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"I'm a Storyteller at Heart": Gabe Langholtz's Dark Underbelly
by Joseph R. Wolin August 6, 2018
Gabe Langholtz, The Last Word, 2018, acrylic and charcoal pencil on canvas, 24 x 24 inches, courtesy of the artist.
In April, a compellingly strange exhibition appeared in New York at the smaller but well established gallery Bravin Lee Programs. Thirty-five paintings, mostly square and modest in scale — the largest 30 x 30 inches — wryly depicted a dark underbelly of contemporary Middle America, the place where guns, liquor, and McDonald's are always close at hand. Predominantly still lifes, and limned in a knowingly naïve, just-the-facts-ma'am style as identifiably American as the subject matter, the canvases suggested tragicomic tales of abject misery, simmering rage, and imminent violence.
Gabe Langholtz, Lone Star Picnic, 2015, mixed media on canvas, 12 x 12 inches, courtesy of the artist.
Against a flat blood-red background, an empty notepad, three crumpled pages, a half-smoked cigar in an ashtray, a sharpened pencil and a pistol at the ready share a tabletop with what appears to be a homemade desk lamp with an oddly noose-like bulb in The Last Word (2018, pictured at top). A basket, two cans of Lone Star beer, a red plastic Solo cup, and an opened LifeStyles condom wrapper sit on a red-and-white checked cloth in Lone Star Picnic (2015). A bottle of chloroform and a white handkerchief stand on a blue table in front of a single Windsor chair in Match Maker (2017).
Gabe Langholtz, Match Maker, 2017, acrylic and charcoal pencil on canvas, 12 x 12 inches, courtesy of the artist.
The exhibition was titled Americholia, and its author the forty-seven-year old self-taught Texas painter Gabe Langholtz. You can be forgiven for not knowing his name, even if you live in the Austin area. Now based in the suburb of Pflugerville, Langholtz came to art relatively late, his interest sparked by finger painting alongside his two-year-old daughter. Early on, he painted abstractly: buzzy striped canvases, geometric harlequin patterns, and a few works obviously indebted to Richard Diebenkorn's Ocean Park series. He had some local success, taking part in some two dozen group shows in Austin, as well as a pair of solo projects in 2016 at the Louis Shanks furniture stores in Austin and San Antonio, where his canvases adorned various displays of domestic mise-en-scènes.
Gabe Langholtz, Dos and Don'ts, 2017, acrylic and charcoal pencil on canvas, 12 x 12 inches, courtesy of the artist.
But the paintings in the New York exhibition marked a major national debut of Langholtz's figurative mode, to which he turned his hand about five years ago, quickly becoming adept at rendering allusive, usually everyday items, often with flattened, upturned, nearly Cubist perspective, and terse, funny titles. These paintings' quirky charm and deadpan affect can easily invite comparisons to outsider art, yet they possess a stealthy sophistication that belies the artist's categorization of them on his website as "naïve modern." Sad Sack (2017), for example, portrays a brown paper bag in somber tones, its folded-over top edge featuring a subtle yet expressive curve, like the smile of the Mona Lisa turned upside down. On an olive green table in Dos and Don'ts (2017), an asthma inhaler leans against an open box of Marlboros, the syncopated angles of the objects finding echoes in the single unlit cigarette lying askew next to a red BIC lighter in the foreground, the plaid of a bean bag ashtray in the middle, and the black adjustable-strap bowtie hanging over the back of a folding chair in the background. The ashtray's wavy cigarette rest rhymes with the scalloped edge of a curtain at the top of the picture.
More complex images like this carry a strongly narrative charge, their elements always on the verge of adding up to a story of darkly humorous woe. Langholtz's succinct suggestions of everyday tragedies can recall country songs, a ubiquitous soundtrack in the Abilene of his childhood. In fact, the artist previously worked as a musician, although not a country one; a singer-songwriter, he once fronted an Austin band called Lust for Jadies, which gigged locally and even released a CD of emo-adjacent tunes in 1998, before disbanding and vanishing with barely a trace. Growing disenchantment with the repetition of music and band life left a creative void Langholtz eventually filled by painting. And after a period of trial and error with abstraction, he hit upon the slightly cartoony representational works that fulfilled his fabulist urges. "If you think about it," the artist has observed, "it makes perfect sense, me being a narrative painter. It's clearly an extension of my songwriter-self. I was never meant to be an instrumentalist. I'm a storyteller at heart" (email to the author, June 15, 2018).
Gabe Langholtz, Morning Glory, 2017, acrylic and charcoal pencil on canvas, 12 x 12 inches, courtesy of the artist.
Gabe Langholtz, Shadow Play, 2017, acrylic and charcoal pencil on canvas, 12 x 12 inches, courtesy of the artist.
To judge by the paintings themselves, Langholtz's ascent of a steep learning curve has been remarkably rapid. His early interests in a group of British modernists and self-taught artists, as well as painters like Milton Avery, have given way to his appreciation for artists more attuned to an impulse to tell American stories. Affinities to the work of that touchstone of contemporary painters, Philip Guston, seem obvious in Langholtz's chalky colors, off-kilter representation, and general caustic tone. But something akin to the work of another Texas original, Kirk Hayes, comes out in Langholtz's self-deprecation. A sardonic sense of the male ego pervades pictures such as Morning Glory (2017), a close-up of a belly rising above modestly tented white sheets, with the small tumescence framed by balled fists; or Shadow Play (2017), in which hands making a birdlike gesture inexplicably cast the shadow of an erect penis. Despite the drollery, the sexual self-regard in these images goes hand in glove with a more sinister aspect of masculine behavior: misogyny. Lips Are Sealed (2017) shows a cropped woman's head with a piece of gray duct tape covering her mouth, but that joke isn't funny anymore.
Gabe Langholtz, Lips Are Sealed, 2017, acrylic and charcoal pencil on canvas, 12 x 12 inches, courtesy of the artist.
It may be this underlying apprehension of violence cutting through the humor that most distinguishes Langholtz's work and makes it feel immediate to our present moment. We can readily see the barebones tales in these scenes as describing not just the male psyche of the heartland, but a specifically white male saga where amusing failure quickly spills over into intimations of impotence and seething fury. The artist depicts the few figures in his works as white, with the single exception of the man in Blackbird (2016), drawn in a manner that evokes the work of both Ben Shahn and David Bates, but cropped just below the eyes and giving the finger to viewer. In There Will Be Blood (2018), a white man stabs a paring knife into a wooden table between the fingers of his other hand, a striking image of the self-destructively risky macho game made monumental by the flat expanse of his white-on-white checked shirt at the back of the composition, implying both solidity and girth.
Gabe Langholtz, There Will Be Blood, 2018, acrylic and charcoal pencil on canvas, 12 x 12 inches, courtesy of the artist.
Each of Langholtz's paintings holds keys to the others. Taken together, they read as a portrait of a certain stratum of the country right now — the America of male rage, of white resentment, of recreational violence, of quiet and not-so-quiet desperation, of despair, of the opioid crisis, Trumpland. That he has gotten under the skin of these people, made us feel this place, without losing his sense of humor, or ours, stands as no small achievement in this age of polarization and stridency.
Gabe Langholtz, Busted, 2018, mixed media on canvas, 30 x 24 inches, courtesy of the artist.
And Langholtz continues to refine and elaborate his idiosyncratic brand of social commentary. In preparation for a three-person show at Austin's Davis Gallery this fall, he has painted canvases such as Busted (2018), which illustrates a vandalized marble bust of Venus on a pedestal in a green alcove; decapitated, her head lies on the floor next to a hammer and chisels. We can see this as a fairly conventional sign of modernist artistic patricide, fitting, perhaps, as an emblem for Langholtz's unconventional approach to painting. Yet, given his interest in depicting the violence men do, we can equally regard it as portraying another instance of aggression towards women, the female intellect and power of speech quite literally knocked off by a brutal gesture, leaving only a pair of tits.
Gabe Langholtz, Pin Up, 2018, acrylic and charcoal pencil on canvas, 24 x 30 inches, courtesy of the artist.
Gabe Langholtz, Forget Me Not, 2018, acrylic and charcoal pencil on canvas, 24 x 24 inches, courtesy of the artist.
Pin Up (2018), an illusionistic rendering of a framed corkboard at actual size, includes a paintbrush hanging from a string, a thumbtacked condom, a rolled joint, and other items in a kind of self-portrait of the stoner artist as a still life, harking back to American trompe l'oeil-painter forebears like John F. Peto. Forget Me Not (2018) features a framed square of chicken wire punctuated by clothespins, from one of which hangs a Ziploc bag holding a severed ear, managing to invoke both Vincent van Gogh's psychological torment and David Lynch's deeply unsettling vision of small-town Americana. Stick a Fork in It (2018) revisit's Langholtz's origins as a stripe painter; an expanse of gray-and-white banded wallpaper meets dark wooden floorboards without any break in plane, the composition of vertical lines disrupted only by a horizontal baseboard, an electrical socket, and the pronged end of a metal dinner fork on the floor. As in the Landscape with the Fall of Icarus attributed to Pieter Bruegel the Elder, the titular suicidal event in Langholtz's painting gets lost amidst the glory of the world, or, in this case, in the majesty of a tongue-in-cheek parody of late modernist abstraction. As he grows ever more assured as a painter, Gabe Langholtz seems ever more necessary to contemporary painting.
Brian Phillips August 6, 2018 - 16:07
Way to go, Gabe!!!!
Lisa A. August 7, 2018 - 10:38
Fabulous! You are unabashedly and unapologetically you and I love it. I also feel the small canvas size adds to the story of each work; like it needs to be whispered to be truly heard making you lean in and concentrate to hear each syllable pronounced and inflected. I am beyond excited for you Gabe. Grats, very well deserved Grats!!
Shan Fannn August 16, 2018 - 13:11
As a collector and admirer of Gabe's work, I wholeheartedly agree with this wonderful article. Gabe's works often appear whimsical to the casual viewer, but carry a much deeper meaning upon further reflection. Some paintings whisper of loneliness, depression, and the need to run away. Others reveal the social, political, or sexual taboos that we all are familiar with, but never publicly express. Often, they indicate the uncomfortable temptations and demons that we all fight. The ludicrousness we experience in our daily lives. These are far more than paint strokes on canvas. These are scenes that urge us to evaluate our beliefs, fears, and prejudices. My favorite paintings of Gabe's are those that pose the questions: "Why am I here? Am I important? What do I do now?" Questions that we all should ask ourselves on a regular basis. Bravo to Gabe for asking the hard questions through your art. I'm thrilled to see that the world is starting to listen.
Christy Stallop August 16, 2018 - 15:28
What a wonderful and insightful write up about Gabe's work. I love that upon first viewing you see random objects…. sometimes a single item. But as you continue to look at the images, a deeper understanding forms and suddenly, you realize the intention. Sometimes funny, other times dark but always thought provoking. I love his work!
Nick Ramos September 10, 2018 - 07:50
We can say that we knew you when…. This is a great write up and well deserved.


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Home News South African policeman who killed Nigerian man is imprisoned for 32 years
South African policeman who killed Nigerian man is imprisoned for 32 years
Austin Reynold, a South African policeman who robbed and killed a Nigerian, Emeka Okoli, has been sentenced to 32 years in jail by a Durban high court.
ALSO READ: Real reasons our people are attacking Nigerians, others – South Africa Minister
The court sentenced the police officer three days after he was found guilty of robbing and killing the late Okoli during an illegal raid within the community where the deceased resided.
The court sentenced Reynold to seven years for counts of robbery and 25 years for the count of murder.
Reacting to the judgment by Justice Shyam Gyanda, the Nigerian community in South Africa welcomed the sentencing of the South African police officer who shot at close range and killed Okoli.
He was reported to have killed the Nigerian of Anambra extraction on Jan. 18, 2018.
"The Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) is vindicated with sentencing of Constable Austin Reynold.
"We were at the scene of the murder on Jan. 19, 2018 to ensure that our people didn't take the law in their own hands,'' NUSA President, Adetola Olubajo said in a statement.
"We later ensured that a murder case was registered at Durban Police Station and the case was charged to court immediately due to the cooperation of the investigating officer at Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPDI).
"I led a delegation of the National Executive of Nigerian Union South Africa from Pretoria to Durban Magistrates' Court on Jan. 21, 2018 where the bail application was heard.
"And since then we have been following the case, attending the trial with the head of our Legal Desk.''
He said that the colleague of Reynold, Brinley Pallo, who was with him when he shot and killed Okoli later turned state witness.
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August 9, 2018 August 9, 2018 wowzashopLeave a Comment on Getting Started!
We're just getting going with our new blog! The store has been going for quite a while and doing well. But we need a place to discuss and share info…and this is going to be it.


With My Heart In My Hands galaxy s8 case by Brynn Strickland. Protect your Galaxy S8 with an impact-resistant, slim-profile, hard-shell case. The image is printed directly onto the case and wrapped around the edges for a beautiful presentation. Simply snap the case onto your Galaxy S8 for instant protection and direct access to all of the phone's features!
I love what you have written about emotion and feeling. I totally agree. I wish humanity were more visceral and less cerebral. I wish we lived in our hearts more than we do in our heads. Poet T.S. Eliot would agree. He wrote, "Where it the life we have lost in living? Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?"
Very powerful image here! Great work, Brynn!
We live in a world were we are trained to hide things. It is drilled into our heads from day one.We are looked down apon for expressing how we feel. We are expected to be perfect. Each and everyone of us the same. No emotions... No feeling... I do feel. Im standing up and im saying the world is wrong. But why listen to me? So dont listen... just look.


It's hard to believe the holiday season has arrived once again, and before we know it we'll be ringing in 2018. After a busy holiday season, a new year is an opportunity to refresh your marketing priorities. Marketing objectives and strategies are constantly evolving, and certain approaches that worked last year may no longer be best practice today. Here are 4 things you should know about marketing for 2018.
When you have a question about something, what do you do? Usually without thinking, I turn to Google.
So, would it surprise you to learn that Google is surpassed by another search engine? Currently, Amazon holds the crown as the most used product search engine, with 59% of product searches happening on their site. And they're not only a resource for products—Amazon also offers a wide range of services, including AmazonFresh grocery delivery, web cloud storage, and TV, movie, and music streaming. It's even possible that Amazon will be offering prescription medications in the near future.
But as a business owner, you should know about Amazon Services. It essentially works as an Amazon search engine for professional services. Whether you're an electrician, computer repair person, or pool cleaner, your customers can search for, purchase, and review your services, all through Amazon. This is already taking off in larger cities across the U.S., and will likely be popular in our region in just a year or two. If you want to get ahead of the game, it could pay off to claim your spot on Amazon today.
A load time between 2 and 3 seconds is considered excellent. The average webpage loads in between 5 and 7 seconds. Nearly 1/3 of web users will leave a site if it takes 7 seconds or more to load, and that number increases for every second longer it takes to open your page. There are number of free web tools you can use to determine the speed/loading issues of your page.
Search engines have gotten smarter at being able to determine the intent of your page. This means that the heavy use of keywords isn't as critical as it used to be. In fact, 35% of top search results don't include any keywords in the title of the page or article. You can focus more on being readable to your human audience rather than including keyword-heavy titles and anchor text.
Title tags and meta tags are still effective SEO tools. A title tag should be no longer than 70 characters, while meta tags shouldn't go over 175 characters. Alt tags are essential too, not just for accessibility, but also for improving search rankings.
Social media is an effective marketing tool, but having a strong social strategy won't improve your search rankings. However, don't neglect it all together; it's a great tool for building trust with prospects and current customers.
Just as web users expect your page to load fast, they expect to find what they need on the page quickly, too. Make your page navigation simple and straightforward. And, if your web page will be answering a question, make sure you answer that question in the first three sentences of text, or you risk losing the reader's attention.
If you haven't started advertising on Facebook, get ready to jump right in. There are over 200 million active Facebook users in the U.S., active for an average of 50 minutes per day. That represents a significant number of opportunities for you to connect with your audience.
Facebook ad targeting strategies have become more specific than ever. You can air different advertisements based on your goals, whether it's to increase brand awareness, traffic, lead generation, or conversion rates. You can segment your ads to only be seen on mobile devices, and even to reach an audience based on life events. If an individual puts their location information on Facebook, its algorithm can tell that he or she moved from Florida to Vermont, and ads will appear to them for things they're likely to need, such as snow removal services, winter tires, or cold weather gear.
What marketing trends are you noticing or trying, and how do these trends relate? If you're looking to enhance your marketing strategy for 2018, contact Paw Print & Mail to start the conversation.
Each morning as I prepare for work, I gather up the essentials: keys, phone, lunch, and travel mug. Whether I'm in the mood for coffee or tea, starting my day with a hot beverage is part of my routine, and it's probably part of yours too. My mug gets a lot of use, but it's not only functional—it also makes a statement. With a bright colored body and bold logo, my mug shows that I'm a proud graduate of my college. I'm not just drinking coffee; I've become a brand ambassador for my school.
While I could use any mug, I chose one that makes a statement with bold branding because the connection to my school is an important part of who I am. However, such branding is not the right fit for every product or every customer. Sometimes a subtler branding approach may lead to more engagement from a prospective customer—and more sales and leads for your business.
Branded promotional items are everywhere these days. It's likely you have several yourself. Promo marketing includes the basics, like branded apparel, mugs, and pens, and also things like golf balls, kitchen items, and car accessories. You could even get a branded toaster, if you wanted. Your options for promotional products are nearly unlimited. But what is the real benefit to using them?
According to the British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA), advertising with promotional products directly correlates with improved brand recognition and increased sales. It's also been shown to have a higher return on investment than other marketing strategies.
Including promotional products in your larger marketing strategy increases the effectiveness of your other marketing methods by 44%. And a study by Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) found that 52% of survey respondents did business with a company after receiving a promotional product from them. Promotional product marketing increases brand awareness and gives your company an edge over the competition.
The key to effective promotional products is that they must be useful to your audience. An item like a pen will get widespread use. But to make the most of promo marketing, you have to think deeper about your customers. You may create a quality product. But if your target audience doesn't regularly use that item, your marketing will not be as effective.
So, if you have a fitness center, you could have branded water bottles or t-shirts. Or, if you're in the technology field, try mousepads or USB drives. If your customers not only use the products, but use them when they're making decisions related to the products or services you offer, you'll stay at the top of their minds.
Functionality is essential, but another factor to consider is the branding itself. Sticking your logo all over an item may not always be the answer. How much branding is too much branding?
There are a number of ways to include promo products in your marketing. You can give them away at events, or sell them. You can wear them. And you can include them in a mailing package to reach out to prospects or to thank current customers.
Each of these approaches connects you with a different audience. One way you can differentiate is to choose a level of branding that corresponds to your audience's level of brand awareness.
In the example of my mug, I want to be a brand ambassador and use a product that promotes and reminds me of my college. That level of branding appeals to me in this instance, but it won't appeal to everyone. It may seem that placing your logo on an item your audience regularly uses would be a win-win—they'll use the item, and your business will be promoted. But if you go overboard with branding, it could be too much for people who aren't already affiliated with you, and you run the risk of your item not being used at all.
The more personal and/or professional a promotional product is, and depending on how, when, or by whom it may be used, the subtler your branding on that item can be. For example, a journal or portfolio binder are items a professional may enjoy receiving. But, will they tend to use it if your logo is splashed all over it? Such an item is more "yours" than "theirs," so consider this when designing and purchasing certain types of promotional products.
You could choose to keep your branding, but tone it down. Maybe you convert your colorful logo to a neutral black or gray. You still include it on a promotional item. But, make it smaller and place it on a sleek, quality product that will impress your audience.
Another way to be subtle is to include branding that is not specific to your company. You can position the promotional item to elicit a concept or best practice that your audience can relate to. Say you're a company focused on energy efficiency. You could have promo items like an eco-friendly water bottle or journal decorated with an image, phrase, or artwork that your customer base (environmental advocates who support clean, efficient energy practices) will relate to. It represents your company more subtly than a basic logo.
If I were a long-time customer of your energy company, I may be likely to use a product branded with just your logo. I support what you do, and I want other people to understand your mission and utilize your services. But if I were a prospective customer who was just learning about you, a product emblazoned with your logo is more likely to end up collecting dust. If you can connect with your audience based on a concept they relate to, you're taking a step towards making them customers and brand ambassadors.
What's your take—should companies use more or less branding on a promotional product? What branded products have you received and love to use? Let us know!
Have You Gone to the Mailbox Today?
Think about the last purchase you made. What did it take to bring you from prospective customer to committed buyer?
Prospects typically need multiple touches before they commit to a purchase—over 7, according to the Online Marketing Institute. While it's relatively easy to send out lots of emails or post on social media, we're in an age where many of us are experiencing digital overload. (The average office worker receives 121 emails per day!) In such a crowded digital space, it's hard to make your voice heard. If you're not getting the kind of response you'd like from your marketing campaigns, it may be time to add direct mail to the mix.
Direct mail consistently rates as being more trustworthy, more memorable, and read more often than email. It provides a personal touch and the kind of experience digital just can't deliver.
Direct mail may seem limiting if you have limited experience with it. However, printing has advanced considerably, giving you a wide range of options for texture, color, shape, design, and personalization.
As with any marketing communication, direct mail works best when it is relevant to the recipient and tailored to your audience. Just like digital communications, you can automate your direct mail to make the process more efficient.
The basic idea of marketing automation is to use software to replace repetitive manual processes with automated actions. You can find, target, and contact prospects effectively and efficiently. The automation software makes it easy to segment your contact lists and target specific audiences with tailored messages, leading to increased sales for your business. Automation delivers you more qualified leads and makes your marketing more efficient, so that you can focus on high-gain sales activities for your company.
Automation often relies on a trigger system. When a prospect completes a certain action, such as opting in to an email list, it triggers your software to send an email to them. Automation is regularly used for digital marketing processes. The benefit of digital automation is that you can reach prospects instantaneously, increasing the chances of a sale. However, direct mail can be automated too, and it gives recipients something more: a physical and personal experience that stands out from a cluttered email inbox.
An essential factor of any automated campaign is to know your audience. Automation software makes it easy to segment your contact lists to find the best audience for your campaign. You can define your best customers and the key demographic and psychographic factors they have in common.
If you're working in a B2B context, you may find that a certain industry uses your services more frequently than others. It makes sense that you'll want to engage with similar businesses to find more customers that are like your best customers.
A recent mailing campaign we did followed this model. We identified an industry we frequently worked with, and set out to create a campaign to attract more leads from this group. Having worked with this demographic before, we were able to anticipate common pain points, needs, and desires they face, and create content with those factors in mind.
Before contacting anyone, we put together a compelling direct mail marketing package. Personalized to the recipient, the package showed our knowledge of their industry and reached them on a personal level. The message–we know your problems and desires, and we can help you to solve and achieve them.
While we were able to create a personal touch with our content, automation allowed us to find and connect with these prospects in a timely, scheduled manner. We purchased data lists that we then compared to our current customer list to exclude our customers from receiving a prospecting packet. Once we identified a qualified list of recipients, we automated the mailing by consistently sending out 10 packets per week. Then, we followed up with a structured phone and email schedule.
We created a personalized and industry-specific mailing and used automation to identify, mail to, and follow up with qualified recipients. We were able to generate business by creating an impression with our direct mail package. It stood out among the myriad marketing messages these businesses received on a daily basis.
At Paw Print & Mail, we specialize in direct mail marketing. Let us help you design, print, and automate your next direct mail campaign, so you can generate qualified leads for your business.
Author PPB-AdminPosted on November 15, 2017 June 5, 2018 Categories Direct Mail Marketing, Marketing Strategy, Printing, Sales StrategyTags Direct Mail Strategy, Lead Generation, Marketing AutomationLeave a comment on Have You Gone to the Mailbox Today?
People image created by Freepik.
What does the term "millennial" mean to you?
For many fundraisers, it means a struggle to find ways to connect with a diverse generation that has different expectations than those established by their parents and grandparents.
But millennials don't have to mean a struggle, and they can mean the future of your organization. Millennials currently make up 25% of the U.S. population, and will compose half of the American workforce by 2020. It's essential that you're able to reach this generation with your fundraising efforts. It represents a significant number of potential donors that may be interested in giving now, and for many years to come.
More so than previous generations, millennials are very receptive to cause marketing and fundraising. Nearly half of millennials are more willing to purchase from a company if that company supports a cause, and 37% will pay more for a product or service if it will help a cause they believe in.
Millennials' desire to do good makes them qualified potential donors for your organization. But to reach them effectively, you may have to adopt some new practices.
Be active on social media by sharing, posting, commenting, and responding to any actions on your page.
Ensure your website is updated regularly, easy to navigate, and optimized for mobile devices.
Set up search engine optimization (SEO) for your nonprofit's website.
Try using or creating a mobile app so that it's easy for potential donors to give at any time (millennials tend to be impulse donors).
Develop consistency across marketing channels so that potential donors will have a seamless experience.
Though millennials are digitally focused, they place value and trust in direct mail. 84% of millennials regularly read through their mail, and 64% would rather find useful information in the mail than from an email. Part of the reason is that direct mail can be extremely personalized for the recipient. Personal touches give your nonprofit a human, friendly side that millennials will connect with.
Present your organization as approachable and encourage potential donors to engage in frequent conversations with you, whether on a blog page, social media site, in an email, or in person.
By connecting with millennial donors now, you are beginning a long-term relationship with them, that will hopefully transition to a regular gift. Many younger people may not be in a position to make a financial gift, but are still passionate about helping. Encouraging them to volunteer with you keeps them involved while creating a deeper bond between them and your organization.
Millennials have a global consciousness, and they want to feel they're contributing to a larger cause. If you can, connect your mission to a larger issue, and show how an action in your community can relate and support a global need.
42% of Americans believe brands are less trustworthy than they were 20 years ago. A good practice for reaching donors of any generation is to be transparent. Millennials want clear and specific information on the impact their individual contribution will have.
Building trust also means staying in touch with donors on a regular basis. Since millennials value the relationships they build with organizations, it's essential for you to communicate with them for more than just an ask. Reiterate the good you're doing with regular updates on the impact you're having.
Millennials tend to feel connected to causes rather than individual organizations. But you can use stories to show the impact, importance, and personal side of your nonprofit, helping millennials to build a stronger connection to you. It gives your organization a human side, and potential donors can see and hear from specific individuals they'll be helping. Use a lot of images and videos in your fundraising materials to help your stories make an impact.
At Paw Print & Mail, we specialize in nonprofit fundraising appeal production. Contact Paw Print today to enhance your nonprofit's fundraising approach.
205 billion. That's the number of emails sent every day around the world.
Some days it seems like I receive a billion or so myself. If you're actively using email for work and to receive information from companies that interest you, your inbox is probably pretty full, too.
Two of the largest complaints consumers have about email are that they receive too many emails (44%) and the emails aren't relevant to them (37%). Even when an email has relevance for a consumer, it's easy for it to get lost in a crowded inbox.
To market your business effectively, your emails have to offer timely information that resonates with the recipient. They must be compelling enough to be opened over the dozens of other emails in an inbox. So, how can you make email marketing work for you, connecting with clients on a more personal level?
There's a lot of talk about marketing automation these days, and for good reason…because it works. At its most basic, email marketing automation allows you to create and schedule emails to be sent out when they are relevant. This saves you time, makes your communication strategy more efficient, and generates more leads or sales for your business.
Effective automation requires tracking and analyzing data so that your communications reach customers at the right time with the right message. Marketing automation can track prospective customers from their initial visit to your website all the way to post-purchase and beyond. When you track the behavior of leads and customers, it makes it easier to see which of your marketing strategies is most effective, what the typical path from search to sale looks like, and what triggers customers to convert.
You can set up your automation to contact potential customers throughout the sales process. For example, if they've spent time searching for a product or service but haven't yet purchased, automation software could trigger an email that will remind them of their interest and highlight the benefits of what you're offering. Once they've made a purchase, you could send information about how to make the best use of the product. Down the road, your automation could suggest similar products that may interest your customer or upgrades to their current memberships or subscriptions. One name for this kind of triggered marketing campaign is a drip campaign. Personalized emails generate 6 times more revenue than non-personalized emails, and this can have real benefits for your business.
The core of the effectiveness lies in the trigger. You can craft emails that are specific to what the lead is doing and what you hope them to do in the future. It's kind of like a "choose your own adventure" book. Each action a lead takes brings them further down their own path, and that path may be slightly different than everyone else's.
In addition to sending emails on a trigger system, you can segment your email lists based on demographic factors like location, age, or sales history. This will help to increase sales and generate leads, as your audience will be receiving more relevant content. You can also use automation to ask your contact list what their content preferences are, to further target them with the right content.
A key point to remember is that automation is aimed at engagement. With automation, you are contacting prospects and customers when it is most relevant to them, with the goal of them completing an action so they will further engage with your company.
A welcome email is one of the most basic forms of email automation. You may even have come to expect such an email once you've subscribed to an e-newsletter or opened an account. It's a great first touch, and you can use it to express gratitude or include a special offer. Craft the email to encourage the recipient to take some further, immediate action. Include a "Shop Now" button, or a link to a compelling piece of content on your site.
While a simple "thanks for your purchase" on its own doesn't hold much engagement value, you can make this type of email into something more. A key purpose of content marketing is to offer customers information and value. In a thank you email, you can include links to tutorials, guides, blog posts etc., which will help customers to get the most out of their purchase, drive traffic to your site, and position you as an authority in your field.
Another effective way to step up a thank you email is to ask customers for feedback. Encourage recipients to answer one simple question about purchase experience, satisfaction, or what they hope to get from the purchase. An email like this will get recipients to engage and provide you with valuable info.
The internet is a prolific resource for shopping, but there is also a lot to distract us. I can think of many times I've shopped around or filled a web cart, but not completed a purchase. You probably have, too. Whatever your business, there will be visitors who come to your website and consider a purchase, but don't follow through. These are very qualified leads, who may need just a little push to commit to a sale. Automation software can easily track these visitors and abandoned carts, and send emails to the individuals to bring them back to your site and continue on.
Retaining current customers is much easier than searching for new ones, and automation will make this process easier. Automation software keeps track of when renewal payments are required and subscriptions are due to expire. It will then send your customers an automatic reminder to make a payment.
People love special attention on their birthdays, and you can use this occasion to offer something extra to your customers. The software will track birthdays and send communications accordingly, giving a fun and personal touch to your emails.
If your business schedules recurring appointments on a regular basis, email automation can remind customers when they are due for their next appointment. You won't have to call each patient or customer individually, and you'll be encouraging your current customer base to return to your business.
Automation works great for event reminders. Once someone signs up to attend an event you're hosting, you can periodically send them emails with date reminders, additional info they'll want to know, and other events they may be interested in based on the one they've registered for.
It's as simple as this: if you don't have a compelling subject line, your email will not be opened. Take the time to hit just the right note.
Automated emails are specific to the customer, and you need to be specific in what you're asking them to do. Have one clear goal for each automated email. And make sure it is obvious what response you are looking for from the recipient.
Connect with your readers using persuasive and engaging copy, and keep it short. Most readers will scan for relevant info, so make use of bullets and bold text to get your message across.
Like any marketing strategy, automation can and should be tested. You can split test your email message content to see what is more effective. And it's essential to analyze your data (like open and response rates). Marketing automation is meant to operate on its own. But it still requires adjustments on your end to ensure that your content is performing the way you want it to and is aligned with the marketing goals you have for your business.
The worst thing you can do is offend or annoy your audience. Give them the opportunity to tell you what they want to see from you and how often they want to see it. Having them engage less is better than an unsubscribe. But, make sure every email includes a visible opt-out link.
There are many different ways to implement marketing automation, and many opportunities you can make use of. But if you're just starting out, don't try to do it all at once; rather, focus on only one or two automation campaigns in a comprehensive fashion.
Always remember you are looking to engage and nurture relationships, and ensure your emails are consistently doing so.
According to The Direct Marketing Association, segmented and targeted emails generate 58% of all revenue, which is huge! While this is a great reason to use marketing automation, we recognize that it can be hard to get things started. Paw Print & Mail is fully equipped to help you develop an automated and multi-channel marketing strategy. Contact us to get started on your marketing campaign.


Apply for an Environmental Council Grant!
Have an idea for a project related to sustainability?
Receive $25-$2,500 in funding to support initiatives on or off campus.
Grants available to faculty, staff, and students.
Contact Avery McNiff (amcniff@middlebury.edu) with questions.


If you think that you may want to file a lawsuit, you should not make this decision lightly, and there are a lot of factors that need to be taken into account. Obviously, you should never go into a lawsuit without at least consulting a knowledgeable Eagle, Colorado civil litigation attorney.
When you hire a civil litigation lawyer in Eagle, Colorado, they'll be able to give you some very useful advice, particularly in devising a strategy that maximizes your chances of winning your lawsuit. You'll probably also wonder how much this lawsuit is going to cost you, especially if you don't win. This largely depends on the attorney's fee structure. If the attorney charges an hourly rate, you will simply have to pay the lawyer for every hour they work. This can add up to a huge amount of money, very quickly. If they charge on a contingency basis, you do not have to pay any attorney's fees unless you win, and payment comes in the form of the percentage of the judgment. However, if you lose, you might still be responsible for costs, such as court fees, which are incurred no matter what happens to the case.
Consultation With Your Attorney: Before filing any lawsuit in Eagle, Colorado, you should speak with a local attorney. Your Eagle, Colorado attorney will be able to advise you on the merits of your lawsuit, and your chances of success.
Drafting a Complaint: Once you have decided to go through with filing a lawsuit in a Eagle, Colorado court, you need to draft a complaint, with the help of your lawyer. A complaint is typically the first step in actually filing a lawsuit. The complaint is the plaintiff's first opportunity to lay out the allegations against the defendant. If a complaint doesn't allege facts that add up to a valid lawsuit (that is, even if everything alleged in the complaint is true, the defendant has still not committed a legal wrong that the court can compensate), the case will have to be dismissed. When a case is dismissed for this reason, the court typically gives the plaintiff a chance to re-submit the complaint, with the errors corrected.
Serving The Defendant: Once you have drafted your complaint, you need to serve the defendant with it, and file it with the court. Eagle, Colorado requires that lawsuits be served on defendants in a specific way. This is to ensure that the defendant has a good deal of notice that they're being sued, giving them time to find an attorney, and work on how they're going to defend themselves. It is strongly preferred to serve defendants in person (with a disinterested third party delivering the papers to the defendant). Sometimes, however, the defendant cannot be found, or is trying to avoid service, they can be served by mail with court approval.
Await Defendant's Response: When you have served the defendant with the complaint in Eagle, Colorado, the defendant has time to respond. The most prevalent response is known as an "answer," in which they specifically address the factual allegations you've made against them, typically by denying most of the allegations. They might also move to dismiss the case if they can argue that the complaint is legally flawed. A judge then has to rule on this motion. If the defendant doesn't respond within a given period of time, they are said to have "defaulted." This allows the court to enter a default judgment, in which the plaintiff essentially automatically wins the lawsuit. Once this happens, the defendant, if they're ever located, can be served with the judgment, and will have very little power to challenge the merits of your case.
How Can A Eagle, Colorado Tort Lawyer Help?
Filing a lawsuit in a Eagle, Colorado court is a bit more intricate than the basic outline laid out above.
Therefore, it is important that you consult a qualified civil litigation attorney before you file any type of lawsuit in Eagle, Colorado.


Pallet Rack Capacity Labels (25 Pack). Improve warehouse safety with pallet rack capacity labels for your cross beams. These Pallet Rack Safety Bolt stickers are manufactured in the USA and made from 70lb paper with a matte finish. These industrial stickers are built to last. Each sticker is blank offering owners the ability to write in the proper capacity for each beam level. OSHA standards call for proper labeling on all pallet rack systems. Being bright yellow in color these labels can be easily seen from the floor of warehouses. SIZE = 3″ High x 4″ Wide fitting most cross beams perfectly.


Cal Ripken, Jr. and Bill Ripken have written a book that is the ultimate guideline for any young player who wants to get involved in baseball. The book is based on the teachings of their father, Cal Ripken, Sr. who was a player, coach, manager and scout.
The book consists of nine chapters on subjects such as catching, pitching, batting, the infield, the outfield, and the mound. Along with detailed descriptions of the proper way to play the sport there are numerous photos to illustrate exactly what they are talking about. The book is also filled with many sidebar tips from Cal and Bill.
Cal and Bill Ripken are co-owners of Ripken Baseball and their mission is to grow the game of baseball worldwide.
This is an excellent book for any young player who wants to learn some serious things about the game of baseball. You will feel like you have your own teacher right there giving you the lessons. What great teachers to have - the Ripken brothers. You can't get much better than that! The book is well organized and you can see that the authors love this sport. Any sports fan will enjoy this book by two of the all-time greatest baseball players in our history. This is also a great book for parents and coaches. It is a "must read" book for anyone who likes baseball.


Alsahwa Net- The Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al Jaber has called the United Nations organization working in Yemen to practically contribute in improving the Yemeni currency's value.
Al-Jaber urged the UN organizations to deposit their funds in the Yemeni Central Bank instead of other private banks, pointing out that these banks use these funds in currency speculation and causing the collapse of currency.
The Yemeni rial has lost more than half its value against the US dollar since the Houthi rebels conducted a coup against the legitimate government in September 2014.
The government sought to boost liquidity by printing money but the nation's currency has continued to plunge..


English actress Carey Mulligan has an estimated net worth of $8 million (£5m) as of 2015, according to Sunday Times Rich List. The London-born Mulligan gained recognition in 2009 for her performance as Jenny in An Education, for which she was nominated for an Academy Award and won a Bafta. She has been over 20 film and television series since 2005 and is a regular on the London stage. Her films have taken $769m at the box office, including her most successful, The Great Gatsby, which last year made $351m. Mulligan's recent project is the Far from the Madding Crowd, which she played the role of Bathsheba Everdene. She is easily worth $8 million. She married Mumford & Sons band lead signer Marcus Mumford in 2012.


Hope ya liked it! Please rate and comment!
Pretty cool! The only thing I don't like are the gaps behind the nose. Guessing you were only going to use parts from the set and couldn't find something that worked well there.
Made that out of Naboo Starfighter, didn't you?
Nice! The Yellow Rocks, and I like the shape. The Pilot is pretty neat, and the thruster reminds me of Retro Space Cruisers.
Quoting Blake Buehl Nice! The Yellow Rocks, and I like the shape. The Pilot is pretty neat, and the thruster reminds me of Retro Space Cruisers.
Quoting Crimso Giger Sweet design and I love the color !
Quoting Ben The Lego Builder This looks really smooth and cool!
This looks really smooth and cool!
Sweet design and I love the color !
Quoting CC-1792 Commander Trixe Sweet I love how it's so smooth! Nice design 5/5!
Sweet I love how it's so smooth! Nice design 5/5!
Quoting Moodswim . Dude! This is a GREAT idea! I love how some builders are making variations of SW vehicles. Very nicely done.
Dude! This is a GREAT idea! I love how some builders are making variations of SW vehicles. Very nicely done.
Quoting Elite Arc Commander Flex CC-501 Thank you!
Quoting Elite Arc Commander Flex CC-501 Sweet! Can you invite me to your new group?
Sweet! Can you invite me to your new group?
Quoting JB . luxeray is the word!
ya can say that again!
Quoting Commander King nice job. i should have a couple of creations up today or tomorrow.
nice job. i should have a couple of creations up today or tomorrow.
Quoting Doctor Maxim Sides need a little work, but cool!! It has a Naboo-ey feel to it.
This is awesome, super cool design.
Sides need a little work, but cool!! It has a Naboo-ey feel to it.


Rough stock and fixturing pics [Archive] - CNCzone.com- Largest Forums for CNC Professional and Hobbyist alike!
Sorry I took video of the whole process but my editor doesn't handle 1080p so I can't edit it yet, I usually do 1080i for editing but here are the pics I took anyway. The light WOC seems to be working out ok but it takes awhile.
The final roughed out parts. Although I only did two here I plan on doubling up and doing 4 at a time.
Here is what the plate looks like with the bosses finished. I removed .0001 inch at a time from the diameter of the bosses until the parts just press fit on so there is no play whatsoever. They just barely need to be tapped on with a hammer to seat.
Here is what it looks like with a part secured on the bosses. I still need to drill and tap the large bosses so I can bolt the parts down.
Yeah I know I should probably center the vice on the table or use two of them to support the overhang but the fixture plate is 1 inch thick of hardened steel so I haven't found it to be much of an issue yet.
What exactly are you making? Nice job BTW.
Are you running a V1 or V2 machine?
It's a V2 machine and the spindle is still flaky but programming cuts that are anywhere from 10% to 50% of the supposed spindle capability I can actually sort of use it. They are gun parts.
I can't believe you're making gun parts! Guns are icky!!!! What about the children?!?!?!
Picatinny gas blocks I assume. Nice!
I've made a few gun myself for my own guns... repairs or 'enhancements' and I just made a 1911 frame into a 1911A1 using my Bridgeport... cut the trigger reliefs as I'm putting together a 1943 Ithaca on a new frame.
My spindle is dead and I'm trying to decide what to do. I'm leaning towards a drive other than the Mikini replacement either with the current motor or a similar route as Alan.
My Dan Wesson 15-2 extractor installed w/ factory replacement sitting on the frame. I like mine better.
Springfield 1903 USMC front sight hood machined from bar stock.
Yeah picatinny railed gas blocks. So how did you retro engineer those parts? Did you have a model or did you make your own with some calipers, a computer, and a whole lotta time?
The DW extractor I made by measuring up the old one which the previous owner had butchered. I used V-Carve Pro to model it and machine it out of a chunk of W1 tool steel.
The '03 sight hood, I found measured drawings for and again used my V-Carve. The original sight hoods are stamped from sheet but I 'needed' one to compliment my repro USMC sights.
Beautiful work. That original extractor almost looks to be MIM. I like yours much better.
The factory replacement is definitely a casting (stainless). I don't know if it's MIM. The original part was 'worked' by the previous owner... apparently using a carbide toothed, rabid beaver. I can only surmise that the barrel was adjusted too far in (Dan Wessons have interchangeable barrels) and the extractor was 'modifieded' so the cylinder wouldn't impact the barrel.
Anyway, it was a fun project.


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Archive for the category "Barry Goldwater"
JFK ACCEPTS DEMOCRAT'S NOMINATION IN LA
Los Angeles (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts accepted the nomination of the Democratic Party for President of the United States this evening here in Los Angeles.
Senator Kennedy, who gave his acceptance speech at the Los Angeles Coliseum, is the 1st Roman Catholic candidate for President since Al Smith in 1928.
In reference to the "religious issue" that came up during the campaign, JFK said:
"I hope that no American…will…throw away his vote by voting either for me or against me because of my religious affiliation. It is not relevant."
And he added:
"My decisions on any public policy will be my own, as an American, as a Democrat, & as a free man."
JFK also talked about his program which is called "The New Frontier". He said:
"The New Frontier of which I speak is not a set of promises. It is a set of challenges. It sums up not what I intend to offer the American people, but what I intend to ask of them."
JFK Library Photo
JFK PROPOSES TO GIVE VOTE TO D.C. RESIDENTS
Hyannis Port, Massachusetts (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy transmitted a draft of a bill from his home here today to the US Congress in Washington, D.C.
The proposed legislation would restore to the residents of the District of Columbia "the basic right to local self-government through the elective process, a right enjoyed by all other American citizens".*
*In July 1961, residents of the District of Columbia (originally created out of the states of Maryland & Virginia) were not permitted to vote in national elections.
JFK TALKS WITH MARSHALL OF NEW ZEALAND
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy conferred with New Zealand Prime Minister John R. Marshall today.
The two gentlemen discussed the possibility of Great Britain's entrance into the European Common Market.
JFK TALKS WITH NYERERE OF TANGANYIKA
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy began 2 days of talks today with President Julius Nyerere of Tanganyika.
The two Presidents will be discussing political developments in Africa & relations between their countries.
Julius Nyerere of Tanganyika
GOLDWATER NOMINATED BY REPUBLICANS
San Francisco (JFK+50) Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater was nominated tonight here at the Cow Palace by the delegates of the 1964 Republican National Convention.
Senator Goldwater, considered to be on the extreme right wing of his party, wrote of his conservative views in a newspaper column that was published in book form in 1960.
The title is "The Conscience of a Conservative".
In the 1964 campaign, Goldwater has been critical of the policies of Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy & Johnson.
He is strongly opposed to civil rights legislation & is rabidly anti-communist.*
*In his 1974 book "With No Apologies", Goldwater wrote:
"I have served in the Senate during the terms of six Presidents. I think Eisenhower was the best & least understood."
Senator Barry Goldwater
(R) Arizona
Photo by Mario S. Trikosko
PRESIDENT CARTER SAYS THERE IS A "CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE"
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) In the midst of a national energy crisis & economic recession, President Jimmy Carter spoke to the American people tonight on national television from the White House.
President Carter said there is a lack of "moral & spiritual confidence" in the nation & that it is the cause of America's inability to recover from its current economic crisis.
The President said a "crisis of confidence" has led to domestic turmoil as well as "the loss of unity & purpose for our nation."
President James Earl Carter
Official White House Portrait
LAFAYETTE CHOSEN COLONEL-GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL GUARD OF PARIS
Paris (JFK+50) The day following the fall of the Bastille here in Paris, French aristocrat the Marquis de Lafayette was made Colonel-General of the National Guard.
Lafayette, a hero of the American Revolution & close personal friend of President George Washington, had proposed to the National Assembly just 4 days ago, a "Declaration of Rights" modeled after America's "Declaration of Independence"*
*From 1792-1797, the Marquis was imprisoned as a traitor for his failure to support the "Reign of Terror".
Posted in Barry Goldwater, JFK Accepts Nomination, Marquis de Lafayette | Leave a comment


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Best Affirms Gerling, U.S. Subs Ratings; Ups Outlook
A.M. Best Co. announced that it has affirmed the financial strength rating of "A-" (Excellent) of Germany's Gerling-Konzern Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft (GKA) and its U.S. subsidiary, Gerling America Insurance Company (New York) (99 percent reinsured by GKA).
Best also raised its outlook on the ratings to stable from negative, and assigned an issuer credit rating (ICR) of "a-" to each of these entities, also with a stable outlook. Concurrently, Best affirmed the "bbb" debt rating of the 250 million euro ($332 million) fixed-to-floating-rate subordinated notes issued by GKA. The outlook on this rating is also stable.
"The ratings reflect GKA's improving operating performance in 2004, the strengthening of its consolidated risk-adjusted capitalisation and the maintenance of its leadership in the German industrial insurance sector, said Best. "Offsetting these factors is the uncertainty surrounding GKA's future ownership and the remaining credit exposure to Globale Re (formerly Gerling Re) and to its ultimate parent, Gerling Konzern Beteiligungs AG (GKB), with regard to pension liabilities."
Commenting on the improving operating performance, Best said it "expects GKA's earnings improvement during 2004 to continue in 2005 as result of a continued attractive rate environment—in particular for industrial liability—as a consequence of the shortage of capacity. The expected net combined ratio of approximately 97 percent for 2004 is higher than the gross combined ratio of approximately 92 percent as GKA continues to forego underwriting profits to reinsurers. GKA is planning to increase its net retention in 2005, which will likely lead to higher profits but increased underwriting volatility."
Concerning GKA's credit risk relating to Globale Re and from pension liabilities, Best noted that, even through the company has "significantly reduced its credit exposure to Globale Re by means of normal run-off and other measures in 2004," it nonetheless "remains high at approximately 20 percent of total reinsurance recoverables." Best said it "expects a further reduction in 2005 from the normal run-off. GKA's pension liabilities have been outsourced to GKB; however, GKA remains liable for these obligations. This credit risk will be partially alleviated by a transfer of liquid assets of approximately 120 million euros ($160 million), of which 25 million euros ($33 million) will be paid at year-end 2004 from GKB, subject to the regulatory approval, which the company expects to receive in the first half of 2005."
GKA's capital position has improved. The 250 million euro ($332 million) subordinated bond issued in August 2004, is "treated as hybrid capital in A.M. Best's risk-adjusted model." The issue has "enhanced GKA's capitalisation after factoring higher prospective capital requirements for the proposed increased retention," Best continued.
After the severe difficulties Gerling suffered in 2002-03, perhaps the most significant factor in the report was Best's conclusion that "GKA has retained the support of its key domestic clients in 2004 and remains one of the leading industrial insurers in Germany." Best said it "anticipates a 4 percent decline of the total gross premium income to approximately 2.4 billion euros ($ 3.2 billion) at year-end 2004 reflecting the continued loss, albeit on a smaller scale, of business outside Germany. GKA's profile in domestic personal and small commercial lines is relatively small but likely to grow after the acquisition of Gerling G&A Versicherungs-AG's (GG&A) broker-derived client business."


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Op-Ed: Keep Your Expectations in Check When it Comes to Budget Reform
The select congressional committee on budget process reform has until Friday to report a process reform package to the full Congress, but we should moderate our expectations for what they can accomplish, argues AAF's Director of Fiscal Policy Gordon Gray in a new op-ed in The Hill.
Many fiscal policy observers often look to changes to the budget process to get better outcomes when it comes to the deficit, but that is a mistake. The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 set up the modern budget process, but those decades old rules have done little to constrain the appetite of politicians to deliver on campaign promises. No candidate seems to run on raising taxes and cutting entitlements….
Instead, the current process reform effort in Congress, as reflected in the work of the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform, should be modest in its ambitions and evaluated accordingly. Lawmakers should form process solutions to fix process problems. Fundamentally, those problems are the routine abandonment of the legislative resolution as a budget, the failure to enact standard full year appropriations, and regular tomfoolery with respect to the debt limit.
Read the full op-ed here.
Andrew Evans is a Press Secretary at the American Action Forum.
How Should the Federal Government Regulate Artificial Intelligence?
Allison Edwards
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) across the economy has led the Trump Administration to produce guidance on regulating AI. The guidance favors…
The Details of Trump's Phase One Trade Deal with China
The Phase One trade agreement between the United States and China reduces non-tariff barriers to U.S. exports and aims to reform unfair Chinese trade practices…
The Costs of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act
While unions have historically played a valuable role in protecting workers, the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act risks significant damage to…
New Podcast Episode: Wealth Tax Proposals
It's The AAF Exchange — your source for clear, data-driven insight into today's economic and domestic policy issues. Our latest episode features…


text:
let plugged = require('../client');
let redis = require('../db/redis_db');
let utils = require('../utils');

module.exports = {
    names: ['promote'],
    enabled: true,
    handler: (data)=> {
        //noinspection JSUnresolvedFunction
        redis.hget('user:roles',data.id).then(perm => {
            perm = parseInt(perm, 10);
            let split = data.message.trim().split(' ');
            if (perm > 0) {
                if (split.length === 1) plugged.addStaff(data.id, perm);
                else if (split.length === 2 && utils.role(split[1])  && utils.role(split[1]) !== plugged.USERROLE.NONE && utils.role(split[1]) <= perm) {
                    plugged.addStaff(data.id, utils.role(split[1]));
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        plugged.removeChatMessage(data.cid);
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The Georgia-based, travel-loving couple of Shelli and Christopher, met in high school, yet it took a road trip ten years later, for Cupid's arrow to finally hit. After reading an essay by John Steinbeck about Positano, Italy, they chose it for their intimate June 1, 2011, destination wedding, that combined their worldly style with nostalgic flair and DIY details.
The couple incorporated traditional Positano elements and bright colors in their stationery suite. Jay Hornsby of the Belligerent Monkey did the illustrations and design, and Thomas Printers letterpressed the finished product. Blue-and-white baker's twine bound all the pieces together.
A separate note invited guests to the rehearsal dinner. The illustration of the Italian town combined with typography gave guests a preview of the celebration's whimsical vibe.
Shelli and Christopher's DIY decor was inspired by the colors of a 1958 Rand McNally atlas. The bride made it a garland that combined aqua, teal, red, and yellow hues and retro gingham, and conveyed the vintage travel theme perfectly.
The bride donned a French-tulle J.Crew dress and vintage 1950s jewelry that belonged to her great aunt. Christopher sported a J.Crew suit, Kenneth Cole shoes, and a gingham shirt.
Even a torrential downpour couldn't dampen the couple's special day. Though the ceremony was moved indoors, the weather cleared just in time for the newlyweds to pose for photos with the photographers of W. Scott Chester Photography. Shelli believes in rain on your wedding day being lucky. Nine months to the day of the wedding, her daughter, Lumen, was born.
Christopher had two neckties made out of vintage Liberty of London fabrics by This Humble Abode. For a sentimental touch, Shelli had them embroidered with their wedding date and initials. He wore one for the ceremony, then changed into a different shirt and the second tie for the reception. The bride's costume change came later in the evening, when she swapped her gown for a tea-length BHLDN dress.
The casual ceremony, held in a town hall, was presided over by the mayor of Positano. It was performed in Italian, and then translated for guests. In the days leading up to the wedding, the couple and a few of their friends drove to the U.S. consulate in Naples to complete their marriage documents. Of course, they also stopped for Margherita pizza (the best ever, according to the couple).
The mayor presented the newlyweds with a hand-painted tile in honor of their marriage.
The reception, which took place in the garden of the villa the couple stayed in for the week, overlooked the cliffside town of Positano with picturesque views of the Amalfi coast.
With the weather iffy, the outdoor reception picnic, complete with vintage quilts and playful melamine pieces, was moved inside. All of the fun details, like the gingham-wrapped silverware made the indoor party even cheerier.
The meal, catered by Ristorante Saraceno d'Oro, included ravioli ricotta with spinach and mushroom sauce, pasta with shellfish, and grilled chicken, swordfish, and eggplant.
Shelli and Christopher decorated the reception area with a few vintage pieces they brought over from the States, including an old radio and a few antique cameras.
Twenty of the couple's closest friends and family members journeyed to Italy for the destination celebration.
The newlyweds shared a moment while looking out over their beloved city.
Bottles of Limoncello, made specifically for the wedding were given as favors. To create their paper tags, the couple punched letterpressed tags, embellished them with vintage stamps from a kit Shelli bought in Scotland, and strung them with baker's twine.
The pair chose a traditional lemon-and-vanilla cake baked by Gambardella Pasticceria, a local bakery in nearby Minori. To crown the sweet treat, the couple had Goose Grease create an original topper fashioned in their likeness.


Last year I wrote a short piece about the choice between Sydney and Melbourne when it comes to the digital and creative landscape. Whilst these two fantastic cities certainly have the reputation as a base for technology and design some of our other cities are beginning to make a name for themselves in this space. Below I state the case for 2 other locations that are appearing on the new digital map.
Southern Australia's Barossa Valley is famous for excellent wine and Adelaide, by many, is considered the original home of News Corp. Adelaide is also now fast becoming a go-to place for digital start-ups.
Affordable living, strong education (with focus on promoting start-up initiatives) and a government now focused on new and emerging technologies provide the ideal setting for new companies to do business. The Tonsley Innovation Centre (bringing together start-ups, education institutes, incubators and government) is a great example of how Adelaide brings together some of the best talent. I think we would all raise a glass to that!
Located on the Barwon River in Victoria, Geelong is about 75KM's from Victoria's capital Melbourne. Whilst many a European traveller will have passed by Geelong on a road trip down the Great Ocean Road, it's now getting a foothold on the Australia start-up map.
In the post-manufacturing era, Geelong has turned to technology and digital start-up to fill the void. The Pivot Summit aims to be a platform for businesses and investors to come together to discuss all things around emerging technology and start-ups. This is just one of many initiatives underway to reignite the flame of regional Victoria.


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Q: Debugging a nuget package built by Azure Devops doesn't work Let me start by saying if I build the package locally and publish it to a local drive, everything works as expected. If the same steps are done in Azure DevOps and the package is published to our private/company feed, debugging does not work (the code steps through the package code without going in). Also, this is .Net 4.8 application, not net core.
Here's what I've done to enable debugging.

*

*In the class library being packaged, installed Microsoft.SourceLink.GitHub packages to generate source link for GitHub repository (our code is there).

*In VS, in Options->Debugging unchecked "Enable Just My Code".

I build a release configuration of the package either using VS build or msbuild (makes no differencce). Then I use Package Manager Console to build the package (i.e., nuget pack [path to project file] -properties configuration=Release). When I add this locally build package, debugging works just fine. My assumption is the above source link package points to the location in the repository. There's no pdb anywhere so, since everything works fine, I'm assuming it's not needed.
If the same steps are done on Azure Devops server, the package is published to the company's private feed and added to the consuming project from there, debugging does not work. You'd think with the project file being the same, debugging should work regardless where you built it.
I've tried to add "Index sources and publish symbols" step per these instructions  but it makes no difference. I also tried making the below change to the project file setting DebuggingSymbols=true and DebugType=Full. This didn't make any difference either.
 <PropertyGroup Condition=" '$(Configuration)|$(Platform)' == 'Release|AnyCPU' ">
    <DebugType>full</DebugType>
    <Optimize>true</Optimize>
    <OutputPath>bin\Release\</OutputPath>
    <DefineConstants>TRACE</DefineConstants>
    <ErrorReport>prompt</ErrorReport>
    <WarningLevel>4</WarningLevel>
    <Prefer32Bit>false</Prefer32Bit>
    <DebugSymbols>true</DebugSymbols>
  </PropertyGroup>

Please share your ideas!
The pipeline is below:

# Variable 'BuildVerbosity' was defined in the Variables tab
# Variable 'ProjectName' was defined in the Variables tab
trigger:
  branches:
    include:
    - refs/heads/main
resources:
  repositories:
  - repository: self
    type: git
    ref: refs/heads/main
jobs:
- job: Job_1
  displayName: Agent job 1
  pool:
    vmImage: windows-latest
  steps:
  - checkout: self
    clean: true
    fetchTags: false
  - task: Assembly-Info-NetFramework@3
    name: SetVersion
    displayName: Set Assembly Version
    inputs:
      FileNames: >-
        **\AssemblyInfo.cs

        **\AssemblyInfo.vb
      VersionNumber: '#.#.#.$(Build.BuildId)'
      FileVersionNumber: '#.#.#.$(Build.BuildId)'
      FailOnWarning: true
  - task: Cache@2
    displayName: Cache NuGet Packages
    inputs:
      key: 926bec2e-d618-425e-b160-a368ecdcafc0
      path: packages
  - task: NuGetToolInstaller@1
    displayName: Get the latest NuGet.exe
  - task: NuGetCommand@2
    displayName: NuGet restore
    inputs:
      feedRestore: 697f4f9f-e201-40a9-9f9b-611dc64afec3
  - task: MSBuild@1
    displayName: Build solution **/*.sln
    inputs:
      msbuildArchitecture: x64
      configuration: $(BuildConfiguration)
  - task: CmdLine@2
    displayName: Display Directories - Delete this later
    enabled: False
    inputs:
      script: >
        echo "Here is the artifact directory: =====>>>   $(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)"

        echo "current directory"

        dir

        echo " "

        echo "*******************************************"

        echo "Build.SourcesDirectory\Projectname -> "  $(Build.SourcesDirectory)\$(ProjectName)\*

        dir $(Build.SourcesDirectory)\$(ProjectName)\*

        echo " "

        echo "*******************************************"

        echo "Build.SourcesDirectory\Projectname\bin\release\* -> "  $(Build.SourcesDirectory)\$(ProjectName)\bin\release\*

        dir $(Build.SourcesDirectory)\$(ProjectName)\bin\release\*

        echo " "

        echo "*******************************************"

        echo "Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory directory"

        dir $(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)
  - task: SimpleNuspecVersionSetter@1
    displayName: Set Nuspec Version to Beta
    inputs:
      RootDirectory: $(Build.SourcesDirectory)\$(ProjectName)
      NewVersion: $(SetVersion.AssemblyInfo.Version)-beta
  - task: NuGetCommand@2
    displayName: Create Package - Beta Version
    inputs:
      command: pack
      outputDir: $(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)/@BetaPackage
  - task: SimpleNuspecVersionSetter@1
    displayName: Set Nuspec Version to Release
    inputs:
      RootDirectory: $(Build.SourcesDirectory)\$(ProjectName)
      NewVersion: $(SetVersion.AssemblyInfo.Version)
  - task: NuGetCommand@2
    displayName: Create Package - Release Version
    inputs:
      command: pack
      outputDir: $(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)/@ReleasePackage
  - task: PublishSymbols@2
    displayName: Publish symbols path
    inputs:
      IndexSources: false
      SymbolServerType: TeamServices
  - task: PublishBuildArtifacts@1
    displayName: 'Publish Artifact: drop'
...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Metal roofing and asphalt shingles are perhaps the popular roofing options, and that is why we will be comparing the pros and cons of the two. So, let's get going!
Asphalt shingles are a top pick for roofing houses with more than 70% of single-family homes in American have this roofing material on their properties. However, that number has registered a slight drop over the past years due to the introduction of metal roofing materials that are more durable and energy-efficient.
One of the reasons why asphalt shingles are common in the market is the fact that they are relatively cheap. The other reason is that they are attractive, durable, and can go the job (protect the home and its inhabitants from adverse weather).
The fiberglass shingles that have a meshed mat made from fiberglass that's covered in asphalt. Granules are then introduced as the top layer to help reflect sunlight. The fiberglass asphalt shingles are highly resistant to wear and tear, and they are light and sturdy.
The shingles are made from recycled paper saturated in asphalt and granules at the outer layer. They tend to be bulkier to work with compared to the fiberglass shingles. However, they are the most stable, able to withstand strong winds. The may still feature on most home, but the organic shingles have been slowly phased out of the market and their production slowing coming to a halt over the past decade. The manufacturer stopped making these shingles because they dry out thus becoming prone to moisture adsorption and consequently less-waterproof.
Fiberglass shingles have exceptional fire resistance and provide excellent fire protection.
The shingles exude a certain elegance that makes with an ideal choice from any home style.
They have a better range of choices and are very affordable.
They are durable, can last for around 30 years in a home located in areas with moderate climate.
3-tab shingles are a sound choice for roofing repairs of a home that is to be listed in the real estate market.
Asphalt shingles are available in an array of color, style, and size with options that can mimic slate, stone, and shakes.
It is easy to handle the installing of asphalt shingles as a DIY project if you have the experience and equipment for the job.
The shingles take away the need to install the standard roof sheathing.
The standard architectural shingles have a rating for winds of up to 110-130mph while the 3-tab single can withstand 60-70 mph.
Homes in heavily-forested areas can benefit best from high-impact shingles such as the ones GAF manufactures.
The repair process for most shingles is easy and cost-effective.
The advantages of asphalt shingles mentioned above speak volumes as to the popularity of this roofing option.
While there can never lack some positive regarding asphalt shingles, overall the lifetime costs of installing shingles in your home can be higher than the metal roofing options because they will be replaced sooner and more frequently than the metal roofing.
Regarding the durability of this material, the cheap asphalt shingles in the market can work for less than 12 years in areas that are sunny or with hot climates.
The rapid rise and drop in temperatures soon cause the singles to warp or develop cracks.
Homes with poorly vented attics have asphalt shingled roof with short lifespan because of the trapped heat that drastically reduces the shingle lifespan.
The asphalt shingles industry say that its products are recycled and can be reused for paving. However, there are a few facilities that handle the recycling of asphalt shingles. Moreover, they are the least environmentally friending roofing materials in the market.
The complete replacement of the asphalt roofing is necessary once the two layers are spent. The old sheets are ripped off to create room for a fresh cover, which can be quite costly.
The risk of mold and algae invading the home is relatively high with using asphalt shingles and thus then need to have the material tested and treated with anti-stain and anti-algae treatments to curb such a scenario.
Get the shingle up to the roof in bundles can be tasking because the singles are heavy.
Some of the old home and building still boast of metallic roofs. The roofing option as gradually regains fame due to the sudden demand for eco-friendly and durable roofing choices among the homeowners. And while the technology for the manufacture of the metal roofing has evolved, the material is still made and distributed in rolls of rigid sheet. They can include modular press-formed panels or vertical-seam panels that are coated with colored granules or painted.
Today manufacturing methods for the metal roofing materials avail an array of options that range from the conventional styles to the modern designs that mimic tiles, shingles, and shakes. Most of the metallic roofing materials are made from light metal such as zinc, aluminum and lightweight steel. Copper metal roofing materials are also available but are pricey.
The metal roofing has a wide range of styles that mimic tile, shingles, slate, and shakes, and available in an array of colors.
The roofing material is durable, can last 50 – 100 years and has warranties of over 30 years.
Metal is a reflective surface; it reflects the radiant heat of the sun keeping the home cool and aiding in lower energy costs.
Most metal roofing materials are fire retardant and with a Class-A fire rating.
The installation of some style of metallic roofs, such as the ribbed panels and corrugated sheets, are cheap and quick to install.
The metal roofing materials are designed to shed snow and rain with ease, and this means that homeowners do not have to worry about the formation of ice dams on their roofs during extreme cold.
The material for metal roofing is 100% recyclable.
Some of the metal roofing products are highly robust, lightweight, and impact- resistant.
Metallic roofing is a practical application for any type and systole of home including cottages and cabins.
Some of the top-end products are designed to meet the stringent wind uplift standards and other qualities for withstanding adverse weather conditions.
While the above merits are enough to convince you that metal roofs are a worthwhile investment, you also need to base your final decision on a comparison of some of the drawback of metal roofing.
The installation of metal roofs is significantly higher compared to the cost of installing wood roofing and asphalt shingles.
They metallic roof systems require the addition of a substrate or solid sheathing to minimize the amount of noise that the roof will make especially when hit by rain, hail or strong winds.
The light metal roofing materials can be dented or punctured when hit by heavy objects; thus a replacement is necessary, and this is costlier than replacing wooden tile and asphalt shingles.
Some of the robust metallic roofing systems may do their job of protecting the home from strong winds or storms but may be an obstacle that prevents firefighters from breaking through to battle fires.
The wooden tiles, shakes, and shingles are the ideal choice if you are thinking along the line of a rustic style. They work best for homes in areas where there is enough sun to ensure they stay dry. But their durability is also subject to quality installation.
They are molded roofing materials with each type having a unique attribute that makes it a better choice over the other. For instance, clay will last longer than the composite tile but is costlier. The choice often boils down to preference and practicality.
Slates are an ideal choice for upscale stone and brick homes. They are an affordable option that can result in a finish with a distinctive look and feel.
The roofs are relatively new and are still in the testing phase. They may have shown tremendous promise with the aim of filling in the gap of energy-efficiency in roofing systems and solution. However, the Tesla roofs may be nothing more than vapourware.
Objectively, there always is room to save some money when doing any home renovation project or building a new one. You should consider getting the quality material at affordable prices and hire good labor at a low cost. The secret is to avoid going for the cheaper offers for the materials or labor or else you will end up with a failing roof that soon starts falling apart.
So, your efforts to save a few bucks should see you get estimated from a few reputable and experienced roofing contractors who are licensed and insured. They should be familiar with or specialize in the kind of roof you want. And point out to them that you also have a few other companies that are interested in handling the project; thus they should quote their best, and most affordable prices with work and product guarantees.
This entry was posted in Default by Lydia Wheeler. Bookmark the permalink.


The AMC Vixen prototype car from the late 60's. Much of it's styling was incorporated into the 1970 Hornet.
The AMC Cavelier prototype car from the late 60's. Doors and fenders were interchangable on oppisite sides. Again, much of the styling went on to become the Hornet.
Nash bought the Kelvinator refridgerator/appliance company in the 1930's. This 1957 ad has the American Motors logo at bottom.
WWII Nash Kelvinator ad. Nash made motors for Corsair airplanes.
The Lerma. Introduced in '81, built by VAM (Vehiculos Automotores de Mexico). VAM was owned by the Mexican government and licensed it's models from AMC. It was the first Mexico-only body design.
Rambler Training Truck (thanks to Randolph Garrett).
1968 Paper Plate...for doughnuts at the dealership maybe?
AMC Cowboy. A prototype also known as the Gremlin Cowboy or Jeep cowboy. It has the Gremlin/Hornet front with a pick up bed. This one has the Jeep name on it (courtesy of eddie stakes planet houston amx).
1969 license plate game. Something to keep the kids busy on long trips. Place a license plate sticker on the state when you see a car from that state (from planet houston amx).
1964 Rambler Tarpon prototype (based on the American). This is the car Rambler buffs wish they had made. They went with this fastback body style on the bigger Classic to make the Marlin.
The Inspector....Vehicle Emission Enforcement from 1980 brochure.
What if AMC made a Gremlin Fle-X-bus (artwork by Fred Donaher).


The Playground of Illusions is a place to explore, play and discover incredible wonders that have to be seen (or heard) to be believed. Come and play with the enchanting and intriguing interactive toys – a set of visual and auditory illusions that reveal the unexpected, the unimaginable and sometimes the unexplained!
This new installation is a continuation of the love that Travelling Light Circus have for playful contraptions that are instantly engaging and intriguing. The Playground of Illusions is a collection of 'giant toys' that each contains a visual or auditory illusion; these toys are placed in an area that the audience is free to wander around and explore. Each illusion is self-sufficient and works brilliantly on its own; together they make an unforgettable and fascinating experience that is inspirational, educational and (most importantly) awesome FUN!
The illusions will have a common design aesthetic, inspired by steampunk and a sense of playful invention – there will be levers to pull and wheels to turn, buttons to push and pedals to pedal. We will re-use vintage industrial machines to make our own quirky gadgets, creating an intriguing visual spectacle that will draw visitors in and ignite their imaginations.
A unique troupe of performers, engineers and producers combine to make work that marries art and technology; they love clever lighting and interactive fun, especially on a large- scale that leaves people with lasting memories of something very special indeed.
The company's work is characterised by creative ingenuity coupled with high production values, ensuring that organisers and the public alike, are enthralled.


Sharing folders between two Windows 7 machines with the new HomeGroup feature is an easy process, but the HomeGroup feature is not compatible with Vista or XP.
This should help you get started with sharing your files and other devices with your Windows 7 machine. When I first started I was able to see the printer on XP right away because I had a HomeGroup set up, but once I deleted it I needed to share the printer like you would for a workgroup. You might also have to do a couple restarts of the XP machine for it to see the shared resources on Windows 7.
Today while working in company I got an issue.
I was trying to do a fresh installation for Windows XP. I inserted the bootable CD and started the computer. Select to ask me boot device and then selected CD/DVD. It asked "press any key to boot from cd" as usual. I pressed a key and "inspecting hardware configuration" appeared.
Unfortunately just a second after that screen turned blank and stayed so. I tried many times and waited a while also. I tried by setting BIOS settings as default and all but nothing helped..
so I googled for almost an hour and got the the issue and fixed it..
I had Cent OS 5.6 installed on the hard disk and XP was not able to identify ext4 partition and that partition has MBR. so it was getting hanged or what so ever but it was showing only blank screen when I was trying to install new operating system.
I found that it was working fine with Windows server 2008 or Windows Vista or Windows 7 so what I did, I boot my system from Windows Vista DVD and delete the partition which was containing MBR. and also format the rest of the drives too as I only need to install windows system over linux.. and after deletion.. I just open DVD drive and removed Windows Vista DVD and insert XP CD again.. now when I tried it worked fine..


text:
Q: Why is my setUpClass function not called when I load the test suite via defaultTestLoader.loadTestsFromModule? Context: python 2.6.5 environment
I am using unittest.defaultTestLoader.loadTestsFromModule(module) to load tests.
However, when the following is loaded, the setUpClass method is not executed.
class MyTest(unittest.TestCase):
    foo = None

    def test_choice(self):
        self.logger.info('   .. %s' % str(Full.foo))
        self.assertTrue(1 == 1)

    @classmethod
    def setUpClass(cls):
        logging.warn('setUpClass')
        cls.foo = settings.INITIAL

The returned test suites shows that it returned:
<unittest.TestSuite
    tests=[<unittest.TestSuite
         tests=[<internal.tests.master.MyTest testMethod=test_choice>]>,

Basically under the 'test' package, there will be many tests modules. And I want the setUpClass & tearDownClass to work for each test suites. loadTestsFromModule does not satisfy my requirement. Are there other ways to achieve this ?

A: It works now after I upgraded to use unittest2.

A: The TestLoader.loadTestsFromModule method is just for loading the test cases from your module into a test suite, you should run your test suite if you want setUpClass & tearDownClass to be executed.