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Лужњак или храст лужњак () је врста високог листопадно дрвета из рода храстова. Народни називи за храст лужњак су и дуб, гњилец, лужник, рани храст, рошњак, грм.

Распрострањеност
Лужњак је врло распрострањена европска врста. Ареал му се простире од Атлантског океана на западу, до Урала, Кавказа и Каспијског језера на истоку. На север се протеже до Шкотске и Скандинавије (63° с.г.ш.), а на југ до северне Африке. За разлику од китњака има га и у областима са континенталном климом.

Изглед
Храст лужњак може достићи висину и до 50 м, са стаблом пречника око 2,5 м (забележена су стабла пречника и до 6 м). То је дуговечно дрво које може да дочека старост и до 2.000 година.

Крошња је широка, неправилна и добро разграната, са јаким, кривим и неправилним, коленасто савијеним гранама. Кора је у младости глатка, а са старошћу постаје дебела (и до преко 10 центиметара), сивосмеђе боје и уздужно испуцала дубљим (до 3-4 cm), а попречно плитким браздама. Младе гранчице су голе или врло брзо оголе. Више или мање угласте.

Коренов систем му је јако развијен. У младости развија жилу срчаницу (централни корен), која продире у дубину по неколико метара. Касније се развијају бочни корени у ширину. Образује ектотрофну микоризу, па тако тартуфи најбоље расту у симбиози са корењем храста китњака и лужњака.

Пупољци су јајастог, округластог, полутупог, већином петоугластог облика. Покривени су бројним, голим, спирално распоређеним љускама светлосмеђе боје. Листови су прости, наизменично распоређени на грани. Зељасти су, ређе мало кожасти, обрнуто јајасти, на врху тупи, заобљени или угнути, асиметричне основе. Млади листови слабо длакави али брзо оголе. С лица су тамнозелени и сјајни, с наличја светлији. Обод листа широко урезан са 4-5 (ређе до 8) асиметричних, тупих и округластих режњева. Петељка доста дебела, гола, дуга 3-5 mm (ређе и до 10 mm).

Цветови су једнополни; мушке ресе су висеће, дуге 2-5 cm. Женски цветови скупљени су до 5 заједно, на дугим дршкама. Цвета заједно са листањем, априла-маја. Плод је жир, по величини и облику варијабилан. Обично је издужено јајаст, дуг 2-4 cm, светлосмеђе боје. На свежем жиру лако се уочавају тамније уздужне пруге. Купула ("капица") покрива 1/3 до 1/2 жира. Љуспе на купули су размакнуте, широке и слабо маљаве. има их мање него код китњака. Жир виси на 3-7 cm дугој петељци. Сазрева у септембру и октобру. Размножава се генеративно семеном и вегетативно калемљењем (нарочито украсне форме).

Станиште
Храст лужњак не иде високо као китњак, али у појединим деловима ареала досеже 1100 (у Апенинима) до 1200 м н.в. (у Пиринејима) па и више (у Централним Алпима). Има дуг вегетациони период. расте обично у равницама и долинама. Захтева дубока, глиновита или песковита, плодна, свежа и влажна земљишта. Расте и на земљиштима која на површини нису плодна, али у дубљим слојевима садрже довољно хранљивих материја и воде. Теже подноси кисела земљишта, али може да поднесе извесну концентрацију соли. Зато га има и на слатинама и у степским подручјима на чернозему. Подноси повремена плављења и висок ниво подземних вода. Не успева на плитком и сувом земљишту. Зато су његова станишта претежно на алувијалним земљиштима, низијским или благо брежуљкастим теренима. Осетљив је на касне мразеве, али подноси високе температуре. Отпоран је према ветру и диму.

Шуме лужњака у Србији
У Србији храст лужњак покрива површину од укупно 32.400 ха. Установљене су две семенске регије. Посавско-подунавска регија храста лужњака која обухвата подручје Војводине, околину Београда, Обреновца, као и шуме у сливу Дунава на подручју Смедерева, Пожаревца и Великог Градишта. Друга семенска регија обухвата средишњу Србију у којој храст лужњак расте у долинама река, највише око Мораве и њених притока. Највеће површине под шумама храста лужњака налазе се у Срему. Низијске шуме лужњака у доњем току реке Саве у Срему изложене су негативним утицајима, како природних, тако и антропогених фактора. Значај воде као еколошког фактора, како биоценозе, тако и биотопa, огледа се у обликовању низијских шума чијим променама се нарушава еколошка равнотежа и њихова стабилност.

Подврста лужњака степски лужњак (Quercus robur L. subsp. pedunculiflora (K. Koch) Menitsky) налази се на листи заштићених биљних врста у Републици Србији.

Употреба

Дрвна индустрија
Дрво храста лужњака по својим естетским, физичким, механичким, технолошким и употребним својстима представља еталон квалитета дрвета. Због изузетног квалитета дрвне грађе храст лужњак добио је међународну карактеристику славонска храстовина: дрво му је фино, подједнако уских правилних годова, златно жуте боје, лепо, трајно и лако за обраду. Под овим појмом се не подразумева географско порекло, већ храстово дрво са равномерно низаним прстеновима прираста ширине око 2,0 mm, одређене боје, текстуре, сјаја, густине, чврстоће и трајности на високом квалитативном нивоу. Познато је да дрво храста има велику трајност под водом и у земљи.

Користи се за различите сврхе: као грађевинско дрво, за железничке прагове, греде и стубове. У унутрашњем уређењу, од храстовине се израђују различите врсте подних облога, израђују се степенице и намјештај. Висококвалитетна храстовина се користи за израду фурнира, а од ње се израђују и бурад. Дрво храста лужњака било је на цени и у прошлости, не само због свог квалитета, већ и због одређене закривљености у грађи, погодне за израду закривљених делова брода. Познато је да се, осим за бродоградњу, ово дрво у Млетачкој републици користило за изградњу Венеције. Од трупаца храста лужњака израђивани су шипови који су се забијали у муљевито тло и на њима су подигнуте чувене грађевине којима се данас дивимо. Храст лужњак има још једну значајну особину. Његово дрво које проведе извесно време у земљи, било да је ту доспело услед природних дешавања или услед намерног модификовања од стране човека, поприма тамнију боју, хомогенизује структуру и постаје цењено у уметничком изражавању, посебно у резбарству.

Жир као храна

Познато је да је у доба владавине Кнеза Милоша Обреновића "жирење свиња" био један од најчешћих начина екстензивног това свиња у Србији, у храстовим и буковим шумама. Данас је оваква врста исхране нарочито популарна у органској пољопривреди.

Храстов жир употребљавао се и у људској исхрани од најдавнијих времена. Утврђено је да су се жирови лужњака и китњака користили у исхрани још у неолиту. Жир многих врста храстова, па тако и лужњака, богат је скробом, шећером, беланчевинама, мастима, смолом и танином. Јестивост жирова зависи управо од садржаја танина у њима. Велики садржај танина резултира горким укусом плодова и ограничава њихову употребу у људској исхрани. Китњак спада у врсте чији жир има мали садржај танина, а доста скроба. Жир и данас користе у исхрани поборници природне исхране, а може се користити печен попут питомог кестена, као пире, самлевен у брашно као додатак хлебу или пржен и млевен као замена за кафу. У Немачкој је и данас познат израз "жирова кафа" (Eichelkaffe).

Употреба у медицини
Кора храста китњака и лужњака (Cortex Quercus) служи у медицини као средство за стезање, испирање и заустављање крварења. По потреби може се употребити и као антидот код тровања тешким металима. Прикупља се у рано пролеће, пре олиставања или у јесен, по опадању листа и то само сасвим глатка кора, са младих стабљика, летораста или грана.

Храстове шуме
Храстове шуме станиште су на ком најбоље успевају тартуфи, што често може имати велики економски значај. Тартуфи најбоље расту у симбиози са корењем храста китњака и лужњака.

Значај у озелењавању

Као и већина других храстова и Лужњак се користи у озелењавању на већим површинама, појединачно или у групама, али и у дрворедима на широким булеварима. Познат је већи број украсних форми ове врсте, међу којима су:
 Quercus robur 'Atropurpurea' - спорорастућа форма ситних, тамно пурпурних листова,
 Quercus robur 'Concordia' - жуте боје листова,
 Quercus robur 'Fastigiata' - форма ваљкасте крошње чије су бочне гране усмерене ка врху,
 Quercus robur 'Pectinata' - листови перасто дељени, усечени скоро до главног нерва,
 Quercus robur 'Pendula' - форма широке крошње и висећих грана,
 Quercus robur 'Umbraculifera' - форма правилне, округласте крошње.

Занимљивости
 Најстарије дрво у Београду је управо један храст лужњак - Храст лужњак на Цветном тргу, законом заштиђен као споменик природе III категорије. Стар је око 200 година а остатак је некадашње храстово-јасенове шуме која се простирала од Цветног трга до Мањежа. Стабло је импресивних димензија, висине око 26 м и обима дебла 4,0 м. доброг је здравственог стања, а веће примарне гране у крошњи су стабилизоване и повезане металним сајлама и обујмицама.
 Храст лужњак био је и Таковски грм, чувени храст под којим је подигнут Други српски устанак.
 Храст лужњак или чувени славонски храст добио је своје место и на хрватском новцу - грана лужњака налази се на наличју кованице од 5 липа.
 Храст лужњак био је и запис у Шаранима, посечен при изградњи коридора 11; пречник крошње дрвета био је око 26-27 m, док је пречник само стабла био преко 2 метра, а старост му је процењена на око 600 година.

Галерија

Види још
 Храст
 Китњак
 Цер (биљка)
 Сладун
 Дрво (материјал)
 Жир
 Нај-дрвеће света
 Јосип Козарац

Референце

Литература

Спољашње везе

 Hrast lužnjak - Приступљено 31. 1. 2016.
 Quercus robur – Hrast lužnjak
 Hrast lužnjak – Quercus robur

Храстови
Листопадно дрвеће
Флора Европе
Дендрологија
Шумарство
Хортикултура


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Las elecciones federales de Alemania de 2013 se realizaron el domingo 22 de septiembre de 2013. En ellas, se eligieron a los miembros del Bundestag, el parlamento federal de Alemania.

Según el art. 39 de la Constitución alemana, la elección debía realizarse como mínimo 46 y como máximo 48 meses después de la primera reunión del Bundestag en la legislatura anterior. Como esta se llevó a cabo el 27 de octubre de 2009, las elecciones tenían que celebrarse entre el 1 de septiembre y el 27 de octubre de 2013.

El partido más votado fue la Unión Demócrata Cristiana (CDU). En conjunto con la Unión Social Cristiana de Baviera (CSU), con la que forma tradicionalmente una fracción conjunta en el parlamento, alcanzó un 41,5% de los votos (porcentaje calculado sobre el segundo voto, con el que los alemanes eligen partidos, no personas). Con ello se incrementó la distancia entre los partidos de la Unión (CDU/CSU) y el Partido Socialdemócrata (SPD), este último, tras las grandes pérdidas que sufrió en 2009 solo logró recuperarse levemente. Por otra parte, la Alianza 90/Los Verdes, Die Linke y sobre todo, el Partido Democrático Liberal (FDP) perdieron votos respecto de sus resultados de 2009. La Alternativa para Alemania, (AfD), que se presentaba por primera vez a las elecciones, no alcanzó a superar la barrera del 5% establecida como mínimo. Merkel fue seleccionada para formar su tercer gobierno en coalición con los socialdemócratas.

Sistema electoral

El Bundestag se elige mediante el sistema proporcional personalizado. Los votantes tienen dos votos: con el primero eligen a un miembro de Bundestag por su distrito electoral, con el segundo votan por un partido. Los escaños en el Bundestag son distribuidos según los votos al partido. Un partido que obtiene más distritos en un estado que los que le corresponden según el número de votos que recibió conserva los escaños.

Este sistema electoral puede cambiarse por decisión del Tribunal Constitucional Federal. La corte declaró que la provisión en la Ley de la Elección Federal, que hace posible que un partido pierda escaños debido a que obtiene más votos,  viola la garantía constitucional del sistema electoral que debe ser igualitario y directo.

Este cambio fue hecho el 30 de junio de 2011, pero el gobierno no presentó la legislación apropiada. Una nueva ley electoral se promulgó a finales de 2011, pero ha sido recurrida por los partidos de la oposición ante el Tribunal Constitucional Federal.

Partidos y candidatos participantes
Se presentaron a la elección un total de 34 partidos políticos. De ellos 30 partidos presentaron listas a nivel de Estados federados y cuatro presentaron solamente propustas en los distritos electorales. En total presentaron su candidatura 4.451 personas para el Bundestag, entre ellas 1.149 mujeres. En comparación con las elecciones federales de 2009, hubo 895 candidaturas más.

Partidos

El los 16 Estados federados fueros aceptadas un total de 233 listas correspondientes a 30 partidos. En los 299 distritos electorales se presentaron como candidatos un total de 2705 personas.

 CDU – Unión Demócrata Cristiana (Alemania) (no en Baviera; 254 propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 SPD – Partido Socialdemócrata de Alemania (en todos los Estados federados; 299 propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 FDP – Partido Democrático Liberal (en todos los Estados federados; 298 propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 DIE LINKE (en todos los Estados federados; 298 propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 GRÜNE – Alianza 90/Los Verdes (en todos los Estados federados; 299 propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 CSU – Unión Social Cristiana de Baviera (solo en Baviera; 45 propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 PIRATEN – Partido Pirata de Alemania (en todos los Estados federados; 276 propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 NPD – Partido Nacionaldemócrata de Alemania (en todos los Estados federados; 258 propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 FREIE WÄHLER – Votantes Libres (en todos los Estados federados; 174 propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 AfD – Alternativa para Alemania (en todos los Estados federados; 158 propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 MLPD – Partido Marxista-Leninista de Alemania (en todos los Estados federados; 41 propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 pro Deutschland – Iniciativa Ciudadana pro Alemania (13 listas en los estados federados, no en Hamburgo, Schleswig-Holstein, y Turingia; tres propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 REP – Die Republikaner (diez listas en los estados federados: Berlín, Brandenburgo, Hesse, Renania Palatinado, Baviera, Mecklemburgo-Pomerania Occidental, Baja Sajonia, Renania del Norte-Westfalia, Thüringen, Baden-Wurtemberg; 21 propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 ÖDP – Partido Ecológico-Democrático (ocho listas en Estados federados: Berlín, Hamburgo, Renania del Norte-Westfalia, Renania Palatinado, Baviera, Turingia, Sajonia-Anhalt, Baden-Wurtemberg; 62 propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 BüSo – Movimiento de Derechos Ciudadanos Solidaridad (seis listas en Estados federados: Baviera, Baden-Wurtemberg, Berlín, Hesse, NRW, Sajonia; 38 propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 Die PARTEI – Partido por el Trabajo, Estado de Derecho, Protección de los Animales, Insentivo a las Elites e Iniciativas Democráticas de Base (cinco listas en Estados federados: Berlín, Bremen, Hamburgo, Hesse, Renania del Norte-Westfalia; 32 propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 Tierschutzpartei – Partido Ser Humano, Medio Ambiente y Protección de los Animales (cinco listas en Estados federados: en Baviera, Bremen, Baja Sajonia, Schleswig-Holstein, Baden-Wurtemberg; dos propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 PARTEI DER VERNUNFT – Partido de la Razón (cuatro listas en Estados federados: Baviera, Renania del Norte-Westfalia, Renania-Palatinado, Baden-Wurtemberg; seis propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 Alianza 21/RRP (tres listas en Estados federados: Baviera, Bremen, Renania del Norte-Westfalia; 17 propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 BIG – Alianza por la Innovación y la Justicia (tres listas en Estados federados: Berlín, Renania del Norte-Westfalia, Baden-Wurtemberg; seis propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 RENTNER – Partido de los Pensionistas de Alemania (tres listas en Estados federados: Hamburgo, Schleswig-Holstein, Baden-Wurtemberg; una propuesta en los distritos electorales)
 PSG – Partido por la Igualdad Social, Sección Cuarta Internacional (tres listas en Estados federados: Berlín, Hesse, Renania del Norte-Westfalia)
 PBC – Partido de los Cristianos Respetuosos de la Biblia (dos listas en Estados federados: Baja Sajonia y Baden-Wurtemberg; cinco propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 Volksabstimmung – A partir de ahora... Democracia a través de Plebiscito (dos listas en Estados federados: Renania del Norte-Westfalia y Baden-Wurtemberg; dos propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 BP – Partido de Baviera (Lista en Baviera; once propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 DIE VIOLETTEN – Los Violetas - por la Política Espiritual (Lista en Baviera; cinco propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 FAMILIE – Partido de las Familias de Alemania (Lista en Sarre; cuatro propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 DIE FRAUEN – Partido Feminista Las Mujeres (Lista en Baviera)
 Die Rechte («La Derecha») (Lista en Renania del Norte-Westfalia)
 Partido de los No Votantes (Lista en Renania del Norte-Westfalia)
 DKP – Partido Comunista Alemán (seis propuestas en los distritos electorales)
 B – Bergpartei, die "ÜberPartei" (una propuesta en los distritos electorales)
 BGD – Federación para toda Alemania (una propuesta en los distritos electorales)
 Idea del ¡No! (una propuesta en los distritos electorales)

Además de los partidos mencionados,  participaron 81 candidatos individuales, entre ellos Siegfried Kauder en el distrito electoral de Schwarzwald-Baar, Wolfgang Nešković en el distrito de Cottbus – Spree-Neiße y Michael Paris en el distrito de Fráncfort del Meno II.

Candidatos

La actual canciller de Alemania, Angela Merkel, fue postulada para su tercer mandato por el partido Unión Demócrata Cristiana.

Peer Steinbrück fue designado candidato del SPD el 28 de septiembre de 2012, nombramiento que fue aprobado por el congreso del Partido Socialdemócrata el 9 de diciembre de 2012.

Por su parte, el FDP decidió en enero de 2013 nombrar a Rainer Brüderle como su candidato principal para las elecciones del Bundestag, acogiendo una proposición del jefe del partido y ministro de economía Philipp Rösler.

El  21 de enero de 2013 Die Linke dio a conocer su decisión de participar con ocho políticos como candidatos centrales encabezando la campaña electoral: Nicole Gohlke, Jan van Aken, Caren Lay, Klaus Ernst, Gregor Gysi, Dietmar Bartsch, Sahra Wagenknecht y Diana Golze.

Los dos candidatos principales del partido Alianza90/Los Verdes se eligieron a través de unas primarias en las que participaron aproximadamente el 62 % de los cerca de 60.000 miembros del partido. Los resultados de esta elección se dieron a conocer el 10 de noviembre de 2012. Jürgen Trittin (71,9 %) y Katrin Göring-Eckardt (47,9 %) resultaron elegidos, Renate Künast obtuvo el 38,6 % de los votos y Claudia Roth el 26,2 %.

Otros datos
En la misma fecha tuvieron lugar las elecciones regionales en el Land de Hesse.

Resultados
En el último informe publicado oficialmente por el servicio electoral alemán se observan los siguientes porcentajes y escaños:

Estos resultados, que en lo general concuerdan con lo esperado por la mayoría de los analistas, conllevan la sorpresa de transformar al partido La Izquierda (Die Linke) por primera vez en la tercera fuerza en Alemania, por encima de Los Verdes y del FDP.  Este último no obtuvo representantes en el parlamento debido a que no superó el umbral del 5% de votos que establece la ley.

Resultados por Estado

La siguiente tabla muestra los resultados del segundo voto en cada Estado federado o Land expresado en porcentaje. El partido con mayor votación aparece en negrillas:
(los datos de esta tabla son los oficiales publicados por la autoridad competente)

Referencias

Enlaces externos

 Encuestas electorales (en alemán y en inglés)

2013
Alemania
Alemania en 2013
Angela Merkel

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
package extracells.item;

public enum WirelessTerminalType {
	ITEM,
	FLUID,
	GAS,
	ESSENTIA,
	CRAFTING
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Broken Social Scene announce North American tour details
Adam Adshead May 10, 2010 9:37 pm BST
Toronto collective will hit the road throughout September and October
Broken Social Scene have announced details of a forthcoming tour of North America.
Kicking off in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 8, the collective will then embark on a further 25 dates across America and Canada.
About to play a a series of UK shows and festivals, the group are playing in support of their new album, 'Forgiveness Rock Record', which was released last week (May 3).
Broken Social Scene will play the following dates:
Pittsburgh, PA Byham Theater (September 8)
Asheville, NC Orange Peel (9)
Raleigh, NC Hopscotch Festival (10)
Richmond, VA The National (11)
Washington, DC The Warner Theatre (13)
Philadelphia, PA TLA (14)
Boston, MA House Of Blues (17)
New York, NY Central Park, Rumsey Playfield (18)
New Haven, CT Toad's Place (20)
Northampton, MA Calvin Theater (21)
Burlington, VT Higher Ground (22)
Ithaca, NY State Theater (24)
Buffalo, NY Town Hall (25)
Ann Arbor, MI Michigan Theater (October 1)
Milwaukee, WI Pabst Theater (3)
Minneapolis, MN First Avenue (4)
Winnipeg, MB Burton Cummings Theatre (6)
Saskatoon, SK Odeon (7)
Calgary, AB MacEwan Hall (8)
Edmonton, AB Winspear Centre (9)
Kelowna, BC Community Theatre (10)
Victoria, BC Element (12)
Vancouver, BC Commodore (13)
Seattle, WA Paramount (15)
Portland, OR Crystal Ballroom (16)
Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern (19)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Online registration to participate in Navigating the Caregiving Journey, a conference to empower family caregivers with resources and knowledge, will be coming to a close shortly. In person registration on Saturday, April 13 will be available on site.
This conference will feature educational sessions throughout the day. There will also be an exhibit hall where attendees will have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with representatives from many local resources that offer products and services available to family caregivers and those in their care, including AARP. To register go to our website, mycaregivingjourney.com.
The Navigating the Caregiving Journey Conference will be held on Saturday, April 13 at All Saints' Church, 14851 Gideon Drive, Woodbridge, from 8:30 a. m. to 4:30 p. m.
Breakfast and lunch will be served at the conference. The Exhibit Hall will be open from 8:30 a. m. – 2:30 p. m., with exhibitors from many local companies/organizations that offer resources to caregivers and their families.
There will be many opportunities for attendees to have conversations with representatives from these local resources during the conference to ask questions or just get more information about the goods and services that are available. Visit mycaregivingjourney.com or call 703-490-1407 for more information.


text:
Slovo Blumenthal má několik významů:
 Blumenthal (zámek) – zámek v Německu
 Benjamin Blumenthal – izraelský vojenský velitel
 Heston Blumenthal – anglický kuchař
 Leonhard von Blumenthal – pruský polní maršál
 Naftali Blumenthal – izraelský politik
 Na'omi Blumenthal – izraelská politička
 Oscar Blumenthal – německý spisovatel a šachista
 Otto Blumenthal – německý matematik
Richard Blumenthal  – americký demokratický politik

Německá příjmení
Židovská příjmení


Heavy sweating can be very unpleasant, especially in the summer. But this problem is possible to alleviate.
It is normal and healthy to sweat when the temperature rises. But those circles of sweat under the armpits and constantly moist palms can be extremely unpleasant.
A medical condition known as hyperhidrosis is when people are sweating four or five times more than normal. Hopefully, there is a remedy for that.
Start using a few tips that can help you to prevent or lessen the sweating and unpleasant odors that accompany it.
If those tips don't help and your problem is much bigger, than you should visit the doctor. There are medical treatments for this disorder, such as the use of Botox or surgery.
Great cup of iced coffee or savory sauces are irresistibly delicious. But try to limit the spices and caffeine if you want to sweat less.
Spicy food and caffeine can activate neurotransmitters called acetylcholine. And everything that stimulates the neurotransmitters can affect the glands that produce sweat.
They contain aluminum salts, and when applied to the skin, they form plugs which block the sweating.
You can consult the dermatologist to recommend antiperspirant.
Medical antiperspirants are more efficient in stopping perspiration because they have higher concentrations of the active ingredients. And are, of course, much healthier solution than those commercial ones.
The production of sweat is at the lowest level during the night.
The active ingredients in antiperspirants are more likely to enter the pores and block the sweating if you put deodorant before the bed than in the morning.
Don't worry that the product will be washed off in the shower, because its ingredients are already penetrated the sweat ducts.
Arms, legs, face, back, chest, and even groin have a high concentration of sweat glands.
These parts of the body will be drier if you apply antiperspirant to them, so be careful with sensitive parts of the body.
Do not apply antiperspirant to your face.
Excessive sweating can lead to dehydration and heat stroke.
Fruits and vegetables are the natural hydrates because they contain 60 to 95 percent water.
Melon, papaya and mango are particularly useful because they contain potassium. Potassium helps to regulate the balance of fluids and minerals in the body.
Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol because it only contributes to dehydration.
Do the things you to reduce your anxiety; such as deep breathing. It reduces the stimulation of neurotransmitters that stimulate sweat glands.
If you often perspire heavily when you're in a stressful situation, your doctor may prescribe medications to reduce perspiration in these situations, or suggest other treatment options.
Cold water promotes sweating, which is why you should shower only with lukewarm water and soap neutral or slightly acidic pH (5.5).
They preserve the protective acid layer of the skin and prevent the growth of bacteria on its surface. Do not use the classic soap base.
Hairs keep the sweat and then it quickly comes into contact with the air and bacteria.
Under the influence of the bacteria releases a type of acid, which is the primary cause of unpleasant bodily odors.
Wear only cotton, linen and natural materials.
Wear clean clothes every day because bacteria on unwashed clothes create an unpleasant smell of sweat.


text:
from ..ndtypes import (make_slice_type, make_array_type, ptr_type,
                       ArrayT, TupleT, ScalarT, Type, PtrT, Int64, IntT, Float64)
from ..syntax import (Alloc, AllocArray, ArrayView, Const, Index, Slice, Struct, Var, Select, Expr)
from ..syntax.helpers import (const, zero_i64, wrap_if_constant, slice_none, unwrap_constant)
from arith_builder import ArithBuilder

class ArrayBuilder(ArithBuilder):
  """
  Builder for constructing arrays and getting their properties
  """

  def elt_type(self, x):
    if isinstance(x, Type):
      try:
        return x.elt_type
      except:
        return x
    elif self.is_array(x):
      return x.type.elt_type
    else:
      return x.type

  def alloc_array(self, elt_t, dims, name = "array",
                   explicit_struct = False,
                   array_view = False,
                   order = "C"):
    """
    Given an element type and sequence of expressions denoting each dimension
    size, generate code to allocate an array and its shape/strides metadata. For
    now I'm assuming that all arrays are in row-major, eventually we should make
    the layout an option.
    """

    assert order == "C", "Only row-major layout supported so far, not %s" % order

    if self.is_tuple(dims):
      shape = dims
      dims = self.tuple_elts(shape)
    else:
      if not isinstance(dims, (list, tuple)):
        dims = [dims]
      shape = self.tuple(dims, "shape", explicit_struct = explicit_struct)
    rank = len(dims)
    array_t = make_array_type(elt_t, rank)
    if explicit_struct or array_view:
      nelts = self.prod(dims, name = "nelts")
      ptr_t = ptr_type(elt_t)

      ptr_var = self.assign_name(Alloc(elt_t, nelts, type = ptr_t), "data_ptr")
      stride_elts = [const(1)]

      # assume row-major for now!

      for d in reversed(dims[1:]):
        next_stride = self.mul(stride_elts[0], d, "dim")
        stride_elts = [next_stride] + stride_elts
      strides = self.tuple(stride_elts, "strides", explicit_struct = explicit_struct)
      if explicit_struct:
        array = Struct([ptr_var, shape, strides, zero_i64, nelts], type = array_t)
      else:
        array = ArrayView(data = ptr_var,
                          shape = shape,
                          strides = strides,
                          offset = zero_i64,
                          size = nelts,
                          type = array_t)
    else:
      array = AllocArray(shape, elt_type = elt_t, type = array_t)
    if name is None:
      return array
    return self.assign_name(array, name)

  def len(self, array):
    return self.shape(array, 0)

  def nelts(self, array, explicit_struct = False):
    shape_elts = self.tuple_elts(self.shape(array), explicit_struct = explicit_struct)
    return self.prod(shape_elts, name = "nelts")

  def rank(self, value):
    if self.is_array(value):
      return value.type.rank
    else:
      return 0

  def shape(self, array, dim = None, explicit_struct = False, temp = True):
    if array.type.__class__ is ArrayT:
      shape = self.attr(array, "shape", temp = temp)
      if dim is None:
        return shape
      if isinstance(dim, Expr):
        dim = unwrap_constant(dim)
      assert isinstance(dim, (int, long)), "Expected array dimension to be an int, got %s" % dim
      dim_value = self.tuple_proj(shape, dim, explicit_struct = explicit_struct)
      if temp:
        return self.assign_name(dim_value, "dim%d" % dim)
      else:
        return dim_value
    else:
      return self.tuple([])

  def strides(self, array, dim = None, explicit_struct = False):
    assert array.type.__class__ is ArrayT
    strides = self.attr(array, "strides")
    if dim is None:
      return strides
    else:
      elt_value = self.tuple_proj(strides, dim, explicit_struct = explicit_struct)
      return self.assign_name(elt_value, "stride%d" % dim)

  def slice_value(self, start, stop, step):
    slice_t = make_slice_type(start.type, stop.type, step.type)
    return Slice(start, stop, step, type = slice_t)

  def build_slice_indices(self, rank, axis, idx):
    """
    Build index tuple to pull out the 'idx' element along the given axis
    """
    if rank == 1:
      assert axis == 0
      return idx

    indices = []
    for i in xrange(rank):
      if i == axis:
        indices.append(idx)
      else:
        s = self.slice_value(self.none, self.none, self.int(1))
        indices.append(s)
    return self.tuple(indices)

  def elts_in_slice(self, start, stop, step):
    start_minus_start = self.sub(stop, start, name = "stop_minus_start")
    nelts = self.div(self.cast(start_minus_start, Float64), step, name = "nelts")
    ceil = self.ceil(nelts)
    nelts = self.cast(ceil, Int64)
    return self.max(nelts, self.zero(nelts.type))

  def slice_along_axis(self, arr, axis, idx):
    """
    Pull out a slice if the array has the given axis,
    otherwise just return the array
    """
    r = self.rank(arr)

    if isinstance(axis, Expr):
      axis = unwrap_constant(axis)
    idx = wrap_if_constant(idx)

    if r == 1 and (axis is None or axis == 0):
      return self.index(arr, idx)
    elif axis is None:
      if isinstance(idx.type, ScalarT):
        idx = self.tuple((idx,) * r)
      return self.index(arr, idx)
    elif r > axis:
      index_tuple = self.build_slice_indices(r, axis, idx)
      return self.index(arr, index_tuple)
    else:
      return arr

  def output_slice(self, output, axis, idx):
    """
    Create an expression which acts as an LHS output location
    for a slice throught the variable 'output' along the given axis
    """
    r = self.rank(output)
    if r > 1:
      output_indices = self.build_slice_indices(r, axis, idx)
    elif r == 1:
      output_idx = self.slice_value(idx, self.none, self.int(1))
      output_indices = self.tuple([output_idx])
    else:
      output_idx = self.slice_value(self.none, self.none, self.none)
      output_indices = self.tuple([output_idx])
    return self.index(output, output_indices)

  def size_along_axis(self, value, axis):
    return self.shape(value, axis)

  def check_equal_sizes(self, sizes):
    pass

  def index(self, arr, idx, temp = False, name = None):
    """Index into array or tuple differently depending on the type"""

    temp = temp or name is not None

    arr_t = arr.type

    if isinstance(arr_t, ScalarT):
      # even though it's not correct externally, it's
      # often more convenient to treat indexing
      # into scalars as the identity function.
      # Just be sure to catch this as an error in
      # the user's code earlier in the pipeline.
      return arr

    if isinstance(arr_t, TupleT):
      if isinstance(idx, Const):
        idx = idx.value

      assert isinstance(idx, int), \
          "Index into tuple must be an integer, got %s" % idx
      if isinstance(idx, Const):
        idx = idx.value
      proj = self.tuple_proj(arr, idx)
      if temp:
        return self.assign_name(proj, "tuple_elt%d" % idx if name is None else name)
      else:
        return proj

    if self.is_tuple(idx):
      indices = self.tuple_elts(idx)
    elif isinstance(idx, (list,tuple)) or hasattr(idx, '__iter__'):
      indices = tuple(map(wrap_if_constant,idx))
    else:
      indices = (wrap_if_constant(idx),)

    n_required = arr_t.rank
    n_indices = len(indices)
    if n_indices < n_required:
      # all unspecified dimensions are considered fully sliced
      extra = (slice_none,) * (n_required - n_indices)
      indices = indices + extra

    if len(indices) > 1:
      idx = self.tuple(indices, name = name)
    else:
      idx = indices[0]

    t = arr_t.index_type(idx.type)
    idx_expr = Index(arr, idx, type=t)
    if temp:
      return self.assign_name(idx_expr, "array_elt" if name is None else name)
    else:
      return idx_expr

  def index_along_axis(self, arr, axis, idx, name=None):
    if arr.type.__class__ is not ArrayT:
      return arr
    assert isinstance(axis, int), \
        "Axis must be a known constant int, got: " + str(axis)
    indices = []
    for i in xrange(arr.type.rank):
      if i == axis:
        indices.append(wrap_if_constant(idx))
      else:
        indices.append(slice_none)

    index_tuple = self.tuple(indices)

    result_t = arr.type.index_type(index_tuple.type)
    idx_expr = Index(arr, index_tuple, type=result_t)
    if name:
      return self.assign_name(idx_expr, name)
    else:
      return idx_expr

  def setidx(self, arr, idx, v):
    self.assign(self.index(arr, idx, temp=False), v)

  def array_view(self, data, shape, strides, offset, nelts):
    assert isinstance(data.type, PtrT), \
        "Data field of array must be a pointer, got %s" % data.type
    if data.__class__ is not Var:
      data = self.assign_name(data, "data_ptr")

    if isinstance(shape.type, ScalarT):
      shape = self.tuple([shape])
    assert isinstance(shape.type, TupleT), \
      "Shape of array must be a tuple, got: %s" % shape.type

    if isinstance(strides.type, ScalarT):
      strides = self.tuple(strides)

    assert isinstance(strides.type, TupleT), \
      "Strides of array must be a tuple, got: %s" % strides.type

    ndims = len(strides.type.elt_types)
    assert ndims == len(shape.type.elt_types)

    elt_t = data.type.elt_type
    array_t = make_array_type(elt_t, ndims)
    return ArrayView(data = data, shape = shape, strides = strides,
                     offset = offset, size = nelts,
                     type = array_t)


Shoham Machinery Ltd. is a leading designer and manufacturer of tooling and machinery for the Aluminum and PVC industries. For over 30 years Shoham's products have been supplying perfect punching solutions for complicated cutting and perforating requirements.
Shoham's Manual and Pneumatic punching tools can be adapted for diverse applications. The majority of our products are designed to be utilized by aluminum and vinyl fabricators handling windows, doors, storefront and curtain wall systems. Aluminum and PVC profiles are our primary field of expertise; however, we are equally familiar with other types of metals and materials.


Caring.com offers a free service to help families find senior care. To help you with your search, browse the 216 reviews below for homecare agencies in Catalina. On average, consumers rate home care in Catalina 4.6 out of 5 stars.
To speak with one of our Family Advisors about senior care options and costs in Catalina, call (855) 863-8283.


TODAY, Brunei's main export is pretty well known even to non-Bruneians. Our oil and gas exports are the main items driving our export markets and the nation's income.
But oil was only discovered in 1929 in Seria. However, historians have indicated that Brunei had been very active in the ancient maritime trade for centuries. So what was it that Brunei did in all those years to ensure that ships from China, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malacca and other nations to come and trade with Brunei?
Trading ships would only gladly come and navigate to Brunei if there was anything worth to buy and marketed. Pengiran Dr Karim in his book 'The Brunei Shipwreck: A catalogue of some selected artefacts and Brunei's ancient trade products' published by the Brunei Museum in 2015 noted that "anything that was rare and exotic was in demand and would bring big profit and fortune. Traders would rather risk their lives and belongings in favour of wealth".
Pengiran Dr Karim (2015) noted that it was "Brunei's fortune (that) depended on her rich in natural, jungle and sea resources, which was highly in demand in the international markets. During that time, Brunei was a big country with large territories. This was a bonus for Brunei because it was the bountiful resources essential for trade.
Not all of these products came from Brunei but they were traded through the Brunei Port brought by the natives to the Brunei Port. The total exports of Brunei can be summarised as camphor, turtle shell, bird's nest, yellow bees wax, gaharu wood, laka wood, damar, rattan, sago, pearl and gold as well as spices. Most of these originated from Borneo, but some were also obtained from the Sulu people and the people in Eastern Indonesia.
Camphor is a waxy, flammable, white or transparent solid with a strong aromatic odour. It is found in the wood of the camphor tree. Camphor is the crystrallised camphor oil in the tree trunk of the Kapur tree.
Camphor contains a chemical that is very useful for medicinal purposes and used extensively in ancient Chinese medicine. It was also very useful for preservative purposes especially in the embalming of the corpse.
In India, it is used for incense making, cooking ingredient and used in religious ceremonies. Among the Arabs, camphor is used for embalming, food ingredient and medicinal remedy but also in ointment for the treatment of rheumatic diseases and muscle pains as well as for sprain and pulled muscle.
Turtle shell was also widely recorded as Brunei's trade commodities. Turtle shell also formed part of Brunei's tribute to the Chinese Court in the 10th Century. During the Ming Dynasty, pearls were also included in Brunei's tribute to China. The Portuguese recorded that cowries shells were part of Brunei's exports to Malacca.
Pearls obviously are still popular even up to today. But turtle shells are no longer being traded. In the older days, turtle shell is an important part of Chinese culture because it symbolised long life and fertility, an emblem of strength, longetivity, and endurance and the universe. The shells can be used as serviceable and decorative items and used for a variety of things such as rattles in ceremonial dances, shamanic healing tools and even for divination purposes.
Bees wax was mentioned as another important ancient trade export. Bees wax is a natural wax produced in the bee hive of honey trees.
It is made from the nectar of flowers thus giving it a sweet smell. Candles made from bees wax gave out sweetly smell without the need to add fragrance and perfume. The candles also lasted longer and do not drip.
Brunei's gaharu wood is still known till today. This was much exported in the past. Their prices today can be in tens of thousands for a litre. Gaharu wood is the dark resinous heartwood of the Aquilaria and Gyrinops trees. The Egyptians used the wood as part of their death rituals more than 3,000 year ago.
Another wood known as the laka wood was also exported from Brunei mentioned in the Chinese records as far back as the 13th century. Laka wood is a scented heart wood and root wood of a thick liana, Dalbergia parviflora.
One item exported from Brunei in the old days which is quite surprising is gold dust. Brunei has never been known as a producer of gold. But in the 13th century, foreign traders brought gold to Brunei to be traded in the local market.
In the 16th century, a Spanish report mentioned that gold was among the trading items brought by Brunei merchants to Malacca. Gold was probably mined in the Kalimantan region such as in Sambas and Banjarmasin.
Sago deserved a quick mention as it was mentioned by Tome Pires in 1515 as one Brunei's commodities in Malacca. Sago was considered by the Portuguese as food for the lower classes.
Another tree produce, the dammar was part of Brunei's exports as recorded by Pigafetta in 1521. Dammar is a kind of gum obtained from a type of trees and are used for many roles including incense burning, foods and medicines.


The web is a great place to learn about activities in the Salt Lake area. This page lists web sites for major venues in the Salt Lake City area. The reception center page shows events for smaller organizations. The Community Calendar lets you view events by venue.
Alan Ashton, of Word Perfect, purchased Thanskgiving Point in 1995, and has been transforming the area into a major destination with museums, fairs, a golf course and other productions.
The South Towne Exposition Center sports 243,000 square feet of exhibit space in Sandy, Utah.
The USANA Ampitheatre is inconveniently located at 5400 South 6200 West.
The Avalon is an all ages community center located in Salt Lake City. The center has a steady stream of bands and events.
Reopened in 1995, The Saltair brings musicians to play near the shores of Utah's Great Salt Lake.
The Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy is a sports and special event center that is home of the Salt Lake Real and major events.
The Complex in Salt Lake City includes four venues called The Grand, Rockwell, Vertigo and The Vibe.
A venue for art events with locations at Sugarhouse 616 E. Wilmington Ave [2190 South] in Sugarhouse and 130 South 800 West in the River District.
A site by Elizabeth's Catering offers a guide to Utah's finest venues.
Site has information about activities taking place in Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City.
Salt Mine is a productive workspace in Sandy. The venue includes meeting rooms, open workspaces and private rooms.


text:
Comitato Scientifico Internazionale
Aesthetic of/in Reformation
Deadline 31 October, 2017
Aisthema, International Journal – Philosophy, Theology, Aesthetics is a peer-reviewed (double-blind) online Journal dedicated to the intersections between philosophy, theology, and aesthetics. Unique in the Italian academic world, the journal welcomes scholarly articles written in a philosophical or a theological vein as well as analyses of aesthetic phenomena by researchers working on philosophy and/or theology.
The field of Aisthema is further defined by its close connections with the arts and culture, including the reality of human experience and its environment. Besides philosophical and theological rigor, the Journal would like to emphasize both the creativity of ideas and the precision of language. It provides a platform for new innovative ideas crossing the boundaries of both philosophical (and theological) traditions and traditionally accepted fields of research in Aesthetics.
In order to commemorate the two "big events" of 2017, the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation and the 1st Centennial of the October Revolution, the Editorial Board of Aisthema aims to publish two "special issues".
So, Leonardo Distaso and Giancarlo Lacchin, Editors of both the forthcoming Issues, scheduled for publication in 2018, are pleased to invite submissions. We welcome full-length Essais (max 75.000 characters), Critical Notes (max. 35.000 characters), Reviews (max 20.000 characters) and Bibliographical Notes (max 10.000 characters). Please, note that Critical notes are brief responses to aesthetic experiences which raise philosophical or theological questions, pointing the way towards suggestive discussions rather than necessarily arguing for particular answers.
Submission and formatting requirements are available here:
http://www.aisthema.eu/ojs/index.php/Aisthema/about/submissions
Submissions that do not meet our requirements will not be considered.
Each Issue will have two parts, one dedicated to a specific theme, and the other ("unthemed") devoted to philosophical and/or theological and/or aesthetic questions of any kind. Thus for each issue, the Editors seek submissions in two categories.
Aesthetics, Theology and Philosophy ("unthemed"): This section will be devoted to theological and/or philosophical matters pertaining to any aesthetic practice or experience. Both two issues will contain this category.
Aesthetic of/in Reformation: according to the historical tradition, on October 31, 1517 Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk, affixed his thesis about the Church's "theological reform" on the Church's doors of the Castle of Wittenberg. In 2017, for the 500th time, will be celebrated the "Reformation Day", which from five centuries reminds that event, considered as the birth of Protestantism. For many Christian Churches, Institutions, and Individuals, this Year particularly significant brings an ineliminable question: 500 years after that event, what can we do in order to adequately commemorate the Protestant Reformation?
Protestant Reformation, in fact, must not be considered as a series of "doctrinal" or "theoretical" principles, systematically elaborated "from above" after 1517, but rather – as it was and is – as a complex and in some ways disconcerting series of events. A Reformation's analysis, therefore, should not be "confined" in a doctrinal or theological point of view, considering conclusions and condemnations of the Reformation epoch as timeless and above all criticism. On the contrary, in order to evaluate the contingency and the "despair" of the Reformation, its unexpected sources and its sometimes ironic results, it is mandatory to take a step backward, unique attitude by which one can consider its yet vital importance not necessarily written on the stone.
For that Issue, suggested topics include, but are not limited to:
1) Reformation and Aesthetics: a comparison between philosophy and theology
The birth of modern subjectivism
Reformation and Aufklärung
Reformation and scientific revolution
Reformation's Inheritance in Romantik and Spätromantik
The contemporary philosophical debate about "Reformation"
The Political thought
The theological debate between 16th and 20th century
Questions of Theological Aesthetics
2) Beauty and/or/of Grace: the Protestant Reformation and the Arts
Reformation Styles: between Renaissance and Baroque
The music of Reformation: music, sentiment and God's people
Martin Luther and the birth of a national literature
3) Reading today the Protestant Reformation in an Aesthetic perspective
An aesthetic of Reformation for the Reformation of Aesthetic?
The contemporary ecumenical debate
Liturgical and Pastoral Aspects
The Globalization's context; Reformation and Islam
For every additional question, please contact the Editors:
Leonardo Distaso: leonardo.distaso@unina.it
Giancarlo Lacchin: giancarlo.lacchin@unimi.it
Classificazione ANVUR
La rivista attualmente è presente nell'elenco delle riviste scientifiche per l'area 11 dell'Agenzia Nazionale di Valutazione del Sistema Universitario e della Ricerca (ANVUR) ai fini dell'Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale.
ISSN 2284-3515 © Aisthema, International Journal, Credits


text:
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}  // namespace aistreams


The Australian Sikh Games is a national event held during Easter each year.
It attracts people from all around Australia and even other countries like New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
The event has over one thousand athletes and up to 45,000 spectators over three days. While the Games are primarily held to bring together the Sikh community each year, the tournament can get very competitive because each team wants to be the best in the country within the Sikh community.
The main purpose of the Australian Sikh Games is to encourage health and well-being, promote the values of the Sikh religion and to bring everyone together for a wonderful 3-day event.
Each year the games are held in a different state and this year it will be the 32nd Annual Sikh games held at Casey Fields Cranbourne, Melbourne.
Team sports include Kabbadi, Soccer, Netball, Hockey, Volleyball, Cricket, Basketball, Touch Football and Tug-o-War.
Individual sports include Athletics, Badminton, Golf, Tennis and Wrestling.
I will be participating in Soccer in the Premier team for a Melbourne North-West suburban based team called Azaad Club Melbourne.
I have been playing in this tournament with this team since 2013.
This is outside my local season playing in NPL and state league. It is the newest Melbourne based club in the premier comp, therefore requiring a lot of hard work to be where they are today.
Azaad is yet to win the top tier comp at the Sikh games. Last year being the closest we have come to winning and being the only Melbourne team in the top 4. Unfortunately losing to West Sydney in the semi-finals.
The club was only promoted to the premier comp 3 years ago and each year improving. This year being at home the pressure is a lot higher to perform and hoping to take it a couple of steps further.
Soccer has the most teams having 3 tiers but Kabaddi attracts the most spectators.
So if you have no plans over Easter April 19-21st make sure to come watch and be apart of a great event promoting the health and well-being.
There will be plenty of food stalls and activities to do for the friends and family, and it's FREE to enter.


For those who aren't familiar with this idea, here's a definition from the Social Investment Organization, a Canadian non-profit: "Socially responsible investment (SRI) is the inclusion of social, environmental and governance considerations into the management and selection of investments." Companies commonly excluded from SRI indexes are those in the business of tobacco, weapons, and those with poor environmental performance, human rights violations, or poor employee relations.
Turns out that only one other index fund tracks the Jantzi Social Index, which is the most common SRI benchmark in Canada. The Meritas Jantzi Social Index Fund is one of seven socially responsible mutual funds run by a Winnipeg firm with close ties to the Mennonite community. It's the only index fund in their lineup and it has a management expense ratio of 1.94% and a hefty front-end load or deferred sales charge.
Couch Potato investors who are looking for socially responsible investments outside Canada might consider a couple of iShares ETFs: the FTSE KLD Select Social Index Fund (KLD) and the FTSE KLD 400 Social Index Fund (DSI) both hold large-cap US companies, including Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, IBM and Proctor & Gamble. The MER of both funds is 0.50%.
I was unable to find an ETF that tracks a socially responsible index of international equities. Neither is there a passively managed bond fund based on SRI principles.
So, for our socially responsible Couch Potato, the options are limited. The Meritas fund is way too expensive—charging 1.94% for an index fund should violate anyone's ethical standards—so that leaves the iShares ETFs for US and Canadian equities. Actively managed but low-cost mutual funds from Phillips, Hager and North will have to do for the international equity and fixed income holdings: see the Community Values Global Equity Fund (MER 1.33%) and the Community Values Bond Fund (MER 0.65%). In fact, the PH&N Community Values Balanced Fund charges just 1.07% and covers all the bases with Canadian equities (36%), US equities (13%), international equities (13%), and bonds and cash (38%).
If you're considering joining the ranks of socially responsible investors, make sure you dig into the holdings of SRI funds. Remember, your idea of social, ethical and environmental responsibility may not be the same as the fund manager's. The biggest components of the Jantzi Social Index today, for example, include the Big Five banks (over 40% of the index), which are hardly the beacons of social responsibility. Another major component is Suncor, one of Canada's biggest emitters of greenhouse gases. KLD even holds Halliburton, which has made $17 billion from the Iraq war.
You make some good points concerning socially responsible investing. One thing your readers interested in this area should know is that there is nothing to stop many of them from holding an individually designed portfolio of stocks that reflects their personal values. Because stock commissions are low, most advisors (many of whom cannot sell stocks anyway) will prefer to offer mutual funds.
Most of the time, when you buy shares that are already out there in the market, you're buying them from other investors. As such, you're not really helping the "bad" companies whose stock you've just bought. You haven't actually helped them raise any new money to do more bad things that you don't want to support.
If that's true, then in terms of couch-potato strategies I wonder to what extent index funds buy new offerings as opposed to buying shares that are already out in the market? I don't know how that works, but if most of my index funds consist of shares bought from other investors then my dollars are probably not being used to directly support cigarette manufacturers or other companies I'd rather not support. Does that make sense?
In any case, there are really two main approaches to SRI: one is "avoidance" (i.e., you don't want to buy shares of "bad" companies), and the other is "encouragement" (i.e., you buy shares of companies that do good stuff that you want to encourage). I'm not sure how effectively you can pursue either strategy through a couch-potato portfolio.
For my part, I'm focusing my SRI investments on the low-risk portion of my portfolio. Desjardins' Caisse Solidaire offers a number of GICs and other secure investments whose funds are used directly to support socially and environmentally responsible projects/enterprises in Quebec and elsewhere.
I think the biggest problem with SRI is the lack of offerings. Although it's true that you could never get a portfolio which matched your beliefs exactly, there are only so many belief systems, and most people fit relatively well with one or another. However, because so few investors are interested in making SR investments (or know the option exists), there isn't the market for creating new funds. Funds therefore tend to be just called "ethical", without a lot of nuance about what that means.
I think if everyone insisted on buying stocks which reflected their values (and really, everyone has some kind of values), there would be a market for the funds, and people would probably end up paying not much more than they currently pay for non-ethical funds. But that will never happen.
A note of the Jantzi social index- one thing which readers may have a problem with is that (I think) it uses a "best-in-sector" approach, which means that every sector will be represented, just by their "least unethical" corporations. This might be why Suncor is included- maybe, taking both the environment and other factors into consideration, it was the best of a bad lot.
And when you invest in a socially responsible fund, the votes which come from the shares you buy DO get used to promote "ethical" practice, so the Abby Rockefeller strategy isn't beyond us small-time investors. This is one advantage to owning an ethical fund over particular ethical stocks. Unless you've got a lot of time on your hands, you're unlikely to use your votes at all, let alone have the resources to research the various ethical issues involved in a decision.
The KLD fund also owns Monsanto Corp.
The top 10 stocks from TDB902 (tracks S&P500) are all in KLD.
I was interested, but this ethical index doesn't seem all that different from the S&P500.
yet… the way we express ourselves through the stock holdings carries more weight in the real world than ANY other action that we might do as environmentalists. Recycling, reusing, reducing as individuals is small potatoes compared to whether to put 10k this year into uranium or oil, versus shares of Alterna Energy, Shear Wind stock etc.
sigh.. lots of difficult decisions to make.
I work as a financial advisor and a researcher that focuses on economic development and social finance. I take issue with a lot of the traditional arguments against socially responsible investing (SRI).
First, let me say that I am happy to see that the most common and erroneous argument against SRI wasn't included in this post: that SRI necessarily means losing out on a degree of return. Depending on the type of SRI one partakes in, it can mean sacrificing a return, but it is not necessarily so.
People who engage in community investment and micro-loans are often willing to lose out on a small portion of their return. At least in Canada those who incorporate community investment into their portfolios gain increased tax advantages. But accepting below market returns is not a necessity.
There is growing research and a slowly increasing consensus amongst financial researchers that incorporating environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues into a portfolio is a necessary step because of the effectiveness of positive ESG practices to mitigate and reduce risk.
Also, I want to come to McGugan's erroneous and misleading analogy. Whenever a client sits down with a financial advisor, the advisor is required to fill out a Know Your Client (KYC) form. Currently, the industry only requires the KYC form to contain financial information. However, a student conducted by MacKenzie Financial, a massive mutual fund company, showed that close to three-quarters of investors wanted their advisors to ask them about their values. To argue that someone should not incorporate their ethics and values into their investment portfolio when they incorporate those same beliefs into their other daily decisions creates an existential gap. It is also another manifestation of market fundamentalism: whatever the market decides is what is ethical.
Finally, I understand that many SRI funds and ETFs incorporate less than ethical companies into their portfolios. The difference between SRI funds and traditional mutual funds is that SRI fund companies take a progressive and proactive role when it comes to their voting records. They believe that shareholder activism is a positive way to engage with companies and that it will be easier to change behavior from the inside rather than completely boycotting a particular company.
SRI is about matching beliefs with portfolios, creating progressive change in corporate governance, mitigating risk over the long-run and still earning returns that will allow someone to retire. The only way to argue against incorporating someone's ethical beliefs into their portfolio decisions is through a misleading and false analogy.
I am happy to see increased attention and debate on this topic amongst personal finance bloggers.
is there an update on this post somewhere, as in, what might be available now for SRI couch potato strategies?
@Christy: Sorry, as far as I am aware, there are no new options for Couch Potato investors who want to follow SRI.
I dropped by because the Globe and Mail published an article today about the potential to do more poorly than the market.
Throughout I found defenders of SRI seem unconcerned with the huge costs and fees associated with packaged funds, and the risks of stock picking for individually managed portfolios.
Right now it doesn't appear investors with social conscience are being served based on couch potato values. It's unfortunate that investors have to be talking at cross purposes in areas in which they probably have a lot in common.
Dan, please keep this on your radar because there are probably more than a few of us who would be interested in knowing if and when appropriate investment products come to market.
@J A H: The problem with SRI and index investing is they are largely incompatible. How can you design an index without making all kinds of assumptions about what makes a company socially responsible? As the Globe article points out, some people might consider Monsanto to be problematic because it makes seeds for GMOs, while other investors may not see any ethical problem with that. Some SRI-inclined investors may have no issue investing in alcohol or gambling companies, while other find these repugnant. It seems to me that socially responsible investors would have to fund an index they can embrace fully, or they'll have to pick their own stocks.
I've given this a fair bit of thought and I think I've found a solution. Like many people, I've always been a little dubious about ethical funds simply because they seem to simply frequently invest in banks a lot of the time. How is that really ethical as banks will simply use your money to invest in things that I'm sure the ethical investor would find distasteful. So what is an ethical couch potato to do?
My solution is simple: when I rebalance (I'm in the beginning stages of being a couch potato) I'm going to calculate the MER difference between my couch potato fund and an 'ethical' fund. This is likely to be at least one percent. I then multiply the value of all my investments by this amount and give this amount to a charitable organisation that forwards a cause I believe in. I really do think that this likely has more 'ethical value' than marketed ethical funds because your money is going to a cause you believe in rather than a financial advisor that simply bundles a one degree of evil removed mutual fund.
All in all I feel really happy with this approach – like the couch potato method at its source – it's simple, straight forward, pragmatic and a this approach incorporates a fairly substantial cost into your long term financial plan.
Of course, what I want to do with the nice tax refund I get is also a nice perk.
Yeesh, I just looked at some ethical funds and they have MERs more in the 2.35 range. Yikes! Compared to the complete couch potato with a MER of 0.29. Looks like 2% donation is in order.
Didn't see anywhere on the Bridges Ventures website where they might be seeking outside investment, however.
The solar shares look very interesting – guaranteed 5% return per year for the entire 5 year term? Would this be an alternative to bonds, or would we lose some diversification? I know that bonds and stocks are negatively correlated, so I guess if stocks fell you wouldn't get the benefit of bonds increasing.. but 5% guaranteed for what many would consider an "ethical" investment sounds very very good, am I missing something?
@Adam: I haven't looked closely at these bonds, so I can;t comment on them specifically, but in general I would want to know who is "guaranteeing" the return. (Any bond has some risk of default.) Also, there is likely no secondary market for bonds like this, which is a problem if you need liquidity. Remember, if a bond is paying significantly more tha others of the same maturity, there is always a trade-off.
I was looking into "ethical" investments and happened upon this post? Have there been more, and perhaps better, offerings since this was posted in 2010?
Many thanks for any insight you can provide.


As much as I'd like to spend all my time working on my own projects, I still have customers' projects waiting for me at work. There have been some quick little fixes (a Glenwood got some electrical installed, a roombox got reinforced with glue and supports, etc.); nothing exciting or worthy of photos. Until I finished a customer's Celerity dollhouse yesterday! It arrived in a mostly raw wood state (customer had assembled the structure and she had started to prime and install wiring before bringing it to us).
Interior, first level had wiring installed and floor was primed.
There were minor issues with assembly: kneewalls in attic were installed backwards, roof was not flush in the back causing the front roof to not line up correctly, some interior walls were glued next to walls that they should have been glued flush in front of, etc. But this house is for a child and customer did not want to spend a small fortune having us remove everything to re-assemble/glue/nail it back in place correctly. So we only fixed the top two issues that hindered finishing the house the way the customer wanted . . .
Kneewall was installed with angle facing the wrong way.
Front roof does not line up.
Kneewalls were pried out of the house, nails removed, cut the kneewalls down to fit (due to roof not being glued on properly), swapped sides and reinstall them. But the front roof had to be removed, the front shaved off (which left a ridiculous 1/8" wide tail at the bottom overhanging which customer elected to have us cut it off), and then reinstalled.
The interior was to receive some wiring, wallpapers and paint. One room was getting a chandelier (and the exterior was to get coach lights by the doors). We primed, installed wiring, installed the wallpapers, and painted where customer desired.
Attic Finished (with kneewalls installed correctly).
Bedroom with painted walls and accent wallpaper on back wall.
The exterior had some broken and missing railing for the porches, and it was missing all windows and doors, and the customer wanted more of an "urban" look instead of a "Swiss Chalet" look (as it was pictured in the original instructions) so when picking out windows and color scheme, customer tried to keep it as streamlined and contemporary as possible. We think the house turned out very cute and I know any little girl would love to play in it!


For energy companies, generating an accurate system design forecast for pipeline operations is no small task. Forecasts must be based on siloed big data and measure and evaluate economic assumptions such as energy market shifts, commodity price fluctuations, supply and demand shifts, contractual obligations and field price estimates. As explored in this paper, pipeline firms can vastly improve their forecasting process by adopting an integrated data management and analytics framework that enables seamless integration and analysis of data. Results can surface new production trends, generate probabilistic curves for supply forecasting, support "what-if" simulations for agile strategies and tactics, gauge demand-side forecasts that integrate economic data and reduce decision-making cycles.


This wonderful Inukshuk sculpture is hand carved by highly skilled Nunavut Inuit artisans. Each item is one of a kind carved in Serpentine from Baffin Island. Colours vary from light to dark green, or brown to black. Each sculpture includes an Igloo Tag which demonstrates authenticity, artist & community info. Height: 15 cm (6"). Made in Canada. Offered as part of the Birks Business Collection. Lifetime warranty.


Do popular fasting diets set you up for future gains in abdominal fat? Science is giving us clues. Check this out.
Several popular diets promote either fasting or intermittent fasting – eating only during a specific "window" of time during the day. Promoters of these diets often make a lot of health claims, but the main benefit is supposedly, "Ripped abs, bro!"
But what about the long term effects? One study is giving us some clues.
Two groups of mice were studied here. They were fed the same amount of food (after a short three-day dieting period). One group was given a day's worth of food and could nibble on it as they wished – the human equivalent of several small meals or eating instinctively.
The other group was given the same amount of food but were forced to eat it in "one meal" or about a 4-hour feeding window – similar to some intermittent fasting plans for people.
The fasting mice developed the mouse version of a beer belly – excess abdominal fat. Their bodyweights ended up the being the same as the control mice who nibbled during the day, but they greatly increased their intra-abdominal fat stores.
They also developed gorging or binge-eating behaviors, developed insulin resistance in their livers, and "a gene expression profile favoring lipid deposition." Basically, their genes started "preferring" to store more fat, especially in the belly.
In short, the intermittent fasting mice displayed a host of metabolic and behavioral abnormalities, including inflammation. The control mice who ate several meals per day did not.
Why? The researchers found that glucose lingered in the blood of mice that gorged and fasted, meaning the liver wasn't getting the insulin message.
"Under conditions when the liver is not stimulated by insulin, increased glucose output from the liver means the liver isn't responding to signals telling it to shut down glucose production," Dr. Martha Belury said.
"These mice don't have type 2 diabetes yet, but they're not responding to insulin anymore and that state of insulin resistance is referred to as prediabetes. If you're pumping out more sugar into the blood, adipose is happy to pick up glucose and store it."
Sure, it was an animal study, but it should give you pause if you're considering a fasting-based diet that limits your eating window for the day or encourages one big meal per day.
The study also shows us that (once again), body composition is about a lot more than "calories in, calories out." The study subjects ate the same amount of calories, but the "eating window" mice got fatter and unhealthier.
Human fasting-based diets are appealing to many, and they can be convenient and "fun," at least during the feeding window. But if people eventually develop the same issues as the mice, these plans could lead to fat loss followed by belly fat gain caused by various "metabolic miscues," as the researchers described them.


Plantas Sin Maceta Revista Chacra Ideas Inspiradoras Decorar Con Kokedamas Macetas , Download this wallpaper for free in high resolution. Plantas Sin Maceta Revista Chacra Ideas Inspiradoras Decorar Con Kokedamas Macetas was posted in August 29, 2018 at 9:15 pm and This Plantas Sin Maceta Revista Chacra Ideas Inspiradoras Decorar Con Kokedamas Macetas Wallpaper has viewed by 93 users. If you wanna have it as yours, please click full size and you will go to page download in full size, so you just choose the size above the wallpaper that you want in "Download", Click it and download the Plantas Sin Maceta Revista Chacra Ideas Inspiradoras Decorar Con Kokedamas Macetas Wallpaper.


A new joint venture between data and research group Lightstone and car tracking company Tracker, has provided insights into the driving habits of hundreds of thousands of motorists in South Africa, and related industries.
Lightstone Explore formed a 50/50 joint venture with Tracker, in which Lightstone analyzed the 2.5 million vehicle trips Tracker customers undertake every day.
This amounts to 450,000 vehicles and 37 million km a day throughout South Africa.
While the data collected by Lightstone and Tracker is only reflective of motorists who have Trackers installed, the data group says that the numbers are high enough to be statistically reflective of the wider motoring population in the country.
Lightstone Explore has built up a database of 3,155 accurately plotted service stations across the country. Combined with the data from Tracker – which comprises the start and completion points of every trip, vehicle IDs and values – it is able to determine which service stations in the country are the most popular.
The trip data provided to Lightstone by Tracker reveals where vehicle users fill up their vehicles, which service stations they rather drive past, and how long they spend at a service station on average.
Unsurprisingly, the busiest service stations are around populous regions and are often found on main routes along national highways – particularly in and around Gauteng.
Shell Ultra City Jacaranda in Midrand, along with the N1 north, drives the most traffic in the country has seen 35,249 Tracker owners visit between August and November 2017.
Its 'partner' station, Shell Ultra City Golden City in Midrand along the N1 south, attracted 33,107 drivers over the same period.
Looking at the 20 busiest petrol stations, Shell accounted for seven of the most visited, followed by Engen (5), Total (4) and Sasol and BP (2 each).
It should be noted that the figures reflect absolute numbers and don't take into account the different Tracker penetrations in the country.


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Although previous research has shown that mere thought can polarize attitudes, no previous studies have examined whether a specific type of thought, namely extrapolating from known to unknown attributes of an attitude object, can cause attitudes toward that attitude object to become more extreme or polarized. Two studies tested the predicted relationship between extrapolation and polarization, specifically testing the prediction that extrapolation can cause people who know a few moderately negative attributes of a group to adopt even more negative attitudes toward that group. Study 1 found that this polarizing effect of extrapolation is mediated by source monitoring errors. Study 2 found that the effect is also mediated by perceived valence of cognitive associations to the attitude object. The results add to understanding of how source monitoring and biased evaluation processes can contribute to self-radicalization.
Title from dissertation title page (viewed Jun. 4, 2015).
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Texas Christian University, 2015.


text:
Dealer Profile: Lumber Traders of Washington
Pacific Northwest lumberman Kelly Fox was recruited from a large regional chain to turn things around at two-unit Lumber Traders, Inc.
By CARLA WALDEMAR	On June 15, 2017
So, a guy walks into a lumberyard… The boss hands him the key and says, "You do it."
That's the short version of how at—gasp!—25, Kelly Fox got a major boost up the ladder at Dunn Lumber in Seattle. "It was a family business, an amazing company," he recalls with fervor the yard where he remained for 12 satisfying years.
Then, once again, opportunity bounced out of the blue. He was recruited by an outfit called Lumber Traders Inc., with two locations in Port Angeles, Wa. They were looking for a CEO. Oh-kay…
"I said, 'Sure. I'm open to the possibility,'" recounts the (still very) young fella. "I lived two hours west and loved the location. I have two young daughters, and we're an outdoors family. The Olympic National Park would be right out our back door." But, deeper than the call of the wild was the call to stretch. "I welcomed the opportunity to grow."
Here's what he got himself into. Lumber Traders acts as the umbrella for two outposts, five miles apart: 111-year-old Angeles Millwork & Lumber Co. and Hartnagel Building Supply, launched in 1960—together, helmed by an owner who had decided to retire and pass the torch. Which he did, in 2004, to his astonished crew as the outfit's new employee-owners, with shares to be apportioned based on percent of payroll, and to be led by an internal CEO. Who, sort of, led them astray. Says Kelly, "Things were not on a solid footing. So, three years later, they removed him." And hired you-know-who.
Who arrived trembling in his boots. "The place was employee-owned by a staff of 52, so my biggest fear was, 52 bosses."
The two stores occupy two distinct niches in the building market: "Angeles specializes in lumber packages and bending rebar, from small to big: #3 to #8, for foundations and framing: the only one in the area doing this. Hartnagel carries rooftop products and operates boom trucks." Together they capture the whole enchilada, "from rebar to ridge cap."
But they were operating in the past. The reigning MO was "the way we've always done it." So, topping Kelly's to-do list was: change the culture. "We needed fresh thinking, to become more aggressive. There were a lot of silos," he recounts, such as contractor sales vs. retail sales, windows vs. doors vs. decks, "so we needed to change that focus." He introduced a new mantra: We all serve all our customers, all day long. Nothing to hide behind.
"We remodeled the first store, removing the contractor sales desk, which at first the pros objected to—'We need our privacy.' But 95% of business is really on the front line, anyway. They also wanted to retain their special relationships with their particular salesperson, as in, 'I've always worked with Lonnie.' Fine," Kelly agreed. "But when Lonnie's busy, now you don't have to wait for him.' Everybody does everything! The old contractors' sales spot became our window & door showroom. We put work stations in locations where they were needed, to make a better use of space.
"When I got there, windows, doors, trim, etc., all had different software. Now, there's one solution for the whole company. I brought in technology, gave them the tools, and said, 'Go after it!'" Sure, there was some resistance. But most employees were all for the opportunity, especially after charting increased profits, which translated directly to their pocketbooks. Now, Kelly is primed to begin the makeover of the second store. Any lessons learned from Round One? "No," he laughs. "Just do it!"
Then the two operations will become even more seamless. Kelly has already trained his crew that when a customer comes in wanting plans for millwork or rebar, "we notify our roofing store and get a quote for the customer before he even asks for one."
That's just part of what the boss calls "high-touch" service. Another example: "Ken, our operations manager, gets them their millwork orders within three hours (superhuman!). And that's with 100 deliveries a week." Pros are also quick to appreciate the new look of the rental department, covering "anything small enough to fit in a pick-up.
When I came here, the rental department was in bad shape. There was a guy who could fix anything, cobble it back together"—and it looked like it, too. "So we invested $60,000 in new tools. And these days, after 50 rentals, we retire an item and buy new. Now, everything's all clean and tidy—and guaranteed to work!"
Important, because Kelly reports "a lot of new construction going on" in town after the lifting of the downturn. Yes, the recession hit hard here: "Absolutely! And natural resources and environmental legislation made it tough. We were one of the hardest-hit counties in Washington, with high unemployment." (While at Dunn during the worst years of 2005-2006, Kelly learned from those folks to survive by watching the little things: cash flow, inventory level, and such.) "These are resilient people, here in Port Angeles, and it's the people who pulled us out of the depths, willing the town to grow."
Which it is. New-home construction is taking off, and Lumber Traders gets a nice share of the high-end custom-home business, just the way Kelly likes it. "Tract builders come to us, too, but we politely say no—no need to flight in the weeds for those margins."
Sure, there's competition, including a Home Depot down the road. "But people like us for that high-touch service. And they're loyal to 'their' particular store. If they love Hartnagel, they don't shop at Angeles, and if they shop at Angeles, they don't trade at Hartnagel. It's the people who work at each that make the difference."
Customer surveys help keep the operation tuned to what's working or what needs a tweak. "Plus, we make sure we have the things people use, so they don't leave empty-handed. We adjust and add SKUs all the time. There were 15,000 SKUs when I came, and we're now up to 22,000."
Lumber Traders' business is 55% pro, 45% retail. Kelly intends to grow the walk-in trade, and social media is his chosen tool. He's hired an in-house coordinator to assure continuity in the company's branding and messages, which reach today's wired consumer via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. "We use these to promote our brand, our people, our products, and our web-page blog."
Community involvement is another win/win endeavor.
Currently the company is sponsoring a Donate a Stud program to help in the construction of a medical clinic for low-income residents—"and those may be our customers, our own staff or the waitress at the restaurant where we had lunch," he brings it home. He's also pumped to keep improving the value-added contents of his own toolbox. He achieved a B.S. in Business Administration in 2014 and an MBA soon after. ("Being employee-owned scared me, so I went back to college.")
Clearly he's here to stay. "This is my place!" he swears.
CARLA WALDEMAR
CARLA WALDEMAR is a contributing editor to Building Products Digest and The Merchant Magazine, profiling lumber dealers each month since 2002 in her "Competitive Intelligence" column. Based in St. Paul, MN, she also specializes in freelance articles for the LBM and travel industries.


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[Review] 'WANDAVISION' sees bright moments, but ambition is often overshadowed by frustration
[Interview] How 'WANDAVISION' spoofs and subverts its sitcom and sci-fi inspirations
[Video Interview] Aldis Hodge on 'ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI,' portraying Jim Brown and lessons of growth
Fresh on Blu-ray: 'JUNGLELAND' a sensitive tale of boxing and brothers, 'CRAFT' reboot deserves to be seen
Fresh on Blu-ray: Dylan O'Brien leads a refreshing creature feature, Liam Neeson's still churning out bland action
Fresh on Blu-ray: Mill Creek's Retro discs provide a much needed dose of nostalgia, sharp packaging
Fresh on Disc: 'COLLATERAL' on 4K, original 'MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE' series, and HBO's 'PERRY MASON'
The 20 Best Films of 2020 (according to Courtney Howard)
"An adult film that kids can enjoy": 'SOUL' producer on mature themes, Pixar's revitalization
[Interview] How the cast of Disney-Pixar's 'SOUL' found and maintained their sparks
Film Stories
Movie Interview
About that same-sex couple in 'FINDING DORY'
Courtney Howard // Film Critic
A few weeks ago, the internet exploded over one quick shot in the trailer for FINDING DORY – this "blink and you'll miss it" shot.
Two women whose sexual preferences have been speculated about far too much in FINDING DORY. Courtesy of Disney-Pixar.
Headlines that Pixar had finally included a same-sex couple in one of their animated films swept over social media like wildfire, becoming a trending topic on multiple platforms. Though the trailer had been out for weeks prior, it didn't cause a fervor until some started speculating that two aquarium-going women, who are essentially extras in the scene where Hank (voiced by Ed O'Neill) and Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) attempt to escape using a baby stroller, were the company's first same-sex couple.
But not so fast, internet!
At the film's Los Angeles press conference, director Andrew Stanton and producer Lindsey Collins were quick to address those rumors. Collins stated,
We laugh because our honest answer is, 'Maybe.'
Stanton said,
We didn't ask them.
Collins continued,
We populate our world the way we see our world. We don't sit there and ask everybody's background when we put them in our movie. If it was a main character, I'd think we'd know the answer to that question.
Stanton added,
It's maybe more of a reflection of the times because there's a lot of shots in all our movies with two people of the same gender in it. We have no problem with whatever you want it to be.
Star DeGeneres had a few words to say about it too in her trademarked comical fashion.
I don't know that there is. When I watched the premiere last night, I was looking for that particular scene. It appears that there are two women – one woman has a very bad short haircut, which I find very offensive that if that's the definition of a gay woman then how dare you! Just 'cuz someone has a short, bad haircut doesn't mean she's gay – she just has a bad hairdresser. I think if you see the movie several times, there are some gay fish in the background, you'll notice. It's not obvious until you see it a few times.
She later continued,
I personally think it's a great thing. Everything we see in the media should represent everything that's happening in the world. Everybody that's in the world should be seen. It's a great conversation whether they intended it to be a woman with a bad, short haircut being gay or not.
FINDING DORY opens on June 17.
Andrew Stanton2 Ellen DeGeneres3 FINDING DORY3 Lindsey Collins1
7 Reasons Why You'll Adore/ Want To Snuggle Disney's 'PETE'S DRAGON'
'FINDING DORY' cast weigh in on spontaneity versus planning
Courtney Howard is a LAFCA, CCA, OFCS and AWFJ member, as well as a Rotten Tomatometer-approved film critic. Her work has been published on Variety, She Knows and Awards Circuit.
2019 FreshFiction.tv


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Michael Fassbender's 'Assassin's Creed' Movie Gets a New Official Release Date
Last night, we reported that 20th Century Fox was shaking up its schedule, maneuvering sequels to 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' and 'Fantastic Four' into new positions. However, one of the films given a new release date is a project that continues to perplex us: the adaptation of the popular video game 'Assassin's Creed,' which was first announced ages ago as a franchise for Michael Fassbender. Will we ever see this movie or will it continue to keep shifting further and further backwards on Fox's schedule until it vanishes altogether?
Right now (according to The Wrap), 'Assassin's Creed' is set to open on December 21, 2016. It was originally supposed to open in August of this year, but that was obviously a pipe dream since there is still nothing in place besides Fassbender and director Justin Kurzel.
Honestly, Hollywood probably should delay more movies, especially when it comes to adaptations of massive video game franchises that could use a little finesse in their transition to the big screen. 'Assassin's Creed' is a weird blend of science fiction and history that works on a console, but is going to need some serious TLC if it wants to actually function as a two-hour story. And then there's the fact that every single video game movie ever made (yes, every one) has been terrible. Delay this one as much as you want, Fox. Get it right, or make it vanish!
So if you want to see a movie where the Oscar-nominated actor from '12 Years a Slave' leaps off steeples and into barrels of hay, prepare to play the waiting game. You have two years of waiting ahead of you.
Source: Michael Fassbender's 'Assassin's Creed' Movie Gets a New Official Release Date


For sale is a growing and established digital products business in the digital marketing education niche.
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The business was built with scale in mind from the very start, reducing owner involvement to a couple of hours per week and allowing for continuously strong margins. With two freelancers transitioning with the business post-sale, a new owner will have plenty of time and free cash flows to continue scaling the business.
This business presents a great acquisition opportunity for a new owner looking to take over a digital products business on the rise. With a market-leading brand, a portfolio of best-selling courses, and bountiful growth opportunities, a new owner will be immediately set up for success.


Stylish and beautifully crafted, it's easy to see why the Bodymax Infiniti R90 Super Rower, is one of the most eagerly sought after rowing machines on the market. The perfect addition to your home gym, this rower is the perfect tool to help improve cardio endurance, promote healthy weight loss and strengthen and tone a wide variety of muscles including the abdominals, glutes, quads, biceps, triceps, deltoids and the latissimus dorsi. If you want a total body workout, the R90 is the machine to get!
The hi-spec LCD console features a super range of fun and inspiring programs such as Watt Caloric Burn, Race, Recovery and Heart Rate Controlled to help you meet your fitness goals. It also displays important feedback on Time, Distance, Speed, Stroke, Calories, Torque, and Strokes Per Minute so you can easily keep track of your progress. You can also monitor your heart rate via the optional telemetric chest belt to ensure you're working within the correct target zone for optimum results.


No one wants to know they have gum disease, but unfortunately, many adults currently have some form of it. Periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation to serious disease that results in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. In the worst cases, teeth are lost. This is why your dental hygiene is so important.
Your mouth is full of bacteria constantly form a sticky, colorless film or plaque on teeth. Plaque can harden and form tartar that brushing doesn't clean. Your dentist removes the plaque through a deep-cleaning method called scaling and root planing. Scaling means scraping off the tartar from above and below the gum line, cleaning between the gums and teeth down to the roots. In some cases, a laser may be used to remove plaque and tartar, resulting in less bleeding, swelling and discomfort.
When gums have either started to pull away from the teeth or the roots of the teeth have hard mineral deposits on them. If you maintain good dental care after the procedure, the progression of gum disease should stop, and your gums will become firm and pink again. However, root planing and scaling can introduce harmful bacteria into the bloodstream. Gum tissue is also at risk of infection. You may need to take antibiotics before and after surgery if you have a condition that puts you at high risk for a severe infection or if infections are particularly dangerous for you.
Root planing and scaling is a simple procedure that can work very well to stop gum disease, but be sure to brush and floss regularly afterward – proper oral hygiene is the key to avoiding dental pitfalls.
If you would like to find out more about root planing and scaling, contact Dr. Bartz in Oak Lawn, IL at 708-430-4440 to schedule a consultation. Or visit www.bartzandbartzdental.com for additional information.