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The Most Expensive Bottle of Champagne in the World
By Paula Wilson on December 16, 2013 in Articles › How Much Does
It's that time of year! The time of year when we get together to celebrate family, friends, and hope for the future. It's the New Year! Ringing in the New Year with champagne has become a tradition, and a New Year's celebration without it (even in non-alcoholic form) seems almost sacrilegious. When it comes to choosing a champagne, the quality, and the pricing, can range wildly. Sometimes finding a great champagne has more to do with luck than anything else, and an expensive bottle does not always mean the best champagne. That hasn't stopped champagne producers from introducing ever more expensive champagnes, however. Each year, another brand of champagne ascends the throne of "Most Expensive Champagne in the World", and this year, the most expensive bottle costs as much as some mansions in southern California.
(Photo by Getty Images For Moet & Chandon)
In order to understand why champagne can command such exorbitant prices, you must first look at how it became associated with important celebrations. Champagne is a sparkling wine that is made from grapes from the Champagne region of France. Though some people use champagne as an umbrella term for all sparkling wines, it is most often associated with sparkling wines that are produced in Champagne. Particular grapes are used to create the sweet beverage, and champagnes produced outside of Champagne often use substitute varieties. The first champagne was created by Benedictine Monks in the Abbey of Saint Hilaire, near Carcassonne, France in 1531. Their sparkling wine was called Blanquette de Limoux. It would be another 100 years before the process for creating champagne was officially recorded by the English scientist named Christopher Merret. He was able to capitalize on his production of champagne because glass bottles were finally able to handle the intense pressures created during the fermentation process. It would be another 200 years before champagne really caught on, however, as other producers began to use Merret's method. By 1850, 20 million bottles were being sold per year.
Champagne's popularity grew rapidly because of its emergence at a particular point in history. The nobility of 17th, 18th, and 19th Century Europe were the first people to enjoy champagne on a regular basis. Champagne producers carefully cultivated the image of the beverage so that it was associated with royalty from the beginning of its existence. It was served at important festivities and royal gatherings. Serving it became a way of implying importance within royal circles. It carried that mystique through the centuries, and as the late 19th Century ushered in the beginnings of a strong middle class, having a bottle of champagne in the house became a sign of upward mobility. Suddenly, everyone had to have one.
Fast forward to today, and champagne is still viewed as a sign of wealth and status. Celebrities and politicians now take "selfies" clutching the latest popular type of champagne. Champagne producers go out of their way to emphasize the elite quality of their particular champagne in all of their advertising. Expensive champagnes make headlines, and 2013's most expensive champagne, was no exception. The Gout de Diamant Brut Diamond Champagne costs a jaw-dropping $1.2 million. The champagne inside the bottle was produced by Chapuy, and is said to have a floral, creamy texture, with a "light and elegant finish". While the beverage, made from a combination of grand cur chardonnay, pinot noir, and pinot meunier grapes may be lovely (Gout de Diamants was chosen as "Best Taste" in 2012 by Champagne Business News), it is actually the bottle itself that is the reason for the hefty price tag. Designed by U.K. luxury designer, Alexander Amosu, the bottle features the Gout de Diamant logo in white gold. Traditionally, a Swarovski crystal has rested within the logo, but for this particular bespoke line, the crystal has been replaced by a single, 19-carat, deep-cut white diamond. The label is also made from 18-carat solid white gold, and the bottle owner's name is engraved in it. Each bottle is crafted by hand. If a handcrafted bottle of wine is not a status symbol, I don't know what is. If you had the option of dropping a million plus on something, would you drop it on a diamond studded bottle of champagne? Let me know.
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Stories tagged: ICT
Putting the Answers to Successful Farming at Young People's Fingertips
In this guest blog post, Vanessa Mukhebi of Mediae – the production company behind agricultural reality TV shows Shamba Shape Up and Don't Lose the Plot – discusses the digital innovations helping farmers with agronomic and budgeting challenges. By harnessing the digital boom, she argues that more African youth can be enticed into agricultural careers.
It is often said that youth carry the potential to transform agricultural productivity and contribute to global food security for a booming population that is set to increase by two billion by 2050. However, debating the future of farming and rural development is pointless without the willingness of the youth themselves to engage in the sector. This potential can only be realised through an image overhaul of farming.
Yet several solutions to this challenge exist right in their back pockets.
The drawback of farming-related careers in preference for white collared employment in urban areas, is partly on account of the societal prejudices and misconceptions held about such careers, as well as the limited knowledge about the opportunities available in agricultural industry that are economically prosperous.
Fortunately, through rapid advancement in information and communication technologies, and increased access to the internet through mobile devices, agriculture in the developing world has become a vibrant field full of effective and creative innovations.
And with young people already predisposed to this digital revolution, these solutions provide unparalleled access to information to help them take advantage of the exciting opportunities within the industry.
In countries like Kenya, where overstretched extension services are unable to adequately support producers, mobile solutions such as iShamba, offer the ability to disseminate timely and relevant information regarding production, input supplies, weather updates and market price information.
Additionally, the farmer information and advisory service is equipped with a call centre staffed with agricultural experts, where farmers can SMS or call to get instant advice seven days a week.
Farming communities can also exchange information with each other through the service's location-based WhatsApp groups and get advice from iShamba's agricultural experts on best farming practices. Simon Mwangi, a young farmer from Nyeri, Kenya, says that the platform helped him venture into farming."Thanks to iShamba's agronomic advice, I managed to grow tomatoes for the first time. I have already started harvesting my tomatoes and they are doing well."
Though the platform is highly interactive, the challenge remains on how best to engage youth.
The appeal of farming to young people hinges on its ability to be recast and marketed as a profitable enterprise; agribusiness has to be promoted in favour of agriculture.
Our newest reality television show called Don't Lose the Plot is aiming to do just that – stem the exodus of rural youth to urban areas and encourage them into agribusiness.
Set on a sprawling farm on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya, the show follows four young farmers from Kenya and Tanzania, who are given one acre plots to farm side-by-side for nine months. At the end, the farmer with the most profitable and sustainable business wins an agricultural investment worth US$10,000.
Each young farmer had access to a panel of advisors that critiqued their ideas and approach while encouraging them to use modern, labour saving techniques to make the most of their land. After developing a business plan for their farm, they got access to financing, set up their farms, managed them and marketed their produce profitably.
Ken, one of the contestants from Kenya, lauded the show for exposing him to the opportunities that young people such as himself have at their disposal to improve their livelihoods. "I see this competition as an eye opener, to the resources that we have in our country. To increase food security, and to try to solve the unemployment issue amongst youth. I think I'm doing something great here."
Nevertheless, what was evident right from the start is that young farmers need assistance in creating realistic budgets and managing their finances.
Enter Budget Mkononi, the web-based agricultural budgeting tool initiated by the producers of Don't Lose the Plot, The Mediae Company, and Mercy Corps AgriFin Accelerate.
The tool allows young aspiring and inexperienced farmers to view estimated costs and profits from various commodities that are high-value and short-term such as broilers and onions.
Through Budget Mkononi, hopeful entrepreneurs can explore the relative merits of each and visualise their cash flow requirements for the duration of the farming cycle, showing young farmers how to farm in a productive and sustainable manner.
Developed by Regulus Ltd, the tool is designed specifically for use on mobile devices and went through several stages of user-testing to ensure that it met the needs of its target audience. The interactive functionality also allows farmers to customise their budgets based on their specific circumstances.
What's apparent is that with such solutions at hand, the days that farming was the domain of the uneducated are gone.
Connectivity through ICTs enables solutions such as iShamba and Budget Mkononi to shape a new frontier of farming that is young, vibrant and innovative. All youth need to know, is that success is within their reach – right under their fingertips.
A longer version of this article first appeared in the World Farmers' Organisation Farmletter.
See also: budget mkononi, digital, farming, ICT, ishamba, Shamba Shape Up, youth
Michael Hailu: How ICTs Will Transform Agriculture
In this guest post, Michael Hailu, Director of the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) outlines how ICTs can entice young people into agricultural professions and modernize the sector.
When I first met Gerald Otim and Opio David at CTA's first agricultural hackathon in 2013, they had their heads locked together, preparing the pitch for the app they had been working on to improve access to finance for smallholder farmers in Uganda.
Now, they work full-time for their start-up company that not only won them the title as Eastern Africa's AgriHack Champions, but also a place on a follow-up business incubation programme and access to financial partnerships with online crowdfunding organisations such as Kiva. Continue reading →
See also: #ITconverge4ag, africa caribbean and pacific group of states, agrihack, CTA, ensibuuko, ICT, Michael Hailu
Study Proves Technology Access Important for Well-Being
A new study has investigated the link between technology and life satisfaction and revealed that technology has a positive direct impact on well-being.
The research, 'Information Dividend: Why IT makes you happier', which was commissioned by UK-based BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, showed that information technology is fundamental to life satisfaction, particularly for women, those on low incomes, and those in developing nations.
Access to technology is important for helping countries to develop. The study produced the Information Well-Being Index (IWB), which assessed how well countries are delivering the benefits of IT to their people. Top of the 39 countries surveyed was Zambia, because it beats IWB expectations based on its GDP by the most. Other African countries that were ranked high in the IWB league are Burkina Faso, Mali and Malawi.
This Wednesday (29 September), BCS will be holding a discussion on the social benefits of technology. Speaking at the session, which will be broadcast live online, is Tony Roberts, the founder of Computer Aid International, a charity that refurbishes donated computers and laptops in the UK and gives them to education, health and not-for-profit organisations in developing countries, helping to reduce poverty through practical ICT solutions.
See also: developing nations, ICT, technology

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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A lifestyle blog for 20 somethings
5 Indian Woman Stereotypes you Think are Over, But are They?
Tongue N Cheek>
Tongue N Cheek
Cliches about women are abundant. However, some of them seem to have gotten phased out, at least in the metros. Or so, we hope. Like a bad penny, some of these cliches raise their ugly head now and then and remind you of the cultural regression that somehow never really gets buried. Just so you know what I'm talking about, here are some:
1. Women who smoke/drink are 'modern' and 'bindaas'
Image Courtesy: Examiner(dot)com
Remember the good old movies of the 50s and 60s when a woman holding a cigarette and a drink was all it needed to establish her as a vamp. Those days rolled by but a decade or so ago, it was still an unusual sight to spot a woman smoking and drinking. I remember my college days when a girl who did was considered very 'forward' and 'bad-ass'. And guys were queuing up to know her…date her, never marry her mind you. Just date her. Aren't we glad that we've moved on considerably in the metros, at least? But hey, as soon as you think you have, you meet some damn moron at a bar or a party who looks at you and says exactly what you thought you'd left behind – "Wow, you smoke, that's cool…I like forward women." Sigh and Alas!
2. If a Girl is Wearing a Kurta or a Saree, she's Arty and/or Simple
Ah, all of us women have been subjected to this back in the day? The moment you'd enter a bar wearing a saree or a kurta, you'd be termed 'behenji' or 'simple sample'. Well, those days may have passed but even today, when you go to a meeting wearing a saree, it's like you suddenly acquire this stamp of respect and are taken just a wee bit more seriously than if you were wearing a sleeveless top and jeans.Of course, times have changed today, Sonam Kapoor and her ilk made the saree-kurta-jhola look very sexy and boho-chic. However, if you still want to make ensure men get "the right" impression of you, wear a saree or salwar-kameez for ten days straight. You may just get forgotten in office when the group goes out drinking because…wait for it, you're a "simple girl" who "wears decent clothes."
3. All Women do is Cry
Ah, this one is an age-old theory, fueled of course by some reality, some fiction. "Ladkiyan toh roti hain, kisi bhi baat pe" was an accusation that was hurled at us, without reason. Yes, we do agree we are emotional but it was so bloody irritating to be told that in the face of a crisis, we women would just turn on the taps! Not just that, the accusation that we use tears as an emotional blackmailing device was even worse. Over time, women got stronger, faced bigger crises, didn't cry so much and proved that life could be handled with stoic calm. But even after all that, there are days when you lose your phone in the cab and your colleague asks "You're not going to cry, are you?" That makes me weep.
4. A Girl must be a Virgin before She gets Married
Oh yeah, this is a big one. Imagine a man fifteen years ago, planning to get hitched to a non-virgin!! The sheer thought would have made his entire family hang their head in shame. Sexual experience was not celebrated, in fact, it was an ignominy. Thankfully, exposure to western influences changed that and today, virginity isn't such an issue amongst eligible grooms. Or so we think. Open the Sex Expert columns in any newspaper and you'll still have the morons asking how they can ascertain their brides are virgins. Sigh, some things never change.
5. Women are Attracted to Money and Looks
Another one of those boring cliches that used to do the rounds of cocktail parties a decade back. Till men discovered that smart women were getting attracted to men who had neither of those attributes in oodles – what they did have was an X factor that you either have or you don't. So all the slim shady rich guys were out of vogue as were the men who flaunted film star looks. Today, it's about personality, zing, humour, wit and above all, being down-to-earth. However, don't be too surprised when a bitchy man sees you at a party and utters the age-old cliche "Ah, so you are one of those women looking for a rich, good looking dude." That is when you run towards the bar.
This list can go on and on, with many more merry additions. Point is, we women have evolved over the years. Thankfully, men have too. The older stereotypes are fading…new ones are forming. But for a country that is on the cusp of change, we are still battling the old ones as we form the new ones.
Savita Nair is an advertising copywriter who lives and works in Mumbai. When she is not travelling, she is writing about all things seemingly superficial and inconsequential. She is also the author of 45 ml – a collection of irreverent poems on love, longing and living a life not-quite-so-ordinary.
Latest posts by Savita (see all)
5 Indian Woman Stereotypes you Think are Over, But are They? - July 20, 2014
Cheat your way to being a Thinking Woman - July 5, 2014
The Right Amount of Wrong: Why women Find it Sexy! - June 12, 2014
Tags: date her, emotional blackmailing, Girl Wearing Kurta, Modern, Modern Women, stereotypes, Stereotypes And Women, Woman holding a cigarette, women, women got stronger
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The U.S. Forest Service is conducting a prescribed burn this weekend on up to 1,000 acres in the Croatan National Forest along North Carolina's coast.
NEW BERN � The U.S. Forest Service is conducting a prescribed burn this weekend on up to 1,000 acres in the Croatan National Forest along North Carolina's coast.
The Forest Service says the burn will likely take place off of Highway 24. More prescribed burns on an additional 4,000 acres are planned for the coming weeks.
No roads or trails are expected to be closed, but visitors should be aware of smoke and fire engines in the area.
The agency says the burns improve habitat for fire-adapted species, restore the longleaf pine ecosystem, and reduce the amount of fuel on the forest floor in hopes of preventing catastrophic wildfires.
Croatan is one of four national forests in North Carolina. Its 160,000 acres are bordered by tidal rivers and the Bogue Sound.


Dr Arvinder Singh is the chairman of Rotary Club Mewar and he is also the CEO of Arth Diagnostics. He took a motivational session in Pacific Institute of Business Studies on induction day. In the session he told students to set right career goals to achieve grand success in life. Many students and faculty members attended the session and also asked their questions to Dr Arvinder Singh.
In the session, he talked about how to set career goals and how to achieve those goals. He also discussed the problems and challenges which student may face during career goals selection and achievement. Dr Arvinder Singh told to the students that they should select the right career goals by balancing the coordination of mind and the heart.
In the session he also shared his personal experiences. He discussed the difficulties that he faced in his life. He also shared the solutions of various problems. Dr Arvinder Singh told to the students that they should follow their interest. Students should make their career in the field in which they are interested because people love to do the work which they like the most.
He also told that many students set the career goals according to their parents wish. However, Dr Arvinder Singh suggested students that they should select the direction according to their own interest but they should take consultation from experts. Experts can provide important information such as benefits and challenges that can be useful for the student.


The Gartner Data Center, Infrastructure & Operations Management Conference was held in Las Vegas earlier this month, and attracted over 3,500 attendees and over 113 sponsors including AppDynamics.
We had a lot of users stop by, and I spent at least 8-10 hours at the booth talking to analysts, users, and existing customers. There was a large degree of variance in the topics ranging from those who didn't know what APM was to those who were large happy customers of AppDynamics. There was a lot of discussion about the monitoring market, APM, analytics, and other ways to leverage APM data for business visibility.
While the Gartner keynotes reiterated the messages of Symposium this year, the CIO survey data was presented by Dave Russell and Mike Chuba, the conference chairs. There was increased focus on bimodal for infrastructure and operations (I&O). To most, bimodal means agile methodologies and multidisciplinary teams. The implications on people, process, technology, and culture were well discussed, but the mess that bimodal often makes was avoided in the talk. Gartner does have other good research on issues with implementing bimodal. Having two organizations that are often warring factions is not healthy for the culture or the business. Ray Paquet also presented specifically on bimodal IT, addressing the transformation to digital that is driving the bimodal strategy. There is a building momentum of revenue coming from digital business, and Gartner predicts this will accelerate.
Dennis Smith presented a great session on "How Containers and Cloud Management Can Be Synergistically Deployed." He covered each of these technologies and how one could, in theory, define and deploy a layer of API interoperability.
Colin Fletcher presented, "Work Smarter, Not Harder by Digitalizing Operations With Analytics," in which he presented how far analytics have come in a short amount of time. Image recognition has gotten as good as humans in the last five years. Within I&O, we still do a lot of manual rule writing, especially in monitoring. Some companies have put in automated baselining, as we have in the core of AppDynamics, but many users still use static thresholds. Rule writing is tedious, error prone, and does not scale. Gartner estimates that the IT Operations Analytics (ITOA) spend was $1.7B in 2014 and expected to grow 70 percent in 2015. This is clearly an area of innovation and investment, something we are seeing with AppDynamics analytics. The bulk of this investment is purchased to be used by humans doing the analysis versus having intelligent machine learning technologies in place. More on that later.
Finally, the sole APM-specific session was presented by analyst Cameron Haight, "Rethinking APM in a Digital Business Era." Cameron took a unique approach to this presentation, drawing all of the graphics himself. The angle of this presentation was also quite progressive. The target was the new requirements introduced by digital business models, and how APM is changing to meet business demands. Digital businesses leverage new capabilities in technology; for example, the Internet of Things, which in turn creates exponential increases in transaction volume and data velocity. These apps are built upon new architectures, including microservices, running on platforms such as AWS Lambda or other PaaS solutions, where the container is the new infrastructure. The net result for those building and supporting apps is that microservices are the new norm, and many more languages will be introduced into stacks, along with new data platforms. The velocity of changes and ability to change components at different speeds will be a business requirement. The result is that a lot of complexity is being introduced, which will be a major challenge. Cameron states that APM vendors must address the old models they currently use to price solutions to align monitoring costs with these new architectures. In order to deal with these changes, the user interfaces not only must allow exploration, but also provide new ways of visualizing data. Finally, the use of advanced analytics must allow tools to learn your patterns and workflows and predict what you are likely to do next.
Cameron then explains that "the purpose of APM is digital business insight, not numbers," meaning APM tools must do a better job at providing the analysis, versus leaving the human to come up with a conclusion from the data. APM is not optional and should be used across the lifecycle.
Cameron's last point is that APM should be provided internally as a service, which requires changes within the organization. He provided some similar alignments that Adrian Cockroft has put together about platform monitoring teams.
Selecting APM technologies which can handle all of what exists in these new stacks is a challenge. This is primarily the reason why legacy APM providers are no longer an option for most organizations, and new providers which can support these architectures, such as AppDynamics, are most often selected.
It was interesting to see the crowds at the conference. Clearly, there is a major shift happening where people care less about the hardware and more about the software. The sessions on servers, physical storage, and converged infrastructure were far more lightly attended than those on public cloud, containers, and other software-driven infrastructure technologies. This is precisely the reason why infrastructure monitoring and visibility must evolve and change significantly from the physical world these tools previously managed.


Glass Cockpit is a system of a highly modern aircraft equipment and accessories. All the flight data is displayed on a flight display – often LCD display. The main difference between the Glass Cockpit and a traditional cockpit is in the use of electronic flight instruments. The traditional cockpit consists of analog instruments using analog gages.
We offer you Garmin Glass Cockpit Systems and other products made by competent manufacturers. In this category, you can also find wiring harnesses and other accessories. Fly without the need for an on-board flight engineer. Modern Glass Cockpits are rich in features, all you need to do is choose the right components. They are also cost-efficient and are therefore ideal also for smaller aircraft.


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Q: Ibatis: Define a getter as a property on a result Can I define a getter as a property on a result in Ibatis?
like
    <resultMap id=.... class=...>
       <result property="getSomeValue" column="valueColumn"/>

....

I haven't seen this in documentation so far.

A: Let's say the getter is
 public Value getSomeValue(){
        ...
    }

then the result would look like
 <result property="someValue" column="valueColumn"/>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Spektrochemická řada ligandů je seznam ligandů seřazených podle síly (rozštěpu) ligandového pole. Podle teorie krystalového pole (CFT) ligandy zvětšují rozdíl v energii mezi d-orbitaly (Δ - síla ligandového pole), to se často jeví různou barvou komplexních sloučenin se stejným centrálním atomem.Štěpení roste v řadě d-orbitalů 3d<4d<5d.

Ligandy jsou seřazeny od nejmenšího Δ k největšímu Δ v následující řadě. Hodnota Δ se v rozštěpu pohybuje v rozmezí od 0,8 do 1,8, což znamená, že ligandy ze začátku řady rozštěp zmenšují a ligandy z konce řady výrazně zvětšují.

I− < Br− < S2− < SCN− < Cl− < N3− < F− < NCO− < OH− < ONO− < C2O42− ≈ H2O < NCS− < NC− < pyridin < NH3 < ethylendiamin < bipyridyl < 1,10-fenantrolin < NO2− < CNO− < CN− < CO

Fotochemie

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Strict Products Liability Restored: The Florida Supreme Court Definitively Rules That The Second Restatement Is Still The Law In Florida
Newsome | Melton > Newsome Law Blog > News > Strict Products Liability Restored: The Florida Supreme Court Definitively Rules that the Second Restatement is Still the Law in Florida
Bald eagle over constitution
Will Ourand
Newsome Melton, P.A.
Florida consumers won a major victory when the Florida Supreme Court adopted the Second Restatement's doctrine of strict products liability in 1976. This victory was in peril over the last several years, however, as the Third District Court of Appeal unilaterally adopted the Third Restatement's radically different version of "strict" products liability—a version designed for the specific purpose of shifting the costs of injuries away from manufacturers and back onto consumers.
The Florida Supreme Court set the record straight in its October 29, 2015 decision in Aubin v. Union Carbide Corp., definitively ruling that the Second Restatement remains the law in Florida. This article will provide a brief overview of the history of strict products liability in Florida, highlight the key differences between the Second and Third Restatements, and analyze the significant impact Aubin will have for consumers and practitioners.
West v. Caterpillar and the Second Restatement of Torts
The Florida Supreme Court originally adopted the Second Restatement's doctrine of strict products liability in the seminal 1976 West v. Caterpillar Tractor Co. decision, proclaiming: "The cost of injuries or damages, either to persons or property, resulting from defective products, should be borne by the makers of the products who put them into the channels of trade, rather than by the injured or damaged persons who are ordinarily powerless to protect themselves."[1]
The definition of the term "defect" plays a pivotal role in how a plaintiff establishes a claim for strict products liability. Significantly, the Second Restatement defines the term "defect" to refer to a product sold "in a condition not contemplated by the ultimate consumer, which will be unreasonably dangerous to him."[2] This definition of defect has come to be known as the "consumer expectations test."[3]
In the nearly four decades that have transpired since the West decision was issued, the Florida Supreme Court has never receded from its adoption of the Second Restatement's doctrine of strict products liability. Instead, the Court has consistently expanded the doctrine, extending the reach of strict products liability to different types of businesses, and rejecting arguments and defenses which would have conflicted with the policy goals described in West.[4]
The Third Restatement and the Third District Court of Appeal
In the 1990s, the American Law Institute published the Third Restatement of Torts. The drafters of the Third Restatement presented a radically altered version of products liability, claiming that "various trade-offs need to be considered in determining whether accident costs are more fairly and efficiently borne by accident victims."[5] In order to achieve their desired balancing of "trade-offs," the Third Restatement's authors eliminated the consumer expectations test altogether. In its place, they added a new definition of "design defect," which is commonly referred to as the "risk-utility test."[6]
The Third Restatement's definition of design defect "materially increases the plaintiff's burden by requiring that the plaintiff show not only that the product fails a risk-utility test, but also that an alternative feasible design existed at the time of manufacture and that the manufacturer should have used that alternative design."[7] Scholars have found the Third Restatement's change to the risk-utility test to be reflective of a pro-manufacturer tilt in the Third Restatement.[8] In fact, one author went so far as to describe the Third Restatement's brand of products liability as being "a wish list from manufacturing America."[9]
The Florida Supreme Court never adopted the Third Restatement. As such, West and the Second Restatement have been the law of this state for approximately four decades. Unsurprisingly, then, Florida's Fourth and Fifth District Courts of Appeal specifically rejected attempts to apply the Third Restatement's risk-utility test instead of the Second Restatement's consumer expectations test.[10] However, the Third District Court of Appeal relied upon the Third Restatement in overturning a verdict against a manufacturer in its 2005 decision in Kohler Co. v. Marcotte.[11] Notably, the Kohler court offered no explanation for its reliance upon the Third Restatement.[12]
Subsequently, in 2010, the Third District Court of Appeal once again overturned a products liability verdict in Agrofollajes, S.A. v. E.I. Du Pont De Nemours & Co., Inc., holding that the trial court committed reversible error by instructing the jury that it could find the product was "defective using either the 'consumer expectation' or the 'risk-utility/risk-benefit' tests."[13] In support of its holding, the Third District simply stated that it had previously "applied the Third Restatement in [Kohler]," and that the Third Restatement "rejects the 'consumer expectations test as an independent basis for finding a design defect."[14]
Remarkably, the instruction given by the trial court in Agrofollajes perfectly followed the pattern jury instructions, which to this very day allow for a jury to find a product defective pursuant to either the consumer expectations test or the risk-utility test.[15] This fact was noted by Justice Pariente in her 2012 concurrence to the Florida Supreme Court's opinion preliminarily approving the revised products liability jury instructions.[16] In her concurrence, she lamented the Court's decision not to accept jurisdiction over Agrofollajes, stating:
I hope that we will have the opportunity in the near future to clarify the law regarding the proper definition of design defect and whether the definition varies depending on the type of product involved. I would urge the appellate courts to bring this issue to our attention by way of a certified question of great public importance in the appropriate case.[17]
The Florida Supreme Court did not have to wait long to clarify the law on design defect. Later that same year, the Third District overturned a $6.6 million verdict in favor of William Aubin, a laborer who developed mesothelioma several decades after being exposed to Union Carbide's asbestos products.[18] Citing to its decisions in Kohler and Agrofollajes, the Third District held that the trial court committed reversible error by instructing the jury in accordance with the consumer expectations test.[19]
The Florida Supreme Court Sets the Record Straight
On October 29, 2015, the Florida Supreme Court issued its Aubin v. Union Carbide Corp. decision authored by Justice Pariente, overturning the Third District Court of Appeal and re-affirming Florida's status as a Second Restatement state.[20] In coming to this result, the Court observed:
The important aspect of strict products liability that led to our adoption in West remains true today: the burden of compensating victims of unreasonably dangerous products is placed on the manufacturers, who are most able to protect against the risk of harm, and not on the consumer injured by the product. Increasing the burden for injured consumers to prove their strict liability claims for unreasonably dangerous products that were placed into the stream of commerce is contrary to the policy reason behind the adoption of strict liability in West.[21]
In addition, the Court also noted that the consumer expectations test fairly reflects the reality that the "manufacturer plays a pivotal role in crafting the image of a product and establishing the consumers' expectations for that product, a portrayal which in turn motivates consumers to purchase that particular product."[22] Accordingly, the Court continued, "the consumer expectations tests thus rightly focuses on the expectations that a manufacturer creates," whereas "[t]he Third Restatement's risk utility test shifts away from this focus and, in fact, imposes a higher burden on consumers to prove a design defect than exists in negligence cases—the exact opposite of the purposes of adopting strict products liability in the first place."[23]
Of course, evidence pertaining to the existence or availability of reasonable alternative designs may prove helpful to the finder of fact in certain cases. Aubin recognizes the possible relevance of such evidence, holding that the parties may still present evidence regarding the risks and utility of the product, as well as the existence and availability of reasonable alternative designs.[24] However, in doing so, the court was careful to specify "that the plaintiff is not required, but is permitted, to demonstrate the feasibility of an alternative safer design," explaining that "allowing evidence of a reasonable alternative design is different than mandating evidence of a reasonable alternative design as part of the plaintiff's burden of proof . . . ."[25]
What Aubin Means for Florida's Consumers and Practitioners
Aubin will have an immediate practical impact in active cases. Before October 29, 2015, plaintiffs litigating products liability claims in cases falling under the jurisdiction of the Third District Court of Appeal were forced to prove their cases under a significantly heightened burden of proof when compared to plaintiffs everywhere else in the state. Aubin levels the playing field by ensuring that all products liability plaintiffs share the same burden of proof.
Moreover, the Florida Supreme Court adopted new products liability jury instructions in March 2015. The revised instructions retained both the consumer expectations and risk-utility tests as alternative, independent bases for finding a product defective.[26] Of course, Aubin was still pending before the Florida Supreme Court when the instructions were being drafted. As a result, the Committee noted that, "pending further development in the law," it took "no position" as to whether the risk-utility test should be included as a basis for finding a product to be defective, or instead as an affirmative defense.[27] The Committee further noted that it took "no position on whether both the consumer expectations and risk/benefit tests should be given alternatively or together."[28]
Aubin references the revised instructions, noting that they retain the consumer expectations test and risk-utility test as "alternative" definitions for defect.[29] The Court goes on to state that it "does not direct, at this point, whether the standard jury instructions should be modified in light of this opinion."[30] However, the Court immediately clarifies that: "The parties may, in proving or defending against such claims, present evidence that a reasonable alternative design existed and argue whether the benefit of the product's design outweighed any risks of injury or death caused by the design."[31] This critical clarification is consistent with the remainder of the Aubin opinion, which makes it clear that: (1) the consumer expectations test is the proper standard for determining whether a product is defective; and (2) evidence of alternative designs and the risks and benefits of a product may be presented in support or in defense of a claim governed by the consumer expectations test.
It is important to note that Aubin did not limit the applicability of the consumer expectations test in any manner. In the past, products liability defendants had advanced arguments that, even assuming the consumer expectations test is proper in cases involving relatively "simple" products, it could not be applied in cases involving "complex" products. According to these defense arguments, consumers are simply unable to form reasonable expectations regarding the performance characteristics of "complex" products, and as such, the plaintiff must demonstrate that a "complex" product's risks outweigh its utility. In fact, this was the exact argument advanced by the defendant in Agrofollajes, as the Third District Court of Appeal noted that the trial court had given a consumer expectations instruction "over Du Pont's objection that the 'consumer expectation test' could not be used as an independent basis for finding a product defective, especially in the case of a complex product like Benlate."[32]
The argument that some products are "too complex" for the consumer expectations test is now dead in the water in Florida. Aubin overruled the Third District Court of Appeal's decision in Agrofollajes, in which the defendant made this exact same argument. Additionally, Aubin rejected the Third Restatement in large part because it "blurs the distinction between strict products liability claims and negligence claims" by "departing from the consumer expectations test . . . instead focusing on the foreseeability of the risk of harm, including a cost-benefit analysis."[33] In doing so, Aubin determined that the consumer expectations test is the "linchpin of the Second Restatement," explaining that the test "intrinsically recognizes a manufacturer's central role in crafting the image of a product and establishing the consumers' expectations for that product—a portrayal which in turn motivates consumers to purchase that particular product."[34] As a result, Aubin has firmly and correctly equated the doctrine of strict products liability with the consumer expectations test, shutting the door on any argument that the standard should not be applied in a strict products liability case.
Ultimately, Aubin reflects a proper degree of trust and respect for Florida's juries to come to the right determinations and to carry out the public policy goals described in West. Both plaintiffs and defendants will be able to present evidence concerning alternative designs or a product's risks and benefits, to the extent such evidence is probative and admissible. The presentation of such evidence will not, however, change the question posed to the jury. Instead, juries deciding products liability cases throughout the state will now be focused on the correct question—whether the product was sold in an unreasonably dangerous condition which was not contemplated by the consumer.
By re-affirming the applicability of the consumer expectations test and the Second Restatement, the Florida Supreme Court wisely ensured a consistent and fair application of products liability law throughout the state. Before October 29, 2015, products liability plaintiffs in cases falling under the jurisdiction of the Third District Court of Appeal were forced to litigate under a far more onerous burden than those located elsewhere in the state. Likewise, litigants throughout the state were previously faced with the prospect that defendants may convince the trial judge that the product at issue in their case was simply "too complex" for the application of the consumer expectations test. Aubin sets the record straight: the consumer expectations test governs products liability cases in the state of Florida. This outcome levels the playing field, and ultimately reflects a proper degree of trust and respect for Florida's juries to make the right decision and to effectuate the public policy goals adopted by the Florida Supreme Court four decades ago in West.
[1] West v. Caterpillar Tractor Co., Inc., 336 So. 2d 80, 92 (Fla. 1976).
[2] Restatement (Second) of Torts § 402A, cmt. c (1965).
[3] Aubin v. Union Carbide Corp., SC12-2075, 2015 WL 6513924, at *1 (Fla. 2015).
[4] Aubin v. Union Carbide Corp., SC12-2075, 2015 WL 6513924, at *10 (Fla. 2015).
[5] Restatement (Third) of Torts: Prods. Liab. § 2 (b) cmt. a (1998).
[6] Restatement (Third) of Torts: Prods. Liab. § 2 (b) (1998).
[7] Ellen Wertheimer, The Smoke Gets in Their Eyes: Product Category Liability and Alternative Feasible Designs in the Third Restatement, 61 Tenn. L. Rev. 1429, 1430 (1994). Although this article was written while the Third Restatement was still a "tentative draft," the definition of design defect in that draft was substantively the same as the definition in the final version. Compare Id. at 1430 n. 2 with Restatement (Third) of Torts: Prods. Liab. § 2 (b) (1998).
[8] See, e.g., Ellen Wertheimer, The Biter Bit: Unknowable Dangers, The Third Restatement, and the Reinstatement of Liability Without Fault, 70 Brooklyn L. Rev. 889, 927 (2005); Frank J. Vandall, Constructing a Roof before the Foundation is Prepared: The Restatement (Third) of Torts: Products Liability Section 2(b) Design Defect, 30 U. Mich. J.L. Reform 261 (1997).
[9]Id.
[10] Force v. Ford Motor Co., 879 So. 2d 103, 106 (Fla. 5th DCA 2004); McConnell v. Union Carbide Corp., 937 So. 2d 148, 152 (Fla. 4th DCA 2006) disapproved of on other grounds by Aubin v. Union Carbide Corp., SC12-2075, 2015 WL 6513924 (Fla. 2015).
[11] 907 So. 2d 596, 599 (Fla. 3d DCA 2005) disapproved of by Aubin v. Union Carbide Corp., SC12-2075, 2015 WL 6513924 (Fla. 2015)
[16] In re Standard Jury Instructions in Civil Cases–Report No. 09-10 (Products Liab.), 91 So. 3d 785, 789 (Fla. 2012)
[17]Id.
[18] Union Carbide Corp. v. Aubin, 97 So. 3d 886, 893 (Fla. 3d DCA 2012) decision quashed, SC12-2075, 2015 WL 6513924 (Fla. 2015).
[21] Aubin v. Union Carbide Corp., SC12-2075, 2015 WL 6513924, at *17 (Fla. 2015).
[24] Id. at * 18.
[25] Id. at *18-19.
[26] In re Standard Jury Instructions in Civil Cases–Report No. 13-01 (Products Liab.), 160 So. 3d 869, 874 (Fla. 2015).
[30] Aubin v. Union Carbide Corp., SC12-2075, 2015 WL 6513924, at *19 (Fla. 2015)
[32] Agrofollajes, S.A. v. E.I. Du Pont De Nemours & Co., Inc., 48 So. 3d 976, 997 (Fla. 3d DCA 2010) (emphasis added).
Florida Decision Weekly Wrap-up 12/4
Florida Decision Weekly Wrap-up 2/26
Florida Decision Weekly Wrap-up 04/30
defective productsFloridalawsSupreme Court


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Kygo / Whitney Houston - Higher Love
Driver Given Six Years Jail For Stepson's Death
Wednesday, April 12th, 2017 5:00pm
A dangerous driver has been jailed for six years for killing his five-year-old stepson in a car crash.
Dean Collins, 23, failed to strap Joseph Smith into a child's booster seat before he ploughed into oncoming traffic.
Joseph was sitting in the back of the car but wasn't in a child's booster seat and broke his neck in the crash in Cardiff.
Prosecutor Janet MacDonald said: "Joseph suffered serious injuries including broken limbs, fractures to his spine, bleeds to his brain, bruising to his spleen, a perforated bowel, and loss of sight in one eye.
"Joseph was not sitting on a booster seat as required by law.
"He was six inches too short, at just 116cm. (3ft 8 ins). This impacted his chances of survival.
"The seatbelt was displaced and was across his neck and shoulder."
He died at the scene of the smash on Western Avenue in Llandaff, Cardiff - but the court heard may have survived the crash if he had been buckled in properly.
His mum Laura Bright, 23, was also in the car, but the court heard it was Collins' responsibility to ensure Joseph was properly strapped in.
Decorator Collins had passed his driving test just three months before the fatal accident and had traces of cocaine in his system.
He told police he had no memory of the crash, but admitted taking cocaine beforehand.
He denied causing death by dangerous driving but was found guilty after a six day trial at Cardiff Crown Court.
He was also found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving against two passengers in his own and two passengers in another car.
Collins of St Mellons, Cardiff, was also disqualified from driving for eight years.
Recorder of Cardiff Judge Eleri Rees told him: "You demonstrated a cavalier attitude to both your own safety and the safety of others.
"You as the responsible adult should have ensured Joseph was in a car booster seat approriate to his age.
"Driving in the opposite lane with oncoming traffic a short distance away was clearly very dangerous and bound to cause a collision.
"You have never acknowledged any fault despite the overwhelming evidence that the collision was entirely your fault.
"No sentence that I can pass can reflect the pain and suffering for all those involved."
Speaking after the sentencing, Investigating officer PC Tony Farr, said: "This collision has had a devastating impact on so many lives.
"Collins' selfish actions cost Joseph Smith – a young boy with his whole life ahead of him – his life, shattering the worlds of all those who knew and loved him.
"The collision also left four others injured, some catastrophically.
"I cannot stress enough how dangerous vehicles can be when they are in the hands of the wrong people.
"Collins was inexperienced and evidence presented to the court showed he had taken drugs in the days or hours before the collision. Tragically, that proved to be a lethal combination.
"Collins also failed to ensure Joseph was seated securely in the vehicle – again a huge error in judgement that he will now have to live with for the rest of his life."
Veterans Network Event At Liberty Stadium
If you work with former armed forces personnel or reservists this is for you!
Extinction Rebellion Calls For Welsh Government To Listen!!!
Environmental campaigners have blocked a busy road in the Welsh capital using a large green boat.
£18Million Pound City Deal Funding Boost
Cash will help begin funding city deal projects
Game Of Thrones breaks record for Emmy nominations
Kylie Jenner opens up about struggling with anxiety
Lewis Capaldi and Noel Gallagher feud: Chewbacca mask worn by Scottish singer raises £5k
Austin Butler 'beats Harry Styles' to play Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann biopic
Total Access: Olivia Jones playing Kygo / Whitney Houston - Higher Love


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Project Flyers
Values-based business models for sustainable value creation
How can service organisations and companies ensure that new offerings not only meet a short-term need and thus create added value, but also correspond to what customers and other stakeholders in society value in the medium and long term? What role a values-based approach plays in this process is described in detail by Dr. Henning Breuer in issue 3/22 of the ServiceToday. In this following interview, ServiceToday editor Michael Braun talks with the expert about the connection between value orientation and sustainable value creation, entrepreneurial innovations and the role of customers' values.
Read the original interview HERE.
Values-based innovation using design patterns for sustainable business model design
Sustainability. What should I not do?
VALUES-BASED BUSINESS MODEL INNOVATION–THE CASE OF ECOSIA AND ITS BUSINESS MODEL
© 2021 by IMPACT Project
Project Number: 621672-EPP-1-2020-1-DE-EPPKA2-KA
Project Duration: January 2021 - December 2023
The information and views set out in this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Union. Neither European Union institutions and bodies nor any person acting on their behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein.


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Very different works by Daniel Defoe featured in an online summer sale in London: one famous, the other far removed in its subject matter and probably little known.
Double Darwin and further lots from the brilliant Braune collection
It was as recently as June 13 that a presentation copy of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species made a record $400,000 (£316,353) at Bonhams New York – as reported in ATG No 2398. However, barely a month had passed before another 1859 first attracted a substantial six-figure bid in London.
First edition Compleat Angler to hook bidders
A first edition of the most famous work in angling literature will be offered at auction in North Yorkshire.
Bird images by Elizabeth Gould takes centre stage at Sotheran's show
Vivid and lifelike, the lithograph of an Ariel Toucan shown below first appeared in a monograph by British naturalist John Gould (1804-81), 'The Bird Man'. Despite being in the hand of his wife Elizabeth (1804-41), this, like most of the illustrations in John's publications, was long considered to be essentially his work.
Pick of the week: Print shows bidding for books way back in c.1700
A rare copy of the earliest-known depiction of a book auction emerged for sale in Gloucestershire at the end of last month.
Men charged over 2017 Feltham book theft
Two men will appear in court in connection with the 2017 theft of rare books from a west London warehouse.
International organised crime group arrested in €2m rare books heist
Members of a crime gang believed to be behind the 2017 theft of 260 rare books in west London have been arrested in a joint operation with authorities across Romania, the UK and Italy.
Signed Harry Potter book comes to auction in County Durham
A signed hardback copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, plus other associated memorabilia, will be offered at Vectis Auctions in Stockton-on-Tees.
Gaston Leroux's 'The Phantom of the Opera' makes a very real result at Swann auction
Sporting a torn and defective but rarely seen dust jacket, a 1911, first American printing of Gaston Leroux's 'The Phantom of the Opera' sold for $10,000 (£7750) in a recent New York sale.
Greek philosopher gets his house in order
Early printed books, among them a Bible of 1476, were a notable feature of a recent West Sussex sale.
Alfred Russell Wallace's evolution of a work on palm trees
A Forum Auctions (25/20/12% buyer's premium) sale of May 30 ran to well over 540 lots in all, but it was very early in proceedings that a much, much higher than predicted bid of £26,000 was made on an 1853, presentation first of 'Palm Trees of the Amazon and their uses.
Four places to see and buy art in London this weekend including Russian illustrations and Bugatti sculptures
Before the explosion of art shows and fairs at the end of the month, there are still plenty of places to hunt out painting and sculpture around London.
In her own write: The way the market is changing for rare books by women authors
After more than two centuries of collecting history, the market is once again changing how it evaluates – and values – rare books by women. Bonhams' head of books Matthew Haley reports...
Faces from Firsts: Interviews with three exhibitors at the upcoming book fair in the capital
A trio of exhibitors at London's rare book fair 'Firsts' ponder the market, their motivations – plus flooded shops and heavy metal.
21st century tastes: How the growing interest in the history of food and drink is influencing the market for early recipe books
Old cookery books are more than simply receptacles of food history. They speak of technological change, the availability and discovery of ingredients that came with the expansion of the known world and how the social standing of the cook or chef changed over time. They are also very much in collecting vogue.
Books and maps highlights at fairs for summer 2019
A selection of highlights that dealers are taking to upcoming fairs.
On offer: 18 lots of books and maps coming up at auction in summer 2019
A selection of highlights appearing at upcoming auctions.
What sold: Book auction results from an Adam Smith first edition to Stephen Hawking's PhD thesis
ATG's pick of items sold recently at books and works on paper auctions.
UK and International book fairs calendar: 2019-2020
Forthcoming buying opportunities in the UK and around the world.
Writers' association launches fund-raising campaign to keep judge's copy of 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' in the UK
Writers' association English PEN has launched a campaign to raise the £56,250 needed to buy the judge's copy of 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' that has been barred from export.


These are just some of the things that can cause even the best Seasonal Spread pattern to fail on any given year. When firms like Moore Research (www.mrci.com) conduct their computer back-testing to find these Seasonal Patterns, they are looking backwards in time. This means if a Seasonal pattern has occurred 100% of the time, or 15 of the last 15 years, that this year could still fail.
As a reminder, when a trader uses Seasonal patterns, they should be reminded to not take this research blindly. I prefer to find a Commodity that has an upcoming Seasonal tendency and then do my own homework using technical and fundamental analysis. This way, I can enhance these already powerful signals.
An example of fundamental research might be just looking at the weather. Let's say a trader finds a Natural Gas Seasonal pattern that has been profitable for 15 of the last 15 years by shorting (selling) the market in August and buying it back sometime in September. Before taking this trade, I look at the weather for the Gulf of Mexico (largest number of offshore Natural Gas platforms) and see that there is a Category 5 hurricane swirling around. This type of hurricane could easily damage the Natural Gas platforms causing them to shut down, in essence, disrupting the flow of Natural Gas. This could cause prices to rally very strongly. With this type of information, I would not want to be shorting Natural Gas even though the Seasonal pattern has been right 100% of the time. I can assure you that the year after this, the report will be 14 out of 15 years.
For Natural Gas traders, one might be keeping an eye on Congress looking to see if they pass a tax break for trucking companies that convert their fleets from Diesel fuel to Natural Gas. This will also cause a rise in prices that could disrupt a perfectly good Seasonal pattern.
Once we research the fundamentals, we need to look at technical analysis and determine where the Seasonal Spread or outright is trading in relation to its long term charts, trends, Support (Demand) / Resistance (Supply) levels, liquidity and anything else that would help give us an edge for the upcoming Seasonal pattern.
One such pattern just occurred in a Seasonal Spread that I watch. The Spread pattern called for buying March 2012 Corn Futures, and simultaneously, selling a March 2012 Wheat Futures (C H2 / W H2). In the past 15 years, if you had entered this Spread on January 3rd and exited on February 1st, you would have been profitable 14 of those years. That is a 93% success rate and you might think this is a slam dunk trade (no way to lose).
Looking at the fundamentals first, one would have found a weather condition in Brazil causing a drought that will reduce the Corn output this year. Less supply of a Commodity creates higher prices. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been reporting very short supplies of Corn in the United States. Since Corn has been used for Ethanol production, Corn prices have been trading much higher. China has been importing pork at a record pace and this is creating a large demand for Corn as livestock feed. Here in the United States, Cattle prices are at record levels because of excess demand, and again, farmers need extra Corn to feed livestock. These are just some of the fundamental factors driving Corn prices higher that may not have been occurring during the last 15 years when these Seasonal patterns were found.
The Seasonal Spread we are looking at involved buying Corn and selling Wheat; as you can see with the extra demand for Corn, this could easily cause Corn prices to rise faster than Wheat prices. This would cause our Spread to move higher much earlier than our optimal Seasonal window entry time and we could lose money by getting in too late.
Now, let's look at some technical analysis and see how the Spread looks. Figure 1 is a daily line on close chart of the Spread, compliments of Moore Research Center.
The black line is the actual Spread price and the blue line is the 15 year average. Immediately, you can see that the current price has not been following the historical pattern and had begun its rally about 7 months early this year. This could have been the results of the Corn fundamentals being so bullish. The Spread had rallied earlier in the year and had stalled at the zero line. If the Spread is trading above the zero line, this would mean that Corn prices are higher than Wheat prices.
Figure 2 is a monthly chart of the same Spread. This chart shows data back to 1982 and we can see that in the last 30 years, Corn prices traded higher than Wheat only two times. Armed with this information, a trader must remember that trading is an analysis of probabilities. Personally, I would think that if a market has not been beyond these levels in 30 years, then this year most likely will not be any different. This would be a Spread trade that I would pass on, which I did.
Looking back at Figure 1, you will notice a vertical yellow channel. The left side of the channel is the optimal entry date of the Seasonal Spread and the right side is the optimal exit date. Notice how the black line (Spread value) came into the yellow channel and continued to trend down. For a Spread to be profitable, it must trend up.
Each one cent move in Corn and Wheat equals $50. The entry price would have been 1.50 and the exit price would have been -27.00. Your loss on this trade would have been 28.00 points, or $1,400 had you taken the trade without doing your homework.
As much as I think that Seasonal trading is the best enhancement a trader can have, it is not perfect. Always do your homework and never ever assume because you read about a statistic that it has to repeat.


Age comes with many perks: maturity, experience, wisdom, the list goes on. However, one of the not-so-glorious things about aging are those lines and wrinkles that begin taking over your once smooth and taut skin. Bellafill is a non-surgical collagen filler that can help to diminish the appearance of the signs of aging so that you may enjoy the golden years of life. If those smile lines have been bringing you down, our talented plastic surgeons can give you the rejuvenating effect you want with Bellafill.
Different from other dermal fillers, Bellafill is made with microsphere-enhanced collagen to help give patients the most out of their treatment. While other filler materials are quickly absorbed by your body, Bellafill is intended to provide longer-lasting results. The collagen microspheres replenish volume and provide the structural support that your face needs.
We use Bellafill in Los Angeles and Irvine to correct problems with smile lines, or nasolabial folds. However, not everyone is right for treatment with Bellafill. We will perform a skin test prior to your treatment to see if Bellafill is a safe option for you. Those who experience an allergic reaction may be best suited for an alternative option such as Juvéderm or Belotero.
How Long Will it Take to Recover from Bellafill ?
Because Bellafill is administered through a non-surgical injection, you will likely be able to return to your normal routine immediately after your 30 minute treatment. Minor side effects such as redness or discomfort may occur, but these should fade away after one or two days. If you experience continued discomfort, please give us a call.
Bellafill is designed to achieve long-lasting full maintenance of your wrinkles. It can be supplemented with other non-surgical injectables and fillers to treat signs of aging throughout the face.
Give us a call today to schedule your Bellafill consultation with one of our Los Angeles plastic surgeons at Wave Plastic Surgery.


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Why arbitrate?
12KBW Arbitration has advantages over the Court system – the process of achieving a binding decision is quicker, more efficient and more cost-effective. In addition, the parties are able to select as their arbitrator a barrister who is an expert in the field of law with which the given case is concerned. Our arbitration service also offers a refuge from unhelpful pre-trial decisions, which may take little or no account of the underlying merits of a case, and from the often unpredictable and costly process of costs budgeting.
Any dispute between parties may be decided by our arbitrator. For example, in the field of personal injury and clinical negligence, our arbitrator can decide on liability issues, the value of a claim, limitation questions and claims for interim payments.
We also recognise the growth of arbitration in the employment field. Here, in particular, parties may see the benefit of referring specific issues within a case to 12KBW Arbitration.
Follow the links below for our standard form of agreement and pricing structure.
12KBW Arbitration – standard form of agreement
12KBW Arbitration – pricing structure
12KBW Privacy Notice
Arbitration team
12KBW have a number of arbitrators who can provide arbitration services in a range of cases. All our arbitrators are qualified mediators and / or have judicial experience (as a Deputy High Court Judge, Recorder, Fee Paid Employment Judge or Deputy District Judge).
View Arbitrators
12KBW is delighted to announce that Marcus Dignum has been successful in his application to be appointed as Queen's Counsel.
Is the prejudice of an investigating manager relevant to determining the propriety of a dismissal, even if the decision makers are not aware of and do not share that prejudice?
James Beeton wins 2019 Jonathan Brock QC Memorial Essay Prize
"The knowledgeable, accessible and reliable members [...] are ahead of the curve in a sector that is constantly changing"
"The gold standard of chambers for personal injury work"


Kenneth Johnson and Deborah White established Whitespace in 2002 after returning from five years working in the arts community in Melbourne.
Whitespace maintains an ambitious program of exhibitions and off-site projects and have toured artists extensively to Art Fairs and shows in New York, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Sydney, London and Glasgow amongst many others.
Co-director of Whitespace, Deborah White has a great belief in the power of the collective and has been active in establishing and working with many community groups and visual arts trusts over the years. Some of these include Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust, Uptown Arts Trust, and NZ Contemporary Art Trust.
Exhibited Artists: Andy Leleisi'uao, Nandita Kumar, Greer Twiss, Jim Cooper, Lauren Lysaght, Niki Hastings McFall, Julie Ross and Sue Hawker.


Kosciol dla kazdego (Church for Everyone) is a local Christian congregation located in Northern Poland. The members create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere and are highly involved in their local community. A large number of events and other activities required a website that will both show their strong interest in local community as well as an effective event calendar and news feed.
The church life is dynamic and the website is the main hub for facilitating the activities thus a Content Management System with an event calendar were necessary. Another feature that matters for most congregations is an audio solution to publish the podcasts on weekly bases. The church has a large archive of Sunday talks and they are available on the website. The talks are categorized which helps the listeners find the subject that interests them the most. There is also an option to filter the talks by the speaker.
The previous version of the website showed a number of features that needed to be improved. One of them was Responsive Web Design as the number of mobile devices user had been significant. MYN also prepared a template for photo galleries cover and a number of graphics to promote the events.


Grand Central Publishing 2018 1538759853 / 9781538759851 PAPERBACK .
Grand Central Publishing 12/24/2018. New paperback. Previously published as Only One Life.
Grand Central Publishing 2018 1538759799 / 9781538759790 PAPERBACK .
Grand Central Publishing 10/23/2018. New paperback.


The reason why I enrolled in English 30-1 is because it is a course that most post-secondary institutions require. I have tried to avoid taking this class because I knew about the amount of dedication and practiced that it required. The benefits of English classes go on and on, it helps you communicate well in written and spoken words. After all in the future, when I try to obtain a job, employers will most likely base their decision on my ability to express ideas and opinions in a sophisticated and specific manner. My favourite genres is fiction. I especially enjoy reading fictions because it is interesting to put yourself in the shoes of the characters in the book.


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Любов Стефанівна Сіверська () (13 квітня 1925, село Новоставці Кам'янець-Подільської області Української РСР — 31 січня 2020) — радянський будівельник, бригадир ізолювальників-покрівельників, Герой Соціалістичної Праці (1973).

Біографія
Народилася в 1925 році в Україні. В 1937 році був репресований її батько, довелося у дванадцять років виходити на роботу. Під час окупації в роки німецько-радянської війни неодноразово тікала з ешелонів, що вивозили молодь на роботу до Німеччини, її арештовували, сиділа в тюрмах, звідки теж утікала.

З 1952 року працювала різноробочою на хлібзаводі, потім у тресті «РостовСМУдорстрой» (Ростовська область) на будівництві шосе і залізниці. Пізніше працювала бригадиром комплексної бригади штукатурів-малярів на підприємствах Ростова-на-Дону, а потім поїхала валити ліс на Далекому Сході.

У 1958 році переїхала до Тольятті до брата, де влаштувалася в бригаду ізолювальників управління «Промбуд-2» «Куйбишевгідробуд». Працювала на будівництві Жигулевської ГЕС. З 1967 по 1980 рік працювала бригадиром у своїй бригаді. Брала участь у будівництві Волзького Автозаводу, заводів «Волгоцеммаш», «Куйбишевазот», об'єктів житла та соцкультпобуту Тольятті.

Була членом КПРС, була членом парткому «Куйбишевгідробуд». Вісім скликань поспіль Сіверську обирали депутатом міської ради.

З 1980 року на пенсії, жила в Тольятті.

Померла 31 січня 2020 року.

Нагороди
 Герой Соціалістичної Праці (1973),
 орден Леніна (1973),
 Два ордени Трудового Червоного Прапора,
 медаль «За трудову відзнаку» (1963),
 медаль «За доблесну працю».

Цікаві факти

 Познайомилася з поетом Євгеном Євтушенком, коли в 1975 році з делегацією Тольятті їздила в Набережні Челни на «Камскенергострой». Їй він присвятив свою поему «Мама Люба». У 1982 році Сіверська знову зустрілася з поетом, який приїхав до Тольятті на творчий вечір.
 5 листопада 2004 року на Центральній площі Тольятті відбулося урочисте відкриття та освячення пам'ятника «Будівничим міста», основною фігурою якого стала скульптура Святителя Миколая чудотворця. Скульптура встановлена на місці, де раніше був заставний камінь під монумент «Слава праці» — брила сірого граніту — встановлений у листопаді 1977 року. Право закласти монумент було надано будівельникам «Куйбишевгідробуд» — бригадирам, Героям Соціалістичної праці І. М. Єфремову, Г. В. Робустову, Л. С. Сіверській та Заслуженому будівельнику СРСР — З. П.Ковальовій. Напис на граніті свідчив: «Тут буде споруджено монумент "Слава праці", в честь будівельників Ордена Леніна і Ордена Трудового Червоного Прапора Куйбишевгідробуд». Точну дату встановлення монумента тоді не визначили.

Примітки

Література

 Творці: Будівельний комплекс Ставрополя-Тольятті. 1950—2000 / Під заг. ред. С. Г. Мельника. — Тольятті: Поверхи-М, 2003. — 447 с., іл., фоп. — Бібліогр.: с. 91-93 (76 назв.). — Імен. указ.: С. 412—443.

 Будівельники Самарської області: Персоналії: А-Я. — Самара: Самарський Будинок Друку, 1996. — 447 с., іл.

 Е. Астахов. Спрашивает само время // Работница. — 1975. — № 11. — С. 9—10.

Посилання

 Сиверская, Любовь Стефановна. Сайт «Герои страны».

 Мерія міського округу Тольятті — Герої Соціалістичної Праці

 Добрий геній — мама Люба — З днем будівельника!

 Лидия Павлова. Сиверская Л.: «Фашистов так не боялась, как бывает страшно от нынешней жизни» // Площадь Свободы: газета. — Тольятти, 1997-09-23. — С. 6.

 Людмила Горбунова. Мы были патриотами // Тольяттинское оборзрение: газета. — Тольятти, 2005-08-11. — С. 6.

Герої Соціалістичної Праці
Члени КПРС
Нагороджені медаллю «За трудову відзнаку»
Кавалери ордена Трудового Червоного Прапора
Кавалери ордена Леніна
Статті з джерелами з Вікіданих
Уродженці Теофіпольського району
Вікіпедія:Статті з іншим значенням на Вікіданих


Are you handy when it comes to carpentry and other home repairs, but doubting your ability to work on your home HVAC system? It is perfectly acceptable. A heating system installation is a highly technical job, and the outcome should be able to meet safety standards. It is why it's crucial to hire the best heating contractor to do the job right.
Finding the best heating contractor is as important as choosing the ideal unit for your home. If the contractor installs the heating system incorrectly, or recommends the wrong size unit, your heating unit will cost you greatly in maintenance and energy costs.


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Statement delivered by H.E Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine
In ICC / Universal Jurisdiction
Statement delivered by H.E Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine ...
Two Palestinians Killed and 3 Wounded in Family Dispute in Jabalia
Ref: 48/2020 Date: 18 May 2020 Two Palestinians were killed and 3 wounded yesterday in a family dispute in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip. . This incident is part of the state of security chaos and proliferation of weapons prevailing in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).According to PCHR...
4 Palestinians Injured, One Critical, in Family Dispute in Al-Buraij Refugee Camp, Central Gaza Strip
17 May 2020On Saturday evening, 16 May 2020, 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded with live bullets, shrapnel and home-made bombs, one in a critical condition, in a family dispute in al-Buraij refugee camp in central Gaza Strip, in which firearms were used. This incident is...
Two Fishermen Wounded and a Fishing Boat Damaged, Israeli Naval Forces Continue Attacks on Palestinian Fishermen in Gaza Waters
Ref: 47/2020 Date: 17 May 2020 The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns the ongoing Israeli attacks against Palestinian fishermen, which led to the injury of 2 fishermen and the damage of a fishing boat. It should be noted that since the beginning of May, 7...
In New Crime of IOF Excessive Use of Lethal Force, Palestinian Child Killed and 4 Civilians Wounded, including 1 Child, South of Hebron
Ref:46/2020 Date:14 May 2020 In a new crime of excessive use of lethal force, on Wednesday, 13 May 2020, Israeli occupation forces (IOF) killed a Palestinian child and wounded 4 others, including a child, during their raid into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. The child was...
Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (07 – 13 May 2020)
In Weekly Reports
Israeli violations of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory 07 - 13 May 2020 Israeli occupation ceases the coronavirus pandemic to impose new facts on the ground and enhance settlement activity in the West Bank Palestinian child killed in excessive use of force in IOF...
PCHR Concludes Training Course on "Human Rights and Mechanisms to Promote Right to Health"
Date: 14 May 2020 Ref: 23/2020The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) concluded on Thursday, 14 May 2020, a training course on "Human Rights and Mechanisms to Promote Right to Health," resuming its training activities which were interrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic. PCHR took all...
In Two Separate Incidents, Fisherman Wounded and Two Others Arrested at Beit Lahia Sea
Ref: 45/2020 Date: 13 May 2020The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns the continued Israeli attacks against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip, as a fisherman was wounded, two arrested, and a fishing boat confiscated, in two separate incidents. According to the investigations conducted by PCHR,...
As part of Application of Collective Punishment Policy, IOF Demolish Palestinian Detainee's House in Ramallah
Ref: 44/2020 As part of the collective punishment policy adopted by the Israeli forces against the Palestinian civilians accused of carrying out attacks against Israeli soldiers or/and settlers, on Monday, at dawn, 11 May 2020, Israeli occupation forces (IOF) demolished a house belonging to Palestinian detainee,...
3 Fishermen Wounded & 2 Fishing Boats Damaged, , Israeli Naval Forces Continue Attacks on Palestinian Fishermen in Gaza Waters
Ref:43/2020 Date: 10 May 2020The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns the ongoing Israeli attacks against Palestinian fishermen, which led to the injury of 3 fishermen and the damage of 2 fishing boats. According to PCHR's investigations, at approximately 08:30 on Friday, 08 May 2020, Israeli naval...


Installed without removing the pan or lever wire.This can be removed and replaced with the detent kick down cable if desired at a later time.Filled her up with no leaks.
Just so everybody on here knows, this is perfectly OK on a TH350, but on an overdrive transmission(TH200R4 and TH700R4) it is an absolute no-no. On the OD transmissions, the cable is not only for kickdown, but more importantly for throttle position, and leaving it off or having it not adjusted properly will shorten the life of the trans.
Great idea. I have a gasket punch set that may make that easier to make the seal inside.
You are absolutely correct on the overdrive. No pressure rise equals trans damage. Th350 is ok as the modulator determines engine load.
When filling totally slipped my mind of the rubber temporary plug that was in there with the kick down wire also sticking out and ran 3/4 Qt. of Royal Purple Max ATF on the floor.A gasket or oil proof vinyl would work good with a washer or something for support on that big outlet hole.I think this part was $11 or so.
TV cables control trans pressures on the 2004R and 700R4 and newer transmissions.These cables CAN NOT be deleted but here are some resources for proper adjustments and what those adjustments do.


Man arrested for possession 97 bars of Xanax, felony possession of altered gun, more.
An Asheville man faces multiple felony charges, including possession of 97 bars of Xanax, a half pound of marijuana and a handgun with an altered serial number, according to arrest warrants.
Ty Emmanuel Lenk, 20, was charged Monday with possession with intent to manufacture, sell or distribute a schedule IV controlled substance; felony possession and selling, buying or altering a gun's serial number; and felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell or distribute marijuana, warrants state.
Lenk also faces misdemeanor charges for simple possession of a schedule IV controlled substance, possession of marijuana paraphernalia and carrying a concealed handgun.
The Xanax charged involved 97 "bars" of the prescription anxiety medication. Each bar of Xanax, also called Alprazolam, can be broken into four doses.
The Asheville Police Department made the arrest.
Warrants state Lenk was in possession of an altered handgun, a Colt All American 9mm handgun with the serial number on the bottom of the barrel removed.
He also possessed a Glock .40-caliber handgun.
On the felony marijuana charge, the warrant states Lenk possessed 242 grams, or .533 pounds. The misdemeanor marijuana charged referred to possession of a scale and "green leafy residue."
Bond was set at $30,000, secured.


Your gut led you here.
It's time to trust it.
Please note: We recommend you consult with your health care practitioner before taking Mutaflor®. Constipation may be associated with other medical conditions. Any change in bowel habits should be discussed with your practitioner to exclude these, as further investigation may be required. Dosage: For adults, the usual dose is 2 x capsules 3 times daily for the first 2 days. From the third day, onwards the dose is 4 x capsules daily, for up to 8 weeks. For those suffering from chronic constipation (that has persisted for years) Mutaflor® should be regarded as a health-maintenance treatment and the therapy therefore be repeated periodically.
As with any supplement, dosages and results may vary with each individual and there is always the exception. However, most individuals can use the above as a starting guide. For more details on how this product may benefit you or to place an order please feel free to contact us via info@kulturedwellness.com to book in for a consult with one of our practitioners.
PROBIOTICS REMAIN ACTIVE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE FOR 3 DAYS – Probiotics are sent via express post with an ice-pack wrapped in foil to prevent temperatures from getting above 40C during transit (not to keep them cold during transit). Kultured Wellness cannot be responsible for the activity of your probiotics once they leave our premises. Please refrigerate probiotics once they arrive to maintain potency.
Mutaflor Australia. www.mutaflor.com.au. (Updated: March 2012, visited: May 2012). Maltby R, Leatham-Jensen MP, et al. Nutritional basis for colonization resistance by human commensal Escherichia coli strains HS and nissle 1917 against E. coli O157:H7 in the mouse intestine. PLoS One. 2013; 8(1): e53957.
We post International as well. More info here.


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Nokia to sell Qt software unit to Digia and increase focus on Windows Phone
Nokia has reached an agreement to sell its Qt app development tools unit to Digia as it focuses on Windows Phone 8 and its future partnership with Microsoft. Nokia will be placing all its eggs into one basket and will be pushing its next line of Windows Phones harder to continue the increase in platform shipping and sales figures.
Purchasing the Qt technology back in 2008, Nokia provided its developer community with tools to write apps for both Symbian and MeeGo devices, but the manufacturer has since halted expansion on both platforms, favouring its partnership with Microsoft and the Windows Phone operating system.
According to a statement from Nokia, as many as 125 employees will be transferred to Digia as part of the deal. This sale illustrates how Nokia is looking to both strengthen its partnership with and increase its dependence on Microsoft, attempting to drain sales from Apple and manufacturers building Android smartphones.
Nokia hasn't fallen short of job cuts with more than 20,000 being lost with plant closures to help return the company to profit, and the sale of Qt is another step in the direction to thin out units, projects and properties. Janardan Menon, an analyst at Liberum Capital Ltd., had the following to comment on the deal,
"With Nokia smartphones relying on Windows-based applications, which are rapidly increasing in number, Qt no longer has a role to play in Nokia's smartphone efforts. Nokia is keen to restructure, to squeeze out margin as well as improve cash where possible."
Nokia is expected to unveil new Windows Phones at Nokia World this year, which will show what the manufacturer can achieve with Microsoft's new vision of Windows Phone under the hood. It'll be interesting to see what Nokia can bring to the table that will be able to capture the public's attention with a "WOW!" factor.
What do you make of the selling of its Qt unit? Do you believe it's time for Nokia to cut deep and focus heavily on its partnership with Microsoft? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
via: Businessweek
The Dell XPS 15 is our choice for best 15-inch laptop
For a lot of people, a 15-inch laptop is a perfect size that offers enough screen for multitasking, and in a lot of cases, some extra performance from powerful hardware. We've rounded up the best of the best at this size.
You said you wanted power?
Review: AMD offers incredible levels of performance with the Ryzen 9 5950X
AMD continues to ramp up the pressure on Intel and the Ryzen 9 5950X is but another nail on the company's bat. It's super-fast, comes rocking 32 threads, and is incredibly energy-efficient. It's a win, win, win if you can take advantage of all the available performance.
Add touch function to your PC with one of these external monitors
Your PC might not have come with any sort of touch functionality, but that doesn't mean you're stuck forever with a mouse and keyboard. We've collected a bunch of the best external touch monitors right here.


A site for Horse Lover's!
Breeders of Section A Welsh Ponies in East Texas. Top bloodlines in the U.S.
Breeders of quality *Witez II and *Raffles Arabian horses. We stand three stallions, bringing the legendary bloodlines into today's Arabian horse. Breeding for substance and athleticism, and a willing, tractable temperament, are our top priorities!
Thousands of horse related links and free classifieds!
My website is about my love to drawing, horses, Arabians, Natural Horsemanship and more!
Our breeding program features performance bred quarter horses with the lines of Peppy San Badger, Doc O'Lena, Docs Lynx, Docs Prescription, Sonita's Last, and many more. Our stock is registered with AQHA, FQHR and NFQHA.
Join for an active holiday in hands-on participation in research and conservation on horses.
Located in NE Texas, specializing in foundation bred palominos, buckskins and duns. Offering stallions at stud, bred mares and other horses for sale. Pictures and info on all horses.
Farm call equine photography, portraits, at liberty, conformation. Endurance ride photography. Horse shows in the Dayton, Ohio area.
All Breed Horse Locator Service, specializing in Gaited Horses.
The Joy Is In The Ride! We are totally dedicated to the equine profession, and look forward to helping you with all your horse needs.
We are a family owned horse/cattle breeding ranch located in Blue, Grass, Ia. Heading our horse program is our stallion "Shinin Freckle Spark"
High Point Farm is a Full Care Equine Boarding Facility. We offer excellent care as well as activities for our clients. Nice selection of horses for sale and tack for sale.
AMHA/AMHR Top Quality Miniature Horses. Breeding, showing and selling since 1995.
Photo's and art work of the most beautiful horses, Arabian's Pinto's and there is always something new.


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New Zealand reports 7,347 new community cases of COVID-19
in Feature, News
New Zealand recorded 7,347 new community cases of COVID-19, the ministry of health said on Friday.
Among the new community infections, 2,346 were reported in the largest city Auckland, the ministry said in a statement.
In addition, 79 new cases of COVID-19 were detected at the New Zealand border.
Currently, there are 363 COVID-19 patients being treated in New Zealand hospitals, including 18 people in intensive care units or high dependency units. The ministry also reported 24 more deaths from COVID-19.
New Zealand has reported 973,797 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.
New Zealand is currently under the orange settings of its COVID-19 Protection Framework, where there is no limit for gatherings.
From Sunday, New Zealand's borders have opened to visitors from 60 visa-waiver countries for the first time since closing its international borders in March 2020 over the pandemic. (Xinhua)
New Zealand's accumulated community cases of COVID-19 surpass 1 million


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'Memories of World War Two Postage Stamps'
'Memories of World War II' were three postage stamp issues by Guernsey Post that depicted milestones in World War II. Whilst also featuring events which had particular significance for Guernsey. A British outpost but close to home and occupied by the German forces from 1940-45. One issue was released each year. Again, these issues required me to do lots of research, from cap badges to ship types.
The 1943 Dambusters & HMS Charybdis stamps on the First Day Cover. Every Brit knows the story of the Dambusters, made more famous by the film.
SS Vega
I had a tight brief for this stamp, bringing in all elements together. Showing the lighthouse on the end of St Peter Port harbour wall, the Red Cross Ship S.S. Vega entering the harbour, the barrage opened across the harbour mouth and landmarks behind – all in the correct perspective.
By August 1944, the Occupying German Army & the local people of Guernsey were struggling to survive. An appeal was made and the S.S. Vega was assigned to deliver aid to the islands. She arrived on 21st December 1944. Aboard her were parcels of supplies which were taken by carts & lorries to depots across the island. Enabling the Guernsey & German population to survive the final months of Hitler's occupation of the Channel Islands.
1945 – Liberation of Guernsey
The VE Day & Liberation Stamps on the First Day Cover. I wanted this set of stamps to be bright and colourful to evoke the joy of Liberation for the Islanders. The only more thoughtful one is the mix of emotions on the 36p stamp, as the evacuated children return. Often siblings had been split up, even living in different towns. Many children didn't recognise their parents after five years apart – a gap which must have felt like a lifetime.
The 1943 Presentation Pack Cover.
HMS Charybdis & Limbourne
I was particularly interested with this stamp depicting HMS Charybdis & HMS Limbourne in all their glory. They were torpedoed and sunk in the bay of St Malo during 'Operation Tunnel' on 23rd October 1943. Charybdis, an anti-aircraft cruiser, lost 460 of her crew – the biggest single death toll in the English Channel. Limbourne, a destroyer on convoy duty protecting Charybdis also suffered casualties. Twenty bodies from Charybdis washed ashore in Guernsey and were buried by the Occupying Germans with full military honours. Over 5,000 local people, bringing with them 900 wreaths, attended the funeral at St. Peter Port. The Germans did not allow the islands to attend allied funerals after this. Stamp illustrated with airbrushed acrylic paint.
The D Day & SS Vega stamps on the First Day Cover.
Churchill Stamp painted with acrylic and an airbrushed background.
Back to the Stamp page
© Copyright Guernsey Post.


Explanation: The sands of time are running out for the central star of this hourglass-shaped planetary nebula. With its nuclear fuel exhausted, this brief, spectacular, closing phase of a Sun-like star's life occurs as its outer layers are ejected - its core becoming a cooling, fading White Dwarf. Astronomers have recently used the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) to make a series of images of planetary nebulae, including the one above. Here, delicate rings of colorful glowing gas (nitrogen-red, hydrogen-green, and oxygen-blue) outline the tenuous walls of the "hourglass". The unprecedented sharpness of the HST images has revealed surprising details of the nebula ejection process and may help resolve the outstanding mystery of the variety of complex shapes and symmetries of planetary nebulae.


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home » JIS News » Youth
JIS radio
NLA New Online Survey Platform January 13 2021
Feature | Presented by: Anthony Morgan
Ministry of Justice Year in Review 2020
Feature | Presented by: Jermi-Lee Nelson
GOJ News | Presented by: Anjuii James Sawyers
Yohan Blake Takes Boys' Home Residents to France
Written by: Christine Ade-Gold
Photo: Michael Sloley
Yohan Blake speaks to JIS News at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on July 6, before he, along with five residents of the Mount Olivet Boys' Home in Manchester, departed the island for a 12-day trip to France. In the background the boys fill out their immigration information.
JIS News | Presented by:
Jamaica 4-H Clubs to Set Up 10 New School Gardens
Cabinet Approves Charities Policy and Procedures Guidelines for Gifts/Donations
Five residents of the Mount Olivet Boys' Home in Walderston, Manchester, are on the trip of a lifetime to France funded by sprinter Yohan Blake through his YB Afraid Foundation and his French sponsor and business partner Richard Mille.
Blake, who recently rededicated his life to God has been involved in helping the less fortunate over the years, and is happy for the opportunity to continue to do so.
The agency makes frequent visits, making donations through the support of corporate Jamaica, and providing mentorship to the boys.
Five residents of the Mount Olivet Boys' Home in Walderston, Manchester, are on the trip of a lifetime to France funded by sprinter, Yohan Blake through his YB Afraid Foundation and his French sponsor and business partner, Richard Mille.
Blake and the boys departed the island on July 6 for the 12-day trip, where they will experience the unique French culture, including the language, food, art, and customs.
They will visit various cities in the European country known for its couture fashion; classical art museums, including the Louvre; monuments like the Eiffel Tower, and its sophisticated cuisine.
While in France, they will observe the making of Richard Mille's luxury Swiss brand of watches, and attend the unveiling of Mille's YB Afraid sports car whose insignia was designed by one of the boys. The design captures the Jamaican colours and Yohan Blake's athletic spirit.
Blake, who spoke to JIS News at the Norman Manley International Airport said that the trip "came about because of my partner Richard Mille's wonderful idea of giving the opportunity to Foundations across the globe and the lives they touch to experience what is happening in the world."
"God has been working miracles in my life, and not just for me but also with the boys. It feels good knowing I came from a modest background and am able to help them. I was always a Christian but I'm back on track and I give God thanks," he said.
Director of the Home, Patrick Newman, told JIS News that the boys were selected based on their academic performance and overall conduct.
A male member of staff is in France as their chaperone.
Mr. Newman said the residents and staff at the home are happy for the boys, noting that the trip "is a wonderful opportunity".
"This is just a wow moment for me and I can just imagine how excited these boys are to be able to visit France for the experience and exposure. It's just one of those moments that you can't find the words to express," he said.
One of the boys told JIS News that he was thrilled to be going on the trip. "I am excited. I hope to have fun and meet people and learn a different language," he expressed.
He encouraged the other residents to work hard at school and be on their best behaviour so they will be able to benefit from similar opportunities.
"I would encourage the others to do well in school, have manners, and show that they can take responsibility for their actions so that they can be (good) examples when they grow up," he noted.
The Mount Olivet Boys' Home has been the main outreach project of the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) since 2009.
The agency makes frequent visits, making donations through the support of corporate Jamaica, and providing mentorship to the boys. The YB Afraid Foundation is a partner with JIS in its outreach.
There are 35 boys at the home between the ages of eight and 18.


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Religious acceptance of evolution result of dogma, not scientific understanding
Research reveals that a lot of religious people accept evolution, but they're typically only doing so because they're being obedient, not because they understand the subject.
November 24, 2014 in Creationism, Religion.
Atheists think other atheists are not as moral as theists
A new study shows that both atheists and theists will rate an atheist as less moral than a theist, even when they behave in the exact same way
May 16, 2014 in Religion, Sociality.
Religion has its roots in metaphor?
April 10, 2014 in Religion.
How "god" evolved #3: How does "god" promote co-operation?
<- Part 2 came before Belief in a "high" god who created humanity and gave us a moral code to live by is very common in most Western societies. Indeed, for the past thousand years or so such "high" gods have been one of the defining traits of Western culture, driving architecture, art and music.…
August 28, 2012 in Religion, Sociality.
How "god" evolved #2: the religious revolution
<- Part one came before The Neolithic Revolution (and the few thousand years before/after it) was the most important period in the history of human civilisation. From ~9,000 – ~3,000 years ago our species invented writing, metalworking, cities, armies, farming, money and much more. In essence, the foundation of our modern culture was laid during…
How "god" evolved
Religious belief is very common in Homo sapiens, with almost all cultures having some kind of supernatural belief that is important to their sense of identity, although that's about the only unifying characteristic of these ideas. Within the spectrum of human society is a similarly broad spectrum of religious beliefs. These range from the simple…
The amount of creationist claptrap in my previous post obscured an otherwise intriguing story: the origin of religion. But I didn't have enough space to go into as much detail as I would've liked, but then I remembered, I own this blog! I can have as much space as I want. So, without further ado,…
Does The Oldest Temple Topple Evolutionists' History of Religion?
Ordinarily I give posts from the Institute of Creation Research (ICR) a wide birth because there is already a fine blog dedicated to commenting on what they have to say. Their latest post, however, requires comment. Mostly because they mentioned evolutionary anthropology by name (and as an egotistical male, I take any critique of my…
January 16, 2012 in Creationism, Humans, Religion.


A new DNA extraction protocol for screwworm fly cochliomyia species (diptera: …. miasis por Gusano Barrenador del ganado cochliomyia hominivorax.
Get directions, maps, and traffic for Ganado, AZ. Check flight prices and hotel availability for your visit.