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How Kasasa used Optimal Workshop's Reframer to rebuild a product, prove the value of UX, and inspire their team to UX maturity
Add comment14 min read
by Luke Chambers, Marie-Pier Rochon
Written by Luke ChambersMarie-Pier Rochon
UX Mastery talked with Anthony Rezendes, Senior UX Manager at Kasasa, about his experiences using the qualitative research tool Reframer. What we heard was an empowering story about how insights and an efficient, human-centred approach turned a failing product into a successful legacy.
In November 2016, Anthony Rezendes sat at a lunch table and took a deep breath. Joining him for sushi were two senior managers, interviewing him for a potential UX Manager role. They were viewing printed screenshots of one of their products and discussing Anthony's critique.
"So, Anthony, what would you do?" one of them had asked. "What would you do to improve this?"
The company had recently rebranded from BancVue® to Kasasa®. The mood of optimism and a drive for progress was thick in the air.
"In my mind, I was thinking 'We'll need to better understand what people want and try to align that with business goals'. That might even mean starting from the ground up." Anthony recently told us.
He also knew he would have a big task ahead. The challenge would be exciting and demanding. This was a project that required going beyond the typical scope of design; a step up and back was also needed to help build awareness of and maturity in the company's user experience practice.
And Anthony already had a good idea of how he could do that. Conversations and successes from previous roles, a desire to get stuck in and make a positive difference, and support from a particular software tool he knew could help champion a user-centred approach.
A company with tenacity in its DNA
Kasasa is a financial technology and marketing provider that works exclusively with community banks and credit unions. Essentially it's an alternative to giant banks like Citibank, Capital One, or Wells Fargo. With 450 employees, Kasasa has helped over 900 community financial institutions establish long-lasting relationships with their own customers. It does this via branded retail products, a marketing team with good rapport with their audience, and a lineup of expert consultants.
Some of the Kasasa team in 2016. Source: Glassdoor
Anthony was hired as part of the team focussed on analytics. Together with Jay Egan (Kasasa's Director of Business Intelligence) and digital media savvy front-end developer Gregory Griffith, they had the mission of renovating Kasasa's data analysis platform, Insight Exchange, to better meet internal and external demands.
Key to their definition of success was increasing the product's utilisation rate. They knew that some of their target users were unaware of the tool's fundamental strengths. Others had existing workflows outside of it, or had workarounds that sidestepped it. It was therefore important to make changes that would attract and welcome these customers and users. This would allow them to be better supported by Kasasa's maturing ecosystem of products and services.
Kasasa's Insight Exchange product presented Anthony, Jay and Gregory with an opportunity to demonstrate how an iterative, user-centred process could align business and user needs. Source: Google Street View
Insight Exchange was a product of its time. While Kasasa's corporate values are centred on creating engaging relationships with customers, there was more that could be done to consult them on their needs for a digital product
"Historically, talking to clients was about educating them or going through a demo with them, and less about listening to their thoughts, ideas, or concerns," Anthony explained.
This presented a substantial opportunity for Anthony and Kasasa, and there would be a lot at stake without it. "This analytics product is, ultimately, about the user and what the user needs. And if we're not meeting their needs, our software's not going to be seen as helpful."
Anthony gave himself a four-step plan for addressing the sticking points
First, to build trust and develop opportunities to talk with the target audience.
To show the value of these conversations, especially where this helped make a distinction between 'UI' and 'UX' tasks.
To increase the team's UX maturity by bringing in a mix of traditional pen & paper methods, along with new technologies like the qualitative user research tool, Optimal Workshop's Reframer.
And finally, to actually get on with the task of redesigning the Insight Exchange product itself.
Finding the right tool
"I first started using Reframer at my previous place of employment (a medical analytics firm). I really enjoyed it and saw the benefits of using it. But that was a bigger company, with resources like dedicated UX researchers."
"I needed the same rigour and discipline to approach Kasasa's discovery phase, but without a full-time research team."
"UX researchers are into data and are often working heavily with databases. I had to come up with data that I didn't have access to yet. I needed qualitative data, and a tool like Reframer to keep track of all the conversations we were having."
Reframer's role was to quickly and effectively summarise findings from the research. It is able to do this in a way that supports clear communication to stakeholders.
Optimal Workshop's Reframer is a qualitative user research tool. It allows a team to capture all observations and data points collected during the research phase of a project. Once collated into a single space, it supports ways of exploring that data in new ways.
It also recently emerged from public beta on February 4.
Interview notes, emotional and behavioural data, user test feedback, and more can be entered or imported. Data can then be tagged, filtered and tracked within the tool.
Building themes in Reframer by using tags pulled from quotes from participants. Source: Optimal Workshop
Tagging the data in this way allows researchers to surface recurring themes. It makes it straightforward to track and analyse trends. Multiple people can also add their data making it simple for remote teams to aggregate and synthesise their findings
One of the several visualisations available in Reframer: The chord lines that connect the tag nodes represent observations that contain both tags. The thicker the chord, the more times the two tags appear together on the same observation. Source: Optimal Workshop
Anthony sets the scene: "We were growing and learning as a team. Part of that effort is shared understanding with regard to the data we collect. The UX discipline is about leveraging user research and team collaboration to solve barriers to engagement."
Getting buy-in with tangible data
After weeks of building alliances and making detailed plans, Anthony got the stakeholder support for a discovery phase. He then spent four months conducting interviews, running empathy mapping sessions, and measuring behaviour and perspectives with surveys.
Anthony facilitating an empathy mapping exercise with internal users and stakeholders. Source: Anthony Rezendes
Early conversations began with internal stakeholders, then quickly expanded to clients and end users. These interviews gave Anthony a direct view on how utilisation might be increased.
"With Reframer, and Optimal Workshop's entire suite of research data-oriented UX tools actually, I then had a way to show that the UX process was much more than just visual design. More than just a look and feel."
Optimal Workshop's Reframer tool allowed Anthony to break down longer interviews into themes, quotes and user sentiment by recording and tagging highlights from the conversation. Here we can see the analysis tab within Reframer, showing that many users mention the desire for a dashboard that helps visualise and find meaning in the data for customers. Source: Anthony Rezendes
"We use a variety of different techniques as a UX team. A lot of times we're doing empathy mapping, journey mapping. We're conducting focus groups, user testing, sometimes showing prototypes and giving feedback there."
Conducting a workshop with internal stakeholders, using dots to identify features proposed in the redesign. Source: Anthony Rezendes.
"Part of the reason I do these reports is so the company can see the business value. Why we spent the time to do this, and how it impacts the product. There's proof of return on investment when you can show and validate the value of UX through the tool. It became our evidence rather than a fumble trying to figure out what all it meant."
RELATED: Review: Killer UX Design, by Jodie Moule
"There's proof of return on investment when you can show and validate the value of UX through the tool. It became our evidence rather than a fumble trying to figure out what all it meant."
"Building the case for UX research is important. We opened up the process so that others could listen in on conversations. And even allowed long-time staffers to lead conversations so they could experience the value of interviews first-hand. Also, we sat in on a lot of sales calls so we could assess what was resonating with clients. When we explained who we were and what we were doing, most people really appreciated someone listening to their concerns. The company opened up to the possibility of leveraging UX as yet another opportunity to satisfy client needs."
"A large success from the discovery phase was being able to use Optimal Workshop's Reframer to help the company understand the notion of qualitative data and its effectiveness in the design process."
"We could then really lean in to building a product that was sustainable. Everything was based on listening to people, and being able to communicate data back through the tool."
So what did Anthony and the team find when they analysed the data gathered and collated in Reframer?
"On the practical side of things, it was clear the users needed an actionable dashboard. And a simple way to export their data". Anthony also discovered there were two clear but distinct types of users to develop into user personas. The redesigned tool also ultimately proved its value by enabling the core clients to make measurably better financial decisions.
Finding: People needed an actionable dashboard
"Once we realized people wanted particular directional insights, that they wanted to know what to do next, well, that wasn't in the original tool. They had no next steps, it was just a bunch of information and charts. So we built a quarterly health report within the tool to show performance in a way that was directly actionable."
Before: The first iteration of Insight Exchange contained lots of data and graphs. But the users were unsure of their next steps. Source: Kasasa
Finding: Supporting exported data
"Another key finding was that not only were people finding other ways to get what they needed, they felt more comfortable exporting the data to manipulate directly in spreadsheets and presentations," Anthony says.
"We found it wasn't intuitive or useful for internal folks either, despite the internal referencing and processes surrounding it.
With the information collated in Reframer, they were able to determine a clear path forward.
"We realized our first version was going to be for those internal users. We had to train the internal staff and show them this new version was valuable. That we could use this to share the bank's data in a way that made sense with visualizations and filtering. Initially, internal users didn't have that confidence in the tool."
"Working with them and working with Reframer to collect the data allowed us to refine the platform to make it work for everyone."
Finding: We actually had two audiences, not one
What Optimal Workshop's Reframer also allowed the Kasasa team to see is that Insight Exchange had two distinct audiences.
Anthony explains: "There are the bank staff that are interested in seeing some high level metrics and going through filtering things. And there is the financial analyst persona who loves the data, and wants to really dive deep into it."
"The notion that there are different types of users came out through Reframer. We ended up also building another tool called 'Insight Author' as a way to drill down into more complex data". This proved the value of careful UX research, and allowed Kasasa to develop further tools that users needed and wanted.
Feedback from Stakeholders
"The new tool allows clients to be more empowered. I think if you talk to anybody in the higher level of the company, they would say Insight is becoming a go-to tool for us to be able to express the effectiveness of our products. And it's contributed to growth within our analytics area too.
"It's contributed to growth not only in the company but, for all of the FI's [financial institutions]. Being able to have transparency and visibility in their performance. It's an opportunity not only to understand what's in the data but also to do actual consulting. And to work on other important things, like nurturing relationships."
Seeing results
"All of our work culminated in a presentation at our annual Symposium of Peers. We got in front of the entire organization and showed where we were headed with the second iteration of the platform. We received feedback saying people were really wowed by our responsive demo. The platform had come so far from the Flash-based, non-responsive tool with minimal utilization. It was now a more robust, user-centered application that appealed to not only clients but internal service folks too."
Before: The graphics were simple but didn't make it easy for the user to compare data from different areas. Source: Kasasa
Insight Exchange was relaunched with the name 'Insight' and positive results from the improved user experience were immediate. The upgraded platform showed a continual lift in utilization. 114% lift in the first month, 24% lift after three months, and 16% lift after six months.
The new product had an immediate adoption rate followed by healthy growth in use. Data source: Kasasa.
Could Anthony have predicted during his first interview that he would go from a solo UXer to proving the value of user experience in a company that now has a dedicated and growing team of UX experts?
"I feel like we're stronger and better equipped to be partners within the organization as opposed to just a service to it. In true Agile form we've been able to transform some dev-centric processes and give UX a seat at the table."
"Based on the success and growth of Insight, we're adding additional user-centred folks to the product team. Right now, we're up to five employees and adding two more within the next few weeks."
Kasasa has a reputation in the local banking industry for being a desirable place to work. Source: Yelp
"With several new products at the company, it's an exciting time to be working here. While our journey is far from complete, I'm looking forward to future challenges and employing tools like Optimal Workshop's Reframer in our mix."
A free trial of Optmal Workshop's Reframer is available with no time limits but a maximum of 3 sessions per study. Full product details and pricing are available on the Optimal Workshop website: https://www.optimalworkshop.com/reframer
UX Mastery produces unbiased, authentic and reliable content. This success story was produced independently and without input from Optimal Workshop. Project details were kindly supplied by Kasasa upon request. Optimal Workshop is also a sponsor for UX Mastery's newsletter and social channels.
Tagged ascase studies, maturity, Optimal Workshop, qualitative research, Reframer, review, tutorial
Marie-Pier Rochon
I'm a UX writer who helps companies build websites and digital products people love to use. Writing has been at the core of what I do for as long as I can remember. Except for that one time when I was a baker. I've got a B.A.in organisational communication with a "side dish" of visual communications (as a foreign exchange semester at UTS). This combination, along with my love for all things design and tech has taken me from being a copywriter to a UX writer. I'm based on the Central Coast in Australia and I work with clients around the world.

How Kasasa used Optimal Workshop's Reframer to rebuild a product, prove the value of UX, and inspire their team to UX maturity

by Luke Chambers, UX Mastery
June 12, 2019

In November 2016, Anthony Rezendes sat at a lunch table and took a deep breath. Joining him for sushi were two senior managers, interviewing him for a potential UX Manager role. They were viewing printed screenshots of one of their products and discussing Anthony's critique.

"So, Anthony, what would you do?" one of them had asked. "What would you do to improve this?"

The company had recently rebranded from BancVue® to Kasasa®. The mood of optimism and a drive for progress was thick in the air.

"In my mind, I was thinking 'We'll need to better understand what people want and try to align that with business goals'. That might even mean starting from the ground up." Anthony recently told us.

He also knew he would have a big task ahead. The challenge would be exciting and demanding. This was a project that required going beyond the typical scope of design; a step up and back was also needed to help build awareness of and maturity in the company's user experience practice.

And Anthony already had a good idea of how he could do that. Conversations and successes from previous roles, a desire to get stuck in and make a positive difference, and support from a particular software tool he knew could help champion a user-centred approach.

A company with tenacity in its DNA

Kasasa is a financial technology and marketing provider that works exclusively with community banks and credit unions. Essentially it's an alternative to giant banks like Citibank, Capital One, or Wells Fargo. With 450 employees, Kasasa has helped over 900 community financial institutions establish long-lasting relationships with their own customers. It does this via branded retail products, a marketing team with good rapport with their audience, and a lineup of expert consultants.

Some of the Kasasa team in 2016. Source: Glassdoor

Anthony was hired as part of the team focussed on analytics. Together with Jay Egan (Kasasa's Director of Business Intelligence) and digital media savvy front-end developer Gregory Griffith, they had the mission of renovating Kasasa's data analysis platform, Insight Exchange, to better meet internal and external demands.

Key to their definition of success was increasing the product's utilisation rate. They knew that some of their target users were unaware of the tool's fundamental strengths. Others had existing workflows outside of it, or had workarounds that sidestepped it. It was therefore important to make changes that would attract and welcome these customers and users. This would allow them to be better supported by Kasasa's maturing ecosystem of products and services.

Kasasa's Insight Exchange product presented Anthony, Jay and Gregory with an opportunity to demonstrate how an iterative, user-centred process could align business and user needs. Source: Google Street View

Insight Exchange was a product of its time. While Kasasa's corporate values are centred on creating engaging relationships with customers, there was more that could be done to consult them on their needs for a digital product

"Historically, talking to clients was about educating them or going through a demo with them, and less about listening to their thoughts, ideas, or concerns," Anthony explained.

This presented a substantial opportunity for Anthony and Kasasa, and there would be a lot at stake without it. "This analytics product is, ultimately, about the user and what the user needs. And if we're not meeting their needs, our software's not going to be seen as helpful."

Anthony gave himself a four-step plan for addressing the sticking points

First, to build trust and develop opportunities to talk with the target audience.

To show the value of these conversations, especially where this helped make a distinction between 'UI' and 'UX' tasks.

To increase the team's UX maturity by bringing in a mix of traditional pen & paper methods, along with new technologies like the qualitative user research tool, Optimal Workshop's Reframer.

And finally, to actually get on with the task of redesigning the Insight Exchange product itself.

Finding the right tool

"I first started using Reframer at my previous place of employment (a medical analytics firm). I really enjoyed it and saw the benefits of using it. But that was a bigger company, with resources like dedicated UX researchers."

"I needed the same rigour and discipline to approach Kasasa's discovery phase, but without a full-time research team."

"UX researchers are into data and are often working heavily with databases. I had to come up with data that I didn't have access to yet. I needed qualitative data, and a tool like Reframer to keep track of all the conversations we were having."

Reframer's role was to quickly and effectively summarise findings from the research. It is able to do this in a way that supports clear communication to stakeholders.

Optimal Workshop's Reframer is a qualitative user research tool. It allows a team to capture all observations and data points collected during the research phase of a project. Once collated into a single space, it supports ways of exploring that data in new ways.

It also recently emerged from public beta on February 4.

Interview notes, emotional and behavioural data, user test feedback, and more can be entered or imported. Data can then be tagged, filtered and tracked within the tool.

Building themes in Reframer by using tags pulled from quotes from participants. Source: Optimal Workshop

Tagging the data in this way allows researchers to surface recurring themes. It makes it straightforward to track and analyse trends. Multiple people can also add their data making it simple for remote teams to aggregate and synthesise their findings

One of the several visualisations available in Reframer: The chord lines that connect the tag nodes represent observations that contain both tags. The thicker the chord, the more times the two tags appear together on the same observation. Source: Optimal Workshop

Anthony sets the scene: "We were growing and learning as a team. Part of that effort is shared understanding with regard to the data we collect. The UX discipline is about leveraging user research and team collaboration to solve barriers to engagement."

Getting buy-in with tangible data

After weeks of building alliances and making detailed plans, Anthony got the stakeholder support for a discovery phase. He then spent four months conducting interviews, running empathy mapping sessions, and measuring behaviour and perspectives with surveys.

Anthony facilitating an empathy mapping exercise with internal users and stakeholders. Source: Anthony Rezendes

Early conversations began with internal stakeholders, then quickly expanded to clients and end users. These interviews gave Anthony a direct view on how utilisation might be increased.

"With Reframer, and Optimal Workshop's entire suite of research data-oriented UX tools actually, I then had a way to show that the UX process was much more than just visual design. More than just a look and feel."

Optimal Workshop's Reframer tool allowed Anthony to break down longer interviews into themes, quotes and user sentiment by recording and tagging highlights from the conversation. Here we can see the analysis tab within Reframer, showing that many users mention the desire for a dashboard that helps visualise and find meaning in the data for customers. Source: Anthony Rezendes

"We use a variety of different techniques as a UX team. A lot of times we're doing empathy mapping, journey mapping. We're conducting focus groups, user testing, sometimes showing prototypes and giving feedback there."

Conducting a workshop with internal stakeholders, using dots to identify features proposed in the redesign. Source: Anthony Rezendes.

"Part of the reason I do these reports is so the company can see the business value. Why we spent the time to do this, and how it impacts the product. There's proof of return on investment when you can show and validate the value of UX through the tool. It became our evidence rather than a fumble trying to figure out what all it meant."

"There's proof of return on investment when you can show and validate the value of UX through the tool. It became our evidence rather than a fumble trying to figure out what all it meant."

"Building the case for UX research is important. We opened up the process so that others could listen in on conversations. And even allowed long-time staffers to lead conversations so they could experience the value of interviews first-hand. Also, we sat in on a lot of sales calls so we could assess what was resonating with clients. When we explained who we were and what we were doing, most people really appreciated someone listening to their concerns. The company opened up to the possibility of leveraging UX as yet another opportunity to satisfy client needs."

Answering the Call

"A large success from the discovery phase was being able to use Optimal Workshop's Reframer to help the company understand the notion of qualitative data and its effectiveness in the design process."

"We could then really lean in to building a product that was sustainable. Everything was based on listening to people, and being able to communicate data back through the tool."

So what did Anthony and the team find when they analysed the data gathered and collated in Reframer?

"On the practical side of things, it was clear the users needed an actionable dashboard. And a simple way to export their data". Anthony also discovered there were two clear but distinct types of users to develop into user personas. The redesigned tool also ultimately proved its value by enabling the core clients to make measurably better financial decisions.

Finding: People needed an actionable dashboard

"Once we realized people wanted particular directional insights, that they wanted to know what to do next, well, that wasn't in the original tool. They had no next steps, it was just a bunch of information and charts. So we built a quarterly health report within the tool to show performance in a way that was directly actionable."

Before: The first iteration of Insight Exchange contained lots of data and graphs. But the users were unsure of their next steps. Source: Kasasa

Finding: Supporting exported data

"Another key finding was that not only were people finding other ways to get what they needed, they felt more comfortable exporting the data to manipulate directly in spreadsheets and presentations," Anthony says.

"We found it wasn't intuitive or useful for internal folks either, despite the internal referencing and processes surrounding it.

With the information collated in Reframer, they were able to determine a clear path forward.

"We realized our first version was going to be for those internal users. We had to train the internal staff and show them this new version was valuable. That we could use this to share the bank's data in a way that made sense with visualizations and filtering. Initially, internal users didn't have that confidence in the tool."

"Working with them and working with Reframer to collect the data allowed us to refine the platform to make it work for everyone."

Finding: We actually had two audiences, not one

What Optimal Workshop's Reframer also allowed the Kasasa team to see is that Insight Exchange had two distinct audiences.

Anthony explains: "There are the bank staff that are interested in seeing some high level metrics and going through filtering things. And there is the financial analyst persona who loves the data, and wants to really dive deep into it."

"The notion that there are different types of users came out through Reframer. We ended up also building another tool called 'Insight Author' as a way to drill down into more complex data". This proved the value of careful UX research, and allowed Kasasa to develop further tools that users needed and wanted.

Feedback from Stakeholders

"The new tool allows clients to be more empowered. I think if you talk to anybody in the higher level of the company, they would say Insight is becoming a go-to tool for us to be able to express the effectiveness of our products. And it's contributed to growth within our analytics area too.

"It's contributed to growth not only in the company but, for all of the FI's [financial institutions]. Being able to have transparency and visibility in their performance. It's an opportunity not only to understand what's in the data but also to do actual consulting. And to work on other important things, like nurturing relationships."

Seeing results

"All of our work culminated in a presentation at our annual Symposium of Peers. We got in front of the entire organization and showed where we were headed with the second iteration of the platform. We received feedback saying people were really wowed by our responsive demo. The platform had come so far from the Flash-based, non-responsive tool with minimal utilization. It was now a more robust, user-centered application that appealed to not only clients but internal service folks too."

Before: The graphics were simple but didn't make it easy for the user to compare data from different areas. Source: Kasasa

Insight Exchange was relaunched with the name 'Insight' and positive results from the improved user experience were immediate. The upgraded platform showed a continual lift in utilization. 114% lift in the first month, 24% lift after three months, and 16% lift after six months.

The new product had an immediate adoption rate followed by healthy growth in use. Data source: Kasasa.

Looking ahead

Could Anthony have predicted during his first interview that he would go from a solo UXer to proving the value of user experience in a company that now has a dedicated and growing team of UX experts?

"I feel like we're stronger and better equipped to be partners within the organization as opposed to just a service to it. In true Agile form we've been able to transform some dev-centric processes and give UX a seat at the table."

"Based on the success and growth of Insight, we're adding additional user-centred folks to the product team. Right now, we're up to five employees and adding two more within the next few weeks."

Kasasa has a reputation in the local banking industry for being a desirable place to work. Source: Yelp

"With several new products at the company, it's an exciting time to be working here. While our journey is far from complete, I'm looking forward to future challenges and employing tools like Optimal Workshop's Reframer in our mix."

A free trial of Optmal Workshop's Reframer is available with no time limits but a maximum of 3 sessions per study. Full product details and pricing are available on the Optimal Workshop website: https://www.optimalworkshop.com/reframer

UX Mastery produces unbiased, authentic and reliable content. This success story was produced independently and without input from Optimal Workshop. Project details were kindly supplied by Kasasa upon request. Optimal Workshop is also a sponsor for UX Mastery's newsletter and social channels.

This article first appeared on UX Mastery and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
by Luke Chambers, Tamsen Magon
We review the new UX program offered by PeakXD, an online course that looks to set a pretty high bar for UX education everywhere.
ProcessResearch
How to Organize and Reuse Research Insights
by Zack Naylor
Have you ever wondered what life would be like if we reused research insights? Lucky for you - it's easy! Zack Naylor from Aurelius teaches us how.


In the context of the EU-China Action Plan (2014-2017) on IPR Customs Enforcement, IP Key is going to co-organise an event on cross-agency cooperation on the investigation of serious IP infringement cases in Alicante, Spain from 24 to 26 February 2016. The aim of the event is to strengthen EU-China interaction and cooperation between customs and other law enforcement agencies and authorities to stop production and wind up distribution networks.
Experts from customs, police and judicial authorities from EU and China will attend a workshop to enhance mutual understanding of respective IPR law enforcement practices in the EU and in China by the different authorities involved and to discuss practicalities to work out cross-agency cooperation on IP infringement cases. They will also participate to the international cooperation session of the IPR High Level Conference taking place in Alicante during this period of time.


Hints of the Outside World features some of the most noteworthy film works from the IMMA Collection; the exhibition includes work by artists Caroline McCarthy, Carlos Amorales, Gillian Wearing and Dorothy Cross. This exhibition showcases IMMA's diverse collection, shown for the first time at SOMA. This collaboration between IMMA and SOMA is designed to create access opportunities to the visual arts in fresh and interesting situations and locations in Ireland. This show presents major works acquired by IMMA: Dorothy Cross's world of imagination is rich, and her work Ghost Ship, shown as part of Hints of the Outside World pays homage to lightships which once marked the treacherous reefs around the Irish coast, but have now all since vanished. In her work, Sacha and Mum, Gillian Wearing embraces all at once the revealing and the enigmatic, the encouraging and the disquieting, the loving and the menacing; the work has only been shown a handful of times since acquisition. Caroline McCarthy's video installation Greetings, presents us an exploration of extending and meddling with spacial limits, and Carlos Amorales features work which is personally anecdotal, yet open to the viewers interpretations of the narrative.
Established in 2009 SOMA is an artist led space in Waterford City. Its focus is to present and work with emerging local, national and international artists. The exhibition will be accompanied by a full colour exhibition guide.


text:
Phenomena is the fourth studio album by American metalcore band Within the Ruins. It was released on July 22, 2014. The track list for the album was revealed on June 10, 2014, along with the release of the first single "Gods Amongst Men". The album sold 4,067 copies in the United States in its first week and debuted at #72 on the Billboard 200.

Composition
This is the first album where guitarist Joe Cocchi uses a 7-string guitar, utilizing bass guitar strings in order to adopt an unconventionally low tuning and vastly increase the low range of the instrument.

In a 2014 interview with Loudwire, Joe Cocchi noted that parts of the instrumental "Enigma" reference themes from Super Mario Bros. and also Inspector Gadget.

Track listing

Personnel
Within the Ruins
 Tim Goergen – vocals
 Joe Cocchi – guitars, production, engineering
 Andrew Tate – bass
 Kevin McGuill – drums

Additional personnel
 Josh Wickman – production, engineering, mixing, mastering, vocal engineering, vocal production
 Jason Suecof – production, mixing
 Cameron Gray – illustrations, artwork
 Sean Marlowe – art direction, design
 Jeremy Saffer – photography

Charts

References

2014 albums
Within the Ruins albums
E1 Music albums

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Howard County Times
Get your motor running and head on down to the Rockburn Open Car Show [Elkridge]
By Lisa Madera and lisamadera@verizon.net 410-796-8713
Baltimore Sun Media Group
The Elkridge Adult Athletic Association (EAAA) and the Howard County Dept. of Recreation and Parks (HCRP) host the fifth annual Rockburn Open Car Show on Saturday, Aug. 17, noon to 4 p.m., at Rockburn Branch Park, Montgomery Road entrance.
Looking for a cruise down Memory Lane? Remember those steamy summer evenings when the hottest cars in town gathered at local burger joints and drive-ins to show off their gleaming "wheels" and hang out with friends?
The show features classics, antiques, hot rods and modifieds, 1999 or older. Awards include the Gary J. Arthur Memorial Award, EAAA Jay Herbert Memorial, Best in Show and the People's Choice awards. Best of Class will be awarded in multiple categories, including American cars, Corvettes, trucks, and both European and Asian imports.
To register your cool "ride," call 410-313-7275, or go to countyofhowardmd.us/carshow.htm. The registration fee to exhibit is $10; after Aug. 9 or onsite, $15. The event is free to the public. All that auto eye candy, with great music thrown in for a real party atmosphere, this stroll down Memory Lane is sure to be a good time.
Also presented by EAAA and HCRP, the Rockburn Open Car Show will actually kick-off with a Friday night concert at Rockburn Park (Montgomery Road side), Friday, Aug. 16, 7-8:30 p.m. Back by popular demand, the Nighthawks will take the stage, and although the concert is free, there is a modest $3 parking fee, which will benefit the EAAA Scholarship Fund.
Howard County Times: Top stories
Daily highlights from Howard County's number one source for local news.
I'm a bit of a culinary aficionado, although I'm not much on watching television, I love to catch some of the "foodie" shows like "Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives" or "Chopped." Of course, I understand not everyone likes to cook or bake, but I don't know too many people who don't like to eat. And then there are those who truly love both.
Amanda, Daniel and Brian Lavin are close-knit siblings and culinary enthusiasts who have been making their individual mark in upscale eateries around the country. Affectionately dubbed the "Gems," by friends in their Elkridge neighborhood, their talents far exceed anything I could begin to accomplish in the kitchen, and their mom, Susan, couldn't be more proud of her children.
Susan would like to give a big shout out to Brian, who was recently named the executive chef at Salt Tavern, a family owned restaurant on Pratt Street, in the Butchers Hill neighborhood of Baltimore, named one of the top restaurants in Baltimore Magazine for 2012. Brian has worked in various restaurants since his teen years, including Strapazza, Victoria's Gastro Pub, Pazo and Petit Louis. His hard work, dedication and willingness to learn have earned him respect in the local culinary community.
Amanda is a pastry sous chef at the prestigious Lambs Club in New York City. She creates desserts such as Chocolate Soufflé and Tahitian Vanilla Crème Brulee. Amanda currently works with owner Geoffrey Zacharian, an Iron Chef and Food Network judge on "Chopped." She will soon be moving on to sunny California, an adventure where surely another culinary experience will be in her bright future.
And although son, Daniel, isn't employed in the restaurant industry, he loves to cook and, as his wife, Devin is fond of saying, "The couple that cooks together stays together! Bon appetite!" Congratulations to Daniel and Devin on their recent one-year wedding anniversary. Susan says, "Paul and I have become very fond of eating in upscale restaurants, thanks to our children. We are extremely proud of Amanda, Daniel and Brian's accomplishments and, as parents do, wish them much success and joy in their chosen professions."
Speaking of culinary delights, nothing says summer in Maryland like steamed crabs! The Elkridge Senior Center will host a crab feast, Friday, Aug. 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come out and enjoy great food and music; the menu will include Maryland crab soup, steamed crabs, barbecued chicken, cole slaw, cornbread, watermelon and beverages. Cost is $15 per person and, with space limited and to make sure they plan for enough food, reservations are mandatory. RSVP by Aug. 12 by calling 410-313-4930 or 410-313-5192.
If you've got news or upcoming events, kudos, and any other notables to share, don't be shy! I'd love to hear about it.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Home Dr Yanni Malliaris
Dr Yanni Malliaris, B.Sc. Hons, Ph.D
Dr Yanni Malliaris (aka Dr Yanni) graduated from Stirling University and UCLA with a first class honours degree in Psychology in 1999. During his undergraduate years he developed an interest in the psychosocial factors of affective disorders by studying with Professor Constance Hammen, and trained in behaviour modification with Professor Ivar Lovaas. He then went on to complete his military service in the Hellenic Airforce (2000-2002) and then worked as a research psychologist at the Institute of psychiatry, King's College London (2002-2010), where he also completed his Doctoral PhD thesis under the supervision of Professor Dinesh Bhugra and Professor Tom Craig. At the Institute, he began his work with Professor Dominic Lam in the Psychology department and the Affective Disorders Unit. Following funding from the Medical Research Council he commenced his PhD thesis (2005-2010) where he explored the impact of sub-syndromal symptoms in the course of Bipolar disorder, and particularly the role of symptom variability in predicting relapse. His doctoral thesis became the basis of the novel diagnostic and symptom monitoring services now offered through BipolarLab.com. It was Dr Yanni's participants who appreciated the utility of having such services and making them available to all patients.
Upon successful completion of his work at the Institute, Dr Yanni decided to continue with his research and clinical work on a private basis through BipolarLab.com, a pioneer private clinical practice delivering specialist diagnostic, treatment and research services for Bipolar disorder and recurrent depression over the internet or locally in Athens, Greece or London, UK. In addition, in 2008, Yanni founded in his father's memory (George Malliaris) EDO the Hellenic Bipolar Organisation, Greece's first and now premier NGO organisation for people with bipolar disorder and depression.
Dr Yanni's broad research interests are in the phenomenology and integrative treatment of Bipolar disorder, and particularly the factors that predict the course of the disorder. He is also interested in mental health informatics and conducts research on the role of new technologies for tracking the variable course of Bipolar disorder. Along with a group of friends and colleagues, Yanni has developed iMonitor, a novel electronic mobile diary for assisting patients and researchers/clinicians to track the daily course of Bipolar Disorder. Finally, he practices Behavior therapy (and when needed cognitive therapy) for mood disorders and remains thankful to his late Professor (Dr Ivar Lovaas) for the training his received by one of the world's greatest and last radical behaviorists. He is proud for helping his patients to break their depressions as quickly as possible and helping them to maintain their stability for as long as possible.
As the Founder and CEO of BipolarLab, Dr Yanni is responsible for all the services offered through the clinical practice. He continues to conduct many of the assessments and therapy required for the delivery of BipolarLab's services but he is also lucky to have the help of many talented colleagues who share the work. He loves supervising and training new bipolarlab members, and also developing new clinical services in order to meet the never-ending clinical needs of his bipolar patients.
Dr Yanni Malliaris
Dr Ruth Ohlsen
Dr Eirini Manthou
Miss Tatiana Gorney
Miss Anastasia Sapouna


Take Wall Lamp by Lumen Center. TAKÉ 21 - wall version. Suitable as a wall high light for small spaces, niches or corridors. The white opal PE diffuser, gives uniform light thanks to its 18W LED light source, with a 900lm light output.The wall plate and the metal parts are available in chrome or matt white finish. Take Wall Lamp by Lumen Center are designed by Villatosca.


Target –Leadership in a Student-Centered Learning Environment. FWSU will foster development of teacher & student leaders who provide innovative opportunities for local and global student-centered learning.
Action Steps – (1) Ensure students and staff take an active role shaping their learning using rich, authentic questions, problems they identify, and diverse resources (2) Provide multiple avenues for students and staff to lead, advocate, and serve within the school and community (3) Develop learning habits, communication and problem-solving skills necessary for collaborative learning and leadership.
Indicators of Success – (1) Teachers embrace the role of coach, facilitator and co-learner in a student-centered learning environment (2) Creativity and risk-taking will be evident and celebrated as learners embrace new technologies (3) Student voice will have the power to impact the perceptions of others.
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, commonly known as PBIS, is a nationally-recognized approach to supporting the social/emotional and academic successes of all students. Based on a three-tiered model, PBIS schools design a continuum of proactive and reactive supports and interventions for students that promotes a positive school climate and increased access to learning.
During tier one implementation, also called the universal level, preventative and proactive school-wide and/or classroom systems for all students and staff are designed and enacted. The universal level includes setting three to five behavioral expectations for the entire school. At Fletcher, these include being respectful, responsible, safe and caring. The universal level also includes procedures for teaching the school-wide expectations, methods for acknowledging positive behavior and discouraging problem behavior, and strategies for keeping track of behavioral data and making data-driven decisions.
Last, spring, under the umbrella of the school-wide expectations, the Fletcher staff created specific behavior guidelines for various student locations including the bus, halls, cafeteria and field trips. Capitalizing on the school's mascot – the Falcon – Fletcher teachers, lead by PBIS Coordinator and School Counselor Sandi Simmons, decided to use paper feathers with students as recognition when they meet behavioral expectations. When a staff member sees or hears a students following the school-wide expectations, they are given a feather. Those feathers are accompanied by a specific verbal acknowledgement of the behavior that the staff member wants to reinforce. Feathers are accumulated to earn classroom and school-wide celebrations.
Fletcher's PBIS system centers around the falcon mascot. The Vermont Institute of Natural Science recently brought a live falcon (and other birds) to Fletcher as part of a mid-year review of school-wide expectations.
When necessary, the universal implementation of PBIS also includes a response to inappropriate behavior. In Fletcher, students are typically reminded and redirected when they begin to experience behavioral challenges. They may then be asked to take a break in a specific location in the classroom. These breaks are brief and part of the everyday routine. They are taught and practiced in a way that avoids humiliation, and serve as an opportunity for students to regain their composure and rejoin the group. If students need more time, they may be asked to take a longer break in a Buddy Classroom. During this time they complete a written reflection on their behavior (with support, if needed) and create a plan to successfully rejoin their class. In some cases, if behavior is unsafe or repetitive, students may be asked to process in the office. In any of these scenarios, the emphasis in on the behavior, not the child. Students are supported in thinking about how their behavior fits into the school's expectations and how their actions impact others and their own learning. The process is intended to be positive and supportive, rather than punitive and shameful.
Students work in multi-age groups to assemble a falcon puzzle that helps them review school-wide expectations as part of a whole-school assembly in early January.
The third tier of PBIS includes intensive supports that are specialized and individualized for students at high-risk. This tier might include specialized evaluations, individual adult support, specialized teaching and behavior planning.
In early January, Fletcher's universal implementation of PBIS was assessed, receiving a commendable 98 percent score. In her comments, evaluator Kym Asam complimented students and staff for knowing and understanding the school-wide expectations as well as the recognition system being used.
The falcon puzzle mentioned above.
"I interviewed over 10 staff," Asam wrote, "And all could not only tell me what the school-wide expectations are but explained how they are implementing them, acknowledging positive student behaviors and noticing the significant positive change in culture for staff and students…The climate of the school was positive and invested in supporting students in being successful. Staff reported being excited about the PBIS framework in that it allows for consistent communication, expectations, and responses to the social and emotional functioning.
Thus far, Fletcher has focused on the universal implementation level, but is gearing up for tier two training in March.
Visit the Vermont PBIS website here.
This entry was posted in FES and tagged PBIS, Student-Leadership by Franklin West SU. Bookmark the permalink.
cool on the game! there is a make your own opoly game that kids could use to make something like this "professional"….


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Whom does WHO care for?
Nicknamed "Wuhan Health Organization" by Chinese netizens, the performance of the World Health Organization (WHO), along with its Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has been raising serious questions these days in terms of politicizing the institution through its unblushing effort to please Chinese communist leadership, while Beijing's coverups of the Wuhan virus continue.
(Article by Peter Zhang republished from TheEpochTimes.com)
To be fair, WHO already owns a dismal track record of failures in dealing with deadly epidemics over the years. For instance, back in 2015, under the leadership of Beijing-backed Margaret Chan, WHO admitted that it was "ill prepared" to handle the Ebola outbreak.
According to a Time article, WHO listed eight lessons it learned from the crisis, including "communicating more clearly what is needed," and later proposed nine remedies to do a better job in case of future outbreaks such as setting up a "Global Health Emergency Workforce" with a contingency fund.
Beijing's Narratives
Yet, this time WHO's failure isn't all about its incompetence, but also includes its less than subtle effort to trumpet Beijing's narratives in this Wuhan virus crisis.
There were worldwide criticisms of WHO's echoing Beijing's downplay of the virus in early January. Health experts around the world have also been dismayed to see that, given the evidence of Beijing's draconian control over the virus information, including threatening medical whistleblowers with arrests, WHO's chief would praise Beijing for "making us safer," and would declare a global public health emergency only days after the lockdown of Wuhan, the epicenter of coronavirus, on Jan. 23. By then this deadly virus had already reached North America and Europe.
Fearing to offend Beijing, WHO danced around for days before finally naming this Wuhan virus "COVID-19." The slow response by WHO to warn the rest of the world about this fatal disease has led to public outcries against Ghebreyesus, WHO's chief. Within days, over 456,000 people have petitioned on Change.org for his resignation.
According to WHO's website, China ranks 16th on the top 20 contributors chart, lagging far behind the United States, the leading donor even after the Trump Administration's proposal to slash $65 million funding for WHO. Beijing's influence at WHO, however, is visible and dictating many critical areas.
One of the disturbing acts by WHO is its deceitful management of its website information on the Wuhan virus. For instance, WHO's website initially stated in English: "The following measures ARE NOT effective against COVID-2019 and can be harmful: Smoking. Taking traditional herbal remedies. Wearing multiple masks. Taking self-medication such as antibiotics."
Yet, the caution against people taking traditional herbal remedies as a measure is in the French/Arabic/Russian versions, but not in the Chinese one. Now this caution in English is also removed.
WHO is apparently mindful of China's state-run media campaigns promoting traditional Chinese herbal medicine to combat Wuhan virus—its subsequent secretive manipulation of information or perhaps misinformation on a pandemic is disheartening, unethical, and irresponsible, particularly for the affected patients and brave medical professionals on the front line around the world.
When Dr. Bruce Aylward, WHO's Assistant Director-General, claimed that China's handling of Wuhan virus could be replicated, he was certainly overlooking, if not advocating, the system of an Orwellian society, in which rule of law, human rights, transparency, and press freedom are lacking.
When Dr. Aylward told the press, "If I had COVID-19, I'd want to be treated in China." Chinese netizens immediately questioned on the Internet his stupidity and ignorance of the horrific realities in China's quarantined facilities. One netizen even mockingly posted an invitation for this naïve Canadian to become a Wuhan resident right away.
The Wuhan virus, after all, was first detected by Chinese doctors in December 2019, but public disclosure, however, was held up by Beijing till Jan. 23, 2020. According to a newly released research report "Censored Contagion" by University of Toronto, Beijing has been engaging in censoring Wuhan virus-related content on social media platforms such as the popular WeChat and YY since December 2019, and continues to restrict the disease information.
This includes references to Dr. Li Wenliang, the whistleblower who died of this Wuhan virus himself. Such information control may curb communication related to the virus and prevention, according to the report.
It is irresponsible for WHO, global media, and governments around the world to use without comment data and statistics from Beijing given its track record of falsifying numbers during the SARS and again in this Wuhan virus outbreak.
Western media and governments and WHO seem to have given the data from Beijing credibility by citing it without a question mark.
This international agency seems to focus on addressing the needs of the communist leaders in Beijing instead of the well being of 1.3 billion Chinese as well as 23.7 million people in Taiwan.
Taiwan's Miracle
Over the years, mixing politics with public health has not been unusual for WHO. Despite rigorous efforts by many member states, Taiwan hasn't been granted a seat at WHO—this denial prevents Taiwan from gaining access to data and resources at WHO. This blackout was especially crucial during the SARS crisis in 2003 and now with the current Wuhan virus outbreak.
In order to woo Taiwan to adopt "one country, two systems," Beijing propaganda even describes the Taiwanese as "flesh and blood compatriots," yet when Taiwan is in health crises such as SARS and the Wuhan virus or when Taiwan tries to gain a WHO membership, such blood bondage is nowhere to be seen.
According to Dr. Chen Chien-jen, a Johns Hopkins-trained epidemiologist and Vice President of Taiwan, Taiwan obtained SARS-related information from the United States in 2003, as Beijing refused to provide any assistance.
As a Foreign Policy article noted, "some 60,000 flights carry 10 million passengers between Taiwan and China every year. Taiwan has an acute interest in protecting its own and the world's welfare from this latest health threat. […] However, Taiwan was excluded from the WHO emergency meetings on the new coronavirus crisis."
Beijing's influence operations at WHO and other international organizations haven't gone unnoticed. On May 14, 2019, two researchers at the Center for a New American Security, released a report "People's Republic of the United Nations," raising the awareness of China's emerging revisionism in international organizations.
The report states, "China is increasingly using its economic, political, and institutional power to change the global governance system from within. […] International organizations thus have become an arena for ideological contestation, in which Beijing's goal is to make authoritarian rule seem as legitimate as democratic government."
As a self-governing democracy, Taiwan sits just 81 miles away from mainland China with a population of 23.7 million people. If anything, Beijing's blocking of Taiwan's effort to become a member of WHO during the SARS outbreak has taught this island country to build up its public health infrastructure to meet the next crisis.
At the same time, Taiwan has decided to reject the mainland, communist regime. Tsai Ing-wen set a historic record of voters in the recent presidential elections—this demonstrated the public's strong will to maintain autonomy from mainland China, thereby rejecting the Beijing-backed candidate as well as the regime's proposal of "one country, two systems."
With more than 850,000 Taiwanese living in mainland China and another 400,000 working there, last year alone Taiwan received some 2.7 million mainland Chinese visitors, making this island perhaps the most vulnerable place for Wuhan virus outbreak.
Yet, Taiwan's transparency, quarantines, social distancing, surveillance steps, use of big data, and an effective Central Command, according to an article in Stanford Health Policy on March 3, have proven to be critical factors in helping contain this fatal disease to only 45 confirmed cases as of March 10.
The most significant step, as observed by many health experts, was the Taiwan government's quick decision to impose travel bans with mainland China and Hong Kong before the epidemic could have a chance to spread.
Following China's Interests
By contrast, South Korea, Japan, Italy, and Iran were slow, or refused, to suspend flights and have suffered dearly in this Wuhan virus outbreak. Perhaps it is no coincidence that Wuhan virus seems to follow some of China's geopolitical and economic interests, as in Iran, South Korea, Japan, and Italy.
While South Korea and Japan enjoy a similar high healthcare standard as Taiwan, both, unlike Taiwan, have been eager in seeking closer economic and diplomatic ties with this communist Middle Kingdom.
Many South Korean and Japanese corporations are working in partnership with Beijing, making them become ever more dependent upon China. Many South Koreans, seeing the nation's growing ties with China, are now petitioning to impeach President Moon Jae-in over his pro-Beijing stand, calling him "Chinese Chairman Moon."
Italy happens to be the first (and only) G7 country to be part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI, also known as One Belt, One Road) and had its border wide open to people from China, even after the Wuhan virus made its appearance in Europe.
According to an article published on The Guardian nine years ago, in Tuscany's Prato alone, the number of Chinese residents had already reached over 50,000 and made up more than 30 percent of the city's population; 32 percent of children born in Prado's main hospital had Chinese mothers. Today, Italy is facing a growing Chinese immigrant community that supports a pro-Beijing communist agenda.
It is certainly unfortunate that China has delivered Italy a deadly virus ahead of the promised economic return from the BRI. Italy's recent decision for a nationwide lockdown came a bit late, as noted by critics.
As Iran's biggest trading partner, China has enormous influence over Iran's economy and its foreign policy. Iran sides with China virtually on all issues at the U.N. and now has been hit hard with this Wuhan virus. Some top Iranian leaders are among its 7,000+ coronavirus victims.
It is sad that great ancient civilizations such as Iran and China are today governed by lawless dictatorships that care more for their holding onto the power than the wellbeing of their people.
For centuries, many people in Asia have firmly held the timeless Buddhist belief of karmic retribution—this idea echoes in some aspects with the Christian tradition of "You reap what you sow."
In hindsight, WHO's denial of Taiwan's membership might be a blessing in disguise as Taiwan has quickly responded on its own, free of WHO's poor advice, which is based on political calculations. As Shakespeare wisely wrote in "All's Well That Ends Well," "No legacy is so rich as honesty."
Read more at: TheEpochTimes.com
Tagged Under: China, communism, coronavirus, corruption, Globalism, health, outbreak, pandemic, treason, virus, WHO, Wuhan
US coronavirus death toll blows past 100, with 7,300 infected while global infections surpass 200,000 … and many Americans still remain in a state of total denial
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China BANS coronavirus testing to achieve near-zero infection rate, medicine goes "political" to protect communist regime
Thousands of cruise ship passengers allowed to de-board in Miami without being screened, even though former passenger tested positive for coronavirus
If the CDC hadn't focused for years on "gun control" and "social justice," it would have been better prepared for coronavirus PANDEMIC
Isolation, quarantine and social distancing: Practice these essential strategies to stop the spread of coronavirus
"Where you stop is where you stay" – Domestic travel restrictions are being "considered"
9 Superfoods with powerful anti-viral properties
Researchers synthesize halichondrin b, a powerful ANTICANCER compound, thanks to "landmark discovery"
How much coffee do you drink? Your DAILY cup of joe may be making you anxious
Exploring treatment interventions that complementary and integrative medicine practitioners use for increased intestinal permeability
EU proposes closing ALL borders, effectively placing mainland Europe under lockdown
Dr. Oz says NO ONE needs to be tested unless they show symptoms, even as asymptomatic people spread the pandemic without even knowing it
The language of music: Individuals who are hearing-impaired can use music to develop spoken language
Sage advice: Study reveals sage extract helps with hot flashes during menopause
Coronavirus deaths in the USA are EXCEEDING our original pandemic projection model by nearly 25%… see the shocking numbers that no one believed until now
Why isn't Trump demanding vitamin D production or anti-viral herbs for coronavirus?
If a natural cure for coronavirus is ever proven, this Chinese Medicine herb is likely to be the one (and no, we don't sell it)
Social distancing and early testing could have PREVENTED 95% of all coronavirus cases in China


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Jericho - Season 2
AUDVD7518
A nuclear explosion plunges a group of Kansas residents into a fraught battle for survival in this post-apocalyptic serial drama. The characters are isolated from the rest of the country in the small town of Jericho, and unsure of the cause behind the explosion. Chaos reigns supreme.
Format - 2 DVD
Genre - TV Action
Consumer Advice - Action violence
A nuclear explosion plunges a group of Kansas residents into a fraught battle for survival in this post-apocalyptic serial drama. The characters are isolated from the rest of the country in the small town of Jericho, and unsure of the cause behind the explosion. Chaos reigns supreme. Emerging as a leader among the survivors is Jake Green (Skeet Ulrich), a prodigal son figure who returned to Jericho after his grandfather died. But his uncanny skill with a gun and ability to perform complicated medical procedures provoke troubling questions about his shadowy past. Rifts form among some townsfolk as survival instincts take over, while others fight to maintain order among the ashes. Resurrected from cancellation after a massive fan campaign, the show in this second season follows the townsfolk as they pick up the pieces following the war with New Bern. Meanwhile, a new government has formed in Cheyenne, Wyoming. But are these new leaders everything they seem? Special Features: Audio Commentaries Deleted Scenes Patriots And Tyrants unaired version, "Rebuilding Jericho", "Nut Job"
Ulrich, Skeet, James, Lennie, Scott, Ashley, Mitchell, Kenneth, Beyer, Brad, Coppola, Alicia
Film Genre TV Action
Consumer Advice Action violence


Antique English teak wood and brass travel trunk. Brass handles, corner mounts and original lock, circa 1880. Measures 34 inches wide by 19 inches deep by 15 inches high. This trunk would be lovely as a coffee table.
This item is on display in our gallery at Old Saybrook Antiques Center and can be seen in-person by visiting 756 Middlesex Tpke Old Saybrook, CT 06475. For hours of operation visit: OldSaybrookAntiques. If you wish to browse our entire available inventory please go to..... We also offer a consultation service AntiquesConsultant.
As well as an online price guide at PriceMyItem. Check out our about me page. New items from local and New England estates are added weekly. The item "Antique English teak wood ship's travel storage trunk great coffee table c1880" is in sale since Monday, July 06, 2015.
This item is in the category "Antiques\Furniture\Chests & Trunks\1800-1899". The seller is "oneofakind" and is located in Deep River, Connecticut. This item can't be shipped, the buyer must pick up the item.


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Q: UNION ALL date on the same row I am unioning multiple tables together in Postgres, where the timestamp is slightly different, but the same if I round to the hour. Is it possible to make each union show on the same row, if the date is the same? Currently I'm getting duplicate rows of each date.
select date_trunc('hour', TO_TIMESTAMP(created / 1000)::timestamp),
COALESCE(count(*), 0) as "1489",
null as "1616"
from actions
where group_id = 1489
and TO_TIMESTAMP(created / 1000)::timestamp >= current_date-7
group by 1
union all
select date_trunc('hour', TO_TIMESTAMP(created / 1000)::timestamp),
null as "1489",
COALESCE(count(*), 0) as "1616"
from actions
where group_id = 1616
and TO_TIMESTAMP(created / 1000)::timestamp >= current_date-7
group by 1
order by 1

It returns:

A: You can use FULL JOIN like this:

SELECT
    COALESCE(a1.t, a2.t) as t,
    a1."1489",
    a2."1616"
FROM
(
    select
        date_trunc('hour', TO_TIMESTAMP(created / 1000)::timestamp) as t,
        COALESCE(count(*), 0) as "1489"
    from actions
    where group_id = 1489
        and TO_TIMESTAMP(created / 1000)::timestamp >= current_date-7
    group by 1
) as a1
FULL JOIN
(
    select
        date_trunc('hour', TO_TIMESTAMP(created / 1000)::timestamp) as t,
        COALESCE(count(*), 0) as "1616"
    from actions
    where group_id = 1616
        and TO_TIMESTAMP(created / 1000)::timestamp >= current_date-7
    group by 1
) as a2 ON (a1.t=a2.t)
ORDER BY 1;

Or just use CASE:

SELECT
    date_trunc('hour', TO_TIMESTAMP(created / 1000)::timestamp),
    SUM(CASE WHEN group_id=1489 THEN 1 ELSE 0 END) as "1489",
    SUM(CASE WHEN group_id=1616 THEN 1 ELSE 0 END) as "1616"
FROM actions
WHERE
    group_id in (1489, 1616)
    AND TO_TIMESTAMP(created / 1000)::timestamp >= current_date-7
GROUP BY 1
ORDER BY 1;

A: Assumptions

*

*Current Postgres 9.6.

*actions.created is a bigint column holding a count of ms since 1970-01-01 UTC (epoch in microseconds).

*actions.groupid is integer.

The basic query:
SELECT date_trunc('hour', to_timestamp(created / 1000) AT TIME ZONE 'UTC') AS hour  -- !
     , group_id
     , count(*)::int AS ct       -- count never returns NULL
FROM   actions
WHERE  group_id IN (1489, 1616)  -- more?
AND    created  >= EXTRACT(EPOCH FROM (now() AT TIME ZONE 'UTC')::date - 7) * 1000  -- !
GROUP  BY 1, 2
ORDER  BY 1, 2;

Major points
Don't make your query depend on the time zone setting of the session or you may be in for surprises: The result changes with the setting. Remember that "today" is a function of the time zone you are in. Detailed explanation:

*

*Ignoring timezones altogether in Rails and PostgreSQL
Replace 'UTC' in above query with the time zone you want your times and dates to reflect. Use a time zone name (not an abbreviation) to be perfectly sure.

*

*Time zone offset with surprising result
Transform the WHERE condition:
TO_TIMESTAMP(created / 1000)::timestamp >= current_date-7

to the equivalent:
created >= EXTRACT(EPOCH FROM (now() AT TIME ZONE 'UTC')::date - 7) * 1000`

That's generally faster and can use an index on created. (Makes it "sargable".)
Depending on data distribution, size of the table and typical you may want a multicolumn index on (group_id, created DESC) to optimize read performance. Performance optimization depends on the complete picture, though ...
The aggregate function count() never returns NULL. COALESCE(count(*), 0) is useless noise and can safely be replaced with just count(*).

*

*Query optimization or missing indexes?
Pivot
You want the result pivoted with one column per selected group_id. Use crosstab() from the additional tablefunc module for fastest results. If you are not familiar with it, read basic instructions here first:

*

*PostgreSQL Crosstab Query

SELECT * FROM crosstab(
    $$SELECT date_trunc('hour', to_timestamp(created / 1000) AT TIME ZONE 'UTC')
           , group_id
           , count(*)::int
      FROM   actions
      WHERE  group_id IN (1489, 1616)  -- more?
      AND    created  >= EXTRACT(EPOCH FROM (now() AT TIME ZONE 'UTC')::date - 7) * 1000
      GROUP  BY 1, 2
      ORDER  BY 1, 2$$

   ,$$SELECT unnest('{1489, 1616}'::int[])$$
   ) AS ct (hour timestamp, "1489" int, "1616" int);  -- more?

Missing elements are NULL. You cannot catch this with COALESCE around count() in the inner query. Use COALESCE in the outer query instead. Like:
SELECT hour, COALESCE("1489", 0) AS "1489", COALESCE("1616", 0) AS "1616" FROM crosstab( ...

Note that hours without any rows are still missing in the result. Use an OUTER JOIN to a complete time grid if you want empty rows in the result. Like:

*

*Filling in missing dates in record set from generate_series()

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Unlocker is one of the most useful free Win32 utilities I've found.
I pushed for AOL to support OpenID, leveraging its SNS (screen name service) authenticator … Of course, these things finally start happening long after I leave AOL.
It might feel like it, but you haven't been gone that long, dude.


The Splendid Sampler HAPPY 50!
The Splendid Sampler is now, like me, FIFTY! The halfway mark is upon us and some of the designers have decided to celebrate with highlights of the blocks we have made, some with have tips or free projects and some giveaways!
To date, I am a little behind for all 50 blocks but here are the highlights of the blocks I have made so far. I am sure I have made a few more but I could not find them in my photos.
It is interesting to see the project transform from the first weeks to now.
If you have not been sewing along with us, please come and join in the fun! There are still FIFTY more blocks to make and many of the blocks that have been released are super fast to complete! Catching up would be fun! You can get your free block downloads by visiting The Splendid Sampler.
These other FABULOUS designers from The Splendid Sampler are also celebrating this fantastic event! Make sure to stop by their sites see what they have in store for you today!
I am hosting a little giveaway in celebration of all of the great work I have been seeing from so many participants! You are al doing a GREAT job with colors and trying new techniques but mostly for being such wonderful and supportive quilting friends!
One very lucky winner will receive a sample set of Aurifil threads and three (3) gorgeous mini charm packs from Moda Fabrics!
The giveaway is open to all of my international friends! The giveaway will close 09 August and the winner will be announced on or about 12 August.
I love making a variety of blocks - mostly pieced and embroidery, especially redwork, but I am now venturing into the world of English paper piecing. I like it because I can sit with my husband as he watches sports and I'm spending time with him. Thanks for the giveaway!
Love your bright colors! I'm learning lots from this sampler, and enjoying paper piecing.
I love hand piecing blocks, also epp!
I've always pieced blocks, but am quickly becoming a huge fan of Paper Piecing!
I like paper piecing and applique. Oh the way you photograph your blocks is wonderful. I normally can never be bothered too much but seeing your is an eye opener!
Hello , I love your choice of collors and I am new to quilting. paper piecing and some embroidery. But I am learning everytime more aldo it takes me some time. In the beginning I didn't like the paper pierce blocks but its getting better everytime.
Love your work! Thanks for providing this giveaway and participating in the splendid sampler!
I like to to different types of blocks, but my favorite is pieced ones.
I love your color choices. So bright & pretty. I am learning so much making these cute little blocks.
Love your SS blocks and how you photograph them! Thanks for a chance at the giveaway!
I am so loving this journey and love all the applique blocks!
Oh, my favorite blocks to make are pieced blocks, but this sampler has introduced me to appliqué, which I didn't think I would enjoy...but actually do!
I love embroidery - it lets me slow down and think a bit.
I've enjoyed all of the blocks. But without question, the embroidery has been my fav. I haven't embroidered in many years and it has been so much fun getting back to it again.
I enjoy the piecing blocks, I have to say the embroidery blocks have awakened a love of embroidery.
Love your ideas and projects. I fancy piecing with a mixture of applique. Just learning to applique....sigh.... Yep, it is a struggle.
I love your colors on the Sampler. Bright and not so matching. Great inspiration!!
Your Splendid Sampler blocks are fabulous! This is such a fun "party".
What a lovely collection of blocks! About the time the sampler hit nine blocks I considered joining, but I am so very far behind on my to-do list of quilts as it is!
I love the pieced ones however through this project have learned to paper piece, which I am enjoying!
Pieced blocks are my favourite, but I've enjoyed embroidery, too.
Lately I have been into hand stitching and applique. Thank you for the giveaway.
I love pieced blocks, I enjoy the paper piecing as well.
This has been a great sampler. I've learned so much and continue to acquire new skills with each block.
My favorite method is normally piecing, but in these very small blocks with lots of pieces, paper piecing is catching on!
I am a fan of needle turn applique' and use it to complete all the Sampler applique' blocks.
I love piecing because it is easiest for me, but my favorite block is always the one being done with the newest technique I am learning. I love to learn!
I found that I really like paper piecing. It is easy and accurate.
I love the variety of techniques being used in this journey. Thanks for the chance to win the giveaway.
I like hand piecing. But against my first impression, I have started to really enjoy blocks featuring embroidery.
P.S. Kim, your photography showcasing your blocks is AWESOME! I love the trinkets and baubles and tools and toys (and the pokemon card!) I just called over my 14 year old art-loving daughter, and we spent time going through each picture and admiring the choices you used. Super cool! Thanks for sharing!
Right now, I am enjoying embroidery/pieced blocks.
I really like pieced blocks.
I'm having SO much fun with The Splendid Sampler! I've gotten a little more comfortable with paper piecing, but haven't gotten the embroidery bug yet (though I was hoping this would happen), so I've skipped most of those blocks. And I don't feel guilty about the ones I haven't done, because I ADORE the ones I have done. What a fabulous project this is so far! And you're doing great - love your colors. Thanks for the giveaway.
I am torn between pieced and appliqued as being my favorite method - but I adore miniature blocks of any kind.
Love the blocks you have already completed. Can't wait to see the finished product.
Always love your photos, so fun!
I'm really enjoying the paper pieced blocks, though those small pieces can get frustrating! I just love how all the mismatched pieces of fabric come together!
Loving the way you photograph your blocks...so much color! I'm loving this group!
This sampler is great because I am learning new techniques. I love paper piecing now. Never really wanted to try before, but love it now.
For the most part i like a pieced block but i do enjoy applique and embroidery as well.
Love making pieced blocks! My absolute favorite!
The sewing machine has been my favorite finished block so far. They are all fun, some challenging, but my sewing obsession started with my grandma's treadle machine. That block evokes the most pleasant memories...Thank you to all the designers!
Pieced blocks are my favorite but I have been doing a lot of applique and embroidery lately.
I love pieced blocks the best and working my way into enjoying paper pieced blocks for the accuracy and sharpness.
my favorite block to make is the log cabin.
Pieced blocks are my favorite.
I love your colour collages! Congrats on being halfway.
I love paper piecing and pieced blocks, my dream is to get better at both.
Love your color collections on the photos and how the blocks look so inspired by those collections. Thanks for everything with the splendid sampler and the opportunity to win.
Thank you for your contribution to Splendid! I think piecing is my favourite, although I am learning to appreciate appliqué a bit more.
Just love your block colors! Super sassy and visually appealing!
I thought piecing was my favourite but doing the Spendid Sampler has been great as it keeps it interesting with the different techniques. Not much of an embroider but really enjoying those blocks too. Love the applique too.
Totally piecing... churn dash are faves!
I think paper piecing is my favorite. Love your blog and fab Instagram photos!
I love paper piecing. I took a class from Mary Fons last year and it's wonderful. Especially for someone who can't sew a quarter inch seam if her life depended on it.
My favorite has always been pieced but I've fallen in love with the paper piecing blocks!
Your blocks are great, I've loved learning new techniques along the way. It's going to be a beautiful quilt when it's all finished. Thanks for all you do!
I love piecing but am intimidated by paper piecing!
Paper Piecing. I love the precision that comes from it.
I have got to get back into quilting!! I've been knitting and have had a wrist injury so have not done much sewing. I am getting psyched to get going again though. I have loved beautiful fabric since I was very young. I used to play fabric shop (when I was supposed to be going to sleep) with the double wedding ring quilt my Nana had made and was on my bed.
I love quilting and especially the Splendid Sampler sew a-long - I like pieced blocks the best but also like applique. Thanks for being part of this.
I imitated your 'candy' block - it suited my fabrics perfectly.
I love to piece my blocks! I'm okay with other methods now and then but piecing is my most favorite.
I am enjoying the Splendid Sampler. I have been quilting since the early 1990's and am enjoying using all the skills I've learned along the way with a few new tips and tricks here and there. My favorite block is the Dresden Plate....because it's traditional, it can be contemporary/artsy, involves piecing and hand or machine applique. It's my favorite handwork.
Me encantan los bloques bordados y los de pieceo. Estoy descubriendo el paper piecing.
What a great giveaway. Thank you for all of your hard work!
I really dig the color schemes in your photos. Too cute!
So much fun to see all your blocks, wish I had chosen some of your color combinations.
My favorite blocks to make are anything that forms a star. Pieced blocks are definitely my favorites.
I would still call myself a beginner quilter, and find piecing the easiest to do. I did really enjoy the applique though when I tried it. Thanks for your funny sense of humour and love of quilting that you share so generously with us.
I like to piece or do fusible applique. I've done enough paper piecing to be comfortable with it but the potential fabric waste kills me!
I like blocks that are pieced, needle turn appliqued, embroidered, embellished, and look forward to trying new techniques!
I prefer to piece my blocks but have been wanting to get back into doing embroidery.
I love applique, EPP and embroidery - and I'm learning to like paper piecing more and more, thanks to this QAL!
Thank you for being a part of this 50th Splendid Party. This is just so fun to be involved in making so many different blocks. Such a fantastic and well-organized journey of such many talented designers with their creative blocks. AND it is ours to have forever!
Sorry I was just excited about this party. I enjoy pieced block and I love the 9 patch. It's been around for a long time and you just can't go wrong with this block. So versatile and it is one of my favorites.
I follow your Go-Go Life on FB every since I saw your block. I love your style. Thank you for the opportunity to win something special.
I love your colours and seeing the sample blocks each time a block is released is very inspiring in terms of the options for each block and how you can out your twist on it. Looking forward to the next 50 blocks.
I had never made a paper pieced block until the Splendid Sampler. Now that's my favorite kind of block to make -- no measuring is wonderful!
This has been such a fun program, I love to see all the artistry that the quilters bring to make their blocks unique.
I am a long time quilter but I have learned so much. I love the variety and I am making a true scrap quilt. Thank you!
My favorite block is the sawtooth star, pieced I just can't get paper piecing yet.
I like a variety of blocks but piecing and applique are two of my favourites.
Piecing any block is my favorite, but I also do applique and paper piecing. Lucky I saw this on IG, I have been following you, but this did not show on my blog feed? Any suggestions?
Hi Krista! Thank you for being one of the SS designers! Your blocks look wonderful and I love all the colours! I'm having a Splendid blast doing this challenge and learnt such a lot from designers and participants. Cheers!
Thanks Kim. Love your giveaway. I have been wanting to try the different weights of Aurifil thread. I have done 32 blocks and the pieced ones and paper pieced one are my favorites, although I am starting to like applique.
I prefer pieced blocks but it's great to try a variety of techniques.
I love the selvage block because of the different colors. This is a great opportunity to learn new techniques. Thank you.
I like all techniques because the variety is what keeps me motivated and challenged, thanks for the chance to win!!
Love the Splendid blocks and all the tips, hints and stuff. Thanks for participating in a give-away.
I like piecing, applique and paper piecing. I especially liked your block. It was a perfect way to review paper piecing.
Pieced blocks are definitely my favorite but I have done some paper piecing and plan on doing more. I am planning on some applique to keep my hands busy while on an extended cruise. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Your block photos are very nicely set up and shot! As for your question, before The Splendid Sampler I didn't have much experience. Now that I have tried several techniques I would say paper piecing is rapidly becoming a favorite quilting method. However pieced method is my favorite.
I am enjoying making all the different kinds of blocks.
I really love the embroidery and foundation piecing blocks and am slowly getting the hang of applique!
I love piecing, paper piecing, and applique. Embroidery is the one thing that slows me down. Your blocks are awesome - so colorful and fun! I am amazed at how much stuff you get done!! Thanks for the inspiration!
With all the different techniques it is hard to choose, I am liking paper piecing, and embroidery.
I started the sampler, but have gotten sidetracked! Time to refocus! Love your collage of your blocks.
So far, I've completed 25 of the sampler blocks plus 3 bonus blocks. I got a very late start and then got delayed by life events. Sometimes, I like an easy block to help me catch up, but usually prefer the unusual unique blocks like the flip flops.
I like all the blocks. Some are hard but so rewarding when finished.
Love your blocks. Thoroughly enjoying the journey of the Splendid Sampler. Thanks for the give away.
Love your sampler block photos. I make the pieced blocks and have made some of the appliqué ones. Paper piecing is out of my comfort zone still! Thanks for the chance!
My favorite blocks to make are paper pieced stars. It is the only way I can get sharp crisp points on them! I also love drunkard's path blocks because you can arrange them in so many different ways.
Love the pieced and applique blocks. The paper pieced blocks have always intimidated me. This has been a great opportunity to "step out of my safety zone!" Love your colors and style.
I like the easy to piece blocks, also embroidery is always a treat to me!
I've always liked pieced blocks and thanks to the Splendid Sampler, I've tried many other techniques. I like paper piecing more than I thought I would. Embroidery is tough for me as I never hand sew, but as long as I watch a video or read about the stitches before doing them, I've been okay with it, just slow.
I love all things quilty in the way of blocks, but by far my favourite is pieced.
I've enjoyed the embroidery blocks! I have enjoyed trying a little bit of a bunch of different things.
I actually prefer to make pieced blocks/ But, sometimes I will throw in an appliqué d block!
I like applique, much to my surprise. I like the challenge of paper-piecing and it seems that I like blocks with many tiny pieces.
My favorite is piecing but i am enjoying rediscovering hand embroidery.
I love the hand work and that is followed closely by piecing.
I enjoy making different blocks, but my favorite is piecing.
I have never done paper piecing before the splendid sampler, and now I love the challenge of it. Thanks for a great give away!
What a sweet prize. Love the colors you are using on your blocks.
I really enjoy the embroidery blocks but I did love learning paper piecing and hope to practice it more through the sampler!
I am doing several quilt-alongs including the Splendid Sampler and wishing for more hours in the day so I can be closer to being caught up! Your prize offer would be very useful. Never seem to have enough thread on hand - or the right color, and I have not yet used the packs of little squares.
I'm having so much fun sewing along with the Splendid Sampler!
I have really enjoyed learning the paper piecing.
My favorite is a pieced block with paper piecing running a close second!
I am so enjoying this journey. It is a great learning experience. Thanks to all the designers.
My favorite blocks are mostly pieced ones with a touch of applique.
I'm most comfortable with the pieced and embroidered blocks but am enjoying being stretched to learn new techniques. Paper piecing with tiny slivers was a challenge.
I do like the paper pieced blocks. Thanks for the giveaway.
Love your color choices! Thanks for participating. This will hopefully help to expand my capabilities.
I like to do hand applique and embroidery. I've learned to do paper piecing so much better since the Splendid Sampler has so many paper pieced blocks! I've also been watching Alyssa Thomas paper piece and picked up some great tips!
I love the photographs of your blocks.
I prefer pieced blocks, then applique but hate paper piecing.
Great to see all your blocks. I am really enjoying trying all the different techniques in The Splendid Sampler.
I really enjoy trying out new techniques and mixing it up but piecing blocks is my favourite !!
Pieced blocks are my favorites; I'm leaning toward improv piecing these days.
I just "found" you on instagram. Love all the sample blocks!
I especially like making the appliqué blocks. For the Splendid Sampler I love using fabric colors out of my comfort zone. Thank you to Pat, Jane and all the designers !
I love doing embroidery and incorporating the blocks into pieced quilts. Sometimes I just make up my own pattern to go with the embroidered blocks.
I am all about pieced blocks, but applique makes a good second :).
I love to paper piece, but am finding all the other types of blocks fun as some of the techniques I either haven't tried before or haven't done for a long time.
Thank you for this great celebration give away! I really enjoyed this journey, but I am in love with applique and embroidered blocks the most!
The Splendid Sampler journey is so much fun. I'm just amazed by all the wonderful sharing and kindness that is going on between thousands of quilters the world over. I'm behind in my blocks but I just don't care because I'm having so much fun. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.
This has been a fun sampler to follow!
I have always loved to do hand embroidery. My mother taught me when I was very young, starting with napkins & dresser scarves. I f I see embroidery on a block-I'm hooked!
I like pieced blocks. Rolling stone is a favorite.
Love the combo blocks my favorite - block 11, crocheted thoughts.
Piecing and paper piecing oh, and applique are all fun to do. The ones with extensive embroidery have been my biggest challenge mostly because I am so self critical. I swore I would give my best to every block, but I have been putting off a few because I feel a bit intimidated. I am hoping I can find someone local who is doing this sampler who might be a good embroider and will encourage me! lol The other great challenge is picking out the fabric. Sometimes things you think will look fine together...well, not so much! haha... but that is part of the process as well, right?
I love paper piecing, it took practice to become comfortable with it but is now one of my favorite methods. Thanks so much for your sharing and encouragement, this sampler is my favorite because of the versatility anticipation and fun I am having.
This is my first block of the month experience, and I am having a wonderful time. Thank you for your contributions to our Splendid Sampler experience! If I am to choose a favorite block, I would have to say the 'Inchy Hexagon' block.
You have great blocks!. Your fabric choices provide a lot of "zing" to each one and I am wishing I had gone with more vivid fabric choices now.
I love the embroidery touches....it makes my mind more creative in the process.
Love your blocks! I am a new quilter so learning all different things. Do I have a favorite technique? I like doing some more...paper piecing as an example but love the impact of others....applique. I find that my skills are getting much better. Still working on color choices.
Quilty hugs back atcha! I actually love all methods. Making many of the same machine pieced blocks is very boring to me, so I'm loving the variety in Splendid Sampler blocks!!
This is so much fun! I love the excitement of waiting to see what comes next! I love the applique blocks!
I love the beautiful colors in your blocks. I have fell in love with paper piecing since starting TSS and now am doing the Farmer's Wife paper piecing blocks. My applique is also improving from being a part of this quilt along.
I love the way you style your blocks for the photographs!
Since you said this is for international folks, I guess those of us "domestic" folks shouldn't be blocking up your comments areas. But, hey, who are we to follow directions! We just love a good blog! Love your photos, too!
I like hand applique. Any kind of flowers, fancy leaves, etc.
English paper pieced blocks are my favourite thing to make n assemble..
Yeah, Fifty! I always look forward to seeing what colourful picture will be used for each of your blocks.
- I am holding back on the appliqué blocks until I have improved my skills.
All in all - I am learning a lot, and my skills are improving. You can certainly tell my earlier pieced blocks from the more recent ones.


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Litigation is unpredictable, but to provide some practical guidance on our fees, we have set out the fees we charge to defend unfair or wrongful dismissal cases. We do not advise individuals who wish to bring claims in the employment tribunal.
Our standard approach is to charge for our services based on the time we spend working on the case.
Defending claims where the person bringing the claim does not have a lawyer representing them.
Making an application against the person bringing the claim that they pay some of your legal fees.
Defending an application from the person bringing the claim that you pay some of their legal fees.
Complex preliminary issues such as the employment status of the person bringing the claim (if this is not agreed by the parties).
If the claim involves an alleged automatic unfair dismissal claim e.g. if the individual has been dismissed for legitimate trade union activity.
Reviewing and advising on the claim from the claimant.
Preparing your response to the claim.
Considering and responding to the claimant's estimate of their loss.
Preparing for and attending a Preliminary Hearing to resolve any initial issues in relation to the claim.
Reviewing potentially relevant documents and exchanging documents that need to be disclosed with the claimant.
Reviewing the documents disclosed by the claimant.
Preparing witness statements and reviewing/advising on the witness statements provided by the claimant and any witnesses they have called.
Agreeing and preparing the bundle of documents to be used at the final hearing.
Preparation and attendance at final hearing, including instructions to the barrister who will represent you at that hearing.
If some of the stages above are not required, the fees would be lower than the estimated fees below. You could also reduce the fees by handling the claim yourself and only having our assistance in relation to some of the stages.
The time that it takes from taking your initial instructions to the final resolution of the claim depends largely on the stage at which your case is resolved (in particular if you reach a settlement or go to a final hearing) and how busy the employment tribunal is.
If a settlement is reached during early conciliation, your case is likely to take 2-6 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a final hearing, your case is likely to take 3-6 months, but may take up to 12 months. This is just an estimate and we can provide a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the claim progresses.
For a simple case £25,000-£50,000 (excluding VAT and disbursements).
For a medium complexity case £50,000-100,000 (excluding VAT and disbursements).
For a high complexity case £100,000+ (excluding VAT and disbursements).
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees, barrister's fees, expert witness fees, bulk photocopying and specialist IT platforms to make the process of reviewing documents for disclosure more efficient. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf and then add them to your invoice to ensure a smoother process.
Barrister's fees will depend on the seniority of the barrister and complexity of the case.
A senior barrister (called a "QC") will typically charge £500 (+VAT) per hour and a fee of £3,000-5,000 (+VAT) per day in court.
A junior barrister will typically charge £250 (+VAT) per hour and a fee of £1,000-2,000 (+VAT) per day in court.
Barristers also charge a fixed fee to preare a case for court, which will depend on the complexity of the case.