An information memorandum is the sales document you give an interested buyer when you're trying to sell your business. In this episode we explain the mandatory sections of an information memorandum document and how to use them to persuade the right type of buyer to see the value in your business.
Classic mistakes to easily avoid! Trevor gets frustrated as this seller makes little effort to prepare their business for sale. The good news is that Trevor was the business valuer working for the buyer. Listen to find out what annoyed Trevor the most and what could have made the business worth more.
In this podcast we go through the 9 key system areas that need to be sorted out before you try to sell your business. Having highlighted the critical need for great systems to be in the business, not only for selling it, but also to gain the best benefit whilst you are in it, we now share here the key steps to consider and how to go about creating "documented" systems for your business. Keeping it simple is important to make them effective so we talk through the 9 simple clues to put your systems in place.
#4 Creating Systems Before Sale | Why So Important?
Systems reduce risk and increase business value…it's that simple. Find out why systems are so important for a buyer. It is so much easier, less risky and therefore a much more valuable proposition for a potential buyer to invest in a business with good systems in place…but what does that mean? What are systems, why do they affect the valuation of your business? In this podcast we look at some of the myths around the word "systems" and what it all means to selling or buying a business.
In this episode we discuss how to work out the value of a business. We introduce some basic valuation concepts to help you understand what is involved in presenting your business as a valuable asset to either a buyer or an investor should you be looking to raise capital to grow the business. We run through a basic example and start to cut through some of the jargon to make it understandable. Download the Business Valuation Worksheet here.


text:
package com.badlogic.gdx.tools.ktx;

import java.io.DataOutputStream;
import java.io.File;
import java.io.FileOutputStream;
import java.nio.Buffer;
import java.nio.ByteBuffer;
import java.util.zip.GZIPOutputStream;

import com.badlogic.gdx.ApplicationAdapter;
import com.badlogic.gdx.Gdx;
import com.badlogic.gdx.backends.headless.HeadlessApplication;
import com.badlogic.gdx.backends.lwjgl.LwjglNativesLoader;
import com.badlogic.gdx.files.FileHandle;
import com.badlogic.gdx.graphics.GL20;
import com.badlogic.gdx.graphics.Pixmap;
import com.badlogic.gdx.graphics.Pixmap.Blending;
import com.badlogic.gdx.graphics.Pixmap.Filter;
import com.badlogic.gdx.graphics.Pixmap.Format;
import com.badlogic.gdx.graphics.glutils.ETC1;
import com.badlogic.gdx.graphics.glutils.ETC1.ETC1Data;
import com.badlogic.gdx.graphics.glutils.KTXTextureData;
import com.badlogic.gdx.math.MathUtils;
import com.badlogic.gdx.utils.Array;
import com.badlogic.gdx.utils.GdxRuntimeException;

public class KTXProcessor {

	final static byte[] HEADER_MAGIC = {(byte)0x0AB, (byte)0x04B, (byte)0x054, (byte)0x058, (byte)0x020, (byte)0x031, (byte)0x031,
		(byte)0x0BB, (byte)0x00D, (byte)0x00A, (byte)0x01A, (byte)0x00A};

	public static void convert (String input, String output, boolean genMipmaps, boolean packETC1, boolean genAlphaAtlas)
		throws Exception {
		Array<String> opts = new Array<String>(String.class);
		opts.add(input);
		opts.add(output);
		if (genMipmaps) opts.add("-mipmaps");
		if (packETC1 && !genAlphaAtlas) opts.add("-etc1");
		if (packETC1 && genAlphaAtlas) opts.add("-etc1a");
		main(opts.toArray());
	}

	public static void convert (String inPx, String inNx, String inPy, String inNy, String inPz, String inNz, String output,
		boolean genMipmaps, boolean packETC1, boolean genAlphaAtlas) throws Exception {
		Array<String> opts = new Array<String>(String.class);
		opts.add(inPx);
		opts.add(inNx);
		opts.add(inPy);
		opts.add(inNy);
		opts.add(inPz);
		opts.add(inNz);
		opts.add(output);
		if (genMipmaps) opts.add("-mipmaps");
		if (packETC1 && !genAlphaAtlas) opts.add("-etc1");
		if (packETC1 && genAlphaAtlas) opts.add("-etc1a");
		main(opts.toArray());
	}

	private final static int DISPOSE_DONT = 0;
	private final static int DISPOSE_PACK = 1;
	private final static int DISPOSE_FACE = 2;
	private final static int DISPOSE_LEVEL = 4;

	public static void main (String[] args) {
		new HeadlessApplication(new KTXProcessorListener(args));
	}

	public static class KTXProcessorListener extends ApplicationAdapter {
		String[] args;

		KTXProcessorListener (String[] args) {
			this.args = args;
		}

		@Override
		public void create () {
			boolean isCubemap = args.length == 7 || args.length == 8 || args.length == 9;
			boolean isTexture = args.length == 2 || args.length == 3 || args.length == 4;
			boolean isPackETC1 = false, isAlphaAtlas = false, isGenMipMaps = false;
			if (!isCubemap && !isTexture) {
				System.out.println("usage : KTXProcessor input_file output_file [-etc1|-etc1a] [-mipmaps]");
				System.out.println("  input_file  is the texture file to include in the output KTX or ZKTX file.");
				System.out.println(
					"              for cube map, just provide 6 input files corresponding to the faces in the following order : X+, X-, Y+, Y-, Z+, Z-");
				System.out.println(
					"  output_file is the path to the output file, its type is based on the extension which must be either KTX or ZKTX");
				System.out.println();
				System.out.println("  options:");
				System.out.println("    -etc1    input file will be packed using ETC1 compression, dropping the alpha channel");
				System.out.println(
					"    -etc1a   input file will be packed using ETC1 compression, doubling the height and placing the alpha channel in the bottom half");
				System.out.println("    -mipmaps input file will be processed to generate mipmaps");
				System.out.println();
				System.out.println("  examples:");
				System.out.println(
					"    KTXProcessor in.png out.ktx                                        Create a KTX file with the provided 2D texture");
				System.out.println(
					"    KTXProcessor in.png out.zktx                                       Create a Zipped KTX file with the provided 2D texture");
				System.out.println(
					"    KTXProcessor in.png out.zktx -mipmaps                              Create a Zipped KTX file with the provided 2D texture, generating all mipmap levels");
				System.out.println(
					"    KTXProcessor px.ktx nx.ktx py.ktx ny.ktx pz.ktx nz.ktx out.zktx    Create a Zipped KTX file with the provided cubemap textures");
				System.out.println(
					"    KTXProcessor in.ktx out.zktx                                       Convert a KTX file to a Zipped KTX file");
				System.exit(-1);
			}

			LwjglNativesLoader.load();

			// Loads other options
			for (int i = 0; i < args.length; i++) {
				System.out.println(i + " = " + args[i]);
				if (isTexture && i < 2) continue;
				if (isCubemap && i < 7) continue;
				if ("-etc1".equals(args[i])) isPackETC1 = true;
				if ("-etc1a".equals(args[i])) isAlphaAtlas = isPackETC1 = true;
				if ("-mipmaps".equals(args[i])) isGenMipMaps = true;
			}

			File output = new File(args[isCubemap ? 6 : 1]);

			// Check if we have a cubemapped ktx file as input
			int ktxDispose = DISPOSE_DONT;
			KTXTextureData ktx = null;
			FileHandle file = new FileHandle(args[0]);
			if (file.name().toLowerCase().endsWith(".ktx") || file.name().toLowerCase().endsWith(".zktx")) {
				ktx = new KTXTextureData(file, false);
				if (ktx.getNumberOfFaces() == 6) isCubemap = true;
				ktxDispose = DISPOSE_PACK;
			}

			// Process all faces
			int nFaces = isCubemap ? 6 : 1;
			Image[][] images = new Image[nFaces][];
			int texWidth = -1, texHeight = -1, texFormat = -1, nLevels = 0;
			for (int face = 0; face < nFaces; face++) {
				ETC1Data etc1 = null;
				Pixmap facePixmap = null;
				int ktxFace = 0;

				// Load source image (ends up with either ktx, etc1 or facePixmap initialized)
				if (ktx != null && ktx.getNumberOfFaces() == 6) {
					// No loading since we have a ktx file with cubemap as input
					nLevels = ktx.getNumberOfMipMapLevels();
					ktxFace = face;
				} else {
					file = new FileHandle(args[face]);
					System.out.println("Processing : " + file + " for face #" + face);
					if (file.name().toLowerCase().endsWith(".ktx") || file.name().toLowerCase().endsWith(".zktx")) {
						if (ktx == null || ktx.getNumberOfFaces() != 6) {
							ktxDispose = DISPOSE_FACE;
							ktx = new KTXTextureData(file, false);
							ktx.prepare();
						}
						nLevels = ktx.getNumberOfMipMapLevels();
						texWidth = ktx.getWidth();
						texHeight = ktx.getHeight();
					} else if (file.name().toLowerCase().endsWith(".etc1")) {
						etc1 = new ETC1Data(file);
						nLevels = 1;
						texWidth = etc1.width;
						texHeight = etc1.height;
					} else {
						facePixmap = new Pixmap(file);
						facePixmap.setBlending(Blending.None);
						facePixmap.setFilter(Filter.BiLinear);
						nLevels = 1;
						texWidth = facePixmap.getWidth();
						texHeight = facePixmap.getHeight();
					}
					if (isGenMipMaps) {
						if (!MathUtils.isPowerOfTwo(texWidth) || !MathUtils.isPowerOfTwo(texHeight)) throw new GdxRuntimeException(
							"Invalid input : mipmap generation is only available for power of two textures : " + file);
						nLevels = Math.max(Integer.SIZE - Integer.numberOfLeadingZeros(texWidth),
							Integer.SIZE - Integer.numberOfLeadingZeros(texHeight));
					}
				}

				// Process each mipmap level
				images[face] = new Image[nLevels];
				for (int level = 0; level < nLevels; level++) {
					int levelWidth = Math.max(1, texWidth >> level);
					int levelHeight = Math.max(1, texHeight >> level);

					// Get pixmap for this level (ends with either levelETCData or levelPixmap being non null)
					Pixmap levelPixmap = null;
					ETC1Data levelETCData = null;
					if (ktx != null) {
						ByteBuffer ktxData = ktx.getData(level, ktxFace);
						if (ktxData != null && ktx.getGlInternalFormat() == ETC1.ETC1_RGB8_OES)
							levelETCData = new ETC1Data(levelWidth, levelHeight, ktxData, 0);
					}
					if (ktx != null && levelETCData == null && facePixmap == null) {
						ByteBuffer ktxData = ktx.getData(0, ktxFace);
						if (ktxData != null && ktx.getGlInternalFormat() == ETC1.ETC1_RGB8_OES)
							facePixmap = ETC1.decodeImage(new ETC1Data(levelWidth, levelHeight, ktxData, 0), Format.RGB888);
					}
					if (level == 0 && etc1 != null) {
						levelETCData = etc1;
					}
					if (levelETCData == null && etc1 != null && facePixmap == null) {
						facePixmap = ETC1.decodeImage(etc1, Format.RGB888);
					}
					if (levelETCData == null) {
						levelPixmap = new Pixmap(levelWidth, levelHeight, facePixmap.getFormat());
						levelPixmap.setBlending(Blending.None);
						levelPixmap.setFilter(Filter.BiLinear);
						levelPixmap.drawPixmap(facePixmap, 0, 0, facePixmap.getWidth(), facePixmap.getHeight(), 0, 0,
							levelPixmap.getWidth(), levelPixmap.getHeight());
					}
					if (levelETCData == null && levelPixmap == null)
						throw new GdxRuntimeException("Failed to load data for face " + face + " / mipmap level " + level);

					// Create alpha atlas
					if (isAlphaAtlas) {
						if (levelPixmap == null) levelPixmap = ETC1.decodeImage(levelETCData, Format.RGB888);
						int w = levelPixmap.getWidth(), h = levelPixmap.getHeight();
						Pixmap pm = new Pixmap(w, h * 2, levelPixmap.getFormat());
						pm.setBlending(Blending.None);
						pm.setFilter(Filter.BiLinear);
						pm.drawPixmap(levelPixmap, 0, 0);
						for (int y = 0; y < h; y++) {
							for (int x = 0; x < w; x++) {
								int alpha = (levelPixmap.getPixel(x, y)) & 0x0FF;
								pm.drawPixel(x, y + h, (alpha << 24) | (alpha << 16) | (alpha << 8) | 0x0FF);
							}
						}
						levelPixmap.dispose();
						levelPixmap = pm;
						levelETCData = null;
					}

					// Perform ETC1 compression
					if (levelETCData == null && isPackETC1) {
						if (levelPixmap.getFormat() != Format.RGB888 && levelPixmap.getFormat() != Format.RGB565) {
							if (!isAlphaAtlas)
								System.out.println("Converting from " + levelPixmap.getFormat() + " to RGB888 for ETC1 compression");
							Pixmap tmp = new Pixmap(levelPixmap.getWidth(), levelPixmap.getHeight(), Format.RGB888);
							tmp.setBlending(Blending.None);
							tmp.setFilter(Filter.BiLinear);
							tmp.drawPixmap(levelPixmap, 0, 0, 0, 0, levelPixmap.getWidth(), levelPixmap.getHeight());
							levelPixmap.dispose();
							levelPixmap = tmp;
						}
						// System.out.println("Compress : " + levelWidth + " x " + levelHeight);
						levelETCData = ETC1.encodeImagePKM(levelPixmap);
						levelPixmap.dispose();
						levelPixmap = null;
					}

					// Save result to ouput ktx
					images[face][level] = new Image();
					images[face][level].etcData = levelETCData;
					images[face][level].pixmap = levelPixmap;
					if (levelPixmap != null) {
						levelPixmap.dispose();
						facePixmap = null;
					}
				}

				// Dispose resources
				if (facePixmap != null) {
					facePixmap.dispose();
					facePixmap = null;
				}
				if (etc1 != null) {
					etc1.dispose();
					etc1 = null;
				}
				if (ktx != null && ktxDispose == DISPOSE_FACE) {
					ktx.disposePreparedData();
					ktx = null;
				}
			}
			if (ktx != null) {
				ktx.disposePreparedData();
				ktx = null;
			}

			int glType, glTypeSize, glFormat, glInternalFormat, glBaseInternalFormat;
			if (isPackETC1) {
				glType = glFormat = 0;
				glTypeSize = 1;
				glInternalFormat = ETC1.ETC1_RGB8_OES;
				glBaseInternalFormat = GL20.GL_RGB;
			} else if (images[0][0].pixmap != null) {
				glType = images[0][0].pixmap.getGLType();
				glTypeSize = 1;
				glFormat = images[0][0].pixmap.getGLFormat();
				glInternalFormat = images[0][0].pixmap.getGLInternalFormat();
				glBaseInternalFormat = glFormat;
			} else
				throw new GdxRuntimeException("Unsupported output format");

			int totalSize = 12 + 13 * 4;
			for (int level = 0; level < nLevels; level++) {
				System.out.println("Level: " + level);
				int faceLodSize = images[0][level].getSize();
				int faceLodSizeRounded = (faceLodSize + 3) & ~3;
				totalSize += 4;
				totalSize += nFaces * faceLodSizeRounded;
			}

			try {
				DataOutputStream out;
				if (output.getName().toLowerCase().endsWith(".zktx")) {
					out = new DataOutputStream(new GZIPOutputStream(new FileOutputStream(output)));
					out.writeInt(totalSize);
				} else
					out = new DataOutputStream(new FileOutputStream(output));

				out.write(HEADER_MAGIC);
				out.writeInt(0x04030201);
				out.writeInt(glType);
				out.writeInt(glTypeSize);
				out.writeInt(glFormat);
				out.writeInt(glInternalFormat);
				out.writeInt(glBaseInternalFormat);
				out.writeInt(texWidth);
				out.writeInt(isAlphaAtlas ? (2 * texHeight) : texHeight);
				out.writeInt(0); // depth (not supported)
				out.writeInt(0); // n array elements (not supported)
				out.writeInt(nFaces);
				out.writeInt(nLevels);
				out.writeInt(0); // No additional info (key/value pairs)
				for (int level = 0; level < nLevels; level++) {
					int faceLodSize = images[0][level].getSize();
					int faceLodSizeRounded = (faceLodSize + 3) & ~3;
					out.writeInt(faceLodSize);
					for (int face = 0; face < nFaces; face++) {
						byte[] bytes = images[face][level].getBytes();
						out.write(bytes);
						for (int j = bytes.length; j < faceLodSizeRounded; j++)
							out.write((byte)0x00);
					}
				}

				out.close();
				System.out.println("Finished");
			} catch (Exception e) {
				Gdx.app.error("KTXProcessor", "Error writing to file: " + output.getName(), e);
			}

			Gdx.app.exit();
		}
	}

	private static class Image {

		public ETC1Data etcData;
		public Pixmap pixmap;

		public Image () {
		}

		public int getSize () {
			if (etcData != null) return etcData.compressedData.limit() - etcData.dataOffset;
			throw new GdxRuntimeException("Unsupported output format, try adding '-etc1' as argument");
		}

		public byte[] getBytes () {
			if (etcData != null) {
				byte[] result = new byte[getSize()];
				((Buffer)etcData.compressedData).position(etcData.dataOffset);
				etcData.compressedData.get(result);
				return result;
			}
			throw new GdxRuntimeException("Unsupported output format, try adding '-etc1' as argument");
		}

	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Call or e-mail Doug Linzey, secretary, 902 684-0943 or doug@fundymud.com.
We would also like to know your preference in field trips, and please let us know in advance if you have a dietary restriction.
Dinner speaker: Jeff Ogden "Mosquitoes and Ticks in Nova Scotia: What bugs you?"
Contact at Wandlyn Inn: Debbie Powell (902) 667-3331, or for a toll-free reservations line, call 1-800-561-0000.
* This year there will not be a registration fee. Each conference attendee is to make his or her own room reservations and pay the Wandlyn for meals at the conference rate. (Note: You are free to choose alternative accommodations – see the Dreamers and Doers Guide.) Bring the family, or double up on rooms to save money.
Meet at 7 a.m. at the entrance to Wentworth Provincial Park, Hwy 4 near the intersection of Rte 246. From Halifax take exit 11 off Hwy 104 and drive past Folly Mountain and Wentworth Valley. Park is on the left. We'll explore different habitats between Wentworth and Amherst. Bring lunch, boots and fly repellent.
Meet Kathy Goodwin at the Fundy Geological Museum at 9 a.m. for a trip to Wasson Bluff to tour the beach at low tide.
Coming from Halifax, take exit 12 Masstown, turn right on Hwy 4. Proceed to Glenholme where you leave Hwy 4 and proceed along Hwy 2 through Great Village and Five Islands to Parrsboro. Coming from Amherst, take exit 4 Upper Nappan off the Trans Canada highway, then connect to Hwy 302 to Nappan and Southampton to Parrsboro.
Note: Lunch is available at local restaurants in Parrsboro, or bring your own box lunch. After lunch a short presentation on the Prosauropod dinosaurs may be given by Tim Fedak.
To reach APBS, leave the Trans Canada highway at the Amherst exit (#3) next to the Wandlyn Inn and then turn left towards Amherst Point. The entrance to the sanctuary and the parking lot are located on the left hand side of the highway approximately three kilometres from the Trans Canada exit. Meet at the APBS parking lot at noon for an afternoon of birding with NSBS.
Meet at the APBS parking lot at noon for an afternoon of bug identification with DNR entomologist, Jeff Ogden.
Meet at the APBS parking lot at noon for an afternoon of botanizing with the Wild Flora Society to explore a variety of habitats.
Meet at the parking lot at the Maccan Tidal Bore Park, and we'll visit the Ducks Unlimited Marsh for nesting waterfowl. Coming from APBS, turn right on Hwy 302 at Nappan and proceed to Maccan, turn right at Phil's Autobody Shop.
Meet at 7 p.m. in the Wandlyn dining room for a buffet featuring turkey, vegetables, pasta dishes, variety of salads, condiments, and breads. Dessert and beverage included. Cost: $20.00 per person.
Mosquitoes and Ticks in Nova Scotia: What bugs you?
Bring your musical instruments, song sheets and sense of humour !


Archers began working on Makro projects in January 2012 as part of their Range & Space refurbishment roll-out programme. We completed our first installations in Charlton and Enfield and commenced the electrical works for Birmingham Store in April completing at the end of May. All the projects involved night work, as it was essential to Makro they continued trading during the day.
The electrical scope of works encompassed the new and reconfiguration of the existing lighting in conjunction with the new store layouts. This helped Makro to maximise the reduced store footprint and improve range display. In addition to the lighting arrangements Archers took care of all the power and data requirements.
Makro is an originally Dutch chain of Warehouse clubs, also called cash and carries. The first one opened in 1968 in Amsterdam. In the following years more stores opened in the Netherlands and in several other countries within Europe. The stores are not open to the general public, only to businesses which have to be registered members in order to gain entry to the store. Makro is the third largest cash & carry wholesaler in the UK with a turnover of £1.1bn and a portfolio of 30 depots nationally.


text:
Home » General News
In brief: AAH 'embraces' e-prescribing, Medicare Advantage gets 3.4% increase
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare's Executive Committee will examine e-prescribing platforms to recommend the best solution for its provider members.
"It's time for the HME community to move away from the fax machine and individual paper prescriptions, and fully embrace e-prescribing," said Steve Ackerman, AAHomecare chairman and president of Spectrum Medical, in a bulletin. "Companies that invest in e-prescribing will be able to fill orders more efficiently to the benefit of patients and caregivers, while also reducing documentation errors and audits."
AAHomecare will study leading e-prescribing platforms in terms of their suitability for the HME sector and recommend the best solutions. The association will subsequently work with companies supplying these platforms to provide additional guidance and to help promote the industry's use of this technology.
"The healthcare field is rapidly moving toward increased usage of electronic communications and record keeping, and HME suppliers need to keep up," said Ackerman. "While our companies will always rely on dedicated professionals to make sure that our patients are receiving a high standard of care, we also need to automate processes wherever it makes sense to do so."
Medicare Advantage gets 3.4% increase
WASHINGTON – CMS will increase average payments for health insurers that manage Medicare Advantage plans by 3.4% for 2019, the agency announced on April 1. CMS initially proposed a 1.84% increase, according to news reports. The agency will also make a number of policy changes to MA plans, including codifying key aspects of the Star Ratings system and revising the regulations controlling maximum out-of-pocket limits.
VGM joins work group on electronic medical documentation
WATERLOO, Iowa – The VGM Group and its membership has been invited to participate in a CMS work group on electronic medical documentation. VGM will represent DMEPOS providers in the work group, which will have representation from several different provider groups. "While the concept of electronic medical records is not new, this initiative of utilizing technology to allow providers the opportunity to easily communicate and receive proper patient documentation is something that the DME industry struggles to gain from other provider communities," VGM stated. "We look forward to sharing the developments and engaging with our membership to offer proper feedback as these standards are set." The work group seeks to, among other things, establish pilot programs with providers to demonstrate secure exchange of health information, and support adoption of real-world use cases to advance secure and standardized electronic data exchange for medical documentation requests and responses.
Oklahoma providers meet with Rep. Cole
NORMAN, Okla. – Members of the Oklahoma Medical Equipment Providers Association and the VGM Group hosted Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., at an event at Norman Regional Home Medical Equipment. Members discussed how DME and complex rehab providers care for patients. Cole was especially interested in the industry's efforts to keep patients in their homes. Also of interest: the flaws of Medicare's competitive bidding program, as his district falls within the Oklahoma City bid area. Jason Price of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, was there to discuss with Cole the importance of people with disabilities being able to lead active lives and contribute to their communities. "There are already enough obstacles for disabled employees to overcome in pursuing a career," he said. "I do not want to see more obstacles because they don't have access to this equipment they depend on."
CMS officials on docket for Heartland
WATERLOO, Iowa – CMS officials will participate in a panel discussion at VGM's Heartland Conference. CMS Competitive Bidding Acquisition Ombudsman Tangita Daramola and Small Business Administration Deputy National Ombudsman Natalie Dunca, along with contractors from CGS, C2C and Noridian, will participate in the 90-minute session. "VGM has maintained a working relationship with Tangita and her staff at CMS in an effort to improve CMS programs and keep DME suppliers informed of CMS updates," stated Ronda Buhrmester, VGM's reimbursement expert and session moderator. "By bringing them to the Heartland Conference, members will have the opportunity to share firsthand how regulations, reimbursements and audits are affecting their business." This year's Heartland Conference takes place June 19-21. FMI: www.vgmheartland.com.
Regulatory updates: Low volume appeals, prior auths
CMS will be accepting expressions of interest for low volume appeals from April 12-June 8, 2018, for all NPIs. An EOI must be submitted for each NPI. The appeals are only offered to appellants that have less than 500 appeals sitting at OMHA and/or the Medicare Appeals Council as of Nov. 3, 2017, and each appeal must have a total billed amount of $9,000 or less. More information can be found here*…CMS has removed the following items from the prior authorization Master List: hospital bed semi-electric (E0260); CPAP (E0601); oxygen concentrator (E1390); and wheelchair (K0004). CMS is required to adjust the payment threshold for inflation annually. The payment threshold is $1,018 or greater, or an average monthly rental of $102 or greater. The four items did not meet the payment threshold.
Ascensia expands access for Contour products
BASEL, Switzerland – Ascensia Diabetes Care has improved access to its Contour Next meters and test strips for UnitedHealthcare members, it announced today. Effective April 1, individuals can access the brand's products through their pharmacy benefit at a tier 2 co-pay level. Previously, a prior authorization was required. "This change will give more people the opportunity to access these products, and at a reasonable cost," said Robert Schumm, vice president and managing director of Ascensia Diabetes Care US.
AOPA's Fise to step down
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Tom Fise will step down from his role as executive director of the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association when his contract expires at the end of 2018. "On behalf of AOPA, I would like to thank Tom for his dedication and commitment to the orthotic and prosthetic industry," said Jim Weber, president of AOPA, in a press release. "His legislative and regulatory experience has been most valuable to AOPA as he has worked to champion our association's needs to Congress, CMS and other regulatory bodies." Fise has been with AOPA nearly 12 years. AOPA's executive committee has appointed a seven-member search committee to find Fise's successor. It has also engaged Sterling Martin Associates, a leading national executive search firm, to guide the process. Sterling Martin focuses exclusively on the association and nonprofit sectors, and has significant experience in the healthcare space. AOPA anticipates filling the position by the end of August, allowing sufficient time for a successful transition of leadership.
VMI exec to receive recognition
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Tim Barone, president and CEO of Vantage Mobility International, will receive a 2018 Distinguished Service Award from the Military Officers Association of America at an event on Capitol Hill in April. The award is given in recognition of contributions to the military community. Past recipients include Tom Brokaw and Colin Powell. Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is the nation's largest military officers' association with more than 350,000 members from every branch of uniformed service, including active duty, retired, National Guard, Reserve, and former officers and their families and survivors.
ResMed names Ghoshal CTO
SAN DIEGO – ResMed didn't have to look far to find its first chief technology officer. The company announced April 2 that it had named Bobby Ghoshal as CTO. Ghoshal had been the COO of Brightree, which ResMed bought in 2016. In his new role, Ghoshal will lead ResMed's global healthcare informatics and data analytics team to drive its cloud-based digital health platforms, as well as investments in emerging health technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning. Prior to his role at Brightree, Ghoshal was vice president of information technology at ResMed. Raj Sodhi, who is currently president of software-as-a-service businesses at ResMed, had previously led the company's healthcare informatics team. "I'm excited for Bobby's return to the ResMed team," Sodhi said. "With Bobby as CTO, I can be fully focused on expanding the capabilities of ResMed's SaaS solutions for out-of-hospital care, while Bobby leads the next level of tech innovation, investments and partnerships that will take our digital health capabilities to new frontiers, for the ultimate benefit of patients, physicians, providers and payers."
AADE releases tip sheet for mail-order diabetes program
CHICAGO – The American Association of Diabetes Educators has released a tip sheet for navigating Medicare's national mail-order program for diabetes testing supplies. The tip sheet, which was developed by the AADE's Professional Practice Committee, provides information on: what is the program, why has it caused concern and what can diabetes educators do to help. The tip sheet recommends that diabetes educators explain the program and how it works to people with diabetes; walks them through the CMS website, which can be overwhelming; write "no substitutions" on prescriptions for those that require a particular brand for a significant reason; encourage those who are sent incorrect supplies to call 1-800-Medicare or the fraud hotline of the Office of Inspector General; and point out that if their brand isn't available through the program they may purchase supplies at their local pharmacy, if the pharmacy accepts Medicare reimbursement and assignment, with a 20% coinsurance after the Part B deductible is met.
Byram Healthcare signs up for eOrdersPlus
CARMEL, Ind. – Byram Healthcare will participate in the Preferred Supplier Program with Stratice Healthcare. As part of the program, Byram will use Stratice's eOrdersPlus solution to better serve its physician partners and patients with their medical supply needs in urology, diabetes, wound care, ostomy and incontinence. The solution's direct electronic connectivity replaces an otherwise inefficient, largely paper-based ordering process, the companies say. "eOrdersPlus will help improve health data exchange between prescribers and suppliers, resulting in operational efficiencies and improved patient care," said Perry Bernocchi, CEO of Byram. eOrdersPlus is available to healthcare providers and prescribers through direct integration with electronic healthcare record systems used in the practice setting, as well as through a HIPAA-secured web-based portal for use by all physicians and their staff.
ResMed,
VMI,
Byram Healthcare,
AADE,
heartland conference,
Despite challenges, 'so far, so good' for lookup service, CMS says
In brief: AAH says to keep using WOPDs; CareCentrix provides additional details on change
CMS updates draft e-template for oxygen
ResMed, gov't finalize settlement
2020: The year of automation?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


We are thrilled to announce a new FREE member benefit! Real Safe Agent is NOT a personally safety app, it's crime prevention system for the real estate industry. Based in behavioral science, the system empowers our community to cooperate and collaborate for the purposes of keeping each other safe. This cooperation and collaboration prevents the precursor behaviors of a predator from escalating to a crime, and denies the criminal the environment needed to commit a crime.
Make sure you activate AND download the Real Safe Agent App, a new FREE LIBOR member benefit.
1. Download the app from the Play Store or the App Store by clicking on the one of the icons below.
2. Enter your username and password that was emailed to you in the activation process above.
Knowledge. Awareness. Empowerment. These are the core components of REALTOR® Safety. And helping our members understand the risks they face can mean the difference between life and death. Our commitment is to empowering our members with precautions and preparations so that we can avoid risky situations, be aware of our surroundings and identify the dangers we face every day.
The Long Island Board of REALTORS®, Inc. is partnering with United Way of Long Island, to spread awareness about the importance of maintaining a healthy home.
Now is the time to educate your buyers and sellers. Professionally prepared guides are available for free download. Once printed, staple your business card to the allocated white space at the bottom right of each guide and checklist before distributing to your clients; at your listing presentations, open houses and closings. Be sure to make safety a priority inside and outside your consumers' home.


text:
// Copyright (c) .NET Foundation. All rights reserved.
// Licensed under the MIT License. See License.txt in the project root for license information.

using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Net.Http;
using Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Script.WebHost;
using Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Script.WebHost.Filters;
using Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Script.WebHost.Models;
using Moq;
using Xunit;

namespace Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Script.Tests.Controllers
{
    [Trait("A DELETE request is made against the host system keys resource endpoint", "")]
    public class DeleteHostSystemKeysScenario : DeleteFunctionKeysScenario, IClassFixture<DeleteHostSystemKeysScenario.HostFixture>
    {
        private readonly Fixture _fixture;

        public DeleteHostSystemKeysScenario(HostFixture fixture)
            : base(fixture)
        {
            _fixture = fixture;
        }

        public class HostFixture : DeleteFunctionKeysScenario.Fixture
        {
            private readonly string _requestUri = "http://localhost/admin/host/systemkeys/TestKey";

            protected override string RequestUriFormat => _requestUri;

            public override string TestKeyScope => HostKeyScopes.SystemKeys;

            public override ScriptSecretsType SecretsType => ScriptSecretsType.Host;
        }
    }
}


Please call 855-242-4121 for alternatives.
The obverse shows a bust of Queen Elizabeth II, whose appearance was updated in 1990 to feature the more mature monarch. In both versions, "ELIZABETH II" is at top, with the denomination and issue date at bottom. The reverse depicts the amazing bald eagle—Haliaeetus leucocephalus—is Canada's largest bird of prey and the only eagle exclusive to North America. An apex predator with no natural enemies, the bald eagle has long been a potent symbol of vision, power, and stoicism. The adult boasts a wing span of more than 2 metres, a standing height of about 1 metre, and an average weight of up to 7 kilograms. Females are generally larger than males. The renowned raptor is noted for its distinctive dark-feathered body and white-feathered head, large golden eyes, bright yellow beak, and massive yellow claws armed with sharp, powerful talons.
Two unique features for cutting-edge security, including precise radial lines and a micro-engraved lasered maple leaf in the coin's field. In the centre of this mark, visible under magnification, is the numeral "16", denoting the coin's year of issue.
Precisely machined radial lines to within microns creates a unique line width and pitch that gives this coin a characteristic look, and creates a light diffracting pattern specific to this coin.
Rendered in exquisite detail by Royal Canadian Mint engravers, this coin celebrates the Eagle.
A unique collectible that celebrates Canada's wilderness and its fauna.
A remarkable addition to any Canadiana- or nature-themed collection or any bullion buyer's collection.


SE 2 STORY HOME. FEATURES ENCLOSED PORCH, OFF STREET PARKING & FENCED REAR YARD. THIS PROPERTY IS READY FOR YOUR REHAB!
Two unit with good rental history. Close to main thoroughfares as well as shopping and bus lines. Property is available for showings Mon-Fri 4:00 - 6pm.


#ExcerptWeek's next contributor is Balroop Singh, with a lovely poem from her book, Emerging from Shadows. I know you'll enjoy this one!
This afternoon, I'd like to welcome Balroop Singh to The Write Stuff. Balroop is sharing an excerpt from her book, Emerging from Shadows, and I know you are going to enjoy it, and will share it far and wide. Welcome, Balroop!
Rise from those dumps of depression!


text:
White Bread is So Bad for You
What was found in the two studies? The foods that are beneficial to human life.
How many people took part in the study? White bread is extremely refined and frequently has a significant amount of sugar added to it. Because of its high glycemic index, it has the potential to cause a sharp rise in one's blood sugar levels ( 13 ). According to the findings of a study that involved 9,267 participants, the consumption of two slices (120 grams) of white bread on a daily basis was associated with a 40 percent increased risk of weight gain and obesity ( 14 ). When I turn off the light switch, why does the circuit breaker trip? When the 3-way switch is turned off, the circuit breaker trips.
What was found in the two studies?
Consuming whole grains, on the other hand, is an approach that is beneficial to weight loss. People who followed a diet that was lower in calories and included whole grains, such as whole wheat bread, were shown to lose more abdominal fat than those who followed a diet that consisted only of refined grains, such as white bread and white rice. This was found in one study.
What is standard piece of advice for people wanting to lose weight? Patients who come to me wanting to lose weight are typically given my standard piece of advice, which is to abstain entirely from white bread, white rice, white pasta, and potatoes for a period of fourteen days. This is done in an effort to break the vicious cycle of food cravings. After that, you'll be able to reintroduce them into your diet, but in much smaller and more manageable quantities.
How many slices of bread does a "healthy " diet include? However, the authors of that review believe that additional research is required. The US Dietary Guidelines, which state that a "healthy" diet consisting of 1,800 to 2,000 calories may include as many as six slices of bread per day, including as many as three slices of white bread made from "refined grains," are supported by the vast majority of the evidence.
The best way to cook bread; Insider spoke with three dietitians who shared that they consume bread on a daily basis and that it is possible to include bread in your diet even if you are attempting to eat healthier by selecting whole grain varieties of bread and topping them with nutritious ingredients like eggs, avocado, and salmon.
What may cause weight gain? Recent studies have confirmed what numerous health professionals have suspected for some time. It is not carbohydrates in and of themselves that cause weight gain, but rather the types of carbohydrates that are consumed. According to the findings of their study, people who consumed a diet that was higher in refined and processed foods, such as white bread and white rice, had more abdominal fat.
Which type of bread is the best choice for people who want to lose weight?
What kind of bread is good for you? If you stick to whole grain breads, you can have anywhere from two to four slices of bread every day, depending on the amount of carbs and calories you require. In the end, the choice of which type of bread to consume � the variety that is high in nutrients or the one that is loaded with preservatives and artificial flavors � is entirely up to you.
The foods that are beneficial to human life.
Bread alone is not enough to sustain human life, not least of all due to the fact that a person would get scurvy about a month or so into that little experiment. The diets that are most beneficial to you are the ones that contain a great deal of variety. This ensures that you get everything from vitamin C to iron to linoleic acid without even having to think about it.
What should we do if our blood sugar levels continue to rise? Your sugar levels in the blood can become dangerously high. Consuming the entirety of that bread basket may cause an increase in the amount of glucose in your blood. In addition, it is essential to keep in mind that if your blood sugar levels continue to rise, you may be putting yourself at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
What kind of bread has more calories than rice? Rice has a higher concentration of vitamins and minerals than bread does, but bread has a lower calorie and carbohydrate content than rice does. Which grain you choose to consume depends on your dietary priorities.
What can lead to a crash after eating junk food? Diet for the reduction of fat in the thighs Pasta, white rice and bread are among the worst offenders, along with baked goods, sugary beverages, and sweet treats. These foods cause a spike in your blood sugar levels, which is followed shortly after by a crash. Hunger and a desire for even more junk food inevitably follow after eating junk food.
What should people do if they have a craving for bread and butter?
What kind of food is good for your nitrogen? If you are only craving bread and butter or toast, then it is highly likely that your body is lacking nitrogen, which can be found in foods high in protein (perhaps some eggs and/or chicken would do the trick). If you have a craving for bread and butter or toast, then it is highly likely that your body is deficient in nitrogen.
What is celiac disease?
Wheat. Wheat contains a protein known as gluten, which, in some people, can lead to symptoms including bloating, gas, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Gluten can be found in foods such as bread, pasta, and a variety of baked goods. There is a condition known as celiac disease, which affects approximately one percent of the population in the United States, that can cause sensitivity to gluten.
What may be a problem with bread? Bread is high in carbohydrates but low in micronutrients; additionally, it contains antinutrients and gluten, both of which can be problematic for certain individuals. Despite this, it is frequently fortified with additional nutrients, and whole-grain or sprouted varieties may confer a number of additional health benefits. Bread can be enjoyed as part of a diet that is healthy if it is consumed in moderation.
What can lead to organ failure? Consuming just a single kind of carbohydrate, such as bread or pasta, for example, can also lead to organ failure because of an insufficient intake of amino acids. On top of that, you would develop scurvy, which is a terrible disease that is brought on by a lack of vitamin C. Vitamin C is an essential component in many of the chemical reactions that take place in the body.
What should we do when we compare french bread to french bread?
How many calories does a salt-free french bread have? When we compare soda crackers or regular crackers to french bread, which is one of its classic varieties, many people will be surprised to learn that french bread has fewer calories and almost no fat than soda crackers or regular crackers. In contrast, a salt-free soda cracker has 421 calories, 74 grams of carbohydrates, and 9 grams of fat. Some crackers have fewer calories than others.
The loaf of bread.
A loaf of bread cannot be considered vegan if it contains eggs, honey, royal jelly, gelatin, or any ingredient derived from dairy products such as milk, butter, buttermilk, whey, or casein. You might also come across the following components, which are typically vegan but are not always so: The mono- and diglyceride fatty acids
The " feel-good " effect of eating sugar. It is thought by scientists that cravings for carbohydrates are caused by the effect that carbohydrates, and especially sugars, have on the brain. Because eating sugary foods causes an increase in serotonin levels, which are responsible for the "feel-good" effect, you may begin to associate a positive mood with eating carbohydrates.
What should people do when they pinch excess skin and tissue around the middle of their body?
The disadvantage of Spinach. SPINACH. This nutrient-dense superfood can be purchased in a variety of forms, including fresh, frozen, or even canned versions. Spinach, widely regarded as one of the world's healthiest foods, contains a comparatively low number of calories despite its high content of vitality-boosting nutrients such as vitamins A and K, in addition to the essential nutrient folate.
Why should we eat our peanuts in moderation?
Peanut butter contains a substantial amount of a wide variety of nutrients; however, it also contains a substantial amount of calories and fat. Peanut butter contains some healthy fats, and while these fats do have some nutritional value, they should be consumed in moderation so as to prevent unwarranted weight gain and other potential health issues. Many brands of commercial peanut butter have additional ingredients such as sugars, oils, and fats.
Why do people put on belly fat? People put on belly fat for a variety of reasons, the most common of which are poor dietary habits, insufficient physical activity, and emotional stress. Alterations to one's diet, level of physical activity, and other aspects of one's lifestyle can all be beneficial. The term "belly fat" refers to the fat that collects around the abdomen.
Why should we pinch excess skin and tissue around our middle? When you pinch excess skin and tissue around your middle, you will be able to feel subcutaneous fat. This is the fat that makes up most of your belly. Visceral fat is a type of abdominal fat that collects in the abdominal cavity, particularly in the spaces between internal organs. A high visceral fat content has been shown to be strongly associated with a significantly increased risk of serious health problems.
Are Caraway Seeds Used in Rye Bread?
Toast is One Of The Most Common Breakfast Recipes
Toasting Bread Makes It Easier to Digest
What can be learned from the text? What should be done before making the bread?
Water is Used in Many Household Items
What should you do when cooking in a toaster oven? What should you do when the food is cooked?
Sourdough Bread is Better for Your Diet
The best time to makeye bread. What kind of people are advised to eat whole wheat bread?
Bread is Not Suitable for Vegans to Consume
What are good sources of plant-based proteins? The best way to reach peanut butter heaven.
Dogs Should Not Eat Biscuits
Why should biscuits not be given to dogs? What should you do when you feed your dog food intended for humans?


Read more about our English lessons on Skype with qualified native British teachers.
Contact us if you need an invoice. Please note that by making a payment, you accept and agree to our Terms and Conditions.
you can then have your lessons exclusively for your group.
Lesson fees start from GBP 8.00 per person in a small group of 4 people, please contact us for a quote.
1. Visa or Master Card via www.paypal.com (contact us if you need an invoice).


Belvoir Close, Waddington, Lincoln, LN5 9DG - Property Details - King & Co.
This three bedroomed detached bungalow benefits from a sun room and garage as well as a spacious lounge and good quality kitchen/diner. The property is situated in the popular village of Waddington offering a wide range of local amenities including shopping and dining.
The property briefly comprises: Entrance Hall, Kitchen/Diner, Lounge, Three Bedrooms, Sun Room and Family Bathroom with a Detached Garage.


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Fantasy football is ramping up very quickly for me. In the latest edition of The GetSportsInfo Podcast I recap my latest dynasty league rookie draft as well as a recent MFL 10 I participated in.
The NFL draft is over and if you haven't started at least some mock drafts yet for the 2017 fantasy football season, you are already behind. Sign up now to play in our GetSportsInfo MFL10.


Tata Memorial's Pediatric Oncology department was inaugurated by Anil Kapoor. Anil was spotted spending time with the kids during the event. On the other hand, the team of Hum Chaar, Anshuman Malhotra, Tushar Pandey, Simran Sharma, and Prit Kamani were clicked by our shutterbugs as they root for their upcoming film.
Anil spent some time with the team at the hospital and lit the lamp with the staff in attendance.
The star cast of Hum Chaar Anshuman, Tushar, Simran, and Prit were busy promoting their film.
It is indeed a busy weekend for the celebs.


Try this the next time your preparing fish Pair our Tuscan Herb flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) paired with our Sicilian Lemon Balsamic and add some of our Back To Basiks™ Key West Citrus Blend Seasoning, Even people that don't like fish can't resist this awesome combination! Check our recipe for Tilapia for people who don't like fish.
Baking Try substituting some Olive Destination infused and/or fused oils in your baking projects. Use our conversion chart for suggested quantities. For example use our Butter infused oil instead of butter, our Blood Orange instead of Shortening or our Eureka Lemon instead of vegetable oil in Banana Bread.
Fruit Treat Drizzle some Olive Destination Arbequina EVOO and Olive Destination Dark Chocolate Balsamic over strawberries for a healthy and delicious snack.
Stir Fry recommendation from our customer Rhonda Iddings Use equal parts Olive Destination Harissa (Spicy) EVOO and Olive Destination Garlic EVOO for a more flavorful and healthful stir fry.
For the Health of it Try using two Tbs per day of one of the high polyphenols (Anti Oxidants) olive oils found at Olive Destination. If you find the taste too robust (peppery), add a few drops of one of the Olive Destination dark balsamics such as the blackberry ginger, or tangerine balsamic.
Vegetables Saute vegetables, such as zucchini and onion in Olive Destination Blood Orange or Lemon EVOO and sprinkle with Mango Tango spice, Tuscan Herb spice or Herb de Provence spice.
Fruit Cut up your favorite fruits, such as strawberries, blackberries, grapes, kiwi, watermelon, oranges, apples,pineapple, etc. Mix Olive Destination Blood Orange and Olive Destination Cranberry-Pear White Balsamic 50/50 and pour over fruit to bring your fruit alive.
Ice Cream Try drizzling Olive Destination Lemon Oil and Dark Chocolate, Espresso or another Balsamic over your vanilla ice cream. Delicious!!!
Chicken Breast Marinate your chicken breast in Olive Destination Fig Balsamic for about 1/2 hour to an hour. Fry the chicken breast in a pan coated with Olive Destination Tuscan Herb or your favorite Olive Destination Oil.
Deer or Beef Roast Put a roast in a crock pot with water in the bottom. Drizzle Olive Destination Tuscan Herb, Fig Balsamic and Garlic Oil over the roast and let it simmer all day.
Salmon or Fish Coat your salmon or fish in Olive Destination Lemon EVOO and sprinkle with our Chef Quality Mango Tango.
Favorite Dressings: Olive Destination Persian Lime with Cranberry-Pear White Balsamic and our Chef Quality Greek Seasoning.. Olive Destination Blood Orange with our Cranberry-Pear White Balsamic. Olive Destination Persian Lime with Honey Ginger White Balsamic. Olive Destination Persian Lime with Lemongrass Mint White Balsamic.


Wedding testimony. Photography captures the moment. But only your signature affirms it.
Barbara & Pavel are two people with sense for a perfect design and in love with British weather. With their little daughter Berta and dog Matylda they decided to spend the wedding day only together. Without friends, even parents. We were shocked, that they asked us to be their photographers and best men at the same time.
Nevertheless it was a lovely day and the end of it we spent in a cosy restaurant Era with a plate of delicious beetroot spaghetti. YUM!
That was their wedding day, our first wedding testimony. Thank you for trusting us!


The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same, yet our lessons come from the journey and not the destination!
Let's face it, here in Ireland, we can't exactly depend on the weather to have our wedding reception under blue skies and beaming sunshine. Still and all I cannot but love some of the outdoor wedding inspiration from Pinterest :) There are so many wonderful outdoor wedding ideas from lawn games, to blooming bouquets and even the odd garden party!
Outdoor weddings in Ireland can be challenge but you could plan your drinks reception in the garden and move inside for the more formal setting of a buffet or seated meal. Powerscourt House and Gardens is an ideal venue in county Wicklow and is a perfect setting for such an idea! Enjoy drinks along the terrace of the Italian Garden and take in the vista of the romantic roaming hills of Wicklow. Later you and your guests can move indoors to the Georgian ballroom in the Palladian Mansion to the more formal setting of the ballroom.


During your stay at Green Bay Resort, you will have the opportunity to engage in numerous tours and activities in and around the resort. The vast mountain ridge behind Green Bay Resort is home to many scenic lakes and thundering waterfalls.
Beautiful and green islands with amazing snorkeling and swimming and the possibility to spot whales and dolphins are close by.
There is also more than meets the eye with plenty of activities within the resort to avail of such as scuba diving, snorkeling, yoga, kids club and spa.
Atmosphere has daily scheduled excursions and tours to suit every age and level of activity, but we are happy to tailor your day to suit your interests. We will always send you off with one of our experienced tour guides in an air-conditioned van, with snacks, drinks and other amenities handy.


The Morrígan is most well known as an Irish Goddess who often appears in crow or raven form, and is associated with battle, warriors, sovereignty, prophecy, and Otherworld power. Though early source literature referencing Her only exists in Irish, folklore and archaeological records suggest that She, or closely related divinities, were known and worshiped in Britain and Gaul as well, suggesting that we have in Her a pan-Celtic Goddess.
The Morrígan's name translates from the Irish as 'Great Queen' (from Old Irish mór=great and rígan=Queen). This name is a key to Her nature, showing that sovereignty and queenship are core aspects of Her identity and power. Some scholars have given the name an alternate etymology, translating it as 'Phantom Queen' (from proposed Proto-Celtic *mor, connoting terror/nightmare, or *mar, connoting the dead). It should be noted that popular etymologies interpreting the Morrígan's name as connoting 'Sea Queen' (via the Welsh mor=sea) and connecting Her to the Arthurian character Morgan le Fay, are incorrect.
As one of the Celtic sovereignty Goddesses, the Morrígan has an association with the land itself, and the rulership and protection of the land and its people. Her seasonal appearances are linked to rituals of warfare and sovereignty as they appear to have been practiced in early Irish society. Archaeological and literary evidence suggests that her earliest manifestations may have been as a tribal/territorial Goddess, and that Her war-bringing and martial functions arose out of this sovereignty and tutelary role.
As the Morrígan is best documented in the Irish literature, reflecting early medieval perceptions of Iron Age Celtic society, a cattle-raiding warrior culture, we know Her best as a Goddess of battle, heroes, and the dead. The Morrígan is deeply associated in Her source lore with incitement of heroes toward glory in battle, with the granting of victory, and with their deaths; in Her own words, She says to the great hero Cú Chulainn, "I am guarding your death." In battle, She takes part in the action primarily through the use of sorcery, Druidic magic, shapeshifting, terrorizing the foe, and giving aid and strategic information to Her people. She shapeshifts into many forms in Her tales, including crow and raven, cow, wolf, eel, and both old and young women. She also appears as a sexual figure, offering victory and prophetic aid to Her chosen war-leader with whom She mates. She also fulfills important roles with regard to poetry and prophecy, giving poetic incitements to the heroes of the Tuatha Dé Danann to rise to their hour of need, giving prophetic pronouncements of victory or of doom on the eve of decisive battles, and announcing the victories and the tales of great deeds afterward.
A common perception of the Morrígan is that She is a form of 'the Triple Goddess'. While it is true that in many instances where She appears in the Irish literature, She is described as being one of three 'sisters', or is referred to as a trinity directly, it should be understood that the triplicity of the Morrígan is NOT equivalent to modern Wiccan ideas of 'the Triple Goddess'. The Morrígan cannot be neatly fit into a modern 'Maiden-Mother-Crone' trinity based on a rigid model of female reproductive status, nor should we attempt to force Her into that model.
Triple-formed deities are very common in Celtic religion. We see examples of this in the three sovereign land Goddesses of Ireland, Ériu, Banba, and Fotla; in the Three Gods of Skill; in the Three Craftsman Gods; and in the Matres or Matrones, Gaulish Celtic Goddesses appearing in groups of three. In each of these examples and many others, the three members of the triad to fulfill related roles as part of a single primary functions. For the ancient Celts, operating within a triune cosmology (land, sky, and underworld/sea), to frame an identity or concept in a triune form conveyed totality. Thus, triads of divinities represent the totality of a set of divine roles or functions, individualized into three characters.
In the case of the Morrígan, it does not work to neatly classify Her epiphanies into three distinct identities or faces; for many different names appear in these triune groupings (Morrígan, Badb, Macha, Némain, Féa), and there is not complete consistency in which three appear and how they are described in the literature. Certainly, not one of these Goddesses or aspects of the Morrígan can be neatly identified with a Maiden, Mother or Crone archetype.
The name Badb Catha translates as Battle Crow or Raven; from badb=crow/raven, and catha=of battle. This name is exactly cognate to the name documented from the Gaulish, Cathubodua. Generally speaking, this name and aspect have a close association with battle, warriors, and bloodshed, as well as battle sorcery and prophecy. This is also a name that is closely associated with appearances in bird form. The Battle Crow comes as a scavenger bird, omen of war, flying over the battlefield, shrieking prophecies of victory and death for its participants, and feeding on the slaughter in its aftermath. We see hints in the Badb Catha of functions similar to that of the Valkyries in Norse/Germanic culture, following the warrior and gathering the souls of the slain.
The name Macha derives from the same root as the Old Irish mag meaning plain or field, as seen in place names such as Mag Tuired. The word macha itself signifies a bounded field, such as a horse paddock or milking yard. Thus Macha is one of the forms most directly linked to land and related concepts of wealth, fertility, and queenship. It should be understood, however, that in Macha we are not dealing with the simple archetypal 'Earth/Fertility Goddess'. Instead what She embodies is the territorial identity of the land, and its wealth and power as a sovereign and political force. Macha does have a connection to motherhood and childbirth, however, as well as horses, a form of mobile wealth in Celtic society, the hallmark of the elite warrior class, and the most valuable animal that could be raised upon the land. Macha has deep roots associating her to the landscape of Ulster in particular, as its tutelary, sovereign and protective Goddess. As with all sovereignty Goddesses, She is also deeply linked to warfare, and the severed heads on the battlefield were called the 'mast of Macha' (harvest of Macha).
We also see the Morrígan identified with Némain. The name Némain does not have a single clear meaning; some translators have proposed 'venomous'; others give a meaning closer to 'wrath' or 'frenzy'. However, these appear to be associative meanings, rather than based on actual etymologies. A compelling theory derives Her name from the proto-Celtic root *nem, meaning sacred, and referenced in Old Irish words like nemed, for priestly/elite status, and nem, sky or heaven. Notably, a related Goddess Nemetona is known from Gaul and Britain, and associated with sacred groves and temple enclosures. Némain is often identified in Irish literature with a role as the wife of a war God called Net or Néit. Her actions and appearances in the lore connect Her to madness, frenzy, terror, and fearful sound. She is said to terrorize armies with a shrieking voice so dreadful that warriors would die of fear on the spot from the sound.
For more detailed study of the Morrígan, Her history and appearances in lore, we recommend following this link to our reading list.
As most of us today are not engaged in warfare to protect our food supply from cattle raids by neighboring tribes, Her relevance to modern folk has necessarily shifted with changes in culture. For many of us, Her primary role is as a Goddess of Sovereignty – teaching us to honor and to fight to protect our sovereignty, both personal and collective. She also continues to act as an ally for warriors in our time, including all those who put themselves on the line to fight for what they love and value. This includes military service people, martial artists and other physical fighters; but it also can include activists and advocates, and all manner of people who find themselves faced with choices that require a warrior's courage and commitment to fulfill. The Morrígan also continues to have a hand in the journey of souls who die in war, both soldiers and civilians alike. And She has wisdom and power to share with all of us through Her message that every one of us is descended from heroes and warriors, somewhere in our ancestral lines, and that we each of us carry the heroic blood within us, waiting to rise up and carry us to greatness. When we dare to heed the Morrígan's call and come to Her as kin, She will claim us as Her own and help us to find that heroic strength within us so that we may be of greater service to all that we love and value.


Short description: The first A-10A skin pack, "Over the Fulda Gap," tells a known or unknown story of A-10A pilots flying in the sky at the end of the Cold War.
In the 1980s, Germany was the front line of the Cold War. Countless people were preparing for the world war that might happen on land, sky and sea."Fulda Gap" was one of the entrances for Soviet and Warsaw's troops to Western Europe. But there was no war, and the Cold War ended.
The first A-10A skin pack, "Over the Fulda Gap," tells a known or unknown story of A-10A pilots flying in the sky at the end of the Cold War.
10th Tactical Fighter Wing - RAF Alconbury, England, Tailcode "AR"
81st Tactical Fighter Wing - RAF Bentwaters, England, Tailcode "WR"
Detachment 1 - Sembach AB, West Germany, Tailcode "SB"
Detachment 2 - Leipheim AB, West Germany, Tailcode "LM"
Detachment 3 - Ahlhorn AB, West Germany, Tailcode "AN"
Detachment 4 - Norvenich AB, West Germany, Tailcode "NV"
103d Fighter Squadron - Pennsylvania ANG, Tailcode "PA"
118th Fighter Squadron - Connecticut ANG, Tailcode "CT"
131st Fighter Squadron - Massachusetts ANG, Tailcode "MA"
138th Fighter Squadron - New York ANG, Tailcode "NY"
104th Fighter Squadron - Maryland ANG, Tailcode "MD"
176th Fighter Squadron - Wisconsin ANG, Tailcode "WI"
706th Fighter Squadron, Tailcode "NO"
45th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tailcode "IN"
47th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tailcode "BD"
354th Tactical Fighter Wing, Myrtle Beach AFB, Tailcode "MB"
23d Tactical Fighter Wing, England AFB, Tailcode "EL"
To install A-10 Skin Pack 1 Over the Fulda gap you should use modfolders to keep it seperate from the official game content to prevent issues.
For usage instructions and information of how to use the A-10 Skin Pack 1 Over the Fulda gap please refer to the included documentation and/or example mission.


Shortcut your way to cheesecake with this simple to make cream cheese pie with butter crumb crust.
Melt butter in 9-inch pie dish.
Sprinkle crumbs over melted butter and let set for a couple of minutes to allow the butter to begin to be absorbed by the crumbs. Press the mixture evenly onto bottom and up the sides of the pie dish. Place in freezer for at least 30 minutes or until firm.
In a mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese until fluffy. Add sugar, sour cream, vanilla and eggs; mix well. Pour mixture into prepared crust.
Melt 2 Tablespoons of butter in a small custard cup, add cocoa powder; mix until smooth.
Place 8-10 evenly spaced spoonfuls of cocoa mixture on top of filling. Drag a knife-edge through the pools of cocoa in a grid pattern (like a tic-tac-toe grid) to create a rippled effect on the surface of the pie.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool and refrigerate before serving.


Pawns of fugitive banker Tsvetan Vassilev are spewing fake news regarding the supposed poisoning of his friend Emiliyan Gebrev. Days after the newspaper Capital, published by another indicted oligarch in Ivo Prokopiev, spread the information that the arms dealer was given the Novichok nerve agent in 2015, the story was picked up by Vassilev's NGO Boets. In a lengthy Facebook post, the organisation, which gained popularity with the fact that its boss Georgi Georgiev personally visited the fugitive banker in Belgrade, is once again trying to entangle the name of lawmaker and Telegraph Media publisher Deliyan Peevski in the whole mess of lies.


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Alexandre Lacazette's 'strained' relationship with Arsenal could entice Atletico bid
Dani Ceballos 'Pushing' for Permanent Arsenal Move After Meeting With Real Madrid President
Ben Carter 20 Oct 2019
Dani Ceballos will look to secure a permanent move to Arsenal when the transfer window re-opens in January, after being told he doesn't have a future at Real Madrid by the club's president, Florentino Pérez.
Ceballos joined Arsenal on a season-long loan at the start of the season and has gone on to make 11 appearances across all competitions, quickly establishing himself as a fan favourite at the Emirates Stadium.
There wasn't an option to buy in Ceballos' initial loan deal and the former Real Betis star always stated that he wanted to return to the Santiago Bernabéu next summer, although Real Madrid did agree to at least discuss the possibility of a permanent move.
And Arsenal could now have the upper hand in those negotiations after the Spain international was reportedly told he's no longer needed at Real Madrid.
El Desmarque claims that Ceballos held talks with Real Madrid's president during the international break, where he was told that he still didn't have a future at the club - especially under manager Zinedine Zidane.
Even without an agreement between both clubs as part of the loan deal, it's suggested that Ceballos could be allowed to leave Real Madrid for as little as £34m, which is less than what Arsenal had to pay Valencia to sign Shkodran Mustafi.
It's expected that Ceballos will attract interest from elsewhere, especially after seeing how quickly he's adapted to the Premier League, but it's claimed the Spain international would prefer to stay at Arsenal as he's enjoying life under Unai Emery.
But can they really David? 廊https://t.co/BQUhzgqTke
— 90min (@90min_Football) October 19, 2019
Ceballos picked up two assists and provided a man of the match performance on his full Arsenal debut earlier this season, while he's also gone on to score his first goal for the club in their 4-0 win over Standard Liège in the Europa League.
On top of that, he's been a regular part of Spain's senior side since getting more playing time in north London, making three appearances out of a possible four games.
For more from Ben Carter, follow him on Twitter!


Fresh tuna, asparagus and tempura flakes with fresh salmon and green soybean sheet.
Order online for takeout: Under Control Roll from Wasabi Japanese - Murfreesboro. Serving the best Japanese in Murfreesboro, TN.


RICHMOND, Va. — The number of confirmed cases of hepatitis A linked to frozen strawberries used at Tropical Smoothie Cafes across Virginia continues to climb.
On Sept. 7, the Virginia Department of Health posted that 80 state residents have tested positive for hepatitis A, a viral infection which affects the liver, after consuming a smoothie at Tropical Smoothie Café.
A total of 99 people have been affected, from seven states: Maryland (10), New York (1), North Carolina (1), Oregon (1), Virginia (80), West Virginia (5), and Wisconsin (1). The data from the CDC actually shows the Va. count at 70, but VDH data differs.
The greatest area affected is the Mid-Atlantic, and the count by Virginia region is: 45 Northern, 11 Northwest, 14 Eastern, 10 Central, 0 Southwest.
Those smoothies would have been consumed before August 9, 2016. Onsets of illness for the 80 cases can be traced back to May.
The hepatitis A outbreak was first reported on August 19, and the cases have steadily increased as more people come forward, and get tested.
The strawberries were from Egypt, but no federal agency has named the distributor who supplied the Tropical Smoothie stores.
A law firm representing several people who became sick announced plans to file a class action lawsuit against the chain in connection with the outbreak.
Classic symptoms of hepatitis A are fatigue, nausea, abdominal cramps and jaundice, the yellowing of the skin and eyes. Symptoms can develop 50 days after exposure, officials said. People who have been vaccinated for hepatitis A are not at risk, officials said. Additionally, health experts stressed customers who consumed a smoothie after the strawberries were pulled from restaurants are not be at risk.
The CEO of Tropical Smoothie Café said the strawberries in question were voluntarily removed from all stores when they learned of a possible link.


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(njuːmə) noun: breath, spirit, creative energy
ART • SCIENCE • CULTURE • POLITICS • THEOLOGY
Why the Bishops are wrong: Marriage and gay relationships
Revd Andrew Foreshew-Cain (right), former Vicar of West Hampstead, blacklisted by the Church after marrying his partner Stephen
A sermon preached by Revd Dr Charles Clapham at St Peter's Church in Hammersmith on 26th January 2020. You can listen to the sermon online at https://stpetersw6.org/sermons/
Some of you will know that earlier this week, the House of Bishops issued what they called a Pastoral Statement on Civil Partnerships. It was issued on Wednesday, and got coverage the next day in almost all the mainstream media: The Telegraph, the Guardian, The Independent, The Evening Standard, The Daily Mail all covered it; it was discussed on the BBC and on Sky News.
"Only married heterosexual couples should have sex, says the Church of England" was more or less the headline in every paper that I read. Which was a pretty accurate summary of the statement. That is what the House of Bishops declared in this statement. And if, like me, you went on to read the actual statement itself, it spelt out the implications of that view:
Only married heterosexual couples should have sex. So heterosexual couples who are not married, should not have sex – even if they are in long term partnerships or cohabiting. Even, slightly weirdly, heterosexual couples in a registered civil partnership should be celibate.
Gay people, therefore, should not ever have sex under any conditions. If they are in civil partnerships, they should be celibate. Even if they are married, they should be celibate. And they shouldn't be married because the church does not recognize gay marriage, even though it is allowed under the law of the land.
Only heterosexual married couples really should have children. But it might be alright, as a kind of second-best, for others – single people, gay people, divorced people – to look after kids, if the only alternative is long-term institutional care.
As far as the church is concerned, therefore, gay clergy who enter civil partnerships must pledge celibacy. And they will be interrogated on this point by the bishops; gay clergy in civil partnerships will be asked about their sex lives, and if they don't pledge celibacy, they will be disciplined and sacked. If gay clergy enter a marriage, they will disciplined and sacked.
And heterosexual priests like me who bless a gay relationship can also be disciplined and sacked.
This is not hypothetical, by the way. This is the current Church of England practice. This is what they do. Gay friends of mine who are priests and have got married are unemployed as a result.
So this was the gist of the bishops' statement. And it's been a bit controversial, to put it mildly. I have had quite a few people emailing me with their views over the last few days, some of whom have used language I can't repeat here and now. What are we to make of this?
Let me say very clearly: I think this so-called 'pastoral' statement is nonsense. I think it's badly drafted, theologically illiterate and at points offensive. And feel free to quote me. I'm recording this. It will be up on the website.
The essence of the bishops' views is that marriage can't change. (When I say bishops, by the way, we're talking about current diocesan bishops. There are some assistant bishops who have disagreed with this statement, and there are retired bishops who disagree. But so far as I know, none of our current serving diocesan bishops have distanced themselves from this statement. Some, such as the Bishop of Gloucester, have expressed unhappiness with the way in which the statement was released, and with its tone. But none have disagreed with the fundamental content.)
The essence of the bishops' views is that marriage can't change. And that's that. That's the line. Marriage as an institution has come down to us from God, and therefore, we can't change it even if we wish to.
And I think that's simply not true. Marriage, of course, has changed. If you read the first half of the Bible, they have polygamy – with apparently God's approval. The patriarchs of the Old Testament have multiple wives. They have concubines. King Solomon had a harem. But we no longer share that view of marriage. We have changed our understanding of marriage.
It's true even in the history of the Church of England. The Book of Common Prayer, as some of you will know, is the founding liturgical document of the Church of England, dating from 1662, with most of it written probably in the previous century. And in the Book of Common Prayer, women had to promise their husband to obey: in fact, to obey and to serve.
It wasn't in brackets. It wasn't optional. That's what the Prayer Book said. Some you will have been married using those words. And that reflected the culture of its time. Marriage was a hierarchical institution, and a patriarchal one. The man was the head of the household, and the head of his wife. And therefore the wife had to promise to obey and to serve.
And that had implications. Some of you will know there was no law against marital rape for most of English history, because it wasn't a crime. It couldn't be a crime, because the woman had given her consent when she got married, and no further consent was therefore required. And that only changed very recently. For most of English history, the man could be charged with other offences, but marital rape could not exist because the woman had already given her consent – because in the marriage service she had pledged to obey and to serve the man.
So we've changed – and for the better. We now think of marriage as a relationship of equals. In all the wedding services I have taken, I have never had a couple who wanted to use the word 'obey' in the vows. You can still opt for it, but the main wording has changed. And if I ever did have a couple who came to me who wanted to use the word 'obey', I'm not sure I would even allow it. I would certainly question pretty hard. Because that's not where we are. That's not what we understand a marriage to be. We've changed.
We've changed in terms of our understanding of the procreation of children. In the Prayer Book, back in 1662, the purpose of marriage is laid down in the order of service, and it states very clearly that the first purpose of marriage is procreation. That's the main focus. Secondly, it's ordained as 'a remedy against sin'. And thirdly, it's about companionship. But the primary focus is procreation.
And you might think, well, that makes sense in the 16th and 17th centuries. It is probably true in developing countries today. You need to have lots of children because half of them are going to die young. And when you get old, there is no welfare state, so you need to have children to look after you. So in any developing economy, there is a great emphasis on having large numbers of children.
But we don't have that view today. We have changed in our understanding of marriage. It's why the Church of England today permits artificial contraception. It didn't always. It changed in 1930 at the Lambeth Conference, when the Anglican bishops gave their approval to artificial contraception. Before that, they condemned it. And by giving that approval, therefore, they were saying sex is not always about procreation.
And that's a shift. That's a change. So if you read our orders of service today, the marriage service today focuses on companionship. That's the number one priority in our liturgy today. That's what marriage is about. Children may be part of that. But if a heterosexual couple get married and they are beyond the age where they can have children, or they are infertile, that is still a marriage. We have changed our views on the centrality of procreation.
We've changed our understanding of cohabitation as well. I reckon I've taken perhaps 70 or 80 weddings in my time and I think in all but two cases, the couple were already living together. That is the norm. I think I'm right in saying Prince William and Kate Middleton lived together before they got married.
50 years ago that would have been a scandal. I recall a lady in a previous church where I was vicar telling me that when she was younger and went to see the then vicar about getting married, she was already pregnant and living with her boyfriend. And the vicar refused to marry her until she had undergone a period of public penitence. So she had to repent. She had to go to confession. She had to go to live back at home with her mom for three months. The man didn't have to do anything, of course, but she had to do all of that. And if she went through that, and then came back and was truly sorry, then maybe the vicar would marry her.
But it is unthinkable for clergy today to act like that or to do that. We understand this is the modern world. Couples move in together. It's a stage for most of them, a step on the way to marriage. But we don't pass judgment on that. We don't talk about living in sin.
And we are changing, too, therefore, in terms of our acceptance of gay relationships. If sex is not always about procreation, and if marriage is primarily about companionship, then we want to be able to welcome and recognize gay partnerships. We have in this church quite a number of gay people, some of whom are in civil partnerships or marriages, and they are amongst the most valued, faithful, and respected people in this congregation.
We see this in our own families. My cousin is gay. He lives here in London, and is married to his partner, and I don't even think about it. I don't think I've ever mentioned it before in church, and why would I? I don't even think about him being gay – until I read a statement from the House of Bishops where they say that his relationship is second rate, that it "falls short of God's purposes", and suggest that he would make an unfit parent. And then I'm offended on his behalf.
I worry about what this does to our kids as well. Because what I've tried to teach my children is that we respect people, and we don't discriminate. We don't discriminate on the basis of ethnicity. We don't use racist language. We don't discriminate on the basis of gender. Boys and girls are equal, and there should be equal opportunities for all. And we don't discriminate on the basis of sexuality. Their gay uncle and his husband are no different or better or worse than their straight uncle and his wife. That's what I try to teach my kids.
And I worry, therefore, when we get a message from our bishops which says that we can discriminate and we should discriminate. This is not a lesson I want my children to learn.
It seems to me that love is difficult to find in the modern world. And when you find it, it's difficult to keep it alive. Relationships come under so much pressure nowadays. So when we find love, when friends of ours find love, when people in our own family find love, when members of our congregation find love – whether they are gay or straight – we celebrate their love. We rejoice with them, and we do everything we can to support and uphold them in their love.
"God is love", it says in the first letter of John in the bible. "God is love, and those who live in love, live in God, and God lives in them."
As the kids would say: "End of."
The BISHOPS' STATEMENT is available online, and here are useful links to media coverage and various reactions from across the church, including from some bishops, at the THINKING ANGLICANS website (scroll down for entries dated 22nd, 24th and 25th January 2020).
For those who wish, there is an LETTER OF PROTEST to the Archbishops you can sign online. Others may wish to write directly to their local or diocesan bishop. Contact emails for bishops or their PAs are usually easily available on the Diocesan websites.
To find out more about how you can help the campaign to make the Church of England more inclusive, visit THE CAMPAIGN FOR EQUAL MARRIAGE, the OZANNE FOUNDATION, and ONE BODY ONE FAITH.
Posted in Theology 1 Comment
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Marc Chagall: The Yellow Crucifixion
When leadership fails: Holman Hunt and 'The Hireling Shepherd'
Sexuality and Spirituality: Bernini and the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa
Why scepticism can be good for your faith
Out of the slime
Goldilocks, ET, and the existence of God
Murder at the Vicarage
The man who invented Christmas
What Christianity did for us
A kind revolution
The banality of evil
It's good to talk
Trans people and 'radical Christian inclusion'
Why Tim Farron was wrong
Eggs, ethics, and economics: a parable for the election
Doing nothing for Lent
Why believe? Books for the Clapham omnibus
Where Luther went wrong


On 20 May 1514, a Royal Charter was presented to "The Master Wardens and Assistants of the Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood of the Most Glorious and Undivided Trinity and of Saint Clement in the Parish of Deptford Strond in the County of Kent." This remains the Corporation's full name to this day. Sir Thomas Spert, Master of the Mary Rose and the Henri Grace a Dieu, became the first Master. Since its foundation, Trinity House has been a leader in maritime safety and navigation for over 500 years.
Trinity House, today home to the General Lighthouse Authority, offers direct views of the Tower of London overlooking Trinity Square Gardens and is one of London's most distinguished private event venues. Easily accessed by car or the underground, the elegance and airy spaciousness of the House possesses the ambience of a grand private residence and is an impressive setting for social and corporate occasions and memorable civil weddings.
Behind the building's imposing neo-classical façade, designed by Samuel Wyatt in 1794, are five graceful banqueting and conference rooms – The Library, The Court Room, The Pepys Room, Luncheon Room and Reading Room catering for board meetings, conferences, informal dinners, formal banqueting and weddings ranging in capacity from 10 to 130 seated places and 180 standing. The House's particularly beautiful Reception Hall, with its sweeping, twin-curved staircase, houses remarkable maritime artefacts that bear testament to the prominent role played by Trinity House in the nation's maritime history.
The history of the House is omnipresent and throughout the building, valuable paintings and antiques bear out the nation's remarkable nautical heritage. This chronicle began in 1514 when a young Henry VIII granted the charitable guild of mariners a Royal Charter to regulate the water trafficon the River Thames, their powers later extended by Elizabeth 1 to include the sea-markers around the English coastline.
Please visit www.trinityhouse.co.uk/events-at-trinity-house-london to view a brief film of the House and its facilities.
If you are interested in Trinity House for your event, contact us or call us on 01926 624884.


It was my second time to celebrate my birthday in Japan; first was 2 years ago.
A weird fact about me is I love preparing and celebrating other people's birthdays, but I don't like doing it for my own birthday. Usually my birthday is just an ordinary day, nothing so special. But I'm glad that my family and friends always make it meaningful through the little things they do to make me happy, from simple greetings to birthday cakes to lovely presents.
When I woke up at lunch of April 25, I saw a cake on the table. My aunt was at work and only my grandmother and little cousin were at home with me. The cake was delivered by my aunt's friend whom she asked for a favor since she's at work. I thanked my aunt when she called to ask if I have received the cake.
Then I cooked spaghetti and spring rolls. We all had dinner together and I blew my cake candles. Gosh, I just turned 25. Mid-20s, quarter-life, what else? Time really quickly flies. I don't like getting older because it feels like there are lesser things I can do everyday. But of course, we can't deny the reality.
The next day, my aunt went half day at work so we can go out. We had lunch at an authentic Japanese restaurant, then we went shopping wherein she got me a new Coach bag. Then we had a Yakiniku dinner wherein we spent around 25,000 yen (or Php 12,500) for a meal of 5. That wasn't even a buffet!
So that's how I celebrated my 25th birthday...simple yet meaningful.


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