EVA strives to create a culture that encompasses out-of-the-box thinking, a team environment and continuous support for each other and our clients. We work together to solve problems, inspire one another, and do what it takes to prove our dedication to our team and our careers. Everyone matters…and we make sure you know it.
Chiquita brings 20+ years of experience ranging from Human Resource Specialist to Applications Engineer. She brings her extreme attention to detail and organizational skills to a new level as a top Virtual Assistant. Chiquita works with a range of industries from law firms to business coaches and currently resides in VA.
Jessica is a skilled Virtual Assistant Strategist with over 10+ years experience in Business Development, Affiliate Marketing, Online Education & Recruiting. Jessica has worked with EVA as the Placement Specialist for the past 4 years. She is very passionate about helping elevate the VA/Client relationship to its highest potential. Jessica holds a BA from Curry College in Communication Media and is an active speaker who educates about the virtual space and opportunities for clients/jobseekers. Jessica spends her free time with her family on the California Coast & New England enjoying as much sunshine and family time as she possibly can!
Kimberly has 13 years of experience working as a legal assistant and technical writer and has held several different positions within the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's office. Kimberly has her Bachelors of Science in Political Science and resides in Illinois with her family.
Crissy specializes in graphic design and social media management and has a passion for helping small business owners thrive. Crissy lives by the "deliver more than expected" motto and helps clients express themselves by delivering quality graphics and content to reach new heights in their digital marketing efforts.
Sunita specializes in website design and animation videos. She is highly skilled in identifying the needs of clients and translating their vision into their online presence. She is able to provide the functionality they desire for their websites as well as effectively communicate their brand to their clients.
Emily is an organized, efficient, and detail-oriented virtual assistant with in-depth knowledge of Microsoft Excel. She leverages technical and communication skills to complete projects on-time and within specifications. Her specialties include data entry, bookkeeping, Excel modeling, budget planning, financial reporting and analysis, travel planning, and research.
Meghan brings 15+ years of sales and marketing experience to small business owners and entrepreneurs to help them grow and scale. Her niche is digital and online services including branding, launches, social media, copywriting and marketing. Working with Meghan will streamline and bring structure to your projects to make your business more profitable.
Danna is a resourceful leader with 20 years of administrative consulting, management and relationship building talent. Her specialties include administration management, social media marketing, content creation, blog assistance, research, document design and management, invoicing and billing, branded image creation, website design/management, photo imaging/design/shoots, video training and editing. Danna is an avid animal lover and volunteers for Wolf Mountain Sanctuary which is a nonprofit wolf dog rescue and lives in southern California.
Penny has over twenty years in project management, lead generation, marketing and digital media. She loves to work special projects with a deadline. In addition, she handles day to day needs for her clients anywhere from email marketing to artwork and design. Penny is married and has two grown sons with tons of grandkids to play with.
Brittany Ferrara has been in the customer service and virtual assisting industry for over 10 years. She has her Bachelor of Arts in English from Kent State University, and specializes in all things assisting, content marketing, blogging, and proofreading/editing. In her spare time, she can be found playing volleyball with friends, hiking, binge watching Netflix, reading, or spending time with her family and pets (puppies, Yeti and Chewie, and cat, Piper).
Mala has worked in the virtual industry for the last 10+ years. Mala specializes in working with financial wholesalers/advisors, real estate investors, and law firms. Some of her specialty areas are scheduling, management, administrative, data entry, marketing, social media, time management, organization, and customer service.
Shannon has an 18 year career specializing in the legal field and worked as an advocate for domestic violence. She has a passion for helping others and understands and appreciates the importance of confidentiality. Shannon has her Bachelor of Sociology from the University of Oregon and lives with her family in San Luis Obispo, CA.
Laura considers herself a one-stop shop and is currently a content writer for several publications. Laura's 20+ year career gave her much exposure to a multitude of industries including supporting Mid to Executive level management, radio promotions, medical staffing and she has 10 years of experience in the mortgage industry. Laura currently resides in Los Angeles, CA.
Shirley has over 14 years of experience working as a paralegal and office manager specializing in personal injury, workers' compensation and criminal law. Shirley is fluent in English and Spanish and loves spending time with her family and friends, enjoys a good cup of coffee, loves baking and is currently learning cake decorating.
Dana has a 20 year career working in the legal field as both a Legal Assistant and Paralegal and has her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. In 2005 she had the opportunity to pursue her passion for photography full time and in 2015 was moved to author a children's book by a now famous lion, Cecil, and authored another in 2017. Dana splits her time between AZ and CA.
Holly Matson is an experienced business communications expert, providing expert services such as editing and proofreading, document creation, and client communications, including text-to-video. Her specialty is working with businesses whose intent is to teach and inspire others. In her non-working time, Holly enjoys studying holistic health and spirituality, and is an avid nature lover.
Jenn has over 10 years of experience as an administrative assistant, bookkeeper, customer service, and manager who also has a passion for working with animals (horses in particular!). Jenn specializes in animal-related businesses (riding stables, boarding kennels, veterinarians, etc.) and currently lives with her family in Kentucky.
Michelle has 20+ years of experience in legal assisting, paralegal work and human resources with a Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies and an Associates Degree in Legal Office Procedure and Administration. Michelle resides in Massachusetts with her family.


Apart from a small two-person show at Glass Artists/Gauge Gallery in Glebe in 2016, this is my first solo for many years. The exhibition will comprise Works on Paper, Collage/Assemblage and Stained Glass.
feature on this website. But they have not been exhibited in a physical gallery before, hence the title. Some have had one or two outings in the past couple of decades, in group shows around the country, and three damaged works have been especially restored for this show. There will be one completely new work in stained glass.
m2 Gallery is located at 450 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, not far up the hill from my workshop at Central. It is a well-managed hire-space that has featured some excellent artists over the past few years. I will be in attendance for the 5x days of the show so if you are in Sydney please make an effort to drop in between 9am - 6.30 pm Thursday- Monday.
Internationally renowned glass artist Clare Belfrage has a new solo show currently on display at Paddington's Sabbia Gallery. These works are a lovely iteration of the subtle and refined beauty for which Clare is known. These beautifully formed vessels are full of grace. The delicate almost-matte surfaces absorb light and contribute to their quiet but powerful presence.
Drawing Out Time opened on Wednesday 15th Nov, with an address delivered by Gabriella Bisetto, Head of the Glass Workshop at the South Australian School of Art, Art Architecture and Design , University of South Australia. An accomplished glass artist in her own right, Gabriella spoke eloquently about Clare's work and the accomplishments of the Australian contemporary glass community.
Closing December 9th, this is a delightful exhibition and well worth a visit.


NEW YORK (Fox News) - Jay Z says he cried with joy when his mother came out to him as lesbian.
Read the full story on FoxNews.com here.
A dog and its owner were reunited with the help of social media and police after the owner's vehicle was stolen in Marin County with his dog inside.
The stolen vehicle was reported to Cotati police Sunday and it was found in Oregon on Tuesday, but Kada the dog wasn't in the vehicle. The only details the suspect told police was that Kada was last seen in Santa Rosa.
The photo of Kada was shared by multiple police departments, which in turn was shared by the individual online communities and by Wednesday Kada was located.
A burglar wearing only his underwear tried to break into a great-grandma's car but the woman, armed with a baseball bat, wasn't having it.
"This is my weapon, right here! Mess with me, I'm gonna try to pop you!" said the woman, Clarese Gainey, 65, and that's exactly what cops say Gainey did to Antonio Mosley.
It started when Gainey heard a noise outside. "He was like this, banging on the door, like this," Gainey recalled.


Colorado FireBreak designs and builds customized systems to deliver an advanced hydro gel technology called FireIce in the event of a wildfire. We engineer and install fully-automated wildfire mitigation systems that become operational when sensors detect the UV wavelengths unique to fires. Colorado FireBreak also sells the FireIce Home Defense Unit. In combination, these options create a customized firebreak for your home, outbuildings, and the surrounding trees and property. You decide the level of protection you desire.
For most homes, Colorado FireBreak recommends our mid-range wildfire protection system, designed to protect your home and an area 50-feet around it. It includes wildfire detection sensors that wirelessly signal the control panel to activate Stage One.
In Stage One, FireIce® powder is combined with water pumped from an underground storage tank. This creates the FireIce protective gel, a revolutionary hydro gel technology used by many professional firefighting organizations to stop fires fast. Multiple fire suppression lines installed on the home deliver the FireIce gel so that it covers the home. As the fire nears, the control panel activates Stage Two.
In Stage Two, fire suppression lines in the tree canopy at the perimeter of the home spray FireIce on all trees. The microclimate that Stage Two creates lowers temperatures and raises humidity, producing a natural firebreak around the home. Because Stage Two applies water to the area 50-100 feet around the home, it can protect valuable vehicles, outbuildings and trees.
The Colorado FireBreak system is fully self-contained, including an isolated water tank and power sources. Depending upon the system chosen, it is activated either manually or automatically and relies on either electrical or gas power generation. The system is customized to your home and property's environment, and to the area you want to protect.
For the homeowner who wants a do-it-yourself fire retardant system, Colorado Firebreak recommends the FireIce Home Defense Unit. Using the same FireIce gel that our automated systems use, the Home Defense Unit is designed to deliver fire retardant through a powerful sprayer on wheels. It includes enough FireIce to cover a home up to 2,500 sq. ft. Additional buckets of FireIce may be purchased as needed.
Environmentally friendly and non-toxic. It is safe for plants, wildlife, pets, and children.
Non-corrosive and cleans up easily. Just rinse with water to wash it off.
Long-lasting and effective. It does not break down over time and consistently outperforms the best Class A foams.
FireIce is designed to protect structures in heat as high as 2000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Give Colorado FireBreak a call at 720.216.2126 for pricing and to order your Home Defense Unit.
Colorado FireBreak can show you how to use our automated systems. Using FireIce; the advanced hydro gel technology; combined with the customary FireWise home safety techniques will create the kind of defensible space that can save your home in a wildfire. Request a consultation from our team here. Ask your insurance agent about qualifying for special homeowner's insurance discounts!


text:
class GravatarUploader < CarrierWave::Uploader::Base

  include CarrierWave::MiniMagick

  storage :file
  process resize_to_fit: [100, 100]

  version :thumb do
    process resize_to_fit: [40, 40]
  end

  version :circle do
    process resize_to_fit: [30, 30]
  end

  def store_dir
    "uploads/gravatars/#{email_md5}"
  end

  def extension_white_list
    %w(jpg jpeg png gif)
  end

  private

  def email_md5
    Digest::MD5.hexdigest(model.email)
  end
end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


South Wales Police is appealing for information that will help them find wanted man Darren Douglas Thomas.
The 37 year-old, also known as 'Buffer', has been at large for just over a month after being recalled to prison for breaching his release licence at the beginning of December 2013.
He has links across Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr, and also in the south west of England in places such as Bristol and Taunton.
Anyone who knows where he is can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or they can call South Wales Police's non emergency 101 number.


text:
<?php
namespace Concrete\Core\Entity\Calendar;

use Concrete\Core\Attribute\ObjectInterface;
use Doctrine\ORM\Mapping as ORM;

/**
 * @ORM\Entity
 * @ORM\Table(name="CalendarEventVersionOccurrences")
 */
class CalendarEventVersionOccurrence implements ObjectInterface
{

    public function getAttribute($ak, $mode = false)
    {
        return $this->version->getAttribute($ak, $mode);
    }

    public function getAttributeValue($ak)
    {
        return $this->version->getAttributeValue($ak);
    }

    public function getAttributeValueObject($ak, $createIfNotExists = false)
    {
        return $this->version->getAttributeValueObject($ak, $createIfNotExists);
    }

    public function getObjectAttributeCategory()
    {
        return $this->version->getObjectAttributeCategory();
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    {
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    {
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    /**
     * @ORM\Id @ORM\Column(type="integer", options={"unsigned": true})
     * @ORM\GeneratedValue(strategy="AUTO")
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     * @ORM\JoinColumn(name="eventVersionID", referencedColumnName="eventVersionID")
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     * @ORM\ManyToOne(targetEntity="CalendarEventOccurrence", cascade={"persist"})
     * @ORM\JoinColumn(name="occurrenceID", referencedColumnName="occurrenceID")
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    protected $occurrence;

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    {
        $ev = $this->getEvent();
        $r = array();
        $r['start'] = $this->occurrence->getStart();
        $r['end'] = $this->occurrence->getEnd();

        return (object) array_merge($r, (array) $ev->getJSONObject());
    }

    public function __construct(CalendarEventVersion $version, CalendarEventRepetition $repetition, $start, $end, $cancelled = false)
    {
        $this->version = $version;
        $this->occurrence = new CalendarEventOccurrence($repetition, $start, $end, $cancelled);
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    {
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    {
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            throw new \RuntimeException(t('Method %s does not exist for CalendarEventOccurrence class.', $name));
        }

        return call_user_func_array([$this->occurrence, $name], $arguments);
    }

}


text:
Home » Zeroing in on Process Optimization
Zeroing in on Process Optimization
By Bryan Salvage, Editorial Director
Automation is playing a greater role in helping packers, processors optimize their processes. But just how far and fast meat and poultry companies will further automate is anyone's guess. But one thing's for certain: the evolution will continue.
Over the years, forward-thinking packers and processors have talked and dreamed about operating a totally automated plant — and how it would maximize throughput, yields, product quality, and safety, plus allow real-time feedback on processes, among other things. Although very beneficial to companies that are committed to it, process automation is still not widely used by the meat and poultry industries, many technology providers claim. But part of the problem in determining how widely it's being used lies in the translation of the term.
"First and foremost, you must remember that process automation means different things to different people," says David D, Gustovich, executive vice president, operations, Food Practice for USC Consulting Group LLC (USCCG), an independent management-consulting firm based in Tampa, FL, with offices in Chicago and Toronto. "If you think of it in the truest sense of the words, true process automation means functioning 'lights out,' without any human intervention and one-hundred percent self-sufficient."
This means the processes are being controlled automatically by software and hardware devices, working in concert with one another by constantly self-adjusting based on the flow of materials, and the way processes are performing relative to stated process control parameters and algorithms, he points out.
"The equipment and software are interacting in conjunction with one another making adjustments to ultimately drive the conversion process to optimum performance levels," Gustovich says. "In the theoretical sense, that's what process automation is. However, there are very few, if any, companies that meet the definition. What most companies are looking for really is process optimization — utilizing a blend of both software and hardware devices working in conjunction with some human interface and with human interaction — again using parameter settings, various attributes, and certain algorithyms, to make adjustments subtly and continuously throughout the process."
People function more as a monitor of the process and react only when specific action is required to bring a process back into control to maximize the effectiveness of the conversion process, Gustovich continues. And that's the model he's seeing more companies within the food arena explore and gravitate toward.
"There are very few companies at that purest form of automation, but there are many that are attempting to move down that path," he adds.
Most packers and processors declined to participate in this report citing proprietary reasons. However, Angelo Fili, executive vice president of Omaha, NE-based Greater Omaha Packing Co. Inc., says that although the production (animal harvest and deboning) at his company has not been automated, the electronic tracing capabilities of operating parameters such as temperatures, cycle times, and variances from normal limits are now readily available on all company desktops.
"This speeds decision-making greatly," he says. "Live information analysis allows much earlier decision making. Computer logging and analysis capabilities are integrated in every aspect—from production planning, quality control monitoring, and Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point [HACCP] verification to plant maintenance programs."
True automation is using the product data (core temperature, weight, color, etc.), and actual process parameters (air temperature, viscosity, etc.) captured in real-time to control a process, says Thomas Lundqvist, product-line manager for FMC FoodTech. FMC FoodTech is a leading supplier of integrated food processing solutions that enhance the value and preserve the quality, nutrition, and taste of solid food products, he says.
"Today, the lead time between capturing this information and adjusting the process based upon it is too long," he adds. "This is leading to unnecessary waste and losses in yield, throughput, and inconsistent product quality. Tomorrow's automated lines will include devices to automatically capture product data in addition to tapping into equipment PLCs. In many cases, we will still see 'open-loop systems,' i.e., human intervention, to adjust the process based upon the data captured. But in some cases, closed-loop controls could be implemented."
Such technology is currently not yet widely used in plants, Lundqvist says. But those plants incorporating process automation receive unique benefits.
"It is playing a great role since it allows the process to do more with less, i.e., to improve the productivity of existing equipment/processing lines," he adds. "But it also improves product quality, which means more profits. Another big driver is legislative and customer demand on processors to validate product quality and provide detailed process traceability, i.e., to answer the question: How is a certain product processed? This is a more detailed demand compared to what we normally include in traceability, which is more about tracking ingredients than actual processing conditions."
Automation allows packers and processors to do the same thing the same way time after time, says Charlie Rastle, Solutions Marketing Manager for Milwaukee, WI-based Rockwell Automation. Rockwell Automation is a leading industrial automation company with a focus on automation solutions that help customers meet productivity objectives. The company brings together leading brands in industrial automation, including Dodge® mechanical power transmission products, Reliance Electric™ motors and drives, Allen-Bradley® controls and engineered services, and Rockwell Software® factory management software.
"Process automation helps to improve quality," Rastle adds. "Once you tune that automation so it's doing exactly what you want it to do, you'll see greater consistent quality. Automation enables you to collect data from a processing step easier. And that data can help you to improve the process."
Rockwell Automation is very involved in helping the meat and poultry industries to input and improve process automation.
"We're very involved because our company supplies almost anything the customer would want [thirty-thousand products]for process automation—everything from field-level components to controllers to motors and drives," Rastle says. "Our investment over the years has been in connectivity; into an integrated architecture so the control architecture has a common programming interface [that allows connecting different components to form one system].
"We also have a very large service division that can help customers improve their processes," he adds. "Is it regulatory compliance, sanitation, excess weight, or a problem in meeting customer demand? We work with them to provide the right solution—and where to deploy and improve automation."
Rastle says process automation is being used by many meat and poultry companies, but primarily in material handling and prior to material handling, in operations such as putting products into a box, sealing boxes, and conveying boxes to material handling.
"There are huge amounts of automation there because that's a great place to use automation," Rastle says.
True process automation is the ability to reach the optimum output using a series of related flexible processes, says Mark Grace, president and chief executive officer of New Jersey-based BeyondVia, a decision/action/support company.
"It's not just about machines," he adds. "It's about a series of processes that need to be flexible ranging from financial processes to sales and marketing processes to plant production processes."
John Rinald, director of BOC's Process Optimization Services, Murray Hill, NJ, describes true process automation as when set variables within a process fall outside of a spec that has been defined by the customer and then something changes automatically in the process to alter equipment to put it back into spec.
"This is a situation where you don't necessarily need a human being to be monitoring to make sure something is in spec," he adds, "and if it isn't they don't have to physically make the adjustment because it's all automated."
This allows customers to remove variability in their process.
"By reducing variability, the benefits they're getting are improved yield, throughput, consistency, and quality," Rinald says.
But again, Rinald says while process automation is being used by the meat and poultry industries — it is only to a small degree.
"There are opportunities to continue advancing process automation throughout the meat and poultry processing industries," he adds.
In order to maintain margins, packers and processors must control their costs as effectively as possible, he adds. One way to control costs is to reduce variabilities in the process.
"Automation helps to reduce variabilities," he says.
BOC's Process Optimization Services differs from many competitors because it does not manufacture and sell processing equipment or software. Although confidentiality agreements prevent Rinald from naming food industry customers, he says they include some of the biggest companies in the meat and poultry industries.
"We will take anybody's equipment and either get data from it or we will take anybody's sensors and tie in networks to those sensors so we can capture data," Rinald says. "Once we have that data, we also offer a service that works very closely with the customer to drive that data into useful information that leads to actionable items."
USCCG has developed, and continues to develop, a wide-ranging suite of automated business solutions, such as its live production planning module that in the poultry segment facilitates the buying and selling of eggs, young and mature birds; managing breeder stocks, hatchery set, and bird placement schedules; and the grow-out cycle. And through its strategic ally, Netherlands-based software developer Quintig, it offers advanced planning and scheduling software than enables food companies to operate their production lines more nimbly so they can do a better job of keeping up with ever-changing consumer demands for value-added products.
"All of USCCG's automated solutions have the ability to interface and integrate with any existing ERP package in the marketplace today, whether it's a legacy system or a home-grown system, or a big system like SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, and so forth," Gustovich says.
"We are a results-oriented company," he adds. "No matter the initiative — whether it's process automation or process improvement — the bottom line is we're going to do whatever it takes to drive favorable ROIs. We have the ability to utilize our existing in-house manufacturing execution systems that we developed specifically for the food industry or interface with third parties to help bring our clients solutions quicker and easier, and typically at a cost less than it would be if they tried to do it on their own."
FMC FoodTech helps customers to optimize their processes.
"We are with them all the way from system design through implementation and analysis," Lundqvist says. "Competitors often let the customer tell them what data to capture and what reports to develop," he adds. "They don't provide resources for process optimization either. Much is left to the customer's ability and resources."
BOC's Process Optimization Services offers a service that incorporates monitoring technology, data capture, and reporting along with real-time data analysis and subsequently as close to real-time as the customer wants to get in changing their process to drive efficiencies and effectiveness, Rinald adds.
FMC FoodTech's newest product offering is its LINK™ Process Analysis in combination with the D-Scan. LINK helps to simplify operations, improve product consistency, optimize yield, and assure product traceability while at the same time minimizing waste and food-safety risks. LINK Control, with its operating, monitoring, and data collection capabilities, gives processors a simple, easy-to-use operator interface that will increase productivity while ensuring uniform product quality and food safety, Lundqvist says.
• The detailed graphical user interface simplifies control and quickly identifies problem areas
• Recipe management system reduces set-up time and operational errors, and improve product uniformity
• Data collection delivers readily available data at one central location, supporting traceability and process optimization
• Dial-up connectivity enables remote troubleshooting that decreases maintenance costs
• Custumizable security levels enable different access levels to production equipment for different personnel to decrease exposure to liability
• Exportable report data allows tracking process conditions for quality control and food-safety documentation
• The overview screen graphically represents the processing room equipment or layout to ensure ease of understanding and use
LINK Line Control is an optional upgrade to the LINK Control System the delivers unified control over the entire processing line — for faster set-up, fewer operational errors, and further reductions in waste and delay, Lundqvist says. Features include line-speed synchronization, progressive stop functionality, process line recipe management, and central data collection. LINK Process Analysis makes information actionable. LINK Consulting offers on-site consulting for processing lines, and LINK Service is a service concept designed to mirror a company's maintenance needs in terms of both LINK control systems and the process equipment they serve.
When asked about his company's newest product or service, BOC's Rinald replies: "We are continuously improving our service putting into play the latest that technology has to offer in terms of data capture and data delivery. In the type of business we're in, we constantly must ensure we are on the cutting edge of what's out there in terms of data capture and subsequent reporting of that data —and turning that data into actionable activities."
BeyondVia's Grace says true process automation is the ability to reach the optimum output of flexible processes, and process automation contains three components: the should do, do, and check approaches.
"To automate something, you know what you should do. And then you have to do it, and then you have to check whether the should do and do are right," Grace says.
His company uses a Decision Center approach, which consist of two components: decision software tools that is the should do, and the process opportunity stewardship, which is the check, Grace says. The Decision Center automates decision making —the do side is automated by equipment companies and other technical suppliers, and then BeyondVia automates the checking side.
"The benefits are they improve plant operations and the entire supply chain," Grace says. "We are focused on the supply chain, and we are optimizing the process —you automate the do side; you keeping looking at it and ask yourself, is that what I should be doing? And then you check it and re-automate so you keep rising to optimal levels."
Rockwell Automation is investing in two areas. One is the packaging area, which has a common standard on how to program machines.
"A lot of OEMs are starting to embrace that," Rastle says. ""We've been building those standards into our control architecture and software so it's very easy to program our applications."
The company also has been investing in information management.
"Our investments are a lot in….how do we get better communication of data from the factory floor up into the business system?" Rastle says. That's important in meat and poultry. Their orders change by the hour."
Processor challenge
"Be prepared for the unexpected and the challenge," Rinald urges packers and processors. "They need to be ready to meet the challenge of change."
In pursing process automation or optimization, processors must choose their implementation approach.
"Do they have the time and the money to invest in developing and deploying their own system together with an integrator/controls company?" Lundqvist says. "Many fail to realize how difficult this is and how much time and money it takes to get the system to where it needs to be."
Processors shouldn't be afraid to explore the use of process automation within their business environment, Gustovich urges.
"But be patient with the implementation process because like anything that is new and technology-driven, there is going to be a learning process that your organization is going to go through as it acclimates itself to that future state design," he adds. "There will be learning, challenges, and obstacles along the way. That's why it is important that the leadership at the executive level maintains a steadfast position that these types of solutions are essential to make them more competitive and more cost-effective in whatever product, industry, or market they serve."
When a company undertakes a process automation initiative, it should make sure it has a sound project management structure in place to ensure that critical milestones are being achieved, and the right resource level is involved to bring the overall project within the time-frame and budget, Gustovich says.
"This is where we've seen some companies fail," he adds. "Without this project management discipline and the application of the right resources, they're going to find the cost is going to double or triple from the original estimate. Time will double or triple, and ultimately they're not going to recover the value that the process automation was intended to deliver."
Determining how to utilize labor most efficiently will help drive process automation.
"Some of this will be replacing labor with automation," Rastle says. "As robot and vision systems improve, we're going to see more machines on the floor to do jobs. We're also going to get better at collecting data from the factory floor on quality—both tracking and tracing-type data so we can identify where we have problems. We'll also get better at collecting HACCP-type data so we can ensure a quality and safe product is coming out of the plant."
As the process automation evolution continues, will the totally automated plant ever become a reality?
"I cannot speak for poultry processing, but beef ergonomics and automation has been studied for many years by both industry and OSHA and has yielded virtually no automation," Fili says. "I personally have butchered for many years and I do not see this as an upcoming invention." NP
Technology providers participating in this report include:
• BeyondVia, phone (678) 514-3026, or e-mail mtgrace@comcast.net
• BOC, phone (908) 464-8100 or (800)742-4726, or visit www.boc.com/bocpos
• FMC FoodTech, phone (419) 626-0304 or (800) 447-2630, e-mail frigostein.info@fmcti.com, or visit www.fmcfoodtech.com
• Rockwell Automation, phone (414) 382-2000, or visit www.rockwellautomation.com
• USC Consulting Group LLC, phone (813) 636-4004 or (800) 621-6943, e-mail david.gustovich@usccg.com, or visit www.usccg.com.
Automation to the rescue!
One of the most labor-intensive operations in the case-ready and small package production area is the relatively simple functions of picking a tray or package off the conveyor, briefly visually inspecting for label or container wrapping flaws, and placing the product in a tote or carton in an orientation that will fully utilize the capacity of the container.
Such tasks should prove simple but are tiring for a qualified person. But they would also be expensive for an automated machine because:
• Speed —Frequently 60 to 120 packages per minute
• Frequent changeover to different tray or package sizes on same line
• Different totes or carton sizes on same line
• Film overwrap trays difficult to pick up mechanically at high speed
• Variations in label positions and overwrap make machine vision inspections difficult.
One automation company relays it has tackled this problem head-on. In December 2003, Atlanta-based CAMotion, a producer of general-purpose industrial robots, joined forces with Georgia Tech's FOOD PAC program to deign, produce, and install a beta test Case Ready Pack-off system (including total handling at an Excel Corp. plant in Newman, GA.)
CAMotion has maintained, monitored, and fine-tuned the system since then, and the project is reportedly a successful venture for all parties involved. Utilizing new robotic technologies licensed from Georgia Tech, CAMotion recently introduced a new standard line of Case Ready Packer Robots for the food industry. The company claims that the ROI on a two-shift packaging line is typically less than one year.
CAMoton Inc., phone (404) 920-0722, or visit www.camotion.com
Hi-tech monitoring yields results
What do you get when you marry visual monitoring that's being done remotely using a highly-sophisticated technology? The answer is the ability to measure some tasks that are currently considered not measurable, among other things. A wide range of video services offered by the ADT Select Vision brand powered by Arrowsight offer both security and business solutions.
In the fall of 2004, ADT Security Services Inc., a unit of Tyco Fire & Security, reported that Plumrose USA — a leading manufacturer of premium quality meat products – was to begin using ADT's remote video audit service to help monitor food safety at its Iowa plant. Plumrose USA is one of the largest processors of premium sliced meats, bacon, and deli hams in the United States. Its signature brands include Plumrose, Dak, and Danola.
ADT's video auditing service, based on remote video technology provided by Arrowsight Inc., delivers daily pass/fail "report cards" to Plumrose's management team to help them identify whether critical quality assurance policies and procedures are being met at the plant. These e-mailed reports are then linked to video clips, providing visual documentation of the events uncovered by the auditing service.
"New technologies such as remote video auditing can help improve the safety of the nation's food supply," says Al Baroudi, president of the Food Safety Institute, who has conducted retail meat and poultry training for the USDA and dairy processing for the FDA and various health departments.
Mike Rozzano, general manager, Plumrose USA, says food safety has always been the company's top priority, and the company invested in the remote video auditing service to help managers more quickly identify whether employees are following plant security procedures and critical food-safety regulations.
"Our success is dependent on maintaining our reputation for providing the highest-quality meat products," Rozzano says. "With this service, we have access to detailed e-mail reports and video documentation to show that our quality-assurance programs are being met. As a company that has always embraced technological innovation, we are excited about the enhanced oversight this service can bring to the company."
The ADT Video Audit Service will help ensure that proper inspection procedures such as temperature control are followed, and that employees adhere to the industry's Good Manufacturing Practices, such as wearing proper attire, including coats, hairnets, and gloves.
This service also offers an extra check and balance for retailers, says Mike Snyder, president of ADT Services Inc.
"A manufacturer could share video audit reports with their retail customers to showcase the high quality of their products," he adds. "Manufacturers who can show greater traceability of their food product can set themselves apart [from the competition]."
Here's how the system works. ADT's Remote Video Auditing Service operates through ADT Select Vision, a secure Web-based viewing service that provides access to video from any digital video recorder on a corporate network. ADT Select Vision provides authorized users with access to a secure Web site where they can view live or recorded video, control digital video recorders and cameras, save video to local hard drives, and share video by e-mailing links and comments. ADT Select Vision employs as its on-site hardware platform American Dynamics' Intellex® Digital Video Management System.
Arrowsight, a Web-based application services provider, is the leading developer of remote viewing services and software. Its remote video auditing service transforms video and related data into tools for security, operational, and marketing improvements. Arrowsight's remote viewing software was originally developed and marketed by its division, ParentWatch, and has since become the remote viewing leader for the childcare community with 10,000 users. This technology is also being used at such leading companies as McDonald's and Pfizer.
"We hired a number of very senior executives to help us drive this business [in the food industry]," says Adam Aronson, chief executive officer of Arrowsight. These executives include a former president of Armour Swift-Eckridge, a former head of quality assurance for Borden, Temple Grandin, a former senior Wal-Mart executive, and a former president of IGA.
"We have found during the past five years that senior executives are going to customer meetings and closing deals with a food-safety pitch," Aronson says.
When discussions start with executives about deploying Arrowsight's type of service into meat plants to look at critical control points, it usually ends up being "a cost item," he adds.
"A typical retail customer will send an inspector [to a vendor's meat plant] about once a year," Aronson says. "The supplier can say to his customer that he can continue to send that person once a year, but I on my own nickel am going to do this every day at every single critical control point, and I will have third-party verification."
Any camera that could be placed inside a processing or slaughter facility for safety or animal handling monitoring can also be used to drive productivity and improve yields, Aronson says.
This technology can be used to verify equipment maintenance is correctly done, to ensure cleaning is being done properly at the right time, or even checking to verify pickle manufacturing was done correctly.
"We're seeing tremendous financial marketing and food safety/animal welfare benefits coming from companies using these new services," Aronson says. "On the animal handling side, we are working with Dr. Temple Grandin to take the work she has done in animal handling and create a vehicle to expand it on many multiples. Essentially, it gets back to economics."
Arrowsight's technology monitors the animal handling and slaughter process remotely on a random sampling basis to ensure the employees are following Grandin's principles.
"For Grandin, this is a great vehicle to expand upon her incredible work she has done in animal handling and humane slaughter, which has had an amazing impact on the welfare of animals and the economics of the beef industry," Aronson says. "I believe there are opportunities for standardization as it relates to video auditing."
But does this technology cause some to think of it as a "Big Brother" tool? (i.e., from George Orwell's "1984" where a futuristic government routinely spies on its citizens via cameras.)
"If you use it wrong, it is a Big Brother tool," Aronson says. "But if you use it right, it becomes an amazing positive enforcement tool and a reward system for the workers. The workers should look up at the camera and say, 'That's my ticket to getting promoted or being recognized for doing good work.'"
For more information, phone (914) 919-1700, e-mail info@arrowsight.com , or visit www.arrowsight.com
2006 Deli Processing Awards
Managing obsolescence
The cash equivalence of spare parts inventory
noax Technologies releases new S21WP Industrial PC with industrial-grade PCAP Technology

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Feature Story | Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne releases updated computer model to help bioenergy developers conserve water
ArgonneNOW Magazine
Critical updates to WATER tool help the bioenergy industry manage resources.
Argonne's WATER model estimates the fresh water available for non-bioenergy sectors such as agriculture, power, municipal and other industries – in addition to ecosystem services after bioenergy feedstock water demand is met. (Image by Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com.)
The U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory recently released an updated version of an online computer model meant to help bioenergy developers preserve critical resources.
The model, called Water Analysis Tool for Energy Resources or WATER, has users from more than 35 U.S. states and can be found here: https://water.es.anl.gov/.
It provides an in-depth analysis of water consumption used in the development of bioenergy, allowing industry leaders to make better informed decisions about what types of feedstock – meaning the raw materials that bioenergy is made of, including soybeans, grasses, corn grain, corn stover, forest wood residues and algae – are most appropriate for use in water-limited areas.
"Water sustainability is becoming increasingly important when considering our energy future," said Daniel Simmons, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy. "When evaluating the effects of bioenergy on water, it's critical that we understand how much water might be consumed, as well as the potential impacts of that water consumption at a regional level. Tools like these keep us working toward meeting the national and global need for secure, affordable water."
Argonne's May Wu, principal environmental systems analyst, built the software with the help of three other researchers. The project was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Bioenergy Technologies Office within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
"Competing demands for water create stress in many areas of the U.S., particularly in regions with limited annual freshwater resource inputs like some of the western states," Wu said. "We wanted to know how increased biomass production would affect freshwater availability to non-bioenergy sectors in any given region – and what strategies would be helpful to reduce irrigation demand and alleviate water stress. Water conservation is already a high priority and will only grow more important in the coming years."
WATER also can be used to help bioenergy developers decide where to build their biorefineries, she said.
This latest version of the software, WATER 4.0, is different from its predecessors in two critical ways. First, the new model indicates the amount of water available in different regions of the United States at the county level.
In an effort to add this important feature, Wu and her team calculated the annual freshwater available from rainfall, stream flow, and renewable groundwater and then compared this with irrigation water demand under future projected bioenergy production scenarios.
Second, the new model estimates the freshwater available for non-bioenergy sectors such as agriculture, power, municipal and other industries – in addition to ecosystem services after bioenergy feedstock water demand is met.
"When evaluating the effects of bioenergy on water, it's critical that we understand how much water might be consumed, as well as the potential impacts of that water consumption at a regional level. Tools like these keep us working toward meeting the national and global need for secure, affordable water."
Daniel Simmons, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy
WATER 4.0 also allows users to focus more acutely on different regions of the continental U.S. as each has a different availability of water.
This map depicts water availability by county; areas shown in orange are under higher levels of water stress. (Image by Argonne National Laboratory.)
The software was first launched in 2012 with a pathway-based platform that calculated the water footprint of a biofuel from the feedstock growing stage to the fuel production stage at the county, state, and regional level. It focused on several basic U.S. feedstock types, including conventional corn grain, soybean, corn stover and wheat straw.
A second version was released in 2014 that included new pathways of bioenergy production from perennial grasses, including switchgrass and miscanthus.
Water 3.0, released 2015, offered yet another new bioenergy production pathway, forest wood residue – including hardwood and softwood – and short rotation woody crops.
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy supports early-stage research and development of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies to strengthen U.S. economic growth, energy security, and environmental quality.
Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology. The nation's first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities, and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific problems, advance America's scientific leadership and prepare the nation for a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit https://energy.gov/science.
Tags: Energy Technology and Storage, Water Resources, Bioenergy, Freshwater
For More Information or Media-Related Inquiries
+1-630-252-5580 media@anl.gov
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+1-800-627-2596 partners@anl.gov
May Wu
Principal Environmental Systems Analyst
Water Technology Research at Argonne
Argonne's Water Technology research explores new methods for reuse of water, energy and nutrients.
Water Analysis Tool (WATER)
Learn more about and download WATER.
When the Sparks Don't Fly
9 cool science & tech stories from Argonne in 2016
December 05, 2016 | Energy Technology and Storage, Batteries and Fuel Cells, Energy Consumption and Efficiency
A new recipe for biofuel: Genetic diversity can lead to more productive growth in switchgrass crops
Before farmers settled the Midwestern United States and planted crops, the extensive root systems of prairie grasses — including the tall, strong-stemmed switchgrass species — enriched the soil, creating millions of acres of prime farmland.
February 23, 2016 | Energy Technology and Storage, Renewable Energy, Environmental and Earth Science
'Greener' way to assemble materials for solar applications
Argonne researchers use real-world data to model the effect of more solar on the grid
American electrical utilities do a pretty fantastic job of getting us electricity when we need it. In 2006, the power was out on average for just 0.03 percent of the year in the United States.
October 10, 2014 | Energy Technology and Storage, Renewable Energy, Energy Systems
Crowdsource: How do we tackle climate change?
"Crowdsource" asks scientists from varying fields to offer their unique perspectives on a universal problem.
June 01, 2014 | Environmental and Earth Science, Climate Science, Nuclear Engineering
Assessing the health risk of solar development on contaminated lands
New Environmental Science Division report provides comprehensive information about solar energy impacts and mitigation
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&Nbsp; for people looking to start to do a preparation, rather than take things one step at a time, choose their own production and management of industry, be granted the industry, determining the industry determine direction and product, then say there's business and adhere. Not in business of industrialism, selecting the right try to stick, adjust, focus point advantage, is more likely to be successful.
&Nbsp; know they have a couple good years, can say that they I is a step by step development changes in Guangzhou witnessed, had long wanted to write about them, regrettably, have been written for various reasons did not, the day before yesterday I made out of their free time is about the couple, spoke to their entrepreneurial experience.
&Nbsp; when I first came to Guangzhou, a moving company for a while, but it is not ideal, relatively heavy, income is not high, wanted to change the industry. Remember when the moving company to move a fruit business boss, talked about making a fruit when chatting with his business problems, the boss say about how good fruit business, profit is high, and as long as you are the products of good quality is definitely more popular, especially in southern varieties of fruit. People love to eat fruit, to visitors who are here, they are usually some fruit back, so engaged in the fruit business has a future, perhaps said no listeners be interested, ajian thought if we really do what he says is so good, why can't I do that. Do this according to their own understanding of the investment was not very large.
&Nbsp; after days of market research and exploration, he found it suitable for doing this should be very promising myself, so please spend some money a few porters, haizhu district to the farmers ' market with 500 Yuan wholesale some of the more popular fruits, with a stretcher started his fruit business.
&Nbsp; because at that time no selling experience, also be the practice, every time we buy a few fruits at first. Such even sold not out also not lost too more; began of when there people more he on in there sold, you also alone he of business also really of good, two basket of fruit sometimes not to half on can sold finished, one days even can to into two times of goods; just began of when he has been is in Beijing road of junction Shang sold, due to here of people compared more, near and no sold fruit of document mouth, in here only and he as of "go ghost". But doing so probably less than half a year, due to the Guangzhou City planning, road here in Beijing on the unlicensed vendors against more rigorous daily guerrilla war alone against Guan, and business began to decline. Was thought for a long time to do that? Oi a chance he goes to buildings along the road where visitors see here very much, rarely see anyone here selling fruit, if sold here will certainly have a lot of foreign tourists come to buy, so his mobile shop came here along the road.
&Nbsp; here to really let him select the right location, here is a poised, Chengguan tubes not only is not very strict, and many visitors like to buy southern fruit to taste. And not many people here do, I sell the fruit is always fresh and smooth, it is able to attract people, where business can even be sold three baskets a day and even started up a little bit, of course, so selling profits is ideal. Just in the Yanjiang road ajian have persisted for nearly two years, built through hard work in two years earned tens of thousands of Yuan, with the money he began his entrepreneurial life in Guangzhou.
&Nbsp; with this money, he began to think how can really do business, Cheng Guan guerrilla warfare is not a long-term solution, and every day, it's time to find a place to settle down and really do a little business. Of course doing business will do his old job-fruit business.
&Nbsp; with this intention, it began to contact the shop, some with the help of villagers in Henan Province soon found at wanfu road was a good pitch, close to Beijing Road near here plus here is a residential area, pedestrian flow is ideal. The rent price is not expensive. Landlords and shop soon signed a three-year contract. Then the number starts getting ready for an operation, also called the wife, children have parents at home, and two people to make a home ion not to fight.
&Nbsp; pre-everything is still relatively smooth, fruit shop was opened successfully. They mainly are apples, bananas, pears and seasonal fruits, because people here than the National Chiao Tung University, near proximity to the CAI Shi often come and go every day, a lot of people, plus operating in this area not many fruit business, business was very good from the beginning. Because of purchase they always pick himself, fruit quality is also very good. There is something wrong with little fruit.
&Nbsp; they operated in good faith principle in management, a lack of commitment from the very opening in-store ten, will not only ensure that's more affordable, attracted a lot of repeat customers. In the store on the basis of good business, they also carried out a number of new products, such as fruit baskets, fruit gift, gorgeous packaging is suitable as a gift, the price is not too expensive, it is perfect for budget-minded people living in Guangzhou, is also quite popular, especially when it comes to holiday, their business is more popular!


The Lesson Requests add-on allows clients to request lessons through their Teachworks accounts.
To enable the Lesson Requests add-on, go to Account & Settings > Integrations & Add-Ons > Lesson Requests > Enable.
Once enabled, click the "Manage" link to choose your settings.
Teacher Response: Enable this option if you would like to send lesson requests to teachers and allow them to accept, modify and decline requests.
Child Student Requests: If you would like to allow child students to request lessons, enable this option.
Teacher Menu: Choose "Assigned" or "All". If you choose the "Assigned" option, students will only be able to request lessons with their assigned teachers.
Show Requested Timeslot Unavailable: Here you can choose to show the timeslot for a requested lesson as unavailable to other clients either immediately after the request is submitted by the client, or after it has been accepted.
Instructions: Here you can add any important instructions -- these are displayed on the "Request Lesson" form in client accounts.
Once Lesson Requests have been enabled, the navigation menu in client accounts will include a "Request Lesson" and "Pending Requests" option under the Calendar tab.
The client calendar will also display a teacher filter allowing them to select any of their default teachers in order to view the teacher's availability.
The Lesson Request form will display any instructions that you've included in the add-on settings and will include some basic lesson form fields. It also includes a "Comments" field where the client can include additional details about the request such as recurring lessons.
Client's will be able to select any teacher that has been selected in the "Teachers" field on the student's profile.
When a client requests a lesson, an email will be sent to your company email address to notify you of the request and provide some details about the request.
If you've enabled Teacher Responses then the teacher in the requested lesson will also receive a notification email.
To respond to a request you will need to log into an account that has permission to respond to requests. This includes the company admin account, staff accounts with "Manage" permission for calendar lessons, and if you have Teacher Responses enabled teachers with "Manage" permission for lessons.
1. Go to the Lesson Requests table under the Calendar tab.
2. Click the "Respond" link in the row of the lesson request.
3. The form will be the same as the "Edit Lesson" form with a few additions. Review the lesson settings and make any changes if necessary.
4. If you want to include comments in the response sent to the client, enter them in the Response Comments field.
5. If you don't want to send a response, check the "Don't Send Response" check box.
6. If you are accepting the request, click the "Accept" button. To decline the request, click the "Decline" button.
7. If accepted the lesson is saved with any changes and will appear on the calendar like a regular lesson. If declined, the lesson request will be deleted.
You can customize the templates for lesson request responses. These templates include accepted, modified and declined responses. You can customize these by following the instructions for customizing notification templates in this article: Customizing Notification Templates.


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Home|Tree of Angels brings crime victims together for support, remembrance
Tree of Angels brings crime victims together for support, remembrance
The Jefferson County Crime Victims Coalition honored crime victims Dec. 5 at the Tree of Angels ceremony at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Beaumont.
This is the 17th year of the event that provides people a moment to trim a tree at the courthouse for those who lost someone to crime and those whose are victims of crime. Ornaments, primarily angels, were placed on the tree to honor the past and pay tribute to the future.
"Many of us suffer a feeling of loss during the holiday season," said Chris Castillo, Coordinator of Chaplain Volunteers for the Criminal Justice Ministry at the Diocese of Beaumont. "So this is a way to turn that into a positive by bringing people of like minds together to share in a moment of joy."
The Diocese of Beaumont is one of several agencies that are part of the coalition, according to Castillo, who became involved with the coalition before he began working for the Diocese.
When Castillo was 17 years old and working at a fast-food restaurant someone pulled a gun on him and robbed the place. Years later his mother, Pilar, was murdered in her Houston home in 1991. She was 52. The case remains unsolved. Anger and depression hung over him for years after her death. But through his involvement with crime victims and mentoring inmates in prison, he has turned his loss into healing for himself and others.
The evening at the courthouse included testimonies about loss and survival.
Wanda Grimes, whose son Jeramy was a passenger in a car that crashed in a DWI-related accident, turned to poetry to help deal with his death. She read a poem at the event titled "Christmas in Heaven."
Grimes has attended Tree of Angels every year it's been held. She said the event reminds her how much the loss still hurts but added that the event is important because it helps.
"You never get used to it," she said when she looks at his picture. "You think you'll get used to it. But you don't."
Jeramy was killed just a few weeks shy of his 21st birthday.
Despite the pain it brings, she'll continue to memorialize him.
"September 11th, people remember that," said Grimes. "Why would remembering my son be different for me?"
By Larry Jakobeit| 2017-12-07T17:07:19+00:00	December 6th, 2017|English, ETC Online, Local, This Just In|0 Comments


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Redbridge has second highest number of reports of honour crime in London
Ajay Nair
Published: 12:56 AM November 2, 2015
Redbridge has the second highest number of reports of honour-based crime in London. Picture: Anna Gowthorpe/PA Archive/PA Images - Credit: PA WIRE
Groups working with victims of honour crime have called on the council to do more after new figures detailing the number of reported incidents placed Redbridge joint second in the capital.
Sikh Womens Alliance chairman Balvinder Saund - Credit: Archant
The figures, obtained from a Freedom of Information (FoI) request to police, revealed that the borough had the second highest number of reported honour-based crimes in London with 59 reported since 2010 – joint with Newham.
Topping the list was Brent, which recorded 82 in the same period.
Balvinder Saund, of the Sikh Women's Alliance (SWA) in Ilford, said the figures were "upsetting".
"The idea of honour is still here," she said. "It's about control and subservience. These old ways of thinking should be left behind – there's no place for it."
Sudarshan Bhuhi of Aanchal Women's Aid - Credit: Archant
The former councillor, who says there is still "lots of work to be done", thinks the council should be putting more resources into preventing it.
Sudarshan Bhuhi, chief executive officer of charity Aanchal Women's Aid, which works with victims in Redbridge, said the figures were "not surprising".
"The issue is quite close to my heart," said Sudharshan, who fears more incidents are going unreported. "I have been working in here and the economic divide is so diverse – there's not enough funds for specialised support."
According to the Metropolitan Police website, honour-based crime is "any criminal offence that is driven by a mistaken desire to protect the cultural or traditional beliefs of a family or community".
Redbridge Police's Det Insp Frank Copley said: "The figures quoted are extremely low across the Met Police area. Although still low, it is slightly higher than most in Redbridge. This is likely to be because of demographics.
"It is possible that there is unreported honour-based violence occurring in Redbridge but I encourage all victims to come forward."
A Redbridge Council spokeswoman said the council commissioned services to help victims and encouraged people to access services such as the Ascent project, which is funded by London councils.
She said: "It's difficult to know how unreported a particular crime is without more evidence but the council and its partners carry out a lot of work to encourage victims to come forward.
"Honour-based crime also forms part of our Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and we work hard encourage people to come forward. Part of this strategy includes rationalising and improving local services for women and girls who are subject to any form of violence."
The council plans to launch a new service this month for services related to tackling violence against women and girls.
For more information visit redbridge.gov.uk


Building a custom Slack slash command is a great way to integrate a back office system and make your team more productive. Slack is an indispensable tool for business communication and collaboration. One of its most powerful aspects is its ability to integrate with your business processes via its APIs. Slack is extensible in a virtually unlimited number of ways and can act as the central interface for many of your company's resources and systems.
Slash commands are a simple way of triggering a process via Slack's chat interface. For example, one of the default slash commands available in Slack allows you to conveniently change your active status without leaving the chat interface. Another use of a slash command is to launch a meeting with a list of colleagues, or search for a resource in an internal system, perhaps an internal FAQ or customer contact database.
When you run a slash command, Slack makes a web request to a custom endpoint of your choosing and passes along data to the receiving application's business logic.
Creating a slash command requires that you write some backend code to handle the incoming HTTP request that Slack sends when you run the command. You also need to host and manage the app, and provision SSL certificates. It's also a good idea to implement logic that verifies the authenticity of inbound requests to make sure they're genuine and coming from Slack and not from an unauthorized 3rd party. Slack signs all of its outbound calls with a standard HMAC-SHA256 keyed hash for this purpose. A common way of hosting a Slack app backend is to use a cloud platform like AWS Lambda or Google Cloud. This requires development knowledge however.
Another solution is to use a lowcode serverless platform like Pipegears to create the business logic visually by dragging modules and connecting them. PipeGears hosts applications and automatically provide HTTPS endpoints ready to receive inbound requests from Slack. They also handle the HMAC hash verification process automatically which saves you time.
One of the most common challenges in a business environment is to make the hoards of data hiding away in disparate systems readily available to the people who need it. An example of this is a contact database living in an internally managed SQL database. PipeGears can meet this challenge and do it quickly. We've created an implementation of a backend for a slash command that demonstrates the use case.
The goal is to add a custom slash command named /lookup to our Slack environment that accepts a first or last name, or even a partial name segment, finds a match in a database, then displays the full contact in Slack.
First you need to create a Slack App in your Slack account at https://api.slack.com/apps. After creating the app, add a slash command from the features and functionality options in your app settings.
The last step in configuring the slash command is to install the app in your Slack environment and authorize it. At this point, the slash command is active in your Slack console and issues HTTPS requests to the URL you defined in the step above. You'll need to copy the signing secret from your app settings in Slack and add it to the Slack Webhook in your PipeGears flow.
The database didn't respond (for whatever reason) in which case the flow ends by returning an error message.
In this example, an SQL DataSource is configured as a global resource available to any SQL query node within the flow.
And that's it! A working implementation that's hosted, secured with a valid SSL certificate and automatically handles the HMAC signing process to authenticate requests and ensure that they are really from Slack. It's somewhat basic, but a good start for a more feature rich implementation. Watch the demo video to see the entire process and get a more in-depth explanation. Then create an account on PipeGears and try it yourself!


-With nearly 20 years of experience, we have got a special relationship with major shipping lines such as Maersk, MSC, CMA, MOL, K'LINE, Evergreen, Yangming, SITC, Biendong, Vinalines to provide the regular shipping schedules with competitive prices for full container loads (FCL) shipments to any port in the world.
- Together with a dedicated and dedicated customer care team, we always offer the most flexible solutions to minimize the ship's delay, or skipped voyage as well as take care and monitor your container throughout transport process.
-For LCL cargo, MPI can be recognized as one of the leading Master consolidators in Vietnam market and we constantly improve our service.
-With our development, we undertake to ship the import/ export LCL cargoes with more than 2,000 ports/ destinations worldwide through transhipment ports such as Singapore, Port K'Lang, Hongkong and Pusan.
-We are committed to providing the most competitive services and costs, as well as the most economical solutions for you.


Our commission is one of the most competitive in the industry! Our aim is the same as yours; to give parents quality images and an outstanding service! It also needs to be a sensible business decision so you can benefit from the day as much as possible and we can build a positive ongoing relationship.
If you have any queries relating to commission please don't hesitate to contact us!


Some truly ambitious bike lanes are being built right now in the UK, especially in the capital. Really excellent examples of what can be done when public demand leads to political will, then cash and eventually shovels in the ground. So much so that you could mistakenly assume that funding is flowing like water.
The truth is quite different. In reality the money for cycling infrastructure comes in dribs and drabs, inconsistently distributed, making long term plans nigh-on impossible. And it's about to get worse: these sporadic sources are about to dry up.
In some cities we're on the verge of making real progress towards the sort of healthy, happy environment you find in Amsterdam and Copenhagen, but something radical must be done to keep the momentum up and spread this progress across England.
The Government has promised to raise spending on cycling to £10 per person annually – a modest target, but one which would help to boost cycling levels slowly in the long term.
Research carried out by sustainable transport charity Sustrans shows that between the 2011/2012 financial year and 2014/2015, that level of investment averaged only £4.21. What's more, 2015 looks like being the start of a sharp decline that will see funding drop below below £1 per person by 2018/2019.
Countries like Denmark and the Netherlands spend around £25 each year per person, yet we aim for just £10, and are set to miss it by 90pc.
In the past, cycling investment has been made through a complex network of funds with esoteric acronyms, drip-fed into small projects that are part of no wider vision, while roads and rail are given ring-fenced, long-term investment. The road budget alone stretches to an annual £24bn.
Many of these sources, such as the vitally important Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF), are about to come to an end and there is nothing yet to replace them.
The Government wants to double the number of journeys made by bike before 2025. That simply isn't going to happen unless a proper plan is put into place. Political promises to emulate Amsterdam or Copenhagen are just empty words without money to make it happen.
A potentially ground-breaking bit of legislation was recently passed for a Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS). It requires the government to create a proper, long-term plan for boosting cycling and walking, just like they already have to for the road and rail networks.
It's a chance for cycling and walking to become as important to those who plan transport budgets as driving or the railways.
What comes next is making sure that the plan which gets developed is ambitious: one which puts real cash into creating the infrastructure needed to get more people on their bikes.
Denmark and the Netherlands took bold steps decades ago that pay dividends today. Huge levels of cycling have made both countries healthier and happier places to live, and we can do the same in the UK.
Enabling people to leave the car at home and walk or cycle for short journeys will make us healthier, reduce the strain on the NHS, improve our air quality, slash congestion and boost the economy. It's an investment in the future.
That's the message Sustrans be taking to the Prime Minister next month when we urge him to create a credible CWIS, as the Treasury is holding a consultation right now on what should go in the November Spending Review. Tell him what you think by taking part in our campaign.


Brake problem, see if you guys have any idea.
Cam Degreeing Wheel - Anybody got one?
Any forecast for next week's meeting???
SCI JS pulley for sale maybe?
Interesting Cooling Issue :confused: Long... AGAIN!
Who's in for dinner on Saturday night?
Looking for 5W40 - anyone?
I Have Fawkin Had It!!!!!!!
Anyone know the FULL cost of importing cobra R hood? or have one for sale??
Extra gear in my AOD?
FS: 90 XR7 Cougar SC Auto 400 bucks!
The Khaos Starts On Tuesday!!
any one have parts car with blue interiour?
head bolt torque speck ?
Any Deccent Used Tires for sale?
Anybody work with this company?
Just thought I would drop in and say Hi to everyone!
Part Needed For Race Day!
Ed, Steve N.....Notice Anything ?
Should I work another tuning date with Dave?
mystery miss solved - now what?
I Stink ! Even With Slicks !!
Ryan, results of your Blower porting.
And my rims are in!!!!
Anyone On Here Make Stickers??
Make your headlights new again..
Anyone have a valid phone # for Paul93SC???
My Coverage of CEDIA 2005 Electronics Expo!
SC Shootout -- anyone interested in going as a spectator?


All business owners want an office space that will help their company grow and thrive. At the same time, every business owner will have different and specific desires when assessing office spaces. When you are looking for a place to rent for your office space, consider asking your potential landlord these questions to help you make an informed decision about whether the office is the right fit for your company.
How Much Square Footage Is Available for Rent?
Having enough space to optimally conduct the goings-on of your business is extremely important. Employees will be less productive if they have to work together without enough space and privacy. Also, you may be embarrassed to show clients your office space if the conditions look cramped or otherwise uncomfortable for your workers.
On the other hand, having too much space can be wasteful. It's important to figure out how much square footage you need before starting to look for an office space.
What's the Length of the Rental Contract?
This is one basic question that is more important than many people think. A lot of business owners will dismiss this question because they assume it will be possible to extend short-term leases or get out of long-term ones if the need arises. However, business owners often get rude awakenings on this topic.
Some business owners must find a different office space not long after finding the first one because they weren't able to renew a short-term contract. Others have the opposite problem and may find themselves wanting out of a long-term deal before that's possible.
If you find a place to rent that you absolutely love, a long-term contract may be the way to go. That way, you know you'll be able to hang onto it for a longer period of time.
You will be able to plan the goings-on within your company with a clear sense of where your company will be in a few years. Having a reliable office space for employees can help everyone feel more confident in the company.
Having a secure office space can also help you build your reputation as a company. Customers who know a business moves around a lot may not trust it as easily as one with a consistent and reliable locale.
A long-term lease will allow you to map out your exact expenses for the coming years. Thanks to the contract, you will know exactly how much money you will need to set outside for rent each month without having to guess and hope for the best.
When you are signing a long-term contract, the landlord may be a bit more flexible on terms. You may receive more tenant incentives and concessions if you are willing to accept a long-term lease.
Only you can decide if a long-term lease is best for your company.
Are You Open to Covering Improvements or Changes to the Floor Plan?
If you are interested in an office space but want to make some changes to the floor plan, talk about it up front. You may even want to ask this if you have no immediate plans to change things. If it's a possibility for the future, it's a good idea to know your options.
If the landlord is unable to cover the costs of changes to the floor plan, you may want to follow up the question by asking if you can do it yourself. Some property owners will be fine with changes to the floor plan, while others may have things a certain way for a reason and not have the flexibility you want.
How Much Will the Rent Payment Be Each Month, and Will It Go Up in the Near Future?
It may be basic, but this question is essential. You need to know the full amount you need to calculate into your monthly budget. That will be a fixed expense that needs to be a priority. If you think that you may have problems coming up with a rental payment, it is too high for your business, and you should go for something that you feel is manageable for your company's budget.
Finally, make your own list of questions based on what you most want to know. Feel free to have an open discussion with your potential landlord. You need to be in an office space that you love. The place where you do business each day will have an impact on every aspect of your company.
If you are looking for an office space to rent in Dallas, Houston or San Antonio, contact Hartman Income REIT Management, Inc. to find the perfect place for your company.


This tutorial outlines the reasons for using index-linked debt instruments and demonstrates a way to model them, focusing particularly on index-linked bonds.
The complete 10 SMART Guidelines series is now available. Download the handbook and start creating SMART financial models today.
The debt service reserve account (DSRA) works as an additional security measure for lenders. It is generally a deposit which is equal to a given number of months projected debt service obligations. This tutorial explains how to code a transparent and efficient DSRA, and how it is linked to the financial statements without circular references.
Net present value (NPV) is a standard method of using the time value of money to appraise long-term projects and investments. This tutorial will discuss the principles of NPV calculation and the discount rate and, in particular, highlight how to calculate NPV without using the built-in functions in Excel. This achieves greater transparency and reduces the risk of errors.
It is important to recognise the trade debtors and trade creditors in a cash flow financial model because they capture the cash cycle of a company. This is important since not all revenue earned in a given period is received in the same period, and that not all costs are paid as soon as they are incurred.


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$125,000 - $150,000 DOQ
Come join our team and live and work in one of the most beautiful places in the world!
The City Attorney performs legal work and serves as general counsel to the City of Sedona and as chief legal advisor to the City Council, City departments, City boards, committees, and commissions. The position directs all civil and criminal legal work and reviews and considers all municipal activities. The next City Attorney should have extensive knowledge of Arizona law, the ability to effectively supervise departmental staff, and the understanding of general municipal, state, and federal laws.
The City Attorney must have solid ethics and integrity, excellent communication skills, and sound managerial experience. Additionally he or she will have excellent interpersonal, public relations, and customer service skills, and have the ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with elected officials, City staff, and the general public. In addition, the City Attorney must have the ability to prepare and deliver effective and clear presentations.
Visit www.SedonaAZ.gov for more information on this exceptional career opportunity.
HOW to APPLY - To be considered for this exceptional career opportunity, submit your résumé, cover letter, a list of at least six work-related references (who will not be contacted without prior notice) electronically as one file to HumanResources@SedonaAZ.gov.
Closing date: January 12, 2020
Applicants must possess a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited institution and current membership in the State Bar of Arizona.
Applicants must have a minimum of five years experience in the area of public practice, preferably in the area of municipal law and land-use law or the equivalent thereto.
For criminal experience, applicants should have familiarity with general principles of criminal law and prosecution.
Additional Salary Information: Arizona State Retirement System, 100% City-paid health, dental and vision coverage for employee and dependents, City provided $50,000 group term life insurance, short-term disability, ninety-six hours of PTO time, generous vacation accrual rates, paid holidays, deferred compensation - optional IRS 457 plans, relocation assistance, and four-day work weeks
About City of Sedona
THE ORGANIZATION The City of Sedona is a general law city, which operates under the Council-Manager form of government with six Council Members and one elected Mayor. The Council appoints the City Manager, who is responsible for carrying out policy enacted by the Council, and overseeing administration of the City. The City Attorney is appointed by and reports to the City Council. Sedona currently has a staff of 140 regular employees; City departments include the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, Community Development, Economic Development, Public Works, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Magistrate Court, Parks and Recreation, Police, and Wastewater.
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Industry Trends Personal Finance
The Rise in Awareness Levels of BNPL From Small Town Consumers (2020 Review & 2021 Outlook)
January 11, 2021 November 12, 2021 Supriya Namrata 0 Comments Awareness levels of BNPL, BNPL 2020, BNPL and Small Towns, Buy Now Pay Later, Fintech India
Three factors have played a major role in increasing awareness levels of BNPL, opines Cofounder & CEO of Simpl – Nitya Sharma
As India moves towards becoming a predominantly digital economy, a greater proportion of transactions are now taking place online. Indian consumers are increasingly exploring digital options when it comes to comparing products, shopping, as well as while making payments. This change is also helping Indian fintech providers to establish themselves and grab a share of this lucrative market. The major players in the Indian market have been looking to innovate to distinguish themselves from the crowd.
The payments space has witnessed significant innovation in particular, as firms have launched options such as Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), e-wallets, as well as no-cost EMIs. Within these, BNPL has emerged as one of the most exciting segments for firms and consumers alike. This article discusses the rising awareness levels related to BNPL in India, with a special focus on small-town customers.
Raising Awareness About BNPL
During the year 2020, there has been a definite increase in the overall awareness levels related to BNPL. This change has been driven by three major factors:
1. Increasing Penetration of Food Tech and Financial Services
The first factor has been the increasing penetration achieved by food tech and financial services firms. Both these sets of industries have expanded aggressively even in Tier III and other smaller cities. This expansion has also exposed the customers to different forms of payment, including BNPL. Since food-tech firms are used by a huge number of households, they are also helping customers in becoming accustomed to microcredit.
Such apps typically allow their users to pay at a later stage, offering them a greater degree of convenience at no extra cost. This factor has proved to be a major shot in the arm for the BNPL segment. Many BNPL vendors have recorded significant growth numbers in terms of the volume of transactions and increase in ticket size in the past 6 months. This is a strong indication of the strength of this mode of payment.
2. Leveraging the Already Established Khaata System
The second factor that has proved to be extremely helpful is that consumers based in small towns are already familiar with the concept of a khaata system of payments. The concept of BNPL is fairly similar to this, with the only major difference being that BNPL is fully digital. Since consumers in these cities were already aware of the concept of paying a single bill at the end of the month, they can relate to BNPL easily.
The khaata system has been extremely popular in the case of groceries. Fintech firms such as Simpl are an extension of the traditional khaata system that fosters trust between merchants and their customers. By offering this seamless payment experience, both parties – the merchants and the consumers are seen benefitting.
3. The Role Played by the Pandemic
The third and final factor has been the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown has brought many uninitiated cash-loving consumers face-to-face with the world of digital payments. In the absence of an alternative payment model, these consumers not only got to experience the convenience of digital payments and but were also re-introduced to the khaata via digital payment. Unlike traditional credit cards, micro-credit is not an alien concept for smaller town consumers who run regular khaata accounts with their local Kirana stores.
BNPL, therefore, has gained popularity in these cities as people can relate to its usefulness. The fact is also that BNPL allows a much greater degree of flexibility to customers, compared to the other modes of payment like cash or debit cards. Customers in the smaller cities can make their payments at the end of the month or twice a month, without having to worry about cash flows.
There has been a definite change in terms of the way Indian consumers in small towns are paying for their purchases. They are becoming more receptive towards digital payments and payment options such as BNPL. With steps taken by the government to ensure people are digitally connected, the Digital India initiative will be crucial in keeping the trend of digital payments strong which will also encompass BNPL in 2021 and ahead. Small town consumers will increasingly adopt payment modes like BNPL as they begin to realise its large-scale benefits.
On a personal level, Simpl will continue to partner with more and more merchants to bring a seamless payment experience to all our users. We have already tied up with 2500+ merchants and have over 7 million users approved on our platform, ensuring that we can contribute towards the digitalisation drive in the country.
Source: Founder India
Dated: December 23, 2020
← How the Buy Now Pay Later(BNPL) industry fared in 2020 and what lies ahead
Here Are Some Digital Payment Methods You Need To Know About →
Central Bank Digital Currency in India: Phased introduction by end of 2021
August 20, 2021 October 7, 2021 Rashika Borkar 0
Mistakes in Online Payment Systems that can ruin Conversion Rate
December 20, 2021 December 20, 2021 Rashika Borkar 0
The Rise of Super Apps: The 'next' in the apps race – Part 2
January 17, 2022 January 17, 2022 Rashika Borkar 0


Binggrae, the global leader to share health and happiness with the world, delivers a smile to the world as a messenger of bright smile.
Beginning with the export to Los Angeles of the United States and Russia in 1993, Binggrae has progressively promoted a global business to expand the market to North America, South America, Southeast Asia, and others to settle the status of Global Binggrae. Especially in case of Melona, though it is sold for high price of 2,000 KRW in Brazil, it is becoming a new fad of dessert, Melona began to be sold in local stores in the United States and Canada as well, and Melona is taking the taste of the world by becoming the No. 1 sales product among imported ice cream products within seven months in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore. Moreover, Banana Flavored Milk has been exported in a form of tetra pack to overcome the expiration date to be loved by China and sinosphere regions from 2012.
Based on the successful entrance into the market through export, Binggrae has established the local sales firms of Brazil and China in 2014 and of the United States in 2016. In 2017, for the first company in Korea, Binggrae began to produce and sell "Melona" in the United States. With the strategy of localization, Binggrae is establishing the sustainable foundation of growth through the expansion toward the global market.
Binggrae will become a global leading corporation in food industry to open the future to deliver bright smile of Binggrae to the entire world.


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View of Piazza Castello, Turin, with Palazzo Madama
Turin, Como, Lugarno, Maggiore Sketchbook
Turner Bequest CLXXIV 32
This sketch depicts a view of the Piazza Castello, the most important square in the historic city of Turin. A small part of the composition spills over onto the opposite sheet of the double-page spread, see folio 32 verso (D14207; Turner Bequest CLXXIV 31a). Turner's viewpoint is the south-west corner of the piazza looking towards the Palazzo Madama, a castle dating from the 1400s which was originally converted from a fortified Roman gate and later, given an elaborate eighteenth-century front with Corinthian pilasters surmounted by a balustrade.1 The artist has made a careful study of the Baroque façade, including additional architectural notes and drawings at the top of the page. A similar but less detailed view can be found on folio 34 (D14210; Turner Bequest CLXXIV 33), and there is also a focused study of part of the façade on folio 33 verso (D14209; Turner Bequest CLXXIV 32a). For an alternative sketch of the castle from the east see folio 28 (D14198; Turner Bequest CLXXIV 27).
Nicola Moorby
Today the building houses the collections of the Museo Civico d'Arte Antica.
Read full Catalogue entry
palace(467)
Turin, Castello Reale(1)
Joseph Mallord William Turner View of Piazza Castello, Turin, with Palazzo Madama
Joseph Mallord William Turner The Piazza Castello, Turin
Joseph Mallord William Turner Part of a View of Piazza Castello, Turin
Joseph Mallord William Turner The Palazzo Madama, Turin
Joseph Mallord William Turner Piazza Cavalli, Piacenza, with the Palazzo del Comune ('il Gotico')
Joseph Mallord William Turner The Duomo, Turin, from Piazza San Giovanni
Joseph Mallord William Turner The Piazza San Marco (St Mark's Square), Venice, with the Torre d'Orologio (Clock Tower), Basilica, Campanile and Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace)
Joseph Mallord William Turner View of Piazza San Carlo, Turin
Joseph Mallord William Turner Part of a View of Piazza d'Italia, Turin, with the Porta Palatina
Joseph Mallord William Turner Piazza San Carlo, Turin
Joseph Mallord William Turner Piazza d'Italia, Turin, with Santa Croce
Joseph Mallord William Turner Piazza della Repubblica, Foligno, with the Cathedral and Palazzo Trinci
Joseph Mallord William Turner Palazzo Uguccioni in Piazza della Signoria, Florence
Joseph Mallord William Turner The Piazza del Nettuno, Bologna, with the Fountain of Neptune, Palazzo d'Accursio (Palazzo Communale) and the Palazzo del Podestà
Joseph Mallord William Turner The Piazza del Nettuno, Bologna, with the Fountain of Neptune, Palazzo del Podestà and Palazzo d'Accursio (Palazzo Communale)


So yesterday my battery on my bike went dead and I am having to replace it. While the battery is out I started noticing that the seat sits on top of the short stock ground cable ktm installs on these bikes from the factory, bike is a 2017 450 sxf factory edition by the way. Not only does the seat sit on the uncoated cable but it also ruins it which could lead to a poor connection. I found a solution to the problem and all it takes is a longer ground wire about 10" in length and some zip ties and a razor knife. I took the right side rear number plate off and ran the cable from the stock grounding point under the seat on the rear fender down the frame and attached it with zip ties. You do have to do some trimming on the battery box between the small 6mm bolt that attaches it to the subframe and the side of the rear fender. I also drilled some holes with a 1/2" speed bore bit in the side of the air box beside the shock to give the bike more air flow. You cant see the holes with the number plate back on but it makes a difference getting air to the intake.