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WIB Interview: Jon Amor

In and Out of the Blues

An interview with Jon Amor

Words: Vincent Abbate

(Author’s note: Exactly one year ago tomorrow, on November 28th 2018, British musician Jon Amor released the brilliant and eclectic Colour In The Sky – an essential album that is perhaps his finest collection of songs to date. In the interview we conducted a few weeks later, Jon provided deep insight into his songwriting. He also opened up about the personal challenges he was facing while making the record. But a bout of procrastination and the unforeseen circumstances of a tumultuous winter caused me to shelve the article. Colour In The Sky deserves better than that! And perhaps some of you missed it. So today, with my apologies to Jon, I give you our interview.)

* * *

Since this blog and its companion book series are called Who Is Blues, I’ll pose the dreaded question: Is Jon Amor blues?

Sure he is. As guitarist and singer, he’s been in some of the best blues bands to come out of Great Britain during the past three decades. Amor is a founding member of The Hoax, who enjoyed a run of critically acclaimed albums in the 1990s and whose raw, edgy sound was last heard in 2014 on their full-length B.B. King tribute Recession Blues. He also tours off-and-on with a pair of blues “supergroup” projects, DVL and The Boom Band. Moreover, with two excellent (and highly recommended) releases from his own Jon Amor Blues Group between 2011 and 2012, he demonstrated – like few others have – that electric blues can be rooted in decades-old traditions without carrying the stench of mothballs.

By constrast, on his occasional solo releases he works comfortably both alongside and well outside the blues genre. Those records are where this talented gent tests the limits of his songwriting muscle. As a lifelong devotee of the blues, Amor bemoans the lack of well-rounded artists on today’s scene, and rightfully so. “Too often, lyric and melody are treated as if they are just filling time between guitar solos,” he observes in the Q&A that follows.

On Colour In The Sky, his current solo release, Amor is doing anything but filling time. Lyric and melody are at the heart of the album’s dozen tunes. The blues is writ large on “Red Telephone” and shows up in the fine print of many other tracks. Yet with the help of producer Stephen Evans and a skilled cast of studio players, Amor expertly explores everything from lounge jazz to 1960s psychedelia to vividly painted, Tom Waitsian soundscapes.

It’s an album with clever musical and lyrical details woven into its fabric. Thus, its twelve songs just keep on giving; it took me until a few days ago to catch the reference to Shelley “The Machine” Levene, Jack Lemmon’s character in the film adaptation of Glengarry Glen Ross, that pops up in the southern-flavored “When The Weather Turns Cold.”

Before exploring the music of Colour In The Sky, I asked Jon Amor if his life had changed in any significant ways since our last meeting several years prior.

Jon Amor: My life has changed considerably over the last five years, but pretty massively over the last year. I held my hands up to my alcohol addiction in March 2018 and since then – although it’s been a rough ride at times – I have a much more positive, healthy perspective on life. I am now over ten months sober and feeling better than ever. My structure of life has changed immeasurably and I just want to make the most of each day.

I think generally speaking – as I move through my late forties – I have a much more calm way of approaching life. I’ve realized there are some things in life not worth stressing about, and positivity is the way forward towards trying to be happy in life. I try to surround myself with good souls, open myself up to new experiences, and be less concerned with reaching a level of exposure that is generally considered “successful.” Success to me is being able to live comfortably and achieving some level of contentment in life from writing and performing music.

Who Is Blues: How has your music developed during that time?

Jon Amor: Musically, over the last few years I’ve broadened my horizons considerably. I’ve worked with a host of different musicians in a variety of styles, and have become much more used to working outside of what I would normally have considered my comfort zone, which has improved me as a musician and a performer. I’m much more likely now to say “yes” to a challenge that in the past I would have run a mile from.

WIB: You’ve been involved in a lot of blues-based projects and also released solo albums throughout your career. When you do a solo album – like Colour In The Sky – is it because you don’t want to be tied stylistically to the blues format?

Jon Amor: I guess I will always be considered a “blues guitar player” in a lot of quarters, mainly thanks to my history with The Hoax and other projects, and I’m very happy to be thought of as such. I still love playing blues, particularly with DVL where I can assume the role of guitar-playing sideman and marvel at the way Guy Forsyth can hold a crowd at the front of the stage. It’s such an enjoyable, low-pressure gig. However, I do consider myself a songwriter, and not one confined to genres. So when I get the chance to record my own music, I’m never concerned about ticking the blues boxes – I just want to allow my songs to inhabit whichever world they belong in.

My music tastes are eclectic, and I guess the influences that you take in will eventually come out in some form. A criticism that has been leveled at me over the years is that it’s hard to “pigeonhole” my music, but I’m fine with that. I like surprising people with my music, and I like pushing myself, taking risks and making bold strokes. I want to be anything but predictable, and I would truly rather someone hated my music than be completely indifferent to it. I can’t think of a worse review than “Yeah, it’s all right…”

Music, like all art, should provoke strong emotions.

WIB: Colour In The Sky kicks off with the inspirational “Faith Reborn.” I recall you posting on social media not long ago that you were dealing with some personal issues. I assume this song arose from that. If you are open to discussing: What issues were you dealing with, what have you learned, where do you stand right now?

Jon Amor: So yes – I was battling alcohol addiction, which slowly tightened its grip on me over the course of a few years, coming to a head in the spring of last year when I eventually became very ill and held my hands up to it. Alcoholism is such a complex issue and so hard for people to understand if they have no experience of it, that it really needs a whole interview dedicated to the subject! In my own case, I have struggled with anxiety and depression throughout my life (and still do) and my way of escaping it was through alcohol.

Eventually, I began to rely on it to get me through all kinds of situations, and I normalized it. It took over my life, and got to the point where my mind and body just couldn’t take it anymore; I lost all motivation, all my energy. I stopped eating properly, became malnourished and dehydrated, began collapsing at home because my blood pressure was just falling through the floor every time I got to my feet, and I was heading for an early grave.

The worst thing about that was the brutal truth that – in my darkest hours – I didn’t really care. I had given up. It was only with the help of my family and friends and the action of my doctor that I managed to get into hospital, where I went through horrific alcohol withdrawal (I don’t wish that on my worst enemies!) and a supervised detox program to get me back to reasonable health. The last ten months have been about rebuilding my mind and body and rediscovering the “old me.”

As I said earlier, I now have much more positive energy and motivation, and enjoy a healthy life. In some ways I’m unrecognizable! When you go through an experience like that, it does of course change your perspective on life, and if you are lucky enough as I was to come out of the other side, you really do count your blessings. I now work occasionally for an organization that helps sufferers of addiction, and meeting some of those people who are in such a desperate place, with very little support, has made me feel extremely lucky. It was the worst period in my life, I let a lot of people down and I lost a few people along the way, and while I will always carry the guilt and shame that this entails, the place in life where I now stand is full of optimism and positivity.

WIB: So “Faith Reborn” celebrates having gone through all that and survived?

Jon Amor: What you may find surprising is that I actually wrote “Faith Reborn” – and indeed the whole of Colour In The Sky – while I was still drinking. I think even though I was in a pretty dark, self-destructive and negative place, there must have been some kind of spark buried deep inside that longed for a different way of life, and “Faith Reborn” is the best example of that spark trying to ignite and come to the surface.

Of course, when I did sober up and restart work on the album, my new perspective gave new life to the mixes, and I thoroughly enjoyed working with my producer Stephen Evans, who of course had waited patiently for me to get my shit together and was totally in tune with the positive nature of the songs.

WIB: Musically, “Faith Reborn” recalls the neo-psychedelia of the 1980s – bands like Soft Boys or Echo & The Bunnymen. Are you into that stuff?

Jon Amor: That’s a really interesting observation! I have to say no – those bands have never really been on my radar. I guess what I had in mind when writing “Faith Reborn” was a kind of George Harrison, late sixties Beatles vibe. As producer, Steve Evans always brings a different musical palette to the table, though, as his background is quite different to mine, and it creates a great sonic mix.

WIB: “Red Telephone” was the first song and video you launched from the album. Dave Doherty, who’s played with you in DVL and the Jon Amor Blues Group, filmed and edited the video. Was your deadpan performance Dave’s idea?

Jon Amor: The “Red Telephone” video was largely my concept. I had an idea of this character I wanted to portray – dressed smartly but slightly geekily, with a bit of an odd vibe about him. Dave was great to work with on the video and he had some great ideas for shots. It was his idea to film the shots in the park which look great … it was a really fun couple of days shooting it. What I love about it is how essentially quirky and British it is – a bit of Monty Python, a bit of Elvis Costello – and hopefully not what people might expect. I wasn’t afraid of looking a bit silly. I just wanted to make ANYTHING that was NOT me miming with my guitar desperately trying to look cool.

WIB: “Elephant” and “Drunk On Your Love” are two of the most harmonically sophisticated songs I’ve ever heard from you. “Sentinals” and “February Tree” are downright beautiful.

Jon Amor: Thank you very much. I’m very proud of all the songs on the album, but if I had to pick a favorite I think it would be “Drunk On Your Love.” The performances of all the musicians involved are tremendous on that track, and Steve’s production ideas really make the most of them.

WIB: Did you always want to write a song in 5/4?

Jon Amor: Haha! Well, not really. I actually came up with that opening guitar riff about nine years ago, when I was visiting my girlfriend at the time in Canada. I was just noodling around on an acoustic while we were waiting to go out, and I liked the kind of tricksy, trippy nature of it, then I just kept it for years, not using it. It wasn’t a conscious decision to make it an unusual time signature. It just came out that way. But I do love a 3/4 waltz, and I love the way the 5/4 verse opens out into the 3/4 chorus.

I cannot stress enough how much Steve Evans contributed to the atmosphere of the album, both as producer and co-writer. “Elephant” is the best example. I came into the studio with just the opening riff and the first two verses. I didn’t have any kind of chorus and was a bit lost as to where to take it. Steve came up with the notion of taking it to a completely different place, and we spent a day working on that middle section, exchanging ideas and trying things out. The result is one of my favorite passages of music that I’ve ever recorded.

WIB: You’ll want to kill me for this, but on “Elephant,” your voice kind of reminds me of Robbie.

Jon Amor: Robbie Williams? I’m fine with that!

WIB: “San Bernadino” is another terrific cut. I’ll show my ignorance by saying I don’t know if it’s an original or a cover. It’s sort of Kurt Weill-Tom Waitsian and rather a departure for you. Assuming it’s an original … what the heck inspired it and where do all the German references come in?

Jon Amor: It’s an original. I took about two months to write the lyrics! It is probably the most inaccessible on the album, lyrically, and I’m reluctant to explain exactly what it’s about, but it’s inspired by a tour I did some years ago across Europe which was highly memorable, involving all sorts of characters and events. I know the words seem strange and obscure, but I can assure you each line means something to me! So the German references are all places I visited and San Bernardino is actually the town in Switzerland which I kept seeing signposts to but never actually went to!

WIB: What was the easiest and what was the most challenging song to write and record for Colour In the Sky?

Jon Amor: “Red Telephone” was definitely the easiest and quickest to come together. It’s a simple, classic arrangement and a simple lyrical concept. I had bought an old-fashioned telephone on eBay just because I love the look of them and wanted one in my home. Then I suddenly found myself singing the hook-line as I pottered about the house. Songs like that are a pleasure to work on because you never really have any doubts about them – they’re very simple and established in terms of form, and also highly accessible and fun.

WIB: And the hardest to write?

Jon Amor: That was “Happiest All-Time Low.” For a good long while, that track wasn’t going to be included on the album. We recorded it live in the studio initially, just me, Clive Deamer on drums and Bob Fridzema on Hammond, and recording it was such a difficult experience for me I just wanted to forget all about it. I kept screwing up the chords, forgetting the arrangement and messing up lyrics, while Clive and Bob were playing such great takes. I was still drinking at the time, and on reflection, I think I could actually have used a few drinks that day – I had stayed sober because I knew I was going to be playing the track live, and consequently I was quite tense.

Anyway, we left it alone for a few months, and then Steve had a listen to it and thought it had great potential. So we re-recorded the vocal and got a proper jazz guitar player in called Andrew ‘Murph’ Murphy, who played some lovely stuff, and all of a sudden it sounded wonderful. I always knew it was a string song, but it took a long time to convince me that it belonged on the album. I’m very pleased we included it.

WIB: To finish up, what’s your general take as to where the British blues scene is today as compared to, say, 10 or 20 years ago?

Jon Amor: That’s quite difficult for me to answer, because I honestly feel a little disconnected from the British Blues scene at the moment. I don’t really play the festivals and I’m not touring the circuit like I used to, and as I’ve talked about, my music spans all kinds of genres. From what I can gather, it feels like musically it has transformed into the British BLUES-ROCK scene and seems to be dominated by a kind of post-Bonamassa, modern guitar-based format. There don’t seem to be many acts going out there playing blues in its pure form. But I’m certainly not the guy to start complaining about that, given how much I have strayed from the blues path over the years!

Going back twenty years or so, when I was with The Hoax and also then with my own band, we used to come under fire from the folks we called “The Blues Police” – the protectors of authentic blues. But I’m not even sure they exist anymore, because people have become so used to hearing rockier forms of the genre and it seems to be what audiences genuinely prefer to hear at the moment.

I just wish I heard more SONGS. Too often, lyric and melody are treated as if they are just filling time between guitar solos. There are exceptions, of course, and there are some very fine guitar players out there who make me feel quite inadequate on the instrument, but I have to say I do find it all a bit formulaic.

It’s also a little bit sad that the scene doesn’t seem to attract audiences under the age of 45. Again, going back twenty years – perhaps a little more – it was a relatively popular genre for people in their thirties and I recall playing to younger crowds on a more regular basis. That’s not to undervalue the audiences of today of course. It just makes me a little concerned about who will be going to blues gigs in 15 or 20 years time.

WIB: And what’s next for you?

Jon Amor: Well, first and foremost I’ll be doing my best to promote Colour In The Sky, both with solo shows and shows with a band. Hopefully I’ll be touring those songs a lot. I’m also still involved with The Boom Band, which is a side-project involving lots of guys from the British scene, and we’re currently working on a second album which is great fun. Other than that, we’ll have to see!

* * *

(Sincere thanks to Jon Amor for the interview and, indeed, for his patience in waiting for me to post it. Colour In The Sky has my highest recommendation, as does the achingly beautiful song and video below.)

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Our Recent Posts

Our Trouble with the Flesh

Our trouble with the flesh (Col 3:1-11) Key Text: Col 3:1-11

The Christian walk is an interesting experience. For bound in it is this idea of dying to self, of putting to death of dealing with the old self etc. Anyone who has been a Christian for long enough and in fact many who have not been a Christian at all, seem to see that we are not perfect. We have this trouble with our flesh.

Confession time:

Who here among us has had a perfect week, where we have not sinned nor missed out on doing good. Where we have not struggled with our flesh at all? Who here has walked into Church feeling like they are okay to be here because they have lived a perfect week?

Strange that no-one put up their hands… you bunch of sinners. Okay so it seems we have a problem, or some trouble with our flesh! Paul addresses this in our passage this morning in Colossians 3:1-11. As we will see the goal is not behaviour modification; rather it is heart modification.

This is why so many Christians struggle with the Christian walk. They are stuck on behaviour modification; where God wants their hearts. And if fact if we get this morning right we can start a cycle of true Christian maturity if we get the basics right. It all starts in the heart. So let’s read.

Colossians 3:1-11New International Version (NIV)

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b]7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Paul commands the Colossi Church; in light of what Christ has done; put to death your flesh.

What does Paul mean when he says put to death (and the Greek is) cause to deaden (we get our word necrosis) your members.

Putting what to death?

He is not talking about flagellation (self-harm), Paul is talking about stopping the nature of flesh in your life. How do we do this? Repentance bound in faith.

When Martin Luther nailed his 95 Thesis on the door of the Gutenburg door starting the reformation his first thesis was; “All of the Christian life is repentance.” Why? Well we, be honest you do this as well, save our repenting for the bad times don’t we? We do something bad and then afterwards go to God and ask for forgiveness. Now this is not a bad thing, however, it fails to understand the struggle with the flesh that we actually have. And the wonder of what Jesus has actually done for us; how in faith He has lead us to a life of repentance.

You see if you understand the gospel (that Jesus is actually your saviour) then when you see your sins more deeply (for what they are: that what separates you from God) and repent this releases joy and hope in your life.

The message of Scripture and the reality of life is that you are not good enough; that sin has corrupted every part of your thinking and being. And because of this you are unable to save yourself. In this Jesus comes and dies in your place. He lives the life you could never do so that in dying the death you were never worthy to die becomes your substitute.

This all assumes that I am not good enough so when I discover that I am more sinful than I previously thought; I am driven to joy because I realise more deeply that I am desperate in need of this saviour who died for me. My world view is further confirmed and I am driven more into dependence upon Him.

Jesus illustrated this in Luke 7 with a parable saying there were two people who owed a money lender money; one owed a little the other owed a great debt. He forgave both people. Jesus asked who loved the man more? Simon, whose house Jesus was in, answered the one who owed more.

This the illustration of our own salvation; we all owe an unpayable and immensely large debt. None of us can pay; this is why when we see the depth of our sin; in the light of the gospel we are thrown deeper into love and appreciation of Jesus who died for us. We are not destroyed we are enthralled by His love. The presupposition is confirmed we are desperate, more desperate than we previously thought. We are aware of the size of our debt! In this our joy and love is deeper because our repentance is deeper.

It is the religious (whose hope of salvation is in their own good deeds) or the atheist (whose hope is in the fact that they are fundamentally good) when they are confronted with the depth of their sins (the darkness that dwells within them) that they are utterly broken. Because their whole world view is destroyed. What they have put their worth in is utterly destroyed. All these people are in the same boat; they don’t rest in the gospel; they put their hope on their own self-worth.

Now you might be asking what does this have to do with the passage: Paul says put to death the earthly nature and he lists some of these things and then quantifies what the real problem is; idolatry. Verse 5

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry

let’s ask this morning what is an idol? Tim Keller identifies an idol as:

Psychologically (What we feel an idol is); An idol is something that you get your identity from.

You have something in your life - that you believe if I can just get this I know I am not a loser. This is an idol - it is making something else other than Jesus Christ the point of your lifein thisit runs your life.

Theologically (what Scripture says): these are things that you are making your righteousness. They are your ‘god’ or that what is in your life that you hold onto to get worth and righteousness from apart from Jesus Christ.

Paul says I need to give these things up on these things in order to become a Christian.

Why because the gospel teaches us that we can only be made right through Jesus. We have to give up the other things in order to come to Jesus and have Him be where we find our worth and righteousness.

You might be thinking; if I only had that car, then I wouldn’t be a loser. If I only had a girlfriend or a boyfriend; then I would be worthy.

You have taken away from God what only he can give you.

You will never find your fulfilment, your worth, your righteousness in anything but Him. And this is why Paul commands the church to put to death that nature than longs to get its worth and righteousness and fulfilment from anything but God. That, church, is the earthly nature.

It is your constants and never ending job as a Christian to identify these idols and put them to death. To disarm them and discredit them to take them in repentance to the all sufficiency of Christ and compare them with Him!

And so the proper question we should be asking now is how do I actually do this? Well, a level of mindfulness needs to be engaged here. We need to be asking ourselves constantly; what is motivating me, what is really driving me to do what I am doing; why am I actually feeling the way I am feeling; whether worried, fearful etc.

In all these we must ask have I let something else (maybe this drive, this worry this fear). Have I let it take the place of Christ in my life?

Let me illustrate; maybe you are driven to get through the bible (a good thing right?). However, your goal is not to discover the wonder of the sufficiency of Christ to in reading Scripture rest in the completed work of Jesus. It is to know more so that you can stick it to those people who have disagreed with you before. It is to prove that I am good enough; look at me I have read through the whole Bible! In this your own righteousness and knowledge have taken the place of Jesus in your life! Repent!

You see the act of repentance happens when we are succeeding or failing when we are doing religious thing (such as going to church) or secular (at work). It happens in the chaos and the quite times. To quote Martin Luther again “All of life is repentance.”

When Paul is saying put to death the earthly nature (or the flesh) he is not talking about the body. He is not even talking so much about what we normally associate with the flesh (the acts of our sins). No Paul is saying put to death the very thing that leads to the acts of sins.

So many of us spend our lives fighting symptoms rather than the cause of our sins. we struggle to get out of habits of bad language; or lust etc. these things are a symptom of the real problem: Your flesh.

When the bible talks about the flesh it is not talking about the body; it is talking about is Self (with a capital S) it is the part of your that is out there for your own glory; who doesn’t want to trust God for your salvation; the part of you that desires this life to be really about you rather than about Jesus.

This is why the flesh can still dominate while you are a Christian. And this is why we can find ourselves caught in a pattern of sinfulness that dominates us for years and years. And we cry out to God take this sin away from me. And God is saying back to us; the real problem is not your sin; it is you! You still want things your way! You still think life is all about you and not about Jesus!

Church, every one of us has a way which we are trying to patch up our own righteousness (idols that we are holding onto); the only way to overcome it; repentance bound in faith; trusting in the absolute sufficiency of Christ!

So with this in mind I want to encourage you with two things:

Keep on repenting it’s a sign of life Moving forward in repentance Identifying Take it to the cross So many of us get frustrated at this flesh nature that is with us! We struggle and repent and then fall into the same sin again! I want to encourage you church. Keep on repenting! Don’t give up on throwing yourself at Jesus’ feet and asking Him to save you. For you; salvation was won by Him and is continued through Him!

The knowledge of our flesh is a sign that we have actually woken up and are alive to God! Let me ask you before you knew Christ as your Lord and Saviour before you felt Him in your life and came to Him in repentance; did any of these things really bother you? No, you were dead to them.

You would sin and maybe have a tinge of worry about being caught. You dishonoured God and it would not even cross your mind that you have done something wrong. For the flesh to thrive there needs to be an ignorance about repentance.

Why because at the heart of repentance is the death to self; I recognise that I am not the centre even of my own life; I recognise that I am desperate; in this I repent! It is here that the flesh, the self with a capital S is put to death!

When you begin to see that which is driving you and has taken the place of Jesus; then you are at the starting point! You are not defeated; you have woken up! It is here that you can know God is working it is here that you know there is life.

This is the starting block; how do I move forward in repentance

We should be doing this daily! We should be, in faith, constantly falling at the cross. This happens in two practical realities:

This is calling sin as it is; be ruthless with what your sin actually is; recognise the heart issues at play here! Identify the true source of your sin; and call it out! Be brutal with yourself! And then don’t try and fix it;

Look at your sin and repent for it. Move from self-pity to actually repentance.

The differences between self-pity and repentance; Self-pity is thinking about all the problems that your sin will cause (I hate the consequences of the sin) I have not learned to hate the sin. Rather, I have simply learned to hate myself and love my sin. Self-pity teaches us to love the sin but hate ourselves.

Real repentance is saying what has this sin done to Jesus; it asks how does God feel about my sin. When we take it to God when we take it to the cross and think of what we have done to him; we find that we hate the sin and we rest in ourselves.

Church, Jesus experienced all of our sin on the cross; so that we can be holy! Repentance is taking your sin; no matter how dark and distasteful; and it is taking it to the finished work of Christ on the cross. It is saying this act led Christ there; and then in love it is saying thank you! And this is something we should be doing every day because every day there will be things in your heart that want to take away from the sufficiency of Christ in your life.

Live in this church; identify your sin, see what it has done and take it to cross knowing at the cross it is finished! So leave it there!

I pray we as a church would move from self we would put Self to death and live in repentance!

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‘Good neighbour’ payments on offer near wind farm turbines at Palmer

Credit:  ABC News | 19 December 2013 | www.abc.net.au ~~

Residents close to a proposed 120-turbine wind farm in the eastern Mount Lofty Ranges, east of Adelaide, could be paid to support the development.

TrustPower Australia will offer payments for what it calls ‘good wind farm neighbours’.

The company will offer annual payments of at least $2,000 to people living within two kilometres of the proposed Palmer wind farm, north-west of Mannum.

TrustPower chief executive Rodney Ahern says it will spread the wealth of the $700 million project, but with conditions.

“Not to interfere with the wind farm and to basically be a good neighbour,” he said.

“If they’re happy to support the wind farm or not object to it and not to do things on their land to interfere then we’re happy to pay them.”

But Tony Walker from the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges Landscape Guardians says it shows the development will have a negative impact on the local community.

“They wouldn’t be making this offer if they really believe their own publicity which is that you won’t really suffer any problems at all,” he said.

“Will any amount of money really fix the destructive impact that that’s going to have?”

Residents will be able to apply to receive the payments until a planning application is lodged for the wind farm.

Source:  ABC News | 19 December 2013 | www.abc.net.au

This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.

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Restrictions on turbine noise face legislative hurdle

Credit:  By Mike Polhamus | Oct 6 2017 | vtdigger.org ~~

A new rule limiting the noise wind turbines can make will face a test Thursday when lawmakers consider whether the proposal does what they intended.

Their decision could have implications for whether Vermont can meet its renewable energy goals. At least one of the legislators with a vote is taking a skeptical view of the rule as drafted.

The Energy Development Improvement Act, adopted last year, calls for the Public Utility Commission to write uniform standards for wind turbine noise. The PUC responded with rules that would limit turbines’ sound to 39 decibels at night and 42 during the day.

Environmentalists say the limits violate the intent of the law, which according to its text is “to encourage the efficient use of energy, provide for the development of renewable energy resources, and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.”

Some critics of the rule say it would make any new utility-scale turbines in the state impossible by imposing unrealistically low sound limits. The PUC itself said the proposed limits are lower than what’s found in many common situations.

“Literature equates a 40 dBA level to sound levels in a library, or those produced by a stream or a refrigerator,” the Public Utility Commission wrote when submitting its proposal.

Sen. Joe Benning, R-Caledonia, said that even if the rule discourages new wind turbines, it’s not necessarily discouraging development of renewable energy at the same time. Vermont has plenty of options for meeting its goal of getting 90 percent of its energy from renewable sources without resorting to things so controversial as wind turbines, Benning said.

But the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules, of which Benning is a member, may not consider policy questions such as whether 500-foot-tall wind turbines have a place in Vermont, he said.

The committee’s charge is rather to ask a fairly narrow set of questions about a rule, Benning said, including whether it meets the intent of the legislation that enabled it, whether the rule is arbitrary, and whether its potential economic effects are adequately described.

Benning said he’s satisfied the rule meets all these criteria.

Another member of the committee said she’s not.

“I continue to be concerned about the decibel level they have set,” said Sen. Virginia “Ginny” Lyons, D-Chittenden.

“I think we need to ensure whether the rule put in place was developed on scientific data and can be upheld,” she said. Otherwise, Lyons said, it could be vulnerable to legal challenges.

It’s important “to get it right” with regulations on wind turbines and other forms of renewable energy, Lyons said, because well-suited energy projects will encourage still further development. That means the wind sound rules need a solid foundation, she said.

“I’d like to think when I go back to listen to new information … that I’d be open to that information,” Lyons said, but the decibel levels proposed by the PUC at this point “appear to me to be arbitrary. Given that, it’s going to take something to convince me otherwise.”

Another committee member, Rep. Robin Chesnut-Tangerman, P/D-Middletown Springs, said he’s tried to approach the wind sound question with an open mind and has talked with a number of people on both sides of the issue.

Chesnut-Tangerman did not say whether he’s decided how he’ll vote.

The eight-person committee might not even vote on the rules at Thursday’s hearing, depending on the volume and the nature of the testimony, Chesnut-Tangerman said.

“I think the committee wants to be sure we hear all the relevant information,” he said.

Benning said he expects viewpoints to get a good airing. “I believe there will be a thorough discussion of why each member of the committee is voting for or against” the rule, Benning said. “I’m looking forward to that conversation.”

Source:  By Mike Polhamus | Oct 6 2017 | vtdigger.org

This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.

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WinCue v.1.40

WinCue is a Playlist Manager and MiniDisc recording tool for Winamp. It is a Winamp general purpose plug-in which makes it easier to manage your media file collection and record MiniDiscs, using an internal Media Library or external playlist files.The Media Library consists of any number of specified folders on your computer. When the Media Library is loaded, the folders are scanned, and all the media filesare listed in WinCue. This makes it easier to keep track of a large media file collection that might be spread over several drives and directories.WinCue also features something called DelayPlay, simplifying MiniDisc recording by inserting a user-defined delay Between each song in a playlist. This can be used to make the MiniDisc recorder automatically insert track marks between each song.Features:GeneralSearchable Media Library gives you quick access to all media files on your computer and network.Cachable Media Library makes all media files accessible almost immediately after starup, even when dealing with large media collections and files distributed over several computers in a netwrk.Advanced search feature makes it easy to locate songs based on filename, path, artist, song title, etc.Search, browse and enqueue files in Winamp.Online help and complete documentation in HTML format, acessible at any time by pressing the F1 key.Skin support. Smart skin-stealing makes WinCue adopt the current Winamp skin.Reads ID3 tags.Intelligent title and filename parsing (i.e. automatic artist, album, title and track number guessing, conversion of special characters and more).Support for user defined title formats in playlist (i.e "Artist - Title" or "Artist : Album [Track #] - Title").Export playlist/Media Library as a Winamp playlist, HTML or text fileAutomatically cue random songs from Media Library, current search matches or external playlist file when Winamp's playlist is about to end (auto-DJ function).

WinCue is a Playlist Manager and MiniDisc ...

library, media, playlist, files, winamp, track, minidisc, computer, folders, large, current, songs, number

  • WinCue
  • 1.40
  • Anders Sandvig
  • WinXP, WinNT 4.x, WinNT 3.x, WinME, Win2000, Win98
  • Shareware
  • 368 Kb
  • 230

Review WinCue

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  • phex3d  v.1.0phex3d is an image viewer designed to explore large collections of photographs, either locally or online using hardware accelerated 3D rendering.
    New Miscellaneous software
    • Tag That Photo  v.3.0Tag That Photo is a Windows desktop app for photo enthusiasts seeking accurate, automated face recognition technology to organize and find favorite photos. Import Picasa tags, manage large libraries - even protect your privacy with Tag That Photo.
    • Screenshot Controller  v.3.1Take screenshots with arrows and circles using F buttons and paste them as files with CTRL+V. A normally time consuming task, carefully optimized.
    • Prism Video Converter Free for Mac  v.7.10Prism Free Video Converter for Mac is the most stable and comprehensive multi-format video converter available. You can compress or convert video files in minutes. Use the batch conversion feature to convert thousands of videos in Prism.
    • Disketch Plus Edition  v.6.13Disketch Plus is a CD and DVD disc labeling software for Windows. It allows you to create CD and DVD disc labels as well as cover images for CD and DVD jewel cases. You can import your own art work, or set a simple background colors.
    • BlinkenSisters Jump'n'Run  v.0.5.3"Blinkensisters - Hunt for The Lost Pixels" is a Jump'n'Run game for nearly all recent operating systems.
    • Portable MediaInfo  v.0.7.55Supplies technical and tag information about a video or audio file ...


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Moroccan Tile

This is what I love about Moroccan design. It does not matter how old, worn or traveled upon it just keeps looking better with age. These are to be found all around Morocco but to actually buy some is a different story. We are always keeping our eyes open for a “good stash”!

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Comedy Videos

Bandits Kill DPO & Inspector In Sokoto, Kidnap Wives Of Prominent Businessman

September 17, 2020 wisdomclass 0Comment

Suspected bandits have killed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Gidan Madi police station in Tangaza local government area of Sokoto state.

The incident happened on Thursday night, September 16. The gunmen also killed another police officer said to be the DPO’s orderly before abducting two wives of a prominent businessman in the area.

According to a source, the marauders struck around The policemen were ambushed and killed while trying to rescue the abductees.

Another account said that the bandits first stormed the station, killed the DPO and one inspector of police before abducting the housewives at their residence. It was said that the bandits went away with the guns of the slain officers.

The spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, ASP Muhammad Sadiq, who confirmed the attack to Daily Trust, said:

“At the moment, it is confirmed that there was an unwarranted attack on the Gidan Madi Divisional Headquarters last night. I enjoin us all to await further information on the attack at the conclusion of investigation that had already been directed by the Commissioner who is at the moment conducting an on the spot assessment of the Division, please.”

Meanwhile, a member of the community Abdoul said the late DPO died while protecting people from the bandits.

“He died as a MAN. No words can express how i feel towards his departure, I didn’t know him in person, but I knew his commitment to ensure lasting security in my local government,” he wrote.

“He’s got killed by bandits, while trying to protect the life of thousands peoples. He refuse to retreat despite the worsening of the situation, the bandits outnumbered his officers on duty and they were well armed. May your soul rest in jannatul firdausi. DPO_TANGAZA_LGA”
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Excel | Charts exercise | Cheese Chart

This exercise is provided to allow potential course delegates to choose the correct Wise Owl Microsoft training course, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any format without the prior written consent of Wise Owl.

You can learn how to do this exercise if you attend the course listed below!

Software ==> Excel  (151 exercises)
Version ==> Excel 2010 and later
Topic ==> Charts  (10 exercises)
Level ==> Average difficulty
Classroom ==> Excel Introduction
Online ==> Excel Introduction
Before you can do this exercise, you'll need to download and unzip this file (if you have any problems doing this, click here for help).

You need a minimum screen resolution of about 700 pixels width to see our exercises. This is because they contain diagrams and tables which would not be viewable easily on a mobile phone or small laptop. Please use a larger tablet, notebook or desktop computer, or change your screen resolution settings.

Open the Excel workbook in the folder above:

Excel 2010 exercise - Charts (image 1)

60 people were quizzed about their favourite cheeses

In your selection, make sure to omit Dairylea and Others, then create a pie chart similar to the one shown

Excel 2010 exercise - Charts (image 2)

Incorporate percentages and category names and select your favourite and emphasise it by exploding that section

Save this as Cheeses minus Dairylea Spread

You can unzip this file to see the answers to this exercise, although please remember this is for your personal use only.
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This Palindrome Wedding Has Personal Customizations That Will Make You Go Aww.

We strongly believe every wedding is unique in a way of it’s own. This Palindrome Wedding  in Pune, has its unique quotient  a tad bit higher owing to unique personal customizations that the couple has incorporated; from their outfit , invite to the wedding décor. It’s a wedding that has been planned to the minutest of detailing.

Meet Hitali & Jay

Hitali & Jay went on from studying in the same school to being friends and eventually to soulmates. There’s a love story that everyone dream of. From 2006 to 2021 this  15 year long relationship , has travelled numerous paths, Hitali and Jay met in 2006 during Navratri, the year when Jay started his college and Hitali was in her last year of school.  Since their first meeting Jay made it a point to meet Hitali  once  everyday  as he came to drop off his brother to school. Years passed by since then and they both pursued their individual careers and passions while maintaining their friendship.  They both lifted each other up , chased their dreams together while making their own careers.
Hitali  pursued medical and today is a successful surgeon and Jay went on to start his own venture as a textile merchant.

pre wedding sHOOT

The Proposal

Being friends for a very long time  and having settled in their own careers it came a time where they  decided to focus on personal life too.  Jay decided to pop the question and took aboard both the families and they were more than happy to see Hitali and Jay together as soulmates.10-December -2019 they moved on from friends to fiance.

The Palindrome Wedding

Those who have love and fondness  for numbers show their love in all ways they can. Jay, the groom is fond of numbers hence their wedding date would be no simple and hence the Palindrome.

Plaindrome  are numbers and letters that spell the same front and back hence the date

    Keep updated on the latest news, trends and lots more.


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Weather Alert

Illinois Senate Bill Could Change FOID Card Applications

File photo/Sweep-Seized Guns 2017 JPD

A new state Senate bill could bring changes to FOID card applications. If passed, the bill would require fingerprints for applications and renewals. It would also double the application and renewal fee from ten dollars to 20-dollars. Some gun rights advocates call the FOID cards a waste of time and money and say the increase in application fees are punitive. ISP Director Brendan Kelly says fingerprinting is necessary and that the state needs the additional resources to fight illegal gun ownership.

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Weather Alert

Workplace Discrimination Protections Now Law in Illinois

Women across Illinois will have stronger remedies to fight sexual harassment and discrimination in work places, thanks to a measure supported by State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant.

Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) championed Senate Bill 75, which clarifies the ethics investigation process, including making the process more transparent and giving additional rights to victims of harassment and discrimination who file ethics complaints. The measure was signed into law last week by Governor J.B. Pritzker.

Senate Bill 75 will require hotels and casinos to provide employees who work in isolated spaces with panic buttons for use if they are sexually harassed or assaulted, and local governments will now be required to report and provide an independent review of allegations of sexual harassment made against local elected officials and makes harassment against contract employees illegal.

“Illinois’ employment laws will now match the needs of workers from the 21st century,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “As a state, it is our responsibility to put forth policies that promote inclusion and safety.”

The bipartisan measure passed the legislature with unanimous support.

“This monumental legislation is helping shift the culture in the workplace,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “I’m proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to institute new laws that strive to make Illinois a better place to work, live and grow.”

The ethics provisions in Senate Bill 75 are effective immediately, the panic button provision takes effect July 1, and every other section takes effect Jan. 1.

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Beat Back-to-School Syndrome

Get tips for taming kids' nagging, procrastination and whining come September.

Upset Kid
Getty Images

As soon as September rolls around, your kids' behavior turns on a dime. First comes the nagging for new stuff , then the homework procrastination, then the whining about almost everything. Here's how to tame those patience testing tendencies.

You need to buy back-to-school gear, but this is ridiculous. The latest iPod, the hot sneakers, the new skinny jeans—every time you turn around your kids are there, begging for stuff. What's up?

Returning to class puts a lot of pressure on kids to fit in, which often means having the right gear. "Nagging about getting it can mean an underlying anxiety about school," says Cathy Guttentag, PhD, assistant professor of pediatrics at the Children's Learning Institute, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). "Kids may become overly concerned about what they can control (their clothes) in order to feel more comfortable about what they can't."

Encourage your child to talk about her underlying worries, but also nip the nagging in the bud, or it'll only get worse. Talk to her about what she wants, what you can afford and what contribution (allowance or birthday money, forexample) she's willing to make to get the things she craves most. "Asking kids if they're willing to use their allowance usually gives them pause," says Dr. Guttentag. "Often they'll decide it's not that important. When Mom is paying for it, everything is important." Photo by Shutterstock.

Kids are notorious for creating excuses to avoid the inevitable—like homework. "Ending procrastination comes down to two rules: limits and routines," says organizational expert Peter Walsh, author of It's All Too Much. Have a designated homework spot (say, the kitchen table or the desk in your child's room) and set a regular time when homework will be done each day (right after school or after dinner). And enforce your rules.

Lisa Quinn, author of Life's Too Short to Fold Fitted Sheets and mother of two, takes it a step further, breaking down her kids' homework into small chunks. "They get a packet of work on Monday that has to be done by Thursday," she says. "Left to their own, they'll wait until Wednesday to do it." So she helps her 6-year-old come up with goals for when each piece of work will get done. How does she know her strategy will work? "My 9-year-old now goes upstairs every night like clockwork to do her work. We've broken her in," jokes Quinn. Photo by Shutterstock.

When Barb Dehn of Los Altos, California, has just about had it with her 14-yearold son's whining, she looks at her watch. "I'll say to myself, OK, he needs to vent for a few minutes." Once the time is up, Barb redirects the conversation by asking her son unrelated questions, like, What happened in gym today? Pretty soon, he's caught up in a whole new topic, which cuts down on the whining.

Quinn also uses distraction to end whining. When her kids start in about not wanting to go to school, she helps them focus on the cool stuff: being with friends, taking art class. "It's like giving them hope that something fun will happen at school." Photo by iStockphoto.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at
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Made in the UK, the whole collection is filled with 100% recycled fibre, made from plastic bottles.

FLEECE CHECK: A warm and snuggly check design, with tones of blue and a highlight of mustard, printed on 100% brushed cotton for a super-soft feel. Paired with a soft dark grey Sherpa fleece, which is knitted in the UK from 100% recycled fibres. Available in Deluxe Slumber Beds and Deep Duvets.

Large 87cm x 138cm

FatFace Fleece Check Deep Duvet Large


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Made with a single source animal protein and naturally hypoallergenic.
None of these common allergens in this recipe: beef, pork, soya, eggs, dairy or wheat.
No added artificial colours, flavours or antioxidants.
Ideal for dogs with skin and stomach sensitivities.

Key Benefits

Balanced Blend Of Dietary Fibres, Naturally Hypoallergenic, Gentle On Sensitive Tummies and Supports The Immune System.

This product contains the following special ingredients and benefits to care for your dog's health and wellbeing:

  • Turkey Meal - A natural source of high quality protein and fish oil, rich in omega 3 to help give a glossy, healthy coat.
  • Brown & White Rice - A highly digestible carbohydrate and energy source, believed to be gentle on the stomach.
  • Yucca Extract - A natural deodoriser, for less smelly poos.
  • Strong Body - Support for joints and heart.
  • Prebiotics - Natural inulin from chicory, helping to maintain a healthy gut flora.
  • Antioxidants - Natural antioxidants from pomegranate, green tea and rosemary to support the immune system.

Product Information

We've taken a handful of nature's nourishing ingredients and combined them with flavourful turkey for highly digestible, quality protein. Then, using all our knowledge and experience, we've added all the vitamins and minerals your pet needs to stay happy, healthy and full of life.

Recommended for

Complete Dry Dog Food for Large Breeds over 25kg

Adult Large Breed Dogs Aged 1+Years

Turkey meal (25%), brown rice (23%), white rice (18.1%), naked oats, turkey fat (7.3%), whole linseed, turkey gravy,sugar beet pulp, pea fibre, alfalfa meal, pea protein, seaweed, fish oil, potassium chloride, nettles (0.125%), parsley (0.125%), green tea extract (0.003%), rosemary extract (0.001%), pomegranate extract (0.001%). green tea extract (0.003%), rosemary extract (0.001%), pomegranate extract (0.001%).

James Wellbeloved Adult Large Breed Turkey and Rice 15kg


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Your Guide to Securing an Auto Loan With Ease

Securing any type of loan is not easy, and securing an auto loan is no different. The process for securing the funds you need to purchase a vehicle can be time consuming, convoluted and downright frustrating. However, if you keep in mind the following advice before shopping for car loans, you can make the car buying process much less of a hassle.

Know Your Credit

A higher credit score means better interest rates, so if you have a good score don’t be afraid to brag about it. If the lender thinks that you’re unware of just how good your credit score is, they may try to undermine you by offering just average rates. Don’t let this happen, and make it clear from the get-go that you expect prime rates for a prime score.

If your credit score is not so great, don’t worry—you’ll still be able to get an auto loan. However, you may have to pay higher interest rates, so just take your time shopping around for the lowest rates your credit will buy you.

Set a Budget

Just because you have a great credit score does not mean that you should shop outside of your means. The dealership will probably try to convince you to take out more than you can afford because your credit can support it, but don’t do this. To set a realistic budget, add up all of your monthly expenses, including how much you plan to save each month, your yearly tax obligation and any other annual fees you have (property taxes, health club, etc.). Subtract the total from your annual salary and that is how much you can afford for a vehicle.

Show Up With a Down Payment

An ample down payment is the best way to reduce the amount you need to borrow and therefore, to make you more a more desirable borrower in lenders’ eyes. The less risk you pose the better, and a nice down payment is a sure sign of a safe debtor.

Car loans aren’t impossible to come by—just difficult. If you want to eliminate the hassle of car shopping, try the tips above.

Questions and Answers for our Guests regarding COVID-19

Hours of operation due to Covid-19

Sales Services Parts
Monday- Thursday 9:00 am – 8:00 pm Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday Closed Saturday Closed
Saturday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Sunday Closed Sunday Closed
Sunday Closed

Showroom is open

Service is open

Test drives are available

As the Government of New Brunswick and the Public Health Agency of Canada states, physical distancing, effective handwashing and avoiding the touching of one’s face are key preventive measures to contracting COVID-19. As you re-enter the our workplace, these measures are critical.

✅ We have installed physical barriers.
✅ We have adopted rigorous cleaning procedures.
✅ Evaluated the workplace for shared objects and common areas.
✅ Increased the frequency of cleaning of touched surfaces/ objects.
✅ Provided necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) and training on the proper use and maintenance of the equipment.
✅ Ensured all employees are fully aware of the preventive measures, and there are clear

guidelines and instructions as well as enforcement of the measures.
As the world emerges from the current pandemic, we have made some fundamental shifts.

We are confident that you will adapt and respond to the challenges, but it will require thoughtfulness and planning.

We all will need to change our fundamental behaviours of how our new process gets done, how we keep our facilities clean and how we interact with co-workers and customers.

As we all move into this new normal, we must continue to strive for injury-free and disease-free workplaces.

We are here for you. Right now, our focus is to protect the health and safety of our people and you – our valued customers.

We know this situation will continue to evolve and we will do our very best to update you as things change. There is no doubt, we are in uncharted territory, but we will make it through this together.


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World Class Wedding Venues
BlueTone Media
Get in Google Play Store

Diamond Couture - 1
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Ph: 864-236-1778

By requesting information, you will receive our WCWV newsletter which contains great wedding tips and wedding information. Make sure to enter the WCWV engagement contest too for great prizes from our vendors. Cheers to you from our team at World Class Wedding Venues ❤❤❤

Vendor Description

"We are here for all the memorable moments of your life: your engagement, wedding, 25th anniversary, and beyond. Homegrown here in Spartanburg, SC, where we can ensure our "customers" are more than just that; they are family."

WCWV would like to credit all trademarks, images, photographs, and word descriptions to the venues, vendors and their associates, to their website and social media for the beautiful images and descriptions for this directory link to their services. WCWV claims no rights to the images displayed and all rights to the imgaes used are the property of the associated. Business owners, Click Here.

Please visit their website to obtain more information about their amazing services.
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Sports Playing Champion Review – by means of Somebody The fact that Features Income to get the Final 3 Many years

John Morrison delivers about a betting platform for athletics (Sports Betting Champ) that’s so incredibly worthwhile folks issue its validity. Is it for true? Is HE legitimate? Can it be a gimmick? Who in the globe is John Morrison anyway?

John Morrison is true sporting nut with a Ph.D. in data from Cornell College. More than the earlier 20 years he has analyzed or utilized fairly considerably each and every imaginable method and handicapping services via the athletics wagering industry. Then in ’04 soon after loads of study and knowledge had been reviewed he conceived Athletics Betting Champ. Thus, of course he’s a legitimate person.

Even with the fact that his internet website page is filled with buzz-like language this technique he’s designed has now been tested by thousands of buyers who are quite lavish with their approval and grateful for the tricks and day-to-day tipping email messages. It does look he has located a strategy to foresee winners in the NBA (Countrywide Basketball Association) and MLB (Significant League Baseball) with ninety seven% good results and utilizing some more techniques into ninety nine% get rate. บาคาร่า SA is partly thanks to the truth he doesn’t suggest gambling on anything that rolls by you.

Rather, adhere to his recommendations and basically gamble on the activities which qualify of winners in his program. Obtaining explained that, his document with NFL (National Football League) betting just isn’t as powerful. There he’s acquired about 63% success charge. In 2007, based upon his achievement he uncovered this plan to the Net readership.

Precisely what is Sports activities Betting Champ? It is a system made by John Morrison to spot winners at important NBA and MLB online games which has a fee of accomplishment of 97%. He is mindful not to expose details of the system on-line, but is generous with guarantees of achievement. Customers proclaim when you keep to the system you will be rewarding just about all of your bets and really soon stop up getting in front of the sport with your income.

In simple fact I began with just putting bets of $ten for each and every game and have developed this up more than the training course of the very last handful of a long time basically achieving various ranges of a financial institution roll. After I acquired to a particular stage, I an straightforward cash administration approach to the Athletics Betting Champ Program and looked to win $fifty for each guess. With 70 odd bets positioned more than the NBA season that is $3500, above 4 a long time $14,000 if you only trapped at $fifty for each wager. Now roll in the MLB and NFL and you’ve got acquired a year prolonged prosperity generation method. But that was of program my individual experience, you will want to evaluation your personal conditions and of program, future earnings is not guaranteed. Wade, Bosh and LeBron might not gel jointly this yr for occasion.

Don’t forget, in no way gamble much more than you can manage to drop. Gambling might turn out to be a satan in your lifestyle must you allow it. Maintain the reins on your emotions and investing and you can see a substantial enhance in your betting revenue by betting on less events. It is about getting selective and not chasing wins, earn when statistically it is in your favour.

Sporting activities Betting Champ is well-known due to the fact it is actually so effortless. You never have to battle with graphs and info or monitor injuries. Every night prior to the wager is because of you get a information from John Morrison with profitable ideas. Which leaves you a chance to place your bets and chill out or greater, look at the crew acquire and then collect your money. The system did the operate.

You see there are some 2460 online games in a season and subsequent the Athletics Betting Champ recommendations you’d be betting on only about seventy game titles in the season. That is not a problem, since these will be the ‘safe bet` video games that suit the factors inside the method. You may possibly possibly get rid of far more money with all of the other ones just by guessing or using home grown techniques.

The ensure is one factor I often look for. If there is none, I will not get the solution. But with the additional notion that math-o-phobes and non-athletics individuals will probably come across some studying curves, I recommend people to use their quite own good knowledge prior to plunking funds for Sports activities Betting Champ. Plenty of internet dependent packages say how simple it is to master their possess strategies but few of the individuals who manufactured the plans have the further potential to produce straightforward to follow instructions for their customers. It is merely a various talent. And notably source a significant money back again guarantee so you can acquire in the knowledge that you can constantly receive a comprehensive refund.

And so regardless if you are producing crazy guesses at your bets today or basically messing with your very own data for entertainment, you have got a excellent possibility of maximizing profits by just understanding how to make use of Sports activities Betting Champ. John Morrison states if you are NOT creating wealth with it notify him and he will give you your whole cash back again.


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Travel Beauty Essentials For Your Vacation

Travel Beauty Essentials For Your Vacation

Beauty essentials are always on my list of things to organize before a trip.

There’s also luggage to organize, books and magazines to buy, camera equipment checked, batteries to charge, the fridge to clean out, and that’s without sorting your wardrobe out, the list is endless!

Before you hit the road there are certain “must do” beauty essentials that need a girls attention. Waxing, eyebrow shaping and tinting, visits to your hairstylist, spray tanning if you are heading anywhere near a beach or ocean, manicures and pedicures. Just the usual upkeep and beauty routine for most us girls, however, it seems to be a concentrated effort prior to a trip away!

Here are my best traveling tips I can give you for your hair, makeup, and beauty for your holiday or vacation.

3 Best Travel Tips For Hair, Makeup and Beauty

3 Best Travel Tips For Hair, Makeup and Beauty

Beauty Essentials List

Some of the travel beauty must haves include travel size skin care. Look for a kit that has the basic essentials of a cleanser, exfoliant, lip balm to keep that in-flight dryness at bay, day cream and a good oil or anti-aging cream.

If your products have their own travel toiletry case too it’s an added bonus so they are easy to find when you are unpacking when you reach your destination. No need to rummage through your whole suitcase if you arrive late.

This is the pack I use. It’s from Uni Organics, not only have I found them the best place to buy travel size items, they are also beautiful certified organic skin care products too. They are so concentrated they last for many trips, which is an important beauty essential. Plus there’s no more decanting, bonus!

Remember your nails too, I always throw an emery board in for those unexpected snags.

Uni Organics Luxe Travel Kit

So impressed with my purchase with Uni Organic products I’ve recently partnered with them and added them to my travel shop

If you are heading to a resort by the ocean and have had a spray tan before you leave, then you might want to include a moisturizer that maintains your tan and builds upon it while you are away.

Or you might want to just include your standard body cream, I use an organic coconut oil in my daily beauty routine so that’s what I use when I travel as it’s so versatile. I think it’s near impossible to buy all travel sizes in every single product you need so you still may need to decant some products.

Makeup Essentials List

I keep my makeup routine very simple most days so I’m not about to complicate things on a trip away. My core makeup essentials are

  • Foundation
  • Concealer
  • Mascara
  • Makeup brushes
  • Loose translucent powder
  • Blush
  • Brow pencil
  • Lipsticks

Makeup essentials list

I do believe in using good quality products, after all, our skin is our largest organ and absorbs whatever we put on it.

Brushes are also a beauty essential so they make my travel toiletry case too. I use one for the translucent powder and one for the blush.

You’ll notice there’s no eyeshadow or eyeliner on my list I rarely wear either preferring a natural look, however that personal choice so go ahead and include them if you wear them.

Hair Essentials List

As a former hairstylist, one of the most common complaints I received from clients was dry hair. This was especially true when they had been away on a vacation. Swimming in chlorine isn’t kind to our hair drying out the mid-lengths and ends. Neither is salt water, although it is good for our skin.

The very basics you need to pack are the shampoo and conditioner you use at home. Don’t rely on the toiletries supplied by the hotel or accommodation where you are booked. They generally use sub-standard products unless you are in an eco-lodge or away at an organic or cleansing retreat. They will definitely supply you with great products!

Another must is a leave in conditioner. This is the one I use and as they don’t produce a travel size I have to decant into a small spray bottle. If you blow-dry or colour your hair it’s a must, no matter if you are traveling or not. It’s great for all hair types, espcially dry hair and even on fine hair such as mine it’s fantastic!

Pureology Colour Fanatic

Dry shampoo has made a resurgence in the last few years and there some outstanding products on the market now. I use this Sebastian product as not only can I use it as a dry shampoo it’s great as a volumizer and styling product for my fine hair.

Sebastian Drynamic or Dry Clean Only

Here in Australia it’s called Drynamics, however, elsewhere it has the name of  Dry Clean Only.

If you have long or dry hair you could always pop a sachet or two in your travel beauty case for an extra deep treatment should you need it. You could even apply it if you are spending a day at the beach and it will condition and protect your hair too.

These are my few treavel beauty essentials that suit me. What are your beauty essentials when you travel?

* This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something via one of these links I may receive a small commission the price doesn’t alter for you. You can read my full disclosure policy here.

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PSAC cancels regular season, championship competition for winter sports

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. — The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference announced Wednesday the cancellation of its mandated regular season and championship competition for winter sports.

The league’s board of directors voted to cancel the season.

RELATED STORY: PSAC cancels all fall sports, championships; winter sports up in the air

Several local colleges are a part of the PSAC, including: California University of Pennsylvania, Clarion University, Edinboro University, IUP, Pitt Johnstown, Seton Hill and Slippery Rock University.

You can now customize your WPXI News App to receive sports news alerts. CLICK HERE to find out how.

Last week, the board voted to cancel PSAC Champsionship seasons for fall sports, yet allowed for league championship opportunities in those sports should six or more schools elect to participate. Schools who decide to play must abide by league rules and NCAA guidelines that have been set because of COVID-19.

The same requirements exist for the winter sports that have been canceled.

Last week, the board agreed to proceed with the intent to play a full regular and championship season for all spring sports in 2021.


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Marty O'Donnell

Highwire Games

How do you write music for a game that doesn't exist? That was the challenge Marty O'Donnell took on by writing a musical prequel to Highwire Games' Golem. After a successful Kickstarter campaign, Marty drew on his expertise writing music for Halo and Destiny to create a completely new world in Echoes of the First Dreamer.

Viktorija Pashuta

After performing on many game and film soundtracks, cellist Tina Guo has just released her own collection of iconic game themes: Game On! In our conversation, Tina told me what she loves about game music, and about her first experiences as a new kid in America, including playing a video game for the first time!

As Destiny, the epic adventure from Bungie enters its third year with the Rise of Iron expansion, composer Mike Salvatori says the music has expanded as well, to over 250 minutes of new material, written along with Skye Lewin and C. Paul Johnson.  The main theme is especially compelling, and as Mike explains it was kind of like a "gift from the universe!"

While he's working on music for his new video game, composer Marty O'Donnell is turning to Eric Satie for inspiration.  We'll enjoy the three Gymnopedies this morning.

Highwire Games

Among video game composers, Marty O'Donnell is a rock star. He just happened to write one of the most recognizable game themes of all time: the monks' theme for the Halo series. Since leaving Bungie Studios, Marty has been involved with setting up a new studio, Highwire Games, and is currently in the midst of a Kickstarter campaign to create a prequel album of music for Golem, Highwire's new game.


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Are you ready to return to work?

I don't know about you but today (1st September) feels like a new beginning. Especially after months of uncertainty, working from home, educating children and overall coming to terms with all the restrictions. ( And we thought how much freedom we have....)

Many people dream of getting back to normal (and I'm definitely one of them) but I have a feeling it will take a while. In the mean time you will meet colleagues who stayed at home and hardly left the house, those who kept their lives as normal as it was possible, even those who believe that the whole pandemic is a conspiracy... Are you ready to listen to different opinions which might go completely against your own beliefs and still keep working environment happy and cheerful?

With many people feeling more sensitive than before it is important you are more compassionate and understanding towards others. Especially if you don't know the full story.

I tried to keep my life as normal as possible - not many people agreed however it was a question of survival for me. I don't need to tell strangers my full story. It's none of anyone's business but I have to say at times little comments like 'You shouldn't bring your children to the shop' could tip me over to unbearable pain. Emotional pain.

We were all affected by the pandemic. We all reacted in different way. We all have different opinions. What is important however is that we stop judging what others did or did not do. Especially in the workplace. No matter how different your opinion is. You can read more about Ego states we all use in various situations which can help you to manage your own state. It's called Transactional Analysis (Parent, Adult, Child) by Eric Berne This article will help you understand others too.

#personaldevelopment #peopleskills #selfdevelopment #interpersonalskills #employeerelations #hr #managementdevelopment #leadershipdevelopment

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NewsLocal News

Read what CNN wrote about visiting Richmond, Virginia

Posted at 1:04 PM, Dec 04, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-05 12:08:54-05

RICHMOND, Va. — Numerous publications have spotlighted the River City over the past five years.

“While you weren’t looking, Richmond got cool,” wrote travel guidebook Frommer’s in 2014, when Richmond made the “Frommer’s’ Top Destinations for 2014.”  Then in 2016 Richmond was ranked #3 on Travel + Leisure’s list of Best Places to Travel in 2016.  Other publications have also focused on Richmond’s culinary and craft beverage scene; The Washington Post, New York Times, Garden & Gun, and Southern Living to name a few.

The booming investments in Richmond show the city and surrounding counties continue to prosper from local entrepreneurs, development, and a fervid interest in arts, culture, history, food and craft beverages. The latest write-up about Richmond was found on CNN’s front page Monday. They definitely hit on some of the highlights in the city, and score points for coming out of the gate calling Richmond “RVA” and shouting out the RVA Mural project.

We do give pause about the line “locals credit Ardent Craft Ales with kicking off the trend” when it comes to craft beer. Not only had Legend been going strong since 1994, but Legend, along with Hardywood Craft Park, lobbied for SB 604 which gave breweries the ability to sell beer for on-premise consumption without having a full-service restaurant.  THAT’s what created a beer boom. Then Isley Brewing helped push for zoning changes in Scott’s Addition and was the first brewery to open in the now booming beer district, and Ardent opened there a year later — though the founders had been home-brewing out of a garage years before opening.

That said, congratulations to everyone who was featured in the article!

The CNN story ( we are re-posting as affiliates):

Richmond, the capital of Virginia, is about a two hours’ drive from the nation’s capital of Washington, D.C., and an hour from Charlottesville, home to the University of Virginia and one of America’s quintessential college towns.

In fact, Richmond wasn’t even the first choice for the state’s capital — Jamestown and Williamsburg had the honors first. And yet, this Southern destination is no longer content to stay in the shadows of its neighbors.

Thanks to a buzzy craft beer scene, a loyalty to homegrown and locally owned shops and an award-winning boutique hotel, the city known as RVA is having a bona fide moment. Here’s what you need to know before you travel there:

The nabes to know

Trying to decide where to stay? Richmond is known for its pretty brick row houses, so if you want the full colonial-era experience look for an Airbnb in Carytown or The Fan, both of which are near the city’s major museums. Or go a little grittier in up-and-coming Scott’s Addition, where you can walk to bars, distilleries, breweries and even meaderies without having to choose a designated driver.

Shopping and gawking

Speaking of those museums, start at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, which is — score! — free to visit, unless you want to see one of the special exhibits.

The primary collection is plenty stunning in its own right, though — highlights include a huge selection of Art Deco and Art Nouveau pieces as well as a gorgeous sculpture garden with pieces by artists like Dale Chihuly.

Next door is the Virginia Historical Society. As you may have guessed from the name, it focuses on state history with exhibits on everything from a display of weapons to a deep dive on the state’s silver production history.

A short walk away is Cary Street, the main drag of the fashionable Carytown neighborhood.

The street is lined with mostly local businesses, and while it may feel overwhelming, there are a few standouts. They are Chop Suey, a new and used bookstore with an emphasis on local authors; Merrymaker Paper Company, a stationery and paper goods shop; and World of Mirth, a toy and game store that really does live up to its moniker.

However, not all the great art in Richmond is inside a building. The local street art scene is huge, and nearly every street has something to show off. If you’re not sure where to get started, check out the work from the annual Richmond Mural Project.

VMFA, 200 N Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220, +1 (804) 340-1400

Virginia Historical Society, 428 N Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220, +1 (804) 358-4901

Chop Suey Books, 2913 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221, +1 (804) 422-8066

Merrymaker Fine Paper, 3022 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221, +1 (804) 353-8518

World of Mirth, 3005 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221, +1 (804) 353-8991

Oysters and octopus

Virginia’s long agricultural history means that farm-to-table is a given.

Rappahannock, named for the nearby river known for its oyster beds, is a no-brainer for fresh oysters as well as for grilled octopus, paella and other fishy delights.

On Cary Street, the French brasserie Can Can is the best place to stop and refuel post-shopping, with pitch-perfect moules frites, croques-monsieurs and white wines, plus gorgeous brass-and-white decor that Coco Chanel herself couldn’t find fault with.

If you’re downtown, get brunch at nouveau Jewish deli Perly’s, which mixes traditional Jewish cooking with hipster faves on dishes like the Jack Benny (eggs Benedict with latkes swapped in for English muffins) and have a romantic dinner at Saison.

Richmond’s craft beer scene is on fire, especially in the formerly-industrial Scott’s Addition neighborhood. Make your first stop Ardent Craft Ales, which many locals credit for kicking off the trend. Then stop in at The Veil, which focuses on daring and hop-heavy brews, or lighten things up a touch at Blue Bee, the city’s first urban cidery.

Stop for a lunch break at Brenner Pass, which gets its name from the pathway that connects Italy and Austria in the Tyrol region. The Alpine-inspired food — think fondue, root vegetables, rich cheeses — is hearty, and the minimalist decor pairs beautifully. Grab a coffee to go from the next-door cafe, aptly-named Chairlift.

Rappahannock, 320 E Grace St, Richmond, VA 23219, +1 (804) 545-0565

Can Can Brasserie, 3120 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221, +1 (804) 358-7274

Saison, 23 W Marshall St, Richmond, VA 23220, +1 (804) 269-3689

Perly’s, 111 E Grace St, Richmond, VA 23219, +1 (804) 912-1560

Ardent Craft Ales, 3200 W Leigh St, Richmond, VA 23230, +1 (804) 359-1605

The Veil Brewing Company, 1301 Roseneath Rd, Richmond, VA 23230

Blue Bee Cider, 1320 Summit Ave, Richmond, VA 23230, +1 (804) 231-0280

Brenner Pass, 3200 Rockbridge St Suite #100, Richmond, VA 23230, +1 (804) 658-9868

Historical haunts

Richmond’s history extends far beyond the capitol area. Check out the Altria Theater, a Moorish Revival building dating to the 1920s that was formerly known as The Mosque.

There’s also the Library of Virginia, which in addition to being a library, has exhibits on topics like women in state history and a connecting store called The Virginia Shop, which sells work from primarily local artisans and trains developmentally disabled people to work there.

Near the capitol is St. Paul’s, an Episcopalian church now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Highlights include a series of Tiffany-inspired stained glass windows and a stunning gold-and-wood organ.

Finally, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, which is technically in the neighboring town of Henrico, is a 50-acre sprawl of trees, fountains, flower beds and gardens. The rose garden is a can’t-miss, and there’s plenty to see and do even in the winter: Head to the glasshouse to see orchids and then have afternoon tea.

Altria Theater, 6 N Laurel St, Richmond, VA 23220, +1 (804) 592-3368

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 815 E Grace St, Richmond, VA 23219, +1 (804) 643-3589

Library of Virginia, 800 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219, +1 (804) 692-3500

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave, Henrico, VA 23228, +1 (804) 262-9887

Recharging station

Some hotels are great places to sleep. But some hotels, like Richmond’s year-old The Quirk, feel like a fully inclusive resort experience in the middle of a city.

The hotel is shameless about its love of the color known as “millennial pink,” which is everywhere–coffee cups, couches, mini-fridges and in-room white noise machines–and yet doesn’t feel twee or invasive.

But with all the amenities–which include a downstairs art gallery, Quirk Gallery, a lobby coffee shop, a rooftop bar, a gift shop with carefully chosen jewelry, bath bombs and scented notecards (yes, much of it is pink) and a top-notch restaurant called Maple and Pine, no one would blame you for just staying put and never going outside.

… You really should, though.

Quirk Hotel, 201 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220; +1 844-757-8475


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Picasso And Einstein Walk Into A Bar...

Imagine a situation in which Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso share an evening at a tavern discussing genius, art, science and the creative process. Comedian Steve Martin did just that when he wrote, “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” which is currently on stage at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro, North Carolina.

The play engages with weightier concepts while still drawing on Martin’s unique brand of humor. Host Frank Stasio talks with the play’s director, Jeri Lynn Shulke, and actors Adam Samperi and Lucius Robinson about the genius of the main characters and the genius of Martin.

Longtime NPR correspondent Frank Stasio was named permanent host of The State of Things in June 2006. A native of Buffalo, Frank has been in radio since the age of 19. He began his public radio career at WOI in Ames, Iowa, where he was a magazine show anchor and the station's News Director.


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9780393713466 198

Client Communication and Therapeutic Response

A Workbook of Neurobiologically-informed Exercises for Sharpening Resonance

July 2020

Our Retail Price:£23.00

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A companion guide to the author’s earlier book on the clinical applications of neurobiology.

Your Client’s Internal Experience illustrates key principles of affect regulation through case examples. Topics include affect regulation and the autonomic nervous system, defence mechanisms and the limbic system, threat management and the amygdala, therapeutic engagement issues and the vagal system, personality disorders as affect management strategy, the adolescent brain, integrating selected neurobiological concepts into the supervisory process, and psychotic symptoms.

Arlene Montgomery tackles the vexing problem of a clinician’s internal response to clients, utilising exercises to examine the therapist’s reactions to clinical material as a way to gather data about the client’s internal experience. Selected treatment principles of regulation theory guide each chapter. Companion concepts such as intersubjectivity, strangulation of affect and hidden regulators of attachment are also presented.

Also By: Arlene Montgomery View all by author...

203 x 254 mm • 288 pages

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About Wyshwood Studio

Faders Blur.jpg

Before "Clive 'N' Wrench", there was a thirty year climb through the various windows of opportunity that composing, recording, mixing and mastering music has to offer. From choirs to live bands to enthusiastic individuals, Wyshwood has fulfilled dreams and promoted personal ambitions through precision recording and painstaking audio excellence.

Like a sponge soaking up sounds from everywhere, Wyshwood endeavours to create original music with flavours to suit. Briefings are frequent to hone in on what is required.  A careful balance of modern soundscapes and traditional instruments serve to pepper the tunes with authentic spices that keep them alive in the moment.

Now comes the alchemy.  The ears are magical instruments in their own right, possessing the ability to pick out all manner of subtleties within the music.  Wyshwood likes to deliver ambiance with a hook.  Something that lives with the environment but also stands alone as a memorable piece.  "Clive 'N' Wrench" is one such example because it crosses all genres, showcasing Wyshwood's abilities in a concise manner.


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Looking Good On Google

Scott Lambert

With the busiest shopping period of the year now underway, Google has introduced a new feature that will thrill retailers promoting their products online – especially if they work in fashion, art or home decor. By using the ‘visually similar items’ link, shoppers who come across something they like but which is not quite right for them can now let Google do the work of tracking down the perfect purchase. The feature is invaluable for retailers selling popular fashion items with unique designer twists or for those competing on price in busy markets.

The visually similar items system has been designed with mobiles as well as computers in mind. The revamped Google Shopping now also lets users determine with a single click if an item is available in a store near them; this makes it a great local search marketing tool, as users can shop around on the high street without having to actually enter every crowded store. A 360º viewing option gives retailers the chance to offer a more comprehensive perspective on products, more akin to examining them in a store.

To make shopping easier to coordinate, Google now also maintains a list of recently viewed products with images at the top of each page in a style similar to eBay’s approach. Shoppers can opt to add a product to this list by clicking save to shortlist. Lists can be saved and shared on Google+, creating a potential alternative to Amazon wish lists. In recent months, discontent with Amazon among assorted groups of customers has led to increasing calls for a major internet player to develop a feature of this type.

Bringing in this change just as the key shopping period commences is great for making headlines but not so good for busy business managers who do not have much time to make the necessary changes to campaigns. The good news is that most of the changes are fairly simple to implement. The only part likely to be time consuming is the rotating product shots, especially for those with many products that could benefit from being shot in this way. Finding a freelance photographer who can do these well is difficult; therefore, the best bet for smaller companies is probably to seek out an agency that can guarantee a reasonable standard of work for the fee paid. Regardless of whether this seems worthwhile, it is almost certainly worth updating shopping profiles to take full advantage of the new system to prevent competitors from gaining an advantage.

Topics: Local Search