title: 05

text:
The article came out in February of that year, just a few months after Jared Kushner, the owner of the Observer (and Donald Trump’s son-in-law) had locked in a deal that benefitted from the sale of the Donnell Library that trustees of the New York Public Library tossed out munificently to the real estate industry.. . . The public, of course, losing out.
Interestingly, I didn’t come across the article on the Observer’s site; I came across it on the site of Massey Knakal, a real estate firm, where they had posted it, highlighting text in the article to show how one of their brokers, Landon McGaw, was participating.
The article starts out saying that maybe getting onto the exclusive NYPL board with Stephen Schwarzman of Blackstone (the world’s largest real estate investment firm plus much more) is out of reach when you are “jockeying for position” in New York, but “what about Brooklyn” for opportunities?
Answer: “Cue J.P. Morgan, CitiGroup and Goldman, Sachs-and government employees (retired teachers and a Con Ed spokeswoman among them).” Brooklyn is a borough of “Brooklyn's shiny new condos and brownstone conversions.”
Put into the words on one of the people reported on there is, “a eureka-moment story about . . . . standing in Grand Army Plaza, the traffic circle outside of Prospect Park . . . the imposing main branch of the BPL, and thinking, This place is changing. . . . `Why don't I engage the library?'"
Consider this startlingly frank assessment from the article (emphasis supplied):
Buried underneath the earnest and altruistic desire to help the library is, perhaps, a touch of social snobbery, a desire to use the opportunities afforded by the New Brooklyn to further one's station in life.The article spotlights BPL trustee Janet Offensend as being the BPL official leading the charge for the advertised transformation, bringing in a new set of individuals who “love a good party” (one must wonder about whether such phases are code words or dog whistles when buried in with the recitation of a lot of other altruistic claptrap.). The article tells us about Ms. Offensend:
Then again, that's what nearly all New York-style charity has been about, and it's unrealistic to expect this new group to be any different. And it must be said that the barriers to entry are lower. .
Janet Offensend, a fixture on the Brooklyn charitable scene for many years whose husband is the chief financial officer of the NYPL, is a library trustee who has helped marshal the Vanguard through its first few months.What is not noted is that Ms. Offensend’s husband David Offensend, mentioned as the chief financial officer of the NYPL, is the one who arranged the sale of the Donnell Library in a deal benefitting the aforementioned Jared Kushner, owner of the Observer. If you know that you don’t need dog whistles to figure out much more.
For further documentation about the recomposition of the Brooklyn Public Library Board of Trustees achieved in this era consider the following page of information from Citizens Defending Libraries:
Point of disclosure: I am a co-founder of Citizens Defending Libraries, formed in 2013 in reaction to breaking headlines about library real estate deals benefitting developers, not the public.
The Observer article appears on the Observer’s website:
The Observer: Brooklyn's Bookish Ambition, By Doree Shafrir, February 22, 2008And, as noted, on the site of real estate firm Massy Knackle.
One additional little secret to share: I also found the article because it mentioned Ethan Hawke. Click for more information here: x


tier: cub

shelf: health

title: Hospital honors church for service amid pandemic

text:
INDEPENDENCE – Sometimes, “paying-it-forward” brings return blessings.
This could summarize the relationship of Country Meadows Baptist Church (CMBC) and Centerpoint Hospital.
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, CMBC wanted to do something to reach out to the hospital caring for patients with the virus and other medical needs.
“We wanted to do something, but not what everyone else was doing. We wanted to make a difference,” said Pastor Ashley Olinger.
Olinger said he and a deacon, who is also a nurse, sat in the driveway and concocted the giving plan.
“We wanted to do an act of kindness. We thought about it, we prayed about it, and one of the first conversations was to talk to the administrators. They have 300 employees on the staff for each of the two shifts. We started making 600 goodie bags and delivering them twice every Thursday. We’ve been doing that every Thursday since then. They look forward to them. They can’t wait to read what is on them,” Olinger said.
The goodies consisted of individually wrapped snacks like cookies, chips, muffins or a bag of nuts. The church members put funny stickers on the goodies.
Olinger said at first only he and his wife distributed the goodies, to avoid exposure to the virus. Now, others in the church help deliver them.
The return blessings came Nov. 4, when nine of the church leadership was invited to a meal at the hospital hosted by the administration and senior staff members.
“We built quite a relationship with them. We met every executive at the hospital and came out and thanked us for what we’re doing. At the dinner, it was the best steak I’ve ever eaten with appetizers and hors d’oeuvres, all done in house,” Olinger said.
In addition to the continuing snacks, CMBC now provides clothes for patients who, for whatever reason, find themselves without clothes when it is time to check out. They also donated 40 turkeys that the church will use to help the needy in the community.
“Not only did the senior staff of Centerpoint host a dinner of thanks, but it wasn’t that long ago Brian Murray, Director of Centerpoint Business Development, spoke in both morning services, expressing the hospital’s gratitude and sharing about the impact of our kindness,” Olinger said, adding one Sunday, an emergency room nurse brought donuts for the church.
“At this point, we have no intention of stopping the goodies. We’ll see where God leads. I’m happy to do it. It’s very much missional. We’ll continue as long as they let us do it. It’s pretty cool to see what God does when the staff engage with us beyond the snacks,” he said.


shelf: finance

title: Jobs malaysia amd job partner account manager

text:
This job is for a Partner Account Manager at AMD, where you'll connect with key partners to boost sales of innovative tech products. You might like this job because it combines strategy with relationship-building, impacting next-gen computing.
MY,Cyberjaya Enterprise Block 3750, Persisran APEC, Cyber 8 Cyberjaya, MY, Kuala Lumpur
WHAT YOU DO AT AMD CHANGES EVERYTHING
We care deeply about transforming lives with AMD technology to enrich our industry, our communities, and the world. Our mission is to build great products that accelerate next-generation computing experiences – the building blocks for the data center, artificial intelligence, PCs, gaming and embedded. Underpinning our mission is the AMD culture. We push the limits of innovation to solve the world’s most important challenges. We strive for execution excellence while being direct, humble, collaborative, and inclusive of diverse perspectives.
AMD together we advance_
The Partner Account Manager will own the end to end account management of key commercial Partners and drive sales of the entire AMD portfolio through their businesses network. The PAM will work in tight collaboration with Resellers, VARs, SIs and distribution to help drive AMD sales across Malaysia. They will be responsible for executing the AMD sales-out strategy and GtM approach with their nominated accounts. Through close collaboration, the PAM will help drive adoption of AMD solutions across the nominated Partners end user customer base of Enterprise, Government, Education and Mid Market accounts.
The PAM should demonstrate the following characteristics:
The PAM will ideally have the following attributes:
Benefits offered are described: AMD benefits at a glance.
AMD does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies, or fee-based recruitment services. AMD and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity, inclusive employers and will consider all applicants without regard to age, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs under the respective laws throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.
Our competitive financial benefits help you plan for your future, and offer peace of mind throughout every stage in life.
Our financial wellbeing programs help you plan for retirement, and support you and your family in preparing for the unexpected.
We strive to make sure you have the flexibility to rest and recharge by offering various time off options.


shelf: education

text:
Our Talented students with dedicated faculty and staff and renowned industry
partner’s work together to create an academically rigorous, career focused
curriculum. We Build Fruitful and Successful Careers in Jobs. Year after year
our students are touching heights of glory by winning several awards. We are
a leading Global professional design institute, a specialized place of learning
Interior design, Graphic Designing, Multimedia & Animation and many other
Rahul Jangid won Restaurant and Bar designing award in 2022
Rahul Jangid was the best student of Interior Design Diploma batch 2021-2022.
He was a very bright student. During his course he did many projects including
residential, commercial & restaurant designing. His best project was
restaurant and bar designing.
Our multitalented Izna Haque won Residence designing award in 2023.
Izna Haque was the best student of Interior Design Diploma batch 2022-2023.
Her mind was very creative. She was very good in designing interior spaces.
Her best project was residence designing. She had good computer skills as
Alumnai Aditya Mehra grabbed 3D Max Design Award in 2022.
Aditya Mehra was the best student of Software training batch 2022. He had very good computer skills and was very creative when it comes to designing in 3D Software’s such as 3D Max and Google SkethchUp. He produces 3D views perfectly
using 3DS Max.
Alumnai Kanchan grabbed 3D Max Design Award in 20223
Kanchan was the best student of Software training batch 2023. She was very
good at computers and was very creative. She learned multiple software’s
including AutoCAD, 3DS Max, SketchUp & Photoshop. Her best performance
was in 3DS Max.
Pushpender Kaur was awarded for best student in Fashion CAD in 2023.
Pushpender Kaur was the best student in her batch of Fashion CAD. She has always been a bright student and was able to understand the course taught in class very fast. She was very artistic and was very good in creating fashion illustrations using different software’s.
Sagar won the best student award Graphic Designing in 2024.
Sagar was the best student of Graphic Designing batch 2024. He was able to
learn all the software’s of Graphic Designing in a short span of time and was
able to use his skills and creative mind in creating artistic and eye-grabbing


shelf: home-craft

title: Toying around reviews spin master the caped crusader batwoman

text:
Today we are checking out the Batwoman figure from the new Batman The Caped Crusader line by Spin Master. This Spin Master line is geared toward younger kids rather than adult collectors. This new line from Spin Master will have two different-sized lines, one for 12-inch figures and one for 4-inch figures. Each line will also be separated into two different categories as well. One for DC Universe, which will have the likes of Superman and The Flash, and the other will be devoted to Batman and the bat family.
PACKAGING:Before we open this up, let's take a look at the packaging.
Batwoman comes in the standard packaging for this line. It is a blister card with a compartment on the side that will house the three secret weapons. Batwoman is displayed on the right side of the box while next to her we have where the secret weapons will be. below that, we get the Batman logo as well as the Batwoman name. Turning the box to the side we get the Batman logo at the top and the DC comics logo at the bottom. Turning the box around again we have a promo shot of Batwoman as well as pictures of the four different places you can end up in the DC world. The place you end up is determined by the weapons you get inside. Moving the box around one last time we get a nice side look at Batwoman.
OUTSIDE OF THE BOX:Let's open the box and take a closer look at the figure.
Taking Batwoman out of the box we can see that she is based on her New 52/Rebirth look. The figure itself is done up in black plastic with some red plastic and paint added to it. The paint job on the logo on the chest is well-painted. The paint on the face is just a little messy.
ACCESSORIES:Let's see what kind of accessories the figure comes with.
Batwoman comes with a Bat-Grapple, 2 Pick Axes, chest armor for Batman
ARTICULATION:How can we pose the figure? Let's find out!
BATWOMAN’S ARTICULATION INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:BALL-JOINTED NECK - With this joint, you can turn the head 360 degrees.
BALL-HINGED SHOULDERS - This joint gives the arm 360-degree rotation and also the ability to raise and lower the arm.
SINGLE-JOINTED SWIVEL ELBOWS - This allows you to bend the arm about 90 degrees and turn it into a full 360-degree circle.
BALL JOINTED LEGS - With this it allows the legs to move out to the side along with some front and back motion.
UPPER THIGH SWIVEL - The leg can rotate around a full 360 degrees.
SINGLE JOINTED KNEES - The joint allows you to bend the leg at 90 degrees.
SIZE COMPARISON:How does the size of this figure compare to others?
Batwoman stands right at the 4-inch mark. Here is Batwoman standing next to Batman and Robin from this same Spin Master Line. Next, here is Batwoman standing with the Batwoman from Mattel DC Multiverse line.
RATING:WHAT ARE BABY HUEY'S SCORES FOR THE FIGURE?
PAINT JOB 3/5 - The flesh paint around the mask is a little hit or miss when it comes to where the skin meets the mask
FIGURE SCULPT 4/5 - The overall sculpt of the figure is nice. The cape I feel could have been a little bit wider.
POSING 3/5 - You can get her into some good poses, however, a waist swivel would make it so much better.
ACCESSORIES: 4/5 - The accessories are fine. would have been nice if we got a bat-a-rang instead of a chest shield that doesn’t fit her.
DURABILITY 5/5 - The plastic feels nice and hard and I do not feel like he is going to bake at all.
OVERALL SCORE 3.8/5 - This line is made for kids and the brightly colored mystory accessories are what will draw the kids to the line. I think overall Spin Master has a hit that young kids are going to love.
RETAIL COST: $7.99I PICKED MINE UP AT MY LOCAL TARGET.


shelf: history-culture

text:
Beyonce’ Named Time’s Most Influential, But All Anyone Talks About Is the Photo
Evidently it’s the “list” time of year, and so far black girls are winning. On Tuesday, People magazine debuted its 50 Most Beautiful issue, starring none other than media (and fan) darling Lupita Nyong’o on the cover. Not to be outdone, this morning, Time released its annual 100 Most Influential People issue, featuring singer Beyoncé on its cover. Nyong’o’s issue went over pretty well (at least in my circles). Beyoncé’s, though? Um … not so much.
In her Time bio, ’Yoncé is lauded by Lean In author and Facebook honcho Sheryl Sandberg, who effusively praises the singer-actress-performer turned wife-mother-feminist. Sandberg makes a brief but solid argument that plays off Sandberg’s lean-in catchphrase: “Beyoncé doesn’t just sit at the table. She builds a better one.”
Sandberg describes how Bey’s last album—the self-titled audiovisual gem she dropped with zero notice or promotion last December—“shattered music industry rules and sales records.” (That’s not just fan hype. Beyoncé holds the record for fastest-selling album in iTunes history and has sold more than 3 million copies.) Sandberg goes on to mention Bey’s sold-out world tour and notes the singer’s (somewhat shaky) track record of raising “her voice both on- and offstage to urge women to be independent and lead.” (Admittedly, she’s getting better.)
I’m far from being Beyoncé’s biggest fan—though I love the latest album—but it’s hard to argue that
she doesn’t have the influence to earn that Time-cover spot. I expected people to try to argue against it anyway, because, well, that’s what the Internet is there for. But nope, folks surprised me. Instead, everyone’s talking about what Beyoncé looks like on the Time cover, as if she’s over there with Nyong’o on People’s Most Beautiful cover.
I have to ask, though: Should it really matter what she looks like?
Apparently. The (sad) consensus among many social media readers is that this Time cover isn’t Bey’s best look. The complaints are many:
She’s “too skinny”—“look at her thighs!”
“She looks sick!”


shelf: civic-law

title: Radfield become support with confidence scheme accredited

text:
Radfield Home Care Bexhill, Hastings & Battle are delighted to share with you news that it has been accredited with the East Sussex Support with Confidence Scheme.
Support with Confidence is a joint initiative between Trading Standards and Adult Social Care at East Sussex County Council that provides people who need care and support services with information about approved service providers. It also recognises and promotes organisations committed to the highest levels of quality, safety, and training.
Support with Confidence is a joint initiative between Trading Standards and Adult Social Care at East Sussex County Council
In order to be accepted on the scheme, Radfield Home Care was vetted by the Support with Confidence Team to ensure the service was compliant with current legislation and best practice. References were also taken from a selection of their clients which confirmed they provide a high level of care.
Lyndsey Potts, Project Coordinator, Support With Confidence Team explained,
“Support with Confidence is an East Sussex County Council accreditation scheme, providing people who need care and support services with information about approved service providers. As a scheme, we recognise and promote organisations who are committed to high levels of quality, safety, and training. We are pleased to welcome Radfield Home Care as an accredited member of the scheme.”
Councillor Carl Maynard presented the award at a ceremony held at County Hall in Lewes. Upon being accepted on to the scheme, Director Samuel Holmes explained,
“Finding a trusted source of care and support can be very daunting. The task often falls to a family member and we are therefore very supportive of the scheme as it provides people with a list of approved providers they can trust. We are delighted to be Support with Confidence accredited and demonstrate that we meet the high standards the scheme requires.”
Get in touch with your local Radfield Home Care office today and find out more about the support we offer and the difference we can make.


shelf: science-engineering

title: Best protein powders for teen athletes

text:
If your teen athlete is going to supplement, let’s make sure they’re doing it appropriately and safely. Here’s how to choose the best protein powders for teen athletes.
There’s a good chance your teen athlete is already taking supplements. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 34 percent of children and adolescents under 19 use dietary supplements.
That number is likely higher among athletes because they believe supplements are essential to their success.
As a nutritionist specializing in sports performance nutrition, one of the supplements I get asked about most often by parents and young athletes is protein powder.
If your teen athlete is going to supplement, let’s ensure they’re doing it appropriately and safely.
Before we dive into my criteria for choosing the best protein powders for teens, let’s discuss if protein powders are necessary for teen athletes.
How Much Protein do Teen Athletes Need?
The RDAs for protein for children and adolescents in the United States and Canada are between 0.80 and 1.05 grams per kilogram of body weight.
Elite young athletes, like adult athletes, need more protein than their non-athlete peers.
The current recommendation for protein for adult athletes is 1.2–2.0 g/kg of protein to optimize training recovery and promote muscle growth and maintenance.
Can Teen Athletes Get Enough Protein From Food?
I take a whole-foods-first approach when considering supplements with any athlete, especially teen athletes.
Daily protein powder use is likely unnecessary for most teen athletes, but there are a few reasons to keep a container on hand.
If their food intake does not cover their daily protein needs, a protein powder can help teen athletes fill in the gaps to meet their requirements.
Protein powder is a convenient and quick way to consume protein on the go, which is helpful for a teen athlete with a busy school and sports schedule.
For teen athletes already consuming enough protein in their diets, supplementing with a protein powder is unlikely to produce additional gains in performance, strength, or muscle mass.
What to Look for When Choosing a Protein Powder
The supplement industry isn’t well-regulated. Unlike food and medications, there isn’t a supplement safety police patrolling the shelves of your local supplement or grocery store to ensure all the products are safe.
This means you might not know what your teen athlete is taking. What the product says on the label doesn’t always match what’s in the container.
Additionally, some brands will use “proprietary blend” on their ingredient list, meaning they aren’t disclosing all the ingredients in the product.
This is an issue because contaminated supplements can pose serious health risks like liver failure and death.
For athletes in tested sports, like NCAA athletes, Olympic athletes, and professional athletes, a supplement can contain an ingredient that’s a banned substance.
If they pop positive on a urine test for a banned substance, it could be the end of their career or a very costly mistake.
The only way to know a product and company meet minimum safety standards and have been properly inspected to ensure the product isn’t contaminated with hazardous or banned substances is through third-party testing.
Third-party testing means the company has paid an outside company to inspect its manufacturing process and product. It is costly, which is why many supplement companies forego this process.
Teen athletes should get in the habit now of taking supplements that are third-party tested.
Third-party testing doesn’t mean the supplement is effective or needed. It simply means it’s been vetted for safety and quality.
A few certification programs provide this service; if a product has been tested, it will have one of these logos on its label.
Always ensure each product you take has the NSF Certified for Sport or Informed-Choice for Sport logo.
Here’s my Protein Powder Checklist
- 20-25 grams of protein per serving.
- Avoid any protein powder that lists amino acids in the ‘other ingredients’ section, as it’s a sign of protein spiking.
- Milk-based proteins are a better choice than plant-based proteins (unless you are vegan, vegetarian or dairy intolerant).
- Avoid proprietary blends. If they don’t give you the dosage of each protein source, you risk using an inferior product.
- Choose whey isolate over whey concentrate for more pure protein and higher quality.
- If choosing a whey concentrate, look for the quality of the concentrate with at least 80% pure protein.
- Look for protein powder produced in a cGMP (certified good manufacturing practices) facility that’s regulated by the FDA.
- Look for NSF Certified for Sport or Informed-Choice for Sport logos.
- Plant-based protein: Use a blend of multiple plant protein sources to end up with an amino acid combination that closely resembles whey.
- Bonus: If possible, pick a protein powder with no artificial colours or flavours.
My Protein Powder Recommendations
The following recommendations are products that can easily be purchased in Canada, online, and meet most, if not all, of my protein powder checklist.
Just because you don’t see a protein powder listed here, doesn’t mean it’s bad or not recommended.
Klean Isolate by Klean Athlete is another great choice for athletes. It’s unflavoured, which works well for making smoothies at home, but may be less practical (taste-wise) for an on-the-go solution.


tier: kodiak

shelf: software-docs

title: Bookmarks and extensions multiplying

text:
Bookmarks and extensions multiplying
carinadesigns last edited by
I am really perplexed as my browser bookmarks keep multiplying. So i end up with 3 to 8 folders of the same thing, then multiply that by the number of folders i have is a lot.
I delete them and then have to go back and delete them again and again as they keep appearing out of nowhere. If you have loads of them they take ages to delete.
My other issue is an extension is also multiplying on my browser. So I clicked on this green puzzle icon [16 of them right now] and it shows up as http://addoncrop.com which I never put on my browser. I believe it came on my browser after installing YouTube Video Downloader which gave me nothing but popups so I decided to disable YouTube Video Downloader. Since then these icons multiply on my browser.
The funny thing is i don't use my bookmarks any more because i use FVD speed dial and their inbuilt bookmark so i can have them in a cloud online and syncing with my other browsers.
I just checked Google Chrome and it is doing the same thing, anyone know why this is happening please?
lando242 last edited by
I delete them and then have to go back and delete them again and again as they keep appearing out of nowhere.
Turn off sync. A limited number of users are having problems with this and they are working on a fix.
mastergate13 last edited by
I have the same issue, which is unfortunate because the same issue existed about over a year ago. It'd be nice to get even a permanent solution until they fix the root cause - something like an automated way to 'remove duplicates'!
last edited by
A Former User last edited by admin
Please report the issue here:
https://forums.opera.com/topic/12175/duplicated-bookmarks/1If more people give information then they will be better able to resolve the bug.


title: Gaining health not losing weight key to obesity battle

text:
The fight against obesity needs to be focussed on gaining health, not losing weight, according to Australia’s doctors.
The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP), Australia’s peak general practice body, has released the new position statement on obesity prevention and management and is calling for better access to affordable care.
RACGP Obesity Management Specific Interest Group Chair Terri-Lynne South said obesity was a serious health issue with multiple causes that need to be addressed.
“With 32 per cent of adults living with obesity in Australia, it is one of our most important health issues,” Dr South said.
“We need to flip the script when it comes to public health messaging – it’s about gaining health, not just losing weight,” she said.
Dr South said obesity affected health and wellbeing in numerous ways, having links to many chronic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and many cancers, as well as mental health issues.
“The evidence on obesity has advanced significantly. We now know the causes are multiple and complex, including genetics, early life experiences, changes in the gut microbiome, stress, and disordered sleep, as well as the environment around us, the impact of junk food advertising and food choices available.
“There are also many more effective therapeutic treatments, which can be used together with lifestyle changes, to support people to improve their health and wellbeing.”
RACGP President Michael Wright said more government funding for longer GP consults and mental healthcare consults was essential in supporting people who were overweight or living with obesity.
“Access to affordable, ongoing care from a GP who knows you and your history, and evidence-based management services and therapies, can change lives, and save lives, for those who are overweight or living with obesity,” Dr Wright said.
“Nearly a third of Australia’s adult population is living with obesity, and it’s predicted to cost taxpayers and governments $87.7 billion annually by 2032. This is why it is essential that everyone in Australia has access to affordable general practice care, including for longer consults and GP mental health consults, which we know many people living with obesity may need.”


text:
Unveiling the Power of Online Branding for Startups in India
Introduction to Online Branding and Its Significance for Startups
When we talk about online branding, we’re diving into a world where first impressions are made without face-to-face interactions. For startups in India, mastering this digital handshake is crucial. Online branding isn’t just about having a website or social media presence. It’s about creating a strong, identifiable image and voice that resonates with your target audience. In the digital age, your brand is your handshake, your first and often most critical interaction with potential customers. This involves everything from the logo and color scheme you choose to the content you post and how you engage with users online. A well-crafted online brand can make you memorable, build trust, and even foster a community around your product or service. For startups, which often face tough competition, effective online branding can be the difference between being noticed or being overlooked. It’s not just about selling a product or service; it’s about telling your story in a way that connects with people, creating a loyal base of customers who believe in what you do. Considering the vast and diverse market in India, understanding and implementing the fundamentals of strong online branding could very well be the first step toward success.
Why Startups in India Should Focus on Online Branding
In today’s digital age, startups in India can’t afford to overlook the power of online branding. It’s more than just having a website or a social media profile. Online branding defines who you are to the online community—your identity, what you offer, and why you’re different. Here’s why focusing on it is crucial for startups in India. First, the internet is where your audience lives. With over half a billion internet users in India, your startup’s next customer is definitely online, scrolling through content and making purchasing decisions based on what they find attractive and trustworthy. Second, online branding levels the playing field. Regardless of your startup’s size, a strong online presence can put you right next to the big players in your industry, offering unprecedented visibility. Third, it’s cost-effective. Traditional advertising can drain your budget with no guarantee of returns. Online branding, however, allows for targeted marketing. You reach exactly who you need to, without breaking the bank. Lastly, it offers measurable results. Every like, share, and comment can be tracked, giving you a clear picture of what works and what doesn’t. In essence, for startups in India looking to make their mark, focusing on online branding isn’t just advisable; it’s essential.
Defining Your Startup’s Brand Identity Online
To stand out in India’s bustling startup ecosystem, your online brand identity is your flag on the digital frontier. It’s not just about a logo or a catchy tagline; it’s the core of your startup’s personality and values that resonates with your audience. Think of it as the story you tell and how it makes people feel. Start by answering questions like, What makes your startup unique? Who are your ideal customers? What values and goals drive your business? These answers will become the building blocks of your brand identity online. Remember, consistency is key. Ensure your startup’s voice, colors, and message are uniform across all digital platforms, from your website to social media. This consistency helps build trust and recognition among your audience. Your startup’s online brand identity is more than just aesthetics; it’s about making a connection with your audience that encourages engagement and fosters loyalty. Keep it authentic, keep it consistent, and watch your startup’s brand identity flourish online.
The Role of Social Media in Boosting Your Online Presence
Social media isn’t just about posting selfies or what you had for lunch anymore, especially not for startups. It’s a powerhouse for boosting your online presence. Let’s break it down. First, it gives you a platform to connect directly with your audience. You get instant feedback, understand their preferences, and build relationships. It’s like having a chat over coffee but digitally. Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn—each platform serves a different purpose. Use Instagram for visual storytelling, Twitter for quick updates and engaging in conversations, and LinkedIn for professional networking. Regular posts, stories, and engaging content keep your audience hooked. But here’s the kicker: it’s not just about posting. It’s about engaging. Comment, like, reply. Show your audience you value their time and feedback. Use social media analytics to understand what works. What time your audience is online, what content they love, and then give them more of that. Remember, quality over quantity. Don’t spread yourself too thin trying to be on every platform. Choose where your target audience hangs out and focus there. Social media for startups is about being smart, consistent, and genuine. It’s your digital storefront, make it inviting.
Website Development: The Cornerstone of Online Branding
For any startup in India looking to make its mark, the development of a website is non-negotiable. It’s your digital front door, the first thing potential customers see. Gone are the days when having a Facebook page was enough. Today, a website adds legitimacy to your brand. It’s where you tell your story, showcase your products or services, and importantly, it’s where transactions happen. Think of it as building your own piece of online real estate. Costs vary widely, but investing in a good website pays off. It’s not just about looking pretty; it’s about functionality, speed, and user experience. Your website is a tool, one that works for you 24⁄7, reaching customers even when you’re asleep. Remember, in the digital age, lacking a website is like owning a shop but keeping the doors shut. Don’t be that business.
Content Marketing Strategies for Effective Online Branding
Content marketing is a powerhouse for startups in India aiming to establish a strong online brand. It’s all about creating valuable, relevant content tailored to your target audience to drive engagement and loyalty. High-quality blog posts, engaging videos, and informative infographics are tools you can use to showcase your brand’s value. Start simple. Focus on what sets your brand apart and how your product or service solves a problem. Connect with your audience by telling your brand’s story in a way that resonates with them.
Engage consistently across all digital platforms where your audience hangs out. Whether it’s Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube, ensure your content speaks their language. Mix it up with tutorials, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and customer testimonials to keep things fresh and engaging.
Remember, for startups, it’s critical to optimize content for search engines (SEO) to increase visibility. Use keywords that your potential customers are searching for, but don’t stuff them. It has to be natural.
Lastly, measure your results. Use tools to track what type of content performs best and adapt your strategy accordingly. It’s not just about pumping out content; it’s about creating the right content that makes an impact. Stick to these strategies, and watch your online branding efforts bloom.
Utilizing SEO for Enhanced Online Brand Visibility
To boost your startup’s online brand visibility in India, mastering Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is crucial. Think of SEO as the roadmap that guides potential customers to your website on the vast internet. First, focus on using keywords practical. Keywords are what your target audience types into search engines when looking for services or products you offer. By including these keywords in your website content, titles, and meta descriptions, you make your website more visible to them.
Next, create quality content regularly. This isn’t just about filling your site with words; it’s about providing valuable information that answers questions or solves problems for your readers. Quality content increases your site’s authority and encourages other sites to link back to you, improving your search rankings.
Don’t forget the mobile users. With the majority of internet users in India accessing the web through mobile devices, ensuring your website is mobile-friendly is no longer optional. A site that’s hard to navigate on a phone will not only frustrate visitors but will also be ranked lower by search engines.
Lastly, user experience is key. Websites that load quickly, have a clear navigation structure, and include relevant internal linking make for a better user experience and are favored by search engines. Each of these steps helps improve your online visibility, making it easier for your target market to find you amid a sea of competitors.
The Impact of Customer Reviews and Testimonials on Your Brand
In the digital age, customer reviews and testimonials are gold for startups. Think of them as your online credibility checks. When someone shares their positive experience with your brand, it’s like a thumbs-up for others to trust you. In India, where word-of-mouth can make or break your business, these reviews are crucial. Here’s why:
Firstly, reviews boost your visibility. Search engines love fresh content, and each new review is a nod in your direction. It means you’re relevant, active, and engaging with your customers. This can push you up in search rankings, making it easier for potential customers to find you.
Secondly, trust is everything. In a world where anyone can set up shop online, how do people decide whom to trust? They look at what others are saying. A bunch of positive reviews paints a picture of a reliable and customer-focused brand. This can sway undecided buyers your way.
Lastly, let’s talk about feedback. Reviews aren’t just pat-on-the-back moments. They’re invaluable for pinpointing where you’re nailing it and where you need to up your game. This constant loop of feedback and improvement can drive your startup towards better services or products, ensuring you keep growing in the right direction.
So, encourage your customers to leave their thoughts. Share their testimonials widely. It could be the difference between blending in and standing out in India’s crowded startup ecosystem.
Measuring the Success of Your Online Branding Efforts
To figure out if your online branding efforts are paying off, you need to keep an eye on specific metrics. First off, traffic to your website is a clear indicator. If more people are visiting your site, your branding is probably working. But, don’t just look at the numbers. Find out where they’re coming from. Are social media posts driving them to your site? This means your content is engaging.
Next, check out social media engagement. Likes, shares, comments, and new followers on platforms like Instagram or Twitter show that your audience is interacting with your brand and spreading the word.
Another key metric? Conversion rates. This is about how many website visitors are taking your desired action, like signing up for your newsletter or buying a product. If your rates are going up, your branding is resonating with people.
Also, keep an eye on customer feedback. Online reviews and direct feedback can provide insights into what people think about your brand and where you can improve.
Remember, tracking these metrics gives you a real picture of how well your online branding strategies are working. Adjust your strategies based on what you find to keep growing your brand’s presence online.
Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Startups in India on Online Branding
In the realm of online branding, startups in India face a unique set of challenges and opportunities. It’s clear that establishing a strong online presence is not just beneficial but necessary. Firstly, understanding your audience deeply and tailoring your brand message to resonate with them is crucial. Your brand should speak in a voice that reflects the values and aspirations of your target customers. Secondly, consistency across all digital platforms is key. Whether it’s your website, social media, or any digital touchpoint, maintaining a uniform brand identity accelerates trust building. Thirdly, leveraging local SEO can put you on the map quite literally, making it easier for customers to find you. Engaging content that tells your brand’s story while providing value to the audience can set you apart in a crowded digital space. Lastly, never underestimate the power of feedback and adaptability. Listening to your audience and evolving based on their needs can sustain and grow your startup’s online brand. For startups in India, mastering these elements can unlock the door to significant online branding success.


title: will save us from the Global Syndemic!'

text:
will save us from the Global Syndemic!'
What the hell is the Syndemic, you may ask? Why, it's three connected pandemics that threaten us all:
And who's behind this evil? Why, Big Food, of course!
And, as noted above, giving the experts like the international team of more than 40 experts control over our food and all connected with it will save us.
Everyone who reads this piece of crap and thinks "One more excuse for 'elites' to tell all the peasants how to live", raise your hand.
Damn, that created quite a breeze.
The research team – co-chaired by Swinburn and obesity prevention researcher William Dietz from George Washington University – began investigating their project three years ago, initially with a sole mandate to explore the drivers of obesity.
It was only when they zoomed out on the seemingly intractable nature of the dilemma that the bigger, over-arching issue – The Global Syndemic – came into focus.
You'll notice that there's zero mention that bullshit nutritional science from experts that told us meat and fat were bad and to eat carbohydrates is behind a lot of the obesity problem; they're EXPERTS, and cannot be wrong!
And this prize line from the author:
Of course, not everybody agrees with the villainous characterisation of
Big Food's key players; specifically, disagreement comes from their
Yeah, nobody else would have any problem with it, right?
I have no idea who Dockrill is, but I've a pretty good idea what he is. And there may be a helicopter ride in his future.


title: Lemon poppyseed muffins

text:
Lemon and poppyseed are a classic combination. When it comes to poppyseed muffins we prefer a moist cake texture, lots of tangy lemon flavour, and the subtle crunch and flavour of poppyseed. This recipe delivers on all the elements.
The light lemon icing is not too sweet and contributes to the citrus tang we enjoy. The addition of yogurt, and mine is homemade, gives the moistness. Nothing worse than a dry muffin. These are great for an afternoon snack, the lunchbox, or maybe a nice side to soup. Any which way they are delicious.
Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
Lemon Poppy Seed MuffinsMakes 122 cups all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon salt1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder1/4 teaspoon baking soda1 stick (1/2-cup) unsalted butter, softened1 cup white organic granulated cane sugarfinely grated zest from 1 lemon2 large eggs2 tablespoon lemon juice1 cup yogurt or sour cream2 tablespoons poppy seeds
For the glaze:
1 tablespoon lemon juice3 tablespoons powdered sugarPreheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a bowl, and reserve until needed.
In a mixing bowl, beat the butter, sugar, and lemon zest, until light and creamy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly before adding the next.
Stir in 1/3 of the flour mixture until just combined. Stir in the lemon juice, and 1/2 of the yogurt or sour cream until combined.
Add half of the remaining flour mixture, and stir until combined. Stir in the remaining yogurt or sour cream. Stir in the rest of the flour mixture, and then the poppy seeds.
Line a 12-muffin tin with paper baking cups. Fill each to the top with batter.
Bake about 30 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
While the muffins are baking, mix the lemon juice and powdered sugar together for form a thin glaze.
Remove the muffins from the oven when ready, and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
Brush the lemon glaze evenly over the top of each muffin. This is not intended to be a frosting, but just a very light glaze to give the tops a little shine and extra kiss of lemon flavor.
When cool enough to handle, remove muffins from the tins and cool completely on a rack before serving.
Tip: These muffins freeze very well. Microwave for about 28 seconds. YUM!


text:
Martial arts meets moving image: Artist Jason Phu premieres Analects of Kung Phu at ACMI
ACMI is thrilled to premiere Analects of Kung Phu – Book 1, The 69 Dialogues between the Lamp and the Shadow, the new action-packed work of Melbourne-based visual artist, and 2021 recipient of the Mordant Family Moving Image Commission for young Australian artists, Jason Phu.
Opening on 2 December, the three-channel video work presents a survival guide for contemporary life – through the lens of popular martial arts films.
Look out for breakneck stunts and wise sayings from film and TV shows like Drunken Master (1978) starring Jackie Chan, and Avatar the Last Airbender (2005). Taught by action stars but inspired by classic Chinese texts like Lao Zi’s Dao De Jing, Phu questions whether the life lessons these shows contain are genuinely useful.
Now in its second year, the Mordant Family Moving Image Commission for young Australian artists was established in partnership with Catriona Mordant AM and Professor Cav. Simon Mordant AO, the City of Melbourne and John Allsopp from Web Directions - and extends the impact of ACMI’s vibrant commissioning programs that have seen 20 artists receive commissions worth more than $1 million over the past three years.
The commission supports artists under 35 to create moving image works that reference contemporary social, cultural or political issues with energy and originality. It will see three artists selected over three years, each receiving $80,000, with the commission worth $240,000 in total.
Artist, Jason Phu said: “It’s been amazing to have been awarded the Mordant Family Moving Image Commission for young Australian artists. It has afforded me the time, space and expertise to complete this work and further my development into the realm of the moving image.”
ACMI Director and CEO Katrina Sedgwick OAM said: “We’re delighted to continue our strong partnership with Catriona Mordant AM and Professor Cav. Simon Mordant AO and the City of Melbourne. Phu’s work challenges us to think deeply about life through the playful lens of popular martial arts films – bringing some high-spirited action to ACMI this summer.”
Lord Mayor of Melbourne Sally Capp said: “Melbourne’s arts and culture scene is playing a huge role in reigniting our city, and I’m delighted to see creative and unique projects like Jason Phu’s work getting the air time they deserve. We’re proud to support talented local artists through ACMI, and I encourage all city visitors to make a trip to the centre and celebrate Melbourne’s vibrant creative community.”
Simon Mordant AO said: “Catriona and I are thrilled to support young Australian artists as the industry emerges from a most difficult time. We are delighted that Jason’s latest work will be on display for a wide audience to experience in-person at ACMI, and to see Jason further develop and build on his practice.”
Further to the exhibition itself, ACMI is delighted to present two in-conversation talks with Jason Phu to further unpack his latest work, creative process, and favourite martial arts films.
The first talk will take place on 4 December with editor Conor Bateman and curator Chelsey O’Brien, with the second talk on 18 January forming part of ACMI’s ART + FILM series, featuring an in-depth conversation between Jason Phu and artist Reko Rennie discussing their favourite martial arts and blaxploitation films.
Jason Phu: Analects of Kung Phu – Book 1, The 69 Dialogues between the Lamp and the Shadow will show in ACMI’s Gallery 3 from 2 December 2021 – 30 January 2022. For further details visit acmi.net.au
NOTES TO EDITORS:
ABOUT JASON PHU: ANALECTS OF KUNG PHU – BOOK 1, THE 69 DIALOGUES BETWEEN THE LAMP AND THE SHADOW
During times of uncertainty, people look for guidance. Jason Phu found it in martial arts films. By reclaiming wise sayings from movies and TV shows like Drunken Master (1978) and Avatar the Last Airbender (2005–08), Analects of Kung Phu presents a moving image philosophy for surviving contemporary life. Taught by action stars but inspired by classic Chinese texts like Lao Zi’s Dao De Jing, he questions whether these life lessons are genuinely useful. Phu is aware of how wisdom can be oversimplified and misused, how film subtitles miss the mark or even present a completely different narrative, and how we are guided in our day-to-day life by the movies we watch.
ABOUT JASON PHU
Jason Phu was born in 1989 in Sydney, Australia, and he lives and works in Melbourne. His artworks explore Chinese histories in Australia, his own family history, and Chinese/Vietnamese folktales. Jason has shown in the Dobell Drawing Biennale (2018) at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, The Burrangong Affray (2018) at the 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, Primavera 2018: Young Australian Artists at the Museum of Contemporary Art and was commissioned by the Sydney Opera House for the 2019 Art Assembly Commission.
In 2021 he was the recipient of the $80,000 Mordant Family Moving Image Commission for young Australian artists for Analects of Kung Phu. His work is showing in The Way We Eat at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and he is an artist for the arts festival Rising: Melbourne. He is represented by Station Gallery (Melbourne) and Chalk Horse (Sydney).
ACMI is Australia’s national museum of screen culture. The museum reopened in February after a two-year, $40 million redevelopment – an architectural, programmatic and technological transformation. Navigate the universe of film, TV, videogames and art with us. ACMI celebrates the wonder and power of the world’s most democratic artform – fostering the next generation of makers, players and watchers. ACMI’s vibrant calendar of exhibitions, screenings, commissions, festivals, and industry and education programs explore the stories, technologies and artists that create our shared screen culture.


title: Lasting power of attorney video

text:
Summary: Help your clients understand more about the benefits of a Power of Attorney and some important considerations when drawing one up. Gently make them aware that if someone loses their mental capacity it’s too late to set up a Power Of Attorney.
Who is this box set for?
This box set is for anyone who has not set up a Lasting Power Of Attorney to help them think about the benefits of putting one in place. It can easily be shared with the viewer’s families, loved ones or trusted friends too.
About this box set
In under ten minutes this box set gently introduces people to this sensitive topic, helping viewers understand the benefits of a Power of Attorney as well as things they need to think about when drawing one up.
Because the rules regarding Lasting Power Of Attorneys vary in the different countries in the UK this box set allows the viewer to select their UK country of residence so that they receive the most relevant information.
The viewer’s video choices are recorded in the viewing report.
1. An introduction to Power of Attorneys – 3 min
What are Power of Attorneys and why are they important?
2. The different types of Power of Attorneys – 2 min
Find out more about the different types and when and how you can use them.
3. Why set up a Power of Attorney? – 2 min
The reasons why you should set up a Power of Attorney sooner rather than later.
4. Choosing your attorney – 2 min
Considerations, and the qualities you should look for in an attorney.


tier: polar

title: 10532537 industrial ml image classifiers robust data affected network qos degradation

text: This work investigates how different forms of input elicitation obtained from crowdsourcing can be utilized to improve the quality of inferred labels for image classification tasks, where an image must be labeled as either positive or negative depending on the presence/absence of a specified object. Five types of input elicitation methods are tested: binary classification (positive or negative); the ( x, y )-coordinate of the position participants believe a target object is located; level of confidence in binary response (on a scale from 0 to 100%); what participants believe the majority of the other participants' binary classification is; and participant's perceived difficulty level of the task (on a discrete scale). We design two crowdsourcing studies to test the performance of a variety of input elicitation methods and utilize data from over 300 participants. Various existing voting and machine learning (ML) methods are applied to make the best use of these inputs. In an effort to assess their performance on classification tasks of varying difficulty, a systematic synthetic image generation process is developed. Each generated image combines items from the MPEG-7 Core Experiment CE-Shape-1 Test Set into a single image using multiple parameters (e.g., density, transparency, etc.) and may or may not contain a target object. The difficulty of these images is validated by the performance of an automated image classification method. Experiment results suggest that more accurate results can be achieved with smaller training datasets when both the crowdsourced binary classification labels and the average of the self-reported confidence values in these labels are used as features for the ML classifiers. Moreover, when a relatively larger properly annotated dataset is available, in some cases augmenting these ML algorithms with the results (i.e., probability of outcome) from an automated classifier can achieve even higher performance than what can be obtained by using any one of the individual classifiers. Lastly, supplementary analysis of the collected data demonstrates that other performance metrics of interest, namely reduced false-negative rates, can be prioritized through special modifications of the proposed aggregation methods.


title: Time lapse movie ip security camera free video software

text:
This article explains how to use a IP security camera and free open source video editing software to create a time-lapse movie. Please note that this process is not completely automated and does require some manual processing, but not much. Also, if you are going to do this project, I assume that you have a network IP camera that is capable of capturing snapshot images at an interval that you can configure.
As an alternative to IP cameras, you can use a CCTV camera with a network video server. Again though, the video server must support still image captures.
I will use mencoder on a Windows PC to encode the video. Please note that mencoder can be run on other operating systems and the process will be almost identical to this, but in this article I specifically use a Windows computer to document the process.
Configure IP Camera to Capture Images
Time lapse photography is something that I have experimented with and written about in the past. Please reference this article that I wrote in 2012 to see how to configure a Zavio IP camera to take timed snapshots. You can see the video that was created from that project here. At that time, I used commercial software to create the time -lapse movie of the snapshots that I captured of my ant farm. I saved all of the images from that original project and I will reuse them here.
If you are not using a Zavio camera for your project, you should check the documentation of your IP camera to see if it supports taking interval based snapshot photos. I think that most IP cameras that have an on board SD card support this function.
If you are going to use a CCTV camera, this Zavio video server can be configured in the same way as a Zavio camera to take snapshots.
After you have captured the images for the duration that you choose, download the images from your IP camera to your PC. The images will most likely be JPEG type. Save them all into a single directory and remember where you put them. We will come back to that location shortly.
Download Mencoder Software
Mencoder is a free open source software package that supports video decoding, encoding and filtering from the command line. Mencoder is released under the GNU General Public License. Download it here.
Be sure to download either the 32-bit or 64-bit binary version depending on which version of Windows your computer is running. If you are unsure if you are running 32 or 64 bit, right click on Computer and select properties, or select Control Panel > System & Security > Set the name of this Computer. The following screen will display and you can see if your system is 32 or 64 bit.
After you download the zipped mencoder file, unzip it. It will be unzipped into a folder that is named something like “mplayer-svn-37324-2-x86_64”. Rename that folder “Mencoder” and move the Mencoder folder into the C:\Program Files directory. So, the new location will be C:\Program Files\Mencoder
Create Time-Lapse Movie using Mencoder
Remember the location of your snapshot images? I hope so. We need to go there now.
Open up a command line window. You can do this by selecting Start then typing the following in the “search programs and files” field: cmd. Press enter or click on the cmd program that the search finds. A command line shell will open. Change directory to the location of your snapshot images. I put mine in C:\Users\admin\Downloads\Time-Lapse Pics.
Once you are in your snapshots directory, run the following command. Please note that you may want to change a few of the options of this command. My snapshots were captured at 720p resolution so I set the video scale to 1280:720 so that it matches the original size of my photos. You can change this to match yours or scale it down to the video size that you want.
I set the frame rate of my movie to 12 frames per second. This is set by setting fps=12. You can change this as you see fit. You probably want to experiment with the framerate to get the right effect for your time-lapse. Make a video with the frames per second set to 1 or 2, then again with it set to 12 and you will see what I mean. I compare 2 FPS to 12 FPS below.
Here is the command that you run to create the video.
\Program Files\Mencoder\mencoder “mf://*.jpg” -mf fps=12:type=jpg -ovc lavc -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:mbd=2:trell:vbitrate=3000 -vf scale=1280:720 -oac copy -o movie.avi
Here is a screenshot of my session from the command line.
Time Lapse Videos
I originally captured 1600 images over the course of 4 days for my movie. I encoded the video twice, then uploaded them to YouTube. On the first video the frame rate is set to 12 FPS. On the second, I lowered it to 2. Watch both videos below to see the difference. Note: if you are going to play both videos at the same time, you should turn off the audio. The mix of the two songs is not good.
12 FPS Time-Lapse
2 FPS Time-Lapse
That is it. If you follow these steps, you should be good to go. If not or if you have questions, please let me know. Thanks for checking out my article!


title: 07 2024

text:
Opioids like fentanyl and heroin have the most notoriety in today's addiction problem, but cocaine has been a major issue for decades. Unlike opioids, which achieve a relaxing, comfortable high, cocaine causes excitement and a sense of power. Both can lead to significant health consequences, including addiction.
Cocaine is the third most commonly used illicit drug, with 15 percent of people using it during their lifetime, according to a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) survey. How Does Cocaine Work?As a stimulant cocaine belongs to a class of drugs that increase activity in the central nervous system. They enhance alertness, energy, and focus. Common stimulants include caffeine, amphetamines, and cocaine. Their effects include heightened wakefulness, increased heart rate, and elevated mood. However, prolonged use can lead to addiction, anxiety, and health risks. Cocaine specifically blocks dopamine reuptake, which is the natural process of your brain removing excess dopamine from your nervous system. This causes a buildup, which leads to the drug's primary effects. However, your brain can become desensitized to dopamine over time, which can lead to depression and even anhedonia--the inability to feel pleasure. Cocaine vs. Crack: Methods of UseAs with other drugs, taking cocaine by different methods can change the timing and intensity of its effects. Cocaine can be snorted, ingested orally, or smoked. Typical powered cocaine is very difficult to burn, and can't be smoked easily. To smoke it, cocaine is converted to crack cocaine, which is the same drug in a different form that is easier to burn. Crack cocaine's effects are fast and short-lived, which often leads to binging. A crack binge can lead to long periods without sleep, mental and physical exhaustion, and stimulant psychosis. Stimulant psychosis refers to severe psychological symptoms like delusions, paranoia, and hallucinations, brought on by excessive stimulant use. The Signs of Cocaine AbuseIf you believe a loved one is abusing cocaine, there are a few common signs. Cocaine is fast-acting and causes immediate euphoria, mental alertness, and extreme energy. It can also cause some adverse effects, including dilated pupils, irritability, anxiety, and raised heart rate. The positive effects of cocaine wear off quickly, leaving a long period of fading effects called the comedown. During the comedown, you may feel anxiety, exhaustion, depression, physical discomfort, and insomnia. Cocaine abuse can also start to cause some other noticeable signs, including:
Common Signs of AddictionAddiction comes with some signs and symptoms that are common no matter the drug of abuse. For instance, the addicted person may lose interest in common activities they once enjoyed, and they may isolate themselves from their friends and family. Other common signs include:
Cocaine Addiction Treatment OptionsThere is no cure for addiction, but it can be treated with the right help. There are several evidence-based treatments available that have been proven to help people achieve sobriety from active drug addiction. Behavioral Therapies Counseling helps address underlying issues and develop coping strategies. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common behavioral therapies, which can help with substance use problems and underlying issues like mental illness. CBT targets thought patterns and behaviors related to drug use. Support Groups Isolation is the enemy of mental health and sobriety. Group therapy and support groups can help you get connected to other people who share similar struggles and goals. Twelve-step programs (e.g., Narcotics Anonymous) provide peer support and encouragement. Looking for Cocaine Addiction TreatmentIf you or a loved one is struggling with cocaine addiction, it's important to seek help. Understanding the signs, symptoms, and treatment options can make a significant difference. Take the first step towards recovery by educating yourself about cocaine addiction and exploring available treatment options. Consider reaching out to Wings of Life to get connected to people who share similar struggles and goals. Don't wait, start your journey to sobriety today. |


title: Checkout

text:
A new LEI will be issued for the first time participation in the financial market of your legal entity. Registration is a simple four-step process and takes just a few minutes.
Mandatory annual update of enterprise data. The expiry date is extended by one year. The extension is possible at any time. It will only be activated after the expiration date and extended by 12 months from then on!
The easiest way to ensure a valid LEI status with minimal effort. Thus you comply with the legal requirements at all times.
Your company will apply for the LEI only once for the subscription which can be cancelled at any time each year. We will then take care of the renewal.
(Subsequent invoice for the annual LEI fee will be sent in time)
The economic way to guarantee a valid LEI status, but over a limited period of time. By the longer-term commitment the costs per year are lowered.
By purchasing LEI fees for several years, the costs per year can be reduced.
For the update of the LEI a reminder mail will be sent in time.
If your company has a valid VAT number, no VAT will be charged - the reverse charge principle will be applied.
If no valid VAT number is provided during the checkout process, the tax will be shown on the invoice.
You may then claim the tax from your local tax office!
If the legal address given for your LEI does not match that of the company's headquarters, it must be provided here!
Does a parent company exist? Is the company owned by another company? Enter the relevant data here!
Ohne Angabe einer gültigen UID-Nr fällt die Umsatzsteuerschuld auf den Leistenden ( Register-LEI, Leistungsort: Österreich, 20% MwSt. ).
s. VAT reverse charge mechanism


title: 153025

text:
@email@example.com to firstname.lastname@example.org • 2 years agoAmazon tests new star ratings that are even harder to readwww.theverge.comexternal-linkmessage-square44fedilinkarrow-up1205arrow-down110
arrow-up1195arrow-down1external-linkAmazon tests new star ratings that are even harder to readwww.theverge.com@email@example.com to firstname.lastname@example.org • 2 years agomessage-square44fedilink
minus-square@email@example.com•2 years agoThis is good. I would consider adding “Would you recommend to a friend” but that may be redundant given what you have already.
minus-square@firstname.lastname@example.org•2 years agoI also found that an odd question. "you ordered a two pack of Durex extra small and a packet of malteasers. Would you recommend them to a friend? " No. Because who the hell recommends stuff…? Unless it’s something truly unique im not going to recommend it
minus-square@email@example.com•2 years agoI get where you’re coming from, but my wife did really appreciate a recommendation for a feminine hygiene product (menstrual cup) from a family member. We rarely recommend products of any sort, much less inexpensive products, but my wife has already recommended that product multiple times. That said, I think it’s a poor question. I wouldn’t recommend a feminine hygiene product to my single, male friends, nor would I recommend that point and click adventure game to coworkers who mostly play competitive FPSs. I’ll even recommend “bad” products if I think it’ll fit whatever niche my friend wants to fill (e.g. that crappy screwdriver may not be good for screws, but maybe it’s decent for an art project). Maybe a better question is: would you buy this again if it was lost/stolen? As in, did this fill your need enough that you wouldn’t look at other products?
minus-square@firstname.lastname@example.org•edit-22 years ago“Would you recommend this to a parallel universe instance of yourself in a similar situation, who is not yet decided on a purchase?”
minus-square@email@example.com•2 years agoYeah I was using the Microsoft 365 suite for work and it asked if I’d recommend it to a friend. No itd be a weird thing to bring up in conversation with a personal friend to recommend.
minus-square@firstname.lastname@example.org•2 years agoHaha you’re right, it probably doesn’t really apply to most things. I do get asked what I recommend more than the average person because my friends and family know I research purchases too much. I hate buying junk.


title: Drain cleaning

text:
Addison Plumbing Inc is a full service plumbing company that specializes in drain cleaning and sewer line cleaning. As time goes by, drains can become clogged with hair, debris or other obstructions. A clogged drain can cause water to back up into your home. Kitchen sinks drain slowly, toilets get clogged, basement drains backup into your room; these are common symptoms for a clogged drain system. Addison Plumbing uses the latest technology in drain cleaning equipment to solve your clogged drains.
The sewer system in your home is an intricate system based on science and technology. It is designed to allow waste and waste water to exit the home in a very efficient manner. Most of the time the sewer system works as designed. As time goes by the continual use, the sewer lines can become clogged. Hair, foreign objects, even tree roots can upset the delicate balance of the drainage system. This can cause clogs, a sewer backup or even damage to the drainage system itself.
Drain Cleaning Service and Sewer Cleanout
Addison Plumbing offers premier drain cleaning services. We only use the latest technology in drain cleaning equipment so that we can clear your drain obstructions quickly and easily without harm to the drainage system itself. With the newest and best drain cleaning equipment, Addison Plumbing can clean drains fast, saving you time and money. Drain cleaning is a dirty, messy job. Let the professionals in drain cleaning do the job for you.
Sewer Line Cleaning
Addison Plumbing also offers sewer line cleaning. Sewer lines can get clogged with tree roots and other obstructions. The sewer line system is an intricate system that works with gravity to allow waste to exit the home in an efficient manner. When obstructions happen, sewer lines and drains can become clogged. When these sewer lines clog, waste water cannot run smoothly and can back up into the home. When sewer lines backup into the basement, everything becomes ruined. Addison Plumbing can clean any sewer lines that become clogged. Addison Plumbing uses small video cameras to visually inspect the sewer lines to identify the obstruction. Once the clog is identified, cleaning procedures can be implemented.
Sewer Line Repair
Most sewer line clogs can be cleaned but when damage has occurred then sewer line repair is needed. Addison Plumbing can replace or repair any sewer line that becomes damaged. After a video line inspection, Addison Plumbing can determine whether drain cleaning will solve the problem or whether a sewer line repair is required. You can trust Addison Plumbing Company to handle your drain cleaning issues and sewer line repair problems.
Call Today for drain cleaning, sewer line repair and sewer cleanout. 248-670-3582


title: Martin garrix double releases 2weeks

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For Martin Garrix, 2024 has been a bit quiet. Few releases from him, but all very good.
And there’s not much to complain about. In fact, we appreciate that the 4-time #1 DJ in the world has released only a few tracks, unlike other artists who count dozens and dozens of releases, or even a track a week since the beginning of the year. Among his 2024 releases, we can count Empty, Carry You, Smile, Wherever You Are, and the IDEM EP.
In recent weeks, however, Martin Garrix has returned to the spotlight, or rather, his two aliases GRX and YTRAM have.
The first release, dated October 4th, is “Empire.” A collaboration with Brazilian DJ producer NUZB, whose tracks we often feature in our Best of Today #Release. The track isn’t entirely new; it sat on the shelf for 2 years. In 2022, during the Top 100 DJ Mag awards ceremony, which Martin himself won and was held at the Empire State Building in New York, the track was played during his spectacular set, which you can watch here.
The second release is a soft track, in the style of “Smile” mentioned earlier. It’s called “The Game” and was released last Friday, October 11th. The track is a collaboration with LADANZA on vocals. There’s no information on this artist or artists, who seem to be shrouded in mystery. As for the track, we can tell you that it’s also not entirely new. It was already played by Garrix at the iconic RAI Amsterdam set in 2023.
While we wait for another big release like “Gravity,” which will come this Friday, we can just enjoy these tracks under Martin Garrix’s various aliases.


title: Fp7 mccann named worlds most effective agency by warc

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The WARC Rankings are a global index of creative, effective and media excellence in advertising. The WARC Effective 100 rankings take into account performance across top-tier strategy, marketing and creative shows around the world and are hence the most rigorous rankings.
In the 2020 WARC Effective 100 rankings, McCann Worldgroup’s agency FP7 McCann was ranked as the world’s most effective individual agency in the world. This marks the second time FP7 McCann has topped a global ranking, following its triumph at the Global Effies. McCann Worldgroup was also named the number one network for effectiveness in the 2020 WARC Effective 100 rankings.
Tarek Miknas, CEO of FP7 McCann MENAT, which includes the Dubai agency, said, “It’s a great honor for us to be recognized as the most effective agency in the world in the WARC Effective 100 rankings. I am also thrilled to see that Cairo ranked #17 and Beirut ranked #30 in the world. In a dynamic, challenging and rapidly-evolving economic and cultural environment, through the collaborative power of our network of agencies, bringing together a range of regional and global expertise- we are reinventing the way to speak to our consumers and partner with brands every day. And this recognition for effectiveness proves just that.”
Tahaab Rais, Regional Head of Strategy & Truth Central at FP7 McCann MENAT, added, “This recognition also proves our consistency in generating volumes of creatively effective work on big brands and the persistent focus, from our teams, on making sure every single brief is seen as an opportunity to create ideas that influence our culture and our clients’ business. One look at the range of ideas shows the range of clients we’ve been recognized for. This has also meant that our brands such as Babyshop, Puck, Emirates NBD, and Unilever have topped the global rankings in their categories too.”


title: Tender 1 Gang Switch-Silver

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Tender 1 Gang Switch-Silver
A one-gang, one-way switch is the perfect fit for controlling lights in the interior. The Tender 1 gang switch silver will permanently elevate the elegance and beauty of your living area. Inquire Now
It is ideal for interior designers who want to exhibit their skills while keeping safety in mind and electricians working on new construction or restoration projects. This excellent switch allows owners of both commercial and residential establishments to be as creative with design as they like!
Fireproof Handle and Cover
The Tender 1 Gang Switch-Silver is made of fireproof PC material, ensuring maximum safety and longevity. It is perfect for both home and commercial areas.
This switch’s 1.2mm thickness allows it to fit neatly on any wall and gives your home a more elegant appearance.
Matt Finish Cover
It also includes a matte-finish cover, which adds beauty while reducing reflections and fingerprints, keeping it always clean.
This switch was built to withstand repeated use while remaining dependable in the long run. It uses high-quality copper components and metal-supported silver connections.
- Backseat Material: Nylon PA66 for enhanced durability
- Screws: Made from sturdy iron
- Red Copper Contacts: Ensure optimal conductivity and performance
Why Should You Choose the Tender 1 Gang Switch in Silver?
Fireproof Safety: Put safety first with a fireproof design that satisfies the highest standards.
Slim and Stylish: An ultra-slim profile and matt finish create a modern, streamlined style.
Built to Last: Experience the benefits of high-quality materials and superb craftsmanship for long-lasting performance.
Interior Designers: Bring a touch of modern elegance to your projects.
Electricians: Offer clients a high-quality, safe solution.
Real Estate Owners: Raise the appeal and value of your homes.
Hotel Owners and Hospitals: Maintain both style and safety in high-traffic areas.
Complement your interiors with the Tender 1 Gang Switch-Silver, where safety meets style.


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Earthborn discuss Ladybug and other 2023 colour trends
Jun 30, 2023
3 min read
When it comes to colour in 2023 we are seeing some lovely warm colours with some real wow factor tones. There's a richness that's exciting and uplifting in this year's interiors - like this Humpty Dumpty from Earthborn.
In this post, Earthborn discuss Ladybug (their colour of the year) and other 2023 colour trends as 2023 progresses.
Lady Bug is a beautiful earthy burgundy colour that we have fallen in love with. It has brown undertones that exude a calming sophistication and warmth. Shades of red and burgundy have a powerful effect on the human psyche and this is no exception. It's a winner's colour, the tone of attraction and is seen as a powerful hue that also symbolises ambition so let's get started as we discuss things further with Earthborn paints.
How did the Ladybug colour come about?
"All our colours are inspired by nature, and our colour names are lovingly chosen to help evoke a memory or feeling. ‘Lady Bug’ is a playful twist on the English name of the insect ‘Lady Bird’. Most of us will probably have a childhood memory, of playing outside in the summer, spotting a Lady Bird and being fascinated by its red colour and spots adorning its back"
Why was it chosen for the colour of the year 2023?
"Rich, natural hues are set to take over the interiors world – perhaps it’s a need for comfort with its cocooning effect – or maybe we’re just all ready for a change from the dominant pastels we’ve seen in homes and on catwalks over the past few years (though we must admit, we still love these!).
We’re getting braver with our interior choices and realising how many colours can make an impact on our emotional well-being – especially now that a lot of us work from home too. Ladybug is the strong and bolstering hue that we all need this year"
What rooms do you imagine it works well in?
"The beauty of Lady Bug is that it will impress in all rooms from contemporary kitchens to stately drawing rooms. This richly toned burgundy has perfectly blended undertones of red and purple, making for a highly versatile colour choice for any room"
What colour(s) do you think works well with it?
"The beauty of neutrals is that they go with just about anything. So, it’s unsurprising that they perfectly complement our Colour of the Year, Lady Bug. Consider pairing Lady Bug with our ever-so-soft beige Donkey Rideor dreamy cream Ballet Shoe. This tonal palette will work in any room, especially a living room where you want to create a warm and inviting space for guests"
"For a bolder choice consider crystal clear, Caribbean blue The Lido. When used together The Lido adds a playful touch to the otherwise intensely sophisticated hue Lady Bug. Similarly, Polka Dot is equally as complementary, but a slightly softer way to achieve the same effect.
To use in a scheme, consider saturating walls (and ceiling if you’re brave!) in Lady Bug and add accents of The Lido or Polka Dot in the form of colour-blocking or contrasting woodwork"
Can you comment on the 2023 trends in paint colours or how they are being used, how may it differ from last year?
"As mentioned earlier, this year we predict a move away from the pastel hues which have dominated fashion and interiors in the past years. We are seeing a lot more rich, red earthy shades like Lady Bug as we all look for ways of creating more comforting homes. With colour confidence, comes new ways of decorating. We expect to see people experimenting with painting borders and arches in a more free-spirited way than ever before"
What has already become popular in purchasing choices for 2023?
"Neutrals continue to be popular, our best-selling White Clay, Marbles and Flutterby These hues provide an ideal backdrop for shades of greens, pinks and yellows that we’re seeing pick up popularity this year already. Humpty Dumpty is a sunshine yellow that radiates positive energy making it difficult not to smile in its presence.
Greens remain a firm favourite with Sapling and Sunday Stroll both continuing to be really popular. Although we predict a move away from pastels, our Cupcake and Rosie Posie shades are increasingly popular amongst Earthborn fans which means there is no love lost yet with our pastel pinks"


title: Think you have gum disease please read on

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If you suffer swollen or tender gums when brushing, chances are you may have the early stages of gum disease.
Estimated to affect half of all adults over the age of 30, untreated gum disease can go on to have major ramifications for your dental health and is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
If you have swollen or tender gums, or your gums are receding from your teeth, here’s what you need to know about dealing with gum disease.
What is gum disease?
Caused by bacteria and a build-up of plaque, gum disease sees the gums that support the teeth become tender and inflamed. Left untreated, it can lead to the gums receding from teeth, causing them to loosen and can even progress to the jaw bone, resulting in bone loss, tooth loss and altered facial features.
The good news is the early stages of gum disease can be reversed or managed.
Gum disease symptoms
Gum disease can start painlessly and almost unnoticeably with the first sign usually being gums that are swollen or bleed when brushing. Further indications you may have gum disease include:
- Gums that are receding from the teeth
- Teeth that don’t fit together the way they used to
- Infection or pus on the gumline
- Loose teeth
- A persistent bad taste in your mouth
- Partial dentures that do not fit as they did previously
Gum disease stages
Stage 1 (Gingivitis) – The first stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis. It involves the gums becoming tender, inflamed and prone to bleeding due to a buildup of plaque and infection along the gum line. At this stage gum disease is treatable and often reversible.
Treatment involves removing the plaque, visiting your dentist regularly and practicing good oral hygiene including daily flossing.
State 2 (Periodontitis) – By the time gum disease reaches periodontitis the supporting bone and fibres that hold your teeth in place have been irreversibly damaged. At this stage professional care is a must.
Usually treatment involves scaling and root planing. This is essentially a very deep clean to remove any plaque and halt further infection.
Stage 3 (Advanced periodontal disease) – At this stage, the symptoms of gum disease will likely be noticeable. Affected teeth might feel sensitive and even loose and more extensive treatment like surgery or laser therapy might be required to halt the spread of infection.
How do you prevent gum disease?
Although gum disease is common, it is preventable and even manageable. The best way of preventing gum disease is to visit your dentist regularly – at least twice a year. Your dentist has a trained eye that can spot the early signs of gum disease and will also clean your teeth to remove any plaque build-up.
Meanwhile, good oral hygiene is a must, including brushing twice daily and flossing at least once a day.
If you believe you may have gum disease, it is imperative you visit your dentist sooner rather than later. The earlier gum disease is identified and treated, the less likelihood there is that the bones and supporting fibres around the teeth will be affected.
About Brite Dental
Brite Dental is a community-focused dental practice, committed to ensuring you and your family receive the highest quality of care in a warm and professional environment.
Offering a full range of dental services ranging, from children’s dentistry through to high-end cosmetic dentistry, we are conveniently located in central Panania.


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By STAN CHOE, Associated Press Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are nearly stuck in place on Monday as the world’s two largest economies begin talks on trade that could help avoid a recession.
The S&P 500 was down 0.1% in early trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 107 points, or 0.3%, as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.1% higher.
Officials from the United States and China are meeting in London to talk about a range of different disputes that are separating them. The hope is that they can eventually reach a deal that will lower each’s punishing level of tariffs against the other, which are currently on pause, so that the flow of everything from tiny tech gadgets to enormous machinery can continue.
Hopes that President Donald Trump will lower his tariffs after reaching such trade deals with countries around the world have been among the main reasons the S&P 500 has rallied back so furiously since dropping roughly 20% from its record two months ago. It’s back within 2.5% of its all-time high.
But nothing is assured, and London’s discussion follows a prior round of talks in Switzerland.
That kept trading relatively quiet on Wall Street, and Treasury yields were also holding steady in the U.S. bond market as the countdown continued.
One of the market’s sharpest moves came from Warner Bros. Discovery, which jumped 11.8% after saying it would split into two companies. One will get Warner Bros. Television, HBO Max and other studio brands, while the other will hold onto CNN, TNT Sports and other entertainment, sports and news television brands around the world, along with some digital products.
IonQ rose 3.2% after the quantum computing and networking company said it agreed to buy Oxford Ionics for nearly $1.08 billion. All but $10 million of the purchase price will come from IonQ’s stock, and the hope is that the combined company will benefit from its complementary parts to produce computers that can perform better than classical machines.
Tesla, meanwhile, returned to falling. The electric vehicle company has been struggling as Elon Musk’s relationship with Trump has fallen apart, and it fell 3.5% Monday.
In stock markets abroad, indexes were modest lower in Europe after rising across much of Asia.
Chinese markets rallied even though the government reported that exports slowed in May, growing 4.8% from a year earlier after jumping more than 8% in April. China also reported that consumer prices fell 0.1% in May from a year earlier, marking the fourth consecutive month of deflation.
Stocks rallied 1.6% in Hong Kong and rose 0.4% in Shanghai.
In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury edged down to 4.50% from 4.51% late Friday.
AP Writer Jiang Junzhe contributed.


title: Personal Watercraft Law

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Personal Watercraft Law
Each person operating, riding on, or being towed behind a personal watercraft must wear an approved non-inflatable Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device. Inflatable personal flotation devices are prohibited.
The operator of a personal watercraft must attach the engine cutoff switch lanyard (if equipped by the manufacturer) to his/her person, clothing, or PFD.
Personal watercraft may not be operated from ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise.
Maneuvering a personal watercraft by weaving through congested vessel traffic, jumping the wake of another vessel unreasonably close or when visibility around the vessel is obstructed, or swerving at the last possible moment to avoid collision is classified as reckless operation of a vessel (a first-degree misdemeanor).
A person must be at least 14 years of age to operate a personal watercraft in this state.
A person must be at least 18 years of age to rent a personal watercraft in this state.
It is unlawful for a person to knowingly allow a person under 14 years of age to operate a personal watercraft (a second-degree misdemeanor).
Anyone 21 years of age or younger, is required to either have successfully completed a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating education course or have passed a course equivalency or temporary certificate examination and have in their possession a boating education ID card and a photo identification card before operating a vessel with a motor of 10 HP or more in Florida. Identification cards for persons completing the course or the equivalency exam are good for a life time. Temporary Certificate exams are made available to the public through contractors. The temporary certificate is valid for a period of 12 months from the issue date.
Give David Avellar Neblett, Esq., B.C.S. a call @ 855-456-0445 or contact us today and we will happily provide a Free Consultation.


title: Auto body shop near greensboro 27405

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Look for a Auto Body shop in Greensboro, NC 27405 near GREATER GREENSBORO BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCElook no further Check out Auto Body Shop at Eurobahn Auto Body Shop Greensboro (near Greensboro 27405) near To keep your Car Body and paint looking fresh and running like new, it’s essential to bring it into your local auto body shop near Greensboro, NC. When you take your vehicle to your Auto body repair shop, new or used, our certified Auto body technicians have the knowledge and experience to efficiently inspect your car, and will address any damages, dents, and other issues immediately, so your Vehicle looks its very best.
Whether you have just purchased a new Chevrolet or have been driving your car for years, it’s recommended that you take in your vehicle for a proper look over, so you keep driving in style! At Eurobahn Auto Body Shop Greensboro Address: 101 S Swing Rd, Greensboro, NC we make sure your vehicle looks great, and is updated with all using all the latest equipment available. And our service team is here to ensure that your car or truck is looking polished and fresh, so you make a long-lasting impression wherever you go!
At Eurobahn Auto Body Shop Greensboro Address: 101 S Swing Rd, Greensboro, NC 27409. Auto body shop near Greensboro, nc 27405 will order the proper parts you need to make your vehicle look shiny, sleek, and like-new. Providing you with all different services like glass repair and replacement, car detailing and paint touching, and dent removal, you get just what you’re looking for when you Eurobahn Auto Body Shop Greensboro. We have a reputation in the area of only providing our customers with quality service, and our sales and service teams take the time to get to know you on a personal level, and will answer any questions you have regarding our inventory and services. With our auto body shop technicians’ experience, you can rest assured knowing that your car will be attended to with the utmost care, no matter what you need.
We know you have lots of choices to consider, but you can trust us here at Eurobahn Auto Body Shop Greensboro to get the job done right the first time. Our skilled staff at our auto body repair shop gives you one of the best deals for a quality job in the Greensboro, NC area, and we can promise you that once you leave our garage, you’ll feel valued as a customer. Here at Eurobahn Auto Body Shop Greensboro we take pride in our excellent staff members, easy-to-use online tools, and our dedication to you as a customer, so you know you are getting exactly what you need when you come in for service at our auto body shop near Greensboro, NC. Schedule an appointment today right on our website, or by stopping into our Greensboro Auto Body department at Eurobahn Auto Body Shop Greensboro.


title: Rebel movie review 2023

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Bursting onto the scene with their feature debut “Image” in 2014, the directing duo of Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah have had a mercurial rise from their native Belgium (the pair met at the LUCA School of Arts) to Hollywood. The dyad has had an enviable run in the States, where they have directed music videos, television, and feature films. Adil and Bilall (as they have branded themselves) found success with their first American studio film in 2020 when they took over the “Bad Boys” series from Michael Bay and followed it up with the first two episodes of Marvel Studios’ “Ms. Marvel.”
And then the streak went cold. Adil and Bilall famously ran afoul of le nouveau régime at Warner Bros. when the brain trust there decided to shelve their “Batgirl” feature before it had been released. The plight of “Batgirl” has become the symbol of the utter rapaciousness that animates the contemporary film studio CEO in the streaming age. And so the duo’s literal return to their home country seems especially well-timed.
“Rebel,” which the directors co-wrote with Kevin Meul and Jan van Dyck, is earnest and emphatic as a cri de coeur against the moral abyss of religious fanaticism. But it also feels like a very strategic attempt to show off the duo’s chops when it comes to more serious and more personal filmmaking. Yet despite all of the personal elements they have woven into the movie (the Belgian family at the center of the film are of Moroccan descent, as are Adil and Bilall), they haven’t forsaken genre altogether either.
Opening with a recreation of an Islamic State execution video from the Syrian Civil War (circa 2015), the murderous propaganda upends the life of Leila Wasaki (played by Lubna Azabal who had a leading role in Denis Villeneuve’s “Incendies”), a single mother and cleaning woman whose son Kamal (played by Aboubakr Bensaihi, who has previously worked twice with Adil and Bilall) is seen executing an imprisoned Syrian soldier.
The film’s greatest strength is how it presents Kamal as a cold-blooded terrorist and then tells the improbable manner in which he became an ISIS videographer known as Al-Belgiki (“the Belgian” in Arabic). Kamal left Belgium one step ahead of the law after his drug dealing caught the attention of the authorities and headed to Syria to work with the White Helmets. He has found a non-violent way to express his rage at Bashar Al-Assad’s butchery, but the Islamic State’s arrival on the battlefield puts him on a new path.
The filmmakers’ outrage at ISIS and their depravities in the name of religion make for some interesting contrasts as we cut back to Kamal’s devout mother and younger brother, who are part of the Brussels Muslim community. The directors’ skill with mise-en-scène and montage often makes for some compelling passages, although they go to the long take battle scene well once too often. But the most audacious part of “Rebel” is far and away the moments when it becomes a musical. Melding such a harrowing story with the stylization of choreographed musical numbers is a big risk. It’s an admirable choice even if some of the scenes miss an opportunity to propel the story forward (at 135 minutes, it can often feel sluggish despite all the plot and Steadicam work).
Unfortunately, in its second half, “Rebel” ratchets up the melodrama to arrive at an ironically tragic ending that aspires for classical tragedy but falls short. This section centers on Kamal’s younger brother, Nassim (played by Amir El Arbi), and how his brother’s infamy pushes him down a similar path. This plotline felt so schematic that it undermined some of the boldness of the film’s first half. I wanted Nassim to surprise me, but instead, he becomes a pawn in a cruel game that the filmmakers have laid out to make a laudable if ham-fisted point. Adil and Bilall clearly care about the story they’re telling, but their penchant for maximalism (they list “La Haine,” Malcolm X,” “City of God,” and “JFK” as touchstone films) ultimately betrays the most emotionally affecting moments in “Rebel.”
Now playing in theaters.


title: Cortes at fairy creek

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A Federal Court ruled that Canada’s Environment Minister, Steven Guilbeault, failed to protect habitats of at-risk migratory birds in old growth logging areas. Chief Justice Paul Crampton stated the Minister’s decision to limit protection to areas where nests were found ‘was neither reasonable or tenable.’
Continue reading Fairy Creek: Federal Court Rules Canada Failed To Protect ‘At-Risk’ Birds In Old Growth Logging AreasIn 2020, logging company Teal Jones was engaged in cutting irreplaceable, old-growth, temperate rainforest in the Fairy Creek area of their lease on Vancouver island. In response, substantial numbers of “forest defenders” gathered to protest and obstruct the old growth cut… and local history was made.
Protestors blocked the access road to Teal Cedar‘s cut blocks from 2020 through early 2021. The number of people arrested exceeded 1100 — which, according to CBC, made it “the largest act of civil disobedience in Canadian history.”
Cortes Currents has followed the story of the Fairy Creek protest as it developed; many Cortes residents spent time at the protest encampment, or are closely connected to people who participated. We continue that coverage now, with an update on the highly litigious aftermath of the blockade action.
Continue reading Fairy Creek: A Litigious AftermathHow our local government works – Last in a series of 5 articles from the Feb 9 SRD Board Meetings
At their February 9th meeting, the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board voted against setting aside $50,000 to support community climate action planning initiatives.
Continue reading SRD Board votes against funding local community climate action planning[From the Archives: A series of programs originally broadcast daily between Dec 13 and 17, 2021]
I mean, I’ve been in cut blocks quite a lot before, I’ve been around that sort of stuff quite a lot, but I’ve never seen it the way I did when I was at Fairy Creek, you know, feeling the misery of the land and the devastation there, like on a very personal level.
Most people are probably aware of the protest and blockade at Fairy Creek on Vancouver island. For over a year, forest defenders have blocked a logging road to prevent logging company Teal Jones from cutting intact old growth areas. For this special feature. I did a little oral history with seven local people who went to Fairy Creek to join that blockade.
Continue reading Cortes at Fairy Creek: In Their Own Words