Technology giant Google has introduced a new update to its Translate app that will allow visual translation from English to Hindi and 19 other languages, a move aimed at strengthening its translation and transliteration offerings. Using the app, users need to click on the camera option, and point it at the text like street signs, ingredient lists or instruction manual that needs to be translated and the same will be translated in languages like Hindi, Thai, Bulgarian, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch and Filipino.
Users can translate using the app without an internet connection. These updates are coming to both Android and iOS.
"Google translates about 100 billion words a day in 90 languages and one in six people with internet access use Google Translate. It is part of that effort that we are extending visual translation to Hindi as well. India is an important market for us," Google product manager (Translate) Julie Cattiau said.
Previously, Google had the visual translation available for seven languages -- English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
Users will be able to translate English signs to Hindi, but the vice versa would not be possible.
"Unlike Latin and Cyrillic script, Hindi and Thai is a little different. Hence, it is a little difficult to translate in terms of visual translation. Right now, we are making English to Hindi visual translation available," she said.
The technology, developed by a startup Word Lens, uses "neural nets" for image recognition.


Police are appealing for information to help locate two missing persons.
A police spokesperson said: "Caitlin Turner and Shannon McCann have been missing since approximately 7.30pm on Tuesday, April 17. We believe they are in each other's company and possibly in the Ballymena area.


A soft and exotic piece of clothing, this pullover sweater is presented by Alfredo Falcon of Peru. An attractive boat neck and loose, flowing sleeves add fashionable details to the design. Knit from a soft blend of acrylic and baby alpaca, the sweater is adorned with a festive striped pattern in shades of purple, pink, green, and blue.


In the past decade and a half, German car companies have all started offering what they call a "four-door coupe." While most people will probably look at these cars and just call them "sedans," they're differentiated by a more stylish roofline that swoops toward the rear. While it may just sound like marketing speak, almost every German car company from Volkswagen to Mercedes Benz has a four-door coupe in their lineup, showing that it's a lucrative corner of the market.
One of the latest is the Audi S5 Sportback, which is the four-door version of their S5 performance coupe. Additionally, instead of the standard sedan-style trunk, Audi has also incorporated a liftback tailgate similar to what's found on the larger A7 and S7. That makes the S5 Sportback more akin to a hatchback rather than a sedan, allowing it to offer about twice as much cargo room behind the second row over the S5 coupe, and it allows for a less cramped backseat with more rear headroom than you'd normally expect in the four-door coupe segment. When you put the seats down, the S5 Sportback will swallow much bulkier and outsized items compared with its sedan brethren, while the extra two doors allow for an easier ingress and exit from the back seat, making it much easier to carry friends around.
Like all Audi models that start with "S," the S5 Sportback is much more focused on performance than the standard A5 Sportback. To this end, the S5 Sportback receives a new heart: a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 that puts out 354 horsepower, an upgrade of 100+ horses over the standard model. That power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox and Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive system, allowing the car to hit 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds, while a new rear differential allows the Sportback to send extra power to one of the back wheels to assist in cornering.
While the S5 Sportback is certainly fast in a straight line, it isn't exactly thrilling in the corners. That isn't to say it has poor handling characteristics; it has grip for days due to its tricky all-wheel drive system, which is made only better with the optional adaptive dampers and performance tires. Instead, there's a strange disconnect between the driver and the machine that makes you feel more like a passenger than a driver. Sure, the S5 Sportback will go exactly where you want it to go and it would take some guts to get it to the point where it wants to break free of the asphalt, but unfortunately the whole experience seems very sterile compared to some of its competitors.
That said, the S5 Sportback wins a ton of style points, inside and out. We've already covered the swooping roofline that gives it the signature rear hatch, but it's worth mentioning again its undeniably pretty shape to almost any eye. Inside, the S5 Sportback features a minimalist and sensible design with premium materials that's guaranteed to age well. While the S5 Sportback's cockpit may be nothing new to those already familiar with Audi interiors, there's a reason why many other automakers have apparently been taking notes and adapting the brand's design maxims into their own vehicles.
Beyond the interior design, the S5 Sportback offers an array of features certain to woo luxury-car shoppers. Even base models get leather and Alcantara trimmed seats with pneumatic bolstering and massage functions, while Milano and Nappa premium leathers are available at the higher trim levels. Also standard are full LED headlights, three-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. If you want to spend some extra money on a higher trim level, Audi offers a 19-speaker Bang and Olufson sound system, a heads-up display, and a 360-degree camera that's coupled with Audi's park assist.
The last area where the S5 Sportback really shines is technologically. Like many luxury cars, the S5 is available with an array of both optional and standard driver assistance features that include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The real trump card though is the inclusion of Audi's Virtual Cockpit, which is one of the best digital gauge cluster displays on the market. Virtual Cockpit allows the driver to configure their dashboard display to show what information the driver finds most important, whether it be performance-oriented for spirited driving or with Google Maps for navigation and satellite views of the surrounding area.
All in all, the S5 Sportback makes a great car for a commuter who wants to be comfortable in heavy traffic and on the highway, but with enough sportiness to break loose every once in a while. While it may lack that connection between driver and machine that many enthusiasts look for, it's still more stylish than Audi's similar S4 sedan and more practical for day-to-day use than the standard S5 coupe. It really offers the best of those two worlds in one great-looking package.


If you are one who is following this blog I want to thank you. I first began blogging nearly a year ago now. My very first attempt at publishing here was on May 19th, 2015. The subject of that first informative posting was about Undue Hardship Tests. The title I used to describe the subject in that initial blog was "Undue Hardship Tests - Objective or Subjective". If you'd like, you can read the article here: http://www.unduehardship-povertyrequired.com/2015_05_01_archive.html.
My very first article and blog attempt was borne out of frustration at a time when I was first researching how to discharge my nearly $130,000.00 student loan debt. During my search for answers, I discovered the secret to being able to get out from under the burden of that huge debt and get a "fresh start" through filing bankruptcy. The secret was proving that my circumstance was an case of undue hardship.
I passed the test - And I won a full discharge of my student loan debt!
In my continuation of my recent blogging on the subject of proving undue hardship, I want to help you with understanding the conditions that must be met to satisfy the Bankruptcy Court's standards and various tests they created in an attempt to define and litigate cases under rule 11 U.S.C. §523(a)(8).
As you may recall from my previous postings, the U.S. Congress passed legislation which added student loans to the type of debts that could not be discharged by filing bankruptcy in any U.S. Bankruptcy Court. There are several types of debts which are not allowed to be discharged via bankruptcy, and these are what are called the "exceptions to discharge" and some of these certain debts can be challenged in court under certain circumstances. It just so happens that debts incurred to finance education can be challenged. Reading the law carefully reveals one word which opens the way to allow a challenge to the "exception to discharge rule". That word is 'unless'.
Several changes by Congress over the years have actually made it more difficult to get student loans discharged through bankruptcy. The perception remained that students were going to take advantage of the right to file bankruptcy and "stiff the government" and get a 'free education' at the taxpayers expense. Congress first raised the waiting period from 60 months to (7) seven years. When that change appeared to not stem the tide of filings, the Congress eliminated wait periods altogether in 1998.
The real test surrounding discharging student loans in bankruptcy fell to the definition of what Congress allowed as the "unless clause", and that definition was left for the individual courts and judges to figure out. Needless to say it created a whole new world of problems!
(8) for an educational benefit overpayment or loan made, insured or guaranteed by a governmental unit, or made under any program funded in whole or in part by a governmental unit or non-profit institution, or for an obligation to repay funds received as an educational benefit, scholarship or stipend, unless excepting such debt from discharge under this paragraph will impose an undue hardship on the debtor and the debtor's dependents.
The challenge before judges was to try and determine what the Congress was saying by its enacting of the legislation to attempt to put stop gaps in place to curb a perceived rash of bankruptcies by unscrupulous college graduates.
2. Good-faith Test. Here, the court asks two questions: If the answer to the first part of the good-faith test is no, then the debtor should be discharged of the obligation to repay his student loan. However, if the answers to both parts of the good-faith test are "yes," then a presumption against discharge is established—which may be rebutted by a negative answer to the third and final test.
Johnson Test Found to be: "Too Complicated"
As described above the Johnson test was fraught with problems for other courts to work with. The criteria laid out within Johnson resulted in requiring the court to seek several answers from the debtor's future circumstances. As I read this, I was having a vision of a courtroom with a judge gazing into a crystal ball on top of his bench!
Perhaps one of the most talked about and referenced tests you will read about under the subject of Undue Hardship is the 1987 Brunner decision. The Brunner case was one that went all the way to the U.S. Bankruptcy Appeals Court for a definition of Undue Hardship.
While Brunner was decided before Congress wrote the legislation we now know as 11 U.S.C. §523 (a)(8), it set the tone for the courts to establish a some-what standardized three-part test which remains today to be the controlling standard in at least 8 of the 12 Bankruptcy circuits.
Marie Brunner was a one of those students who the media was making a big ta-do over. Brunner filed for bankruptcy less than a year after graduating with a master's degree.
"To stop debtors from trying to prematurely cancel their debts, the case laid out a three-pronged test: Individuals must prove they made a good-faith effort to pay the loan by finding work and minimizing their expenses. Debtors must also show they could not maintain a minimal standard of living based on their income and expenses if they had to repay the debt.
Take Note: The three prongs in Brunner must ALL be satisfied. If you fail to meet any one of the three, you are denied a discharge.
Today many courts continue to struggle with a test that is based on a 1987 ruling and is now nearly 30 years old. Students have much different 'circumstances' these days and those must be considered in light of the size of the debt, the age and health of the debtor and many other factors.
It must be noted here that while there are a total of 11 U.S. Bankruptcy Circuits, all but (2) of them have adopted the Brunner Test as the standard for determining Undue Hardship.
The other undue hardship test that remains to be discussed is what has been dubbed the "Totality of Circumstances Test" ; a test that remains in use in the 8th Circuit who expressly declined to 'adopt' the Brunner Test because the 8th Circuit felt Brunner was too restrictive. The eighth circuit's use of the TOC test in Andrews v. South Dakota was further reaffirmed by its use in Long v ECMC. Student Loan Assistance Corp. (In re Andrews), 661 F.2d 702, 704 (8th Cir. 1981). Long v. Educational Credit Mgmt. Corp. (In re Long), 322 F.3d 549, 553 (8th Cir. 2003).
(3) any other relevant facts and circumstances surrounding each particular bankruptcy case.
As I stated above, there are 11 Circuits in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, (actually there is a 12th which is the District Court of Appeals for the U.S. bankruptcy Courts), within the 11 there are (9) who currently are using the Brunner Test, and as I stated above, the 8th Circuit has rejected Brunner in favor of the TOC Test. The remaining Circuit, the 1st Circuit, has to-date, refused to adopt a test. The First Circuit has in fact, used both the Totality of Circumstances and Brunner to decide undue hardship.
So There You Have It - The Testing Requirements!
I think I will stop here for now. As I have said before, looking into how to get out from under my ever-increasing student loan debt resulted in researching undue hardship. If you have a student loan that you find you will never be able to pay, you may want to learn what it takes to prove you are under undue hardship.
The requirements are out there, and while I have tried to help you understand them, I will reiterate this very important fact; even the courts are still debating and trying to deal with the interpretation and implementation of the provisions under Bankruptcy Code 11 U.S.C.A. (A=amended) §523(a)(8).
In spite of the conundrum, I will give you a huge secret - You can win (I did) if you meet the criteria and if you file an Adversary Proceeding as part of your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
Secret to Passing the Test? Know what is contained in key cases that courts have ruled on, and read and know the context of July 7th, 2015 Department of Education Policy Letter in regards to the who and when someone can have their student loans discharged in bankruptcy.
I used and followed the teacher's syllabus (DOE Directive), studied hard, did long days and nights of research, took good notes, drafted and completed a "Plan B Paper" (my AP Complaint) of 56 pages, with a word count of 1,7512 words!
I will continue to follow your blog and learn everything I can from you and how you defeated the DOE. You are my hero and I pray that I will be able to follow in your footsteps and have my day in the bankruptcy court. Thank you for creating this blog and I look forward to your next post.
Tiffany, you did not mislead me. I was the one who stated that incorrectly. I have added Mr. Halperin to my list of those I follow as I see he has a lot of articles on the subject of student loans. I encourage you to also check out two of my friends blog sites. That being Richard Fossey who writes www.condemnedtodebt.org and Steve Rhode who has a web site https://getoutofdebt.org. Both of these fine men have written about my case and they provide helpful articles and information on the student loan crisis and debt in general. Your more than welcome to reach out to me, I am glad to help in anyway. Richard.
Can you provide your case number so we can review your AP docket? Thank you!!!
I'm 45, female, live in a boarding home, make 10 an hour. In 2010 I decided to grt out of min wage and get my degree finally. I don't drive so I opted for online.
I was 70% through, straight A's with one B, the entire time attending. I got a call one day in 2012,anf my world shattered. My loans ran dry and no degree for me. I had to stop attending.
I left school with 57k in debt and now it's at 62k,growing yearly. I "pay" zero a month since leaving in 2012, because I make too little.
Nelnet has me show my income yearly and I always get the zero a month.
Would that deny me the "made a good faith effort to pay"?
I am so sorry to hear of your situation... I am glad you found my Blog Site. As you can surmise I have not written for a while. Things in my life have gotten better since I won my student loan discharge, but in other ways my situation within my family relationships have been a cause for some low times... Thus I have not been into writing like I was.
As for your question, I would like to ask if you have made any attempt (or any loan payments at all) to your lenders? There are some cases won where there were ZERO dollars paid on the loan... but they are rare. I need more information.
I would be willing and available to talk on the phone if you wish.
I've paid nothing toward it. I can't afford much, and, though there's one loan for 11 dollars and a few for 2k, the rest are huge. I fear if I pay even 11 dollars or save and pay off a 2k one, they'll think I can pay anything and take away my ibr. I make 10 an hour. Loans just aren't possible at all.
Thank you for posting this article. I'm curious too about a similar situation to Shadow's story. My federal loans have been in forbearance for several years or in-school deferment as I went back to school but I did make payments on them early on. I have also made payments regularly on my private loans. I recently suffered a stroke. I have been working multiple part time jobs and trying to build my own business. My income has been very low. Up until my stroke I had been helping a family member financially with health problems and now I am unsure if I will be able to keep the work schedule that I maintained before. I'm sure that with the IBR I would get $0 but I know years from now there would be the huge tax bill and I still have private loans. Would there be any hope with bankruptcy?
Thank you for your prayers Richard. I tried sending you an email a few days ago but not sure if it went through.
I sent you an email today!
Hello Richard. My name is April, and i think your wisdom may help me. I have a massive amount of student loan debt i incured trying to save my children from poverty i grew up in. All i ever wanted to do was give them a better life, and now everything is worse. I need somw guidance desperately. My loans currently are consolidated and require $0 monthly payment because my income is that low. I fear the day i ever have to start makimg real payments. I had to fight my whole life for everything and i can't catch a break. Any guidance you can offer will be appreciated.
I sent you an email. I hope you got it.
APRIL, I TRIED TO REPLY THEN REALIZED THAT IT MAY NOT REACH YOU? Please send me a direct email at son.follower1@gmail.com and I will resend the answer to your post above. It was a very long answer so I did not have room to post it here.


Berroco Comfort Print is a marble effect coloration of Comfort, an ultra-soft blend of Super Fine Acrylic and Super Fine Nylon and spun into a luxury twist. The yarn is easy care — machine wash and dry — and allergy free. Affordably priced, Comfort is available in an exquisite range of over solids, heathers and print shades.


text:
Dell Streak Android Tablet Pulled Temporarily For Some Updates
Rue Liu - Jul 22, 2011, 2:13pm CDT
The Dell Streak bills itself as an Android tablet with a 5-inch size getting close to being a smartphone. But, it neither has the pocketability of a smartphone nor the larger screen size of a tablet. And, seeing that most new tablets don't dip under 7-inches, it's safe to say that the 5-inch form factor hasn't caught on in popularity. Hence, when Dell recently pulled the Streak from store shelves, it was believed to be discontinued. But that's not the case, according to a store rep.
Engadget contacted a store rep after failing to get any details out of Dell's tight-lipped PR, and was informed that the Streak is not discontinued. The rep revealed that the tablet was being pulled temporarily so that the company could make some updates to the device. Although the rep didn't detail the problems, he did say that it had nothing to do with Android.
Dell first started selling the Streak in August of last year, but has since introduced a larger 7-inch version called the Dell Streak 7. There have also been rumblings that a 10-inch Dell Streak 10 could launch sometime this summer.
[via Engadget]
Topics AndroidDellTablets

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Three teenagers have been arrested in connection with the wounding of a city sanitation worker caught in a shootout on a Brooklyn street, cops said yesterday.
Cops are still looking for the gunman, who fired at least five shots.
Michael Scott, 18, Simone Thompson, 18, and Travis McMeal, 16, were arrested Monday and charged with criminal possession of a weapon and tampering with evidence.
Police sources said Scott was believed to be carrying a .380-caliber gun when he got shot in the leg on Marion Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant 8:30 a.m. Monday.
With his thigh bone shattered, Scott was incapacitated, so he handed the gun to Thompson and fled before police arrived, the sources said.
Witnesses told cops the pistol had changed hands and police arrested Scott, sources said.
Armed with a description of Thompson, police apprehended her at an undisclosed location, but not before witnesses saw her pass the gun to McMeal, the sources said.
Police then tracked down McMeal and arrested him.
Wounded in the hail of gunfire was Larry Wilford, 48, a sanitation worker collecting garbage.


I was recently sent two products by KKCenterHK for review purposes. The products sent were a 10g jar of 2.5mm Matte Blue Circle Glitter (item # NNAIL-HT030-2-5mm) and around fifty 3mm Holo Square Studs (item # NNAIL-DRN656). I've combined both products into a circle glitter and square stud nail art look. You can get 10% off any purchase at KKCenterHK using the code polisharmoire until the end of January, 2014!
The studs were really easy to use and I cut some of them in half with scissors so that they fit nicely on the edges of my nail. It should be noted that you may need to bend the cut pieces around the barrel of a pencil or dotting tool so that they fit the curve of your nail after being cut. They're very unique and pretty. The circle glitter was also easy to place though I haven't tested whether it is also solvent resistent for polish making or frankening. The studs stayed on my nails for a good week before I changed my mani. The trick to longevity is to put a thick coat of topcoat over the top.
I used two coats of OPI My Boyfriend Scales the Wall on my index and middle finger, one coat of Cult Nails Nevermore on my ring finger, and two coats of Cult Nails Tempest on my pinky. Tempest is brighter and more opaque than My Boyfriend Scales the Wall. You can achieve opacity with one coat of Tempest if you are careful with how you apply it.


text:
What's your biggest challenge?
I Need:
Low-Cost Deposits
Finally...no more order taking
We tripled cross-sales, from 2.9 to 8.4
We increased our average cross-sales ratio in 7 weeks from 2.9 to 5.1.
In two years, loans are up 34%, assets are up 21%, and we've added 60 basis points to Net Interest Margin, but the really dramatic change is our cross-sales. We tripled cross-sales, from 2.9 to 8.4, on average across the bank—we view this as the ultimate vote of trust from our customers.
It's unbelievable, but very real.
—K. Knudsen
Chief Executive Officer, Security Bank
2017 Extraordinary Bank of the Year™ Award Winner
2018 Institute for Extraordinary Banking™ Hall of Fame Inductee
WATCH FULL CASE STUDY
…grown our assets per employee [from] $3.4MM [to] $5MM
We have seen a significant increase in our cross-sales since implementing your proven Retails Sales process. We have increased from a team-wide average of less than 3 to finishing 2020 at 5.91. We have also seen individual teammates grow from being fearful of "sales" to routinely building customer trust resulting in individual cross-sales of +10! Utilizing weekly huddles, our leaders follow the Retail Sales process with precision, leading to a deeper understanding that these are win-win interactions.
—B. Calderara
President & CEO, Ulster Savings Bank
…started at 2.84 and now we're at 7.4
Our cross-sales number started at 2.84 and now we're at 7.4. We're focused on the right target markets and our Top 100 most profitable customers are really making an impact on asset quality.
—T. Etcheson
Chairman, Hoosier Heartland State Bank
…individual cross-sales of +10
—D. John
Immediate President & CEO, Minnesota National Bank
We've moved cross-sales from the 2s to in excess of 5 across the company
When we started with The Emmerich Group, cross-sales were in the 2s, and now we're in excess of 5 on average across the company, with some banks well in excess of 7.
—M. Scheopner
Chief Executive Officer, Landmark National Bank
Our cross-sales more than doubled…in a year
We've worked with The Emmerich Group for a little over a year now. In the past, we had tried implementing a sales program and didn't get the results we wanted. Now, we're taking the approach of identifying what the customer needs and then providing that to them. And, we see that as something of service to our customers, and the customers appreciate that approach. A year ago, we averaged 2.7 cross-sales per new account. Now we expect to finish out the current month averaging just under 7 – more than double… in a year!
—S. Lewis
President & CEO, Thomaston Savings Bank
We hit a 6.7 average for cross-sales
For a team that didn't ever think about sales before a year and a half ago, that's wonderful. We've hit a 6.7 average for cross-sales for our whole team and have had individuals as high as 12!
Chief Executive Officer, Home State Bank
Profitable loan growth
with A+ credits
How to sell more loans, faster, to A+ credits at 30 to 100 basis points above the competition
We hit our loan growth goal for the year by the end of June.
Roxanne showed us how to double our growth. We hit our loan growth goal for the year by the end of June…in our first year with Roxanne Emmerich's help! We've had employees in banking for 20 to 30 years who say they wish they'd started this program 20 years ago.
—C. Floyd
President & CEO, First National Bank of Syracuse
#2 on 2016 SNL Top 100 under $1 Billion
A record year for…
Over the last decade as an Emmerich Group client, we have more than doubled assets while becoming very profitable. We look like we'll end the year with a 5 NIM and a 2 ROA. We had a record year for earnings and growth.
—P. Steele
President & CEO, Builtwell Bank
…loan growth was up $100 million in less than five months
Our loan growth was up $100 million in less than five months during the heart of a recession while we improved loan quality. Return on equity increased from 7.18% to 10.44% in a year. Net interest margin increased from 3.63 to 3.95% in a year.
—J. Marcuccilli
Chief Executive Officer, STAR Financial Bank
…tremendous success with commercial loans…without having to change our rates
Since working with TEG our culture scores have improved and we've had tremendous success with commercial loans without having to change our rates.
—J. Rios
Chief Financial Officer, First National Bank of Syracuse
…landed a $10 million loan
We landed a $10 million loan, the biggest we've ever had! We're focusing on our Top 100 and Top 1000 and we now know what they look like, smell like and feel like. It's easier than ever to go after the people and companies that look just like our most profitable customers.
—N. Grigsby
President, Farmers State Bank
Loan growth is up 64%
In the last three years, the 'Blueprint' has helped us have a breakthrough we never dreamed possible. Assets have grown 44%, loan growth is up 64%, net income has doubled, AND we were ranked #2 by SNL for banks under $1 billion. Best of all, we were named the 2019 Extraordinary Bank of the Year™, and our clients are all thrilled to see what our bank in our small community has accomplished!
Get paid what you're worth
We were able to capture a floating rate in a rising rate environment.
We were able to capture a floating rate in a rising rate environment. That was just as big a deal as getting the $10 million loan. Since then, interest rates have gone up 100 basis points. It's the only floating rate that company has. [We were] able to negotiate that by making sure we stuck to your sales process and held tight…and it worked.
The real progress on the margin is on the deposit side.
The real progress on the margin is on the deposit side. We have the second lowest cost of funds of any community bank in Utah. And even though rates have moved up, we've managed to keep customers.
President & CEO, First National Bank of Layton
…realized our three-year goal for net income in the first year
Our net interest margin is now over 5.0—an increase of over 40 basis points in the past year. We realized our three-year goal for net income in the first year working with The Emmerich Group.
…drew the line in the sand about matching rates
We increased net interest margin from the 27th to 82nd percentile in the time we have been working with you. We drew the line in the sand about matching rates—that was huge. We drove our deposit costs down. I don't think we could have come out of those tough couple of years without The Emmerich Group.
—J. Burnett
Chief Executive Officer, Libertyville Savings Bank
High-performance,
high-accountability culture
How to transform whining, excuses and drama into a culture of accountability in weeks
Unleash the vital process that redefines performance culture at every level of your bank
Ranked #1 by Forbes for client experience
It was an incredible recognition by Forbes… [when they ranked our bank #1 for client experience out of almost 6,000 banks]. We were shocked when we got the #1 rating. It was an amazing announcement when we found that out.
This has helped us break down the silos
When I got here four years ago, it really was an organization that had a lot of culture issues. That was one of the big drivers for going with [The Emmerich Group]. I was the seventh president in 10 years. This has really helped us bring it all together, break down the silos, and really get everybody on the same page and working as a team.
Our culture scores have really gone up since we've [joined The Emmerich Group]… And last year, we were voted one of America's best banks to work for in American Banker magazine. [A customer in one of our branches said:] 'You guys are always so happy. This is such a fun place to come to. I like banking here. This is a great place to work…and that's why it's a great place to bank.'
Our people are on fire…
In just 18 months, we improved our ROA from 1.35 to 2.6 and our efficiency ratio from 73% to 56% – far exceeding the utopian goals we set. We never would have thought we could have come so far in so little time. And our people are on fire – we have the best culture we've ever had.
…better than any other program I have attended
The professional development I gained from the High-Performance Bank Executive Program is better than any other program I have attended.
—C. Holland
Chief Executive Officer, Farmers State Bank of Alto Pass
79% of our employees are at target or above…
Before The Emmerich Group, we had great people, but we didn't have an accountability culture. Now, 79% of our employees are at target or above on their critical drivers.
—B. Monts
President & CEO, Hoosier Heartland State Bank
…people have wanted to come to work for us
We've always had a good culture but especially the last few years it's been wonderful and people have wanted to come to work for us because they hear the good things we're doing, and we have Roxanne and her approach to culture transformation to thank for that.
—B. Grimstad
CEO, Decorah Bank and Trust
…our culture scores have improved…
Since working with TEG, our culture scores have improved and we've had tremendous success.
…exceeded expectations on the impact to our culture
We have been partners with TEG for 6 months and employee engagement has increased thanks to implementing morning huddles and bank wide celebrations. We really exceeded expectations on the impact to our culture.
—T. Rudy
EVP, Citizens & Northern Bank
…we differentiate BY our culture
Thriving through challenges like those we face today is exactly why we have this long-term relationship. The Emmerich Group is all about culture, and they have helped us establish systems, processes, and people development so that we can differentiate BY our culture.
…profits increased 44%…because we decided to change our culture
Today, profits have increased 44% over last year! All this in a market with many tough competitors. All because we decided to change our culture.
…shows up in our culture scores
One of the key phrases of our strategic plan is: "Do more with less." We've done just that. That shows up in our culture scores, and it shows up in our productivity, based on the amount of assets under management per employee. And because we're doing more with less, we have higher-paid people.
…like no other executive development program
The High-Performance Bank Executive Program is like no other executive development program. It makes us examine ourselves inside-out and become a better version of ourselves.
—B. Penney
Chief Executive Officer, Marine Bank
Large, low-cost deposits
Unlocking core deposits: the secret leverage point you're overlooking
…two individuals while 'practicing,' brought in $20 million in deposits
We had almost 18% deposit growth. We had two individuals from our team who took the Accredited Banking ProfessionalTM course and, while 'practicing,' brought in $20 million in deposits—$15 million of which were low-cost deposits.
Growth of deposits and loans…a miracle
Before we worked with The Emmerich Group, we had tried many consultants and training programs with little or no improvement. Within 30 days of our Kick-Butt Kick-Off®, we grew more than we had in the previous 10 years combined—35% annualized in 30 days! The growth of deposits and loans can only be described as a miracle and the profits were up 44%. Ongoing growth has soared from there. The systems keep taking us further.
…our deposits are up 22%
Before Roxanne, we had lost direction. We knew we needed growth and a culture shift. Since joining The Emmerich Group, our deposits are up 22%, our customer satisfaction rating is 9.90 out of 10, and we are experiencing our most profitable year on record. This is the best investment we've ever made.
CEO, Libertyville Savings Bank
Core deposits are up from $182 to $263 million
Since 2015, we have gone from $6.2 million to over $8.18 million in assets per employee. Our profitability has gone up from about $357,000 in the first half of 2015 to $1.1 million in the first half of 2018. Core deposits are up from $182 million to $263 million and assets have increased from $256 million to $422 million. Our non-interest-bearing deposits grew 34% in 2015, 36.8% in 2016, and 26% in 2017. This has exceeded even our lofty expectations!
—L. Harrison
President & CEO, Virginia Partners Bank
…the sales process has led to growth in our core deposits
Our focus on the sales process has led to growth in our core deposits, adding significant value to our organization in the long run. Twenty-six of our twenty-nine banks are in excess of their target levels.
Grew core deposits $7 million in the first quarter
We set our goal to grow our core deposits by $1 million dollars a month, $12 million for the year, and through the first quarter of 2015 we are up $7 million. We believe what we are doing with The Emmerich Group is making a difference!
Profit-Rich™
The secret to getting and keeping everyone connected to profit and aligned to strategy
…strategic plan with a purpose and a roadmap
For the first time in 25 years, we really have a strategic plan with a purpose and a roadmap.
—R.C. Burson
Chief Executive Officer, Valley Bank of Commerce
…strategic planning process is second to none
The focus time dedicated to the strategic planning process is second to none. Having Roxanne and her team at your side for two days keeps the focus and keeps you out of the weeds.
President, Hoosier Heartland State Bank
Now we hit every outcome on the plan
Historically, the leadership team would spend months—plus two days together in-person—struggling over a 50+ page annual strategic plan. Once we finalized it, the board would approve it and everyone would put the doggone thing in a folder until the next strategic planning time the following summer. Today, it's a one-pager. And we're now a working, functioning leadership team that is very engaged in the strategic direction we are following. We know what to focus on. Now we hit every outcome on the plan.
—B. Koopman
Senior Vice President, MetaBank
Laser-focused clarity
[Strategic Planning] Think Tank allows you to get laser focus and walk away with clarity on what is going to be important for the bank moving forward the next several years. It allows you to walk away with a plan.
—C. Adams
Senior Vice President, SouthEast Bank
…empowers all of us to create strategy
The process [taught during Strategic Planning Think Tank] removes barriers in the executive management team and empowers all of us to create strategy. The structure encourages us to stay on a path to design strategy.
…best education for successful community bank strategy
Hands down the best education for successful community bank strategy and learning how to differentiate your business.
—H. Wirtz
Chief Experience Officer, Richwood Bank


OUT NOW! 2018 LP pressing on traditional black vinyl (250 copies) and purple vinyl with black marble (250 copies). Comes in a gatefold jacket with a gatefold insert.
The ghoulish masters of the crypt return! Their first full-length in six years, underground legends DENIAL OF GOD emerge from the grave with "Death and the Beyond," the band's heaviest and most morbid monument to date. Containing eight cursed tracks in 62 minutes and recorded in 13 days the analog way at the legendary Berno Studio (Grotesque, Kaamos, Amon Amarth, etc) in Sweden, "Death and the Beyond" captures all the trademark darkness and ghoulish atmosphere of classic DENIAL OF GOD, now going on 20-plus years. Want the perfect combination of black, death, doom, and heavy metal? Seek "Death and the Beyond"!


Previously unknown and unanticipated situations and circumstances that surface or are revealed after an agreement is signed or a contract is awarded. And which alter the original terms and conditions on the basis of which the agreement or contract was drawn or entered into. Also called concealed conditions or latent conditions.


Our corporation has been specializing in brand strategy. Customers' gratification is our greatest advertising. We also source OEM company for Cool room shelving, Warehouse Rack Dividers , Wood Beam Shelves , Overhead Rack For Sale , Leading the trend of this field is our persistent objective. Supplying first class solutions is our intention. To create a beautiful upcoming, we wish to cooperate with all close friends in the home and overseas. Should you have got any interest in our products and solutions, remember to never wait to call us.


Teaching a foreign language requires a lot of patience, and Heike Gombar finds teaching German at the German Language School at the Donauschwaben German-American Cultural Center in Olmsted Township quite rewarding.
The Medina resident works for Zion Lutheran Church in Valley City as a secretary. The German Language School at Donauschwaben teaches Wednesday evening and Saturday mornings, during the school year.
Gombar will be the director of Donauschwaben's Viking Summer Camp June 20-24 at Lenau Park.
Know someone who qualifies as "Person of the Week"? Submit nominations at cleveland.com/sun or e-mail them to ckovach@sunnews.com or mail them to Sun Post, 5510 Cloverleaf Parkway, Cleveland, OH 44125.


Please complete the following details. Once submitted, you will receive a response with a download link. This process is required to minimise the risk of internet SPAM. Your details will be kept private and will only be used for the purposes of responding to you.
Thanks for your request, happy reading!


ARE YOU READY TO CREATE A HEALTHY, HAPPY & ABUNDANT LIFE?
Register & Unlock your creative potential.
The Key is expanding the awareness of people across the UK and the world; helping them to discover that when they choose a mind and heart set of health, wealth, happiness and love, amazing things begin to happen. The Key is helping people discover that positive change will happen when they focus their energy on creating their vision and unlocking their purpose.
Described as "pure creative genius". The Key is shifting perceptions and having a remarkable and significant effect on people just like you.
The Key will take you on that journey if you are open and curious and willing to really hear and see.
Grace, is an inspirational and powerful story. Described as "The Scottish Alchemist", Grace an Amazon 5 star book, teaches the reader The Creation Process ® and The Key Philosophies in the most magical and heart warming way.
NEW ! An inspired series of online courses featuring Founder Christine McGrory.
The Key® programmes are now available online.
Here you will find an inspired series of online courses featuring Founder, Christine McGrory teaching you The Key Philosophies and Creation Process. Each course reveals one powerful Key Philosophy through video, audio, meditations, workbooks, images and resources.
Each course reveals one powerful Key Philosophy through video, audio, meditations, workbooks, images and resources.
TRANSFORMATIONAL KEY EVENTS GUARANTEED TO INSPIRE YOU TO CREATE SIGNIFCANT AND LASTING CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE.
At a KEY LIVE EVENT you will experience a human potential programme which fuses science, success and spirited philosophy. The Key has already transformed the lives of thousands of people across the UK in the most significant ways and now you can experience it too.
The Key will inspire you to choose a mind and heart set of health, happiness and abundance and will leave you focused, energised and with a clear vision for your future. 100% guaranteed to inspire you to make significant and lasting change.
The Key will inspire you to choose a mind and heart set of health, happiness and abundance and will leave you focused, energised and with a clear vision for your future.100% guaranteed to inspire you to make significant and lasting change.images and resources.
A unique opportunity to be mentored by The Winner of The Global Woman Inspiration Award 2018 – ChristineMcGrory MSc. BSc.
In the past been voted Scotland's most influential women by the Glasgow Herald, a finalist in The Glasgow Awards and proposed for the Glasgow Herald's Inspiring City Awards. She was voted; Business Women Scotland's Business Mentor of the Year and last year was finalist for The UK's Most Inspiring Newcomer in Personal Development by Best You in London.
The Key to Health and Wellbeing is an inspired and innovative approach to good health.
A new way of thinking about health, The Key to Health and Well-being is a natural and innovative approach to achieving optimum health. Developed on timeless wisdom it is quite simply another genius Key approach to living in optimum health in a toxic world.
– What you are made of and it's connection to health.
– Discover The 8 Keys which Mother Nature gifted us.
– Create a desire to achieve and maintain a healthy balanced lifestyle.
– Become aware of beliefs that may be blocking your view of better health.
– Get excited about a simple and natural way to regain your vitality and energy.
– Begin the adventure of health in alignment with nature.
The Key World Retreat – Bali is an 8 day life transforming, human potential experience featuring our signature Key Programmes; The Key, Key to Health and Well-being and 'Space to Create' Meditation and Yoga Programme.
Join us in the heart of the beautiful Bali country side, in the most idyllic retreat space ever.
– Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks and drinks on site are included.
We promise you the adventure of a lifetime.
Established in 2016, Scottish Charity No: SC045865. The purpose of The Institute of Creation (The Key's Charity) is to empower individuals with the resources which will enable them to live happy, healthy, abundant, purposeful and fulfilled lives.


Software designed for managing translation memories, generating multilingual and parallel corpora. There are no restrictions regarding the number of languages, and it can be adapted to suit the specific needs of each client.
A tool for guaranteeing the quality and consistency of the text translated to Basque, while optimizing the translation process and making it more cost effective.
It automatically detects and sanitizes the personal data in the written texts, in Basque as well as in Spanish.


text:
BBC News - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_News
BBC News is an operational business division of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online news coverage.
BBC News (TV channel) - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_News_(TV_channel)
BBC News (also known as the BBC News Channel) is a British (TV license needed) television news channel.It was launched as BBC News 24 on 9 November 1997 at 5:30 pm as part of the BBC's foray into digital domestic television channels, becoming the first competitor to Sky News, which had been running since 1989.
BBC News Online - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_News_Online
BBC News Online is the website of BBC News, the division of the BBC responsible for newsgathering and production.. The website contains international news coverage, as well as British, entertainment, science, and political news.
BBC World News - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_World_News
BBC World News is an international English-language pay television network, operated under the BBC Global News Limited division of the BBC, which is a public corporation of the UK government's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
BBC - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC
BBC News is the largest broadcast news gathering operation in the world, providing services to BBC domestic radio as well as television networks such as the BBC News, BBC Parliament and BBC World News. In addition to this, news stories are available on the BBC Red Button service and BBC News Online.
BBC News at Six - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_News_at_Six
The BBC News at Six is the evening news programme bulletin from the BBC. Produced by BBC News , the programme is broadcast on BBC One and the BBC News channel on weekdays at 6:00pm. For a long period the News at Six was the most watched news programme in the UK but since 2006 it has been overtaken by the BBC News at Ten .
BBC London News - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_London_News
BBC London News is broadcast seven days a week on BBC One in London and the surrounding areas, with three-minute updates during BBC Breakfast and 15-minute bulletins after the BBC News at One and the BBC News at Ten. The flagship programme airs between 6.30pm and 7pm each weekday after the BBC News at Six and is usually presented by Riz Lateef ...
BBC World Service - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_World_Service
News is also available from the BBC News 'app', which is available from both iTunes and the Google Play Store. In recent years, video content has also been used by the World Service: 16 language services show video reports on the website, and the Arabic and Persian services have their own television channels.
Related searches bbc news
bbc news world bbc sport
bbc news live bbc weather
bbc news today daily mail
bbc news urdu guardian
sky news bbc news headlines
cnn news bbc news ni
bbc news live
bbc news today
bbc news urdu
bbc weather
bbc news headlines
bbc news ni


text:
Amazon's iPhone app includes AR feature that identifies replacement parts
Femmy Lucas Last updated on July 30th, 2018
Amazon added an update to the camera search on its iOS app called "Part Finder" which gives users the ability to search for specific nuts and bolts that you may require more of and need some help to ascertaining them. If the augmented reality feature of Amazon is able to identify it, the app will aid you to purchase more of the screw you are searching for.
iPhone users interested in making use of Part Finder should open the Amazon app and tap on the camera that is close to the search bar. Next, tap Part Finder (it's the one that has a screw as its icon.) From this point, things get more complex in the sense that you have to align the part your eyes are on above a penny and tilt your phone till you are able to centre it on a white surface. This is particular difficult because it may take some time to centre the image, however, if you are able to get past the section, you have nothing more to worry about.
The update makes use of the iPhone camera's augmented reality to determine the depth and width of the part and it leaves the other areas of identification such as the head style and drive type for you to decipher. As regards safety, this tool should not be depended on for items or repairs that are critical to things of importance. In that note, the mystery part should be taken to a hardware store for better handling. Be that as it may, the fact that Amazon may be able to identify it is impressive.
The most fascinating part is that in 2016, Amazon made an acquisition a visual recognition company called PartPic whose specialty is in pinpointing small parts. There's a chance that Part Finder is the integration of PartPic on the Amazon app.
At the moment says Amazon, Part Finder works only for fasteners – this means that it works for screws, nuts, bolts, and washers – but with time it will spread to include other replacement parts. We now know that the feature is available on iOS but we have no details concerning the time it will be made available on Android.
Previous Post: How to change Double spaces to Single spaces in Microsoft Word
Next Post: iFixit tests anti-dust membrane in new MacBook Pro


text:
Q: Css styling for a   using "display: block" not working I have a form label that I want displayed at the top of the form. I've seen that this can be done by setting the CSS display to block but after trying that method I don't see any results. I've confirmed that the CSS file is linked properly because I'm able to adjust other style factors just fine. I'd like to understand the reasoning behind why this is happening. I appreciate the help. Thank you for your time!
'''
.reflectionForm label{
    display: block;
    font-size: 25px;
    font-weight: normal;
    color: green
}
'''

'''
function Reflection() {
    return (

 Entry Page

        <form class="reflectionForm">
             New Entry:
            <textarea type="text" id="newEntryId" name="newEntryName" rows="30" cols="75"/>

        </form>

    );
}
'''

Output

A: You need to target only the text, not the whole label with the textarea inside.
You can solve this by putting the text in a  tag and change your CSS selector to target the span:
function Reflection() {
    return (

            Entry Page
            <form class="reflectionForm">

                    New Entry:
                    <textarea type="text" id="newEntryId" name="newEntryName" rows="30" cols="75"/>

            </form>

    );
}

.reflectionForm label span {
    display: block;
    font-size: 25px;
    font-weight: normal;
    color: green
}

Live Demo:

.reflectionForm label span {
    display: block;
    font-size: 25px;
    font-weight: normal;
    color: green
}

 Entry Page
  <form class="reflectionForm">

      New Entry:
      <textarea type="text" id="newEntryId" name="newEntryName" rows="30" cols="75"></textarea>

  </form>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


At the Millstone Towne Centre (home of the Millstone 14 Theatre) located on Camden Road in Hope Mills, N.C.
Our address is 3350 Footbridge Lane (GPS address: 5943 Camden Rd). We are located between The Wine Café and Ichiban Grill.
If you are coming from Raeford Road, turn onto Hope Mills Road, go about 3.5 miles to Camden Road, Turn Right at McDonalds onto Camden Road, go about three blocks and Millstone Towne Centre will be on your left.
At the Oaks Shopping Plaza located on NC 24/87 in Cameron, NC.
Our address is 1550 NC 24/87 in Cameron, NC. From downtown Spring Lake, go north on Hwy 87 approximately 7 miles. We are located on the left in The Oaks Shopping Plaza between Jelly Beans Frozen Yogurt and Grapes & Hops. Landmark: The new Wendy's on HWY 87.
From Sanford, go south on Hwy 87 approximately 16 miles. We are located on the right in The Oaks Shopping center between Jelly Beans Frozen Yogurt and Grapes & Hops . Landmark: The new Wendy's on HWY 87. Our phone number is 910-308-9544.


If you were calling a Canadian somewhere in the country and couldn't get an answer in 2002, maybe they were in California. There were 874,000 of us that made the trip, but probably not all at once! Canada is Los Angeles' # 1 export market and LA County's 5th largest source of foreign direct investment. Statewide, California is the Number 2 choice of destination of all Canadian travel into the country. Trade with Canada is responsible for a 1/4 million jobs in LA county alone.
That being said, I wonder how many of these Canadians take a side trip to Riverside, some 60 miles East of LA? Bet not many! And that is a shame.
As you drive to Riverside you drive past a sign saying Ontario. Don't be confused. Even they have one of them! As you pull into Riverside and drive towards March Air Reserve Base you will find the Riverside National Cemetery across the road.
This cemetery is located on land once used by the military as a base, and in the mid 1970's they donated the land for a miltary cemetery for those who had served and their families. Today it is the 5th largest Cemetery operated by the US National Cemetery Administration.
On opening day, 11 November 1978, it conducted it's first internment. This was a hero and Medal of Honor recipient named S.Sgt Ysmael Villegas who received his medal posthumously after being killed in battle in the Phillipines in WW11. His re-internment ceremony was attended by a large gathering that included no less than 15 other MOH recipients. Today there are 4 MOH recipients at rest there. The latest I believe being Colonel Lewis Millett whom you met in this space in the blog on December 15th. I had the honor of attending this hero's funeral a few years back.
This cemetery has a number of very important memorials on site. One of these is one of the four nation memorials to the Medal of Honor. As you enter this memorial you pass this massive entrance marker.
Beyond this is a small pool of water that drops from a device that release many streams of water when turned on. When the site was first opened in November of 1999, and attended by 85 Medal of Honor recipients, there was a seperate stream of water being ejected into the pool for each living medal recipient. As I first entered this memorial I entered with somewhat of a splash, to the entertainment of many. The sun was facing me and it was blinding. I moved forward and walked right into the pool. Soaked to mid thigh, I exited to find several folks trying to figure out if they should be offering to help..or laugh. Most tried both. Within an hour the incedible power of the sun had my pants quite dry.
Here's the pool that I got christened in. There are 38 panels of highly polished marble that surround the pool. On these are engraved the names of all Medal of Honor recipients dating back to the first recipients... the Andrews Raiders in 1863. There is space to allow entry of any new recipients. Panels are broken down into time frames, and in some cases names appear out of the correct sequence because they in fact may have earned a Medal in CW days but did not get it till much later, as noted in blogs you have hopefully already read in this space.
All of the lettering is in gold, but with the light shinning from various angles somethimes this is difficult to see.
These massive blocks of marble stand about 7 feet tall and perhaps four feet across.
These markers are very significant to every reader as they contain all the names of the recipients, US, Canadian and from around the world.
I visted this memorial on about 7 different trips while in California on 2 seperate ocassions. And often when I visited for yet more pictures, I would see folks running their fingers along the inscriptions honouring their relatives. It was not only quite moving, and humbling, but an incedible honor to have been able to make these trips to visit some of Canada's heritage, and all readers are encouraged to make the trip some day.
In this series of 4 photos, look at the bottom right one and you will see a star beside the name of John Laverty. This means the FIRST medal is listed here and there is a second listed somewhere else on these panels. He is one of the 19...oops, yesterday's blog told you there are more, .. but anyway.. he is one of the double recipients.
So who are the famous fellows in these pictures. I suspect few can pick them out. First... they are all famous... they are heroes who have been awarded the medal.
But the names you may not recognize are John Grady to start with, in the upper left, who was New Brunswick born and earned his medal at Vera Cruz in 1914. In the upper right is ALonzo Pickle who was born at Farnham in Canada East, and earned a medal in the Civil War. Below him is George Low also known as George Evatt who is another CW recipient, born somewhere???? in Canada, yet to be discovered. And finally in the lower right is George L Houghton from Yarmouth Nova Scotia who earned his medal also in the Civil War.
In each of my trips I have taken photos of yet more Canadians discovered who have earned the Medal of Honor. I have over 100 of them. These however also include some who were not Canadian born, but have some connection to the country.
And it makes me quite proud to say that of the 38 panels at this monument, one of the above numbered men are on at least 28 of these panels. Canadians have every right to feel very proud of these men and a side trip to run your fingers along the engraved names will leave you with a feeling that you hopefully will not forget for a very long time.
In May of 2010 probably about a year's work on the part of myself and a woman from California, came to fruition when we hosted an unveiling ceremony for a new grave marker for Zorra Ontario born Benjamin F Youngs at LA California.
Family came from BC, Alberta, Ontario, several parts of the US and even London England. Family met family for the first time. And with this very exciting ceremony along also came not one..but two Medals of Honor owned by the proud family of Mr. Youngs. (One of the medals was a replacement when the design changed) Pictured here at Riverside are some of the decendants from Ontario, and second from the right is the then, and current serving Mayor of that community with her husband at her side.
It was most humbling to see the family handling the medals, get to know each other and coming to Riverside with me... even thought we all got lost enroute, hehe, and to see these folks actually going up to the wall and running their fingers along the inscription of their proud ancenster.
Lee has obviously been brought up to respect the military and he is quit proud of the very, very long list of ancestors doing their duty for the country going back to the Revolutionary War. He shares the feelings of many about the way the government has handled MIA and POW issues and after reading a book about the incredible courage of Lt Lance Peter Sigan, (well worth an internet search) his POW status and attempts at escape and then dying in captivity gave even more passion to Lee's feelings about those thousands still in the MIA/POW status. But what really infuriates Lee is that so may give the status of those missing as being unknowns. Lee argues with much passion that every one of them has a familly. They all have faces and they have names. there is nothing, he noted, that is unknown about them except where they are being held, or where they finally came to rest.
Putting this passion to work Lee, as a sculputre, made a miniature of what you see above. It represents both the MIA and the POW and as a result of his readings on Lt. Sijan, he decided to actually use a likeness of Sijan's face on the monument which is looking up tp God with open hands.
Lee's work came to be known by a group with similar feelings and connected to the Riverside cemetery. They ultimately commissioned him to make a three times life size image of that pictured above. But Lee talked them down to a 1and a 1/2 size piece so that it would be short enough so that the viewer can see the face and the struggle within that all POW's and MIA must have gone through, and perpaps continue to do in many cases.
In 2005 the US Congress designated this bronze sculpture as a National Monument to those Missing in Action and to Prisoners of War from all actions in US history.
Again a trip to the LA area and Riverside without seeing this monument would be a dis-service to the Millett family and to heroes all around the world who have and continue to pay the price for our freedom.
I'll show you some Canadian graves in California tomorrow.


Through the delivery of quality care at end of life for all and to offer compassion and support to those with a life limiting illness, their carers and families.
Palliative Care ACT is the representative voice for palliative care in the Australian Capital Territory. Formed in 1985, we are a non-government community based organisation, a registered charity and a founding member of the national peak body.
MANY OF OUR SERVICES ARE DELIVERED BY VOLUNTEERS, SUPPORTED BY A PROFESSIONAL TEAM WHO TRAIN THEM AND COORDINATE THEIR ACTIVITIES.
advocate for, and promote, provision of best quality palliative care services.
When you volunteer with Palliative Care ACT you make a wonderful contribution to the life of those with a terminal illness. You also get a great sense of satisfaction and the knowledge that you have made a difference to the life of someone in need.


Hello, I figured I'd throw together a starter forum. We can always upgrade to a better one later.
Before spending time on a forum, I'd like to see the amount of interest and participation the guild will have in one.
the format of the forums seems so archaic lol.
Is that some random pic or is that actually a specific person as your profile pic, Jash?
EE is boring now that everyone left the guild....theres not even a guild town now. i really miss everyone. does anyone even go on this website anymore?


text:
Scott K. Holbrook ,
Atkinson Andelson Loya Ruud & Romo
Governor Newsom Modifies the Classified Dismissal and Suspension Process for K-12 School Districts and Community College Districts
USA - October 18 2022 On September 30, 2022, Governor Newsom approved Assembly Bill No. 2413, which modified Sections 45113 (K-12) and 88013 (CCD) of the California…
Matthew T. Besmer, Kathryn E. Meola, Sharon J. Ormond, Mark W. Thompson,
Expanded Opportunity for California Community College Districts to Obtain Information about Potential Students from Local Agencies
USA - October 18 2022 On September 15, 2022, Governor Newsom approved Assembly Bill No. 2627, which added section 53087.9 to the California Government Code, creating a…
Matthew T. Besmer, Kathryn E. Meola, Mark W. Thompson,
PERB Determines That Effects of an Employer's Decision to Mandate Flu Vaccine for Faculty and Staff During COVID-19 Pandemic Was Subject to Negotiations
USA - July 28 2021 On July 26, 2021, the Public Employment Relations Board ("PERB" or "Board") issued its decision in Regents of the University of California (2021)…
Steven J. Andelson, William A. Diedrich,, Amy W. Estrada, Paul Z. McGlocklin
Updated CDPH Guidance, "Youth Sports Q&A," Effective March 17, 19 and 22, 2021
USA - March 24 2021 After controversially issuing a Youth Sports Q&A which effectively banned sideline cheer and other activities from occurring in connection with…
Scott D. Danforth,, Alyssa Ruiz de Esparza, Amy W. Estrada, Joshua E. Morrison
Willful Defiance Suspensions Ban Expanded to Include Grades 4-8 Students In Favor of Restorative Justice Alternatives
USA - September 12 2019 Senate Bill 419 ("SB 419"), signed by Governor Newsom on Monday, September 9th, will prohibit public schools - both traditional and charter - from…
Davina F. Harden, Gabriel Sandoval


The name of Jauhen Afnahel, one of the leaders of the Belarusian National Congress and coordinator of the European Belarus, has been known since the early 2000s.
His acquaintances and strangers characterized him as follows: "he is as reliable as a Swiss bank", "dumb dog and conspirator", "he and his team is an explosive mixture".
- What was the first step? How did you get to your first rally?
-It was one of the first opposition demonstrations in the recent history of Belarus – the action on Dzyady of 1989. It began at the Maskouski cemetery in Minsk and ended not far from Kurapaty. I was 9 years old. My father took me with him.
There were some bright moments. Father bought a small white-red-white flag for one ruble, gave it to me and said: this is the real flag of your country. I knew that official symbols differed, I constantly saw red banners on the streets and on TV. Then I did not understand that I held in hands the future state symbol, but I felt the sense of gravitas and some subtext of that act. Otherwise I probably did not remember it. In addition, I have seen dozens of people with the same flag. And I felt like a part of them.
I remember a long column, which I understand now, was walking along the Kalinovskogo Street. For some reason, I wanted to be in the head of the column. We took a trolley bus and drove a couple of stops. I remember how I held the flag and saw people staring at us. But this flag was eye-catching. after all, there were a lot of people with this flag on the street.
- How much impact did your family have on you?
- I was constantly told about the true history of Belarus. I knew about the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and about the Belarusian People's Republic. Parents stressed that we were not Soviet people, but an independent nation with a long, heroic and extremely interesting history, that we differed from other nations. In addition, they used to work at publishing house "Belarusian Soviet Encyclopedia". They spoke Belarusian language and they spoke it at home.
father used to listen to western radio stations - "Voice of America", "Radio Svaboda". Some topics were discussed in the family, it became a habit after bloody events in Vilnius, Baku, Tbilisi in the late 80s.
In addition, since childhood I have known that my maternal ancestors were dispossessed, and some of them were exiled to Siberia. My paternal grand grandfather, Uladzimir Ivanavich Afnahel, was the member of the Cadets Party and was shot dead by bolshevicks in 1918.
It all had a great influence on me. I can't specify the moment when I realized that I was a Belarusian patriot, a nationalist. It took much time for me to understand it.
- What about your school?? Teachers? - Were you thankful for your world view?
- Yes, of course. My teachers at school, especially teachers of history and literature, played a great role. However, the influence of my family , memories of my ancestors were determining.
By the way, now my parents say jokingly that the participation in the resistance movement is part of our DNA. One of my grandfathers, Jauhen Uladzimiravich Afnahel, I was named after him, took an active part in activities of the Minsk underground during the Second World War, in 1942 he founded an underground printing house in the Trinity Hill; he published and distributed newspapers and leaflets. My another grandfather, Vasil Ivanavich Kurach, was in a guerrilla regiment, which succeeded on the territory of Byarezinsky and Klicheu districts.
- What was the first serious book you read in Belarusian?
- "Brief Overview of History of Belarus" by Vatslau Lastouski. It was a thin book with a white-red-white flag and coat of Arms "Pahonia" on the cover. It was published in the very end of the 80s.
By the way, some true facts of the history of Belarus were available during the Soviet times. When I was a child, while I was reading the "Belarusian Soviet Encyclopedia" published in late 70s-early 80s, I came across an article about coat of arms "Pahonia". However, it was told that it had been used by "bourgeois nationalists".
- That was the reason to enter the Faculty of History at Belarusian State Pedagogical University?
At the end of the secondary school I studied at ordinary school No. 35 on Azizava Street, Minsk. And then one of schools turned into a gymnasium with pedagogical focus. My parents decided it would be better for me to finish the secondary school there.
I could not boast of a desire to become teacher or lecturer. But it was the time of the 1990s. Belarus became independent. The knowledge that had recently been banned - "exclusive" one - were distributed in the society. I'd like to be involved somehow. It became my bee in the bonnet. That was decisive for me to enter the Faculty of History.
-What was the atmosphere at the Faculty?
- It was great. Our teachers, dean and deputy dean were great. Many of them wore white-red-white badges. I'd like to ppint out proffessor of archaeology Lyavon Kalyadzinski.
After all, it happened after the "referendum" of 1996, which changed state symbols. The third part of things were in Belarusian. Independent press was free to dissemination. There was underground literature which caught the second breath. There was the spirit of freedom and mutual assistance at the university. Nobody could imagine that Lukashenka would stay for long.
The majority of students were against Lukashenka. Opposition rallies were held under our windows on Independence Square. There were infinite rallies in the autumn of 1996.
I remember many students at those rallies. We took part in them both during or after classes. It was done openly. We were convinced that Lukashenka would not stay for long.
- Was the Young Front your first organization? How and why did you join it?
- Before it I was the member of Little Octobrists (laughs).
I joined the Young Front in the autumn of 1996. Belarusian music and Vital Supranovich promoted it. I had been listening to Belarusian rock bands "Mroja", "Bonda", "Krama", "Uliss" since the early 90s. Vital Supranovich was one of the most famous distributors of the Belarusian music in Minsk. I used to often buy cassets. In one of theautumn days of 1996 he invited me to a cool party. We went to the office of the Belarusian People's Front.
By the way, it was my second time there. When I took my last year at high school I wrote an abstract on "BPF and national and cultural revival of Belarus", and I visited the Office to get some literature.
And then I visited it with Supranovich. It was Thursday. There were 100 people there, Pavel Sevyarynets was taking the floor. And I decided to become a part of it.
By that time, I had already lived in the Maskouski district of Minsk, because I worked in the Koidanava Rada of the Young Front (KRYF).
- How did you manage to head the KRYF.
- Those were fair elections (laughs).
- It happened in a year and a half when the head of the KRYF Dzmitry Kalubovich had to leave the country because of his political views.
- Perhaps, it was caused by our very first leaflet urging people to join the Young Front.
We had a special place for meetings and we met every week. First, we resided in the attic quite in front of the Police Department of the Maskouski District. Then we moved to a small wooden house in the intersection of Zheleznodorozhnaya and Shchorsa Streets.
Every week we met and planned events. The leaflet indicated the gathering place for new people who wanted to join us. The leaflet said: "We are waiting on you at the Shchorsa bus stop near a white wall.
Now it may look ridiculous, but there were no cell phones then, or even pagers. There was an indicator for a place of gathering.
- Why did your whole team join the Zubr resistance movement?
- Four years of active resistance passed, starting from spring 1996. There were mass actions, dozens of thousands people in the streets of Minsk, the Marches of Freedom. But the opposition remained disunited, no one had the plan of the actions, or the strategy of victory either.
In September 2000, there was a revolution in Serbia. The next year, Belarus was to hold presidential election.
There were discussions about the extent to which the experience of the legendary Serbian Otpor was applicable in our situation, not only among my friends and allies but in the society as a whole. We believed it was needed to create a broad youth movement which would unite not only the Belarusian-speaking patriots like the Young Front, but all adherents of changes. There was a need to involve broad masses of young people, who had never been in the democratic movement before, into the resistance.
This is how the idea that the Zubr was needed started to appear gradually.
By that time, we had close contacts with the leaders of the Charter'97 civil initiative, Dzmitry Bandarenka in particular, and also with the activists of other opposition organizations.
And on January 14, 2001 about 50 young people, among whom were myself and my friends, gathered together in the Belavezhskaya Pushcha. Then we took the decision that we create the movement of non-violent resistance, the aim of which was to down the dictatorship in Belarus.
Absolutely different people gathered in the Belavezhskaya Pushcha on that day, those who were members of certain organizations, and those who weren't, new people.
Literally in few days, the work started: the "Zubr" graffiti appeared all over the country. The people started asking questions, interested. Then the first press-conference of the Zubr was held, on which the goals of the movement were announced. I can tell for sure that Belarusians then had hope that something could be achieved in 2001.
Zubr appeared everywhere at once. Literally from the very start it was clear that this was a movement of some absolutely new type. There were terrific stickers, graffiti, bright actions, which were absolutely different from everything that was before.
After the performance "Final Diagnosis" the dictatorship ceased to be terrifying. Lukashenka was then perceived as a mad clown. Everyone laughed at him. In the center of Minsk, people were running wearing the dictator's masks, imitating him playing hockey. Literally in several months the movement captured the whole country. There was nothing like this in Belarus before.
- I remember someone saying at one of the Zubr actions, "Afnahel has the biggest team". How did you manage to gather such a team?
- One person cannot create a team. This is the result of common work of the people, united with one idea, one aim. So our team of the Zubr times is everybody's merit. By the moment of creating the movement, we already had Pavel Yukhnevich, Aliaksei Liaukovich, Maxim Abramchuk; in Summer 2001 Hleb Viazouski, Liuba Kuchynskaya and Mikita Sasim joined, a little later - Maxim Viniarski, Nika Lazouskaya, Danila Barysevich. There are many people whom I still cannot name for the sake of their security.
How did it happen that we had so many people? I don't think there's some secret method here. This was a very interesting, dynamic time. We believed in victory, we did what we liked, and were 100% dedicated. In Summer 2001, our team met with several dozen new people every day. Whole neighbourhood companies, classes, student groups joined the Zubr. It was a rare occurrence when a person came to Zubr alone.
- Your team was known not only because of its headcount, but also because of the traditions. For example, you went hiking with serious load around Belarus. What was the aim of these hiking tours?
- It was important that the people coming to us not only distributed leaflets, newspapers, glued stickers. We wanted them to constantly learn something new, become a more cohesive team, so that they were interested. For this purpose, not only hikes, but also summer camps, concerts, meetings with famous people were organized.
Hiking tours were also for cold training, testing. People returned from them a little different.
The most interesting and memorable was the hike of 2002, which began in Budslau. We passed a big route in two weeks, overcoming 30-40 kilometers a day at full load per day. The path ran through Kryvichy, Narach, Lyntupy, Vidzy, Bahinskaye Lake, along the border with Lithuania and Latvia - to Braslau and Druya.
- Clandestine security was also considered the strong side of your team. What is the most memorable, of what you can tell now?
- Clandestine security is no longer secure if someone tells about it. I would better tell about the cases when it was violated. Back then, in 2001, there were practically no cell phones. Pagers were used for operative communication. As a rule, we didn't pass any important information via them, just left a message like "Call me back", or "Need to meet you", and called the conspiracy nickname, which were changed once a week and invented spontaneously.
As we called quite often, they often recognized us in "Vessobel" - the company which served the pagers. Operators often added something personal to the messages, and even the words of support.
- Did you know that activist respectively called you Konung, apart from conspiracy nicknames? Moreover, not only those who were in your team.
- This is such an obsolete story, surrounded with all sorts of legends, that it's time not to recall it. As there were many nicknames, underground and meaningful.
- Do you remember the night of September 9, 2001, when you entered the Trade Unions Palace in the Kastrychnitskaya Square? What did you feel back then?
- I remember the feeling that everything is possible, that we could do anything. It was just fascinating.
In the evening of September 9, about 5 000 people gathered in the Kastrychnitskaya Square, although the "single candidate from the opposition" (Uladzimir Hancharyk - ed.) was weak and cowardly. We took up the building of the Trade Unions Palace without problems, and it became the headquarters of resistance. Someone came up with the idea to hang a white-red-white flag over it. Pavel Yukhnevich rose to the roof and a few minutes later our symbol waved over the Palace.
Then someone suggested playing a football game in the Kastrychnitskaya Square. They split into teams and played football. We congratulated the riot policemen wandering at the entrance on the new president. Everything seemed possible. And it seemed that in the morning we would have a completely different country. Moreover, there was a plan for further action, and everything rested only on the political decision of presidential candidate Hancharyk.
But, unfortunately, in the morning these illusions disappeared for two reasons. First, the observers were afraid and did not want to give a real picture of the results from the polling stations. Secondly, the cowardice of the candidate himself showed up, he simply refused to fight and called for a divergence.
Despite this, the activists of the Zubr stayed in the crowded Trade Unions Palace almost for the whole next day, September 10th; and flags of the movement fluttered over the entrance. And only closer to the evening, when it became finally clear that the single candidate refused to fight, the people left the building.
We went out with flags, passed by the riot policemen, who were in the Kastrychnitskaya Square, and left.
The night from September 9 to September 10 went with the feeling that here it is, the victory - a couple of steps to it. In the morning, it became clear that without our normal presidential candidate, our efforts alone are not enough.
And this was fixed only in 2010. But the authorities by this time also carried out their error analysis session.
- How was the campaign and the Square-2010 different from the previous ones?
- The years 2001 and 2006 showed that the people who came out to the Square then were much cooler than the presidential candidates. In 2010, there was a different situation, because the presidential candidates - Andrei Sannikov, Mikalai Statkevich, Uladzimir Niakliaeu - spoke about the Square directly. The leaders then did everything possible to make changes closer. Yes, the authorities then used brutal force, brought the army and the police. The Square ended with brutal dispersal. All the independent candidates were detained, many of them got prison terms.
However, we should not blame only the regime for that. We, the millions of citizens of the country, who voted against Lukashenka on December 19, could not defend neither our choice, nor our leaders. The presidential candidates appeared cooler than their adherents this time. Maybe it will sound unpleasant for someone, but the leaders and their families received the hardest blow in 2010. Of course, hundreds of ordinary people were arrested in the Square, but for most of them it all ended with fines and administrative detentions for days. We could not achieve quick release of our leaders though.
- What do you personally remember the most of the election-2010?
- I headed the Minsk electoral HQ of presidential candidate Andrei Sannikov. I coordinated the collection of signatures, and then the agitation campaign in Minsk as well.
So, what I, and probably thousands of Minsk residents remember the most, is the moods of the people in 2010.
This was probably the most fascinating political campaign in the contemporary history of Belarus. We had a wonderful team, awesome people. But the most important is that we had such a powerful support from the people, there were queues to the agitation pickets. The people who stood under the flags of the European Belarus and other independent candidates, simply gathered demonstrations out of those who wanted to put their signatures for the candidates.
Only in Minsk, hundreds of people were involved in the active political life and started coming out to the pickets to campaign for Andrei Sannikov.
Our contact phones simply couldn't cope with such load sometimes. We were physically unable to answer everyone who addressed to us offering help. The meetings with Andrei Sannikov gathered overcrowded halls, when people couldn't get in and listened standing at the entrance.
Such upraise and inspiration left the authorities no choice. That is why their reaction on December 19 is understandable. Lukashenka realized: if the Square is not dispersed with the help of the police and the military today, he will not be there any longer tomorrow.
- In the square, you were in the epicenter of the events - on the pedestal of the Lenin monument. What did you see from there and what did you remember the most?
- The Square didn't come as a surprise to me. The campaign that took place on the eve could not end with anything other than dozens of thousands of people in the Square. It was clear that there would be not just many participants of the action, but very many. It was obvious that if the government does not bristle with troops and the police, it will simply be demolished.
What did I see from the height of the monument? First, a sea of the people which seemed to have no end. The avenue crowded to such an extent that the tail of the column was lost sight of. The festive mood of the people. Excellent self-organization and responsible behavior of the participants of the action. It would seem - complete freedom, the city is ours, but the column was disciplined and there were no incidents during the movement on the avenue.
The Independence Square was also crowded with people. There was a moment when the action had already lasted for an hour, and I noticed that people continued to arrive in crowds to the Square. They approached from the station, from the Sviardlou street, from the Main Post Office - from everywhere.
I only saw something like this in the photographs of the early 90's. It was felt that this is a historical moment, that so many people cannot but achieve what they want.
- The Square cost you five years of emigration. But you returned to your homeland and again got actively engaged in the political struggle. Why?
- Because life is boring without all this. Ubergoals and struggling for them, and the adventures connected with such struggle make life real and meaningful.
I remember what Belarusians were like 20 years ago. The people had goals, dreams. Organizations, companies, businesses were created, newspapers and magazines were opened. Life was vivid.
Now, most of those start-ups have been destroyed. Almost everything sound that existed in our society has been cleared up. A huge number of our countrymen live a dull, monotonous, often senseless and feeble life. When I meet some old acquaintances of mine, who are now far from politics, I become sure once again that we are on the right path. As the existence of some of them deserve only pity. It's dull, uninterested and gray.
Real life should not be like this. And to make it decent, one needs to set a goal - not necessarily political - and go to it regardless of all the obstacles. For the last several centuries, they taught Belarusians to survive, discouraging them to commit heroic acts, conquer peaks or just to fight for themselves.
Our life is full of adventures, full of interesting people and unforgettable moments. Yes, they are not always pleasant. But life should be like this - different, with ups and downs. The main thing is that it should bring excitement.
- As one of the BNC leaders, you are now engaged in the preparation of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Belarusian People's Republic. How come that almost all democratic forces united around this idea?
- In fact, it's very cool that the responsibility of all leaders of democratic forces prevailed over personal ambitions. For a long time Belarus has been in a state of great threat to its independence.
In neighboring Russia, after the negative experience with Ukraine, they are very carefully watching what is happening here. They assess whether Belarusians are ready to defend their independence. They understand that people who, under the dictatorship, go to the actions, will at the right time defend the country's independence, also with weapons in their hands. I hope, at least, that they understand.
And the March 25 action will be a test for all Belarusians. It should show the real value of independence. If a thousand or two thousand people come out to the action, everyone will understand: at best, as many will defend the country. And this is very few. Therefore, I very much hope that there will be dozens of thousands of people for actions on March 25.
In my opinion, this was the quantity of people who came out on the Freedom Day in 2017. It was evident from how many people gathered in different places around the epicenter of the events. It is very important that this year the Freedom Day should be a mass one and go peacefully. Because this will show the external aggressor the potential for the protection of our country.
I think that the leaders of the democratic forces felt the mood in the society. If this action is failed - people simply will not forgive us. Everyone could sit down at a common table and agree that a mass action on Freedom Day will be held in the center of Minsk and will start in Yakub Kolas Square. And everyone agreed to prepare this action together. Such unity of the democratic forces has not been observed, probably, since December 19, 2010. But then it was forced, and now - voluntary.
- What do you think about the blocking of Charter'97?
- We all know that Charter'97 makes the Belarusian authorities indignant. Charter always covered street protests, asked questions inconvenient for the authorities, showed the example of solidarity with everyone who fought against injustice. Because of this, the website was repeatedly blocked, its journalists were murdered and jailed. Despite all this, Charter'97 survived and remains the most popular and famous Belarusian resource. I am sure it will tough it out again this time.
- What would you like to do in the democratic Belarus in future?
It's not even about Lukashenka and the dictatorship, it's about self-esteem. Once a person begins to respect themselves, their life necessarily changes for the better. Therefore, probably, this is the reason to begin the path to changes for the whole country.


text:
Google Home Max White Review
The Google Home Max comes in two colors, gray and white. The white model has a gray fabric front and white case. However, the white case doesn't look too stylish and I think Google missed a chance by not allowing users to swap out the fabric front. The overall design is pretty simple and minimal with rounded corners. It is also the least obnoxious color out of the two.
Google Home Max White is a new voice assistant that offers a range of helpful features. It mimics the feel of a human assistant, with features like voice recognition, volume, playback, and more. It can answer questions, manage calendars, set alarms, and play music from a variety of services. Users can stream music from their phone to Google Home Max via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Chromecast links.
The Google Home Max White comes with a 4.5-inch speaker. It can produce a lot of bass without sounding thin or muddy. The Google Home Max also supports HE-AAC, LC-AAC+, MP3, WAV, FLAC, and Opus audio formats. It also supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi for high-performance streaming. It also has Bluetooth 4.2 and an auxiliary port. The speakers' two 0.7-inch tweeters provide high-quality sound for a home environment. Users can pair the Google Home Max with other Google Homes and Cast-enabled speakers.
The design of the Google Home Max is quite simple with rounded edges and a cloth speaker grille. It also has a microphone on/off switch. It features two 4.5-inch woofers and dual 0.7-inch tweeters. Although its size is quite large, the speaker still manages to push out a good amount of sound, especially at the low end. Moreover, it features a USB-C port and a 3.5mm audio jack. This jack is ideal for plugging the device into a TV, but it would have been even better if it had an optical audio port.
Google's Home Max is a smart speaker with artificial intelligence. It can learn about the environment of your house and automatically adjust volume based on the time of day. It's now on the market for $399 and won't ship until December in the US. It comes in a white housing with a Chalk cover. It also has a matching Charcoal housing.
The Google Home Max delivers big sound when paired with two Home Max speakers. I tested this speaker set-up in a low-rider, which doubled the volume. The speaker also sounds great at normal room volume. The Home Max is warm-sounding, with a full bass response.
Compared to other high-end speakers, the Max is clear and resonant. The bass response is strong, and there is no distortion even at very high volume. The home speaker's digital signal processing thins the low end, but it provides deep bass without distortion. This is a big advantage for music lovers.
Volume levels are easy to adjust thanks to the touch-sensitive top panel. Volume controls are located in the center of the panel, delineated by a short line. They are responsive, and you can tell them to increase or decrease the volume by saying, "set volume." You can also adjust volume using percentages.
The Google Home Max is now available at a price of $299, down from its normal $399 price. This price is the lowest among the 4 stores that sell the product. This device is available with Alexa built-in, and is compatible with compatible smart home devices. In addition, it offers customizable settings and allows you to connect two speakers for stereo sound.
The Google Home Max comes in two different color options. You can choose the white/gray model with a gray fabric front, or the black version with a black fabric front. Google missed an opportunity by not making the fabric fronts replaceable, but you can always switch out the bottom. The design of the Google Home Max is sleek, with rounded corners and an understated black finish. It's among the least obtrusive of the directional speakers on the market.
The Google Home Max is the new speaker from Google, and it's compatible with a number of different platforms. It can control your music and smart home devices, such as your thermostat and lights. It also has built-in Bluetooth 4.2 and Chromecast, and you can connect two speakers for stereo sound.
The Google Home Max has a large housing that's made of smooth plastic. It's easy to clean, and it has a fabric speaker grille. The grille looks seamless and has a slight sheen. It's also equipped with two white LEDs, and an ambient light sensor adjusts their brightness. The speakers themselves are made of 0.7-inch tweeters and 4.5-inch woofers.
The Google Home Max is also compatible with other Google Home speakers. The Google Home Max's microphone is better at recognizing your voice at high volumes, but it may have trouble recognizing your voice at high volumes. If you want to pair two speakers together, you can easily do this, but you may have to use different speakers for each.


When other children my age begged their grandmothers to tell them fairytales of handsome princes saving damsels in distress, I repeatedly asked mine to show me her jewelry collection, which she kept stashed away in elusive hiding spots. Her most prized piece was a diamond broche by Harry Winston that sparkled like the northern star on a clear night and with this piece began my fascination with the exquisite and beautiful gemstones of the Winston House. To this day I vividly recall how she would let me only look and not that touch that heavenly thing and how I yearned to hold it in the palm of my hand. Years later when entering Harry Winston's Fifth Avenue location to interview Vice President Richard Winston, I experienced the same anticipation that used to leave me breathless on those special days with my grandmother and her treasures.
As I was being escorted into the brilliantly decorated magnificent main room of the store, I caught a glimpse of Mr. Winston, who sat in his usual spot, leaning over his work, and realized once more how closely he resembled the classic New York gentleman I was used to seeing in old black and white movies. I have met jewelers all over the world and bought exquisite pieces from many, but my interactions with them have always remained strictly within the confines of business transactions. In Harry Winston, however, this impeccably dressed, pleasant man has always made me feel as if I was an acquaintance having a pleasant conversation with him; not over tea, but rather over diamonds, emeralds and rubies.
Harry Winston, also known as the "ultimate jeweler," has created some of the most exceptional pieces of jewelry adorned with some of the most fabulous gemstones ever discovered. The Jonker, the Niarchos, the Taylor Burton, the Winston, the Star of Independence, the Star of Sierre Leone, the Idol's Eye, the Arcots, the Nepal, the Briolette and the Indore Pear Shapes are some of the many magnificent diamonds that have been in the company's possession.
Harry Winston once said, "No two diamonds are alike. Each diamond has a different nature. Each diamond has different problems. Each diamond must be handled as you handle a person." Thus, each Winston creation begins with the selection and cutting of the potentially perfect stone, acquired from the most distinguished providers from all over the world. Then top quality designers come up with elegant, graceful, original and fluid designs, which will preserve the individuality of each stone. (Harry Winston himself was the one to begin this trend by creating the "light prong setting" at a time when jewelry settings used to be "heavy".) Finally, in the skilled hands of craftsmen, which honor centuries old traditions the one-of-a-kind designs and gems cut to perfection are combined to create finished pieces, which dazzle the eye of the beholder.
Change has impacted not only the diversity of Winston products, but also the way in which they are advertised. I am sure not one of our readers has recently skimmed through the pages of Vogue or Bazaar without coming across a beautiful image of Carolyn Murphy adorned with brilliant Winston diamonds across her head, taking one's imagination back to the heyday of Grace Kelly. According to Mr. Winston this new marketing tactic has been immensely successful. He says that clients come into the store bearing torn-out advertisements featuring the top model and demand to purchase the pieces she is wearing.
By the end of my meeting with Mr. Winston it was clear to me, that I as an avid fan and loyal customer of the Winston House could still expect the company to continue to produce timeless jewelry of infinite beauty, such as my grandmother's broche. And I have no doubt that Harry Winston, best known for its innovative approach to the jewelry business, will continue to evolve and grow, even as it expands and changes in ways that not even its founder could not have imagined.
The magic of Winston is very much a reality. This Christmas I wish the brilliance of Harry for all Fashionlines women. May your 2005 be as luminous, dazzling, and bright as a flawless diamond.