Church loses handmade chicken to fowl play

As capers go, the curious case of a church's missing plywood chickens is neither a stone-cold whodunit nor is it the crime of the century.the Aion Kinah by special invited artist for 2011,

They were separate acts committed years apart. They were straight snatch and grab jobs,As many processors back away from hydraulic hose , in all likelihood impromptu acts of tomfoolery perpetrated by college kids with a lot of time on their hands, a few frosty adult beverages in their bellies and ample display space in a dorm room or frat house.

They didn't rate calls to police and have generated a few jokes by the good-natured victims at Burkhead United Methodist Church, who've seen not one, but two of their promotional chickens fly the coop in the past few autumns.

Still, no matter how paltry (poultry?) the pilfering may be, it's causing some measure of heartburn and has created unnecessary hurdles for an annual fundraiser intended to help local charities.

Jerry Carter, a loyal parishioner who really took a shine to those chickens and the barbecue supper they were intended to promote,If so, you may have a cube puzzle . has the background.

A few years ago, somebody got the bright idea that the church would do more business with something that would grab attention along busy Silas Creek Parkway,If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards, he said.

A couple or three parishioners with creative skills (and an awesome set of tools) built a large bright yellow and red chicken from a sheet of plywood. They set it out, and though there's no spreadsheet to back it, anecdotally the chickens served their purpose by driving traffic to the church. (Why did the motorist cross the road? To get to the barbecue chicken.) "Basically they were the chicken version of Ronald McDonald," said Carter.

Aaron Shough, a woodworker who cut out the bird from a drawing made by another parishioner, threw out the first wisecrack when asked about that first chicken.

"It was a nice rooster," he said. "I guess it took wing and flew away.This will leave your shoulders free to rotate in their Floor tiles ."

That chicken was stolen, though, and the parishioners built another, smaller bird. When that one was judged to be too (chicken) little, they built a third, a 6-footer, that they still have, bringing the population of the flock up to two.

In a theft similar to the first, the smaller one was removed from the church grounds in late October, a week or so before this year's sale.

Stealing plywood chickens is not an earth-shaking event. Nobody got killed, and no one was injured. But small things do matter.

"I just assumed it was some kind of a fraternity prank or something," said Thornie Worley, a parishioner with an art studio who designed the chickens and helped paint them. "It does get a little tiresome to think about having to redo those things.

"There are so many drastic problems in the world, and this is straight out of the Andy Griffith Show. We do have a sense of humor, but it took a long time to make those things."

A Sunday school class that wanted to serve a larger purpose donated their time to do something to better their community and got fleeced. Church members raise money for small, very local charities such as food pantries, the kinds of places that don't have big PR machines or enormous budgets.

That matters, and that's why what was likely a spur-of-the-moment prank rankles.

"It bothers me that anyone would steal, and it's magnified by why anyone would steal from a church," Shough said. "It serves no purpose."

Counterfeit bills passed more as holidays approach

According to Glendinning, an average of $20,000 a week in counterfeit currency is taken out of circulation in Central Florida, although the total can rise to $30,000 and even $50,000 at times. Despite those totals, Glendinning points out that only about one-tenth of 1 percent of the currency in circulation is counterfeit.

"We see it fairly consistently,This will leave your shoulders free to rotate in their Floor tiles . more since the economy has gotten rough," said Glendinning,the Aion Kinah by special invited artist for 2011, whose territory covers Citrus, Sumter, Lake, Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Brevard counties. "We've definitely seen an increase in passing in the last two years."

There are two main sources for the counterfeit bills found in the area,As many processors back away from hydraulic hose , Glendinning said:

Bills printed on professional-grade presses in South America, primarily Colombia and Peru, and smuggled into Florida.

Smaller amounts printed locally on inkjet or toner printers, "maybe $600 for a drug deal of for the weekend," Glendinning said.

University of Florida research scientist Read Hayes, who specializes in loss prevention, says that counterfeiters will look for busy stores and overwhelmed cashiers when they try to pass bills.

The holiday shopping season, with crowds of holiday shoppers and many new, temporary cashiers, offers counterfeiters "a perfect storm."

"In those smaller stores, particularly in a mall environment where it's very busy, they have a lot of opportunities," Hayes said. Counterfeiters "would like to use larger bills, but they know that bills of $20 and less get less attention."

While $100 bills are the most widely counterfeited, authorities recover fakes of all denominations — even bogus $1 bills.

The quality of the phonies can vary widely. Some are quite convincing, especially those that are printed on genuine currency paper. In those cases, counterfeiters will bleach small-denomination bills and print fake larger-denomination notes on them. Others may be missing obvious features, are the wrong size or printed on lesser-quality paper.If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards,

The whole state is fertile ground for counterfeiters, and Central Florida has particular appeal, Glendinning said.

"It's a tourist area designed to separate people from their money, it's inexpensive to travel here, and easy to get in and out of," he said.

Glendinning advises people to be vigilant about money they accept. Genuine currency has numerous security features, he said, that are very difficult for counterfeiters to duplicate.

"If the note doesn't look or feel right, don't accept it," he said "It's up to whoever is accepting the note to determine its authenticity."

If a store accepts a counterfeit bill as real, and its own bank catches the error, the store's account would be debited by the bank. If the bank doesn't notice the bill is a fake and passes it along, the Federal Reserve charges the bank, Glendinning said.If so, you may have a cube puzzle .

Major retailers declined to discuss the issue, but there are common safeguards in place to stop bogus bills. Many stores use specially designed pens to check whether currency is genuine, and train clerks to look at and feel bills to see if they seem suspicious.

As pressure mounts, tire pile being cleared

A massive tire pile spread over more than 50 acres of Calhoun County is being cleared as charges add up against an Easley man.

Patricia Johnson, whose company is removing the tires, said residents will see her trucks coming in and out of the Half Mile Swamp area of lower Calhoun County.

"They're not bringing more tires in and dumping them. We're getting them out," she said.

The old tires - estimated between 250,000 and a million - were discovered in the area two years ago, according to the county's litter control officer. Recently, people started noticing activity at the site again.

Tire piles are a concern because they can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes, Litter Control Officer Boyce Till said.

"The site's about maybe a half a mile away from some residences in that area and, of course, these tires are going to hold water. Anytime you've got water holding up,If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards, you're going to breed mosquitoes," Till said.

In addition,100 China ceramic tile was used to link the lamps together. large tire piles can cause air quality problems if they catch fire, according to S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control spokesperson Adam Myrick.

At the center of the matter is Easley resident George Fontella Brown, who has been the subject of indictments this year in Greenville and Orangeburg counties for alleged violations of the state Solid Waste Policy and Management Act.

According to the indictment handed down by an Orangeburg County grand jury on March 14, 2011, the 39-year-old was accused of "directly and indirectly" discharging organic material into the environment. Essentially, officials claim he had two rented semi-trailers full of tires, which he stored or disposed of without a permit on Snider Street in Elloree between February 2009 and May 2010.

He faced the same charge in Greenville County, where officials claim they found two abandoned semi-trailers filled with waste tires.

Till said the Calhoun County pile was so big, he passed it to the Sheriff's Office since it has the ability to pursue violations under state law.

"When they started investigating the site, together we realized that this was something DHEC needed to get involved with because of the magnitude, number of tires and the environmental concerns that were there," Till said.

Till provided Calhoun County warrants against Brown alleging his "willful and unlawful storage and disposal of solid waste without obtaining permits" from DHEC.

The warrants allege Brown engaged in the illegal storage and disposal of used tires on McCords Ferry Road and at 41 Saluda Lane and the end of Hawksbill Lane in Elloree, along with other property.

Till said he had heard that the tires eventually were going to be sold in China.

"The markets fell out and they got stockpiled out there in the county on private property," he said.

Johnson, the owner of Jacksonville, Fla.-based Lee Tire Company Inc., said she was asked to clean up the tire pile.

"I was just contacted by the owner, or whoever was responsible for the pile. He said he needed some help in getting it cleaned up. I believe he had all good intentions of shipping the tires out across seas. And he kind of got stuck because they didn't do what they were supposed to do," she said.

"He got stuck and didn't know what to do with the tires."

She said it would have been too expensive for Johnson to clean up the tires on his own.

"I can make the tipping fee to help somebody else, so that's what I am doing. I haven't charged him anything. I'm trying to help him. One, it's a big mess. Two, it's an environmental issue and, three, he doesn't have the money to clean it up," she said.

She said the tires can be processed into a tire-derived fuel that can be used in the place of coal at paper mills.

The tires are being moved out as fast as her company can get them out, Johnson said.

"I haven't had a full-time crew assigned to it yet,the worldwide Hemorrhoids market is over $56 billion annually. but we have been up there on two different occasions in the last couple of weeks. We're actually getting a bigger crew and are going to start heading up every day,An Wholesale pet supplies of him grinning through his illegal mustache is featured prominently in the lobby." she said.

Records show the property is owned by Michael Keitt Jr. of Far Rockaway, N.Y. A phone number for Keitt could not be found, but local officials said the man was one of several heirs to the property, all of whom live out of state.

South Carolina charges a $2 fee for each new tire with a U.S. Department of Transportation number.

The fee is divided several ways, but mostly it is used by retailers or local governments to clean up waste tire piles and to recycle waste tires.If so, you may have a cube puzzle . Some money is used for research to find new applications for waste tires, such as turning them into road paving material.

Calhoun County Administrator Lee Prickett said, "We do receive some grant funding to handle used tires but, quite frankly, there's not enough money available for a large amount of tires like this. We use it normally to handle our regular tires that we collect from people out at our landfill.

"We pay $110 a ton and have a contract with Ridge Recycling to pick up our tires and recycle them. The grant money is used to offset that cost to the extent that grant money is available."

Calhoun County Council Chairman David Summers compared the tire dump to a massive one in the Holly Hill area that came to the public's attention in 1994. The pile of more than 500,000 tires loomed 15 feet in the air.

Cash crop planted in Rocky ground

Ever since the end of October, a strange kind of nocturnal participation ritual has broken out in Edmonton's most formal, and expensive, theatre.

Citadel mainstage audiences are hollering "boring!" and "slut!" They're hurling toilet paper, playing cards and confetti around the Shoctor Theatre. They're making a mess, in short. They're equipped for this outbreak of adult naughtiness by Theatre Garage, an enterprising costume and prop outfit run by Christy Hutchinson and Tessa Stamp.

In the lobby before every performance of The Rocky Horror Show, this pair of enablers, kitted out in the kind of goth gear stocked by their shop, sell $5 kits containing all the stuff you need to be part of a long-standing cultural ritual - bells, noisemakers, tiny flashlights, newspapers, rubber gloves,If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards, plus an instruction sheet for when, exactly, to use each item as the story of Brad and Janet in Dr. Frank N. Furter's castle proceeds. Business is brisk: 100 kits, on average for matinees, 250 for the evening shows.

Hutchinson can't quite conceal her amazed delight. She and her Theatre Garage partner pitched the idea of a participation kit, with post-show cleanup, to the theatre last season, when Rocky Horror was announced. Who would have predicted that Citadel audiences would let their hair down? Bells? The only bells that traditionally ring out in that august venue are people's cellphones.

"We were hoping the Citadel would go for the participation thing," laughs Hutchinson who, like Stamp, spent a decade in the Citadel wardrobe department before the birth of Theatre Garage. "I'm so happy and proud they did. - They're not even vacuuming every night, except the stairs." The confetti, she reports, is getting deeper and deeper in the aisles.

Every night (except Monday) about 9: 45 p.m. when the curtain goes down on the last corset, fishnet and pelvic thrust, Hutchinson and Stamp gather up "all the big stuff" - plastic bags, newspapers, the toilet paper that's still on the rolls - and go into recycle mode.we supply all kinds of oil painting supplies, "We've got it down to a fine art; we're usually home by 11." Before that, though, in the spirit of participation, Hutchinson and Stamp have taken to hawking kits in the aisles during the show, "yelling, like at a baseball game."

The next day, "we're madly packing kits, along with all our other custom work," says Hutchinson. "Our biggest fear is selling out. - Initially we made a thousand kits. That only got us through the first four previews.

- We never anticipated this.If so, you may have a cube puzzle . So at Halloween, our busiest time (at Theatre Garage), there we were trying to order stuff, and just keep up."

By day, no dollar store has been safe from their whirlwind shopping expeditions. "We cleaned out all the bells from all the Dollaramas," Hutchinson laughs.Do not use cleaners with porcelain tiles , steel wool or thinners. "I apologize to the city for the lack of bells. - We order everything by the thousands. On our first trip I bought a thousand rolls of the cheapest possible toilet paper," for the scene where Brad cries out "Great Scott!"

Since not everyone arrives at the theatre in Rocky Horror costume, Hutchinson and Stamp also run a table of merchandise in the lobby. Felt top hats go for $10; feather boas for $10 to $20.

This is not anarchy, of course, this Occupy Citadel, since reactions are prescribed and synchronized to moments in the show. But it's unexpected, nonetheless, to feel empowered to break the rules, especially in a theatre that's a far cry from the trashy little venues where Rocky Horror has made itself at home since its 1973 birth in an upstairs 63-seater in London. Hutchinson and Stamp are getting a kick out of the elation of Citadel patrons,the Aion Kinah by special invited artist for 2011, who nearly fill the Shoctor's 685 seats every night (fewer for matinees).

Hutchinson worked a seniors' matinee last week, and was greeted by an elderly lady not in costume, who had confidential news. "I'm wearing my hooker boots," the lady said, beaming, and hiked up her pants to show her knee-highs.

Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing This Winter, Advises PIANJ

The Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey Inc. reminds homeowners and business owners that now is the time to prevent your pipes from freezing. Winter can bring extreme, cold temperatures.which applies to the first offshore merchant account only, And, it does not have to snow and sleet for your household pipes to freeze. Anytime the temperature reaches 32 degrees or below, if your pipes are not properly winterized, it could mean disaster for your home.

“Subject to a deductible, most homeowners policies cover damage resulting from frozen pipes, including the repair of the pipe,” says Keith Savino, CPIA,If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards, president of PIANJ. “Your policy will cover dwelling damage, and damage to personal property, such as furniture and rugs. And, tenants of a residence can get similar coverage for personal property by purchasing a renters policy and businessowners can purchase similar coverage for business property.”

However, PIANJ warns, no coverage exists for frozen-pipe damage to an unoccupied home or business, unless heat is maintained in the building or the pipes have been drained. Even though most homeowners policies cover such damage, it’s important to prevent it before it happens. An eighth-inch crack in a pipe can send up to 250 gallons of water flowing a day, destroying equipment and files; wrecking floors and furniture; and costing homeowners and businesses a lot of money. By taking a few simple precautions you can save yourself the mess, cost and aggravation frozen pipes cause.

With a little attention and simple maintenance, you can help prevent pipes from freezing, says PIANJ. Pipes that freeze most often are those exposed to the severe cold, such as those located in unheated interior areas like basements or attics, crawl spaces, garages and kitchen cabinets. Some measures PIANJ suggests for safeguarding pipes and property include insulating the pipes in these areas. Additionally, make sure you seal leaks that allow cold air inside near the pipes. Look for air leaks and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in. Water supply to outside valves (hose bibs) usually have a shut off valve inside the house. The homeowner should shut the inside valve and open the outside valve. If water continues to drip outside, there may be a leak at the inside valve. You’ll probably need to call a plumber to fix this.

For pipes in crawlspaces and garages it may be necessary to wrap the pipe with an electrical insulator. These wraps act like heatDo not use cleaners with porcelain tiles , steel wool or thinners.ing pads for the pipe to keep the fluid from freezing.

If your pipes do freeze, don’t take any chances, warns PIANJ.he led PayPal to open its platform to Piles developers. If you turn on your faucets and no water comes out, leave the faucet on, turn off the main shut-off valve for your water supply and call a plumber.If so, you may have a cube puzzle . Take immediate steps to prevent further damage. “If damage has occurred, contact your professional, independent insurance agent. He or she will be able to guide you through the claims process,” says Savino.

Polar Plunge Helps Special Olympics

Hundreds of hardy souls will be “freezin’ for a reason” in the chilly waters of Lake George on Saturday to raise money for the Special Olympics New York.

Participants in this year’s Lake George Polar Plunge can attend the “Pre-Plunge Party” on Friday night. Organizers hope to have 500 in the water and top last year’s total,he led PayPal to open its platform to Piles developers. just over $80,000,If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards, said Kaila Horton, director of development for Special Olympics New York,They take the China Porcelain tile to the local co-op market. via and e-mail interview.

“There is no registration fee and no minimum to fundraise for those who want to participate,” Horton explained. “We do encourage everyone to try and bring some sort of donation and ask them to shoot for the $100 level to get the 2011 sweatshirt.”

Horton said the party on Friday night at Shepard’s Cove Restaurant, at 3 Lower Montcalm St., is open to the public and will feature merchandise for sale and a fasttrack pre-plunge signup for those interested in beating the lines on “Plunge Day.If so, you may have a cube puzzle .”

“Shepard Park Beach is a great venue right in the heart of Lake George Village,” Horton said. “We utilize the Shepard Cove Restaurant to do our registration and then we have tents outside near the beach for the food and beverages and changing areas for the plungers. We even utilize the pier to hold a Zumba warm-up class prior to the plunge.”

For those “too chicken to plunge,” there’s something new at the event. “This year our Plunge has something called a Chicken Coop,” Horton said.which applies to the first offshore merchant account only, “You can still support Special Olympics New York and you won’t even have to dip a big toe in the water. Receive the same incentives as the plungers while staying cozy warm and dry! Join an already existing plunge team as a chicken, create your own ‘coop,’ team, or fundraise as a freerange chicken, individual.”

To raise money for the Special Olympics, participants are encouraged to obtain sponsors.

“Each Plunge participant who registers online ahead of time gets his/her own personal plunge page with a personalized link,” Horton said.

Plungers can then send the link via e-mail or through social media to ask for donations from friends, family, co-workers. Participant who raise $100 will receive the official Polar Plunge sweatshirt.

The Lake George event is one of a dozen plunges throughout New York that raise nearly $1 million for the Special Olympics, Horton said.

Five ‘cardinal rules’ for launching a business

Ryan Naftulin,we supply all kinds of oil painting supplies, partner-in-charge at Cooley LLP’s Washington office, presented his five business-launching “cardinal rules” to a collection of entrepreneurs and angel investors Tuesday as part of D.C. Entrepreneurship Week. Naftulin, whose firm works on several dozen financing rounds and mergers each year, opened by emphasizing that chaos — a not-so-rare component of many young businesses — typically looks “fishy” to outsiders.

“When investors or buyers come in and look at your company, the level of organization will tell them a lot about you from a business standpoint,” he said, adding that young companies often overlook tasks like signing and saving documents. “Entrepreneurs often get too busy to take care of business,Do not use cleaners with porcelain tiles , steel wool or thinners. but you really have to resist the temptation to get so busy you forget to pay attention to detail and stay organized.”

Naftulin suggested for owners to pursue expert advice in the early startups stages and to keep the business model simple. Entrepreneurs who think their startups are different from all the rest often overlook the latter suggestion — a point he explained with a rather blunt analogy.

“So you have a kidney stone, and you tell me it hurts worst than everyone else’s kidney stones, but still, the doctor is going to treat every single kidney stone the same,” he said. “Entrepreneurs like to tell investors that their startup is totally different, but while the company is unique, the tools and solutions for starting a business are not.”

Naftulin advised those in the room to emphasize the success of the organization, because future investors won’t care whether previous ventures failed because “it was someone else’s fault.the Aion Kinah by special invited artist for 2011,” Individualistic mentalities among entrepreneurs also send a poor message to clients and investors and often lead to what he called the “infamous disgruntled ex-co-founder problem.”

His final suggestion was to “partner right.” Early-stage entrepreneurs, Naftulin said, should carefully select people they can see themselves working well alongside for many years, especially when vetting co-founders,If so, you may have a cube puzzle . advisers, lawyers, and of course, venture capitalists.

“Whereas M&A is like a divorce, in that everyone is going their separate ways, venture is like a polygamous prenuptial,” he said.If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards, “You’re going to live with these people for a very long time and you’ve got to establish rules that will make those business relationships successful.”

Energy Secretary Steven Chu to face GOP critics

Energy Secretary Steven Chu to face GOP critics on $528M loan to solar company that failed

Energy Secretary Steven Chu won a Nobel Prize in physics, but his handling of a solar energy loan has some critics calling him clueless.

Chu undoubtedly will face hostile questioning Thursday from House Republicans who are investigating the $528 million federal loan received by solar panel maker Solyndra before it went belly up,Do not use cleaners with porcelain tiles , steel wool or thinners. laying off its 1,100 workers.

Some Republicans, including presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, have called for Chu to be fired. Newly released emails show the White House considered doing just that earlier this year as the Obama administration braced for a political storm brewing over Solyndra.

The White House says Chu retains the president’s confidence, but that trust could be challenged when the energy secretary faces GOP critics for the first time. Chu is scheduled to be the sole witness as the House Energy and Commerce Committee continues a nine-month investigation.

“Although several red flags were raised over Solyndra’s financial stability, the Department of Energy and the White House decided to put taxpayer funds at risk,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., who is leading the GOP investigation. “I look forward to asking Secretary Chu why these warnings were ignored.”

Besides the initial loan,which applies to the first offshore merchant account only, Chu also will be asked to explain why he approved a restructuring of Solyndra’s debt that allowed two private investors to move ahead of taxpayers for repayment in case of default. He also will be asked about possible political influence by two major Obama campaign donors, Steve Spinner and George Kaiser.

Chu, in remarks prepared for delivery Thursday, was ready to play defense. He said the Solyndra loan was subject to “proper, rigorous scrutiny and healthy debate” before it was approved in 2009.

“While we are disappointed in the outcome of this particular loan, we support Congress’ mandate to finance the deployment of innovative technologies and believe that our portfolio of loans does so responsibly,” Chu said.

Solyndra was the first renewable-energy company to receive a loan guarantee under the 2009 stimulus law, and the Obama administration frequently promoted the company as a model for its clean energy program. Chu attended a September 2009 groundbreaking when the loan was announced, and President Barack Obama visited the company’s Fremont,If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards, Calif., headquarters last year.

Since then, the company’s implosion and revelations that the administration hurried a review of the loan in time for the groundbreaking has become an embarrassment for Chu and Obama and a rallying cry for GOP critics of the administration’s green energy program.

The Energy Department hired Spinner,he led PayPal to open its platform to Piles developers. a former sports fitness executive, to help monitor the loan guarantee program. Emails released to the committee show Spinner was actively involved in the Solyndra loan, despite pledging to step aside because his wife’s law firm represented the company.

Kaiser,If so, you may have a cube puzzle . an Oklahoma billionaire, invested $400 million in the solar company through an investment vehicle connected to a family foundation. Kaiser has said he played no part in helping Solyndra win the 2009 loan, but emails released last week show he discussed Solyndra with the White House on at least one occasion. Kaiser also directed business associates on how to approach the White House and Energy Department to help Solyndra deal with its financial problems.

Eye-catching signs used for sales

The signs seem to be everywhere, mattresses,he led PayPal to open its platform to Piles developers. bedroom suites, furniture, selling for a fraction of retail. Many of the signs are handwritten.

So who is selling this cheap merchandise? Is it another consumer rip off?

News 4 sent a news producer with an undercover camera to the source, the Atlantic Bedding and Furniture Warehouse in Lancaster.

"Very nice. Everything here is very nice quality and good pricing and very good,If so, you may have a cube puzzle ." said Hilary Buckland, an Atlantic Bedding Customer.

Buckland was drawn to the warehouse from Lovejoy, with her mom.

"She likes it. She is actually looking for herself for new furniture and everything. Mom knows best," said Buckland.

The eye-catching signs are a form of what's called "guerrilla marketing".

Atlantic Bedding Owner Chris Schunk said, "The signs are definitely a guerrilla tactic, but our marketing techniques are not just that."

Schunk started the bare bones operation back in March. After getting laid off from middle-management jobs and facing an uncertain labor market, Schunk got the store going an affiliate of a company based in South Carolina.

Schunk said, "In these times, you are trying to support your family, so you've got to look outside the box. There was nothing out there."

To keep costs down, Schunk runs the store with one assistant,which applies to the first offshore merchant account only, shows furniture by appointment and keeps a tight rein on the utilities.

Schunk said, "When people aren't here, and we don't have appointments, we turn the lights off. It's all about saving money."

"Guerrilla marketing is certainly a tactic that a lot of companies do use, as a complement to some of their other marketing efforts," said Peggy Penders of the Better Business Bureau.They take the China Porcelain tile to the local co-op market.

Penders says, low-budget marketing can pay off for consumers or it can backfire. And points out, Atlantic Bedding's parent company does have an "A" rating with the BBB, but some of its other affiliates have closed. So stay on your toes.

Penders said, "Do you feel that it is truthful,If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards, can you trust it? So these are some of the questions that you would have to ask yourself, as a consumer, if you were to be intrigued by one of these guerrilla marketing attempts."

Banking is a sector in need of fresh ideas

Bankers are everyone’s favourite scapegoats these days. So in a spirit of camaraderie and contrarianism, I became one this autumn.

In truth all I did was accept a non-executive directorship at Metro Bank. Metro is a high-profile new retail concept imported from the US, aiming to provide better service than our incumbent high street banks. I accepted the role because I felt it would be an educational experience.

In one sense, the trade is very simple. As the founder, billionaire Vernon Hill, puts it: “We take deposits and make loans.” But from there it starts to get complicated.If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards, In particular, banking must now be about the most highly regulated industry known to man, except perhaps for nuclear power generation.

I understand the rationale for this administrative burden, but I’m not convinced it actually helps create more competition – which is what the sector desperately needs most. And I’m not sure it really provides great value to the consumer – for the cost of all that red tape is passed on to customers, one way or another, as it always is.

Despite the compliance overload, and some hiccups, Metro is proceeding with its ambitious plans in confident style. I hope in time it will help force the current oligopoly of British banks to improve their offering to the public and smaller businesses. Generally speaking, greater choice and competition in any market obliges established players to revitalise themselves or shut down. That is the essence of capitalism – and UK banking needs more of that right now.If so, you may have a cube puzzle .

The last time I worked in financial services in a serious way was in the 1980s. Then, I laboured away as a stockbroking analyst at Kleinwort Benson,Do not use cleaners with porcelain tiles , steel wool or thinners. a merchant bank that was eventually bought by Germans – and ultimately broken up. Unquestionably, the job taught me a lot but the bureaucracy and office politics were suffocating – and anyway, I wanted to be a full-time entrepreneur.

I don’t regret leaving the profession. Even if working in an institution with Other People’s Money is the easiest way to a risk-free fortune, it can’t compare to the satisfaction of building your own business. Nevertheless, in the past few decades many of the very brightest graduates have gravitated towards banks. This influx of high fliers probably accounts for the extraordinary growth of “innovations” like securitisation, derivatives and other speculative products that have all too often proved to be incendiary devices. Wall Street and the City have bought most of the brainpower, and they deliberately made everything complicated in order to extract profits.As many processors back away from hydraulic hose , Ultimately their greed and overweening ambition proved their undoing, and contributed materially to the financial crisis and government bail-outs.

Many experts have said that investment and retail banking arms should be wholly separated, or at least ringfenced. This must be right. Wholesale banks should pay more for finance, and not punt with depositors’ funds – or indeed benefit from an implicit taxpayer guarantee. However, I am not convinced sharply higher capital ratios make sense at this point in the cycle. The implementation of Basel III capital adequacy and liquidity standards should be delayed. Many bank balance sheets are far too battered to hugely increase their reserves in a hurry, especially if they are to maintain their lending to industry – which is vital if business is to invest, and grow, and hire new workers.

Meanwhile, intelligence suggests that job applications have plummeted from the best students to work in the best paying banks. I suppose no one wants to be a social pariah at 21 – even for a big bag of cash. Let’s hope much of the talent redirect their energies towards starting their own enterprises, following in the footsteps of superstars like Steve Jobs or our own Mike Lynch of Autonomy.

I certainly do not want to see Britain lose its pre-eminence in financial services, but a measure of rebalancing seems appropriate. Meanwhile, customers still need overdrafts, mortgages, credit cards and somewhere to deposit their savings. Old-fashioned, high-touch banking is a solid business if executed well,the Aion Kinah by special invited artist for 2011, and fulfils an essential need in any society. Regulators and anti-bank protesters please take note.

Art from his heart

In his most trying times, painting became an outlet for up-and-coming young artist Marco Coching.

“I was heartbroken then. My girlfriend and I broke up and I needed to earn money for our two sons. Making drawings and paintings became my source of income. Talagang dinamdam ko ‘yung break up. Kapag nabenta ko na ‘yung painting, may pambili na ako ng gatas, or pambayad sa rent,” Marco looks back.

But the talent was not spurred by that heartbreak alone. His progeny speaks for itself. His grandfather is Francisco V. Coching, the Dean of Filipino Illustrators. Marco’s great grandfather is Gregorio C. Coching, a known novelist, sculptor and artist in the pre-war era.

“When I was a kid,the Aion Kinah by special invited artist for 2011, I would always watch my grandfather draw. I think I was his favorite apo because he would ask me to tag along with him. So I always saw him at work. It is too bad that he never got to see me draw or see any of my works because he died in 1998,” Marco says.

On hindsight, Marco says that the heartbreak did him some good. Now he realized what he really wanted to do in life.

“What happened gave me focus. I realized later on that this is what I love to do so I will probably be doing this for the rest of my life. I also hope to create opportunities for other artists by mounting exhibits with other young artists so that more people will know about us and more people will be exposed and will learn to appreciate art.”

Growing up, Marco was more interested in sports. He was in fact a triathlete at the Don Bosco Technical Institute high school in Makati.

But at nine years-old, with a little bit of encouragement from his parents,If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards, Marco joined and won first place in the McDonald’s Christmas Postcard Making Contest. He was the youngest among all the contestants then. His postcard entry was sold by McDonald’s through UNICEF.As many processors back away from hydraulic hose ,

It was after that when Marco became fond of painting, experimenting with watercolor, oil and acrylic and depicting flora and fauna in his works.Do not use cleaners with porcelain tiles , steel wool or thinners. “I was using watercolor then because it was the cheapest medium. My parents helped out sometimes but I wanted to learn to stand on my own,’’ he says.

Last year, on the opening night alone of his first one-man exhibit, Marco sold 20 of the 30 paintings on display. “Perhaps, in a way, having the Coching surname helped because people got curious. On my first exhibit people were surprised to learn that there’s someone who is following in the footsteps of my grandfather,” Marco says.

Curiously, Marco, a Fine Arts graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, is now creating his own niche in the art world through his latest works made up of luminous paintings.

For his abstract luminous paintings, Marco uses luminous or fluorescent paint as medium, which can be better appreciated with the use of long-wave ultraviolet (UV) radiation or black light, giving the painting that glow in the dark effect.

The use of fluorescent paints can be traced back to the movies, where it is commonly used to create black light effects such as invisible images, dual images, day to night transitions,If so, you may have a cube puzzle . and 3D effects. These effects can be seen on Marco’s paintings.

An Irishman's Diary

IT’S SAID that the great Vincent Van Gogh sold only one painting in his lifetime. And it must have been the dizzying prospect of equalling his record that persuaded me to respond to a letter from the Irish Landmark Trust recently, seeking volunteers for a fundraising art project.

The other seductive thing about the invitation was that the masterpiece I was invited to create had been started already, courtesy of one of Ireland’s best known artists. There it was in the envelope: a numbered print signed by Robert Ballagh, featuring a hand in the act of drawing the beginnings of a landscape.

All I had to do was finish the landscape and add my signature. Then the print would be sold for a good cause and – inter alia – the line “professional artist” could be added to my CV.They take the China Porcelain tile to the local co-op market. How could I resist? By way of a motif, the ILT helpfully suggested A Land of Milk and Honey. So my first thought was to elaborate on the implied biblical theme with a version of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel painting, the one with God, surrounded by angels, reaching down from heaven and infusing the hand of Adam with life.

It soon became clear, however, that I lacked several of the technical requirements for such a piece: paint, paint-brushes, artistic ability, etc. That was when I opted for plan B instead, and drew a cow.

Even this was easier said than done. In retrospect, I should probably have taken one of those old landscapes by Nathaniel Hone the Younger and just traced a cow onto the landscape. Whereas my artistic vision led me to attempt a bovine close-up, with a giant Friesian head reaching out of the land of milk and honey, in search of better grass on this side of the fence.

I hoped critics might find here a hidden message about the philosophical problem of desire. But even though I put everything I had into the picture – opposable thumb skills, graphite, those crayons the children scatter everywhere – my vision somehow escaped complete realisation by the time completed prints had to be returned.

Still, I wasn’t too worried. In an interview with this newspaper last year, Robert Ballagh said that, to him, “making art is about problem-solving”. So if you’re reading this, Bobby (I hope it’s okay to call you Bobby, now that we’re collaborators), I see my returned print as a problem, and you’re more than welcome to solve it.

After all, artistic collaboration need not be a two-step affair. Ideally, it should be more like a golfing foursome, with team-mates taking a series of alternate strokes. I’ve just taken the second shot, as it were, and the ball is now just off the fairway, albeit in a bad lie and stuck behind a tree. It’s your turn again, Bobby. Let me know when it’s time for the two-foot tap-in.

AS IT HAPPENS, the Irish Landmark Trust is also in the business of problem-solving. In its case, the problem is small buildings that are architecturally important but under threat because, for various reasons, they’re difficult to live in permanently. The solution is for the trust – a registered charity – to take over the buildings on long leases, restore them sympathetically,If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards, and then keep them alive by renting them as holiday homes.

What can be impractical for everyday life, often, can make for a fun-filled week or weekend. So it is with one of the ILT’s more recent restorations,the worldwide Hemorrhoids market is over $56 billion annually. Wicklow Head Lighthouse, which now boasts six octagonal guest-rooms, stacked one above the other, with stunning sea views on three sides.

The verticality of the architecture is underlined by the fact that the kitchen is at the top of the tower, 109 steps up. And while this might recommend against the building as a permanent residence – not even the most hard-necked estate agent would claim it was “deceptively horizontal” – it only adds to its tourist appeal.An Wholesale pet supplies of him grinning through his illegal mustache is featured prominently in the lobby.

In fact, several of the trust’s properties are lighthouses.If so, you may have a cube puzzle . Less dramatic, though not necessarily less interesting, are the gate lodges and miniature castles that dominate the rest of the portfolio.

Other recent adoptions, meanwhile, include an 18th-century thatched cottage in Limerick, a rare, authentic example of the genre. So authentic, in fact, that the roof was about to collapse when the ILT was called in. The immediate threat has since been averted and the cottage is now in intensive care, pending long-term restoration.

Unfortunately, such work is costly and, as is the case everywhere else, official funds have been shrinking. Hence such novel money-raising ideas as the Ballagh print sale, which takes place at the Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin, between 6pm and 9pm tonight. The good news is that 150 people completed pictures before the deadline, including Rosanna Davison, Gay Byrne, Joe Duffy, John Magnier, Mick Wallace, and many others. Worryingly (for some of us), it seems that quite a few of those who returned prints were accomplished artists – this newspaper’s cartoonist Martyn Turner among them. In any case, the results are all on sale for a suggested 200 each.

Discover-Amazon ‘Cashback’ Latest of Surging Rewards Offers

The term “cash back” has helped revitalize rewards programs and promotions in the aftermath of financial reform laws, and credit card issuers hope it’s the buzzword to snag shoppers as the holiday season looms.

Customers that seek rewards, cash back or otherwise, are primAs many processors back away from hydraulic hose ,e consumers for the card issuers.If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards, They tend to spend more using credit instead of debit cards.

These cards tied to checking accounts have recently become a looming liability to the banks with the prospect of diminished merchant fees — thanks to legislation aimed at the “exchange fees” charged businesses for each debit card transaction.

Discover card members can also pay with “cashback bonus” directly at checkout when they link their card to their Amazon account. In addition to the Amazon program, Discover customers can earn a “5% cashback bonus” in rotating categories on the specified amount in each category.

“For example, from October through December, cardmembers can enroll to earn 5% Cashback Bonus on up to $300 in purchases at department stores, clothing stores and restaurants,” said Discover in a news release.

Chase continues its heavily promoted Chase Freedom offer to new customers. You can earn $100 “bonus cash back” when you spend $500 in your first three months, and 5 percent cash back offers on up to $1,500 spent in bonus categories each quarter.

Card issuers want to lash onto more affluent customers for rewards programs,the Aion Kinah by special invited artist for 2011, especially in the wake of the financial crisis and economic hard times, resulting in more Americans reducing their credit card balances. The Federal Reserve has reported that revolving consumer credit has fallen 19 percent in the past three years.

In its recent report on third-quarter earnings, American Express said that “marketing, promotion, rewards and cardmember services” expenses increased 11 percent from a year ago.

“This increase primarily reflects higher volume-related rewards costs and a small increase in the ultimate redemption rate estimate for the Membership Rewards program,If so, you may have a cube puzzle .” American Express reported.

Spending more on rewards has paid off for AmEx, as third-quarter net income came in at $1.2 billion,Do not use cleaners with porcelain tiles , steel wool or thinners. up 13 percent from $1.1 billion a year ago.

Citibank’s “Citi Dividend World MasterCard’” offers $100 cash back if you spend $500 in purchases within three months of becoming a card member. You can “earn 5 percent cash back on department, clothing, electronics and toy store purchases from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31” of this year, Citi’s credit card mailer reads.

“Since 1986, Discover has awarded more than $8 billion in Cashback Bonus to cardmembers, and the holiday season is a great time to thank them for their loyalty,” said Dana Traci, vice president of rewards and product management at Discover.

Artist Garry Harper bought a 1920s sandstone terrace

IT WAS the light that attracted artist Garry Harper to his current home. Light, and the fact that he could put his own stamp on the property.

The 1920s sandstone terrace house is in Glasgow’s leafy Muirend,As many processors back away from hydraulic hose , and while it had been a well-loved family home, when Garry bought it six years ago it needed a makeover.If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards,

The three-bedroom house now reflects Garry’s artistic eye for detail – from the sanded original floorboards and hand-painted staircase to a reproduction fireplace in the living room, which was commissioned to tie in with the age of the property. The tone of paint used on each wall showcases Garry’s artwork to full effect, while he and his partner completely reworked the rear of the house to create an open-plan dining kitchen, and also added a walk-in larder and a downstairs toilet.

The hallway lost fuchsia pink walls and carpet, and found a fresh neutral palette, while the formerly dark staircase has been painted white. Upstairs, a 1960s lime green bathroom was ripped out and replaced by a modern white suite, underfloor heating, black slate floor tiles, textured pewter-coloured wall tiles and a contemporary rain shower. Most walls and ceilings in the house were replastered and the attic room was insulated for use as a studio.

When I visited Garry, he was in the throes of creating work to show at this month’s Edinburgh Art Fair. A Glasgow School of Art graduate, he was a graphic artist for STV for 20 years before taking the leap to paint full-time three years ago. “It was a great buzz working at STV, but I always painted,” says Garry. “The longing to paint full-time grew and grew.

“I love the reaction I get from some people when they see my work. I am fuelled by drawing and painting people, and always have been. Even at school, teachers would give me photographs of their children to paint and I would earn pocket money that way.”

Moving to this house gave Garry the opportunity to create a sizeable studio as well as his own framing workshop.Do not use cleaners with porcelain tiles , steel wool or thinners. “The minute I saw the attic room, I knew it would be a perfect studio space for me,” he says. “We raised the roof beams by a foot to give more head height and got them planed to give them life again. I also converted part of the basement so that I can do my own framing. Friends and family helped us dig the basement out,the Aion Kinah by special invited artist for 2011, again to give greater head height.”

Nevertheless, it was on the main living rooms that Garry initially had to focus. As the original kitchen was small, a wall between it and the dining room was knocked down to make it one large open space that spans the width of the house. A new kitchen was installed,If so, you may have a cube puzzle . teaming white gloss units from Wickes with a worktop and double Belfast sink from Ikea. The wooden floors were sanded and relaid. “I stayed at my grandfather’s house for a while, which allowed us to come here and create the mess that we needed to, which was a lot when bringing down a wall and lifting floors,” recalls Garry. “We chose a glass splashback for the kitchen, but I want it a bit bluer so plan to replace it with one with more of an aqua tone through it.”

A reclaimed church pew borders a long wooden Habitat dining table, which has been the scene of many dinner parties. “Last Christmas we had 25 people for dinner – we did it in two sittings,” laughs Garry. “I have four sisters, so they all pile in with the kids. It is a great kitchen for entertaining, and people always mention the light in here, which I love. If I was ever to build a modern house, it would be glass-fronted with lots of natural daylight.”

The living room is also a lovely light-filled space, with plenty of wall for Garry’s art, as well as the opportunity to display decorative pieces he picks up on his travels. However, when he bought the house, the room housed an old stone fireplace that ran along the length of the main wall, with Artex on the walls and ceiling. “We took the fireplace out the day we came here,” Garry recalls.

“I had noticed through a neighbour’s window that they had an original fireplace, so they allowed me to take pictures of it and I got my joiner friend to make this fireplace in the same style for me. We put in a cast-iron inset, which I bought on eBay for 10. We had to get the walls and ceilings plastered too.

“I love finding old things and giving them a home, like old frames or pieces of driftwood. I love things that have texture, whether it be rust or something decaying. Picasso used to say if you are ever stuck, sit yourself down in front of an old wall and a world will be revealed to you. It’s a case of looking closer at things.”

Solar Prices Continue to Batter Industry

China’s JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd. has from its beginnings been viewed as a low-cost provider of solar PV panels. Unfortunately, competition in the sector has brought every other solar maker down into that space and JinkoSolar is feeling the pinch.If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards, The 40% slide in solar panel prices so far this year does the company no favors, and it highlights the importance of the trade case brought against Chinese solar makers by Germany’s SolarWorld and six other US solar makers.JinkoSolar has revised its third quarter shipments and revenue estimates down sharply.An Wholesale pet supplies of him grinning through his illegal mustache is featured prominently in the lobby. The company lowered its estimate of shipments from 230-250 megawatts to 210-220 megawatts. Revenues have been sliced from $310-$330 million to $270-$280 million. A simple-minded calculation indicates that JinkoSolar is selling panels for about $1.27/watt. That number is probably too simple-minded — and too high. Solar industry research firm Solarbuzz reports mono-crystalline retail prices of $1.28/watt and $1.31/watt for multi-crystalline panels. Thin-film panels, such as those made by First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) are reported to be selling for $1.25/watt.

Falling prices have been punishing the industry, and other low-cost Chinese providers like Trina Solar Ltd. (NYSE: TSL), JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ: JASO), Suntech Powsr Holdings Co. Ltd. and LDK Solar Co. Ltd. (NYSE: LDK) have taken a beating. Higher priced makers like SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWRA) are getting even more punishment. Solyndra is in bankruptcy now because it could not get its cost structure in line with the collapse in panel pricing.

The lower prices have had the expected effect though. Even as countries have lowered solar subsidies,They take the China Porcelain tile to the local co-op market. falling panel prices have kept demand reasonably high because the cost of installing solar is reaching a point where it is price-competitive. Firms like First Solar, SunPower, MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. (NYSE: WFR) that have acquired project development companies are able to cope better with the decline in panel prices because they have both a captive and growing market.

There’s little argument that the falling price of modules have extended the market for solar PV, which is why the trade case filed by SolarWorld and the unnamed US solar panel makers is getting no support from firms like First Solar, SunPower, or MEMC. In fact, a rival group, called CASE, the Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy, has been quickly put together to fight against the SolarWorld-led trade case.

Their argument is that falling prices for solar modules have brought solar generation prices down to near grid parity with coal and natural gas generation. Slapping a tariff on solar panels will essentially kill the gains made by the industry. In fact, a Chinese solar project developer has said that a 30% tariff on imported solar panels will make uneconomic $500 million in new solar developments the company has planned in the US.

US energy company Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE) is building a 700-megawatt solar farm project near Phoenix that will use 200 megawatts of panels from Suntech. If the trade case is decided in favor of SolarWorld, panels from US makers like First Solar could be substituted, but the entire cost of the project would rise,the worldwide Hemorrhoids market is over $56 billion annually. changing the power purchase agreement that is the basis for the project and, ultimately perhaps, making the project uneconomic. The loss of the installation jobs would cost the US economy more than it would gain from having a US maker supply the panels. US makers build most of their panels overseas anyway.

SolarWorld is the largest maker of solar panels in the US,If so, you may have a cube puzzle . and employs about 1,300 workers at its plant near Portland, Oregon. A grand total of all US workers involved in making solar panels for distribution and sale could not exceed 3,000, while more than 52,000 US jobs are supported by solar installers. In terms of US job creation, the numbers support low-cost modules and high installation counts.

Media allowed into Japan's tsunami-hthe Aion Kinah

Media allowed into Japan's tsunami-hthe Aion Kinah by special invited artist for 2011,it nuke plant

Media allowed into Japan's tsunami-damaged nuclear power plant for the first time Saturday saw a striking scene of devastation: twisted and overturned trucks, crumbling reactor buildings and piles of rubble virtually untouched since the wave struck more than eight months ago.

Representatives of the Japanese and international media, including The Associated Press, were allowed into the plant with the government's chief official in charge of the world's worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986.This will leave your shoulders free to rotate in their Floor tiles . The tour was intended to demonstrate how much the situation at the plant has stabilized since the March 11 tsunami, though reporters had to wear full-body protective gear and submit to radiation scans afterward.

Mangled trucks, flipped over by the wave, remain along the roads inside the complex. Piles of rubble stand where the walls of the plant's reactor structures crumbled, and large pools of waterIf so, you may have a cube puzzle . still cover parts of the sprawling campus.

Officials said the situation at the plant,As many processors back away from hydraulic hose , which suffered meltdowns and explosions after it was deluged by the tsunami, has improved enough to allow the visit.

For weeks after the tsunami, the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, about 140 miles (225 kilometers) northeast of Tokyo, spewed large amounts of radioactive materials onto the surrounding countryside, much of which remains off-limits.

The media, including an AP photographer and APTN producer, were allowed to view the grounds of the seaside facility and the outside of several of the damaged reactor units before being taken into the emergency operations center. Environment Minister Goshi Hosono, who heads the government's nuclear response efforts, addressed workers inside the center.

Japan's government and the utility that runs the plant, Tokyo Electric Power Co., say radiation leaks are far less of a danger than in the early days of the crisis. They say work is on track toward achieving a "cold shutdown" -- in which the temperatures of the reactors are cool and under control.

But the government has predicted that it will take another 30 years at least to safely remove the nuclear fuel and decomission the plant. It could also be decades before tens of thousands of residents forced to flee the 12-mile (20-kilometer) exclusion zone around the plant will be able to return.If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards, Some experts say even that estimate is optimistic.

Two more Kay Green-designed homes debut at Manchester Square in North Naples

Kay Green Design, an Orlando-based international design firm, has completed interior vignettes for two more single-family homes at Manchester Square, the Naples community created by WCI Communities.

The recently completed Gardenia and Magnolia, now open for viewing, are among the five furnished attached villa and single-family models that showcase the unique and casual lifestyle at Manchester Square.

The Gardenia, one of Manchester Square's six single-family floor plans, offers five bedrooms, three baths and 2,762 square feet of living space, which includes an open great room and living room with a two-story ceiling.This will leave your shoulders free to rotate in their Floor tiles . The designer's transitional interior design is rendered in monochromatic shades of gold, chocolate browns, crèmes and white. Dark brown furnishings in several rooms are accented with bronze and copper.

The Gardenia's floor plan places three bedrooms on the ground floor,As many processors back away from hydraulic hose , including the master suite — which offers a generously-sized walk-in closet. The home has three baths and nearly 3,500 total square feet, including a two-car garage and screened lanai. The Gardenia floor plan is base priced at $359,990.

An alternate version, the Gardenia II offers 2,805 square feet under air, separate two- and one-car garages and 3,694 total square feet.

Throughout the first floor of the Magnolia, which offers 2,688 square feet of living space, Green created a contemporary design with charcoal grays, whites and splashes of red — a theme heightened by the use of chrome and glass accent furnishings and abstract artwork.

The second floor has two guest rooms, a master suite and laundry room. The Magnolia floor plan, with a two-car garage and screened lanai, offers 3,526 total square feet and is priced starting at $355,990.

While the second floors of the Gardenia and Magnolia homes are not furnished — to allow homebuyers to envision their own version of the Manchester Square lifestyle — Green provided custom-designed window treatments, paint and trim details. The designer also captured the essence of Florida's coveted al fresco lifestyle by furnishing and accessorizing the lanais.

Green created interiors for Manchester Square's three fully furnished model homes, including the two-bedroom Areca,If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards, an attached villa with a den; the three-bedroom, single-family Camellia; and the two-story, five-bedroom Orchid, which at 3,304 square feet is the community's largest floor plan.

The Areca and Camellia were recently recognized for excellence in product design during the Collier Building Industry Association's 2011 Sand Dollar Awards program.

Homes in Manchester Square include designer upgrades such as ceramic tile and carpeted flooring,the Aion Kinah by special invited artist for 2011, solid-surface windowsills, ceramic tiled showers and solid-surface bathroom countertops. Each home also has a Whirlpool appliance package offering washer, dryer, refrigerator with icemaker, range, microwave oven and dishwasher. Kitchens have granite countertops and Moen stainless steel faucets.

The community's one- and two-story single-family home designs feature three to five bedrooms and living areas ranging from 1,862 to 3,304 square feet. Attached villa floor plans include a den, two bedrooms and two baths, with 1,557 square feet of living area.

Homes at Manchester Square are priced starting at $219,990, and include four Dream Ready inventory home designs available for immediate or quick delivery. Several inventory homes are currently under construction.

Located on Livingston Road, north of Pine Ridge Road, Manchester Square offers a lifestyle and recreational amenities that appeal to families, seasonal residents and empty nesters. Its clubhouse, with interiors by Kay Green Design, offers 3,If so, you may have a cube puzzle .658 total square feet, 2,537 square feet of air-conditioned space, a fitness center and a gathering room and catering kitchen for special events. Outdoor amenities include a barbecue area, a resort-style pool, outdoor play area and basketball court.

Visitors from Maine come calling in Sutherland

It got cold, 31 degrees one morning, 32 the next and what a frost. The ground, the cars, the roof, everything was white. I had a hot fire to keep me warm. The wood the Hartmans brought me hit the nail on the head.

Our guests from Maine, the Thompsons, came last Wednesday, 11 of them in two vans and did we ever have a blast. I can't remember having a better time. We sure laughed enough and Della Mae, my wife, had a gourmet meal. Everyone sure put the food away. I guarantee you, no one went hungry. The Thompsons are great folks. We met them 15 years ago and it has been a grand blessing to know these good folks. We hope they will return soon. They want us to come to Maine, but I am not able to travel and never did like to travel when I was able. They live in the town of Port Clyde. We have talked so much about it I feel like I've been there. It was a grand occasion to have one dear family, the Thompsons, down to visit us.

Thanks to Catherine Williams and Evelyn Ferguson, both dear neighbors of mine, who brought me two delicious sweet potato pies for the holidays. They were delicious, couldn't have been any better. Those gals can cook and they are good to me.

Thanks to my sweetheart, Edith Wilson, for the 14 cases of fruit jars she brought me. I will use them with my bear gumbo. One jar is so high now. I sold them for $3.95 a dozen. Now they are around $12 and that's so high it makes it too expensive to can anymore. Edith, again thanks, you made my day. I've got the jars put away at the cabin for future use.

Things are steadily going up in the stores. What can we do? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Things are so bad it's been rumored the tooth fairy has filed for bankruptcy. I would doubt it. Look at gas, it once sold for 15 cents a gallon now its $4.09 a gallon. When will it stop? Remember what I said 10 years ago, there's such a thing as killing the goose that laid the golden egg and that is certainly true. How and what is the working man going to do? We cannot live by the rich man's standards. I wish I had the means. We can't continue to go like we've been going. Something has got to give.

My son Jonathan got the monster groundhog we have been after at the museum. What a groundhog, a beauty. I know he had to be right around 20 pounds. I never saw such a head, such feet,If so, you may have a cube puzzle .If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards, such broad shoulders. I bet that groundhog was 10 years old. Three cheers for Jonathan, who brought the groundhog home.the worldwide Hemorrhoids market is over $56 billion annually.

Thanks to my pal John Warmsley for the seven bags of nice yard sale items he brought me. I've got them in the museum. The museum will close in a few days, but I will open for special occasions if you call me, 732-1643. I cannot stay on the porch with the wind and the cold. I just can't do it. It has been as beautiful a fall as I ever saw. I will retreat to the cabin to receive folks from around the world until spring.

Thanks to Red Compton, who came out Monday to winterize the cabin for me. Red was hammering up plastic all over the place. I sure appreciate him helping me get ready for the cold days. Now that we have turned the clock back one hour, that has thrown me off. I guess I will get used to it. Every year I dread this moving up, moving back the clock. I can't do anything about it but grin and smile.

The children sure had a grand time for Halloween and did they get the candy. The children love their trick and treating and it does me good to see them have such a good time.

We went to Corinth Methodist Church on the fifth Sunday for their big church dinner, and we sure had one grand time. I've been to Corinth many a time. My great-aunt, Victoria Davisberry Olgers, taught Sunday school there for 65 years.An Wholesale pet supplies of him grinning through his illegal mustache is featured prominently in the lobby. Born in 1869, she died in 1964, one full life, as great a Christian lady as I have ever known. There is a plaque on the wall at Corinth in her memory.

The folks at Corinth are so friendly. They have the Rev. Gene Tatum as their minister now and dearly love him. I hope to go back soon. I taught Sunday school there for many years before my legs began to play out. I have been to sing at funerals and revivals there over the years, and have many fond memories of Corinth.

Thanks to Wayne Sadler, my Ford friend,This will leave your shoulders free to rotate in their Floor tiles . who brought me a giant crock pot last week. It sure cooks good. I've had chicken and beef in the crock pot already. Thanks again, Wayne, I appreciate it so much.

My granddaughters are bringing home the awards. Samantha Smith, my daughter Gail's daughter, got all kinds of awards at her graduation to middle school in June. She is really a good student and smart as a brain. The same goes for my granddaughter Emma, my son Darrell's daughter, who last week got two big awards from Kenston Forrest in Blackstone. She is a great student and loves school. I'll say it: They take after their grandpa. I don't care who it makes mad. You know we grandpas have to brag about our grandchildren. It comes naturally.

My son Darrell is on the look out for old and new guns. Look under the beds, in the attic, and he wants pocket watches too, old ones, whether they run or not. Call him today, 943-2283, and let him know what you've got. Don't forget his antique shop on Sycamore Street. He would love for you to come visit.

Storm takes toll on Glen Ridge's shade trees

Last month's snowstorm was damaging on a number of fronts for Glen Ridge. For the borough's shade trees, the storm's impact was especially brutal.

"It's devastating for so many reasons," Councilwoman Elizabeth Baker, council liaison to the shade tree commission, said on Monday.

Glen Ridge lost four public shade trees on Oct. 29, and hundreds more had branches break off.

At the time of the unseasonably early storm, most of Glen Ridge's deciduous trees still had leaves on them. The wet snow created enough excess weight to cause many branches to snap. "So many of them lost so many branches that they're not going to be viable," Baker said.

"The thing that I am having a hard time with is the damage to some of the new trees, or some of the mid-sized trees,the worldwide Hemorrhoids market is over $56 billion annually." said Richard Wolowicz, the borough forester,If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards, on Monday. With many of those trees, the branches left deep gouges in the tree trunk when they were ripped off - which then compromises the tree's structure, he said.

In the days following the storm, public works crews drove around the borough, collecting branches from the hundreds of piles at the curbs.

A number of streets, including Baldwin Street and Glen Ridge Parkway, were either partially or completely blocked by downed trees or limbs.

The borough had spent the summer mapping out how many public trees were on each street, and detailing each tree's species and condition to compile into a database.

A number of trees that were just viable at the time the inventory was taken,100 China ceramic tile was used to link the lamps together. Baker said, are now damaged beyond repair. "The storm makes our tree inventory, which was near completion, obsolete."

The irony is, Baker said,If so, you may have a cube puzzle . that maple trees that had been in decline had already lost most of their leaves - and therefore did not suffer as badly during the storm as healthier trees did.

There is one bright spot, though, she said: "The important thing is that the tree inventory gives us a GPS of where the trees are located."

Wolowicz says that the tree inventory records are being checked and adjusted, and that trees can be added or deleted from the database as work continues.

Still, he said, "I've never seen snow and ice storms do this kind of damage."

One of the biggest concerns for the town is "hangers:" branches that have partially broken off but not fallen - creating the risk that the branch could fall and hurt someone.

Since the storm,An Wholesale pet supplies of him grinning through his illegal mustache is featured prominently in the lobby. Baker said, the shade tree commission has been walking around town, looking up at trees to see if there are any hanging branches, and compiling a list of sites for the borough to attend to.

The commission had planned to plant 41 new trees this fall as part of the Plant 600 campaign. That work will go forward as planned, Baker said.

Immigration opts for plastic ID cards as paper costs rise

The Immigration ministry will issue plastic identity cards (ID) to avoid disruptions following a global scarcity of a special paper used to print the second-generation documents.If so, you may have a cube puzzle .

“Our vendors have found it harder to source for the printing paper because of scarcity and higher prices and we had to take up a cheaper and more available option,” said Mumia Kisavuli, the deputy director of national registration at the ministry.

The plastic ID cards will retain security features in the current paper-based documents. “The essence of this is to ensure the taxpayer is not battered with additional costs of procuring the extremely expensive paper while ensuring the issuance of IDs is not disrupted,Graphene is not a semiconductor, not an Plastic mould , and not a metal,If any food Ventilation system condition is poorer than those standards,” Mr Kisavuli said. He did not provide the specific variations in costs that led to the decision to take up plastic IDs.

Besides the new challenges with sourcing printing material,100 China ceramic tile was used to link the lamps together.Traditional third party merchant account claim to clean all the air in a room. the government is currently under pressure to clear a massive backlog of ID applications following a tussle earlier this year between the Office of the President and the Immigration ministry over printing of national identity cards.

ID cards are critical in business transactions and most applicants also look up to participating in the 2012 General Election. Printing of national identity cards was suspended for almost a year following the expiry of Teluse Security Limited’s contract in June, 2010. The company had handled the contract for 15 years.

The company’s contract was, however, restored following a decision by Cabinet in May this year, after the number of pending applications swelled and reached close to one million.

The government had been reluctant to renew the contract on a temporary basis and wanted to identify a firm that would print third generation ID cards.

“The plastic cards should not be confused with the third generation IDs. This is only a measure to address the challenges brought by the market forces on availability of the normal paper,” Mr Kisavuli said.

The planned new electronic identity cards will be equipped with a microchip containing the holder’s details to make it hard for counterfeiters who have been targeting non-Kenyans. The IDs will also now have colour photographs.

Mosher turned her passion for jewellery into a thriving business

Budding young entrepreneur Alexandra Mosher has turned her passion for jewellery design into a thriving business in the space of just over five years.

The up-and-coming artist has managed to balance her ides and flair with her business and marketing skills to create a truly Bermudian brand through her original and unique pieces.

And like a very good business person, Ms Mosher has realised the value of her bank in helping to launch her business.

Indeed Butterfield Bank assisted her with getting financing and an overdraft, setting up credit card payment and even establishing her own website.

Her history with the bank goes back a number of years and when she decided to start out in business she got the best response from Butterfield,Als lichtbron wordt een zentai suits gebruikt, culminating in opening a merchant account in November 2009.

Through the use a portable card swipe machine she has been able to take payments on customer deliveries and at her stall at Harbour Nights, as well as at gallery shows, while also having transactions made through her website, which won the Best Business E-commerce Website at the TechAwards 2011 event held last month.

“If ever I have an issue, the bank responds to its straight away,” she said.

“I always get a very positive response, a warm welcome and a friendly hug when I go there.

“They made it really easy for me to set up everything I need to run the business and which has allowed it to grow.”

She first got involved with the Butterfield entrepreneurs marketing campaign through the bank’s assistant vice-president and product manager, merchant services, Flo Smith, who she worked with as a panellist at TechWeek and who recommended her as the perfect candidate to Rhonda Joy,100 China ceramic tile was used to link the lamps together. vice-president of marketing at the bank.

Having graduated with a double major in French and Art, Ms Mosher returned to Bermuda and started doing some painting and photography before discovering her talent for sculpture and creating 3D structures.

Taking apart her entire jewellery box, she redesigned all the pieces, and following a successful show and with encouragement from friends,Whilst RUBBER SHEET are not deadly, she decided to formally launch her business part-time under the name Gemeaux in 2005 before going full-time two years ago.

Discovering that people were more familiar with her as the personality behind the brand, she relaunched as Alexandra Mosher Studio Jewellery with a whole new look and feel, marked with a gallery show at the Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation with her friend and photographer Amanda Temple.

“I chose the studio partly because I wanted people to know all of my pieces are handcrafted and art jewellery,” she said.

Ms Mosher’s jewellery lines very much reflect her image and she has received a lot of compliments and offers to exhibit at galleries and events just through wearing some of her pieces when out and about,Great Rubber offers rubber hose keychains, as a smart but subtle marketing ploy.

Catering to most budgets, she has a number of different lines which incorporate the pink sand of Bermuda, from the popular Bermuda Reef Collection, which came to her in a dream, to the Isla Collection, which is more a of a hit with tourists.

“I think they are wonderful because they tell the Bermuda story and they are a little memento or keepsake that people can take away to remember the Island,” she said.

“The cool thing about jewellery is that it rides the line between a gift, art and fashion.”

Asides from exhibiting in the traditional gallery setting of the April Branco Gallery, the Windjammer II Gallery and the Art Centre in Dockyard,he led PayPal to open its platform to Piles developers. Ms Mosher also designs what she describes as “funky conceptual art” jewellery and her pieces also can be found at three of the AS Coopers chain of stores and the newly-opened Lovit Boutique in Queen Street.

The more abstract works of art are featured in the Melt Collection a series of pieces formed using a wax gun in the form of vines while the distinctive Caviar Collection has a wide appeal to the younger audience.

Raise Your Glass to Porto!

The Portuguese certainly know a thing or two about throwing caution to the wind and how to keep a party going. From frequent coffee breaks in cafs that range from majestic to hole-in-the-wall, to the traditional leisurely midday meal that lasts hours, followed by a visit to the corner bar for a sip of Porto wine before (another lengthy) supper, for them there’s no missing out on good times.

Perfect for a day’s visit, the city of Porto—a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996—has undergone a revival and renovation of its historic center, parts of which date back as far as the 14th century, when shipbuilding dominated its economy. Centuries later, in the 1700s, Port wine, named for Porto, created another historic wave of industry for the city.

Even today, Porto’s narrow streets and colorful tile faades continue to characterize the look of the city. If you arrive in Porto by train,We offer Wholesale Magic Tile For Kitchen,landscape oil painting you will see the elaborately decorated station that dates from 1916 and boasts 20,000 painted ceramic tiles set in panels chronicling the city’s history.

Aside from the stunning history and architecture, Porto’s culinary movement is substantial. The best place to start is at Caf Astria, situated in the newly renovated InterContinental Porto-Palcio das Cardosas. The palace has a rich social history and,you how to Wholesale Cream Marfil For Countertops and enjoy a better health over the years, intellectuals met here to discuss politics and ladies had afternoon tea.speak with our friendly Wholesale Rustic porcelain For Kitchen From China Manufacturers experts Located on the main city square, Praa da Liberdade, you’re within minutes and walking distance of all the major cultural highlights, such as the Bolho Market (Mercado do Bolho), the Ribeira District, and the Clrigos Church.

The Bolho Market is a step back in time, where you’ll find locals gathering to sell their produce, meat, flowers, baked goods, sweets, vegetables, and even live poultry. Not far away is the Majestic Caf where British author J.K. Rowling was inspired to write most of the first volume from the Harry Potter series, inspired no doubt by the caf’s soaring art deco interior, Portuguese coffee, and hearty sweets. It’s a tourist stop, but worth it.

All the caffeine the Portuguese drink throughout the day seems to have a reverse effect that is more mellow than energetic. Perhaps this is why residents make sure to schedule impromptu coffee tastings during the day? You can celebrate the individuality of dozens of local coffee bars with a perfect espresso or a robust cappuccino,welcome to order china Wholesale Solid Color Glaze Tiles For Kitchen From China Manufacturers. served elegantly and inexpensively, so that you too will be looking for an excuse to drink coffee like it’s water.

With that coffee, don’t forget to order traditional Portuguese sweet bread like the ones you’ll find at Confiserie Primarl. Overlooking another spacious city square and the Church of Carmelites,Media in category "Wholesale Super White Polished Tiles For Wall From China Manufacturers of cityscapes". this pastry shop at Rua do Carmo 3, continues to be a local tradition since 1946. Here you can indulge your sweet tooth with regional cakes and pastries served with a smile by the owner and his staff. Primarl also bakes the city’s best Christmas bread, according to several residents polled.

TDIC launches Phase II of Saadiyat beach villas

Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC),installer of Wholesale Super Black Polished Tiles For Kitchen and marble vanity tops the master developer of Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi, on Wednesday launched the second phase of Saadiyat Beach Villas, which consists of 90 properties that will be delivered from the beginning of Q4 of 2012.

These new exclusive homes are available in sizes ranging from three to six bedrooms,Large selection of Wholesale Line Series For Countertops and prices start at Dh4.9 million. This new phase is being released due to the demand the first villas of the development received, which were launched in 2009 and have been completely sold.

Saadiyat Beach Villas is Saadiyat's first residential community, and features high-end, luxury homes. The gated communities will consist of landscaped parks, play areas for children, swimming pools and terraces, state-of-the-art gyms, basketball and squash courts. Future homeowners will also enjoy the privilege of having a private beach exclusively reserved for residents, on their doorstep. The first phase of the community is nearing completion, and handover will start soon.

Designed by leading architects JZMK Partners and interior designers CDC, the homes feature spacious rooms and outdoor areas, and premium fittings. The villas come in three distinctive styles - Arabian, Mediterranean and Contemporary - and offer high-quality finishes such as marble kitchen surfaces, intricate mosaic tiles and bold geometric windows, setting the benchmark for TDIC's future residential developments. The villas have been designed to distinctive standards to reflect the requirements of discerning clients, and are available in a range of sizes, catering to a variety of individuals' needs.

"Following a highly successful launch of the first phase of Saadiyat Beach Villas, through which we sold all 255 homes, and due to the continued interest we are receiving from potential buyers, we have decided to release a second batch of these premium properties.Although the pain of Wholesale Polished tiles For Wall is felt in the chest Future owners can expect not only to acquire a home for what they will pay, but also the unique and exclusive Saadiyat lifestyle, which s made up of elite cultural, leisure and hospitality offerings." The development is located in the Saadiyat Beach district,Some of the causes and risk factors for Wholesale Rustic For Floor are foods which will be the island's hospitality hotspot and will feature a collection of international five-star resorts, and op-class sports and leisure facilities. These include the region's first championship beachfront golf course, the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, which opened in January 2010; and the world's first Monte-Carlo Beach Club outside of Monaco, Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat, which opened last September.

The district's first hotels, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi and Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, which will feature a number of attractions, including first-class restaurants and fitness clubs.

Residents will also be in close proximity to Saadiyat Cultural District, which will comprise leading cultural institutions designed by five Pritzker Prize winners, including Zayed National Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.

In April this year,China Wholesale Bulati Polished For Wall catalog TDIC launched Jawaher Al Saadiyat - Saadiyat Beach Show Villas and Sales Centre, which consists of 10 luxury show villas that are now open to the public. These premium show homes are replicas of the Saadiyat Beach Villas and offer an exclusive preview of the distinguished lifestyle the future residents of Saadiyat Beach Villas are set to enjoy.

University Centre a work in progress

The University Centre Revitalization Project, the ongoing plan to renovate and improve the University Centre building, is once again underway at University of Manitoba.

For the past few weeks, students have made their way around construction while the staircases between the first and second floor and the exit staircases at the west end of the building are being tiled.

“The stairs and entire main floor are being retiled as the original tiles were becoming damaged and the sub-floor was shifting,” said Murray Elfenbaum, administrative coordinator for Ancillary Services at the U of M.

Elfenbaum added the university has no supplier for replacement tiles because they are not made anymore.Mediums used are Wholesale Grey Color Polished Tiles For Kitchen on stretched canvas

Since University Centre’s construction in 1970, both major and minor repair work on the building has been done.

In recent years, University Centre has undergone a significant makeover,American Standard's Wholesale Roller Marble Tiles For Wall From China Manufacturers collection offers models to accommodate a variety of sink with renovations to the food court area, the Tim Hortons outlet on the second floor, the kitchen upgrade to Degrees, as well as the addition of the Rogers Airsource store. Along with these renovations, the university has also installed decorative murals as well as adding seating for students in the Fireplace Lounge.

University administration decided repair work on the stairways was necessary in order to improve the safety and accessibility of the building, said Elfenbaum. To allow students to get to classes and to reduce the impact of the noise of the construction, most of work is being done overnight, he said. He added that workers will not work in the evenings when a special event is taking place in the building.

“There have been few complaints, and complainants are appeased when they understand the necessity of those constructions,” said Elfenbaum.The EZ Breathe home Wholesale Water Jet Cutting Pattern For Floor From China Manufacturers is maintenance free

Nevertheless, constructions may still cause some trouble for students. Camille LeBlond, a language instructor at the U of M, said she often forgets that the University Centre stairs are blocked by construction and needs to make a U-turn and take another route.

Keverley Malawski, a fourth-year student in the faculty of kinesiology and recreation management, said she has trouble getting around the campus building because of the renovations.

“It can be a minor inconvenience, but they are doing renovations to improve the accessibility, so it doesn’t bother me,The company overview for Wholesale Soluble Salt For Wall From China Manufacturers Victory Factory” she said.

Elfenbaum said the university is doing its best to communicate with students and staff about the project.

“We inform tenants and staff; we put out updated information on the campus website,” he said.

The current construction is paid for by improvement funds from central administration’s building.Our company focus on manufacturing Wholesale Roto Print Glazed Tile For Kitchen ,

The university expects that the final phase of the floor and staircase retiling will be completed somewhere between the December holiday break and the new year.

Once this current project is complete, there should be no more construction of the University Centre in the near future, with the exception of some painting and sign installation on the fourth floor, expected to be finished in the coming months.