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Exercises to Eliminate Back Fat
One commonly perpetuated fitness myth is that you can spot-reduce fat in different areas of your body, including your back. Unfortunately, that is impossible. To eliminate back fat, you must engage in strength training exercises, fat-blasting cardio and a balanced, healthy diet. You'll lose weight throughout your body as well for a trimmer front and back.
Fat-Blast With Cardio
Cardiovascular exercise not only improves your overall endurance and heart and lung capacity, but it burns calories from body fat. Your body converts calories you eat as well as calories stored in body fat and muscle, to energize you throughout your exercise session. The fat you burn during a cardio workout will come from all areas of your body, not just your back. However, you can add a bit of toning work to your cardio workout by using your arms and back throughout a cardio session. Try jump roping, rowing and using the elliptical machine, as all engage the muscles of the back, to help tone your back as you blast body fat. Engage in at least 30 minutes of cardio several times a week for best results.
Strength Training: Negative Chin-Ups
Negative chin-ups are a strength training exercise that work the lats and scapulars, both muscles in your upper back. Place a bench underneath a chin-up bar and step on to it. Grasp the chin up bar with the palms of your hands facing your body, shoulder distance apart. Begin to bend your elbow and jump up so that your chest is parallel with your hands. Bend your knees behind you. Slowly begin to lower yourself, until your arms are completely straight, to a count of five. Repeat five times.
Strength Training: Rear Lateral Raise
The rear lateral raise tones the lats and trapezius in the upper and mid-back. Begin with your feet hip width apart. Bend your knees slightly and hinge forward at the hip about 30 degrees. Bring your hands in front of your knees, palms facing one another. Your arms should be straight. Keeping your torso stationary, raise your arms straight to the side until they are in line with your shoulders. Pause for one second and bring your hands back to the starting position. Repeat 10 to 12 times. To challenge yourself, use low weight dumbbells.
Strength Training: Shoulder Shrugs
Shoulder shrugs are a weight training exercise that develops your shoulders and the lats. Begin with feet hip-distance apart. Draw your shoulders back to stand up straight and keep your arms at your sides. Grab a set of low weight dumbbells and grip them loosely, palms facing in. Shrug your shoulders toward your ears. Hold for three seconds and slowly release. Repeat eight to 10 times.
There benefits to eating a well rounded, healthy diet are as plentiful as the number of fruits and vegetables available to eat. Eating adequate amounts of the five main food groups, fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy, provides your body with the nutrients it needs to energize internal and external activities. From cellular regeneration to respiration to exercise, your body is busy all the time, and the calories and nutrients from food provides it with the energy it needs to work right. How much and what you should eat depends on you as an individual, but the average adult female should eat around 2,000 calories from the above groups each day.
Based in Denver, Parker Bowles has been a wellness writer since 2006. Her work has appeared in "Yoga Journal," "Elephant Journal" and "CafeWell." Bowles holds a Bachelor of Science in biology with a concentration in nutrition from the College of William and Mary and a Master of Science in kinesiology from King's College. She is also a certified health coach with a certificate in holistic health and nutrition from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.


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Welcome to February’s Tax Tips & News, our article designed to bring you tax tips and news to keep you one step ahead of the taxman.
We are committed to ensuring none of our clients pay a penny more in tax than is necessary and they receive useful tax and business advice and support throughout the year.
This month’s topics
- Tax-free childcare now open to under 9’s
- Two million couples still missing out on MA
- HMRC clarify VAT treatment of affiliation fees for sports clubs
- Latest MTD progress
- February questions and answers
- February key tax dates
Please contact us for advice in your own specific circumstances. We’re here to help!
Tax-free childcare now open to under 9’s
In April 2017 HMRC started rolling out tax-free childcare, a scheme designed to help working parents with the cost of childcare with up to £2,000 of support per child per year, or £4,000 for disabled children. The scheme is now open (from 15 January 2018) to parents whose youngest child is under 9, or who turned 9 on that date. All remaining eligible families with children under 12 can apply from 14 February 2018. This means that all eligible parents will have the opportunity to apply for tax-free childcare before the end of the current financial year.
Parents, including the self-employed, can apply online for tax-free childcare by visiting the Childcare Choices website. Parents can also access the government’s childcare calculator through the website, which is designed to help them choose which government childcare support is best for them.
According to Government reports, since opening the childcare service, through which parents apply for 30 hours free childcare and tax-free childcare, more than 325,000 individuals have successfully applied and are now using the service. Of these, more than 170,000 have opened a tax-free childcare account.
Two million couples still missing out on Marriage Allowance
Recent government statistics indicate that out of four million eligible couples, around half are still not benefiting from the income tax Marriage Allowance (MA). The allowance was first introduced in April 2015, which means that a backdated claim made in 2017/18 could be worth up to £662. It’s worth checking to make sure claims are made, where appropriate.
In brief, MA is a way for couples to transfer a proportion of their individual Personal Allowance between them in a tax-efficient manner. Where a couple satisfies the following criteria, it should be possible to claim the allowance:
– The couple must be either married or in a civil partnership – living together is not sufficient for the allowance to be claimed.
– One partner needs to be a non-taxpayer – which generally means they are earning less than the personal allowance (£11,500 for 2017/18, rising to £11,850 from 6 April 2018).
– The other partner needs to be a basic 20% rate taxpayer, which generally means they are earning less than £45,000 in 2017/18 (rising to £46,350 for 2018/19) (note that rates are different for Scottish taxpayers). Higher rate and additional rate taxpayers are not entitled to the allowance.
– Both partners must have been born on or after 6 April 1935.
For 2017/18, the maximum amount that can be transferred from one partner to the other is £1,150, which means that the spouse or civil partner receiving the transferred allowance will be entitled to a reduced income tax liability of up to £230 for 2017/18 (£1,150 @ 20%).
For 2015/16 MA was worth £212, and for 2016/17, the allowance was raised to £1,100, making it worth £220. Backdated claims are possible – a claim for all three years from 2015/16 to 2017/18 inclusive will therefore be worth up to £662.
The allowance is set to rise to £1,185 on 6 April 2018, so it will be worth a further £237 in 2018/19.
As announced in the 2017 Autumn Statement (applicable from 29 November 2017), it is possible to claim Marriage Allowance even where one partner has died since April 2015, providing all the eligibility criteria outlined above is satisfied.
In most cases, the allowance will be given by adjusting the recipient partner’s personal tax code and the allowance will be received via the PAYE system. The partner who transferred their personal allowance will also receive a new, reduced, tax code, which will be operated against their employment income where applicable. If the recipient partner is self-employed, the allowance can be claimed via the self-assessment tax return and the allowance will be given as a reduction against their self-assessment tax liability.
HMRC clarify VAT treatment of affiliation fees for sports club
HMRC recently published a reminder that the concession enabling clubs to treat affiliation fees as exempt from VAT, will be withdrawn with effect from 1 April 2018.
A sport’s governing body, or similar umbrella organisation, often charges an affiliation fee to individual clubs who make an onward charge to their members. Where the clubs are non-profit making, the supply of this affiliation fee to their individual members is exempt from VAT. However, if the club is a profit-making commercial club, then the supply to their individual member is standard rated.
The concession aimed to put profit-making commercial clubs in a similar position to non-profit making clubs, so that they didn’t need to account for output tax on the fee charged. It achieved this by allowing profit-making commercial clubs to treat these re-charges to their members as though they were disbursements. However, as such re-charges of affiliation fees aren’t legally disbursements, the concession goes beyond HMRC’s discretion and is being withdrawn with effect from 1 April 2018.
Withdrawal of the concession means that the onward charge of the affiliation fee will be liable to VAT at the standard rate of 20%, unless it meets the conditions of a disbursement.
There will be no impact on the VAT treatment of affiliation fees by non-profit making sports governing bodies, or similar umbrella organisations, and on non-profit making sports clubs to their members. In their case, the charge they make for affiliation fees will continue to be exempt under the law. If they are partly exempt for the purposes of calculating their recoverable input tax, such bodies should ensure that they continue to include affiliation fees in their exempt and total supplies in any appropriate partial exemption calculation.
Latest MTD progress
Draft regulations, together with a draft explanatory memorandum and a draft VAT Notice, covering required changes to the VAT regime under the Making Tax Digital (MTD) project were published for consultation in December 2017. The consultation runs until 9 February 2018, and it is expected that live pilot testing will then begin in spring 2018.
With this in mind, the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) has recently been urging software houses and HMRC to identify MTD-compliant software packages urgently to allow businesses to make an informed decision on which to use and help to avoid the need to make a troublesome mid-accounting period change.
Some businesses will need to have MTD complaint software in place in just five months’ time.
Under MTD, businesses above the VAT threshold will be required to keep their records digitally and provide HMRC with quarterly VAT updates from the beginning of their first VAT quarter starting on or after 1 April 2019.
Quarterly updates will have to be submitted to HMRC from software via an Application Programme Interface (API). It is therefore important for such businesses to make sure that they have an accounting package which can do this and, if not, ensure they do in good time for their first quarterly VAT update under MTD.
Commenting on the implementation timetable, Co-chair of ATT’s Technical Steering Group said:
“The first businesses to come into MTD will be those with a VAT quarter running from 1 April to 30 June 2019. If they happen to have a 30 June year end, they will need to have an MTD-compliant accounts package in place by 1 July 2018 or risk changing their accounting package mid-year. This gives them only five months to select and integrate a new package if their current one would not be MTD compliant.
It would be a major headache for businesses, from a practical perspective, to have to change mid-accounting period, as when they come to do their accounts or tax return, the information would be spread over two systems. It would also make it difficult to get an in year view of profitability.
HMRC will be providing an online tool to help businesses identify which software packages will meet their MTD needs but until that is available it will be very difficult for businesses and the agents advising them to make an informed decision.
The ideal solution would be for the MTD for VAT start date to be altered so that it applied from a business’s first accounting period (and not VAT quarter) starting on or after 1 April 2019.”
Whilst we wait for the detail of the MTD implementation process to evolve, businesses should be able to gain some comfort in the Government’s confirmation that it will not widen the scope of MTD beyond VAT before the system has been shown to work. This means that businesses can focus on this one area for now.
February questions and answers
Q. I own several properties jointly with my son. Most of them are rented out, but my son has lived in one of them for five years. My son is now considering buying a house on his own and this will become his main residence. Will he have to pay the higher stamp duty land tax charge on the purchase?
A. Broadly, if the value of your son’s share of the rental property is more than £40,000, he will be liable to the higher rate of SDLT when he purchases a new property.
Further information can be found in the HMRC guidance on the higher rates of SDLT applicable to the purchase of additional residential properties, which was published in November 2016; and on the GOV.uk website.
Q. I am the sole director and 100% shareholder of a company. Can the company claim capital allowances for the cost of setting up a website?
A. Expenditure on setting up a website is generally treated as expenditure on computer software. According to HMRC guidance (Business Income Manual: BIM35815), ‘the cost of a web site is analogous to that of a shop window. The cost of constructing the window is capital; the cost of changing the display from time to time is revenue’.
Computer software acquired with hardware (e.g. an operating system) and accounted for as part of the cost of the hardware will qualify as plant in the main capital allowances pool.
Other computer software qualifies for capital allowances under CAA 2001, s 71. However, from 1 April 2002, new expenditure on software will initially qualify for relief as an intangible asset (under CTA 2009, Part 8) provided it is incurred by a company. If the company wishes to exempt such expenditure from CTA 2009, it must make an irrevocable election within two years of the end of the accounting period in which the expenditure was incurred. This means that companies can effectively choose between capital allowances (under CAA 2001, s 71) and amortisation (under CTA 2009 Part 8). Where amortisation is charged in the accounts, the advisability of making an election will depend on the period in which the policy is used (i.e. the period over which the expenditure is written-off).
Q. What should we pay employees who are on jury service?
A. There is no statutory entitlement for an employee to be paid by his employer during jury service. However, if the contract of employment has a clause covering such a situation, the employer must follow the terms of the contract.
Whilst on jury service, the employee is entitled to claim allowances from the court to cover travel and subsistence costs. In addition, a financial loss allowance may be claimed in respect of any loss of net earnings suffered as a result of attending the court.
The maximum financial loss allowance depends upon the number of hours served. These amounts are reviewed annually and are currently as follows:
– First 10 days: 4 hours or under each day – £32.47
– First 10 days: Over 4 hours each day – £64.95
– Day 11 to day 200: 4 hours or under each day – £64.95
– Day 11 to day 200: Over 4 hours each day – £129.91
– After day 201: 4 hours or under each day – £114.03
– After day 201: Over 4 hours – £228.06
February key tax dates
2 – Last day for car change notifications in the quarter to 5 January – Use P46 Car
19/22 – PAYE/NIC, student loan and CIS deductions due for month to 5/2/2018
28 – First 5% penalty surcharge on any 2016/17 outstanding tax due on 31 January 2018 still unpaid
Please contact us if we can help you with these or any other tax or accounts matters.
In addition, if there’s anyone else who you think would benefit from this article please share it.
New Clients Welcome
If you are not already a client and are interested in becoming one, we would love to come to meet with you to discuss how we can help and provide you with a competitive quote for our services.
All new client consultations are provided free of charge and without obligation.

domain: economics


text:
Food and Staples Retailing
Company Overview of SUPERVALU Holdings, Inc.
SUPERVALU Holdings, Inc. operates as a wholesale grocery distributor. The company was incorporated in 1961 and is based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. SUPERVALU Holdings, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Supermarket Operators of America Inc.
11840 Valley View Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Founded in 1961
Key Executives for SUPERVALU Holdings, Inc.
SUPERVALU Holdings, Inc. does not have any Key Executives recorded.
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Polystyrene latices were prepared by the emulsion polymerization method using hydrogen peroxide as an initiator and sodium dodecyl sulfate as the emulsifying agent. Latices of different particle sizes were prepared by the seeded growth technique. The particle size and its frequency distribution were determined by electron microscope. The viscosities and electrophoretic mobilities of the latex and latex:added electrolyte mixtures were measured in the presence of gradually increasing concentrations of quaternary ammonium counterions of different ionic sizes. The ζ-potentials were calculated by the computational method of Wiersema-Loeb-Overbeek (WLO); the surface charge densities σ were calculated by the method of Loeb-Wiersema-Overbeek (LWO). The primary electroviscous effects were calculated by using the Booth equation. The free energies of adsorption ΔḠ(ads), of the counterions on the particle surface were calculated. The stability characteristic of the latices and latex-added electrolyte mixtures has been studied on the basis of the DLVO theory.


text: We created this three tiered topsy turvy 1st birthday cake for little Mikey! All three tiers are decorated in primary colors with patterns including stripes, diamonds, stars, triangles and polka dots. Elmo and Oscar sit happily at the base of the cake while Bert and Ernie are front and center. Big bird tops the cake while he clutches a capital 'M'. Stars on wires complete the look of this topsy turvy 1st birthday cake.

domain: food


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Editor’s note: This story has been updated.
When will injured UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel return to play after breaking his collarbone? There was a lot of discussion about it on Monday.
Here’s how the day unfolded.
In the morning, in a blog posted by 96.9 The Game’s Marc Daniels, the radio host speculated that Gabriel might not return to the field this season.
“It appears Dillon Gabriel will not be returning after all,” Daniels wrote. “Gabriel’s broken clavicle was thought to be an 8-10 week injury and it appears it will be more on the backside of that projection.”
But later, during his weekly news conference, UCF coach Gus Malzahn was more upbeat about Gabriel’s health. He said Gabriel returned to the practice field Sunday night for the first time since breaking his left collarbone in his throwing arm. Malzahn said Gabriel “practiced well.”
“He was able to participate and do what a normal quarterback could do,” Malzahn said.
Malzahn didn’t provide a concrete answer as to whether or not Gabriel will play in UCF’s two remaining regular-season games. Malzahn did, however, say that the staff is hopeful Gabriel could play again this season.
“We’ll see how it goes day-to-day and week-to-week,” Malzahn said. “We’ll see what happens.”
Daniels added that blogs like those are “usually posted before 8 a.m.” Malzahn spoke to the media over 3 hours later but Daniels’ post, which did not include a timestamp, remained online until later in the evening and was later removed.
“All I mentioned was that because he had not yet been cleared before it might indicate he’s not close to returning but once coach said at his presser that Dillon practice[d] it clearly was the news,” Daniels said.
In his original writing on Gabriel, Daniels mentioned the NCAA Transfer Portal, but made it clear he did not know whether or not the UCF quarterback is considering making a move.
“If Dillon was healthy all season, it would be foolish to think schools would not come after him and there is no reason to think those schools would not be interested despite missing most of the season,” Daniels wrote ahead of Malzahn’s comments. “Don’t read anything into this that I know something. I don’t. I’m just pointing out that the portal game is one everyone is still learning and that includes players and coaches.”
UCF has gone through this before. Former Knights quarterback McKenzie Milton transferred to FSU and while doing so, shared the team belonged to Gabriel.
“It’s DG’s team now — I feel like the torch is passed. He’s gonna take it to a whole ‘nother level,” Milton said at the time.
Following Gabriel’s injury, true freshman Mikey Keene became UCF’s starter and has since thrown for over 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns with 6 interceptions. Malzahn recently expressed confidence in Keene as UCF’s starting quarterback.
“He’s starting to feel like the starter and not just a replacement,” Malzahn said last week. “You can see his leadership growing each week. I’d like to think the game is slowing down a little bit for him.”
The Knights face UConn this week and close out the regular season vs. USF next Friday.

domain: sports


text: The Bonahaven Formation of northern Islay, Scotland, despite having undergone high-pressure greenschist facies metamorphism, contains many relics of its diagenetic history. Early diagenetic dolomite textures, calcite and clay mineral cements are well preserved locally. Burial diagenetic compactional and pressure solution features are recognizable together with quartz and feldspar overgrowths and variable styles of replacement by and recrystallization of dolomite, calcite, pyrite, quartz and albite. The imprint of deformation and metamorphism is variable, probably as a result of differences in the degree of pressure solution and the CO2, content of pore fluid. Typically, some solution-transfer phenomena occur, accompanied by growth of cleavage-defining phengite and sporadic phlogopite. Locally, abundant phlogopite or biotite is present in lithologies with fully developed metamorphic textures. Dolomite shows good preservation of pre-metamorphic textures and minor element zonation, but calcite does not. Metamorphic re-equilibration was insufficient to allow the derivation of maximum temperatures by calcite–dolomite geo-thermometry.

domain: chemistry


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Delivery time: 8-10 weeks
We can supply as low as 30 pcs. per. sublimation


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Do you suffer with chronic pain?
Pain can be acute or chronic. Acute pain serves an important purpose. For instance, if you put you hand on something hot you feel sudden pain. It’s very imprtant you do. However, if you have chronic pain it is not serving a purpose in that same way. If your pain has been diagnosed as being chronic and you would like to change the way you perceive that pain, then a course of hypnotherapy can provide you with new insight into what you are feeling. It is possible to live in a much more positive way and I can discuss options with you as to how we can achieve that.
Would you like to feel more confident?
If you feel you lack confidence it will be rooted in past experiences. How we feel about ourselves affects every area of our lives. You may need help with a general daily feeling of ‘not being good enough’ or you may need to feel more confident for a special event, an exam, interview or a driving test. I can help you to do this with a programme of hypnotherapy designed to suit your needs.
Is a bad habit affecting your life in a negative way?
Whether you bite your nails, pull your hair, drink too much alcohol or any other repeated negative behaviours, I can help yu address this with hypnotherapy We can aim to reprogramme your subconscious mind to stop these unwanted habits. If habits are learned responses then it follows that they can be unlearned and replaced by new more productive behaviours. We can work together to allow this change to take place.
Do you have trouble falling asleep or sleeping right through the night?
I can help you to control and change the thoughts that have been stopping you from getting a good nights rest. Or maybe you have just got into an unhelpful sleep pattern which has become a pattern for you. Either way we can work towards nights which are peaceful and calm.
For further information on how I can help you please contact me.

domain: psychology


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Put your enduring team loyalty on display whenever you wear the Nike Men's Dallas Cowboys CeeDee Lamb 88 Game Replica Jersey. The team and player details boast your dedication to your NFL fandom, while the 100% polyester construction offers durability and a smooth, lightweight fit.
Features and Benefits
V-neck with an NFL shield on the front
Opaque mesh side panels supply cooling ventilation
Crafted with a 100% polyester for durability and a soft, lightweight feel
Short sleeves with logos
Machine wash cold
Silicone screen-printed team, player and logo graphics create a realistic game-day appearance
Embroidered jock tag placed on the lower hem
Sleeve length: Short Sleeve
Age Group: Adults'
Size Range: Men's
Care: Machine cold wash
What's in the Box
Nike Men's Dallas Cowboys CeeDee Lamb 88 Game Replica Jersey

domain: design


text:
- 6 years ago
This program was quite entertaining, there were two parts, the first one was devoted to the fallacy of Lucas's idea to rerelease his only work year after year adding bits and pieces to it in order to sell it once again. It is okay to rerelease older movies after some amount of time passes just to refresh it a bit and come back to the good memories once more. For example, the Back to the Future trilogy was a good example of a timely BluRay port, which Conor and myself had a pleasure to watch last weekend.
This part of the program contains some quite fun bits about the destinly of Star Wars in Hungary, as well as Frank giving impersonations of some of the leading characters of the story. I have never seen any of the episodes so I can't tell how well he does it, you be the judge.

domain: artistic


Former JP lawmaker, 11 others sued for war crimes
Mymensingh: A case was filed against twelve people, including former Jatiya Party lawmaker Anisur Rahman Manik, in Trishal upazila of Mymensingh for their alleged involvement in crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971.
Ruhul Amin, son of martyred freedom fighter Yunus Ali of Trishal upazila, filed the case with Mymensingh Chief Judicial Magistrate court.
Taking the case into cognisance, Abeda Sultana, Judge of Mymensingh Chief Judicial Magistrate Court ordered sending the case to the International Crimes Tribunal for taking necessary action.
The other accused are Mokhlesur Rahman, Shamsul Haq Bacchu, Nurul Haq Fakir, Sultan Fakir, Manik Munshi, Ibrahim, Khaedm, Abdul Karim, Moulvi Mofazzal Hossain, and Saidur Rahman Ratan, reports UNB, a local news agency.
According to the case statement, the accused led by Anisur Rahman picked up Yunus Ali, a freedom fighter from Kakchar in Trishal upazila and took him to Ahmedabad School camp and shot him to death after torture on 14 August 1971.


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Nashville based comedian Dusty Slay will be hosting a party for his debut album release “Making That Fudge” on Sunday, August 24 at the East Room in East Nashville.
“Making That Fudge” contains 55 minutes of cleverly crafted, sharply delivered comedy featuring Slay’s unique view on ordinary topics.
Slay was born in Alabama, splitting his time living with his mom in a trailer park and his dad on a farm. One would say he was born to be either a comedian or a meth addict. Slay then moved to Charleston, SC in 2004 and began performing improvised and stand up comedy. He’s been performing all over the country ever since. Slay recently relocated to Nashville, where he can be seen performing stand up all over town.
The album release party will feature performances from some of Nashville’s favorite comedians, and copies of “Making That Fudge” will be available for purchase.
“I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I was born with a plastic spoon in my mouth, and I was lucky to have that spoon.” –Dusty Slay
Here’s a video:
SPiFFY SQUiRREL is Nashville’s only truly independent, underground professional weekly alt comedy show. Featuring touring comedians from all corners of the earth, plus outstanding local regulars who are worth paying attention to. Sundays at 7:30pm at The East Room for just $5 cover. Produced and hosted by NashvilleStandUp.com’s Chad Riden.
8/24/2014 7:30pm: Dusty Slay, Jim Seward, Sean Parrott, Josh Innocala
7:00pm doors open
7:30pm show begins
7:31pm you’re late, dummy
TICKETS: $5 at the door or in advance online
For Booking Inquiries, contact N’Sup

domain: entertainment


text:
We recently reported that Jeremy Clarkson had changed his mind on climate change after seeing first hand, the effects it has had during his time filming in Cambodia. Today, he delves deeper into how this has affected The Grand Tour and other similar car shows, while also mentioning young activist Greta Thunberg.
The 16-year old has been fighting for action against climate change for months now, but Clarkson is adamant that instead of making a real change, she’s killed the car show instead.
“Everyone I know under 25 isn’t the slightest bit interested in cars — Greta Thunberg has killed the car show,” says Clarkson. According to the ex-Top Gear presenter, the scorn of the car is “in their heads,”. Only weeks before this, Richard Hammond explains in a video that cars are only a small percentage of what has an effect on global warming, and that there are other things that can be done.
Jeremy seems to be putting thought into climate change and what can be done, or said, to combat it.
“Only an idiot doesn’t change their mind when faced with irrefutable evidence,” Jeremy said. “The question is, what to do about it? That’s a more interesting debate than what is happening.”
But Greta isn’t going to get away that easily: “She’s an idiot,’ Clarkson adds. “Going round saying we’re all going to die, that’s not going to solve anything, my dear.”
Jeremy and The Grand Tour trio will come in contact with climate change during the next season which airs on December 13th. We’ll hear more of what he has to say when we watch it.

domain: news


text:
How long will it take me to travel from London to Bacău by plane?
The journey between London and Bacău by plane usually takes 24 h 21 min to cover a distance of 1,261.4 mi. The shortest journey from London to Bacău will take you 3 h. Remember, as always, that this time does not include any delays that might occur due to weather conditions, construction, or unexpected diversions and disruptions. If arriving in Bacău quickly is a priority for you, look for express or non-stop services. You may also find that a connecting route reaches your destination faster than some direct journeys. Virail will allow you to explore all your options and come to a decision that suits your needs.
At what time of the day can I travel from London to Bacău?
The first daily departure from London to Bacău leaves at 05:30, while the last journey of the day sets out at 23:35. These are according to the standard schedules for the route between London and Bacău. However, different providers' timetables can vary from day to day or month to month, so these particular departures may not be available every day. Some providers may change their schedules on public holidays and weekends, or during the summer months. Check your travel dates when making your booking.
Which airports can I use to travel from London to Bacău?
If you are traveling internationally from to , look out for these routes which are available to you. You can depart from Londra Luton Havaalanı, Stansted, Gatwick and Heathrow, and arrive at Bacau. Not all airports in connect to all airports in , so we can help you plan the best route. For international journeys, always check carefully to ensure that you are arriving at a convenient location, and keep an open mind when making your booking. Often, you may find that an indirect route that makes one or more changes along the way is better than a direct route.
Depending on the airline you decide to use for your journey, you will be able to depart London from the following airports: Londra Luton Havaalanı, Stansted, Gatwick and Heathrow. Arriving at Bacău, your route will pass through all or some of the following airports: Bacau. Not all airlines serve every airport , so check in advance to see exactly where your route takes you.
How many daily journeys are there from London to Bacău?
On average, there are 23 daily departures from London to Bacău. However, there may be more or less on different days. Providers' timetables can change on certain days of the week or public holidays, and many also vary at particular times of year. Some providers change their schedules during the summer season, for example. At very busy times, there may be up to 58 departures each day. The providers that travel along this route include , Blue Air and Wizz Air, and each operates according to their own specific schedules. As a traveler, you may prefer a direct journey, or you may not mind making changes and connections. If you have heavy suitcases, a direct journey could be best; otherwise, you might be able to save money and enjoy more flexibility by making a change along the way. Every day, there are an average of 1 departures from London which travel directly to Bacău. There are 22 journeys with one change or more.

domain: travel


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Developmental disability, also referred to as learning disability, intellectual disability, or cognitive disability, is a kind of life long disability which is caused due to any form of physical impairment, mental impairment or a combination of the two.
Such forms of severe or chronic impairments become evident before the person attains twenty-two years of age.
The patient experiences functional limitations in three or more of the following areas, which hugely restrict or limit his daily activities —
1) Ability to take care of self
2) Ability to learn languages and put it to receptive and expressive use
3) Learning capacity
4) Free coordinated movement
6) Ability to lead an independent life
7) Potential for economic self-sufficiency as an adult
Patients suffering from developmental disabilities may also be suffering from lack of perceptual, sensorimotor, and socialization behavior. Usually, those people who have been diagnosed as suffering from mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Down’s syndrome and Fragile ‘X’ Syndrome, are considered to have developmental disabilities.
Music is a non-verbal, non-invasive, non-threatening means of communication and expression. Music can reach where words cannot. It has a strong healing power and provides a distinctive stimulus where other of stimuli or verbal commands fail to reach. Therefore, it has become increasingly popular as a tool for teaching people with developmental disabilities. Music therapy is used to improve social interaction and communication. It is also known to develop and improve the attention span and the ability to follow directions. It aids in the sensorimotor development by improving the sensory stimulation, and motor skills. Music therapy also helps in improving the cognitive elements of perception such as thinking, reasoning, remembering, imagining, or learning words. Personalized music therapy sessions provide structured musical interventions to meet the cognitive and physical needs of the patient.
A music therapy plan is first drawn up by the music therapist after thoroughly understanding the therapeutic and educational needs of the patient and also after a complete assessment of the patient’s capabilities. Then the therapist tries to build rapport with the patient. After developing a good rapport with the patient, the therapist implements the structured musical sessions and records the observations and progress periodically.
Although group music therapy sessions are helpful in improving the socialization aspect of the patient’s behavior in addition to the other benefits of music therapy, they fail to address the specific educational or cognitive needs of each patient. However, individualized music therapy interventions can help address the individual needs of the patient.

domain: medical


Antoinette Cable Sweater Vest
Wrap yourself up in8 the cable sweater knit vest for a retro-chic look. Delicate scallop detail along the edges and contrasting color side bow tie give dimension to your outfit. Look fashionable and polished with effortless ease!
Materials: 52% Acrylic, 28% Nylon, 20% Polyester
Product Origin: Imported
Washing Instructions: Hand wash cold or gentle cycle and hang to dry
Undergarments: regular bra
Model is wearing a size S


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Instead of creating a single standalone piece of VR headgear with its own built-in computer, Google is launching a hardware and software platform -- dubbed Daydream -- to help any Android smartphone manufacturer create a VR headset themselves.
Google is running off the same Android playbook, where the online search giant provided the software infrastructure necessary to help 400 hardware manufacturers create 4,000 different devices. Eventually, Android became the world's dominant mobile operating system with Google rarely creating its own hardware.
The hope is that Daydream could become the de facto standard for mobile VR, helping the burgeoning and still pricey new technology to go mainstream sooner rather than later. Google is just the latest to place a big bet on virtual reality, an area that has drawn heavy hitters such as Facebook and Samsung.
The formula: a high-end smartphone, a new version of Android with a dedicated VR mode, and a lightweight headset and accompanying motion controller designed by Google itself. Much like with Google's Cardboard, a cheap VR viewer literally made out of cardboard, you'll stick your smartphone inside the headset before you attempt to step into another world.
But with Daydream, Google believes a more comfortable viewer, intuitive controller, a set of rigid requirements for the smartphone and new optimizations in the Android N software will help manufacturers deliver "the best smartphone-based mobile VR experience" on the market.
Aside from adding a strap to keep a Daydream headset on your head -- Cardboard had none -- the primary hardware and software improvements are about addressing what's known as the "motion-to-photon latency," the delay that can keep VR images from properly lining up with your head as you move and turn.
Google will enforce performance requirements for Daydream phones: if they don't provide what Google considers to be a comfortable experience, the new VR mode in Android N won't even turn on.
Similarly, manufacturers will need to bundle the Daydream controller with every headset sold. While that controller won't let users reach out and grab things like they can with the wands included with the $800 HTC Vive, Google mockups show it working as a pointer, a fishing rod, and a wand to cast spells.
Daydream-ready phones, including the $499 (£449, AU$899) Nexus 6P smartphone, will run Google's own applications dressed up for VR, including Google Photos, Google Street View, Google Play Movies, and a version of YouTube.
But Google isn't dreaming alone. Samsung, HTC, LG, Huawei, Alcatel, ZTE, Xiaomi and Asus have all signed up to produce Daydream-ready phones. An initial list of software partners includes Netflix, Hulu, HBO and Imax, MLB, the NBA, CNN, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and a list of 10 game developers includes two big names: Ubisoft and Electronic Arts.
Clay Bavor, the leader of Google's VR division, believes a full Daydream kit will cost somewhere around the same amount as a Samsung Gear VR setup -- currently the benchmark for mobile VR experiences -- which retails for $800 (roughly £550 or AU$1,100) including a headset and recent Samsung Galaxy S7 phone.
You can read more about Google's Daydream in our full inside story.


I have setup a WDS server and have created the boot and capture images. When I sysprep a client and then try to capture the volume, no volume shows up at all. Have tried to re-sysprep and also inject drivers into my capture image. Volume never shows up when client is booted into capture image. What am I missing?


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By day, they take your order in restaurants. They do your occupational therapy. They design graphics for your websites, and teach your children to play the piano. And on the second Tuesday of every month the performers of Guilt & Co.’s Pandora and the Locksmiths effectively bare it all – combining vintage striptease, go-go, singing, comedy, and live music with a classic aesthetic to create one of the most raw, energetic, and refreshing evenings of burlesque in Vancouver.
“I think the thing is, we all needed an outlet for the training that we had,” says Nicky Ninedoors, one of the show’s co-founders. “We needed a big, sparkly, ridiculous outlet, and we came to burlesque for that.”
Since their premiere in September 2010, the Pandora collective, which also includes performers Miss Fitt, Carole Brunette, Delilah Dare, bassist John Bews, pianist Sean Bayntun, drummer Trevor Grant, and trumpet player Alison Gorman, has been a hit with local audiences and has brought new life to a night when bar and restaurant business in Gastown is typically slow.
“That first night, we had to turn away sixty people,” recalls founding member Carole Brunette, “and I think they [Guilt] were immediately impressed because we were increasing their sales by something like 300%. And we were filling up the place on a night when the rest of Gastown was quiet and asleep.”
The shows, which run about two hours, revolve around a loose theme, and are organized and programmed entirely by the eight members of the collective — each of whom brings more than ten years of experience and training to the stage. As they explain, the placement of each number is given a great deal of consideration.
“One of the things that Burgundy [Brixx, co-founder of Kitty Nights, and grand dame of the local burlesque scene] teaches, and that she teaches so well, is this idea of tension and release,” Nicky Ninedoors explains. “That’s really important, not just in a number but over the course of an entire show. If we look at what numbers we’re doing in a set, they’ll need to go in a certain order to build that tension. It’s singing, dancing, and then, finally, burlesque,” she says with a wink. “It’s that idea of tension and release. Each show has multiple burlesque numbers. And who doesn’t like multiples, really?”
Every number is backed by four musicians and a singer, making Pandora one of the only regular burlesque evenings in Vancouver to employ a live band. The arrangements for each number are worked out by the musicians and tailored to the needs of the performers.
“That’s the best thing about live performance,” Miss Fitt explains. “You can’t count on it always being the same. And that what’s great about having a band: it gives you that flexibility to work with the musicians and the singers, and sometimes things come out of that that weren’t originally intended.”
“Absolutely,” Ninedoors agrees. “For instance, the trumpet player isn’t always going to play the same solo, and that change might affect, say, how you take a glove off. It adds this level of improvisation to every single one of our numbers.”
“I think that the truth is, we all [improvise],” Brunette agrees. “I think I can quote Burgundy Brixx in saying that it’s important to leave room for improvisation in everything. And with our art form it’s most important to have a structure mainly about when things are going to come off, because you need to keep in time with the music. But, in between those moments, there’s a lot of room for play and it’s important to keep that, otherwise things can become a little too flat.”
At the time they founded Pandora and the Locksmiths, all four of the principal performers were already familiar faces in the local burlesque community, having been involved with a number of the troupes already in town. Vancouver’s burlesque scene is one of the liveliest in the country, and for Vancouverites interested in the art form’s revival there are dozens of options to choose from: the frenetic hilarity of Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society, the punk-glam of Sweet Soul Burlesque, and the mainstream appeal of Kitty Nights. Since the launch of Pandora and the Locksmiths, the community has put their full support behind the enterprise.
“I think, in general, it’s a very supportive community that we’re in,” Ninedoors says. “I mean, there are big burlesque competitions and conventions that happen. Last year, I went to the Burlesque Hall of Fame weekend in Vegas, and the vibe that you get when you see another burlesque performer in the hall or the elevator is very much ‘Hi! How’s it going?’ You’re like sisters. It’s like: ‘Hey! You find glitter in your bathtub, too!’”
“Overall, since Burlesque became a part of my life, it’s been the most empowering and supportive community I’ve ever been a part of,” Brunette adds. “It shows us that we do not have to be cookie-cutter. We do not have to be any one thing, to be ‘burlesque’. It’s about any woman, in any size or shape, being empowered and loving herself, and being creative, and being allowed to express that.”
“I think the best thing about burlesque, in my experience, is that it caused me to view myself differently, in such a positive way,” Miss Fitt recalls. “I was on a cheerleading team when I was in my early twenties, [...] and it was the most unhealthy environment I’ve ever been in, because I learned in that world that I had to look a certain way to be of value. But burlesque completely- it was this light that came on, the first time I saw it. I saw these women — and they’re all beautiful women, but they all have a different style and a different look — and I was so inspired. The more I did the whole burlesque thing, the more I realized that these are real women doing this. It was just such an important lesson for me. It broke through all these barriers.”
“I struggled deeply, deeply with self-esteem, and with body image issues when I was younger,” Brunette adds. “I’ve grown and learned to appreciate my body, but I still struggle here and there. Every one of us will deal with it, probably to some extent, forever. I dealt with eating disorders when I was thirteen. I was in ballet and I wanted to be a ballerina [...] I dabbled in anorexia. I dabbled in bulimia. I never looked in the mirror and saw somebody who was beautiful. And a couple of years after taking my clothes off onstage for fun, I realized that, for the first time, I was comfortable in my bikini.”
“I think it’s something that every burlesque performer has to work for,” Nicky Ninedoors concludes. “When I first got into it, I had little to no self-worth, and I was in need of a change. [...] It completely took me out of my skin, and made me into who I am today. Burlesque changed my life.”
But for all their discussion of empowerment, not a single performer wants to see their name in print. This, as they explain, has nothing to do with personal shame or regret, but rather with the possibility of some lingering social stigma.
“Ultimately we are old-school strippers,” Ninedoors explains. “More acceptable than exotic dancers, but it’s sexuality, so there is an implicit level of taboo to what we do.”
“I consider myself a performing artist specializing in burlesque,” Miss Fitt adds. “The motivation behind my performances is to use my dance and singing skills [...] to promote a sex-positive and empowering form of artistic expression. I am proud of my art [...] and there is no conflict between what I believe and what I do on stage. There is, however, a potential conflict when I am interviewing for a job. At this point, paying rent as well as advancing in my other professional career is equally as important to me, so I don’t want to put myself in a position of losing out on employment opportunities due to peoples’ misunderstandings or disapproval of what I do onstage.”
In spite of any potential stigma, Pandora and the Locksmiths continue to enjoy a capacity audience for each and every performance. And, surprisingly, by Nicky Ninedoors’ estimation more than half of the attendees are women.
“I’d say 60% [of the audience is female],” muses Ninedoors. “Most of the men who come up to me after a show are there to tell me that their wife loves me. It’s such a safe and non-competitive environment. We’re not after men. We’re not trying to seduce someone. We’re seducing an idea. We’re seducing an audience. But, with Burlesque nowadays, it’s predominantly women in the audience. Because it’s not just about women taking off clothes. It’s about women taking off fabulous clothes.”
“I think it puts women into a really good light,” Miss Fitt concludes. ”It puts them in a positive, empowered light, and I think that men and women can really appreciate and respect that. It’s just really inspiring to see somebody, no matter what their shape and size, exude that confidence. It’s such a fierce expression of feminism and femininity.”
Pandora and the Locksmiths is presented on the second Tuesday of every month at Guilt and Co, in Gastown. In addition, they will be performing an evening of Burlesque and entertainment at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre on Feb. 19, at 8pm.
Tickets available at www.stealthedeal.com/vancouver


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Wicked Good Perfume is a monthly fragrance subscription that sends you a box of unique, handcrafted, and vegan fragrance products each month. You will receive a themed collection of limited edition scents including a perfume roller and 2-3 other scented products for bath, body, or home.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About Wicked Good Perfume
The Subscription Box: Wicked Good Perfume
The Cost: $29 + free shipping (save with longer subscriptions)
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 15% off your first month
The Product: A themed collection of scented products including one roller perfume and 2-3 bath, body, or home products.
Ships to: The U.S. for free, Canada for $15, and worldwide for $25
Wicked Good Perfume "Oh So Cozy" Review November 2020
At the top of our box, we received a card detailing how the subscription works on the front while the back highlights their affiliate program. I have actually been reviewing this subscription for a year now and here are a few things to note about these fragrances:
- They are formulated without phthalates, parabens, or petroleum
- These are vegan and cruelty-free and they use sustainable ingredients that are responsibly sourced
- I am not a huge perfume lover because they usually give me headaches, but these unique, handcrafted fragrances do not!
This month's theme is "Oh So Cozy" and now that the weather is turning colder, this seems like a perfect theme for this month. On one side, this card lists the products, the scents they contain, and their retail value, while the back has some information about their box review contest and some savings for scent club members.
Wicked Good 'Autumn Cider' Natural Wax Candle
This month we received this small tin candle in an Autumn Cider scent. This has notes of cranberry chutney, spiced cider, autumn citrus, and Australian sandalwood. Since this is just a little candle, there wasn't much of a throw, but I would definitely buy this scent in a larger version! This is what I want my home to smell like all winter long. It's a great cranberry scent with just a hint of cinnamon spice and it's definitely warm and cozy!
Wicked Good 'Whipped Almond Vanilla' No Rinse Foaming Handwash
So this is a new one, but perfect for this season where I'm always more mindful of keeping my hands clean. I guess technically it's not a sanitizer, but this foaming hand wash acts similarly since it is no-rinse. You just pump it into your hands and rub it in. My hands felt a tad sticky for a minute after using it, but that faded. This will be great to throw in my purse or keep in my car! As for the scent, it's so good and reminds me of Amaretto. It has a great strong, almond scent (think almond extract or almond cake - yum!) that has a little bit of sweetness to it from the marshmallow lavender and the whipped vanilla milk. I thought this was such a unique and pleasant scent that became much more subtle once it dried on your hands!
Wicked Good 'White Pumpkin Chai' Perfume Oil Roller, 10 mL - Listed Value $18.00
I cannot get enough of this scent! It is probably one of my favorite scents that I have received from this box over the past year! My only qualm is that this isn't the perfume spray because I would spray this everywhere! The scent is a blend of sweet potatoes, white pumpkin, chai tea, pecans, vanilla, and melted butter. That sounds like it might be too heavy and sweet, and as a dessert, probably, but as a scent, it is luscious, warm, and, yes – oh so cozy! I think it is just really well-balanced with the right amount of sweetness and spice from the chai and vanilla. The sweet potatoes and pumpkin give it a great fall vibe and I think I can get that little hint of pecan on the nose, too!
Wicked Good 'English Oak and Hazelnut' Perfume Spray, 1 oz. - Listed Value $29.00
Our perfume spray is a blend of green hazelnut, vetiver, emerald moss, cedarwood, and roasted oak. This is a fresh and vibrant scent with notes of pine and moss and something that had a bit of a raw, green scent to it. It's very bright and packs a punch at first, but once it mellows, the scent is so much smoother. This one had a very different feel from the other scents this month since it wasn't quite as sweet, but I think it helped to balance out the box since it had more of a woodsy scent, which is also perfect for this time of year!
Verdict: I am all about the sweet, rich scents and this month's Wicked Good Perfume box had so many of these scents for us this month! I loved the warmth and cozy vibe that they all provided. The candle and the perfume roller were definitely my favorites while the hand wash was such a unique and useful item. I liked the perfume spray this month, too, but the other scents just really blew me away. I love the seasonal feel of these boxes and I'm so excited to see what unique, handcrafted scents December holds! Especially since that candle and roller may not last me long!
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, order by the 30th to get the November box!
Your first Smell Wicked Good box ships within 3-5 business days of your order. Subsequent boxes ship on the 20th of the following month.
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 15% off your first month
Value Breakdown: At $29 for this subscription that gives each of the four items an average value of $7.25.
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
What do you think of Wicked Good Perfume?

domain: hobby


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As you all know, Marie Fredriksson’s autobiography, Kärleken till livet was published in Sweden in 2015. All fans had been longing for at least an English version as well, but instead of it being published in English first, 1 year after the Swedish release, the book was published in German. The German edition, Listen to … Read more
★ TDR Archive for October 4th, 2017
Nice and innovative cover av SIMC. Cheers, P.

domain: library


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Point-prevalence surveys for infection or colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CREs), and for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) were conducted in Canadian hospitals in 2010 and 2012 to better understanding changes in the epidemiology of antimicrobial-resistant organisms (AROs), which is crucial for public health and care management.
A third survey of the same AROs in adult inpatients in Canadian hospitals with ≥50 beds was performed in February 2016. Data on participating hospitals and patient cases were obtained using standard criteria and case definitions. Associations between ARO prevalence and institutional characteristics were assessed using logistic regression models.
In total, 160 hospitals from 9 of the 10 provinces with 35,018 adult inpatients participated in the survey. Median prevalence per 100 inpatients was 4.1 for MRSA, 0.8 for VRE, 1.1 for CDI, 0.8 for ESBLs, and 0 for CREs. No significant change occurred compared to 2012. CREs were reported from 24 hospitals (15%) in 2016 compared to 10 hospitals (7%) in 2012. Routine universal or targeted admission screening for VRE decreased from 94% in 2010 to 74% in 2016. Targeted screening for MRSA on admission was associated with a lower prevalence of MRSA infection. Large hospitals (>500 beds) had higher prevalences of CDI.
This survey provides national prevalence rates for AROs in Canadian hospitals. Changes in infection control and prevention policies might lead to changes in the epidemiology of AROs and our capacity to detect them.
To determine the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in Canadian hospitals.
National point prevalence survey in November 2010.
Canadian acute care hospitals with at least 50 beds.
Adult inpatients colonized or infected with MRSA or VRE or with CDI.
The prevalence (per 100 inpatients) of MRSA, VRE, and CDI was determined. Associations between prevalence and institutional characteristics and infection control policies were evaluated.
One hundred seventy-six hospitals (65% of those eligible) participated. The median (range) prevalence rates for MRSA and VRE colonization or infection and CDI were 4.2% (0%–22.1%), 0.5% (0%–13.1%), and 0.9% (0%–8.6%), respectively. Median MRSA and VRE infection rates were low (0.3% and 0%, respectively). MRSA, VRE, and CDI were thought to have been healthcare associated in 79%, 96%, and 84% of cases, respectively. In multivariable analysis, routine use of a private room for colonized/infected patients was associated with lower median MRSA infection rate (prevalence ratio [PR], 0.44 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.22–0.88]) and VRE prevalence (PR, 0.26 [95% CI, 0.12–0.57]). Lower VRE rates were also associated with enhanced environmental cleaning (PR, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.36–0.75]). Higher bed occupancy rates were associated with higher rates of CDI (PR, 1.02 [95% CI, 1.01–1.03]).
These data provide the first national prevalence estimates for MRSA, VRE, and CDI in Canadian hospitals. Certain infection prevention and control policies were found to be associated with prevalence and deserve further investigation.
Email your librarian or administrator to recommend adding this to your organisation's collection.


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The next iPhone is going to be huge!
How will big will these smartphones get? One guy has an idea, and quite honestly, I don’t think he’s far off.
There’s a lot of rumors flying around regarding the specs and abilities of the next iPhone. One of the main talking points is the actual size of the iPhone. Here’s what this guy thinks the size will be.
just totally AMPED for this new iPhone, guys pic.twitter.com/yJODaXjIdv
— Charlie Warzel (@cwarzel) September 7, 2014


CARELESS BUYERS STILL PURCHASE A PIG IN A POKE
"Hair of the dog," he would say. My old grandfather, that is. "Or born with a silver spoon, he was." Never quite got them right. He knew what he meant, of course—but the rest of us were often left wondering. It was as though the years had eroded the words, leaving a bare outline of meaning.
And that’s how I came across the proverbial pig in a poke. He sort of grunted it one day when a neighbour suggested he should put his name down for the local Working Men’s Club annual mystery tour. “Pig in a poke,” he said dismissively, and it stuck with me. Occasionally the phrase would resurface. Provoking gentle memories of a gentle man who always offered a ready smile and sometimes a three penny bit.
It resurfaced again last week when I was asked what I thought a prospective buyer should look for when choosing an outbound telemarketing agency. So I decided to look it up ... a pig in a poke, I mean.
It appears that a long time ago, when marketers were ill-dressed and lived in hovels, certain unscrupulous members of the fraternity would display lively young suckling pigs in front of piles of sacks—or so called pokes, as they were then called—which were filled with similar products. The pokes were tightly tied at the neck, not only keeping the animal from escaping but also to facilitate safe carriage.
When opened they were sometimes found to contain not pig but cat—which upon being released immediately jumped out of the poke, giving rise to that other well-known homily about letting cats out of bags.
Now, I know things have changed since then. Marketers no longer live in hovels, are never ill dressed and certainly can’t be called unscrupulous! Packaging has improved somewhat and is charged for at an exorbitant rate. Suckling pigs are called Danish bacon.
Little wonder that stories abound of ill-conceived projects being placed with ill-prepared agencies to the detriment of both the project and the industry. Little wonder that that dubious agencies spring up almost overnight and mushroom to the point of destruction, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake—as happened recently.
The provision of good service is a two-way affair and requires as much professionalism on the part of the service user as it does from the service provider.
So what should the informed customer look for when choosing an outbound telemarketing agency? In the first instance, the agency’s premises should be vetted. All too often one hears of so-called telemarketing companies which prove, on later inspection, to be no more than two or three well meaning ladies operating on a part-time basis in their own homes. Quality control really does suffer when the baby starts to cry.
The discerning potential customer might also question the permeance of the operating staff and seek proof of their length of service. Reliance on casual, non-permanent staff who are expected to communicate at a drop of a hat has its drawbacks. Learning curves are not only expensive but can also be seriously counter-productive……..and out-of-work actors are so sensitive.
The level of staff training is also a useful pointer. A good agent combines skill with personality, and the former needs to be taught. Twenty minutes on the telemarketing floor simply listening will tell you much about the quality of the communicator and a glance at the company’s training manual will clarify the agency’s approach very quickly.
Check that headsets are used in conjunction with directional mikes which dramatically reduce background noise pick-up. They not only provide greater freedom, but also tell you that management knows its business.
Critical path talk guide and data capture format construction provides an equally important measurement of the service on offer. They are central to every campaign and the success or otherwise of a project are heavily dependent on them.
Ask to see copies from previous authors of the talk guides, gaining site into their personal philosophy to ascertain why the guides were constructed as they were. Pay attention to creativity and critical path flow, and be especially aware of the techniques used to establish that all-important relationship with the call respondent which is so vital if call objectives are to be achieved.
Make sure that talk guides are structured to obtain required information from the lowest level of decision-maker capable of providing it. Managing Directors get a little annoyed if you use their time to gain information which is more easily obtained elsewhere. You also run the risk of catching them out, and that won’t help you achieve your marketing targets.
Above all, check that the agency is aware of the importance of precise targeting. Nothing does the industry more harm than misdirected direct marketing—yet it happens all the time. Even the simplest list degenerates rapidly and that builds up into a lot of mistargetting before you even realise it.
But degradation isn't the only problem. Lists are often chosen carelessly or selections made too casually, resulting in a marketing thrust meeting an ill-matched target. No wonder the general public objects to unsolicited telephone calls, or unwanted mail for that matter.
So if the agency is to be responsible for targeting, make sure they know what they are about.
I could go on until the cows come home, as my grandfather would say. I could talk about the necessity of checking reporting procedure, the standard of supervision and the relevance of project development. I could talk about data capture quality and the efficacy of briefing procedures, but time and space forbid.
Suffice to say that if you don’t want to buy a pig in a poke, you have got to get inside the bag. It’s that simple. If you don’t, and the project misfires, you will only have yourself to blame.


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BE: FIRST and Fans Succeed on Trending Songs – Billboard
BE: FIRST, a Japanese group led by musician and music producer SKY-HI, are hugely successful on the US Billboard charts.
The Global Hot Trending Songs charts follow the Twitter posts of artist fans and other Twitter users around the world. BE’s first single: FIRST âGiftedâ. – which was released on November 3 – took first place with a dominant lead, a rarity for a Japanese artist. Even now, a month after the single was released, it still holds a prominent place in the charts. BESTY’s publications, BE: FIRST supporters, generate a constant buzz on Twitter. There are also fan accounts that share daily graphics updates.
As stated in numerous press articles, âGifted. Took the # 1 position on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart on November 10, dominating the digital metrics of downloads, streaming, and video views, as well as the broadcast metric. It also has the third highest number of weekly broadcasts by an artist. As the charts show, BE: FIRST is a first artist who breaks record after record, unlike anything seen in the Japanese music industry for years.
Even in Japan, it is no longer uncommon for songs with a high number of YouTube streams and views to occupy high positions in the Hot 100. Japanese market rankings are no longer the exclusive domain of CD sales, but reflect rather, the increasingly diverse ways in which people enjoy and consume music. The music market has evolved into a market in which new artists who excel in certain fields and artists with the power to create smash hits online and on social media can climb the charts. New original standards are also being applied, such as revised songplay count settings related to user-generated content. For artists and labels aiming for high chart positions, it would be fair to say that Japanese graphics strategies are gradually approaching Western graphics strategies.
Western maps evolve even faster than Japanese maps. They are constantly adding new metrics and changing the conversion standards. The goal is to stay in tune with the growing diversity of music consumption patterns. Of course, there are major differences between the music industries of Japan and the West in terms of the quality and amount of data that mapping companies and the industries themselves receive from streaming platforms. The game data and consumption data reflected in the graphics differ accordingly. This change in the rules used by the music charts has become considered common sense in the industry in recent years. The charts seek to show data that reflects the mutual relationships between consumers and music across the world. This is true not only for Billboard but also for the charts of subscription services such as Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music.
In the context of this changing global music scene, Billboard launched the Hot Trending Songs charts. BE: FIRST continues to feature on these new global rankings. What is behind its ability to maintain momentum in the global charts? What does this mean for Japanese artists and Japanese music?
Hot Trending Songs charts are new global music charts created by Billboard based on data provided by Twitter. They monitor songs mentioned in Twitter posts in real time and use that data to create rankings. One chart is updated every 24 hours and the other is updated weekly, covering the period Friday through Thursday (US time). The most important aspect of the charts, which launched in October 2021, is that they cover Twitter posts, so the data they use is collected around the world.
Different types of posts can affect the ranking of charts. Fans can post messages containing full song names, not abbreviations. Posts can contain song names in hashtags. Looking on Twitter, fan activity is easy to view – fan accounts update chart information daily and provide tips on how to post in order to move artists up the charts as well as to create hashtags facilitating the cooperation of the fans.
As the name “Trending” makes clear, these are global charts that show, in real time, which songs are buzzing the most on Twitter around the world. However, unlike charts that count plays or sales, these charts visualize artist fandom activity, the existence of fans who consistently post about songs, and the strength of fan communities.
Let’s go back to the story of âGiftedâ. in the Hot Trending Songs charts.
It first appeared on the 24-hour chart on November 13, taking fourth place. As of November 14, it remained in the charts at 6th and 7th place. Then, on November 20, he knocked out BTS’s “Butter” from its longtime top spot. On November 22, he was also ranked first.
News of his appearance in the rankings, starting from the No.4 position, was shared on Twitter. This news caused a stir among fans, which helped him stay in the rankings. Then, when he took the # 1 position on November 22, SKY-HI tweeted his surprise, and even more artists and promoters tweeted about the Hot Trending Songs charts. This, in turn, generated even more buzz.
Part of it may be the fortuitous moment of BE: FIRST’s debut, shortly after the new Billboard graphics were created. However, keep in mind that these charts are based on song data from around the world. “Gifted.” kept up the momentum while taking on global hits like BTS’s “Butter” and LISA’s “LALISA”, and while competing against songs by global artists, like ATEEZ’s “Turbulence”, Mew Suppasit’s “Spaceman,” ” Bazinga “by SB19” and “Fly Away” by Dimash.
BE: FIRST is the only Japanese artist to feature in the charts and maintain their high ranking.
As you may have noticed, Asian artists are heavily represented in the charts. One song that stands out in particular is âBazinga,â a single from SB19, a P-hop group from the Philippines, which took # 1 on the weekly charts. SB19 is the product of a local talent development program in the Philippines, run by Korean group ShowBT. “Bazinga” (included on the Pagsibol EP) was released in July this year, and the clip aired on YouTube on October 29, generating enormous interest. On December 11, it took the # 1 position on the daily and weekly charts. He received over 280,000 Twitter mentions in 24 hours and over 3 million during the week. Despite the major differences in games and sales between âBazingaâ and âButter,â SB19 and BTS have been neck and neck in the charts for weeks. SB19’s situation provides food for thought about the importance and persistence of fandoms in the growth of global artists.
For BE: FIRST and SKY-HI, who are aiming to conquer the global market, success in the Hot Trending Songs charts may have provided new insights into how to market their songs on the world stage. Of course, Japanese artists can access the global music market through music streaming and social media. However, it feels like it has become even more difficult to increase and maintain the power of their songs. The artists and songs that enjoy widespread and lasting support will not be those that generate a sudden but short-lived whirlwind of interest, but those who actively and continually connect with various global fan bases. BE: FIRST’s placement in the Hot Trending Songs charts reaffirmed the belief that fan relationships are absolutely essential for Japanese artists to thrive and achieve success on the global stage. At the same time, the placement in the chart of “Gifted”. provided the Japanese music industry with an opportunity to think about how best to approach the global charts.
All eyes are on the strategies BE: FIRST will then use for Hot Trending Songs charts. The standards of global success for Japanese artists are diversifying, but there are several Billboard charts they might face, such as Emerging Artists, Song Breaker, and Billboard Global Excl. American maps. We’ll see if the BE: FIRST fan communities grow in other countries as well. Partnerships between artists and fans are now part of modern musical strategies and support the growth and development of artists. In recent years, the music industry has demonstrated that fandoms that transcend national and cultural boundaries are essential to the development of global artists. BE: FIRST could be the first Japanese artist to successfully apply this musical trend. He showed us that Japanese artists are entering a new phase of global expansion.
This Jay Kogami article first appeared on Billboard Japan.


Feb 20, 2017
Forbes, Natalie Burg, Feb. 21, 2017 - Brothers David and Michael Miller were brought up to fight for what they believe in. Some of their earliest memories are of attending civil rights rallies with their mother in the 1970s. Decades later, they draw a direct connection between the values of their upbringing and the astounding growth of the company they founded together, Brightway Insurance.
“We were always raised that it was our responsibility to stand up for what we thought was right,” said David Miller, Brightway’s chairman and co-founder. “It was very natural to us to build a system that was doing things for the right reasons. We’re protecting people and making sure they’re able to achieve their personal potential.”
The Millers’ core values are just one way that Brightway, which offers both business and personal insurance products, differentiates itself in the crowded industry. As local insurance experts, Brightway agents around the country leverage innovative technology to counsel customers about “total protection” — a combination of coverages from dozens of insurance brands to provide the greatest peace of mind. Brightway prides itself on offering more than twice as many insurance brands as any other agency.
Since launching in 2008, the company has grown beyond its Jacksonville, Florida, headquarters to include 134 locations, with nearly 300,000 policies in force, and has gained industry recognition, including nabbing the top spot on Forbes’ Best Franchises to Buy in 2015.
David Miller started working in the insurance business in 1993. But it wasn’t until he purchased his own agency in 2003, and Michael Miller joined him, that they began to develop what would become the Brightway concept.
“We quickly said, ‘There’s an opportunity here to build something tremendously better,’” David Miller said.
They imagined their version of an ideal insurance environment, one that would combine the resources of a national brand with the customer-first philosophy of a local business.
The Millers also saw an opportunity to create a model that worked better for everyone inside the company under the operating mandate “W3,” which stands for “Win, win, win.”
“If it’s a win for the consumer and it’s a win for our franchisees and vendors, even if it’s not a win for us, even if it’s just neutral, we should do that,” said Michael Miller, Brightway vice chairman and co-founder. “Because when you do things that are good for everyone else, there are no obstacles.”
This value system permeates the entire franchise. For instance, like most franchisors, Brightway leverages its size to buy supplies for its franchisees. Unlike some other franchisors, Brightway doesn’t profit from reselling these items to local offices — it simply passes on their lower-negotiated purchase price to help keep the franchisees’ operating costs down.
“Could we make a profit on all those things? Absolutely,” Michael Miller said. “But we’ve chosen to not do that because by us allowing our business partners to lower their fixed costs, it allows them to have a better return on investment, to break even quicker and to invest more in their business, which is not only great for them, it’s good for me.”
Brightway treats its vendors with the same respect. “I want to be their best customer,” Michael Miller said. “I want to pay them the fastest, I want to value their time, and I want to value that relationship as much as I can.”
That perspective allows Brightway to receive maximum benefits from appreciative vendors, and to identify like-minded business partners that are the best fit for the company.
For example, Brightway used to bank with a large national financial institution. The Millers sought to enhance their partnership by having different divisions at the bank collaborate on behalf of Brightway. However, the large bank just didn’t operate that way.
Soon after, they spoke with a SunTrust representative and brought up the idea of building the same kind of collaborative relationship. “The reaction was exactly the opposite,” Michael Miller said. “They said, ‘Well, that makes complete sense. Of course we will do that.’ We were blown away.”
David Miller describes SunTrust as “a very purpose-driven company,” just like Brightway. “We realized that SunTrust really thinks about business differently,” he said. “We’re an innovator, and it took an innovative financial institution to see that and believe in us.”
The Millers expect their success to continue. The company has reached more than $436 million in annualized written premiums today, and it’s projecting to more than double that to $1 billion in 2020, with 600,000 policies in force.
“At the end of the day, if you give consumers everything they want and there’s no one else that delivers what we do, it’s not rocket science that we’re going to win in the marketplace,” David Miller said.
A former downtown development professional, Natalie Burg is a freelancer who writes about growth, entrepreneurialism and innovation.
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Bush, who was president during the attacks, commended the courage of the Flight 93 passengers and crew who are believed to have foiled an attack on the U.S. Capitol by leading the plane to crash in rural Pennsylvania.
He will again make the ritual journey to sacred American landmarks of loss. He will once more bow his head in silent prayer. He will repeat words of comfort for those whose lives changed forever on that brilliant September day two decades ago.
The horror of 9/11 is with so many Americans who lived through it. We are the ones who share a responsibility of teaching the day’s significance to the generations too young to remember .... Or to those born after 2001. A couple of SFA history students share the variety of 9/11 lessons they’ve received over the last two decades.


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The dollar headed for its biggest monthly gain in more than a year as unemployment claims fell to the lowest since 2006 before a jobs report forecast to show a sixth month of 200,000-plus gains.
The U.S. currency (NYBOT:DXU14) has risen versus all of its 16 major counterparts in July as signs of a strengthening U.S. economy spurred traders to boost predictions for higher Federal Reserve interest rates. India’s rupee (CME:H3U14) weakened on concern capital inflows to emerging markets will slow as the Fed cuts bond purchases. Australia’s dollar (CME:A6U14) fell to an eight-week low after building approvals unexpectedly declined.
“The dollar is at new highs -- this is the move people have been waiting for,” said Marc Chandler, the chief currency strategist at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. in New York. “We have stronger U.S. data, and the Fed getting closer to its mandate.”
The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index, which tracks the U.S. currency against 10 major counterparts, rose a sixth day, adding 0.2% to 1,022.30 at 9:32 a.m. New York time. It has climbed 1.9% in July to wipe out a 1.6% first-half loss, and is set for the biggest monthly gain since May 2013.
The dollar rose 0.1% to $1.3387 per euro after appreciating to $1.3367 yesterday, the strongest since Nov. 12. Its 2.2% advance this month is the most since February 2013. The U.S. currency added 0.1% to 102.92 yen for a 10th day of gains. The euro (CME:E6U14) was little changed at 137.77 yen.
Indonesia’s rupiah rose the most this month among the dollar’s 31 major peers, adding 2.6% as Joko Widodo was elected president. No other currency gained as much as 0.5%.
Australia’s dollar weakened versus most of 16 major peers today after the Bureau of Statistics said building approvals fell 5% in June. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg estimated they would be unchanged.
The Aussie dropped 0.5% to 92.88 U.S. cents and slid as low as 92.79 cents, the weakest level since June 5. The currency has declined 1.6% versus the greenback in July, set for the first monthly loss since January.
India’s currency fell the most in seven weeks on speculation the conclusion of the Fed’s bond purchases will curtail demand for emerging-market assets.
The rupee fell 0.8% to 60.56 per dollar, the biggest one-day decline since June 13.
The dollar extended gains as the four-week average of jobless claims, considered a less volatile measure than the weekly figure, dropped to 297,250, the lowest since April 2006, from 300,750 the prior week, the Labor Department reported.
Claims in the period ended July 26 climbed to 302,000, in line with the median forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg, from a revised 279,000 the prior week that was the lowest since 2000.
U.S. employers added 231,000 workers in July and the jobless rate stayed at an almost six-year low of 6.1%, according to Bloomberg News surveys before tomorrow’s Labor Department data. The world’s biggest economy expanded at a 4% annualized pace last quarter, after shrinking 2.1% in the previous three months, the Commerce Department said yesterday.
Copyright 2014 Bloomberg. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


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Phenomenex introduces Luna Polar Pesticides HPLC Column. This is a new HPLC Column with a proprietary phase that effectively separates cationic and anionic pesticides from underivatized food, feed, air, and water samples to deliver robust ionic pesticide analysis.
The Luna Polar Pesticides HPLC column is designed to help resolve the most common challenges food safety analysts encounter daily: robust determination of analytes due to matrices complexity and polarity, lengthy process due to the high number of injections needed for column conditioning, time-consuming sample preparation due to the need for derivatization, and the need to use separate columns (and systems) to determine both anionic and cationic pesticides from a sample.
The Luna Polar Pesticides LC column’s versatile selectivity allows the separation of cationic and anionic pesticides from underivatized samples on the same column. The fully porous particle morphology of the column allows for high sample loading. The unique selectivity provides high retention of polar analytes, fast equilibration, can be used in positive and negative mode, and offers 100% aqueous and organic stability. The particles’ pore size of 100 Å has proven to be optimal for pesticide analysis, and the 8% carbon load delivers a great balance of polar and nonpolar retention.
Collaborative studies done with renowned laboratories and experienced food analysts demonstrate the robustness and versatility of Luna Polar Pesticides. Dr. Giacomo Napolitano, Lab Manager at Lifeanalytics S.r.l., stated “The Luna Polar Pesticides significantly reduced analysis time thanks to its fast re-equilibration! This column has improved our polar pesticides analyses.”
The new Luna Polar Pesticides HPLC column is available in different sizes to fully suit analysts’ needs: 30 x 2.1mm, 50 x 2.1mm, 100 x 2.1mm, 150 x 2.1mm, and 150 x 3.0mm. The column is compatible with SecurityGuard™ ULTRA cartridge for column protection.
Have questions about polar pesticides analysis? Chat with one of our experts.


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The MI band heater from Watlow® is a high-performance heater. The band heater's performance and name are derived from Watlow's exclusive mineral insulation—a material with much higher thermal conductivity than mica and hard ceramic insulators used in conventional heaters. A thin layer of the “high” thermally conductive MI material is used to electrically insulate the element wire from the inside diameter of the heater sheath. A thicker, “low” thermally conductive layer backs up the element wire directing the heat inward toward the part being heated.
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Hanna’s energy and love for life is contagious. She has the ability to spread joy wherever she goes and find the beauty in every moment. Her compassion for others, her spirit for adventure and her wonderful personality makes her an easy person to love and care for. Hanna’s love for hockey goes back before she could walk where she learned to skate on a homemade rink in her backyard in Hampton, New Hampshire. Hanna went on to play for Boston University on the Women’s Club Hockey team.
Hanna was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer on September 22, 2021 and underwent a complete Thyroidectomy. In typical Hanna fashion, she didn’t let this diagnosis interfere with her dreams. Much to her doctor’s dismay, she left her post-op appointment and drove straight to Eagle, CO in November of 2021.
As if one battle wasn’t enough, the next six months would bring additional challenges including the diagnosis of two autoimmune diseases as well as a genetic mutation associated with rapid cancer growth and spread. Additionally, during the survivor game, Hanna suffered from a torn rotator cuff after a fall. These diagnoses have accrued significant challenges including substantial medical costs that have only just begun as she continues her fight against Cancer.
Hanna is currently undergoing treatment through the Mayo clinic and balancing many medical appointments while trying to live life like a normal 25 year old. Like anyone going through treatment, she has some very tough days but if you learn anything from Hanna, you’ll learn to find the rainbow after the rain, slow down and enjoy the little things, and love deeply.


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Middle Grade Fiction About the Environment
You’re never too young to get outside, and young people these days are doing some awesome work in bringing awareness to environmental issues around the world. Fiction can be a great way to get kids interested in learning more about the environment, whether it’s through learning about endangered species or reading about survival stories set in changing climates. Additionally, fiction can help young people see themselves in stories of fighting to preserve natural spaces and teach them more about habitats across the world. Whether your young environmentalist is interested in survival stories set against changing climates, stories of friendship that have conservation themes in the background, or fiction that is factual enough to teach new facts about the world, there are many great books out there for kids interested in this topic.
If you’re hoping to introduce the kids in your life to environmental lit, start with their own interests and then find books that fit those themes. Aside from just raising awareness about the environment, these books can also encourage kids to spend more time outside and to learn from the stories of others. Pick up one of the titles below and give it a read with a middle schooler in your life to start a discussion for Environmental Lit Day!
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
A classic of environmental lit for kids, this story set in Florida features great characters, plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, and a pack of endangered owls. When Roy sees a boy running toward the woods, he decides to follow him and is introduced to a habitat of owls threatened by a new housing development. Along with his new friends, Roy gets involved with issues of the environmental impact of development and the protection of species.
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
Kids who enjoy spending time outside will fall in love with Roz, the robot who lives on a remote and wild island. At first, the animals on the island reject Roz and her technological ways, but she finds the island becomes her home as she learns from them and adapts to her surroundings.
Strange Birds by Celia C. Pérez
Three girls receive an invitation to a lavish mansion, where they meet a fourth member of their group, a fellow kid named Lane DiSanti. Though the four aren’t fast friends at first, they soon band together to convince their local scouting troop to ditch outdated traditions and get involved in some of the environmental issues their town is facing. As this is also set in Florida, it would be a great next book for kids who loved Hoot!
Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar
To avoid confronting a bully, Marshall and Tamaya cut through the forbidden woods, but what they find there ends up drawing the attention of not only the other people in town but also the federal government. It turns out that Marshall and Tamaya have stumbled upon an environmental disaster, and there are several adults who want to hush them up before people find out how serious the situation is.
The Line Tender by Kate Allen
Lucy is the daughter of a marine biologist mother who was killed in an accident when Lucy was 8. Lucy and her father have been plodding along, but when a second shark accident claims the life of someone near to them again, Lucy, with the help of her dad and neighbor, sets out to complete her mother’s research and save the sharks.
You Go First by Erin Entrada Kelly
A great choice for kids looking for environmental lit in an urban setting. Charlotte lives in Pennsylvania, and her pen pal, Ben, is in Louisiana, but the two form a bond where they share their family troubles, struggles at school, and concern about increasingly weird weather events. This novel is a great mix of a friendship story with plenty of realistic concerns stirred into the plot.
The Friendship Lie by Rebecca Donnelly
Everything in Cora’s life is garbage, literally. Her parents are professors who study where trash goes after it’s thrown out, but now they’re separating and Cora feels like her life and feelings are being tossed in the bin. One day, Cora and her friend Sybella find a diary that’s been thrown away and that describes different friendship issues. As the two girls read and learn from the diary, they learn that one person’s trash can be another’s treasure.
Melt by Ele Fountain
A boy and a girl in an Arctic village: one has lived there forever, and the other has just arrived. Slowly they start to notice suspicious things, from melting ice to secretive oil company employees. When the two of them are thrown together to fight for survival on the tundra, they’ll be forced to reckon with how the adults around them have impacted the fragile landscape.
A Cloud Called Bhura: Climate Champions to the Rescue by Bijal Vachharajani
When a Bhura Cloudus covers Mumbai, friends Amni, Mithil, Tammy, and Andrew are exposed to noxious gases and choking smog. It seems like the adults in their lives don’t know what to do, and the politicians that are supposed to help don’t care, so the four kids take things into their own hands — a witty and action-packed book about the dangers of climate change.
Lostman’s River by Cynthia DeFelice
Tyler MacCauley and his family have long lived near Lostman’s River in the Florida Everglades. Remote and largely unspoiled, it’s also home to hundreds of unique plants and animals who share the land with a few humans. However, development is lurking just beyond the river, and Tyler is becoming increasingly worried about how to protect the animal’s habitat.
If you’re looking for environmental books for other ages, check out these books about the environment for younger readers or pick up one of these picture books for budding environmentalists. And be sure to check out our other Environmental Lit Day articles for plenty of inspiration for everyone!
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- 10 Books at the Intersection of Climate Change and Capitalism
- 8 Queer Books That Explore Place, Nature & The Environment
- Of Women and Nature: Novels with an Ecofeminist Bent
- 9 Eye-Opening Memoirs About Nature and the Environment
- A Brief Guide to Ecofiction by BIPOC Authors