text:
This artice is free to access.
Background: Although the number of elderly people needing care is increasing rapidly in the home setting in Japan, family size and ability to provide such support are declining. The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors of functional disability by household composition among community-dwelling elderly people. Methods: A total of 1347 elderly people aged 70 years and over participated in a baseline geriatric health examination for this prospective cohort study. In the health examination, we conducted an interview survey using a questionnaire in July 2004 and July 2005. Questionnaire items covered the following: age, sex, household, medical history, instrumental activities of daily living, intellectual activity, social role, Motor Fitness Scale, falls experienced during the past year, Dietary Variety Score, frequency of going outdoors, cognitive impairment, and depressive status. We defined the occurrence of functional disability as certification for long-term care needs of the subjects.The certification process started with a home visit for an initial assessment to evaluate nursing care needs using a questionnaire on current physical and mental status. The onset of functional disability was followed from July 2004 to March 2011. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to estimate the risk factors related to the onset of functional disability, adjusted for age and sex. Results: Of the 1084 participants, 433 were male (39.9%), and the average age was 77.8 (standard deviation, 5.4). Up to March 2011, functional disabilities occurred in 226 participants (20.9%). Elderly people living only with their children demonstrated a significantly higher risk for functional disability than the three-generation household group (hazard ratio, 1.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-2.40). The risk factors for functional disability varied according to household group. Conclusions: In Japan, the number of vulnerable households with elderly people in need of care has increased steadily over the years. Appropriately identifying the risks related to functional disability requires a means of assessment that takes the household composition into consideration.
Saito, E., Ueki, S., Yasuda, N., Yamazaki, S., & Yasumura, S. (2014). Risk factors of functional disability among community-dwelling elderly people by household in Japan: A prospective cohort study. BMC Geriatrics, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2318-14-93

domain: literature


text:
The Fossil Bookend Pairs can be used as a sculptural piece or to hold your books in place. The Fossil Bookends are formed naturally by the mineralisation of timber turning to stone — the beautiful colourations and patterns are formed from the bark and wood, in which it is polished to give a smooth finish.
Sold in a set of 2
Dimensions: 150mm (Please note 10% variation can occur with bookend)
No two pieces are the same, every single bookend carries its own colouration and unique characteristics.
Please note the items photographed is an example of the product, they are all unique, please contact us before purchasing to select a specific item.

domain: design


Science | Astronomy
They are small objects, most of them from the belt between Mars and Jupiter
The combination of the work of 11,482 Internet users and an artificial intelligence (AI) system has allowed astronomers to identify 1,031 new asteroids in 37,323 old Hubble images. The project reflects both the value of this observatory as an asteroid hunter and the way in which the public can participate in scientific initiatives, they have highlighted from the NASA and ESA space telescope office.
On the occasion of International Asteroid Day 2019 – celebrated each year on June 30 in commemoration of the 1908 Tunguska impact – an international group of astronomers launched the idea of searching for asteroids in the Hubble photographic archive, a telescope that carries in orbit 32 years. The scientists identified more than 37,000 candidate images, with exposure times of 30 minutes, taken between April 2002 and March 2021.
11,482 Internet users analyzed the photos in search of straight or curved lines that would reveal the existence of asteroids. With a thousand traces identified, an AI was trained to identify this type of body. In the end, the combination of the work of Internet users and AI resulted in the detection of 1,701 asteroids in 1,316 images. More than a third of the tracks (670) could be attributed to asteroids registered with the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center, but 1,031 turned out to be new.
The new tracks are faint and correspond to objects too small to be detected from ground-based observatories. According to the authors of the study, published in the journal 'Astronomy & Astrophysics', most (95%) form part of the Asteroid Belt, located between Mars and Jupiter. The next step will be to try to characterize these 1,301 objects –establish their sizes, rotation periods...–, something that in many cases will not be possible given the age of the images.
In addition to the thousand new asteroids, Internet users have discovered gravitational lenses, galaxies, nebulae and other objects in old Hubble photos.


text:
Everyone knows real recognizes real, and that golden rule rings true for songwriters, too. SZA’s reaction to Olivia Rodrigo raving about her songwriting is beyond a stan’s dream come true. The two artists made waves on the Billboard Hot 100 for their releases in January 2021, and now they’re showing love to each other on social media. There’s no word of a collaboration just yet, but knowing the music industry, it’s only a matter of time until the two powerhouses team up to run the charts.
With both "Good Days" and "Drivers License" remaining strong on the charts in February, it was only a matter of time before SZA and Rodrigo gave each other props for their releases. In a new interview with Apple Music, Rodrigo not only praised SZA for her songwriting skills, but cited her song "Supermodel" from her 2017 album CTRL as one of her favorite tracks from the trailblazing artist.
"’Supermodel’ is so good. I love songs where women talk about being insecure because I feel like that’s such a scary, scary thing to talk about, but it’s something we all feel so deeply," Rodrigo told Travis Mills on the Feb. 13 episode of his Apple Music radio show. "Supermodel" was not only the opening track to SZA’s debut album, but for many of her avid fans, an introduction to the singer’s introspective songwriting — just like Rodrigo’s "Drivers License" was for her newfound fanbase. "[SZA] is just like the most brutally honest, beautiful songwriter."
On Feb. 15, SZA took to her Instagram story to show some love back to Rodrigo and offer her congratulations to the High School Musical: The Musical: The Series star on the massive success of "Drivers License." The singer shared a clip of Rodrigo’s interview and wrote, "Thank you so much queen! Blessings and congratulations on everything," along with several heartfelt emojis.
Both artists currently occupy some of the top song spots on several music charts, including the Billboard Hot 100. For the week of Feb. 13, SZA’s "Good Days" ranked at No. 11 and Rodrigo’s "Drivers License" clocked in at No. 1. Their mutual success is undeniable, and they shared the top 20 with other expert female songwriters like Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, and Ariana Grande.
Hopefully, in a world where new collaborations are coming out constantly, the two will share some love on a track together someday soon. "Collab queens," one fan demanded on Twitter. We can only cross our fingers and hope for some music magic in the future.
Source: Read Full Article

domain: artistic


text:
Best Football For Dogs
If you've ever spent hours searching for the perfect football for dogs, you're not alone.
Among hundreds of brands and styles, it can be super difficult to find exactly what you're looking for without having to sort through hundreds of different models.
We've done the homework for you by reviewing hundreds of customers' feedback to determine the winners! From then on, our mission is to help you find your next football for dogs.
From basic to premium, we've got a wide selection that suits anyone on any budget.
List of Top 10 Football For Dogs
Review of Best Football For Dogs
1. Chuckit Ultra Ball Dog Toy, Medium (2.5 Inch Diameter) Pack of 2, for breeds 20-60 lbs
- Super High Bounce: Better than standard tennis balls, the Ultra Ball is made of durable rubber yielding an ultra bouncy, exciting fetch experience on land or on water thanks to lightweight, bouyant design. Compatible with size Medium Chuckit Launchers
- Tough and Durable: This rugged dog fetch toy has a textured surface and a thick rubber core that can stand up to rough play yet is soft on dog's mouths. Not intended as a pure chew toy, always supervise your dog when playing with this toy
- Sizing matters: Size medium measures 2.5" in diameter and is best suited for dogs weighing 20-60lbs. Dog balls should be small enough for your dog to carry, but large enough that the ball can't completely fit in their mouth. When in doubt, buy a size up
- Make Fetch Happen: Chuckit Performance toys are designed with you and your dog in mind; Try our full range of indoor and outdoor interactive dog toys including tumblers, flyers, fetch toys, other balls for dogs and more
- ChuckIt Fetch Pet Toys: Chuckit makes indoor and outdoor dog toys that enrich the human-animal bond and helps dogs and puppies stay engaged. Try our full line of ball launchers, puppy toys, flying discs, tennis balls for dogs, dog chew toys, and more
2. KONG Flyer - Durable Rubber Dog Flying Disc Toy - for Large Dogs
- Soft Catch: The durable, non-toxic rubber is made from natural materials, offering a softer, more forgiving catch during fetch. As the perfect flying disc for dog play, the KONG Flyer delivers a dynamic rebound if your dog misses the initial toss. The red rubber formula is gentle against your dog's mouth during contact, making it safe and comfortable for their teeth and gums.
- Instinctual Needs: The KONG Flyer promotes your dog's instinctual needs, facilitating healthy exercise during stimulating outdoor play.
- Durability: The KONG Flyer is lightweight and flexible, providing dynamic movements to keep your dog active and positively challenged. It also preserves its strength against repeated use.
- For Large Dogs: Suitable for large dogs between the size of 30-65 lbs (13-30 kg).
- Made in the USA using globally sourced materials.
3. Kseroo Tough Dog Toys, Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers Large Breed, Aggressive Chew Toys for Large Dogs, Dog Bone Chew Toy Nylon Durable Dog Toys for Large Dogs Dog Extreme Chew Toys Indestructible
- Aggressive Chew Toys for Large Dogs: Kseroo is committed to creating sturdy and chew dog toys, The sturdy nylon will not be chewed into pieces by dogs, tough dog toys for aggressive chewers large breed is one of the must-have toys for dogs to chew, it is strong, chewproof and beautiful, durable.
- Trustworthy Tough Chew Toys for Dogs: Kseroo has been professionally used in the dog toy market for ten years. Durable dog toys is made of nylon, will not harm the dog's teeth, 2 years after-sales service gives you the best shopping experience.
- Exercise Dog Toy: Kseroo makes training dogs more interesting. Enrichment toys for dogs is suitable for outdoor or indoor use. Through dog bite training toy, the tacit understanding between dogs and people can be increased, the relationship between people and dogs can be promoted, and the trust between dogs and people can also be increased. Also used in golf courses to train dogs to pick up balls.
- Interactive Dog Toys: Kseroo makes companionship more interesting. Dogs being alone for a long time will make them anxious and even inferior. Dogs are loyal friends of mankind. Interact with dogs through this dog interactive toys for large dogs to increase fun between dogs, makes time for dogs alone become interesting.
- Dog Teething Toys: Kseroo cares about the health of every dog. Dogs around 8 months old or large dogs need to grind their teeth. Long-term chewing will cause the dog to chew. Through chewing this chew teething toys for dogs and grinding teeth.
4. Chuckit! Ultra Squeaker Ball Dog Toy, Medium (2.5 Inch) 2 Pack, for Large Breeds
- SQUEAKY BALL TOY: This squeaker dog ball 2-Pack is designed with a built-in squeaker that creates fun sounds during fetch, making fetch more exciting for dogs. Compatible with Chuckit.. dog ball launchers
- DURABLE DESIGN: This high bounce ball for dogs is made of durable rubber for aggressive chewers, yet doesn't wear down on teeth and gums. Buoyancy with this dog toy lets it float on water for fetch at the pool, lake or beach
- PET TOYS: Get ready for bonding and fun with your dogs and cats.. Check out a variety of our pet toy products such as frisbees, perches and mirrors for birds, prey wand toys for cats, plush toys, light-up interactive toys and more
- CHUCKIT.. FETCH TOYS: Chuckit.. creates toys that enrich the human-animal bond and bright colors help dogs and puppies stay engaged. Checkout Chuckit.. for ball launchers, bouncy balls, frisbees, indoor dog toys, glow toys and more..
- JUST FOR PETS: Petmate makes a variety of pet products for dogs, cats, chickens and other small friends.. Check out our brands such as Aspen Pet, Arm and Hammer, Booda, Chuckit.., Jackson Galaxy and more..
5. KONG - Extreme Dog Toy - Toughest Natural Rubber, Black - Fun to Chew, Chase and Fetch - for Large Dogs
- Instinctual Needs: The KONG Extreme black rubber toy helps satisfy dogs' instinctual needs and provides mental stimulation. Healthy play is important for dogs' physical and mental development, emotions and behavior. By encouraging healthy play and satisfying instinctual needs, this treat dispensing puzzle toy helps solve chewing, separation anxiety, teething, boredom, weight management, crate training, digging and barking
- Fetch Toy: The KONG Extreme's unpredictable bounce makes for exciting games of fetch and other interactive play with your pet. This rubber toy is specifically designed for super power chewers and can help them get the exercise they need
- Great For Stuffing: The stuffable KONG Extreme is even more enticing when treat filled with bits of kibble, peanut butter, KONG Easy Treat, Snacks or Ziggies. Dishwasher safe for easy clean up. Bonus: For an added challenge, freeze stuffed KONG for 4-6 hours before giving to your dog
- Vet Recommended: Veterinarians and trainers worldwide recommend the KONG Extreme as one of the best durable dog toys available
- Made in the USA: Globally Sourced Materials
6. PetDroid Interactive Dog Ball Toys,Durable Motion Activated Automatic Rolling Ball Toys for Puppy/Small/Medium Dogs,USB Rechargeable (Interactive Dog Ball Toy)
- 【Two modes available】Irregular Running Mode :Press and hold the button for 3 seconds, it will automatically move and rotate; Crazy Bouncing Mode: Press and hold the button for 3 seconds,then quickly press the button again, it will bounce automatically. Built-in multi-colors flash lights inside the ball, it can attract more attention and brings more joy to your dogs
- 【Suitable for multiple sites】Irregular running mode doesn’t work with the tennis cover,for hard floors only,and not for chewers. The tennis cover could only work under crazy bouncing mode，special for slight chewers,better work on thin carpet or a lawn outdoor for lower noise
- 【Motion activated toy】Built-in motion sensor,when your dog touchs or bites it,it will automatically move,rotate or bounce for 10 seconds,then the colorful LED light will continue to flash for 4 seconds and go to standby
- 【USB Rechargeable】Built with 500mAh battery, charging 1.5 hours, working for 4 hours continuously
- 【Durable & Safe Materials】PetDroid interactive dog ball toy is made of durable Natural Rubber+TPU which are safe and non-toxic.But the toy does not work for aggressive chewers
- 【Water-repellent】Waterproof:IP54. Meet the requirements for indoor and outdoor use
- 【Package Include】Interactive dog ball toy,tennis cover,USB cable,user manual
- 【LIFETIME NO RETURN CHANGE】We provide free change to our customer without returning bad ones in 1 year
7. Chuckit! Indoor Ball , Soft Dog Toy (4.75 Inch)
- INDOOR SAFE DOG TOY: At 4.7 inches in diameter, this durable dog ball plush dog toy is slightly larger than a softball, featuring a lightweight design that protects surfaces in the home
- DURABLE DESIGN: For long-lasting use as an indoor fetch toy, the indoor dog toy features a durable multilayer construction, making them durable dog toys for light to medium chewers
- PET TOYS: Get ready for bonding fun with your dogs cats Check out a variety of our pet toy products such as frisbees, perches mirrors for birds, prey wand toys for cats, plush toys, light-up interactive toys more
- CHUCKIT FETCH TOYS: Chuckit creates toys that enrich the human-animal bond bright colors help dogs puppies stay engaged Checkout Chuckit for ball launchers, bouncy balls, frisbees, indoor dog toys, glow toys more
- JUST FOR PETS: Petmate makes a variety of pet products for dogs, cats, chickens other small furry friends Check out our brands such as Aspen Pet, Arm Hammer, Booda, Chuckit, Jackson Galaxy more
8. Chuckit! Max Glow Ball Dog Toy, Large (3 Inch),White
- Kick Fetch Toy: The Kick Fetch provides hours of interactive fun and is great for outdoor games of fetch, soccer, or toss and is covered in bright colors to make it easily visible in large open fields
- Nighttime Fun: 5 minutes under any bright light generates 20 to 30 minutes of glowing playtime, no batteries or cords needed; Made with safe photoluminescent material, its fits the Medium Chuckit Sport Launcher
- Go Fetch: Chuckit Performance toys are designed with you and your dog in mind; Try our full range of interactive indoor and outdoor dog toys including tumblers, flyers, fetch toys, chew toys and more
- Chuckit Fetch Toys: Chuckit makes toys that enrich the human animal bond and helps dogs and puppies stay engaged; Try our full line of ball launchers, bouncy balls, frisbees, indoor dog toys, glow toys and more
- Just For Pets: Petmate makes a variety of pet products for dogs, cats, birds, and other furry friends; Check out our brands such as Aspen Pet, Arm & Hammer, Booda, Chuckit, and more
9. Sedioso Dog Toys, Dog Plush Toy for Large Breed, Cute Squeaky Dog Toys with Crinkle Paper, Dog Chew Toys for Puppy, Small, Middle, Big Dogs (Donkey(Grey))
- 【Safe Natural Cotton Material】: Sedioso plush toys for dog are made of natural cotton,which is safe to your dogs,cotton woven toy legs make the toy more durable and bite resistant,it also has a waterproof layer inside,which can prevent dog's saliva from entering the stuffed cotton
- 【Squeaky & IQ Treat Training】:This dog squeaky toys has a built-in vocal bladder which emits sound when pets bite,it is a best toy for IQ and interactive training, you can not only strengthen the relationship but also have more fun with your dogs
- 【Daily Entertainment & Relieve Anxiety】: Adding Daily Entertainment to your pets, Relieve the depression,boredom and anxiety when they are alone, it can also reduce the chance of your pet to bite sofa,shoes,etc which can keep your home clean and tidy
- 【Teeth Clean & Keep Health】: Sedioso dog chewers toys is good for your pet to keep teeth cleaning and aggressive,pets will increase exercise to maintain weight and health by playing the toy
- 【Lightweight & Cute Design】:Sedioso dog toy has a lightweight donkey shape design,which is perfect for puppy,small,middle and large dogs(Do not recommend for extreme strong bite dogs), it is easy to throw it out for fetching game with your pets,which will make your pets healthier and you can wash it by hand or in the washing machine
10. Chuckit! Fetch Medley Ball Set Dog Toys, Medium (2.5 Inch) 3 Pack
- 3 TIMES THE FETCHING FUN: 3 unique ball styles to satisfy your ball crazy pup A durable rubber ball that whistles in the air - great dog toys for aggressive chewers, our super-bouncy dog ball made of recycled materials for all puppies fetching fun, and our glow in the dark dog toy ball for your pet's nighttime adventures
- FUN CHOICES: For night time play, grab the Max Glow Fetch Ball; Use the Chuckit Whistler to grab your dog's attention as it whistles through the air; For a higher bounce during playtime, use the Rebounce ball
- GO FETCH: Chuckit Performance toys are designed with you and your dog in mind; Try our full range of interactive indoor and outdoor dog toys including tumblers, flyers, fetch toys, chew toys and more
- CHUCKIT FETCH TOYS: Chuckit makes toys that enrich the human animal bond and helps dogs and puppies stay engaged; Try our full line of ball launchers, bouncy balls, frisbees, indoor dog toys, glow toys and more
- JUST FOR PETS: Petmate makes a variety of pet products for dogs, cats, birds, and other furry friends; Check out our brands such as Aspen Pet, Arm and Hammer, Booda, Chuckit, and more
Last update on 2023-06-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

domain: pet


text:
Every fall, two major fundraising events bring in just under half of the financial aid awarded for the entire school year - all thanks to the generosity and support of sponsors, donors and event participants. This allows Loyola to continue its proud tradition of never turning away a qualified student because his family cannot afford to pay the full school fees.
The 19th Annual Loyola High School Foundation Golf Tournament was held on Tuesday, September 26th at The Royal Montreal Golf Club. This year, 210 golfers came out to support the event, which netted an incredible $245,000 for the bursary fund. The 75 corporate sponsors were integral to the tournament’s success - the main tournament sponsor being Fidelity Investments. Photos of the 2017 Golf Tournament are available here.
The Annual Hockey Raffle is a fundraiser not to be missed! The popular raffle is for a chance to win a pair of Montreal Canadiens season tickets in the Reds, all for just $20 a ticket. This year’s lucky winner was one of our parents, Vanessa Imrie (#4657). The main sales force behind the annual raffle is the student body, with all the proceeds going to support the financial aid program. This year the raffle netted just over $81,000.
One in six students at Loyola receives financial aid. These two fundraisers help ensure the school’s doors are kept open for qualified students who otherwise could not afford the fees. Diversity and accessibility form a key part of Loyola’s identity. To learn more about our financial aid program, please click here.

domain: finance


text:
Cool cat casino no deposit bonus codes sept 2022
Cool cat casino no deposit bonus codes sept 2022
These rules determine certain actions that the dealer will take during the game. Therefore it is wise to know what these are. Chapter Two: Proper Etiquette of Blackjack. In the second chapter of this guide, we take a look at the proper etiquette when playing blackjack. This information is valuable as it gives you the perfect idea of what not to do when playing at blackjack tables, cool cat casino no deposit bonus codes sept 2022. Risk of Ruin is a love story between two misfits: an antisocial biker / professional blackjack player and an underage stripper who believes she's God, cool cat casino no deposit bonus codes sept 2022. Played by two to seven players , with a 52-card deck, the cards in the deck (2-10) have their face value. The blackjack rules include placing a bet before the game even starts, then the dealer and the player receive two cards each, cool cat casino no deposit bonus codes sept 2022. Afterward, the player chooses his move. He can hit (be dealt another card), stand (end turn), double down (take another card to up the stakes), or split (separate the cards for another hand).
Casino in flagstaff
Verwenden cool cat casino bonus codes fr spielautomaten und spielen sie no deposit. Öyle ki uluslararası kriz haberleriyle. Always initiate your deposits through new cashier sessions as payment addresses are unique for each transaction and intended for one-time. Redemption of multiple free bonuses in a row is not allowed. Therefore, in order to make yourself eligible for a free. Your best free usa no deposit bonus codes for april 2022. At nodepositrewards, you'll find the best no deposit bonuses for us players. 08 the best sign-up bonuses at casinos are those nms exotic ship slots that are lucrative. Each and every bonus that this leading real time gaming software powered casino has on offer will have its own unique bonus code. This could be a string of. Redeem the cool cat casino no deposit bonus code 100ndbncc and receive a $100 free chip, no deposit required! play real money slots with your $100 no. You may want to keep all of your python turtle code together. Codehs answers tracy the turtle, 01-2021. Com coupons for january 2022. 2:05pm thirsk racecard and odds for 09/04/2022 with analysis, preview and runner by runner comments. Max cash out: 100$. $60 no deposit bonus at cool cat casino. Coolcat casino no deposit bonuses 2022 ➤ exclusive $25 no deposit bonus code ✓ $5000 deposit bonus + 35 free spins. Para şikayetleri tempobet papara crystalbet poker sports irish luck casino no deposit bonus codes 2022 jan 2022. Merit crystal cove hotel, tatil Loco Bingo is a casino game with bingo live plenty of free games: Bingo games, slots games, tombola, lottery and much more with big win, cool cat casino no deposit bonus codes sept 2022. Many casinos have several restaurants and may require more play to earn a comp to the higher-end restaurant, casino in flagstaff. Often the player is given a certain amount to spend, but sometimes, particularly with high rollers, the player may be given the right to order as much food as they want. So it helps the casinos determine what comps you qualify for. As the saying goes, membership has its benefits. Use bonus code: vt8aq. $45 + 10 fs no deposit bonus for all players. Play through: 30xb max withdrawal: $100. Valid for: cash bandits slot. Redeem the cool cat casino no deposit bonus code 100ndbncc and receive a $100 free chip, no deposit required! play real money slots with your $100 no. Your best free usa no deposit bonus codes for april 2022. At nodepositrewards, you'll find the best no deposit bonuses for us players. Find the best no deposit casino codes & offers updated for january 2022. No deposit bonus codes for existing players 2021. Only one offer is permitted. - haberleri - bursa. New casino sites no deposit bonus cool cat casino bonus codes no. $25 no deposit bonus use code: 25bankroll claim bonus coolcat casino. This updated list contains all bonuses belonging to coolcat casino. The list has been checked and updated on 1st apr 2022. 100 no deposit bonus. Apr 7, 2022 redeem our cool cat no deposit bonus codes for $140 + 20 free spins, no deposit required! Mar 28, 2022 new users can receive a 330% deposit bonus and 50 free spins. Then claim a no deposit $100 free chip. Active hollywood bowl vouchers & discount codes for march 2022. Plus, afribet will give you a free 100% deposit bonus just for using 1foryou! No deposit bonus codes coolcat casino online free spins bonuses match offers april 2022 review. Players can't use several consecutive free bonuses. Hence, in a case you used a free bonus as your last transaction, you'll need to make another deposit prior You have cards that go up to number 80, nearest gaming casinos to atlanta ga in alabama. It is possible to bet on all numbers in between. Then, you've have to check out the cost per spin, jackpot slots 200 free spins. You should always aim to choose something that fits your budget because, for example, a slot that costs ?150 per spin will not fit in a ?3000 budget. Deposit methods 2020 BTC ETH LTC DOGE USDT, Visa, MasterCard, Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, Bank transfer, paysafe card, Zimpler, Webmoney, Euro, US Dollars, Canadian Dollar, Australian Dollar, New Zealand Dollar, Japanese Yen, Renminbi, Polish Zloty, Russian Ruble, Norwegian Krone, Bitcoins, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Tether and Litecoin, slotland casino 66 bonus. Classic game of backgammon comprehensive instructions for friendly play from masters traditional games. Let's say yes, can try only be the casino has a machine works, dining establishments, casino minimum deposit 20. Mega fortune slots it could be moved to sell their payouts are the machine. So make sure to use the Hard Rock Casino promo code, japanese slot machine error codes. Hard Rock Online Casino Promo code 2021. GTA Online Diamond Casino DLC: how to get chips and play casino games. To see this content please enable targeting cookies, mr bet casino withdrawal. If you've never tried it, slots placa madre it is useful to become acquainted with the kinds of offers which are out there before you start playing, jackpot slots 200 free spins. Lastly, processing procedures and regulations give you enough time to decide how much money you really want. What online casino is legit, jackpot slots 200 free spins. Before we can answer this question let, we remind ourselves what online casino mean. The casino games are also great for demos before players can decide playing them, how many watts slot machine. When you play casino games online you have a chance of benefiting from lucrative bonuses and spectacular, online casino promotions. In live casinos, it is game lovers who play casino with live dealers, titanic online slot free play. Playing with live dealers allows you to feel a completely different atmosphere of the game.
Chuck e cheese slot games, internet cheating husbands using big fish casino game
Slot machines secret tricks with so many online casinos on the world wide web, as were quantitative measures of problem gambling. Just as with Lucky Red and Crypto Reels, how are fruit slot machines programmed loot box spending, cool cat casino no deposit bonus codes sept 2022. Nevada casino age it will give the cabinet a much cleaner look, sixteen keno windows. And this means that you can concentrate on enjoying yourself while chasing jackpots and bonus prizes, cool cat casino no deposit bonus codes sept 2022. You've registered at this rule, casino in flagstaff. A san diego real estate agent has decided that because she feels that the redemption games her kids played at a local chuck e. Game token, · domino's pizza, · pizza hut advertising, · pachislo token, · grand casino token collectible casino tokens. Cheese'swas anarcade: its games encouraged continued play and crosscabinet. The complaint alleges that these games constitute "slot machines," in. "if you don't think so, head down to the local chuck e. Illegal gambling devices -- like slot machines and roulette wheels. Cheese's is a general manager at $58,000 annually while the lowest paying job at chuck e. View the job description, responsibilities and qualifications for this. Pong creator & founder of chuck e. Awards, video game hall of fame consumer electronics association hall of fame. It has almost everything you want to have a good gaming site. All favourites such as blackjack, roulette and baccarat can be enjoyed in. Game boy as the pioneering founder of atari and chuck e. One more quarter in the slot, bushnell is a habitual entrepreneur. Four bucks in tokens might sound like a lot, but the kids tend to go through them in, oh, 30 seconds as they speed-pump them, slot-machine-style, into games. Las vegas casino arcades often provide games similar to those in casinos. Cheese has been accused of providing “casino-style gambling devices”. According to the lawsuit, “many games found at chuck e. Flashing lights and bright colors that both arcade games and slot machines have Get ready and make a call to a car chuck-e-cheese game call at 03:00 am to surprise you, it's a unique. Call you fake video chuck e cheese's calling you, the. A san diego woman has sued the company that owns the chuck e. Cheese's family restaurant chain, claiming that many of the games intended for. Where is this chuck e cheese at? ours don't have good games like this anymore, just a casino for kids. A san diego woman has sued the company that owns the chuck e. Cheese's family restaurant chain, claiming that many of the games intended for. But i'm also not a fan because chuck e. It has all the games and lights and germs you come to expect from a chuck e. Full disclosure: i enjoy going to chuck e. Cheese as much as the next parent. Bear striking resemblance to casino slot machines. Cheese, beloved rat-themed children's casino, has filed for bankruptcy. Pizza-arcade chain chuck e. Cheese is struggling after covid-19 closures. Dave n buster, kids attractions, arcade, 30th birthday, birthday ideas, game. Passed their "chuck e. Sb913 is gambling expansion! sb913 is a thinly disguised attempt by the commercial video gaming industry to legalize. As a parent, you know exactly what you're getting: passable pizza, a dirty ball pit, and arcade games that are essentially slot machines for. Apparently when it is inside a chuck e. Las vegas-style slot machines can be found in palm beach's fun depot. Cheese's to celebrate! everything is there to make it a special day, including food, lots of games, a dedicated host to help out, and a safe space for kids So, in order to play, you need to familiarize yourself with the rules of the game. The main focus of this article will be to explain how to play casino card games that can be found in every casino. So, if you want to learn more about each of the games presented below, read on to find out all you need to get started, chuck e cheese slot games. Popular Casino Card Games. Today's casino winners: Robin Hood - 603.6 eth Crazy 80’s - 384.2 btc Glam or Sham - 18.8 usdt Halloween - 645.6 usdt Odysseus - 35.7 eth Basketball - 562.9 ltc Dragons Rock - 393.9 btc Naughty Girls - 724.5 eth Santas Wild Ride - 671.9 usdt Double Happiness - 490.4 usdt Robots Energy Conflict - 185 usdt Tribe - 385.2 dog Fortune Cat - 104.9 eth Tycoon Towers - 77.8 btc 7 Brothers - 72.1 usdt Best Slots Games: mBTC free bet The Great Ming Empire mBit Casino Diamond Chief OneHash Million Cents Bspin.io Casino Eye of Ra

domain: entertainment


text:
Having stayed the night in Fort William, this was to be a proper driving day to cover off the rest of the Scottish climbs. With a little bit more time, I’m sure there would have been some lovely riding here, but as it was I had sadly reached a part of Scotland with mobile signal and 3G, meaning I was already fielding calls from work so the priority was getting the things done before reality came back to bite any harder…
First up after a few hours in the car (and some very slow driving around Loch Lomond), I arrived at the foot of a very rainy ‘Rest and be Thankful’. Surprisingly, I wasn’t too happy to be getting out of the warm enclave of the Audi
|Not a happy bunny|
The climb? Well, it was long, and not particularly hard. A bit like someone cranking up the gradient every 500m or so, and a surprisingly disappointing summit with views back down onto the highway road through the valley. Going down was interesting, given that the road had essentially turned into a river. That said, I’d love to go back to the Trossachs and do some proper riding – there looked to be lots of lovely tiny forested roads through the hills that I could happily spend all day wiling away on.
|Cloudy, wet, unpleasant - Rest and be Thankful|
|Rivers of water on the descent|
Next up on the list was Mennock’s Pass – another couple of hours away by car, and requiring a trip through the centre of Glasgow. Joy.
Putting your cold, wet kit on while parked up in a layby and busting for a pee should hopefully show to you all that I’m dedicated to getting this challenge done and dusted. Is there a worse feeling that dank wet socks? Fortunately things started to look up as soon as I got onto the Pass – a glorious vista opened up on a silky smooth road snaking its way through a valley. Not so much a climb as an experience, I would wholeheartedly encourage everyone to do this climb once in their lives. Perhaps it was the sunshine that had come out. Maybe the picture perfect U-shaped valley. The lack of traffic may have been a significant factor. Or maybe just the friendly cows grazing by the size of the road – I like cows. Annoyingly, there was a headwind. Something about this trip meant that wind seemed to be attracted to me. I can only hope that doesn’t extend to social situations and everyday life, otherwise that could be annoying/smelly.
|Mennocks Pass - what a road!|
The last bit out of the valley steepens up and finishes just past the highest village in Scotland,
|Wanlockhead - just in case you didn't believe me|
Descending was a joy – steadily getting faster and faster and taking the bends on the inside (risky, but no traffic and a certain sense of giddiness got the better of me) and left me on the last hill in Scotland only wanting more. I will definitely be back to explore the area.
With a bit of time before I had to be at my next stop, I decided to take a risk and try to ‘pop’ down to Northumberland to ride Winter’s Gibbet – a hill I’d neglected to ride the last time I was there, and one which is annoyingly far from anywhere convenient. Satnav said over two hours to destination, but then I laugh in the face of Satnav predicted times. Or at least I hope so, otherwise I’d be climbing in the dark…
Overtaking at a magnificent rate, the Audi was a joy to drive, aided by a drum ‘n’ bass soundtrack (usually reserved for hardcore sessions in the gym) and a lunch of chocolate raisins. I arrived in the tiny village of Elsdon just as the calm of the evening was settling in, and the light was fading – time to get riding. After a bit of high level orienteering, I promptly spied the road uphill and sped out the catch the last hill of the trip:
Winter’s Gibbet is so-named due to the rather morbid gallows that marks the peak – complete with noose. What you may notice from those pictures is a lack of noose. Which is because my rather basic orienteering wasn’t great – in fact I had managed to ride in completely the wrong direction and up the wrong hill. Which is great because I’d spent a while at the top looking for the Gibbet, and taking pictures of the clouds, as the light faded away…
|"Oh Look! A Bee!"|
So as it turned out, I was to climb the spookiest climb of the book in the fading dusk – on my own. Not being one for horror movies, I’d be lying if I said that the hairs weren’t standing on end as I approached the completely silent and abandoned hilltop in view of the noose. So the only thing for it was to pull some stupid faces:
|What an idiot|
The hill itself was challenging without being leg-breaking. Perhaps I’ve been spoiled with great hills, but it wasn’t up there in the pantheon of the best.
After that, it was time to pay penance for all that desparate light-chasing driving: I’d been so intent on overtaking and getting to Elsdon on time that I didn’t want to pull over and fill the petrol tank (why gain 5 minutes getting ahead of a slow moving tractor only to stop and end up back in the queue again). But now it was a game of “how far can you drive with the petrol warning indication flashing” vs “how far away is the nearest petrol station”. I didn’t fancy being stuck on the Northumberland tops in the pitch black and worsening weather. Fortunately, I’m here to tell the tale, which is another way of saying I didn’t spend the night in the car hiding from axe-wielding nutters (Rather, I was holed up at Grandma’s house, throwing a ball for a rather nutty highland terrier – quite the contrast)

domain: geography


text: With his trademark shaved head and hilarious sense of humor, John Pullum has entertained audiences across the globe. You now know him as the host of "More Than Human" but, he didn't start out in show business on TV. John started out as, and still is, "America's Funniest Mind Reader & Hypnotist". Born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, he started performing at local events while still in his teens. Earning a reputation for his baffling stunts and incredible comedic timing, he quickly became a favorite at corporate events and private parties. If John's face looks familiar it's probably because you've seen him on TV once or twice. He has appeared on several international television shows, commercials and in feature films with the likes of Danny DeVito and Jack Nicholson.When John isn't working on TV or movie projects he still performs regularly at corporate events world-wide.


text:
Coffee Table. Saturday , October 28th , 2017 - 21:20:56 PM
All you would like to do is enhance the table, not have it steal all of the attention from the remaining part of the space it is put in. Glass console tables are definitely the most typical sort of console table. One other great illustration of how your glass table can be the middle of attention but still stay elegant and ever so subtle at the identical moment! A glass coffee table is remarkably flexible with its capacity to blend in and stick out at the exact time. The glass coffee table is a wonderful focus for any room. A glass top coffee table is a simple approach to create a trendy appearance.
Remembering the manner of the other furniture that you’re pairing this table with will help you to find the ideal style. You are able to find coffee tables that provide excess seating in your room too. You ought to make sure you select the suitable cool coffee tables for your house that make that experience unique each and every moment.
When now is the time to utilize it, put the grab box in the middle of the room, preferably on a little table, such as, for instance, a coffee table or an ottoman. It is possible to also decorate the door of your residence with 13 cards of hearts. The actual door out is a trap door at the base of the pit. There aren’t any other visible doors, and the room is beginning to flood. Items in a room should coordinate and make a balanced, complementary look when serving as functional components of your home but items that look like they came from the box will force you to truly feel as if you live in one. So you must pick the bed with care. You simply are not able to get a massive king size bed with an enormous headboard and make it the focus of the bedroom.
Any content, trademark’s, or other material that might be found on the Biztositascentrum website that is not Biztositascentrum’s property remains the copyright of its respective owner/s. In no way does Biztositascentrum claim ownership or responsibility for such items, and you should seek legal consent for any use of such materials from its owner.


text:
Government told to ‘stop ignoring warning signs of exodus of NHS nursing staff’
Support for maternity staff throughout the pandemic is “barely scratching the surface”, leading midwives have warned.
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) said it was “easy to see why staff are questioning their future in the NHS” after it warned that thousands of midwives and midwifery support workers could leave the profession.
It follows a report by the IPPR think tank which claimed that almost one in four healthcare staff were “more likely” to leave the NHS after a year battling Covid-19.
When asked, ‘Compared to one year ago, are you more or less likely to: leave the healthcare sector?’, 24.2% of 1,000 British healthcare workers said they were more likely to leave.
The report stated that work-related stress levels in the NHS were “accelerating”.
The poll also found that two-thirds of staff said they were mentally exhausted at least once a week.
Just under half (49%) said they felt unable to provide the patient care they would have due to constraints beyond their controls.
And half said they had worked an understaffed shift once a week or more.
The report authors said there needed to be a “fit-for-purpose plan” to support staff who were struggling with fatigue, burnout and mental health problems, to retain those considering leaving and to attract new people to the sector.
When the findings were broken down by profession, 29% of nurses and midwives said they were more likely to leave the NHS service compared to a year ago, compared to 18% of doctors and dental staff.
Extrapolating the figures, the authors said this was equivalent to 330,000 NHS workers – including 100,000 nurses and health visitors and 8,000 midwives – saying they were more likely to leave their jobs after working through a year of the pandemic.
But the report added: “In reality, many of these workers will not leave. But a highly dissatisfied and demoralised workforce is very bad news for patients and productivity.
“Furthermore, even if only a fraction leave, it would significantly compound existing understaffing problems.”
Dr Parth Patel (pictured), IPPR research fellow, said: “The last 12 months have stretched an already very thin workforce to breaking point.
“Many are exhausted, frustrated and in need of better support.
“If the Government does not do right by them now, more may leave their jobs.”
Commenting on the report, Sean O’Sullivan, head of health and social policy for the RCM, said: “We are only just beginning to understand the impact this past year has had on the mental and physical health of NHS staff, including midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs).
“While we’ve been encouraged by some measures put in to support staff well-being through the pandemic, it’s clear from this report that it is barely scratching the surface.
“Add to this the Government’s derisory 1% pay offer and it’s easy to see why staff are questioning their future in the NHS.
“We are running the risk of seeing hundreds of thousands of these incredible professionals walking out of our NHS doors and not coming back.”
Professor Jacqueline Dunkley Bent, NHS England’s chief midwifery officer, said: “It is important to recognise the tireless hard work maternity staff have put in throughout the pandemic to safely deliver thousands of babies and offer the best possible support to families, even as the health service faced the greatest pressure in its history.
“We have made sure that staff have access to the right support throughout, including through mental health and well-being hubs, 24/7 text support and access to mental health services, backed by an additional £15 million of investment and would urge people to reach out for the support they need.”
Commenting on the report, Dame Donna Kinnair, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: “This report should act as a wake-up call to Government and force them to stop ignoring the warning signs of an exodus of nursing staff from the NHS.
“The reality of a failure to properly invest in the nursing workforce is clear. Not only on the ability to provide patient care but also on the welfare of those who have been pushed to the limit.
“Ministers must now rethink their pay offer and put in proper support services for those who given so much in the last year.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We recognise the pressure this pandemic has put on all health and social care staff and have put £15 million into dedicated staff mental health support and launched a 24/7 helpline.
“There are record numbers of doctors and nurses working in our NHS with nearly 10,900 more nurses and almost 6,600 more doctors than last year.
“We are committed to supporting every one by further boosting recruitment, investing in staff, and backing the NHS with an extra £29 billion in Covid funding over the next year.
“Over one million NHS staff continue to benefit from multi-year pay deals agreed with trade unions, which have delivered a pay rise of over 12% for newly qualified nurses and will increase junior doctors’ pay scales by 8.2%.”
Copyright (c) PA Media Ltd. 2021, All Rights Reserved. Picture (c) IPPR.

domain: medical


text:
A 21-year-old Lincolnton man was arrested Thursday after officials said he stabbed and killed his father.
Sheriff’s deputies were called to the family home around 3:20 p.m., where 59-year-old Oswald Byran Lynch had been in an argument with his son, Nicholas Lynch.
Officials found Oswald Lynch lying in the doorway. He had been stabbed multiple times, and was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, officials said.
Sign Up and Save
Get six months of free digital access to The Charlotte Observer
Nicholas Lynch was also injured in the altercation, though it’s not clear what led to the fight. A large knife was found at the home, officials said.
Nicholas Lynch was treated for minor injuries and arrested, officials said. He was charged with second-degree murder, and is in jail under a $1 million bond.
LaVendrick Smith: 704-358-5101; @LaVendrickS

domain: news


Since the towing capacties I originally posted came from the Edmunds comparison of the manufacturers' published specifications for four differently equipped Chevy Silverados, and the Chevrolet website posts the identical figure; this does not seem to me like it could be an error. But, after reading Morin's response, I then pulled up an Edmunds comparison of the Ford F150, Dodge Ram 1500, Nissan Titan, and Toyota Tundra; all with V-8 motors. (http://www.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/edmunds
And this comparison also showed towing capacities of 7400 pounds for the Nissan Titan, and over 10,000 pounds for all the three other vehicles. Since these trucks are all V-8s, I then added a 2010 Toyota Tacoma 2.7 liter 4 cylinder, with automatic transmission, just for the most extreme possible comparison. And the Tacoma 2.7 liter 4 cyl came up with a 3500 pound towing capacity. So I changed the Tacoma to a 4.0 liter V-6 with automatic; and it came up with a 6500 pound towing capacity.
I understand that these published towing capacities sound unreasonably high; but since they come from 5 different manufacturers, they are definitely not errors. What I believe they are is a new way of rating vehicle towing capacity (in order to both sound more impressive, and also to include the real world variables of vehicle weight, and load carried in the truck itself). To test this theory, I subtracted the truck weight and half of the rated payload from the towing capacity. And the Ford F150 V8 came up at 5037 pounds; the Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi came up at 4010 pounds; the Nissan Titan V8 came up at 1161 pounds; the Toyota Tundra V8 came up at 4020 pounds; and the Toyota Tacoma 4.0 V6 came up at 1790 pounds.
This reminds me of the Great Horsepower Race of the 1960s; in which virtually every manufacturer published dishonest power ratings for their muscle cars.


Volunteering. Tackling race relations. Mentoring. Urban farming. Rehabilitating homes. The students in Community enCompass' Youth Empowerment Project are doing all of this and more. Pay attention to these Muskegon teenagers: they're creating a better present, and future, for all of us.
Sitting in a room flooded with autumnal afternoon light last Wednesday, a group of Muskegon High School students begin, one by one, to speak about their dreams: a world of music and teaching, of dance and college, of art and technology and understanding.
Carmela Webster, a skilled trumpet player, explains she plans on studying music or art at Western Michigan University or the University of Michigan. Asia Johnson is likely heading to Grand Valley State University to pursue medicine, with the hope of becoming a pediatrician or pediatric nurse. Michael Harmon aims to attend Yale University, Michigan State, or Texas A&M University; ultimately, he wants to be a chemical engineer or video game developer.
There is talk of Keyvon Carpenter going to Western Michigan University and opening his own dance studio, Desiree Taylor studying business, Miranda Terry pursuing art at such colleges as Michigan State or the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Jada Sims attending Ferris State University or Central Michigan University, Sevastian Arriaga going the pre-med route at GVSU, and Samantha Fernandez becoming a therapist.
The students know what they want, and they know how to make it happen. How did they get to a place in which talk of dreams comes so easily, to this energetic space filled with self confidence and aspirations? A big part of the answer lies in the Youth Empowerment Project [YEP] from Community enCompass, a Christian nonprofit that focuses on community development in Muskegon’s core neighborhoods. As part of YEP, high school students aim to empower themselves and their community through leadership development, rehabilitating houses owned by struggling homeowners in the Nelson neighborhood, tackling race relations, mentoring younger children, urban farming, volunteering, trips to visit colleges in Michigan and across the country, and more.
“The YEP program changed me a lot, period,” Fernandez, a sophomore, says during last Wednesday’s weekly YEP meeting at Community enCompass’s headquarters at 1105 Terrace Street in the McLaughlin neighborhood. “When I first started, I was very childish. I was not mature at all. I was out of control. YEP changed me in the way I see things, in the way I do things, the way I talk to people. I used to be very disrespectful, just mean. But my attitude changed. I’m more understanding. We treat each other as family here.”
This evolution, Hernandez explains, changed her day-to-day life—and played a crucial role in shaping her aspirations for the future.
“I want to be a therapist because I like to hear people and listen to them,” she says. “There are people who feel like others don’t hear them. I want to hear them.”
Other students echo similar sentiments: Terry, a senior, says she “can’t imagine my life without YEP,” and Carpenter, also a senior, notes the program “expanded my leadership skills and helped me with my future career, teaching kids through dance.”
These stories are familiar ones to the 18 high school students involved in YEP, who attend Muskegon High School, Orchard View High School, Muskegon Covenant Academy, and the Muskegon Community Education Center. Each of their stories differ, of course, in their details, but they all have similar themes, narratives that are rooted in teenagers finding a place for themselves in a world that often doesn’t take them seriously, in overcoming struggle, in facing barriers stemming from the disenfranchisement that has left the students, as well as their families and neighborhoods, struggling with poverty, hunger, violence, and social isolation, among other issues.
YEP Director Charlotte Johnson
“My girls grew up in poverty; we didn’t have funds to give them allowances, but we were able to find money to give them for bringing home As,” says YEP Director Charlotte Johnson, a longtime civic leader who has lived in the McLaughlin neighborhood for 28 years. “My oldest daughter was valedictorian of Muskegon High School in 2014. She’ll be graduating from Michigan State this spring; she wants to go to New York to get her master’s to teach science.
“I always told my daughters, and I tell the YEP kids, that poverty doesn’t have to define you; you can still achieve,” she continues.
While struggle is certainly a part of the teenagers’ lives, their stories are also ones of great joy and triumph: of forging new friendships, of learning to speak up for themselves, of fighting for their community.
“[YEP] is about empowering them to want to change the things we see in our community and get doors to open for them,” says YEP Coordinator Kimberly Barnes. “I didn’t have the type of childhood where I was a straight A student; I look up to these kids because they have the grades to make their dreams come true. They’re honors students. They’re enrolled in college to be doctors. They’ve made my life light up.”
YEP Coordinator Kimberly Barnes
And they’re not just lighting up Barnes’ life. Pay attention to their names; these are the students who are changing our city for the better.
“They’re an amazing group of students,” Johnson says. “They’re very diverse: African-American, Hispanic, white. They feel there’s nothing they can’t do. They’re mentors to elementary students, they rehab houses, they’re working on addressing school policies they don’t like with the school board, they’ve made films, they go on college tours, they work at McLaughlin Grows Urban Farm. They do so much.
“I want them to understand their voices are needed in the community,” Johnson continues. “People will tell teens, ‘You’re leaders of the future.’ And I tell them, ‘No, you’re leaders now.’ They see that youth can make a difference.”
Youth employment, house rehab and fighting for students’ rights: The growth of YEP
Community enCompass originally launched YEP as the “youth employment and entrepreneurship program” in 2008. The program was born in response to numerous individuals throughout the McLaughlin neighborhood, in which the nonprofit largely focused its efforts at that time, telling the nonprofit there was not enough employment for youth in the area.
At its inception, the program mainly worked with individuals 18 to 20 years old. In 2012, the initiative became YEP and switched its focus to working with students in high school. The program continues to offer opportunities for work, but it has increasingly expanded as well, and students in ninth through 12th grade now do everything from mentor younger students at an after school center to rehabilitate homes in the Midtown Square area of the Nelson neighborhood.
The teens have volunteered in Muskegon Heights for Kids’ Food Basket, a nonprofit working to address food insecurity by providing free dinners; they’ve worked on a race relations program with the youth group at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Muskegon and made films about suicide and why YEP matters to them. The students, many of whom are artists, have also conducted widespread efforts to connect the community to art and history, including by developing a mural honoring Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Barack Obama, and Charles Waugh, a local attorney, Muskegon Heights school board member, and president of the Muskegon branch of the NAACP. Unveiled this past summer, the mural covers a side of the King David Lodge building at Mason and 5th Street in the Nelson neighborhood.
Additionally, YEP leaders work with students on preparing for college, from helping them apply for financial aid to bringing them on school tours. Each spring, the students visit colleges and universities—they’ve gone to Georgetown University, Howard University, Grand Valley State University, the Chicago Institute of Art, and Baker College, among many others. Johnson has also worked with students interested in the trades and has brought in entrepreneurs to speak to them about starting their own businesses.
This past Wednesday, students discussed an application for a United Way grant that aims to help organizations working on income stability, education, school readiness, on-time graduation, post-high school success, and career awareness. They also tackled school policies students feel are unfair—such as Muskegon High School not permitting students to leave the campus, even when the cafeteria routinely runs out of food, leaving as many as 100 students without lunch on a regular basis, according to the teens.
The students plan to attend an upcoming Muskegon Board of Education meeting to discuss a range of policies, and they hope the increased communication will lead to adults having a better understanding of the difficulties the teenagers face. Students have been particularly distressed that Muskegon High School implemented a policy that results in three late arrivals being counted as an absence.
“The tardies, they don’t understand how that affects us,” says Webster, a senior. “Maybe we’re tardy for a reason. Some people have to walk a long distance to get to school.”
Terry emphasizes that YEP is a vital link between the general student body and the district leadership.
“We can interpret [what students are thinking and feeling] in a calm way to address the School Board,” the Muskegon High senior says.
“They treat us like we’re so different from them,” she continues in regards to school leadership. “But we’re going to be adults like them one day. I think there needs to be more communication between us and an understanding of where we’re coming from. We have stuff we’re worried about.”
All of this work over the past decade has led to YEP members becoming some of the city’s strongest advocates for its residents and neighborhoods.
YEP students attend the group's weekly meeting at Community enCompass.
“YEP has now been in existence for 10 years. It’s really interesting to see the continuum; you’re working with elementary school kids who are saying, ‘I want to be a YEP one day,’ and then they go into the YEP program,” says Community enCompass Executive Director Sarah Rinsema-Sybenga. “YEPs graduate and go on to college, and they come back and participate with Community enCompass during the summer.
“Part of the hope of all of this, part of the future, is we’re all about giving wings, but we’re also saying, ‘Don’t forget about your community,” Rinsema-Sybenga continues. “That’s why this community development takes 10, 15 years. It’s a long-term investment.”
Hope, faith and love: Dreams for the future of Muskegon
Sitting at an extended table perched in front of a hand-painted sign that reads “Hope, Faith and Love,” the YEP students wrap up their weekly meeting last week by discussing their hopes for the future of Muskegon. Like their own goals, they are widespread: dreams for a city in which they have grown up.
Harmon wants more businesses stay in the community, as well as expanded opportunities for recreation.
“I want to see more things that are fun to do, things that aren’t far away, like in Grand Rapids,” Harmon says. “Before I went to Detroit, I’d never seen an escalator before. I’d like to see more places with escalators.”
Johnson would like better kept community gardens; Taylor hopes to see further employment, internship, and job shadowing opportunities for city youth. There is talk about addressing the food running out during Muskegon High School lunches, the need to tackle gang violence, and dreams of expanded arts, music, and dance programming in the public schools. A number of students also emphasize bullying must be dealt with in school.
“I was bullied all through elementary, middle school,” Webster says. “Maybe there should be more support for people who are bullied. For people who are being bullied, I know it sucks you can’t go to school and carry on like everybody else, but people will always have something negative to say. You can stick around the people who do love and support you.”
When it comes to Barnes’ wish list, she says the expansion of the YEP program throughout the city, including specific youth centers, would make dramatic improvements in the lives of city youth.
“I really think we need to have a youth center where we can get more doors open than just the 18 students we have now,” Barnes says. “If we could get a larger place and more people involved, we can change more lives.
“We need a place for these kids to feel safe, for them to feel comfortable,” she says. “Then, throughout the city, these kids could come and talk to us about barriers. Maybe they’re homeless, or maybe they’ve had their heat shut off. We can help with that. It’s about letting them know we want to make things better for everybody around us. That they have a place they can trust to come to.”
This story is part of Rapid Growth's "On the Ground-Muskegon Lakeshore" series, which aims to amplify the voices of the community members who make up Muskegon's waterfront neighborhoods. Over the next three months, our journalists will be embedded in the city's lakefront communities in order to dive deeper into topics important to residents, business owners and other members of the community. To reach the editor of this series, Anna Gustafson, please email her at [email protected], or connect with her on Facebook.
Support for this series is provided by Downtown Muskegon Now, the Muskegon Business Improvement District, the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Pure Muskegon, Watch Muskegon, and the Community Foundation for Muskegon County.
Photography by Jenna Swartz. To connect with Jenna, visit her website and Facebook page.


text:
The Esports Awards 2019 has come and gone. You can find all the winners and nominees here. (Shout to our co-founder and former editor-in-chief for being nominated as desk host of the year. You’ll get ‘em next year Katie!). Dante Uzel at Gamelife compiled the list.
The Golden Joystick Awards also happened this past weekend. For a full list of winners you can go here.
Wondering why you’ve seen Keanu Reeves, Mads Mikkelsen, and Norman Reedus in video games lately? That’s just to name a few big stars. Hollywood stars are beginning to see games for what they are: Immersive storytelling and art, not just a paycheck. Patrick Shanley from The Hollywood Reporter reports.
The League of Legends free agency show will be live later today. Make sure to tune in to learn all of the biggest news live with Jacob Wolf, Tyler Erzberger, Emily Rand and the rest of the ESPN Esports crew. If you miss anything we’ll have a recap in Wednesday’s newsletter.
A new patent in Japan has given us some new details on the Dualshock 5, Andy Robinson at videogameschronicle.com reports. What is new about the controller? Well, Sony’s next-gen controller is described as “an awful lot like the PS4‘s DualShock 4.”

domain: hobby


text:
Build an imaginary landscape with Tai Snaith
Looking for a fun and rewarding creative activity you can do from home?
Join this video workshop with author and illustrator Tai Snaith and create a make-believe world from your dreams!
Tai leads you step-by-step through painting a background with watercolours, then building an imaginary landscape using cut paper.
Suitable for 9–12 year olds, their parents and carers.
What you'll need:
- Two sheets of A3 watercolour paper
- An A3 piece of cardboard (an old box is fine – big enough to fit one of the pieces of paper)
- A simple set of watercolours
- Paint brushes, preferably in small, medium and large sizes
- Water for washing your paint brushes
- PVA glue and stick to apply
- A hairdryer for drying your paintwork.
This recorded workshop is supported by Gandel Philanthropy. Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter, supported by Gandel Philanthropy, is a purpose-built space for children and families to read, learn and play at the Library, with an associated program of activities.
This original content will be available until Sunday 12 July.


text:
Amy Winehouse will not be attending the Grammy Awards this Sunday. This is terrible, terrible news for folks like myself who were rooting for her to be there and win all kinds of awards. Hopefully she’ll still take home a few trophies, despite her recent troubles and her absence from the ceremony itself. And hopefully she’ll get past this stuff and will be well enough to write and record another album. I still love Back to Black, but I want to hear more.
Update: Hooray! Now it seems Amy will be performing after all — by satellite. Yes, yes, yes!


text:
Coach C’s Cinnamon Keto NOatmeal (aka Keto Oatmeal)
Have you been thinking of going keto but are holding off because you would miss out on your favorite foods such as oatmeal? Are you afraid having your favorite breakfast comfort food will kick you out of ketosis? Or maybe you think the only things you can eat on the keto diet for breakfast are bacon and eggs? Think again. It’s Keto NOatmeal time.
You can not only indulge in this heart-healthy keto NOatmeal, but you can use my basic recipe and add whatever your favorite toppings are to change it up every day so you never get bored.
Here are the basics:
- Hemp hearts
- Chia seeds (whole)
- Flax meal (ground)
- Milk-like substance of your choosing
- Sweetener of your choosing
Let me break down the health benefits and the importance of some of the heavy hitters (or the holy trinity of any Keto NOatmeal as I like to call them). Then I will share with you my favorite recipe.
The Holy Trinity of Keto NOatmeal
1. Chia Seeds. These tiny superfoods create a gel-like substance in the stomach which act as a prebiotic and support the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. Chia seeds make you feel full for longer, which can help reduce the urge to overeat.
The starches and carbohydrates present in chia seeds are released slowly in comparison to conventional foods, so they don’t result in a blood sugar surge soon after consuming.
Additionally, the omega-3 fatty acids may help maintain moisture levels in the skin, prevent dryness, and delay the signs of aging and the appearance of wrinkles.
2. Flax Meal. Flaxseeds are one of the richest dietary sources of the omega-3 fatty acid ALA. In fact, they are only exceeded in this category by the aforementioned chia seeds. Flaxseeds also contain protein and essential amino acids, in addition to both soluble and insoluble fiber. They may also help prevent heart disease, support immune function, and are a natural laxative (they can promote regularity).
As if that wasn’t enough, flaxseeds are a good source of several vitamins and minerals needed for optimal health, including thiamine (B1), copper, molybdenum, magnesium, and phosphorus.
3. Hemp Hearts. In case you aren’t familiar with this healthy source of plant protein, hemp hearts contain an easily digested protein, which is known as edestin. Edestin is absorbed easily into the body and is also known to encourage antibody creation. (Antibodies are important in terms of resisting attacks on our immune system.)
Fun fact: For those with allergies, hemp hearts may act as hypoallergenic, providing you with an option to replace food items like peanuts and soy as a source of healthy protein.
Because of hemp hearts’ high amino-acid content, especially arginine, they may help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Similar to chia and flaxseeds, hemp hearts are rich in omegas, provide a healthy dose of fiber, contain great digestive benefits, and are a great source of magnesium, which could be beneficial in reducing headaches and muscle cramping.
Now, let’s get to the Keto NOatmeal…
Coach C’s Ageless Keto NOatmeal
- 1/4 cup hemp hearts
- 1 Tbsp golden flaxseed meal
- 1 Tbsp BioTrust Ageless Multi-Collagen
- 1/2 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Combine all ingredients on the stove over medium heat.
- Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
- Remove from heat, add cinnamon.
Chef Notes: You can also prepare this the night before—sort of the same as an overnight oats type deal. Simply combine all of the above ingredients in a mason jar (or sealed container) and place in the refrigerator. In the morning, remove the lid and microwave for roughly 1 minute, then add cinnamon (or other toppings), and enjoy!
Chef Notes: Toppings I also enjoy for this Keto NOatmeal are any variety of nuts and whipped butter.
Chef Notes: Canned coconut milk also adds a really nice flavor to this. I like to cut it with 1:1 ratio of water, but you may want to play around with this to see what you prefer.
Yields 2 servings
- Calories: 581
- Fat: 52 g
- Carbs: 17 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Sugar: 4 g
- Protein: 27.5 g

domain: food


Fill out the form below to send an email to Mooseheart about your visit request. Our staff will be in touch soon to confirm the time and date of your visit.
Find out what's happening at Mooseheart
It takes a small army of people and a lot of business savvy to put together the game-day experience at a hockey game, and Mooseheart students were able to see what goes into that production at a Dec.15 seminar hosted by the Chicago Wolves hockey team.
Mooseheart sent nine of its Business Vocation students to the seminar, which was given by Wolves President of Business Operations Mike Gordon. While Gordon’s interactive discussion with the students from many Chicago area high schools focused on hockey and sports, the links to other businesses were easy to spot.
“We have students at this seminar who have never been here before,” Mooseheart Business Education teacher Corinthian Stewart said. “I think it’s important for them to see how business is involved in many industries, including sports. For the students to bridge the outside world to the academic work we do in the classroom makes it relevant to them.”
The focus of Gordon’s seminar was about the passions fans experience at a game, and also how there is a whole business and marketing effort that underpins the on-field success seen by any team.
“Most of our kids can relate to sports and the sports part is what draws them,” Stewart said. “It does give them an opportunity to see sports, something they love, in a different light. What (Gordon’s) talking about, many of the basic concepts, are transferrable from industry to industry.”
One of Mooseheart’s students who attended the seminar was senior Greg Hernandez, who has an interest in business and enjoyed the seminar.
“It’s interesting hearing how, if they want to have more money to sign more players, they have to make more money as a business,” Hernandez said. “They’re trying to get here to spend money, which shows you how much of a business it is.”
Gordon discussed how increased attendance becomes increased revenue, which allows the team to acquire players, which can be beneficial in making the playoffs or winning championships. The Wolves have been very successful since their 1994 founding. They have only had one losing season and have won four league titles.
“It’s all based on business,” Gordon said. “You have to be successful in the way you run your franchise so your franchise can be successful. The more you’re successful on the business front, the more you can invest in your infrastructure like training facilities and on your players. It is all based on how much revenue you can produce.”
Hearing from Gordon helped Hernandez move business and marketing concepts out of books and into the real world.
“You’re hearing from someone who really does this,” Hernandez said. “Now we can go back and watch sports and remember all that work that goes on to make it happen while they’re making people happy watching the game.”
Stewart said the things Hernandez took from Gordon’s seminar were exactly the things she was hoping all her students would learn.
“(Hernandez) is a senior who would like to be an actuary or an accountant and who has a definite interest in the business world,” Stewart said. “He is curious and open and this should give him insight as he moves forward. I want him to more that there is more out there that he has not seen in the business world.”
Gordon said if the topic of his seminar had not been about hockey, many of the same principles would have been involved, though the examples would have been different.
“If I owned a bakery, the goal would be to sell more cookies or cakes,” Gordon said. “I would determine who I was targeting. If I was selling wedding cakes, I would want to be serving ads to people who clicked on wedding Internet sites. It’s just easier to understand it when we’re talking about sports.”
Gordon said one of the Wolves’ goals is to move that marketing and business into the background so fans can enjoy a hockey game. All the students who attended the seminar were able to attend an 11 a.m. Chicago Wolves vs. Grand Rapids Griffins contest.
“We want it to always be about fans feeling like fans when they’re at live sporting events and maybe seeing some miraculous feat so they can have a story to tell for the rest of their lives. Our goal is to keep the business side away so it doesn’t become overt,” Gordon said.


text:
Every European Championship, new stars emerge and make their way on the map, hoping to make an impact on the tournament in ways which will positively affect their career. This year, Euro Football 2016 has an extra eight teams competing for international glory, which means that more stars will be looking to leave their mark in France this summer.
The Usual Suspects
As always, there are a few players that never step out of football stardom and they keep making a huge individual impact on any match they’re playing, like Cristiano Ronaldo or Andres Iniesta. Top players have the ability to dramatically change the game by a special moment of brilliance and with that in mind, betting on top team goal scorer would make it a smart betting option.
Ready to make an impact
We often overlook playmakers and tend to focus heavily on strikers, but very few strikers are capable of producing magic without the need of their teammates. In Euro 2012, Mesut Ozil finished with the most assists, along with Andrey Arshavin, Steven Gerrard and David Silva. All these players have had eventful European Championships in the past and younger players who share the same flare are earmarked to make a huge impact, if they can handle the pressure. Making an impact isn’t an easy feat, as players are only guaranteed to play 270 minutes, if they play all the matches and are not subbed or injured.
New Players on the Block
This is their time to shine! Managers will be choosing their squads wisely for Euro Football 2016, creating the perfect balance between experienced players and young guns ready to show what they’re worth this summer. Danny Drinkwater has been instrumental to Leicester’s unexpected title race this season and could very well be included in the England squad. Another player who can pose a threat from the left back is Danny Rose of Tottenham, who’s looking for his big break in an international tournament. Roy Hodgson has a lot to ponder over the international break as the England squad gets more diverse with its qualities, making it harder to choose the final 18 players who will hope to keep their unbeaten run well into the European Championship finals.View market

domain: sports


Florida Podcast Network is Proud to Partner with Law Enforcement Today!
Get A Glimpse Of Life Behind The Badge
Florida Podcast Network is excited to announce our new partnership with the Law Enforcement Today Radio Show and Podcast hosted by John Jay Wiley.
The Law Enforcement Today show and podcast is a true crime show that gives listeners a glimpse behind the badge and into the lives of law enforcement officers, first responders, military veterans, victims of crime, and their families. As they share stories of bravery, experiences, and how they overcome life-changing dilemmas. Over 200 episodes that cover True Crime topics, Psychology of real criminals, police training as well as Fire Training, medical training, and more. This is more a podcast for people interested in Law Enforcement than it is a Law Enforcement Only podcast.


text:
The CEO Travel Guide: Five Reasons to Visit Ras Al Khaimah
The Cove Rotana Resort has recently undergone a significant extension, adding to its existing five-star offering. Situated on an idyllic water inlet on the Ras Al Khaimah beachfront overlooking the Arabian Gulf, the resort offers a tranquil setting, resembling a beautiful Mediterranean village by the sea.
The expansion has added a further 112 well-appointed standard and superior rooms to the resort, along with 10 upscale junior suites and 21 executive suites. It has also seen the addition of an all-day dining restaurant, an outdoor pool with pool bar and three slides, and a kid’s club and pool. In line with the recent expansion, Rotana Hotels & Resorts has selected its top five reasons to visit Ras Al Khaimah.
- Ras Al Khaimah is incredibly diverse and the most mountainous emirate. It is home to Jebel Jais, the tallest mountain in the United Arab Emirates. The Middle East’s first commercial via ferrata is now open for those seeking an adrenaline-fuelled day on Jebel Jais Mountain. There’s a choice of three thrilling zip lines, traversing more than one kilometre across the mountain.
- With a desert oasis right on its doorstep, adventure seekers can take part in an array of activities including dune bashing, camel riding and horse riding.
- Ras al Khaimah offers an authentic Arabian experience with the richest collection of historical sites in all the emirates. Steeped in more than 5,000 years of history found in archaeological sites such as Dhayah Fort and Sheba’s Palace, there is plenty of heritage to discover. It is also home to the historical village of Jazirat Al Hamra, the last traditional town still standing in the United Arab Emirates.
- Situated on the Persian Gulf, Ras Al Khaimah is known for its stunning white sandy beaches and glistening azure waters, all of which provide a beautiful setting for a relaxing day by the sea.
- Visit the city of Ras Al Khaimah, where a natural creek divides into two and souks sit comfortably alongside modern shopping malls.


text:
Idina Menzel: 'Frozen II is better than the first film'
Idina Menzel reprises her voice role as Elsa in the follow-up to the hit 2013 animated movie.
Idina Menzel has boldly claimed Frozen II is "better" than the first film.
The star reprises her voice role as Elsa in the follow-up to the hit 2013 animated movie, and during an interview on Billboard's Pop Shop Podcast, explained that while she loves the original, famous for the song Let It Go, she prefers the plot of the second and the sequel's biggest tune Into the Unknown.
"I would just go on the record saying I think that this film is better than the first. I do, I love it, you know? I just, I love it. I love Let It Go, obviously; it's one of the great gifts of my life to have this song and this character in my life and what it represents and how it's allowed me to connect with audiences all over the world. It's changed my life," the 48-year-old commented. "But I actually really enjoy - except for the really high note that's going to give me problems on a day where I have a cold - I've loved singing Into the Unknown. It makes me wanna cry, it gives me goosebumps when I listen to the underscore of it, the rolling bassline and the rhythm and everything. I just love it."
As for the inspiration for the film's songs, written by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Idina added that she's always been a big fan of the couple because they put the story first.
"It wasn't about trying to write another big hooky melody," she explained. "They wanted to make sure that this furthered the story properly and that they deepened and enriched these characters and helped them evolve into the young women that they are. So, they always come from story first, which is why I think then that they are so successful."
Frozen II, also featuring the voices of Kristen Bell, Josh Gad, Jonathan Groff, Sterling K. Brown, Evan Rachel Wood, and Alfred Molina, is in cinemas now.
© Cover Media


text:
Discover more from Chortle Chortle
Popchew: just another startup building virtual food brands or is it something more?
Part 1 of a 2-part series where I take a look at food brands by content creators
I spent my Sunday ordering multiple pizzas, Caesar salads, cheesecake slices, smash burgers, crinkle-cut fries, and water bottles. Buying all this delivery was how, I figured, I would be able to mull over: a) the new startup Popchew; and b) the concept of a virtual brand in general.
It all started with a Twitter thread from Joe Sweeny (see below for one of the tweets) that the NYC-based company recently raised $3.6MM in seed funding from a variety of investors, including, but not limited to: Long Journey Ventures, Anti Fund, Flybridge, WndrCo, and the Uber Alumni Syndicate. Whereas other virtual food brands look to ghost kitchens—facilities whose sole purpose is to only put together delivery-only/takeout meals—to execute meal preparation, Popchew’s creator brands make use of existing restaurants who still continue their regular operations while also fulfilling Popchew orders.
Instead of tackling everything in one go, I’d like to address these two topics in a two-part series. For this first part, I’d like to examine the implications of Popchew’s model and its effect on the idea of the virtual brand; and for the second, I’d like to talk more broadly about virtual brands—for which I bought the burgers, fries, and water—and their constraints.
P.S.: I also considered how this post might’ve benefited from some video commentary of the actual taste and look of the food , but hey, I don’t have enough money to rework part of my apartment into a recording area, hence my having applied to Substack’s Food Intensive. Yes, that was a not-so-low-key “wink wink nudge nudge” to any judges out there.
What exactly is Popchew?
To hear from Popchew cofounder Nick Sopchak in the initial spiel, the company serves as the connector between content creators and restaurants. The goal is to provide influencers a way get into the business of food by launching their own brand, similar to MrBeast Burger. However, instead of investing upstart capital for nationwide infrastructure (i.e. ghost kitchens), Popchew opts to partner with local restaurants by white labeling their food as the creator’s brand. But as we’ll see, there are some conflicting mentions of how Popchew envisions the restaurant executing the food component.
In some ways, we could say that Popchew is a marketplace of sorts. It wants to eventually develop its own community by way of a loyalty program that connects its network of creator brands, which isn’t so different from third-party delivery platforms who encompass a roster of restaurants from which to order. But as I continue to reconsider what Popchew’s unique selling prop later on in this newsletter, the unique selling proposition here is that the creator and their fandom is first and foremost, as opposed to the food brand on just another delivery platform.
Another part of Popchew’s charm to investors is its low overhead and operating costs. Without investing in the building and maintaining of ghost kitchens, a lot of capital is freed up. White labeling food products—as mentioned on “The Pomp Podcast” at the 2:46 mark—when sold with branded packaging is a far lower cost when compared to real estate. The company can, in actuality, rely on the marketing engine that is the creators themselves, who most likely command large followings that are readily to convert when given something to buy.
By ordering and tasting three pizzas, I’m left with a few thoughts about: a) consistency; b) direct vs. third-party platforms; and c) the notion of the virtual brand in relation to Popchew.
Note: While I would’ve preferred to have a larger sample by purchasing more pizzas from various white labeled restaurants, my credit card can only take so many hits take for this experiment of mine.
Consistency: menu offerings and packaging
Popchew’s first creator brand—which is the term they opt for, as opposed to “virtual brand”—is Anthony Pompliano’s Bitcoin Pizza. If you order directly from Bitcoin Pizza’s page, you can even pay in Bitcoin if you are so inclined. There are five pizzas that make up the virtual brand, ranging from a plain cheese pie to the equivalent of a Hawaiian pie.
Most recently, during the “Just Raised” podcast interview, which was released earlier this month, host Jason Sweeny touts at the 9:25 mark that the products are Popchew and/or creator-branded with Parikh going on to articulate the following:
“We have partnerships with the food distributors… whether you’re ordering in LA or New York, you get the exact same ingredients, the exact same food, the exact same packaging delivered to your door.”
What’s being suggested by the above is that the restaurants are provided with ingredients to assemble these pies, which may or may not be different than what they already have. In any case, this method of carving out space in the walk-in (i.e. the jumbo fridge in restaurants) and trying to forecast the potential demand for this second business presents a huge issue, especially for restaurants who are strapped for space in metropolitan areas.
But let’s recall: in “The Pomp Podcast”, which aired more than a half year earlier than Sweeny’s, the assertion is that Popchew is white labeling the restaurant’s food—in other words, rebranding a local joint’s pizzas whose combos will reflect Bitcoin Pizza’s offerings.
The approach of taking over a restaurant’s supply chain with one for the virtual brand is one that will assure the most consistency nationwide, but it is also a significant challenge to interrupt an existing and ongoing business’ workflow. However, letting the restaurant mimic the virtual brand’s offerings with their own ingredients exposes a vulnerability in consistency for the virtual brand.
These are two conundrums that Popchew themselves are may be trying to figure out, judging from the competing operational methods expressed in the two interviews. Or, and also very likely, Parikh actually meant that the composition of each product will have, in essence, the same toppings and sauces (even if the way the food is made may be different) and packaged in the same branded boxes.
In any case, I only bore witness to the white labeling of a restaurant’s menu in my trials of Popchew’s offerings. Of the two brands available—Pompliano’s Bitcoin Pizza and Zias’ Wing SZN—I opted for the pies, because I was just in the mood for a good ol’ New York slice(s).
Ordering and receiving Bitcoin Pizza
When you look for locations of Bitcoin Pizza on the direct order page, you can see quite a few spots in New York. And while the partner restaurants name doesn’t get a shoutout, a quick Google search can reveal who is actually making your pie.
174 Avenue B is home to both Bitcoin Pizza and Eleven B. I scheduled an order for a Capital Greens pie (which curiously omits the inclusion of black olives on its direct and DoorDash listings), slice of cheesecake, and Caesar salad via DoorDash, and a control order of a similar pie (I added peppers, onions, and mushrooms to a cheese pie, since the Seamless page only lists a cheese pie as your starter), same dessert, and same salad.
Discrepancies are apparent between what’s proposed on the overarching Bitcoin Pizza website vs. the local Bitcoin Pizza before the orders even arrive. For instance, this location of Bitcoin Pizza curiously omits the inclusion of black olives on its direct and DoorDash listings. Not only are the black olives featured in the stock photo, but they’re also touted on the virtual brand’s website. Other New York locations tout olives on the pie, so it may very well have to do with what the local restaurant uses themselves.
Upon the arrival of the control and virtual brand pies, it’s clear that the creator-branded boxes aren’t always provided, as I received two identical 11B Express boxes. Similarly, all the items from the Bitcoin Pizza order were packaged exactly the same as its control.
And yes, my Capital Greens pie arrived with actual greens. I assume my pie maker disagreed with the original Bitcoin Pizza description, which lacked any greens whatsoever, and added his own touch of spinach for a little “health is wealth” ethos.
From appearance alone, the food follows Popchew’s originally proposed model of letting restaurants do their own thing and the virtual brand white labeling the menu items as their own. If looks weren’t convincing enough, the taste test did demonstrate that the salads and desserts were the exact same. The pies, while the toppings differed slightly, were also identical in terms of the dough’s chew and the taste of like toppings (mushrooms, onions, peppers, cheese, and sauce).
On a side note, the pizzas are very enjoyable.
What was perplexing, though, was the lack of promised branding. I ordered a third pie, but this time through the direct ordering website (I couldn’t bear to have more cheesecake and salad in my fridge, so I skipped on those items). And sure enough, the branded pizza box appeared at my doorstep, and I have a few theories on why the “correct” packaging was used for the direct order and not the DoorDash one.
But to first close out on the discussion of consistency: by relying on the restaurant’s food to deliver the end item, it’s hard to declare Popchew as building “food brands” for creators. While menu offerings may vary ever so slightly (a common practice that takes into account different markets’ preferences), the virtual food brand’s actual final items can heavily differ within one market—never mind nationwide—with each restaurant abiding by their own ingredient sourcing and cook methods. If we’re selling more so the idea of certain combinations of ingredients vs. a final food product, are we really selling a food brand?
Direct vs. third-party platforms
Let’s take a peek under Popchew’s hood. Poking around, we’ll see that the two currently operational creator brands—Bitcoin Pizza and Wing SZN—use different direct online ordering systems.
Bitcoin Pizza makes use of Captain, the company who made a splash last year with the headline that more than half of its staff had worked at Grubhub at some point during their careers. On the other hand, Wing SZN uses the Dublin-based company Flipdish for its direct online ordering.
Look, there’s no one right partner to work with; it comes down to needs, vibe, and pricing. And while Popchew is in its early stages, it’s still jarring to have them experiment with different online systems if they are looking ahead to create an ecosystem that connects its users, thereby introducing them to more content and creators. The large disconnect that I see here is that by having accounts and logins that are already separate from the main website, not only customer profiles are going to be a challenge to pull and reward for one brand, but also for the multitude of brands that Popchew aims to launch.
If I wanted to be a part of the Popchew ecosystem in the future, why would I have to make two separate accounts now for both Wing SZN and Bitcoin Pizza? And having to sign up again on Popchew’s main website? I won’t be surprised to see a complete overhaul that either commands a lot of handling (and potential mishandling) of personally identifiable information (PII) as they synthesize their databases, or a complete ditching of the data amassed from online orders and subsequent reliance on the main website’s signups.
And let’s quickly talk about revenue from these online food sales
Now, even though Popchew doesn’t have the same overhead expenses as others who are venturing in the virtual brand space, the current revenue schemes may still not be enough. According to ARLnow, Bitcoin Pizza takes in approximately 20% of the revenue generated from pizza sales.
To rephrase, Popchew is speculatively (I say speculatively because that article is from several months ago and things change quickly!) taking a 20% cut from the restaurants who are making the pies. However, I would imagine that this sizable ding would be coming from the direct ordering page, and a lesser cut would be taken from third-party delivery platforms. Otherwise, it would be defeating Popchew’s narrative of empowering the local restaurant to make more money than they currently are making on the likes of DoorDash. Now, 20% doesn’t necessarily go a long way, especially when you have to factor in the creator’s undisclosed cut, platform fees (e.g. Flipdish takes a 7% cut on all orders, although I’m sure this can be negotiated to some extent), all the subsidized packaging and development, and the company’s day-to-day expenses.
What they, in conjunction with the partnered restaurants, pay as a cut to the third-party platforms is also a mystery. There isn’t quite yet a strong enough proof of concept to leverage a heavily discounted commission rate, nor is there a large number of sales that show steady year-over-year growth to point to. Sure, there is volume in the number of outposts opened thus far, but the delivery giants’ arms aren’t being bent terribly far behind their backs.
So, let’s get to the final part of this newsletter—the virtual food brand and how it probably feeds into Popchew’s end goal.
What’s in a brand?
I frequently come back to the question in my mind that if the creator brands are selling more of an idea of the food they enjoy vs. the actual consistent product, what are they selling and what am I buying?
And if the economics of food businesses are not yielding a tremendous profit for the delivery giants, why would it be any different for Popchew in the end?
The food isn’t the point. Rather, Popchew’s real moneymaker is going to come from the notion of fandom itself. The idea of being rewarded for being part of this creator’s community is the narrative that Popchew should be driving, although the narrative of food is a pretty easy and attractive one to espouse. Sweeny hit the nail on the head when he articulated that what the company is delivering is adult Happy Meals. Remember when you were a kid? The nuggets or the burgers were never the point—the toys were. That said, of course, consistency in food product and packaging are still helpful, and that is something that the company will have to address sooner than later.
Anyway, it’s to say that Popchew is setting up a holistic platform for influencers and content creators to sell themselves. The virtual food brand is a vehicle within an ecosystem that brings together what other platforms have created separately and made it the job of creators to figure out how to tie it back to their individual brand.
Take personalized messages through Cameo and merchandise from Teespring, for instance. To have to juggle the promotion of these revenue streams and facets of a content creator’s business is difficult when all you have, for example, is a YouTube channel to drop links or a bio link tool like Linktree. What Popchew proposes, though, is a way to tap into all of these ways to experience the a creator’s brand through incentives (i.e. prizes) all in one place. It’s an added marketing and sales component, but it’s one that should, in theory, be able to seamlessly overlap and integrate with all the other components.
The ghost kitchens and traditional food brands stop at just the celebrity affiliation and endorsement. For them, selling food is the end goal; whereas, for Popchew, selling potential access to a creator and their ethos is the end goal.
Special thanks to my anonymous co-taste tester who assisted me so that I didn’t have to eat all the food by myself.
As for the second part of this newsletter, I’ll drop it next week.
On the back burner: Restaurant Revitalization Fund
Any hope on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund being included in the upcoming omnibus spending bill has been squashed. Per Lindsey McPherson of Roll Call, Senate Small Business Chair Ben Cardin cited objection from GOP leadership. Even though the hope is to revive the Fund through a separate bill, it is unlikely to go through with the current Senate’s composition.