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The Growth of the Home Improvement Market: An Opportunity to Invest in a Sir Grout Franchise
April 25, 2017
With the rise in the construction market, there are great signs indicating that the home improvement sector will grow as well. According to the ISFA's forecast, the home improvement market is worth about $332 billion, and consumers' expenses on home improvements will increase 3.1% compared to other years. Moreover, many homeowners like to make home improvements before putting their house up for sale or rent.
A clear sign that homeowners are feeling more confident about the economy is that in the upcoming years, they will be making home improvements. Due to the surge in home improvements, the home remodeling industry must get ready for the increasing demand for its services.
Most houses have tile or stone floors and countertops. Over time, deterioration is inevitable, even after a strict cleaning and maintenance routine. Just imagine the potential! Think of the amount of tile and stone floors, countertops, and bathrooms that will need maintenance services. This is the best opportunity to invest in a Sir Grout franchise.
Five Franchises for the Price of One
A Sir Grout franchise offers many revenue streams since it is like having five franchises for the price of one. Sir Grout offers grout restoration, stone restoration, no sanding wood restoration, slip-resistant applications, and tile over tile technology. Just enough services to satisfy any homeowner's needs.
The best part is that most of Sir Grout's jobs take only one day to complete, saving homeowners hundreds of dollars when compared to replacing floors and countertops. Sir Grout makes sure every surface is protected during any process to offer a clean service. Moreover, since we know how important it is to offer competitive rates, Sir Grout's services cost 75% less than other alternatives.
One of the Highest Potential ROIs in the Home Service Industry
With all the services Sir Grout has to offer, its training, recognition, and the number of people that will need Sir Grout's services, your potential is unlimited.
Sir Grout knows the importance of marketing and owes part of its success to the investment in digital marketing and PR. This includes responsive SEO websites for all their franchises, daily keyword monitoring and targeting, personalized web designs, and social media marketing. This daily effort has strengthened their position as the best grout, stone, and wood restoration specialists and certainly contributes to a high potential ROI.
World-Class Training and Support
Sir Grout offers world-class training and support to ensure your success as a franchisee. Training is broken down into three components: grout and tile, sales and operations, and stone restoration. Sir Grout also offers phone support seven days a week, and as if that weren't enough, we provide online support where you can find all the training information, latest marketing pieces, and latest news.
We do not stop there. We also have a business center that handles your phone calls, sets your appointments, and follows up on your web leads to ensure an increase in your sales.
Recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 List
Sir Grout is a hard surface restoration company that has been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 list
for seven consecutive years.
To be considered for the Franchise 500 list, Entrepreneur Magazine measures growth rate, financial stability, financial strength, startup costs, among other things. To have been recognized on that list for seven consecutive years is more than enough proof that Sir Grout is a strong franchise that is worth your investment. Moreover, Sir Grout earned the Angie's List Super Service Award and Dale Cardwell's TrustDale Certification and Make It Right Guarantee, which demonstrate that the company is committed to providing excellent customer service.
With the increase in home improvements, there is no doubt that owning a Sir Grout Franchise
is an excellent business opportunity. Contact us today by filling out the "Speak to Us About Franchising"
form on this page. Click here
to learn more about our franchise. You can also find us on Facebook at Sir Grout Franchising
, and follow us on Twitter @SGFranchising
and Instagram @SGFranchising
If you found this article helpful, let us know in the comments section below. Likewise, feel free to share it using the share options in this page. Want us to cover another topic of your interest pertaining to Sir Grout Franchising? If so, then like us and follow us on social media, and post to any of our social media profiles the topic you'd like us to discuss: Facebook Sir Grout Franchising
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- XRP secures fourth place in crypto market cap, overtaking Binance Coin, with an impressive $37.61 billion valuation, edging ahead of BNB’s $37.25 billion.
- The dynamic market cap metrics drive XRP’s impressive 24% surge in the past week, presenting a formidable challenge to BNB’s standing.
- Ripple’s development surged to an impressive 1.71 in on-chain analysis compared to BNB’s 0.036, which underscores XRP’s dedication to the XRPL.
In a recent development, XRP has clinched the coveted fourth position in the cryptocurrency market, overtaking Binance Coin (BNB) in market capitalization. Latest data from CoinMarketCap revealed that XRP now boasts an impressive market cap of $37.61 billion, edging ahead of BNB’s $37.25 billion, which has been relegated to fifth place.
Market cap, the product of a cryptocurrency’s price and circulating supply, is a dynamic metric susceptible to shifts in both price and coin availability. XRP’s recent ascent is primarily driven by a surge in price, trading at $0.6918. The current price marks an astonishing 6.59% surge in the last 24 hours and a 24.14% increase over the past week.
Beyond price and supply, macroeconomic factors, including adoption rates, are wielding influence. Ripple, in light of its U.S. regulatory challenges, has been diversifying its operations globally, finding welcome reception in countries like the UAE and Singapore.
Meanwhile, Binance Coin (BNB) is trading at $244.93, reflecting a marginal 0.14% surge in the last 24 hours and an impressive 7.41% increase over the past seven days. The disparity in market cap, despite the price difference, stems from the contrasting circulating supplies. While BNB circulates 151.70 million coins, XRP boasts a staggering 53.61 billion in circulation.
However, the potential for XRP to surpass BNB in market cap is only partially reliant on these factors. Ripple has been actively advancing its underlying support chain, the BNB Chain, aiming to transition from a fee-generating protocol to a full-fledged DeFi movement.
According to on-chain analysis from Santiment, Ripple’s development activity has surged to an impressive 1.71, while BNB’s has dwindled to a mere 0.036. This disparity underscores the greater dedication of developers to the XRP Ledger (XRPL) compared to the BNB Chain.
As the crypto landscape continues to evolve, the battle for supremacy in market cap rankings remains a dynamic and closely-watched affair, with XRP now firmly established as the fourth-largest player, poised to make further strides in the ever-changing crypto arena.

domain: news


‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ adds Jon Favreau to cast
Actor Jon Favreau has reportedly joined the cast of Spider Man: Homecoming.
The actor-writer-director will reprise his role as Tony Stark’s driver Happy Hogan in the movie.
Robert Downey Jr. is already confirmed for the new Spider-Man movie. Favreau directed the first two Iron Man movies, and appeared as Happy Hogan in all three.
Meanwhile, Zendaya is rumoured to be playing Mary-Jane Watson.
Zendaya was cast in Spider-Man: Homecoming in March and said at the film’s panel at San Diego Comic-Con last month (July): “My character is super dry and awkward. It’s great because it’s who I am in real life, so I don’t feel like I have to act too much.”
The first footage from Spider-Man: Homecoming, is scheduled for release on July 7, 2017.
British actor Tom Holland made his debut as Spidey in this year’s Captain America: Civil War.
This Nüs story is powered by Nütrl Vodka – Your vodka


Primo Heat Deflector Rack, Allows the main cooking surface to be brought up evenly with the grill's opening when cooking directly over the coals. By adding your existing Primo Pizza Stone to the rack you can use it as a heat deflector or to bake (1 per box) for Kamado
*The warranty will not be honored for residential or non-commercial use of any Commercial Equipment.
Important Prop 65 information for California residents.
Primo PRM331 Specifications
|For Use With||Kamado|


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Here is some neat news today as Assemblyman Jim Frazier (D-Oakley) is making some national headlines with his AB 313 which would ban hands-free voice-activated texting while driving. The bill will be considered by the Assembly Transportation Committee on Monday, April 8.
Todays headlines come courtesy of ADEPT Driver, a California company that develops smart driver safety programs like teenSMART and Lifelong Driver, is calling for a legislation from the Assembly Transportation Committee to formally approve AB 313, which would ban all hands-free voice-activated texting while driving.
A quick search has shown mention in the Reuters, Wall Street Journal, Auto World News, and many others.
Here is the official press release from the Company.
ADEPT Driver Calls for Approval of Legislation to Prevent Hands-Free Texting While Driving
ELK GROVE, Calif., April 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — ADEPT Driver, a California company that developed driver safety programs teenSMART and Lifelong Driver, is calling on members of the Assembly Transportation Committee to approve AB 313, authored by Assembly member Jim Frazier , which would ban hands-free voice-activated texting while driving. The bill will be considered by the Assembly Transportation Committee on Monday, April 8.
“Traffic safety experts know that texting while driving – whether hands-free or hand-held – poses a significant increase in crash risk,” said Dr. Richard Harkness , a psychologist, traffic safety expert, and CEO of ADEPT Driver. “Recent research has highlighted the danger associated with hands-free texting while driving because it involves significant cognitive and visual distractions for drivers. We applaud Assembly member Frazier for introducing AB 313 to ban hands-free texting while driving. Distracted Driving Awareness Month is the perfect time for lawmakers on the Assembly Transportation Committee to approve this important bill.”
In 2012, a law was passed in California that made texting while driving illegal, unless the driver was using a hands-free voice-activated device. AB 313 would improve safety on California roads and highways and reduce distracted driving by banning all texting while driving.
“Statistically speaking, texting while driving is far more dangerous than driving drunk,” said Dr. Harkness. “Allowing hands-free texting is a very predictable disaster waiting to happen.”
ADEPT Driver produced a summary of research findings on hands-free texting while driving. Studies show that drivers who engage in hands-free texting while driving can have significant cognitive distraction that impairs their ability to recognize safety-critical events by as much as 50 percent and reduces driver response time by 30 percent. Research suggests that there is little or no difference in the crash risk of drivers using hands-held or voice operated devices because both contribute to the cognitive distraction that causes inattention blindness. While texting, the part of a driver’s brain that deals with visual awareness shuts down by as much as 40 percent, while brain function that deals with language and critical thought is activated. So you can look but not immediately ‘see’ important objects like a car slamming on its brakes or a stop sign.
Using hands-free texting devices also does not eliminate the need for drivers to take their eyes off the road when checking voice-text transcriptions, posing further crash risk. These cumulative risk factors predispose drivers using hands-free texting devices to at least eight times higher crash risk than a driver who is not texting.
ADEPT Driver also supports Senate Bill 194 which would ban teen drivers from hands-free texting while driving.
Efforts to ban hands-free texting while driving are also supported by the National Safety Council, driver safety organizations, law enforcement organizations, and a number of leading auto insurance companies.
AB 313 will be heard in the California Assembly Transportation Committee next Monday, April 8th.
Contact: Hilary McLean
Email: [email protected]
Here is the Text of the AB313
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST
AB 313, as introduced, Frazier. Vehicles: electronic wireless communications devices: prohibitions.
Under existing law, a person is prohibited from driving a motor vehicle while using an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication, unless the person is using an electronic wireless communications device that is specifically designed and configured to allow voice-operated and hands-free operation to dictate, send, or listen to a text-based communication, and it is used in that manner while driving. A violation of this provision is an infraction.
This bill would delete the exception to that prohibition for the use, while driving, of an electronic wireless communications device that is specifically designed and configured to allow voice-operated and hands-free operation to dictate, send, or listen to a text-based communication. The bill would make a related statement of legislative intent regarding distracted driving. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) Distracted driving is a dangerous epidemic on America’s roadways. In 2011, more than 3,300 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver. Approximately 400,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver.
(b) New research published in 2012 indicates that the increase in cognitive load and decrease in working memory when talking or texting while driving increases crash risk significantly.
(c) Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent.
(d) Eleven percent of all drivers under 20 years of age involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash.
(e) A vast majority of research suggests that there is no difference in the crash risk of hand-held or voice-operated devices. Furthermore, no study has determined that texting while driving is safe.
(f) Drivers are four times more likely to crash while talking hands free on a phone, which is the same crash risk as driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08.
(g) Sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, which, at 60 miles per hour, is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field blind.
(h) Text messaging while driving creates a crash risk of 8 to 23 times that of driving while not distracted.
(i) Nine out of ten drivers support laws that ban texting.
Section 23123.5 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
(a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication, unless the electronic wireless communications device is specifically designed and configured to allow voice-operated and hands-free operation to dictate, send, or listen to a text-based communication, and it is used in that manner while driving.
(b) As used in this section “write, send, or read a text-based communication” means using an electronic wireless communications device to manually communicate with any person using a text-based communication, including, but not limited to, communications referred to as a text message, instant message, or electronic mail.
(c) For purposes of this section, a person shall not be deemed to be writing, reading, or sending a text-based communication if the person reads, selects, or enters a telephone number or name in an electronic wireless communications device for the purpose of making or receiving a telephone call or if a person otherwise activates or deactivates a feature or function on an electronic wireless communications device.
(d) A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a base fine of twenty dollars ($20) for a first offense and fifty dollars ($50) for each subsequent offense.
(e) This section does not apply to an emergency services professional using an electronic wireless communications device while operating an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in Section 165, in the course and scope of his or her duties.
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.


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domain: library


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domain: geography


geardog32 wrote:I may write the Mythbusters show and suggest it for one of there revisited shows.
They've already revisited it once already... although still with rifles.
But given the Mythbusters' track record of rather inefficient cannons, I'm sure they'd write it off as "Busted" simply based on the size of the cannon they'd need for the results to be considered fatal.
Still, I think with ice shaped into a foster slug shape and a decent high pressure cannon (probably between 0.5" and 1" bore), it would be possible to score a lethal hit that could leave no ballistics evidence - although the effective range of such is questionable.
Of course, the other issues such as the assassin (and the cannon) being able to leave the area without being identified still remain.


Hungarian Parliament Building
Reconstructing an architectural jewel’s vertical-transportation system
Reconstructing a historic monument’s elevators represents a much more difficult and complex challenge than constructing a system for a new building. This was exactly what the Hungarian subsidiary of TÜV SÜD faced, starting in 1970, when it was tasked with rebuilding the vertical-transportation system of the Hungarian Parliament Building, on the Pest side of the Danube in Budapest. First, the team had to familiarize itself with the building, as well as the parliamentary procedures that have been in place there for more than 100 years.
Resembling an English Gothic castle reflecting the architectural style of the end of the 19th century, the building is considered the architectural jewel of the country. The structure was designed by Imre Steindl to mark Hungary’s 1,000th anniversary. It is meant to be a proud embodiment of Hungary, and was built using all-Hungarian materials and incorporating state-of-the-art amenities of the time.
For example, the building was the first in Hungary to boast a district-heating system, considered a novelty at the time. It consisted of two connected systems that complemented one another: there was a low-pressure, steam-heating system that provided heat through radiators to ensure a base temperature, supplemented with hot-air heaters to facilitate heat exchange. The ventilation system was of a similarly modern design. A predecessor of today’s air-conditioner, the system cooled the chambers and larger rooms and ensured air circulation during hot summers. A pair of shafts located in the park outside the building drew in air at approximately 140,000-160,000 m3 per hr., then guided it through a 15-20-mT ice block, cooled and humidified it, then blew it into the building’s halls through the floor and wall ducts. Fans installed in the chandeliers extracted used air. Remarkably, the system operated continuously until the mid 1990s, when a modern system was installed.
The building’s elevators also had to be state of the art and Hungarian made. Before the turn of the 20th century, however, electrically operated elevators were rare, and no one in the country manufactured them. Presumably, the business opportunity created by the building’s elevator needs prompted Vienna-based Wertheim and Freissler to establish a Budapest subsidiary, which became Freissler-Otis. The machines were mounted by the Hungarian Machine and Elevator Co.
The cabins at the north and south entrances were constructed with rich, ornamental design. Since they served high-ranking individuals, they were outfitted with red velvet sofas, crystal lamps, built-in brass ashtrays and control panels.
At its time of construction, the building was among the largest in the world, and its vertical-transportation system reflected that: it had 14 elevators (an additional, 100-kg dumbwaiter was added later), which, compared with today’s standards, is a paltry number. At the time, however, the 14 units were considered more than sufficient for the massive building. A descriptive list of the original elevators is as follows:
- Library: electrohydraulic passenger/freight elevator, capacity 320 kg, passage on ground floor, internal push buttons, external control panel, two stops
- Congress North: passenger elevator with driving disk and duplex up/down collecting control, capacity 800 kg, seven stops
- No. XVII Danube: historic passenger elevator with driving disk, capacity 1600 kg, simplex up/down collecting control, three stops
- No. XIII Freight: freight elevator with driving disk, capacity 1000 kg, internal push buttons and external control/display panel, seven stops
- MPs South: passenger elevator with driving disk and duplex up/down collecting control, capacity 480 kg, seven stops
- MPs North: passenger elevator with driving disk and duplex up/down collecting control, capacity 480 kg, seven stops
- No. VI: passenger elevator with driving disk and simplex up/down collecting control, capacity 1125 kg, seven stops
- No. I City: passenger elevator with driving disk and simplex up/down collecting control, capacity 1350 kg, three stops
- No. I Danube: passenger elevator with driving disk and simplex up/down collecting control, capacity 1350, three stops
- No. III Yard: Csomád, Hungary-made hydraulic freight elevator with external push buttons, capacity 200 kg, two stops
- No. XII: passenger elevator with driving disk, simplex up/down collecting control, capacity 1125 kg, four stops
- No. XVII City: passenger elevator with driving disk, simplex up/down collecting control, capacity 1350, three stops
- No. XXIV Restaurant: passenger elevator with bottom engine/driving disk, capacity 320 kg, simplex up/down collecting control, three stops
Descriptions of the elevators’ features appear in the original architectural document:
“In addition to stairways, there were 10 elevators used for passenger traffic, [including] two located at the south side of the house, for three persons each, and two located in the direct vicinity of the chamber, for seven persons each, and one next to the large cloakroom, for seven persons, i.e., five passenger elevators in total, by which, in addition to the attendants, 27 persons can be comfortably transported, which represents a capacity of 600 persons per hour. In addition thereto, there are two food lifts in use at the restaurant. The same number of elevators can be found at the side of the ‘Upper House.’ These elevators are of the best quality, by Freissler, equipped to be driven by electric power, and they provide [the] highest standard [of] safety in every respect.”
The document, which describes the elevators as “made of mahogany wood, with ornamental inlay,” also lists safety features, which included devices designed to:
- Prevent a crash if the steel-wire rope holding the elevator cabin tore
- Stop the elevator without a thrust if it moved faster than specified running speed
- Stop the elevator if there were an obstacle in its way
- Prevent the start of the elevator when the cabin door was open, or immediately stop it should someone open the door and try to exit during travel
- Guide the elevator manually to the next stop if stopped between floors
- Tighten the steel-wire rope cable if it became loose
- Automatically interrupt electricity if the elevator passed the terminal station
- Automatically lock doors of elevators not positioned at exit points
Following the concept of the era, elevators had bottom engine-house construction with largely over-dimensioned worm-gear drives and DC single-gear electric drives. The units were equipped with all the latest safety devices, which were similar to those of modern elevators. Slide-button-activated control devices were operated by attendants, known at the time as “lift boys.” In a testament to their diligence, designers performed traffic calculations to determine the transport capacity of each piece of equipment.
Special attention should be paid to the elevator cabin and shaft door designs aligned to the internal construction of the building. The semiautomatic shaft doors and cabins were constructed of native Hungarian wood, such as curly maple and oak, accented with rich inlay. Conceived by Steindl, the pair of elevators located in the staircase area of the main entrance — Nos. VI and XIII — have especially decorative cabins. The cabins at the north and south entrances were constructed with a similarly rich, ornamental design. Since they served high-ranking individuals, they were outfitted with red velvet sofas, crystal lamps, built-in brass ashtrays and control panels. Diagonally arranged cabin and shaft doors allowed passengers who preferred to travel incognito to walk between the inside cabinet and the cloakroom to enter the building without setting foot in the common corridor. The cabins’ floor areas were significantly larger than those authorized in later years. As a result, problems emerged regarding overruns at the bottoms and tops of shafts, which, according to today’s standards, were constructed for a very low running speed (approximately 0.5 mps) in mind.
In accordance with accepted technological mores, the reconstructed elevators utilized upper engine-house arrangement.
Prior to World War I, upon expiration of the original equipment’s 10-year warranty, Otis performed an inspection and, as a result, installed double worm-gear drives in each of the two elevators at the north and south entrances in an effort to reduce contact pressure generated on the drives’ surface. The upgrade extended the equipment’s warranty for another 50 years, and, remarkably, it ended up operating for another 60 years — surviving war damage, revolutions and regime changes.
In the 1930s, the elevators were partially renovated in accordance with current technical requirements. Renovations were limited to replacement of “parts subject to quick wear and tear” and out-of-date units such as electric drive and control devices. AC drives and internal/external elevator-control push-button systems that provided a much higher comfort level than that of slide-button systems were installed, with the mechanical devices, cabins and shaft doors left unaltered.
At the start of 1970s and after about 80 years of operation, reconstruction became inevitable, justified by not only the equipment’s worn condition, but also by the vast increase in traffic in the building, which was emerging as a top tourist attraction. In order to reliably serve traffic, capacity had to be increased significantly, and waiting periods had to be shortened. However, the building’s architectural features did not allow for installation of more elevators, with the exception of a freight elevator. Moreover, existing shafts could not be extended.
Another strict requirement of Hungary’s Office for Protection of Historic Monuments was that newly installed cabins and shaft doors match the building’s interior architecture, and that original cabins and doors be preserved where possible. Types of wood and other materials required government approval. These were the initial conditions under which elevator reconstruction commenced in the early 1970s. The government awarded the renovation contract to the Freissler-Otis elevator factory of Vienna and its Hungarian subcontractor, Gép és Felvonószerelő Vállalat (Machinery and Elevator Installation Co.).
Prior to the design phase, all units were inspected by a board consisting of Parliament experts, contractors and Hungarian furniture designers. On the basis of the board’s opinion, each elevator received individualized attention. In addition to providing reliable and safe operation, the most important goal of the project was increasing the system’s capacity. For that reason, several freight elevators were converted to passenger ones. Load-bearing capacity was increased in accordance with available floor area. In consideration of potential overrun at the bottom and tops of shafts, elevators of higher running speeds (1-1.5 mps) were installed. They were constructed with machine-operated cabin and shaft doors, which reduced waiting times, particularly for entry and exit.
Improved operability and optimum running speed were initially provided for by regulated, DC, Ward-Leonard drives, and later by AC variable-frequency drives. Due to the building’s relatively low elevation and high load-bearing capacity, installation of hydraulic elevator drives was first proposed. However, that proposal was rejected, since structural engineers did not authorize drilling into the building’s homogeneous, several-meter-thick concrete foundation. Doing so could have compromised the structure’s stability and allowed groundwater ingress. The space demand of hydraulics supplied with a stroke-multiplier mechanism placed next to the cabin would have reduced the already narrow shaft cross-section. Also, the many switches could have caused overheating and effervescence of the hydraulic oil. This was verified by operation of the test elevator installed at the north gate on the Danube side. After a few years of operation, the equipment was replaced by an epicyclical gear-driven elevator due to frequent failures attributable to overheating. The replacement equipment perfectly handled the significant extent of load incurred.
The portion of reconstruction requiring greatest attention was preservation of the almost 100-year-old wooden cabins and shaft doors. Special attention had to be paid to the Gothic-style cabins at the main entrance, as they are essentially irreplaceable. The contractor preserved their unique style by substituting the original wooden side walls and the cabin cupola (as well as other parts damaged by oil) with a steel frame outfitted with rubber vibration insulation. Thus reconstructed and supplied with mechanically operated doors, the historic cabins could continue to operate at higher running speeds and provide a better comfort level.
The shaft-door situation was more challenging. Even today, this issue has not been resolved to full satisfaction. The issue is that the appearance of the shaft doors needed to align with the historic building’s environment and existing covering, which was not feasible with modern, steel-plate, mechanically operated shaft doors. Further, it was not possible to mount hand-carved wooden coverings onto the steel plate, as they must have a flat surface. Therefore, in the case of the first reconstruction of the president of the republic’s elevator, a door was installed without wooden lining in a color similar to the environment and existing door frame. From a technical standpoint, the solution was perfect, but aesthetically, it left room for improvement. Also, the color of the stainless-steel threshold deviated from the environment’s gilded ornamentation. The door will have to be replaced at some point. After the initial attempt, the concept of a shaft door with an external wooden lining was raised, but this solution was rejected, since it would have interfered with the movement of the door wings.
The third attempt brought about an interim solution, which, while not yet entirely perfect, is acceptable. In particular, the machine-operated, steel-plate shaft door of a color that matches its surroundings was mounted to the internal plane of the shaft end wall. The original wooden shaft door was placed back onto the wall’s external plane, having practically no function. With that, the internal décor became perfect, while allowing the mechanical door to operate as required. The double door, however, represented an obstacle to traffic. Perhaps a future generation will be able to find an even better solution.
In accordance with accepted technological mores, the reconstructed elevators utilized upper engine-house arrangement. In the vast majority of cases, this did not present a problem, since there was plenty of space available in the attic. However, in the case of the loft elevators that traveled to higher levels, the machinery could be accommodated only by the old wheel boxes of a floor space identical to or smaller than that of the shaft, due to the dimensions getting narrower in the upper parts of the building. For that reason, the upper engine houses were built using a two-level design.
The elevators were manufactured by Otis, and installed and maintained by Gép és Felvonószerelő Vállalat, later Otis Felvonó Kft. Upgrades were initially performed by engineers from Vienna and Berlin. Now, this task is performed by Hungarian experts. To ensure the equipment’s smooth operation, an expert technical staff at the Parliament building attends to matters on an as-needed basis.
Over the course of several decades, the experts involved in this project built a library of knowledge that can serve as a guide for those performing conservation and refurbishment of historic elevators worldwide. In summary, the project was completed in a manner that honors Hungary’s most historic monument. All involved hope the refurbished equipment will serve its vertical-transportation needs for decades to come.
Hungarian Parliament Building Facts
- It has 691 rooms, and is 268 m long, 123 m wide and 96 m tall.
- Construction was started in 1885 and completed in 1904.
- Architect Imre Steindl went blind before the project was completed.
- Construction involved 40 million bricks, 500,000 precious stones and 40 kg of gold.
- During the communist regime, a red star sat atop the Renaissance Revival dome.
- The façade features statues of Hungarian and Transylvanian leaders and military officials, while the interior boasts stained glass and painted mosaics.
- Since 2000, the Holy Crown of Hungary has been on display.


text:
Dear Diva Readers,
top: 5px; float: left; color: white; background: #781300; border: 1px solid darkkhaki; font-size: 60px; line-height: 50px; padding-top: 1px; padding-right: 5px; font-family: times;”>Whenever I’m in London, I always try to pop in to Grays Antiques. Grays & the Mews are home to London’s largest and most diverse collection of fine antiques, luxury jewelry, watches, silver, antiquities and much more. Located seconds from Bond Street, Grays is a major facet of the London antiques trade and houses over 200 of its finest art and antique dealers. With London Fashion Week just around the corner, Grays is hosting a special event, ‘Celebrating Vintage Fashion’: a pre-Fashion Week Show at Grays on Thursday September 10th, from 12pm – 5pm with shows on the hour. The event will showcase the very best of vintage fashion at Vintage Modes, Grays, while also getting you in the London Fashion week mood. They’ll be showing vintage designs from the likes of Chanel, Biba, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, and Ossie Clark in a carefully curated catwalk show. Be still my heart!
The choreographed show will feature professional models and music, with everything on display being one-of- a-kind, as well as illustrating the stunning craftsmanship that is synonymous with vintage items. I’m told that not only will you be able to view the items, you will also be able to try on and even take home pieces of your fancy, all while sipping on complimentary bubbly! If this isn’t a Diva’s dream, I don’t know what is!
The Vintage Modes dealers – located downstairs in Grays Mews – will present a vast selection of items that you may have seen in magazines as they are often used by stylists for high profile photoshoots and worn by celebrities such as Kate Moss, Chloe Sevigny, Cara Delevigne and Suki Waterhouse.
Arabella Bianco and Gillian Horsup have extensive collections of costume jewelry, which are frequently featured in magazines such as Vogue, The Financial Times, Dazed and Stylist Magazine. June Victor also has a stunning range of 20th century vintage fashion with a focus on printed dresses and resplendent separates, while Geeta Handa from tomicgeeta.com” target=”_blank”>C-Atomic specializes in handmade 70s inspired silhouettes with an ethnic twist. In addition Mary Homes from Leonora Boutique has a passion for bohemian style clothing, her rails are adorned with velvet devore kimonos and unique wedding dresses. Linda Bee who often gives talks on the LBC Radio and is located on the ground floor of Grays Mews, will also be featured. She has a colorful array of costume jewelry, handbags, and accessories from renowned jewelry designers such as Kenneth Lane and Miriam Haskell, with a focus on the Egyptian revival period.
If you love fashion, then London is the place to be during fashion week. But if you love vintage fashion like I do, then Grays is the place to be on September 10th! For more information on the event or on taking an Antiques Diva Buying Tour in London, email us at to:email@example.com”>firstname.lastname@example.org.
The Antiques Diva®

domain: artistic


text:
The Music Academy of WNC is offering an orchestral string instrument maintenance workshop for middle and high school violin, viola, and cello students. Topics covered include string changing, proper tuning, bridge placement and positioning, bow maintenance, how to notice major repair issues, what to look for in purchasing an instrument, and MUCH MORE! The workshop is taught by Music Academy String Faculty member and instrument luthier Matthew Pierce (Cello). Workshops are limited to the first 15 registrations. All participants should bring their instrument and bow. Workshop is held in the Music Academy rehearsal room. Please register on the form below.
Orchestral Stringed Instrument Maintenance Workshop
Saturday, April 17, 2021
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

domain: hobby


text:
Purple Mountain Majesty by Pinot’s Palette
Conclusion to Expose’ on Prayer
The omnipotence of God surrounds the globe as evidenced by the images below of the distinct monuments of prayer – worshipers seeking God.
The Wailing Wall Jerusalem
Through prayer, God urges and helps his nations to live simply with ‘things’ hopefully not possessing us. By emptying self into prayer, life is fulfilled with faith and hope.
“Be not afraid” is God’s echo through Isaiah 43:2-3
“I go before you always, come follow me.” Luke 6:20
You, my Friends from around the world, in sharing your eclectic blogs with me, shower me with joy and enlightenment – thank you!
Henri Nouwen said it rightly – “The Only Necessary Thing in Life is Prayer” and my prayer for all of You is that:
“You shall see the face of God and live.”
sincerely, your scribe for love, truth and peace
THROUGH MANY BRANCHES
UNIQUE IS EACH PETAL FORMED
LOVE’S HOLY CIRCLE
Family of Nations, let us pray together to preserve the goodness of the world and do our best to solve its problems…as it is in Heaven.
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth…Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race…He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain (for) the old order has passed away.”

domain: literature


text:
Atacama, Once A Paradise!
Byline: James H, Young Editor
Deserts are not the most comfortable place to be in. Very few organisms can survive the dry air, lack of rain, little vegetation, and intense heat.
But would you believe that a desert could once sustain as much life as a lake? It's true! In fact, scientists have found remains of freshwater plants and animals in the driest place on the planet, the Atacama Desert.
Where Is Atacama?
The Atacama Desert of Chile and Peru stretches almost parallel along the Pacific Coast for about 600 miles (1,000km). The average elevation (height) is 13,000 feet (4km) making it the highest desert in the world. Outside the polar regions, this area is also one of the coldest deserts with temperatures averaging between 0 and 25 degree Celsius. The Atacama Desert is also known as the driest place on Earth, for it gets only an average of 15 millimeters of rainfall per year. In some areas, it doesn't rain at all!
On first sight, this piece of land is made of mostly sand and salt. But underneath the sand, researchers have found organic matter of plants and animals that can only be found living in or near freshwater sources. And that's not all - they have also found evidence of human settlement in this region.
Archeologists believe that people could just have migrated through this desert. But there's also a possibility that people could have lived here between 17,000 and 9,000 years ago when water was plenty. However, scientists don't think that direct rainfall on the desert region caused the water to appear. Instead, they think the answer is the Central Andean Pluvial Events, the theory that at one point, there was more rain in the Andes Mountains, and that water trickled into the Atacama Desert.
Is This True Of Other Deserts?
Could other deserts also have once supported more life than they do today? The answer is yes!
Before they became deserts, their environments were suitable for plant and animal life, especially life that needs water to survive. For example, cave paintings found in the Sahara Desert depict images of crocodiles - the Sahara might have been a swamp 6000 years ago! The Great Victoria Desert in Australia would have been a rain forest a few million years ago! Even Antarctica (yes, Antarctica is considered a desert!) is discovered to have supported life of a temperate rain forest 3 million years ago.
Imagine that - if these deserts did not become deserts, what would they be like today? Check out this BBC video on the Atacama.
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|Title Annotation:||Our Earth|
|Date:||Jan 3, 2017|
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Signet operates approximately 2,800 stores primarily under banners that include Kay Jewelers, Zales, Jared and Banter by Piercing Pagoda.
Signet Jewelers Ltd. reported first-quarter results that topped Wall Street expectations and affirmed its full-year outlook.
The parent company of Kay Jewelers, Zales and other jewelry banners swung to a net loss of $92.1 million, or $1.89 a share, in the quarter ended April 30, including $2.92 in charges related to the resolution of previously disclosed litigation, $2.19 in non-cash charges related to the buy-out of substantially all of the UK pension plan obligations and $0.07 in charges relating to the fair value adjustment of acquired inventory, compared to net income of $129.8 million, or $2.23 a share, in the year-ago period. Adjusted earnings per share rose to $2.86 from $2.23, beating analysts’ estimates of $2.38.
Total sales rose 8.9% to $1.84 billion, beating estimates of $1.82 billion. Same-store sales were up 2.5%.
"Signet's strong performance this quarter reflects our team's successful execution and agility amidst retail headwinds," said CEO Virginia C. Drosos. "We generated nearly 9% topline growth, including 2.6% organic sales growth, enabled by our healthy inventory position, connected commerce capabilities and data-driven marketing. Customers responded to the breadth and newness within our assortment, particularly higher price point offerings, diamonds and precious metals.
The company affirmed its fiscal 2023 outlook for earnings per share of $12.72 to $13.47 and for revenue of $8.03 billion to $8.25 billion. Separately, the company increased its stock repurchase program by $500 million.
"We are reaffirming our annual guidance and expanding our share repurchase authorization by $500 million, said Joan Hilson. CFO and strategy officer. "While we anticipated and experienced softening within lower price points resulting from heightened inflation and the lack of stimulus, we delivered offsets through tailored assortments, digital capabilities and enhanced services to maintain higher average transaction.”
Signet operates approximately 2,800 stores primarily under the brands of Kay Jewelers, Zales, Jared, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, Diamonds Direct, JamesAllen.com, Peoples, H. Samuel, Ernest Jones, and the jewelry subscription service, Rocksbox.

domain: finance


TRENTON –Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced that an Ocean County man who had over 36,000 videos and images of child pornography on his computer devices pleaded guilty today to distributing child pornography. He was one of 40 men arrested in 2016 in “Operation Statewide,” a child pornography sweep by the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which includes the New Jersey State Police, Division of Criminal Justice, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, and numerous state, county and local law enforcement agencies.
Anthony White, 31, of Lakewood, N.J., pleaded guilty today to second-degree charges of distributing child pornography and attempting to manufacture child pornography before Superior Court Judge Linda Baxter in Ocean County. Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that White be sentenced to six years in state prison, including three years of parole ineligibility. He will be required to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law and will be subject to parole supervision for life. White is scheduled to be sentenced on May 8.
Deputy Attorney General Rachael Weeks prosecuted White and took the guilty plea for the Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Computer Crimes Bureau.
In pleading guilty, White admitted that he knowingly used file-sharing software to make 25 or more files of child pornography readily available for any other user to download from a “shared folder” on his computer. He further admitted in connection with the attempted manufacturing charge that he tried to reproduce images of child pornography that he previously downloaded. While monitoring a peer-to-peer file-sharing network popular with sex offenders, a detective of the New Jersey State Police Digital Technology Investigations Unit (DTIU) downloaded 38 videos and images of child pornography from a shared folder at a computer IP address later traced to White. White was arrested on July 20, 2016, when members of the DTIU and State Police TEAMS Unit executed a search warrant at his home and seized computer devices, including a desktop computer. A forensic preview of the devices revealed over 36,000 videos and images of child pornography, one of the largest collections of child pornography ever seized by law enforcement in New Jersey.
“Each time we arrest an offender like White with thousands upon thousands of files of child pornography, it highlights the alarming scope of this problem and the number of children who are cruelly victimized and re-victimized in the creation and distribution of these abhorrent materials,” said Attorney General Grewal. “This plea reflects our resolve to use New Jersey’s tough child pornography laws to seek lengthy prison terms for those who participate in these crimes.”
“As long as offenders perpetuate the sexual exploitation of children by viewing and sharing these materials online, we’ll continue to patrol the internet with our law enforcement partners to arrest them,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “We must continue to deliver the message that these are serious crimes that carry serious penalties.”
“Due to his twisted obsession, Anthony White amassed one of the largest collections of child pornography ever seized by New Jersey law enforcement,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “I am very proud of the investigative efforts of the State Police Digital Technology Unit and our law enforcement partners.”
Operation Statewide was a 2016 multi-agency child pornography sweep coordinated by the New Jersey State Police, as lead agency for the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. The operation resulted in arrests of 40 men, including defendants in every county of New Jersey. During the operation, investigators monitored Peer to Peer, or P2P, file-sharing networks popular with child pornography offenders. Such networks play a major role in the distribution of child pornography, functioning in the same manner as websites used for privately sharing music or movies. Because videos and photos of child pornography keep recirculating, they result in the perpetual re-victimization of the children who were sexually assaulted or abused to produce them. Law enforcement has cataloged a large number of these images and videos, and the electronic files can be traced in various ways. During Operation Statewide, detectives downloaded child pornography that defendants offered from shared folders on their computers, tracing the files to their point of origin.
Attorney General Grewal commended the detectives of the New Jersey State Police DTIU and members of the other agencies in the New Jersey ICAC Task Force who conducted Operation Statewide, as well as Deputy Attorney General Weeks and all of the other attorneys who participated in the investigations and are prosecuting the resulting cases.
Attorney General Grewal and Director Honig urged anyone with information about distribution of child pornography on the internet – or about suspected improper contact by unknown persons communicating with children via the internet or possible exploitation or sexual abuse of children – to please contact the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Tipline at 888-648-6007.
Follow the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office online at Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flicker & YouTube. The social media links provided are for reference only. The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office does not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications.


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An investigation on behalf of investors of Time Warner Cable Inc (NYSE:TWC) in connection with the proposed takeover was announced and NYSE:TWC stockholders should contact the Shareholders Foundation.
San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2014 -- An investigation on behalf of investors, who currently hold shares of Time Warner Cable Inc (NYSE:TWC) shares, was announced concerning whether a proposed takeover of Time Warner Cable Inc by Charter Communications is unfair and not in the best interest of NYSE:TWC shareholders.
Investors who purchased shares of Time Warner Cable Inc (NYSE:TWC) and currently hold any of those NYSE:TWC shares have certain options and should contact the Shareholders Foundation at email@example.com or call +1(858) 779 - 1554.
The investigation by a law firm concerns whether certain officers and directors of Time Warner Cable Inc breached their fiduciary duties owed to NYSE:TWC investors in connection with the proposed acquisition.
On January 13, 2014, Time Warner Cable Inc announced that it received in a generally proposal from Charter Communications to acquire as Time Warner Cable Inc in the “low $130s”. Time Warner Cable Inc said that based on an interview with the CEO of Charter Communications a report stated that the offer was for $132.50, consisting of $83.00 in cash and $49.50 in Charter Communications stock. Time Warner Cable Inc said that Charter Communications had previously offered cash and stock nominally valued at approximately $114 in June and approximately$127 in October. Time Warner Cable Inc said it rejected the offers by Charter Communications.
However, the investigation concerns whether a takeover offer was unfair to NYSE:TWC stockholders. More specifically, the investigation concerns whether the Time Warner Cable Board of Directors will undertake an adequate sales process, adequately shop the company before entering into any transaction, maximize shareholder value by negotiating the best price, and most importantly actin the shareholders' best interests in connection with any proposed sale.
At least one analyst has set the high target price for NYSE:TWC shares at $165.00 per share. Furthermore, Time Warner Cable Inc reported that its annual Total Revenue rose from over $17.86 billion in 2009 to over $21.38 billion in 2012 and its respective Net Income increased from over $1.07 billion to over $2.15 billion. In addition, shares of Time Warner Cable Inc (NYSE:TWC) grew from $29.11 per share in July 2009 to as high as $138.22 per share in November 2013.
On Jan. 28, 2014, NYSE:TWC shares closed at $133.71 per share.
Those who are current investors in Time Warner Cable Inc (NYSE:TWC) shares have certain options and should contact the Shareholders Foundation.
Shareholders Foundation, Inc.
3111 Camino Del Rio North - Suite 423
92108 San Diego


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In a case that could likely mean consumers paying more nationwide, the Supreme Court Thursday opened the door for states to collect sales taxes on purchases from online retailers even if that company doesn't have a physical presence in that state.
It's unclear how long it could take for such sales tax collections to begin, or how much money the treasury could collect. Disagreement also emerged about whether Louisiana has several key provisions on the books to match the requirements involved in the Supreme Court ruling for online sales tax collection.
In response, online sellers Wayfair, Overstock.com and Newegg, said online retailers could face some 12,000 local tax jurisdictions if the Supreme Court sided with the states.
South Dakota urged the court to let sales taxes be imposed on companies with an "economic presence" in a state - a test South Dakota said its law would pass. For states, the big win will come if they are ultimately able to collect the millions they say they've lost in sales tax dollars.
"From a mom-and-pop store on main street to Target and Best Buy, businesses in Minnesota can't compete if they don't have a level playing field against online retailers", U.S. Sen. A more recent analysis conducted by the United States Government Accountability Office found Missouri may miss out on between $180 - $275 million annually in state and local sales tax.
In its challenge, South Dakota noted that "times have changed", with online sales growing at four times the rate of total retail sales. President Donald Trump, who has bashed online retail powerhouse Amazon.com Inc and whose administration backed South Dakota, said on Twitter. Amazon collects sales tax for products that it sells directly, but third-party vendors that sell goods on the site may not collect sales tax. But after the court ruling, most others will be required to collect them.
"I don't have to travel anywhere and typically online prices are still lower than retail stores", Teisanu said.
Justices Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Neil M. Gorsuch joined the majority opinion, which was written by Kennedy. But he said there were insufficient reasons to overrule the precedents and that Congress should have been left to address the matter.
"One vitalizing effect of the Internet has been connecting small, even "micro" businesses to potential buyers across the nation", he wrote. North Dakota (1992) - was both "unsound and incorrect".
And one of the biggest winners from that ruling, maybe ironically, could be Amazon, said Tom Forte, managing director at research firm D.A. Davidson. "While we believe the Court was not the ideal venue for creating this level playing field, we expect that today's decision will bring clarity and certainty to this issue", Wayfair spokeswoman Susan Frechette said in a statement.
Information for this article was contributed by Greg Stohr, Alexa Green, Molly Schuetz and Spencer Soper of Bloomberg News and by Adam Liptak of The New York Times.
- AMC Theatres' $20 monthly subscription plan rivals MoviePass
- NRF applauds online sales tax decision
- Two each for Hazard and Lukaku as Belgium thump Tunisia 5-2
- Eurozone ministers declare Greek debt crisis over
- Mohamed Salah considering quitting Egypt team over Ramzan Kadyrov row
- New Zealand PM Ardern names newborn daughter Neve, leaves hospital
- Lukaku breaks Belgium record against Tunisia
- Spain and Portugal Should Win Easily Today
- Colbert Mocks Melania Trump's Jacket
- BBC forced to apologise due to Nick Kyrgios' actions during Queen's match

domain: economics


text:
Most motorcyclists are acutely aware of the thrills and the dangers of riding a motorcycle, so they know to stay alert and drive defensively at all times. Unfortunately, careless or reckless drivers put even the most experienced bikers on the road at risk. If a motorcycle and passenger or commercial vehicle are involved in a crash, the biker is almost always the one who will suffer the most severe injuries or lose their life.
When negligent motorists fail to watch for motorcycles or fail to exercise adequate care and caution, they could be held liable for injury accidents they cause. The state of Oregon allows those who’ve been hurt to seek fair compensation for the harm they’ve suffered and losses they’ve incurred.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to compensation. Our experienced Portland motorcycle attorneys at Siefman Law LLC understand how overwhelming crashes can be. Our dedicated legal team will take the burden off your shoulders and will aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve.
Call us today for a free consultation to learn more about your legal options. We’re ready to help.
Unfortunately, one of the major ways motorcycle crashes differ from car collisions is that they tend to be far more catastrophic. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data reveals that motorcycle riders are 26 times more likely to be killed in a crash than motorists are. They are also five times more likely to be injured in a crash than automobile drivers or their passengers.
Motorcycle riders don’t have safety apparatus to protect them, like the physical framework of a vehicle, airbags, or seat belts. Because motorcyclists lack this protection, motorcycle accident claims tend to demand more compensation.
Unfortunately, anti-biker bias can lead to discrimination in the aftermath of a wreck. Stereotypes about bikers and motorcycle culture can lead insurance adjusters to offer lower settlements. Some may even blame the motorcyclist for a collision they didn’t cause. Our knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorneys at Siefman Law LLC can help protect you from anti-biker bias.
While no two motorcycle accidents are the same, there are some common causes of these accidents, and most of them involve negligent drivers.
Unlike cars and trucks, motorcycles don’t have the safeguards that protect other vehicle occupants from collisions. When other vehicles or objects collide with motorcyclists, the victims bear the full force of the collision. Unfortunately, this means that motorcycle crash injuries can be severe and even catastrophic.
If you’re a biker in Portland and have been injured by a negligent driver, you might be entitled to compensation. Compensation from a personal injury claim covers losses such as:
It’s imperative to remember that insurance companies minimize and even deny claims because they are for-profit entities. Working with a skilled attorney to negotiate a fair settlement can protect your rights and interests. If the insurer won’t agree to the settlement you need, your attorney might recommend filing a personal injury lawsuit to seek fair compensation in court.
Under Oregon law, you have two years from the date of a motorcycle accident that results in injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. The clock usually starts ticking on the date you were injured, so don’t wait until it is too late to seek the compensation you need and deserve. Contact a Portland motorcycle accident attorney right away to discuss your rights and legal options.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, get in touch with one of our attorneys at Siefman Law LLC now. We’ll work with you to independently investigate your claim, collect important documents like police reports and medical records, identify the at-fault party or parties, and negotiate a settlement with the insurer. Contact us for a free consultation today. Call (503) 395-2135 for more information.

domain: law


'Dogs win again at MWC Tourney
The Fresno State women's basketball team beat Wyoming 58-48 Thursday night in Las Vegas, advancing to the semifinals of the Mountain West Conference Tournament.
The Bulldogs also made MW Tournament history, becoming the first number seven seed ever to beat a number two seed.
Bego Faz Davalos had another double-double for the Bulldogs. The junior center scored 19 points and hauled down 13 rebounds. Candice White also had 19 points for Fresno State.
The Bulldogs, making their fifth straight trip to the semifinal round, will play UNLV Wednesday night.


Recently, I’ve developed a habit of listening to songs that I once loved on YouTube and it’s proving to be quite interesting. I’m re-discovering the cheesiest pop songs ever and loving it. I can’t believe how much my tastes have changed but I’ve put together 10 of the songs that I’ve been listening to for you all to laugh at.
1. POP!, HEAVEN AND EARTH
Pop! were put together by Pete Waterman and were active between 2003-2005. Their biggest hit was this song and it was followed up by Can’t Say Goodbye and Serious, neither of which received much critical acclaim. None of the band members did much after Pop! disbanded, although Jamie (blonde guy) went on to join Avenue, a boyband from the third series of X Factor, who were disqualified for already having a record deal.
2. SCOOCH, MORE THAN I NEEDED TO KNOW
Scooch were dubbed the “new Steps” back in the early noughties but unfortunately their success never reached the heights of their earlier counterparts. Bands with both guys and girls appear to have been a trend in this period of pop history but unfortunately there are very few that had success. Scooch weren’t one of them and this song was never really a big hit, neither was its follow-up The Best Is Yet To Come. However, the band did return in 2007 to enter Eurovision for the UK with the rather hilariously cheesy Flying The Flag For You.
3. SAMANTHA MUMBA, ALWAYS COME BACK TO YOUR LOVE
This Irish beauty was a Louis Walsh signing of the early noughties and her debut Gotta Tell You got to number two but this was unfortunately the biggest success she ever had in the UK. She did better in the Irish charts, as Irish musicians tend to do. The follow-up Baby Come On Over was played a lot on radio but still only reached number five in the UK charts. This song is one of her later tracks and I think she did become a stronger artist, as she grew. However after several failed stints on talent shows in an attempt to revive her music career, she eventually retired from music in 2010 and announced that she would be going into acting.
4. EMMA BUNTON, TAKE MY BREATH AWAY
The ex Spice Girl had a few solo singles and this one is definitely my favourite. However, it wasn’t the best received and What Took You So Long? in 2001 was her number one hit. This song and her version of What I Am, originally by Edie Brickell and New Bohemians, both reached the top five. She went on to release a second album, which reached the top ten, although her third didn’t. In 2008, Emma moved into TV and radio work and has guest-presented on HeartFM, as well as taking a seat on the judging panel of Dancing on Ice in 2010
5. ATOMIC KITTEN, IT’S OK
The Scouse girlband were active between 1997-2008 and had a fairly successful career. Their first and second albums both reached number one and their biggest hit was Whole Again, which originally featured Kerry Katona but was later changed to include her replacement Jenny Frost. I was a big fan of Atomic Kitten and I really liked this song in particular. Whole Again and Eternal Flame are still songs that creep into my head every now and then, so I couldn’t include them on this list of “forgotten” songs but I think I love them just as much. There is talk of an Atomic Kitten reunion on the cards but I’d rather they didn’t come back, if I’m honest. Just leave it in the past, girls!
6. HILARY DUFF, WAKE UP
Well, I never really watched Lizzie McGuire so I only really got to know who Hilary Duff when she stepped into music. This song is definitely the best of hers and it was actually written by Benji and Joel Madden of Good Charlotte, which explains the rocky edge to it. Hilary described the track as “very dancey, kind of pop- not 80s but kind of with that in it”. So, I guess it’s a little bit of everything then! It did the best in the UK out of all her singles, which also included So Yesterday and Come Clean. As late as last October, she tweeted that she was planning a new album, so I guess we can expect something new from her very soon.
7. ONE TRUE VOICE, SACRED TRUST
These boys were created on Popstars: The Rivals and lost out to Girls Aloud in the race to Christmas number one 2002. They did have another top 10 hit, Shakespeare’s Way With Words but then subsequently disappeared off the face of the planet. None of the members had any further musical success, although Daniel Pearce auditioned for X Factor in 2009 and made it through to Simon’s house in LA but wasn’t picked for the live shows. It seems you can find solo efforts by a few other members on MySpace including Jamie Shaw, Anton Gordon and Keith Semple. It’s a shame really because they came just a little too early for the mad rush of boybands between 2003-2004 and they do seem to have a certain talent, no?
8. LEMAR, LULLABY
This is the only song on this list that never got released and I will never know why. I still maintain to this day that Lullaby is an amazing song and I really think it could have now been a classic pop track, had it been allowed to get some air. I think it does feature on Lemar’s debut album but he never released it as a single. The song was written during his time in BBC’s Fame Academy in 2002 and features fellow contestants Ainslie Henderson and David Sneddon. Lemar went on to have medium success with several albums and is a regular in Radio 1’s Live Lounge, recording versions of U2’s Vertigo, Alicia Keys’ Empire State of Mind and Beyonce’s Sweet Dreams. He’s also sung with JLS and toured with Mary J Blige. He’s apparently hoping to release another album this year, although he really should release Lullaby one day…
9. BACKSTREET BOYS, THE ONE
It’s not one of their best known tracks but it’s an awesome song all the same. I was always a massive fan of Backstreet Boys and they had a massive career, spanning 1993-2002. After a hiatus, they returned in 2005 and released three more albums, the latest in 2009. They have now teamed up with 80s boyband New Kids On The Block, without Kevin, to form supergroup NKOTBSB, who are now touring together. The One was released on the album Millenium in May 2000 and I think it really shows why they were so successful. Many of their bigger hits such as Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) and I Want It That Way are still played at cheese-fests everywhere but I wanted to remind myself of an awesome Backstreet Boys song that we never hear.
10. D-SIDE, REAL WORLD
Another Irish boyband after Boyzone’s and during Westlife’s hey-day were D-Side. Real World was their fourth single and it reached number nine in the UK and number one in Ireland, (do my words from earlier come back to you at all?!). It is a beautiful ballad though and as an Irish boyband, ballads performed by perfect voices are vital! The vocals are a bit squeaky in places and I did actually listen to this and think “ouch, did I really listen to this?!” D-Side were part of a flurry of boybands, who appeared during 2002-2004 and they were probably one of the more successful groups. They split in 2008 and no members went on to have any further musical successes.


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It’s officially the end of an era for one of television’s most enduring — and prolific — reality franchises.
Following Deadline’s report this morning that Chris Harrison has left ABC’s The Bachelor after reaching a settlement with producer Warner Horizon, Harrison posted a farewell message on his social media channels.
“I’ve had a truly incredible run as host of The Bachelor franchise and now I’m excited to start a new chapter,” he wrote on Instagram. “I’m so grateful to Bachelor Nation for all of the memories we’ve made together. While my two-decade journey is wrapping up, the friendships I’ve made will last a lifetime.”
His exit from the franchise was also confirmed in a joint statement by Warner Horizon and ABC Entertainment.
“Chris Harrison is stepping aside as host of The Bachelor franchise,” the companies said. “We are thankful for his many contributions over the past 20 years and wish him all the best on his new journey.”
Harrison had fronted the Mike Fleiss-created The Bachelor and all its lucrative ABC spinoffs since 2002. As part of the breakup deal Deadline hears he will receive a mid-range eight-figure settlement.
The split comes after Harrison departed the shows amid controversy over comments he made during an Extra interview, in which he defended contestant Rachael Kirkconnell, who had posted photos that she attended an antebellum plantation-themed fraternity formal.
The news comes after ABC aired the season premiere of The Bachelorette last night. Bachelor in Paradise is airing this summer. While the flagship The Bachelor is generally a lock for January, there’s had been no official word on whether it will be back at the start of 2022.
Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy.


- News tagged "gaming"
Wednesday, 10 Sep 2014
The Raidon InTank iR2770 is an internal RAID storage module that lets users easily configure two 2.5-inch form factor drives in either RAID 0 or 1. What's more it fits into a single 3.5-inch drive bay.
Monday, 1 Sep 2014
Flash memory giants SanDisk has just introduced the new Ultra II SSD, featuring new X3 NAND flash and nCache 2.0 technologies for better endurance and performance.
Wednesday, 27 Aug 2014
Web junkies rejoice, SingTel has just announced a brand new high-end fiber plan that promises uncapped downlink and uplink speeds and we have the screenshots to prove it.
Tuesday, 26 Aug 2014
Following earlier rumors that Google was prepared to pay US$1 billion for Twitch, Amazon has apparently swooped in and picked up the livestreaming video network for a mere US$970 million.
Thursday, 21 Aug 2014
OCZ has just launched its new ARC 100 SSD, which is powered by its in-house developed Barefoot 3 controller and is targeted at entry-level and budget-conscious users.
Wednesday, 20 Aug 2014
The ASUS RT-AC87U is the first Wave 2 802.11ac to hit our shores and it will be officially launched to the public at COMEX 2014 next week.
Tuesday, 19 Aug 2014
AMD has just announced its new mid to high-end Radeon-branded R7 SSDs, which was designed in collaboration with OCZ and Toshiba. What's more, you can expect it to hit local stores soon!
Ready to get frustrated again? Dong Nguyen, the creator of the infamous Flappy Bird game, is back with a new game called Swing Copters.
Friday, 15 Aug 2014
As September 23 approaches for the official Xbox One launch in Singapore, Microsoft is turning up the heat by offering pre-order specials such as bundling in EA Sports FIFA 15 and more at no extra cost. Find out more details of what else the Xbox One Launch Bundles consists of and other pre-order specials.
Prefer to don a headset when playing games? If you crave for ultra-realistic audio, you can take a look at the new Plantronics RIG Surround gaming headset that's capable of 7.1-channel surround sound. If you don't need that and prefer something lighter, there's also the new RIG Flex.


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“Pachakam” means cooking in kerala and Pachakam.Com welcomes you to the magnificent world of easy and healthy Indian cooking with a probe into the fascinating Indian cooking recipes. Cooking is not just about making food but is an art of presenting your culinary skills to those who love food with a different flavor and Indian cooking, by no means is an exception.
Tasty crispy chicken patties
Published On: 30 Sep 2014
Wash and clean the chicken and make them into small pieces and put it in blender.
Transfer the grounded chicken to a bowl.
To that add all the other ingredients.
Mix well to form a dough.
Pat them into any shapes.
Roll it on the bread crumbs.
Deep fry the patties.
Remove from frying when both sides are done and serve hot.
The left over idlies from breakfast can be reused if people do not prefer eating idly in more than o...
easy n tasty dish...
Spicy cauliflower fry is a easy to make side dish with few i...
If you are a fan of indian food then no doubt you are famili...
This Butter cake recipe in pressure cooker needs no oven and...
Kozhi chatti pathiri/Layered crepes with chicken filling is ...
Nizana Shammas is a hosewife who has lots of interest n cooking. She is an expert in providing various traditional recipes.
Renukadevi Kumanan is a well versed person in providing varities of South Indian recipes and also some modern recipes. She used to try varities of recipes from different cuisines.
Sign up to receive email updates for New Recipes/Special Announcements

domain: food


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Coronavirus Visual Tool for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Download Here
During this State of Emergency Please Help us Prevent the unnecessary spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus, or any other dangerous virus. Please DO NOT Enter this Public Building if you are sick!
A new infectious disease known as COVID-19 (2019 Novel Coronavirus) was first detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. This viral infection has resulted in thousands of confirmed human infections, with the vast majority of cases in China. Other countries, including the United States, have identified a growing number of cases in people who have traveled […]

domain: health


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Saudi Arabia’s holy cities of Makkah and Madina were the subject of footage released by UAE astronaut Sultan al-Neyadi, who filmed them from the ISS from space, as reported by Al-Arabiya.
In a tweet, he described the video as “a gift for Salman’s children on these blessed nights”. He dedicated it to “the country of the Two Holy Mosques, the landing site of revelation and the land of the message, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
The film showed a brightly lit Grand Mosque of Saudi Arabia and the cities of Makkah and Madina. Since he began his six-month journey in March, Al-Neyadi has routinely posted footage from the International Space Station.
من محطة الفضاء الدولية،
إهداء لعيال سلمان في هذه الليالي المباركة 🌙⭐
إهداء لبلاد الحرمين الشريفين، مهبط الوحي وأرض الرسالة، المملكة العربية السعودية. 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/3OQTg4CgXb
— Sultan AlNeyadi (@Astro_Alneyadi) April 17, 2023
The images captured from the space of Makkah Madina give a wholesome view. A video of his workout in microgravity was just posted online. Al-Neyadi used a treadmill with a harness and springs to mitigate the negative consequences of weightlessness. As he runs, the harness pulls him down, simulating the pull of Earth’s gravity.
Al-Neyadi shared stunning shots of a sandstorm from last month and noted that capturing pictures from space is one of his favorite pastimes.
When Sultan al-Neyadi leaves the International Space Station on April 28, he will make history as the first Arab to conduct a spacewalk. He follows in the footsteps of other Arab astronauts including the Emirati Hazzaa al-Mansouri, who in 2019 became the first Arab on the ISS, and the Saudi prince Sultan bin Salman, who in 1985 became the first Arab to fly to space.


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Composer and pianist Anne Trenning performs a dynamic, inspiring and hopeful set of solo compositions on the Shigeru Kawai Piano — one of the world’s most finely crafted instruments — to create The Sunflower Waltz.
Anne's fourth collection includes ten melodically and rhythmically diverse new pieces and solo piano re-imaginings of six previously released songs.
Available October 9, 2015.
“Trenning’s control of tonal shading and nuance is stellar…”
Bill Binkelman of Wind and Wire
“Anne has gifted us with sixteen original piano solos…”
Kathy Parsons of Mainly Piano

domain: entertainment


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George Soros is a Hungarian- American billionaire investor, philanthropist, and political activist. He is popularly known for his exceptional funding in politics. In the ongoing presidential campaigns, he has emerged as the leading funder for Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party. So far, he has donated over $25 million to boost Clinton and other Democratic candidates. According to his associates, Mr. George Soros is expected to give more as the election nears.
Close associates of Mr. Soros feel that he is more engaged in politics than he has never before. His strong faith in Clinton and their over 25 year’s relationship is the driving force beyond the substantial funding for the Democratic Party on nytimes.com. He also feels Clinton will combat terrorism in the world. Besides, he felt that only Clinton can handle the issues that he has worked for and cared for many years such as criminal justice, immigration reforms, and religious tolerance. Mr. Michael Vachon who is Soros political advisor says that the funding was even high before Trump became the Republican nominee.
Other Political Activists
Other influential liberals have also donated big chunks of money including Francisco Environmentalist Steyler who gave $31million, New York hedge founder Don Sussman $13.2 million and media moguls Haim Saban and Fred Eychner $11.1 million each but few has the impact of Soros.
The collective impact of the funding from different billionaires has been advantageous to Clinton over her Competitor Mr. trump. The massive funding enabled her to build a whining campaign system that dwarfs the Republican Party.
Further Funding From Mr. Soros
In June 2016, Soros donated $ 7 million to Priorities USA Action, which was meant to support Clinton. He has also committed $ 5 million to immigrant voters win that was aimed at increasing turnouts among Hispanic voters in the primary states.
Mr. Soros further committed $5 million to Voting rights Trust on Twitter, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to fighting the Conservative idea to restrict voting. Since the organization’s tax code does not allow it to disclose its donors, it is believed that the funding from Mr. Soros to this organization might be more than the documented. Besides, it is estimated that Mr. Soros has donated more than $3 million to voter mobilization groups, which do not disclose their donors.
Past Political Activities
Mr. Soros was against Bush election and funded John Kerry in 2004. After Bush had emerged victoriously, Soros focused on charitable attention on international foundations to defend human rights, expand healthcare and education in the US and across the world as well as shaping the democratic process in Europe. On the other hand, Soros-backed Obama over Clinton in 2008, and later a difference emerged between the two due to the lack of aggressiveness in pursuing liberal priorities. Although he later backed Obama in the 2012 re-election, Soros regretted his idea and honored Clinton for her openness in policy discussion.


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Ahmed Mahloof, Minister of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment, has been charged with bribery in connection with the MMPRC embezzlement case.
Bribery accusations against Minister Mahloof were filed in the Criminal Court today, according to the Prosecutor General’s Office.
According to a PG Office media representative, Mahloof is being accused with bribery for collecting USD 33,000 in return for voting for the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) bill in 2014, when he was acting as a legislator.
The charges against Mahloof have been filed after a lengthy delay since the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) referred his case for prosecution. He was also suspended for four months while awaiting a decision from the PG Office before being asked to resume duties last month.
According to the ACC, Mahloof returned to the Maldives from Malaysia on August 27, 2014, to vote for the SEZ bill submitted by the Yameen administration. Furthermore, Mahloof was discovered to have collected USD 33,000 from the SOF company. The Commission also revealed that Mahloof met with former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, who is suspected of orchestrating the MMPRC scandal, after the vote on the SEZ bill.
The ACC also said that Mahloof produced a payment received slip in the name of the SOF company to establish that the USD 33,000 cheque was for foreign currency exchange reasons. However, the ACC investigation found no evidence that the money was earned through foreign currency trading.
Furthermore, the Commission claimed that the transaction was a bribe given by Adeeb to Mahloof based on witness testimony and evidence acquired throughout the investigation. According to the Commission, Ahmed Mahloof was accused under Article 2(A) of the Prevention and Prohibition of Corruption Act.
The ACC has also requested that Mahloof be charged under Article 552 (A) and (B) of the Penal Code for misleading the investigation by claiming that the USD 33,000 had been a legal currency exchange.
Mahloof has refuted the allegations on several occasions, alleging that he is being exploited as a “political scapegoat” in the MMPRC embezzlement investigation.


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Flynn says he could be playing in a week and more
The Wolves point guard, on the mend from left hip surgery, participated in an intense post-practice 3-on-3 scrimmage Sunday with both words and elbows flying.
"I hadn't been that competitive since before surgery," Flynn said, referring to the late- July procedure to repair a torn labrum. "So that was good."
Monday was better, with Flynn taking full part in scrimmages during practice. Afterward, a confident Flynn said: "It's a big possibility I could be playing within a week, whether it's the [Developmental] League or the NBA. Get one game in the D-League, a rehab game. So, within the next week, there is a high possibility I'll be playing."
Flynn said his decision on when he feels he's ready to play could come "within the next couple of days." At that point, the Wolves are expected to send him to the Sioux Falls Skyforce to play one or two games with the Wolves' affiliate in the NBA Development League. Flynn and Wolves coach Kurt Rambis agreed on the D-League assignment.
"The D-League is the best thing for me," said Flynn, who started 81 games as a rookie last season. "I need to get used to the speed of the game again."
From the Timberwolves site (VIDEO): Timberwolves guard Wes Johnson talks about his experience as the Grand Marshall of the Holidazzle parade and looks ahead to his trip home as the Wolves face the Mavericks and Spurs in Texas.
From Judd Spicer/City Pages: Darko altering T-Wolves history of Eurotrash
From Anthony Maggio and Patrick Donnelly/FOXSportsNorth.com: Dissecting Darko


This is a common question, and an important one. To put the issue in perspective, ask yourself: “Do I know what MPG means when it comes to cars?” Of course! We all do. Especially since gas prices shot through the roof a number of years ago, we have all been concerned about how many miles we can get on a gallon of gas.
Well the question of “SEER vs. EER” is related since they both are measurements of an air conditioner’s efficiency. And just like higher MPG is better, higher SEER and EER ratings mean better efficiency. But why are there two measurements? Which is more important? Which one should you pay more attention to when deciding to purchase a new central air system? First things first: before discussing “SEER vs. EER” you need to understand what each of them is separately.
What is SEER?
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and is the most common way to evaluate the efficiency of an AC unit. Keep in mind that this only applies to cooling power not heating so SEER is not used for Furnaces or the heating cycle of heat pumps.
An air conditioner’s SEER rating is calculated by taking the average cooling output of the HVAC unit throughout a normal cooling season (measured in BTUs), and dividing it by how much energy was consumed (measured in watt-hours). SEER ratings cannot be calculated in the field on individual units. This is because they are calculated using an average of an entire cooling season, a constant indoor temperature, and varying outdoor temperatures ranging from the 60’s to over 100 degrees F, plus average US household energy expenditures.
The yellow Energy Guide Tag on all central air units will show a possible range of around 8 to 30, although since 2005 the manufacture of household AC units lower than 13 SEER has been restricted, and at the time of this writing very few air conditioning units are more efficient than about 25 SEER. But again, a higher SEER value is a more efficient cooling unit.
What is EER?
Alright, now you understand half of the SEER vs. EER question. So let’s move on to the second half. EER stands for Energy Efficiency Ratio. Sounds similar, right? And it is, but it is actually an older means of calculating energy efficiency than SEER. In 1975 the Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Institute (now known as AHRI, the “H” was added for ‘heating’) introduced the EER as the first ever universal standard of measurement for HVAC efficiency.
Like SEER, an air conditioner’s EER rating also measures the AC unit’s efficiency, but EER is more of a constant. It is calculated using the nearly the same formula but using a constant outside temperature of 95 degrees, a constant inside temperature of 80 degrees and a humidity level of 50%. So the “Seasonal” variable is not factored in.
So now you understand what SEER is and what EER is. Sound to you like it’s just splitting hairs? Well there’s a reason for having two different ways of representing the energy efficiency of a central air unit. In fact, starting in 2015 in some regions of the US, there are not just minimum SEER rating requirements, but also minimum EER rating requirements. We’re going to delve into that coming up soon. [UPDATE: Click here to read Part 2 of this article.]
Need to ask someone a quick question? Visit our “Ask an Expert” page, type in your question, and get a quick answer from the resident expert here at GAMA Air.