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Letterman's Writers Re-Enter the Building
by Drew | Dec 28, 2007 | Uncategorized | 0 comments
David Letterman is going back on the air next week, and he's doing it with his writing staff on-board.
David Letterman has secured a deal with the striking Writers Guild of America that will allow him to resume his late-night show on CBS next Wednesday with his team of writers on board, executives of several late-night shows said today.
Most of television's late-night shows are scheduled to return to the air that night after being off for two months due to the strike, but it is likely that only Mr. Letterman, and the show that follows him on CBS hosted by Craig Ferguson, will be supported by material from writers.
The reason is that Mr. Letterman's company World Wide Pants, owns both those shows. The company announced two weeks ago that it was seeking a separate deal with the guild that would permit the two World Wide Pants show to return to the air. The talks seemed to be at an impasse until today when the deal was completed.
Should be interesting to see what happens now the first crack has appeared in the dam. It might also be interesting to find out what the terms of the deal were.
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The Star Early Literacy Annual Progress Report provides a graphic display of a student's reading progress across a school year in comparison to Literacy Classification criteria or Risk Categories. This report can also graph the average test scores of students in a class for a school year.
The primary audience for this report is teachers who are using Star Early Literacy for periodic progress monitoring. This report can be shared with parents and students.
On the Select Report page, select Annual Progress.
You can add more date ranges (up to 10) to this report in order to compare multiple date ranges.
Choose whether to group students on the reports by class, teacher, or grade, or choose not to group them.
Choose which graph to use to check the reading progress of a student or group of students: Literacy Skills, Risk Category, or no graph.
Note: This option is only available when Students is selected for the "Group By" option.
After choosing the report options, select View Report.


You are here: Home / Healthy Diet / Health Supplements, Vitamins & Minerals / Does Lysine Prevent Cold Sores?
Cold sores, or so-called painful blisters, can occur anywhere on your body. Your lips and mouth are the most commonplace.
You can find them on your fingers, cheeks or nose. Regardless of the name, they are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), not by a cold.
This kind of infection is common amongst people with immunity or health problems, or you can blame the genetics.
These painful lesions are filled with fluid, and they can be very painful. HSV can be transmitted by getting in contact with the person who has the virus.
When you're infected, the virus becomes active after short periods of time, and it will stay in your body forever. It travels from your nerve cells to the surface and multiplies.
That way, it can cause an outbreak on your skin. Triggers for the outbreak can be stress, cold, menstruation, certain foods or allergies. After the sores form, they can break or ooze.
When the crust or scab falls off, your new skin will reveal underneath them. However, this infection has its own treatment.
There are several products and remedies you can use. One of them is lysine. The most common product is lysine pills for cold sores, but it also comes in the form of liquids and creams.
L-Lysine is an amino acid and one of the ''building blocks of protein''. It helps with numerous functions in our body. 20 amino acids are necessary for proper internal health and protein creation.
Only 10 of them can be created by the body, which means that the other 10 must be consumed.
The importance of amino acids is affected, especially if you don't want to have a degradation of internal cells.
There are D- and L- forms of amino acids. L- forms are for protein synthesis, and they must be consumed from food or supplements.
L-lysine has a plethora of benefits, but people often use it as a treatment for cold sores. You can take it orally or consume it through food. Meat, beans, cheeses, and eggs contain a significant amount of L-lysine.
Lysine was used as a treatment and supplement for managing the virus since the 1980s.
However, several types of research show no improvement of cold sores, while others suggest that it can help prevent outbreaks.
Therefore, if you choose to try this method, we recommend that you consult your doctor.
Cold sores can last from 7 to 10 days. If you're not careful, you can efficiently transmit the virus to persons around you. Thus, how fast does L-lysine work on cold sores? Unfortunately, there are no many studies on this subject so that we can claim for sure about the healing process duration.
The research published by Dermatologica shows its efficiency as a therapy for herpes simplex infection. Additionally, It can be used as a prevention remedy for cold sores.
In the study published in the International Journal of molecular medicine, it has been shown that arginine inactivates the herpes virus and increases the replication rate of cells. Lysine works against it. It slows down the activity of arginine. Hence, it may prevent the appearance of cold sores.
Many doctors answered the following question to speed up the healing process: What not to eat when you have a cold sore? They recommend cutting out nuts, seeds, spirulina, chocolate, squash, oats, and wheat.
However, the research published by BMC Veterinary Research shows that a lysine supplement is not effective for the prevention of herpes virus whatsoever.
When it comes to combining lysine and the cold sore treatment, reviews are: many individuals who use this type of remedy to treat cold sores say that it's an effective method.
L-lysine may help with reducing the number of outbreaks, and it might aid in lessening the frequency of them.
L-lysine might reduce genital herpes, but there aren't enough studies on that subject to claim that for sure.
Additionally, if you're not comfortable with pills, you can try lysine cream for cold sores.
Usually, people have the following debate: Lysine cold sore treatment vs. Abreva Cold Sore Cream.
Abreva contains the chemical called Docosanol, and it says that it's able to cure a cold sore in just 2-3 days. This cream penetrates into the skin and blocks the virus.
According to the reviews of the users, Abreva works effectively. We suggest you to choose one option, consult with a doctor and try with it.
Collagen is one of the most integral proteins in our body. It contains the amino acid L-lysine, along with proline and glycine.
Lysine contains molecules that have a wide range of benefits for your skin and overall health, such as firm and healthy structure.
That is one of the reasons why it's one of the first choices when it comes to therapy for acne patients.
This amino acid plays a role in promoting a healthy immune system.
You might want to consider adding amino acid supplements and skin care products to your daily routine.
Individuals that don't get enough amounts of lysine, or have lysine deficiency, are prone to acne.
Lysine can be used as an anti-aging component. Wrinkles and sagging skin start to appear when collagen breaks down.
By providing enough collagen to your skin, amino acids help to rejuvenate the skin, and they restore smoother complexion.
One of the proteins that our hair contains is keratin. It may be one of the essential proteins due to its role in synthesis.
Amino acids in it (lysine, cysteine, arginine, and methionine) prevent excessive hair loss and promote hair growth.
Lysine can accelerate bone recovery by increasing the amount of collagen. It enhances the blood circulation and helps to prevent osteoporosis in a natural way.
Scientists at Florida State University studied how lysine conjugates affect damaged strands found in cancer. It can locate a damaged strand and spot.
Afterward, it tears apart the rest of the strand. This capacity of lysine can be activated only when it's exposed to certain types of light. Therefore, it can destroy 25-90% of cancer cells.
To minimize stress and anxiety, try incorporating more foods that are rich in L-lysine in your diet, along with magnesium, omega 3 and B vitamins.
It can help you absorb calcium, which can also reduce symptoms of anxiety.
The study by Biomedical research in Tokyo, Japan found L-lysine helpful for stress reduction. In addition to that, it can decrease the effects of schizophrenia caused by anxiety.
However, if you're not careful with the dosage, you might experience some of the side effects: nausea, diarrhea or abdominal pain.
Amino acids are becoming more and more useful for treating numerous conditions and preventing diseases. As we said previously, L-lysine may be the essential amino acid.
If you want to make sure that you consume the right amount of it, increase your intake of beef, fish, seeds, eggs, and soy.
If you're thinking about getting a lysine supplement, be careful with the dosage. Nonetheless, how much lysine is too much? If you're not sure about the dosage of the outbreak, consult with your doctor.
By adding skin care products that are based on amino acids, you might prevent the appearance of acne or signs of skin aging. They may help you achieve younger-looking skin and overall smoothness, without the appearing of uneven skin tone.


Baptist Press indicated that the Guidstone Fund received the Premier Finanical Award. As of now, it appears that anyone can invest in the Guidestone Fund. Did the Guidestone fund start out as a retirement fund for only SBC ministers and employees associated with the SBC, or was it always open to other people?
If there was a change, when was it?
Does anyone know how much of the over $40 billion it has is now in the SBC ministers retirement fund?
Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.
GuideStone Funds are available to Southern Baptist and evangelical Christian churches and ministry organizations that GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention is authorized to serve. In addition, the funds are sold to individuals associated with those organizations that are eligible to utilize products and services made available by GuideStone Financial Resources. For more information, visit http://www.GuideStone.org.
I'd guess that you can find answers to that at GuideStone's site linked above.
I'd note that GS has 27 funds.


Day 3 - What are you reading?
I like having a book on the go. I do "read" books as well, though lately I am reading technical manuals and have little time to pick up a book for leisure purposes.
Audiobooks are perfect for when I'm in my car, doing dishes, standing in line, winding down the evening, or when eye fatigue (from reading technical papers) takes over. I would never have ploughed my way through the above list of books in 4 1/2 months if I was turning a page - I'm a slow reader.
I recommend all the books I've listened to. I've taken some out of the library for my mom to read, she really enjoyed Kate Wilhelm's writing, along with Kate Jacob's book, The Friday Night Knitting Club.
Visit Order Of Books, this site is amazing. It gives the order books were written in so you don't ever miss a book penned by your favourite author. It was helpful for reading M. C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin and Hamish MacBeth series in order, as well as many others.
I'm giving a quick shout out to Maxine, from England. We met while I was in a Microsoft store getting acquainted with my new Surface 3 computer. She has recommended a few titles which I am going to pass on. As she is a fan of M. C. Beaton (a good sign) I am looking forward to adding her suggestions to my "Must Read List".
2016 is looking good in the reading department. I'm always open to a good recommendation, so, if you have a title/author you'd like to share, please leave it in the comment area.
PAST AND PRESENT - ANYTHING GOOD?


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ASOS value and growth potential
Companies research & Investing content, sent only when I've something interesting to say.
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DISCLAIMER: ASOS is now the biggest position in my portfolio. I researched it for months now. This is my research and why I decided to make it my biggest position.
ASOS is an online fashion retailer from the UK. Their brand specializes in 20-something fashion. It has also become a fashion platform for many brands, not only ASOSs'.
ASOS has a massive share in the UK market, where it started and applied its strategy successfully for over 20 years. They have a good presence in the European market and started penetrating the US market in the past few years. Their growth in these markets holds massive potential.
The company is recently out of favor, with over -60% hit to the stock price since its highs. Supply chain issues make their recent expansion to the US market harder and generally hit their global operation. Brexit didn't help their trade situation with the European market either as a UK company.
The online fashion retail market suffers a hit as COVID restrictions go away, and people prefer to spend their money on restaurants, travel, and other "real world" experiences. Resulting in the growth numbers seen in 2020 due to lockdowns going away.
And if that's not enough, the CEO of 5 years recently left the company, leaving the company without clear leadership in the most trying times - when they have to figure out supply chain issues amidst their global expansion and growth in the US market.
That all being said - I believe that ASOS is a great business that will overcome all its short-term issues and will show significant growth in the long term.
The stock price is in a position that can offer great returns for a turnaround or minimal losses in the doom and gloom scenario - as this scenario is already priced in.
ASOS is a UK-based online fashion retailer founded back in 2000. It can be best defined as "Quality, ethical, 20-something fashion at any price".
Diving into each definition item separately offers a great way to understand the company, its value proposition, and thus its moat. Let's dive in, into "Quality", "Ethical", "20-something", "Fashion", and "At any price".
ASOS products are made from quality material in quality processes that ensure the end products are consistent, reliable, and held for a long time.
That comes into context when compared to other competitors like SHEIN and Boohoo. I asked >100 people who bought there and tested some products myself. In terms of quality, they are objectively worse. They also provide high-quality products, but the perceived brand and focus are not of quality.
To quote a Redditor who put it out perfectly: "Washing SHEIN stuff before first wear already destroys half its life".
Products can be made as cheap as possible, but not cheaper.
ASOS $ASOMY are making great fashion as cheap as possible while having high quality.
Shein makes things too cheap.
Here's one example of a discussion at r/femaleFashionAdvice, and most discussions are similar. pic.twitter.com/Wb7F7pQtrY
— Snir David (long term investing) (@snird) March 10, 2022
SHEIN has a premium brand called MOTF, but to quote someone I questioned about it: "You have to be INSANE to buy premium from SHEIN. They are the cheap-Chinese-sweat-shop brand. Not premium."
It comes down to this: nobody will brag about a quality buy from SHEIN, Boohoo, and I dare say even Fashion Nova these days. But they will from ASOS.
The 20-something fashion-oriented audience cares about sustainability, environment, diversity, and generally buying from an ethical brand.
This has its limits, and it might affect mostly the more premium buyers, but it exists. Even if just for the virtue-signaling, being able to say your fashion is ethical is an integral part of the brand.
The ethical aspects come into context, again, with competitors in mind. Every girl buying SHEIN or Boohoo that I talked to felt obligated to say "I have to do it for the price! Once I finish my studies/get a better job, I'll never shop there again."
SHEIN runs the most unethical sweatshops in the industry, while Boohoo made their "sweatshops" in the UK. And while other competitors can at least deny being THAT unethical, none can claim ethical workings like ASOS can.
20-something
The focus on a limited age group further solidifies the ASOS brand. The 20-something is the most profitable market for fashion selling, and this age group is inherently exclusive.
A 20-something fashion-forward person will avoid any association with any other age group. A 30-something doesn't mind buying in GAP, while a 50-something is in store. That's not the case for 20-something fashion-forward people.
ASOS maintains tight control over its image as a 20-something brand that it's impressive to watch. For example, all their marketing materials and models showing the products on their site strictly speak to their target group.
Sorry to pick on SHEIN again, but that's an excellent way to show how mass production, in their case, comes before brand control: They have an incentive program to make customers send photo reviews of products. Making a product presented by a 20-something model followed by a 50-something customer photo in the reviews.
It helps sales for low-quality cheap assets, but it destroys any perception the platform tries to make. That's something ASOS never does.
The word "fashion" often loses its meaning in the retail context, as even a mass-produced generic product is called "fashion". No, for ASOS, fashion is FASHION. It's being trendy and new. It means something.
Combine that with the "20-something" and "quality" values, and you have a unique proposition. The result is a unique place that understands and communicates fashion while making its customers feel good for being its customers.
Other brands fail to communicate "fashion" for various reasons. These reasons can be quality (SHEIN, Boohoo, Fashion Nova to some extent), values (SHEIN and Boohoo sweat shops), presentation (Revolve), and more.
One great example of how ASOS understands fashion is why Adidas considers them a strategic partner. This is how the same product is presented in Adidas vs. ASOS:
Good presentation isn't trivial at all. Here's the denim category at Revolve, for example:
Revolve denim category presentation
And here it is at ASOS:
ASOS denim category presentation
You can be as fashion brain-dead as me, and still able to tell which one communicates "fashion" more.
At any price
ASOS has many brands, spanning all price points and sub audiences within the 20-something range.
This slide from their last Capital markets day describes it best:
While most of their sales come from the "ASOS Design" brand that targets mid-20s at a mid-price point, they also have brands for other price points.
"COLLUSION*" brand is the younger and cheaper brand, launched just a year ago - and is already the 2nd most selling brand in ASOS. That is to speak to its quick growth and potential.
The "Topshop" and "Topman" brands that ASOS acquired recently represent the high-end alongside "ASOS Edition". These brands are unique and recognizable outside of the "ASOS" brand - helping acquire customers in the US, but we'll get to that.
I'll finish this section with a quote of Matt Dun, ASOS COO, from the capital markets day (at 10:30):
We believe what differentiates us is that we do 20-something fashion with a focus like no one else. That doesn't mean sacrificing our "Fashion with Integrity" principles to be the cheapest in the market, nor does it mean correcting the widest possible range. Instead, our whole strategy is focused on Gen Z and Millennials and having the most relevant product for them at relevant price points with relevant propositions, such as the on-site experience and delivery methods tailored to their needs.
First look at markets spread from the latest sales figures for Q4'21:
As a UK based company, it's natural for most of the sales to come from the UK. The other segments, EU, US, and ROW (rest of world) are the essential future growth for ASOS.
ASOS is a market leader in the UK, but not so much in other regions. To be a market leader, ASOS needs 2 things to work properly in a region: marketing and logistics.
In the UK, they have 2 fulfillment centers for the logistics and over 20 years of marketing to that audience. So it works best. The challenge is replicating this in other regions.
Let's complete the markets picture with some growth figures to get a sense of what's happening:
Here are a few takeaways from this data:
Amazing growth in the UK
Moderate growth in EU, US
The last year or so was horrific. No growth, and decline in the ROW segment
Last year's growth stop is primarily due to supply-chain issues, which we'll expand on later. But it was most devastating to the ROW segment as it had elevated delivery times, often for weeks - resulting in the decline in sales.
Good logistics infrastructure enables global fashion commerce to be reasonably priced with good experience. When I think about logistics, they affect these factors of the business:
Delivery time - Having next-day delivery is crucial in fast fashion
Product availability - With global logistics, some products may be available only for certain regions. A good logistics infrastructure will make the right product available at the right time
Returns service - Online purchases naturally have high returns ratio, processing it efficiently is crucial for the bottom line
As the economies of scale rise in certain markets, it justifies more infrastructure in those markets - making all the points above more achievable and for a better price and thus margins for the company.
Logistics infrastructure requires heavy capital expenditure. ASOS ramps up new logistic centers slowly in a way that justifies the spending along with the market growth. It starts slow with partial operation, manually, with few people. It eventually grows to be full capacity, fully automated logistics centers.
This also means that efficiency in new locations is typically low - harming margins. But so does massive capex before it is called for - so I trust ASOS management in this regard. The point is that as each market grows and its logistics centers mature - its margins get better.
Logistic centers
UK is currently the biggest market for ASOS, so it's naturally the home of most of its logistics centers.
Barnsley - ASOS's biggest and most significant fulfillment center. It provides service in the UK, MIDEA, and South America. As the most significant logistics center, it also supports all other fulfillment centers. Here's a quote regarding the US market from the last annual report: "We increased the range of products available via ASOS Fulfils, which augments the stock held in Atlanta from Barnsley."
Lichfield - First opened in August 2021, this is the newest fulfillment center aimed to support Barnsley in the UK market. It still isn't fully automated or at full capacity, as its operations ramp up slowly with demand.
Selby, Doncaster - Returns centers of UK. In charge of cleaning, repackaging, and making returned products ready for sale again. As a result, 97% of ASOS returned products go back on sale. After the products are ready, they go back to the fulfillment centers.
Berlin - Also known as the "Eurohub" in ASOS reports, it serves the EU market, and is the second biggest fulfillment center.
Poznan, Krupka - The EU returns center locates at Poland.
Atlanta - The US logistics center, both fulfillment, and returns center. The operations in the US are still limited, so it makes sense to have both in the same center. In addition, this warehouse makes 90% of the US population eligible for next-day delivery.
Adding automation to a warehouse is very capital intensive, so it was done only for the Barnsley and Berlin center so far. The gains in productivity are impressive:
Automatic have significant impact, as self proclaimed by ASOS
It's easier to understand what automation means when you see it, this video from ASOSs' Supply Chain event makes it clear:
Automation for other fulfillment centers is already on the way, with the US Atlanta center fully automated by 2023, and the Lichfield center is starting the automation works now.
The automation technologies are all third-party, yet all the data gathered is wholly owned by ASOS, opening the opportunity for data-based optimization and AI tools in the future
Fulfillment schemes
One fulfillment center serves each market. That's the easiest scheme, easy for the company to manage and coordinate, and easy to communicate to the customer.
But ASOS now goes beyond that, in more complex customer orders fulfillment schemes that enable more possibilities for the customers. With logistics and software to make it all seamless for the customer - ASOS is a unique leader in this field (among fashion retailers. Come on, no one competes with Amazon on this).
ASOS fulfill (flexible fulfillment)
Allow customers to shop items from multiple fulfillment centers at once.
In 2020 ASOS started a pilot in the US of orders fulfilled from any warehouse. Items that aren't available in the Atlanta warehouse are sold to US customers from the UK or Berlin fulfillment centers. This also works the other way around, but it's most significant in the US.
This pilot that made more products available to the US market leading to 37% more sales. But more importantly, it proved the logistics ability to serve the same customer from multiple fulfillment centers at once without any major inconveniences to the customer. So that's another step toward global logistics infrastructure.
Fulfilled by ASOS
Allow partner brands to host their products within ASOS fulfillment centers.
ASOS allows partner brands to use ASOS logistics centers for products sold on the ASOS platform. This enables brands that lack global logistics power to have an online presence through ASOS.
Smaller, local brands benefit most from this program. From the ASOS side, it allows for local targeting in different markets, bringing growth and customer acquisition opportunities for customers already familiar with their local brands.
Partner fulfill
Partners serve customers on ASOS platform from the partner fulfillment center.
In 2021, ASOS ran a pilot for this program, in which partner brands (Adidas, Nike, etc.) serve the customer directly from their logistics centers rather than go through ASOS logistics.
Now in 2022 the program is out of pilot and getting incorporated officially. In a question from Jan 2022 call, Mat Dunn (CFO, COO) said this:
In terms of the learning on Partner Fulfils, there were 2 reasons to run the pilot: One was to make sure that we could successfully execute, and it was a good experience for customers. And I think we're really confident with the way that experience takes for customers. So in that sense, it gives us the confidence to move -- to roll it out, and that was one of the key elements of the pilot.
With "ASOS Fulfills", "Fulfilled by ASOS", and "Partner fulfill", this customer journey at ASOS is now possible, in a single order of 3 products:
"ASOS Design" brand product (owned by ASOS), delivered from ASOS Barnsley warehouse.
"Adidas" product delivered from ASOS Atlanta warehouse.
"Nike" product delivered from a Nike warehouse.
All coordinated, tracked, and supported through the ASOS platform.
ASOS as a platform
ASOS north star is to become the definitive location for 20-something fashion. This goal is unique because it puts the customer in the center and ASOS's actions toward that goal sometimes seem counterintuitive in the broad market context.
Most competitors choose to either have full control of the product offerings, selling their brands only (SHEIN, Fashion Nova, Boohoo, etc.) or be a marketplace for others (Amazon, Etsy, Stylight, etc.). ASOS does both.
Being the "definitive location for 20-something fashion" requires recognition that fashion will always be bigger than you - it has to include big, global brands such as Adidas and small, local brands that set the fashion tone in specific regions.
This isn't merely an extension of ASOS as a marketplace - they take ownership of everything sold through them to make it the best fit for the "definitive location for 20-something fashion". Marketing, logistics, discovery - ASOS take full ownership.
ASOS has a highly polished pipeline for fashion marketing, from professional models and photography studios generating the "ASOS feel" for fashion to their social media management, and smart ad spend.
Targeting the 20-something fashion lover audience is a unique quality many big brands are unable to do internally at scale, so leveraging the ASOS platform for it makes sense.
"Fulfilled by ASOS" and "Partner fulfill" schemes provide the best experience for both the partner brands and the customer.
If needed, ASOS can offer its logistics solutions through "Fulfilled by ASOS". And should the partner want to serve from his logistics center, the "Partner fulfill" capabilities are so well integrated into the ASOS pipeline that the customer won't feel any difference in the quality of service he gets.
The many brands of ASOS
"ASOS" is a brand in and of itself, but internally they have multiple clothing brands, each focusing on certain style, price point, and audience. When customers surf by category, "dress", "denim", etc., it's hard to create brand recognition for any specific brand.
But that's exactly what ASOS is trying to do - instead of "ASOS" being the clothing brand, it should be the "platform" brand in which you can find many fashion brands.
This is most notable with the acquired "Topshop" and "Topman" brands that have distinctive brand recognition globally. So much so that ASOS is leveraging this brand recognition in a strategic partnership with Nordstrom to sell these and other ASOS brands in their online and brick & mortar stores - getting a foothold in the US market through this brand recognition.
Other than the Topshop brands, ASOS has many other brands. Most recognized today is "ASOS Design", followed by "COLLUSION*", which is fast-growing, and ASOS announced its intentions to make it a differentiating brand.
If that works, ASOS will complete its transition to being a platform. Whereas now it's a shop - it'll become a mall. Instead of "This top is from ASOS", you'll say, "I went shopping at ASOS, got this Topshop top, COLLUSION* pants, and Adidas shoes.".
These 2 slides from ASOS explains the brands distinction:
Brands by customer type
Brands by age and price point
The lightning round
Things you should know about the business but are not important or big enough to merit a section for them:
Premier - For 10 GBP a month, a customer can get a premier status that offers special promotions, services, and access. Premier customers are highly engaged shoppers - and this keeps them happy. It's expanding fast - maybe there's a "Costco" or "Amazon Prime" scenario here.
Face & Body - A fast growing category in ASOS, everything face and body, from skin care to make up through nails. According to ASOS, it doesn't help much with new customer acquisition, but it helps with retention of existing ones.
ASOS's core business relies on supply chains from two perspectives: the supply of products to logistics centers from the manufacturing sites and the supply of products to the end-users from the logistics centers.
The entire world is dealing with this issue now. But ASOS is especially out of luck - recent expansion to the US, Brexit problems with EU trade, fast fashion inherently relying on fast delivery, etc.
The wide supply chains issues
ASOS hosted a supply chains event in August last year, showing the supply chains issues.
Most of it is irrelevant by now. Supply chains issues got worse, and some plans are impossible now. For example, it makes no sense to move some deliveries from sea to air now that you can't fly with cargo from China to the UK through Russian territory.
Since this thing develops quickly, and since every retailer suffers similarly, I think it will be more productive to focus on how ASOS is uniquely positioned in this situation.
The most relevant and interesting bit of data is this:
ASOS sourcing locations
Interesting points:
Ukraine was a sourcing location, no update on how big of a sourcing location it was or what's its status now.
China is the single biggest producer with 36%.
What's being produced in Europe mostly move to the UK, some kept within Europe in the Berlin center. But things that go to the UK sometimes go back to Europe again.
ASOS is UK-based, with its biggest logistics centers in the UK and Europe being ASOS's second-biggest market.
Brexit made all this trade that much harder and costlier, though once trade paths are figured out, it makes things easier. In the ASOS case, we're almost there.
US market infancy
The US market is still very small for ASOS. It has not reached a point where it enjoys economies of scale, making the supply chain issues in the US harder, making the whole business even more expensive, and cutting more into the margins.
In the supply chains event I mentioned above, back on Aug 21', executives said this is an issue. If it was an alarming issue back then, it might be on the verge of catastrophe by now.
It might make the operations in the US so ineffective that it'll lose money in the short term. The warehouse investments, supply chains costs, the commitment to the partnership with Nordstrom, and marketing spend - all contributing factors.
It's already mentioned as a headwind to the US market growth. This growth holds the most lucrative growth potential for ASOS.
Fast fashion, and trendy, "living in the now" fashion especially, relies on fast cycles from ideation to sale. This rapid cycle is hindered when shipping from production to purchase takes two months.
This issue is unique to ASOS because of its trendy fashion focus. Other competitors' core customers are casuals that'll buy whatever. ASOS's core focus is trendy fashion.
The effects of the supply chain issue
ASOS will prioritize customer retention and growth in the short term rather than profits. That means they will take on some of the costs, harming the margins.
Operating margins are down from 7.0% on Aug 20' to 4.2% on Aug 21'. Again, that's all supply chains and inflation - as operationally, ASOS became more efficient in that period.
Gross margins are a better indicator to isolate supply chains, and they are at a decade low. Typically sits at 48%-52%, they are now at 45%.
From Aug 21' results presentation
The margins will go much lower still. It's hard to predict how low, as it also depends on the management strategy, which is without a CEO.
ASOS had times of low margins before and even a slide to loss territory most recently at the end of 2017. ASOS might slide into the loss territory again in the next 12 months.
Given all the headwinds and capital expenditure related to the global expansion, it's hard to see how they'll get away without moving to the loss territory.
No CEO, No Chair
In October 2021, ASOS announced the CEO Nick Beighton will step down. A few months later, by August 2021, the board chairman Adam Cozier stepped down too, to take a position as chair of another company.
This left an obvious void in the company leadership. Exactly when experienced leadership is sorely needed - to overcome the supply chain and inflation headwinds. The market is spooked by the lack of leadership, too - upon the CEO resignation announcement, the stock dropped -20%.
While the chairman position was immediately filled by Ian Dyson, as noted in Adam Cozier last letter:
I hand over the Chair to Ian Dyson, who has been our Senior Independent Non-executive Director since 2013. Ian is the right candidate to oversee the next phase of growth, working with the existing Executive team to support the delivery of the global growth strategy.
The CEO position on the other hand, had not been filled yet.
Going global, handling supply chains
The new CEO of ASOS will have to handle the operational challenge of the supply chain issues and the global growth. The US market is key for the company value growth, and is the one most hurt by the supply chain issues.
Growing operations in neighboring Europe, especially while UK was still part of the union, is easy compared to bootstrapping operations beyond the pacific in the US. And the US operations is still in the bootstrap phase.
It requires good leadership, preferably with experience in ramping up global operations and logistics. And that's where the opportunity comes in.
ASOS knows what it is, and it works. It's definition and values are clear, both to the outside world and within the organization. The new CEO doesn't have to "lead the business to a better identity" or anything similar that'll require special expertise in the fashion business.
Finding a CEO that understands logistics, supply chains, and global expansion is easier than finding one with these skills AND fashion experience.
For that reason, I'm less spooked than others that ASOS lost its CEO - in my risk profile, I think it's probable that a new CEO catering to ASOS current needs will be able to push the company to the true global retailer phase.
Mat Dunn got this
Mat Dunn (from ASOS IR site)
Mat Dunn, CFO, and since Beighton resignation COO too, is the responsible adult managing the business until the next CEO will come.
Mat has been with ASOS for almost 3 years now, though his background is in finance and his past companies weren't in the fashion business - he understands ASOS deeply and knows what he's doing.
Watching him in the investors presentation for hours, and in the investors calls, makes it obvious he's in control and knows what's going on in any part of the business.
That is not to say there aren't issues - the supply chain challenge is a big issue. But it is to say that Mat Dunn understand the business and its issues, and I'm confident he'll manage the business in the best way until a new CEO will be appointed.
The online-retail winter
E-commerce has been a pandemic benefactor for obvious reasons. Lockdowns drove almost all consumers to online stores as they were the only available alternative.
Looking at growth rates of several online fashion retailers drive this point perfectly:
2018-2019 represents "normal" growth rates, followed by 2019-2020 crazy growth due to the pandemic, ending with the most recent data of 2020-2021 with the customer base going elsewhere.
Customers spend their money on brick & mortar stores now, on restaurant, travel, whatever they couldn't do during the pandemic.
This reversal in the growth rates sent almost every online retailer stock price into a deep dive. So much so, that some, like ASOS, are priced in multiples that act like its growth days are in the past.
I think this is an over-correction to the ecstatic behavior the market showed while the pandemic growth numbers were out.
The rest of this post is available for free subscribers
research ticker:ASC company:ASOS online fashion retailer company valuation
Microsofts' superior gaming business
It seems that every entertainment business model slowly creeps toward
Cloud costs are in a bubble
Edit: An interesting discussion developed at HN Cloud costs are

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Steve's favorite hobbies throwing cake full
• MLB said that Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully has narrated the official World Series documentary, The 2020 World Series, , which chronicles the first Dodgers championship since 1988.
Burnett; infielder Aramis Ramírez; outfielder Torii Hunter and infielder-outfielder Michael Cuddyer are first-time eligibles.
According to Rorsted, We'll continue to leverage multiple dimensions of innovation, whether it's within our product area, through our creators or through social media and digital, it will continue to drive high quality of growth into our business.
22 Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders • Thursday Nov.
Jonathan dos Santos 21.
The other two teams in the respective Conference Finals also scored high in social media jersey patch values, with the Portland Trailblazers and Biofreeze at $3 million and the Milwaukee Bucks and Harley Davidson at $2 million.
Cristian Pavon 22.
The spot, filmed mostly in black and white with hints of color, shows behind-the-scenes footage of players lacing up, taping up and gearing up for custom football jerseys game in the locker room, including coaches writing down strategic plays.
Stephen Curry $74 million $30 million $44 million NBA 7.
• MLB's Miami Marlins have hired Kim Ng to be their GM, making her the first woman to hold the position in MLB and likely for any of the major professional men's teams in North American sports.
29 Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers • Dec.
2 MLB Major Awards voted on by the Baseball Writers' Association of America: • Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year NL ROY:Devin Williams AL ROY Kyle Lewis • Manager of the Year NL: Don Mattingly AL: Kevin Cash • Cy Young NL: Trevor Bauer AL : Shane Bieber • MVP NL: Freddie Freeman AL : José Abreu By Barry Janoff December 12: Michael Phelps will forever be associated with the Olympics and may for a long time – some say forever – hold the Olympic Games record of 18 gold medals and 22 total medals.
Gonzalo Higuain 7.
CBS is asking $5 million-plus for 30-second spots during Super Bowl LIII on Feb.
2 MLB Major Awards voted on by the Baseball Writers' Association of America: • Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year NL ROY:Devin Williams AL ROY Kyle Lewis • Manager of the Year NL: Don Mattingly AL: Kevin Cash • Cy Young NL: Trevor Bauer AL : Shane Bieber • MVP NL: Freddie Freeman AL : José Abreu By Barry Janoff This is the evolution of the Olympic Agenda 2020 revolution, as we must continue to keep up with the fast pace of change in our current world, IOC president Thomas Bach said via the organization.
For every pair sold on and any U.S.
I've been an avid fan and player of NBA 2K since I was a kid, and being selected as the sole cover athlete of is an amazing accomplishment at this point of my life.
Blaise Matuidi 10.
We have to continue to show what we are doing on the field and in technology.
The last Olympics in North American were the custom baseball jerseys Winter Games in Vancouver.
Brian Jordan played three years in the NFL then focused full-time on his 14-year MLB career.
The network will air Capital One's , presented by Autotrader leading up to custom football jerseys event.
In a year that many may have seen coming, the Washington Wizards have started the season with just four wins through their first twelve games.
LeBron James $88 million $28 million $60 million NBA 6.
Carson Wentz $59 million $55 million $4 million NFL Upcoming Super Bowl Games • Super Bowl LV Raymond James Stadium Tampa Feb.
Ralph Lauren is also an officlal partnerwith the U.S.
Johnny Russell 19.
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The Palm Beach Hotel Benidorm is a majestic 4 star hotel located in one of the most prestigious, harmonious and beautiful areas of Rincón de Loix, approximately seven hundred metres from the Levante (east) beach. A completely refurbished hotel designed to satisfy, cover and surpass the expectations of all our guests with regard to rest and relaxation.
The Palm Beach Hotel Benidorm has 289 superb Standard rooms, 9 impressive Junior Suites and an idyllic Imperial Suite. In total they add up to 299 rooms exclusively designed to make our visitors' dreams come true.
We feature possibly one of the most spectacular heated indoor pools in the area, which together with its fully integrated bodybuilding workout room and sauna offer you elite training, or a moment of chill-out…relaxation and meditation…or simply time for yourself.
With the aim of satisfying the preferences of all our guests, Palm Beach Hotel offers you an exquisite culinary service which combines the selection of top quality foods with the benefits of the Mediterranean diet.


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Q: Azure Search - handling dates of birth in different formats We have two fields in our SQL database/Azure Search index that contain dates of birth in multiple formats including just numbers in all different sequences, words, and any variation thereof.  To further complicate things, it's possible the fields have other text in it like "DOB" or a person's name.  We unfortunately can't achieve consistency because of the vast sources all over the world from which we're pulling this data.
How would this best be handled in Azure Search? We can require from our clients one consistent mandatory DOB format in their query, but is there any way Azure Search can take that and look for it in many different date formats?  Should we instead be looking for a way to create a new field in our table that attempts to standardize the dates of birth?

A: One thing that could help you with this problem is Microsoft language analyzers that try to normalize dates in different formats, where possible. You can use the Analyze API to see how the Microsoft English analyzer processes text that represents dates. For example, for the following request
 {
   "text": "2015/13/04",
   "analyzer": "en.microsoft"
 }

the analyzer produces a token that represents the normalized date:

dd20150413

Notice, the analyzer recognized that the number 13 represents the day and 03 is the month. The same token would be generated for text April 13th 2015 or 13-04-2015.
This means, that users searching using any of the supported formats will match documents with dates that were recognized as the same.
If the default behavior of the Microsoft analyzer is not sufficient, you can always create a custom analyzer with Microsoft analyzer at its core. To learn more about the default behavior of the search engine and how to customize it, please read the following article: How full text search work in Azure Search

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The Jane S. Halonen Teaching Excellence Award recognizes excellence during the first 10 years of teaching at any level. Applicants will follow the criteria related to the category for which they are eligible (i.e., 4-year college (Robert S. Daniel), 2-year college (Wayne Weiten), high school (Mary Margaret Moffett Memorial). Applicants must be currently teaching. Applicants must be members of STP and may joint STP at any time.
First-time applicants who do not receive an award will be contacted by the Chair of the committee during the following fall, at which time they may opt to have their applications rolled over to the next award year. If, at this time, applicants no longer fall into the "first 10 years of teaching" category, they may choose to (a) withdraw their materials or (b) update their materials and re-submit them in the appropriate category.
For those applicants within the first 10 years of teaching at a 4-year college or university, the award is based on the following five criteria: (1) effective teaching; (2) mentoring student professional development; (3) advancing teaching and learning through scholarship; (4) advancing teaching and learning through service; and (5) training high school, community college, or college/university teachers. Please see the Robert S. Daniel Teaching Excellence Award for specific examples of the criteria.
For those applicants within the first 10 years of teaching at a 2-year college, the award is based on the criteria outlined in the Wayne Weiten Teaching Excellence Award. Demonstration of effective teaching heads the list, particularly at the 2-year college level where capable teaching is widely viewed as the major job responsibility. However, because activities outside the classroom are often associated with facilitating teaching performance, bolstering student learning, and advancing psychology as an applied science, the selection guidelines acknowledge the importance of both service excellence and the scholarship of teaching and learning in line with the model of the well-rounded teacher-scholar.
For those applicants within the first 10 years of teaching at a high school, the award is based on the following criteria: (1) effective and innovative teaching, (2) stimulation of student interest in psychology, (3) evidence showing use of the American Psychological Association's National Standards for High School Psychology Curricula, and (4) professional development. Please see the Mary Margaret Moffett Memorial Teaching Excellence Award for examples of the criteria.


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Universal ethical code for scientists
Statement of the values and responsibilities of scientists.
Rigour, respect, responsibility: a universal ethical code for scientists
Ref: BIS/07/1430 PDF, 106KB, 2 pages
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email contact@go-science.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
The universal ethical code is a public statement of the values and responsibilities of scientists. It has 3 main aims:
to encourage ethical research
to get scientists thinking about the implications and impacts of their work
to support communication between scientists and the public on complex and challenging issues
The code is not mandatory but scientists and institutions are encouraged to reflect on and debate how these guidelines may relate to their own work.
Science in government


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Home » April 2021 | What We're Reading
April 2021 | What We're Reading
CCJFG Steering Committee members are excited to share the following books and podcasts that have accompanied us as we settle into Spring 2021. The content ranges from writings on indigenous forms of justice and healing to a podcast tracing the connections between hip-hop and mass incarceration to a mixed media collection of responses to the question, what does it mean to be Black and alive? These stories are rigorous, compelling, and bring us closer to understanding the intersections of history, justice work, and future-making.
Justice AS Healing.jpg
Justice As Healing: Indigenous Ways
Wanda D. McCaslin, Editor, Living Justice Press
Restorative justice traces its roots to indigenous traditions world-wide. [Justice As Healing] presents indigenous voices speaking directly about indigenous ways of responding to harms and restoring harmony in relationships. It is a collection of articles produced by the Native Law Centre of Canada [that draw] on a decade of writing on justice and on community-based, healing responses to conflicts and crimes. -Living Justice Press
Caste.jpg
Isabel Wilkerson, Penguin Random House
In this brilliant book, Isabel Wilkerson gives us a masterful portrait of an unseen phenomenon in America as she explores, through an immersive, deeply researched narrative and stories about real people, how America today and throughout its history has been shaped by a hidden caste system, a rigid hierarchy of human rankings. -Penguin Random House
BlackFutures.jpg
Black Futures
By Kimberley Drew and Jenna Wortham, Penguin Random House
In answering the question of what it means to be Black and alive, Black Futures opens a prismatic vision of possibility. Drew and Wortham have brought together this collection of work—images, photos, essays, memes, dialogues, recipes, tweets, poetry, and more—to tell the story of the radical, imaginative, provocative, and gorgeous world that Black creators are bringing forth today. -New York Times Editors' Choice
What We're Listening To
Floodlines.jpg
The Atlantic, Hosted by Vann R. Newkirk II
The Atlantic's revisiting of Hurricane Katrina is a genuinely illuminating piece that, in many ways, can better prepare us for the current context [of the pandemic]. Floodlines is the best audio documentary to come out of 2020 so far by a mile. Much of its power lies in the way it's able to link the big picture to more personal, intimate horrors. -Vulture
LouderThanARiot.jpg
Louder Than A Riot
NPR, Hosted by Rodney Carmichel and Sidney Madden
Louder Than A Riot reveals the interconnected rise of hip-hop and mass incarceration. From Bobby Shmurda to Nipsey Hussle, each episode explores an artist's story to examine a different aspect of the criminal justice system that disproportionately impacts Black America. -NPR
Audacious Hope. Ambitious Actions.
During our Annual Conference, NCG's President and CEO Dwayne S. Marsh shared a very personal story, one that helped shape who he is today. To celebrate Dwayne at the helm for just over a year now, NCG's Board Chair and Executive Vice President at the California Wellness Foundation Richard Tate ...
Meet the Moment: Demystifying Bold
I'll be the first to acknowledge that I've arrived as NCG's CEO on the shoulders of many others that came before me. Two of the strongest shoulders belong to my first professional mentor and a heavyweight in philanthropic circles, Joe Brooks. During my seventeen years as a work partner and friend...
My First 100 Days: We Chose Progress
In a year of memorable moments, I keep coming back to a conversation I had with my cousin Harold that is shaping my entry into 2021. Harold lives in Chicago and is an ardent student of history, particularly in the pursuit of racial justice. His observations often help me refine my own thinking.


Home » IDEA Answers » Does anybody now any Tai Chi instructors in the Dallas area who would be willing to teach seniors?
You could use the "find a fitness professional" part of the IDEAfit site. Type in your zip code and it will give you some ideas of trainers and instructors in your area.


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Skip Navigation LinksBusinesses > Attractions > Home Tour > Solomon Joseph House
Solomon Joseph House
205 St. James Street Gonzales, TX 78629
The original portion of this house was built by William Mayo Atkinson in 1874. William, son of Robert and Elizabeth Atkinson, was born September 1, 1847, and died November 12, 1936. He was a local attorney and eventually purchased the Gonzales College and converted it to his residence. According to friends of Solomon Joseph's daughter, Blossom, the house originally faced St. Michael Street. After purchasing the property in 1892, the Josephs preferred that it face St. James Street. Retaining only the back part of the original structure, they began the remodeling process. The result was this lovely Queen Anne style home facing St. James Street. According to his naturalization papers, Solomon Joseph was born in Kempen, Germany, May 19, 1856. He immigrated to the United States and became a very successful merchant in Gonzales. On July 25, 1886, in Gonzales' first Jewish wedding, he married Sarah Greenthal . Sarah, born October 25, 1861, in Brooklyn, New York, was the daughter of Maurice and Marion Chynzorviske Greenthal of Germany.


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#ifndef itkNumericTraitsDiffusionTensor3DPixel_h
#define itkNumericTraitsDiffusionTensor3DPixel_h

#include "itkNumericTraits.h"
#include "itkDiffusionTensor3D.h"

// This file is meant to define numeric traits for tensor pixels types in itk

namespace itk
{
/**
 * \brief Define numeric traits for DiffusionTensor3D.
 * \tparam T Component type of DiffusionTensor3D
 *
 * We provide here a generic implementation based on creating types of
 * DiffusionTensor3D whose components are the types of the NumericTraits from
 * the original DiffusionTensor3D components. This implementation require
 * support for partial specializations, since it is based on the
 * concept that:
 *   NumericTraits<DiffusionTensor3D< T > >  is defined piecewise by
 *   DiffusionTensor3D< NumericTraits< T > >
 *
 * \sa NumericTraits
 * \ingroup DataRepresentation
 * \ingroup ITKCommon
 */
template< typename T >
class NumericTraits< DiffusionTensor3D< T > >
{
private:

  typedef typename NumericTraits< T >::AbsType        ElementAbsType;
  typedef typename NumericTraits< T >::AccumulateType ElementAccumulateType;
  typedef typename NumericTraits< T >::FloatType      ElementFloatType;
  typedef typename NumericTraits< T >::PrintType      ElementPrintType;
  typedef typename NumericTraits< T >::RealType       ElementRealType;

public:

  /** Return the type of the native component type. */
  typedef T ValueType;

  typedef DiffusionTensor3D< T > Self;

  /** Unsigned component type */
  typedef DiffusionTensor3D< ElementAbsType > AbsType;

  /** Accumulation of addition and multiplication. */
  typedef DiffusionTensor3D< ElementAccumulateType > AccumulateType;

  /** Typedef for operations that use floating point instead of real precision
    */
  typedef DiffusionTensor3D< ElementFloatType > FloatType;

  /** Return the type that can be printed. */
  typedef DiffusionTensor3D< ElementPrintType > PrintType;

  /** Type for real-valued scalar operations. */
  typedef DiffusionTensor3D< ElementRealType > RealType;

  /** Type for real-valued scalar operations. */
  typedef ElementRealType ScalarRealType;

  /** Measurement vector type */
  typedef Self MeasurementVectorType;

  /** Component wise defined element
   *
   * \note minimum value for floating pointer types is defined as
   * minimum positive normalize value.
   */
  static const Self max(const Self &)
  {
    return Self( NumericTraits< T >::max() );
  }

  static const Self min(const Self &)
  {
    return Self( NumericTraits< T >::min() );
  }

  static const Self NonpositiveMin(const Self &)
  {
    return Self( NumericTraits< T >::NonpositiveMin() );
  }

  static const Self ZeroValue(const Self &)
  {
    return Self( NumericTraits< T >::ZeroValue() );
  }

  static const Self OneValue(const Self &)
  {
    return Self( NumericTraits< T >::OneValue() );
  }

  static const Self max()
  {
    return Self( NumericTraits< T >::max() );
  }

  static const Self min()
  {
    return Self( NumericTraits< T >::min() );
  }

  static const Self NonpositiveMin()
  {
    return Self( NumericTraits< T >::NonpositiveMin() );
  }

  static const Self ZeroValue()
  {
    return Self( NumericTraits< T >::ZeroValue() );
  }

  static const Self OneValue()
  {
    return Self( NumericTraits< T >::OneValue() );
  }

  /** Fixed length vectors cannot be resized, so an exception will
   *  be thrown if the input size is not valid.  In this case, the
   *  only valid size is 6. If the size is valid the tensor will be
   *  filled with zeros. */
  static void SetLength(DiffusionTensor3D< T > & m, const unsigned int s)
  {
    if ( s != 6 )
      {
      itkGenericExceptionMacro(<< "Cannot set the size of a DiffusionTensor3D "
                               "to anything other than 6.");
      }
    m.Fill(NumericTraits< T >::ZeroValue());
  }

  /** Return the size of the tensor. Always returns 6. */
  static unsigned int GetLength(const DiffusionTensor3D< T > &)
  {
    return 6;
  }

  /** Return the size of the tensor. Always returns 6. */
  static unsigned int GetLength()
  {
    return 6;
  }

  static void AssignToArray( const Self & v, MeasurementVectorType & mv )
  {
    mv = v;
  }

  template<typename TArray>
  static void AssignToArray( const Self & v, TArray & mv )
  {
    for( unsigned int i=0; i<6; i++ )
      {
      mv[i] = v[i];
      }
  }

  /** \note: the functions are preferred over the member variables as
   * they are defined for all partial specialization
   */
  static const Self ITKCommon_EXPORT Zero;
  static const Self ITKCommon_EXPORT One;
};
} // end namespace itk

#endif // itkNumericTraitsTensorPixel_h

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The Sol Solid Pine Bedroom furniture range is a contemporary style of pine furniture, supplied flat-packed for easy home assembly. Made from solid pine – even the drawer bases are pine plywood! – it is finished in an antique pine lacquer, giving it durability, a modern look and ease of maintenance. Furthermore this design ensures it will easily blend in with existing pieces of pine furniture.
Despite it being extremely keenly priced, no attention to detail has been spared and it will grace any room in your home. All timber has been carefully kiln dried and comes from forests which are managed in accordance with the Forestry Stewardship Council's regulations and has their stamp of approval on the packaging to prove it!. Within the range are wardrobes, chests of drawers, bedside cabinets, ottomans, mirrors and of course beds! Thus enabling you to purchase a completely matching ensemble for your room.


I made the decision to retire only recently, so I truly regret that I have been unable to identify a single individual with the skills, experience and integrity you deserve, although I am sure such individuals exist. I will continue looking. I suggest you check with your primary care physician, family and friends for possible referrals. UCLA has a certified vein clinic. Local hospitals, such as Cedars-Sinai and St. John's have a referral service. The Los Angeles County Medical Association also has a referral service.
I am leaving my website content available for both old and new patients. I believe the pages and blogs contain valuable information about current approaches to vein disorders, medical ethics and related issues.
You may wish to have a copy of your medical records, but before you make that request, please consider the following. The most common question my patients ask about my treatment is what I used to inject their veins (sclerotherapy). In all instances I used 1/6 sodium tetradecyl sulfate (Sotradecol) as a liquid for small spider veins and as a foam for larger deeper blue/green veins. I never used polidocanol (Asclera) or saline.
You should also know that in my vein practice (the past fifteen years) I never needed to ask for another treating physician's medical records. The reason is simple. The records would not in any way change what I would do for you going forward. I always had to address the issue you presented to me when I first evaluated you, and what went before was irrelevant. Before you ask for your records, I suggest you ask your treating physician if he/she really needs the record of what I did previously.
Of course, if you do need your records, please send me this completed, signed form either by fax: (310) 286-0492, mail: 324 South Beverly Drive, Suite 553, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, or email: [email protected] California law states that your request must be in writing and signed by you.
You may leave a voice message for me at (310) 286-0453.
At your first visit: a personal evaluation, diagnostic ultrasound, and treatment plan.
Comprehensive treatment of spider veins (telangiectasias) and varicose veins.
Laser closure of the saphenous vein with the state-of-the-art ThermaLite 1470 laser.
Radiofrequency (RF) and VenaSeal (glue) closure of the saphenous vein.
Sclerotherapy including foam sclerotherapy for spider veins and underlying blue reticular veins.
Microphlebectomy of large varicose veins.
Treatment of face and breast veins.
VeinGogh thermocoagulation of small red facial (thread) veins.
Safe sclerotherapy of blue veins around the eyes and on the temple (but not the forehead).
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for the needle-phobic patient.
Evaluation and treatment of vein thrombosis and venous ulcers.


Natalia Rodriguez | Communicator with a passion for writing, graphic design, film production and all sorts of arts.
Communicator with a passion for writing, graphic design, film production and all sorts of arts.
The picturesque Urquhart Castle, which is located in the banks of Loch Ness, will provide a spectacular background for a celebration of military skill this bank holiday weekend.
The 'Grand Tournament of Foote' event is taking place this Sunday 5th and Monday 6th May, as part of the Year of Natural Scotland, a government initiative aimed at inspiring local people and visitors to celebrate Scotland's outstanding natural beauty, landscapes and biodiversity a Scotland prepares to welcome the world in 2014 and beyond.
Apart from enjoying an exciting day out with a difference, visitors will be rewarded with splendid views of the famous loch and Great Glen from a magnificent location! Once one of Scotland's largest castles, Urquhart's one still remains an impressive stronghold despite its ruinous state.
The event will bring to life a medieval foote tournament, which involves a series of military combats fought as a contest between noble knights to demonstrate agility and expertise. The tournament will be in five parts, commencing with the knights battle and culminating in the general mêlée to leave the last man standing to be crowned champion!
According to Gillian Urquhart, Events Manager for Historic Scotland, "this event is a great opportunity to step back in time and get a flavour of how a medieval foote tournament would have been held".
She explains: "Fully armoured foot soldiers will once again be at the castle, putting on a spectacular show of skill in a series of colourful and lively bouts, in a bid to be crowned overall champion.
"Visitors can also see a living history camp and discover how squires would prepare their knights for battle, or test their own skills with a bow and arrow".
A free park and ride shuttle service will be running each day from the car park at Glen Urquhart High School -in Drumnadrochit- to the visitor centre at Urquhart Castle from 10 am until 5 pm.
For further details about the event, click here.
Celebrate Mother's Day 2013 in Edinburgh!
It's almost springtime and Mother's Day is right around the corner. Edinburgh has many wonderful plans to choose from and, once again, I am here to help you brighten up your mum's most special day of the year!
Most mums have spent a lot of their time looking after their families. Unfortunately, as we grow older, getting to spend some quality time with our mothers turns to be, for most of us, a challenging task to accomplish. I've come up with a list of suggestions you can use as a starting point to share some extra time with your mother on Sunday 10th March 2013.
Celebrate the Day of Romance in the heart of Scotland!
Love is in the air and Valentine's Day is on its way. What better way to celebrate such a remarkable day than spending some quality time with your partner doing the things that you both love doing!
Release your inner Bard in Edinburgh!
Burns Night is celebrated annually in Scotland on or around 25th January. It is a feast of entertainment that commemorates the life and work of Robert Burns, the national Bard who was born on 25th January 1759. The day also celebrates Burns' contribution to Scottish culture. If Edinburgh is your chosen city to get a full-flavoured experience while enjoying this day, keep on reading to find out about the different events and celebratory suppers which will be held at a number of venues across the city!
The Christmas season in Edinburgh is a time to have fun and enjoy the attractions and traditional markets but also a time to sit back and chill out with those you care about. Scotland's capital offers a wide variety of options to delight cinema lovers, from well-known cinema chains to art-house film venues. Do you need help deciding what to watch? Here you are our top five recommendations! Please be aware that most of them are not typical Christmas-themed films per se, but some of the best-reviewed films of the year.
Do you want to cleanse your body of toxins and feel lighter, radiant and rejuvenated? Just follow these simple detox tips and get yourself ready for the summer days ahead!
Giving up or cutting down on coffee, tea and energy drinks is one of the best ways to start your detoxification. Caffeine lowers the body's ability to absorb certain essential nutrients.
Copyright © 2011-2012 NATALIA RODRIGUEZ DOMINGUEZ, All Rights Reserved.


The place Baton Rouge, La. represents a specific geographic location related to resources found in Greensburg-Decatur County Contractual Public Library.
The Resource Baton Rouge, La.
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text:
Search results for "Switzerland"
Six Swedish Girls in a Boarding School
Miss Klein runs a boarding-school. The girls that go there are really "free spirited." They chloroform a peeping Tom, lock two plumbers in the dormitories, strip for a gamekeeper and…
Country: France, Switzerland
Dr. Anansa Linderby is kidnapped in a medical mission in Africa by a slave trader. From this moment, her husband will do anything to recover her and to punish the…
Country: Switzerland, USA
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
The Amorous Sisters
Comedy about some schoolgirls being taught anatomy (of the sexual nature) by the sexually frustrated Barbara Moose. In bed at nighttime the girls practice their daily lessons on each other…
Six Swedish Girls at a Pump
A gas station becomes the center of social life in the village after six Swedish girls start working there.
Secrets of a French Maid
Frau Oberst has 2 young nieces who are very open with their sexuality. She hopes to find adequate lovers for her nieces and along the way finds herself in some…
Caged Women
A bunch of delinquent women are shipped to an island prison run by the sadistic warden Carla. Forced into situations of sexual perversion and violence and torture, the prisoners band…
Mad Foxes
A man seeks revenge after a biker gang murders his family.
Country: Spain, Switzerland
When SAS Captain Peter Skellen is thrown out of the service for gross misconduct due to unnecessary violence and bullying, he is soon recruited by The People's Lobby, a fanatical…
Country: Switzerland, UK
A forged 500-franc note is passed from person to person and shop to shop, until it falls into the hands of a genuine innocent who doesn't see it for what…
Mild-mannered Clark Kent works as a reporter at the Daily Planet alongside his crush, Lois Lane. Clark must summon his superhero alter-ego when the nefarious Lex Luthor launches a plan…
Country: Canada, Switzerland, UK, USA
Genre: Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
The story of the eventful life of George W. Bush—his struggles and triumphs, how he found both his wife and his faith—and the critical days leading up to his decision…
Country: Australia, China, Hong Kong, Switzerland, USA
Jealousy flares after the headmistress of an elite boarding school for girls becomes obsessed with a new student.
Country: France, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland, UK
A young girl, with an amazing ability to communicate with insects, is transferred to an exclusive Swiss boarding school, where her unusual capability might help solve a string of murders.
Country: Italy, Switzerland
Commando Leopard
A cruel dictator rules a Latin American state. Corruption, brutality and exploitation are present every day. A few people begin to organise resistance. Under the leader "El Leopardo" a small…
Country: Italy, Switzerland, West Germany
Manon of the Spring
In this, the sequel to Jean de Florette, Manon (Beart) has grown into a beautiful young shepherdess living in the idyllic Provencal countryside. She plots vengeance on the men who…
Country: France, Italy, Switzerland
Jean de Florette
In a rural French village, an old man and his only remaining relative cast their covetous eyes on an adjoining vacant property. They need its spring water for growing their…
In the bourgeois circles of Europe after the Great War, can anything save the modern man? Harry Haller, a solitary intellectual, has all his life feared his dual nature of…
Country: France, Italy, Switzerland, UK, USA
On a faraway mountaintop, eight kids with guns watch over a hostage and a conscripted milk cow.
Country: Argentina, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, USA
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Thriller
When Betty Anne Waters' older brother Kenny is arrested for murder and sentenced to life in 1983, Betty Anne, a Massachusetts wife and mother of two, dedicates her life to…
Country: Switzerland, UK, USA
Call of the Blonde Goddess
Susan arrives in Haiti to live with her husband Jack, who lives with a lesbian housekeeper and Olga, a nymphomaniac platinum blonde, introduced to her as Jack's sister. Susan begins…
A parasitic alien soul is injected into the body of Melanie Stryder. Instead of carrying out her race's mission of taking over the Earth, "Wanda" (as she comes to be…
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller
Raimund Gregorius, having saved a beautiful Portuguese woman from leaping to her death, stumbles upon a mesmerizing book by a Portuguese author, which compels him to suddenly abandon the boring…
Country: Germany, Portugal, Switzerland
Genre: Mystery, Romance, Thriller
Grace of Monaco
The story of former Hollywood star Grace Kelly's crisis of marriage and identity, during a political dispute between Monaco's Prince Rainier III and France's Charles De Gaulle, and a looming…
Country: Belgium, France, Italy, Switzerland
A veteran actress comes face-to-face with an uncomfortable reflection of herself when she agrees to take part in a revival of the play that launched her career 20 years earlier.
Country: France, Germany, Switzerland
Girls of the Sun
Bahar, the commanding officer of the Daughters of the Sun, a battalion made up entirely of Kurdish female soldiers, is on the cusp of liberating their town, which has been…
Country: Belgium, France, Georgia, Switzerland
When Elias van Dorne, CEO of the world's largest robotics company, introduces his most powerful invention, Kronos-a super-computer designed to end all wars-it determines that humans are the biggest threat…
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction
A Thought of Ecstasy
August 2019. Frank recognizes his own story of twenty years ago in a recently published book. He remembers Marie, with whom he had a relationship before she moved to the…
Country: Germany, Switzerland, USA
Genre: Romance, Thriller
The Untamed
Hypnotic, perturbing, and utterly enthralling, The Untamed combines a suspenseful family drama with truly bizarre elements of science fiction and horror. Desperate to flee but consumed by fear, Alejandra, a…
Country: Denmark, France, Germany, Mexico, Norway, Switzerland
Genre: Drama, Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller
Z for Zachariah
In the wake of a nuclear war, a young woman survives on her own, fearing she may actually be the proverbial last woman on earth, until she discovers the most…
Country: Iceland, Switzerland, USA
Genre: Drama, Science Fiction, Thriller
Three Colors: Blue
Julie is haunted by her grief after living through a tragic auto wreck that claimed the life of her composer husband and young daughter. Her initial reaction is to withdraw…
Country: France, Poland, Switzerland
Genre: Drama, Music, Mystery, Romance
Three Colors: White
Polish immigrant Karol Karol finds himself out of a marriage, a job and a country when his French wife, Dominique, divorces him after six months due to his impotence. Forced…
Three Colors: Red
Part-time model Valentine meets a retired judge who lives in her neighborhood after she runs over his dog. At first the judge gifts Valentine with the dog, but her possessive…
On his way to Vienna, American Jesse meets Céline, a student returning to Paris. After long conversations forge a surprising connection between them, Jesse convinces Celine to get off the…
Country: Austria, Switzerland, USA
An irreverent comedy about the misadventures of Moondog, a rebellious stoner and lovable rogue who lives large.
Country: France, Switzerland, UK, USA
At Eternity's Gate
Famed but tormented artist Vincent van Gogh spends his final years in Arles, France, painting masterworks of the natural world that surrounds him.
Country: France, Ireland, Switzerland, UK, USA
After failing to apprehend the terrorist behind a Paris attack that claimed dozens of lives, CIA agent Alice Racine is forced to live in London as a caseworker. Her mentor…
Country: Czech Republic, France, Switzerland, UK, USA
Genre: Action, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Loving Vincent
The film brings the paintings of Vincent van Gogh to life to tell his remarkable story. Every one of the 65,000 frames of the film is an oil-painting hand-painted by…
Country: Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, UK, USA
Genre: Animation, Biography, Crime, Drama, Family, Mystery
Toni Erdmann
Without warning a father comes to visit his daughter abroad. He believes that she lost her humor and therefore surprises her with a rampage of jokes.
Country: Austria, France, Germany, Monaco, Romania, Switzerland
My Life as a Zucchini
After his mother's death, Zucchini is befriended by a kind police officer, Raymond, who accompanies him to his new foster home filled with other orphans his age. There, with the…
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Family
Elektra the warrior survives a near-death experience, becomes an assassin-for-hire, and tries to protect her two latest targets, a single father and his young daughter, from a group of supernatural…
Country: Canada, Switzerland, USA
Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime, Fantasy


Fidel Castro's legacy brought hope for Cuba, so what happens now?
Reactions to Fidel Castro's death at age 90 strike a depressingly familiar tone. Some celebrate while others mourn. These two responses may not be evenly divided in the U.S., but they certainly would be if we polled the hemisphere.
Castro's passing dramatizes what we have known for some time: Cuba stands at the brink of change, now apt to accelerate and, with a Donald Trump administration to the north, will quite likely be disastrous. The tsunami of predatory capitalism poised to hit the island will be impossible to stop and difficult for the state to control or redirect.
Although these changes will enrich some — and already have disproportionately benefited those with close ties to the ruling party — they are sure to keep the majority impoverished, producing the same patterns of stubborn economic inequality that afflict Cuba's neighbors, both north and south.
In a visit to Cuba last December, I did see evidence of resiliency in areas for which supporters of the Cuban Revolution are justifiably proud: population health statistics that are similar to those of the U.S.; ingenious strategies for economic self-sufficiency (such as agro-ecology); an astounding reach of free, public education with rich and diverse communities of expert knowledge that put wealthier nations to shame; stalwart national pride in the face of great adversity.
The tsunami of predatory capitalism poised to hit the island will be impossible to stop and difficult for the state to control or redirect.
Yet, all these achievements are vulnerable, and the tsunami of predatory capitalism promises further erosion.
The Cuban model, at least as it has played out in dialectic with outright hostility from one U.S. administration after another, neither merits vigorous defense nor inspires unqualified admiration. Despite claims to have achieved racial equality, and despite substantive improvements during the first two decades of the revolution, today Afro-Cubans still face deep structural racism that has worsened with economic woes.
Exciting ideals of participatory democracy, meant to go beyond electoral politics to democratize all realms of society, have given way to authoritarian practices and newly created hierarchies. Rigid political control makes for a poor fit with market-oriented reforms, yielding irrationalities and dysfunctionalities that are both frustrating and unjust. Even supporters of the government with whom I spoke last December seemed fed up and ready for change.
But although it is hard to defend the "Cuban model" as such, the deeper legacy of the revolution does merit our affirmation. Castro and those of the movement he led were driven by the revolutionary idea that poverty, racism, political repression and abject dependency on the U.S. could be defeated, opening the way to build a society grounded in the values of equality, social welfare and self-determination.
We can and should criticize the many shortcomings and contradictions in the results of these efforts, but I for one heartily affirm Castro's legacy of audacious hope and willingness to fight for a noble cause. In the face of our own society's descent into polarization, racial hatred, environmental destruction and deepened fears about the future, this image keeps me from despair: a new generation of young leaders similar to Castro who will forge their own utopian convictions that a different and better society is possible and who will act against all odds to realize their ideals.
Charles Hale holds a joint appointment as a professor in the departments of African and African Diaspora Studies and Anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin.


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Maintaining the Methow's Majesty: Dozens of Volunteers Plant – and Camp – on the Okanogan-Wenatchee
Treasured Landscapes, National Forest Foundation
Category: Treasured Landscapes, National Forest Foundation
by Natalie Kuehler
The National Forest Foundation's first-ever "Plant-and-Camp" volunteer weekend up high in the Cascades, on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest's Maple Pass trail, was off to an early start: at 6:30 am on Saturday, September 26, I met the Methow Valley Ranger District ("MVRD") botanist, two members of the fire hand crew, and a local high school student documenting the event as her senior project, at the Ranger Station.
We were headed up into the mountains in advance of two-dozen volunteers to assist in the scheduled helicopter-delivery of hundreds of pounds of plants and supplies to the top of the Maple Pass trail.
Photo by Natalie Kuehler.
Hiking up the Maple Pass trail in the early morning clouds.
This volunteer weekend, part of the NFF's Treasured Landscapes: Majestic Methow campaign, was particularly important to me. I had hiked the trail dozens of times over the last few months, marveling at the stunning views and cringing at the sight of countless user trails through fragile meadows. The loop had only been completed in 1993, and already there were large spots that had been entirely denuded by hikers straying off the trail. The area was, truly, being loved to death.
What is worse, hikers were damaging alpine heather communities that, unbeknownst to most people, took as many as 7,000 years to establish themselves. A single user-trail can alter the water flow and, over time, cause the entire community to perish.
Earlier this season we had:
roped areas off,
created free maps and educational brochures available at the trailhead,
given presentations about the fragility of heather plants, and
erected trail signage.
This weekend, however, was going to be the big one: With the help of volunteers we were going to eliminate user-trails and jump start new growth by planting thousands of plants meticulously grown out at a National Park Service greenhouse.
What we needed now was some clear weather so the helicopter could fly. When we jumped out of the cars at the trailhead, however, we were immediately engulfed by heavy, wet clouds. We shook droplets of rain off our gear and told each other this was great, after all we needed moist soil for the plants, and surely the clouds would part by the time the helicopter was scheduled to take off. And so we bounded up the trail, each carrying heavy overnight packs so we could spend the night up on the trail – otherwise closed to camping. This would allow us and the volunteers to work late into the evening and start again early the next day.
Ninety minutes later we arrived at the first of two helicopter drop sites nearly 2,000 feet above the trailhead – but still well within the clouds. We confirmed over the radio that Mike Liu, the District Ranger, had gathered up over a dozen volunteers and was leading the hike up; a perfect gesture of support on National Public Lands Day. The helicopter, however, was still grounded. Finally, we got concerned. What if the clouds would never part? How would we restore the area without any tools, much less the 3,500 plants?
A Cloudy Morning
Not even the heavy morning clouds could block out the fall colors on the Maple Pass trail.
Photo by Natalie Kuehler
Ready to Work
The early crew arrived at the turnoff to Heather Pass, our first restoration site. From left to right: Andy Monro of the MVRD fire hand crew; Claire Waichler, a local high school student who is producing a video of our weekend as her senior project; Dan of the MVRD fire hand crew; Kelly Baraibar, the MVRD botanist.
We needn't have worried. Just as the volunteers arrived at the upper restoration site the helicopter flew into view through a small gap in the clouds. Cheers erupted, and moments later we were hard at work, digging holes, gently placing the plants, protecting them through carefully-placed rocks, and blocking off dozens of user trails with large boulders. The group, split into two, worked until late in the day, when a slow drizzle turned into snow. We might have been cold, but we were thrilled - moisture followed by a light freeze is perfect planting weather, prompting the plants to stop growing leaves and put all their energy into developing their roots.
The Plants Arrive
At the last moment, the clouds briefly parted and the helicopter flew into view carrying the first of three large bags full of plants and supplies.
How To Plant
Volunteers received a quick lesson in proper planting techniques from MVRD Botanist Kelly Baraibar.
Photo by MVRD District Ranger Mike Liu
Small Plants, Big Role
A carefully planted heather plant. Local cuttings were collected by National Park Service staff over the last three years, then slowly grown out in a greenhouse. Volunteers planted a total of 3,500 plants, including heather, huckleberry, sedges and potentilla.
In the Weather
Planting continued into the late afternoon, even after snow started falling.
Around 5:00 pm some volunteers hiked back down to return the next day, while others began setting up their tents in the driving snow. After some hot stew and good conversation, we reluctantly settled into our tents. I peeked out briefly in the middle of the night to catch a glimpse of the nearly full moon overhead, shining brightly on the snow. Just before sunrise, the scenery was stunning: everything was blanketed in fresh snow, the sky above was clear, and a river of clouds rushed by in the valley below. We stood, awed, as the sun rose.
Despite the snow a group of hardy volunteers spent the night on the trail to get an early start of planting the next morning.
Stunning Sunrise
The sun rises over Lake Ann and the snow-covered slopes as clouds flowed down-valley.
As our gear started to dry in the morning sun, we gathered around the propane stove and prepared for another full day of restoration. With the help of all of the volunteers, by late afternoon on Sunday we had planted the last plants and blocked off the last user trails. Now, all we had to do was smile as Andy Porter, a professional photographer from Seattle who had hiked in just for us, took group photos. Shortly after that, we headed down the trail; happy, exhausted, and very grateful to the local ski team that had run up to help us pack out all the gear.
Home for the Night
The overnighters' wet gear dried out in the early morning sun on Sunday.
Photo by Claire Waichler
Two volunteers rehabilitated user-trails deep in a grove of larches.
Smiling Volunteers
A group photo of Sunday afternoon's volunteers.
Photo by Andy Porter Images
Young Help
Some of the local ski-team kids carrying out planting supplies Sunday afternoon.
From start to finish, this is a special project made possible by a dizzying array of partners working together closely for years. The Moccasin Lake Foundation, REI and the Horizons Foundation provided funding to the NFF for implementation. The National Park Service, paid for much of its work, also donated some of its greenhouse space and horticulturists' time. The North Cascades Institute dispatched a graduate student to work on this project throughout the past two summers. And the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest's Methow Valley Ranger District made our restoration efforts a priority.
All this, however, would have led nowhere without the 46 volunteers who participated on this weekend alone, working a total of nearly 350 hours. We look forward to monitoring the restoration areas over time, but one thing is already certain: this truly is a Majestic Methow.
NFF Funding Supports Fish Habitat in Colorado
Counting Raptors Flying High in the Sky Over the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
A Road Well Travelled – Celebrating People and Rain on Schnebly Hill Road
The NFF, U.S. Forest Service and local partners recently celebrate completed the re-opening of Schnebly Hill Road following a road erosion control project.
NFF Website Features Library of Collaboration Resources
The NFF's website includes a searchable library of tools to assist conservation and collaboration professionals.
Get to Know the Trail Groups of the White Mountain National Forest
There are currently 11 different trail clubs in the White Mountain National Forest that steward the Forest's more than 1,200 miles of trails. This is in addition to at least 16 other organizations that are current trail maintainers. To make it easier, we've put together a brief overview of some of the key trail clubs in the White Mountains for you.
A Sierra Ancha Facelift
Trails that access the Sierra Ancha Wilderness, one of Arizona's most biologically unique areas, have gotten a major makeover! These
Find Your Fourteener Campaign: Putting up a big tent to support trail restoration
The NFF's Southern Rockies Region Program Associate, Spencer Plumb, recaps his experience supporting a volunteer day on Pikes Peak.
Six "Off-the-Beaten-Path" Hiking Trails in the White Mountain National Forest
For many hikers, an important feature of an escape into the wilderness is the feeling of isolation and separation from crowds. This can be difficult in a popular National Forest, such as the White Mountain. For anyone who finds peak weekend hiking to resemble a wilderness highway more than a wilderness trail, we've highlighted six "off-the-beaten-path" trails in the White Mountain National Forest.
Treasured Landscapes | National Forest Foundation
Support on-the-ground conservation
Help ensure the NFF and our partners can continue doing important work like this on our National Forests.


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Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy | The Excelsior Experience [Review]
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy_20211028134901
G Style's Top Photography Items for Myself This Holiday Season [2021]
Played on the PS5
When Crystal Dynamic launched Marvel's Avengers, my review impression gave the game a 8/10 calling it a Flawed Triumph – despite its excellent story campaign and very fun gameplay mechanics, the overwhelming consensus was that the game was hollowed and in the multiplayer compartment – leaving much to be desired. This, along a slew of other issues, has led gamers to lose faith in Marvel's partnership with Square Enix. Well, during said time, several updates and additions were made and Marvel's Avengers is now in a desirable spot awaiting more content; then Eidos Montreal announces Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy which was met with immediate skepticism despite the game looking absolutely exceptional in it's debut trailer. It's so obvious that both Marvel's Avengers and Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy were developed by separate teams and still people were bringing it down. Well, I'm here to tell you that not only is Guardians of the Galaxy an excellent game, it's one of the best overall games I've played ever.
Sun-Lord?
Edios Montreal's Guardians of the Galaxy is an iteration separate from the MCU's counterparts, and disappointedly separate from the current Marvel's Spider-Man and Avengers games. A missed opportunity in merging the Gaming Universe into a singular, continuous experience. But that's fine, there is time for Marvel to make an announcement….one day.
The game's plot is set after a massive interstellar war against Thanos the Mad Titan, who commanded the Chitauri race against everyone in the Andromeda Galaxy. The war concludes with Thanos' (alleged) death with the help of the Guardians of the Galaxy and the Nova Corp. Several years later, you find that the Guardians are set to capture a beast that is within Nova Corp. protected redacted zone. Let's just say, in your nearly 20hr run of this spectacular campaign, you are met with insane surprises that would delight any Marvel fan.
In the typical Guardians of the Galaxy fashion, Groot, Drax, Gamora, Rocket and Peter are realized with all of their charm in such an exceptional way; they seem better than you would imagine them to be from the comics, even compared to their MCU counterparts. You can see the sheer love and dedication Eidos put into there personalities and character designs. Throughout your playthrough, the conversation and banter made between the cast is so dynamic and authentic, it's a joy whenever you hear them talk. Sure, if you move past the world fast enough, you can clip through conversations – but even then the transition is done so well. Kudo's to the audio engineering team for making it seamless for all types of players.
Guardians Is a linear game with choice mechanics that can give you access to certain missions, or not. It's a step above the linear structure which is welcoming, but ultimately everything leads to one path. Guardian's will have you space-trotting through incredible locations richly designed by probably the best environmental team I've ever seen. You're never left feeling monotonous due to the dynamic shifts of situations you're put in. I can't stress enough, the characters and environments are so insanely beautiful and detailed, it's feels like Eidos Montreal were holding back just for this game. Because of its beauty, I'm hoping the next iteration is either and open-world or open zones with re-trackable locations, Metroidvania style.
Additionally, please take the time to explore before continuing main paths – you'll be incredibly rewarded with some very neat and thoughtful addition to the game.
The Gameplay is Actually Wicked
Guardians of the Galaxy is not a co-op game, it's not a live-service either – you'll be controlling Peter Quill; I know, you want to switch between members. I'm actually with the minority, I love that I'm only controlling Peter and commanding the rest – it's only because it actually makes me feel like I'm leading rather than controlling, and the way Eidos designed the mechanics with the story, some unique surprises happen than I don't really feel like spoiling because it doesn't happen often. Heck, the way story is told with how gradual Peter invest into his leadership role, it further amplifies the gameplay mechanic.
As you lead with Peter, you have 4 abilities that is allotted on the face button when holding down L1/LB – which slows down time. This is when you chose an ability, after which there's a cool down. You can also do the same with the rest of your team and eventually figure out some sick combos. Although you can control your camera, there's no precise aiming so, it is heavily encouraged to lock-on to your foes during battle. I'm not a huge fan of it, but it makes sense when you're also combining abilities from 4 other members simultaneously. The controls can take a while to get use to, but once you have it settled, the combat just feels seamless and natural. I'm on my second playthrough with the newly released patch of added ray-traycing and yeah, I love it.
Let's Appreciate the Design, Please?
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is incredibly gorgeous looking. I mean, truly on the PS5 it looks absolutely next gen. Character models are astonishingly detailed with attention that most developers overlook – facial expressions are well acted and expressive, it almost feels like a Naughty Dog game. Everything down to the textures of the jacket, the subsurface details on the pores of their face, the scruffy beard Peter has, Drax's pectoral and latissimus dorsi muscles bulging and flexing (it even bounces) is just astonishing. Rocket's fur is so detailed and realistic alongside Groot having permutations with each of his branch limbs and facial expressions – Eidos did not falter in creating as much love craft as possible.
I did mention how incredible the environmental design is, and Eidos did not miss here either. On your space-trotting adventure you'll visit some of the most imaginative places ever – truly, it is a magnificent scifi eye candy. From Knowhere to Nova Stations and several planets, Eidos once again, did not falter.
Eidos Montreal has set out to create one of the best Marvel games you'll ever play. It is easily my top favorite and with its amazing story, very unique and fun gameplay, absolutely amazing graphics and overall quality of the game – it would be a crime to not experience this game.
REVIEW SCORE: 9.5/10
For more on Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy and Gaming news, check out my Twitch ChrisArchitect, YouTube at ChrisArchitect, IG at ChrisArchitect, Twitter ChrisArchitect0 and even TikTok at Chris_Architect – You can also check out our social media presence at IG: GStyleMagazine and Twitter: GStyleMagazine


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