In less than a decade, upstart financial technology companies have convinced a generation to put their trust in technology over traditional banks.
While the fact that FinTechs approve SMB loans roughly twice as often as their bank peers surely plays a role, an under-recognized reason for FinTech firms' growth is their focus on the customer experience. A joint Capgemini-Efma study found that 40.3 percent of global consumers have had a positive experience with a FinTech firm, compared to 37.1 percent who say the same about traditional banks.
If FinTech firms' experiential advantage sounds small, consider how much CX matters in the financial sector. An EY report on the subject found that nearly twice as many respondents — 41 percent — said they'd switch financial services providers for a better customer experience than those who indicated they wouldn't, at 23 percent.
1. Automating real-time loan decisions through data. When a small business needs a loan, it needs a loan. A pizza shop that needs to replace a broken oven, for instance, can't do business without a way to cook food for its customers. No wonder 45 percent of business applicants dissatisfied with their bank lending experience cited long wait times, behind only lack of transparency, when surveyed by the Federal Reserve. In contrast, just 17 percent of business applicants who weren't satisfied with their online lending experience said long wait times were an issue.
What, exactly, do alternative lending companies do differently to decrease wait times? With a unique data approach, Kabbage fully automates the underwriting and approval process by analyzing an applicant's real-time business data. In addition to their checking account, small businesses can connect the accounts used every day to run their business, such as payment processors, bookkeeping software, website analytics, and e-commerce platforms. With a persistent connection to its customers' live business performance, Kabbage's lending platform allows it to approve small businesses for lines of credit up to $250,000 in minutes.
2. Improving cash flow through invoice financing. Banks are in the business of making loans and holding money. They're not interested in doing the dirty work of invoicing customers or collecting on outstanding accounts. The trouble is that late payments cost small- and medium-sized businesses as much as $3 trillion per year. Thankfully, some FinTech firms have decided to give SMB customers a hand.
BAMFi, for instance, increases entrepreneurs' cash flow without forcing them to take on debt. Through its BAMwire service, BAMfi creates, sends, and collects on its customers' invoices. Not only do BAMFi users get paid immediately, but they boost their operational efficiency by tenfold, the company's website claims, through automated invoice processing.
3. Demystifying fee structures. Traditional banks don't exactly have the best track record on transparency. Yet a Label Insight study showed that 94 percent of those surveyed said they'd be more loyal to transparent brands, and 73 percent said they'd be willing to pay more for a product that offers transparency. Although the study focused on consumer preferences, there's no reason to think business buyers behave differently.
To help business leaders compare loan options, Innovative Lending Platform Association has introduced what it calls SMART Box. Short for "Straightforward Metrics Around Rate and Total Cost" Box, the pricing model shows entrepreneurs the total cost of their requested capital. ILPA's metric incorporates not just the effective APR, but also all costs and fees the loan applicant can expect to pay.
4. Integrating with top e-commerce tools.
For more and more small businesses, brick and mortar is only half the story. A joint Insureon-Manta survey showed that more than eight in 10 of them experience "moderate" or "significant" revenue growth when they start selling their products online. Unfortunately, most traditional banks have yet to develop integrations with common e-commerce tools.
Stripe, an online payment processor, has clearly made integrations its competitive advantage. Those who already have a Stripe account can hook it to shipping providers like EasyPost, accounting services like Silver Siphon, and dispute management platforms like Chargehound. To accommodate a diverse range of online business models, Stripe also works with fundraising platforms like RaiseNow, ticketing tools like Diobox, and e-commerce platforms like Webflow.
While banks have established brands and trust with customers, they've underserved small businesses in need of working capital; FinTech services have helped fill the gap. FinTechs have put their focus on the customer experience, and with that, they just might have won over young entrepreneurs for good.


39584 RA3300.jpg 500X638\RA3300.jpg 39585 RA3300_1.jpg 500X638\RA3300_1.jpg Send A Hint!
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La Vida features in June edition of South African Airlines magazine.
This month La Vida Spain features in the South African airlines in flight magazine, Suwabana. The article is about real estate investment of South Africans overseas for lifestyle and we talk about the golden visa in Spain which comes with any property investment above €500,000. We have had considerable interest from South Africa for both Spain and Portugal. You can download the magazine through the App store.


As we know we all enjoy a good Beetle Drive with Pie and Pea Supper, Harry and Margaret Paylor kindly offered to organise another on September 27th, with Supper provided by Dave Hartley and Helpers. 24 squeezed into the large meeting room and had a great time there was lots of laughing and shouting and perhaps even a little despairing at that most elusive '6'! Many thanks to all who came and supported this event as well as the erstwhile organisers.


Valentine's Day is fast approaching, which can mean only one thing… love is in the air! If you're looking for an extra special gift for your significant other, or even for yourself, we might have just the thing for you.
We are excited to announce the latest addition to our range of photography accessories; COOPH necklaces. Made of 925 sterling silver and available in five different designs, each necklace features a miniature iconic camera, so you can keep your passion close to your heart!
The length of the chain can be easily adjusted by choosing one of two link options and the necklaces will be delivered in a small, black box - making it the perfect gift for any photography lover.
Want one to call your own? Then head over to store.cooph.com today while stocks last!


Welcome to UC Intramural Sports! Whether you are looking to participate in traditional or non-traditional sports, recreational or competitive leagues, or to develop your leadership skills, be sure to explore all sport options that Campus Recreation Intramural Sports have to offer.
All intramural sports have a four-week regular season and single elimination playoffs unless otherwise noted as a tournament.
All participants must be both active members of the Campus Recreation Center and a current UC student, faculty, or staff member.
See instructions below for how to pay for your team, register on IMLeagues, and invite team members.
Contact your captain to arrange payment and for more information. Be sure to accept your captain's invite on IMLeagues.
See our free agent section for more information.
*Payment of the team fee reserves a spot. Registering on IMLeagues prior to payment DOES NOT hold a team's spot.
We accept cash, credit/debit, check (made to University of Cincinnati), and Bearcat Card.
Sign up for a myMemberServices account (if you have not done so already) by visiting the new account page, entering your M number, and following the prompts to create an account.
Click on View Programs under the sport you would like to register for.
Click on Add to Cart for the division(s) you would like to pay for.
Click on the cart program at the top of the page, and follow the prompts to submit payment.
You will receive a confirmation email from our intramural sports department within two business days with further league instructions.
Login to the UC IMLeagues website. If you do not have an account, select Create Account at the top of the page.
Select Register in the middle of the page.
Scroll down and select the sport and league that you registered for (e.g., Men's Recreational Basketball).
Select Create Team under the day/time that you paid for and follow the instructions.
Your team's status will default to Pending. An administrator will change it to Confirmed within one to three business days of your payment.
*Registration on IMLeagues prior to payment does not hold a spot in the desired league/division.
After registering your team on IMLeagues, go to your team's home page.
At the top of the page will be a light red bar that says, "The team captain must pass a quiz for this team. To take the quiz Click Here." Select Click Here.
Watch the video and complete the quiz.
Following the quiz, your score will be displayed. You must correctly answer at least eight out of ten questions to pass. If you did not pass, there will be a Re-take Quiz button at the bottom of the page.
The team captain must pass the quiz prior to the team's first game. Failure to do so will render the team ineligible for playoffs.
**If you are listed as the captain of multiple teams during the same season (i.e. Fall I 2018) on IMLeagues, you only need to pass the quiz for one team. However, if you are the captain in another season (i.e. Fall II 2018), you must take the Fall II season quiz.
Your team must have the required number of players CONFIRMED (see table below) on your roster on IMLeagues by the season start date.
In IMLeagues, go to your team's homepage.
In the middle of the page, there will be a roster box. Select the Invite button.
Enter your team members' e-mail addresses to invite them or you may search using their name.
The player MUST ACCEPT the invitation to be confirmed and added to the roster.
How to Confirm/Deny Player Add Requests (Captain).
If players have requested to be added to your team, there will be a light red box near the top of the page that says, "Pending Request! You have # request to join your team. View."
Select Confirm or Deny for each pending player. You can also send them a message.
Click on the sport/league, division, and then team name of the team you wish to join.
To the right of the team name, select Join Team.
The captain MUST ACCEPT the request for the player to be confirmed and added to the roster.
Open leagues are leagues where members of any gender may participate on the same team without a required number of any gender on the playing field.
This sport will have very limited space.
Free agency is for individuals who currently do not have an intramural team to play on. Currently, the only guaranteed way to play intramurals is to find a team to join or pay/register as a team. Free agency allows for individuals to communicate and form teams. Captains may also browse listings and pick up players.
Sign up as a Free Agent on IMLeagues (instructions below).
Contact other free agents to form a team.
Wait to be contacted by a team looking for players.
If you live on campus, talk to your Resident Advisor about organizing an intramural team.
Visit IMLeagues, create an IMLeagues account (if you have not done so already), and login.
Click on University of Cincinnati at the top of the page.
Scroll down and click on the league/sport you would like to become a free agent in (e.g., Coed A Soccer, Men's B Dodgeball).
Click on Join As Free Agent and complete your listing.
Scroll down and click on the league/sport you are interested in or the captain of a team in (e.g., Coed A Soccer, Men's B Dodgeball).
Click on Free Agents near the top of the page.
You can directly message free agents or move free agents to your team via IMLeagues.


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What are "Deadly Weapons" in Colorado?
On Behalf of The Foley Law Firm | August 16, 2022 | Weapons Crimes
If you meet certain requirements, then it is lawful to possess a gun in Colorado. For instance, you must be at least 18 years old, pass a background check and be a resident of the state.
However, guns are still classed as deadly weapons and if you are holding one unlawfully, you could face severe penalties. Under Colorado law, firearms are not the only type of item that can be classified as a deadly weapon.
Knives and other blades
Knives have conventional purposes, but they can also be used to inflict harm on a person. It's not out of the ordinary for a fisherman or chef to have knives on them, but if a person carries these items for no other reason than inflicting harm, then they could face weapons charges.
Unusual items
Collectors may gather ceremonial swords, crossbows and other unusual items. Construction workers may even have access to explosive devices. However, these objects can also qualify as deadly weapons in circumstances in which their use is aimed at harming individuals or property. For instance, if an individual has stored explosives and law enforcement finds credible evidence that they intend to use them in a robbery, it's likely that they will be categorized as a deadly weapon.
Ordinary household items
For a keen baseball player, carrying a bat is a fairly normal occurrence. However, even a popular item like this can cause deadly harm when it is carried with the intent to cause injury. This also applies to metal pipes, tools, broken bottles and bricks.
Context is everything in cases that involve weapons charges. If you believe that you have been wrongly charged with a weapons offense, then it's important to seek legal guidance so that the matter can be cleared up before the courts.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Hidden Objects Games
Hidden Objects Crime Scene
Added in 11.10.2022, played 243 times, voted 1 times
Hidden Object Thanksgiving…
Uncle Hank Adventures
What is Hidden Objects Crime Scene?
There are a lot of different styles of games here on our site and this time, this Hidden Objects Crime Scene is going to be one of those ones in which you really need to use your brain. If you see the title of it, you may think itis a simple hidden objects game in which your mission is , of course, to find the hidden objects but that is not all.
If you read the whole title you can find out even before you actually play the game that you will have the chance to actually solve a crime, that means you are going to work with the police. So when you will start this Hidden Objects Crime Scene game, you will see a map of the city and there are some dots which represent different locations and throughout the game you will go to all of those locations.
Then the next thing is to pay attention to what the policemen and the other characters you are interacting with are going to say to you because those are clues, they are going to tell yout he story of the Hidden Objects Crime Scene game and you can follow it . Your main mission is going to analyse all the clues in the crime scenes and of course find the hidden objects in all fo the locations, locations which contain clues for the solving of the murder.
But the game is not going to show you how the hidden objects look, you will only receive the names of the objects, like for example you need to find a "mirror" but you don't actually know how that mirror looks like, what size and so on. You can also use some bonus buttons which can help you if you get stuck, but don't abuse them because you only have a limited number. Good luck!
Crime at the Museum
Cinderella Hidden Objects
Pocahontas Hidden Objects
Powerpuff Girls Hidden…
Beauty and The Beast Hidden…
Monsters vs Aliens Hidden…
Secret Story Hidden Objects
Alice in Wonderland Hidden…
Kristoff and Hans Hidden…
Monster University Hidden…
Mulan Hidden Objects
Tarzan Hidden Objects
Ariel Hidden Objects


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The Master Investigator
Wilson Trezbone
Saul Kramer, private investigator, is a savage Master to his long suffering but totally submissive secretary, Kitty. When he is hired by a small time crook to rescue a missing wife from white slavers, Saul soon finds he has more than one woman to search for - in an effort to obtain information about him, the slavers snatch Kitty.
Slaves Of The Assyrian Empire
Genres: Male Dom - M/F, HAREMS AND SLAVES
He was a great warrior, the brother of the King of the Assyrians and his chief general, but all Al really wanted was to be left alone with his harem of beautiful slave girls, who he trained with ingenious cruelty to serve his every desire.
An exciting story of bondage, submission and sex set in an exotic time and place by a master of BDSM fiction.
Interesting story with a nice twist in the tail  5 out of 5  (brum)
great book, well written, good plot and great bdsm...  5 out of 5
(edsubject)
Terry Wakelin
Betrayed by the lovely Tamara and thrown into prison for a crime he did not commit, ex-soldier Matt uses the friendships made during his incarceration to plan his revenge for when he is eventually released.
Snatched and taken to a small island off a deserted part of the coast of Scotland, both Tamara and her girl accomplice soon learn the awful price they are to pay for their treachery.
Beatings, hard sexual use and mind-blowing bondage ordeals are only part of it. ...
Interesting story with a nice twist in the tail  5 out of 5
(brum)
great book, well written, good plot and great bdsm...  5 out
of 5  (edsubject)
Ending is a little unbelievable!!  2 out of 5  (mak)
Submission - The Story Of Jane
Genres: Male Dom - M/F, Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual BDSM, Sex Slavery / Training
Jane Barnes flees her home in New York to escape the horrific memories of a teenage gang attack. In the aftermath of trauma, unable to maintain any kind of normal relationship with the opposite sex, she meets Li Soong, the Vietnamese 'Dragon-Lady', with whom she soon becomes embroiled in a passionate, sado-masochistic 'affaire de l'amour'.
Before she knows it, Jane is drawn helplessly into the Mafia-controlled world of pornography and films, where the almighty dollar is God and human life very cheap.
Earl Dassad
Set about 50 years in the future, misdemeanor female violators are judged and sentenced on the spot. Patrolman Jack "Ripper" Jones is nearly run off the road by a rich bitch intent on satisfying her own need for punishment and humiliation. Ripper's revenge is swift, harsh, and very public.
The first part of the story of Princess Khamsin and her ordeals
Enslaved Princess
Bruce McLachlan
Princess Khamsin is on her way to an arranged marriage when her ship is overpowered by raiders. The unfortunate Princess, her entourage and the entire crew are taken captive and shipped to the raiders' stronghold. There, despite her royal status, the Princess suffers the fate of all beautiful, captured women at the hands of these savage people.
Kept naked, made to suffer and sexually used over and over again, her pain is much, her dignity eventually totally destroyed.
no comments  5 out of 5  (brum)
The idea behind this book is intriguing, and there's nothing wrong
with the story itself, if taken purely as fantasy. It's spoiled by the
very strange style which makes it almost unreadable at times. I wasn't
sure whether it was a deliberate affectation, or whether it's just
very badly written, but the effect is the same.  2 out of 5  (Da)
The second part of the story of Princess Khamsin and her ordeals
Princess In Torment
Khamsin, once a proud princess, is now the abject slave of a noblewoman in the strange world of the Hroth empire.
Her fate is uncertain but she soon learns that whatever it is to be: living furniture or chandelier, sex slave or pony, it comes with a considerable amount of suffering and torment.
Stringent bondage, and interminable service appears to be all that there is to look forward to and, as another unfortunate slave finds out, there is no chance of escape.
The idea behind this book is intriguing, and there's nothing
wrong with the story itself, if taken purely as fantasy.
It's spoiled by the very strange style which makes it almost
unreadable at times. I wasn't sure whether it was a
deliberate affectation, or whether it's just very badly
written, but the effect is the same.  2 out of 5  (Da)
Doctor Gentle And Mrs Hyde
C P Stone
Jane is into bondage but hasn't been able to find anyone to do it, so she contents herself with dressing in rubber cat-suits and a little self bondage now and then. When a job opportunity presents itself with Dr Gentle, she takes it because there is the chance of working in a private laboratory – and that means all-encasing rubber suits!
She is visited at night by the mysterious Michael, who has discovered her secret and who puts her into bondage, leaving her to fight her way out.
Be A Lady - Or Else
Genres: Bondage/BDSM Fetishes, Fem Dom - F/M
George Roberts has somehow run up thousands of pounds of debt and, in order to escape the debt collectors waiting to break his ankles, slips out of the house dressed as a woman. Big mistake! The whole thing has been set up by his devoted and loyal secretary, who arranges for him to be shipped out to Thailand. There he wakes in prison, to be told that he is awaiting a life of servitude in a brothel. When the full horror of that has hit him, he is offered a deal ...
Wendi continues to have dreams that transport her to other worlds.
The Erotic Dreams Of Wendi Mitty, Part Three
N S Howard
Genres: Bondage/BDSM and Romance, Bondage/BDSM Fantasy
The final book of the erotic dreams of Wendi Mitty. Wendi finds herself into more situations after taking the strange blue sleeping pills. The dreams seem to come from her subconscious mind, a mind that enjoys the thought of being stripped naked, tied up, punished. The dreams also invade her real life, and she occasionally wakes up wearing a slave collar, her butt sore from a spanking and other remnants from her dream adventures. Her boss and boyfriend, Brad, has decided to also try the blue pills and finds that he is sharing her dreams.
Poor character development and little action. A rather weak effort.  1
totally disappointment!   1 out of 5
Extremely disappointing and boring. Lots of torture scenes with
elaborate descriptions of bondage, but there wasn't much erotic to any
of it - just one brutal torture after another.  2 out of 5
Secrets of Dark Farm
Sam Moss
The farm was isolated, away from prying eyes, which was just as well. Phil Blake did not want the community to know that he had both his wife Andrea and sister-in-law Lizzie as his sex slaves. Nor did he want anyone to know about the stray hitch-hikers and ramblers he enticed into his cellar of pain!
There is a tunnel from the cellar leading to a long buried monastery where there is yet more pain awaiting the unwary.
Phil is a master of bondage and suffering, concocting the most incredible ordeals for those who cross his path.
Poor character development and little action. A rather weak
effort.  1 out of 5
Extremely disappointing and boring. Lots of torture scenes
with elaborate descriptions of bondage, but there wasn't
much erotic to any of it - just one brutal torture after
another.  2 out of 5
Lady Fareton's Fate
Thomas Brynn
Lord Fareton has died and his family suspect his young wife to be responsible for his death. So they set out to capture her in an attempt to get the truth. This they do, but only after many adventures, both sexual and painful!
Eventually the truth is forthcoming, but not before Lady Fareton suffers degradation and suffering at the family's cruel hands.
Dull and mild  1 out of 5  (Chicagossl)
Written in the style of 19th century erotic novel. eg. Fanny Hill. It
is inventive in its twists but the sex and chastisement is a little
monotonous after a while.
But 4/5, pretty good.  3 out of 5  (Sooty)
Lady Fareton's Journey
Lady Fareton has embarked on a sea journey and safari with her devoted maid, Hetty. In Africa, the entire crew desert them and they are captured by the natives of the area who gleefully subject the two white women to horrendous ordeals! The agony of torturous pleasurings combined with the native oils used to promote helpless sexual activity on the part of the two captives produce orgies of tortured lust!
The Sequel To Lady Fareton's Fate.
Written in the style of 19th century erotic novel. eg. Fanny
Hill. It is inventive in its twists but the sex and
chastisement is a little monotonous after a while.
The Urge To Obey
Kimberley Raines
Genres: Fem Dom - F/M, Sex Slavery / Training
James is a man who likes to dominate women. He works out, is good looking and thinks he has the world at his feet - until the woman he learns to call Mistress walks into his life and steals his urge to dominate!
For her part, the Mistress is intrigued with James' potential for submission and entices him into a web of pain and suffering, steadily transforming him from the strutting, hollow wimp of a man he used to be into something almost worthy of her attentions ...
Very erotic..  Cannot wait for next chapter  5 out of 5
Reasonable story with interesting highlights. Unexpected ending, so
piqued my interest to read part 2.   4 out of 5  (Fred)
Assignment:Africa
Part I-Trial and Punishment
James Darwin and Barbara Moore
Genres: Male Dom - M/F, Spanking and Bondage
Meghan Shanahan is a bit of a lost soul. She dropped out of college to attend demonstrations in New York City and now, at 25, she finds herself working minimum wage jobs and living with her parents in New Jersey. So, when an opportunity to go to the poor African nation of Zilawe to work on development presents itself, she jumps at the chance for adventure and to act on her ideals. However, once there, she finds that the government is corrupt and oppressive and feels compelled to take to the internet to protest.
Reasonable story with interesting highlights. Unexpected
ending, so piqued my interest to read part 2.   4 out of 5
(Fred)
Train My Wife
David Saxon
The Counsellor, as he calls himself, is a one man vigilante seeking out aggressive, sexually frustrated women who make their husband's lives a misery. Once found, he arranges for the husband to send the wayward female to 'The Academy', as he calls his exclusive home, where he begins immediately to change their attitude, to turn them into subservient sex slaves.
Pony Trap
Jack, the narrator of this story, takes on the task of taming Kathy, his best friend's wife, who has been playing around while he is away in the Army. Jack decides to fulfil a lifelong fantasy and turn Kathy into a human pony. When he arrives at her house, her would-be lover, Kemi, is also there, so he takes them both on for training! Through much torment, pain and suffering, he breaks Kathy and Kemi to his will, putting them through enough training to justify entering them in a pony show. But the result is not entirely what he envisages.
"It was as though" sums up 80% of this story.  This expression was
used so often I was unable to concentrate on the story.  Sometimes
this author focuses on an expression or word repeating it over and
over to the total detriment of the plot.  This is such a case.  I
can't recommend any part of this book.  1 out of 5  (Stark47)
AN ASTONISHING TALE OF SCHOOLGIRL LESBIAN AND MOTHER DOMINATION!
drkfetyshnyghts
Genres: Fem Dom - F/F, Bondage/BDSM Fantasy
A complete story in one volume.
Brenda is a single mother who carries a lot of baggage. But she arranges a party to remember for her one and only daughter's 18th. Little does she know that it will be memorable for a whole lot of different reasons. Little does she know that she will become the unwilling victim of cruel and extreme lesbian domination and degradation with a hint of racism - and all witnessed by her 'little one' Anna.
"It was as though" sums up 80% of this story.  This
expression was used so often I was unable to concentrate on
the story.  Sometimes this author focuses on an expression
or word repeating it over and over to the total detriment of
the plot.  This is such a case.  I can't recommend any part
of this book.  1 out of 5  (Stark47)
I Am A Black Slave In The Modern USA
Genres: Male Dom - M/M, Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual BDSM
Richard Howard and I were classmates all through our school lives and even into university but we were never friends. He came from a family of early South Carolina colonists who have dominated the plantation, political and commercial areas of the state from its earliest foundations. My family, until two generations ago, were either slaves or underpaid employees of successive generations of the Howards' and Richard never ever let me forget it.
Maria Del Rey
Genres: Male Dom - M/F, Bondage/BDSM Anthologies
Stories of domination, of servitude, of disciplining naughty secretaries and of men trying on women's clothes. The stories in this volume range across the centuries, from Roman to today, and across all the many facets of the genre. There is something for everyone and every story with its own message of erotic enjoyment!


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A R T L▼R K
Home » Art » Art and Insanity: Séraphine Louis, Naïve Genius
André Bauchant
Camille Bombois
Erquery
Martin Provost
Quatre Chemins
Séraphine Louis
Wilhelm Uhde
Yolande Moreau
Art and Insanity: Séraphine Louis, Naïve Genius
Posted by ArtLark on December 11, 2019 in Art, Movies, Painting | 6 Comments
On the 11th of December 1942, a naïve painter, Séraphine Louis, also known as "Séraphine de Senlis", died in a Villers-sous-Erquery hospital in northern France, although according to her mentor, Wilhelm Uhde, she died at Clermont's lunatic asylum in 1934. It is questionable then whether Uhde wanted to withdraw from being associated with the mentally ill painter or he simply did it to round up the story of her life to a reasonably respectful ending.
Séraphine Luis was a poor and simple woman. Born in 1864 to a family of labourers, she was orphaned at the age of seven. She was then taken care of by her older sister and from early childhood worked as a shepherdess. Later on in her life she was employed as a servant to middle-class families in the town of Senlis. One of the households she worked in was that one of the German collector of primitive paintings Wilhelm Uhde, who stood behind the successes of such painters as Henri Rousseau, André Bauchant, Camille Bombois and Louis Vivin. In 1912, Uhde spotted Séraphine's captivating talent for painting. "He saw a still-life of apples in a neighbour's house and was astonished to discover that Séraphine was the artist. He supplied her with the materials that she had never had and encouraged her to paint until the war drove him out of France. When he returned, he did not scruple to collect all of Séraphine's work, as if she had been under contract to him. Her first exhibition was held at the Galerie des Quatre Chemins in 1927." (Germaine Greer, The Obstacle Race: The Fortunes of Women Painters and Their Work).
Séraphine created most of her paintings locked in her small room, lit by candlelight and with the image of the Blessed Virgin looking down on her. Untaught, and following what she regarded as religious inspiration, she produced elaborate floral designs. "Some of her flowers look as if they belonged to the flesh-consuming kind. Flame-like or hairy and prickly, they cover her canvases like growths that cannot be stopped, and malicious eyes are hidden among the leaves. The colours are often murky, and sometimes there is no composition but uncontrolled accumulation. Among flower-pieces these paintings are unique, for they express fierceness rather than a lyrical temperament. Undoubtedly Séraphine had reached the borderline of insanity when she painted them." (Edith Hoffmann, Naïve Painters in Rotterdam and Paris, The Burlington Magazine, Vol. 106, No. 739, Oct. 1964).
In 1929, after the exhibition Painters of the Sacred Heart, organised by Uhde, Séraphine experienced the joy of having money for the first time in her life. Unfortunately, her financial security was not destined to last very long. In 1930, due to the effects of the Great Depression, Uhde could no longer pay for Séraphine's works. It seems that this episode of financial success was the major cause of her mental breakdown. The visions of rich and comfortable life perturbed her simple mind to the point where she was no longer able to paint. The genius was lost there and then.
The story of the painter's life was depicted in a 2008 French and Belgian biopic, Séraphine (dir. Martin Provost). The leading role, played by Yolande Moreau, brings justice to Séraphine's turbulent life. According to Xan Brooks of The Guardian, "…played by Yolande Moreau, Séraphine looks positively monolithic – a round-shouldered, splay-footed creature of toil. But her mental state is precarious, propped up by familiar routines. Success unbalances her and she takes to wandering the streets, resplendent in a new, shop-bought wedding dress. Provost unearths this marginal figure to offer a poignant salute to a life on the fringes. This is a measured, soulful and tactile work; a film with gouache beneath its fingernails. Like Maurice Pialat's Van Gogh drama, it suggests that outsider art may be as much a symptom of disorder as a release from it. In Séraphine's case, it is a private, personal enterprise, fitted in around the day-to-day drudgery and largely played out behind closed doors. Drag the art into the spotlight and the artist combusts." (Xan Brooks, The Guardian, 27 November 2009).
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Nisha March 13, 2014
I take huge issue with anyone who attempts to diminish a persons creative accomplishments or endeavors by what happened to the artist as a result.
often creative inspiration is a kind of madness or infestation, not a "release" from it. there is no reason to assume that "god" is a force or an entity whose condition is so entirely well known that one could or should assume that by becoming one with "him", a person sanity should remain intact. There is nothing "outsider" about art done in private. Art is art and the quality of it isn't reliant on a witness. Being an artist IS a kind of witness state. I should think it would be a privilege to die for ones art or to be consumed. I don't see that it is at all rational to assume that a person who lives their life in a state of ecstasy has some huge responsibility to then prove their normalcy to others… humans in general live in a huge amount of denial about what it takes to produce things of wonder. They have a cost, a human cost. But are they still worth it?? YES.
ArtLark Post authorMarch 13, 2014
Thank you for your insightful comment. I think it opens up a broader question on the substance of art, and whether we can and should define it at all. I don't think that Xan Brooks from The Guardian was trying to diminish Séraphine's creative accomplishments, but he certainly measured it according to certain formal frames established by the western art world. And probably this is something we should argue against…?
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Rosalina January 13, 2017
Seraphine worked as Uhde's servant in fact. Her images are particularly interesting in the botanical sense because they depict imaginary botanical species. On close examination, her work is often full of cracks….maybe because she had her own recipe for painting….
myeagermind December 12, 2017
Reblogged this on Lenora's Culture Center and Foray into History.
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heralded by a happy parade of sweets, baubles and bright, shiny lights. It's gift-giving season. Shopper, your moment is now. In this year's Last-Minute Shopping Guide, you'll find inspired ideas for delighting those you love.
Go shopping at these fine retailers. Give back to your community. Here's wishing you the best the season has to offer!


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H-E-B kicks off community fitness challenge
The It's Time Texas Community Challenge presented by H-E-B kicks off its three-month community fitness challenge from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Texas Leadership Charter Academy Gym, 5687 Melrose Ave.
H-E-B kicks off community fitness challenge The It's Time Texas Community Challenge presented by H-E-B kicks off its three-month community fitness challenge from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Texas Leadership Charter Academy Gym, 5687 Melrose Ave. Check out this story on gosanangelo.com: http://www.gosanangelo.com/story/news/local/2016/01/05/heb-kicks-off-community-fitness-challenge/92009358/
Standard-Times Published 12:23 p.m. CT Jan. 5, 2016
The It's Time Texas Community Challenge presented by H-E-B kicks off its three-month community fitness challenge from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Texas Leadership Charter Academy Gym, 5687 Melrose Ave.
Fitness professionals from Community Health Club and the YMCA will demonstrate some of the latest fitness trends. Free backpacks will be given to the first 200 people in attendance.
Participants who finish the fitness challenge will be entered to win 10 $20 H-E-B gift cards, a three-month membership to Community Health Club, a tanning package or a B-12 shot package.
This is H-E-B's fourth annual challenge and the third year for San Angelo to participate.
For more information, call San Angelo's H-E-B at 325-942-9044.
Read or Share this story: http://www.gosanangelo.com/story/news/local/2016/01/05/heb-kicks-off-community-fitness-challenge/92009358/
San Angelo K-9 officer sniffs out drugs
Zentner's Daughter having sale on decor
Avenue L structure fire destroys home Thursday
Nothing Bundt Cakes opening in San Angelo
MLK events slated for Jan. 18-20 in San Angelo
San Angelo Carnival 2020: Everything you need to know


For non-gourmet types, that means your crock-pot. And I think it's fine to substitute green cabbage for red cabbage.
Brown the meat, make a sauce of the vinegar, beer, and sugar. Mix everything else in a bowl, then transfer to crock pot, pour the sauce over, put the meat on top. Cook on low 4-6 hours. Serves 4.


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When should on RETIRE?
When should one retire? Answering this question is almost like projecting an appropriate age to die. In fact, one line of thought is that a salaried person dies twice - once when he retires and the last time when he actually does.
In this country of not only multi-cultures, races, languages, cuisines, we also have a fair sprinkling of a multiplicity of rules and regulations. In fact in many cases, we do have two sets of rules as well - one for the mighty and powerful and the other for the lesser children of God. Even after 70 years of Independence, we have not been able to thrash out weeds and worms ailing our systems.
But forget philosophy and emotions, let's stick to the brass tacks. New U.P.chief secretary Rajiv Kumar on July 6 ordered all departments to screen out officers and employees who have attained an age of 50 tears or more and who are "not fit" to perform their duties. Such screening should be complete by July 31 after which these employees will be "compulsorily" retired by giving them a three-month notice.
On the same day, the Vice-chancellors of the state university held a meeting to recommend raising the retirement age for teachers from 62 to 65 years. The retirement age for doctors has already been raised to65 years. In certain institutes of excellence like the Sanjay Gandhi PGI, the age for retirement of Professor of Eminence has been made 75 years. Now the wait begins for some more ambitious government officials to grant themselves jobs till they die. The clause would read: "posted as ...... until death."
A confused government is unable to decide whether to back experience or new talent. And how do you decide whether a person - a professional or a clerk, is unfit to work unless he has been declared so by the doctors on health grounds? This would lead to pick and choose and personal likes and dislikes will come into play.
Instead, why can't we have firm rule fixing the retirement age so that the productivity of the employee remains the main criteria. This has been quite successfully practised in the private sector by the companies and also by professionals who know when to hang their boots. Who told Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, Narayan Moorthy (Infosys) or Rusi Modi and Cyrus Mistry (Tata) to resign.
But then either the system or the individual has to be goal-driven. Unfortunately, in government frequent political changes keep uprooting and shifting the goal-post every now and then. Productivity is possibly the last of the priorities in a government official's serving tenure. Who has ever fixed the productivity of an IAS, IPS official or for that matter that of a clerk or a peon?
Posted by Dilip Awasthi at 2:07 PM
Is this end of the road for MAYAWATI ?
पहले नेताजी का रिटायरमेंट हो
Politicians should retire first


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Prentice Women's Hospital Succumbs to "Progress"
Another Brutalist icon bites the dust. Despite efforts of dozens of architects, Bertrand Goldberg's inimitable building could not be saved
Rory Stott,
Courtesy C. William Brubaker © via Flickr user UIC Digital Collections
Hospital buildings, with their high standards of hygiene and efficiency, are a restrictive brief for architects, who all too often end up designing uninspiring corridors of patient rooms constructed from a limited palette of materials. However, this was not the case in Bertrand Goldberg's 1975 Prentice Women's Hospital. The hospital is the best example of a series of Goldberg-designed medical facilities, which all adhere to a similar form: a tower containing rooms for patient care, placed atop a rectilinear plinth containing the hospital's other functions.
Goldberg's approach was to let the interior requirements of the building define the exterior form, which gave rise to the peculiar plinth-and-tower form of his hospitals. The lower floors contained surgical suites, research laboratories, dining facilities and maintenance areas. Because future developments in medical technology may require spaces to be changed dramatically, Goldberg chose the form of a rectilinear plinth, which provides the greatest possible flexibility. On the other hand, since the role of a hospital (accommodating and caring for patients) was unlikely to change, Goldberg felt the building's tower need not be flexible. Here, Goldberg was inspired by anthropologists such as Edward T Hall, who were developing theories of human interaction in different spatial orientations.
Courtesy Landmark Illinois
The 'four leaf clover' plan of this tower splits each floor into four tiny communities, fostering greater social ties between the neighboring occupants. The radial arrangement creates a large number of crisscrossing routes around each floor, meaning there is more chance for incidental social encounters than in a typical hospital with rooms arranged along a corridor. It also places all patients roughly equidistant from the centrally-located nurses' station, allowing for efficient care.
With the exterior form determined by this interior layout, and requiring external load bearing walls, most structural solutions of the time would have required columns supporting the structure. However, by taking the radical approach of employing software developed by the aeronautics industry (some 20 years before Frank Gehry made this tactic famous), it was possible to cantilever these structural walls from the central core of the building. This is a structural solution which, according to Goldberg's son Geoffrey Goldberg, is not found anywhere else in the world.
With its focus on human relationships and building community, its striking concrete form, and its use of the most modern structural solution available at the time, the Prentice Women's Hospital (as well as Bertrand Goldberg's work as a whole) brings together a number of streams of architecture from the early 70s, touching on Brutalism, the humanism of architects such as Aldo Van Eyck, and the Metabolist movement dominated by Japanese architects such as Kenzo Tange and Fumihiko Maki.
Courtesy © Flickr user seanbirm
Sadly, the importance of this building and its singular combination of architectural influences was not enough to guarantee its place in the ever-changing streets of Chicago. Despite efforts of dozens of architects, and even a last-ditch proposal from Jeanne Gang and The New York Times' Michael Kimmelman, the owners, Northwestern University, demolished the building in the summer of 2013, claiming it could not meet the needs for a cutting-edge biomedical research facility they have planned for the site.
A version of this article original appeared on ArchDaily.
Categories: Preservation
Tags: Bertrand Goldberg, Brutalism, Chicago, Demolition, News


Hi, I have 2 WordPress websites where I use SV pro.
On my laptop (windows, firefox) it looks like it always did, but since version 2.3.2.0 the galleries are differtent on macs and mobile devices.
What can be the reason of that?
Another problem: after updating the gallery is invisable.
I notice that you are currently using WP-SimpleViewer v2.3.2.2 and SimpleViewer-Pro v2.1.3.
Please try updating both to their current versions to see if this helps.
WP-SimpleViewer v2.3.2.4 can be downloaded from this web page.
Once you have installed WP-SimpleViewer v2.3.2.4, you can upgrade it to use your SimpleViewer-Pro v2.3.2 files by following the instructions here.
There have been many bugfixes and changes between SimpleViewer-Pro v2.1.3 and v2.3.2 (please see the Version History for details) so upgrading may help.
After upgrading the files on your web server, please clear your browser's cache to ensure that your browser is fetching and using the most recent versions of your gallery files.
but since version 2.3.2.0 the galleries are differtent on macs and mobile devices.
I do not know whether you are referring to WP-SimpleViewer or SimpleViewer-Pro itself (and which version numbers are causing the invisibility issue) but hopefully updating to the current versions of both, ensuring that you have Adobe Flash Player installed and enabled in all your desktop browsers and clearing your browser's cache will solve your problems.
I upgraded SV and the WP-plugin both now. On http://www.imagobasics.nl/voor-bedrijve … -effecten/ it works pretty, but on http://www.dirkjedekker.nl/bruidswerk-b … je-dekker/ I see nothing. The whole SV gallery is not showing up. This comes because I am using Types from Toolset (custom post types). (Tested:) When I put the shortcode in the normal content, I see the images. I downgraded the plugin to 2.3.2.2 but have the latest pro version. It is working now. So the plugin is not working together with Types.
The other problem is not solved yet, the differtent images on mac and mobile. I haven't look at that yet.
It looks like 'simpleviewer.js' file is not being loaded in your page.
WP-SimpleViewer checks if there is a gallery present in the current page and loads the 'simpleviewer.js' file only if necessary.
I will investigate further to see if the compatibility between WP-SimpleViewer and cutsom post types in Types from Toolset can be improved.
Please note that the line numbers above refer to the current version of WP-SimpleViewer (v2.3.2.4).
I have just installed WP-Types, created a new custom post type (using default settings), created a SimpleViewer gallery (using WP-SimpleViewer v2.3.2.4) inside a custom post and the gallery displays and functions fine.
I am not sure what might be causing your problem.
Try creating a new new custom post type using default settings (and create a SimpleViewer gallery inside a custom post) and see if this works. If it does, then try changing the custom post type settings one-by-one until you find the setting which causes the problem.
Also, please copy and paste the exact WP-SimpleViewer shortcode that you are using which causes the problem. (The format of the shortcode might be contributing to the problem.) Thank you.
Hi, I used types different as you tried. I made a wysiwyg field with Custom Fields. I add this to my pagetemplate.
So it is not a custom post type, but a custom field.
I created a WYSIWYG custom field using the WP-Types v1.6.3 plugin, created a SimpleViewer gallery using WP-SimpleViewer v2.3.2.4 (and the WP-SimpleViewer shortcode was present in the custom field).
Again, the SimpleViewer gallery displayed and functioned fine.
Please note that I did need to make the modification above in order for the 'simpleviewer.js' file to be loaded into the page.
I do not know what could be causing your problem but, as I mentioned previously, the format of your WP-SimpleViewer shortcode could be contributing to your problem (especially if you have entered it manually) so please copy and paste it into a post here so that I can take a look at it and see if there is anything wrong with it.


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Cultural Awards – Public Voting – 590/2020
Gibraltar Cultural Services, on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, is pleased to announce that the public voting for the 2020 Cultural Awards will commence on Friday 4th September 2020.
The telephone numbers have been facilitated with the support of Gibtelecom, with all monies raised donated to the GBC Open Day Fund. The public is encouraged to vote for their preferred nominees. These votes will then be considered by the Cultural Awards Board who are also part of the selection process.
The telephone numbers for public voting are as follows:
JUNIOR (Under 15's)
ADITYA DHANWANI 8640 – Gibraltar's 2020 Young Musician of the Year, a GAMPA Parasol Foundation recipient, who provided piano recitals online during lockdown.
ANGELIKA BOSCO 8641 – A keen writer, who won the Autumn Poetry Competition and one of the Covid Short Story Competitions run during lockdown.
JAKE TORRES 8642 – This 8 year old wrote and illustrated a book on the Corona virus which sold over 1200 copies, Jake was also involved in a global book on the environment.
NATHAN VILLALBA 8643 – Bronze medalist at the 2019 Dance World Cup in two categories. Recipient of the Best Male Dancer and Sussex awards at the 2020 Gibraltar International Dance Festival, and also a number of UK studio scholarships.
YOUTH (Under 25's)
AMY WINK 8644 – Silver medalist at the 2019 Dance World Cup in two solo categories, awarded three scholarships for performances at the event, and winner of the Best Female Dancer award at the 2020 Gibraltar International Dance Festival.
CARMEN ANDERSON 8645 – Creator of an online blog during lockdown interviewing cultural professionals. Participated in two plays in the 2020 Drama Festival, also helping backstage in other productions.
GIBRALTAR YOUTH SERVICE 8646 – The 'Find Your Brave' photographic project was delivered by the Gibraltar Youth Production Team, around 70 participants were involved in this creative exercise which raised awareness for mental health.
SENIOR (Over 25's)
BEATRICE GARCIA 8647 – Run an online art club and drawing sessions during lockdown. Exhibited in two solo exhibitions in the UK and received a commission to paint footballer Viv Anderson.
GIBRALTAR POETRY ANTHOLOGY 8648 – A first for Gibraltar, featuring 30 works by ten local poets. Delivered by the independent Writers and Artists project and funded by the Equality Rights Group.
MARIBEL MATTHEWS 8649 – This artist has exhibited both locally and abroad, raising awareness of climate change, and has been recognized with numerous awards in New York, Florence and Rome.
BEST EDUCATIONAL PROJECT
BAYSIDE COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL 8650 – The Head teacher's Portrait Exhibition paid tribute to the 10 head teachers in the school's history. The collaboration saw artists painting the teacher who had served as Head when they were students, a project which has also served to highlight changes in schooling.
GIBRALTAR YOUTH SERVICE 8651 – Find Your Brave 'Self Portrait' photography exhibition, a creative exercise that raised awareness of mental health. Aimed at building the skills and confidence of the young people involved, whilst recognising their individuality.
JM MEMORIAL FOUNDATION 8652 – Led two projects, a cultural exchange with Morocco resulting in an art exhibition and a series of workshops with musicians and artists, and a metal sculpture exhibition at the GEMA Gallery by Spanish artist Victor Quintanilla.
The closing date for the public voting is Wednesday 30th September 2020. Calls cost 50p. Mobile surcharges apply. Please seek bill payer's permission prior to calling.
The Awards ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday 3rd November 2020 at the Sunborn Hotel. For further information please contact GCS Cultural Development Unit on 20079750 or email: info@culture.gi.


The most common form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia is 21-hydroxylase deficiency (CAH). Both men and women with classic CAH have lower fertility rates than the general population, and an increased rate of miscarriages has been reported in affected women. There are no data on the incidence rate of miscarriages in families with an offspring that have classic CAH.
We studied families with a history of classic CAH. The families came from different parts of Germany and attended the annual meeting of the German CAH support group for parents and patients which was held in Hamburg in September 2014. The data was collected anonymously by a paper-based questionnaire which was completed by the families at home. The families also accepted the responsibility to address this question to their siblings. In all, the data of 50 families with at least one child with classic CAH, and the data of 164 parental siblings were available for evaluation. Miscarriage rates were calculated in relation to the reported pregnancies.
Twenty-two miscarriages were reported from 19 families. At least one miscarriage occurred in 38% of the families, three families experienced two miscarriages and 16 families had one miscarriage each. The mean miscarriage rate was 15.8%. The heterozygous mothers had a total of 90 siblings (41 m, 49 f), while 74 siblings (33 m, 41 f) were reported from the heterozygous fathers. The miscarriage rate was 10.1% in the families of the mothers` siblings, and 11.4% in the families of the fathers` siblings. The genotype was known in all parents that have an offspring with classic CAH, but not defined in 82% of the maternal siblings, and in 86% of the paternal siblings. No child with classic CAH has been diagnosed in any of the sibling's families to date.
Our data show that the miscarriage rate in German families with a child with classic CAH is not elevated.
Miscarriage is the most common complication of early pregnancy. Among women with known pregnancy, the miscarriage rate is about 10 to 20% [1–4]. For a prospective cohort of couples from Denmark, recruited prior to conception, the mean incidence was 17% . A study from the USA calculated in a cohort of 344 couples a pregnancy loss of 28% which was connected to various preconception lifestyle factors . Overall, there are a variety of factors associated with an increased risk for miscarriage including the age of the mother and father, lifestyle factors, and medical conditions such as infections, fetal and maternal diseases [7–10]. Recently, subclinical hypothyroidism was identified as an endocrine risk factor in women before 20 weeks of pregnancy .
The most common form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia is 21-hydroxylase deficiency (CAH) due to mutations in the active gene CYP21A2 . The classic form of CAH with salt wasting (SW) or simple virilizing (SV) presents at childbirth, whereas the nonclassic form of CAH (NCAH) is generally diagnosed after adolescence. In women with classic CAH, the fertility rate is lower than in the general female population [13, 14], and an increased rate of miscarriages of 36% has been reported in Germany  The miscarriage rate in women with NCAH is somewhat lower than in women with classic CAH. The reported rates vary between 19% in France [16, 17] and 20.3% in Israel, where this rate was significantly higher than the 10.9% rate in the general population .
To the best of our knowledge, we found no data on the incidence rate of miscarriages in families with an offspring with classic CAH when both parents are heterozygous gene carriers. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to examine the risk of miscarriages in those families.
We studied families with an offspring that have classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (CAH). The families came from different parts of Germany and attended the annual meeting of the German CAH support group for parents and patients which was held in Hamburg in September 2014. Verbal consent was obtained from all families. The participation at the study was voluntarily. The mothers and the fathers of the participating families also accepted the responsibility to address this question to their siblings. All parental siblings were included in the study, i.e. also single siblings, married siblings and siblings with children without being married. The data was collected anonymously by a paper-based questionnaire (Additional file 1) in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. We had no data on the ages of the children and the individual CYP21A2 mutations. The study was approved by the local ethics committee of the Dept. Pediatrics of Erlangen. The questionnaire was completed by the families at home and sent to Erlangen (HGD), where the data was analyzed.
In all, the data of 50 families with at least one child with classic CAH, and the data of 164 parental siblings were available for evaluation. A spontaneous abortion after known pregnancy by the mother was defined as miscarriage. Miscarriage rates were calculated and compared to expected values in the general population. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. One-way ANOVA was used to compare miscarriage rates among the parents, sibs of heterozygous females, and sibs of heterozygous males.
The 50 families had a total of 117 children, including 67 children (57.3%) with classic CAH (39 girls, 28 boys). There were no children with nonclassic CAH. Most families (73%) only had a single child with classic CAH. Twelve families had two affected children, and one family had six children with classic CAH. The age of the parents ranged from 22 to 55 years for the mothers and from 25 to 60 years for the fathers. The male siblings had ages between 18 and 63 years, and the female siblings between 28 and 65 years.
Twenty-two miscarriages, distributed over 19 families, were reported from the families, while 31 families had no miscarriage. This means that at least one miscarriage occurred in 38% of the interviewed families, three families experienced two miscarriages and 16 families had one miscarriage each. Considering the number of reported miscarriages in relation to the number of clinically recognized pregnancies in the families (n = 139), the miscarriage rate was 15.8%.
The genotype was known in all parents that have an offspring with classic CAH, but the parents could not describe the individual mutations. We assume that the children might have genotypes associated with groups null or A, since all children had the severe form of CAH with salt wasting. The genotype was not defined in 82% of the maternal siblings, and in 86% of the paternal siblings.
The heterozygous mothers had a total of 90 siblings (41 brothers, 49 sisters), while 74 siblings (33 brothers, 41 sisters) were reported from the heterozygous fathers. In the siblings with children, the reported miscarriage rate was 10.1% in the families of the mothers` siblings, and 11.4% in the families of the fathers` siblings. No child has been diagnosed with classic CAH in any of these families to date.
Women with classic CAH have lower fertility rates compared to general population [13, 14, 19, 20]. Recently, this finding was also reported in men with classic CAH . In women, the causes were assigned to factors such as adrenal overproduction of androgens and progestins, neuroendocrine factors, genital surgery and/or psychosocial factors . However, at this point, one should not confuse the terms fertility and fecundity. Fertility is the natural capability to produce offspring, whereas fecundity is the potential for reproduction of a population. Traditionally, low pregnancy rates have been reported especially in women with classic CAH and the salt wasting form [23, 24], but recent studies show that the pregnancy rate for all women with classic CAH who actively tried to conceive was not different from that in the normal population, provided a good biochemical control with optimized glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid substitution regimens [19, 25].
Data on an increased rate of miscarriages in women with classic CAH is inconsistent in the literature and varied from 10% [13, 23] to 36% . Women with nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) have also a high rate of miscarriages. The rate of 20.3% in Israel was higher than in the general population , but similar to data reported in France before the diagnosis of NCAH . It is still not clear why a higher miscarriage rate was found in women with classic CAH and also in women with NCAH. There are many assumptions circulating in the literature but no clear facts. The severity of classic CAH might play a role because Krone et al. identified in their cohort one woman with classic CAH and salt wasting who had two spontaneous abortions before successful pregnancy . Factors contributing to the lower fertility rate might play a role, too. In particular, adrenal overproduction of androgens due to inadequate glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid substitution may cause a high rate of spontaneous abortions . In France, the rate of miscarriages in NCAH pregnancies decreased to 10% in women in whom treatment was started before pregnancy  suggesting that therapy may reduce the rate of pregnancy loss in NCAH .
Patients with classic CAH suffer from a considerable lifelong burden due to the need for regular physician visits, the risk of adrenal crisis and the long-term impacts of CAH-associated symptoms and treatment . This conclusion applies also for families with a child with classic CAH. Moreover, if a family with a child with CAH decided on a new pregnancy, then the obligate heterozygous pregnant woman might experience more stress than a normal healthy pregnant woman and must be managed by high-risk practitioners [25, 28]. Reports in the literature show that prenatal stress could be associated with higher rates of spontaneous abortion [29–31]. However, a large study from the USA found no clear pattern of association between stress salivary cortisol and incident pregnancy loss .
Overall, data on miscarriages rate in families with a child with classic CAH when both parents are obligate heterogeneous gene carriers are missing in the literature. We could show that the average miscarriage rate of 15.8% in families with a classic CAH child was not different from the rate found in a general population. The miscarriage rates in the siblings´ families were lower, but the differences were statistically not significant. There were some limitations to our study. The findings are limited by the nature of the data. The population studied is a selective group of affected families. The data were obtained by a questionnaire from CAH families who attended the annual meeting of the German CAH Support Group for Patients and Parents, thus the figure of miscarriages might not be representative.
Our data show that the rate for miscarriages compared to published data in a general population is not elevated, neither in the families with a classic CAH child nor in the families of the siblings.
The authors are indebted to the German CAH Support Group for Patients and Parents.
We cannot share the raw data because we got no permission from the families.
HGD and PO contributed to the study design. Data collection was performed by HGD and JH. HGD, JH, TP, MM and PO were involved in data interpretation and in drafting the manuscript. The final manuscript was prepared by HGD and PO. All authors read and approved the manuscript for publication.


I've been playing tire roulette on my 122 for a couple of years now, but I finally reached the point where nothing I had in my pile of tires/ wheels was really road worthy anymore. The rear tires were about 8 years old and starting to self-deflate, and the fronts had a horrible vibration to them over about 60 mph- and I noticed they were date coded 2003. I popped a set of nearly new 205/75R14 from a '49 plymouth I have on the rears, but that size would have been too wide for the front. I really wanted to install some stock 165SR15's there, but they are getting pricey.
The CM test a few issues back listed the Firestone F560, as well as some options from Vandestren and Michelin. The Firestones are the cheapest, but the only shop I could find them at wanted 108 a piece- and that didn't include mounting, balancing, etc. Kumho makes a 165/80R15, it lists for about $69 each + M/B (and I had bought a set of four of those many years ago for another car, and liked them), but I couldn't find them anywhere.
Wal-Mart listed a Nexen tire in the 165/80R15 size for $59. So the other day I called them up, ordered 2, and had them put on. The appearance is very good, to my eye- they look similar to the F560, I think. Ride quality seems good, and handling (as much as you can get out a 6" wide tire) is decent. The total "on the rim and out the door" price worked out to $78 per tire, and actually would have been about $5 each cheaper if I'd driven the car there, as Wal-Mart curiously charges a $5 per tire "walk in" fee if you bring in the wheels.
The guy at the counter said he'd never sold that particular size of tire before. But so far, I've put about 1400 miles on them, driving the car from Maryland to upstate NY, and then to Raleigh, NC this past weekend, and am pleased.
Interesting find. This is the one, right?
Yup, that's the tire. They are Chinese-made, which scares me a bit, but so far they seem to be decent. I drive my 122 fairly 'enthusiastically' (as you can tell from my avatar) and they do their job.
I just put Nexens on '11 Hyundai Elantra Touring and am quite pleased with price, handling and looks.
Hah, i like how they apparently couldnt find a skinny enough rim to model those tires on for the pics so it looks stretched.
I have had a positive impression of the Nexens i've used.
I put some 165/50/15s on the back of one of my Insights and they are the skinniest tires i ever spent money on on purpose.
The diameter of the 185/65R15 is smaller, though, which means more revs per mile. You also lose ground clearance- which, for my style of driving, isn't a good thing. Also, for the 4 inch wide wheel on the 122, even a 165-series tire is a bit wide for the wheel. I had 195/65R15s on there once, and they looked like they were spilling over the wheels.
Amazons that have trunks came with 4" wide wheels and 6.00 tubeless bias ply tires. Wagons came with 4.5" and 6.00 bias ply tires with inner tubes. 1800s through '69 also had 4.5" wheels, but with a different offset, and with 165-15 radials. '70-'71 1800E used s slightly wider wheel (5" ?), still with 165-15 radials, '72-'73 had 5.5" wheels with 185/70-15 radials.
The bolt pattern on the 70 and later 1800's is different, too.
I knew the 122 wagon and early 1800's used wider (4.5) wheels, never knew they were a different offset.
If it has rear drum brakes, the bolt circle is 5 on 4.5". If it has rear disc, it's 5 on 108mm (the exception being early 850s, which have four studs).
Do what I do on the MGAs - use 5" (or even 5.5") wheels and modern rubber in 185x65-15 or 195x60-15. The former will be 3.7% slower and the latter will be 1.5% slower.


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Poverty and Opportunity in California
#PPICevents #poverty
#CAeconomy
Despite strong economic growth, California continues to experience high rates of poverty. Backed by strong fiscal reserves, state policymakers have taken several steps to assist struggling families, but the goal of reducing poverty remains elusive. In this conversation, PPIC will share the latest data from the California Poverty Measure, and a panel of experts will discuss the implications for decision makers, stakeholders, and families across the state—and what more needs to be done.
This research was supported with funding from the California Wellness Foundation and the James Irvine Foundation.
11:45 a.m. Registration and lunch
12:05 p.m. Welcome
Deborah Gonzalez, director of government affairs, PPIC
12:10 p.m. Presentation
Tess Thorman, research associate, PPIC
12:20 p.m. Panel Discussion
Moderator: Jackie Botts, income inequality reporter, CalMatters
Caroline Danielson, policy director and senior fellow, PPIC
Kim Johnson, director, California Department of Social Services
Richard Raya, director, Mission Promise Neighborhood
Peter Weber, founder, California Bridge Academies
1:00 p.m. Audience Q&A
1:30 p.m. Adjourn
Economy Health & Human Services Population
Are there videos of PPIC events?
Yes, we record most of our events and make the video available on the PPIC event page within a couple days of the event.
Do you accept walk-in registration at PPIC events?
We accept walk-ins as room capacity permits. If you have questions about a specific event, contact Kelly Holt at events@ppic.org.
How do I learn about your event series sponsors?
The James Irvine Foundation Briefing Series
The James Irvine Foundation Briefing Series is intended to inform decisionmakers and facilitate constructive discussion about the major social, economic, and political issues facing California. The series is supported by a grant from The James Irvine Foundation.
Speaker Series on California's Future
The Speaker Series on California's Future brings together thought leaders from across the political and geographic spectrum with a common goal—to think critically, constructively, and collaboratively about realistic solutions to California's many challenges and build a better future for the state. The series features local, state, and national leaders discussing the major issues facing California—from education to climate change to the economy to governance. The series is supported by a variety of sponsors.
Sutton Family Speaker Series
The Sutton Family Speaker Series—made possible with a generous gift from Tom and Marilyn Sutton—features leaders and experts who have bold, innovative ideas that can help inspire much-needed change in California's higher education system.
May I submit a question for the event speaker and/or panelists?
Before the event, questions may be submitted for consideration to Kelly Holt at events@ppic.org. At this time, questions submitted during the event may not be accepted.
Broadening Access to Transfer-Level Courses at California's Community Colleges
Improving Educational Opportunity in California


It was just several months ago when Pinshape announced that they were closing due to lack of finances, only to be rescued in the 11th hour by Formlabs. Since then, the popular online marketplace for 3D printable models has hosted a number of contests including the current Within Reach 3D Design Challenge sponsored by Ultimaker, MatterHackers and e-NABLE. Not only does Pinshape hold similar challenges throughout the year, but every month they also sponsor a print to win contest. The print to win contests task Pinshape users to download a file from the site, print it, and then upload pictures of their prints. Contestants are judged based on the quality of their prints and on their photos. Good composition is the key and the prizes are free filament, from a different manufacturer each month. For September, Pinshape turned to Proto-pasta for their newest filament contest.
For those who don't already know, Proto-pasta produces high-quality filament, which come on their eco-friendly corrugated cardboard spools. The 5 best prints will each win 1 roll of Proto-pasta's newly released Matte Fiber HTPLA, or winners can choose from any other Proto-pasta material such as their highly-regarded carbon fiber or steel filament. What's interesting about this contest is that 20 winners will be chosen at random to win a 150g roll each of Proto-pasta's exclusive, unreleased HTPLA in a selection of colors and finishes, like glitter or pearl, that may never be reproduced.
Matte Fiber HTPLA sounds like good stuff. It can be heat treated to retain more stiffness to higher temperatures. It has a low luster, textured surface and texture, color and sheen can be somewhat manipulated by printer settings, as well as post-processing. Dimensional stability is improved compared to HTPLA without fibers. Performance of Matte Fiber HTPLA is similar to Proto-pasta's Carbon Fiber HTPLA, but processing of Matte Fiber does not require to use of a wear resistant nozzle. It will print on non-heated beds like standard PLA. The suggested print temperature for Matte Fiber PLA is 190 – 230º C.
It doesn't cost anything to enter and contestants can enter as many times as they like. Each unique print uploaded to Pinshape counts as 1 entry. I've won a roll of filament each of the 2 times I entered a print to win contest on Pinshape… you really have nothing to lose by entering. The top 5 functional prints will be judged on the following criteria: Complexity of Model (25 points), Print Quality (25 points), Image Composition (25 points) and Image Clarity (25 points). Things to keep in mind are that the more complex the print the more points it will receive. The better the print turns out, the more points you'll get, so get your print settings right! Make sure that the photo is framed well, is in focus and well lit, is a creative composition and is, in a word, beautiful. I suggest that you find a good background. Maybe bring your model outside to give your photos more context and interest, for example a castle print with a real forest as the background.
The Print to Win Proto-pasta Filament! contest is sponsored by Formlabs and Proto-pasta and ends September 30th. So, download a model, print it, post it and cross your fingers. Maybe you'll win a roll of a unique, unreleased filament that won't ever be reproduced. Good luck and get printing!


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Look to the Stars
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Look to the Stars - the world of celebrity giving
"Cover" Story by Bill Duke
By Crystal A. Johnson on October 31, 2007
Actor/director Bill Duke's film Cover held one of the two coveted spots for closing night film at the close of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) in Los Angeles. Members of the audience were in awe by the dramatic unfolding of a story which sheds light on the issue of "down low" behavior and the alarming consequences which add up to African American women accounting for up to 70% of all new HIV/Aids cases.
What is "down low"? It is a street term which refers to the secret sexual infidelity on the part of a husband or boyfriend with a man/woman. Usually, the man learns that he has the disease and withholds the truth. Duke implores men to be honest.
The film seeks to save lives with its message. I asked Bill to elaborate on the main message that he hopes to send with his film. He replied emphatically with reference to percentages of Black women contracting AIDS, "For 80% of the women that are infected to be infected by men that know they have the disease something is wrong!" He prefaced the statement with addressing the issue as tragic.
Duke describes the film as a murder mystery yet it is so much more. The film is a masterful blend faith, tolerance and intolerance. It demonstrates the ripple effect of lies, and cautions for safe sex if one knows they are going to cheat. The cast of stars on board for this film project include Oscar winner Lou Gossett Jr, Patti LaBelle, Vivica Fox, Leon, Razaaq Adoti and Aunjanue Ellis. For more information about how to view the film entitled Cover, contact the American Black Film Festival.
Copyright © 2007 Look to the Stars
Celebrities:
Bill Duke
Lou Gossett Jr
America's Top Dog to be Revealed November 12 at the 2021 American Humane Hero Dog Awards Gala Oct 28, 2021
It all comes down to this. After nearly a year, more than 400 nominations, a million votes by the animal-loving public, and a national television broadcast, seven courageous canines are converging from across the nation to compete for the top prize next month at the 2021 American Humane Hero Dog Awards gala. More →
Carson Kressley To Host 2021 American Humane Hero Dog Awards Sep 27, 2021
Breast Cancer Research Foundation Raises $6 Million At Virtual Hot Pink Evening May 24, 2021
Vivica A. Fox and Kym Feltus Join Forces For the Ultimate Virtual Women's Empowerment Festival May 14, 2021
Louis Gossitt Jr. for Help Heal Veterans
RMFHaiti Video: A Ricky Martin Foundation Celebrity Appeal for Haiti
Look To The Stars At Inspirational Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Connie Britton Joins the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Storyline Online as its Newest Reader Jan 21, 2022
Multiple Emmy-nominated actress, producer, and mom Connie Britton knows all too well how busy things can get in the life of a child after school. More →
Trisha Yearwood Raises More Than $36,000 In Support Of The #BettyWhiteChallenge Jan 20, 2022
Presenters Announced For The ADAPT Leadership Awards Jan 19, 2022
Jane Fonda and Bill Nye To Be Honored at Captain Planet Foundation 30th Anniversary Gala Jan 18, 2022
More celebrities →
Top charities
Elton John AIDS Foundation
More charities →
AIDS & HIV Animals At-Risk/Disadvantaged Youths Cancer Children Education Environment Health Human Rights Miscellaneous Poverty Women
More causes →
Copyright © 2006-2022 Look To The Stars. All rights reserved.
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Premium rate charged by the insurance company (insurer), which is below the standard rate.
What is a Buildable acre? What is a proration? What States Allow Tiny Houses? What is an index? What is a seller takeback?


When someone visits your Facebook page, the first thing they see is a large splash image taking up almost a quarter of the screen: your Facebook cover photo. This is your profile's headline, a big, bold banner image that introduces your brand to potential Facebook followers.
You can feature a lot in your Facebook cover photo: images of your product or team, ads and promotions, or even something as simple as graphic that sets the right mood. A good cover photo can result in increased engagement, whether that's more page likes or boosted traffic to your website or other social channels.
So, how do you make Facebook cover photos—and get the most out of them?
This article will go over everything you need to know about Facebook cover photos, from the ideal Facebook cover photo size, to picking attention-grabbing images—or videos!—that set the right tone and convince people to interact with your page.
I'll also highlight some best practices, share good examples, and explain why they're successful.
Let's start with the basics: making sure your image fits the Facebook cover photo size guidelines (and their other guidelines, too).
The minimum dimensions for a Facebook cover photo (sometimes referred to as "Facebook banner size") are 851 x 315 pixels. This is the best size to choose if you're making a cover photo and want to know exactly how it will look before you upload it.
For the highest quality photographic experience, Facebook recommends using a PNG file. Choose this option if you want to display a high definition logo in your cover image, or if your cover image contains copy that really needs to stand out.
Remember, on desktop, Facebook cover photos are more rectangular, accounting for larger/widescreen displays. On mobile, the cover photo is more square, allowing it to fit on a portrait-oriented screen.
While 95 percent of Facebook users access the site via mobile, that doesn't mean you should ignore the 31 percent of users who also browse via desktop. For a Facebook cover photo that looks good on any screen, Facebook recommends an image that's 820 pixels x 462 pixels. This also applies to the platform's newer cover format: Facebook cover videos.
Facebook cover videos are another way to grab a user's attention and drive user interactions on your page. On desktop, cover videos definitely look more engaging than static photos, and can really bring your page to life. However, they're less effective on mobile, as they don't autoplay, and instead load as a thumbnail.
Note: Facebook cover videos can have audio, but it won't play unless you actually click on the video. For best results, make sure the video you upload works equally well with or without sound. This is something you should keep in mind even outside cover videos: 85 percent of Facebook users watch videos with the volume turned off.
Make sure you're not violating anyone's copyright.
Make sure your cover photo or video is family-friendly and safe-for-work.
Make sure that if you're advertising a product with your cover photo or video, you're not breaking any of Facebook's advertising rules.
For a full breakdown of these policies, check out the Facebook page guidelines.
Note: all screenshots used in this article are from Adobe Photoshop CC 2018 (19.1.2 release).
The best way to make Facebook cover photos is by creating a template in Adobe Photoshop and saving it for all your future needs. Once you've followed these six easy steps, you'll be good to go for all your future cover photo needs.
a) Open Photoshop, and go to File > New.
b) Now you'll be presented with the screen where you set your template dimensions.
c) Name your file (spoiler alert: my cover photo is sushi!) and enter your image dimensions. I'm making a Facebook cover photo for desktop, so I've entered 851 for width and 315 for height.
d) Once you've done this, click the blue Create button in the bottom right, and you'll arrive at this screen showing a blank template.
Go to File > Open and select the photo you'd like to see appear on top of your Facebook profile. It will open in a new tab in Photoshop.
a) In the bottom right corner, right click the Layers panel and select Duplicate Layer. This will open up a dialogue box, as seen in the second image.
b) Under Destination, change the file name to the one you named your template—in my case, it's "Best Sushi Ever." Click OK.
a) Tab back to your template file. You'll see the formerly white space is now filled with an image. When I first did this step, I ended up with this, which looks like a hot mess. But don't worry! This happened because I didn't resize the image within the template yet.
b) To resize the image to fit the template, go to Edit > Free Transform (or press Control/Command + T).
c) A border (bounding box) encompassing all the cropped-off parts of your image will appear around the template. If you're too zoomed-in you won't be able to see it; zoom out if this is the case.
d) Shift-click one of the corners of the bounding box and drag it inwards to scale your image down so the sections you want to be visible appear within the template. Once you've scaled it the way you want, press the Enter key to lock in your image.
Here's when you can add your logo, ad copy or other text/design elements. I went with some thematically-appropriate kanji ("Best sushi ever!") for this example.
Go to File > Save. Name your cover photo and select a file format. I picked PNG as recommended for maximum, mouth-watering detail.
Ta-da! Here's a cover photo that will look delicious on desktop or mobile.
Now that you've made a template, you can skip step 1 when making your cover photos in future.
Once you're finished making your Facebook cover photo, uploading it is easy.
Navigate to your Facebook business page and mouse over the cover photo space at the top.
Click Add a Cover in the top left corner.
Click Upload Photo/Video and select the photo you'd like to upload.
A preview of your photo will appear in the cover space. Click the photo and drag it up or down to the vertical orientation of your liking.
If you don't like how your Facebook cover photo is positioned after you've published it, you can click Update Cover and then Reposition, which will return you to step 4.
As you upload more cover photos, you'll build up a library. If you ever want to replace your current cover photo with an older one, click Select Photo instead of Upload Cover Photo in step 3, and you'll be able to choose from previously uploaded images.
Finally, the Select Artwork button contains a number of premade background images for your cover photo space. These look fine in a pinch, but I'd recommend creating branded images for your business page that showcase your organization's personality, products, or services.
Uploading a Facebook cover video is almost the same as uploading a cover photo, with a couple of extra steps.
Navigate to your company page and mouse over the space at the top.
Click Upload Photo/Video and select the video you'd like to upload.
A preview of your video will appear in the cover space. Click the video and drag it up or down to the vertical orientation of your liking.
Choose a thumbnail from the 10 available options Facebook provides (hint: pick the one that's most likely to pique interest and reel someone in).
Now that you know the basics of creating and uploading cover photos, it's time to look at some powerful examples, and the strategies behind them.
The whole point of your profile banner is to grab attention and elicit curiosity so people take action on your page. Use memorable imagery with colors that reflect your brand, and don't be afraid to make use of negative space, particularly if you're including copy: it'll help your words stand out.
This playful cover photo from Zendesk uses bright colors and negative space to make their copy pop.
A Facebook cover photo that matches with the profile picture always looks professional and put-together. It might sound limiting, but it's also a good opportunity to get creative.
Target's eye-catching Facebook cover photo makes clever use of their bullseye logo. The optical illusion caught me off-guard, earning this cover photo my full attention.
When you're choosing an image for your Facebook cover photo, think about how it's going to look on the screens of Facebook's 1.15 billion smartphone users. If there's tiny text, will it be readable? How will the finer details look on a smaller screen? What's being cut off when your cover photo is panned-and-scanned to mobile format?
I was surprised to find that many companies (big companies!) don't actually bother to optimize for this, making it an easy way to provide a better page experience than your competitors.
Duolingo has smartly chosen an image that doesn't change too much between desktop and mobile. Nothing is lost in translation, providing both audiences with an equally good browsing experience.
As an added bonus, the brand name in the banner leaves the profile picture open for Lingo (their company mascot) to greet visitors to the page.
Centered images work well on cover photos, but aligning your image content to the right is aesthetically pleasing and has strategic value. Facebook's call-to-action buttons appear on the right side of your profile; ideally, your images should draw the eye to that section of the page. If possible, include elements that draw attention to your CTA.
Here, YouTube star and cake-decorating sensation Yolanda Gampp uses the cover photo to advertise her new cookbook, How to Cake It. This banner effectively leads the eye, starting with the copy, then to the book cover, which is placed right over the Watch Video CTA. It's a direct route to her YouTube channel—and an invitation join her 3.6 million subscribers!
Your Facebook cover photo is the ideal place to announce what's new at your company. Keep this space updated with fresh content, whether you're promoting a new product or service, or referencing current events in relation to your brand.
Here, KFC uses their cover video to advertise the Canadian launch of the latest twist on the infamous Double-Down. This profile video works well because the animation is on a short loop so it's not too distracting. It really creates a mood!
Including a link within the cover photo page itself is a good way to drive traffic to your other pages via Facebook. Use a link shortener like ow.ly to create a customized URL format that's unique to your brand. It makes links more manageable, and conceals the UTM code you should be using to track your traffic sources.
Here, Threadless uses an all-too-relatable drawing of a cat to drive traffic to their website. When you click the cover photo, you find a link directing you to purchase the T-shirt. The link contains a UTM code, allowing Threadless to track page views from their Facebook cover photo.
Although they haven't done it here, another strategy is to have this URL direct to the same page as the CTA on your main profile, offering another chance for conversion. This also lets you experiment with other CTAs on your Facebook page (Facebook currently has seven to choose from).
Check out this post if you want to more about how to write an irresistible call to action.
Remember, the goal of a headline is to get you to read the article below, and Facebook cover photos are no different. Pin your most important current content to the top of your Facebook page.
When people are drawn in by your cover photo, they'll see the most relevant information as soon as they scroll down.
Hootsuite is currently promoting an upcoming webinar series on Demystifying Social ROI. In addition to a cover video highlighting the event, we've pinned it as the first post on our page so people remember to sign up.
Manage your brand's Facebook presence and your new Facebook cover photo with Hootsuite. Engage followers, track results, and schedule new posts from a single dashboard. Try it free today.


Amazing to the core and a stylish brand having all the original inventiveness intact, this Cindy Crawford wool coat is a delicate covering for fashion following women. Conceived with a handpicked wool fleece fabric and embarked on with all the touchdown excellences any female could modishly handle.
Furthermore, specs settled down on this terrific Cindy Crawford black coat embraces a notch collar over its pinnacle and the golden emblazoned buttons over the anterior orchestrated with your swanned up open hem cuffs. Additionally, two waist pouches lets you keep your cosmetic augment prerequisites whenever you're on the move.
With all the novelty persuaded right into this antiquated tot up trendsetter, you'll get everything that's meant to be high-class drafted. Moreover, the craftsmanship ingenuity gives you all the gorgeousness of the world. Stitch cultured and elite erudite at the same time, this Cindy Crawford coat is everything you could buckle up your bodies for an elegant vogue festive win-win situation.


An oasis of calm and space in teeming, bustling, non-stop moving Causeway Bay, Victoria Park can offer a welcome respite to an urban shopping spree. This is what makes it so popular with locals.
The park is also where you'll see choreographed tai chi sessions in the mornings, glowing lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival and a colourful flower market during Chinese New Year.
MTR Tin Hau Station, Exit A2. Turn left at the exit and continue ahead until you reach the park.