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Royal Bank of Canada

CEO Message

Chair message

Sustainable growth

Exceptional client experience

Best talent

Simplify. Agile. Innovate.

Community & social impact

Who we are

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 80,000+ employees who bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank, and one of the largest in the world based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our 16 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 35 other countries.

Why invest?

  • Market leader with a focused growth strategy
  • Diversified business model with leading client
  • Financial strength underpinned by prudent risk and cost management
  • Innovation is in our DNA
  • Leading corporate citizen

Our purpose

Guided by our vision to be among the world’s most trusted and successful financial institutions, and driven by our purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper, we aim to be:

  • The undisputed financial services leader in Canada
  • The preferred partner to corporate, institutional and high net worth clients in the U.S.
  • A leading financial services partner valued for our expertise in select global financial centres

Our values

  • Client First
  • Collaboration
  • Accountability
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Integrity

Our strategy

Our purpose, vision and values are aligned to strategic initiatives that drive our competitive advantage in a changing marketplace.

Community &
social impact

Our business segments

Personal & Commercial Banking

  • Financial services leader in Canada with a presence in the Caribbean and the U.S.
  • Number 1 or 2 market share in all key Canadian Banking product categories

Capital Markets

  • Premier North American investment bank with select global reach in Europe, Asia and other international locations
  • 9th largest global investment bank by fees(1)
  • (1) Dealogic, based on global investment bank fees, Fiscal 2017.

Investor & Treasury Services

  • Leading global asset services provider and Canadian transaction bank with an integrated client offering
  • Provides short-term funding and liquidity management services for RBC

  • Canada’s largest bank-owned insurer and among the fastest growing insurance organizations in the country
  • Offers reinsurance solutions for clients globally

Wealth Management

  • Largest mutual fund company and wealth advisory business in Canada
  • Growing presence in U.S. private and commercial banking and wealth management
  • Top-five wealth manager globally(2)
  • (2) Scorpio Partnership Global Private Banking Benchmark, 2017.

Message from
Dave McKay

On behalf of my 80,000+ colleagues, I am honoured to share the story of our record 2017 and our ongoing journey to position RBC for the future.

We reported record earnings of $11.5 billion, up 10% from the prior year. This demonstrated the strength of our diversified business model, our disciplined approach to risk and cost management, and above all, our purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper.

We delivered a return on equity of 17% and strengthened our Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio to 10.9%. In November 2017, we were designated as a Global Systemically Important Bank by the Financial Stability Board, reflecting the size and scale of our global operations. As we already meet the requirement of a 1% buffer, we do not expect any significant impact to our capital position.

We also returned a record $8.2 billion of capital in dividends and share buybacks, reflecting our commitment to shareholders while executing on our growth strategies. We delivered compound annual Total Shareholder Returns of 12% and 17% over three and five years, outperforming our global peer group.

The favourable macroeconomic environment contributed to our success, with strong GDP growth, high employment and interest rate increases leading to low credit losses, strong demand for credit and stronger margins.

Beyond our performance, we believe how we achieve success is as important as what we achieve; this is critical in creating a path for sustained growth over the long term. It is heartening as CEO to see how our principles-led approach and our values, including the importance of diversity and inclusion, drive our daily decision-making from the Board to the branch and everywhere in between.

Sustainable growth

We have a focused strategy that targets high-growth client segments within our priority markets of Canada, the U.S., and in select global financial centres. Across geographies, we are deepening relationships with our clients and bringing the strength, breadth and depth of RBC to meet their goals.

In Canada, where we are number one or two in all key banking segments, we are not being complacent but looking to transform our physical network and digitize our operations to meet changing customer needs. We’ve expanded our insurance offering and we see opportunities for further growth within Personal & Commercial Banking, specifically in commercial banking, investments, deposits and credit cards.

We are also exploring ways to add new sources of value for our clients. We are increasingly collaborating with strategic partners to create the ecosystems in which our customers live and work. For example, we have recently started offering employee health care expense management for commercial clients, and we have integrated invoicing, accounting and financial insights into our business banking platform so that entrepreneurs can spend more time growing their businesses.

In our leading Canadian wealth management franchise, we are adding more value to clients through our unmatched wealth planning expertise, including business succession and intergenerational wealth transfers. We are also building out our top-performing asset management capabilities.

In the U.S., the successful integration of City National is allowing us to serve more commercial and high net worth clients. In 2017, City National deepened its presence in its core markets of California and New York City while also expanding in Washington, D.C. and Minneapolis and building on synergies with other parts of the firm, including Capital Markets.

Our U.S. capital markets business continues to grow. It accounts for more than half of overall Capital Markets earnings. Globally, RBC Capital Markets has been ranked as one of the top 10 investment banks by fees for the last five years. Together, our U.S. capital markets and wealth management businesses (including City National) position us well to be the preferred partner to corporate, institutional and high net worth clients and their businesses in the U.S.

We also continue to improve our competitive position in select markets in the U.K., Europe and Asia, by focusing on key client segments served by our wealth and asset management, capital markets and investor and treasury services businesses.

We believe how we achieve success is as important as what we achieve; this is critical in creating a path for sustained growth over the long term.

Exceptional client experiences

More than ever before, we are building from the customer in, creating a Digitally Enabled Relationship Bank that is simple to deal with and that adds more value to clients.

We are learning from and working with our clients to develop the next generation of products. Our size and scale gives us an advantage in using data to better understand our clients, anticipate their future needs and offer them increasingly personalized solutions, while investing in keeping their information secure.

Our digital and innovation strategies are fundamental to creating exceptional client experiences, driving customer loyalty and acquiring new clients. In Personal & Commercial Banking, we have grown our sales force in advice roles, we have significantly grown our mobile users, and today 84% of our financial transactions are performed in self-serve channels. The work we’ve done to serve clients as we move to a digital future helped us win Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among the Big Five Retail Banks in J.D. Power’s 2017 Canadian Retail Banking Satisfaction survey for the second year in a row.

Simplify. Agile. Innovate.

As we integrate into our customers’ digital lives, we are collaborating with an ever broader range of global partners, bringing exciting new opportunities to our clients across all of our business lines.

We are working in new ways to design and build products, processes, technology and services in a faster, simpler, more adaptable and cost effective way. In an unprecedented time of change in our industry, customer expectations and preferences are shifting almost daily. I believe one of my greatest responsibilities as CEO is to ensure that the cadence and speed of change inside RBC matches that of the wider world. So, as we reimagine our future and the role that we play in our customers’ lives, we are changing the way that we work.

We’re proud to be a champion for Canadian innovation, particularly the transformational technologies of blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI). As one of the leading voices on AI in Canada, we have established the research institute Borealis AI to pursue curiosity-driven research in machine learning. This will help to not only drive our own innovation,
but also secure Canada’s position as a global destination for AI research and ventures.

Best talent

We know that our best ideas come when we unlock the potential of our people, allowing the full diversity of our organization to thrive. To accelerate this journey we are simplifying our structure, redefining our leadership model and tapping into the strengths and talent of our employees. By creating an environment where employees are encouraged to be bolder and use their full expertise, capabilities and experiences,
we will be able to succeed in hiring and retaining top talent and provide them with meaningful work.

Community and social impact

As a purpose-driven company, we believe we are accountable for creating a positive social impact in the communities where we operate. Among countless examples across our businesses and regions in 2017, none articulated this focus more clearly than RBC Future Launch, our $500-million commitment to empower Canadian youth for the jobs of tomorrow. Over the next 10 years, we are dedicating our knowledge, skills and resources to help young people access meaningful employment. Investing in the next generation is both a business imperative and the right thing to do.

Thank you

I offer a sincere thank you to the 16 million clients who continue to put their trust in RBC. I also want to thank my colleagues for their ideas and their commitment to seeing those clients succeed. As always, I appreciate the guidance and insight from our diverse board of directors. And finally, to you our shareholders, I reiterate our commitment to executing on our strategy and delivering sustainable earnings growth in line with our purpose.

David McKay
President and Chief Executive Officer

Key metrics in 2017

Sustainable growth

Diluted EPS

CET1 ratio

Dividend payout ratio

Three-year TSR

Refer to the sustainable growth section for more information

Exceptional client experiences

#1 Client Satisfaction among Big Five Canadian retail banks in 2017 J.D. Power survey

Best talent

94% employees who are proud to be a part of RBC(1)

Community and social impact

150,000+ employees volunteer hours(2)

$98+ million in cash donations and community investments(3)

(1) 2017 Employee Opinion Survey.
(2) Includes non-work time hours reported by employees globally and retirees in Canada through RBC's formal volunteering programs.
(3) Includes employee volunteer grants and gifts in-kind, as well as non-profit contributions to non-registered charities. Figure does not include sponsorships.

Group Executive Officers

Portrait of David McKay

David McKay

Portrait of Rod Bolger

Rod Bolger

Portrait of Michael Dobbins

Michael Dobbins

Portrait of Helena Gottschling

Helena Gottschling

Portrait of Douglas Guzman

Douglas Guzman

Portrait of Mark Hughes

Mark Hughes

Portrait of Douglas McGregor

Douglas McGregor

Portrait of Neil McLaughlin

Neil McLaughlin

Portrait of Bruce Ross

Bruce Ross

Portrait of Jennifer Tory

Jennifer Tory

Message from
Katie Taylor

Photo portrait of Kathleen Taylor

Dear fellow shareholders,

RBC has a clear purpose: to help clients thrive and communities prosper. This simple statement unites your board of directors, the management team and dedicated employees as we focus on delivering long-term shareholder value by ensuring positive outcomes for all stakeholders. Change has become a hallmark of our times and in 2017 RBC successfully executed on its key strategies, moved forward on its transformation priorities and welcomed new talent to its senior management team.

Overseeing our strategy

One of the board’s most critical roles is to provide oversight and stewardship of RBC’s strategic direction. We provide guidance to management as it builds a Digitally Enabled Relationship Bank and focuses on markets and segments where RBC is positioned to succeed. In order to anticipate and respond to a dynamic, global marketplace, we advise management on its strategic plans, challenge assumptions, and assist in identifying and building pathways to sustainable growth within the bank’s risk appetite.

Focusing on talent

Talent management, including senior management succession planning, is a key board responsibility, essential to supporting RBC’s strategic objectives. We take a comprehensive approach to pipeline development that includes early identification of key candidates and in-depth evaluations of the skills and expertise required for both the near and medium term. As the banking industry continues to evolve, a diversity of experiences, perspectives and backgrounds represented at all levels of management becomes a critical advantage and key to successfully executing on the bank’s strategy.

Robust risk management

The board assesses management’s plans to ensure business opportunities are balanced against sound risk management priorities and an effective enterprise-wide framework. We actively engage with management to assure that a strong risk culture is supported at all levels of RBC and that the bank’s risk management function is independent from the businesses. We also provide guidance on, and approve the bank’s risk appetite, and maintain open communications with regulators.

Good governance

Your board champions RBC’s culture of ‘doing what’s right’ and our core values of integrity and accountability. We help establish and promote ethical standards and behaviour across all levels of the organization, working to foster an approach to business that considers impacts to society, the economy and the environment. Diversity of gender, thought and experience is critical to successful board oversight, and our board culture encourages transparency, active engagement and productive debate. Once again in 2017, we were recognized for our approach, winning Best Overall Governance at the Excellence in Governance Awards in Toronto and Best Overall Corporate Governance – International at the Corporate Governance Awards in New York.

We also continue to refine the skills and experience needed to provide orderly board succession and strengthen our ranks to support RBC’s future strategic goals. To this end, we were pleased to welcome Jeffery Yabuki to the RBC board. As the president and CEO of Fiserv Inc. – a leading provider of financial services – Jeff brings us deep experience in financial services, technology solutions and strategic advice.

We were also saddened this year by the passing of our esteemed colleague Richard (Rick) George. Rick was a true leader in Canadian business and a trusted advisor on the RBC board. He is greatly missed by all.

Shareholder engagement

Working with our stakeholders is an important component of our governance process, notable this year for the collaborative efforts that produced the RBC Proxy Access Policy. Committed to the creation of long-term value, we will continue to look for new and effective ways to meaningfully engage with investors, clients and the communities we serve.

On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Dave McKay and his leadership team for their commitment and dedication to helping realize RBC’s vision of being recognized as one of the world’s most trusted and successful financial institutions. We would also like to express the board’s deep appreciation to RBC employees around the world who deliver the very best to our clients and communities every day.

Kathleen Taylor
Chair of the Board

RBC Board
of Directors

Andrew Chisholm
Jacynthe Côté
Toos Daruvala
David Denison
Alice Laberge
Michael McCain
David McKay
Heather Munroe-Blum
Thomas Renyi
Kathleen Taylor
Bridget van Kralingen
Thierry Vandal
Jeffery Yabuki

Sustainable growth

RBC continued to achieve high-quality earnings growth by focusing on our clients, deploying capital effectively and investing for the future, while carefully managing risks and costs.

Strong Earnings

Net Income (C$ billion)

2017 $11.5 2016: $10.5

Diluted Earnings per Share

2017 $7.56 2016: $6.78

Profitable Growth

Return on Equity (ROE)

2017 17.0% 2016: 16.3%

Financial Strength

Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) Ratio

2017 10.9% 2016: 10.8%

Solid Return to Shareholders

Dividends Declared per share (C$)

2017 $3.48 2016: $3.24

Annualized dividend
increase of:

7% – one year
7% – ten year(1)

(1) Compound Annual Growth Rate.

Earnings by business segment(2)

  • %
  • %
  • %
  • %
  • %

(2) Excludes Corporate Support.

Financial Performance Metrics(3)

  Medium-Term Objectives 2017 Results
Diluted EPS Growth 7%+ 11.5%
Return on Equity 16%+ 17.0%
Capital Ratio (CET 1) Strong 10.9%
Dividend Payout Ratio 40% – 50% 46%

(3) Our focus is to maximize total shareholder returns (TSR) through the achievement of top half performance compared to our global peer group over the medium term (3-5 years), which we believe reflects a longer term view of strong and consistent financial performance.

Total Shareholder Return(4)

RBC Global Peer Average
Three-year 12% 10%
Five-year 17% 15%

(4) Reflects annualized TSR and is calculated based on the TSX common share price appreciation plus reinvested dividend income. Source: Bloomberg, as at October 31, 2017. RBC is compared to our global peer group. The peer group average excludes RBC; for the list of peers, please refer to our financial performance objectives section of our 2017 Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

For more information, please visit:

We are committed to distributing economic value to create a better future for our clients and communities. We do this with a simple equation. We earn money through the products and services that we provide, and distribute a portion of that revenue to those we rely on for our success. The remainder, our profit, is then paid out to shareholders through dividends and repurchases or reinvested for future growth.

In 2017, we earned revenue of $40.7 billion

$29.2 billion was spent on:

$13.3 billion

  • We employ more than 80,000 employees in 37 countries
  • 1 in 5 people in the Canadian financial services sector works at RBC

$8.5 billion

  • We are allocating more resources into digital initiatives to continue building a more convenient, simple and secure client experience
  • Investing to meet increasing requirements for cybersecurity and regulations
  • 1,235 branches in Canada, 73 in the U.S. and 68 globally

$3.2 billion

  • We support communities as one of the largest taxpayers in Canada, and as a taxpayer in other countries where we operate(1)

(1) See page 90 of our annual report for RBC’s total tax contribution.

$3.0 billion

  • The funds we provide to support our clients in their time of need so they can focus on what matters most

$1.2 billion

  • Funds we set aside to cover loans that are unlikely to be repaid
  • The cost of lending to support our clients’ economic growth

The remainder of our profit of $11.5 billion goes to shareholders or is reinvested:

$8.5 billion

  • Returned over 75% of profits to our one million shareholders, of whom 70% are based in Canada
  • Returned a record amount of capital to shareholders, the most in our history

(2) Includes dividends paid on both common and preferred shares. Dividends were $5.1 billion on common shares and $0.3 billion on preferred shares.

$3.0 billion

  • Remaining funds available to reinvest in our business for future growth

Exceptional client experience

Our business is about people and always earning the right to be our clients’ first choice. We aim to deliver excellent service, including meaningful, personalized interactions that build life-long client relationships. Whether it’s day-to-day personal, business or corporate banking, we want to be the best bank to help
our clients achieve their goals.

Reshaping how we engage

We are reshaping our physical and advisor networks and adding new ways to serve our clients. This includes rethinking how we support the specific needs of surrounding communities and important client demographics such as retirees, newcomers and students.

Providing personalized advice

We’re providing personalized advice and solutions to help our clients manage their day-to-day finances and products but also anticipate their future banking needs. This is backed by local expertise in the markets where we operate and an understanding of each client’s needs to offer the right advice and solutions to help them succeed.

Digital experience

We are building a Digitally Enabled Relationship Bank. Life moves quickly so we’re making sure that we focus on speed of service and simplifying everyday client needs.

This means re-imagining how we serve our clients no matter how they choose to interact with us. We are also developing innovative partnerships and investing in online and mobile channels, new branch formats and more expert advisors.

The client is at the centre of everything we do

Alternative branch formats

We’re taking a different approach to banking by creating tailored spaces on campuses across Canada to support students’ financial wellness. We aim to provide today’s youth with the tools, resources and knowledge to prepare for their financial future while building life-long relationships. We opened the first branch of this kind at McMaster University, followed by the University of British Columbia and University of Calgary, with more locations to come in 2018.

“I came in asking for advice on banking. I left with a connection. You don’t get that everywhere.”

Pawel, a student at McMaster University

Developing a cleaner economy

Acting as sole financial advisor to ENGIE North America and Axium Infrastructure, RBC led an innovative 50-year public private partnership to position Ohio State University as a leader in sustainability. As the largest university energy privatization deal in the U.S., the deal is funding the development of an energy research centre and will improve energy efficiency on the Columbus campus by 25% within the next 10 years.

Clients are part of the solution

Through the Advanced Client Experience program – one of our largest technology investments – we are involving clients directly in our innovation labs to build digital solutions to evolve with their needs. By simplifying processes and providing data analytics, we are able to produce timely and relevant insights to help our clients grow their businesses.

Things don’t always go as planned

Ahmed and Sara had to cancel a vacation and instead book emergency flights to deal with a family situation. RBC helped with logistics and ensured they paid no penalties.

“The staff at RBC Insurance showed me why they are the best. All I can say is thank you so very much to my advisor – for your kind words, how you handled everything and what you have done
to help us.”

Ahmed & Sara, RBC clients

Supporting life transitions

Richard and Stuart were overwhelmed by the responsibility of settling and ultimately managing their parents’ estate and family legacy. They relied on the knowledge and judgment of their RBC PH&N Investment Counsellor to support them and their families through this challenging financial and life transition, ensuring they had a plan to provide for future generations.

“Our role beyond investment management is to educate and guide –
to translate complex issues and
connect families to the right people
for advice, that helps to manage their burden.”

Susan, RBC PH&N Investment Counsellor

Best talent

We are attracting, inspiring and empowering our people to deliver their best. RBC has a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that promotes sharing different perspectives and experiences to enable innovation and creative thinking.

Employees who are proud to be part of RBC(1)

(1) 2017 Employee Opinion Survey.

Our talent strategy

Our success begins and ends with engaged employees. Our 80,000+ colleagues bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper.

We recognize the value a diverse workforce brings. That’s why we continually strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, engaged and empowered to pursue a meaningful career.

We encourage employees to have an always learning mindset, speak up for the good of RBC and set ambitious goals. In the past year, we’ve stepped up our focus on changing the way we work to ensure our people are equipped with the skills to be successful today and in the future.

An organization of our size offers a world of opportunities, including: mentorship, coaching, employee resources groups, and making a difference in our communities. We develop our talent through:

  • Engaging careers with opportunities for growth
  • Investments in learning and development to enhance knowledge, skills and capabilities
  • Competitive compensation and benefits
  • Diversity and inclusion

Investing in youth

RBC believes that all young people should have work integrated learning experiences prior to graduation. Career Launch – our one-year, paid internship program – provides just that to 100 recent graduates annually.

In 2016, we introduced RBC Amplify, an intensive four-month internship in Toronto where students were assigned to some of our toughest business challenges. The program is now global, expanding to Minneapolis, Jersey City and Luxembourg. This is a window into the future of RBC.

Workplace recognition awards

Ranked #1 “Best Places to Work in Canada” (Indeed)

One of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers – Employment Equity Achievement Award (EEAA) – for outstanding achievement in initiatives for women; visible minorities; Indigenous peoples; and persons with disabilities. (Government of Canada)

Named one of the Best Workplaces in Canada
(The Great Place to Work® Institute Canada)

For more information, please visit:

Simplify. Agile. Innovate.

Innovation is more than a buzzword at RBC. We’re not just digitizing our existing products, but building new business models across our platforms. We’re investing in smarter, simpler ways to interact and add value for our clients, communities and people. This means changing the way we work and using data to create new insights and services, but also thinking bigger and partnering with startups and universities to drive Canada’s role in global innovation.

Leading in artificial intelligence

We’re using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to better understand our clients and offer relevant and timely offerings and services:

  • Launched NOMI InsightsTM and NOMI Find & SaveTM, two AI-enabled services that provide personalized advice to our clients helping to manage their day-to-day finances and make saving simpler
  • Established Borealis AI, an RBC Institute for Research, to pursue curiosity-driven research in machine learning and increase collaboration with world-class research centres
  • Supporting initiatives like NextAI and the Vector Institute to ensure Canada remains a global destination for the study of AI and becomes home for AI-focused ventures, entrepreneurs and scientists
  • Piloted NORA, an AI bot that helps the wealth management team learn more about potential clients

Delivering value for our clients

  • First bank in Canada to enable bill payments and Interac e‑Transfer using Siri voice commands
  • Connecting clients to a mutual fund advisor using live video through MyAdvisor, our online advice platform
  • Teamed up with Petro-Canada to deliver exclusive savings and loyalty benefits, adding more value for clients using our award-winning RBC Rewards® program
  • Working with Wave, our small business clients have access to an integrated financial management platform within online banking, a first among North American banks
  • Providing travellers with peace of mind through RBC Insurance PATH, a travel app that provides up-to-date advisories, emergency and medical assistance and the ability to send automated emails to family and friends
  • Using machine learning to identify sales and trading opportunities for our Capital Markets clients

Driving innovation and research

  • Committed to shaping the Canadian innovation ecosystem through partnerships like OneEleven and C100, which support the growth of start-ups
  • Working with the best, brightest and boldest minds in universities to launch programs like ONRamp that help students and graduate entrepreneurs develop and commercialize their ideas
  • Exploring how to use emerging technologies like blockchain with industry leaders, the Fintech community and the Canadian government across all of our businesses
  • Created an in-house RBC GAM innovation lab to incubate digital capabilities and drive innovation
  • Using robotics, Investor & Treasury Services has teams in Malaysia, Luxembourg and Canada dedicated to automating a number of manual processes to deliver operational excellence

2017: By the numbers

6+ million
active digital users(1)
$3 billion
spent on
financial transactions performed through self-serve
patents pending or issued
20+ new
mobile app capabilities

(1) Represents the 90-Day Active customers in Canadian Banking only.

Community & social impact

As a purpose-driven company, creating a positive social impact – not just an economic one – is integral to how we do business. It is fundamental to our philosophy and is at the very heart of our corporate citizenship approach.

Breakthrough investment in youth

We announced RBC Future Launch, a 10-year, $500-million commitment to helping young people access meaningful employment through work experience, skills development and networking. In 2017, we partnered with organizations across Canada, donating over $24 million, volunteering our time and bringing together youth, community organizations and stakeholders to better understand the issues facing young Canadians and the opportunities available to them. Additionally, RBC supported approximately 150 charitable partners with nearly $8 million in donations to help youth and their families access the right mental health care at the right time.

We support clean growth and the transition to low carbon

We recognize that accelerating low carbon growth and enabling resilience in the face of a changing climate will reduce risk and safeguard economic growth. We also support efforts to standardize and enhance the disclosure of climate-related financial risks and we are participating in a United Nations led working group to test drive the recommendations of the Financial Stability Board’s Task Force for Climate-Related Disclosures.

$5.1 billion in green bond underwriting in 2017

$4 billion in renewable energy financing(1)

The only major Canadian financial institution with a dedicated Cleantech advisory team

(1) As at October 31, 2017. Calculated based on “Authorized” amount.

What gets measured, gets managed

We have developed a new framework to better measure the impact of our $98+ million in cash donations and community investments(2) and drive better decision-making and resource allocation to address relevant societal issues. We’re also committed to helping the charitable sector better manage the impacts of its work through our capacitybuilding activities on measurement and evaluation.

(2) Includes employee volunteer grants and gifts in-kind, as well as non-profit contributions to non-registered charities. Figure does not include sponsorships.

Our employees care

Employees who feel inspired to volunteer and donate based on RBC’s commitment and support

$4 million

Raised in support of children’s charities around the world from the 15,000+ employees who participated in our annual Race for the Kids across 12 cities globally

Non-work time hours volunteered by employees globally and retirees in Canada as part of RBC’s formal volunteering programs

$20+ million

Raised by 24,000 employees and retirees in Canada for 4,000+ charities in our annual employee giving campaign

We are recognized by the following for our leadership in Corporate Citizenship

For more information, please visit:

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2018 Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of Common Shareholders will be held on Friday, April 6, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. (Eastern Time), at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

2018 Quarterly earnings release dates

First quarter February 23
Second quarter May 24
Third quarter August 23
Fourth quarter November 28


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If you have exhausted your credit and need to add value to your card you can use OneStop a secure online credit card payment service. Alternately you can transfer funds via an ePay kiosk in the library using a debit card or credit card.

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Initial Coin Offerings have become a preferred choice to raise funds. Most Fintech investors and those belonging to other industries, along with many developers, are constantly involved in different ICO projects.

If you are planning to run your own ICO project with little or no budget, and you want to know how to setup an Initial Coin Offering, it is important to know if running an ICO without budget is actually possible or not. Let’s delve deeper into the same.

Is budgeting necessary prior to the launch of ICO?
An ICO project passes through various phases before the objectives are accomplished, based on the route that is followed. Whether you choose to run an ICO all by yourself or within a community of cryptocurrency enthusiasts, the ICO would pass through some modifications and grow along its roadmap.

Primarily, prior to talking about if an ICO needs finance to be successful, it cannot be denied that before the stardom of blockhain-based token offering, it would be difficult to promote the project on the internet and attract potential investors almost at no cost. It will cost you something, although a little amount, except you have everything it takes, such as a web hosting to host your website, mining equipment, unlimited power supply, and more.

All of the materials aforementioned require funds and it involves budgeting. But let us assume that you want to start to your ICO project with no funds, or with a website. The challenge that you will have to address is accomplishing your objectives using blockchain technology, which is the reason that you started ICO in the first place.

If you are a developer who wants to start an Initial Coin Offering to raise funds for peer-to-peer transactions, and if you want to know how to setup an Initial Coin Offering with no funds, it would be easy for you to develop an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) to showcase your proficiency. Doing this, along with posting a few ads on social media platforms can be adequate for initial funding, also known as Pre-ICO. At this stage, you can provide hypothetical reasons why potential investors would be interested in your startup.

Is financial or accessorial budget important during the planning process?
Every material, be it physical, abstract or intangible, is considered an input and is usually categorized as budget estimate. To be precise, budget not only refers to finance, it also includes expenditures that are considered important and necessary for the development of a project.

A financial budget includes labor costs, service costs, equipment costs and maintenance costs. On the contrary, accessorial budget consists of items that are not crucial and without which the idea can still succeed.

Finance is essential, especially for a startup that wants to get ahead and quick, while steering clear of drag that most enterprises experience during early stage of development. Finance is one of the most crucial factors in any project development, taking up 65% to 75% of the value.

So, is it possible to run an Initial Coin Offering with no funds?
An answer to this question would be No, especially when an ICO wants to succeed and there are already a large number of competitors on the market. It could be a Yes if your project offers something that your predecessors have not offered, as your project would not need much promotion in that case. Also, if your project is cost-effective, there are sufficient venture capitalists who would like to invest in your token.

If you are looking to launch your ICO and if you need advice on how to setup an Initial Coin Offering, partner with an experienced and a trusted company that has in-depth knowledge of blockchain and crypto, and that can guide you right.


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Handmade Camera Bag

Since the day I bought my DSLR, I was looking for a handy bag to carry the camera here and there on my walks. The bags I found were either over-priced or bad quality. Atlast, I decided to get it made on my own 🙂 I knew, how exactly I wanted. Minimal pockets and hard … Continue reading Handmade Camera Bag


WARC-Identified-Payload-Type: application/xhtml+xml

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Australian news, and some related international items

PUBLIC HEARING 2 August on National Radioactive Waste Dump Selection , Canberra

ECONOMICS REFERENCES COMMITTEE Selection process for a national radioactive waste management facility in South Australia PUBLIC HEARING Thursday 2 August 2018 Committee Room 2S1 Parliament House, Canberra Time Witness The program for this hearing has not yet been released

July 23, 2018 - Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, Federal nuclear waste dump

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Tuberculosis (TB)Diagnosis

Several tests are used to diagnose tuberculosis (TB), depending on the type of TB suspected.

Several tests are used to diagnose tuberculosis (TB), depending on the type of TB suspected.

Your GP may refer you to a TB specialist for testing and treatment if they think you have TB.

Pulmonary TB

Diagnosing pulmonary TB – TB that affects the lungs – can be difficult, and several tests are usually needed.

You may have a chest X-ray to look for changes in the appearance of your lungs that are suggestive of TB. Samples of phlegm will also often be taken and checked for the presence of TB bacteria.

These tests are important in helping to decide the most effective treatment for you.

Extrapulmonary TB

Several tests can be used to confirm a diagnosis of suspected extrapulmonary TB, which is TB that occurs outside the lungs.

These tests include:

  • a CT scanMRI scan or ultrasound scan of the affected part of the body
  • an examination of the inside of your body using a long, thin, flexible tube with a light and camera at one end (endoscopy) – the endoscope can be inserted through a natural opening, such as your mouth, or through a small cut made in your skin (laparoscopy) if there's a need to check other parts of your body
  • urine and blood tests
  • a biopsy – a small sample of tissue or fluid is taken from the affected area and tested for TB bacteria

You may also have a lumbar puncture, where a small sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is taken from the base of your spine. CSF is fluid that surrounds the brain.

The sample can be checked to see whether TB has infected your brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).

Testing for latent TB

In some circumstances, you may need to have a test to check for latent TB – where you've been infected with TB bacteria, but don't have any symptoms.

For example, you may need to have a test if you've been in close contact with someone known to have active TB disease involving the lungs, or if you've recently spent time in a country where TB levels are high.

If you've just moved to the UK from a country where TB is common, you should be given information and advice about the need for testing. Your GP may suggest having a test when you register as a patient.

Mantoux test

The Mantoux test is a widely used test for latent TB. It involves injecting a small amount of a substance called PPD tuberculin into the skin of your forearm. It's also called the tuberculin skin test (TST).

If you have a latent TB infection, your skin will be sensitive to PPD tuberculin and a small, hard red bump will develop at the site of the injection, usually within 48 to 72 hours of having the test.

If you have a very strong skin reaction, you may need a chest X-ray to confirm whether you have active TB disease.

If you don't have a latent infection, your skin won't react to the Mantoux test. However, as TB can take a long time to develop, you may need to be screened again at a later stage.

If you've had the BCG vaccination, you may have a mild skin reaction to the Mantoux test. This doesn't necessarily mean you have latent TB.

Interferon gamma release assay (IGRA)

The interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) is a blood test for TB that's becoming more widely available.

The IGRA may be used to help diagnose latent TB:

  • if you have a positive Mantoux test
  • if you previously had the BCG vaccination – the Mantoux test may not be reliable in these cases
  • as part of your TB screening if you've just moved to the UK from a country where TB is common
  • as part of a health check when you register with a GP
  • if you're about to have treatment that will suppress your immune system
  • if you're a healthcare worker

Page last reviewed: 14/11/2016
Next review due: 14/11/2019


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Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2012 March 17
See Explanation.  Clicking on the picture will download
 the highest resolution version available.

NGC 2683: Edge-On Spiral Galaxy
Image Credit & Copyright: Dietmar Hager, Torsten Grossmann

Explanation: This elegant island universe is cataloged as NGC 2683. It lies a mere 16 million light-years distant toward the northern constellation Lynx. A spiral galaxy comparable to our own Milky Way, NGC 2683 is seen nearly edge-on in the cosmic vista. Blended light from a large population of old, yellowish stars forms the remarkably bright galactic core. Their starlight silhouettes the dust lanes along winding spiral arms, dotted with NGC 2683's young blue star clusters. The sharp image was recorded through the lens of a refracting telescope that shows brighter foreground Milky Way stars as colorful and round, lacking diffraction spikes characteristic of images from reflecting telescopes with internal supports. The many more distant galaxies scattered through the background appear as fuzzy, extended sources.

Tomorrow's picture: jupiter, person, venus

< | Archive | Index | Search | Calendar | RSS | Education | About APOD | Discuss | >

Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
NASA Web Privacy Policy and Important Notices
A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.


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Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2018 November 25
See Explanation.  Clicking on the picture will download
the highest resolution version available.

Phobos: Doomed Moon of Mars
Image Credit: Viking Project, JPL, NASA; Mosaic Processing: Edwin V. Bell II (NSSDC/Raytheon ITSS)

Explanation: This moon is doomed. Mars, the red planet named for the Roman god of war, has two tiny moons, Phobos and Deimos, whose names are derived from the Greek for Fear and Panic. The origin of the Martian moons is unknown, though, with a leading hypothesis holding that they are captured asteroids. The larger moon, at 25-kilometers across, is Phobos, and is indeed seen to be a cratered, asteroid-like object in this false-colored image mosaic taken by the robotic Viking 1 mission in 1978. A recent analysis of the unusual long grooves seen on Phobos indicates that they may result from boulders rolling away from the giant impact that created the crater on the upper left: Stickney Crater. Phobos orbits so close to Mars - about 5,800 kilometers above the surface compared to 400,000 kilometers for our Moon - that gravitational tidal forces are dragging it down. The ultimate result will be for Phobos to break up in orbit and then crash down onto the Martian surface in about 50 million years. Well before that -- tomorrow, in fact, if everything goes according to plan -- NASA's robotic InSight lander will touch down on Mars and begin investigating its internal structure.

Latest: Insight to Land on Mars Tomorrow
Tomorrow's picture: up, up, and away

< | Archive | Submissions | Index | Search | Calendar | RSS | Education | About APOD | Discuss | >

Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
NASA Web Privacy Policy and Important Notices
A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.


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Lil cabin in the woods

Just bought a cabin on the Blue Ridge for the Bitter Liberals. It’s a little thing with a hilarious story available only in person. Suffice it to say that we’ll be calling it the “fuck all ya’ll” house. That’s meant only in the kindest way, of course.

Once the stuff is gone, the band will go here

fireplace side, and yoga too no doubt

Here are some more views of the outside. All of the decks need to be replaced, and we’ll put in two skylights for the upstairs rooms.

Back deck

front deck

The house sits on just over 6 acres of woodland with a creek as one of the borders.


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Company Commercial Solicitor

G2 Legal Limited
£45000 - £60000 per annum, Benefits Benefits Package
21 Jun 2018
21 Jul 2018
Job Function
Position Type
Company Commercial Solicitor.

Our client are a well established full service Legal 500 law firm. They service both business and private client areas of law with 5 branches through the South East region. They are currently recruiting a Company Commercial Solicitor to join their Oxford office.

The work the Commercial department conduct will include:
* Advising start up businesses and forming companies
* Partnership & Limited Liability Partnerships
* Buying and Selling Businesses, mergers & acquisitions
* Negotiating and preparing Contracts, Terms of Business & Licensing
* Drafting & preparing Shareholder Agreements

The ideal candidate will have experience in dealing with mergers and acquisitions, MBOs, re-organisations and restructuring, shareholders’ agreements, LLP and partnership matters and commercial contracts including sale of goods and services, IT and IP, data protection, terms and conditions and agency and distribution.

The successful candidate will join a well-respected firm at a significant time in its development. You will benefit from working within a friendly team that prides itself on being meticulous and hard-working.

For further information please contact with your CV to Gayle Woolf at G2 Legal or call to discuss further. 01273 289000.
This job was originally posted as


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Sales Director

Chase Taylor Recruitment Ltd
£60000 - £80000/annum
23 Jun 2018
07 Aug 2018
Job Function
Position Type
One of the UK’s largest manufacturers of PVC-u window and door systems, are looking to recruit an experienced Sales Director. To join their team & manage the day to day activities of the sales force, offering advice, guidance and mentoring the team to perform to the best of their abilities and give the best service possible to the customer.

Applicants will help the Sales team seek out and maximise the potential for new business, from existing and new customers, in line with sales targets set out at the commencement of the financial year; taking every opportunity available to promote the company and its range of products in an enthusiastic and positive manner. The role will also include the responsibility for the Customer Care team.

As a Director of the business you will also sit on the board and report on what's happening out in the field, providing advice on strategic initiatives to market the business and drive it forward to the goal of establishing the company as the primary trade fabricator in the UK.

Candidates applying for this role must have previous experience managing a sales team within the fenestration industry. Be highly motivated, driven by results, strong leadership skills with the ability to drive through change and inspire others.

For more information or to apply for this role please contact Mat on (Apply online only) quoting reference MM882


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SAP Knowledge Base Article - Public

2714532 - Photos are missing on employee profile after upgrade to People Profile 3 - Employee Profile

Photos are not showing in the profile section after upgrading to People Profile 3

SuccessFactors Employee Profile

Reproducing the Issue

1. Upgrade instance to People Profile 3
2. Go to Employee Profile

3. Photos are missing in the Profile Page

The XML code for profile photo was not carried over to People Profile 3

Raise an incident with SuccessFactors Cloud Product Support so they can add this to the data model standard elements:

<standard-element id="photo" max-length="255" required="false" matrix-filter="false">

See Also

2484665 - Header fields are missing in people profile

Missing People Profile Photos, Hidden People Profile Photos , KBA , LOD-SF-EP-PP3 , People Profile , Problem

SAP SuccessFactors HCM Core 1808


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Middle East

Stages in Developing a Nuclear Nation

A report by international nuclear inspectors offers new details about Iran’s nuclear program. While Iran has increased production of a type of fuel needed to create the core of a nuclear bomb, it stops short of crossing that line. Related Article »

Iran has used some of the 20 percent enriched uranium to fuel a research nuclear reactor in Tehran. But a European diplomat said Iran already has enough of the material to fuel the reactor for the next 20 years.

Inspectors were not allowed to visit a military site called Parchin, where they suspect work was done on conventional explosives that can trigger a warhead.

90% Level needed for a nuclear bomb. Experts say that once 20 percent enrichment is reached, it is much easier to enrich to levels above 90 percent.

20% Level

Iran has produced. Iran has recently tripled its rate of 20 percent production.

5% Level

needed for nuclear power plants.

A centrifuge spins the gas to raise the purity of uranium to:

Yellowcake is combined with fluorine to form uranium hexaflouride.

Uranium ore rock is mined from natural deposits in the earth.

The rocks are crushed and bathed in acid to separate the uranium, which is dried into a powder called yellowcake.


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Home News Stories 2007 July National Intelligence Estimate 2007
This is archived material from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) website. It may contain outdated information and links may no longer function.

National Intelligence Estimate 2007

Today’s Terrorist Threat
A National Intelligence Estimate

National Intelligence Estimate on conference tableOn Tuesday, we joined with the entire U.S. intelligence community in issuing what’s called a “National Intelligence Estimate”—the most authoritative written judgment on national security issues—on the current terrorist threat to the homeland.

The estimate says that “increased worldwide counterterrorism efforts” have disrupted plots and “constrained” al-Qa’ida’s ability to strike the country; at the same time, it says that because of terrorists’ “undiminished intent” to attack the U.S., our nation will “face a persistent and evolving terrorist threat over the next three years” and that the U.S. is currently in “a heightened threat environment.”

Our role in shaping the document? Fairly substantial. An FBI analyst on detail to the National Intelligence Council was the principal drafter of the estimate, and our analysts played a key role throughout the process, including drafting one of the foundational assessments that went into it.

The following are among its key judgments:

“Al-Qa’ida is and will remain the most serious terrorist threat to the Homeland, as its central leadership continues to plan high-impact plots, while pushing others in extremist Sunni communities to mimic its efforts and to supplement its capabilities. We assess the group has protected or regenerated key elements of its Homeland attack capability, including: a safehaven in the Pakistan Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), operational lieutenants, and its top leadership. Although we have discovered only a handful of individuals in the United States with ties to al-Qa’ida senior leadership since 9/11, we judge that al-Qa’ida will intensify its efforts to put operatives here.”

…“We assess that al-Qa’ida will continue to enhance its capabilities to attack the Homeland through greater cooperation with regional terrorist groups. Of note, we assess that al-Qa’ida will probably seek to leverage the contacts and capabilities of al-Qa’ida in Iraq (AQI), its most visible and capable affiliate and the only one known to have expressed a desire to attack the Homeland. In addition, we assess that its association with AQI helps al-Qa’ida to energize the broader Sunni extremist community, raise resources, and to recruit and indoctrinate operatives, including for Homeland attacks.”

…“We assess Lebanese Hizballah, which has conducted anti-US attacks outside the United States in the past, may be more likely to consider attacking the Homeland over the next three years if it perceives the United States as posing a direct threat to the group or Iran.”

…“We assess that the spread of radical—especially Salafi—Internet sites, increasingly aggressive anti-US rhetoric and actions, and the growing number of radical, self-generating cells in Western countries indicate that the radical and violent segment of the West’s Muslim population is expanding, including in the United States. The arrest and prosecution by US law enforcement of a small number of violent Islamic extremists inside the United States—who are becoming more connected ideologically, virtually, and/or in a physical sense to the global extremist movement—points to the possibility that others may become sufficiently radicalized that they will view the use of violence here as legitimate. We assess that this internal Muslim terrorist threat is not likely to be as severe as it is in Europe, however.”

…”We assess that other, non-Muslim terrorist groups—often referred to as ‘single-issue’ groups by the FBI—probably will conduct attacks over the next three years given their violent histories, but we assess this violence is likely to be on a small scale.”

The estimate is just that—our best collective judgment on the likely course of future events, not a definitive statement on what will happen. It is carefully prepared and vetted, with input from across the intelligence community as well as outside experts.

To read the entire report (pdf), go to the Director of National Intelligence website.


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More burned San Bruno homes meet bulldozer fate

Three months after the San Bruno gas explosion, the disaster has officially claimed three more homes.

A 30-inch transmission pipeline owned by PG&E exploded Sept. 9, and the initial blast and fire killed eight people and injured dozens more.

It took an hour and 46 minutes for PG&E to shut off fuel in the line, during which time first-responders tried to keep the fire from spreading. In the end, 35 homes were completely destroyed and were demolished this fall. Fifty-eight other homes were damaged.

On Tuesday night, the San Bruno City Council approved a plan to demolish three more homes that had been yellow-tagged, meaning they were too damaged to occupy but not so damaged that they required bulldozing.

Additional inspections by insurance companies determined that the homes were so damaged it would be more expensive to repair than replace them.

The city will receive $90,000 from PG&E to pay for the demolition by a private contractor.

One of the homes that will be demolished is owned by Arturo Vasquez, who was home the night of the fire but escaped unscathed. When he returned to his home, almost everything in it had been licked by flames.

The home was initially red-tagged, which meant no one could enter it. After a reassessment, it was downgraded to a yellow tag, so Vasquez and his wife could enter.

“If you could name a piece of furniture in your home, from a chair to a lamp, it was destroyed,” he said. “But there were nooks and crannies where there were little surprises, mementos that didn’t burn.”

Now Vasquez is ready for the home to be demolished.

“It’s been kind of an ongoing source of angst. There’s so much mold in it now. We’re ready to have it torn down,” he said. “It’ll be a relief to have that out of the way and feel like we’re moving forward.”

About The Author

Katie Worth

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© 2019 The San Francisco Examiner

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What happens if the bottom drops out of TOPS?

  • February 29, 2016

Originally published in the News Star and the Shreveport Times on Sunday, February 28, 2016

Question: My daughter is in her freshman year at Tech and I’m scared to death that the TOPS program might be eliminated. I’m not sure I would be able to pay all of her expenses if TOPS is canceled. What do you think will happen?

TOPSAnswer: My ability to predict what politicians might do is about as useful as my prediction of next month’s Power Ball numbers…and just about as accurate.

But here’s something to consider – if TOPS is either canceled or curtailed, your daughter just might get an education neither of you counted on. It won’t be an easy one – but it just might be OK… maybe even good.

TOPS is the “Taylor Opportunity Program for Students,” envisioned by New Orleans oilman Patrick Taylor in the late 1980s. At first, it was designed for poor but academically achieving students. By 1997, income caps came off and any Louisiana student with sufficient academic requirements could get their tuition paid.

Today, TOPS covers about 50,000 students and costs about $250 million a year. The administration has already said they are $28 million short this year and may only be able to fund $65 million of the $250 million needed to fully fund the program next year.

I am not making a prediction. But what if the worst happens? What if the bottom drops out of TOPS, either for all Louisiana students or at least for your daughter? What are your options? What are her options?

Drop out of college forever. Not what you had in mind and not what I would suggest.

Reduce costs. College costs come in four or five major categories: tuition, books, living expenses (room & board) and extracurricular activities. Tuition is unlikely to go down. Books can be borrowed, bought used or even rented. Living expenses can be all over the map for a college student. These days, living on campus can be one of the more expensive options. Living at home may be the cheapest (did I just hear your daughter gasp?  Hold on…)

Work some. Study some. You’d be surprised when I mention this one how many parents react as if I said “tell her to sell one of her kidneys.” Wide-eyed disbelief. An “I could never ask my sweetie-kins to do that” look.

I’m pretty sure that most students enter college with a vague idea that they are preparing themselves for life after college – working. And, yes, I get it that the kind of work available to a college student is usually neither lucrative nor interesting.

I worked in a non-air-conditioned factory the summer before my first quarter at Louisiana Tech. I sorted and stacked scrap metal. All day long. Yeah, it was hot. But was I ever motivated when I got to school and started my studies. Reading a book in the air conditioning vs. slinging metal in Hades. Whatever else I did, I didn’t want to go back there.

Have you ever heard a motivational speech or read a great biography about a person whose life was easy and free from obstacles? Neither have I. While I don’t recommend creating problems for your daughter, I do suggest you allow her to engage in this struggle and own it as her own. What is she willing to do? What price is she willing to pay to go to school?

Student loans. Unfortunately, this is the choice too many parents and students will reflexively make, as if they have no other choice. The way student loans work, the can is neatly kicked way down the road…until graduation. And they, as your child walks across the stage and gets that lovely diploma, will also hang an albatross of debt around your neck – a reminder that the bill eventually comes due for the choices made years ago.

I’m not saying all student loans are bad. I am saying that they are a poor first choice, apart from evaluating cost reductions and work opportunities.

TOPS was supposed to be all about opportunities for students. I certainly hope some version of this program can be retained for current and future deserving students.

But if TOPS happens to curtailed or canceled for your daughter, it may mean an opportunity of another kind.

My message to you both if it happens – embrace it.

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and get exclusive info straight to your inbox!
Just send your name and email address to info@argentadvisors.com.

Byron R. Moore, CFP® is Managing Director / Planning Group of Argent Advisors, Inc. Email him at bmoore@argentadvisors.com. Write to him at 500 East Reynolds Drive, Ruston, LA 71270 or call him at (318) 251-5858. The opinions of any single advisor do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Argent Advisors, Inc.  No forecasts can be guaranteed.  Argent Advisors, Inc. does not offer tax, insurance or legal advice.  The information contained in this column should not be construed as a substitute for personalized investment, tax, insurance or legal advice.


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RESCHEDULED EVENT: VIP (Very Important Privacy) Evening -- Now Happening March 15th

Submitted by slloyd on Thu, 02/24/2011 - 14:09
Join P.E.I.'s information and privacy commissioner Maria C. MacDonald and Howard Beattie, an educational specialist, at Holland College on March 15th, 7 p.m., at the Confederation Centre Library for a Very Important Privacy (V.I.P.) Evening, sponsored as part of Data Privacy Day by ARMA P.E.I. and CAPAPA in association with the P.E.I. Information and Privacy Commissioner's Office. There is no cost to participate. To register or for more information, call 569-0568.


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Time in Yerevan: 11:07:36,   17 February

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals - 22-01-19

YEREVAN, 22 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 22 January, USD exchange rate up by 0.06 drams to 485.17 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.52 drams to 551.15 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.02 drams to 7.29 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 3.72 drams to 626.55 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 70.05 drams to 19959.16 drams. Silver price down by 3.25 drams to 238.03 drams. Platinum price down by 45.25 drams to 12447.66 drams.

Latest News

All news

About agency

Address: Armenia, 22 Saryan Street, Yerevan, 0002, Armenpress
Tel.: +374 11 539818
E-mail: [email protected]
Page Configuration


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Tag Archives: farinata

5eCinque – To our health!

Pza.della Passera, 1
50125 Firenze
Owners: Silvio Varando & Mariolina Garau

We set out in the neighborhood of Oltrarno,  on the “other side” of the river, our favorite part of Florence. We are in search of something different for today’s lunch, something light and healthy and we find it at 5eCinque, a small family-owned vegetarian restaurant, where we are smart to arrive early as it fills up rapidly. With our early arrival we have the pleasure of meeting the owner, Silvio, who shares some time with us explaining their unique cuisine. Mariolina, his wife and chef, is Sardinian, and Silvio is Ligurian and together they have created a unique vegetarian cuisine that celebrates both regions of Italy.

Silvio loves people and makes us and every other diner feel welcome at 5eCinque, but I get to hear the story of how the restaurant got its name. As a child, Silvio would often go to market and order a five lire wheat bun in which was sandwiched a five lire farinata, a typical Ligurian flatbread made with chickpea flour. The fondness with which he holds this memory inspired his restaurant’s name.

5eCinque - Silvio Varando

It is a treat to explore and sample Ligurian and Sardinian-inspired vegetarian cooking. The flaky foccaccia topped with Ligurian cheese looks almost too good to eat. And of course, an introduction to Liguria would have been lacking without a taste of the famed farinata. Our main dish is Polpettone di fagiolini, a “cake” of chickpeas, potatoes and blended green beans, made savory with a perfect mix of fresh herbs. Because the cuisine is light, we manage to leave room for dessert, an almond milk flan with sweet toppings, one of chocolate and the other a sweet sauce made with peaches.

The tables are few here, so we do not linger. A small group waits outside its door. Not at all surprising.

copyright Ginda Simpson   http://www.rooms-withaview.com   http://www.munus-and-memories.com


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Mosaic Repair Specialists for Newport Beach

For years, the only option available to homeowners or business managers in Newport Beach who had damaged or depreciated tiles was for a complete do-over. However, thanks to the skilled and high-quality mosaic repair service offered by Artisian Tile Stone & Woodworks, this is now no longer the only option. If you want a thorough and comprehensive mosaic repair team that will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of mosaic tiling perfection, then you really shouldn’t look any further than Artisian Tile Stone & Woodworks.

Using the most advanced cutting-edge tools, our skilled team of repair specialists can solve even the trickiest and most challenging of repair problems quickly and effectively. What’s more, we promise to do so without breaking the bank or over-running your budget. If you want a mosaic repair team that will stop at nothing in the pursuit of mosaic repair excellence, then you really shouldn’t look any further than Artisian Tile Stone & Woodworks. We take immense pride in the service we offer all our residential and commercial clients and look forward to working with you soon too.

Premier Mosaic Repair and Restoration

Using only the most skilled and experienced craftsmen, Artisian Tile Stone & Woodworks guarantees a superior mosaic repair and restoration service that is second to none. Our highly-trained team of repair specialists are available to deliver a comprehensive range of repair services for all of our commercial and residential customers in Newport Beach. That includes homes of all sizes, restaurants, bars as well as museums, galleries and buildings such as churches, temples and mosques. With years of experience in all facets of mosaic repair, we are qualified to conserve, restore and create new mosaic designs.

Time Related Depreciation

Are you a recent convert to the wonders of mosaic art and design in your Newport Beach home? Or perhaps you have had this decorative design installed in your business for years? Irrespective whether you are a recent convert to mosaic tiled design or have had it in your home or business for years, the unfortunate fact of the matter is that from time to time, depreciation and damage can occur. This is not a reflection of the durable and resilient characteristics of mosaic tiles, rather it is simply a reflection of the passing of time.

Contact the Mosaic Repair Team You Can Trust Today

While it may not be as important as repairing your car’s engine or fixing your daughter’s bike, the fact of the matter that damaged mosaic tiles in your home or business are not only unsightly but can also be the starting point for more serious grime and mildew to infest your kitchen or bathroom walls. In many ways mosaic repair is not a big job, but by failing to have your mosaic tiles repaired soon after the initial damage occurs, a small problem can become a big one very quickly. Don’t let this be the case. Contact Artisian Tile Stone & Woodworks today.


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Written by Artistic Alloys

Surviving Kitchens Without Range Hoods

Some kitchens have been designed and constructed on the cheap and may not have a range hood.  This is more common in rentals and some older homes.  It can be the scourge of the home with no way to exhaust airborne grease, smoke, cooking smells, and steam out of the kitchen.  If the air isn’t been exhausted it leads to a film of sticky grease and the smells of cooking for days.

No Range Hood Solutions

If your home or apartment doesn’t have a range hood in the kitchen it can be a nightmare.  Grease will build up, it will create unwelcome heat during the summer, and the smell of cooking Saturday’s salmon will still be lingering well after the weekend.  Try some of these tips if you don’t have a range hood.

Range Hood Installation

While this might not be possible in all rentals, it is worth asking about.  If you own your home our team can help you choose the style, size, and placement that fits your needs.  Installing a range hood will make cooking more enjoyable, minimize cooking fumes, and increase the value of your property.  We custom design and install range hoods anywhere in the Phoenix Valley.

Remove Air With Fans

If you have a window in your kitchen, or at least on close to it, you can install a window fan.  Every time you cook you can set it to exhaust and it will help remove the heat and smells from your kitchen.  It will not however help with the airborne grease.  Even turning on fans in other rooms that are down the hall from the kitchen will minimize how long smells from cooking will linger in your home.

Clean The Air With Filters

Another option you have is to actually clean the air, if you can’t simply exhaust it.  You can purchase a HEPA air filter which will help remove the cooking smells and some of the toxins from the air.  This will really help when you’re cooking fish or searing meat.  This way you can still get that perfect steak, burger, or tilapia without having to compromise your indoor air quality.

Use Splatter Screens To Cook

Another way to help compensate for not having a range hood is to cover your pans with a splatter screen.  The screen keeps grease in the pan instead of atomizing into the air and splattering onto the stove.  This avoids buildup both on your cook top and airborne grease that will otherwise land on cabinetry and cause that sticky film.

Clean Your Kitchen More Often

While fans, filters, and splatter screens will help minimize the amount of grease in the air, it will not match a range hood.  If you don’t have a range hood or the one you have is more an ornament you should compensate with frequent cleaning.  Wipe down your cabinetry often with a mixture of dish soap and water.  Disinfecting cleaning wipes are also a useful cleaning resource for removing grease from your cabinets, countertops, and even the cooktop.  Clean at least once a week or daily to keep your kitchen clean.

Alternative Cooking Methods

You can also choose to cook in ways that don’t involve your range or cooktop.  Popular alternatives include crockpot cooking and cooking outside.  Crockpots might produce a little steam and let off the scent of meals cooking, but they don’t produce the toxic fumes from pan frying.  Cooking outdoors on an electric skillet or grille are also viable alternatives, weather permitting. If these aren’t options try always covering your pots with lids and pans with splatter screens to minimize the affect of cooking on your home.

Custom Range Hood Installation in Scottsdale

Artistic Alloys & Design is proud to offer custom range hoods in Scottsdale.  We come to your home for consults, measure for your spaces, and custom design a range hood to fit your needs.  Our team fabricates your range hood right here in Scottsdale, delivers it to your home, and professionally installs it.  A custom range hood from our team will last the test of time, add style to your kitchen, and value to your home.

For more information about getting a new range hood
please give us a call at (480) 490-2935.

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ArtsEverywhere launches Online Artist Residency with Mavi Veloso’s #iwannamakerevolution

Mavi Veloso
June 1, 2017

In May 2017 launched its first Online Residency with Brazilian artist Mavi Veloso. In collaboration with several other bichas and artists, she will reveal, reflect, confuse, and articulate her ongoing project #iwannamakerevolution, which focuses on transitioning voice techniques / voice feminization therapy for transgender people as a performative tool. During the residency, Mavi intends to create a network of communities in many parts of the globe, be they artists, activists, LGBTQI+ and other interested people, applying ideas and influence to the development of performative material.

#iwannamakerevolution is about displacement, transits and transition, and mutant bodies. It is transdisciplinary research generated by personal experience and observation of contexts. It is a series of trans-media productions (photos, videos, drawings, text, dance, theater, performances, and songs) on subjects of transition and migration:

  • from Brazil to Europe—the assimilation and decolonization, experience and question of social civic integration procedures and policies within European countries; and
  • the transitions and mutations in/of the body (so called feminizing hormone therapy with estrogen, progesterone, and anti-androgens; and the appropriation of diverse gender and identity technologies).

Mavi started to develop #iwannamakerevolution during her post-master at a.pass in Brussels, Belgium (2015-16). a.pass is an artistic research environment that develops research on performativity and scenography in an international artistic and educational context. She continues to research and develop #iwannamakerevolution as her core project at the Master of Voice program of Sandberg Instituut in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. She is also a Fellow of the Free Home University in Lecce, Italy and Queer City São Paulo, two of Musagetes’ ongoing programs.

Mavi Veloso

Mavi Veloso

Born in 1985 in Pacaembu in State of São Paulo, Brazil, currently lives in Amsterdam. Works transdisciplinary in different practices such as performance, dance, theatre, film, music, visual arts, trans, drag, queer, fashion and graphic design. Studied dance, theatre, music and circus through varied formal and informal training processes. Graduated in arts at State University of Londrina, Paraná, Brazil (2006-2009). Continued studies in performativity with COMO clube artist platform, São Paulo (2011-2014). Post-master in performance at A.PASS (Advanced Performance And Scenography Studies)(2014-2016), Brussels/Belgium. Participated/participates in Free Home University radical and artistic pedagogy experiment, Lecce/Italy. Currently doing Master of Voice at Sandberg Instituut in Amsterdam. Among some recent works are: the films The Get Up, directed by Daniel Favaretto and Dudu Quintanilha and the Pink Color: Los Estados Unidos del Fuego, directed by Octavio Tavares and Francisca Oyaneder. The performance projects PRIVATE ROOM, PRETA and INDUMENTARIA POPULAR. Currently developing transdisciplinary project #iwannamakerevolution, about placement and displacement, mutant and in transit bodies. Started in post-master at A.PASS and currently completing Master of Voice at Sandberg Instituut in Amsterdam with collaboration and support by ArtsEverywhere/Musagetes, a Canadian philanthropic arts organisation.

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Protected: TravaLíngua & #iwannamakerevolution

Mavi Veloso, São Paulo, Brazil / Amsterdam, Netherlands
Raphael Daibert, São Paulo, Brazil

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

I’m With Her

Niki Singleton, New York City, United States

Recently the US Congress passed a healthcare bill to repeal and replace Obamacare with one of the most disturbingly elitist, barbarian and almost Palaeozoic pieces of legislation I’ve ever heard of. Americans in New York are horrified and the average...

We Three Queens

Mike Young, Toronto, Canada
Gary Lee Pelletier, Toronto, Canada

This article was first published in Guts — Canadian Feminist Magazine. Michael and Gary’s experience living with Michael’s grandmother has inspired a web series entitled We Three Queens written by Michael and directed by Tom Cable Rees. Read on to view the trailer. We...

Mapping Migration: Putting Journeys in Context

Barrak Alzaid,

Working primarily with video and images, artist Bouchra Khalili creates installation pieces that show narratives of migration. In the videos, individuals narrate the story of their migration while tracing its path on maps. A series of silkscreen prints presents these...


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Have a great Aruba Vacation Rental?

Want to list your Aruba vacation rental with us? Give us a call or drop us a note and we can discuss the possibilities.  We advertise using google ad words. We also send the site to every guest that stays in any of our properties to invite them back or look at other properties we have to offer.   Your property will be shared with all of our guests.


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Tissue Stabilized-Guided Subscision for the treatment of cellulite

What is Tissue Stabilized-Guided Subscision (TS-GS)?

Cellulite is described as dimpling of the skin on the buttocks, thighs, and abdomen and occurs in 85% of women over the age of 21. Areas of skin affected by cellulite have thick, collagen bands oriented vertical to the skin called “septae”. Septae pull down on the skin surface, which makes the skin and underlying fatty tissue appear dimpled.

Tissue Stabilized-Guided Subscision (TS-GS) is commercially known as Cellfina and is a minimally invasive, FDA-cleared device used for improving the appearance of cellulite dimples on the buttocks and thighs. TS-GS is performed in a single treatment session.

Prior to the procedure, your ASDS physician will mark the cellulite dimples that may be improved with TS-GS. Then a dilute numbing fluid, called tumescent solution, is injected into the skin and underlying fatty tissue to keep the patient comfortable during and after the procedure. Next, the TS-GS device is applied to the cellulite dimple. With the use of suction, the cellulite dimple is pulled inside of the device to stabilize the skin tissue. A specialized handpiece is then used to release the cellulite dimple as a precisely selected depth. TS-GS is continued until all of the dimples selected for treatment have been released.

What should first be done before considering TS-GS?

Before the procedure, your ASDS physician will review your medical history and perform a physical examination. This is the time for the doctor and patient to discuss expectations, potential risks, and outcomes of the procedure.

In addition, the patient should:

  • be in healthy condition.
  • have realistic expectations.
  • report any history of allergic reaction to anesthesia.
  • tell the doctor about any prescription and over-the-counter medication, as well as supplements that they are currently taking.
  • avoid shaving the treatment area prior to surgery.
  • not take blood-thinning drugs for at least two weeks prior to surgery.
  • avoid smoking for at least two months prior to surgery.

Where is TS-GS appropriate?

TS-GS can be used to treat:

  • cellulite dimples on the buttocks
  • cellulite dimples on the mid to upper thighs

Who is not a candidate for TS-GS?

TS-GS is not recommended for patients who:

  • have a current infection in the treatment area
  • have diabetes
  • have excessive obesity
  • have uncontrolled diabetes
  • have active cancer
  • have blood-clotting problems
  • have an allergy to lidocaine or epinephrine
  • have varicose veins or significant vein disease in the treatment area
  • are pregnant

Is TS-GS painful?

A dilute anesthetic mixture called tumescent solution is injected prior to your procedure to keep the patient comfortable during and after the procedure. Before and following treatment, compression garments can be used to decrease swelling. Over the counter pain reducers, such as acetaminophen, can be taken to improve comfort in the recovery period.

What are the complications or potential side effects of TS-GS?

Common side effects include:

  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Bleeding
  • Hardness
  • Numbness
  • Soreness
  • Redness

Uncommon side effects include:

  • Allergic, toxic, or other reactions to lidocaine or epinephrine
  • Infections
  • Inflammatory reactions
  • Hematomas
  • Seromas
  • Scars
  • Skin necrosis
  • Pigmentation changes
  • Contour irregularities

What can I expect after having had TS-GS?

Patients will experience swelling after their procedure. The most noticeable swelling can last from 5-14 days, but small areas of swelling may persist for 4-6 weeks. Bruising is common and may take 2-3 weeks to fully resolve. Many patients will feel like resuming their normal activities in 1-2 days along with a return to a light exercise regimen within a week. Patients often begin to notice lessening of their cellulite dimples in a month and this continues to improve over time. The improvement in the appearance of cellulite can last at least two years.


text: Our identity for garden design company Roots & Boots was recently nominated in the ‘Writing for Design’ category at this year’s Design Week awards. The identity uses gardening phrases and plant names applied appropriately to identity collateral – for example ‘dig deep’ on the invoice and ‘forget-me-not’ on the business card. An explanatory horticultural tip appears beneath each phrase.


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Kampaeng Ngam Hotel

Kampaeng Ngam Hotel

LOCATION: Chiang Mai
Located on Kampaengdin Road, right in the heart of the historic Chiang Mai, only ten minute stroll to the famous Night Bazaar and only fifteen minute walk to Sunday walking street, Kampaeng Ngam Hotel offers spacious, comfortable accommodation with good standard of services and facilities.

About the Hotel

Kampaeng Ngam Hotel has 44 rooms with two main types of accommodations (standard room and deluxe room), both decorated in simple yet elegant Lanna style with dark teak wood contrasting to the white bedding. Each room is fully equipped with room's amenities such as minibar, air conditioning, in room safe, complimentary tea/coffee, electric kettle and fully equipped bathroom come with rain shower, hairdryer and free toiletries. Some rooms feature balconies, offering nice views of city.

Kampaeng Ngam Hotel features various services and facilities including a living area and an outdoor swimming pool where you can take a dip in the cool water to avoid the heat. For dining, you can enjoy delicious local Thai, Western and Chinese foods and refreshing drinks at the hotel's restaurant & bar. Hotel's staffs at the 24-hour front desk can assist you with room, laundry service, luggage storage as well as airport shuttle.
Can’t decide
where to go?
Call our Sales Team on:
+84 865 815 200
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Make an Enquiry

Holiday Types

At Asia Senses Travel we’re adventurers at heart. Our journeys are all about discovering new places and cultures while creating unforgettable memories through physical activity and breathtaking scenery.


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Encouraging, Living, Reaching

Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?

Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?

At this time of year stores start playing Christmas songs, lights go up on houses, trees are set up with lots of decorations and people start planning their holiday schedule and meals. Many churches hold special services, choir concerts and some put nativity scenes out front.

It’s also the time of year when many Christians criticize those who celebrate the Lord’s birth. Some will even accuse them of being pagan worshipers. Many who do not celebrate Christmas look down on those who do as being swept away by worldliness and commercialism.

In some ways they have a point. Christmas can become an idol if we are not careful. We can overspend on both decorations and gifts to the point that we are no longer being good stewards of our finances. And to this we should evaluate our situation and ask the Lord (and others we trust) for help if we tend to go overboard.

Is celebrating Christmas wrong?

This is the big question of course. If it’s wrong, sinful or ungodly to celebrate Christmas, then none of us should be doing it. If it’s a matter of personal conviction then that takes on a whole different meaning. Let’s take a look at the idea of celebrating Christmas from a biblical viewpoint.

His birth was indeed celebrated

There’s no denying that angels, shepherds and eventually Magi celebrated the Lord’s birth. After all, 400 years had gone by since God had revealed himself to the nation (at least in what we have recorded for us).  Four hundred years is a long time but now God speaks again. Not just with a message from Heaven but with an announcement of Immanuel, God with us!  That is definitely something to celebrate.

Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

The fact that we also celebrate the Lord’s death and sacrifice at the Lord’s Supper does not take away from the wonder and rejoicing that He came as a baby in human flesh.  The Epistles mention this many times as an important feature of believing in Christ.

Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

1 John 4:3 And every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

There is no commandment to celebrate Christmas but to say that is is wrong doesn’t have any validity from Scripture either.

What about Christmas trees and gifts?

Some will say that certain rituals such as putting up trees in our homes and decorating them is an act of pagan worship and that giving gifts is a form of greed and commercialism.  They might use a verse out of the Old Testament such as Jeremiah 10:3-4

For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter.

However a simple study of the passage will show that it was an idol formed from the tree that was being explained not a full tree adorned with silver and gold. The roots of paganism are very difficult to confirm as there is so much we don’t know about pagan traditions. Much speculation exists. It’s very possible that some pagan traditions did involve elements of what is now celebrated at Christmas, but to say that Christians who do celebrate are engaging in pagan activity is a big stretch.

 Personal Conviction

At the very heart of this matter is personal conviction. Since there is no clear teaching from the New Testament on celebrating the Lord’s birth, we need to respect other believer’s convictions. We should not condemn others who don’t celebrate Christmas and we should not condemn others that do. We are each accountable to the Lord for what we do for Him. But let’s be very clear that judging others is sin and must not be a part of our relationship with other Christians.

Colossians 2:16-17 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Romans 14:10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

An opportunity for evangelism

Regardless of your view of Christmas there is a very real fact that at this time of year, possibly more than any other, opportunities abound in evangelism. People are more open to consider the origin of Christmas from a Christian perspective.  At the very least the focus on Jesus is at a high and people read, listen to and watch more about Him.

If your friends or your assembly have a Christmas outreach, consider the words of Paul regarding the gospel and support it in prayer (if not in participation).  Even though Paul knew their intentions were against him, he still rejoiced that the gospel was being preached. You may not agree with a specific outreach at Christmas but most likely those involved have pure motives and only want to see people saved.

Philippians 1:18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice…

If you celebrate Christmas then do so unto the Lord and for His glory! If you don’t celebrate Christmas, then have that conviction as unto the Lord and for His glory! Let’s put aside criticism and judging and instead love and respect one another. Value the work of God in others even when we don’t agree with their convictions.

Let’s pray that the Lord will speak to the hearts of men and women through the story of his birth, life, death and resurrection and that they will turn to him for salvation and eternal life.

5 Responses to Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?

  1. I have largely found that those who are condemning for the “pagan” practices are happening to be followers of the Hebrew Roots Movement which is a bit of a thorny issue on their own end, being blinding by something unbiblical. As I was reading the Romans 14 verse, I quoted that passage to someone complaining about it, and they just accused me of taking any Scripture out to “justify my sin” and then proceeded to vaguely inform me out of context, that I will be one of the people whom the Lord will say “Depart from me I never you” all because I celebrate Christmas. It’s a poison that has infected them like any other cult would. How do we reach them in their error?

  2. 1 Corinthians 4: 6

    But this, brethren, I have presented as to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you may learn not to think beyond what is written, lest because one of you be puffed up against each other.

    In the Bible, we find that the early Christians celebrated the “Nativity” (birth). Worse is what is read in English phrases very popular around the world: Merry Christmas. Really means “Happy sacrifice of Christ.” So Christ = Christ / Mass = Mass (sacrifice in Latin).

    That party started with Catholicism, so aside the deeds of darkness. Or is it not dawned them Evagelio the Light of Christ? Careful not invalidemos the Word of God with the traditions of men. Mark 7: 5-8 and Colossians 2: 8

  3. Jones

    Not sure who has written this article, But a few questions to the writer

    – Taking a secular view (by Me) – Statistically there is no proof or evidence – Christmas is the best time to proclaim the Good News.
    In place like the middle east and south east asian countries there increased negativity to Christmas? Also is there is a good time to proclaim the Good News – Heb 4:12

    – The writer hasn’t tackled the roots of Christmas – which even the secular would would agree of its pagan roots. But if there is a valid case for Christmas, why is Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Maundy Thursday not kept? Galatians 4:10

    • Crawford Paul

      Thanks for your questions.

      As in all areas of practical Christianity the context of a person’s experience needs to be taken into consideration. There may be times when any practice regardless of how pure it is might not be the best idea. Paul deals with this in a number of passages. The article was written to express that Christmas the way it is celebrated in many homes (possibly just in western countries) is not sinful.

      The roots of Christmas are not the real issue in today’s Christian practice of the holiday. I don’t know of any believers who are celebrating the Lord’s birth with pagan views in mind.

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