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UK Prep Course from Henry International Consulting

UK Prep Course

UK Prep Course

To help you get ready for your upcoming studies in the UK, we highly recommend the UK Prep Course. This is an online course developed by Henry International Consulting. The CEO of this company we know very well – Wayne Henry who has worked with international students for over 20 years while working at several universities around the world, including the UK for over a decade.

The UK Prep Course prepares international students from every country for their upcoming experience in the UK.

Students have one year unlimited access to the online course, which includes:

  • Dynamic modules, interactive lessons with hand-outs and quizzes.
  • Individual assessments, including the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) and the Culture Map.
  • Comprehensive Resource Guides for each Module.
  • Optional English subtitles and downloadable transcripts.
  • Specific information for students from Canada, China, India, Japan, Nigeria, the Middle East, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey and the USA (other countries can be added as requested).

Students work at their own pace and the benefits are:

  • Improved cross-cultural skills.
  • Understanding of specific comparisons to the tendencies of the British in and out of the classroom.
  • Exposure to key aspects of the modern British culture.
  • Understanding of what specific challenges they are likely to face based on their own personal assessments.
  • Experience hearing various UK accents while learning more about the UK culture and regional lingo.
  • Certificate of Completion

With a deeper understanding of British culture, communication variances (idioms, accents, vocabulary and slang), communication and learning styles as well as a knowledge of culture shock, learning styles and plagiarism, you will start your studies strong, have confidence to interact with others, get better grades and perform better overall.

You will also have access to:

  • Private Facebook Group with additional resources
  • Live Q&A sessions with instructors
  • Network opportunities with other students who may be going to the same region in the UK or university.

The UK Prep Course is an ideal accompaniment to the typical Pre-Departure and Orientation programmes universities provide and will help you a great deal to succeed in your program and UK experience in general.

Follow this link to access full details of the course including the 1-minute introductory video, FREE Trial, and registration page.

The course is already great value for money, but SI-UK has secured an additional $50 discount only for SI-UK students. This is limited to the first 50 students who register through SI-UK. This is for all SI-UK students globally, so sign up quickly to secure your discount. You must use the discount code “SIUKdiscount” when you register.

The course looks great. It certainly will help with your adjustment and includes amazing tips and resources. Take advantage of the FREE Trial and SI-UK discount. It’s a great opportunity, sign-up now.

SI-UK's service is fast, reliable and efficient. Their consultants are specialists, working closely with all UK universities and, through my consultants' advice and application assistance, I was able to receive offers from my favoured universities.

Carla Termini King's College London, Accounting and Finance

  • Study at University of Glasgow
  • Study at University of Kent
  • Study at University of Oxford
  • Study at University of East Anglia
  • Study at London School of Economics
  • Study at University of Liverpool


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The 32 best things to watch on Netflix US right now

Looking for something to watch? We've rounded up the finest films and shows on Netflix USA. Updated for December 2018

Streaming video has turned our living rooms into an endless video store, with a vast array of titles to choose from.

Netflix has around 10,000 titles, taking in everything from rom-coms to action movies, TV shows and documentaries; and that can be a problem. It's called the paradox of choice; faced with an endless array of options, people freeze up. Before you know it, you've spent an hour scrolling through the possible choices, and you've run out of time to watch a movie.

Fear not; we've done all the hard work for you, picking out the cream of the streaming crop. Read on…

Shaun of the Dead

Simon Pegg’s Shaun is a shop assistant who’d rather be playing video games, boozing, or listening to electro with his best mate Ed (Nick Frost) than showing his girlfriend that he’s serious marriage material. When a bust-up convinces him it’s time to grow up, it just happens to coincide with a zombie outbreak – meaning he must traverse a ghoul-infested London to rescue his girl and attempt to survive the night.

Stuffed with smart references, killer sight gags (Wright’s quick-fire editing is a highlight) and scorching one-liners, Shaun of the Dead is a great deal more than your average horror comedy. There’s real heart as well as buckets of guts on display, and it’s easy to see why Simon Pegg and director Edgar Wright have become Hollywood hot properties since its release.

Watch Shaun of the Dead on Netflix

Black Panther

One of the very best recent movies to come out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe – Black Panther is far more than just a place-setting prologue for Avengers: Infinity War. A mega-budget blockbuster with an almost entirely black cast, co-written and directed by an African-American, there’s an unmistakeable thread of “politics” running through it that’s much more than woke window dressing – it’s a key part of the plot and the characters’ motivations.

That said, Ryan Coogler’s movie is also a crowd-pleasing superhero flick in which Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa, newly-crowned king of super-advanced African nation Wakanda, has to find his feet in the face of a ruthless would-be usurper (played with raging verve by Michael B. Jordan). Not to be missed.

Watch Black Panther on Netflix USA

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Rian Johnson’s take on Star Wars has come in for plenty of criticism from the self-appointed, neck-bearded bastions of the series' purity, but anyone who isn’t kept up at night worrying about the “proper” way made-up characters in a made-up space-fantasy world should behave or look will almost certainly have a lot of fun watching it – and we sense that, as the mid-point for Disney’s new trilogy, its true value may not be recognised until after the third movie has been released, watched and digested.

You know the drill: it’s Star Wars. So expect lightsaber duels, spaceship dogfights, a few laughs, space nazis, “the lure of the Dark Side” and all the rest – plus a slightly tonally weird trip to a casino planet. It’s not perfect, but it’s perfectly enjoyable.

Watch Star Wars: The Last Jedi on Netflix USA

The Big Lebowski

The Coen brothers’ cult comedy hit – a louche, lackadaisical and outwardly lightweight followup to the multiple award-winning thriller Fargo – is packed to the gills with clever call-backs, references to other films and other oh-so-clever touches for astute viewers to pick out.

But it’s also an absolute riot, as Jeff Bridges’ middle-aged stoner The Dude sets out to right a wrong (in a case of mistaken identity, two hoodlums “soiled” his beloved rug) and ends up sucked headlong into a kidnapping case involving German nihilists, pornographers, a wealthy paraplegic, performance artists, a sullen teenage car thief, the police chief of Malibu, possibly hallucinatory cowboys… and bowling.

With an outstanding script and supporting cast including Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, John Turturro and John Goodman, The Big Lebowski is a rare cinematic gift – one that keeps on giving with subsequent viewings.

Watch The Big Lebowski on Netflix USA

The Lobster

Say ‘sci-fi’ and most people think of robots, spaceships and flesh-eating aliens. The Lobster is a sci-fi movie about dogs, flamingos and a plump, bespectacled Colin Farrell living in a lakeside hotel.

Farrell plays David, a single man sent to a home for other single people, where he must find a partner within 45 days or be turned into an animal of his choice and set free into the world. It’s wonderfully eccentric, hilariously funny and strangely touching, with a contemporary world that, in its own weird way, is far more discomforting than 100 of the same old dystopian wastelands.

Watch The Lobster on Netflix USA

District 9

A striking piece of indie sci-fi, and an example of how a relatively low budget doesn’t have to mean substandard CGI, District 9 tells a story of alien refugees stuck on Earth,and their mistreatment at the hands of unsympathetic human officials. It’s one that draws clear parallels with the apartheid South Africa where director Neill Blomkamp grew up.

When a company field agent assigned to evict aliens from illegal settlements contracts a DNA-twisting virus, he is forced to seek refuge himself – and can only do so inside an alien ghetto called District 9.

Watch District 9 on Netflix USA

Ex Machina

Alex Garland’s directorial debut is a brilliantly realised slice of sci-fi about what makes us human. Oscar Isaac plays Nathan, the charismatic billionaire CEO of a tech company who wrote the code for his search engine as a child.

When one of his employees, super-nerd Caleb, wins a competition to spend a week at his boss’s high-security bunker home, Nathan uses it as an opportunity to test his new invention: Eva, the physical incarnation of Nathan’s latest AI software. But can she pass the Turing Test even when the examiner knows full well she’s a robot?

While Caleb is something of an off-the-shelf geek, Nathan is a cross between Mark Zuckerberg and a Bond villain. One minute he’s sweating out a hangover and dancing with his live-in maid like a laddish Steve Jobs, the next he’s intimidating Caleb from the darkness of his concrete-walled, warren-like lair.

The interactions between Eva and Caleb could easily have become tedious interviews but Garland infuses them with flirtatious humanity. Much like Joaquin Phoenix’s character in Her, Caleb finds a lot to like in his artificial companion, with some incredible make-up and special effects making her equally appealing and believable to the audience. And that’s what makes the denouement of Ex Machina all the more shocking.

Watch Ex Machina on Netflix USA

BoJack Horseman

A Netflix Original, this animated series features Arrested Development’s Will Arnett as the titular Horseman, a, er, “horse man” who enjoyed success in a beloved 1990s sitcom but now wallows in boozy, druggy self-loathing as a washed-up former star. But don't worry if we've made it sound too grim - the show's serious:silly ratio is nicely balanced.

Set in a skewed version of Hollywood in which humans live alongside anthropomorphic animals, BoJack Horseman features a strong cast (Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul plays BoJack’s best friend Todd while Alison Brie plays love interest Diane) and razor sharp writing, and with three seasons and a couple of one-off specials available, it's perfect fodder for a weekend binge-watch blowout.

Watch BoJack Horseman on Netflix USA

Chef’s Table

This series (now four seasons plus a France-based spin-off season strong) shadows world-renowned chefs as they take viewers on a personal journey through their culinary evolution - providing an intimate, informative glimpse into what gets their creative juices flowing.

Lovingly shot in razor-sharp 4K quality (for those with the necessary Netflix subscription), Chef's Table is so well-made that you can almost smell the aromas seeping out of your screen and tickling your nostrils. From glistening, perfectly-cooked cuts of meat to mouth-watering veggie dishes, this is food pornography of the highest order. Just try not to drool all over your TV.

Watch Chef’s Table on Netflix USA

Marvel Studios’ latest foray into episodic television is far and away its best - a gritty, street-level crime drama that has more in common with The Wire than Captain America. Boardwalk Empire’s Charlie Cox stars as the costumed crusader Daredevil – blinded in an accident but granted heightened senses and perception.

With an extended running time to play with, and none of the constraints of broadcast TV, Daredevil is free to explore the ramifications and moral complexities of super-powered vigilantism – with Daredevil's alter ego Matt Murdock working as an attorney by day, there are plenty of moral grey areas to explore. It’s also free to flesh out its supporting characters, including a stellar Vincent D’Onofrio as hulking crime boss Wilson Fisk.

Watch Daredevil on Netflix USA

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5 Golden Rules to Govern Your Supplier Negotiations

Last modified on August 1st, 2019

In a bid to join the massive subscription box market, you’ve connected with a supplier, and they like your hustle. Now it’s time to negotiate.

The mere mention of the world reminds me of the hard selling environment in Glengarry Glen Ross.

always be closing

But negotiation doesn’t have to be daunting. In fact, with the right strategy in place, negotiating with a supplier can be a fun experience.

Whether you’re sourcing free samples, or buying items to fill your boxes, this post will equip you with five different negotiation tactics you can use to get the best price, while forging long-term business relationships.

1. Aim for Distributor Pricing

Remember first and foremost to approach your supplier as a trade partner seeking trade prices. The easiest way to do this is by introducing your brand with an accompanying website or business card — depending on if you’re negotiating online or offline.

Also, hint at the number of products you’re looking to purchase, as bulk orders will likely fetch you a better deal.

When you do get the quote, don’t assume that their trade prices are set in stone. Haggle with them by mentioning that — if all goes well — you’ll be back for more of their wares.

2. Be Transparent With Your Budget

When dealing with price, it’s better to keep your budget out in the open, as this will encourage the supplier to do the same with their expectations. Keeping your budget in the dark will make the negotiation murky.

I have zero dollars

You don’t have to lie your entire hand on the table from the very beginning, but being open and honest will only help to build a long-term bond — and that’s more valuable than a one-time deal, as I will soon discuss.

For example, you might want to come out and state exactly how much you can and can’t spend. By giving them the maximum price you can pay per unit, a supplier might be willing to come down to your price rather than lose the sale altogether.

This solidifies the importance of knowing your maximum price per box and overall cost metrics. These need to be calculated before price negotiations begin, so you can ensure you’re making a profit.

3. Always Think Long-Term

Good relationships are key for the long-term success of your subscription box business.

When you work with the same suppliers repeatedly, you’ll soon be getting more than just good deals — you’ll be getting free samples, access to new products before anyone else and shoutouts on social media. Those are just some of the little perks of a long-term professional relationship that can give you the edge over your competitors.

Plus, if you set up long-term contracts to place multiple orders over coming months, you might be land an even bigger discount.

There’s also something to be said for not playing hard-ball with your suppliers, particularly if you’re operating in a small niche. That’s because the smaller the niche, the fewer suppliers there are — so be wary of isolating your brand.

4. Go Beyond Price Incentive

Even if you’re a bootstrapped startup, you almost certainly have have more than just cash to offer in a negotiation.

Remember firstly the additional promotional value you’re offering the supplier’s brand. If you have a large social media following, or a decent email subscriber list, then make sure they know about it. After all, it will be their products being purchased and paraded in front of that targeted audience — an audience that likely aligns with their target market.

The targeted promotion that you’re offering can easily result in additional business for the supplier, and they know it. They also know that they would have to pay a tidy sum in order to get such targeted marketing done otherwise.

You’re also offering value by association. For example, if you have a collection of small and large suppliers, then you’re doing a massive service to those smaller companies by including them side-by-side with larger companies. Make sure to mention that in your negotiations.

Finally, you might consider adding value to a deal by leveraging your social media following to shout out the supplier in question — which would translate into a form of influencer marketing for them.

5. Consider a Cost-Share Agreement

Let’s say you’re negotiating with a large company that has a huge audience. You really want their products in your box, but — even after fierce negotiations — you just can’t afford their prices.

What do you do?

Well, you could offer a cost-share agreement. Essentially, you’d be offering them a share in the overall sales of your subscription box for a lower price purchase. This can be especially helpful if you don’t have the cash up front, and now that they have a stake, they might even promote your box via their marketing channels. Which would be amazing.

Now, this isn’t the best way to ensure overall profitability in the long-run, and it might hurt to give away a slice of your profits, but for short-term brand embellishment, it might just work.

Negotiate Like a Boss, Without Selling Your Soul

The tips above will keep your negotiations from going sour, but to get the absolute best deal — you’ll need to police your mindset.

Rather than viewing each negotiation as a battle, your goal should be to lead with value and make it a win-win for both parties. Make sure that ethos comes across in your emails, phone calls and real-life meetings, and you should be golden.

Finally, do yourself a favour and avoid making promises you can’t keep. Do the maths to ensure you can make the necessary purchases, and then work with what you have. Either that, or risk losing the trust of a supplier.

Do you have any of your own tactics you use during supplier negotiations? Share your best tips in the comments below!


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3rd Saturday of the Month commencing September 19th 2020

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Comments from a recent visitor.

We had the absolute pleasure of a tour with Wayne last week.

The plants. The passion. The knowledge!

We walked in not knowing what to expect, but wow what an experience. We learnt more than we could have fathomed. The cloud forest is a beautiful slice of the tropics and the plants are jaw-droppingly beautiful. The tour was inspiring and we are now even more hooked on aroids.

Wayne has incredible knowledge on the biology, explaining in layman's terms the scientific classifications and background around Aroids, NOIDS and other fascinating scientific info. No questions went unanswered, even our silly ones.

Wayne also delivers his tour with cheek and humour, it was a very engaging and fun experience for our group. It’s not often you get to experience the extent of the plant world in such a unique way.

Thank you Wayne! We will be back to see the ongoing growth.

Mobile: 0408 028 454

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What are some best practices to develop excellent customer relationships?

develop excellent customer relationships?

For anyone aspiring to reach the management level in an organization is to understand the key importance of effective project management skills. It’s vital to boost confidence in dealing with people for business purposes, as well as refining the time management techniques.

This blog will take you through some of the best practices to develop an exceptional customer relationship strategy. By covering the key theoretical and practical elements, you can gain a solid grounding in project management.

Ask for feedback: Feedback helps you to improvise on your services and cater to the specific needs of your customers as per their expectations. It allows you to find the best available solutions to their problems and helps to formulate better decisions to improve and increase the performance. By inviting customer feedback, you allow your customers to give you an honest gauge of their satisfaction with your services. Place a comment card on your business counter and respond promptly, whether it’s a compliment or a complaint. Even negative feedback is also valuable, it can motivate employees to perform better.

Connect with common masses: With the advent of technology, there are numerous platforms to stay connected to your customers than ever before. Rather than just telling your customers about the services or products, it’s important to understand their perspective of customer satisfaction and implement that in your business plans. Try to find the best possible way to simplify the approach of connecting to your clients through different online tools and social media outlets. Start a blog to engage with your customers and respond to their inquiries to improve the relationship.

Show appreciation: Providing long term discount packages to your loyal customers is a way of appreciating their generosity by selecting you rather than your competitors. Loyalty program apps, reward cards, and special discount packages are a part of this strategy. With a loyalty program, you can just let your offers attract the potential with a discount on their next purchase.

Respond promptly: When a customer contacts you, acknowledge their efforts by responding as quickly as possible, even if you don’t feel like so. You can simply acknowledge the receipt of their request and assure them that you are working on it. People often worry about not having the right answer but it’s more about reciprocating to their query.

Treat every client with utmost attention: Referrals are key to success. You never know who your customer may know or to whom they will refer you. It’s incredibly fulfilling to be a reliable partner fuelling the growth by your absolute commitment towards your job. Your obligation to the client relationship should be made apparent by the way you communicate with your customers.

Exceed expectations: Your customers always expect you to raise the bar on your services. When you impress customers with your services, they keep coming back to you.

You can establish successful partnerships with skilfully crafted relationship management techniques and create a win-win situation for everyone involved. Improve your skills with a project management course to top up your knowledge in order to move your career forward.

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Lauderhill against road widening

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Calling a road-widening plan "dangerous," city commissioners say they're against it and would start a campaign urging Broward County to cancel it -- or at least alter the plan.

Though some commissioners on Tuesday questioned how effective their efforts would be, they nevertheless approved a resolution stating their opposition to the county's $14 million plan to widen a 2-mile stretch of Pine Island Road. The plan would widen the road from four to six lanes from Oakland Park Boulevard to Commercial Boulevard and, on a stretch through Lauderhill, put 45 mph traffic 12 feet closer to about 26 homes.

The expects to start the two-year construction phase by mid-year.

"It's a recipe for disaster, danger and death," City Commissioner Hayward Benson said. County planners have said pedestrians won't have to walk right next to traffic, because there will be 6-foot sidewalks, a 2-foot curb and 3-foot bike lane.

Lauderhill commissioners plan to send their resolution letter to county commissioners.

Because the project also spans Sunrise and Tamarac, commissioners also plan to ask those cities to join them in opposing the project.

Copyright © 2020, Sun Sentinel


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'Refreshing' air miles news

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

My ears perked up at the announcement on a recent Alaska Airlines flight: For a limited time, 20,000 frequent-flier points -- enough for a free flight! -- may be awarded to those who apply for the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card (877-721-9405, www.alaskaairlines.com).

Being handed so many miles is a bargain hunter's dream. While you may not want to trek to Miami International Airport to fly Alaska Airlines, several other carriers also offer big enticements to apply for their credit cards. That's good news for anyone whose frequent-flier miles are about to expire; such credit cards typically reward one point for every $1 spent and thus "refresh" miles, keeping your cache alive.

United and USAirways, you'll recall, shortened the lifespans of their frequent-flier miles to 18 months; Delta Airlines to two years. If you have a mere 5,000 miles on one of them, it may be tempting to let them expire. But get this: United is offering 20,000 bonus miles for new cardholders who spend $250 on its Mileage Plus Visa Signature card; plus, the first year's fee is free (877-825-8472, www.united.com). Delta SkyMiles' American Express card provides 15,000 bonus miles and no fee the first year (800-759-6453, www.delta.com). USAirways offers that same deal on the Dividend Miles World Mastercard, plus throws in two coupons for $99 companion fares when full-price tickets are purchased.

Perhaps the best deal comes from American Airlines' Aadvantage card through Citibank (800-359-4444, www.aa.com). It provides 20,000 bonus miles, plus a certificate for a free companion ticket (for use when a full-price domestic fare is bought for at least $299) and a $50 discount coupon. There's no fee the first year.

Still other airlines have been offering sign-up bonuses, including 15,000 miles from Continental and Northwest.

The larger point: Contact any airline's main phone number. Ask about its credit card and consider these an option if you have 10,000 lonely miles threatened with extinction.

Important: Due to high interest rates, make sure to pay your balances in full each month, or it's not worth it. Compare frequent-flier credit cards at FrequentFlier.com or MSN's Web site (tinyurl.com/y2u6xp/).

Cutting Corners appears on Sundays. E-mail Cutcorner@aol.com. Leave a recorded message at 954-356-4759.

Copyright © 2020, Sun Sentinel


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Undersized Sanders tough to overlook

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

When Colts free safety Bob Sanders takes the field for Super Bowl XLI, he'll have plenty of people on his mind besides Rex Grossman and Bernard Berrian.

There will be parents Marion and Jean, his seven siblings and all his old coaches. One in particular.

"I was blessed that Joe Moore was in my life," Sanders said. "It would be a great feeling to see him here. I know he's watching from up above. He's in a great place now."

Moore, who died in 2003 at 71, was a Notre Dame assistant known as one of the best offensive line coaches of his time. In 1998 Moore won an age-discrimination lawsuit against Notre Dame after he was let go by coach Bob Davie in 1996. After that he settled in Erie, Pa., and became an assistant at Cathedral Prep High School.

Moore took a liking to a 5-foot-8 kid who packed as much power per pound as any defensive back should be allowed.

In 1972 Moore had coached at Upper St. Clair, Pa., High. Among his players was Kirk Ferentz, now the coach at Iowa. Moore gave his old pupil a call when he discovered that the only Division I-A school showing interest in Sanders was Ohio University.

"He told him, 'Look, I've got a guy who's going to be a great player, but everyone thinks he's too small,'" Sanders recalled.

Ferentz took a chance on Sanders, who made Moore look good, becoming a starter as a freshman and earning the nickname "The Hitman."

Sanders got enough leverage to become a star in the Big Ten. The Colts were glad to get a player who has proved to be a first-round talent in the second round in 2004.

"You couldn't miss Bob Sanders," Colts President Bill Polian said. "If you didn't have eyes, you'd here the thud when he hit people. He had a [foot] injury that caused him to fall on draft boards, and then there was the height."

Ever the optimist, Sanders believes he has succeeded in turning his height into an advantage.

"I think it's helped me out," he said. "When coaches teach tackling, it's always about staying low to the ground. It's all about leverage. When you're going against a guy in wrestling or whatever it may be, it's about leverage. Whoever gets underneath is going to win 99 percent of the time."

Today, Sanders will be motivated by memories of Moore and of what his parents did for him. His father worked at Erie Metals & Iron until he retired five years ago.

"I realize what my parents had to go through to raise eight kids," said Sanders, 25, whose five sisters and two brothers range in age from 23 to 39. "To struggle, how hard it was for them and having dreams that were hard to fulfill."

Sanders took that attitude to the NFL, where he battled injuries as a rookie and went to the Pro Bowl last season, the only one of his three in which he has played every game.

This season Sanders played in only four regular-season games because of a knee injury. His return for the playoffs has been cited as the major reason the Colts have been so effective against the run in the playoffs after being last in the league in the regular season. In three playoff games, he has 20 tackles and one interception.

"He brings attitude, and he's another Pro Bowl player out there," Bears center Olin Kreutz said. "You can see with him back in the lineup what kind of defense they have."

Sanders said he prides himself on his instincts.

"My awareness is really good," he said. "I read the tackles, guards, running backs and everything. I think my instincts are good, and I attack each play in a physical way. I enjoy doing it, and I'm blessed to have the ability."

Copyright © 2020, Sun Sentinel


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Jewish film fest showcases coming-of-age dramas

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Two very different coming-of-age dramas kick off the Broward County Jewish Film Festival, which runs Saturday through Feb. 18 in Davie.

The festival opens with the seriocomic Wondrous Oblivion, about a cricket-obsessed 11-year-old boy who befriends a Jamaican immigrant played by Delroy Lindo (Get Shorty). But in South London in the 1960s, black and Jewish families are not supposed to mingle, leading to an examination of British race relations as writer-director Paul Morrison "catches both the innocence of childhood and its unconscious cruelty," according to the Los Angeles Times.

On Sunday, Fateless recounts the harrowing odyssey of a 14-year-old Jewish boy during and after the Nazi occupation of Hungary, as he is shunted from one concentration camp to another. It's based on Imre Kertesz's Nobel Prize-winning, semi-autobiographical novel; the Chicago Tribune says "the movie's grueling authenticity and sometimes timeless art come not just from its eloquent writing but its remarkable technical and visual realization."

Two short films fill the screening schedule on Monday. The Forgotten Refugees documents the history and destruction of Middle Eastern Jewish communities, while Jews in Germany traces German Jewish history with the help of members of the Temple Solel in Hollywood.

On Thursday, Blues by the Beach chronicles the goings-on at an Anglo-American blues club in Tel Aviv before and after it was targeted by a suicide bomber.

Short films will also supply the entertainment on closing night, Feb. 18. The Tribe finds a connection between the history of the Barbie doll and the American Jew, while an Argentine man finds himself Like a Fish Out of Water as he attempts to improve his Hebrew accent so he can star in an Israeli soap opera.

The Broward County Jewish Film Festival will be presented at the David Posnack Jewish Community Center, 5850 S. Pine Island Road, Davie. Admission is $6 per day for all ages; a "Movie Lovers Package" that includes a ticket to each event is $30. Call 954-434-0499 or visit

Dan Hudak is a freelance writer in Miami.

Copyright © 2020, Sun Sentinel


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Driver charged in deadly crash

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Three months after a crash that killed two senior citizens in West Palm Beach, police on Friday charged the driver of a septic tank truck with vehicular homicide and reckless driving.

"That was one of the things I was very upset about," said Harriet Thowdis, niece of Lillian Starkman, 92, who died the day of the crash. "I couldn't believe the driver wasn't cited at all."

Humberto Corrales, 59, who lives west of West Palm Beach, posted $20,000 bond Saturday.

The morning of Nov. 16, a 20-passenger bus from the Jewish Community Center was taking residents of Golden Lakes Village retirement community shopping. It was about to turn left onto Okeechobee Boulevard when the Speedy Rooter septic tanker, headed eastbound on Okeechobee Boulevard, ran a red light and crashed into the mini-bus, police said.

Although Corrales was not speeding, the impact of the crash killed Starkman and sent 11 people to the hospital. Mariam Sherman, 84, later died of her injuries at St. Mary's Medical Center. Three of the occupants suffered serious injuries, police said. Witnesses told police Corrales didn't try to stop until moments before the crash.

"They found that he was riding a truck and didn't stop," police spokesman Ted White said. "Investigators determined he was a football field away when the light turned red."

White said it took a while to file charges because investigators had to determine speed projection and other factors that contributed to the crash.

Corrales, who had a clean driving record, was arrested at Speedy Rooter in West Palm Beach, where he continued to work after the crash, police said.

Thowdis, 78, said the arrest brings some relief to her mourning.

"I thought my aunt had been a little bit vindicated," she said.

Starkman was held in high regard in the retirement community where she had lived since it was created in the 1970s. She was in good health and wanted to live to 100, Thowdis said.

"She is sorely missed," Thowdis said.

Residents in the community continue to use the bus to go shopping.

"The bus is critical to the community," Thowdis said. The crash is "a fact of life. Life does go on."

Jerome Burdi can be reached at or 561-243-6531.

Copyright © 2020, Sun Sentinel


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Gator fans are driven to show their loyalty

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Anyone driving behind Kim and Frank Steward knows their hearts lie in the Gator nation.

Kim has a University of Florida plate on her truck, while Frank sports a personalized plate, g8r95, on his Nissan Armada.

"I've gotten in conversations with people who saw it," said Frank, who graduated in 1995. "For us, everything Gator is huge," added Kim, 36, a project specialist for

The Davie couple has plenty of company: UF had the state's top-selling specialty license plate in 2006 and early 2007. More than 90,000 fans bought UF plates in 2006, with 21,000 being new sales rather than renewals. In Palm Beach County 4,753 vehicles have them.

School officials say they expect tag sales to get even bigger if UF snares its second basketball championship in a row on Monday.

Florida has more than 100 specialty license tags, which cost vehicle owners an extra $25 each year. From 2001 to 2005, the UF plate placed third or fourth in the state. A UF plate is also sold in Tennessee, Maryland and Virginia.

After the football team won its national football championship in January, UF plate sales in the state jumped from 7,500 a month to 8,800 in the first two months of 2007.

UF uses the extra tag money to fund scholarships. Last year, it got $2.26 million, and it has received $29.4 million since the plate was first sold in 1987, according to state figures.

Some fans kick in an extra $12 to personalize their license, with that money going to the state. For instance, Gregg A. Straus, of Coral Springs, has a tag that reads UFOMY. Carey Laufer, of Weston, has IG8TR on his plate.

Julie and Steve duRochemont, of Lighthouse Point, have a mixed marriage: She is a 1991 UF graduate, while he is a University of Central Florida alumnus. But since Julie's parents, her brother, her two uncles, one aunt and several cousins went to Gainesville, "We're a Gator family," she said.

So there was never a question that the back of Julie's 2006 Acura SUV would display a Gator tag.

"If it has a Gator on it, I have to have it," she said.

Emily Edwards, 31, of Jupiter, is such a fan she tried to time her three pregnancies so they wouldn't interfere with football season.

But for years, she and husband Trent Edwards, 37, have been unable to get the specialty plates because they drive company cars.

She wants a plate, she said, because "the money goes to the university. That, and to show the pride of being a Gator."

The company Trent Edwards works for recently changed its policy, and he is driving his own truck.

"He'll be happy he can finally have one," his wife said.

Anthony Dickey, director of the university's Florida Fund, says he knows why plate sales have zoomed.

"A lot of people just love the Gators," he said.

Buddy Nevins can be reached at or 954-385-7912.

Florida currently has 104 specialty license plates, and six more could be approved in the current session of the Florida Legislature.

When your registration is due, go to a local tax collector's office or private tag agency to replace your current license plate with a specialty license plate. The cost is an extra $22 to $27, depending on which plate you pick, with the money going to various sponsors.

For more information, visit .

Source: Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles

Copyright © 2020, Sun Sentinel


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Recent Projects - Case Studies - Success Stories

Nature’s Touch Ponds: Live Ford F350 Truck Wrapping at NJ Landscaping Trade Show!

Posted on Thu, Jan, 31, 2013

Landscape contractor truck wrapsSunrise Signs recently wrapped a Ford F350 utility truck at the New Jersey Professional Landscape & Nursery Trade Show in Edison NJ and Nature’s Touch Ponds and owner Darren Lucas were the happy recipients of this vehicle wrap project!

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Tags: Contractor truck wraps, Ford F350 Truck wraps, Landscape Contractor truck wraps, New Jersey contractor truck wraps, see a live truck wrapping transformation, Sunrise Signs wraps Ford F350 live at Trade Show


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Fairlife Update

After an in-depth review of the steps Fairlife has taken to address animal welfare concerns, including third-party audits, a new zero tolerance policy, and discontinuing the use of milk from Fair Oaks Farms, Sunset Foods has started selling these products again in our stores.

Many of our customers rely on Fairlife products, and we are encouraged that the new policies will meet the values and standards we expect of all our suppliers.

Fairlife COO, Tim Doelman, shared the below information an update this month. You can continue to follow updated on the fairlife website, located here

"Update from fairlife COO Tim Doelman on fairlife’s commitment to audit our supplying farms

As part of fairlife’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and to ensure our supplying dairies are in compliance with the National Dairy FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) animal welfare program, last month we committed to conducting third-party audits of our supplying dairy farms. This note is to update you on our progress.

As of today, our third-party auditor, Food Safety Net Services Certification and Audit (FSNS C&A), has completed audits of farms representing 90% of fairlife’s milk supply. FSNS C&A is in the process of completing the remaining audits and compiling a detailed audit report. We will post additional details of their audit findings by July 21st. In the meantime, here’s a summary of their key findings so far:

  • Zero tolerance policies: The auditors verified that all of the farms’ employees have committed to our zero tolerance policy on animal abuse. Violation of this policy results in termination of any employee who has abused an animal on one occasion and, if appropriate, leads to an investigation by law enforcement.
  • Healthy and well-cared for cows: Key animal wellness indicators, such as cow/calf hygiene and body condition met or exceeded performance target scores for each of these categories.
  • Animal welfare training: The auditors verified that all the farms had signed  training records and documentation for specific animal care best practices.

Also as we previously communicated, fairlife has discontinued the use of milk from Fair Oaks Farms.

Having grown up on a dairy farm, I wanted to revisit the operations for myself. So, in addition to having the third-party audits conducted, I have personally visited a majority of our supplying farms. I was pleased with what I saw as it is consistent with the FSNS C&A audit findings outlined above and demonstrates that our supplying farms are in compliance with the FARM program animal welfare standards.

fairlife is fully committed to requiring all our supplying farms to meet our animal welfare standards. To help meet that commitment going forward, each of our supplying farms will be audited 24 times per year, and all of these audits will be unannounced.

Stay tuned for additional findings from our third-party audits, which we will post here by July 21st."

Sunset will continue to monitor the situation and will update this page with any changes.

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Savor the 'Thrill of the Grill' every weekend throughout June!

This weekend’s weather forecast? Barbecue! And Sunset Foods has everything you need to get your grill on.

Come sample the very best of what Sunset's Meat Department offers every Saturday during our month-long "Thrill of the Grill." Taking place every Saturday, June 8 to June 29 from 11am-3pm, these fun events offer special values and lots of free samples. See schedule below for specific stores and details. In addition, grill enthusiasts can enter to win one of five Yeti coolers and $200 worth of Certified Angus Beef at Sunset’s Highland Park, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Long Grove, or Northbrook locations.

Saturday 6/8 Long Grove (Craft Sausage)
Saturday 6/15 Lake Forest (Certified Angus Beef Steaks)
Saturday 6/22 Northbrook (Sunset's All-Natural Pork Ribs & Chops)
Saturday 6/29 Libertyville (Poultry ~ Chicken)

Giveaway Rules

1. PROMOTION DESCRIPTION: The THRILL OF THE GRILL GIVEAWAY ("GIVEAWAY") begins on June 6, 2018, at 7:00 am and ends on June 14, 2018, at 5:00 pm (the \"Promotion Period\").

The sponsor of this Sweepstakes is CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF & SUNSET FOODS ("Sponsors"). By participating in the GIVEAWAY, each Entrant unconditionally accepts and agrees to comply with and abide by these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsors, which shall be final and binding in all respects. Sponsor is responsible for the collection, submission or processing of Entries and the overall administration of the Giveaway. Entrants should look solely to Sponsor with any questions, comments or problems related to the Sweepstakes. Sponsor may be reached by email at comments@sunsetfoods.com during the Promotion Period.

2. ELIGIBILITY: Open to legal residents of Illinois who are ELIGIBLE MINIMUM AGE (the \"Entrant\"). Sponsor, and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, distributors, retailers, sales representatives, advertising and promotion agencies and each of their respective officers, directors, and employees (the \"Promotion Entities\"), are ineligible to enter the Giveaway or win a prize. Household Members and Immediate Family Members of such individuals are also not eligible to enter or win. "Household Members" shall mean those people who share the same residence at least three months a year. "Immediate Family Members" shall mean parents, step-parents, legal guardians, children, step-children, siblings, step-siblings, or spouses. This Giveaway is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations and is void where prohibited or restricted by law.

The grand prize is a Yeti Cooler and $200 in Certified Angus Beef. Additional prizes may be given away at the discretion of store management and will be posted in-store. Prizes may not be exchanged for cash. Participants can enter at any Sunset store location. Raffle boxes are located at the Customer Service Desk. No purchase required to enter. Winners will be chosen at random by the Sunset Store Manager where the entry was received. Odds of winning are based on the number of entries received. One entry is allowed per household, per store visit, but participants may enter as often as they wish. Winners will be notified by email. One winner per household. Winners have 60 days to claim their prize or they forfeit the prize. Sunset will not share or use any details collected from the entries. Winners will be posted here and on Sunset's Facebook page.

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Contact Us Resume Examples Your Account
Edit this resume to make it your own!

Your Name

Construction Manager

West Palm Beach, FL

Work Experience

Construction Manager

Ayers Housing Rehab Consultants

Dec 1999Current

Self Employed Construction Management Company

Housing Rehab Specialist

Ayers Housing Rehab Consultants

Dec 1999May 2000

Helped develop reconstruction plan for Town of Princeville NC. Town
was destroyed by hurricane Floyd Sept 1999

Home Depot Expo Division

Jan 1998Dec 1999

Insured on time delivery of products and installation services for design customers.

General Mgr. Construction Division

Housing Partnership Inc

Oct 1994Nov 1998

Ran construction division of low income housing company. Oversaw all aspects of rehab and construction for company aquired properties.

Construction Management

Self Employed

Mar 1991Sep 1994

Project Administrator

Old School Square Inc

Oct 1988Mar 1991

Liason between Old School Square, the architect, contractor and city of . Delray beach for the restoration of historic property

Housing Rehab Specialist

City of Delray Beach

Feb 1984Oct 1988

Oversaw housing rehab for City Community Development Department

Housing Rehab Specialist

Neighborhood Housing Services of West Palm Beach

Feb 1980Feb 1984

Housing rehab specialist for non profit involved in neighborhood

University of Florida

Additional Information

Skills: Computer literate
Blueprint reading
Resume Builder | Resume Templates | About Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Help Articles | Resources | Link to Us | Partner with Us | Contact Us © 2013-2019


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Healthy Sugar Free Granola Recipe

Jump to Recipe

If you’ve been looking for a healthy granola recipe with ZERO grams of sugar, this is the one!  Our crispy, crunchy granola delivers healthy fats, protein, and energy-boosting whole grains without the added sweetners.

For more sugar-free snack ideas, check out this post with 50 ideas!

Healthy Sugar Free Granola Recipe. We were able to get this granola crunchy, even without adding any sugar at all!

You’ll love how crispy and flavorful this granola is, without any sugar added!

The best part about making granola sugar free is that you can add so many delicious fruits for natural sweetness! Whether you add dried fruit to take the granola on the go, or fresh fruit like blueberries to mix into your breakfast, that is 100% where we want to get the sugar we eat. Fruit sugar that comes in the form of whole foods is good for kids!

Healthy Sugar Free Granola Recipe. We were able to get this granola crunchy, even without adding any sugar at all!

Making sugar-free granola can be tricky. That’s because granola’s crunch usually comes from heating sugar. The longer sugar is heated, the crunchier your food gets (think hard candy, brittle stage.)  The lower the heat of your sugar, the chewier something is (thing granola bars, vs. granola.) So, the question on my mind was, how do we get crunchy granola with NO SUGAR at all? The answer is: egg whites!

How to Make Crispy Sugar Free Granola

We mixed all the dry ingredients, (3 cups in all).  Feel free to experiment with a variety of nuts and seeds. We used 2 cups rolled oats, and then 3/4 cup of nuts and seeds (almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds, and cashews.) But ANY variety will do.  Just make sure you end up with three cups.Healthy Sugar Free Granola Recipe. We were able to get this granola crunchy, even without adding any sugar at all! Then, in a separate mixing bowl, we whipped our egg whites until soft peaks formed.  This took about 5 minutes!  Once finished, we folded the egg whites into the dry mixture, and then placed them on a non-stick baking mat and slowly baked at a low temperature for 1 hour (full recipe below!)

Healthy Sugar Free Granola Recipe. We were able to get this granola crunchy, even without adding any sugar at all!

For those allergic to eggs, I DID try to repeat this entire recipe using coconut oil and other oils, but the granola NEVER got crunchy. In fact, it was only soggy.  If you can’t have eggs, you may just need to follow a regular granola recipe, like our 5 ingredient granola, or 5 minute granola!

Healthy Sugar Free Granola Recipe. We were able to get this granola crunchy, even without adding any sugar at all!

Enjoy your granola, without all the sugar!

Sugar Free Granola

If you’ve been looking for a healthy granola recipe with ZERO grams of sugar, this is the one!  Instead of sugar, it only has healthy fats, protein, and energy boosting, complex carbs.

4.59 from 12 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Sugar Free Granola
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 1/2 cup
Calories: 300kcal

  • 2 cup oats, dry
  • 1/2 cup cashews
  • 1/4 cup almonds, sliced
  • 1/4 cup sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 large egg white

  • Preheat oven to 225 degrees F.
  • In large bowl, combine oats, nuts, seeds, cinnamon and salt.
  • In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form.  Fold egg whites into dry oat mixture.  Stir gently until dry mixture is coated.
  • Turn oat and egg white mixture onto a cookie sheet (lined with parchment paper or a silpat liner).
  • Bake in pre-heated oven for 60 minutes, stirring every twenty minutes.
  • Store in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks.
Tried this recipe?Mention @SuperHealthyKids or tag #SuperHealthyKids!

Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 226mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 1g

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I made this without nuts or fruits. I used your recipe (LOVE IT!!) but only included oats, egg whites, no sugar/low fat coconut, cinnamon, and a little pumpkin pie spice. It is not sweet at all, but it is exactly what I wanted. It perfectly compliments my cottage cheese & fruit parfaits. The texture is exactly what I was looking for — thank you so much for sharing your recipe!!!

Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Hello, I’ve made different granola recipes but always end up with a bitter after taste.
I find the oats have this taste after I bake them in the oven.
Any idea why I even bake them for less time but they still get these after taste.
I would really like to make this recipe but I don’t want to throw it away.
This ever happens to you?

It’s amazing! It’s just the left over liquid from a tin of chickpeas and you can whip it up exactly like egg whites. You can make meringues and all sorts of things using it instead of beaten egg whites.

Is there any way this could be made into bars or cookies please? Perhaps packing it in to a baking tray rather than stirring? I have an oats based cereal that I really like and I want to turn it into a crunchy bar without adding any more sugar, but I can’t work out how to stick it together. Thanks.

I also have the question whether to use 1 c. or 3/4 c. dry ingredients. Directions list three 1/2 cup ingredients, but specific it must equal 2 cups. Is there another dry ingredient missing, or are the portions wrong? Thank you for clarifying.

This looks like a great alternative to sweet granola. I’d probably try flavouring it with pumpkin pie spice or gingerbread spices for the fall and winter.

Wouldn’t there be some natural sugars from the nuts? I know cashews, for example, are quite high in sugar.

In the commentary you state beat the eggs until soft peaks, but in the receipt you state hard peaks. Please let me know which is correct.

Have you tried using applesauce or concentrated fruit juice to get a little bit of sweet? Do you think it would still crisp as nicely? I made your original recipe today so I’ll have something to compare and want to play with it a bit next time.

Looks delicious! Would it be possible to add cocoa powder (and at which stage) to make a chocolaty version of this? Also could I add a bit of honey or will it mess the consistency?

I found your blog as a result of this recipe. It is great and I can feel less guilty about adding chocolate chips for my chocolate fix. I do stir less to get bigger clumps in the finished granola. I also add 4 egg whites instead of 3 sometimes depending on eggs. Thanks so much.

This is amazing!Absolutely love it! Came out perfect!Finally have a sugar free crunchy granola recipe. Definitely won’t last for more than a week.Thank you so much!

Hello! My little sister and I love this recipe, we gave it a go this morning. She managed to keep it sugar free but I needed a little chocolate kick today (oops!).
Loved it that much, I had to mention it on my blog as I’m doing a sugar-free series currently.
I look forward to more of your recipes! 🙂

5 stars
Our daily granola since we found out my husbans was pre-diabetic. He’s always taking some on his business trips and we’ve been passing on the recipe to many people! Making a weekly batch by doubling the ingredients.

The Nutrition information is listed differently in two places in this article ( body of the article and green nutrition information box) . Which is correct?

I have candida and was looking for a sugar free granola when I cam across your recipe. This looks great, thanks!

Hi Amy,
This recipe is awesome! Thank you so much. I tried it yesterday and the result was so good although i am not a good cooker. I used some quinoa together with nuts and I liked the crispy flavor this made.
I’m thinking to add some honey I r cranberries as I am eating the granola. This may be tasty.
Thanks again. I will try your other recipes as well.

Hi Amy I have been shocked by the amount of sugar in most granolas so I am looking forward to making a batch of your granola. Do you perhaps a recipe for a low sugar granola bar that I can have as a snack on
the go.

Thank you
Mariaroza Opperman
[email protected]

Thank you so much for posting this! I had been jumping through some odd hoops to get my morning oatmeal “crunchy,” and this has been an excellent solution. I like to keep mine just straight oats/egg whites, preferring to add the nuts when I prepare my serving each day. My ratio is one cup of oats for each egg white, 1 tsp salt for every 6 egg whites. I use a 18×24 pan for a batch of 6cups oats/6 egg whites. It typically needs 2 hours at 225 to get as done/crunchy as I like it. Each morning, I warm it up a bit in the microwave, add some coconut oil, lots of nuts, and savor every bite! Thanks again!

Excited to try this as keen for no sugar granola option. Great British bake off this year had vegan week, they used chick pea water (aquafaba) to make meringue…. just wondered if this would work for those that are egg allergic?? Or whether it wouldn’t crisp up.

We haven’t ever tried it, so honestly it is hard for us to say how it would turn out. But if you try it, we would love to know the results!

Thank you, I am allergic to coconuts and trying to find a recipe without wasn’t easy. The other part I love is crunchy. I crave crunchy more than anything. I make today.

5 stars
Thanks for the recipe, my granola turned out great! I’m sure I’ll be making it again, possibly experimenting with different spices!
I am wondering what whipping the egg whites does for the recipe? My guess is maybe it keeps them from being soaked up by the oats or something? I’m curious to hear your reasoning.

Hi Halii, so glad you liked it! Whipping the egg white helps the texture of granola get super crispy in the oven. (Think of crispy meringue.) It also mixes easier with the oats when whipped.

5 stars
You have had several people ask about adding Stevia to this, and no one has written back about how it worked out. I added Swerve (Erithryol and Stevia) to the mix in the bowl with the oats, walnuts, cinnamon, and salt. I was making some for my sister and my friend, as well as myself, so I doubled the recipe and added one cup of Swerve. It took a little over double the egg whites, and I cooked the large pan for 3 1/2 hours at 250. I also added a little vanilla to the egg whites while beating them. My family can’t tell the difference between the granola I’ve bought at the store and this batch with Swerve. It came out awesome!

5 stars
I know that others have mentioned using chickpea water to beat and make a sub for egg whites, but I happened to be boiling dried chickpeas and the white, stiff, foam forming at the top is amazingly like the egg whites. Has anyone used that for this recipe? If so, how much do you use? And could you beat the water from boiling dried chickpeas? Any thoughts?

Hi Lynne! We no longer calculate nutrition data recipe on the Super Healthy Kids site. Every recipe on our site also lives in the Prepear app, along with nutrition facts, user reviews, and a layout that’s perfect for cooking. It’s all totally free and you can sign up here:

5 stars
This was really good! I didn’t have all the nuts the recipe called for so I used sunflower seeds and almonds. I also added in some craisins to add a little sweetness for when I am just snacking on the plain granola – it is quite bland when eating alone but the added craisins makes it great! The no sweetness is great though when added to yoghurt.

5 stars
This is the granola recipe I’ve been searching for! I was racking my brain for how to get the crunch without sugar and egg whites never even crossed my mind. I will be making this weekly 🙂

5 stars
I am so glad I found this recipe! I was thinking it was impossible to have granola without a bunch of sugar and oil. I made it for the first time today and didn’t have nuts. I used only oats and egg whites, adding a little stevia power and pumpkin pie spice to the dry ingredients. I used 2 cups of oats and 2 egg whites with the same amount of spices. It turned out great! I’m sure it will be even better when I try again adding nuts. I might try another egg white next time because my eggs were fairly small. I’m hoping to create more clumps next time. This is really good though, even for my first attempt. Thank you so much for this, you are a genius! 🙂

3 stars
I’ve just tried making this. As a diabetic I wanted something with out sugar.
This turned out great.
Once it was cooked, I’ve just sprinkled a small amount to powdered sweetener and it tastes lovely.

This is wonderful stuff! So addictive!
I suggest increasing the amount of oats to 3 cups. The 3 egg whites go a pretty long way. I’ve started using powdered egg whites, which work fine. You don’t have to beat them all that much; just until foamy. Also, if you add some water (maybe 1/2 cup) to the oat mixture it will stick together better. Pat it down and don’t stir while baking. Let it cool in the oven.
That gives you nice crispy clumps!
It disappears fast at our house!

Would adding just a little honey or maybe syrup to this ruin the crunchy texture since it’s baked at a low temperature?

I don’t want to make the other recipes I’ve seen that have SO much sweetener in them, but I’d like to add just a touch…


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Help End Hunger in America

December 02, 2010

15 percent of all American families have trouble securing enough food...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced new data suggesting that about 15 percent of all American families have trouble securing enough food. According to USDA’s report, Household Food Security in the United States, 50.1 million Americans - including more than 17 million children - lack the means to get enough nutritious food on a regular basis.

Within this group, the USDA found that roughly six percent of all households had at least one member who was under-nourished and about 28 percent of that group actually went without food for at least one full day. Conversely, the typical food-secure household spent 33 percent more on food than the typical food-insecure household of the same size and household composition.

During the holidays, as we are all thinking about ways to give back to our communities, consider this data from the charitable organization Share Our Strength:
Children who face hunger are more susceptible to obesity and its harmful health consequences as children and as adults. Undernourished children under the age of 3 cannot learn as much, as fast or as well.
Lack of enough nutritious food impairs a child’s ability to concentrate and perform well in school.
Children who don’t get enough nutritious food are more susceptible to the negative effects of skipping breakfast on their ability to think and learn.
Children who regularly do not get enough nutritious food have more behavioral, emotional and academic problems and tend to be more aggressive and anxious.
Teens who regularly do not get enough to eat are more likely to be suspended from school and have difficulty getting along with other kids.

Here are some ways you can get involved and make a donation to charitable organizations who work to fight hunger in the U.S.:

Feeding America

Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry Campaign

Feed the Children


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Aesthetic surgery of the abdomen, also called abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck," is designed to firm and smooth the abdomen. The procedure removes excess abdominal skin and may also reduce fat and tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. Some conditions are inherited. In other instances, substantial weight loss may cause abdominal skin to become flaccid. Abdominoplasty can tighten muscles that have been separated and weakened by pregnancy, and may improve the appearance of stretch marks.

Generally, a horizontal incision is placed just within or above the pubic area. When patients have loose skin above the navel, the plastic surgeon may make an incision around the navel so that redundant skin above it can be pulled down. The procedure may include tightening of the underlying abdominal muscles using sutures. There are many variations both to the design of the incisions and the technique itself. When the amount of loose skin is minimal and excess fat deposits are located below the navel, a short horizontal incision is all that is necessary. This procedure is called a partial or "mini" abdominoplasty. Sometimes liposuction may be used alone, or in conjunction with abdominoplasty, to remove abdominal fat. Endoscopic abdominoplasty is another technique for minimizing scars and may be useful when patients have a mild degree of excess fat and muscle laxity.

  • Significant complications from abdominoplasty are infrequent.
  • Unless there is significant weight gain or the patient becomes pregnant, the abdomen should remain firmer and flatter for many years.
  • Recovery time varies among individuals, but patients may be able to return to nonstrenuous work one to three weeks after surgery, and in many instances resume most normal activities, including some mild form of exercise, after a few weeks.

Other Considerations:

  • Every surgery carries some risk. Potential complications include bleeding, infection and reactions to anesthesia. Tissue loss along portions of the horizontal incision is possible when the abdominoplasty is extensive.
  • While bruising will disappear over a period of weeks, it may be months before all swelling subsides.
  • Numbness over some portions of the abdominal area may persist for several months.
  • Incisions lines may take months to fade and will be permanently visible.

ABOUT The Aesthetic Society

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, is recognized as the world's leading organization devoted entirely to aesthetic plastic surgery and cosmetic medicine of the face and body. The Aesthetic Society is comprised of over 2,600 Plastic Surgeons; Active Members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (USA) or by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and have extensive training in the complete spectrum of surgical and nonsurgical aesthetic procedures. International Active Members are certified by equivalent boards of their respective countries. All members worldwide adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and must meet stringent membership requirements.

Copyright © 2009-2020 the Aesthetic Society. All Rights Reserved.


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Are Paid Surveys for You?

Everyone Can Do It... Or Can They?

Paid surveys are fast becoming one of the best home working opportunities available. They're reliable, they're simple, they're flexible and they offer some great rewards ranging from shopping vouchers to real cash. Paid surveys are ideal for many people, but there are of course some considerations to take into account when deciding if this method of working from home is right for you.

Answering survey

Anyone considering online paid surveys as a work from home opportunity should:

1. Have A Passion For Brand Involvement

If you've got a desire to have your opinions heard, then this is the job for you. Companies really are influenced by the thoughts and ideas of their survey takers, and value those who use their initiative to come up with unique suggestions as to how they can help to better their products or promote their brand. Surveys typically last anything from 5 to 45 minutes, so if you have little interest in being a major commercial influencer, then you could find surveys, particularly longer surveys, to be a waste not only of your time but of the brand's time, too.

2. Be Honest

Many surveys available online focus on products for some of the biggest brands in the world, everything from food and drink manufacturers to electronics and technology giants. It's their name they're putting on the line, and they expect their survey takers to respond to their questions and other stimuli in an honest manner. Bending the truth regarding your specific demographic group may seem like a harmless way to access a greater quantity of surveys, but it's actually very detrimental to brands who rely on their surveys reaching their targets audiences.

3. Value Neutrality

Not everyone has had 100% great experiences with brands in their lifetime, and whether you've purchased a faulty item, been disappointed with a consumable or heard complaints about a brand through social media, chances are you have preconceived ideas regarding certain companies. If you tend to hold a grudge, paid surveys may not be for you. Unless specifically asked about past experiences or how a brand is perceived is social situations, surveys should be completed without any outside influences which could reduce result credibility.

4. Allocate Adequate Time

Paid surveys may be flexible, and are ideal for those with other work or family commitments, but they do require enough quiet, uninterrupted time to be able to complete them thoroughly. Those on the go constantly may find those 5 - 45 minutes somewhat hard to find, although this work from home opportunity could be ideal for those with a standard 9-5 job, or stay at home parents who have a spare hour during nap times or after the little ones go to bed. Rushing surveys is likely to produce inaccurate results due to misread questions or mistaken answers.

5. Understand The Role Of Technology

Technology is everywhere and it's the preferred method for gaining consumer opinions these days, with a steady decline in traditional focus groups. A familiarity of the internet and an enjoyment of surfing the web is going to be a huge bonus. In addition, having the right software installed on your PC (such as video playing software) or knowing how to install such software, will make you eligible to take part in a greater number, and wider variety, of online surveys.

Other Avenues

If you're perhaps thinking that maybe paid surveys aren't right for you, that doesn't mean there aren't other work from home opportunities that would suit your particular personality. If you're naturally persuasive or a bit of a chatterbox, check out call centre jobs that can be done from your own home with just a PC, headset and good telephone manner. On the other hand, if you're not really one for talking, but still have a way with words, consider writing web content. You could either find some paid guest blogging opportunities or use freelance websites to find vacancies. Outgoing types could give sales parties a try, while more reserved types could track down some virtual assistant administration work for companies who need an extra hand.

There are endless work from home opportunities available, but the most important thing is not to get caught up in a scam. Steer clear of any employers who request payment from you or who require too much personal information, such as credit card numbers. Although opportunities from abroad may be legitimate, you may wish to limit your search to the UK to eliminate the risk of any international payment problems.


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Share Your Story #WeAreAESC

Together, we change organizations and people’s lives.
Bring #WeAreAESC to life. Demonstrate the impact both you and our profession have in strengthening leadership worldwide.

To give you some ideas of where to start, below are of topics that you can explore:

The Impact of the Profession: Anecdotes about how you changed clients and/or candidates' lives.
The Impact of your Role: Anecdotes about how your role/expertise shaped an organization and/or leader’s success.

The Impact of Belonging to AESC: Anecdotes about how being a part of AESC strengthens your capacity to deliver value to your firm, your clients and candidates, and/or the community at large.
AESC will highlight select posts to showcase across our digital channels, including

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* 1. Share an example of how you or your firm strengthens leadership worldwide.

For optimal social sharing, we recommend your post be 100 words or less.

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In an endeavour to realise your target audience’s opinion, preference or experience with a particular product, service, personality or any other recordable incident, it is imperative to be able to assess the source, purpose and angle of the opinion maker. Here is a convenient list of the Top 6 Market Research Questions to Ask Customers […]

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Iconic horror based on Steven King's novel, after a famous author is rescued from a car crash by a fan of his novels, he comes to realize that the care he is receiving is only the beginning of a nightmare of captivity and abuse. Rob Reiner (1990)

Misery [Dvd]

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Home Page

Monday 27th April

Word of the day:   schedule

- Find out what it means and write the definition in your own words!
- What is its word class?

- How many syllables does it have (clap each syllable to help you)?

- Make a list of synonyms and antonyms

- Can you use it in an interesting sentence?

Are you able to use it, appropriately, when you are speaking or in any of your writing opportunities?

0900 - 0930 - Reading

Today, take the time to spend 15 minutes reading.

There is a challenge with this one... find the most bizarre place to read in! Email a picture to your class teacher and we shall choose the winner!

After you have finished your reading think about what makes the best reading environment for you! Where in your home is it best for you to read and why?

Check in tomorrow to see was obscure place I read and record Demon Dentist today!

0930 - 1030 - Maths

For a starter, go to this website

You can select a skill that you wish to work on and select how fast the questions come up.

This week we will be finishing off our block of learning about decimals and fractions and starting some learning about money. You are used to this way of learning now so login in the normal way, watch the video and do the activity.

Summer Term – Week 2 (w/c 27th April) Lesson 1 Round decimals.

Please remember to regularly check mymaths to see if you have any activities set for that week. A new activity was set for you over the weekend but you might need to do this week's learning before you attempt the task.

1030 - 1100 - Break

1100 - 1130 - Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar

Giving reasons: cause and effect part 1  - see the document attached below for further instructions!

1130 - 1215 - English

Listen to/watch Chapter 3: Whiter than White

Today I would like you to use what you learnt on Friday to either:

  • Create a set of instructions,
  • Poster
  • Leaflet
  • Childrens book
  • Television advert
  • Small play/drama sketch
  • Sequence of detailed pictures

It should all be about brushing teeth and how to do it properly!

Having some excellent advice ‘instructions’ or ‘information texts’ would be brilliant for the website and could help so many children!

We look forward to seeing your end results.  If you think yours would help others, don’t forget to email it to us!

Suggested websites to help refresh your memory:

1215 - 1315 - Lunch

1315 - Enquiry

Today, we are learning about the benefits of keeping our teeth clean (sometimes called oral health or teeth hygiene) and what can happen if we don't. Let's just say our teeth could be in a 'hole' lot of trouble! Read the text carefully and choose the level of questions you would like to answer. Please write in full sentences. For example:

Question: What is the name of the country where Paris is found?

Answer: The name of the country where Paris is found is France.

Look at the underlined words. These are all the words I have recycled from the question to help me write my answer. I have only actually added one new word. Genius!

See documents below for full task.


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Monday 4th May 2020

Good morning Year 6!

May the Fourth be with you! It is Star Wars day. Feel free to do your learning in the style of a character from Star Wars. Maybe you will have a light sabre by your side (cardboard tube?) or perhaps you can surprise your whole family by talking Yoda-style – confuse them very much, you will!

Before we get started, a few Star Wars-themed jokes:

Why is Yoda such a good gardener? He has green fingers.

Luke: What's for dinner tonight, Dad?

Anakin: Wookiee steak.

Luke: Is it any good?

Anakin: It's a little chewy.

Ahem, after that, we'd best get started...

8.50am Word of the Day superfluous

- Find out what it means and write the definition in your own words!
- What is its word class? (Is it a noun, verb, adjective?)

- How many syllables does it have (clap each syllable to help you)?

- Can you find any synonyms or antonyms?

- Can you use it in an interesting sentence?

Are you able to use it, appropriately, when you are speaking or in any of your writing opportunities?

 Finally, try to find the root of the word!

Be careful how you pronounce it! Break it down into syllables and pronounce it that way (an emphasis on the second syllable).

 su-per-flu-ous    (not, super-fluous).

Ever wondered how a Storm Trooper dances?  What better day to find out than Stars Wars Day?

Have a go yourselves ...

9.30am Independent reading

Grab your book and read quietly. As you read, if your book has some dialogue (speech) in it, observe how the speech is written – can you remember the key rules for writing dialogue? Note down the rules!

10am Comprehension

Crime, Punishment and Torture

(The text is in your pack!) A little history here to keep us entertained. Remember, as you read, underline the words that you are unfamiliar with. At the end, go back and look at the words in context – from the sentence that they appear in, can you work out what they could mean? Finally, look up those words – was your guess correct? Did any meanings surprise you? Try to use some of those words in conversation with your family!

Right year 6, another week and this week it's angles, not angels in special quadrilaterals (I can't tell how many times I have typed angels over the last couple of weeks).  Have a look at the QCE sheet to get you started and don't forget, if you can access White Rose, the video lessons will guide you through today's work. Oh and ignore the Star Wars jokes above, you know where to find the best jokes! wink

11am Take a Break

11.20am     Grammar – Dialogue

Did you make a mental note of the rules of speech while you were reading?” enquired Mrs O’Brien.

Smiling sweetly, Mrs Pullin replied, “Of course!”

I think so…” Mrs Kempe responded thoughtfully. “Yes! I think I remembered all of them!” She added happily.

How many rules did you spot in the dialogue above?

  • All spoken words must be inside inverted commas (speech marks).
  • Speech starts with a capital letter.
  • Before closing inverted commas, remember your closing punctuation . , ! ?
  • Use a comma to make a break between the spoken words and the rest of the sentence.
  • New speaker = new line.

Write the conversation (below) between Princess Leia and Hans Solo out again, adding in the commas and speech marks. Remember to start a new line every time a different person speaks.

I don’t think we should pick Luke for the race said Leia. Why not? Asked Hans. He’s always late for practice replied Leia crossly. That’s true agreed Hans thoughtfully.

Continue this conversation – introduce Luke. Can you remember the key rules when three characters are speaking, and ensure it is clear for your reader?

11.30 - Writing
12.30 - Lunch

It's time for another one of Tom's photography challenges.  Thank you to everyone who was able to share last week's photos on Twitter or by email.  If you can watch Tom's video, he will explain everything you need to know to get started.  If not, the PDF will explain all ...

Philosophical Question of the Day

Here's your first question of the week:

Should animals and humans be treated the same?


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Fox Racing Launch D3O Knee Guard

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Stockholm, Sweden -

Nordbygg is Northern Europe´s largest and most important event for the construction, building services installations and real estate industry.

You are welcome to meet us in Hall A on stand A27:01

Find out more information about Nordbygg here


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AI, Robots, and The Singularity

What is the technological singularity, and why we should care about it?

The technological singularity marks the point beyond prediction. The theory holds that technology / machines will become so advanced that they will gain an intelligence of their own. This intelligence will duplicate (independent of humans) and compound to the point of super-intelligence, or an intelligence greater than that of a human being. Intelligence is subjective, but my definition involves an entity defining its own goals / objectives and then making decisions in an effort to achieve those goals / objectives. Should technology reach this state of being, the vast possibilities of outcomes are so great and dramatically different from one another that no quantifiable predictions can be made as to how this event will impact the world or human beings themselves.

I suppose “concern” is natural since the unknown has always lead to thoughts of fear and opens the door potential worst-case-scenarios. However, the singularity is something that is uncontrollable—and if it’s technologically possible—is unavoidable. It’s like worrying about the weather. But, unlike the weather, no experts can predict if the singularity will bring rain or shine. For some reason, I’ve always imagined the singularity as a fusion of man and machine, rather than a division. Evolution of the species. Progress with lots of unintended consequences. A human brain integrated with bionic extremities and a wifi connection—the fusion allowing the brain to integrate with weak-AI systems to perform outstanding computing and learning capabilities; access to the internet with vast knowledge / databases associated with it. At what point does a human become a machine, or a machine a human?

Strong AI within an independent entity is a separate concern. The only thing that separates us from all other species on the planet is our superior intelligence. This intelligence allows us to dominate other species, control portions of our environment, and aid and advance our survival. Should another entity come along that surpasses us as the leading intelligence on the planet—our destiny, effectively, would then fall into their hands. Pragmatically speaking, there’s only two conditions that would ensure humanity’s survival. One, we possess no existential threat to the new technological super-intelligence. They’re so beyond us, or different from us, that they don’t need to worry about us. Two, we provide some sort of use or function for them. They need us for something. Failure to meet one of these two conditions would create competition for resources and dominance. If an equilibrium within a new ecosystem can’t be established, one side may decided to push the other out—odds favoring the side with superior intelligence.

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The Smurfs

This one man composed (almost) all the music from all your favorite childhood TV shows

Contributed by
May 17, 2018

This month, SYFY WIRE is interviewing some of the best composers in TV and film, to get insight on the theme songs and scores that stick in our head long after the credits roll.

Don't underestimate the power of a good jingle. One minute of music, skillfully written, with a killer hook, and with just the right amount of repetition can invade your consciousness and linger. For years, sometimes.

Think of some of the most effective theme songs ever written. Just a few bars – sometimes even a single note or two – can cause you to hum the entire song all day.

In that sphere, Ron Jones is a master. He's written so many television theme songs that he can't remember them all. "There were many" is all he can say when SYFY WIRE asked if he could name them all.

"People respond to repetition. And the latest musicological, biological, and psychological studies have shown that repetition is damn effective," said Jones. "So a musical track [with a very repetitive beat] might sound really dumb, but guess what? You're hooked like [bleep] to it."

For nearly 40 years, Jones has had a long and wildly productive career scoring music for TV. He was the musical heart of early Star Trek: The Next Generation (42 episodes across the show's first four seasons, plus an Emmy for "Q Who"), he scored every episode of the original DuckTales, he wrote the theme for Family Guy and has scored well over 100 episodes of that show, and his work has appeared in countless other shows and films.

But one of his first gigs out of the Dick Grove School of Music back in the late '70s was with Hanna-Barbera, the undisputed king of catchy theme songs. "That repetition, combined with melodic intervals and rests, is intrinsically tied to the human receptor. And that receptor is who I write for. I write for what we've evolved to like."

This is why Jones likes to think that he's in the business of subversion. Give him one minute of music, and he can have you humming a tune for days on end. Which, of course, is precisely the point.

"After about four or five sessions, they got used to me being there and hanging out, and I kept approaching the music director until he gave me a chance," he recalled. "I kept putting red marks all over their scores and correcting the other guys' work. [When asked about it], I said, 'Well, these guys don't know their transpositions. They don't know their stuff. I'm trying to show you that I do.'

"I did copy work for an office that would handle music like Sinatra, big band stuff, and a lot of record work," Jones continued. "One of their big accounts that would come through in the summer would be Hanna-Barbera, so I watched this procession go by and just volunteered to take the music because they had to pay someone. So I said, 'Sure, I'll take the 40 bucks.' And that got me into the session."

In retrospect, Jones recognizes how this looks. "It was kind of a dick way to do it, but I did impress him enough to get in."

"The idea is to get proximity to your craft. What's the point of being a painter if you don't have a canvas?" Jones asks rhetorically. "Doing a few years of [Hanna-Barbera] gave me hundreds of television shows. To me, that was a great foundation. It taught me how to crank; how to get a lot of music done. And even though you're cranking, you don't lower your standards. You just develop a completely new level you never thought you could do."

And that's what makes a lot of those classic Hanna-Barbera themes so special. Jones never underestimated his audience. "I never wrote down to or patronized the kids. I treated them as smart and very aware human receptors. I still do."

During his time at Hanna-Barbera, Jones worked closely with Hoyt Curtain, the legendary composer of shows such asThe Flintstones and The Jetsons.

"Hoyt would call the band and run the sessions. He was the boss. He was a genius, a musical giant. But there was so much work scoring that Saturday morning cartoon slate that he couldn't do it all himself," Jones said. "Hoyt could hear that I brought a fresh mix of power and hipness to the music, so I got in on 'ghosting' and scored a lot of music for Hoyt."

Though he was officially uncredited, Jones had his hand in a lot of the work that generations of kids would hear.

"I worked on the arranging, orchestration, and generally putting the whole thing together. Many of Hoyt's arrangers were old big band guys – all great, but they were stuck in the swing era," Jones said. "The network execs in charge of animation knew that to maintain the kid audience and thus keep the ratings up and satisfy the advertisers, the music needed to hold their attention. So I brought into the mix all sorts of popular styles and instrumentation."

Notably, the meetings weren't always at concert halls or even offices — sometimes, the music was hashed out over hash browns.

"Hoyt would have a few of us do versions of his themes, which were usually handwritten on a paper napkin as we would meet at Denny's or Jack's Deli in Westlake," Jones remembered. "He would hum a theme and quickly sketch it on a napkin, which would really just include brief melodic material. I don't have perfect pitch – I have relative pitch – so I would have to memorize that and then drive an hour home without the radio on or anything and immediately go to my piano and figure out what he just threw at me. I had to turn that napkin into a full-on theme that made millions of people instantly love it and hang out in front of the TV set and watch the show...and the commercials. It had to be ear glue."

One of the most enduring themes Jones had a hand in during this time was The Smurfs. "Hoyt composed the Smurfs theme. I had to take that sucker and do the rest."

Some of the other themes Jones scored for Hoyt (many of which were based on those quick napkin sketches) included Drak Pack, Space Stars, The Trollkins, Pac-Man, and so many more.

"That was great training. I got the job because I could make the music hip. A lot of the guys could do grand, epic, '60s-sounding main titles, but they were dated in the '70s and '80s. I was listening to more progressive music, so I made the advertisers and the network executives happy. I became the guy who would take Hoyt's sedate '50s, '60s sound and give it a hipper feel. So that made me indispensable, and then eventually I got the themes myself."

Again, the list of themes Jones composed and orchestrated for Hanna-Barbera is lengthy, but it includes notable earworms from The Snorks, Yogi's Treasure Hunt, and Go-Bots

With the ability to crank out music fully in his skill set, Jones eventually moved on from Hanna-Barbera to work on what became a defining show for a generation: DuckTales. Though he didn't write the catchiest of catchy theme songs (woo-oo!), he did help refine it, and he composed the underscore for all 100+ episodes of the show.

"The [theme song] was already composed and the tracks recorded, but the producers asked me to rev it up, so I arranged some additional rhythm section tracks, wrote those killer horn parts, and called the Tower of Power horn section. It seemed like the kiddies loved Tower of Power funk licks with their duck shows."

At the same time as he was working for Disney down in Duckburg, he was also creating the sound of another generation-defining show – Star Trek: The Next Generation. But that's another story for another time.

After leaving the 24th century, Jones returned to animation, writing the theme for Nickelodeon's The Fairly OddParents and eventually finding his way to Seth MacFarlane and Family Guy. Over the course of a decade (and still going), Jones consistently worked with MacFarlane on the themes and scores for Family Guy, American Dad!, and more.

"I have always been called upon in all my work to be the guy who can make any group sound like a large canvas. It's my special superpower. You have to know orchestration inside and out to pull that off. There is an art and craft to this. It's not just some guy with a laptop and some music samples."

And for those of you who are now scoping out Jones's IMDb page, don't expect it to be correct. A vast majority of his work (particularly his Hanna-Barbera work) doesn't even appear there. And that mention of The Force Awakens? No, he didn't orchestrate it. Laughing, he jokes, "I'm pretty sure John Williams wrote that whole score by himself."

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Art Therapy

About Sylvie
Approach to Practice
Areas of Focus

I strive to create a healing space that honours the fullness of who you are. Find out more about my experience and training by clicking here.

 My approach offers a unique integration of somatic, art and talk therapy.  Find out what you can expect in a session with me by clicking here.

I help clients to recover from personal & intergenerational trauma, harness anxiety & panic, navigate the stress & losses related to infertility, as well as  clarify & deepen identity.

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© 2019 by Sylvie Cottell Art Therapy & Counselling. Created on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen Peoples using Wix.com


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How COVID-19 Changes the Hotel Industry

Coronavirus has completely altered the world’s landscape and along with it, every industry. However, travel and hospitality were among the first industries to be hit hard by the virus as travel rates plummeted and the first steps towards lock-down began. Non-essential travel plans were immediately suspended as people hunkered down in their homes to wait out the pandemic.

The Homeowner’s Guide to Hurricane Season

The end of May marks the start of hurricane season, a threat not just to coastal homes, but many inland communities as well. Hurricane-force winds can reach out more than a hundred miles from a storm’s eye, and hurricanes can move over a hundred miles inland before winds slow to tropical storm speeds. Homeowners, like first responders, adjusters, and temporary housing companies, have a responsibility to make a plan before this year’s hurricane season begins, just in case a storm heads their way.

Tree Damage Claim Complexities

A tornado outbreak on Easter Sunday 2020 left 33 people dead, making it the deadliest in over six years.  Tree damage tends to be one of the leading causes of fatalities in tornados, hurricanes, or severe thunderstorms. Along with the threat to life, falling trees often cause property damage. Whether it is a flying branch that smashes through a window or the upper portion of a tree's trunk falling on a roof, trees become dangerous projectiles during a powerful storm. It is important to understand tree damage claims and how they can be challenging for adjusters and homeowners alike.

America’s Most Volatile Housing Markets

The housing market has a huge impact on the economic health of every region in the United States. As COVID-19 continues to affect every industry in its own way, the housing market is expected to experience a significant decline in sales. Low mortgage rates and low housing inventory may be the only things that keep home prices steady. The rental market, however, is experiencing huge shifts. Many renters have been laid off and are refusing to pay their landlords. Some states, like Georgia, have banned all vacation rentals, freeing up many for displaced homeowners.

Managing the Stress Associated with Coronavirus
We find ourselves in a time of unprecedented stress, anxiety, and uncertainty in the presence of the coronavirus crisis. The wellbeing of society; families, communities, businesses, organizations as well as our nation are all impacted. How do we survive and recover from such a massive assault on our population? As this crisis unfolds, media reports consume the airwaves with reports of travel restrictions, self-quarantine, event activity shut down, work place restrictions, schools closed, and concerns for your own and your loved ones’ health – people can experience a wide range of thoughts, feelings and reactions. All of which are normal in the presence of a crisis / traumatic incident.
COVID – 19 Response Plan

Temporary Accommodations continues to closely monitor developments related to the current outbreak of COVID-19 and we are dedicated to ensuring our customers have access to our services. As the situation evolves, we’re working closely with our employees, partners, and customers to support business operations and serve our customer’s needs. We are following the guidelines issued by the public health authorities, including the U.S.