THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS by M.L. Stedman is an amazing debut novel from an author who is bound for success.
The story begins in 1918 when Tom Sherbourne takes a job as a lighthouse keeper on a remote island off the coast of Australia. Janis Island is an isle alone; no inhabitants but for the keeper. It’s a lonely life, but will suit Tom who is just home from WWI.
After spending four harrowing years at war, it suits Tom to be sequestered on an island far from humanity, doing a job that requires him to use his expertise and attention to details. But after a time, Tom finds he really would like a wife. When he has shore leave he finds the perfect young woman. She is not the least daunted by the idea of living such a spartan and isolated life; after all, she’ll be with the man she loves. That’s all that counts, now. But to say they will live a life of isolation is a monumental understatement. They only get a supply boat every several months, and they get leave once a year or so.
Tom and Isabel decided early on to have a big family. But after several years of miscarriage and one stillbirth, they are losing faith of every having a family of their own. One day, a dinghy washes ashore with a dead man and a crying baby. Oh the dilemma, what to do. Tom is mortified, tries to do the right thing. Wants to report the incident immediately. But Isabel convinces him to keep quiet, just for a bit.
The moral complexity of this extremely compelling first novel begins. And even though I knew what should be done, I couldn’t help but wonder what I would have done given this same set of circumstances. And you will not be able to put this novel aside as this dilemma rides the wave.
People have long had a fascination with lighthouses. Books are written about them, visits are made to them, and there is much mystique surrounding them. M.L. Stedman gives us a wealth of information. She’s done her homework and shows us how the light works, how critical it is to maintain it, and how important the light truly is.
Stedman began her career many years ago in London as a lawyer. One day she gave it all up and hired a writing instructor. Then off she went to Greece to write. We are so lucky that an agent convinced her to make this short story into the novel it is today. Lucky us.
The writing makes this story come alive. The characters are unique. And the moral will make you think, and think.
This unique and lovely book goes on sale today, July, 31. It also holds the distinction of becoming the newest B&N recommend!
Thanks Simon & Schuster for the lovely finished hard copy!


The junk posts on the site have now been cleaned up, and it's been closed to prevent anyone posting new content. The current situation is that it will remain as a historical artifact.
I was just googling something about Stack Overflow, and I somehow ended up on uservoice. Looking at that page, it doesn't exactly give a very good impression of Stack Overflow. Wouldn't it be a good idea to take it down?
Update: for those who still think that it shouldn't be killed with fire, take a look at the "top" questions on the homepage.
Update 2: If possible, a 301 to meta could be nice?


Yesterday, while throngs of South Floridians were at the beach or enjoying the cool indoor a/c, I was in my hot garage cleaning out the junk. It's amazing how much clutter a family can accumulate from one summer to the next.
Our garage has become the entry to our home. So every time I come in and out of it, I feel cluttered. As much as I tried to pretend otherwise, seeing clutter around me -- in the car, garage, desk -- affects my psyche. Having clutter around me makes work life balance seem more elusive.
Cleaning the garage was a process. Not only did I weed out what I considered junk, but I had to get my husband and kids to be part of the de-cluttering. When I tried to toss my hubby's deflated basketball, he agreed only if I agreed to toss my yellowed newspaper collection.
At the end, I felt like the process of de-cluttering was as important as the results. First, I went through the internal struggle of what can I purge from my life. Next, I survived the external struggle of negotiation with my family members.
This morning, I walked out of my home through my garage to walk my dog. I felt lighter, happier, more in balance. Over the years, I found summer is a great time to de-clutter my life. Now, I'm looking at all the responsibilities on my plate. For the last few years, I have become involved in several organizations that I had considered of high value. If I want to de-clutter my calendar, I have to ask myself whether being involved still brings value to my life.
Last week, I was at an event where a young attorney talked excitedly about how much she enjoys being involved in the local minority bar association. Her enthusiasm was overwhelming and made me think about whether I feel as excited as she does about the things I'm involved in that consume my time. Just like I did in my garage, I'm asking myself what I need to keep and what has become clutter.
But how far do I go in purging? I still regret throwing away a box of Nancy Drew books that has enchanted me as a young girl. I wish I had saved them for my daughter.
When you're peering over piles, mounds and stacks of stuff, it's hard to know where to begin and what to do in order to de-clutter and with the new push toward minimalism, I'm worried I will go too far.
I recently read a blog post about the powerful difference between organizing and de-cluttering. "Decluttering—or, just getting rid of stuff, is permanent. It leaves your four walls, and immediately you have more visual and physical space."
So, I'm carefully looking at my clean garage and my cluttered calendar and making tough choices about what stays and what goes. As the Art of Simple blogger notes: De-cluttering leads to freedom -- Freedom to live with more clarity, freedom to pursue work and hobbies we truly love, and freedom to spend more time with people instead of taking care of our things."
Who wouldn't want that?


The classic theatrical comedy “Tartuffe” is reinvented in this performance presented by The Barry University Department of Fine Arts. Performances will be Thursday, April 10, through Saturday, April 12, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 13, at 2 p.m. at the Broad Center for the Performing Arts, 11300 NE 2 Ave., Miami Shores.
In “Tartuffe: Born Again,” a reimagining by Samuel French, Tartuffe is cast as a deposed televangelist who cheats Orgon and his family of their money and property and nearly compromises Orgon’s wife.
The play is set in a religious television studio in Baton Rouge. Written in modern verse, the play follows the structure and form of the original.
Call 305-899-3420 for more info.


(viewed 1041 times)
Waxou came home, we had a big lunch that he cooked and he even prepared the birthday cake.
Wax is my student in photography and cat teaching, for sure. But I have to admit, he is a damn great cook ( <-- compliment ).
Then we went out for a photoshoot at an airport.
And finally, we got back to town and went to the Best Bagel Company, where we had coleslaw, nachos, bagels and Dr Pepper, just like we did in the US.
And heavy metal music in the joint, as a bonus.
A cool day, definitely.
18th May 2012, 21:36


July 18th, 2014
Mo&Co. doesn’t do things by halves, so when it was time to celebrate their 10th anniversary the brand pulled out all the stops creating a film that celebrates the label’s heritage while encapsulating the look of the moment. Frequent campaign star Freja Beha Erichsen and Chinese supermodel Liu Wen star in a black and white short film of Karim Sadli’s campaign images come to life. Focusing on personal interpretations of chic as well as the minimalist, contemporary style MO&Co. is known for, the film pays tribute to the universality of fashion. In Sadli’s capable hands the message of effortless yet modern dressing comes across perfectly in the campaign images and on the backs of muses Liu and Freja the MO&Co. designs have never looked better. The simple, evocative film hammers home everything essential about the MO&Co. brand all while making viewers eager for another 10 years of excellence.
MO&Co. talks to Freja Beha
Do you come across as a different “you” after becoming a super model?
Freja: I can reveal emotion and express myself casually in front of the camera. That is the most different thing. I think I prefer to believe in the camera and it’s good when the “real me” can be captured.
Please describe your style in a word. How do you describe Boy-girl Chic?
Freja: Simple and unruly. Kind of a low-profile-rock style. I love the purity of black, white, grey, and the neat cutting. Boy-girl Chic is a style. Actually, it’s a natural expression. Almost everyone has dual characters, male and female. The popularity of unisex style conforms to this kind of spirit.
MO&Co. talks to Liu Wen
People say you are a “game changer” of Chinese super models. How do you treat your achievement? As a Chinese model of the new generation, what’s your opinion about the influence that Chinese super models bring to the current fashion field?
Liu Wen: I’m not the one to change the game’s rules. My achievement depends on everyone’s effort. I’m happy to be known as a “Chinese model of new generation”. Actually I’ve been working in this industry for a long time. However, I still love it as though it were the beginning. Chinese models influence the international fashion field much more than before, because we have more chances to communicate with the whole world and show our oriental charm. It’s not only the models that are changing the perception, but also the designers.
In your opinion, what are love, style, and fun?
Liu Wen: For me, love is belief and dependence. It makes me devote myself and also to gain everything. I’m not in a relationship right now. The gathering of belief and dependence needs time. Style is manner and creation. It allows me to be myself. It’s also kind of an external interpretation. Fun is wild and crazy. We are free and happy in the wild. Happiness allows me to release myself infinitely. Sometimes like a crazy girl.


Director: Randall Wallace
A young boy suffers a near-death experience in which he claims to have visited heaven in this earnest inspirational drama based on the best-selling book of the same name. When their young son Colton (Connor Corum) enters the hospital with a life-threatening illness, devastated parents Todd (Academy Award nominee Greg Kinnear) and Sonja Burpo (Kelly Reilly) are uncertain whether he will make it out of the operating room alive. But in what Colton's doctors credit as "a miracle," he survives -- and... more
435-623-4330 Movies Plus. 435-623-4204 Lotsa Motsa Pizza
Online Orders @ lotsamotsa.com. Try our Combinations - BBQ Chicken - Calzones
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Lindsey Vonn‘s comeback took a hit Tuesday when she crashed during a downhill training run at Copper Mountain in Colorado.
She injured her knee as a result of the spill, according to SkiRacing.com, though it was not specified whether it was the same knee that she injured in February’s world championships.
The two-time Olympic medalist was taken down the mountain on a sled and transported to a local hospital for evaluation, U.S. Ski Team spokesman Tom Kelly told The Associated Press.
“We have no reason to believe it’s anything significant right now,” Kelly told the AP.
Vonn has competed in each of the last three Winter Olympiads, winning bronze in Super-G and gold in downhill at the 2010 Games in Vancouver. She was expected to make her return to competitive racing Thanksgiving weekend at Beaver Creek.
Maris (@Maris_Claire) November 19, 2013


Donington Park last staged a Formula One race in 1993
Donington Park owner Simon Gillett insists he unconcerned about the scepticism surrounding his ability to host the British Grand Prix from 2010.
Gillett's company signed a 10-year agreement with Bernie Ecclestone to stage the race from 2010.
Although Gillett still needs planning permission for track improvements, leading to worries that the track will not be ready in time, he is confident.
"I don't have to convince people. I'll convince them by building it," he said.
Gillett needs to raise £100m to turn his circuit into a state-of-the-art facility and is due to be granted planning permission from North West Leicestershire District Council on 8 January.
It leaves him with just 17 months to build the facilities initially required, including a track extension, new pit and paddock complex, media centre, medical centre, clubhouse, along with suites at Redgate, Starkeys and Craner Curves.
Gillett added: "I'm not going to stand here and tell everyone 'you have to believe me, honest, please'.
"I'm not interested in that. They'll see when buildings come out of the ground and cars turn up on the grid.
"If they still want to sit at home not believing me, that's their prerogative. To be honest, I love the scepticism. It's what motivates me.
"The more the experts tell me it won't happen, the more I seem to achieve. I feed off it. It doesn't concern me at all. I have my goals and I know they're realistic."
We can achieve this, and that is what wakes me up in the morning to go to work, because I know we can do it
Donington Park owner Simon Gillett
Gillett also says he is fully aware of being tagged the man who lost Britain its grand prix if his plans do not come to fruition.
"It's fair to say I have given the British Grand Prix a chance when no one else was prepared to," he added.
"I've put my money where my mouth is, stepped up to the plate and thought the British Grand Prix important enough to save.
"I've done all the work and risked everything to get to this point."
Gillett is also adamant there is no plan between himself and Ecclestone to get the British Grand Prix off the calendar.
"Bernie is no fool. He hasn't come to me to make me some pawn in a game that will see the grand prix go to Moscow," he insisted.
"He could just take it to Moscow. He doesn't have to use me as an interim step to do that. There's no benefit.
"Instead, there was a real meeting of minds. We bent and flexed, he bent and flexed to get something that works.
"We can achieve this, and that is what wakes me up in the morning to go to work, because I know we can do it."


Microsoft, AICTE bring cloud technology for engineering students
The Managing Director of Microsoft Corp India, Mr Sanket Akerkar, said the cloud deployment across 10,000 engineering colleges -- the largest ever -- will enable about 7.5 million users to connect with one another.
Mr Kapil Sibal, Minister of Human Resources Development, said, "Developing India's youth and their skills are going to play an important role in the country's inclusive growth. The PPP (public-private partnership) model is most essential in running and managing training institutions to address the skill gap most efficiently."
The cloud is a virtual space on which users can share resources such as data and software. The implementation of this initiative that is a part of Microsoft's corporate social responsibility is likely to be completed within the next three months. Live@edu is a communication service that offers email, Microsoft Office Web Apps, instant messaging and 10GB storage space to students and faculty of these colleges. "This will give students the opportunity to interact. For example, students can put up their research work on the portal," said Dr S. S. Mantha, Chairman of AICTE.
Further, this would facilitate timely communication between AICTE and all the colleges within its ambit. "Microsoft believes that technology offers possibilities that can help empower not just teachers and students but collectively India as a nation," Mr Akerkar added.
Source: Business Line


US government energy research lab assualted with hacker attack
Oak Ridge National Laboratory shuts down email and Internet access
By Jaikumar Vijayan | Computerworld US | Published: 09:50, 20 April 2011
The Oak Ridge National Laboratory, home to one of the world's most powerful supercomputers, has been forced to shut down its email systems and all Internet access for employees since late last Friday, following a sophisticated cyberattack.
The restrictions on Internet access will remain in place until those investigating the attack know that for sure that it has been completely contained, said Barbara Penland, ORNL's director of communications. The lab is expected to restore external email service sometime on Wednesday, however no attachments will be allowed for the time being.
Penland said several other national laboratories and government organisations were targeted in the same attacks, which appear to have been launched earlier this month.
Related Articles on Techworld
The measures at Oak Ridge were implemented late on Friday night after initial investigations showed that those behind the attacks were attempting to steal technical data from lab's systems and send it to an external system, Penland said.
So far, though, it appears that no significant amount of data has been stolen. Penland said investigators believe that whoever was behind the attacks managed to steal less than 1GB of data. Penland said that ther e is nothing to show yet where the attacks originated from or who might have been behind it.
The attacks were launched through phishing emails that were sent to some 573 lab employees. The emails were disguised to appear like it came from the lab's HR department and purported to inform employees of some benefits related changes.
The emails contained a link that employees were asked to click on for further information. Some employees appear to have clicked on the link, resulting in an information-stealing malware program being downloaded on their systems.
Penland did not offer any more details on the malware itself. But a story in Knoxnews.com quoted ORNL director Thom Mason as saying the malware program exploited a zero day vulnerability in Internet Explorer.
The story quoted Mason as describing the attack as a sophisticated Advanced Persistent Threat (APT), designed to gain a foothold on the lab's networks and then to quietly looking for and steal specific types of information.
"If you look at this APT, it is much more sophisticated than what was being used a few years ago," Mason told Knoxnews.com. "Certainly what we've seen is very consistent with the RSA attack," he said referring to an attack on RSA a few weeks ago that resulted in data relating to the company's SecurID two-factor authentication technology being stolen.
Almost all of the lab's 200 IT staff are currently engaged in either investigating the attacks or ensuring that other systems remain available, Penland said. Staff from other national laboratories are also helping in the investigations, she said. At the moment, the attacks are the subject of an IT investigation only and not a criminal one.
Penland said that the attacks appear to have been directed at ORNL's business systems. The lab's supercomputers, including the world's most powerful system, the 1.75-petaflop Jaguar, have been unaffected by the attacks and continue to operate normally.
As of this afternoon, the attacks appear to have been contained, she added. "Keeping the Internet down is a precaution to make sure that nothing gets out as we investigate further," she said. The email and Internet shutdown has forced employees to rely on fax machines and phone calls to communicate with the outside world since last Friday, she said.
APTs of the sort described by Mason are highly targeted, low intensity attacks designed to conduct espionage and to steal information from high value targets. The attacks, many of which are believed to originate in China, were initially targeted at US Air Force and government networks.
Over the last 18 months or so, a growing number of private companies have reported being victims of APTs as well. The most notable was Google, which last year accused China of launching APT attacks against it to steal its IP.
More recently, security vendor RSA claimed that it was the victim of an APT attack after intruders broke into its networks and stole data on its SecurID two-factor authentication technology.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory's status as a Department of Energy funded lab, and the work it is doing especially in the area of supercomputers, makes it a prime target for an APT attack, if that indeed is what happened at the lab, said Rich Mogull, an analyst with Securosis.
The breach described by ORNL certainly appears to fit into the classic mold of an APT attack in which attackers first try to compromise systems using highly targeted phishing mails and then drop zero-day malware to snoop on and steal data, Mogull said. But until more details are released it is hard to know for sure, other analysts said.
"The term 'Advanced Persistent Threat' is definitely being overhyped and used as an excuse way too often, as in 'Well, it wasn't really our fault it was an Advanced Persistent Threat'," said John Pescatore an analyst at Gartner. "Advanced simply means it got past your defences and persistent means it took you too long to detect it once it got in."
Pete Lindstrom, an analyst with Spire Security, said the tern APT is often used these days as a face saving measure. "The definition of APT is so sufficiently muddled that anyone can claim APT and be right in some sense and wrong in another," he said. "The proof is in the defences that could have prevented it, if they are fundamental security measures then the notion of APT has no meaning."
This is the second time that Oak Ridge has fallen victim to a phishing attack. In 2007, hackers gained access to a non-classified database after infecting internal systems via phishing emails. That compromise resulted in personal data, including Social Security numbers of visitors to the laboratory, being leaked.


Ask me anything
No Doors Racing is a Drag Bike and Twin Engine Dragster racing team.
Thanks you for following our blog!!
No Doors Racing
Think about putting this on the new drag bike but I will need to build a top triple clamp.
1 year ago


Historical Inflation This calculator shows how inflation over the years has impacted purchasing power. You are viewing this website at a small screen resolution which doesn't support calculators. Click here to view this calculator. Have A Question About This Topic? Name Email Address Question Thank you! Oops! Related Content Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) Explained Have you considered the special tax treatment on company stock held in a 401(k) plan? 18 Years’ Worth of Days The average retirement lasts for 18 years, with many lasting even longer. Will you fill your post-retirement days with purpose? Bull and Bear Go To Market Learn about the difference between bulls and bears—markets, that is!


A Rocket Press for Small Tubes
IntroductionHand ramming small devices such as black-powder fountains and rocket motors is a great way to get started making fireworks. But as you advance you will find that consolidating pyrotechnic compositions by hand ramming will only get you so far.
Some compositions--such as whistle and strobe rocket fuels--are impact sensitive, so hand ramming is out of the question due to safety considerations. Or perhaps you suffer from carpal-tunnel syndrome, and all that hand hammering is simply painful. Or perhaps you want to construct a fireworks device or use a type of tooling that requires consolidation of the pyrotechnic composition with greater force than is possible with hand ramming.
For these and other reasons, at some point in our pyro-hobby career a press becomes a necessity. With a press you will be able to:
- Safely consolidate impact sensitive compositions
- Safely consolidate compositions which contain rough, sparking, metal particles
- Quickly and completely consolidate fuel increments in one stroke
- Easily exert the force required by larger tooling, like comet pumps and star plates
- Rapidly produce a wide variety of devices such as spolette time fuses, rocket motors, fountains, stars, and comets
A Simple, Inexpensive, Modified Arbor Press, Pressing 1/2-Inch Tooling, on a Homemade Force Gauge
Among their other virtues, presses provide greatly improved mechanical advantage than is available when hand ramming.
If a 1/2-inch ID tube is hand rammed with composition, it is possible to develop the equivalent of approximately 1,000 pounds-per-square-inch (PSI) of pressure on the composition.
When the above press is used on that same device, it is easy to apply 1,750 pounds of force to the surface area of the composition, which equates to 9,000 psi (pressure) on the composition. Many rocket builders press the fuels in their higher-power motors at that 7,500-9,000 PSI pressure. So, the press allows us to very easily apply this much higher amount of pressure to our devices.
That tremendous difference in pressure on the composition results in much greater compaction of the composition and the creation of a much more solid fuel "grain." Some fuels only perform well when they are pressed at these high pressures, and greater compaction results in more fuel being consolidated in the tube.
Often, obtaining a press can be a financial challenge for a developing fireworker. Some more-advanced presses can cost between $500 and $1,000. But there are more economical options for beginners. The simple, easily adapted press shown in this project will cost less than $75 total--much more affordable.
This press will be well suited to pressing devices up through 5/8-inch ID, larger than any consumer fireworks available. This press is also portable and easily transported, making it perfect to take to local and national fireworks club events.
Starting with a One-Ton Arbor PressAn arbor press is a mechanical shop-tool designed to do jobs which require these kinds of forces and pressures, such as installing or removing bearings from machine parts. A hand-operated lever turns a shaft with gear teeth on it. That gear operates a vertically-moving ram which applies force to the machine part. Force applied to the lever is mechanically multiplied into a resulting higher force applied by the ram.
A one-ton press is rated to apply up to 2,000 pounds of force on something such as rocket tooling. That would be the same as piling 2,000 pounds of bricks on top of the tooling.
That amount of force then becomes pressure, rated in PSI (pounds per square inch), when it is applied to a particular surface area. The end of a 1/2-inch diameter, flat-ended rocket rammer with no hole in its end has a surface area of about 0.2 square inches. If the press's rated force of 2,000 pounds is applied to that 0.2 square inches, we get a pressure of 2,000 / 0.2 = 10,000 pounds per square inch. That is more pressure than most rocketeers ever apply to the fuel in a motor.
As the size (diameter) of the rammer increases, the maximum force that can be applied to the rammer by the press remains the same--2,000 pounds. However, the pressure (PSI) goes down because of the larger surface area of the end of the rammer. For example, suppose the rammer is 5/8-inch in diameter (instead of 1/2-inch). Its surface area is 0.3 square inches (instead of 0.2 square inches) and we get a pressure of 2,000 / 0.3 = 6,667 PSI (instead of 10,000 PSI).
The basic one-ton arbor press we will be adapting for our project can be found for sale here.
Unpacking and PreparationThe press comes assembled except for the loose shaft and lever-arm assembly, and the collar which will hold the shaft in place eventually.
One-Ton Arbor Press, Packed and Unpacked
Additional Parts Removed From the Press
The ram will easily slide up and out of the press body. There is a small metal shim inside the hole that the ram was inserted into. This shim should be removed and set aside in a secure place. The base plate should also be removed at this time.
All of these parts will have a layer of grease on them, applied by the manufacturer to prevent rusting in shipment. Use paper towels to remove as much of the grease from them as possible. Do not remove the grease from inside the hole the ram slides through, though.
Four "Feet" on the Bottom of the Press
You'll notice that the bottom of the press is not solid and flat, but has four "feet" which must be supported for the press to rest solidly on its work surface.
You can also see where the two 5/8-inch mounting holes are drilled through the press's base. These holes are designed to have owner-provided bolts installed through them to solidly attach the press to a workbench.
The specifications list the maximum height of an item which can be worked on by this press, as it comes out of the box, as 5-1/2-inches. The focus of our efforts in modifying this press will be to increase that specification by raising the press on a hand-made base. When we are finished, we will have increased the maximum height of an item we can press to over 13-1/2 inches.
Modifying the Press to Meet Our NeedsThe picture below illustrates how we will achieve this.
New Wood Base Installed on Arbor Press
All the lumber and hardware used in this project is readily available at local hardware and lumber stores.
You can see that the new wood base is constructed of six pieces of wood, and that the base is secured to the workbench by two 1/4-inch bolts, with nuts and washers under the workbench. The arbor press is attached to the wood base with four 1/2-inch x 12-inch threaded rods, with accompanying nuts, washers and lock-washers.
The threaded-rod bottom nuts and washers are recessed into the bottom piece of wood, so the base can sit flat on the workbench.
Bottom of New Wood Base
The first press modification that needs to be done is drilling the two additional holes in the base of the press to accommodate the front pair of 1/2-inch threaded rods. The two new holes should be as wide apart as the original two 5/8-inch holes in the press's base, and should be centered in the narrow, flat, machined area shown in the photos below.
Warning: Drilling metal is not as safe and easy as drilling wood. Drill bits can grab in metal, potentially twisting the drill and/or the piece being drilled. Be careful when doing this drilling. Wear leather gloves. Follow the instructions below. If you have never drilled metal before, consider getting some guidance from someone who has. Getting hurt would take all the fun out of a project like this.
Location of Two New ½-Inch Holes Drilled in Press Base
New Holes Laid-Out and Drilled from Bottom of Press
It is easiest to lay-out and drill the holes from the bottom of the press. When it is being drilled, the press should be securely anchored to prevent it from moving. The holes should be drilled slowly, with very sharp drill bits, starting with small bits, and gradually working upwards in bit size, drilling the holes gradually larger until 1/2-inch is reached.
Wobbling the 1/2-inch bit in the hole as the drill is running will slightly enlarge the holes and allow the threaded rod to slide through them easily. But be careful when doing this in case the drill bit grabs in the metal, as previously mentioned.
Making the New Wood BaseThe wood base is going to be made out of 1-1/2-inch x 5-1/2-inch lumber. Six feet of this wood will be needed. Although these dimensions are standard for "2x6" construction lumber, typically 2x6's construction lumber comes in spruce or white pine wood. That wood is not strong enough for our purposes as we make this press base. It is soft wood and will bend and break relatively easily.
The wood shown in the photos above is southern yellow pine, or SYP for short. In the USA Midwest and elsewhere, this wood is commonly available as 2x8's and larger construction lumber used for floor joists and roof rafters. This wood is strong and hard, and it will not flex or break easily. Other areas of the country use different wood species for such construction framing where strength is required. Just inquire at your lumber yard as to what lumber is used for floor joists in home construction, and use that lumber. Oak or other dense hardwoods would also be very acceptable lumber for this project.
Note: If you have a roof-truss manufacturing plant in your area, you might ask them if they have any 2x6 SYP scraps you can have. Many roof trusses do use 2x6 Southern Yellow Pine for some of their members.
Whatever 1-1/2-inch-thick lumber you end up using, rip 6-feet of it to the desired 5-1/2-inch width, if it is not already that width.
Note: I ripped SYP 2x8 lumber, which is 7-1/4" wide, down to the desired 5-1/2-inch width, for my base. Why not just use the full 7-1/4-inch width? In the photos of the finished press, you'll see a nice extension handle installed on the arbor press, instead of the handle it originally came with. This extended handle needs to be able to rotate past the side of the base, so the narrower 5-1/2-inch wide lumber is needed to allow that.
The Six Pieces of Wood that Make Up the New Base
Dimensions of Top Layer of Wood Base, #6
The top piece of wood is labeled #6, and is the piece the arbor press will sit directly on. Its dimensions are shown above. The 1-3/4-inch-wide slot is rounded to match the similar slot in the press.
The 5/8-inch drilled holes are located and spaced to match the holes in the arbor press. To ensure that they do (even if you got off of the specified dimensions a little when drilling the two new holes in the arbor press earlier), it is best to use the actual holes in your press as a guide for marking the spots to drill the holes in these pieces of wood.
5/8-inch holes will allow a little leeway when fitting all the boards together, under the press, and running the 1/2-inch threaded rods through all the holes.
The 1/2-inch rounded corners simply soften those edges. All corners and edges are smoothed with some sandpaper.
A circular saw, a saber-saw, and an electric drill are to be used to cut and drill the wood to these dimensions. A drill press is ideal for drilling the holes in the wood, since it can ensure that the holes are drilled perfectly straight through the lumber.
Wood pieces 3, 4 and 5 should have holes drilled in them which match the holes in #6. Their back ends will line up with the back end of piece #6. These three pieces are only 7-7/8-inch long, and they only have their back corners clipped (rounded), not the front ones.
Wood Base Pieces 3, 4 and 5
Pieces 1 and 2 are as shown below. The press hole pattern is the same as shown for the top piece, #6, except the back holes are centered 5-3/4 inches from the back, instead of 3-1/4 inches.
It is easiest to recess the holes in the bottom of piece #1 before drilling the 5/8-inch holes all the way through the board. Drilling the recesses, and then all the 5/8-inch holes, is easily done with "spade bits."
Wood Base Pieces 1 and 2
Spade Bits Used to Drill Holes and Recesses in Wood
Now that you have all the pieces of lumber cut, drilled, and sanded smooth, it's time for a trial-fit of the whole assembly to verify that everything is aligned properly and the pieces all fit together well.
New Base Pieces Ready to be Trial-Fit Together
Trial-Fit of All New Base Pieces
Once you have verified that all the pieces of the new base fit together as shown above, use 2-1/2-inch drywall screws, and good-quality construction adhesive, to join all the wood pieces together.
It can make that job easier, and will help prevent splitting the lumber, if the wood is pre-drilled for the screw-holes prior to applying the glue. Drilling and screwing the boards from their bottoms, starting with boards 6 and 5, and working through 4, 3, 2, and finally 1, will keep all the screw heads hidden once the base is turned right-side-up.
Drilling, Gluing, and Screwing the Boards Together, One at a Time
The Last Board, #1, Attached to the Base Assembly
Once the base is glued and screwed together, install the press on the base assembly using the 1/2-inch x 12-inch pieces of threaded-rod, with the washers, lock-washers, and nuts. Securely tighten the rod's nuts to compress the whole wood assembly together as the glue dries.
Glued and Screwed-Together Base, with Arbor Press Bolted Tightly On It
After the glue has dried completely, remove the arbor press and threaded rods, and give the base a good coat of black paint. The paint will seal moisture out of the wood base, and prevent swelling, shrinking, warping, or cracking. Also, black hides stains from pyrotechnic composition best.
Note: Of course, if you're only planning to press red-iron-oxide-catalyst whistle fuel, you may wish to paint your press base a matching shade of pink. Yeah, right.
New Wood Base Painted Black
Once the paint is dry, the press can be bolted back onto the base.
Press Bolted on Painted Wood Base
The metal cover over the shaft and ram recess has four attachment bolts, and two adjustment bolts with locknuts on them. Remove the attachment bolts and the cover.
Press Recess Cover and Bolts Removed
Use a small brush to spread a thin film of grease inside the areas where the shaft will turn, the area where the ram slides up and down, in the teeth of the shaft gear, and in the teeth of the ram. Also apply a thin film of grease on all three of the flat surfaces of the ram that will slide through the press.
Grease Brushed onto Bearing Surfaces
Slide the shaft and lever arm assembly into position through the right-side hole first. Rotating the shaft as you do this will facilitate its positioning.
Shaft Installed in its Location
Put the bottom press-plate into a temporary position as shown below. Use it to support the ram in place as the ram is pushed into the recess. Mesh the ram's teeth with the teeth on the shaft gear.
Ram in Position and Supported by Press Plate
The two front adjustment bolts on the front cover and the two adjustment bolts on the side of the press should be backed out far enough that the ram can travel easily up and down.
Thin Metal Shim Held in Position with a Spot of Grease
A spot of grease will hold the thin metal shim in place in its position in the recess of the front cover. Install the front cover with its four bolts.
Front Cover and Shaft Locking-Collar Installed and Tightened
Now install the locking collar on the left side of the shaft as shown above to hold the shaft securely in position within the press. Securely tighten the set screw on the locking collar.
Note: If that collar is at all loose, and the press is picked up by the lever arm, the whole shaft and lever arm assembly can slide out of the press. The rest of the press (that would be the heavy part) can land on your foot. Ouch! Never lift the press by the lever arm.
The two side adjustment bolts are designed to just barely rub on the ram as it moves up and down, thereby limiting side-to-side movement as the ram travels. Similarly, the two front adjustment bolts press the shim against the ram--ever so slightly--to limit ram movement in the front-to-back direction.
These bolts should be tightened, one at a time, until the ram stops sliding easily up and down. Then the bolt should be backed off slightly until the ram just slides easily, and the locking nut tightened down to hold the bolt in place securely.
Once the bolts have been adjusted correctly, the ram will slide up and down easily, but will have very little side-to-side or front-to-back play.
Adjustment Bolts Correctly Tightened and Held in Place with Tight Lock-Nuts
Near the beginning of this project, the lever arm that comes with the press was shown. This arm is relatively short, and must be moved back-and-forth through the hole in the shaft as different height devices are pressed.
One really nice additional modification, which our new base makes possible, is the replacement of the provided lever arm with a 36-inch-long, 5/8-inch-diameter, zinc-coated steel rod. This type of metal rod is available in most hardware stores.
This longer lever arm can be centered in the shaft, and held in that location by wraps of tape on the arm on both sides of the shaft as shown in the photos above and below.
The press is just high enough on its new base to allow this longer arm to be rotated 360 degrees. Whichever end of the arm is the most comfortable at any given time can then be used to press items with the press.
The rubber end caps that came with the original lever arm may be installed on the new one. Hardware stores sell metal rods like the new one we are using.
Using the Newly Modified One-Ton Arbor Press
Ok. You're finished. Go press something!


Instructions - Lifts (English)
PURPOSE: Patient lifts are designed for caregivers to lift and/or transfer an individual. These devices utilize hydraulics or electricity to maximize lifting potential and minimize user effort. Contact your physician and/or therapist for lifting and transferring techniques, or request a manufacturer?s video on lifting techniques.
TYPES: There are many different models and types of patient lifts. They vary in their level of automation, weight capacities, and portability. The basic and most commonly used type is the manual hydraulic lifter. These units are usually on wheels and can be used throughout the facility or home.
USE: Patient lifts, as we stated above, have many uses. Your physician and/or therapist must assist you in a transferring and/or lifting method that best meets your needs. If your unit has a built-in scale, always calibrate the scale before the individual is placed in the sling.
Never exceed the weight capacity of the patient lifter. Never allow incontinence pads or seating cushions to be placed between the patient and sling material; this may cause the patient to slide out of the sling during transfer.
Spread the base to its widest position and lock open, this provides a more stable base of support. Make sure the object being transferred to is stationary, either with wheel locks or attendant secured, to assist in a safe transfer. Place the lifter base directly under the patient. The patient should be facing the lift user. Keep the wheels unlocked while lifting the patient. Always close the hydraulic valve before attaching to the individual. Attach the sling to the individual. Before transferring a patient from a stationary object (wheelchair, commode, bed, etc), slightly raise the patient off the stationary object and check all sling hardware for secure attachment to include swivel bar, straps, S-hooks, and D- or O-rings. If any attachment is not correct, lower the patient and correct the problem, then raise the patient and check again.
Patient lifts are not transport devices and are intended to transfer a patient from one resting position to another. Never push or pull on the lifter boom; pushing or pulling on the lifter boom can cause the patient to tip over. Move patient to designated place, making sure it is secure and will not move or shift when placing individuals. Lower the patient slowly by opening the control valve.
MAINTENANCE: Most hydraulic patient lifters have a hydraulic chamber that must always be intact. If you notice any leakage, contact SpinLife immediately and discontinue use. Your patient lifter must be kept clean and free from dirt, oil and grease.
Most slings can be machine-washed. It is best to place them inside a pillowcase or laundry bag when washing. If you notice a tear or any fraying parts of the sling, immediately discontinue use and notify SpinLife.


Business Awards Gala/ Gala des prix d'entreprises
Time & Location
Nov 04, 2023, 6:00 p.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Killarney, 3 Commissioner St, Killarney, ON P0M 2A0, Canada
About the event
Join us for a night of celebration and recognition as the Sudbury East Chamber of Commerce proudly presents its highly anticipated Business Awards Gala. Prepare to be enthralled by an evening of elegance, glamour, and exceptional achievements as we honour the trailblazers and visionaries who have redefined success in our community. Witness the unveiling of the industry's finest as we showcase the outstanding accomplishments and innovations that have shaped our region. Don't miss this prestigious event, where the best of Sudbury East's business community gathers to shine and inspire. Get ready to applaud excellence and toast to a brighter future at the Sudbury East Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Gala.


Want to know the best way to start an Amazon business without breaking the bank? It’s none other than selling Print On Demand (POD) products.
As it provides the convenience of selling online without the hassle of inventory, packing, and shipping, the POD business model has been in constant popularity over the last decade.
And, of course, there’s no better place to start this venture than Amazon, the eCommerce platform with more than 310 million active users worldwide.
Ready to start your very own business without high start-up costs?
What is Print On Demand?
Print On Demand is an eCommerce business model that lets you outsource the production of your customized products only when orders are placed.
Here’s how it typically works:
- You design a POD-friendly product, such as apparel, home decor, and accessories.
- A customer places an order.
- The POD supplier completes the manufacturing and order fulfillment process.
By holding absolutely no inventory, you significantly reduce the associated risks and costs in your business operation. This makes Print On Demand a popular first-time business model in the eCommerce industry.
Note: On top of Amazon, you can follow the Print On Demand business model in renowned eCommerce platforms, including Etsy and Shopify.
Benefits of Amazon Print On Demand
Why try an Amazon Print On Demand business? Well, there are tons of reasons to do so, but let’s focus on a select few benefits of this business model.
Risk-free design experiments
In most business models, expanding your product selection means spending more money. However, in Amazon Print On Demand, this is absolutely not the case.
If you want to add new designs to your Amazon storefront, simply design products using the editing interfaces offered by your POD supplier. Then, use the edited digital images you have created as product photos to list new items.
You won’t be spending any dime to introduce new products to your store. So, you can pursue unlimited product ideas through the POD business model, potentially allowing you to entice more and more customers.
Simple profit calculations
Pricing products while ensuring that you’re bagging enough profits isn’t all fun and games. With traditional business models, you usually need to take many factors into consideration to ensure you’re not underpricing.
The math can be extremely complicated, especially if you’re trying to put a price on intangible factors, such as risks of not selling inventory or the dynamic variable of staffing.
Luckily, the Print On Demand business model doesn’t demand complicated profit calculations like typical businesses do.
Just make sure that the production cost charged by your POD supplier, combined with Amazon’s selling fees, is less than the listed price of your items. Then, you can guarantee that you won’t lose money throughout your POD business journey.
In exchange for a small fee per product, your POD supplier can let you enjoy the following:
- The manpower of hundreds of employees
- The production capabilities of high-end facilities
- Long-term connections with carrier companies
With these assets, you can easily provide your customers with fast and efficient service that effortlessly makes your brand stand out from inexperienced or understaffed businesses.
Potential disadvantages of Amazon Print On Demand
Although the Amazon Print On Demand business model has many pros, it also has some disadvantages worth noting.
No direct quality control
As your POD supplier will handle the entire production process to order fulfillment, unfortunately, you won’t be able to personally ensure that every product is up to your standards.
Because of this, it’s crucial that you order samples and inspect some of your designed products yourself before deciding to work with a Print On Demand supplier.
Product returns are more complicated
Many reliable POD suppliers establish return and refund policies that clearly outline responsibility for factory defects, printing errors, or shipping damages. However, the process of returning products and receiving refunds or replacements from these third-party suppliers isn’t always straightforward or efficient.
Depending on your supplier, you might experience delays in manufacturing, communication, or compensation. Moreover, since you won’t be handling the actual return procedure yourself, it can be hard to reassure your customers when they can expect to receive a resolution.
How to sell Print On Demand products on Amazon
In the eCommerce industry, Amazon needs very little introduction as it boasts millions of users worldwide and is known to be one of the most trusted brands by US consumers.
Due to the massive reach of this platform, both new merchants and established brands alike find it in their best interest to become Amazon sellers.
That said, these are the simple yet effective steps to establish a successful Print On Demand business on Amazon.
1. Choose a niche
Just because the Print On Demand business model allows you to create as many products as possible doesn’t mean you should actually sell every possible product there is.
Choosing and sticking to a profitable niche is a crucial stepping stone to your long-term success as an eCommerce seller.
There are tons of reasons why this is the case, but let me dive into three major reasons why niching down is important:
- Customers will perceive your brand to be an expert in your niche.
- You’ll conserve time and energy by only targeting a specific set of audiences.
- You can provide better-tailored solutions for your target market, boosting their loyalty.
Pro tip: Pick a niche that has a solid market demand and also interests you. I’ve encountered many POD start-ups that only catered to their target audience, not their interests, which unfortunately caused lower-quality designs due to a lack of inspiration and a loss of motivation due to disinterest.
2. Register for an Amazon Seller account
Once you’ve decided on a niche, it’s time to create your Amazon Seller account. Here are the simple steps you need to follow:
Step 1: Visit the registration website
Using your browser, head to https://sellercentral.amazon.com/ and tap the orange “Sign up” button” on the page.
Step 2: Create your seller account
Sign in using your existing Amazon customer account or tap the “Create your Amazon account” button to sign up using a new email address.
Step 3: Sign up and select your selling plan
Once you’ve signed in to the Amazon Seller Central dashboard, choose one of the two selling plans offered by Amazon: Individual vs Professional.
If you choose the Individual plan, Amazon will charge a $0.99 selling fee for every item you sell. For the Professional plan, on the other hand, you’ll be subject to a fixed fee of $39.99 monthly, regardless of how many products customers purchase from you.
Step 4: Complete the registration process
At this point, Amazon will ask you to input the verification code that was sent to your email to proceed with the registration process.
After entering the correct code, you’ll be redirected to a screen where you must provide further information about you and your business.
Be prepared to provide documents such as your credit card details, tax information, and phone number during this step. Ensure that every information you include is accurate, as an Amazon Associate will manually verify your submission.
As you wait to be verified by Amazon, you may proceed to the next step of this process.
3. Find a reliable POD supplier
The Print On Demand supplier you choose can either make or break your business. So, take all the time you need to compare and contrast POD companies that can accommodate your chosen niche.
Later in this article, we’ve compiled the top POD applications that passed our evaluation standards. But in general, you should find a supplier that meets the following criteria:
- Professional editing interface: Most, if not all, of your listed product photos will come from the editing software provided by your supplier. Hence, it’s important that you choose a POD supplier that can provide a high-quality editor.
- High-quality prints: Of course, it’s non-negotiable that your POD supplier must be able to provide high-quality prints using premium materials. To ensure this, carefully read other people’s reviews about each potential supplier and order samples to assess the print and material quality yourself.
- Fast order fulfillment: Customer satisfaction is directly affected by your store’s shipping time. So, make sure to compare the expected delivery times of your shortlisted POD suppliers and choose one that can print and ship quickly without sacrificing quality.
Once you’ve selected a reliable POD supplier, it’s time to move on to the exciting part of this business venture.
4. Choose and design your POD products
Research high-demand products offered by the most popular stores within your niche. Then, study how they solve your target customers’ problems to help you choose products that can outperform competitors in the market.
Once you have a list of the products you wish to sell, you can either design them yourself or hire professional graphic designers to make them stand out in the market.
If you do decide to hire someone for the job, make sure to factor in the design costs when determining the overall production costs so you can set a realistic profit margin.
- List your POD products on Amazon
Using the product photos derived from the POD editor you used or samples you ordered yourself, list your products on your Amazon store.
Depending on your chosen POD supplier, you may need to communicate order details manually each time you receive a purchase, or their system may automatically synchronize with your Amazon account, allowing you to skip direct involvement in the fulfillment process.
Best apps for Amazon Print On Demand
There are many Print On Demand applications that smoothly integrate with Amazon stores. However, a select few evidently stand out from the crowd by outperforming others in terms of quality, shipping speed, and user-friendliness.
Let me share our top picks!
Amazon Merch On Demand
Merch on Demand is Amazon’s very own Print On Demand fulfillment service. So, unsurprisingly, it’s sitting on the top of this well-crafted list.
We’ve tried various Print on Demand apps for Amazon, but this software just excels at being the most straightforward platform you can use to sell POD products on Amazon.
To start your business using Amazon Merch On Demand, all you have to do is:
- Upload your product designs
- Suggest a list price
- Write up product descriptions for each item.
And that’s absolutely it!
You don’t have to worry about the product page creation or customer service yourself because Amazon will handle all of those on top of the classic inventory and shipping process on your behalf.
But wait– there’s more.
Merch On Demand also offers the good old Amazon Prime shipping to your customers. That means buyers can receive your products as fast as two days after placing an order, which is an unmatched shipping speed in the Print On Demand industry.
Printful is a well-established on-demand printing and fulfillment company that has already delivered 73.7 million POD items since 2013.
Since this application can seamlessly integrate with your Amazon store, it can automatically create product listings of your Printful designs and fulfill customer orders when they’re placed.
Printful is free to use and only charges you when a customer pays for an order. Through its built-in calculators, you can easily set product prices that secure your desired profit margins.
It has 110 printing facilities scattered all over the world and offers over 900 fully customizable products for your POD business. So, you don’t have to worry about meeting customer demands, even when experiencing surges in orders.
Is it free? Absolutely. However, you’ll have the option to subscribe to the Premium account to enjoy perks such as unlimited product offerings and a 10% discount on all items.
If you’re not much of a designer, fortunately, Printify’s user-friendly Mockup Generator allows you to easily customize products even without extensive graphic design skills.
You might also want to know: Printify vs Printful Deep Comparison: Latest Review
For new POD sellers, Sup Dropshipping is my go-to recommendation.
This all-in-one dropshipping and Print On Demand app helps you find winning items, effortlessly design products through built-in Mockups, and get 1-on-1 advice from some of the best eCommerce veterans worldwide.
Like many POD suppliers, Sup Dropshipping is headquartered in China. However, since this company has production facilities and shipping stations worldwide, rest assured that most of your customers can receive their orders within 15 days.
Is this app solely for Print On Demand? The good news is, not at all. You can use Sup Dropshipping to secure creative insights for various eCommerce endeavors, such as how to improve your branding, customer acquisition, and overall business strategy.
Amazon Print On Demand: Should you try it?
If you’re looking for a low-risk business opportunity online, Amazon Print On Demand is certainly one of the best options you’ll have.
However, before proceeding to set up your own Print On Demand business on Amazon, ensure that you know exactly how it works, what the pros and cons are, and whether you’re already equipped with the right knowledge and skills to be successful in this eCommerce venture.
Take your time to research this unique model further and gain insights into the real-life experiences of long-term Amazon Print On Demand sellers.
Once you have a solid understanding of the market, customer behavior, and the technical aspects of this printing business model, then confidently move forward with setting up your Print On Demand business on Amazon.
About the Author
Jack is a SEO manager and blog writer at Sup Dropshipping. He holds an MA in Linguistics and Education. He has got over 10 years experience in E-commerce, and 5 years of experience in SEO. Jack is an enthusiast to share his recent knowledge learnt from peer experts in the industry.


Summer Fans Blanket
Here is a free crochet pattern for a lacy blanket, made of three different fan lace panels that are joined together without a seam. Each fan is inspired by art deco wallpaper and is unique. The pattern comes with both written instructions and full stitch diagrams.
Queen size bed
More patterns in this category:


PATNA: Altogether 18 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and 208 Bihar Administrative Service (BAS) officers in the state are facing departmental proceedings on charges of various types of corruption, misuse of office and dereliction of duty.
According to a report prepared by the general administration department (GAD) recently, 12 IAS officers had been facing departmental proceedings from the period before March 31, 2016. The state government initiated similar proceedings against six more IAS officers in between April 1, 2016 to February 2018.
Similarly, altogether 145 BAS officers had been facing departmental proceedings from the period prior to March 31, 2016. The state government initiated similar proceedings against 63 more BAS officers in between April 1, 2016 to February 2018, leading the total number to 208.
Besides them, 94 persons of Bihar Clerical Service are also facing departmental proceedings on various charges of corruption, misuse of office and deliberate negligence of duty.
“If the number of clerical staff are included, the total number of state government’s officers and employees facing departmental proceedings will rise to 320,” a GAD officer told TOI on Friday.
He said, under the departmental proceedings a senior officer of the concerned department conducts an internal inquiry in the wake of the charges levelled against the officer/ employee in the question. “If the charges against the officer/ employee are found of very serious nature, the matter was then referred to the departmental inquiry commissioner for further action,” the officer said.
Besides the officials facing departmental proceedings, three IAS officers have been put under suspension on the charges of serious nature of corruption. One of them Sudhir Kumar is in jail since February 24 last year the day he was arrested on the charges of leaking question papers in a recruitment examination conducted by the Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC). Sudhir, a 1987-batch Bihar cadre IAS officer, was heading the commission before his arrest. Three of Sudhir’s relatives including his college teacher brother, brother’s wife and a nephew were also taken into custody in the question leak case.
Other two IAS officers who are under suspension are S M Raju (1991 batch) and Deepak Anand (2007 batch).
Besides these, 83 officials of different state services were caught red handed while accepting bribe by sleuths of Vigilance Investigation Bureau in year 2017.


Tom Wingo is unhappy with his life. His wife doesn’t understand him and he also doesn’t get along with his dominant mother. When his sister attempts suicide, her psychologist Susan Lowenstein consults him. Patiently and cautiously she uncovers the terrible secret hidden in Tom and Savannah’s childhood. On the other side she’s unhappy too and so both help each other to find their way back to life.


Natural Dyes - Gardenia Fruit - Dried Pods
Gardenia Fruit - Dried Pods
Gardenia Fruit - Zhi Zi Shan - Gardenia Jasminoides - Natural Dyes - Yellow Dye
Works with both protein and cellulose fibers!
The dried fruit of the Gardenia flower (Gardenia Jasminoides) produces a very strong yellow color.
Beautiful greens when over-dyed with Indigo.
Gorgeous oranges when used with Titanium Oxalate
Use the fruit at 100% weight of goods.
Alum mordant required
The addition of Cream of Tartar recommended
Be sure to check out out Mordants and Assists
Instructions for use included
Approximately 26 fruit pods per ounce
Gardenia Fruit (Kuchinashi) has been used in Japan and China since ancient times to dye not only cloth but paper, leather, and food coloring.
**Buyer responsible for import/export rules to their country.**
Know your laws! Not all products are legal to ship to your country and may be seized by customs. We cannot offer refunds or reships should this happen.


SHAWNEE, OK (May 30, 2023) – A former king and an emerging prodigy will look to seize the spotlight as part of an action-packed lightweight doubleheader in one of the sport’s most competitive divisions.
Former unified and lineal lightweight world champion George Kambosos Jr. makes his Top Rank debut in a 12-round IBF world title eliminator against English southpaw Maxi Hughes on Saturday, July 22, at FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
In the 10-round co-feature, U.S. Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis takes a seismic step up in class against Belgian contender and former European champion Francesco Patera.
Kambosos-Hughes and Davis-Patera will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with DiBella Entertainment and Ferocious Promotions, tickets starting at $39 go on sale Monday, June 5 at 10 a.m. CST via www.stubwire.com.
“George Kambosos Jr. is still one of the lightweight division’s premier attractions, and he has the chance to get right back to title contention with a win over an upset-minded Maxi Hughes,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Keyshawn Davis, in less than 10 fights, is already a contender and has all the makings of a future superstar. This is a sensational lightweight doubleheader for the fans in Shawnee and everyone watching on ESPN.”
“George insisted on a meaningful fight to begin his comeback. He’s never taken the easy route,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Maxi Hughes is a legit top 10 lightweight and a high-risk fight for George coming off two losses against Devin Haney. This will be an IBF world title elimination bout and George will also challenge for Maxi’s IBO lightweight world title. For Maxi, this is the opportunity he’s been fighting for. This is his chance to prove that all of those fights he won as the underdog meant something.”
Kambosos (20-2, 10 KOs) is a 10-year pro who has traveled to Malaysia, Greece, London, New York City, Connecticut, and Las Vegas in his efforts to conquer the lightweight division. His wins over former world champions Mickey Bey and Lee Selby helped secure a world title shot against Teofimo Lopez in 2021. In a triumph that was named ESPN’s Upset of the Year, Kambosos toppled Lopez via split decision and captured three lightweight world titles. In 2022, the 29-year-old avoided an easy hometown defense and instead faced Devin Haney in back-to-back undisputed world title showdowns in Melbourne, Australia. Following his first career losses, Kambosos has ambitions of reclaiming his throne, but he’ll first need to get passed Hughes.
“I am extremely excited and motivated to make a serious statement against Maxi Hughes in my return fight in the United States, the Mecca of boxing, live on ESPN and Main Event PPV in Australia,” Kambosos said. “Having fought the best lightweight boxers in the world, I now know I have become an even better fighter and have added further artillery and weapons to my overall fight game. Maxi Hughes is a good boxer, a tough Englishman, and I’m sure he will try his best, but I know and he knows that his best will not be enough. Hughes is not elite, and when you have been in there with elite boxers like I have, you pick up on the mistakes in a boxer like Hughes. I will claim his IBO world title and the IBF world title eliminator position on July 22.”
Hughes (26-5-2, 5 KOs), a 33-year-old veteran hailing from the United Kingdom, debuted in the paid ranks in 2010. He secured his first British title by defeating Ryan Moorhead in 2017. In his second bid for a British strap, he suffered a stoppage loss to Sam Bowen in 2018 before handing Kieron McLaren his first setback the following year. He hasn’t lost since a November 2019 showdown for the WBO European title against Liam Walsh, but he rebounded impressively, winning all seven of his subsequent fights, including a 10-round decision win against then-unbeaten Kazakh standout Viktor Kotochigov in 2020. Hughes is coming off a 12-round majority decision win against former world champion Kid Galahad last September.
“I’m excited to realize my dream of fighting in the USA and to showcase my skills to a new audience,” Hughes said. “I’ll do what’s necessary to get the win.”
Davis (8-0, 6 KOs), from Norfolk, Virginia, went 3-0 in the pro ranks before capturing a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. In November 2021, he signed a long-term promotional contract with Top Rank and has since scored five victories, including brutal knockouts against Esteban Sanchez and Omar Tienda. In his most recent outing, the 24-year-old outclassed and battered Anthony Yigit en route to a ninth-round TKO. Davis looks to continue his rapid lightweight ascent against his stiffest test to date.
“I belong with all the top lightweights, and Patera is the next one in the way. And just like my eight opponents before him, Patera will have no answer for what I’m bringing to the table,” Davis said. “This is going to be a brutal night for him, however long it lasts.”
Patera (28-3, 10 KOs) is an eight-year pro from Belgium. In May 2016, he challenged for his first European title, dropping a unanimous decision to Yvan Mendy. He bounced back that year with a TKO win over Csaba Bolcskei in September before suffering a close decision loss to Sean Dodd the following month. Patera then notched wins over Pasquale Di Silvio and Edis Tatli before losing a rematch to Tatli in December 2017. Since then, the 30-year-old has won 10 straight fights and is coming off a first-round knockout against Irakli Shariashvili in April.
“I am coming to Shawnee to put on a spectacular performance, defeat Keyshawn Davis, and show everyone that I belong on the world stage,” Patera said.
The ESPN+-streamed undercard will feature the ring returns of welterweight contender Giovani Santillan, Oklahoma-born heavyweight Jeremiah Milton and middleweight prospect Troy Isley.
Santillan (30-0, 16 KOs) will face Ecuadorian contender Erick Bone (27-6, 14 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight battle. He is coming off his best year yet as a pro, stopping Jeovanis Barraza in April 2022 before a hometown win over Julio Luna Avila in San Diego last August. Bone is an experienced veteran who has given tough challenges to former world champions Shawn Porter, Chris Algieri, Miguel Vazquez and Sergey Lipinets.
Milton (9-0, 6 KOs) will make his second appearance in 2023 in an eight-round heavyweight tilt. The 29-year-old is no stranger to fighting in Oklahoma, having fought four times in his hometown of Tulsa. Milton is coming off an eight-round decision win over Fabio Maldonado in April.
Isley (9-0, 4 KOs) will fight in an eight-rounder. The 24-year-old U.S. Olympian joined the Top Rank stable in January 2021 and started his pro career with a decision win against Bryant Costello. In 2022, he stayed busy and went 5-0 with two knockouts. In April, on the Shakur Stevenson-Shuichiro Yoshino card, he notched a near-shutout over Roy Barringer.
Two competitive eight-round heavyweight matchups will also be featured on the ESPN+-streamed portion.
American contender Mike Balogun (20-1, 16 KOs) will collide against New Zealand’s Hemi Ahio (20-1, 15 KOs). Balogun is a former Oklahoma University linebacker who is coming back from a loss to former cruiserweight world champion Murat Gassiev, while Ahio stopped Richie Stanley in the first round in February.
Unbeaten Cleveland southpaw Roney Hines (12-0-1, 8 KOs) will face Belgium’s Michael Pirotton (7-0, 3 KOs).


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Are you dreaming of exploring the vibrant colors, flavors, and culture of India? Before packing your bags and booking flights, there’s one essential thing that must be taken care of – obtaining a tourist visa for India. Don’t let the daunting task of getting a visa deter you from experiencing all that this exotic destination has to offer. In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk you through every step of the process to help make your dream vacation a reality. From understanding different types of visas to providing tips on how to ace your interview at the embassy – we’ve got you covered! So sit back, grab a chai tea latte and let’s dive into everything you need to know about obtaining a tourist visa for India. TOURIST VISA FOR INDIA
What is a Tourist Visa?
If you are visiting India for tourism purposes, you will need a tourist visa. A tourist visa is valid for a period of six months and must be applied for in advance. There are several requirements that must be met in order to obtain a tourist visa: you must have a return ticket, evidence of funds available to cover your stay, and your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of your intended departure from India. If all of these requirements are met, you can apply online or at an embassy or consulate.
How to Apply for a Tourist Visa?
If you are planning a trip to India and wish to stay for more than six months, you will need to apply for a tourist visa. There are several ways to obtain a tourist visa:
Apply through your country’s embassy or consulate in India.
Apply through an Indian travel agency.
Apply through an Indian immigration office.
To apply through your country’s embassy or consulate in India:
- Go to the embassy or consulate website and find the application form for visas.
- Complete the form and submit it with all required documents (passport, airline ticket, proof of residence). INDIA TOURIST VISA
- If applying online, follow the instructions on the embassy or consulate website.
- If applying through an Indian travel agency, the agency will take care of everything for you; just make sure you get confirmation that your application has been received and processed by the embassy or consulate.
- If applying through an Indian immigration office, expect to spend between two and four hours there depending on how busy the office is at that time of year. You will be required to provide additional documents (such as your passport photo) and have your fingerprints taken.
What are the Requirements for a Tourist Visa?
Requirements for a tourist visa for India vary depending on your nationality. Generally, you need to have a passport valid for six months after your intended departure from India and proof of a hotel reservation or ticket purchase. Additionally, you must have an onward flight ticket.
How Long Will It Take to Process My Application?
Tourist visas for India can take anywhere from a few days to up to a couple of weeks. The application process will depend on the country you are applying from, as well as the type of visa you are applying for. For most types of tourist visas, you will need to provide some documentation and pay a fee. Some countries, such as Australia, have more straightforward processes than others.
Some factors that can affect how long it will take to process your application include: whether you are applying online or through an embassy or consulate; the nationality of the person applying; whether you are applying for a tourist visa or a business visa; and the time of year.
What are the Costs of a Tourist Visa?
The cost of a tourist visa depends on the nationality of the applicant, but is generally not more than $60 USD. The application process is straightforward and can be completed in a few days by visiting a local embassy or consulate. There are no guarantees that your visa will be approved, but most applications are processed within a few weeks. If your visa is rejected, you may need to return to your home country and apply again.
What Kind of Proof Do I Need to Provide?
If you are traveling to India for tourism purposes, you will not need a visa. However, if you are traveling to India on business or as part of an international organization, you may need a visa. If you are unsure whether or not you require a visa, please consult with the Indian consulate in your country.
To qualify for a tourist visa for India, you must provide proof of your travel intentions. This can be anything from a letter from your employer confirming your visit to an itinerary detailing where and when you will be traveling. Additionally, some countries require proof of financial stability in order to obtain a visa. Please check with the Indian consulate in your country for more information on required documentation.
How Long Will My Tourist Visa be Valid?
If you are a foreigner who wants to visit India for tourism, your tourist visa will be valid for three months from the date of issuance. If you are visiting India on business, your visa will be valid for six months from the date of issuance. You will need to show proof of your intent to leave India within the validity period of your visa. If you overstay your visa, you may be subject to deportation and/or fines.
If you are interested in travelling to India, then you will need to obtain a tourist visa. In this article, we have provided the ultimate guide on how to obtain a tourist visa for India, including step-by-step instructions and detailed advice. By following our tips, you should be able to apply for your visa without any trouble. If you have any further questions about obtaining a tourist visa for India, do not hesitate to contact us at email@example.com. We would be happy to help!


APOSTOLIC JOURNEY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
[31 August - 4 September 2023]
MEETING WITH CHARITY WORKERS AND INAUGURATION OF THE "HOUSE OF MERCY"
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS
Monday, 4 September 2023
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
Thank you very much for the warm welcome you have given me and for your song and dance, your words of greeting and your testimonies! I think that it can all be summed up in those words of Jesus: “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink” (Mt 25:35). In those words, the Lord gives us the criterion for recognizing him present in our world and the condition for entering into the supreme joy of his kingdom at the Last Judgement,
From the very beginning, the Church took those words seriously, demonstrating in action that charity is a fundamental element of her identity. Charity is a fundamental element of the Church’s identity. I think of the accounts in the Acts of the Apostles and the various ways in which the first Christian community put Jesus’ words into practice, in order to build up a Church firmly established on four pillars: communion, liturgy, service and witness. It is wonderful to see how, after so many centuries, that same spirit pervades the Church in Mongolia: though small in size, its life is marked by fraternal communion, prayer, selfless service to those in need, and witness to its faith. Like the four columns of a great “ger” that support the central upper ring, they allow the whole structure to stand upright and provide a welcoming space within.
So here we are, together, in this house that you have built and that today I have the joy of blessing and inaugurating. It stands as a concrete expression of that care for others that is the hallmark of the Christian community; for where we find welcome, hospitality and openness to others, we breathe in “the fragrance of Christ” (cf. 2 Cor. 2:15). Generous service to our neighbours – concern for their good health, basic needs, education and culture – has distinguished this vibrant portion of the People of God from its inception. From the time of their arrival in Ulaanbaatar in the 1990s, the first missionaries immediately sensed a summons to works of charity, which led them to care for abandoned children, our homeless brothers and sisters, the sick, the disabled, prisoners and all those who, amid suffering, sought their care.
Today we see that, from those roots, a tree has grown, branches have spread out and much fruit has appeared in the form of a variety of praiseworthy charitable initiatives. These in turn have developed into long-term projects, carried out mostly by the various missionary Institutes present here and much appreciated by the population and civil authorities. Indeed, the Mongolian government itself had sought help from Catholic missionaries in confronting the numerous social emergencies of a country that, at the time, was in a delicate phase of political transition and marked by widespread poverty. Those projects continue to draw upon the dedication of missionaries from many countries who put their knowledge, experience, resources and especially their love, at the service of Mongolian society. To them, and to all those who support these many good works, I express my appreciation and offer my heartfelt thanks.
This House of Mercy is meant to be the point of reference for a variety of charitable works: hands outstretched toward our brothers and sisters struggling to navigate life’s problems. A safe haven, in other words, where people can find a listening ear and an understanding heart. While not unlike many other initiatives supported by various Catholic institutions, this new undertaking is also special, since here it is the particular Church that carries out the work, coordinating the efforts of all the missionary groups, while preserving a clearly local identity, as an authentic expression of the Apostolic Prefecture as a whole. I very much like the name you chose to give it: the House of Mercy. Those two words contain a definition of the Church, which is called to be a home where all are welcome and can experience a higher love that stirs and moves the heart: the tender and provident love of the Father, who wants us to be brothers and sisters in his house. It is my hope, then, that all of you can contribute to this project and that the various missionary communities will take active part in it through the commitment of personnel and resources.
For this to happen, the contribution of volunteers is indispensable. A purely generous and selfless service that people freely choose to offer to those in need, not out of concern for financial remuneration or personal benefit, but out of pure love of their neighbour. This is the “style” of service that Jesus taught us when he told his disciples: “Freely you have received, freely give” (Mt 10:8). Serving others in this way may seem like a lost cause, but once they put themselves on the line, those who sacrifice their time and effort discover that whatever they give without expecting anything in return is never lost, but becomes instead a great treasure. Indeed, generosity unburdens the soul, heals the wounds of the heart, brings us closer to God, becomes a source of joy, and keeps us young inside. In this country so full of young people, volunteer work can be a decisive path towards personal and societal growth.
Then too, even in technologically advanced societies with high standards of living, social welfare systems alone are insufficient to provide all the services that are needed. To do so demands legions of volunteers who are willing to commit their time, skills and resources out of love for others. The true progress of a nation is not gauged by economic wealth, much less by investment in the illusory power of armaments, but by its ability to provide for the health, education and integral development of its people. For this reason, I would like to encourage all the citizens of Mongolia, who are well known for their generosity and capacity for self-sacrifice, to engage in volunteer work, placing themselves at the service of others. Here, at the House of Mercy, you have a “training ground” that is always open, where you can exercise your desires for good and train your hearts.
Finally, I would like to reject certain “myths.” First, the myth that only the wealthy can engage in volunteer work. That is indeed a “fantasy”, whereas reality tells us the opposite. It is not necessary to be wealthy to do good; rather, almost always it is people of modest means who choose to devote their time, skills and generosity to caring for others. Another myth needing to be dispelled is that the Catholic Church, distinguished throughout the world for its great commitment to works of social promotion, does all this to proselytize, as if caring for others were a way of enticing people to “join up.” No! The Church does not go forward by proselytism, it goes forward by attraction. Christians do whatever they can to alleviate the suffering of the needy, because in the person of the poor they acknowledge Jesus, the Son of God, and, in him, the dignity of each person, called to be a son or daughter of God. I would like to envision this House of Mercy as a place where people of different creeds, and non-believers as well, can join efforts with local Catholics in order to offer compassionate assistance to our many brothers and sisters in the one human family. Indeed. the word “compassion” means the ability to suffer with others, and the State will rightly seek to protect and promote it. For this dream to come true, it is essential, here and elsewhere, that those in public office support such humanitarian initiatives, encouraging a virtuous synergy for the sake of the common good. Finally, a third myth needs to be discredited: the notion that only money counts, as if the only way to care for others is to employ a salaried staff and invest in large facilities. Certainly, charity demands professionalism, but charitable works should not turn into businesses. Rather, they should retain their freshness as works of charity where those in need can find people ready to listen to them with compassion, regardless of whatever pay they may receive.
In a word, to truly do good, goodness of heart is essential: a commitment to seeking what is best for others. Commitment for the sake of remuneration is not true love; only love can overcome selfishness and keep this world going. In this regard, I would like to conclude with an anecdote from the life of Saint Teresa of Calcutta. A journalist, seeing her bent over the foul-smelling sores of a sick person, once told her, “What you do is beautiful, but, personally, I wouldn’t do it even for a million dollars”. Mother Teresa replied, “I wouldn’t do it for a million dollars either. I do it for the love of God!” I pray that this kind of gratuitous love will be the “value added” of the House of Mercy. For all the good you have done and continue to do, I offer my heartfelt thanks – many, many thanks – and I give you my blessing. And I ask you, please, in your charity, to pray for me. Thank you.
Copyright © Dicastero per la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana


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Overruled: Gov. Says Kentucky Will Appeal Same-Sex Marriage Order
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear says his state will hire outside counsel to appeal a federal judge's order to recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages.
The governor's announcement follows word from the state's attorney general, Jack Conway, that his office will not pursue such an appeal.
Both men are Democrats.
After Conway said Tuesday that appealing the court order would mean "defending discrimination," Beshear issued a statement that read, in part:
"The question of whether state constitutional provisions prohibiting same sex marriage violate the U.S. Constitution is being litigated across the country. Here in Kentucky, Judge Heyburn has ruled that Kentucky's constitutional provision does so to the extent that same sex marriages legally performed elsewhere are not recognized in Kentucky. Judge Heyburn also currently has under consideration the broader question of whether Kentucky's provision prohibiting same sex marriage in Kentucky violates the U.S. Constitution, and I anticipate that decision in the near future.
"Both of these issues, as well as similar issues being litigated in other parts of the country, will be and should be ultimately decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in order to bring finality and certainty to this matter. The people of this country need to know what the rules will be going forward. Kentucky should be a part of this process."
There's the potential, Beshear added, for "legal chaos" as other lawsuits are filed in both state and federal courts. "I understand and respect the deep and strong emotions and sincere beliefs of Kentuckians on both sides of this issue," he wrote, "but all Kentuckians deserve an orderly process that will bring certainty and finality to this important matter."
According to NPR member station WFPL, the split between Conway and Beshear "is part of an ongoing divide among [Kentucky] Democrats, which reflects urban and rural differences across the state ... as much as ideological ones." The station adds that:
"Conway and Beshear's decisions cannot be divorced from the larger political calculus. In next year's gubernatorial race Conway is a rumored candidate and Beshear's son is seeking to succeed Conway for attorney general."
The senior Beshear is prohibited by Kentucky's constitution from seeking a third consecutive term.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


By William Lund
Editor’s Note: Please welcome William Lund to the X&O Labs team. Coach Lund is a veteran college football coach with a high level of expertise on coaching defensive line. We are excited to have him on board. Every month Coach Lund will bring you some of the best insights, drills and strategies on developing your defensive line. And the best part is, Coach Lund will answer any and all of your questions. Just post your questions or comments below and Coach Lund will respond shortly.
Coaches are always trying to find a new edge in defending offensive schemes. Much of the change occurs when a coach decides to use a 3-4 defense to replace a 4-3 defense or a 3-3-5 defense to replace a 4-2-5 structure. Defense is not so much scheme, but players’ understanding and belief in that scheme. Whether a coach choses to be a four-man front or a three-man front, more often than not he will have a "sub" package incorporating one or the other fronts. If you don’t decide to change personnel, you may have a player that is a "hybrid." A hybrid player is one you need to have on the field as a rusher in pass situations, but also one you want to use in coverage. This hybrid player may be necessary because you cannot afford to pull him off the field no matter what the situation, but still may want to incorporate a 3- or 4-man front. My column this month will discuss the ways you can effectively train your hybrid player to be sound as a coverage man or as a rusher.
For the purpose of this column we will use a 3-4 and 4-3 scheme as our template in developing a plan for our hybrid player. When training a player, you need to make sure he can handle the multiple details that a player needs to know as both a rush end and drop end. Pass Rush moves, drop zones and man responsibilities are all parts of being a hybrid player. Because of all the responsibilities that fall within this player’s domain, the tendency of coaches is to take a player that "athletically" looks the part and try to force him into a "hybrid" role. As coaches, we must not try to "force a square peg into a round hole." In order to be an effective hybrid, the player must be savvy, with the understanding of a larger scheme of things. It is my opinion that the easiest place to train your hybrid begins with aligning him as the defensive end or outside linebacker weak or away from the formation strength (or away from the tight end or passing strength.) From here you can limit the number of assignments and coverage responsibilities he has to know. Remember this is a starting point to build on your player’s knowledge base. (Diagram 1)
Note: The hybrid player is the "R" in both scenarios
First Level (DE) Keys and Reads
As a pre-snap, we will key the "V" of the neck of the EMLOS. In most cases, this will be the OT. We do an every day drill called "Quick Hands" that emphasizes this technique (diagram 2). Quick Hands Video:


i received a copy of dirty laundry from harper collins nz in exchange for an honest review.
secrets so deep review
if you’re after a quick, fast paced read, then i know the perfect book for you!
secrets so deep is a nice sized fast paced book where something’s always happening. there’s a lot of intrigue and weird stuff happening in this book, enough to keep me flicking the pages.
the writing style was really nice – it made it an easy read. the prose was beautiful but not too flowery (if it’s too flowery, i get bored!).
the mystery was good, although i found i guessed some things fairly early on (but i still enjoyed it!). there was some hauntingly beautiful scenes, that really showcased the authors ability to write in this genre.
unfortunately, i found the romance was a bit over the top. it kinda took away from the actual storyline, and we could’ve gone without it entirely.
the only issue i had with this book was that the main character (avril) was immature and annoying at times. (but!! it’s a young adult novel, so i can’t fault the character or the author for this. i just thought i should point it out for full transparency).
this author has been on my tbr for a while – since the release of dark and shallow lies, which i still haven’t read (smh!!). i wish I’d picked up a book of hers sooner, as it was thoroughly enjoyed.


The picture was taken by Réka Bogdán (24.hu) at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences on 8th November 2018, where Prof. Weiss gave a public talk on LIGO's first detection of gravitational waves.
With my colleagues at Eötvös University, Budapest.
Together with Rainer Weiss, professor emeritus at MIT and founding father of LIGO, and with my students (Ákos Szölgyén, Bence Bécsy, and Gergely Dálya)
With my colleagues, at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences
At the 2010 LIGO Meeting in Krakow
At the Beijing Gravitational Waves Workshop
Testing the timing system for the Advanced LIGO detectors
With my former research group at Columbia University, New York
At the LIGO Livingston site
Portrait photo #2
Portrait photo #1
Official portrait photo


As a kid, the only power books had one me was the ability to make me fall asleep. My mom would often find me dozing off with a book in my hand. Yet as strange as it may sound, the same thing that caused my brain to shut down has caused countless others a nervous breakdown. One only needs to recall how Rizal dropped a bombshell on the Spanish government with his Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. One may also look at the Da Vinci Code that shook the two-thousand year old Catholic Church almost to its foundations. At this point, we see the full power of books, not so much as it can cause us to fall asleep but in so far as it can make us dream. It took one book what an explosion couldn’t, awaken one of the greatest philosophical landscapers from his dogmatic slumber, although I dare say, he went deeper into sleep.
It’s one thing to write a poem and another to reshape the rules of making one and books can do both and more – they could ignite a revolution, regardless of it be futile or Copernican. But this formidable tool, a thing that Napoleon brought into war zone and what Hitler slept with, is dependent on another thing, someone has to pick it up and open it.
Even if it says ‘touch me not.’
By: Mrs.Elena H. Fabian | Tapulao Elementary School | Orani, Bataan


A retention agreement, or “Aufhebungsvertrag” in German, is a legal agreement between an employer and employee in which the employee receives compensation in exchange for voluntarily resigning or agreeing to be terminated. This type of agreement is commonly used in Germany as a way for employers to avoid costly and time-consuming legal disputes with employees.
Retention agreements are particularly beneficial for both parties when the employment relationship is no longer working out and one or both parties want to sever ties. With a retention agreement, the employer can avoid the potential legal and financial costs associated with terminating an employee, while the employee can receive some level of compensation for their time with the company.
Retention agreements typically contain several important provisions, including the reason for the termination, the amount of compensation the employee will receive, and any non-disclosure or non-compete clauses. It is important for both parties to carefully review and negotiate the terms of the agreement before signing, as retention agreements are legally binding and can have significant consequences.
There are certain legal requirements that must be met in order for a retention agreement to be valid and enforceable in Germany. For example, the agreement must be in writing and must clearly state the reason for the termination. Additionally, the employee must have had the opportunity to seek legal advice before signing the agreement.
In conclusion, a retention agreement is a useful tool for employers and employees to mutually agree on the termination of an employment relationship. Whether you are an employer or employee, it is important to carefully review and negotiate the terms of the agreement before signing in order to ensure that your rights and interests are protected. With the right legal guidance, a retention agreement can be a fair and effective way to part ways and move forward.