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How to take a selective withdrawal of your TSP

I hear a lot of complaints about the Thrift Saving Plan’s various limitations. One partial lump-sum distribution per lifetime and too few investment choices are probably the most common. But coming in third I’d guess would be that the TSP does not allow participants to select the exact source of funds used to fulfill a distribution request. TSP requires that any money distributed from your account come, proportionately, from each of the funds in which you are invested at the time the distribution is made. In other words, the asset allocation that will make up your distribution will always match the asset allocation of your account at the time the distribution is processed. If, at the time of a distribution, the asset allocation of your account at the time of the distribution is 30 percent C Fund, 10 percent S Fund, 5 percent I Fund, 20 Percent G Fund and 35 percent F Fund, for example, the distribution will be taken from these funds in those same percentages.

This upsets participants who are sensitive, and rightly so, to the risk of taking a withdrawal from an investment position that has lost significant value from its former high. I frequently hear from TSP participants that they are concerned about having part, or all, of their withdrawal taken from one of the stock funds after a market crash. Some have even complained that it does no good to allocate money to the G Fund in anticipation of needing income from their account if they can’t specify that any distributed money come from that fund.

Fortunately, there is a way around this mandate. I can’t tell you how to specify the source of a distribution, but I can tell you how to achieve the same result as if you had.

All you need to do to “synthesize” a selective distribution is to rebalance your account to the allocation that would have the result of a selective distribution after the usual distribution is complete. I have suggested this to individual participants many times over the years, and have seen a mixed response. Some get it right away, and others take a little convincing, so here is a simple example to prove that it works.

Assume that your account at the time of the distribution contains $50,000 worth of G Fund shares and $50,000 worth of C Fund shares. That’s an allocation of 50 percent G Fund and 50 percent C Fund. You’d like to take a distribution of $10,000 and have all of it taken from your position in the G Fund. If you could do this, after the distribution your account would contain $40,000 worth of G Fund and $50,000 worth of C Fund shares. That is an allocation of about 44 percent G Fund and about 56 percent C Fund.

But, under the TSP’s rules, $5,000 of your distribution will be taken from the G Fund and the other $5,000 from the C Fund. This will leave your account invested equally in the two funds, as it was before the distribution, albeit with only $45,000 in each. It should be fairly easy to see that if you rebalance your account, after the distribution, from 50 percent G Fund and 50 percent C Fund, to 44 percent G Fund and 56 percent C Fund, you’ll be in exactly the same position as if you had been able to specify the source of the distribution as entirely G Fund.

Since all money coming out of the TSP (with the exception of combat pay contributions) is taxable as ordinary income, at your marginal tax rate, and capital gains and losses are irrelevant, the exact source of the distribution isn’t really important. What matters is the total account value relative to the distributed amount, and the asset allocation that you proceed to use after the distribution has been completed.

Like many things in the world of investing, your intuition or emotional response this issue is not reliable. While it may seem to be problematic to have to take money from a fund after it has suffered a loss, this is not the case if the total value of the account has not suffered a comparable rate of loss. In this case, the thing to be concerned about is whether, or not, the post withdrawal asset allocation scheme is right one to use from that point forward.

About Author

Mike Miles is a Certified Financial Planner licensee and principal adviser for Variplan LLC, an independent fiduciary in Vienna, Virginia. Email your financial questions to and view his blog at

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Duration: 2.5 hours

7 tastings (pâtés, smoked meat, maple treats and more!)

This walking tour will allow you to discover the cultural and historic culinary charms of the oldest district of Montréal.

Old Montreal Buildings

Speciality shops and boutiques in the area are housed in old factories and showrooms from the 19th century.

As you follow the narrow and winding streets of Old Montréal, your professional tour guide will feed your hunger for knowledge on the history of Montréal and its many culinary pleasures.

You will learn how the native people have influenced Canadian food habits and how the World Fair Expo 67 brought exotic food to our tables.

That and much more… Come discover the flavors and aromas of Old Montréal!

patés- site culinaire

Here are a few reviews from satisfied participants in this tour:

“The choices of stops was good and our guide’s knowledge of the area and history in general very enjoyable. The rainy weather did not deter from the tour.”

“Our guide was knowledgeable, nice, nothing was rushed, knows a lot and loves Montreal! On our next trip to Montreal will use them again for other tours, we actually went back in the following days to 2 restaurants that were introduced to us and loved them. To one we went twice. P and S, New York”

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Corn broth is a great way to use leftover parts of plants. Reserve corn cobs and vegetable trimmings for this flavorful liquid that you can keep in the fridge to use in dishes that call for water or vegetable broth.

1. Combine 4 corn cobs, skins from 1 lb. onions, leaves and ends from 2 ribs celery and greens from 1 leek, or a similar amount of other trimmings, and roast them until they begin to brown, 18-20 minutes.
2. In a 6-quart sauce pan over medium-high heat, combine 3 quarts of water, the roasted vegetable trimmings, bay leaf and any herb stems and ends.
3. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium.
4. Cook 30 minutes, strain and set aside.

This broth is called for in our Corn Chowder and Corn and Mushroom Risotto recipes.

From our cookbook Morning Glory’s Farm Food: Stories from the Fields, Recipes from the Kitchen.


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Next Tuesday, we’re again teaming up with Farm.Field.Sea to host another Bloomin’ Fantastic Flower Workshop at the farm.

Beginning at 3:30 p.m., the 2.5-hour adventure takes you on an exclusive tour of the flower fields, to explore and harvest blossoms for the class. Also included in the workshop:

  • tricks of flower arranging, from color to composition to design
  • farm stand snacks
  • beverage

What to bring:

  • walking shoes
  • sunhat
  • apron

Children are welcome: The workshop, like the farm, is family friendly.  Get more information and tickets at Workshop size is limited and spaces are available on a first come, first served basis.


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Sentry Tournament Of Champions

Sentry Tournament Of Champions

Sentry Tournament of Champions

After it’s brief sabbatical of a month the PGA tour returns to our screens this week with its traditional year opening curtain raiser in Hawaii, The Sentry Tournament of Champions.

As has been the case for many years now this event marks the first of a two week stint in Hawaii as next week will see the first full field event of 2021, The Sony Open in Honolulu.

The Sentry ToC was actually founded way back in 1953 and over the early years was played in Nevada and then California, before relocating to its current venue, The Plantation Course at Kapalua in Maui in 1999 and it has remained here ever since.

Current title sponsor Sentry Insurance took over these duties in 2018 and are currently in the middle of a five year deal.

As is always the case the tournament is open to any player who has posted a PGA Tour victory in the previous calendar year, however this year in addition, due to the abbreviated tour calendar in 2020, the event has been opened up to players who finished in the top 30 of last seasons Fedex Cup rankings, regardless as to whether they posted a victory in the season or not.

Allowing for the change to the eligibility criteria this year 45 players had the opportunity to tee it up at The Plantation Course this week, 28 event winners and 17 players who finished in the top 30 of last season’s Fedex Cup without posting a victory.

Of those 45 players 42 are on display this week with Rory McIlroy and Tyrell Hatton the two choosing not to play. In addition Jim Herman has unfortunately had to withdraw after testing positive for Covid-19.

The market is headed up by world number one and two time Sentry ToC Champion winner Dustin Johnson who makes his first start since landing the Green Jacket last November. He is then followed by the defending champion Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm, the 2019 champion Xander Schauffele, Bryson Dechambeau and Patrick Reed.

As noted above the event has been played since 1999 on the Plantation Course at the Kapalua resort in Maui.
The Plantation Course was co designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore and features wide undulating fairways and larger than average undulating Bermuda Greens.

The course measures just under 7600yds long.

The greens are TifEagle Bermuda

The course is unique on the PGA Tour in that it plays to a Par 73 as there are only three par three’s. Allowing for its length you would be forgiven for thinking it would favour bombers, however plenty of average to shorter length hitters have performed well here over the years such as Stricker, Spieth, Reed and Zach Johnson.

Bigger hitters have certainly had their share of success here over the years as well though with Dustin Johnson posting a 430 yard drive along the way to his win in 2018.

During 2019 the course underwent a major redesign/renovation project under the supervision of the original designers Coore & Crenshaw, which we saw in play in the 2020 edition.

The main aim of this was to firm up the greens and the course in general thus returning it to playing how it was originally designed.

In addition some holes saw bunkers repositioned in order to have more impact on the modern day players.
Finally some holes were lengthened and some shortened to fit more in line with how the ‘Trade Winds’, which effect the course tend to blow.

With the wind playing a fairly significant part in last year’s edition we need to be a little cautious as to how much impact these changes had in bringing us a winning score ten shots higher than the previous year. It is also worth noting that the top three players on last year’s leaderboard, Thomas, Schauffele and Reed were all past champions here so it is probably fair to say that the changes weren’t significant enough to upset the course specialists affinity to the venue.

Perhaps not unsurprisingly for a tournament who’s field, until this year, has been made up purely from winners from the previous year, over recent years the Sentry ToC has very much become the domain of players from the very top of the game.

This can be seen from the fact that only three of the last ten winners, Jonathan Byrd, Steve Stricker and Xander Schauffele, were either not already, or have not subsequently become major champions. [Although surely it is only a matter of time until Xander adds a major to his trophy cabinet].

An even more striking stat that hit me when looking at the event is the number of starts players had previously made in Kapalua before first tasting victory here.

Let me expand further…. You would think that in an event, which historically is purely open to winners from the previous year and therefore which inevitably includes a bunch of first time winners making their debut here, we would have had some winners over the recent years who were making their first start in the event having posted their first PGA Tour win the previous year.

This though is not the case at all, in fact if we look at the list below showing the past ten winners and how many previous wins they had on the PGA Tour, we can see experience appears to be key.

2020 – Justin Thomas – 11 previous wins
2019 – X Schauffele – 3 previous PGA wins
2018 - D Johnson - 16 previous PGA wins
2017 - J Thomas – 2 previous PGA wins
2016 - J Spieth – 6 previous PGA wins
2015 - P Reed – 3 previous PGA wins
2014 - Z Johnson – 10 previous PGA wins
2013 - D Johnson – 6 previous PGA wins
2012 - S Stricker – 11 previous PGA wins
2011 - J Byrd – 4 previous PGA wins

As we can see from this table only two players in the past ten years, Schauffele and Thomas, have won here on their second visit, whilst all of the others had made multiple starts on Maui before getting the job done.

There are two possible reasons for this, first and foremost it could just be a case that course experience, getting to know the large undulating greens here, how the Trade Winds can effect shots etc, is key.

Secondly I do think that it is quite possible when a player tees it up here for the first time they don’t necessarily have their full ‘game head’ on and instead get caught up in the whole ‘I’ve made it to Maui, let’s bring the family for a vacation’ vibe, thus forgetting there is an event to be won.

Either way, whatever the reason, it seems clear that historically this has not been an event for first timers.
This year of course though we do have the added complication of some non-winners here and it could be that ironically some of those players have more hunger about them than those who posted a win in 2020.

It looks like we are in for a reasonably fine start weather wise to 2021 on the PGA Tour with temperatures hovering around the low 80s and just the possibility of a couple of showers here and there through the week.

Furthermore the wind, which is more often than not a factor here and certainly was last year does not look to be a factor for the first three days at least as nothing much more than 10-15mph in the forecast all week.

As I always so though, this could all change!

There is always a fair bit of speculation involved for this first event of the New Year as you can never be quite sure as to how prepared the field will be. Who will come ready to win and who will have spent the festive period with their feet up reflecting on their achievements?

With so many of the games elite teeing it up this week you would have to think the winner will more than likely come from the top of the betting market as is most often the case here.

Having said that there are certainly some question marks over those right at the top of the market in my eyes. Firstly Dustin Johnson has not played since his Masters success so you would think there will be some rust there as he eases his way back in, similarly Dechambeau has had a lengthy break and is yet to produce his best here.

Justin Thomas conversely played in to December most recently winning the Father/Son Challenge alongside his Dad, however by his own admission he has not been overdoing the practice since, while Rahm arrives having changed clubs to Callaway. Finally Xander Schauffele arrives having just got over Covid-19, which he stated left him feeling fatigued and his will have surely disrupted his preparation.

Having weighed everything up I have decided to go with three players this week as follows;

PATRICK REED – 16/1 – 2.5pts e/w - 1/5 odds 1st 6 - FINISHED 21st

Allowing for the above the one who appeals to me the most by far from the top of the market is Patrick Reed.
I sided with Captain America in this event last year and he came close to delivering the goods for us before losing out in a play off after a Sunday charge.

One of my main reasons for siding with Reed last year alongside his past form in this event is his overall form at expansive courses such Albany the home of the hero World challenge in the Bahamas and Doral where he won the WGC the first year after the course had undergone a major redesign.

Reed came close to winning the 2019 Hero World challenge on Albany’s large undulating TiffEagle Bermuda greens before running close here a few weeks later.

This time around of course there was no Hero event in December however Patrick occupied himself by taking a trip over to Dubai in an attempt to close out the Race To Dubai title.

Unfortunately things didn’t quite go as Reed would have hoped as he stalled on Sunday slipping down to third place, a finish which handed the R2D to Lee Westwood, however we should not lose sight of the fact that it was another really strong week for him to go alongside some great performances in the Fall. Furthermore his short game, which will be called in to play on this weeks greens was in full working order.

Reed finished 16th on debut here and 25th in 2019 when he was undoubtedly suffering a Masters hangover still, however aside from that he has posted four top six finishes in his other four visits, showing that this is an ideal type of track for him, and he is definitely the play for me to kick start our 2021 campaign.

JOAQUIN NIEMANN – 35/1 – 1.5pts E/W - 1/5 odds 1st 6 - FINISHED 2nd

Those who saw my ‘Six To Follow For 2021’ piece over the weekend will know that I highlighted Niemann as a man to keep onside this year and this tournament as one he could do some damage in and I on that basis I am happy to include him this week.

Whether it be the US college link that Niemann doesn’t have or for some other reason the young Chilean’s name seems to get left out of the conversation when the ‘who’s the best Wolff, Hovland or Morikawa’ debate comes up and this is something I find hard to fathom.

At just 22 and over twelve months younger than Hovland and Morikawa Niemann certainly has plenty of time on his side and I fully expect him to go on and fulfil the expectations that his near twelve months as the world’s number one amateur created and more than likely bag a Major Championship or two in the future.

A self-pronounced lover of playing in the wind Joaquin’s low ball flight is ideal for the exposed Kapalua fairways and he thrived here on debut last year to finish fifth.

Granted the winds are not forecast to be as strong this year as last, although they are due to pick up on Sunday, however you never know if the forecast will play out as predicted and I would certainly rather have someone onside this week who is more comfortable in blustery conditions than not.

Niemann finished the 19/20 season with a strong third place at the BMW Championship which bagged him a second trip to East Lake, whilst at the same time qualifying him for this week and he took the confidence gained from that in to the start of his 2020/21 campaign, making the cut in all six starts and posting four top 25 finishes.

I mentioned earlier on that experience here is the key with no player having won on debut here in the past ten years and only two, Thomas and Schauffele, having won on their second starts. What is clear however from the form of the likes of the above two, Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed here is that the same players tend to perform well here over and over again. With this in mind and with Niemann having taken a liking to the venue last year I see no reason that he can’t emulate Thomas and Schauffele and bag his second tour title this week.

MARC LEISHMAN – 80/1 - 1pt E/W - 1/5 odds 1st 6 - FINISHED 24th

Finally for this week I am going to roll the dice and chance my arm that the New Year could equal new fortunes for Marc Leishman.

There’s no denying that 2020 did not go the way Leishman would have intended on the course as after a win at the Farmers in January and a runner up finish at Bay Hill in March he completely lost his way when the tour returned from its hiatus in June managing nothing better than a 40th place for the remainder of the season if we put to one side his 29th out of 30 at the Tour Championship.

After a horrible week at the BMW that saw the Aussie finish at +30 Leishman did open up at East Lake with a 66 then after a poor first three events to start the 20/21 season he finished 13th at Augusta so his game is still in there somewhere.

When talking about his struggles at the BMW Marc admitted that having not practiced much in the enforced hiatus he had struggled to get motivated after the restart and had also struggled with the absence of fans. From that point of view I am sure he will welcome the fact that there will be some spectators on site this week.

Leishman has finished fourth and seventh on his last two visits to Kapalua so the course clearly sets up well for him. In addition lets not forget he finished second at the 2018 Byron Nelson on the Crenshaw/Coore designed Trinity Forest, which has wide open greens not too dissimilar to here.

There is no doubt we are taking a leap of faith in chancing Leishman this week however this is obviously reflected in his odds and I am happy to take a risk on him in an event, which Aussie’s have great history.


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Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Tuesday Archives #174: Bow Tie Quilts

Welcome to the linky party that rejuvenates your old quilting/sewing posts!
Please click here to read more about this linky party.
Val's Quilting Studio
This week's theme is: Bowtie Quilts
This week's highlight is a bowtie quilt made by our blogging friend Sharon who blogs at Vroomans Quilts. These bow ties were all made from her son's flannel shirts! I love that!
I've not yet tried a bow tie pattern but after seeing Sharon's quilt and watching tutorials on line, this looks like a quick and easy, scrap busting pattern.

I specialize in edge to edge pantographs with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.
I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.

  1. I am so honored to be the highlight. A timeless block that has so much potential with layout and color.

  2. Love this one!!!! I love the simple pattern and all the ways it says love:)

  3. I love the colours in this quilt. I am making 3d bow ties. So glad I could finally join in again.

  4. What a fun quilt! I haven't made one yet, but it's on my list :) I'm off to go peek at the other archives!

  5. I love any quilt made using shirt fabric and this one with bow ties is fabulous 😍 I've never made a bow tie quilt.

  6. Another pattern that is on my to do list at some point. Sharon's looks wonderful.

I have to admit, your comments make me smile! Thanks for sharing and for letting me know you stopped by. I Hope your day is awesome!

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Opportunity: AHRC-Funded collaborative doctoral studentship

On 01/04/2014 by CFCCA Administrator

The Other Stage: Curating Chinese Contemporary Art in the UK

Birmingham City University (BCU) and the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art (CFCCA) are pleased to announce the availability of an AHRC funded Collaborative Doctoral Award for an October 2014 start.

This proposal concerns a collaboration between Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, BCU and CFCCA in Manchester. CFCCA is now at a pivotal point working nationally extending knowledge about Chinese art and developing conversations and debates about the meaning of ‘China’s Century’ and the global shift east. This timely project will provide a unique case study to develop a practice-led curatorial research critically examining contemporary Chinese art through cultural and socio-political perspectives. This project aims to understand CFCCA’s strategies and to reassess the significance of curating, interpreting, and defining Chinese contemporary art in the West, and to explore the value of Chinese contemporary art, engaging local and national communities in the UK. The principal outcome will be new contribution to knowledge and understanding regarding the complex relationship between Chinese contemporary art and its multi-cultural audiences in the UK and in the West based on a specific case study of CFCCA. It will extend to a critical examination on the ‘art’ within an ‘other’ cultural context, its curatorial strategy and translatability and will develop a coherent theoretical perspective on the curatorial practice.

The project will be jointly supervised by Jiang Jiehong, Professor of Chinese Art at Birmingham City University, and Sarah Fisher, Director of the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art (Manchester).

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates from a range of disciplines including contemporary art, curating, museum studies, art education and visual and cultural studies or a related area where candidates are able to demonstrate the application of their existing knowledge and discipline to the research aims.

For further information about eligibility and the application process please visit:

Further details of CFCCA can be found at:

Collaborative Doctoral Awards provide support for three years of full-time study leading to a doctoral degree. A full award includes tuition fees and a maintenance grant. The maintenance grant will meet the National Minimum Doctoral Stipend level set by the UK Research Councils, for 2013/14 (last year) this is £13,726.

Enquiries should be directed to biadresearch@bcu.ac.uk

The deadline for applications is Friday 30th May 2014

Interviews for those shortlisted will take place on Wednesday 11th June 2014

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Upcoming Events

Welcome to

Northside Baptist Church!

Welcome to our Website.  We understand the frustration, fear, and pain that most Americans are facing.  However, our God is still on the throne.  We know that He has brought us "Victory" in and through Jesus Christ.

Last year we, "Strengthen the Things which Remain!"  Through this, God has prepared us for this New Year and a great Spiritual Victory.

In 2021, we would like to encourage you to "Claim and Climb" the mountian of inheritance.  Caleb waited 45 years to dwell where God had prepared for him.  We don't have to wait.  Spiritual Victory can be ours daily.  No matter what this year brings, we can dwell closer to the Lord than ever before.

Do to the outbreak of the Covid-19, we are currently offering Sunday Services at 11 & 6 and Wednesday at 7 inside the Church.  Also, we are live streaming all of our services on our YouTube channel.  Please join us for a time of worship, in these days of fear and uncertainty.

We are an Independent Fundamental Baptist church that preaches the truth with love.  We would like to thank you personally for visiting our website, and we hope you take some time to look around.

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Channel: Northside Baptist Church Pembroke.

It would be a tremendous encouragement to us if you sign our guestbook so we can have a record of your visit.   Feel free to let us know how we could make our site better.  Please share us with your friends we would love to here from them too.  And while you are here be sure to start out every day with our interactive    Daily Devotional.

Join us for:
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Come Experience the Difference!

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Basking In The Last Bits of Light

….or working in the last bits of light. Either one. That’s what happened this evening as dusk settled in and despite the grey throughout the entire day the sun decided to peek through and throw some red, orange and yellow into the evening sky. Only for a bit. Then it faded off into other countries for the night.

I’m thankful that I am able to come home for lunch if I choose to. This is a complete difference from my job in Florida where my commute was anywhere from 30 minutes when I lived in western Miami-Dade county or an hour to an hour and ten minutes when I lived in west-central Broward country. On the good, nice days when I come home for lunch I’m always wishing I could play hooky for the rest of the day to work in the yard. Sometimes I’ll eat my lunch and surf Facebook or read a blog or two and then head off to the side yard and check on the vegetable garden (when is the garlic going to sprout already?!!). It is then that I think of all the things I could weed, plant, or toss into the burn pile.

Alas, I return to work. Now that the sun is setting somewhere around 7pm I have to get all of my outdoor activities crunched into two hours, really an hour and a half, before the light is gone. Soon the time will change and I will only get an hour to do it all.

Tonight I planted eight azaleas, four each around two different trees. I still have another four to plant another night, but I don’t think we have even chosen where we want those. I picked up some onion sets and red cabbage seedlings yesterday when I went to trade out an azalea; we had bought the wrong variety. Those need to go in the ground too but the light escaped me too soon tonight.

Overhead lately we’ve been getting ducks and the ever magnificent pileated woodpeckers. They are generally a constant around here, but the ducks are a new addition. I’ve also been noticing the raptors are migrating in; lots of hawks on fence posts along the highway. I had a good look at what I think was a red-shouldered hawk the other day on my way home at lunch. The swallowtail kites we saw shortly after we moved in have migrated out of the country already, but I will look for them in the spring.

Along the roadways, in the wet ditches, wetland sunflowers are blazing and the goldenrod is getting ready to peak in the next week or so. I hadn’t paid much attention until a few days ago but the sunflowers are blooming along our pond too. I’ll have to get a photo soon or they will be gone before I know it!

As for fall colors, the trees showing the most foliage changes are the sycamores, though the oaks and a few others are working their way into their fall outfits. I am always drooling at every fall photo I see from people north of the deep south, particularly those in New England—Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire—I want to crawl into those photos. A year ago I was in those photos; I spent two weeks working in Pennsylvania.

I’ll leave you with a photo from then…

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2 thoughts on “Basking In The Last Bits of Light

  1. Erin says:

    So pretty, the words and the pictures 🙂 And I’m a little jealous of your pileated woodpecker!

  2. Mom says:

    I want to crawl into a photo too. Im not sure if I ever want to come out either.

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Lecture about contemporary

Contemporary American fiction

On our hunt for the newest and hottest reads, it can be easy to forget that there's already a wealth of timeless classics just waiting for us to dive in.

In honour of Harper Lee, who sadly passed away this month at the age of 89-year-old, let's revisit this...As founder of The Girly Book Club I spend a lot of my time reading books that are nominated to be the next big thing, but when life gets me down, or I need a little perspective, Ill always find comfort in the classics. Every now and then, when I am tired of the nuances of modern fiction, I pick up a classic and I go back, back to some of my favourite books and favourite memories. Classics are a bit like the scent of perfume to me; certain smells remind me of times and events from my past and its very much the same for books. I pick up a dog-eared copy of one of my favourite classics and away I go

Here is a list of my 15 favourite classics that are bound to make you think twice.

1. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (1961): A sombre coming of age story where the protagonist, Esther, deals with a series of life-changing experiences most would approach with pleasure and excitement, but as Esther moves forward on her journey she descends deeper into madness. This book provides an in-depth look at mental health and the conventional expectations placed on women at the time. Just dont take this book to the beach with you.

2. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (1936): One of my absolute favourite books of all time  its not a light read and the sheer size of it (1000+ page) may put even the most devout literary buffs off, but once you get into the world of Scarlett OHara youll fall in love with the South and all its trimmings. A historical novel that has you rooting for a rich spoilt heroine whose bound and determined to survive. Read this book when you need that extra bump of determination and may there be a little Scarlett OHara in all of us.

3. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1850). Hawthorne can be a bit tedious at times but who doesnt like a sultry book about sin and lust? He was writing about the Puritan society of 1642 so dont think youre in for a sequel to 50 Shades of Grey. Once you figure out the language of the time youll uncover that poor Hester Prynne must wear a scarlet 'A' on her chest at all times to signal to the world that she is an adulteress  imagine that in today's London!

4. 1984 by George Orwell (1949): Written 35 years before its dated title, 1984 is a dystopian prediction of what the future holds, which is a lot of tyranny, censorship, mind control, public surveillance (Big Brother) and war. Orwell explores what used to be England and is now an authoritarian state. Translated into more than 65 languages, this is an important work of science fiction. A book that helps us examine what our fundamental freedoms are and will question just about everything you thought you knew.

5. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger (1951): Holden Caulfield is a 16-year-old undergoing treatment in a mental facility. The story takes place in New York where Holden spends three days prior to returning to his parents home for Christmas, after hes recently been expelled from school. What follows is a diatribe of meetings, calls and random occurrences when he seems to be obsessed with where the birds from central park go when the water freezes. The story explores alienation and loneliness as well as the struggle of growing up.

6. Animal Farm by George Orwell (1949): George Orwell was a crafty fellow. I read this for the first time when I was in high school and I had no idea it went any deeper than a bunch of animals bound together to take over a farm from a farmer. Of course, it soon became clear that this is an important piece of historical literature. Its a critique of the Russian Revolution and symbolizes better than anything else Ive ever read, the rule of a dictator (Joseph Stalin in this instance) in their country. Set aside your personal political views to get a better understanding of the ideologies this book presents on freedom and equality.

7. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (1847): If youve heard the name Heathcliffe then you have likely already been introduced to this epic novel. Referred to by some as the 'Romeo and Juliet' of the Yorkshire Moors  Wuthering Heights is not your run-of-the-mill love story, but rather a poignant story of revenge.

8. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (1868): This is an absolute gem of a story. If you read it when you were young, pick it up again now and it will appeal to you on a whole new level. Alcott has a way of telling her story so that youre smitten with all of her characters. This novel explores the many roles of women by allowing each daughter to take a different path and lets you explore themes of duty versus individual growth.

9. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (1937): Set during the great depression in California, this is the story of George and Lennie, two transient ranch workers just trying to find their own place in the world to settle down. Steinbeck examines themes of humanity and friendship in this book  a very powerful and moving read.

10. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960): Winner of a Pulitzer Prize and an all-American Classic. If youve never come across this book before then its possible you live in a cave. Its the story of Atticus Finch and his children Jem and Scout growing up in a small town in Alabama, and it's loosely based on the author's own life. Its a captivating read, but not for the light hearted; Lee deals with strong themes of rape, racism and social injustice.

11. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (1899): Again, not a book to take on vacation with you unless youre up for an intense thematic probe. The main character, Charles Marlow, transports Ivory down the Congo River in Central Africa. During one of his trips he meets Mr. Kurtz, a man well known to the natives, with whom he develops an unhealthy obsession. Heart of Darkness is an exploration of colonialism and the brutality and racism that is deemed necessary to maintain power.

12. Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy (1891): The full title of this book is Tess of the DUrbervilles - A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented. Judging by the title its not surprising that the book was initially censored because of the explicit sexual themes that were not commonplace at the time. The story follows Tesss own journey through a life full of folly and misfortune  and although youre unlikely to identify with any one of her hardships you will come away with a bit of perspective at the very least.

13. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925): This book may be style over substance and its unlikely youll revel in its profound life statements but at least youll know what Leonardo Dicaprio is doing on all the poster boards. This is one of those books that will constantly be alluded to and youll be left out in the rain until you read it yourself. The Girly Book Club actually read this as a book of the month in preparation for the movie to come out and I am glad I finally did. The Great Gatsby? Check.

Source: www.marieclaire.co.uk
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Gen Con Indy ’04 Wrap-up: OgreCave T-shirt Throwdown – Postgame analysis

I warned you not to take me on, Steve. Your t-shirt gathering prowess is no match to my own. You went down like the Hyatt elevator overloaded with sweaty gamers (which isn’t that funny if you’ve been there, believe me).

I’ll take my victory lap now, and recount the story of your ignominious defeat.

Having rocketed to a total of six shirts the first day, I thought I could take it easy for a bit and see more of Gen Con’s exhibit hall. But slowly you climbed from two shirts to four, then five, easily within striking distance of the win. Your talk of a plan and an “untapped source” spurred me to action once more. Well, that and the need to refill my closet.

I approached Nathan at Privateer Press, having already spent some time perusing the yummy War Machine goodness. He proved sympathetic to my cause, and offered up a shirt that was slightly small for me but still counted toward my goal, as per the throwdown rules. I continued to prowl the hall for elusive t-shirts. What could the “untapped source” of Steve’s be, I wondered.

I noted the Midnight Syndicate booth’s shirts, but always came by when the guys there were behind a row of customers three deep. A pair of much smaller companies were also displaying t-shirts, but I felt bad enough about scamming freebies from more established industry folks, so I avoided hitting up first-time exhibitors who might have more trouble covering their expenses. As our Sunday departure time drew closer, I was getting more desperate.

Stopping by the Goodman Games booth, I described the competition and my growing nervousness to Joseph Goodman, who I’ve known for a while. Too distracted by crowds at his booth thumbing through Blackmoor, he didn’t quite absorb what I was saying, and jumped back into sales mode. Eyeing the Devil Lich t-shirt that tied into Goodman’s exceedingly popular Dungeon Crawl Classics Open Tournament, I decided to move on.

It was AEG that put me over the top, though I wouldn’t know it until the official tally later. Shirts for the D20 uber-adventure The World’s Largest Dungeon had been going home with gamers brave enough to take on a copy of the 400+ page bestiary-with-rooms. I was fortunate enough to receive not only the elusive uber-adventure shirt, but a SpyCraft CCG shirt as well. Piles of the SpyCraft shirts lined the end of almost every Alderac demo table, so I wagered that Steve had already gathered one toward his total. To be safe, I figured I’d need at least one more.

Zev at Z-Man Games provided my final shirt, which turned out to be the icing on the cake. It was also the strangest shirt bar none, with a depiction of Skippy the Wonder Dog from Grave Robbers From Outer Space prominantly displayed across it. I’ll have to pick a special occasion to wear this one. My next job interview, perhaps.

As Steve already admitted, my ten shirts was just enough to defeat his total of eight, making me the throwdown champion. Until next time, at least. I’m ready for a rematch, Steve, if you don’t mind more public humiliation. I’ll plan ahead and leave room in my suitcase for the dozen or so shirts I’ll rack up.

Thanks again to all the companies and individuals that kept the OgreCave T-shirt Throwdown a v-neck in v-neck race to the finish.


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Explore the ways propane can increase your home's comfort, efficiency, and value
Info for Consumers
for You

The OPGA PAC is a bipartisan political action committee advocating for our members

Check out our CETP & non-certified courses, training resources, and PERC safety projects
CETP Training

OPGA membership is an investment in your business through valuable resources and services
OPGA Applauds Gov. DeWine, Ohio Legislature for Ensuring Energy Access and Environmental Protection

The Ohio Propane Gas Association and several other associations applauded Governor DeWine and the members of the Ohio Legislature who supported House Bill 201, which prevents municipal bans on the delivery of propane and natural gas to existing homes and businesses across Ohio.

Ohio becomes at least the 17th state to pass similar pro-consumer and pro-energy legislation.

Focusing on how this bill will benefit consumers through continued access to propane, Ohio Propane Gas Association Executive Director Derek Dalling, said: “The Ohio Propane Gas Association is grateful for all of the support for this important legislation that allows Ohio consumers to continue to have the ability to choose the energy source that best meets their needs. We all want to improve the environment for future generations, and we can do that through a responsible combination of energy choices, which includes propane – a clean, affordable, and reliable energy source for rural Ohioans.”

Discussing how this legislation will help businesses have certainty in the energy they need to operate, Ohio Council of Retail Merchants President and CEO Gordon Gough added, “We applaud the passage of HB 201 as it provides businesses and consumers with greater certainty in their energy choices. We commend the efforts of the bill sponsors and the strong support from the General Assembly. Additionally, we thank Governor DeWine for signing this crucial piece of legislation into law.”

Ohio Homebuilders Association Executive Vice President Vincent Squillace said: “HB 201 will assure home owners and buyers the right to select a home with appliances powered by the power source of their choice. Prospective buyers overwhelmingly select homes heated by gas as the wisest choice.  Homeowners need not fear that local government will force costly removal of water heaters, furnaces, gas logs and outdoor grills imposed by municipal bans on certain fuel choices.”

Discussing how this legislation will ensure small businesses, families and consumers maintain choice in how they cook and heat, Midwest Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association MidStates Executive Director Erica Geil said: “Hearth, Patio and Barbecue would like to thank Governor DeWine for signing House Bill 201 sponsored by Representative Stephens. This bill will protect the gas fireplace and barbecue industry and consumers by ensuring consistent regulations throughout the state, giving consumers a choice in the fuels they use to cook and heat, and keeping hearth and barbecue companies in business.”

Paul Talboo with the Gas Workers Union Local G-555, “This legislation will allow responsible gas companies and unions, like the Utility Workers Union of America, to show that we can be a part of a balanced energy future for Ohio through innovation, increased efficiency, carbon capture and sequestration, infrastructure improvements, and investment in clean and renewable energy generation,” he said.

Regulatory Relief from Hours-of Service Requirements for Intrastate Operation of Commercial Motor Vehicles Transporting Relief Supplies to assist in the Coronavirus/COVID-19 Response

To aid in the relief effort, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio hereby grants regulatory relief from the hours-of-service requirements pursuant to Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 4923.02(C) and Rule 4901:2-5-05(A)(3) of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) for the intrastate transportation of relief supplies including consumer goods and medical supplies. The regulatory relief granted in this notice pertains only to the hours-of-service regulations found in 49 C.F.R. Section 395.3.
Rule 4901:2-5-05(A) of the Ohio Administrative Code, provides for regulatory relief for motor carriers operating in intrastate commerce during a time of emergency. On November 4, 1999, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio adopted and approved a "Policy for Regulatory Relief in Emergency Situations" to implement this rule.
The regulatory relief exempting motor carriers from hours-of-service requirements granted in this notice does not alter a motor carrier's duty to monitor its drivers; maintain records of duty status, and ensure drivers are not ill, fatigued, impaired, or otherwise unable to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely. This regulatory relief does not provide an exemption from the commercial driver's license requirements (refer to 49 C.F.R. Part 383), the controlled substance and alcohol use and testing requirements (refer to 49 C.F.R. Part 382) and/or the financial responsibility (insurance) requirements adopted by the Commission.
Unless otherwise directed, drivers must keep a written or electronic copy of this notice in each vehicle affected by this grant of regulatory relief. This regulatory relief will not apply to vehicles that do not have a copy of this notice.
This grant of regulatory relief is effective immediately and expires at 11:59 PM, March 27, 2020.
Once this grant of regulatory relief expires, drivers must comply with the off duty requirements in 49 C.F.R. Section 395.3 concerning 60/70 hour rules, or take a 34 hour restart, to return to active duty status.
I encourage all operators with Ohio intrastate authority to identify and communicate other actions that they believe should be taken to facilitate efforts to address, for the benefit of Ohio’s citizens, the risks associated with COVID-19. All such suggested actions should be communicated directly to me as soon as possible using my e-mail address which is
I also encourage all operators with Ohio intrastate authority to educate themselves about strategies to manage the risks associated with the spread of COVID-19 and share this information with others. In this regard, the Ohio Department of Health’s website provides some very useful and common sense information at
Please contact the PUCO Transportation Department at (614) 466-0369 with questions regarding this matter.

Among the many highlights of the 2017 Annual OPGA Summer Convention was the presentation of the first OPGA Legislators of the Year Awards.  The awards were presented to State Senator Troy Balderson (R-Zanesville) and State Senator Sean O'Brien (D-Youngstown) for their leadership and assistance to the Ohio propane industry.  The awards were presented by OPGA Government Affairs Committee Chairman Chris Buschur and Immediate Past President Brian Buschur.

"I am truly honored and humbled to receive this distinction," said Senator Balderson. "It is critical that we continue to make wise investments and work to protect our state's natural resources."

Senator O'Brien agreed and added, "It has been an honor to have led the fight to expand alternative fuel use - like propane autogas - here in Ohio."
ICOM North America invites all MPGA members to a special autogas event: The 100 Best Fleets being hosted at Icom North America on August 24, 2017. Contact Ronny Martinez, Autogas Fleet Development Specialist with ICOM North America to reserve your spot by email or call him at (248) 493-2059
The event will include interactive round-table discussions facilitated by managers of The 100 Best Fleets in Michigan and Ohio.
Rochester Hills has been nationally recognized for their shared services with 21 other agencies to identify cost savings while maintaining the same levels of service to include purchasing of equipment at significant discounts with no RFPs required.
In-sourcing is one of the biggest trends in the country and provides job security. Allan Schneck, Public Services Director will also discuss "outsourcing;" when does it make economic sense?
George Survant is considered one of the best informed fleet minds in America. He was the Fleet Manager for Florida Power and Light when they were in the top 100 Fleets.  He successfully supervised 20,483 vehicles at Time Warner Cable, was named AF Fleet Manager of the Year in 2016 along with receiving 5 other major national awards for excellence in fleet management during his 40 year career. George is now the Senior Director of Fleet Relations for NTEA, the Association for the work truck industry representing 1900 companies. This is a rare opportunity to hear from one of the thought leaders in the industry including many strategies and insights you can implement the next day. He has keynoted many national fleet conferences and is considered one of the best presenters in the industry.
Hayes Smith, CST Fleet Services, Winston-Salem, NC was responsible for the fleet turnaround in Detroit after the biggest financial bankruptcy in history. Detroit Fleet is now even "in-sourcing" work.  Learn from the practices implemented immediately for this only-in-America success story. Hayes also worked with Dallas Fleet who they consider, their best run fleet in 40 years making The 100 Best Fleets for the first time ever.
Clean Cities will present an update on the $4.7 billion dollar Volkswagen payout to public fleets virtually giving you FREE vehicles.

For those needing overnight accommodations, there is a group rate discount available for this event under G-ICOM. Individual attendees can make reservations for the event directly with the Hyatt Place at the Suburban Collection Showplace reservations at 1-800-233-1234.  Click here to make overnight reservations online.  Use the Group Code:  G-ICOM to receive your discounted group rate of $129.00.   Once the arrival and departure date have been entered, click on special rates and then enter the Group Code in the Group Code Box (make sure to include the G when entering the code).

LPGas Magazine would like to extend a special invitation to you for its annual LP Gas Growth Summit.  The Summit is scheduled for Sept. 18-20 at Reunion Resort in Orlando, Florida.  Click here for the agenda.

This is an exclusive buyer/seller networking event where propane marketer members are able to meet one-on-one with top propane vendor partners and learn new ways to grow gallons and improve operational efficiencies.

You should also know that LP Gas Magazine covers all expenses at the event, including lodging, meals, beverages and golf.  All you have to do is get to Orlando, Florida!

If you are interested, LPGas Magazine asks that complete the short online application  at the link below.  They will follow up with you afterward with more information.

Online application

To hear what past retailer attendees have said about the event, click here to see a video.

Click here to Ask Congress to Exempt the Propane Industry from OSHA's Crane Rule.

A rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration would require the operators of cranes for propane tank deliveries to undergo a third-party certification every five years.  This onerous rule has been delayed repeatedly since 2010; however, we want a permanent exemption.

Action Requested:

Together, we can gather a bipartisan coalition of U.S. House Members to send a letter to OSHA urging for a complete exemption.

Click here to contact your Member of Congress.

This request will take less than two minutes to complete.

The deadline for Members of Congress to sign on to the letter to OSHA is Friday, August 18.

The summer is going by like lightning, and everyone at CareWorksComp hopse you are able to enjoy great family time and maybe a summer adventure or's not over yet! As we approach the fall and the fourth quarter of the year, it is time to begin planning for a successful and profitable 2018.
There are only a few notable deadlines in August and September, but the True-Up deadline is very important and there are only a few days left to do it. (If you have a large true-up credit, please note that BWC will credit this to any outstanding premium installment payments unless you specifically request a live check back from them.)

Upcoming important dates and deadlines:
  • August 15, 2017- yesterday marked the due date for the policy year 2016 payroll true-up report!  This report must be on file with BWC by that date, or your participation in discount and rating programs may be in jeopardy.  Click here for more details.
  • August 30, 2017- due date for the DFSP action plan (DFSP-5) for a 7/1 program start date. Please note this is for advanced level only.
  • September 30, 2017- "snapshot date" that BWC uses to capture costs in claims for the 2018 experience calculation.
Future Dating of BWC Premium Payments: As of June 30, BWC began allowing for future dating of premium payments, available through their website, You can now schedule future payments to avoid missed or late payments and for true-up reconciliation.
Please note the following:
  • BWC only accepts ACH transactions for future dating
  • BWC does not allow future credit card payments
  • Since you select the payment date, be certain you have the correct premium installment deadlines for reference
  • Payment may be blocked by your bank; be sure to confirm the transaction was authorized
  • In case your bank requires it, the BWC debit blocker code is: #3311334187. It is your responsibility to provide this to your bank if necessary
If you would like to schedule multiple installment payments, you can do so through the "Accounts Receivable" screen by choosing different dates for each one. All payments must be ACH.
2018 Group Programs: Group Rating renewals have been sent out to our current clients, and Group Rating and Group Retro invitations are being sent now through the end of summer. Businesses may have eligibility for multiple programs, or dual eligibility, in which case they have or will receive both a Group Rating invitation and a Group Retro invitation. We are eager to discuss what looks best financially, and in form and function. Here's to another tremendous year of administrating successful workers' comp savings programs for our clients!
New Payroll Reporting Caps: For the 2017 policy year (7/1/17-6/30/18), BWC has updated the payroll reporting caps for corporate officers. The minimum reportable wage per person/per week is $451, and $1353 is the maximum.
Those affected by the payroll reporting limitation are defined by BWC as such:
Active executive officers of a corporation

Note: Officers are considered active if they are engaged in any work on behalf of the corporation.
Employers listed below who choose elective coverage (because they are not required to carry workers' compensation insurance).

- Sole proprietors
- Partnership
- Family farm corporate officers
- Limited liability company acting as a partnership
- Limited liability company acting as a sole proprietor
- Individual incorporated as a corporation (with no employees)

Non-officer board members are not subject to the officer minimum/maximum rules.
Incident checklist:  Click here for the updated Incident Reporting Checklist that our safety department, RiskControl360°, created for our clients. You probably (hopefully) already have something similar in place but please look this over in case there areas you didn't think about. It also ties in when to contact your MCO, and when to contact us, your TPA, as this is always a bit of a gray area.

Following are updates on three grant opportunities for projects to replace or reduce pollution from diesel vehicles.  Information on all three programs is posted on the Ohio EPA Office of Environmental Education website - look for the grey tabs in the middle of the page.
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Grants (AFV)
DRAFT application guidelines and forms are now posted on the AFV program webpage for review.  Ohio EPA considered seven comments received from Interested Parties in June, and has tried to clarify how applicants can demonstrate that proposed vehicle conversions are compliant with US EPA requirements. Please send questions about these draft documents to  Ohio EPA is now preparing to file the rules, and hopes to issue a Request for Grant Proposals late this fall, once the rules are approved and in effect.
Diesel Emission Reduction Grants (DERG)
A number of projects that received grants in December, 2016, are on hold awaiting Buy America waivers required from the Federal Highway Administration.  FHWA has provided no explanation or indication of whether the delay is temporary or permanent.  Ohio EPA and ODOT will not issue another DERG Request for Proposals without assurance from FHWA that the federal funds that support the program will be forthcoming.
Volkswagen Mitigation Trust Fund (VW)
There has been some slippage in the schedule for this program as the Trustee continues to negotiate with the court and parties to the settlement.  The Trust Effective Date is now expected sometime in August or September, to start the process for states to become certified as beneficiaries.  Ohio EPA is drafting a mitigation plan that we expect to circulate for formal public comment sometime this fall.   During early stakeholder outreach in late 2016, the most requested uses for the VW funds in Ohio were school bus replacements, transit bus replacements, and electric vehicle charging stations.  Ohio EPA is drafting a plan that includes all ten allowable uses of the funds.  We expect to release the first Request for Grant Proposals sometime during the first half of 2018.
More information on all these programs will be posted to the Website and shared with interested parties as it becomes available.
Most - if not all - of us probably have a life insurance policy.  We can use these great financial planning tools to protect our family assets, our business assets, for coverage on key employees, for business transition (buy-sell) protection, etc.  Making sure your beneficiary designations are clear, accurate and up to date is essential.
Is your life insurance beneficiary designation up-to-date and accurate? If not, your policy's proceeds could be subject to unnecessary taxation or, worse yet, end up somewhere you don't expect.

Rarely do beneficiary problems begin when the life insurance policy is issued. Instead, they arise as we change. Birth, divorce, graduation, and even tax law changes can alter the practical effect of your policy's beneficiary designation. A quick review will help make sure it correctly reflects your true intentions and does not expose you or your beneficiaries to unnecessary taxation.

Your financial protection should be a primary concern to you and your financial planner or insurance agent.  Contact your financial planner or insurance agent today to review your beneficiary designations and all your current financial needs.
Fleets use the Alternative Fuels Data Center Station Locator to find vehicle refueling stations every day. Now is a great time for you to take a moment and review your information on the locator. Maintaining an accurate listing that displays your hours of operation and address ensures fleet customers can find you easily.
How it Works:
To get your station listed, marketers can simply complete and submit the online form . You will be contacted to verify the information by the AFDC team. Once your listing is live online, you should promote it to area fleets. Every year, you will be contacted to confirm you information is still up-to-date.
If you are already listed on the locator and have not been contacted by the AFDC team in the past year, you should verify that your listing is still up to date.  If it is not, you should click on the "Report a change" link on your station listing.
The Station Locator lists stations as "primary" or "secondary". Both types of stations are able to refuel vehicles, but primary stations are equipped specifically for vehicle refueling, and offer more amenities:
  • Open to the public(fleet customers).
  • Staffed duringregular business hours - no calling ahead required.
  • Accept credit andfleet cards.
  • Offer a dedicatedfuel dispenser for vehicles.
It's important that marketers understand the differences between primary and secondary stations, and list your stations correctly on the locator.

OPERC reminds all Ohio propane marketers that rebates remain available for autogas and duty to warn safety programs.

Under the Autogas Rebate Program, rebates are available to propane customers who reside in Ohio for eligible purchases on a new propane vehicle.  Any new OEM vehicle or lawn mower system that is approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is registered and operated in the state of Ohio is eligible for a $1,000 incentive payment.  Click here for more information.  Or you can visit the new OPGA Autogas website.

The Duty to Warn Program is designed to reimburse a propane dealer for some expenses associated with mailing duty to warn information to their customers. Marketers that choose to participate will purchase the Duty to Warn materials they need, have them shipped to their plants, and submit a receipt or proof of purchase to the OPGA. OPGA staff will then reimburse up to $500 to the marketer. Click here for more information

To answer requests made by the industry, members of the PERC Safety and Training Working Group worked diligently to produce six new consumer safety videos. Topics include how to read a tank gauge, transporting small cylinders, propane system inspections, and what to do if you suspect a gas leak.
You can share these videos with customers.  You can add your own customized company message.  And you can add them to your website.

Click here for examples:

Need help? Call the PERC help desk at 202-452-8975.

As all of us in Ohio know, Ohio is all too familiar with beating Michigan, and the Ohio Propane Gas Association can claim one more Buckeye victory.

As you may recall, OPGA Executive Director Derek Dalling donated all four of his prized tickets to the University of Michigan-Ohio State University football game to the Michigan Propane PAC and the Ohio Propane PAC as a fundraising challenge for the two states.  Both states had fun with the donation, and both state propane PACs benefited.

The two tickets donated to the Michigan Propane PAC raised $355, and the winner was none other than OHIO Past President Bob Herron of The Energy Cooperative.  Not so coincidentally, Bob also won the two tickets donated to the Ohio Propane PAC with a winning bid of $360.

As part of the challenge, Derek also plans to reward Bob with Ohio State t-shirts for the Ohio Propane Gas Association beating the Michigan Propane Gas Association.


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• Mon. Oct 25th, 2021

Jun 9, 2021

•Says Security Outfit Not For Battle Against Any Ethnic Nationality

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has declared that efforts to empower and strengthen the State Security Network, Amotekun Corps, was not a battle against any ethnic nationality in the country.

Governor Akeredolu said the existence of Amotekun is rather an uncompromising approach to deal with the forces against the unity of the country and well-being of the people.

The Governor spoke on Tuesday at the official commissioning of the Administrative Headquarters and Control Centre of Amotekun Corps at Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital.

The new headquarters houses a control room equipped with all necessary gadgets where situation reports are collated and transmitted to the approved channels of the security agency.

Governor Akeredolu expressed delight in Amotekun’s initiative of combining local and artificial intelligence to raise capacity in the fight against crime which has assumed a worrisome dimension.

“I am confident of the continued cooperation among our security agencies in the bid to continue to secure the lives and properties of the people. This I believe would be jointly carried out with Amotekun commanders in other States in the geopolitical zone. I wish to reassure you of my support,” he said.

Arakunrin Akeredolu added that the new edifice was a symbol of his administration’s desire and irrevocable commitment to the ideals that were sworn to at the launch of Amotekun initiative sometimes in January 2020 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

“You will agree with me that the challenges we have faced since then has heightened and has become morally necessary to ensure that our men are not just physically fit but mentally balanced to interpret signals as they receive from the various flashpoints.

“It is with this in mind that I wish to enjoin all stakeholders in and out of the State to give the required support to the Agency and other security agencies as they collectively assist us in the realisation of the 6th Goal of the REDEEMED agenda which focuses on the Maintenance of Law and Order through Adequate Security,” he said.

The Governor thanked the people of the Sunshine state for their understanding and cooperation in obeying laws and regulations guiding the movement of motorcycles.

He noted: “The inconveniences are worth it in the end when viewed against the negative consequences that disobedience attracts.”

He, however, solicited the cooperation of the indigenes of the State in the Diaspora to assist his administration in terms of funds and crime-fighting equipment in order to protect the state’s heritage and bequeath a peaceful and safe place to the next generation.

The event was attended by members of the State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun; Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu; and other members of the state executive council; Traditional rulers led by the Chairman of the state council of Obas, Oba Fredrick Obateru, Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom; Heads of Security Agencies, Amotekun Commanders in Ekiti, Osun and Ogun states among other dignitaries.

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Emily Bear

Rockford’s Emily Bear: Pianist, Composer & Kid

She’s performed at the White House, played with countless celebrities and taken the stage at Carnegie Hall, yet Rockford resident Emily Bear is still just a friendly, warm-hearted girl next door.

Rockford resident Emily Bear has experienced things that most of us only dream about.
Emily is a pianist and composer who’s equally comfortable playing jazz or classical music, and is recognized in both worlds, which is extremely rare. She also enjoys playing her own compositions.
At just 12 years old, Emily has performed all over the world. She’s played for heads of state; performed at international festivals; entertained thousands of fans at some of the most iconic venues in the country. She’s recorded six albums of her own material. She’s appeared at Carnegie Hall, on national television programs, and been interviewed by some of the most well-known journalists in the world. And, she’s closing in on 15,000 “likes” on her Facebook fan page.
Not too shabby for a girl who won’t even be a teenager until August.
But to know Emily-the-performer is also to know Emily-the-bright-eyed-girl, who enjoys goofing around with friends and doing handstands in her living room as much as she enjoys thrilling fans with her amazing talents.
“There’s a fluidity and elegance with the way Emily moves and deals with people,” says one of her teachers, Dr. Ron Sadoff, chair of the music department and director of film scoring at New York University’s Steinhardt School. “Still, Emily’s an absolutely normal kid. She’s very organic and very natural. She’s comfortable in her own skin.”
The word that comes to mind when people talk about Emily is “prodigy.” It’s a description, however, that makes her slightly uncomfortable.
“I don’t think it really describes me correctly,” she says. “I’m just myself. I play the piano and I compose. Sure, I travel a lot, but it’s no big deal. My sister and my friends certainly don’t think it’s a big deal.”

Rockford Raised

Emily lives with her parents, Brian and Andrea, and her two older siblings, 17-year-old Benjamin, and 13-year-old Lauren.
The Bears are a talented family: Andrea has performed at New American and Starlight theaters in Rockford, and has been featured singing with several orchestras including the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. All three children play the piano. Benjamin is a competitive rower and plays first-chair tenor saxophone in his high school’s jazz band. Lauren is the harpist for the Rockford Youth Symphony Orchestra, and is a competitive figure skater. Brian is plenty busy as an orthopedic surgeon. “There’s never been any sense of jealousy or competition in our family,” says Andrea. “Everyone is busy doing their own thing.”
Emily’s unique talents were apparent from the beginning.
Like she did with all of her children when they were young, Andrea sang lullabies to Emily to get her to sleep. “She sang back to me in perfect pitch – note on note,” Andrea recalls. “It was bizarre. I had never heard a baby sing before on pitch.”
One day, painters were working inside the Bear home when they heard someone playing the piano in another room. Much to their surprise, it was two-year-old Emily. “She was able to connect notes and play scales,” says Andrea. “She would experiment all over the keyboard.”
By the time she was three, Emily was composing music. Within a year, Andrea was teaching her to play pieces by ear. “Everything I taught her, she learned in a second,” Andrea says. “She memorized them and never forgot them.”
Emily’s grandmother, Marcelle Bear, also noticed her talents. A few weeks later, Emily’s other grandmother, trained pianist Merle Langs, heard Emily playing the piano while visiting Rockford from New York. Langs called The Juilliard School in New York to get a recommendation for a piano teacher in the Chicago area, for when Emily would be old enough to begin lessons. The school referred her to the Music Institute of Chicago’s Emilio del Rosario, a world-renowned classical pianist and teacher who specialized in teaching gifted children, before his death in 2010.
Emily began her piano studies with del Rosario at the age of four years, 10 months. “We’ve never had to force her to practice,” Andrea says. “She has always loved her music.” A few months later, Emily was asked to perform at a large fundraising gala for the Music Institute of Chicago, honoring world-renowned pianist Leon Fleischer.
Shortly afterwards, Emily, who was five at the time, was invited to perform at Ravinia Music Festival, in Highland Park, Ill. In her professional concert debut, Emily became the youngest performer to play at Ravinia’s Music Festival, where she played a 45-minute solo program mixing classical, jazz and her own compositions, including a song she wrote that week.
As a way to unwind before she performs, Emily has been known to do cartwheels before she goes out on stage. Remember, she’s 12. “She was literally bouncing off the walls with excitement before her performance,” Andrea says. “But once Emily gets onstage, she’s completely serene and focused.”
In 2008, Emily was six when she was invited to perform at the White House for The Easter Egg Roll breakfast for President and Mrs. George W. Bush. She performed a 30-minute solo concert, mixing jazz and original compositions, followed by two songs played especially for the President and First Lady. “That was pretty cool,” she says. “I was the first one there, so I got to go to the Green Room and the Blue Room.”
Later that year, she opened for the Ramsey Lewis Trio with a 30-minute set. At age six, Emily was a recipient of the 2008 ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Competition award for her original song Northern Lights. She was one of nine winners in the 18-year-old and younger category, a group of nearly 600 applicants. She was invited to be one of two pianists to perform at the awards ceremony in New York City and was the youngest winner in the competition’s history.
Her orchestral debut came at age seven, playing Mozart’s Piano Concerto no. 23, K488, with two symphonies. By the time she was eight, she was playing concerts in Italy and China.
In 2010, Emily performed on Dancing with the Stars. To add to her growing collection of keepsakes, Emily brought home the tuxedo and hot pink socks with rhinestones that she wore on the show. “That was a really fun experience,” she says.
Two years later, Emily played for a sold-out crowd of 18,000 at the famous Hollywood Bowl. She played a medley of her own compositions as well as Miss Celie’s Blues, from the score of The Color Purple, with singers Gloria Estefan, Patti Austin, Siedah Garrett and a jazz orchestra. That summer, Emily was featured at the 45th Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the Festival Castell in Peralada, Spain.
That same year, Emily and family traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, where she performed in the Art on Ice show, in which world-class figure skating is choreographed to live musical performances. The list of past musical performers includes the likes of Donna Summer, Robin Gibb, Lang Lang and Seal. The performances on ice include Olympic medalists and figure skating world champions.
“It was so cool to play for live skaters – it was a totally different performing experience than I have ever had before,” Emily says. “One of my favorite parts was getting to ice skate with Olympic silver medalist Stefan Lambiel in the finale. It was really fun when he spun me around.”
Emily recently debuted eight new orchestral pieces at a concert in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and composed a score for a film that was recorded by a live orchestra in New York City this past summer.
Of course, with so many high-profile experiences come plenty of national and international media exposure. Emily’s been interviewed by the likes of Diane Sawyer and Katie Couric, and instantly became a favorite of actress Ellen DeGeneres. Emily has appeared and performed on The Ellen DeGeneres talk show six times.
She’s been covered by media outlets across the world, including those in Germany, Australia, Italy and China. Emily takes it all in stride. “It’s been fun,” she says. “I love to travel and learn about other cultures. I think it’s cool that music is so universal and can bring people together from all different backgrounds.”

Head of Her Class

Emily has many favorite composers, including George Gershwin and Debussy. Her jazz favorites are Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson and Quincy Jones.
And she works with some of the best teachers in the world. She’s currently studying classical piano with Chicago Symphony keyboardist Mary Sauer.
Emily also travels to New York, where she works with Veda Kaplinsky, head of the piano department at Juilliard, and does film scoring with Ron Sadoff, who started working with Emily three years ago at New York University.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve worked with a prodigy,” he says. “But it’s the first time I’ve worked with someone with Emily’s diversity – jazz, classical and film scoring. She has the ability to master them all. There are people who can do a couple of different things. Winston Marsalis, for example, is as accomplished in classical repertoire as he is in jazz. But Emily possesses an unbelievable sense of how to put music and images together. That’s something that can’t be taught.”
Emily plays all of her music from memory, even 45-page classical concertos. “I memorize the notes pretty quickly,” she says. “Then, it’s all about polishing the details.”
When asked how she creates such beautiful pieces, Emily’s answer is short and to the point. “I don’t know,” she says. “Everyone always asks me that. It just comes out.”
“She’s very malleable,” Sadoff says. “But there’s definitely an absolute vision that she locks onto. She’s very strong in her ideas. She’s never tentative, and with Emily, there’s always a natural flow of ideas.”
Someone else who has a sharp eye for talent is her manager, legendary producer Quincy Jones, known for his work with Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra, and who has a countless number of film scores to his credit.
A mutual acquaintance told Jones about Emily. Two weeks later, Emily flew to his home in Los Angeles for an initial meeting. “They were kindred spirits from the beginning,” Andrea says. “They speak the same language.”
Jones ended up producing Emily’s most recent album, Diversity, which was recorded at Westlake Studios in Los Angeles – the same studio in which Jones recorded Bad with Jackson. The CD features all-original songs composed by Emily and performed with a jazz trio.
“It’s awesome working with him,” says Emily. “He’s completely down to earth. Every time I’m with him, I learn so much. He’s like an encyclopedia of American musical history. He’s taught me so much about music and about life. He always tells me that music is only as good as the person you are inside.”
For Jones, the feeling is mutual. “She’s the most delightful human being I’ve ever met in my life,” he writes on Emily’s official website. “And her music is the same way. I am at once astounded and inspired by the enormous talent that Emily embodies. With the ability to seamlessly move from classical to jazz and be-bop, she shows as much musical prowess as pianists/composers twice her age, and I’m thrilled to be working with her. She’s astounding, man….she’s astounding. She plays like she’s 40 years old. She is the complete 360-degree package, and there are no limits to the musical heights she can reach.”
Emily and her family are committed to using her talent to help others, so she’s developed a mission statement for her work. She only does projects that inspire, that she can learn and grow from, and that allow her to give back.
A portion of the proceeds from all CD sales are donated to charity foundations such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Ronald McDonald House Charities and Children’s hospitals in Los Angeles and Chicago. She has donated her talent fee back to the RSO Youth Symphony and her performances have helped the Rockford Public Schools purchase instruments for the music department. “I love giving back,” she says. “It makes me feel better that I can help people through my music.”
Last year, Emily performed with the RSO as part of its salute to the Big Bands. She played Duke Ellington’s Take the A Train and Satin Doll, among others. “Emily is one of those rare, one-in-a-million people,” says RSO Music Director Steven Larsen. “Someone like her doesn’t come around often. It’s difficult to overstate her talents and what she can do. She has an incredible curiosity about music, and she’s a wonderful person to work with. She’s a delight.”
A typical day for Emily is not so typical.
Wearing a pink headband, white top and black stretch pants, Emily is busy racing around her Rockford home on a recent cold and blustery day.
She’s sitting at her kitchen table, finishing up an early lunch of chicken noodle soup. Winston, the family’s miniature goldendoodle, is sitting on the floor, hoping something tasty will fall in his direction. “We call him Winnie,” Emily says.
Emily is in seventh grade and is being home-schooled this year. Given her demanding schedule, it’s easier for Emily to work on her studies from home, with help from a teacher who drops by a couple of times a week.
Her hectic schedule fluctuates between work and school. One week might be packed with schoolwork. The next week might lean more toward music. She’s constantly composing, writing and practicing from her upstairs studio. She regularly video chats with out-of-town teachers. She works on music for a commercial, then music for a film score. Within the past year, she’s started learning orchestration, but continues to work without a composing teacher. “I didn’t want to clip her wings,” Andrea says. “She’s so free and natural. Every song she writes has meaning. We never want her to lose the joy in creating.”
Offers to perform or compose continue to come Emily’s way. She was recently invited to perform at the Blue Note and Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, both in New York. She was asked to write the music for a Weight Watchers national marketing campaign. Her work is featured on six national commercials airing this winter. “That’s really awesome,” she says. Upcoming concerts include premieres of several new orchestral pieces that Emily is composing and Rhapsody in Blue with the Winnipeg Symphony in Canada.
During her down time, Emily loves to bake, work on crafts and have friends over. She enjoys the Disney Channel, History Channel, HGTV and Cake Boss.
Without question, having a child who’s in such great demand can be overwhelming. As Andrea likes to say: “There’s no rulebook for something like this.” But Andrea and Brian work hard to keep life as normal as possible for their three children.
“Everyone has special talents and gifts that make them sparkle or feel good about themselves,” says Andrea. “Whether it’s soccer or music, it’s a means to an end to building confidence and feeling good about yourself. Whatever my kids do, I want them to do it to the best that they can and have joy in it.”
As much as she’s accomplished in her young life, Emily, in some sense, is just getting started. She wants to be a film composer and looks up to well-known movie scorer John Williams.
“I don’t know what I’ll be doing when I get older, but it will definitely be in music,” she says. “My dream is to do film scoring and to have orchestras perform my music.”
Emily plans to revisit some of her favorite parts of the world when she can fully appreciate the experiences that surround her. “I love Vienna,” she says. “And Montreux, Switzerland, is so beautiful in the summer. I love the mountains and the swimming. This past summer was really fun. I got to perform in Japan and Korea. My favorite foods were Bi Bim Bop and sushi.”
Emily’s mentors marvel at her composure as well as her talent, and wonder what her future will bring. “She already knows this ability is part of her and is going to stay with her for her entire life,” says Sadoff. “It’s one long trajectory. She’ll do whatever she wants to do. But at this point, if you’ve heard her play these pieces, one thing is for sure: this is not the performance level and these are not the compositions of a 12-year-old child.”


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The term marketing is so broad, it covers many different aspects and there are lots of ways companies and brands can market themselves. So here are just some of the basics of the wonderful world of digital marketing and how it can help you and your business.

What is it?

Digital marketing is the promotion of your products or brand via electronic digital media. Instead of using traditional marketing methods like direct mail, flyers, or printed adverts it means using the internet and other digital aspects such as mobile, radio and TV to promote and advertise.

What are the advantages of digital marketing?

Monitor and analyse

Digital marketing allows people to monitor how their campaigns are performing and how much engagement they are receiving, pretty much in real time.The internet is an ever-evolving source of interaction, news and shopping amongst so much more, and now brands have the ability to clearly see the impact they are having. This also allows companies to alter their strategies and campaigns with immediate effect if something isn’t working.

Personal and greater engagement

Digital marketing provides a huge overall increase in brand engagement. Via the means of social media, brands can engage with their customers, offering them personal attention and relevant content and information. For a consumer, receiving an email personally addressed to them can make all the difference.

Greater exposure

Your business or brand now has the ability to be seen anywhere in the world. Using social share buttons on your website or blog, means users will end up sharing it to all their followers and this could lead to content going viral. If you’re still not sure, all you have to look at is how quickly news brakes online to understand the power of social sharing.

If you were to optimise your site with Seach Engine Optimisation (SEO) this opens up even more exposure, which then results in a long term Return On Investment (ROI). Ultimately meaning the whole thing will be fairly low cost to maintain.

A major winning factor of digital marketing is the massive reduction in cost from traditional marketing methods. It doesn’t cost anything to use the basics of social media or to send emails. But you can really add value to both of these with the use of eye-catching design and plenty of call-to-actions.

Brand control

Digital marketing can mean that brands have the ability to control who sees their content.They can choose locations or people who work in certain fields or locations, or even choose to send an email to someone in particular.

One of the biggest advantages of digital marketing is that it’s not intrusive. For example, people hate receiving telesales at inconvenient times, but now they can decide what they want to see online. Consumers choose to click a link or choose whether to read about products or services.

For all brands and businesses, digital marketing is easily one of the best routes to go down and should be considered when you’re looking to increase awareness, engagement and reduce cost.

Appmakr – Create Your Own Smartphone App!

A custom app and mobile website is not just for business. It’s perfect for associations, organizations, families, and yes, even to keep in touch with your friends instantly. With a professional appmakr you can utilize this powerful tool in many ways.

The smartphone industry is quickly replacing PC’s and laptops as the communication method of choice. If you are marketing anything or just building a brand for your own personal services, you will want to get your customized app on as many phones as possible.

Creating an app also acts as a mini website with up to 6 pages to fill with content of your choice including pictures. Included within the mobil app is the ability to text message your customers. Text messaging is critical to your mobile marketing strategy. Right now today, and the stats are there to prove it, 95% of all text messages are read within five minutes if receipt.

You can even let people subscribe to your text messages without having to download your app by the use of Free QR codes (quick response). With a mobile appmkr you have access to a free qr code generator to help assist in advertising your product or services. All your customer does is “scan in” the QR code using his or her smart phone… no need to type in an address, and no need to type out a text to subscribe to your service! Just imagine having a simple QR graphic on your business cards, or a storefront window, or in all your print advertising… even your stationery, inviting your customers to simply scan it in for immediate access! This way you can integrate all of your offline marketing and promotion with your Mobile Marketing strategies!

Best part of a mobile app is the ability to customize it..Once your phone application is built, you will be given special access to your own control panel and it’s simple, really. This program has been designed not for the technogeeks, but for everyone. Most mobile app creators can build an app in minutes. All you have to do is submit content, graphics, and pictures and you’re done. Promote your app and make money.

Your custom phone app will set you apart from everyone else. It has a “Wow!” factor. It has a sizzle factor. You simply must be part of the ‘in’ crowd, and with our unique program, you’ll be way ahead of the curve.

Top Membership Sites Will Take the Local Community Online

Building top membership sites can be an exciting, entertaining and profitable adventure, you just need to creatively shift your local community online. A process that can help revive your community.

It’s time that we actually take a few steps back and absorb what’s going on in the world around us. Surveys are telling us that over 84% of adults connect to the Internet for at least 4 hours every day. Showing that Internet usage is on a steady increase. It takes an even larger jump when looking at younger generations.

We’ve reorganized our lives around the conveniences of the Internet. Shopping, information, networking are all at our finger tips. But have we done a good job bridging the Internet with our local communities?

In my own local community, the businesses and residents have definitely seen better times. Many businesses are hanging on for dear life as potential customers rush to spend their money on the Internet. These businesses, who used to have just one or two local competitors, now have to compete against thousands of online businesses who can provide similar services / products for less.

Are we sacrificing a unique community connection for discount prices? Do we no longer care about the “personalized service” that small local businesses can provide? Doesn’t that count for something?

People are also spending less time actively engaging with their community. Video games, movies, television and the Internet are consuming more and more of people’s time. The conveniences have made parents numb to the fact that their kids hardly go outside and play. Better yet, that they don’t go outside and play with their kids. Is this how we want to use technology, to suffocate our core relationships with people we love?

So what’s the solution? We need to take our local community online, which will create top membership sites that will be great for our local community.

What if you could build a membership site that would promote the talents of residents within your local community. They could actively participate by adding their own unique entertaining content. In addition you allow residents to use your membership site to produce new events, promotions & campaigns. Businesses could partner with the residents and even employ their talents to help promote its services and products. Just by doing that, businesses will be able to connect on a deeper level with the network of those partner residents. Think about it, most people have at least 400 fans and followers that they would share a “Local commercial” with if they were in or helped created.

Having a local community membership website would benefit everyone; residents could showcase talents & skills, businesses could incorporate locals into their promotional efforts giving further reach and you would be the owner of one of the best top membership sites possible.

ULiveWV.org, a local community website for the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, is testing this concept right now. With an official launch planned in 2015, ULiveWV.org aims to build an online community using the talents of its local residents. The goal is to create unique events, entertainment and productions that the whole community can participate in.

Source of Site Traffic That Can Help You Get Past Google

Are you willing to invest in a more long-term and reliable organic traffic source for your website? Then let’s look at a search engine that can assist you in increasing your traffic.

Interview an Influencer or Get Interviewed by a High-traffic Website

Have you heard of Tim Ferriss, the author of the Four-Hour Work Week?

His podcast is nowadays a staple content type that he provides to his viewers. Tim’s show has world-class performers who share their insights on a variety of topics, and he is well-liked on social media. Do Tim’s fans enjoy the show? So far, the show has received over 50 million downloads. On most days, it’s the most popular business podcast on iTunes.

Interviews, whether on video or audio, are inherently conversational, lively, and engaging. The great aspect is that it’s a win-win situation for both sides. The interviewer is exposed to a new audience, while the interviewee is able to provide his website visitors with new fascinating and authoritative information. You can ask an industry influencer to share your interview with their followers on social media if you interview them. Consider the organic traffic you’ll get from their social media followers, which number in the hundreds of thousands. Consider the level of interest generated by a prior Derek Sivers interview on the Tim Ferriss Show. Derek shared the show’s URL with his 283K followers on Twitter. It won’t hurt if you establish a relationship with the influencer as a result of the interview.

Similarly, being interviewed by a high-ranking website can result in a significant increase in search engine traffic. Harsh Agrawal’s blog, Shoutmeloud, received 35,000+ views in a single day after he was profiled by YourStory. That was the blog’s most popular search engine traffic source (with 600,000+ monthly visitors). Because interviews provide consolidated value, they can be used as a long-term lead generating source for your company. Consider how many bloggers you’ve learned about through interviews on YouTube and other high-authority websites.

You may also conduct a Reddit AMA if you have a very compelling storey to tell. Mateen’s AMA got about generating $85,000 in profit by selling TeeSpring shirts/hoodies received 2000 page views. He also boosted the number of visitors to his website on a daily basis.

By registering as a source with HARO, you can also answer queries from journalists. On HARO, Christopher from Snappa came across this question from Inc Magazine about the future of content marketing. He swiftly responded with a thorough response. He was mentioned in Inc a few weeks later as a result of this. HARO is an excellent strategy to have your brand mentioned on authoritative news sites such as Entrepreneur and Inc. Those backlinks will enhance your search engine traffic and increase your marketing strategy by improving your reputation in Google’s eyes. Contact an SEO agency to find out how you can do this and how they can manage it for you while you work on the bottom line of your business.


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Council TypeDistrict
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Councillors:25 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Redditch Councillors

NamePartyWardEnd of Term
Michael ChalkConservative and UnionistAbbey2023
Julian GrubbConservative and UnionistAbbey2022
Brandon ClaytonConservative and UnionistAstwood Bank and Feckenham2023
Craig WarhurstConservative and UnionistAstwood Bank and Feckenham2022
Lucy HarrisonConservative and UnionistBatchley & Brockhill2024
Gemma MonacoConservative and UnionistBatchley & Brockhill2022
Nyear NazirConservative and UnionistBatchley & Brockhill2023
Debbie ChanceLabour PartyCentral2022
Imran AltafConservative and UnionistCentral2024
Mike RouseConservative and UnionistChurch Hill2022
Karen AshleyConservative and UnionistChurch Hill2024
Ann IsherwoodConservative and UnionistChurch Hill2023
Salman AkbarConservative and UnionistCrabbs Cross2022
Gareth ProsserConservative and UnionistCrabbs Cross2023
Emma MarshallConservative and UnionistGreenlands2024
Jennifer WheelerLabour PartyGreenlands2023
Wanda KingLabour PartyGreenlands2022
Aled EvansConservative and UnionistHeadless Cross and Oakenshaw2024
Joanne BeechamConservative and UnionistHeadless Cross and Oakenshaw2022
Tom Baker-PriceConservative and UnionistHeadless Cross and Oakenshaw2023
Andrew FryLabour PartyLodge Park2022
Timothy PearmanConservative and UnionistLodge Park2024
Alex FoggConservative and UnionistMatchborough2024
Juliet BrunnerConservative and UnionistMatchborough2023
David ThainConservative and UnionistWest2023
Matthew DormerConservative and UnionistWest2024
Peter FlemingConservative and UnionistWinyates2023
Luke CourtConservative and UnionistWinyates2024
Anthony LovellConservative and UnionistWinyates2022