when a controller is not referenced.
* Another reason: Dagger requires to register implementations manually to satisfy all injectable objects. The reason behind this is that Android apps need to scan through the whole dex file to find out implementations. This is expensive and slows down the startup of Android apps. To avoid scanning the whole dex file, manual registration is more efficient for runtime.

  But it is a little tedious. To find the balance between simpler code and runtime performance, **Poke** can use naming convention to automatically locate implementations. So we don't need to register implementations one by one in **real** application. However, **Poke** still allows registering implementation manually. This is helpful either for dynamical replacement of implementations or mocking injectable dependencies in unit tests.

## How to inject
As mentioned, Poke allows bind the contract and its implementations automatically and manually. Let's have a look how to achieve them with the examples below.
### 1. Automatically locate implementation by naming convention
By default, **Poke** is trying to locate implementations by naming convention. The rule is, to find the concrete class of an interface, it looks for the implementation class with the same as the interface but with a suffix "Impl" under the "internal" sub package which locates on the same level as the interface.

For example, when we have an interface called Robot under package com.xyz. To let Poke find its implementation automatically, the concrete class should call Robot**Impl** and resides under com.xyz.**internal***. See the file structure below

```
--com
  --xyz
    Robot.java
    --internal
      RobotImpl.java

```

Example to inject a Robot into a Factory

The interface defining Robot
```java
package com.xyz        //Note the package

public interface Robot {
    void work();
}
```

Implementation of Food which should be under package com.xyz.**internal**
```java
package com.xyz.internal        //Note the package

import com.xyz.Robot

public class RobotImpl implements Robot {
    @Override
    public void work() {
        System.io.println("Assemble a car.");
    }
}
```

Poke allows us to use any annotations to mark injectable class fields. Here we define an annotation called @MyInject. Of course the standard @Inject is also working.

Not hard coding the annotation could help us handle different kinds of injection specifically. For example, @InjectView and @InjectController may need to do different things besides basic injection. How to spice up for different inject annoations is up to the implementation.

```java
@Target({FIELD})
@Retention(RUNTIME)
@Documented
public @interface MyInject {
}
```

Factory wants a Robot instance injected.
```java
import com.xyz.Robot

public class Factory {
    @MyInject
    private Robot robot;

    public Robot getRobot() {
        return robot;
    }
}
```

Instantiate a Factory object and call the injection
```java
package com.xyz.internal        //Note the package

import com.xyz.Robot

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Factory factory = new Factory();

        //Create an instance of SimpleGraph and make sure it's singleton for the entire app.
        //Best place to instantiate is at the app's entry point
        SimpleGraph graph = new SimpleGraph();

        //Inject dependencies into factory from graph. Graph will find RobotImpl as the implementation of Robot based on the naming convention mentioned above
        //Note we are using the custom annotation @MyInject here
        graph.inject(factory, MyInject.class);

        //Now factory has its robot instance injected and ready to use
        factory.getRobot().work();  // Print "Assemble a car." in console
    }
}
```

### 2. Manually bind contract and implementation
If automatic implementation binding is not enough, Poke also allows manually registering bindings of interfaces and implementation classes. There are 2 ways as below

##### 2.1. Direct registration the binding of interface and implementation class
```java
SimpleGraph.register(Class<T>type, String implementationClassName)
```
Or
```java
SimpleGraph.register(Class<T> type, Class<S extends T> implementationClass)
```

But as you can see non of the methods above including the naming convention solution doesn't allow us to config the instance to be injected. To target this issue, there is another more flexible way to register the binding between interface and its implementation.

##### 2.2. Component with provide methods
Create a class extending Component and define methods annotated by @Provides to tie up interface and its implementation. See the example below

```java
public class IndustrialComponent extends Component {
	private String componentName;

    public IndustrialComponent(String componentName) {
    	this.componentName = componentName;
    }

    @Provides
    @Singleton	//The provided instance is singleton relative to the instance of this compnent
    public Robot providesPlaneRobot() {
    	return new Robot() {
        	@Override
            public void work() {
                System.io.println(String.format("Assemble a plane by %s", this.componentName));
            }
        };
    }
}
```

Then inject it
```java
public class Main {
	private IndustrialComponent industrialComponent;

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Factory factory = new Factory();

        SimpleGraph graph = new SimpleGraph();

        //Instantiate the component with arguments which also impact the injecting instance of Robot
        industrialComponent = new IndustrialComponent("A cool component");

		//Register the component to the graph
		graph.register(industrialComponent);

        //Inject dependencies into factory from graph.
        graph.inject(factory, MyInject.class);

        //Now factory has its robot instance injected and ready to use
        factory.getRobot().work();  // Print "Assemble a plane by A cool component." in console
    }
}
```

## Monitor of injection and release
Poke provides a monitor to notify observers when an instance with injectable fields is about to be injected, released.
```java
SimpleGraph graph = new SimpleGraph();

//The monitor watches the target object when it's injected or released
Graph.Monitor monitor = new Graph.Monitor() {
    @Override
    public void onInject(Object target) {
        System.io.println("This target is injected +1");
    }

    @Override
    public void onRelease(Object target) {
        System.io.println("This target is released +1");
    }
};

//Register the monitor to the graph
graph.registerMonitor(monitor);
```

To be notified when a provider is not used any more, use
```java
SimpleGraph graph = new SimpleGraph();

OnFreedListener onFreed = new OnFreedListener() {
    @Override
    public void onFreed(Provider provider) {
        System.io.println("Provides the is not used any more. Shall we release something?");
    }
};
graph.registerProviderFreedListener(onFreed);
```

To be notified when a provider is used for injection for the first time, use
```java
Provider.registerOnInjectedListener(new OnInjectedListener() {
    @Override
    public void onInjected(T object) {
        System.io.println("Provides the first instance injecting to " + object.toString());
    }
});
```

## @Singleton
You may noticed, in the component above providesPlaneRobot is also annotated by @Singleton. This indicates the instance of the providing Robot will be singleton. However, by default the it's not absolutely singleton, it's singleton relatively to the instance of the component. In other words, as long as the IndustrialComponent is not recreated all injected Robot will share the same instance, but once IndustrialComponent is re-instantiated, new Robots will be injected.

To guarantee a robot is singleton absolutely, we can either make sure the IndustrialComponent is created only once. In the example above, since it's the fields of Main class and created in main method once, it could make the robot absolutely singleton. Another way to do so it to create assign a ScopeCache to the component which is guaranteed to be singleton then multiple components could provide the same instance cached by the shared ScopeCache too. See example below

```java
public class AnotherComponent extends Component {
    @Provides
    @Singleton
    public Robot providesCleanRobot() {
        return new Robot() {
            @Override
            public void work() {
                System.io.println(String.format("Clean floor"));
            }
        };
    }
}

public class Component1 extends Component {
}

public class Main {
	private static ScopeCache scopeCache = new ScopeCache();

    public static void main(String[] args) {
    	Factory factory1 = new Factory();
        Factory factory2 = new Factory();

    	//The static scope cache guarantees robot absolute singleton
        AnotherComponent component1 = new AnotherComponent(scopeCache);
        AnotherComponent component2 = new AnotherComponent(scopeCache);

        SimpleGraph graph1 = new SimpleGraph();
		//Register the component1 to the graph1
		graph1.register(component1);
        //Inject dependencies into factory1 from graph1.
        graph1.inject(factory1, MyInject.class);

        SimpleGraph graph2 = new SimpleGraph();
		//Register the component2 to the graph2
		graph2.register(component2);
        //Inject dependencies into factory2 from graph2.
        graph2.inject(factory2, MyInject.class);

        //Factory1 and factory2 will share the same robot
        factory1.getRobot().work();
        factory2.getRobot().work();
    }
}
```

## @Qualifier
To inject various implementations for the same interface, standard @Qualifier and @Named(String) defined in javax.inject can be used to mark providers and injectable fields. See the example below,

###### Interface of OS
This is the type of the fields that will be injected with multiple variants of implementation
```java
public interface Os {
}
```

###### Define qualifier annotations
Qualifiers will match up the provider of implementations and injectable fields
```java
@Qualifier
@Documented
@Retention(RUNTIME)
@interface Google {
}

@Qualifier
@Documented
@Retention(RUNTIME)
@interface Microsoft {
}
```

###### Mark injectable with different qualifiers
```java
public class DevelopmentTraining {
    @MyInject
    Os ios;

    @Google
    @MyInject
    Os android;

    @Microsoft
    @MyInject
    Os windows;
}
```

To supply variants of OS, there are two ways as below

###### 1. Qualify implementation classes directly

```java
//No qualifier
public class iOs implements Os {
}

//Qualified as Google OS
@Google
public class Android implements Os {
}

//Qualified as Microsoft OS
@Microsoft
public class Windows implements Os {
}
 ```

```java
SimpleGraph graph = new SimpleGraph();
graph.register(Os.class, iOs.class);
graph.register(Os.class, Android.class);
graph.register(Os.class, Windows.class);

DevelopmentTraining training = new DevelopmentTraining();
graph.inject(training, MyInject.class);

//Default variant is iOS
Assert.assertEquals(training.ios.getClass(), iOs.class);
//android field is assigned by an Android instance
Assert.assertEquals(training.android.getClass(), Android.class);
//windows field is assigned by an Windows instance
Assert.assertEquals(training.windows.getClass(), Windows.class);
```

###### 2. Qualify @Provide methods of Component
Qualify provide methods is more flexible because
1. provide method can configure the injecting instance
2. it doesn't hard bind interface and qualified implementation classes. For example, a provide method can qualify a windows OS to a Android injectable instance.

**Note that, when using qualifier with provide methods the qualifier annotation of the implementation classes will be ignored.**

```java
Component component = new Component() {
    @Provides
    public OS providesOS1() {
        return new iOs();
    }

    @Google
    @Provides
    public OS providesOS2() {
        //Note, we can provide a Windows OS to the android field of DevelopmentTraining then
        return new Windows();
    }

    @Microsoft
    @Provides
    public OS providesOS3() {
        //Note, we can provide a Android OS to the windows field of DevelopmentTraining then
        return new Android();
    }
};

SimpleGraph graph = new SimpleGraph();
graph.register(component);

DevelopmentTraining training = new DevelopmentTraining();
graph.inject(training, MyInject.class);

//Default variant is iOS
Assert.assertEquals(training.ios.getClass(), iOs.class);
//android field is assigned by an Windows instance
Assert.assertEquals(training.android.getClass(), Windows.class);
//windows field is assigned by an Android instance
Assert.assertEquals(training.windows.getClass(), Android.class);
```

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


6.SP.A.1Recognize a statistical question as one that anticipates variability in the data related to the question and accounts for it in the answers.
6.SP.B.5 Summarize numerical data sets in relation to their context Reporting the number of observations and describing the nature of the attribute under investigation, including how it was measured and its units of measurement. Giving quantitative measures of center (median and/or mean) and variability (interquartile range and/or mean absolute deviation), as well as describing any overall pattern and any striking deviations from the overall pattern with reference to the context in which the data were gathered. Relating the choice of measures of center and variability to the shape of the data distribution and the context in which the data were gathered.
7.SP.A.1Understand that statistics can be used to gain information about a population by examining a sample of the population; generalizations about a population from a sample are valid only if the sample is representative of that population. Understand that random sampling tends to produce representative samples and support valid inferences.


text:
Man arrested in connection with homicide of 75-year-old woman in Olathe
Police originally dispatched to home on medical call
Updated: 7:57 PM CST Jan 24, 2019
Olathe police say a man has been taken into custody in connection with the death of a 75-year-old woman in Olathe, Kansas. Officers were dispatched to the 300 block of South Cardinal Drive around 3:08 p.m. Wednesday on a medical call -- a woman at that location was not breathing.When police arrived, they determined a 75-year-old woman had died. The circumstances surrounding her death were suspicious.Her cause of death was later ruled as a homicide.A 51-year-old man was taken into custody Thursday in connection with the woman's death.The victim and the suspect have yet to be identified.This case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.
OLATHE, Kan. —
Olathe police say a man has been taken into custody in connection with the death of a 75-year-old woman in Olathe, Kansas.
Officers were dispatched to the 300 block of South Cardinal Drive around 3:08 p.m. Wednesday on a medical call -- a woman at that location was not breathing.
When police arrived, they determined a 75-year-old woman had died. The circumstances surrounding her death were suspicious.
Her cause of death was later ruled as a homicide.
A 51-year-old man was taken into custody Thursday in connection with the woman's death.
The victim and the suspect have yet to be identified.
This case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Halo Online, Microsoft and DMCA.
Was Microsoft in the right for DMCA strikes?
Microsoft suddenly has a problem with Halo Online after it was running for a few years, and not only did they have it shut down but, Twitch streamers who have been playing Halo Online are getting DMCA strikes. While Dirk is very opposed to the DMCA strikes and considers it abuse, Mitch comes in defense of it. Do you think Microsoft was in the right for the DMCA strikes? Be sure to vote and let us know what you think in the comments.


text:
Category: Longines
Affordable Price of Replica Longines Master Collection
The Longines Master Collection was released in 2005, and it's generally the modern counterpart to the company's very valuable Heritage Collection: a large number of traditionally styled replica watches with many complications. The new annual calendar is a first for replica Longines, and it's also a very affordable foray from the company into the world of more complex calendar complications.
It's a big surprise anyway, an annual calendar from Longines stands for a new level of technical sophistication for the brand, and it's the most affordable annual calendar on the market by a very respectable margin with a rather cheaper price. At launch, there will be some different variations available. Three will have a stamped "barleycorn" pattern dial – one is black with Roman numerals and the other two are white, with either Arabic numerals or diamond indexes. The other fake version will be a model with a sunray blue dial. Hands are either blued steel or rhodium plated.
We were greatly impressed by the simplicity and clarity of the design. The annual calendar display is straightforward: the month, and the day of the week are shown in two windows at 3:00, with no attempt made to do anything more than provide information clearly and straightforwardly. You could if you wanted, take exception to the rather diffident legend "Annual Calendar" at the bottom of the dial, but the fake watch is such a big achievement for Longines, I really don't have it in me to complain.
The movement is Longines caliber L897.2, which is based on the ETA A31.L81. The L897.2 runs at a rather unusual frequency: 25,200 mph or 3.5 Hz. The annual calendar complication of course sits between a standard calendar and the perpetual calendar, and will correctly display the first of the month, after the last day of any month with either 30 or 31 days. Manual correction is necessary only once per year, at the end of February.
The annual calendar in wristwatches is a surprisingly recent development; they did not appear until Patek introduced this version, in 1996 and needless to say, that was not what you'd call a democratically priced wristwatch, and ironically, it actually had a higher parts count than Patek's contemporary perpetual calendar movements.
With its stressing on classic design cues and proportions, together with such a cheap price, this ought to be a huge commercial hit for replica Rolex and of course, it injects an extra shot in the arm of the horological street, which has been a bit eclipsed lately by Longines' very successful Heritage lineup.
Posted in Longines
Fake Longines Record Watches – Brand's First COSC-Certified Collection
We have to make it clear that watch Releases a brand's 185th anniversary is not just a piece of improvement. At Baselworld 2017, Longines marked this occasion by announcing a new collection of simple, Calatrava-styled timepieces known as the replica Longines Record watches. Aside from offering buyers a choice from four sizes and an assortment of dial options, these watches incorporate a few technical touches to assist with accurate timekeeping. Of considerable note here is the fact that this is the first collection of watches from Longines that have been entirely COSC chronometer-certified.
Before we talk about the movement, however, it would be crucially important to appreciate the variety offered in the lineup. To attract a broad market segment, Longines is offering the Longines Record watches in case sizes of 26mm, 30mm, 38.5mm, and 40mm. Other options such as diamond-set cases on two of the women's sizes, leather strap or steel strap options, and a variety of dial selections like mother-of-pearl, blue sunray, matte white, black lacquer, and more. All of the replica watches provide 30m of waterproof and feature blued steel or rhodium-plated hands depending on the dial option along with an AR-coated sapphire crystal as well as an exhibition case back.
As a Swatch Group brand, the Longines Record watches feature exclusively produced ETA-based movements that have been tuned for COSC-certification. Their simple, time-only displays are driven by the caliber L592.4 in the women's models and the caliber L888.4 in the men's models. Though simple in their nature, Longines has also incorporated the use of a crystal-silicon balance spring-a feature that moves these beyond your typical ETA movements. While this isn't a new development, it's worth noting that the use of silicon in this capacity helps in the areas of resistance to temperature, shock, and magnetic fields.
Here's a simple rundown of COSC-certification guidelines if you're not immediately familiar. After considerable testing, watches must adhere to timekeeping parameters of -4 to +6 seconds of variation per day in a range of positions. While the Longines Record watches prove to be a fine choice for this endeavor, I suppose it will be exciting to see where and how Longines will utilize these new COSC-certified movements in future releases as well. What's more, the L592.4 and L888.4 movements deliver 40 and 64 hours of power reserve, respectively, and support a simple date indicator at 3 o'clock for convenience in daily wear.
The replica Longines Record replica watches are a clear symbol of the brand's commitment, not just to movement quality, but growth. The fact that there are so many available options is also a big plus and will only help to support more of a universal appeal for a wide range of prospective buyers. As I mentioned previously, I'm hopeful that Longines will continue to expand upon this and incorporate the movements into future models and maybe even some of my existing favorites like the Longines Heritage Military COSD watch.


Pink Flannel Flower is an essence of the heart. It communicates the awareness that all life and all form are only Love. This essence through the communicating of this awareness of our loving nature opens the Heart chakra and diffuses all states of inflammation and blockage that come about through seeking the experience of self by separation and comparison with other.
This essence diffuses "inflammation" occurring at the point of separation from source. Whilst it does not address any particular spiritual / emotional patterns which have come from shock or separation, it eases the "burn", or inflammation that occurs with intense experience and can dissolve the states of suffering which arise from separation as it reminds us of our loving essence. By easing this "burn", there is more access to the healing process and in some cases, allows first access for souls, to pain and intense patterns of distress which have been blocked or are too intense to access. This essence can reconnect a sense of self that goes beyond the trauma or self-perception, allowing us to re-experience ourselves lovingly.
In the years I have worked with essences it is the most profoundly healing essence I have seen. I first made it in 1997 at that time the flower was so rare that many botanists did not believe it existed. With the increase of bushfire at high altitudes in Australia the conditions for its flowering have been more common and it has been seen every few years. Always after severe fire along the cliff edges in the Great Dividing Range NSW and Victoria.
Mitrasacme radiates an absolute purity of Being that many of us crave yet have no idea of contacting in our bodies. This lack of hope often leads to levels of self rejection. This essence can hold open an energetic doorway direct from the "angelic" to the physical level. These doorways of opportunity are available to us in our ordinary lives. This essence however prolongs the time period available allowing more conscious integration of light. The essence directly affects the manner in which energy/light is structured through and into the heart chakra. Often allowing a more absolute or "pure" experience of light to be integrated even to the physical levels. Therefore allowing the clearance of negative patterns which disturb our abilities to be present. It also relates to the nature of time and our experience of it, particularly as time relates to the manifestation of matter. This relationship to time is directly linked to the heart. This is of note for those who are experiencing difficulty as a result of the disturbances in time and rapid bursts of energy occurring on the earth at this time.
This essence communicates a deep experience of Compassion for the self. Often we are caught in a yoyo of self love and hatred. A relationship with ourselves and the world around us that arises out of a compulsive grasping and repulsion. The self compassion communicated arises out of deep experience of being. This makes this essence a powerful tool in any process of healing or spiritual growth.
Where people feel beyond hope, when they can no longer look up or see their own beauty. This essence assists to focus all available light, revealing our inner beauty. It also reveals patterns we use to hide our Truth. When being challenged to let go of our self perceptions and live beyond our safety zones this essence communicates an internal radiance and trust.
This is an essence, which communicates, an experience of the universe in constant resonance. It communicates a deep sense of silence, and an ability to listen to many "levels" at once. Facilitating an acceptance of being in the "Now". An acceptance of emptiness. Integration of this leads to an authentic sense of worth, and ignites a deep sense of service.
To allow ourselves to be perceived truthfully requires deep levels of acceptance. Acceptance not only of our selves but of reality. Not our understanding or belief of reality but just reality. This essence begins that acceptance of truth. The understanding that there is no such thing as a lie as all things our selves included reveal only truth with every breath every heartbeat, every sound emitted every blink of the eye. By our very presence and structure we constantly reveal the truth. In accepting this we are more able to see the truth all around us and to allow ourselves to be seen.
A Beauty that blossoms without counting, abundantly. This essence communicates an open response to the divine. An open whole joy of body , mind and soul. An acceptance that we ourselves are an expression of abundance. There is a consequent opening of mind, body and heart, to give and receive that joy without counting. To give of ones own Beauty, allowing ourselves to blossom, freely, with abundance.
Gifts a deep gratitude for life, regardless of situation. A sense of deep thankfulness for being given the opportunity to express oneself through this body, and other circumstances of this life. This gift can shift long held grief, loss, fear, loneliness or anger into joyful service. It can also trigger profound spiritual development. Whilst subtle and often overlooked Gratitude is of importance in balanced spiritual and emotional growth.
Moonflower essence gives generosity of perception. Perception as an expression of unity. It is very unusual for human perception of "self and other" not to be based in the need to separate and therefore creates a deep stress. It is how we develop our self awareness from birth. As we move through our lives one of the steps in developing spiritual maturity is to realize our inter-connectedness through generosity of heart. This essence offers a pathway to develop perception as a confirmation of oneness rather than as a confirmation of separation. The ongoing results of this can be profound.
The Moonflower essence communicates a clarity of perception. This results in a movement of perception from relying on separation and reception of information, to perception as a confirmation of oneness or interconnection. Our perception then is an acknowledgment of this in others. What we perceive becomes our gift to the perceived, an interaction with the unity and wholeness of all things. How we perceive the world around us and those beings we interact with can be generous and joyful, confirming wholeness and connection, energizing us. This shift in awareness brings a deep serenity and trust. The personality can unfold as a response to trust and love.
The wild, one petal, violet is a very prolific bush flower occurring across open forest and heath in Eastern Australia and South Australia . Flowering in late Spring – early Summer. It is very common yet often never noticed due to its size. Hybanthus monopetalus is an essence which communicates internal hope, confirming light when there is no longer any concept of internal or personal light. During the making of the essence the phrase " seed of hope" surfaced which is still deeply associated wih the essence and its communication.
In this time we often confuse the brightness of our own ego or the intensity of our desires as the light of truth (spiritual light). This essence is communicating a light which rises in complete humility. It is a hope or light that is very real, undeniable and intrinsic to life. It confirms a truth of being which is more real or intrinsic to our experience of life than language, personality or culture. So it is communicating a strength and clarity which is in no need of reference to "other" to confirm. A gentle illuminating sense of presence, from which courage and clarity can rise.
Whilst this essence is very valuable in reaching those who are depressed or shattered in some way I have found it of greatest value in the support of emerging awareness, when a new consciousness, idea or experience is beginning. By focusing our awareness on the seeds of new awareness without judgement or the need to name, those seeds of awareness can grow and develop. Realisation blossoms smoothly.
If added to a mix of other essences it increases the ability to integrate the shifts the essences are offering us. It is one of the essences in my cupboard that I reach for often, even having to take myself in hand to really ask if it is needed. One of the strands of communication I love to share.
It is also of great value in the support of meditation practices. Communicating a deep humility of perception or experience of being, it supports the deep stillness sort in meditation and the courage needed to reside in deep awareness.
Angelsword essence communicates an acknowledgement of truth.
In choosing to take the essence we are actively joining in the communication of the plant, taking part in acknowledging our own truth. When as a friend or therapist we give or share this essence, we are joining with this communication, giving voice to this "re-minding" of intrinsic truth we each embody.
Angelsword flower essence supports our perception of truth, sourced from our hearts. This heart centred acceptance of our truth, opens to us the opportunity to speak our truth and engage in action based in our experience of truth and our presence in the moment. Thus supporting our communication both in voice and in creative living.
When our truth is acknowledged we begin to let go of protecting ourselves from life. As we are acknowledged so deeply, we blossom and unfold, opening to experiencing ourselves, and the truth within our surroundings. As we accept this, an integrated experience of body, mind and spirit is nurtured in our everyday awareness. As we integrate or accept this experience it becomes easier to recognise truth in our self and act from that awareness with integrity.
Our spiritual nature is to embrace and engage in being, rather than separate or compartmentalise reality. The Angelsword's reflection of our own being, supports an experience of our presence, allowing us to experience this as an active state in our daily lives.
This can support our ability to recognise a spiritual path, or new directions in life. It can assist us to see a clear path of action where we have been confused or overly cautious in the past. To speak clearly from our heart rather than seeking to mould our expression into what we have seen as acceptable by others and to let go of long held habits no longer supportive in our lives.
Angelsword is an essence which can assist those who are wanting to balance their desire for spiritual growth and personal well being with compassion for others. The fruit of this heart centred truth in our life is often relaxed self expression, joy and gratitude.
Recovery after trauma, severe stress or exhaustion and illness is a recurring theme in our day-to-day lives. Surrounding us here in Australia is bushland, which is often exposed to recurring severe bushfires, yet after the first solid rain after a fire the regeneration begins. Bright new growth bursting forth from charred and often decimated trees and undergrowth rendered to only ash begins to regrow with such vigour that it is often shockingly beautiful.
This Essence was made after fires in the Blue Mountains National Park. It was not made of a particular plant but instead the bowl was set amongst the rising verdant regrowth.
As an Essence it communicates a strong vibrant energy stimulating recovery from trauma, and the regeneration of the physical/emotional and spiritual bodies.
People taking this essences often report a fresh view on life. Giving a deep valuing of life and a desire for healing. It communicates the courage and flexibility to embrace life, growth and change.
Often when we have experienced trauma we loose our trust in our own physical body, our surrounding environment and our relationships. This trust is something we need so that we can draw each breathe freely. This Essence of the regrowth of the forest after fire, in communicating a deep trust in the support of the earth and our bodies can assist in the process of us moving through this phase of fear into healthy recovery.
The essence of Paterson 's Curse communicates a deep acceptance of the truth of being. This brings an acceptance of the beauty of your own being and that of others which heals the "grounds of consciousness" of the effects of harsh speech. This occurs with an unconditional generosity. In the process of integrating this communication we receive a deep acknowledgment of our own beauty and our inclusion in life.
Having a stable ground on which to develop awareness is very important. As we engage in addressing the pain of our lives and begin to heal, or begin a spiritual path, sometimes the effects of harsh speech from ourselves or from others can slow or even block healing altogether.
When we are exposed to harsh speech especially as an infant the basis of how we perceive ourselves and how we form awareness of others and our environment is affected. I am calling this the "ground of consciousness". It is as if the ground of our pre speech awareness is warped and so any structure of personality or behaviour built on it is always unstable.
There can be a functional stability as we use other personality structures to develop a function in life, or a "make do" stability. These can become basic to personality and in severe situations lead to mental illness, or a pervading sense of unhappiness. The profound communication of the beauty of our own being and our inclusion in life that the Essence of Paterson Curse gives counteracts these patterns which develop in the presence of harsh speech.
The nature of our base perception of life and self is not fixed but is in a continuous state of growth and development. Whilst exposure to harsh speech in infancy has very strong effect the exposure to harsh speech in adulthood can also have the effect of 'warping" this foundation of awareness.
When someone has been engaged in trying to develop positive, healthy habits of mind yet is unsuccessful sometimes the effects of harsh speech have not been addressed leaving an unstable basis with which to work. A deeply accepted communication of our own beauty and unconditional acceptance in life can dissolve the impact of harsh speech and the deep rejection that it can engender.
This essence is one of the ways to communicate this profound healing action.
Communicates acceptance of our own skills and of our life, as part of an evolving process with many contributors. Inspiring gratitude for our teachers and people who have cared for us. Teaching humility to appreciate life as a gift, which passes from our parents to us and on to our children. Acceptance of one's part in the linage of wisdom.
Chakra's : Mid-Chest, Crown and 3rd Eye.
The essence of Epacris obustifola communicates the trust and courage to allow intimacy. A trust that the heart is able through love, to step through suffering and be present with others. At a deeper level it can play an important role in deepening the courage and trust needed to allow intimacy to deepen in to compassion.
Epacris obustifolia has a sweet perfume, in blooming it is transformed from a gnarled prickly sparse shrub often over looked and seen as very scruffy into a sight of beauty covered with heavily scented flowers. A favourite of insects and small nectar birds, it covers the hanging swamp behind my home, transforming it from a rough prickly hanging swamp, to a sea of white with a heady sweet scent for 4-6 weeks each spring.
To be "with", without an internal dialog of I'm doing / they are doing. To be without any judgement or dialog regarding, who is in need and who is giving. Experiencing the trust to be present with each other and allowing a heart connection that is possible between two beings. This essence communicates or makes available the strength of trust to be present with yourself and allow that to blossom into accepting this connection with another. The courage and trust in the truth of yourself, to allow an open heart regardless of what you may see as pain, suffering or difference being present.
Communicating vibrant physical presence with generosity of heart. It is an essence of joy in being physically alive and active in the world. Strengthening us to be consciously, present.
Supporting us, in embracing life, aware of our body and the support it gives.
Waratah teaches us to be physically present without loss of awareness in the higher chakras.
Chakras: Crown, Heart and Base.
The Camellia Essence is from a pure white multi petal flower. It was made to communicate a specific level of consciousness needed to complete the Peace Oil Mandala; as such it is as much a channelled essence as it is a flower essence. It is not related to a mental state or emotional state. It was made when much of the Peace Oil had been completed yet a specific state was needed to assist in the integration of what the mandala of Peace Oil was communicating.
The essence communicates a radiating purity which continues to radiate with precision without disconnection or distortion, continuing in abundance. Radiating from the physical to spiritual or from the higher spiritual to the physical plane is the same action. It communicates a precisely focused, uplifting openness and purity. It is an essence which has only been made generally available due to client request. I have been using it in my own practice with clients especially for children and in mixes, when an essence needs an aspect of uplifting, purity and for want of a better word holiness, transcendent yet precise and grounded.
The clear repetitive structure of the petals in the Camellia is reflected in each of our chakras in all of their energetic levels. The essence acknowledges this purity of structure in each chakra and so can be directly used to assist in the recovery or strengthening of any of our chakra flowers. It can also be of assistance in the balancing of a chakra or energetic structure into the physical structures of the body. This can assist in situations where the energetic system has shifted yet the physical/ emotional/ mental levels are slow to integrate a shift in consciousness, or where a structure of a chakra has been injured and so the radiation of energy is changed or blocked.
Grace in the Truth of Being.
This essence communicates confidence in ones connection to the truth of being.
The strength of beauty which arises where the truth of the pure nature of ones heart and nature is uncontested. When we consciously experience moments where the truth of being is uncontested by ourselves or others, clear perception can occur, giving a freedom to act in the world with heart, mind and voice in accord.
This is a profound essence. The physical presence of the plant in flower can give an understanding of the strength and surety of the alignment of the energy centres and the clarity of self expression which can be communicated by the essence. The Large Bearded Iris stands tall, strong, and erect the flower stem rises freely above the leaves of the plant with its crown an intricate, majestic flower. The essence communicates this strength, alignment and clarity which enable expression of our spiritual truth through each cell of our body, speech and actions. This voicing of our beauty and the beauty of every being is often lost when we are very young. Most of us have no memory of experiencing it even as a small child and yet naturally seek it.
Epacris reclinata is an essence of the heart, which opens and supports both the heart chakra and the throat chakra, giving voice to the heart. The essence communicates intimacy and gentleness, opening a path of easy expression. Verbal expression of connection or presence between one person and another can facilitate the first steps in deep healing and strength on the spiritual path. This is also a gift we can give ourselves, by voicing rather than thinking our loving care for ourselves.
The sweetness of compassion of another being rooted in the presence and acceptance of their own truth of being can engage connection and expression without widening the experience of suffering. The heart opening in this moment can arise from the acceptance of the closed heart. An acceptance of being here and ourselves.
The bridging words of compassion, when the meeting point is the commonality of the human experience, empower the activity of the heart. This expression of compassionate connection can give cause for the realization of wisdom or the knowing of emptiness.
Verbal expression of connection, intimacy and compassion can allow or trigger openness of heart. Speaking as an expression of love, joy or acknowledgement of suffering can each be challenging. To give voice to such depth of humananity requires trust and courage.
Epacris reclinata is in the same plant family as Ep. Obustifolia, that as an essence communicates the trust and courage to allow intimacy. Ep. reclinata grows on the cliffs and rock ledges close to the hanging swamps where we find Epacris obustifolia. In this essence of Ep. reclinata the deep trust and courage gifted by the Ep. obustifolia essence is deepened with connection of the throat chakra. This connection and support stimulates a process of giving voice to the intimacy and acceptance of heart connection.
This essence like the Epacris obustifolia was also made for the New Dawn Mandala. It is part of the pattern in the mandala that carries acceptance of the giving and receiving of compassion, which is so strong in the New Dawn Mandala.
Giving voice to our heart, our compassion and care of ourselves is another aspect of this essence.
Whilst many of us have begun the process of self-acceptance and forgiveness, very rarely do we give voice to this for our own wellbeing and care.
It is more common to express our hearts connection with someone else in voice, than to express care for ourselves in this way. For many of us, we may be able to experience the intimacy of a heart connection with others or even a heart acceptance of our own experiences yet when we open our mouths to speak, distance occurs. We struggle to stay in our experience whilst speaking. This essence communicates a union of Heart and Voice supporting us in voicing our hearts.


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Tag: Star Tribune
Honoring the life of Koryne Horbal
Koryne Horbal takes the oath as U.S. representative to the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women, 1977. Gloria Steinem holds the Bible.
This past May, Minnesotans mourned the passing of Koryne Horbal. In her lifetime, Horbal launched the Minnesota Women's Political Caucus and the DFL Feminist Caucus, served as a U.S. representative to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, and was appointed the DFL party chair at the age of 31. A vocal and unapologetic activist, Horbal was a champion for women, as well as the LGBTQ+ community. Neither the loss of her husband in 2015 nor the three strokes she subsequently suffered stopped her from working on the 2016 presidential campaign for Hillary Clinton. Horbal did not have the money to attend college in the 1950s, but Augsburg University granted her an honorary degree in 2008 due to her work as a consultant with Augsburg's Women's Resources Center. Koryne Horbal lives on through her children, grandchildren, and the feminist spark that she ignited in people around the world.
You can read more about the extraordinary life of Koryne Horbal here.
Posted in In the Media
Tagged Koryne Horbal, Star Tribune, Women's Resource Center
National recognition for Augsburg's StepUP recovery program
Nationally, it is estimated that 30 percent of college students are battling substance-use disorders. Colleges and universities are asking what role they can play in helping their students stay sober. Augsburg's StepUP program is a national leader in the field, with substance-free dorms and counselors available on site. For 20 years, StepUP has welcomed students in recovery, and continues to support those fighting addiction and seeking their degree.
The tremendous work of StepUP has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, KSMP Fox 9, and the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Tagged Chicago Tribune, KSMP Fox 9, Star Tribune, StepUP program, treatment for addiction
Hex Houses for Hurricane Victims and Refugees
Posted on September 16, 2017 January 12, 2021
Builders work in Murphy Square Park to complete the "Hex House" model. Photo: Kare 11
This fall's Nobel Peace Prize Forum showcased the innovative "Hex House," a pop-up emergency shelter created to help respond to refugee and natural disaster housing crises. As part of Augsburg University's continued commitment to social justice and technology, this six-sided, 510 square-foot prototype was constructed and on display at Murphy Square throughout the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize Forum. The tiny houses can be packed in a kit, shipped flat, and assembled with tools and instructions, much like an IKEA design.
See the stories at Finance & Commerce and KARE 11.
Tagged KARE 11, KSTP, Nobel Peace Prize Forum, refugees, Star Tribune
Star Tribune talks to President Pribbenow about Mapping Prejudice project in South Minneapolis
Screen shot of a time-progression map showing the growth of racially restrictive real estate covenants in the early 20th century.
Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow talks with the Star Tribune's Randy Furst about how the Augsburg House — and much of South Minneapolis — were once governed by discriminatory housing policies. While the historical covenants are no longer legally binding, Augsburg is seeking a method to nullify the prohibition while still preserving the historical record, "so that we never lose sight of the actions that have segregated and repressed many," Pribbenow said.
The findings about residential properties in South Minneapolis are part of the Mapping Prejudice project, led by a team of researchers from Augsburg and the University of Minnesota. For more information about the project, see Mapping Prejudice. Go to the Star Tribune article for information about other South Minneapolis homes, a perspective from a Minneapolis real estate lawyer, and an interactive map showing the growth of racially restrictive deeds across Minneapolis from 1910 to 1955.
Tagged diversity, history, Inclusion, Mapping Prejudice, Paul C. Pribbenow, research, Star Tribune
Psychology Professor Bridget Robinson-Riegler talks to Star Tribune about memory and identity
Posted on August 23, 2017 January 12, 2021
The Midway at the Minnesota State Fair. Photo: Tom Wallace, Star Tribune
The Star Tribune's John Reinan talks with Augsburg Psychology Professor Bridget Robinson-Riegler about how the Great Minnesota Get-Together "not only entertains us, excites us and exhausts us — it makes us Minnesotans."
"Our identity is formed by our memories. Traditions and rituals are very important in identifying who we are," said Robinson-Riegler, who specializes in the study of memory. "Families are based on shared experiences, and this is one of those shared experiences we have as a state. The State Fair becomes a collective experience. It gives us a sense of belonging, of togetherness.
"This is what we do as a state. It confirms our identity. It becomes who we are."
Tagged Bridget Robinson-Riegler, psychology, Star Tribune
Steve Wozniak event delights audiences, garners coverage in Star Tribune
The Minneapolis Star Tribune recently published an article covering Steve Wozniak's Scholarship Weekend presentation at Augsburg College. Wozniak, a co-founder of Apple, Inc., spoke about innovation, creativity, and education in an increasingly connected world.
"My whole life has been teaching myself things that were not learned in school," he told a packed auditorium. "More important than learning, more important than knowledge, is motivation."
Wozniak's comments centered primarily on the early days of his career at Apple and the importance of continually revisiting challenging tasks.
According to the Star Tribune, "Looking back, Wozniak said part of his success came from simply forcing himself to put pencil to paper, over and over again. 'Creativity is a willingness to think very differently,' he said. 'Not knowing how to do something means sitting down to figure it out.'"
Read Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak speaks at Augsburg on the Star Tribune site.
Tagged Apple, Scholarship Weekend, Star Tribune, Steve Wozniak
Star Tribune features partnership between church, Muslim nonprofit fostered by Campus Ministry
Last Sunday, work by Campus Ministry and Sonja Hagander to connect Pastor Mike Matson '06 of Bethany Lutheran in the Seward Neighborhood with CAIR-MN, a nonprofit that supports our Muslim neighbors, was featured on the front page of the Metro section of the Star Tribune.
Hagander told the Star Tribune that partnerships such as that between Bethany and CAIR are crucial to building a multifaith community, something Augsburg College long has held a commitment to as a school of the Lutheran church.
Bethany, through Matson, and CAIR, via executive director Jaylani Hussein, are looking forward to continuing to grow their partnership.
Read: "Muslim group CAIR finds new home at Bethany Lutheran Church in Minneapolis" on the Star Tribune site.
Tagged CAIR, Campus Ministry, Hagander, Hussein, Matson, Muslim, Star Tribune
Alumni trip to Germany featured in Star Tribune's Protestant Reformation anniversary coverage
This fall, Augsburg College hosted alumni, faculty, staff, and community members for an international travel experience that took participants to the Czech Republic and Germany, which is in the midst of a tourism boom accompanying the anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. The travelers visited Wittenberg, the long-time home of Reformation catalyst Martin Luther, and ventured to historic sites to learn about the origins of the Lutheran faith from Augsburg College Religion Department faculty members Hans Wiersma and Lori Brandt Hale.
Star Tribune reporter Jean Hopfensperger and photographer Jerry Holt accompanied the group to chronicle how Minnesotans are observing the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in the "Land of Luther" in addition to the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," given that religious, arts, and cultural organizations across Minnesota are planning special events and exhibits to mark the occasion.
As Hopfensperger wrote, "Luther's legacy is particularly deep in Minnesota, and not just because of his followers' enduring embrace of hymn fests — often followed by Jell-O and hot dish. One in four residents trace their namesake faith to the monk from Wittenberg."
In a Star Tribune story, Augsburg alumnae Carol Pfleiderer '64 and Kathleen Johnson '72 described their excitement with the trip itinerary and the ways it reflects and builds upon their understanding of their faith.
The Rev. Mark Hanson '68, the College's Executive Director of the Christensen Center for Vocation, was among other alumni quoted in the article. He described some of the ways the Lutheran church is using the Reformation anniversary to foster Lutheran-Catholic dialogue and to make the church accessible to all people.
Read, "Minnesota Lutherans at forefront of new Martin Luther revolution" on the Star Tribune site.
Posted in Alumni, Faculty, Friends and Donors, In the Media, Staff
Tagged alumni, Christensen Center for Vocation, ELCA, Hans Wiersma, Lori Brandt Hale, Lutheran Church, Mark Hanson, Religion Department, Star Tribune, Travel
Star Tribune Editorial Board recognizes Augsburg College's equity and inclusion work
Posted on September 3, 2016 December 7, 2016
President Paul Pribbenow met with leaders of the Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial board to discuss Minnesota's educational achievement gap among children and youth of diverse backgrounds. The state has one of the largest achievement gaps in the nation, and Augsburg is working to ensure all students of academic ability have access to higher education. The College's pledge to this work includes limited debt pathways to graduation, setting aside dedicated housing for homeless students, increasing financial aid literacy, supporting faculty in creating inclusive classrooms, and increasing access to course materials.
The College was applauded for this leadership through a compelling editorial, "Augsburg College leads the call for campus equity," written and published by the Star Tribune editorial board on Aug. 30.
The editorial explained that Minnesota is rapidly diversifying, but increasing student diversity on college campuses involves more than waiting for more nonwhite Minnesotans to enroll. "As Augsburg College is demonstrating, academic institutions can do much to adapt their own policies and practices to educate what previously has been an underserved share of the state's population," the editorial explained.
Augsburg has sought to reduce barriers to college success that often impede students of color, and the College aims to not only to enroll a larger share of nonwhite students, but also to see them through to graduation.
Posted in Alumni, Faculty, Friends and Donors, In the Media, Staff, Students
Tagged diversity, Inclusion, Paul Pribbenow, President Paul Pribbenow, Star Tribune
Stadium expert Kristin Anderson speaks with
Kristin Anderson gives tours and presentations at Target Field focusing on architecture, sustainability issues, and art at the ballpark.
At Augsburg College, Kristin Anderson teaches courses on the history of art and architecture, and she's prepared to talk about works ranging from the Mona Lisa to the Metrodome.
Anderson's current writing and research are focused on sports architecture, and she is co-authoring a book on the history of athletic facilities in the Twin Cities.
Minneapolis' new U.S. Bank Stadium is scheduled to open its doors to the public following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 22, and Anderson offered an explanation in the Star Tribune as to why the facility's design needed to be bold.
"Every sports broadcast will open with a view of the stadium, the skyline shot, the establishing view of the city," she said. "If it weren't distinctive or if it were ugly like the Metrodome, that's not the statement you want to make."
Read, "As stadium opens, Vikings and city sail into new era" on the Star Tribune website.
Posted in Faculty, In the Media
Tagged Architectural History, Art History, Kristin Anderson, Star Tribune, US Bank Stadium
Congratulations to Auggies named to the 2020 Fall Semester Dean's List
Augsburg President Featured in Story on Responding to the Attack on the U.S. Capitol
Augsburg student featured in story on Black Men Teach
Professor William Green Featured in Star Tribune Column About Facing Racism
Mill City Times interviews Professor Joseph Underhill about River Semester
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by Matthew Raley I believe churches need to have a business plan to reverse their decline, a plan that directs resources toward the New Testament goal of moving people to maturity in Christ (Colossians 1.28-29).
The reason local churches are in decline is that they have confused goals, and incoherent business plans. They direct resources toward activities and programs that contribute nothing to a person's spiritual maturity -- even detract from it. Consequently they get zero New Testament return on investment.
Last post, I gave three outcomes that a church business plan needs to produce. I think we either "toil" to produce this kind of maturity in Christ, "struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works" within us, or else admit that our church life is nothing but words.
1. Submission of heart-and-mind to the Bible. Evangelical churches say they want this outcome, but mere pep talks will never produce it. Significant resources have to go to preaching. A pastor has to labor in scholarship, and in honing his rhetorical craft.
2. An individual, daily practice of worship. Again, churches say they want this. But ask leaders what operations they have put in place to produce it and the response tends to be vague.
3. Obedience to the fifth commandment. Many evangelicals don't want to honor older people. There is little emphasis on it, much less any clear operational thinking on how to teach it, much less any resources devoted to it. Indeed, I've never heard an evangelical leader say that honoring parents is a decisive part of nurturing healthy congregational life.
4. Daily faith in God financially.
The people I know who are gaining Christ-like maturity are trusting God economically. I have found that people who want godliness without growing in their practice of work, giving, and spending restraint are deluded.
People must be apprenticed in trusting God with money, and this can't be done solely in a classroom. Trusting God economically is learned through counseling, or through a trusted friendship, or through that great but neglected teacher, an employer. I am convinced that churches need to become junctions of faith, work, and entrepreneurship.
Much of our discipleship in Orland actually happens on the job. Our leaders invest their personal time and finances heavily in job creation. Many of our people, some profoundly weak in crucial skills, have been trained by our employers spiritually. These employers do not put up with excuses. The process takes hard, daily, purposeful, prayerful work. It can only be done by employers who believe Christ transforms people.
A promising young guy named Matt moved to Orland without a job several years ago to attend our church with his new wife. We were just starting WestHaven Assisted Living, and our hard-nosed-employer-in-chief, Wade, offered Matt a job. After a few short years, Matt is a skilled manager, churchman, husband, and father. He is a self-controlled director his time and money, and a multi-generational asset to this community. He will tell you that God's power working through his boss is a major factor in his growth.
Return on investment: By apprenticing people economically, the church gains disciplined volunteer workers and generous financial givers. Capacity for ministry expands here.
5. Gospel-focused spirituality within the trials of divorce.
Divorce is today what slavery was in the 1st century: a common form of servitude for Christians. But if a church uses its resources wisely, it can toil in the power of the Spirit and succeed at producing godly people even amid the emotional, sexual, and financial losses of divorce.
Return on investment: we have a growing team of lay disciple-makers, a documented crisis intervention system that has successfully interacted with welfare and court systems, and a lengthening roster of saved marriages. And we are a small church.
by Matthew Raley Put the words patriotism and evangelicalism in the same sentence and you conjure the stars and stripes waving on a massive screen behind a megachurch pastor -- a use of symbols that I see as sentimental and dangerous.
I am reassessing the evangelical alliance with conservatives these days, seeking to find a theology of citizenship that is biblical. Covering various aspects of the conservative movement, we have surveyed the Bible's teachings about the state, about work, property, and profit, and about the unity of generations.
Today, I examine the idea that our country deserves our honor and loyalty.
I am not in sympathy with the way this idea has been expressed in churches over the last decade.
Digital flag-waving at church is also egregious sentimentality. It stirs populist emotions by using images to evade questions. Typical mass media schlock.
Patriotism belongs in the Christian life.
Consider the significant role that Jewish patriotism played in Paul's trial speeches (Acts 22-26). Paul's repeated emphasis on his good conscience as a Jew was not a rhetorical ploy, but a key point of honor.
The scene: Paul returns to Jerusalem after establishing churches around the Roman empire. He goes into the temple to keep a vow, and is spotted by Jews from Asia, who seize him and whip up a crowd (Acts 21.17-27).
The charge (Acts 21.28): "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place."
During the trials focusing on this charge, there are several ways Paul communicates that he is a faithful Jew.
Paul addresses the temple crowd in Aramaic, not Greek (21.40-22.2), a signal of identification that the crowd recognizes. In the Sanhedrin, he submits to the high priest, even though the priest is treating Paul unjustly (23.1-5).
Before the Roman governor Felix, Paul expresses the depth of his commitment to his nation in at least three statements: that he worships "the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the prophets" (24.14), that he went to Jerusalem "to bring alms to my nation" (24.17), and that the Jews found him "purified in the temple" (24.18).
When Paul arrives in Rome, having appealed to Caesar, he summons the local Jewish leaders to make his case (28.17-22). He states that he had "done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers." Even though he was unjustly accused, Paul states that he has "no charge to bring against my nation." He is imprisoned "because of the hope of Israel."
Two observations about Paul's example.
Paul might have found many reasons to disavow his nation, both theological and pragmatic. Had he been motivated by bitterness, he might have abused his people before the Romans. But he did none of these things, consistently identifying as a Jew, and doing so with evident devotion.
Further, Paul makes all these points before both Jewish and Gentile audiences because they concern his personal honor, and therefore the honor of Christ. A person cannot glorify Christ by being disloyal to his nation. Paul makes no pretense of having been liberated from such bonds.
Patriotism, biblically considered, is a species of humility and gratitude.
We will not bring honor to Christ by bashing our homeland. The fashionable self-hating American is only aping humility, being someone who benefits from freedom and wealth while decrying it. It is decadent and self-serving.
It is a blessing to be an American. Our freedoms are precious because, among other things, they secure a peaceful society. The heritage of laws we have received is a marvel. The dignity that comes with self-government is priceless.
I fear that because many evangelicals have embraced consumerism, mass media, and populism, we are not nurturing patriotism in churches, but merely engaging in rabble-rousing. Churches could go so much deeper in fostering citizens who serve their nation and glorify their eternal King.
by Matthew Raley The ten commandments get plenty of evangelical attention if they are engraved on courthouses. But tucked away in Exodus 20, not so much. The reason, I think, has to do with evangelicals' informal hermeneutic: the parts of the Bible that are "culturally specific" do not apply today because "culture has changed." Like other people with the issue of ethics, evangelicals preserve their wiggle-room.
So, some parts of the Decalogue fare better than others. The command against murder is still cited, as is the command against bearing false witness. The commands against coveting or breaking the Sabbath are usually ignored. The other commands receive lip-service, like the command against making idols, but only scant consideration.
The command to honor your father and your mother is in this last category. Groups of children are guaranteed to hear that they should obey their parents, and they will also hear Paul's comment about an attached promise in Ephesians 6. But there's a little detail you've probably never heard -- just a bit of trivia, I suppose, but I find such arcane matters entertaining. The original audience for this command was composed chiefly of adults.
The idea was that every grown-up would honor his father, and not just while his father lived, but also in memory. In this way, children would be taught by example, not just homily, that an elder is to be treated with reverence, deference, and attention.
I bring this up because I'm thinking through the political alliance evangelicals have maintained with the conservative movement. I've noted that there are three strains that constitute the movement, and that each one needs fresh biblical evaluation so that evangelicals can reform their view of citizenship. We've looked at the Bible's broad teaching about the state, and about the concern of the libertarian strain of conservatism for property, work, and profit.
A second strain of conservatism is traditionalist. As I've already written, these conservatives are primarily concerned with the preservation of inherited ways of life, and of the union of generations.
This kind of conservatism grew out of biblical soil.
Consider what it meant practically for an Israelite man to honor his parents. In the first place, the God his father and mother worshiped would remain his God. The fidelity his parents maintained -- fidelity to God, to each other sexually, to truthfulness and the rights of others to their lives and property -- he would continue to foster in his own heart and in the hearts of his children. Doing so, he would ensure "that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you."
In other words, the command to honor father and mother is the command to pass on the Decalogue itself, and to reform practices that have departed from it, as an expression of familial loyalty. It is a command to guard the comprehensive inheritance you have received, materially and spiritually. It creates a society that measures itself from the past forward, not from the future backward.
There is no way to keep this command on the surface of your life. It can't be done with postmodern irony. It can only be kept from the depths of your heart.
Further, this is not a "culturally specific" item that can be discarded. It is essential to the ethical world of the Bible. A society that has "outgrown" this command is a society we must defy.
Evangelicals have devoted vast resources to political battles for conservative policies. They have poured money into state referenda, gaining majorities on councils, and electing candidates for national office, all with a rhetoric that calls for "traditional values."
But if you look at the local churches evangelicals have built, you find no emphasis on honoring your father and your mother -- the molten core of biblical civics.
Indeed, evangelical churches have transformed into youth-oriented, age-denigrating activity centers. Bill Hybels and his ilk have spent the last three decades railing against "dead traditions" and effacing the inheritance of symbols, songs, and doctrine from public worship. Most churches will not consider pastoral candidates over 50 anymore. I know a man in his 60s who has led international organizations, whose churches have grown, and who is wiser than ever, but whose resume cannot attract attention. The Christian psychology industry, when it is not busy advising divorce, is telling adults to cut off their parents.
In politics, traditional rhetoric. At church, wisdom-deleting practice. I am not denying the many complexities of staying flexible in a changing society, but the degree of evangelical refusal to pay honor to elders is hypocrisy -- or lunacy.
For churches truly to advance traditionalism, they would have to teach and practice the 5th commandment. And that would turn their operations upside down. Instead of age-segregation, they would mix generations. Instead of dumbing down their preaching, they would restore accurate measures of greatness -- the measures of biblical history, not youthful fantasy.
The Bible teaches that the ethics of the people rule the nation. And the fruits of evangelical rule are . . . ?
by Matthew Raley The question we opened last week is whether evangelicals should continue to identify with conservatives.
This is first a theological question, not a political or social one. Evangelicals should not answer it from their cultural reflexes, but from what the Bible teaches. We need to integrate our loyalties as Americans and as followers of Christ by a renewed theology of citizenship.
I think an inquiry along this line starts with what the Bible teaches about the state.
The Bible does not prescribe a particular form for the state, treating the state in whatever earthly form as a God-ordained institution with stewardship over the civic affairs. God holds officers of state accountable for conduct in justice (including the punishment of violence, theft, and economic fraud and abuse) and warfare.
In the Mosaic law, human functions of state are divided amongst tribes and cities, going back to the system Moses implemented in Exodus 18.13-27. The tribes were assigned territories and governed themselves separately (Joshua 13-21). Thus the nation of Israel from its founding was a confederation, not a centralized human kingdom. Politically, it was a literal theocracy, formalized by a suzerain-vassal treaty (the Sinai covenant, says Deuteronomy 33.1-5).
The law is particularly strong in dividing the state from the priesthood. The Levites had charge of everything related to the worship of the Lord, as well as the enforcement of the ritual laws. The strongest indication of this division is Lord's choice to take the tribe of Levi as his priestly possession, rather than all first-born sons spread through the tribes (Numbers 3.40-51). Worship was assigned to an group independent of all other loyalties.
The law prepares for but does not mandate a human king, sharply limiting his powers (Deuteronomy 17.14-20). The law and the judge Samuel are explicit that tyranny in the taking of property and in state aggrandizement is a form of evil (1 Samuel 8.10-22).
When a king is appointed by God, he is first from Benjamin (Saul), then from Judah (David), prohibiting the king from the priestly functions that belonged to Levi. Saul crossed this boundary, offering a sacrifice on his own authority, and the Lord's verdict was that Saul would have no dynasty (1 Samuel 13.8-14).
David understood this separation thoroughly, and the reasoning of statecraft behind it. If worship is strengthened and preserved outside the state's power, it becomes a source of moral and spiritual nourishment for the people. As such, the institutions of worship bring health to the culture, and serve to reform the state when it becomes tyrannical. So David devoted his reign to the reform, organization, and institutional longevity of the Levitical priesthood (1 Chronicles 22-26). As a result, the priesthood was a source of strength for the reforming kings in Judah throughout the rest of its history.
I draw two principles from these texts. First, authority over civil affairs is best divided among many institutions. This serves to check the evil of tyranny. Second, the state has the duty to preserve the separation of worship institutions. The state must not take over the sphere of worship.
Such was the design of the theocracy for Israel, which had specific purposes in redemption history. The biblical flexibility on forms of state more generally can be seen in a couple of ways.
God's people showed that they could serve in pagan states. They did this by showing administrative prowess, just decisions, and refusal to yield points of worship to the pagan kings. Joseph in Egypt (Genesis 41) and Daniel in Babylon (Daniel 1-2) are preeminent examples.
In the New Testament, the most prized aspect of the Roman state was the freedom and peace it gave, so that Christians could bear witness and grow without persecution (1 Timothy 2.1-7). The church saw the restraint of the Roman state in matters of spirituality as an advantage.
So the role of the state in the Bible is primarily negative: to preserve order against crime (Romans 13.1-7). This is because the Bible sees the actual rule of a nation in the conduct of the people themselves. The ethics of the people set the destiny of the nation.
One thing seems clear to me. The vision of the American religious right that government can be a source of righteousness for the people is not in agreement with biblical teaching. I don't think anyone can plausibly deny that this is their vision. They have leaped too quickly and too often from the "If my people" verse to a call to elect this or that Republican. Further, the vision of the religious left that national righteousness is dependent on passage of the latest welfare scheme ("Budgets are moral documents," etc, etc) is the same exact error in the opposite political direction.
In the context of biblical teaching, the actions of local churches are far more important in promoting ethics and justice in America than the actions of the state.


Got this bike from a Club brother in Montana, looks like somebody might have been trying to make a dirt tracker out of it, a lot of the stock bits are gone. I'm gonna get her back on the road as time, money, and the old lady's To Do list allows, looking at a 50's style bobber...Simple and clean. Click the picture for more pics and updates.
After hitting 100,000 miles on his '05 Thruxton, Mark cafe'd the hell out of her.....Click the picture for details.
After a year or two of hard negotiation, Rich got this BSA from a friend. Its all there, but every single bit is taken apart. Follow the re-assembly and build by clicking on the picture.


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Q: Stories sandbox in wit.ai Let's say I create a story dedicated to giving the weather in a given place, and a story dedicated to listing the possible activities in a given place, and a allowing to buy tickets for them.
Let's say a user launches the second story by entering "what can I do in Paris ?". Bot answers with a list of things and asks the user to input the one he'd like to buy a ticket for.
But, instead of entering a number, the user inputs "What is the current weather in Paris ?". Will the first story be triggered ?
A wit.ai blog post states :

We strengthened the initial overfitting: when a user follows the
  scenario of a story, the bot will 100% stick to the story.

Should we repost the intent as a context key so that the next action prediction scope stays within the same story ? Should all end of a story flush the context of all keys (which in our tests seems to be a very good idea not to stick to a story) ?
Thanks for any insights.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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package egovframework.com.sym.bat.service.impl;
import java.util.List;

import org.springframework.stereotype.Repository;

import egovframework.com.cmm.service.impl.EgovComAbstractDAO;
import egovframework.com.sym.bat.service.BatchResult;

/**
 * 배치결과관리에 대한 DAO 클래스를 정의한다.
 *
 * @author 김진만
 * @since 2010.06.17
 * @version 1.0
 * @updated 17-6-2010 오전 10:27:13
 * @see
 * <pre>
 * == 개정이력(Modification Information) ==
 *
 *   수정일       수정자           수정내용
 *  -------     --------    ---------------------------
 *  2010.06.17   김진만     최초 생성
 * </pre>
 */
@Repository("batchResultDao")
public class BatchResultDao extends EgovComAbstractDAO {

	/**
	 * 배치결과을 삭제한다.
	 *
	 * @param batchResult    삭제할 배치결과 VO
	 * @exception Exception Exception
	 */
	public void deleteBatchResult(BatchResult batchResult)
	  throws Exception{
		delete("BatchResultDao.deleteBatchResult", batchResult);
	}

	/**
	 * 배치결과을 등록한다.
	 *
	 * @param batchResult 저장할 배치결과 VO
	 * @exception Exception Exception
	 */
	public void insertBatchResult(BatchResult batchResult)
	  throws Exception{
		insert("BatchResultDao.insertBatchResult", batchResult);
	}

	/**
	 * 배치결과정보를 상세조회 한다.
	 * @return 배치결과정보
	 *
	 * @param batchResult    조회할 KEY가 있는 배치결과 VO
	 * @exception Exception Exception
	 */
	public BatchResult selectBatchResult(BatchResult batchResult)
	  throws Exception{
		return (BatchResult)selectByPk("BatchResultDao.selectBatchResult", batchResult);
	}

	/**
	 * 배치결과정보목록을  조회한다.
	 * @return 배치결과목록
	 *
	 * @param searchVO    조회조건이 저장된 VO
	 * @exception Exception Exception
	 */
	public List selectBatchResultList(BatchResult searchVO)
	  throws Exception{
		return list("BatchResultDao.selectBatchResultList", searchVO);
	}

	/**
	 * 배치결과 목록 전체 건수를(을) 조회한다.
	 * @return 목록건수
	 *
	 * @param searchVO    조회할 정보가 담긴 VO
	 * @exception Exception Exception
	 */
	public int selectBatchResultListCnt(BatchResult searchVO)
	  throws Exception{
		return (Integer)getSqlMapClientTemplate().queryForObject("BatchResultDao.selectBatchResultListCnt", searchVO);
	}

	/**
	 * 배치결과정보를 수정한다.
	 *
	 * @param batchResult    수정대상 배치결과 VO
	 * @exception Exception Exception
	 */
	public void updateBatchResult(BatchResult batchResult)
	  throws Exception{
		update("BatchResultDao.updateBatchResult", batchResult);
	}

}


Frank DiGiammarino serves as an Advisor to the Vice President of the United States for Recovery Implementation. Previously Frank served as the Director of the Recovery Implementation Office where he was responsible for coordinating a complex and diverse network of government departments in disbursing $787 billion to speed economic recovery. In the midst of the worst recession since the Great Depression, the implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has been credited with reversing the dramatic decline in national employment by creating or saving over 3 million jobs, increasing the gross domestic product by over two and a half points and laying the foundation for the economy of the 21st century. At the two-year anniversary of the act, the implementation of the Recovery Act met all of its legislated goals on or ahead of schedule.
Worked with state, local and non-governmental partners to address barriers and achieve programmatic goals.
A recognized change agent, Frank came to the Executive Office of the President from the National Academy of Public Administration where he was the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. Prior to the National Academy, Frank spent many years as a senior consultant and strategist. Former positions include Director and DoD Practice Area lead at Touchstone Consulting Group, General Manager and Director of Program Management at Sapient Corporation, and Principal Consultant with the state and local government practice at American Management Systems.
Career highlights include launching the Collaboration Project, an independent forum of leaders committed to leveraging the benefits of collaboration to solve government's complex problems; leading a program to re-engineer a $6 billion Army department with 15,000 personnel; driving reorganization of an 1,100 person consultancy in 6 months with 85 percent adoption; and leading a 700-plus person office that delivered $120 million in annual revenue.
Frank holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts and a Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University. A frequent speaker on career development, Frank serves as an advisor to the leadership team of the Young Government Leaders organization. He lives in Bethesda, MD with his wife and three children.


text:
Himal Sanchar
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'Workers at the door to meet Prachanda, middlemen go straight to sleep'
I wanted to leave the Maoist center in 1972. So I was slowly becoming inactive. I'm officially gone by 2073. There are five reasons for me to leave the party and withdraw from active politics. Firstly, politics has become very expensive, not everyone can do politics. The second politics became very dirty. Wherever you look… Continue reading 'Workers at the door to meet Prachanda, middlemen go straight to sleep'
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Former minister Bisa's dream came true
June 10, Dang. Lokendra Bisa is hardly unheard of. He led the war during the War of the Ten Years. After entering the peace process, he became a minister. He left active politics and moved into commercial agriculture. Initially, black rice was cultivated in Kavre. After stopping the paddy cultivation, he started Dragon Fruit Farming… Continue reading Former minister Bisa's dream came true
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Google also in the race for AR headsets, what will be the feature?
International level training online in more than 200 courses in Nepal
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Colourfence
Request investment information
Membership History
Joined 2007
Investment Info
Start Up Cost:
Franchise Type:
Sector Type:
Investment Type:
Home Based, Mobile
B2B, B2C
Colourfence doesn't rot, warp or peel. It doesn't require any upkeep and is totally maintenance-free. What's more, Colourfence can withstand gale force winds.
Colourfence is made from lightweight, high tensile Colorbond steel. It has been popular in Australia for decades and dominates the market place down under. Colourfence is now manufactured here in the UK to fit domestic settings. This isn't bleak industrial metal, but attractive coloured fencing that will replace inferior wooden products.
Franchise Overview
Colourfence has an expanding network of management franchisees. In the early days many franchisees worked on the installations as well as surveys. This restricted both theirs and the company's growth. These days many franchisees sell more than quarter of a million pounds of fencing annually, and don't fit a single fence themselves.
Training is designed to suit individual requirements. It is a mix of sales, management, administration, technical and practical.
It is important to state that Colourfence franchisees are NOT expected to become fence
fitters. This is a management franchise and your personal and organisational skills are far more important than any DIY or practical expertise.
Daily Life of a franchisee
Colourfence franchisees are expected to promote the product locally – with support from the franchisor in extensive national advertising. The day-to-day role will involve quoting and surveying and managing one or more installers. There is no hard sell in this business, and all enquires are generated through advertisements and referrals.
Paul Gilmore
Colourfence's 'Newcomer of the Year', Paul Gilmore from Bognor Regis, explains his reasons for joining the franchise, what winning the award meant, and talks about his experiences to date.
"I'll admit it was a difficult decision to find a franchise that I wanted to partner with. But, when I came across Colourfence, I knew I'd found a company that I could work with. And, more importantly, I'd found one that offered fantastic, quality products that I would be proud to associate myself with.
I joined Colourfence in October 2015. It has been a steep learning curve as, like many others, I'd never owned a franchise before. But the Colourfence team have been so supportive and encouraging that it has made the journey all the easier. What's more, my background in engineering and construction has definitely helped me to clear all the hurdles!
We have had such positive feedback from our customers that there is a real sense of pride and achievement following every job we complete. Both myself and my small team of fitters work hard to exceed expectations and complete a fencing solution that the homeowner can be proud of year after year. A large percentage of our work is from customer referrals too, so it is rewarding to see our efforts do not go unnoticed.
My Colourfence franchise, 'West Sussex fencing', has been awarded 'Best Newcomer' in this year's Franchisee Awards which, for all of us, has been a great boost. We really do appreciate the recognition of our commitment to excellence.
Looking to the future, I'd like to build a solid sustainable business that can grow organically year-on-year. We would also like to build on our great reputation and be the supplier of choice for fencing in West Sussex. And, with the support of Colourfence, I am more than confident that this can be achieved."
The Colourfence franchise – a BFA-member for 10 years – requires no previous experience, is very easy to learn and provides a rapid return on investment. The company holds regular Open Days at its factory in Newport for prospective franchisees, with spaces still available on:
The franchise, which can be run as a management operation, costs just £19,995 + vat.
Sharone Freed
Q. Why did you decide to look into franchising?
Sharone freed: "I didn't! I was a sales executive for the RAC and I was looking for a fencing solution for my own home that was different to traditional timber.
Looking online I came across Colourfence and researched it as a customer. I then met with Mark Stewart Woods and his team and was so impressed with the product and the people that when I learned it was available as a franchise in my area I had to go for it."
Q. What appealed most about the franchise?
Sharone Freed: "The quality and the exclusivity of the product, plus the fact that apart from timber there is no direct competitor. Also the passion and experience of the people behind the business was big plus. The legal documentation was drawn up by one of the UK's leading franchise solicitors and the prospectus was clear and didn't over promise. The fact that Colourfence are an associate member of the bfa gave me confidence in the integrity and ethics of the company and backed up my over all positive feeling".
Q. What training did you receive?
Sharone Freed: "The training program was tailored to what skills I had and where I needed to grow. As I already had a strong background in sales and administration we focussed the training on the operational side of installing and erecting the fencing, and of course Colourfence Customer Service".
Q. What support have you received?
Sharone Freed: "As well as initial training there is a support team at Head Office for whatever help I need. Whenever I have a question I know that advice is just a phone call away. They have exceeded their obligations to me"
Q. Has it been a challenge to generate business?
Sharone Freed: "In my first month of trading I exhibited at a local garden show from which I secured my first three customers. Further business was generated through a combination of leaflet drops, local advertising, (both subsidised by Colourfence) and national advertising by head office. As my business has grown I now get an increasing number of referrals by happy customers"
Q. Are you on target to meet your business plan?
Sharone Freed: "When I first started in June 2007 I had a realistic plan target for my first year. I achieved this target within the first nine months of trading and I am currently 29% up on plan with two months of my first year left to go."
Q. What do you enjoy most about your franchised business?
Sharone Freed: "I enjoy being my own boss……even though I am probably the toughest boss I have worked for! My goal is to add a couple of vans and a team of employees to build a substantial business and a secure future for my family."
Request more info for latest resale options.
ColourFence launches another game-changing garden product
Colourfence appoints new Franchise Development Manager
ColourFence winners at the Franchise Marketing Awards
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